Editors note: This is one in a series of re-reviews of restaurants reviewed by The Times-Dispatchs previous restaurant critic.

On its website, La Milpa Restaurante Mexicano describes itself as a vibrantly decorated 24-hour eatery offering traditional Mexican cooking and a Latin American grocery. Great description. The place is bright turquoise on the outside, bright yellow on the inside and as festive as a Cinco de Mayo party.

The grocery half of the place is stocked with a fantastic selection of ethnic items. You need dried exotic peppers? Check! Day of the Dead-inspired merchandise? Check! Pinatas, crucifixes and replicas of baby Jesus in the manger? Check, check and check!

While the market was a consistent delight on a couple of recent visits, the food was inconsistent. Thats surprising given the solid reputation for authentic Mexican cooking La Milpa has enjoyed during its 17-year run.

The nachos ($7.99), for instance, are made from a homemade recipe that creates a thick and crunchy chip. Theyre layered with spiced ground beef, black bean spread and  ahem  bright yellow, liquid cheese that resembled Cheez Whiz. (According to the kitchen, nachos arent a traditional Mexican dish so it uses a standard cheese sauce thats widely available.)

Next came the Ensalada Mix Con Nopales ($6.99), a cactus salad with lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado, dressed in lime juice and salt. The grilled cactus strips, which resembled soft green beans, had a mild charred flavor. The lettuce was mostly white iceberg and the tomatoes were cold, hard and tasteless.

In the California Burrito ($6.25), black beans, rice, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and grilled steak were tucked into a soft, warm tortilla. The stuffing was heavy on rice and beans, with only small pieces of steak scattered in the mix. Even so, it was the grilled, beefy flavor of the steak that stood out.

Winner of best choice of the night: the Camarones con Platanos (Shrimp with Plantains, $12.99). The dish paired small and tender grilled shrimp with Mexican rice flavored with chicken stock and chunks of carrot. The plantains on the side were buttery and sweet.

The dessert selection consisted of house-made items chilling in a glass case. The Chocolate Flan Cake ($3.89) had a moist chocolate cake base. Over the cake was the flan part of the dessert, which had a sweet taste and a consistency that was more gluey than custardlike.

The Pay Mamey Pie ($3.99), made from the exotic mamey fruit that the restaurant procures from a special distributor, was interestingly salmon-colored. Rather than being sweet like most dessert pies, it had a slightly floral flavor.

On another night, the Empanadas Mexicanas with chicken ($2.99 each) were disappointing. The homemade corn tortilla on the outside was tough (perhaps from lingering in the warming case). Inside the empanada, the sliced chicken breast was tender and the white Mexican cheese, creamy and pleasingly salty.

In the Tacos Duros de Maiz (hard corn tacos, three for $6.99) the corn shell was warm and crispy, filled with seasoned ground beef and topped with salty white Mexican cheese.

The Quesadillas Rellenas dish (cheese-filled tortilla with choice of meat, $8.99) was flavorful and satisfying. The tortilla was stuffed with a generous amount of grilled steak plus lettuce, tomatoes and rice. Then it was heated on a flattop grill until the fat in the steak melted into the mixture and the mozzarella cheese, with its mild, milky flavor, became warm and liquid.

In terms of service, La Milpa is no-frills. Thats pretty much what youd expect from any fast-casual restaurant of its kind. You place your order at a counter, pick it up when its ready and then bus your own table on the way out.

La Milpa is owned by Martin Gonzalez and Monica Chavez, both born in Mexico City. Together, theyve created a place that feels good in a lot of ways. First, theres the awesomeness of being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (Who else does that?!) Then theres the staff, who are warm and welcoming.

They also serve generous portions, so the food-for-the-dollar ratio is high. Lets just hope they can get the food back to the level of consistent excellence for which La Milpa has long been known.
Execution witnesses in Virginia now will see less of the proceedings, no longer viewing inmates as they are led into the execution chamber and strapped onto the gurney or into the electric chair.

Recent changes in the Virginia Department of Corrections execution manual alter decades-old practices and appear, in part, to have been made in response to issues that arose during the Jan. 18 injection execution of Ricky Javon Gray, which drew more attention than usual because of a new chemical cocktail.

The new protocol calls for a curtain in the execution chamber to be drawn prior to the inmate being escorted inside by the execution team, blocking the view from an enclosed citizen and media witnesses area.

Executions are carried out in L-Building at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. Inmates have a choice between execution by injection or electrocution, with injection the default means if they refuse to choose.

In prior executions, the curtain was open as the inmate entered and was secured to the chair or gurney, allowing a clear view of what was happening and the inmates demeanor. The curtain was closed only while intravenous lines and the electrodes for the cardiac monitor were placed.

Under the revised procedures for lethal injections, the curtain will not be opened until the IV lines are in place and the execution is ready to be carried out. A microphone inside the chamber then will be turned on so witnesses can hear the execution order read and any last statement from the inmate.

A redacted copy of the 18-page document signed Feb. 7 by Harold Clarke, director of the Department of Corrections, was made available to the Richmond Times-Dispatch by the Department of Corrections following a request earlier this week.

Asked why the changes were made, Lisa Kinney, a corrections spokeswoman, said Wednesday that the department periodically updates its internal policies and procedures to ensure adherence to best practices, with the safety and security of staff and offenders remaining at all times paramount.

Waiting to open the curtain until after IV line placement reduces stress on the staff placing the lines, which in turn makes the process likely to go more quickly for the offender. Line placement will be finished by the time set for execution, when the curtain will be opened for witnesses. This change brings Virginias practice into line with that of other states which carry out executions, she said.

The Death Penalty Information Center, which tracks executions across the country, agrees and disagrees. The center said a number of other states follow procedures similar to Virginias new ones.

But Robin Konrad, director of research and special projects for the center, contends, Theyre doing this in response to a question of why it took longer than normal to insert the IV lines. Their answer is now, Well, were not just going to let you know when we start that process.

The centers executive director, Robert Dunham, said, All of that is why the secrecy provisions are so problematic. There is no legitimate state interest in shielding what goes wrong from public scrutiny.

Bill Farrar, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, said, Its outrageous, its shameful, its unacceptable that under these circumstances in particular  less than three weeks after there were problems with the Gray execution  that they would enact new protocols that are more restrictive and more closed and more secretive.

If the April 25 execution of Ivan Teleguz is carried out, the curtain will not be opened until he is ready for the death warrant to be read and given a chance to make a last statement. Teleguz was sentenced to death in Rockingham County in a murder-for-hire case.

Inmates wear a mask during electrocutions. During lethal injections, the inmates feet are closest to the viewing area and the head and face the farthest.

Other changes in the new policy include explicitly permitting a physician, at his or her discretion, to use a stethoscope in addition to the heart monitor to determine when death has occurred during lethal injections.

The former policy called for the physician to observe the heart monitor. However, at Grays Jan. 18 execution, a physician appeared from behind the curtain and used a stethoscope.

The Death Penalty Information Center said courts in different parts of the country have ruled differently on the issue of how much witnesses can and cannot see. In some states even the placing of the IVs can be seen.

Dunham said that, given the nature of the changes, it seems clearly related to a state desire to prevent the public from seeing what might go wrong as opposed to any legitimate penological purpose.

He said a change targeted to prevent the public from learning about misconduct or a mistake invites legal challenge.

Farrar, with the ACLU, said he spotted as many as 30 changes in the new manual  although some typographical and inconsequential  from the one in effect when Gray was executed.

We dont know if theres more than the 30 because there are 39 places where the document has been redacted, he said.

Farrar said the ACLU wrote a letter to Gov. Terry McAuliffe on Jan. 24 expressing concerns about problems in the Gray execution and asked, among other things, that all executions be halted until the states execution protocol can be reviewed.

He said the American Bar Associations Execution Transparency Resolution of 2015 calls for the entire process to be open to full public view.

Otherwise, whats the point of having witnesses? he asked.

The first two things called for in the ABAs resolution are that authorities promulgate execution protocols in an open and transparent manner and allow public comment prior to final adoption; and ... require disclosure to the public, to condemned prisoners facing execution and to courts all relevant information regarding execution procedures.

Virginia law calls for six citizens to serve as official witnesses and department policy allows up to four media pool witnesses. Others, such as prosecutors or police officers involved in a case, may also attend and view from the same enclosed area. Members of the victims immediate family may also witness but do so from a separate viewing area and cannot be seen by the other witnesses.

Farrar said the ACLU is also concerned that information about the drugs used and their manufacturer remains secret. He said the ABA resolution calls for an independent investigation any time an execution is prolonged unusually or the inmate appears to suffer.

He said the ACLU also asked the governor for an independent investigation into Grays execution but McAuliffe did not respond to the Jan. 24 letter, written two weeks before the Department of Corrections new protocol went into effect.

Kinney, with the Department of Corrections, said the new policy also calls for the death warrant to be read to the inmate in front of the assembled witnesses. Previously, the warrant was read in a cell adjacent to the death chamber before the inmate was led into the execution chamber.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the death penalty to resume in 1976. Virginia has executed 111 people since 1982. It was unclear Wednesday when citizen and media witnesses began viewing the executions, but the media did witness the seventh one in 1990.
Missing Glen Allen woman Delecia Waddy  previously reported to have last been seen Thursday walking along the roadway from a Kings Dominion campground where her silver Ford Explorer was left  has since been spotted in Richmond, investigators now believe.

Caroline County Sheriff A.A. Tony Lippa Jr. said Tuesday night that investigators had followed a tip early Tuesday that the 24-year-old woman had been in the Fendall Avenue area of North Richmond on Sunday. Authorities have previously said theres no indication of foul play.

Caroline investigators responded to the call and feel confident, based on the information provided, that Delecia Waddy was in fact seen in that neighborhood, Lippa wrote in a statement.

The source of the sighting is an acquaintance of Waddys, and the person was reportedly unaware at the time that Waddy had been reported missing, Lippa said.

Waddy was previously spotted about 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the campground in the 10000 block of Kings Dominion Boulevard and was seen walking east on state Route 30 east toward Caroline, according to Hanover County investigator Christopher Stem.

Waddy is described as a black woman who is about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 145 pounds. On Thursday, she was last seen wearing a black halter-top, black pants with a white stripe down the leg, and no shoes.

Richmond police are assisting with the investigation and search for Waddy, Lippa said.

I would like to thank the media, the public and all of the dedicated men and women of law enforcement who have tirelessly searched for Delecia Waddy, the Caroline sheriff said. The Richmond sighting provides hope that Delecia will be found safe and returned to her family. In the meantime, several law enforcement and fire agencies, along with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, continue to work tirelessly to ensure her safe return.
A Hopewell man is facing multiple charges after police recovered drugs, cash and several weapons during a raid early Wednesday.

The raid, which happened at 6 a.m. in the 2300 block of Norfolk Street, was the culmination of a two-month investigation that began with a tip from a concerned citizen, said Hopewell police spokesman Lt. Paul Intravia.

The raid netted large amounts of drugs including marijuana, heroin and cocaine with a street value of about $20,000, Intravia said.

Officers also recovered three guns and more than $5,800 in cash, he said.

Kendale Winfield, 32, of Hopewell has been charged with multiple counts of drug distribution and weapons possession in connection with the raid, Intravia said.
Henrico police are looking for a suspect who stole a car this week.

The vehicle, a white 2015 Mazda CX 9, was stolen from the area of Three Chopt Road and Pemberton Road at around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, said Henrico Police Lt. Chris Garrett.

Police described the suspect as a white male, wearing a dark jacket with lighter-colored pants and a sweater or sweatshirt.

Police reported late Wednesday night that the vehicle had been recovered.
New U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will be in town Wednesday working on one of his top priorities  fighting violent crime.

According to the Department of Justice, Sessions will speak with federal, state and local law enforcement about efforts to combat violent crime and restore public safety.

Not invited were Brian J. Moran, Gov. Terry McAuliffes secretary of public safety and homeland security, and Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, both Democrats. Herrings office, the state governments law firm, works closely with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Moran, head of agencies that include the Virginia State Police and the Department of Corrections, said Tuesday there was a slight increase in crime last year, but, with all due respect for the (U.S. attorney general), public safety does not need to be restored in Virginia. We do a damn good job already.

Herrings office said it was surprised the attorney general was not contacted.

The meeting will be at 10 a.m. at the SunTrust Building at 919 E. Main St., Richmond.

Peter Carr, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice, said invitations for the event went to police chiefs, sheriffs and top federal agency special agents in central Virginia. Sessions remarks will build on his recent actions highlighting the disturbing rise in violent crime in our nation, Carr said.

Criminologist William V. Pelfrey, an associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth Universitys L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, said Tuesday that crime, particularly violent crime, in Virginia, and nationally, has experienced a downward trend of historic proportions.

He said there are exceptions elsewhere, such as in St. Louis, Washington and Chicago  cities that are experiencing rising violent crime. However, these increases tend to be concentrated in dense urban areas with serious economic and police/community relations issues.

Richmond police ... work extremely hard to maintain a high degree of police/citizen cooperation, Pelfrey said. Police who work hard to treat citizens with respect may not appreciate being told that public safety needs to be restored. Instead, public safety could be enhanced or further developed.

Alfred Durham, Richmonds chief of police, is among those set to attend. Violent crime in Richmond dropped steadily for 12 years to 2015, which was a 45-year low. However, last year violent crime was up 17 percent in the city and homicides have shown a recent uptick.

The number of killings peaked in Richmond in 1994 at 160, and then dropped steeply in 1998. Since 2008 the annual toll has been generally in the 30s and 40s. But homicides spiked last year to 61 slayings  the most in a decade. There have been 14 killings in the city so far this year, putting the city on the same pace as last year.

Others set to attend the meeting on Wednesday are Col. W. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of the Virginia State Police; and Lt. Colonel Gary Settle, director of the state polices bureau of criminal investigation.

According to statewide figures from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, in 2015, Virginias violent crime rate ranked 48th out of the 50 states in the U.S. Only Maine and Vermont reported violent crime rates lower than Virginias.

Virginias number of violent crimes decreased by 28 percent from 2006 to 2015, and the rate of violent crimes  per 100,000 population  decreased by 34 percent. The drops occurred during a decade when the states population grew by almost 10 percent from 7.7 million in 2006 to 8.4 million in 2015.

Last month, the creation of the U.S. Department of Justice Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety was announced in response to an executive order from President Donald Trump.

The department describes the task force as central to the attorney generals commitment to combating illegal immigration and violent crime, such as drug trafficking, gang violence and gun crimes, and to restoring public safety to all of the nations communities.

The president issued an executive order, and I feel strongly about it, said Sessions in a news release.

Turning back our nations recent rise in violent crime is a top priority for the Department of Justice, and it requires decisive action from our federal prosecutors, he said. Im urging each of them to continue working closely with their counterparts at all levels, and to use every tool we have to put violent offenders behind bars and keep our citizens safe.

Carr said Sessions remarks on Wednesday will build on his recent actions highlighting the disturbing rise in violent crime in our nation. He said Sessions opening remarks will be public but a following discussion with officials will be closed to allow the participants to convey law-enforcement sensitive information.

Michael Kelly, a Herring spokesman, said he thought the attorney generals office would have been invited. Weve worked extremely well with (the Department of Justice) on gun crimes, heroin traffickers and more, Kelly said.

He said the attorney generals office has been working throughout Virginia to reduce violent crime, prevent gun crime, and address the heroin and opioid epidemic.

Two weeks ago a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives operation led to dozens of arrests in the Hampton Roads area. The ATF worked with Norfolk police, the Virginia State Police and prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office, the Virginia Attorney Generals Office, and the Norfolk Commonwealths Attorneys Office.

However, Herrings office also has many non-law enforcement responsibilities and among Herrings current priorities has been opposing Trumps travel ban that bars new visas for people from some predominantly Muslim countries.
A man who showed up with serious injuries at a Newport News hospital has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed an 81-year-old woman in York County.

Arthur Lee Harris, 32, of Newport News was discovered at Mary Immaculate Hospital after checking himself in on Tuesday, said Virginia State Police spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya.

Harris has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and hit and run in connection with a three-vehicle crash Monday that killed Doris Jean Wright of Gloucester, Anaya said.

Harris ran away from the scene after the crash, Anaya said. K-9 units were unable to find him.
ABINGDON  The story of an FBI special agent who was shot and killed in an Abingdon cafe 75 years ago is now cemented in the towns history.

A crowd of about 100, including current and former FBI agents, joined the descendants of special agent Hubert J. Treacy Jr. at a dedication ceremony Monday morning outside the Historical Society of Washington County, where a memorial plaque telling Treacys story was unveiled.

The plaque tells a brief version of the events that unfolded that day: On March 13, 1942, Treacy and special agent Charlie Tignor were attempting to take into custody two Army deserters in Pats Cafe, which no longer stands. When the agents asked the men for identification, they opened fire, according to information compiled by retired special agent Robert Craig and the FBIs Richmond Division.

Treacy, who was 28, was killed almost instantly. He was the 13th agent killed in the line of duty at the time and the only one from the Richmond Division to be killed.

Tignor suffered five gunshot wounds and survived, living to the age of 101.

Brian Treacy, Hubert Treacys grandson, said the memorial means a lot to the family.

Its very humbling that people still remember 75 years later, he said. It really does prove that the FBI is a family.

Brian Treacy joined that FBI family himself, following in his grandfathers footsteps. He graduated from the FBI Academy in May 2002, 60 years after his grandfathers death.

Two days before Treacys death, then-Army Privates Charles Joseph Lovett and James Edward Testerman assaulted a sergeant at Fort Oglethorpe in Georgia, stole a car and made their way to Abingdon, according to the compiled information.

After the fire fight, 100 law enforcement agents from the FBI and local agencies pursued the men.

Both men were sentenced to life in federal prison.

At the ceremony Monday, Craig spoke of Treacys background.

Known as Burt to his family and friends, Treacy was raised in Far Rockaway, N.Y. He graduated from Georgetown University and St. Johns University Law School, according to Craig.

Treacy was an FBI agent for a little less than a year: He joined the FBI in April 1941 and was initially assigned to the Pittsburgh field office. He was assigned to Richmond that November and was killed the following March.
An influential Virginia lawmaker said in a Richmond courtroom Tuesday that the 2011 redistricting plan made 11 contested General Assembly districts more compact, regardless of compactness scores that suggested the opposite.

On the second day of a political gerrymandering trial with potentially far-reaching ramifications for state politics, Del. S. Chris Jones, a Suffolk Republican described as the architect of the 2011 House of Delegates redistricting plan, said the mathematical scoring systems at the heart of the constitutional challenge may prevail in a laboratory, but they dont always translate to the real world of politically drawn electoral maps.

At one point in his roughly 75 minutes on the witness stand, Jones, the Houses powerful budget leader, testily pushed back against cross-examination questioning from Wyatt Durrette Jr., an attorney with the redistricting reform group OneVirginia2021. The exchange prompted Richmond Circuit Judge W. Reilly Marchant to instruct the two men to refocus and stop arguing about whether the questions were being answered.

Durrette was trying to get Jones, called to testify by a team of attorneys from the BakerHostetler law firm defending the House plan, to admit that the House districts at issue in the case were more compact before the 2011 redistricting than they were afterward, according to multiple widely accepted methods of measuring compactness.

By that measure, Jones acknowledged partially. But I would not agree that it is more compact.

In his testimony, Jones described the redistricting process as a complicated puzzle that requires extensive knowledge of Virginia communities and, because the maps are approved by the General Assembly, support from enough lawmakers to pass. Because districts must have roughly equal populations, Jones said, new U.S. census data requires careful recalibration of the map. Population growth in Northern Virginia, he said, resulted in one district, House District 13, that had enough people for two and a half House seats.

Jones testified that he believes all House districts met the constitutional requirement for compact districts.

The civil suit, funded by OneVirginia2021 and brought on behalf of voters in the challenged House and Senate districts, claims state lawmakers gave minimal consideration to the constitutional requirement that districts be compact, following logical geometric shapes rather than serpentine, jagged forms that can result when politicians seek to gain partisan advantage or protect incumbents.

Both sides have acknowledged that theres no clear dividing line between compact and noncompact, but the plaintiffs are seeking to establish a new legal test that could allow courts to objectively measure compactness and draw conclusions about whether lawmakers did or did not give it meaningful consideration. That test, the plaintiffs claim, shows that the General Assembly allowed other discretionary factors to override compactness in the challenged districts in violation of the state constitution.

Jones rebutted that argument by testifying that compactness was considered throughout the 2011 redistricting process. He acknowledged he couldnt explain exactly what compactness measurements were used in the process, saying he left it to consultants and lawyers to ensure that districts compactness scores stayed within levels deemed acceptable by the courts in prior redistricting cases.

So if those attorneys were wrong, youd be wrong? Durrette asked Jones.

I think anyone as a client, they probably listen to what their attorneys tell them, Jones said.

John Morgan, a Republican demographer who worked with Jones as a consultant during the 2011 redistricting, said he regularly used mapping software to generate compactness scores and would have raised red flags if he felt any district had fallen outside the allowable range or started looking bizarre.

Durrette then asked Morgan about House District 72, a winding western Henrico County district represented by Republican Del. Jimmie Massie that was referred to in court Monday as the toilet-bowl configuration.

I take it you dont agree that that district looks bizarre? Durrette asked.

It looks like a U, Morgan said. An upside-down U.

On redirect, defense attorney Richard B. Raile of BakerHostetler directed Morgan to testify that the 72nd Districts ringlike formation is not bizarre because suburbs typically form a ring around cities. The 73rd House District, represented by Del. John M. OBannon III, R-Henrico, lies between most of Massies district and the city of Richmond.

Attorney General Mark R. Herrings office is defending the Senate redistricting plan created by Democrats. The Attorney Generals Office called its own expert witness Tuesday, University of Georgia political science professor M.V. Hood III, to cast doubt on the scoring methodology presented by the plaintiffs expert, University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald.

The defense also called Sen. Jeremy S. McPike, D-Prince William, whose 29th District is being challenged in the case. Elected in 2015, McPike wasnt around for the 2011 redistricting, but he said he had no problem getting around his district and communicating with constituents.

Most of its social media now, McPike said, noting that he occasionally will travel to a Panera Bread or Starbucks if asked to meet with a constituent face-to-face.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday said he will expand the use of Project Exile, a program to reduce gun violence that FBI Director James Comey helped start in Richmond two decades ago when he was a federal prosecutor here.

Weve seen a priority thats slipped away from firearms on the federal level, Sessions said, speaking to law enforcement officials and others gathered for his visit to Richmond. Firearms prosecutions have gone down. This downward trend is going to end.

Project Exile is a widely copied program credited with cutting Richmonds violent crime 20 years ago by shipping firearm violators to far-off federal prisons. When Comey was appointed director of the FBI, Exile was frequently cited as one of his accomplishments.

On Wednesday, when a reporter asked Sessions if he would push for wider use of Project Exile, he said, Yes, I will promote that nationwide.

Project Exiles effectiveness has been questioned and has been criticized by some for disproportionately hitting low-income African-Americans. Sessions cited a need to be sensitive but have to fight crime where it is found. He said it is people in those communities who plead for help.

Sessions was in Richmond for a closed meeting with area law enforcement officials and crime victims. But he gave a 30-minute public address in which he praised area police agencies for dramatic crime rate reductions and promised more federal assistance in stopping recent increases in violent offenses and an opioid epidemic.

He noted that crime had fallen to historic lows in Richmond and across the country in recent decades. In Richmond, the violent crime rate dropped by two-thirds from 1995 to 2015.

But he said that from 2014 to 2015, the violent crime rate in the U.S. increased by 3 percent, the largest increase since 1991, in what he believes is a trend that needs to be reversed. In Richmond, violent crime rose 17 percent last year over 2015, which had the lowest violent crime rate in 45 years.

Sessions opening remarks were open to sheriffs, police chiefs, ranking federal agents and the media. Not everyone who might be expected to attend was invited  including Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael N. Herring, Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and Virginias secretary of public safety, Brian J. Moran.

The omissions concerned U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-4th, who said in a prepared statement that my serious concerns about the appointment of Attorney General Sessions continue to mount. He comes to Richmond for a press event, saying he wants to address violent crime here.

But by not inviting the commonwealths secretary of public safety or Attorney General Herring, Sessions proved that he does not actually care about keeping our communities safe, McEachin said. Instead, he said, it appears that the attorney general is on a partisan mission to deliver talking points that are not based on facts.

Outside the SunTrust Building where Sessions spoke, dozens of protesters gathered, many with signs calling for his resignation. Inside the building, the Democratic Party of Virginia called for Sessions to resign for not telling the Senate Judiciary Committee about his meetings with the Russian ambassador.

Asked during a brief press conference Wednesday about his judiciary testimony, Sessions said, I never considered meeting with the Russian ambassador to be anything improper in any way. We didnt discuss politics or campaigns. ... We discussed issues like the Ukraine.

I was asked about an allegation that had come out that day that surrogates of the Trump campaign  and I was a surrogate  had met continually with Russian officials. I said I dont know anything about that, havent met with Russians, said Sessions. Further questions on the topic were cut off by a woman who appeared to be an aide.

In his earlier remarks, Sessions told the more than 40 central Virginia law enforcement officials on hand that in the past four decades, we have won great victories against crime in America. Its happened under the leadership of both parties.

I think our police departments are better trained, our prosecutors are better trained, we just know how to fight crime more effectively, he said. Hundreds of thousands of people are alive today because of good police work  and because weve got a lot of murderers in jail. Theyre not going to murder private citizens if theyre in the slammer, I can tell you that.

But he said recent developments concern him. From 2015 to 2016, Sessions said, the number of homicides in Richmond jumped from 43 to more than 60. Since 2014 the murder rate has gone up in 27 of our 35 largest cities. The homicide rates in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Memphis have returned to levels we havent seen in two decades, he said.

If this were just a one-year spike in crime we might not worry too much about it. But my best judgment is it is not, he said. The number of violent crimes for the first half of last year was up 5 percent, he said. My fear is that the crime rise is not a blip but could be the beginning of a trend. If we act effectively now, we can stop this trend from rising, Sessions said.

Among other things, Sessions blamed the rise on the increased availability and use of drugs, reducing prison populations, and less aggressive prosecutions and sentencings.

Here are a few other topics Sessions addressed Wednesday:

When asked if he ever gave President Donald Trump any reason to believe Trump had been wire-tapped by the previous president, he said, The answer is, No.  He said he held a role in the campaign so he cannot investigate his own campaign. I have recused myself. I am not talking to the president or the people who investigate, he said.

He said he did exactly what he said he would do at his confirmation hearing. I said that when I became attorney general, I would meet with the top ethics people in the department. I would evaluate whether I had to recuse myself or not. I met with those people within days of taking office. We had several meetings and ... reached a conclusion within three weeks of being in office that I should recuse myself.

He said he suspects the medical value of marijuana has been overstated and opposes recreational use of marijuana. He said that federal laws against marijuana remain in effect in states that have legalized it. Sessions said there should be some selective federal enforcement. But, essentially, were not able to go into a state and pick up the work that police and sheriffs have been doing for decades.

In an apparent reference to police shootings in recent years, Sessions conceded there are some bad apples among the 800,000 people in law enforcement. The Department of Justice is going to fulfill its role to ensure that law enforcement officers are not out of control. But he said that the profession as a whole has been unfairly maligned by the actions of a few.

Dozens of protesters, including many wielding signs urging Sessions to resign, gathered on a sidewalk outside the building during the attorney generals appearance.

One protester, Rain Burroughs of Richmond, said shes still astounded that Sessions is the countrys top law enforcement official, especially in light of the revelations that he failed to disclose his contact with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing.

If that doesnt count for something, what counts for anything? she asked.

Also outside the building was Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, who, like Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Attorney General Herring and Moran, was not invited to the meeting.

Northam, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, called the Trump administrations view of U.S. crime scare tactics that do not reflect reality in Virginia.

We want to make sure that people feel safe in Virginia, that theyre welcome and theyre not being shamed because of their immigration status, he said.

Northam also took issue with Sessions testimony, once again calling on the attorney general to resign.

To have our highest-ranking law enforcement official in the country have trouble telling the truth, I cant condone that, he said. We have to have people who are honorable.
In his other, other life, Ry Marchant  litigator-turned-judge  has been a restaurateur.

As such, Marchant has an appreciation for detail: How atmosphere is complemented by menu. How ingredients enhance a dish. Whether a chef knows that  or doesnt. How staff engages patrons. And how all of this is supposed to come together as a money-making business night after night after night.

In his day job as a judge of the Circuit Court of Richmond, the Honorable W. Reilly Marchant is pondering a vast array of very different details  and whether Virginia voters are getting the business because of them.

Marchant is hearing  and will decide  a legal challenge to legislative boundaries that a redistricting reform organization, OneVirginia2021, alleges violate a state constitutional requirement that districts be compact rather than wander here, there or everywhere.

The upshot of the groups complaint: That 11 House of Delegates and Virginia Senate districts were intentionally contorted  one in the Richmond area held by a Republican resembles a toilet seat, a witness said  means that some voters preferences deliberately count more than others.

The Republicans who drew the House map and the Democrats who drew the Senate map wouldnt have it any other way  though that is largely unspoken in this latest lawsuit contesting 2011s hyper-partisan gerrymandering.

Two other cases were heard by the federal courts. One of them cost Republicans a congressional seat in the Richmond-Petersburg corridor. The other, contesting House of Delegates lines, was recently returned by the U.S. Supreme Court to the trial court that must reconsider its affirmation of the boundaries under narrower guidelines.

Redistricting is a boring subject with exciting implications. The manipulation of district lines, itself a manifestation of legislative power, determines who wields it. In Virginia that includes, for the General Assemblys majority party, the hiring and firing of judges.

Marchant, bookish in his horn-rimmed spectacles, is an attentive, interested audience for the phalanx of lawyers that files into his windowless, gray, third-floor courtroom, where one of the few bursts of color was the multi-striped socks worn Monday by the state lawyer for the Senate, Assistant Attorney General Joshua Heslinga.

The House prefers private counsel  at public expense. Legal powerhouse BakerHostetler has already been paid nearly $3 million by the state.

Knowing he is unlikely to have the last word  both sides want the Virginia Supreme Court to say something definitive about the diaphanous issue of compactness  Marchant is amassing a full record of the controversy for, he said, whoever looks at this after us.

That includes maps, scholarly tracts and complex formulae, with names like Schwartzberg, Polsby-Popper and Riock, that academicians and election-law experts use to determine whether district boundaries are accurate or approximate, reflecting the aspirations of politicians, the voters who elect them  or both.

Because of an emphasis on the technical, the pace of testimony has been ponderous, if not clock-stopping. Perhaps it was no accident that the wall clock in Marchants courtroom, which on Monday was still set to standard time, running an hour behind, had been removed by Tuesday morning.

It wasnt until Tuesday afternoon, when the clock, properly set, had been returned, that faces were finally attached to some of the disputed districts  and sparks flew.

The Richmond Times-Dispatchs Graham Moomaw reports that Jeremy McPike, a Democratic senator from Prince William County, testified that the shape of his suburban Washington district  it mimics Italys bootlike outline, without the heel  is not a hindrance to engaging voters; not when he can reach them directly and personally via social media.

Republican Del. Chris Jones 75 minutes in the witness box were anything but placid.

According to Moomaw, Jones, principal author of the House redistricting plan, testily sparred with Wyatt Durrette Jr., lead lawyer for OneVirginia2021 and the defeated 1985 GOP candidate for governor, over whether House districts fashioned in 2011 were significantly less compact than those crafted a decade earlier by Republicans.

Rather than an answer, the exchange produced a scolding of both men by Marchant, who told them to stick to the matter at hand.

Redistricting in Virginia is knotty, in part, because of the states long history of racial discrimination. Federal law ensures the creation  and preservation  of majority-minority congressional and legislative districts. Incrementally, since the mid-1960s, they have become a permanent part of the political landscape.

This means that redistricting in Virginia can be naughty. Republicans, in a ploy the federal courts rejected in congressional redistricting, would pack excessive numbers of African-American voters into a single district to create heavily white, surrounding seats partial to the GOP.

One of the questions Marchant must answer is whether satisfying the requirements of the U.S. Voting Rights Laws precludes adhering to those of the Virginia Constitution  that districts shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory and, as nearly as is practicable, be equal in population.

However, race is often the first consideration in redistricting, with legislators hoping to achieve two objectives: a map that survives judicial scrutiny and perpetuates the survival of the politicians who drew it.

The latter is foremost for the Republicans who control the General Assembly. With their party in retreat statewide, Republicans  looking to the next redistricting in 2021  are relying on gerrymandering to preserve their majorities for another decade.

That is, unless a Democratic governor elected this year uses his veto to demand otherwise, or population growth and Democrat-friendly demographic change chronicled in the 2020 census overwhelm Republican territory. Or, unless the courts  including Marchants  say, maybe not in these words, that enough is enough.
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has signed legislation that will allow some retired police officers to carry guns while working as security guards in Virginia schools, a reversal from last year when he vetoed a similar bill with weaker training requirements.

Guns are generally banned from school grounds under state law, with an exception for active law enforcement personnel assigned to schools as part of their official duties. House Bill 1392 would give schools the option of hiring armed security guards as school board employees, but only if the guard is a retired law enforcement officer who has been retired for 10 years or less.

The bill passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly by wide margins in the Senate and House of Delegates. Some Democrats opposed it, calling it an ill-advised loosening of restrictions on guns in schools.

McAuliffe quietly signed the bill Monday, according to the states online legislative system. It will go into effect July 1.

Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, said the bill he patroned will mean better protection for teachers and students.

This gives rural communities the added benefit of being able to hire these retired police officers because they just dont have enough cops to go around, Lingamfelter said.

The bill does not force local school boards to hire armed guards, but opens it up as an option for localities that want to pursue it.

McAuliffe, a Democrat who regularly opposes Republican efforts to allow more people to be armed in more places, explained his veto last year by saying the bill lacked provisions to ensure school security officers are properly trained.

Lingamfelter added more stringent requirements to the 2017 version, which requires armed guards to prove that they meet specific training and qualification standards, including receiving instruction in active shooter response. Local school boards would also have to check with the local police chief or sheriff before granting a security guard the ability to carry a gun.

McAuliffes office said the governor felt last year that the bill didnt require the highest training standards, and the General Assembly heard his concerns.

The governor reviews these bills carefully and even for bills that hes vetoed in the past if the General Assembly makes changes to address his concerns hes always open to signing them, said McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy. Thats what happened in this particular case.

Del. Lamont Bagby, a Democrat who formerly served on the Henrico County School Board, said he opposed the bill because it wasnt clear to him at the time whether more stringent training requirements would be added, but said he had no heartburn over the bills approval.

I know several police officers that would go into this position and do a great job. And it wouldnt be as costly as getting a police officer thats still working for the department, Bagby said. We just wanted to make sure it was done properly.

Lingamfelter said he wasnt bothered by the absence of fanfare over the bill signing, saying the presence of action means more.

I took it to heart, and I actually went to correct some of the concerns that he had, Lingamfelter said of the governors veto message last year.
Judge Ricardo Rigual seemed a bit perplexed as he prepared to sentence a woman for her 11th and 12th larceny convictions.

I dont know what the court is supposed to do, Rigual said to 51-year-old Arnette E. Sinkler on Tuesday in Spotsylvania County Circuit Court. Im shocked the guidelines are as low as they are.

Rigual then sentenced Sinkler to a total of 10 years in prison, with all but three years suspended. The judge granted defense attorney John Spencers request that the judge recommend that Sinkler serve her time in a therapeutic community where she can receive treatment for her drug addiction.

According to Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird, Sinklers first theft conviction was 32 years ago. It continued on March 15 of last year, when she shoplifted from JCPenney in Spotsylvania Towne Center.

While out on bond for that theft, Bird said, Sinkler returned to the mall on Sept. 26 and got caught shoplifting in Sears. Both thefts are felonies because of the number of times Sinkler has been convicted of stealing.

Bird said Sinkler has been given numerous chances to turn her life around. He said the only way to protect the community is to keep her locked up.

For the last 32 years, if she wanted somebodys property, she just took it, Bird said.
A judge has upheld the 75-year prison sentence a jury had recommended for a man convicted of raping a woman at a townhouse in North Stafford in February of last year.

Michael Andrew Maldini, 38, was convicted in Stafford County Circuit Court in December of rape, aggravated sexual battery and attempted sodomy. The jury also recommended a $100,000 fine, which Judge Michael Levy also upheld Tuesday.

Maldini was a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves at the time of the offenses. The victim was a 19-year-old reservist at the time. Maldini was discharged from the Marines after his convictions.

According to the evidence, Maldini's unit was having a weekend drill at Quantico when a pregnant Marine began feeling poorly. Maldini agreed to drive her to Stafford Hospital and the victim was sent to accompany them.

While the pregnant woman was being treated, Maldini took the victim to his home under the guise of tending to his new puppy. There was no puppy.

The victim said that Maldini, her superior by rank, all but ordered her to drink alcohol before forcing himself on her. She said she physically resisted, but Maldini was too strong.

Maldini claimed the woman willingly had sex with him.

Witnesses said the woman's demeanor had drastically changed for the worse after the incident. She said she had considered suicide at least twice to "get away from the bad feelings."

Before suggesting a sentence in December, the jury learned that Maldini had three convictions of assault and battery in Arlington in 2007 for improperly touching female officers while working as police officer in Arlington.

Maldini was known as Michele Florio at the time. He legally changed his name in 2009. He lost his job with the police department but remained in the Marine Corps; prosecutor George Elsasser said Marine Corps officials have since admitted that Maldini should not have been allowed to maintain his military position after his Arlington convictions.

At his sentencing Tuesday, Maldini again claimed that he was innocent, but said he was sorry for violating the Marine Court rules against fraternization.

His attorney, Sam Moore, asked Levy for a much lesser sentence, saying 75 years is "excessively long" and "inhumane."
This is just a wild guess, but the folks at the National Rifle Association and the folks at the Council on American-Islamic Relations probably dont sit around thinking about ways they can collaborate for the good of their mutual interests. Maybe they should.

Last week law-enforcement officials charged almost two dozen Virginians who allegedly took part in a gun-running ring. The accused bought boatloads of firearms in Virginia and sold them in New York City for exorbitant sums. The tough gun-control laws in New York have made gun-running very profitable, and the repeal of Virginias one-gun-a-month law four years ago has made it very easy.

Naturally, this has inspired gun-control advocates to suggest the law should be reinstated. The General Assembly passed the law largely to dry up the iron pipeline between Virginia and New York, and while it was in effect it seemed to work as intended, at least in the early years. With the law repealed, gun-runners seem to have gotten back into business, and one was recorded making light of Virginias ostensibly lax gun laws: Theres no limit to how many guns I can go buy from the store, Antwan Walker said. In Virginia, our laws are so little, I can give guns away.

A few things about the story bear noting: Two of the ringleaders are violent convicts. Some of the bulk firearm sales were effected through straw purchases, which are illegal. And shipping the guns up to New York also is illegal. That is, after all, why authorities were able to bring charges in the first place.

This should chasten gun-control advocates, since it shows that the system works: Guns were seized and bad guys charged, and a successful operation makes an odd basis on which to build a case for even more restrictions. But the outcome also should chasten gun-control opponents, since laws against gun-running and straw purchases are part of gun control. Not every attempt at gun control is an abject failure.

Yet a bigger point needs drawing out. The trouble with the one-gun-a-month law is that it truncates the rights of all Virginians, in order to thwart the designs of a minuscule minority who want to run guns to New York. To the ordinary gun owner in Virginia, who follows the law and leaves other people alone unless they mess with him first, it must seem brutally unfair to restrict his right to keep and bear arms because of something somebody else did, or might do in the future.

And this is precisely how the Trump administrations assaults on Muslims must seem to persons of the Islamic faith.

The vast majority of them pose no threat to anyone, and never will. Hence President Trumps campaign talk of a ban on Muslims and his administrations restrictions on travel from certain Islamic countries seem brutally unfair as well.

Not only that, they seem ineffective. Of the 10 fatal terrorist attacks linked to Islamic radicalism that have occurred on U.S. soil since (and including) 9/11, not one of them would have been thwarted by the sort of ban that Trump imposed and will impose again, in slightly altered form, on Thursday.

Defenders of the travel ban probably would reply that the ban might prevent such attacks in the future. This is how advocates of gun control support their position, too: Everybody is a peaceful, law-abiding citizen  right up until the moment he commits a violent crime. And since we cant predict with perfect accuracy who will commit a crime at some point in the indeterminate future, the best answer is to place restrictions on everybody.

Hence, one can build a utilitarian case for policies like one-gun-a-month and the Trump travel ban: Yes, they inconvenience a certain number of people, but the inconvenience of all those people in the aggregate still does not outweigh the ghastly horror of a rampage killing or a terrorist attack. Better safe than sorry.

Utilitarianism is great when youre trying to plan bus routes. But it is incompatible with Americas regard for individual rights: You cant restrict the liberties of someone who has done nothing wrong because of what some other person did in the past  or theoretically might do in the future. Which is why maybe the NRA and CAIR should talk. Because that principle protects both the gun owner and the person of faith alike.
Although Levar Stoney, Richmonds new mayor, proposed a sensible budget relatively free of controversy, the process had its moments. A computer glitch delayed release of budget documents, for instance. There is always something.

Chesterfields process usually proves quieter, and this year did just that. County executive Joe Casey has proposed a general fund budget of $741 million. The spending plan includes pay raises, a reduction in classroom sizes and the shoring up of retirement accounts. The school system appears pleased. During his years in charge of Chesterfield, Jay Stegmaier emphasized the threat underfunded liabilities posed to localities and states. Chesterfield does not resemble Illinois. Efforts to boost pension reserves will keep it that way.
Democratic candidates for governor Ralph Northam and Tom Perriello both want Virginia to impose a $15 minimum wage. This is fine politics and terrible policy. They could do more good by supporting a simpler, more efficient reform. But that would not serve their ambitions nearly so well.

The states current minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, so jacking it up to $15 would more than double the cost of low-end labor. Whats more, it ignores regional variations. The average weekly wage in Arlington is $1,734. In Amelia, its $642. A nail salon in Arlington might be able to swallow a $15 wage. Not so the salon in Amelia.

And what is true of localities within Virginia also holds true for employers within a locality. A four-star restaurant probably can afford to pay its chef more than a barbecue joint can pay its cook.

Heres a simple fact: Some workers do not produce $15 an hours worth of goods and services. Government can make employers pay that much, but it cant make them hire people who cost more than they produce. So wherever possible businesses will try to find other production inputs, such as automation. Hence a statewide $15 wage amounts to an engraved invitation to our robot overlords.

Northam recently expressed the chief argument on the minimum wages behalf when he said, I would challenge anyone out there to go try to support themselves and support their families on $7.25 an hour. Its impossible. The brief, then, is that families need an income floor to get by. Fair enough. But the minimum wage is a grossly inefficient, market-distorting, frequently counterproductive and always roundabout way to provide one.

A better means to achieve the desired end might be wage support: having the government make up the difference between a workers earnings and the income floor the government has set. This would achieve the same objective without putting marginal companies out of business or putting marginal workers out on the street.

But that approach has a political drawback: It makes the cost of income supplementation transparent. A wage-support program would have an annual budget, which would show citizens exactly how much they pay each year to help the working poor. Citizens unhappy with the arrangement would tend to blame politicians who endorse the program.

By contrast, a minimum wage is opaque. The harms it inflicts  such as price increases or depressed hiring  can sometimes be imputed to the wage law, but the total social cost is so widely dispersed that it cannot be counted in any meaningful sense; it simply becomes part of the economic background noise. Hence anyone who grows unhappy with the arrangement  such as a dishwasher who gets laid off  is more likely to blame the supposedly selfish, greedy business owner than the officials who put him in the position.

This phenomenon is not unique to the minimum wage. A carbon tax would address the climate-change problem in the most straightforward and efficient manner possible. Rather than pass one, Washington has imposed a host of rules and mandates, such as vehicle fuel-efficiency standards and the Clean Power Plan, that obscure the price of protecting the environment.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
Three of Virginias seven Republican members of Congress have come out against House Speaker Paul Ryans plan to revise the Affordable Care Act  and the other four have yet to take a position.

The dissent, from two hard-line conservatives and one moderate, illustrates the challenge House leaders face in pushing a proposal that the Congressional Budget Office said would reduce the deficit but also leave 24 million Americans uninsured.

For weeks, Virginia congressmen Dave Brat and Tom Garrett  both members of the Freedom Caucus  have warned that Ryans plan would not go far enough to roll back President Barack Obamas health care law.

Then on Monday, Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, announced that he, too, is opposed to the plan, saying it is clear that this bill is not consistent with the repeal and replace principles for which I stand.

The move was unexpected because Wittman has a moderate voting record. Without the support of mainstream members like him, experts say, the bill will not pass in its current form.

Wittman represents the traditional mid-Atlantic Republican. Hes not a tea partier, hes not Freedom caucus Republican, said David Wasserman, who is House editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Through a spokesman, Wittman declined interview requests.

The rest of the states Republican congressional delegation has not taken a public position on Ryans plan: Reps. Bob Goodlatte of Roanoke County, Morgan Griffith of Salem, Barbara Comstock of Fairfax and Scott Taylor of Virginia Beach. The only Republican in Marylands delegation, Rep. Andy Harris, said Friday that he opposes the bill in its current form. Democratic members of Congress from Maryland and Virginia want to defeat the plan.

Republican plans to revise the Affordable Care Act present a political minefield for members such as Comstock, who represents a Northern Virginia district where Hillary Clinton had a 10-point edge over Donald Trump in November.

The legislation is a work in progress, and we continue to talk with constituents, medical professionals, and other stakeholders on their concerns and needed reforms, Comstock spokesman Jeff Marschner said in a statement.

Goodlatte, the senior Republican in the delegation and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a message to constituents last week that he was still reviewing Ryans plan to make sure its a better way forward for Virginians than our current course.

Griffith, in his weekly newsletter to constituents on Monday, said he expected the bill to change before it reaches the floor and plans to offer an amendment requiring able-bodied Medicaid recipients without young or disabled children to work or be retrained.

In an interview Tuesday, Taylor said he was undecided but leaning toward supporting the bill because this is what I campaigned on and leadership is not about getting 100 percent of what you want.

The CBO predicts premiums would increase up to 20 percent in the first year of Ryans plan, called the American Health Care Act, but decrease by 2026.

Wittman did not explain which provisions of the plan he rejects, but maintains that the Affordable Care Act should be repealed. He has said he would only favor a plan that preserves Medicare and Medicaid and does not grow government.

I do not think this bill will do what is necessary for the short- and long-term best interests of Virginians and therefore, I must oppose it, he said. I do believe that we can enact meaningful health care reforms that put the patient and health care provider back at the center of our health care system, but this bill is not the right answer, he added.

If Wittman, who was first elected to Congress in a 2007 special election, decides to run for higher office, his early opposition to Ryans American Health Care Act could distinguish him from other Virginia Republicans.

In 2016, Wittman was building a campaign for Virginia governor and eyeing a run for the Senate if Clinton had won the White House and installed Sen. Tim Kaine as her vice president. Instead, Kaine stayed put and Wittman dropped out of the governors race to focus on Congress.

He was named chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on seapower and projection forces, which oversees U.S. Navy fleet. Wittman joined President Trump earlier this month at the Newport News shipyard that builds the nations aircraft carriers, and both men have said they want to increase military spending.

Republicans say Wittman is a potential contender to challenge Kaine in the 2018 elections.

The congressmans sprawling Republican district means he must appease independent voters in Prince William County who favored Clinton and die-hard conservatives in the suburbs outside Richmond.

Hes caught between two Republican worlds, Wasserman said, and two kinds of voters who view this legislation with skepticism for very different reasons.
The Montana Department of Commerces Office of Tourism and Business Development is tapping new market research as it targets free spirited tourists in search of a #MontanaMoment.

The Governors Conference on Tourism and Recreation began its second day in Helena Tuesday with research presentations and information on how the state plans to capitalize on new data on tourism, which is a $3.5 billion industry in Montana. Commerce hired San Francisco based Destination Analysts Inc. to conduct the first study in a decade on how Montana as a destination brand is perceived, and who is most likely to book a trip.

Brands reference physical things but are more about the human emotions they elicit, Erin Francis-Cummings with Destination Analysists told a full crowd.

Unfortunately, there is not an industry as competitive as destination marketing, she said.

With an open mindset particularly among millennials about tourism, Montana must compete against the entire world for visitors, she continued, adding, The good news is theres high demand for outdoor destination brands.

Francis-Cummings detailed research that included surveys of more than 6,200 travelers, asking questions about familiarity with Montana, perceptions and how it ranks among other states.

Montana faces some challenges when it comes to general tourism trends, she said. There is growing resistance among travelers for trips that require significant time, which is a common perception about Montana, and there is a strong belief that the state is difficult to access.

Data showed that thinking about Montana as a destination in the West ranked toward the bottom, compared to top responses of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. The park response is good for Montana, but is still largely seen as independent of Montana by travelers.

When ranked against other western states, Montana is in the middle for familiarity behind California, Washington, Oregon and Arizona.

While the data suggest challenges with marketing the state, Francis-Cummings said Montana is in a position of opportunity as visitors count hiking and scenic beauty among the most important vacation factors. Montana comes in below average for awareness about enticements such as historical sites, iconic attractions and dining, with questions about affordability.

That puts Colorado as Montanas greatest competitor for that market, she said, as Montana typically ranked second among western states behind Colorado for outdoor recreation and scenery. The biggest gap between the states is in winter recreation.

Colorado excels with people able to name specific destinations. Francis-Cummings emphasized that the biggest factor favoring Montana in competing for tourist dollars is the perception that Colorado has become increasingly crowded. But Montana must focus on awareness of specific places and dispelling some of the perceived mystery among national and international travelers.

What were looking for are people who will provide a high degree of economic impact and are excited about Montana, she said.

Research showed that travelers fitting that description are typically married with children, have earned a college degree, have household incomes of about $80,000 per year, are men approximately 36 years old and are prolific travelers. History buffs, once they become aware of historic opportunities, are also excited about visiting Montana.

Emily Dold with Wisconsin based advertising firm Hoffman York discussed how the research will shape advertising in the coming year to focus on target audiences, geography and positioning Montana for high potential visitors.

Marketing varies depending on the audience, she said. Raising awareness of Montanas amenities nationwide is different that encouraging residents of neighboring states to cross the border.

Using social media, search engines and other online tools will target potential tourists with the right message at the right time, she said.

The focus of the national media targets markets with more potential visitors and helps make the campaign both effective and efficient, she added.

We have to be mindful that our competitors are spending big in national media, Dold said, with California spending on TV and Colorado on print.

Raising local awareness among neighboring states where residents are typically more familiar with Montana allows a broader approach, Dold said. Advertising that focuses more on road trips and coming with frequency for events is a key focus of that portion of marketing.

Raylee Honeycutt with Tourism told the crowd that with the research and strategy, the state will roll out its seasonal marketing campaign next week.

Consumers are inundated with 1,500 messages per day and understand advertising. Finding creative ways to market will help capture those tourists attention for the few seconds that could bring them to Montana.

Montana as a destination brand offers powerful encounters with nature, the unexpected, authenticity and modern comforts that tap into a free spirited state of mind, Honeycutt said.

This years campaign uses vivid imagery, and as most potential visitors are well aware that Montana has beautiful mountains, a more human approach.

A couple of years ago the agency launched the social media hashtag #MontanaMoment. Based on its popularity among both locals and tourists, Tourism is ramping up publicity with the slogan Discover your #MontanaMoment, and encouraging everyone to share their experiences.

Ads include an embossed state map showing the exact location of the photo and emphasizing the specific destination. A search bar offers potential questions while a descriptive paragraph walks the line between highlighting the mystery and excitement associated with Montana while dispelling some of the concerns about accessibility.

Short videos featuring brand ambassadors will also anchor Tourisms website visitmt.com in telling stories about the state and opportunities for visitors.

More information on the research and campaign is available at http://www.marketmt.com/Programs/Marketing/Research.
An influential Virginia lawmaker said in a Richmond courtroom Tuesday that the 2011 redistricting plan made 11 contested General Assembly districts more compact, regardless of compactness scores that suggested the opposite.

On the second day of a political gerrymandering trial with potentially far-reaching ramifications for state politics, Del. S. Chris Jones, a Suffolk Republican described as the architect of the 2011 House of Delegates redistricting plan, said the mathematical scoring systems at the heart of the constitutional challenge may prevail in a laboratory, but they dont always translate to the real world of politically drawn electoral maps.

At one point in his roughly 75 minutes on the witness stand, Jones, the Houses powerful budget leader, testily pushed back against cross-examination questioning from Wyatt Durrette Jr., an attorney with the redistricting reform group OneVirginia2021. The exchange prompted Richmond Circuit Judge W. Reilly Marchant to instruct the two men to refocus and stop arguing about whether the questions were being answered.

Durrette was trying to get Jones, called to testify by a team of attorneys from the BakerHostetler law firm defending the House plan, to admit that the House districts at issue in the case were more compact before the 2011 redistricting than they were afterward, according to multiple widely accepted methods of measuring compactness.

By that measure, Jones acknowledged partially. But I would not agree that it is more compact.

In his testimony, Jones described the redistricting process as a complicated puzzle that requires extensive knowledge of Virginia communities and, because the maps are approved by the General Assembly, support from enough lawmakers to pass. Because districts must have roughly equal populations, Jones said, new U.S. census data requires careful recalibration of the map. Population growth in Northern Virginia, he said, resulted in one district, House District 13, that had enough people for two and a half House seats.

Jones testified that he believes all House districts met the constitutional requirement for compact districts.

The civil suit, funded by OneVirginia2021 and brought on behalf of voters in the challenged House and Senate districts, claims state lawmakers gave minimal consideration to the constitutional requirement that districts be compact, following logical geometric shapes rather than serpentine, jagged forms that can result when politicians seek to gain partisan advantage or protect incumbents.

Both sides have acknowledged that theres no clear dividing line between compact and noncompact, but the plaintiffs are seeking to establish a new legal test that could allow courts to objectively measure compactness and draw conclusions about whether lawmakers did or did not give it meaningful consideration. That test, the plaintiffs claim, shows that the General Assembly allowed other discretionary factors to override compactness in the challenged districts in violation of the state constitution.

Jones rebutted that argument by testifying that compactness was considered throughout the 2011 redistricting process. He acknowledged he couldnt explain exactly what compactness measurements were used in the process, saying he left it to consultants and lawyers to ensure that districts compactness scores stayed within levels deemed acceptable by the courts in prior redistricting cases.

So if those attorneys were wrong, youd be wrong? Durrette asked Jones.

I think anyone as a client, they probably listen to what their attorneys tell them, Jones said.

John Morgan, a Republican demographer who worked with Jones as a consultant during the 2011 redistricting, said he regularly used mapping software to generate compactness scores and would have raised red flags if he felt any district had fallen outside the allowable range or started looking bizarre.

Durrette then asked Morgan about House District 72, a winding western Henrico County district represented by Republican Del. Jimmie Massie that was referred to in court Monday as the toilet-bowl configuration.

I take it you dont agree that that district looks bizarre? Durrette asked.

It looks like a U, Morgan said. An upside-down U.

On redirect, defense attorney Richard B. Raile of BakerHostetler directed Morgan to testify that the 72nd Districts ringlike formation is not bizarre because suburbs typically form a ring around cities. The 73rd House District, represented by Del. John M. OBannon III, R-Henrico, lies between most of Massies district and the city of Richmond.

Attorney General Mark R. Herrings office is defending the Senate redistricting plan created by Democrats. The Attorney Generals Office called its own expert witness Tuesday, University of Georgia political science professor M.V. Hood III, to cast doubt on the scoring methodology presented by the plaintiffs expert, University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald.

The defense also called Sen. Jeremy S. McPike, D-Prince William, whose 29th District is being challenged in the case. Elected in 2015, McPike wasnt around for the 2011 redistricting, but he said he had no problem getting around his district and communicating with constituents.

Most of its social media now, McPike said, noting that he occasionally will travel to a Panera Bread or Starbucks if asked to meet with a constituent face-to-face.

The trial is scheduled to resume this morning.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  A federal judge has dismissed a class-action lawsuit challenging the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles practice that automatically suspends the drivers licenses of individuals who cannot pay court fines and fees.

In an opinion issued from Charlottesvilles federal court on Monday, Judge Norman Moon wrote that he did not have the jurisdictional authority to consider the lawsuit filed last July against DMV Commissioner Richard Holcomb, however meritorious its claims might be.

In the original complaint, attorneys from the Legal Aid Justice Center and University of Virginias School of Law attacked a state law that they say unfairly punishes the poor by mandating the suspension of an individuals drivers license if he or she is unable to pay off outstanding court costs, thus making it difficult to get or maintain a job.

The statute is unconstitutional, the suit alleged, because the automatic suspension penalizes people for their inability to pay those costs, rather than their unwillingness or inattentiveness.

In other words, because [the plaintiff] cannot pay the fees, his license is suspended, but because his license is suspended, he cannot pay the fees, Moon summarized in his written opinion.

Moon continued that the suspension orders being called unconstitutional are actually ordered by Virginia state courts and only executed by the DMV, a defense raised by the DMV in its response to the original suit. As such, the plaintiffs would need to file their claim in the states appellate courts and, ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here, because the state courts, not the commissioner, suspended the licenses, the complained-of injury is not fairly traceable to the commissioner and cannot be fixed by a court order against him, Moon wrote.

In a statement issued Monday night, a representative for Legal Aid expressed disappointment over the decision but noted that Moons opinion was not blessing the constitutionality of the statute.

That unflinching command may very well violate plaintiffs constitutional rights to due process and equal protection, Moon wrote.

The lawsuit had asked the court to declare the statute unconstitutional and reinstate the licenses of drivers who had been penalized by it. Of the more than 900,000 Virginians who currently have a suspended license, 650,000 of them were suspended because of nonpayment of court costs.

Although we are disappointed in the courts decision, we stand steadfast with our clients and the nearly 1 million long-suffering Virginia drivers who will continue to endure a never-ending cycle of debt and incarceration, so long as the law forces them to choose between driving illegally and forsaking the needs of their families, the Legal Aid said in a statement. We will not stop fighting until the automatic suspension law is repealed.

Earlier this year, attorneys for the DMV commissioner asked that the lawsuit be thrown out, noting that the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in November that every court in the state must offer defendants some form of a payment plan tailored to their financial situations. Just as Moon did, they too reasoned that the lawsuit should be filed against the state courts because the DMV was simply carrying out court orders by processing the license revocations. Attorney Margaret OShea wrote that while the splashy but well-intentioned lawsuit sought to right a wrong, it should not have been filed at the federal level.

Asked whether they would continue to pursue this litigation at the state appellate level, Angela Ciolfi, of the Legal Aid Justice Center, said she and her colleagues fully intend to pursue this case and that they are considering all of [their] options.
Spring is only a few days away, and our thoughts at Lewis and Clark Public Health have turned to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

We dont mean to be a wet blanket, but weve been studying the latest local disease statistics, and weve noticed a troubling trend: the number of Lewis and Clark County residents with STDs has been climbing for the past several years.

Were not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported last fall that STDs have reached an all-time high nationwide. The largest increases were reported in syphilis (up 19 percent in 2015), gonorrhea (13 percent), and chlamydia (6 percent). People aged 15-24 and gay and bisexual men were hit the hardest.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are the three most commonly reported diseases in the nation, according to the CDC. They put people at risk for severe and often irreversible health consequences, including infertility, chronic pain, and increased risk for HIV.

They also cost the U.S. health-care system almost $16 billion a year, the CDC estimates.

All three diseases are caused by bacteria and are highly contagious, but theyre also treatable and preventable. More diligent screening can help reduce their spread.

Stopping STDs

Experts say its difficult to pin down one specific reason for the increase in STDs.

Some suggest that fear of HIV/AIDS encouraged people to be more vigilant and willing to get tested. More testing uncovered more cases of all STDs. Medical providers also may have become more consistent about reporting cases.

Whatever the cause, it makes sense to nip this trend in the proverbial bud by doing all we can to prevent STD infections in the first place.

The surest way to avoid getting any STD is to abstain from sexual contact or to be in a long-term relationship with one uninfected person. Using latex condoms correctly and consistently also reduces risk.

If youre sexually active, we recommend that you talk to your medical provider about whether STD testing is right for you. If you think you might have symptoms, stop having sex and see your medical provider right away.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are very common, especially among teenagers and young adults. About 1.5 million cases of chlamydia and 400,000 of gonorrhea occurred nationwide in 2015. No doubt many cases were never reported because the infected person didnt notice any symptoms.

When symptoms do occur, they include unusual sores, rashes, bleeding, and discharges, as well as a need to urinate frequently and a burning feeling while going. Men may feel tenderness, swelling, or pain in their testicles.

The bacteria that cause chlamydia and gonorrhea are transmitted through all types of sexual contact. They also can spread from an untreated mother to her baby during childbirth, raising the specter of stillbirth and birth defects. Infections in women can lead to chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility.

The CDC recommends that all sexually active women younger than 25 get screened for STDs once a year. The same advice applies to older women who have new or multiple partners or a partner who is infected. Pregnant women should be screened during their first prenatal care visit.

In most cases, chlamydia and gonorrhea can be detected with a urine test. They can be cured with antibiotics, but health officials are increasingly worried that the bacteria are becoming resistant to current treatments.

Syphilis

Only one case of syphilis has been reported in the county since 2013. But there was a sharp jump in cases statewide in 2015. Twenty-two cases were reported, compared to 10 or fewer in each of the previous 15 years, according to the Montana health department.

Syphilis is passed from person to person through all types of sexual activity that cause direct contact with a syphilitic sore. These sores, called chancres, are usually firm, round, and painless. Pregnant women can transmit an infection to their unborn child.

Syphilis has been called The Great Pretender, because its symptoms can look like many other diseases. It usually follows a progression of stages that can last for weeks, months, or even years. It starts with sores, which heal regardless of whether a person gets treatment. But without treatment, the disease advances to a secondary stage: a rash on one or more parts of the body.

During the next latent stage, a person has no visible signs or symptoms. But without treatment, the bacteria continue to live in the body. In rare cases, the disease progresses to another stage, which can be fatal. It can appear 10-30 years after the original infection.

You should be tested for syphilis if you:

Have unusual sores or rashes;

Have a sexual partner who was recently diagnosed with syphilis;

Are pregnant;

Are a man who is sexually active with other men; or

Are living with HIV and are sexually active.

Penicillin shots are used to treat syphilis.

'Be Very Proactive'

Ultimately, the CDC argues, the best way to respond to this STD epidemic is to expand access to screening and treatment. We agree, but we also urge individuals to take advantage of the screening and treatment options that already exist.

As an infectious disease physician in Pittsburgh put it, In a way, STDs are easy to prevent because the behavior modification doesnt cost that much money, but it does require people to be very proactive.

Lewis and Clark Public Health offers testing and treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Call 457-8900 to learn more.

Other good sources of information are your doctor or the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/std/.

Melanie Reynolds is the Lewis and Clark County health officer.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes said Wednesday that neither he nor the ranking Democrat on the committee have seen any evidence that then-President Barack Obama wiretapped Donald Trump last year, and want the Justice Department to respond to their requests for information by March 20.

"We don't have any evidence that that took place and in fact I don't believe -- just in the last week of time, the people we've talked to -- I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," Nunes said at a news conference, in reference to the baseless claim originally made by Trump several weeks ago.

FBI Director James Comey will testify at their March 20 hearing and that there will be a second hearing in the committee March 28.

The FBI will also brief the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday afternoon, an aide to Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley told CNN Wednesday.

The FBI briefing comes after Grassley threatened to not schedule a vote for Rod Rosenstein to be deputy attorney general unless the committee got the FBI briefing Grassley and the committee's top Democrat, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, requested weeks ago.

Two senators on a key Senate Judiciary subcommittee are at odds over whether Comey privately assured them that he would confirm by Wednesday whether there's a criminal investigation into Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Comey privately told him and Sen. Lindsey Graham that he would let them know by their Wednesday afternoon hearing on Russia whether there's an active probe into the matter.

"Yes, he said he will have an answer for us by the hearing" Wednesday, the Rhode Island Democrat told CNN Tuesday.

But Graham disputed Whitehouse's claim Wednesday telling CNN's Kate Bolduan that the FBI director made no assurances to make the March 15 deadline.

Asked if he thought he'd get an answer by Wednesday, the South Carolina Republican responded, "I have no idea."

When asked about Graham's comments Wednesday, Whitehouse stood by his initial remarks.

According to an FBI official, Comey has no plans for any public comments or announcements Wednesday.

Whitehouse said Comey made the promise in a March 2 meeting with him and Graham. Whether Comey gives them the information they're seeking, both Graham and Whitehouse are insisting they need answers from the FBI.

Whitehouse and Graham both asked the Justice Department last week to provide any evidence that would support Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. The two are leading one of three Congressional investigations into Russia's interference in the US elections.

"We wrote a letter -- Sen. Whitehouse and myself -- wanting to know if there's evidence of a warrant issued by the Trump campaign," Graham told CNN's Chris Cuomo on "New Day. "He hasn't answered that letter or confirmed if there's a real investigation of the Trump campaign."

"He needs to answer the letter and give the nation some information about what's going on here," Graham said.

According to Whitehouse, Comey assured them he would confirm if an investigation exists "and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to at that point say that there was one."

Graham expressed frustration Tuesday that the Trump administration has not yet provided any evidence of wiretapping and said he plans go "tough" on the administration during Wednesday's hearing.

The White House has vacillated on Trump's claims in the last two days. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Trump did not mean literally that Obama had him wiretapped. But on Tuesday, Spicer said Trump was "extremely confident" he would be vindicated by the evidence.

"I think there's significant reporting about surveillance techniques that existed throughout the 2016 election," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, without providing any examples.

"He feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him," Spicer said.

Democrats from the Senate Intelligence Committee -- whose investigation is separate from the one Graham and Whitehouse are a part of with the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- said Tuesday they doubt Trump has evidence he was wiretapped, but the issue could easily be settled.

"It can all be put to bed with one phone call," said Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, before heading into a hearing of the group Tuesday afternoon. "I have seen absolutely no evidence of President Trump's claim about President Obama."

Warner said he expects the first public hearing from the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russia later this month. The Virginia Democrat said he wanted to hear from Roger Stone, a former Trump adviser whose contact with "Guccifer 2.0"-- the online persona who claims responsibility for hacking the Democratic National Committee -- also had Sen. John McCain wanting to question him.

"If we are investigating Russian interference, here is someone who has acknowledged that he has been in contact with the Russians," Warner said of Stone.

Stone has described his contact with Guccifer as limited to a "brief exchange with him on Twitter" and any suggestion otherwise, he told CNN, is "a fabrication."

The House Intelligence Committee scheduled its first hearing for Monday, and has invited a slate of current and former intelligence chiefs to testify.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said Monday that he has asked the "appropriate people" for information about Trump's wiretap claims and said their answers have been "sufficient."

But Senate Democrats on the Intelligence Committee said they have not seen any evidence yet.

"I've heard nothing. But I'm strongly of the opinion there was no wiretapping," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a veteran member of the panel.

Warner also said he was not satisfied with the response to requests for information from the administration, saying, "I'm not sure why this is taking any time."

CNN's Pam Brown, Kate Bolduan, Eugene Scott and Gloria Borger contributed to this report.
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Grant funds sought by the city of Helena last year as a result of a community conversation are helping to complete the ongoing renovation of an apartment building that serves people with low incomes.

And the $1,250,000 the city obtained through the Home Investment Partnership grant  administered by the Montana Department of Commerce  came after community members met to assess what needs are going unmet.

On Wednesday, beginning at 6 p.m. in room 326 of the City-County Building, that annual conversation about community needs will continue.

The community needs identified during Wednesdays discussion will help city of Helena staff and Lewis and Clark County plan for a grant application through the Department of Commerce to address whats determined to be the communitys most pressing need, said Sharon Haugen, the citys community development director.

Guardian Apartments, a four story building at 520 Logan St. in Helena, provides 118 units for people whose incomes are 60 percent of or below the area median income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

According to the Montana Board of Housing data effective March 28, 2016, and the most recent available, 60 percent of the area median income would amount to $29,400 for a single person.

With the addition of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Home Investment Partnership grant, obtained through the Montana Department of Commerce, the renovation of Guardian Apartments will total $11,014,683, of which 11 percent will come from Home program funds, according to city staff.

This annual conversation about community needs is required by a couple of programs administered by the Department of Commerce: the Community Development Block Grant program and the Home Investment Partnership Program, Haugen said.

Information gleaned from the community conversation can also be used when seeking other grants, she noted.

The Home Investment Partnership Program has primarily funded new construction of housing locally for people with low to moderate incomes, Haugen said and noted that the Community Development Block Grant Program has addressed needs in housing, public facilities and economic development.

A Community Development Block Grant could be a source of funds to rehabilitate Stewart Homes, she added of the Helena Housing Authority housing that already has a master plan for its redesign.

The cost to implement the Stewart Homes master plan was estimated during the 2016 community needs assessment at $40 million by Helena Housing Authority.

While the community meeting is a requirement for grant funding eligibility, the upcoming meeting will also give those who provide community service providers such as Rocky Mountain Development Council and the YWCA an opportunity to discuss their future needs or the communitys overall need, Haugen said.

The community needs assessment gets people aware of problems within the community and possible alternative solutions, she added.

Among projects recommended during the 2016 community assessment was mass transit within Helena and to other nearby cities, an indoor recreation facility and additional housing for people with low incomes.

Measures to slow traffic on city streets were community needs identified during that meeting, and Boulder Avenue was cited as an example of a residential street busy with cross-town traffic. Updating public affordable housing was another need that was discussed.
Rita Bywater, centre, with her colleagues as they celebrate her retirement.

A HEALTH worker who has served the NHS for nearly 60 years was hailed as one in a million after she called it a day.

Rita Bywater (75), from Conisbrough, joined the health service in 1958 aged 16 when she started work at the Western Hospital in Balby.

She marked her final day in her last role as a medical secretary earlier this month with friends and colleagues from across the Womens and Childrens Hospital at Doncaster Royal Infirmary who gave her a big send-off.

Eki Emovon, children and families care group director, said: Rita has earned the respect of everyone she meets  secretaries, patients, nurses and consultants.

She has taken the other younger secretaries under her wing and shown them the ropes.

I dont think there will ever be another Rita, she is one in a million, and we will miss her very dearly.

Rita began working at the Maternity Hospital  now the Womens and Childrens Hospital  on the day that it opened on February 19, 1969.

She said: It was an exciting time for me. Stepping through the doors of the Womens Hospital on my first day at work just when the new hospital opened was something I have never forgotten.

I am glad to say that some 49 years later we are both still going strong.

Technology has come a long way. In those days we used a manual typewriter which required precision accuracy. There was no autocorrect like there is today. You had to get it right, first time, or retype it again.

I still have my first payslip, the grand total of 3.11 a week, and I was very grateful for it.

I have enjoyed my time here and have been very fortunate to work with such a great bunch of people over the years. I will miss them all very much.
ARSONISTS struck again across the borough with firefighters dealing three deliberate blazes on Tuesday night.

A tree was deliberately set alight on Hard Lane in Kiveton Park.

A fire crew was called to the incident at 7.05pm and spent 40 minutes at the scene.

At 8pm, a Rotherham fire crew was called to put out a fire in a wheelie bin on Fenton Road in Kimberworth Park.

They spent half-an-hour tackling the fire.

Tyres were deliberately ignited on Ingsfield Lane, Bolton-on-Dearne.

A fire crew from Dearne was called out at 9.05pm and left at 9.30pm.

Meanwhile, a fire crew was called to an accidental fire in the kitchen of a house on Victoria Road, Mexborough, at 8.30pm.

No-one was injured.
Lukoils diamond revenue nearly doubled to $335.8 million (RUB 20 billion) last year, ahead of the oil producers sale of the Grib mine.

Sales of rough stones stood at $184.7 million (RUB 11 billion) in 2015, having risen from $16.8 million (RUB $1 billion) in 2014, the miner said Tuesday.

Lukoil, Russias largest oil miner, sources all its diamonds from the Grib asset in the countrys Arkhangelsk region. The company announced the $1.45 billion sale of the mine to Russian investment group Otkritie Holding last year, with the deal currently subject to government approvals, Lukoil said.

Production at Grib was launched in September 2014, with initial estimates putting full annual production at 4.5 million carats. Lukoil has not disclosed operational figures for the mine.




Anglo American, a diversified mining group, which also has an 85 percent stake in the diamond giant, De Beers, said its capital expenditure will be maintained at $2.5 billion this year, with stay-in-business capital increased to $1.2 billion.

Its capital expenditure declined from $4.0 billion in 2015 to $2.5 billion in 2016 owing to rigorous capital discipline applied to all project investments, as well as to the benefits accruing from the commissioning of the Minas-Rio, Gahcho Kue and Grosvenor projects.

Group chief executive Mark Cutifani said capital would be appropriately prioritised, with care taken to ensure that Anglo protect the long term value of its assets.

We retain a number of attractive organic options, particularly in our Copper business, which we will continue to progress appropriately and assess in light of our overall capital structure and the prevailing macro environment, he said.

Meanwhile, Cutifani said 2016 saw how unpredictable the economic and political environment was, emphasising the importance of asset quality, balance sheet strength, operational excellence and overall resilience.

And, as we look ahead, we do expect ongoing price volatility for many of our products. However, with supply generally more constrained following a number of years of low capital investment and a generally more cautious approach across the industry, coupled with still growing demand as China seeks to balance its economy via both stimulus and a managed slowdown, the fundamental picture is sound, he said.

The worlds consuming and aspirational middle class continues to grow in size at a considerable rate, further supporting demand for our products that are more skewed to the later stages of the development cycle.

Anglo delivered a profit for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders of $1.6 billion and underlying EBITDA of $6.1 billion.

The performance was bolstered by an across-the-business improvement in productivity of 18% as we progressively rolled out our Operating Model and sold a number of less productive assets, with copper equivalent unit costs declining by 9% in dollar terms, said outgoing Anglo chairperson John Parker.

The group reduced its net debt by $4.4 billion, from $12.9 billion to $8.5 billion, considerably below the year-end target of $10 billion, with net debt to EBITDA of 1.4 times.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Merlin Diamonds has recovered five green diamonds in its Australian mining operations, following the discovery of a rare blue diamond in December.

The largest of the green diamonds weighs 1.4 carats, and another is 0.21 carats. Meanwhile, independent experts are inspecting other green diamonds from the Merlin mine besides these five, the company said Tuesday.

The recovery of these green diamonds is highly encouraging and follows Merlin Diamonds previous discovery of a rare blue diamond in December 2016, demonstrating the mines potential for producing valuable colored diamonds, the company said.

The latest diamonds surfaced at the Kaye pit, part of the Merlin mine operations that the company acquired from Rio Tinto in 2004.

The Merlin mine has produced the largest diamond ever found in Australia, which weighed in at 104 carats. Since Merlin Diamonds recommenced mining there at the end of 2016, the company has produced a 35.3-carat diamond.




Zimbabwes mines ministry permanent secretary Francis Gudyanga and the newly-appointed Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) chief executive Morris Mpofu visited Marange last week to assess the situation following reports of a surge in illegal mining activities, according to media reports.

The Zimbabwe Independent reports that ZCDC security had no capacity to stop the illegal miners or was collaborating with them to share the earnings.

There is a return to illegal mining because every day more and more people are finding their way into the diamond fields, an unnamed source was quoted as saying.

The government security system is also collaborating with illegal miners who are asked between US$200-800 so that they mine for a certain number of hours and share the proceeds.

Centre for Natural Resource Governance director Farai Maguwu was also quoted as saying that said up to 1 000 illegal miners enter the diamonds fields daily.

What happened is that when government stopped the seven companies from mining and introduced ZCDC, the company had no capacity whatsoever to mine. For the first few months they were processing residual ore from Mbada Diamonds, he said.

Meanwhile, Marange Development Trust leader Malvern Mudiwa said the final straw was when Mbada Diamonds equipment was auctioned and their security had nothing more to do thereafter, creating a free-for-all situation.

ZCDC was formed last year after government refused to renew mining licences of companies that were operating in Chiadzwa.

However, Mbada Diamonds, Anjin and Jinan challenged the move while Marange Resources, Diamond Mining Company, Gye Nyame, Kusena and Rera Diamonds obliged.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Miners, investors, engineers, asset managers and professional services representatives from across the precious metals sector will participate in the Dubai Precious Metal Conference, announces the DMCC.

Held under the theme of Connecting Markets, the discussions will focus on the new era of global trade and how shifting geopolitics will impact the trade flows of precious metals.

DMCC elaborated: 'Despite a challenging performance towards the end of last year, precious metals gained 11.71% over 2016, driven by economic volatility and political uncertainty in many regions of the world.'

Gautam Sashittal, CEO, DMCC commented: 2017 is likely to be an interesting year for precious metals, given shifting geopolitical sentiments.



Aruna Gaitonde, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Bureau, Rough & Polished




Patients asked a state committee to strike down a proposed 6 percent tax on medical marijuana, saying Montanans are opposed to any sales tax and that putting one on the backs of the sick isn't right.

"Right now you guys are presenting a problem for patients," said Casey Brock, who told the House Taxation Committee he uses medical marijuana. "They're already poor, a lot of them are low-income. Last time I checked, more than 56 percent of Montana would be against a sales tax. It doesn't matter what industry."

House Bill 529 is carried by Rep. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls. The legislation, which came from Gov. Steve Bullock's office, would have patients pay a 6 percent tax on medical marijuana.

Another bill to tax medical marijuana producers  not patients  2 percent on their revenues received more support in a hearing earlier this week. Producers and patients said that Senate Bill 333 would legitimize the industry.

Both bills would use the funds to support a licensing and testing program to ensure the quality and safety of medical marijuana. Those requirement were a part of a voter-approved initiative that passed in November, lifting some restrictions on medical marijuana. Montana first allowed for marijuana as a medication in 2004 but the program was sharply limited by the 2011 Legislature.

A fiscal note on Jacobson's bill says it would generate about $1.12 million a year and kick back $575,000 to the Department of Revenue to manage tax collection in first year and $500,000 each year after. A representative from the department was the only person to testify in support of the bill.

The note also says department would need $575,000 in its first year, $279,720 in the second and $220,020 in third, less than what is allocated.

In the first year, the department would need $490,000 to update its integrated revenue information systems and $85,000 to build a secure cash room to handle payments. After that it would need $48,420 a year for hiring a secure car to transport funds, $64,348 for an employee for compliance and audits and $160,000 in the first year and $100,000 to maintain the information system.

The rest of the money would go into the state general fund, which Jacobson said would be available to the Department of Public Health and Human Services to pay for the licensing and testing required under the initiative.

"We don't know how much it's going to cost, but give the state revenues as they are, you don't want to undershoot your estimates," Jacobson said. He added he believed the Senate bill underestimates costs.

But Kate Cholewa, with the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, objected to Jacobson's intent.

"I believe this bill is about money that goes to the general fund directly, so this isn't about funding the program," she testified.

Jacobson said his bill is critical to ensure the safety of medical marijuana products, which is the responsibly of the state. He said when he buys other medications, he doesn't question if there's pesticides in it or if the dosage on the box is correct.

"It's because we have regulations, we have oversight, federal and statewide, to ensure the safety of that product so we don't have to worry about it. By default the voters put the onus on the state of Montana to ensure the safety and viability of this product."

Jacobson argued that the state needs money to pay for the program and it makes the most sense to get those funds from the people using the medication.

"Who should be paying for the safety of the medication they're taking but the people who are taking it? That only makes sense to put the burden on the individuals who are taking the medication to pay the state to ensure it's safe and and safe product to consume."

Josh Daniels, chair of Yellowstone County Chapter of the Libertarian party, asked for the tax to be placed on producers.

They can choose to keep the prices the same and absorb that from their profits or raise prices and risk losing patients, he said. If taxes arent high enough do you root for more sick people to get their green cards?
German utility E.ON AG (EONGY.PK) Wednesday reported fiscal 2016 net loss attributable to shareholders of 8.45 billion euros, wider than last year's loss of 7 billion euros.

The latest results included impairment charges related to the successful Uniper spinoff of about 11 billion euros. In addition, accounting standards required E.ON to record about 3.6 billion euros in earlier currency losses. E.ON will also make a one-time payment of around 2 billion euros for the agreement with the German federal government on the funding of the country's phase-out of nuclear energy.

Adjusted net income was 904 million euros, compared to 1.08 billion euros last year.

Sales declined 11 percent to 38.17 billion euros from 42.66 billion euros a year ago.

Looking ahead, for fiscal 2017, the company expects adjusted EBIT between 2.8 billion euros and 3.1 billion euros, and adjusted net income between 1.2 billion euros and 1.45 billion euros.

Further, the company said its Management Board will propose to the Annual Shareholders Meeting that the company pay out a dividend of 21 cents per share for the 2016 financial year. E.ON intends to increase the dividend by about 45 percent and pay out a fixed dividend of 30 cents per share for 2017.

The company also announced more customer-centric setup and moderate workforce reduction of 3 percent to deliver permanent costs savings of 400 million euros annually by 2018.

E.ON will pay about 10 billion into a state-run nuclear energy fund in mid-2017. This payment will be funded primarily with available liquid funds and securities.

The company also plans to reduce economic net debt to about 20 billion euros from 26.3 billion euros over medium term.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
German engineering group Bilfinger SE (BFLBY.PK) said it won a multi-million euro framework contract extension in Oman for engineering and maintenance services, as part of a joint venture. The contract with oil and gas company Petroleum Development Oman or PDO will be extended by a further three years and will now run until 2021, with an estimated turnover of about 200 million euros for Bilfinger.

Bilfinger noted that the framework agreement has been in place since 2011 with PDO, which is the largest oil and gas production company in Oman. PDO is responsible for over 70 percent of oil production and almost all gas production in the country.

Bilfinger is active in the Middle East with around 4,000 employees in the Engineering & Technologies (E&T) and Maintenance, Modifications & Operations (MMO) segments.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, has approved AT&T's (T) pending acquisition of Time Warner Inc. (TWX). The companies expect to close the transaction by the end of 2017.

"We appreciate the skilled work of the European Commission's team for their timely effort to analyze and clear the AT&T-Time Warner merger..The global clearance process is on track, and we look forward to creating a company that will lead the next wave of innovation in the media and telecommunications industries," said Bob Quinn, senior executive vice president, AT&T External and Legislative Affairs.

In October 2016, AT&T announced a definitive agreement to purchase Time Warner Inc. in a stock-and-cash transaction valued at $107.50 per share. Both the companies boards have unanimously approved the transaction. This purchase price implies a total equity value of $85.4 billion and a total transaction value of $108.7 billion, including Time Warner's net debt.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The number of refugees who have entered the United States since Donald Trump became president has decreased, and a total of 2,466 refugees from six countries under new travel restrictions - Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - have resettled in the US, according to a new report.

They represent 32 percent of all refugees who have entered the U.S. since Trump took office, Pew Research Center claimed, based on analysis of U.S. State Department data.

Trump first issued an Executive Order on January 27, which barred citizens from seven majority Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen - from entering the US for 90 days while security measures in those countries are reviewed. Under that order, Syrian refugees were barred indefinitely.

After that order was blocked by U.S. courts, Trump signed a revised Executive order, exempting Iraq from the original list. It goes into effect March 16.

Including refugees from countries with no travel restrictions, a total of 7,594 refugees have entered the U.S. during Trump's first seven weeks in office. Of these refugees, 3,410 are Muslims and 3,292 are Christians, PEW reports.

Among the six countries identified in the order, Syria (5,585), Somalia (4,703) and Iran (1,893) are the leading nationalities of refugees who have entered the U.S. so far in fiscal 2017.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Political News
Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline's new incoming CEO Emma Walmsley will receive a smaller pay package than her predecessor Andrew Witty.

According to the British drug giant, Walmsley will receive a potential annual pay of about 8.8 million pounds, lower than Witty's total of 11.6 million pounds, because of her less experienced than her predecessor.

GSK also noted that the pay was lowered after investors had asked the company to curb executive pay. The drugmaker said it had been consulting with shareholders for several months and modified its policy as a result of their feedback.

Urs Rohner, the non-executive director who chairs GSK's remuneration committee, said: "Taking into account the fact that this is Emma's first CEO role, reductions have been made to all elements of her remuneration package in comparison to Sir Andrew's current arrangements. Her overall package for 2017 will be approximately 25% less than that received by Sir Andrew."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
See that diagonal line across the screen? That's the splinter I was told "wouldn't show up" on an ultrasound.

As I mentioned yesterday, I had a bit of an eventful weekend. I actually thought it was over, and then yesterday everything escalated.It all started on Friday. I had plans to go out for martinis with Jessica, Renee, and Rachael for Jessica's birthday (I'm still not drinking for a little while, but I planned to get a mocktail or something). My kids were going to stay the night at my parents' house, since my parents hadn't seen them for so long while they were in South Carolina.Just before I was supposed to go meet my friends, we got a call from my dad saying that we needed to come pick up Noah because he got a splinter in his foot. (He had been sliding around in his socks on my parents' hardwood floor.)It was weird, because I just couldn't imagine why my dad would call me over a splinter (my dad thinks duct tape is an acceptable bandaid--and that's when he doesn't have superglue on hand to glue his skin shut, haha); but, Noah can be a little dramatic at times, so I thought maybe he was just hurting and wanted to come home.When I went over there, I was hit with Noah screaming in agony and he wouldn't let any one of us near his foot. The bottom of his foot was a little bloody, so it was hard to see the sliver that he said was in there. He had pulled a tiny little piece of wood out, but he said there was something still in there.When I got to my parents' house, I hadn't been planning on taking him anywhere but home, figuring I'd just clean up his foot and pull out the splinter; but after seeing the amount of pain he was in, I knew I wasn't going to be able to do anything. Jerry and I were debating Urgent Care or the emergency room. I would have felt like an idiot going to the ER for a splinter, so we chose Urgent Care.I assumed it would be simple--they would numb his foot, remove the splinter, and all would be fine. Renee even picked me up from Urgent Care while Jerry stayed with Noah, and I met the girls for Jessica's birthday. About an hour later, Jerry called and said the Urgent Care doctor said we needed to go to the ER--I was NOT expecting that! I had Jerry pick me up so I could go with them, because I figured it had to be somewhat serious if the Urgent Care doctor sent us to the hospital.Noah was calmer, because the Urgent Care doctor had numbed his foot to probe around for the splinter (later learned this was not a good idea). We went to Henry Ford Center for Health Services, the ER that I've always trusted and received good care from. I explained what happened to the nurse, who then explained to the physician's assistant.When the P.A. came to Noah's bed, he didn't examine Noah's foot--didn't even glance at him!--he just said, "Uhh, we're not in the business of digging around in people's feet. If the Urgent Care x-ray showed nothing, then nothing's in there. And if there was, it would come out on its own."That physician's assistant made me feel like I was a complete idiot for taking my kid to the ER, even though the Urgent Care doctor told us to go there. I told the P.A. that Noah could feel something stuck in his foot, and could they please do an ultrasound to see if there was something there (I assumed that wood wouldn't show up on an x-ray, and they had done an x-ray already at Urgent Care, which showed nothing).The P.A. dismissed me with, "Oh, an ultrasound won't show anything, either." He said he would order antibiotics and that we could give Noah Tylenol for pain.I was furious. Our co-pay is $100 for an ER visit, and we didn't even get an exam!! I didn't even wait for the script for antibiotics or discharge papers or anything. Jerry carried Noah to the car, and we drove to Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, another ER (that deals with trauma). Another $100 copay, but I wasn't going to accept what happened at HFCHS (ER #1). I knew that as soon as the numbing medication wore off, Noah was going to be in agony again.At HFWH, the staff was much friendlier. However, they pretty much said the same thing--that if there was something in there, it would come out on its own--they weren't rude about it and they explained why they don't probe around (risk of infection is high).I asked again about an ultrasound. They told me they'd rather do another x-ray, because if something was there, the x-ray would likely show it (and having a radiologist look at it instead of an Urgent Care doctor may help). So, they took an x-ray, and it showed nothing. They said there is nothing in his foot, but we could start antibiotics if we wanted.I can't tell you how frustrating it was that nobody believed us. I know my son better than anyone, and if he felt there was something in his foot, I believe him. But everyone just thought I was a crazy mom.The ER didn't even prescribe him pain meds--they just said to alternate Tylenol and Motrin, even though he was clearly in agony. They gave him a boot and crutches to use (mainly just to "shut me up") until the splinter that they said wasn't there worked its way out.(If I look at it from their perspective, I can see why they weren't very concerned about a "simple splinter"--but I wish they would have at least humored me with an ultrasound. I did not feel like "waiting until it comes out on its own" felt right, when my child was clearly in so much pain. And really, what harm would it do to perform a simple ultrasound?!)Noah was in excruciating pain all night; and the next morning, I called his primary care doctor to see if we could get something better for pain. She prescribed Tylenol 3, which helped him get through the weekend.I couldn't stop thinking about how we were treated at the first ER, so I wrote a letter to the director of ER to explain what happened. (Even if that physician's assistant hadn't wanted to remove the splinter by "digging around in someone's foot", it was unacceptable for him to treat us the way he did.)On Monday morning, I sent an email to Noah's primary care doctor with a photo of his foot to see if she wanted us to come in for a follow-up. And I wanted her opinion on whether we were treated correctly.(The dark spot by his toes is the original puncture wound from the splinter. The cut underneath is where Urgent Care poked around.)I was surprised by her response: "Take him to Mott Children's Hospital ER in Ann Arbor right away."She was worried about osteomyelitis and didn't like how his foot was looking. There was a snowstorm yesterday, and the last thing I wanted to do was drive all the way to Ann Arbor with the roads being bad, but his doctor was insistent and said she showed the photo to her colleague, who agreed. So, Noah and I headed up to Mott Children's Hospital.The drive that normally would have taken about 55 minutes ended up taking 90 minutes! The roads were so bad that we were driving 35 mph on the expressway. When we got there, the visit began much like the one at Wyandotte.The staff was all very friendly and patient, but they told us the same story--it's not a good idea to dig around for a splinter because the risk of infection is high and they don't even know if there is a splinter in there. They said it will most likely come out on its own.I wanted to tear my hair out, because I really just wanted someone to DO something for Noah--I felt so bad for him! Again, I asked about an ultrasound. They said they could do that (basically just to humor me, because I was so insistent), so we waited for an ultrasound.I went with Noah for the ultrasound, and I watched the screen like a hawk when she put the probe on his foot. Every once in a while, I thought I caught a glimpse of a line that didn't look "normal". I'm obviously not trained to read ultrasounds, but I'm pretty good at seeing things on them. (When I was pregnant, I even knew my babies were boys before the ultrasound tech told me, because I could see for myself).I said to the tech, "I swear I am seeing a splinter--that diagonal line right there. Is that normal?" She kind of half-smiled and said, "We'll have to wait for the radiologist to read the results."I took a quick photo of the part that I saw and thought was suspicious. I said, "I just want to feel like I'm NOT crazy. That looks like a splinter to me." The tech smiled again and said, "I don't think you're crazy," with a little wink. So I could tell she saw it, too (but she wasn't allowed to say anything about it).We waited for the radiologist to come into the room to confirm, and sure enough--there was a large splinter in Noah's foot. I can't even describe the amount of relief I felt.The splinter looked large enough on the ultrasound that they called for a consult with an orthopedic surgeon. We waited a long time for the surgeon, because he was finishing up a surgery, but I was so thankful to finally get some answers and have someone that believed us!The surgeon came in and examined Noah's foot. He said he couldn't feel anything, so if he tried to remove it, he wasn't even sure he'd be successful; but the alternative would be to wait a week or so and see if it surfaced or encapsulated, and then have it removed. I didn't want to have to go another week with Noah in so much pain, so we decided to have him try to remove it right then.The next 30 minutes were beyond terrible. The injection to numb Noah's foot hurt him so much, but I just kept thinking about how relieved he would feel when the splinter was out. Noah closed his eyes and held my hands.For most of it, he couldn't feel anything, thankfully. The surgeon eventually said that he doesn't think he would be able to get it, and that it was like "finding a needle in a haystack". I was super bummed that after all that, the splinter would still be in there. Noah agreed to one more numbing injection. The injections were terrible, because they hurt Noah so badly.When the doctor got to a certain spot on Noah's foot, Noah flinched and yelled in pain. He said that was the spot where he has been feeling like the splinter was stuck. The next five seconds felt like an eternity, but the doctor must have grabbed the splinter because Noah screamed in a way I had never heard before. It brought tears to my eyes in an instant. I had marks on my hands from Noah's nails digging in to me.I turned to look at the doctor. I saw him holding up the splinter he'd just pulled out, and my jaw dropped.It was ENORMOUS.Based on the ultrasound photo, he had guessed it was about four centimeters; but it ended up being longer than my middle finger! It was about fourlong, and it had been stuck in Noah's foot all weekend. All the other doctors had told us there was nothing there! I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it.The surgeon gave him a couple of stitches and bandaged him up. He said it was the largest "splinter" he'd ever removed. (I don't even feel right calling it a splinter.)We're continuing with the antibiotics, but now we know that he'll heal and not be stuck with an enormous piece of wood in his foot! I am so grateful to his primary care doctor for insisting we go to Mott, and for the staff at Mott who took me seriously (or at least humored me by getting the ultrasound I wanted). I think they were very surprised that it wasn't "just a little splinter" as well. Noah is so happy that he's finally on the mend.While I was at the ER yesterday, I got a call from the Director of the ER's at Henry Ford Brownstown and Henry Ford Wyandotte to follow up on the letter I'd sent. I just got off the phone with her this morning, and she was very kind. She agreed that the way we were treated at ER #1 never should have happened, and said that actions have already been taken with that physician's assistant (I'm assuming they probably talked with him about his bedside manner). Or maybe they didn't take action, and just said they did. I'll never know.I was happy with the kindness of the staff at ER #2, but I wanted her to know that the ultrasound I'd asked for would have shown the splinter--so I hope that the doctors won't dismiss it for other people in the future.I sent her the photos of Noah's ER visit yesterday, and she was shocked at the size of the splinter--she said she's going to show the pics to the staff that treated Noah. I REALLY hope that she does. I want that physician's assistant to feel like a complete ass. She also said she will make sure we aren't billed for those copays from Friday's visits.So, I'm very happy with the follow-up I got from the director. I understand that doctors probably don't choose to work in the ER to remove splinters, but where else were we supposed to go? It wasn't a tiny little splinter that could be removed with tweezers. And I can't even imagine the amount of pain Noah was in from that thing! The ultrasound that I requested wasn't invasive, and could have saved him a tremendous amount of pain. I won't be going to be to Henry Ford, however--I'm switching health care systems, mainly because of the way that physician's assistant treated us.I'm so glad that Noah is finally able to get some relief. He's home from school today, because his foot is obviously sore, but he'll be fine to go tomorrow. Today, I've got to take Eli to Children's Hospital in Detroit to get fitted for his orthotics!
Roundup: Saudi kills 30 in 235 airstrikes on Yemen in 6 days

br>

By Baseema al-Absi



SANA'A, March 15 (Saba)  At least thirty civilians were killed, Including a woman and two children, and 15 others wounded in 235 airstrikes launched by US-backed Saudi aggression warplanes on several Yemeni provinces over the past six days, officials and residents told Saba.



In Sana'a, the aggression warplanes launched 48 air strikes on Nehm and Arhb districts, Dam Alakran , Manaha area, Guards School and Al-Athrat valley.



The aggression dropped cluster bombs during airstrike son Sanaa.



Four citizens, including a woman, killed in one of the raid on a car in the Nehm district.



Also in Sana'a, the aggression planes hit the entrance of a popular market in Alehima Al-Kharigyya directorate and a regular road lincing the capital Sana'a with Hodeida, causing cut in the road.



In Sa'ada, the aggression launched 47 airstrikes on several districts, including Dhahir and Ketaf, Bakim, Razih, Al-Saefe Camp, as well as other different areas of Monabbih district.



In Jawf, the aggression warplanes launched five raids on Al-Mton directorate and al-Maslob district.



In Taiz, the aggression fighter jets waged 43 air raids in Mokha city, Mawza distric, kaleed camp, Howzan Mount, Taiz Airport and ALamry area.



In Mareb province, the aggression warplanes carried out 16 raids on several civilian regions, including Serwah, Hareeb, ALKramesh and Heelan Mount.



In Hodeida port city, the aggression launched 32 air strikes on areas, Al-Khokha area and Kamaran Island.

Also in Hodeida, 22 citizens were killed and ten others wounded in a raid from the aggression planes that targeted Al-Khokha market.



In Hajja, the aggression warplanes launched 27 airstrikes, targeting Medi port city and Haradh border crossing.



Also in Hajja, a woman and two children were Killed and another child was wounded in an air raid targeted the home of a citizen in Almzraq area of Harad district.



In Dhamar governorate, the aggression fighter jets launched two air strikes on Otoma district.



In Amran province, the aggression warplanes carried out two raids on Al-Mrha Mountain.



In Mahaweet, the aggression fighter jets waged two raids targeting a bridge in Bani Saad area that killed one citizen.





BS/ZAK



Saba

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[15/March/2017]
BILLINGS (AP)  A 19-year-old Busby man has pleaded guilty to federal charges for failing to report what he knew about a fatal assault on a woman on the Crow Indian Reservation last spring.

Frank James Sanchez pleaded guilty Tuesday to failing to report a felony and being an accessory after the fact in the death of 28-year-old Roylynn Rides Horse. Sentencing is set for July 6.

Prosecutors say Sanchez initially denied being at the scene when Rides Horse was beaten, strangled and set on fire on April 17. About two weeks later he acknowledged he had followed his brother's order to get a gas can out of the car and had kept some physical evidence.

Rides Horse died at a Utah hospital on June 28.

Dimarzio Sanchez and 24-year-old Angelica Jo Whiteman of Billings have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
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 ...
By SA Commercial Prop News

Stan Garrun, executive director at MSCI in SA says MSCI ESG Researchs ESG rating signal will prove a valuable resource for investors looking to take the next step in ESG integration in this market



MSCI Inc. (NYSE: MSCI), an investment research provider, on Thursday announced the availability of ESG ratings coverage for South African Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as part of its global coverage of companies in this sector.

Increasingly, institutional investors around the world are considering the environmental, social and governance (ESG) impacts of their investments, as evidenced by the growth in PRI signatories in recent years.

The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) call on investors to incorporate ESG factors into their investment processes. Assets under management by PRI signatories are now approximately USD 45 trillion, up from USD 4 trillion in 2006.

"There is a groundswell in SAs institutional investment circles, where large asset managers and pension funds are increasingly seeking information about ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues when making investment decisions," Stan Garrun, executive director at MSCI in SA, said.



"We believe MSCI ESG Researchs rating signal will prove a valuable resource for investors looking to take the next step in ESG integration in this market," he said.

MSCI ESG Research covers over 5,000 publicly traded companies with MSCI ESG IVA, an ESG rating that indicates how well a company is prepared to manage ESG risks and opportunities based upon industry-specific key issues.

For the REITs sector, key ESG issues include green building investment and green leasing at the property portfolio level, and corporate governance and human capital development at the corporate level.

As part of its global coverage of over 260 REITs, MSCI ESG Research provides a rating for 13 South African JSE-listed REITS.

South African institutional investors may use the ESG rating to understand and manage ESG-related risks of local REITs.

They will also be able to compare South African REITs ESG performance with that of REITs in other countries.

The conversion to Reit status, to comply with tax dispensation used in various countries, has placed SAs property funds under the attention of more institutional investors.

SAs property funds converted to Reits last year as they looked to align themselves with Reits from abroad. Reit status replaces the property loan stock and property unit trust structures, and creates a uniform tax dispensation for the South African-listed property sector.



Property loan stock and property unit trusts had created confusion among investors as they were taxed differently.



SAs listed property funds, especially its two largest, Growthpoint Properties and Redefine Properties, are also looking to grow their shareholder base to include offshore investors. By being Reits, investors can understand how these companies operate and invest in them as they would in other Reits.
In a bid to enhance guest experience, cab-aggregator Uber on Wednesday announced a strategic association with Indian airline Jet Airways.

Guests booking their flights on the app and using Uber for the first time will benefit from a discount of Rs 150 across their first three rides by using the promo code JETUBER.

"Through this partnership, Jet Airways' guests across 29 cities will be able to request their Uber when they book their flight," said Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer, Uber India and Emerging markets, in a statement.





The cab booking feature will be available to all Jet Airways' guests in the cities where Uber currently operates in India while booking their travel itinerary with the airline on the Jet Airways app.



"Our partnership with Uber for a comfortable and seamless travel experience between their homes or offices and the airport, reflects our ambition to leverage technology for enhancing our guest experience," added Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.
Abu Dhabi- based Etihad Airways on Wednesday said that as part of its continued review of schedules, seasonal adjustments are being made to the airlines A380 services between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai.

"Effective 1 July until 28 October 2017, A380 flights EY 203 and 204 between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai will be operated by an A340-600 aircraft," the airline said in a statement.

"The A380 will be redeployed on the Abu Dhabi-Paris route during the peak summer travel months."

According to the company, the change will see Paris join London, New York, Melbourne and Sydney as the airline's long haul A380 destinations.

"The adjustments are part of Etihad Airways' seasonal planning of schedules based on market demand," the airline said.

"Due to the capacity change, any affected guests will be reprotected on other flights to their final destination."

Etihad Airways' A380 features a total capacity of 496 seats -- with two in "The Residence", nine in the "First Apartments", 70 "Business Studios" and 415 "Economy Smart Seats".

The airline had launched its A380 services to India on the Abu Dhabi- Mumbai route in 2016.

The aircraft operated daily on flight EY204 from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai, and EY203 from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi.
A policeman was injured on Wednesday in a gunfight between holed up militants and the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Police said that on a specific information about presence of some militants in Kalaroos area of the district, the forces laid a cordon and started a search operation. During the operation the militants fired at the security forces that wounded a police constable.



An encounter with the militants has started in the area and all exit routes have been sealed, police added.




Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a grand welcome by BJP members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Modi Modi".

Soon after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan mourned the death of former member B.V.N. Reddy and Question Hour began, Modi walked into the house along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and BJP's Chief Whip Rakesh Singh.



Bharatiya Janata Party members welcomed him by thumping of desks for a good two minutes. Some of them shouted "Jai Shri Ram" while a few chanted "Modi Modi" in tribute to the BJP's wins Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.



The Prime Minister stayed in house only for a few minutes.





The BJP and its ally Apana Dal won a whopping 321 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 57 seats in Uttarakhand. The party also formed governments in Goa and Manipur.
Terming the formation of a BJP government in Goa as nothing short of "murder of democracy", the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said it was a fraud on people's mandate.

In an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana, it pointed out that even the majority support in the 40-member Goa assembly claimed by the BJP before forming the government appeared to be fixed.



"The smaller parties gave letters of conditional consent to the Governor that they would support the BJP only if Manohar Parrikar became the Chief Minister... Though it would been difficult for the BJP to select a CM from among its 13 elected legislators," the Sena said.



The sad part was that the parties which have extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party have been elected on an "anti-BJP plank" in the assembly election in which the BJP trailed the Congress.



While admitting that people in Goa had selected the "unworthy" Congress, it said the party was "slow to react" and lost out in the numbers game to the BJP which acted quickly.



On Parrikar, the Sena opined that either he had become a liability in the Modi government or he himself felt disillusioned by national politics and sought the comfort of his home state.





"Even when Parrikar was the Defence Minister, he spent more time in his home state and would issue empty threats to Pakistan."



The Sena asked Parrikar to remember that the BJP had been voted out by the people in the state and the latest developments were simply beyond the public expectations.



"While the result of the vote of confidence on Thursday appears inevitable, all this can only be termed as a 'murder of democracy' in Goa."
The issue of the alleged suicide by a Dalit student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), J. Muthukrishnan, was raised in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as the government assured the House of necessary action.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar condoled the death of Muthukrishnan, saying: "The death has aggrieved all. A post-mortem examination is being conducted at the AIIMS.



"After this, the cause of death will be known. The Delhi Police is investigating the matter and suitable action will be taken."



Soon after the House met for the day, the AIADMK members wanted to raise the issue, but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow it.





After the Question Hour, when Mahajan disallowed the notice of adjournment given by AIADMK member V. Elumalai, the AIADMK trooped near the Speaker's podium.



The AIADMK members were seeking permission to raise the matter.



"There are perceived discriminations of Dalit students and those from south India," Elumalai said also raking up the other suicide cases and discrimination against Dalit students, including Rohit Vemula.



Congress member from Kerala K. Suresh also expressed shock at the suicide of Muthukrishnan and demanded a fair probe.



Earlier, the family members of J. Muthukrishnan, an M.Phil student of JNU, who was found hanging on Monday from the ceiling fan in his friend's room, suspected foul play and demanded a probe.



Muthukrishnan, also known as Krish Rajini, had gone to his friend's house in Munirka Vihar to have food, where he locked himself inside a room on the pretext of sleeping and allegedly committed suicide.
The National Conference ' title=' National Conference '>National Conference and the Congress announced on Wednesday they will fight the by-elections to the Lok Sabha from Srinagar and Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir as allies.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah will contest from Srinagar while state Congress leader G.A. Mir will be the candidate at Anantnag, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the media.



"We have had exhaustive deliberations within the NC and so has the Congress to work out a joint strategy to give a fight to the ruling PDP in Srinagar and Anantnag," the National Conference ' title=' National Conference '>National Conference leader said here.



"After exhaustive exercise, it has been decided the National Conference ' title=' National Conference '>National Conference and the Congress would fight the by-elections jointly.





"The Congress has assured us that all its workers and well-wishers will ensure a landslide victory for Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar while our rank and file in Anantnag will work for the victory of Mir Sahab," he told the media.



Asked how confident he was of winning, Omar Abdullah said: "Nobody can go into elections with 100 per cent surety but we are pretty sure of winning both these seats."



The Peoples Democratic Party has announced that Tasaduq Hussain Sayeed, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, would contest from Anantnag and Nazir Ahmad Khan, who defected from the Congress, from Srinagar.
The Rajya Sabha ' title=' Rajya Sabha '>Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed multiple adjournments amid chaos over the Congress' allegations that the BJP "murdered democracy" by not honouring the people's mandate in Goa and Manipur assembly elections.

The upper house was first adjourned ' title=' adjourned '>adjourned soon after it assembled at 11 a.m. as Congress member Anand Sharma raised the issue, saying the BJP was "violating mandate of the people" in Goa and Manipur.

"Congress has emerged as the single-largest party in these two states and in case of no clear majority, such party is invited to form the government," he said.



Sharma alleged that the BJP was "stealing MLAs".



Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abas Naqvi tried to intervene but the Congress members gathered in the well of the house and began shouting slogans against the BJP.



Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, who kept on requesting the agitating members to return to their seats, then adjourned ' title=' adjourned '>adjourned the house till 11.30 a.m.



Similar scenes were again witnessed during the Question Hour at 12 noon.





This time, Leader of Opposition in the house Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the matter and said "it was a murder of democracy" and the issue should be discussed in the house.



"It's a question of India's democracy," he added.



Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari requested him to take up the issue after lunch and "let the Question Hour proceed".



Nobody paid any heed to his pleas and he adjourned ' title=' adjourned '>adjourned the house for 15 minutes -- till 12.19 p.m.



After two adjournments, the upper house was again in chaos as Congress members gathered in front of the Chair, shouting slogans against the government. The house was finally adjourned ' title=' adjourned '>adjourned till 2.00 p.m.



The house again witnessed similar scenes as it met after lunch with Azad saying that in Goa the mandate was totally against the BJP.



He said the central government was trying to destabilise the Congress governments for the past one year.



"Why is BJP so eager to form governments in states where it has no majority, no mandate," he asked, adding that the party was not doing anything to form governments in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand where it has got the majority.



Responding to it, Leader of House Arun Jaitley said that there was no such precedent or a decision that single largest party has to be invited to form the government.



"Governor can also invite a coalition that has majority," he opined.



On this, Congress members again gathered in the well of the house and started shouting slogans against the BJP.



The house was then adjourned ' title=' adjourned '>adjourned till 3 p.m.
Even as N. Biren Singh was sworn in as Manipur's new Chief Minister on Wednesday, the threat of BJP ally National People's Party (NPP) to pull out in case portfolios of its choice are not given loomed large.

The NPP is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in Manipur and has four members in the 60-member assembly.



NPP President Thangmilien Kipgen wrote to the BJP national leadership on Tuesday that the party will pull out if the agreement between the two parties is not honoured.



A meeting between NPP and BJP leaders was held in Imphal on March 12, wherein it was agreed that all four NPP MLAs will be made cabinet ministers.





The NPP is demanding the Home Department for Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar, Health and Family Welfare Department for L. Jayentakumar, Public Works Department for N. Kysii and Rural Development and Panchayats Department for L. Haokip. All four were sworn in on Wednesday.



The Chief Minister has been unable to decide on portfolios since many other ministers too are demanding the same.



BJP leaders in charge of Manipur had reportedly assured the allocation of these portfolios to the Naga People's Front, which too has four MLAs.





Informed sources said the lone independent MLA Asabuddin was now in the company of Congress leaders in Assam.



He arrived in Imphal but was not allowed to come out of the international airport here but whisked away to Guwahati.



Though the BJP-led government claims his support, he was absent at Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday posted for April 12 hearing on a plea of the CBI seeking cancellation of bail to former IAF Chief S.P. Tyagi, his cousin and a lawyer in the AgustaWestland chopper deal case.

Justice I.S. Mehta will hear arguments on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s plea for bail cancellation on April 12.

The CBI had approached the High Court challenging the December 26, 2016 order of a trial court that granted bail to Tyagi.

The former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief was arrested on December 9, 2016.

The CBI has also sought cancellation of bail to Sanjeev Tyagi, cousin of the former IAF chief, and Gautam Khaitan, a Delhi-based lawyer. The two were granted bail on January 4 by the trial court.

Tyagi -- the first chief of any wing of the armed forces to be arrested in the country -- and two others were allegedly involved in irregularities in the procurement of 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters from Britain-based AgustaWestland.

He was the IAF chief from 2004 to 2007.

The CBI has alleged that Tyagi and the other accused received kickbacks from AgustaWestland and helped the manufacturer win the $530-million contract.

The 12 choppers were for the Communication Squadron of the Indian Air Force for ferrying the President, Prime Minister and other VVIPs.

The probe agency said that the company was favoured in lieu of illegal gratification accepted through different companies in the name of consultancy services.

An FIR was registered against the accused on March 12, 2013, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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A day after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley justified, in a blogpost, the BJP's move to stake claim to form the government in Goa, the Congress ' title=' Congress '>Congress on Wednesday said the minister should his facts ' title=' get his facts '>get his facts right.

"I would like to ask Mr. Jaitley as to why people were shouting slogans at Parrikar's oath taking that he is not their Chief Minister? Why oath-taking was under tight police security? It is clear signal they are afraid of the fact that the mandate of the people is not with them," Congress ' title=' Congress '>Congress MP from Silchar Sushmita Dey said.

She said that the story being spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that it staked claim to form the government after the Congress ' title=' Congress '>Congress did not do so was incorrect.



"I would like to put it on record that our party tried to meet Governor Mridula Sinha on March 12, but she did not meet. Instead, she invited Manohar Parrikar to form the government," Dey said.



She dismissed the three precedents cited by Jaitley where Governors had not invited the single largest party to form the government.



In a blogpost on Tuesday, Jaitley wrote: "There was a hung assembly (in Goa). Obviously, post-poll alliances will be formed in a hung assembly. The BJP managed to form an alliance, presenting 21 out of 40 MLAs to the Governor."



"It was only natural for the Governor to invite the BJP to form the government," he said, adding that such a development was not unprecedented.



"When the BJP won 30 of 81 seats in Jharkhand in 2005, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren, who had the support of 17 MLAs and a few others, was invited to form the government. Similarly, while the National Conference had 28 MLAs in 2002, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir invited the PDP-Congress alliance of 15+21 MLAs.



"Closer still, in 2013, the BJP won 31 seats in Delhi but had to give way to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had 28 MLAs and the support of Congress ' title=' Congress '>Congress legislators," he wrote.



Countering this, Dey said that the examples cited by Jaitley were not valid.



"In 2013 Delhi elections, the BJP won 31 seats. But it refused to form the government after being invited. In 2002 J&K polls, the National Conference (NC) had 28 MLAs. Farooq Abdullah had not contested, and Omar Abdullah lost the election from his seat. In those circumstances, the NC said they were not staking claim," Dey said.



"In Jharkhand in 2005, Shibu Soren was invited to form the government but democracy prevailed as he did not succeed in the floor test," she added.



She said that constitutional experts are clear that there is an order of priority after the mandate is out.



"It is good constitutional convention to invite the single-largest party.



" Jaitley should his facts ' title=' get his facts '>get his facts right," she said.
DECATUR  The Decatur school board on Tuesday approved health/life/safety amendments to decommission Johns Hill and Durfee magnet schools and construct one new building for both programs.

The total projected cost for the project is $25 million.

The two buildings are the oldest in the district, and neither is readily accessible to those with mobility issues and both are too expensive to bring up to modern standards and enrollment trends.

After months of meetings and discussion by the Facility Advisory Committee for Exceptional Schools (FACES), a proposal was presented to the board at the Feb. 28 meeting to close and demolish both of the buildings after first constructing a new building to house both programs on the level portion of the grounds of the existing Johns Hill school.

Sam Johnson of BLDD Architects told the board at that February meeting that the cost to upgrade the buildings would be greater than the cost to replace them, and Chief Operational Officer Todd Covault added that decommissioning the buildings without also tearing them down would create problematic eyesores as the buildings deteriorated.

Before the district can issue bonds to pay for the project, it has to be approved by the Macon-Piatt Regional Office of Education and by the Illinois State Board of Education as eligible for a health/life/safety project so that the bonds can be issued.

The projected timeline is to issue the bonds in June, begin accepting bids by fall and begin construction in April 2018.

During the public participation portion of the meeting, Decatur Education Association President Suzanne Kreps and Decatur Federation of Teaching Assistants President Paula Busboom requested that the board slow down the process of hiring a new superintendent. The present timeline calls for a decision to be made and announced by March 28.

We're disappointed that the board has not been more inclusive and is making this decision before the (consolidated) election, Kreps said. There has been no community or union input.

Kreps requested that the board plan to introduce finalists to the community before making a decision and noted that Champaign and Maroa-Forsyth school districts had done that during their recent superintendent searches.

Busboom said that meetings held in December to allow community and employee groups to meet with the search firm's representatives prior to candidate interviews, which began in the last few weeks, were poorly attended. She said they did not provide the search firm with a fair representation of the community or its concerns.

We encourage you to rethink your timeline, she said. Allow us the opportunity to meet the finalists.

In other business, the board also voted on resolutions to dismiss six teachers, 15 retired teachers serving as substitutes, one Macon-Piatt Special Education District educator, and 11 retired special education educators.

Interim co-Superintendent Michael Dugan said some of the dismissals were for financial considerations, and others were for performance.
A day after the BJPs thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, a little-known progressive Kannada writer became the victim of an ink attack in Davangere town by a group of suspected right-wing activists. In gross defiance of the law and freedom of expression, his face was smeared with black ink in broad daylight. An isolated incident or the new order?

Yogesh Master, who is said to have hurt the sentiments of Hindus by depicting Lord Ganesha in poor light in his novel "Dhundi", is only the latest addition to a long list of writers -- Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasrin, Tarek Fateh, Perumal Murugan, Ramachandra Guha and Romila Thapar, among others -- who have been target of fundamentalist elements.



While the fear of book bans continues to prevail, protests, ink attacks and trolls have now emerged as weapons of choice against writers and intellectuals.



In the past, it was primarily politicians who were victims of ink attacks, but authors and rational thinkers too live in similar fear now. How did things go upside down?



One defining moment was the ink attack on Observer Research Foundation's Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising the launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove" in 2015.



The Delhi launch of the book went undisturbed, attended by high-profile dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but both Kulkarni and Kasuri were repeatedly warned to cancel the event in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena. And when they refused to bow down to pressure, Kulkarni became the victim of an ink attack by Sena members ahead of the launch in Mumbai on October 12, 2015.



This incident, carried out by a leading political party, to a large extent boosted the morale of the fundamentalist elements, who saw it as a weapon to counter those they disagree with.



If ink attacks on writers are disturbing, imagine the impact of death threats and actual killings of writers on those who write on similar themes.



Welcome to the curious case of Tamil author Perumal Murugan. In January 2015, he announced he was giving up writing after he came under attack from Hindutva supporters, who claimed that his novel "Madhurobhagan" was blasphemous. The novel explored the problems of caste divisions in the context of a childless marriage and alludes to real-life places and communities such that actual communities were considered to be slurred.



"Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone," he announced before deciding to quit writing.



Almost two years later, the Madras High Court dismissed the plea that called for the prosecution of the author and ban of his "offensive" book. Murugan said although he was considering reissuing his earlier books, he would do so only after careful reviews and revision. It was a sad twist in the tale of a courageous writer -- readers expected the return of a triumphant Murugan, but two years of oppression had taken its toll on him.



But should a writer actually be scared of death threats in a vibrant democracy like ours?



Why not, if you look at the killings of scholar M.M. Kalburgi and rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare between August 2013 and August 2015. This had led to a massive campaign of returning the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards by headline authors in 2015 but seems to have brought little relief even two years later as death threats against writers continue to surface.



And then there is always the fear of protests for "hurting sentiments". Although this isn't something new, the trend has caught on since the rise of literature festivals. The likes of Taslima Nasrin, Ashis Nandy and Tarak Fateh have been at the centre of several controversies at literature festivals.



The primary argument of the protesters has little to do with what a writer actually speaks at the venue, but with the general perception of the writer and the kind of media coverage that such protests gain.





Last but not the least is the disgraceful trolling that several writers have to withstand on social media. From outright abuse to disgusting memes, liberal writers have seen them all. What is worse is the fact that many of them, like Amartya Sen, are not even active on the social media but there is no escape for them.



The online trolls are actually ahead of their times. If you thought it was only limited to social media, you may want to check the pages of authors like Ramachandra Guha, Amartya Sen and Romila Thapar on bookselling e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart, or even Goodreads. Scores of negative reviews and disturbing comments are posted against them even before the actual release of their books.



These lethal weapons are silently causing havoc to the literary fraternity and are not limited to or targeted at only writers from one particular point of view. Any writer who seems to disagree with a fundamentalist outfit -- we have so many of them -- is at the receiving end.




The emphatic victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly polls has brought the partys relationship with its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, back in focus.

One key question for which an answer has been sought ever since Narendra Modi led the BJP to power in 2014 is whether it is Modi who dominates the RSS or vice-versa?



Some political observers have been predicting that Modi will now dominate the RSS. Others feel that with the Prime Minister and his protege Amit Shah being in full command of the BJP and leading it to one victory after the other, it is the beginning of the end of the RSS' influence on the BJP.



This is patently untrue.



The answers to these questions lie to some extent in the organisational structure of the BJP and the RSS. But before we go into this, it would be pertinent to point out that those who are raising such questions are starting this narrative on the premise that Modi and the RSS are at loggerheads with each other. The fact is that Modi and RSS have been on the same page, especially since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.



The RSS' learning from its experience during Atal Behari Vajpayee's earlier BJP regime has ensured that it does not get involved in the micro-management of either the party or the government. The top RSS brass and the Modi-Shah duo have been communicating with each other almost every day, discussing crucial policy and organisational issues. The RSS has largely given a free hand to Modi and Shah and they have responded well by appointing people with strong RSS backgrounds in key positions within the government and the BJP.



An important example of the RSS and Modi being on the same page is the priority given to the north-east by the Prime Minister.



For the RSS, expanding its footprint and strengthening its influence in the north-east is top of its agenda. It feels that conversion of Hindus into Christianity has changed the demographics of this region, resulting in a threat to India's territorial integrity and this trend needs to be reversed. More than 4,000 RSS pracharaks (full-time workers) have been deployed in the region alone.



Modi's first official domestic visit outside Delhi as Prime Minister was to the north-east. No other Prime Minister has visited north-eastern states so many times in such a short span after assuming office as Modi has. In most of the central government ministries, projects in north-eastern states are being pushed vigorously.



Organisationally, Ram Madhav, an RSS Pracharak, has been given charge of the north-east. The results are visible. The BJP has made strong inroads into the region. It has formed governments in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam -- and now in Manipur. The party is hopeful of wresting other states in the near future.



Now, if one looks at the organisational structure of the BJP, one would realise how intrinsically the RSS and BJP are linked. Both at the national level and the state level, the second-most important post in BJP units, after the President's, is that of an "Organising Secretary".



These posts are manned exclusively by RSS Pracharaks. The Organising Secretary has the last word when it comes to organisational issues. He would sit in all crucial meetings and is part of the decision-making process at every level. In bigger state units like Uttar Pradesh, as well as at the national level, the Organising Secretary is assisted by several deputies. All of them are RSS full-timers. They generally look after the BJP affairs in states allocated to them.



To make this clearer, let us look at the case of Sunil Bansal, the Organising Secretary of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit. Bansal played a key role in the 2014 victory of the BJP in the state. He was the Man Friday of BJP President Amit Shah. At that time he was "Assistant Organising Secretary (Sah Sangathan Mantri)". He was elevated to the post of Organising Secretary after his stellar role in the BJP's performance in 2014. In 2017, he played a key role in delivering the state to the BJP.





In Uttarakhand, a similar role has been played by another RSS full-timer, Shiv Prakash, who is an Assistant Organising Secretary at the national level. He assists the BJP Organising Secretary Ram Lal, who is also an RSS Pracharak.



If one looks at the Modi's ministers, almost three-fourths have been committed RSS cadres. Before being drafting to the BJP, senior ministers like J.P. Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Singh Tomar, Manohar Parrikar, Nitin Gadkari and Prakash Javadekar have been part of the RSS. They were all handpicked by Modi.



The Chief Ministers picked by Modi such as Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), M.L. Khattar (Haryana) and Raghubar Das (Jharkhand) have all been committed RSS workers.



Thus there is not going to be any shift in the balance of power within the Sangh Parivar as the Modi-Shah duo and the RSS top brass are not competing with each other -- they are rather complementing each other. The recent poll results are the outcome of this synergy -- and Modi, Shah and the RSS realise it well.
Promises made and deliverance doesnt match. Stop fooling them

BJP could not have won from the Muslim areas...echoed Mayawati while addressing a press conference in Lucknow on the day of counting in five states. The Muslim voters have not supported the BJP then how come their vote has been transferred to BJP. Several Muslim community leaders expressed surprise over the massive victory of BJP candidates in their constituency.. BJP did not give a single ticket to Muslimsbut in Muslim- dominated seats also the results went in the BJPs favour and this is unpalatable to the party, she said.



When Mayawati was making this statement, one of my Muslim colleagues face went red with rage. He very menacingly shouted, Why is she misusing someone elses religious status? His reaction took most of us sitting in the newsroom by surprise as a thought similar to that of Mayawati was creeping in our minds too. My Muslim colleague did not stop here. He continued furiously, saying, All political parties have been using us as pawn for their own power and furtherance. He was angry at Mayawati for putting across such a scornful thought in the community mind.



Election Commission was quick to deny Mayawatis charge of manipulation in EVM. But my middle-aged Muslim colleague continued to seethe. It was more of anguish than anger. His outburst is an eye opener to the emerging mindset of a community which has been courted by all for sheer political gains. History of electoral politics proves this. Whether it was at the time of Independence movement or after that, the Muslim community has been largely viewed as an en bloc vote bank and nothing else. Political parties woo them by promising them moon and if all the promises had been fulfilled, the block of around 20 crore people would have been the most literate, employed and rich. But the reality is quite contrary.



According to the Census 2011, the illiteracy rate among Muslims stands at 42.7 percent. The percentage of the non-working population is highest among Muslims in the country. According to data of Census office a massive 11.61 crore Muslims have been listed as non-workers. Non-workers are defined as those who do not participate in any economic activity, paid or unpaid, household duties, or cultivation. The low work participation rate indicates that community is largely poor and backward. Surveys have also shown that the women in the Muslim community are far more at disadvantaged positions than others.



Now look at the rate of crime among the Muslim community. Muslims make up 15.8% of all convicts and 20.9% of all undertrials in jails across the country. This is higher than their share in the countrys population, which is around 15%. In some states, this gap is far wider. This is according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.



There are many other surveys and findings which have repeatedly pointed to the fact that Muslims in the country have not been benefitted in the same proportion as promises are made to them by the various political parties. But then, may be the poll outcome of UP is indicative of a point which the community is perhaps trying to make and which is stop playing politics on us



A massive mandate, BJP 324 cannot be dismissed as a mandate from Hindu voters only. Uttar Pradesh is a populous state having 20 percent Muslims in the state which means that Muslims too must have voted for him. And, this is what my Muslim colleague stressed upon. He and many of his known co-religionists did actually vote for the BJP.





Then there is another young Muslim colleague of mine who is still a trainee and hails from a conservative background from Bijnore. He hates politics on religion, despises religious fanaticism, and is supporting his young wife in her education endeavor. He believes in the openness of Indian thought, loves to participate in other religious festivities and goes to mosque during office break on Fridays. He believes in being Indian and does not want to be labeled as only a Muslim, and he says he did not vote for BJP as he is more attracted towards the charisma of Akhilesh Yadav.



In both of my Muslim colleagues, a hope for politics which transcends religion and caste can be seen. Mayawati openly plays Muslim and Caste card and this has been totally rejected by voters including Hindu, Muslim, Dalit, OBC, forward, backward, etc. The latent message is not that BJP is the winner in UP or Uttrakhand, or Muslims may have voted for Modi, the revelation is that anyone who does not do politics on the issue of caste and religion has a wide scope in the political paraphernalia of the country. Muslims may have or may not have, they may in future or they not in future vote for BJP or Modi, but they are indicating a yearning for a change.




Gang rape accused Gayatri Prajapati, a senior Samajwadi Party leader and minister in the outgoing Uttar Pradesh government, was arrested on Wednesday and sent to 14-day's judicial custody.

Absconding since February 27, Prajapati was arrested in Lucknow's Aashiana area early on Wednesday by a joint team of the Special Task Force and the local police.



Sources told IANS that the mining minister in the outgoing government, known for his proximity to Samajwadi Party (SP) founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, was first taken to the Alambagh police station for recording his statement.



The police has already arrested other accused, including Amrendra Singh aka Pintu, Roopesh and Vikas Verma, gunner Chandrapal, a revenue official Ashok Tiwari, Ashish Shukla and had detained the sons of the minister.



Prajapati apparently came under pressure after two of his sons were detained by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday.





Prajapati unsuccessfully contested the recent state assembly elections from Amethi. He had won from there in 2012. Six others accused in the same case were held earlier.



In February, the Supreme Court had ordered the state police to lodge an FIR against him. The gang rape victim had accused Prajapati's henchmen of terrorising her and her daughter in a Delhi hospital.



Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad said Gayatri was being tracked for some time and that he was constantly changing his locations.




Congress Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar on Wednesday offered to quit the post following the partys rout in assembly polls.

"I take the responsibility for the defeat in UP. Despite the energy and efforts invested by (Congress Vice President) Rahul Gandhi, I could not live up to the expectations," the actor-turned-politician told the media.





Contesting in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, the Congress won only seven seats in the 403-member assembly. He accused the BJP of using money and muscle power to come to power in Goa and Manipur.
The German Justice ministry is planning to frame a new law that will force social networking sites to curb fake news and hate speech.

According to a report in DW on Tuesday, German Justice Minister Heiko Maas revealed details of a new law that will force social networks to publish a quarterly accountability report.



The report will include information on the number and qualifications of employees responsible for deleting and blocking content that breaches Germany's hate speech and slander laws.



Under the new law, Facebook, Twitter ' title=' Twitter '>Twitter and other social networks will be required to offer users "an easily recognisable, directly reachable, and constantly available" complaint process for "prosecutable content".



According to the new law, prosecutable content includes libel, slander, defamation, incitement to commit a crime, hate speech against a particular social group, and threats.



That will trigger social networking sites to take a prompt action by immediately checking the complaints and delete all illegal content within seven days.





"Violating these regulations could lead to a fine of up to $5.3 million for the individual employee responsible for the complaint procedure, and up to the same amount for the company itself," the report quoted the bill drafted by the Justice Ministry.



"The self-commitments of the companies led to initial improvements. But these are not sufficient. Too few comments are deleted. And they're not being deleted quickly enough," Maas was quoted as saying.



During a test conducted in January-February this year, the Justice ministry found that that Facebook only deleted 39 per cent of offensive content reported by users, while Twitter ' title=' Twitter '>Twitter fared even worse, with only 1 per cent of content reported by users deleted.



The test was conducted by the child protection organisation Jugendschutz.net.



"Hate and incitement endanger cohesion in our country and are poison for society. It's unacceptable that companies make huge profits from social networks and at the same time slink away from their responsibility in fighting messages of hate." Manuela Schwesig, Family Minister, was quoted as saying.
Thousands of Twitter accounts, including high-profile ones belonging to Forbes, Amnesty International and the BBCs North American service, were compromised on Wednesday, resulting in them tweeting propaganda related to Turkeys escalating diplomatic conflict with Germany and the Netherlands.

The hijacked accounts have all posted the same Turkish-language tweets with a Nazi swastika followed by the hashtags #Nazialmanya and #Nazihollanda (#NaziGermany and #NaziHolland).

The text after the hashtags reads: "This gives you a little #OttomanSlap," and makes reference to April 16th -- the day Turkey will hold a referendum on constitutional changes that would consolidate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's power and potentially allow him to remain in office through 2029.

The tweets also include a link to a pro-Erdogan video on YouTube.

The attackers also changed profile pictures and header images for some targets, changing the main image to a Turkish flag and the profile picture to a Turkish-style coat of arms, reported the Guardian.

Several users noted that all hijacked tweets appear to have been linked to Twitter Counter, a Netherlands-based analytics application.

Twitter Counter was previously targeted in a November 2016 attack that caused some high-profile accounts to spread spam. At the time, the company said it has over 2 million users.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands, after the Dutch government barred two Turkish ministers from speaking to expatriates in the Netherlands ahead of the referendum.

In response, Erdogan accused the Dutch government of acting like "Nazi remnants", and Turkey suspended high-level diplomatic relations with the Netherlands on Tuesday. Erdogan also accused Germany of behaving "like Nazis" after the government banned Turkish rallies ahead of the referendum.

Forbes, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, the UK Department of Health, Reuters Japan, BBC North America, Duke University and Amnesty International were all affected among several other charities and universities.

BBC North America confirmed that it had been caught up on the hack, tweeting: "Hi everyone - we temporarily lost control of this account, but normal service has resumed. Thanks."

In a statement, Twitter said that it was "aware of an issue affecting a number of account holders this morning. Our teams are working at pace and taking direct action on this issue. We quickly located the source which was limited to a third party app. We removed its permissions immediately. No additional accounts are impacted."
Adolescents in the US may be using less drugs because they are constantly stimulated and entertained by their computers and smartphones, experts say.

"There is a possibility that smartphones ' title=' smartphones '>smartphones are contributing to a decline in drug use among teenagers," Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse -- a part of National Institutes of Health -- in Maryland, US was quoted as saying to nytimes.com.

According to a survey, 'Monitoring the Future -- an annual US government-funded report measuring drug use by teenagers', the use of illicit drugs in 2016 other than marijuana was at the lowest level in the 40-year history of the project for 8th, 10th and 12th graders.



"This period was also notable because declining use patterns were cutting across groups -- boys and girls, public and private school, not driven by one particular demographic," Volkow said.



However, the correlation does not mean that one phenomenon is causing the other, but the interactive media may play similar impulses as drug experimentation, including sensation-seeking and the desire for independence.



Or it might be that the gadgets simply absorb a lot of time that could be used for other pursuits, including partying, the survey said.



Thus Volkow described the interactive media as "an alternative reinforcer" to drugs, adding that "teens can get literally high when playing these games".



The findings of the survey showed that the use of marijuana is down over the past decade for eighth and 10th graders even as social acceptability is up.



Although marijuana use has risen among 12th graders, the use of cocaine, hallucinogens, ecstasy and crack are all down, too, while LSD use has remained steady.



Even as heroin use has become an epidemic among adults in some communities, it has fallen among high schoolers over the past decade.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said he will end his self-exile if the armed forces provide him security.

The former military ruler's counsel, Akhtar Shah, submitted an application in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in which he said, Musharraf will face the stalled trial related to the detention of judges when he was in power if he was given security by the Ministry of Defence.



The former President had earlier requested the ATC to direct the authorities concerned to provide foolproof security for his appearance in court in the case.



The court had then ordered the Inspector General of Police and interior secretary to make arrangements for the provision of security to the former general to ensure his presence in court.





He has now specifically asked for security from the Defence Ministry. Shah told the court that his client did not trust the Interior Ministry, which had filed a complaint of high treason against him. Musharraf has sought exemption from personal appearance till arrangements were made.



In the application, Shah has said the petitioner intends to appear before the court if provided adequate security. Given the situation in the country, the counsel said, security threats were more serious now.
US President Donald Trump's tax affairs were back in the spotlight after leaked 2005 returns showed he $100 million ' title=' wrote off more than $100 million '>wrote off more than $100 million in "business losses" to reduce his federal taxes burden.

The President paid $38 million in federal income tax on reported income of $150 million, an effective tax rate of 25 per cent, according to documents from Trump's 2005 tax returns disclosed on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show late Tuesday.

By claiming losses, Trump apparently saved millions of dollars in taxes that he would otherwise have owed, reports said.



The White House responded without even waiting for the show to air, issuing a statement that seemed to confirm the authenticity of the forms as it defended Trump and assailed MSNBC for publicising them.



"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," a White House official said in a statement.



"The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans," the official said.



The White House described Trump's business losses as a "large-scale depreciation for construction", but did not elaborate, reported the New York Times.



In addition to the federal income taxes in 2005, the statement said, he paid "tens of millions of dollars in other taxes, such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes, and this illegally published return proves just that".



Democrats pounced on the report, arguing that the White House's decision to release details of Trump's 2005 taxes before Maddow's show undercut his past refusal to release any such information.





"If they can release some of the information, they can release all of the information," said Zac Petkanas, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee.



"The only reason not to release his returns is to hide what's in them, such as financial connections with Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin."



The tax forms were sent to journalist David Cay Johnston, who has written a book on Trump.



Appearing with Maddow on the MSNBC show, Johnston said he had received the forms "over the transom" at his home and did not know who had sent them.



He suggested that they might even have been sent by Trump himself. Because he did not solicit the forms. Johnston said it was not illegal to receive them, reported the newspaper.



The forms showed that Trump made $67 million in real estate royalties, $42 million in business income, $32 million in capital gains, $9 million in taxable interest and $998,599 in salary in 2005, for a total of nearly $153 million.



After writing off $103 million, he reported adjusted gross income of nearly $49 million. In the end, he had to write a check for $2,450,597, including penalties and interest for late payment, said the report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plunges this week into the increasingly volatile situation in North Asia with visits to Japan, South Korea and China, the region's central players for dealing with North Korea's missile launches and nuclear tests. Complicating the mission are Chinese concerns about how the U.S. has responded so far.

Beijing strenuously objects to the initial deployment to South Korea of a U.S. missile defense system. One of Tillerson's chief tasks will be to assuage Asia's biggest country and arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States.

Tillerson's four-day trip will be closely watched for signs of how the Trump administration will approach the escalating tensions with North Korea, whose leader has disregarded international appeals to disarm and accelerated weapons development. The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Last week, North Korea launched four missiles into the ocean off Japan as the U.S. and South Korea began annual drills. The allies call the drills routine. Pyongyang regards them as an invasion rehearsal.

The Trump administration is searching for new ideas to stop North Korea in ways that years of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation have failed to do.

While administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, early signs indicate the U.S. wants to ensure current sanctions are properly applied, targeting the government's revenue sources and ability to import sensitive technology usable in nuclear weapons and missiles.

For now, there appears to be no desire to negotiate with North Korea  a holdover stance from the Obama administration, which demanded the North first commit to the goal of denuclearization. But U.S. officials have been vague about what their new approach might entail.

All eyes are now on Tillerson as he tries to navigate the complex and sometime acrimonious relationships necessary for formulating a regional strategy. It's a task President Donald Trump complicated last year by challenging Japan and South Korea to contribute more to their own defense and questioning the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China. But since taking office, Trump has sought to allay those concerns.
Addressing national opioid crisis is happening in Salina

Salina organizations are joining the effort to fight and educate people on the crisis that nation is facing with opioid addiction.
DECATUR  Central Illinois has already experienced the effects of a rocky weather pattern full of storms, and the first official day of spring hasn't yet arrived.

The weather has put the preparations of Ameren Illinois crews to the test as they try to be ready for whatever situations develop, along with providing advice Wednesday about items to stock in emergency preparedness kits.

Storms are fresh in all our minds, said Gussie Reed, director of Ameren Illinois Division III, which covers the Decatur area. We must maintain the integrity of both the electric and gas systems at all times. We're a 24/7 operation. We have people on call and on duty all the time.

When storms appear likely, Ameren officials will go on alert to pull in whichever employees are available and needed, Reed said.

Sometimes we bring them in early, and they're packed to be gone for two or three days, Reed said. They're prepared to hit the ground running.

Among those ready to restore power are journeymen linemen Josh Simpson and Don Putnam. The bucket trucks they use have most of the equipment they need to fix power lines.

When emergencies happen, everything is on the truck, Putnam said. This is our office. We want to take care of the situation right then and there. Our goal is to get the lights on as quickly and safely as possible.

Education and training are an ongoing part of the process to learn the job, Simpson said. He said the linemen have a variety of tools are their disposal.

If we don't trust the tools, we can't do the job, Simpson said. We're always learning something new every day.

They can go up 55 feet in a bucket but that's not always the most efficient or safest option, Putnam said. Typically, he said they will carry between 50 and 75 pounds of equipment.

It gets heavy, Putnam said.

One of the tools they use can extend up to 45 feet in the air to pull a fuse out, Putnam said.

We don't go up in the bucket, Putnam said. But it can still get challenging when the wind is blowing.

To aid the linemen, Ameren maintains mobile storm trailers equipped with parts needed to help them restore power. It has five trucks that carry 217 separate items along with three similar trailers used for the higher power lines, said Larry Bevington, superintendent of supply chain operations.

We've used them heavily the last couple of weeks, Bevington said. They've met our needs.

The trailers can be deployed to the hardest hit areas where linemen can go to work as soon as possible, Bevington said. He said the trailers have been used since 1995 to complement store rooms set up in cities across the Ameren service territory, which spans 43,700 square miles with 1.2 million electric and 816,000 gas customers served.

It's designed for that purpose, Bevington said. We can go to work to get the lights to come on a lot quicker. The main thing is to have the equipment available to them.

The trailers can be brought back to be restocked after being deployed ahead of storms when possible, he said.

We've never run out, Bevington said. It's worked for our needs. We want to be ready.

Reed said the goal is to prioritize the restoration process, starting with focusing on hospitals and other places that provide emergency services. It looks to switch customers to a different circuit, then looks for areas where it can provide the largest impact in the quickest, safest way possible, Reed said.

It has established emergency operations centers in each of its divisions throughout Illinois along with two dispatch centers located in Decatur and Peoria, she said.

Additionally, Ameren maintains a fleet of 20 mobile substations that can be used to temporarily replace a regular substation, said Jimmy McBride, substation/relay superintendent for Division III. The utility has 1,200 substations of different sizes throughout the state, McBride said.

It can be a stopgap until a full repair can be made, McBride said. We want to get the stations back in service.

The largest mobile substation was on display at the company's facility in Decatur. It can generate enough power for 12,000 houses, which McBride said is more than most regular substations.

The trailer weighs 89,640 pounds, McBride said. He said that means it requires a special use permit when it needs to be moved along with being pulled by a 3-axle tractor truck rather than the 2-axles for the other units.

Ameren has four of the units based in Decatur, two in Mattoon, two in Marion, four in Belleville, three in Beardstown, one in Springfield and four in Peoria, McBride said.

He said each unit can be set up and operating in about half a day as needed.
Three people with macular degeneration were left blind after a poorly conceived treatment with stem cells, according to an article published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The patients, all elderly women, paid $5,000 to be treated at a Florida stem cell clinic with their own cells. The cells were extracted their from fat, mixed with blood plasma and injected into their eyes. Such autologous treatments fall into a gray area under federal law, and may or may not require reporting to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The treatments were also registered with clinicaltrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Two out of the three patients found the trial through the website, which doesnt fully vet trials for scientific soundness.

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The company that conducted the trial, U.S Stem Cell, Inc., said by email that it has an extensive track record in giving stem cell therapy, with an extremely low case of bad reactions.

Researchers in San Diego, a hotbed of stem cell science, said the results highlight the dangers patients face in properly assessing risk in getting such lightly regulated autologous stem cell treatments.

These findings have significance far beyond stem cell therapy, said Gary Firestein, M.D., Associate Vice Chancellor of Translational Medicine at UC San Diego; and Jeanne Loring, a stem cell scientist at The Scripps Research Institute who holds a Ph.D. in developmental neurobiology.

The clinicaltrials.gov registry shouldnt be directly used by patients to find trials, Firestein and Loring said. The registry may be useful as a starting point, but patients should then discuss potential trials with qualified physicians, an academic medical center.

The researchers said signs a trial may be trustworthy include if its:

-- Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health

-- Conducted by a large drug or biotech company

-- Performed at many large academic medical centers

On the other hand, charging for participating is highly unusual for legitimate clinical trials, Firestein said. Most legitimate trials are conducted to determine the value of a therapy and not for profit.

That raises red flags, Firestein said. It doesnt necessarily mean that all of the time its a problem, but it certainly should make somebody take another look at getting some other opinions on it.

The NEJM article was co-authored by Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg professor and chair of ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. It can be found when published online at j.mp/blindstem.

U.S Stem Cell, listed in the clinical trial form under its former name of BioHeart, said it has researched and developed cell therapies since 1999.

Since 2001, our clinics have successfully conducted more than 7,000 stem cell procedures with less than 0.01% adverse reactions reported, the company said in a statement. We are unable to comment further on specific cases due to patient confidentiality or legal confidentiality obligations. Neither US Stem Cell nor US Stem Cell Clinic currently treats eye patients.

The paper highlights the risks for patients who go to clinics selling non-FDA approved stem cell offerings that are generally done without support from pre-clinical research said Paul Knoepfler, a stem cell researcher at UC Davis and critic of the proliferation of lightly regulated or unregulated stem cell clinics.

Last year, Knoepfler co-authored a study that found at least 351 companies around the United States advertise unauthorized stem cell treatments in nearly 600 locations. And the greatest concentration of these locations was found in Southern California.

The thing that sticks in my mind the most about this situation is the possibility that it all could have been prevented if some of the parties involved in administering the stem cells had first done pre-clinical studies in rodents where negative outcomes likely would have shown up, putting a stop to the whole thing before anyone got hurt, Knoepfler said by email.

The FDA needs to step up to the plate and take quick action on the national problem of around 600 stem cell clinics in the US operating without the agencys approval or Im concerned that many more people are likely to get hurt.

Better trial, better result

The journal also published a second article on a more promising result for a better designed autologous stem cell trial for macular degeneration.

A Japanese woman given the therapy experienced vision stabilization. As a safety measure, she was treated in just one eye. A year later, the transplanted cells were still alive.

The second trial can be found when published online at j.mp/blindstem1.

Loring called that trial a success, because vision progressively worsens in the normal course of the disease.

The patient received autologous retinal cells grown from artificial embryonic stem cells. Called induced pluripotent stem cells, they were produced from the patients own adult cells, reprogrammed into retinal pigment cells, and transplanted into the eye.

A second patient was supposed to be treated, but transplantation was called off after the cells were found to have potential genetic problems.

Loring said she liked both the results and how well the trials scientists had designed and carried it out.

I was really impressed that these cells survived over this time period, Loring said. They did exactly what they were supposed to do.

Loring is helping to prepare for a clinical trial for IPS cells, to be used in patients with Parkinsons disease. Shes part of a San Diego-based group, Summit for Stem Cell, that is raising money for that purpose. It can be found at summitforstemcell.org.

The botched trial indicated the dangers of patients trusting clinicaltrials.gov, said Loring, who along with other scientists has previously warned it was being misused.

This is one of those things that is not widely known enough, Loring said. Its been pointed out several times that anybody can post to clinicaltrials.gov. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration, which oversees clinical trials) has nothing to do with it.

Take a closer look

Listing on clinicaltrials.gov is relatively unmoderated, Firestein said.

It does not provide an endorsement for the science, Firestein said. There are a certain number of regulatory steps required to be listed there, but it should not be construed as being the source of high-quality clinical trials.

The website provides valuable information about clinical trials in an easily accessible format, Firestein said. For patients, its best viewed as a first step in finding all the potential clinical trials that might help them.

Subsequently, youd want to look at which centers are participating, who the sponsors are, who the physicians are, Firestein said.

Science Playlist  On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Patients should be prepared for future meetings with their doctors to include discussions of global warming.

Under a political advocacy campaign launched Wednesday, a coalition of physician groups will tell the public that their health is threatened by catastrophic man-made global warming, also called climate change.

Participating doctors will also urge government action to reduce the damage believed to be caused by human emissions of greenhouse gases.

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Skeptics of global warming say climate models have failed to predict the current hiatus in global warming. Global warming believers say that when properly adjusted for accuracy, temperature trends show no hiatus.

The Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health is led by Dr. Mona Sarfaty, Director of the Program on Climate and Health in the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University.

The consortium said in a press release that it represents more than half of American physicians. Its members include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, Immunology; American Academy of Family Physicians); American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); American College of Physicians (ACP); ecoAmerica, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

On Wednesday, the consortium issued a report titled, Medical Alert! Climate Change Is Harming Our Health.

The consortium pointed to a recent study by Abt Associates, a group that works on environmental sustainability and global warming issues. The study said reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the Northeastern states has prevented from 300 to 830 early adult deaths.

The study also said reducing greenhouse gas emissions in those states has averted, 39,000-47,000 lost work days, 35-390 non-fatal heart attacks, 8,200-9,900 asthma flare-ups, 180-220 hospital admissions, as well as saving money.

Heres the message from Americas doctors on climate change: its not only happening in the Arctic Circle, its happening here, Sarfaty said in the press release. Its not only a problem for us in 2100, its a problem now. And its not only hurting polar bears, its hurting us.

Sarfaty has made numerous political contributions, nearly all to Democratic groups or candidates. These include former president Barack Obama, 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, according to the Federal Election Commissions website.

The consortium is run by The George Mason University Program on Climate & Health.

Science Playlist  On Now In a first, scientists rid human embryos of a potentially fatal gene mutation by editing their DNA On Now Space station flyovers visible from San Diego this week 0:55 On Now UCSD's 'ghost drivers' begin testing people's reaction seemingly empty cars 1:29 On Now 10 interesting facts about Mars On Now Kids can add years to your life On Now LA 90: SpaceX launches recycled rocket On Now Big passions, big giving: Malin Burnham 2:30 On Now Big passions, big giving: Darlene Shiley 2:40 On Now Big passions, big giving: Joan and Irwin Jacobs 2:45 On Now Ocean temperatures warming at rapid rate, study finds

bradley.fikes@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-1020
Alaska Airlines is yet again stepping up its presence in San Diego, announcing Wednesday it will add six more domestic nonstop routes, the first of which will start in August.

In addition, Alaska is expected to reveal in the coming months the schedule for planned service this year between San Diego and Mexico City, a route that has been tentatively approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The new domestic daily flights to Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Omaha, Nebraska; and St. Louis brings to 18 the number of nonstop destinations Alaska has introduced in San Diego over the last five years.

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By late August, Alaska will be operating 40 daily departures to 28 destinations from San Diego, including what it says are the most nonstop flights to Mexico and Hawaii.

Alaskas continued push into San Diego reflects in part growing demand on the part of passengers for service to smaller markets that have the potential to grow much larger, said Alaska Airlines executive John Kirby. Alaska will be the first airline to offer nonstop service between San Diego and Omaha, beginning Aug. 28.

The growth in San Diego for us is not a new story, and with the acquisition of Virgin America last December, we wanted to focus on growing our service to offer San Diego customers flights to destinations they want to go to, said Kirby, vice president of capacity planning for the airline.

Surprisingly, 90 people a day fly between San Diego and Omaha. We find its a field of dreams, if you fly into a new destination, it stimulates the market as well. And we certainly look for markets that deserve nonstop service.

Each of the new routes will be served by 76-seat Embraer E175 jets, which include 12 seats in first class, 12 seats in premium class and 52 seats in the main cabin. If and when demand grows for the new routes, those flights could transition into larger jets, said Kirby.

The San Diego-Austin route will launch Aug. 27, followed by departures to Omaha on Aug. 28. Albuquerque will debut Oct. 18, Minneapolis Nov. 18, and Kansas City and St. Louis Dec. 15. Tickets for the new routes are currently available for purchase.

The new flights come on the heels of Alaskas recently announced routes to Baltimore, which started service on Wednesday, and Sacramento, which begins Thursday. They also follow an announcement last week of 13 new nonstop routes from the Bay Area.

The expansion of Alaskas service locally, along with added routes that Southwest Airlines is introducing, are no doubt fueled by San Diegos healthy tourism economy, said Hampton Brown, who oversees air service development for San Diego International Airport.

San Diegos economy is running on all four cylinders, Brown said. We see the cranes back downtown building hotel rooms, the Intercontinental is rising on the Embarcadero, so I think the airlines are noticing this.

He noted that airlines will also take notice of those routes that are served by just one air carrier, which could cause air fares to creep upward. In those instances, other airlines may see a money-making opportunity, he said.

Of the six new destinations Alaska will be adding, three already are served exclusively by Southwest.

Southwest currently is the leading airline in San Diego, and by July will serve 31 nonstop destinations and have 110 daily departures.

Alaska is not focusing on trying to supplant Southwest as the prime carrier, Kirby said.

We think we offer a very different product  we have first class, we work with other carriers, including international carriers like Japan Airlines and British Airways, so we offer something a little different, he said. This is not about trying to rival Southwest. Growing in San Diego makes business sense for us.

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lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
A local development team has taken the first step toward transforming a prime oceanfront site on the Del Mar bluffs into a resort that would also include a public park.

The Robert Green Company, which just opened the upscale Pendry Hotel in downtown San Diego, is teaming with Encinitas-based Zephyr, a housing developer, to acquire seven parcels of land located just south of Solana Beach, north of Del Mar dog beach and west of the fairgrounds.

Currently owned by three different families and under private ownership for at least the last century, the triangular-shaped piece of land has long been occupied by only a couple of gated homes, while the northernmost piece remains vacant. Adjoining the site are four acres of city-owned land laced with winding walking trails.

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The Encinitas developers announced last week they have entered into a long-term agreement with the landowners to acquire and develop their property, culminating more than a year-long effort to strike a deal.

They have yet to formulate specific development plans but the centerpiece would be a luxury resort that could be complemented with hotel-branded villas, restaurants and walkways, not unlike the concept behind the Montage blufftop resort in Laguna Beach.

I was born and raised in San Diego, and until a year ago, I had never set foot on this property because its all private, said Robert Green, whose downtown hotel project was a partnership with Pendrys parent company, Montage International.

One could just build 25 super luxury single-family homes, but that would mean the only people who could enjoy that property would be those 25 families. Idea of building a luxury hotel is much better for the community, financially, but it also opens up the property to public access forever so anyonce can come and stay there, and dine there.

One of the three property owners had earlier received approval to convert a portion of the land into five gated mansions, but those plans are now on hold, said Brad Termini, CEO of Zephyr, which specializes in luxury mixed-use housing projects on the coast.

We went to the city and said it would be a shame to have that site closed off to the public for another 100 years, so we want to introduce a plan that has exceptional public benefits and welcomes the community to the site, rather than a plan that gates large mansions for the next 100 years, said Termini, whose company is currently building a 170-unit condo project near Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.

Before the developers even map out specifics of the project, they will be meeting with the surrounding community, including neighboring residents in Solana Beach to solicit input. Dates have not been set, but the city of Del Mar requires such community feedback for projects are designed.

While there have been inquiries in the past from developers about building out the blufftop land with a hotel, the Green-Zephyr project marks the first formal undertaking of such a development, said Del Mar City Manager Scott Huth.

Our hope is that the public can walk between the proposed project and the edge of the bluff to enjoy those views, and the developers know thats a goal and theyre embracing that, he said.

This property has good access to the highway and fairgournds nearby but there will also be challenges. Its how do you design something that works in the community and also addresses neighbors concerns in Solana Beach. Its going to be a very delicate combination of listening and coming up with a design that doesnt increase impacts to the communities around them.

Development of a hotel, though, is several years off, considering the need for an environmental impact report and a lengthy entitlement process that would include a hearing before the California Coastal Commission.

Were in the first stage of a very long road, said Termini, so its difficult to provide timing on this.

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lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com

(619) 293-2251

Twitter: @loriweisberg
California launched a new education dashboard Wednesday, which charts the progress of California schools and districts in academics, discipline and other measures through a searchable website.

The California School Dashboard, compiled by the state Department of Education, replaces the Academic Performance Index, which condensed each schools performance into a single number. The new website reports a broader range of school performance standards, and tracks change over time.

This is not a single number, said Steve Green, senior director for assessment, accountability and evaluation at the County Office of Education. This is a deeper understanding of the whole system.

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The department of education debuted a preliminary version of the website Wednesday, releasing English and math test scores, English as a Second Language, and graduation and suspension rates. Later, the website will add data on career and college readiness, school absences, parent engagement, and school climate and conditions. The website address is caschooldashboard.org .

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson called the dashboard a high-tech report card that grades components of school success.

Just as our children receive report cards with multiple grades in multiple subject areas, the California School Dashboard provides us with many different measures of a schools performance  where its strong, where it needs to improve, how its doing over time, he stated in a press release.

The site displays school performance data in color-coded pie charts, with a full pie of blue slices signifying the highest outcome and a red pie with a single slice representing poor results. The colors green, yellow and orange show intermediate school performance scores.

Green is the target that all schools and districts should meet or exceed, and marks of orange or red signal areas in need of improvement. A separate grid shows current scores in the various measures, as well as progress over the previous year.

Within San Diego Unified School District and some of the other larger San Diego districts, results were mixed, but displayed the same trends as previous accountability measures. Schools in more affluent areas attaining higher scores, and those with many low-income students and English learners show moderate results.

For instance, Poway Unified  with nearly 36,000 students and about 17 percent designated economically disadvantaged and 12 percent English learners  earned blue marks for math, English and graduation rates, a green mark for its suspension rate and yellow for English learning.

Vista  with about 22,000 students including 62 percent low-income and 21 percent English learners  received yellow marks on all measures except graduation and suspension, where it was rated green.

San Diego Unified  of 107,000 students, 61 percent are low-income and 25 percent are English learners  It earned green marks on all measures except English learner progress, in which it received yellow. That compared relatively well to other large California areas with similar demographics.

For instance, Long Beach Unified School District, with 69 percent low-income students and 23 percent English learners, earned mostly yellows, with green marks for graduation and suspension rates, and an orange  or low performing score  for English learning.

San Diego Unified was pleased with its scores, and particularly happy to see graduation rates tracking upward, Superintendent Cindy Marten stated in an e-mail to the Union-Tribune.

We are tremendously excited about the new state accountability report, she wrote. It offers a multi-dimensional look at our schools, and allows us to focus on the success of each and every child in a comprehensive way. The new standards go beyond single test scores and measure our progress lifting up every student we serve.

Longstanding achievement gaps between white and Asian students, and their Hispanic and African-American classmates, are now easier to identify through the websites search functions.

For instance, in Vista schools, the aggregate academic scores for the district as a whole showed moderate performance  represented by yellow marks  across student groups. Broken down further, familiar trends emerged.

Asian students received blue designations, as the highest performing group. White and Filipino students met the state target with green marks, and most other students held steady with yellow ratings, although American Indians and African-Americans received orange scores for English and math respectively. Students with disabilities, however, received red marks  the lowest performance level  for both math and English.

It was a painful revelation, but district officials welcomed the chance to analyze results more closely through the lens of the new dashboard, said Matt Doyle, assistant superintendent for innovation.

In the future were going to pay very close attention to students with disabilities, Doyle said. Thats an area that didnt come out as strong as we would like.

By breaking down scores more finely, he said, it allows the district to take stock of its own strengths and weaknesses.

Just as students resist being referred to as a number, the district doesnt appreciate being referred to as a single number, Doyle said. Its a more holistic approach to how were doing as an organization.

Even districts with strong scores like Poway still saw the dashboard as an opportunity for improvement, viewing weaker ratings as constructive critiques, said Eric Lehew, executive director for learning support services in Poway.

Our English language learners perform very high, but compared to last year, that group had a downward trajectory, Lehew said. So overall our performance is very high, but it allows us to look at what might be the cause of that.

The dashboard complies with state accountability requirements as well as the new federal education law Every Child Succeeds, said Green, with the County Office of Education.

While that laws predecessor, No Child Left Behind, imposed stark penalties after several years of low performance, the new law targets the lowest performing schools for extra help and support, Green said, favoring a carrot over a stick approach to school improvement.

However, its unclear whether the Trump administration will keep the current law in place, or upend it in favor of new school policy.

That is a front that is ever-changing right now in Washington, Green said.

deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan
The medical staff at Palomar Medical Center Escondido donated $50,000 to help fund the expansion of the hospitals Emergency Department.

The hospital is starting the build-out of Pod D, the newest addition to the Emergency Department, which last year served more than 92,000 area residents yearly.

The new 4,600-square-foot pod will have six observation treatment bays, eight observation treatment private rooms and a centralized nursing station.

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The pod expands the facilities offered at the three existing emergency department pods completed in 2012 when Palomar Medical Center Escondido opened.

The estimated budget for the project is $5.6 million, of which Palomar Health Foundation has raised almost $2.7 million.

Board members, employees, community leaders and physicians have contributed.

Last fall, CEP America, a multi-specialty physician group providing acute care management, pledged $100,000 to the project.

Visit palomarhealth.org
Col. Dick Rothwell, who commanded the Fifth Marine Regiment during the 1980s at Camp Pendleton, the same regiment his father, World War II veteran Col. Richard Rothwell, had commanded some 25 years earlier, will give a presentation for the 75th anniversary of the base March 18 at the Oceanside Library.

Rothwell, president of the Camp Pendleton Historical Society, is slated to cover the history of the land, its ties with Mission San Luis Rey and its development into a flourishing cattle ranch in the late 1800s along with the history of the Marine Corps in Southern California and establishment of the base in 1942.

The talk, co-hosted by the Oceanside Historical Society, will give an overview of the bases history going back to its early beginnings as Rancho Santa Margarita, which later expanded to include additional land and was known as Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores.

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The ranch house property, including nearby chapel, built in the early 1800s, was home to Pio Pico, Mexicos last governor of Alta California and early North County families, including the ONeills and Forsters until the base opened 75 years ago.

Thirty-five generals lived in the adobe starting in 1947 with Maj. Gen. Graves Erskine and continuing through 2007 with Maj. Gen. Michael R. Lehnert. The ranch house site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rothwell lived on base in the 1950s while his father served as chief of staff of the 1st Marine Division and as Commanding Officer, 5th Marine Regiment.

My presentation will have two tracks. One track will be about the land and the other about the Marine Corps in SoCal. The story will be how the two came together, Rothwell said.

The presentation starts at 10 a.m. in the Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway.

Free copies of the commemorative magazine published by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce will be distributed to celebrate Camp Pendletons 75th anniversary.

Visit oceansidepubliclibrary.org or call (760) 435-5600.
Interact Communications named Cheryl Broom, formerly with MiraCosta College, president of its Southern California Branch, based in Oceanside.

Broom will serve as Interacts point person on the West Coast, focusing on team-oriented marketing, research, strategic and public relations for two-year and technical colleges.

Interact, a La Crosse, Wis.-based communications company, has worked exclusively with two-year colleges for 20 years. Its employees have attended, worked for, or provided leadership for community or technical colleges.

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Broom, a former TV news reporter, worked for more than a decade as MiraCostas director of public and government relations, marketing and communications.

At MiraCosta, Broom led a major rebranding effort; revamped marketing efforts to increase enrollment; and secured the 2016 passage of a $455 million facilities bond along with spearheading state legislation that helped California community college employees take maternity and paternity leave. She won more than 100 awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations and the Community College Public Relations Organization.

Visit 2yearexperts.com.
Its official: Ballast Point has overtaken Stone to become San Diego Countys largest brewery.

The Brewers Association, a Colorado-based industry group, on Wednesday released its annual lists of the nations top 50 breweries and top 50 craft breweries by production.

Craft breweries are defined as small (annually making 6 million barrels or less), independent and using traditional methods.

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Ballast Point Brewing, once a leader in San Diegos craft beer community, hasnt been considered craft since Constellation Brands bought it in November 2015. Then, Ballast Points reported production was slightly less than that of Escondidos Stone Brewing.

In this years rankings of all U.S. breweries  craft and non-craft  Ballast Point was the 13th largest, while Stone was 17th.

Also among the 50 largest American breweries: Miramars Green Flash, ranking 46th.

Ballast Points growth may have been accelerated by the prowess of Constellation, which markets Corona and Modelo in the U.S. Yet the Miramar brewerys rise was fueled by its own creation: Sculpin IPA.

Vince Vasquez, a senior analyst with the National University System Institute for Policy Research in San Diego, noted that before selling to Constellation, Ballast Point planned to sell shares to the public. As part of that process, the brewery filed revealing papers with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

When you looked at the data, Vasquez said, you saw that the majority of Ballast Points sales were in one state and the majority of that was one beer.

The state: California. The beer? Ballast Points tropical India Pale Ale.

This is the Sculpin economy, Vasquez said. Thats well on its way to becoming Californias pre-eminent IPA.

The Brewers Association also listed the 50 largest U.S. craft breweries, eliminating industrial behemoths like Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors.

On this list, San Diego County is represented by Stone, 9th place; Green Flash, 37th; and Karl Strauss, 41st. Gordon Biersch, a San Jose-based chain with a Mission Valley brewery restaurant, is 34th.

Complete lists of the largest U.S. breweries and U.S. craft breweries are at brewersassociation.org.
BLOOMINGTON  Pam Zimmerman's fears that her ex-husband was capable of killing her should be heard by the jury considering murder charges against him, according to motions filed by prosecutors.

Pam Zimmerman was found in her Bloomington office on Nov. 4, 2014, lying on the floor, shot four times by Kirk Zimmerman, according to first-degree murder charges, because he was angry over her recent engagement and disputes over money.

Zimmerman, 58, has pleaded not guilty.

In a motion filed by McLean County prosecutors Adam Ghrist, Mary Koll and Brad Rigdon, the state asks that statements made to police by 13 witnesses and emails about the Zimmermans' rocky relationship be allowed at his still-unscheduled trial.

The state argues that statements normally barred under hearsay rules are relevant to show the suspect's motive and intent to kill his ex-wife, 53.

Zimmerman's daughter, Rachael Zimmerman, told police in a Nov. 4, 2014, interview that her mother had discussed Kirk Zimmerman's money from his employment at State Farm, money he should have divided with Pam Zimmerman as part of their divorce, said the court filing.

Prosecutors allege that Pam Zimmerman told her daughter that when this was discussed, her ex-husband "got so mad that it scared Pam so she just let the defendant keep the money."

Friends of Pam Zimmerman told detectives that Pam said "if anything were to happen to her, Kirk did it," according to police statements.

Three days before she died, Pam Zimmerman predicted to friends Curtis and Carolyn Ronnekamp that when her former spouse learned of her engagement, he would "probably go ... ballistic," said the motion.

Pam Zimmerman then put a finger to her head as if she was pointing a gun, and added "it wouldn't surprise me if I was at the kitchen sink washing dishes and he shot me in the head," the couple told police in a statement about a week after the killing.

Kathleen Kraft, the Bloomington lawyer who represented Pam Zimmerman in the couple's contentious 2012 divorce, told detectives the victim was afraid of her husband of 20 years. The lawyer said those fears intensified in January 2013 after Pam Zimmerman filed a demand in court against Zimmerman for about $6,000 in unpaid expenses related to their three teenage children.

Money disputes between the Zimmermans were the topic of heated disagreements chronicled in emails filed in court records. Kirk Zimmerman's plan to retire at age 55 was derailed by the divorce, according to his comments in an April 29, 2012, email exchange with his ex-wife.

"This process has gone on a shocking number of weeks and I cannot wait to be done with you but will not hand you my life savings so close to retirement," Kirk Zimmerman wrote to his soon-to-be ex-wife.

"I too cannot wait to be done with you," Pam Zimmerman countered in her reply.

According to the state's motion, the couple's divorce mediator, Karen Anderson, in June 2012 wrote about Pam Zimmerman's dilemma in asking for half of her husband's pension: "If he doesn't get his pension he can't afford to retire. That alone will break him. He hates his job. If I'm the cause of him not being able to retire I then fear for what he'll do to me or to kids or to himself. I don't care to live like that."

At a pretrial hearing last week, Ghrist said he plans to call 13 witnesses when the motion is heard during several hearings not yet scheduled in May.
Grilled before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday in the wake of an online sexual harassment scandal, commandant Gen. Robert Neller vowed to change the Marine Corps culture. But several lawmakers thought his words rang hollow.

Flanked by Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Ronald Green and Sean Stackley, acting secretary of the Navy, Neller updated senators on the criminal investigation into the private Facebook group Marines United. Although the forum at its peak boasted about 30,000 members, the military officials said the ongoing probe has focused on approximately 500 men suspected of being active-duty or discharged members of the armed forces.

These Marines United members allegedly swapped salacious photos of female troops, denigrated them with sexually violent language and threatened reprisals against people who ratted out their boorish behavior.

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Neller said although the the Corps overriding ethos is one of honor and discipline, the Marines United scandal has been a stain on the service that forces him to confront a toxic culture of perversion thats harmful to women in the ranks.

Pausing during his opening address, Neller rhetorically asked male Marines, How much more do the females of the Corps have to do to be accepted?

Was it enough when Maj. Megan McClung was killed by an (improvised explosive device) in Ramadi? Or Capt. Jennifer Harris, killed when her helicopter was shot down while she was flying blood from Baghdad to Fallujah Surgical? Or Cpls. Jennifer Parcell, Holly Ann Charette and Ramona Valdez  all killed by the hands of our enemies? What is it going to take to accept these Marines as Marines?

Conceding that he was never a social media person and that he had been ignorant about cyberbullying issues, the commandant promised to beef up policies to address them while urging more Marines to come forward to report online abuse.

According to the Navys Stackley, 53 people have reached out to investigators to report Marines United misconduct, which he called a cancer in the Corps. A task force is being assembled to end the online behavior identified in the scandal, he added.

Condemnation of the Corps problems spotlighted by the Marines United investigation was bipartisan and often biting Tuesday, with some of the harshest words coming from military veterans.

Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, chaired the hearing on the 44th anniversary of his release from a Vietnamese prison. He told Neller the entire committee was saddened and disturbed by the disgraceful and unprofessional behavior detailed in the ongoing probe.

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the panels ranking Democrat and a former paratrooper in the Armys 82nd Airborne Division, called the alleged misconduct repugnant and just plain wrong.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a retired Air Force colonel who served in Afghanistan, termed it one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Marine Corps, a scandal that was devastatingly bad for a service trying to recruit young women.

Sen. Joni Ernst, R- Iowa, a retired Iowa Army National Guard lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq, expressed her deep disappointment and anger but said the problems raised in the scandal were service wide and helped create a culture of sexual abuse within the ranks.

Echoing Ernst, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R- Alaska, a veteran of the Afghanistan War who continues to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, spoke of a perversion of the culture in which male service members brought violence upon women in uniform.

Green, the sergeant major, said the task force would address how Marines are recruited, trained and retained, but added that veterans also could play a role in stifling cyber bullying of women: Well ask the veteran supporters of our organization out there to take a look at our motto, Once a Marine, always a Marine, he said.

Calling military efforts to ferret out online wrongdoing digital whack-a-mole, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questioned whether the Corps could solve some of its problems by ending gender-segregated training of recruits. Neller said the option was being studied.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D- N.H., said the Navys past failures to hold service members accountable for sexual harassment and abuse continues to undermine the militarys message that misconduct wont be tolerated.

Noting that the Corps records the highest rate of sexual assault in the armed forces, Shaheen pointed to a string of military abuse and harassment scandals since she joined the Senate more than seven years ago and questioned if Neller could end them.

Its hard to believe that somethings really going to be done when we hear this repeated again and again and we see these kinds of situations again and again. So why should we believe its going to be different this time than its been in the past? Shaheen asked.

Neller lamented that despite redoubled Marine efforts to retrain the force about sexual abuse, the number of sexual-assault reports didnt decline. He acknowledged that the bigger problem is in the culture, partly tied to a deep problem with alcohol abuse in the Corps.

This issue of the denigration of women, of the objectification of women, misogyny or however you want to articulate it  its just bad behavior, Neller said. Its tied to the way some groups of male Marines look at women in the Marine Corps, and I think we can fix that.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told Neller that there was no mystery that this was going on for a very long time.

When you say to us that its got to be different, it rings hollow. I dont know what you mean when you say that, she continued. Why does it have to be different? Because you all of sudden feel that it has to be different? Who has been held accountable? ...

I can tell you that your answers today are unsatisfactory. They do not go far enough, Gillibrand said.

The nearly 2  hour public hearing was followed by a closed session during which the military leaders discussed portions of the investigation considered to be law-enforcement sensitive.

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cprine@sduniontribune.com
A federal appeals court decided Tuesday that a woman acquitted of killing a model and aspiring actress in 2008 may sue a Santa Monica police detective for allegedly dissuading a defense witness from testifying during the murder trial.

A panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided 2 to 1 to reinstate the lawsuit by Kelly Soo Park, who was acquitted of the strangling murder of model Juliana Redding in her Santa Monica residence.

Park, who now faces fraud charges in a separate case, contended in her suit that Santa Monica police Det. Karen Thompson intimidated a witness who would have implicated someone else in Reddings killing.

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The suit, which U.S. District Judge S. James Otero had dismissed, dealt with Parks attempt during the 2013 murder trial to implicate John Gilmore, the victims boyfriend, as the actual killer.

The court alleged Gilmore had a history of domestic violence and had previously assaulted Redding.

Parks suit said that Melissa Ayala, Gilmores former girlfriend, planned to testify that Gilmore had choked her three times and had mentioned Reddings killing during one of the incidents.

Ayala eventually decided to invoke her 5th Amendment right not to testify only because Thompson had intimidated her, the suit said.

Park was deprived of her principal and apparently sole defense  that a third party was guilty of the murder  due to Thompsons alleged interference with Ayalas testimony, Judge Stephen Reinhardt, a Carter appointee, wrote for the majority.

Prosecutors argued that Gilmore had been ruled out as a suspect. They based their case against Park on DNA found throughout the victims home, including on Reddings neck.

They argued that Park attacked Redding at the behest of a doctor who had previously dated the victim and who was upset that the victims father had pulled out of a business deal.

Defense lawyers countered that Parks DNA could have been transferred from somewhere else to the murder scene.

Although Park and Redding did not know each other, both had been in the home of the doctor who allegedly arranged the attack.

In a partial dissent, Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez said Thompson never threatened Ayala or tried to prevent her from testifying.

I recognize that Thompson entered dangerous territory when she decided to talk to Ayala and tell her that she was not required to speak further to Parks investigators, wrote Fernandez, who was appointed by President George H. W. Bush.

That decision may not have been wise, Fernandez said, but it was not disastrous.

He said that Ayala refused to testify because she was facing criminal charges in another case.

The district court was not required to accept the fantasy  that Ayala would have blithely incriminated herself were it not for the conversation she had with Thompson, Fernandez wrote.

The court did not decide whether the detective had immunity from such suits, leaving that call to the district judge.

maura.dolan@latimes.com

Twitter: @mauradolan
A former Camp Pendleton defense contractor who helped steal $250,000 worth of medical equipment that was supposed to be used overseas to treat injured Marines pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court.

John Montano, 44, of Grants, N.M., was indicted in September. He worked as a civilian biomedical technician in warehouses run by 1st Medical Logistics Co., one of four companies operated by the Marine Corps that maintains and ships medical supplies to combat forces around the world.

Montano participated with others in a scheme to steal expensive medical equipment from warehouses at Camp Pendleton, including anesthesia machines, ventilators, ultrasound machines and defibrillators, prosecutors said. The defendants carried out the schemes between January and August 2012.

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According to the indictment, Montano helped two warehouse clerks  Henry Bonilla and Richard Navarro  steal more than $3 million in medical equipment. Bonilla and Navarro then used their cellphones to advertise the equipment to a small group of resellers.

After selling the items, they would pay Montano a portion of the money they received, prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, Montano pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of conspiracy to engage in theft of government property. He also admitted he used his access to and knowledge of medical equipment to help his co-conspirators take items from the base and sell them for a profit later.

As part of his plea, Montano agreed to pay $250,000 restitution to the Marines for the items he stole. He faces up to five years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Montano is scheduled to be sentenced June 16.

Bonilla and Navarro each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to engage in theft of government property. They have not yet been sentenced, according to court records.

dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @danalittlefield
San Diego Unified School District trustees voted Tuesday night to approve a $1.3 billion tentative budget that includes $124.4 million in cuts and could result in more than 1,000 job losses.

The job cuts have sparked contentious board meetings during the past few months, but trustees again unanimously backed the reductions as they had earlier this month.

Superintendent Cindy Marten has said the cuts are necessary as part of a long-term solution to stabilize district finances. The board voted 4-0 Tuesday with Trustee Michael McQuary absent.

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Even with the cutbacks, the district still is projecting a $50 million budget deficit in the 2018-19 budget.

Board members had little comment on the cuts Tuesday night after the issue had been aired at a meeting two weeks ago.

Nevertheless, about a dozen people spoke at the start of Tuesdays meeting to again ask them to reconsider staff reductions.

Some parents spoke on behalf of specific educators whose jobs are targeted for elimination.

Bell Middle School teacher Shane Parmely blasted the board for the layoffs overall and questioned why they came after the district gave raises to employees and had given a healthy a financial projection just last year.

I think the problem is your finance department realized we were about to go into contract negotiations the following month, she said of the budget shortfall first being discussed late last year. I find it extremely disturbing and rude that the district wants to normalize layoffs as a bargaining tool. I have teacher friends all over the state, and theyre wondering, Whats wrong with this district?

Later in the Tuesday meeting, a hearing on the initial contract proposal from the San Diego Education Association generated more criticism of the staff cuts.

Our schools need and deserve stability, said SDEA President Lindsay Burningham. Laying off close to 1,000 educators is not stability.

Samantha Brown, a teacher at Golden Hill Dual Language Immersion School, said she had received her first pink slip this year, and the cuts were creating an unstable environment.

Schools and communities are being torn apart, she said.

The spending plan adopted Tuesday night was the second of three interim budgets the board will adopt before a final budget is approved June 27. The latest budget is significant, however, because it reflects cuts to certificated employees, who by law must be notified of possible job losses by March 15, Wednesday.

Acacia Thede, executive director for human resources at the district, said more employees received the notices than are expected to be laid off because its unclear how many will actually lose their jobs.

Some employees facing job loses are entitled to a hearing next month, and in May a final decision on layoffs will be made based on each employees seniority, the districts needs and other factors.

Also in the mix, the district is offering early retirement incentives, which could reduce the number of layoffs. The district will only go through with the incentive if it is able to generate enough savings to make the early retirement cost neutral, and that wont be known until late April or early May, Thede said.

The district has about 17,000 employees, including part-time workers. Of those, 5,100 have reached age 50, making them eligible for retirement.

About 1,700 of those eligible for retirement are teacher, and 150 usually retire each year, but more are expected because of the incentives.

Although the district has a website to answer frequently asked questions about the budget, the complex process has led to many families and employees in the district unclear about how many people will be affected by the downsizing.

Admittedly, there has been some confusion about the numbers, said Thede.

Officials say the district is looking at cutting 1,476 employees, including 891 in positions that include teachers, counselors nurses, school psychologists and other workers whose job requires a certificate or credential. But a larger number received layoff notices.

Some employees could be bumped by more senior employees. That domino effect, along with the number of retirements may not be known until May.The budget so far has been based on preliminary numbers from the state, and some analysts have projected that the district could receive another $20 million when Gov. Brown issues his revised budget later this year.

Marten has urged the board not to be tempted to use the money, if it comes, to rehire employees because she sees the cutbacks this year as part of a long-term solution that will make the district more financially stable.

gary.warth@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @GaryWarthUT

760-529-4939
Police are looking for a mother who they say abandoned her 2-year-old daughter in a Riverside, Calif., grocery store Sunday evening.

Chiengkham Vilaysane, 31, who may also go by Cindy, was last seen at 5:55 p.m. in a Food 4 Less store in the 4000 block of Van Buren Boulevard, according to Riverside Police Det. Paul Miranda, who is investigating the case.

According to police, Vilaysane entered the store with her daughter, and at some point the girl wandered off. Police said Vilaysane continued shopping and never searched for her.

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A good Samaritan spotted the girl and took her to Vilaysane. When presented with her daughter, police said, Vilaysane responded, Oh, just leave her.

Vilaysane then paid for her groceries and intentionally left the store without her daughter, police said.

I havent seen anything like this before, Miranda said. I think thats what struck a nerve.

When the girl was shown a photograph from surveillance camera footage, she identified Vilaysane as Mommy, police said.

According Miranda, the girl has not been reported missing and is in the custody of the Riverside County Department of Child Protective Services.

She is a little bit shaken up, the detective said.

The girl appears to be in good health and showed no obvious signs of trauma, he said.

On Monday night, police released surveillance video showing Vilaysane walking through the grocery store with the girl. At the time, her identity was not known. But viewers recognized Vilaysane and provided information about her to detectives, Miranda said.

Vilaysane had been recently kicked out of her family home, he said. Police believe Vilaysane could be in Riverside or Hemet.

Vilaysane has had run-ins with law enforcement for drug- and alcohol-related offenses and has been placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold before, Miranda said.

Since the video was released, the department has received an outpouring of support from people who are interested in adopting the girl, he said.

Anyone with details about Vilaysanes whereabouts is urged to call Miranda at (951) 353-7945 or contact him via email.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA
President Donald Trumps explosive allegation that Barack Obama wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the presidential campaign has left him increasingly isolated, with allies on Capitol Hill and within his own administration offering no evidence to back him up.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he had not given Trump any reason to believe he was wiretapped by President Obama. Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House intelligence committee, said he had seen no information to support the claim and then went further. He suggested the U.S. presidents assertion, made in a series of March 4 tweets, should not be taken at face value.

Are you going to take the tweets literally? Nunes said. If so, clearly the president was wrong.

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But Trump, in an interview Wednesday with Fox News, predicted there would be some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks.

Trumps allegations have put him in a potentially perilous position as congressional investigations into Russias involvement in the 2016 election  and possible Russian contacts with Trump associates  ramp up. The FBI is also investigating.

If no evidence of wiretapping at Trump Tower emerges, his credibility would be newly damaged. If there is proof that the Obama administration approved monitoring of Trump or his associates, that would suggest the government had reason to be suspicious of their contacts with Russia and a judge had approved the surveillance.

The president, who appears to have made his allegation in a burst of anger, has asked lawmakers to investigate the claim. Lawmakers have since turned the question back toward the administration, asking the Justice Department to provide evidence of wiretapping activity.

The Justice Department missed a Monday deadline for providing the information to the House and was given a one-week extension.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who heads the Judiciary Committees crime and terrorism subcommittee, said the FBI will provide a classified briefing on the matter at some time in the future. Graham has previously said he would use subpoena power to get information from the FBI about whether a warrant was issued allowing the Obama administration to tap Trumps phones during the campaign.

Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone told The Associated Press Wednesday that he believes his own online exchanges with a Russian-linked hacker were obtained through a special warrant that allows the government to collect the communications of people suspected of being agents of a foreign nation. Stone communicated through Twitter direct messages with Guccifer 2.0, a hacker who has claimed responsibility for breaching the Democratic National Committee.

Stone said he was unaware at the time that U.S. officials believed the hacker had ties to Russia. He said he is willing to testify before any congressional committee that holds its hearings in public and not behind closed doors.

The House intelligence committee will begin holding public hearings on Monday. Nunes said FBI Director James Comey and Adm. Mike Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, will testify.

Ahead of the hearing, the committee sent a letter to the FBI, CIA and the National Security Agency requesting details by Friday about Americans who surfaced in intelligence collections last year.

Identities of Americans who show up in U.S. surveillance against foreign targets are generally concealed, but can be unmasked by intelligence agencies in certain circumstances. Those include situations when the communications contain information that a crime has or is about to be committed, when the Americans identity is necessary to understand the importance of the foreign intelligence collected or when the communication provides information that an American may be an agent of a foreign power.

Asked whether Trumps communications may have been swept up in surveillance, Nunes said it was very possible.

Sessions, a staunch supporter of Trump during the campaign, recused himself earlier this month from the Russia investigations after it was revealed that he did not disclose his own contacts with Russias ambassador to the United States. Asked Wednesday if he had ever briefed Trump on the investigation or given the president any reason to believe he had been wiretapped by the Obama administration, Sessions said, The answer is no.

Trump has said little about his allegations against Obama, largely leaving it to White House aides to explain his inflammatory statements.

The White House appeared to be backing away from Trumps claims on Monday, with spokesman Sean Spicer saying the president was referring to general surveillance that may have been approved by the Obama administration. On Tuesday, Spicer said the president was extremely confident the Justice Department would provide evidence vindicating him.

Graham and Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley have both said they will hold up hearings for Rod Rosenstein, Trumps nominee to serve as deputy attorney general, unless they get more information from the FBI. Given Sessions recusal, Rosenstein would take over responsibility for any probes touching the Trump campaign and Russias election meddling if hes confirmed.

Its just too bad that we have to go to this length, Grassley said.

AP writers Deb Riechmann, Sadie Gurman and Richard Lardner contributed to this report.
A Carlsbad woman was burned in a condominium fire that caused at least $200,000 in damage Tuesday, a fire official said.

Three residents had safely gotten out of the burning home, but one of them, the middle-aged victim, ran back inside to an upstairs bedroom for unknown reasons, Battalion Chief Jeff Chumbley said.

The two other residents went after her and pulled her out of the Ridgefield Avenue home near the Calvera Hills Community Park.

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The victim suffered moderate burn injuries and was flown to a burn center, Chumbley said. No one else was hurt.

The blaze erupted about 3:15 p.m. in a second-story bedroom, Chumbley said. Investigators had not determined the cause of the fire.

Roughly 24 firefighters from Carlsbad, Vista and Oceanside had the blaze under control within half an hour, Chumbley said.

The fire, which did not spread to adjacent condos, caused at least $200,000 in damage.

The Red Cross was called to assist the displaced residents.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
A wanted felon led Chula Vista police on a short pursuit early Wednesday, then was found hiding in a river ravine, authorities said.

Officers had been looking for the 32-year-old man, wanted on suspicion of fraud, police Lt. Miriam Byron said.

They came across him about 2 a.m. and tried to pull him over, but he sped away in a sedan.

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Byron said the pursuit covered five miles in about five minutes. Then the driver crashed into a barrier at the southern dead-end of Rios Drive, south of Palm Avenue and ran toward Otay River.

A witness said he was at a nearby church, Inglesia ni Cristo, when he heard the bang of the crash and saw the man get out of the car and dash into the ravine.

He was being chased by five or six police cars, Art Mallari said.

A San Diego police helicopter crew searched for the man, finally spotting him under a canopy of trees and thick brush. They used a public address system to tell him to come out with his hands up.

After half an hour, the police were able to successfully find him and retrieve him, Mallari said.

The wanted man was not injured in the crash, Byron said.
San Bernardino County resident Jacob Laughlin Bravo worked as a plumber at an Oceanside construction site four days a week.

On those nights, the 37-year-old man slept in an office trailer at the location on Windward Way where condominiums are being built. On Thursday nights, he generally drove home to Phelan, a small town just southwest of Victorville.

Last Thursday morning, he was attacked in his sleep and stabbed to death by a stranger, authorities said.

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Twelve hours later, officers arrested an Oceanside triathlete and former Marine instructor in connection with the homicide.

Mikhail Schmidt, 30, pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on Monday and is being held on $3 million bail.

Deputy District Attorney Cal Logan said Schmidt followed Bravo to the construction site, went into the trailer, and stabbed a sleeping Bravo in the neck and back with a knife. The two did not know each other.

Police said they got a tip that led them to Schmidt, who was arrested at The Strand, roughly two blocks from the construction site, about 5 p.m. Thursday.

Bravo, who had been working in Oceanside for five or six months, planned to drive to Phelan after work Thursday, as he did when the weekends came around, his family said.

Katie Bravo said her brother was the most beautiful soul Ive ever known.

One of his greatest passions was snowboarding, his family said. He spent most of the money he earned on trips to snowboarding resorts and was working toward becoming a certified trainer.

Jacob Bravos other talents included playing guitar and writing songs. And as an ordained minister, he presided over the weddings of his friends.

His brother, Gabriel Bravo, said his family is grateful for the outpouring of support from relatives, his brothers friends and the Oceanside community.

He said he finds comfort in the arrest of his brothers suspected killer.

Mikhail Schmidt faces 26 years to life in prison if he is convicted.

His military records list him as a former reconnaissance Marine who worked as a combat instructor. During his military service, he was deployed to Iraq for seven months beginning in April 2008.

After serving for eight years, Schmidt left the Corps in August 2013 at the rank of a staff sergeant.

He recently competed in triathlons, training at fitness centers and gyms in Oceanside, according to his Facebook page.

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Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com

Phone: (619) 293-1876

Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez
Constellation will seek extensions for its operating license for the Clinton Power Station until 2047 and two reactors at the Dresden Generating Station in Morris until 2049 and 2051.
Everything about the U.S. Navys Seventh Fleet is big.

It patrols 48 million square miles of ocean in the western Pacific, stretching from Japan west to Diego Garcia, from Australia north to Vladivostok. The fleet has between 60 and 70 ships with as many as 40,000 sailors and Marines on board.

Everything about Leonard Glenn Francis is big, too.

He stands 6-foot-3 and once weighed well over 350 pounds, with an ear-to-ear grin that creased his jowly face. His stature earned him the memorable nickname of Fat Leonard among the scores of Navy personnel who came to know him during the two decades his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia or GDMA, provided services and support to Navy ships visiting ports across southeast Asia.

The oversized businessman and the huge fleet  the largest numbered fleet in the entire Navy  partnered to create the largest and potentially most far-reaching bribery and fraud scandal in the services history.

In January, Francis pleaded guilty to bribery and fraud charges in federal court in San Diego. Hes agreed to forfeit $35 million to the government, a portion of the gross proceeds from the scheme. Hes been cooperating extensively with prosecutors and investigators ever since, court records show.

Six others, including a Navy captain and a commander, have also pleaded guilty. Sources connected to the case expect more indictments to come.

A comprehensive review of court documents produced in the 2-year-old case shows that Francis was able to run a decade-long scheme by which he defrauded the Navy out of tens of millions of dollars by targeting a handful of key points in the far-flung operations of the fleet.

He adeptly identified personnel on ship and shore, civilian and uniform, who were willing to work with him. Then, according to court records, he gave them cash, prostitutes, gifts, travel, hotel rooms  seemingly whatever they requested.

Francis hired retired Navy officers who then helped recruit active-duty officers into the scheme. And he had a Navy criminal investigator slipping him troves of internal documents about budding investigations, helping Francis to head them off.

With these contacts, Francis was able to get ships steered to ports  pearl ports as Francis called them  where he could easily overcharge the Navy for services.

He benefited from the Navy ignoring warnings over the years from its own personnel, some of whom became suspicious of huge charges for services that Leonards company billed when Navy ships entered ports where GDMA was in control.

Despite those warnings, the Navy continued to do business with him, even after at least one officer made three complaints to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) calling for an investigation of GDMA.

In December 2013, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus set up a special discipline board to deal with Navy personnel implicated in the scandal who will not be criminally charged by federal prosecutors.

Its difficult to know how many people have been referred to the board. A Navy spokeswoman said that because the investigation is still active, it would be inappropriate to comment on what cases, if any are under review. Navy Times has reported that as many as three dozen admirals are under scrutiny for their ties to GDMA.

Earlier this year, Mabus issued letters of censure to three admirals  Mike Miller, Terry Kraft and David Pimpo  for accepting gifts such as replica ship models and paying nominal amounts for expensive dinners at world-class restaurants.

In 2006 and 2007, Kraft was serving as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, Pimpo was the supply officer, and Miller, who became the superintendent of the Naval Academy, the strike group commander.

Francis threw expensive dinners for the approximately 30 officers of the Reagan at world-class restaurants. The bill for one came to $23,061  $768 per person  though the attendees paid only $50 to $70.

The Fat Leonard scandal is the latest example of bribes and kickbacks from the huge network of contractors the service uses, often to perform tasks once done by the Navy itself. As in past scandals, Francis was able to take advantage of lax oversight of contractors by the Navy, experts said.

The services used to take care of everything from dining to motor vehicle maintenance and everything in between, said Charles Tiefer, a professor of government contracting at the University of Baltimore Law School, who also served on a special commission that examined wartime contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, all that goes to highly compensated, and minimally supervised, contractors.

Leaving bread crumbs

Francis, 51, worked hard to cultivate relationships in the Navy. He was known for years for hosting lavish parties for officers. At the parties, said one Navy officer who is involved in the investigation and did not want to be identified, he would lay out bread crumbs like gifts of whiskey or the services of a prostitute.

Those who rejected them were written off. Those who took the bait were pursued and given more gifts, hotels and prostitutes.

The cases filed so far by federal prosecutors trace the web of influence that Francis wove. The court records dont explain how Francis ensnared each of the officers and civilians charged, but they do show how he covered all the bases.

Starting in 2008 Francis hooked in Cmdr. Jose Sanchez, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy. He held various positions up to 2013 at the Fleet Logistics Center in Yokosuka, Japan. Those centers are key cogs in the naval supply system, charged with providing logistics support for ships, awarding and overseeing contracts.

Sanchez provided internal Navy information on ship schedules, port visits, and how the service would handle ship servicing contracts and controlling costs. In exchange, he got more than $100,000 in cash, stays at luxury hotels and the services of prostitutes, the government said.

In 2006, Francis bribed Paul Simpkins, a civilian official overseeing contracts at a key Navy office in Singapore, according to the federal complaint filed against him in February. In that position, Simpkins sat on contract review boards, which could recommend and approve bidders for Navy contracts.

Simpkins, who has pleaded not guilty to bribery conspiracy charges, steered contracts for servicing ships to GDMA in Thailand and the Philippines in 2006, the government alleges, receiving in return at least $150,000 in cash bribes funneled to a bank account in his wifes name in Japan.

Simpkins also ran interference, according to the indictment filed against him in February, by blocking Navy officials from reviewing GDMA invoices submitted and working to get competing contractors suspended so they couldnt bid on projects. The government also says he stifled efforts to check the contractors work.

David Schauss, who retired from the Navy in 2007 as a lieutenant, said in an interview this year that he had been suspicious of what GDMA was charging the Navy for pumping out sewage from ships.

He first questioned the companys bills when he was stationed in Hong Kong in 2004 and 2005. He calculated what he thought the amount pumped from a ship ought to be, and compared it with what Francis was charging. Even by his rough calculations, he said the difference was staggering: GDMA was charging five times what he believed it should.

Schauss said his complaints gained no traction, and he was told to cease and desist any investigations of GDMA. In 2007, the government said in court papers, Simpkins instructed the Hong Kong fleet supply center to stop using the flow meters.

Schauss said he lodged a complaint with NCIS in 2006, and he believes nothing happened at that time beyond an interview by an agent. He said that Francis had people protecting him in the service.

I felt like I had to walk on eggshells with that contractor, Schauss said.

Rings of gold

Both Singapore and Yokosuka were key ports for administering and directing supplies and services to ships of the Seventh Fleet. Francis also did business with a network of officers assigned to the command ship Blue Ridge.

Edmond Aruffo retired as a lieutenant commander in 2007 and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the Navy last year. His last post: the Blue Ridge, as a force protection officer.

In that position he was in charge of security and protection for ships. Francis would provide protection by linking a string of barges around ships. Schauss recalled that Francis dubbed the array the ring of steel, but it was also derisively referred to as the ring of gold. Costs could exceed more than $100,000 for the security, sometimes ordered up when it wasnt necessary, according to the government.

Aruffo began working as the country manager for Japan for GDMA in 2009. While there, he orchestrated an elaborate kickback scheme, prosecutors charged.

GDMA struck agreements with subcontractors to provide services to the ships in Japanese ports in 2009 and 2010. When it came time to bill, GDMA used letterhead of the Japanese companies and submitted inflated invoices. When the Navy paid the vendors, the companies kicked back a portion of the money to GDMA, court records say.

The set-up netted more than $1 million. Those funds were then used, in part, for bribes and to pay for gifts for Navy officers, the government said.

In effect, the arrangement formed a closed circle: Taxpayers were defrauded out of millions of dollars via overbilling, then those dollars were used to pay for bribes to Navy officials, who assisted in ongoing fraud against taxpayers.

Aruffo also worked with Capt. Daniel Dusek, who pleaded guilty in January. He was assigned to the Blue Ridge until early 2011, to provide ship schedules for the fleet, and help steer ships to visit Francis prized ports. In return he got gifts, hotel suites, and women, court records say.

When Dusek left the Blue Ridge for other assignments, Francis was able to replace him with another officer, Capt. Michael Misiewicz. Aruffo helped recruit him, taking him to dinner in June 2010 and writing to Francis in an email that Misiewicz would be getting a new assignment aboard the Blue Ridge.

So, we are changing faces but keeping our lines of communication with C7F, he wrote, using the acronym for the command of the Seventh Fleet.

Misiewicz was assigned as the deputy operations officer for the fleet from January 2011 to April 2012. Prosecutors said in that job he had high level exposure to ship schedules, had a say in what ports they would visit, and helped steer business to GDMA.

In return he got the usual: prostitutes, free trips, fancy hotels and gifts  like tickets to a production of The Lion King and a Lady Gaga concert in 2012, the government alleges. Misiewicz has pleaded not guilty.

The last link

With the right contacts in key places, Francis benefited and exploited a system that relied heavily on private contractors, often in out-of-the-way ports, to provide services that got little scrutiny. Francis was in the ship husbanding business, a line of work that involves providing services from pumping sewage off ships to providing taxis and many other services ships in port require.

The Navy had very little oversight of the contracting, and even with what it had they could easily be misled, said Tiefer, the government contracting expert. The system has a vulnerability here. Making the arrangements called for in husbanding generally involves a relatively small number of Navy officers, who are given very broad discretion.

During the bribery and fraud scheme, some Navy officials, such as Schauss, tried to alert the service. But it was not until 2010, after a port visit to Thailand that resulted in $110,000 in wharf and dock charges, that an investigation that eventually led to his arrest was opened.

It took years however, and despite the ongoing probe in 2011 GDMA won a contract to provide port services across southeast Asia, valued at potentially more than $200 million.

Francis may have been able to stay a step ahead of investigators because he had an NCIS investigator on the take too. John Beliveau II, the agencys agent of the year in 2010, pleaded guilty in December 2013 to bribery and conspiracy. When he was stationed in Singapore, he befriended Francis and from 2011 forward gave him information about the progress of investigations into the company, documents show.

Beliveaus involvement was the final strand in the web the government describes. With contacts in the fleet supply centers, on board ships on the command staff, and in the agency charged with investigation, Francis had seemingly every angle covered.

He had so many people feeding him information, said a Navy officer involved in the case who did not want to be identified because the investigation is ongoing. In contracting, the commands, investigations  you couldnt design it better than that.

When the scandal first became public, Mabus ordered Navy auditors to review husbanding and port service contracts and the process by which the service processes them. The reports were completed in 2014. The Navy declined to release them when asked this month. The San Diego Union-Tribune has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for the report.

A Navy spokeswoman said that the service has taken some measures in response to the scandal. They include standardized contracts for husbanding and port services in the future and eliminating line items in contracts with no cost specified. These were certain services like food, fuel or incidentals not priced out under contract, but provided once a ship got into port. It was a one of several ways GDMA defrauded the government, prosecutors say.

Tiefer said the Navy, like other services, lacks the auditing and oversight staffing to adequately monitor contractors who do an increasingly large volume of the work. Even with more resources, it might not have made much of a difference with Francis, whose influence reached the upper echelons of the big fleet.

When someone like Leonard has his high level protectors there is no independent audit body that could disrupt his corrupt practices, Tiefer said.
Minutes after Donald Trump tweeted his displeasure at the release of 2005 tax returns calling it fake news, the president took aim at Snoop Dogg whose new music video depicts the rapper shooting a fake Trump with a fake gun.

The tweet comes just days after the musician and entrepreneur released the video for Lavender, a remix of the track by BADBADNOTGOOD and Kaytranada.

The satirical video, which is laced with profanity and pot smoking, features actor Michael Rappaport as a clown-faced dad who leaves his clown-faced, Snoop Loops-eating family one morning only to be shot by a clown-faced cop as a clown-faced witness records the incident.

It also includes a press conference being held by Ronald Klump in which he declares he wants to deport all doggs. The broadcast is interrupted by news of the clown dads shooting which is reported by a clown-faced news anchor on a program that also features a clown-faced weather girl.

The rapper watches the news from a throne guarded by two ferocious-looking Dobermans until he picks up a gun, confronts the parody Trump, points the weapon and pulls the trigger. Bang says the flag that sticks out from the gun. Trump is later shown in chains.

Its a lot of clown s$$t going on that we could just sit and talk on the phone all day about, but its a few issues that we really wanted to lock into like police, the president and just life in general, said Snoop about the video to Billboard. Nobodys dealing with the real issue with this [expletive deleted] clown as president.

Trump was not the only person upset with the video. Florida Senator Marco Rubio also lashed out at the rapper for the mock assassination depiction.

Snoop shouldn't have done that," said Rubio to TMZ. "We've had presidents assassinated before in this country, so anything like that is something people should really careful about.

Trumps lawyer also talked to TMZ and blasted the video. Shame on you, Snoop, said Michael Cohen who said the rapper owes the president an apology.

Its totally disgraceful," he said. "Theres absolutely nothing funny about an assassination attempt on a President. Im really shocked at him, because I thought he was better than that."

Snoop has not responded to the call for an apology.

Trump takes on Snoop Dogg.

619-293-1710

debbi.baker@sduniontribune.com

twitter.com/Debbi_Baker
The proposal by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, to provide grants from $2,660 to nearly $18,000 to about 400,000 California State University and University of California students so they can graduate with much lower student debt  and to offer free tuition to all first-year community college students  makes sense as a political gambit to appease the increasingly assertive progressive wing of the Democratic Party. But as public policy, its tough to defend.

An aide to Gov. Jerry Brown has already asked lawmakers whether K-12 education, health and human services or transportation programs would be cut to pay the tab of up to $1.6 billion. Hes not being facetious. California as a state is in no position to take on a huge new obligation. Its total unfunded pension liabilities are $228 billion, using official estimates, and nearly $1 trillion under Stanford professor Joe Nations calculations, which are based on more pessimistic long-term earning expectations. If Nation is right, thats $75,000 per state household.

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Meanwhile, a 2016 study by the Oakland-based Institute for College Access & Success found that average debt for California college graduates is the third lowest of any state  just over $22,000  thanks to very low community college tuition and fairly low CSU tuition. Nearly half graduate with no debt. This surprisingly positive picture suggests a better goal for Rendon  and a more realistic one  is to protect the tuition and fee breaks now given to students whose families make from $80,000 to $150,000 that the governor wants to end.

Twitter: @sdutIdeas

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Glad to see U.S. catching up on its traffic light strategy

Regarding Smart stoplights reducing congestion in San Diego (March 9): I was thrilled when I read the Union-Tribune article about smart stoplights being installed in several communities. Ive been advocating such changes for some time. However, this is not new, despite the article inferring its cutting-edge technology.

In 1980, I moved to The Netherlands. One day, while riding with a Dutch acquaintance, I began to put my brakes on. He asked, Why are you hitting the brakes? I replied, Because theres a red light ahead. He responded, It wont be.

Sure enough, as I got nearer, the light turned green. Thirty-seven years ago, the Dutch already had their traffic lights programmed to turn green if no cross traffic was approaching.

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Jeff Archer

La Mesa

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Not sure these smart lights are working as they should

Smart stoplights on Rosecrans Street are great for the workers at the end of Point Loma and others who make that commute daily. Not so great for the local residents.

I live on the other side of Rosecrans from Liberty Station. Trying to make a left turn on Rosecrans used to be difficult at best. Now its nearly impossible.

Google says the distance from my home to the intersection of Midway and Rosecrans is 1.1 miles and should take four minutes. I have timed the journey during commute times at 20 minutes. Thats progress?

Lucy Nash

Loma Portal

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Its a strange phenomenon: Lots of attention is being paid to both intensely downbeat and intensely upbeat visions of where the world is headed.

The gloomy view is the much more familiar one because its been around for more than 200 years: Technology is going to take our jobs! In Britain, early in the 19th century, the Luddite movement saw textile workers and weavers rioting and attacking factories after the introduction of weaving machines made their skills far less valuable. In 1930, the American Federation of Musicians founded the Music Defense League to try to keep musicians jobs from being lost to recorded music, specifically in movie theaters, after Hollywood invented talkies. That same year, John Maynard Keynes  the legendary economist who coined the term technological unemployment  warned that tech advances would wipe out job category after job category. Three decades later, President Kennedy worried about  and then Nobel Prize winners urged President Johnson to worry about  tech-driven job losses.

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The fretting seemed to ebb in the 1980s and 1990s, when it was trendier to talk about economist Joseph Schumpeters notion of free-market creative destruction spurring the economy to greater and greater heights. But then came the rise of the internet and the idea that technology would kill more jobs than it created was back in vogue  certainly at least with travel agents, sales people, video store clerks, film developers, loan agents and mail carriers.

By 2013, when a pair of Oxford professors estimated that robots and algorithms had the potential to wipe out 47 percent of 702 U.S. job categories, glum fears of a jobless future were rampant  and the idea that mostly low-skill jobs were at risk was long gone. This is from The Economists analysis of the Oxford report and related research:

We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. No office job is safe, says Sebastian Thrun, an AI professor at Stanford ... . Automation is now blind to the color of your collar, declares Jerry Kaplan, another Stanford academic and author of Humans Need Not Apply, a book that predicts upheaval in the labor market. Gloomiest of all is Martin Ford, a software entrepreneur and the bestselling author of Rise of the Robots. He warns of the threat of a jobless future, pointing out that most jobs can be broken down into a series of routine tasks, more and more of which can be done by machines.

This prediction feels more prophetic all the time. And thats not just because robot-baristas prepare coffee concoctions far more precisely than the humans they replace. Its because Google announced just last week that in tests its artificial intelligence program did an outstanding job in breast cancer detection.

Pathologists, beware. Or maybe just about everyone, beware.

Or not. Another perspective thats gaining attention goes a much different way. Keynes, the same famous economist who predicted tech would destroy jobs, also predicted that eventually capitalism would be able to produce so many goods so inexpensively that humans would no longer have to work to live wisely and agreeably and well. Of late, this notion of a post-scarcity world has become common enough that were beginning to see serious arguments that posit such a world would be like the one envisioned in Star Trek and that establishing a universal basic income may ultimately be the best way to divvy up this coming cornucopia of wealth.

Such an idea may seem nutty in a world where virtually all nations have substantial national debt and so many billions of people barely scrape by. But everything changes if energy becomes free or dirt cheap. If that happened, as Andrew C. Revkin wrote in 2009 in The New York Times ...

We could synthesize food, even meat .... . We could render water from the sea or briny aquifers drinkable in endless amounts.

An October article in Tech Radar noted this possibility may not be as science fiction-y as it sounded in 2009:

On Friday afternoon a couple of weeks back, while you were eyeing the clock and wondering if it was time yet to go to the pub, nuclear physicists at MIT brought us closer to unlimited free energy than weve ever been in the history of mankind. And its all thanks to the promise of nuclear fusion.

At the Alcator C-Mod tokamak nuclear fusion reactor, the pressure of the burning plasma inside the chamber rose higher than it ever has before  to 2.05 atmospheres. Plasma pressure is the key ingredient for producing energy from nuclear fusion, and this new record is 15 percent higher than the previous record, set at the same facility in 2005.

Nuclear fusion is often described as the holy grail of power generation. Its clean, safe, pretty much carbon-free and capable of producing nearly unlimited amounts of energy. If you can get the plasmas pressure and temperature high enough, then the energy released begins to exceed that required to keep it going.

But analysts who work for Citi, the giant international bank, dont think such breakthroughs are necessary for the world to see much cheaper energy. Last July, they wrote ...

As new builds in the power sector involve more near zero-variable cost sources, such as wind and solar, along with greater demand and storage optimization, the goal of dramatically lowering energy costs for all, with the possibility of free energy in some corners, may finally come to fruition. ... Now, Big Data and advanced analytics are developing rapidly to improve forecasting, automation, customization and the democratization of energy. The end result is that we are producing more energy with fewer resources.

And if energy became dirt cheap or free, then 3D printing technology could go unimagined places. The Independent newspaper had a good explainer of how it works.

3D printers are a new generation of machines that can make everyday things. Theyre remarkable because they can produce different kinds of objects, in different materials, all from the same machine. ...

The 3D printing process turns a whole object into thousands of tiny little slices, then makes it from the bottom-up, slice by slice. Those tiny layers stick together to form a solid object. Each layer can be very complex, meaning 3D printers can create moving parts like hinges and wheels as part of the same object.

Custom manufacturing using 3D printing is already booming. The U.S. Army is looking at using the technology to custom-print food for its soldiers. Much more radically, bioprinting allows for the creation of eyes, blood vessels, skin, noses, jaws, ears and more. Former IBM innovation guru Paul Brody says machine learning is improving the possibilities of 3D printing so rapidly that pretty soon the operative question will be what cant you 3D print?

Sounds like a real-life Star Trek replicator to me. But does the technology plus free energy equal a post-scarcity world? Maybe, if the benefits can be widely spread by beneficent governments.

That, of course, is an immense if. Heres hoping we find out sooner rather than later.

Reed is deputy editor of the editorial and opinion section. Twitter: @chrisreed99. Have an idea for a topic for this kind of treatment? Contact him at chris.reed@sduniontribune.com.

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Without media attention, Trump would hide everything

Regarding White House reveals limited tax info March 15): The information was released by the press and was then corroborated by the WhiteHouse.

This follows a clear pattern now of only admitting to the things that the press ferrets out. Like firing Michael Flynn only after it became public that he had lied to the vice president about talking to the Russian ambassador. And later it became known that he had been working as a foreign agent for Turkey while he was on the campaign, transition and in the White House and getting national security briefings with the President.

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And only afterwards did he registered as such, which the campaign headed by Mike Pence knew at the time - or had been told by Flynns lawyer.

A free press is more important now than at any time in my life. But how you report the facts matter, words matter. God bless and guard the republic.

Louise Buck

San Diego

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A new California bill would address a statewide school teacher shortage by letting veteran teachers avoid paying their state income taxes. Is that tax break a smart strategy for the state?

Senators Henry Stern, D-Los Angeles, and Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, introduced the legislation  Senate Bill 807, or the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act of 2017  earlier this month in hopes of reversing a trend in the loss of credentialed teachers that the state has struggled to fix.

Passing the bill would exempt teachers who have stayed in the profession for more than five years from state income taxes. The impact on the states tax revenue has not yet been determined, but reaction is already split on social media.

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Should California teachers have to pay state income tax? NO. Teachers are underpaid. https://t.co/8id8OZ1VWa  Roy Steele (@thespiansfo) March 14, 2017

Great incentive to address a shortage and pump up education in CAhttps://t.co/TPj9PAM5QE  Joe Cooper (@jcoop7900) March 14, 2017

This is a deeply cynical proposal sponsored by the billionaire-funded EdVoice. Teachers won't fall for it. @CATeachersGR https://t.co/5BVfWmlveO  Lori Jablonski (@Lori_Jablonski) March 14, 2017

A Democratic ultimate rock and hard place. Give up beloved tax revenue or defy their union masters? #capolitics #unions https://t.co/2zBkpIEs4w  Terry McGinnis (@TerryMcG19) March 14, 2017

An aging population of teachers and a decline in professionals enrolling in credentialing programs have contributed to the states shortage in recent years. Some school districts in California have offered subsidized housing, others have offered signing bonuses, and others have gone out of state to find teachers to hire.

Stern touted the bill in a statement, saying it addresses the immediate teacher shortage.

The teaching profession is critical to Californias economic success and impacts every vocation and profession in the state, Stern said.

But can a state income tax break truly solve the states teacher shortage? Join us on Twitter and vote on this poll and tell us whether teachers should be exempt.

Should California teachers be exempt from state income taxes? Tell us why or why not.  Union-Tribune Ideas (@sdutIdeas) March 14, 2017

@sdut move to Florida  chris84 caul (@CaulCmc49ers84) March 14, 2017

@sdut they don't get paid enough this should be national to encourage more new teachers  Tim (@RiversandLTsuck) March 14, 2017

@sdut because teachers have to spend so much out of pocket for supplies for their classes. They shape the future.  Jolene #DEMFORCE (@jolene_lasalle) March 15, 2017

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
Some of the guns confiscated during the arrest.

More than a dozen gang members connected to the Mexican Mafia prison gang were arrested early Friday and accused of attempted murder, kidnapping and drug trafficking in San Diego County, authorities said.

Officials have charged 40 people  17 of whom were arrested early Friday  in connection with the nearly year long investigation, dubbed Operation Keys to the City, that targeted the notorious prison gang, officials said at an afternoon news conference downtown.

Two criminal complaints charge 36 defendants with federal racketeering, firearm offenses and drug trafficking violations.

U.S. Attorney General Karen Hewitt described the Mexican Mafia and its connection to Latino street gangs as a rigid hierarchy comprised of members, associates and soldiers whose criminal enterprise spills into the community.

Some of the alleged crimes involved paying taxes, which officials say is the term used by gang members who use violent acts to extort payments from victims.

One defendant admitted to kidnapping a man, who twice broke free, authorities said. One of the kidnappers fired at the victim, who was able to run free and call police after the second kidnapping attempt was foiled, according to authorities, who recorded the Sept. 15, 2008 incident.

The victim, who was kidnapped in San Diego, broke free in Chula Vista while being transferred to another vehicle, according to federal court documents.

FBI Special Agent-In-Charge Keith Slotter said the arrests in the operation have dealt a blow to the Mexican Mafia by disrupting the criminal enterprise.

These operations are not just a bunch of low level criminals that were caught up in a sweep, Slotter said. These are dangerous, extremely violent individuals.

Some of the accused are involved with 13 street gangs in San Diego and National City and have associates as far north as the Los Angeles area.

Hewitt said members of the Mexican Mafia are elected by fellow gang members and are the top of the hierarchy. They are followed by associates, many of whom are in custody and who are given the authority or the keys, by members of the prison gang to order crimes in a neighborhood, city or prison yard, Hewitt said.

Next come the soldiers, the low-level street gang members believed to be in the thousands who carry out and enforce the orders of the associates, she said.

Four men are still being sought and are considered fugitives: David Garcia, 43; Jorge Lerma-Duenas, 40; Ernest Soqui, 32; and Lance Agundez, 38.

Hewitt said many of the defendants were already serving time in prison for other crimes.

The arrests occurred in stages over the past weeks, she said. Some of the defendants were arrested on state charges or parole violations and will be transferred over to federal custody, she said. Four of the defendants were charged in late 2008.

The exact number of those suspected of being behind bars while orchestrating the drug and violent crimes was not available, Hewitt said.

Angelica Martinez: (619) 293-1317; angelica.martinez@uniontrib.com
DECATUR  Mark Sorensen has earned a prestigious recognition from the Illinois Library Association.

Sorensen, the vice president of the Decatur Public Library Board, was inducted in February as a Library Luminary honoree, becoming the first person from Decatur to receive the award.

Sorensen was nominated in November by Mary Aylmer, current director of the Chillicothe Public Library District who previously worked in Decatur.

Sorensen wants to continue supporting the work of libraries, which he said serve a vital role in the community.

There are still certain things to turn to a professional librarian for help, said Sorensen, who has a particular interest in history.

The honor roll for Illinois libraries serves the dual purpose of recognizing outstanding voices in the library community, while creating a legacy through the ILA Endowment to continue its work.

Donors in support of Sorensen's nomination contributed over $5,000 to the endowment since Sorensen's nomination was announced in January.

Nominees are required to raise at least $2,000 in order to be inducted. Sorensen said contributions came not just from Illinois but other states as well.

Sorensen has been serving public libraries, both professionally and privately, since 1982. He spent 21 years with the Illinois State Archives and is retired as assistant director.

In her nomination, Aylmer said Sorensen is someone who exemplifies the tenets of the award. Alymer said Sorensen joins a list of those receiving the award, which is comprised of an incredibly illustrious group of individuals.

Previous award winners have included Secretary of State Jesse White and others recognized for promoting and supporting libraries in Illinois.

Sorensen is the only new inductee so far this year.
The Belize Coral Reef  the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world  is the crown jewel of Belize. The miles and miles of rainbow corals that make our entire coast line what it is today. Literally. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker started as patches of coral and built up over thousands of years. Placencia Peninsula was once a stretch of coral growth that is now covered by river sediment and sand. Our atolls and cayescoral.

Its part of what brings thousands of visitors and keeps millions of fish, sharks, whales in our waters. It should be protected like any crown jewel would be when under attack. But I wont even START on the Government of Belizes preposterous ideas to search for oil within 1 kilometer of the reef.

Its like cracking open the Hope Diamond to look for coal. But that diamond is only worth $250 million dollars. Meh.

Our reef is priceless.

Reef Week is March 9th to March 15th and is celebrated with events around the country.

Im going to commemorate it  I knowIm a bit late to the party  with some of my photos of the magnificence of our sea.

Ranguana Caye off the coast of Placencia  the reef is RIGHT THERE

A newly certified diver and her snap shots under water

Parasailing over our reef by San Pedro town

And some eagles rays recently swimming in front of our skiff

Flying with Tropic Air to Roatan, Honduras  a fantastic view of the tiniest cayes and sandbars in the south of Belize

Snorkeling the Great Blue Hole and the dive stops near it

A helicopter ride over Hol Chan Marine Reserve off of Ambergris Caye

One of the only places in the world where the reef touches the land  Rocky Point NORTH Ambergris Caye.

Swimming with a manatee at the cut at Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker and the reef

SoI love that it is REEF WEEK  but for those of us who live on the coast, every week is reef week. Just like every day is Womens Day.
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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Deerfield Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- The global Biotechnology-based chemical market is segmented on the basis of end users, applications, and geography. End users for biotechnology-based chemical market consist of bio-pharma, agri-biotech, bio-informatics, bio-services. Further, application market comprises of food and beverages, agriculture, fuel, energy, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and nutrition, paper and pulp, cosmetics and toiletries, and plastics and fibres. Geographically, the market is segmented as North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA.



Biotechnology-based chemical market is fragmented and few of the key players include Queensland's world-class agriculture industry, Sarnia-Lambton Research, UK and Norway business funding agencies, the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and Innovation Norway.



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In Biotechnology, living systems and organisms are used to develop or modified specific product or processes. The major types of biotechnology are red, green, white, and blue biotechnology. Red biotechnology involves medical processes, white biotechnology which is also known as grey biotechnology is mainly used in industrial processes, green biotechnology involves agricultural biotech processes and blue biotechnology comprises of marine and aquatic processes. Few of the biotechnology-based chemicals available in the market are polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and lactic acid. Biotechnology-based chemicals has wide applications across industrial areas such as agriculture, medicine, food production, healthcare, and crop production. It is also used in other sectors such as chemicals, food and feed, paper and pulp, and detergents and bioenergy. Today, more than 13.3 million farmers are using biotechnology-based chemicals to increase the crops yield, to protect crops from insects, and to reduce the harmful impact on environment. Pharmaceutical industry is the largest consumer of biotechnology-based chemicals and thus boosts the global biotechnology-based chemical market.



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MARKET SEGMENTATION:



The market is segmented on the basis of end users, application, and geography



MARKET BY END USERS:



Bio-pharma

Agri-biotech

Bio-informatics and

Bio-services

Others



MARKET BY APPLICATIONS:



Food and beverages

Agriculture

Fuel

Energy

Animal feed

Pharmaceuticals and nutrition

Paper and pulp

Cosmetics and toiletries

Plastics and fibres

Others



MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY



North America

Asia-Pacific

Europe

LAMEA



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Manchester, England -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- The company has stated that it could make a lot of sense to move this part of the company over to Australia because over 70% of the chocolate produced currently in New Zealand gets sent to Australia anyway. Not only this but in Australia the company could produce higher volumes of delicious chocolate, meeting all of their current consumer expectations and more.



With this seeming like a more and more likely option there has vee workers in New Zealand worried about their jobs and futures, however Cadbury has claimed that there is no reason for anyone to panic because they would still need roughly 130 office staff at their New Zealand base and would most definitely plan to keep their tourist centre (Cadbury World) in New Zealand.



A spokesperson from of the UK's leading emigration advisors, James Freeman, was incredibly keen to comment saying, "Over the past few years we have most definitely seen an increase in both people and companies looking to relocate to Australia  and we are always more than happy to assist these people. There are so many reasons why people choose to relocate to Australia, not to mention the benefits in which they fabulous country offers. We urge anyone making the move to do so properly and get in touch with us for leading guidance today."



About James Freeman

James Freeman is a leading emigration law company specialising in assisting people who're looking to emigrate to Australia, Canada and America. With many years' experience and knowledge the company are able to help the majority of people no matter what their needs and requirements may be and because of this they are constantly at the forefront of their sector. If you would like to discover full details regarding the company and to see how they could assist you, simply take a look at their website today.



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San Marino, Italy -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- Despite the emergence of many brands for sunglasses, it is said that Ray Ban still leads the pack in class and quality. With its highest level designs, it is the choice brand for many celebrity figures in the country. Leading male iconic figures are always caught out with the brand's signature shape  wayfarers.



Otticasm, a leading online sunglasses seller has recently launched an exclusive collection for Ray Ban. As a tribute to one of the oldest and leading brands of sunglasses, the online seller has launched an all-out discount sale on all its products. Some of the best sellers include the Ray Ban RB 3026 (L2821) which is a popular pilot shape pair. The Andy RB 4202 is commonly bought by individuals looking for light weight plastic frames in rectangular shape. As a trending design, the Folding wayfarer RB 4105 (60694W) is continuously sold out for its mirror glass design in matte black. Sale records show that the RB 3542 (002/5L) in polarized blue mirror silver is a favorite among individuals involved in outdoor activities. Besides the exclusive Ray Ban collection on discounts, Otticasm has reportedly undergone a record selling year in just two months. Further predictions by online market experts show that the company will continue to lead its counterparts throughout the year. It owes its wide customer base to its fast forwarding shipment which promises doorstep delivery in record speed. Secure payments also mean hassle free money deposits for product returns. With efficient customer service, the optical SM has been made at the disposal of customers in order to be able to provide assistance on specified orders. The site has also launched a specified search system where customers can actually take a quiz to find out what kind of Ray Ban design they fit.



Visit http://www.otticasm.com/occhiali-da-sole-ray-ban-uomo.html for more details.



About Otticasm.com

Otticasm is a leading website that is dedicated to selling sunglasses. All merchandise and brand name products are sold at prices cheaper than other sellers. It is currently offering high discount on all ray ban sunglasses.



Contact Media:

Otticasm

San Marino, Italy

admin@otticasm.com

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EFFINGHAM (AP)  Grace Zeller had never thought about joining the military, let alone attending a prestigious military academy. Now she can't imagine herself anywhere else.

"I wasn't at all considering West Point until the beginning of my junior year when I got a letter from West Point in my general college mail," said the 17-year-old. "It really caught my eye because it was something different and it wasn't like anything I had ever received."

After researching the academy, she found it fit her "pretty well."

"I was very excited to find something that stuck out to me," said Zeller. "To be able to have that assurance was good."

Zeller will report this summer to West Point in New York, where she will begin U.S. Army basic training, followed by classes in the fall.

A competitive horseback rider, Zeller had also considered equestrian programs at Texas A&M, University of South Carolina, University of Georgia and Auburn.

"So, it was quite the switch from equestrian to military," she said.

While West Point also has a riding team, Zeller's not sure if she will try out or not, as the riding styles are different.

The selection process took about a year that began mid-way through her junior year. She was required to write several essays for the West Point application, plus essays for the nominations by congressman and senators.

During the yearlong process, Zeller, now a senior, has tried to learn as much as possible about the academy.

"I've visited twice and one of those I stayed overnight with the cadets in the barracks," said Zeller. "That's what really hooked me. I was with the cadets for a full 24 hours. I was able to get their uncensored feel about West Point."

She noticed a common theme: No matter how tough it was, everyone agreed they made the right decision to attend West Point.

Zeller also noticed some parallels between the educational settings at St. Anthony and West Point.

"They both have smaller environments and because there are only about 4,400 cadets total, there are small class sizes. It offers lots of individualized teaching. There are about 20 students in each class."

Nominated by U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, it was up to the academy to select the appointees. The academy looks at academics, leadership and physical fitness in order to assure that a young person is well-rounded and able to cope with the unique challenges of attending a military school.

At St. Anthony, the near-perfect GPA student stays busy in various clubs, track and field and cross country. She also is the senior class president and student council representative.

"I cannot thank my teachers here (at St. Anthony High School) enough," said Zeller. "They have provided so much for me in my education and without them none of this would have been possible."

St. Anthony High School Principal Greg Fearday said Zeller will represent West Point and the USA very well.

"Grace is well respected by her classmates, faculty and all those affiliated with our school and community," said Fearday. "She possesses the drive, morals and humility to strive for great accomplishments at West Point and beyond."

Zeller said while she's not 100 percent sure, she is considering a career in aviation or military intelligence.

"I'm keeping an open mind as keeping the military as a career," said Zeller. "Throughout this process, I've talked to many, many current cadets, past cadets and future cadets who will be in my class."

Zeller said support in her decision has come not only from the cadets, but also her parents and the community and for that she's "extremely grateful."

"I'm very excited," said Zeller. "I can't see myself going anywhere else."

___

Source: Effingham Daily News, http://bit.ly/2lGQHIt
Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2017 -- Fermented Non-Dairy Beverages: Market Overview



Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts carbohydrates into acid, gases or alcohols. In recent years demand for non-dairy based probiotic products over milk based beverages as non-dairy fermented products contain minimal or no cholesterol. Fermented non-dairy beverages include carbonated drinks, alcohol, kombucha, rejuvelac, juice from cultured vegetables, kvass, sweet potato fly, water kefir, ginger beer etc. According to recent developments, fermented non-dairy beverages will continue to be a significant component in functional food market.



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Fermented Non-Dairy Beverages: Market Trends and Drivers



Fermented non-dairy beverage market is primarily driven by high added value and functional properties of these beverages. Increase in the number of health conscious consumers and rising demand for natural or organic food is one of the key driver for the fermented non-dairy beverages like fruit/ vegetable juice. Also non-dairy beverages like some fruit juices have good flavor as well as refreshing nature which helps these drinks to expand in the market. Rising economic prosperity and greater inclination towards social drinking is also key factor for driving fermented non-dairy beverages like alcohols. Consumers nowadays are preferring some of the fermented organic herbal tea over traditional tea which is one of the key responsible driver for the rise in market for fermented non-dairy beverages. Technological advances in characteristics of fruits and vegetables are making them ideal substrates for the culture of probiotics. Rising levels of lactose intolerance worldwide is also one of the key driver for increasing market for fermented non-dairy beverages.



Fermented Non-Dairy Beverages: Market Segmentation



On the basis of raw materials or source and end product market is segmented as fruits, vegetables, cereals, tea etc. Grains mainly includes wheat, rice, millet and others. Similarly, vegetables include beets, carrots and cultures contain scoby, mushrooms and other cultures.



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Grains are the mainly used source for the preparation of fermented non-dairy beverages such as alcohols and other beverages like rejuvelac, mageu, boza etc. Fruits and vegetables are in high rise in fermented non-dairy beverages domain with different juices as well as probiotic drinks.



On the basis of end product fermented non-dairy beverages are segmented as alcoholic beverages, fruit/ vegetable juices, herbal tea, carbonated drinks etc. Further alcoholic beverages are sub-segmented in to wine, whisky, rum and others. Similarly, fruits and vegetable juices are sub-segmented into mead, kefir, kvass, lacto-fermented orange juice etc.



On the basis of distribution channel fermented non-dairy beverages are segmented as supermarkets/hypermarket, discounters retailers and online. In recent years fermented non-dairy beverages are getting importance in supermarkets and discounters where in the small retailer are facing declines in their distribution.



Fermented Non-Dairy Beverages: Market by Geography



Fermented non-dairy beverage market is further segmented on the basis of regions as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East & Africa. For fermented beverages made from cereals are popular in the tropical regions and in Africa. Bulgaria and Turkey also contribute in the cereal fermented non-dairy beverages. Russia is popular for its kevass fermented rye bread beverage. Also Japan, Mexico and China etc. have fermented non-dairy beverage product which is consumed worldwide. Fermented Non-dairy beverages are highly prevalent in Europe due to high obesity and digestive disorders.



Fermented Non-Dairy Beverages: Key Players



The fermented non-dairy beverage market is dominated by some players like General Mills, Inc., PepsiCo, Inc., China-Biotics Inc., Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd., Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd, Nestle S.A., PROBI AB, E.I. du Pont de Nemours and company, Chr. Hansen A/S, Lifeway foods, Groupe Danone S.A., AGM Foods Pty Ltd., Skane Dairy, Tine SA, and Biosa Inc. have their marketed fermented non-dairy products.
Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- Rapidly growing industrialization, particularly in developing nations, and significant emphasis on energy conservation has led to noteworthy advancements in compressor technology. Industrial air compressors are designed to compress large volumes of air to a high pressure and harness this as a potential energy source. Compressed air finds a large field of applications in various end use industries, such as power generation, automobile, food & beverage, chemical, oil & gas and other manufacturing. Various applications or end uses of industrial air compressors include supplying clean air to fill gas cylinders, drive pneumatic HVAC systems, and drive pneumatic tools. Industrial air compressors are generally positive displacement compressors or dynamic compressors. The positive displacement type compressor is expected to hold a relatively high market share in the overall industrial air compressor market. Reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors are common types of positive displacement compressors and find applications in various end use industries. Rotary compressor, is mainly classified into centrifugal and axial flow air compressors. Over the past few years, remote sensing technology has gained significant attraction in the industrial compressor market, as it is highly reliable and energy efficient. Flexibility, low operational cost, low maintenance cost, high safety and reduced weight remain the prime focus of key manufacturers in the market.



Global Industrial Air Compressor Market: Market Dynamics



Technological innovation remains one of the prominent driving market forces in the global industrial air compressor market, which results in significant replacement demand for the industrial air compressor. Moreover, over the past few years, the market has witnessed a considerable upsurge in demand for energy efficient products. Rapid industrialization of developing countries in Asia Pacific, such as China and India, and countries in Middle East & Africa, such as South Africa, is expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. Furthermore, upcoming investments are expected in new oil and gas projects, which in turn will create demand for industrial air compressors.



On the other hand, factors such as noise pollution from industrial compressors pose a challenge to market growth. Performance of various end use industries will also significantly affect the growth of the global industrial air compressor market over the forecast period.



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Global Industrial Air Compressor Market: Market Segmentation



On the basis of product type, the industrial air compressor market can be segmented into:



Positive displacement industrial air compressor

Reciprocating compressor

Rotary compressor

Dynamic industrial air compressor

Centrifugal compressor

Axial flow compressor



On the basis of seal type, the industrial air compressor market can be segmented into:



Lubricated industrial air compressor

Oil free industrial air compressor



On the basis of power range, the industrial air compressor market can be segmented into:



Up to 50 kW

50 kW250 kW

251 kW500 kW

500 kW and Above



On the basis of end use industry, the industrial air compressor market can be segmented into:



Power generation

Oil & Gas

Automotive

Chemicals

Food & Beverage

Others



Global Industrial Air Compressor Market: Region-wise Outlook



By region, the performance of the industrial air compressor market in North America is anticipated to remain weak owing to the sluggish performance of some of the major end use industries. The market is expected to witness moderate growth in Europe, due to existing economic uncertainty in some of the countries, which are prominent markets for industrial air compressors. Asia pacific is expected to witness fast CAGR growth over the forecast period. The major driver of the market growth in Asia Pacific is the robust ongoing industrialization in developing countries, particularly India and China. The market in Middle East & Africa is also expected to witness moderate growth, GCC countries and South Africa are anticipated to remain major contributors to the growth of the market in the region.



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Global Industrial Air Compressor Market: Market Participants



Examples of some of the market participants identified in the global industrial air compressor market are:



Atlas Copco AB

Hitachi Ltd.

Siemens AG

Sulzer AG

Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.

Ingersoll-Rand PLC.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Boge Kompressoren

GE Oil & Gas

Howden Group Ltd.

Kirloskar Pneumatics Co. Ltd.
Seattle, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- The report "Immunohistochemistry Market by Product (Antibody, Reagent, Kits, Slide Staining System, Tissue Microarray) Application (Diagnostics (Cancer, Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Autoimmune, Infectious Diseases) & Drug Testing) End User - Global Forecast to 2021", The global immunohistochemistry market is expected to reach USD 2.12 Billion by 2021 from USD 1.48 Billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2016 to 2021.



Browse 181 market data tables and 44 figures spread through 225 pages and in-depth TOC on "Immunohistochemistry Market"



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Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



Growing prevalence of cancer and rapidly increasing geriatric population across the globe are the major factors driving the growth of the immunohistochemistry market. Other important factors driving market growth include increasing healthcare spending and improving healthcare infrastructure resulting in an increase in the number of hospitals and diagnostic laboratories.



The growing consolidation, incorporation of nanotechnology in immunohistochemistry, adoption of multiplex arrays, and automation in this market are the key trends in the market. Rapid growth in the developing countries across APAC and Latin America and the increasing demand for personalized medicine offer significant growth opportunities for players in the immunohistochemistry market.



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In this report, the immunohistochemistry market is segmented based on product, application, end user, and region. This report also discusses the key market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges for this market and its submarkets.



In 2015, the hospitals and diagnostic laboratories segment accounted for the largest share of immunohistochemistry market, by end user. The large share of the hospitals and diagnostic laboratories segment can be attributed to growing use of immunohistochemistry reagents, antibodies, and equipment for diagnostic procedures.



Furthermore, technological advancements such as automated sample preparation and digital pathology and its greater utilization in the diagnosis of many chronic and life-threatening diseases are expected to contribute to the growth of this market.



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In 2015, the immunohistochemistry antibody segment accounted for the largest share of immunohistochemistry market, by product. The large share of the immunohistochemistry antibody segment can be attributed to improved approval rate for therapeutic antibodies by regulatory authorities, increasing adoption of targeted immunotherapy, and increased R&D expenditure of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.



The increasing risk of infectious diseases and rising demand for immune-therapeutics are expected to further drive market growth for this segment. Moreover, the rising adoption of immunohistochemistry test, high-throughput assays, such as array comparative genomic hybridization, cDNA microarray, next-generation sequencing techniques, and histological tests, have led to the rapid discovery of thousands of potential antibodies.



In 2015, the cancer segment accounted for the largest share of the immunohistochemistry market, by application. The large share of diagnostic application in cancer diseases can be attributed to increasing prevalence of cancer, rapidly increasing geriatric population in developed countries, increased awareness and demand for immunohistochemistry in histopathology, and demand for early diagnosis in developing countries in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.



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M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.



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Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- Wind energy is the power extracted from wind using wind turbines. A wind turbine is a device that transforms the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy. Wind energy is a renewable form of energy that is available in ample quantity and extensively. It is an alternative to fossil fuels which are depleting in quantity. Wind energy is the cleanest resource; it has neither toxic gas emissions nor greenhouse gas emissions. Wind turbines are connected to the network of electricity transmission. The onshore and offshore wind that is trapped is an inexpensive, competitive and significant source of energy. Wind energy contributed to 4% of the total global electricity usage in 2013.



The application of wind turbines is primarily in wind mills that are used to generate electricity. These wind turbines in wind mills can be used to avail off-grid electricity in the remote regions. It has been known to empower rural electrification initiatives. Three fourths of the small wind turbines are present in the remote regions of the world and are the only sources of energy. For instance, wind power systems are fuelling the telecommunication towers in the secluded places between Argentina and Chile. Another application of wind turbines is associated with the hybrids of wind and solar power generation devices. Wind and solar sources complement each other in changing climatic conditions. Wind turbines have vital applications in off-grid, low-power systems in which the storage of batteries is avoided. Wind turbines also have application in cathodic protection pipes in which its electric charge neutralizes the galvanic corrosion of pipes laid in reactive soils. Wind turbines are used to charge electric fences, yacht and boat batteries efficiently. Wind turbines have been used to pump water for decades, and they remain a significant application in both developed and developing economies. The end use industries of wind turbines can be broadly classified into industrial, commercial and residential. The industrial use can be further divided into power generation, agriculture, industrial automation, engineering and telecommunication. Despite being commercially niche market at present, wind turbines are expected to expand due to increasing government subsidies and incentive programmes on the use of wind energy.



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The global wind industry produced about 37,000 MW in 2013. Latin America, in particular, has provided the industry with an essential substitute growth market for wind power. In 2013, Latin America alone representedapproximately 45% of the installed capacity of North and South America combined. It was largely driven by the wind markets of Brazil and Mexico which can be regarded as the dual pillars of the Latin American market. The average price of wind energy contracts in Brazil is US$ 50/MWh and gives wind energy an edge over conventional fossil fuels there. This is a major driver for the wind turbine market in Brazil. The wind power in Mexico provides power to over 65,000 households and exports it to US. Food and beverage company, Nestle, had invested US$ 60.7 million in wind energy in Mexico, and employed wind energy for its 85% electricity requirement. The cumulative wind capacity in Mexico reached 1988 MW by the end of 2013 indicating a 31.4% growth rate. The installed capacity in 2013 was 76 MW in Argentina, 200 MW in Chile, 30 MW in Peru, 11 MW in Uruguay, and149 MW in Venezuela.



Strong wind resources, and rising electricity prices and energy demand are driving the demand for renewable energy higher. The Latin American industrial policies are effective as they have tailored depreciation tax policies which enable industries to actively partner with wind energy generators for their energy usage. Also, wind plants do not need to be in the vicinity of the end user and just need a connection to the Latin American power grids. Feed-in electricity tariffs have been introduced to motivate the use of renewable energy such as wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, thermal energy and biomass energy. This encourages investment in renewable energy as the government makes provisions for higher retail rates for electricity for the producers of new energy technologies.



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Consistently declining monopoly in the Latin American electricity sector had paved way for wind turbine manufacturers. The current wind turbine market is competitive. Gamesa is the leading turbine supplier in Mexico and holds 73.5% of the market. It is followed by Vestas with 22% of the market contribution. GE is also a major turbine manufacturer with 4.5% market share in Mexico. Besides, the collapse of the Spain-based OEMs (Other Equipment Manufacturers) wind market has compelled companies to expand their business in Latin America.



By 2015, Latin America is expected to have 3 GW of installed wind capacity annually, surging up to 4.3 GW by 2022. The manufacturers have to meet certain mandates on wind turbine components and their materials. It is a challenge for most OEMs to deliver high quality wind turbines while still ensuring an economical Latin American wind market.
Oakland Park, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- Thomas R. Cutler announced the Manufacturing Media Consortium will meet on July 3, 2017 in Rome, Italy. The meeting with several hundred members of the European members of the Manufacturing Media Consortium will address increasing global trends in e-commerce and robotic automation. The professional organization includes journalists, editors, economists, and other industrial leaders worldwide. Members write about trends, data, case studies, and profiles, in the manufacturing, industrial, and distribution sectors. Cutler works with thousands of media outlets to expand manufacturing media coverage.



Cutler said, "There has been a dramatic uptick in European members of the Manufacturing Media Consortium in the past year. With heightened interest in the impacts of Brexit and the new U.S. administration, Europeans are working to define, explain, and create their role in the global industrial conversation."



Cutler is ranked as the leading manufacturing journalist worldwide and a contributing editor for hundreds of publications annually. Thomas R. Cutler has been writing extensively about manufacturing and industry for more than twenty years. According to Cutler, "The dynamic stories of global manufacturers and best-practices create a never-ending stream of feature articles and important, newsworthy content. There are challenges to be sure along with opportunities for growth and worthy of media attention which is the purpose of the global Manufacturing Media Consortium."



About TR Cutler, Inc. and Thomas R. Cutler

TR Cutler, Inc. (http://www.trcutlerinc.com) was founded by Thomas R. Cutler seventeen years ago. Maintaining extraordinary relationships with clients, journalists, editors, trendsetters, and key business leaders worldwide, TR Cutler, Inc. has become a key resource for those writing about the manufacturing sector. Cutler founded Manufacturing Media Consortium in the 1999. Cutler is the author of several books and has become the "go to" resource among those who write about manufacturing and distribution. Cutler is the author of more than five hundred feature articles annually regarding the manufacturing, distribution, industrial, and material handling sectors. Follow on Twitter @ThomasRCutler.
Bruceton Mills, WV -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- ProCom stands out from their competition by delivering exemplary customer service. This company is with their clients every step of the way and provides leading fiber-optic communication services such as cable television, telephone and business internet services throughout West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania.



Since being founded in 1986 by President Larry Sisler, ProCom has been dedicated to providing customer support that understands their clients' communication needs. This leading company helps people get connected and be heard.



ProCom is comprised of real people providing real service. A live person answers every single phone call that customers make. There are no voice prompts or automated services that need to be navigated.



People asking, "Are there TV bundles in my area?" will have their question answered in a satisfactory and friendly manner. Customers benefit from a diverse selection of HD channels and packages beginning at only $42.99 that include pay-per-view, sports, premium movies, music and news channels.



In addition to their customer service and TV bundle offerings, ProCom also provides reliable landline service for people with hearing and vision difficulties and disabilities. These unique features include Text Telephone (TTY), captioned telephone service, hearing-carry-over, Video Relay Service (VRS), speech-to-speech, TTY user and emergency assistance, Spanish Relay, voice/standard telephone, internet relay and much more.



Clients can find out more about ProCom, their available bundles and comprehensive customer service by contacting this company today. This communication leader can be reached by filling out a contact form online at http://www.4-procom.com/ and calling 888-713-0217.



About ProCom

ProCom was founded in 1986 by President Larry Sisler, and specializes in offering innovative and high-quality communication services for both businesses and residents. Serving Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, ProCom provides their customers with cable, internet, phone and voice over internet protocol (VoIP). They strive for complete customer satisfaction, always available to answer any questions and address any concerns. The staff has over 130 years of combined experience in the industry, using their knowledge to meet and exceed customer needs.



For more information, please visit http://www.4-procom.com/.
Deerfield Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/15/2017 -- Zion Market Research has published a new report titled "Cement Market for Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure and Other Applications: Saudi Arabia Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast, 2014  2020" According to the report, Saudi arabia region demand for cement was valued at USD 3.90 billion in 2014 and is expected to reach USD 5.27 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of slightly above 5.1% between 2014 and 2020. In terms of volume, the cement market in the Saudi Arabia stood at 61,000 kilo tons in 2014.



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Cement is a one of the key binding material used in construction industry. Cements acts as a binding agent for mortar, concrete, non-specialty grouts and stucco, etc. Cement is manufactured from raw materials such as limestone, sand and clay. These kinds of raw materials are widely available in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, cheap and widely available petroleum fuel has been resulted into cost effective manufacturing of cement in the region. Various physical and chemical properties of cement such as high durability, high dependability, cost-effectiveness and versatility are favorable for construction applications.



Key factors driving the demand for cement market in Saudi Arabia is increasing the construction activity in different segments such as commercial, residential, industrial and infrastructure. Rapidly growing population has been resulted into growing demand for residential & commercial buildings as well as infrastructure. Residential application market for cement in Saudi Arabia is expected to witness strong growth during the forecast period. Infrastructure is one of the largest segment, which accounted for around 50% share of the total market in 2014. Infrastructure refers to the construction that includes roads, bridges, canals and dams. The increasing number of airports and road construction projects are anticipated to boost the cement market in Saudi Arabia. Commercial application is the second largest application segment of the market in 2014, which include construction of walls, floors, exterior walkways and pavements of commercial buildings.



Browse the full "Cement Market for Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure and Other Applications: Saudi Arabia Industry Perspective, Comprehensive Analysis and Forecast 2014  2020" report at http://www.marketresearchstore.com/report/cement-market-for-residential-commercial-infrastructure-and-other-35998



The cement market was dominated by Central region of Saudi Arabia, which accounted for slightly above 32% share of the Saudi Arabia market in 2014. Saudi Arabia was followed by the Western, Eastern, Southern and northern regions respectively. Cement market in central region is also expected to witness rapid growth as compared to other regions. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in construction activities in the Saudi Arabia, especially in the eastern and central provinces. Various cities in the Kingdom have initiated infrastructure projects, thereby fuelling demand for cement. Strong economic growth in the Saudi Arabia is expected to fuel growth of the cement market in various cities of the Saudi Arabia.



The manufacturing companies of cement have a significant impact on the value chain through a higher degree of vertical integration. These companies manufacture raw materials as well as the final product. Some of the key players operating in the Saudi Arabia cement market include Saudi Cement Company, Riyadh Cement Company, Yamama Cement Company, and Najran Cement Company. This report segments the global market as follows:



Do Inquiry before buying: http://bit.ly/2cyvrf6



Saudi Arabia Cement Market: Application Segment Analysis



Residential

Commercial

Infrastructure

Others (including cement bricks and farm construction)



Saudi Arabia Cement Market: Regional Segment Analysis



Central

Eastern

Northern

Southern

Western



What Report Provides



Full in-depth analysis of the parent market

Important changes in market dynamics

Segmentation details of the market

Former, on-going, and projected market analysis in terms of volume and value

Assessment of niche industry developments

Market share analysis

Key strategies of major players

Emerging segments and regional markets

Testimonials to companies in order to fortify their foothold in the market.?



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[SAO PAULO] The placenta  an organ responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the foetus  is much more vulnerable to Zika infection in the first trimester of pregnancy, and this explains why the congenital damage caused by the virus is more serious in the early stages of a childs prenatal development, according to a study.

The researchers, who published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (February 13), used reprogrammed embryonic stem cells to reproduce cells of the human placenta in the first trimester of gestation.

Their results show that in this period, the virus finds a favourable biological environment for infection. This is because the placenta produces genes encoding proteins that help the virus to cross it.

In addition, the placentas immune defense mechanisms are not yet fully developed in the first trimester.

Over time, however, the organ matures and stops producing these proteins, and it begins to activate molecules associated with antiviral defenses, such as interferons type I and III.

Any therapeutic intervention at the beginning of pregnancy is considered to be a high risk for foetal development and, therefore, should be treated with discretion. Michael Roberts, University of Missouri

"The results corroborate other studies suggesting that the placenta is more vulnerable to Zika infection in the first trimester of pregnancy," biologist Michael Roberts, a researcher at the University of Missouri, United States, and lead author of the study, which is supported by FAPESP, told SciDev.Net.

He noted that an earlier study, published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found brain abnormalities in 5.9 per cent of the children of 442 American women exposed to Zika at some time during their pregnancy. However, among these, there were no cases of congenital damage among children of women who had been infected during the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

The researchers also verified that the Zika strain identified in Africa is more virulent than the Asian strain, which gave rise to the Brazilian strain of the virus.

According to Roberts, the African strain multiplies faster than the Asian strain, destroying placental cells and compromising gestation.

Although the results are important, there is still a long way to go before obtaining an effective alternative against infection with this virus, he warns.

The study reinforces the message that pregnant women should have quality care during pregnancy, especially in the first few months but without neglecting the risks of infection in other months, according to Jean Pierre Schatzmann Peron of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Sao Paulo (ICB-USP), Brazil.

"Any therapeutic intervention at the beginning of pregnancy is considered to be a high risk for foetal development and, therefore, should be treated with discretion," the biochemist tells SciDev.Net.

The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has the support of the Foundation for Research Support of the State of Sao Paulo (FAPESP), one of the donors of SciDev.Net.

This article was produced by SciDev.Net's Latin America and Carribean edition.
[NAIROBI] An online initiative that connects secondary school students and scientists in Kenya is helping improve the standards of science education.



The initiative known as I am a Scientist, Get me out of here is part of the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programmes community engagement work.



[The initiative] is a free online event where secondary school students get to meet and interact with scientists, said Steve Adala, a research scientist from KEMRI, last month (9 February). She added that it is a competition between scientists where students are the judges.

[The initiative] is a free online event where secondary school students get to meet and interact with scientists. Steve Adala, KEMRI

Grace Mwango, who coordinates the initiative at KEMRI, says the initiative was piloted in Kenya in 2014, and the most recent event was organised in Kilifi County in January 2017.



Mwango tells SciDev.Net that the initiative was adapted from a continuing UK-based project with the same name, and aims to respond to local leaders requests for involvement of schools and researchers in contributing to local education. She added that the initiative creates an online forum for dialogue.



Adala explains that the Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme also has Schools Engagement Programme that includes scientists going to schools and students visiting scientists to discuss scientific issues, research and careers.



Our evaluation found that school engagement activities promoted students confidence in speaking to researchers, nurtured an interest in science, particularly biology, and raised curiosity about future careers related to research, says Adala, adding that they hope to publish their findings this year.



Rufus Ayuku, science teacher at Musoli Secondary School in Western Kenya, has urged the pioneers of the initiative to consider a nationwide scale-up of the initiative because it could help improve the quality of science education in Kenya.



I want to urge the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development to think of such initiatives while developing new curricula for the country Ayuku says.

Such interactions between scientists and students, he adds, offer a platform that should be used as a paradigm shift in the countrys education sector. This is important as it gives both boys and girls an opportunity to engage with scientists and could boost their passion and interest in scientific subjects, he explains.According to Ayuku such initiatives should be used to boost the growth of science, technology engineering and mathematics to help transform the country.This piece was produced by SciDev.Nets Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Space exploration has reached another milestone as a new planetary system is discovered by a team of Belgian scientists. But what makes this new discovery much more interesting is the name given to the newly discovered planetary system. With a touch ingenuity and maybe even playfulness, the team of five named the new planetary system TRAPPIST-1, after their favorite beer.

The discovery of TRAPPIST-1 was announced last February but to those who are unfamiliar with the origin of its name, Trappist has been mostly associated with the popular brand of monastic beer whose root stems from Belgium several centuries ago. Not only that, the same scientists also nicknamed the exoplanets outside Earth's solar system after Trappist beers like Rochefort, Westvleteren and Orval, CNN reports. It's not hard to guess what these scientists do in their spare time, right?

According to one of the scientists, Emmanuel Jehin, the name is easy to remember as it is quite particular and relating to a Belgian project. In fact, if one happens to come upon their humble offices at the University of Liege one would find exoplanet posters and Trappist beer bottles. The team uses telescopes in Chile and Morocco which can be monitored from a small control room in the university using four computers.

TRAPPIST-1 contains about seven Earth-sized planets and three of these planets can be found in the so-called 'habitable' zone which means there is a high chance that these planets can support life or had supported life before. According to a report published in The Telegraph, finding a second Earth is not a matter of 'if' but 'when.'

What's even more amazing about the team and their discovery is that TRAPPIST itself began as a prototype project and that the researchers themselves didn't really expect to find anything significant in the endlessly wide space. But as it so happened, they did not just find a new planetary system they had also taken a big step closer to discovering signs of life from some of the planets in TRAPPIST-1.
The astronomers are now examining the true nature of a mysterious object referred to as CFBDSIR J214947.2-040308.9 or CFBDSIR 2149-0403. They presuppose that the object could be a young isolated planetary-mass object or a high-metallicity low-mass brown dwarf.

The results of the investigation were published in a paper on arXiv.org on March 2, 2017. The mysterious object was detected in 2012. It is about 100 lightyears away and seemed to be the closest rogue planet, which is a planet that has been removed from the star system revolving the full galaxy, according to Science Alert.

The object was categorized then as a rare T-type isolated planetary-mass candidate. On the other hand, there was no evidence that the object was formed as a planet and a low-mass brown dwarf.

With this, an investigation was conducted. The scientists used the Very Large Telescope's (VLT) X-Shooter spectrograph and Hawk-I near-infrared imager. They also utilized the WIRCam imager at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope to fully identify the nature of CFBDSIR 2149-0403.

Philippe Delorme of the Grenoble Alpes University in France told Phys.org that the X-Shooter data made possible the investigation of the physical properties of this mysterious object. The data collected are necessary for the study to acquire the parallax of the object and the Spitzer photometry. He further explained that they aided them to know the bolometric flux of the object and the restrictions that are almost independent of atmosphere model assumptions.

The new investigation indicated that the mysterious object is probably either a young isolated planetary-mass with about two and 13 Jupiter masses object the late-T spectral type or a metallicity enhanced brown dwarf that has a mass between two to 40 Jupiter masses. Delorme concluded that CFBDSIR 2149-0403 is a typical sub-stellar object that is either a "free-floating planet" or a rare high-metallicity brown dwarf or a combination of both.
Sahara was then a fertile and grassy landscape 10,000 years ago. A new study indicates that its transformation into a world's largest arid desert was due to human activities.

The findings of the study were published in Frontiers in Earth Science. The study was led by archaeologist Dr. David Wright from Seoul National University.

In the previous studies, they indicated that the desertification of Sahara was due to changes in the Earth's orbit or natural changes in vegetation. On the other hand, this conclusion was not confirmed by some researchers.

Dr. Wright explained that in East Asia, there are long accepted theories of how Neolithic populations changed the landscape so greatly that the monsoons ceased accessing the inland. He theorized that human-driven ecological and climate change has formed the Sahara Desert. He noted the evidence of these causes was documented in North America, Europe and New Zealand, according to Phys.org.

In the study, Dr. Wright discovered the first appearances of pastoralism in the Saharan region. He compared this with records indicating the expansion of scrub vegetation. This suggests an ecological change towards desert-like conditions. He found that way back 8,000 years ago, the pastoral communities began spreading westward in the regions near the Nile River. It also had an increase in scrub vegetation.

Pastoralism involves raising livestock such as goats, camels, yaks, cattle, sheep and llamas. It is a successful approach to sustaining a population on less productive land and could adjust well to the environment. The herds mostly are in search of green and clean pasture as well as water.

However, pastoralism influences the ecology. Once the vegetation diminished by the growing livestock, the albedo, which is the amount of sunlight that contemplates the surface of the Earth, was heightened.This has the effect of the atmospheric conditions that lessen the monsoon rainfall. It triggered desertification as well as loss of vegetation that ultimately swept over the whole of Sahara.

Meanwhile, Dr. Wright put emphasis on the significance of this study. He said that the innuendos for how humans change ecological systems have a direct influence on whether humans will be able to survive indefinitely in arid environments.
FLORENCE, S.C.  The Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library will host a technology petting zoo in the main lobby from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday.

The event will feature various types assistive technology devices that allow people with visual and motor impairments to access books and information. Sandy Knowles from the South Carolina State Librarys Talking Books Services will be on hand to demonstrate various devices as well as free resources available to visually impaired citizens in South Carolina.

Also highlighted will be the Florence County Library Systems assistive technologies, available at all six library locations throughout Florence County, that allow users with visual and motor impairments to use a computer within the library.

For more information, call 843-413-7070 or visit florencelibrary.org.
HEMINGWAY, S.C.  The Hemingway Police Department is participating in the National Child Safety Councils Safetypup program. The NCSC program promotes the importance of staying safe and drug free and will reach children ages 5 through 12 throughout the Hemingway area.

The National Child Safety Council (NCSC) is a nonprofit, federal tax-exempt organization. It began the well-known missing children milk carton program in 1985. Its Safetypup mascot has appeared on milk cartons with one-liners about safety and drug prevention.

Most importantly the NCSC will provide the police department with various printed materials used in teaching young people.

The materials are pedestrian safety, friendly police officer, general safety, beware and aware of dangerous people, bicycle safety, internet safety and bullying. Also included is good/bad guys, playground safety, touching right and wrong ways, call 911 in emergencies, smoking and peer pressure mini booklets.

The Best of Becky 1, a drug education program, begins at the first-grade level. The program also provides materials for parents to heighten involvement and re-enforce the messages at home with their children.

The Hemingway Police Department is mailing letters of request to the area business, industrial, professional, military and civic organizations seeking their financial support of this most worthwhile program. In appreciation for their help, the sponsors names are placed on the work study manuals the children receive.

There are other programs available to our department, however, Hemingway Police Chief Bryan Todd said. The council has the best materials available, and the cost per child is the lowest we have found.

Anyone who would like to be included as a sponsor and help support this program can send checks payable to the National Child Safety Council , and mail them to the Hemingway Police Department, P.O. Box 968, Hemingway, SC 29554, attention Chief Bryan Todd.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Civil liberties activists called upon lawmakers on Monday to make the state a "safe haven for democracy" during Republican Donald Trump's presidency.

The New York Civil Liberties Union assembled a few hundred people outside the Capitol for an Emergency Day of Action. The crowd huddled together against a cold wind and held signs that read "Dissent is Patriotic" and "I Heart Repro Rights."

They urged lawmakers to codify into state law the federal abortion laws, limit surveillance by the government, tighten police accountability and shift the financial responsibility for the legal defense of indigent residents to the state.

Karen Duncomb, of Perry, said she made the four-hour journey to participate in the rally because she is concerned about inaccurate statements made by the White House and by Trump's accusation, presented without any evidence, that his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, wiretapped his New York Trump Tower home last year.

Trump last month banned U.S. funding to international groups that perform abortions or even provide information about abortions. His vice president, Mike Pence, strongly opposes abortion, citing his Catholic beliefs, and his newly confirmed health secretary, Tom Price, has supported cutting off taxpayer money to Planned Parenthood.

Trump's top spokesman, Sean Spicer, on Monday suggested Trump wasn't accusing Obama specifically of wiretapping him but instead was referring to the actions of the Obama administration. Spicer said Trump's tweet used the word wiretap in quotes to mean broadly surveillance and other activities.

Donna Lieberman, the union's executive director, said New York must be a "safe haven for democracy" while Trump is in the White House.

"This is just the beginning of our efforts to stand up for civil liberties and safeguard New York from President Trump's agenda," said Lauren Frederico, the union's director of organizing campaigns. "We will continue to engage, train and mobilize New Yorkers of all backgrounds and from all corners of the state to exercise and defend their rights."

Among the speakers was Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, whose death in a New York City police chokehold was among several encounters between black men and white police officers that sparked a national outcry.

Carr called on lawmakers to improve reporting standards for police interactions and to take an active role in opposing federal action.

"If they want our vote they've got to come and get it," Carr said. "They've got to bring something to the table."

Officials with the National Institute for Reproductive Rights and the New York State Defenders Association also spoke at the rally.
Armenias Investigative Journalists NGO is organizing two two-day training courses for local reporters entitled Skills for Election Coverage on the eve of the April 2 parliamentary election in Armenia.

The courses will familiarize reporters with new sections of the electoral code that specify new obligations and rights for reporters and voters.

Those wishing to participate should send a letter of interest and a CV to [email protected] by March 20.

Reporters based outside of Yerevan are particularly encouraged to apply.
Twenty young 4-Hers huddled around our leaders dining room table on a Wednesday night judging the annual Hoards Dairyman Cow Judging Contest. This is a memory I will hold onto forever.

Our beloved 4-H dairy leader, Jan, would shout to get our attention to remind us that we only had two more minutes to make our decision on the Holstein cow class. Ten minutes later, we had all quieted down and two older boys in the group were now debating their placings. Little did I know that these school nights spent with my Wood Colony 4-H dairy group, tirelessly discussing rear udder height, dairyness, and depth of rib, would influence my college major, my collegiate dairy judging career, and ultimately, my path in life.

My passion for dairy judging was influenced heavily from my early involvement judging the Hoards Dairyman contest each winter of my youth. Not only did I enjoy the comradery with my friends in my 4-H club, but I was influenced by my 4-H dairy leader, Jan. His passion for helping youth succeed was second to none. Jan encouraged us to each have our own opinion but was strict about reaching a consensus. He taught us the ideal traits to look for when judging cows. The skills of dairy judging I learned from Jan and the Hoards Dairyman contest help me each time I give a set of reasons or analyze my herd.

When I see the Hoards Dairyman covers with the judging classes, I reminisce on the annual cow judging contest with my 4-H club gathered around the table debating placings. Thank you, Hoards Dairyman, for providing this contest which brings back the fondest memories and a firm foundation for a bright future in the dairy industry that I share with so many who participate.

Do not miss this opportunity! March 23, 2017, is this years deadline. Enter today!
Among other highlights, Adventure of the Seas will sail from the Northeast, joining Anthem of the Seas at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, New Jersey, and Vision of the Seas will join (seasonally) Liberty of the Seas in Galveston. Oasis of the Seas will continue year-round at Port Canaveral.

Explorer of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas return to Alaska. As earlier reported, Allure of the Seas will be moving to Miami from Port Everglades, which continues as the year-round home for Harmony of the Seas (switching from Saturday to Sunday departures for the winter).

Following Symphony of the Seas' Mediterranean debut, the ship will sail weekly eastern and western Caribbean cruises from PortMiami's new Terminal A, with St. Kitts as a new port of call. From its new Miami home, Allure will continue alternating eastern and western Caribbean sailings.

Enchantment of the Seas will sail three- and four-night Bahamas cruises year-round from Miami, while Navigator of the Seas will sail five- and nine-night southern and western Caribbean itineraries from Miami throughout the winter.

From Port Canaveral, Oasis of the Seas will continue weekly cruises, while Majesty of the Seas offers three- and four-night Bahamas getaways.

Galveston-based Liberty of the Seas will continue to sail seven-night Mexico and western Caribbean itineraries. In the winter Vision of the Seas will operate four- and five-night western Caribbean getaways from the Texas port.

In Alaska, Explorer of the Seas will return for weekly Inside Passage cruises round-trip from Seattle, while Radiance of the Seas will sail seven- and nine-night open-jaw itineraries between Seward and Vancouver, BC.

In the US Northeast, Quantum-class Anthem of the Seas will continue year-round from Cape Liberty with a diverse series of five- to 12-night itineraries to Bermuda and the Caribbean and seven-night itineraries to the Bahamas. In the fall, Anthem will offer nine-night itineraries to Canada and New England.

The newly revitalized Adventure of the Seas will call the Northeast 'home' for the first time since its debut, sailing a variety of seven-night cruises to the Bahamas and New England and Canada throughout the summer. In fall 2018, the ship will feature three open-jaw 10- and 11-night sailings to Quebec.

Serenade of the Seas will homeport in Boston for September and October, operating seven-night itineraries to Canada/New England and seven-night itineraries to Bermuda. The ship will then reposition to Port Everglades for longer winter vacations to the southern and eastern Caribbean on 10- and 11-night itineraries.

Adventure of the Seas will reposition from Cape Liberty to Port Everglades in the winter, offering six- and eight-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Independence of the Seas will sail from Port Everglades in the winter, too, on four- and five-night itineraries to the western Caribbean.

Grandeur of the Seas will continue to offer varied cruises from Baltimore, including nine-night itineraries to the Bahamas and 12-night itineraries to the southern Caribbean in the winter, and nine-night journeys to Canada/New England and five-night getaways to Bermuda in the summer.

From Tampa, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail round-trip seven-night western Caribbean itineraries during the winter, while Brilliance of the Seas alternates four- and five-night cruises.

Jewel of the Seas will make San Juan, Puerto Rico, its homeport for the winter season, to operate seven-night southern Caribbean routes.
In a Washington Post conference call that brought a 21st century slant to the subject American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President, Kurt Nagle, a one-time executive at the National Coal Association and Coal Exporters Association, distinguished between struggling to maintain your grandparents infrastructure versus building infrastructure for our grandchildren.

The energy supply chain is squarely in the latter category as supply chains evolve and RBN, a leading oil patch consultancy asserted that: The Permian Basin in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico has proven to be the Energizer Bunny of US tight-oil and shale plays, not only surviving the oil patchs nuclear winter of mid-2014 to mid-2016 but thriving during it.

The EPIC pipeline, a major artery that will bring Permian Basin crude to the US Gulf, is now under development, spearheaded by a trio of partners that includes Castleton Commodities. The Port of Corpus Christi trumpeted the importance of the pipeline in an announcement: EPIC stands for Eagle Ford, Permian, Ingleside, and Corpus Christi. The 730-mile pipeline could transport over 440,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate per day from the Permian Basin to the Corpus Christi region.

The port added that: As US production ramps up, Port Corpus Christis role continues to strengthen especially as more product is expected to trade on the water borne market.

At Corpus Christi, already a major hub for tanker loadings, a new terminal is planned that would come online in early 2019 just in time for completion of the pipeline. Texstar Midstream Logistics, one of the pipeline partners, said the companies that Castletons terminal (engineering completed and permits in hand for construction that begins in June, 2017) will have more than 1m barrels of storage , complemented by an additional 3m barrels storage facility near Taft- on the north side of Nueces Bay - with Refinery Row on the south side.

RBN said the terminal could handle aframax vessels upon opening. If various stars align - a bridge replacement and a channel deepening - suezmaxes could load at EPIC terminal beginning in 2021, which would make exporting crude to Europe, China and other potential markets for light crude even more cost-effective.

The announcement of the EPIC pipeline, at the beginning of March, and the timing of the Washington Post call, comes only days on the heels of an announcement by oil major ExxonMobil Corps Chairman, speaking at an industry conference, that it would be investing $20bn, over the next 10 years, in facilities along the US Gulf Coast.

The company said that it is strategically investing in new refining and chemical-manufacturing projects in the region to expand its manufacturing and export capacity. This statement is consistent with AAPA Nagles statement that its members, along with private sector partners need to invest $155bn with a significant portion having to do with energy supply chains.
The amount owed to Shanghai-based CSSC-MES Diesel Co, subsidiary of CSSC, was in relation to the tailend payment for three units of main engines built for JEHI, wholly-owned by private firm JES International Holdings.

In August 2010, CSSC-MES Diesel and JEHI entered into a contract for the former to supply the latter with four 6S60ME-C8 main engines for use in dry bulk carriers that were being constructed by JEHI.

The financially-troubled JEHI had filed for restructuring in March 2015 and went under court receivership in October 2015. The operations of the shipyard had ceased ever since.

In February 2016, JES International announced that it found an investor, Hong Kong Victo International Limited, interested to buy its shipbuilding business for $500,000. The shipbuilding business of JES included its wholly-owned JEHI and Jiangsu New Eastern Marine Engineering Equipment Co (JNEME) and its 49% owned Jiangsu Nereus Shipyard (JNS). The sale, however, has not been concluded.
The route will be launched by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2017 Asean Summit in Davao City.

The key project within the initiative is expected to boost trade between Indonesia and the Philippines in the long run and improve connectivity among Southeast Asian countries by reducing shipping time by more than half.

It is going to be easier to access the Philippine market through the Bitung Port (in North Sulawesi), especially for products and commodities from Indonesias eastern regions, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Rosan Roeslani said.

Meanwhile products from the huge southern Philippines market of Mindanao can also be easily shipped to Indonesia at lower cost through the new Ro-Ro route.

At present, it takes three to five weeks to ship goods from Bitung to Davao, while the new route will cut shipment time to around 36 hours, excluding port stay.

Among products that can be exported to the Philippines from Indonesias eastern regions are charcoal, coffee beans, matured coconut and cement.
The liftboat, AOS Maintainer I, will be on a firm one-year charter with two one-year extension options to support the NOCs operations in the Arabian Gulf. The vessel is expected to be deployed in early May, after completion of retrofitting work.

We are pleased to have been awarded this contract for our liftboat, AOS Maintainer I, under the current challenging market conditions, commented Bill Wong, executive chairman and ceo of Atlantic Navigation.

The extended fall in crude oil price over the last 24 months, with project cancellation, postponement and expenditure cut by NOCs, oil majors and operators had resulted in severe challenges in the oil and marine sector, Wong said.

Despite these conditions, we continue to pursue our growth strategy together with our regional partners, particularly in our core market in the Middle East.

Atlantic Navigation had secured long term contracts for 10 OSVs on five-year charter, with two-year extension option, of a combined value of around $236m with the same NOC back in May 2016.

Two of the OSVs have been delivered to the NOC in 2016 and the third vessel was deployed in January 2017. The remaining seven OSVs which are to be newbuilds, will be deployed over the second half of 2017 upon their deliveries.
President Donald Trump is no stranger to controversy. Then again, it's hard to argue that he hasn't made some exceptionally savvy decisions as a businessman throughout his life. Trump self-proclaimed his net worth to be $10 billion during his campaign, which would be quite the improvement from the $1 million loan he purportedly began with in the 1970s.

However, one controversy stands head and shoulders above the rest: Trump's refusal to release his federal income tax returns. Every president and presidential candidate for the past four decades has released his or her tax returns in the name of transparency. Yet Trump has stuck to the thesis that he's been advised not to release his tax returns while his taxes are under audit.

Trump's 2005 tax returns are partially leaked

According to a January poll from ABC News/Washington Post, some 74% of people surveyed wanted to see President Trump release his tax returns. Nonetheless, Trump's tax returns have remained a mystery -- until now.

As reported by Rachel Maddow of MSNBC just hours ago, Trump's biographer, David Cay Johnston, obtained a partial release of Trump's 2005 federal income tax return. The source of the leak is at this time unknown. Contained in the partial release are the front and back of his Form 1040, the most basic tax form. The copy of these tax forms can be found on Johnston's website, DCReport.org.

It should be immediately noted that while Form 1040 provides an overlay for what a person generated in income and paid in federal income taxes (or received as a refund), it's by no means comprehensive. We don't have access to any of the schedules or other forms that would normally accompany a tax report from a high-income individual like Trump, who has multiple channels of income. Just getting a glimpse of Trump's 1040 is akin to reading the headline figures from an earnings report but not having the details of how a company reached those figures.

Five must-know Trump tax figures

Even though this tax release will probably raise just as many questions as answers, it did contain some must-know figures. Here are five of them.

1. $152 million in income

The obvious number that sticks out to most people is the more than $152 million in income Trump generated in 2005, based on the released copy of his Form 1040. Here's the rough (and rounded) breakdown of how Trump generated his income in 2005:

$67.3 million from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S-Corporations, and trusts.

$42.4 million from business income.

$32.2 million from capital gains.

$9.5 million from taxable interest.

$399,000 from wages and salary.

$314,000 from ordinary dividends.

One of the more intriguing data points that stands out is just how little Trump earned from tax-exempt interest vehicles (less than $47,000) and qualified dividends ($6,399). Again, we don't have the Schedule C, D, and E that would make this income easier to understand, but it's pretty evident that dividends aren't a big part of The Donald's income.

2. $103 million in loss adjustments

Trump may have earned a lot more than people realized in 2005, but he also managed to claim a smorgasbord of losses. According to the obtained tax return, Trump claimed roughly $103.2 million in losses. However, we have no clue how those losses arose, since the attached statement that would describe their origin isn't part of this release.

It should also be pointed out that a good chunk of Trump's $103.2 million loss was negated by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which we'll get to in a moment.

3. $5.31 million in federal income tax

According to the partially released tax return, despite making in excess of $152 million in income, Trump's federal income tax was calculated at just $5.31 million. This means he owed less than 4% of the $152 million that he earned after taking all of his losses and deductions into account. Trump's federal income tax bill may be so low because he's still offsetting his income based on $916 million in offsetting losses that was declared back in 1995.

However, a tax that's been around since 1969, the aforementioned AMT, which ensures that wealthy individuals aren't able to abuse income tax deductions and exemptions to skirt around owing federal taxes, wound up pulling quite a bit more out of Trump's pockets.

4. $31.3 million paid in Alternative Minimum Tax

Though the Alternative Minimum Tax is primarily designed to ensure that wealthy individuals and couples pay their fair share of taxes, the 2017 tax thresholds imply that single individuals earning more than $54,300, and couples filing jointly with more than $84,500 in income, could be hit with the AMT. In Trump's case, he made a wee bit more back in 2005.

As mentioned earlier, the AMT reduced the impact of Trump's $103.2 million in reported losses. The result is that the AMT required him to fork over an additional $31.3 million in tax.

It's worth pointing out that among Trump's numerous tax reforms proposed, he would eliminate the AMT, which would clearly be a benefit to wealthy and upper-middle-class individuals and families.

5. $38.4 million in total taxes paid

Lastly, Trump's final tax bill for 2005 worked out to roughly $38.4 million owed. However, about $1.9 million of what was owed derived from self-employment taxes. If we pull out self-employment taxes and focus strictly on what was taxed base on income, Trump paid an effective tax rate of 24% on his more than $152 million in income. For added context, a 24% tax rate is what a married couple making between $75,000 and $152,000 will often face, according to Quartz.

The wealthy have an abundance of tax tricks at their disposal

Again, this partial tax return still leaves a lot to be answered about where President Trump generates his income. But it does highlight a tax system that certainly seems to favor the wealthy. Looking ahead, if Trump gets his way with his proposed individual tax reforms, it'll be even more favorable to the well-to-do.

For example, repealing the Affordable Care Act means saying goodbye to the 3.8% net investment income tax placed on investment income for individuals and couples earning in excess of $200,000 and $250,000, respectively, in modified adjusted gross income. It would also eliminate the 0.9% Medicare surtax added on all earned income in excess of $200,000 and $250,000 for respective individuals and married filers.

The rich also get added bonuses for making charitable contributions. Your peak ordinary income tax rate serves as the measure by which your deduction is determined. Trump, who easily falls into the highest ordinary income tax bracket of 39.6%, receives a $0.396 deduction for every $1 he donates. Comparatively, someone making $30,000 annually who falls in the 15% ordinary income tax bracket receives just a $0.15 deduction for every $1 donated. The charitable-giving deduction is one of the few deductions Trump plans to keep.

Perhaps we'll get more details about Trump's tax returns in the future, but this nibble, assuming it's entirely genuine, is bound to only increase the fervor among the public calling for Trump to release his past returns.

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Colonizing Mars will be no easy feat. It will require billions of dollars and years of specialized research led by some of the smartest scientists and engineers in the world. It will demand advanced technologies, yet to be invented - new kinds of spacecraft, for example, advanced rocket propulsion, deep-space life-support systems and high-speed communications. But when humans arrive at the Red Planet, their best chances for success and survival will depend on simple materials, low-tech solutions and a broad set of problem-solving skills that will allow people to adapt. "Here on the Earth, when we go to a remote location to do an engineering development project, we've learned that taking high-tech equipment isn't really the right approach. What you want is appropriate technology," said planetary scientist Phil Metzger, who is also a co-founder of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Swamp Works. "You want technology to be maintained using the local resources and local labor." [In Images: NASA's Vision of a Mars Base] Metzger was speaking at the New Space Age Conference held Saturday (March 11) here at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School. He was part of the panel, "Sustainable Expansion: Reaching Mars and Beyond," which included Jeffrey Hoffman, former NASA astronaut and director of MIT's Man Vehicle lab; Keegan Kirkpatrick, founder and team lead of RedWorks; and Mark Jernigan, associate director of NASA JSC Human Health and Performance Directorate.

There was a consensus among the group that maintaining the structures and systems a Mars colony would need to sustain itself could not rely on resupply ships. "Mars has to operate independently from Earth," Kirkpatrick said. Imagine if, when the British formed the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, they built their houses in England, shipped them across the Atlantic and then counted on additional shipments to make repairs, he said. "The United States as we know it would never have grown beyond a handful of outposts along the Atlantic Seaboard," Kirkpatrick said. On Mars, colonists will have to turn to the local environment for construction materials, as well as for water and oxygen. Kirkpatrick said he and his colleagues at RedWorks are looking to the past for inspiration. They're reinventing a kind of building material popular during the Roman Empire, called welded tuff. The modern version is made using a low-heat system that's able to turn fine silicates and basaltic compounds into simple stone compounds. Another technique, called molten regolith electrolysis, uses electrical energy to break down soil into its basic minerals in a single step. The process releases oxygen, which can be harnessed for breathable air, and creates a kind of "mongrel alloy" made of iron, aluminum, titanium, silicon and other trace metals. Although the alloy won't be very strong or of high quality, in the low-gravity environment of Mars, it doesn't need to be. People can use it to build "beefier" structures and foundations to support early settlements. "A simpler system like that would be easier to maintain and easier to source with spare parts," Metzger said.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 Nancy seeks Senate probe on complaints against Cesar Montano Senator Nancy Binay on Wednesday called for an investigation into the complaints filed by employees of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) against their chief operating officer, Cesar Montano, for engaging in supposed irregular contracts, mismanagement, and nepotism. "It is imperative that we look into the complaints against Mr. Montano. He is leading an agency tasked with domestic and international promotions of the Department of Tourism. As such, he must act with the protection of the image of the TPB and the government in mind at all times," said Binay, chairperson of the Senate committee on tourism. "I also urge Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to look into this matter. We cannot allow our efforts to promote the country as a top tourist destination to be ruined by controversies, especially one involving an official of our tourism agency," she added. Binay has filed Senate Resolution No. 326 which urged the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon) to look into the complaint lodged by TPB employees against Montano at the Presidential Action Center just three months after his appointment. SRN 236 was also referred to the tourism committee yesterday. The complaint lists 24 supposed irregularities committed by Montano including unprofessional behavior, incompetence and possible corruption. The complainants questioned in particular an P11.2 million contract entered into by Montano for an event where he and his nieces were guest performers. Montano was also criticized for hiring his own team and consultants into the agency despite the presence of incumbent employees with the same tasks. The complaint also states that the TPB chief operating officer charged the agency for trips that were not part of his job. Montano was also accused of nepotism, having appointed his relative Priza Cinco, his brother Rommel Montano, and a member of his household Peter Domingo. Nepotism is punishable by dismissal from service. "This investigation will enable us to review our laws and ensure that issues of malfeasance, misfeasance and charges of graft and corruption in the government are immediately addressed," Binay stressed. "Napakalaki ng potensyal ng bansa natin upang mas makilala pa bilang isang top tourist destination, kaya dapat maresolba agad ang isyung ito na maaaring makasira sa imahe ng ating bansa. Dapat mapag-usapan at malaman na ang katotohanan sa isyung ito sa lalong madaling panahon upang makapag-focus na tayo sa mas importanteng suliranin: ang pagpromote sa mga magagandang tanawin ng Pilipinas," the senator added.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 SPONSORSHIP SPEECH - On-Site, In-City, or Near-City Relocation Bill (Senate Bill No. 1393)

SENATE BILL NO.1393

UNDER COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 55

By Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito Mr. President, esteemed colleagues, ladies and gentlemen: As the Chairman of the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement, I stand this afternoon to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1393 under Committee Report No. 55 entitled, "AN ACT ESTABLISHING ON-SITE, IN-CITY, OR NEAR-CITY STRATEGY FOR INFORMAL SETTLER FAMILIES IN CONSIDERATION WITH A PEOPLE'S PLAN AND MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO PROVIDE OTHER BASIC SERVICES AND LIVELIHOOD COMPONENTS IN RESETTLEMENT SITES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7279, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING ACT OF 1992" This is in substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 331, 936, and 1216 authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Grace Poe, Joel Villanueva, Sonny Angara, and yours truly. The 1987 Constitution mandates the State to undertake a continuing program for the provision of affordable, decent housing and basic services to our underprivileged and homeless citizens. This however has been one of the main challenges that our government faces every year with every change in administration. Based on the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) report, the total housing need of the country is at 5.55 million units. This comprises the accumulated need of 1.22 million, which include households in unacceptable housing and doubled-up households in acceptable housing, and future/recurrent need of 4.1 million. As of October 2016, the total estimated housing need from 2016 to year 2022 will rise to 6.79 million units based on the Effective Housing Needs using Housing Accomplishments Projections reported by HUDCC. Considering the current rate of housing production, we will never be able to reduce the housing need. As such, there is an urgency to formulate new approaches to address the housing backlog. The Philippine resettlement program has always been geared toward off-site resettlement. Empirical studies conducted by the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) in 18 resettlement sites from the year 2014 to the present, however, showed that off-site resettlement produced more problems. This includes substandard and lack of basic utilities and social services such as water, power, and schools; job loss or decrease in income and lack of livelihood opportunities; and substandard housing infrastructure, among others. Moreover, the majority of the resettlement sites were prone to landslide, soil erosion, and flooding. To borrow the words of the families living in off-site resettlements, they were relocated from "danger zone to death zone." Resettlers claim that after 10 to 20 years of living in off-site resettlements, poverty continues and their situation even grew worse. It is high time that we consider shifting resettlement of our informal settler families off-site to on-site, if feasible, and within or near the place where the Informal Settler Families or ISFs are living. From the report of the PCUP, in-city resettlement results to "marginal economic and social shocks", minimal job displacement and better or faster access to water, power and other basic utilities. This proposed legislation aims to institutionalize the On-site, In-city or Near-city Resettlement Program, amending Sections 3, 21, 23, 26, and 29 of the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992. An on-site, in-city or near-city resettlement program promotes the right of the people to access housing within the city as a preferred option and institutionalizes the peoples' planning process as a critical element in the implementation of housing projects. This bill espouses the resettlement of ISFs within the jurisdiction of the local government unit where the affected ISFs are living or within the local government unit adjacent to the one having jurisdiction over the present settlements of the ISFs. Off-city resettlement shall be considered as the last resort, where on-site, in-city and near-city is not feasible. This legislation reinforces the concept of peoples' plan approach whereby the beneficiaries themselves participate in the planning and implementation of government housing programs, of which they are the beneficiaries, with the technical assistance of concerned government agencies. The proposed legislation strengthens the obligation, accountability and participation of local government units in their role of providing socialized housing for the poor. Furthermore, this sanctions the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with the concerned local government units and the national government agencies in the provision of vital basic services and facilities in the resettlement areas such as health, education, communications, security, recreation, relief and welfare. The MOA will specify the duties and responsibilities of the local government units, concerned government agencies, and involved private sector. Most importantly, it will include a timetable for the completion of the basic services and facilities. This proposed amendment will address the issue on the delay of water, electricity and other utilities in resettlement areas. In order to oversee, monitor and evaluate its implementation, a Congressional Oversight Committee is hereby proposed to be created. There had been reservations in institutionalizing the on-site, in-city and near city settlement. One of their grounds is the lack of available land in Metro Manila. To check the availability of lands in NCR for the implementation of in-city and near city resettlement, we requested the Land Registration Authority for the assistance in securing data and information on titled properties through their Land Registration Systems, Inc. (LARES) during last year's National Housing and Urban Development Summit spearheaded by both Houses of Congress. The report covers identification of all titled properties in the National Capital Region that fall within the demarcated areas provided by the Summit Secretariat and those that is within the National Capital Region, registered in the name of the local or national government agency, and has an area that is greater than one thousand (1000) square meters. It was reported that there are around 3,419 hectares of available government lands that are potential sites for in-city housing in Metro Manila alone. If we incorporate other lands such as unregistered or abandoned and idle lands, we would have sufficient lands to implement the on-site, in-city and near city resettlement. Two of the current best practices of in-city housing are St. Josephville in San Juan City and Disiplina Village in Valenzuela City. Both housing projects have proven that with political will and a solid partnership between the National Housing Agencies, the Local Government Units, and Informal Settler Families as future Homeowners, On-Site, In-City Housing is possible. This proposed legislation will give light to the spirit of the Urban Development and Housing Act, providing for a comprehensive and continuing urban development and housing program and uplifting the condition of the poor and homeless citizens by making available decent housing at affordable cost with basic services and employment opportunities. On-site and in-city is possible! Let this bill be our step toward ending homelessness, providing affordable, resilient and decent socialized and low-cost housing to the poor and marginalized in our efforts to create liveable and safe urban areas and smart cities. Mr. President and dear colleagues, in light of the foregoing, I appeal to this august body for the immediate passage of this bill. Maraming salamat po!
Press Release

March 15, 2017 HONTIVEROS: THE PHILIPPINES' WAR ON DRUGS

IS A DEADLY FAILURE

Beyond Politics and Spectacle

Studies on Crime and Punishment

Philippine Social Science Council Auditorium

Diliman, Quezon City Magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat! I'd like to thank the men and women of the Philippine Social Science Council, International Alert Inc., and the Philippine Criminal Justice Researchers Society Inc for their hard work in putting this event together, and for having me here today. To my fellow guests and speakers, it is an honor to be with you, as we tackle what is in my view, a corrupt and morally bankrupt campaign, delivered under the guise of salvation from an all-encompassing enemy. The war on drugs is a deadly failure. It is a war without end, and with no victory. It is a promise of misery and death. The President told his supporters he would rid the country of our drug problem by killing all of its drug addicts and pushers- going as far as saying he'd have his own children killed if he found out that they were involved with drugs. He does not apologize for this, and has tolerated the ensuing death toll, blithely dismissing the death of innocent victims as collateral damage. He has incited violence on more than one occasion, and indeed continues to do so. In his own words, and I quote: "Hitler massacred three million Jews. Now, there are three million drug addicts. I'd be happy to slaughter them." "When you kill criminals that is not a crime against humanity. The criminals have no humanity goddam it!" If I was to make a preliminary assessment of this campaign since it began in July 1 of last year, the numbers bear themselves out. The war is an abysmal failure, and I'd like to present my case for saying so. Let's begin with some of its results. More than 7,000 civilians have died in this campaign. Among its victims are Maximo Garcia, who was killed by an unknown assailant despite surrendering to the police after being told he was part of the government's narco list, and his 5-year-old granddaughter Danica, who was literally caught in the crossfire. I also remember Rowena Tiamson, a graduating honor student from Pangasinan, whose body was found lifeless in Barangay Parian, with nothing but a cardboard sign saying "pusher, huwag tularan" as proof of her guilt. There are Domingo Manosca and his five-year-old son Francis. Both died last December 14 when shots were fired through the plywood window of their house in Manila. All anti-drug related operations were eventually suspended on January 31 of this year after Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo was found to have been strangled to death by officers of the Philippine National Police inside its own national headquarters in Camp Crame, with his ashes being flushed down the toilet. While I welcome the suspension, the fact that it was triggered belatedly by the death of a foreign resident and not earlier by the death of suspects without proof should be more than enough to give any democratic government pause. But the greater danger of the campaign lies not just in the continued loss of life. It has institutionalized violence. It has conditioned the minds of many in our country that killing suspects before their guilt can be proven is acceptable. The public does not know the basis behind the creation of the narco list which is the key document in Oplan Tokhang, and instead is asked to take its veracity on faith. Police officers are given quotas to "neutralize" drug suspects. And most frightening of all, it has been used by vigilantes and corrupt individuals as a cover up for singling out their own targets and committing acts of murder. And now the administration is re-launching the war on drugs. It is clear that this approach does not work. To re-instate it without first reforming our police endangers the public, and is quite frankly patently insane. And this is all despite evidence from other parts of the world that the punitive model no longer works, if it ever did. Former Colombian President Cesar Gaviria was quoted in the New York Times as saying "President Duterte is repeating my mistakes." We must remember that it was under Gavina's administration that Pablo Escobar, the leader and founder of the Medellin Cartel, was killed. Gavina has said that winning a campaign against drugs cannot be by the armed forces and law enforcement agencies alone. This is a sentiment reinforced by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2016 World Drug Report. To quote: "The failure to accept or understand that drug dependence is a health condition feeds the cycle of marginalization that often affects people with drug use disorders, making their recovery and social integration more challenging." This is why I am proposing an alternative which emphasizes the public health approach and a revamped strategy to law enforcement. This alternative is Senate Bill 1313, otherwise known as "The Barangay Health and Rehabilitation Strategy Act of 2017." The bill mandates the creation of a Health Intervention for Drug Use Bureau (HIDUB) which will implement a National Health Intervention for Drug Use Program in cooperation with local government units. This proposed new bureau will absorb the existing drug use treatment and rehabilitation programs of the Department of Health (DOH). We also propose the creation of barangay based rehabilitation programs to assess the needs of identified drug dependents in their area and respond to them. Some of the proposed services include consultation, case management, psycho-education, counseling, health and social support, and relapse management along with other evidence based health interventions and strategies. Addressing the drug problem requires efforts on multiple fronts, and we understand that any successful intervention will need the help of effective and well-placed law enforcement. As such, we propose an approach to law enforcement that rests on five pillars: 1. Conduct the internal cleansing of law enforcement agencies to ensure that they aren't infiltrated by elements corrupted by drug syndicates. 2. Replenish the ranks of law enforcers with new agents who are impervious to corruption. Salaries and benefits must be increased to attract the 'best and the brightest. ' 3. Mobilize government resources to fund modern crime-fighting and solving infrastructure and capability enhancement programs, such as a nationwide automated crime reporting system, security camera command centers in police districts and stations, air assets and modern laboratory equipment which can be used for more thorough substance analysis. 4. Strengthen community policing as a response to reactive incident-driven law enforcement work. 5. Focus law enforcement efforts against big time drug syndicates. Now I know what some of you must be thinking. Is the police force really this bad? Aren't these supposed to be the very people we trust to keep us safe? I am a PNP widow, and so are the wives of the fallen SAF 44. And I can tell you from personal experience that there are many reform-minded PNP officers, that there are those who believe that what we see of the police now is a far cry not only from their ideals, but the nobility of the sacrifice that outstanding officers continue to make every day. This bill does not seek to besmirch or cast doubt on the PNP itself. Rather, it seeks to hold our men and women in uniform to a higher standard. It is an earnest attempt to put things in place so that the PNP is given the opportunity to reclaim the public's trust, and in so doing fulfill not only its mandate, but also live up to its promise. Complex problems are never solved with quick fixes and simplistic solutions. I can understand the frustration on the part of the ordinary citizen. I can completely empathize with the agonizing desire for change, and the idea that any change, no matter how seemingly cruel, is better than none at all. But I will also stand my ground, and challenge that idea with another: Silence is not the same as peace, and submission is not the same as safety. Let us recognize that those who struggle with substance abuse are people who felt pain, reached out to society for help, didn't find It, and so turned to something else. It is easy to cast them aside, embrace violence and say 'they have made their choice, and we must get rid of them for the sake of this world. This is the only way.' To this I say that we must continue to seek a better way, and this is for the sake of all our worlds. Marami pong salamat at mabuhay kayong lahat!
Press Release

March 15, 2017 Loren Asks LGUs: Implement Climate Laws for Our Own Sake and That of Future Generations Senator Loren Legarda today renewed her call to local government units to implement the country's laws on climate and environment, stressing that local action is crucial in ensuring the survival of present and future generations Legarda made the statement as the Philippines ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change following the Senate's unanimous approval on Tuesday. "Our accession to the Paris Agreement is one vital step towards our climate resilience efforts and equally crucial is the level of action that local governments will undertake. Local leaders must be at the forefront of climate action to ensure that solutions will address the specific climate vulnerabilities of communities," she explained. Legarda noted that the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units (LGUs) and locally elected officials in the country, supported the ratification of the Paris Agreement through a Resolution they released last year. They have also committed to ensure the institutionalization of the country's commitments under its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and to continue the urgent appeal for world leaders to implement the agreements on reducing emissions, formulating and implementing mechanisms on climate finance in the context of loss and damage and adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and capacity building for countries vulnerable to climate change. "One crucial step for our LGUs is the crafting of their respective local climate change action plans (LCCAP). I urge them to adopt the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit goal as they craft their LCCAP. Let us not just do these local climate action plans for compliance, let us do this because the survival of our people and the sustainability of our communities matter," said Legarda. "It is also important that LGUs implement all environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, Renewable Energy Act, Climate Change Act, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, to build the resilience of their communities," she added. Legarda, principal author of the Climate Change Law and Chair of the Senate Committees on Finance and Climate Change, secured LGUs' concurrence in the Paris Agreement, thus the issuance of ULAP Resolution No. 2016-01. From the day the Paris Agreement was signed by more than a hundred countries on April 22, 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York where Legarda was present, the Senator has called on the Philippines and all nations to immediately ratify the Agreement. Legarda has been working behind the scenes in pushing for the Philippines' ratification, personally explaining the Agreement to Cabinet members, including the President's economic team, and at the same time coordinating with various climate organizations on the way forward.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 Senator Loren Legarda

Sponsorship Speech on the Proposed Rightsizing the National Government Act

Senate Bill No. 1395 under Committee Report No. 56

Senate Session Hall Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, good afternoon. It is my honor as Chairperson of the Committee on Finance and the Sub-Committee on Senate Bill Nos. 1162 and 1167 to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1395 under Committee Report No. 56 or "An Act Rightsizing the National Government to Improve Public Service Delivery and for Other Purposes". This Bill is a consolidation of Senate Bills filed by Majority Floor Leader Senator Vicente Sotto III, Senators Gregorio Honasan II and Miguel Zubiri, and this humble representation. Said bills have been considered, studied and deliberated upon and took into consideration the inputs from different government agencies, resource persons and other stakeholders concerned. Over the years, the government has grown into a system with the tendency for over-expansion and unnecessary self-perpetuation in several sectors of the society. This resulted in different government agencies having overlapping, duplicative or redundant operations and functions, thus, becoming ineffective and inefficient in the delivery of certain services. Furthermore, the overlapping structure also burdens the government with unnecessary costs. In his Fiscals Year 2017 Budget Message, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself expressed concern over the size of our bureaucracy. Specifically, he noted that although the expansion of the bureaucracy is a response to the growing demand of public services, there is still fat in government that we must trim. From 176 agencies in 2000, there are now 186 agencies in the National Government. Moreover, the National Government workforce currently stands at 1.6 million, compared to 1.1 million positions in 2000. The increase in the number of government agencies, without doubt, has a significant impact on our budget. For 2017, 29.57% of our budget of P3.35 trillion (or P990.5 billion) is allocated for Personnel Services (PS), an increase from 2016's 27.05% (P812 billion) and 2015's 28.62% (P746 billion). Aside from these budgetary implications, a big bureaucracy has a negative impact on government performance and efficiency. For example, the overlapping jurisdictions and redundant functions of several agencies result in confusing regulatory rules, duplicating requirements, red tape and inefficient delivery of public goods and services, which could be detrimental to the Filipino people. Moreover, to continue funding these redundant and outdated agencies is certainly a waste of our limited resources. Mr. President, it is time we address the inefficiencies brought about by "the fat in government" by rationalizing and rightsizing the functions and organizational structure of the different agencies in the Executive Branch. With the passage of this bill, the National Government will implement a Rightsizing Program that would further enhance the government's institutional capacity, thereby giving more value to taxpayer's money and be responsive to the changing demands of the public. May we highlight that the Program is a function-based effort, which means that it aims to refocus government efforts to the performance of its core functions and improve the effective and efficient delivery of services. In addition, this Program will help agencies simplify/improve their respective systems and processes, as well as adopt certain management systems improvement and productivity enhancement measures to reduce the processing time of transactions and eliminate unnecessary regulatory requirements, thereby providing better and high quality services to the public. The bill will cover all agencies in the Executive Branch, including departments, bureaus, offices, commissions, boards, councils, and all other entities attached to or under their administrative supervision, as well as Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) not covered by Republic Act (RA) No. 10149 (GOCC Governance Act of 2011). The Legislature, the Judiciary, Constitutional Commissions, Office of the Ombudsman and Local Government Units may, within their respective authorized appropriations and financial capability, likewise rightsize their respective offices, consistent with the principles and guidelines contained in the bill. On the other hand, the Governance Commission for GOCCs will continue to exercise its authority under RA No. 10149 to reorganize, merge, streamline, abolish or privatize any GOCC, in consultation with the agency to which the GOCC is attached. Specifically, this bill will provide the President of the Philippines the following authority in accordance with the guiding principles, policies, standards and guidelines of this proposed legislative measure: 1. To pursue the following functional shifts/modifications: a. Strengthen functions of the agency which directly contribute to the targeted ultimate societal outcomes of the National Government and/or the targeted sector/sub-sector outcomes of the agency; b. Scale down, phase out, eliminate or discontinue functions, programs, projects or activities that could be better carried out or undertaken by the private sector, or have already been devolved to LGUs; and c. Transfer/integrate functions from one agency to another which could better perform the same. 2. To undertake the following organizational actions: a. Regularize ad hoc offices whose functions are vital and significant, thus must be continually undertaken by the government; b. Merge or consolidate agencies whose functions are unnecessarily overlapping or duplicating; c. Split agencies with multifarious functions which are deemed distinct but with equally important aspects of governance; d. Transfer offices to other agencies where their functions are more aligned; and e. Abolish agencies (i) whose functions are already redundant or no longer relevant or necessary, or could be better undertaken by another entity; (ii) which are no longer achieving the objectives and purposes for which they were originally created; (iii) which are not cost-effective since they do not generate the desired level of outputs and outcomes vis-a-vis the resource inputs; and/or (iv) which have already become non-operational or dormant and/or outlived their purpose. A Committee on Rightsizing the Executive Branch will be created to oversee the implementation of the Program, composed of the Executive Secretary as Chairman, and the Secretary of Budget and Management as Co-Chairman, with the Secretary of Socio-Economic Planning, Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), and the Head of the Presidential Management Staff, as members. A Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to oversee, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Act will likewise be created to be composed of five (5) members each from the Senate and from the House of Representatives. May I highlight that the implementation of the Program shall not involve forced retirement or separation of affected regular employees. Regular personnel whose positions would be affected in the implementation of the Program shall have the option to (1) avail of retirement benefits and separation incentives, or (2) be placed in agencies needing additional personnel to be handled by the CSC. Given the changes in the economic and socio-political environment in the country, it is high time, Mr. President and my distinguished colleagues, to rationalize or rightsize the organization and operations of the different agencies of the government to respond to the increasing public demand for faster, high quality, and more effective and efficient delivery of services. In light of the foregoing, I enjoin my colleagues to support this legislative measure. Thank you.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA

Co-Sponsorship Speech Confirmation of the Ad Interim Appointment of General Noel Samson Buan Mr. President, I have the honor to co-sponsor the confirmation of the appointment of Noel Samson Buan to the rank of Brigadier General. General Buan is recognized as a highly-trained and accomplished intelligence officer; admired and respected by his peers for his intelligence, various accomplishments and excellent leadership qualities. He currently serves as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservist and Retiree Affairs since 2015 and actively serving the military for 36 years. He also served as Deputy Brigade Commander in 2015, Group Inspector General from 2013 to 2014, Chief of Staff, Headquarters and Headquarter Support Group, Philippine Army from 2012 to 2013, College, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army from 2008 to 2009 and Assistant Chief of Unified Staff for Intelligence, National Regional Command (NARCOM), Armed Forces of the Philippines from 2006 to 2007. General Buan received perhaps the most valued honor that a man in uniform truly aspires for. He was honored with a Medal of Valor in 2004 for acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity at the high risk of life beyond the call of duty as the team leader of the First Scout Ranger Battalion, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Philippine Army, during a reported close quarter battle with Abu Sayyaf leader Hamsiraji Sali and his brother Sahir. The military operation resulted in the successful neutralization of seven terrorists and the recovery of various high-powered ammunition. In 1999, General Buan was captured while hunting down NPA rebels in Southern Tagalog as he attempted to penetrate the underground movement as an intelligence officer of the Southern Luzon Command. After almost two years in captivity, Major Buan was released through our humanitarian mission which I led together with Bishop Jesus Varela and Bishop Tomas Millamena, in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. In 2003, he was acknowledged with a Bronze Cross Medal for acts of heroism involving risk of life as Case Officer. He was then recognized with a Military Merit Medal in 2006 as Battalion Commander, 1st Scout Ranger Battalion, 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, Philippine Army, from December 2003 to January 2006, for initiating the conduct of numerous successful combat operations. This extensive experience in the military and heroic acts for the country, apart from his extensive education in the National Defense College of the Philippines, University of the East and Asian Institute of Management, gives me confidence that General Buan is more than qualified to carry on the tasks of Brigadier General. Mr. President, it is for these reasons that I move for the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of General Noel Buan to the rank of Brigadier General. Thank you, Mr. President.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 Koko: It's "All for one and one for all" in a federal nation Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said the proposed federal system of government for the country would lead to the creation of 11 regional governments, practicing an age-old motto, "All for one and one for all." "It's like being in a family - you take care of each other even if everyone lives his own life," said Pimentel, adding the concepts of federalism involved unity amidst diversity and self-determination. In a speech before the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel, Pimentel said the one change that the government of President Duterte wanted to realize is the adoption of federalism. "We see it as the practical solution to the age-old problems of poverty, inequality, and instability that continue to hobble the development of our nation," he told the gathering of incumbent municipal mayors. Pimentel said federalism would help erase the two faces of Philippine society under a unicameral government that has a highly-centralized structure by allowing the neglected areas to catch up with the more affluent ones. This dichotomy in Philippine society, he said, where there are places of wealth, comfort, and modernity, and places of extreme poverty, happened under a unitary system with Metro Manila as the one and only center of power. Pimentel said if the Philippines would not change, then the rich regions only become richer, while the poor regions become still poorer because capital, talent, and infrastructure are already concentrated in these rich regions. "Not to mention that the law and order situation is better in these regions. They are also still the areas closest to the center of power. So, these already rich areas therefore are the ones that can take most advantage of the economic growth the Philippines is projected to enjoy," he said. The burgeoning movement to adopt a federal system government with a bicameral legislature is contained in a number of bills filed both in the Lower House and the Senate, proposing amendments to the 1987 Constitution. Pimentel said once embedded in the revised Constitution, the federal system would empower the people in the various regions to determine the kind of development they would like to see in their own communities. The regions would be free to invite the kind of investments they want to come into their respective jurisdictions, offer them incentives, without needing permission from the central government. "They would determine the over-all direction of their development," he said, adding that under the principle of subsidiarity in a federal nation the regions would be empowered and capacitated to chart their own destiny. He said the principle of subsidiarity is complemented by the principle of solidarity because every component unit of a federal nation is an equal part of the federation. "Each of the component units has an equal say in the affairs of the union, as partner in the development of the component units and of the federation as a whole," he said. "Solidarity also means that the welfare of each component unit is the business of all the other component units. All for one and one for all. This is so because these component units are mutually supportive," he noted. In the proposed regions prepared by the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP LABAN), the Regional Government of Northern Luzon will be composed of Regions 1 and 2 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The others are: Central Luzon - Region 3; Metro Manila - National Capital Region; Southern Tagalog - Region 4-A; Bicol - Region 5; MIMAROPA; Western Visayas - Region 6; Central-Eastern Visayas - Regions 7 and 8; Northern Mindanao - Regions 9, 10 and CARAGA; Southern Mindanao - Regions 11 and 12; and the Bangsa Moro Regional Government. The regional governments, he said, will be led by a regional governor directly elected by the people in the region. They will have their own regional assemblies, a unicameral body.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 On the Confirmation of the Appointment

of Education Secretary Leonor Briones

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto Mr. Chairman, my dear colleagues: My nominee was my teacher at the UP College of Public Administration many moons ago. Whenever we meet, I never fail to call her "my favorite teacher," to which she replies, and always in a loud voice for everyone to hear, that I was her favorite student, which flatters me to no end. Only later did I know that I share that distinction with many. She has thousands of other favorites. If you distill her impressive CV into what her major callings would be, if you could put a brand to the person, you'd come up with two: Liling the Academic, and Liling the Activist. As an academic, she teaches how to run the government. And as an activist, she can be pretty good in destabilizing one. She is also an accountant - brilliant in examining ledgers of government offices, which was what she did as a Director in the Commission on Audit, or in monitoring T-bill spreadsheets, which was her job when she was the National Treasurer. She is a woman of many splendored talents. Perhaps you have heard her speak. But you should hear her sing. She is a soprano with concert-level skills. Her favorite opera song these days: "Ay, Ay, Kalisud". But whether in or out of government, as an official or as a critic, she employs the same high level of competence and commitment which makes her an effective leader of a department or an advocate of a cause. And another good thing about her, too, is that whether she is in the civil service or in civil society, she conducts her business with civility. If you happen to find yourself in the opposing end of a cause she has taken up, you will soon find out that while she won't mince words in ripping apart your arguments, she will not, however, tear your friendship to pieces. This is probably why, aside from her talent, she has been able to seamlessly weave in and out of government. Kita n'yo naman. She can be a "freedom from debt" campaigner one year, and then auction off debt papers of the Republic the next, without losing the respect that she had built for herself in the process. There is another explanation for that. She never trades her principles for positions. Just to get entry into the corridors of power, she doesn't deposit her views at the door. She tells truth to power. That is the same candor and frankness she tells her students to show. I remember her telling us in class to always have a healthy dose of skepticism, but not too much that it blinds one's objectivity. To always validate what is presented, and subject numbers to the rigors of scrutiny. So when I pointed out, time and again, DepEd's legendary, if not criminal, failure over the years to utilize its budget to build the classrooms, buy the books, and hire the teachers our children need, she knows that I learned to be inquisitive from her. Kaya po laking tuwa ko nang si Ma'am Liling ang hinirang na Secretary of Education. Sabi ko sa sarili ko: The era of annual SONA tales of education accomplishments without basis is over. Na ang panahon na pondo pa lang sa budget, hindi pa ginagasta, wala pang bidding, pinagyayabang na implemented na, delivered na, ay hindi na mauulit muli. Na tapos na ang mabagal at makupad na pag-gamit ng pondo, tulad na lang halimbawa nung 2014 at 2016, na ni isang piraso ng 82,693 packages ng math and science equipment ay hindi nabili dahil ni singko ng P7.5 billion na pondo para dito ay hindi nagalaw. Tulad na lang noong 2015, kung kailan magtatapos na ang taon, kung kailan magpapasko, at saka lamang ini-release ang P1.4 billion para sa school feeding. So this is precisely why I am voting for the confirmation of your appointment, my dear Ma'am Liling, so that you yourself can solve the problem of underspending, which you repeatedly exposed while you were in Social Watch. But that challenge is not yours to handle alone. It is for the whole government. It is, in fact, for the whole of us. Nakakalula ang spending backlog sa DepEd. 2016 ended with 66,463 of funded classrooms yet to be built or completed, 34,463 newly-created teaching positions yet to be filled, 179.6 million budgeted textbooks yet to be delivered. Mr. President, my dear colleagues. My nominee used to give me very hard homework in class, but those pale in comparison with the assignment she's been given today. And the stakes are high. Because if she fails, the nation gets a failing grade on its most important assignment of all: to teach its children well. With Secretary Briones at the helm of DepED, I know that we will be able, in the words of the great Pepe Diokno, "to build a nation for our children, where they will sing their own songs." I vote for her confirmation - the only one among her allegedly favorite students to be given the chance to.
Press Release

March 15, 2017 Villanueva's sponsorship speech on Revised Apprenticeship bill

WORK-BASED LEARNING: THE KEY TO SOLVING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT The need to revise the current Apprenticeship Law Mr. President, my esteemed colleagues: I have the honor to sponsor Senate Bill No. 1392 under Committee Report No. 54 or the Apprenticeship Training System Act of 2017. This is not the first time that the Senate Committee on Labor submitted this measure that seeks to reform the country's apprenticeship training system. In the 16th Congress, a similar proposal, contained in Senate Bill No. 136, made its way here at the Senate plenary for the second reading while its counterpart measure, House Bill No. 5303, was approved by the House of Representatives on its third and final reading in January 2016. The results of the deliberations during the past Congress, led by Senator Jinggoy Estrada and eventually, Senator Sonny Angara, and our parallel consultations with several organizations last year, manifest a very noble reason to pass this measure without further delay: to help our people get jobs and to help businesses flourish. Mr. President, there is a need to repeal Chapters I and II of Title II of Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, otherwise known as the Labor Code of the Philippines and to put in place a reformed apprenticeship training system because the world of work is changing rapidly; we need individuals who possess the competencies suited to the job and those who can deliver results. Sa apprenticeship: ang skills na matututunan, konektado sa aktwal na mga trabaho. Sa apprenticeship: may sweldo agad habang nagsasanay pa lang, may pagkakataon pang matuto kahit ang mga out-of-school youth at unemployed. Sa apprenticeship: mas mataas ang posibilidad na ma-absorb ang mga apprentices pagkatapos ng training. State of apprenticeship training system in the Philippines Mr. President, your committee believes that a reformed apprenticeship system will improve our people, it will improve the business sector. For the past six years, from 2010 to 2016, we produced more than 12-million tech-voc graduates. This number covers all the training delivery modes: institution-based, community-based and enterprise-based training that includes our National Apprenticeship Program. Table 1. TVET Output, 2010-2016 Indicator 2010-2016 Number of Enrolees 13,473,550 Number of Graduates 12,110,210 Unfortunately, the number of graduates in our Apprenticeship Program represented only 5% or 474,962 out of 12,110,2010 graduates in all delivery modes. Mr. President, the small number of apprentices and the number of participating companies point to the need to institute reforms in our existing National Apprenticeship Training program. We couldn't agree more to the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines that such a small number indicates the importance of reforming and expanding the program to provide a route to long-term jobs for much larger number of young Filipinos. The need for a work-based training Mr. President, base sa karanasan at sa mga datos na ating nakalap, basta't ginawa ang pagsasanay sa loob ng mga pagawaan o sa loob mismo ng kumpanya, garantisadong akma ang skills sa trabaho. Halimbawa: sa training program ng TESDA at SEIPI o Semi-Conductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines, halos lahat ng mga trainees o 97%, nabigyan ng trabaho. Sa isa pang training program ng TESDA at IT-BPM o Business Process Management, umabot sa 70.7% ng mga near-hires ang agad nabigyan ng trabaho. Dalawang halimbawa lamang po ito sa mahigit anim na raang (600) industry partnerships ng TESDA sa nagdaang anim na taon. Indeed, work-based learning is the trend because jobs are fast evolving: jobs are becoming obsolete or replaced with new ones due to automation and new technologies that require new skills set that can be learned at real time at the workplace. Mr. President, your committee believes that the workplace is the best training institution today: Halimbawa po ay si Dave Lawrence Pacanza, taga-Calamba, Laguna na naging scholar ng Ampon ni Don Bosco Foundation para sa 10-month Automotive Mechanics Course. Pagkatapos mag-training sa Don Bosco, napili siya ng Porsche para sa Service Mechatronics Course, sa PGA Cars sa Mandaluyong. Sabi n'ya, siyam na buwan siyang nagco-commute mula Calamba hanggang Makati sa kagustuhan niyang makumpleto ang training sa isang prestigious brand. Sa PGA Cars, natutunan ni Dave ang Porsche transmission and vehicle electronics involving fiber optics. At dahil sa akmang training sa loob mismo ng Porsche, isa si Dave sa mga napisil na mabigyan ng trabaho sa Porsche Center sa Abu Dhabi. Si Noema Flejoles naman po ay tambay at over-age jobless engineering graduate. Matagal siyang unemployed at halos mawalan ng gana sa buhay dahil sa pagpanaw ng kanyang ama. Kumuha siya ng Automotive Servicing NC II sa TESDA Women Center (TWC), at pagkatapos ng kanyang on-the-job training sa Hyundai sa Pasig, na-absorb siya ng kumpanya bilang Warranty Administrator. Mula noon, bumalik ang sigla sa buhay ni Noema at mabilis na na-promote sa kanyang trabaho. Indeed, there is no substitute to the actual work-based learning which can allow young workers to learn from experienced workers or business people. I believe that the Revised Apprenticeship bill will enable Filipinos to learn from their fellow Filipinos. Salient features of the Revised Apprenticeship bill Mr. President, the proposed apprenticeship law aims to increase employability of youth through responsive training at the workplace. Let's say that a certain Juan dela Cruz wants to join the apprenticeship program. Under this proposed measure, Juan should be at least 15 years of age. He can enter any apprenticeable occupation that is specified by the Industry body and approved by the TESDA Board. Kahit out-of-school youth o unemployed si Juan, basta't kinse-anyos pataas, pwede siyang maging apprentice. In the past, the period of apprenticeship covers a maximum of six months. Now, the apprenticeship period shall be based on the duration of training required in the Training Plan and on the complexity of the skills that Juan should learn as an apprentice. Let me stress that the training duration is based on set requirements in the training regulations, not as determined by law. The bill also removes from its coverage the skills that can be learned in six months, which can be learned through probationary employment. Hindi po pare-pareho ang apprenticeable occupations kaya hindi dapat limitahan sa anim na buwan ang training ng mga apprentices tulad ni Juan. Pwede itong umabot ng isa o dalawang taon o higit pa. Ang training duration, dapat aprubado ng TESDA alinsunod sa umiiral na curriculum o training regulation. Kailangan ding mapatunayan ng kumpanya na may sapat silang kakayahan para ipatupad ang aprubadong training contract. Under the revised apprenticeship program, Juan gets paid to learn as well. His wage should not be below 75% of the minimum wage, combining what the employer pays and what the government may pay in order to attract more investors to the Philippines. Habang nagsasanay si Juan, kumikita na rin siya at pwede nang makatulong sa kanyang pamilya o makapag-ipon para sa kanyang kinabukasan. However, Juan's enterprise can only engage apprentices equivalent to 20% of its regular employees or the apprentice shall be considered a regular employee. This will lessen the opportunity of his employer to commit abuses. As an apprentice, Juan will also benefit from a disability or accident insurance policy during his apprenticeship period. Kasama sa proteksyon ng karapatan ni Juan ang insurance policy na sasagutin ng kanyang kumpanya. Sinisiguro din na mananagot ang kumpanya kung may paglabag sa training contract at kung mapatunayang may paglabag nga, hindi na ito papayagang tumanggap pa ng mga apprentices. The bill also installed assessment and certification system to ensure the quality of program delivery. Therefore, Juan will undergo competency assessments for qualifications within his apprenticeship period. He will be awarded National Certificates which will have equivalent credits in the formal system of education. Pagkatapos ng apprenticeship contract ni Juan at gusto niyang mag-enrol sa kolehiyo, layunin ng batas na ito na magamit niya ang kanyang National Certificate mula sa kumpanya para ma-credit sa kursong gusto n'ya. In return, the participating enterprise will get an additional deduction from the taxable income equivalent to one-half (1/2) of the value of training expenses incurred for developing the productivity and efficiency of apprentices. This is an opportunity for the private sector to take an even bigger role in nation-building by investing in our people. Higit pa sa tax incentive, makakatulong ang kumpanya sa pagbibigay ng akmang kasanayan sa ating mga kabataan. Mr. President, our experience in the past proves that apprenticeship system offers real work experience, allowing trainees to get an understanding of what a job is like. Let me emphasize: hands-on training is necessary to equip the workers with the required competencies. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn." Your committee believes that the proposed apprenticeship system is reflective of the requirements of the 21st century education. Providing opportunities for every Juan Mr. President, by not reforming our apprenticeship system, employers will continue to turn their back on young workers, graduates will continue to face challenging job search, our economy will continue to experience a bumpy road ahead. Reforming our apprenticeship system is a solution to youth unemployment and job-skill mismatch because the companies will have a hand in training the students with the skills they need for a particular job. Noon, hinahanapan ng mga magulang ang kanilang anak ng magandang paaralan kasi ang nasa isip nila, makakuha agad ng magandang trabaho ang kanilang anak pagka-graduate. Ngayon, pwede na ring humanap ng mga kumpanya kung saan ang training at trabaho ay pinagsanib na. Mr. President, distinguished colleagues: We can give to our young people the immense opportunities present in today's workplaces, outside our formal educational system, but only when alternative modes of learning like apprenticeship, guarantee their rights and welfare. Let's help our people get decent jobs and help businesses flourish. Let's pass Senate Bill No. 1392. Maraming salamat po at pagpalain tayong lahat ng Panginoong Diyos.
The extraordinary volume of water pouring through Californias rivers and reservoirs this winter appears to be behind more damage to the states water infrastructure.

State officials said Tuesday that an intake structure at Clifton Court Forebay, a 2 mile-wide reservoir in eastern Contra Costa County, would be shut down because it needs repairs after heavy inflows.

Although officials did not disclose the exact nature of the problem, they said the fix would mean temporarily halting the pumps that send delta water to Silicon Valley and across much of Southern California. The disruption, though, will not be felt in these areas because water can be delivered from other sources, the state Department of Water Resources said.

The damage at the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta facility represents a second major blow to the State Water Project this year. Near-record snow and rain totals contributed to high flows through Lake Oroville that caused a crisis last month when two of the reservoirs spillways suffered severe damage. Concerns that a wall of water would gush out uncontrollably prompted the temporary evacuation of 180,000 people downstream of the lake.

State water officials have since patched up some of the erosion that impaired the spillways and have kept water flowing safely out the reservoir.

The Clifton Court Forebay, just south of Discovery Bay, is a key link in the State Water Project. Water is channeled to the reservoir from the delta, where it is then piped to the nearby Banks Pumping Plant and delivered through the California Aqueduct to urban water agencies and farms to the south.

State officials were not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but said in a statement that flows of 10,000 cubic feet of water into Clifton Courts concrete intake structure  much more than normal  were a likely cause of the damage.

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.

Officials said the radial gates would be closed Wednesday so repair work could begin. They did not provide a timeline for completion.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
A federal magistrate has refused to dismiss a lawsuit by the family of an Oakland woman who was killed by Emeryville police after allegedly shoplifting from a store, saying a jury could find that she posed no threat to the officer who shot her as she lay wounded on the ground.

Yuvette Henderson, 38, was shot in the head by Officer Warren Williams near a storage facility in Oakland in February 2015. A handgun she had been carrying was found 6 feet from her body.

Police said employees at a Home Depot in Emeryville reported they had tried to detain Henderson for shoplifting, but she fled. Williams and a second officer caught up to her in a parking area and told her to drop the gun she was carrying, but she refused and pointed it at them, police said. She dropped the gun after Williams shot her in the arm, but he said she raised her head and appeared to be looking for the weapon when he fired the fatal shot with a semiautomatic rifle.

U.S. Magistrate Donna Ryu said Monday that eyewitness reports and other evidence conflicted with Williams account and could lead a jury to conclude that the shooting was unjustified.

One storage facility employee said Hendersons hands were down when she first turned toward Williams and was shot in the arm, contradicting the officers testimony that she was pointing her gun at him, Ryu said. She said the doctor who performed the autopsy reported the bullet entered her arm from the side, despite Williams testimony that Henderson was facing him and coming toward him.

A reasonable juror could question Williams credibility and doubt his version of events, the magistrate said.

While Williams said he fired the fatal shot because he feared for his life, Ryu said a jury could reasonably determine that Henderson did not pose an immediate threat to Williams because she was unarmed and wounded, and because although she had carried a gun, she had not previously fired or aimed it at him.

She said jurors could also find that Williams, before firing, could have shouted a warning to Henderson as she lay on the ground.

The suit was filed by three of Hendersons children. Emily Rose Johns, a lawyer for the children, said Tuesday that Ryus ruling combats the narrative that police officers, when confronted by a person with a weapon, have the ability under the law to shoot and kill at will.

Johns said Henderson had been living with her boyfriend in Oakland, raising her two youngest children, and working at local stores to support them. The case is scheduled for trial on May 15, the lawyer said.

Dale Allen, a lawyer for the officer and the city, said city officials believed that as a matter of law, Officer Williams used lethal force as was appropriate to the threat posed by Ms. Henderson. He said the officer expects to take the case to trial but would also consider an appeal of Ryus ruling.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @egelko
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

Call for secure elections: A meet-up with the San Francisco Elections Commission, 6 p.m. at City Hall, Room 408, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco.

Postcard party: An opportunity for people to write postcards to elected officials on issues of concern from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pier 23 Cafe on the Embarcadero, San Francisco.

Thursday

Antitravel ban rally: A protest against President Trumps travel ban, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the San Francisco Federal Building, 90 Seventh St.

Friday

Community forum: A conversation on civic engagement with elected officials, business leaders and community activists, hosted by Golden Gate University. The event is from 5 to 8 p.m. at 536 Mission St., San Francisco. Purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/2n3L87U

Sunday

Forum: A Jewish Community Forum to discuss the political climate and how it affects the Bay Area Jewish community. The forum will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis St., San Francisco. Tickets available: http://bit.ly/2mSh7qK.

Author series: A conversation with Aya de Leon, a local poet, author and performance artist, and Kate Raphael, author and producer of the KPFA FM radio show Womens Magazine, on how to organize against President Trump. The talk will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics, 518 Valencia St., San Francisco.

Community conversation: Sierra Club San Francisco chapter leader Arthur Feinstein leads a discussion on local and statewide environmental issues. The event is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Northern Police Station Community Room, 1125 Fillmore St., San Francisco. RSVP: www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay/activities

Monday

Political discussion: A panel discussion on how to be involved at the local, state and federal level, hosted by the United Democratic Club. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6 union, 55 Fillmore St., San Francisco.

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.

March 25

Danville town hall: Hosted by Mayor Renee Morgan with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, state Sen. Steve Glazer, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen. The event is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. in Danville. Contact Nat Rojanasathira, assistant to the town manager, at (925) 314-3328 or nrojanasathira@danville.ca.gov for more information.

March 26

Womens rally and march: A Walk for Equality from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rinconada Park, 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto.

March 29

Panel: A discussion with immigration attorneys on sanctuary cities, hosted by the United Democratic Club. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6 union, 55 Fillmore St., San Francisco.
A mixed-up California sea lion, trapped for nearly a day in a spillway in Vacaville and a long way from anything resembling an ocean, was slowly making its way back to the bay on Wednesday, assisted by a small army of marine biologists and other human do-gooders.

The sea lion, dubbed Leisure by his newfound human friends, seemed to be heading at last in the right direction after spending a confusing night in a narrow concrete drainage pipe, not the traditional habitat of sea lions.

For a time, the animals own confusion along with a small crowd of curious onlookers were making life stressful for Leisure. By Wednesday afternoon, the curiosity seekers had departed and Leisure seemed headed for safety.

Leisure was first spotted shortly after noon on Tuesday near Highway 113 and Hawkins Road. The mammal was swimming leisurely in Ulatis Creek, which feeds into the Sacramento River and eventually into the delta and bay, and also catching and eating several passing carp. But it was not immediately known how Leisure came to be in the creek spillway, not far from the herds of cows that Vacaville is known for, and the mammal wasnt talking.

The Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito, which answers the call whenever local sea lions get into trouble, dispatched no fewer than 13 staff members and volunteers to the spillway to keep an eye on things.

I was awake all night worrying about him, said one of the volunteers from the Marine Mammal Center, as she looked desperately toward the creek hoping to catch a glimpse of slippery creature.

Officer Carly Stone of the Vacaville Police Department had hiked through the tall weeds of the surrounding farmland, where all the other mammals were cows, to lead the volunteers to the spot where Leisure was stuck.

The marine experts said they hoped the 400-pound sea lion, who did not appear to be injured, would make his way along the creek toward the delta and the bay. About five miles from the spillway, at a fork in the creek, the centers scientists were hoping that Leisure would choose the right path or else the scientists might be forced to step in, sedate the animal and take him by truck back to the centers hospital for evaluation.

That was a key moment in the drama. Around 2:30 p.m., Leisure swam up to the fateful decision spot. Down the wrong fork, two volunteers stood with large cardboard panels, ready to shoo Leisure back in the other direction.

But that wasnt necessary. Leisure picked the right course, toward the Sacramento River, and the scientists said most of the danger seemed past.

He looks good, said veterinarian Cara Fields. Everybody is singing hallelujah.

Dave Zahniser, the rescue and response manager with the Marine Mammal Center, said he believed Leisure was leaving Vacaville the same way he came, via the Sacramento River. Zahniser said the sea lions predicament might have been caused by recent heavy rains or because it was chasing after fish and not paying attention to where it was going.

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.

Sometimes they're just curious, Zahniser said.

Before the meandering mammal had reappeared in the spillway on Wednesday, scientists were worried it would become caught in the narrow drainage pipe and require a tricky rescue. Fortunately, the slippery sea lion successfully slid toward safety.

Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani
With homeless camps once again sprawling across sidewalks and vacant lots, San Franciscos Public Works director has taken it upon himself to sidestep the citys much-publicized system of coordinated agency response and is preemptively cleaning out the most dystopian tent encampments.

What city crews are finding is startling.

In a single week, Public Works packed out 53,100 pounds of garbage and 3,295 used syringes from six encampments in the South of Market neighborhood and Mission District. That comes to about 4.3 tons of trash per site.

At a block-long encampment adjacent to the Caltrain yard on Townsend Street, which thousands of commuters and tech workers pass by daily, a Public Works hot spot crew found 15,000 pounds of debris, 700 needles and a lot of rats, agency Director Mohammed Nuru said.

On San Bruno Avenue between 16th and Division streets, city workers pulled out 13,500 pounds of debris and 1,250 needles.

Mice, but no rats, Nuru said.

It was unbelievable, he said. No one should have to live like that  no one should work or walk by all that, either.

Other large camps that Public Works has cleared recently were on Utah Street between 15th and 16th streets; Shotwell Street between 19th and 14th streets; along Stevenson Street; and one stretching down South Van Ness and Duboce avenues.

Although the growing mounds of trash were visible to anyone walking by, the Public Health Department never inspected any of the encampments.

Thank you for pointing this out, said department spokeswoman Rachael Kagan. We are working together with the other city agencies to find the best way to deal with encampments, including clarifying of roles and responsibilities.

Public Works says it hasnt confiscated anyones tent, but that workers did find a number that were abandoned. In some cases, Nuru said, camp dwellers asked the city crews to take them away.

Nuru said the campers were given fair warning to leave, but insisted that the sidewalk cleanups were not technically removals  and therefore were not governed by the rules set down by voter-approved Proposition Q, which requires the city to offer shelter to camp residents before removing their tents.

Coalition on Homelessness Executive Director Jennifer Friedenbach said the result for homeless people was the same as in any police-enforced sweep.

This was no ordinary cleanup where they asked people to move their tents for a couple of hours, Friedenbach said. It was definitely a removal.

Nuru said most of the tent dwellers just moved a block or two down the line and set up camp again.

This was about cleaning up an unhealthy situation, Nuru said.

His break with protocol was brought on by numerous complaints from the public about encampments  and by the snails-pace opening of new navigation centers and shelters.

Sam Dodge, a spokesman for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, referred requests for comment to Mayor Ed Lees office  which voiced support for the cleanups.

This is grueling work that the mayor appreciates ... that keeps our city safe and clean for all people, said Lee spokeswoman Deirdre Hussey.

Nuru said a lack of shelter beds and space in navigation centers has him looking into whether Public Works should open its own shelter.

I cant have people sleeping on pallets over rats, Nuru said.

Paul Chinn/The Chronicle

Friedenbach agrees that there arent enough shelter beds for the people now living in tents. But she has an alternative solution  have the city provide portable bathrooms and garbage cans at the camps, much as Oakland has tried at a homeless encampment near Interstate 580.

We do give bags for people to clean up, Nuru said. Bathrooms, we are still exploring. But if we had a vacant lot where people could stay, I think we would look into it.

Line of fire: San Franciscos new police chief, William Scott, has dismissed two police recruits  one just two days before completing probation over cheating allegations involving the unauthorized use of a study guide for tests administered during field training.

And there are hints that more recruits may be cut. A department insider told us that one of the fired rookies warned that if she was going down for alleged cheating, the department would have to fire all 20 recruits who graduated from the Police Academy a year ago.

The names of the two recruits who were dismissed have not been disclosed, and few details about the incident have been revealed.

However, Police Officers Association President Martin Halloran confirmed Tuesday that the two recruits were notified of their dismissals in the past couple of days.

We are still looking into it, and we still need to talk to the officers, Halloran said.

He disagreed that what happened amounted to cheating.

There was a study manual passed around by recruits, Halloran said. He said the manual was based on information provided to recruits in the training books they all receive upon graduation. The rookies study the books to prepare for written tests, covering police codes and procedures, that they must pass during field training.

Somebody put together a study guide based on that information, but it didnt contain answers to specific test questions, Halloran said. I dont know how they label this cheating.

We asked to speak to Scott, but were told he was unavailable.

Its a personnel matter, and we cant comment further, said department spokesman Sgt. Michael Andraychak.

One thing is certain  the dismissals will be costly. Halloran estimated that the department spends about $1 million for every officer it recruits and trains before they pass probation.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross
San Franciscos new police chief, William Scott, has dismissed two police recruits  one just two days before completing probation  over cheating allegations involving the unauthorized use of a study guide for tests administered during field training.

And there are hints that more recruits may be cut. A department insider told us that one of the fired rookies warned that if she was going down for alleged cheating, the department would have to fire all 20 recruits who graduated from the Police Academy a year ago.

The names of the two recruits who were dismissed have not been disclosed, and few details about the incident have been revealed.

However, Police Officers Association President Martin Halloran confirmed Tuesday that the two recruits were notified of their dismissals in the past couple of days.

We are still looking into it, and we still need to talk to the officers, Halloran said.

He disagreed that what happened amounted to cheating.

There was a study manual passed around by recruits, Halloran said. He said the manual was based on information provided to recruits in the training books they all receive upon graduation. The rookies study the books to prepare for written tests, covering police codes and procedures, that they must pass during field training.

Somebody put together a study guide based on that information, but it didnt contain answers to specific test questions, Halloran said. I dont know how they label this cheating.

We asked to speak to Scott, but were told he was unavailable.

Its a personnel matter, and we cant comment further, said department spokesman Sgt. Michael Andraychak.

One thing is certain  the dismissals will be costly. Halloran estimated that the department spends about $1 million for every officer it recruits and trains before they pass probation.
Federal officials have charged four people  two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service and two hackers  in connection with the 2014 security breach affecting at least 500 million Yahoo accounts, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

The 2014 hacking incident, which the company disclosed last year, is believed to be the nations second-largest security breach. Yahoo also experienced a 2013 security breach affecting more than 1 billion accounts and has not determined the cause of that breach.

The department said the officers, Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, worked with criminal hackers Alexsey Belan of Russia and Karim Baratov, a Canadian resident, to steal information from computers of American email service companies.

Baratov was arrested in Canada on Tuesday. The department has issued arrest warrants for Dokuchaev, Sushchin and Belan.

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At a press conference Wednesday morning in San Francisco, Malcolm Palmore, Assistant Special Agent in charge of the FBIs cyber crime office, said the criminals breached the company through a Yahoo account.

He would not elaborate on the circumstance of the hack, but described how cyber attackers often infiltrate companies through "the path of least resistance"  like spear phishing schemes.

In the Yahoo breach, hackers appeared to target individual users, including journalists and Russian dissidents, Palmore said.

"There were a large number of Russian accounts," he said. U.S. government officials and financial services employees were among the targets, federal officials said.

While two of the hackers in the indictment are notorious cyber criminals who may have a loose affiliation with Russian, the others are known government agents, according to federal officials.

"There were two FSB agents using FSB infrastructure," said John Bennett, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's San Francisco field office.

But all four have "great technical abilities," he said.

Belan was indicted twice for cyber crimes in 2012 and 2013 and was arrested in June 2013 in Europe, only to escape to Russia. Rather than detain Belan, Dokuchaev and Sushchin used Belan to get access to Yahoo accounts, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Belan also used his access to search and take gift card and credit card numbers from email accounts for his own personal gain and redirected traffic on Yahoos search engine, the department said. Belans hacking is also connected to about 32 million Yahoo accounts breached through forged cookies, according to Yahoo. Cookies are tools that allow the website and a computer to save information, such as a user name, password or address, so it doesnt need to be re-entered.

With these charges, the Department of Justice is continuing to send the powerful message that we will not allow individuals, groups, nation states or a combination of them to compromise the privacy of our citizens, the economic interests of our companies, or the security of our country, said Mary McCord, acting assistant attorney general of the National Security.

The hackers were able to access some of the Yahoo accounts by obtaining information a backup copy of Yahoos user data base and gaining unauthorized access of Yahoos account management tool in 2014, according to the indictment.

In addition to accessing Yahoo Mail accounts, the officers and hackers used information they acquired to access the Gmail accounts of an assistant to the deputy chairman of the Russian Federation and an officer to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, among others, the Department of Justice said in its indictment. In some cases, the defendants were able to get access to Gmail accounts by taking control of users Yahoo accounts and making it the recovery email for Gmail accounts, the indictment said.

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One hacker was tasked with trying to get access to at least 50 Google accounts. It was unclear how many accounts the hacker breached. Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Yahoo on Wednesday said the departments findings were consistent with its earlier disclosures.

Were committed to keeping our users and our platforms secure and will continue to engage with law enforcement to combat cybercrime, wrote Chris Madsen, Yahoos head of Global Law Enforcement, Security & Safety in a blog post. Madsen was unavailable for an interview.

Bennett of the FBI called Yahoo "great partners" over the two-year investigation.

He specifically called out CEO Marissa Mayer, whom he said demonstrated "leadership and courage while under pressure from many entities."

The security breaches in 2013 and 2014 caused Verizon to seek a discount in the price for which it is buying Yahoos Internet properties. At one point, the discount it sought was as large as $925 million, but Verizon recently said it would buy the properties for $4.48 billion, $350 million less than the original price.

Wendy Lee and Evan Sernoffsky are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: wlee@sfchronicle.com esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee @EvanSernoffsky
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A shooting near California State University, East Bay in Hayward prompted a shelter-in-place order at an apartment complex that houses students Tuesday, an official said.

The universitys police department sent out an emergency alert around 5:30 p.m., said Jesse Cantley, a spokesman for the university.
When Tim died of AIDS 10 years ago, he was cremated. Half of his ashes went to his sister in Maine, who planted an oak tree in the Wiccan tradition. We left the other half for his boyfriend, and that, we thought, was the last of it  until October. We got a registered letter from the funeral parlor telling us that Tims ashes had been abandoned for a decade and that if we did not pick them up, his remains would be disposed of. So I drove to Duggans and brought the second half of Tim home.

Aunt Amanda is Jewish pagan, which is kind of Wiccan, and she suggested we plant a Japanese maple over him in our backyard, which we did on Halloween. But this was a strange winter for trees. Lots of rain, lots of wind, and within a month, all the leaves had fallen, and my hopes for the sapling dwindled.

A month later, the ceanothus that we had planted when we had the triplets died. That tree had been popular. Krypto and Buddyboy marked it regularly, and all summer it was visited by a very friendly swarm of bees.

Aunt Dorla, whom the boys call Uncle Doya, planted a replacement. But I worried that the dogs and the bees wouldnt recognize it, and somehow I would be responsible for Crocker-Amazon beehive colony collapse disorder.

Kevin Fisher-Paulson

Two months went by, and Krypto still had not yet marked it. In the grand scheme of things, there are a lot worse problems than a sapling without leaves or a tree without bumblebees. But the superstitious Irish in me worried that if the sapling did not survive, then I had failed Tims ghost (as if half your ashes languishing in the basement of a funeral home for a decade was not enough to ruin your afterlife).

In San Francisco, seasons are subtle. You have to look closely to see the signs. March comes in like a crab feed and goes out like a lamb.

The first sign of spring: This week the weather warmed, just a few degrees, but enough to open a window or two. I walked into the Whole Foods on Ocean Avenue to get raisins and buttermilk because March also means soda bread.

As Dylan John bagged the groceries of the woman in front of me, silver mist cascaded over the Ingleside hills, and we each smiled. Dylan said, Fog dogs. All three of us. And I knew that the vernal equinox may not have arrived, but in the city by the bay, winter was over, and it was warm enough for the city to call the fog back.

The second sign of spring: I may have been thinking about the lack of bees, but Aidan was focused on the birds and bees. His fifth-grade teacher taught puberty 101, and this was the one class all year that my attention-deficit disorder son took notes. Aidan came home all full of himself, talking about ejections and whether he was growing hair down under. He was a little jealous that Zanes voice had started cracking, so I said, Its just a phase. In 50 years, the whole sex thing will be a lot less interesting.

The third sign of spring: Aidans class made a trip to the Presidio, and instead of rain and cold, we got a walk along Lobos Creek and saw red-tailed hawks wheeling through a cerulean sky, and the Golden Gate Bridge bursting with light. I could hardly wait to get back to the outer, outer, outer Excelsior to see if spring had reached the other side of the city.

When we did get back, at each corner of the blue bungalow, ceanothus burst with fat purple buds. The California lilac is not as fragrant as its East Coast relative, but, like the swallows of Capistrano, the bees had returned, thus proving that even a bumblebee is smarter than a Pekingese.

And there in the backyard, a tiny sapling sprouted pink and red leaves. Tims ashes had either consecrated or fertilized the soil, and the cycle of death and rebirth had come all the way around the sun.

Bees return, even if the destination has changed. Fog returns like the whisper of those we have loved. And sometimes, even the most delicate of trees endures the winter.

It is then that those of us who doubt the spring are proved wrong.

Kevin Fisher-Paulsons column appears Wednesdays in Datebook. Email: datebook@sfchronicle.com
1995-11-16 04:00:00 PDT Vacaville -- A former Death Row inmate was denied parole for the tenth time yesterday in the 1974 bludgeoning murder of a San Francisco man and the brutal beating and rape of the man's wife.

Angelo Pavageau, now 46, was sentenced to death for murdering Frank Carlson, 25, by beating him with a hammer, a chopping block and a ceramic vase after tying Carlson to a chair in his home.
If Frank Carlson had died any other way, his family said they could have mourned his loss, treasured their memories of the young husband and moved on.

But when Angelo Pavageau tortured and killed the 25-year-old aspiring journalist before sadistically raping and beating Carlsons wife in their home in the Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, he plunged his victims families into a lifelong trauma that continues 43 years later.

Pavageau, now 68, was scheduled for a parole review in April, and as with the 12 previous times he had gone before the panel, Frank Carlsons family was ready for a fight.

They asked the community and lawmakers to submit letters to the parole board, and they created a website, urging action from the public, all the while preparing to offer statements to the board.

There was an unexpected twist in the case Friday, though, when the convicted killer opted to postpone the review, thereby dodging recent laws that allow the parole board to lengthen the time before Pavageaus next hearing.

The case underscores the fact that even with the passage of state victims rights laws, people affected by violent crime are often forced to face their ordeals in perpetuity.

The most frustrating thing about this process is it forces our family to relive this over and over and over again, Eric Carlson, 59, said in an emotional interview with The Chronicle.

My life has still not recovered, he said.

The attack on April 19, 1974, stands as one of San Franciscos most horrific crimes, shocking the citys most hardened homicide detectives in an era marked by serial killings, notorious murders and extreme violence.

The crime has stayed with Eric Carlson  who was 16 at the time of the killing  but so have his undimmed memories of his brother, an aspiring journalist who was a graduate of San Francisco State University.

He was a really good person, Eric Carlson tearfully recounted. He was my big brother and he always looked out for me, and I looked up to him.

After his murder conviction, Pavageau was condemned to die in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison  a sentence that was reduced to life with the possibility of parole in 1976 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the death penalty unconstitutional.

His state-appointed attorneys have argued for his release from the California Medical Facility at Vacaville, saying he has admitted to the crime, is remorseful and has been rehabilitated.

Eric Carlsons mother, Elizabeth Betty Carlson, made it part of her lifes work to guarantee that her sons killer never got out of prison, testifying at every one of Pavageaus parole hearings  including a stretch of 10 between 1980 and 1991. Before she died in 2010, Eric Carlson promised her he would carry on her fight.

In 2008, two years after Pavageau was last denied parole, state lawmakers passed the California Victims Bill of Rights Act, better known as Marsys Law.

The law allows the state parole board to extend the time between hearings to up to 15 years to cut down on the frequency with which victims families had to appear before the panel and relive a horrible ordeal that befell their loved ones. By deferring the hearing, Pavageau will have three years before hes up for parole again.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

While a hearing in April would have reopened many wounds, for the first time it could have given the Carlson family a longer period to heal.

It would be a way to move on from the recurring trauma  put it in a place and not have to open it up and deal with it so often, Eric Carlson said.

The nightmare began the night of April 19, 1974, when Pavageau broke into Frank and Annette Carlsons home on the 1300 block of Kansas Street.

Annette Carlson, 24, was asleep in an upstairs bedroom while Frank Carlson worked downstairs.

Armed with a knife, Pavageau, a postal clerk and mail truck driver who lived down the block, sneaked in through the upstairs window, startling Annette Carlson awake around midnight. Her screams brought her husband running upstairs, she testified during the trial.

The assailant forced Annette Carlson to tie her husband up with a telephone cord in the downstairs of the two-bedroom Victorian while he turned up the stereo.

As the wife watched, Pavageau smashed Frank Carlson in the head with a hammer so many times its steel claw broke. He continued his beating with a 3-inch-thick chopping block, then a bottle of pennies, and a heavy vase.

Why doesnt this bastard just die? Just die, die! Pavageau said toward the end of the savage attack, according to Annette Carlsons testimony.

As the stereo blared, Frank Carlsons head eventually wobbled limply forward in death. The coroner said the victim was so badly beaten that every inch of his skull was crushed.

Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

He not only murdered her husband right in front of her, but he took her upstairs and subjected her to three hours of rape and torture, retired San Francisco homicide Inspector Frank Falzon said in a recent interview with The Chronicle.

In his 22 years as a homicide detective, Falzon said, the attack was the most aggravated case I ever worked  and I worked some bad ones.

During his time with the Police Department, Falzon investigated the Zodiac and Zebra killings, the San Francisco City Hall slayings of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, and the Night Stalker killings by Richard Ramirez.

Now in his mid-70s, he still recalls the particulars of the Pavageau case, including exact addresses, names and the horrific details.

Falzon said that after Pavageau was through raping Annette Carlson, the killer picked up a rocking chair and began bludgeoning her with it. He tried to finish her off by cutting her wrist, leaving her to die as he poured paint thinner around the house and set it ablaze.

Annette Carlson regained consciousness as the flames grew around her and crawled naked out of the window onto the roof, where she collapsed screaming. Three neighbors climbed onto the roof to help her.

This case brings up a lot of emotion for me, Falzon said. Pieces of flesh had been pulled out of her head. The way I described it when I saw her in the hospital, her head looked like an orange with parts of the skin peeled off.

Police arrested Pavageau after tracking a ring stolen during the crime back to him. Inside the killers home down the street from the crime scene, Falzon and his partner, Jack Cleary, found more jewelry taken that night.

A jury found Pavageau guilty in August 1974, and he was sentenced to death.

When Pavageaus sentence was reduced to life with the possibility of parole  the next-most-severe punishment at the time  Betty Carlson prepared for a long fight.

My mother was an amazing person, Eric Carlson said. After this happened, she picked herself up and dusted herself off. She reinvented herself as a victims rights advocate and worked until she was 90.

Annette Carlson has since rebuilt her life and has declined interview requests over the years.

Despite the emotional pain, Eric Carlson said he wont stop fighting to keep his brothers killer in prison. Continuing the fight is a pledge he made to his mother.

I promised her on her deathbed I would do this, he said. Thats how much it means.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
A federal judge in Sacramento will hand down his sentence  which may be as severe as life in prison  to Matthew Muller on Thursday, ending a chapter in the sensational Vallejo kidnapping case that police originally dismissed as a hoax.

But whether Judge Troy Nunley gives the 39-year-old Harvard Law School graduate and former San Francisco attorney life or something more lenient, the outcome likely wont put an end to the bizarre saga.

An ongoing civil case filed by the victims against the Vallejo Police Department lingers, while other Bay Area jurisdictions ponder whether to bring charges of their own against Muller for crimes not addressed in the federal case.

As long as district attorneys are within the statute of limitations, he can be charged with other crimes. Typically, other jurisdictions will do just that, said legal analyst Steve Clark, a former Santa Clara County prosecutor who now works as a private defense attorney. If this gets overturned, or theres some irregularity, he would still have these other cases pending.

Mullers victims  Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn  are expected to speak publicly for the first time at the sentencing hearing Thursday in federal court in Sacramento. Their statements  along with statements from Mullers supporters  are among the factors Nunley will consider in deciding the admitted kidnappers fate.

Federal prosecutors have asked that Nunley sentence Muller to 40 years in prison for the March 2015 abduction of Huskins, 31, from Quinns home in Mare Island.

Muller  who spent four years in the Marine Corps in the 1990s  agreed to plead guilty in September in exchange for the sentencing recommendation from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Mullers attorney, Tom Johnson, argued in a court filing Monday that his client should get 30 years and included a letter of support from Mullers former colleagues at Harvard Law Schools Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, where Muller worked as acting director in 2008.

Seventeen attorneys at the program signed the letter to the judge in December.

We are proud of the imprint Matt made at HLS, which is at odds with his untreated bipolar disorder and his consequent behavior, the programs director, Deborah Anker, wrote. He is remembered as a man of integrity, decency and compassion, qualities we trust will be reflected in any sentence rendered.

Huskins attorney, Douglas Rappaport, warned that any sentence other than life would put the public in danger.

This mans most lethal weapon is his mind, he said. To commit this crime, all he needed was a water pistol. Even if hes released at 70, hes still capable of committing more crimes.

A presentence report by the courts probation department has recommended Muller be sentenced to life in prison.

Muller, though, could face local charges after his federal sentencing. Aaron Quinn, 31, was not named as a victim in the federal indictment, leaving the door open for the Solano County district attorneys office to bring its own charges.

On the Peninsula, meanwhile, investigators said they are looking at Muller as a suspect in at least two home invasions similar to the Vallejo case.

In one incident in Palo Alto, a masked assailant broke into a 32-year-old womans home and sexually assaulted her. The victim in the attack had attended a 2008 event Muller organized at Harvard, officials said.

On the night of the Mare Island abduction, Muller sneaked into Quinns home armed with a toy gun disguised as a firearm with a laser sight. He bound his victims, drugged Quinn and vanished with Huskins, later demanding a ransom of $8,500, officials said.

Quinn  originally thought by police to be a suspect in the case  underwent hours of rigorous interrogation by investigators after recounting the attack.

The kidnapper later sent The Chronicle a proof of life statement with a recording of Huskins voice describing the days news and personal details only she would know.

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Then, two days after vanishing, Huskins turned up safe at her fathers home in Huntington Beach (Orange County) after being repeatedly sexually assaulted and then released by her captor. Investigators, though, immediately said the abduction was bogus.

Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park called the episode an orchestrated event, demanding an apology from the victims while standing in front of a bank of local and national television cameras outside department headquarters.

Huskins and Quinn sued the city of Vallejo and its police department for defamation and constitutional rights violations over its handling of the case.

The day after Huskins release, The Chronicle began receiving frenzied letters from the purported kidnapper, saying he was part of a crew of Oceans Eleven, gentlemen criminals running an auto-theft ring on Mare Island.

Vallejo police brushed the letters off until Muller was caught following a home invasion in Dublin that mirrored aspects of the Huskins kidnapping.

Dublin police found Muller holed up at his parents South Lake Tahoe vacation home with evidence linked to the Mare Island case.

Family members of the victims said this week that they hope Muller gets at least 40 years  but preferably life  so they can begin to put the matter behind them.

Aaron and Denise dont want to ever have to think about Muller again, said Marianne Quinn, Aaron Quinns mother. But this is just one step in the process.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
When Cyndi Mitchell watched the two videos of an unarmed Dejuan Hall being chased and beaten by a Vallejo Police Department officer, she was reminded of what happened to her brother, Mario Romero.

In September 2012, Romero was shot and killed during an encounter with Vallejo police who thought his car matched one involved in a shooting about a month earlier.

The video of Hall, 23, of Vacaville struggling as an officer straddles him while striking his body with what appears to be a flashlight has refocused attention on the Vallejo Police Departments use of excessive force.

But this is really about culture, and the distrust people of color have of the Vallejo Police Department. For Mitchell, there isnt anything being revealed. Like Hall, Romero was 23  and black.

When you see something like that happen, and you know that youve complained about this sort of behavior and its been ignored, its heartbreaking to see somebody having to experience that, Mitchell, a Vallejo resident, told me.

In the footage that began circulating on Twitter on Saturday, an officer runs after Hall, who then sits on the median of Fairgrounds Drive. The officer punches Hall, who shouts I am God, in the head. As backup arrives, the officer pounds on Halls arms like he was using a mallet to tenderize meat.

As spectators record, shout and approach, the officer unholsters his weapon and points it toward unseen bystanders. He holsters the gun and returns to striking Hall.

It just goes to show that this behavior  its an escalation in behavior. This is how it starts, Mitchell said.

A heated situation involving two Vallejo officers left her brother dead.

At around 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2012, Romero was sitting in his car with Joseph Johnson in front of one of Romeros sisters homes. He loved the clunker, a white Ford Thunderbird with a drivers side door that could only be opened from the inside by rolling down the window and pulling the outside handle, according to Mitchell.

But according to a review by the Solano County district attorneys office, as two officers approached the car, Romero stepped out of the Thunderbird. One officer said he saw a gun in Romeros hand. The other said he thought he saw Romero reaching for his waistband.

Both said Romero fell back into the car after he was initially shot. Then they fired more shots  a total of 30 struck Romero, according to the coroners report.

Three copper-jacketed bullets were found in his head. Five more hit his neck. Johnson, the passenger, was hit in the pelvic area, according to the D.A.s report.

Oh, the gun officers claimed Romero had? It turned out to be a pellet gun. And get this: In the report, an officer, who handled it without gloves, said he found it lodged behind the drivers seat. If thats true, it means Romero flashed a pellet gun at police and then, as he was being repeatedly shot, got back into his car and had the presence of mind to hide the gun behind his seat.

Thats unbelievable.

According to the D.A.s report, which concluded that the killing was justified, police recovered pills later determined to be methamphetamine, and Romeros toxicology report found methamphetamine in his system. Mitchell, who said Romero was starting a job on Sept. 3, also said he didnt do drugs. She still seethes at how the case was handled.

The family wasnt allowed to see Romeros body for a month. And the department updated the media on the investigation more than the family, which eventually settled a wrongful death lawsuit with the police department for an undisclosed amount.

In 2012, the excessive force lawsuits piled up faster than debt in Vallejo, which had just emerged from bankruptcy. In that year alone, there were six deadly incidents with police.

In 2015, the Vallejo Police Department reported 79 use-of-force incidents, compared with 186 in 2014. There were no available numbers for 2016. In October, a man attempted to ambush officers at a Starbucks. He was shot three times and arrested.

This year, though, began with Angel Ramos, 21, being shot and killed by a Vallejo police officer in January as he was allegedly attacking another person with a knife.

And now the incident that occurred Friday after police received a 911 call from a gas station attendant reporting that a man was threatening her. And once again the Vallejo Police Department must respond to accusations of using excessive force.

We are aware of the attention this particular incident has gained and therefore I have ordered a full and complete investigation to be conducted, Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou said in a statement released Monday.

Mitchell doesnt have faith in what the investigation will return, because the officer who beat Hall is still on duty in Vallejo.
California has joined the states of Washington, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts and Minnesota in a new lawsuit against the Trump administrations latest travel ban.

The lawsuit, led by the state of Washington, asks a judge to stop the March 6 executive order suspending the U.S. refugee program and banning travelers from six majority-Muslim nations as unconstitutional religious discrimination.

Trumps previous, broader executive order in January sparked protests and created nationwide airport chaos. Its been on hold following a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.

Trump responded with a new executive order. In a bid to calm the legal furor, the new ban drops Iraq from the list altogether, leaves U.S. green card holders and people with current visas alone, and grants waivers for various categories of immigrants with ties to the U.S.

But California Attorney General Xavier Becerra argues that the new order, scheduled to go into effect on Thursday, is not substantially different from the first.

The Trump administration may have changed the text of the now-discredited Muslim travel ban, but they didnt change its unconstitutional intent and effect, said Becerra in a statement on Monday. It is still an attack on people based on their religion and national origin.

Becerra is right.

The list of countries targeted by the ban  Iran, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Libya  have substantial geographic, ethnic and economic differences.

Only two things currently unite them: Many citizens of these nations are attempting to flee war, famine, or serious human rights abuses, and the dominant religion in their states is Islam.

Both President Trump and his associates have also made explicit statements about their intentions to bar as many Muslims as possible from coming to the United States. These comments have been a crucial part of the legal challenges to the order.

As compelling as the moral and democratic arguments are against the travel ban, California has plenty of economic reasons to oppose it, too.

In Californias legal brief, Becerra cites disruptions for our public universities as well as the potential loss of state revenue. In 2015, visitors to California from the Middle East generated $40.8 million worth of sales tax.

California is right to oppose this executive order which is antithetical to our countrys values and endangers our states well-being.
I first met Neil Gorsuch in 1994, during my second year at Oxford University. Neil started a year before I did, but had interrupted his studies to clerk for the Supreme Court. On his return in the fall of 1994, several mutual friends declared that we, as two American lawyers working on doctoral dissertations in law, should meet. An Oxford doctorate is no small undertaking  it requires writing a 400-page scholarly manuscript, to be rigorously judged by subject-matter experts who have no vested interest in seeing a candidate succeed  or even pass. The expectations are high and the pressure is intense.

Neils friendship, encouragement and daily conversations in the law library kept me on track. We often reviewed and commented on drafts of each others papers.

As is now well known, his dissertation was on euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. Mine was on the use of legislative history in statutory interpretation. We approached our topics from contrasting ends of the political spectrum.

Yet over the course of a year in the law library, we became each others best sounding boards, and developed a friendship that has lasted more than 20 years. In that time, we have traded comments on forthcoming law review articles, news of friends and children, and even notes about the best way to grill a steak.

The Neil Gorsuch I got to know as a student was the same man of high character who stood before the nation on the evening of Jan. 31, and spoke with gratitude and humility about being nominated to a place on this nations highest court. He said, Practicing in the trial-work trenches of the law, I saw, too, that when we judges don our robes, it doesnt make us any smarter, but does serve as a reminder of whats expected of us: Impartiality and independence, collegiality and courage.

These are the words of a man who loves the law. He is deeply committed to the rule of law, and to the discipline of rigorous legal analysis. But above all, he is a fair and decent human being. He is temperate and respectful in his interactions. At Oxford, we enjoyed lively debates about our chosen dissertation topics, but always with respect and with focus on the quality of the arguments.

A man of his character in public service is a great asset to this country. Particularly now.

Since his nomination, Judge Gorsuch has been alternately pilloried, praised, and tarred with the sins of Senate Republicans who refused to grant a hearing to President Barack Obamas nominee, Judge Merrick Garland. And armies of lawyers, journalists and others are poring over Gorsuchs writings, looking for clues about how he might decide certain issues. I will leave those efforts to others.

Instead, to those who worry that Justice Gorsuch would make ideologically driven decisions, I offer his own statement at his nomination: A judge who likes every outcome he reaches is very likely a bad judge  stretching for results he prefers rather than those the law demands.

Supreme Court nomination Judge Gorsuch failed our family

This is not mere window-dressing. As someone who sat in the Oxford law library with him, day after day, both of us working to develop and refine arguments sound enough to pass an Oxford doctoral examination, I say with assurance that Neil Gorsuch has not only the commitment, but the intelligence, training and discipline to get the legal analysis right. And he has the humility and generosity to give all sides a fair and respectful hearing.

Speaking as a progressive Democrat, I encourage all sides in the Senate  and the nation  to give Judge Gorsuch a fair and respectful hearing as well.

Christian Mammen, a Berkeley resident, is an intellectual property litigator and partner with Hogan Lovells in San Francisco.
When Gov. Jerry Brown shocked California on Dec. 1 by naming Los Angeles Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra to replace newly elected Sen. Kamala Harris as the states attorney general, politicians across the state were forced to hit the reset button.

At least one candidate quickly left next years race for attorney general, and others have had to rethink their campaign plans.

Im not going to be running, said Dario Frommer, a former Los Angeles assemblyman who already had $650,000 for the campaign and had lobbied for the appointment. Its hard to run against someone who will have the words attorney general under his name on the ballot.

For more than a year, politicians had been jockeying to replace Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney who was going to be termed out of office in 2018. When it became clear that Harris was the odds-on favorite to replace retiring Democrat Barbara Boxer in the Senate, they saw a chance of getting Browns nod to serve out the remainder of Harris term.

But when Brown picked Becerra, a 24-year veteran of Congress and a House Democratic leader, he turned the 59-year-old attorney into the instant favorite in next years contest for attorney general, an office that has a history of being a steppingstone to the governors office.

The appointment certainly came up without much advance notice, Becerra said in an interview. My wife is still in D.C. because she hasnt been able to wind down as quickly as I had to.

Becerras name had never come up in the various well-publicized musings about whom Brown might select to replace Harris, mostly because few people believed Becerra, whose district includes downtown Los Angeles, part of East Los Angeles and ethnic enclaves like Chinatown, Koreatown and Little Tokyo, would give up his party leadership role in Congress.

But Democrats hailed the move, and the Legislature quickly confirmed Becerras appointment.

It was a brilliant move by Brown, said Garry South, a veteran Democratic consultant and onetime top aide to former Gov. Gray Davis. It was a good appointment.

Becerra quickly announced that he was returning to California for the long haul.

Im committed to do this work as long as the people of California will have me, he told reporters after being sworn in on Jan. 24, adding that 2018 is around the corner.

Becerras leg up in next years election is bad news for Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, who had been widely regarded as the front-runner in the contest. Termed out of office in 2018, Jones announced more than a year ago that he was running for attorney general.

Jones quickly put the best face on the new reality of the attorney general contest.

Im very excited about my prospects. Im off to a good start and continue to pick up support, Jones said in an interview. I already have $3.4 million available for the campaign, and I understand thats more than twice as much as (Harris) had at the same point in 2009.

The 55-year-old Jones is a former Sacramento councilman who spent six years in the Assembly before being elected insurance commissioner in 2010. He also worked in the Clinton administration for three years as a special assistant to Attorney General Janet Reno.

Jones declined to say whether he had sought the appointment to replace Harris or to talk about whether having Becerra as attorney general has changed his campaign plans.

My focus is first and foremost to work with other Democratic leaders to resist bad legislation coming from (President) Trump and the Congress, he said. There will be time to draw comparisons and contrasts (with other candidates) later.

A victory for Becerra in November 2018 is far from a sure thing. Appointed incumbents have a lousy track record in California, South said.

Historically, being appointed to office is not a road to success in California, he said. You may have the office, the power and the visibility, but if you havent run for statewide office before, you have to start from scratch.

In 2009, for example, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger nominated GOP state Sen. Abel Maldonado as lieutenant governor to replace Democrat John Garamendi, who had been elected to Congress. He was beaten by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom in 2010.

Schwarzenegger also appointed Republican state Sen. Bruce McPherson of Santa Cruz as secretary of state in 2005 after Democrat Kevin Shelley resigned. McPherson lost to Democrat state Sen. Debra Bowen in 2006.

Democrats also have had their problems, South noted. In 1964, Gov. Pat Brown appointed San Francisco native Pierre Salinger, former press secretary for President John Kennedy, to the U.S. Senate after Democratic Sen. Clair Engle died of a brain tumor. Salinger was beaten by George Murphy, better known as a Hollywood song-and-dance man, later that year.

While Becerra was a well-known political force in Washington, D.C., thats a long way from California, where even a veteran congressman is virtually unknown once he steps outside his own district. The only time Becerra ventured outside that comfort zone was in 2001, when he ran for mayor of Los Angeles and finished fifth in the primary.

Becerra is likely to get a campaign boost from Brown, the man who appointed him. As the states most popular Democrat, the governors anticipated endorsement would mean something. The new attorney general also will get plenty of time in the spotlight as Californias point man in likely battles with the Trump administration in such areas as immigration, climate change and environmental protection.

Good policy is good politics, Becerra said. If I do my job well in the next 18 months, I hope people will reward me with more time to do the job.

While eight people already have collected campaign cash for the attorney generals race, that lineup is guaranteed to change before the June 2018 primary. Besides Frommer, who wont run, Orange County Democrat Lou Correa won a congressional seat in November, taking him out of the contest for attorney general. Other current contenders include former East Bay Democratic state Sen. Ellen Corbett and three Republicans, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Auburn attorney Nina Salarno and South Lake Tahoe Judge Steven Bailey.

With the filing deadline for the primary a year away, theres plenty of time for additions and subtractions from that list.

I dont think anybody knows whos running until the March 2018 filing, Jones said.
A proposal to charge people who want to drive down the crooked stretch of Lombard Street got a less-than-enthusiastic response from some members of the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Supervisor Mark Farrell is pushing the idea as a way to address the gridlock of cars, sometimes extending for blocks, that line up to drive down the 500 feet of red brick road.

Slow down, two supervisors said.

I dont want to commit to agreeing to a pricing system because Im not there, Supervisor London Breed said at a meeting of the County Transportation Authority, which is composed of the 11 supervisors. I think this city should take money it already receives through tourism to develop a comprehensive plan.

Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer said she supported the proposals intent, but had deep reservations about charging people to drive the block, especially because San Francisco is already an expensive city to visit.

Having individuals pay is not going to stop the congestion, Fewer said.

Under Farrells plan, visitors would be required to make a reservation and pay a fee to drive down the crooked section of Lombard. Those without reservations would still be able to drive through but would be charged more. Farrell hasnt specified how much the ride would cost.

Farrell said his idea comes after years of study by the County Transportation Authority.

This isnt some plan cracked up in our office a few weeks ago, Farrell said. He added that charging drivers is no ones idea of an ideal solution, although it may be the most effective one to curtail the traffic.

In the end, the supervisors unanimously voted to continue to study the development of a reservation and pricing system. In other words: The proposal is still alive.

 Emily Green

Email: cityinsider@sfchronicle.com, egreen@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfcityinsider, @emilytgreen
Republicans dont just have a policy problem with their proposed health care plan; theyve got a political problem: It hurts some of the older and low-income voters who helped put Donald Trump in the White House, and helps younger voters who wanted little to do with him.

Plus, features of the American Health Care Act are going to be tough to explain the next time members of Congress return home to face voters for the break that begins in April. Like how the health bill fails to do what Trump promised: have insurance for everybody, keep Medicare intact and offer lower premiums, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office analysis.

There is good political news for Republicans up and down the ballot: They will be able to say they fulfilled their campaign promises to kill President Obamas Affordable Care Act. They can also point to the CBO forecast that their bill will reduce the deficit in 10 years and that premiums will drop in eight years.

But analysts, and a growing number of Republican politicians, doubt that will help voters forget how the proposed law would hit them in the wallet. And should this bill survive in close to its current form, that could hurt Republicans in the 2018 midterm elections.

Repeal and replace was a fabulous slogan, but not a good policy, said Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report who analyzes Congressional races. They should have said repair instead.

Now some of them are hell-bent over keeping the promise that they made instead of fixing the policy, Duffy said. If it remains as it is, it is not going to be good for Republicans in the (2018) midterms.

Or, as Berkeley pollster John Whaley said, Throwing 24 million people off health insurance (by 2026, according to the CBO analysis) sticks in peoples minds more than talking about reducing the budget in 10 years.

A few Republicans are already starting to follow the CBO numbers out the door.

On Tuesday, GOP Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tweeted, I plan to vote NO on the current #AHCA bill. As written the plan leaves too many from my #SoFla district uninsured ... As #AHCA stands, it will cut much needed help for #SoFlas poor + elderly populations. Need a plan that will do more to protect them.

Thats not what President Trump promised, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., told CNN Tuesday. Thats not what Republicans ran on.

Trumps approval rating slipped to 39 percent Monday, according to a Gallup poll, while his disapproval mark climbed to 55 percent. But he continues to get high marks (56 percent according to a Morning Consult/Politico poll of registered voters) for keeping his campaign promises.

That mark is going to take a hit if voters start seeing a gap between Trumps promises and reality on health care, although Trump wont face voter backlash directly for these transgressions any time soon. But Republicans on the 2018 ballot will.

Midterms are often a referendum on the presidents party, said Nathan Gonzales, editor of the nonpartisan Inside Elections. If voters are unhappy with President Trump or what hes done, the only way to express their frustrations is when they vote for their member of Congress.

Because health care affects every American family in some way, voters are very sensitive to any changes in their care or coverage. Just ask the Democrats, who are still in a hole after taking a beat-down in the midterm election after they passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

In 2009, shortly after Obama was elected with a Democratic majority in Congress, Gonzales counted 33 races in play for the 2010 midterms. By election day 2010, more than 100 were up for grabs  and more than 90 percent were Democratic seats, thanks in part to voter anger over the Affordable Care Act, Gonzales said.

Opinions on this can move within a years time, Gonzales said, and still make it in time for a midterm election.

And in California, that could mean Republicans like Rep. Darrell Issa, an eight-term incumbent from Vista (San Diego County) who won by only 1,621 votes in 2016, are in trouble. The early Inside Elections 2018 forecast describes Issas quest for re-election as a toss-up.

In a somewhat less precarious position are California Reps. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock (Stanislaus County); Steve Knight, R-Lancaster (Los Angeles County); and Ed Royce, R-Fullerton (Orange County), whose status Inside Elections classifies in the somewhat-less-rickety leans Republican category at this early date.

But they may be the exception, as most House members  thanks to gerrymandered districts where a safe majority of voters are either Republican or Democrat  have a little bit of cushion against a voter revolt over the health care law. Duffy said only two of the 34 seats that Democrats need to retake the House in 2018 could be considered vulnerable at this early date.

In the Senate, Republicans seeking re-election in 2018, like Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., are going to walk a fine line on the health care measure because theyre running in states that either voted for Hillary Clinton (Nevada) or preferred Trump by a smaller margin (Arizona, where the president won by four percentage points.)

Many Senate Democrats seeking another term are facing the inverse problem. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and South Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp are Democrats running in states that Trump won by double digits. Unless the polls turn hard against the new health measure, they are going to have to try to take a stand against it, but not too strident a stand for fear of alienating their states Trump supporters.

One question Duffy said cant yet be answered: Will the swing voters who backed Trump come out to vote in a midterm election where he isnt on the ballot?

Thats what Obama found out, twice, Duffy said. When he wasnt on the ballot, a lot of his voters didnt vote.

And if Trump voters dont turn for Republicans in 2018, the GOP might face the same fate as Democrats.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
There are so damn many French bistros in San Francisco.

In my neighborhood, theres Le Ptit Laurent, owned and operated by Laurent Legendre, who also recently opened Chez Marius in Noe Valley. Before that, he started Clementine in the Inner Richmond. Clementine is now Chapeau, but it still trades in home-style French cooking. Over in my editors neighborhood, the spot is Gamine. Near Forest Hill, theres a narrow corridor of a restaurant called ChouChou. Set back into the corner of two tree-lined streets in Duboce Triangle is LArdoise. For 20 years, one of the owners of LArdoise ran Le Charm in SoMa, which lives on as Cafe Mathilde under the stewardship of a former employee, Mathilde Gravel.

Thats maybe half of them.

Sheer prevalence aside, there are two reasons why I find these places remarkable. First off, the menus are all incredibly similar  the hits are always there  and I dont believe any of them really stands head and shoulders above the rest, execution-wise. But what really boggles my mind is that these places are perpetually packed with happy diners, in spite of some jarring anachronisms.

More for you All Consuming: What I love about eating in San Francisco

Lets start with the bread. We live in a great baking region, during an age of outstanding bread. I mean, say whatever you want about the state of dining around the world, but the bread is getting better. And San Francisco is the epicenter of the movements driving modern bread: fresh flour milled from whole grains, high-hydration doughs, long fermentation. Yet when the bread basket drops at a San Francisco bistro, youre almost always going to find unremarkable wedges of sweet, store-bought baguette. Ive got nothing against baguettes. I just find the practice a little lazy, and I cant help but feel that these places are phoning it in.

Then theres the truffle oil. Werent we all supposed to have wised up to this stuff? It doesnt taste or smell like truffles. Sure, at first whiff it stinks in that acceptable way, like ones own flatulence, but by the time it reaches your face, it reeks of someone elses fart. Recently, while having an otherwise pleasant dinner at LArdoise, I was saddened to catch a deep hit of 2,4-dithiapentane  thats the chemical compound employed in truffle oil to approximate the musk of real truffle  from a plate of mushrooms wrapped in puff pastry. The truth is that relatively few things need truffle, and nothing needs truffle oil.

I know  First World problems, right? While Im letting my inner food snob out, I might as well grumble for a moment about seasonality. Like a gambler frittering away the hours in a Vegas casino, the diner at a San Francisco bistro may be forgiven for losing all track of time outside. The San Francisco bistro menu is largely impervious to season: braises, casseroles, steaks and fish, and all manner of potato preparations that can be replicated year-round. Fresh vegetable service is spotty. The other night at Cafe Mathilde, my butter lettuce salad came with exactly two halves of a cherry tomato. I pushed around the leaves of the salad with my fork to see if I could uncover more, but in the end there was just the lone pair, marooned since summer.

Of course, none of this really matters to anyone but over-informed diners like me. Let me reiterate that these bistros are generally pretty mobbed, and I doubt that any of my gripes about fart oil, sad tomatoes or boring bread will have any effect on that fact.

Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle

So how are we supposed to think about these restaurants? One view is that these are simple neighborhood spots and that I should take my fussiness elsewhere. But thats not entirely fair. These bistros arent terrifically expensive, but theyre not cheap either. I dont think youre spending significantly less on dinner than if you were eating at Liholiho Yacht Club, or Rich Table, or Kin Khao. The snob wants to grab the diners by the shoulders and scream at them about all the more adventurous, au courant places they could be eating. The cynics aim their vitriol at the restaurants themselves: These bistros are selling us a cosplay fantasy of Paris that they know exists only in our imaginations.

Its perhaps instructive to note that these bistros are mostly run by French owners. And when one of them decides to retire or move on, they often pass them to another French owner. They are, at their cores, immigrant restaurants. And like so many immigrant-run businesses, they aim to please. It shows in the service, which is almost always gracious, attentive, patient and accommodating. At the very worst, you could say its insincere because who really wants to be that nice to people?

Case in point: During that same dinner with the butter lettuce salad at Mathilde, one of the owners noticed that my wife and I had brought our baby with us, and scurried over to offer a high chair. At that time, our sad-sack 3-month-old didnt yet have the muscular control to command a chair of her own, but shed already accompanied us to her fair share of restaurants. Nobody had ever offered her a place to sit. I instantly forgave the tomatoes.

Vivian Johnson/Special to The Chronicle

The food at these bistros, which I chided earlier for being repetitive, is only so because thats what we ask for. French onion soup is pad Thai. Does the French staff eat it every day? No. Do they want to serve it every day? Hell no. But its where the money is. If these bistros are selling an unrealistic fantasy, so is the sushi chef, the wok cook and the taquero. Not to mention the Michelin-starred chef.

Vivian Johnson/Special to The Chronicle

For me, these bistros are a guilty pleasure  one I indulge with some frequency.

I stick to Le Ptit Laurent because I find that a neighborhood restaurant loses some of its romance if its not in your neighborhood. We go once every couple months. I always begin with a Ricard, because it makes me feel sophisticated to pour a little water into my glass and watch the pastis turn cloudy, just like its more fiery and alcoholic forebear, absinthe. As for my dinner order, I pretend like Im not going to get a bowl of onion soup, but who am I kidding? And then its nearly always the cassoulet for me. Whats wrong with cheesy onion soup or duck confit that peels off the bone? And who can argue with crisp-fried potatoes?

These places are comfortable. I dont necessarily mean comfortable in the comfort-food sense (although that applies, too). What I mean is that youre in little danger of feeling silly or outclassed. Back at Mathilde, I overheard a woman at a nearby table say excitedly to her companion, Ive never ordered bone marrow before!  and it made me so happy. An unfortunate combination of arrogance and self-consciousness usually squelches my own excitement about trying something for the first time. I liked being in the presence of enthusiastic diners.

John Storey/Special to the Chronicle

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

I thought about other people in my own life who might still get a thrill from trying dishes theyve heard of, but never seen. My mom came to the U.S. from Taiwan in her 20s. She and my dad have done well in the States, made a nice life for their family, and watched with active interest as Ive burrowed deeper and deeper into the world of restaurants and food writing. Shes in her 70s now and shes never been to France  or Europe, for that matter  but she wants to go. I think shed like it.

Anyway, Mom and I dont often get a chance to dine together, just the two of us, but she was coming to town for a visit and I thought shed get a kick out of tasting some classic French bistro cooking. Having already visited a few too many of the aforementioned restaurants in recent weeks, I booked us a table at Monsieur Benjamin.

Monsieur Benjamin is a bistro. Youll find a lot of the same dishes on the menu for about the same price as the other bistros in San Francisco. The difference, of course, is that Monsieur Benjamin is a Corey Lee restaurant. Lee is Korean, perhaps the most respected chef in America, and the holder of three Michelin stars for his elegant and innovative restaurant Benu.

To be honest, Id long ago made my verdict about Monsieur Benjamin. Bistro cuisine is too messy for Corey Lee. Hes too exacting for his own good, too intellectual, not willing to let good enough be. I hadnt visited his bistro in a long time.

What I found was that the restaurant had settled into itself. There had been time to get a little scuff on the floors, and for a specific energy to develop. It was bustling on a Thursday night  buzzy but not hectic. The menu was largely as I remembered it from the early days. We ordered sweetbreads, which Mom said shed maybe had before in a Chinese soup, but never like this: breaded and fried crisp on the outside, tender and meaty within. We shared a thick puck of foie gras terrine, a bright but unflashy butter lettuce salad, oeufs mayonnaise and crab remoulade. I was really pleased to find my darling cassoulet on the menu, and even more pleased when it arrived in its earthenware dish, rustic as ever, a light topsoil of crunchy breadcrumbs hiding all manner of riches below.

As Mom and I ate, I considered how to talk about this place, with its classical French cuisine and Korean owner, its familiar menu and modern sensibility. It is distinct from its ilk yet cut from the same cloth.

Another bistro, another immigrant restaurant.

Chris Ying is a writer, editor and co-founder of Lucky Peach. Email: food@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @chrisyingz

Cafe Mathilde: 315 Fifth St., San Francisco. (415) 546-6128 or www.mathildesf.com. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday.

LArdoise: 151 Noe St., San Francisco. (415) 437-2600 or www.ardoisesf.com. Dinner Tuesday-Saturday.

Le Ptit Laurent: 699 Chenery St., San Francisco. (415) 334-3235 or www.leptitlaurent.net. Dinner nightly.

Monsieur Benjamin: 451 Gough St., San Francisco. (415) 403-2233 or www.monsieurbenjamin.com. Dinner nightly; lunch on weekends.
Luna Productions

When Marian Diamond was growing up in Southern California, she got her first glimpse of a real brain at Los Angeles County Hospital with her dad, a physician. She was 15. Looking back now, at age 90, Diamond, a Berkeley resident, points to that moment as the start of something profound  a curiosity, wonderment, drive.

"It just blew my mind, the fact that a cell could create an idea," Diamond said in a recent interview, reflecting on her first encounter with that sinewy purple-tinged mass.
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Two California contractors have been fined tens of thousands of dollars by state regulators after one worker was killed and another seriously injured while fighting the Soberanes Fire in 2016, the most expensive wildfire in United States history.

Californias Division of Occupational Safety and Health levied five citations totaling $20,000 in penalties against Czirban Concrete Construction, the Madera County firm that employed a man who died operating a bulldozer in July 2016.

Robert Reagan III, a 35-year-old heavy equipment operator from the Sierra Foothills town of Friant, died July 26 after his bulldozer flipped while maneuvering to dig out a line to try to stop the fire, according to the CAL/OSHA report.

Reagan died four days after the Soberanes Fire  started by an unattended, illegal campfire July 22  broke out. It went on to burn through more than 132,000 acres over the course of several months.

The head of the company, Ian Czirban, did not immediately return a request for comment.

The biggest penalty, $13,500, was for not ensuring that employees wore seat belts, which contributed to the death of Reagan, who was partially ejected from the bulldozer before he was crushed, according to the report.

The company was also penalized for not reporting the death of Reagan to the state agency, as is required by law.

Other transgressions included failing to ensure that employees had an adequate understanding of the dangers of the area in which they operated, the report found.

The second company, Industrial Defense Development of Tuolumne County, was fined a total of $6,000 for violations related to the serious injury of John Tiersma, 60, who was seriously injured helping fight the wildfire Sept. 11.

Tiersma was driving a water tender truck, a large vehicle that can carry voluminous tanks holding water or foam, on Marble Peak Trail in Big Sur when the truck rolled over and tumbled down an embankment, according to the report.

He was seriously injured in the accident and flown via helicopter to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas to be treated for multiple fractures and lacerations to both the body and the head, officials said.

The state agency found the company responsible for failing to report the injury and failing to establish a written injury and prevention plan, as well as failing to establish a heat prevention plan.

Tiersmas supervisor at the company, Scott Harvey, did not immediately return a request for comment. Harvery had not responded to CAL/OSHAs attempts to reach him, according to the agency.

Both companies can either appeal the fines or pay them, and it wasnt immediately clear what option the companies took.

Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com.Twitter: @michael_bodley
Too many diabetics in the U.S. are inadvertently getting stuck with a big bill, making it imperative that drugmakers and middlemen at the heart of the countrys complex pricing system fix the issue before regulators step in, the worlds biggest maker of insulin said.

It was never the intention that individual patients should end up paying the list price, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, who took over as chief executive officer at Novo Nordisk at the start of the year, said in an interview Tuesday. I have a big problem with that.

If drugmakers including Novo, which is based in Denmark, and pharmacy benefit managers dont address the problem, regulators will come and solve it for you, Jorgensen said.

Under the current system, pharmaceutical companies set the list prices and then typically offer secret rebates to pharmacy benefits managers and middlemen like Express Scripts Holding. That burdens some patients  particularly those with chronic diseases such as diabetes who are on high-deductible insurance plans  with significant out-of-pocket costs until their coverage kicks in.

We are committed to working with the (pharmacy benefit managers) in addressing this problem, Jorgensen said. If we dont do that as an industry, we are going to lose  big time  the trust of society.

Drug prices have been a frequent target of President Trump, who told Democrats at the White House last week that he wants to do something about the cost of medicines, according to a lawmaker at the meeting. Hes threatened to use the governments buying power to force prices down  but so far hasnt unveiled any specifics about how. Republicans have also proposed repealing and replacing the Affodable Care Act to reduce health insurance costs.

The Danish companys own rebates to intermediaries amounted to 59 percent of its gross sales in the U.S., Jorgensen said.

Novo has a partnership with Walmart to sell affordable insulin that will bring down the treatment cost to about $1 a day. And in December, the company pledged to limit any potential list-price growth in the future to no more than single-digit percentages annually, and to seek partnerships that would reduce the burden of out-of-pocket costs.

James Paton is a Bloomberg writer. Email: jpaton4@bloomberg.net
SEATTLE  Microsoft is taking the bubble wrap off its challenge to startup Slacks white-hot workplace-messaging software, officially releasing Microsoft Teams.

Businesses that use Microsofts Office 365 Web-based productivity applications saw the new Teams app appear Tuesday, the company said.

The companys would-be Slack killer, built in the last two years, enters a more crowded market than when it was introduced in a preview version a few months ago.

Google has also entered the competition, with a redesigned Hangouts chat app with Slack-like features. It unveiled the new concept at a company event last week. Facebook is also in the midst of a push to sell workplace collaboration tools.

At stake is the fast-changing realm of business communication, which, in addition to staples like email, has come to include digital messaging services, and voice and video calls, often handled over the Internet instead of using telephone infrastructure.

Research firm Gartner estimates that businesses worldwide will spend $5.1 billion on Web conferencing, collaboration and social tools in 2017.

Microsoft Teams, like Slack, allows users to set up running chat rooms with individuals or groups of colleagues, conduct conversations in expandable threads and share files.

Microsofts Office, a dominant software brand among information workers, is under attack from companies like Slack that focus on a single area of workplace tools, as well as from broad assaults by the likes of Google and Amazon.

Google is working to take advantage of its dominant position with a generation of Internet users to build a brand for its business apps, redoubling its efforts to sell the G-Suite productivity applications.

Amazon, meanwhile, is trying to expand its reach from developer tools to workplace applications, a portfolio that has come to include email, calendars and workplace communications tools.

Microsoft has tried to hold its ground by packing Office 365 with new features, some of which, like Teams, come at no extra charge.

The company says Office 365 has more than 85 million users. And, changing the measuring stick in marketing materials on Tuesday, Microsoft said more than 50,000 organizations had plugged into Teams during the services five-month preview period. That tally includes Alaska Airlines, ConocoPhillips and Expedia, Microsoft said. Bryan Goode, a marketing manager with the Office 365 group, said in an interview that the company is committed to its new product.

Microsoft developers have added about 100 features to Teams during its preview, and plan to add an equal number during the next three to four months, he said, including tighter integration with Outlook and the ability to invite people outside a company to chats.

We are not slowing down, he said.

Matt Day is a Seattle Times writer.
Dozens of elected officials in California and Nevada threw their support behind some 17,000 AT&T technicians and call center workers who have been bargaining with their employer for a new contract for nearly a year.

On Tuesday, the officials  among them San Francisco Supervisors Hillary Ronen and Aaron Peskin, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin and Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor  sent a letter to AT&Ts CEO Randall Stephenson and other company executives pledging their support for the workers fight for a fair contract, and decrying what they described as the companys failure to provide access to quality communications services, particularly in rural areas, while maintaining high levels of executive pay.

Being in the center of Silicon Valley, you wouldnt imagine that we would experience issues with landline phone service or high-speed Internet access. But I receive many complaints from our residents about the lack of quality, and in some cases, availability, of the service in Santa Clara, Gillmor said in a call with reporters Tuesday morning.

Representatives for the workers have raised concerns about what they call a concerted effort to move jobs overseas, particularly call center positions to support customer service queries. In their letter to AT&T, the officials say that the company has cut 2,500 jobs in California over the past five years.

Asked for a response to the letter, AT&T spokesman Steven Maviglio said in an email that AT&T hired nearly 3,300 people last year alone in California, of which over 2,700 were union-represented employees, and were looking to hire more union workers in California this year.

Maviglio added that the company has reached 28 labor agreements with various unions representing 123,000 employees since the beginning of 2015, including unionized landline employees in California who ratified a very similar agreement to the one were proposing with the CWA.

Were not proposing to cut anyones pay, or take away their benefits, he said.

Gillmor and Jose Gurrola, the mayor of Arvin in Kern County who was also on the press call, said they would support the workers decision to strike if they chose to do so.

Around 98 percent of the 17,000 employees working without a contract live in California, according to a spokeswoman for the Communication Workers of America, the union representing the workers.

Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa
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A shooting near California State University, East Bay in Hayward prompted a shelter-in-place order at an apartment complex that houses students Tuesday, an official said.

The universitys police department sent out an emergency alert around 5:30 p.m., said Jesse Cantley, a spokesman for the university.
Memphis Meats

At a San Francisco event last night, Memphis Meats, a San Leandro company on the forefront of a field called "cellular agriculture," showed off the first samples of duck and chicken meat that it had grown in its lab.

The company, which Uma Valeti founded in 2015, has raised $3 million in funding to develop a process for creating "clean" meat by culturing animal muscle cells. The company says that its goal isn't just to avoid killing but to reduce the environmental impact of raising animals for meat and to improve the health of meat eaters.
1 Nude photos: The top U.S. Marine says he intends to fix the problem that led to current and former Corps members sharing nude photos of female Marines online and making lewd or threatening comments about them. Angry and skeptical senators are saying the military hasnt done enough. Gen. Robert Neller, the Marine Corps commandant, tells the Senate Armed Services Committee that he will hold Marines accountable. He says changes have to be made in the Marine Corps culture, where some male Marines dont accept women in the ranks. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire says military leaders have pledged to correct sexual abuse and harassment problems before and havent done so yet.

2 Tenant dispute: A Wisconsin appeals court says a white landlord had the right to kick a tenant out of his house because he is black. Michael Haller forced Martin Jones to move out of his home in Milwaukees Bay View neighborhood in 2013 after Hallers wife said she didnt feel comfortable with an African American living in their house. Wisconsin law prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on race. But the First District Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the law doesnt apply in this case because Jones was renting a bedroom in Hallers house rather than a separate dwelling unit.
Morris Ramen is available only in house. By the time a steaming bowl went from the open kitchen to your house, the noodles would no longer be any good.
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Fremont police shot and killed a 16-year-old girl riding in a packed stolen vehicle that rammed a detectives car during a traffic stop in Hayward on Tuesday near an East Bay university, officials said.

The Antioch teenager killed by police was not immediately identified. Two other occupants in the car were taken into custody while a fourth person in the vehicle took off running from the scene.

The incident marked the third fatal police shooting in the Bay Area in five days.

The episode unfolded around 5:20 p.m. Tuesday when Fremont detectives discovered a vehicle that was reported stolen and linked to multiple armed robberies around the Bay Area in an apartment complex at 25200 Carlos Bee Blvd. near California State University, East Bay in Hayward, police said.

When officers tried to stop the vehicle at Campus and Oaks drives, and talk to the people inside, the driver rammed the police car, injuring two detectives, officials said.

The detectives opened fire into the vehicle, hitting the young woman in the passenger seat.

At least one man in the car got out and ran while a second woman and another man were taken into custody at the scene.

Paramedics took the teenager with gunshot wounds to a hospital where she died.

The shooting prompted a shelter-in-place order at an apartment complex near the university while they searched for the man who fled. He was not found.

The detectives were treated at a hospital for injuries from the crash and released.

Hayward police and the Alameda County District Attorneys Office are investigating the deadly officer-involved shooting.

The shooting comes as the third fatal police shooting in the Bay Area in less than a week. On Monday, police in Napa shot and killed a knife-wielding man in a parking lot of a busy shopping center.

Police in Santa Clara shot and killed a 24-year-old man on Friday. The mans parents had called 911 to report he was acting erratically, and police shot him dead after confronting him near his home and failing to subdue him with an electronic stun gun.

Anyone with information about the Hayward incident was asked to call police Detective Steve Riley at (510) 293-7034.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
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A federal judge in Sacramento will hand down his sentence  which may be as severe as life in prison  to Matthew Muller on Thursday, ending a chapter in the sensational Vallejo kidnapping case that police originally dismissed as a hoax.

But whether Judge Troy Nunley gives the 39-year-old Harvard Law School graduate and former San Francisco attorney life or something more lenient, the outcome likely wont put an end to the bizarre saga.

An ongoing civil case filed by the victims against the Vallejo Police Department lingers, while other Bay Area jurisdictions ponder whether to bring charges of their own against Muller for crimes not addressed in the federal case.

As long as district attorneys are within the statute of limitations, he can be charged with other crimes. Typically, other jurisdictions will do just that, said legal analyst Steve Clark, a former Santa Clara County prosecutor who now works as a private defense attorney. If this gets overturned, or theres some irregularity, he would still have these other cases pending.

Mullers victims  Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn  are expected to speak publicly for the first time at the sentencing hearing Thursday in federal court in Sacramento. Their statements  along with statements from Mullers supporters  are among the factors Nunley will consider in deciding the admitted kidnappers fate.

Federal prosecutors have asked that Nunley sentence Muller to 40 years in prison for the March 2015 abduction of Huskins, 31, from Quinns home in Mare Island.

Muller  who spent four years in the Marine Corps in the 1990s  agreed to plead guilty in September in exchange for the sentencing recommendation from the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Mullers attorney, Tom Johnson, argued in a court filing Monday that his client should get 30 years and included a letter of support from Mullers former colleagues at Harvard Law Schools Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, where Muller worked as acting director in 2008.

Seventeen attorneys at the program signed the letter to the judge in December.

We are proud of the imprint Matt made at HLS, which is at odds with his untreated bipolar disorder and his consequent behavior, the programs director, Deborah Anker, wrote. He is remembered as a man of integrity, decency and compassion, qualities we trust will be reflected in any sentence rendered.

Huskins attorney, Douglas Rappaport, warned that any sentence other than life would put the public in danger.

This mans most lethal weapon is his mind, he said. To commit this crime, all he needed was a water pistol. Even if hes released at 70, hes still capable of committing more crimes.

A presentence report by the courts probation department has recommended Muller be sentenced to life in prison.

Muller, though, could face local charges after his federal sentencing. Aaron Quinn, 31, was not named as a victim in the federal indictment, leaving the door open for the Solano County district attorneys office to bring its own charges.

On the Peninsula, meanwhile, investigators said they are looking at Muller as a suspect in at least two home invasions similar to the Vallejo case.

In one incident in Palo Alto, a masked assailant broke into a 32-year-old womans home and sexually assaulted her. The victim in the attack had attended a 2008 event Muller organized at Harvard, officials said.

On the night of the Mare Island abduction, Muller sneaked into Quinns home armed with a toy gun disguised as a firearm with a laser sight. He bound his victims, drugged Quinn and vanished with Huskins, later demanding a ransom of $8,500, officials said.

Quinn  originally thought by police to be a suspect in the case  underwent hours of rigorous interrogation by investigators after recounting the attack.

The kidnapper later sent The Chronicle a proof of life statement with a recording of Huskins voice describing the days news and personal details only she would know.

Then, two days after vanishing, Huskins turned up safe at her fathers home in Huntington Beach (Orange County) after being repeatedly sexually assaulted and then released by her captor. Investigators, though, immediately said the abduction was bogus.

Vallejo police Lt. Kenny Park called the episode an orchestrated event, demanding an apology from the victims while standing in front of a bank of local and national television cameras outside department headquarters.

Huskins and Quinn sued the city of Vallejo and its police department for defamation and constitutional rights violations over its handling of the case.

The day after Huskins release, The Chronicle began receiving frenzied letters from the purported kidnapper, saying he was part of a crew of Oceans Eleven, gentlemen criminals running an auto-theft ring on Mare Island.

Vallejo police brushed the letters off until Muller was caught following a home invasion in Dublin that mirrored aspects of the Huskins kidnapping.

Dublin police found Muller holed up at his parents South Lake Tahoe vacation home with evidence linked to the Mare Island case.

Family members of the victims said this week that they hope Muller gets at least 40 years  but preferably life  so they can begin to put the matter behind them.

Aaron and Denise dont want to ever have to think about Muller again, said Marianne Quinn, Aaron Quinns mother. But this is just one step in the process.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky
Just a few seconds after MSNBC host Rachel Maddow revealed she has a copy of one of President Donald Trump's tax returns ("seriously"), Twitter immediately started breaking out their best memes and gifs.

Since before the election, Trump has refused to release his tax returns to the public. At first, he claimed he could not release them, citing that they were being audited and as a result he could not do so. (That, actually, is not exactly true.) Then in January, he said in a news conference that Americans "don't care at all" whether or not he releases his taxes. That claim has also been widely contested, with several polls finding that Americans do indeed care about his taxes and business ties.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has delayed consideration of a request to change the state's rules on when judges should recuse themselves from a case.
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When the city of Sweetwater, Texas, hosted its inaugural rattlesnake round-up in 1958, law enforcement answered four to five calls per day about the slithery creatures, Rob McCann said.

The purpose of the event was to eradicate a portion of the rattlesnake population and lessen its threat to the town and surrounding communities.

Fast-forward 59 years, and the annual World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up  which took place over the weekend about 180 miles west of Fort Worth  pumps an estimated $8.4 million into the local economy and includes a pageant, cook-off and more, McCann said.

The killing of thousands of rattlesnakes has practically become an art.

RELATED: Texas woman battles 2 snakes with bare hands, poses for victorious photo

Between Thursday and Sunday, 8,500 pounds of rattlesnakes were killed at the event, said McCann, public relations director of the Sweetwater Jayceess, the group that organizes the round-up. Last year's event brought in a record-breaking 24,626 pounds of snakes, according to the San Angelo Standard Times.

First each snake is weighed and measured and its sex recorded and compiled into data given to Texas Parks and Wildlife, McCann said.

Then, snakes are skinned, beheaded and milked of their venom. The skin, heads, tails and rattles are preserved, while the venom is made into anti-venom and sold to pharmaceutical companies, McCann said.

RELATED: 3 snakes use 'synchronized slithering' to mate in state park footage

The meat is deep-fried and served at the festival, McCann said.

The allure of seeing thousands of rattlesnakes in one place is what makes this the town's largest annual event. This year's festival brought in about 40,000 visitors, McCann said.

"People keep coming back because it's the world's largest," McCann said. "It's a bucket list item."

Despite the fanfare, the Rattlesnake Round-Up still aims to control local rattlesnake population and educate the public about how to safely react to a rattlesnake encounter.

"If one person can be saved from getting bitten by a rattlesnake, then the event served its purpose," said McCann.

See photos from the 2017 World's Largest Rattlesnake Round-Up and past round-ups in the gallery above.

erobinson@mysa.com

Twitter: @eeelizzzabeth
A Wisconsin Dells woman was charged with three counts, including possession of methamphetamine and obstructing an officer after being arrested March 10.

Tiffany Maves King, 26, also faces charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle with a revoked license due to alcohol/controlled substance/refusal. If convicted for the first count, King could face a $10,000 fine or three years in prison and six months in prison, or both. For the obstruction charge, King may have to pay $10,000 in fines or face nine months in prison, or both. The drug paraphernalia charge carries a possible $500 fine or 30 days in jail, or both, while the operating a vehicle while revoked charge carries a possible $2,500 fine or one year in the county jail, or both.

King was stopped by a Wisconsin State trooper along Interstate 90/94 for speeding on March 10. During the traffic stop, King was allegedly trying to conceal a purse.

According to a criminal complaint, King provided false identification and appeared very nervous and evasive. She claimed the purse wasnt hers and said the reason she didnt provide her real name was because her license was suspended. She eventually told the trooper she was Tiffany King.

King was convicted of an OWI in a Jackson County case in 2014. Based on further investigation, King was on a felony bond for possession of methamphetamine when she was stopped last week.

A deputy from the Juneau County Sheriffs Office arrived with a K9 to check the vehicle and the dog detected narcotics. Two other passengers were in the vehicle, and a pipe with a strong odor of burnt marijuana was found in a juveniles backpack. The mother of the juvenile was present and said she would handle the situation with her child when they returned home.

Authorities suspected King was hiding drugs and arrested her. While she was being transported to the Juneau County Jail, she became very emotional, crying and kicking the back of the cars cage and hitting her head on a window.

While being searched at the jail, police found two small gem pack baggies and a plastic straw in Kings bra. A small crystal substance was contained in one of the packs. King denied having any drug paraphernalia on her during the arrest.

According to the report, a straw cut that way is often used to ingest crystal methamphetamine.

Based on a test by police, the crystal substance was presumed to be methamphetamine. The total weight of the drugs confiscated was less than one gram.

King is scheduled to have an initial appearance at the Juneau County Justice Center on April 5 at 9 a.m.
MEXICO CITY  A mass grave discovered in the Mexican state of Veracruz contained more than 250 human skulls, most likely the victims of criminal drug cartels, the states attorney general said Tuesday.

For many years, the drug cartels disappeared people and the authorities were complacent, Jorge Winckler, the state attorney general, said in a television interview with the Televisa network.

Veracruz, on Mexicos Gulf Coast, has been the epicenter of battles among the countrys drug gangs. The remains found at the site indicated that the victims might have been killed years ago, Winckler said.

Describing the crime-ridden state as a giant grave, Winckler said the state authorities would match DNA samples at the scene to a database from the relatives of the missing.

Winckler did not say when or by whom the pits were discovered, but the first graves in the area were found in August with the help of members of Colectivo Solecito, a group of women whose children are missing.

The federal police and state prosecutors later discovered 125 clandestine graves over eight months across a large area known as Colinas de Santa Fe, said Lucia Diaz, a spokeswoman for the collective.

On Mothers Day last year, some of the collectives members were approached at a street protest by cartel members who handed them a map indicating the locations of the graves, Diaz said.

With the new information, the collective raised money by holding bake sales and raffles to finance the searches, including paying for excavators.

Paulina Villegas is a New York Times writer.
1 Syria air strike: A U.N. investigative commission said Tuesday it believes government forces deliberately bombed a school complex in the countrys northern countryside in October, killing 21 children, in a scathing report on crimes committed over the past seven months of the Syrian war. The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria said government forces and their allies had shown a complete disregard for civilian life and international law through continued use of cluster munitions, incendiary weapons and chlorine gas as weapons of war. The commission said the Oct. 26 attack on the Haas village school complex in the rebel-held province of Idlib constituted a war crime.

2 Corruption scandal: Prosecutors announced plans on Tuesday to question former South Korea President Park Geun-hye in a corruption scandal, four days after she was removed from office in a historic court ruling. Parks presidency formally ended Friday, when the Constitutional Court approved the National Assemblys vote to impeach her in December. She was the first South Korean leader ousted under popular pressure since the countrys founding president, Syngman Rhee, fled into exile in 1960.
Downtown residents probed plans to build a boutique hotel on State Street at a neighborhood meeting Tuesday.

Dozens showed up to hear about updates from the development team for the 110-room hotel that would raze two existing buildings facing the pedestrian street.

Concerns and questions centered on the buildings materials, parking and height.

Along State Street, the hotel would be a four-story structure, rising to nine floors farther back. A six-story building at 122 State St. housing The Fountain restaurant and bar  a block from Capitol Square  and an adjacent two-story building at 118 State St. would be demolished to make room for the project.

The development team originally explored the idea of restoring the larger of the two buildings, built in 1917 as the citys original YWCA, but the historic facade was found to be too damaged, said Eric Nordeen, co-founder of lead developer Ascendant Holdings Real Estate.

City staff didnt like the idea of re-creating the buildings original design, Nordeen said.

This risk of creating something new to look old is hard to execute and can come off contrived, he said.

Several attendees were concerned that the plan provided no on-site parking. Nordeen said the hotel, to be operated by Oregon-based Provenance Hotels, would lease about 60 parking spots in the city-owned State Street Capitol Garage.

Why would the city of Madison give public parking to a private individual on a long-term basis when it affects the other businesses in the area? asked Gene Devitt, a resident of the nearby Mansion Hill neighborhood.

For others, the proposed design of terracotta, zinc plating and glass seemed out of place on State Street.

I dont think you have to replicate the historic materials, nor the historic architecture, but I think you need to pay attention to the context (of State Street), Downtown resident Bert Stitt said. This is an interloper, and Id like to see something that is a little more sensitive to the rhythm.

Ken Gowland, principal architect of New Orleans-based Metro Studio, said while the materials are modern, theyll play into the aesthetic of the original look.

While there was some criticism of the proposal, others spoke favorably of it.

Greg Frank, a Downtown business owner, said it would be a wonderful addition to State Street. Eleanor Conrad, who shares concerns about parking, said the project could bring energy to the pedestrian thoroughfare.

Madison-based Central Properties is also a partner on the project. Harold Langhammer, who runs the company, has owned the six-story building at 122 State St. for decades.

Plans call for a restaurant and bar on the ground floor. A fifth-floor rooftop deck would be connected to a small meeting room, and a ninth-floor terrace could hold another restaurant, said Provenance spokeswoman Kate Buska.

[Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the restaurant at 122 State St., which is The Fountain.]
WASHINGTON  Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will warn Chinas leaders that the United States is prepared to step up missile defenses and pressure on Chinese financial institutions if they fail to use their influence to restrain North Koreas nuclear and missile programs, according to several officials involved in planning his first mission to Asia.

China has complained vociferously about the Trump administrations recent decision to speed up the deployment of the THAAD antimissile system in South Korea, charging that it will undermine regional stability.

But the Trump administrations message is that the United States has run out of time to respond to North Koreas military advances, and that the party the Chinese need to complain to is in Pyongyang.

One senior administration official involved in the planning called it responsible to increase the defenses of the United States and its allies against growing threats from North Korea. The official acknowledged that doing so would displease Beijing, but noted that China has the option of helping constrain and pressure the North.

The official agreed to discuss the internal deliberations of Tillersons trip on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to be identified.

The tough message was shaped in a series of White House meetings before Tillersons departure for Japan on Tuesday. It also followed more proposals at both ends of the spectrum  including opening up talks with North Korea and preparing for military action against its key missile and nuclear sites  that were set aside, at least for now.

The result is that Tillerson is essentially adopting variants of the approaches that the Bush and Obama administrations took, though guided by Trumps declarations that, unlike his predecessors, he will stop the North Korean program from developing a new intercontinental missile.

Against the waves of nuclear and missile tests in the past year, and Pyongyangs declaration that it is in the final stages of preparations for the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, the White House recognizes it has little time for debate, the senior administration official said.

This is not the first time that a secretary of state has sought to play the missile defense card. Tillersons immediate predecessor in the job, John Kerry, told the Chinese that if China succeeded in constraining Pyongyangs military ambitions, the United States could limit and perhaps even withdraw some of its antimissile systems in the region.

David E. Sanger and Michael R. Gordon are New York Times writers.
Once upon a time in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jennifer Rowland and Michael Gullberg rented a space and turned it into a gallery. The 1,000-square-foot room had been the office of a termite exterminator, and it was tucked between an auto repair shop and a cabinetmakers workshop. The termite guy had recently retired, and was in that place for 30 years, says Gullberg. The chair behind his desk had worn these tracks into the tile. They gutted and replaced the ceiling, walls and floor over the summer of 2001, and opened Gallery Figueroa (named for Figueroa Street) two days after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"People were still walking around in a daze," says Rowland. "They were so grateful that they could go in and see some art. It was a one-woman show, and the work had an ethereal quality to it that allowed people to get outside of that 9/11 space." The exhibition kicked off two wild years of curating, an experience that the couple refers to as their "MBA program." They worked full-time jobs during the day and ran the gallery at night, learning how to operate a business by trial and error. At one point, they had to pay their property taxes with a credit card. "It showed us what not to do in business," says Gullberg with a chuckle. "Don't show artwork that you likeshow artwork that sells."

Gallery Figueroa closed in 2003, but one aspect of the short-lived project stuck in their heads: Rowland had maintained a little gift shop in one corner of the space, and it almost single-handedly kept the gallery afloat. Years later, after the couple's move to New Mexico in 2012, they decided to open a consignment shopthis time, with a gallery in a little room adjoining the space. "We flipped the equation," Rowland explains. They'd discovered a way to exhibit whatever art they wantedand still pay the bills. Art.i.fact opened at 930 Baca St. in November 2014, and ART.i.factory Gallery had its first show soon after.

"We didn't just want to be outsiders who moved to Santa Fe and started a business," says Gullberg. "We wanted to give back, and show artwork that has a viewpoint and resonates with us." They engaged local emerging artists to curate shows and submit to group exhibitions. Early on, popular local Instagram account @SimplySantaFeNM exhibited work by local photographers on the walls.

ART.i.factory has hosted solo or group exhibitions with local artists such as Meg Gold, Andrea Vargas-Mendoza, Patti Levey, Todd Christensen, SCUBA and many others. Rowland and Gullberg have also teamed up with neighboring Baca Street businesses to host the annual Baca Street Bash block party each July. "The International Folk Art Market, the Spanish Market and the Indian Market attract people from outside of Santa Fe," says Gullberg. "We envisioned the Baca Street Bash as a community thing, as a block party for Santa Fe."

So far, the new model has worked. "I think the community has started to understand ART.i.factory as a space that's different, that's going to take risks," says Rowland. "We're not financially beholden to the art space, which allows us to do what we want." Next up is COLOR: A Painting Exhibition Against Hate, a group show by freshman students from the Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Sarah Stolar, an adjunct painting professor at SFUAD who exhibited in one of ART.i.factory's group shows, contacted Rowland and Gullberg with an idea for a very unconventional final exam.

"I taught a class the day after the election. I was unapologetically distraught, but tried to hold it together for my students," says Stolar. "During that class, they created these portraits that were really beautiful and expressive." They talked about how art could be a catalyst for social change, and Stolar decided to scrap their final research paper in favor of a group exhibition to benefit a local charity. ART.i.factory seemed like the perfect place to do it. "A lightness came back to the classroom," Stolar says. "We took something that was very hard and very heavy, and harnessed our creativity for positive social change."

The opening of the COLOR show fell after the fall semester ended, so Stolar gave everyone in the class a final grade and trusted they'd stick around to complete the project. The students exceeded her expectations, taking on every aspect of the planning process from writing the press release to installation. Dani Sanchez, a freshman in SFUAD's BFA studio arts program, says putting together the exhibition has been a good way to harness her restless energy since the election.

"The timing does have to do with it," Sanchez says. "All of my colleagues that are in the show are between 18 and 20. This was our first election, and we're having a really hard time coping with the situation." With Stolar's help, they selected the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund as the benefactor of COLORin response to Donald Trump's mockery of a disabled reporter during the campaign season. The choice personally resonated with Sanchez, who has a learning disability.

"To me, the show is about not only spreading my emotional expression into the world, but also feeling like I can participate in what's going on in society today," says Sanchez. "Being a part of the art community is very important right now, because art speaks louder in times of struggle."

COLOR: A Painting Exhibition Against Hate

4-7 pm Saturday March 18. Free.

ART.i.factory Gallery, 930 Baca St., Ste. C, 982-5000

Santa Fe Reporter
British writer/producer/filmmaker Louis Theroux's look into the church of Scientology could have been fascinating. Even Theroux himself, as narrator, asserts that he has little interest in pigeonholing the massive religion, founded by science fiction author L Ron Hubbard, and its followers, but this winds up being a bald-faced lie. My Scientology Movie buckles under a lack of information, sensationalist baiting techniques and, frankly, some seriously boring and shoddy filmmaking.

Along with former church bigwigs, Theroux attempts to work out the mysterious inner-workings of Scientology because, he says, he's genuinely interested. Sadly, this means painfully long scenes with secondhand accounts of Scientology's shadowy leader, David Miscavige, and constant reminders, for some reason, that Tom Cruise is all about Dianetics.

As Scientology is notoriously clandestine, Theroux sets out to cast Miscavige, Cruise and other church members in "reenactments," though we never actually see the final product of filming, instead watching glimpses into the filming process that don't hack it as behind-the-scenes interesting and, further, don't give as any insight into what these people actually believe or the hoops they reportedly must jump through to enter the church's good graces. Instead, Theroux repeatedly travels to a Scientology compound outside Hemet, California, where he is accosted by church higher-ups for trespassing. This smacks of desperation or, at the very least, a filmmaker who had little to go on and chose to manufacture conflict rather than provide any actual facts.

By the time the credits roll, we've no new information of any kind and most everyone's "Yo, Scientology is nuts!" assumptions stay firmly in place. It's possible we're meant to take the film as a humor piece, but My Scientology Movie never asserts its own genre to the point it matters, and for a 99-minute film, it sure feels like a hell of a lot longer.

3

+ You were rightthis stuff is crazy

- No actual information of any kind

My Scientology Movie

Directed by John Dower

Center for Contemporary Arts, NR, 99 min.

Santa Fe Reporter
While the corporate banking industry continues its climb toward economic domination, community-based banking is looking less and less like Santa Fe these days.

Just two of the commercial institutions in the city are locally headquartered: Los Alamos National Bank and Century Bank.

As Santa Fe strives to grow its economy, too few community banks could mean too little access to startup cash or money for existing businesses to expand. The City Different is not so different in that respect. Nationwide, community banks have closed in ever-greater numbers since the start of the recession in which much of New Mexico still finds itself.

Within weeks, one of the most familiar names, First National Bank of Santa Fe, which has been around since Ulysses S Grant waved the bloody shirt and got elected president, is once again set to switch hands. El Paso-based Strategic Growth Bancorp bought the bank in 2012 and is expected to close a deal to merge with Sunflower Financial. The new company will be headquartered in Denver.

Community banking is notoriously hard to define. Is it better to define community banks by the scope of their business? By the size of their deposits? Their loans? When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation studied community banks in 2012, it declared defining them the first order of business. The FDICs study described community banks as banks that are locally owned and focus on traditional lendingbusiness loans, mortgages, depositswithin a relatively narrow geographic area. Its more or less the way your parents or grandparents understood banking.

Anson Stevens-Bollen (Anson Stevens-Bollen)

It's a bank model that gets money flowing, the feds said, and is "... particularly important to small businesses that rely on community banks for loans and other services. Small businesses, particularly small start-up companies, may be unable to satisfy the requirements of the more structured approach to underwriting that larger banks use."

Los Alamos National Bank President and CEO John Gulas tells SFR that for them, "it's about a relationship-oriented model. All the decisions on loans and banking are made here. A national or regional bank usually has a strong community presence in its home city. But when their loan officers are looking at a property [in Santa Fe], they can't know how it fits into the city. A community banker will know exactly where that property is and how it fits into the neighborhood."

Do community banks make loans national banks wouldn't? Don Padgett, president and CEO of Century Bank, answers before the question is finished: "That's an unequivocal yes."

For Padgett, whose bank is still largely owned by Santa Fe businessman Gerald Peters, if a bank is committed to staying local, the relationship banking model is more successful. The more shareholders a bank has or the more corporate its lending structure becomes, the more difficult it is to truly understand what's happening at the local level.

What to do?

Many banks like First National still consider themselves community banks. If they aren't locally owned, their managers still try to operate on the relationship-banking model.

Michelle Coons, president of First National and a lifelong New Mexico resident, emailed SFR that the bank focuses on the city's tourism and custom home market.

New Mexico-born credit unions handle an increasing amount of Santa Fe deposits and loans. Though holding an account in the nonprofit, member-owned model is far less restrictive than it used to be, most are still limited either by an employer or by a geographic area.

And there remains the possibility of a public bank chartered by the city of Santa Fe. The idea has been around for a few years, most notably as part of Mayor Javier Gonzales' campaign in 2014. The city shelled out $50,000 for a study on the proposal, which would place city deposits in a taxpayer-owned bank and initially have only the city as a client. When Santa Fe has to sell a municipal bond to pay for road repairs or improvements to a recreation center, it would save itself some interest payments and finance fees by handling the task through a public bank instead of paying a private banker to do the job.

Though the city currently has tight liquidity requirements and only stashes money in Wells Fargo and First National, local bankers weren't thrilled about the idea.

"I'm not surprised you're getting some skepticism," says Elaine Sullivan of Banking on New Mexico, an advocacy group which supports public banks. She says the idea isn't to steal business from community banks.

"In the short term, our notion about public banking is that it would not be in competition with community and credit unions ... based on the belief that community banks and credit unions are paying attention to their own communities," Sullivan says. Ultimately, supporters see a public bank as having enough money to lend to other local banks, freeing up capital for more loans and generating local economic activity.

There's unquestionably value in the community-banking model. The question is whether community banks can stick around long enough to make the loans that drive the community they serve.

Santa Fe Reporter
A thick fog is rolling in over Sunshine Week (March 12-18), the annual event when government transparency advocates raise awareness about the importance of access to public records. We are entering an age when officials at the highest levels seek to discredit critical reporting with alternative facts, fake news slurs and selective access to press conferencesall while making their own claims without providing much in the way to substantiate them.

But no matter how much the pundits claim we're entering a "post-truth" era, it is crucial we defend the idea of proof. Proof is in the bureaucratic paper trails. Proof is in the accounting ledgers, the legal memos, the audits and the police reports. Proof is in the data. When it comes to government actions, that proof is often obtained by leveraging laws like the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and state-level public records lawsexcept when government officials seek to ignore the rules to suppress evidence.

At the same time, this is also par for the course. As award-winning investigative reporter Shane Bauer recently posted on Twitter: "I've been stonewalled by the government throughout my journalistic career. I'm seriously baffled by people acting like this is brand new."



For the third year, the Electronic Frontier Foundation presents "The Foilies," our anti-awards identifying the times when access to information has been stymied or when government agencies have responded in the most absurd ways to records requests. Think of it as the Golden Raspberries but for government transparency, where the bad actors are actually going off-script to deny the public the right to understand what business is being conducted on their behalf.



To compile these awards, EFF solicited nominations from around the country and scoured through news stories and the #FOIAFriday Twitter threads to find the worst, the silliest, and the most ridiculous responses to request for public information.



The Make America Opaque Again Award

President Donald Trump

Here is the title (here is the creator)

A commitment to public transparency should start at the top.

But from the beginning of his campaign, President Trump has instead committed to opacity by refusing to release his tax returns, citing concerns about an ongoing IRS audit. Now that he's been elected, Trump's critics, ethics experts and even some allies have called on him to release his tax returns and prove that he has eliminated potential conflicts of interest and sufficiently distanced himself from the businesses in his name that stand to make more money now that he's in office. But the Trump administration has not changed its stance. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, the American public should be outraged that we now have the first sitting president since the 1970s to avoid such a baseline transparency tradition.



The Hypocrisy Award

Former Indiana governorand current Vice PresidentMike Pence

Vice President Mike Pence cared a lot about transparency and accountability in 2016, especially when it came to email. A campaign appearance couldnt go by without Pence or his running mate criticizing Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton for using a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. In fact, the Foilies honored Clinton last year for her homebrewed email approach.

But Pence seemed much less bothered by those transparency and accountability concerns when he used a private AOL email address to conduct official business as Indiana's governor. The Indianapolis Star reported in February that Pence used the account to communicate "with top advisors on topics ranging from security gates at the governor's residence to the state's response to terror attacks across the globe." That means that critical homeland security information was kept in an account likely less secure than government accounts (his account was reportedly hacked too), and Pence's communications were shielded from government records requirements.



The Frogmarch Award

Town of White Castle, Louisiana

The only thing that could've made reporter Chris Nakamoto's public records request in the small town of White Castle, Louisiana, a more absurd misadventure is if he'd brought Harold and Kumar along with him.

As chief investigator for WBRZ in Baton Rouge, Nakamoto filed records requests regarding the White Castle mayor's salary. But when he turned up with a camera crew at City Hall in March 2016 to demand missing documents, he was escorted out in handcuffs, locked in a holding cell for an hour and charged with a misdemeanor for "remaining after being forbidden." What's worse is that Nakamoto was summoned to appear before the "Mayor's Court," a judicial proceeding conducted by the very same mayor Nakamoto was investigating. Nakamoto lawyered up and the charges were dropped two months later.

"If anything, my arrest showed that if they'll do that to me, and I have the medium to broadcast and let people know what's happening to me, think about how they're treating any citizen in that town," Nakamoto says.



The Arts and Crafts Award

Public Health Agency of Canada

Hugh DAndrade (Hugh DAndrade)

Journalists are used to receiving documents covered with cross-outs and huge black boxes. But in May 2016, Associated Press reporters encountered a unique form of redaction from Public Health Agency of Canada when seeking records related to the Ebola outbreak.

As journalist Raphael Satter wrote in a letter complaining to the agency: "It appears that PHAC staff botched their attempt to redact the documents, using bits of tape and loose pieces of paper to cover information which they tried to withhold. By the time it came into my hands much of the tape had worn off and the taped pieces had been torn."

Even the wryest transparency advocates were amused when Satter wrote about the redaction art project on Twitter, but the incident did have more serious implications. At least three Sierra Leonean medical patients had their personal information exposed. Lifting up the tape also revealed how the agency redacted information that the reporters believed should've been public, such as email signatures.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada said it would investigate, but Satter says he hasn't heard anything back for 10 months.



The Whoa There, Cowboy Award

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke

Hugh DAndrade (Hugh DAndrade)

Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke rose to prominence in 2016 as one of then-candidate Donald Trumps top surrogates, prone to making inflammatory remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement, such as calling them a hate group and linking them to ISIS. But the press has also been a regular target.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel political watchdog columnist Daniel Bice filed a series of records requests with the sheriff's office, demanding everything from calendars, to details about an NRA-funded trip to Israel, to records related to a series of jail deaths. So far, Clarke has been extremely slow to release this information, while being extremely quick to smear the reporter on the sheriff's official Facebook page. Clarke frequently refers to the publication as the "Urinal Sentinel" and has diagnosed Bice with "Sheriff Clarke Derangement Syndrome."

"I deal with open records requests with local governments and police departments. I do it at the city, county, and state level," Bice says. "He's by far the worst for responding to public records."

In May 2016 Clarke published a short essay on Facebook titled "When Journalism Becomes an Obsession." Clarke claimed that after he rejected Bice's request for an interview, Bice retaliated with a series of public records requests, ignoring the fact that these requests are both routine and are often reporter's only recourse when an official refuses to answer questions.

"This lazy man's way of putting together newspaper columns uses tax-paid, government employees as pseudo-interns to help him gather information to write stories," Clarke wrote.

Memo to Clarke: Requesting and reviewing public records is tedious and time-consuming, and certainly not the way to score an easy scoop. If anything, ranting on Facebook, then issuing one-sentence news releases about those Facebook posts, are the lazy man's way of being accountable to your constituents.



The Longhand Award

Portland Commissioner Amanda Fritz

A local citizen in Portland, Oregon, filed a records request to find out everyone that City Commissioner Amanda Fritz had blocked or muted from her Twitter account. This should've been easy. However, Fritz decided to go the long way, scribbling down each and every handle on a sheet of paper. She then rescanned that list in, and sent it back to the requester. The records did show that Fritz had decided to hush accounts that were trying to affect public policy, such as @DoBetterPDX, which focuses on local efforts to help homeless people, and anonymous self-described urban activist @jegjehPDX. Here's a tip for officials who receive similar requests: All you need to do is go to your "Settings and Privacy" page, select the "Muted accounts" or "Blocked accounts" tab, and then click "export your list."



The Wrong Address Award

US Department of Justice

America Rising PAC, a conservative opposition research committee, has been filing FOIA requests on a number of issues, usually targeting Democrats. Following Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's passing, the PAC sent a FOIA to the Attorney General seeking emails referencing the death.

But America Rising never received a response acknowledging the DOJ received the request. That's because the DOJ sent it to a random federal inmate serving time on child pornography charges. The offender, however, was nice enough to forward the message to the PAC with a note railing against the "malicious incompetence" of the Obama administration.



The Redaction of Interest Award

General Services Administration

Hugh DAndrade (Hugh DAndrade)

One of the threads that reporters have tried to unravel through the Trump campaign is how the prolific businessman would separate himself from his financial interests, especially regarding his 30-year contract with the federal government to build a Trump International Hotel at the location of the federally owned Old Post Office in DC, a paper airplane's flight from the White House.

BuzzFeed filed a FOIA request with the General Services Administration for a copy of the contract. What they received was a highly redacted document that raised more questions than it answered, including what role Trump's family plays in the project.

"The American taxpayer would have no clue who was getting the lease to the building," says reporter Aram Roston, who was investigating how Trump failed to uphold promises made when he put in a proposal for the project. "You wouldn't know who owned this project."

After pushing back, BuzzFeed was able to get certain sections unredacted, including evidence that Trump's three childrenIvanka, Donald Jr. and Ericall received a 7.425-percent stake through their LLCs, seemingly without injecting any money of their own.



The Fake News Award

Santa Maria Police Department

In 2015, the Santa Maria Police Department in California joined many other agencies in using the online service Nixle to distribute public information in lieu of press releases. The agency told citizens to sign up for "trustworthy information."

Less than a year later, police broke that trust. The Santa Maria Police posted to its Nixle account a report that two individuals had been arrested and deported, which was promptly picked up the local press. Months later, court documents revealed that it had all been a lie to ostensibly help the individualswho had been targeted for murder by a rival gangescape the city.

Police were fiercely unapologetic. The agency has yet to remove the offending alert from Nixle or offer any kind of addendum, in direct violation of Nixle's terms of service, which prohibits the transmission of "fraudulent, deceptive, or misleading communications" through the service.



The Stupid Meter Award

Elster Solutions, Landis+Gyr, Ericsson

In May 2016 several smart meter companies sued transparency website MuckRock and one of its users, Phil Mocek, in a failed attempt to permanently remove documents from the website that they claimed contained trade secrets. Some of the companies initially obtained a court order requiring MuckRock to take down public records posted to the site that the City of Seattle had already released to the requester.

But in their rush to censor MuckRock and its user, the companies overlooked one small detail: the First Amendment. The Constitution plainly protected MuckRock's ability to publish public records one of its users lawfully obtained from the City of Seattle, regardless of whether they contained trade secrets. A judge quickly agreed, ruling that the initial order was unconstitutional and allowing the documents to be reposted on MuckRock. The case and several others filed against MuckRock and its user later settled or were dismissed outright. The documents continue to be hosted on MuckRock for all to see. But, uh, great job guys!



The Least Productive Beta Testing Award

Federal Bureau of Investigation

The FBI spent most of 2016 doing what might be charitably described as beta testing a proprietary online FOIA portal that went live in March. But "beta testing" is probably a misnomer because it implies that the site actually improved after its initial rollout.

The FBI's year of "beta testing" included initially proposing a requirement that requesters submit a copy of their photo ID before submitting a request via the portal and also imposed "operating hours" and limited the number of requests an individual could file per day.

Yet even after the FBI walked back from those proposals, the site appears designed to frustrate the public's ability to make the premiere federal law enforcement agency more transparent. The portal limits the types of requests that can be filed digitally to people seeking information about themselves or others. Requesters cannot use the site to request information about FBI operations or activities, otherwise known as the bread and butter of FOIA requests. Oh, and the portal's webform is capped at 3,000 characters, so brevity is very much appreciated!

Worse, now that the portal is online, the FBI has stopped accepting FOIA requests via email, meaning fax and snail mail are now supposed to be the primary (and frustratingly slow) means of sending requests to the FBI. It almost seems like the FBI is affirmatively trying to make it hard to submit FOIA requests.



The Undermining Openness Award

US Department of Justice

Documents released in 2016 in response to a FOIA lawsuit by the Freedom of the Press Foundation show that the US Department of Justice secretly lobbied Congress in 2014 to kill a FOIA reform bill that had unanimously passed the US House of Representatives 410-0.

But the secret axing of an overwhelmingly popular transparency bill wasn't even the most odious aspect of the DOJ's behavior. In talking points disclosed via the lawsuit, the DOJ strongly opposed codifying a "presumption of openness," a provision that would assume by default that every government record should be disclosed to the public unless an agency could show that its release could result in foreseeable harm.

The DOJ's argument: "The proposed amendment is unacceptably damaging to the proper administration of FOIA and of the government as a whole," which is bureaucratese for something like "What unhinged transparency nut came up with this crazy presumption of openness idea anyway?"

That would be Obama, whose FOIA guidance on his first day in office back in 2009 was the blueprint for the presumption of openness language included in the bill. Perhaps the DOJ thought it had to save Obama from himself?

The DOJ's fearmongering won out and the bill died. Two years later, Congress eventually passed a much weaker FOIA reform bill, but it did include the presumption of openness the DOJ had previously fought against. We're still waiting for the "government as a whole" to collapse.



The Outrageous Fee Award

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

When public agencies get requests for digital data, officials can usually simply submit a query straight to the relevant database. But not in Missouri apparently, where officials must use handcrafted, shade-grown database queries by public records artisans.

At least, that's the only explanation we can come up with for why the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services estimated that it would take roughly 35,000 hours and $1.5 million to respond to an exceedingly simple request for state birth and death data.

Nonprofit Reclaim the Records, whose name pretty eloquently sums up its mission, believed that a simple database query combined with copy and paste was all that was needed to fulfill its request. Missouri officials begged to differ, estimating that it would take them the equivalent of a person working around the clock for more than four years to compile the list by hand.

Although the fee estimate is not the highest the Foilies has ever seenthat honor goes to the Pentagon for its $660 million estimate in response to a MuckRock user's FOIA request last yearMissouri's estimate was outrageous. Stranger still, the agency later revised their estimated costs down to $5,000 without any real explanation. Reclaim the Records tried negotiating further with officials, but to no avail, as officials ultimately said they could not fulfill the request. Reclaim the Records has since filed a lawsuit for the data.



The Dehumanization Award

New Orleans City Marshall

Public officials often dehumanize the news media to score cheap points, but can the same ploy work when fighting public records requests? That's the issue in a very strange case between the IND, a Lafayette media outlet, and a city marshal. After the marshal lost his bid to keep records secret in the trial court, he appealed on the grounds that the IND had no right to bring the lawsuit in the first place.

The marshal, who faced fines, community service and house arrest for failing to turn over records, argues that Louisiana's public records law requires that a living, breathing human make a request, not a corporate entity such as the IND.

Make no mistake: there is no dispute that an actual human filed the request, which sought records relating to a bizarre news conference in which the marshal allegedly used his public office to make baseless allegations against a political opponent. Instead, the dispute centers on a legal formalism of whether the IND can sue on its own behalf, rather than suing under the name of the reporter. The marshal's seemingly ridiculous argument does have some basis in the text of the statute, which defines a requester as a person who is at least 18 years old.

That said, it's an incredibly cynical argument, putting the letter well over the spirit of the law in what appears to be a well-documented effort by the marshal to violate the law and block public access. We hope the learned Louisiana appellate judges see through this blatant attempt to short-circuit the public records law.



The Lethal Redaction Award

States of Texas and Arizona

Hugh DAndrade (Hugh DAndrade)

BuzzFeed reporters Chris McDaniel and Tasneem Nashrulla have been on a quest to find out where states like Texas and Arizona are obtaining drugs used in lethal injection, as some pharmaceutical suppliers have decided not to participate in the capital punishment machine. But these states are fighting to keep the names of their new suppliers secret, refusing to release anything identifying the companies in response to BuzzFeed's FOIA requests.

At the crux of the investigation is whether the states attempted to obtain the drugs illegally from India. At least one shipment is currently being detained by the FDA. The reason for transparency is obvious if one looks only at one previously botched purchase the reporters uncovered: Texas had tried to source pentobarbital from an Indian company called Provizer Pharma, run by five 20-year-olds. Indian authorities raided their offices for allegedly selling psychotropic drugs and opioids before the order could be fulfilled.



The Poor Note-taker Award

Secretary of the Massachusetts Commonwealth

Updates to Massachusetts' public records laws were set to take effect in January 2016, with Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin tasked with promulgating new regulations to clear up the vague language of the law. But Galvin didn't exactly take his duty seriously. Instead he crafted a regulation allowing his office to dodge requirements that public records appeals be handled in a timely fashion. But no regulation could take affect without public hearing. So he went through the motions and dispatched an underling to sit at a table and wait out the public commentbut didn't keep any kind of record of what was said. A close-up captured by a Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism reporter showed a pen lying on a blank pad of paper. Asked by a reporter about the lack of notes, the underling said, "I was just here to conduct this hearing. That's all I can say."



The Foilies were compiled by EFF Investigative Researcher Dave Maass, Frank Stanton Legal Fellow Aaron Mackey and Policy Analyst Kate Tummarello. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is a San Francisco-based nonprofit that defends civil liberties at the crossroads of technology and the law. Read more about EFF and how to support its work at eff.org.



Santa Fe Reporter
Santa Fe Schools Ponder Ditching Class for 'Day of Action'

After social media blew up with rumors that Santa Fe Schools would close on Wednesday to hold a rally for education funding at the Roundhouse, the district announced that wasn't truebut that it was actually considering that for Thursday. While SFPS Superintendent Veronica Garcia said the district was in crisis because of the funding, the governor's spokesman called it a political stunt.

Again?

It hasn't been two weeks since a car plowed into Jambo Cafe. Last night, the same thing happened to the Cato clothing store next door. Nobody was hurt as a woman in her 40s crashed through the plate glass windows at the front of the store.



Senate Overrides Governor's Veto

The Senate voted to erase Gov. Susana Martinez' veto of a bill that would have allowed teachers to use more than three days of sick leave a year without having it affect their job evaluation. If the House agrees, and it would need a two-thirds majority to do so, it would mark the first time in more than a decade that a governor's veto was defeated by the Legislature.



Fix That Website ... And Also Find a Way to Pay For It

After demanding that the secretary of state update New Mexico's antiquated campaign finance reportingand searchingwebsite, the Legislature's budget doesn't include any money for the estimated $1 million task. The secretary of state says she may try to find grants to help pay for more user-friendly way to check out who's giving money to politicians.

Life as an Undocumented Immigrant

What's it like to worry that a knock on the door could split your family from one another forever? Joey Peters finds out over at NM Political Report.



Ethics Group Says Proposed Ethics Commission Critically Weakened

New Mexico Ethics Watch used to support the proposed constitutional amendment to create an independent ethics commission. But the group yanked its support after a House committee gave lawmakers more control over who sits on the "independent" commission.



Senate Committee Kills Gila Oversight Bill

The measure would have more closely watched federal funds given to the Interstate Stream Commission, which has been notoriously secretive in its handling of public records. The bill required basic due diligence steps that asked the ISC to prove who would get the money, why it's needed and who would ultimately benefit from water projects that are part of the Gila diversion.



Episode IV: A New Hemp

On the hemp beat, Dan McKay reports on a compromise bill for an industrial hemp program that passed the House overwhelmingly on Tuesday. The governor has already vetoed two hemp program bills without comment. There's always hemp ... er, hope.



Thanks for reading! The Word is wondering how late in spring is too late to plant hemp seeds.



Subscribe to the Morning Word at sfreporter.com/signup.

Santa Fe Reporter
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Australia and New Zealand Banking Group and Westpac Banking Corp have entered into enforceable undertakings to change their practices after the Australian regulator found inappropriate conduct in their wholesale foreign exchange businesses, following peers National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank.

Each bank will pay A$3 million to Financial Literacy Australia under the deal with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The agreements round out action taken by ASIC against Australia's big four banks.

ASIC says it is "concerned that between Jan. 1, 2008, and June 30, 2013 both banks failed to ensure that their systems and controls were adequate to address risks relating to instances of inappropriate conduct identified by ASIC."

On several occasions in that time period, Westpac employees disclosed confidential details of pending client orders to external traders and inappropriately shared confidential information about Westpacs or another banks orders in the course of fix order management and execution, ASIC said. On at least one occasion, Westpac employees worked with external parties to share confidential information.

ANZ employees disclosed specific confidential details of pending customer orders to external third parties and "traded in a manner which was potentially inconsistent with a proper approach to market making or hedging" on a number of occasions in the five-year time period, ASIC said.

Both ANZ and Westpac will now develop programs of changes, to be assessed by an independent consultant appointed by ASIC at implementation and annually for the three years following. Senior executives will also provide an annual attestation to ASIC that their FX trading controls are sufficient.

ASIC said it was grateful to the Financial Markets Authority, along with the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the Monetary Authority of Singapore, for its help with the investigation.

The Australian regulator already has enforceable undertakings with National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, who each paid A$2.5 million to fund independent financial literacy projects in Australia.

Last week, the Commerce Commission said it had finished looking into potential collusion among New Zealand's foreign exchange traders without unearthing any evidence that would warrant enforcement.

The Wellington-based regulator launched an investigation into possible manipulation of currency markets in 2014 after a whistleblower looked to use the commission's leniency policy offering immunity to the first cartel member who comes clean, but isn't considering any further action after completing its probe.

ASIC also filed proceedings against ANZ earlier this month over the lender's involvement in setting the bank bill swap reference rate (BBSW) between March 2010 to May 2012. ANZ rejected the claim, saying it will defend the suit.

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November 4th Morning Report


Maybe it is possible for there to be too many grocery stores in Madison.

For the Union Corners development on the East Side, attracting one has been an exercise in futility, leading to a delay in the construction of a multi-use building at the corner of East Washington Avenue and Milwaukee Street.

Ted Matkom, president of Gorman & Co.'s Wisconsin market, said he has exhausted his efforts in trying to find a grocery tenant for Union Corners. A Fresh Thyme grocery store was identified in 2015 as a potential tenant but ultimately the Ohio-based company backed away from the project that was planned for 20,000 square feet on the ground floor of a $20 million five-story building with over 100 apartments and underground parking.

"That neighborhood is adequately served by a grocer, thats what the market is saying," Matkom said. "Its not like it's a food desert."

Madison is considered one of the most competitive grocery markets in the country, with options among local, regional and national brands.

The grocers near Union Corners include a 55,000-square-foot Festival Foods store in the 800 block of East Washington Avenue and a more than 70,000-square-foot Hy-Vee at 3810 E. Washington Ave. A Woodman's Market is 1.8 miles away on Milwaukee Street, a Pick'n Save is just off of Highway 30 on Shopko Drive, there's a Willy Street Co-op on Williamson Street, and Jenifer Street Market is just a few blocks away.

He has had talks with Milwaukee-based Sendik's, Kroger, the owner of Jenifer Street Market and many others, including Trader Joe's which has a store on Monroe Street.

"They just didnt think that was the right demographic for them," Matkom said. "We talked to them for a while. They just didn't think it was the right fit."

Union Corners features a $20 million, two-story, 60,000-square-foot UW Health clinic at East Washington Avenue and Sixth Street, while a $13.1 million housing development with 90 rental units and more than 22,000 square feet of commercial space is under construction and scheduled to open in July.

The site has been targeted for redevelopment for over 10 years. After a developer pulled out of a project for the property in 2007, the city acquired the 11.4-acre parcel in 2010 and launched a process to pick a new developer, choosing Gorman in late 2012.

Matkom said that while ideally he'd like to have a grocery store in the space, his financial model for the site is not dependent on grocery. The site has only 75 parking spaces earmarked for the grocery, which has added to the challenge of attracting a retailer. The property had been home to a Kohl's grocery store for years, but the store closed in 2003 after Roundy's acquired most of the Kohl's stores in the Madison area.

"We've got to figure something out," Matkom said. "We're trying to look at our options right now but we dont have a Plan B. We've talked to pretty much everybody."
Nearly 200,000 retired public employees covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System will get a bump up in their pension checks, starting May 1.

Payments from the Core Trust Fund will rise 2 percent and retirees with part of their money in the Variable Fund will get a 4 percent increase from that account, the Department of Employee Trust Funds said Tuesday.

For the average retiree receiving about $24,700 a year from the Wisconsin Retirement System as of Dec. 31, 2016, the Core Fund increase will add about $494 a year to their pension payments.

All public employees in the Wisconsin Retirement System are covered by the Core Fund, the systems main trust fund, whose holdings are diversified.

The Core Fund had a return of 8.6 percent in 2016 but its gains or losses are spread over a five-year period.

This is the fourth straight year that payments from the Core Fund will increase.

The Variable Fund, an all-stock fund with voluntary participation, had a return of 10.6 percent for 2016. Its results are not smoothed over multiple years. Last year, payments from the Variable Fund fell 5 percent.

The State of Wisconsin Investment Board manages the Wisconsin Retirement Systems trust funds.

About 75 percent of Wisconsin Retirement System benefits are paid from the investment income earned by SWIB.

The Wisconsin Retirement System trust funds have about $98 billion in assets, and they provide benefits for employees of state agencies, the University of Wisconsin System, school districts and most local governments.

The Wisconsin Retirement System is the ninth largest public pension fund in the U.S. and the 25th largest public or private pension fund in the world.

In 2016, the Wisconsin Retirement System paid nearly $4.9 billion in benefits to retired Wisconsin public employees.
Before there was The Book of Mormon or South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone produced Cannibal! The Musical, a 1993 movie that has become a cult classic.

While the Overture Center is nearly sold out for its eight May performances of "The Book of Mormon" in Overture Hall, there are still plenty of tickets left for "Cannibal! The Musical," a musical theater version of the film, playing until Sunday at Overture's smaller Capitol Theater.

And it's the U.S. premiere for "Cannibal!," which in its limited run is doing eight performances in Madison. After Madison, it goes to Nashville for three shows.

"It was Trey Parker's first film that he created and it's very B-movie style," said Michelle Nash, who plays the lead female role. "The blood and the gore is very amped up and it's campy and funny."

The musical tells the mostly-true story of miner and guide Alferd Packer, who in 1874 set out to prospect for gold in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. It was alleged, but never proven, that Packer killed and ate five of his companions after the group got lost in the wild.

"It's the story of six friends heading up to the mountains. Things kind of go sideways, but above all else, it's a comedy with a hilarious outcome and buckets of laughs," said the musical's director Christopher Bond, who added six songs to the musical that weren't in the film.

The film is one of Trey Parker's early works, from when he was fresh out of college, Bond said.

After Parker became well-known, different theater groups began asking for the rights to adapt the film into a musical, mostly at universities, he said. "And the people who owned the rights would say, 'Yeah, here's the movie script, good luck.' "

But there was never any professional adaptation because it didn't have as many songs as a full feature would need, so, in 2009, Bond started writing more.

At the time, he was directing "Evil Dead The Musical," a Canadian rock show based on the classic horror film series. In that musical, five college students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods where they turn into demons.

In 2014, "Evil Dead" got a good reception in Madison and it made Bond want to come back.

"Evil Dead" was notable for its splatter zone, where in the first five or so rows at the Capitol Theater, audience members got covered in fake blood.

While there's blood in "Cannibal! The Musical," audiences will be safe, Bond and Nash say.

"We try not to dump a bucket of blood on people, but definitely promise laughs and amusing music and an irreverent night of theater," Bond said.

He said the show has a little bit of everything: Singing, dancing, puppets, fights, and special effects. "I think the big thing is that it is not scary. Even though it's called 'Cannibal! The Musical.' It's far from it."

Nash, 26, who plays the reporter determined to tell the story of the cannibal, at the same time trying hard not to fall in love with him, said the musical, like Parker's more famous works, is not afraid to go to the most extreme places imaginable to find humor.

"It can be very crude. It just pushes that envelope," she said. "And certain songs have that pace that 'Book of Mormon' does."

While parts of "Cannibal!" are shocking, with people getting ripped apart, it's done in a B movie-style way, "so you're never actually frightened," she said.

"It's the perfect combination of a funny classic musical theater show with the added element of the blood and the gore," Nash said. "If you're a fan of anything of Trey Parker's, then you will definitely enjoy the production."

In 2015, a version of "Cannibal!" made its debut in Toronto, where a review in the Globe and Mail was less than kind. Headlined, "A not-so-sophisticated barrel of laughs," the article starts out, "Make no bones about it: Cannibal! The Musical is no The Book of Mormon."

It goes on to say that Trey Parker fans who enjoy the more sophomoric side of the oeuvre of Parker and Stone (Parker's South Park co-creator), won't be disappointed by gross-out gags about eating a dead man's buttocks.

Meanwhile, Bond promises that the musical Madison will see is new. He and his collaborators have made changes and have rebuilt the show, he said. And they plan to add cities beyond Madison and Nashville, depending on the audience response.

"Above all else, it's just a funny, hilarious night out," Bond said, "having a great time, and laughing your face off."
NEW DELHI: U.S.-based cosmetics brand Milani will enter the Indian market next month following an exclusive distribution tie-up with Belle Vous.

Milani, which will start retailing in India through an exclusive tie-up with an online retailer, is eyeing first year sales of USD 2,50,000.

"Milani is popular American drugstore brand and we will launch it in India next month through an online retailer. Later on, we will look at building offline presence. Milani brand is expecting first year sales of USD 2,50,000," Belle Vous Managing Director Divya Thukral told PTI.

Belle Vous, which also distributes Australian skin care and make-up brand Natio prodcuts in India, said the Milani's average selling price would be 1,000.

Thukral said the company is also pitching to get Milani Group's mass market Jordana brand.

The Milani group has two brands -- Jordana and Milani Cosmetics. Milani sells in over 50 countries.

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A homemade backyard sauna was damaged by a fire early Monday morning on Madison's East Side, with firefighters unsure how the fire started.

Nobody was injured in the fire reported shortly after midnight in the 1900 block of East Dayton Street, the Madison Fire Department said.

A passerby called 911 for what was initially thought to be a porch fire, but arriving firefighters found flames running from the ground to the roof of an outdoor shed.

"The owner identified it as an outdoor sauna made from reclaimed wood," said spokeswoman Cynthia Schuster.

The fire was quickly extinguished. No damage estimate was given.

"There were no signs of interior flames, so it appeared the fire remained outside the structure," Schuster said. "Police officers helped search for clues as to the fire's origin."

The sauna contains a wood-fired cast iron stove, but the owner said ashes he discarded that day would have been too cold to start a fire, since the sauna hadn't been used for several days.

"An electrical extension cord running into the sauna also appeared to be unaffected and was not believed to be the source of the fire," Schuster said.

Investigators could find no incendiary devices and there were no footprints in the new snow.
BENGALURU: Seclore announcesthat Info Security Products Guide, the industrys leading information security research and advisory guide, has named Seclores Enterprise Digital Rights Management (EDRM) solution, a Grand, Gold, Silver and Bronze winner of the 2017 Global Excellence Awards. The various honors Seclore received are:

Grand Trophy Winner

Security Products and Solutions for Insurance  Gold

Security Products and Solutions for Manufacturing  Silver

Security Products and Solutions for Enterprise (Large)  Bronze

Security Products and Solutions for Enterprise (Medium)  Bronze

Security Products and Solutions for Finance and Banking  Bronze

The security industry celebrated its 13th Annual 2017 Global Excellence Awards in San Francisco by honoring excellence in every facet of the industry including products, people behind the successes and best companies where more than 40 judges from a broad spectrum of industry voices from around the world participated. Winners were announced during the awards dinner and presentation on February 13, 2017 in San Francisco attended by the finalists, judges and industry peers.

Commenting on the event, Vishal Gupta, CEO, Seclore asserts, Its truly an honor for Seclore to have been selected as a winner in six categories for the 13th Annual Info Security PGs Global Excellence Awards, said Vishal Gupta, CEO of Seclore. Being recognized as one of the best data-centric solutions on the market is a true testament to what our team does day in and day out. We are tremendously thrilled to be seen as a leading cybersecurity company.

Headquartered in California, Seclore was founded by Vishal Gupta and AbhijitTannu in 2010.Proffering solutions in the area of Information Rights Management (IRM), Seclore is keen on enhancing the security of several DLP, ECM, DMS, ERP, EFSS, VDR, CASB, and Mail/Messaging solutions. For its outstanding services, the entity has been honored by Gartner as a 'Cool Vendor' and by Deloitte as one of the '50 Fastest Growing Technology Companies'.

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SEATTLE: President Donald Trump's revised travel ban is "substantially different" from the original and a judge shouldn't apply a previous restraining order to the new version, federal lawyers said in a court filing.



Justice Department lawyers filed the documents in US District Court in Seattle, two days before the executive order is set to go into effect.



Washington and several other states are trying to block the revised ban that affects six mostly Muslim nations, saying it's unconstitutional.



Government lawyers say the new version removed provisions that "purportedly drew religious distinctions - erasing any doubt that national security, not religion, is the focus."



They made their filings with Judge James Robart, who blocked the original ban last month. Washington state wants him to apply that decision to the new order.



Trump's revised ban applies to Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the US refugee program.



Unlike the original order, it says people with visas won't be affected and removes language that would have given priority to religious minorities for entry to the US Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined in his lawsuit by heavily Democratic California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon, said the revised ban is still flawed and harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based



Microsoft and Amazon that rely on foreign workers. Lawyers for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities filed documents Tuesday with the court supporting Washington state's lawsuit.



A hearing in a separate lawsuit by Hawaii is scheduled for Wednesday.

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GENEVA: Tata Motors is undertaking a "clean up" of its passenger vehicles product portfolio as part of transition to meet new regulations and achieve profitable growth that could bring an end to the Nano.

The company is focusing on hatchback Tiago and upcoming compact sedan Tigor to act as bridge during its ongoing transition from the past to the future to drive volumes and improve bottomline of its passenger vehicles (PV) unit till it launches new products under new platforms by 2018.

"The old world is any way going to be changed, not because of Tata Motors but because of changes in regulatory environment. It may be emission requirements in 2020 or even earlier changes, as far as safety requirements (2017) are concerned," Tata MotorsManaging Director and CEO Guenter Butschek told PTI here at the Geneva Motor Show.

He was responding to a query on how Tata Motors saw the future of its entry level small car Nano, the dream project of Tata Group chairman emeritus Ratan Tata.

From October this year, India will adopt stringent norms for frontal and side crash tests that would require vehicles to be equipped with safety airbags. In 2020 the country will implement the BS-VI emission norms.

"Some products will actually get naturally to the end of their lifecycle. So there is already a clean up going on in this regard. We have launched intensive activities in order to get the cost down on all the products that are currently in operations," Butschek added.

When asked when will the company call time on the Nano, he declined a specific answer but said: "At one point of time, each and every car gets naturally to the end of its lifecycle.

"We have already well laid out PV strategy. We will make the calls on the execution of the bits and pieces of the strategy at the right time... Each and every decision has its time."

The company's focus during the transition is to have models Tiago and Tigor to drive volumes and profitable growth so that it is in a better position financially to invest on its future products.

"The key focus in on Tiago and Tigor because these are our volume products," he said, adding cost saving, engineering changes and improvement of productivity on these models could successfully boost bottomline during the transition.

"There is a period in-between, which we have to overcome, where even if turn individual products into a positive one, it is certainly not good enough in the first instance to acually get me my overall funding requirements into the future," Butschek said.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Along with the rich, age-old history of Italy comes everything from classic art and architecture to traditional furniture, lavish cars -- and yes, fine fashion.

One of those traditions lies within refined clothing design and expert tailoring. An Italian designer/tailor is a gifted artisan who expertly crafts and cuts fabric for suiting.

Staten Islanders are fortunate to have reaped the rewards of that European craftsmanship at Manor Tailoring, the longtime Castleton Corners shop.

When we visited owners Nello (Sebastian) Agozzino and Camillo (Carmine) Andriuilli recently, they told us they would have to vacate the premises at 432 Manor Rd., as the 11,757-square-feet space was being sold by the Robert DeFalco Real Estate.

Good news: The building's new owner has had a change of heart -- and offered the duo a three-year lease extension.

"I got to know the owners. The two gentlemen who own the business are so worried about keeping the business," said Sunnie, who preferred not to give her last name for publication. "They told me they have to get out -- but I thought I would take care of them and let them stay."

Sunnie said the new lease will be signed at the the end of April.

MORE ABOUT THE MEN OF THE MANOR

Nello, who honed his craft in his native Cerami, Italy, immigrated to America and settled in West Brighton when he was 18. He entered the U.S. Army at 22 and was stationed in Alaska. When he returned, he worked for a custom tailor in Manhattan before coming to Manor Tailoring.

Camillo, who's been at the tailor shop for 50 years, was born in Monte Ciaso, Calabria, Italy, where he also was taught the art of expert tailoring. His dad also was a tailor.

Both men worked for Joseph Guido, the original owner of the business and building -- along with his wife, Nancy.

Years passed, and in 1989, Camillo and Nello took over the business. Sadly, Guido passed in 2001 and his wife passed a little more than two years ago.

Nello and Camillo work six days a week tailoring and attending to the dry cleaning aspects of the business. Shirts are laundered and ironed by hand and placed on hangers to dry without employing the use of a clothes dryer.

The men pride themselves on never missing a day's work.

Camillo remembers when he used to ride his bike to the business when he was going to the Fashion Industries High School in Manhattan -- three miles each way.

"It's been more than a job. It's been a way of life," he said.

When tailor shop customers heard the shop was closing, they were saddened. So much so we hear they went home, prayed and lit a candle.

Looks like someone up there listened.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Today's archive page is from July 27, 1969.

The program addresses what is described as "contemporary morality".

This includes visits from a representative of the Police Department, a spokesman from Alcoholics Anonymous, and the chairman of the criminal division of the FBI.

Religion is also discussed in relation to marriage, abortions, divorce and adolescent education.
Speed zone.jpg

Goethals Road North and Jules Drive near the Staten Island School of Civic Leadership in Graniteville, the location of a speed camera. (Advance file photo)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Since the city Department of Transportation hasn't been sending out complete paperwork with $50 speed camera tickets, the millions in fines it has collected should be given back and the program should be suspended until the DOT is in compliance with state law, Councilman Steven Matteo said.

Matteo (R-Mid-Island) penned a letter to DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and Department of Finance (DOF) Commissioner Jacques Jiha stating that state law requires the speeding tickets from city cameras in school zones be accompanied by a technician's certificate that verifies the photos associated with the violation.

The "notice of liability" i.e. the ticket, is required by New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law 1180-b. to be accompanied by a "certificate charging the liability."

The state statute doesn't define the certificate, and the DOT recently said it's essentially the body of the notice of liability.

Also required by the law is a technician's certificate, which affirms a DOT employee has checked the images and confirmed they're accurate.

But the statute doesn't require it to be mailed with the ticket, instead, the DOT says it makes the certificates "available upon request."

Asked how one would request a technician's certificate, a DOT spokesperson said they should file a Freedom of Information request.

But Staten Islander Christopher Altieri filed Freedom of Information requests for the technician's certificates months ago and is still waiting for a response, long after his hearings.

He successfully fought two tickets and has argued that without a definition in the statute, the certificate of liability and the technician's certificate appear to be one and the same. If that's the case, the DOT not sending out technician's certificates is in violation of the law.

The DOT recently clarified to the Advance that the agency believes them to be separate and apart -- the first must be sent with the ticket, the second isn't required to be included.

Matteo's March 8 letter decries the missing technician's certificates.

"This certification is key to the legitimacy of the violation alleged since the cameras themselves are incapable of ascertaining the actual identity of the driver at the time the picture is taken," he writes.

The DOT responded to a previous Advance request, saying, "The certificates are generated as part of the DOT employee review process and do not convey any new information pertinent to a violation of the law."

Without the certificate, the notice of liability (NOL) that DOT sends out are invalid, Matteo argued.

"I believe this calls into question every NOL issued under this program. Any fine or penalty paid in relation to a deficient NOL should be refunded immediately, and the program should be suspended until NOLs can be amended to conform with the law."

This story has been updated throughout to include more information from the DOT.
shoveling.jpg

Grymes Hill Apartment resident clearing snow by the garage before he pulls the car out from it. March 14, 2017. A man in Dongan Hills suffered a heart attack while shoveling. (Staten Island Advance/Hilton Flores) (Hilton Flores)

(Hilton Flores)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Dongan Hills man died at the hospital after suffering a shoveling-induced heart attack Tuesday afternoon, a law enforcement source said.

A spokesman for the FDNY said an individual was transported from Stobe Avenue at approximately 12:32 p.m. in cardiac arrest to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze. He did not indicate the sex of the individual.

The law enforcement source said the man, in his 40s, later passed away at the hospital, but did not have further information on the individual.

He was identified as Edward Wilkinson, 47, according to the New York Daily News.

Officials urged residents with health conditions to exercise caution when shoveling Tuesday.

Police said to be especially careful shoveling during this storm, which dumped a heavy mix of snow and ice on driveways and walkways across the borough.
If you are hunting coyotes, don't trespass.

That's the message from Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, who's fielded complaints from property owners about coyote hunters going on private property without permission.

"A Markesan landowner called me concerning a trespass issue," Podoll said. "The landowner explained coyote hunters are trespassing on his property and he would like it stopped."

If a hunter is found to be trespassing, a ticket will be issued.

Coyote hunting has become increasingly popular in Wisconsin, and there is no specific start or finish to a coyote season, meaning the hunt is continuous, open all year long.

"Citizens are reporting both seeing and hearing increased numbers of coyotes in Green Lake County," Podoll said. "In a hunter's pursuit of taking game ethically, there comes with that a legal obligation involving the rights of property owners."

Most hunter-property owner dustups can be resolved early on, if the hunter asks permission to hunt on the land in question.

"Stopping at a property, introducing yourself and establishing a good relationship with the landowner is a necessary first step in making sure you are legal and are respecting a landowner's rights," Podoll said.

A trespassing ticket costs $263.50.
Page Content

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a public health agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, has been informed that there are a number of chicken pox (varicella) cases on the island of Saba, and is hereby advising the populace to be on the alert for the aforementioned.





At this point in time there are no reported cases of chicken pox on Sint Maarten.





Chickenpox is usually a mild disease in children. But the itching can be very uncomfortable.





Chickenpox spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by touching fluid from blisters.





Susceptible persons are 80 to 90 per cent at risk of getting the disease once exposed to it. Chicken pox is a disease caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus, which causes fever and an itchy rash.





Not all infected individuals have fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears.





Symptoms can include a skin rash of blister-like lesions, covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk.





Children with chickenpox usually must miss school or child care for at least a week to avoid spreading the virus to others. Considering it is airborne use take hand cough preventive measures and disinfect/sanitize surroundings.





In most cases chicken pox is not a serious health threat but life-threatening complications can occur and include the following:





 Bacterial infection of the skin and tissues under the skin (including group A streptococcal infections)

 Dehydration (loss of body fluids) from vomiting or diarrhea

 Pneumonia (lung infection)

 Encephalitis (brain swelling). Most cases are mild, but some can be deadly.





No one can predict who will get serious complications from the disease.





Contact your family doctor in case you suspect your child to have chicken pox.




A 14-year-old Rubicon boy critically injured in a one-car crash in Dodge County on Friday has died at a Milwaukee hospital.

Cade Werner died Tuesday afternoon of injuries suffered in the crash that occurred Friday morning on Pond Road in the town of Rubicon, the Sheriff's Office said.

Werner was a passenger in a car driven by a 16-year-old boy. The driver suffered minor injuries. He has not been identified.

The two teens were going east on Pond Road when the car went onto the shoulder, spun around and overturned, with Werner being ejected from the car.

Werner was flown by Flight for Life helicopter to Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. The driver was taken to Hartford Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.
An employee at a Downtown business was rescued by Madison firefighters Tuesday after a file cabinet tipped over on top of her.

The incident happened at about 3:15 p.m. in the 300 block of East Wilson Street, the fire department said.

The unidentified woman was alone in a locked room, rearranging files in a drawer of the file cabinet, when the open top drawer of the cabinet made it top heavy and tipped over.

"She was able to catch the cabinet before it struck her, but it was still too heavy for her to push back into position," said spokeswoman Cynthia Schuster. "She slid to the floor and became trapped underneath the file cabinet."

Other employees called 911 to report the incident, and firefighters broke into the room and lifted the file cabinet off of her.

"Paramedics took her to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries," Schuster said.
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Two state superintendent candidates did not engage in election bribery by allegedly proposing that one of them drop out of the race in exchange for a six-figure, taxpayer-funded job should the other win the general election next month, the state Elections Commission ruled Tuesday.

The commission made its determination in dismissing a complaint filed in February by liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Now.

According to a letter sent to Scot Ross, the groups executive director, the commission said there was no reasonable suspicion that the alleged deal between former candidate John Humphries and current candidate Lowell Holtz violated state laws addressing election bribery.

Ross, who also has asked district attorneys in Milwaukee and Rock counties to investigate the matter, said the commissions decision points to weak election laws.

The inaction by the Wisconsin Elections Commission points to shortcomings in the law, not the lack of sleaze in the conduct of Lowell Holtz when he sat down and discussed an election bribe, Ross said in a statement Wednesday.

Holtz and Humphries competed in the Feb. 21 primary for conservative support to take on incumbent Tony Evers, who was first elected in 2009 and is backed by liberals. Holtz and Evers earned enough votes to advance to the April 4 general election.

The commissions decision comes the same week a Democratic lawmaker released a draft of a bill that would make such deals illegal.

The bill, written by Rep. Eric Genrich, D-Green Bay, would prohibit a state public official or candidate for a state public office from offering someone a job in order to persuade the person not to run for the same office, according to the draft legislation.

It would expand on current state law that prohibits public officials and candidates from receiving anything of value in exchange for taking or refraining from taking any official action on any proposed or pending matter, the bill draft said.

Subject to takeover

Genrich said one of the reasons hes proposing the bill is because his citys school district would be subject to state takeover under the alleged job offer deal proposed by Holtz.

Humphries released a document outlining the proposal just days before the February primary election. He said the two discussed the document at a restaurant in Milton on Dec. 22  before nomination papers were due.

The document indicated Holtz would receive a guaranteed three-year, $150,000 job with a personal driver at the Department of Public Instruction should Humphries win and would have authority to take over large districts with persistent gaps in academic achievement among groups of students.

Holtz later released a separate document proposing Humphries would get a DPI job with the same salary and benefits overseeing assessments and curriculum.

Holtz has said the proposal was put forward at the direction of a business leader whom he and Humphries have declined to identify.

However, Humphries has said the proposal was Holtzs alone.

Humphries, who now works as a consultant for the Dodgeville School District, said Wednesday he was glad the complaint was dismissed.

I was surprised by the original proposal from Holtz, and the fact that the complaint was dismissed supports my decision to bring it to the publics attention, he said.

Holtz said after a candidate forum held in Madison that the conversation between him and Humphries has been misrepresented as trying to buy somebody out and that he didnt believe any violation of the law had occurred.

Think of Hillary Clinton running for office, Holtz said. You think she didnt talk to anybody about being her chief of staff if she got elected? People do that all the time.

Emails scrutinized

Holtz, who retired from the Whitnall School District in 2016, has come under more scrutiny since the primary after emails were released under the states open records law to reporters and One Wisconsin Now.

The emails show he did campaign work using district email and clashed with Whitnall School Board members over giving a set of unused bleachers to his childrens private school in 2012, and a 2013 incident in which the districts food services director was arrested and later convicted of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime although Holtz did not release information to the public for at least two weeks.

At a forum Wednesday hosted by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Holtz and Evers disagreed over why the state continues to see massive gaps in average academic achievement between black students and white students.

Evers blames inadequate funding

Evers blamed the gaps on what he characterized as inadequate state funding for public schools and too many state-imposed barriers.

We have to make sure we remove barriers, Evers said. And frankly, it does boil down to money ... we have to (ensure) funding goes directly to those districts that have the kids who are struggling the most.

Holtz said low academic proficiency rates in areas of poverty continue to fester because of a state bureaucracy that bogs down teachers and a status quo mentality at DPI.

He said crime, including the riots in Milwaukees Sherman Park neighborhood following the officer-involved shooting of a black man, is a result of what he called ineffective schools in unsafe areas.

Unfortunately, too many bureaucrats refuse to free urban minority youth from the prison of these failing schools, Holtz said. While we lose generation after generation to crime or worse, Tony continues to assume he knows better than parents whats best for their kids.

Evers said Holtzs comments regarding Sherman Park were a bit of hyperbole that I think isnt fair to Milwaukee Public Schools or the teachers that work in that area.
Felony charges of voter fraud remain possible for several Dane County teenagers who allegedly voted illegally as 17-year-olds in the 2016 election, Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the state Elections Commission chairman faulted U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaign and poll workers for dozens of instances in which 17-year-olds voted throughout the state in the 2016 presidential primary election.

A commission report to lawmakers found as many as 70 17-year-olds in 29 Wisconsin counties voted illegally in the April primary.

An Elections Commission spokesman and prosecutors in two other counties said it appears at least some 17-year-olds mistakenly thought they could vote in the primary if they turned 18 by the November general election. Thats permitted in some states but not Wisconsin, where voters must be 18 or older to vote in any election.

Commission officials said social media postings that circulated during the campaign may have contributed to the confusion.

Ozanne told the Wisconsin State Journal that seven such cases from 2016 were referred to his office by municipal election clerks.

Four of the teens in those cases have agreed to deals to defer prosecution, Ozanne said.

Such deals typically include community service or similar requirements that must be completed in exchange for prosecutors foregoing criminal charges.

The three other cases remain under investigation, with felony charges or deferred prosecution among the possible outcomes, Ozanne said.

We take these cases seriously, Ozanne said. The information on the (voter registration) forms, the information that is given to all people is pretty clear.

The states voter registration form requires the voter to certify they are 18 or will be 18 at the time of the next election to be eligible to vote. Ozanne said that language makes clear it applies to primary as well as general elections.

Its pretty clear when you cast your ballot, youre participating in an election, Ozanne said.

Prosecutors in Brown and Kewaunee counties elected not to charge teens who voted illegally there.

Brown County District Attorney David Lasee told the Associated Press that nine 17-year-olds referred to his office genuinely believed they could vote and there was no intent to commit fraud.

State law says election fraud occurs when someone intentionally ... votes at any election or meeting if that person does not have the necessary elector qualifications and residence requirements.

Its a Class I felony punishable by up to a year and a half in prison and two years of extended supervision, a fine up to $10,000 or both.

Elections commission spokesman Reid Magney said 2016 was the first time he has seen this issue arise. Ozanne also said he viewed the spate of cases as unusual.

Andrea Kaminski, executive director of Wisconsins League of Women Voters chapter, told the commission during its Tuesday meeting that she was distressed to read about the 17-year-olds voting.

Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen, a Democrat, responded by telling her Sanders national campaign blurred the differences between states election laws in its messaging and the candidate has to have responsibility for those errors. He didnt elaborate.

Ozanne said he did not see any instances of campaigns misleading voters about whether 17-year-olds could vote  but added its impossible to track everything that might have circulated online or in social media.

If someone thinks just because you find it on the internet, its true, thats a whole other issue were trying to combat, Ozanne said.

Sanders campaign didnt immediately reply to an email seeking reaction to Thomsens remarks.

Last March, Sanders successfully sued Ohios top elections official in an attempt to allow 17-year-olds who would turn 18 by the general election to vote in that states primary.

Thomsen added its troubling that Wisconsin poll workers allowed the teens to vote and the commission will look at training to make sure were not encouraging 17-year-olds to commit crimes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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The ACT Greens will petition Labor to trial a pill-testing service at festivals to stop accidental overdoses, Shane Rattenbury has announced.

Through the 'Keep Canberra Safe' campaign, Mr Rattenbury will call on his colleagues in the Barr government to commit to a territory-supported pill testing trial, which would allow medical professionals to test illegal drugs like ecstasy or MDMA for dangerous substances on-site.

Revellers at Spilt Milk music festival at Commonwealth Park. The ACT Greens are now petitioning Labor to support pill-testing at Canberra festivals like this. Credit:Rohan Thomson

"The law and order approach to drug use hasn't worked, and across Australia people are getting sick, and dying as a result," Mr Rattenbury said.

"The ACT has a real opportunity as a progressive jurisdiction to lead the way in harm minimisation, and influence other states and territories to follow suit."
Canberra academic Andrew Blakers has welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of new hydro storage capacity as part of an expanded Snowy Hydro scheme.

Professor Andrew Blakers and colleagues from ANU released a research paper in February saying pumped hydro storage could be used to help build a secure and cheap grid with 100 per cent renewable energy.

Malcolm Turnbull will today reveal plans for a $2 billion project that could power up to 500,000 homes through a new network of tunnels and power stations.

It has potential to increase the Snowy scheme's 4100 megawatt capacity by as much as 50 per cent.
Tourism Australia has praised Canberra woman Carol Elvin for her efforts to present Canberra in the best light - and have her images shared by millions on its Instagram account.

Chloe Knight-Gregson, Tourism Australia's social media producer, said Carol was among the army of social media users promoting the nation with that perfect shot.

Carol Elvin wants to present Canberra in the best light possible, including with this shot of Lake Burley Griffin. Credit:Carol Elvin

"We often talk at Tourism Australia about having the largest social media team in the world, thanks to the many passionate Australians who share just amazing content with us. Carol is one of those unsung heroes, a real gem," Chloe said.

"She doesn't have any formal training as a photographer, but is passionate about Canberra and has developed a real knack for capturing the city and surrounds in ways that really resonate with our followers.
The half-brother of alleged murderer Milan Urlich is to face a trial over allegations he helped move Andrew Carville's dead body.

Accessory to murder accused Marc Urlich, 44, had contested his committal to the Supreme Court in the hopes of avoiding a trial.

Andrew Carville was last seen alive on November 4.

On February 23, he gave evidence in the ACT Magistrates Court.

In several hours of testimony, he told the court he was asleep at the Ibis Styles Canberra Eaglehawk on the night he is alleged to have helped his half-brother move Mr Carville's body.
West Australian fund manager Primewest has snapped up a warehouse in Melbourne's west paying $24 million for the property which is not yet built, or even leased.

The innovative deal  buying a speculatively built property  also includes a three-year rent support deal.

An artist's impression of the warehouse bought by Primewest.

The 22,500-square-metre warehouse is on Frasers Property Australia's 310-hectare West Park Industrial Estate in Derrimut. The property includes a 500 sq m office and 67 car spaces.

Frasers C&I general manager Anthony Maugeri said, "Construction and marketing of the building commences shortly. The deal flow in Melbourne's west has been very strong in the last 12-18 months."
One way to ensure that you're not interesting is by closing yourself off to differing opinions and viewpoints. Instead, you should actively seek out new ideas and experiences that will change the way you think and feel. Sudhir Desai advocates being a "lifelong learner". He writes: "Keep an open mind, be curious. Allow for a complex world with multiple interpretations. Learn things to deepen and broaden your perspectives." 3. Learn how to tell a good story Maybe you've amassed a ton of information and experiences - but if you can't communicate them to other people, you're sunk. That's why Marcus Geduld says you should learn how to be a storyteller: "You don't just dump whatever is on your mind into the conversation; you purposefully shape it to make it interesting.  Start thinking of your life as a gift you can give to others. Wrap it in the finest paper you can find."

Geduld says that means you need to learn how to read your audience to see how long they will be able to pay attention and tease your listeners with clues to the end of the story. Interestingly, recent research found that men who can tell a good story are also seen as more attractive by women. The study authors say that's possibly because skilled storytellers may seem better positioned to influence others or gain authority. 4. Have three good stories ready to share Knowing how to tell a story spontaneously is a handy skill - but if you're nervous about that, arm yourself with a few personal anecdotes you can use to liven up an otherwise dull interaction. Writes Devesh: "Comedians don't just talk about anything when they're onstage. They have their act rehearsed. You don't just trot into a job interview and say whatever's on your mind. Always have three good stories on hand that reliably entertain, inform, or engage."

5. Listen and show compassion A striking number of Quora users mentioned that one way to seem interesting is to be interested in others. This idea was popularised by Dale Carnegie in his 1936 bestseller How to Win Friends and Influence People. Carnegie wrote: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." Writes Quentin Hardy, a Googler and former editor for The New York Times: "Listen carefully to others, and try with some compassion to understand their motives and actions. Few of us are really good at this. Everyone becomes nearly infinite in their experience of life, if we listen to them with enough imagination. Working that out grows ourselves. Wondering if you're wrong helps, too." 6. Ask good questions

At a party, you don't need to say much about yourself for people to believe you're interesting. Instead, engage them in deep conversation about their lifestyle. "Ask thoughtful (not prying) questions, as needed, about them and their interests and priorities," says Stephanie Vardavas. "Really listen to the answers. Follow up with more thoughtful discussion and necessary questions (again, not prying). By the end of the evening they will remember you as one of the most interesting people they ever met." Don't be embarrassed to ask seemingly simple questions, either. As Evan Ratliff, a journalist who's written for publications including The New Yorker, told Fast Company: "There's typically no point in pretending you know something when you don't. As a reporter the goal is to gather information, not to impress your subjects. You'd think it would be different in business, but it's not." By asking those simple questions, you may end up impressing your new acquaintances, anyway. 7. Say what you think

Kat Li says people who don't opine on or disagree with anything can be boring. "You feel like you can't really ever have a conversation with them," she writes. "You should try to say what you really think about some things, even if other people won't like it." 8. Follow your interests Instead of learning about a ton of dull topics just for the sake of being knowledgeable, pursue areas that you actually find stimulating. That way, you'll sound animated and engaging when describing them to other people. "I don't think it's as much a matter of trying to be interesting as much as it is naturally following what you enjoy, being an avid student and collector of information that interests and excites you," writes Renee Nay.

9. Read a lot If you have the time and money to travel the world, great. But even if you don't, you can still learn about different cultures and historical periods by reading everything you can get your hands on. Books, blogs, periodicals  expose yourself to as many new stories and ideas as possible. Based on a review of the past decade of research on the psychological effects of reading fiction, Keith Oatley told The Washington Post: "People who read more fiction were better at empathy and understanding others." Chaitra Murlidhar says: "Read a lot - it opens up multiple new worlds to us."

10. Display a sense of humour Awdesh Singh suggests developing a sense of humour in your interactions with others. "Learn to see the lighter side of the life," he writes, "and develop a habit to be happy even in your failings." Bonus if you're trying to impress a date: Research suggests men who are funny are perceived by women as more attractive, possibly because they seem more intelligent. 11. Spend time with other interesting people Singh adds that the company you keep influences your own personality. "If you are in the company of boring people, disgruntled people or serious people, you are likely to become like them very soon," he says. "The same is true when you have the company of interesting people."

Consider joining a Meetup or another group of people who are motivated to pursue their interests and passions. 12. Dig deep into one of your interests You might be tempted to become a dabbler in many fields, developing a little bit of knowledge about everything. Instead, consider knowing a lot about one topic and flaunting your expertise in that area. April Fonti says she finds people interesting when they "really pursue one thing with great intensity and depth over a long period of time". "They could be very successful scientists or just quiet loners. It doesn't matter."

13. Take an improv class Comedian Bill Connolly told Fast Company that practising the art of improvisation can help improve your communication skills in daily life. One reason why is that it makes you a better listener, focusing on what the other person is saying instead of what you're going to say next. Ken Gregg says: "Even if you're shy and have no intention of ever performing publicly, comedy improv will loosen you up, help you 'think faster', re-learn how to be playful (something most adults have lost), and make you feel more comfortable making a fool of yourself in front of other people (a life skill that comes in handy frequently). It can open you up and help you become more engaged when interacting with other people." 14. Be unconventional

Evan Asano says being interesting comes down to being in some way different from everyone else. He writes: "A friend of mine after college did something no one's ever done before (at least known). He circumambulated Martha's Vineyard via its beach/shore. It only took a couple days and some camping gear. Twenty years later he still tells the story." Still, not everyone has the resources or the motivation to set off on a record-breaking camping trip right now. So think about the unusual experiences you've already had. Maybe you've lived in a foreign country; maybe you sell art projects as a side gig; maybe you grew up with 10 siblings. There's definitely something, so keep digging. 15. Embrace your weirdness "We all have quirks," writes Del Singh. "It is part of our being. Interesting people unleash their inner weirdness."

Dressing, speaking, and acting like everyone else can be kind of boring  we're not in junior high school any more. So let your freak flag fly, and do it with confidence. 16. Open up to people Danielle Lan shares a personal story, the moral of which is that no one will know how interesting you are unless you tell them: "My husband has been described as boring. He's really a very fascinating man, with all his quirks and hobbies. The problem is he never shares with his co-workers or acquaintances. "When asked 'How was your weekend?' his response is usually, 'Fine'. In fact he probably took part in a huge raid in his favourite MMO [massively multiplayer online game] before watching a new movie and finishing an interesting book. But he won't share that with just anyone.

"To be what people perceive as interesting you have to share. That also means you have to have things to share. It's a rare person who literally does absolutely nothing and has absolutely no opinion on any given topic. My advice is to open up." Indeed, research suggests that people like each other better when they each share something personal, as opposed to when only one person does. 17. Run with a different crowd Perhaps the real reason you don't feel interesting is because you're spending time with people who don't appreciate you. In that case, you should find a different community who understands how much you have to offer. Loading
A hoverboard that started sparking when it was being charged brought Madison firefighters to a North Side condo Tuesday night, with nobody injured in the incident.

The fire call came in about 8:30 p.m. to a condo in the 1900 block of Northport Drive, the department said.

The owner of the device had unplugged it by the time firefighters arrived, so no fire was started.

The hoverboard was a Powerboard brand, which was recalled in July of 2016 because the lithium-ion battery pack was overheating.

The owner said she was going to return the product.
As a housekeeper, Teremoana Tangata hid her disability from her boss to protect her job.

Since starting a new job at a major bank in Sydney five months ago, there has been no need to keep the secret.

Her new boss who looks after catering services knows all about the serious arthritis in her knees. And he tells her to rest if she gets too tired.

"If it's a tough day, they say Teri sit down and have a little break," she said.
In the closing months of 2016, I was struck by an interesting juxtaposition of unfolding architectural narratives. On a trip to the UK, I visited the main University of Manchester campus where the cladding around building sites proudly proclaimed: "1 billion 10-year Campus Masterplan" and "Delivering a world-class campus for staff, students and visitors".

Soon after, I discovered that, in Sydney, unexpected passions had been aroused by the planned demolition of the Sirius building. This is a 1979 public housing estate that embodies all the stylistic and sociopolitical tropes associated with brutalism.

The reason I think these two stories speak to each other is that universities in the UK and Australia are the custodians of buildings and infrastructure from the same era, and the same architectural and political imaginaries, as the Sirius building.

As Simon Marginson notes, the Australian post-war university consisted of "raw concrete buildings in the outer suburbs where the real estate was cheap, the population was growing, and the planners were creating a new university for a new age."
That implies Washington or London as much as Jakarta or Tokyo. Think what that would mean. It would mean a comparable familiarity, in government and society, and comparable closeness, access, and trust, and potential to influence. And in Gough's view also, capacity to look to our own interests, and capacity to say "No". Australia has never had this "comparable" relationship with China.

Gough wrote: "We seek a relationship with China based on friendship, co-operation and mutual trust, comparable with that which we have, or seek, with other major powers."

In April 1973, I went to Beijing with what's now an historic Whitlam document tucked under my arm; an eight-page letter from Gough to me as ambassador. It's what might now be called a narrative  how the relationship with China was imagined, and our goals for the long term.

Now, more than at any time in our history, we need a relationship with China "comparable with that which we have, or seek, with other major powers". Why? Because we are living in a Chinese world. But we don't have a relationship to match it.

Let me recall here a view Gough had from when we first met in 1967: we can't think clearly about China if we can't think clearly about the United States. In America now we have Donald Trump, and that is the biggest wake-up call for clear thinking about America at least since the Vietnam War years.

Trump has not only debauched the American system and practice of government, compromised America's security, and destabilised international politics. For Australia, if you didn't already think we should have a more hard-headed, more independent relationship within the alliance, Trump's ascension has laid bare the danger of our dependence, our unquestioning involvement with America's foreign contests and wars, and the delusion that our interests and America's are the same, or that the US cares about ours.

And if you didn't already question aspects of the indiscriminate claim to shared values with the US  for example, America's gun culture, religion in politics, or plutocratic government  the values Trump brings to the presidency are an affront to ours and should be called out for what they are. But Malcolm Turnbull and his ministers have simply walked past. This sullies our reputation, subverts any claim to principled, moral or ethical example in world affairs, and makes it derisory for us to pretend to bear witness to values in dealing with other countries. Like China.

No one pretends we have shared values with China. That's been a given in our relations. But a corollary of Trump's ascension is that a relationship of influence with China is more necessary, and more urgent, than it has ever been. Australia must now re-think the orientation of foreign policy, and the focus we give to China, Asia and the US.
The decision by Kate Ellis, the 39-year-old federal Labor MP for Adelaide, to retire at the next election to be with her young son came as more of a shock than most retirements for family reasons. She is a shadow minister and already a 13-year veteran of Parliament. Her explanation was convincing:

"He'll need to be in Adelaide [after starting school]. And I will need to be in Canberra if I'm the member for Adelaide, and that's a really big problem for me and for our family."

Ellis foresaw the potential wider implications of her decision. "I would hate for my legacy to be sending a message that you can't be a young woman and go into Federal Parliament because I've made this choice."

But that may well be one of her legacies. Several writers were dismayed enough to take up this cri de coeur. Stephanie Peatling made a big call: "It's not people who should have to change to make their lives fit politics as we know it. It's politics as we know it that should change."
The yellow line tracks Real Net National Disposable Income (or RNNDI)  a broad measure encompassing all the income that flows to businesses, governments and households. It jumped 6.1 per cent in 2016, reversing a decline in 2015.

It compares changes in our income as a nation over the past two years to changes in the wages workers took home.

The main reason for that big increase was a marked improvement in the prices Australia gets for its exports (especially minerals) relative to the prices we pay for imports (such as cars, electronics and so on). Economists call this the terms of trade.

The other two lines tell a different story. They track changes in workers' wages  blue is the wage price index (which measure wages growth) and red tracks changes in average weekly earnings.

They show how wages growth was anaemic last year despite the surge in national income (as measured by RNNDI). In fact, the wage price index dropped to its lowest mark since the ABS began compiling the index in the late 1990s.

So why was wage growth so weak when our income as a nation grew so strongly?

Economist Nicholas Gruen says a key reason for this divergence is the type of companies that benefited most from the surge in national income revealed by yellow line's spike upwards - the mining sector (which only employs about 2 per cent of Australia's workforce).
I don't think she could stop all this, and I don't expect her to undermine him. But she's under no obligation to prop him up.

Saturday Night Live had something to say about that. The show's most recent episode included a mock commercial in which Ivanka, played by Scarlett Johansson, hawks a new signature fragrance : Complicit. It's for "the woman who could stop all this but won't." Ivanka looks lovingly into a mirror - and sees her father staring back.

More than that, they want inoculation, so that after they've savoured his reign, they're spared the stain and can return without wound or shame to the social circles in which they long travelled, where Steve Bannon is no hero and Planned Parenthood no villain.

From the moment when he announced his candidacy at Trump Tower in June 2015, her actions have far exceeded the demands of filial loyalty. And they're not explained by some profound ideological affinity with her father, because she doesn't spout ideology - just gauzy platitudes. Check out the Wise Words section of ivankatrump.com. It's an overstuffed flea market of threadbare aphorisms ("never ever settle,""work to become, not to acquire,""keep your head up,""there is enough success for everyone") in fanciful typography and pinkish hues.

In campaigning full-force for her father, she and her brothers seemed at once to be repaying a debt - they'd profited so enormously from the Trump name - and hopping aboard a ride to greater dividends still. But she stood out, because she in particular insisted on a veneer of virtue. She alone marketed a persona of goodness.

That persona turned her into more than just a surrogate for her father, more even than a character witness. She was his alibi. He couldn't be guilty of vileness toward women because he had produced a woman as enlightened and gracious as Ivanka, who not only stood with him but spoke up for him at the Republican National Convention, assuring the world of his benevolence.

The next day her Twitter account plugged the dress she'd worn, part of the Ivanka Trump Collection. The company's website posted a montage of photos from the convention with links to the white leather satchel that was draped over her arm at one point and to the pumps she was wearing at another. And thus a daughter's love became a huckster's boon.

The children of other presidents have readily, even greedily, reaped the fruits of nepotism, but how many have done so while simultaneously suggesting that they're around to provide crucial ballast, performing an invaluable service for the American people?
Lloyd H. Conover, a chemist whose breakthrough invention of one of the most effective and widely prescribed antibiotics, tetracycline, led to a new approach to developing such drugs, has died in St. Petersburg, Florida, aged 93.

Dr. Conover started his research at Pfizer in Brooklyn in 1950, when pharmaceutical companies, spurred by the success of penicillin against battlefield infections during World War II, were racing to find new antibiotics. Most early antibiotics were naturally occurring chemicals produced by microorganisms that lived in soil or on decaying fruit; the strain of penicillin used to protect wounded soldiers came from a moldy melon.

Lloyd H. Conover developed tetracycline, which became one of the most widely used drugs of its kind.

Few scientists at the time thought it was possible to improve on antibiotics, which they viewed as a result of an evolutionary process that had equipped microorganisms with the ultimate chemical weapons to survive.

Conover, however, became intrigued with two naturally occurring antibiotics that, except for two atoms, were chemically identical. To Conover, the atoms seemed out of place. Each antibiotic had a chlorine or oxygen atom where he expected to find a hydrogen atom. Would swapping in hydrogen improve the potency of the drugs?
Louis Avery Irving was born on October 21,1950 in Rockhampton, Queensland to John (Jock) Irving, a bank teller and later a businessman, and Jill nee Rudd, whose mother's Avery family were pioneer settlers near Longreach. His parents met after the war when Jock Irving served as a naval officer during the Coral Sea battle and Jill was a university student in Brisbane. Louis, their second son, was named after his grandfather, Louis Charles Irving, a ship's commander in World War II, who also fought in World War I.

The actor Craig McLachlan nicknamed him "the little master" because he was "truly a master of his craft  he was my DOP [director of photography], my mentor and my dear dear friend" wrote McLachlan to Lou's widow Amanda Irving.

Described by his colleagues as a talented gentleman, a quiet achiever and a painter with light, Lou Irving (his film set name) was 66 years old when he died of an aggressive brain tumour.

Louis Irving behind the camera, with David Brostoff (standing) on the set of Newsfront in 1977. Credit:Mike Giddens

Louis grew up in a noisy large home in Hampton in Melbourne, one of five Irving children in an affluent friendly neighbourhood by the sea. His interest in photography began as a teenager with a Kodak box brownie and a dark room in the laundry. He asked his father Jock to drive across town to buy a second hand super 8 camera. Louis filmed his first reel on a misty morning at Brighton beach down the road from the family home and discovered the power of moving images. Thus began his lifelong commitment to the art of cinematography.

Educated at Haileybury school in Brighton where his father, uncles and brothers also attended, Louis was a self-confessed poor student whose only enthusiasm was for drawing humorous cartoons in the school's annual magazine. It was his drawing ability that won him entry to the fledgling Swinburne College of Technology's film school in the 1960s, when the Australian film industry was in its renaissance. Though it was under-resourced, Swinburne's first film school teachers, filmmakers such as Brian Robinson and Nigel Buesst, inspired Louis and his fellow students.

Irving lasted a year at Swinburne when he applied to the burgeoning film studios of Hector and Dorothy Crawford in Collins Street, Melbourne. As camera assistant to Vince Monton he worked on Matlock Police, Division 4 and another police show Bluey, which was shot on colour film on location. This was his first experience of lighting camerawork and he loved it.

In an oral history interview for the National Film and Sound Archive in 2015, he said that shooting every day meant he was forced to learn on the job. He often put his hand up for work and then had to learn how to manage with new camera lenses and formats, film stocks and demanding American actors. Although he said at the end of his career that he should have taken even more creative risks, he rose to become one of Australia's leading cinematographers.
A University of Queensland proposal to build a bridge to West End instead of making education more affordable says a lot about the pretensions of an institution that has lost its way.

The UQ Draft Master Plan calls for an investigation into the viability of two bridges, the first of which would be between West End and St Lucia, and the second between the university and Yeronga.

The plan is silent on funding. Since the Brisbane City Council doesn't want it, and the state government is focused on cross river rail, the money will likely have to come from the university.

Brisbane's former town planning czar, Peter Cumming, has estimated the cost of the bridge would exceed $100 million when land acquisition in St Lucia is included.
ACTU boss Sally McManus has refused to back down from her now-infamous comments backing workers' rights to break laws they view as unjust, saying Medicare and many working conditions had been won through "non-violent so-called illegal industrial action".

Senior Turnbull government figures have rounded on the new ACTU boss's comments, which Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne described as "anarcho-Marxist claptrap".

Mr Pyne said the comments showed Ms McManus, a former secretary of the NSW branch of the Australian Services Union, was not up to the job of leading the union movement.

"What Sally McManus has said is the kind of anarchic Marxist clap trap we used to hear from anarchists at Adelaide University in the 1980s," he told ABC radio on Thursday morning.
Wisconsins Group Insurance Board explored self-insuring state employees for two years before voting last month to pursue the opportunity.

As part of Gov. Scott Walkers ongoing effort to generate taxpayer savings through reform, the self-insurance proposal would save taxpayers at least $60 million in the state budget while maintaining the same level of benefits for state employees. Gov. Walker plans to use the savings to invest more in public education.

Self-insurance is simply a financing mechanism. In a fully-insured plan, the state and employees pay premiums to insurers. In exchange, insurance companies agree to pay medical claims. Insurance companies profit when there are fewer, less expensive claims than anticipated. In a self-insured plan, the state pays an administrator or administrators to process claims and utilize their provider networks, while the state takes on the risk of all claims.

But the size of the states pool of employees is larger than some insurance companies. The state has a strong reserve and relatively stable population, making it easier to predict costs from year to year. So in low-risk years, the state benefits financially rather than forgoing savings to an insurer.

Direct management of a self-insured plan means direct benefits for state taxpayers.

The Group Insurance Board (GIB) is responsible to both state employees and state taxpayers. This delicate balance requires GIB members to advocate for the best health insurance program for state employees and deliver those benefits in the most cost-efficient means possible.

The only way to understand the cost of self-insurance was for the state to seek bids from insurers for contracting under a self-insured structure. From the bids submitted, GIB was able to compare actual costs between the current structure and self-insurance. The data required was extensive, including specific costs from contracted medical providers, and a comparison of actual claims.

In reviewing the submitted bids, GIB found clear evidence a move to self-insurance will save, at a minimum, $60 million over the 2017-2019 biennium. It will keep 98 percent of providers in the program, and result in no benefit changes. For a majority of state employee program members, this shift means receiving a new insurance card.

Self-insurance opponents argue this model will ruin the private health insurance market. But this is merely an attempt by insurers losing state business to raise alarm and distract from facts.

Many insurers now covering state workers who likely will not be doing so after 2017 do not offer products statewide. They are located in regions where employers have many insurers to choose from. More importantly, state employees overall represent about 15 percent of all employees statewide. And those now covered by insurers who will no longer participate in the state health insurance plan after 2017 represent only a small portion of that 15 percent.

Thats hardly enough to influence the private health insurance market covering 3 million people in Wisconsin.

As Gov. Walker mentioned in his recent budget address, 46 states use a partial or entirely self-insured model to provide health care benefits. Furthermore, 94 percent of employers with more than 5,000 employees self-insure. Wisconsin currently uses self-insurance for prescription drugs in the statewide health insurance plan. Under our current fully-insured model, the state Department of Employee Trust Funds has struggled to receive cooperation from many insurers for access to data valuable in making program decisions. Conversely, under a self-insured program, the state owns the data.

Owning a data warehouse will allow the state to consider innovative approaches that can lead to better health care decisions and outcomes.

The state will be able to encourage more value and save money on health care services. For example, many large employers establish separate health facilities that offer free care to their employees.

The governors budget establishes a realistic cost savings target based on a conservative estimate, leaving great possibility for additional savings. Rejecting self-insurance means we are rejecting savings in coming years. With a move to self-insurance we have the opportunity to better manage state employee health care decisions and outcomes, and advance Gov. Walkers priority to further frugality and efficiency of state services.

Ultimately, this decision makes the services we depend on more reliable and transparent, while lowering the burden on hardworking Wisconsin taxpayers.
Labor leader Bill Shorten distanced himself from the newly minted ACTU leader Sally McManus after the union boss condoned breaking laws she sees as "unjust."

Ms McManus was endorsed as the ACTU's first female secretary on Wednesday. In her first major televised interview, Ms McManus was asked if she would distance herself from the CFMEU union, which its critics describe as militant.

"There's no way we'll be doing that," Ms McManus told the ABC's 730 program.

"I'll tell you this, the CFMEU, when they've been fined for taking industrial action... it might be illegal industrial action according to our current laws but our current laws are wrong."
Donald Trump's ascension has exposed Australia's differences with the United States and should prompt Canberra to seek a more trusting relationship with Beijing, the Whitlam-era ambassador to China says.

Stephen FitzGerald, who became Australia's first ambassador to China after prime minister Gough Whitlam restored diplomatic relations with the country in late 1972, says Australians are already "living in a Chinese world" and must try to influence it for the better.

Delivering the 2017 Whitlam Oration at Western Sydney University on Thursday, Mr FitzGerald will offer a grim assessment of the divergence between Australian and US values and interests, branding the Trump era the "biggest wake-up call for clear thinking about America at least since the Vietnam War years".

While stressing that "no one pretends we have shared values with China", Mr FitzGerald says that Mr Trump's values are "an affront to ours and should be called out for what they are".
One in 10 Turnbull government MPs say nuclear power should be on the table as federal and state governments grapple with Australia's future energy needs.

The 11 Coalition MPs - Andrew Broad, James Paterson, Tony Pasin, Tim Wilson, Chris Back, Craig Kelly, Eric Abetz, Andrew Hastie, Warren Entsch, Bridget McKenzie and Rowan Ramsey - are from both the Liberal and National parties and come from the moderate and conservative wings of the government.

The MPs, from all across the country, publicly confirmed their support for nuclear power to Fairfax Media on Wednesday, arguing Australia has the world's largest deposits of uranium, is geologically stable, and that nuclear power is a reliable source of base-load power that offers low emissions too.

The call to consider nuclear power came as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and senior ministers met the chief executives of major gas companies including Santos, Origin, ExxonMobil and Shell to discuss shortfalls in gas supplies projected to hit the eastern and southern states in the coming years.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will today reveal plans for a $2 billion expansion of the iconic Snowy Hydro scheme that could power up to 500,000 homes through a new network of tunnels and power stations.

The surprise intervention, a potential game-changer in the political brawl over flaws in the nation's electricity system, will increase the scheme's 4100 megawatt capacity by as much as 50 per cent.

The four-year project would massively increase the amount of renewable energy storage capacity in Australia through pumped hydro technology, which involves using cheap electricity to pump water uphill so it can be later released downhill through turbines, creating electricity when demand is high.

No new dams would be built, but a fresh series of tunnels and power stations are on the agenda, at an estimated cost of $1.5 to $2 billion. A feasibility study should be completed by the end of 2017 and the search for expansions sites will led by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. The Tantangara Dam is understood to be an early area of interest.
Turnbull is announcing a major expansion of the Snowy Hydro Scheme. [James Massola/Fairfax] This follows on from his warnings to the gas industry that the government will intervene if the gas companies don't put aside enough for Australian customers, instead of overseas consumers. [Michelle Grattan/The Conversation] His MPs want him to go nuclear. (Power that is, not blow up). [James Massola, Adam Gartrell/Fairfax] But the hydro option is his best and boldest idea to date, writes David Crowe. [The Australian] But the warning to the private sector about the government's "enormous power" in the energy sector betrays a shift in government thinking - it will get involved if it has to, says Laura Tingle. [The Australian Financial Review]

Turnbull's approach mimics that of Theresa May's, when the British prime minister told the Tory conference last year that her government would not hesitate from intervening in the markets if it was required. The government is considering cutting the number of gambling ads that can be run during live sports. [Matthew Knott/Fairfax] Corporate Australia is trying to "force" Turnbull into legislating gay marriage soon, reports Dennis Shannahan. [The Australian] Conservative commentator Niki Savva defended the Coalition's embrace of One Nation but after the WA backlash says any prospect of a preference deal between the two federally is now dead. She also backs a post-budget reshuffle. [The Australian] 2. Yahoo hack

The United States has charged two Russian spies and two hackers over the massive hack of Yahoo in 2014. Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said the hacking campaign was waged by the FSB (the successor to Russia's KGB) to collect intelligence but that the two hackers used the collected information as an opportunity to "line their pockets." [Reuters] 3. Trump Donald Trump's tweets about Barack Obama and wiretapping have been described as "evidence-free" allegations. Credit:Bloomberg The House Intelligence Committee says there's no evidence to support Donald Trump's claim that Trump tower was wiretapped during the 2016 campaign. [Bloomberg]

Not to worry the President. The leader of the free world was busy tweeting about Snoop Dogg on Wednesday morning over the "failing" rapper's new film clip - in which he uses a toy gun to shoot at a clown who looks like Trump. [Fairfax] Bizarrely, (yes we use that word often in the Trump sections) the president has also suggested the claim that a journalist was posted leaked tax documents belonging to Trump is "fake", despite the fact the White House has already appeared to confirm the documents and leak are indeed real. The documents are pretty favourable for Trump, because they show he paid 25 per cent tax in 2005. Many think Trump himself, or his proxies, mailed the two pages of tax return documents to the journalist. [Michael D. Shear/The New York Times]

Australia's first ambassador to China says Trump has "debauched" politics and it's time Canberra chose Beijing over Washington. [David Wroe/Fairfax] 4. Somalia Britain's foreign secretary Boris Johnson has made an unannounced trip to Somalia raise awareness about the famine devastating the country and east Africa. Forty-seven children have died from hunger in just two months. [eNews Channel Africa]

Britain is pushing a major fundraising appeal and is pledging to match donations up to a total value of 5 million ($8 million). The Queen has made a personal donation. [ITV News] 5. Hammond's U-turn Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond holds the budget box. Credit:Dan Kitwood A huge day in British politics with Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond junking a tax rise for the self-employed announced in last week's budget after just seven days. [BBC]

Several predictable factors: The government says the u-turn shows it's listening while the opposition says it shows they weren't listening in the first place. It was dissent from the Tory backbench - because the tax hike broke a conservative manifesto pledge - that propelled the change, not the opposition of Labour's Jeremy Corbyn. [Rafael Behr/The Guardian] Finally, the Labour leader couldn't even land a blow, even though the government's political belly was served to him on a golden platter, with bow, cherries, icing - the lot. [Andrew Sparrow/The Guardian] 6. The Netherlands Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Freedom Party (PVV). Credit:JASPER JUINEN

The Dutch have been voting in their parliamentary elections so keep an eye out for results to see if the populist tide, in nationalist Geert Wilders, has been held back or not. Polls close 9pm local time or 7am Canberra time. [Politico.eu Live Blog] And that's it from me today, you can follow me on Facebook for more.
Perhaps voters are more awake to it after the bizarre "real Julia" declaration but when a leader suddenly promises "leadership," we worry.

That nagging sense was back again on Wednesday morning in an arranged media call outside Parliament House. After 18 months in the job, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull strode to the cameras to declare: "Today, I'm taking national leadership to resolve this gas crisis."

Crisis, what crisis? Presumably this is the steady escalation in energy prices occurring even without the wrecking ball of Labor's carbon tax? Or perhaps the fact that gas companies have preferred to sell their (our) product overseas to make good on their huge investments  in the order of $60 billion  for plants liquefying natural gas for export? Or is it the shortage of local supplies this causes, endangering manufacturing while squeezing households via soaring energy prices?

And why now, when this has been going on for years?
Think about your dad dancing at a club. Have you got a mental picture? He's probably brought out the lawnmower. Maybe the shopping trolley. And at some stage, just like Prince William in a club in Verbier this week, he will 'raise the roof,' given that it is perhaps the pinnacle move in the dad dancing repertoire.

Prince William was captured grooving (sorry but there's no other word for it) to I Got 5 On It by hip hop duo Luniz at the Farinet nightclub in the ski resort of Verbier. The footage was published by TMZ.

Prince William unleashed his signature dance move while away with friends for the weekend. Credit:Reuters

The Prince skipped out on a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day for the boy's weekend ski trip with a group that includes nightclub owner (and Prince George's godfather) Guy Pelly. They were joined for lunch by 24-year-old Australian model Sophie Taylor.

It's not the first time that Prince William has busted out his signature move. He did a rather marvellous variation of it while visiting the Pacific island of Tuvalu with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, while on a Royal Tour in 2012.
Melanie Segard is 21 years old, with a bright smile, a love of parties and restaurants, and a job at a packaging company.

And, oh yes: she also happens to have Down syndrome.

Melanie Segard fulfilled her dream of reading the weather report. Credit:Twitter

"I'm different," the French woman states on her official Facebook page, "but I want to show everyone that I can do a lot of things."

But there was one thing she had always wanted to do that had eluded her: to present the weather on television.
A total of 47 different languages are spoken at Evans High School in Blacktown where more than half the student body speaks a language other than English, in a picture that is increasingly becoming the norm - at least in some parts of Sydney.

More than 33 per cent of students at NSW public schools had a language background other than English in 2016, compared to 27.4 per cent of students a decade ago.

While the overall proportion of students from diverse language backgrounds has grown steadily, these pupils have remained concentrated in Sydney's west, south and south-west, according to new figures released by the Department of Education.

Sydney's western suburbs have the most language diversity, with 65.5 per cent of students across primary and high schools speaking a language other than English.
When Banok Rind was in year 10, her teacher didn't think she'd amount to anything. She would grow up to be an unemployed drunk, she was told. That's what Aboriginal people were.

"That's what she told me  so I didn't think I'd make it to year 11 or year 12, let alone uni," Ms Rind said.

The hurtful comments and daily acts of racism added up over the years. They weighed on her, compounding the transgenerational discrimination her people endured, Ms Rind said.

But she was determined. She did make it to university, enrolled in nursing and moved east.
Another important advocacy group supports putting body cameras on police officers who patrol Wisconsin communities.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, a coalition of 73 member organizations across the state, held focus groups from Milwaukee to Marinette to gauge the opinions of domestic abuse survivors and their advocates, associate director Tony Gibart told the State Journal editorial board.

In general, what they relayed to us was that they want privacy protections for themselves and for victims who might be (filmed by) body cameras, Gibart said. But they also supported use of body cameras as an accountability mechanism for law enforcement and as documentation of the abuse they were experiencing.

That makes sense, given the clear evidence video images can provide from crime scenes. It also adds another voice to the diverse chorus calling for wider use of cop cameras in local communities  including Madison, which has resisted this relatively simple technology.

Former Madison Police Chief Noble Wray calls body cameras on police officers a no-brainer because they help get at the truth of controversial encounters between police and the public. Wray worked for the Obama administration promoting modern law enforcement practices, including cameras on officers. A 12-month study found uniform cameras reduce complaints against officers as well as the use of force.

Madison is falling behind the rest of the country and opening itself up to legal liability by failing to even test these increasingly small and rugged cameras that can be mounted to police officers shirts, jackets, shoulders, hats and even glasses.

Wisconsins open records law allows for a balancing test between the publics right to see video evidence in prominent cases versus the privacy of individuals involved. The same balancing test has worked well and long applied to other police records on paper and audio recordings. In addition, the federal government encourages local police agencies to adopt clear rules on how and when to use their cameras.

Officers should be required to obtain consent prior to recording interviews with crime victims, the federal Community Oriented Policing Services office recommends on its website. This addresses the significant privacy concerns associated with videotaping crime victims.

Gibart said his statewide organization that advocates for domestic abuse victims hasnt endorsed specific criteria for how officers should use cameras. But many victims clearly see the value of having footage from the devices available to police and prosecutors, he added.

Wisconsins police union supports body cameras on patrol officers. Black Lives Matter activists want to make body and dashboard cameras mandatory. A St. Norbert College scientific poll of state residents found 82 percent of respondents favor cameras on cops.

Madison should embrace cameras, too, for the clarity they will bring to policing.
The world is 33 months into its biggest recorded coral bleaching event with little sign of it ending, raising the prospect that coral mortality on the Great Barrier Reef will increase "significantly" from the quarter already lost in the past year, scientists say.

"Is this the global bleaching event that doesn't go away?", said Mark Eakin, coordinator of the Coral Reef Watch run by the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration. "The patterns that we are seeing in the [forecast] models are looking very similar to what we saw in the last two years."

Dr Eakin's comments come as the first major study of the current bleaching event is published on Thursday in the journal Nature. The paper, of which Dr Eakin is one of 46 authors, examined the 2015-16 bleaching event compared with the two big previous ones in 1998 and 2002.

The current event alone killed two-thirds of the relatively pristine northern third of the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and has returned now, particularly in the central region between Cairns and Townsville.
Genni Buckingham has travelled to Las Vegas to see Celine Dion twice but her plan under the National Disability Insurance Scheme has left her struggling to travel a few suburbs away for essential medical appointments.

The 31-year-old from Kellyville values her independence and had high hopes for the scheme when she joined last year but says her transport budget has been cut by three-quarters, leaving her scrambling to make her funding stretch to cover her needs.

"This left me feeling completely isolated and worthless which is completely opposite of what the NDIS claims to be about," she said.

Ms Buckingham, who has cerebral palsy and Crohn's disease, said her problems with the scheme started almost immediately when her planner attempted to devise the plan in a phone call.
Scores of Queenslanders have likely died of black lung without being diagnosed, a US lung disease expert says.

And people outside the coal mining industry, such as those working on Brisbane's tunnel projects or in agriculture, could also be at risk.

There could still be black lung cases yet to be diagnosed.

Robert Cohen, director of Occupational Lung Disease from Northwestern University in the US, agreed many Queenslanders could have gone to their grave as a result of black lung, without being diagnosed.

"If physicians in the communities believe that this disease was eradicated, and somebody dies of a respiratory death, they wouldn't likely certify that or think about black lung as a part of that," he said.
More than seven in 10 finalised child protection investigations in Queensland were not substantiated in the past financial year.

The figure is contained in the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Child Protection Australia report.

More than seven in 10 child protection investigations in Queensland are not substantiated.

It shows 27.2 per cent of investigations - involving 3895 children - were substantiated compared with 72.8 per cent unsubstantiated, 10,433, in Queensland.

Queensland had the second-highest proportion of unsubstantiated cases in the nation, only behind the ACT.
It was the Taiwanese captive's frantic dash for help that alerted police to a "slave house" telephone scam run out of a Brisbane mini mansion.

"Help, help help," the man, who can not be named for legal reasons, said.

"Wallet, phone, ID, passport, taken. Share house. Other people, about 20 of me. Locked doors, run away."

That was August 9, 2015, when he was just one of many Taiwanese kept "in servitude" working 12 hours a day, seven days a week scamming wealthy Chinese.
More international visitors are coming to Brisbane and Queensland than ever before, with Lord Mayor Graham Quirk predicting even more growth in the years to come.

The Tourism Research Australia data, released on Wednesday, showed 2.57 million visitors came to Queensland in 2016, an increase of 10.2 per cent from the 2.34 million in 2015.

A record 1.19 million international visitors came to Brisbane last year. Credit:Glenn Hunt

Brisbane alone had 1.19 million international visitors in 2016, up from 1.13 million in 2015, and Cr Quirk said the upwards trajectory would become more pronounced when the city's airport completed its parallel runway in 2020.

"If the numbers look good now, wait 'til we get that second runway," he said.
A Somali refugee has been found guilty of attempting to kill his former partner with a machete during an attack in Brisbane's south.

Muhumed Samow Ali and the woman had been separated for almost two months when he ran her off the road in September 2015.

The man was found guilty of attempting to murder his former partner in the attack.

He then chased her down a suburban Wacol street with the 40cm blade as she screamed for help.

"He hit me seven times and when he hit me the seventh time ... that's when I fell," she told the Brisbane Supreme Court through a Somali interpreter.
An unlucky Brisbane man has been robbed of his wallet, car and motorbike and allegedly threatened with a rifle, after an online date gone very wrong.

The 23-year-old met a 24-year-old woman on Plenty of Fish, and invited her to his home at Shailer Park on January 25.

Instead of a date, however, police allege the woman stole the man's wallet, car keys and his vehicle - and, in a series of increasingly unfortunate events, the man was also threatened, his flatmates were beaten up, and his motorbike was stolen.

The woman allegedly stole the man's vehicle and wallet on January 25. He reported the theft to police, and they found his Ford Falcon ute a few days later later following a crash.
Queensland police are now treating the disappearance of a young boy as homicide, 10 years after he was last seen.

Baden Bond was 22 months old when he was last seen on March 27 in 2007 at his home in Woodridge in southern Brisbane.

There has been no trace of him since, and police are appealing for public assistance to solve the case.

Detective Inspector Damien Hansen of the Homicide Group said their "extensive investigation" had turned up no evidence that Baden was still alive.
Optus says "it does not condone coercive behaviour towards our customers" but it's hard to take that seriously when there's such a widespread pattern of misinformation and heavy-handed tactics coming from its outgoing and incoming call centres. It might not "condone" such behaviour, but it hasn't condemned it either.

While Optus has publicly conceded that NBN and the government are not to blame for its rush to shut down its HFC cable network, the telco has had little to say about the fact that its call centre operators are deliberately misleading customers and pressuring them to remain with Optus. The best we've had are wishy washing commitments that Optus would provide "additional support to our front line teams".

Optus has been caught blatantly lying to its customers this month, telling some customers that NBN or the government are to blame for the fact that Optus is rushing to boot customers off its HFC cable network within weeks of an area being declared NBN-ready. Worse yet, it's cut off some customers without warning and told them their service can't be restored  yet somes lines were magically reconnected after the media shone a little light on the situation.

Obviously not every call centre operator is at fault, but it's not just the work of a few rotten apples  reports of coercive behaviour are coming from far and wide. Are we seriously expected to believe that it's all happening without Optus' knowledge, if not blessing, when we're constantly reminded that calls are recorded for training purposes?

Apart from the outright lies, Optus' call centre operators also appear to have free rein to make up the rules as they go along  saying whatever it takes to keep customers onboard. A common tactic seems to be to reassure cable customers moving to the NBN that they can stay on their old plans and "nothing will change", with customers discovering that this isn't true after they've signed up for a new contract.

Meanwhile some Optus call centre operators are telling customers moving to the NBN that they have no choice but to sign up on a 24-month contract. Others are told they must pay $200 upfront if they want to avoid a long contract and go on a month-to-month plan. Some people are offered the first three months free, others are offered nothing but threats of disconnection.

To be fair, Optus doesn't have a monopoly on lying to its customers. I've had Telstra call centre staff blatantly lie to me about the availability of HFC cable in my street and then lie to my neighbours and I about double-checking. I've also had Optus lie to me about disconnecting my home phone. I'm sure customers of every telco have their own call centre horror stories.

What's particularly frustrating is that the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, supposedly the people's champion, has shown little interest in addressing this issue. I've spoken to several people who contacted the TIO regarding Optus' heavy-handed NBN migration tactics and were told that there was nothing the TIO could do until Optus actually cut off their phone. The TIO has also been reluctant to comment on the issue.
Optus is cutting off cable customers' phones and broadband without warning, sometimes blaming NBN, as part of Optus' rush to shut down its HFC cable network in NBN-ready areas.

Investigations by Fairfax Media have uncovered a pattern of misinformation and heavy-handed tactics as Optus rushes to migrate its HFC cable users to the NBN network, while coercing them into remaining Optus customers and sometimes insisting they sign a new 24-month contract.

Optus representatives are telling customers that NBN or "the government" are to blame for the tight migration deadline, inflaming an ongoing feud with NBN over Optus' threats to cut off customers within weeks rather than abiding by the NBN's public 18-month switchover commitment.

While currently threatening to cut off cable services within as little as 30 days in several suburbs across Melbourne and Sydney, Optus has already cut off some home and business customers with little or no warning  leaving them without a phone or broadband service for weeks and perhaps unable to recover their old phone number once services are restored.
Squid, King George whiting and snapper. Recreational fishing in Port Phillip Bay is as good as it has been for 40 years.

Fisheries Victoria says there are an extra 400-500 tonnes of fish in the bay since the state government announced it would phase out commercial net fishing 18 months ago.

Fish stocks in Port Phillip Bay are booming after a ban on net fishing was put in place. Credit:Jason South

Most of the 43 commercial fisheries that once operated nets in the bay have moved on to other waters, with the remaining 10 to close down or change method by 2022.

Underwater life is now teeming, and a boon for recreational fishing enthusiasts.
A controversial youth prison will be built next to the Werribee tip after the Andrews government caved in to public outcry and moved the site from Werribee South.

The centre will now be built on Melbourne Water-owned land at Cherry Creek following community backlash to the preferred site at Werribee South, an area earmarked for economic development.

Cherry Creek is the working title for the prison, which will be built on the windswept dry plains north of the Princes Freeway, 1.5 kilometres from the Werribee Tip.

There was no smell at the site on Wednesday morning when the wind blew strongly from the north.
Fake cancer guru Belle Gibson, who is facing a possible $1 million fine after being found by a Federal Court judge to have "deliberately played" the Australian public, has been caught spruiking another fad diet and bragging about intestinal worms.

Days after Gibson bragged about passing a "huge rope worm" in an enema she took for an obscure cleansing diet, Federal Court of Australia Justice Debra Mortimer handed down her judgment upholding "most but not all" of the allegations levelled against the disgraced wellness blogger by Victoria's consumer watchdog.

In Wednesday's ruling, Justice Mortimer was particularly scathing of Gibson's deliberate tugging at the nation's collective heartstrings.

"Her 'pitch' overwhelmingly used groups likely to evoke sympathy because of their vulnerabilities  young girls, asylum seekers, sick children," Justice Mortimer wrote.
Four Labor figures with links to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten are set to be spared criminal records over allegations they vandalised polling places on the morning of the last federal election.

The quartet of middle-aged party powerbrokers are accused of damaging Liberal and Greens promotional material at polling booths from Elwood to Port Melbourne early on the morning of July 2 last year.

Andrew Landeryou and his co-accused have escaped conviction. Credit:Ken Irwin

One of the accused, Shorten confidant Andrew Landeryou, is the husband of recently installed Victorian Senator Kimberley Kitching.

David Boutros-Asmar, George Droutsas and Dean Sherriff are also accused of taking part in damaging the material of rival parties.
A crooked accountant who defrauded clients of more than $2 million and then gambled most of it away at Crown casino has been jailed for at least four years.

Kaylene Maree Hussen ripped off 229 individual clients and five companies between 2010 and 2014 using several methods of deception at her Geelong West business PTS Tax and Accounting, the County Court heard.

The court heard most of the money was blown at Crown Casino. Credit:Vince Caligiuri

Her frauds included altering business activity statements and retaining tax credits, preparing bogus tax returns or inflating genuine ones and then keeping people's refunds, and obtaining cash loans from banks for fictitious investments.

Judge Michael Bourke said Hussen's offending exploited the trust a lot of people had put in her, and caused a great deal of damage.
Victoria's anti-bikie police found a two-year-old child in a flat that allegedly had drugs strewn all over the floor during a raid.

Robert Martin appeared on Wednesday in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, where he was granted bail on strict conditions over drugs and weapons charges.

Police said they searched Mr Martin's home at 5am on Tuesday morning as part of widespread bikie raids, finding drugs scattered over the kitchen and bathroom floor, including several sandwich bags full of cannabis.

The court was told Mr Martin has been charged with possessing nunchucks as well as cannabis, dexamphetamine, GHB and a small amount of ice.

Mr Martin's partner and her two-year-old child were in the flat at the time of the raid. She told the court she would pay $5000 bail for his release.
Mother Sofina Nikat could have smothered her 14-month-old daughter Sanaya when she allegedly killed her, a court has heard.

Ms Nikat was charged with Sanaya Sahib's murder in April last year, after police found the toddler's body in Darebin Creek in West Heidelberg.

Police said that Ms Nikat initially reported that a barefoot stranger of African appearance had kidnapped her daughter from her pram as they walked in Olympic Park, and described the man as smelling of alcohol.

Forensic pathologist Dr Victoria Francis, who performed the autopsy on Sanaya Sahib's body, told the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday that the toddler had mouth injuries that appeared to be recently inflicted.
WAtoday understands most of the offences related to a 12-year-old male victim at the same school as the teenager, who he groomed over an extended period. The 12-year-old victim has also been charged with one count of sexual penetration against a nine-year-old boy and is expected to enter a plea to the charge next month. The nine-year-old's mother told WAtoday her family was planning to move away from the area after receiving little support from the government and living within minutes of the two other children. She said her young son had become suicidal since the alleged rape and was struggling to attend his school, which is a different school to the 12-year-old and 17-year-old. "No one knows who they are," she said.

"I've told friends of mine to keep their kids away from [the 12-year-old].... it's so secret, so quiet what's happened. "We have to pack up our whole lives and move away while these people get protected by some stupid law... our lives have fallen apart." The south of Perth case comes less than a month after it was revealed a 10-year-old boy in Perth's northern suburbs had been charged with the rape of an eight-year-old boy, but continued to attend school. After learning of the boy's offences through social media, concerned parents threatened to take their children out of the school if the offending child was not removed, leading the Department of Education to find alternative schooling for the boy away from other students. A parent whose child attends the same school as the two boys accused of child rape south of Perth said the law that allowed convicted child sex offenders to quietly return to the school environment needed to be changed.

"I am really concerned they are able to return to the school without any protection for the other children," she said. "I'm not saying let's destroy 17-year-old and 12-year-old children... there's the potential for rehabilitation  but if the legal system is not putting in place protective measure for other children, something's wrong with that. "We feel it has to change at a policy level... the education department has a responsibility with convicted sex offenders to remove them from the school." The comments echoed those made last month by a father whose child attended the same school as the 10-year-old northern-suburbs child rapist. "When it comes to someone at such a young age, everybody in the government, police etc, just really don't know how to handle it," he said during a meeting of concerned parents on February 21.

"Just try to get the rules and law balanced a bit more, balanced a bit more to the victims, to the innocent and the community rather than the perpetrator." Under Children's Court law, juvenile offenders' identities are protected and schools are often left with their hands tied if a child has a violent conviction against their name. A Department of Education spokeswoman has previously said it is an offence for anyone, including a school, to publish information which could lead to the identification of a child involved in court proceedings. "WA's School Education Act guarantees the right of every child to an education, irrespective of a range of factors, which may include criminal charges," she said. Meanwhile, the nine-year-old victim's mother claims she has been unable to source much information about her son's alleged attacker and had received minimal support from government agencies.

"I've had to find my own private psychologist because my son was going to commit suicide," she said. "[The only support I have had from the government] was when the Department of Child Protection rang a couple of weeks later to make sure my son was in a safe environment." Department of Child Protection director general Emma White said the agency did not have the authority to remove a child from a school if they were a risk to other students and the Department of Education also confirmed it has no authority over Catholic schools to request a student be schooled in an alternative environment. Catholic Education Western Australia executive director Tim McDonald said any alleged child protection matter in a school was distressing. "Our schools are safe places that support each student to achieve their full potential in an engaging and supportive learning environment," he said.
The sentencing of an 11-year-old 'child rapist' has again been delayed on Wednesday after lawyers for the boy and youth services requested further time to review a psychological report and his recorded interview with police.

The 11-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to sexually penetrating a child and threatening to kill following an incident where he raped an eight-year-old boy in a local park at knifepoint in December.

The child has previously admitted to penetrating another child.

The boy's sentencing was previously delayed on February 21 after Magistrate Andree-Marie Horrigan expressed concerns he may not have the capacity to understand the legal process.

His lawyer Neville Barber responded at the time saying the child understood that what he did was wrong.
It's renowned for making the very best gelato in Australia, and now Perth gets its first lick of Gelato Messina as part of the 2017 Night Noodle Markets.

The free foodie festival is back at Elizabeth Quay from March 22 to April 2, with another lip-smacking Sydney outlet - Black Star Pastry - also heading west.

The Newton cafe bakes glorious cakes, flakes and desserts, while it's not uncommon to see massive queues outside Gelato Messina in Bondi, where its ice-cream inspirations are derived from the owners' Sicilian heritage, with ingredients used in their raw, most natural form and made from scratch.

Messina's gelato is the closest Perth will get to the real thing found on the streets of Italy - no colourings, flavourings, preservatives or pastes, just the taste of meticulous roasting, endless grinding and home-made baking from Messina's team of "mad professors".
The supersized challenge to eat a 3.5kg masoko burger at Vic Park restaurant Ka'ribbean Corner is on again for anyone willing to expand their stomach to fit the load for a free meal.

Ka'ribbean Corner is challenging brave diners to chow down on the biggest Caribbean-style masoko burger "the world has ever seen" on March 17.

To complete the challenge punters have to eat a burger featuring 1.2kg of beef, tossed in cheese, salad, some crispy slaw and a few secret sauces, which makes the meal tip the scales at a whopping 3.5kg.

The behemoth of a burger will set you back $49 and also comes with a side of chips, if you're still feeling a little peckish after a few kilos of food.
Lloyd Rayney's reputation as a Perth barrister was "killed" after he was named the prime and only suspect in his estranged wife's murder, his multi-million dollar defamation trial has heard.

Mr Rayney told the WA Supreme Court on Tuesday that his "reputation died" when Detective Senior Sergeant Jack Lee named him in September 2007 as the prime and only suspect in the murder of Supreme Court registrar Corryn Rayney one month earlier.

Lloyd and Corryn Rayney

"That's the event that changed my life and my practice," Mr Rayney said on the sixth and final day of his testimony.

"It was the Lee conference that killed my reputation."
A Melville councillor said she felt 'sick and targeted' when she found an obscene letter stuffed into her home letterbox on Monday morning.

Councillor Patricia Phelan was checking her mail when she came across three sheets of A4 paper bundled together.

She was horrified when she saw what was written in large, typed letters:

"SUCK MY C--K YOU LIBERAL MAGGOT SCUM. HA HA. F--KING LOSERS."
Bali: Denpasar police are investigating a claim that an Australian woman has been sexually assaulted in Bali.

The Perth woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, left Paddy's Bar in Kuta in the early hours of Tuesday and began walking along Legian Road near Bali's popular tourist beach.

Popular destination: Kuta beach, Bali Credit:Louise Kennerley

It is alleged a motorbike taxi driver - commonly referred to as an ojek - offered her a free lift to her hotel before attacking her.

Security guards at Jayakarta Hotel, which is near the spot where the alleged assault took place, heard screaming.
Several hundred people march through Harvard University while protesting the travel ban. Credit:AP Trump said both actions represented "an unprecedented judicial overreach" that threatened "the safety of our nation." He read his audience the legal statute giving a president the power to curb the detrimental "entry of any aliens or any class of aliens." As Trump noted, the second ban was tailored to get around the judicial criticisms of the first measure, which was to be rescinded when the second one went into effect. US President Donald Trump's executive order has been frozen. Credit:Bloomberg As the ruling in Hawaii was being handed down, James L. Robart, the federal judge in Washington who froze Trump's first travel ban, was hearing arguments about whether he should freeze the second. He said he did not think his first freeze was still in effect, though he did not immediately rule on whether he should issue a new one.

Watson's decision might not be the last word. He was considering only a request for a temporary restraining order, and while that required him to assess whether challengers of the ban would ultimately succeed, his ruling is not final on that question. The Justice Department could now appeal the ruling, or wage a longer-term court battle before the judge in Hawaii. US District Judge James Robart blocked the initial January 27 executive order. Credit:NBC Watson's decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Hawaii. Lawyers for the state alleged the new entry ban, much like the old, violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment because it was essentially a Muslim ban, hurt the ability of state businesses and universities to recruit top talent and damaged the state's robust tourism industry. The hearing in Hawaii came in response to a lawsuit filed by the state itself. Lawyers for Hawaii alleged the new travel ban, much like the old, violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment because it is essentially a Muslim ban, hurts the ability of state businesses and universities to recruit top talent and damages the state's robust tourism industry. Sit down: A demonstration against Donald Trump's executive order on immigration at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Credit:AP

They pointed particularly to the case of Ismail Elshikh, the imam of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, whose mother-in-law's application for an immigrant visa was still being processed. Under the new executive order, lawyers for Hawaii said, Elshikh feared that his mother-in-law would ultimately be banned from entering the United States. "Dr Elshikh certainly has standing in this case. He, along with all of the Muslim residents in Hawaii face higher hurdles to see family because of religious faith," lawyer Colleen Roh Sinzdak said at the hearing. "It is not merely a harm to the Muslim residents of the state of Hawaii, but also is a harm to the United State as a whole and is against the First Amendment itself." Justice Department lawyers argued that the President was well within his authority to impose the ban, and that those challenging it had raised only speculative harms. "They bear the burden of showing irreparable harm ... and there is no harm at all," said Acting US Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, who argued on behalf of the government in Greenbelt, Maryland in the morning and by phone in Hawaii in the afternoon. The arguments were similar at the hearing in Maryland, where a federal judge peppered both sides with pointed questions about whether the revised executive order would harm Muslims, refugees and the organisations that serve them.

"I think we've been going for quite a while," US District Judge Theodore Chuang said after the nearly two-hour hearing. "I appreciate everyone's advocacy ... I'll try to issue a written ruling - hopefully today, but not necessarily." The President's new executive order suspended the US refugee program for 120 days, halted for 90 days the issuance of new visas to people from six Muslim-majority countries and reduced the number of refugees allowed to enter the United States this year from 110,000 to 50,000. The ACLU and lawyers for refugee aid organisations asked Judge Chuang to halt the entire order, arguing that it is a pretext to discriminate against Muslims, who make up the majority of refugees admitted to the United States. "If you were trying to ban Muslims," ACLU lawyer Omar Jadwat told the judge in court, "banning refugees would be one compelling way to do it". Justin Cox, a lawyer for the National Immigration Law Centre who also argued in court, said refugees and immigrants feel that Trump's order essentially targets Islam. "All of these individuals express that they feel that their religion has been condemned by the executive order," he said.

Justice Department lawyers say the order is "substantially different" from Trump's January 27 travel ban, which stranded thousands of travellers overseas and ignited protests at airports and elsewhere before it was blocked by US District Judge James Robart in Seattle. The Trump administration urged Judge Chuang not to halt the order, saying its chief goal is to prevent terrorists from entering the country. The six countries named in the order, which are majority-Muslim, were selected because the administration of former president Barack Obama identified them as having security threats, Wall told the judge, adding: "What he's concerned about are radical Islamic terrorists." Wall said the plaintiffs in the legal challenge, who include individuals as well as refugee-aid agencies, would not suffer immediate harm from the order because it provides for waivers. Nor would the aid agencies suffer financially, he said, because they would have fewer refugees to serve, and therefore fewer expenses. But the ACLU and other lawyers said the list of potential harms is long. Refugees already in the United States will remain separated from families living in dangerous conditions overseas, they said. Other refugees who had expected to come to the United States this fiscal year would not be allowed in. HIAS, the nation's oldest refugee resettlement organisation, said it would lose funding and would probably have to lay off employees because of the reduced refugee admissions. The organisation used to be known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. During the hearing, Judge Chuang said it was unclear whether he could order the President to admit all refugees.

The judge also questioned the urgency of the government's review of the visa and refugee vetting process, noting that one report ordered in Trump's first executive order on January 27 was overdue. "Not that the government always meets deadlines on reports, I understand," the judge said. Wall said those reviews are underway. Near the end of the hearing, Judge Chuang noted the polarisation in the case, weighing the safety of refugees against Trump's stated fears for security at home. "Is there somewhere in between?" he asked.

Judge Chuang signalled that he could rule on Wednesday, but lawyers for refugee rights groups said they are also looking to court hearings in Washington state and Hawaii for possible relief. Judge Robart was set to hear the case in Washington on Wednesday. Trump's first travel ban was a less-detailed directive that abruptly suspended the refugee program, halted travel for all citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries, including travellers who already had been issued visas, and lowered the cap on refugee arrivals. After parts of that order were frozen, Trump issued the new executive order, giving travellers 10 days' notice and, government lawyers say, making several significant changes. The order removes Iraq from the list of banned countries, exempts visa and green-card holders, and allows excluded foreigners to apply for waivers to enter the United States. The order applied to people who want to come to the United States and are citizens of Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Yemen and Syria. The Department of Homeland Security said on its website that the six nations have been identified as "countries of concern due to the national security risks associated with their instability and the prevalence of terrorist fighters in their territories". Government lawyers also alleged in court filings that some refugees have proved to be national security threats. For instance, they said a Somali refugee was convicted of attempting to bomb a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Oregon and that the FBI is investigating more than 300 refugees for potential terrorist activities.
Beijing: Rising tension on the Korean Peninsula may lead to conflict and must be de-escalated, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said after the close of China's annual parliament.

The annual press conference, in which selected Chinese and foreign media ask a number of pre-vetted questions, marks the closure of China's annual parliament session.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the press conference marking the close of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress in Beijing. Credit:Sanghee Liu

Mr Li said the situation in North Asia had become "quite tense - tension may lead to conflict which will only bring harm to all the parties involved".

He called for the parties to work together to defuse the situation and get back on the track of dialogue.
The US House Intelligence Committee has found no evidence so far to back up President Donald Trump's claim that Trump Tower was wiretapped during last year's presidential campaign, the panel's Republican chairman said on Wednesday.

"We don't have any evidence that took place," Chairman Devin Nunes of California said at a news conference on Wednesday in Washington. "I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower."

Despite Mr Trump's charge in Twitter postings that his predecessor Barack Obama had Trump Tower tapped ahead of the November election, the administration has yet to offer evidence to back up the claim.

White House press secretary Sean Spicer offered a new explanation on Monday. He told reporters during his daily briefing that "the president used the word 'wiretap' in quotes to mean, broadly, surveillance and other activities." Spicer emphasised the point with a hand gesture for air quotes.
GREAT BAY(DCOMM):---- The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a public health agency of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, has been informed that there are a number of chicken pox (varicella) cases on the island of Saba, and is hereby advising the populace to be on the alert for the aforementioned.

At this point in time, there are no reported cases of chicken pox on Sint Maarten.

Chickenpox is usually a mild disease in children. But the itching can be very uncomfortable.

Chickenpox spreads easily through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by touching fluid from blisters.

Susceptible persons are 80 to 90 percent at risk of getting the disease once exposed to it. Chickenpox is a disease caused by infection with the varicella zoster virus, which causes fever and an itchy rash.

Not all infected individuals have a fever, which develops just before or when the rash appears.

Symptoms can include a skin rash of blister-like lesions, covering the body but usually more concentrated on the face, scalp, and trunk.

Children with chickenpox usually must miss school or child care for at least a week to avoid spreading the virus to others. Considering it is airborne use take a hand cough preventive measures and disinfect/sanitize surroundings.

In most cases, chicken pox is not a serious health threat but life-threatening complications can occur and include the following:

 Bacterial infection of the skin and tissues under the skin (including group A streptococcal infections)

 Dehydration (loss of body fluids) from vomiting or diarrhea

 Pneumonia (lung infection)

 Encephalitis (brain swelling). Most cases are mild, but some can be deadly.

No one can predict who will get serious complications from the disease.

Contact your family doctor in case you suspect your child to have chicken pox.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Tax Administration, div: Receivers office, hereby informs the general public that in cooperation with Police Dept. (KPSM), controls on payment for Motor vehicle taxes 2017 will commence as of Monday, March 20th, 2017. Before this time, all vehicles must carry the 2017 plates and must be visible to the police. This means, plates covered with tinted plastic that is not legible are not allowed and the driver can be fined. In accordance with art.25 of the Motor Vehicle tax ordinance, drivers/owners of vehicles who are non-compliant with the above-mentioned will be fined Naf. 300.00. In addition to the fine, drivers will have to endure the inconvenience of having their vehicles confiscated.

What to do in the event your vehicle is confiscated.

In the event your vehicle is confiscated, you must go to the Receivers office with valid insurance and inspection card and pay the motor vehicle taxes for the vehicle.

The tariffs for the motor vehicle taxes 2017 are as follows:

License Plate Gasoline Diesel Category Nafls. Nafls.
PHILIPSBURG:---- All the schools that participated in The Scotiabank Rotary-Rotaract Spelling Bee 2016 organized by the Rotary Club of St. Maarten-mid Isle were asked to present a wish list of items that their schools were in need of. The teachers were invited by Mid Isle to join them for a fellowship evening so that these items could be presented. Unfortunately, some of the items were not available on time so these will be presented directly to the school in due course. The Anguilla schools were unable to attend and arrangements will be made to deliver their items at a later date.

The Scotiabank Rotary/Rotaract Spelling Bee 2016 was the 6th one held and was the biggest since its inception in 2011. Seventeen schools competed, fifteen from St. Maarten and two from Anguilla with a total of 38 children.

Preparations for The Scotiabank Rotary/Rotaract Spelling Bee 2017 are already in full swing. This will also be the second year that Mid Isle will hold tutorials for the students prior to the Spelling Bee.

Mid Isle will be holding their Fundraising Motor Treasure Hunt on Sunday,March 19th starting at the Kim Sha Beach in Celebration of the Rotary Foundation turning 100 years old. Thats a century of Rotary members changing lives and improving communities all over the world. See any members of Mid Isle for more information or call 520-1052 or 520-1899. The proceeds from this event will go towards a fetal monitor for the maternity wing at the SMMC and other needed items.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday morning March 15, 2017 the suspect B.M.B. (44 ) born in Aruba had been detained in the Ostrich-investigation. She is suspected of bribery and human smuggling and is the fifth employee of the immigration service to be arrested in this investigation.

It concerns an investigation carried out by the Unit Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling of the St. Maarten Police Force, KPSM into illegal admittance of amongst others Jamaicans, Haitians and Guyanese.

Last week a fifth suspect of the immigration service was detained. Also a lawyer was arrested in connection with the Ostrich-investigation. The investigation continues.

Public Prosecutor's Office Press Release

The immigration officer that was arrested on Wednesday morning has been identified as Brunella Bandin, who is a shift leader at the immigration department.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VSA Emil Lee said on Wednesday that the multi-disciplinary controls that were conducted on Friday were very successful. He added that the controls conducted on Friday involved various ministries and not just the Ministry of VSA.

The Minister said that team worked from 8 am to 10 pm, with the team that comprises of inspectors of labor, tax inspectorate, immigration, USZV. He said other departments were also included in the controls such as VROMI who had to map out the island for the inspectors. The Minister said he went along as an observer throughout the entire control and he praised the inspectors for a job well done. He said the article published in one of the newspapers is incorrect because they did not close down any businesses. He said the reality of the matter is if a business had persons working without the necessary documentation then their operations were disrupted. The Minister said that controls were conducted at stores, construction sites, restaurants and bars and other businesses. He said with the one day control conducted on Friday he believed at least 70 employment opportunities were created because persons that were working did not have the necessary documents such as work permits. Minister Lee said just recently USZV announced that they had approximately NAF200M on the streets but with Fridays control they realized the figure might be much higher because they found workers that were not registered at USZV and the tax department.

Besides that, the Minister said that there are a number of French companies operating on the Dutch side without the proper documentation in place which means the French businesses are not paying their dues such as taxes and USZV premiums. He also mentioned that during the controls they found a number French nationals working on the Dutch side without working permits. The Minister said that this is also illegal and that French nationals or residents must have working documents to work on the Dutch side. He did say that the Council of Ministers will be having a debriefing next week on the one day control in order to determine how they will proceed.

He called on businesses to get their act together and to get all the necessary documents in place including employees that did not have their identification cards on them. He made clear that person ages 12 years and older must have their identification cards on them when they are on the street. He said at one company they found 15-time cards at the business place but only four of those employees were registered.

Another point the Minister made was that while controls were taking place word got around and people began running or hiding.

Minister Lee called on businesses that are using job placement agencies to ensure that the people sent to them are properly documented. He said while the employers might escape the financial expenses they will be hindered through their operations if workers are found to be working illegally.

SMN News asked the Minister if they encountered problems with at least one job placement agency Labor Experts that had employees at various locations and they are not registered. The Minister did not confirm the name of the company but did confirm that the inspectors did find workers that are working for job placement agencies that were not registered.

Labor Experts (Job Placement Agency) sent out a circular informing their clients that they should not cooperate with the inspectors since in their view VSA inspectors do not have the right to ask for tax information. Labor Experts went as far as stating that if the inspectors used undue pressure their lawyers were ready to take up the matter.

When Minister Lee saw the circular he made clear that the inspectors were not all rude, or disruptive, he said that the inspectors acted professionally. He said that the controls conducted on Friday were done with a multi-disciplinary team, he advised the businesses that are using job placement agencies to make sure they know what they are doing because the necessary actions will be taken when people are caught working illegally. He ended by saying that compliance is the key and as such the controls will continue.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday 13th March 2017 the Minister of Finance from Sint Maarten, the Honorable Richard Gibson Sr. met with the Minister of Finance from Curacao, the Honorable Kenneth Gijsbertha to discuss vital financial matters that affect both Sint Maarten and Curacao.

Some topics addressed during this meeting were: the management of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), the de-risking trends within our financial institutions, the division of assets of the former Netherlands Antilles, Sint Maarten and Curacaos possible participation in the pilot project organized by the United States and the upcoming IMF Meeting in Washington, to take place in April of this year. The meeting further centered around the plan of approach to finalize and address other pending financial matters and to ascertain a continued working relationship between both Governments.
Update: The water is back on, as of 7:30 pm Tuesday

3/15/17--A water main broke on Colorado between 20th St. and Cloverfield Blvd. Tuesday night, said the city manager's office in a press release. The break caused a loss of water and other services to several commercial buildings near the intersection.

"Since 5 a.m. Public Works crews have been on site to excavate the area and patch the pipe to resume water to water customers in the surrounding area. Once excavated, it became clear that a Los Angeles County storm drain pipe was also damaged and in need of repair. The City is working with the County," wrote public information officer Constance Ferrel.

"Recent heavy rains are the cause of the damage. It is likely that either the storm drain pipe or the water main was damaged, causing erosion of the surrounding dirt and concrete fill. The erosion caused the street above to partially collapse, creating a small sink hole. Crews had to excavate the area to get to the pipe in need of repair," she said.
A 1943 leak by a US congressman cost 800 submariners their lives.

USS Agerholm (DD-826) launched an ASROC anti-submarine rocket armed with a nuclear depth bomb during the Swordfish Test of 1962

There has been a lot of talk about leaks in Congress and in the White house, so we were wondering just how damaging a leak can be. Both President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats have accused each other of leaking classified information.

Turns out, loose lips really can sink ships, as one congressman proved in 1943.

In June 1943, the deficiencies of Japanese depth-charge tactics were stupidly revealed in a press conference held by U.S. Congressman Andrew J. May, a member of the House Military Affairs Committee, who had visited the Pacific theater and received many intelligence and operational briefings.

May mentioned the highly sensitive fact that American submarines had a high survivability rate because Japanese depth charges were fuzed to explode at too shallow a depth.

Various press associations reported the depth issue over their wires and many newspapers (including one in Honolulu, Hawaii) published it. Soon, Japanese forces were setting their depth charges to explode at a more effective average depth of 75 meters (250 ft), to the detriment of American submariners.

Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, commander of the U.S. submarine fleet in the Pacific, later estimated that May's revelation cost the United States Navy as many as ten submarines and 800 seamen killed in action. The leak became known as The May Incident.

A depth charge explodes after being dropped from HMS Ceylon

In the Pacific Theater of World War II, Japanese depth charge attacks initially proved fairly unsuccessful against U.S. and British submarines. Unless caught in shallow water, a submarine would just dive below the Japanese depth charge attack. The Japanese were unaware that the submarines could dive so deep. The old United States S-class submarines (19181925) had a test depth of 200 ft (61 m); the more modern fleet-boat Salmon-class submarines (1937) had a test depth of 250 ft (76 m); the Gato-class submarines (1940) were 300 feet (91 m), and Balao-class submarines (1943) were 400 ft (120 m).

Depth charges, which had to be pre-set to the presumed depth of the enemy submarine, were replaced by the world's navies with anti-submarine missles around 1990. These are often heat seeking, and do not have to be pre-set.
Some Wonder, Why is it taking ten years to develop a new manned space vehicle?

At the U.S. Army Yuma Proving ground in Arizona, a test of the Orion space capsule's parachute system helped NASA taken another step toward flying Orion with humans on board.

At the U.S. Army Yuma Proving ground in Arizona, a test of the Orion space capsule's parachute system helped NASA taken another step toward flying Orion with people on board. But some are wondering, why is it taking the US over a decade to develop a new space vehicle?

The time between the last flight of the space shuttle in 2011, and the first flight of a manned Orion spaceship, is sometimes referred to as the Space Gap. It is fair to point out that this is the first time in fifty years, that NASA has attempted to develop a deep space craft; a ship that can take men beyond the Earth's magnetic shield.

It is worth noting that SpaceX of Hawthorne is also developing a deep spaceship, involving the DragonX. They have committed themselves to taking two prepaid, private passengers on a circumnavigation of the moon in mid-2018.

At 9:45 am on March 8, 2017, the test began with a model Orion capsule was dropped from a C-17 aircraft and lasted a total of 4 minutes. The event tested part of the parachute system that will lower the Orion space capsule safely back to Earth.

The test simulated an abort sequence during an Orion launch wherein the spacecraft is ejected from atop the rocket and the deployed parachutes would gently guide the capsule to Earth.

Orion's parachute system includes 11 parachutes in all. Three forward bay chutes deploy first. Second, two drogue parachutes deploy at around 25,000 feet. Finally three pilot parachutes release at 9,500 feet. These pilot parachutes then deploy three main parachutes.

This detailed system can slow the capsule down to just 20 mph (32 km/h). Orion is scheduled to undergo an unmanned test flight in 2019, but the agency is investigating the possibility of adding a crew to the next Orion flight.

While the space shuttle could glide back down to Earth, the Orion spacecraft requires a parachute system, similar to the Apollo spacecraft.

From Wikipedia: The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle will carry a crew of four astronauts to destinations at or beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Currently under development by NASA for launch on the Space Launch System, Orion is intended to facilitate human exploration of asteroids and of Mars and to retrieve crew or supplies from the International Space Station if needed.

The Orion MPCV was announced by NASA on May 24, 2011, and is currently under development. Its design is based on the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle from the cancelled Constellation program. It has two main modules. The Orion command module is being built by Lockheed Martin at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The Orion Service Module, provided by the European Space Agency, built by Airbus Defence and Space.

The MPCV's first test flight (uncrewed), known as Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1), was launched atop a Delta IV Heavy rocket on December 5, 2014, on a flight lasting 4 hours and 24 minutes, landing at its target in the Pacific. The first mission to carry astronauts is not expected to take place until 2023 at the earliest, although NASA officials have said that their staff is working toward an "aggressive internal goal" of 2021.

However, a July 2016 Government Accountability Office report cast doubt on even the 2023 launch date, suggesting it may slip up to 6 months. The report gave only a 40% confidence in the 2021 launch date, and suggested the aggressive goal may be counterproductive to the program.
TimeTrade Announces $6.3M in Series E Funding

BOSTON, MA  (Marketwired)  03/15/17  , the leading provider of , today announced that it recently closed $6.3 million in Series E funding.

The round, the largest in the companys history, was led by new investor and included participation from and the companys other existing investors. TimeTrade will use the funds to extend its industry-leading platform with new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to bring the business benefits of its to more enterprise customers.

TimeTrade also announced that Origami Vice President Julie Klaff has joined the companys board of directors.

This is another major milestone for TimeTrade, and it affirms our position as the clear industry leader, said Gary Ambrosino, TimeTrade CEO. The investment will help fuel our innovation engine, including continued expansion of our product portfolio and introduction of new artificial intelligence technologies, that will let more businesses deliver Weve been expecting you service to their customers in exciting new ways.

Other recent TimeTrade accomplishments include:

Launching on the , which lets TimeTrade customers book and receive meetings from within Salesforce to generate more qualified leads, hold more conversations and close deals faster

Retail customers used the companys Customer Engagement Cloud to schedule 50 million appointments with prospects and customers in 2016, reflecting another record-setting year of robust growth in the use of TimeTrade by

Publishing the latest version of the companys annual State of Retail , which showed that U.S. retail stores left about $150 billion in potential revenue on the table in 2016 by failing to offer shoppers the personalized shopping experiences they want

Origami Capital Partners is proud to lead this round of funding for TimeTrade and join the board of directors, said Klaff. We see great value in the companys SaaS solution that helps banks, retailers, B2B sales organizations and many other businesses achieve their goals by delivering highly personalized service to their customers. I look forward to working closely with the company to achieve  and exceed  its growth objectives.

Origami Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has invested more than $700 million since its inception. In 2016, the firm closed Origami Opportunities Fund III, its third investment vehicle, with capital commitments of approximately $371 million. The Fund received commitments from a number of top-tier investors, including endowments, foundations, consultants, pensions, and family offices.

Ascent Venture Partners is dedicated to investing in innovation for the enterprise. In backing more than 100 early-stage, emerging technology companies since 1985, Ascent has remained committed to its mission of partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs striving to build innovative market leaders. Ascents investments have yielded powerful results generating more than $10 billion in enterprise value, which speaks to the firms deep knowledge, experience, commitment, and networks. The Ascent investment team manages six venture funds with total commitments of more than $500 million and is located in Boston, Mass.

TimeTrade creates conversations that drive business. The company equips businesses to provide personalized service to every customer, every time, creating a service guarantee that improves customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention, and increases sales growth. TimeTrades leading-edge Customer Engagement Cloud, an enterprise platform delivered through a worldwide cloud-hosting network, provides omnichannel and mobile application tools for managing the most critical part of the customer journey: the live conversation. It includes several tightly integrated modules for online appointment scheduling, queue management, and data-rich analytics and reports. The companys patented cloud technology scales to meet the demands of the largest multinational enterprises as well as mid-size and small businesses, and undergoes independent SOC 2 type 2 security audits annually. More than 500 of the worlds most successful brands  including the largest banks, retailers, sales organizations and healthcare systems  rely on TimeTrade to power their live customer conversations and improve the customer experience, in person, by phone or online.

TimeTrade is a registered trademark of TimeTrade Systems, Inc. All other company or product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Kevin Flanagan

TimeTrade

781-856-2589

Laura MacSweeney

George Cohen Communications

339-221-0614
The appeals court ruled Riders trial attorney was ineffective because she failed to object to the warrantless seizure of Riders cell phone related to the 2017 shooting death of Julii Johnson, outside the Warren home of her boyfriend.
Vancouver newspaper publisher and entrepreneur Harbinder Singh Sewak is a master of cultural niche marketing.

And he has made a fortune doing that from Malaysia to New Zealand to Thailand and now in Surrey, B.C.

In order to be successful in cultural niche markets, you need to know your target audience, where they live, what they love and the values by which they live their lives, said Sewak, the publisher of the Post Group of newspapers.

In multi-cultural Malaysia, where he was born, Sewak financed part of his schooling by organizing groups of foreign workers to work as security guards when local workers were hard to find.

I rounded up the unemployed migrant workers, he said.

In New Zealand, local Maori men would not work harvesting Kiwi fruit when it rained.

Local policies at that time was to still pay them but the fruit and trees were not being attended to, so I found workers who would work in the rain and made a small fortune doing that.

In Toronto, Harbinder saw a huge demand for studded denim wear by the local Italian community and promptly set up an operation in Thailand to feed this fashion trend.

In Vancouver, during the early 90s he set up the Asian Pacific Post newspaper to fill a need for rapidly rising numbers of new Canadians from Asia. He today owns and operates three papers that specializes in ethnic communities.

When Canadas military wanted to extend its reach into the Sikh community, Sewak founded the countrys first cadet corps supported by the Sikh community after organizing their attendance at the mammoth Vaisakhi parades in Surrey

This month, Sewak launched Alooatta.com  North Americas first online Indian artisanal sweets and savories operation that offers free deliveries of these mouthwatering snacks to your home.

The world of healthy Indian sweets and snacks is largely unexplored in the West, said Sewak, whose latest venture arrow is pointed directly at the booming demand for diverse foods in Canada.

Alooattas offerings of Indian sweets, also referred to as Mithai and Namkeen snacks, is made locally by independent chefs, who often modify the traditional with creative additions for the local palate.

Our artisanal chefs usually give it a little twist to reflect the local palate like petha with chocolate topping.

They are environmentally conscious and use biodegradable or recyclable packaging while the snacks have less sugar, with gluten free options and healthy ingredients like flax seed.

Alooattas signature item is the 'gol gappa', or pani puri found in every street corner of India.

Always on the lookout for a cultural niche, Alooattas intrepid chefs have found that these little savoury balls are the perfect spill-proof container for almost anything you'd put on a cracker, and even some things you wouldn't.

Here they are called Canuck Crunch and can hold a dollop of whipped cream with pineapple slices for a dessert dish, or a vodka-infused masala vegetarian-mix as an appetizer.

The sturdy yet delicate 'gol gappas' are also perfect to hold seafood like salmon or prawns and Alooatta also offers the Mexi-gappa.

Many in the Alooatta community also order the gol-gappa for parties and use them in their own unique ways to create individual dishes, said Sewak, adding the unique creations are often shared on Alooatta.com.

Alooattas menu is fresh, mysterious, and exotic and offers variations on world cuisines to make the traditional foods more fun, said Vancouver food writer, Samantha McLeod.

As an avid cook and dinner party host I find I never have enough time to make dessert. Having desserts like the buttery, nutty, cardamom-infused Kaju Roll on hand makes my sweet finishes effortless.

Ditch the mass-produced chips for Channa Dal the next time you crave the crunch. These spicy snacks taste like it was roasted moments ago, she said.

Alooatta.coms drive for healthy snacks comes in the wake of a BC government initiative called Apnee Sehat to make changes to South Asian kitchens and help South Asian residents eat healthier.

We know that simply making healthier food choices can have a dramatic impact in a persons health. The Apnee Sehat program is an impressive example of what can be done when you find ways to address healthy eating within a particular community, said BC Minister of Health Terry Lake

These changes in the kitchens work as a springboard to start a movement towards better health outcomes, said Deljit Bains, Manager, South Asian Health Institute (SAHI).

The South Asian health Institute through the Sehat program has successfully engaged the community to live healthier lifestyles. Engagement of the community is the foundational principle of the South Asian Health Institute, said Dr. Arun K Garg, program medical director of SAHI.

Alooatta.com is an innovative concept that truly embodies what it means to be Canadian, said Jeremy Dunn, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association.

Traditional Indian sweets and snacks including seafood is a great twist, one that we hope has great success both here at home and abroad, he said.

"Alooatta's menu showcases the diversity of healthy Indian snack foods with distinct Canadian flavours," said Barinder Rasode, director of social responsibility at Resource Works.

"Its another example of a small business making it work in B.C."
Commentary

By Suresh Kurl

New Canadian Media

Time passes, sometimes leaving behind only a knot of hurtful memories. Thirty years have gone by waiting for the news, when the living victims of the Air India tragedy would hear, feel and spend the rest of their days with some sense of justice. It seems like they will never realize their hopes.

Just ask those whom destiny left behind only to mourn loved ones lost on June 23, 1985.

The Air-India Bombing was not a car accident caused by a drunken driver on an icy Canadian road. It was a well planned, well financed and well executed aviation mass murder of 331 individuals. They had no idea before and after they boarded the plane that they were being taken  not to meet their relatives  but to the end of their own lives. Eyes still get moist and tears still roll down the cheeks when someone or something reminds Canadians of that dreadful day.

Inderjit Singh Reyat, the designated technician-cum-schemer of the 331 murders, made the bomb, tested the bomb and handed it over to his associate master-minds to execute the rest of the plot, to shatter the plane over the Atlantic Ocean. They did this rather effectively, leaving the Irish authorities scooping dead babies, lifeless adults, packed suitcases, floating dolls and pieces of the broken airplane for evidence.

The Air India Bombing was plotted and executed to avenge the wounded honour of the GoldenTemple, a respected seat of worship and devotion. This temple assault, referred to as "Operation Blue Star" by the New Delhi government, had the approval of the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and was no less evil than the bombing of the Air India flights that followed.

Mrs. Gandhi could have chosen some other political and peaceful solution to resolve the national crisis, but she did not, just as Mr. Reyat and his associates could have adopted some other peaceful path to achieve the Sikh separatist agenda. But they did not, because they, especially Mr. Reyat, the designated technician, must have believed, "Two wrongs equal one right."

Co-incidentally, there are a few similarities between Mrs. Gandhi and Mr. Reyat. Both of them have the same derivative Sanskrit root, "in-" meaning, stubborn, determined, bold and energetic.

Second, both of them suffered the consequences of their Karma (behaviour). PM Gandhi was assassinated at the hands of her trusted body guards. Reyat was doomed by his loyalty to his co-conspirators.

Who will ever believe that such a plot was the work of one person?

Moreover, Mr. Reyat ended up protecting, insulating and covering his criminal associates through his own "perjury". I call it destiny.

Third, their actions were a response to the demand for the creation of a separate nation, "Khalistan'.

Fourth, no one seems to admire them for the violence soaked sacrifices they made to attain their objectives.

Last week, Mr. Reyat was released from federal prison; technically, "paroled out". Where Mr. Reyat is going to live or with who he is going to live with is not of significance. What is significant is that he could never be free from the prison of his own guilt.

He might not even be able to sleep soundly. He might even suffer vivid nightmares of exploding planes and falling dead babies from the sky: all because he is unwilling to reconcile with the truth, compassion and honesty and universal love, the tenets of every religion, including his own religion.

Spiritually speaking, Mr. Reyat can only redeem himself of his portion of sins by disclosing the names of those who were involved in plotting, financing and executing this crime, which put him and him alone away in prison for a long time and caused him to suffer, socially, financially and spiritually.

Mr. Reyat is a Sikh. If he believes in God, he must also believe in Karma, its consequences and rebirth. If all this is true then the only option Mr. Reyat has is to pray for peace and strength to tell the truth and cleanse his conscience. Truth sets us free. Truth heals our wounded spirit. Truth prepares us to face our Creator.

As a spiritual human being, I am asking him to do the right thing for his soul and for the sake of his children and their children. He alone has the power to offer the gift of justice and peace to those he has victimized.

Mr. Reyat, leave this world with your head high with pride, not bending low, burdened with the weight of lies and a guilty conscience.

Dr. Suresh Kurl is a South Asian Community Activist, a former university professor, retired Registrar of the B.C. Benefits Appeal Board (Govt. of B.C.), a former Member of the National Parole Board (Govt. of Canada), a writer and public speaker.

This piece was originally appeared in New Canadian Media.

See http://newcanadianmedia.ca/component/k2/40672-mr-reyat-please-do-the-right-thing

Who is Inderjit Singh Reyat

Inderjit Singh Reyat, convicted three times but still the only man convicted at all in Canada's worst-ever mass murder. Until Sept. 11, the bombing of Air India on June 23, 1985, was the deadliest terrorist attack anywhere, ever.

A mechanic from Punjab, living on Vancouver Island, Reyat bought the dynamite, the detonators and the batteries that took the lives of 329 passengers on Air India's Flight 182, which left from Toronto, stopped in Montreal and exploded over the coast of Ireland on its way to Heathrow Airport in London.

A second bomb blew up nearly simultaneously, killing two Japanese baggage handlers as they transferred it to another Air India flight leaving Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Both bombs originated in Vancouver. The passengers who checked them in never boarded. The plan was to produce two spectacular massacres, one on each side of the globe.

In total, 331 innocents died that day. Most were Canadians. Dozens were children. Whole families were wiped out.

Reyat, a member of an extremist group fighting for a Sikh homeland, was first convicted for building the Narita bomb. Then, at the Air India trial in Vancouver, he was jointly accused with two other Sikh fundamentalists for mass murder on Flight 182.

Reyat refused to tell what he knew, but cut a deal and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The other two, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri, were acquitted, the CBC reported.

Reyat's silence, though, cost him a third conviction, this time for perjury. He had told bare-faced lies in court to protect his co-conspirators. After serving two-thirds of his sentence, the National Parole Board was bound to release him  statutory release is, after all, statutory  but it did so with evident unease
Namely News: Volunteers scare up Halloween fun

On Loop Court in Grangers, neighbors build a Halloween maze for all. At IU South Bend, students organize Boo to You for area children.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High near 80F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low around 60F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
GREENBELT, Md.  Despite uncertainty about potential policy changes, NASA is pressing ahead with plans for a cislunar "gateway" outpost for future human missions, with decisions about how to develop it expected in the coming months.

Speaking at the American Astronautical Society's Goddard Memorial Symposium here March 8, Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations, said he was studying concepts for launching the first elements of the proposed outpost as secondary payloads on early flights of the Space Launch System.

"There's starting to be a sense of urgency" about selecting what to fly on those initial SLS missions to support development of the cislunar outpost, he said. "We've really got to start making some decisions about what that cargo is." [Visions of Deep-Space Stations for Exploration]

The outpost will be a collection of habitation, cargo and other modules that could support crews working in lunar orbit or elsewhere in cislunar space for extended periods. Orion spacecraft would ferry astronauts to and from the outpost, where they could test technologies and perform other work needed to support NASA's long-term plans for human missions to Mars in the 2030s.

Gerstenmaier said development of the outpost could begin with the second and third SLS missions, EM-2 and -3, which will be the first flights of the SLS to use the more powerful Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). That version of the SLS will have the ability to carry secondary payloads weighing up to several thousand kilograms within the rocket's Universal Stage Adapter, an area between the EUS and Orion spacecraft.

Current schedules call for the launch of EM-2 as soon as 2021, which Gerstenmaier said pushes NASA to make decisions soon on what element of the outpost, if any, to fly on that launch. "We've really got to start making some decisions about what that cargo is, whom we partner with and how we build the equipment," he said. "You're going to see us, over the next several months, starting to make some pretty crisp decisions about what goes on those flights."

EM-1 and the moon

A wild card in those plans is the ongoing study of putting a crew on the first SLS/Orion mission, EM-1. That mission is currently scheduled to launch in late 2018 without a crew, but if NASA does decide to place astronauts on that mission, it would likely slip until 2019, pushing back EM-2 and later missions.

Gerstenmaier, in an interview after his conference presentation, said putting a crew on EM-1 could open up new possibilities for EM-2 and later missions. "It makes EM-2 be more of an aggressive mission, and we can do more with the cargo that's behind the Orion capsule on that flight," he said.

Gerstenmaier and others cautioned that no decision had been made about flying crew on EM-1, as the study was ongoing. "We realize the challenges associated with that. That's not an easy task to do," NASA Acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot said in remarks at the conference earlier the same day. "I expect to hear pretty soon in terms what we could do."

The idea of the study had its roots in the potential for other delays in EM-1. Chris Shank, who led the NASA "landing team" for the incoming Trump administration late last year, said on a conference panel that Gerstenmaier informed him at a meeting that the service module for that mission, being provided by the European Space Agency, could be delivered several months late.

"We asked, if given more time, if there are some additional things that you could do with the mission," Shank said. That led to consideration of flying crew on the mission. "As part of the transition, there were no preconceived conclusions. This is genuinely a study on how to get the best bang for the buck."

Whether or not NASA decides to fly a crew on EM-1, there's widespread speculation in the space community that the Trump administration might redirect NASA's human spaceflight efforts towards lunar missions, including a human return to the lunar surface. Industry officials, though, said that a cislunar gateway would still be useful for human missions to the surface of the moon.

"I would argue that none of it becomes obsolete. This was intended to be a first step, or an outpost" regardless of ultimate destination, said Matt Duggan, exploration manager at Boeing, during a March 9 conference panel.

Boeing is one of six companies that received contracts in August from NASA as part of its Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships, or NextSTEP, program. The contracts call on the companies to develop designs for habitat modules that could be used on future cislunar habitats.

Some of the companies, like Boeing, have also developed more comprehensive cislunar outpost designs, which Duggan said takes into account their potential use supporting lunar landing missions, originally by international partners and not NASA. "We may be talking more now about a U.S. trip to the surface of moon," he said, "but an international trip to the surface of the moon has always been in the trade space."

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
A Zero 2 Infinity Bloostar rocket prototype launches from a high-altitude balloon, itself flying 25 kilometers above Earth, during a test flight on March 1, 2017.

WASHINGTON  Spanish high-altitude balloon specialist Zero 2 Infinity completed its first test flight of Bloostar, a balloon-assisted small-satellite launcher four years in development.

During the test, conducted March 1 from a vessel a few kilometers off Spain's coast, a stratospheric balloon lifted the Bloostar vehicle to a 25-kilometer altitude before its vacuum-optimized engine ignited.

The Barcelona-based company announced March 13 that the test proved Zero 2 Infinity's ability to perform a controlled ignition in space, stabilize the rocket and monitor the launch sequence. The test also allowed Zero 2 Infinity to demonstrate Bloostar's telemetry systems in space and recover the vehicle at sea following parachute deployment. [Watch the Bloostar Balloon-Launched Rocket Test]

Designed to carry small satellites to low-Earth orbit, Bloostar is a three-stage vehicle (not counting the balloon) equipped with rocket engines that burn a mixture of liquid oxygen and methane. During a standard mission, Bloostar's balloon will carry it above an estimated 95 percent of the atmosphere before its propulsion stages activate, enabling it to deliver a 75-kilogram satellite to a 600-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit.

A Zero 2 Infinity Bloostar rocket prototype launches from a high-altitude balloon, itself flying 25 kilometers above Earth, during a test flight on March 1, 2017. (Image credit: Zero 2 Infinity)

Zero 2 Infinity CEO Jose Mariano Lopez Urdiales, who sometimes refers to the hybrid vehicle as a "rockoon," told SpaceNews that Bloostar's rockets only fired for a few seconds during the March 1 test; reaching a high apogee was not a goal. Zero 2 Infinity has a series of tests planned both on the ground and at near-space altitudes between 20 and 100 kilometers going forward.

"This was a very early test, but we were happy with the results and it's an important step moving from computer graphics and engineering and calculations to actual hardware," he said.

Zero 2 Infinity started on Bloostar in 2013. The company has been deploying high-altitude balloons for about seven years, but made a move into the launch sector when demand for small satellites increased. Zero 2 Infinity also has a program called Bloon for passenger-carrying balloon trips to near space, but Lopez Urdiales said the company is currently focusing on Bloostar.

Lopez Urdiales said Bloostar fired only one engine of its seven engines during the March 1 test. The final version of the vehicle, he said, will carry 13 engines  six on the first stage, six on the second stage and one on the third stage.

"We have a long list of test flights that we need to perform," he said. "Our next big milestone will be crossing the Karman line with a 'rockoon,' with a rocket being launched from a balloon." The Karman line, a point 100 kilometers above sea level, marks the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and space.

Zero 2 Infinity conducted a scaled-down test launch of a prototype balloon-rocket smallsat launch vehicle called Bloostar on March 1. (Image credit: Zero 2 Infinity)

Lopez Urdiales said recovering the prototype after its March 1 launch allows Zero 2 Infinity to retrieve onboard SIM cards containing a bigger trove of flight data than what the vehicle sent back through telemetry. The recovery is also an important step for reusability which, while not part of Zero 2 Infinity's main business plan, is factored into Bloostar's design.

Zero 2 Infinity says it has letters of intent worth a total of 250 million euros ($266.4 million) from customers that want to launch with Bloostar. Lopez Urdiales said the launcher's development is financed through a combination of outside investment and revenue generated from Zero 2 Infinity's existing balloon business.

Ultra Magic, a hot air balloon manufacturer, is an industrial investor in Bloostar, though Zero 2 Infinity doesn't purchase its balloons from them. Lopez Urdiales said Ultra Magic is more interested in the propulsion technology side of Bloostar.

Zero 2 Infinity plans to have its first commercial Bloostar launch in 2019, Lopez Urdiales said, after a final test campaign of four rockoon launches that year. Lopez Urdiales said the company wants a minimum of one successful full demonstration mission out of the four before launching with customer payloads.

Lopez Urdiales said Zero 2 Infinity recently created a subsidiary in the United States, and might do some test flights from U.S. ranges out over the sea. The majority of tests though, will be in Europe, he said.

This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry.
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.  The spaceflight company Blue Origin, which was founded by Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos, plans to launch its first crewed flight to suborbital space soon.

"We're trying to get to our first human flights within the next year. That's a laser focus for the team right now," Erika Wagner, Blue Origin's business development manager, told the audience at the New Space Age Conference on Saturday (March 11) here at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Management.

In November 2015, Blue Origin made history when it landed its New Shepard rocket after an uncrewed test flight to suborbital space. This was the first time that any company or country had successfully completed a vertical takeoff and landing with a reusable rocket during a mission to space. [How Blue Origin's Suborbital Rocket Ride Works (Infographic)]

"We're pretty proud of that milestone," Wagner said.

Over the next year, Blue Origin launched and landed that same rocket four more times, further demonstrating the reusable-rocket technology that Bezos has said could revolutionize spaceflight by slashing costs.

Elon Musk, SpaceX's billionaire founder and CEO, has expressed similar enthusiasm for reusability. SpaceX has landed the first stage of eight different Falcon 9 rockets during orbital flights and said it plans to re-fly one of these boosters for the first time later this month.

Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are also developing heavy-lift rockets, and each company has said it aims to launch moon missions in the next few years.

But if Blue Origin is feeling the pressure, it's not showing it. The company's motto, Wagner pointed out, is gradatim ferociter  Latin for "step by step, ferociously."

The company's first launcher consisted of four Rolls Royce jet engines strapped to a launch frame, and the main purpose of creating it was to develop software, Wagner said. Blue Origin then built small rocket engines, and then bigger ones. Now, the company has the suborbital New Shepherd, and engineers are working on the heavy-lifter New Glenn, an orbital vehicle that's scheduled to fly for the first time by 2020.

This same incrementalist philosophy will also apply to crewed flights, which will begin aboard New Shepard. (Blue Origin also intends to launch people to orbital space eventually, Bezos has said.)

"We're really taking that to the next level and proving out a rocket before we ever put our first human on board," Wagner said.

Safety is the primary goal, she added.

"We don't believe in qualifying a [specified] number of flights," Wagner told the audience. "We believe in qualifying performance. We really believe that safety comes from how well you understand a system."

Wagner said Blue Origin looks to NASA's human spaceflight integration standards  which establish health requirements for the preflight, in-flight, and post-flight phases of such a journey  as a guide.

"As soon as we're ready, we'll have humans on board," she said. "We're not there yet."

You can follow Tracy Staedter at her website and @tracy_staedter. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+.Originally published on Space.com.
Jupiter's ocean-harboring moon Europa, as seen by NASA's Galileo probe. The space agency plans to launch a mission to Europa in the 2020s, to assess the world's potential to host life.

President Donald Trump has a chance to make a historic mark on NASA science and the future of space exploration in general, experts say.

Many of NASA's high-profile robotic exploration missions are scheduled to end over the next few years, and there's not much in the pipeline to replace them, said Casey Dreier, director of space policy for The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance space science and exploration.

"We're in this period where we really need to start rebuilding lots of science programs for the next generation," Dreier told Space.com. "This administration has the opportunity to basically help set the next decade of planetary and astrophysics exploration at NASA." [Watch: Bill Nye's Space Ideas for President Trump]

"A narrow pipeline"

Some of NASA's biggest, boldest and most accomplished robotic missions will be saying goodbye soon.

For example, the $3.2 billion Cassini-Huygens mission, which has been orbiting Saturn since 2004, will end with an intentional death dive into the ringed planet's atmosphere this September. And the $1.1 billion Juno Jupiter mission is scheduled to perform a similar suicidal plunge in February 2018, after having studied the solar system's largest planet from orbit for more than 18 months.

The $700 million New Horizons mission, which captured the first-ever up-close photos of Pluto during its July 2015 flyby, will have a close encounter with a second faraway object, known as 2014 MU69, in January 2019. But the probe's current extended mission is scheduled to end two years after that, in 2021.

And the Curiosity rover, the centerpiece of NASA's $2.5 billion Mars Science Laboratory mission, has already been exploring the Red Planet for more than 4.5 years and can't be expected to chug along forever (even though its smaller cousin, the indefatigable Opportunity, has logged more than 13 years on Mars and is still going strong).

NASA has a few big-ticket items on the robotic docket in the relatively near future. For instance, the agency is eyeing an early-to-mid-2020s launch for Europa Clipper, a $2 billion mission that will assess the habitability of Jupiter's ocean-harboring moon Europa during dozens of flybys. (Congress has also instructed the agency to send a lander to Europa; NASA is currently studying the best ways to do this.)

Furthermore, NASA plans to launch a $2 billion Mars rover in 2020, to search for signs of Red Planet life, and collect and store samples for future return to Earth. [NASA's 2020 Mars Rover Science Plan (Video)]

But a "true Mars program" would also involve the development of another Mars orbiter to help relay this future rover's data back to Earth, as well as a mission to bring the collected samples home, Dreier said.

"Those are nowhere to be seen, and that's a big worry on our part," he said.

And overall, NASA's astrophysics and planetary-science cupboard will be fairly bare in the near future if things don't change soon, Dreier added.

"It looks good right now, but the pipeline is diminished; the pipeline is narrow," he said. "We need to increase the pipeline of future missions, or else we're going to find ourselves bereft of exploration in the 2020s."

Making a mark

The Planetary Society has some ideas for how the Trump administration could best aid NASA's science and exploration work.

For example, in a video "open letter" posted Tuesday (March 14), Planetary Society CEO (and former TV "Science Guy") Bill Nye urged Trump to propose increasing NASA's budget by 5 percent every year for the next five years.

If enacted, such increases would boost the agency's current budget of about $19 billion to $24.2 billion by 2022. Such an outcome is not out of the realm of possibility, Dreier said.

"The last three years, Congress has provided more money for NASA than what the Obama administration requested," he said. "And in 2015, they gave it a 7 percent increase over the year before."

Nye also advised Trump to help strengthen and expand NASA's science portfolio. Specifically, The Planetary Society wants the president to propose allocating 30 percent of the NASA budget to the agency's Science Mission Directorate. (This recommendation and many others are detailed in a newly published Planetary Society white paper.)

Right now, it's unclear what Trump's space priorities will be. He still hasn't appointed a NASA administrator, and his public statements about space exploration consist primarily of two fleeting mentions: In his inaugural speech, the president said the nation stands "ready to unlock the mysteries of space," and in his first address to a joint session of Congress last month, he stated that "American footprints on distant worlds are not too big a dream."

In addition, the president's advisers have said that the Trump administration aims to slash, or perhaps even eliminate, NASA's Earth-science program  one of four divisions in the Science Mission Directorate.

Dreier said he hopes The Planetary Society's open letter and white paper will help show the Trump administration the value of all of NASA's space science and exploration work. Indeed, policies enacted during the next four to eight years could end up helping to answer some of humanity's biggest questions, Dreier and Nye said.

"If you double down and invest in a life-detection mission with the Europa lander, that can be a legacy: 'My administration promoted, funded and launched, or allowed to launch, this mission that maybe would discover life on another world,'" Dreier said.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
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As Prime Minister Theresa May is set to trigger Article 50, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society (YAS) will submit four summary reports that identify key concerns of the farming industry and highlight policies which will need to be reformed.

The triggering of Article 50 will be no later than the end of March 2017 which means Britain should officially leave the EU no later than April 2019.

YAS created the Brexit Working Party of the Farmer-Scientist Network to look at the effect of Brexit on agriculture.

It has produced a series of papers to update and inform the farming community as the Government moves towards developing new polices in preparation to exit from the EU.

Professor Wyn Grant, University of Warwick, Common Agricultural Policy Expert and lead of the Brexit Working Party said:

New agricultural policies will require careful consideration, need to rely on sound scientific evidence and be led by the industry itself.

Our findings were that basic payment subsidies are unlikely to survive Brexit, but there needs to be a transitional period to allow the industry to adjust. Seasonal migrant labour is of vital importance to some sectors of agriculture and a new scheme is needed to facilitate the use of temporary workers from both inside and outside the EU.

Agri-food trade policy is very much a work in progress and at least four alternative models are available. If policy variation in the devolved territories increases after Brexit, there is the potential for the emergence of un-level playing fields and variations in the treatment of farmers across the UK.
STAMFORD  City police investigators watched a shootout unfold outside Harbor Point apartments following a Super Bowl party last month.

They saw  through the lenses of security cameras  two men firing bullets at each other before running away.

The video footage helped lead to an arrest.

Stamford police have relied on this type of technology for years to solve crimes and last summer launched a Secure Cam program, which registered nearly 300 cameras in the downtown area.

The police department is now expanding the program citywide in hopes business owners and residents will register their cameras that could help a future investigation.

Patrol Lt. Diedrich Hohn, who spearheaded the effort as the former head of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said video evidence has been crucial to catching criminals for years.

Hohn said the Secure Cam program is similar to one launched a few years ago in Philadelphia, where nearly 2,500 cameras have been registered.

Security camera video evidence has become a tremendous tool for us, Sgt. Paul Guzda said. If people would sign up, it will save a tremendous amount of man hours.

Stamford police have released video footage to the public of crimes such as shootings, burglaries and robberies and tipsters have led them to the suspects.

Police have also used cameras as a situation unfolded.

In October, 911 callers reported a man waving a gun as he walked down Summer Place. Officers went to a nearby doughnut shop to get a description of the man by watching the security footage.

Another officer went into nearby Stamford Town Center and found an image on its video footage of the suspect walking into the mall. The officer then spotted the man inside the mall and steered cops to his location.

When the man walked out of an elevator in the center of the mall, Hohn and officer Luis Velez tackled the man, identified as Mohamed Boumazzourh, and wrestled the gun out of his hand.

We solved the case primarily because we were right there and we were able to track the suspect and verify it was a legitimate complaint, Hohn said.

Hohn and Velez received a commendation from Mayor David Martin for the arrest. Boumazzourh, who police said was carrying a BB gun, has entered a probation program for former military members with psychological issues.

A security camera outside McDonalds on Bedford Street also helped solve the murder of 52-year-old Antonio Muralles, who was stabbed to death outside the restaurant in March 2015. Marquest Hall, 15, was charged with the murder and is awaiting trial.

We had a lot of the information from different witnesses, said Sgt. Chris DiCarlo, the lead investigator in the case. But once we had the video, it corroborated everyones story.

The footage came from the adjacent Remos Brick Oven Pizza Co., whose owner, Joe Castagna, registered the camera with the citys program.

Its good for us and its good for the city, Castagna said. We want to help the best we can. I think its the best way. It is a very good idea. We have to keep the area safe for everybody.

The registry has helped police solve crimes more quickly.

Its a benefit for everyone involved, DiCarlo said. If we can solve crimes through surveillance video, it makes the area a safer place for business owners to do business.

Hohn said the program empowers business owners and residents to help police the neighborhood.

Its good for us, because we know who has the cameras and the owners feel free to call us with questions, he said. We have had successes with a lot of video from our private partners. We have had robberies, shootings that we have obtained leads from video and others that have been solved where video was instrumental in making arrests.

But Hohn said police are not trying to invade anyones privacy.

Were are not going to snoop on people, he said. We arent using it for any other reason than to solve crimes.

To register a camera, visit stamfordpd.org/securecam

jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com;
I nvestors have already snapped up more than 200 million of property under construction in a 1.7 billion plan to transform the Royal Albert Dock into a third financial centre for London, it emerged on Wednesday.

John Miu, the chief operating officer at ABP, the Chinese developer behind the project, said contracts had been exchanged to sell just over half of the 700,000 square feet of offices being built at the industrial site, due to open next year.

He told the Standard at Mipim: Buyers include London investors and purchasers from other parts of the UK, India, China and Hong Kong. Many will occupy the offices, while a handful will lease the space to financial services and tech companies.

Until now ABP, chaired by Xu Weiping, had released little detail on the project, unveiled in 2015.

Businesses are seeing this site as an alternative to the City and Canary Wharf for opening headquarters.

They are attracted by cheaper investment price tags. Meanwhile the weaker pound has also resulted in discounts for international buyers, said Miu. The development will include offices, homes and shops.
C hina held out the olive branch to the US today as its premier Li Keqiang hoped to avoid a damaging trade war with Donald Trump, despite likely bumps in the two nations relations.

The outspoken Republican president reserved some of his harshest campaign rhetoric for Beijing on his way to the White House, accusing China of being a currency manipulator and threatening to slap huge tariffs on Chinese imports to the US.

Trump has also castigated China for its military presence in the South China Sea.

But Li said the worlds two largest economies should work together to uphold strategic interests. He added: We dont wish to see a trade war breaking out between the two countries.

His comments come ahead of a meeting between Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping, which is being brokered by officials on either side and could take place next month.

China hopes that, no matter what bumps this relationship may run into, it will continue to forge in the right direction, said Li.

If Trump fulfils his threat to call Beijing a currency manipulator it could lead to trade sanctions. But Li added: China has no intention to devalue its currency to boost exports. He said the exchange rate will remain generally stable.

He added: China will continue to open to the outside world,

He said: We welcome other partners to share with us in the development opportunities of China.
M &A gossip from La Croisette as rumours resurfaced that BNP Paribas Real Estate is making a swoop on London office specialist and upmarket estate agent Strutt & Parker.

Chatter has had Strutt considering selling all or part of the business to BNP before. But property agents at Mipim suggest talks have advanced.

The goss comes days after it emerged that Strutt & Parker had advised on the UKs biggest office rent deal  190 per square foot in St Jamess Square.

Its a no comment from both sides. Watch this space.

Waterman on song

Turn down that din! Spy was startled to find an, ahem, eclectic playlist blaring out at the Mipim property conference in Cannes.

Pop music mogul and Warrington resident Pete Waterman, there to promote the benefits of HS2 and The Norf, had compiled a playlist for the event.

Northerners must be feeling chipper as the list featured Rick Astleys hopeful Never Gonna Give you Up, and the upbeat Cant Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake.

Spy cant but think Justin Trousersnakes Cry Me A River would better reflect the mood of the London attendees, as they looked concerned about saying au revoir to the EU.

Chocks away for docks developer

Over to Hounslow councils stand at Mipim and guests were able to try out a flight simulator chair to get a feel for what its like to be a pilot at Heathrow.

Spy spotted John Miu, the chief operating officer of Royal Albert Docks developer ABP, having a go. Can I fly [away] to east London? he joked.
S hares in Sage sank today as investors started to wonder whether the accounting software giants transformation plan was as wise as they had thought.

Analysts at Barclays were casting doubt on the FTSE 100 firms prospects. They questioned whether the company needed a plan B to accelerate growth: to spend big on takeovers.

Sage has been improved, but can arguably only be transformed via expensive M&A [mergers and acquisitions] and, upon challenging our investment thesis, we find an increased risk of disappointment, said analyst James Goodman.

Sage bought cloud software firm Fairsail this month and while the terms of the deal were not disclosed, he presumes it was at more expensive multiples.

Goodman has pencilled in slowing growth to his forecasts, arguing Sages products lack the scale needed to get customers.

He believes the benefit of shifting to a subscription model, a move that has brought Sage higher renewal rates and prices, is set to moderate, leaving it reliant on winning new customers.

His downbeat stance  he has an Underweight rating  dragged the shares down 11p, or 1.7%, to 635p.

Investors had plenty to digest, with the Dutch polls opening, the UK jobs report and the Federal Reserves expected rate hike. Traders decided the best move was to hold fire as the FTSE 100 edged up 7.66 points to 7365.51.

Infrastructure support services firm Babcock was 12p stronger at 906p as Liberum upgraded from Hold to Buy. The broker said the valuation had become compelling after recent share price falls and suggested organic sales growth and cashflow should improve next year.

Gambling software group Playtech drifted 9.5p to 898.5p as founder Teddy Sagi, the Israeli billionaire, sold another 113 million of shares.

Inflexion, the former private equity owners of On The Beach, which fell 2p at 290p, made a similar move. It sold off 43 million of shares in the online package holidays group.

Waste management firm Biffa, which floated last year after initially delaying the IPO, was nudged 0.4p higher to 189.4p as it revealed its maiden full-year results would be in line with expectations.

Premier Oil fired up 5.21p, or 9.5%, to 59.96p as the debt-laden North Sea oiler moved a step closer to a refinancing after the final lender agreed to the deal.

Poor annual results from Gem Diamonds were to be expected but still disappointed the market as the shares lost more of their sparkle, down 6p at 110p, with no dividend.

On the junior market, it was a different story for Marshall Motors, the car dealer. The shares shifted up 4.5p to 171p after what analysts described as a strong performance last year.

Investors were also encouraged by the upbeat outlook statement, shrugging off concerns about a slowdown in car-buying after the Brexit vote last year.
B rexit is not as damaging for London and the wider UK property market as senior professionals in the industry first feared, according to the findings of a survey published Wednesday at Mipim.

Agent GVA said it questioned nearly 1000 of its own fee-earners last month.

Of these, just 7% think that the capital will have a significant decrease in status as a result of the EU referendum. That compares to a quarter of respondents a year ago.

The firm, which is advising on the potential sale of North London's Holloway prison, also flagged that staff were less worried about weaker demand from occupiers for space in the UK.

Some 38% expect a decrease in demand from the manufacturing sector. The figure last year was 69%.

Employees noted confidence in the media and tech sectors, but were less upbeat about office demand from the financial services industry.

Neil Dovey, a senior director at GVA, said: This latest set of findings helps illustrate a marked shift in attitudes since the pre-referendum pessimism we saw.
G uzzling champagne amid the yachts in the sun-kissed south of France was par for the course in the good old days of the property world, which decamped to the Mipim industry festival in Cannes this week.

But this week also marks a watershed for the UKs property scene: the first post-Brexit festival. This time around the industrys representatives are having to earn their corn and make the case for London on the cusp of a new era.

If you were here in 2007 you would have seen that young property agents came to get drunk and celebrate their deals. But now companies want to know that staff are coming back with deals and not just toasting existing ones, says the boss of a London-listed property firm, leaning over a plate of seafood.

Cannes is stuffed with property tycoons for the week, including the 60 guests invited by Levy Real Estate and the Westminster Property Association to discuss the annual French gathering over rose as the sun beat down on the Majestic hotel.

James Cooksey, chairman of Westminster Property Association, told attendees  including directors from Soho Estates and Shaftesbury  that London representatives at Mipim will need to work hard to fight off property rivals from cities such as Paris and Frankfurt which are hoping to capitalise on a possible exodus by businesses from the capital. He said: We cant rest on our laurels. There are lots of other capital cities that will gladly take away from us if we dont keep pushing forward.

Theres plenty of buzz along Cannes main drag  La Croisette, a strip of grandiose hotels and luxury stores. The place is teeming with suits attempting to do smart casual  property gurus, bankers and lawyers trying to finance deals, get round the exhibitors and listen to talks.

Mipim is often seen as a barometer of the health of the global property market. Inevitably the talk of the wine bars has turned to Brexit and whether London has lost its lustre for international investors.

With demand for luxury flats on the wane and office occupiers threatening to relocate outside the UK, theres plenty to discuss.

One Mipim veteran who is not letting political concerns get in the way of networking at the property jamboree, is tycoon Vincent Tchenguiz, who will host a party on his 130ft yacht, Veni Vidi Vici.

The chairman of investor Consensus Business Group, known for his triumphant crusade against the Serious Fraud Office after a botched investigation, says: Time is precious in this industry and Mipim gives my colleagues and me the opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from all over the world and see how peers are innovating, particularly on the financing side.

Tchenguiz adds: There are many shifts away from traditional global trends, such as Brexit, the election of Donald Trump and the rise of European populism.

All of those factors may lead to the breakup of the European Union, which will bring challenges but also huge opportunities.

The property industry must work together to leverage the opportunities and tackle the challenges that will come with Brexit.

Brian Bickell, the boss of West End landlord Shaftesbury, adds: This year will be an opportunity to remind the global property community that the UK will continue to be a good investment destination.

To reinforce that feeling, the Government is making its Mipim debut this year. A giant billboard plastered above the Palais des Festivals et des Congres  the building which hosts Mipim conferences  reads: Welcome to a land alive with opportunity Invest in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. As one West End office agent puts it: This is a blatant attempt to keep European rivals on their toes and woo new business to the UK ahead of us leaving the EU.

The talk has been that the London property giants have sent fewer agents out this year, leaving them to pound the phones at home rather than take the gentle approach of bagging deals in the South of France.

But theres still plenty to be positive about. A report from agent CBRE today puts London in first place as the most attractive European city for property investment for the sixth consecutive year.

Gregor Wallace, the UK managing director of investor Coldwell Banker Commercial, says: London is still top of overseas investors shopping lists for property and the currency swing is now showing clearly that it is an attractive time to invest in this market for longer-term income returns.

One office leasing agent tries to summarise the Mipim mood: Companies know that they have to work harder because of Brexit and it will not be easy. But you can bet that agents from both Londons residential and office sectors will be out in force for the remainder of the week. They may just be staying in slightly cheaper hotels with fewer bottles of champagne going around than in previous years.

The industry weather may not be as warm as the sunshine in Cannes, but the full chill of Brexit is yet to be felt.
B rexit, says a report in Die Welt, is the result of inward-looking self-interest. A writer in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung asks, What has become of my dear Britons? Le Monde likes to compare Article 50 with Waterloo, a case of what goes around comes around. Kommersant, the most pragmatic of the Russian newspapers, notes that Scotlands bid for a new independence referendum increases the number of forks in the road dramatically.

Brexit has kept newsrooms overseas in a state of scandalised wonder, both at the Brexitshock (in great part, a product of foreign correspondents in London not meeting people who voted for it, other than on reporting trips to Lincolnshire)  and the convolutions of Theresa Mays journey to Article 50.

Mayology is a difficult area of study for interested outsiders. Attempts to paint her as the new Thatcher never quite work, since the PMs occasional stridency at home is undercut by sotto voce dealings with foreign capitals and a pointed courtesy to Angela Merkel.

As a result, theres more attention given to Brexiteer Dominic Cummings using daft Nazi analogies to describe the challenges of disassociation from the EU or novelist Ian McEwans Third Reich prognostication than the nitty-gritty of what might occur in practice.

The response to Brexit is an insight into two different aspects of the European relationship with Britain. The first is a tendency to take us seriously but not literally. One of the problems David Cameron encountered in offering any sort of renegotiation worth its salt was that Paris, Berlin and Brussels did not really believe Brexit could happen, and thus pulled little out of the bag to help fend it off. If Brits have made a historic mistake, then so have EU leaders.

The rhetoric of you crazy Brits disguises the fact that a rigidly institutional EU ended up unable to produce what John Major sought in vain two decades ago  the elusive variable geometry of European association and co-operation, able to accommodate differences as well as unity.

Yet they do see a painful psychological truth too: that Brexit is an exercise in introversion, relying on the principle that a slippery path along the hard slopes of a hard Brexit is preferable to compromise. Another aspect of European Brexitology that should give pause for thought is the conclusion that the exercise is a massive economic gamble.

A eurozone struggling with teetering banks and the Groundhog Day of another stand-off over Greeces failure to meet the terms of its bailout has serious worries over the impact of Brexit. But the immediate worry in France is the rise of Marine Le Pen and the accident-prone nature of the mainstream candidates opposing her. Germany has yet to face up to the practical task of absorbing and employing the many refugees it had the heart to accept but who will struggle to integrate into a society not accustomed to mass migration.

Merkel is a doughty but drained leader and a defeat in the federal elections in September would leave many Germans, who have become accustomed to her stolidity, whatever their politics, feeling unsettled. Poland, the biggest economy in the old Eastern Bloc, is sliding towards political authoritarianism. Besides all this, Brexit, lamented, lampooned but its consequences only half-understood, is just another headache on a lengthening list of Europes contortions.

Anne McElvoy is senior editor at The Economist
H eres my plan. Londoners voted decisively for Britain to remain part of the EU in last years referendum. The capitals economy accounts for 22 per cent of the UKs GDP and 30 per cent of its taxes. More than any other part of the country, it is radically interconnected with Europe, pluralistic and open.

Its voters have not been consulted about the specific question of the citys institutional future since the 1998 referendum on the Labour governments proposals for a Greater London Assembly and an elected mayor. In view of the dramatic changes that Brexit will bring  and the 19 years that have passed since the last such vote  are we not entitled to a second referendum, asking whether we would like London to secede from the UK and remain part of the EU? Or, failing that, could London at least be granted a special dispensation to stay in the single market?

None of this is going to happen, for the simple reason that our city is part of a nation that, for good or ill, voted last year to leave the EU. In spite of all the arguments to the contrary, that was always going to mean leaving the single market, too: though I fervently wish it were not so, the voters made it clear that they wished an end to freedom of movement, an integral part of the EUs economic and commercial arrangements.

This is why Nicola Sturgeons intervention on Monday, for all its political drama, was constitutional drivel. Theresa May cannot possibly negotiate the UKs future relationship with the EU  now with the explicit mandate of Parliament, please note  when the constitutional entity she represents is threatening to morph and fragment into something else. For the duration of the talks the UK must speak with one voice.

Furthermore, it is less than three years since the Scots had their once-in-a-generation referendum on independence, which they rejected. They did so in the knowledge that David Cameron had committed himself to an In-Out vote on Britains relationship with the EU after the general election. According to a YouGov poll in todays Times, 57 per cent of them still do not wish to go it alone.

In practice, Sturgeon is playing a high-stakes game to squeeze concessions from the Prime Minister. On Monday she said that the Scots must have their second bite at the cherry when the terms of Brexit are known, but before it is too late to choose our own course between the autumn of next year, 2018, and the spring of 2019. In other words, in the final, most demanding months of the UK-EU negotiations.

Nicola Sturgeon says she will seek approval for second independence referendum

Yesterday, however, the Scottish First Minister added an all-important qualification: The vote must take place within a time frame to allow an informed choice to be made  when the terms of Brexit are clear but before the UK leaves the European Union, or shortly afterwards.

In other words, the demand shifted in 24 hours from an insistence that the referendum be held during the negotiations to a much weaker request for a vote in the immediate aftermath of Brexit. Sturgeon would not be a very good poker player.

Meanwhile, her deputy leader, Angus Robertson, told todays Guardian that all this unpleasantness could still be avoided if the UK Government would only come to a compromise agreement protecting Scotlands place in Europe. Behind this lurks the plan published in December by the SNP for Scotland to remain part of the UK  at least for the time being  but retain its access to the single market by joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA).

Again, this is a non-starter, as the four members of EFTA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) have made clear. To join this particular trade organisation a nation has to be independent. You cannot have your haggis and eat it.

It has become instantly orthodox since the Sturgeon ambush to argue that May faces a colossal predicament. This is not so. Yes, if the Scottish Parliament endorses the request for a second referendum on independence, she will be subject to intense political pressure.

To deny the request outright would be to stoke the fires of Scottish nationalism. Her response will have to include some recognition of Scotlands right to hold a vote on its future.

Distinct from this is the risk that Remainers will be emboldened by the SNPs audacity to renew their own demands for a second UK-wide referendum on Brexit  probably on the terms of the deal, if one is struck. This is a neuralgic prospect for the PMs allies. To adapt Kipling: they have no desire to send the bandaged finger wabbling back to the fire.

But this brings us to the heart of the matter: May is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, not the chairman of a polling organisation. She is not only entitled but obliged to tell the Scots that, as head of a government that represents three nations and the province of Northern Ireland, she can only negotiate the future of one union at a time.

The Scotland Act of 1998 requires an order in council before a referendum on independence may be held. The Prime Minister must make clear that no such order will be sought by the UK Government until the EU negotiations are complete, the process of Brexit well under way, and the pitch clear for a new constitutional wrangle  if the Scots still want it.

Until recently referendums were meant to be exceptional occurrences, a device deployed only very occasionally to settle great constitutional issues. The SNPs demand anticipates a quite different system: namely, an iterative process in which successive plebiscites are held until the desired outcome is achieved (in this case independence). Therein lie the seeds of political folly, social irresponsibility and constitutional instability. The PM should stand her ground.
M ost Scots do not want to have a second referendum on independence. They were promised that the 2014 referendum was a once-in-a-generation decision that would be respected by all sides, and yet three years later we find ourselves talking about the prospect of another vote.

In 2014 we heard people talk about hearts over minds, taking back control, sovereignty and deciding our own future. Sound familiar? It should, because that is exactly what the Leave camp said during the EU referendum  and now look what is happening.

The call for independence is nothing more than nationalist rhetoric disguised as progressive politics but the arguments remain the same, in particular about the economy.

If the Scottish National Party is going to treat this debate with the maturity and respect it deserves, the onus is on it to prove to the people that Scotland can be economically self-reliant should it achieve independence.

Barrie Cunning, former Scottish Labour candidate for Ettrick Roxburgh and Berwickshire



It is amusing to see the Union that the Conservative Party allegedly holds so dear being torn apart.

First, former Prime Minister David Cameron fulfilled his reckless promise to hold a referendum on EU membership, which resulted in a Leave vote. Now SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon wants another referendum on Scottish independence on the basis that the Tories are denying the Scottish people access to the European single market.

It would appear that Sturgeon has a good chance of winning, given the narrowness of the defeat in 2014, and if the referendum is allowed to go ahead this may well stop the Brexit negotiations in their tracks.

Leaving the EU is already a complex issue but it will become even more so if Scotland becomes independent.

The Tories are responsible for the current state of the Union. Cameron may have set the wheels in motion but Theresa Mays refusal to take on board the concerns of those across Scotland, Ireland, London and some of the north has made a bad situation a lot worse.

Paul Donovan



Nicola Sturgeon is quite right to act upon the views of her people with her plan to hold another Scottish independence referendum. At least she was elected, unlike Theresa May, who is set to trigger Brexit, an im pending disaster which will overwhelm England for a generation.

The Brexiteers have gagged all opposition to leaving the EU as firmly as any dictatorship. And is it not time also to give London a say in its own future as part of Europe?

Susanne Groom



Some people have little left to give

I work as an unpaid administrator supporting four ladies who are organised as a workers co-operative running a pre-school playgroup. They have no contracts of employment and no entitlement to any remuneration.

Each year they share out what is left after paying the insurance, rent, bills and for the childrens snacks. In a good year, which they have just had, they get about 10,500.

They are incredibly committed to the children and supportive of their parents and families. But now I have to tell them that the Government is going to charge them at least 40 a year more in Class 4 National Insurance contributions and give them absolutely nothing in return.

How can it be fair to take more from people who have so little?

Rod Dingwall



Address the root of Syria's conflict

The Syria peace talks in Geneva have focused on preparing for a transition of power from Assads government. While this may be a desirable outcome, it is possible the Assad regime could remain in power, and even if he does go, there are no guarantees peace will follow.

Peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict. We must support the Syrians already working towards this goal.

Caroline Brooks, Syria projects manager, International Alert



Good actors don't just begin on stage

I cant agree with Rashid Razaq that film actors should learn to act by working on stage [Denzel is so right: the best actors start on the stage, Comment, March 10]. The skills of stagecraft are inappropriate for film, which requires a different approach.

Many American actors begin their careers working in commercials, where they can learn how the camera captures fleeting expressions. Some of the greatest screen stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Kristen Stewart have never worked on stage. This is irrelevant to their artistry.

Peter Benson

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We need to limit traffic in the city

Air pollution in London is a killer. Each year, more than 9,500 people in the capital die prematurely from poor air quality, most of which is from motor traffic, with our children among the worst affected.

School street closures, where vehicles are restricted outside schools during pick-up and drop-off, are a successful way of reducing pollution and congestion outside the school gates, as has been seen by trials undertaken in Edinburgh and Camden.

Living Streets also recommends initiatives such as park and stride and walking zones, which limit traffic outside schools and help reduce pollution while encouraging children to walk  which has associated health benefits.

We fully support the Mayors suggestion of banning cars outside schools in London in combination with making it safer and easier to walk to school so the next generation is able to travel in a healthier, more active environment.

Tompion Platt, head of policy and communications, Living Streets

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Jose  grumble less and play more

Jose Mourinho complained about having to play an FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea, which his team lost 1-0 on Monday evening, just three days ahead of playing a Europa League game against FC Rostov. But good teams thrive on playing several games in a short period.

In 2012 Chelsea had to play an FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham in between Champions League semi-final matches against Barcelona just a few days apart. They too had a squad depleted by injuries and suspensions. Yet they went on to beat Tottenham 5-1 at Wembley and knock Barcelona out of Europe  memorably with 10 men, after captain John Terry was sent off in Barcelona. They also went on to win both the FA Cup and Champions League that season.

Too many games for your Manchester United squad? No way, Jose.

Pavlo Thomas

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I was incensed to read that the likes David and Victoria Beckham and Queen guitarist Brian May object to new flats being proposed in their neighbourhood [Holland Park locals fear Third World conditions if flats go up, March 13].

Are these not the same people who grandstand with calls for free movement of people and unrestricted immigration?

It comes down to basics  to accommodate everyone moving to Britain, more housing simply has to be built.

Lillian Uche-Farrow



While I have sympathy for residents of Holland Park and the potential disruption caused by developer Christian Candys plan to build more flats, to say they would be reduced to living in Third World conditions is ludicrous.

There are millions of people in the Third World  not to mention Syria and Iraq  who live in conditions that can only be described as atrocious.

Wyn Davies

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" I am a homosexual, declared Peter Wildeblood in the opening pages of his 1955 memoir, Against the Law. It was a shocking admission to make at a time when all homosexual activity in Britain was illegal. But, as Wildeblood wrote, he had nothing left to lose.

He, along with his co-defendants Lord Montagu of Beaulieu and Michael Pitt-Rivers, had already served a prison sentence after a sensational trial in which all three had been convicted of conspiracy to incite homosexual offences. His only concern in writing publicly about his experience, he said, was the hope that some good may come at last out of so much evil.

A great deal of good did indeed come of Wildebloods campaigning work, and the story of how he came to play a pivotal role in the 1967 law that partially decriminalised homosexuality in England and Wales  the 50th anniversary of the passing of the legislation falls on July 27  is now the subject of a BBC film.

Against the Law, starring Daniel Mays as Wildeblood, will be screened as the opening event of the BFI Flare: LGBT London Film Festival tomorrow, and air on BBC Two in July.

Daniel Mays in Against the Law

Wildeblood was diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Mail when he was arrested in 1954 and charged with homosexual offences. These alleged crimes were said to have taken place in 1952 at a party in a Hampshire beach hut belonging to Lord Montagu.

The case hinged on the evidence of two young RAF servicemen, one of whom, Edward McNally (played by comedian Richard Gadd in the drama), had been caught with love letters from Wildeblood in his possession. McNally and the other corporal, John Reynolds, had agreed to turn Queens evidence in exchange for immunity.

The new film recounts the story of Wildeblood and McNallys relationship and shows the dehumanising process of the law that condemned him (the same pernicious Act of 1885 which led to the imprisonment of Oscar Wilde).

You are an invert? the prosecuting counsel asked Wildeblood during the trial. Yes, I am an invert, he replied. Wildeblood denied the charges against him and argued boldly against the law, but was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

He subsequently used his notoriety and skills as a writer to campaign for a change in legislation. The Wolfenden committee, set up in 1954 to enquire into the question of homosexuality and the law, was partly a reaction to what was known as the Montagu case.

Wildeblood submitted a draft of his memoir as evidence of the inhumanity and ineffectiveness of the law (he described the incidence of homosexuality in prisons) and was the only named homosexual to testify to the committee.

I felt it was worth looking again at Wildebloods impact on the inquiry and, by extension, in getting the law changed, says Against the Laws director Fergus OBrien. I also wanted to explore the idea that prejudice breeds prejudice, and to show that the testimony Wildeblood gave was a bit skewed to people like himself, who he considered to be discreet and respectable.

It was the recommendations of the 1957 Wolfenden Report that finally led to the Sexual Offences Act of 1967. This Act partially decriminalised homosexuality in England and Wales by permitting sexual acts in private between two consenting men over the age of 21 (sex between women had never been illegal). The law did not change in Scotland until 1980, and in Northern Ireland until 1982.

There were a lot of loopholes in the Act, such as what constitutes private, says OBrien. Although thats not to take away from its importance  it was the first chink in the armour and its what gave people hope.

In addition to the Flare festival, the 50th anniversary of the Act is being marked by a range of other cultural events in the capital.

Prominent among them is Queer British Art, an exhibition at Tate Britain which examines how queer sexuality  lesbian, gay, transgender and everything in between  was represented in art in the century leading up to decriminalisation. We see how things go from being quite ambiguous to the explicit depictions of homosexuality in the work of David Hockney and Francis Bacon, says the shows curator, Clare Barlow.

Highlights include a drawing by Simeon Solomon, the Pre-Raphaelite painter who was arrested and charged with homosexual acts in 1873. The drawing, titled The Bride, Bridegroom and Sad Love, shows a man looking on as his friend is married. For me this captures the situation for lots men at that time when their former lovers made the transition to respectable marriage, says Barlow.

Part of the Tate shows remit is to redress the balance between the experience of gay men in this period with that of women, transgender people and cross-dressers. So, for example, there are paintings by Ethel Sands, the American painter who lived in London with her lover Nan Hudson, and photographs of Vesta Tilley, the Victorian music hall star  aka Burlington Bertie  who won a strong female following for her male impersonations. There are tragic stories, but also extraordinary stories of liberation, says Barlow.

Also on display will be first editions of the Wolfenden Report and Wildebloods Against the Law. The right which I claim for myself, and for those like me, is the right to choose the person whom I love, wrote Wildeblood in the conclusion to his book.

He died in 1999, having seen the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality but not the equalising of the age of consent, which didnt happen until 2000, or the complete decriminalisation of homosexuality which came in 2003.

Strung through the BBC drama of Wildebloods story are a number of real-life testimonies by gay people who lived through a time when any expression of their sexual preferences made them criminals. The oldest is 96.

I thought it would be valuable to remind people that this is within living memory and that there are people with us still who have felt the full force of that homophobic law, says OBrien. It seems very timely to show just how quickly things can change, for the better luckily. But unless we safeguard these advances these things could also change for the worse.

Out and proud: 50th-anniversary events

BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival

BFI, Southbank SE1, Tomorrow-March 26; bfi.org.uk

This years festival opens with Against the Law (see main piece), and closes with Signature Move, a timely film about a gay woman of Pakistani heritage exploring her sexuality in Chicago.

Queer British Art, 1861-1967

Tate Britain, SW3, Apr 5-Oct 1; tate.org.uk

The door of Oscar Wildes prison cell, a pink wig belonging to cross-dressing star Jimmy Slater, and Duncan Grants erotic drawings are among the works on show.

Desire, Love, Identity: Exploring LGBT Histories

British Museum, WC1. May 11-Oct 15; britishmuseum.org

This free display in gallery 69a explores LGBT histories through museum objects.

Pride, Power and Politics: a tour of the Towers LGBT Histories

Tower of London, EC3. May 26 & 27 (6pm, 7pm and 8pm); hrp.org.uk

Part of Historic Royal Palaces Pride season, exploring attitudes to gender and sexuality from medieval times to the present.

Pride in London Festival Events around town

Jun 24-Jul 9; prideinlondon.org

The annual Pride festival includes concerts, plays and discussions, culminating with the parade on July 8.
The dish

Mini Bao at BAO Fitzrovia. Thats all five of the restaurants bao buns for 16. There are the classics  slow-braised pork, peanut powder, shredded coriander and fermented greens  as well as confit pork, black cod and daikon and the new beef short rib, made with slow-cooked meat, egg emulsion, crispy shallot and fermented cucumber.

The USP

The beef short rib bao. While its great that you get to try everything, you will want more of this one. The meat is soft, the milk bun fresh and puffy and the crispy shallots and cucumber add bite. Its worth the queue  only 50 are made each week and theyre released at noon each day.

The drink

For something more potent than the cold-brew tea or mini bottle of Coca-Cola that comes with the deal, BAO Fitzrovia has just shaken up its cocktail list. Drinks are inspired by Taiwan and mainland China  try the soy Old Fashioned, strawberry and tomato-infused sake or guava calpico gin fizz (from 8). There are plenty of good pubs nearby if you want to round the evening off with a pint; the Fitzroy Tavern up the road is where George Orwell used to drink (16 Charlotte Street, W1).

BAO Fitzrovia launches a limited mini-BAO set

The dessert

BAO Fitzrovia serves peanut ice cream with coriander. Its a sweet/savoury mash-up that works. The Soho branchs fried Horlicks ice cream is yet to make it here but the nutty concoction makes up for this. For more novelty in a bun, Bubbledogs serves a chocolate hot dog in a sweet cinnamon brioche with cherry and banana sauce (70 Charlotte Street, W1)
I n all the best coffee shops the writing is, literally, on the wall. At barometer of caffeine culture trends Grumpys, the fictional cafe in Girls where Ray works, the ethos is expressed through posters. Particularly arresting messages include No foam, no problem next to Pour over is poor and over, and these have elicited as much post-show Twitter discussion as that plot featuring Welsh actor Matthew Rhys and a fake penis.

As any coffee connoisseur will know, where you get your caffeine fix from is as important as what you order. Since the 17th century, coffee shops have been places to discuss the news and brew up political movements, and that tradition has not gone away. Its a sign of the times.

The Fuckoffee group of cafes is most proud of its blackboard signs, especially the ones that are deemed controversial. At the moment theres one outside Jonestown Coffee in Bethnal Green that reads: How many politicians does it take to screw in a lightbulb? None, theyre all too busy screwing the country.

Fuckoffee says the signs provide exposure and free advertising, especially if people tweet about them. They add to the vibe of the shop. People expect us to be edgy. They add that they dont set out to upset: Offence is taken, not given.

Plain speaking: a sign at Jonestown Coffee in Bethnal Green

Over in New York, Greenpoints Champion Coffee provides a digest of the days events. It has a light touch  a recent bulletin read: Florida teen shot. Alaskas most active volcano has woken up. Charles Darwins bedroom now open to the public. A maple syrup tanker overturned on New Jersey highway  yum. Italian scientists say pasta isnt fattening. Lol.

Deli at 80 in Finsbury Park riffs on the news, with a recent sign reading And the winner is with the word sanity crossed out and replaced with Trump.

Daily briefing: Champion Coffees news digest

Or you could take ready-made signs, as cafes in central London did after the Womens March. You can think about whether the rise of women means the fall of men and how to make America great again as you savour your Americano.

Sometimes the signs are more random. Curators Coffee has a Mostly useless fact of the day chalkboard in its Cullum Street branch in the City. Founder Catherine Seay says: Its something extra and fun for the customers to read while they wait for their coffees. It can be a great icebreaker as well. Customers love checking the new fact when they come in  one customer even bought us a little book of facts for Christmas one year.

At Cream in Shoreditch, signs are used to determine the atmosphere of the shop, boasting Theres a man inside not on his phone, just drinking his coffee. The medium is the message.
S trictly Come Dancing star Danny Mac is heading to the London stage to play a part made famous by Hollywood great Gene Kelly.

The runner-up in the hit dance shows last series has been cast in a new production of the musical On The Town.

He plays Gabey, one of three sailors on 24-hour leave in New York before their ship sails, in the shows run at the Regents Park Open Air Theatre from May 19 until July 1.

The star said he was so excited to be cast in the show and added: Ive been visiting this venue for years and theres no theatre experience like it. When the sun goes down and the lights come up its magical.

The 1949 film, also starring Frank Sinatra, was based on a Broadway hit which in turn was inspired by a ballet called Fancy Free, created by dancer Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein.

The new shows director and choreographer Drew McOnie said he looked forward to audiences seeing a whole different side of Mac. McOnie, who won an Olivier award for his work on In The Heights, admitted it was a daunting prospect to bring back one of the most iconic movie musicals ever made.

He added: With our version of On The Town I want to keep it in period but try to keep that fresh, young approach.

The Open Air Theatres new season also includes A Tale Of Two Cities and Oliver Twist, both by Charles Dickens, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
B ritain risks recreating the divisions of 1968 and Enoch Powells notorious rivers of blood speech, says Hampstead Theatres artistic director Edward Hall ahead of a new play about an immigrant family.

Filthy Business, by Ryan Craig, is a semi-autobiographical story about three generations of an East End Jewish family who run a rubber shop supplying everyone from furniture-makers to builders.

Set between 1968 and 1982, the play follows matriarch Yetta Solomon, played by Sara Kestelman, who tries to hold her business and family together in the face of changing mores and economic upheaval.

Hall, who is married to actress Issy van Randwyck, said the drama examined immigration and assimilation and asks the question: Who has the right to be British? He told the Standard: What drew me to the play is its a big, brutal family drama and its very funny. Its not only about the Jewish experience but the much wider British experience and taps into the current discussion of what is Britishness?

My wife is Dutch and, on the brink of triggering Article 50, the question of who has the right to be British and the right to be here is very close to home.

The plays three acts are each set in a different year  1968, 1972 and 1982.

Hall said: Of all of them 1968 feels closest to the present moment. Thats when Powell made his speech, immigration was at the top of the agenda and yet the late Sixties were also a time of social change and London was an exciting place to be.

The cast also includes Jack Bannon, Callie Cooke, Dorian Lough, Stephen Critchlow, Edmund Derrington and Elizabeth Hill, who play members of the Solomon clan.

The play opens tonight and runs until April 22.
N ever let the truth get in the way of a good story. Jeremy Corbyn, who definitely, 100 per cent told reporters it would be wrong for Westminster to block a second Scottish referendum on video, definitely, 100 per cent told reporters hed said nothing of the sort.

On Monday, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox denied sending a controversial tweet on Europe to Sky News, while sitting in front of a screen with a giant image of said tweet. Sean Spicers Washington press conferences now need what he really means subtitles.

Join our tour of the alternative fact landscape, via Bowling Green.

Mischievous misreporting

Jeremy Corbyn is upset. The Press Association quoted the Labour leader on Saturday saying it was absolutely fine if Scotland wanted to hold a second independence referendum, a position at odds with the Scottish Labour Party. On Monday, shortly before Nicola Sturgeon confirmed Scotland would go back to the polls by spring 2019, Corbyn told the Today programme that his comments were taken out of context. There was a bit of mischievous misreporting going on there, he said.

But Corbyn made the remarks in a video interview, and PA released the transcript. The only mischievous thing about this episode is the suggestion that PA has done anything beyond what it always does  accurately report what politicians say to us in an entirely impartial way, said PA editor-in-chief Peter Clifton.

Corbyn is still upset  but this is definitely not news.

Jeremy Corbyn: Absolutely fine for a vote to go ahead on Scottish independence

Absolute faith

In a recent interview with Andrew Marr, Theresa May maintained her absolute faith in the 40 billion Trident nuclear defence system, despite the fact that a missile test-fired off Florida veered off course. Asked four times by Marr whether she knew of the misfire before a Commons vote approved renewal of the nuclear deterrent, the PM ducked the issue. She believes in a higher power, even if no one else does.

Alternative facts

Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trumps senior adviser, took issue with the medias reporting of the size of the Presidents inauguration crowd, claiming the administration had its own alternative facts. While defending Trumps travel ban in a TV interview Conway cited two Iraqi masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre  which never happened. Twitter erupted: Guys, these Bowling Green Massacre jokes are a little too soon. Out of respect, we should wait until it takes place, said one user.

Trump himself used a campaign rally in Florida to warn, Weve got to keep our country safe. You look at whats happening in Germany, you look at what happened last night in Sweden. Nothing had happened last night in Sweden. The former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt tweeted: Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound.

Donald Trump with campaign manager Kellyanne Conway / Getty Images

Fake news

Trump uses this as a cosh with which to beat the mainstream media, which he dubs the opposition party. Channel 4 News launched a Fake News segment to debunk fictitious reporting, while PolitiFact performs a similar service in the US.

Pizzagate, an outlandish online conspiracy theory suggesting Hillary Clintons campaign emails contained codes about human trafficking, resulted in an armed man turning up at a restaurant in Washington after he decided to self-investigate. Fortunately, no one was harmed.

Donald Trump's Family Album 1 /56 Donald Trump's Family Album The young Donald Trump, on the left, in an old family photo posted on his Instagram page Donald J Trump/Instagram Pictured when he was just four years old Donald J Trump/Instagram Robert Trump, Fred Trump, Donald Trump, Ivana Trump and Elizabeth Trump attend 38th Annual Horatio Alger Awards Dinner on 10 May 1985 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York Ron Galella/WireImage Donald and Ivana wave to reporters as they board their yacht 'The Trump Princess' in 1988 AP Donald and Ivana in the 'Ruby Room' (a guest room) on 'The Trump Princess' Mario Ruiz/Rex With Ivana in December 1989 at a social engagement in New York AFP/Getty Images Comforting his by-now estranged wife Ivana in 1990 after the funeral of her father Milos Zelnicek in Czechoslovakia Trump and new love Marla Maples confirming reports of her pregnancy in April 1993 Hai Do/AFP/Getty Images Marla and Trump leave St Mary's Hospital on 13 October 1993 in West Palm Beach, Florida, with their newborn baby girl Tiffany AP Trump dips Maples after the couple married in a private ceremony amid tight security at the Plaza Hotel in December 1993 Bib Strong/AFP/Getty Images Now with Melanie Knaus at VH1's Divas Live concert at the Beacon Theater in New York City on 13 April 1999 Getty Images Daughter Ivanka attends the premiere of HBO's 'Born Rich' at The Screening Room on 15 October 2003 in New York Evan Agostini/Getty Images Trump with Ivanka, left, and girlfriend Melania at the 'Dangerous Liaisons: Fashion and Furniture in the 18th Century' Costume Institute benefit gala on 26 April 2004 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York Evan Agostini/Getty Images Melania Knauss on her wedding day to Trump at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda by-the-Sea, Palm Beach, Florida on 22 January 2005 Jeffrey Langlois/PB Daily News/Palm Beach Daily News/Rex Donald Jnr, Trump and Ivanka at the offices of Trump Tower in 2006 promoting a news season of 'The Apprentice' Clark Samuels/Rex Features Donald Trump holds a replica of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as his wife Melania holds their son Barron in Los Angeles on 16 January 2007 Reuters Ten-month-old son Barron walks with the help of his mother Melania after his father was honored with the 2,327th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 16 January 2007 Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images Donald Trump Jr. poses with his pregnant wife Vanessa at the same Walk of Fame ceremony Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images Trump and his children Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric write their name in cement after making hand prints to inaugurate the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago in September 2008 Amanda Rivkin/AFP/Getty Images Marla Maples and Tiffany Trump walk through central London on 27 August 2009 Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Getty Images Jared Kushner and Ivanka at their wedding on 25 October 2009 at Trump National Golf Club, Bedminster, New Jersey Brian Marcus/Fred Marcus Photography via Getty Images Donald Jr is pictured as work begins on the golf course being built by his father in Balmedie, near Aberdeen, Scotland, on 28 October 2009 Derek Blair/AFP/Getty Images Kai Madison Trump sits on her father Donald Trump Jr's shoulders at Z100's Jingle Ball on 9 December 2011 Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Trump with Ivanka onboard his private jet as they arrive at Aberdeen Airport on 15 May 2014 Andrew Milligan/PA Trump watches the action with wife Melania and son Barron during the Third Round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Turnberry Golf Club on 1 August 2015 in Turnberry, Scotland David Cannon/Getty Images Melania, Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric Trump look on during the Republican Presidential debate at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center in Charleston, South Carolina on 14 January 2016 Timothy A.Clary/AFP/Getty Images Trump stands with his family while discussing the presidential primary voting results in Indiana during a speech in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York on 3 May 2016 Justin Lane/EPA The now Republian nominee for President arrives at his Trump Turnberry Resort with son Eric and granddaughter Kai on 24 June 2016 in Ayr, Scotland Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Melania kisses her husband after delivering a speech on the first day of the Republican National Convention on 18 July 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Donald Trump Jr. along with Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump take part in the roll call in support of their father on the second day of the Republican National Convention Joe Raedle/Getty Images Ivanka Trump waves to the crowd as she walks on stage to deliver a speech during the evening session on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention Joe Raedle/Getty Images Trump embraces Barron after he delivered his speech on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention John Moore/Getty Images Tiffany Trump attends the Taoray Wang fashion show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Dock, Skylight at Moynihan Station on 12 September 2016 in New York Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images Tiffany appears to void a kiss from her dad following his debate with Hillary Clinton in 2016 MSNBC Standing with his family at his 2016 US presidential Election Night event in New York on 08 November 2016 Shawn Thew/EPA Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump embrace as his wife Melania Trump, Jared Kushner and Tiffany Trump look on after delivering his acceptance speech at the New York Hilton Midtown on 9 November 2016 Mark Wilson/Getty Images President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump are greeted by President Barack Obama and his wife first lady Michelle Obama, upon arriving at the White House on 20 January 2017 Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump sings to the song "My Way" while dancing with first lady Melania Trump during the inaugural Liberty Ball on 20 January 2017 Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks from the Truman Balcony with first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump during the 139th Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House ON 17 April 2017 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Pope Francis walks along with US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump during a private audience at the Vatican on 24 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, their son Barron, National Turkey Federation Chairman Carl Wittenburg and his family on 21 November 2017 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images President Donald Trump and the first lady Melania Trump attend the 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting held by the National Park Service at the White House Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on 30 November 2017 Getty Images

Incomplete information

The political equivalent of the dog ate my homework in Washington. Former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, accused of lying about whether he made illegal phone calls on the nations behalf to Russia before hed been sworn in to office, had an excuse. I inadvertently briefed the Vice-President-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador, said Flynn in his resignation letter. Other incomplete information: he was telling the truth.

Follow Samuel Fishwick on Twitter: @fish_o_wick
A man caught with a sawn-off shotgun and thousands of pounds worth of cannabis on a train heading towards London has been jailed.

Tyrel Thompson, 20, was attempting to smuggle the illegal weapon and 4,000 worth of the drug with a friend while travelling on a train between Birmingham and London.

Police received an anonymous tip-off just before midnight that two people carrying a gun and a large amount of drugs were travelling on a train on July 26 last year.

After checking several trains, officers eventually caught up with Thompson and his friend Kareem Dawkins, who was 17 at the time.

The teen was found to have a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and a kilogram of cannabis in his bag.

Kareem Dawkins / British Transport Police

The gun was handed to the National Ballistics Intelligence Service to see if it could be linked to any previous crimes.

During a search of Thompsons rented room in Kingston Road, Raynes Park, officers found six mobile phones, 100 small snap bags and a set of scales.

Dawkins home in St Saviours Road, Croydon, was also searched, with officers seizing seven mobile phones containing texts that indicated he was involved in drug dealing.

Caught: The pair were found to be carrying a sawn-off shotgun / British Transport Police

The pair were later charged with possession of a sawn-off shotgun and possession with intent to supply cannabis, with Dawkins admitting the offences.

Thompson denied any involvement but was found guilty following a trial at Northampton Crown Court.

Cannabis: Drugs stash worth thousands of pounds also seized / British Transport Police

He was sentenced yesterday to a total of five and a half years behind bars. Dawkins, who turned 18 last month, will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Constable Simon Courtney said: We know Dawkins has links to the Birmingham area and we suspect, from the timing of the tip-off, they had come to the Midlands to collect the gun and drugs before heading back to London.

We are committed to working closely with other forces and the National Crime Agency to crackdown on dealers who use the rail network to transport drugs across the country, making sure we have the right people in the right place to disrupt their activities.

We are satisfied with the sentence handed to Thompson, which reflects the serious nature of the crime, and that a dangerous weapon and drugs have been taken off the streets, preventing them from causing misery and harm in our communities.
P olice are hunting a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman repeatedly on two different buses in west London.

The 24-year-old woman was travelling on a bus in Ealing when a man sat next to her and started stroking her thigh and grabbing her hands, police said.

The woman, who was on her way to work, told the man to go away and moved to a different seat.

He followed, and after the woman again told him to leave her alone again he sexually assaulted her.

When the Route E3 bus stopped outside Acton High School the victim exited, but the suspect followed her.

He put his arms around her before asking for her telephone number.

Man hunt: Woman sexually assaulted repeatedly on two different London buses / Metropolitan Police

He continued to follow her and they both boarded the number 70 bus towards Acton Lane, where the suspect again sexually assaulted her on the lower deck.

She then got off the second bus and began to walk along East Acton Lane, where police say the suspect grabbed her and tried to kiss her.

Pushing him away and now shouting, she told him to go away.

The police were called when the victim eventually got to work after the incident, which happened between 10am and 11am on October 25.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: The suspect is described as between 50 and 60 years old, of slim build with a small face and pointed nose.

He had greying hair and a distinctive scar or birthmark on his left hand.

"He was wearing a grey or dark green army hat, dark jeans and a black zip-up jacket."

No arrests have been made, police said.

A still CCTV image of the suspect has been released and police are asking anyone who recognises him or has any information to contact them.

Call Detective Constable Natalie Baynes on 07500 607652 or via 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or you can tweet @MetCC with any information.
A Royal Marine who shot dead an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has had his murder conviction quashed.

Sergeant Alexander Blackman pleaded diminished responsibility and argued he was suffering from a mental illness when he shot the fighter who lay wounded in front of him.

On Wednesday, five judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London announced the 42-year-old from Taunton's murder conviction should be downgraded to manslaughter.

There will now be a further hearing to determine the length of his new sentence.

Blackman, known during the trial as Marine A, was convicted of murder in November 2013 and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 10 years - which was later reduced to eight years.

Appeal: former Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman / PA

He denied murder, saying he believed the victim was already dead and he was taking out his anger on a corpse.

Alexander Blackman's wife enters court for verdict on Royal Marine

As he opened fire on the victim, the court heard Blackman said: Shuffle off this mortal coil, you c***. It's nothing you wouldn't do to us.

Relieved: Claire Blackman (centre) with her legal team outside the High Court in London / EPA

But the appeal judges heard that the defendant had been suffering from an adjustment disorder at the time of the killing which, psychologists argued, would have impaired rational judgment or self-control.

At the time of the 2011 incident, he was serving with Plymouth-based 42 Commando in Helmand province in "ghastly" conditions which were a "breeding ground" for mental health problems.

Footage shows the moments before 'Marine A' shot Afghan insurgent

In Wednesday's ruling, the judges said Blackman had been "an exemplary soldier before his deployment to Afghanistan in March 2011".

The judges said it was "clear that a consequence was that he had developed a hatred for the Taliban and a desire for revenge".

They added: "Given his prior exemplary conduct, we have concluded that it was the combination of the stressors, the other matters to which we have referred and his adjustment disorder that substantially impaired his ability to form a rational judgment."

Claire Blackman, the wife of Blackman, said she was "delighted" by the decision to reduce her husband's murder conviction saying it "much better reflects the circumstances that my husband found himself in during that terrible tour of Afghanistan".
T iny pin-prick holes on cash machines are the latest way fraudsters are trying to cheat unsuspecting Londoners out of their bank details.

Mini cameras have been discovered by police in four cash machines in the City, with the latest found within the last week.

The recording device is hidden inside a false cover to the cash dispensing slot, with the aim to record the victim putting in their pin number.

Two were found at a cashpoint in St Pauls Churchyard within weeks of each other, on February 18 and March 7.

The recording device is hidden in a false cover to the cash dispensing slot / City of London Police

Another device was removed by a member of the public in nearby Smithfield Street on March 8.

And on March 2 a camera was found on a cashpoint in Fetter Lane by a member of the public who removed it to get their card back from the machine.

The pin-pricks are barely visible in the machine / City of London Police

Police are now warning people to be wary when getting cash out and to always cover the keypad as they enter their details.

City Police posted on Twitter: Fraudsters camera bar recovered from an #ATM near @StPaulsLondon.

Please remember to cover your pin when using a cash machine.

Police also advised people to check cash machines for any loose parts, including the card slot and keypad.

PC Matt Clarke, from the City of London Police Crime Squad, said: The vast majority or cashpoints in London are perfectly safe - but criminals have been known to tamper with them.

Police are working closely with banks to make sure this type of crime doesn't happen / City of London Police

We work closely with banks, building societies, and other cash machine vendors, to make sure this type of crime doesn't happen.

Take care and stay vigilant when using cash machines in the City of London, and London as a whole.

The camera installed behind the false cover / City of London Police

If you spot anything unusual about a cash machine, or if there are signs of tampering, dont use it. If in doubt, try and use a machine inside a branch.

If you spot a suspicious device when using a cash point, report it to the bank concerned immediately, and notify police. If you think a crime is in progress when you discover the device, call 999.
A teenager has been stabbed outside a college in north west London - the capital's second such attack in just 24 hours.

The 19-year-old man was knifed close to the Willesden campus of the College of North West London, where he is a student, on Thursday.

The London Ambulance Service were called to the scene in Brent just after 10.30am.

A spokesman said: "We treated a teenager at the scene and took him as a priority to a major trauma centre."

A spokesman for the further education college, which specialises in vocational courses for students aged over 16, said: "The victim was taken to a central London hospital. His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

"The police have confirmed that the injured person is a student of the college and we are providing every assistance we can to the police."

The spokesman added that the college takes the security of students and staff "very seriously".

He said an ID card is needed to gain entry to the college and there is security staff on duty throughout the day.

Scotland Yard confirmed an 18-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent.

He is being held a north London police station.

The incident comes just a day after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed outside Croydon College on Tuesday afternoon.

The boy was stabbed in the street just outside the education centre at about 12.25pm.

He was treated at the scene by medics from Londons Air Ambulance before being rushed to a major trauma centre.

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A terrifying zombie killer knife has been seized after officers chased down a man carrying the shocking weapon in south London.

The dangerous knife, which measures 18 inches in length, was recovered by police in Battersea at about 5pm on Tuesday evening.

Officers searched the suspect, who had managed to conceal the huge black blade, and recovered the weapon.

The man was arrested and bailed while enquiries are carried out.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: Police on patrol in the Battersea area entered into a foot chase with an individual.

A search was conducted with the assistance of a dog unit from the Metropolitan Police Task Force and a large zombie knife measuring some 18 inches in length was recovered.

On August 18 last year, new legislation came into force banning the so-called "zombie killer" weapons as part of a government crackdown - with sellers of the blades set to face jail terms if they are caught.

The horror film-inspired knives can often be up to two feet in length and have become increasingly popular with teenage gang members.

The amendment to the Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibits the sale, manufacture, rental or importation of zombie knives.

those caught making or selling the items can now face up to four years in prison.
A young woman is fighting for life after a car ploughed into two pedestrians in an alleged hit-and-run in south west London.

Police and paramedics raced to the scene of the crash, outside the Grand Union pub in Wandsworth High Road, at about 1am on Sunday.

The women, who are both 28 years old, were rushed to a south London hospital.

One woman suffered serious injuries and remains in a critical condition, while the other sustained minor injuries.

The driver - who was in a dark coloured car - failed to stop at the scene and continued along Wandsworth Plain.

Police believe the crash may have been witnessed by a number of people who were leaving the pub to go home.

Detectives from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. They would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or saw a dark coloured car speeding away from the area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 020 8543 5157 or via @MetCC
S eventeen police officers will be quizzed over the next few weeks about the blunders that let serial killer Stephen Port to murder four men.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission said the interviews would be an "important milestone" in its investigation into how the Metropolitan Police handled their initial inquiries into the deaths.

Last November, Port, 41, was handed a whole life term for murdering Anthony Walgate, 23, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor, 25.

He met his victims through gay dating websites, gave them fatal doses of the date rape drug GHB, and then dumped their bodies within metres of his flat in Barking, east London, the Old Bailey trial heard.

But the Metropolitan Police has admitted "missed opportunities" to catch the killer sooner and is re-examining another 58 GHB-related deaths over four years in London to rule out foul play.

Officers are accused of fobbing off concerned friends and relatives of the dead men who suspected foul play, insisting for months that the strikingly similar deaths were not suspicious.

The IPCC has now analysed more than 700 documents and received about 200 statements ahead of preparing its final report that will follow the interviews with Barking and Dagenham officers.

IPCC Commissioner Cindy Butts said: These interviews are an important milestone in the investigation as we continue to build the picture of the police response to the deaths. Misconduct notices are not judgemental in any way.

We are grateful for the information provided to us by the family and friends of Anthony, Daniel, Gabriel, and Jack, as well as members the LGBT community and the wider public, and MPS officers.

In an investigation of this magnitude, centred upon the tragic murders of four dearly missed young men, every piece of information counts and we continue to wish to hear from anyone who can assist this important work.

My thoughts remain with everyone affected by Ports horrific crimes, and they can be assured that we are committed to providing them with thorough conclusions as soon as we are able.

Detectives belatedly found CCTV of Port with a victim after families demanded 'rethink' / Metropolitan Police

Port was caught out lying about knowing the first victim, fashion student Mr Walgate, and was locked up for perverting the course of justice.

But it was not until the fourth victim, Mr Taylor, had died that police finally realised they had a serial killer on their hands.

Initially, though, they still dismissed his death as unexplained. But when Mr Taylors family investigated themselves and demanded a rethink, detectives belatedly found CCTV of Port with the victim.

Found dead in churchyard: Jack Taylor / Metropolitan Police

As well as they the murder verdicts, Port was also found guilty of a string of others charges that he drugged, sexually abused, and raped men at his flat.

He was cleared of a further three counts of rape.

The watchdogs probe follows Mr Taylor's family announcement that they plan to sue the Met over its handling of the case, saying: "We do believe Jack would still be here if they had done their job.

"The police should be held accountable for Jack's death. We do understand it's not them who took Jack's life, but Stephen Port would have been stopped."

The interview process follows the Met referring itself to the IPCC, saying 17 officers are being investigated for misconduct.

Ms Butts added: Following the interview process, which will take a number of weeks, investigators will be in a position to complete the analysis of the evidence at hand, and begin preparing the IPCCs final report.

Anyone with information should contact the IPCC on 0800 151 0021 or email barking&dagenham@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk
T o her patients in London shes a hard-pressed GP  but away from the office Dr Vanh Dang puts on a swimsuit and ball gown to take part in beauty pageants.

The 37-year-old, who has been a doctor for 12 years and is based at the JS Medical Practice in Tottenham, has been crowned winner of several competitions and will soon fly to Las Vegas to take part in Ms Earth International.

She said: My patients here do not know. I havent told anyone yet.

"I think theyd be a bit surprised. There are perhaps some more usual hobbies out there.

Dr Dang, who lives in Barnet, entered her first pageant aged 33 / Jeremy Selwyn

She uses her holiday to prepare for and attend events and said her colleagues are all very supportive.

She added: As long as I enjoy it, theyre pleased for me.

Dr Dang, who lives in Barnet, entered her first pageant at 33 to escape the stresses of her day-to-day life and said the competitions are a world away from her medical work.

She has since won Ms Inspiration 2014, Ms Glamorous UK 2016 and National Elite Ms 2016.

She said: I always compete in the Ms categories  so Ms Inspiration rather than Miss Inspiration  as a lot of the Miss competitions you have to be under 25.

Ms Earth International focuses on entrants work to protect the environment. Dr Dang, who advises the Indo UK Institute of Health on building sustainable doctors surgeries in India, said: Pageants are a platform to raise these issues.
A road sign appearing to warn people to beware of Jews in north London was actually part of a project to celebrate London's diversity.

The triangular sign was branded disgusting and unacceptable after it was spotted attached to a lamppost in Stamford Hill, which is home to a large number of Orthodox Jewish people.

Neighbourhood watch group Shomrim reported it to police and said it had caused alarm and distress to local people.

But freelance photographer and artist Franck Allais has admitted that he was behind the sign and said that it was designed as part of an artistic project rather than an anti-Semitic statement.

'Unacceptable': the sign was found near a synagogue / Shomrim

Mr Allais told the Guardian he had been left shaken by the offence he had caused.

The artist said he intended his series of signs to celebrate diversity and that everyone had their own identity.

He told the newspaper: It was a project about crossing the road  how everyone is different, everyone has an identity.

Shomrim president on 'disgusting' anti-semitic sign appearing in Stamford Hill

There is not only one sign in the street. I put more signs up in the street, but only this one got noticed.

"I am sorry for any offence caused.

His other signs include a woman with a shopping trolley, a man pushing his wheelchair, and a cat as part of a project based on real people he spotted out and about in the area.

Hackney council told the Standard the controverisal sign had been removed.

Stamford Hill Shomrims supervisor, Barry Bard, said it had caused a lot of concern among local Jewish residents.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, who is MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, also hit out at the sign which she called disgusting and unacceptable.

Mr Allais work includes still life photography and pictures of the interiors of homes. He has also been commissioned for work in the Guardian Weekend and the weekend versions of the Telegraph and the Independent on Sunday.

Other photos he has shared on his Twitter page show everyday life in Hackney.

A Shomrim study last year recorded 32 anti-Semitic incidents during a month-long study among Orthodox Jews living in the Stamford Hill area.

Cllr Caroline Selman, Hackney council's cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, said: "The council has had to remove several pieces of anti-Semitic graffiti in recent months, so it is entirely understandable that residents were offended by the sign featured in the media reports.

"We take reports of hate crimes extremely seriously so if any residents find any kind of anti-Semitic signs or graffiti they should immediately report them to the police on 101.
A London childcare boss is to trek across the Gobi Desert to raise money for the NSPCC.

Mat Bennett, 37, the founder of Acorn Group childrens care homes for young people with behavioural and emotional issues, aims to cover 1,400 miles from the deserts western edge to its eastern edge in Mongolia.

He and fellow explorers Luke Richmond and Elise Hoefsmit will set off on April 16, dragging their supplies in custom-built trailers.

They face temperature lows of -25C, violent sandstorms and possibly snow on the 60-day trek.

Mr Bennett, of Notting Hill, said: When I heard that no one had crossed the Gobi desert unaided before, I perhaps stupidly saw it as a challenge.

Last year, he completed a 50-day Atlantic row from Portugal to Venezuela.

The Gobi trip has been self-funded.

Go to mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/mathewbennett1.
F urious protesters stormed into the Southbank Centre on Tuesday evening in protest at a talk given by a rapist.

Activists chanted "no platform for rapists" as they burst through the doors of the Royal Festival Hall before some marched on stage as the auditorium descended into chaos.

The group, armed with banners and loudspeakers, were filmed bursting into the centre shouting "get out, rapist" and continued their yelling while security guards tried to escort them out.

Witness Sophie Fordham described seeing one of the protesters shouting theres a rapist in the building ahead of the talk.

Confessed rapist Tom Stranger / Matt Writtle

The event, called South of Forgiveness, welcomed Tom Stranger to the stage with his ex-girlfriend, Thordis Elva, who he raped 20 years ago.

The pair, who were teenagers at the time, spoke to the audience of their story of rape and reconciliation.

Mr Stranger, previously spoke to the Standard about being a confessed rapist - but said it is a "weaponised term" and called rape a men's issue as well as women's.

Thordis Elva and Tom Stranger speak at TEDWomen 2016 (TED)

His London talk, which had previously been programmed as part of the Southbanks Centres Women of the World festival before being rescheduled following a public outcry, was widely slammed.

Scores of people hit out at the South of Forgiveness event and some workers at the Southbank Centre had even contacted their trade union with concerns at having to work at the event.

Sophie Fordham, who was at the Southbank Centre at the time, said a protester was escorted out for shouting there was a rapist in the building.

She told the Standard: I was in the cafe and from what I could see the group of protestors tried to enter and were shouting, there was general commotion, but I only heard the voice of one woman clearly.

She was accompanied to the exit by a security guard.

"I'm pretty sure a few more of them got inside as they had written on the inside doors of the ladies toilets.

Then staff blocked off the entrance and the protestors seemed to stay outside from what I gathered.

Protesters outside the Southbank Centre, where rape survivor Thordis Elva and her attacker Tom Stranger gave a talk. / PA

A photo from the inside of the toilets at the centre shows graffiti reading: No platform for rapists! Shame on SBC.

'Shame on SBC', graffiti in the women's toilets read. / Sophie Fordham

Diane Langford, 75, protested outside the centre with placards and told the BBC: "I'm here because I feel a rapist is profiting from his rape.

Tom Stranger, 39, who appeared with Thordis Elva at the Southbank Centre. / Matt Writtle

I don't believe there can ever be impunity for a rapist.

Those who oppose Mr Strangers appearance on stage say it suggests rapists should be praised for admitting the crime, while others claim it is triggering to sexual assault survivors.

But Mr Stranger, who is 39, told the Standard he has an important message that sexual violence is a mens issue as well as womens.

In a statement, artistic director at the Southbank Centre Jude Kelly told the BBC: Rape is one of these critical issues and we need to shift the discourse around it, which too often focuses on rape survivors rather than rape perpetrators.

A spokesman for the Southbank Centre said: "Last night a small group of protesters briefly entered the Royal Festival Hall foyer ahead of the talk South of Forgiveness; Shifting the focus.

"The incident was quickly dealt with by Southbank Centre's security staff along with local police officers who escorted the protesters from the foyer to the outside of the building, where they then dispersed."
S omewhere in Sothebys last night was the next editor of Vogue  if only The Londoner could locate said person. Instead we enquired about Cara Delevingnes forthcoming novel Mirror Mirror, announced yesterday.

Dashing tailor Patrick Grant, author of coffee table tome Original Man, said there was no need to be snippy about Cara signing up best-selling novelist Rowan Coleman as co-writer for the teen thriller. It takes a long time to write a book, said Patrick, joking that hed even written some of his own.

Zoella has 30,000 people standing outside Waterstones every time she does a book, thats what publishings about, he said. Caras funny and shes got a good brain, so even if she doesnt write all of it shell make sure that its actually good.

Also at the auction house to launch fashion book London Uprising, by Tania Fares and Sarah Mower, was super-snapper Mario Testino, who chatted with Samantha Cameron. British Vogue deputy editor Emily Sheffield wasnt falling for any of The Londoners japes about who might end up in the editors chair, while US Vogues Hamish Bowles insisted that he wasnt in London to apply for the job. Bowles did say that fashion makes for good stories, though. I think its fun to write about the real fashion world, he said. But it doesnt need much fictionalising.

The coolest review for Caras new project came from Dame Natalie Massenet. Any novel is interesting and I love Cara, she said. Would she get a copy? Perhaps. I have a stack of books by my bed that I have to read.

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Some fathers do ave em. Robert Winston recalls in Politics Home how his son Ben, exec producer of James Cordens The Late Late Show, said David Miliband let down the Labour Party. He said, If I saw him now, Id give him a piece of my mind. And I said, I bet you wouldnt have the nerve. Three days later I got a text: Im sitting in JFK airport and Ive met Miliband and told him what I think of him. He responded: Oh, you must be Roberts son.

Kate and Marianne have Eiffel power

AFP/Getty Images

The Duchess of Cambridge will visit Paris on Friday, and tomorrow Marianne Faithfull will receive the Legion dHonneur at the Elysee Palace.

Remarkably, Faithfull is still going strong professionally, and has been doing a concert tour of France this year.

The women have much in common: both had the unusual experience in their youth of being plucked from middle-class obscurity by a famous man and thrust into the spotlight of worldwide fame almost overnight.

Mind you, looking at Kates trim frame, its probably safe to say its been a while since shes been anywhere near a Mars bar.

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Quote of the Day: 'I was accused of gutter journalism for writing down what a politician said to me

Rachel Sylvester, Times journalist and winner of Scoop of the Year at last nights Press Awards, recalls her fateful Im a mother interview with Tory leader wannabe Andrea Leadsom.

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Will Vera Lynn get her centenary celebrations?

Corbis via Getty Images

Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn turns 100 on Monday. The Londoner assumed a telegram from Her Majesty must be on the way, and checked with Buckingham Palace  as centenarians must now be nominated for such correspondence, hopefully someone remembered to get Dame Vera on the list in time. If not, at least therell be a marvellous party. Cahoots, the 1940s-themed bar off Carnaby Street, will toast the occasion with tribute acts, cocktails served in Vera Lynn busts and a cake with 100 candles. Will Dame Vera be jumping out of it? We wouldnt put it past her.

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The Londoner loved Emily Hills video of burning a wedding dress to crowdfund the publication of her collection of short stories, Bad Romance. And it seems were not the only ones. Comedian Ben Elton pledged via Unbound. J K Rowling famously made Nikesh Shuklas The Good Immigrant happen and now Ben is helping to make Bad Romance happen, Emily enthused, adding he is, I suspect, an absolutely massive raving feminist in man shape. Were sure shell be Dead Famous soon.

Ticked off yet Assange?

Getty Images

Is this the beginning of an epic Twitter battle? Yesterday Julian Assange the WikiLeaks founder currently holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy, tweeted Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey with a complaint. This is absurd, he said, posting a screengrab of a message: A request to verify this account has been reviewed and denied.

For those unfamiliar with social media, this means that Assange was hoping to gain a blue tick, which would distinguish him from copycats or Twitter plebs. Weve been trying to verify this account since early October, he moaned.

The decision to deny his request could be the latest crackdown on controversial comments: alt-Right tool Milo Yiannopoulos, rapper Azealia Banks and SNL writer Katie Rich have all fallen foul of Twitter regs.

Assange set up the account in 2011, reactivated it in February, and has 109,000 followers. But this raises questions: the embassy cut Assanges net access over accusations that he leaked anti-Hillary info during the US election. Has his ban been rescinded, or did frequent visitor Pamela Anderson drop off a dongle?

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Tweet of the day: If were getting IndyRef 2 because Brexit changed the situation since IndyRef 1, why not get Brexit 2 as IndyRef 2 will change it all again?

Buzzfeed's Marie Le Conte on the further possibilities of neverendums.

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Aisle have that space

Kara Rose Marshall, the model ex of Harry Styles, was going one direction on a Virgin train yesterday. Considering that Jeremy Corbyn caused such a furore when he claimed to have been unable to find a seat on a Virgin train journey, how nice that she could find space for herself and her boots.

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Joke of the day: Mayor Sadiq Khan, in a Brexit committee meeting, answering a question from Michael Gove: Im not an expert in that area, Michael, Im sure you can get an expert to answer.

Follow The Londoner on Twitter and Facebook here.
S cotland Yard today revealed it is investigating a complaint of irregular expenses returns relating to the 2015 general election.

The disclosure comes amid bitter recriminations within the Conservative Party after sitting MPs who followed advice from the national party headquarters found themselves accused of breaking spending limits.

In a statement to the Evening Standard, the Metropolitan Police said it had received four complaints and detectives had been given a special time extension to investigate one because of exceptional circumstances.

The force declined to say whether any sitting London MPs were involved.

It was reported yesterday that Thanet South Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay was questioned by Kent Police for six hours over claims of inaccuracies in his constituency election expense returns. Mr Mackinlay and his agent deny any wrongdoing.

The Met statement said: The Metropolitan Police received complaints or referrals that resulted in four allegations of possible irregularities in relation to expenses returns for 2015 General Election. Two allegations assessed did not meet the threshold for investigation and are now closed.

A third allegation assessed is now being investigated. Due to the exceptional circumstances of these matters, the Special Enquiry Team applied for, and was granted, an extension to the time limit for criminal proceedings to be brought under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

This investigation is ongoing, there have been no arrests. A fourth allegation remains under assessment.

Controversy over Conservative election returns erupted last year after claims that busloads of activists were ferried to marginal seats and put up in hotels at the national partys expense, without the costs being listed as local expenses.

Two London battlegrounds were spotlighted in media reports as they were visited by the partys battlebus: Kingston & Surbiton, where Tory James Berry defeated Liberal Democrat Ed Davey; and Sutton & Cheam, where Paul Scully ousted Lib Dem Paul Burstow. Local Tories say none of those visits involved people put up in hotels so costs were minimal.

The Thanet allegations are seen as potentially more serious because senior party figures  including Theresa Mays chief of staff Nick Timothy  were allegedly involved in the campaign to stop Ukip former leader Nigel Farage from winning the seat.

Mr Farage has said he will stand again if the result is overturned.

The Conservatives deny that Mr Timothy worked directly on the Thanet South campaign.
T he Government must face up to the true scale of maternity discrimination in Britain, an MP warned today.

About 54,000 women leave the workplace each year during or after pregnancy, after being hit with demotion, pay cuts or compulsory redundancy.

Tribunal fees are then pricing mothers out of accessing their rights, according to Sarah Champion, shadow minister for women and equalities.

Ahead of a debate in Westminster Hall today, the Labour MP said: The sheer scale of the problem under this Tory government is a real cause for alarm and has been made worse by the record rise in zero hour contracts and employment tribunal fees of up to 1,200 that are pricing mothers out of their employment rights.

This Government is systematically turning back the clock on gender economic equality.

The number of women forced out of work through maternity discrimination costs the public about 16.7 million each year, according to research carried out by the Governments business department and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

It found that one in nine women left work because they were targeted for compulsory redundancy, or were treated so poorly they felt unable to return.

One in five mothers said they had experienced negative comments.

A government spokesperson said cost should not prevent anyone bringing claims.

The Ministry of Justice has committed to extend its help with fees scheme for employment tribunals.

The Government is also looking at making sure new and expectant mothers in work have strong enough protection from redundancy.
A former Tube driver found dead on a bleak hillside had changed his name making it near impossible for detectives to identify him and had "not been the same" after his partner suffered a miscarriage a new documentary has revealed.

Mystery surrounds the death of David Lytton, 67, who travelled 200 miles from London to Saddleworth Moor, near Oldham, before being found dead next to a track facing the sky.

Mr Lytton remained unidentified for almost a year despite numerous attempts by detectives to unearth details about him.

Originally from Streatham, south London, Mr Lytton moved to Pakistan in 2006.

After months of hunting for clues, detectives discovered Mr Lytton had renounced his former name Lautenberg before fleeing the country.

After tracing his family and friends, tales of the former croupiers, dubbed Neil Dovestone by police, life came to light.

CCTV footage: David Lytton was seen on camera at Manchester Piccadilly train station / PA

In a new Channel 4 documentary, his former partner revealed he was never the same again after she suffered a miscarriage 18-months into their relationship.

He met Maureen Toogood, now 69, in 1971 when he rushed to her aid as she fainted on the capitals streets.

The pair drifted apart in 1976 but remained close friends until he left the country without telling her his plans.

Bleak hillside: David Lytton was found dead at Dove Stone in Oldham / Channel 4

She said: He vanished into thin air. I was heartbroken. He came to see me in October, he gave me a kiss before he left but I expected to see him again days later.

When he was discovered on December 12 2015, the OAP was dressed smartly and carrying just three train tickets, 130 in cash and an empty medicine bottle with a label in English and Urdu showing it used to contain thyroxine tablets.

He was last seen by the landlord of a local pub whom he asked directions to the mountain and disappeared on foot.

An artist's impression of Neil Dovestone - the unknown man whose body was found on Saddleworth Moor in December / Greater Manchester Police

Mel Robinson said: He asked me The way to the mountains. He didnt ask for anything specific or a place name.

I accompanied him to the door and directed him to Dovestone, via the route at Fletchers Mill. I gave him the directions twice.

CCTV image: Greater Manchester Police released CCTV footage of David Lytton at Ealing Broadway station / PA

He was found the next day by a cyclist.

A post-mortem revealed he had died from strychnine poisoning but an inquest left the circumstances of his death shrouded in mystery.

Mystery of the Man on the Moor will be aired on Channel 4 at 10pm on Wednesday.
A British tourist found dead near a beach in Goa may have been raped and murdered.

The woman, named locally as 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin, is believed to have been visiting the Canacona area in the south of the Indian state with a friend to celebrate the Indian festival of Holi.

Her body was found unclothed and she had marks on her head and face, local media reported.

Miss McLaughlin grew up in County Donegal, Ireland, and is understood to have been living in Liverpool.

Police were called to reports of a body found in a holiday resort at about 7am local time (1.30am UK time) on Tuesday.

One man has been arrested and is being held by police, while a number of others have been questioned by officers.

In a post on Facebook late last month, Ms McLaughlin revealed how she was going 'on another adventure' to Goa.

She wrote: Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know... Off on another adventure.

Tributes to the former university student have been made on social media.

Under Ms McLaughins announcement that she was travelling to Goa, one friend this morning wrote: Love you Danielle, you had the most beautiful soul.

Another said: Sorry for this tragic loss. May God rest her soul in heaven, RIP.

A pub in Liverpool, where the 28-year-old is believed to have worked, also posted a message on social media.

It reads: Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week.

She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out which will reportedly determine if sexual assault charges are put to the arrested suspect.

Police Inspector Filomeno Costa told reporters: A local named Prashant Komarpant alerted us after he noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields around 7am on Tuesday morning.

The body had bruises and her face was badly smashed. Looking at the injuries we concluded that that it was a case of murder."

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It is understood Miss McLaughlin grew up with her grandparents and had returned to Buncrana in Co Donegal last year when her grandfather died.

Fr John Walsh, the parish priest, said her mother had suffered a number of bereavements.

"The absolute horror of this girl's murder has stunned the community," he said.

"We feel for her mother in particular and her siblings."

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin said Ms McLaughlin was travelling to India under a British passport.

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities," a spokesman said.

"The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa."
D utch Prime Minister Mark Rutte looked set to win the countrys elections after the main exit poll was published, putting him way in front of anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders.

For the two-time prime minister Mr Rutte, the poll indicated that an economic recovery and his hard-line handling of a diplomatic dispute with Turkey over the past week has won him support.

The Ipsos polling company gave Mr Rutte's party 31 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, compared to 19 seats for 3 other parties, including that of Mr Wilders.

Weeks or months of coalition talks are expected to follow.

The exit poll was conducted at 43 of the 9,300 polling stations across the country on Wednesday. It had a margin of error of two percentage points.

Mark Rutte gives 'high five' to children after casting his vote / AP

With France and Germany facing elections in the months ahead, Mr Rutte hoped to slow the momentum of what he called the "wrong sort of populism" after last's year British vote to leave the European Union and the election of US President Donald Trump.

"This is a chance for a big democracy like the Netherlands to make a point to stop this toppling over of the domino stones of the wrong sort of populism," Mr Rutte said after voting.

Mr Wilders had insisted that whatever the result of Wednesday's election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent aren't going away.

"The genie will not go back into the bottle. People feel misrepresented," he said, predicting the feeling would surface in the French and Germany elections.

But the first indications were still bad.

Mr Rutte has framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery and casting Mr Wilders as a far-right radical who was unprepared to make tough decisions.

The chance of Mr Wilders becoming prime minister in the Netherlands, where a proportional representation voting system all but guarantees coalition governments, was remote, even if his party had placed first in the election.

All mainstream parties, including Mr Rutte's VVD, had ruled out working with Mr Wilders and his Party for Freedom.

Mr Wilders' one-page election manifesto included pledges to close borders to immigrants from Muslim nations, shutter mosques and ban the Koran, as well as to take the Netherlands out of the European Union.

The campaign's final days were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.

It erupted over the refusal of the Netherlands to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies about a referendum next month that could give Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.

The crisis nevertheless gave Mr Rutte an opportunity to refuse to bow to foreign pressure, a stance with widespread backing in the nation.

"It is my task to keep the nation safe and stable and deal with these kinds of people," Mr Rutte said.

Mr Rutte has driven through unpopular austerity measures over the last four years, but the Dutch economic recovery has gathered pace and unemployment has fallen fast.

Mr Wilders, meanwhile, tapped into discontent among voters who say they are not benefiting from economic recovery.
A Turkish minister called for the deal with the EU to stop migrants heading to western Europe to be reviewed as the Dutch went to the polls today.

Omer Celik, Turkeys EU affairs minister, said Ankara might consider relaxing controls on its land borders with Greece and Bulgaria.

Turkey agreed to take back migrants who made it to Greece as part of a deal which has significantly cut the number of refugees crossing the Mediterranean.

Mr Celiks comments came before the Dutch general election in which far-Right leader Geert Wilders is seeking to win most seats.

The ruling VVD party led in opinion polls, with Mr Wilderss anti-Islam Party for Freedom second.

Ankara has cut diplomatic relations after Holland banned two Turkish ministers from addressing rallies.
A New Zealand river has become the first in the world to be given the legal status of a person.

The Whanganui River, located in the north island, has been recognised as a living entity with its own rights and values.

The river holds a special and spiritual importance for the local Maori people, who see it as part of the living mountains and sea.

The New Zealand Parliament has passed a bill which gives the river the right to represent itself through human representatives, one appointed by a Maori community and one by the Crown, according to local reports.

MP Adrian Rurawhe said: "The river as a whole is absolutely important to the people who are from the river and live on the river.

"I'll repeat something that [MP] Chester Burrows said in [Parliament] today - it's not that we've changed our world view but people are catching up to seeing things how we see it."

Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson explained that the new law would work like a charitable trust, with the rivers trustees legally required to act in its best interests, Radio New Zealand reported.

He added: "There are some precedents for it overseas - there had been a lot of talk that this is actually a really good way of ensuring that the particular resource is able to have representative to address the kind of environmental degradation that so many natural resources suffer from."
J ames Corden has teased a possible UK version of The Late Late Show.

The British star, 38, who found success across the pond after taking over as host on the chat show, said he would love to bring it to UK screens.

We do have some stuff planned this year  which might involve being in the UK, he told Radio Times.

Corden said he is currently in talks about producing a home-grown version of the show.

Having a laugh: James Corden with Britney Spears in Carpool Karaoke for The Late Late Show / The Late Late Show

We're talking about it now, really, he said.

We don't know if we'll be able to get it together but it's certainly something I'd love to do, for sure.

Could it be magic: James Corden with Take That for a Comic Relief Carpool Karaoke / Terence Patrick/Comic Relief/BBC

I don't know if they ever would, but that would be terrific.

The news comes days after it was revealed that Take That will join Corden for a Carpool Karaoke skit for Comic Relief.

James Corden's Carpool Karaoke - In pictures 1 /45 James Corden's Carpool Karaoke - In pictures Lady Gaga The Late Late Show Paul McCartney s The Late Late Show Britney Spears The Late Late Show Elton John joining James Corden CBS BTS The Late Late Show Adele The Late Late Show Comedian and actor James Corden and members Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer of the rock band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, go shirts off in latest Carpool Karaoke The Late Late Show Michelle Obama and James Corden The Late Late Show Kanye West CBS Chris Martin plays the keyboard with James Corden The Late Late Show George Clooney and Julia Roberts make a surprise appearance as they join Gwen Stefani and James Corden The Late Late Show Madonna The Late Late Show Niall Horan reveals he would marry Selena Gomez during One Direction Carpool Karaoke trip with James Corden The Late Late Show Stevie Wonder and James Corden The Late Late Show Jennifer Lopez The Late Late Show Rod Stewart joins The Late Late Show's James Corden for some carpool karaoke The Late Late Show Mariah Carey The Late Late Show Celine Dion The Late Late Show Bruno Mars The Late Late Show Ariana Grande The Late Late Show Justin Bieber The Late Late Show Take The for Red Nose Day The Late Late Show Harry Styles The Late Late Show Jennifer Hudson The Late Late Show Victoria Beckham/Mannequin The Late Late Show The Late Late Show Lady Gaga The Late Late Show Lady Gaga The Late Late Show Lady Gaga The Late Late Show Britney Spears joining television host James Corden The Late Late Show Adele The Late Late Show Elton John joining James Corden The Late Late Show Comedian and actor James Corden and members Anthony Kiedis, Flea, Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer of the rock band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, go shirts off in latest Carpool Karaoke The Late Late Show Foo Fighters The Late Late Show

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald travelled to the US for the popular Late Late Show segment  which sees Corden ferry celebrities around Los Angeles as they belt out a string of hits.

It was an amazing experience filming, Donald told Radio Times. You dont realise how much work goes into it.

As soon as you get in the car youve got 30, 40 cameras pointing at you from different angles. You have to be sitting in a certain position.

Theres a crew of about 25 people. Youre in convoy, and youre driving around LA for almost three hours.

Corden succeeded Craig Ferguson as host of the American late-night talk show in March 2015.
K atie Hopkins has said it is "very likely" she will appeal after being ordered to pay 24,000 in damages for a defamatory tweet.

The outspoken columnist was ordered by a High Court judge on Friday to pay damages to writer Jack Monroe.

As well as the award to Monroe over defamatory "war memorial" tweets, former Apprentice star Hopkins will have to pay legal costs running into six figures.

But speaking to Radio 4's The Media Show, the writer said she was strongly considering appealing the decision.

She said: "It is very likely that we will appeal. And the grounds for that appeal will be the fact that no evidence of harm was produced in court.

"And in fact, further than that, there is absolutely no evidence that anybody believed the tweet that I wrote in the sense that it was in any way injurious to the claimant."

Food blogger Jack Monroe claimed damages from the newspaper columnist / PA

Hopkins added that she thought deleting and retracting her first post was "reasonable behaviour" and that the defamation bar was not at a "reasonable level".

"I am satisfied with my behaviour. What I am not satisfied at is the defamation bar being as low as my labia," she said.

She was ordered by Mr Justice Warby at a hearing in London to pay 107,000 on account of costs within 28 days, with the full figure yet to be assessed.

Food blogger Monroe, 28, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, complained the tweets posted in May 2015 accused her of "vandalising a war memorial and desecrating the memory of those who fought for her freedom, or of approving or condoning such behaviour".

The judge said "Ms Hopkins does not suggest that Ms Monroe did behave in either of these ways".

Her answer to the claim was that her tweets did not bear the meanings complained of, were not defamatory and that it had not been shown that they caused serious harm to Monroe's reputation.

Hopkins had "mistakenly" used Monroe's Twitter handle instead of that of another columnist who had tweeted about the war memorial incident.

But the judge ruled that the "publications complained of" had "not only caused Ms Monroe real and substantial distress, but also harm to her reputation which was serious".
S ean Penn's son has spoken about how his film star father saved him from crystal meth addiction.

Actor and model Hopper Penn, 23, whose mother is House Of Cards star Robin Wright, told ES Magazine he fell in with a bad crowd after his parents divorced in 2010 following a tempestuous 13-year marriage.

The Hollywood couple brought up Hopper and his sister Dylan, now 25, in a small town near San Francisco. But when Hopper was 14, Wright and Penn split.

Former hellraiser Penn moved to Los Angeles and Hopper began dividing his time between his parents homes. At 16, he moved to Los Angeles full-time, as did his mother.

Model looks: Hopper Penn poses for ES magazine

At the time of the split, he was pretty mad because they had split up before and then got back together, and then they did it again. He added: I was young and thinking: Are you just f****** with me and my sister? I mean, it was not the best. It was tough, talking to them. Because they were both pretty broken too, I think.

A month after moving to Los Angeles he was badly injured in a skateboarding accident and suffered bleeding on the brain which required surgery. Afterwards, he became a full-time tearaway.

Family business: Hopper with father Sean and sister Dylan / Rex

He said: I was doing a lot of stuff but meth was the main one that brought me down. I went to rehab because I woke up in hospital and my dad said, Rehab? Or bus bench? I was like, Ill take the bed.

Thank God I got out of that because that was the worst time in my life. Because its not fun when it gets to a point where you just need it.

Party People - In pictures 1 /84 Party People - In pictures Katy Perry leaving Cafe Royal Hotel, London SplashNews.com Lizzie Cundy, Jilly Johnson, Jo Wood and Ingrid Tarrant attend the launch of Jo Wood's new podcast "Alien Nation With Jo Wood" at The Groucho Club Dave Benett Kate Moss attends the Bella Freud 'Happening' poetry session Dave Benett Carol Vorderman attends a special screening of "Amazing Grace" at The Ham Yard Hotel Dave Benett/WireImage Laura Bailey and Mary Charteris attend the Bella Freud 'Happening' poetry session Dave Benett Emeli Sande attends a special screening of "Amazing Grace" at The Ham Yard Hotel Dave Benett/WireImage Kate Moss and Bella Freud attend the Bella Freud 'Happening' poetry session Dave Benett Bella Freud and Noel Fielding attend the Bella Freud 'Happening' poetry session Dave Benett Jemima Khan and Bella Freud attend the Bella Freud 'Happening' poetry session Dave Benett Jourdan Dunn and Melanie C attend a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Caroline Flack and Betty Bachz celebrate the 90th Anniversary of JW Marriott Grosvenor House London Dave Benett Laura Whitmore celebrates the 90th Anniversary of JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Poppy Ajudha at the 2019 Jazz FM Awards at Shoreditch Town Hall PA Caroline Flack celebrates the 90th Anniversary of JW Marriott Grosvenor House London on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Ayesha Perry-Iqbal attends a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Vick Hope attends a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London, Dave Benett Ashley Roberts attends a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Ashley Roberts and Vanessa White attend a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Montana Brown attends a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Melissa Tattam and Sophie Habboo attend a party hosted by Jourdan Dunn to celebrate Maybelline being named the NO.1 Mascara brand in the UK on April 30, 2019 in London Dave Benett Beverley Knight at the 2019 Jazz FM Awards at Shoreditch Town Hall PA Camilla Kerslake stuns in Gyunel Couture dress arriving at the International Opera Awards at Sadlers Wells Theatre Backgrid UK Lily Collins poses on the red carpet arriving for the UK premiere of the film Tolkein in London AFP/Getty Images Kate Moss is seen in high spirits as she has lunch with friends in Notting Hill, Londo SplashNews.com Fleur East attends The Screen Nation Film and TV Awards at May Fair Hotel in London SplashNews.com Olivia Colman attending the launch party for the Art for Eve campaign at Bonhams Auction House in London PA Megan Barton Hanson attends 'Art For Eve', a charity auction in aid of The Eve Appeal at Bonhams Dave Benett Poppy Jamie at the UK launch of Coca-Cola Companys new water-plus drink Aquarius Lily Collins and Nicholas Hoult attending the UK premiere of Tolkien held at Curzon Mayfair, London PA Jessica Ordonez Barnett and Olivia Colman attend 'Art For Eve', a charity auction in aid of The Eve Appeal, at Bonham Dave Benett Heather Watson attending the BT Sport Industry Awards 2019 at Battersea Evolution in London SplashNews.com Charlize Theron seen out and about in London SplashNews.com Olivia Cox attends the British Academy Television and Craft Awards nominees party at Sea Containers Dave Benett Michelle Heaton attends the British Academy Television and Craft Awards nominees party at Sea Containers Dave Benett Lauren Black attends the British Academy Television and Craft Awards nominees party at Sea Containers Dave Benett Nina Toussaint-White attends the British Academy Television and Craft Awards nominees party at Sea Containers Dave Benett Madonna arrives for the big MTV reveal in a risque outfit Rex Features Camilla Rutherford, Yasmin Mills, Jasmine Hemsley, Emma Weymouth and Arizona Muse Dave Benett Zac Efron and Lily Collins attending the Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile European Premiere held at the Curzon Mayfair, London PA Becky Tong attends a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcade Dave Benett Lily Collins attends the European Premiere of "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile" at The Curzon Mayfair Dave Benett Megan Barton Hanson attends the European Premiere of "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile" at The Curzon Mayfair Dave Benett Kevin Pietersen launching an exclusive National Geographic screening of 'Save this Rhino' documentary at The Ham Yard Hotel in partnership with Dimension Data and Cisco Denise van Outen attends the 1st birthday gala performance of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Aldwych Theatre Dave Benett Kathy Lette attends the 1st birthday gala performance of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Aldwych Theatre Dave Benett Emma Weymouth, Cameron Saul and Deborah Ababio attend a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcade Dave Benett Naomi Isted attends the European premiere of the SKY CINEMA original "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" at The Curzon Mayfair Jeff Spicer/Getty Images Kimberley Walsh and Denise van Outen attend the 1st birthday gala performance of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Aldwych Theatre Dave Benett Eleanor Tomlinson attends the 1st birthday gala performance of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Aldwych Theatre Dave Benett Iwan Rheon attends a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcade Dave Benett Kimberley Walsh, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe and Denise van Outen attend the 1st birthday gala performance of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Aldwych Theatre Dave Benett Ashley Roberts attends Skinny Tan VIP product launch party at 100 Wardour Stree Dave Benett Kara Marshall (L) and Diana Vickers attend Skinny Tan VIP product launch party at 100 Wardour Stree Dave Benett Victoria Brown attends Skinny Tan VIP product launch party at 100 Wardour Street Dave Benett Diana Vickers attends Skinny Tan VIP product launch party at 100 Wardour Street Dave Benett Jacqueline Jossa attends Skinny Tan VIP product launch party at 100 Wardour Street Dave Benett Matt Smith attends the UK Premiere of National Geographic's new series "Hostile Planet" at Cineworld O2 Arena Dave Benett Alexis Knox attends the UK Premiere of National Geographic's new series "Hostile Planet" at Cineworld O2 Arena Dave Benett Gizzi Erskine attends the UK Premiere of National Geographic's new series "Hostile Planet" at Cineworld O2 Arena Oti Mabuse attends the press night after party for "Ain't Misbehavin'" at The Southwark Playhouse Dave Benett Martha Ward attends a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcade Dave Benett Arizona Muse and Jasmine Hemsley attend a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcade Dave Benett Melissa Hemsley attends a cocktail supper hosted by BOTTLETOP co-founders Cameron Saul & Oliver Wayman, along with Arizona Muse, Richard Curtis & Livia Firth to launch the #TOGETHERBAND campaign at The Quadrant Arcad Dave Benett

Afterwards Penn cast his son in a film he was directing, The Last Face. Hopper said: I know he kind of wrote the part for me. He really wanted to work with me and it ended up being great. But yeah, maybe it was about giving me just a little structure.

He has since become the face of Fendis latest eyewear collection and starred in film War Machine, with Brad Pitt. But he still maintains his other job: working in a pizza restaurant. I wouldnt call myself an actor, really. Or a model, he said.

On the acting side, Ive told myself when I do four movies, then I can consider myself an actor. And then, the modelling side? I dont know. I guess now, this campaign, this is maybe a tipping point.
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What do you like about the East Overland corridor? What do you wish were different? What would you like to see in the future, and what do you think would bring more people to East Overland?

In less than a week from now, members of the East Overland community will have the first of several opportunities to answer those questions.

Starting Monday, city staff and the East Overland revitalization steering committee, along with architects and designers from Denver-based studioINSITE, will host meetings at the Guadalupe Center from 9 to 10:30 a.m. for residents, and 10:30 a.m. to noon for business owners and a public open house Tuesday at Roosevelt Elementary School from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The goal of the meetings will be to gain as much community input as possible so there is an accurate representation of what the public wants and needs.

Ideas generated during the work sessions will then be put on display in the halls at Roosevelt Elementary where community members attending parent teacher conferences can leave comments or get inspiration and ideas of their own.

Public comment will also be sought at the open house Tuesday evening. Spanish-language interpreters will be available for residents who need assistance.

City Planner Annie Folck said the revitalization plan builds on comprehensive plan developed a year ago after people throughout the community said that East Overland was the area most in need. One the plan is finalized, hopefully by Memorial Day weekend, the next step will be securing a grant to implement the changes.

Traffic engineers Felsburg Holt & Ullevig (FHU) will also be on hand Monday and Tuesday to gather data about high traffic areas, such as the intersection near Roosevelt.

They (FHU) are in charge of the real bones and mechanics of how the intersections and traffic flow will work, studioINSITE architect Jim Leggitt said.

For more information about the meetings contact Folck at 308-630-6244 or afolck@scottsbluff.org. Residents seeking Spanish-language support can contact Astrid Munn at 308-641-8691 or agmunn@gmail.com.
The Sidney Police Department has added a dose of humor to its crime-fighting.

On Tuesday, the police department posted a humorous form on its Facebook page, urging drug dealers to turn in their competitors.

*Attention Drug Dealers*, the form, complete with the police departments letterhead, reads. Is your drug dealing competition costing you money? We offer a FREE service to help you eliminate your drug competition!

The form urges drug dealers to report their competition with areas for names, address and other information.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens said that the post had more than shares. It had 50 likes and reactions.

The department adapted a post forwarded by the wife of one of the departments narcotics investigators.

We laughed, he said. We thought, Hey, what the heck and we posted it.

Aikens said he doesnt anticipate anyone responding to the post, but it is always possible it might happen.

The post does stir conversation, he said, particularly about community involvement in working drug cases. The more citizens are involved in reporting suspicious activity, the better off everybody is.

If there is buy-in in our community in controlling drug activity, we stand a better the chance of getting it out of community, he said.

The cases dont get smaller, they get bigger and bigger.

Its one of the reasons that the department continues to be involved with the Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group (WING).

The whole premise is to get the big distributors off the street and curtail crime that way, Aikens said. The use of drugs directly contributes to other crimes that occur in our community.

To view the post, visit starherald.com.
Emmett Smith, 91, of Scottsbluff, died Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff with family by his side. His graveside service will be held at 9am on Friday, March 17, 2017 at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery in Bridgeport with Pastor Ray Cook officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Navy. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Emmetts honor be made in care of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport, NE. Online condolences may be left at www.jolliffefuneralhome.com.

Emmett was born June 26, 1925 in Alliance to Earl Brooks and Estella Alice Mabel Leeson Smith Decker. He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1943. He joined the US Navy on Oct 10, 1943 and was honorably discharged on December 29, 1945. He married Betty Jean Sward on Aug 10, 1945 in Yuma, AZ. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport.

Emmett is survived by his children Barbara Jean (Stuart) Mills of Lincoln, NE and Cynthia Ann (Todd) Mahoney of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren Michelle (Wade) Lukken of Dakota Dunes, SD, Jennifer (Scott) Bestmann of Lincoln, NE, Thomas (Megan) Mahoney of Emporia, KS, and Trevor Mahoney of Scottsbluff, NE; 9 great grandchildren Drew, Dylan, Bennett, and Blake Lukken of Dakota Dunes, SD, Braeden, Derek, and Camden Bestmann of Lincoln, NE, and Bridget and Jack Mahoney of Emporia, KS.

His parents, wife Betty, infant son Dan Emmett and siblings Lester Smith, Glen Smith and Helena Hart preceded him in death.
The Legislature has now passed a package of bills which have been signed into law by the governor. This would include LB45: Military Honor License Plates, LB 56: state auditor experience requirements, LB74: population thresholds for annexation and suburban development, LB80: classification of law clerks under county attorneys or public defenders, LB131: requirements for urban growth districts, LB132: updates to provisions relating to improvement districts and extraterritorial zoning jurisdictions, and LB134: updates to regulation of Nebraskas egg industry. In addition, a number of revisor bills which clean up expired statutes were also signed by the governor.

This list adds to the deficit bill for the fiscal year ending in June, LB22, which was signed into law in February. It also adds to LB119, which delays the certification date for state aid to schools to assist with the budget shortfall.

Since late February, the Appropriations Committee has been conducting public hearings on state agencies budget requests, as well as bills brought to the Committee. Public hearings for the Committee are nearing completion, which should be finished by March 17.

The Committee then moves to the next stage in the process in late March when it reviews all agency budget requests and begins drafting the budget bills to be advanced to the floor. During this time, adjustments to the governors recommended levels of funding for state agencies will be made and by April 24 it moves to the legislative floor for debate by the body as a whole.

The budget will appear on the floor as a package of bills. These can include the mainline budget, constitutional officers salary (i.e. other elected officials and judges), legislators salary, cash fund transfers, capital construction projects, and deficit bills for the next biennium. The next biennium will be for the fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The bills which I introduced continue to advance through the process. LB99 has now moved to the second round of debate- Select File. It is a bill that would require business entities to give notice to their lenders when they convert their form of incorporation. LB100 and 101 still sit on the first stage of the process- General File, where most deliberation occurs. LB100 would streamline the standards of proof used by mental health boards when determining the ability of petitioners to buy or possess firearms and LB101 makes the bidding process for the States main administrative arm, the Department of Administrative Services, more competitive by putting limitations on contract renewals and extensions.

A few of my other bills have been advanced from their respective committees to General File, including LB151, 222, and 496. LB151 would add oversight measures to state agencies during the auditing process by empowering the state auditor to conduct post-audit reviews. An amendment was added to the bill by the Government, Veterans and Affairs Committee which would amend numerous other bills into it relating to the state auditor.

LB222 would implement oversight measures into Nebraskas Tourism Commission following its recent mismanagement issues last year. LB222 would restructure the Commissions board, require the adoption of formal rules, regulations, and would clarify its innovative grant program. Sen. Clements has officially prioritized my bill, which moves it up in the Speakers agenda.

LB496 would address workforce shortages in rural Nebraska by incentivizing housing developments to attract workers to those areas. This would apply to all cities in Nebraska with the exception of Lincoln, Omaha, and municipalities with a population smaller than 800 people. Senator Williams has prioritized this bill.

There are still a number of my bills being held in committee which include LB221, 540, and 611. Additionally there are a couple of shell bills being held. Shell bills are placeholders which can be used to make adjustments to the budget later on this session. LB221 is a budget bill which would make adjustments to the Water Sustainability Fund for FY2017-18 and 2018-19. LB540 would address Nebraskas budget deficit by temporarily reducing the needs based component of the TEEOSA formula. Lastly LB611 would require state agencies to provide additional information on the Federal funds they receive during the budgeting process. This has been prioritized by my committee.

There are still many challenges that lie ahead before the end of session. The state faces a growing budget shortfall of over $1 billion through the end of fiscal year 2020-21. The Legislature reduced this number by $134 million through the 2016-17 deficit bill, but those cuts were offset by another $153 million reduction in the States tax revenues reported at the end of February. Our fiscal situation will force the Appropriations Committee and the Legislature to make a lot of tough decisions to balance its budget. I have prioritized LB233, a bill by Senator Smith that was requested by the Department of Revenue.

As always, I remain open to your feedback on how I may address the issues that mean most to you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions you may have. Thank you to those who have taken the time to express their views on various issues. My contact information is: Senator John P. Stinner, District 48 State Capitol, PO Box 94604, Lincoln NE 68209-4604; telephone: 402-471-2802; email: jstinner@leg.ne.gov.
This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page

Published: 15 March 2017

Turnover in manufacturing grew by 2.4 per cent in the last quarter

According to Statistics Finland, turnover in manufacturing in the October to December period was 2.4 per cent higher than in the corresponding period of the year before. Domestic sales grew by 3.3 per cent and export turnover by 1.7 per cent from one year ago.

Three months' year-on-year change in turnover in manufacturing (C) sub-industries (TOL 2008)

Turnover went up from the corresponding period of the previous year in nearly all manufacturing (C) sub-industries . Turnover grew most in the chemical industry, by 8.1 per cent, in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 7.1 per cent, and in the forest industry, by 4.5 per cent. Less turnover than in the previous year was generated in the food industry, 2.1 per cent, and in the electrical and electronics industry, 4.1 per cent.

Three months' year-on-year change in turnover in main industrial categories (TOL 2008)

The turnover of all other main categories of manufacturing industries also grew year-on-year. Turnover grew strongest in the industry of mining and quarrying, 29.9 per cent. Turnover in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply increased by 5.3 per cent and in water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities by 2.3 per cent from one year ago.

The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations value added tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years.

Changes in the periodic tax return data used in turnover indices

Statistics Finlands turnover indices prepare for the change in the Tax Administration's value added tax data starting from data for January 2017. More about this under Changes in these statistics.

Source: Index of turnover in industry 2016, December, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Kirsi-Maaria Manninen 029 551 2681, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko

Publication in pdf-format (345.4 kB)

Updated 15.3.2017

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication].

ISSN=1798-596X. December 2016. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 7.11.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2016/12/tlv_2016_12_2017-03-15_tie_001_en.html
This page is archived. Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website. Go to the new statistics page

Published: 15 March 2017

Service exports at the previous years level in the last quarter of 2016

Service exports remained at the previous years level in the last quarter of 2016. Service imports, in turn, went up by 1.6 per cent from the corresponding quarter of the year before. When examining the full year 2016, service exports declined by 1.6 per cent and imports increased by one per cent. In 2016, services were exported from Finland to the value of EUR 23.0 billion and imported to the value of EUR 25.7 billion. The drop in exports was affected most by a EUR 0.7 billion decline in telecommunications, computer and information services. The imports of services started growing in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the previous year. The data appear from Statistics Finland's statistics on international trade in goods and services.

Imports and exports of services

The combined exports of goods and services grew by 0.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2016, while the earlier quarters declined compared to the corresponding periods in 2015. The upturn in exports is explained by the strong growth in factoryless production, goods sent abroad for processing and merchanting in 2016. These figures are, however, preliminary and involve uncertainty. During 2016, total exports increased by 1.9 per cent from 2015.

The combined imports of goods and services, in turn, made an upturn in the second quarter compared with the previous year. In the last quarter of 2016, it grew by 2.2 per cent compared to the corresponding quarter in 2015. Due to the heavy decline of over four per cent in the first quarter, imports only increased, however, by 0.7 per cent in 2016 compared with 2015.

International trade by area

The shares of different areas in total exports of goods and services have mostly remained unchanged during 2016 compared to the corresponding periods in 2015. Total imports from Russia, however, increased by 31 per cent in the last quarter compared with 2015. The share of Russia in total imports, thus, grew by two percentage points in the period in question. The growth in total imports from Russia is explained by goods imports but service imports also increased.

Service exports to China have grown when comparing all quarters of 2016 to the corresponding quarters of the previous year. The country-specific service imports shares have remained more or less unchanged in 2016. The share of service imports from Sweden has, however, grown by 2.3 percentage points from one year ago.

Exports of goods and services in balance of payment terms by area

International trade in services by service item

The biggest single export item, telecommunications, computer and information services* decreased in all quarters of 2016 compared to the corresponding quarters in the previous year. In the last quarter of the year, the decline was over four per cent compared to 2015. In 2016, the exports of this item decreased by EUR 735 million, which is a ten per cent drop compared to 2015. Exports of transportation and goods sent abroad for processing also decreased from the year before. Service exports grew, for example, in construction and project deliveries, royalties and licence fees n.e.c., business and management consulting services and other services.

The imports of tourism increased in every quarter of the year compared to the corresponding quarters in the year before. In the last quarter of 2016, they were EUR 196 million higher than in the corresponding quarter of 2015. The growth in service imports was, however, curbed by a drop in the imports of construction and project deliveries. Imports of this service item dropped in every quarter of the year compared with the corresponding periods of the year before and ended up in a EUR 90 million decline in the last quarter of the year.

Exports of services by service item

Statistics on international trade

The statistics on international trade in goods and services are part of balance of payments . The statistics comprise breakdowns of goods and services on a more detailed level. The guidelines and recommendations of the Balance of Payments Manual (BPM6) applied to balance of payments are consistent with the European System of Accounts (ESA 2010). Starting from 2014, the figures are not fully comparable with those for previous years due to changes in the recording method of factoryless production. More information about this can be found under Changes in these statistics. National Accounts are published on the quarterly and annual levels . Finnish Customs publishes data on trade of goods across borders. The trade of goods published by Finnish Customs is used as source data for the statistics on international trade in goods and services. Removals and additions caused by definitions are made to them to achieve goods trade in balance of payments terms.

Finnish Customs statistical service, tilastot@tulli.fi, +358 29 552 335.

Source: International trade in goods and services 2016, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Risto Sippola 029 551 3383, Terhi Tulonen 029 551 3604, globalisaatio.tilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ville Vertanen

Publication in pdf-format (262.6 kB)

Updated 15.3.2017

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): International trade in goods and services [e-publication].

ISSN=2343-4244. 4th quarter 2016. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 7.11.2022].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tpulk/2016/04/tpulk_2016_04_2017-03-15_tie_001_en.html
WASHINGTON (AP)  A man who police say fired an assault weapon inside a Washington pizza shop as he sought to investigate phony rumors of child sex trafficking has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors.

At a status hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Washington, lawyers said they have reached a plea deal in principle for 28-year-old Edgar Maddison Welch of Salisbury, North Carolina. They said they needed some more time to complete the paperwork, and U.S. District Judge Ketanji B. Jackson scheduled a plea hearing for March 24.

Authorities say Welch fired multiple shots, causing panic inside the Comet Ping Pong restaurant Dec. 4, after driving from North Carolina to investigate a conspiracy theory about high-profile Democrats harboring child sex slaves, with the pizza shop connected in some way. Court documents indicate he entered the pizzeria restaurant carrying a .38 revolver in a holster on his hip and the AR-15 assault weapon across his chest. Authorities say he fired at a locked door as he searched for evidence of hidden rooms or tunnels, as described in the conspiracy theories.

According to court documents, Welch "surrendered peacefully when he found no evidence that underage children were being harbored in the restaurant." No one was hurt.

Welch's parents have said their son's mood turned for the worse last year and he began having nightmares after he hit a 13-year-old pedestrian with his car in October.

Terms of the plea were not discussed. Welch's public defender, Dani Jahn, declined comment after the hearing. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which is prosecuting the case, also declined comment.

Welch was charged with interstate transportation of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Welch, dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, did not speak during the hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which is prosecuting the case, also declined comment.
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
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"Attracting over 10,000 information professionals each year from all around the world to discuss trends and interests in the Library 2.0 Virtual Conference series would not be possible without Steves highly focused organizational skills, his creative thinking, his ability to connect people, and his infectious and motivating enjoyment for the work."

-Dr. Sandy Hirsh, Director of the San Jose State University School of Information and Co-Chair of the Library 2.0 Conferences



"The depth of your observations from last night is still resonating with me. I'm trying to think of another interview I've given where the questioner understood the material so well that he/she so regularly (and fluidly) went into new intellectual territory. I can't think of any. Pretty amazing. Thank you."

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-Doc Searls



"Steve is the Oprah of education."

-Monika Hardy's Students



"Steve is the 'white knight' of education reform."

-Michelle Cordy



"The nicest guy in ed tech."

-Rushton Hurley



"Steve is a national treasure."

-Leonard Waks



"Steve Hargadon is one of the most important change-makers of our time!"

-Connie Weber



"Steve is a connector. He is a bridge. He is a lifeline. He takes the lead. He gets things done. Quite simply, Steve Hargadon is a humble, kind, unsung hero who makes a difference in the lives of educators worldwide."

-Joyce Valenza



"Steve is a forge! The heat of the conversations he instigates and the amazing thinkers he interviews for The Future of Education, soften the metal of some of my most valued visions and reshape them into ideas that are better  that excite me  that make it hard for me to sleep. If we succeed in hacking education into something that is, once again, relevant, we will owe more to Steve Hargadon than we will ever know."

-David Warlick



"Steve Hargadon may be the most expert person in the country when it comes to organizing virtual events. It was fun to see how organizing a complex event with many speakers is properly done. If you havent had a chance to see him in action, I recommend attending any one of the upcoming Library 2.0 conferences. I dont expect that virtual conferences will go out of style any time soon.

-Jim Lynch



"He is a man of incredible character and wisdom, and again, I am lucky to know him and work well with him."

-Lucy Gray


Chilean businessman Rafael Garay, who is accused in his country of having embezzled about 1 billion dollars, was taken out of the arrest of the Brasov County Police Inspectorate and taken under escort to the Bucharest-Otopeni International Airport in order to be extradited to Chile, Brasov Police Inspectorate spokesperson Gabriela Dinu told agerpres. The plane takeoff is scheduled for around 12:40 hrs.

Garay has been under house arrest for 40 days in Brasov, after he was nabbed on November 18, 2016 by Brasov police in a local mall. He was presented to the Brasov Court of Appeal which ordered him under house arrest until the clarification of the extradition documents, and then the Chilean was placed in pre-trial arrest according to the legislation in force.
The Plenary sitting of the European Parliament adopted on Wednesday the resolution regarding the policy priorities of the European Parliament (EP) for the annual budget of the European Union (EU) for 2018. The resolution was approved by the MEPs with 445 votes "in favor," 134 votes "against," and 101 abstentions.

On Tuesday evening the resolution draft regarding the priorities of the European Legislature regarding the budget of the EU for the next year has been debated in the plenary of the EP, after the document was presented by the Chief negotiator of the EP for the annual budget of the EU for 2018 MEP Siegfried Muresan.

He pleaded within the debate that the policy priorities of the Union's budget for the next year aim at economic growth, creating jobs and ensuring the security on a European level. The Chief-negotiator of the EP on the EU budget for 2018 explained that in order to achieve the objectives connected to the economic growth and creating jobs the EU needs to invest more in "infrastructure, innovation and research." "Let's support more the SMEs, let's invest more in the high quality entrepreneurial activity. Projects such as Horizon 2020, COSME, Erasmus [...] must be comprised in the EU budget for the next year, because the EU economy must become more competitive, more credible in eyes of investors. This way we will ensure economic growth and jobs," Muresan stated.

When referring to the security area, the main report of the EP on the EU budget for 2018, he underscored that it needs to be approached on the Union's internal plan, as well as on its external plan. He said that on the internal security plan, the activity of European agencies in charge in the area must be strengthened, mentioning FRONTEX, EASO, EUROPOL, EUROJUST. Regarding internal security he also pointed out the necessity of existing some "pilot defence projects that were previously launched by the Commission."

"We would want to be, from this point of view, united in respect to the eastern vicinity of the EU, because there are countries which signed an association agreement, namely Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova. They, currently are submitted to a more aggressive policy coming from the Russian Federation. We have to consolidate the independence of justice, the rule of law, to counteract the money laundering in these neighboring states. This is why we also focus on the south vicinity, the North of Africa, the states in the Middle East. And from here comes a migrant inflow towards us. The EU must support the refugees in their native countries," Muresan stated. He spoke in his presentation about other financial provisions of the EU budget for 2018, underlining the necessity of strengthening the Erasmus programme and the implementation of the "Interail" project.

Agerpres
Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu said Wednesday that information that fugitive criminal Sebastian Ghita had allegedly been tracked down in Serbia is false, urging the Police to do their job. He announced having requested information about the case before attending an activity report meeting of the Interior Ministry (MAI).

"Just before joining the meeting I asked the question. It seems that the hot information is not correct. I do not want to go into details, and I am even urging [the Police] to do their job and apprehend not just Ghita but anyone declared a fugitive who has to come to account before court," said Grindeanu. He went on to say that the information that Ghita was tracked down in Serbia came from unofficial sources.

"The source for this information is neither the Government, nor the Interior Ministry, the manager of the situation. As far as I understand, the information came from unofficial sources that before the meeting had not been confirmed,"said Grindeanu. Grindeanu attended in the official opening in Slobozia, south, of a monthly government action called "We grow together," for planting trees.

Agerpres
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NEW YORK  A group of 17 Republicans in Congress signed a resolution on Wednesday vowing to seek "economically viable" ways to stave off global warming, possibly putting them on a collision course with President Donald Trump who has called climate change a hoax.

Republicans Elise Stefanik of New York, Carlos Curbelo of Florida and Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives pledging to "study and address the causes and effects of measured changes to our global and regional climates" and seek ways to "balance human activities" that contribute.

Several Republicans who signed the resolution represent parts of the country most affected. Curbelo hails from Miami, where streets regularly flood at high tide due to rising sea levels.

"This issue was regrettably politicized some 20 or so years ago, and we are in the process of taking some of the politics out, reducing the noise, and focusing on the challenge and on the potential solutions," Curbelo said in a call with journalists on Tuesday.

Trump's newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a CNBC interview on Thursday that he did not believe carbon dioxide was a major contributor to climate change.

"The head of the EPA's comments were disconcerting. What he said was akin to saying the earth is flat in 2017," Curbelo said. "We must insist on evidence-based and science-based policies."

Trump has repeatedly voiced doubts on climate change, at one point calling it a hoax to weaken U.S. business, and said during his 2016 presidential campaign that he wanted to pull the United States out of a global pact to fight it. Curbelo said he believed some Trump allies were ready to work on fixing climate change, though he declined to identify them.

An overwhelming majority of scientists say human activity  including the burning of oil, gas and coal  is the main driver of rising global temperatures. Most Republicans either dispute that or disagree that it is an urgent problem.

A similar resolution was introduced by Republicans in the previous Congress, with 17 signing. Some of those lawmakers lost their reelection bids.
Updated at noon

WASHINGTON  The U.S. government on Wednesday unsealed charges against two Russian spies and two criminal hackers for allegedly pilfering 500 million Yahoo user accounts in 2014.

The indictments, announced at a news conference in Washington, represent the first time the U.S. government has criminally charged Russian officials for cyber offenses.

The contents of at least 30 million accounts were accessed as part of a spam campaign and at least 18 people who used other internet service providers, such as Google, were also victimized, the government charged.

The officers of the FSB, Russias Federal Security Service, which is a successor to the KGB, were identified as Dmitry Dokuchaev and his superior, Igor Sushchin, the government said.

Both men are in Russia, it said.

Alexsey Belan, who is on the list of most-wanted cyber criminals, and Karim Baratov, who was born in Kazakhstan but has Canadian citizenship, were also named in the indictment.

The Justice Department said Baratov was arrested in Canada on Tuesday and his case is pending with Canadian authorities.

Belan was arrested in Europe in June 2013 but escaped to Russia before he could be extradited to the United States, according to the Justice Department.

"The criminal conduct at issue, carried out and otherwise facilitated by officers from an FSB unit that serves as the FBIs point of contact in Moscow on cyber crime matters, is beyond the pale, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord.

McCord said the hacking campaign was waged by the FSB to collect intelligence but that the two hackers used the collected information as an opportunity to "line their pockets."

The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, but McCord said she was hopeful Russian authorities would cooperate in bringing criminals to justice. The United States often charges cyber criminals with the intent of deterring future state-sponsored activity.

The administration of former President Barack Obama brought similar charges against Chinese and Iranian hackers who have not been extradited.

The 47-count indictment includes conspiracy, computer fraud and abuse, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, wire fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identify theft.

The charges are not related to the hacking of Democratic Party emails during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Intelligence agencies have said they were carried out by Russia to help the campaign of Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Yahoo said when it announced the then-unprecedented breach last September that it believed the attack was state-sponsored, and on Wednesday the company said the indictment "unequivocally shows" that to be the case.

Yahoo in December also announced a breach that occurred in 2013 affecting one billion accounts, though it has not linked that intrusion to the one in 2014.

The Russian hacking conspiracy, which began as early as 2014, allowed Belan to use his relationship with the Russian spy agency and access to Yahoo's network to engage in financial crimes, according to the indictment.

The breaches were the latest in a series of setbacks for the Internet pioneer, which has fallen on hard times in recent years after being eclipsed by younger, fast-growing rivals including Alphabet Inc.'s Google and Facebook Inc.

Yahoos disclosure of the years-old cyber invasions and its much-criticized slow response forced it to accept a discount of $350 million in what had been a $4.83 billion deal to sell its main assets to Verizon Communications Inc.

Shares of Yahoo were down 0.9 percent.

"Were committed to keeping our users and our platforms secure and will continue to engage with law enforcement to combat cyber crime," Chris Madsen, Yahoo's assistant general counsel, said in a statement.

Additional reporting by Julia Edwards of Reuters.
Last month, two young friends of mine stood in line for nearly two hours to buy cookie dough.

It was in New York. Of course it was New York. New York is where people apparently have so little else to do that they will gladly stand in line for hours to sample the newest, latest treat. Yesterday it was cronuts. Today it is cookie dough. Tomorrow  Saltines?

And it was snowing. Of course it was snowing. Whats the point of standing in line for an hour or two if it isnt snowing? Though in my friends defense, I should point out that they are newly married and it must have seemed marvelously romantic to stand in line together in the snow.

At least it did for a while, because it was freezing cold. Hannahs toes became numb, and Joe made her jump up and down to keep warm. Romance is nice and all, but it will only get you so far in the winter.

We kept saying to each other we were crazy for waiting so long in the cold, but by then we were so close that we had to wait it out, Hannah Carroll said in a message.

For the record, she also said, Was it worth it? Yes. It was amazing.

Good. Im glad. Im delighted the story had a happy ending. But still: They stood in line for nearly two hours, in the snow, to buy cookie dough. And they werent even planning to make cookies. The beauty of this product, which is created, produced and sold by former St. Louisan Kristen Tomlan, is that it is made to be eaten raw.

The eggs are pasteurized, the flour is treated with heat to eliminate food-borne diseases. You can eat it fresh out of the tub. You could also use it to bake cookies, but lets be frank  no one would spend $10 for a half-pound of cookie dough if they were just going to use it to make cookies.

And heres the thing: Hannah makes her own cookies, at least sometimes. She also makes her own cookie dough. It might take a total of 10 minutes to make her own cookie dough, and thats only if she has to rummage through her pantry to look for chocolate chips. If she actually wanted to bake them, that wouldnt take much longer.

So why travel from Brooklyn to Greenwich Village and stand in the snow  in the snow!  for nearly two hours just for something she can make in her nice, cozy kitchen for a lot less money and in literally one-tenth the time?

Granted, the dough at DO must taste great. It comes in a bunch of flavors (chocolate chip, sugar, brownie batter, oatmeal M&M, plus various combinations), and, after all, something has to explain the two-hour lines.

But it is still just cookie dough: flour, eggs, butter, sugar, salt and vanilla, plus chocolate chips or M&Ms or oatmeal or whatever. All cookie dough tastes great; how much more exceptional can DO dough be?

So, something besides flavor has to explain the two-hour lines. And I think it is a sense of community, along with a desire to be in the know, to think of oneself as better informed than ones peers.

That is what hipsterism is all about, though I must quickly add that my young friends, with just one tattoo between them, are by no means hipsters. The people who stand in line for cookie dough, or cronuts or Saltines, do so because it is the thing to do, the place to be. It makes them feel like part of the cultural elite, even if that means standing for two hours in the snow.

Its cool to be cold.

Of course, people being what they are, especially New Yorkers, some wanted the cachet of cool without having to pay the price  at least not the physical price. When my friends neared the front of the store, they were approached by at least two different groups offering to pay them to cut in line.

One guy offered them $20. Two girls promised to pay for my friends cookie dough.

The folks in front of my friends accepted the offer to buy the dough. That so angered Hannahs husband, Joe, that he told them off. Sort of. Joe is English and very polite and would never raise his voice in public.

But he did tell the people who made the offer that he was very disappointed in them. And then he told the people who accepted the offer that he was even more disappointed in them for letting the others in.
Within the whiskey world, Irish whiskey might be the friendliest.

Smooth and easy-drinking, it can be mild-mannered to a fault. Traditional Irish whiskey includes triple-distilled unmalted grain, resulting in a fruity, gentle spirit that misses some of the complexity of a single-malt.

Only a handful of large-scale distilleries produce the majority of Irish whiskey, and the new wave of craft distilleries is still quite young. So its up to these larger distilleries to innovate into a maturing single-malt market.

Hyde Irish Whiskey, created by brothers Conor and Alan Hyde, sources its whiskey from Hibernia Distillers.

We are focusing on giving the modern whiskey drinker what they want and not just what has always traditionally been made, Conor Hyde says.

He made a big debut with Hyde No. 1, a 10-year-old single-malt finished in sherry casks. The follow-up Hyde No. 2 is finished in Caribbean dark-rum casks.

Hyde No. 2 has aromas of massive rum, dark sugar and cola, giving it a cocktail aspect. At 46 percent alcohol, a teaspoon of water tames the spicy bite, opening a nose of vanilla and coffee cake.

Citrus rind and peach skin develop into a slightly savory finish of grass, green tea and soy sauce.

Compared to the integrated sherry of Hyde No. 1, the rum components of Hyde No. 2 exist in parallel  as the base whiskey elements develop, the rum flavor is linear from start to finish.

While Hyde spotlights cask finishes, Tullamore D.E.W. has expanded into the single-malt category with a 14-year-old that is easily as nuanced as any major single-malt scotch.

The delicate nature of the spirit calls for a light touch in maturation, says Brian Kinsman, master blender at Tullamore D.E.W. You need to be careful not to dominate the original notes.

The sherry, port and Madeira finishing casks guide the flavor but dont define it. Instead, the base malt shines through in all of its complexity.

Vegetation and herbs wind through the experience, launching a nose filled with mead, melon rind, cardamom and crab apple. At 41.3 percent alcohol, it takes only a drop or two of water to release raw apricot and a fennel that will carry into the finish.

The flavor becomes a stroll through an autumn meadow, picnicking with dandelions, cognac and cucumber sandwiches. Finally, this winner finishes into celery, cereal, cantaloupe and, again, that fennel, persisting and pleasant.

The complex feast of the Tullamore D.E.W. 14-year-old single malt is like a long-simmering vegetable soup, showcasing superb, subtle cask management.

Hyde No. 2 Presidents Cask Single Malt Irish Whiskey and Tullamore D.E.W. 14-year-old Single Malt Irish Whiskey retail for $70 each. They are as friendly as any Irish, only these friendships are a bit more complex.
A 10-year-old poodle/Yorkshire terrier mix female dog that had been stabbed 19 times was being cared for Wednesday by the Humane Society of Missouri after she was rescued from a church in north St. Louis County.

Police took a woman in custody in the attack on the dog, St. Louis County Police spokesman Benjamin Granda said.

The suspect is an 18-year-old female and she will be referred to the mental illness court, Granda said.

The dog was her familys pet.

The dog, named Frannie, was found Monday with 19 stab wounds to her neck, back and chest area, according to Jeane Jae, vice president of communications at the Humane Society. The dog was suffering from blood loss, shock and trauma when she arrived at the society.

She is in guarded condition, Jae said. Its touch and go. She was stabbed 19 times and is doing OK for the amount of injuries she sustained. We are very hopeful.

The Humane Society received a call from a St. Louis County police officer about the dog and its injuries. Officers were at the Christian Faith Center in north St. Louis County about 8:30 a.m. responding to a mental illness call. The investigator found the wounded dog covered in blood but alive, Jae said.

The society was asked to take the dog into protective custody for treatment and sheltering. Late Tuesday, the dogs owner voluntarily surrendered custody of the dog to the society.

This poor dog suffered unfathomable trauma, said Kathy Warnick, president of the society. Our first priority is for her to make a full recovery. Our expert staff will do everything we can to treat Frannie and give her the love and care she deserves.

The groups Animal Cruelty Task Force is investigating. Its report will go to St. Louis County police and the prosecutors office.
"Our department responded at approximately 9 a.m. to the JCC in relation to a call for a bomb threat," said Benjamin Granda, police spokesman. "It was reported that an email was sent to the JCC some time last night. Officers, along with K9's arrived on the scene and began their protective sweep. We also sent officers to the Chesterfield location to do the same thing."
JEFFERSON CITY  Weeks after passing a 'right to work' bill prohibiting mandatory union dues, Missouri Republicans continue to move full steam ahead on the labor reform proposals.

The election of Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, has opened the door for the GOP-led Legislature to revisit pro-business policies once blocked by former Gov. Jay Nixons veto pen, including the paycheck protection bill.

Senate lawmakers kicked off the week by debating a measure that would require public employees give annual permission before union dues be taken from their paychecks.

Its already passed the House, where supporters applauded the state's continued effort to keep unions accountable to the members from whom they collect dues.

In addition to requiring union members authorize deductions from their wages, the bill also requires unions make numerous financial records available to the employees they represent in a searchable electronic format  including money spent or contributed to candidates for political office, their political action committees, issue advocacy and efforts to lobby for or against legislation.

Under the bill, unions must also be certified as the exclusive bargaining representation of its workers through a secret ballot election, and can only be certified if 30 percent of members are on board.

Senate Democrats say the legislation is a thinly veiled attempt to weaken the power of Missouris labor unions, adding layers of bureaucracy that would ultimately cause them hardship in an effort to satisfy special interests.

A similar but less comprehensive effort was vetoed by Nixon last year, and the Senate failed to override the veto, with Republicans from labor-friendly districts joining Democrats to reject it.

But, this is a much deeper attack than even what weve seen in the past, said Senate Minority Leader Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors.

Past legislation excluded firefighters, police officers, and first responders, but those workers would fall under this year's bill.

Sponsoring Sen. Bob Onder, R-Lake St. Louis, argues all public sector employees have a right to know about political activities their union is involved in.

"(This bill) is pro-worker, pro-transparency, and pro-taxpayer," Onder said.

Democrats countered that if unions should be expected to disclose their political contributions, politicians should be held to the same standard.

I wish we could get some of these transparency proposals for union officials applied to the governor, said Sen. Jake Hummel, D-St. Louis.

In that spirit, Democrats introduced an amendment that would require donations to political nonprofits  including one recently formed by Greitens supporters to promote his agenda  be disclosed. Under current law, Greitens would not have to reveal who contributes to his nonprofit, A New Missouri, or how much they give.

The amendment was shot down by Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, a Joplin Republican who ruled the amendment was beyond the scope of a proposal pertaining to labor organization.

Senators debated the legislation past 11 p.m., but did not take a vote on Tuesday.

In other action in the House Tuesday, lawmakers debated but didn't yet vote on a plan to eliminate the states prevailing wage law for public works projects.

The prevailing wage law sets a base wage by county for a variety of construction-related jobs.

For example, the minimum for a carpenter in St. Louis County is $37 per hour, while it is $25 per hour in Springfield.

Supporters of repealing prevailing wage say contractors shouldnt be bound by the law when bidding on projects. Under the plan, the prevailing wage would become Missouris minimum wage in all counties.

Opponents say the law provides workers a living wage. And, it generally keeps out-of-state contractors from bidding on publicly financed infrastructure projects like pools, schools and other government buildings.
JEFFERSON CITY  Citing a budget shortfall thats forcing tough choices, House lawmakers gave initial approval on Wednesday to the repeal of a tax credit for low-income seniors and Missourians with disabilities who rent their homes.

Its a proposal thats been floated since 2010, when a bipartisan tax commission convened by then-Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, recommended the change.

Republicans revived the idea this year, vowing to use the money saved to restore cuts to Medicaid programs that Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, proposed in his spending plan.

Under a revised budget blueprint announced Wednesday in the House after six weeks of work, lawmakers also would limit cuts to school busing programs as well as higher education.

The new House budget plan would also boost spending on a new voter identification law to $1.4 million after Greitens had suggested the state spend $300,000.

Under the budget Greitens sent to legislators in February, as many as 21,000 elderly and disabled Missourians could be booted out of nursing home and home care programs, saving the state more than $50 million through tougher eligibility requirements.

Republicans proposed on Wednesday redirecting the savings from the repealed tax credit into a Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund tied to services for those same individuals.

Still, they said on the House floor, its not a vote anyone is eager to take.

We can only play with the cards we have been dealt, said Rep. Justin Alferman, R-Hermann, who co-chairs the House budget committee.

We are reinvesting these dollars to best utilize them for those who need them.

Democrats and some Republicans balked at the proposal, saying the credit  an average of $535 annually  helped keep seniors and people with disabilities in their homes and out of nursing facilities so they can live independently.

Some called on the Legislature to instead revisit economic development tax credits helping corporations and companies that can provide for themselves.

This is the credit we go after? said Rep. Brandon Ellington, D-Kansas City. This is moralistically wrong.

Alferman said the legislation would just be the first step to much broader tax credit reform.

This is simply one part, in my opinion, of what a comprehensive package on reforming tax credits should be, Alferman said.

The measure advanced to final passage stage on an 89-65 vote.

In his budget proposal, Greitens had sought to cut reimbursement rates for nursing homes by 3 percent, which triggered calls from the industry that facilities would have to close.

Under the House proposal, the reduction would be 1.75 percent.

Greitens had sought to cut state aid to school districts for transportation costs by $11 million, but the new spending plan restores that money. Also, the overall budget for universities and community colleges would see nearly $14 million more in the coming year over what Greitens had sought.

The House version also restores $2 million that Greitens had wanted to strip from the budget for libraries across the state.

Lawmakers rejected Greitens attempt to spread the salary of his new chief operating officer across several agencies, saying it should all be in the governors budget in order to keep the cost transparent.

Lt. Gov. Mike Parson could come out a winner too. After raising eyebrows by asking for more money to offset the cost of his mileage in tight budget times, the budget proposal boosts spending in the five-person office.

In addition to cutting the senior rental tax break, some of the increases may be financed by changes in how Missouri helps pay for prescription drugs for low-income residents.

Under a proposal sponsored by Rep. David Wood, R-Versailles, doctors would need to have approval from the state to prescribe certain drugs for mental illness.

Changes to the Missouri RX prescription drug program would save an estimated $8.9 million in the budget.

Rep. Deb Lavender, D-Kirkwood, said the maneuver was putting the government in between patients and their doctors. Wood countered that prior authorization was already required for some drugs.

But Wood acknowledged the provisions in House Bill 986 could be controversial for doctors.

Any time you take control away from them, they are not going to be happy, Wood said.

Opponents said the proposal erected barriers for people suffering from mental illnesses and placed those individuals at risk.

Jacqueline Hudson, representing the National Alliance on Mental Illness-St. Louis, said the proposed policy was based on a limited study from 2005, which came before some of the more improved medications became available.
The Missouri Supreme Court, in a decision released Tuesday, said a dispute over a Missouri American Water Co. surcharge in St. Louis County customers is moot, but the court left it to the Legislature to determine how similar disputes are handled in the future.

The debate in question arose from the water utility's bid to apply an "infrastructure system reinvestment surcharge" to county residents. The fee is authorized by a statute that only applies to counties where the population exceeds one million residents.

But because St. Louis County's population dipped to 998,954 people in the 2010 U.S. Census, the state Office of Public Counsel contested the surcharge in court, arguing that it was no longer justified as written by the law.

On Tuesday, the court ruled that the challenge to the special surcharge is moot, since the company is now recovering costs through new rates granted by the Missouri Public Service Commission. Missouri American stopped applying the charge in February 2016 and new rates kicked in last July, according to company spokesman, Brian Russell.

But the court left it to the Legislature to clarify an answer to the core question of whether areas can fall out of eligibility for population-based statutes, or if "once in, always in."

Russell said there are currently two bills circulating in Jefferson City that could resolve the issue. One, SB 124, would clarify language for population-based criteria across the state. Another, SB 232, would specifically grant Missouri American authorization to apply the surcharge in St. Louis County, enabling the utility to recover its costs more quickly than through its rate base. Russell said the company did not yet know whether they would proceed with the charge at this time.

"But, regardless of whether the Legislature acts, the very fact that so many statutes contain population criteria and that so many cities, counties and other political subdivisions may be affected means that it is unlikely that the meaning of [the statute] will evade review," the court ruling said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Wednesday he never gave President Donald Trump any reason to believe the GOP candidate had been wiretapped by the Obama administration during the campaign.

Asked by a reporter at an event on crime in Richmond, Virginia, if he ever briefed Trump on "investigations related to the campaign or did you ever give him any reason to believe that he was wiretapped by the previous administration," Sessions replied, "Look, the answer is no."

Sessions went on to reiterate that he has recused himself from any investigations involving the Trump campaign and transition and said he was not speaking with the President or the people who are investigating the case. He added that he was "unable to comment on any of these details."

The attorney general -- who was a top surrogate for Trump's campaign -- also defended meeting with the Russian ambassador to the US last year and reiterated his previous position that he was doing so in his capacity as a senator on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"I never considered meeting with the Russian ambassador to be anything improper in any way," Sessions said. "We did not discuss politics or campaigns. He came in and we discussed issues like Ukraine and things of that nature."

Earlier this month, Trump alleged -- without providing evidence -- that President Barack Obama had his "wires tapped" at Trump Tower toward the end of his campaign.

Obama, through a spokesman, has denied the accusation and the White House appeared to walk back the allegation earlier this week when press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump was speaking broadly about surveillance of his campaign.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, a Republican, said Wednesday that neither he nor the ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Schiff, have seen any evidence that Obama wiretapped Trump last year and want the Justice Department to respond to their requests for information by March 20.

"We don't have any evidence that that took place and, in fact, I don't believe -- just in the last week of time, the people we've talked to -- I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," Nunes said at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

FBI Director James Comey will testify at a March 20 hearing and there will be a second hearing in the committee March 28.

Also Wednesday, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, said on CNN's "New Day" that he'll subpoena information from the FBI over the wiretapping allegations if Comey does not provide information about whether there is any validity to the claims.

CNN's Eleanor Mueller contributed to this report.
SPRINGFIELD  Nearly every member of the Illinois House agreed that their salary should not increase next year in a vote taken Wednesday in Springfield.

The legislation (HB 643) prohibits lawmakers from receiving a cost of living adjustment pay increase for next fiscal year.

Representative McSweeney, one of the bill's two hyphenated sponsors, has been consistently opposed COLAS for General Assembly members.

It sends a terrible message to give legislators a pay raise when the State cannot pay its bills right now, McSweeney said. Our focus right now needs to be getting a budget passed without raising taxes. We need to fix the States financial mess  not hand out pay raises to legislators.

In addition, State Rep. David McSweeney signed a letter written to Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza supporting the No Budget, No Pay policy of making legislators wait in line to get paid. He also filed HB 343, which would prohibit General Assembly members from getting paid until a budget is passed.

Every day that goes by without a budget, we are driving our state deeper and deeper into debt, McSweeney said. Our focus should be on getting a budget without a tax increase. Members should not get paid until we pass a balanced budget."

House Bill 643 passed the House with 98 votes and now moves to the Illinois Senate for further consideration. The House members that signed onto the bill include Rep. Katie Stuart - David McSweeney, Michelle Mussman, Michael Halpin, Natalie A. Manley, Jerry Costello, II, Deb Conroy, Martin J. Moylan, Brandon W. Phelps, Litesa E. Wallace, Sue Scherer, Daniel V. Beiser, Anthony DeLuca, Daniel Swanson, Sheri Jesiel, Tony McCombie, Lindsay Parkhurst, Steven Reick, Jerry Lee Long, Allen Skillicorn, Mark Batinick, Ryan Spain, David S. Olsen, Avery Bourne, Michael P. McAuliffe, Terri Bryant, Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, Nick Sauer, Brian W. Stewart, Silvana Tabares, Grant Wehrli, Tim Butler and Brad Halbrook.
Gov. Eric Greitens faces lots of tough choices in cutting $500 million out of next years Missouri budget. But he was smart to actually increase funding for Bright Flight, scholarships designed to encourage talented high school seniors to study in state colleges. The Legislature should follow Greitens lead and invest even more in programs that boost the economy by increasing the young talent pool.

Studies indicate that state scholarships make a difference in retaining talent, especially when states are trying to attract new employers in fields that emphasize science, technology, engineering and math skills. Its one area where St. Louis is seeing steady growth in employment. Bright Flight offers $3,000 a year to Missouri students provided they score high on college entrance exams and agree to stay in-state.

Lawmakers across party lines agree that Missouri benefits from nurturing its top young talent. When they stick around after graduation, the talent pool helps increase employment by attracting companies that otherwise would have to look elsewhere.

Greitens promises to bring new, high-paying jobs to Missourians. Increasing funds for Bright Flight by $4 million is a smart first step. And he shouldnt be surprised that this newspaper is praising his wisdom. If he granted greater access for reporters to ask questions, hed find that not all coverage is hostile. Wed just like for him to explain himself.

Missouris grant programs still lag behind other states. As the Legislature reviews the governors budget, it should consider additional ways to retain Missouris brightest minds.

An obvious answer is to allocate even more funds to Bright Flight. When the awards initial ceiling of $2,000 was set in the 1980s, tuition and fees at a four-year public university were just $3,110. That price tag has now reached almost $9,700, but Bright Flight funding has lagged.

On top of that, funding is too low, and the number of qualifying students too high, for the Department of Higher Education to award all students the full $3,000. Last month, students at four-year institutions were notified that this semesters amount was decreasing by $400.

Former Gov. Jay Nixon acknowledged in 2013 that Bright Flight wasnt living up to its potential. He proposed boosting Bright Flight by granting another yearly $5,000 award to students who stayed in-state after college. Were getting outbid by other states for your talent, he told a group of Kansas City students. Despite bipartisan support, the increase didnt materialize.

Despite upgrades to Bright Flight and two other assistance programs, the Department of Higher Education is set to lose more than $80 million in funding, a potential record. State schools might have to increase tuition to make up for the lost funds.

Budgetary times are tight, but higher education is the best economic development program the state has.
The day held a very brisk chill in the air as we exited the underground parking lot and entered onto Market Street in Philadelphia.

My husband and I had arrived in the city several days before to attend a conference. We had set our schedule to insure we had ample time for sightseeing before we departed for home. With work behind and tourism ahead, we awakened early, followed our GPS guidance to downtown Philly and entered the historic district ready to explore.

We stopped at the information center to pick up our pre-ordered tickets to a guided tour of Independence Hall. As we were early and as the Liberty Bell Center was positioned between us and the hall, we stopped off to get a quick view of the bell. Yet, there was nothing quick about the view.

The center was set up with a series of informational displays along the walkway to the bell. Each display helped to set the historic scene and to stir our hearts of patriotism. Originally called the State House Bell because it rang in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House, the bell was ordered in 1751 from the Whitechapel Foundry, in London.

It arrived in Pennsylvania, but it cracked on the first testing. Local metalworkers melted down the bell and cast a new one. Both lawmakers and citizens of the day knew the ringing bell meant it was time for legislative sessions to begin or for reading of the news to townspeople, respectively. During the 1830s, the old State House Bell took on its significance as a symbol of liberty.

The crack that appears upon the Liberty Bell today is reported to have begun as a narrow split in the early 1840s. Local craftsman, in an attempt to repair the crack, widened the crack to patch it in hopes to prevent further splitting and to restore the tone of the bell. The repair was not successful as another fissure developed, which ran between the abbreviation for Philadelphia and up through the word Liberty. The Liberty Bell was silenced forever and today only computer models can provide citizens with a close proximity of the sound heard by our forefathers.

The inscription on the bell is from Leviticus 25:10, which reads "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof." The Old Testament verse describes an event that occurred every 50 years in Israel called Jubilee. During the half-century celebration, property returned to its original owner and slaves were liberated. The Bible passage, placed on the bell in 1751, may have been chosen to parallel the burgeoning colonies with their dreams of religious and personal liberties set into the context of Israels Jubilee. Another option postulates 1751 was the 50th anniversary of William Penns 1701 Charter of Privileges, which granted religious freedom and political self-government to the people of Pennsylvania, was the inspiration for the Jubilee inscription.

During and after the Civil War, the bell became a herald for all citizens and a rallying cry for the abolitionists. In the late 1800s, the bell was taken on tour and placed upon display at expositions, fairs and in cities throughout the land. The name Liberty Bell was adopted in 1835. After the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, the bell and its Bible-based message became an icon of liberty for these great United States.

The 2,080-pound, bronze artifact rang the sound of inspiration, patriotism and pride within our hearts. Lovers of liberty left a great legacy for modern-day recipients of liberty. So deeply stirred, we held our own smaller prayer meeting at the Liberty Bell thanking God for His goodness to our forefathers and petitioning God for His grace upon our current national leaders. We departed the Liberty Bell Center and headed to Independence Hall for our continuing tour of history.

For more articles by Dr. Amsden, visit sonlifechurch.org
Mauritius' National Day

Washington, DC - On behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Mauritius as you celebrate the 49th anniversary of independence on March 12.

The United States and Mauritius have enjoyed more than two centuries of diplomatic relations. Our national histories demonstrate that we share important values of assuring religious freedom, promoting freedom of speech and press, and living harmoniously in multicultural societies. Your countrys commitment to democracy has enabled Mauritius to advance economically, to become a regional leader building bridges to the world, and to improve the standard of living of your citizens.

The United States is committed to cooperation that contributes to regional security and advances trade and investment. I wish the people of Mauritius a joyous National Day celebration and a peaceful and prosperous future.
PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan has said that delay in Panama case verdict is not justified, adding that forming commission at such level will be tantamount to stretch the matter, while Prime Ministers family has admitted of owning assets in abroad and sentencing them is not easy, but giving clean chit will also not possible.

Talking to media in Parliament House, Aitzaz Ahsan said that Panama case verdict must have been released on the first day. Judiciary verdict will be a little soft regarding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

PPP leader and renowned lawyer said that Prime Ministers family has admitted of having assets abroad. Prime Ministers family has to provide all evidences of those assets, while Nawaz Sharifs stance in defense cannot be accepted.

Aitzaz said that the whole business cannot be made white if anyone come from Qatar or Emirates with a letter, adding that declaring Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs business white will create anarchy. Aitzaz adopted stance that court must have convened Prime Minister, but he was not convened, then at least court should have ordered him to provide all records.
Israeli forces have shut down a Palestinian research center in east Jerusalem al-Quds and nabbed its director, a prominent cartographer, over allegations of working for the Palestinian security apparatus.

The office of the Mapping and Geographic Information Systems Department of the Arab Studies Society in east Jerusalem al-Quds was closed on Tuesday for six months, an Israeli police statement said.

Israeli officials accused the director of the research center, Khalil Tafakji, of cooperating with the Palestinian Authority to monitor the sale of land by Palestinians to Israeli Jews.

Israeli Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan said Tafakji's activities were part of the Palestinian Authority's plan to undermine our sovereignty in Jerusalem and terrorize Arabs selling real estate to Jews in the city.

"I'll continue to act assertively to prevent Palestinian sovereignty in Jerusalem, he added.

Under the Palestinian law, sale of land to Israeli settlers is punishable by death.

Senior Palestinian official Saeb Erekat issued a statement, slamming the "illegitimate" closure and arrest as part of Israel's attempts to "erase any Palestinian presence in the city."

Tafakji has been mapping the Palestinian territories for decades and his research has been a major reference for international experts and the world press.

Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump in January, the Israeli regime, which sees in him a stronger supporter than former president Barack Obama, has stepped up its construction of settler units on occupied Palestinian lands.

Such construction constitutes a blatant violation of international law. The Geneva Conventions ban construction on occupied land. About 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.

The last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks collapsed in 2014. Among the major sticking points in those negotiations was Israels continued settlement expansion on Palestinian territories.

Trump has also said in controversial remarks that he considers Jerusalem al-Quds as the future capital of an Israeli state. This is while Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state. They want Jerusalem al-Quds as the capital of that state.

The US president has also vowed to fulfill a campaign pledge to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds.
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The portfolio Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs (SGCA) focuses on strategically positioning Stellenbosch University (SU) to flourish as a modern research-driven university that is future-fit, globally competitive and a leading centre of knowledge and education in Africa.

By aligning the environment plans of the faculties, departments, centres and support divisions across the university SGCA keeps the focus on the universitys mission to be the leading research-intensive university on the African continent with impact in communities across the world.





Strategy

Given the myriad challenges that face SU as a crucial player in higher education in South Africa and the continent, it is imperative that the institution crafts its future path based on a clear strategy to remain a crucial contributor to human resource development on the continent and to ensure its systemic sustainability in the ever-growing and changing knowledge economy -- driven by technological innovation, digitilisation and the cross-overs and convergence of disciplines which in turn impact on the way that new knowledge is produced, shared and applied.





Internationalisation

Internationalisation and globalisation are at the forefront of conversations in the global educational arena. As higher education becomes more international, cross-border and inter-institutional collaboration becomes ever more important for institutions to support their core functions: learning and teaching, research and innovation, as well as social impact.



Hence, internationalisation is a key priority in the focused drive to enhance SU's profile and reputation globally. It sits at the heart of the institutions initiatives and programs to increase its research ability to address the grand challenges our time and add to the graduate skill set of students on all levels to enhance their employability and competitiveness in the international markets.



The S&I portfolio consists of four divisions with their functional sub-divisions: Information Governance, Stellenbosch International, Strategic Initiatives, and Corporate Communication.



Information Governance (IG) IG supports institutional strategy and policy development. Through extensive data analysis, focused business intelligence and innovative scientific modelling its Centres support strategic decision-making, scenario planning and future projections relating to key aspects of the institutions systemic sustainability en route to realising its vision statement.





Stellenbosch University International (SUI) SUI supports the institution's internationalisation activities in the rest of Africa and beyond with specific focus on fostering and enhancing bilateral and multi-lateral partnerships and collaborative networks in support of SUs commitment to Africa and delivering scientific scholarship with global impact.





Strategic Initiatives (DSI) DSI gives effect to the University's short, medium and long-term strategic goals through the development, implementation and monitoring of specific programmes and projects.





Corporate Communication and Marketing Division (CCMD) and Student Recruitment CCMD and Student Recruitment supports the university as a valued strategic partner through positioning the SU brand favourably, providing integrated communication processes and programmes and optimising the use of digital communication platforms that focus on facilitating and accelerating institutional vision attainment.



Contact:

Ms Hazel Alexander

Personal Assistant

Tel: +27 (0)21 808 9704

Fax: +27 (0)21 808 3714

Email: halexander@sun.ac.za




A ridge of high pressure covers northern and central New Zealand on Friday, bringing fine weather to the top half of the country.

Meanwhile, a weakening front is forecast to cross the lower South Island late Friday bringing a period of rain or showers to the area, says the MetService.

Some brief heavy falls are possible in Fiordland, however, amounts are not expected to reach warning criteria.

The weak front should then die away as it crosses central New Zealand on Saturday followed by another ridge of high pressure which persists through the weekend.

Finally, another front is expected to approach southern New Zealand on Monday, preceded by a strengthening northwest flow over the South Island.

Relief has finally arrived to those areas of the North Island which have seen flooding rainfalls over the last week. Many parts of the upper North Island have received 200 to 300mm of rain and more over the last seven days, says MetService Meteorologist Heath Gullery.

A large high in the Tasman Sea brings fine weather across most of New Zealand this week."

This high persists over New Zealand through to the weekend, with only a brief interruption late Friday and Saturday as a weak front brings some showers to southern and eastern areas.

As the high spreads across the country, we can expect a return to autumnal temperatures, with cooler nights and warm days, says Heath.

The high is going to bring some welcome relief to much of the North Island this week, meaning folks in the upper North Island who have taken the brunt of the recent bad weather can now focus on the clean-up without the threat of further inclement weather.
A sailor who started his career as a chef has just become the Royal New Zealand Navys newest Commanding Officer.

Lieutenant Brock West, who grew up in Waikanae, took command this month of HMNZS Taupo, one of the Navys four inshore patrol vessels.

West, 28, accompanied by his 10-month-old daughter Aria and wife Olivia, formally assumed command at the Change of Command ceremony in Devonport Naval Base.

He joined the Navy in 2006, aged 17, out of Paraparaumu College, saying he had always loved the sea and thought it would be a good career.

I had done a bit of sailing, diving, swimming, and I had always wanted to be a chef, he says.

A Navy recruiter came to visit our school when I was in fifth form, and I applied then.

While he was told he could join at the start of his sixth form year he held off until he had finished the year, just in case.

I havent looked back.

In 2011, he was named Sailor of the Year for his work during the evacuation of the MV Rena, after it had gone aground on Astrolabe Reef in the Bay of Plenty in October.

He was part of the team from inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Rotoiti that helped evacuate 21 crew members from the Rena.

An amazing sight, he says.

A lot of wind and a reasonable swell. The containers were creaking, we were so small below them.

A Navy Seasprite helicopter circles the MV Rena, stuck to Astrolabe Reef.

A Rena crew member fell five metres while climbing down the ladder to the Navy rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), landing on and injuring the bowman on the RHIB next to Wests.

West, who had medical training, took charge, jumping to the other boat to provide first aid and taking over as bowman.

After being named Sailor of the Year he was told he should consider becoming an officer. The following year, he began officer training and graduated in 2013.

Its gone really well.

I spent two years on frigate HMNZS Te Kaha as a seaman officer, with courses in between, and finished a command course in February. Then I got a phone call asking if I would like to take command of Taupo.

He jumped at the chance. No hesitation. Im really excited.

If he was back at Paraparaumu College, talking to a class of students, he would tell them to think seriously about a career in the New Zealand Defence Force.

If youre thinking about it, just give it a go, for a short time or a long time. Theres so much to offer, so many jobs.

As for his previous role of chef, he misses it, but gets his fix by doing most of the cooking at home.

Lieutenant Brock West with his daughter Aria on HMNZS Taupo.
There is increasing activity in New Zealands kiwifruit orchards this month as the picking and packing of kiwifruit gets underway.

Over 2500 growers will be harvesting some 12,000 hectares of kiwifruit, which will be marketed to over 50 countries.

Small volumes have just begun to be harvested in Northland and Poverty Bay and will extend throughout the North Island and top of the South Island over the coming weeks.

Harvest is expected to begin in the next few days in the Bay of Plenty where around 80 per cent of New Zealands kiwifruit are grown.

The harvest of the SunGold variety for this season is expected to be significantly more than the harvest last year, while the green Hayward variety is forecasted to be less.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. chairperson Doug Brown says although the total volumes are slightly down from last season, its still shaping up to be a good harvest.

New Zealand has some of the best growing conditions in the world for kiwifruit and we are looking forward to more good volumes. Many areas were affected by wet weather which has delayed the start of harvest, but most of us can now roll up our sleeves and get picking and packing. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all growers a happy and safe harvest.

Around 10,000 permanent workers are employed in the kiwifruit industry with an additional 8000 seasonal workers who pick and pack kiwifruit. Of these seasonal workers, a small minority are Recognized Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers who play a crucial role, as labour shortages are a real problem for the kiwifruit industry around the peak of harvest time.

The kiwifruit industry is recovering from being hit by Psa in 2010 and has been growing strongly with Zespris total sales returns for the 2015/16 season around $2 billion dollars. As New Zealands largest fresh fruit horticultural export, the kiwifruit industry also profits the regions where it is grown, for example, bringing around $910 million to the Bay of Plenty annually.
The names of three Tauranga Police dogs killed while on duty have joined 21 other police dogs from New Zealand on a wall commemorating the 24 police dogs who have been killed on duty since 1972.

Enzo, Spike and Ozi, along with Valour from Kawerau and Jock from Matata, will forever be remembered with the new Wall of Remembrance at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre.

The 6m long x 2m high rock and panelled wall was unveiled by Deputy Commissioner: District Operations Viv Rickard and Minister of Statistics and Associate Justice Minister the Hon Mark Mitchell, who is a former dog handler, at a ceremony yesterda.

The ceremony was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Resource Management Audrey Sonerson and Deputy Chief Executive Public Affairs Karen Jones, along with other guests including seven retired dog handlers whose dogs have plaques on the wall, and two current dog handlers Senior Constable Bruce Lamb from Christchurch and Constable Josh Robertson from Wellington.

Their dogs Gage and Gazza were both fatally shot while on duty and are included on the wall.

Deputy Commissioner Rickard says New Zealand Police dog teams attend more than 40,000 incidents each year.

The dogs remembered today were our partners and are remembered in the same way as any of our colleagues would be.

For dog handlers, their police dog is their closest back up.

Statistics Minister and Associate Justice Minister Mark Mitchell described the Trentham complex as a world-class dog training centre and acknowledged its breeding and training development reputation.

Inspector Todd Southall, national coordinator of Police Dogs, says the new Wall of Remembrance is a significant centre piece for all handlers who train at the Trentham based centre and replaces a previous one which was tucked away in an internal corridor and not readily visible to those visiting the Trentham based facility.

With the growth of the training centre, the wall remembering our dogs was no longer the centre piece of the training centre that it should be.

The death of Gazza in Porirua last year reminded us all how a police dogs death affects the wider police family, and indeed the public. It reinforced our desire to open a significant point of remembrance.

Constable Robertson and his family unveiled the remembrance plaque for Gazza, killed during an incident in Porirua on April 22, 2016.

He says the ceremony brought back a lot of emotion, but also some closure.

I had Gazza from eight weeks old. He delivered the whole way through and he taught me how to be a good dog handler. You cant describe the bond you have with your police dog. I miss him every day.

He is now working operationally with another patrol dog with the Wellington dog section.

Details of the dogs who have been killed while on duty since 1972 are listed below along with the names of their handlers, and officers ranks at the time:

Nero Napier 24.11.1972 Constable Dave Painter BEM

Nick Wellington 04.12.1975 Constable Murray Cameron

Thor New Plymouth 28.07.1977 Constable Des McKibbin

Barlow Wellington 21.11.1979 Constable Allan Rowlands

Jon Christchurch 03.11.1982 Constable Geoff Stock

Ebba Auckland 21.03.1983 Constable Eoin Gorrie

Panzer Auckland 11.07.1983 Constable Grant Bradford

Luke Auckland 28.10.1983 Constable Jim Donald

Sarge Auckland 12.10.1984 Constable Eoin Gorrie

Ozi Tauranga 27.10.1988 Constable Eoin Gorrie

Josh Auckland 25.03.1989 Constable Colin Howard

Rada Hastings 18.12.1989 Constable Grant Diver

Lance Dunedin 18.10.1991 Constable Craig Edge

Ryka Auckland 15.05.1992 Constable Steve Shadbolt

Rex Wellington 20.10.1992 Constable Geoff Gwyn

Spike Tauranga 15.05.1994 Constable John Roff

Kone Christchurch 18.05.1994 Constable Andy Phillips

Jock Matata 17.07.1994 Constable AJ Staples

Mal Auckland 03.10.1996 Constable Shane Salmond

Valour Kawerau 08.02.1998 Constable Bruce McLeod

Duke Oamaru 18.02.2003 Senior Constable Bill Phiskie

Enzo Tauranga 09.08.2007 Constable Kayne Cording

Gage Christchurch 13.07.2010 Senior Constable Bruce Lamb

Gazza Wellington 22.04.2016 Constable Josh Robertson
An overhaul of the Domestic Violence Act is being welcomed by a Bay of Plenty MP.

Todd Muller is welcoming the introduction of The Family and Whanau Violence Legislation Bill to overhaul the Domestic Violence Act and amend five Acts and make consequential changes to over thirty pieces of legislation.

In New Zealand we have an unacceptably high rate of family violence. This Government is drawing a line in the sand and making it clear that enough in enough. This needs to end, says Todd.

Family violence is one of the most difficult and challenging social issues we face as a nation. While the Government acknowledges that there is no quick fix, we are looking to make changes that will provide a framework to break this vicious cycle.

Todd says it destroys families, deeply impacts our young, and takes up more than half of our police time.

We need a system that allows us to act early, protects victims, and breaks the cycle of reoffending to stop the perpetrators hurting their families.

The reforms will strengthen family violence laws in New Zealand significantly, and are an important first step in building a strong legal framework to keep communities safe, says Todd.

Justice Minister Amy Adams says family violence is one of the most concerning and difficult social issues facing the country, partly because of the ingrained and insidious nature of the problem, but also because there is no easy or quick fix.

To properly tackle family violence we need to create an effective, integrated system for addressing it. We need a system that acts early to stop perpetrators hurting their families, protects victims, and breaks the cycle of re-offending.

The omnibus Family and Whanau Violence Bill is an important part of building a new way of dealing with family violence. It implements our Safer Sooner reforms announced in September 2016 aimed at breaking the pattern of family violence and reducing the harm and cost inflicted on those who suffer violence and on the wider New Zealand society.

These reforms will strengthen family violence laws and build the legal framework necessary to deliver the wider component of the work programme.

Key provisions of the Bill include:
Four of the countrys most respected novelists are in the running for New Zealands richest fiction writing prize.

Novelists Catherine Chidgey, Owen Marshall, C.K. Stead and Emma Neale are the finalists for the Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize as part of the 2017 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

The winner of the $50,000 prize, funded by of one of the Tauranga-based foundations donors, will be unveiled during the Auckland Writers Festival at the Aotea Centre on May 16.

Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize judges convenor Bronwyn Wylie-Gibb says all four finalists demonstrate compelling writing, surprising plots, sudden poignancies, sharp humour and beautifully observed characters.

These are the books that we loved, that provoked, that excited us, and that we are still thinking about.

For the first time in the history of the book awards, an international judge will assist in selecting the winner of the fiction category, with distinguished Canadian writer Madeleine Thien the first to assume this role.

Acorn Foundation general manager Nicky Wilkins says the donor set up the fund as a result of their passion for literature and to support the development of writers in New Zealand.

Our generous donor passionately believes that great literature not only entertains but nourishes both the intellect and the imagination, and that these attributes are amply demonstrated in the best of New Zealand writing, but unfortunately have been poorly rewarded in the past.

Nicky adds its a privilege for Acorn to be a part of a national initiative which nurtures, supports and celebrates Kiwi writers.

New Zealanders are avid readers, and have a huge appetite for good fiction. We have some exceptional writers in this country, but for some reason we dont recognise that [as] only five per cent of books read in New Zealand are by local authors.

Thanks to the generosity of one of our donors this award helps to change that.

The Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize now stands proudly alongside other top international literary awards including Australias Miles Franklin award ($60,000) and the Man Booker prize (50,000).

The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are supported by Ockham Residential, Creative New Zealand, the Acorn Foundation, Book Tokens Ltd and the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Aparangi.

The awards ceremony will take place during the Auckland Writers Festival Aotea Centre on Tuesday May 16. Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on Friday, March 17.

THE 2017 OCKHAM NEW ZEALAND BOOK AWARDS FINALISTS:

Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize

The Wish Child by Catherine Chidgey

Love as a Stranger by Owen Marshall

Billy Bird by Emma Neale

The Name on the Door is Not Mine by C.K. Stead

Poetry

Fale Aitu | Spirit House by Tusiata Avia

Hera Lindsay Bird by Hera Lindsay Bird

Fits & Starts by Andrew Johnston

This Paper Boat by Gregory Kan

Illustrated Non-Fiction

A History of New Zealand Women by Barbara Brookes

New Zealand Wine: The Land, the Vines, the People by Warren Moran

Ann Shelton: Dark Matter, edited by Zara Stanhope and managing editor Clare McIntosh

Bloomsbury South: The Arts in Christchurch 1933-1953 by Peter Simpson

Royal Society Te Aparangi Award For General Non-Fiction

This Model World: Travels to the Edge of Contemporary Art by Anthony Byrt

My Fathers Island by Adam Dudding

The Big Smoke: New Zealand Cities, 1840-1920 by Ben Schrader

Can You Tolerate This? By Ashleigh Young

For more information visit The New Zealand Book Awards Trust website at www.nzbookawards.nz
"The meeting was, first of all, an extraordinary occasion to launch a new business approach in a strategic sector that has the potential to lead the way towards the future of the entire boating industry," explains Vienna Eleuteri, Sustainability Manager at VSY and Chair of the Committee.

It is the first time that a comprehensive and structured approach to sustainability issues is discussed by superyacht builders. Topics such as open innovation, transformative technology, big data and natural capital are the keywords to look towards the future.

VSY, as member of the association and initiator of the committee, hosted the first SYBAss sustainability committee meeting in the shipyard, marking the start of discussing a shared sustainability agenda for the superyacht builders united within SYBAss.

We are called upon everywhere to direct our choices, small or great, towards inclusive thinking and a viewpoint that is strategically more efficient," said Cristiana Longarini, Director at VSY. To exercise this responsibility means, for us, to put sustainability at the very centre of our corporate culture to ensure that it can become an instrument that is able to help deal with the great challenges and emergencies of our times.

Besides the VSY team, the event brought together representatives from the SYBAss secretariat and other member shipyards part of the committee: Feadship and Oceanco from the Netherlands, and Benetti, Fincantieri and Perini Navi from Italy.
General District Court

These were some of the cases heard on March 8.

Charges of being a felon in possession of a gun (eight counts), being a felon in possession of ammunition and marijuana distribution against Tracy Racheal Blankenship of Hurley were sent to a grand jury for consideration.

Jesse Martin Rudder of Bland was convicted of a Nov. 26, 2016, charge of selling or possessing to sell drug paraphernalia. The charge was amended from marijuana distribution. Rudder was fined $500 plus $243.10 in court costs.

Andrew Michael Uzmack of Narrows was found not guilty of a Jan. 16 misdemeanor animal cruelty charge.

According to court records, Deputy M.A. Readnour found a dog locked in a room with no food when he went looking for Uzmack at his 172 Alder Lane residence.

The K9 was lying in its own fecal matter and looked as if (it) had not eaten in weeks, the officer wrote. The house and room in which the K9 was in was incredibly cluttered.

These were some of the cases heard on March 1.

Charged by a conservation police officer, Bland Countys former sheriff and his nephew, a former county deputy, were convicted of unlawfully feeding wild animals last September.

One-time deputy Kevin Dean Cox of Ceres was convicted of unauthorized feeding of bears. He was fined $100 plus $86 in court costs. Four additional counts of unlawfully hunting a wild animal were dropped.

Former sheriff Melvin Madison Cox of Bland was convicted of unauthorized feeding of a wild animal, which was amended from unlawfully hunting a wild animal. Cox was fined $100 plus $86 in court costs.

A third person charged by the conservation police officer, Bennie Delano Cox of Bland, was convicted in his absence of unauthorized feeding of bears. He was fined $50 plus $121 in court costs.

Circuit Court

This was one of the cases heard on March 7.

Steffan Monroe Howell of Princeton, West Virginia, was convicted of Feb. 5, 2014, charges of grand larceny and entering property to commit damage, a misdemeanor. Howell was given a six-month suspended jail sentence on each charge, ordered to pay $997 in court costs and placed on probation for one year.
Local entrepreneurs and business owners and students are invited to join Bluefield Colleges co-sponsored Entrepreneurship Panel, Monday, March 20 at 6 p.m. in Harman Chapel.

Bluefield College, Highlands Fellowship and Crossroads Church are co-sponsoring the event as part of the Crossroads Church initiative Rebuild, Revive, Thrive, a local business owner think tank that seeks to foster innovation, cooperation and entrepreneurship for the common good.

Rebuild, Revive, Thrive was established in response to the harsh realities of economic decline and increasing poverty in the region and originally provided prayer support, encouragement and information on business principles for local business owners. The initiative is now a network of more than 60 businesses in the area who are looking for ways to leverage their collective influence to rebuild the local economy, revive area industries, and see the community thrive.

The Entrepreneurship Panel at Bluefield College is open to the public at a cost of $10. Advance registration and ticket purchasing is encouraged. Tickets may be purchased online at bluefield.edu/entrepreneurship-panel.

Bluefield College students attending the event will be admitted for free and will receive Vocatio credit for participation. Students from other local colleges are encouraged to attend and will also be admitted for free with a valid college ID.

Speakers/business owners for the Entrepreneurship Panel will include Travis Lowe, founder of Rebuild, Revive, Thrive, who will facilitate the program; Cody Harmon, chief executive officer of Cody Energy and Genesys Rail Systems, who will discuss The Necessity of Innovation; Kim Ross, owner of Beecome Irresistible, who will discuss The Power of Social Marketing; Melanie Protti Lawrence, owner of Anytime Fitness, who will discuss Starting a Business While Working Full Time; Sean Lester, chief executive officer of BlueWolf Sales and Service, who will discuss Keys to Growing Your Market; Robbie Gaines, associate pastor of Highlands Fellowship-Bluefield, who will discuss Problems as Opportunities for Social Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Sharon Perot, dean of professional programs at Bluefield College, who will discuss Social Entrepreneurship.

The Entrepreneurship Panel will also include a reception, providing an added opportunity for entrepreneurs and students to network with business owners. In addition, local businesses will have information booths and representatives on site to answer additional questions.

For more information, contact Bluefield Colleges Caleb Robbins in the College of Professional Programs by email at crobbins@bluefield.edu or by phone at 276-326-4223.
GLADE SPRING, Va.  Sixth-grade students at Glade Spring Middle School had the rare opportunity to meet and talk with the author of a book they are reading as a class assignment.

Dan Smith, who writes books to share with adults and young readers, answered questions Friday from several of the 60 students about his book, My Brothers Secret, set during World War II.

The school used a large projector screen and the Skype computer program to communicate with the author in Newcastle, England, during the first-time event for teachers, Pam Mink and Lisa McNeil.

The language arts teachers chose the book for their students because it tells a story of friendship, loyalty and courage.

I read it before introducing it to my students and I knew it was going to be a hit with them, said Mink.

Told from the perspective of a Hitler Youth, the book demonstrates that World War II was just as frightening to German children as it was for American youth.

I think its very relevant that the children in the book are the same ages of our students, said Mink.

The setting is Germany in 1941. Twelve-year-old Karl Friedman proudly joins the Hitler Youth and participates in war game exercises. After his father is killed, Karl quickly begins to understand his brothers hatred of the Nazi Party.

It was interesting for me to ask my students what they would think if they were told they couldnt do something, and they were very opinionated, said Mink. Freedom of speech is something we take for granted every day. If one person in Germany during that time spoke against the government, they were in very serious trouble. Hitler brainwashed their children, and they were forced to do things they maybe didnt want to do, Mink said.

We often think all Germans were the bad people during that time, but they were victims of circumstances with few choices. Dan Smith does a wonderful job weaving that story together and helping the youth of today understand the mental state of these children.

Glade Spring Middle School student Jay McFail said he likes the book because history is his favorite subject.

My favorite character is Karl. Hes full of wonder. You never know what hes going to do, he said.

Sixth-grade student Kayd Swift agreed that the book is interesting because it features children who are similar in ages.

Cheyenne Evans, a student who participated in the event, said her favorite character in the book is Lisa.

I like her because shes shows courage and is brave enough to say things against the government.

McNeil said her students have discussed recent cases of vandalism in Jewish synagogue cemeteries.

It still goes on today, and thats something Ive brought up to them. Weve talked about being tolerant and understanding of others even if they are not like us, she said.

We live in a fish bowl where were so much alike. Our students may not realize the differences outside of Washington County, so I think its good that we bring up these issues, McNeil said.

During the interview, Smith told the students he decided to become an author around the age of 18.

Student Merrick Kestner, asked the author, Out of all the books youve written, which one is your favorite and why?

Its a good question, but a really hard one. Thats like asking me which of my children I prefer, said Smith. I think I like them all for different reasons. My first book is called My Friend the Enemy which is set during World War II. I enjoyed writing that book because of the friendship between the two characters. I really enjoyed writing My Brothers Secret because I found out things I didnt know about Germany. Big Game was great fun because it was a movie starring Samuel Jackson. My latest book Boy X is set in the jungle and I used to live in the jungle. So, I love them all, really.

Student Jacob Hall asked what gave him the idea to write about a child during World War II.

Smith replied that during the war, a bomb exploded in a small village near his home, killing several children. When Smith later learned that one of those children was the sibling of one of his parents, he was inspired to write a story about what it was like to grow up during the war in Germany.

You have lived all over the world. How has that influenced you as a writer? asked Caleb Rector, a seventh-grader who was allowed to participate because of his infatuation with the book.

The author responded, It has influenced me hugely as a writer. My first book for adults is set in Brazil, where I used to live. The most recent one for younger readers is Boy X, and that is set in a jungle off a mysterious island off the coast of Costa Rica. My travels to rain forests and volcanoes have influenced my writing a lot.

Carolyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer in Glade Spring, Virginia. Contact her at news@washconews.com.
ABINGDON, Va.  Every other Saturday, dozens hit the dance floor at the Community Center of Abingdon.

Some come to dance with their date for the afternoon or evening. Others come alone. Yet, even so, practically everyone ends up dancing with everyone else at this ever-growing social function.

Its called Contra Dancing. Its been around for centuries and, for years, its been a part of the long-running Trail Days, held each May, in Damascus.

Its so totally a part of the history and culture, said Nathalie Graham, the director of the community center.

And since weve added it as our signature program, I really feel that the community center is offering something that is a genuine community event.

Dances began a few weeks ago  with help from David Wiley, a medical supply salesman who helped organize similar events on Saturdays in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

This is a true American-culture, iconic dance, Wiley said. The English brought English country dance to America. And contra dance morphed out of that ... Its essentially an aerobic dance.

Abingdons community center contra dance events attract all ages  from preschoolers to 90-somethings, Graham said. And Im astounded at the various ages and how much they all blend.

Dancers travel, too.

From what Im seeing, the folks that really are into it travel around to get to dance as often as possible, Graham added. Were building the program as healthy exercise and a load of fun for all ages.

Dance programs are held on opposite Saturdays from gatherings in Jonesborough, where Wiley has been on the contra dance scene since launching the first event in that historic town on Jan. 6, 2006. And that was 400 dances ago, Wiley brags.

And, oh, yes  Wiley can surely brag about bringing people together: His Saturday night events have resulted in 11 couples meeting  and marrying, he said.

One of our core values is all-inclusive, Wiley added. We want to cross all of these socio-economic lines and bring people together.

Jonesboroughs Saturday night tradition matches when similar dances are held at other locations, Wiley said.

Dancing is as innate as breathing, Wiley said. Moving to music is just as natural as can be.

In either Abingdon or Jonesborough, you can see  and hear  multi-musician Joseph Sobol, who has played at contra dances for years.

I usually play with a fiddler or two, Sobol said. I play music for the event, and I sometimes even get to dance for the event.

Sobol, 61, teaches in the storytelling program at East Tennessee State University as a professor in the department of communication and performance.

Then comes the weekend, and thats when Sobol takes his 12-string guitar out of its case and strums some happy tunes.

We play a mix of traditional Irish music, some Scottish music, some old-time. We play traditional dance tunes. They work well.

Contra dance provides an opportunity for people to get out, get active, to move around a lot and have contact with a group of friendly people, Sobol said.

You go from partner to partner to partner. You jump around and enjoy yourself. Its graceful. And it has a traditional basis around it. These kinds of village dances are part of our history as a people. It just keeps you fit. It just keeps us active and happy. Its great fun.

Wanna Dance?

 In Abingdon - Community Center, 300 Senior Drive-NE. March 11, waltz with Ashby Dickerson (2-3 p.m.), contra lesson (3-3:30 p.m.), contra lesson with live music and caller Warren Doyle until 6 p.m.; March 25, special free waltz workshop (2-5 p.m.), waltz with Ashby Dickerson (5-6 p.m.), Contra Lesson (6-6:30 p.m.), contra with live music and caller Terry Doyle (until 9 p.m.). Admission: $7 adults, $5 full-time students and $20 family rate. Call 276-628-3911. Visit thecommunitycenterofabingdon.com.

 In Jonesborough - Historic Jonesborough Visitor Center, 117 Boone St. Dances held March 18 and April 1. Lesson at 7 p.m., contra dancing 7:30-10:30 p.m. Dances held March 18 and April 1. Lesson at 7 p.m., dancing runs 7:30-10:30 p.m. Call 423-534-8879. Visit historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.
ABINGDON, Va.  The award-winning SEED: The Untold Story is shown at the Washington County Public Library, Abingdon, Virginia, Sunday at 2 p.m. A discussion and seed swap follow the screening. The Washington County Seed Savers Library will be on hand for people to check out or return seeds. The event is free and open to the public.

SEED: The Untold Story is an award-winning documentary about the dramatic loss of seed diversity and the future of our food. It is directed by Taggart Siegel and Jon Betz, the filmmakers behind Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us? The film features Vandana Shiva, Dr. Jane Goodall, Andrew Kimbrell and Winona LaDuke.

The directors said, Our latest film, SEED: The Untold Story began with an article in National Geographic reporting that up to 96 percent of the vegetable seeds available in 1903 have disappeared. Within moments we knew that was our next film. The speed and scope of this loss is staggering, and its implications for our future are stark. As the renowned naturalist and author Gary Paul Nabhan puts it, Many of our seeds today are as endangered as a panda or polar bear. In an era of climate uncertainty, this dearth of diversity is a recipe for catastrophic crop failure and human suffering  not unlike The Great Famine of Ireland that saw the starvation of nearly a million people when their sole crop variety, a potato, was wiped out by blight. SEED explores a topic that is still largely unknown, yet it is increasingly urgent with climate change and the consolidation and control of the seed industry.

This film has won 14 film festival awards nationally and internationally, including the Grand Jury Prize in the Nashville film festival. The Los Angeles Times says, This is a gorgeously made film, put together with as much care as its subjects devote to saving the remaining varieties of seeds.

The Village Voice describes the film as a rare documentary from filmmakers who are not just capable but also in love with their craft. Its a wonder of photography, animation and sound, and its a testament to its editors that the many interviews with activists and scientists are compelling and informative, sometimes even poetic.

SEED is executive produced by Marisa Tomei, Marc Turtletaub (Little Miss Sunshine), and Phil Fairclough (Grizzly Man, Cave of Forgotten Dreams).

The Seed Savers Library is funded by the Raymon Grace Foundation.
Forever 21 Nazi shirt

Forever 21 has pulled a t-shirt over its alleged use of Nazi symbols, including "88" for HH (Heil Hitler), as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

(forever21.com)

A national fashion retailer is under fire over allegations its clothing celebrates Nazi symbols.

Forever 21 has pulled its "famous graphic tee," a white T-shirt that features a mix of numbers, words and symbols. It says "famous," "forever," "okay," and "do it with passion," and includes stars, lightning bolts, scribbles and the number "88."

The number "88," according to the Anti-Defamation League, is a code used by Nazis and white supremacists to represent "HH." H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, and HH stands for "Heil Hitler."

Fox 40 reports shoppers in California complained after seeing the shirts in a Forever 21 store. Amie Alton told the TV station that the lightning bolt can also be a Nazi symbol.

"I've seen that tagged on stuff growing up, and know what that is," Alton said. "It stands for HH, 'Heil Hitler.' And the lightning bolt stands for the SS from the Third Reich."

"Facism isn't fashion," she added.

The women's shirt and a men's hoodie with a similar "forever 88" graphic design were also available online at forever21.com, but have since been removed.

"Forever 21 takes feedback and product concerns very seriously. With regards to the t-shirt in question, upon receiving feedback from our customers, we took immediate action to have the product removed from our website. We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the product," the company told BuzzFeed late Tuesday.

The controversial women's shirt, however, may still be available in other countries. The graphic tee is still listed on Forever 21's India website for 759 rupees, or roughly $11.50 in U.S. money.

According to the Daily Mail, this isn't the first time Forever 21 has been accused of promoting products associated with racism. The company was the victim of a hoax claiming it sold earrings with swastikas on them; the retailer denied ever selling them.

Forever 21 has also had controversy with other products, which mainly target teenagers and young adults. The chain pulled its "Don't Say Maybe if You Want to Say No" shirts last year after being accused of endorsing a pro-rape message and a maternity line was criticized in 2010 after it was released in five states, including three where teen pregnancy rates were the highest.
image2

Trucks carrying props and equipment for the touring Broadway production of "Wicked" park next to the Landmark Theatre during Tuesday's storm. The show will go on March 15, despite the snow.

(Ken Sturtz)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- The touring production of "Wicked" still plans to open tonight at the Landmark Theatre, in spite of the snow. That's because the show, which was in Schenectady over the weekend, prepared for the storm.

That meant getting to town early. On Monday, 13 trucks full of magical props and costumes pulled into Syracuse and began lining up at the back entrance of the Landmark Theatre.

Tina Niles, of the Famous Artists Broadway Theater Series, the company that is bringing "Wicked" to Syracuse, said the crew began loading much of the equipment into the theater Monday, knowing the storm was going to slam Syracuse Tuesday.

The show brings 75 cast and crew to town, and uses another 70 local stage hands. Niles said they're still working today in the snow to get the last of the stuff off the trucks, but there will be no problem getting everyone on stage on time for the 7:30 p.m. showtime.

The show, which tells the story of the friendship between the two witches in the "Wizard of Oz," is on stage at the Landmark through March 26.

Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, life and culture in Central New York. Have an idea or question? Contact her anytime: email | twitter | Facebook | 315-470-2246
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo has lifted all travel and tractor trailer bans on major highways in New York.

Cuomo said late Wednesday afternoon the tractor trailer ban on the state Thruway, Interstate 81, I-86/Route 17, I-87 from Albany to the Canadian border, and I-88 will be lifted immediately. A complete travel ban in Broome County was lifted earlier in the day.

The governor lifted the full travel ban and tractor trailer ban on I-84 between the Connecticut border and the Pennsylvania border Tuesday night.

The tractor trailer bans were imposed on major highways following the extreme snowstorm that hit the state Monday night. State officials said the ban was necessary because the big trucks would have posed a safety hazard on the snowy roads and might have blocked them entirely if they jackknifed.

"As crews continue to aggressively plow roads, I encourage motorists to stay home and allow these hard working men and women to do their jobs as best they can to ensure the safety of all New Yorkers," Cuomo said in a statement Wednesday.

Travel continues to be restricted on local roads in some hard-hit counties.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Bangalore, Mar 15 (IBNS): Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology, outsourcing and next-generation services, on Wednesday announced that Gartner, Inc. has positioned Infosys as a 'Leader' in its Magic Quadrant for Oracle Application Services in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and North America.

The report evaluated 16 vendors in EMEA and 20 in North America for the full-life cycle of Oracle application services, spanning project-based implementations and multiyear application management services (AMS).

Gartner analysts evaluated service providers for their ability to deliver a comprehensive set of implementation and management services across the Oracle portfolio of products for EMEA and North American clients. Infosys was positioned highest for its ability to execute in EMEA.

An Oracle Cloud Elite partner, Infosys drives innovation and new opportunities for its clients with next-gen digital technologies so they can achieve higher efficiencies and increased customer engagement.

Ravi Kumar, President and Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Infosys said: "We believe that being identified as a Leader in Gartner's Magic Quadrant validates our core strength of delivering value to our customers leveraging our IP and the best-of-breed technology solutions, and our commitment to developing a comprehensive set of Oracle application management services across the Oracle product line. Infosys works closely with Oracle to rethink and redesign application services by incorporating innovation and agility. We are gratified to see Gartner's recognition of our leading work in this critical area.
Oxford University have recently announced that they will be running a summer school aimed particularly at white working class boys, who are now the least likely group in Britain to go to university. The scheme is open to Year 12 students at state schools who achieved five A to A* grades at GCSE level and aims to increase the number of working class students Oxford takes on.

The venture is admirable in many ways, not least because its an example of a major institution putting time and money into addressing one of societys biggest problems. White British boys that claim free school meals (the go-to indicator of poverty) are indeed the least likely to do well at school according to most measurements, and so are in need of attention. There are serious dangers and pitfalls, however, in engaging with students on such narrow lines.

Firstly, there is the unnecessary emphasis on the race of these working class students. Working class boys arent doing badly because theyre white, but because theyre working class; yet the discussions in the media and in politics focus more on their whiteness than their poverty. Theresa May, for example, stood on the steps of Downing Street the day she became Prime Minister and declaimed: If youre a white, working class boy, youre less likely than anybody else in Britain to go to university. This rhetoric may chime well with her mission to lend a respectable veneer to the intolerance of immigration, but makes for poor education policy.

She neglected to mention that its overwhelmingly being working class that is the disadvantage, rather than being white. In the 2013-14 academic year, 29.2 per cent of boys eligible for free school meals attained five A*-C grades (including English and Maths), compared to 55.4 per cent of more wealthy, non-eligible students. These statistics include boys of all races: richer white students do better, as do richer black and minority ethnic students, while poorer white students do worse, as do their poorer black and minority ethnic peers.

By focusing on race we forget about the huge obstacles that all working class students face in the education system. And it must also be said that by focusing on whiteness, newspapers and politicians conveniently shift the debate away from the problems of black and minority ethnic students, who face huge obstacles on account of their race. Black Caribbean students that arent on free school meals, for example, are outperformed by their white counterparts by 17.2 per cent at GCSE level.

For many politicians and newspapers, the claim of focusing on the white and working class is a convenient excuse to merely focus on the white. As much as papers like The Times and Daily Mail decry identity politics, they produce a dangerous identity politics of their own with headlines like School low achievers are white and British (The Times) or even White working-class pupils fall behind 'because they're turned off by lessons on other cultures (Daily Mail, of course).

It should not be forgotten that socio-economic backgroundthat is, wealthis by far the best indicator of educational performance. Well meaning programmes like Oxford Universitys summer school should not be too heavily criticised, and are a sign of movement in the right direction. Yet until class is emphasised over race (particularly whiteness), the education system will make very slow progress.
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Kolkata / New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS): In order to embark upon the ambitious journey towards a pensioned society, India would require a systemic approach for designing a coherent pension system. As a measure of the enormity of the challenge that India faces, the 2011 Census showed that only 12 per cent of the Indian working population (i.e. approximately 58 million) were covered under any pension plan. The pension savings of the covered population are also not adequate, FICCI a KPMG Knowledge paper on employee pensions in India has stated.

"This translates into the challenge of only a very small portion of the Indian working population being protected against old-age income insecurity. Further, the population projections suggest that the elderly residents (people aged 60 and above) will triple from 2010 to 2050 and the number of elderly will reach 331 million in India by 2050. A combination of aging population, weakening of the joint family support system and low pension penetration makes it imperative for policymakers to pay urgent attention to the enormous challenge of providing income security after retirement," it stated.

The aspiration of a pensioned society would need greater emphasis on implementing pension reforms. A lot of effort and planning is needed for building sufficient capacity, scalability and support for implementation of such reforms.

For the knowledge paper, KPMG in India again conducted an Employer Pension Plans Survey this year similar to the survey conducted in the year 2015, to have an overview of the pension plans from company representatives from diverse sectors (industrial markets, IT/BPO, automotive, healthcare, financial services, consumer markets, etc.). In all, 167 business entities responded to the survey.

The survey highlights that a majority of the employers are of the view that more emphasis needs to be given towards employees retirement planning. The survey responses indicate that tax benefits are considered as the primary reason to opt for NPS similar to the results of Employer Pension Plans Survey of 2015. A majority of respondents felt that the contribution towards retirement savings should be in the range of 20-30 percent of ones salary.

Social security for the old age is an important issue in the public policy discourse of any country. In India, this has been high on the priority list of the government that has taken a series of measures to extend the reach of social security net. FICCI has also identified pensions as a key area for its work and is engaged with all the stakeholders to evolve policies that can help the growth of this sector. The FICCI-KPMG knowledge paper released on the occasion of our Pensions Conference is a good reference tool that provides information on the priorities of the Indian corporate sector with regard to pension planning for employees. We hope that this paper will prove to be a key input in policy discussions in this important area, said Dr. A Didar Singh, Secretary General, FICCI.

Given the large gap in pension coverage, both the regulators, EPFO and PFRDA, along with the government and industry need to collaborate and build a comprehensive and sustainable pension system in India. Significant efforts are required for building sufficient institutional capacity for implementing pension reforms in India, said Parizad Sirwalla, Partner and Head, Global Mobility Services, Tax, KPMG in India.
Facebook on Monday moved to prevent spy applications from accessing its users data.

The company has updated its Facebook and Instagram policies to prohibit developers from using data obtained from those platforms in surveillance tools, according to Rob Sherman, deputy chief privacy officer at Facebook.

Facebook already has taken enforcement actions against devs who created and marketed surveillance tools in violation of the companys previous policy, he noted, adding that we want to be sure everyone understands the underlying policy and how to comply.

Facebook has been under pressure to beef up its rules governing surveillance apps since last fall, when the American Civil Liberties Union released a report exposing how Geofeedia was using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter data to track protesters in Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri.

Marketing materials for surveillance companies urged police to monitor hashtags associated with Black Lives Matter, and labeled unions and activist groups as overt threats, the ACLU also reported.

We depend on social networks to connect and communicate about the most important issues in our lives and the core political and social issues in our country, said Nicole Ozer, technology and civil Liberties director at the ACLU of California.

Now more than ever, we expect companies to slam shut any surveillance side doors and make sure nobody can use their platforms to target people of color and activists, she added.

Data Sellers Chill Dissent

The ACLU is part of a coalition that includes the Center for Media Justice and the Color of Change. The group aims to persuade social media companies to establish robust systems to make sure the rules prohibiting surveillance are followed.

When technology companies allow their platforms and devices to be used to conduct mass surveillance of activists and other targeted communities, it chills democratic dissent and gives authoritarianism a license to thrive, said Malkia Cyril, executive director of the Center for Media Justice.

Social media platforms are a powerful tool for black people to draw attention to the injustices our community faces, remarked Brandi Collins, campaign director for Color of Change.

We commend Facebook and Instagram for this step, she continued, and call on all companies who claim to value diversity and justice to also stand up and do whats needed to limit invasive social media surveillance from being used to target black and brown people in low-income communities.

All Facebook users will benefit from the crackdown on surveillance apps, said Andrew Sudbury, CTO of Abine.

This should improve user privacy, as there shouldnt be any commercial companies reselling access to them and their data to law enforcement for tracking and intelligence gathering purposes, he told TechNewsWorld.

Mixed Bag for Cops

For law enforcement agencies using information from developers of surveillance apps, Facebooks policy will be a mixed bag.

Theres nothing to stop law enforcement from looking as a suspects Facebook feed, but it will stop these intermediary-type companies like Geofeedia from getting automated feeds of information, said Timothy Toohey, an attorney with Greenberg Glusker Fields Claman & Machtinger.

Enforcement still could be a problem for Facebook, though.

There may be other companies that have ways to scrape this information from Facebook without developer access, Toohey told TechNewsWorld.

Facebooks ability and willingness to police its antisurveillance policy will be key to its success.

A company could simply do its surveillance anyway, Abines Sudbury noted. Then it would fall on Facebook to carefully monitor what and how developers access data, looking for clues as to the purposes of the data.

Controversies over whats done with Facebooks data are unavoidable, Toohey maintained.

The data is incredibly valuable. Its valuable to law enforcement. Its valuable to private enterprises, he said. Facebook wants to monetize that, which puts them in very difficult positions balancing their commercial interests with other interests.
Linux Academy, an online training platform for the Linux OS and cloud computing, on Tuesday announced a public beta rollout of its Cloud Assessments platform, which is designed to let large enterprise firms train and assess their IT workers and prospective job candidates.

The academy offers training on a variety of cloud-based platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Open Stack, DevOps, Azure and others.

The Cloud Assessments platform will focus initially on training and testing of AWS, due to the strong demand for that cloud-based computing platform and the large skills gap of existing knowledge among IT workers.

Since AWS is a leader in the market, companies and individuals are rushing to ensure they can handle these technologies, said Linux Academy CEO Anthony James.

AWS Demand

The academys current focus is preparation and validation for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate level exam, James told LinuxInsider. However, there are other in-demand areas that it is beginning to explore.

Hands-on learning has been very important to professionals who have taken these courses, James said. We came to understand that not only do people want to learn, but they also want to validate their skills in a way that our industry would recognize.

Another critical aspect of the Academys approach is what it calls lean learning, which involves recommending specific training based on a users specific performance, he continued. The new training efforts target specific areas that need improvement.

The Cloud Assessments platform offers a different approach to teaching IT professionals by using live servers in existing work environments. Workers actually learn skills they can use on the job in real time. Theyre not limited to responding to questions in a test environment.

Individuals also can use Cloud Assessments to earn micro-certfiications for AWS skills.

Linux Academy and Cybrary last month conducted a survey of 6,000 IT professionals, and 35 percent said that micro-certifications would help them get a job or advance in an existing position.

In addition, 85 percent said they would pursue micro-certifications if their employers helped facilitate the training.

Skills Gap

The launch of this program is another indication of the accelerating adoption of cloud services, noted Jeffrey Kaplan, managing director of ThinkStrategies, and there is no question that initial focus on AWS specialists is because of its dominant position in the market at this time.

As the demand for multi-cloud services increases, the academys program likely will broaden to include training courses for additional cloud platforms, he told LinuxInsider.

Certification programs directly from AWS are exam-based, said Paul Teich, principal analyst at Tirias Research.

However, Linux Academy has created a more practical live assessment environment in which users are graded on actually using AWS rather than just answering questions correctly, he told LinuxInsider.

Cloud services really dont care about certification, but enterprise does, Teich pointed out. Enterprise needs these certifications to start implementing hybrid cloud business models. Upleveling certification to demonstrate practical experience should play well with enterprise IT shops.

Amazon Web Services last year announced an effort to enhance its AWS Educate program to offer additional modules, called cloud career pathways, to help educate students about cloud-based skills, as well as connect them with specific cloud-based jobs offered by various employers, including AWS, Salesforce, Cloudnexa and Splunk.
While large tech firms spend a lot of time at each other's throats, there are those occasions when they unite over a mutually beneficial cause - usually in the form of a joint amicus brief filed in court cases. It happened during Apple's battle with the DoJ, Donald Trump's immigration ban, and Microsoft's fight against US gag orders. Now, it's Google's turn to be supported in court, by Apple, Amazon, Yahoo, Cisco, and Microsoft.

The industry giants are backing Google after a Pennsylvania judge ruled the company had to comply with an FBI warrant asking it to hand over emails stored on a server overseas, according to Business Insider.

Google had originally refused the FBI's demand, saying it would fight the order, but the court is trying to force the matter. The search giant appealed the ruling last month.

"When a warrant seeks email content from a foreign data center, that invasion of privacy occurs outside the United States --- in the place where the customers' private communications are stored, and where they are accessed, and copied for the benefit of law enforcement, without the customer's consent," the brief states.

The companies say if Microsoft does hand over the data, it will "invite" other countries to demand emails from US citizens, which are stored on servers in the US.

"Our sister nations clearly view US warrants directing service providers to access, copy, and transmit to the United States data stored on servers located within their territory as an extraterritorial act on the part of the US government," the firms wrote.

A lot of the case involves the Stored Communications Act (SCA) and whether it can be applied to overseas data. The supporting companies claim the court judge is overstepping his boundaries by stating it is applicable. They say only congress can decide such matters.

Microsoft won a similar case in January when it refused to give up emails belonging to a foreign national that are stored on servers in Ireland. The US government appealed to have the case reheard, but its request was denied.
It seems there are still rare instances of exploding batteries causing harm. Following the Galaxy Note 7 debacle last year and numerous examples of hoverboards catching fire, we're now hearing of a woman whose battery-powered headphones exploded on her face while she slept during a flight.

The unnamed Australian resident was traveling from Beijing to Melbourne on February 19. She was listening to music on her headphones when she fell asleep around two hours into the flight but was later woken by an explosion.

"As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face. I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck," she said in an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) statement, which was issued today.

"I continued to feel burning, so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor. They were sparking and had small amounts of fire. As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane."

Smoke from the device and the smell of burnt plastic, hair, and electronics are reported to have filled the cabin for the rest of the journey back to Australia. "People were coughing and choking the entire way home," said the woman, who burned her face and hand during the incident.

Some details, including the make of headphones, are unknown. The ATSB merely said the battery "likely caught fire." The agency added: "As the range of products using batteries grows, the potential for in-flight issues increases."

The ATSB has reminded passengers to carry batteries with them and not in their stowed luggage.
For all its popularity, Chrome is also notorious for its habit of consuming a lot of RAM and draining battery life on laptops. Google is continually improving in this area and with Chrome 57 it claims background tabs will be limited to an average CPU load of just 1 percent on a single core.

Google explains the background tab throttling mechanism on its Developers website. According to the post, every background tab has a time budget (in seconds) for how much CPU time it can use to complete a process, and is subjected to time budget limitations after 10 seconds in the background. This budget constantly regenerates, but only at a rate of 0.01 seconds per second.

Google says the regeneration rate could be tweaked as more data is gathered about how throttled apps behave. However, there are already a few exceptions to background tab throttling, to prevent certain websites from not working properly. For example, tabs that are playing music and tabs that have a real-time connection to a remote server using WebRTC or WebSockets are not throttled.

According to Google, background tabs are responsible for one-third of Chrome's power usage on computers, so this change will help minimize the browser's impact on battery life. The Chromium team says it's seeing "25 percent fewer busy background tabs" with the new throttling mechanism in place, so you should start seeing snappier tab switching and less input lag too.

In the long-term, the ideal is for background tabs to be fully suspended and instead rely on new APIs for Service Workers to do work in the background like push notifications, periodic background sync, and do other things that you usually associate with native installed apps.

Chrome 57 has been out for a few days now, you can download it here.
The Department of Justice on Wednesday said that it has indicted two Russian intelligence agency officers (as well as two others) in connection with the 2014 cyber-attack against Yahoo that compromised at least 500 million user accounts.

The two Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers allegedly involved in the hack are named as Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev and Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, both Russian nationals and residents. The DOJ also indicted Russian national and resident Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan as well as Canadian Karim Baratov, both of which were reportedly hired guns.

Charges levied by the DOJ are extensive and include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, theft of trade secrets, economic espionage, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, just to name a few.

According to The Washington Post, this marks the first time that the US has brought criminal cyber charges against Russian government officials. The indictments are also part of the largest hacking case ever brought by the US.

The Post notes that the case is unrelated to the hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the investigation into the 2016 presidential campaign.

Yahoo last September said it believed the 2014 attack was carried out by state-sponsored actors. At the time it was disclosed, the hack was deemed to be the largest data breach. That designation was short-lived, however, as a billion user accounts were reportedly compromised in an attack that took place in August 2013 (but wasn't disclosed until last December).
An Ethiopian dissident going by the name of Kidane has been trying to sue the Ethiopian government ever since they tricked him into downloading a spyware program. The hack took place while he was in the United States, but a DC court of appeals agreed to dismiss the suit this week.

Kidane was born in Ethiopia but has since become an American citizen. Back near the end of 2012 he opened a seemingly benign email from an acquaintance that happened to contain an attachment. It turns out that the Ethiopian government had actually sent or forwarded the email. The attachment contained the FinSpy program; spyware that is sold exclusively to government agencies by controversial software company FinFisher.

Normally foreign governments are immune from lawsuits like this, but Kidane and his lawyers applied a special exception called the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Unfortunately for Kidane, the court denied this request on the grounds that the hack didn't take place entirely in the US. Since the email was sent from Ethiopia, the FSIA exception does not apply.

Kidane's team and privacy advocates around the country are worried about a dangerous precedent being set in this case. Foreign governments can hack US citizens without worrying about potential lawsuits. The Electronic Frontier Foundation saw this case as the best chance to challenge government spyware use, but was disappointed by the ruling.
Excavations carried out last month by the Israel Antiquities Authority uncovered a Roman road dating back 2,000 years ago.

The impressive man-made structure had been beautifully preserved beneath the ground in Bet Shemesh, near the modern Highway 375.

The ancient road stunned archaeologists not only by the impeccable state in which it was conserved but also through its impressive size: it was found to measure around 6 meters in width (or approximately 20 feet) and stretched on a distance of almost 1.5 kilometers (or about a mile).

Further examinations revealed it was associated with the famed Emperor's Road, an imposing transportation artery built during Emperor Hadrian's visit to this region, circa 130 A.D. Other historical accounts place the famous ancient highway a few years after, in the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt  between 132 and 135 A.D.

According to Amit Shadman, the IAA's district archaeologist for Judah, due to its location  close to the Israel National Trail  the ancient road will undoubtedly spark interest among hikers and therefore "will be conserved in situ, for the public's benefit."

A Prosperous Route

Irina Zilberbod, IAA director of the excavation, believes the newly discovered ancient road had an important function for the region's society. It was designed to connect the Roman settlement thriving in the proximity of Beit Natif to the main transportation route, in this case, the Emperor's Road.

As Zilberbod explains in an IAA news release, the Emperor's Road was actually a highway designed to link the large settlements of Eleutheropolis (Bet Guvrin) to Jerusalem.

Archaeologists base these suppositions on the previous discovery of a milestone in the vicinity, which had been engraved with emperor's name.

Greatly expanded during the Roman occupation, roads in this region evolved from mere rudimentary trails to a thriving network of routes that connected agricultural villages to the main artery.

They also served a significant commercial purpose, being used for the transportation of grain, oil, and wine to large markets in the area as well as abroad.

If Stones Could Speak: The Cobblestones' Secret Treasure

While closely examining the paving stones, archaeologists were amazed to come upon an assortment of ancient coins from different periods pertaining to the same timeline.

One of the recovered coins was dated from the second year of the Great Revolt (67 A.D.), and another coin came from the Umayyad period.

A third coin depicting Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea, dates back to 29 A.D.

The fourth coin discovered, dated 41 A.D., was manufactured in Jerusalem and adorned with the image of Agrippa I.

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It's been six weeks since the Android 7.1.2 Nougat beta was released by Google to a few Pixel and Nexus handsets, and according to reports, the company will supposedly push out the Android 7.1.2 Nougat publicly soon.

The news will be welcomed by Android users as Google will reportedly push out the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update to select Pixel and Nexus devices first.

According to a report from WCCFTech, Google will begin the rollout in the coming weeks.

"The company is expected to start the public update rollout at the end of this month or at the beginning of April," notes the report.

With the release of Android 7.1.2 Nougat beta version, Google mentioned that this is an additional update which will focus on fixing bugs and improving performance. It will also enhance carrier-related issues.

The latest news affirms assertions made by the VP of Android, Dave Burke, in a blog post in January where he mentioned that the public release of Android 7.1.2 would take a "couple of months."

Rogers Reason Behind The Rumor?

The news of Google rolling out the Android 7.1.2 update in the coming weeks has come to the spotlight after an update was declared by Canadian carrier Rogers for its Pixel devices. The new update includes support for VoLTE, as well as Google's March security patch.

Rogers has been involved in the testing process of VoLTE for a few months for Pixel smartphones along with Android 7.1.2 beta. It now seems that the Canadian carrier is bringing the update to Google Pixel users on April 3.

Although the announcement from Rogers does not provide any confirmation about Google's intention to launch the Android 7.1.2 Nougat during the same time, it looks like the latter will probably push out the software update in early April when it issues OTA and factory pictures along with security bulletins.

Nexus 6 And Nexus 9 Missing Out

According to a confirmation from Google in February, the Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet will not get updated to Android 7.1.2 Nougat. However, both Nexus 6 and HTC-made Nexus 9 will still be able to receive any security updates.

After Nougat, Google is dodging the process of releasing preview builds which it used during beta releases. Now it is going to final builds straightaway.

If you don't own a Nexus or Pixel smartphone, then you may have to wait a tad longer, as Google is probably going to take more time to expand the new update to all supported devices. Considering the beta program was rolled out for the Nexus Player, Pixel, Nexus 5X, Pixel XL, and Pixel C, they could be the first in line for the Android 7.1.2 Nougat update.

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Official Website of DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals

Mumbai, Mar 15 (IBNS): DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals (DSP), the company producing and commercializing sustainable, enzymatic antibiotics, next generation statins and anti-fungals, announced that it has filed lawsuits against Sinopharm Weiqida Pharmaceutical for patent infringement.

DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals announced on Wednesday that its wholly owned subsidiaries, "DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals Netherlands B.V. and DSM Pharmaceuticals India Pvt. Ltd. filed lawsuits against Sinopharm Weiqida Pharmaceutical Co., LTD ("Weiqida") for patent infringement in both the District Court of The Hague, Afdeling Handel (commercial division), Netherlands, for patent infringement of the Dutch part of European Patent Number 1,610,766 B1 and in the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi for patent infringement of Indian Patent Number 247,301."

These patents, which are owned by DSP, describe and claim amoxicillin trihydrate having a low free water content and processes for the manufacture thereof.

By its complaint, DSP seeks an injunction to prevent the infringing manufacture, use, importation and sale of Weiqidas amoxicillin active pharmaceutical ingredient in the Netherlands and India as well as any drug product that utilizes the active pharmaceutical ingredient.



Karl Rotthier, CEO at DSP said: DSP has a world class intellectual property portfolio relating to our innovative, sustainable, and environmental friendly amoxicillin technology. DSP will rigorously defend its IP assets worldwide as it continues to invest in its innovative R&D programs directed to enzymatic, sustainable antimicrobials and statins.
Yahoo CEO and President Marissa Mayer will be replaced by Thomas McInerney after Verizon completes its acquisition of Yahoo in a mega-deal worth $4.8 billion.

The Yahoo-Verizon deal has been recently amended with a price dropoff of $350 million after Yahoo suffered a data breach that lowered its valuation.

The acquisition of Yahoo's main digital business will shuffle its board members, prompting the rise of McInerney to the position.

McInerney  An Old New Face Of Yahoo

McInerney has been on Yahoo's board of directors since 2012 and will hold the vacated position of Mayer when the Verizon buyout is done. He was the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IAC/InterActiveCorp from 2005 to 2012.

Following the acquisition of Verizon, what is left of Yahoo will be renamed to "Altaba." Verizon will gain control of Yahoo's core internet operations, leaving behind the 15% share of Chinese internet company Alibaba and a portion of Yahoo Japan. These assets will be separate entities which will operate under the Altaba umbrella name.

McInerney's rise will solidify Altaba's future as a financial company. McInerney has a finance background, having worked at global financial services firm Morgan Stanley from 1990 to 1999. He also served on the board of directors of TicketMaster, HSN, Inc. (a television and online retailer group), as well as Match Group, the internet company that owns the dating site Match.com and OKCupid.com.

An analyst said McInerney is the right man for Altaba, although it will be more of an overseer role.

"He's going to be basically a custodian of two publicly-traded assets and stocks, so there's not going to be a lot to do. His primary job will be a regulatory thing," said Laura Martin, internet analyst from Needham & Co.

Future Ex-CEO Mayer To Get A 'Golden Parachute'

All is well for outgoing CEO Mayer after the Verizon deal.

She will receive a "golden parachute," a $23 million severance pay if she gets terminated without cause or left for a good reason. This package is in form of cash, equity, and benefits  stocks up to $20 million in worth. She will also get $69 million worth of unexercised stock options, plus $97 million of Yahoo stocks she already has in possession.

Mayer is believed to join Verizon with Yahoo's assets. She said before that she planned to stay in the company.

"For me personally, I'm planning to stay. I love Yahoo, and I believe in all of you. It's important to me to see Yahoo into its next chapter," she said.

Mayer is one of the prominent women in the tech industry given her position as Yahoo CEO. She joined the company in 2012 to right the then-beleaguered company. During her stint, Yahoo acquired in 2013 Tumblr, a popular microblogging platform.

Before her arrival in Yahoo, she made her career in Google where she first worked in 1999 as the company's first female engineer (she graduated Computer Science from Stanford University). In Google, she became a product manager, then rose to the director of consumer products. She also became the VP of Google Product Search Unit.

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Popular web-based transaction service Paypal now has another formidable foe on the rise in terms of mobile payments: Google. Starting March 14, Gmail will make it easier for users to send or request for payments directly inside the app.

Gmail Payments Arrives On Mobile

Such a feature can already be done on Google Wallet via Gmail for Desktop, but only now has Google been able to port it over to the mobile app itself. It works simply enough: payments are treated as attachments, so sending money is akin to attaching a document, photo, or video. Simply touch the attachment icon, choose "Send money," enter the amount, write up an optional memo, and Gmail takes care of the rest.

Sending, Receiving Payments Via Gmail Comes At No Cost

Those on the receiving end won't even need a Gmail account or have the app installed; the transaction follows through just as well, and the money can even be transferred directly to the recipient's bank account.

"Whether you're splitting a dinner bill or planning a group trip, you now have a fee-free way to work out the details and settle up without ever leaving the Gmail app on Android, just like you can already do on the web," Google announced in a blog post.

Sending money using gmail comes with no charges for both sides, which makes this method a notch more attractive than popular money transaction rivals Venmo and Square Cash, both of which have fees set in place for a range of functions.

There is however, one caveat: folks outside the United States can't take advantage of sending or receiving payments via Gmail yet, and Google has neither offered word on a possible global release, nor hinted at an iOS release.

Anyhow, integrating Wallet features directly with Gmail makes Google's goal clear: to expedite payment services using an interface that's already familiar with a plethora of users. The feature could be useful when discussing plans that involve money, such as trips, gift-finding, or asking for donations.

Other Payments-Based Apps

Gmail, however, isn't the only app making inroads in terms of payment services: Snapchat also offers the ability to pay friends via Snapcash, Facebook has a similar feature integrated inside Messenger, and WeChat also offer mobile payment features. Similarly, messaging platforms, such as the aforementioned Messenger, offers a range of payment bots, which are third-party integrations to facilitate money-related features.

While Gmail isn't at its core a messaging platform, it's still stands as one of the most popular email client apps globally in terms of its user base, which usurps that of Yahoo, Microsoft, and others. It's also interesting to note that since its introduction in 2013, it took long for Google to port the payments feature to Gmail for Android, which could indicate that such a service wasn't heavily used to foster a demand for it to be released on other platforms. It's a welcome arrival at any rate.

The Gmail app is available for free on the Play Store. Have you tried the app's payment features? Feel free to tell us your experience in the comments section below!

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A British-owned cruise ship ran aground in shallow waters off the Indonesian coast and smashed into protected coral reefs at a local island chain.

The 295-feet MS Caledonian Sky damaged an estimated 17,222 square feet of coral reefs in Raja Ampat in West Papua province last March 4 when it ran across the area at low tide, according to an evaluation team.

Smashing Into Precious Reefs

The ship, caught in low tide despite its GPS and radar instruments on board, was towed away by a tug boat while still at such low tide, which is believed to have caused more damage.

A tugboat from Sorong City was deployed to help refloat the cruise ship, which is something that shouldnt have happened because it damaged the reef even worse, said Ricardo Tapilatu, head of University of Papuas Research Center for Pacific Marine Resources and member of the team.

The team said that ship owner Noble Caledonia has to pay $1.28 million to $1.92 million in compensation after the ecosystem of the marine sanctuary had been affected.

If the company doesnt want to pay compensation, the local government will take the case to court, Tapilatu added in a Jakarta Post report.

Caledonian Sky, weighing 4,290 tons, was carrying 102 passengers as well as 79 crew on a 16-night trip from Papua New Guinea to the Philippines. It just finished a bird-watching trip to Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat  a popular diving site and one of the richest marine biodiversity on Earth  when the incident happened.

In a statement, the London-based small-cruise firm dubbed the incident as unfortunate and expressed its full cooperation with the authorities.

"Noble Caledonia is firmly committed to protection of the environment, which is why it is imperative that the reasons for it are fully investigated, understood and any lessons learned incorporated in operating procedures, part of the statement read.

Prospects For Damaged Ecosystem

Indonesian locals relying on dive tourism deemed it a sad and concerning time.

The damage is huge and acute. It could take 10 to 100 years to repair it, professional diving instructor Ruben Sauyai told BBC, adding that most residents work in the tourism industry while the rest are fishermen or farmers.

Laura Resti of Raja Ampats homestay association said what occurred was counterproductive for their local tourism aspirations, as coral reefs mainly draw in the crowds visiting the national park.

Videos taken by different divers revealed that the reefs had been eroded by the ships hull, leaving massive bleached scratches.

Tapilatu said in a separate Jakarta Post report that the kinds of reefs destroyed by the ship include Genus Porites, Acropora, Poicilopora, and Tubastrea, all taking decades in order to be restored. Conservation International Indonesia (CII) spokesperson Albert Nebore also said that the ship allegedly entered the territory without consulting local guides.

The skipper forced the ship to enter the area, which was not open to cruise ships, he said.

The worlds reef systems have been hounded by recent severe bleaching events, including the one that destroyed 400 miles of the Great Barrier Reefs northern regions in 2016. The famed reef is showing accumulated heat stress compared to the same period last year, before it saw the worst bleaching event that ravaged 25 percent of all coral and threatened its world heritage status.

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Jonathan Zdziarski is so good at hacking Apple OS that the company decided to hire him.

Apple has quietly brought iOS security expert Jonathan Zdziarski on board the company. Zdziarski is a foremost digital security and forensics expert in all things iOS. He had been kind of a thorn on Apple's side, being a member of a jailbreaking community cracking the company's OS for years, including discovering an iOS backdoor in 2014. On the flip side, he had helped the company during the Apple standout against the FBI during a shooting crime investigation.

Apple did not announce the news; instead, Zdziarski broke it through his blog.

Jonathan Zdziarski Takes An Apple Bite

Writing on his blog, Zdziarski announced that he has accepted to be part of Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture team. He said he's excited to work "with a group of like-minded individuals" who are passionate about security and privacy.

The decision to join could have been brewing for a long time. Zdziarski said that his decision was a natural result of what he feels to be a "matter of conscience" for him over time.

"Privacy is sacred; our digital lives can reveal so much about us - our interests, our deepest thoughts, and even who we love. I am thrilled to be working with such an exceptional group of people who share a passion to protect that," he wrote.

Jonathan Zdziarski - Hacker, Security Expert, And Forensics Scientist In One

It is not like Zdziarski loves cracking iOS for fun. The software engineer and digital forensics scientist is as an advocate of customer privacy and security.

Zdziarski famously called out Apple for its iOS backdoor, a security feature that could compromise privacy. He is also well-known in the jailbreaker circles aka iOS development community as "NerveGas." His works in cracking iOS helped lead the effort to create open-source applications for it. He also wrote a book to teach developers about writing applications for iOS even before Apple made it possible to the public. His other works include books on iPhone SDK Application Development and iPhone forensics.

iPhone forensics is of particular importance, as Zdziarski pioneered the first suite of iOS Forensics Tools. He has worked as a consultant for law enforcement agencies, the government, the military, and the private sector. He has also consulted with and assisted forensic investigators in cases involving iOS, and has also developed popular apps like Ballistic and iErase while routinely doing penetration testing of iOS.

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A new Twitter hack spree ensued and hundreds of compromised Twitter accounts distributed pro-Turkish messages on Wednesday, March 15, calling for a "Nazi Germany" and "Nazi Holland."

The hacks include a wide range of high-profile Twitter accounts, from media outlets to celebrities, which ended up sporting the Turkish flag and posting pro-Turkey messages in support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Twitter Hack Pro-Erdogan

Tweets part of this hack spread messages with the hashtags #NaziAlmanya and #NaziHollanda, meaning Nazi Germany and Nazi Holland (the Netherlands), along with Turkish flags to show this was in connection with the Turkey dealings. The rogue tweets even showed swastikas, the symbol that Adolf Hitler and German Nazis used.

A slew of Twitter accounts seemed to have fallen victim to the same hack with the same pro-Turkey message favoring Erdogan, deepening the conflict with Germany and the Netherlands.

Nobody is safe, even Justin Bieber's Japanese account got hacked pic.twitter.com/urlSw4yaOy  Arjun Kharpal (@ArjunKharpal) March 15, 2017

As Bloomberg reports, the disturbing swastikas and messages hit the verified Twitter accounts of Forbes Magazine, German publication Die Welt, Reuters Japan, and BBC North America, as well as the accounts of Sprint CEO and President Marcelo Claure, French politicians such as Alain Juppe, and even the European Parliament's Twitter account.

The rogue tweets adorning swastikas described the hack as a "little Ottoman slap" and included an ominous message saying "See you on April 16." That's the date when Turkey will have a referendum aiming to put more control in Erdogan's hands. The messages finished off with a condescending "Learn Turkish" suggestion for those who didn't understand what the Turkish-language tweets meant.

Twitter Counter

The hack doesn't seem to have entailed any phishing activity, and it looks like it unleashed its propaganda through third-party service Twitter Counter.

"We're aware that our service was hacked and have started an investigation into the matter," says Twitter Counter. "We've already taken measures to contain such abuse."

Twitter Counter has an impressive user base of more than 2 million users, and it keeps track of more than 350 million Twitter accounts, serving as a marketing tool for individuals and companies to manage their popularity on the social media platform. With this pro-Erdogan hack wreaking havoc on Twitter, however, Twitter Counter said that while it looks into the matter it will no longer allow people to post through its system.

Turkey Relations With The Netherlands And Germany: What's Going On?

For those unfamiliar with the political context of this whole mess, the Twitter hack follows growing tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands. Just last week, after a Turkish minister was prevented from visiting the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam, Erdogan said that members of the Dutch government were "Nazi remnants and fascists." Erdogan also warned that the Netherlands would "pay the price" for this.

The dispute escalated on Tuesday as Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told CNBC that Erdogan was "totally off the mark" by drawing a comparison between the Nazis and the Dutch. Rutte also said that Erdogan was acting "increasingly hysterical."

Amid the whole debacle, the Dutch are voting today in parliamentary elections, which are deemed to be a turning point for the far-right populist movement that's been echoing worldwide since Brexit made waves and Donald Trump made president.

As for the feud with Germany, it's basically the same tale. After Germany called off a political rally featuring a Turkish minister, Erdogan erupted and said that Germany's current practices are the same as the Nazi practices of the past. German Chancellor Angela Merkel responded to Erdogan's accusations, arguing that such misplaced statements downplay and trivialize the severe crimes against humanity carried out by the Nazi.

Diplomatic tensions have been mounting recently as Turkey planned to have government ministers address rallies in the Netherlands and Germany to promote support for a national referendum to reform the constitution so that Erdogan gets more power.

At the same time, the tense disputes come at a sensitive time as the European Union is banking on a migrant deal made with Turkey, which has notably reduced the number of migrants reaching Europe. Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to drop the deal.

Turkey's feud with Germany and the Netherlands seems to be deepening and the latest Twitter hack adds more fuel to the fire.

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We are steering foundries towards the circular economy
Kolkata, Mar 15 (IBNS): Guru Nanak Institute of Technology and The Institution of Engineers (India) jointly hosted the grand inaugural ceremony of Six Student Chapters recently at Guru Nanak Institute of Technology, Panihati.

The event was graced by Dr. Sayed Majid Ali, Director, IE (I), Dr. S. Bhattacharya, Secretary and Director General, IE (I).

(Prof.) Dr. Santanu Kumar Sen, Principal, GNIT said in his address,  The students were delighted to learn that for the first time in West-Bengal, a student from GNIT will pass out with B.Tech degree under Makaut along with Chartered engineer certificate offered by IE(I) to augment the collaborative joint venture activities for sustainable and innovation oriented development."

"The venture shall enhance the objective of GNIT in producing global standard professionals and also would ensure each students being conferred the coveted Chartered Engineer status after completion of degree.

Guru Nanak Institute of Technology inaugurated Six Student Chapters in collaboration with IE (I), namely with Departments, i.e.: Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Information Technology, Applied Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Food Technology.Established in 1920 and formally inaugurated in 1921, the Institute of Engineers (India) was granted Royal Charter by His Majesty the King George V of England in 1935. It has more than one million members catering to fifteen engineering disciplines across 125 centers globally.

Dr. Sayed Majid Ali, Director, IE (I) said, Research and development Grants of Rs 1.5 lac for BTech/ MTech Projects attracted appealed to everyone. Technical Activities, Seminars and Workshops in collaboration with IEI and its FOR A opened new avenues for the students and faculty members of GNIT. To keep pace with latest development in Engineering and Technology the Institute of Engineers (India) members will give access to IEI Journals: Series A, Series B, Series C, Series D and Series E. "

"The members will also be benefitted with Seminar, Symposia and Workshop conducted by various Centers / Chapters of IEI. For UG, PG and PhD students under guidance of faculty, who is a Corporate Member of IEI, Research Funding, will be available. The members will also get access to Professional Bodies having Bilateral Links with IEI, i.e.: ASME, Association of Engineers, IEEE, ASCE, ICE, SAICE, VDI and many more. The members will also get an opportunity to register for Certification of Professional Engineers (PE) and International Professional Engineers (IntPE).
Lucknow, Mar 15 (IBNS): Gayatri Prajapati, the Samajwadi Party minister accused of rape, has been arrested by police from Lucknow, reports said.

Earlier on Tuesday, police had arrested Parajapati's aides.

The lawmaker is facing rape and molestation charges.

Following the complaint by the victims, the minister had appealed for an immunization against arrest, which was turned down by the court.

Prajapati was a SP candidate in the recently concluded UP polls, in which his party, which formed an alliance with the Congress, was drubbed by the BJP.
"We will expose the firm position of Venezuela against the destructive and polluting attacks of the capitalist system on our planet Earth, he said. | Read More
New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS) : An Indian Air Force helicopter on Wednesday crashed near the Mana Pass in Uttarakhand while making an emergency landing during a military drill, media reports said.

No casualties have been reported in the accident as both the pilots are reported to be safe.

According to reports, the Mi17 V5 helicopter crashed shortly after it took off from Ghastoli helipad.

The incident occurred after the helicopter developed a technical snag and the pilot tried to make an emergency landing.

The army and the IAF were participating in a joint military exercise as part of a week-long war exercise..
Srinagar, Mar 15 (IBNS) : A militant has been killed and a policeman injured in a fierce gunfight that has been going on in north Kashmir's frontier district of Kupwara, police said.

According to reports, following a tip-off, security forces launched a search operation in Hyhama Kundinad Batpora area of the district early on Wednesday and came under firing by the militants.

Three militants, holed up in a house, were believed to be engaged in heavy exchange of fire with the forces till the latest reports came.

While security forces shot dead one of the militants, a policeman was injured in the encounter, Defence Spokesman Rajesh Kalia said in Srinagar.

Additional security forces have been rushed to tighten the cordon around the area and foil any attempt by the militants to escape, he said.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS): Ram Vilas Paswan, Union Minister of Food & Public Distribution, Consumer Affairs, released the New National Building Code on the occasion of World Consumer Righs Day in New Delhi on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Ministry organised World Consumer Rights Day at the DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi, based on the theme Consumer Rights in the Digital Age.

Since 1983, March 15 is celebrated as World Consumer Rights Day as a mark of solidarity within the international consumer movement.

It marks the date in 1962 when President John F Kennedy first outlined the definition of Consumer Rights, according to the organisation Consumers International.

In India, The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution runs a Jago Grahak Jago scheme through its Department of Consumer Affairs to empower consumers through awareness and education as well as ensure consumer protection and safety through legislation, and timely and effective grievance redressal.

India celebrates National Consumer Day on December 24 every year.

Image: Ram Vilas Paswan Twitter
New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS) : Amid reports on the possibilities of he becoming Chief Minister heading a BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said such things are "unnecessary and futile speculation," NDTV reported.

Singh, 65, has served earlier as Chief Minister, and is among the party's most-senior leaders from UP.

The BJP has scored a landslide victory in India's largest and most populous state with the biggest result for a party since 1977.

On Thursday, the party and the allies' 325 newly-elected legislators will discuss the Chief Ministership issue.

The BJP has said party chief Amit Shah will take the final call.



Image: AIRNews Twitter
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The former East Feliciana Parish coroner and her deputy were arrested Tuesday in what the state attorney general called a "criminal scheme" of more than 20 documents falsified to receive fraudulent payments.

The former coroner, Laura DeJohn, is also accused of not keeping any required documentation of her office's work or financial records during her tenure, according to her arrest report by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation.

DeJohn, 50, and her deputy coroner Melanie Vines, 67, "knowingly misused their authority and positions of public trust" by engaging in a scheme intended to defraud the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner's Office, the arrest report says.

"DeJohn and Vines allegedly participated in a criminal scheme with the intent to defraud the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroners Office by submitting false Coroner Emergency Certificates (CECs) and billing invoices to the EBR Coroners Office," state Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a news release.

Twenty-four patients received falsified Coroner Emergency Certificates (CEC) from February 2015 through March 2016 under DeJohn's tenure as coroner, and those were then sent for billing to the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, according to her arrest report. CECs are issued when a patient is being held in a medical facility because they are considered a danger to themselves or others or are gravely disabled.

As a part of each CEC, a mental health evaluation must be provided, only by a physician, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or psychologist, according to Louisiana law.

Both DeJohn and Vines were conducting these evaluations, though they are not qualified as license nurse practitioners, the report says.

Vines admitted she had on multiple occasions falsified official records, as instructed by DeJohn, in the completion of CECs for patients who lived in East Baton Rouge Parish, the report says. Vines signed DeJohn's name as the medical professional who conducted the evaluation, though Vines had actually performed the CEC, the report says. On two of those occasions, investigators found, DeJohn had been out of town when the records indicated she performed the CEC in East Feliciana.

Furthering the scheme, DeJohn then submitted these records to the EBR Parish Coroner's Office for the $100 of payment, the report says, as is protocol in such cases when patients are from another parish.

DeJohn admitted to investigators in January that she had participated in this scheme with Vines, the report says.

The Louisiana Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation on May 5 based on allegations of official misconduct from current coroner, Frederick Michael Cramer, the arrest report says. Cramer, a forensic pathologist, took over the office after he moved to the parish just before a coroner's race that would have been between two non-doctors, including DeJohn.

+3 Legal battle over East Feliciana coroner seat pits doctor against other candidates The East Feliciana coroners race was set to be a contest between two non-doctors, but that 

Cramer told investigators his predecessor "failed to provide him with critical records needed to perform the duties of the office," the arrest report says. He also said there were no financial documents or other records of the office's fiscal operations.

After inquiring about the lack of records, DeJohn's attorney wrote that she operated the Coroner's Office on a "purely verbal basis," the report says. Her attorney also wrote that she did not maintain records because she had no secretarial staff.

Cramer said he was skeptical of that response because he performed at least five autopsies for DeJohn while she was coroner and he had provided documentation, the report says.

DeJohn told investigators that during her tenure she did not maintain printed copies of documents and that most records, like death certificates, were submitted electronically to other agencies, the report says.

DeJohn, 2416 Dawson Road, Jackson, was booked Tuesday morning into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on counts of malfeasance in office, injuring public records and criminal conspiracy.

Vines, 14793 Pace Road, Clinton, was booked on injuring public records.
For 36 years, Col. Mike Edmonson has known no other life than the Louisiana State Police.
Imphal, Mar 15 (IBNS) : Nongthombam Biren Singh took oath on Wednesday as Manipur chief minister heading a BJP-led Government, five months after he left the Congress, reports said.

Eight other members of the new cabinet, all but one of them being from the post-poll allies, also took oath along with along with Singh.

Among them is Y Joykumar Singh of the National People's Party (NPP).

The BJP, which won 21 seats, ten short of the required 31 to form a Government, has claimed that it has the support of 33 legislators in the 60-member Manipur assembly.

The lone Lok Janshakti Party legislator Karma Shyam, who is supporting the BJP, has been given a cabinet berth.

The Naga People's Front or NPF has offered external support of its four legislators. It will not be a part of the Government.

Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah had invited the BJP - led coalition to form Government, after Biren Singh staked claim saying he has the right number.

However, the Governor asked Biren Singh to prove majority on the floor of the house "as soon as possible.

The Congress, which won the most seats, 28 to become the single largest party, could not gather the support of three more legislators.

It has accused the BJP of using "money power" to form Government in Goa and Manipur.
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Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy held a ribbon cutting for its Baton Rouge Blended Learning Center on March 8. From left are Perry Daniel, K12 deputy regional vice president; Dujan Johnson, CSAL, Inc. superintendent; Louisiana Virtual Charter Academy Head of School Danielle Scott-Johnson; and CSAL, Inc. board members Gideon Carter, Jacqueline Royal and Marvin Mitchell.
The grand jury that declined to charge a state prison assistant warden in a rape case earlier this month was not provided the sexual assault forensic examination and report done by a nurse, an omission sharply questioned by the victim and sex crime experts.

Jurors rejected a second-degree rape charge against Louisiana State Penitentiary assistant warden Barrett Boeker on March 6, issuing a "no true bill" in the case.

Sexual assault experts said the failure of the West Feliciana Parish District Attorney and Sheriff's offices to collect and examine the physical evidence gathered during the rape exam falls outside standard practices.

"If there's a rape exam done, I can't imagine not looking at the sexual assault exam," said retired East Baton Rouge assistant district attorney Sue Bernie, who prosecuted sex crimes for 30 years. "You'd always want to see that."

West Feliciana Parish District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla said they did not need to use the rape kit because both the victim and the perpetrator said sexual intercourse had occurred the night of the alleged incident. D'Aquilla said the pertinent question in this case was consent, which couldn't be tested by the evidence included in the kit.

"It wouldn't help out the case," D'Aquilla said. "(Boeker) has already admitted that, 'Yeah we had sex.'"

However, the sexual assault exam, commonly known as a "rape kit," includes more than bodily fluids that can be sampled for DNA, East Baton Rouge Coroner Beau Clark said. A completed report includes the victim's statement, descriptions of any signs of violence such as bruises or scratches, as well as an evaluation by the specially-trained nurse, Clark said.

"The kit is so important, it really is the best thing a prosecutor can have to prove a sexual assault," said Racheal Hebert, the president and CEO of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR). "The fact that it was not (reviewed) is not only shocking, it's also unbelievable, and it points in my mind to mishandling in this case."

Priscilla Lefebure, the 23-year-old victim, said that there were photos taken of Boeker's handprints on her elbows and leg in the rape kit, signs that he forced himself on her.

Lefebure said she was raped twice by Boeker, first on Nov. 30 when she had been staying with the man and his family following the flood. Boeker's wife and their children are Lefebure's cousins. The second rape happened on Dec. 3 after a party, also at Boeker's home on the grounds of the Angola prison, she said. Lefebure said she returned because she thought she would be safe with Boeker's wife present at the house.

+2 Assistant warden arrested after alleged rape at home in Angola village An assistant warden at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola was arrested Tuesday on a 

Lefebure went to Woman's Hospital on Dec. 8 for the sexual assault evaluation, which is within the recommended five days following an assault to complete a rape kit, Hebert said. Boeker was booked with one count of second-degree rape by the West Feliciana Sheriff's Office on Dec. 20.

The Advocate typically does not name people who report that they are victims of sexual assault. But Lefebure said she wanted to have her name used in this article.

Clark said the rape kit and accompanying evidence collected when Lefebure went to Woman's Hospital for the evaluation in early December sat in his office until after the grand jury met, a fact first reported by WBRZ-TV. Because Lefebure went to a hospital within East Baton Rouge parish for her examination, the rape kit was handled by his office. Clark said they cooperate with law enforcement agencies from any jurisdiction.

"When the cops get the kit can change (from case to case), but they always come get the kit and they're the ones that submit it to the crime lab," Clark said. The West Feliciana sheriff's office picked up the rape kit Monday, he said, a week after the grand jury decision and almost three months after it was conducted.

As dictated under Louisiana law, a victim does not have to report to a law enforcement agency after having a rape kit done, so the kits are stored indefinitely by the coroner's office until an officer comes to retrieve them, Clark said.

However, D'Aquilla said even if there were photos of bruising or other evidence in the rape kit, he didn't think it would make a difference in his prosecution.

"It's not a question of whether or not she had bruises," D'Aquilla said. "(Boeker) got up there and told his side of the story, 'We had sex and it was consensual, we got kind of rough.' ... It was just credibility."

D'Aquilla added that he doubted evidence in the kit would support Lefebure's contention that she was attacked. "Even if you have a ton of bruises, that doesn't say it's not consensual," he said.

Bernie said there are some cases of sexual assault where the DNA-portion of the rape kit wouldn't need to be tested, such as when consent is the main issue. But the former sex crimes prosecutor said it should be protocol for a DA's office to review the rest of the rape exam report. She said the details included can corroborate the account given by a victim or defendant.

"That would be one of the first things I would want to see, the rape exam report," Bernie said. However, she added that, "there may be situations even in a consent-defense case, depending on what details the accused gave," that prosecutors might still want to review evidence in the kit.

Bernie said she's worked on cases where both the victim and the accused state that intercourse occurred, but the details of the account are different, so she has tested the rape kit for saliva or other pertinent evidence.

Two days after D'Aquilla first explained to The Advocate why he chose to not use the evidence before taking the case to the grand jury, he said that his office had actually called the East Baton Rouge Parish coroner to ask for the kit multiple times. D'Aquilla could not confirm how or when someone from his office contacted the coroner's office.

Clark disputed that claim, saying he checked if his office had received inquiries from the West Feliciana Parish District Attorney's Office. He said they did not. But either way, Clark said, it is not his office's role to take a completed rape kit to be tested or to deliver it.

The West Feliciana Sheriff's Office declined to answer questions about why they did not retrieve the rape kit and evaluation during their investigation of the incident, saying it could affect future proceedings. They also denied a public records request to view the investigative file of the case on the same grounds.

D'Aquilla said they decided to present the case to a grand jury to determine if charges would be filed.

"Every time we have a grand jury, we present everything we have in our file," D'Aquilla said. He said they did not have any photos and had little witness cooperation, so the case really rode on the statements from Lefebure and Boeker. He said it came down to which story was more believable.

Both Lefebure and Boeker testified, D'Aquilla said, and their decision to refuse charges showed the 12 independent grand jurors found her not credible.

"If somebody's squirming around, not paying attention, you are smart enough to know (they are) trying to be deceptive," D'Aquilla said. "That's why she was there."

But that thinking can be flawed when it comes to victims of trauma, said Hebert, the STAR leader.

"Trauma has a very chaotic effect on the brain... they can forget or confuse details," Hebert said. "It's scary that people in our community, especially people responsible for holding people accountable, still don't understand the dynamics of sexual trauma and how that affects the victim and their memory."

A nurse trained in sexual assault procedures asks questions in a way that sparks the memory during a sexual assault exam, Hebert said, which is another reason accessing the rape exam report is crucial.

The two Sheriff's office deputies who investigated the case were not called to testify at the grand jury. D'Aquilla said his office did not call them because they had nothing to add beyond the victim's statement. The nurse who conducted the sexual assault evaluation or any expert from the coroner's office was not called either, something Clark said has been done in other cases.

Lefebure never met in person with D'Aquilla or anyone from his office to tell the entirety of what happened to her the nights she alleged she was raped, both Lefebure and D'Aquilla said. D'Aquilla said he spoke with her briefly on the phone a few times and in person at Boeker's arraignment, and he had watched her video statements from the Sheriff's Office.

Bernie said she would always try to meet with the victim before going to a grand jury. When possible, she tried to prepare victims who were going to testify as best she could, sometimes even taking them to the courtroom to see what it will be like. Lefebure said she did not feel ready to testify.

"He didn't do his job," Lefebure said. "At this point I would never tell a sexual assault victim to come forward."

D'Aquilla said he didn't feel comfortable speaking to Lefebure. He told her, "'Don't tell me, you just go in there and testify,'" D'Aquilla said.

D'Aquilla told The Advocate that he found many red flags in Lefebure's story and credibility, including her arrest on domestic violence and home invasion counts after an incident with her boyfriend that occurred two weeks before the first alleged rape. The district attorney said Boeker and his wife, Lefebure's cousin, picked Lefebure up from jail after that arrest, something that was part of the file presented in this case.

However, East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said his office dropped that case at the end of January at the victim's request.

D'Aquilla also said he found it troubling that there were no witnesses of the assaults, that no one heard her scream or woke up during the attacks and that she returned to the house where she said she was first raped.

But Hebert countered that past criminal histories of victims should never be relevant because even if someone has committed a crime, it does not mean they cannot be a victim of a crime, she said.

She said it is also common that victims of an assault do not scream, whether out of fear for their lives or another reason, and that when someone is assaulted by a relative or friend, there are a lot of factors at play including power dynamics that may have led her to return to the perpetrator.

"It sounds like the DA is trying to diminish her credibility," Hebert said.

D'Aquilla said their office simply used the evidence they had. If more evidence becomes available, he said they will reopen the case.

Boeker's attorney Cy D'Aquila, a distant relative of D'Aquilla, said that his client maintained from the beginning that they had sex twice, and that it was consensual. He said he didn't think the rape kit was necessary, while pointing out that his client passed a privately administered polygraph examination about if there was consent.

Lefebure said she wouldn't want West Feliciana opening the case again because she felt the whole system was there to support Boeker and discredit her.

"They knew they were never going to convict this man," Lefebure said, a nursing student. "I never stood a chance with the DA, up against this man in this parish... I felt like I was on trial, like I was the criminal."
Less than a month before the 2017 regular legislative session begins, the upcoming debate on how and whether to boost state aid for roads and bridges is riddled with questions, including Gov. John Bel Edwards' stance.

In December a task force named by the governor said the state needs to spend another $700 million per year to tackle transportation problems, and that a hike in the state gasoline tax is the most reliable path.

But little has happened since then, other than wide agreement that a $700 million increase will not happen.

Officials said Tuesday that, rather than rolling out his own proposal, Edwards plans to endorse road and bridge bills offered by lawmakers that would have a major impact on the $29 billion in backlogs.

Shawn Wilson, secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development, made that point Monday in an appearance before the powerful Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

"What I shared with LABI is that the governor is wanting to do something on transportation but that it needs to be something bigger than the governor's bill," Wilson said Tuesday.

"I don't think you are going to see a bill that is going to be part of the governor's package," he added.

Wilson said the governor believes the task force did a thorough job.

"In fact, he will look to them to help grow the coalition and lead the grassroots efforts to help advance this issue," he said in a prepared statement released Tuesday by Edwards' office.

Stephen Waguespack, president of LABI, said Monday's transportation forum, including Wilson, featured good discussions.

"But the elephant in the room is not knowing what new taxes the governor is looking for and how he wants to spend the money," Waguespack said.

"Everyone is waiting to hear specifics from him on what he wants," he said.

Most agree that state roads, bridges and other forms of transportation are in desperate need of more dollars, especially in the Baton Rouge area.

Louisiana's state gasoline tax  20 cents on the 38.4 cents per gallon motorists pay  is among the oldest in the nation.

Edwards has repeatedly said bold action is needed, and that his support for transportation is "unyielding."

He told a group on Feb. 17 that he would spell out his position soon.

But the governor, a Democrat, is also grappling with another major shortfall for all state services, perhaps $500 million.

Any gasoline tax boost, like others, requires the support of two-thirds of the House and Senate, always an uphill political battle.

If Edwards lines up behind transportation bills sponsored by lawmakers, especially Republicans, it would help offset charges that he is making another tax-and-spend run, officials said.

Who those lawmakers will be is unclear.

House Transportation Committee Chairman Kenny Havard, R-St. Francisville, has repeatedly said he does not think voters would support a major boost in the state gasoline tax.

He said he thinks Edwards' focus will be on the state operating budget.

Havard, who in January said he was considering a a hydrocarbon processing tax for transportation and other state needs, said Tuesday he has dropped that idea. The lawmaker said he plans to propose a gross receipts tax, eliminate the state's corporate income tax and trim the individual income tax.

Wilson, in his meeting with LABI, said the transportation debate needs a resolution in 2017 before politics loom over the discussions, even more than now.

"You are not going to have a major tax overhaul right before an election," he said Tuesday.

All state House members and some senators face re-election in 2018.

Edwards said he plans to seek a second term in 2019.

How any new transportation dollars would be used also remains a key issue.

Waguespack, whose group played a key role in last year's tax hike debates, said whether the money would be spent appropriately and how projects are picked needs attention.

"Only the (Edwards) administration can give that assurance," he said.

Waguespack served as chief of staff for former GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal.

U. S. Rep. Garret Graves, R-Baton Rouge, who also addressed LABI on Monday  it was closed to the press  has raised similar concerns.

Graves said in October that, while the state needs to spend more on transportation, it also needs to build more credibility with the public on current spending practices.

Wilson told LABI that DOTD has lower administrative costs per mile than 36 other states.

"I think the timing is now," he said Tuesday. "People have waited for nearly 30 years to invest in infrastructure in a meaningful way."
New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged consumers to give up on the malpractice of corruption and black money, while greeting them on World Consumer Rights Day.

"This World Consumer Rights Day, I urge consumers to embrace digital transactions & join the movement to end corruption & black money," his tweet read.

"Government of India is at the forefront of several initiatives that protect the rights of the consumer & ensure their grievances are solved," a subsequent tweet read.

The Prime Minister also hailed consumers as the backbone of economy.

"On World Consumer Rights Day we salute the consumer, on whose purchasing power the growth of our economy rests," he said.
Sheriff: Woman pocketed $97,000 in adoption, vaccination, other fees from La. animal shelter

Sheriff: Woman pocketed $97,000 in adoption, vaccination, other fees from West Bank animal shelter
A measure of Australian consumer sentiment has held steady in March as worries over family finances were offset by optimism over the longer-term economic outlook.

The survey of 1,200 people by Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank published on Wednesday found consumer sentiment edged up by 0.1 per cent in March, from February when it climbed 2.3 per cent.

That left the index at 99.7, just below the level where the number of optimists matches pessimists.

Expectations for the economic outlook over the next 12 months rose 1.6 per cent, and the assessment of economic conditions for the next five years jumped 3.9 per cent.
We've heard a lot about warming oceans in the past couple of decades, and it's always sounded so distant and technical. Even to me a 2-degree jump in sea temperature sounded harmless. But that was before I saw what it meant. That's when it got personal, when it literally hit me where I live.

During the summer of 2010-11, Western Australia had an unprecedented marine heatwave. One morning not far from where I live, beach-walkers saw seabirds massed along the shoreline. Birds as far as the eye could see. When they got closer they saw the tide-line covered with dead and dying abalone  thousands of them. The sea had suddenly gotten too hot for these molluscs to endure. So they climbed out off the limestone reefs to escape, only to find themselves  out of the frying pan and into the fire  roasting to death on the sand. A mass stranding of abalone  no one had ever seen the like before.

Just think of it for a moment, a creature so desperate to escape its own intolerable world it casts itself ashore to die. The pathos of that. And consider what it might mean for all those other creatures, unseen and unnoticed, beneath the sunlit surface.

This event really shook me because abalone has been such an important part of my life. When I was a kid the shellfish was a local staple, growing in such abundance I could fill a string bag with them in 10 minutes before school. We called it muttonfish. On our honeymoon my wife and I dived for them. Abalone was our first meal as a married couple, and in time we showed our kids how to collect them and cook them, just as our parents had taught us. But now, in our part of the world, the population is decimated and the fishery closed.
Having completed exams at the Colombo Law College he took oaths as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Ceylon, aged 22. Christopher was in private practice for 10 years before he and Rosemary de Sampayo married in 1959, and another seven years before being appointed Commissioner of Assize, a post he held for a mere two years before being called to the bench as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ceylon in1967, aged only 41. The young dominion was suffering growing pains as it approached the pending change to a republic. In April 1971, while in the Jaffna Assize Station, the family of Christopher, Rosemary and five young children was caught, holed up in the Judge's villa, during the first armed assault on a police headquarters in the insurrection in the northern provincial capital that exposed deep economic and social divisions that had been ignored until then. The world can be a better place because of the magnificent leadership and guidance Christopher Weeramantry provided to help secure the human future. By that time his book on the law of contracts had earned the award of a Doctor of Law degree from London University, his efforts to encourage legal reform had attracted lecturing engagements around the world, and Australia's governments, universities and legal profession were searching for ways to modernise this country's legal system.

When he was invited in 1972 to accept the post of Hayden Starke Professor of Law at Melbourne's relatively new university, Monash, the Weeramantry family settled happily in Glen Waverley and into Melbourne's established and growing Sri Lankan community that reflected its multi-religious and multi-ethnic homeland. At the time of his appointment, Australia was breaking out of the cocoon of the White Australia Policy, but it had a Eurocentric culture and there was cultural cringe about Asians holding positions of authority or professional prominence. However the university gave him more opportunities to research and write. Invitations to lecture internationally and to accept short-term roles continued. These included appointments as senior counsel representing the Government of Fiji in a constitutional case before its Supreme Court; visiting Law Professor at the University of Papua New Guinea; and Chair of the Commission of Enquiry into International Responsibility for Phosphate Mining in Nauru. Another that had far-reaching impact was his role as Visiting Professor at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. In a rare decision, the university accepted his condition that he would only take up the role if he did not have to accept the status of "Honorary White" to avoid government restrictions on his movement and freedom of speech. On his return to Melbourne he wrote Apartheid: The Closing Phases? It was immediately banned in South Africa, but copies were smuggled into the country and it had an enormous impact.

Several of his other major works were also published during his years at Monash, before he was appointed to the International Court of Justice and left for The Hague in 1990. However Weeramantry's most lasting legacy is not the 27 major works that he published, the scores of conferences that he addressed or his impact on all of the students and colleagues who came under his influence. It is the direction to secure the human future that he provided for world leaders during his years at the International Court of justice, his influence in helping establish environmental law as an independent branch of international law, three advisory opinions he delivered in cases before the ICJ, and, subsequent to his retirement, the establishment of the Weeramantry International Centre for Peace Education and Research. Then came his book Tread Lightly on the Earth: Religion, the Environment and the Human Future which ties them all together, and his effort as a joint convenor of a conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2010 to establish an Institute of Shared Wisdom to encourage the recognition in international law of concepts that are common to all world religions. Finally, in response to tributes by colleagues and dignitaries at a surprise luncheon to mark his 90th birthday, only seven weeks before he died, Judge Weeramantry pulled no punches in saying who was to blame for the world's crisis and who must take responsibility to secure the human future.

"We talk a great deal about our love for our children but there has never been a generation since the human race began which has been so regardless of the rights of generations to come," he said. "All over the world we are destroying the environment, we are damaging the rights of children and grandchildren and a thousand generations to come, but nobody seems to care. "Problems that are before us and are looming large before our children are great. "We cannot disregard our duties as members of the generation that is on the brink of destruction to do whatever we can to spread the word that every religion and every tradition of the human race condemns war." Judge Christopher Weeramantry gave his time freely for organisations that shared his vision, including the World Future Council, the Multi Religious Consultation, as chair, and the International Association of Lawyers against Nuclear Arms, as president. Following his retirement from the ICJ, he joined the High Commissioners of both countries as a patron of the Australia Sri Lanka Council. Those of us who have had the pleasure of working with him remember his deep humility, his acute mind, remarkable capacity and his grace and ease that tended to conceal a steely determination and dedication to see justice done, and to maintain his principles to the extent that it could cost him professional preferment.
The United Nations has warned that ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity are "very likely" under way in the remote Rakhine state of Myanmar, where more than 1 million Rohingya are estimated to live.

The warnings, in response to a military crackdown, are becoming increasingly urgent, yet the Turnbull government has chosen to emphasise the "scale and complexity" of the challenges as the country makes what had been assumed to be a transition to democracy, urging Myanmar to conduct its own investigation.

Rohingya children in a refugee camp in Rakhine, Myanmar. Credit:AP

Such mealy-mouthed rhetoric from Australia only gives succour to the generals' brutality at a time Australia should instead join unequivocally in international demands to halt the violence and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Eyewitnesses have reported shocking cases, including soldiers dragging a woman in labour from her house and beating her in the stomach with a stick, then stomping the baby to death under their boots. In another awful instance, a 25-year-old woman was gang-raped by five soldiers. Her eight-month-old son was killed with a knife after crying out.
Srinagar, Mar 15 (IBNS): Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in an encounter in north Kashmiras Kupwara district on Wednesday morning, police said.

According to reports, a minor girl namely Kaneeza died after she was hit by stray bullets some meters away from the encounter site.

Another boy, Faisal, is said to have received minor bullet injuries. He was later shifted to hospital for advanced treatment.

One police constable identified as Danish Ahmad was also injured in the encounter. He was shifted to Srinagar hospital for treatment.



Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri
Thai customs have confiscated 21 rhino horns with an estimated value of nearly $US5 million ($6.6 million) in the biggest such seizure in Thailand for years, officials said on Tuesday.

Thailand has become a major transit point for the trade in endangered species to other Asian countries.

Thai customs officers with almost $6.6 million of seized rhino horns at the customs office in the Suvarnabhumi airport, Bangkok. Credit:AP

The seizure of the nearly 50 kilograms of rhino horn came days after 300 kilograms of elephant ivory was impounded and a month after the discovery of almost three tonnes of pangolin scales destined for Laos.

"It's the biggest confiscation of rhino horns in five to 10 years," said Somkiat Soontornpitakkool, director of Thailand's Wild Fauna and Flora Protection division.
A former Liberal MP once lauded by Tony Abbott for having "sex appeal" has called on the former prime minister to quit politics, saying he and his backers were destabilising the government.

Dumped Lindsay MP Fiona Scott accused Mr Abbott of backstabbing his colleagues in an attempt to reclaim the Coalition leadership, and suggested his loyalists' conduct was undermining Mr Abbott's legacy.

"This war has to end. If we keep going through who voted for where and how, it means nothing," she told Sky News on Wednesday night.

"It's not going to help our country, it's not going to help our economy ... I think some of these guys need to clock off, and I include Tony Abbott in that, I think it's time he goes.
So how exactly did Yara Shahidi, one of the young stars of ABC's hit comedy Black-ish, get former first lady Michelle Obama to write a letter of recommendation for her university applications? A score any high schooler would die for?

Well, first she just asked - on a stage, in front of a live audience.

Michelle Obama writing your university recommendation letter is something of a perk.

In October, Shahidi, a STEM advocate, appeared onstage with Obama to celebrate 'The International Day of the Girl' at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The event was one of Obama's final events as first lady. Shahidi, who was then deep in the application process that drives so many year 12 students batty, sat on a panel with Obama and Glamour magazine's Cindi Leive.

When the conversation turned to education, Shahidi listened to Obama talk about how much she valued education.
Camilla and Marc could be the next Australian label to launch a major overseas assault, with the designers hinting a US expansion is on the cards.

Speaking to Fairfax Media on the eve of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, Marc Freeman, whose partner is his sister Camilla Freeman-Topper, said the company was experiencing substantial growth.

"Domestically our big focus has been expanding our retail network, while internationally, we have spent a lot of time in North America, which has delivered some great wins, particularly the growth of our business with [department store] Neiman Marcus," he said.

"That's probably all I can say at the moment about our international expansion."
This is the first of a three-part sponsored series on investing in DHA homes. The content is produced by Fairfax in commercial partnership with DHA Housing.The advice contained in this article is for general information only and prospective investors should seek independent advice. Some terms and conditions apply.

A lot of people invest in property because they enjoy the comfort of being able to see and touch their assets, unlike shares for example.

Naval officer Scott Palmer and his wife Monica invested in a DHA property after first living in one. Anyone can invest in a DHA home, not just defence personnel. Credit:Jez Rozdarz

But real-world assets also bring real-world problems such as unexpected maintenance bills, vacancies between rental contracts or difficult tenants.

These and other hiccups demand time and money. Paying a property manager can help smooth out these bumps but property managers vary considerably in the fees they charge and the time and attention they pay to the home.
As she lay on the sand naked, tied up and held down by a man with a knife, a young Brazilian backpacker told herself "I'm not going to die today" and thought of how to escape, a court has heard.

The 24-year-old woman says it felt like she was in a horror movie during the attack that allegedly took place on the rugged sand dunes at Salt Creek in South Australia in February 2016.

A 60-year-old man is on trial accused of sexually assaulting the Brazilian woman, and hitting another female backpacker with a hammer and ramming her with a 4WD that evening.

The Brazilian woman says the man drove them to the remote beach east of Adelaide and set up camp before suggesting they take a walk to spot kangaroos.
The scandal-plagued Sage Institute has confirmed it will close its Victorian campuses after suspending classes and leaving hundreds of students in the lurch.

The private training college announced last week that it would cease trading in Sydney and Brisbane after administrators failed to find a buyer.

A Sage student learns oif the institute's fate. Credit:Jason South

Students in Melbourne were initially told that their classes had been cancelled for seven days while administrators Ferrier Hodgson were "exploring opportunities".

But Ferrier Hodgson has now told students that all Victorian operations have also ceased. It has closed its campuses in Geelong, Richmond, Elsternwick and Collins Street, and now 140 Victorian employees and around 800 students are scrambling for solutions.
How long will your work skills last? Can you develop new skills every 12 to 18 months and what is the return on that investment?

Will universities and vocational education providers keep up as technology transforms job functions and traditional learning approaches?

The concept of a career is being shaken to its core.

Will large employers need to develop internal, online universities that curate content from a range of sources?

I considered these and other questions after reading Deloitte's Global Human Capital Trends 2017 report. "Real-time" learning and careers was second of 10 key trends, up from fifth place a year earlier.
Two trucks were stolen overnight from a truck yard in Airport West, after thieves rammed the gates in the early hours of Thursday morning. .

Stolen some time before 4am, the trucks had trailers attached, which had plumbing excavation equipment on them.

A white Hino tray truck similar to this one remains missing.

Police recovered one of the trucks early Thursday morning after a member of the public - who had heard an appeal on 3AW - spotted the truck in the northern suburb of Oaklands Junction.

The second truck, however, is still missing.
Arun Jaitley Official Twitter Handle

New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who has been recently given the charge of Defence Ministry, while addressing in Rajya Sabha, lashed out at Congress party on Wednesday for their complains regarding formation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Goa and Manipur despite being minority.

Congress had been complaining against the BJP for "stealing mandate" ever since the latter had claimed to form government in both Goa and Manipur.

"It was a hung assembly in Goa and Manipur and it is natural that no one party has a simple majority. It is clear that there were two options for the Governor who could either call the single largest party or a minority led alternative alliance who had the magic figures," Jaitley said.

In Goa BJP got 17 seats to Congress's 13 while in Manipur BJP could manage to win 21 seats in the recently concluded assembly election 2017.

However in both the states, the BJP was supported by other minor parties and independents to form the government.

Referring to the hearing in Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jaitley said: "Even the Supreme Court rejected the plea of Congress as it said it would take two minutes if Congress proves the number."

He even said that the Congress did not even claim to form the government in Goa.

"It is the principle of democracy to form the government of parties touching the magic figure," the Finance Minister added.

Jaitley even cited an example of Jharkhand's hung assembly in 2005 where JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) was called by the Governor to form the government with Congress's support though BJP was the single largest party.

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Monday attacked BJP saying that the saffron party was killing democracy.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi echoed Chidambaram's words on Tuesday and alleged that BJP was forming government in the two states with money powers.

While former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was sworn in as Goa CM on Tuesday, N Biren Singh took oath as Manipur CM on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, seeking to breathe life into its decades-old alliance with the US, claimed "a historic turning point" in bilateral relations after President Donald Trump welcomed Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the White House.

"Relations had undergone a period of difference of opinion," a senior adviser to the crown prince said in a statement after Tuesday's meeting. "However, today's meeting has put things on the right track, and marked a significant shift in relations, across all political, military, security and economic fields."

Sunni Arab leaders are embracing Mr Trump with praise the president isn't finding from other US allies in the world, reflecting an eagerness to reset ties after feeling shunned by President Barack Obama, who crafted the 2015 nuclear deal with their Shiite rival Iran. The Saudi statement said Mr Trump had a "great understanding" of the bilateral relationship. The president and the prince "share the same views on the gravity of the Iranian expansionist moves in the region," the adviser said.

In a statement Wednesday, the White House said that Mr Trump and the prince "directed their teams to explore additional steps across a broad range of political, military, security, economic, cultural, and social dimensions to further strengthen and elevate the United States-Saudi strategic relationship" and to confront "Iran's destabilising regional activities."
Spanish police have seized more than 10,000 weapons of war, including assault rifles, anti-aircraft machine guns, shells and grenades, destined for criminal and terrorist groups in Europe.

The massive haul was seized by Spanish National Police with help from Europol in January, but its scale was only announced on Tuesday (local time) because of the time it took to compile a complete inventory, a police statement said. Five people have been arrested.

Among the cache, police also found hundreds of pistols and revolvers due for modification and "reactivation", as well as spare parts, machines for repairs, tools for changing the weapons' serial numbers and devices for falsifying documents in an illegal workshop.

The weapons were found in the Spanish city of Girona and in undisclosed locations in the provinces of Bizcay and Cantabria.
CAR Study: Toyota Has Major Impact on Kentucky







LEARN MORE: Toyota Kentucky Plant 30 Years Later!

$6.67 billion invested by Toyota over 30 years, nearly 30K jobs supported by automaker statewide

The Center for Automotive Research,(CAR), a national automotive think tank, found that in 2015 every Toyota manufacturing, sales, logistics or support operations job in Kentucky created nearly three more jobs across the Commonwealth.











Direct employees (manufacturing-related and new vehicle jobs) earned $1.8 billion in payroll



After taxes, their disposable personal income totaled $1.4 billion, meaning that money was available to be spent in the Kentucky economy



When those direct employees are combined with jobs at companies that supply TMMK, as well as spinoff jobs, Toyota is estimated to support 29,700 jobs in Kentucky

Toyota continues to invest in facilities across the U.S., which, in turn, has resulted in job growth, said Dr. Jay S. Baron, president and CEO of CAR. This study not only looks at the U.S. as a whole, but, also, digs deep into the economies of the 19 states in which Toyota had significant manufacturing or other operations in 2015  including in Kentucky. For every one employee in Toyotas U.S. manufacturing-related operations there are an additional 6.1 jobs in the U.S. economy.

Also, a new community report shows TMMK has 8,000 employees in Georgetown and produced 501,746 new Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid and Lexus ES350 vehicles in 2016, plus 4- and 6-cylinder engines. Those team members live in 80 Kentucky counties.

Avery Bussell, a TMMK employee for nearly three decades, said the success of the Georgetown plant and the quality vehicles produced there speaks to the dedication of the people who build them.

At Toyota, you dont have to look far to see people going above and beyond to build a great car. Here, its about putting customers first and producing the safest, most reliable vehicles possible.

Whether its team members logging 1,500 volunteer hours for local organizations in 2016, or the $114 million donated to charitable organizations in Kentucky since 1986, Toyota is committed to making the communities where its employees live, work and play the best they can be.

This is an impressive scorecard that reinforces how valued a partner Toyota has been to Kentucky for more than 30 years, said Secretary Terry Gill, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Continued investment and expansion, such as the addition of Lexus and the new production engineering building in Georgetown, make a powerful impact on our people and our communities. We are proud to have Toyota in the Bluegrass State.

Additionally, a 250,000 sq. ft. production engineering campus is expected to be completed in 2017. The building will include a state-of-the-art test lab and innovative work space for about 700 employees.

Investment in America

Over the next three years, TMMK will undergo a major plant makeover that will modernize and streamline the production process. Its part of Toyotas plan to invest $10 billion dollars in the U.S. over the next five years in order to make its plants even more competitive. That investment is on top of $7.1 billion invested in its American facilities since 1996.

In the U.S., CAR found that for every one manufacturing-related Toyota job 6.1 other jobs are supported. National numbers in 2015 were as follows:

 Total employment impact of 470,100 jobs

 U.S. employment supports $32.3 billion in private non-farm payroll income

 Charitable giving totals $700 million to U.S. non-profits since 1996

 Toyota manufactures 12 vehicles in the U.S., as well as engines, transmissions and components

The full report from CAR may be downloaded here.

From Toyota Communications
Volkswagen Driving Brand Realignment at Full Speed +VIDEO

 CEO Matthias Muller: "We are back on track."

 Prospects for 2017: Continue positive developments in operations

 Focus on swift implementation of "TOGETHER - Strategy 2025"

 Fiscal year 2016: New benchmarks in deliveries, revenue and operating result before special items

 CFO Frank Witter: "All brands contributed to the success of the Volkswagen Group by delivering a positive operating result."

WOLFSBURG - March 15, 2017: During a press conference that was broadcast live on TheAutoChannel.com yesterday, VW Group company executives said that the positive result in fiscal year 2016 has given the Volkswagen Group new momentum and optimism as it enters the next phase of its realignment. "The last year was a challenging yet remarkably successful year for us. In 2016 we set the course for the biggest transformation in the history of the company - while at the same time performing better in our operating business than many thought possible. Volkswagen is back on track," said Matthias Muller, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, at the presentation of the 2016 annual financial statements in Wolfsburg. Frank Witter, Member of the Board of Management, responsible for Finance and Controlling, emphasized: "This result demonstrates that the Group is financially equipped to bear the consequences of the diesel crisis. All brands contributed to the success of the Volkswagen Group in 2016 by delivering a positive operating result."

CEO Muller reaffirmed the Group's clear-cut objective of playing a vital role in shaping the future of automobility. "Volkswagen will remain one of the most successful automakers worldwide in 2025. But we will also be a leading international provider of sustainable mobility and set the standards for new mobility services. And what is at least as important to us: We will be a role model in environmental protection, safety, and integrity," stated Muller.

In order to accomplish its long-term goal of becoming one of the world's leading providers of sustainable mobility, the Group launched its 'TOGETHER - Strategy 2025' future programme in 2016. Noticeable progress has been made in all four of the strategy's core fields of action, said Muller: "The transformation of the core automotive business is on track, the new mobility services business unit is taking shape, our traditionally high innovative strength has been given yet another solid boost and financially, we have the realignment process well under control."

A number of projects were launched in recent months to bring the new strategy to life. For instance, the implementation of series structure for all of the Group's major passenger car brands was a milestone in the transformation of our core business.

In addition, numerous forward-looking partnerships got off the ground. The Group is thereby pursuing its entry into the economy segment with strong regional partners: Letters of intent have been signed with Tata Motors in India and FAW and JAC in China. The strategic alliance with Navistar Volkswagen Truck&Bus has opened the door to the important US market for the commercial vehicle segment.

The build-up of new competencies is running at full speed. In this connection, Volkswagen has adopted a multi-stage plan to acquire technological leadership for batteries. This calls for the establishment of a centre of excellence to take place this year and the start of pilot production in 2020. In addition, talks are ongoing regarding the development of partnerships in the area of battery cells; a conclusion to the talks is sought for the current year.

The formation of the 'Autonomous Intelligent Driving GmbH' under Audi represents a milestone for the Group in the autonomous driving segment. Just a few days ago, 'Sedric' was introduced as the Group's first own self-driving car. The Volkswagen brand's intelligent driving has been a signal of the Group's claim to leadership in the fields of electric mobility and digital connectivity since the autumn of 2016. This is clearly demonstrated by the 37 competence centres and digital labs that have now been established worldwide to address automobility of tomorrow. Efforts to expand the mobility solutions business into a new, stable pillar of the Group are on schedule - in particular with MOIA, the company newly established in December, and through the strategic partnership with 'Gett'.

For the current year, the Group aims to step up the pace of its Strategy 2025 implementation: For instance, the SUV campaign already under way will be continued with a total of seven new models. The planned economy vehicle partnerships are expected to commence operations in 2017 with the first models planned for 2018 and 2019. In 2017, the Group is focusing its efforts in mobility solutions on the gradual build-up and expansion of a portfolio of mobility-on-demand services at MOIA.

The transformation of the vehicle and drives portfolio will also be accelerated - with the gradual expansion of e-mobility as a core element. The Group thus has plans for more than ten electrified models in 2017/2018 alone and more than 30 new, entirely battery electric vehicles by 2025. At the same time, the company is working on more efficient combustion engines that will continue to play an important role for a long time to come. This is illustrated by the more than 60 new vehicle models that the Group will launch this year.

"The coming years will be characterized by the profound change that we initiated with 'TOGETHER'. Volkswagen will become faster, more focused, and more customer driven. This will allow us to make much more focused use of the strengths of our multibrand group and its synergy potential than in the past. We will develop new and fascinating mobility solutions. We will launch new vehicles on the market that will become the standard setters for the future. We will establish new business models, tap into new markets, and gradually take on a top position in the automotive world of tomorrow," says Muller.

At the same time, he reaffirmed the financial targets associated with 'TOGETHER - Strategy 2025'. The operating return on sales is expected to increase to seven to eight percent and the return on investment in the automobile sector to more than 15 percent. "We have set ambitious yet realistic targets. Targets that the entire Group feels committed to. We will deliver!" promised Muller.

Key figures for 2016: Best performance despite headwind The Volkswagen Group was able to set a new record for deliveries in fiscal year 2016 - despite all of the challenges from the diesel issue. "We were able to exceed our forecast by delivering 10.3 million vehicles to customers in 2016," said CFO Frank Witter. The delivery figure also includes vehicles sold by the Chinese joint ventures. In 2016, Volkswagen sold 4.0 million units in China (incl. Hong Kong), 12.2 percent more than in the previous year.

The sales revenue of the Volkswagen Group also improved. "With EUR 217.3 billion, it exceeded the expected figure - one we had revised during the year - by around EUR 4 billion," explained Frank Witter. At EUR 14.6 billion, the operating result before special items also exceeded the previous year's figure significantly, due particularly to optimized product costs and improvements in the mix. "We were consequently able to improve our operating return before special items to 6.7 percent," continued the CFO.

Special items totaling EUR 7.5 billion affected the operating result in fiscal year 2016, after a total of EUR 16.9 billion in the previous year. The special items relating to the diesel issue amounted to EUR 6.4 billion in 2016, mainly due to expenses for legal risks.

In the previous year, expenses related to the diesel crisis amounted to EUR 16.2 billion. Witter: Through agreements reached in North America, we have taken a huge step toward overcoming the diesel issue.

The business of the Chinese joint ventures is not included in the Group's sales revenue and operating profit. Because the Chinese joint ventures are consolidated using the equity method, they are reflected solely in the Group's financial result. The Chinese joint ventures achieved a proportional operating result of almost EUR 5 billion in fiscal year 2016 after EUR 5.2 billion in the previous year.

At EUR 0.2 billion, the financial result for 2016 declined by EUR 2.6 billion compared to the previous year. This was mainly due to the income from the sale of Suzuki shares that yielded a distinctly positive effect in 2015. The decline can also be attributed to lower income from the equity-accounted Chinese joint ventures that were negatively impacted by exchange rate effects. The Volkswagen Group's earnings before tax (EUR 7.3 billion) and earnings after tax (EUR 5.4 billion) were once again positive in fiscal year 2016.

With EUR 7.1 billion, the Volkswagen Group's operating result turned positive again as well in 2016, despite special items. The operating return increased from -1.9 to 3.3 percent.

A profit share of EUR 5.1 billion was earned for shareholders of Volkswagen AG (EUR -1.6 billion). Against the backdrop of this development, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend of EUR 2.00 per ordinary share and EUR 2.06 per preferred share to the Annual General Meeting. This corresponds to a distribution ratio of 19.7 percent.

At EUR 12.8 billion (EUR 12.7 billion), investments in property, plant and equipment in the Automobile Division remained at the previous year's level. The ratio of investments in property, plant and equipment (capex) to sales revenue remained unchanged at 6.9 percent. Investments were primarily directed at production plants and at new models. Other investment priorities were the ecological focus of the model range, growing electrification and the modular toolkits.

As forecast, the net cash flow in the Automotive Division was significantly lower than in the previous year, in part because of expenses from the diesel issue. However, the Automotive Division's net liquidity at the end of the reporting period was robust and remained unchanged at EUR 27.2 billion. The return on investment (ROI) rose significantly to 8.2 percent as a result of the improved operating profit at the Automotive Division.

Brands and Business Fields Sales revenue at the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand declined by 0.6 percent year-on- year to EUR 105.7 billion. Operating profit before special items fell to EUR 1.9 (2.1) billion. The decline was mainly attributable to volume-, product mix- and currency-related effects and higher marketing costs as a result of the diesel issue. By contrast, cost savings from the efficiency programme had already a positive impact. The operating return on sales before special items also declined slightly from 2.0 to 1.8 percent.

At EUR 59.3 billion, the Audi brand's sales revenue exceeded the prior-year figure by EUR 0.9 billion. The operating result before special items was EUR 4.8 (5.1) billion. Optimization of costs had a positive impact, the "SPEED UP!" action programme launched in fiscal year 2016 also began to bear fruit. The brand generated an operating return on sales before special items of 8.2 (8.8) percent. The diesel issue resulted in negative special items of EUR -1.8 billion. The financial key performance indicators for the Lamborghini and Ducati brands are included in the financial figures for the Audi brand.

The SKODA brand's sales revenues increased by 9.8 percent in the reporting period to EUR 13.7 billion. Positive volume- and product mix-related effects and the optimization of product costs increased operating profit by 30.9 percent to EUR 1.2 billion. The operating return on sales rose from the previous year's 7.3 percent to 8.7 percent.

SEAT achieved a record sales revenue and operating profit in 2016: At EUR 8.9 billion, sales revenue exceeded the prior-year figure by 3.8 percent. SEAT returned to profit in 2016 with an operating result of EUR 153 (-10) million. Cost reductions and improvements in the product mix, particularly as a result of the success of the new Ateca, more than compensated for negative exchange rate effects. The SEAT brand's operating return on sales was 1.7 (-0.1) percent.

Bentley generated sales revenue of EUR 2.0 billion in 2016, exceeding the equivalent prior- year figure by 4.9 percent. Despite a change in market conditions and the cost of launching the Bentayga, positive exchange rate effects and cost reductions meant that the operating result remained on a par with the previous year at EUR 112 (110) million. The operating return on sales fell slightly to 5.5 (5.7) percent.

Porsche recorded new records once again in fiscal year 2016. At EUR 22.3 (21.5) billion, sales revenue exceeded the prior-year figure by 3.6 percent. Operating profit rose by 13.9 percent to EUR 3.9 billion, due to volume-, product mix- and currency-related effects and a comparatively low cost growth despite expenses for electrification, digitalization and new business fields. The operating return on sales improved to 17.4 (15.8) percent.

At EUR 11.1 (10.3) billion, sales revenue for the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles brand in fiscal year 2016 exceeded the prior-year figure. The operating result improved by 19 percent to EUR 455 million. Volume- and product mix-related effects and product cost optimisation had a positive impact. The operating return on sales rose from the previous year's 3.7 percent to 4.1 percent.

At EUR 11.3 (10.5) billion, sales revenue for the Scania brand in fiscal year 2016 exceeded the prior-year figure by EUR 0.8 billion. Operating profit before special items rose to EUR 1.1 (1.0) billion. Negative exchange rate effects were more than offset by higher vehicle sales and an expansion of the service business. The operating return on sales before special items stood at 9.5 (9.8) percent in the reporting period. Legal risks in connection with the commercial vehicle antitrust proceedings launched by the European Commission gave rise to special items of EUR -0.4 billion.

Sales revenue in MAN's Commercial Vehicles segment in 2016 stood at EUR 10.0 billion, up 1.5 percent on the previous year. Operating profit before special items rose to EUR 230 (-4) million. The operating return on sales before special items was 2.3 (0.0) percent. Restructuring activities in South America led to special items of EUR -0.1 billion; in the previous year, special items of EUR -0.2 billion had been incurred for restructuring measures in Europe. Sales revenue in the Power Engineering segment amounted to EUR 3.6 (3.8) billion. There was a volume- and margin-related decline in operating profit before special items to EUR 194 (283) million. The operating return on sales before special items was 5.4 (7.5) percent. Restructuring activities led to special items of EUR -0.2 billion.

With revenue totaling EUR 27.6 billion (6.4 percent increase), Volkswagen financial services posted a record result in 2016. At EUR 2.1 billion, operating profit exceeded the prior-year figure by 9.6 percent. This Division thus made a substantial contribution to the Group's performance, as it has done in previous years.

Prospects for 2017 The Group believes that deliveries in 2017 will moderately exceed the prior-year volume amid persistently challenging market conditions. Challenges will arise particularly from the economic situation, intense competition in the market, volatile exchange rates and the diesel issue. The sales revenues of the Volkswagen Group is expected to grow by up to 4 percent year-on-year in 2017. In terms of the Group's operating result, Volkswagen anticipates an operating return on sales of between 6.0 and 7.0 percent.

 Press text and images are available for downloading at www.volkswagen-media- services.com

 Facts, figures and information on the Volkswagen Group is available from the 'Navigator' at http://navigator.volkswagenag.com (also available in a tablet, PC and smartphone version)
Consumers Union responds to White House Fuel Economy action







TACH's TAKE: How Can Such Smart People Be So Stupid About Ethanol

TACH's TAKE: The New York Times Buys Into CAFE 54.5 Obfuscation (Orig Published August 14, 2016)

TACH's TAKE: Give Consumers Real Choice; Replace MPG with C.P.M. and Replace Regular(E10) With Flex-Fuel(E85) It's That Simple!





From: Consumers Union Public Policy and Advocacy Division of Consumer Reports

Weakening Fuel Economy Standards Is a Bad Deal for Consumers

WASHINGTON, DC - March 15, 2017: Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports, today responded to the Environmental Protection Agency's withdrawal of its final determination for fuel economy standards for new cars and trucks for model years 2022 through 2025.

Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union, said, "The Administration should reconsider today's action. The EPA finalized the standards after a thorough study of costs and benefits. A decision to withdraw the standards is nonsensical, as it would merely funnel more money to oil companies at consumers' expense and halt the progress that can be made in both savings for consumers and vehicle efficiency. The standards already take the cost into account, and the record shows that they are a reasonable, cost-effective approach to improving fuel efficiency and lowering consumersa expenses.

"EPA conducted a robust review of these standards for nearly two years, taking into account the input from automakers, including thousands of pages of technology and cost assessments, and concluded that the standards were appropriate."By rejecting the EPAas final determination now, its new Administrator is signaling the agency plans to weaken the standards instead."

Consumers Union recently issued a new report (http://consumersunion.org/news/cu-car-affordability-report/);debunking industry claims that fuel economy standards have hurt vehicle affordability. "The study examined the price of vehicles over the last 20 years and found that prices remained steady even as fuel economy improved. The findings show that all households benefit from improved fuel economy, but particularly lower-income households who spend a higher percentage of their income on fuel. Thanks to improved fuel economy, an average new car buyer in 2015 saved $523 in fuel costs annually when compared to an average 2005 vehicle.

As Baker-Branstetter noted, "Fuel economy and safety have both improved while vehicle sales have hit new records and, as our new report shows, entry-level car prices have remained steady.

"Unlike other updates found in today's vehicles -- like new luxury, convenience and technology upgrades -- fuel economy technologies are the only ones that pay for themselves. In our studies of the fuel economy standards, we found consumers could expect significant net fuel savings; up to $3,200 per car and $4,800 per truck; over the life of the vehicle, even with low gas prices. Weakening the standard now would mean consumers would lose out on some of those savings. For middle class families struggling to pay bills, raising costs at the pump is a bad deal.

FULL REPORT:

New Analysis: Fuel Economy Technology Has Lowered Fuel Costs for Consumers, While Vehicle Prices Remained Steady
Guwahati, Mar 15 (IBNS): Former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday confessed that he had done horse trading in 2009 Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

Targeting the BJP after forming government in Goa and Manipur by using coup politics, the former Assam Chief Minister on Wednesday said,, "we did it openly, but BJP did it secretly.



In the Rajya Sabha polls in 2009, two ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rockybul Hussain had done horse trading and it was done on my consent, Tarun Gogoi said.



We had done it openly. But why BJP, who always said Gita-Bhagawat, did it secreatly, Gogoi said.



The former Assam minister said that BJP has snatched power in Manipur and Goa by using black money.



While questioned about Himanta Biswa Sarma for his activities in the last Manipur assembly election, Gogoi said that, overall result of BJP in Manipur was not due to a single person, it was done by the partys poll strategy.



On the other hand, Gogoi criticized the BJP led Assam government for failure of completing NRC process in the state and said that, the state government wouldnt want to complete the NRC in the state.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
Guwahati, Mar 15 (IBNS): Continuing his effort to reach out to various communities who are rendering their valuable services in the State, Arunachal Pradesh governor PB Acharya met the representatives at Raj Bhavan in Itanagar on Tuesday.

People from diverse communities including Assamese, Bengali, Jain, Malayalee, Marwari and Punjabi led by B Dutta, DJ Bhattacharji, Kamal Jain, C Ramesan, Kamal Bajaj and Sukhwinder Singh were present in the meeting.

Chayanika Vaishast of Vivekananda Centre of Human Excellence also attended the meeting.

The governor exhorted them to maintain ones distinct identity, culture and traditions and also concomitantly intermingle with the local communities.

He urged the representatives to strengthen oneself so as to strengthen the society where the communities are rendering their service.

If we dream to make our country strong, we have to respect the peoples diversity as they are with equity. Share the challenges of the local communities, Acharya said.

The governor said that, representatives should advise the people coming from other States to learn few basic words of local dialects in order to attach themselves more closely to the indigenous communities. This also helps in respecting their languages and traditions.

Acharya said that some benefit of their enrichment should go back to the local communities under Citizen Social Responsibilities (CSR).

One needs to have the spirit to serve the Arunachali society and for this, any of the societies can adopt a Government School, orphanage or a hospital and if possible sponsor few underprivileged people and facilitate the illiterate to avail benefits under various schemes of State and Central Governments.

The governor urged upon the social leaders to be nodal agents of Central Government programmes and schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana so that the benefits reaches to every needy person.

He exhorted them to work towards Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and against drug addiction.

Sharing the New India vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the governor exhorted the organizations to join in pledging for New India and express their commitment to take India to new heights of equality, development and prosperity by 2022, the 75th anniversary of Indias Independence.

He called upon each and every member to provide opportunities to the poor and reduce the burden of middle class to enable all to excel to their potential and aspiration.

The society representatives, while appreciating the Governor for his goodwill gesture, requested him for his initiative for the train service to South India, cultural exchange programmes and promotion of Yoga in bigger way.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Guwahati, Mar 15 (IBNS): Security forces apprehended a gun runner from Arunachal Pradesh's Jairampur area on Tuesday, officials said on Wednesday.

Kohima based Defence PRO Colonel Chiranjeet Konwer said that, an intelligence input was received regarding a person carrying large quantity of explosives. Following this, an operation was launched by troops of Jairampur Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of DAO Division.



Security forces apprehended a person identified as Malu Sethi, resident of Ponklasahi, Orissa from Paharpur village in the area.



They have also recovered three kilograms of deadly explosives, detonator, shrapnels and equipment for making IEDs in possession from him.



Two dummy rifles were also found from the gunrunner.



Post spot interrogation he admitted to supplying explosives to terrorist outfits and further admitted to have been convicted previously at Guwahati for similar offences and is on bail for last one year, Colonel Konwer said.



Security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations in the South Arunachal Pradesh and this apprehension has struck a blow to nefarious plans of underground outfits of conducting an IED attack in near future.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
President Donald Trump is set to release his first budget for the fiscal 2018 year on Thursday. But while the media has been portraying it as a battle royale between the left and the right, it may further divide a Republican Party already grappling with health care and tax reform .

Under normal conditions, conservatives would be happy that this budget beefs up the military (an expected increase of $54 billion in defense spending) and homeland security (possibly a wall)but even here, there is conflict and consternation.

Over at The Weekly Standard , Thomas Donnelly and Gary Schmitt argue that The White House has also been conducting a disinformation campaign in concert with the OMB announcement, claiming that the administration's proposal represents a 10-percent, $54 billion increase. But that is to measure the Trump budget by the spending limits set by the 2011 Budget Control Act, not by enacted budgets or Pentagon plans, let alone military necessity.

But that wont be the biggest gripe for conservatives. According to Alan D. Viard, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). this budget proposal ignores the fundamental drivers of the long-run fiscal imbalance [entitlements] and instead focuses on non-defense discretionary spending.

Many conservatives, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, have long argued that fixing entitlements like Social Security, which accounted for about 24 percent of the budget last year, is our most pressing budgetary problem. According to the Heritage Foundation, Without any changes, mandatory spending, including net interest, will consume three-fourths of the budget in just one decade.

In fairness to Trump, he won the presidential election partly because he promised working-class voters he wouldnt touch Social Security or Medicare. Still, by ignoring the money-rich portion of the budget and instead focusing on non-defense discretionary spending, Viard points out that Trump is not grappling with the long-run fiscal problems.

Once you take defense spending and entitlements off the table, and then factor in interest on the debt, youre not left with much.

On top of all of this, we are being treated to another shoddy rollout. Team Trump has done almost nothing to sell this budget in advance. Hes now going to propose cutting all kinds of things (and I agree with many of those cuts), The Weekly Standards Bill Kristol tells me, but [he] has done almost nothing to prepare the way by highlighting examples of waste [or] friendly studies.

Kristol hypothesizes that Trumps inadequate planning may be a product of his business experience. It occurs to me that Trump's actual businesses have been privately held, so he makes deals and he hasn't had to explain or defend those to anyone, he adds.

There will be pushback. A breathless report in The Washington Post this week may serve as a harbinger of things to come: President Trumps budget proposal this week would shake the federal government to its core if enacted, culling back numerous programs and expediting a historic contraction of the federal workforce.

To conservatives, though, shrinking the federal government and reining in the administrative state is a feature, not a bug. Trump deserves credit for actually attempting to do what even Republican presidents have failed to doeven if he has chosen an inelegant manner of doing it.

While its possible to mitigate the force of attacks, the best way to avoid them is to do nothing. Thats not Trumps style. In many ways, he is fulfilling the promises he made on the campaign trail.

Steep cuts likely will affect federal departments such as the Environmental Protection Agency, which in turn will lead to predictable warnings that Republicans dont care enough about the environment.

Even here, though, there is a possibility for an intraparty schism. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican, is reportedly worried that EPA cuts will impact funding for a Great Lakes cleanup program in his state.

The State Department is also expected to take a hit.
MOSCOWThe Investigations Management Center (IMC), housed under a mansard roof on Pokrovka Avenue in the heart of old Moscow, was full of light and buzz one night last week. A senior investigative reporter, Andrei Konyakhin, and his team were about to post one more report unveiling the luxurious lifestyle of top bureaucrats under President Vladimir Putin.

At 7 p.m., when millions of Russians sat down around their dining tables, the Center uploaded one more of its investigations, this time about the royal lifestyle of presidential aide Vladislav Surkov, known as Russias gray cardinal, its eminence grise, and the author of Putinism.

One cannot stay in the gray background for very long, however, when ones wife likes to pose for pictures and post shots of herself on social networks.

The report said that Surkov and his wife, an attractive blonde named Natalya Dubovitskaya, have not one but two spacious houses in an elite, gated community 12 kilometers outside Moscow.

On Monday Konyakhin told The Daily Beast that to conduct that journalistic investigation, the reporters studied photographs on Facebook posted by Natalyas friends and regular guests at the houses, and also checked public data about Surkovs official income.

The familys official annual income of about 17 million rubles (around $300,000) would not be enough to live in such high style, said Konyakhin.

One of the images published by the investigative reporters featured Dubovitskaya and her lady friendsglamorous wives of Russian celebrities and billionairesdressed in the baroque style of the Marie Antoinette era. They could have been at Versailles suggesting the peasants eat cake.

Some of the same ladies are also wearing camouflage and riding on top of a military truck; or aboard a private jet flying to Dubai.

Next stop Mar-a-Lago? Certainly the taste is Trumpian, even if the money is Putinian.

The report also mentioned Russia Today (RT) editor in chief, Margarita Simonyan, as one of the regular guests at Surkovs house.

IMC, founded only a few months ago and funded by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former oil magnate jailed for almost a decade and forced into exile by Russian President Vladimir Putin, uses public sources to document corruption and the abuse of power.

In January, IMC investigative reporter Sergei Kanev was the first to report about the secret life and lucrative business of Maria Vorontsova, one of President Putins two daughters, in downtown Moscow for The New Times, an independent Russian magazine.

Russians are sick of seeing how corrupt the top state officials arethey even dress up like French royalty.

There is a high public demand to see more unveiled secrets about men in power, said Konyakhin, a former journalist with the Russian edition of Forbes.

Almost every week, the country hears about a new high-profile leak or about some scandal involving President Putins close friends. Journalistic investigations expose more yachts, palaces, vast private tracts of land, and private jets enjoyed by top Russian officials.

As the countdown begins to the presidential elections a year from now, Russia seems to be turning into a giant sieve with information pouring through the systems holes.

In less than a week, almost a million internet users viewed the report about Surkov on Facebook, the Russian social network Odnoklassniki, YouTube, and the Echo of Moscow website.

Earlier this month, the Anti-Corruption Fund, a website managed by the key opposition leader Alexei Navalny, accused the former Russian president and current prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, of major corruption.

Navalnys Anti-Corruption Fund reported that Medvedev owned an $85 million mansion outside of Moscow. By Monday, almost 9 million people viewed Navalnys investigation on YouTube.

Last July, Novaya Gazeta, a newspaper famous for its investigations, told Russians about the connection between one of President Putins closest men, the former deputy prime minister and current head of oil giant Rosneft, Igor Sechin, and a beautiful yacht called St. Princess Olga. Sechin, who formerly worked closely with Trumps secretary of State, former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, has for several years avoided any public declaration of his income.

But Sechins wife, Olga Sechina, helped the journalistic investigation by posting on social networks pictures of her good times on the yacht in Italy and in Spain. Novaya Gazeta and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project included Sechinas images and the geo-locations in their joint report.

Novaya insisted that Sechin, one of the Russian officials close to Putin whom journalists called untouchable, spent more money than he made at Rosneft. He took Novaya Gazeta to court and won the lawsuit, obliging the newspaper to deny the allegations of corruption, but not the details of the yacht voyage.

More than 800,000 people read Novaya Gazetas investigation into Igor Sechins property, an impressively large online audience for a newspaper with circulation of only 184,400.

But will any of this have a real impact? Here, too, the situation is reminiscent of whats going on in America.

The genre of investigations is growing very popular, says Pavel Kanygin, a Novaya Gazeta journalist. Reporters unveil the corruption of Putins closest menSurkov, Sechin, Medvev. But society does not seem to be analyzing the corruption of the president yet. He is seen as a father figure, a creator, so the investigations about Putins daughters or Putins palaces just sink under the admiration that surrounds the leader, the creator, who people prefer to keep in the fog of mystery.
Getting called out in an angry tweet by POTUS is quickly becoming a celebrity rite of passage.

Plugged-in citizens who have been waiting for Trumps Twitter fingers to turn to condemning anti-Semitic threats or addressing a rise in xenophobic attacks were disappointed but probably not shocked on Wednesday morning when the President decided instead to drag Snoop Dogg for an incendiary music video. Yes, the leader of the free world didnt just watch Snoops four-and-a-half minute musical satire of an un-presidential clown named Ronald Klumphe also took the time to attack it on Twitter. Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? our President tweeted. Jail time!

For some context, it took Nicki Minaj two whole weeks to clap back at Remy Mas latest diss track. Wouldnt you like to think that the President has more on his plate than Nicki Minaj?

To make matters even worse, Trump was joined in this unbalanced rap battle by Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, who both condemned Snoop for pointing a plastic toy gun at a clown caricature of President Donald Trump in his latest music video. Heres a thought: when going after a legendary rapper, maybe dont bring Ted Cruz along as backup.

While TMZ was busy grilling conservative senators on their hip-hop hot takes, actual rappers came to Snoops defense. In one particularly vivid Instagram, rapper T.I. posted a screenshot of Trumps anti-Snoop tweet, captioned, @snoopdogg is a Fuckin Legend u Fucking Tangerine Tanned Muskrat scrotum skin, Lacefront Possum fur Wig wearing, Alternative fact, Atomic Dog diarrhea face ass man!!!! Leave our legends names out ya fuckin old ass puppy piss smelling ass mouth & continue to focus on dividing minorities, building barriers, alienating immigrants, & fuckin this country up like u been doin.

Tanned Muskrat scrotum skin might be one of the more evocative taunts thats been leveled at 45, but its just the latest in a long line of rap world disses.

While celebrity support for Hillary Clinton was arguably lackluster, come November 9th hip-hop heavyweights were showing up in droves to share their disappointment on social media. Public Enemys Chuck D tweeted, Hitler Is Real #meinTrump. Talib Kweli was in mourning, writing, I was wrong. I thought America couldnt possibly disappoint me more than it already had. But, I was wrong. RIP America. Tinashe was sick. disgusted. heartbroken. And Macklemore, true to form, was incapable of trimming his reaction down to 140 characters, instead Instagramming a lengthy post that culminated in a pledge to fight systemic oppression, empower his daughter, and keep fighting. Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg Instagrammed fuck this shit, asking Drake to hook him up with a Canadian crib.

Snoops Canadian aspirations marked a bit of a departure for the 45-year-old artist. As recently as May 2016, Snoop told The Daily Beast that when it came to the upcoming presidential election, he was still undecided. On the election tip, I dont really have one [candidate], he said. Ive been following lightly, but I dont have a favorite. Either or. Him or her. I dont really care because I dont think theyre going to affect me as much as Im going to affect them. Presidents only matter when they have a pulse on whats going on in the world, and Im always a part of the heartbeat of the world. Pressed for an opinion on the Republican candidate, Snoop added, I like some of the shit hes done and he do, but I dont agree with a lot of the shit that he says, so I have mixed emotions when it comes to him. He says a lot of shit where you go, OK, that makes sense, and then he says a lot of shit where go, Damn, that makes no sense, so I dont really get him. Im not a fan and not a hater.

The rappers ambivalence might be traced back to the fact that Trump clearly considered him a pal. In a 2010 Larry King interview, Trump agreed 100 percent with Kings categorization of Snoop as a super guy, adding, He does his thing and he does it well. And while Snoop famously participated in the real estate tycoons 2011 Comedy Central roast, mocking the Trump familys history of anti-black discrimination, the two appeared to be on relatively good terms at the time.

Snoops transformation from apolitical King of Kush to disappointed citizen to presidential Twitter target reflects a larger trend in the hip-hop community. After all, before he earned a paltry 8 percent of the black vote, Trump was an alleged friend of the African-American celebrity community who counted hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rapper Sean Combs among his token pals.

In a 2015 article appropriately titled Rise of Donald Trump Divides Black Celebrities He Calls His Friends, Simmons shared his nickname for TrumpRichie Richa vestige from an era before Simmons felt the need to publicly denounce the presidential candidate in a strongly-worded open letter. Donald Trump is like any other white guy who brags about all of his black friends, except hes much worse. While other self-proclaimed allies might wear a BLM Livestrong or retweet Kamala Harris, Trumps advocating giving power back to the police and threatening to send the feds into Chicago. Plus, against all odds, Donald Trumps opinions actually matter, because hes the President of the United States.

While Trump has a history of courting famous people and even lying about his celebrity connections, his love for the hip-hop community was, for a time, actually reciprocated. Long before he ran on an openly xenophobic platform, bragged about grabbing women by the pussy, and took shots at Beyonce, Trumps name functioned as a shorthand for wealth, business acumen, and the American hustle. According to a 2016 FiveThirtyEight roundup, Trump had been referenced in 266 tracks dating back to 1989. At the peak of his referential power, 2013, the real estate magnate got 33 separate hip-hop shout-outs.

In 1998s Three Strikes You In, Ice Cube rapped, Im just trying to get rich like Trump. One year later, Nas rhymed, The best couple they seen since Trump and Marla Maple. On other tracks, Lil Kim bragged about staying at the Trump International, Jeezy called himself Donald Trump in a white tee and white 1s, and Jay Z was self-appointed the ghettos answer to Trump. But around 2010, Trump-related lyrics started to take a turn. Future political loose cannon Kanye West preached, Donald Trump taking dollars from yall on 2010s So Appalled. Come 2015, Rick Ross was rapping, Assassinate Trump like Im Zimmerman. But hip-hop DJT takedowns understandably peaked in 2016, as epitomized by YGs incredibly catchy Fuck Donald Trumpthe rallying cry that kicked off Snoop Doggs show at the 2016 DNC unity party in Philly last year.

While Jay Z may have aspired to be like Trump in the past, by 2016 he was appearing at Clinton campaign rallies to tell crowds that, [Donald Trump] cannot be our president. But the clearest indicator of prevailing hip-hop sentiment came when Kanye West was dragged, cancelled, and thoroughly called out for meeting with the president-elect in Trump Tower last December. While Mr. Kim Kardashian initially attempted to defend his actions, he ultimately deleted all of his tweets about the infamous summitnot surprising given the sheer quantity and force of fan backlash.

Clown-centric music videos aside, its quickly becoming clear that the hip-hop community isnt kidding around when it comes to Donald Trump.
The long-simmering war between Sens. John McCain and Rand Paul boiled over on Wednesday when the Arizona lawmaker directly accused his colleague of working for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While speaking from the Senate floor in support of a bill advancing Montenegros bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), McCain noted objection from his Kentucky colleague, saying that if you oppose the measure, You are achieving the objectives of Vladimir Putin... trying to dismember this small country which has already been the subject an attempted coup.

McCain continued: If they object, they are now carrying out the desires and ambitions of Vladimir Putin and I do not say that lightly.

Several moments later, after the 80-year-old senator asked for unanimous consent to move the bill forward, Paul took the mic to raise his objection before dramatically exiting the room.

In response, McCain began railing against Paul, his voice trembling with anger: I note the senator from Kentucky leaving the floor without justification or any rationale for the action he has just taken. That is really remarkable, that a senator blocking a treaty that is supported by the overwhelming numberperhaps 98, at least, of his colleagueswould come to the floor and object and walk away.

He then directly connected Paul to the Russian government: The only conclusion you can draw when he walks away is he has no justification for his objection to having a small nation be part of NATO that is under assault from the Russians.

So I repeat again, the senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, a McCain spokesperson clarified the senators words, writing: Senator McCain believes that the person who benefits the most from Congresss failure to ratify Montenegros ascension to NATO is Vladimir Putin, whose government has sought to destroy the NATO alliance, erode confidence in Americas commitments to its allies, overthrow the duly-elected government of Montenegro, and undermine democratic institutions throughout Europe.

His office further stated: Senator McCain, and certainly the people of Montenegro, would appreciate an explanation from Senator Paul as to why he sought to prevent this small, brave country from joining in the defense of the free world.

In response, Paul avoided the over-the-top nature of McCains initial attack, instead commenting on the policy issue at hand. Currently, the United States has troops in dozens of countries and is actively fighting in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen (with the occasional drone strike in Pakistan), he told The Daily Beast.

In addition, the United States is pledged to defend 28 countries in NATO. It is unwise to expand the monetary and military obligations of the United States given the burden of our $20 trillion debt.

Pauls NATO-skeptic words notably echo those of President Trump, who ran on backing away from involvement with the alliance, having called it obsolete and lamented how it costs us a fortune. McCain, of course, vehemently opposed such words.

The Arizona senators brusk accusation is the latest controversy to emerge from the Senate floor. Little more than a month ago, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cut off Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren as she read a 1986 letter from Coretta Scott King suggesting Sen. Jeff Sessions actively worked to block the black vote.

Citing a Senate rule against impugning the motive of a colleague, McConnell reprimanded Warren. The majority leaders office did not immediately respond to request for comment on whether McConnell plans to similarly punish McCain for suggesting his colleague works for the Russian government.
New York, Mar 15 (Just Earth News): Human trafficking thrives in countries where the rule of law is weak or non-existent, top United Nations officials on Wednesday told the Security Council, calling on Governments to make better use of the tools created under the UN flag to stop the victimization of men, women and children.

At a time of divisions in so many areas, this should be an issue that can unite us, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the 15-member Council, stressing that slavery is not a thing of the past.

Let us come together around the key issues of prosecution, protection and prevention, and thereby build a future without human trafficking, he added.

The Secretary-General outlined a number of UN tools that exist which can be used to punish human trafficking, and to prevent it in the first place. Among them is the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol, which includes the first internationally agreed definition of the crime of trafficking in persons and provides a framework to effectively prevent and combat it.

He noted also the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions and the complementary Global Plan of Action on Human Trafficking. Approved in 2010, the Plan aims to better coordinate national responses to this scourge, and includes a UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

In his speech, Guterres called on Member States to strengthen intelligence-sharing and other law enforcement, while also addressing the underlying vulnerabilities of victims, such as educating girls, respecting the rights of minorities, and creating safe paths for migration.

He also called for engagement with the private sector, and cautioned that any support needs to incorporate the voices and views of the people effected.

According to UNODCs 2016 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, issued in late-December, victims of trafficking are found in 106 of 193 countries. Many of these are in conflict areas, where the crimes are not prosecuted.

For organized crime networks, human trafficking is a low-risk, high-reward criminal business, a perception reinforced by the inexcusably low conviction rates still reported around the world, told the Council Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC via videoconference from Vienna.

In addition to an estimated 21 million people around the world who are victims of forced labour and extreme exploitation, Fedotov discussed the threats facing refugees and displaced persons.

As conflict displaces countless people, as the rule of law breaks down, as cooperation between countries falter, criminals see a clear business opportunity, he noted.

The best way to counter trafficking and protect the most vulnerable is to fully implement and make sure of the frameworks already in place, Fedotov underscored.

He noted that the Global Plan of Action will be reviewed this October, and will focus on trafficking in conflict situations.

I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity, Fedotov told the Council.

Among the numerous speakers addressing the UN body on Wednesday is Ashraf El Nour, Director, International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Photo: UNICEF/Donna DeCesare

Source: www.justearthnews.com
Seth Meyerss A Closer Look segment is almost always about Donald Trump. Tonight, he had a couple things to say about Rep. Steve King.

This week, the Iowa Republican caused a firestorm by tweeting his support for Geert Wilders, known as the Dutch Trump, the Netherlands answer to American white nationalism. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies, King wrote, drawing a soft rebuke from House Speaker Paul Ryan , but not from the president.

Calling the tweet overtly racist, Meyers directed his comments to King: Youre a 67-year-old man. All the babies are someone elses babies. And by the way, we can restore our civilization with somebody elses babies: Beyonces. Shes having twins and if Im reading the prophecy correctly, they will save us all.

Steve King, what are you so worried about? the Late Night host continued. Your district is 96 percent white. Youre basically the manager of the worlds largest Williams-Sonoma. Iowas 4th District couldnt be any whiter if you carpet-bombed it with Crest Whitestrips.

For anyone still wondering if your tweet was racist, Meyers added, You got a shoutout from David Duke. As a general rule of thumb, when the former grand wizard of the KKK chimes in to say he agrees with you, its time to re-examine your stance. If you make a pork chop and Guy Fieri says, This is delicious, throw out the recipe!

Why does everyone arguing for white supremacy look terrible? Meyers wanted to know, flashing images of King, Trump, Duke, and Steve Bannon on the screen. Look at these guys. It looks like someone left the master race in a toaster oven. They all look like the guy at an AA meeting who complains about how they used to have better coffee.

Finally, Meyers concluded, We dont need to restore our civilization. We need to restore our civility.
Refugee advocates are looking to get a federal judge to block Trumps second travel ban before it startsand theyre citing a top administration official to make the case.

On Wednesday, March 15the day before implementation of the new executive order blocking people from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.lawyers for a group of civil rights and refugee advocacy groups will square off against attorneys for the Justice Department in oral arguments at a federal court in Maryland.

The result could determine whether or not Trumps new travel ban actually goes into effectdespite a number of changes made since the first botched roll-out.

But one of Trumps top advisers, Stephen Miller, downplayed those changes during an interview on Fox News last month and that decision may have given activists the opening they need.

Fundamentally, youre still going to have the same basic policy outcome for the country, he said in an interview with host Martha MacCallum on Feb. 21. But youre going to be responsive to a lot of very technical issues that were brought up by the court.

Miller added that there would be only minor technical differences between the first executive order and its replacement.

The new travel ban , introduced on March 6, doesnt impact people who currently have visas or green cards. It also removed Iraq from the list of banned countries.

But, like the previous order, it dramatically slashed the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. this year, and it only impacted countries with majority-Muslim populations.

Cecillia Wang, the ACLUs deputy legal director, noted Millers comments on a Tuesday conference call with reporters as an indicator the new travel ban could have the same legal troubles as the old one. And Melissa Keaney, an attorney for the National Immigration Law Center, told reporters that she thinks the new bans changes wont satisfy judges.

This intent remains the same, she said.

Allowing more lead time to discriminate doesnt make the discrimination any less harmful or unlawful, she added.

But Miller isnt the only Trump ally to make life harder for Justice Department attorneys. Rudy Giuliani, a top campaign surrogate, famously told Fox News host Judge Jeanine Pirro that he helped Trump put the first order together as a way of legally banning Muslims. And Trump himself told CBN Newss David Brody that his administration would give Christian refugees preferential treatment over Muslims. Opponents of the executive order cited both clips frequently.
If Texass legislature wont fund rape kit testing, then Texans will, a local lawmaker hopes.

Texas Rep. Victoria Neave, a Dallas Democrat, has introduced new legislation aimed at testing the thousands of rape kits stored in Texas laboratories. After a slowdown in funding, the state fell far behind in its efforts to run lab tests on every kit.

The backlog in kit testing means a backlog in justice for sexual assault victims, many of whom agree to the invasive tests in the hope that their assailants will be identified. With little new funding on the horizon, Neaves bill would look to Texas for crowdfunding.

Its really horrifying that we find ourselves in a situation where evidence testing for survivors is reliant on charitable donations by the public, Kristen Lenau, response coordinator for SAFE, an Austin-based support group told The Daily Beast.

We believe the onus to test this evidence is on the state and local governments. But also as advocates for survivors, were in support of anything thats going to get them a little close to the justice and the resolution they deserve.

The bill would prompt Texas drivers to donate a dollar or more to the states rape kit funds when they applied for or renewed their license. The state already has a similar program in place for veterans funds, which generates approximately $1 million each year. Neave and the bills backers hope their own program could scrounge up another million for rape victims.

Ideally, the state would not need to crowdfund its justice efforts at all. In 2011, Texas launched an effort to crack down on the major backlog, which saw some 20,000 untested rape kits stored in Texas crime labs. The state passed a law requiring investigators to conduct forensic tests on all evidence from sexual assaults within 30 days, and awarded the Texas Department of Public Safety an $11 million grant to test all rape kits collected from 1996 to 2011.

But the grant wasnt enough. Decades of backlog overwhelmed crime laboratories.

What that tells us is that for many years, sexual assault evidence and sexual assault survivors were not taken as seriously as we would like them to be, Lenau said. There is a story of neglect here around sexual assault survivors.

As of January 31, 2017, over 3,600 of the pre-2011 kits remained untested, state records show. Meanwhile, the backlog of new rape test kits is growing again.

That did put a dent in the backlog looking backward, Chris Kaiser, Director of Public Policy for the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault told The Daily Beast of the 2011 grant. But were at a point now where we need to continue our commitment so we dont recreate a backlog of untested kits.

The state lacks hard numbers on how many total rape kits remain untested, although Kaiser estimates the state is looking at a crisis on par with 2011.

Its not unlikely that if we were to do an audit now, it would show more untested kits than in 2011, Kaiser said. At least in the 20,000 range, quite possibly more.

But funding 20,000 rape kit tests will require more than a few dollars from generous Texas drivers. A kit costs between $500 to $2,500 to test, depending on how much DNA evidence it contains, a Neave spokesperson told The Daily Beast. A conservative estimate would put 20,000 tests at $10 million, although costs could easily balloon to $50 million.

A preliminary 2018 state budget suggested allocated $4.2 million for rape kit tests, Neaves office told The Daily Beast. Texas has also relied on out-of-state grants, like a $2 million grant from the Manhattan District Attorneys Office to the city of Austin for rape kit testing in 2015.

The piecemeal funding has real consequences for sexual assault survivors.

Its not great news, to be frank, Kaiser, whose organization does advocacy for survivors. Our programs that advocate for people through the criminal justice system have to be really honest with people when they go through that process. We have to tell them we dont often know how long it will take.

Kaiser warns victims testing could take quite a long time.

Here in Austin, the experience very often is that in the course of a year and a half of prosecution, by the time its set for trial, the forensics still arent back. That affects the prosecutors ability to go to trial, said Kaiser. If you dont have the forensics on time, your options are limited.

An extra million in donations from Texas drivers could fund a significant number of cases, Lenau said. But she and her colleague Victoria Berryhill questioned why the state would not afford sexual assault survivors the same resources as the victims of other crimes.

While we support any legislation that is going to help us seek justice for survivors, Berryhill said, what other violent crime relies on charitable donations from state citizens?
Marvels Iron Fist doesnt premiere on Netflix until Friday, but the shows racial politics have already sparked debate for years.

As far back as 2014, a vocal contingent of fans have called for the traditionally blond-haired, blue-eyed martial-arts superhero, created by comic book writer Roy Thomas and artist Gil Kane, to be realized onscreen by an Asian-American actor. The website Nerds of Color published a plea for Marvel to consider the change that year, and helped launch an online movement in the hashtag #AAIronFist.

The piece, by writer Keith Chow, laid out the case: By casting an Asian-American lead, Marvel and Netflix would avoid the uncomfortably dated tropes of the characters 1970s origins. Orientalism, cultural appropriation, and the white savior fantasy (in which a displaced white foreigner comes to a new land, adapts to its ways, often surpasses the natives in skill, and becomes their leader or last hope/samurai/Mohican, etc.) would go poof.

The parts of Iron Fists backstory integral to his identity, meanwhile, could be preserved: his parents tragic deaths, his New York billionaire upbringing, his gift for martial arts, and his difficulty fitting in. Even his training in the mystical Asian city of Kun-Lun would be lent more depth, as writers like Comics Alliances Andrew Wheeler argued: A white American Danny Rand has to appropriate Asian heritage; an Asian-American Danny Rand gets to reconnect with it.

Still, Netflix and Marvel chose to stick to the characters comic-book depiction, casting Game of Thrones actor Finn Jones for the part. Onscreen, little about comic book Danny has changed. Hes still orphaned in a plane crash and raised by the monks of Kun-Lun, where he defeats a dragon and becomes the latest in a long line of Iron Fists. He returns to New York 15 years after his supposed death and becomes a chi-harnessing, Buddhist-quote-dropping, kung fu-wielding superhero. With blue eyes.

Yet Jones, for his part, asserts quite passionately that he sympathizes with fans frustrations at Hollywoods penchant for white saviors. While Iron Fist comes at an awkward timeso soon after the debacle of Matt Damons Great Wall and just before Scarlett Johanssons manga-originated role in Ghost in the Shellhe insists this story is different.

I am the first to stand up for more diversity in television shows, especially when it comes to Asian actors, he says, sitting beside his Iron Fist co-star Jessica Henwick (who plays Japanese martial artist Colleen Wing) on a wintry afternoon in New York. I get that and I stand up for it. But I think people will find that what were doing with the show addresses those issues intentionally. We actually talk about those issues and we try to address them, rather than just being the white savior and coming in and going, Oh, Dannys gonna take care of everything!

Well, actually, he continues, breaking into a chuckle, he tries, but thats one of his flaws. We dont celebrate that. Danny may come in and be like, I can fix this! But its not something the show celebrates.

In the first six episodes released to critics, Danny does exude a kind of childish naivete. Hes earnest, idealistic, and often overly confident. He waltzes into complicated situations with what he believes are easy solutions, whether at high-stakes business meetings or in Colleen Wings dojo. Hes immature, a bit of a mansplainer, and severely lacking in self-awareness.

Danny Rand cant even save himself, let alone an entire race of people, Jones says. And I think that really is what runs through the storyline. So I understand the issues, I respect them, and I stand up for what people are shouting against. But I just wish that people would see the whole picture before commenting on the headline, you know?

I understand it, he reiterates. We live in a world right now which is incredibly unequal. Incredibly unequal. That knee-jerk reaction is because of a much wider injustice politically, economically, and culturally. So I get where that comes from. I just think, in the world theres a larger picture right now that people need to see before they just comment on the headlines.

No explicit acknowledgment of cultural appropriation issues comes in those first six episodes (therell be 13 total this season). But both Jones and showrunner Scott Buck (Dexter, Six Feet Under) say a key change to the demographics of Kun Lun, the city where Danny trains and which is only accessible through a secret portal in the Himalayas, helps diffuse the situation.

What you may not know about Kun-Lun yet is that in our version of the story, Kun-Lun isnt predominantly an Asian culture, Jones says. Kun-Lun is a diverse place with people from all over the worldSouth America, Europe, Asians, and Caucasian people all reside in this place.

Its a celestial city that exists in another dimension and because of that theres nothing that we felt made it specifically Chinese or Tibetan, says Buck, in a later phone conversation with The Daily Beast. We certainly modeled it after Tibetan monasteries, but it felt like we just naturally wanted to open it up to make it a little more diverse just because it gives us a lot more options in writing about it, I believe.

The entry to the city is somewhere in Asia but that doesnt necessarily mean its an Asian city, wholly, he concludes.

On the issue of casting, Buck says he wasnt aware of fans calls for a nonwhite lead until after Jones was castdespite early reports that Marvel and Netflix did meet with several Asian American actors, before ultimately deciding to keep Danny white.

To me it was just about finding the best actor for that, says Buck. It wasnt until after we cast Finn that I became aware that there had been, you know, some controversy over that.

I understood where it was coming from, he says, but we just werent thinking in that way, at least I certainly wasnt. I was just concentrating on the story and who would be a great actor to play this character.

Buck says he and his writers certainly wanted to avoid any stereotypes in their treatment of Danny and Colleen, but their No. 1 priority was always to write simply the best story we possibly could about these two complicated characters.

For me at least, that was part of the reason I wanted to make Colleen such a strong character, he says, because here we do have an Asian lead who is a martial arts expert and is every bit the match for Danny Rand. Even without that added pressure, I would have done the same thing because it was a character I found really compelling and fascinating.

Jones goes a step further: Danny needs Colleen I think more than Colleen needs Danny, he says. Danny is in complete pieces and he needs the strong women around him to kind of hold him up and help him get through this adjustment in his life, this transition of coming from boy to man and taking hold of his responsibility.

His first point, at least, rings true. In the first six episodes, Colleen Wing is the shows real street-level hero: shes steel-tough, complicated, and invested in her community. While Danny breaks into luxury brownstones and strolls through Midtown high-rises trying to take back his familys billions, Colleen runs a dojo that keeps at-risk youth off the street.

Like Danny, Colleens life is also split between two cultures, in her case Japanese and American. For Henwickbest known for her roles on Game of Thrones (she plays Nymeria, one of the Sand Sisters) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (as rebel X-Wing pilot Jessika Pava)this is something of a departure.

Ive always made a point to play roles that arent specified by their ethnicity, she says. With [Colleen], it was the first role in quite a while that was defined by her culture. She was raised in Japan and now she lives in New York, and those are two polar opposite cultures.

Henwick has heard fans concerns about cultural appropriation in Iron Fist, she says. Its an issue she broaches delicately.

Look, she begins, slowly. I am Asian. (Jones bolts up next to her in faux-shock at this, making her laugh: Whaaaat?)

I am Asian and I am an actor, she continues. If anyone understands, its me. I have faced it in my career. Ive been working eight years and Ive experienced it firsthand, the disparity when it comes to Asian representationeven more than that, Asian misrepresentation.

But I also have seen what Finns done in this role and I honestly, honestly think that he smashes it out the park.

Jones promises that, as Iron Fist progresses, new characters from all over the globe join the action. Like, we have a very diverse cast, he says, to nodding agreement from Henwick: I think we have the most diverse cast out of all the Netflix Marvel shows, she says.

I remember just working with [the actors], thinking, Fuck me! This is great! Jones says. Like, look at all these powerful female roles. I think this is essentially a feminist fucking show.

He then turns to Henwick, eyes wide and gesticulating. I think its also really important that people can identify with roles like yours, he tells her. With female roles or Asian roles, so people can look at television and be inspired by what they see because theyre being represented in a very strong and not-stereotyped way.

I really think the show is gonna, hopefully, transcend all of the noise that is out there at the moment, Jones says, a touch of Danny Rand-style earnestness in his voice. Because that was the intention. The intention was never to create something that didnt represent people, that didnt represent cultures.

Henwick nods again, this time adding an emphatic Yeah.

The intention has always been good, he says. So I just hope people will understand that.
The morning after Rachel Maddow presented the first interview with David Cay Johnston who had obtained a portion of Donald Trumps 2005 tax returna scoop accorded front-page treatment by The New York Times and whined about by Trump and the White House, but also panned in certain journalistic circles for alleged overhyping in the cheesy tradition of reality showsMaddow had no regrets.

When youre in the middle of a big story thats getting national attention, you expect people to throw all sorts of stuff around, she told The Daily Beast on Wednesday. Honestly, the thing Im focused on, and the only thing I can be focused on, is getting the story right. Im really, really, really psyched that we broke this story.

Maddow added: This is the first tax return we have from the president, and its really important that he hasnt released his taxes. And there are real concernsof a small, medium, and large varietyabout why he ought to release his taxes. And if this is available, we might expect other tax documents to be made available, too, and this will continue to haunt him through his presidency until he releases more full financial information.

While Maddow is entitled to take pride in being the first on TV to bring new information to the ongoing discussion of President Trumps business and financial conduct, she has also been the target of criticism for the manner in which she did itstaging a tantalizing big buildup that her detractors suggested amounted to overpromising and under-delivering.

Perhaps the harshest critiqueby Slate.com television critic Willa Paskin, who was not alone in comparing Maddows revelation to Geraldo Riveras comically ill-fated opening three decades ago of Al Capones vaultcarried the headline Rachel Maddow Turned a Scoop on Donald Trumps Taxes Into a Cynical, Self-Defeating Spectacle.

Several viewers complained that Maddow waited until nearly her shows halfway point to get to the meat of the matter. Eric Stangel, a former executive producer and head writer for David Letterman, tweeted: It takes less time to fill out your taxes than for Rachael Maddow to get to whats in Trumps taxes.

On the other hand, Poynter Institute media critic James Warren chided Maddows social media kibitzers for their mix of impatience and internet-fueled craving for instant gratification. Why didnt she give it to us sooner and quicker?! How dare she?! Were they miffed that she was taking them away from NCIS: New Orleans or This Is Us? Or the American Masters profile of Carole King on PBS?

Warren added: Sheesh, it wasnt that long ago that papers held great stories for days to exploit a larger Sunday audience. She milked what she had, which was interesting if not blockbuster. Big deal.

Maddow, for her part, told The Daily Beast: We broke the story correctly, were totally transparent about what we got, making it available in a way that made its importance understandable, and didnt either understate or overstate the meaning of this new piece of the Donald Trump financial puzzle.

She added with a dry laugh: If people like me or dont like me, I will have a better or worse chance of making friends with them somewhere down the roadat a cocktail party I wont go to.

Maddow had teased her news with a sensational, Twitter-detonating tweet at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday nightBREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns. Tonight, 9pm ET. MSNBC. (Seriously).suggesting to some that she was about to rip the cover off the presidents potentially troublesome financial behavior and whether, and just how much, he might be indebted to various Vladimir Putin cronies or reaping riches from other foreign entanglements.

The cable network heightened the melodramaa thrilling spectacle of radical transparency being forced upon a puffed-up president who has spurned four decades of democratic traditionby displaying a countdown clock onscreen, breathlessly marking the seconds until the broadcast of Maddows highly rated eponymous prime-time program.

At 8:24 p.m., Maddow tweeted againWhat weve got is from 2005... the Presidents 1040 form... details to come tonight 9PM ET, MSNBCa welcome clarification, but still hinting at a deep dive into The Donalds dark money mysteries.

But by the time Maddow finally brandished the first two pages of Trumps 1040 form and began discussing them with financial journalist and Daily Beast contributor David Cay Johnstonwhod discovered them in an envelope in his postbox at home, mailed anonymously by someone apparently in Trumps orbitit was clear that this would be only an outline, albeit an illuminating one, of the presidents intricate financial portrait.

But the big reveal didnt happen until 22 minutes into the hour-long show, after Maddow had introduced the topic with a typically detailed disquisition and thrown to a commercial.

By then, The Daily Beast had already published details of Maddows exclusivethat Trump, in a joint return with his then-new bride Melania, had in 2005 paid $38 million in taxes on $153 million of incomeand the White House had already issued a statement confirming the details, claiming they proved Trump is one of the most successful businessmen in the world but condemning Maddows report (erroneously, as usual) as totally illegal.

As soon as they realized that we were going with it, they tried to put it out with their own spin and tried to make it their own story, Maddow remarked about Trumps minions.

While Maddow was on the air doing her show, White House press secretary Sean Spicer and his team added an insult for good measure: You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the lawagain, no law was violatedto push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago.

Maddow recounted: The White House gave us the statement that I read in full on the air, and then after they gave us that statement they added that little snarky line about being desperate for ratings, and then they told reporters that NBC omitted this line from the statement when Maddow gave her report. They actually didnt include that line when they gave us the statement, but added it later and said we omitted it. Im just talking about their process.

Spicer didnt respond to a text message seeking comment.

Maddow said that when Johnston alerted her show on Monday to his interesting find, and offered to let her break the news, we gave it a qualified yes, provided we could verify it according to our own standards and were comfortable that we had met the NBC standards.

Maddow said she and her research staff worked overnight Monday and all day Tuesday to assure themselves that the tax return was genuine, consulting with outside experts before contacting the White House.

We knew that was the bell we had to ring before we could go with it, Maddow said. There were a number of scenarios. They might have no-commented or said outright it was fake.

If the White House had done either, We were ready with a whole different show that was not about tax returns, Maddow said. We had a whole different A-block ready to go, wed booked different guests. But at the very last minute we were comfortable that we had the verifications that we needed.

Maddow slipped into the anchor chair just as her show went on the air. You saw that I looked sort of flustered, she said. I literally sat down four seconds before 9 oclock. I was still heavy-breathing from running from makeup.

During the broadcast, Johnston acknowledged he didnt know where the presidents 11-year-old 1040 had come from, and raised the possibility that it had been provided at the direction of Trump himself.

Maybe it was Trumps way of certifying his frequently questioned claims of multibillionaire status and deflecting from unwelcome reports concerning allegations about campaign collusion with Russians and his baseless accusation that Barack Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower.

Indeed several observers, notably Donald J. Trump Jr., spun Maddows report as a perverse positive.

Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! the presidents elder son tweeted after her show went off the air.

Meanwhile, an op-ed posted by CNBC, MSNBCs sister network, was headlined Donald Trump just got a nice victory, thanks to, of all people, Rachel Maddow.

Could Maddowby spotlighting a 1040 form showing that Trump was not only rich, but he paid substantial taxeshave been played by a president who, in his former life as a tabloid star, was a cunning and deceptive media manipulator?

Theyre real documents, so we didnt, by definition, get played, Maddow said. We have no idea what the source of the documents is.
The word tranny doesnt bother me anymore.

Neither do the pundits and bloggers who peddle pseudoscience to try to delegitimize transgender identity, despite overwhelming medical evidence of its legitimacy.

Hatred of the other has been around for a while and, given polling data showing that younger Americans overwhelmingly support transgender rights, the more overt forms of anti-trans prejudice will only fade or move to the margins of society over time.

But liberal transphobia is terrifying. It may be milder but it is far more insidious, able to travel unrecognized within circles of people who should know better than to further marginalize the already marginalized. And ever since the electionperhaps especially since the electionit has been out in full force.

Most recently, we witnessed it when Nigerian author and feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie conspicuously avoided saying that transgender women are women during a Channel 4 News interviewand in not one, but two Facebook clarifications thereafterciting tired, decades-old arguments about privilege and socialization.

So when people talk about, you know, are trans women women? my feeling is trans women are trans women, Adichie said in her Channel 4 News segment last Friday. I think if youve lived in the world as a man with the privileges that the world accords to men and then sort of changedswitchedgender, its difficult to accept for me that then we can equate your experience with the experience of a woman who has lived from the beginning in the world as a woman and who has not been accorded those privileges that men are.

Apparently worried about how those remarks might come off, Adichie added that she believes that transgender women should be allowed to be.

Transgender people have long endured opposition from certain feminists who tout these talking points, but Adichiewhose words were sampled in a 2013 Beyonce singlewas a more surprising figure to give voice to this argument.

And Adichie's was just the latest in a long series of examples of the left turning on transgender people precisely when they are at their most vulnerable.

First, there as the kneejerk urge to pin the outcome of the 2016 election on the fight for transgender equality, dismissing the bathroom debate as a distraction that drove anti-PC elements of the electorate into Trumps arms.

The far-right gleefully trumpeted that narrative, which was to be expected, but it gained a foothold outside of those circles as well. As transgender writer Katelyn Burns summarized for The Establishment, Everyone from Saturday Night Live to The New York Times to The Washington Post joined in, blaming Hillary Clintons loss on the fight for a safe place, thereby abandoning a core human rights issue.

Colin Jost joked on SNL that Tinder adding gender identity options is why Democrats lost the election and, most memorably, Columbia professor Mark Lilla claimed in a widely-read op-ed that America is sick and tired of hearing about liberals damn bathrooms.

HBO host Bill Maher had even primed the pump for this narrative in advance, referring to the bathroom debate as one of many risky boutique issues in an Armageddon election.

But that narrative, of course, was ridiculous. Blaming transgender people for Trump is a bit like blaming global warming on polar bears. As weve seen so far, transgender people have been one of the Trump administrations first targetsand theres no data whatsoever to suggest they were not one of its primary causes, as Boston Globe columnist Joan Vennochi observed.

If anything, theres reason to believe that visible public support for transgender people was a deciding factor in the opposite direction: As author Jennifer Finney Boylan pointed out, there was really only one [2016] race in which LGBT rights played a major role, and North Carolina governor Pat McCrorywho championed his states notorious bathroom billis now out of a job and reportedly having a tough time finding work.

But liberal transphobia has only snowballed since January, flourishing even under the first 100 days of the Trump administration.

First, there was Bill Mahers shameful statement in February that it was not unreasonable for a guest on his Real Time talk show to be worried about protecting women and girls from men who are confused about their sexual identities entering their bathrooms.

In reality, as The Daily Beasts Marlow Stern noted, transgender people are quite likely to be victims of sexual assault themselvesand non-discrimination protections for transgender people in the many states and municipalities that have them have not led to upticks in bathroom assaults.

Earlier this month, too, Dame Jenni Murray, the feminist host of BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour, penned an op-ed for the Sunday Times with the headline: Be trans, be proudbut dont call yourself a real woman.

Her op-ed opened with the defensive claim, I am not transphobic or anti-trans and yet she went on to refer to the first transgender vicar in the Church of England as a man [who] claimed to have become a womanand to bizarrely criticize India Willoughby, the first transgender female co-host of an all-womens talk show, for not explicitly condemning a luxury hotels leg-shaving policy for female employees during a Womans Hour interview last year.

In that interview, Willoughby said, I think if youve got a job in a five-star luxury hotel as a female or a man that certain grooming standards are expected adding that she wouldnt want to be served by someone with hairy legsperhaps not the hardline feminist position on the issue, but certainly not one that disqualifies her from being a woman. Murray, however, cited the longstanding controversy around grooming standards for women and immediately suggested that Willoughbys opinion might be due to her transgender status, pointedly asking her guest, Is that something youre not really aware of because youve come to this fairly recently?

Willoughby was taken aback.

That exchange foreshadowed Murrays basic argument in her recent Sunday Times op-ed that transgender women have been raised with privilege and therefore cannot be considered real women. And that argument was echoed by Adichie during this latest controversy.

But more specifically, these arguments about privilege and socialization are situated in a long-line of trans-exclusionary feminism stretching from Janice Raymonds 1979 book The Transsexual Empire: The Making of the She-Male to Germaine Greers 2015 attacks on Caitlyn Jenner to the writing of Julie Bindel, who has crudely referred to transgender women as men disposing of their genitals.

Anti-transgender ideology on the left isnt new, even if it is becoming more mainstream.

Thats why transgender womenfrom Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox to YouTuber Kat Blaque to the Transgender Law Centers Raquel Williswere more than prepared to expertly lay out the obvious flaws in Adichies argument: Transgender women do not claim to have had the exact same life experiences as cisgender women but are still women nonetheless.

Even if we use privilege as a barometer for womanhood, transgender women not only lose social advantages once they transition, they endure harrowing rates of sexual assault, violence, poverty, unemployment, and discrimination afterward.

Furthermore, no two cisgender women in the world are raised with the exact same set of privileges and disadvantages, so whos to say that transgender womenjust under half of whom, statistically speaking, have tried to kill themselvesshould be barred from womanhood, simply because a small handful of transgender women, like Caitlyn Jenner, are wealthy? (Lets not forget that Jenner, too, for all of her privilege, thought about killing herself after the paparazzi photographed her leaving a surgery that she wanted to keep secret.)

Oppression isnt a requirement for womanhood, and gender isnt solely a matter of privilege. But as transgender people slowly gain acceptance, we can expect to see more ostensibly progressive commentators like Murray and Adichie whip out their oppression rulers to decide whether or not transgender women have suffered enough to be considered members of their own gender.

This trend of liberal transphobia wouldnt be quite so exhausting if we hadnt been through it all before in the last two decades with other LGBT issues.

As Vennochi pointed out in her Boston Globe op-ed, pundits were blaming John Kerrys loss on same-sex marriage thirteen years ago. There wasnt any data to support the LGBT-blaming that time around, either. But the power of that narrative comes from prejudice not evidence. As LGBT activist Arline Isaacson told Vennochi, when elections go wrong, we tend to blame the queers.

And even the argument about whether or not transgender people are real men and women has a predecessor of sorts in the liberal defense of so-called traditional marriage that was the norm not so long ago.

In the year 2000, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton responded to a question about same-sex marriage with this circuitous but typical-of-its-era response: Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman. But I also believe that people in committed gay marriages, as they believe them to be, should be given rights under the law that recognize and respect their relationship.

Clinton, like many Democrats in her day, effectively argued that only marriages that have always been considered marriages could be real marriages and that gay marriageswith the critical qualifier as they believe them to beshould still receive rights, of coursebecause good liberals believe in equal rights, dont theybut they cant be real marriages. Sound familiar?

That Clinton statement might not have been overtly homophobic, but it would be hard to argue today that it wasnt a prime example of liberal homophobia: opposing human rightsbut without using any anti-gay slurs.

Liberal transphobia contains that same trap: Those who circulate it are so self-assured that they are not prejudiced that neither theynor their audiences, in many casescan see how they are shoring up the same myths and misconceptions that have been used to deny rights to transgender people for decades.

They do so, too, in a media environment that, by virtue of not having enough transgender voices, is ill-equipped to unpack their statements.

Case in point: Much of the media has fundamentally misunderstood the transgender opposition to Adichies remarksor the reason they started circulating within the community in the first place. Mic headlined their coverage: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie suggests trans women and cis women dont have the same experience. The Washington Post went with: Womens issues are different from trans womens issues, feminist author says, sparking criticism.

Transgender women werent arguing that they have identical experiences to cisgender women, nor were they suggesting that transgender womens issues overlapped completely with cisgender womens issues. Those points were not the center of the ensuing internet maelstrom.

The Independents headline was rare among mainstream outlets in hitting the nail on the head: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie faces backlash for suggesting transgender women are not real women. That was the reason for the backlashnothing more, nothing less.

All of these subtle digs at the transgender community are particularly ill-timed. So far, in the first three months of 2017, the Trump administration has withdrawn crucial guidance for transgender students, the Supreme Court decided not to hear a case that could have set nationwide precedent for transgender equality, and at least seven transgender women have been murdered.

Faced with this threat, it would be great if liberals who definitely arent transphobic would spend less time reassuring themselves of that fact and more time learning not to repeat historys mistakes.
Congressional Republicans seem to have brushed up on The Art of the Deal in the last few weeks, because the GOPs rank and file seem to know they have the leverage in the internal battle over what to do with the nations health care system.

President Donald Trump wants a major legislative victory in these early, though exhausting, days of his presidency, which seems to be why his advisers seem willing to do anything to get an Obamacare replacement through the House of Representatives.

But this new White Houses calculation may be off, because what they gain in placating the demands of the Tea Party wing of the party risks losing the increasingly important moderates in the GOP.

Republicans at the Capitol seem to be slowly recognizing they have a math problem while the White House is recognizing it has a deal-making problem: It doesnt seem the current bill can make it to President Trumps desk but hes so eager to score a legislative victory that the White House seems to be promising everything to everyone at the same time.

After the Congressional Budget Office released its gloomy estimate that 24 million people will lose health insurance under the House Republican plan, on Tuesday, the White House sent Health and Human Services secretary Tom Price and Vice President Mike Pence to Capitol Hill to try to win over skeptical Republicans.

They seem to have only left confusion in their wake because they defended the current bill and argued the CBO report didnt take into account what Price can do from his perch at HHS, according to Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).

There are other things even outside of the scope of the CBO report that are affected through the rulemaking process; some of it it addresses, some of it it doesnt, Tillis told The Daily Beast.

While in the same meeting House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) appeared to break with the White House and signaled a willingness to offer more tax breaks to older Americans than are included in the current bill, according to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Much of what we talked about specifically was changing the Medicaid policy that we have right now, but they did speak about somehow addressing the concerns that, again, someone who is 60 will not perhaps have the ability to afford much, Cassidy said.

The fact that key Republicans at the center of the health care debate seem to be telling different things to even the same audience is allowing both sides of the legislative divide to hold out hope that their wing of the party maintains more leverage.

While moderate Republicans in the Senate are calling on House leaders to put the brakes on their rushed effort to replace the bill, White House press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed Trumps team is working behind closed doors on a new replacement bill thats reported to try to placate conservative members of the party who are vital to getting a bill out of the House.

Speaker Paul Ryans office denies theyre embracing the more conservative approach, but the White House has been rolling out the red carpet for members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus to try to win them over.

Those conservative members dont like the proposal to slowly phase out Obamacares Medicaid expansion, which is why many who represent the rightward flank of the party argue the CBO score doesnt matter at all.

No it doesnt, people forget. Do you want to try to force feed people? I dont, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) told The Daily Beast. If you get rid of the penalties, thats good, and then they can decide what they want to do. If they dont want coverage, then they dont have to have coverage, and it sounds like a lot of them are estimating, of course CBO is not very often accurate, theyre estimating how many people will reject.

Conservatives also dont like that Republicans want to turn tax subsidies into tax credits, which many view as a new GOP backed entitlement program.

I think that the whole problem with the way this is being presented is were going to continue to think that its the governments responsibility somehow to subsidize insurance, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) told The Daily Beast. If you subsidize it half as much youll probably insure half as many people, and what I think we should be doing is talking about some of the things that actually could insure more people at a lower price.

Paul is in the far-right camp calling for an immediate end to all of Obamacares regulations, which is also the camp of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) who Trump wined and dined at the White House last week.

For six years we have campaigned promising the voters, if you elect us, we will repeal the disaster that is Obamacare that is hurting millions of Americans. We need to honor that commitment, Cruz told The Daily Beast. When it comes to repealing Obamacare, failure is not an option. We have to get this done. I dont believe the current House bill accomplishes that objective. Ive got significant concerns about the House bill and as drafted, the House bill would not pass the Senate.

But while those hardliners are demanding outright repeal, more moderate Republicans report never being able to support undercutting one-fifth of the American economy without having a backup plan in place.

We promised repeal and replace, okay, thats what our promise was. Not just repeal. And those who say repeal is sufficient, in my view, is a betrayal of the promise we made to the American people in 2016, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told The Daily Beast, arguing some in his party are boxed in because they over-promised on the stump. I didnt promise it would be easy. Some did, I can only speak for myself, I didnt think it was going to be easy, particularly in a state that expanded Medicaid.

By moving the legislation to the right, through phasing out coverage more swiftly for millions of Americans, Republican leaders threaten to lose the support of more moderate Republican senators who are alarmed by the CBOs projections.

The CBO estimate that millions of Americans could lose their health insurance coverage if the House bill were to become law is cause for alarm, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) told reporters at the Capitol. It should prompt the House to slow down and reconsider certain provisions of the bill.

Thats why moderate Republicans arent happy their party leaders are doubling down on the House Republican bill in spite of the new data provided by the non-partisan budget office.

Too much is at stake. So thats the bias that I bring to this, it cant be, well, We hope. It has to be plausibly, Sen. Cassidy told The Daily Beast, even though he argued the CBO makes mistakes.

The marble halls of the Capitol are proving much different than a board room on Fifth Avenue, especially after the CBO gave many moderate Republicans a punch in the gut.

We all want to get to yes or the vast majority of us do, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) told reporters. I think you can make the House plan better, and I dont think we should be in a hurry. I think we should work our way through it, flesh it out, and we should actually know what the impacts are before we vote on it.
The Marine Corps nude-photo scandal has spread throughout the entire Department of Defense and brought the commandant of the Marine Corps to testify before the Senate less than two weeks after the story broke.

But for all the attention given to the sickening scandal, most of the perpetrators may escape consequences.

In January, a cache of explicit photos and videos of numerous female Marines and civilian women, some photographed without their consent, was posted in the private Facebook group, Marines United. Some of the photographs also contained the individuals name, military rank, and unit, according to the story that broke the news on March 4, written by former Marine and journalist Thomas J. Brennan .

Facebook said it had shut down the Marines United group, but reports of its demise proved to be exaggerated. Marines United administrators had simply created multiple backup rooms that were also designated secret, in order to skirt law enforcement investigations and Facebook censors, according to previous reporting by The Daily Beast.

The photos fall into the category of revenge porn, which is the dissemination of sexually explicit or nude images of a former lover or spouse, with the intent of causing their embarrassment and humiliation. But the term has expanded to include other forms of online sexual abuse, stalking, and harassment involving the non-consensual dissemination of photos and videos, including those that were originally taken and/or distributed with the subjects consent.

In general, offenders fall into two distinct categories, servicemember or veteran, and each poses different problems for potential prosecution for revenge porn.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sen. Richard Blumenthal noted that two articles under the Uniform Code of Military Justice: Article 120 (rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct) and Article 134 (conduct that goes against good order and discipline) do not address revenge porn and cyberbullying.

Blumenthal asked Gen. Robert B. Neller, the man leading todays Marines and the nations top Marine, whether he felt a provision should be introduced into the UCMJ regarding online harassment. Neller told the committee that the Marine Corps has had talks regarding whether the current military articles adequately address the problem.

I believe the tools [Articles 120 and 134] are sufficient if thats the level of punishment or administrative action you wanted to go to, if the facts support that, Neller said.

For prosecution of servicemembers, these types of cases can be problematic and heavily dependent on fact-based evidence versus persuasion of a military judge or jury.

Lt. Col James W. Weirick, a former Marine Judge Advocate General, told The Daily Beast that adding a provision into the UCMJ could be helpful, but those laws are difficult to craft because of potential violations of the First Amendment.

Creating a cyberbullying provision into the UCMJ would be similar in scope to the half of all states that have adopted cyberbullying laws that seek to increase accountability of those who engage in electronic harassment, according to Weirick and the Cyberbullying Research Center.

However, Weirick says that there is content within Marine Corps culture that could be considered bullying.

You know, making fun of Boots [inexperienced Marines] and how they wear their uniforms wrong, taking pictures of some overweight Army dude. The question becomes do we want to criminalize all of that or do we want to say we discourage this, as an institution. Criminalizing it is another thing, he said.

Its a matter of culture more than crime, Weirick explained.

Im not saying a provision cant be created, its just hard because weve gone down this road with comments against women and I understand the larger cultural issue [within the armed forces] and females in the Marine Corps, he said.

I think everyone is looking for a quick answer to this and theres not going to be one, Weirick continued. But you want to have an impact on the culture inside the military, how about make some three- and four-star female admirals and generals, that would have a lot more cultural impact than just shutting down some websites.

Though there is also a potential national security risk to the nude-photo sharing, because explicit images could be used to blackmail active-duty servicemembers.

While this is a threat, its not unknown at this point. Everybody knows [the nude photos] are out there its not a concealed issue anymore for blackmail purposes, Bradley Moss, a national security attorney who frequently represents members of the intelligence community, told The Daily Beast.

For veterans that are fully transitioned out of military service, they are considered civilians in the eyes of the law and are therefore susceptible to prosecution by federal, state, and local statutes.

Civilians can be compelled to appear before a military court even if they live off-base, because military lawyers can use the civilian court system to enforce subpoenas. But that is rare, and in general, non-service-members are bound to the local and state laws that are applicable where they reside, where they were using the computer, and where the images in question end up.

State authorities have a different challenge from military or federal authorities regarding revenge porn investigations and prosecutions, dependent on the state.

Thirty-four states have revenge-porn laws that allow criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. In North Carolina, home to Camp Lejeunethe largest Marine Corps amphibious base on the East Coastrevenge porn is a low-level felony. Just across the border in South Carolina there are no revenge porn laws, and local authorities make cases using laws against distributing obscene material and trespassing.

If crimes cross state lines, they can also be investigated by federal authorities under Title 18, Section 2261 of the U.S. criminal code, which bans interstate stalking, domestic violence, and harassment. Federal law also bans peeping and makes it illegal to access another persons computer or online accounts without consent.

Whether its martial or civilian law, the relevant authorities are likely to be overwhelmed with the number of people involved and the labyrinth of sharing. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service seems to lack the necessary manpower and resources to address the problem efficiently. Local police and sheriffs departments often have little to no experience investigating or prosecuting such cases.

Only the Federal Bureau of Investigation has the manpower and the expertise to fully handle the case, but it is not known to be investigating at this time.

Chris Swecker, former FBI assistant director who is now an attorney and a consultant on cybercrime, said the bureau has developed sophisticated tools for tracing cybercrimes back to the original posters of the material, and federal agents will undoubtedly bring those tools to bear in the Marines United case.

Its a matter of peeling back each layer of the onion and getting back to who the original posters are, Swecker said. That takes a little time, takes some expertise, takes resources its difficult, but its doable, and in a high-profile case like this [the FBI is] going to pull out all the stops. Its just going to take a little time.

Aside from criminal prosecution, victims have one other avenue for justice: civil court.

Civilian victims of revenge porn can sue for damages usually on the grounds of copyright infringement. For instance, Pittsburgh law firm K&L Gates has assembled a legal clinic of more than 50 lawyers working pro bono on behalf of clients who are victims of cyberoffenses.

Victims rights advocacy group Without My Consent has set up a 50-state project to help victims of revenge porn file criminal complaints or civil lawsuits against their tormentors. The group recommends that victims of revenge porn save all evidence, and ask any websites, email providers, social media apps, and other intermediaries to save any evidence which implicates the person sharing the images. Then they should request that the images be removed for violating copyright.
In Wisconsin, the law says you cant refuse a tenant because hes black. Except sometimes, you can.

A Milwaukee appeals court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a white man who kicked out his black tenant, finding that the states fair housing law does not apply to situations where individuals are sharing a dwelling. The black roommate in the case, Martin Jones, claimed in an appellate brief that he had been evicted because the wife of his white roommate, Michael Haller, took issue with his race. A lower court dismissed Joness claims with prejudice in 2015, but he appealed the ruling.

But his luck was no better at the appellate level.

It is undisputed that the reason Haller made Jones vacate 2209 East Vollmer was based, at least partially, on the fact that Haller is African American, the Wisconsin 1st District Court of Appeals wrote.

But the mens rental agreement doesnt show that either man saw the residence as a two-unit dwelling, and their relationship was more similar to that of roommates living in one unit.

When Haller informed Jones that he would have to move out, therefore, it constituted a decision by Haller as to the person with whom he wished to share his home, the court wrote. Such an act is not subject to the Wisconsin Open Housing Law.

Jones moved in with Haller, who was recently separated from his wife, in February 2013, according to Joness court filings. He signed a $400-a-month rental contract for one of Hallers three bedrooms in a Milwaukee house. Haller remained in the house with him, and the two occasionally watched TV together and talked about personal things. Though Haller was separated from his wife, Alicja, she also occasionally dropped by to do her laundry in the house she co-owned with her husband.

Then one day, Haller and his wife got in a fight that ended with Haller telling Jones he had to move out because Alicja had "issues" with a black man living in their house, according to Joness brief for the court.

"The [Haller] also told [Jones] that he felt bad about asking the [Jones] plaintiff to move out but that he had to take his wife's wishes into account because her name was also on the title to the house," the brief said.

Jones moved out by the deadline, less than two months after moving in with Haller. But such a request violated Wisconsin state law, Jones claimed, because it discriminated against him based on race. Haller was more than a roommate, according to Jones: He was the homeowner and thus a proper landlord.

Haller told the court a different story.

Haller alleged that Jones was nothing more than a bad roommate who hogged the fridge and monopolized the shared television.

"Twice, [Haller] found feces that were very large and unflushed in the toilet which [he] had to plunge and flush down," he also alleged in his brief for the appeals court.

And Haller claimed that Jones tried to trick him into saying something incriminating after Haller told him hed have to move out, all while audio-recording their conversation on his phone. While Jones claimed that Haller volunteered a race-based reason for eviction, Haller said Jones tried to trick him into saying it was because of Joness race. In addition, Jones allegedly took a collectible blanket of Haller's with him when he finally left.

In his brief, Haller also claims that his wife had no influence over his decision to evict Jones, and that they had even cohabited together for a time.

It's true that my wife came over and we had an argument, like so many that we'd had during our marriage, but it was nothing to do with my having a Black roommate, Haller wrote. She was angry at me for being able to seemingly be getting along fine without her.
Bluebonnets arent supposed to flower before daylight saving time springs forward.

But here we are in mid-March, and families have already been clambering onto roadsides for weeks for pictures with Texas state flower, Lupinus texensis. The flowers started popping up in Waco, including along Highway 6, in late February, and now theyre spreading across Central Texas.

Bluebonnets are coming about four weeks earlier this year than weve seen in the past, said Lee Clippard, spokesman for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. On Interstate 35, the roadsides are full of bluebonnets. Its very unusual.

Clippard said you can blame or thank the unusually warm winter weather throughout the southeastern half of the United States, which has caused trees to leaf out up to 20 days early from Texas to New Jersey, according to a national study.

Waco posted average February temperatures of 60 degrees, or 9.4 degrees higher than normal, according to the National Weather Service. February had two days with highs in the mid-80s, and the only freezing temperature was Feb. 16.

Bluebonnets are now in bloom at Miss Nellies Pretty Place in Cameron Park, at Whitehall Park in Woodway and along West Highway 84, among other places.

Clippard said the early onset shouldnt be a problem for the health of bluebonnets, at least in the short term.

Bluebonnets are cold-adapted, he said. If we had a late freeze, they would only get nipped a little.  One of the larger long-term threats is that they will come out of sync with the native bees and butterflies that pollinate them, and which dont come out until March.

Clippard said bluebonnets usually peak in early April, but this year he expects a more gradual bloom period.

City of Waco parks superintendent John Rose said he is hoping for a good showing of blooms in parks and roadways that his department maintains. Last year, the department mowed some bluebonnet areas in Cameron Park prematurely, drawing public complaints from wildflower lovers. This year, the department is planning to hold off on mowing until midsummer to give the bluebonnets and other wildflowers time to reseed. The city also spread 120 pounds of wildflower seed last fall, including about 8 pounds of bluebonnet seed, Rose said.

We are planning on doing that every October or November, Rose said. Normally, it takes about three years to get a good stand. If we do it yearly, down the road we should get to where we should be.

Clippard said municipalities and other landowners can encourage bluebonnets with some management practices that have been tested at the wildflower center. He said removing invasive species such as bastard cabbage and King Ranch bluestem helps. So does mowing around June, after the seeds have set. Some of the best results have come from prescribed burns, he said.

Rose said he has considered prescribed burns to encourage wildflower growth, but he thinks it would be too risky to set fires near Cameron Park.

Clippard said bluebonnets are tough plants that dont need irrigation or rich soil, but like other wildflowers, they sometimes need some human assistance to thrive in parklands.

One common misconception is that we can just let it go wild, he said. Even natural spaces require management because of invasive species and because weve already interrupted the natural process.
April 24, 1964 - March 12, 2017

Fearless and passionatewith a light and loving heartour beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend, Roy Rodriguez, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 12, 2017. Wise beyond his years, Roy was 52 at the time of his death.

Born in Bryan on April 24, 1964, Roy was the son of Manuel "Meme" Rodriguez Sr. (now deceased) and Ramona Rodriguez Torres; his father owned a trucking business while his mother tended their home and family. While he was the fourth child in their family, Roy's five siblings all survive him: Manuel Rodriguez Jr. (wife Theresa, of Bryan), Caroline "Mami" Barajas (husband Edward, of Bryan), Sally Velasco (husband Eddie, of College Station), Cindy Alaniz (husband Joe, of College Station) and Janie Rodriguez Ballard (husband David, of Bryan). After losing his father at age nine, Roy decided to take life on and began working at a young age, helping to provide for his family.

While still a teenager at Bryan High School, Roy met Diane Velasco (a student at A&M Consolidated High School) at a roller rink. Although they were from rival schools, nothing could keep them apart. They were high school sweethearts when Roy graduated in 1982, and after they both turned 19 the couple were married on August 19, 1983. Indeed, Roy and Diane were united in marriage for 33 years and eventually became the parents of four children: Roy "Popi" Rodriguez Jr. (wife Amy, of Bryan), Ray Rodriguez (wife Carmen, of Bryan), Raini Rodriguezher daddy's favorite little girland youngest son Rico Rodriguez (both of Bryan). Additionally, Roy's faithful companion (and equally important family member) was his dog, Baby.

To make ends meet, Roy attended Universal Technical Institute of Houston where he received training in air conditioning and refrigeration, while traveling back and forth between Houston and Bryan, he ended up at a tire store eventually finding his true work calling, tires or "black gold" as he called it. For more than 30 years, Roy owned and operated Rodriguez Tire Service in Bryan (with its trademark red, white and blue buildings, on Highway 21, near San Jacinto Lane and his newest Rodriguez Tire Center on Sims Ave in Bryan). While he was glad to do anything he needed to provide for his familywho were Roy's first lovehis passion in life was old school cars. Roy was the proud owner of the first lowrider in town: a 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Brougham, with a 27 multi-color custom paint job! A pioneer in bringing car culture to the Brazos Valley, Roy also served as the founder and president of La Compania Car Club of Bryan. Indeed, Roy loved everything about cars, from his Cutlass to his lowrider club, and he allowed his commitment to this passion drive his work ethic in the automotive industry, often counseling those who sought his advice: "Take care of your business now, and your business will take care of you later." In truth, Roy knew the value of investing time and effort in the future since decisions determine destiny.

Thankfully, in addition to his enterprising nature and his industrious attitude, Roy also knew how to have fun. Humorous and fearless, he loved to get others to laugh along with him as he shared stories with those who meant the most to him, and while he was wise, he was also willing to risks to learn as much as he could, he would often be heard saying "A man needs to know a little bit of everything." He finally got his first tattoo at age 47portraits on his arm, of all his children, his wife, grandchildren and his parents. A true family man. Roy also made it a priority to thank God for the good things he had in life, ensuring that his children appreciated Him, as well. In essence, Roy laughed and loved his way through life, making the most of each moment he was given.

Missing him most now are his precious family members: his sweetheart Diane and their four children and two daughters-in-law, as well as his grandchildren: Alesia Orta, Myra Rodriguez, twins Olivia Rae and Zoe Grace Rodriguez, Aden Sandoval, Raegan Alexi Rodriguez, Ray "Baby Ray" Rodriguez Jr., Glori "GG" Sandoval, Roy Amos Rodriguez III and Bella Katalina Rodriguez. Beloved survivors also include Roy's mother, Ramona Torres and step-father, Rosalio Torres (of Bryan), his brothers-in-law Eddie Velasco (wife Sally) and Gary Velascoboth of Bryanand Martin Elias (of Houston). His mother-in-law, Jesusita "Susie" Velasco (of Bryan) also misses him dearly, in addition to a host of family and friends. Roy was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Rodriguez Sr., his father-in-law, Ruben Edward Velasco and sister-in-law Cynthia "Cindy" Elias.

Join with us in remembering Roy Rodriguez, beginning with Visitation from 6-8pm on Friday, March 17th at Hillier Funeral Home in College Station. Roy's Life Celebration will then be held at 2pm on Saturday, March 18th in the same location.

Share your stories of Roy at www.hillierfuneralhome.com.
Without nature, humans could be neither healthy nor happy.

And yet the natural world can be completely ransacked without causing even a tiny blip on our usual measures of economic progress or poverty.

A major UN environmental meeting recently looked at launching an assessment of the different values that people attribute to nature, and what nature contributes to human societies.

However, these high level discussions will be futile unless our measures of societal progress expand to explicitly include what nature does for human well-being and prosperity, especially for poor people.

Nature matters to people's well-being in many different ways. It obviously provides us with basic needs such as food, clean air and water, as well as protection from environmental hazards.

There is also a clear relationship with both physical and mental well-being, especially for those who are fortunate enough to have access to green spaces.

Beyond these instrumental roles, there is also evidence from around the world that nature is a more fundamental contributor to people's sense of self. It is an integral part of what constitutes well-being, captured for some in the awe-inspiring moments when standing on top of a mountain, the breath-taking view of a beautiful river, or in the feeling of freedom associated with traversing a wide open landscape.

The problem with economic indicators

Despite the value we get from nature, our measures of progress and well-being remain much narrower, focused on what is visible and measurable. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been the most prominent approach since the end of World War II, with GDP seen as a useful snapshot of the state of the economy and people's well-being.

What these figures often hide are those things, like the role of nature, that are not measured in the monetary economy, but are an important part of daily life and can be crucial for sustaining future prosperity.

There are alternatives. One that has gained some momentum is the Inclusive Wealth Index, which takes into account broader measures of human and natural well-being - its most recent assessment suggested that conventional GDP figures had greatly exaggerated growth over the period 1992-2010.

In international development, the UN's Human Development Index and the 'multidimensional poverty index' both recognise a larger set of issues, combining material standards with measures of health and education. But they still do not adequately incorporate the role of nature.
Unlike cutting adult social care, or day care provision - uplands, downlands or parks can be an easier option for councils looking to save costs.

However, in one part of the country that is proving to be far from true.

Parcels of land on the South Downs have been up for grabs no fewer than four times since 1994 and each time vociferous and well researched protestors have won the day.

This latest spat has seen the reformation of Keep Our Downs Public. Dave Bangs, a naturalist and author of three books on the Downs and the Weald, is one of the co-founders of the campaign group.

"We're surviving so far; this is the fourth time we've had to defend these public estates. The first time Brighton's [Lord] Bassam in 94 tried to privatise the whole lot. The Tories in Worthing tried to privatise the Downs near Cissbury Ring. We put a stop on that and it's now been made statutory access land. And now there have been no sales so far in Eastbourne."

This latest campaign went into vertical take-off, like in Worthing five years before when there was a 350 people demo at Cissbury Ring - this time it was near 400 at Beachy Head.

Eastbourne Borough Council was still looking to sell off the 3,000 acres of farmland surrounding the chalk grasslands there for 25m, until a public vote on the matter earlier this month went against the sale and the council agreed to think again.

"These are struggles against privatisation that can be won," said Bangs, "and particularly around the country where they are eminently winnable through a cross class coalition. These resources are of valuable to everyone, so you can get very broad alliances of people."

In Kent, campaigners are battling Thanet Council which agreed to the 'accelerated' sell-off of isle properties and land. Twenty-two sites were listed for disposal last year and hundreds more will be considered over the next two.

Ian Driver, a former councillor, described the policy as environmental vandalism' and within hours of the initial announcement last year for planned sell offs at Broadstairs, more than 770 residents had signed a petition calling for a full public consultation.

In Worcestershire the Tory-led county council is looking to sell-off 6% of its smallholdings estate by 2020. Controversially this includes plots which were originally gifted to soldiers returning from the First World War.

In Leeds, the city council has put up for sale land on the outskirts of the city including land with Tree Preservation Orders at Yeadon as well as farmland at Grange Farm in Colton.

Last year an estimated 130m plus of council land and property was sold by authorities including Cambridgeshire County Council, Hereford County Council (investigated in 2016 after misleading' tenants in estate sell-offs) Cornwall Council, Coventry City Council and Nottingham City Council.

This coincided with the Cabinet Office's setting up of a scheme to encourage councils to re-evaluate their properties and land and raise money from sales. It invested 38m in grants for local authorities to access professional advice on how to map land and produce working asset registers.
Until recently, New Zealand enjoyed a sterling reputation as a country so deeply respectful of its marine environment that in 2009 it earned first place in a study comparing the sustainability of the fisheries of 53 countries.

But a later investigation triggered a series of revelations in the past year that uncovered a very different picture of how the country manages the ocean around it. The quota system adopted in 1986, it turns out, has led to excessive and wasteful fishing, the impoverishment of many fishermen, the gouging of consumers and the enrichment of corporations. And much of it was hidden behind a Potemkin Village of false official statistics.

The stated purpose of the quota management system was to reduce overfishing and make the fishery more sustainable by handing management of individual fisheries to those already fishing them. It was based on the neo-liberal principle that market players will always perform more efficiently on their own, rather than under the tutelage of government regulators. Thus, a fisherman who had been trawling for snapper on a certain part of the coast received for free and in perpetuity a catch allowance of, say, 100 tons of snapper from that space. He was free to decide how and when he would catch those fish.

But the system had two components that led to catastrophe, say those who have studied it: the quota holders were allowed to contract someone else to catch their quota of fish for them, and they were also free to sell their quota to anyone.

Over the years, explained Fiona McCormack, an anthropologist at the University of Waikato, in Hamilton, NZ, big fishing companies, fish processing companies and even private equity investors acquired more and more quotas from fishermen. On one hand, this gave the industry the clout to effectively capture its regulators, and on the other, it allowed them to drive down the price it paid its fishers (thus lifting profits), effectively forcing the fishers to illegally discard fish for which they had no quota while the government looked the other way.

New Zealand had for years advertised itself as a world leader in fisheries when a global examination of seafood catches from 1950 to 2010 was published last year by Daniel Pauly's Sea Around Us project of the University of British Columbia. The purpose was to verify the accuracy of the catches reported to the Food and Agricultural Organization in Rome, which tabulates them so they can form the bedrock of global fisheries knowledge.

The study, which also involved the universities of Oxford and Auckland, assembled teams that harnessed a wide variety of methods and sources, ranging from interviews to newspaper reports. They found that globally, about a third more fish was caught than reported to the FAO, and that most of it was in small-scale fisheries in poor countries that weak governments didn't count.
People can take a look at student projects at the 35th Annual Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair at the AMS Student Nest April 8 from 9 am to 12 pm.

Every year, the judging committee selects 17 of 320 students to advance to the Canada-Wide Science Fair. The CWSF is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan this year. The GVRSF team has won many awards at recent CWSFs.

More than 230 projects will be featured. Projects will be based in the fields of energy, health, information, environment, innovation, and resources, for example. The students who qualified at the regional fair have advanced from their school and district fairs. In the 10 school districts in the Lower Mainland, more than 100,000 students from grades 7 to 12 had a chance to qualify for the science fair.

For more information, visit http://www.gvrsf.ca
Several local nonprofits are offering sweet deals for anyone making donations today through the one-day fundraising campaign Roanoke Valley Gives.

The Foundation for the Roanoke Valley has organized and hosted Roanoke Valley Gives  March 15 (today)  in an effort to raise funds for participating Roanoke Valley nonprofits in a 24-hour period. The foundation brings attention to the work and worth of each participating organization.

It serves as a year-round, online giving portal and as the main hub for its big give day.

Anyone donating to Childrens Assistive Technology Service (CATS), in support of its mission to improve the lives of children with disabilities, may stop by the KupKakery Bakery at 140 Franklin Street in Rocky Mount for a free cupcake.

CATS helps families by passing on gently used pediatric adaptive devices and mobility equipment to meet the immediate needs of disabled children at no cost to their families.

Donors will need to bring a donation receipt, paper or electronic, to KupKakery in order to receive a free cupcake.

CATS is headquartered in Franklin County and has served 400 children all over Virginia since its inception in July 2014.

Lake Christian Ministries will serve free refreshments at the Donor Hospitality Center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Coffee and pastries will be served in the morning until 11 a.m., upon which hot dogs and beverages will be served until 2 p.m. Light hors d oeuvres will be served in the evening.

This will give us a chance to thank people for supporting local charities through Roanoke Valley Gives, said campaign organizer Phil Servidea. If they need assistance making a donation online, well have people there to do that, too.

A supporter has promised to match every dollar donated to LCM, up to $10,000.

Anyone donating to the Franklin County Family YMCA may stop by the Rocky Mount or Smith Mountain Lake site to be entered into a raffle for various prizes, including apparel, a free three-month individual membership or entry into other upcoming events.

STEP, Inc. (Solutions That Empower People) has launched an online fundraising campaign featuring clicker fingers, the fingers most commonly used to click the computer mouse when choosing an option on a website. Using its Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as the agency website, STEP is using wordplay and images to convey a message asking viewers to Point. Click. Give. up to and during the 24 hours of March 15.

Although we are having some fun with the campaign, supporting STEP is serious business, STEP Executive Director Marc Crouse said. Each year, more than 3,500 people in our community depend on us to help them find solutions and overcome barriers to success. It really does take a village, and on this one day, we are asking everyone to come together to strengthen our community.

STEP is a community action agency that offers services in Franklin, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Henry counties, and the cities of Bedford, Martinsville and Danville. Its mission is to facilitate solutions to empower people to overcome barriers to economic, educational and developmental success within the communities it serves.

This is the second year that Roanoke Valley Gives Day has been held and over 150 charities across the Roanoke Valley are registered to participate in the online giving campaign. While only gifts made on March 15 qualify to be counted for this particular campaign, most of the charities will accept donations year-round.

Other Franklin County non-profits participating in Roanoke Valley Gives Day include Barn Cat Buddies, Franklin County Humane Society, Free Clinic of Franklin County, Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, Smith Mountain Lake Good Neighbors, The Rocky Mount Center for the Arts and Unbridled Change.

Donors can make a gift by visiting rvgives.givebig.org and clicking on the nonprofit to which they wish to donate. Donations will go directly to the nonprofit and all donations are tax-deductible.

Roanoke Valley Gives began at midnight and will continue throughout the day until 11:59 p.m.
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 ...
By Press Trust of India: Hyderabad, Mar 14 (PTI) Sixteen people, including two advocates and a woman were today arrested from a house at Begumpet here for allegedly trying to exchange demonetised currency with a face value of Rs 1.20 crore with new notes.

"The accused brought old currency notes of Rs 1.20 crore, in denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 for exchange with new currency notes and assembled at the house of the prime accused," the police said.

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A police team patrolling the area last night noticed five persons moving suspiciously and based on a tip off from them after their questioning raided the residence, it said.

The accused revealed that they were trying to change the old currency of Rs 1.20 crore into new currency, said the Hyderabad police in an official release.

The further probe is on to nab other accused, who are part of this racket, it said.

Those arrested include two advocates, a homemaker and others who are into the real estate and other businesses. PTI VVK RMT RAX

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Rameswaram(TN), Mar 15 (PTI) Around 60 kgs of ganja meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka was today seized from a house in Akkalmadam near here and one persons arrested in this connection, police said.

Based on a tip-off, a team of Q-Branch police searched the house of one Gunasekaran and recovered 60 kg ganja worth Rs 60 lakh in the international market and arrested him. PTI COR ROH KK

--- ENDS ---

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Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh will be sworn in as the state's Chief Minister today in Chandigarh. Navjot Singh Sidhu and Manpreet Singh Badal are expected to be inducted into Amarinder's Cabinet.

By Press Trust of India: Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh will be sworn in as the state's Chief Minister today by Governor VP Singh Badnore in Chandigarh.

The oath-taking ceremony, scheduled to take place at the Punjab Raj Bhavan at 10 AM, will be attended by Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

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Nine ministers, including Navjot Singh Sidhu and Manpreet Singh Badal, are expected to be inducted into Amarinder's Cabinet. Sources say Manpreet Badal will get the finance portfolio.

Brahm Mohindra, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana Gurjit Singh, Sadhu Singh Dharmant, Charanjit Singh Channi, Aruna Chaudhary and Razia Sultana are also in the proposed Cabinet. Chaudhary and Sultana have been recommended for Minister of State positions.

The leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly will be the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) HS Phoolka.

AMARINDER: A LONE HERO FOR THE CONGRESS

This will be Amarinder's second stint as chief minister.

The veteran leader led the Grand Old Party to a thumping win in Punjab, where it bagged as many as 77 seats. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) - Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine won 18 seats, the AAP won 20, and two seats went to the newly-floated outfit and AAP ally, the Lok Insaaf Party.

But the Congress didn't do well in Uttar Pradesh or Uttarakhand, where the Bharatiya Janata Party won in spectacular fashion.

In Manipur and Goa, BJP leaders were invited to form governments despite the Congress emerging as the largest single party.

TOP POLITICIANS TO ATTEND SWEARING-IN

Besides Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah, and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will attend Amarinder's swearing-in, a Congress release said.

Former Union Ministers P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Ashwani Kumar and Rajeev Shukla, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh will also be present.

All India Congress Committee general secretaries Ahmed Patel and Ambika Soni, besides secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari are also expected to attend the event.

AMARINDER CALLS FOR AUSTERE EVENT

The ceremony will be a simple and low-key affair, with Amarinder deciding not to spend excessively on symbolism "on account of the poor financial health of the state", the release said.

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Amarinder has appealed to all party MLAs and others not to indulge in excessive celebrations and to keep the event austere, so as not to further burden the "debt-ridden state exchequer".

Amarinder said his government's priority would be to bring the state's economy, "which has been completely devastated under the SAD-BJP regime, back on the rails through every possible measure and innovative, out-of-the-box initiatives".

"We do not want to celebrate when the people of Punjab are suffering due to severe financial and other problems," Amarinder said.

He added that there will be time enough to celebrate once his government has brought the state back on the path of growth and development.

(Inputs from PTI)

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Punjab: Will Captain Amarinder Singh manage to handle financial burden of a once rich state?

Drugs, slow growth, high unemployment: The many challenges Amarinder Singh faces in Punjab

WATCH VIDEO | Amarinder Singh meets Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, discusses Punjab cabinet formation

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Republicans, Democrats differ on inflation, crime as critical election issues

Which party holds control of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives is a critical issue for 68% of likely Iowa voters in this midterm election.
The list of sexual harassment allegations against TVF Founder and CEO Arunabh Kumar is growing longer by the day. Till now, a Mid Day report says, there have been over 50 allegations leveled against him.

By India Today Web Desk: It started with one woman speaking out.

Now, in three days' time, the number of sexual harassment accusations against The Viral Fever TVF Founder and CEO Arunabh Kumar has crossed over 50, says a Mid Day report.

A said former TVF employee, under the pseudonym The Indian Fowler, had put up a blog post on Medium on Monday accusing Kumar of repeatedly sexually harassing her. The blog went viral, and many other women came forward admitting that they too had had similar experiences with Kumar.

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FYI || Ridiculing sexual harassment, Reddit user who accused Rohan Joshi of molestation, admits it never happened ||

At the moment, this steadily-rising number of complaints against Kumar is said to be sitting on 50.

MULTIPLE women speak up against the harassment they faced from Arunabh Kumar. CHILLING. pic.twitter.com/dHdZ0CPyUp- Bhagyesh (@MisterRathod) March 13, 2017

A Mid Day report says the Twitter handle that shared The Indian Fowler's blog first has received over 50 direct messages from persons claiming to have been sexually harassed by Kumar. The report adds that the said Twitter user agreed to make this information public "only after it is verified".

But from the conversation that is happening on Twitter, this report does not seem accurate.

As per what the above mentioned Twitter user says, there are 6 verified accusations against Kumar.

ARUNABH KUMAR'S RESPONSE

Arunabh Kumar addressed these accusations yesterday saying that he "compliments" women for being "sexy". This statement didn't quite go down well with people on social media.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Kumar said, "The kind of insinuations the FB post makes are untrue. I am a heterosexual, single man and when I find a woman sexy, I tell her she's sexy. I compliment women. Is that wrong? Having said that, I am very particular about my behaviour - I will approach a woman, but never force myself."

TVF'S STAND

In response to the original viral post by The Indian Fowler, the TVF team lashed out saying they would "leave no stone unturned" to track down the writer, and "bring them to severe justice". The accusations were also called "ludicrous, defamatory and unverified".

TVF's statement

Although an internal inquiry is said to have been initiated, TVF stands by their stance that they never hired anyone from Muzaffarpur (The Indian Fowler claimed to belong from there).

The company also made it clear the other accusations against Kumar should be addressed by him personally, and not the company.

Even many TVF employees have come out in support of Kumar, defending him against the sexual harassment accusations.

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POLICE'S RESPONSE

Speaking to India Today, Mumbai Police Commissioner Dutta Padsalgikar said that in such cases, there should be a formal complaint for an investigation to be launched.

When asked whether cases could not be filed taking into consideration the attention it has gotten, he said, "it would not be a complete case without an aggrieved person registering a case. We have been asking the victims to come forward so that law can take it's course."

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With a food hall for Stamford not yet set in stone as a developer proceeds with the approval process, the concept remains wide open in southwestern Connecticut, which the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield dubs the hottest in food-related real estate.

Cushman & Wakefield tracked 70 food hall projects nationally in 2015, according to a study the firm released in February, defining the term loosely as projects in which master developers sublease space to vendors under terms of up to five years, with the goal of getting a range of restaurateurs with varied concepts in the same setting.

In the foodie central that is southwestern Connecticut, entrepreneurs have been slow to glom onto the concept, despite a proliferation in New York City that includes plans for the massive Bourdain Market at Pier 57 promising dream list of chefs, operators, street food and hawker legends, in the words of founder Anthony Bourdain. The food hall is one of several being served up in the Big Apple to complement existing halls at Chelsea Market, Grand Central Terminal and elsewhere, including an expansion of the Eataly chain that bills itself as the largest food hall purveyor in the world with a focus on Italian cuisine.

Closer yet is the Exit 4 Food Hall in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., a little ways northwest of Greenwich and Stamford, created by restaurateur Isi Albanese and seating 150 guests who can run up tabs ordering from surrounding stations with varying cuisines, to include sushi, barbecue and pizza.

In Stamford, the renovation of the old post office building is awaiting its first approval from the state historic preservation office for base building modifications, in the words of Bruce Berg, CEO of the Cappelli Organizations Fuller Development Co. arm, including window and tile repairs and mechanical and electrical system upgrades.

Berg said that he hopes to receive that first approval within the next 30 to 60 days. Subsequent approval from the historic preservation office would be needed for improvements particular to the tenants needs.

While we are working on plans to have retail and restaurant uses, which may include a food hall, the final tenant mix has not been yet finalized, Berg told Hearst Connecticut Media. Im hoping by the early part of next year, 2018, that well be able to start putting tenants in the building.

A food hall in the old post office building would create worthy competition for existing restaurants in the city center, said Michael Marchetti, owner of the Columbus Park Trattoria and president of the Stamford Tables downtown restaurant association.

I think it would be great for Stamford, Marchetti said. They will probably rely a lot on people working in the downtown and walking over for lunch, getting something quick to eat. It creates more buzz about Stamford. It will make everybody thats already here work a little bit harder to run their businesses properly. It will put everybody on their A-game. Competition breeds success.

Cushman & Wakefield expects the food-hall market to eventually reach a saturation point, but for the time being the field is wide open in southwestern Connecticut. The firm says would-be entrepreneurs need to consider several factors  most critically, understanding where patrons are coming from, whether offices, transit stations like Grand Central or tourists.

The big question remains whether any other food-hall competitors will surface. From Greenwich to Danbury to Bridgeport, local officials were not aware of any similar projects in the works.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said he visited recently a food hall in Allentown, Pa., and found the concept very interesting. Danbury has a strong and growing restaurant scene, he said, but there are no plans for a food hall in the city.

We would be very supportive if someone were to propose it, Boughton said.

Frank Borres, head of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, said hes never seen a food hall, but wondered how they function and whether vendors featured in any such facility would have an unfair advantage over those renting traditional restaurant spaces.

As long as they even the playing field, I think its a great idea, Borres said. We dont want to drive away our businesses. One thing Bridgeport is good at is food.

 Includes reporting by Macaela J. Bennett, Chris Bosak and Keila Torres Ocasio.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-354-1047; www.twitter.com/casoulman
WILTON  The department of world languages at Wilton High School is hosting the Festival of Languages, a schoolwide celebration of world languages, cultures, and diversity, from March 22-24. The festival has been a tradition at the high school for 30 years.

This years festival will feature nearly 30 events, including German folk dancing, a presentation by the Model Congress club and a classical Greek and Roman trivia contest. The popular World Language Talent Show headlines the festival, brimming with song, music, and language. There will also be craft workshops that incorporate traditional Spanish Day of the Dead masks and French Mardi Gras masks. Events such as Meditation with Tibetan Singing Bowls and a discussion of My Body, My Rights by the Amnesty International Club highlight the importance of reaching beyond the high school community.
CAIRO  Sen. Steve Halloran will attend the Cairo annual Firemens Smorgasbord, set for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Cairo Community Center at 303 Said St.

Halloran will be at the fundraiser to greet people and to support the local fire department. This event, which has been held for more than 50 years, typically attracts about 600 people. Proceeds will used for the purchase and upkeep of firefighting and extrication equipment.
The Florida woman who was placed on 24 months probation in Hall County District Court after drowning a puppy in a Central Nebraska Regional Airport restroom in 2015 has apparently been arrested again.

Edgewater, Fla., police arrested Cynthia Anderson at her home on Tuesday because she had a dog, according to WFLA, a TV station in Tampa, Fla.

Having a dog is a violation of Andersons probation.

Pictures reportedly showed Anderson with the dog at her home.

Police told WFLA that Andersons probation officer had warned her on Monday that terms of her probation state that she cant own or be in close contact with animals. Anderson allegedly said the dog belongs to a roommate.

Police were called Tuesday, the TV station reported, and officers found the dog with her and made the arrest.

Anderson pleaded no contest in May 2015 in Hall County District Court to cruel neglect of animals.

After making an emotional apology for drowning the puppy and begging for mercy from District Judge Teresa Luther, Anderson was placed on 24 months probation in July 2015.

The puppy that Anderson drowned on Jan. 23, 2015, was 3 weeks old. A day earlier, she had attempted to fly with two dogs and three puppies, but the puppies were too young to fly. She gave two of the puppies to relatives and returned to the airport on Jan. 23 with one of the puppies and the two adult dogs. Anderson was again prohibited from flying with the puppy, and it was later found dead.
According to a recent audit on the city of Grand Island and auditor Terry Galloway, the city of Grand Island is providing adequate financial information in accordance with accounting principles.

Galloway, of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway and Luth, gave a summary of the 115-page audit report to the Grand Island City Council at its meeting Tuesday night.

The most important part of the audit, he said, was the auditors opinion paragraph  an unmodified opinion  which he said is the highest level of assurance that you can receive from an outside audit firm.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly the respective financial position of governmental activities, business-type activities, the aggregate discretely presented component units, each major fund, the aggregate remaining fund information, and the fiduciary funds of the City of Grand Island as of September 30, 2016 and the respective changes in financial position and cash flows, the auditors opinion reads.

According to the audit report, the citys total debt for fiscal 2016  from Sept. 30, 2015, to Sept. 30, 2016  increased by $6,254,209, or 5.9 percent. Of this amount, $7,253,766 was on governmental activities and $104,713,961 was on business-type activities. This is an increase from fiscal 2015 where the total outstanding debt was $105,713,518.

City Finance Director Renae Griffiths said prior to Tuesdays meeting that the main factor in the increase in outstanding debt is the issuance of the sewer DEQ notes. She anticipates the total overall debt for fiscal 2018 will increase.

Galloway told the council that when looking at governmental expenses, the city of Grand Island spent $2.7 million less than its budget on a per capita basis in general government, public works, public safety and environment and leisure.

There was a lot of hard work to get a budget adopted and you underspent by $2.7 million, he told the council.

The total valuation for fiscal 2017 is $2,933,977,196, up from $2,831,663,760 for fiscal 2016. The total levy has been consistent at 32 cents since fiscal 2012. Valuation numbers are determined by the Hall County assessor and not by the city of Grand Island.

This is no reflection of where we are at today or where we are projected to be for this fiscal year, Galloway said of the audit. The city has lots of challenges ahead to meet all that the community needs.

Councilman Chuck Haase said when he looked at the audit report, the city is looking at what appeared to be a $9 million excess to the deficit. He asked Galloway if this is something the city council should be concerned about.

As we paid out over the last eight years, obviously, we have used some of those up, Galloway said. In addition to the actuarial calculations, the parameters or percentages that we used for projections have changed a little bit. So it has created from an excess to a liability.

Fortunately, you have the cash and investments to cover that obligation. Once we hit this unfunded column this year, then we would have to be able to make that up since you have cash investments in the employee reserve fund to cover that deficit in additions to the pensions.

Haase followed up on this question by asking Galloway if the city should expect to fund an unfunded liability. He responded that based on the audit report, it should not expect that.

Haase also asked Griffiths if the audit provided any aha moments in terms of financial procedures or things that need to be changed. Griffiths responded that it did.

After last years annual audit report, we had several comments on areas we needed to work on, she said. I feel like we worked on them hard. We didnt clear all of them up. We had 20 comments last year and there are three this year.

Haase questioned Griffiths on whether the three comments on this years annual audit report had been cleared up by the citys finance department. She responded the department is working on getting them cleared up.

In other action:

 Mayor Jeremy Jensen issued a proclamation declaring March 20 Abbott Sisters Day in honor of Edith and Grace Abbott.

 The council voted 9-0 to award a bid to Landmark Structures of Fort Worth for the construction of a composite elevated water storage tank. Councilman Mitch Nickerson pulled the item from the consent agenda.

 The council voted 9-0 to approve an interlocal agreement with the Nebraska Community Energy Alliance. The benefits of approving the agreement were discussed during last weeks study session. It was approved along with other consent agenda items.
With just hours left for the much-anticipated trailer launch of SS Rajamouli's magnum opus Baahubali: The Conclusion, here are five things to expect from the epic sequel.

By India Today Web Desk: Be it the visual experience or the eponymous characters that come throughout the film, Baahubali: The Conclusion is unarguably the most expected Indian film of this year.

After teasing the audience with fresh set of posters from the film, the makers are all set to unveil the highly anticipated trailer of Baahubali: The Conclusion on March 16.

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While the world is gearing up to witness something magical from SS Rajamouli and his team, we give you things to look forward to in the epic sequel, which is slated to release on April 28.

Jaw-dropping visuals:

Apart from a hardcore story, Baahubali will be more remembered for its breathtaking visuals. Be it the kingdom of Mahishmati or the montages on the top of the waterfall, Rajamouli's narration ruffled the traditional audience, thanks to his VFX team for some mind-boggling special effects. After the release, the impact of Baahubali was so much that it made some of big short Hollywood films pale in comparison. Right from the lay of the land to the longsword gripped by Baahubali, Rajamouli was meticulous with the details. Going by what Rajamouli said at India Today Conclave South 2017, it looks like Baahubali: The Beginning is a miniscule compared to Baahubali: The Conclusion.

Rajamouli's knack of storytelling:

Unlike several top directors in Indian film industry, Rajamouli has the knack of turning a homespun story into something magical. For instance, in his Eega, the hero dies and is reincarnated as a fly. What does a fly do but buzz around is a question one might ponder over. But that's what makes Rajamouli an exception, because at some point, we start empathising with the protagonist - the fly.

Baahubali's characters:

For an audacious film like Baahubali, the script demanded artists and not stars. Rajamouli, who has been selective with his scripts, had the most fitting cast. With no big names in the film, Baahubali: The Beginning went on to become one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time. Be it the lead actors Prabhas (Amarendra Baahubali), Rana Daggubati (Bhallaladeva) or the supporting cast-Ramya Krishnan as Sivagami and Sathyaraj as Kattappa, their stellar performances kept the audience hooked in it.

While Baahubali didn't have the scope for actors like Anushka Shetty and Tamannaah, the sequel is said to have the duo playing prominent roles.

Breathtaking battle sequences:

Remember the Kalakeya war in the first part? The war sequence was accomplished with sheer brilliance. According to reports, the makers have shelved out a whopping Rs 30 crore for the climax portion of the film. Rana Daggubati has been hitting the gym to turn meaner and stronge for the sequel. In fact, his shirtless picture for Baahubali 2 was a hit on the internet. It must be noted that Rajamouli himself revealed that the highlight of Baahubali 2 is the battle between Prabhas and Rana Daggubati.

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Rajamouli's classic conclusion:

If we look at Rajamouli's filmography in retrospect, almost every film has a classy end. In some ways, it has also turned out to be Rajamouli's signature style. In Baahubali too, Rajamouli ends in such a way that it's open to interpretation. Though the sequel is likely to answer the most sought after question, Rajamouli, in an interview, went on the record saying that the franchise might end with Baahubali 2, but NOT the characters. Going by Rajamouli's revelation, can we expect the unexpected? Well, we have to wait and watch!

ALSO READ: Kamal Haasan reveals who was behind Vishwaroopam controversy

ALSO READ: Maanagaram director Lokesh Kanagaraj's exclusive interview

ALSO READ: Baahubali 2 trailer gets U/A certificate, to be screened across 300 screens

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WATCH: Baahubali 2 Teaser

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After a long process, the Think Smart and Peaceful Root redevelopment projects will enter into contracts for tax-increment financing if approved by the Community Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday.

Think Smart plans to construct a four-unit apartment building at 204 Carey Ave. The CRA approved the plan in December.

Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity said Douglas Luth currently owns the property and plans to sell it to Think Smart contingent upon the approval of TIF. Think Smart is requesting $48,150 in TIF to assist in the acquisition, site preparation and construction of the apartment building.

Part of the story about this is the number of times and the length of time it takes to go through the process, Nabity said. There are lots of opportunities for people to speak up. This is really the end section when we are looking at final approvals.

Nabity said he anticipates the TIF grant for Think Smart will be paid off in six or seven years.

Peaceful Root is looking to redevelop the basement, main floor and second floor of a property at 112 Second St. The plan calls for two tenant spaces. One will be a yoga studio and the other a retail tenant space. There will also be spaces for indoor parking for the Peaceful Root property and for residents of Tower 217 (the former Masonic Temple) at 217 N. Locust St.

The TIF grant for Peaceful Root is not to exceed $263,000 for costs of redeveloping the property.

That will probably go closer to 12 to 14 years, Nabity said. We are writing that one for the full 15 years, but it really does depend on what the valuations do downtown and if they continue to increase. We do it based on what the valuation is at completion.

He said he anticipates both redevelopment projects to be completed by the end of the year. Peaceful Root has been working in the building doing some demolition and things, getting things prepped to move forward.

The CRA will also have a discussion on a Fonner View facade grant. It granted Maggie Tiehen, owner of the Fonner View Center, a $90,000 facade grant in September 2015. Tiehen and Fonner View have declined the grant.

Nabity said no facade work has been done at Fonner View and that the funds will be redirected to other, future CRA facade projects. He added the CRA has a couple of facade projects coming forward next month.

In other action, the CRA will hear an update on a blight study for the former Cornhusker Army Ammunition Plant site. Funding for the study is being sought by the Regional Planning Commission, which voted on Feb. 1 to recommend a blight study be done on the entire former ammunition plant site.

Nabity said the Economic Development Foundation has stepped forward to tentatively fund the blight study.

My understanding is that they were just going to move forward with funding, he said. That means the CRA will not be involved in that project directly. If the foundation is moving forward, the CRA would not be involved at all if they are funding the study. It would just go to the city council as if it were funded by a private individual.

The Community Redevelopment Authority will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of City Hall.
Providing more support for students in the middle has been identified as one of seven key growth areas for Grand Island Senior High.

That was one of the topics Associate Superintendent Robin Dexter shared with Grand Island school board members on Monday night as she updated them on the high school visioning process.

Other growth areas include:

 Providing positive mentoring relations between each student and at least one Grand Island Senior High staff member.

 Giving students access and awareness of all the opportunities that Grand Island Senior High offers for them.

 Making sure that all students have 21st-century learning skills.

 Providing social and emotional supports for students who are coming to GISH with more social, emotional and mental health needs.

 Providing students with real-life experiences through project-based learning as well as college and career guidance.

 Getting families more engaged by providing parents with better communication and information, especially about postsecondary options for their children.

One goal for GISH students is that they will take ownership of their learning. The district also wants them to gain skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. One initiative for achieving this goal is identifying Islander Prep Academies, which will mirror the Nebraska Department of Educations career clusters.

Dexter said the Islander Prep Academies will not necessarily have to mirror all the career clusters named by the Nebraska Department of Education. School officials will be able to pick and choose which career clusters they want to follow.

Once those selections are made, GISH curriculum would be aligned to the Islander Prep Academies.

A related initiative is to ensure that all GISH students, teachers, staff members and parents are fully informed about the academies and the process for a student to enter a particular one.

A second goal for GISH students is for them to have personal connections to support their well-being and to help students develop confidence, resiliency and adaptability.

One initiative to help achieve this goal is to train all GISH staff members to serve as college and career advisers to students, not just GISH guidance counselors. Another initiative is creating a student-peer mentoring program for sixth through 12th grades.

Students also would be assigned community mentors based on each students career interests. The fourth initiative would be for GISH to form closer relationships with community colleges and universities to ensure that dual credits earned at Senior High will transfer to those postsecondary institutions.

Dexter noted that GIPS officials are finding that GISH graduates are only able to transfer about 15 hours of credits when they enroll at a postsecondary institution.

A third goal is to expand student opportunities for relevant learning through GISHs community partnerships and through increased engagement with all families.

One initiative to achieve this goal is to give students chances to attend career fairs and do job shadowing. Another initiative is expanding GISHs partnerships with local businesses and organizations based on their anticipated workforce needs.

With Senior Highs enrollment continuing to grow, people on the visioning committee looked at whether the school needs renovations to support the smaller learning communities that are supposed to result from going to an Islander Prep Academy model, Dexter said.

However, they also discussed having Senior High students going into the community for part of their education, she said.

That could be accomplished by setting up internships. The written report noted that one possible example would be to have a Business, Marketing and Management Academy located at an existing Grand Island business, with Senior High students in the Islander Prep Academy given the opportunity for various internships.

The report said that students in Islander Prep Academies could take some of their courses at Central Community College-Grand Island instead of Senior High.

Dexter said one idea under consideration is changing Senior High to a block schedule, which would create A day and B day schedules. That would allow more students to get into pathways.

She said it might double the number of students in pathways.

The next steps will be for the District Management Council, which worked with school officials and community members on the high school visioning process, to prepare a final report. Working groups would then be created to enact all the various initiatives and action steps.

For the record

In other action, the board:

 Approved a bid from Yellow Dog Networks for the purchase of two routers to provide the necessary equipment in the districts computer network core to help move GIPS toward a goal of full redundancy for its network and its internet services. The redundancy is to prevent any long outages for students and staff when it comes to the computer network and internet access. The bid price was just less than $35,360.

 Heard a report on the proposal to use Amplify Science as the districts new K-8 science curriculum. The total cost of the new curriculum, which is aligned to Nebraskas new science standards, is just less than $1.8 million. The board will be asked to accept the bid at its April meeting.

 Heard a report on a proposal to use McGraw Hill Spotlight on Music curriculum and Music K-8 Magazine for the districts new K-5 music curriculum, with the total cost expected to come in for less than $100,000.
Applications are now being accepted for the Central Honors Institute, an academic camp for Nebraska youths that will be July 9-13 at Central Community College-Columbus.

The five-day residential camp is open to students beginning the seventh or eighth grade in the fall of 2017 who have demonstrated accomplishments in academics, leadership and maturity. Camp participants attend class during the day, enjoy social activities in the evening and stay overnight in the colleges residence hall.

Students are placed on one of five tracks based on their interest and aptitude. The tracks include CHI Creativity (language arts), CHI Stream Team (biology), CHI TechExplorers (computers), CSI at CHI (math) and FLY CHI (physics). Applications and recommendation forms must be received by May 1. The cost is $395 through June 15 or $425 after that date.

For more information or to request an application, contact Betsy Rall at (402) 562-1458; toll-free in Nebraska at (877) 222-0780, ext. 1458; or by email at elizabethrall@cccneb.edu.

Detailed information and the required forms also can be found at www.cccneb.edu/CHI.
The Sycamore Street underpass was closed for a portion of Wednesday to allow for an engineering analysis and the collection of geotechnical soil borings.

Tim Golka, a project engineer with the Grand Island Public Works Department, said the city contracted with Alfred Benesch and Co. to do the engineering analysis of the underpass.

He said one particular area Alfred Benesch focused on was the South Front Street bridge. The contractors placed their drill rig on top of the underpass to take geotechnical soil borings behind the walls.

We can get an idea of what those soils are, and we can get an idea of water content, the different layers, where thats at and how its affecting the structure, Golka said.

He said Alfred Benesch also evaluated the underpasss drainage pumps. Early indications showed that the pumps, installed when the underpass was built in the 1950s, are becoming outdated and need some sort of rehab or need to be removed in the future.

They looked at options to replace that piece of the underpass or potentially what would be the impact of removing it altogether and not replacing it and how that would affect South Front Street and traffic patterns around that underpass, Golka said. The underpass sits in a hole, and with us being in the city of Grand Island, there is no way to gravity-flow water that runs to the bottom of the underpass.

Golka said Alfred Benesch also examined the internal drainage of the concrete retaining walls.

There is currently no drainage behind the walls of the Sycamore Street underpass, he said, but the Public Works Department wants to get a handle on if that is causing deterioration of the structure, how bad it is and if we can fix it.

Golka said a subcontractor, National Concrete Cutting of Council Bluffs, Iowa, took concrete cores from the retaining walls and the underpass structure.

They took both of those samples  the concrete samples and the soil samples  and theyll review them, analyze them and try to get an indication on whats going on and how those retaining walls are behaving, he said. Its aged infrastructure, so we want to make sure its going to last and that its going to be safe.

The city council approved the $70,912 contract with Alfred Benesch and Co. at its Feb. 14 meeting.

Golka said the Public Works Department plans to close the Sycamore Street underpass again later this month for topographic survey work. The overall study is scheduled to be completed by the end of May.

He said the data will be compiled, and the Public Works Department will present a report to the city council in June.
Rescue crews are working to free a man trapped in a hole after a cave-in Tuesday morning near 132nd and Cuming Streets.

The cave-in occurred about 9:45 a.m. at 13019 Hawthorne Court, according to 911 dispatchers. A caller reported that an adult man was buried up to his waist after a wall of the hole caved in.

The man still was trapped five hours after the cave-in occurred, but workers had made considerable progress in freeing him.

About 12:45 p.m., Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Kathy Bossman said the 23-year-old man, who works for Utility Trenching, was the only person in the hole when one side collapsed.

After a few hours, a truck from the Metropolitan Utilities District arrived at the scene with an air compressor hose that workers snaked into the hole. The compressor was used to loosen dirt around the man's feet without the need to dig.

About 1:45 p.m., four hours into the ordeal, another MUD truck arrived with a large vacuum hose that will suck out dirt loosened by the compressor.

The man still was doing well and talking with firefighters, Bossman said. "We finally see his boots," she said. Crews lowered small oxygen tanks into the hole that the man was using to help him breathe.

The man's family was at the scene.

Three dozen workers from the Omaha Fire Department, Elkhorn Volunteer Fire Department, Omaha Police Department and MUD were at the scene. Neighbors provided coffee and granola bars to crews and members of the news media who were there.

An Omaha police officer said firefighters "kept asking the guy if he was warm, and he kept saying yes."

Bossman said it is warmer in the hole than it is at ground level. She said earlier that workers were concerned about hypothermia affecting the man.

Earlier, Bossman said the man had been doing sewer repair work in a V-shaped hole 7 to 8 feet down when the wall collapsed and dirt trapped his legs.

Rescue crews had been trying to loosen the dirt and remove the man with a pulley system without worsening the cave-in.

"The biggest challenge is the safety of the patient," Bossman said about 11:30 a.m. "It's a slow process."

A neighbor near where the cave-in occurred said work began this morning in the home's front yard. Bossman said the man was doing work for the homeowner.

Crews had set up a tripod pulley system with a rope to hoist the worker out of the hole. About a dozen firefighters encircled the hole, and an aluminum ladder had been lowered. Some firefighters were wearing mountain-climbing helmets and safety harnesses.
By India Today Web Desk: The trailer of Srijit Mukherji's Begum Jaan is out, and Vidya Balan is stepping into the shoes of Rituparna Sengupta as Begum Jaan, the madam of a brothel. The film, which is a remake of the director's Bengali film Rajkahini (2015), is set during the Partition of India. When the existence of their brothel is threatened because it lies right in the middle of the proposed Radcliffe line, which is the proposed partition line, Begum and her girls fight tooth and nail to ensure that they are not displaced.

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Keeping Rajkahini in mind, here are 5 things you can expect from the film:

1. Vidya Balan in a powerful role

Vidya Balan is all set to treat her fans to another powerhouse performance as the titular character of Begum Jaan. Begum rules the brothel with an iron fist, but is dedicated to save her brothel and the girls, despite all attempts to displace them. Fiercely determined, she refuses to bow down, even when threatened with physical harm, proudly saying, "Jo bhi ho, bhik mango ki tarah nahi, rani ki tarah marungi...apne mahal mein (Whatever happens, I will not die like a beggar, but a queen... in my palace." Another National Award for Vidya on the cards?

2. Chunky Pandey as the menacing baddie

For the millennials, Chunky Pandey is best known as Akhri Pasta from the Housefull series. The actor looked almost unrecognisable with his shaved head and mean glare. In Rajkahini, Kabir is the unscrupulous goon who will do whatever it takes to achieve the goal, right and wrong be damned. While Jisshu Sengupta got rave reviews for his performance in the original, it remains to be seen if funnyman Chunky will be able to do justice to the role.

3. High voltage dialogues

The dialogues are undeniably the highlight of the trailer. When Begum Jaan is warned that she only has a month to vacate the brothel, she says, "Mahina humein ginna aata hai saab, har baar saala lal kar ke jaata hai (I know how to count months, sir. They leave me bloodied every single time)." If that is not badassery, I do not know what is.

4. Amitabh Bachchan's baritone

There is something about Amitabh Bachchan's voice that automatically lends gravitas to whatever he says, even if he is only reading out his grocery. His narration of Begum Jaan is definitely impressive and his signature baritone gives the period drama an edge.

5. A nail-biting climax

Sticks and stones may break their bones, but Begum Jaan and the girls will not let go of the brothel without putting up a good fight. If they have to take up arms themselves, they will do so. Will they be emerge victorious in their fight? That is something you will have to watch the film to find out.

ALSO READ: Furious Vidya Balan slams man for misbehaving with her in Kolkata

WATCH: Begum Jaan Trailer

ALSO WATCH: Vidya Balan walks out of film over director Kamal's stand against national anthem in theatre

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Fair and honest elections are always important in a democracy. In a period of political polarization such as we are currently experiencing, conducting elections in a manner considered fair and honest by all participants is even more important. John Gale, Nebraska secretary of state, was in Grand Island March 6 and gave members of the Noon Rotary an assessment on how well Nebraska is protecting and promoting the election process.

The sanctity of the ballot box in Nebraska seems very secure under the care of Gale and his staff, and for that we are grateful. Following the very close and contested presidential election of 2000, the federal government provided $3.6 billion to the states to improve voting procedures. In Nebraska that money was used to update and standardize voting equipment across the state.

Online voter registration has been used to increase the number of Nebraskans registered to vote. The number of people casting ballots is up. Voter fraud, while investigated where merited, is essentially nonexistent in Nebraska and where identified is almost never prosecuted. He stated no instance where fraud may have influenced an election on a local or national level.

He did identify areas of concern and where improvements could be made. The monies used to update voting mechanics in Nebraska is gone and the equipment is now at least 12 years old. Voting machines are expensive and many counties, particularly those with small populations, will be unable to replace and/or update those machines without new funding sources. He predicted that up to 68 counties may have to resume hand counting ballots, a system considered much less reliable.

Given that three counties have 50 percent of Nebraskas population, the state Legislature should address the cost of elections in small counties.

Gale also identified the problem of keeping voting rolls updated as people move from address to address both within the state and out of state. This is another area where the state Legislature may want to assist the Nebraska secretary of state with appropriate legislation.

Perhaps most importantly, Gale addressed the need to educate citizens so that they will be capable and willing voters. This responsibility falls especially on our K-12 schools and colleges. The education of young people must include a study of the structure of government, the role and limits of government in a democracy, as well as the history which has shaped our modern democracy.

It is in school that people should learn that effective democracies guarantee human rights, protect and honor separation of powers and protect freedom of speech and press. Democracies must protect religious liberty and the right to vote. Our schools  public and private  need to develop well informed independent thinkers.

Much of the emphasis in education in recent years has been in the areas of science, mathematics and technology to the exclusion of the social sciences. In Nebraska the social sciences have never been a tested subject area. The subject area that teaches us how to preserve and build democracy surely merits equal emphasis with any other subject area.

We live in an unusual time when those who govern us identify the free press, which keeps us informed, as an enemy. Democracy can be fragile. We must protect it!
Was there a murder 100 years ago at Yardley's Continental Tavern?

Frank Lyons began excavating the basement of the Continental Tavern in Yardley. He found a gun, bloody corset and part of a woman's purse.
Where do you think New Delhi ranks?

Hyderabad's low crime rate makes it the best Indian city to live in. Picture courtesy: Instagram/sekiyatrue

By Indo-Asian News Service: Hyderabad has emerged as the city with the best quality of living in India for the third year in a row, according to Mercer's Quality of Living rankings 2017.

For the second year in a row, New Delhi continues to be ranked the lowest, amongst the surveyed cities.

Both Hyderabad and Pune rank higher for quality of living than the country's more traditional business centres, Mumbai and New Delhi, globally ranked at 154 and 161 respectively.

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"The survey highlights that Indian cities that have been part of the survey haven't made much progress on the quality of living scale since last year," said Ruchika Pal, principal and India Practice Leader, Global Mobility.

The only exception is Chennai, whose score has marginally improved mainly on account of public transport, including buses and a recently expanded two-line metro system, and improved availability of expat housing.

Hyderabad has slipped five ranks from 139 last year to 144, on account of decreased power supply and water availability.

On the positive side, Hyderabad continues to score high, in comparison with other surveyed Indian cities, on account of lower crime rate -- violence is uncommon in Hyderabad and in general, the police force is efficient and reliable, said the report.

While New Delhi scores well on account of its airport facility, availability of international schools and low probability of natural disasters. These positives are offset by a variety of negatives including a "notorious" crime rate, air pollution and water availability.

Mercer's survey also includes a city infrastructure ranking that assesses each city's supply of electricity, drinking water, telephone and mail services, and public transportation as well as traffic congestion and the range of international flights available from local airports.

Amongst Indian cities, Mumbai is ranked the highest at 141, followed by Kolkata (149) and Pune (151). Bengaluru is rated the lowest, amongst the surveyed Indian cities, ranked at 177.

Globally, Vienna occupies first place for overall quality of living for the eighth year running, with the rest of the top-10 list is mostly filled by European cities.

In South Asia, the Indian cities fare much better on quality of living compared to Dhaka in Bangladesh (rank 214), and Islamabad (rank 194), Lahore (rank 202) and Karachi (rank 204). Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka however has emerged as the top ranker in South Asia, with a score of 132.

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In June 2017, the Village of Glen Carbon will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the date of its incorporation (Quasquicentennial). This is the sixthpart of a series of articles dedicated to telling the rich story of people and events that contributed to the development of the community throughout its history.

From the beginning of the Goshen Settlement, religion played a part in the establishment and growth of Glen Carbon. In 1799, David Bagley, a Virginia Baptist minister, came through the area. He found the land so desirable that he compared it to the Biblical Land of Goshen (Land of Milk and Honey).

As the settlement grew the Methodist church was the first to organize. Thomas and Polly Good built the first Methodist church in the state of Illinois in 1805 called Bethel Chapel. It was located near the entrance to present day Lakewood Subdivision. In 1807, the first church camp meeting in Illinois was held here led by Bishop William McKendree (McKendree University) and Reverend Jesse Walker. In 1816, Bethel Chapel was the site of the Missouri Annual Conference. The Bethel Society led by Reverend Joseph Oglesby, was the largest society in the county. Constructed of unhewn logs and clapboard, Bethel Chapel deteriorated and was abandoned in the mid-1800s. The site is marked by a granite stone and was designated a Local Landmark by the Glen Carbon Historical and Museum Commission in 2016.

In 1894, the Methodists reorganized becoming the first church to be established in the new Village of Glen Carbon. Called the Methodist Episcopal Church South, the white clapboard church was located at 57 Sunset Avenue. The church building still stands but is now home to The Shiloh Christian Church. The Methodist congregation moved to a larger church renamed New Bethel Methodist at 131 North Main Street in the 1980s.

The Episcopalians were next to organize. Many of the immigrant miners were from England and members of the Church of England. The Rt. Reverend William Edward Osborne, Bishop of Springfield, made it his mission to organize the miners. The first known Episcopal service in Glen was conducted in 1905. St. Thomas Episcopal Church was built in 1912 on land donated by the Madison Coal Corporation at 186 Summit Avenue.

The Goshen Settlement also included those of the Catholic faith. The Martin Smola family travelled to Edwardsville to practice their faith at the old St. Marys churches. Father Charles Meagher became very interested in the Glen Carbonites and began offering mass at Glen Carbon. In January 1926, Rev. Meagher petitioned the Bishop to start a new parish in Glen Carbon. The new church was dedicated in June 1927 and was located on what is now Meridian Road where it intersects with Main Street. In 1960, parishioner Catherine Slemer was instrumental in securing a set of bells from the Lady of Czestochowa Church in St. Louis before it was razed. Her husband, Rudy, and Harold Ernst brought the bells from St. Louis in Ernsts farm truck. When St. Cecilias outgrew their sanctuary a new church was constructed in 1980 at 153 Glen Carbon Rd. The bells and the rosette window from the old church were installed in the new structure.

In the 1940s, a small Assembly of God church group met in the small building on Main Street that had previously housed a shoe repair shop. In 1953, the congregation of the One Accord Assembly of God Church built a new building on Steiss Street. In 2009, the building was sold to The Bridge Free Methodist Church.

The Maryville Baptists helped organize the First Baptist Church of Glen Carbon in the 1950s. This small church located at 146 S. Main Street was sold in the summer of 2016.

Edwardsvilles Eden United Church of Christ, built a community center at 180 Cottonwood Road in 1975. Today the building houses The Cottonwood Family Church.

The congregation of the Edwardsville Church of the Nazarene built a new church at 400 Glen Carbon Road renaming it Glenview Church of the Nazarene, in 1978.

Faith Baptist Church was established in August 1979. Located at 3899 Rte. 159, the church is now The New Covenant Church, a Baptist Church in the reformed tradition.

St. James Lutheran Church was established in 1983. This church is located at 146 N. Main Street.

The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints established a Glen Carbon Ward in 1987. The Religious Center is located at 2250 St. Rte. 157, Glen Carbon, IL.

Gateway Family Church, a non-denominational church, is located at 97 Oaklawn Road. The building that houses this church has an interesting story. In 2000, two office buildings occupied the southeast corner of Rte. 159 and Glen Carbon Road where Walgreens is now located. These two buildings were skillfully moved down Rte. 159, across a field and situated on their present location on Oaklawn Rd. Connected to form one, they were remodeled into the church serving the community today.

The Bridge, a Free Methodist Church, was launched as a new church in January 2000. After meeting in the old Cottonwood Mall and various other locations, The Bridge purchased a building, in Old Town, taking possession in January 2010.

Today there is a diverse selection of churches in Glen Carbon to serve the community.

The next article will provide the history of the Glen Carbon schools, library and museum.
The Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter Sons of the American Revolution held its annual awards dinner on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at the First Christian Church in Edwardsville.

Member and local historian Kevin Kaegy from Greenville presented a program on Slavery and the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Local Resident Honored for Thirty Years of Membership

The evening had three highlights: First was a standing ovation when Edwardsville resident Marvin Joseph (Joe) Hill received a pin recognizing his 30 years of membership. Hill has been an active member of the Society since he joined, serving as chapter treasurer, chapter president and state treasurer.

Essay Contest winner

The second highlight was a presentation honoring the chapters Knights Essay Contest winner, Abbie Peterson, a senior at Staunton High School. Chapter chairman Eric Reelitz presented Abbie with a certificate and a check for $200. Her essay has been submitted for competition at the state level.

New Officers installed

The third highlight of the evening was the installation of officers for the next two years. Those elected are: President, Charles Dobias of Collinsville; Vice President, Robert Ridenour of Dorsey; Treasurer, Thomas Beavers of Edwardsville; Registrar, Jim DeGroff of Troy; Chaplain Lloyd Schwarz of Glen Carbon; and Secretary, Roy Wehling, of Edwardsville. State President Toby Chamberlain from Chatham installed the new officers.

The Genl George Rogers Clark Chapter has been active in the local area since its organization in February 1986. Chapter activities include sponsorship of a Little League team, honoring heroic deeds of first responders and brave citizens, recognizing JROTC and ROTC cadets, recognizing outstanding American history teachers and Outstanding Citizens from high schools, participating in Wreaths Across America, honoring Eagle Scouts, and identifying and marking Revolutionary War patriot graves. Additional information is available on the chapter website http://ggrc-sar-il.org/ or by calling Jim DeGroff, 667-8660.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the University of Illinois (U of I) a three-year $287,690 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant. The award supports the multi-institutional promotion of scientific skills and interdisciplinary research among first generation students in the areas of archaeology and ecology in an effort to document the onset of the Anthropocene, the most recent geological time period, dominated by human impacts on the Earth.

The project is a partnership among the SIUE Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Research, Education and Outreach; the U of I Illinois Natural History Survey; the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences Department of Anthropology; and Western Illinois University.

REUs offer an incredible learning-research experience for undergraduates. The NSF award is a strong affirmation of SIUEs commitment to its teacher-scholar philosophy, said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the SIUE Graduate School. The grant award is also a confirmation of the value SIUE brings to collaborations with research intensive institutions, like the University of Illinois.

The project, Exploring Evidence of Anthropocene: Archaeological and Ecological Interdisciplinary Research Experiences for First Generation Students in the Upper Mississippi River System, will offer immersive research experiences to 10-undergraduate students during an 8-week period, beginning summer 2017. Carol Colaninno-Meeks, PhD, assistant research professor in the SIUE STEM Center is the principal investigator (PI), and closely operating the program is co-PI John Chick, PhD, director of the Great Rivers Field Station, U of I Illinois Natural History Survey.

At the SIUE STEM Center we are committed to developing undergraduate educational programming that will have a high impact on students future success as researchers and professionals upon graduation, said Colaninno-Meeks. The research opportunities offered through this REU site will give first generation undergraduates a truly interdisciplinary experience that is rarely seen in higher education or academia.

SIUE will serve as host for the REU site, with students conducting field studies on campus, at the Great Rivers Field Station in Alton, and Western Illinois Universitys Kibbe Life Science Research Center. Students will engage in field archaeology and fish-monitoring programs in the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, and will learn methodologies and theoretical perspectives that bridge archaeological and ecological concepts.

I am involved in two different long-term monitoring and research programs in the Upper Mississippi River System, said Chick. One has over 50 years of continuous fish monitoring data, and the second has a continuous stream of over 25 years of fish and water quality data. Combining this information with archaeological data on fish remains dating back over millennia presents a unique opportunity to assess human use and potential impacts on great rivers.

This REU award exemplifies the STEM Centers goal to collaborate with SIUE departments and outside partners to promote interdisciplinary research projects, which are a priority for federal funding agencies, said Sharon Locke, PhD, director of the SIUE STEM Center. I am thrilled that SIUE will be hosting first generation undergraduates in conducting cutting-edge research to better understand human interactions with the environment.

Senior personnel involved in the collaborative project include Corey Ragsdale, PhD, assistant professor and Julie Zimmermann, PhD, professor, both in the SIUE Department of Anthropology; the U of I Illinois Natural History Surveys Andrew Casper, PhD, director of the Illinois River Biological Station, and Sergiusz Czesney, PhD, director of the Lake Michigan Biological Station; and James Lamer, PhD, site manager of Western Illinois Universitys Kibbe Field Station.

This program is an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students to conduct interdisciplinary research documenting the onset of the Anthropocene in this region, Colaninno-Meeks explained. Students will work closely with scholars who are using new, innovative approaches to probe this pressing research question.

The SIUE STEM Center is also working with the Office of Student Affairs SIUE 1st program to facilitate career development for first generation college students.

As leaders of this project, Dr. Chick and I will incorporate our history of prioritizing undergraduate mentorship and shared passion for helping students develop into informed researchers and professionals, added Colaninno-Meeks. The career development opportunities offered during this program will include sessions on developing a strong resume/CV, exploring options for post-baccalaureate education, and best practices for presenting research.

Students involved in the program will present an original contribution to the field of studies documenting the timing and scope of the onset of Anthropocene in the Upper Mississippi River System at SIUE in July, and at the Mississippi River Research Consortium being held spring 2018.
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Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The large-scale crimes against humanity in Syria began on March 15, 2011, and the barbaric acts will continue as the world remains ignorant to the crisis. With little power and influence in the region, Indonesia can only condemn the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and appeal to the Bashar al-Assad administration to provide full and unbridled access for humanitarian aid.

The civil war began six years ago, when the Arab Spring swept across Arab countries, including Tunisia and Egypt. Syrian President Al-Assad used machine guns to disperse peaceful protests demanding his ousting. His troops reportedly gunned down hundreds of protesters and jailed hundreds of civilians.

More than half of the countrys 22 million population, including children, has fled, become homeless or died, all because the president wants to maintain his dictatorship, inherited from his father, Hafez al-Assad.
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Linkedin Shailesh Pathak (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

As a speaker at Jakarta's Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Business Summit, I remembered Bali Yatra literally Journey to Bali, an annual celebration in India's east coast state of Odisha on November's Full Moon day or Karthik Poornima.

Everyone floats toy boats made of banana stem or paper, places a diya or oil lamp on the toy boat and keeps awake till sunrise. This civilizational memory dates back over 2,000 years, to the annual launch of a flotilla of trading boats to Indonesia, helped by favorable winds. In 100 BCE, it took two months for the journey to Sumatra across the Indian Ocean and much trade and commerce took place both ways. This trade was by SMEs -- small and medium businesses, not multinational corporations.

In 2017, we need to rediscover the ancient ties of trade between our countries. India with its long coastline had sadly become ocean-locked during European control of the Indian Ocean, as detailed in Sanjeev Sanyal's book, The Ocean of Churn. Now all 21 countries connected by the Indian Ocean are ramping up their trade of goods, services and people.

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Linkedin M. Harris Muhajir (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The current economic conditions are quite difficult for the local banking industry. The economic slowdown, which has taken place since the beginning of 2015, has led to a slowdown in the industry. The growth of lending and third-party funds has continued to decline since they reached their peak in 2014.

The slowdown has had a subsequent negative impact on the profitability of the banking industry. The banking industrys return on investment (ROA), which reached 2.77 percent in December 2014, fell to 2.17 percent in December 2016.

In such a situation, some experts are beginning to assume that banks have begun to enter their sunset period. This is coupled with the emergence of non-bank financial institutions that offer the same services but with easier access.

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Linkedin Hermawan Kartajaya and Ardhi Ridwansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Demographically, ASEAN is a hugely diverse market. The diversity encompasses not only social-economic characteristics but also extends to culture, language and religion.

Indonesia, for example, is almost 90 percent Muslim, while the Philippines is more than 80 percent Roman Catholic and Thailand is more than 95 percent Buddhist. With time, the cultures in the region have been molded into a gigantic melting pot of Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, American and indigenous Malay influences, making it one of the most interesting places in the world.

Although Southeast Asia is culturally quite diverse, we believe that, in general, there are three post-demographic actors that play a critical role in the region. Their presence and strong influence is a common trend that exists across ASEAN member countries, despite the demographic diversity in the region.

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BJP chief Amit Shah had said that action would be taken against accused like him (Prajapati) immediately when we would come to power. This is merely the beginning", party leader Shrikant Sharma said.

By India Today Web Desk: Seeking to take credit for the arrest of rape accused Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, the BJP on Wednesday said this was only the beginning and that its government would not allow any slackness in law and order.

Taking potshots at the outgoing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said the police which has arrested Prajapati was unable to do so before because Yadav was protecting him (Prajapati).

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"BJP chief Amit Shah had said that action would be taken against accused like him (Prajapati) immediately when we would come to power. This is merely the beginning. There won't be any slackness in the matter of law and order. Criminals will have to be behind bars."

NO SLACKNESS IN LAW AND ORDER: BJP

"The same police which was unable to arrest him has acted now. It cannot act properly when the chief minister protects people accused of murder and rape," he said.

The BJP has stormed to power in the politically-crucial Uttar Pradesh with three-fourth majority and is set to form the next government in the state.

After being on the run for nearly a month, Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati was arrested from Lucknow earlier today. Prajapati has been remanded in 14-day judicial custody.

(WITH PTI INPUTS)

Also read | I am being framed, ready for narco test, says Gayatri Prajapati, ex-UP minister accused of rape

WATCH VIDEO

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Linkedin Agus Dermawan T. (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017 10:37 2063 a291276806121264c0bd211cde4be695 4 People history,jakarta,Jakarta-governor,Ali-Sadikin,art-and-culture Free

The second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election, a face-off between incumbents Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat and challengers Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno, is looming. While preparations for this election are underway, many artists and experts are hoping that the new governor will support the development of art and cultural scenes in the capital as much as former Jakarta governor, Ali Sadikin aka Bang Ali, did.

No one can forget Alis hard work changing Jakarta into a capital with vibrant cultural during his tenure between 1966 and 1977. He has become a special icon among the citys art and cultural communities.

Before his appointment as governor by president Sukarno, he had served as sea transportation minister and deputy for the economic and finance minister. While a minister, he visited various countries where he observed everything needed by capital cities.

Ali Sadikin(JP/Agus Dermawan T.)

During his visits, he noticed that although a city takes pride in the magnificence of its legislature, supreme court building and city hall, it is never complete without an aesthetic arts center. Everywhere, art centers have become [] the pride of cities and states, Ali believed.

In January 1968, Ali was requested by artists to officially reopen the abandoned Balai Budaya, a small cultural center on Jl. Gereja Theresia in Central Jakarta.

Read also: Lapangan Banteng revamp to start next week

During the opening ceremony, he promised to set up an arts center complex with many buildings and rooms. Im trying to find a vast area. Im going to secure a lot of funds. So I need the ideas of those active in culture and arts to pave the way for its establishment.

Alis serious intention received enthusiastic response from the culture and arts circles. Goenawan Mohamad, Arifin C. Noer, Salim Said, Ajip Rosidi, Trisno Soemardjo, Ramadhan KH, Taufiq Ismail and other peers promptly gathered. They had a hearing at

Bang Alis official residence on Jl. Taman Suropati, Central Jakarta, followed by other meetings at different homes of fellow artists. As the result, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) was inaugurated as the capitals cultural and arts space in November 1968.

I leave it to artists to manage their programs because theyre most knowledgeable about art. The government and I personally wont make any intervention, except in the case of artistic manifestation really going awry. In principle, the Jakarta administration will only provide its budget, he said during the launch.

(JP/Agus Dermawan T.)

TIM gradually emerged as a monumental arts center. Art programs were allowed to flow with the support of logical budget allocations, leading to amazing growth of art activity in Jakarta. This aroused the envy of other cities culture and art promoters. To meet the needs of other regions, TIM, through the policy of the Jakarta Arts Council, accommodated regional arts performances at the center, making Jakarta the art capital of Indonesia.

Under Alis leadership, Jakarta was given a soul of art. It is determined, stubborn, self-confident and progressive, but also productive and artistic. After establishing TIM, Jakarta beautified its Ragunan Zoo, built the Monas Amusement Park and five youth centers.

Read also: Jakarta Performing Arts Communitys road to West Side Story

Ali also initiated the Jaya Ancol Dreamland, launched the Betawi (Jakarta) culture preservation program in Condet, East Jakarta, and revived the Gambir Night Fair in the form of the Jakarta Fair.

Kampung Tangkiwood, the village of senior and populist artists, was rehabilitated and the Jakarta Art Educational Institute was built. Now it is known as the Jakarta Art Institute. Even the minorities in the arts world werent left untouched, such as Betawis lenong (folk play), topeng (mask dance), ondelondel (large puppet performance) and kerak telor (crust omelet). He was respectful of cultural figures and had trust in artists. Bang Ali may have been inspired by the spirit of president Sukarno, former Jakarta Arts Council chairman Umar Kayam said of Alis success.

Painter Hendra Gunawan, now living in Bandung and Yogyakarta, described Ali as one of very few political leaders willing to have dialogues with non-political people. He was a noble personality. I admire him very much, he said.

(JP/Agus Dermawan T.)

In 1978, Hendra Gunawan finished his painting entitled Ali Sadikin dalam Perang Kemerdekaan (Ali Sadikin in the War of Independence) to represent the painters admiration of the governor.

The 200x302-centimeter picture depicts Ali Sadikin among freedom fighters, sitting on a big motorcycle ready to receive a bunch of corn offered by one of them. Ali is clad in a white Navy costume with binoculars hanging from his neck.

The colorful and ceremonial painting was then granted to Ali. For decades, it hung in the sitting room of Alis house on Jl. Borobudur, Central Jakarta.

The painting was eventually auctioned by art dealer company Sothebys in Hong Kong and was sold for HK$33.2 million (US$4.27 million).

This high price was associated with the enthusiasm for the upcoming Jakarta gubernatorial election.

Many agree that Ali is actually an exceptional culture and art governor. Therefore, when Bang Ali was no longer in office, many people associated the declining image of the capital as the art and cultural center with his absence.

The second round of the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election has begun and soon the capital will have a new governor, but will the governor elected later be capable of promoting culture and art in Jakarta in the way Bang Ali accomplished?
Thousands of Hindus gathered at Ngobaran Beach in Saptosari district, Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta, on Sunday.

Hailing from across the regency and surrounding cities, such as Magelang, Sragen, Bantul, Kulon Progo and Surakarta, the Hindu adherents flocked to the seashore to participate in melasti, a Hindu ritual held to cleanse the soul and nature.

The purification ritual was performed ahead of Nyepi, the Hindu Day of Silence, a national holiday that falls on March 28 this year.

The melasti ceremony was held in a customary Hindu-Javanese manner combined with Balinese traditions, accompanied by gamelan, the sound of bells and mantras. Fifteen temples around Gunungkidul presented offerings in the form gunungan (cone-shaped floats) comprising agricultural products as a symbol of gratitude for nature's blessings.

Read also: Gunungkidul develops turtle conservation beaches

The cleansing ritual started at Segara Wukir Temple, where ceremonial tools, statues and altars were purified. The ceremony continued with the tirta amrita procession that took place at South Beach as a symbol of life.

Some participants could be seen accompanying pemangku (Hindu leaders) who performed prayers on the seashore prior to the larungan ceremony. The offerings that had been purified were then released into the sea, symbolizing soul purification.

The ceremony ended with a prayer and the gunungan being shared among the participants. (kes)
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Linkedin Verena Dobnik (Associated Press) New York, United States  Wed, March 15, 2017

The three daughters of renowned violinist Roman Totenberg heard the sound of their late father's Stradivarius for the first time since it was stolen nearly four decades ago.

The prized 18th century instrument came back to life Monday night at a private Manhattan concert, tucked under the chin of longtime Totenberg student Mira Wang.

"It has such a different sound than most violins, it's so rich and so deep, and it gave the three of us the feeling that our father was present in the room with us again tonight," said Jill Totenberg, a public relations executive who sat in the audience alongside her sisters, Nina Totenberg, the National Public Radio legal affairs correspondent, and Amy Totenberg, a federal judge.

Read also: Oil painting by Hitler on display in Italy museum

The "Ames" Stradivarius, named after a violinist who once owned it, was made in Italy in 1734 and is now worth millions of dollars.

The instrument Totenberg called his "musical partner of 38 years" disappeared in 1980 while he was greeting admirers after a concert in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He said then that he knew who had stolen it  an aspiring young violinist he'd seen before, lurking around. It was, in fact, the same Philip Johnson who proved to be the thief.

After Johnson died in 2011, his ex-wife had the violin examined by an expert, then alerted authorities and eventually relinquished the instrument to the FBI.

Totenberg's violin was personally returned to the family in 2015 by Preet Bharara, then the U.S. Attorney in Manhattan.

It had been impeccably restored by a team working with New York string instrument specialist Bruno Price.

"All three of us are so excited that it's back, it's in one piece and it plays," said Jill Totenberg.

Read also: Ancient palace revealed under destroyed Mosul shrine

The family will sell the violin once the right new owner is found  to a performer or a sponsor who will make sure the instrument is played and heard.

Wang, a world-class soloist who has appeared at Carnegie Hall, is the natural choice to be playing her teacher's violin. She had immigrated to the United States from China 30 years ago to study with the Polish-born master who died in 2012 at the age of 101.

He did not live to see his violin recovered.

The artistry Wang absorbed from him was heard Monday in chamber music by Felix Mendelssohn and Antonin Dvorak that she played with several other musicians.

Losing the violin was "like if someone took your arm, just for fun, and never returned it," says Wang.

And playing the long-dormant Stradivarius now "is like discovering a sleeping beauty."
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Linkedin Eileen Ng (Associated Press) Kuala Lumpur  Wed, March 15, 2017

Malaysian police were able to confirm the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month at Kuala Lumpur's airport, using a DNA sample from one of his children, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday.

Zahid also said negotiations began Monday to resolve a diplomatic standoff over the death of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader.

Malaysian authorities say Kim was killed Feb. 13 when two women smeared his face with the banned nerve agent VX in a crowded airport terminal. He was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. Police said last week they had confirmed the victim was Kim Jong Nam, but refused to say how.

North Korea  widely suspected of being behind the attack  continues to call the victim Kim Chol and has rejected the autopsy findings.

(Read also: Who is Siti Aisyah? Foreign agent or gullible migrant worker?)

Zahid said police "confirmed that the identity of the body is Kim Jong Nam based on the sample taken from his child." He didn't say when and where the DNA sample was taken.

Kim is believed to have two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau, but it is unclear where they currently are. A man claiming to be Kim's son appeared in a YouTube video last week saying he's safely with his mother and sister at an undisclosed location.

Malaysian officials say Kim's body has been embalmed to better preserve it and that Kim's relatives will be given two to three weeks to claim it.

Relations between Malaysia and North Korea have deteriorated sharply since Kim's death, with each expelling the other's ambassador. Last Tuesday, North Korea blocked all Malaysians from leaving the country until a "fair settlement" of the case is reached. Malaysia then barred North Koreans from exiting its soil. The two countries have also scrapped visa-free travel for each other's citizens.

Four of the seven North Korean suspects being sought by Malaysia are believed to have left the country on the day Kim was killed. Police say the other three, including a North Korean diplomat and an employee of Air Koryo, North Korea's state airline, are believed to be in the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Zahid said formal talks are ongoing at the "secretary-general level" and that Malaysia is keeping an "open heart and open mind" in the negotiations.

Asked if Malaysia will exchange the Korean suspects believed to be hiding in the embassy for the Malaysians in Pyongyang, he said "we are looking at all possibilities."

FILE - This May 4, 2001, file photo shows Kim Jong Nam, exiled half brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan. Kim Jong Nam, 46, was targeted Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, and later died on the way to the hospital according to a Malaysian government official. Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month, was confirmed with the DNA sample from one of his children. (AP/Shizuo Kambayashi)

There are nine Malaysians in North Korea  three embassy staff members and their family members. About 315 North Koreans are in Malaysia.

Zahid also brushed off calls by North Korea for an international inquiry over the use of VX in Kim's death, saying the North has shown that it doesn't respect decisions made by international bodies in reference to its nuclear program.

Although Malaysia has never directly accused North Korea of being behind the attack, many speculate that it must have orchestrated it.

Experts say the VX nerve agent used to kill Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, and North Korea is widely believed to possess large quantities of chemical weapons.
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Linkedin Ivany Atina Arbi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and Sylviana Murnis political party supporters are equally divided for the runoff election as the United Development Party (PPP) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) have thrown their support behind different candidates, leaving the rest up for grabs.

About a month before the runoff election slated for April 19, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Democratic Party, the other two parties that supported Agus on the Feb. 15 election, have yet to determine whether they will support Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat or Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno.

Previously, Democratic Party chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono let his party cadres choose freely.

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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

State-run air navigation company AirNav has said it plans to install seven automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B), a more modern navigation system, in Papua, on account of the difficult terrain.

The tool will be purchased by AirNav from PT Industri Telekomunikasi Indonesia (INTI), which had its ADS-B tool certified by the government this year.

Our priority in 2017 is to have seven ADS-B installed in Papua because of the terrain, from Jayapura, Wamena, Dekai and Timika, AirNav operational director Wisnu Darjono said on Wednesday, adding that he was positive the ADS-B from INTI would be of similar quality to those purchased from abroad.

(Read also: Papua airport resumes operation after accident)

The devices have been installed as part of a five-year test operation at Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, Central Java and Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung, West Java.

The deployment of the devices in Papua is part of the governments response to the frequent air accidents in the province.

Wisnu said the deployment was expected to boost tourism.

ADS-B is cited to use less electrical power, even with a power cell, and cost less, at Rp 10 billion (US$748,335) each.

AirNav had previously earmarked Rp 800 billion to improve its flight security system for the western part of the country this year. (bbn)
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Linkedin Nadia Kusuma Dewi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

The tobacco industry has become a hot topic of discussion recently. This is regarding the draft law known as RUU Pertembakauan, which has inspired polemics between the pro and con parties.

The pro-health camp strongly supports the efforts to reduce cigarette consumption, thus limiting the cigarette industrys growth.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Jakarta Education Agency has promised to tighten supervision at every school in Jakarta to prevent students from organizing "skip challenges," a student game in which they deliberately pass out.

A recently viral challenge, by having someone press hard on a students chest so they run out of air, has been deemed dangerous and life threatening as it causes oxygen deprivation, leading to passing out, possible seizures and even death.

Jakarta Education Agency head Sopan Adrianto has instructed teachers and other school staff to oversee their students and prevent them from playing the dangerous game, known by the hashtags #skipchallenge or #passoutchallenge.

If students are caught [doing the challenge], the school will summon their parents and tell them about their childrens dangerous activity. The school will also urge the parents to explain [the dangers of the challenge] to their children, agency deputy head Bowo Irianto said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com.

City councilor Ashraf Ali concurred, saying that schools had a responsibility in overseeing their students.

Schools must not wait until someone falls victim because of the challenge. They have to start tightening supervision right now, he said. (dea)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

State-owned lender PT Bank Mandiri will distribute a total dividend of Rp 6.21 trillion (US$464.6 million) equal to Rp 266.27 per share, from its 2016 financial results.

This amounts to 45 percent of the 2016 net profits, which plummeted by 32.1 percent to Rp 13.8 trillion last year. The dividends consist of a regular dividend and a special dividend, 30 percent and 15 percent of the net profits, respectively.

Bank Mandiri vice president Sulaiman Arif Arianto claimed the high dividend payout ratio would not affect the lenders performance.

"We have considered the liquidity required by the company to develop its future business," he said during a press conference after a shareholder's meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday.

(Read also: Bank Mandiri sees profit nosedive in 2016 amid rising NPL)

The general shareholder's meeting also appointed Destry Darmayanti and Makmur Keliat as independent commissioners replacing Aviliani and Abdul Aziz. Destry is currently a commissioner of the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS) and Makmur is a lecturer at the University of Indonesia.

Destry used to be a Bank Mandiri economist before she moved to the LPS. "We are sure that Destry Darmayanti and Makmur Keliat will support the corporations business expansion," Sulaiman said. (ags)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The construction of a long-awaited intermediate treatment Facility (ITF) for garbage will begin this year in Sunter, North Jakarta, an official has said.

Jakarta Environment Agency deputy head Ali Maulana Hakim said Tuesday that the agency had raised local peoples awareness about the plan to build the facility, which is expected to process up to 2,000 tons of waste per day and convert it into energy.

God willing, a plant with a capacity of 2,000 tons of waste per day will be started this year, he said as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

He added that the city administration was also still trying to reduce the 7,000 cubic meters of waste produced by Jakarta residents every day.

Construction of the ITF has been on the city administrations agenda since 2011, with Sunter, Marunda, Cakung and Duri Kosambi proposed locations for the facility.

Tenders for the projects were received in 2012 and several foreign companies were selected to handle the project in cooperation with local companies.
Jat leaders told Mail Today that the 'movement', which was threatening to cut supplies to Delhi and block all entry and exit routes to the national Capital, is showing 'withdrawal symptoms'.

Jat leaders threatened to cut off movement of essential supplies to the national capital

By Ajay Kumar: The BJP's landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh has provided a much-needed relief to Haryana chief minister Manohar Khattar, who was facing a major challenge from the agitating Jat community.

Top Jat leaders told Mail Today that the 'movement', which was threatening to cut supplies to Delhi and block all entry and exit routes to the national Capital, is showing 'withdrawal symptoms'.

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Political observers say the Jats of Haryana are now likely to get lesser support from their community members in western UP after their support to the BJP. It has given a big jolt to the Jat community in Haryana, which had announced intensification of its stir from March 20 with an aim 'to choke Delhi'.

"The Jats of western UP have supported BJP in the recently-concluded assembly election. They were reportedly convinced by BJP national president Amit Shah that their grievances will be looked into," said Yashpal Malik, president of Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (ABJASS).

"It now seems that Jats of western UP might participate in lesser numbers on the agitation planned for March 20," Singh added.

JAT LEADERS IN WESTERN UP MET BJP

Sources in the BJP said that a micro community management by Amit Shah just before the first phase of UP election to polarise voters similar to the 2014 parliamentary election led to such a scenario.

They said that prominent Jat leaders of western UP had a meeting with some BJP leaders at a senior Haryana minister's house.

Malik, who had spearheaded the protest at Jantar Mantar on March 2, had announced in the presence of a large crowd that the agitation will be intensified from March 20 and all supply lines and road routes connecting the national Capital will be cut off.

However, the BJP's landslide victory in UP changed all equations. "We will continue the agitation in Haryana and the Jat community in Delhi will support the cause," Malik said.

The ABJASS leader had earlier claimed that community people from Haryana will choke basic supplies like water and roads from the western and southern sides, Jats of UP will block road routes from the northern and eastern sides, and Jats of 260 villages in Delhi will counter the central government from inside Delhi.

Last year's Jat agitation had claimed several lives.

ALSO READ | Why Jats demand quota in jobs: 10 reasons from sex ratio to 7th Pay Commission

ALSO READ | Who will be the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister? Home Minister Rajnath Singh leads the race

ALSO WATCH | Jats to protest today at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for reservation

--- ENDS ---

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Linkedin Panca Nugraha and Luh De Suriyani (The Jakarta Post) Mataram/Denpasar  Wed, March 15, 2017 09:21 2063 a291276806121264c0bd211cde4b7039 4 National migrant-workers,migrant-protection,illegal-migrants,death,human-trafficking Free

Success stories of Indonesian migrant workers (TKI) also come with bitter tales, such as Sarafiyah Binti Muhammad Saleh who died after allegedly being tortured by her employer in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection and Recruitment Office (BP3TKI) helped return Sarafiyahs body to her family in Dompu regency. Her body was sent from Dubai on Tuesday and would arrive in Mataram on Wednesday.

We received a report that Sarafiyah died from being tortured by her employer, the NTB office head Mucharom Ashadi said on Tuesday adding that the case was being processed in Dubai.

The death case also revealed that Sarafiyah was an undocumented migrant worker in Dubai.

The agency helped return another migrant worker from Bima named Muslim Aljabar on Tuesday.

Mucharom said Aljabar died from an accident at his workplace in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

Aljabar was also an undocumented migrant worker, he added.

The NTB BP3TKI office has been handling 111 cases of Indonesian migrant workers hailing from NTB facing problems abroad. The figure came from the January to February period. Of the cases, 77 were experienced by legal or procedural workers while the 34 others were experienced by illegal or non-procedural workers.

The problems varied, ranging from light to heavy ones, the offices protection section head Noerman Adhiguna told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

The office would handle the cases after receiving reports from the workers respective families.

Mostly the families filed reports with us and asked us to facilitate their return home, said Noerman, adding that some of the illegal workers had been brought home in stages.

Besides ill-treatment, the cases usually stemmed from disputes between the illegal workers and their employers. The cases could include unfair wages or unpaid insurance claims.

The BP3TKI would help to mediate and facilitate workers rights abroad.

Noerman said last year his office handled over 570 cases of TKI from NTB facing problems abroad, most of the cases occurred in Malaysia.

The figure was small compared to the number of TKI from NTB working abroad, which amounts to 40,000 annually, he said.

There was another recent case of alleged torture, suffered by Sri Rabitah from North Lombok, who was in the center of alleged organ trafficking news last month. She was admitted to Sanglah Provincial Hospital in Denpasar as part of her physical examinations after she reported abdominal pain after returning from Qatar.

West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Hospital (RSUP NTB) in Mataram announced that she had not lost her kidney but needed more checks on her health. The hospital then referred her to the Sanglah Hospital, which performed abdominal surgery on her on Monday to ease the inflammation around her bladder.

Kadek Nariyantha, spokesman of the hospital, said Rabitah was in critical condition when she was referred to the hospital, but now she had regained consciousness.

The team of doctors who handled her case said she suffered from peritonitis on her abdomen.

The patient also suffered from anemia, low hemoglobin, and she had not defecated for a week, he said.

Muhammad Saleh from the Center for Legal Aid for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PBHBMI), who gave legal assistance to Rabitah, suspected that she was a victim of human trafficking. Moreover, Saleh claimed Rabitah also suffered torture while working as a domestic worker for a family in Qatar.
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017 09:11 2063 a291276806121264c0bd211cde4b6a8a 4 National GolkarParty,e-KTP,corruption-case,setya-novanto Free

Following the uncovering of a massive corruption scandal that has rattled the House of Representatives, old rifts within the Golkar Party, the second-largest faction in the legislature, have reemerged.

The partys chief, Setya Novanto, in office for barely a year, is facing calls for his resignation after a court revealed last week that he was among a long list of lawmakers alleged to have accepted illicit funds embezzled from the electronic ID card (e-ID) project.

In the project that was initiated during the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration, about 40 percent of the allocated Rp 5.9 trillion was reportedly embezzled, and the money allegedly went to former home minister Gamawan Fauzi and lawmakers in House Commission II overseeing home affairs and the House Budget Committee, which had the authority to approve the project.

At that time, Setya was in charge as Golkar faction chairman at the House.

Any move to oust Setya, who is also House Speaker, from the party chairmanship has yet to made manifest but apparent maneuvers by his opponents seem to have worried Golkars board of experts chairman Agung Laksono.

I want all [individuals] both within and outside party not to get over-excited, Agung told reporters after a closed-door board of experts meeting on Tuesday.

Other Golkar politicians, such as Melchias Markus Mekeng and Agun Gunanjar, were also mentioned as allegedly receiving embezzled funds.

I ask all members on central and regional boards to stay united and maintain solidity. The entire party management should focus on daily duties and responsibilities so that the party machine remains stable, Agung said.

He insisted that Setya was not guilty as the court had not named him a suspect. The KPK has not even charged Setya much less convicted him. We have to maintain the presumption of innocence, he said.

Party unity, he added, was important so that the party could achieve the target of winning big in the 2019 legislative elections and endorsing President Joko Jokowi Widodo in the next presidential election.

Last year, Setya won two major victories: being elected party chairman in an extraordinary meeting (munaslub) in May, defeating rival Ade Komarudin, and grabbing back the House speakership, also from Ade.

Ade was appointed as House speaker in 2015 to replace Setya, who was implicated in a scandal involving mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia, only to hand the job back a year later.

If there are [members] who call for no new munaslub to our face, but then stab us in the back, well find out, Agung warned.

Golkar advisory board chief Aburizal Bakrie has also called on the party membership to stay united and not to force another munaslub. Both Agung and Aburizal are former Golkar chairmen.

To all Golkar members, I want you all to support each other and work together to find solutions for all the problems faced by the party. I want any differences in view or stance to be resolved in accordance with the partys internal mechanism and regulations, Aburizal said in a written statement.

Under Setya, Golkar had just finished consolidation after a long leadership dispute between Agung and Aburizal. Tycoon Aburizal has usually taken an opposing political stance to Agung and Setya.

The KPK, meanwhile, is digging deeper into the case and could summon all relevant individuals if there is enough evidence.

The KPK will further investigate the involvement of all parties as long as it has enough preliminary evidence to continue the investigation process, said KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Jakarta administration plans to procure a controlled atmosphere storage (CAS) facility to store chilies in a bid to ensure sufficient supplies and thus keep prices low, an official has said.

One of the causes of the chili price hike is insufficient supply. The use of technology is expected to help address the problem, Jakarta Economic Affairs Bureau head Sri Haryati said at City Hall on Tuesday as quoted by beritajakarta.com.

She said that the administration would intensify its campaign to encourage Jakartans to plant chilies at their homes. The citys Marine, Agriculture and Food Security Agency (KPKP) would provide the seeds, she added.

At least, it will be able to cover peoples daily needs, she said.

The price of chili has skyrocketed recently and has reportedly reached Rp 140,000 (US$10.46) per kilogram at some markets in the city. (fac)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Exports during January to February increased by 19.2 percent to US$ 25.98 billion from $21.79 billion in the same period last year thanks to recovered commodity prices.

Non-oil-and-gas exports contributed $23.51 billion, which was a 20.11 percent increase, while oil and gas exports contributed $2.47 billion, which was an 11.26 percent increase.

Exports for February alone reached $12.57 billion, a 6.2 percent decrease from $13.4 billion in January due to seasonality factor.

Ceclining exports in February is merely due to seasonal factors, said Central Statistics Agency (BPS) head Suhariyanto on Wednesday.

(Read also: Ministry suggests 5 percent tax cut for export-oriented industries)

Commodities that enjoyed the highest surge in the second month of the year were jewelry (a $252 million increase), rubber and articles, organic chemicals, vehicles and spare parts and pharmacy products.

Meanwhile, ore and ash metal suffered the biggest drop (a $316 million decrease), followed by mineral fuels, vegetable and animal fats, copper and steel and iron.

The regions accounting for the most exported products remain West Java (automotive, printers and tires), Riau (crude palm oil and palm products) and East Kalimantan (natural gas and coals), which together contributed 39.11 percent of the total exports for the two months.

Imports in the first two months, meanwhile, also increased by 12.51 percent to $23.22 billion, comprising $18.97 billion in non-oil-and-gas imports that increased by only 3.67 percent and $4.2 billion in oil-and-gas imports, which surged by 82 percent.

The progress led Indonesia to enjoy a trade surplus of $2.7 billion. (bbn)
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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017 08:59 2063 a291276806121264c0bd211cde4b55d0 4 National tobacco-control,tobacco-industry,tobacco,health,healthcare-policy,President-Jokowi,Joko-Widodo Free

A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement on killing the House of Representatives initiative to deliberate a controversial tobacco bill, with President Joko Jokowi Widodo instructing his ministers to find a solution that would be good for the industry and mitigate health problems caused by smoking.

President Jokowi has until March 18 to make his stance public regarding the Houses tobacco bill, which health campaigners have strongly rejected.

On Monday Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto claimed that relevant ministries already shared a common understanding about the bill and a final decision would be made during Tuesdays Cabinet meeting.

(Read also: Indonesia's chief security minister to decide tobacco bill's fate)

On Tuesday, ministers taking part the limited Cabinet meeting failed to present a unified approach toward the bill with Health Minister Nila Moeloek expressing her strongest opposition to the bill.

In his opening remarks, Jokowi said he could understand the health concerns raised by the Health Ministry but the welfare of those who worked in the tobacco industry should also be taken into consideration.

I want to remind you all about what I said in the Cabinet meeting in June 2016, that the tobacco issue must be seen from two standpoints, Jokowi said, referring to health concerns and the welfare of tobacco farmers.

The bill, which was included in the 2016 National Legislation Program (Prolegnas) and which seeks to triple cigarette production to 524 billion by 2020, has been met with intense opposition. The Health Ministry, which represents the government in the discussion of the bill with the House, had rejected the inclusion of the bill. The return of senior Golkar Party politician Setya Novanto as House speaker in November last year paved the way for the inclusion of the bill in the 2017 Prolegnas.

(Read also: Cigarette production up in spite of lesser firms, workers)

Despite his concern for the welfare of workers who rely on the tobacco industry, Jokowi said he was aware of tobaccos damaging effects, especially among members of poor households who spend more money on cigarettes than other basic needs.

The money spent on tobacco products is 3.2 times more than the amount spent on eggs and milk, 4.2 times higher than spending on meat, 4.4 times higher than spending on education and 3.3 times higher than health spending. This tells us that it will affect the quality of our future generations, Jokowi told the Cabinet meeting.

The President also cited data from the Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS) that more than 50 percent of spending on medication was to cure conditions caused by tobacco consumption and exposure to secondhand smoke.

With regard to the industry, Jokowi has instructed the Agriculture Ministry and the Manpower Ministry to study what measures could be taken to protect workers in the tobacco industry.

The bill itself seeks to boost tobacco production with a stipulation that would require tobacco companies to use 80 percent local tobacco in their products.

Health Minister Nila insisted that officials from the ministry would not join the deliberation of the bill with the House.

We have to take care of the health of the people, she said.

World Health Organization Indonesia officer for the Tobacco Free initiative Dina Kania said it was impossible for Jokowi to accommodate both the interests of antitobacco groups and the tobacco industry in the bill.

Dina said Jokowi must make up his mind about protecting the public from the danger of tobacco use.

If the bill is finally approved it will also kill all prevailing regulations on tobacco control because within two years after its deliberation all regulations on tobacco control must comply with it. President Jokowi must stand for public health in his decision, Dina said.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Two representatives from gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia visited on Wednesday the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry as part of the companys efforts to find a solution to its dispute with the government in connection to the issue of contract conversion.

We discussed [the issues] to find the best solution in the mutual interest of all parties, said Tony Wenas in Jakarta.

Both Tony and ministry officials, however, declined to reveal the details of the meeting. About the substance, [the discussion] has not finished yet. We will reveal it all at the right time, said Tony as reported by tribunnews.com.

Freeport has refused to accept the demand from the government that it must convert its contract of work (CoW) into a special mining license (IUPK). The company argues that an IUPK would effectively annul its CoW signed in 1991.

Freeport says it does not want to give up the rights listed in its present CoW, including the protections to its long-term investments.

(Read also: Government refuses to step back in Freeport dispute)

Under the governments new regulations, Freeport is required to divest up to 51 percent of its shares gradually and to develop smelters.

Both parties have expressed their readiness to negotiate their differences. (bbn)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

State-owned firms Pertamina and PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) have called for more incentives, including higher gas prices, as the government plans to require all gas stations to build gas infrastructure.

Under a new ministerial decree, set to be issued by the end of the month, gas stations will be required to have at least one dispenser of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied gas for vehicle (LGV).

This aims to help make CNG, widely recognized as cleaner than other fossil fuels, more accessible and encourage consumers to reduce the use of gasoline or diesel.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Golkar's board of experts chairman Agung Laksono has responded to a circulating rumor surrounding the possibility of Hutomo Mandala Putra, or Tommy Soeharto, running in the 2019 presidential election, asserting that the party remained committed to supporting Joko Jokowi Widodo in the election.

Agung admitted that several Golkar cadres had attempted to propose Tommy as a presidential candidate, but their attempts, Agung claimed, had failed.

These proposals repeatedly failed to get the partys support during nomination events such as conventions. So all this time, Golkar has never proposed him as a presidential candidate, Agung said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Tuesday.

He said that in supporting presidential candidates, the Golkar Party always considered a candidates electability and track record. This also applies to Tommy, the son of former president Soeharto.

Agung said Tommy could run for president with support from other political parties. Golkar, he said, would not stop him from doing so.

However, Agung encouraged Tommy, as a member of the Golkar Party, to follow the partys decisions.

As a cadre, if he [Tommy] is interested in becoming a candidate, he must be active, because he has potential. If he wants such a candidacy, he should have been active in the central executive board and with Golkar activities from the very beginning. Only with such things can internal trust for his nomination can be built, said Agung. (dis/ebf)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The government may need to build a new copper smelter by itself rather than waiting for mining giant PT Freeport Indonesia to realize the development of its new processing facility, an energy expert has said.

The subsidiary of United States-based gold and copper miner Freeport McMoRan has been urged to develop a new smelter in Indonesia as mandated in the 2009 Mining Law in a bid to strengthen the countrys processing sector.

However, there has been no significant progress in the development of the new facility, despite the companys claim it has allocated US$2.2 billion in capital expenditure for the new smelter.

Rather than wasting our time further, the obligation to build such a smelter could be mandated to a state-owned holding company for the mining sector. Its more realistic, Center of Energy and Resources Indonesia (CERI) executive director Yusri Usman said on Tuesday.

Read also: No more special concessions for Freeport)

The government plans to form holding companies operating in different sectors with the aim of boosting the value and efficiency of all state-owned enterprises. At present, Indonesia has only one copper smelter, operated by PT Smelting Gresik in East Java, with Freeport Indonesia controlling a 25-percent stake in it.

Im pessimistic if we keep waiting for Freeport Indonesia to build its new smelter, Yusri said. (ags)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The government has stated that it will not take a step back in its dispute with gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia, reiterating that the company must abide by the rules on contract conversion and share divestment.

Both parties officially started negotiations to find a settlement on March 8, in which the government is represented by officials from the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, including secretary-general Teguh Pamudji, while Freeport Indonesia is represented by directors Clementino Lamury and Tony Wenas.

Today, we have clearly explained our stance to them [Freeport] that we are still in a position that demands they convert the contract of work [CoW] into a special mining license [IUPK], Hadi Djuraid, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesperson, said following a two-hour meeting with Clementino and Tony on Tuesday in Jakarta.

(Read also: Indonesia prepares company to manage Freeport)

Hadi also said the company must divest 51 percent of its shares as mandated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 1/2017. It is clearly stated in the PP. Hence, we cant take a step back. We have to move forward with it, he said.

Freeport Indonesia has rejected the idea of contract conversion and divesting 51 percent. The company has also stated that it might take the case to international arbitration if it cannot reach an agreement with the government within 120 days, starting from Feb. 17.

The United States-based mining giant Freeport McMoRan currently owns 90.64 percent of the company, while 9.36 percent is owned by the government. (ags)
By Press Trust of India: Kokrajhar (Assam), Mar 15 (PTI) The All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and other groups today called off their indefinite hunger strike demanding a separate Bodoland after the Assam Home and Political Department assured them of holding tripartite talks on the issue.

On March 10, ABSU members, accompanied by NDFB(P) and the Peoples Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM), started an indefinite hunger strike at the Kokrajhar Government High School premises demanding Bodoland.

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They broke their hunger strike on the sixth day in the presence of Kokrajhar district Deputy Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police and Vice-Chancellor of Bodoland University.

A letter from the state Home and Political Department was sent to the agitators through the Kokrajhar DC with an assurance of initiating tripartite talks at the political level before April 14 next, sources said.

The letter said the state government had taken up the issue with the union government of tripartite talks at the political level with the central and Assam governments, and the ABSU and PJACBM.

ABSU president Pramod Boro said, "We express our gratitude to the government for the letter, but everything will depend on its sincerity. The government should not take the talks as a game. We are determined and there will be no compromise on our demand. We will not tolerate any conspiracy." PTI CORR ESB MD ANB

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The government will require cars driven by the partners of ride-hailing apps--such as Grab, GoCar, and Uber--to put a bumper sticker on their cars to publicly identify their status.

"We have completed the public test for the sticker," Transportation Ministry director general for land transportation Pudji Hartanto Iskandar said on Tuesday.

He added that the sticker would include the image of a wheel and a blue letter T. "The blue color is a representation of love for the ride-hailing apps," he added.

Pudji previously stated that the sticker requirement would be included in the revision of Transportation Ministry regulation no. 32/2016.

(Read also: Indonesia must focus on formal sector amid app-based services hike)

The revision will also include the permission to use cars with engine capacities below 1,000 cc, the base and ceiling fares for trips, the driver quota, the requirement to pay taxes, as well as providing digital dashboards to monitor the operation of the drivers, including the number of active drivers. (ags)
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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

State-owned Indonesia Eximbank saw an increase in its financing in 2016 by 18.31 percent to Rp 88.53 trillion amid a sluggish export performance in 2016.

Acting president director Susiwijono Moegiarso said the growth was supported by export-based small and medium enterprise (SME) financing that soared by 44.54 percent year-on year (yoy) to Rp 10.5 trillion.

Around 15.04 percent of the Rp 88.53 trillion in total financing was done in sharia schemes.

"For next year, we plan to increase SME financing by 50 percent," he said during a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday.

(Read also: Indonesia Eximbank to issue $1.55b in debt paper in 2017)

The bank's interest and profit-sharing revenues also increased by 18.3 percent to Rp 6.63 trillion.

However, net income slightly decreased by 1.2 percent to Rp 1.41 trillion from Rp 1.43 trillion in 2015.

Indonesia Eximbank director Raharjo Adisusanto said the reduction in net income was mostly caused by an increase in interest expenses by 36.4 percent yoy to Rp 4.25 trillion.

"Our interest expenses increased because we shifted our debt from US dollars to rupiah. The cost of funds in rupiah is more expensive than dollars," he said.

The banks foreign currency debt outstanding decreased by 1.4 percent yoy to Rp 38.05 trillion, while rupiah denominated debt increased by 37.6 percent yoy to Rp 39.87 trillion.

"Our rupiah denominated bond issuance bloated to Rp 16 trillion from the planned Rp 8 trillion because our customers shifted to rupiah denominated financing in anticipation of the US Federal Reserves fund rate increase," he said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The government plans to boost the creative economy through the development of various techno parks and further involvement in international fairs.

By 2019, we expect a 12 percent surge in the creative economys contribution to the countrys gross domestic product, Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) deputy for infrastructure Hari Santosa Sungkari said Tuesday in a statement.

Other expected contributions of the creative economy include exports of 10 percent and the absorption of workers by 13 percent, he added.

To meet the target, the Industry Ministry has facilitated the development of at least five techno parks in various regions, namely Bandung, Denpasar, Semarang, Makassar and Batam.

(Read also: RI wants to dance with S. Korea in creative biz)

Each techno park will have its own specialty. The one in Bandung, for instance, will focus on application development, while the one in Denpasar is projected to concentrate on the animation sector.

With the help of such techno parks, startups will be incubated, educated and facilitated to develop their businesses until they can stand on their own and compete with established businesses, Industry Ministry director for the electronic and telematics industry Achmad Rodjih Almanshoer said.

In May 2015, the government announced a plan to develop 100 national science and technology parks in a bid to encourage innovation and creativity within the community.

Meanwhile, the Industry Ministry has also facilitated 13 local software and content businesses to participate in the 2017 CeBIT telecommunication and information technology show in Hanover, Germany, on March 20-24, in a bid to encourage partnerships with global businesspeople. (bbn)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Indonesia and Pakistan will add more products to enjoy lower tariffs under the existing preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries.

The expansion of the items was approved after a recent review of the deal that came into force in 2013.

Trade Ministry international trade negotiation director general Iman Pambagyo said Tuesday that following the latest meeting of the review team last month, both parties had agreed to expand the product coverage as they further assessed challenges in bilateral trade.

Pakistan will submit the [expanded] product list. We dont know how many goods to cover, but if, for example, they add 200 items, well also propose the same number, he said.

The offering might take place in June, Iman further said.

(Read also: Pakistan boosts orange exports to Indonesia)

The PTA, which mainly lowers import duties on Indonesian palm oil and scraps duties on Pakistani kinnow oranges, was reviewed as it was deemed to benefit Indonesia more than Pakistan, with the latter suffering a significant trade deficit.

Indonesias exports to Pakistan reached $1.99 billion, while imports stood at around US$174.51 million, according to data from Trade Ministry.

Indonesia mainly sells derivatives of crude palm oil (CPO), fruits and paper and mostly imports cereals, cotton and fruits. (lnd)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

Yogyakarta will host the seventh edition of Catholic youth gathering Asian Youth Day from July 30 to Aug. 9.

Over 3,000 participants from 29 countries will attend the gathering, titled Joyful Asian Youth: Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia.

Indonesia Bishops Conference chair Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo said Asian Youth Day had been held since 1999 to encourage young people to promote solidarity and build a deeper awareness of their responsibilities and contributions to society.

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Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

President Joko Jokowi Widodo flew to Malang, East Java, at 8 a.m. on Wednesday to visit Presidential Advisory Board (Wantimpres) member Hasyim Muzadi, who was discharged from hospital on Monday.

Seventy-two-year-old Hasyim, a former chairman of the countrys largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama, was rushed to Lavelette Hospital on Saturday.

As soon as he arrived in Malang, Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Widodo went straight to Hasyims residence, according to a statement released by the State Palace on Wednesday morning.

Hospital director Abdul Rokhim said Hasyim should have remained at the hospital but he had opted to recover at his house.

However, [cleric] Hasyim wants to recover at his residence so that he can be close to his santri [Islamic boarding school students], Abdul Rokhim said as quoted in the Presidential Palace press release.

Hasyim has an Islamic boarding school called Pesantren Al Hikam in Malang and his house is located in the same compound.

Jokowi will fly back to Jakarta at 1 p.m. and head to the State Palace to lead a plenary Cabinet meeting to discuss the draft 2018 state budget with his ministers. (wit)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) spokesperson Febri Diansyah said graft suspect Eko Susilo Hadis proposal to become a justice collaborator was a positive sign and might help the anti-graft bodys investigators with a corruption case related to the surveillance satellite procurement project at the Maritime Security Board (Bakamla).

The Bakamla officials proposal could help the KPK in uncovering possible involvement of other people in the case, he went on.

The suspect has proposed to become a justice collaborator. We will consider his proposal, said Febri as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday. He said Eko wanted to uncover actors in the graft case currently implicating him and this was shown in his request to become a justice collaborator.

(Read also: KPK lets military police investigate Bakamla heads alleged graft)

However, Febri said, the suspect must prove his seriousness in submitting such request. Eko must first admit his wrong deeds and give information on possible involvement of Bakamla officials with authorities in the graft case.

Eko is the former Bakamla deputy head for information, legal affairs and partnerships. He reportedly received bribes of Sin$100,000, US$88,500 and 10,000. Eko and three alleged bribers were caught by KPK officials shortly after the bribe was handed over. Investigation documents of the three suspects have been handed over for prosecution at the Jakarta Corruption Court (Tipikor).

Bakamla head Arie Soedewo was reportedly involved in the graft case as well. Arie allegedly asked for a fee of 7.5 percent of the total project value, which amounted to Rp 222.4 billion (US$16.65 million). (dis/ebf)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie and Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

The 41-year-old Sukinah did on Tuesday exactly what she had done in April last year: sat in the sun for hours with her feet buried in concrete blocks in front of the State Palace in Jakarta.

Sukinah was joined by 10 other farmers from the Kendeng mountain area in Central Java, who also cemented their feet as a sign of protest against the issuance of new environmental permits for a controversial factory in the area belonging to state-owned cement maker Semen Indonesia.

With a weary smile, Sukinah, who had been protesting since Monday, said they would continue to lock their feet in cement blocks until President Joko Jokowi Widodo responded to their calls to shut down the cement factory, which the farmers had opposed for the past three years. The farmers believe the operation of the factory could severely damage the environment and dry up local springs, impacting their livelihoods.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has announced the extension of the detention period of Maritime Security Board (Bakamla) deputy chief Eko Susilo Hadi, who is implicated in a graft case related to the procurement of a satellite monitoring system.

KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said the extension of the detention period would be given for 30 days, from March 15 to April 13. He further said that Eko had also proposed to become a justice collaborator in the case.

We will consider his offer. We need to investigate him further because as a justice collaborator, a suspect must first admit his or her wrongdoing and provide detailed information about his or her case, said Febri on Tuesday.

(Read also: KPK lets military police investigate Bakamla heads alleged graft)

Apart from Eko, three other people have been named suspects by the KPK in the case. They are Hardy Stefanus, Fahmi Darmawansyah and Muhammad Adami Okta. The three suspects are from Merial Esa, a company that won the procurement project.

The case has also implicated the Bakamlas head of planning and organization bureau, Commodore Bambang Udoyo. The Indonesian Militarys (TNI) military police (POM) have held Bambang at their detention facility since Jan. 5. Hardy, Fahmi and Muhammad Adami allegedly bribed top Bakamla officials in an attempt to rig bidding for the satellite procurement in favor of the company.

Febri said the KPK would work closely with the POM TNI in the case because the antigraft body could not investigate active military officials. (mrc/ebf)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri has cited the power of women to impact the result of the Jakarta gubernatorial runoff election slated for April 19.

Speaking at Rumah Lembang, the campaign headquarters of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, Megawati spoke energetically for about 18 minutes, saying female supporters would be key to winning.

"I'm hopeful about ibu-ibu [women] because when we move we usually win. Why? Because women are talkative. Bapak-bapak [men] are not as strong as us," Megawati told hundreds of Ahok supporters.

Megawati asked the supporters to help straighten out certain misconceptions, as some residents of the capital believe they should not vote for a kafir (infidel) leader, referring to Ahok who is a Christian of Chinese ethnicity.

"We should tell ibu-ibu who still don't understand that we're not voting for a religious leader [...] We will vote for an administrative leader," she said.

Megawati added that the supporters should consider the accomplishments of Ahok and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat, and that all Jakartans should give Ahok and Djarot the chance to continue their programs by reelecting them.

During the campaign periods for both rounds of the election, Megawati has played a large role in supporting the pair.
One of the girls was a minor and the elder victim had taken her custody as neither of them wanted to stay with the welfare committees. Both the girls have been missing from the last six months.

By Vidya : The Bombay High Court on Wednesday ordered Maharashtra Police to trace two girls missing from Delhi, who had been victims of a flesh trade racket. The girls were not related to each other but were staying together after being brought out of a sex racket trade.

One of the girls was a minor and the elder victim had taken her custody as neither of them wanted to stay with the welfare committees. Both the girls have been missing from the last six months.

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The division bench of Justice Ranjit More and Justice Revati Mohite Dhere was hearing a petition filed by lawyer Anuja Kapur from Delhi asking for the investigation to be moved out of the Pune Police and to be handed over to the central investigating agency CBI.

Kapur told the court that the older victim, is a girl from West Bengal and worked in Delhi as a model. She had been lured by a woman in Goa on Facebook on pretext of a modeling assignment but was later sold off to a man named Rohit Bhandari in Pune. Regarding the minor girl, the lawyet told the court that she was a resident of Nepal and had been lured by Bhandari himself and her virginity was sold in lakhs to men in Pune.

Both the girls had managed to escape after two years of torture and with the help of Kapur, a zero FIR was registered in Kotla Mubarakpur Police Station of south Delhi. The cases were transferred last year to Chandan Nagar Police Station and Viman Tal Police Station of Pune.

POLICE INVOLVED

Kapu, however, alleged that the minor girl had told her that the investigating officer and a few other officers had been her clients and even at the time of recording her statement the policemen were showing her the revolver and threatening her. "These police officers are Santosh Jagtap and Sanjay Kurundkar, who are right now in court," the lawyer told the court.

On pointing this out, Justive More asked the public prosecutor Mankuwar Deshmukh as to "why these police officers were on duty when their names are in the statement?" Responding to this, Mankuwar told the court that a senior woman officer of the rank of ACP had also investigated the case but "since she was not available, so they are here."

Kapur also added that Pune Police had already filed a chargesheet in the case and summons were issued by the court. However, summons have returned as no one was in the house.

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The lawyer pointed out to the court that the girls had been under immense threat from Pune policemen involved in the racket. As their lawyer, Kapur too had received threat calls from these policemen and had registered a case with Model Town Police Station of north Delhi. Justice More on hearing all this said, "We are worried about the girls." Justice Dhere added, "Sincere efforts must be done to find the girls."

The court also appointed senior advocate Mihir Desai as amicus currae in the case as Kapur said that she would not be able to travel to Mumbai for every hearing.

The court also ordered a senior officer above the rank of DCP and the Maharashtra advocate general to appear in the case on next date of hearing which is on March 31.

Also read: Are there over 50 sexual harassment accusations against TVF CEO Arunabh Kumar now?

Also read: Right to Know: How to identify sexual workplace harassment

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Foreign Ministry said it could not yet confirm the validity of information on the death of an Islamic State (IS) leader from Indonesia, Bahrumsyah alias Abu Muhammad Al Indonesiy, as earlier reported by the groups official news office, Anmaq Agency.

Anmaq reported Bahrumsyah was killed as a suicide bomber in Palmyra, Syria, on March 13.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir said the ministry was facing difficulties in tracing the whereabouts of Bahrumsyah and other Indonesian citizens who became IS members. This was because no reports on their activities and departure to Syria were submitted by those people.

Thats why we cannot clarify whether or not they have died. Measures or activities they have conducted are illegal, and we find it difficult to verify the information, said Arrmanatha as quoted by kompas.com during a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday.

(Read also: Police investigate rumors of Bahrumsyahs death)

He said their departure to Syria was different from other Indonesian people, who departed for Syria or other countries to work legally. Data of all Indonesian citizens departing abroad legally would be recorded at Indonesian embassies in the respective countries. Hence, if something reportedly happened to them, it would be easy for the Foreign Ministry to confirm it.

We will easily trace their whereabouts, so we can inform their families in Indonesia, said Arrmanatha.

Responding information released by Anmaq Agency, terrorism and intelligence researcher Ridlwan Habib said the news report on Bahrumsyahs dead was valid. In Indonesia, his followers have sent their prayers via social media, he said on Wednesday.

Bahrumsyah was widely known as a skilled IS recruiter. He was the commander of the West Indonesia Mujahidin group. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Fire Free Alliance (FFA), a group consisting of forestry and agriculture companies and civil society groups, said on Wednesday that it has successfully reduced fire incidents by 50 to 90 percent in the 2015-2016 period.

Established in February last year, FFA has focused on fire prevention through community engagement. The members of the group include APRIL, Asian Agri and Musim Mas.

Wilmar, a group member, said it has educated communities in 61 villages in South Sumatra and Central Kalimantan and trained 15 fire fighters in each village and equipped them with a fire truck.

We are definitely better prepared now, said Wilmar plantations head Gurcharan Singh during an event to review the program.

(Read also: Indonesian government remains vigilant on forest fires)

The government encourages the private sector to participate in preventing forest fires, said Prabianto Mukti Wibowo, an official from the Coordinating Economic Ministry.

Prabianto also mentioned that land and forest fires have become annual man-made disasters for the last 18 years and occurred in the same locations, which are in seven provinces covering 731 villages.

The fire season of 2015 saw one of the nations worst ever haze crisis. After a concerted effort by the central government and private sector, land and forest fires significantly decreased last year, with the total land area burned reduced to 438,360 ha. The number of hot spots also decreased by up to 82.1 percent according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites. (hol/wit)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) is continuing to remove hate banners in Jakarta, with 40 more banners removed from Luar Batang in North Jakarta, a local district head said on Wednesday.

Penjaringan district head Mohammad Andri, said Satpol PP officers had been deployed to the neighborhood on Tuesday night to remove banners designed to discredit non-Muslim Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

He added that he had raised public awareness on the importance of maintaining security in the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, Satpol PP head Jupan Royter said he would try to carry out a more persuasive approach in handling such provocation. We dont have to be too strict and [by taking the persuasive approach] it could be a way to educate the public.

Several mosques in Jakarta have installed banners emblazoned with messages calling on Muslims to not perform funeral prayers for deceased Muslims found to have voted for Ahok, who is a Christian of Chinese descent.

Some 266 hate banners across the city were removed on March 14. (idb)
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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15 2017

The Indonesian Ombudsman has recorded a continued increase in complaints about the delivery of public services, demonstrating that people are no longer reluctant to report poor services to the responsible authorities.

Ombudsman commissioner Ninik Rahayu said her institution had received complaints on public service delivery from almost 11,000 people in 2016, up from nearly 6,000 reports in the previous year.

As of March, we have received almost 3,000 reports. We really appreciate Indonesian people not hesitating anymore to report public service-related matters, she said as quoted by kompas.com on Monday.

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Linkedin Andi Hajramurni (The Jakarta Post) Makassar, South Sulawesi  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Makassar District Court has ordered Rajendra Limbu, 30, a Nepalese citizen, to pay a Rp 20 million (US$1,496) fine or spend two months in jail after he was found guilty of not having a passport.

Rajendra is the third foreign citizen the courts judge has ordered to pay fines for violating immigration laws in March.

In a hearing on Wednesday, sole presiding judge Denny Lumban Tobing said the defendant was guilty of violating Article 116 of Law No.6/2011 on immigration.

Rajendra was taken into custody by immigration officials in Makassar on Jan. 8 after he failed to show the officials a passport or visa. He claimed his passport was being held by an agency facilitating his temporary stay in Makassar.

Limbu said he accepted the courts ruling. He chose to pay the Rp 20 million fine instead of spending two months in jail.

Im ready to pay it, Limbu said as quoted by his translator, Muhammad Rubi.

Ramli HS, the head of immigration at the South Sulawesi office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry, said Rajendra arrived in Makassar via Jakarta at the beginning of January. He arrived with eight other Nepalese citizens. They lived in a boarding house in Barombong.

Ramli said the illegal immigrants were making their way to Australia. They were promised by their agent that they would be immediately dispatched to Australia through an illegal route.

They wanted to look for jobs in Australia. They are not asylum seekers, said Ramli. (ebf)
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Linkedin Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The opening of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung route for roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessels is expected to boost trade between Indonesia and the Philippines in the long run.

The route is set to be launched on April 30 by Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2017 ASEAN Summit in the Davao City, the Philippines.

It is one of the priorities within the ASEAN RO-RO Network initiative, which is projected to improve connectivity in sea channels among Southeast Asian countries as it will reduce shipping time by over 50 percent.

(Read also: Determining Eastern Indonesia's hub ports)

It is going to be easier to access the Philippine market through the Bitung Port [in North Sulawesi], especially for products and commodities from Indonesias eastern regions, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Rosan P. Roeslani said Tuesday in a statement.

On the other hand, he said that products from Mindanao, a giant southern Philippine island, could be easily shipped to Indonesia at lower cost through the new ro-ro route.

At present, it takes three to five weeks to ship goods from Bitung to Davao, while the new ro-ro route is expected to expedite shipment to around 36 hours, excluding port stay.

The Philippines has identified products to be imported from Indonesias eastern regions, including charcoal, coffee beans, matured coconut and cement. (hwa)
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Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Despite rising concerns that the United States will soon adopt protectionist economic policies, high-ranking US officials have said that there is still plenty of room to expand bilateral trade between Indonesia and the US.

I think there's room for expansion on both sides. Some US importers feel that there's restriction on the Indonesia side, said Brian McFeeters, deputy chief of mission with the US Embassy in Indonesia, on Wednesday.

The Indonesian Trade Ministry shares McFeeters view, promising that Indonesia will be able to expand exports of particular products to the US.

Indonesia and the US jointly organized a workshop on Wednesday in a bid to improve trade between the two nations.

The workshop on Key Aspects of Good Regulatory Practice is aimed at deepening delegates knowledge in making international trade standards that will help boost trade and economic development.

McFeeters emphasized that trade standards and policies needed to involve all stakeholders through easy tools like user-friendly websites that can accommodate input from various parties.

Indonesia also needs to introduce and familiarize standards to all stakeholders and regional leaders to provide transparency and smooth out the trade process, he said.

The US was the third largest non-oil-and-gas export market for Indonesia last year. Total sales to the US reached US$15.68 billion, while purchases from the US only hit $7.18 billion. (bbn)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

National Police spokesperson Insp.Gen. Boy Rafli Amar has said the police are checking the validity of rumors that Bahrumsyah, an Islamic State (IS) group fighter from Indonesia, has been killed in Syria.

Bahrumsyah had reportedly lived in Syria for the last several years taking part in the activities of the extremist group.

We dont yet dare to say, yes, its true; but, the information is there, said Boy as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Wednesday.

(Read also: Indonesian IS militant Bachrumsyah killed in Syria)

He said the police were hoping to get confirmation from authorities in Syria and had asked the Foreign Ministry to bridge communications with the local authorities.

This is information we need to confirm properly because it happened abroad, said Boy. We are still waiting for clarification from relevant authorities. So we want to first get valid data.

Bahrumsyah was reportedly killed in Syria prior to launching a terror attack with his group. He appeared in a video showing activities conducted by IS in August 2014.

Bahrumsyah pursued higher education at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta. He reportedly joined IS in 2014.

Three Indonesian citizens have reportedly joined IS in Syria. They are Bahrumsyah, Bahrun Naim and Salim Mubarok alias Abu Jandal. They followed the example of the leader of Tawhid Waljihad or Jamaah Ansharut Daulad (JAD), Aman Abdurrahman, who is serving time on Nusakambangan prison island. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Driving license extension application service will be offered free of charge for 200 lucky applicants, as part of the celebration of the 37th anniversary of an organization set up by the wives of Jakarta Police officers.

The Kemala Bhayangkari foundation would give the extension service for free on March 30 and 31, head of driving license division of the Jakarta Police traffic unit, Comr. Doni Hermawan said on Wednesday.

The free service would be for the owners of car driving licenses (SIM A) and motorbike licenses (SIM C). The foundation will provide the service at the Police Higher Education College [PTIK] in South Jakarta, Doni said as quoted by kompas.com.

The driving license owners who want the opportunity can register themselves to the secretariat of the foundation at Jakarta Police headquarters on Jl. Sudirman Kav. 56, South Jakarta or at the South Jakarta Police station on Jl. Wijaya II, South Jakarta.

The driving licence owners need to bring their IDs to register. (dea)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten has been named the Worlds Most Improved Airport in 2017 based on a survey conducted by Skytrax, a press statement says.

The award was handed over to state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura (AP) II president director Muhammad Awaluddin by Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted at Passenger Terminal EXPO in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Wednesday.

It makes us proud that Soekarno-Hatta Airport has been named the Worlds Most Improved Airport by Skytrax, which is a noted organization in the aviation world, said Awaluddin in a press statement on Wednesday.

(Read also: Airport operator to construct four airport hotels this year)

He said the award reflected the greater ambition to make Soekarno-Hatta among the best airports in the world.

Airports that followed after Soekarno-Hatta in the Worlds Most Improved Airport 2017 category were in Doha, Houston, Delhi, Haikou Meilan, Guangzhou, Phoenix, Tokyo (Narita), Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and Los Angeles.

With the latest award, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has been upgraded to 44th position from 63rd among the worlds best airports.

(Read also: What you need to know about the Soekarno-Hatta airport train)

The award is based on a Skytrax World Airport Survey involving 13.82 million respondents from 105 countries. The respondents were asked to assess 550 airports across the world from July 2016 to February 2017.

Edward Plaisted said the award was based on the opinion of airport users. The award is in appreciation of Soekarno-Hatta Airports efforts to improve its standard of service, including the operation of Terminal 3, Plaisted said.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Police today registered an FIR in the alleged suicide of a dalit JNU scholar even as AIIMS autopsy ruled out any foul play in his death as doubted by his family and fellow varsity students.

28-year-old Muthu Krishnan, an Mphil student at JNUs Centre of Historical studies, had allegedly hanged himself at his South Korean friends house in Munirka using a blanket on March 13.

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Father of the deceased student, who was at the forefront of student movement against Rohith Vemulas suicide and severely critical of JNUs new admission policy, had yesterday demanded a CBI probe into his death.

"We have registered a case of abetment to suicide and the relevant section of The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act. The case has been registered against unknown persons," said Chinmoy Biswal, Additional DCP (South).

"We had received a complaint from his father and after seeking an opinion from our prosecution branch we registered an FIR at Vasant Vihar police station," he added.

The Dalit research scholars body was taken for postmortem to the AIIMS yesterday and the premier hospital had constituted a five-member board to conduct the autopsy and issued direction for videography of the procedure that is being carried out today.

The board at AIIMS including members belonging to SC/ST said Krishnan died due to asphyxia and no injury mark was found on the body.

"The death was due to asphyxia (a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body due to abnormal breathing) as a result of ante-mortem hanging. No injury mark has been found in any part of the body," Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of AIIMS Forensic Department, told PTI.

"There were signs of dribbling of saliva on the face of the deceased which is a sure sign of ante-mortem hanging. Viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis," Dr Gupta said.

Meanwhile, a few Dalit faculty members of Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Dalit writers and activists and Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, JNU unit came together to demand implementation of the Sukhadeo Thorat committees recommendation against discrimination at educational institutions. PTI SLB/PLB/GJS IKA

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Linkedin Prima Wirayani (The Jakarta Post) Surabaya, East Java  Wed, March 15, 2017

PT Sucorinvest Central Gani, a securities firm, rebrands itself to become PT Sucor Sekuritas as part of its business transformation.

The rebranding will be followed by the firm's efforts to improve its services to customers through faster responses and more added value, Sucor Sekuritas president director Nicolaos Oentung said.

"We will also strengthen our company's foundation so that we can establish better partnerships with the customers," Nicolaos told a media briefing in Surabaya, East Java, on Wednesday.

"We hope our long term reputation will be improved."

Sucor Sekuritas recorded Rp 26 trillion (US$1.9 billion) in equity trading value last year, or around 1 percent of market share.

It aims to increase the figure to Rp 37 trillion by the end of this year.

"That will boost our rank [among securities firms registered with the bourse] from 34 last year to 27 this year with a market share of 2 percent," Sucor Sekuritas equity retail head Jeffry Lomanto said. (bbn)
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Air Force has grounded all aircraft of Squadron 16 and Squadron 12 at Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force base in Pekanbaru, Riau, after an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet skidded off the bases runway on Tuesday.

The bases commander, First Marshal Henri Alfiandi, said the operational suspension would be effective until the Air Forces Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee had completed its investigation.

This is just a standard procedure. The decision when the squadrons can resume operation is in the hands of the Air Forces national headquarters, Henri said on Wednesday.

The twin-seater jet fighter veered off the runway on landing and crashed upside down some 200 meters off the end of the runway, which is also shared by Pekanbarus Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport.

(Read also: F-16 jet fighter skids off runway in Pekanbaru)

Both pilots, Maj. Andri Setiawan and Sec. Lt. Marco Anderson, were unhurt in the incident, which was reportedly a result of brake malfunction.

According to Henri, the Lockheed Martin-made jet was procured new in 1991.

(Read also: F-16 jet fighter catches fire at Halim Perdanakusuma)

In a previous incident in June 2015 another Air Force F-16 skidded off the runway at the Iswahjudi Air Force base in Madiun, East Java, when its nose gear suddenly retracted after touch down. No injuries were reported.

Two months earlier, another F-16 burst into flames before takeoff at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force base in East Jakarta. Pilot Lt. Col. Firman ejected from the plane and was unhurt. (bbs)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The political party of business tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo officially declared its support for Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan on Tuesday, comparing the candidate with newly elected US President Donald Trump.

Hary who attended the declaration event in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, said that the United Indonesia Party (Perindo) had decided to endorse Anies and his running mate Sandiaga Uno because the pair represented underprivileged people.

"Like Perindo's spirit that favors the 'little people', we need leaders who are concerned about the economic conditions of the little people," Hary said as quoted by tribunnews.com on Wednesday.

He also made comment on the pairs OK-OC" finger gesture. The gesture is like one of Trumps. Hopefully their fate is also similar, said Hary who is widely known as a Trump business partner.

During the declaration, the party and the pair signed a political contract, which stated their agreement, among others, to develop the capital and improve residents' welfare.

The declaration was also attended by Gerindra party head Prabowo Subianto, the campaign team's volunteer head Boy Sadikin and Abraham Lunggana, popularly known as Haji Lulung, who recently was dismissed by the United Development Party (PPP) for supporting the pair instead of the incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat. (Cal)
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Linkedin Nurul Fitri Ramadhani and Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, March 16 2017

Jakartas commuter line experienced another service breakdown on Wednesday with passengers forced to wait inside a train for nearly three hours.

This was an unexpected turn of events for the passengers, who usually only need around 45 minutes to travel from Bekasi Station in West Java to Manggarai Station in South Jakarta.

Karina, a 20-year-old student, broke into tears as she missed a mid-term examination at her campus in Central Jakarta.

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Linkedin Asila Jalil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Thu, March 16 2017

Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi commenced a three-day tour of Malaysia on Wednesday, with plans to visit workers in Penang and Johor Bahru in an effort to strengthen the protection of Indonesian citizens in the country.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said Retnos visit to the two locations, which is the first in 30 years, showed the ministrys determination to improve the protection of its citizens abroad, including in Malaysia where officially 1.4 million Indonesians reside.

There are 80,000 of our citizens in Penang and more than 50 percent of them are working in the farming or factory sectors, while the rest are either students or those who are married to locals, Arrmanatha said on Wednesday.

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Linkedin Desy Nurhayati (The Jakarta Post)  Thu, March 16 2017

March 28 this year will mark the beginning of the Hindu New Year of Saka 1939. On this annual observance, known locally as as nyepi, the usually bustling island of Bali will grind to a peaceful halt for 24 hours.

Between the hours of 6 a.m. until the following morning at the same time, everyone on the resort island will stop their daily activities, refrain from using electricity and remain in their homes.

The entire island will come to a standstill, with no scheduled incoming or outgoing flights from the airport. The seaport will also be closed, broadcast stations (including cable networks) will go silent, streets will be empty of all traffic, all shops will be closed and visitors will be confined to their hotel or villa for the entire period.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post)  Thu, March 16 2017

We fully support the latest initiatives of the government to accelerate the reduction of inequality in asset ownership and income distribution through land distribution, free land titles and the nucleus estate-smallholder (NES) scheme.

The more concerted programs seem to have been warranted by the finding of the latest economic surveys, including one by the World Bank in 2014, showing the widening inequality in the ownership of financial and physical assets as the richest 10 percent of Indonesians own an estimated 77 percent of the countrys wealth. This means that income from financial and physical assets (such as land) benefits far fewer households in Indonesia than in many other countries.

The Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry has set itself a target of granting 5 million land titles this year at a cost of Rp 2 trillion (US$148 million), which will be fully financed by the state budget. Land titles will empower the poor to take maximum benefit from their physical assets, such access to bank loans. Usually, registering a property can be an arduous and costly procedure. Ministry data shows that of the 136 million plots of private land across the country, only 46 million plots have legal titles.

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017

The Chinese government will continue to increase the number of state-funded scholarships for Indonesians pursuing higher education in China, as the Asian giant seeks to strengthen ties and people-to-people relations with the archipelagic nation.

Zhou Bin, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Jakarta, announced on Wednesday that the government had opened applications for 197 full scholarships for Indonesians to study for a bachelors degree, masters degree, doctorate degree or undertake Mandarin language studies.

The amount shows a continued rise in the governments fully-funded scholarships over the past few years, the biggest since 2016, which saw a jump to 187 scholarships from 15 slots the previous year.

As many as 12 study areas are available, including science, engineering, medicine, economics, law and the arts.

"The relations between the two countries will continue to be strengthened," Zhou Bin said during a scholarship briefing event at the Indonesian Al Azhar University's Chinese Cultural Center in Jakarta.

Citing government data, Zhou Bin said more than 500 Chinese students were currently studying in Indonesia, 25 of whom had received funding from the Indonesian government.

Meanwhile, there are more than 14,000 Indonesians currently studying in China.
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Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) Kuala Lumpur  Wed, March 15, 2017

A Malaysian official says police were able to confirm the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month at Kuala Lumpur's airport, using a DNA sample from one of his children.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said negotiations began this week to resolve a diplomat standoff over the death of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader. North Korea has rejected the autopsy finding.

Authorities said Kim was killed Feb. 13 when two women smeared his face with the nerve agent VX in an airport terminal. He was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. Police said last week they had confirmed he was Kim Jong Nam, but refused to say how.

Zahid said Wednesday authorities obtained DNA from one of Kim's children.

(Read also: Indonesia, Vietnam press Malaysia for access over Kim Jong-nam murder)
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Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) Islamabad  Wed, March 15, 2017

Three Islamic militants convicted by military courts were executed in a prison in central Pakistan on Wednesday, the Pakistani army announced.

The militants were associated with the Pakistani Taliban and a second extremist group named Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami, the army said in a statement. They were convicted of involvement in the killing of soldiers and police officers, it said.

The Pakistani government began trying alleged Islamic militants in military courts and lifted a moratorium on executions following a December 2014 Taliban attack on a school that killed more than 150 people, most of them schoolchildren. Human rights groups have criticized the fairness of the military courts, but the army says all defendants have a right to appeal.

The two-year mandate for the military courts to try alleged Islamic militants recently expired, and parliament has been debating whether to continue the practice.

Pakistan has been at war with Islamic militants for over a decade.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, gunmen intercepted the car of a bureaucrat, Abdullah Jan, in the southwestern city of Quetta, and abducted him, according to police officer Abdur Razzaq Cheema.

No ransom or any other demand has been made yet and no one has claimed responsibility. Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, is a hotspot for both Islamic militant groups and separatist insurgents who demand greater autonomy and a larger share of regional resources.
China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China doesn't want a trade war with the United States but warned new President Donald Trump that American companies based in China would likely bear the brunt of any future trade conflict.

By Ananth Krishnan: China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that China doesn't want a trade war with the United States but warned new President Donald Trump that American companies based in China would likely bear the brunt of any future trade conflict.

"A trade war would not make our trade fairer," Li told reporters in his annual press conference on the last day of the National People's Congress (NPC) which approved economic policies for the coming year.

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"If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly U.S. firms, that would first bear the brunt," he said, citing the report of a "reputed" but unnamed international think-tank.

Li also said pointedly, in what could be a warning to Trump, that "a closed-door policy or beggar thy neighbour approach will not make anyone the winner."

"No matter what bumps the China-U.S. relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in the positive direction," he added.

Li also played down the likelihood of a conflict between China and the U.S. in the South China Sea, where Trump has threatened a more robust response.

"China and the U.S. have been cooperating with each other for a long time in the Asia-Pacific and we have a wide area of common interests," he said to a question from a journalist from Thailand. "We believe areas of cooperation between the two countries will continue to widen."

Amid regional concerns on China's muscle-flexing in the South China Sea, Li said China believed "disputes are to be resolved through dialogue".

Li also spoke in detail on the government's plans to carry out administrative reforms and cut red-tape to boost growth.

He defended the lower 6.5 per cent GDP growth rate target announced during the NPC as being sufficient to generate jobs as well as enable restructuring.

Li played down concerns on financial risks, particularly rising debt, saying China had enough policy tools to address instability in the financial sector.

At his annual press conference which is usually a choreographed affair, Li answered pre-approved questions from Chinese State media and media from the U.S.,U.K.,EU, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The last time India figured in an annual premier's press conference was in 2008 when then Premier Wen Jiabao thanked India for its support amid Tibetan protests in the lead-up to the Beijing Olympics.

Also Read: China makes fresh 'Belt and Road Initiative' pitch to India

Also Read: China hikes defence budget to $150 billion, to step up Indian Ocean missions

Also Watch: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrives in India

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Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, March 15, 2017 14:05 2063 a291276806121264c0bd211cde4cbefb 1 News Akademi,Katamama-hotel,lobby-lounge,AHEAD-Asia,bali,seminyak,design,hospitality,#hotels,hotels,#awards,awards Free

Akademi at Katamama hotel in Seminyak, Bali, was named the winner of the bar, club and lounge category at the Hospitality Experience and Design (AHEAD) Asia Awards.

Announced last week in Singapore, AHEAD Asia aims to celebrate the best new hotels in Asia. The winners were chosen based on guest experiences, aesthetic excellence and commercial viability.

The event is part of eight regional award ceremonies that are set to take place around the globe between 2017 and 2018.

Akademi reportedly impressed the judges, a team comprising hoteliers, architects and interior designers, with its transformation of a traditional lobby bar into a place for learning, meeting and drinking.

(Read also: Motel Mexicola stands out among the crowd)

Located in the hotels lobby, Akademi is a collaborative effort between Indonesian-based hospitality and lifestyle company PTT Family and award-winning bartender Dre Masso. Unlike common hotel lobby lounges, it boasts as a hub for international mixologists to explore local flavors and train new talents.

The company's CEO Ronald Akili told The Jakarta Post via e-mail that the award served as a testament to his teams talents and creativity.

When the team designed Akademi, we wanted to put architecture as the palette for beautiful crafts and elements found in Indonesia and translate it within our signature contemporary style. We are proud that Akademi has gained this international recognition, said Ronald. (kes)
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By Press Trust of India: Imphal, Mar 15 (PTI) Congress today expelled party MLA Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh, who defected to BJP and was sworn in as a minister.

Singh was expelled from the primary membership of Indian National Congress for 6 years, a statement from the party said here.

Singh was elected on Congress ticket from Andro constituency in Imphal East district.

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He was one of the eight ministers who also took oath along with Chief Minister N Biren Singh earlier in thd day. PTI COR NN

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During the 2016 US election campaign, many called for Donald Trump to make his tax returns public, with more than a million people signing a White House petition urging him to release them.

Now, it appears the US presidents income taxes from 2005 may have been released in leaked documents.

They show Trump earned $153 million (123 million) and paid $36.5 million (31 million) in income taxes in 2005.

The forms were obtained by journalist David Cay Johnston, who runs a website called DCReport.org.

While Trump himself refrained from tweeting about MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show, where the news of the leaked documents was revealed, his son Donald Trump Jr was seen praising Maddow for her efforts:

BREAKING NEWS: 12 years ago @realDonaldTrump made a lot of money and paid a lot in taxes #scandal #thankyouMaddow  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2017

Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2017

So what else did the documents reveal?

(Stefan Rousseau/PA)

They show the billionaire paid a rate that was effectively just under 25% thanks to a tax he has since sought to eliminate.

The pages from Trumps federal tax return show the then-property mogul also reported a business loss of $103 million (85 million) in 2005, although the documents do not provide details.

The forms show Trump paid an effective tax rate of 24.5%, a figure well above the roughly 10% the average American taxpayer hands over each year.

But it is below the 27.4% that taxpayers earning $1 million a year average, according to data from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

What about the other years?

Trumps hefty business loss appears to be a continued benefit from his use of a tax loophole in the 1990s, which allowed him to deduct previous losses in future years.

In 1995, he reported a loss of more than $900 million (740 million), largely as a result of financial turmoil at his casinos.

Tax records obtained by The New York Times last year showed the losses were so large they could have allowed Trump to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

But his 2005 filing shows another tax prevented him from realising the full benefit of those deductions.

So why was Trumps tax bill high in 2005?

(Clara Molden/PA)

The bulk of Trumps tax bill that year was due to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), a tax aimed at preventing high-income earners from paying minimal taxes.

The AMT requires many taxpayers to calculate their taxes twice  once under the rules for regular income tax and then again under the AMT  and then pay the higher amount.

Critics say the tax has ensnared more middle-class people than intended, increasing the amount they owe the government each year.

Were it not for the AMT, Trump would have avoided all but a few million dollars of his 2005 tax bill.

His campaign website called for the end of the AMT, which is expected to bring in more than $350 billion (288 billion) in revenues from 2016 to 2025.

Why didnt Trump release his tax returns in the first place?

As a candidate and as president, Trump has refused to release his tax returns, breaking a decades-long tradition.

Although he initially promised to do so, he later claimed he was under audit by the Internal Revenue Service and said his lawyers had advised against it.

The White House hit back even before the release of the documents on Tuesday night, saying that publishing the information was illegal.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, the White House said.

So are Maddow and Johnston breaking the law?

On @maddow I'll break a big story about Trump and his taxes  9PM eastern via @DCReportMedia Ill be on @lawrence, too.  David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) March 15, 2017

BREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns. Tonight, 9pm ET. MSNBC. (Seriously).  Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) March 14, 2017

The unauthorised release or publishing of federal tax returns is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 (4,113) and up to five years in jail.

But Maddow argued that MSNBC was exercising its First Amendment right to publish information in the public interest.

Trump insists the American public is not interested in his returns and says little could be learned from them.

The issue was a major point of attack from his election rival Hillary Clinton, who suggested Trump had something to hide.
By Press Trust of India: Karachi, Mar 14 (PTI) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said that USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor with its wide portfolio of projects in energy, roads networks, railways and many other sectors offers huge opportunities of investment and employment in the country.

Sharif made the remarks during his meeting with leading businessmen at Governor House here.

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During the meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan has now achieved macro-economic stability and is focusing on achieving higher, sustainable and inclusive growth. GDP was recorded at 4.7 per cent in 2016, which is an eight-year high.

"The CPEC with its wide portfolio of projects in energy, roads networks, railways and many other sectors; offers huge opportunities of investment and employment," he said, adding that his government was also improving energy mix to ensure availability of clean and affordable energy to the masses.

Referring to investment policies, Sharif said Pakistan has improved its ranking by 4 points on the World Banks Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Index.

"We have identified potential sites along CPEC routes for establishment of Special Economic Zones that would offer tremendous business opportunities," he added. PTI SH UZM ZH UZM

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Six years since the war in Syria began, we sent Edd Dracott to ask young people what questions they have about the conflict.

We put questions from the public to professor Simon Mabon of Lancaster University, a research associate with the Foreign Policy Centre and expert on international relations who has written four books on Middle Eastern politics, to find some answers.

Who started it?  Freya Hepworth Lloyd, 19, medicine student

Freya Hepworth Lloyd (Edd Dracott/PA)

Its perhaps more of a what than a who, and weve got to think about a few different phases. The war started in 2011, when various groups of the Syrian people took to the streets across Syria demanding political reform.

The people were frustrated by President Bashar Al-Assads regime. They said they wanted more democracy, a better economic situation and a greater respect for human rights. This feeling had been exacerbated by a drought which caused huge numbers of people to move from rural areas into cities and struggling to make ends meet.

Protests against Assad happened in London too (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

It was expected Assad would concede some token reforms, but instead he cracked down on protesters, being quite brutal in the way he dealt with these movements and that led to a cycle of violence.

At this time, Assads government started a policy of releasing violent Islamist figures from prison, such as those associated with al Qaida and other extremist groups. The aim of this was to try and justify his actions and say to the West look, this uprising is being led by terrorists and Im doing what I can to prevent Syria falling into their hands  helping to create Daesh (Islamic State).

Daesh in turn needed Assad, as his inhumane actions encouraged more people to travel to Iraq and Syria and fight for them. So the war had very complex beginnings.

Which countries are still involved, and where in Syria are they based?  Fiona Gillespie and Pauline Quirin, masters students

Fiona Gillespie and Pauline Quirin (Edd Dracott/PA)

First of all its a civil war, or at least it started out that way. However, because of Syrias position in the Middle East and alliances across the region, it quickly became important to others. The conflict is quite fluid though, so perhaps its best to explain how they are involved.

The Iranians, who are allies of Assad, have pumped in money and military personnel assisting his regime. Hezbollah, a Shia Islamist group, have done the same.

Meanwhile, wealthy Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have sent millions of dollars to finance the opposition, largely because they saw a chance to gain legitimacy and presence in the area by toppling Assad  but also due to animosity between Iran and the Saudis.

The US and UK have sent in advisers and not directly fought on the ground, but then recently launched air strikes. At different times, Britain and America have helped give advice to rebel groups who are against Assad, but also target Daesh, who are against him.

RAF Tornados carried out UK strikes (Danny Lawson/PA)

Youve also got Russians involved militarily. Their air strikes are supposed to be against Daesh but are hitting pretty much anyone who is against Assad.

Organisations such as the United Nations are trying to bring aid to besieged areas across the state. Meanwhile, Turkey are playing a bit of a waiting game to see what happens, not getting too involved while also being accused of allowing IS fighters through their borders to attack their rivals, the Kurds, in Syria.

There will be more on the Kurds later.

Who are we supposed to be supporting?  John Sinden, 23, history student

John Sinden (Edd Dracott/PA)

A lot of people focus on the brutality of Daesh, but the Syrian conflict is pushing 400,000 casualties and the Assad regime is responsible for 95% of them. This supposed government of Syria has also imprisoned and maimed hundreds of thousands more of its own people and forced 11 million to flee from their homes.

One answer to the question would be no-one, its not our war, but Im not sure I agree. If we support democracy and human rights then we should support those who are fighting for that.

However, this is difficult. Even if we want to support the opposition groups, we dont know who all of them are, and supporting the opposition can then involve allying yourself with the side of extremist groups such as Daesh and Jabhat al-Nusra. At the same time, targeting Daesh targets and destroying their strongholds  as Britain has  is sort of tantamount to supporting the Assad regime.

Were not supporting Assad though, and not supporting Daesh. What we have to make sure is that our help is getting to the people of Syria and not the regime.

What is the Wests involvement in the mediation process?  Arsalaan Khan, 19, history and politics student

Arsalaan Khan (Edd Dracott/PA)

The West is trying to bring all sides together to talk in Geneva and use the UN as a vehicle for this. To be honest though its not going well, as theyve not gone past the debate on who should even be involved in such talks.

Obviously Daesh hasnt got an invitation to talks and nor does Jabhat al-Nusra, but there was one debate where the Iranians and the Saudis werent there  despite the huge influence they have exerted.

Meanwhile its difficult for opposition parties to accept having peace talks when President Assad is in power and is bombing his own people and destroying the countrys infrastructure and economy. How you can have a president declare peace then rule over people after hes done that is a difficult pill to swallow.

Will the president stay?  Sulmas Fray, 18, foundation student

Sulmas Fray (Edd Dracott/PA)

Probably. Assad is winning the war and the opposition is on the back foot. Given his powerful position  unless his allies the Russians and the Iranians exert a great deal of pressure on him  he doesnt have to leave.

Should he stay? No.

Why have Russias actions not been considered war crimes?  Lucy Rawlings, 24, masters student

Lucy Rawlings (Edd Dracott/PA)

Well, they have by many. Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have both said Russia committed war crimes when they were bombing Aleppo, and Syrian opposition groups have also said this. The UN Security Council even spoke about it. These war crimes include bombing hospitals and aid convoys  Ive lost count of the number of things they have done to be honest.

Its the nature of international law and the Syrian conflict though that, if Assad wins, these crimes will be scrubbed from history.

What actors have access to oil in Syria at the moment?  Maddy Medina, 21, international relations student

Maddy Medina (Edd Dracott/PA)

Wars in the Middle East can often be painted with the same brush, so I think answering questions like this is important. Despite perhaps some confusion, there is no interest from Western countries in oil in Syria at all. The US gets most of its oil from either its own country through fracking or from the Gulf.

Predominantly, Daesh and Assad own Syrias oil. Daesh have seized most of the oil fields and Assad buys it off them. Daesh needs money and Assad needs oil so the two of them deal despite being on opposite sides.

How should the international community deal with the problem of stateless child refugees?  Issy Langdale, 21, anthropology student

Issy Langdale (Edd Dracott/PA)

Ive got a pretty basic answer to this. Humanely take them in, make sure everyone takes in a quota of refugees, houses them and keeps them safe. I struggle to hear politics being played with the lives of children, but political will means many countries dont take their share.

With regards to refugees as a whole, Lebanon has an indigenous population of about four million and its taken in about 1.7 million Syrians  which is unsustainable economically and physically. Ive been to the camps and seen what its like. You walk around Beirut and you see women and children with missing limbs just begging on the streets to make ends meet.

Where can Syrias children go? (Danny Lawson/PA)

Political will says Im an idealist, but Id say its far cheaper and better to house a thousand refugees than to send tens of thousands of military forces and billions of pounds of aid to a place thats collapsed.

What will happen to the Kurds in Syria?  Tommaso Serra, 22, history student

Tommaso Serra (Edd Dracott/PA)

So the Kurds are an ethnic group spread across a number of states in the region in Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq. They are the largest ethnic group that doesnt correlate to a nation state in the world today and have a complex identity in their host states.

After the war they might get greater autonomy and greater political accountability but beyond that not very much. I dont think theres the appetite for a Kurdish state from Turkey or powers in the Middle East, while the West doesnt want to redraw the map or fragment the area.

The Kurds are taking the fight to groups like Daesh and Assad and we are supporting and training them, but only to a point because we dont want to jeopardise the regional status quo.
During the March 1st European Parliament debate on the gender pay gap, Janusz Korwin-Mikke, a radical right-winger and leader of a marginal party, said: Of course women must earn less than men because they are weaker, they are smaller, they are less intelligent.

In response, the Polish MEP has been suspended from parliamentary activities for ten days, stripped of his daily allowance for 30 days, and banned from representing the legislature for a year.

The European Parliament's President, Antonio Tajani,

stated that he will not tolerate such behaviour and added, by offending all women, [Korwin-Mikke] has displayed contempt for our most fundamental values.

In the original footage of the debate , Spanish socialist MEP Iratxe Garcia Perez responded to Mr Korwin-Mikkes bias words: According to what you're saying and your theory I wouldn't have the right to be here as a member of parliament I know you're very upset and very concerned about the fact we women can represent citizens on an equal footing with you I think I need to defend European women against men like you.

74-year-old Korwin-Mikke was interviewed by Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain and said in his own defence: By the way, a shorter man earns less than a tall man. The blonde earns more than a brunette. They are different and it should not be equalised.
When Scarlett Johansson was announced as the main character of DreamWorks Ghost In The Shell, I laughed. Because of course, I wasnt even surprised. Just bitter.

Hollywood seems to continue to find it acceptable and enjoyable to place white men and women in what should be the roles of people of colour.

I was angry in the moment and although it irritated me, it fell into obscurity because no one I spent any time with cared enough to mention it again.

Except now were in the month of release and YouTube has made me sit through more Ghost In The Shell trailers than I ever wanted to watch, so I feel like its important to address the issues of racism and whitewashing.

In case you werent aware, Ghost In the Shell is a Japanese anime set in a futuristic cyberpunk world. The main character is Mokoto Kusangi. Mokoto. Kunsagi.

Already, it feels ridiculous that this character should be played by a woman called Scarlett Johansson. It shouldnt even be a fight. It shouldnt be something up for discussion.

Except, on social media, there were those who defended the casting choice by saying that the character is ethnically ambiguous, a politer way of saying my default race for all characters is white, which is something that we as a society should be working towards changing within ourselves, not reinforcing.

Even worse was the response of writer, Max Landis, who defended the whitewashing by citing that there were no good Asian actresses, something that disregards the work of people of all actresses of Asian descent, from Lucy Liu (Elementary) to Constance Wu (Fresh off the Boat) to Rinko Kikuchi (who you might remember from Pacific Rim, an amazing Japanese actress who would definitely have been a better fit for the role).

On Twitter, Jon Tsuei made a good argument for why its not just the whitewashing thats the problem, but the removal of the core themes that relate specifically to Japan and Japanese people. He states, Ghost In The Shell.is an inherently Japanese story, not a universal one.

This is not just about Ghost In The Shell, although it did spark this article.

Around the same time this casting choice was announced, the first stills from Marvels Doctor Strange was also released  showing off a white man with East Asian mythically magical powers, a white woman as the Ancient One, a should be Tibetian man, and a white man and a white woman in yellow face. Despite this, it was defended and people were assured that they shouldnt feel ashamed for supporting this movie.

The cast for the American version of Death Note has also been announced, with Nat Wolff playing Light Yamagi, William Defoe as Ryuk, and Keith Stanfield playing L. I would also like to add that having a black man playing L is still whitewashing  L is a mixed race, white and Japanese man, and its not okay to act as if all people of colour are interchangeable.

Whitewashing  and specifically the whitewashing of Asian roles  needs to be addressed by everyone, not just a few. A recent study by USC has shown that Asians represented just 5.1% of speaking or named characters across film, television and digital series. The first time that an Asian male was a love interest in any popular Western piece of media was Selfie (2014) with John Cho as leading male, and this was cancelled after the first season.

As a group of people who care about each other, its important to be aware of these things and try to make a difference. Refuse to watch whitewashed works, refuse to read books or watch movies that perpetrate racial stereotypes. It can be hard to break internalised racism, something that we all have through living in this society, but its not acceptable to ignore it, and its not acceptable to know and yet do nothing with that knowledge.

Ghost in the Shell is released on the 31st March 2017 through Paramount Pictures.
Everyone knows Northern cities are cheaper, but PintPrice.com have gone one step further by finding out exactly which university city offers the cheapest pint in the whole of the UK.

which uni is the most trans-friendly CityBased Apartments - who have published a number of alternative university league tables - have compiled the prices of pints in 37 student cities, alongside tables also revealingand which is the most sustainable.

The champion of the university city with the cheapest pint is... Hull. It is yet another impressive accolade for the current City of Culture.

Students living in Hull can buy a pint for as little as 2.40. The UK average price currently stands at an astronomical 3. The table topper was closely accompanied by Coventry and Leeds, both with averages of 2.50, and Swansea with a respectable 2.70.

Surprisingly, students based in London are not the ones paying the most for a pint of lager. Sitting at the bottom of the table is Guildford, with an average of 4.50 per pint.

Wetherspoons Oxford and Winchester also manage to price their beers higher than London, but students of these cities need not despair, for you can always count on your local

Drinking culture has become a vital part of student life, to the extent of which some students choose a university based on the nightlife available.

PintPrice.com is an online database of world beers, covering topics like where the cheapest/ most expensive pints are, what the most popular brands are, as well as beer voting polls and 'beer pics'. The data is based on prices submitted to the website from genuine users, so the more users that submit, the more accurate the information.

Images: Paul Harrop, Matt Brown, Simon Scarfe
This week we picked up immediately after the shocking development at the end of the last episode, when rape victim Trish (Julia Hesmondhalgh) received an anonymous text message warning her to shut up. Our two exhausted detectives, Hardy and Miller (name a more icon duo - Ill wait) are still struggling to balance their intrusive quest for new information with the need to be sensitive with the traumatised victim.Do you know how it feels to be violated and feel like its your fault? asks Trish in the middle episode, to which Miller can only shake her head in shame. Hesmondhalgh is superb at playing a woman who believes everything  the original crime, the police investigation, and even how the incident ruined a party  is her fault, a dreadful delusion with which many real victims are no doubt burdened. It all helps to give off the idea, implied throughout this series already, that rape is somehow more of a rancid and despicable crime than murder. The proprietor of the country house in which the incident occurred talked of how it sullies everythingit sullies us all, while even the taciturn Alec Hardy speaks tellingly about how the case makes him ashamed to be a man.Hardy, as regular viewers can attest, is far from perfect. He even has a go at his colleague for munching on a Scotch Egg during this episode, which many viewers may think was a step too far. But he is trying his best, and as he explains in the same scene, has returned to Broadchurch (a town he never really liked), in order to try and build a second life for himself and Emily, his little-seen daughter. Unfortunately, the beach-side resort is still riddled with other, much more bastardly chaps. There are weak men, such as Trishs estranged husband, played by the excellent Charlie Higson. It transpires in episode three that he lied to the cops and does not actually know what he did at the party, having knocked back so many tequilas that he was unconscious around the time of the crime. Perhaps the most powerful scene in this episode is when he is standing outside the house trying to call his wife, not realising she is sitting under the window inside, listening to the message and burying her head in her hands as he mutters about how he loves her. Then there are men who are just useless with relationships, such as taxi driver Lucas (Sebastian Armesto), who cheats with any woman he comes across - something that does not seem to hurt his devoted but rather creepy wife. And then we also have the aggressive types, such as the thuggish shop-owner Ed Burnett (Lenny Henry), who was last seen leaving the party looking like he wanted to kill somebody. Finally, there is Mark Latimer, who is not at fault in any particular way, but is still desperately trying to deliver justice to his sons killer while the rest of his family are trying to put the past behind them. The Latimers may be secondary characters in this series but they are in many ways still the most compelling, for we have no idea what theyre capable of. Liars, creeps, manipulators  this certainly describes many of the male suspects, and who knows, quite a few of the women, too. The crime may have made Hardy ashamed to be the gender he is, but an incident such as this shames everyone, cynical or naive, innocent or guilty.
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Deepika Padukone's Instagram post on Holi has fuelled speculation that everything is not rosy between her and Ranveer Singh.

By India Today Web Desk: For a while now, rumours are rife that all is not well between Deepika Padukone and beau Ranveer Singh. And Deepika's Instagram post wishing her fans a happy Holi has added fuel to the fire. She chose a picture of her and ex boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor from the song Balam Pichkari, leaving fans wondering why she did not opt for her Holi song with Ranveer, Lahoo Munh Lag Gaya.

Happy Holi!????????? A post shared by Deepika Padukone (@deepikapadukone) on Mar 13, 2017 at 6:57am PDT

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Stories that Deepika and Ranveer were going through a rough patch were doing the rounds, until they put an end to it by arriving at a party hand-in-hand. Even Karan Johar seemed to vouch for the same when he told Priyanka Chopra on Koffee With Karan, "Ram is still with Leela." However, when they spent the New Year apart from each other despite reportedly taking off to Dubai together, the rumours resurfaced. Deepika's closeness to her xXx: Return Of Xander Cage co-star Vin Diesel did not help matters either.

However, DNA quotes a source as saying that Deepika's gesture is not a sign that her relationship with Ranveer is on the rocks. "There's nothing to it. It's just that Balam Pichkari is much more popular than Lahoo Muh Lag Gaya, and it is played more often everywhere," the source said.

ALSO READ: Ranveer Singh thinks Deepika Padukone is "marriage material"

ALSO READ: Deepika opens up on her HUGE crush on Vin Diesel. Is Ranveer listening?

ALSO READ: Ranveer avoids Deepika, parties with Katrina at Shahid's birthday bash?

ALSO WATCH: Ranveer Singh says his outlook on romantic relationships has evolved

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The premier medical institute, which has seen a sharp rise in patients with eye-related disorders, will train ophthalmologists from across India in various specialities.

By Priyanka Sharma: With the country facing acute shortage of eye surgeons capable of performing eye surgeries in various specialities, AIIMS' RP eye centre is planning to conduct a workshop every month to train ophthalmologists from across India. The apex eye centre was established in 1995 and in 2017 it had witnessed patients' rush, eight times higher than usual.

Nearly 4-6 lakh come to OPD in a year. AIIMS experts say about 50-80 per cent patients visiting OPD are from UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh. They come with such severe complications that ophthalmologists in their cities are unable to diagnose the disorders.

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Dr Atul Kumar, chief and professor of Ophthalmology at AIIMS told Mail Today, "Last week, on the occasion of RP centre's Golden Jubilee, we organised a first-of-its-kind workshop to provide training to about 400 ophthalmologists from across the country in various specialities such as Glaucoma, Retina, Cornea, Refractive Surgery, Cataract, Strabismus, Oculoplasty and Ocular Oncology, Neuro-Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Anesthesia. Now that it has succeeded, we are planning to organise one such every month."

The average OPD attendance per day is nearly 2000 while the average number of surgeries per day is about 115, a doctor said.

The RP eye centre has got recognition as WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness. Senior ophthalmologists at AIIMS are creating a district taskforce to overcome Glaucoma, which is one of the major causes of blindness in India.

"The Centre is spear-heading the National Task Force on Glaucoma and the Union Health ministry will train ophthalmologists from various districts. AIIMS is the first government hospital in the country to establish "plaque bracytherapy facility" for treatment of eye cancers," said Dr Kumar.

The National Eye Bank has collected over 23,000 corneas which have been utilised to perform over 16,000 corneal transplants till date, informed the chief of RP eye centre.

According to Dr Kumar, the Centre has developed a software for the National Registry of Eye Care Infrastructure and Resources in India and the department is actively involved in patient care service, school visual screening program and nationwide epidemiological eye health surveys, promotions and awareness on eye health that is assisted by the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

ALSO READ | AIIMS doctors announce India free from eye infection causing blindness, trachoma

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"We are not bothered about the feelings of sitting councillors. We are answerable only to the public, not to the councillors," BJP's Delhi president Manoj Tiwari said.

By Baishali Adak: In an apparent bid to preempt the anti-incumbency factor for the upcoming Delhi municipal polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party has decided not to field any of the sitting councillors, or their relatives, in the electoral contest.

For the last two terms, the BJP has been at the helm of the national Capital's municipalities, often under cloud for rampant corruption and tardy pace of work. The decision is seen as "spring-cleaning" of the civic bodies, with approval from the highest rung of the party.

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"Zero-tolerance towards corruption, which is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's style of functioning, has to be our mantra in all party matters, including distribution of tickets," state BJP president Manoj Tiwari told Mail Today in an exclusive interaction on Tuesday.

About the simmering discontentment among senior councillors against such a decision, Tiwari said: "We are not bothered about the feelings of sitting councillors. We are answerable only to the public, not to the councillors."

The North, South and East Delhi Municipal Corporations together constitute 272 seats, of which the BJP's current strength is 153. The elections to the civic bodies are scheduled to be held on April 22. The counting will take place on April 25.

LEADERS SPOTTED SOBBING

Some of the party's senior councillors include prominent names like Radhey Shyam Sharma, Subhash Arya, Shyam Sharma and Lata Gupta. The Tuesday's decision is seen as a dead-end for several of these senior councillors.

The consequences of the decision could gauged out by the fact that a few councillors, such as Mayur Vihar Phase I's Sandhya Sharma, could be seen sobbing at the party office premises soon after the decision was made public at a press conference.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has repeatedly attacked the MCD for having failed to implement Modi's flagship cleanliness drive on the ground. He has repeatedly called the MCD "a den of corruption" which doesn't even "issue a death certificate without a bribe."

'COMPLETE OVERHAUL NEEDED'

A senior BJP functionary, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the main purpose of the current move was to counter the negative publicity launched by AAP leaders against BJP-dominated municipal bodies. He said the "top leadership felt a complete overhaul of the MCD brass" was felt necessary.

"In the post-2014 (Lok Sabha election) scenario, the councillors' performance was not found satisfactory at all. Not only did they fail to connect with the public but also could not satisfactorily counter AAP's allegations of corruption against them. Top leaders took a strong view of this," the senior functionary said. "Anyway, only 35-40 of our sitting councilors in MCD were two- or three-time winners. Around 120 have been first timers."

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The leader said the decision will usher in a new line of leadership for Delhi BJP which will hold the party in good stead in the 2020 State Assembly election.

Tiwari said that the decision was in line with Prime Minister Modi's vision of a new India driven by the power of youth. Flanked by Delhi MPs Harsh Vardhan, Mahesh Girri, Parvesh Verma and Udit Raj, and to project the party's unity over the move, Tiwari said, "We have unanimously decided to field fresh faces in the municipal elections. Even family members of the incumbent councillors will not be awarded tickets."

BJP pradesh in-charge Shyam Jaju too expressed confidence that the decision will be a gamechanger for the party and it will win the MCD elections.

"The verdicts at Punjab and Goa have shown AAP and Arvind Kejriwal the mirror. It will face a similar situation in Delhi too," Jaju said.

Jaju said the BJP has always contested elections on its "organisational strength" and hence "we have formed teams of five booth managers each for all the 13,372 booths in the national Capital"

He also said that the party will organise a workshop to brief booth managers on their responsibilities on March 19 at the Ramlila Maidan.

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ALSO READ | MCD election on April 22, result on 25th; EVMs to be used, says EC

ALSO READ | For MCD election in Delhi, use ballot paper, not EVMs: CM Arvind Kejriwal to Election Commission

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) The Maharashtra unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today held a rally here to protest against the assault on a resident doctor allegedly by relatives of a patient in Dhule government hospital on Sunday.

"The IMA held a rally at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai against the persistent injustice meted out to the doctors community, as uncivilised mob is taking law into its hands frequently," the IMAs Maharashtra youth wing chairman Dr Sagar Mundada said.

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He said as per the national health profile of 2015, there is only one doctor for every 11,528 patients in the government-run hospitals across the country.

"This is a far cry from the World Health Organisations prescribed (standard of) one doctor for every 1,000 patients," Dr Mundada said, adding that medicos working in such hospitals are overworked, "but government fails to provide them enough security."

Dr Rohan Mhamunkar, attached to the Hirey Medical College in Dhule, was allegedly bashed by the relatives of the patient, a accident victim, over the course of treatment.

Police had arrested one Pradeep Vetal and eight others in connection with the incident.

Vetal allegedly hanged himself in the toilet of police lock-up in Dhule yesterday.

Condemning the attack, the members of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) yesterday wore black ribbons on their arms. PTI ND NSK

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American tourist deemed careless in Krabi rock-climbing fall

PHUKET: Police in Ao Nang, Krabi, say they have inspected and declared safe for climbing the rock face at Railay Beach where American tourist Samara Landers, 38, broke her leg in a six-metre plunge on March 5.

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By Yutthawat Lekmak

Wednesday 15 March 2017, 08:51AM

American tourist Samara Landers, 38, broke her leg in a six-metre plunge from the rock face on March 5. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Ms Landers was scaling the edifice with three friends when she fell, breaking her leg on landing. Fellow rock climbers called for assistance, which took hours to recover her from the site and get her to hospital. (See story here.)

We have inspected the scene where Mrs Landers who fell and asked the local rock-climbing club, and they said that everything there is okay, that no climbing pins in the wall are worn out or need replacing, Capt Chokdee Petdaung of the Ao Nang Police told The Phuket News.

We know that Mrs Landers has expertise in climbing, her friends told us, but we were also told that her equipment was not standard, so all we can assume is that the accident resulted from her own carelessness while climbing, Capt Chokdee said.

Ms Landers and her three friends also did not have their equipment inspected by instructors at the local rock-climbing club, Capt Chokdee added.

Pankum Kittithornkul, the Chief Administration Officer (Palad) at the Ao Nang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), told The Phuket News that many such incidents happened within Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park each year.

The rock face where Ms Landers fell is within the park boundaries, he noted.

Climbing at Ao Nang is very popular. More than 5,000 people go there each year to climb, Mr Pankum said

The rock face is on public land and it is free for everyone to climb, but any person wanting to go rock climbing at Railay should listen to the advice of the local club, because they know which points are dangerous and whether tourists should not be there or not, he added.

We do not have any officials here at Ao Nang OrBorTor with expert knowledge about rock climbing, so we just rely on the local club to always check to make sure people who do climb in the area are safe, Mr Pankum said.
Fire rips through Phuket market clothes-shop homes

PHUKET: Residents in Ban Don, Cherng Talay, luckily escaped a fire that blazed quickly through a chain of five terraced homes near the Baan Don Community Market on the Thalang- Baan Don Rd early this morning (Mar 15).

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By Eakkapop Thongtub

Wednesday 15 March 2017, 11:34AM

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The fire quickly blazed through the connect homes at the Baan Don Community market in central Phuket before dawn this morning (Mar 15). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

More than 10 fire engines were called to market at about 4:30am, said Lt Sunan Petchnoo of Thalang Police.

No one was injured in the fire, Lt Sunan confirmed to The Phuket News.

Local residents said the fire broke out at about 4:10am, when they saw black smoke billowing out from the unit owned by Auschara Saetiao, Lt Sunan explained

Ms Auschara, 49, lives in the unit but operates her SangDee clothes shop at the front of the unit, he added.

The fire quickly spread to the other units. Firefighters arrived very quickly but took one hour to control the fire, Lt Sunan explained.

The road past the market was closed to traffic while firefighters brought the flames under control, he added.

Four of the five units consumed by the fire were single level, with Kan Saetiao, 51, residing in two single-level units, and Jutharat Lilapansit, 46, living in one unit with her fashion clothes shop at the front.

Ms Ratee Krajanglok, 53, lives in the two-level unit at the end of the block. She has a clothes shop downstairs but lives upstairs with her family, Lt Sunan said.

Luckily they all escaped from the buildings unharmed, he added.

Police will investigate to find what caused the fire, Lt Sunan said.

The fire is estimated to have caused many millions of baht in damage.

It has yet to be confirmed whether all the buildings were covered by insurance.
A new executive order will instruct federal officials to stop factoring in the effect climate change while taking policy decisions, US media reported.

By India Today Web Desk: US President Donald Trump is poised to sign a new executive order that would roll back his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama's climate policies, according to reports in American publications Bloomberg and the Washington Post.

The order, which could be signed this week, would be aimed at reversing Obama's wide approach to dealing with climate change.

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Among other aspects, the new measure will instruct federal officials to stop factoring in the effect climate change while taking policy decisions, the Washington Post noted.

Officials will instead be asked to revert to a more traditional regulatory analysis, which dates back to nearly two decades and incorporates a much lower cost of carbon emissions.

The order will instruct Trump's cabinet members to rewrite legislation that imposed caps on carbon emissions from new and existing power plants, the Post said.

Bloomberg further added that the order will direct the United States Environmental Protection Agency to completely undo the Clean Power Plan, Bloomberg said.

The Clean Power Plan was an Obama-era initiative that compelled US states to cut down their carbon dioxide emissions. The plan, however, was never implemented in the face of legal challenges filed by several Republican-controlled states.

Trump has long indicated his intention to reverse several of Obama's climate-change initiatives, but the Republican president has vowed his planned overhaul of green regulation would not jeopardize America's water and air quality.

There is also concern that Trump could pull the US out of the landmark Paris climate agreement, which went into force last year.

(With inputs from Reuters)

ALSO READ | Donald Trump changes his tune on climate change, jailing Hillary Clinton

ALSO READ | India all in for the Paris Agreement: All about the focus on climate change

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Vietjet Thailand to launch daily Phuket - Chiang Rai flights

PHUKET: Vietjet Thailand will launch daily flights from Phuket to Chiang Rai from Mar 26 as part of its expansion in the Thai domestic travel market.

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By The Phuket News

Tuesday 14 March 2017, 07:31PM

Vietjet Thailand will launch daily flights from Phuket to Chiang Rai from Mar 26. Photo: Vietjet Thailand

Nguyen Thi Thuy Binh, Vice President of Commercial of Vietjet Group, said, Last year marked the official entry of Vietjet into the low-cost domestic travel sector in Thailand. Weve received very positive feedback from passengers regarding the convenience and value of these services, and we are expecting to augment existing routes with new capacity this year, especially with a direct flight from Phuket to Chiang Rai from March 26, 2017 onwards.

Other elements of our expansion plan will be to bolster domestic seat availability between Bangkok and other cities around Thailand with new connections to be announced later in the year. Our business remains extremely competitive on price and service, we believe we can offer the most affordable flight tickets of any domestic carrier in Thailand, she added.

The company also aims to increase the number of business passengers using its services.

The airline is keen to emphasize its services that are highly suited to Thai business travellers, such as the SkyBoss upgrade, which offers priority check-in and boarding, access to the Vietjet SkyBoss Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the ability to pick seats on board including premium seats with more legroom and a choice of in-flight meals, Ms Binh noted.

With the new flights from Mar 26, Vietjet Thailand will connect Bangkok to Phuket, Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Phuket to Chiang Rai.

Vietjet airline was named Best Asian Low Cost Carrier at the TTG Travel Awards 2015, which compiles votes from travellers, travel agencies and tour operators throughout Asia. The airline was also rated as one of the top three fastest-growing airline brands on Facebook in the world by Socialbakers.

The airline currently boasts a fleet of 45 aircraft, including A320s and A321s, and operates 350 flights a day. It has already opened 63 routes in Vietnam and across the region to international destinations including Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, China and Myanmar. It has carried nearly 35 million passengers to date.
Such was his obsession with Princess Diana that he reportedly stocked up the Kensington Palace with flowers post her divorce with Prince Charles.

By India Today Web Desk: Princess Diana and Donald Trump.

She was counted among one of world's most-loved public figures. And he? Well, he's the President of the United States of America.

And if you're thinking there's no possible way their worlds could've collided, you're in for a serious surprise. A report by Marie Claire suggests that Trump was quite obsessed with Princess Diana's "supermodel beauty" and tried to actively pursue her after her divorce with Prince Charles and before her tragic demise in 1997.

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Both, Princess Diana and Donald Trump were reportedly, part of the same social circle. During one such social gathering, Trump offered Diana a free membership to his Florida club that she refused.

But it didn't end there, Trump is also believed to have accelerated his attempts to woo Princess Diana post her divorce with Prince Charles in 1995.

"He bombarded Diana at Kensington Palace with massive bouquets of flowers, each worth hundreds of pounds," The Sunday Times quotes Selina Scott, a broadcaster as saying.

"As the roses and orchids piled up at her apartment she became increasingly concerned about what she should do. It had begun to feel as if Trump was stalking her," Scott added.

Back when he wasn't POTUS, Trump also mentioned Princess Diana in his book, The Art Of The Comeback. "I couldn't help but notice how she moved people. She lit up the room. Her charm. Her presence. She was a genuine princess--a dream lady," Daily Mail UK quotes an excerpt from the book.

Besides other things, Trump appeared in an interview where he, in signature Trumpesque manner, boasted about how he could've "nailed" Princess Diana. "She had the height, she had the beauty, she had the skin," Trump told DJ Howard Stern on his radio show in 1997, post Diana's death.

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Why this microscopic mussel poses a problem to South Dakota

Some say the issue could be chalked up to boaters following regulations, but the issue is more complex than that.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) The Congress today said the Election Commission should probe into the EVM tampering charges made by some parties to ensure that voters confidence is not shattered and there is no blot on Indias democracy.

"If any party has doubts over efficacy of EVMs, it is the Election Commissions duty to hold a probe. The ECs first responsibility is the voters should have confidence that the vote cast by them reaches the person they want," Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said.

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"India is the largest democracy and we take pride in that. We should not allow any blot on it. The Election Commission should hold an investigation and we do not have any objection," she said.

Asked if the Congress is ready for a probe in Punjab too where the AAP is alleging EVM tampering, she said her party has the confidence and does not fear any investigation.

Besides AAP, the BSP has made similar allegation in Uttar Pradesh and demanded a thorough investigation, even though the EC has debunked the charge.

"The Congress as a party has confidence. It is the mandate of the people. If the EC wants to hold any investigation, we do not have any objection to it," Dev said.

She said the Congress has a very clear stand, that it will not oppose any investigation into booth capturing, tampering of EVMs or into a complaint by any party on use of unlawful or illegal means.

"Because we are damn confident that we are not a party to do any such thing in any state, be it Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur or any other state," Dev said.

She said India takes pride in its democracy and electoral system and if any party casts a doubt on it, the Congress fears no investigation because it has not used any such means to get any result.

Asked about its leader Ajay Maken writing to the EC, the Congress leader said her party believes in itself when it is about peoples confidence that their vote is going to the one they want.

"Why should Congress stand in the way of any party seeking an investigation into it. Let the truth come out. We have no problem with that," Dev said.

The question is not of technology but it is the Election Commissions job to ensure smooth elections and see that there is transparency, she said, adding EVMs were introduced to ensure that there was no use of muscle-power or money-power or booth capturing. PTI SKC NSD

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Understand the 'Enemy Property Act' in five easy pointers here. We'd also tell you why the bill was amended and passed by the Rajya Sabha even when the Opposition was against it.

By India Today Web Desk: What is Enemy property act?

Any property belonging to or held on the behalf of the successors of those who moved to Pakistan or China during partition will have no right to claim what they left in India. Properties were earlier left with custodians.

After the Indo-Pak war of 1965, the 'Enemy Property Act' was enacted in 1968 in order to regulate these properties and keep a tab on the powers custodians have.

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In 2016, the bill was amended and passed by the Lok Sabha but the Rajya Sabha passed the act on only yesterday after making more amendments.

|| Also read: Enemy Property Bill passed in Rajya Sabha amid Opposition walkout ||

This amendment bill is a law that has existed for the past 49 years.

Why amend the act?

To avoid any litigation and encroachments because of the original law, necessary amendments have been imposed on it.

What does it change?

No enemy property can be transferred to the heirs after the 2016 amendment.

The court rulings on any enemy property are now null and void.

No Indian heir belonging to the 'enemy' can claim property.

The maximum 'enemy' properties are situated in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Delhi. One of the cases that were prominent while considering amendments in the bill was the enemy property of Raja Sahib of Mahmudabad who was a famous politician and leader of All India Muslim League during the Pakistan movement.

|| #FYI Adopted by Swedish couple as a kid, woman comes back looking for her biological parents in India ||

He is said to have properties which cover half of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand which the real heirs of Raja Sahib are claiming from India. Pakistan was also seeking monetary value of the property, but after the amended bill Pakistan can no more claim these properties.

Is it unfair?

When asked about whether this is a violation of human rights, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said if Pakistan can seize the properties of Indian citizens then this amendment will be natural justice.

Does it violate human rights in any way?

The legal tenants of the property will be protected under the Tenancy Act and does not violate any human rights. While many are supporting this decision, many analysts claim that this bill is unfair to the Muslim community.

|| Also watch: Race for UP CM: Rajnath Singh front-runner, decision likely today ||

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The Enforcement Directorate has begun its second round of investigation in the Rs 1500 crore diamond remittance scam, spread across Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has begun its second round of investigation in the Rs 1500 crore diamond remittance scam, spread across Maharashtra, Delhi and Gujarat.

The agency has begun issuing summons to those "middlemen" who played a crucial role between the politicians and Ritesh Jain in laundering crores of money to Hong Kong and UAE, during the demonetization phase.

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As per sources, around 8-9 individuals, including a few hawala traders, had allegedly helped a few Delhi-based politicians to hide and divert their black money in the past year.

"Before issuing summons and recording statements of the politicians (whose names have cropped up during the probe), the agency would like to interrogate the middlemen who had helped the beneficiaries. These individuals have their network spread across Delhi, Mumbai and other cities to launder money outside India, using a web of companies", the source said.

On March 9, India Today had revealed that during the probe of the Rs 1500 crore outward remittance scam, the ED got in hand the names of a few politicians, who "may have direct links and whose money might have been diverted outside India" with the help of Ritesh Jain, the mastermind and the prime accused in this money laundering case.

In December 2016, after getting specific information from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), the ED had conducted searches on Rajeshwar Exports, a Mumbai-based diamond company and had found that almost Rs 700 crore was transferred to Hong Kong in the month of November and about Rs 1500 crore since December 2015.

Rajeshwar Exports is a shell company formed by Ritesh Jain, Managing Director and Amritlal Jain, Chairman of Auro Gold Jewellery Private Ltd.

Strategically, the investigative agency is not revealing these names at this juncture, which mostly belong to the leading national opposition party in India.

Meanwhile, the ED has arrested Kritika Dahal (now in judicial custody), Director of International Rising Ltd., another shell company of Rajeshwar Exports based in Hong Kong and has issued a look out notice against Ritesh Jain, who is currently hiding in Gulf region.

The agency has also sent a FIU query to the Hong Kong authorities seeking specific details of the bank accounts of the companies managed by Jain.

In case, the required details do not arrive, then a letter rogatory (LRs) with legal backing would be issued to Hong Kong and UAE.

Also Read: Mumbai: Politicians, bankers under ED's lens in Rs 1500 crore diamond remittance case

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Also Read: Demonetisation case: ED arrests owner of diamond import firm Rajeshwar Exports for laundering over Rs 1478 crore

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Nations need to demonstrate firm commitment at the highest level to deal with terrorism, Nepal said today, stressing that with expansion of terror activities in the Asia-Pacific region, countries need to be extra cautious.

Addressing the Counter Terrorism Conference 2017, a three-day conference by India Foundation, Nepals deputy prime minister Bimalendra Nidhi stressed on the need to formulate counter-terrorism strategies by detecting the occurrence of radicalisation and possible recruitment by foreign terrorist organisations.

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He also emphasised on being extra cautious amid exploitation of internet and various social media platforms by terror groups.

"The transnational nature of terrorism should be recognised and countered with national, regional, and global perspective and capabilities," Nidhi, who is also the Home Minister of Nepal, said.

In his remarks, Nidhi stated that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is a serious global threat to humanity and underlined the need to "demonstrate firm commitment at the highest level" to stop terrorist acts and bring perpetrators to justice.

The deputy Prime Minister further stated that as the number of terror outfits and their sophistication and technology grows, threats of terrorist attacks on any given day become all the more possible.

"The activities of larger network of terrorist organisations at global scale and their reported expansion in the Asia Pacific region provides us the reason to be extra vigilant to counter the threats," he said.

He also recalled two separate incidents in 2004 and 2016, in Iraq and Afghanistan that saw killings of 25 Nepali citizens in a terror attack.

"Such heartbreaking acts have victimised thousands of innocent peoples, in one way or the other, within and across the national boundaries," Nidhi said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also shared steps taken by Nepal to meet the security demands including enhancement of security infrastructure and training to security personnel.

Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan also attended the event.

Nidhi had separate meetings with former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and senior leader NCP leader DP Tripathi. PTI PR IKA

--- ENDS ---
It's going for almost as much as you spent at the servo last week.
By Emma Soberano 17

soberano@grinnell.edu

Yaa Gyasis Homegoing is more than a collection of short stories shaped into a novel: it is a family tree, whose trunk is split at the base but which rises, strong, for generations. At the root of the story are Effia and Esi, Ghanaian half-sisters separated by the eighteenth centurys burgeoning slave trade. While Effia and her descendants remain in Africa, Esi is captured and sold to the United States. Every chapter tells a piece of the next generations story, alternating between the two sisters kin, so that as soon as we have come to know one character, their chapter closes and we are shuttled across the ocean to hear from their parallel. In this way, we come to know seven generations, 14 men and women, and several centuries of history.

Gyasi weaves a tale that is both sweeping in its scope and intimate in its humanity. Through Homecoming, Gyasi recaptures a history which has been lost, denied, and deliberately destroyed, and returns it to the two sisters progeny, and to those whose families share similar stories  Africans on one side of the slave trade or another. To read Homecoming is to bear witness to history, to the twenty-first century results of chance and small choices made back in the eighteenth century.

While each new chapter brings with it a new voice, new troubles, laughter and sorrows, twining threads of love and longing link the whole novel together. Homegoing is at once a love story and a eulogy. The characters in Gyasis stories find strength in their love for family in its many forms: children, grandparents, partners, self, community. And every character is, in their own way, mourning the loss of a land untouched by white hands and cruelty.

To write a review of Homegoing is to inherently fail to do it justice. I cannot capture the full enormity of three centuries, the task Gyasi set for herself and achieved so beautifully, in a few hundred words. What I can tell you is that this novel moved me to tears, and made me smile at its cleverness.

Gyasis writing is clean and comforting, the prose itself easy to read even when the subject material is painful. A sorrowful undercurrent runs through the novels pages, but Gyasi takes time to appreciate the sweetness, anger, frustration, sensuality and joy which give each life its texture. Every character is fully fleshed out, and reading their stories is like hearing from long-lost friends or family members. Some stories are familiar, others new and unexpected, and all are beautiful and heart-wrenching. These are the stories of two families, but also of two countries, whose people weave in and out of each others lives, meeting and separating in surprising ways.

I knew almost immediately what wine I wanted to pair Homegoing with. Gewurztraminer is a rich and flavorful white wine, made from cool-climate grapes, and thus is sweeter-tasting. It is typically paired with spicy food, to help balance the heat, and so I thought of it when trying to balance the heartache so prevalent within this book.

The wine I chose, Fetzers 2014 Shaly Loam Gewurztraminer, does not have as much of the varietys typical lychee scent, but maintains the characteristic sweet taste and floral smell. While there are definite tangerine notes, I was hoping for a tiny bit more acidity to go with the novels zing. Instead, the tangerine present is sweet, like a California Cutie (which may be appropriate, as this is a California wine). In addition to tangerines, peach is also very forward, and a hint of warm spices make up somewhat for the low acidity. Gewurztraminers often taste honeyed, and Fetzer is no exception  the honeyed sweetness of the wine pairs well with the affection Gyasi shows for her characters, and that which they show for each other.

Wine: Fetzer 2014 Shaly Loam Gewurztraminer, $10 at HyVee

Alcohol-free alternative: Go treat yourself to a smoothie from the Grille. Did you know you can mix flavors? My favorite combinations are peach mango and raspberry mango.
The Centre has asked state governments to ensure that all individual bank accounts are seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile numbers, Union Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha said on Wednesday.

Sinha was speaking during a meeting chaired by him to review the growth of digital payments and status of Aadhaar seeding with Union secretaries and Chief Secretaries of various states via video conferencing.

He asked the state governments to ensure that target are achieved, officials spokesman said.

To promote digital payment mode across the Country, the state governments were requested to ensure that all individual bank accounts are seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile numbers, he said.

For the purpose, role of District Magistrates and banks was highlighted with instructions to monitor on regular basis, the progress, so that this important task is completed by March 31, the spokesman said.

Emphasis was laid to prioritise holding of digital camps & melas in the districts to achieve the targets of seeding.

It was informed that unless individual bank accounts are not seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile Number, the government will not be able to transfer entitled benefits through DBT under various schemes to the beneficiaries.

The banks were advised to utilise existing banking channels and other media communication channels to inform the account holders in regard to Aadhaar and Mobile number seeding, the spokesman said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, IT, Sanjeev Verma and other officers of the state government also participated in the meeting.

Sharma briefed the Union Cabinet Secretary on the progress of Aadhaar enrolment and status of connectivity and reach of internet, mobile and banking in the state.

To fast track completion of Aadhaar enrolment process in J&K, the Chief Secretary requested the Union Cabinet Secretary to support the state government in eliminating dark spots viz-a-viz connectivity and to also take up with the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), the issues regarding re-starting of Aadhaar generation by the vendors for the left out population.
The governments new rules for e-wallet companies may hurt the firms. The Information Technology (IT) Ministry has released a set of guidelines for digital wallet companies to boost a secure electronic payment and grievance redressal system.

According to top e-wallet player Paytm, the new rules will change the way their business is being run. Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma feels that the new authentication system will put extra burden on them as the government will decide on the customer authentication system including the way you log in and pay. The companies will also have to disclose information from all sources to the government and purpose for it.

The draft titled Information Technology (Security of Prepaid Payment Instruments) Rules, 2017, requires digital wallets or Prepaid Payment Instruments (e-PPIs) to adopt multiple-factor authentication when a customer initiates payment. That could hit mobile wallets, which often highlight seamless transactions as one of the biggest advantages over credit and debit cards.

The draft rules make it mandatory for e-wallets to develop and implement a privacy policy and an information security policy for their payment systems. All e-wallet firms will have to display on their website and mobile app the privacy policy and the terms and conditions in easy language.

As part of the privacy policy, the company will have to publish information that includes information collected directly from the customer or otherwise, its usage, period of retention and the circumstances under which can be disclosed and the recipients including law enforcement agencies.

Payments Council of India chairman and ItzCash MD Naveen Surya says the reporting authority may change from Reserve Bank of India to IT ministry. PCI, a lobby group of e-wallet companies which has about 50 mobile wallet companies under its umbrella, is planning to approach the government on seek clarity on the issue.

The draft has also listed security measures that e-wallet companies will have to follow. It mentions standards for data protection and redressal methods for customers including appointing a grievance officer. These will have to be reviewed once a year. The draft policy also says that in case of any breach, the company will have to revamp its policies.

The PPIs will have to put in place a mechanism for monitoring, handling, and follow-up of cyber security incidents and security breaches. The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), an expert group that handles computer security incidents, has to notify the kind of incidents and breaches that need to be reported to them and to the customers.

Mobile wallet transactions in the country have hit a record high following the demonetisation of high value currency notes by the government in November, last year. However, there are no standardised security terms for e-wallet companies at present. The draft rules have been put up for public consultation. The last date for sending responses is 20 March.
Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and alleged attempt to rape her minor daughter.

By India Today Web Desk: Gayatri Prajapati, the former Samajwadi Party minister who is accused of rape, has been arrested from Lucknow, police said. The rape-accused former Uttar Pradesh minister was absconding since February 27. Prajapati was produced before a court in Lucknow which sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

The ex-minister's arrest came hours after Lucknow Police nabbed three accomplices of the SP leader to get clues about his whereabouts. Earlier, Prajapati's two aides were arrested from Noida near Jewar on the Yamuna Expressway on March 7.

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The former minister's security guard Chandrapal was arrested on March 6 near Lucknow Police lines.

PRAJAPATI BOOKED ON SUPREME COURT'S ORDER

Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and alleged attempt to rape her minor daughter.

The apex court had asked the UP Police to submit an action taken report regarding the incidents in eight weeks.

A Look Out notice was issued against him as also a Non-Bailable Warrant. His passport too was impounded.

Earlier, airports across the country were alerted about the possibility of Prajapati trying to flee the country.

In the just-concluded Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prajapati lost from Amethi, the seat he held, to BJP.

ALSO READ:

Gayatri Prajapati: BPL card holder till 2012, millionaire in 4 years, and now, gangrape accused

Gayatri Prajapati: Gangrape case witness alleges attempt to murder in hospital

Airports, exit points across country on alert for absconding rape-accused SP minister Gayatri Prajapati

WATCH | Rape accused former SP leader Gayatri Prajapati arrested from Lucknow

--- ENDS ---
The cost of printing a new Rs 500 currency note is in the range of Rs 2.87 to Rs 3.09, and Rs 3.54 to Rs 3.77 for a Rs 2,000 note, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

"The approximate cost of printing each note of new Rs 500 currency note is in the range of Rs 2.87 to Rs 3.09 and for a Rs 2,000 note is Rs 3.54 to Rs 3.77," Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said here in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister, however, said that it was too early to indicate the total cost of printing of new notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, as those were still being printed.

The currency in circulation as on February 24 was Rs 11.641 lakh crore, Meghwal said.

The old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes returned to the Reserve Bank of India and currency chests amounted to Rs 12.44 lakh crore, as of December 10, 2016.

"Verification of returned notes for counterfeit notes and accounting reconciliation is in process," he added.
Taking stock of how to control the rising non performing assets of banks, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said the rate of increase in NPAs has slowed down in the last quarter of the current financial year.

Jaitley added that dealing with NPAs of banks is a challenging task and the government was considering several oversight committees to help with resolution of bad debts. The core problem of bad debts is with very large corporates, predominantly in the steel, power, infrastructure and textile sectors, he said during a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on subject of NPAs.

One of the members said that the Chief Vigilance Officer of a public sector bank be made a part of the credit committee of the bank and that first the board of the bank should take a call about the decisions being taken by their officials rather than investigating agencies directly acting on the basis of their own information, the ministry said.

Public sector banks NPAs surged by over Rs 1 lakh crore during April-December period of 2016-17. Gross NPAs in the first nine months of the current fiscal rose to Rs 6.06 lakh crore by December 31, 2016, from from Rs 5.02 lakh crore during the entire year of 2015-16.

It was also suggested that apart from recovery proceedings, criminal action must be taken against the big willful defaulters and their photographs may also be published. A member also suggested that under the SARFAESI (The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest) Act, the focus should be on catching big willful defaulters, as per the statement.

Some members suggested that the government must go ahead to establish a bad bank or a Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency (PARA) and it should only consider those NPAs where sector specific reforms do not work. The Economic Survey for 2016-17 has suggested the idea of PARA to resolve the problem of bad loans. On the issue of setting-up a bad bank, Jaitley said that several possible alternatives exist and the issue is being debated on public platforms.

The minister added that the Reserve Bank of India has set up an Oversight Committee to look into process of the NPA cases referred to it by the different banks. Seeing the response and its performance, the government is considering multiplication of such committees, he said.

It was also suggested by various members that since Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) are in the private sector and their performance is not up to the mark in many cases, therefore, close monitoring of the operations of ARCs should be done through stringent regulations.

NPAs are concentrated with large corporates, even though these have shown a declining trend in the last quarter of the current financial year, Jaitley said. Large corporates expanded their capacity during the boom period (2003-08) but could not face the onslaught of global financial crisis and consequent slowdown thereafter.

The government is taking sectoral specific measures to deal with the problem of NPAs specifically in the resolution of large debts. The steel sector is on its path of recovery while many decisions have been taken in the infrastructure, power and textile sectors to resolve their problems, Jaitley said.

During the meeting, government officials made a presentation on the various regulatory and legistlative measures taken recently by the Centre and the RBI to deal with NPAs. It was pointed out that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has already been set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Several MPs and senior finance ministry officials participated in the meeting.
Four days after the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the party is finally expected to take a call on the ticklish issue of naming its chief ministerial candidate on Thursday.

A few names such as Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Cabinet colleague Manoj Sinha, BJP UP unit president Keshav Prasad Maurya and Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma are doing the rounds here and in the state capital Lucknow. But as of now there is no definite word on who will finally get the call for the top job in Uttar Pradesh. There are unconfirmed news reports here that BJP president Amit Shah has made an offer to Rajnath Singh for the post who in turn has sought time to take a call on the matter.

When the BJPs highest decision making body, BJP Parliamentary Board, begins the process of zeroing in on a suitable candidate tomorrow at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it may pose the most difficult of challenges for the party post the historic victory. In Lucknow 325 newly-elected legislators (including allies) are likely to formally elect their leader tomorrow after the Central leadership's nod.

Sources said one way of addressing the challenge of finding a suitable chief minister will be to swear in a person who will be like a puppet in the hands of Delhis top leadership. This may to a great extent help the BJP fulfill promises it has made in its sankalpa patra or manifesto. Another and more appropriate way of building on the partys UP victory in preparation for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be to find a person who is capable of taking along all those sections of society who have not only just ensured the partys landslide victory in the just concluded assembly polls.

Does the BJP have among its UP leaders a person who commands the respect of all and sundry in the party? This is one question that the BJPs top leaders including Shah and Modi will have to find an answer to as they meet to find the partys next chief minister for the countrys most populous and backward state that also returns the maximum number of Lok Sabha MPs to Parliament.

Rajnath Singh when asked by reporters in the Parliament complex today about his chances of shifting to Lucknow, quipped in Hindi Faltu baat hain (needless speculation)." However, there were reports later in the day that said Singhs security staff had visited the official residence of the UP Chief Minister at 5, Kalidas Marg in Lucknow.

The choice could also be Keshav Prasad Maurya, a Most Backward Caste or MBC having less friction with upper castes who played an important role in the BJP's win, or Manoj Sinha an MTech and Bhumihar Brahmin, Lucknow Mayor Dinesh Sharma a low-profile Brahmin leader, Rajnath Singh or a surprise candidate only Amit Shah and Narendra Modi may know about.
More than 46 per cent of 8,323 complaints received by the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) in the past five years pertain to allegations against police personnel of unfair investigation, registration of false cases, exploitation and torture.

Data accessed by The Statesman shows that established in September 2012, states HRC has received a total 8,323 complaints by the end of February, of which 3,897 complaints (over 46 per cent) are against the Haryana cops.

Figures show that during the year 2016, a total of 3,262 complaints were received of which 1,299 were against the police. Similarly, 2015 and 2014, total complaints received by the Commission against the Police were 2,086 and 1,475 respectively. In 2013, the number of complaints was 1,088 while in 2012, 56 complaints were issued, which was the lowest.

Out of these, 670 complaints were reported against the police personnel in 2015, 970 in 2014, 758 in 2013 and 32 in 2012.

As per records, in 2017, 356 complaints were received by the Commission during January and February of which 168 are against the Police Department. Acting Chairperson, HHRC, Justice (retd) H S Bhalla said that the majority of the complaints received against the police personnel are about inaction, torture and exploitation.

Apart from police atrocities, HHRC also got other complaints related to children, women, prison, pension, life and liberty among others. Moreover, several complaints relating to custodial deaths were also reported to the Commission in the last few years.

According to the HHRC, out of the total complaints received in the past few years, it has disposed of a total 6,927 complaints so far while 1,396 are still pending. HHRC Registrar (Judicial) G K Khanna said that the Commission has also taken cognizance in a number of cases seeking reports from various higher authorities. For example a suo-motto was taken by the Commission last year in an alleged Murthal rape case when it sought a report from the state government. The Commission also issued notice to the Civil Aviation Authority when it was reported that some airlines were charging extra amount from the passengers when the national highway route between the Chandigarh and Delhi was blocked due to Jat agitation in February last year, Khanna added.
The issue of the alleged suicide by a Dalit student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), J Muthukrishnan, was raised in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as the government assured the House of necessary action.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar condoled the death of Muthukrishnan, saying: "The death has aggrieved all. A post-mortem examination is being conducted at the AIIMS.

"After this, the cause of death will be known. The Delhi Police is investigating the matter and suitable action will be taken."

Soon after the House met for the day, the AIADMK members wanted to raise the issue, but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow it.

After the Question Hour, when Mahajan disallowed the notice of adjournment given by AIADMK member V. Elumalai, the AIADMK trooped near the Speaker's podium.

The AIADMK members were seeking permission to raise the matter.

"There are perceived discriminations of Dalit students and those from south India," Elumalai said also raking up the other suicide cases and discrimination against Dalit students, including Rohit Vemula.

Congress member from Kerala K. Suresh also expressed shock at the suicide of Muthukrishnan and demanded a fair probe.

Earlier, the family members of J. Muthukrishnan, an M.Phil student of JNU, who was found hanging on Monday from the ceiling fan in his friend's room, suspected foul play and demanded a probe.

Muthukrishnan, also known as Krish Rajini, had gone to his friend's house in Munirka Vihar to have food, where he locked himself inside a room on the pretext of sleeping and allegedly committed suicide.
The Congress and National Conference (NC) have reached a pre-poll alliance for the Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir by-election. The Congress will contest the Anantnag seat while the NC will field its candidate in Srinagar.

Farooq Abdullah, president of NC, told The Statesman on Wednesday over the phone from Srinagar that the alliance between the NC and Congress has been finalised.

He said that the state Congress chief GA Mir will contest the Anantnag seat and the NC will decide its candidate for the Srinagar seat on Wednesday.

However, it is learnt that Farooq might himself contest the prestigious Srinagar seat. The core committee of NC has authorised Farooq to take the final decision.

The two seats had fallen vacant following Mehbooba Mufti resigning from the Anantnag seat after becoming chief minister and Tariq Hameed Karra of the PDP quitting the Srinagar seat and also from the party to protest against the alleged atrocities of central security forces on the youth during the unrest in Kashmir last year when about 80 people were killed and several suffered eye injuries due to the use of pellet guns.

Karra recently joined the Congress and there was speculation that he might contest the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat on Congress ticket.

However, the alliance has allocated the seat to NC.

While talking to The Statesman over the phone, Karra said he did not want to contest the election as he had resigned his Lok Sabha seat on the issue of the Parliament having failed to contain the "high handedness" of the security forces during unrest in the valley. The situation persists and as such it was morally improper to contest the election and return to the same forum.

Moreover, Karra said that while sharing the seats, the Srinagar seat has been left for the NC to contest.

Meanwhile, the political affairs committee of the ruling PDP has decided to field Tassaduq Mufti, brother of Mehbooba, as the PDP candidate for the Anantnag seat and Nazir Khan will contest the Srinagar seat.
The government has ordered investigation into 185 companies for alleged fraud in the last four years, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

"Based on the complaints received, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has ordered investigation through Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) into the affairs of 185 such companies during the last three years and up to January in the current fiscal," Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here.

Gangwar said that out of 185 companies, the cases pertaining to West Bengal are as many as 135.

"The government has received various complaints regarding cheating of small investors, particularly by the companies involved in ponzi/chit fund activities in different states in the country," he said.

Chit fund companies are registered and regulated under Chit Funds Act, 1982 and administered by the Registrar of Chits of the state government.

"The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also informed that it has registered 30 cases relating to chit fund and ponzi schemes in West Bengal. At present these cases are under investigation," he said.

The Reserve Bank of India has indicated that out of 486 cases pertaining to unauthorised collection of money by entities in various states/union territories considered in state level coordination committee, 116 cases pertain to West Bengal.

The State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) is the joint forum formed in all states to facilitate information sharing among the regulators and enforcement agencies of the state with the objective to control the incidents of unauthorised acceptance of deposits by unscrupulous entities.

The SLCCs were reconstituted in May 2014 with renewed focus on unauthorised collection of money by unscrupulous entities.
As many as 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails, the Lok Sabha was told on Wednesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said due to the strict provisions of privacy laws, the US, Canada, Australia and many countries in Europe do not share information about Indian nationals in their prisons.

"However, as per information available, 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails. Various articles seized from them include VOIP set along with SIM cards, fake passports, narcotic drugs, fake currency, boats, GPS, stimulating tablets, foreign currency and gold," he said.

Steps taken by Indian missions include requesting local authorities for speedy trials, seeking remission of sentence, providing advice and guidance in legal and other matters, ensuring fair and humane treatment in foreign jails, issuing of emergency certificates and repatriation to India of those who are released, the minister noted.

Singh also added that in some countries, the mission also requests the local government for grant of amnesty to the arrested Indians and if any mercy petition for remission of sentences is received from the family members of the Indian prisoners, the Mission forwards them to the local authorities for consideration.

India has signed Treaties for Transfer of Sentenced Persons with 42 countries, under which Indian prisoners have been brought back from some of these countries.
Seeking to offset the growing Chinese military influence in Bangladesh, India is keen on signing a long-term comprehensive defence pact with the neighbouring country during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to India from 7 April, but Dhaka appears reluctant.

Indications are that Dhaka would prefer to ink an MoU without a time-frame as that would be less formal. It is learnt that the proposed pact is still being discussed by top officials and military experts on the two sides.

On the sharing of Teesta waters, Bangladesh would like the contentious issue to be settled during Sheikh Hasinas visit but New Delhi has told Dhaka that a breakthrough on it was unlikely at this stage when the Mamata Banerjee Government in West Bengal is on the war-path with the BJP-led regime at the Centre over demonetisation and other issues.

Intense speculation has been going on in both New Delhi and Dhaka over the shape of the proposed defence accord. India has been quite worried over the increasing Chinese involvement in the military affairs of Bangladesh and nudging Dhaka for quite some time to balance its defence relationship with the two Asian giants. Recently, there was a sense of disquiet in Indian circles over reports that China plans to develop seaports with a base for submarines in Bangladesh which may hold Chinese submarines in future.

Bangladesh and China had signed an umbrella agreement on defence cooperation in December 2002 during then Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's visit to Beijing but Dhaka does not have such a comprehensive accord with India. Under the Bangladesh-China military cooperation agreement of 2002, Bangladesh is buying arms, equipment, tanks, frigates and fighter jets.

The agreement that India has proposed would cover greater military-to-military cooperation, sale and supply of military hardware from India to Bangladesh and coordinated operations against mutually perceived threats.

During Chinese President Xi Jinpings visit to Dhaka in October last year, the two countries had elevated their relationship from comprehensive partnership to strategic partnership. It was then that then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar air-dashed to Dhaka and proposed a comprehensive defence pact to Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar again pitched for it during his talks with Sheikh Hasina when he visited Dhaka in February.
Aimed at boosting cooperation between the two navies, Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy, along with a four member Russian Navy delegation on Wednesday held talks with his Indian counterpart, Admiral Sunil Lanba.

Admiral Korolev's four-day visit today at the head of Russian delegation is aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations between the two countries and to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

The Admiral is also scheduled to meet Defence Minister Arun Jaitley as also the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Secretary.

India is the largest importer of defence equipment from Russia and majority of the armament inventory in Indian Armed Forces is of Soviet or Russian origin.

The Indian Navy cooperates with the Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation, information technology and exchange of Subject Matter Experts.

Besides, the two Navies have been conducting bilateral Maritime Exercise Indra Navy, since 2003. Eight editions have been held so far, with the last being held off Visakhapatnam in December last year.

Admiral Kolorev is also scheduled to visit Mumbai where he will hold discussions with the Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command as well as visit an indigenously built destroyer INS Mysore, Naval Dockyard and Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Limited.
Congress, which won 17 of Goa's 40 seats, only approached Governor Mridula Sinha on Tuesday, by which time the BJP had already cobbled together a majority.

By Maneesh Pandey, Harish V Nair: Having emerged as the single largest party in Goa, how the Grand Old Party frittered away its chances of forming government in the coastal state will continue to torment its leaders for some time.

While the party's top leadership squarely put the blame on state Governor Mridula Sinha for "not allowing it to form the government in the state", the latter turned the tables on local leaders, saying they derailed their own prospects of government formation.

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Speaking to Mail Today from Panaji, Sinha said: "They (local Congress leaders) never called, nor did anyone come to meet me officially to stake claim for government formation. They only took time on Tuesday and came to meet me. But by then everything was decided according to the provision laid in the Indian Constitution. I had invited the BJP-led coalition led by Manohar Parrikar to form the government as the latter had rightly done the prerequisites in the last 48 hours."

CONG MEETS GOA GUV

Interestingly, the Congress leaders, who suddenly woke up from their slumbers after seeing the power slipping out of their hands, finally rushed to meet the governor on Tuesday and pressed their claims. A top Raj Bhavan source told Mail Today: "Even today, the Congress came without a formal application and a list of those supporting the party to form the government was still missing. Everything was verbal based on which their claims are redundant."

The Governor clarified her stand, "I have done everything according to the constitutional provisions. There are provisions in the Constitution to allow a party with lesser seats, provided it is able to give the assurance of a stable coalition offering better governance. Parrikar followed the right procedure, including parading the BJP and other coalition supporting MLAs on March 12, something no Congress leader did till Tuesday."

SC REJECTS CONG's PLEA

The SC also stood by Sinha's decision to invite Parrikar, who quit the top central post to take the reins of the state. Chief Justice J S Kheharled bench embarrassed petitioner Congress for challenging the governor's decision to invite the BJP without sufficient grounds. The judges posed several pointed questions to the Congress to which it had no convincing answers.

"Where are your numbers? You could have finished the case in 30 seconds by showing they (BJP) don't have the numbers. It seems you were not confident about the support you have. You should have asked the Governor what nonsense she is doing and confidently said look we have the numbers. You should have sat on a dharna. You did nothing. Why did you come here?" CJI Khehar asked senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi who had represented the party.

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Significantly, the bench directed that the Assembly session be called on Thursday at 11am exclusively for holding the floor test after swearing-in of the 40 MLAs.

BJP: WE HAVE THE NUMBERS

On the allegations of Congress, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, "The Congress has no moral right to criticise the BJP. What the Governor has done in Goa is within the constitutional spirit. We have the numbers. They could not even select or elect the leader, they could not gather the numbers. Still they are protesting and walking out here."

Another top insider said, "The BJP under senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari was well on the job immediately after the poll results were announced. Gadkari's political stature and outreach worked in the BJP's favour." Gadkari was the election incharge of Goa.

A top official, said, "The coalition partners were waiting for Parrikar to confirm that he will come back. Once that was decided and made public, Parrikar acted as the 'gravitational force' around whom the entire flock came running. Perhaps, the governor was watching and when she got convinced that Parrikar can give a stable government, she took the decision."

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Chandrakant Kavlekar, the Goa legislature party chief of the Congress, had on Monday night moved the SC challenging the governor's decision to invite the BJP to form the government, claiming that it violated the "established constitutional practice" of inviting the single-largest party in a hung Assembly.

The court went to the extent of asking why the Congress approached it while it should have rather convinced the governor.

Meanwhile, another MLA has supported the BJP's government on Tuesday, raising its tally to 23.

ALSO READ | Manohar Parrikar takes oath as Goa Chief Minister for fourth term, 8 other ministers sworn in

ALSO READ | Arun Jaitley gets additional charge of Defence Ministry as Parrikar heads to Goa

ALSO WATCH | Goa government tussle: Supreme Court orders immediate floor test

--- ENDS ---
At a time when India-Pakistan relations are highly strained, an 11-year-old Pakistani girl has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help for maintaining peace between the countries.

The Pakistani girl, Aqeedat Naveed wrote a letter to Modi recently, urging him to improve the bilateral ties.

Both countries need good relations. Lets make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan, she wrote.

Aqeedat, a class five student at Cathedral School, unlike most girls of her age dreams everyone would "buy books instead of bullets.

Lets decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy guns, will buy medicine for the poor people, she said.

Congratulating Modi on his partys unprecedented win in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Aqeedat said, Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvelous job. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace.

Aqeedat had previously written letters to other Indian leaders, including External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar among others on various issues.

The terrorist attack in Uri on September 18, 2016 was a final blow to the already strained relationship between the countries.

Nearly 10 days after the Uri attack, India conducted surgical strikes on September 29 in the de facto border of Kashmir, the Line of Control (LoC), in the wake of the increase in infiltration bids. Indian Armys elite forces entered the LoC barricades with snipers and paratroopers. The commandos were airdropped at the LoC to cross over to the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were carried out in Pakistans Bhimber, Hotspring, Kel and Lipa sectors.

However, Pakistan dismissed the surgical strike, terming it an illusion.

In another instance, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs speech at the UN General Assembly aggravated the tension between the neighbouring countries as he called Hizbul commander Burhan Wani a young leader.

However, Indias External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gave a strong reply, saying, Neighbours should forget about Kashmir because its an integral part of India and will remain so.
In a major development to the rape-accused minister Gayatri Prajapati case, the Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested the minister on Wednesday morning and sent him to 14-day judicial remand.

Absconding since February 27, the minister apparently came under pressure after two of his sons were detained by the Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) had last week arrested two more persons from Noida in connection with this case.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to stay the arrest of absconding Prajapati and asked him to approach the concerned court.

The Samajwadi Party leader had approached the top court for a stay on his arrest. An apex court bench headed by Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri made it clear that it wouldn't modify its order.

Prajapati is accused of raping a woman and molesting her minor daughter back in 2014.

The Uttar Pradesh Police had issued non-bailable warrants against Prajapati and six others in connection with the rape charges.
A Sukhoi-30MKI fighter plane has crashed near Shivkar Kurla area in Barmer of Rajasthan while on a routine sortie on Wednesday. Reports suggests that while the pilots are safe, three villagers have been injured.

The incident occurred near Shivkar village in Sadar police station area in Barmer," Additional SP Rameshwar Lal was quoted as saying to a news agency.

"Villagers told us that the pilot ejected shortly before the crash. Air Force officials have been informed about the incident," he said, adding, that the crash had caused damage to a hamlet.

"One Narayan Ram, his daughter in law and minor grandson were injured in the crash. They have been admitted to the district hospital," Circle Officer Barmer OP Ujjwal was quoted as saying to a news agency.

The incident comes on the day a Chetak helicopter toppled in Allahabad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his deputy Kiren Rijiju made good use of their pre-election missions to Manipur to convince the people of the Imphal Valley (Meiteis) that in the 3 August 2015, Framework Naga Peace Accord Indian interlocutor RN Ravi signed with NSCN(IM) chairman Isak Swu and general secretary Th Muivah, there is no mention of integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur. The underlying message was that the Meiteis should repose their faith in the BJP and vote for it. Any agreement or understanding , inspired by the intention to restore peace, foster tolerance and ethnic harmony/goodwill, is welcome.

But what is questionable about the framework accord is the hasty and secretive manner in which it was concluded. There was no need to rush things through when the NSCN(IM)s core demand ~ greater Nagaland  was not even on the agenda. The Naga leaders had raised this demand upon landing in New Delhi in February 2003 for talks on the ground for the first time after the July 1997 Nagaland ceasefire. Then BJP Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee even acknowledged the Nagas unique history ~ that they had never been under subjugation.

Former Nagaland chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, now an MP, even changed the name of his ruling Nagaland Peoples Front to enable it to contest in the Manipur assembly polls to fight for the cause of Greater Nagaland. In the 2012 Manipur assembly poll his party was able to win four seats. As a matter of fact, the NSCN (IM) leaders had often iterated their stand that there can be no compromise on the integration issue. Yet no sincere efforts were made to consult the chief ministers of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. In fact, after the signing of the Framework agreement, the Prime Minister reportedly spoke to most national/opposition leaders, and even chief ministers, but conveniently ignored the incumbents in Itanagar, Dispur and Imphal.

Now comes the moment of truth for the BJP. Taking cognizance of what the Cenral leaders had to say, the working group of Naga National Political Groups has, in a statement, appealed to the people of Nagaland in particular and the Nagas in general to prepare themselves for greater responsibilities in future. This sounds ominous.

Vajpayee had tried to appease the Nagas by giving them a homeland but at the fag end of his tenure he turned out to be too mature a politician to suggest that the contentious integration issue should be left to the people concerned to decide.
The makers of actor Ajith Kumar-starrer upcoming Tamil action-thriller Vivegam will start a month-long final leg of shooting from Thursday in Bulgaria.

"The shoot will start from Thursday. Ajith sir left from Hyderabad last night and he will join the team from Friday. It will be a month-long schedule with which the entire talkie portion will be completed," a source from the film's unit said.

This is the second time the team will be shooting in Bulgaria.

"The team had originally planned to complete Bulgaria portion in November last year. However, due to some unknown reasons, they had to return without completing what was planned. The makers will finish what was left from last trip," he said.

Being directed by Siva, the film also stars Kajal Aggarwal, Akshara Haasan and Vivek Oberoi.

Produced by T.G. Thyagarajan under Sathya Jyothi Films banner, the film is gearing up for August 10 release.
Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who will be donning the judge's hat once again for the eight season of dance reality show Nach Baliye, says this time she is going to have a different experience.

"I have judged children for a singing reality show. I really get along with children so it was easy. Here it will be a different experience for me and for the contestants as well. I am going to judge a dance reality show for the first time," Sonakshi told reporters here on Tuesday.

About judging the performances, the Akira star said, "I will look how well they do as a pair and the coordination between them. To see the equations between the couples would be beautiful."

On the work front, the actress said she is excited for her forthcoming movie Noor. "I am very excited and looking forward to promoting the movie. 'Noor' is a very special film for me."

Directed by Sunhil Sippy, Noor features Sonakshi Sinha in the titular role. The film is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel "Karachi, You're Killing Me!" and follows a journalist-writer Noor's mis-adventures and love life in Mumbai.

The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 21.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday accorded its approval to the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoO) between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats along the border.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Border Haats aim at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by promoting traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.

"These measures help to improve economic well-being of marginalised sections of society," reads a release.

At present, four Border Haats are operational  two each in Meghalaya and Tripura. Those were established and operationalised under the MoU and MoO for Border Haats signed between the two countries in October 2010.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has said he will end his self-exile if the armed forces provide him security.

The former military ruler's counsel, Akhtar Shah, submitted an application in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in which he said, Musharraf will face the stalled trial related to the detention of judges when he was in power if he was given security by the Ministry of Defence.

The former President had earlier requested the ATC to direct the authorities concerned to provide foolproof security for his appearance in court in the case.

The court had then ordered the Inspector General of Police and interior secretary to make arrangements for the provision of security to the former general to ensure his presence in court.

He has now specifically asked for security from the Defence Ministry. Shah told the court that his client did not trust the Interior Ministry, which had filed a complaint of high treason against him. Musharraf has sought exemption from personal appearance till arrangements were made.

In the application, Shah has said the petitioner intends to appear before the court if provided adequate security. Given the situation in the country, the counsel said, security threats were more serious now.
The entry of India and Pakistan into China-led SCO may help boost anti-terrorism cooperation between the two countries and provide a platform to resolve their differences, the official media here said on Wednesday.

India and Pakistan are expected to be admitted into the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during its next summit to be held at Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in June this year.

"In a bid to become members of the SCO, India and Pakistan, which have a long-time rivalry concerning the issues of anti-terrorism and Kashmir, will need to sign a number of documents and pledge to perform in accordance with the SCO laws, including the SCO Member States Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation that was signed in 2015," an article in the state run Global Times said.

"The entry of the two nations into the SCO may help boost cooperation between India and Pakistan in areas such as infrastructure and anti-terrorism efforts," the article said.

As per the framework of the SCO, a third party could step in to prevent an outbreak of conflict between the two countries, it said.

"Though New Delhi may try to seek fairly flexible multilateral agreements with the SCO countries, both India and Pakistan will have to adhere to the principle and basic framework under the SCO to strengthen security and anti- terrorism cooperation," it said.

"The hostility between India and Pakistan is unlikely to be dispelled in a short time, but the SCO is likely to provide a fresh platform for the two nations to gradually resolve disputes," it said.

"Additionally, a third party could step in to mediate the situation within the SCO framework to prevent an outbreak of conflicts between Pakistan and India," it said.

The SCO, which is headquartered in Beijing, focuses mostly on security related issues like counter-terrorism cooperation in Central Asia.

It is comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members. Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.

Its 2015 summit in Ufa, Russia, the SCO formally adopted a resolution which started the procedures to admit India and Pakistan into the grouping.

"The entry of the two nations into the SCO is likely to contribute to the stability and security of the region, thus boosting economic growth and speeding up regional economic integration," it said.

The admission of India and Pakistan into the SCO may accelerate the South Asia's highway network construction, it said.

"Improving Pakistan's transportation infrastructure is a major aspect of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and hopefully the entry of Pakistan and India into the SCO will bring new momentum to the development of the CPEC," it said.

"Pakistan's entry will also likely offer convenience for attracting new partnerships into the CPEC," it said.
The agitating Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven political parties, on Tuesday night withdrew its support extended to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'-led government on expiry of its seven-day ultimatum, a Morcha leader said on Wednesday.

The deadline of the ultimatum to government ended on Tuesday midnight.

The Madhesi Morcha has now decided to sit in the opposition and said it would be announcing a series of protests.

The Morcha leaders have already written to Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti, saying they were no more part of the ruling coalition, so they be allowed seats in the opposition row.

"We have withdrawn our support extended to the government, so allot us chairs in the opposition row," Morcha leader Mahendra Raya Yadav said in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Madhesi parties have 39 votes in Parliament, but their withdrawal will not have any immediate bearing on the coalition, as Prachanda still enjoys comfortable majority in the House.

Ahead of the installation of the Prachanda-led government in August 2016, the Morcha had extended support to the government after reaching a three-point agreement, including amendment in the Constitution to make it Madhes friendly and compensation to the victims of the Madhes uprising.

But the government, according to the Morcha leaders, failed to address the demands and understandings reached with Madhesi parties, forcing them to roll back their support.

A formal decision to withdraw support was expected to be taken by the Morcha later in the day.

After Morcha's ultimatum, Prime Minister Prachanda inducted the fourth largest party  Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)  into the government to ensure the local polls slated for May 14 pass of without any hitches.

The Madhes-based parties have already announced a boycott of the local polls.

The Morcha felt betrayed by the current establishment after Prachanda proposed to amend the Constitution only after the local polls, citing the shortcoming of required two-third votes, according to the agitators.

Newly-inducted Deputy Prime Minister and RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa said on Tuesday that he joined the government after the Prime Minister assured that there would be no Constitution amendment.

Thapa is against the amendment and holds that if the amendment is put to voting in House, his party would vote against it and withdraw its ministers from the Cabinet.


Less than 24 hours after an Irish woman was found dead in south Goa, police claims to have cracked the case by arresting a history-sheeter. The 25-year-old deceased has been identified as Danielle McLaughin and the a rape is suspected.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Less than 24 hours after an Irish woman was found murdered in south Goa, police on Wednesday claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of a history-sheeter identified as Vikas Bhagat.

"We have arrested Bhagat. He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity," Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters.

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According to the police, the 25-year-old woman had come with a friend and has been identified as Danielle McLaughin. She had participated in Holi celebrations in coastal Canacona village, known for its popular beaches, before being found dead on Tuesday.

Police, suspecting rape, have sent the body to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for post-mortem.

"The body was lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries on the head and face", Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said.

Bhagat has been booked for murder.

ALSO READ: Goa: 25-year-old Irish woman found dead on beach

ALSO READ: Irish woman found dead on Goa beach; one arrested

WATCH VIDEO: Goa: Police arrest man accused of Irish tourist's rape and murder

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Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold high-level talks in London on Wednesday to ease the current tensions, the Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal said has announced.

"I will join our National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar at the high-level Afghanistan-Pakistan meeting to be hosted by the British government in London tomorrow (Wednesday)," the Afghan ambassador said on Tuesday.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz, and British National Security Adviser Mark Lyall Grant will attend from Pakistan and Britain respectively, Zakhilwal said on his official Facebook page.

The meeting will focus on a mechanism for genuine Pakistan-Afghan cooperation on fighting terrorism, the current tense bilateral relations and the closures of crossing routes between the two countries, he said.

The meeting will be held at a time when relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is on the lowest ebb following last month's bomb blasts in Pakistan.

The British ambassador in Kabul had been involved in efforts to broker the talks between the uneasy neighbours in recent weeks. He had visited Pakistan and met senior Pakistani leaders.

The attacks were claimed by the Pakistani militant groups, which officials said now operate from the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistan closed its main border crossings on February 17 over security concerns, pushing for its longstanding call on Afghanistan to agree on a border monitoring system to stop the cross-border movement of the militants.


Pakistan's largest-ever population census kicked off on Wednesday in 63 districts of the country after a delay of 19 years.

"All arrangements have been put in place for the first phase of the census. The field staff has received the required material," Chief Statistician Asif Bajwa told Dawn.

He said as many as 118,000 enumerators from different departments, including the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), had been provided training. Moreover, 175,000 army personnel have also been deployed in the districts.

The army personnel, he said, would be involved in enumeration as well as providing security to the surveyors.

The first phase of the exercise will end on April 15. The second phase will commence on April 25 and end on May 25. In the second phase, 87 districts will be covered. Census reports will be completed in two months.

The chief statistician said no change had been made in the original plan.

Asked about reservations expressed by some political parties over the conduct of the census, the chief statistician said he couldn't stop anyone from issuing statements. "We will follow the agreed scheme," he said.

The major concern raised over the conduct of the census was from three provinces  Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  and related to internal migration.

A similar concern has been voiced by temporarily displaced tribal people. It was not clear if the internally displaced persons will be counted in their native areas or where they are living at present.

The Balochistan National Party-Mengal and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan have filed petitions in the superior courts regarding their concerns on the census.

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has blocked 350,000 computerised national identity cards (CNICs) ahead of the first phase of the census.

Bajwa claimed that most of the blocked CNICs belonged to Afghan nationals. However, he added, the census would cover all people living in the country irrespective of their ethnicity or nationality. Foreign nationals would also be registered.

However, in the census reports only those Afghans will be counted who have valid Pakistani CNICs and the rest will be left out.

On internal migration, he said people who had migrated from one province to another and stayed there for more than six months would be counted as part of the population of the host province.

The first census in the country was conducted in 1951, the second in 1961, the third in 1972, instead of 1971 due to political turmoil, and the fourth in 1981. The fifth census, which was due in 1991, was conducted in March 1998 with the help of the army.

The census is considered to be one of the basic elements for judicious distribution of resources, calculating representation in parliament, electoral processes, tax collection, tackling civic issues, including growing urbanisation, and evaluation of resources for infrastructure development.

Under the constitution, the government is bound to conduct census every 10 year
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By Press Trust of India: Chennai, Mar 14 (PTI) The Madras High Court today rued its failure to hear earlier a 2005 plea of a former woman MP for a CBI probe into the killing of her husband in an encounter but denied the relief saying such a delayed probe will not yield fair results.

The bench of justices S Nagamuthu and Anitha Sumanth refused to order a CBI probe into the encounter killings of ex-MP Radhika Selvis husband Venkatesa Pannaiyar and another alleged history sheeter Balamurali, but ordered payment of a compensation of Rs 25,000 to her for delayed hearing.

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"In our considered view, if the probe is transferred to the CBI at this length of time and investigation is commenced afresh, it would offend the fair and speedy investigation guaranteed under Article 21 of the constitution," said the bench.

It, however, conceded that "the probe should have been entrusted to an agency like CBI or to the state CB-CID to unearth truth and instill confidence in minds of people," but "unfortunately, it was not done by the government on its own."

Ruing its "inadvertent" failure to hear the 2005 plea earlier, the bench said, "These writ petitions ought to have been given preference and disposed of within a reasonable time."

The heavy pendency of cases "which is about four lakh" may have been the reason for the delay, the judges noted.

"Yes, we accept the blame," said the bench adding "At this length of time, we could only express our regrets."

"Having said that we cannot omit to grant the minimum possible relief to the petitioner," the bench said, while ordering the payment of a compensation of Rs 25,000 each to Selvi and another co-petitioner, who had sought the CBI probe into the 2003 killings.

The bench asked the home secretary to pay the compensation to the petitioners for the delay in listing of the case.

Selvis husband, Pannaiyar, a community leader but wanted in connection with several cases of robbery and extortion, was shot dead in 2003 here along with co-accused Balamurali.

On October 20, 2003 the state government had also set up a commission of inquiry headed by Justice A Raman (retd) to look into the alleged encounter.

Selvi had moved the court in 2005 seeking summoning of the records of the alleged encounter and entrusting the probe to the CBI. PTI COR VGN ROH RAX

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Following the elections results, the Congress has accused the BJP of resorting to 'horse-trading' in order to gain majority in the hung assembly. But what is 'horse-trading'?

By India Today Web Desk: If you have been keeping up with the post-assembly elections news, you may have come across the term 'horse-trading' a few times. It started when, following the elections results, the Congress has accused the BJP of resorting to 'horse-trading' in order to gain majority in the hung Assemblies of Manipur and Goa.

Digvijaya Singh, the Congress general secretary of Goa, said, "The BJP has been involved in horse-trading, promising money, ministries, (posts in) corporations and SUVs to MLAs to get their support."

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As you may have realised, this political crisis has nothing to do with horses.

So, what is horse-trading in terms of politics?

Basically, when a political party tries to bring in members from the opposition party in order to gain majority in the assembly, and resort to unapproved techniques in doing so, it is called horse-trading.

The said party may offer ministerial perks and financial benefits to lure opposing members.

Horse-trading is usually done when the assembly is hung after an election. In order to gain the majority required to form a government, political parties try to pull in members from other parties. Thus, this method is mostly disapproved.

Why is it called 'horse-trading'?

A report in The Hindu explains that the term 'horse-trading' is used to "indicate a hard bargaining of some kind".

"The two bargaining parties show an understanding of the problem and the negotiations are done in a clever manner," describes the article. "Shrewd bargaining is always involved in "horse-trading". This is how the expression is being used in American English."

In case of British English, the article points out, "the term is normally used to show disapproval. It carries with it the sense that the negotiations are unofficial. There is also the implication that too many compromises have been made to arrive at some sort of an agreement."

How wrong is horse-trading?

Constitutionally, horse trading is not illegal. However, the practice is looked down upon as it involves rewarding members who switch parties with benefits. Many argue that it is almost same as bribing.

In Goa, after the vote-counting showed that the Congress has won 17 seats against BJP's 13, the BJP on Sunday claimed that it has the support of parties Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), along with two independents candidates. This raised BJP's number to 21 seats, giving it the majority in the 40-member assembly.

In response to this, the Congress filed a complaint with the Supreme Court, in which vice-president Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of "stealing the mandate" and "buying" MLAs.

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The Supreme Court, however, refused to put a stay on BJP leader Manohar Parrikar's oath-taking ceremony.

While the two political parties struggled for power in Goa, the people took to the streets to protest against Parrikar's swearing-in on Tuesday, waving placards saying "I want my vote back" and "No horse-trading".

Meanwhile, on social media, #NotMyCM became a hot trend.

Goa protesting! People are in the street against @manoharparrikar BJP murdering democracy. No Media wl show this #NotMyCM pic.twitter.com/IG29PjrxnA- Jothimani (@jothims) March 14, 2017

#NotMyCM say protestors in Goa against Manohar Parrikar taking over as #GoaCM pic.twitter.com/ca7fUoERZa- Newton Sequeira (@NewtonSTOI) March 14, 2017

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Controversies have followed the hung assemblies in Goa and Manipur. In both the states, though no party got a clear verdict, Congress was the single largest party. However, it failed to form government in both the states as BJP acted with a lightening speed and outsmarted it.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: The results of the recent elections to the five state assemblies have once again demonstrated that the smaller states are prone to being unstable. Of the five states, the two smallest ones - Goa having 40 seats and Manipur 60 - threw hung assemblies. On the other hand, the remaining three - Uttarakhand having 70 seats, Punjab 117 and Uttar Pradesh 403 - gave a clear majority.

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Controversies have followed the hung assemblies in Goa and Manipur. In both the states, though no party got a clear verdict, Congress was the single largest party. However, it failed to form government in both the states as BJP acted with a lightening speed and outsmarted it.

GOA, MANIPUR CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF HUNG ASSEMBLY

BJP cobbled up a post-poll alliance, Manohar Parrikar resigned as Defence Minister and was elected as the leader of the alliance. While Congress was still struggling with adding up the numbers and electing a leader, Parrikar staked claim to form government in Goa.

The matter reached Supreme Court after Governor Mridula Sinha invited Parrikar to form government. However, the apex court gave a go ahead to government formation though it reduced the 15-day deadline given by the Governor to two days for prove majority on the floor of the Assembly.

Except for getting challenged in the Supreme Court, more or less the same story was repeated in Manipur too.

BEATING CONGRESS IN ITS GAME

BJP turned the tables on Congress in these two states by taking refuge in the same strategy which the latter had adopted in several states when it was in power at the Centre. BJP defeated Congress in its own game of preempting the other and has cobbled up disparate groups in both the states.

As a result, a stable government is likely to remain elusive in both the two states. The tenure of Manohar Parrikar and N Biren Singh, the chief ministers of Goa and Manipur respectively, would be marked by facing tantrums of MLAs of other groups, keeping them in good humour and meeting their excessive demands. As in other cases, there are chances of the groups switching loyalty and causing the downfall of the present governments.

Hence, the questions are: how long should it continue and what is the solution to the vexed issue?

SOLUTIONS

Talking to India Today, BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao diagnosed the malaise and said the problem lies in the size of the constituencies which is relatively smaller making the minor parties and even independent candidates more viable. The total votes in smaller constituencies range between 10,000 and 20,000. A candidate bagging even 8,000 votes wins the election.

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He further said on the other hand, the total votes in larger constituencies are between two and three lakhs. It is unviable proposition for smaller parties or independents to win in such a situation.

Asked to suggest a permanent solution, he said, "Though it is a recurrent phenomenon, no one can interfere with the popular mandate. One has to accept it. Coming together of smaller groups or independents also gives representation to heterogeneous sections of the society."

Rao suggested that the only available solution was that the voters should be convinced to prefer larger parties.

Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan admitted that his party too had upset the mandate in the past. However, as a solution, he suggested that the number of seats should be increased. "The same criterion of proportional representation for larger states should not be applicable in the smaller ones," he said.

While Goa and Manipur embark on a new political journey, Damocles' sword in the form of instability will keep hanging on the head of the chief ministers.

Also read:

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BJP leader Biren Singh sworn in as Manipur Chief Minister

Manipur CM designate N Biren Singh promises to get blockade lifted

Parrikar says no money involved to get support from MLAs who earlier called him a fixer

How Manohar Parrikar and BJP snatched Goa from under Congress' nose: All you need to know

WATCH THE VIDEO:

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) India and Indonesia today decided to enhance cooperation in cyber security and intelligence sharing.

This was decided at a meeting between Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and visiting Indonesian Minister for Security Gen Wiranto here.

"The bilateral meeting with Indonesian Minister for Security and Coordination was very fruitful. The meeting focused on cyber security and intelligence sharing," Rijiju said.

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The delegation level meeting was attended by senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and Indonesian Ministry of Security and Coordination. PTI ACB RT

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At a time the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is looking to waive farm loans in Uttar Pradesh, State Bank of India chairperson doesn't seem to be in favour of such a move. The head of the country's largest lender said this disrupts credit discipline as these farmers would wait for similar loan waivers in the future, too, leading to an unhealthy lending culture.

If loans of farmers are waived off, the credit discipline gets disrupted. For today, the loan will come back as the government will pay the money, but in future when we lend to the farmers, again they will wait for the next election, Arundhati Bhattacharya, said on the sidelines of a CII session on governance.

During campaigning for the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in a rally said the government will waive farmers' loans after the Uttar Pradesh polls.

In case of a waiver, there is always a fall in credit discipline because the people who get the waiver have expectations of future waivers as well. Future loans given often remain unpaid, said Bhattacharya.

She added no proposal to waive off farm loans has so far reached the bank.

While she supported the cause to help the farmers, this should not be at the cost of credit discipline, she said.

When we are trying to ensure the farmers do well, it is important for us to make credit available to them, so that they can leverage and do better. For that, it is important to have credit discipline, she pointed out.

SBI's agriculture loan book in Uttar Pradesh is likely to be around Rs 12,000 crore, officials had said earlier.

The previous UPA government, too, had taken up wide-scale farm loan waivers back in 2009.

On Tuesday, the bank announced a one-time settlement scheme amounting to almost Rs 6,000 crore for tractor and farm equipment loans. The lender is willing to take a 40 per cent haircut on the outstanding balances as of September 30, 2016, on such loans that are categorised as doubtful or loss making.

The SBI chairperson also commented on the recent boardroom battles at two big corporate houses (Tata Group and Infosys) saying such differences between promoters and the management should be addressed before they spill over into the public domain.

In India, there is a strange syndrome where promoters consider their companies to be dearer to them than even their children. So, if you are not able to keep that arms length between the company and the main promoter, then there are bound to be frictions, Bhattacharya said without naming any specific company.  However, in these cases, both parties need to be aware of these frictions and need to work to resolve them in private rather than public.

She also talked on the need for having skills as well as gender diversity on boards of companies.
At a time when the sanctity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are being questioned, post the landslide victory of BJP in UP, one cannot help recalling the first time the EVMs were put to trial in the country.

It was in 1982 and the first ever use of EVMs turned out to be quite controversial. It had even ended up in re-polling and a reversal of verdict.

The constituency chosen by the Election Commission (EC) for the trial was Paravoor assembly constituency in Ernakulam district of Kerala. The EC chose this constituency citing its smaller size and history of having peaceful elections.

The main contestants were A.C. Jose of the Congress and Sivan Pillai of the CPI. Both the parties were initially apprehensive about the use of EVMs as nobody had ever heard of such a thing. But with EC holding several awareness sessions, both parties conceded.

After the Paravoor fiasco, EVMs were used successfully during assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi in 1998 as the parliament has made necessary amendments by then

It was a novelty and nobody had much idea about how it worked. We used to carry the models of EVMs to every house to teach the voters how to vote, remembered Congress leader P.C. Chacko, who was then in-charge of the election campaign in Paravoor as a Youth Congress leader.

The EVMs were used only in 50 booths out of the total 123 booths in Paravoor.

Chacko recalled that the political leaders were so relieved and happy when the counting process ended so swiftly in those booths where EVMs were used.

Earlier there were lots of issues regarding sorting, tallying and bundling of ballot papers and it was such a time consuming process. We were amazed the speed with which the EVMs declared results, he remembered.

But this ease ended as the results were declared.

Jose, who was the former speaker of Kerala assembly, lost the elections. The CPI candidate won the election for more than 2,000 votes and the Congress raised suspicion about the authenticity of EVMs.

The Congress, which was very vocal in their support of EVMs, started questioning it. The Congress candidate moved the High Court questioning the authenticity of EVMs. But HC dismissed the plea, recalled T Raju, CPI Ernakulam district secretary, who is the son of Sivan Pillai.

Jose then approached the SC citing the technicality that the Representation of the People Act did not allow for electronic voting. The SC ordered re-polling in those 50 booths where EVMs were used.

This time, ballot papers were used. And when the result was declared the Congress candidate who had lost the elections earlier emerged winner this time.

Jose had a margin of 2,000 votes over the CPI candidate this time.

Those were eventful days. Paravoor had caught national media attention because of the first ever use of EVMs. And when the verdict was challenged in SC, it became more controversial, recalled T.F. Baby, a native of Paravoor, who had voted using EVMs in 1982.

Stating that it was an idea ahead of its time, Baby said the voters were very apprehensive about the EVMs as they did not trust machines at that time. As any electronic devise can be manipulated, we were quite apprehensive about the EVMs, he said.

It is the landslide victory of the BJP in UP that has again brought the authenticity of EVMs into question. It started with BSP supremo Mayawati questioning the election verdict and even calling for a fresh election soon after the BJPs victory in UP. But the EC had said there is no merit to the BSPs complaints.

Then, the AAP and the Congress demanded ballot voting for the upcoming Delhi corporation elections to be held on April 22, but State EC has rejected their plea too.

There is no doubt that EVMs are very convenient in a large country like India. But the EC must do something to erase the suspicion about the EVMs from voters' mind. Such a step is very important as it questions the very sanctity of democracy, Chacko who is the AICC in-charge of Delhi told The Week.
After a massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is now grappling with the selection of chief minister for this most politically volatile state.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the leading contender for the top post. Singh, who had been the party president for three times and is active in politics in the Centre for the past 17 years, is unwilling to hold the charge. Insiders, however, say after the RSSs approval, he may not decline the offer.

Singh outsmarts other aspirants in terms of his administrative and political experience. Moreover, he was the chief minister of UP from 2000 to 2002.

Other names doing the rounds include Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, who enjoys the trust of PM Modi and represents eastern UP district of Gazipur. Sinha has a clean reputation and acceptability among the voters of his constituency. Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is the present head of the BJP in UP is also in the race. Maurya comes from the backward caste and although he lacks the administrative experience for the post, his elevation as state party chief proved lucky for the BJP in the elections.

What works in his favour is his Hindutva image and Sanghs liking for him.

The first time winner from Mathura, Shrikant Sharma is close to BJP president Amit Shah and is in reckoning. If party would like to appoint an upper caste chief minister from Brhamin community, then Sharma stands a bright chance.

Another potential candidate is Dinesh Sharma, who is the mayor of Lucknow. Sharma is close to both Modi and Shah, and this was the reason he was appointed as in-charge of an important state like Gujarat. He has a clean image and has administrative experience required for the job.

BJPs poster boy and firebrand Yogi Adityanath is said to be in the race. Though he has a image of an hardliner, the way the party high command deployed him for vigorous campaigning in western UP and other places, reveals that he too may have a chance to be the state's CM.
By Press Trust of India: Kolkata, Mar 14 (PTI) A three-day-old baby boy was allegedly stolen from a state run hospital here and the police rescued an infant within hours but it was yet to be confirmed whether it was actually the stolen baby.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Visal Garg said two persons - a man and a woman - have been detained along with a baby boy from Bagmari area in the city at around 9 PM.

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But the problem is the detained woman claimed she has given birth to the baby.

The baby, born to one Saraswati Naskar in Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, was stolen by a woman who said she was taking him for vaccination, the family alleged.

As the woman did not return, Naskar said she searched for her and the baby but they were nowhere to be found.

Following a complaint, police watched CCTV footages and found a green saree-clad woman going out with the baby from the hospitals rear gate. The same woman was also found in the CCTV of a Metro Railway station near the hospital.

The woman with the baby was detained at Bagmari area but police were yet to declare that the rescued baby to be of Naskar.

"The detained woman is claiming that she has given birth to the boy inside a taxi today and has no connection to the baby stolen from the hospital," the police officer said.

The baby was rescued from a spot which is only a few metres away from the complainants residence in Bagmari.

The green saree which the accused woman was seen wearing in CCTV footages was also recovered from her place, a police officer said.

"We are yet to get a confirmation from the hospital authorities regarding the actual identity of the baby and hence we have taken it back there," the officer said. PTI SCH NN

--- ENDS ---
FinTechfinancial technologyis one vertical that gained maximum advantage due to the recent demonetization move by the Government of India. The unavailability of cash led majority of the population, not just in cities but also in many rural parts, to go cashless and become more open towards digital transactions.

Tapping this opportunity at the right time and encouraging the digitization wave in the country currently, the Andhra Pradesh government recently announced the creation of the first dedicated hub for financial technology in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), the FinTech Valley. This initiative will bring together industry, academia and investors to innovate, co-create and build the Fintech ecosystem in India.

The state government also held its first Fintech Valley Spring Conference 2017 in Vizag, which saw a mix of government officials, industry leaders, international delegations, investors, start-ups, entrepreneurs and academia attending the event.

The A.P. government signed MoUs with nine investors including, AntHill Ventures, Pearson, Forum Synergies, Hyderabad Angels, etc. Earlier this month, it had already announced partnership with Visa and Thomson Reuters for digital payment solutions and information on Fintech based innovations, respectively.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu said via satellite link: The Fintech Valley Spring Conference is our step in joining the Fourth Industrial Revolution which is a spectacular combination of technology and Internet of Things (IoT). In recent times, technology has started influencing our lives in a comprehensive manner. The demand for Fintech is growing each day. To meet this demand, we would need the support from Fintech and Cyber security companies. We also need the academic institutions to adapt curriculum that trains individuals to contribute to this sector."

In his keynote. J.A. Chowdary said, FinTech is seeing a 12.6 percent annual growth globally and we thought of having a Fintectonic shift by creating the Fintech Valley. We believe that this is one area where we need to concentrate as it will take care of the techtonic shift happening currently in the world.

Through this initiative they are looking at creating manpower, industry-academia linkage, and adopt educational institutions and universities to have a specialized curriculum under this technology.

A lot of negative growth is happening in the IT industry in terms of employment. Automation is taking away many jobs and no new jobs are being created. So we had to plan and think about new technologies where the youth coming out of colleges will find employment. One area that will create new jobs could be FinTech. Today it combines three major technologies, Cyber-Security, Analytics, and BlockChain. If we are able to get the for these three technologies then we will be able to create new job opportunities for the youth coming out of colleges, added Chowdary.

The government is also planning to tie-up with six educational institutions to introduce FinTech based courses and a specific curriculum. GITHAM University, Nobel Institute of Technology, Anantha Lakshmi Institute of Technology and Sciences, Lankapalli Bullayya College, Gayatri Vidya Parishad, and PVKK Institute of Technology would set centers of excellence and help in skill building for FinTech.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also partnered with Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), who will support in creating education programmes and curricula relating to fintech and also facilitate creation of a marketplace.

Apart from employment the FinTech Valley is also planning to boost start-ups in that vertical. Amongst the 45 exhibitors, many were start-ups with solutions around cloud security, treasury management, digital payment solutions, digital identification and tracking system etc. The conference also hosted a start-up challenge and prize money of Rs. 5 lakhs and one year free office space was provided in the Fintech Tower in Vizag to the winner.

Within a month of its inauguration the Fintech Tower is already active with 200 working professionals and housing companies like PayTM, Broadridge, ValueLabs, etc. At the facility, the government is providing free infrastructure and high speed Internet connectivity for six months.
Iraqi government forces killed the Islamic State commander of Mosul's Old City on Tuesday as the battle for the militants' last stronghold in Iraq focused on a bridge crossing the Tigris river.

As fighting intensified on Tuesday after the previous day's heavy rains, civilians streamed out of western neighborhoods recaptured by the government, cold and hungry but relieved to be free of the militants' grip.

IS snipers were slowing the advance of Interior Ministry Rapid Response units on the Iron Bridge linking western and eastern Mosul but the elite forces were still inching forward, officers said.

Government forces also pushed into areas of western Mosul, Islamic State's last redoubt in the city that has been the de facto capital of their self-declared caliphate.

Federal police killed the military commander of the Old City, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Ansary, during operations to clear Bab al-Tob district, a federal police officer said. With many IS leaders having already retreated from Mosul, Ansary's death comes as blow to the militants as they defend their shrinking area of control street-by-street and house-by-house.

Capturing the Iron Bridge would mean Iraqi forces hold three of the five bridges in Mosul that span the Tigris, all of which have been damaged by the militants and US-led air strikes. The southernmost two have already been retaken.

"We are still moving toward the Iron Bridge. We are taking out snipers hiding in the surrounding building, we are still pushing for the Iron Bridge," Brigadier General Mahdi Abbas Abdullah of the Rapid Response force told Reuters.

Near the Mosul Museum, Iraq forces used armored vehicles and tanks to attack snipers pinning down troops clearing areas around the bridge.

An air strike targeting one Islamic State position hit a building, engulfing nearby troops in smoke and dust.

Since starting the offensive in October, Iraqi forces with US-led coalition support have retaken eastern Mosul and about 30 per cent of the west from the militants, who are outnumbered but fiercely defending their last stronghold in Iraq.

For much of Tuesday, the troops were within 100m of the bridge.

"It's very key for our forces to secure the riverside and prevent Daesh militants from turning around our advancing forces," a Rapid Response spokesman said in the morning, using an Arab acronym for Islamic State.

They expected to gain control of the Iron Bridge and the nearby area by the end of the day, he said.

"Seizing the bridge will help further tighten the noose around Daesh fighters entrenched inside the old city," he said.

Heavy shelling

The boom of shelling and heavy machinegun fire could be heard from the center of Mosul and helicopter gunships strafed the ground from above on Tuesday morning.

Amid the combat, a steady stream of refugees trudged out of the western districts, carrying suitcases, bottles of water and other possessions. Some pushed children and sick elderly relatives in handcarts and wheelbarrows.

Soldiers packed them into trucks on the Mosul-Baghdad highway to be taken to processing areas. Most left in the dark early morning hours or after the army recaptured their neighborhoods. Food had been scarce, they said.

"We fled at 5 am (0200 GMT) after the army had arrived. There has been a lot of shelling by Daesh," said Hamid Hadi, a teacher. "Mostly we've been eating water mixed with tomatoes."

Ashraf Ali, a nurse who escaped with his wife and two children, said mortar rounds were falling as they fled. They took advantage of the army retaking their district to get out.

"Daesh wanted us to move to their areas but we escaped when the army arrived," he said.

As many as 600,000 civilians are caught with the militants inside Mosul, which Iraqi forces have effectively sealed off from the remaining territory that Islamic State controls in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi forces include army, special forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Shi'ite militias.

More than 200,000 Mosul residents have been displaced since the start of the campaign in October. The Ministry of Immigration and Displacement said on Tuesday that in recent days, almost 13,000 displaced people from western Mosul had been received seeking assistance and temporary accommodation each day.

"Whenever we advance there are more people coming out," said one Iraqi officer directing refugee transport. "There are more people on this side of the city and people are trying to leave because there is no food and no supplies in their area."

Losing Mosul would be a major strike against Islamic State. It is by far the largest city the militants have held since their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself leader of a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria from a mosque in Mosul in the summer of 2014.
By Press Trust of India: Panaji, Mar 15 (PTI) A 25-year-old Irish woman was found dead on a beach in South Goa following which one person has been arrested, police said today.

The disrobed body of the woman was found yesterday at an isolated spot on a beach in South Goas Devabag village, 80 kms from here, Canacona Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sammy Tavares said.

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According to police, she was last seen playing Holi with the locals in the village.

Vikas Bhagat, a history sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devabag, was arrested today in this connection and is being interrogated, the official said.

Tavares said police was probing the murder angle and also trying to establish whether the victim was raped before her death.

"Earlier, we had rounded up some suspects. We are also trying to establish whether the victim was raped or not" he said.

The body has been sent for postmortem at Goa Medical College and Hospital to ascertain the exact cause of the death, police added. PTI RPS ARS DK DK BAS

--- ENDS ---
The show's (Indian) finale is just round the corner, and we want answers to these questions.

By India Today Web Desk: American show This is Us Season One's finale is all set to premiere in India this Saturday on Star World Premiere HD, in fact the finale will air in the US today itself. The family dramedy, which premiered late last year, has already struck a connection with the viewers, and has been picked by the channel (NBC) for two more seasons.

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So with finale just round the corner, here are a few questions we hope the final episode will answer:

How does Jack die?

Jack Pearson, incredible father and a loving husband, dies. But how, when, where? These questions have remained unanswered.

Jack had a drinking problem, and Episode 17 of the show revealed that despite being the perfect couple that they were; Jack and Rebecca certainly had some problems. In fact Jack didn't even wish his wife a proper goodbye as she was about to leave for her band tour.

Fan theories suggest that Jack might have decided to follow Rebecca after drinking too much, which would have resulted in a car accident.

Well, we hope not.

Why did Rebecca tie the knot with Jack's best friend, Miguel?

Really? Miguel? Sure he was a great friend to Jack, but that is why this whole thing is so messed up. You just don't marry your husband's best friend unless something really bad goes down. So what went down for Jack and Rebecca?

Also read: Women's Day Special: From GoT's Arya to This is Us' Rebecca; female characters from international TV who define sassy and tough

Is Miguel really all that he seems?

Good guy, bad guy, grey guy with one great flaw? Where does Miguel stand in the scheme of things? Where does he stand when it comes to the loving relationship of Jack and Rebecca? Did they fall in love, Miguel and Rebecca? But Rebecca and Jack are meant to be.

It is all so confusing.

Will Kate and Toby tie the knot?

The cutest couple with their own set of demons, will these two eventually fight all obstacles in the path of their love and make things official?

We hope so.

What happens with Kevin and Sophie?

Kevin has been trying to make amends, he has been trying to get back together with his former wife and childhood sweetheart Sophie. But will these two be able to forget their past, and move on together with their lives?

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Give us an answer, please.

Is Randall going to be okay?

After quitting his job, and bidding William goodbye forever, what will happen to good guy Randall? Will he be okay? What does the future hold for him?

Clearly, we have a lot of expectations from the finale. And we just can't wait for the episode to air.

*May all our questions be answered.*

--- ENDS ---
Police on Tuesday morning 16 Adar felt a speeding vehicle in the French Hill area of the capital. They initiated the appropriate protocol as they feared it was involved in an attempted vehicular terror attack.

When soldiers at the French Hill hitchhiking post ordered the driver to halt, he instead sped up towards nearby Issawiya. He struck one of the police vehicles, injuring an officer very lightly. The driver is a 43-year-old Issawiya resident who was driving without a license. Police also learned an order banning the use of the vehicle he was driving. The man was taken into custody.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The discovery of a huge natural gas deposit in Egyptian waters has boosted hopes of other such finds in the eastern Mediterranean that could help meet Europes energy needs, a senior official with Italian oil and gas company Eni said Tuesday.

Eni SpA Chief Exploration Officer Luca Bertelli said his companys milestone discovery of Zohr, estimated to hold 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, has reinvigorated the interest of other major oil and gas companies in the region.

He said waters off Cyprus hold potential for new discoveries while exploration opportunities are coming up with Lebanon and Israel later this year offering offshore areas, or blocks, to bidders for exploration licensing.

I believe the potential is here, but we need to go step by step, Bertelli told a gas conference. If we dont drill, we dont know.

Bertelli said Eni expects the first gas to start flowing from Zohr by the end of 2017 to meet Egypts domestic demand for decades. Fully developing the deposit will cost up to 12 billion euros ($12.8 billion).

For export, Bertelli said Egypt could bring two idle processing plants back on stream to liquefy gas so it can be exported to the European markets.

He said geological features off Cyprus are similar to those around where the Zohr deposit was discovered, raising hopes for new finds. Earlier drilling by Texas-based Noble Energy discovered a field estimated to contain over four trillion cubic feet in reserves.

If more fields are discovered off Cyprus, the island could opt to build a processing plant of its own to export gas, said Bertelli.

Eni SpA is licensed either on its own or in partnership with South Koreas Kogas and Frances Total to carry out exploratory drilling in six of Cyprus 13 offshore blocks.

Bertelli said an alternative option for export purposes is to build pipelines linking east Mediterranean gas fields with Turkey and Europe. Pipelines are technically feasible, but would require massive investment, political agreements and additional gas finds, he added.

(AP)
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has been a long-time proponent of land exchange with the PA (Palestinian Authority) towards reaching peace. He has called for giving the PA the Nachal Iron area, known more commonly as Wadi Ara, home to many Israeli Arab municipalities and large Israeli areas like Maale Adumim would be annexed into Israel in exchange.. He feels it is time for Israel to rid itself of Arab lawmakers who hate the state and actively work against it.

Lieberman feels the same is true regarding senior radical Islamic clerics like Sheik Raid Salah who heads the northern branch of the outlawed Israel Islamic Association.

He feels his solution is ideal as no one has to be evicted from their homes and there is no need for population transfer.

While Lieberman has spoken openly of his plan many times, this is the first time he detailed it since assuming his senior cabinet post.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Tuesday 16 Adar ordered the closure of PA (Palestinian Authority)-run office located in the capital. The closure order was for six months.

According to Erdan, the office was a front, used simply to monitor the sale of land by Arabs to Jews, which is punishable by death in the PA. An employee of the office, Khalil Tafakji, was taken into custody.

Erdan told the media he was not going to tolerate the PAs plan to undermine Israels sovereignty over Yerushalayim.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Tuesday ruled that a workplace can ban the wearing of any political, philosophical, or religious sign which includes headscarves and doing so would not be viewed as discriminatory. However, it is stipulated that the ban must be based on company policy that requires employees to dress neutrally, the court ruled.

The case is the result of a receptionist in Belgium who was fired for wearing a headscarf. With the sharp increase in the Muslim population in European countries, the matter of a headscarf has become increasingly relevant.

Austria has also recently announced a ban on full face veils in public areas and the latest ruling is yet another case dealing with Muslim garb in the European workplace.

The BBC adds that in practice, the ruling would also apply to skullcaps and turbans in a setting that demands neutrality towards the public.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The U.S. government has revoked the tax-exempt status of a group run by prominent white nationalist Richard Spencer for its failure to file tax returns.

Internal Revenue Service records show Spencers National Policy Institute automatically lost its tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after failing to file tax returns for three consecutive years.

Spencer didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment Tuesday. But he told The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the story, that he would appeal the revocation. He blamed it on an IRS error that led him to believe his group was not required to file tax returns.

Its a bit embarrassing, but its not good. Well figure it out, Spencer told the newspaper.

Spencer popularized the term alt-right and is a leading figure in a fringe movement that has been described as a mix of racism, white nationalism and populism. Spencer, an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump, hosted a postelection conference in Washington that ended with audience members mimicking Nazi salutes after Spencer shouted, Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory!

IRS records indicate that, sometime in 2006 or 2007, the agency mistakenly reclassified the National Policy Institute as one that didnt need to file tax returns, according to Chuck McLean, a senior research fellow for the nonprofit watchdog Guidestar.

The IRS posted a notice of the groups revocation on its website Monday, but the loss of its tax status is retroactive to May 15, 2016, the date when its most recent tax return was due.

McLean said he suspects the groups revocation was an automated thing.

They handle so many of these, its just a routine thing, he added.

Louisiana State University law professor Philip Hackney, a former IRS attorney, said it shouldnt be difficult for Spencers group to get reinstated as a tax-exempt nonprofit. But an IRS error isnt a valid excuse for its failure to file tax returns, according to Hackney.

They should have still been filing, Hackney added.

An Associated Press review of tax records in December found that the National Policy Institute and three other groups at the forefront of the white nationalist movement have registered as charities and raised more than $7.8 million in tax-deductible donations over the past decade. William H. Regnery II, a wealthy publisher, founded the National Policy Institute in 2005.

The National Policy Institute raised $442,482 in tax-deductible contributions from 2007 through 2012. The group used an address in Whitefish, Montana, on its 2012 tax form, but it currently uses a post office box in Arlington, Virginia, to solicit donations by mail.

Regulators in Virginia are reviewing whether Spencers group should have registered with the state. Elaine Lidholm, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said the agency began its review in response to a reporters inquiry about the group within the past two weeks.

Lidholm said the National Policy Institute submitted an incomplete registration form to the agency in 2006.

Its not uncommon for someone to start a registration, not give us enough information and we never hear from them again, she said.

(AP)
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is thanking what hes calling the police departments cowboy officer for wrangling two ponies who got loose amid a winter snow storm thats pounding the Northeast.

Two ponies broke free from their stables and were roaming the streets of Staten Island in the snow Tuesday when an off-duty police officer noticed them.

NYPD chief of patrol Terence Monahan says the officer had straps used in towing cars, and he wrangled the horses, tied them to a lamppost and called for backup. A police radio car arrived and the ponies were transported safely back to the stables.

Elsewhere in New York, two new homes under construction collapsed near the waterfront in Far Rockaway in New York City. Officials say no injuries were reported.

(AP)
Bharatiya Janata Party members welcomed PM Narendra Modi by thumping of desks for a good two minutes.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given a grand welcome by BJP members in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday amid slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Modi Modi".

Soon after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan mourned the death of former member BVN. Reddy and Question Hour began, Modi walked into the house along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar and BJP's chief whip Rakesh Singh.

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Bharatiya Janata Party members welcomed him by thumping of desks for a good two minutes. Some of them shouted "Jai Shri Ram" while a few chanted "Modi Modi" in tribute to the BJP's wins Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Prime Minister stayed in house only for a few minutes.

The BJP and its ally Apna Dal won a whopping 321 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 57 seats in Uttarakhand. The party also formed governments in Goa and Manipur.

ALSO READ | After Uttar Pradesh, BJP all set to sweep Delhi with its Mission 2022

--- ENDS ---
A disgusting road sign warning people about the presence of Jews has been found attached to a lamppost in north London.

The triangular sign, discovered in Stamford Hill on Monday, shows a silhouette of a traditionally-dressed Orthodox Jewish man with a bright red border around it.

It is in the same style as official government road signs which warn of dangers including schoolchildren crossing the road and slippery surfaces.

Neighbourhood watch group the Shomrim said it had reported the sign to police and Hackney Council after it appeared near a synagogue on Clapton Common.

Barry Bard, Supervisor at Stamford Hill Shomrim, said: The sign has caused a lot of concern amongst local Jewish residents, especially as it is in such close proximity to a Synagogue.

Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbot, who is MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, branded the sign disgusting and unacceptable on Twitter.

READ MORE: EVENING STANDARD
The Eida Chareidis has filed an official complaint with police against police. The letter to the Jerusalem police commander refers to Shabbos protests against chilul Shabbos, accusing police of using unjustifiable force against civilian protesters. Of late, protests have increased as the worrisome chilul Shabbos increases as well RL.

The letter explains As you know, in recent weeks there has been an increase in chilul Shabbos in the holy city of Jerusalem, and the Eida Chareidis has given the order to protest. The elders and rabbonim of the Eida Chareidis are pained over the chilul Shabbos that is unfortunately increasing.

It is explained protestors were at Davidka Square when an especially violent group of police arrived and began striking young and old without discrimination, including elderly heads of the Eida, who were hit in their heads. This includes the elderly Rav Yechiel Cohen Shlita and R Yaakov HaCohen Ratta Shlita. they were knocked to the ground and kicked mercilessly like the last of the criminals.

Moreover, during the recent protests to inflame the situation and probably intentionally sent police officers to check the chareidi public, and use offensive words to the protesters, threatening, kicking and smiling knowing that this interferes with the chareidi protestors who remain true to safeguarding modesty.

The letter continues that the Eida will continue Shabbos protests as it eels responsible to act tow safeguard the holy city and the holy Torah. The Eida calls on police to act in light of the unjustified brutality and actions of those personnel who responded to the Shabbos protest.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The terrorist who murdered Rabbi Miki Mark HYD was sentenced to two life sentences by the IDF Judea Court on Wednesday, 16 Adar.

Muhammed al-Ameira is the terrorist who opened fire on the ravs vehicle on Route 60 in the Southern Hebron Hills area, near Otniel. Rabbi Mark was traveling with his family on erev Shabbos when the fatal shots rang out. Mrs. Chavi Mark was seriously wounded in the attack. The court also ordered he pay the family 250,000 shekels in reparations. The second terrorist in the attack was shot and killed.

Al-Ameiras home was already destroyed by the IDF in the summer of 2016.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Wisconsin election officials on Tuesday blamed undertrained poll workers and Sen. Bernie Sanders social media posts for dozens of instances in which 17-year-olds managed to vote in last years state presidential primary.

A commission report found that as many as 70 teenagers in nearly 30 Wisconsin counties voted illegally in the April election. Sanders won the Democratic side of the primary; Ted Cruz won the Republican side.

Many states allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 by Election Day to vote in their primaries, but Wisconsin requires voters to be 18 to vote in its.

In its report, the commission determined that some political campaigns provided false information about 17-year-olds being able to vote in primaries and it circulated on social media, creating confusion and driving the Wisconsin teens to the polls.

The report doesnt name a specific candidate or provide examples of the alleged false information. But commission officials on Tuesday said it was primarily Sanders campaign, though commission spokesman Reid Magney acknowledged that staff didnt see anything misleading from Sanders about Wisconsin laws, specifically. Magney said the report was based on anecdotal information the commission received from multiple sources.

Andrea Kaminski, executive director of Wisconsins League of Women Voters chapter, told the commission she was distressed to read about the 17-year-olds voting, saying voters and poll workers need to be better educated about voting laws.

Commission Chairman Mark Thomsen responded by telling her that Sanders national campaign blurred the differences in states laws in its messaging and the candidate has to have responsibility for those errors.

Asked during a break how Sanders could be held responsible for internet users misinterpreting his messages, Thomsen said he thinks candidates for national office need to keep in mind that election laws vary from state to state.

Its your obligation to tell your campaign people and the voters what the rules are in your jurisdiction, Thomsen said. You can just sit in D.C. and say here it is. I would hate to see youthful exuberance end up in criminal prosecution.

Sanders campaign didnt immediately reply to an email seeking reaction to Thomsens remarks. The Vermont senator enjoyed strong support among young voters and he pushed for the inclusion in primaries of 17-year-olds who would be eligible to vote on Election Day, successfully suing for that right in Ohio just weeks before Wisconsins primary.

Commissioner Ann Jacobs said during Tuesdays meeting that its unclear whos responsible for what appears online. Sanders may have said 17-year-olds could vote in one state and his supporters or kids twisted the message as it spread across the internet, she suggested.

To say the campaign itself promulgated it may be the case, or it may not be the case, she said.

Commissioner Julie Glancey said she didnt want to point fingers at any campaigns. The panel ultimately voted unanimously to remove the phrase some political campaigns from the report and simply say false information spread through social media.

Thomsen added that its troubling Wisconsin poll workers allowed the 17-year-olds to vote. The commission will look at training to make sure were not encouraging 17-year-olds to commit crimes.

The commission consists of three Republicans and three Democrats. Thomsen, Jacobs and Glancey are all Democrats.

The 17-year-olds who voted were referred to local prosecutors. District attorneys in counties with the most underage voters told The Associated Press they chose not to charge them because they genuinely believed they could vote and didnt intend to commit fraud.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat, told The AP on Tuesday that he has reached deferred prosecution agreements in four of the seven cases that reached his desk. Deferred prosecution agreements are deals in which first-time offenders can avoid a conviction if they satisfy conditions such as completing community service.

Ozanne said he hasnt decided whether to charge the remaining three teens. He declined to comment on whether he felt the teens intentionally tried to commit fraud.

Gov. Scott Walker told reporters in Milwaukee that 17-year-olds voting is all the more reason why voter photo identification is so important. He said he anticipates poll workers will probably make a point of checking birthdays as well as names on the cards from now on.

President Donald Trump has called for a major investigation into voter fraud and alleged, without any evidence, that 3 million to 5 million people may have voted illegally in the November general election. The commission report lists no instances of underage voters casting ballots in Wisconsins general election.

(AP)
[VIDEO AND PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

A female terrorist was shot as she tried to perpetrate a vehicular terror attack at Gush Etzion Junction on Wednesday afternoon at around 4:00PM IL.

Thankfully, no Israelis were seriously injured in the incident.

A 28-year-old Israeli woman in advanced stages of pregnancy was taken to the hospital after experiencing a panic attack, according to Magen David Adom.

The condition of the terrorist was no known, but she was treated by the IDF and MDA at the scene and removed to a hospital.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo Credit: MDA)
[COMMUNICATED CONTENT]

An exciting new resource for small business owners in the Lakewood region will be launched on Monday, March 20th. The Small Business Alliance (SBA), a project of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, will serve as a vehicle for area small business owners to network with each other, discuss common concerns, and enjoy a variety of exciting and informational events.

The launch will take place on Monday, 7:30 pm, at Four Corners Bagels and Cafe on James Street, for both men and women. David Rosen, General Manager at Four Corners and former multi-unit licensee and Director of Operations at Starbucks, will be the main presenter at the event. Mr. Rosen will discuss various practical business management issues, and engage in a Q & A with attendees. There will be several other successful businessmen and management professionals at the event. Attendees are encouraged to discuss any other topic on their minds with presenters and other attendees.

Of course, there will be delicious food too!

Event is RSVP only. Please register promptly at http://ojchamber.com/sba in order to attend. Fee is $22 per person, and only $18 for Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce members. Visit ojchamber.com to become a Chamber member at no cost.
According to sources, the autopsy concluded that prima facie the death occurred due to hanging, no external injuries were found on the body.

By Ilma Hasan: Body of 27-year-old Jawaharlal Nehru University Dalit student Muthukrishnan was flown from Delhi to Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. Two days after his suicide, Krishnan's autopsy was conducted under conditions put by his family and friends.

According to sources, the autopsy concluded that prima facie the death occurred due to hanging, no external injuries were found on the body. The Delhi Police is yet to establish the circumstances under which the suicide was committed or was abetted.

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The autopsy was conducted under the observation of a 5-member panel including SC/ST and OBC doctors. The Delhi Police also registered an FIR of abetment to suicide, under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act two days after the incident. Krishnan's family and friends had refused to led the autopsy proceed until an FIR was lodged.

Political leaders from various parties also came to give their condolences to Krishnan's family. CPI's D Raja, S Muthukaruppan of the AIADMK, MoS Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan visited the family in the last two days. However, it was BJP leader Nirmala Seetharaman's presence that caused a huge stir. JNU students were seen repeatedly asking the leader to leave alleging the government had not done enough for Dalit students.

Krishnan's friend Raja said, "This is what Dalit students are subjected to. Eventually, it is left for us Dalits to befriend each other. Krishna had told me he felt isolated and alone, he was pushed into doing this."

His local guardian, a DU Professor, N Sukumar said, "I knew him since his HCU days. He was a bright boy and JNU was his dream college. He was brave, but the situation in universities across India for Dalit students is dismal."

Krishnan's death comes 14 months after Rohith Vemula's suicide in Hyderabad. He was a part of the Dalit movement following Vemula's death and was also an active part of protests staged in JNU against the administration.

Also read: JNU scholar's death: Here's everything you need to know

--- ENDS ---
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) AIIMS doctors today said the Dalit research scholar at JNU who had allegedly hanged himself at his friends residence in south Delhis Munirka died due to asphyxia and no injury mark was found on the body.

Muthu Krishnan (28), an M Phil student at JNUs Centre for Historical studies, had hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his friends residence in South Delhis Munirka area on Monday.

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The five-member medical board constituted to conduct the autopsy, in its preliminary report, has stated that the death was due to hanging and no injury marks were present on the body.

"The death was due to asphyxia (a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body due to abnormal breathing) as a result of ante-mortem hanging. No injury mark has been found in any part of the body," Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of AIIMS Forensic Department, told PTI.

"There were signs of dribbling of saliva on the face of the deceased which is a sure sign of ante-mortem hanging. Viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis," Dr Gupta said.

The body of the JNU research scholar was embalmed and handed over to police, he said, adding the autopsy procedure was videographed.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case of abatement to suicide in the death of Krishnan.

"We have registered a case of abatement to suicide under relevant section of The Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act. The case has been registered against unknown persons," a senior police officer said.

Krishnans body was taken for post-mortem to AIIMS yesterday but it could not be done as the students family members along with some Congress, AIADMK and DMK leaders and a few JNU students demanded transparency in the autopsy.

Krishnans father had sought a CBI probe claiming that his son cannot commit suicide.

"My son cannot commit suicide. He was very strong and confident. We want a CBI probe to be conducted and actual reason behind his death be revealed," Krishnans father, Jeevanandam, had said.

Following their demands, the medical board was constituted.

Krishnan, who had named himself Krish Rajini on Facebook, was at the forefront of a students movement following Rohith Vemulas suicide. PTI PLB SLB NSD MVV

--- ENDS ---
LLOYDS SALE Taxpayers now own less than 4 per cent of Lloyds after the Government sold more of its stake in the bailed-out bank.

The state is now just 800 million short of recovering the 20.3 billion it pumped in to keep the lender afloat during the financial crisis.

At the current rate, Lloyds will be entirely back in private hands by the end of May. Yesterday, shares rose 0.6 per cent, or 0.38p, to 68.23p.

Long and winding road: Taxpayers now own less than 4 per cent of Lloyds after the Government sold more of its stake in the bailed-out bank

UKRAINE DEAL Ryanair has launched its first flights to Ukraine  with four new routes from Kiev to London Stansted, Manchester, Eindhoven and Stockholm. The low-cost airline said the new flights will ferry 250,000 travellers to Kiev every year, with fares starting from 17.41. Ryanair said it will also start flights to Lviv, its second airport in the country.

HIKMA HIKE Shares in Hikma Pharmaceuticals soared after the drugs firm reported better-than expected-results.

The company, which manufactures branded and non-branded generic drugs, said group revenue was up 35 per cent to 1.6 billion but operating profit was down 21 per cent to 247 million.The company raised its dividend for last year and it expects sales to be around 1.8 billion this year. Shares were up 8 per cent, or 171p, to 2297p.

BIFFA BUYING Waste giant Biffa is looking for ways to grow its business through acquisitions.

The firm, which collects and recycles rubbish for councils, is actively pursuing a strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities. The company added that trading was in line with expectations.

KFC CHANGES Fast-food chain KFC has announced shake-ups at the top. UK and Ireland general manager Martin Shuker will focus on growing the business across Western Europe and Paula MacKenzie, chief financial officer, will step into his shoes.

STATPRO LOSS Statpro, which provides cloud-based portfolio analysis for asset managers, swung into a loss after restructuring costs. It posted a 24 per cent jump in revenue to 37.6 million, but fell from a 2.4 million profit in 2015 to a 10.1 million loss in the year to December 31. It came after it bought US firm Investor Analytics, which it rebranded as Revolution Alpha. Statpro shares jumped by 2.3 per cent, or 2p, to 89p.

DEAL BACKED Telecoms giant AT&T has won approval from the European Commission for its planned 70 billion deal to buy Time Warner. The merger still requires approval from the US Department of Justice and is expected to close by the end of the year.

WATCHDOG CREATED A new watchdog is set to go after criminals seeking to launder money through the UK. The Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision aims to supervise 25 different agencies work. It will be part of the Financial Conduct Authority and will be funded by other regulators.
Some of the UKs big construction and infrastructure projects could be put at risk if the country loses access to the single market as 8 per cent of workers in the industry are EU nationals, surveyors have warned.

Research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows the UK construction sector, which is already struggling to find skilled staff, is highly dependent on EU workers, who currently account for 176,500 jobs.

It also found that 30 per cent of the construction professionals surveyed say that hiring non-UK workers is important to the success of their business.

Warning: The construction sector will suffer if EU workers are not allowed to stay, says report

It is in all our interests that we make a success of Brexit, but a loss of access to the single market, has the potential to slowly bring the UKs 500billion infrastructure pipeline to a standstill, said RICS head of UK policy Jeremy Blackburn.

That means that unless access to the single market is secured or alternative plans are put in place, we wont be able to create the infrastructure needed to enable our cities to compete on a global stage, he added.

The construction sector also faces another problem: the soaring cost of imported building materials.

The UK currently imports over 60 per cent of building components and materials from the EU, which equates to 5.7billion, up from 4.9billion in 2015, according to the latest available figures by the Office for National Statistics.

But the cost of these materials, which has been soaring since the pound weakened after Junes referendum, could go up by another 10 per cent, costing the UKs construction sector millions, built environment specialist Scape Group has warned.

ONS figures show that the construction materials price index rose 5.8 per cent higher in the year to January, with net imports from the EU rising by 15.3 per cent  the biggest jump since 2011.

On the rise: Net imports from the EU have rose by 15.3 per cent  the biggest jump since 2011

Matt Carrington-Moore, Chief Marketing Officer at Scape Group, warned the construction sector was facing a toxic mix of issues that will inhibit its ability to deliver projects.

The prospect of a fall in the number of construction workers from Europe, combined with the soaring cost of imported materials as well as the magnetic effect that large scale projects such as HS2 will have on the local supply chain, pose a serious risk to the quality and timely delivery of buildings and infrastructure.

All of the evidence suggests that Brexit could trigger a significant decline in this countrys construction sector, and the impact that this has on UK PLC would be significant.

The warning comes as a raft of data has showed the cost of raw import materials has been soaring in recent months.

Bricks and timber have become the latest products to be hit by sterling's slide

Figures by the Federation of Master Builders found that 70 per cent of UK builders have seen costs rising as a result of the falling pound.

They expect increases of 10 to 15 per cent this year, excluding any further impact the triggering of Article 50 and the ongoing Brexit negotiations might have.

Meanwhile, a recent investigation by the Mail on Sunday has showed that bricks and timber have become the latest products to be hit by sterling's slide after Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
A giant Swiss bank which is threatening to move hundreds of jobs from the City is paying just 6p tax for every 1 profit from UK investment arms, the Mail can reveal.

UBS has repeatedly warned it will move staff to the Continent in the wake of the EU referendum.

Yesterday, chairman Axel Weber claimed 1,500 jobs would shift from London to preserve its business on mainland Europe.

A giant Swiss bank which is threatening to move hundreds of jobs from the City is paying just 6p tax for every 1 profit from UK investment arms, the Mail can reveal

Pro-European Union campaigners have repeatedly demanded that the Government heeds the Citys warnings over the threat of Brexit, citing the 71.4 billion contribution financial firms make to the exchequer.

But many foreign banks reduce their taxes by offsetting profits against debt repayments and previous losses.

UBS does not disclose full details of its UK tax bill, but has had to reveal figures for one part of its British business in official EU documents.

In 2014 and 2015, this division made 350.1 million profit in Britain, these records show, paying 21.6 million tax - 6p for every pound of profit.

UBS has repeatedly warned it will move staff to the Continent in the wake of the EU referendum

The bank said 400 of its 5,500 staff in London work in this division, and claimed that its overall contribution is likely to be much higher.

However, the bank will not release this figure or say what percentage of its overall UK profits was paid as tax.

Corporation tax is 20 per cent and from the start of last year, banks were charged an extra 8 per cent.

It is understood taxes targeted at banks cost UBS 100 million in 2016. The lender has already faced flak for its tax affairs. Last year, it was revealed it helped highly paid staff limit liabilities.

It lost a legal challenge brought by HMRC over an offshore scheme which saw 426 staff try to wriggle out of paying 36.9 million of tax and 12.7 million in National Insurance on 92 million of bonuses.

The 2003-4 scheme was described by the Supreme Court as having no business or commercial rationale beyond tax avoidance.

Activists said there were questions over UBSs tax payments. Labour MP and Treasury Select Committee member John Mann said: UBS is in no position to lecture on the UK economy, having avoided paying tax on bankers bonuses.

The UK loses billions to tax avoidance and our economy would be in a far better state if companies like UBS did the right thing. David Hillman of the Robin Hood Tax campaign said: It is disgraceful UBS have made such huge profits but got away with paying so little in tax on them.

A string of banks warned they would shift jobs abroad before the Brexit vote but many have backtracked or fallen silent, though UBS has continued to loudly warn of its plans.

Speaking at a finance conference in Frankfurt yesterday, Axel Weber said up to 1,500 employees would move to a country that will be a long-term EU member.

He said: Institutions like ours are faced with very important decisions about how to reshape our operations, given London will no longer be part of the EU.

UBS saw profits nearly halve to 2.7 billion last year, down from 5.1 billion in 2015. Its 47,600 staff saw their bonus pool cut by 17 per cent to 2.4 billion.

Even chief executive Sergio Ermotti took a 500,000 pay cut  although he still pocketed 11.1 million. UBS declined to comment on the tax figures.
By Akshaya Nath: Two days after JNU student Muthukrishnan allegedly committed suicide, his family has demanded a CBI probe.

The last words the 30-year-old student of JNU Muthukrishnan told his mother was, "I will be coming home next week after the exams." As his exams still continue, Alamellu and her three daughters are waiting for the mortal remains of Muthukrishnan to be brought home. The family that lives in a very small house in Salem, Tamil Nadu, have hundreds of visitors visiting them in the last two days.

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"At around 6pm on March 13 we got information that Muthukrishnan has committed suicide. But I had spoken to him only in the afternoon and he was fine," cried his mother Alamelu. She added, "My boy will never commit suicide. There was nothing that could depress him so much."

A youth from the economically backward section of the society, Muthukrishnan worked his way through to reach the place that he was in. His Facebook profile and the support pouring proves his friendly nature. "He was always happy. Look at this picture of his, look how he is smiling. He was brave and was strong in his opinion. He will not commit suicide," said a broken Kalaivani, Muthukrishnan's elder sister sister.

Right from the time of the news of Muthukrishnan's death it is seen that all the political parties in the state have started showcasing their solidarity with the family. DMK acting president MK Stalin had condemned the deaths of Dalit students in central universities and demanded probe. The Edapadi Palanisamy government in Tamil Nadu while announcing their support for the family said that it will take care of all the expenses to bring Muthukrishnan's mortal remains from Delhi to Salem and has also announced a compensation of Rs 3 lakh.

"We are not looking for money, we want justice. My son is not the type who can commit suicide. When he spoke to me the last time he was happy, he enquired about the lunch I have cooked and about his sisters. Few hours later I hear that he is dead. I think there is some mystery in this," said Alamelu.

While Muthukrishnan's family does not have one to point fingers at. Piyush Manush of the Salem Citizens forum who was there at Muthukrishnan's residence said, "Muthukrishnan's Facebook posts have revealed a lot about the discrimination that was faced by students from the backward communities in these central university. He was a very strong voice in the Rohit Vemula case and this has put him in a tough spot and they were being targeted. Whether it was a suicide or murder only investigation can prove but we want to say that discrimination is there in a strong way."

The fact that Muthukrishnan was an active member in the Rohit Vemula protests and also that his Facebook posts have been highly critical about the treatment meted out to the students from the backward communities and this has now led to the suspicion around Muthukrishnan's death.

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"We want a CBI investigation into his death. Awe know he won't commit suicide," cried Kalaivani amidst all the condolences.

Meanwhile, an AIIMS panel of doctors that conducted the post-mortem on Muthukrishnan's body has ruled out any foul play in his death.

FINDINGS OF THE POST-MORTEM REPORT

A five-member team has conducted the postmortem on Muthukrishnan.

The team was set up following the request of her father and D.Raja.

The whole process was videographed by two cameras covering various angles.

One still photographer has also taken still shots.

Preliminary findings say there were no injury marks found on the body.

In the internal examination conducted on her stomach, it was concluded, "There was no specific abnormal smell."

Dribbling of saliva was found on the cheeks of the deceased, which is a sign of antimortem injuries.

Prima facie, it's a case of suicide by hanging, the investigation team has concluded. However, the circumstances that drove him to commit commit suicide are yet to be ascertained.

(WITH INPUTS FROM TANSEEM HAIDER)

ALSO READ | JNU scholar's death: Here's everything you need to know

Family of JNU scholar found dead suspects foul play, wants FIR registered

--- ENDS ---
A pharmaceutical firm that links patients to drugs not yet approved has seen rising profits

A pharmaceutical company that links patients to drugs not yet been approved in the UK has revealed rising profits.

Clinigen, which supplies unlicensed drugs to patients in critical need, said it had performed strongly in the first half of the year and is now looking for acquisitions.

Profits were up 44 per cent to 58 million in the six months to December 31 while earnings rose 34 per cent to 30 million.

Shaun Chilton, chief executive, said: Often when treatment available in the country has failed, a physician has a choice to delay or find medicine thats not yet available in the country.

The firm often has to provide the medicine within a matter of hours.
One of Britains oldest independent property agents could be about to fall into French hands.

Strutt & Parker, which specialises in selling high-end homes in London and the country as well as managing farmland, is in talks with banking giant BNP Paribas.

A takeover would be a major vote of confidence in the British property market by one of Europes leading banks following the Brexit vote.

All change? Strutt & Parker specialises in selling high-end homes in London and the country as well as managing farmland

But it would also see one of the UKs most prestigious land management and estate agency firms in foreign hands.

Strutt & Parker - or Strutts as it is known - was set up by school friends Edward Strutt and Charles Parker in 1885 to manage large estates in the east of England. It is still privately owned, by 53 equity partners, who would share the proceeds of any sale.

The company saw profits dive 35 per cent to 18.3 million last year as it grappled with falling prices of high-end London houses following a hike in stamp duty on expensive homes.

Its 53 partners shared 16.2 million last year - giving them an average of more than 300,000 each - while the 864 staff earned an average of around 60,000.

The best-paid partner, thought to be senior partner Andy Martin, saw his earnings fall from 1.1 million in 2015 to 606,000 last year. The 60-year-old is standing down this year.

Discussions between Strutts and BNP Paribas Real Estate, the banks property arm, are understood to have been ongoing for a number of months.

The French lender is keen to buy the Strutts commercial arm but may join forces with another group to take on the residential estate agency business.

Sales of expensive homes and country estates have slowed since the EU referendum and tax hikes introduced by George Osborne, who raised stamp duty on homes worth more than 937,500, hitting vast swathes of the London housing market and country homes.

The increase has pushed the stamp duty on a 2 million home up by 53,750 to 153,750 while the levy on a 5 million home has gone up by 163,750 to 513,750. The buyer of the 30 million townhouse Strutts is selling in Chelsea will have to pay more than 3.5 million in stamp duty.

Osborne also introduced a three percentage point increase in stamp duty for landlords and second home owners.

But BNP, which has 7,500 staff in the UK, is understood to be keen to increase its exposure to the British property market. The UK is real estates third-biggest market behind France and Germany.

Strutt & Parker and BNP Paribas declined to comment.
A stampede for the exit has begun at Och-Ziff as top City executives flee the troubled hedge fund after an African bribery scandal.

The quitters reportedly include star European equity analyst Drew Gillanders and more junior colleague Hamish Chalmers, both in London.

It comes after the business had to pay 339 million to the US Department of Justice over allegedly bribing Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafis regime.

A stampede for the exit has begun at Och-Ziff as top City executives flee the troubled hedge fund after an African bribery scandal

Investors have pulled 10.7 billion out of the firm in the last 13 months amid concerns about its direction and shares plunged 29 per cent in the last month alone.

Bosses are desperate to stop good staff leaving as morale falls and have even given one trader, Jimmy Levin, a long-term bonus potentially worth more than 230 million.

But it has not been enough.

Gillanders, 44, who is believed to live in a London home worth 4.6 million, oversaw a successful bet on pharma firm Actelion before it agreed a sale with giant rival Johnson & Johnson in January.

Och-Ziffs troubles centre on a scandal in which illicit payments were made to officials.

Investigators said Och-Ziff had repeatedly funded corrupt transactions to profit from Africas bribery epidemic.




MBABANE - Two Swazi artists have decided to leave the country and go and try their luck to secure a slot in one of the worlds award winning theatre plays, the Lion King.



MJ Boys lead dancer Sithembiso Sthera Magagula and Pelepele Dance Group member Nhlanhla Simelane are currently in Johannesburg attending the Lion King auditions.

The auditions, which attracted over 2 000 aspiring actors, started on Monday morning. The two were auditioned on Monday afternoon and even though they were not selected they were pleasantly surprised not to be eliminated as the judges felt they had more to offer.



Sthera said while others were recalled they were given what he called a lifeline in the theatre world where actors and actresses are given a second chance to audition.



Hopefully



We are both pleased that we will be auditioning once again today and hopefully we will make it. It is still a huge chance to be given a lifeline in such a production, said Sthera Magagula. He said they were both positive that they will make it through as they believe in themselves.



We have acted and danced in bigger stages across the globe and I believe the experience we have will make us conquer. I am sure we stand a chance and will make it through and hopefully young Swazi actors and actresses will be inspired to try and also take the profession seriously, he said.



It is not the first time for Magagula to be in a big cast as he recently went to Botswana where he was among the chorographers of the countrys inauguration celebrations.
MBABANE  A man, who left home 30 years ago, has been reunited with his family after his death.



Joseph Matsenjwa (52) left home when he was 22 years old with a woman he was in love with and he never returned to his relatives as he moved into a house with his new love.

According to his sister, Nonhlanhla Shabalala, when Matsenjwa left home, the family was staying at Msunduza location and he never came back to visit them.



Matsenjwa passed away on January 17, 2017 while at Maphalaleni where he was now staying with a male friend, who did not know anything about his family.

He had been kept at the Mbabane Government Hospital mortuary since his death as police were looking for his family.



Shabalala said they heard from a distant relative, who resides in Mbabane and works at the market, about the death of their brother since she (Shabalala) now stays in Matsapha.

Matsenjwa was not our biological brother as his mother brought him to our homestead when we stayed in Big Bend and I was also very young and he was two years old. We did not know the woman who told us she was his mother as the only information she told my mother was that she was giving the young boy away and she never came back. She also told us that he was a Matsenjwa such that when we were eating goat meat, he was not given any. We grew up with him as if he was our own flesh and blood.



I was shocked to hear that Joseph had passed away because I was still nursing hopes that he would come back to us. The woman who left with him should have looked for us and informed us of his passing because to our knowledge, he left with her and is still with her. When they left 30 years ago, he never told us anything about his lover and we do not know even know what her name was and the people who were staying with him when he died do not know anything about her as well, Shabalala said.



As Matsenjwa was a born-again Christian when he died, his pastor offered to buy a coffin for him after his family had been found.

Shabalala stated that they would not hold a vigil for Matsenjwa.

I asked the umphakatsi from Matsapha to have his funeral there but they stated that he was not from there.


MBABANE  The Royal Swaziland Police and Interpol are now hot on the heels of one of the members of the stokvel whose E500 000 was stolen at Nkoyoyo.



This after further investigations revealed that Nompumelelo Titi Sithungo allegedly masterminded the robbery which resulted in the theft of the money.

Nompumelelo is reported to have fled to Canada where she is currently residing.

The homestead where the money was stolen on December 18, 2010 belonged to a senior police officer identified as Siphanga.



Nomphumelelo was primarily a witness in the matter but further investigations by the police revealed that she allegedly played a crucial role in the theft by providing information to the two men who were subsequently arrested and charged.

Crown Counsel Sandile Mdluli yesterday informed the court that after further police investigation, the Crown deemed it fit to charge Sithungo.

Mdluli asked for the postponement of the matter as the local police and Interpol were still searching for the exact whereabouts of Sithungo in Canada.



My Lord, Nomphumelelo is reported to be in Canada and means to locate her have been made but she could not be found, submitted Mdluli. In her statement she recorded with the police before she fled the country to Canada, Nomphumelelo stated that she was also part of the stokvel and seemingly confirmed her involvement in the robbery.



She alleged that she was asked by a certain Sithungo man when their association (stokvel) was meeting. Nomphumelelo mentioned that she volunteered the dates when they would be meeting.

According to Nomphumelelo, it was after two days that the Sithungo man told her that he wanted to rob the association of their money.



She claimed that she turned down the idea but the man (Sithungo) was persistent and he further told her that she would not be personally involved as he would find people to commit the robbery.

In her statement, she further mentioned that on December 3, 2010, she agreed to the plan after persuasion from Sithungo.



She narrated that on December 11, 2010 there was food distribution among women at Siphangas homestead. She pointed out that she did not go for the food distribution but Sithungo went on her behalf.
MANZINI  A mentally unstable patient was sodomised at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Manzini.

This is the same institution where supposedly violent patients escaped recently.



*Vusi (28), who was admitted with two other patients in his ward, was approached by his mates while sleeping in his bed.

They first made small talk with him before one of them pinned him on the bed while the other sexually molested him.



Vusi had been admitted to the psychiatric hospital in January 6 and was released on leave on March 7, 2017.

It is believed that the sodomy incident took place around that time when he was admitted to the centre.

According to his mother, who will not be identified to protect the survivor, she alleged that the hospital concealed the matter and only made a call on March 7, to inform her that they were granting Vusi leave as his condition had improved.



However *Norah, the mother, said when she went to collect her sons medication from the nurse, she was called aside and asked to step away from the crowd.

The nurse gave her the medication, together with another batch known as Anti- Haemorrhoid drug to insert in his behind.



Anti-Hemorrhoid drugs is medicine in the form of ointments, creams, foams etc used to reduce the swelling and relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids, which actually mean swellings in the area around ones behind.

Norah said when this drug was prescribed to his son, she questioned the nurse who then opened up that there were suspicions to the effect that Vusi had been sodomised.

She said had the nurse not spoken, she wouldnt have known the truth as his son was very secretive.



The nurse did not want to elaborate on the matter and immediately left us. I was bothered by the issue and returned to the institution the following day where a meeting was convened.

Further, Norah said she was not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and decided to go to the Manzini Police Station to report the matter.
"After looking at the posture of the body in AIIMS for the second time, I am not convinced that he had committed suicide," the student's father said.

By Mail Today Bureau: A 27-year-old MPhil student of JNU was found hanging at his friend's home in south Delhi's Munirka on Monday.

On Tuesday, Muthukrishnan's father Jeevanandhaam along with other politicians did not let the hospital authority to conduct a post-mortem, demanding an FIR instead of inquest proceedings.

"The body of Muthukrishnan, a student of MPhil in JNU has been preserved in the mortuary and the postmortem is likely to be conducted on Wednesday morning," said Chinmoy Biswal, additional deputy commissioner of police (south).

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"After looking at the posture of the body in AIIMS for the second time, I am not convinced that he had committed suicide. The photograph showing him hanging from the ceiling fan shows his knees bent and his foot touching the ground. His tongue was not protruding and his eyelids were not drooping," said Jeevanandhaam.

He had also given a written statement to police requesting them not to consider the case as suicide but a mysterious death. He had also demanded an FIR to be registered.

Muthukrishnan, a native of Salem in Tamil Nadu, too belonged to the Scheduled Castes and was an active member of the justice-for-Rohith-Vemula movement.

He was known on the campus as Krish, and had studied history at the Hyderabad University before coming to JNU for an MPhil in modern history last year.

Speaking to Mail Today, senior officials of South district police said the complaint has been received by the police and the statement along with the claims is being scrutinised.

"Till then, inquest proceedings are being conducted and the autopsy report will further clear the exact cause of Muthukrishnan's death," the official added.

FATHER SAYS SON COULDN'T HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE

Jeevanandhaam claimed that his son could not commit suicide. "I had a word with him few hours before he was found dead under mysterious circumstances. He was facing constant caste-based harassment and discrimination in his academic pursuit from his centre and the JNU administration."

JNU Students Union (JNUSU) has alleged that he was targeted for his assofurciation with the movement seeking justice for Vemula and the resultant depression made him take the extreme step. Days before his mysterious death, Muthukrishnan has updated a Facebook post criticising "discriminatory" admission policies in JNU.

"There is no equality in M Phil/PhD admissions, there is no equality in viva-voce, there is only denial of equality, denying Prof Sukhadeo Thorat recommendation, denying students protest places in Ad - block, denying the education of the Marginals. When equality is denied everything is denied," he wrote in his March-10 Facebook post. Now, his post has been flooded with condolence messages.

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Police, on the other hand, has been maintaining that no prima facie evidence has been found indicating the JNU administration's role into the issue. No suicide note has been found from his possession. "His mobile phone is being scanned and his profiles on the social networking sites are also being scrutinised," said the official.

AIADMK, DMK SEEK PROBE

Tamil Nadu's various political parties, including the AIADMK and the DMK, on Tuesday expressed concern over the death and sought a probe into the matter

AIADMK deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran said Muthukrishnan's death at JNU and his references to "inequality" has sent "shock waves" across the state.

Referring to Muthukrishnan's links to a movement in support of "justice" for deceased Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula in Hyderabad last year, Dinakaran said, "There are strong doubts if he really committed suicide, considering he was strong."

JNUSU president Mohit Pandey condoled Muthukrishanan's death and said he had met the scholar even a day before his death.

"I knew him not only as an activist but also as a brilliant student coming from marginalised community."

ALSO READ | JNU scholar's death: Here's everything you need to know

--- ENDS ---

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The cause of the explosion is said to be gas leak at the building in Kanpur's Shivrajpur area. Several others are feared trapped as following the blast parts of the structure collapsed.

By India Today Web Desk: Six people have been killed and 10 others injured in an explosion at a cold storage building in Kanpur.

The cause of the explosion is said to be gas leak at the building in Kanpur's Shivrajpur area. Several others are feared trapped as following the blast parts of the structure collapsed.

According to SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar, the gas leak started at the Katiyar cold storage in the afternoon. In the blast that followed, the roof of the structure collapsed.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW Several people are feared trapped under the debris, and fire brigade personnel along with NDRF and Army teams are carrying out rescue and relief operations, Kumar said. Chief Medical Officer Dr Ramayan Prasad said the six seriously-injured labourers, who were rescued sometime in the evening, were declared brought dead by doctors of the medical college-cum-hospital in the city. Eleven labourers have been rescued and those with minor injuries discharged from the hospital after treatment, he said. Doctors at the hospital have been put on alert as the number of those injured is expected to rise, Prasad said. Kanpur District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said around two dozen labourers were having their lunch when the incident happened. More labourers could be still trapped under the debris, district administration officials said. The District Magistrate said rescue workers had been given protective gear, including masks. The district administration would also check if the cold storage had a license.

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(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

Also read | Kanpur: Crude bomb explosion in the dumpster leaves 2 injured

--- ENDS ---
Yesteryear actor Kasthuri has slammed the media for misinterpreting her quote on casting couch.

By India Today Web Desk: Recently, yesteryear actor Kasthuri made headlines after exposing the reality of casting couch. The actor went on the record saying that casting couch exists in film industry.

In an interview to The Times Of India, Kasthuri said, "There were movies I was thrown out of because I was not toeing the expected line or ready to give in to the favours that were asked of me. And, I would like to point out that most of this was in relation to this one hero - this one guy who is a hero/politician now. I think it was some kind of ego thing for him. I respect him in so many ways, but he couldn't take no for an answer. He kept harassing me for that one movie I did with him and threw me out of two."

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Though the actor did not mention the name of the hero, several reports suggested that it was a leading actor-turned-politician.

However, Kasthuri, in a series of tweets, lashed out at media for misquoting her.

??? ??????? ??? ... # presstitutes #??????? atleast read d original interview be4 writing fictional nonsense.- kasthuri shankar (@KasthuriShankar) March 13, 2017

# presstitutes #??????? tired of this BS. One guy writes a lie, and EVERYONE copies & pastes the same lie. u know what? 1/2- kasthuri shankar (@KasthuriShankar) March 13, 2017

2/2 # presstitutes #??????? want to take action against liars and yellow journalists- responsible media should support me- kasthuri shankar (@KasthuriShankar) March 13, 2017

Last month, Tamil actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar took to Twitter to share a disturbing issue of sexual harassment in the industry.

ALSO READ: Thalaivar Rajinikanth lauds Lokesh Kanagaraj, SR Prabhu for Maanagaram

ALSO READ: Maanagaram director Lokesh's exclusive interview

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By Philip Newman

A 37-year-old Queens man has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for two home invasions and a concurrent 12-to-24 year prison term for trying while in Rikers Island to hire a hitman to kill witnesses before they could testify against him in court.

The defendant terrorized not only two families during brazen daytime home invasions but their ordeal did not end with his arrest, said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. As his trial on burglary charges approached, the defendant schemed to have the witnesses slated to testify against him killed.

He added, Fortunately, his plan was discovered before he could do any harm.

Brown identified the defendant as Edward Leasure, 37, of 146th Street in Jamaica, who has been held on $200,000 bond/$100,000 cash bail since his arrest in March 2015.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and conspiracy on Aug 22, 2016. State Supreme Court Justice Barry Schwartz last week sentenced Leisure to a determinate term of 24 years on the burglary charge and the concurrent term of 12 to 24 years on the conspiracy charge.

Brown said according to the charges, Leasure approached a Queens residence on the morning of March 16, 2015 wearing a ski mask and knocked on the front door.

When a 45-year-old woman appeared, he stepped inside, pointed a black firearm at her and her husband, whom he led into the bedroom, and said show me the safe. If you dont show me the safe, Ill shoot your wife in the foot.

The older women handed $300 to the intruder, who fled the house.

The district attorney said that shortly afterward four houses away while still wearing the ski mask, the defendant entered the home and punched a 63-year-old woman occupant in the left shoulder, causing her substantial pain that required treatment in a hospital.

The DA said Leasure held a pistol to the head of a 24-year-old male occupant of the house and when the telephone rang the gunman demanded the young man speak only English or otherwise he would shoot him. The mans brother spoke in Bengali on the other end of the phone and was able to alert police to the home invasion.

While held on Rikers Island between April 29, 1916 and May, 12, 2016, Leasure conspired with two others persons  his father, Eddie Marcus, 53, and girlfriend, Latisha Larrymore, 31, both of Jamaica  to hire a hitman to murder witnesses scheduled to testify at his forthcoming trial.

March and Larrymore are currently awaiting trial.
Winter Storm Stella lashed the northeastern United States with sleet and snow Tuesday, cancelling thousands of flights, closing schools and shutting stores, but New York and Washington escaped the worst of the weather.

Blizzard warnings were issued in parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts and upstate New York, but were lifted for New York City, the US financial capital home to 8.4 million residents, where snow turned to sleet and hail.

Dire forecasts forced the postponement of the first meeting between US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Washington until Friday, but in the end, snowfall in the US capital was light.

The National Weather Service (NWS) drastically revised down New York City\s expected accumulation with 7.2 inches (18 centimeters) recorded in Central Park, and 10-13 inches in parts of neighboring New Jersey and Connecticut.

Instead the trajectory of the storm shifted west and north, bringing up to 30 inches to central parts of New York state with strong winds causing whiteout conditions, and heavy snow further north.

"The storm is not delivering as much snow as forecasted at all and that is very good for the people of New York City, but the conditions are still very dangerous," Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters.

He urged people to stay indoors as much as possible, warning that snow, sleet and freezing rain would continue throughout the afternoon combined with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour).

Temperatures would dip below freezing overnight, making roads and sidewalks treacherous, and a city-wide state of emergency would remain in place until midnight (0400 GMT Wednesday), he said.

While the New York subway and bus services were operating, much of the city remained quiet with schools, shops and businesses largely closed as workers shovelled snow.

New York\s John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports and Newark Liberty International Airport were largely shut, with the majority of flights cancelled, and trains heading north towards Boston were also suspended.

Autumn Young, 35, the owner of a soap company, said she had been stranded at Grand Central Station since 6:00 am after her flight to see family in North Carolina and her train home were cancelled.

"I can\t even get out of the city. I\ve missed a whole day of work and meetings," Young told AFP.

"It sucks, it\s awful. I am traveling with my service dog  he can\t go on the sidewalk because the salt is bad for his feet."

The United Nations headquarters closed for the day, as did the courts and a string of popular museums, some of the most-visited tourist attractions in the city.

Officials announced that schools and rail services would re-open Wednesday.

More than 8,700 flights were canceled Monday through Wednesday, with airports in New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia hit hardest, according to the tracking service FlightAware.

US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, tweeted a picture of the snow saying, "A great day to binge watch \The Americans\"  a reference to the thriller TV series about Russian spies embedded in US suburbia.

Her post triggered a stream of mockery, in light of the controversy over Russian meddling in last year\s election that has dogged Trump\s presidency.

"Mother Nature is an unpredictable lady sometimes," said New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo after meteorologists conceded it was no longer going to be the worst East Coast storm in an unusually mild winter.

"It has been less snowfall than we predicted, less disruption," Cuomo said.

Neither was there major damage in neighboring New Jersey.

"The storm has under-performed," said the state\s Republican Governor Chris Christie.

In 2016, a record 27.3 inches fell in Central Park in 24 hours in a storm dubbed "Snowzilla" that paralyzed parts of the northeast and left 18 people dead.

The NWS said winter storm warnings were in effect from Maine down to eastern West Virginia, but snowfall further south was minimal.

A few inches of snow, sleet and ice covered the streets in the Washington area, where federal workers were allowed to arrive three hours late and the capital\s subway system operated on a weekend schedule.

SOURCE: AFP
People have been talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Somnath Trust meeting in Somnath, Gujarat and apparent hints which PM dropped, about Advani being made the next President of India.

By Gopi Maniar Ghanghar : Messages and rumours have started pouring in on social media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dropped hints of LK Advani taking over as the President.

People have been talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Somnath Trust meeting in Somnath, Gujarat and apparent hints which PM dropped, about Advani being made the next President of India.

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Somnath is the place from where LK Advani started his rath yatra to Ayodhya in 1992. The charioteer of that yatra was none other than Narendra Modi.

Advani wanted to use the Somnath-to-Ayodhya journey for his prime ministerial ambitions. But as fate would have it, it is now PM Modi who will decide the President's chair for Advani.

WHAT HAPPENED AT SOMNATH TRUST MEETING?

For the first time in its history, the Somnath Trust meeting on March 8 was held in Somnath.

In this meeting, Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Somnath Trust's President Keshubhai Patel, senior BJP leader LK Advani, former Chief Secretary PK Lahiri and two other members of the committee trust were present.

The meeting began with a discussion on the issue that current chairman of Somnath Trust Keshubhai Patel be re-elected once his present tenure comes to an end.

Attendees in the meeting that lasted about an hour discussed many issues that the Somnath Trust faces. The problem of drinking water for those visiting the Somnath temple, connectivity of trains to Somnath, and facilities for festivals.

According to former Chief Secretary PK Lahiri, there was no discussion on any issue other than the Somnath Trust agenda in the meeting. This was further confirmed by Keshubhai Patel. He insisted that there was no discussion about the Presidential post in the meeting, which could be related to Advani.

WHO ALL WERE PRESENT

Apart from Modi and Advani, Keshubhai and Lahiri were also present in the meeting. Therefore, their point of view could be seen as proof of the fact that Advani's name for the Presidential post was just a matter of speculation.

However, LK Advani reached Somnath just a day before the meeting. Despite being in Somnath, Advani was not present on the stage when the Prime Minister was addressing the people there.

Even when PM Modi, Keshubhai and Amit Shah went to the Somnath temple for prayers, Advani still wasn't there. The truth is that Advani was only seen in the meeting of the Trust.

Political experts are of the view that over a period of time, relations between Advani and Modi soured, a fact that is not even hidden from the media and people.

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Being a BJP veteran, Advani might cherish the fact that his seniority is acknowledged by his cabinet, even though his becoming the President is just a speculation.

MODI's NAME BELIEVED TO BE SYNONYMOUS WITH BJP

Moreover, it is also believed that Modi has become such a big leader in the party that his name is synonymous with BJP now.

The growing popularity of Modi has even troubled many other party leaders, who often meet Advani and complain about him.

Now, if Advani is made the President, he will be further away from his party and other leaders, which will serve as good news for Modi as even though Advani is not a member of the parliamentary board, Modi has to listen to his opinions in the party.

If Advani is made the President, the first advantage Narendra Modi and Amit Shah will have is that Advani will not interfere in the internal affairs of the party.

Also, once Advani becomes the President, other leaders who fall in the way of Modi and Shah will not be complaining to him anymore. This if at all, he become the next President of India.

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It would be interesting to see if Modi will choose Advani, who once was considered a strong Hindu leader, for the key post of President of India.

Also read | AAP was sweeping Punjab, even BJP's Advani doubted EVMs: Kejriwal asks EC to probe alleged tampering

WATCH VIDEO

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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.
The girl, who works with a private builder, suffered multiple stab injuries and has been admitted in the intensive care unit of a private hospital.

By Hemender Sharma: A lovelorn youth stabbed a twenty-two-year-old woman outside her house in the Kolar area in Bhopal early Wednesday morning. The girl, who works with a private builder, suffered multiple stab injuries and has been admitted in the intensive care unit of a private hospital.

According to the victim's mother, the accused was stalking her for the past several years. "We had complained to the police several times, but no action was taken against him. Today, when she stepped out of the house for work he stabbed her," the victim's mother told India Today.

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According to the police, the accused has been identified as Prakash who is unemployed.

"We have registered an attempt to murder case under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused and efforts are on to nab him," said Sub-Inspector Sushil Mishra, who is posted at the Kolar police station.

The police, however, refused to say anything on why action was not taken against the accused in the past when the girl's family had complained of stalking.

There have been several similar incidents of stalking where police have not taken action against the alleged stalkers despite complaints from family members have been reported the state capital in the recent past.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

Also read:

Bengaluru molesters caught on camera had stalked girl for days before New Year eve attack

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Amtrak said it will resume modified operations on the Empire Corridor Wednesday morning, after canceling a large part of Tuesday's schedule because of blizzard conditions. Some trains may be truncated or canceled.

A look at available trains on its website suggested that about half the trains would operate, with the first seats out of Albany for New York City available on the 11:20 a.m. departure.
New York

Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus says it's exploring strategic alternatives including a possible sale of the company.

The announcement Tuesday came as the retailer, which also operates Bergdorf Goodman, reported a loss in its second fiscal quarter that ended Jan. 28 and its sixth consecutive quarterly drop for a key revenue measure.

Like many department stores, Neiman Marcus has been wrestling with declining customer traffic and sluggish sales as shoppers increasingly buy online. Even in the world of luxury, affluent shoppers are dramatically changing their habits and are buying designer bags and clothes online on places like eBay or consignment shops.

"The high-end brands are losing momentum," says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at NPD Group Inc., a market research firm. He said the average price for a luxury item dropped 5 percent last year from the prior year.

Neiman Marcus didn't specify which retailers it was looking at. The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is in discussions with department store operator Hudson's Bay Co., which has been on an acquisition spree over the past few years and operates such stores as Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor and its namesake chain. In February, reports were swirling that Hudson's Bay was looking at taking over Macy's Inc., whose plans to reinvent itself haven't been enough to turn around its business. Neiman Marcus didn't immediately respond when asked for comment, and Hudson's Bay says it doesn't comment on rumors.

"We selectively evaluate opportunities to accelerate the company's strategic growth while maintaining or enhancing its credit profile," Hudson's Bay said in a statement.

Neiman Marcus says it has not set up a timetable for completing the evaluation. The chain known for its lavish holiday catalog was bought by Ares Management LLC and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in 2013.
Washington

Speaker Paul D. Ryan, facing a formidable new impediment thrown in his path by the Congressional Budget Office, worked Tuesday to line up support for his bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The CBO on Monday predicted an increase of 24 million people without health insurance by 2026 under the Republican plan, but also forecast $337 billion in deficit reduction over the same period, a better-than-anticipated assessment that House Republican leaders hoped would help quell a revolt from their most conservative members. A vote could come next week.

Ryan was counting on that deficit reduction  as well as tax cuts for high earners and insurance and medical device companies  to entice members whose Republican constituents have been itching to see the law crumble.

"I think what we unite upon is much greater than what divides us in this," Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for part of the repeal measure, said Tuesday on Fox News. "We have some ideas that have been brought to us, and I certainly have worked with our House conservatives to make major changes already in this."

Ryan's calculus at this point is less strategic  how to actually get a bill that would replace the health care law to final passage  than tactical: How to muster enough votes to get the measure through the chamber he leads. If he can do that, the Senate would almost certainly alter the bill significantly, a fight likely to take weeks.

He is facing critics from different factions in his party, including conservatives who say the bill does not represent the wholesale replacement of the law that was pledged, and more moderate members concerned about thousands of constituents losing coverage.

But Ryan is also counting on President Donald Trump, who he talks to almost daily, to woo conservatives to win passage of the bill in the House, and then ostensibly leave it to Senate Republicans to decide if they want to be the ones to refuse to honor a long-standing Republican promise to repeal the law.

Tom Price, the secretary of Health and Human Services, and House committee leaders attended a Senate Republicans' lunch Tuesday to drum up support for the new health care bill.

Trump, though has remained leery of Ryan since the campaign, when the speaker publicly voiced skepticism about Trump. That point was reinforced this week when Breitbart News, a frequent Ryan critic, released comments this week by Ryan from October that were critical of Trump.

Whether presidential intercession would succeed in aiding passage remains an open question, but Tuesday, several of the most conservative members of the House, continued to voice their opposition. "I'm a no," Rep. Dave Brat, R-Va., said in an interview Tuesday. "The CBO report doesn't really affect my calculation too much."

The budget office's judgment on rising ranks of the uninsured and a short-term spike in insurance premiums did seem to rattle the calculations of some Senate Republicans, especially those from states that expanded their Medicaid program under President Barack Obama's signature health law, who are increasingly worried about the loss in benefits for their constituents.

Despite the welcomed surprise on the size of deficit reduction, a central goal of the Tea Party movement that helped propel many of those members into Congress, conservatives in the House continued to oppose the bill. The budget office's report said the bill would contribute to higher premiums in 2018 and 2019, but reduce premiums after that, so that in 2026 average premiums would be about 10 percent lower than under current law.

"Politically, that's pretty hard to stomach," Brat said, noting that the House bill would take several years to slow the growth of premiums that were rising rapidly under the Affordable Care Act. The bill, he said, does not take steps that could really save money: eliminating requirements for certain "essential health benefits" and making it easier for consumers to buy insurance from other states.

Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., said on CNN that the Republican health bill was "still the largest welfare program ever proposed by the Republican Party," adding, "Let's be clear about something. The fact that the Republican welfare plan is not as bad as Obamacare does not mean that it's good. It is not good."

But the very elements of the bill that conservatives, whose votes will be needed for final House passage, find so disturbing are the very things worrying Republican senators, who have a far broader base of constituents, many in red states who have benefited from the health care law.

"The CBO estimate that millions of Americans could lose their health insurance coverage if the House bill were to become law is cause for alarm," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. "It should prompt the House to slow down and reconsider certain provisions of the bill."

In an interview with the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and one of the Senate's most conservative members, said he did not think the bill would reduce premiums for working people, calling the measure a "flawed bill" with little chance of passage in the House.

"I suspect they don't have anything close to a majority of their members who are willing to vote for this bill now," Cotton said.

He also panned the plan by Ryan to follow a three-step strategy to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which assumes that Democrats will provide votes to pass additional bills at a later date that would help complete the replacement of the law. Cotton firmly rejected the idea that Democrats would agree to pass "some mythical legislation in the future."
Tin moi tung phut tu rat nhieu nguon.
A popular Gortnahoe father who endures a daily struggle against a rare lung condition, is appealing for your help to save his life.

Des Daly can hardly breathe, and needs around the clock medication and attention to survive.

In January 2016, Des was diagnosed with the extremely rare disease Lymphangiomatosis, or GLA (General Lymphatic Anomaly), which affects his lungs, chest and other vital organs. Des is the only known patient in Ireland with the condition, which strikes one in fifteen million of the population.

Des needs to fundraise at least 120,000 for the operation, which can only be carried out in Philadelphia by a team of world class surgeons.

Des told the Tipperary Star that it's a daily uphill struggle to survive. Unfortunately, his health insurance company won't pay for the operation as it is outside Europe. All the European Doctors Des has contacted, have directed him to Dr Itkin, of the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia.

So rare is Des' condition, that it is often misdiagnosed. But without a daily cocktail of pain relievers, and constant hospital visits to drain his lungs, it's feared he could quickly succumb, and die from his ailment.

In 2004, Des had to have two large cysts removed from his neck: at the time he seemed to be in the clear, but in 2015, the first warning signs appeared that all was not well. I was in and out of the Doctor's, and he sent me to Kikenny, to have a camera put down my throat. All through 2015, Des was short of breath, and suffered aches and pains. Things were not improving. When I lay down at night, there were all sorts of noises, crackling and popping... I was breathless. I couldn't even walk.

More scans and X-rays in Kilkenny revealed gallstones, inflammations, and fluid in his chest.

By sheer luck, Dr John Faul, one of the best Respirologists in the world, recognised the rare condition from his work in the United States, and recommended that Des urgently seek surgery there.

Des, who works in Autobody in Urlingford, has three young daughters: Jessica (15), Michelle (8), and Emilia (1). His mother, Catherine Purcell, is well known in Gortnahoe village, where Des moved in 1999 from Dublin.

There is no known cause for this condition, and no known cure, says Des. You've just got to treat it as you go along. I have it in the bones as well. My pelvis has thinned out. The ailment is like acid, in that it eats the bones away. In his weakened state, Des also contracted pneumonia.

Doctors don't know how long Des can live.

In September last year, Des was transferred to Dublin to undergo major surgery. Doctors drained out fluid through his back, offering him instant relief. But four weeks later, his body had filled up with fluid again: in St Vincent's Hospital, Doctors had to re-inflate one of his lungs, and release more fluid into a bucket. Surgeons performed keyhole surgery, but even experienced Surgeons had never seen anything like it. Des' lungs were covered in a thick paste, almost like tar. Enough fluid came out of Des' body to fill nearly a half-litre container every day, over a period of five weeks.

In daily agony, Des lost 10kgs in weight, with sore ribs, abdomens, and lungs. Following the operations, Des can now hardly walk 30 yards, and is on three strong pain killers, twice a day.

Des needs to reach his 120,000 target before he can undergo the US surgery. The fund now stands at 11,000 but he hopes he can reach that target before his health deteriorates even further. We're organising a race night at the dog track in Thurles, says Des, who faces his illness with stoic determination. The fluids are compressing his organs, but the American doctors are sure they can return him to health if they're only allowed to operate.

To donate to 'Des's Breathe Easy Fund' go online to www.gofundme.com/2w3nvvng

Des's bank details are: Bank of Ireland, Liberty Square, Thurles.

A/C No. 27760202

Sort Code: 90-44-64

IBAN: IE21BOFI90446427760202

BIC: BOFIIE2D
Roscrea Credit Union hosted its much anticipated annual school's quiz recently.

Once again the quiz attracted a massive turnout with teams from Roscrea and its neighbouring parishes and villages all taking part.

The competition was broken into two categories A & B representing two different age groups. The woman in the hot seat posing the questions was Mai Phelan and the eventual winners of the two categories came from Clonlisk National School. Both teams can be very proud of their achievements.

The A Category winners representing Clonlisk National School were Sarah McLoughlin, Brendan Hennessy, Liam O Riordan and Ciaran Keeshan. The runners up were Shinrone National School and they were represented by James Morkan, Sam Younge, Paul Simpson and Arron Brerton. In third place was Corville National School and they were represented by Keri Pohjanen, Ross Shovelar, Shauna Egan and Ryan Maloney.

The B Category winners representing Clonlisk National School were Louise O Brien, Lauren Mullally, Sean Moloughney and John Hennessy. The runners up were Corville National School and they were represented by Senan Whelan, Karlo Pohjanen, Sheena Wright and Ryan Whelan. In third place was Dromakeenan National School and they were represented by Aoife Maher, Clodagh Dooley, Aaron Lee and Robert Gunnell.

All winners including the runners up were rewarded with assorted trophies to commemorate their achievements as well as Credit Union vouchers.

Roscrea Credit Union would like to express its sincere thanks to all the Credit Union staff and directors who sacrificed their Friday evening to lend their assistance to such an important occasion on the Credit Union calendar. Thanks to Louis Cooley and Ena McMahon who had the most difficult job of keeping the scores. Thanks to, Rosaleen Ryan, Marie Carroll, Jim Bolger, Ilze, Siobhan Moloney and both Liam and Mai Phelan without whose assistance the quiz would not be possible. Thanking all the presents, teachers and students who participated in the quiz, Brian King Manager of the credit union encouraged everyone to keep supporting their local credit union. Brian said that the credit union offers competitive rates on its loans and now offers free financial advice through full time financial advisor Ger Slattery.

The Credit Unions quiz is unique in that over 20,000 children under the age of thirteen, representing 32 counties and over 300 Credit Union's nationwide take part. This is the 26th successive year that the Irish League of Credit Unions has run the quiz, which continues to grow in strength and popularity each year. The quiz is also unique in that Credit Unions from all 32 counties on the Island, participate, making the Credit Union Annual Schools Quiz a truly nationwide event. The winners of the local quiz go on to represent Roscrea at Chapter Level in the regional finals, and the winners and runners up of both categories at that stage progress even further to the national final to be held on the 2nd of April.

The National Finals as one would expect are very competitive and each year over one hundred teams compete for All-Ireland glory. Prizes at National Level are quiet substantial with the winning school receiving a cash grant in addition to participants receiving certificates and prizes.
Cheers rang out in the lecture hall of LIT Thurles on Friday as over 200 secondary school students from Tipperary stood in bated breath to hear the county winners of the Student Enterprise competition for 2017 announced.

The worthy winners of the senior category were the determined girls from St. Mary's Nenagh who impressed the judging panel with their children's activity book 'The Safety Squad'.

Transition year students Marie O'Connell, Ella Kennedy, Ciara Grace and Leah Heffernan, along with their teacher Mr Donal Linehan, stood triumphantly centre stage in front of the packed auditorium to collect their prize having been widely endorsed by the IFA, Farmers Journal, Coastguard, Agri-Aware, Tipperary County Council and Road Safety Authority.

To date the mini company team have sold over 500 copies of the book and have also been approached by text book publishers Edco such is the popularity of the book.

Managing director of the company Ciara Grace says the team identified a gap in the market for a safety awareness book aimed at young children with the girls relying on their own agricultural backgrounds and family members for advice. After months of research and trials, the book was ready to hit the shelves with an official launch night at the Abbey Court Hotel earlier this month.

The book is broken into four different sections: fire, water, farm and road safety, with each team member taking charge of one section. The girls created several characters, placing them in a different scenarios and telling a story around it using simple, easy to understand language. The book also featured fun activities such as crosswords, colouring pages and quizzes as well as a certificate of completion once each chapter is finished.

A percentage from the sale of each book is also being donated to Temple Street after two members of the team had loved ones cared for at the hospital.

Ella's three year old cousin Ronan Kennedy, whom the book is also dedicated to, sadly passed away in 2015 following an accident at a swimming pool in Co. Cork while Marie's brother also suffered an injury and was cared for by the staff at the children's hospital.

However the future 'best sellers' won't be resting on their laurels any time soon as they plan to head straight back to Safety Squad HQ to continue working on their project for the national final.

We'll try and think up ways of pushing the project forward but we're just enjoying the whole experience so far, says Marie.

The Safety Squad Activity Book is available to buy for 8. You can contact the Safety Squad through their Facebook page www.facebook.com/thesafetysquadstmarys or by emailing Ciara Grace at ciara.gracestmarys@gmail.com
A minor girl was gang-raped by policemen of the dial 100 team in Gwalior but even 24 hours after the complaint was lodged, no arrests have been made.

By Hemender Sharma: A 16-year-old was allegedly gang-raped by policemen of the dial 100 team in Gwalior on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday but even after the complaint was lodged, no arrests have been made as yet.

A police officer posted with the Behat police station in Gwalior told India today that the matter has been referred to the Mahila police station where preliminary investigation is underway.

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The incident occurred on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday when the victim had gone to meet an acquaintance Raghvendra. He works with the dial 100 team of the district police and had expressed his desire to meet over the phone. On the pretext of greeting Holi, Raghvendra dragged her into the police vehicle where she was raped by him and two of his associates.

The victim's father, on finding his daughter missing, raised an alarm and alerted the villagers and also informed the police but there was no response. Villagers found the girl in an unconscious state outside the village in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

On regaining consciousness she narrated her ordeal after which her family once again approached the cops.

"Instead of registering an FIR, the police tried to cover up the crime and it was only after our persistence that a complaint was registered," the victim's father alleged.

SP Gwalior rural Rajesh Tripathi confirmed that the victim's father had named some people and that the matter had been referred to the Mahila police station where a case had been registered.

The Gwalior district police, however, has no answer as to why the accused have still not been arrested.

ALSO READ | 7 minor girls in Kerala orphanage raped for 2 months

I am being framed, ready for narco test, says Gayatri Prajapati, ex-UP minister accused of rape

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[March 15, 2017] 78-year-old Hiker Still Climbing to New Heights Even After Recent Nevada Mountain Rescue

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ACR Electronics shares Rita Wagner a 78-year-old hiker's "Survivor Story," after she was recently rescued from Calico Tanks Peak in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas. A long-time and experienced member of the group, 52 Peak Club, Rita was approaching the peak when she fell backwards after the sandstone rocks broke beneath her, cracking her elbow, injuring her back and suffering severe lacerations. That days group leader, Chris Hanna said, "Rita was in great pain and bleeding profusely. There were medical professionals on the hike that administered first aid and quickly determined she was in shock and needed to get to a hospital immediately. I deployed the ResQLink knowing that our fellow hiker was in grave danger. It triggered a response in less than one hour from our highly trained Las Vegas Search and Rescue by helicopter that was able to zero in on our location with easebecause of the dual frequency design. The officer in charge stated they really appreciate the ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon as it makes their job easier and more efficient."



Rita replied, "I never go out without my PLB, although hoped I would never have to use it. I recommend that every hiker of any age or skill level carry one. I often go out hiking on my own, so my ACR PLB is always in my pack." Rita expressed, "I am still hurting, but it hurts to sit too so I may as well be out walking, though I am staying on the trail for now. I solo hiked last September to Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the lower 48 states at 14,508 ft. I have done it four times and hope to do it again this year!"

A growing list of survivors who activated ACR Electronics beacons in a life-threatening emergency have joined the ACR SurvivorClub to share their stories and help raise awareness about the best practices to ensure safety, both on land and at sea. The full story about Rita's rescue can be viewed here: https://www.acrartex.com/survivors/stories/2017/rita-wagner-las-vegas-nevada Rita represents a great majority of today's seniors who are as active now if not more active than before their retirement. As illustrated the lifesaving benefits of ACR's emergency beacons are used cross generationally and for various activities such as: hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, paddle boarding, kayaking, flying and more. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/78-year-old-hiker-still-climbing-to-new-heights-even-after-recent-nevada-mountain-rescue-300424200.html SOURCE ACR Electronics

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[March 15, 2017] Cosabella's Move To AI Moves a Lot More Lingerie

Family-owned Italian Lingerie Brand Cosabella is almost 35 years old, yet on the cutting edge of technology, thanks to its recent foray into artificial intelligence. Today it announced the results of its first three months working with AI platform "Albert," created by Adgorithms (LSE: ADGO). Now responsible for autonomously executing Cosabella's digital ad and marketing efforts, and driving online sales in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Canada, Albert produced a 336% return on ad spend (ROAS) and a 155% increase in revenue in Q4 of 2016. Cosabella's partnership with Albert is part of the brand's three-year business transformation strategy, which, in its final year, is now focused on using technology, such as artificial intelligence, to extend the brand's reach. As the first test of their new partnerships, Albert was charged with identifying and converting high-value audiences, and driving Cosabella's digital marketing efforts on paid search and social media. Cosabella's ambitious Q4 goal was to increase ROAS on these channels by 300%. Between October 1 and December 31, 2016, Albert autonomously executed Cosabella's digital marketing efforts using creative and KPIs provided by the brand. In month one alone, Albert increased Cosabella's social and search ROAS by 50% while decreasing its ad spend by 12%. And on Facebook (News - Alert) specifically, Albert produced a 565% increase in ROAS within his first month. By month three, Albert had increased Cosabella's ROAS 336%--a 155% increase over the previous quarter. Albert's work in just Q4 contributed to the company's 50% year-over-year increase in overall ROAS. This success represents a 37% increase in overall website sessions, a 30% increase in new users, and 1,500 more transactions. Prior to Albert, Cosabella credited social media with 5 - 10% of its paid ad revenue; with Albert, social media now consistently accounts for 30% of the brand's total paid ad revenue. Albert's success driving cnversions on Facebook resulted in a 2000% increase in purchases originating from the channel.



"Adgorithms is a truly revolutionary technology. We immediately saw results upon launch and truly trust Albert to make critical campaign decisions. There are other AI companies, but it's important to distinguish between those that just offer insights and those that actually execute," said Courtney Connell, Marketing Director at Cosabella. "Now, instead of manually adjusting our campaigns on a granular level, we tell Albert where and who we want to target, set our KPIs and offer high-level parameters. From there we trust him to fine tune and scale." In 2016, Cosabella eliminated the use of traditional advertising and marketing agencies for the execution of digital marketing activities, deciding that their manual efforts weren't scalable or cost effective. In their previous agencies' places, they brought on several key AI partners including Albert (autonomous cross-channel campaign execution) and Sentient (website content optimization).

"After working with Albert and our other AI partners, I would never hire a human to manage the technical aspects of our ad campaigns ever again," said Cosabella CEO, Guido Campello. "We'll leave the tech stuff to the tech and hire humans for the high-level strategic and creative. That let's our team get back to what we love and makes us more human, which is maybe ironic." Cosabella is currently working with Albert to launch high-level Valentine's Day and Spring campaigns, and then letting Albert conduct "micro refreshes" or content additions targeted at paid social media. This strategy resulted from Albert's insights into high rates of creative fatigue and the need to refresh content more frequently, even during a single campaign. For more information about Albert's work with Cosabella, or to speak with executives from Adgorithms and Cosabella, please contact Gretel Going at [email protected]. To learn more about Albert, please contact Amy Inlow at [email protected]. ### ABOUT ALBERT

Albert, created by Adgorithms (LSE: ADGO), is the first-ever fully autonomous artificial intelligence marketing platform, driving digital marketing campaigns from start to finish for some of the world's leading brands. Albert's mission is to liberate businesses from the complexities of digital marketing-not just by replicating their existing efforts, but by executing them at a pace and scale not previously possible. He serves as a highly intelligent and sophisticated member of brands' marketing teams, wading through mass amounts of data, converting this data into insights, and autonomously acting on these insights, across channels, devices and formats, in real time. This eliminates the manual and time-consuming tasks that currently limit the effectiveness and results of modern digital advertising and marketing. Brands such as Harley Davidson, EVISU, Planet Blue, and Made.com credit Albert with significantly increased sales, an accelerated path to revenue, the ability to make more informed investment decisions, and reduced operational costs. Visit meet.albert.ai View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005068/en/

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[March 15, 2017] First Ever US-China Robotics Forum Held at Automate 2017

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) today announced a joint US-China Robotics Forum to be held April 4 at the Automate 2017 Show and Conference at Chicago's McCormick Place. The forum will bring together A3's Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the leading North American robotics industry trade organization, and its counterpart, the China Robot Industry Alliance (CRIA). According to the World Robotics Report 2016, published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China has significantly expanded its leading position as the largest robotics market in the world purchasing 27% of the total supply in 2015. Forum Program

The forum will feature several talks from industry leaders including Mr. Song Xiaogang, Executive President, China Robot Industry Alliance and Dr. Qu Daokui, President, Siasun Robot & Automation Co Ltd. Speakers from the Robotic Industries Association will include Mike Jacobs, CEO, Applied Manufacturing Technologies and Chair of the RIA Board and Scott Eckert, CEO of Rethink Robotics and RIA Board Member. Participating panelists include Qu Daokui, President of Siasun; Liu Erbing, Vice President of Risong Technology; Joe Gemma, Chief Regional Officer of KUKA (News - Alert); and Stu Shepherd, CEO of Gudel US. The event starts April 4 at 10:15am n the Future of Automation theatre on the Automate show floor.



"The US-China Robotics Forum is a groundbreaking event for robotics companies in both countries," stated Jeff Burnstein, president of A3. "The forum paves the way for an ongoing exchange of ideas and the forging of strategic partnerships that will better serve global automation companies." China Participation in Automate 2017

Thirteen Chinese automation companies are participating in Automate 2017 this year --the first time that any Chinese robotics suppliers have participated in an automation trade show in the United States. The participants are as follows:

CF Electric Motor Co., Ltd.

Changzhou Haosheng Motor Co.,Ltd.

Eumax Corp.

Fulling & Ceiec Co.,Ltd.

HIT Robot Group

Luoyang Huigong Bearing Technology Co.,Ltd.

Protruly Vision Technology Group

Qinchuan Machine Tool &Tool Group Corp.

Shenyang Siasun & Automation Co.,Ltd.

Shenyang Zhongke Allwin Technology Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen Casic Motor System Co.,Ltd.

Taizhou Houle Industrial Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang Qiyue Machanical Technology Co., Ltd. Registration Open

More than 20,000 attendees are expected to attend Automate 2017, from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Attendee registration is now open at the following link: Automate 2017 (www.automateshow.com). Prospective exhibitors can find more information on exhibition opportunities at the event website. About Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging, and Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA). RIA, AIA, and MCMA combined represent over 1,000 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward. For more information, please visit our websites: A3 - www.A3automate.org. RIA - www.robotics.org. AIA - www.visiononline.org. MCMA - www.motioncontrolonline.org. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005022/en/

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[March 15, 2017] HGTV Launches Virtual Tour of HGTV Smart Home 2017

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, the HGTV Smart Home finds the perfect backdrop in "The West's Most Western Town," Scottsdale, Arizona. Fans can visit HGTV.com/Smart to get a first look at the new home that embraces the desert modern style. Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8041051-hgtv-smart-home-2017-virtual-tour/ Planned by local architect Candelaria Design Associates and constructed by local builder Eagle Luxury Properties, the home is part of a grand prize package valued at more than $1.5 million that will be awarded this summer. In addition to the home and all its furnishings, the grand prize package includes a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 550e 4MATIC and $100,000 from national mortgage lender Quicken Loans. The single-level Southwestern-style home is approximately 3,300-square-feet, with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, cleverly constructed with tech gadgets and smart solutions to enhance entertaining and everyday living. "We look for neighborhoods and cities with a sophisticated combination of tech and culture that makes it a desirable place to live. Following the homes in Raleigh, Austin and Nashville, we felt Scottsdale was an impeccable choice," said Ron Feinbaum, HGTV's General Manager of Home Promotions. "It's such a vibrant destination for those seeking year-around family fun, whether on vacation or as a place to call home." HGTV Smart Home 2017 host and interior designer Tiffany Brooks took her design cues from nature, using a variety of stone, metal, wod, leather and glass materials in the home's perfectly appointed decor. The home's style is current, yet authentic; simple, yet thoughtful. Its architecture embraces a clean-lined, masculine feel, while evoking a feminine touch through the use of soft textiles and fabrics. The colorful canyon-style home offers tranquil interiors and a serene view of the desert. Nods to Arizona are prevalent in the design through antique tribal elements and doses of the area's amazing artistry.



During the sweepstakes period for the HGTV Smart Home Giveaway 2017, which begins at 9 a.m. ET on April 12 and runs through 5 p.m. ET on June 2, 2017, eligible viewers can enter twice per day at HGTV.com and can sign up for daily email reminders. HGTV Facebook, Instagram and Twitter fans can check in for ongoing updates and new details (#HGTVSmart). The home features a spacious three-car garage, a wet bar, home office, generous pantry and laundry area, as well as a sleek, modern pool for cooling off in the desert heat.

The fully furnished HGTV Smart Home 2017 is Energy Star 3 certified and Bronze-level Green certified and features products provided by national advertising partners including Bassett Furniture; Mercedes-Benz USA; Quicken Loans; Bush Brothers & Company; Daikin North America LLC; Farmers Insurance; Gorilla Glue; HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams; SimpliSafe Home Security; Sleep Number; Kohler; OxiClean; Rinnai America Corporation; VELUX Skylights; Hunter Douglas; Kohler Generators; Legrand, North America; and Ply Gem Building Products. About HGTV

HGTV delivers the superstar experts, fascinating families, compelling renovations and stunning transformations that make all things home fun. America's favorite way to get entertaining, relatable and inspirational home and lifestyle content, HGTV offers: a top 10 cable network that is distributed to more than 90 million U.S. households; a website, HGTV.com, that attracts an average of nine million people each month; social media platforms that engage nearly nine million users; HGTV Magazine, a monthly publication that reaches more than one million readers and exclusive collections of home-oriented products through the HGTV HOME consumer products line. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., HGTV is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hgtv-launches-virtual-tour-of-hgtv-smart-home-2017-300423573.html SOURCE Scripps Networks Interactive

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[March 15, 2017] Resolver Launches its Newest Cloud-Based Enterprise Risk Management Application at the Upcoming GAM Conference, March 20-22 in Orlando, Florida

Resolver will attend the 2017 General Audit Management (GAM) conference, Booth #523, to unveil their next generation of applications--referred to as apps--including the newly released Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) app. "We are pleased to introduce Resolver's updated apps for ERM, Internal Audit, and Compliance at the upcoming GAM conference," states Will Anderson, CEO of Resolver. "Considering the event's theme, Fostering Risk Resilience, it is the perfect place to have conversations about an ERM app that works to reduce risk, demonstrate value and ultimately influence organizational strategy." This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006142/en/ The user experience is highly visual and easy to use, while providing features like extensive reporting and interactive dashboards, drill-down capable heat maps, as well as visual relationship diagrams with real time links. (Graphic: Business Wire) Resolver's newest product release features an updated user interface that is fully respnsive supporting seamless use with mobile phones, tablets, and desktop from any browser. Its thin design and ease of use is ideal for ERM, Audit, and Compliance where organizations are looking to push self-assessment to the employees who control the day to day operations of the business. The user experience is highly visual and easy to use, while providing features like extensive reporting and interactive dashboards, drill-down capable heat maps, visual relationship diagrams with real time links, as well as an open API to connect to other critical business systems. All the apps are fully integrated to Resolver's incident management functions to support cause and effect reporting, and bow-tie analysis. All of this is part of Resolvers' Integrated Risk Management strategy.



"The early customer feedback of our updated platform has been tremendously positive," states Anderson. "We have been shifting focus towards turn-key, instant value software products. This allows our customers to start projects with a limited footprint and expand over time, reducing budget impact and issues associated to process change." "The value of Enterprise Risk Management is to mitigate exposure to risk. Risk comes in many shapes and sizes, and premier ERM solutions can help identify and benchmark varieties of risk out there," states Keir Walker, Senior Research Associate, Aberdeen (News - Alert) Group. "Related to this point, some of the most compelling data found in our research was that users of ERM solutions were 3.2 times as likely to be able to assess and track audit risk exposure. And it should go without saying, the benefits of reduced audit-risk are self-evident."

Resolver's newest ERM app features a prescriptive approach to the services implementation and is designed to provide best practices out of the box with immediate value. Organizations that have implemented the ERM app were running the product within 30 days, fully compliant to the most common frameworks. About Resolver Resolver is attending GAM 2017, visit us at Booth #523. Our Integrated Risk Management platform is designed to plan and prepare your organization to limit the likeliness or impact of events from occurring; this includes Risk Assessment, Enterprise Risk Management, Internal Control, Internal Audit and Compliance. Our products also support the response and recovery process when an unplanned event does occur; including Incident Reporting, Incident Response and Investigations. Resolver's team is comprised of security, risk and compliance experts supporting over 1,000 customers across 100 countries with offices in North America, United Kingdom and the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006142/en/

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[March 15, 2017] ZOOStock Announces M2M Agreement with NetComm Wireless

MADRID, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian data communications company NetComm Wireless Limited, has reached an agreement with Spanish distributor ZOOStock for the commercialisation of its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices in EMEA. The agreement includes distribution to Grupo Telefonica. The alliance involves both logistical and technical support to assure delivery and after-sales service. ZOOStock will also provide engineering services for software development kit (SDK) tools that permit the creation of applications. ZOOStock was chosen by NetComm Wireless thanks to its knowledge of, and experience in, the European telecommunications market. The new collaboration will strengthen NetComm Wireless' position in the region and stimulate further M2M market growth through the delivery of innovative open source M2M devices designed to offer seamless connectivity and global interoperability. "We look forward to working with ZOOStock to expand our reach in the European market, and build value for customers through the delivery of leading-edge M2M devices that offer uniersal connectivity and advanced remote management for diverse applications in areas such as industrial machines, security, retail and manufacturing," said Timo Brouwer, Chief Operating Officer, NetComm Wireless.



ZOOStock, which is specialized in the distribution of electronic components, thus becomes the primary distributor of one of the leading manufacturers of M2M technologies in the world. About NetComm Wireless Limited

NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer of Fixed Wireless broadband, wireless M2M/Industrial IoT and Fibre and Cable to the distribution point (FTTdp / CTTdp) technologies that underpin an increasingly connected world. Our Listen. Innovate. Solve. methodology supports the unique requirements of leading telecommunications carriers, core network providers, system integrators, government and enterprise customers worldwide. For over 35 years, NetComm Wireless has engineered new generations of world first data communication products and is now a globally recognised communications technology innovator. Headquartered in Sydney (Australia), NetComm Wireless has offices in the US, Europe/UK, New Zealand and Japan. Visit: www.netcommwireless.com. About ZooStock ZooStock was founded in 2006 specialising in reselling telecommunication products. As a leading supplier in network equipment ZooStock, is transforming how companies buy, maintain and upgrade IT equipment support through hardware procurement options and a third-party IT maintenance as an alternative. ZooStock has become an international force in delivering technical solutions and services. With offices in Spain and UK, ZooStock can reach the needs of organisations internationally. For more information please visit: www.zoostock.com.



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[March 14, 2017] Exceptional Software Strategies, Inc. Responds to Suit

On March 8, 2017, Iconsulting Group, Inc., Independent Software, Inc. and George Street Services Inc. filed a legal action against Exceptional Software Strategies, Inc. (the "Company") seeking to force the liquidation of the Company under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company has not been and is not in bankruptcy, nor is it at risk of going into bankruptcy. The Company is financially sound and continues to operate in the ordinary course of business. The Company intends to immediately seek the dismissal of this legal proceeding and further intends to seek both compensatory and punitive damages against the filing parties as permitted under the Bankruptcy Code for the substantial harm to the Company and its nearly 100 employees caued by the filing of this unjustified involuntary bankruptcy petition. The Company believes that the action has no merit and expects to prevail so that it will not be forced into bankruptcy.



The Company has engaged the law firm of Whiteford, Taylor and Preston LLP to protect its interests and to obtain all necessary and appropriate relief from the Bankruptcy Court to address the damages caused by this ill-conceived action. The case number is 17-13141, pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.

About Exceptional Software Strategies, Inc.: Exceptional Software Strategies, Inc. is a professional services company providing Information Technology solutions and services to mission-oriented Federal Civilian Agencies and DoD. Throughout its history Exceptional Software has focused on support to the Intelligence Community (IC) in Maryland, as well as clients outside the IC - e.g. the Department of Justice, NASA, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US Army, etc. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170314006505/en/

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[March 14, 2017] SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Goldberg Law PC Announces an Investigation of VAALCO Energy, Inc. and Advises Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

Goldberg Law PC announces that it is investigating VAALCO Energy, Inc. ("VAALCO" or the "Company") (NYSE: EGY) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. If you purchased or otherwise acquired VAALCO shares and would like more information regarding the investigation, we encourage you to click here, or contact Michael Goldberg or Brian Schall, of Goldberg Law PC, 1999 Avenue of the Stars Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 800-977-7401, to discuss your rights without cost to you. You can also reach us through the firm's website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or by email at [email protected].



On March 13, 2017, VAALCO revealed "that as of December 31, 2016 there is a material weakness related to the execution of the control for the physical observation of equipment which is performed annually to validate its existence." VAALCO also revealed "management determined that the effectiveness and timeliness of the performance of controls related to the review of financial reports, the review of account reconciliations and the evaluation and reporting of significant and unusual transactions was not adequate to ensure that the material weakness in internal control identified in 2015 had been fully remediated."

When this information was revealed to investors, the value of VAALCO stock dropped, causing harm to investors. If you have any questions concerning your legal rights, please immediately contact Goldberg Law PC at 800-977-7401, or visit our website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or email us at [email protected]. Goldberg Law PC represents shareholders around the world and specializes in securities class actions and shareholder rights litigation. 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/20170314006511/en/

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[March 14, 2017] RubiconMD and UCSF Partner to Expand Access to Specialty Care

RubiconMD, a leader in specialty eConsults, today announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). RubiconMD and UCSF will build a virtual specialty network in the cloud, allowing primary care providers on RubiconMD to get same-day insights from UCSF specialists. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170314006514/en/ RubiconMD partners with UCSF (Photo: Business Wire) In collaboration with UCSF's Center for Innovation in Access to Quality (CIAQ), RubiconMD has re-envisioned the eConsult platform for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG), a UCSF partner whose physicians are on the UCSF faculty. The platform represents the future of collaborative care, allowing providers across the San Francisco Health Network to get rapid opinions, or eConsults, on a patient case from specialists. ZSFG is widely recognized as the foremost authority on eConsults, having conducted the first academic studies of eConsult and eReferral programs, which were published in 2013 in The New England Journal of Medicine. "Through CIAQ at ZSFG, weseek to create innovative models that can be replicated to improve quality of care across underserved populations," explained Delphine Tuot, MDCM, MAS, eConsult director and co-director for CIAQ. "We really needed a partner who deeply understood clinician workflow and had experience implementing eConsults across the country, so we could imagine the future for an eConsult and eReferral model, and build together a highly customizable and scalable solution."



In addition, UCSF specialists located at ZSFG will begin providing opinions for primary care organizations on RubiconMD's eConsult platform. "The expanded relationship was a natural extension of the work we were already doing together," said Elizabeth Murphy, MD, DPhil, Chief of Endocrinology at ZSFG and eConsult specialty lead for UCSF's CIAQ. "The partnership is an opportunity to further UCSF's mission to improve access for underserved populations. As eConsult pioneers, we're pleased to be able to support thousands of practices through RubiconMD with evidence-based specialty insights." One of the country's leading academic medical centers, UCSF is home to many of the world's experts across nearly every area of specialty services. The university is driven by the idea that by bringing together the best in research, the best in teaching and the best in patient care, they can deliver breakthroughs to advance health worldwide.

"We're honored to start working with forward-thinking organizations in UCSF and ZSFG, which are not only thought leaders in eConsults, but who also share the same vision and passion for enhancing access to specialty care as we do," said RubiconMD CEO & Co-founder, Gil Addo. "Being able to deepen our relationship by also offering eConsults from UCSF specialists is truly revolutionary. We will be able to bring the expertise from UCSF to underserved communities to improve patient care." RubiconMD raised a Series A investment in 2016, led by Waterline Ventures and Alma Mundi Fund with participation from California Health Care Foundation's Innovation Fund, Dioko Health Ventures, health tech giant athenahealth and others. In January 2017, the company announced that J. Nwando Olayiwola, MD, MPH, the outgoing director of UCSF's Center for Primary Care Excellence, was joining full-time as its Chief Clinical Transformation Officer. About RubiconMD Launched in 2013, RubiconMD, a healthcare technology service, connects primary care providers to top specialists, enabling quick remote opinions that eliminate unnecessary visits, reduce patient wait time and alleviate travel burden. We drive meaningful results by bringing appropriate clinical expertise into the primary care setting. For more information or to schedule a demo please visit www.rubiconmd.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170314006514/en/

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[March 15, 2017] Ping An Technology: the Financial Industry Has Entered an Advanced Stage of Artificial Intelligence Utilization

SHANGHAI, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - The team at Ping An Technology Co. Ltd. has recently made a significant breakthrough in the development of their artificial intelligence face recognition technology. Many prestigious international companies in the face recognition technology sector have already published test results confirming an accuracy rate of around 99.5%. However, the Ping An Technology Face Recognition Team, having tested their Labeled Faces in the Wild (LFW) technology following the unrestricted with labeled outside data protocol, attained a verified result of 0.9960+/-0.0031. This technology has been developed by several teams at Ping An, including the researchers at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, and Ping An's data platform development team. As early as 2013, Ping An began to undertake preliminary research in the field. A year later, in 2014, Ping An Technology established its own artificial intelligence laboratory, which began to study face recognition algorithms and the associated core technology in greater depth. The team's priority is to deepen its understanding of the technology's potential, and is responsible for the group's business strategy, which includes the development of artificial vision, solving the problem of natural language use in machines, and the research and development of artificial awareness towards unfamiliar objects and environments. At present, human eye recognition is limited to 97.53% accuracy. In 2016, having undergone extensive testing procedures, Ping An Technology's face recognition technology attained an accuracy level of more than 99%. Furthermore, Ping An technology needed only a year to progress through the stages of core technology research, product development and engineering, testing and implementation, and finally, integration of the technology at a business level. At present, the technology has been utilized in 108 different settings and scenarios, and has been used to facially recognize more than 103 million users. Liu Fei, Chief Scientist of Artificial Intelligence at Ping An Technology, explains that the face does not contain stable biological characteristics. Factors such as age and makeup affect the accuracy and precision of face recognition. However, thanks to the immense amount of data Ping An systems have previously accumulated, the self-optimizing framework of the Ping An face recognition technology can now cope with the efects of ageing, and as long as adequate photographical evidence is provided, even identical twins can be individually identified.



Due to the failure of industry regulations to keep up, the constraints of traditional norms and standards, as well as artificial intelligence itself being a relatively new concept, many of the existing technological advancements have still not been made available for release. Liu, the chief scientist, says that in the Ping An Artificial Intelligence Technology Laboratory, scientists are still focused on reducing the time needed to complete the facial recognition process of human micro-expressions down to 30 milliseconds, while developing the emotional judgment and decision making ability of artificial intelligence. "There is still a long way to go, but the technology has progressed significantly over the past few years. It is still being developed, but the development process is progressing quickly." In addition to the exploration of face recognition algorithms, Ping An Technology has also developed the capability to mine huge amounts of data. The success of these two projects has not been achieved overnight.

Ping An began to focus on data management four years ago, a time when data and its management was an extremely popular topic. Xiao Jing, Chief Director of Ping An Technology Big Data Department, said, "Previously data was stored in different isolated locations. The data was decentralized and lacked cohesion and coordination, and this resulted in data having minimal value and use. For example, when trying to accurately identify instances of fraud, there was no way to logically analyze or utilize the data from all the different locations." "Artificial intelligence technology only exists because of data, as without data there is no artificial intelligence. In relation to the financial industry, we have already entered a period in which artificial intelligence has huge influence, and this subsequently gives data the highest of values." Ping An Technology was established in 2008, and was the Ping An Group's vehicle for progression in the IT sector, specifically focusing on the use of science and technology within the finance sector. Nowadays, the technology arm is autonomous and possesses the decision-making power and ability to take the initiative and utilize the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technology to generate further value for the company. Liu explains, "The establishment of artificial intelligence laboratories to develop the understanding of this field demonstrates it is not too late. In relation to the development of human talent, the investment in infrastructure has not been small. We have also undertaken extensive research into large GPU computing clusters, in order to develop our own computing platform." Ping An Group already possesses all the relevant financial industry licenses, and Ping An Technology is regarded as a market leader in creating technological products. Its artificial intelligence technology has already been utilized in several core areas of the financial industry including credit reporting, risk control, fraud identification, market investment analysis, and even in the recently prominent precision marketing area. Outside of the finance sector, the technology can also be applied to assist in providing accurate medical treatment, and can even be used to calculate personalized insurance premiums. In the field of graphics and imagery, the application of face recognition technology is regarded as a relatively advanced development of artificial intelligence, with many people already admiring its capabilities and achievements. Liu, the chief scientist, has a somewhat different take on where he sees the technology in the development trajectory: "Artificial intelligence will create a phenomenon of change and development across all industries, but thus far we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. Before the existence of artificial intelligence, we were unable to develop some aspects of the online financial industry. Now we possess this technology, we can develop these aspects in a safe, secure, and controlled environment. This transformation should help industries to not only exist, but thrive and flourish for many decades to come." To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ping-an-technology-the-financial-industry-has-entered-an-advanced-stage-of-artificial-intelligence-utilization-300423908.html SOURCE PING AN Tech

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) At a time when Opposition parties are stalling proceedings of Maharashtra legislature demanding complete loan waiver for farmers, an option of restructuring their existing loans has come forward.

"If the state government restructures the outstanding loans of farmers, it will make them eligible for availing fresh loans in forthcoming kharif season. Moreover, as the total amount (for restructuring) will be not more than Rs 3000 crore, it is logical and financially viable also as there will be no need for the state to beg to the Centre for financial assistance.

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"The restructuring of the farmers debt will make them eligible for fresh loans, as it will provide an ease to repay the loan to the banks," a senior Cabinet minister of the BJP said today. He said if loans are restructured, "only those farmers would commit suicide who are unable to repay loans and are bound to be non-eligible for fresh loans due to existing debt."

The minister said as such farmers are more in distress, the intensity of their stress should be controlled and relief in the form of restructuring should be issued.

When asked about likely advantages of loan restructuring, the BJP leader said, "We have identified some 22 types of crops and agriculture products, where states intervention would increase farmers income.

"For instance, the state government is purchasing split red gram (tur or arhar) at certain higher rates. It has not only offered farmers an assured returns but some wholesale traders are purchasing tur at higher rates from farmers. In such situation, farmers are in a win-win situation," he said.

The minister said despite the state governments readiness to purchase cotton, farmers are selling it to private traders because of the same reasons that private buyers are offering better rates.

"Such market intervention, if done in remaining 20 agricultural products, including vegetables grown by most of the small and marginal farmers, they will be able to earn better and farmers will repay their loan in easy instalments," according to the minister.

He said the government was already developing infrastructural facilities for the benefit of farmers.

The Congress and NCP have been stridently demanding complete loan waiver for farmers in Maharashtra and are also being joined by the members of Shiv Sena.

Citing the BJPs electoral promise in Uttar Pradesh of waiving off the farmers loans, the opposition is asking for the same relief in the BJP-ruled Maharashtra.

The issue has paralysed the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council during ongoing Budget session. (More) PTI ND NSK

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[March 15, 2017] NativeBag.in - A Native Revolution for Native Specialities

BENGALURU, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- What is NativeBag? Over generations, we lost a part of language, culture, tradition and many more things around us. NativeBag.in is a sincere attempt to reignite and sustain the essence of nativity in the form of food products, arts and crafts, traditions and cultural events and much more. Nativebag.in is an E-commerce platform for exclusive regional specialties, or native items of India, like (Tanjore Dancing Dolls, Channapatna Toys, Lonavala Chikki, Dharwad Peda, Belgaum Kunda, Kashmir Saffron, etc). It covers products from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Ahmedabad to Kolkatta and across India. NativeBag.in was launched on 15th Aug 2016, as a tribute to 70th year of Independence India. They have the roadmap to cover products from more than 1000 locations in India this year. Now NativeBag hosts around products from 200+ sellers and more than 2000+ products. NativeBag.in is headquartered in Bengaluru (Silicon valley of India). As of now, they deliver all over India and is reaching the sellers through their affiliate channels present all over India. Bharath Shanmugasundaram and Ravishankar Singaram, founders of Nativebag, have around 14 years of IT and management experience in MNCs. They have visited different parts of the world and struggled to get Indian groceries and native Indian items. Even after coming back to India, looking at the number of migrants in India, it is evident that people are not able to access special items from their hometown. Their travel experience taught them that there is a bigger need for a platform like NaiveBag.in to fulfill the native cravings of the people.



NativeBag.in, as an online marketplace, brings in solution to all these 3 A's of problems in E-commerce: - Awareness: Many are not aware about the count of unique items available in India and most of them are in the verge of extinction. Kerala Aranmula Copper Mirror (copper with reflective properties), Kondapalli Dolls/Channapatna Toys(exported and branded as safest toys made of wood and vegetable dyes), Mysore Sandal Soap(Mysore Sandal Millennium is costliest soap in India) to name a few.

- Availability: Though consumers like to buy specialties, they don't have availability in mainstream market. They postpone things, and when they go to the native place, they'll buy it.

- Accessibility: Consumers don't know which authentic vendor is famous and don't know where to reach out to. In NativeBag.in, they can search and order it immediately.

Who is NativeBag? Gandhiji once said, "The backbone of India is its villages. Unless the rural economy could be reformed, nothing could be achieved on the economic front. Let us remember that the English-educated men and women from the cities have criminally neglected the villages of India. I have never gone to a single village which is devoid of an honest worker. We fail to find him when we are not humble enough to recognize any merit in our village." Source: India of My Dreams Chapter38



1. Most Native specialities are produced by rural manufacturing industry. Rural manufacturers sustain the love, nature, nativity via their products like khadi, handlooms, arts and crafts or food items.

2. To reach global audience, native manufacturers need a separate undiluted platform to sell native items.

3. In order to preserve the essence of nativity, tradition and culture, consumers need a platform to identify, suggest and access the native items. Buy native items and experience nativity. The more ethnic you get, the more universal you become! About NativeBag Bharath Shanmugasundaram and Ravishankar Singaram are the founders of NativeBag.in. With their vast experience in E-commerce, SaaS, and industry knowledge, they are able to help rural manufacturers, artisans, to reach the global audience through online. They call this initiative of NativeBag.in as native revolution after their love towards swadeshi revolution. NativeBag is headquartered in Bangalore and have operations and connects throughout India. To know more about Nativebag.in, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV42oDreDDA&t=7s Media & Investors Relations Contact:

Bharath Shanmugasundaram

[email protected]

+91-9632559955

Co-founder, NativeBag

.



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[March 15, 2017] Novigenix Signs Distribution Agreement with Dr Risch Medical Laboratory to Access Swiss German Market for Colox, Its Blood Based Colorectal Cancer Test

Novigenix SA today announced a commercialization agreement with Dr Risch Medical Laboratory for Colox, its blood test for the early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC). Dr Risch is a successful and science-driven clinical laboratory organization with a strong foothold in the Swiss German market and Liechtenstein. The agreement significantly enhances Novigenix's footprint in the Swiss market. In 2014, the Company closed a similar agreement with Unilabs to target the French Swiss market. Novigenix continues to seek commercialization agreements for Colox to cover the entire Swiss market, while also intensifying its efforts for international distribution, in particular in other European markets. Starting in March 2017, and with Colox as its flagship product, Dr Risch intends to launch a full range of diagnostic colorectal cancer services, including gold-standard fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) to detect blood in stool. Prof. Dr. Lorenz Risch. Chief Medical Officer of Risch, said: "Colox has all the hallmarks of a convenient test for colorectal cancer and can serve as a valuable tool in the physician's arsenal to identify cases with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer places a huge burden on people's lives and on our healthcare system. At Dr Risch we share Novigenix's ambition to increase awareness for CRC and to position Colox as a tool for cancer prevention." Nicolas Demierre, COO of Novigenix SA, said: "We are delighted to have found in Dr Risch a solid and science-driven partner that is dedicated to help reduc cancer mortality through early detection of colorectal cancer and advanced polyps. Together with data from our ongoing, prospective 1000-patient study PROSPEROS, we expect that our collaboration with Dr Risch will significantly contribute to our growing body of clinical evidence of Colox in routine medical practice."



About colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality in Europe and North America. Current methods of detection of CRC are cumbersome and invasive, requiring unpleasant preparation of the colon, or stool manipulation at home. As a result the majority of individuals at average risk resist testing and fail to be referred to potentially therapeutic or preventative colonoscopy. In Switzerland alone this leads to 5 people dying every day from this largely preventable disease. About Colox:

Colox is a proven molecular blood test that has been designed to support physicians in case finding of patients with CRC and adenomas for referral to colonoscopy. The test can support the healthcare community to significantly reduce mortality from colorectal cancer through early detection and intervention. Colox can be ordered by any physician in routine medical practice to identify patients with adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.

About Dr Risch:

Dr Risch SA is science-driven, family-owned leader in laboratory testing in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Founded in 1970, Dr Risch today operates 13 clinical laboratories in all Swiss regional language regions with privileged access to private, regional, and academic hospitals and general practitioners. For more information please visit www.risch.ch About Novigenix SA:

Novigenix SA is an innovative Swiss molecular diagnostics company focused on the commercialization of new blood tests for the early detection of cancer. Novigenix's products rely on a new generation of predictive molecular signatures and state-of-the-art mathematical analytical models to provide new solutions for the early detection of cancer. For more information please visit www.novigenix.com View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005074/en/

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[March 15, 2017] DataStax Unveils New Strategy And Solutions to Help Enterprises Implement Critical Customer Experience Initiatives

DataStaxs CX Data Solution puts enterprises on a fast track for building and deploying Customer Experience (CX) projects such as Customer 360 and Real-Time Personalization



Upcoming independent Thought Leadership Paper highlights massive CX needs and challenges facing todays enterprises

DataStax Enterprise, the always-on data platform, continues advancement that meets the demanding data requirements of all cloud applications, including CX SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DataStax, the leader in data management for cloud applications, today announced a comprehensive strategy to help enterprises design and implement their critical Customer Experience (CX) applications, which are essential to meet the demanding needs of the right-now economy. As part of this strategy, DataStax is unveiling new solutions to help customers achieve their CX goals and previewing new survey data from a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of DataStax that underscores the extreme importance of CX for todays businesses. CX initiatives, while a top corporate focus for many organizations, have proven difficult to implement. The data infrastructures required to provide real-time, contextually-aware insight have been siloed in various functions and/or stuck in legacy technology that cannot meet availability and performance needs. This has made things like creating a real-time, comprehensive, 360-degree view of a customer extremely difficult. For executives driving big enterprise-wide changes and for sales, service, and marketing teams interacting with customers, the data infrastructure has hindered many CX initiatives. DataStax is removing this barrier with a powerful new approach that liberates data from its historic silos and the technical limitations of legacy database technologies, while making it instantly available whenever and wherever it is needed. People expect great service in the moment of right now and they are demanding a seamlessly integrated experience in both their personal and business interactions, said Billy Bosworth, CEO of DataStax. With our new strategy and solutions, we are providing a data management layer built specifically to meet those demands, and also showing enterprises the best way to design and use that data in all of their CX projects. The combination of DataStax Enterprise with consulting and training from our world-class experts makes it possible for companies to tackle CX challenges head on and leapfrog their competitors with faster time to market, greater efficiency, and new opportunities to gain market share. 500 of the worlds leading enterprises rely on DataStax Enterprise to power data management for their strategic applications. Comcast, Macys, Penn Mutual and Macquarie are already using DataStax Enterprise to power their CX initiatives. Now, any business can easily deploy DataStax to address real-time personalization and customer 360 requirements that define great CX. For DataStax, this expanded business strategy opens up new, enterprise-wide opportunities that are at the heart of business transformation and define a live or die proposition for companies grappling with evolving customer expectations and the pressures of the right-now economy. DataStax has helped us to drive our digital transformation and to be able to respond to the ever-changing needs and demands of customers, said Luis Uguina, Chief Digital Officer for Macquaries Banking and Financial Services Group, a featured speaker at the upcoming CX Executive Forum in London. Our focus is on providing customers with a personalized and intuitive digital banking offering across our full range of products. CX is a Top Business Priority

To explore the urgency and changing nature of market expectations surrounding CX, DataStax has initiated a series of CX Executive Forums and Roundtables around the US and Western Europe. These intimate meetings give business leaders opportunitie to discuss the latest trends for innovation in CX, as well as de-risking and accelerating their CX initiatives.



In addition, an upcoming Forrester Consulting Thought Leadership Paper highlights just how important CX is for executives today. A soon-to-be-published study commissioned by DataStax and just completed by Forrester uncovered the following: Business Initiative Top or High Priority for Executives Improving CX through personalization 75 % Gaining a competitive edge by better understanding customers 85 % Using data better to make CX decisions 83 % Yet despite the importance of CX to the executives surveyed, big barriers remain to implementing an effective CX solution. An inability to gain real-time value from customer data was cited by 64% of respondents.1

Bosworth continued, This survey affirms both the importance of CX initiatives to enterprises and the extreme difficulty many of them are facing with data challenges in their CX projects. DataStax is Using its Own Technology for CX Today

DataStax is already using DataStax Enterprise to power its own CX initiatives. With the power of DataStax Graph on top of DSE, the companys sales and marketing teams have a holistic view of every customer touch point in real-time, from digital to offline, and can instantly know the context and history behind each DataStax customers experience. This information has helped DataStax deliver better solutions to customers and more accurately address its pipeline and new business opportunities. This experience of applying its own technology, combined with years of engagements with hundreds of enterprise customers, gives DataStax unique insight into solving the most challenging aspect of building great CX applications, which is a strong foundation at the data management layer. New Offerings

To help organizations quickly reach a new level of real-time engagements with their customers, DataStax is unveiling the new DataStax CX Data Solution. Additionally, DataStax announced a new version of its flagship product, DataStax Enterprise (DSE), furthering its leadership position as the always-on data platform of choice for modern cloud applications. DataStax CX Data Solution

Customer-facing applications need to be always-on and easily scalable, while at the same time providing instant insights and actions tailored to each specific user. To realize all that, the foundation of those applications needs to be a data platform designed specifically to handle the extraordinary demands of availability and performance across a wide range of data workloads. The CX Data Solution includes the DataStax Enterprise data platform, plus world-class consulting and training from experts who have helped implement some of the largest real-time data architectures in the world, along with partner integration. By aligning industry-leading data technology with CX application design expertise, DataStax customers can accelerate their time to market with reduced risk and increased flexibility for their critical CX initiatives. DataStax Enterprise 5.1 - the Always-on Data Platform

In additional news today, DataStax announced DataStax Enterprise 5.1 which brings high-performance operational analytics, simplified security management for multi-tenant applications, and graph data to the forefront, while eliminating complexity and downtime in a comprehensive data platform. Additional details on DSE 5.1 are available in a companion release. For More Information

To learn more about how your data management technology decisions can affect your ability to deliver a transformational customer experience, please download DataStaxs free eBook. DataStax also offers exclusive, invitation-only access to CX Forums throughout the United States and Europe. If you wish to attend the next event in London, please register here. About DataStax

It starts with a human desire, and when a universe of technology, devices and data aligns, it ends in a moment of fulfillment and insight. Billions of these moments occur each second around the globe. They are moments that can define an era, launch an innovation, and forever alter for the better how we relate to our environment. DataStax is the power behind the moment. Built on the unique architecture of Apache Cassandra, DataStax Enterprise is the always-on data platform and has been battle-tested for the worlds most innovative, global applications. With more than 500 customers in over 50 countries, DataStax provides data management to the worlds most innovative companies, such as Netflix, Safeway, ING, Adobe, Intuit, Target and eBay. Based in Santa Clara, Calif., DataStax is backed by industry-leading investors including Comcast Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Meritech Capital, Premji Invest and Scale Venture Partners. For more information, visit DataStax.com/customers or follow us on @DataStax. DataStax is a registered trademark of DataStax, Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Apache Cassandra, Apache and Cassandra are trademarks of the Apache Software Foundation or its subsidiaries in Canada, the United States and/or other countries. 1 The Forrester Research survey was conducted in March 2017 in the US, UK, France, and Germany with 206 executives responsible for CX initiatives (C-suite, VPs, and Directors) at companies of $500M annual revenue or more, with 65% of the companies represented having annual revenues exceeding $1B. Forrester will release the Thought Leadership Paper based on this surveys findings in early summer 2017 and the paper will be available through Forrester channels and on datastax.com. For more information, please contact: DataStax Communications 650.389.6000 [email protected]

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[March 15, 2017] Wingz Lands in San Antonio with 50% off Rides Through the End of March

Companys Pre-Booked, Flat Rate, Personal Ride Service is Now Available in San Antonio and Will Donate $2 to Local Meals on Wheels for Every First Ride Booked in March. SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wingz, the peer-to-peer private car service that offers pre-scheduled, flat-rate rides with a trusted personal driver, today announced it is bringing its acclaimed service to San Antonio, TX. The company is offering an introductory promotion of 50% off rides in San Antonio for first-time customers (with a maximum of $20 in savings per ride) from March 6th to March 31st. For every ride booked by first-time users during the promotion, Wingz will also donate $2 to the local Meals on Wheels chapter. We always want to give back to the local communities that we join, said Chris Brandon, CEO, Wingz. We partnered with Meals on Wheels in Dallas and Houston last year, and supporting the same organization in San Antonio was a natural fit. We are thankful that Wingz chose to support Meals on Wheels San Antonio, said Vinsen Faris, Chief Executive Officer, Meals on Wheels San Antonio. Their donation will directly impact the lives of seniors in need within the San Antonio community. Wingz rides can be scheduled up to 60 days in advance, and the company lets you build a list of your favorite drivers so a familiar face is always there to pick you up. The benefits and lasting connections Wingz provides to riders and drivers enhance the safety and peace o mind that are lacking with traditional rideshare services. For that reason, Wingz has become the trusted airport and around town ride provider of choice for tens of thousands of frequent business and leisure travelers.



Our goal at Wingz is to bring consumers a highly reliable and personalized driver experience, emphasizes Brandon. You know everything about your ride in advancethe price, the car, and more importantly the person behind the wheel. Having a driver you know, like, and trust makes all the difference in the world. My driver Theresa in Seattle has been like a family member or friend driving and picking me up, explains Sara Seabourne, Wingz rider since June 2015. As a female and a mom, I feel safe with her and she's so good with my kids when I travel alone. The other Wingz drivers I've used over the years have all been very kind and reliable.

Wingzbacked by Expedia, Altimeter Capital, and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioffis currently available in 13 cities and 19 airports. Unlike other rideshare companies, Wingz is not an on-demand car serviceriders can schedule their rides up to two months in advance. Wingz drivers are handpicked, vetted, and provided with a $1M liability insurance policy. For more information on Meals on Wheels San Antonio, visit http://www.christianseniorservices.org/meals-on-wheels. Press Kit

http://bit.ly/1YdJydS

Social Media

Facebook: facebook.com/Wingz

Twitter: @WingzTeam About Wingz

Wingz is a peer-to-peer private car service that offers pre-scheduled, flat-rate rides with a trusted personal driver, and allows you to request favorite drivers youve had in the past. The Wingz app-based scheduling platform connects travelers with local drivers for a seamless and personal experience, free of surge pricing and other surprises. Wingz drivers are hand picked, vetted, and provided with a $1M liability insurance policy. Backed by Expedia, Altimeter Capital, and Salesforce.com CEO Marc Benioff, Wingz has become the trusted airport ride service of choice for more than 50,000 frequent business and leisure travelers. To book your next ride, download our app or visit wingz.com. Media Contact Melvin Karsenti [email protected] 415.691.5907

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[March 15, 2017] Simon Bligh, Chief Executive Officer at Dun & Bradstreet ANZ Named ANZ Chief Data Officer of the Year 2017 by CDO Club

SYDNEY and NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon Bligh, Chief Executive Officer at Dun & Bradstreet ANZ, today was recognized as the first-ever Australia and NZ Chief Data Officer of the Year 2017 by the CDO Club, the world's largest community of C-suite digital and data leaders. Mr. Bligh was announced as the recipient of the award after a panel on Digital Leadership at today's second annual Sydney CDO Summit at Pier One in Sydney, Australia. He was presented with the award by CDO Club founder David Mathison and Paul Rush, Partner at executive search firm Odgers Berndtson. Mr. Bligh became CEO of Dun & Bradstreet ANZ in March 2016 and is significantly expanding their commercial and consumer database through organic growth and market innovations like Credit Simple as well as strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Dun & Bradstreet is Australia and New Zealand's longest established credit information bureau and helps businesses to make informed credit decisions, and consumers to access personal credit information. Prior to leading Dun & Bradstreet, Mr Bligh was Chief Data Officer at Veda and was responsible for the fastest growing divisions and the sourcing, management and commercialisation of Veda's data. Mr Bligh has also held executive positions in Australia as Chief Financial Officer of Sydney Airport and AAPT. Before moving to Australia, Simon spent 10 years working for AT&T in Europe, latterly in Paris as the European Chief Financial Officer responsible for more than 30 staff in 13 countries.



Mr. Bligh is a qualified Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, who earned his Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of Oxford in 1989. "Simon has extensive knowledge of global data markets, and how data can be used to solve customer problems and uncover insights and meaning for businesses," remarked David Mathison, CEO of the CDO Club.

"Most importantly, given his ascension from Chief Data Officer to the Chief Executive role, Simon is an exemplar to his CDO Club colleagues and serves as proof that this career path is available to data and analytics leaders worldwide. Successful companies acknowledge the importance of data as the lifeblood of the online economy, and will continue to place executives like Mr. Bligh in leadership roles. I am delighted to name Simon as Australia's first-ever Chief Data Officer of the Year 2017," said Mathison. The CDO Club is the only organization tracking CDOs who have become CEO or Board Director/Non-Executive Director. Since 2011, the CDO Club has identified more than 50 Chief Digital Officers who have become CEO: http://cdoclub.com/hall-of-fame The CDO Club forecasts that more companies will add data and analytics experts to the C-Suite and to their Boards. For example, in 2013, Alibaba Chief Data Officer Jonathan Lu succeeded founder/CEO Jack Ma as Chief Executive Officer, and led Alibaba until 2015. While this was the first-ever ANZ Chief Data Officer of the Year award, the CDO Club has been giving Chief Digital Officer of the Year awards since February 2013 when it named Teddy Goff, who served as Digital Director at Obama for America in 2008 and 2012, as the first-ever recipient. About the CDO Club

The CDO Club is the world's largest community of C-suite digital and data leaders. Its 3,000+ registered members receive access to breaking news, original research, career development support, and networking opportunities. Visit: http://CDOClub.com. About the CDO Summit

The CDO Summit addresses the challenges and opportunities arising from big data, the cloud, digital disruption, and social and mobile media. CDO Summit gatherings include the very best digital and data strategists and practitioners on Earth, speaking in intimate, collegial, and supportive environments designed to encourage networking, learning, and knowledge-sharing. Visit CDOSummit.com . Media Contacts:

Michelle Oster

Communications Manager

CDO Club

Email: [email protected]

Tel +1 516 488-1143 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simon-bligh-chief-executive-officer-at-dun--bradstreet-anz-named-anz-chief-data-officer-of-the-year-2017-by-cdo-club-300423979.html SOURCE CDO Club

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[March 15, 2017] Canadian Web Hosting Expands Virtual Private Server Plans With Lower Pricing, More Resources, Artificial Intelligence

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Canadian Web Hosting (www.canadianwebhosting.com), one of the leading providers of web hosting, cloud hosting and infrastructure services in Canada, announced that they have released their upgraded Virtual Private Server plans giving customers more resources for less cost and an improved artificial intelligence (AI) engine that helps customers get more insights into their usage and improved notifications. These upgraded plans include fast SSD storage giving customers more than a 2.5 times performance boost and when combined with Intel's latest generation of server processors customers can expect more for less. These new VPS plans continue Canadian Web Hosting's commitment to lower the cost of entry to the cloud and to integrate the latest technologies to improve customer insights into each and every resource purchased. Canadian Web Hosting recently announced its new Cloudash Customer Intelligence Platform that delivers an entirely new way to interact with web hosting infrastructure and cloud hosting services by incorporating a microservices architecture and removing the Rest API layer through the use of GraphQL. The next generation platform utilizes Canadian Web Hosting's upgraded Virtual Private Servers (VPS) as well as Shared Hosting, Containers, Cloud Computing and Cloud Storage. With flexible data center locations options including Toronto, Vancouver and Dalla, customers have more geographic flexibility allowing them to meet a wide range of web hosting requirements. This includes high performance website hosting, application hosting, Docker and Kubernetes container hosting, application development and database hosting. Customers also have integrated tools like cloud DNS, load balancing, backup snapshots, and every server is backed by Canadian Web Hosting's highly redundant infrastructure guaranteeing 100% availability. Canadian Web Hosting is SSAE 16 compliant and all services meet Canadian privacy and regulatory requirements for data. The new VPS plans start at $5.00 per month.



"Every VPS plan delivers the highest performance and gives our customers more insights into how they are actually using their resources," said Matt McKinney, Chief Strategy Officer at Canadian Web Hosting. "We are adding locations, technologies, speed and reliability to give our customers more for less. And with our new artificial intelligence integration customers can make more informed decisions on what they need and always have outstanding 24/7 support to back them up." It is easier than ever to move to Canadian Web Hosting's cloud hosting infrastructure now. Canadian Web Hosting offers industry-best 24/7 support, and safety and security of Canada's privacy regulations with their 100% Canadian-owned and operated service. New VPS plans start at $5.00 per month and every customer gets access to free planning and migration services and potential customers can learn more by visiting www.canadianwebhosting.com or calling 1.888.821.7888 for more information.

About Canadian Web Hosting Since 1998, Canadian Web Hosting has been providing on-demand hosting solutions that include Shared hosting, Virtual Private Servers (VPS), Cloud Hosting, Dedicated Servers, and IT as a Service for Canadian companies of all sizes. Canadian Web Hosting is SSAE 16 Type II SOC 1 certified ensuring that their processes and business practices are thoroughly audited against industry standards. Canadian Web Hosting guarantees a 100% network uptime, and a total money back guarantee that backs everything they do. Customers can get help by calling 1-888-821-7888 to get 24/7 support. For more information, visit them at www.canadianwebhosting.com, or get the latest news by following them on Twitter at @cawebhosting or by liking their Facebook page. Media Contact:

Sheila Wong [email protected] 888-821-7888 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadian-web-hosting-expands-virtual-private-server-plans-with-lower-pricing-more-resources-artificial-intelligence-300423859.html SOURCE Canadian Web Hosting

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[March 15, 2017] Peoplenet Accelerates Growth Through Acquisition of Fyre

Peoplenet, a leading provider of cloud-based workforce management solutions, today announced the acquisition of Fyre. Fyre is a staffing technology firm that optimizes the candidate search and placement process with efficient integrations connecting Vendor Management Systems (VMS), Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and Job Boards directly with Staffing Software platforms. With the addition of Fyre to Peoplenet's suite of solutions, customers can now optimize and automate the front and back office lifecycle of virtually all staffing transactions from requisition release to time and expense processing. With the addition of Fyre, Peoplenet further enhances its industry leading solutions for the capture and movement of data across the entire staffing ecosystem. "As our ecosystem grows increasingly complex, the need for tools that connect staffing companies, technologies and buyers is greater than ever," said Ed Holmes, CEO of Peoplenet. "We are now able to provide our customers with the ability to further increase efficiency, speed and accuracy in both the front and back office." "We are excited about joining the Peoplenet team," said Fyre CEO Tim Arnold. "Our combined technology solutions and dee industry expertise will allow our customers to realize even greater benefits from a single partner."



Fyre's Sync solution is especially valuable to those staffing firms focused on fulfillment into MSP and VMS programs. "Fyre's approach to optimizing the retrieval of requisition data, coupled with Peoplenet's VMS Data Exchange tool to reconcile time, worker and rate information, creates a winning combination for any staffing firm," said Andy Zarkadas, CRO of Peoplenet. About Peoplenet

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Peoplenet was founded in 1990 with the goal of simplifying the function of time keeping so that business leaders could get back to managing people. Peoplenet offers automated, fully-hosted time and attendance solutions that are simple and help staffing agencies provide their clients with excellent service. To learn more, visit www.peoplenet.com. About Fyre Fyre builds smart software tools that elevate and accelerate talent acquisition for the staffing industry. Fyre transforms recruitment processes that are slow and labor intensive to give staffing firms and their recruiting teams greater speed, higher accuracy and better insight. A technology start-up with leading VMS, job board and ATS companies as strategic partners, Fyre was founded by former recruiting professionals who decided it was time for tech innovation to take a leading role in the staffing industry. To learn more, visit www.getfyre.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005812/en/

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[March 15, 2017] The World Zionist Organization Invites Jewish Young Adults to Experience Jerusalem in an Initiative Marking 50 Years since Jerusalem's Unification: 'L'Chaim Yerushalayim'

The World Zionist Organization is celebrating 50 years since the unification of Jerusalem by inviting young people from around the world to visit and create their own experience of Israel's historic capital, as part of a new initiative: 'L'Chaim Yerushalayim'. The project, which will take place in May (21-28.05.17), invites young adults ages 18-30 from Jewish communities around the world, to attend in groups or as individuals. The objective of 'L'Chaim Yerushalayim' is to allow Jewish young adults worldwide the opportunity to get a glimpse of real life in Israel- to experience their homeland not as tourists, but as Israelis. The World Zionist Organization will arrange for participants to stay with host families all around Israel, who will facilitate their journey as well as experience Jerusalem and Israel through the young visitors' eyes. In collaboration with the Ministry of Jerusalem and Heritage, the Ministry of Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Zionist Organization will also offer a wide range of free or discounte events for the young visitors to choose from, enabling them to construct a custom-made experience of the historical, multicultural and colorful Jerusalem. These will comprise of cultural events, culinary tours, visits to heritage sites, performances, meetings, and advocacy conferences. Examples include 'A Night Spectacular' light and sound show, a Jerusalem Day memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl, the 'Flag Dance' Jerusalem Day parade from the Knesset to the Western Wall, a chance to visit the Machane Yehuda open-air market, the Old City, Mount Scopus and much more.



Yaakov Hagoel, Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization: "The 50th anniversary of its unification gives cause to reflect on the true beauty of Jerusalem- a symbol of Jewish pride, freedom and unification. In the face of escalating Antisemitism worldwide, we must always remain unified and celebrate our Jewish heritage. Our new initiative, 'L'Chaim Yerushalayim', will provide the leaders of the next generation with the tools to forge their own experience of Jerusalem, connect with Jewish young adults from Israel and around the world and rejoice in commemorating the historical unification of the Jewish capital." L'Chaim Yerushalayim - Celebrating 50 Years of Unity (21-28.05.17)

10% discount on all tickets purchased through EL AL airline For further details & registration: www.yerushalayim.info View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005817/en/

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U.S. Chamber Hails South Dakota for Joining Chorus of States, Congress in Combatting Asbestos Fraud

Lisa A. Rickard, president of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, made the following statement today on South Dakota's enactment of S.B. 138:

"With its new asbestos bankruptcy reform law, South Dakota joins a growing national chorus of states and the federal government in working to stop fraud in the asbestos compensation system. Manipulating and concealing claims evidence in trust filings is fraud, yet this behavior is rampant in state courts throughout the country. South Dakota's law stops this by preventing plaintiffs' lawyers from making inconsistent claims in lawsuits and before asbestos trust funds.

"Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed legislation reforming the nation's asbestos bankruptcy trust system by requiring similar transparency to root out this type of fraud and abuse.

"South Dakota will join eight other states and the federal government in combatting plaintiffs' lawyers' systematic abuse of the $30 billion asbestos trust system, and we applaud this action."







ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the global, national, state, and local levels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

www.uschamber.com @USChamber www.freeenterprise.com

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005998/en/
[March 15, 2017] Tostrud Law Group, P.C. Reminds Investors of April 3rd Deadline in the Class Action Lawsuit Against Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.

Tostrud Law Group, P.C. reminds investors of the April 3, 2017 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of a class of investors who acquired Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc. ("Roadrunner" or the "Company") (NYSE: RRTS) securities between May 8, 2014, and January 30, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Roadrunner investors have until April 3, 2017 to file a lead plaintiff motion. Injured investors are encouraged to contact Jon Tostrud, Esq. to discuss their legal rights. On January 30, 2017, the Company disclosed that sometime in November of 2016, Roadrunner became aware of several possible accounting errors at its Morgan Southern and Bruenger subsidiries. Roadrunner further disclosed that the Company's Board of Directors promptly initiated an investigation of the errors, and based on the information to date Roadrunner has located various accounting discrepancies that it anticipates will necessitate prior period adjustments of between $20 million and $25 million.



On this news, shares of Roadrunner fell over 32% during intraday trading on January 31, 2017. The complaint filed in this lawsuit alleges that Roadrunner made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company lacked effective internal controls over financial reporting; (2) the Company's financial statements dating back to the beginning of 2014 overstated the estimated results of operations; (3) the Company's financial statements contained errors relating to unrecorded expenses from unreconciled balance sheet accounts including cash, driver and other receivables, and linehaul and other driver payables; and (4) the Company's financial statements dating back to the beginning of 2014 were not reliable.

Roadrunner investors have until April 3, 2017 to move the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. If you have information or would like to learn more about these claims, or if you wish to discuss these matters or have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Jon Tostrud, Esquire, of Tostrud Law Group, P.C., 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2125, Los Angeles, California 90067, at (310) 278-2600 or by e-mail at [email protected]. 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/20170315006018/en/

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A united Opposition demanding a loan waiver for farmers and protesting on the steps of the Maharashtra Assembly.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: The deadlock in the Maharashtra Assembly is still on, as a united Opposition and the Shiv Sena demanded a loan waiver for farmers.

The Devendra Fadnavis administration hasn't been able to break the impasse for more than eight days, and the Opposition (the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)) hasn't been allowing the House to function normally.

Today, too, the Opposition created a ruckus in both houses of the Assembly, and demanded that the government announce the loan waiver. Both houses were consequently adjourned.

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SPEAKER CALLS ALL PARTY-MEETING

To break this deadlock, the Speaker called an all-party meeting, which was attended by Chief Minister Fadnavis, the Leader of the Opposition, and leaders of all parties. The meet was inconclusive.

"The government should make a statement of one line on farmers' loan waiver...we will stop our agitation" said Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lower House.

Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena asked Fadnavis to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and get his support for the state's farmers.

RAIN, HAIL DESTROY CROPS IN MARATHWADA

These developments came on a day when rain and hail destroyed wheat, onion and grape crops in Marathwada.

NCP leader Dhananjay Munde asked the Fadnavis government to take stock of the situation in the area, and get immediate help from the Centre.

ALSO READ | Mumbai: Maharashtra Assembly adjourned for second day over loan waiver protests

ALSO WATCH | BMC polls: Fadnavis thanks people of Maharashtra, says win is unprecedented

--- ENDS ---
[March 15, 2017] Distinguishing Software Features and Services Showcase SmashFly's Industry Leadership in Aptitude Research Partners' Assessment of Recruitment Marketing Platforms

CONCORD, Mass., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SmashFly Technologies today announced that its distinguishing features and services showcase its industry leadership in enterprise-class Recruitment Marketing Platforms in the first-ever independent analyst report to assess vendors in the emerging software category. In Aptitude Research Partners' 2017 Recruitment Marketing Index, SmashFly was named one of nine vendors to qualify for the report based on completeness of product capabilities, ability to serve the enterprise market and differentiators including applicant tracking system (ATS) integration and recruitment marketing services. Click here to download the full report. A Recruitment Marketing Platform is software used by talent acquisition teams to attract and engage candidates in order to convert them into job applicants and new hires. To qualify for inclusion in the report, Aptitude required vendors to provide at least five of the following 10 required capabilities of a Recruitment Marketing Platform: Career Sites, Content Management, SEO, Talent Networks, Employer Branding, Event Management, Campaigns, Job Distribution, CRM and Analytics. The analysis demonstrates SmashFly's leadership and innovation when compared to others in the report because it is the only vendor to: provide all 10 Recruitment Marketing Platform capabilities required by Aptitude, enabling customers to market their brand and jobs through any channel and track and analyze the entire candidate journey, from awareness to hire;

offer the security, reliability and scalability to serve the needs of the global enterprise market;

integrate with any ATS so that customers do not need to change their ATS to support recruitment marketing;

provide both strategic and campain-based recruitment marketing services, ensuring successful adoption of the software; and

be listed in all three of the report's buyer classifications for stand-alone Recruitment Marketing Platforms: The Change Agent, The Marketer and The Disruptor.



Key Findings Include:

Recruitment Marketing is one of the fastest growing areas of HR technology with nearly 70% of enterprises investing in these capabilities so they can leverage consumer marketing practices to recruit and engage talent.

By investing in a Recruitment Marketing Platform, organizations are seeing significant business impact: 2X more likely to have a positive candidate experience, 2X more likely to improve their Net Promoter scores and 3X more likely to have "quality of hire" above competitive benchmarks.

ATS satisfaction increases with a Recruitment Marketing Platform investment. Per Aptitude's 2016 ATS Index Report , two out of five companies were unhappy or indifferent about their ATS because it was incapable of supporting all recruitment efforts, especially recruitment marketing.

, two out of five companies were unhappy or indifferent about their ATS because it was incapable of supporting all recruitment efforts, especially recruitment marketing. A Recruitment Marketing Platform purchase becomes justified by replacing disparate technology providers and ineffective recruitment advertising services. By consolidating the spending and strategy that goes into attracting talent into a single platform, Aptitude reports that many organizations reduce overall recruiting costs. Madeline Laurano, Co-Founder & Chief Research Officer of Aptitude Research Partners "SmashFly has a deep understanding of the pain points that enterprises face when recruiting talent. Through its unique combination of technology and services, SmashFly successfully partners with companies to improve the way they connect and engage with talent. Also, SmashFly's open API allows for the integration with all major ATS', job boards and third-party tools, and it has demonstrated that it can scale to meet the complex needs of global and matrixed Fortune 500 organizations. These factors are positive differentiators for companies considering making an investment in a Recruitment Marketing Platform." Mike Hennessy, Founder and CEO of SmashFly "As the pioneer of Recruitment Marketing Platforms, we're thrilled to see Aptitude Research Partners' evaluation of this increasingly important product category in HR technology. The report demonstrates why SmashFly is the industry leader - we're the only company to provide an ATS-agnostic Recruitment Marketing Platform that has the scalability, reliability and security repeatedly proven in the enterprise market. With SmashFly, you receive not only the most robust and complete Recruitment Marketing Platform software, but also the strategic partner to help you consistently and predictably achieve business results." About SmashFly Technologies SmashFly's Total Recruitment Marketing Platform and Services proactively markets an employer brand and jobs through every recruiting channel using marketing automation technology and modern marketing practices. It empowers companies to attract the right people to their organization using the art and science of fit, enabling companies to generate leads and nurture relationships to hire faster and more cost-effectively. Learn more at www.smashfly.com and follow us on Twitter @SmashFly. Media Contact: Hadley Weinzierl, SmashFly Technologies, 1.888.282.3092 x116 / [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/distinguishing-software-features-and-services-showcase-smashflys-industry-leadership-in-aptitude-research-partners-assessment-of-recruitment-marketing-platforms-300424151.html SOURCE SmashFly Technologies

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[March 15, 2017] Seven Arizona Bio Startups Named Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program Winners

Seven Arizona bioscience startup firms were competitively selected to participate in the 2017 Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program, which was established to foster entrepreneurship and help early-stage bioscience companies develop into successful and sustainable businesses in Arizona. The firms-based in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson-will receive $30,000 each in funding support and program services administered through a nonprofit partner. Since 2014, the Flinn Foundation has allocated $645,000 in grants to Arizona nonprofits to provide funding and services to 22 early-stage bioscience firms. "Launching a new company always presents risks and challenges, but the hurdles are especially great in the life sciences, where regulation and competition are so complex," said Jack B. Jewett, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation. "These seven firms, which epitomize the ingenuity of Arizona's startup community, will receive services and funding at a vital moment in their development." The 2017 winning companies are: Biosensing Instrument (http://biosensingusa.com/): Biosensing Instrument is a Tempe-based company that designs high-sensitivity instruments to analyze molecular interactions based on Surface Plasmon Resonance, a technique used across the life sciences and nanotechnology applications. BMSEED (http://bmseed.com/): BMSEED, or BioMedical Sustainable Elastic Electronic Devices, is a Phoenix-based company that develops commercial products based on stretchable gold films. The company focuses on products for biomedical applications that require soft and stretchable electronic interfaces with cells, tissue or skin. Iron Horse Diagnostics (http://ironhorsedx.com/): Iron Horse Diagnostics, a Scottsdale-based company, is developing the first diagnostic test to rapidly determine if a patient has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. The firm is also developing markers of disease progression to be used during clinical trials and a test to detect and monitor brain injury and concussion.



Phoenix Interface Technologies (http://phxinterface.com/): Phoenix Interface Technologies of Tempe has developed a solar-powered device that serves as a platform to attract and eliminate destructive disease-causing and crop-damaging insects. The device uses five sensory outputs to attract specific insects while sparing beneficial ones. Poba Medical (https://www.facebook.com/pobamedical/): Poba Medical is a Flagstaff-based medical device company that provides engineering expertise in balloon design and development, device assembly, pilot manufacturing, and the production of catheter devices and intricate balloon assemblies.

Reglagene: Reglagene, a Tucson-based startup, uses a unique technology known as DNA quadruplex science to regulate genes as part of the drug-discovery process. SMART Brain Aging (http://www.smartbrainaging.com/): SMART Brain Aging is a Phoenix-based health care technology company delivering research-supported programs, in person and virtually, that reduce cognitive decline in aging brains. To qualify for the program, the selected firms must be engaged in the commercialization of bioscience research and biotechnology and/or the sale of products in the areas of medical devices and equipment; drugs, pharmaceuticals and diagnostics; agricultural feedstock and chemicals; research, testing and medical labs; or bioscience-related distribution-the industry categories recognized together as the biosciences in Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap. A review committee appointed by the Flinn Foundation reviews all written applications, interviews the finalists, and makes its recommendations to the foundation. In addition to receiving funding and services through a nonprofit partner, company leaders participate for one year as members of Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap Steering Committee, a group of the state's science, health care, business, academia and policy leaders responsible for overseeing Arizona's Bioscience Roadmap. The application for the 2018 Flinn Foundation Bioscience Entrepreneurship Program will be available later this year. To learn more about the program and past winners, visit www.flinn.org/entrepreneur. The Flinn Foundation is a privately endowed, philanthropic grantmaking organization established in 1965 by Dr. Robert S. and Irene P. Flinn to improve the quality of life in Arizona to benefit future generations. In addition to advancing the biosciences, the foundation supports the Flinn Scholarship, a merit-based college scholarship program, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006270/en/

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[March 15, 2017] Infiniti Research to Host a Webinar on Leveraging Market Intelligence to Tap Emerging Opportunities for Industrial and Manufacturing Companies

Infiniti Research, a leading market intelligence company, is set to host a webinar on educating industrial and manufacturing companies on leveraging market intelligence to tap emerging opportunities. The 45-minute webinar will take place on March 22 and March 23, focusing on best practices of procuring effective market intelligence services for key stakeholders in the industrial and manufacturing sector. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006315/en/ Infiniti Research is hosting their next webinar on March 22nd and March 23rd. (Graphic: Business Wire) According to Infiniti Research, the industrial and manufacturing sectors are currently plagued by uncertainties, both globally and regionally. In fact, a recent Infiniti Research market intelligence survey found that out of 20 major industries, the manufacturing and industrial sectors ranked 14th in terms of its market intelligence capabilities. Key Webinar Takeaways and Speakers Presenting the webinar will be Infiniti Research market intelligence and solutions experts Ajay Biswari and Amal Sebastian. Ajay has more than 10 years of experience delivering solutions for global corporations in the Industrial and Heavy Manufacturing verticals across regions, while Amal works across several industrial verticals including O&G, heavy machinery and automation and is involved in several projects for market potential assessment, market sizing modeling and forecasting across all regions. Their insights will address the five following questions followed by a 15 minute Q&A session: - What will drive the demand in the future? - How do you develop an understanding of market dynamics to make expansion or entry decisions? - Greenfield or brownfield expansion. What's better for your organization? - Should you set-up your own infrastructure or engage channel partners? - What will customers accept? Please follow the links given below to register:







For NA Audience (News - Alert) Registration link https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3850126163279478275 Webinar ID 461-399-355 Date and Time Thu, Mar 23, 2017 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM CDT (News - Alert) Duration 45 min

For EMEA Audience Registration link https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1194595575479344387 Webinar ID 997-430-619 Date and Time Wed, Mar 22, 2017 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM GMT Duration 45 min View Infiniti Research's recent webinars: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/request-more-info About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 13 years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006315/en/

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[March 15, 2017] Full Support Reigns for Hexagon President and CEO Ola Rollen Despite Today's Indictment Decision

NACKA STRAND, Sweden, March. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's decision by the Norwegian economic crime authority (kokrim) to indict Ola Rollen, Hexagon's President and CEO, on insider trading charges stemming from investments unrelated to Hexagon doesn't change sentiments. For Ola Rollen and Hexagon, it's business as usual. The Board continues to confirm its trust and support in Rollen, stating that he will continue as Hexagon's President and CEO. "I speak on behalf of the Board and everyone else who has given Ola fantastic support throughout this entire process  from his family to the Hexagon employee and shareholder base  that we stand united with Ola to see this ordeal through to the end," said Melker Schorling, Hexagon's Chairman of the Board. "I'm confident that the charges brought against Ola will be righted in the courts." Gun Nilsson, Hexagon's Vice Chairman of the Board, and the Board stand firmly behind the expression of confidence given by Schorling. "It is without a doubt that Ola will continue as President and CEO during this period with the Board's full support," says Nilsson. "His handling of this frustrating ordeal and focus on Hexagon throughout this process show that he is an extraordinary leader." Ola Rollen's lawyers, Christian B. Hjort and Erik Keiserud, issued the following statement: "We are disappointed in today's decision. We believe that the case against Ola Rollen is based on a misconception of the rules that apply. We remain convinced that the court will recognise there is no case against him." "I will continue to lead Hexagon with full force for as long as the Board and our shareholders want me to," said Ola Rollen. "At this point the case is in the hands of my lawyers and will not distract me from fulfilling my duties as President and CEO for Hexagon." Webcast and conference call The series of facts and conclusions that have led to the Board's unwavering support for Ola Rollen will be presented on an audio webcast and conference call tomorrow 16 March at 10:00 CET (in English). Ola Rollen, Gun Nilsson, Christian B. Hjort (Rollen's lawyer), Hans Strandberg and Olle Kullinger (attorneys hired on behalf of Hexagon's Board), and Knut Bergo (Norway's leading expert on insider trading) will be available for questions. When: Thursday 16 March at 10:00 CET How to participate: Please call +46(0)8 5065 3937 (SWE), +44(0)20 3427 1901 (UK) or +1646 254 3361 (US) to participate in the conference call or go to hexagon.com to access the webcast For further information, please contact: Maria Luthstrom, Investor Relations Manager, Hexagon AB, +46-8-601-26-27, [email protected]

Kristin Christensen, Chief Marketing Officer, Hexagon AB, +1-404-554-0972, [email protected] This information is information that Hexagon AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 20:00 CET on 15 March 2017. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/hexagon/r/full-support-reigns-for-hexagon-president-and-ceo-ola-rollen-despite-today-s-indictment-decision,c2216023 The following files are available for download:







http://mb.cision.com/Main/387/2216023/643448.pdf Press release

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/full-support-reigns-for-hexagon-president-and-ceo-ola-rollen-despite-todays-indictment-decision-300424421.html SOURCE Hexagon

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[March 15, 2017] VMUG Announces Tech Superstar Line-up for Toronto UserCon

The VMware User Group (VMUG) is excited to announce the line-up for the Toronto UserCon later this month. The VMUG tech line-up includes key note speakers Frank Denneman, Senior Staff Architect with VMware and Eric Wright, Tech Evangelist. Denneman's session, "A Closer Look at VMware Cloud on AWS", brings VMware's enterprise class Software-Defined Data Center software to Amazon's public cloud. Couple the best enterprise software with the best data center operator in the world and you get an On-demand elastically scalable private cloud deployable anywhere in the world. This session will introduce this exciting new service and examine some of the use cases and benefits of the service. Closing keynote, Eric Wright's session "Terraform for VMware Administrators" discusses how the next-generation environments are all about composable, Infrastructure-as-Code, orchestration, and automation. Using Terraform, an open source platform from HashiCorp, we can easily build, modfy, and provide version and state management for our VMware infrastructure. You'll see how to get Terraform up and running and how to do some real use-case deployments to understand how to add value for your organization and yourself as an infrastructure admin and architect.



In addition to these speakers, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with vendors, sponsors, and partners in the Exhibit Hall and participate in a variety of other technical sessions from VMware and community experts! Registration for VMUG UserCon events are open to all members of the tech industry and are free. Visit vmug.com/attend to view the most up-to-date agenda and register for this must-attend event for VMware users.

About VMware User Group (VMUG) VMware User Group (VMUG) is an independent, customer-led organization made up of more than 100,000 members globally, created to maximize members' use of VMware and partner solutions through knowledge, sharing, training, collaboration, and events. VMUG is the largest user group in the virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions industry. Interested in joining VMUG? Visit vmug.com and sign up, membership is always free and you can start enjoying the benefits of the VMUG community immediately. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006451/en/

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[March 15, 2017] Hawaii Introduces Legislation to Enforce Collection by Remote Sellers

DALLAS, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, Senate Bill 620 (SB 620) was introduced in the Hawaii Senate. This legislation has nexus implications for remote sellers. Currently, Hawaii requires persons engaging in business and other activities in Hawaii to report and pay the general excise tax. If enacted, SB 620 would expand the definition of "engaged in business" to include remote sellers, with no physical presence, who have gross receipts from Hawaii sales totaling at least $100,000. Hawaii joins several other states that have taken recent steps to enforce tax collection by remote sellers. Please see Ryan tax developments South Carolina and Minnesota Introduce Legislation in an Effort to Enforce Tax Collection by Remote Sellers and New and Updated Information on States' Legislative Efforts to Enforce Tax Collection by Remote Sellers for further discussion on this topic. E-commerce continues to grow exponentiall, and we see its effect by the amount of store closings announced by retailers. It's safe to say the retail landscape has now fully changed. Successful retailers will deploy a combination of a leaner physical location count and maximize their investment dollars into their e-commerce platforms. We will continue to monitor retail sales trends and more specifically e-commerce activity and will provide updates as developments occur.



About Ryan

Ryan is an award-winning global tax services firm, with the largest indirect and property tax practices in North America and the seventh largest corporate tax practice in the United States. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, tax compliance, and strategic planning. Ryan is a five-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,100 professionals and associates serves over 12,000 clients in more than 40 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremiah T. Lynch

Principal

Ryan

212.871.3901

[email protected] Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Jerry Lynch

http://www.profnetconnect.com/jeremiahlynch To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hawaii-introduces-legislation-to-enforce-collection-by-remote-sellers-300424449.html SOURCE Ryan

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[March 15, 2017] Cloud ERP Market by Component, Function, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "Increasing need for business process efficiency and transparency will drive the cloud ERP market"

The cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) market size is estimated to grow from USD 18.52 billion in 2016 to USD 29.84 billion by 2021, at an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.0%. The cloud ERP market is driven by factors, such as, increasing need for creating efficiency across the enterprise and elimination of inefficient processes & data redundancy, along with a rising demand for ERP solutions and services from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). However, increased operational costs and availability of open source cloud ERP solutions limit the growth of the market. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4466095/ "The managed services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period"

Organizations are rapidly growing their partnership networks to deploy such cloud ERP solutions across the globe. Thus, the managed services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. However, the professional services segment is expected to have the largest market size in 2016. "The finance function segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period"

The finance cloud ERP function segment is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, due to the increased adoption of such solutions & services in financial accounting, assets management, investments, and cash flow management activities. The operations ERP function segment will have the largest market size in 2016, owing to an increasing demand from manufacturing and related end-users. "Asia-Pacific (APAC) is expected to have the highest growth rate during the forecast period"

APAC includes emergng economies, such as China, Japan, and India, along with countries from the South East Asia, which are rapidly transforming into business hubs with the regional expansion of global enterprises and the emergence of large number of SMEs. APAC is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is primarily due to increasing awarness and adoption of such solutions and services amongst enterprises, operating across various industry verticals in the region. Furthermore, North America is expected to have the largest market size in 2016.



In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation & technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in the cloud ERP market place. - By company type: Tier 1: 55%, Tier 2: 20%, and Tier 3: 25%

- By designation: C-Level: 60%, D-Level: 25%, and others: 15%

- By region: North America: 15%, Europe: 25%, APAC: 30%, Latin America: 20%, and MEA: 10%

The report includes the study of key players offering cloud ERP solutions, such as, Microsoft Corporation (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), SAP SE (Germany), Infor (U.S.), Sage Software, Inc. (U.K.), Epicor Software Corporation (U.S.), Intacct Corporation (U.S.), Financialforce.com (U.S.), Plex Systems, Inc. (U.S.), and Ramco Systems (India). Research Coverage

The report provides a picture on cloud ERP solutions and associated services across different industry verticals and regions. It aims at estimating the market size and future growth potential of this market across different segments, such as component, function, deployment mode, organization size, vertical, 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. Key Benefits of Buying the Report

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market, by providing them with the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall cloud ERP market and subsegments. This report will help stakeholders to better understand the competitor landscape, gain more insights to better position their businesses, and make suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps the stakeholders to understand the pulse of the market and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4466095/ About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloud-erp-market-by-component-function-deployment-mode-organization-size-vertical-and-region---global-forecast-to-2021-300424490.html SOURCE ReportBuyer

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) The Maharashtra government today told the Legislative Council it has appointed three private firms as consultants to formulate laws of various departments, including Home, inviting the opposition criticism.

In a written reply to a starred question by Narayan Rane (Congress), Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said to draft laws, three companies have been appointed as consultants.

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The move was criticised by Rane.

"Departments like Home are very sensitive and formulation of their laws is a secretive process. Does appointing private companies as consultants not increase the chances of secrecy getting diluted?" he questioned.

The former chief minister sought to know the reasons for roping in private companies when the Law and Judiciary department is competent to draft legislations.

He asked what steps have been taken by the government to maintain confidentiality in preparing important policies.

Fadnavis said, "The Home department deals with various complicated issues like drafting new rules, notifications, change in service rule books along with doing their own routine work. The consultants have been roped in by the government to help in carrying out some of these tasks."

He said the consultants will not take up routine work of the departments but will execute specific tasks. "They will work under the department officials, law officers and within the stipulated guidelines while maintaining secrecy wherever required," Fadnavis added. PTI MM RSY SRE

--- ENDS ---
Former Congress MLA from Andreo seat Shyam Kumar, who was elected on a Congress ticket but had switched sides to join the BJP recently, was inducted as a minister into the Biren Singh government. Congress has issued him a showcause notice.

Shyam Kumar, who defected to the BJP and is now a minister in Manipur govt, shaking hands with former CM Okram Ibobi Singh.

By Indrajit Kundu: After days of suspense, the BJP finally formed its first government in Manipur on Wednesday with N Biren Singh as the new Chief Minister.

In the biggest of all surprises at the swearing-in ceremony, former Congress MLA from Andro seat Shyam Kumar, who was elected on a Congress ticket but had switched sides to join the BJP recently, was inducted as a minister into the Biren Singh government. Congress has issued a showcause notice to Shyam Kumar.

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Governor Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office to nine cabinet ministers, including Singh in the presence of central BJP leaders like Ram Madhav, Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar. Interestingly, even after a bitter tussle for power, former Congress Chief Minister Ibobi Singh also attended the event to extend his wishes to the new government. BJP chief Amit Shah, along with other central leaders who were scheduled to attend the event, could not make it to Imphal as the aircraft they were supposed to travel by developed technical snag.

While all four MLAs from BJP's alliance partner National People's Party (NPP), one from Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and one from the Naga Peoples Party (NPF) were inducted into the newly-formed government, the high point of the ceremony was the induction of the lone defecting Congress MLA Shyam Kumar.

SHYAM KUMAR's NAME GREETED BY LOUD CHEERS

As soon as Shyam Kumar's name was announced, there was a loud cheer in the Raj Bhawan hall room occupied by BJP leaders and supporters.

When asked how a Congress MLA made his way into the BJP cabinet, a visibly embarrassed Ibobi Singh said, "Please ask him (that question)."

On his part, the defecting MLA fumbled for answers when asked if his induction was legal.

"I'm ready to face the consequences," he said.

He further added that the people in Manipur had lost faith in the Congress and wanted a change of guard.

ANYTHING POSSIBLE IN POLITICS: CONG

Meanwhile, the Congress party has already issued him a show-cause notice for his action. Speaking to India Today, Manipur Pradesh Congress chief TN Haokip said, "It is quite strange but as they say, anything is possible in politics. We have already issued a show-cause notice to him."

Haokip also rubbished speculation that many more Congress MLAs were waiting to cross over to the BJP. "These are all political rhetoric. There won't be any further erosion from our party. All our MLAs are intact", he said.

Another controversial addition to the BJP council of ministers was NPP MLA Y Joykumar, former DG of Manipur police, considered close to former Chief Minister Ibobi Singh. He has been made the deputy chief minister. Moreover, it's also alleged that there was a spurt in fake encounters during Joykumar's tenure as the state police chief.

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ALSO READ| BJP leader Biren Singh sworn in as Manipur Chief Minister

ALSO READ| Manipur CM designate N Biren Singh promises to get blockade lifted

--- ENDS ---
Look, youre not perfect. Maybe youre behind on your bills, or you left a pile of dishes in the sink this morning, or (like this writer) you once ran over a rabbit by accident. But at least your Twitter account isn't spewing hateful content, right?



Twitter Counter, a popular third-party app for keeping track of followers, was the victim of a hack that made its users spout jingoistic nonsense full of Nazi symbols. While you may not have that exact app installed, you may be entrusting your Twitter account to similar software.

(Image credit: Dolphfyn/Shutterstock)

Computer support site Bleeping Computer summed up the whole incident pretty well. A number of Twitter users  both everyday Joes and high-profile targets like security blogger Graham Cluley  seemed to take a sudden and rather violent interest in the ongoing dispute between Turkey and the Netherlands.

Cluley and other compromised users suddenly started spouting Turkish nationalist propaganda, complete with swastikas and hashtags that called both the Netherlands and Germany Nazis. There was also a video link to a speech by President Erdogan.

What you should do

If you have Twitter Counter, you may want to uninstall it. (Although at this point, the damage has been done, and Twitter Counter is unlikely to fall for the same hack twice.)

MORE: Best Antivirus Software and Apps

Beyond that, theres unfortunately no perfect defense against app exploits, save for eliminating every single third-party Twitter app you use. Thats your call, although some connections (like PlayStation, LinkedIn, Google, and so forth) are pretty useful.

At the very least, you should check which Twitter apps you have installed by going to your Twitter account and selecting the Apps section. If you see anything that requires read and write access, it could tweet on your behalf if it gets hacked. Revoke access if you wish -- you should to apps you dont use on a regular basis. Older, disused apps are just a security risk waiting to be exploited.

Also, if you're the only person using a specific Twitter account, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). That might prevent the sort of account hijacking we saw in this case. Unfortunately, many commercial Twitter accounts have multiple humans controlling them, and implementing 2FA in those instances is not always practical.

How they did it

The same hackers (or hackers with very similar political agendas) also compromised some high-profile Dutch websites and replaced the text with some moralizing and vaguely threatening content. Among other things, the hackers accused the rest of Europe of colonialism, racism, fascism and a Crusade mentality.

These hackers did not compromise hundreds of different Twitter accounts individually. Rather, they took advantage of one weak link in a long daisy-chain of apps.

Every compromised account used a paid service called Twitter Counter, which is a fairly simple plugin that keeps track of followers. However, the app requires that the account holder grant the app both read and write permissions in Twitter by giving it the password to the account.

This isnt uncommon; many Twitter plug-ins request the same level of access. But by compromising Twitter Counter, the Turkish hackers were able to use its read/write permissions to write tweets for its users.
A team of the Chittagong Special Branch (SB) of police conducted the drive based on information from a suspected militant couple, who were arrested from Amirabad area of the upazila earlier on Wednesday.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: A police inspector has been injured when militants hurled grenades at the law enforcers during a raid at two militant hideouts in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong district in Bangladesh. A team of the Chittagong Special Branch (SB) of police conducted the drive based on information from a suspected militant couple, who were arrested from Amirabad area of the upazila earlier on Wednesday.

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Additional Police Super Mahiuddowla Reza said that two houses in Sitakunda Upazila town have been cordoned off since Wednesday afternoon. On the other hand, Chittagong Police Super Nure Alam Mina said inspector of Sitakunda Police Station Mozammel Haque sustained splinter injuries.

Police came under attack as they conducted the raid at a suspected den of "Neo JMB" in Premtala area, the officer told India Today. He said, militants hurled "several grenades" at police when they tried to seal the house leaving the police inspector injured.

According to Sitakunda police, a two-storey building was cordoned off owned by one Suresh Biswas, from where a man and a woman have been detained.

Based on information gleaned from them, the second raid on a house owned by 'Shahin' was conducted at Premtala area later. Police said that bomb disposal units are on their way to the scenes.

--- ENDS ---
The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a very good value because of its captivating infinity display, strong performance and long battery life for under $500.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The Galaxy S8 has been around for a couple of years, but it's still a strong choice for those looking for flagship-level design and solid performance for under $500. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ boast 5.8- and 6.2-inch infinity displays, which go from edge to edge, and these handsets feature Qualcomms relatively zippy Snapdragon 835 processor for speedy performance.

Were still not fans of the fingerprint sensors location. But when you add in excellent battery life and improvements to a camera that was already very good, you have two winning handsets with the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

See our best phones list for all of our top picks.

Galaxy S8 price and release date

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were released in April of 2017. You can now get the Galaxy S8 starting at $499 with 64GB of storage. The larger Galaxy S8+ isn't as readily available, but it retails for about $589. However, we've seen this phone for as low as $364 on Amazon (opens in new tab).

You may want to keep an eye out for Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals to see if these phones get discounted during the holiday season.



Design: It feels like the future

The Galaxy S8 exemplifies a nearly bezel-free phone done right. Samsung didnt just take away the bezels on this phone; it crafted a space-age work of art with a new infinity display that stretches from edge to edge. The Galaxy S8 not only has a slightly bigger screen-to-body ratio than LGs phone but also looks sleeker because of the way the Gorilla Glass curves toward the edges on the front and back. Other Android phones look like blah, flat slabs by comparison. The S8 is also thinner and narrower than the G6.

The screen on the S8 is 5.8 inches, versus 6.2 inches on the S8+. But other than the difference in display size, the S8 and S8+ have the same design. Overall, we prefer the bigger screen on the S8+, but if you have small hands, youll likely find yourself repositioning the phone in your hand to reach certain buttons, including the home button, which is now a virtual button instead of a physical key. The button worked well in our testing, providing solid haptic feedback. Its flanked by the Recent Apps and Back buttons.

Whats remarkable about the Galaxy S8 is how much more screen real estate it gives you compared with the S7, while still offering a compact and lightweight design. The S8s 5.8-inch screen is housed in a 5.5-ounce, 2.7-inch-wide chassis, whereas the 5.1-inch S7 weighed 5.4 ounces and had the same width. The S8 is taller, but its still easy to use with one hand.

With its 6.2-inch screen, the 6.1-ounce S8+ is heftier than the 5.5-ounce, 5.5-inch S7 Edge. But the S8+ makes the iPhone 8 Plus (6.2 x 3.1 x 0.29 inches, 7.13 ounces) look positively bloated. Plus, unlike the latest iPhones, the S8 and S8+ have headphone jacks.

No matter which size you choose, it wont be long before you see fingerprint smudges on the back of the phone. The smudges were especially prominent on the midnight black version of the S8 and S8+, but you can also choose the lighter orchid gray or arctic silver, which dont show smudges as easily.



Galaxy S8 Galaxy S8+ Price

From $499

From $589

Display (Pixels) 5.8 inches (2960 x 1440) Super AMOLED 6.2 inches (2960 x 1440) Super AMOLED Camera (Back) 12 MP, f /1.7 aperture 12 MP, f /1.7 aperture Camera (Front) 8 MP, f/ 1.7 aperture 8 MP, f/1.7 aperture Biometric Scanning Facial recognition, iris scanner, fingerprint reader Facial recognition, iris scanner, fingerprint reader CPU Snapdragon 835 Snapdragon 835 RAM

4GB 4GB Storage 64GB 64GB microSD

up to 256GB up to 256GB Battery

3,000 mAh 3,500 mAh Battery Life (4G) 10:39 11:04 Size

5.9 x 2.7 x 0.3 inches 6.3 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches Weight

5.5 ounces 6.1 ounces Colors

Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver Android Version 7.0 Nougat 7.0 Nougat Charging USB Type-C USB Type-C Wireless Charging WPC and PMA WPC and PMA

About that fingerprint sensor

We were worried that the fingerprint sensors placement right next to the camera on the back of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ might be a problem. And it was, initially. Because the sensor is fairly narrow, its difficult to target it without looking. We got used to it after a couple of days, but we still wish it were below the lens.

If you dont want to reach around the S8 to unlock your phone, you can choose from a couple of other biometric options that Samsung gives you. Theres facial recognition, as well as iris scanning. Iris scanning unlocks your phone faster and even works in the dark, but it doesnt work in direct sunlight; your eyes need to be fully open, so squinting isnt an option. The facial recognition is not only slower but also had trouble in direct sunlight and doesnt work in the dark.

Our advice? Use the iris scanning everywhere except in the sun, and when there is bright light, just use the fingerprint scanner.

Display: The perfect screen is here

Apple is bringing an OLED screen to the iPhone X, but you have to pay a grand for the privilege. Sporting a resolution of 2960 x 1440 pixels, both the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ turned in nearly perfect scores on our tests, offering a very bright picture, amazingly vivid colors and near-perfect color accuracy.

The extra-wide 18.5:9 aspect ratio doesnt work well with some apps, but overall, we like how immersive the experience is when watching video and playing games.

When watching the new Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer, we could make out every wrinkle in Reys hands as she seemed to levitate the rocks around her with the Force, as well as every rising ring of smoke around Kylo Rens smoldering mask. As the camera panned around to the island where Luke was training Rey, it was hard not to be impressed by the golden sunshine that reflected off the water, as well as the lush, green foliage dotting the mountains.

The S8 backed up our experience by reproducing a superb 183 percent of the sRGB color gamut. That blows away the LG G6s 134 percent, but the AMOLED screen on the Google Pixel scored an even higher 191 percent. (However, when you turn on Adaptive Display mode on the Galaxy S8, it can reach as high as 255 percent.)

If youre looking for accurate color, the S8 can deliver that, too. In its AMOLED photo mode, the display notched a Delta-E score of 0.28 (0 is perfect). The LG G6 was closest, at 1.01, but the Pixel XL was way behind, with 5.88. Like the LG G6, the Galaxy S8s screen is HDR certified, which means you can enjoy a wider range of colors and better contrast on videos that support the standard. Amazon, Netflix and YouTube offer a growing variety of HDR-ready movies and shows.

The 18.5:9 aspect ratio doesnt work well with every app. For instance, in Super Mario Run, we noticed unsightly bars above and below the game. But Samsungs own apps are optimized, and you can fill the screen by pushing a button while watching YouTube and Netflix, even if the video looks a bit stretched out.

Since our initial review, some users complained about a red tint appearing on their S8 screens, but Samsung has released a fix.



Audio: Poppin

For a small speaker, the Galaxy S8 pumps out pretty sweet sound. When we listened to Justin Timberlakes Cant Stop the Feeling, on this phone, the lyrics were clearer, and the volume was louder, than the same track on the LG G6.



The latter handset sounded slightly muffled by comparison. However, you dont get stereo sound from the Galaxy S8 as you do from the HTC U Ultra.



The S8's Snapdragon 835 muscle blitzes every other Android phone on the market.

Performance: A handheld powerhouse

The Galaxy S8 goes boldly forward into a new era of speed, thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 system on a chip (at least in the U.S.; in other regions, the S8 will have Samsung's Exynos 8895 chip). The S8 also comes with a healthy 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage (twice the amount you get from base models of the LG G6 and the Google Pixel) and microSD card expansion for people who need even more space.

When you put it all together, the S8's muscle blitzes every other Android phone on the market, but it falls short of the iPhone 8's A11 Bionic chip. The S8 almost always feels exceedingly snappy, no matter if you're vaulting over Goombas in Super Mario Run or mowing down aliens in N.O.V.A. Legacy. We didnt experience any lag when using multiwindow mode for chatting with friends while streaming video on YouTube. If you pay close attention, you may notice that some of the transitions when switching between apps aren't 100 percent smooth, but that seems mostly cosmetic.

In terms of benchmark performance, the Galaxy S8s multicore score of 6,295 in the Geekbench 4 overall performance test was more than 50 percent higher than that of its closest Android competitor, the Snapdragon 821-powered Google Pixel XL (4,146). However, the iPhone 8 scored above 10,000 on this test.



The Galaxy S8's graphics power was also quite impressive, as it hit 36,508 on 3DMark's Ice Storm Unlimited test. Other Android adversaries, like the LG G6 (29,611) and the Google Pixel XL (28,182), were farther behind. But the iPhone 8 scored a much higher 64,532.



New for the S8 is Samsung's Device Management tab, which is best accessed by swiping in from the Edge tab. It offers a quick look at the status of your device, including battery status, power mode (optimized, performance, game or entertainment), available storage and your current memory usage. There's even an optimization button that cleans up any lingering apps and clears your cache, which is a handy tool for people who go weeks or months without actually turning off their devices.

Cameras: Better on both the front and back

When we first found out that the S8's 12-megapixel rear camera is ostensibly the same as the one on last year's S7, we were a bit disappointed. But that rush of emotion was a bit premature, because under the hood, Samsung made some important software enhancements. And then you toss in a new, higher-resolution, 8-MP front cam, and you get a phone that produces noticeably better pictures no matter which shooter you're using.

The most important tweak comes in the form of Samsung's new multi-image photo processing, which mimics the operation of the Google Pixel's HDR+ mode by taking multiple pictures when you press the shutter, selecting the best one, and enhancing that image with extra details and info from the remaining two pics.

When we took both the S8+ and a Pixel XL out for some side-by-side testing, it was clear that Samsung's adjustments have had a pretty positive effect. At a nearby farmer's market, the S8 captured a crate full of apples with better contrast, richer colors and better details than the Pixel XL.



And when I continued down the street, the S8+ topped the Pixel XL again when I snapped a pic of some flowers, this time offering better white balance than Google's phone, as evidenced by the greenish hue on the white flower's petals.



But it wasn't a clean sweep for the S8+. When I really tried to push both cameras to the limit by shooting a backlit scene pointing straight at the sun, the Pixel XL stunned us with a shot featuring big, bold colors and sharp details, even though there was some serious lens flare going on.



Inside, in pretty much ideal conditions, the S8+ and the Pixel XL were again neck and neck. The one difference is that the Pixel's cool color tone brought out the green in the pistachio macaroon, while the pic from the S8 sported a more neutral white balance, which led to a more pleasing overall photo.



Finally, at a local bar with even less light to work with, both the Pixel XL and the Galaxy S8 impressed us with photos that were brighter than the scenes in real life. Small differences included less blown-out highlights in the S8's pic, which was countered by more detail in the darker areas of the scene in the Pixel's photo.

When it comes to tweaking your photos or changing modes, Samsung has added new Snapchat-like filters that let you decorate faces with various animal masks, hats and other silly emojis. But if that doesn't strike your fancy, the camera also comes with modes for shooting panoramas, food, slow-mo and more. And as with all good camera apps, there's also a Pro mode that lets you adjust settings manually.

As for selfies, the S8 and S8+ sport new 8-MP cams with a wide-angle lens, which makes it easy to snap you and all your besties at once. However, compared with the Pixel XL's 8-MP camera, the S8's selfies can sometimes be a little lacking.



We compared photos shot by the S8 and the Pixel XL outside on a sunny day. The Pixel XL's photo had an extra level of sharpness and detail we didn't get from the S8+. Our face looked a little too smooth and perfect on the Samsung, to the point where we were wondering whether Beauty Mode was kicking in even when we had it set to 0.

The Galaxy S8s camera can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second and slow-mo video at up to 240 frames per second at 720p. (In comparison, the LG G6 shoots at just 60 fps in slow-mo.)

To test the Galaxy S8s video quality, we shot some footage of a pond with fish swimming about in 4K. The S8s footage looked crisper and more vibrant than what the iPhone 7 Plus captured, even if the colors looked a bit oversaturated. However, when we put both phones on a mount to test image stabilization, the iPhone 7s video looked smoother; we saw a bit of stuttering in the S8s footage as we walked up a grassy hill.

For a hallmark feature on a flagship phone, Bixby feels pretty half-baked right now.

Bixby: Still a work in progress



The Galaxy S8 introduces a new personal assistant, Bixby, to take on the likes of Apple's Siri and Microsoft's Cortana. And for a hallmark feature on Samsung's flagship phone, Bixby feels pretty half-baked right now, even after Samsung has rolled out voice controls to its virtual assistant.

The main difference between Bixby and other digital assistants is that it lets you use voice commands to control your phone in lieu of tapping the screen, which can save you time and energy. You can also use Bixby to tell you the weather or look up the definition of quixotic, but its real purpose is giving you a whole new way to control your phone. For instance, you can ask Bixby to show you emails from a specific person by name, and it will slickly pull up all your conversations in just a couple seconds. That's way faster than tapping to open the email app, hitting search and then typing in that person's name.

Bixby can also understand complex commands with contextual language, so you can do things like ask Bixby to post the last photo you took to Instagram and add a caption, all with one command. You can also change almost any setting on the S8 using your voice, which is often much faster than trying to dig through a modern phone's increasingly complex array of menus and tabs.

Or at least, that's how things should work. The big problem is that Bixby's voice-command functionality, while now available, was pretty erratic when we tested it.

Sometimes Bixby will fail to understand your language at all, while other times, Bixby will get confused and try to open the wrong app or adjust incorrect settings. But every once in a while Bixby will get everything right and you won't even be able to tell that its voice commands are still a work in progress. Currently, simple commands have the best success rate.

MORE: 11 Coolest Things Bixby Voice Can Do on the Galaxy S8

As of August 22, Samsung announced that the Bixby voice command feature is now available in more than 200 countries and territories, though you'll still need to use either English or Korean to make it work. Support for additional languages, as well as more third party apps, is in the works.



Then there's Bixby Vision, which leverages the S8's camera along with object recognition to identify items in the world. We found this worked pretty well when we pointed the S8 at various household items, such as shampoos, snacks and aluminum foil. It also works for books. After pointing the Galaxy S8's camera at any object, we could check prices online on Amazon.

Say you're at the liquor store and want to know the rating of that wine or what food to pair it with. Bixby has also partnered with Vivino to identify that bottle and spit back information. However, at a wine store in New York, the feature was more miss than hit, as it seemed to have trouble with the bright lights. At home, however, Bixby identified three wines correctly, though we were greeted with a home server error.

Bixby's other talents include the ability to set reminders and a Bixby Home tool with a card-based interface that shows you your schedule, what's trending on Facebook, the weather, news and other info.

All told, Bixby is a frustrating mix of success and failures, though there is a lot of potential should Samsung work out all the kinks. Thankfully, though, you can turn to the Google Assistant, which also comes preloaded on the S8.

Software: Feature-rich but accessible

Running Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 still has a skin on top of Android, but its fairly intuitive, and Samsungs minimalist, line-drawn icons are easy to understand. We like that you dont have to tap a button to see all of your apps from the home screen; just swipe down from the middle of the screen, and then swipe left to see more apps.

If you swipe down from the very top of the screen from wherever you are, youll see your notifications and Samsungs quick-settings shortcuts. Finally, swiping in from the left provides access to Edge screen shortcuts, such as a customizable list of apps, a device maintenance screen (for battery, choosing performance mode, etc.) and a Smart Select tool for selecting an area of the screen and sharing it or pinning it to the top of your display.

Youll also find a ton of advanced features. The ones at the top of our list include a one-handed mode that you can activate by tapping the home button three times to shrink the screen, as well as the ability to quickly launch the camera by pressing the power key twice.

At least on the T-Mobile S8 we tested, there was minimal bloatware. T-Mobile included just five of its own apps: Device Unlock, T-Mobile, T-Mobile Name ID, T-Mobile TV and Visual Voicemail.

Accessories: Way beyond Gear VR

The Galaxy S8 works with the new Gear VR for those who want to experience virtual-reality games and content, but thats not the only interesting accessory. The new DeX ($149) is a dock that lets you use the S8 and S8+ as a mini PC. The dock can connect to a full-size monitor via its HDMI port, as well as a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth. It also has an Ethernet jack and a USB port.

Out of the box, the Samsung Connect app will let you access and control various Samsung-branded smart home gear. For instance, you can start your Samsung robot vacuum ($549) or peek inside your Samsung Family Hub fridge (about $2,900) to see what you need from the store while youre out. But youll get a lot more possibilities if you buy Samsung's $169 Samsung Connect Home  a combination mesh Wi-Fi router and SmartThings hub that will let you control other items, such as Philips Hue lights and Netgears Arlo security camera.

Samsung offers a slew of other accessories, including an LED View cover for always having the time in view, a wireless charging stand and more. Check out our roundup of the Best Galaxy S8 accessories and Galaxy S8 cases.

Battery Life

One concern about a phone with this much screen is how that extra real estate might impact battery life. The Galaxy S8+ has a slightly smaller battery than last years S7 Edge (3,500 mAh versus 3,600 mAh), and yet the S8+ improved almost 1 hour, to 11 hours and 4 minutes, on the Tom's Guide Battery Test (continuous web surfing on 4G LTE using T-Mobile's network). The standard Galaxy S8s 3,000-mAh battery endured for 10:39 on the same test, improving on the Galaxy S7's (8:47) time by nearly 2 hours.

We obtained these results with the phones resolutions set to their max 2960 x 1440 pixels. They come with the less demanding 2220 x 1080 setting on by default.

MORE: Smartphones with the Longest Battery Life

Compared to the Galaxy S8+, the Pixel XL's battery life was just a bit longer, at 11:11. The iPhone 8 Plus hit 11:16, while the smaller iPhone 8 lasted 9:54. LG G6 finished way behind, with a time of just 8:39.

On top of that, the S8 has battery smarts that let it learn about your usage patterns to help extend its longevity even further. And when you need to juice the phone back up, you can take advantage of the S8s fast-charging capabilities via its included USB Type-C cable or use one of Samsung's slick wireless chargers (available separately).

Bottom Line

Its clear that, with the Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung set out to create more than a phone. Its trying to build a more Apple-like ecosystem, with devices ranging from the Gear VR and the DeX dock to the new Samsung Connect app for controlling smart home gear and the Bixby assistant. Its also evident that Samsung hasnt yet reached that goal, as Bixbys voice features can be hit or miss.

But even with that shortcoming, the Galaxy S8 still beats the Android competition while surpassing the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus in terms of design, display quality and features. The iPhones are better, though, when it comes to sheer speed and their cameras.



Some shoppers will prefer a newer Android phone in the same price range, like the $479 Pixel 3a XL, but overall the Galaxy S8 and S8+ remain good values for those who prefer Samsung handsets.

Credit: Jeremy Lips/Tom's Guide; Comparisons: Samuel Rutherford/Tom's Guide.
While Jets recent reformation and publishing deal may have sparked rumours of a new record, it would appear before that happens, we will get some music from Nic Cester. Cester was announced for Bluesfest last month, and has now announced a pair of solo shows in Melbourne and Sydney. Cester described his solo music as a mixture of soul, blues and lost Italian soundtrack music saying the decision to test the songs live before recording was a deliberate one.

Normally you would release music then go and play the songs live, but I like the idea of returning to the source, the live show, to let people who are interested come and hear the songs played with all the energy and human connection that make them come alive, he explains.

I really want to do things differently to how Ive done them before and challenge myself and the band, and this feels like a really exciting way to do it.Check out the dates, below.
When it comes to punk bands, things are looking pretty great in Australia right now, and Melbourne trio Dumb Punts are one that are grabbing a deserved chunk of attention. Having spent the year dropping a string of impressive new cuts, playing gigs with Skegss and Dune Rats, and earning a triple j Unearthed Feature Artist nod and a Falls Festival slot to match, theyre making a serious name for themselves in our verdant guitar band scene.

Now, theyre about to head to Sydney for a free night of punk mayhem at Brixton Broadcast at The Leadbelly, with some of the countrys best emerging punk bands in Byron trio WASH and locals Pist Idiots also delivering the noise for the night. Its a stacked bill of killer talent, and all at the bargain price of absolutely nothing.

With the band rolling into town, we took the opportunity to chat with Dumb Punts drummer Seattle about their breakout year, what makes our local band scene so good, and what we can expect from this monster Friday night.

Chatting with Dumb Punts

You all grew up in a pretty small town before moving to Melbourne a few years back  how do you think thats impacted your music, or your attitudes towards the wider music scene?

We have a greater appreciation for it I think, cause you live in this small town for so long and theres such limited resources and access to live music and art. Then you go to Melbourne and theres creativity and art everywhere  its the best possible slap in the face you can get.

Where did your nickname come from? And also, where the hell did your ability to drum come from? Seems like you just picked up the sticks when you came to Melbourne and realised you could play.

Jimmys mate Davo couldnt say my name when he first met me, and then I think he just gave up on trying, so hed just call me something different every time. He called me Seattle once and it stuck.

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Not sure about the drumming, I guess I just like hitting stuff.

theres probably not a punk or rock band in Melbourne who doesnt get the impact the Eddy Current guys have had on the scene there  its crazy

A song like Chiller seems to have pretty clear through-lines to classic Aussie rock, especially in that chorus. Who have been some of the local bands youve looked to over the years, and more recently?

Theres a whole bunch, but The Saints were huge for us and still are. The Angels, Australian Crawl, X, Radio Birdman anything Lobby Loyde had a hand in. And theres probably not a punk or rock band in Melbourne who doesnt get the impact the Eddy Current guys have had on the scene there  its crazy.

Richard Kingsmill gave you a pretty glowing review on triple j Unearthed late last year: Ive listened to this four times in a row now. Its not often a song makes me do that. How do you react to getting a plug like that, and support like the triple j Feature Artist nod?

Its pretty cool that they just found us and liked it  Unearthed is pretty sick for that. Were super grateful for the love, but we dont really play music for that purpose. We just love doing it and want to keep traveling around meeting legends.

What have been some of the other nicest compliments (and maybe the opposite) that youve received as a band so far?

Some gals once told me that theyre starting bands cause of us, which was pretty sick. And then some arsehole in Sydney telling us that our instruments are rubbish  that was pretty average.

What is it about your music thats grabbing people right now?

Id like to think people like our attitude, we dont take ourselves too seriously, were all about the party and good times. Were getting better and playing more so I guess people are enjoying the tunes more.

Youve had some pretty great live shows so far, including a slot at Falls and supports with Skegss and Dunies. Any particularly memorable nights?

Its all been sick. Those guys are our best mates too, and so any time were all hanging out it gets pretty wild. Doing the Skegss shows in Perth and Adelaide were sick. Traveling with mates is sick.

Tobes (of Skegss) once claimed he was gonna fight everyone in the hotel from the inside of our hotel room. Everyone just went one on one with him in some intense pillow fights. Then he broke my laptop and spat all over the walls. Hes a great guy, we love Tobes.

Theyre free surfers, so they dont do comps  they just travel the world and surf. They dont give a fuck.

How did you first meet up with WASH, and what was it about them that made you want to work with them?

They came to Melbourne with the Skegss guys a few years back and stayed with us. We partied and became best mates. Theyre free surfers, so they dont do comps  they just travel the world and surf. They dont give a fuck. Now, theyre in a sick band and theyre our best mates.

What can we expect to see from the free gig with Brixton Broadcast?

WASH will definitely blow your mind. Pist Idiots are playing too, theyll blow your mind as well. And us Punts, well we could be good.

Brixton Broadcast

Dumb Punts, WASH & Pist Idiots



Friday March 17  The Leadbelly, Newtown NSW

6:00pm  Doors open

7:25pm  Pist Idiots

9:00pm  WASH

10:45  Dumb Punts

1:00am  Doors close

Free entry and vinyl DJs all night, more info here
TKC TOLD YOU SO!!! TONI ANDERSON DRIVING TO A DESOLATE LOCATION AND THE MAKING A SHARP TURN INTO THE RIVER DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!!! THE MURDER INVESTIGATION IS CLEARLY STARTING TO RAMP UP!!!

"Kansas City police confirmed Wednesday that the body found inside a vehicle pulled from the Missouri River at Platte Landing Park Friday night was Toni Anderson . . . When FOX 4 asked police if they suspect foul play in Andersons disappearance, they simply said the investigation is still ongoing. Police say there is a boat landing dock at this park, but its unclear how Andersons car got into the river."

The investigation of murdered stripper Toni Anderson is becoming more obvious to the public as deets and skepticism are now put on blast.To wit . . .Here's the word . . .We've to more deets andinsight into the tragic story . . . And yeah, it does involveas a suspect given the strange circumstances of this murder, the pathological effort to dismiss homicide right away by terrified locals and so many ongoing freaky allegations.Developing . . .
Someone posted on a Waldo neighborhood page a post about a suspicious looking man and the police were called. As it turned out the man was just waiting for his kid to get out of school.





"We do not want to see our neighbors incorrectly profile someone especially on social media where that person`s reputation can be tarnished in a way that`s just not something they can recover from..."

THE VERY NICE WHITE PEOPLE OF WALDO NOT ONLY CONFRONT FEAR OF RISING CRIME BUT ALSO DISTRESS OVER ALLEGATIONS OF RACISM!!!

An uptick in Kansas City property crime isn't as important as perception and political correctness in one local enclave that's still struggling after allegations of racial profiling.Recently, social media proved to be an excellent showcase forAnd then waiting for something horrible to happen. And that's not to say that their fear isn't justified given the uptick in crime this neighborhood has endured.Check the recent headline . . .Highlight of the conversation . . .Reality . . .TKC won't pretend to help these folks in their hilarious predicament but it's fair to say that really racist people don't sit around worrying about being racist.Like it or not, this is an important conversation that needs to happen throughout Kansas City and among more communities working together amid rising crime throughout the metro.You decide . . .
"Dan Fowler is probably the weakest person on the council, he's a Democrat in a heavily Republican area."

INSPIRED BY PREZ TRUMP'S EARLY VICTORY KANSAS CITY NORTHLAND REPUBLICANS THINK THEY CAN TAKE ANOTHER SPOT ON THE CITY COUNCIL!!!

nobody

The rise of President Trump has emboldened Republicans in Kansas City who have already started thinking about the 2019 election cycle and picking their targets. Councilman Dan Fowler is theto face a challenge.One insider says . . .While council election are non-partisan . . . The insider has a point.To be fair, Mr. McEnvoy's claim to fame beyond his eagerness to start bothering his neighbors for the next 2 years is that he's Clay County Collector Lydia McEvoy's husband.Now, beyond mere community news . . . Let's put this into context in a way that lesser newsies can't . . .With all respect to Prez Trump, the reality here is that 1st District Council Ladyhas led the way in showing Northland Conservatives that they can beat Democratic Party Insiders across the bridge.Worse still . . . The luxury car RINO lawyers (and their wives) who comprisewon't be able to help much with an in-district race. While Councilman Fowler can draw strength from his insider connections, all in-district contests still come down to neighborhood connections . . . Also in his favor, Councilman Fowler is probably the nicest guy working on the 26th floor and that's not entirely due to the fact that he didn't face a challenger upon entering office.Nevertheless . . .As we take a brief respite from talking about dead strippers . . .This is important . . .Whilst the antics of thiscontender might not merit much attention from mainstream media . . . The early contest is a sign that Prez Trump continues to influence our local discourse and Red State politics now threatens to garner greater influence in solidly Democratic Party controlled KCMO.Developing . . .
Cayan Group, a leading Saudi property developer, has signed an architectural contract with Nikken Sekkei, a premier architectural firm, for its upcoming SR1.2-billion ($320 million) mixed-use waterfront project at Obhur in Jeddah.



Cayans new project, which will sprawl over an area of 140,000 sq m, will boast two towers: one a five-star hotel and the other branded residences offering high-end living.



Unveiling its new mega Obhur waterfront project at the leading property show Mipim in Cannes, France, Ahmed Alhatti, the chairman of Cayan Group, said: "This is another foray for us into the hospitality sector in the Middle East, signalling our commitment to investing in the growing sector in Jeddah and elsewhere."



The mixed-use project is being developed in Jeddah to take advantage of the citys growing prominence amongst visitors and residents.



Riding on the development of the Jeddah Economic City, the real estate and hospitality sectors are gathering pace and building an opulent skyline. The hospitality sector in Jeddah is influenced by local demand, and pilgrims, and as such is a resilient sector with good ROI (return on investment) potential, he stated.



An award-winning firm, Nikken Sekkei offers comprehensive professional consultancy on real estate projects and it has been at the forefront of iconic and unique buildings across the world.



It has been behind several major global projects such as the Yamaha Ginza, Hoki Museum, Guangzhou Library, and is currently involved in many projects across the Middle East including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.



"We are happy to be a part of yet another Cayan Group project. The beauty and uniqueness of these projects inspire us all. We look forward to capturing Cayan Groups vision, integrating the project with the natural beauty of the Obhur waterfront and contributing towards the completion of this project," remarked Kamei Tadao, the president of Nikken Sekkei.



"This fulfilling partnership intends to bring along another great product that is in line with Cayan Groups dedication to innovation and excellence," he noted.



Pointing out that Saudi Arabia is Cayans home ground, Alhatti said: "We have wanted to expand our brand in the market, but more importantly we have wanted to extend our support and fulfil our commitment towards the local economy and be part in pushing the economic wheel and nourishing Saudi Arabias real estate sector with quality projects and iconic designs."



On an operational level, the expansion of our brand to Jeddah will increase our brand awareness, and market share in Saudi Arabia, he remarked.



We believe the construction of this new project on the Obhur waterfront in Jeddah will integrate well into the beautiful natural scenery of the city, and the burgeoning economic development, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
ThinkSmart for Development and Training, a Microsoft Gold Learning Partner together with "Bahrain Polytechnic" launched a new project aims to certifying 1,500 Bahrainis over a period of three years in latest Microsoft Courses and making them equipped with Business Skills needed to be ready for the IT Job Market, as well as encouraging entrepreneurship and productivity.



The courses will be offered to Bahraini Graduates, Students and Professionals; however trainees must comply with all of the terms and conditions.



This project will offer a variety of IT and Business Training programs; along with job counseling, business mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities.



Dr Hasan Almulla, Bahrain Polytechnics deputy CEO of Education Services, said: "We are delighted to have signed with ThinkSmart, which we consider a strategic partner of the Polytechnic."



"Collaborating with companies such as ThinkSmart falls under our Strategic Plan 2015-2019 to graduate qualified students in the local and regional labor market, which also falls under the goals of the government work plan 2015-2018 and Bahrain 2030 Vision," he noted.



Ahmed Al Hujairy, Group CEO of ThinkSmart, said this initiative has been designed to encourage empowerment of Bahraini professionals in order to meet the regular challenges they face due to ever changing ICT trends and each organizations distinctive needs.



"Under this special initiative, after successful Microsoft Certifications, each trainee will also go through business trainings matching the trainees aspiration  Employability or Entrepreneurship," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The eleventh edition of Art Dubai opened its doors on Wednesday with its largest and most international edition till date, said the event organisers.



Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and under the new leadership of Fair director Myrna Ayad and International Director Pablo del Val, this years fair will have several new galleries and countries participating for the first time, alongside ambitious new elements to the programming.



Featuring 94 galleries from 43 countries, with 27 galleries attending for the first time, Art Dubai continues its mandate to offer unrivaled access to art from across the globe, reinforcing its position as the worlds most globally diverse art fair as well as the preeminent platform for the regional art scene, they stated.



Art Dubai continues its mandate to offer unrivaled access to art from across the globe, reinforcing its position as the worlds most globally diverse art fair as well as the preeminent platform for the regional art scene.



This year, Art Dubai Contemporary will feature 79 galleries spread across its two gallery halls, including a selection of 30+ galleries focusing on solo or two-artist exhibitions. Art Dubai Modern, now in its fourth edition, continues to be the only platform dedicated to showcasing museum-quality works by Modern masters from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.



Visitors will see more tightly curated exhibitions in the gallery halls this year, said del Val.



The presentations are split between solo or two-artist exhibitions, allowing a more focused contemplation; and multi-artist shows, enabling an overview of different works. In addition, we are introducing new galleries and countries to the fair this year, with our highest-ever number of galleries from Latin America, and galleries from Algeria, Peru and Uruguay attending for the first time, he noted.



Further highlights of this years programming include the unveiling of Rana Begum's winning work for the ninth edition of the Abraaj Group Art Prize; the eleventh edition of Art Dubai's critically-acclaimed Global Art Forum, titled Trading Places, and exploring the way trade shapes  and reshapes  the world; a Surrealist dining experience realized by Beirut-based art collective Atfal Ahdath at The Room; an interactive installation by Moroccan-born, Brooklyn-based artist Meriem Bennani at the Art Dubai Bar; a series of specially commissioned performances taking place during the fair; as well as a Modern Symposium, comprising a series of talks celebrating the cultural impact of 20th century Modern masters from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.



Through its year-round activities, educational initiatives and artist commissions, Art Dubai aims to redefine what an art fair can be, said Ayad.



In addition to welcoming new galleries and representative countries in our gallery halls this year, we continuously grow our programming, reflecting the diversity and dynamism of our hometown Dubai, and contributing to its cultural landscape.



Art Dubai is held in partnership with The Abraaj Group. The fair is sponsored by Julius Baer, Meraas and Piaget. Madinat Jumeirah is home to the event.



The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) is a strategic partner of Art Dubai and supports the fairs year-round education programme.-TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Airways is introducing its award-winning A380 on the Abu Dhabi  Paris route this summer as part of seasonal adjustments to the airlines fleet deployment plan.



Featuring the carriers revolutionary The Residence  the worlds first three-room suite on a commercial airliner  the aircraft will operate on one of its twice-daily services to the French capital between July 1 and October 28.



Paris becomes the airlines latest A380 long haul destination following London, Sydney, New York and Melbourne. With the aircraft upgrade from a 328-seat Boeing 777, Etihad Airways is able to offer an all-A380 daily service from Paris to both Melbourne and Sydney via the airlines Abu Dhabi hub.



The additional capacity will provide business and leisure travellers from the UAE the benefit of experiencing the double decker aircraft  with a living room, bedroom and shower in The Residence, and more premium seats in the First Apartments and Business Studios  to meet demand to another popular long haul destination during the peak summer months.



It will also support the strong connecting traffic to and from many cities across Asia and Australia including Brisbane, Perth, Bangkok, Chengdu, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Manila, Shanghai, Seychelles, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, together with destinations across the GCC such as Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah and Muscat.



Flight EY31 has a scheduled departure time from Abu Dhabi International Airport of 0215 hrs, arriving at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport at 0750 hrs, with the return flight EY32 leaving the French capital at 1040 hrs, arriving in Abu Dhabi at 1930 hrs. (all times listed are local).



Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways chief executive officer, said: Flying our flagship product to France with additional seat capacity helps fulfil growing demand and meet our guests expectations for an even greater travel experience with unmatched luxury, comfort and service.



Paris is one of our busiest and best performing European routes, so the deployment of this upgraded service will benefit travellers to and from Abu Dhabi, and our popular connecting cities across Asia and Australia.



Etihad Airways A380 features a total capacity of 496 seats  up to two guests in The Residence, nine First Apartments, 70 Business Studios and 415 Economy Smart Seats.



Etihad Airways approximate one-way fare, including taxes and surcharges, in The Residence from Paris to Abu Dhabi is $10,750; and Paris to Sydney or Melbourne is $16,800. - TradeArabia News Service
Sarit had come to India with her boyfriend Yaakov Veriron, 23, on January 31.

By Divyesh Singh: A 23-year-old Israeli woman died under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in Colaba in Mumbai on Sunday night.

The incident happened in a room of Seashore Hotel and the deceased has been identified as Pafta Sarit.

Sarit had come to India with her boyfriend Yaakov Veriron, 23, on January 31. The couple had travelled to Goa, Karnataka and Kerala before coming to Mumbai on March 12.

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In his statement to police, Veriron said the couple indulged into sexual activity after having dinner when Sarit complained of breathlessness and was taken to St George Hospital.

She was declared dead before admission after which Colaba police conducted a search in the couple's hotel room. A hashish tablet was recovered from the room after which Veriron was detained for questioning.

The primary post mortem report suggests that Sarit died of asphyxia. Veriron is being questioned by teams of crime branch and Colaba police presently.

Also read:

Goa: 25-year-old Irish woman found dead on beach

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Airplane windows weren't always round because there was a time when most planes had square ones. But have you ever wondered why they changed it? Well, it was more than just having round windows being visually appealing to the eyes of the passengers. In fact, it was literally a life-changing decision and here's why.

According to USA Today, the switch from square windows to round or oval ones happened around the late fifties. Before that, most planes had square windows and it was a more popular choice used among aircraft builders.

But when the first commercial jetliner in the world, the de Havilland Comet, rose to prominence, everything about planes having square windows was all about the change. The square-windowed aircraft took its first flight in 1949 and it did make a big impact on air travel for the whole world since it was capable of flying at higher altitudes and greater speeds.

The Comet's built gave it an edge among its competitors and it was able to accommodate 30,000 passengers all in one year since it first flown the skies. In fact, one flight in 1953 even carried Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret. That flight was specially arranged by Sir Geoffrey and Lady de Havilland themselves.

The company was doing remarkably great and it did live up to its expectations having flown eight Comets from London every week to different countries in the world during the summer of 1953. But unfortunately, the planes' square windows changed all that because it was the cause of the two crashed in 1954.

Two flights, one coming from Rome and another flying to Johannesburg, crashed and caused 56 deaths. It was found that the sharp corners of the square windows accumulated too much stresses at the corners. According to The Telegraph, these angles were weak spots that gained more pressure compared to other parts of the cabin.

The crash resulted in the modification of the windows to oval -- the circular shape of the windows distribute the stresses evenly. As you can see, the switch was really a life-changing decision because without round windows, there would probably more cases of crashes.

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Aavesh Jakir Sheikh, 30, was picked up by Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad for his alleged links with ISIS. His family members fear he might be killed in an encounter.

By Hemender Sharma: Even though the Mumbai Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) continues to deny the arrest of a Khargone engineer for his alleged links with terrorist organisation ISIS, the Khargone police has gone on record claiming an eight member team of the Mumbai ATS had picked up 30-year-old Aavesh Jakir Sheikh late on Tuesday evening.

According to the Khargone police, Sheikh was picked by the Mumbai ATS under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for his alleged conversations with ISIS commanders on social networking sites.

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According to the police, Sheikh was also using the alias of Abu Darda, a top Lashker-e-Taiba commander who was killed in an encounter by the Indian Army in Kashmir in February.

SHEIKH'S FAMILY APPEALS FOR HELP FROM STATE GOVT

The police said that the Mumbai ATS arrested Sheikh from his Malli Path residence and confiscated his mobile phone and laptop.

Sheikh's family members and relatives reached the Kotwali police station after the news of his arrest by the Mumbai ATS but were not allowed to meet him.

Now with the Mumbai ATS denying his arrest, family members have expressed fears that he might be harmed or eliminated in an encounter.

"Why are they not showing his arrest, if he has committed any crime he should be punished, everyone knows that he has been picked by the Mumbai ATS but they are still denying it, what does this suggest, we are seeking help from the state government as we fear that he may be harmed," one of Sheikh's relatives said.

ALSO READ:

ISIS links in Bhopal train blast pose fresh challenge for Intelligence agencies

Lucknow siege: How 4 states - UP, Telangana, MP, Kerala - worked together to bust ISIS Khurasan module

Kerala: Police arrests suspected ISIS recruiter's wife

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It seems the Japanese Ambassador to Israel Koji Tomita is a fan of Eiichiro Oda's manga series. The ambassador wore a "One Piece" cosplay of Monkey D. Luffy to the Harucon 2017, which is a convention dedicated to Japanese manga and anime.

According to a report from Crunchyroll, the convention on March 12 was held at the International Conventions Center in Jerusalem. Ambassador Tomita said that the reason for doing so was he was embarrassed in last year's anime and manga convention.

"I was so embarrassed wearing a suit last year," the Ambassador said. He also promoted their country, saying that the attendees should visit Japan if they want to more about the country.

The report said that some 3,500 people attended the event and this included Toshio Furukawa, a 70-year old voice actor who played Asuma Shinohara in "Mobile Police Patlabor" and "Urusei Yatsura's Ataru Moroboshi, and his wife Shino Kakinuma, who played in "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" of Naru Osaka. The two voice artists were invited as special guests.

Furukawa was even surprised that Japanese anime and manga are widely appreciated outside of the country. He said that this kind of appreciation will help him do "cultural exchange by going to many places in the world."

But it wasn't only the Ambassador who cosplayed for the event as The Mainichi reports that there are other attendees who dressed the part for the anime and manga convention. These cosplayers, together with Ambassador Tomita's "One Piece" cosplay, went up the stage to show off.

The report adds that with the Ambassador getting into the vibe of the convention even got to a 20-year-old local who expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Tomita. The young man said they hope to visit Japan one day.

The Association for Manga and Anime in Israel organized the event and they have conducted the Harucon 10 times already and held it every spring. Check out a video of the Harucon 2017 from people who attended the event and try to see who else did a "One Piece" cosplay.

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Petra, Jordan is a beautiful place that's rich with culture and historical attractions. It's no wonder why most people would really want to visit this lovely place. However, there are essential information that a traveler must know before heading here--here are some of them.

When Should You Visit?

Petra is located in a place where the climate is really hot. During summer, the temperature could reach to about 36C and this is not an ideal time to visit this place. According to Hostel Bookers, if you want to enjoy its sights and attractions, try visiting it during spring which is from March-May or in fall which is from September to November.

How Long Does It Take To Explore Petra?

It really depends on how much time you want to spend on each historical site but the average traveler can explore it all in one day. Five or six hours is enough time to do some exploring. For those who really want to immerse themselves in history and culture, 12 hours would suffice.

Top Attractions In Petra

If it's your first time visiting this place, try entering the Siq and witness the majestic atmosphere of the ancient city. After passing through it, you'll reach the other side which is The Treasury that's a temple carved into a rock. This is one of the most famous sites in Petra because popular movies were filmed here like the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Is Petra Safe?

Jordan, in general, is a safe place to visit and there's not a lot of political instability going. This means that it's pretty safe to visit Petra and the only thing that could harm you is dehydration.

Alternative Places To Visit

Petra can become crowded sometimes and it's natural since it's really a popular destination. If you want an alternative place to visit, Sedunia Travel suggests the Al Beidha or Little Petra, as some people would call it. It's only a 20-minute drive away from Petra and still offers the same kind of experience.

Now that you know a few things about Petra, Jordan, you'll be able to enjoy this place better. All that's left is to plan out that itinerary!

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A British-owned cruise ship ran over Indonesia's coral reefs at Raja Ampat after steering away from its original tour course. The Caledonian Sky Ship, operated by Noble Caledonia, has smashed about 1,600 sqm of corals in the Crossover Reef due to the vessel running on low tide.

The ship just finished its bird-watching tour on Waigeo Island when it went northwest and veered into the reef, damaging the ecosystem on March 4. Investigators of the incident discovered that the ship was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities like GPS and radar instruments to foresee the surroundings of the cruise liner, but the ship's crew continued to drift the low tides.

Head of the Research Center for Pacific Marine Resources at the University of Papua, Ricardo Tapilatu, told reporters in a statement:"They should've waited for high tide" to refloat the vessel. They found out that the episode destroyed the marine's habitat especially the eight coral species discovered in the reef, which include the stony Acropora, Porites, Montipora and Stylophora family.

Raja Ampat is a known national park and one of the world's most popular dive sites; therefore, compensation for the damages will cost $800 to $1,200 or an estimated total between $1.28m and $1.92m to be paid by Noble Caledonia. If the company disagrees with the settlement, the Indonesian government will take matters to court.

If the two parties reached an agreement, it would take about two years until the country receives the money. The cash for settlement will be used for the rehabilitation of the coral reefs.

Tapilatu estimated that it would take them ten years rebuild the habitat. He mentioned that at the moment they could only do nothing until they have the money. "The government has had talks about compensation with the shipping company, and I'm optimistic that this won't go to court. Unfortunately, there will not be any moves for coral revival until we get the money," he added.

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Fabien Cousteau, the grandson of oceanic explorer Jacques Cousteau, has seen the potential benefits of installing 3D printed corals in the oceans to protect the reef and the ecosystem.

To create an artificial coral, one can use calcium carbonate found in the natural reefs that may help reverse the bleaching. Scientists can also copy the texture and look of the coral and incorporate it into the 3D printed one.

The Mirror UK has reported Cousteau as saying: "Nature does things better than we could ever imagine doing. Why not use that lesson in creating a coral structure?" He also shared that his team has tried installing an artificial reef in Valenzuela near the Caribbean island of Bonaire. Other scientists have experimented on placing it to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Persian Gulf, and Australian shores.

Not only these artificial corals will house a family of fish -- it might also attract polyps, a coral structure, that can be seen to grow and establish new natural reefs in the ocean floor. Scientists are looking at all the world's most vulnerable waters for the corals due to mass bleaching. They have often blamed climate change where the sudden change of water temperature has caused so much stress on the reef.

According to the National Geographic, the first 3D reef was installed in Bahrain in the Persian Gulf in 2012. Most artificial reefs are created in a span of 13 long hours. Scientists also look at other possibilities on how to develop them further by checking out if whether they are resilient to storms, what fish species would become attracted to live in the fake corals, or how long does an artificial reef live in the wild waters.

The Great Barrier Reef has suffered greatly in its coral bleaching issues over the past years because of global warming. Scientists said that more than half of the Great Barrier Reef was dead or dying. Also, Japan's Sekiseishoko coral reef, one of the country's largest reefs and popular diving destinations is at least 70 percent dead, according to an Environment Ministry survey.

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By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) The Shiv Sena today attacked the BJP for going ahead with government formation in Goa in alliance with smaller parties, terming it as a "murder of democracy".

The Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana, said though the Congress could not form government in Goa, it does not mean that the BJP-led government and the recent developments in the state can be called "moralistic."

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Manohar Parrikar yesterday took oath as the Chief Minister of Goa after the Supreme Court cleared the decks for his swearing-in by refusing a plea of Congress to stay the ceremony.The apex court also ordered a floor test tomorrow.

"The result of floor test in Goa may be the final deciding factor of this government but the present situation is nothing less than a murder of democracy," it said.

"One cannot deny BJPs win in UP and Uttarakhand. But there were elections in three other states also, the results of which were opposite. But no political pundit is ready to talk about it," said the Sena, which is the ruling alliance partner in Maharashtra and at the Centre.

"Though these states are smaller than UP, the results show the sentiments of the people," it further said.

The Sena said it is not the least saddened by the win of Congress in Goa.

People have voted for the Congress despite Prime Minister Narendra Modis hard campaigning in the state, it pointed out.

"The people of Goa, who voted against the BJP and other parties, will not accept that the BJP joins hands with those whom it criticised in the run-up to the polls," said the editorial.

"All of these parties which came together to form the government have gone against the wishes of people," it said.

The Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 17 out of the total 40 seats in the coastal state in the recent Assembly elections.

The BJP stood second by winning 13 seats. It formed the government after showing the support of 21 out of the 40 newly-elected MLAs.

In the elections, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward party won three seats each, and three other seats were bagged by independents. Besides, the NCP bagged one seat. PTI MM GK DV

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A new micro-blogging website provides multiple opportunities for travel agents to promote adventures and travel experiences using long-form content.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - March 15th, 2017 - San Jose, California  March 15, 2017  Recently relaunched travel portal Review Resorts emerges as a celebration of Vacation Resorts and Travel Experiences. The site is actively encouraging travel professionals to post long-form articles about vacation destinations, resorts and travel adventures. In return, the travel agent authors will be branding themselves as leading experts with a pinned professional bio and links to their website and social media. All marketing opportunities are FREE for travel agents.

George Oberle, Editor recently stated Travel Agents & Bloggers are the most significant force in travel marketing and the value they provide is best communicated using long-form content marketing.

As the escalating cost of search engine and social media marketing make it prohibitively expensive, many travel agents are embracing content marketing to create awareness of their packages and adventures. Review Resorts has responded in creating a blog style platform where travel professionals can establish themselves as leading experts by publishing articles about the experiences and adventures they offer.

Oberle further stated The key to winning at Content Marketing is creating as large an online footprint as possible by writing website articles and promoting them over social media.

Many hours of web development were put into crafting article pages that provide an informative branding for our contributing authors. The Author Bio pages provide a beautiful layout featuring the authors head-shot, professional bio and links to their website and social media sites. Guest Authors are promoted as thought leaders and experts in their travel niche.

The site provides three modules Travel Professionals can use to post their trips and adventures.

Travel Experiences

Travel Marketers can Sell the Experience by writing 600 to 1,500 word articles describing travel adventures they are promoting. Adding a few images will help tell the story. Published articles are posted with the agents professional bio pinned in the left column and links to their website and social media as a nice way for interested readers to click through to make contact. For information about article guidelines: Click Here.



Note: Review Resorts reserves the right to determine which articles are published. Spam articles not allowed.



Resort Reviews

The website celebrates Resorts in all their unique forms! No better way to communicate destination knowledge and experience than offering a critique of your favorite resorts. We feature Hawaii and Mexico Beach Resorts and unique collection of recreation style resorts. Travel professionals are also provided the opportunity to add additional resorts or replace the current resort descriptions with their own critiques. In return for posting a review, will have their professional author bio and social links displayed on that resort page exclusively for a period of 6 months. What better way to become the thought leader expert for your travel niche!  Resort Description Update



Vacation Classifieds

Have a trip with a specific departure date? Review Resorts FREE Vacation Classifieds are the perfect opportunity to promote your trips, cruises and adventures. The self-service Vacation Classifieds allow up to 1,500 words and up to 4 images for each listing. We encourage Travel Agents and Marketers to post their trips and travel experiences in this marketplace. Posting is free.  Vacation Classifieds

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy Vladimir Korolev today held wide-ranging talks with Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on stepping up naval engagement between the two countries in the wake of changing security dynamics and increasing threat of terrorism.

Korolov and Admiral Lanba, during their deliberations, explored new avenues for cooperation, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.

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The C-in-C of Russian Federation Navy is on a four-day visit to India and he is leading a four member delegation.

"The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Russia, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation," the Defence Ministry said.

Admiral Korolov is also scheduled to meet Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Chief of the Air Staff B S Dhanothe and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat among others.

The Indian Navy cooperates with the Russian Federation Navy on many fronts including operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation and information technology.

In addition, the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise INDRA NAVY since 2003.

Eight editions have been held so far, the last being held off Visakhapatnam in December 2016. PTI MPB RT

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By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Police have recovered CCTV footage from east Delhis Pandav Nagar area in which the Nepalese woman who was allegedly gang-raped by five men is purportedly seen walking without clothes and asking for help.

The 26-year-old woman had jumped off from the first floor of a building to escape from the five men who had allegedly raped her for hours on the intervening night of March 11 and 12.

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The victim was given clothes by a woman who saw her walking in the area.

The victim, who is a mother of two children, was brought to the flat by a man Kundan.

Police is looking for Kundan while five of the other accused Lakshay Bhalla, Vikas Kumar, Naveen, Swarit and Prateek have been arrested.

In the 17-second video clip, the woman is purportedly seen jumping from the building and falling on the stairs. One of the passersby helps her to stand while the others walk away.

Two cars are seen halting but Munni Devi, a local said that at 5.40 AM she saw a young woman walking without clothes on the street and begging for help. The woman threw a shirt and pyjama for the victim from her balcony.

An auto driver, who was passing from there, stopped his auto and handed over the clothes to the woman. He also gave her his mobile phone so that she could inform the police.

In the clip, the woman is purportedly seen walking nude while some passersby are just watching and not coming forward to help her.

The footage also shows two cars halting for a few seconds and then moving ahead without offering help to the victim.

An autorickshaw is seen stopping there and she boards it, leaving from the spot.

One of the two men who was standing there made a PCR call and a police team managed to catch up with the auto that the woman had boarded.

The woman was rushed to Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital for medical treatment since she had suffered leg injuries because of the fall.

The woman told police that the five forced her to consume alcohol. When she got drunk, they allegedly locked her in the flat and took turns to rape her.

The womans statement has been recorded before a magistrate in which she reiterated the charges. The accused were produced before a city court that sent them to judicial custody. PTI SLB IKA

--- ENDS ---

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Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 16

A former Mayor and first time MLA, Sunil Dutti, wants his constituency to be free from crime. He plans to replace police officials in his constituency on a priority basis.

Dutti said residents of the Amritsar (North) constituency were upset due to street crimes. He said, During my election campaign I promised voters that I will curb the crime rate on priority.

Thefts, snatching and vehicle lifting have become a routine affair. Our government will not tolerate such instances. Weak police officials encourage criminals instead of curbing their activities. So, we will replace these officials with those who are competent.

The former Cabinet Minister from Amritsar (North) constituency claimed that he had left no road or street in the area uncarpeted.

Dutti stated that tiles installed during Joshis tenure were not durable. The government would replace all broken tiles with a concrete material, he added.

We will review development works undertaken by the former MLA. But, I dont believe in the vendetta politics. I will practice clean politics and not enter into any conflict with Anil Joshi, said Dutti.

Majitha Road and Fatehgarh Churian Road are the two major stretches in the North constituency. Both roads have been encroached by vendors with illegal kiosks. Dutti made it clear that he will not remove encroachments, where someone was earning his livelihood.

Unnecessary encroachments should be removed, but we will compromise with such violation where someone is earning his bread. I have a long experience in providing alternative market to vendors after removing encroachments. But, it is not possible to remove all illegal vends. I will compromise on such violation as several person get work there, he said.

Dutti opined that traffic was one of the major issues in the city.

Traffic policemen do not do their duty properly. They are more interested in issuing challans to young boys and women. We will review their functioning so that they can focus more on traffic regulation, he added.

Besides, Dutti also has plans to remove the bus rapid transit system (BRTS) project. He said, The BRTS project is not viable. Separate tracks for metro buses have narrowed city roads. We will review the project. If found faulty, then preferably remove it.

I am well-connected with residents and leaders of my party. It has helped me win with a significant margin, he added.
Pritam Singh

To make sense of the recent Punjab Assembly elections, one can ask three different, though inter-related, questions: Why did the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance lose? Why did the Aam Aadmi Party not win? Finally, why did the Congress win? I will start by making a counter-intuitive statement that it is not a victory of the Congress party in Punjab. It also is not a revival of the Congress. Viewed as a long-term trend, the Congress party in Punjab, as elsewhere in India, is witnessing a decline. In Punjab, it is primarily the victory of Amarinder Singh. He is, on the whole, an exceptional Congress leader from Punjab.

All Congress leaders of Punjab, including Partap Singh Kairon who is sometimes presented as the tallest Congress leader Punjab has ever produced, have been servile to the central Congress leadership. Amarinder Singh has been different. He resigned from the Congress party and the Parliament as a protest against Operation Blue Star in June, 1984, the Army action at the Golden Temple ordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It is said that Indira Gandhi had called him "an emotional fool" for taking that step while the Sikh population the world over, traumatised by that ghastly operation, had hailed Amarinder Singh's step as an assertion of dignity and collective pride of the community.

Later on, as the Chief Minister of Punjab (2002-07), he got the river water use treaties relating to Punjab, which he viewed as patently unfair to Punjab, annulled in the Punjab Legislative Assembly. Due to this action, which in Punjab was hailed as a bold step, at that time a storm had blown against him in the political and media circles in Delhi but he stood his ground. The Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was in power at the Centre. The Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had refused to meet him for six months, as was revealed recently by Amarinder Singh himself. Due to these acts of defiance, he is respected by large sections of the Sikh population in Punjab and even outside. No other Congress leader in Punjab is respected in this way.

Some aspects of his unconventional lifestyle, including those relating to his personal relations, give him an image of a modern and open-minded person. Upper-caste urban Hindu voters do not view him as some kind of a fundamentalist, in spite of the fact that he had protested against Operation Blue Star. This unique combination, enabling acceptability in the two main religious communities of Punjab, has ensured that the Congress under his leadership has managed impressive victories in the Sikh-majority rural constituencies as well as in the Hindu-majority urban constituencies. If after five years, he leaves the political scene, as he has publicly said he would, there is no one in the Congress party in Punjab who can occupy that space. He, therefore, represents a temporary stop-gap interregnum for the eventual decay and disintegration of Punjab's Congress party which is in tune with the decay of the party in the rest of the country.

In the light of this electoral success of the Congress party in Punjab which Amarinder Singh has ensured, it is sad that he has not totally abandoned the Congress culture of sycophancy when immediately after his victory; he chose to thank Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for supporting him. Any observer of Punjab's electoral scene would know that both the Gandhis have no electoral clout in Punjab, though it must also be added that they have reasonably distanced themselves from Indira Gandhi (at least when they come to Punjab) and do not evoke the visceral hatred that she evoked among the Sikhs due to her decision to launch the Army action at the Golden Temple. Given the drubbing the Congress is receiving, it is the central leadership of the party which should feel indebted to Amarinder Singh's regional leadership in Punjab for whatever political credibility the party has been left with. The regional leadership should not bow before the central leadership. In the medium to long term, there would emerge the necessity of a new, Punjab-based regional party out of the turmoil that the Congress party will be faced with when he quits the political scene. Such a regional party ought to bring a range of activists together who are not together at the moment but exist in all parties in different degrees. This gives us a clue to answer the other two questions raised in the beginning. One of the main reasons the AAP did not win as well as it could have was because the over-centralised operations from Delhi damaged the party in Punjab organisationally. It also hampered its growth ideologically and politically. Most of its leaders who have won  H.S. Phoolka, Kanwar Sandhu, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and Baljinder Kaur have won mainly because of their own strong political profile and constituency-level work.

Similarly, the Shiromani Akali Dal lost as it never had in the past. The defeat is mainly due to the weakening of the unique regional profile of the party because of its alliance with the centrist BJP. It is due to Punjab's regional specificity that one can explain the absence of the so-called Modi wave that has been witnessed in some other states. This wave adversely affected the Akali Dal as did some other failures of the party and the government, especially the handling of the incidents of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. The party dug its own grave the day the government fired on those protesting against acts of desecration. It stumbled from one blunder to another after that, and eventually lost its way.

Every election leads to a new political churning. This political upheaval too, hopefully, will give birth to a contested and progressive mode of political and economic governance in Punjab. It deserves progressive and pro-people governance and a realignment of political forces that are responsive to Punjab's specific needs and challenges.

The writer is Professor of Economics, Oxford Brookes University, UK
By Press Trust of India: Kohima, Mar 15 (PTI) The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) Kohima has directed all schools in the state to ensure that no junk food are sold within a radius of 200 meters of the school compound.

Consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), popularly known as junk food, is associated with increased risk of certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation and hyperinsulinemia with a risk of cardiovascular diseases in later life, stated NBSE Chairman Asano Sekhose in an official notification here yesterday.

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These diseases and childhood obesity have been reportedly found to affect the cognitive and physical development of children adversely causing an irreparable loss to the society, it said.

In this context, the NBSE said that the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) constituted working group has submitted its report on addressing consumption of HFSS foods and promotion of healthy snacks in schools of India.

The recommendations made through the report have direct bearing on schools and therefore, NBSE advised all schools in the state to implement it.

The schools have been asked to take measures to ensure that the canteens do not cater any HFSS food such as chips, fried foods, soft drinks, etc and also control the sale of HFSS foods within a radius of 200 meters from the school compound.

The schools have been directed to constitute a School Canteen Management Committee comprising of 7-10 members, including the teachers, parents, students and school canteen operators and that the committee shall be solely responsible for providing safe food to the school children.

Schools are to organise awareness programmes like celebration of Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7 for nutritious food and avoidance of HFSS foods.

The schools are also to impart education on quality nutrition and integration of physical activities during the school hours, besides teaching students about the importance of a healthy active lifestyle and following healthy eating habits.

The NBSE Chairpersons also notified on creating a set of activities such as debate on food safety, competitions for senior students on topics related to hygiene and sanitation, advantages of healthy lifestyle options.

Making children aware about obesity, HFSS foods and importance of physical activity, was also recommended. PTI NBS RG SNP

--- ENDS ---
Washington, March 15

Indian-American Seema Verma has been sworn in as the head of a key healthcare agency in the Trump administration.

President Trump has chosen one of the leading experts in America on state-based healthcare solutions to lead this important agency, US Vice-President Mike Pence said at the swearing-in ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

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As the head of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, she would be heading the $1-trillion federal agency that provides health services to 130 million Americans.

Verma is the second Indian-American to be inducted into the Trump administration.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was the first Cabinet-rank official from the community to serve in any presidential administration.

Verma was elevated to the top federal position after her successful career in private health sector, spanning two decades.

In the recent years she had played a key role in health care reforms in Indiana, where Pence was the Governor, and few other states such as  Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.

Seema, President Trump has now asked you to bring your expertise to Washington, DC. As Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, were confident that youll help restore health care decision-making to the states, and in the process, help make the best healthcare system in the world even better, Pence said.

Noting that Vermas extraordinary record stretches back for over 20 years, Pence said that after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a masters degree in public health, she went to work in Indiana for the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County.

As a result of her efforts, Pence said today Indianas program is leading the nation with its emphasis on personal responsibility and effective care for people who need it most.

Vermas family arrived here on Tuesday by road after their Monday flights were cancelled due to an impending snow storm.

Im grateful and appreciative of President Trump not only for asking me to be the administrator but for putting together an incredibly talented group of individuals that hes brought from the private sector into government service, people like Dr Tom Price.

And I am proud to be a part of this team, Verma said.

She said that today the countrys health care stands at a crossroad and they have no choice but to fix it.

Under President Trumps leadership and vision, we finally have an incredible opportunity to move our health care system into one that puts Americans in charge of their health care and will ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care that they can afford, she added.  PTI
Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Sarsod (Hisar), March 15

A day before the proposed talks with the state government, All-India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) president Yashpal Malik today alleged that people of Haryana have become victims of a conspiracy hatched by the present government to nurture politics of Jats versus non-Jats.

Addressing a gathering at a dharna in Sarsod village, Malik alleged that former Chief Minister Bhajan Lal had tried to sow the seeds of politics of polarisation of Jats and non-Jats in the state. Jats were recommended to be included in the other backward classes (OBC) category in 1991 but excluded from the list in 1994. Bhajan Lal himself became a victim of this kind of politics as people of the state rejected this brand of caste politics, he said.

After coming to power, the BJP government too tried to create a division among people of various castes in villages. We apprehended the designs of the ruling party after the violence last year. However, within a year of the unfortunate happenings, all communities have got united now and are committed to foil any such attempt, he claimed.

The Jat leader, however, said the government had tried to defame the Jat community for the violence, which was part of its conspiracy to play caste politics. But 46 days of dharnas across the state have proved that the Jat community wants to maintain peace, he stated.

He claimed that members of the Jat community sitting on dharnas were ready for a prolonged struggle for justice. All khap panchayats have backed our dharnas after initial reluctance. The agitation is gaining strength day by day, he said.

Malik maintained that the BJPs win in UP had no impact on the agitation, which was evident from the turnout at dharna sites.

He said those belonging to far-off districts like Hisar, Fatehabad, Kaithal etc would start march to Delhi on March 19, a day before the scheduled demonstration in Delhi. We have set up transit camps in Rohtak, Bahadurgarh and Delhi for the agitators, who would gather in the national capital, while the women activists would take charge of the dharna sites in Haryana, he said.
Tribune News Service

Jhajjar, March 15

A joint meeting of district administrative and police officials was organised at the camp office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) here today to review law and order situation in the district in view of the proposed Delhi March by Jats on March 20.

The officials discussed various aspects of law and chalked out a strategy to maintain law and order across the district on the day. We are keeping close tabs on the agitation being carried out by members of the Jat community at Rashalvaas Chowk here since January 29. A control room has been set up and a helpline number has been released for common men to counter rumours, said Deputy Commissioner RC Bidhan.

He called upon people not to believe in rumours and avoid spreading those further. They could get exact information about any incident by making a call on the helpline number or the control room at any time. Proper arrangements are being made so that no one could block the road. Police and paramilitary forces would be adequately deployed in the border areas to prevent any untoward incident, said the DC.
Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

Expanding the scope of the officers committee to include three politicians, the Haryana Government reconstituted it today under the chairmanship of Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma to negotiate with Jat protesters on their demands.

The eight-member committee, which includes Minister of State Krishan Bedi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kamal Gupta as its new members, besides five officers, is scheduled to hold a meeting with representatives of the All Indian Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) in Panipat tomorrow.

The reconstitution of the committee was necessitated after AIJASS leader Yashpal Malik declared that they did not want to talk to the toothless officers committee headed by Chief Secretary DS Dhesi, which had no powers to accept or reject their demands.

Staging dharnas across 19 districts of the state for the last 46 days, the AIJASS had been demanding reservation for Jats and withdrawal of criminal cases registered against members of the community for last years violence, besides other things. The AIJASS had already held two rounds of talks with the state government panel headed by the Chief Secretary.

After their show of strength during the martyrdom day observed in memory of those who lost their lives during last years violence, the AIJASS held a black day on February 26 and intended to clog Delhi on March 20.

Sources said Manohar Lal Khattar government, which had been accommodating protesters by giving in to their whims, seemed to be on a strong wicket to negotiate after the BJPs phenomenal victory in adjoining Uttar Pradesh.

With talks resuming tomorrow, the committee is likely to press for an early solution to the continuing impasse between the government and Jat protesters in the backdrop of this renewed enthusiasm and is likely to adopt a sterner approach to deal with the situation. The AIJASS leaders will be looking for a way to conclude what they have started in a way that they can claim credit.

The AIJASS had been insisting that all cases against Jat protesters, including those registered by the CBI, be dropped and the martyrs of last years agitation be given permanent jobs.

The government had offered the constitution of a four-member committee to study all cases and stated that it could only offer jobs at the DC rate, which could be regularised later.

We will go to the meeting tomorrow. It is for the government to accept our demands. We dont want any committee to study the cases. These should be dropped. Nothing less is acceptable. We have already made our demands known and there is no going back, Malik stated. Two or three members from each dharna would attend the meeting in Panipat tomorrow, he added.
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, March 15

The Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) today launched the e-ticketing facility in collaboration with HDFC Bank.

Speaking to the media on the launch of the facility, Transport Minister GS Bali said to begin with, the facility would be available only for super- luxury, luxury, air-conditioned and deluxe buses. The cashless transactions will be implemented in a phased manner and commuters will be encouraged to go cashless, remarked Bali.

Giving further details, he said HDFC Bank would provide Point of Sale (POS) machines to the HRTC and the bank would charge 0.60 per cent service charge per transaction. Even though I have requested the bank to reduce its service charges but this is a step towards strengthening the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage cashless transactions, he stated. The HRTC staff would be provided training by the bank to operate the machines.

The minister, however, made it clear that the HRTC would not go totally cashless. In a predominantly rural economy like Himachal, it is simply not possible to go completely cashless as everyone does not have debit and credit cards so the cash payment facility will continue, he said. He, however, said the cashless transactions would be extended to some other areas as well.

Bali outlined the efforts made by the Civil Supplies Minister in moving towards cashless transactions. The process of digitization of ration cards has already been done and from April 1, it will start functioning at all fair price shops, he stated.

He disclosed that 119 of the 291 units of the Food and Civil Supplies Department had POS machines.

The minister said shortly POS machines would be installed at all fair price shops.

HDFC Bank National Head Naveen Puri said this was a first step towards going cashless and the relationship between the bank and state government agencies would strengthen and expand further.
Srinagar, March 15

Three militants and a minor girl were killed on Wednesday in an encounter between the ultras and security forces in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, police said.

The girl's brother and a policeman were also injured in the encounter that started this morning.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kalaroos village of the district on Wednesday afternoon following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, a policeman said.

He said as the forces were conducting the operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

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"Three militants have been killed in the encounter," the officer said, adding the three bodies and three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site.

The slain militants have yet to be identified.

During the gunfight, the official said, a minor girl Kaniza (12) was hit by a "stray bullet" and died on the spot, while her brother Faisal was injured and has been rushed to a hospital for treatment.

He said a policeman was also injured in the initial gunfight.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said the three militants killed in the encounter belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and their identity is being ascertained.

He said police constable Danish Ahmad was injured in the encounter.

The spokesman said stray bullets hit the minors more than 100 meters away from the encounter site.

The boy has been referred to a hospital here and his condition has been stated as stable, the spokesman said.
Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 15

With the outgoing Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, NN Paul Vasanthakumar, attaining superannuation on Tuesday, the President has appointed senior judge Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar as the acting Chief Justice of the High Court.

Justice Sudhakar had taken oath of the office of a Judge of the J&K High Court on April 18 last year. He was transferred from the Madras High Court.

In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 100 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the President is pleased to appoint Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar, seniormost judge of the J&K HC, to perform duties of the office of the Chief Justice of the J&K High Court upon the retirement of Justice NN Paul Vasanthakumar, reads the Law Ministry notification.

Though Justice Sudhakar will discharge his duties as the acting Chief Justice, the J&K Government has already given consent to the appointment of Delhi High Court Judge Justice Badr Durrez Ahmed as the next Chief Justice of the J&K High Court after he was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium last month.

The state government has already given its consent to the appointment of Justice Durrez as the new Chief Justice. The formal notification by the President is expected soon, a senior Law Department official said.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Chief Justice flew to his home state Chennai on Tuesday afternoon soon after completing his work in the HC.

Sources said he refused to attend any farewell functions in the High Court upon his superannuation.

In a statement, the judicial officers of Kashmir have hailed the outgoing Chief Justice for his legal acumen and reverence to ethics and upholding the nobility of the justice administration during his tenure as the Chief Justice.

The institution will definitely remember his lordship for long, the statement said.
Arteev Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 15

The credibility gap of the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), which has been mandated to conduct public examinations of secondary and higher secondary classes, and prepare results of examinations, has hit it hard.

The recent instances of mass copying, irregularities and goof-ups at the examination centres set up by the board for Classes X and XII exams have exposed the vulnerability to fool-proof system which, according to experts, needs immediate remedial measures to restore the faith of stakeholders in the reliability of the institution.

In a major goof-up on March 3, the question papers of Class XII were distributed among the students during the Class X exams at two examination centres in Kathua district. After facing embarrassment, the School Education Department, as a face saver, ordered an inquiry and suspended six employees, including superintendents and deputy superintendents, of the exam centres.

On March 1, Class XII students, who appeared in physics paper, were forced to come out on streets after they alleged that nearly 80 per cent of the question paper was set out of pattern and they were unable to solve it. The board, however, has claimed that there was no change in the pattern of physics exam.

On February 22, JKBOSE had to cancel Class X paper at Government Higher Secondary School, Haran Soibugh, Budgam district, after videos of mass copying went viral in social media.

A senior academician, preferring anonymity, said, Time has come when the examination system needs an overhaul and exhaustive reforms. The recent instances have shattered the faith of parents as well as the student community in the fairness of exams. The government should seriously look into the lapses in the examination system and devise a fool-proof mechanism to ensure that such incidents dont happen in future.

When contacted, Veena Pandita, JKBOSE secretary, refused to comment on the subject. She said: I am not able to comment on this. You should talk to the chairman.

Professor Zahoor Ahmed Chatt, JKBOSE chairman, was unavailable for comments as he did not respond to repeated phone calls.
Sumit Hakhoo

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 15

Although the state government has shown urgency in starting registration of new migrants from the Valley, nearly 4,000 Kashmiri Pandit families affected by militancy are running from pillar to post for years to get the migrant status.

The PDP-BJP coalition had issued orders in October 2016, allowing fresh registration of families from the Valley under the migrant category, angering Pandits and people of Jammu. They claimed that the government was trying to change demography of the region and dilute issues of displaced Hindus who were forced to leave the Valley by militants in 1990s. The process was stopped in 2008 so as to discourage migration of people from the militancy infested Valley.

A senior official in the Relief Organisation admitted that thousands of files were pending, despite CID clearances which were necessary to authenticate that the Pandit families belonging to the Valley had migrated in 1990s. There are allegations that hundreds of ration cards submitted for bifurcation have been denied approval while files pertaining for fresh registration, mostly of Muslim families, are being cleared on a fast-track basis.

In many instances, the Relief Organisation has forwarded the files to respective district administrations in Kashmir for background checks. However, the files are gathering dust in the offices.

My file is pending for the past five years in the Kulgam Deputy Commissioners office for clearance. I was registered as a migrant in 1990 but my ration card was cancelled a few years ago on the pretext that I was working outside Jammu. Since I shifted back and applied for registration, the process has been stalled on one pretext or the other, said Sohan Lal from Kulgam district.

As per the record of the Union Home Ministry, there are 62,000 registered Kashmiri migrant families. About 40,000 registered families are residing in Jammu; about 19,338 are in Delhi and about 1,995 families are settled in other states.

Of these only 19,000 families, which include hundreds of Sikhs and Muslims, are getting the benefits.

A majority of migrants were farmers, traders or were doing odd jobs in the Valley but migration left them with no means to survive in camps in Jammu and other parts of the country.

We have orchards in the Tral area of south Kashmir but after migration a local villager is taking all produce. We are not able to sell or do farming ourselves after we fled to Jammu. The government aid is our only source of survival, said Sunny Bhat, who has applied for the bifurcation of the ration card in 2015 after he got married.

The BJP is under fire for its silence on the fresh migration order and resentment is growing against the party in its traditional support base in the Jammu region. The party said it would oppose the move.

Our commitment is dignified return of all displaced Kashmiri Pandits and others with their rights intact. We cannot encourage fresh migration from the Valley, said BJP MLC Surinder Amberdar.

Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Abdul Rehman Veeri said the government had already directed the Relief Organisation to clear files on merit. Every pending file will be cleared as per existing rules and process is being streamlined. We have directed the officials to look into the issue so that Pandits dont face problems.
Azhar Qadri

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 15

The states two main opposition parties, National Conference and Congress, on Wednesday announced that they would jointly contest the upcoming byelections to the two parliamentary constituencies in the Kashmir valley and field their senior most leaders.

The National Conference and Congress have also agreed on a seat-sharing agreement, said NC working president Omar Abdullah while addressing a press conference attended by several leaders of the two parties.

Farooq Abdullah, the most senior leader in the NC and the party president, will contest the byelection from the Srinagar parliamentary constituency, while Ghulam Ahmad Mir, the state president of the Congress, will fight the bypoll from the Anantnag constituency.

It is not a compulsion, it is a strategy, Omar said. He said there was no better strategy than contesting the byelection jointly.

Omar said the decision to form the alliance and contest the byelection together had been taken after detailed internal exercise within both parties. We have reached a conclusion that if we want to defeat the candidates of the ruling alliance then it is best for us to contest the election together, he said.

The two parties have assured each other of full support in mobilising the voters for their candidates, Omar said.

Farooq, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 parliamentary election from Srinagar constituency, is the most senior politician in the state. He had lost the last election to Tariq Hameed Karra, who was then part of the PDP. Karra resigned from the Lok Sabha and the party in September last year and joined the Congress last month.

Mir, a veteran Congress politician, will face Chief Minister Mehbooba Muftis brother Tassaduq Mufti in the byelection to the south Kashmirs Anantnag constituency. The seat had fallen vacant after Mehbooba was elected to the Legislative Assembly in July last year.

Omar said the two parties would contest the byelection on a range of issues, including development, and appealed to the Election Commission to direct the state government to provide the necessary security to the functionaries of the two parties.

It is now the responsibility of the Election Commission to give us an environment where we can campaign and give voters an environment where they can vote, he said.
Earlier, the ED had registered money laundering case in the NSEL scam on the basis of FIR registered by EOW in October, 2013.

By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached properties of Lakshmi Energy & Foods Limited worth Rs 414 crore under PMLA in the money laundering investigation related with NSEL scam. The agency attached land, building, godowns and real estate of the company.

Earlier, the ED had registered money laundering case in the NSEL scam on the basis of FIR registered by EOW in October, 2013.

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It was alleged that the accused persons in the said case hatched a criminal conspiracy to defraud the investors, induced them to trade on the platform of NSEL, created forged documents like bogus warehouse receipts and falsified the accounts.

Hence, NSEL committed criminal breach of trust against approximate 13000 investors to the tune of Rs 5600 crore.

In this case, the total liability of LOIL group of companies consisting three defaulters i.e LOIL Health Foods Limited, LOIL Overseas Foods Limited, LOIL Continental Foods Limited was Rs 720.30 crore.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the LOIL group of companies namely: LOIL Overseas Foods Ltd, LOIL Continental Foods Ltd and LOIL Health Foods Ltd, based in Chandigarh had fraudulently obtained huge funds from NSEL by trading on the exchange platform against non-existent/fictitious sale of their commodity i.e. paddy (rice).

"The said amount was further diverted to accounts of Lakshmi Energy & Foods Limited and utilized the same for procurement of raw material/working capital/plant expansion of Lakshmi Energy & Foods Limited, and also to procure real estate properties in the name of group companies and its promoters/directors", the official said.

In this way, the proceeds of crime i.e. funds received from NSEL were invested in the Lakshmi Energy by way of bank loan repayments and raw material/working capital utilization/expansion projecting the same as untainted.

Also read: NSE cautions members against defaulting entities in NSEL scam

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 15

The National Students Union of India (NSUI) and the National Panthers Student Union today held demonstrations against the state Public Service Commission (PSC) for allegedly ignoring the sensitive issue of date clash of two exams on March 19.

Chanting slogans against the PSC and the state government, the protesters burnt an effigy of the PSC chairman and accused him of showing dictatorial attitude to allegedly spoil the future of the youth.

The PSC has made it clear that there was no change in the schedule of the Combined Competitive (Preliminary)-2016 (KAS prelims) and it will be held as per the schedule on March 19, 2017. On this day, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is also scheduled to hold a Combined Graduate-Level examination-2016 (TIER-III). Student groups have been demanding the postponement of the KAS prelims.

The state government is playing with the students of the state. It is a shame that the two exams are going to be conducted on the same day. Instead of resolving the issue, the PSC has turned it into a prestige issue. It is matter of grave concern and the government should not put the career of educated students in jeopardy, Neeraj Kundan, NSUI state president, said while addressing the activists outside the University of Jammu here.

He asked, How could the administration expect a candidate to appear in two different examinations at the same point of time? We request the Governor of the state to personally look into the issue and direct the authorities concerned for deferring the exam date to save the aspirants from the inconvenience.

Similarly, the NPSU activists, led by state president Thakur Virender Singh, also gathered outside the campus of the Jammu University and raised slogans against the PSC and the state government.

Requesting the legislators, irrespective of their political affiliations, to come forward, the NPSU leader demanded sacking of the PSC chairman.

When contacted, Shakeel-ul-Rehman, Controller of Examinations, PSC, said they could not change the date because all arrangements had already been made for the exam. There are only 44 candidates for the SSC exam. Moreover, there are no centres for the exam in Jammu and Srinagar. Of the 44 candidates, only 10-15 are protesting while the rest of them have no problem, he said.

103 observers appointed for KAS examination

Jammu: The state government on Wednesday appointed 103 observers for the smooth conduct of Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination, 2016, on March 19. According to an order issued by the government, as many as 40 observers were appointed for examination centres to be set up in Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, while the number of observers being appointed for centres in the Jammu region is 63. The exact deployment of the officers will be made by the J&K Public Service Commission. The state Public Service Commission (PSC) has said a total of 47,010 candidates are set to appear in the Combined Services Preliminary Examination, commonly called as KAS Prelim exam, this weekend. This time examination centres have also been created at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Rajouri, Leh and Kargil that will enable candidates from far-flung areas to participate in the examination without any inconvenience.  TNS
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

Students who appeared in the Class XII physics exam today found the paper to be tricky which the average student of the CBSE found it difficult to comprehend. The paper also flummoxed experts of the subject.

Physics teachers of various schools demanded that the students be compensated by providing grace marks as the paper was overall difficult.

During a visit to a school where the exam centre was, Navjot of The British School, who got the question paper from Set I, said it was a difficult and she had not quite expected it.

Another student, Mirthul of St Annes Convert School, who got the question paper from Set III, said it was the toughest of all the three sets. He was clueless as to how he had performed in this paper as the questions, even those of less marks, were lengthy.

After the examination, a meeting of physics lecturers of different schools of Chandigarh was held to analyse the paper conducted by the CBSE. Various experts of the subject found the paper to be tricky and beyond the understanding of an average student. The experts pointed out various discrepancies in the paper. After analysing the paper, the experts pointed out that question numbers 5, 8,11,22,24,25 of Set I; 6,16,17,25,26 of Set II and 10,19,24,26 of Set III were difficult because of confusing language.

The question number 21(b) of Set I, 20 of Set II and 22 (b) of Set III were similar but had different marks weightage .

Question number 23 in all the sets was based on general knowledge rather than on value and was not directly covered in the syllabus prescribed by the CBSE.

The meeting also concluded that due to a variation in questions of different sets, the difficulty level of the paper was not uniform which was bound to affect the performance of students.
Tribune News Service

Jaipur/New Delhi, March 15

Three persons were injured when an Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet on a routine sortie crashed into a field at Devaniyon ki Dhani, 10 km from Barmers Sadar police station, around 2 pm today. Two pilots on board the aircraft escaped unhurt.

The three injured villagers  Naranaram, 60, his wife Dallu, 58, and son Hanuman, 40  were taken to the Barmer District Hospital where their condition was stated to be serious, a police officer said.

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Both pilots ejected safely after the Sukhoi developed a technical snag, Defence Public Relations Officer Lt Col Manish Ojha said. The IAF has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident.

The aircraft had taken off from the Uttarlai airbase in Barmer. As the aircraft hit the ground, some of its flying parts hit the three villagers. The crashing jet created a crater in the sand and also damaged some thatched houses. The seventh crash of the frontline fighter jet since April 2009 has rekindled the debate of upgrading the aircraft originally purchased from Russia and subsequently licence-produced at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in India.

On Russias recommendation, 400 engines of the twin-engine aircraft have undergone modification at HALs Sukhoi engine plant in Orissa. The Su-30 MKI is a twin-engine aircraft and can land even if one of its engines fails mid-air. But this limits the pilots ability to attack or withdraw during conflict.
Srinagar, March 15

Three Lashkar-e-Toiba militants and a minor girl were killed in a fierce gunfight in Kupwaras Jugtiyal village in north Kashmir today. The girls brother and a police constable were injured.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the police cordoned off the village and launched a search operation this morning. Cornered, Lashkar militants hiding inside a house opened fire on a search party. An encounter ensued and three of them were shot. Their identity is yet to be ascertained, a police spokesperson said.

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Constable Danish, who was the first to spot the militants, killed one of them but was injured in the retaliatory fire.

Kaneeza and her minor brother Faisal were hit by stray bullets, more than 100 metres from the encounter site, a senior police official claimed. They were taken to a hospital where Kaneeza succumbed to her injuries. The boy is recuperating, sources said.  TNS
New Delhi, March 15

The Rajya Sabha saw repeated adjournments today as Congress members protested vehemently against the BJP government formation in Goa and Manipur, calling it the murder of democracy.

The Congress protested through the day in the Upper House raising slogans and storming into the Well of the House as it alleged stealing of mandate in Manipur and Goa where it was not invited to form the government despite being the single-largest party. The House witnessed adjournment of proceedings during the zero hour and question hour.

Raising the issue in the zero hour, Congress leader Anand Sharma cited rulings by the Constitution Benches of the Supreme Court to state the Governor was bound to invite the party with the largest number of MLAs to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House.

He said the mandate had been violated and established law and the constitutional position had been disrespected. He said a party which has won the elections in a big state is stealing MLAs, stealing the mandate to cobble the government. It is a murder of democracy only because they have won. They do not have the right to do what they have done, the Congress leader said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the Congress was not accepting defeat with grace. He said the reference about the Governor should be expunged as references on the conduct of a person in high authority could not be made without a substantive motion.

CPM leader Sitaram Yechury backed the Congress stand that the single-largest party should be invited first. He said the Vajpayee government, which had lasted for just 13 days, had been invited to form the government as it was the single-largest entity.

Post-lunch, the House first met at 2 pm and had to be adjourned till 3 pm as the Opposition refused to stop sloganeering. At 3 pm, Congress members came near the chairmans podium and raised slogans again. Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien then adjourned the House for the day.

Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, however, said the governments in Goa and Manipur were being formed as per democratic norms.  TNS
Washington, March 15

The US on Wednesday said it is working with India and NSG members to push for New Delhis membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in Americas policy on the issue under the Trump administration.

The United States supports Indias full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe India is ready for NSG membership, a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on Indias bid to be a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

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The United States and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best effort, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.

We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance Indias case for membership, the State Department official said, indicating that there had been no change in the US policy towards Indias NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.

The key to Indias membership now lies with China.

However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself as was done by President George Bush.

Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month.

In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an outlier on the NSG issue. PTI
New Delhi, March 15

India on Wednesday slammed Pakistan for abetting cross-border terrorism and said Islamabad's continued support to terror groups is the "main challenge" for New Delhi.

"Terrorism is the grossest violation of human rights and should be acknowledged so by any impartial and objective observer," Indian diplomat Nabanita Chakrabarti told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

She blamed Pakistan for destabilising Jammu and Kashmir by promoting infiltration and cross-border terrorism.

"Pakistan-backed terror outfits are main challenge to human rights of our citizens in Jammu and Kashmir," she said in response to Pakistan's statement during the 34th session of the council.

Expressing concern over the rising sectarian conflict and economic hardship in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, she said: "Jammu and Kashmir is a part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where an independent judiciary, and active media and a vibrant civil society guarantee freedoms.

She said PoK is administered by a "Deep State" and has become a hub for global export of terror.

Nabanita Chakrabarti emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the situation there is its internal matter.

"Pakistan must rein in its compulsive hostility towards India and demand that they (Pakistan) fulfil its obligation to vacate illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir." Earlier at the UNHRC, Pakistan had said: "The repression in Jammu and Kashmir is the most reprehensible manifestation of the flogging of human rights and the unleashing of violence by an increasingly communal and extremist state".  IANS
Mumbai, March 15

A 26-year-old man was detained in Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in connection with a case related to terror outfit ISIS, officials said on Wednesday.

A team of officers from Nagpada unit of ATS Maharashtra picked up A Shaikh from his residence in Khargone city on Tuesday with the help of MP Police.

He is being brought to Mumbai for questioning, a senior police official said here.

According to the police, Shaikh, who has completed his M.Tech, was allegedly in constant touch with one of the accused in the case, who was earlier arrested for his alleged links with the banned terror group.

Shaikh has not been placed under arrest so far. We are examining his role in the case, the official said without elaborating further. More details are awaited.  PTI
Bijay Sankar Bora

Tribune News Service

Guwahati, March 15

The first BJP-led ministry in Manipur was installed today with Governor Najma Heptulla administering the oath of office and secrecy to a nine-member ministry headed by Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Imphal in presence of a galaxy of BJP leaders and outgoing Chief Minister and Congress veteran O Ibobi Singh.

A former Congress minister in the state, N Biren Singh shifted allegiance to the BJP in October last year. The first BJP government in Manipur assumed power with the support of four MLAs each of Nationalist Peoples Party (NPP) and Naga Peoples Front (NPF), the lone MLA of LJP, lone MLA of AITC, one Independent and one Congress MLA.

With 21 MLAs of the BJP, the ruling coalition has a strength of 33 MLAs in the 60-member Manipur House.

BJP president Amit Shah who, along with Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, was scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony, could not come because of a snag in their aircraft and had to return to New Delhi.

One of the NPP MLAs and former Director General of Police in Manipur, Y Joykumar Singh, was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister. He was once considered the right-hand man of Ibobi Singh in respect of tackling law and order in the insurgency-ravaged state of Manipur. All the four NPP MLAs have been accommodated in the ministry, which still has three berths to be filled.

The titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, who had attended BJP campaign meetings during elections, was also present at the Raj Bhavan.
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

The government on Wednesday ruled out plans of issuing an advisory for Indians travelling to the US or residing there saying India is maintaining vigil on all developments affecting the lives of Indians abroad and would do everything possible to safeguard their interests.

The statement came in the wake of recent attacks on Indians in the US.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, which she attended for the first time post her kidney transplant, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj flagged the recent racial attacks on Indians in the US saying the government had taken up these issues with the Trump administration at very high levels. She described the response of US leadership as prompt.

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Mentioning the killings of Srinivas Kuchibolta in Kansas on February 22, Harnish Patel in South Carolina on March 2 and Deep Rai in Kent on March 4, Swaraj said India had in all cases immediately reached out to the affected families and extended all help.

She assured MPs that India had called for necessary measures to ensure the safety of its diaspora in the US and expeditious probe into the aforesaid incidents.

The Foreign Secretary discussed the matter in his meetings with cabinet ministers and senior functionaries of the US administration. There has been widespread condemnation of these incidents by the US leadership both in the Administration and Congress, Swaraj said referring to a mention of the Kansas shooting in US President Donald Trumps address to a joint session of Congress on February 28 and a statement by House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan on the killing of Kuchibolta.

Swaraj also negated a March 9 mention by Lok Sabha MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab and Mohammad Salim about an advisory the US had issued advising its nationals against travelling to India.

There is no travel advisory in force for India at present. A reference to India has been included in the Worldwide Caution Report the US State Department releases every six months. These are in the form of broad assessments of threat perceptions. Such references to India have been included in the previous reports as well and do not reflect the change in Administration. In fact, India-specific references were far more detailed in the previous reports, Swaraj said.

She noted with satisfaction the widespread messages of sympathy from all quarters in the US post the killing of Indians there, saying, The prompt response of the US political leadership and the law-enforcement agencies to these incidents gives us the confidence that these are acts of individuals and dont represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India. We will remain vigilant.

MPs line up to greet Sushma

MPs cutting across party lines queued up in front of Sushma Swarajs desk to greet her upon her return from a successful renal surgery and transplant. These included TMCs Kalyan Banerjee.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) Nepal has told India that the proposal for open skies cannot be accepted now as the Himalayan nation is in the process of upgrading its airport infrastructure.

Open skies policy allows countries to operate unlimited number of flights to each others cities.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha has informed the Rajya Sabha that in the recently concluded bilateral civil aviation talks, Nepal welcomed the Indian proposal for open skies.

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"However, they informed that they are in the process of upgrading existing international airport and constructing new international airports infrastructure and their civil aviation policy is also being revised.

"Hence, they are not ready to accept the open skies proposal at this stage," Sinha said in a written reply yesterday.

To a query on whether the government plans to install full body scanners at airports in the country, the Minister said no such decision has been taken.

"A trial of full body scanner was conducted at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi on 10,054 passengers from December 5 to 19, 2016 to collect data to determine the criteria for body scanning technology requirement for passenger screening," he said in a separate written reply. PTI RAM SBT MKJ

--- ENDS ---
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

Governance is key in the nations fight against terror and extremism, but the role of force cant be ignored in dealing with such menaces, as delivery of goods and services to people could be possible only if there exists peace and order in society, claimed Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra.

Chairing the session dedicated to governance at the three-day Counter-Terrorism Conference organised by India Foundation, Vohra said the country today faced three kinds of violent disturbances and neither could be compared to one another, as each had its own genesis and reasons for continuation.

Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxal violence in central India and insurgency in the North East are all different from one another and require a different approach to deal with them, he added.

Noting that militancy in Kashmir is imported to India by its adversaries and needed to be dealt at both strategic and military levels, Vohra claimed that the leadership in the county had to ponder to find out the reasons for home-grown extremism. People say its because of the failure of governance. But we need to ask why did we fail in past 70 years of Independence? To my mind the core reason for failure is that successive governments failed to deliver the promises enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution--Equality, Liberty and Justice--both economically and socially, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti insisted that violence in any form brought in imbalances in the system and the governance becomes the first casualty.

While praising former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, she claimed that since 2002 several attempts had been made to provide people the required state services like roads, education and health. We move forward with the agenda of development. But intermittent violent incidents derail the process, as focus of the state shifts to providing peace and security to people, she said.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor EL Narsimhan and the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, who spoke through Skype, claimed that mal-governance had led people to resort to violence.
Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

Governance is key to nations fight against terror and extremism, but the role of forces cant be ignored, as delivery of goods and services to the people could only be possible if there exists peace and order in society, said Jammu & Kashmir Governor NN Vohra.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also argued that governance is the first casualty of militancy and violent disturbances, but she favoured revocation of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from areas where situation improves, and see the impact.

Though Mufti, who is heading a coalition government with the BJP in the state, has so far been tough on militancy, her raking up the AFSPA issue is being viewed by many as a bid to woo voters in the upcoming bypolls in the state.

Chairing a session dedicated to governance at the three-day Counter-terrorism Conference organised by India Foundation, Vohra said the country today faces three kinds of violent disturbances and neither of them could be compared to each other. Militancy in Kashmir, Naxal violence in the central parts of India and insurgency in the North-East are different from each other and require different approach to deal with these, he said.

Noting that militancy in Kashmir is imported to India by its adversaries and needs to be dealt with at strategic and military levels, Vohra said the leadership of the country has to ponder deep to find out the reasons for home-grown extremism. People say its because of the failure of governance. But we need to ask why did we fail in the past 70 years of Independence? To my mind, the core reason for failure is that successive governments failed in delivering the promises enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution equality, liberty and justice, both economically and socially, the Governor said.

While praising former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his approach towards the Kashmir problem, Mufti said people and the state government required a window of peace for ensuring good governance to shrink the space occupied by militants. She also insisted the two parties had come together on an Agenda of Alliance which included revocation of AFSPA. We should not shy away from revocation of AFSPA. When things improve, why not? she said.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor EL Narsimhan and Chhattisgarh CM, who spoke through Skype, claimed mal-governance has led to violence by people, even in an organised form (Naxalism).

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, while presiding over another session on South Asia, blamed Pakistan for exporting terrorism to India. He, however, desisted from naming the country as he said, One thing that strikes us about South Asia is that incidents of terrorism here are perhaps higher than any other part of the world, next only to Syria and Iraq. It is, of course, a major cause forconcern  something we should think about.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 15

After days of manhunt, former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, an accused in gang-rape of a woman and her minor daughter, was arrested from Lucknow on Wednesday morning.

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Prajapati was arrested after his son Anurag and nephew Surendra were detained by the Lucknow Police early this morning.

According to Lucknow SSP Manzil Saini, Prajapati was on his way to Lucknow apparently with a view to surrender in court when he was arrested.

He was brought to the Alam Bagh police station in his SUV Fortuner while his supporters thronged the area raising slogans in his support.

He was later taken in his luxury SUV for medical examination and then to a court where his supporters clashed with the lawyers. The court sent Prajapati to 14 days of judicial custody.

Prajapati was last seen on February 27 when he had gone to vote in Amethi where he was the Samajwadi Party candidate. A non-bailable warrant had been issued against Prajapati who was since absconding.

Following this, his passport had been impounded and airports across the country had been put on alert to prevent him from fleeing the country.

Prajapati(49) had been booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged against him on February 17 and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter.

His arrest comes four days after he lost the Vidhan Sabha election from Amethi. He had earlier approached the apex court seeking protection from the arrest offering to be always available to be examined by the state police. But the court rejected his plea.

All the six other people, named as accused in the case, have already been arrested. They include the ministers close aides and a security guard. Three were arrested earlier and three were arrested on Tuesday.

In the middle of the UP elections, the Supreme Court had ordered Prajapatis arrest. The BJP continued accusing Akhilesh Yadav of shielding him and even supporting him when the former chief Minister chose to address an election meeting for Prajapati in Amethi where the candidate was conspicuous by his absence.

BJP chief Amit Shah had promised to hunt down and arrest Prajapati in his first speech after the election results were declared.

The other arrested persons in the case include Vikas Varma, Amrendra , Ashish Varma, Rupeshwar, Ashok Tiwari and gunner Chandrapal.

It may be recalled that in 2016 Gayatri Prajapati had been sacked by the then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav during the Samajwadi Party family feud.

However, he was later reinstated in the council of ministers reportedly under pressure from father Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, March 15

After days of manhunt, former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, who is an accused in the gang rape of a woman and her minor daughter, was arrested from Lucknow this morning.

Prajapatis arrest came after his son Anurag and nephew Surendra were detained by the police early this morning. According to Lucknow SSP Manzil Saini, Prajapati was on his way to Lucknow, apparently with a view to surrender in a court, when he was arrested.

He was brought to the Alam Bagh police station in his SUV while his supporters thronged the area raising slogans in his support. Later, he was taken for a medical examination and then to a court, where his supporters clashed with lawyers. The court remanded Prajapati in 14-day judicial custody.

Prajapati, SP candidate from Amethi, was last seen on February 27 when he went to cast for the Assembly poll.

As he evaded arrest, a non-bailable warrant was issued against him, his passport impounded and airports across the country were put on alert to prevent him from fleeing the country.

Prajapati (49) was booked following a SC directive. An FIR was lodged against him on February 17 and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter.

His arrest comes four days after he lost the Vidhan Sabha election from Amethi. All other six persons named as accused in the case have already been arrested.
Lucknow/New Delhi, March 15

Suspense continued on Wednesday over who will be the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, four days after the BJP's resounding triumph in the key Hindi heartland state, where the party won 325 seats with its allies.

While the BJP scrambled to form its governments in Goa and Manipur, where it was not even the single largest party, hurriedly cobbling together post-poll alliances, amid the charge of "stealing" the mandate, the party leadership is taking its own sweet time to decide the chief minister of the country's most populous and politically significant state.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the tallest party leader from Uttar Pradesh and a former chief minister to boot, is said to be among the frontrunners for the coveted job, but he was dismissive about the possibility.

"Kya faltu baat kar rahe hain (what nonsensical talk are you doing)," he retorted when asked by reporters outside Parliament House whether he was a contender. He described the speculation about his return to state politics "unnecessary and futile".

Singh has vast administrative experience, including as Uttar Pradesh chief minister in 2000-02.

As speculation swirled about the possibility of a BJP legislature party meeting tomorrow, the party's state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said: "The picture will be clear in the next two to four days".

When asked whether all 312 newly elected BJP MLAs will meet here on Thursday as reported in the media, Maurya, a Lok Sabha MP who is also in the running for the top job, said: "No such meeting has been convened in the first place. So, there is no question of holding or putting it off".

He said the meeting would take place whenever the party leadership decides.

However, at the daily media briefing of the Home Department, IG (Special Task Force) Ram Kumar, while responding to a question said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Lucknow on March 17.

"Prime Minister Modi may visit Lucknow on March 17. Preparations are going on (in anticipation). IG (Lucknow Zone) is monitoring the preparations," he said. He, however, maintained he had no knowledge of whether it was in connection with the swearing-in of the new government.

The names of a host of leaders, including some sitting MPs are doing the rounds in political circles.

Among them is that of Manoj Sinha, who is from the 'Poorvanchal' belt where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi is also located.

Sinha, an MP from Ghazipur, is serving his third term in the Lok Sabha and was given independent charge of Communication Ministry by Modi last year after he impressed him with his performance as Minister of State for Railways.

While Singh and Sinha are upper caste Thakur and Bhumihar respectively, Maurya has emerged as the OBC face of the party.

His elevation as state BJP chief, many feel, helped rally non-Yadav backward castes around the party.

Given the sheer sweep of BJP's victory, the party can have the luxury of nominating a person who can deliver on Modi's development agenda and the promise of putting down alleged lawlessness in the state under Samajwadi Party for the top job.

Singh, a senior leader said, fits the bill because of his stature and administrative experience. He was also capable of bridging caste fault lines.

Top party sources said in the national capital that barring Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who have been holding consultations over government formation, hardly anybody had any real knowledge of what was happening behind the scenes.  PTI
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

Indicating that transnational rail links in the Indian peninsula will promote trade and help eradicate poverty in the region, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu today favoured India having such connectivity with neighbouring countries.

Noting that the Railways is working in this direction, the minister informed a gathering here that soon there would be rail link between Kathmandu and Delhi and Kathmandu and Kolkata. We already have rail connectivity with Dhaka. We will have an international agreement for this to go up to Istanbul, he added.

Addressing a conference here on transcontinental rail connectivity, Prabhu said: Asia is going to be the next future growth centre of the world. With Asia being the largest continent, it will be interesting to see how all nations of the region participate in the growth process.

Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Ministry of Railways, the conference aims at taking forward the proposed railway transport connectivity in South and South-West Asia.

Considered to be a major boost for trade and economic development of the Asia Pacific region, a trans-container goods train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is being considered by Railways along with neighbouring countries.

However, Prabhu said, It is an interesting idea to bring rail connectivity in South and South West Asia... And to have this, proper political understanding is a prerequisite. We are also working in a big way in Sri Lanka. This will pave the way for linking the entire world through railways. It will benefit the country in eliminating poverty. Development will pick up, he said, adding: With Pakistan, we already have rail connectivity. We are working actively in Bangladesh.
Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

Describing the US response to recent hate crimes against Indians settled there as prompt and clear, the government today said it had no plans of issuing an advisory for Indians travelling to the US or residing there.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who attended the Lok Sabha for the first time since her renal transplant, said India had raised the killings of Srinivas Kuchibolta in Kansas, Harnish Patel in South Carolina and Deep Rai in Kent at very high levels in the US government and the response had been prompt.

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I will say the prompt and clear response of the US political leadership and the law enforcement authorities to these incidents and the widespread messages of support from all quarters in the US give us confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India, Swaraj said after an MP asked if the government planned to issue any advisory for Indians visiting or living in the US.

Terming the safety of Indian diaspora as top priority, Swaraj said India was in continuous dialogue with the US and would remain vigilant to developments affecting the lives of Indians abroad.

The Minister dismissed March 9 remarks by MPs Bhartruhari Mahtap and Mohammad Salim about the US issuing a travel advisory to its citizens against travelling to India.

There is no travel advisory in force for India at present. A reference to India has been included in the Worldwide Caution report, which the US State Department releases every six months. These are in the form of broad assessment of threat perceptions. Such references to India have been included in the previous reports and have nothing to do with the change of Administration, Swaraj said.

She added that in the past, references to India in these reports were much more detailed than these are now.

The Minister also told the Lok Sabha that in all the three cases of hate crimes involving Indians, the government had immediately reached out to the affected families. The government took up the issue with the US government at very high levels and conveyed our deep concerns. We have called for necessary measures to ensure the safety of Indians and expeditious investigation into these incidents, she said.

Swaraj spoke of widespread condemnation of crimes against Indians in the US, including by US President Donald Trump in his February 28 address to a joint session of Congress where he mentioned the Kansas incident and later by Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan. Kuchibolta was shot dead in Kansas City on February 22 by US national Adam Garmin. On March 2, Harnish Patel was killed in Lancaster followed by Deep Rai on March 4 in Kent.
Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 15

Of Punjabs 117 elected MLAs, 27 face criminal cases. And 11 of them face serious charges such as murder, attempt to murder, dacoity and robbery, according to a 44-page booklet released by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The booklet carries details of the legislators background, financial status, educational qualification, gender and other details as mentioned by them in the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.

Partywise, nine of the 77 Congress MLAs, four of AAPs 20 MLAs, one of the 15 Akali MLAs and both Lok Insaf Party MLAs (Bains brothers) face criminal cases.

In all, 59 MLAs have assets worth over Rs5 crore and 36 of them between Rs1 crore and Rs5 crore. Only eight MLAs have assets less than Rs25 lakh. Those who top the wealth list are Congress Rana Gurjit Singh (Rs169 crore), SADs Sukhbir Singh Badal (over Rs102 crore) and AAPs Sukhpal Khaira (over Rs66 crore).

Six MLAs have an annual income of more than Rs1 crore, as declared in their Income Tax returns for 2015-2016). They are Navjot Singh Sidhu of the Congress (Rs9 crore), Aman Arora of AAP (Rs4 crore) and Rana Gurjit Singh of the Congress (Rs2 crore). This time, only six women have been elected to the Vidhan Sabha. Their number in the earlier House was 14.

Three MLAs, all from AAP, have assets worth about Rs3 lakh. They are Rupinder Kaur Ruby (Bhatinda Rural), Kulwant Singh Pandori (Mehal Kalan) and Pirmal Singh Dhaula (Bhadaur). Jaskirat Singh, state coordinator, ADR, said the objective of the booklet was to inform voters what kind of leaders had been fielded.
Tribune News Service

Patiala/amritsar, March 15

Following the change in government in the state, Punjabi University Vice Chancellor (VC) Jaspal Singh and Guru Nanak Dev University VC Ajaib Singh Brar submitted their resignation to the Punjab Governor VP Badnore, urging him to relieve them at the earliest.

Jaspal Singh was appointed by the Badal government in December 11, 2007, for three years, but his term was extended in 2010 for three years, till December 11, 2013. He was again given a two-year extension, followed by a three-year extension in 2015.

However, the VC now decided to call it quits. The move is believed to be political.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Jaspal Singh confirmed the development citing personal reasons but chose not to elaborate further. He has left for New Delhi and the formalities pertaining to his resignation are likely to be completed in two-three days.

Meanwhile, senior professor Dr Lakhwinder Singh Gill said the decision did not come as a surprise. He said, It was unfortunate that the post has become more of a political post. Every government tends to appoint its own man to run all government organisations, including universities. With the Congress coming to power, the VC knew that it was the right time to make a move as he has been into various controversies in the past few years, he added.

Brar, meanwhile, cited personal reasons behind his resignation.

It has been learnt that his only son was not keeping good health for quite sometime. Brar, at present, is on leave to stay back with his family at Gurugram.

While talking to The Tribune, Brar said, My only son was not keeping good health. So, I chose to devote my time to my family now and decided to shift my base to my hometown, Gurugram. I have put in my papers with the Governor and awaiting the reply, he said.

Brar joined the GNDU as Vice-Chancellor on July 15, 2009. His services were extended twice vide notifications on April 2, 2012, and June 9, 2015, as an acknowledgement of his contribution towards making GNDU one among the top 15 universities in the country. His second extension was to last till July 2018.
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 15

After heading the Punjab State Farmers Commission for 12 years, eminent agricultural scientist and former vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat has resigned as Chairman of the commission.

Interestingly, Kalkat, who has also served at important positions in the Union Agriculture Ministry, was appointed as founder-chairman of the commission by Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in 2005.

Kalkat had also resigned from the post in 2007 when the SAD-BJP government had assumed charge. However, the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not accepted his resignation. Rather, Badal persuaded him to continue on the post even after the formation of the SAD-BJP government again in 2012.

Yes, I have resigned from the commission. I feel that one should step down from such posts after the formation of the new government so that the new dispensation can appoint the individuals of its choice. My resignation has not been accepted and it is up to the state government to take a decision in this regard, said Kalkat, who has been conferred with a Padma award for his contribution to the field of agriculture.

Besides Kalkat, Surjit Singh Ablowal and HS Khalsa, Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Pun-jab Tourism Development Corporation, respectively, have also submitted their resignations.
By Press Trust of India: Mumbai, Mar 15 (PTI) Raising doubt on whether Shiv Sena is supporting the BJP-led government, the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde today asked the ruling dispensation to prove majority in legislature. After the House assembled today to debate the motion of thanks on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Raos address to legislature on the first day of budget session on March 6, Munde said if Sena was not supporting the government and demanding a loan waiver for farmers, then the Governors address remains unconstitutional.

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"Both the alliance partners are fighting and accusing each other in worst possible terms. Sena too is supportive of the opposition demand for loan waiver for farmers.

"(In view of this), the BJP government should prove its majority in the House. Unless it does so, the Governors address will remain unconstitutional," Munde said.

Congress MLC Narayan Rane said the government was in "minority".

It should prove majority as Sena is not supporting the government, he said.

However, the Deputy Chairman Manikrao Thakare said Sena was very much part of the government.

"Until Sena announces its withdrawal from government, it is very much part of the government," he said.

As the Opposition continued to create uproar, the Chair adjourned the proceedings for half an hour.

After the House reassembled, Munde told the Deputy Chairman that Sena MLC Ravindra Phatak was supporting the Oppositions demand for loan waiver.

As the noisy scenes continued, Thakre again adjourned the proceedings till the question hour.

In the run-up to the civic and local bodies polls in February, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had announced to go solo at the hustings without any tie-up with the BJP. However, he remained non-committal on pulling out from the government.

Sena is the junior partner of the BJP in the Central and state governments. PTI MM NSK SRE

--- ENDS ---
Tribune News Service

Patiala/Amritsar, March 15

Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh and Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor Prof Ajaib Singh Brar have resigned from their posts.

Jaspal Singh met Governor VP Badnore in Chandigarh on Tuesday evening and put in his papers while Brar submitted his resignation today.

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Brar said it was purely due to family circumstances that he requested the Governor to relieve him by March 31 as his only son was not keeping well. He was given an extension till July 2018

Jaspal Singh had joined Punjabi University on December 11, 2007 and his term was later extended in 2010 till December 11, 2013.

He was then given an extension till December 11, 2015. He again got a three-year extension in 2015.

Had he completed his three-year term, he would have equalled the 11-year term of Kirpal Singh Narang, the second V-C of Punjabi University, which is the longest term served by a V-C of this university.

While Jaspal Singh could not be contacted, sources said the formalities would be completed in the next two to three days. Meanwhile, the V-C is headed for New Delhi.

Brar was Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar since 15th July, 2009. Prior to joining as Vice-Chancellor of this University, he was the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lucknow.

He has a vast experience of working in the field of education, research at prestigious National and International Institutes in various capacities.

Brar has worked in the fields of catalysis, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Photochemistry and in the field of NMR Spectroscopy of Polymers.

He has international recognition in these fields.

Brar joined IIT Delhi as Assistant Professor of Chemistry in 1982 and rose to the position of Professor (Higher Academic Grade - HAG).

He had also been Joint Professor, Centre for Polymer Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi.

Brar did his B.Sc. from Faridkot, Punjab in 1968 and M.Sc. from Punjabi University, Patiala in 1970. He did his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in 1977.
Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 15

The Union Water Resource Ministry has cleared 20 projects, including 13 for Uttarakhand, amounting to Rs 1,900 core for cleaning of the Ganga.

The projects in Uttarakhand include the creation of new sewage treatment plants, upgrading existing STPs, and laying of sewage networks in Haridwar at an estimated cost of Rs 414 core.

Haridwar is one of the holiest cities and is thronged by millions of devotees every year. The approved plan is aimed at treating sewage water generated not only by the citys 1.5 lakh local dwellers, but also by people who visit it.

All the projects will be fully funded by the Centre, including the expenditure incurred on their operation and maintenance.

Among other projects approved for Uttarakhand, four pertain to pollution abatement works for the Alaknanda river a tributary of the Ganga to ensure its cleaner flow downstream. This includes interception and diversion of drains along with creation of new small STPs at four crucial locations Joshimath, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag and Kirti Nagar at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 78 core.

Besides, a major pollution abatement project for Ganga at Rishikesh has also been approved at an estimated cost of more than Rs 158 core. Beginning with Rishikesh, municipal effluents gets mixed in the Ganga. The project will help remove impurities in the river before it hits the plains at Haridwar. It would not only make tapping of all city drains in Rishikesh merging into the river, but will also treat the sewage water for reuse. The construction of a new 26 MLD STP at Lakkar Ghat with online monitoring system has also been envisaged in this Rishikesh-specific project.
Tribune News Service

Haridwar, March 15

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said in Haridwar today that he decision regarding the choice of Chief Minister in Uttarakhand would be taken at the meeting of the newly elected party legislators tomorrow.

He said the BJP winning 57 seats was a stamp of public faith on development-oriented working of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. The mandate was against the corrupt and ill-governance of the Congress in the state.

Vijayvargiya said the party was committed to constructing the Ram temple at the ancient site of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. He, along with Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishan and a large number of saints, was here to pay obeisance to Brahmaleen Mahant Santosh Muni Tyagi at Kankhal.

He said the BJP would build the Ram temple at Ayodhya but would also follow the legal route and urge the Supreme Court to fast-track the hearing in the case.

We respect the Supreme Court but people want a time-bound decision in the case as the Ram temple is linked with the sentiments of billions of Indians. The BJP is committed to constructing a grand temple at the very site in Ayodhya. We want a positive solution and will make sincere efforts in this direction, he added.
Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, March 15

The central BJP leadership will soon decide on the name of Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

The curosity of people about the choice of Chief Minister has risen after the central BJP leadership announced two observers for Uttarakhand. Their impending visit to Dehradun has further heightened the suspense. But as of today, the observers, national general secretary Saroj Pandey and Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Narender Tomar have not arrived.

BJP sources say the party leadership is eager to finish off the business of the formation of new government in Uttar Pradesh under a new chief minister, after which their focus would shift to Uttarakhand.

The matter will take at least a few days. A meeting of the elected BJP legislators will be called to elect the leader who will then go on to head the state, said a senior BJP leader. Before the meeting of the BJP legislators to elect a leader, an endorsement would have arrived from party national president Amit Shah on the chief ministerial candidate.

Meanwhile, the lobbying for the chief ministerial candidate in the BJP has reached its peak with the names of senior BJP leaders Prakash Pant, Trivendra Singh Rawat and Satpal Maharaj in the reckoning. Prakash Pant, who won the Pithoragarh Assembly seat, today said he was ready to take up any responsibility. I think all legislators who have won their seats are in the race for becoming the chief minister of the state. It is for our senior leaders to decide who is best suited for the job, said Pant.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Trivender Singh Rawat today left for New Delhi. Sources claim though Nainital MP BS Koshyari was keen to become Chief Minister, his candidature was red flagged as the top BJP leadership is keen to elect a andidate from the elected MLAs. So, now he is supporting the candidature of Trivendra Singh Rawat. But in case the party feels the need to prefer a Brahmin as Chief Minister, Pant is the favourite, says a source.

Further, as Trivendra Rawats name figured in a fish seedling scam that erupted during the BJPs rule in the past and it may go against him and favour Prakash Pant.

On the other hand, despite backing from the RSS and other leaders in the BJP, both Koshyari and Vijay Bahuguna are opposing the candidature of Satpal Maharaj, say sources.
London, March 15

After his live Skype interview with BBC on the impeachment of South Korea's president was gatecrashed by his children in the cutest manner possible, American academic Robert Kelly, whose family has now become an internet sensation, said that his error has turned his family into YouTube stars.

Kelly was discussing the impeachment of South Korea's president on BBC World News, when his two children barged into his study in their apartment in Busan.

Everybody we know seems to think it's pretty hysterical. We understand why people find it enjoyable ... It's funny, Kelly told James Menendez, the BBC presenter who conducted the original interview, reports the Guardian.

Videos uploaded on youtube by BBC news



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We were worried actually that the BBC would never call us again. That was our first response  mortification that we had completely blown our relationship with you, Kelly added.

Many people have been smitten by the amusingly brash manner by Marion, four, as she entered the room and marched up to her father's desk.

Kelly said that his daughter was in a hippity-hoppity mood because of a school party she had attended earlier in the day.

He said: As soon as she opened the door I saw her image on my screen. However, Kelly valiantly attempted to guide Marion towards some toys, while hoping the broadcaster might narrow the camera angle or use some video of Park Geun-hye.

However, the channel did not cut away and as Kelly responded to a question about inter-Korean relations, his eight-month-old son, James, sauntered through the open door in his baby walker on the polished wooden floor.

The overwhelming response to the video, which soon went viral around the world, prompted the couple to turn off their smartphones and ignore social media for several days, unable to deal with the deluge of comments and requests to talk.

However, they broke their silence on Tuesday by giving interviews about the infamous interview. ANI
The Hague, March 15

Millions of Dutch voters went to the polls today in an election overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.

Following last years shock Brexit referendum, and Donald Trumps victory in the US, the Dutch vote is being closely watched to gauge support for populism in Europe ahead of other elections this year.

Wilders voted in a primary school in The Hague, mobbed by television cameras, just after final opinion polls showed he was slipping behind the Liberal VVD party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Whatever the outcome of the election today the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay, Wilders said, dismissing media comparisons with Trump.

I see this rightwing populist making gains and I will not live in such a world, said Esther Zand, 52, who voted in the same school for Labour and against Wilders. Hes a rather irritating gentleman, she added. Amid the tussle between Rutte and Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running.

When people look for leadership, they look to me, Rutte told the final debate yesterday watched by a record 3.3 million people according to broadcaster NOS. Rutte is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17 million people  one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

Final polls appeared to show Rutte consolidating a lead over Wilders, crediting the VVD with 24 to 28 seats  well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament.

After months leading the polls, Wilders has slipped recently and was seen barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs  well up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before. Wilders has pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Koran and leave the EU.

Snapping at his heels are long-standing parties the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs. Both parties would be natural coalition partners for Rutte. I am hoping for a strong centre, coalition, said Alexander van der Hooft, voting in a school where Rutte was expected later. But Im afraid its going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government, he said.

Souring ties with Turkey

Complicating the political landscape, Turkey has gatecrashed the scene with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashing a string of invective at the Dutch for barring his ministers from addressing a rally in Rotterdam.

The Dutch banned the weekend rally, fearing tensions in Turkey over the referendum could spill over into its expatriate Turkish community. Erdogan retaliated by branding the Netherlands Nazi remnants. Rotterdam... totally destroyed by the Nazis, which now has a mayor born in Morocco: If any anyone sees fascism in Rotterdam they are completely detached from reality," European Council President Donald Tusk said.  Agencies
Kuala Lumpur, March 15

Malaysia found out the identity of Kim Jong Nam's body based on DNA sample taken from his son, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

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Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered on February 13, when the Malaysian Police said two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

But North Korea has so far not identified him as Kim Jong Nam, who was carrying a passport under the name of Kim Chol when he was murdered. No next of kin has come forward to claim the body.

"I again confirm that it is Kim Jong Nam... This is based on a sample taken from his son," Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters.

Reuters
Seattle (US), March 15

President Donald Trump's revised travel ban is "substantially different" from the original and a judge shouldn't apply a previous restraining order to the new version, federal lawyers said in a court filing.

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Justice Department lawyers filed the documents in US District Court in Seattle, two days before the executive order is set to go into effect.

Washington and several other states are trying to block the revised ban that affects six mostly Muslim nations, saying it's unconstitutional.

Government lawyers said the new version removed provisions that "purportedly drew religious distinctions erasing any doubt that national security, not religion, is the focus."

They made their filings with Judge James Robart, who blocked the original ban last month. Washington state wants him to apply that decision to the new order.

Trump's revised ban applies to Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the US refugee programme.

Unlike the original order, it said people with visas won't be affected and removes language that would have given priority to religious minorities for entry to the US Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, joined in his lawsuit by heavily Democratic California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon, said the revised ban is still flawed and harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon that rely on foreign workers.

Lawyers for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities filed documents Tuesday with the court supporting Washington state's lawsuit.

A hearing in a separate lawsuit by Hawaii is scheduled for Wednesday. AP
Taipei, March 15

Chinas accelerated military development and recent activity by its military aircraft and ships around Taiwan pose an increased threat to the self-ruled island, according to a Taiwanese government defence report draft reviewed by Reuters.

The 2017 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) also highlights the uncertainty over the future strategic direction of the US in the region, the impact of Japan flexing its military capabilities and conflict crisis potential in the disputed South China Sea.

The document is due to be presented to parliament on Thursday by Taiwan defence minister Feng Shih-kuan.

The recent activity of Chinese jets and ships around Taiwan shows the continued rise in (Chinas) military threat capabilities, highlighting the importance of Taiwans need to defend itself, the review will say.

In addition to posing a military threat to our country, it also has a negative impact on regional stability. The four-yearly review is the first since President Tsai Ing-wen took office last May and the first under her Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan.

The countrys military development and Taiwans freedom and prosperity are the same living body, according to the draft.

Wayward province

The QDR comes as China - which claims Taiwan as a wayward province to be taken back by force if necessary - has been stepping up air and sea military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan as part of a sweeping modernisation of its armed forces.

Speaking in Beijing at his annual news conference on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang repeated that China was resolutely opposed to Taiwan independence but it would uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait.

No matter how the situation on the island may evolve, the fraternal bond between the two sides cannot be severed and will not be able to change history or the fact that both sides belong to one and the same China, Li said.

Taiwans defence ministry had no comment on the report on Wednesday.

Developments in the South China Sea, including rejection of an international court ruling by other claimants on territorial rights of the Philippines in the disputed waters, Chinas land reclamation and militarisation, and freedom of navigation patrols championed by the United States could deepen strife in the area, the review will say.

Sovereignty disputes in the region and strategic competition could intensify, leading to hidden conflict crisis. China has begun new construction work on a disputed island in the South China Sea, satellite images show, just days ahead of the first official visit to the region by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The review also listed Japans move away from its pacifist constitution to strengthen its armaments and lift a ban on using troops abroad as having deep and far-reaching impacts on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait.

Reuters reported this week that Japan plans to send its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea beginning in May - its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War Two.

Among security challenges for Taiwan, the review also said the United States Asia-Pacific strategic direction and troop deployment was not clear under the new administration of President Donald Trump.

Trump provoked consternation in Beijing by taking a congratulatory call from Taiwans Tsai and then calling into question adherence to the One China policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.

Last month, Trump agreed to honour the policy during a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The United States remains Taiwans biggest ally and arms supplier and is bound by legislation to provide the means to help the island defend itself.  Reuters
By Press Trust of India: Kolhapur, Mar 15 (PTI) In the second such incident since January, the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis film "Padmavati" was vandalised last midnight, following which the film crew was provided police protection.

Around 20 unidentified people torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there for the horses featuring in the period drama, the police said.

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Maharashtras Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said the team shooting here has been provided police protection.

Shobha Sant, the CEO of Bhansali Productions, thanked the Maharashtra Police for its "quick and efficient support".

"ThankU #MaharashtraPolice for the quick intervention on the vandalized shoot of #Padmavati... No loss of life, no one seriously hurt on vandalized shoot of #Padmavati," she wrote.

She said a complaint has been filed against the miscreants.

"ThankU everyone for the support. Again. We are all ok. #Padmavati Filed a complaint against miscreants who vandalized our costume & jewelry and set it on fire #Padmavati #SanjayLeelaBhansali (sic)," Shobha posted on Twitter.

The shooting of the Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, when a group of around 20 people came to the set between 1 AM and 2 AM, the police said.

The miscreants set on fire the costumes of the film and also burnt the fodder kept for the horses, said Senior Police Inspector Dhanya Kumar Godse of Panhala police station.

They also tried to set ablaze the vehicles of the crew members parked near the set.

The reason behind the protest was not yet known, the police said.

"The shooting was going on at Mhasai plateau, some six km away from the iconic Panhala fort in Kolhapur district. After the incident, the state Home department has given them protection and deployed an officer and 12 other policemen," Kesarkar told reporters outside Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

"The shooting of film Padmavati was going on since March 6 and was scheduled to be over by March 20," Kesarkar said.

"The Tuesday night fire damaged two pandals, including the one where the horses were kept while the other one was the costume store room," he said.

"Prima facie, the pandals were set on fire by some 20-25 people. We want to know whether the perpetrators were local people or they came from some distant locations," said the MoS (Home).

Deepika plays the role of Rani Padmavati in the film, which also stars Ranveer as Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.

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This is the second such incident. In January, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in "Padmavati".

Following the incident, the films team had cancelled its shooting in Jaipur and Bhansalis production house had to release a statement clarifying the "misconception" about the films story. PTI DC ND JCH ZMN JCH

--- ENDS ---
Months after the Jaipur incident, the sets of Padmavati were once again attacked in Kohlapur, Maharashtra.

By Mayuresh Ganapatye: There seems to be no respite for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. His upcoming film Padmavati has been under the scanner ever since the director announced the ambitious project. And after the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted base to Kolhapur in Maharashtra to resume the shooting of the film. But if reports are to be believed, the sets were once again attacked on Tuesday night, this time in Kolhapur.

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According to reports, 40-50 unidentified men tried to vandalise the sets and set it on fire. The men, armed with lathis and stones, stormed into the sets and started destroying the property. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged.

"Police is probing this matter and further investigation is on. We have asked the production house to lodge formal complaint in this issue. Some one intentionally did this, that is for sure," said Deepak Kesarkar, Minister of State for Home.

It's been more than 13 hours since the incident took place but police has not got any concrete leads on this. Police is yet to identify the miscreants.

"It's failure on the part of government. They should take responsibility of this. Bhansali shifted venue for security reasons, but it's sad to see that the set was attacked here too. We condemn this act and demand government to nab the culprits," said, Jitendra Awhad, NCP MLA.

It was only a few weeks ago that Bhansali decided to shift base to the Masai plateau, some 20km away from Kolhapur. Interestingly, the filmmaker beefed up the security after the Jaipur incident where he was manhandled by members of the Karni Sena and accused of distortion of history in Padmavati.

The reason for the attack was that Bhansali was allegedly showing a romantic sequence between 14th century emperor Alauddin Khilji (played by Ranveer Singh) and Rani Padmini (played by Deepika Padukone), an incident which the Karni Sena claims had never happened in history and thus, filming the same would be an insult to the Rajputana pride.

Interestingly, the filmmakers had never planned to have such a scene in the first place. Moreover, Rani Padmini is a character that was first written of in an epic poem named Padmavat by 16th century Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi. Padmini's existence is a matter of debate among historians.

Meanwhile, it is reported Bhansali is safe, but the shooting of the film has been stalled till further notice. Apart from Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, Padmavati also stars Shahid Kapoor in a lead role.

(With inputs from Shivangi Thakur)

ALSO READ: Sanjay Leela Bhansali stops shooting in Rajasthan after attack

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ALSO READ: Karni Sena wants Padmavati title changed, Sanjay Leela Bhansali says issues resolved

ALSO WATCH: Sanjay Leela Bhansali thrashed, sets of Padmavati vandalised by Karni Sena

--- ENDS ---
Photo: UPS

UPS said it will invest more than $90 million in natural gas facilities and vehicles, including fueling stations, compressed natural gas trucks, and liquefied natural gas vehicles.

The company plans to build an additional six CNG fueling stations and add 30 new CNG tractors and terminal trucks as well as 50 LNG vehicles to its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet.

With more than 4,400 natural gas vehicles and a network of fueling stations, UPS has had great results using natural gas as an alternative fuel in our fleet, said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president of global engineering and sustainability. We know the importance of investing in natural gas globally for our fleet and the alternative fuel market. In 2016, we used more than 61 million gallons of natural gas in our ground fleet, which included 4.6 million gallons of renewable natural gas. This helped us to avoid the use of conventional gas and diesel, and decreased CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons.

Last year, UPS invested $100 million in CNG fueling stations and vehicles. The company currently operates 31 CNG fueling stations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. It runs CNG vehicles in 38 states in addition to ones in Germany, the Netherlands, and Thailand.

The six new CNG stations will be built in Ontario, California; Orlando, Florida; Salina, Kansas; Louisville, Kentucky; Greensboro, North Carolina, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Renewable natural gas will be used at the station in Ontario. UPS also purchased 50 additional LNG vehicles that were deployed in Indianapolis, Indiana; Chicago; Earth City, Missouri; and Nashville, Tennessee, where UPS has existing LNG stations.

Since 2009, UPS has invested more than $750 million in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations globally. The company has driven over a billion miles since 2000 with the alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, which include natural gas, electric, hybrid and other types of powertrains.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet
Detroit DD8 engine will launch with both engine and transmission power-take-off options required for many vocational applications. Photo: Daimler Trucks North America

Daimler Trucks North America and its Detroit brand unveiled the new Detroit DD8 medium-duty engine at the NTEAs Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Aimed at vocational truck markets, the Detroit DD8 is a 7.7L in-line, 6-cylinder medium-duty engine. It offers a horsepower range of 260 to 350 hp and a torque range of 660 to 1050 lb.ft.

The DD8 will expand on the Detroit medium-duty platform that was launched last year with the DD5. Daimler says the engine offers industry-leading fuel efficiency and maintenance intervals.

In addition, the DD8 will launch with both engine and transmission power-take-off options required for many vocational applications.

The DD8 will initially be available in the Freightliner M2106, 108SD and 114SD models. Expanded availability into additional DTNA products will come later, with future availability planned for Thomas Built Buses and Freightliner Custom Chassis.

Vehicles equipped with the DD8 will feature Detroit Connect Virtual Technician remote diagnostic service. Virtual Technician helps fleets make informed maintenance decisions, so that they only service their vehicles when needed. In the case that a vehicle does need to go into the shop, Virtual Technician, with the backing of the experts at the Detroit Customer Support Center, provides access to in-depth information to get the vehicle repaired as accurately and quickly as possible, improving uptime.

Photo: David Cullen

The Detroit DD8 is ideally suited for the vocational applications across the Daimler Trucks North America family of products, said Kary Schaefer, general manager, marketing and strategy, Daimler Trucks North America. The medium-duty engine options are all about giving our customers added value when making their engine selections.

The Detroit DD8 is scheduled for availability with vehicle production beginning in February 2018, and targets a wide range of vocational applications, including utility/maintenance/repair service, pick-up and delivery, oil field, construction, logging, plow and dump, wrecking, refuse, fire/emergency and recreational vehicles.

In November 2015, Detroit announced a $375 million investment to bring the manufacturing of both proprietary medium-duty engines to its manufacturing facility in Redford, Michigan. The facility also produces the Detroit heavy-duty line of engines, the DT12 automated manual transmission and its complete offering of Detroit axles.
By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Mar 14 (PTI) Pakistan today said it is planning to declare the disputed Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province of the country, a move that may raise concerns in India as it borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Paksitans minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada told Geo TV that the decision was on recommendation of a committee headed by Advisor of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz.

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"The committee recommended that Gilgit-Baltistan should be made a province of Pakistan," Pirzada said.

He also said that a constitutional amendment would be made to change the status of the region, through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister.

Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

The move may raise concerns in India as the disputed region borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

It is believed that Chinas concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status. PTI SH UZM

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Committee work is suspended while we push to get bills passed out of the House and sent over to the Senate. That means long days on the House floor hearing and debating bills, and no Spring Break for the Legislature.

We do get a break now and then from the floor work and I was pleased to be able to meet this week with Superintendent Sherry Durkee and school board member Krista Polanski while they were at the Capitol for OSSBA Day and with Caitlin Sowell and other OU Early Childhood Education members. It was an honor to be recognized by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau as a member of the 100 Percent Club for my support of farmers and ranchers legislation this past year.

Three of my bills, HB2156 (world languages bill), HB2157 (teacher retention pay bill), and HB2159 (CTAG bill) have each passed the House and are on their way to the Senate for consideration. My HB2155 (ICAP bill) is now on the House Floor Calendar for consideration once the Floor Leader advances it. It is the Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) bill and is a request bill from the Oklahoma State Department of Education. It allows for a voluntary pilot program that helps students develop an academic plan to guide them along a strategic pathway to achieve the career goals they have for their life.

We are starting to make progress on the House objectives set forth at the beginning of session by passing three priority bills so far. HB1845, the REAL ID Act, was signed by the Governor last week. This week we passed Speaker McCalls legislation to close the incentive window on qualifying for the zero emission tax credit used by wind energy companies. If a wind turbine is not generating electricity by July 1, 2017, they are no longer eligible for the tax credit. This early stop date will literally save the state up to $500 million over the next 10 years, but allow the state to keep our promise to pay any incentives already on the books. We also overwhelmingly passed HB1114, the 1-2-3 Teacher Pay Raise Plan, that boosts the teacher pay scale by $6,000 over the next three years. The plan includes a $1000 increase for the 2017-18 school year, and then $2000 and $3000 the next two years. The phased-in approach allows the legislature to keep our promise to raise teacher pay while managing the current revenue downturn. Each $1000 increase will cost the state approximately $53 million to fund, and the House is committed to finding a way to pay for it during the budgeting process.

Believe it or not, one way of funding education and the teacher pay raise may be through the Oklahoma Lottery, which has provided more than $750 million to education since it began in 2005, but its performance has declined drastically in recent years. HB1837 by the House and Senate hopes to stop the decline and provide a $110 million boost to education over the next five years by letting the lottery increase payouts and offer more prizes thus improving sales and sending more money to public schools. The bill passed out of the House and is on its way to the Senate.

Budget discussions are ongoing and House Leadership wants to look at all other revenue raising options before discussing any tax increases on individual families. One of those options is HB1841, the cigarette tax. The bill passed out of the A&B Committee and appears to be making its way to the floor for a vote. The measure will add a $1.50 per pack tax on cigarettes and could raise up to $184 million in new revenue and save thousands of Oklahoma lives according to experts. Proponents say the tax will discourage smoking and also help provide for better health outcomes in our state. Considering the financial need of the state, this revenue measure may be the most palatable of the taxes mentioned so far at the Capitol. In the meantime, the House A&B chair has asked state agencies to report how they would approach a 14.5 percent budget cut if required. It is said that this scenario would help education funding to remain flat while other agencies would take cuts. Whatever the budget scenario, there is still a lot of work to do to fill the $878 million budget deficit.

On another note, and contrary to misinformation being shared in the media, HB1482 did not gut state question 780, the Criminal Justice Reform Act. HB1482 simply restores drug-free school zones for our K-12 schools and vo-techs. Although I do support criminal justice reform, I do not support drugs in or around our schools and our children.

In conclusion, Im so excited about the announcement of the Gilcrease expansion. Well finally have a loop all the way around Tulsa, which will really benefit our district. The three-year, $300 million project will have over 21 bridges in its five-mile path. Montie Box was recognized by the Governor for his years of advocacy and dedication for the project, and rightly so. I too want to personally thank Montie and all of those who have worked tirelessly to help this dream become a reality.

Until next time then, God Bless!
By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain

Islamabad, Mar 15 (PTI) Defence Minister Khawaja Asif today said Pakistan has no plans to send troops to Saudi Arabia as he rejected media reports about the deployment of the Pakistani soldiers in the Gulf Kingdom to guard its southern border in the ongoing conflict with Yemen.

Asif spoke in the National Assembly in response to a question raised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Shafqat Mahmood, who referred to media reports that an army brigade was being sent to the Kingdom.

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"No military personnel have been sent to Saudi Arabia in perspective of the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict," Asif said.

"It is our policy not to get involved in Saudi Arabia- Yemen conflict. If any decision had to be taken, it will flow through the parliament," he said.

The parliament had asked government not to get involved in Yemen conflict after a policy debate in 2015.

Saudi had pressed Pakistan to join its coalition which carried out deadly air strikes against Sanaa.

Asif said that Pakistan would not play a partisan role in the war but try to be a peace-maker if needed.

The minister also informed the house that under a 1982 agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, about 1,000 Pakistanis security personnel including technicians, doctors and engineers were in that country.

Pakistan had to face displeasure of Saudi Arabia and its ally UAE after refusing to send the troops in 2015.

Earlier, an online news site had reported that Pakistan was sending a brigade of combat troops to shore up Saudis vulnerable southern border from reprisal attacks mounted by the Houthis in Yemen. PTI SH ZH

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OKLAHOMA CITY  Edith Fuller, the 5-year-old champion of the Green Country Spelling Bee, made an appearance Tuesday on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The youngest person ever to qualify for the National Spelling Bee, Fuller was introduced by Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee, a family friend. She was accompanied by her parents, Justin and Annie Fuller, and her three siblings.

Standing on a low platform so she could be seen, Fuller briefly addressed the House members and thanked them for allowing her to be there.
Exercising its right to reply during a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Indian Representative said Pakistan must rein in its "compulsive hostility" towards India.

By Press Trust of India: India has asked Pakistan to rein in its "compulsive hostility" towards it and fulfil its obligation to vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's illegal occupation, a territory that has become a "hub" for the global export of terrorism.

Exercising its right to reply during a UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, the Indian Representative said Pakistan must rein in its "compulsive hostility" towards India.

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"We ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in our internal affairs in any manner," the official said.

WHAT INDIA SAID AGAINST PAKISTAN Once again Pakistan's delegation has chosen to misuse the Council to make fallacious references about internal matters pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, the diplomat said. Emphasising that terrorism was the grossest violation of human rights and should be so acknowledged by any impartial and objective observer, the Indian side said a part of the territories of Jammu and Kashmir remain under the forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan. "We also demand that Pakistan must fulfil its obligation to vacate illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)", the diplomat said. "It is unfortunate that in recent times the people of PoK have become victims of sectarian conflict, terrorism and extreme economic hardship because of Pakistan's occupation and discriminatory policies", the Indian side said. "The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where an independent judiciary, an active media and a vibrant civil society guarantee freedoms. In contrast, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a deep state and has become a hub for the global export of terror", the diplomat said. The Indian side asserted that India does not accept attempts by Pakistan to denigrate the democratic choice that has been regularly exercised by the people of Jammu and Kashmir over the last six decades since our independence. "Pakistan's continued support for terror groups operating in J and K is the main challenge to protecting the human rights of our citizens in the state." "Pakistan's selective approach in tackling terror groups operating outside Pakistan and within, despite the numerous solemn promises made underscores the continuing unwillingness to acknowledge the truth", the Indian Representative said. The Indian side said apart from becoming "world's terrorism factory", Pakistan has alienated its own people through continued mistreatment of Hindus, Christians, Shias, Ahmadiyas and other minorities. "In this Council, Pakistan has referred to situation of minorities in India. Minorities in India have been Prime Ministers, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, senior Cabinet Ministers, senior civil servants, cricket team captains, Bollywood superstars-can the minorities of Pakistan claim even a shadow of this? All they have are blasphemy laws and relentless abuse and violation of their human rights", the Indian side said.

WATCH VIDEO

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UK period drama The Halcyon, which premieres on ABC next month, is on the hunt for a new home -but are in a race against time.

ITV announced last week it was axing the series after just one season, showrunners having already started on scripts for series two.

Andy Harries, [CEO] at Left Bank hopes that there might be somewhere else that we could go, producer Chris Croucher told RadioTimes.com. Nothing is confirmed at the moment. I believe he is trying.

Its difficult with timeframes, because actually our option period on the actors is about to run out, and we have our beautiful hotel standing in West London, and every week thats costing us and that adds up.

So I think a decision would need to be made very quickly.

Our plan was to see if we could do a five-year series, with each series being another year of the war. We had storylines for the entire second series and we actually had two scripts ready to go.

ITV said in a statement that it was looking to ensure the right balance and range together with the best mix of returning series and new dramas.
Aqeedat, in her letter, said that now that the BJP has won elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should work to win hearts of more Pakistanis and Indians alike.

By India Today Web Desk: She is just 11. But Lahore's Aqeedat Naveed understands how important peace between bitter neighbours Pakistan and India is. Naveed has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealing him to work towards establishing peace in the region after the Bharatiya Janata Party's super show in the just concluded Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Aqeedat, in her letter, said that now that the BJP has won elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi should work to win hearts of more Pakistanis and Indians alike.

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"Once my father told me that winning hearts is a marvellous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace. Both countries need good relation," Aqeedat wrote in the two page letter.

"Let's make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let's decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people," her letter said.

The fifth grader had earlier written a letter to Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj as well on the matter of peace and has also received several responses from officials in New Delhi, Dunya News reported.

Also read:

Sushma Swaraj meets Pakistani refugee Madhu, helps her get admission into school

Sushma Swaraj assures help for Pakistani boy's return to his country

Also watch:

Bill seeking to declare Pakistan a terror sponsor withdrawn from Rajya Sabha

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Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets with UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie.  UNHCR/Mark Henley

GENEVA  Special Envoy Angelina Jolie today reaffirmed her commitment to refugees worldwide, telling staff at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency: I am with you for life.

Jolie visited UNHCR headquarters during a one-day trip to Geneva, speaking to hundreds of staff members assembled in the atrium.

This is like coming home. I was first here 16 years ago and had no idea what was ahead of me. I am sure many of you sometimes feel the same way."

In the years she has worked with UNHCR, Jolie noted that the number of people driven from their homes by wars and persecution had surged to 65 million from 22 million, presenting a challenge to the world and in particular the UN Refugee Agency.

You have more people under your care, you have more to be concerned with, you have more to do, and you have less support, and I cant imagine how hard it must be for you sometimes coming to work every day, Jolie said.

The rise in displacement comes at a moment when lasting solutions to the conflicts and other situations driving displacement remain elusive.

And, I know, many days you must feel, when you read the news, when you do your work, when you go into the field, are we doing enough? Will we ever be able to do enough? Will we ever be able to get on top of this situation?

Probably like most field officers, I know you think more about those you couldnt help, than all those you have helped. But know theres a reason why Im so proud to be with UNHCR, because the work you do, and what you do in the field, and the lives you help to save and the people you help to get through their days  makes all the difference.

Speaking of the many challenges facing UNHCR and the broader humanitarian community, Jolie urged staff to really step forward and say who we are and who we fight for and work even harder. So I am with you, not just for my contract, I am with you for life. You cant walk away once youve joined UNHCR.

The Special Envoy recounted an anecdote about visits to the field, talking with UNHCR staff over drinks or dinner, when the conversation inevitably turns to policies or refugees. You cant shake it. Its who you become. So we stand here as family and I am with you.

She concluded, saying simply: I hope I represent you as best I can in all your work, and I will continue to.

During her visit to UNHCR, Jolie met with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, to renew the agreement for her as a UNHCR Special Envoy.

She also was also delivering the annual lecture for the Sergio Vieira de Mello foundation, which honours the memory and work of the UNHCR staff member and diplomat, who was killed in Iraq in 2003 when the United Nations office in Baghdad was bombed by terrorists.
UNHCR's Special Envoy Angelina Jolie gives the Annual Sergio Vieira de Mello Memorial Lecture at the Palais des Nations, in memory of the UN diplomat killed in a terror attack in Iraq in 2003.  UNHCR/Mark Henley

We are here in memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello and the 21 other men and women, most of them UN workers, who died with him in the bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003.

We remember all those who died, to acknowledge each valuable life cut short, and the families who share, even today, in their sacrifice.

We also remember them for the power of the example they set: brave individuals from 11 different countries, working to help Iraqi people, at the direction of the United Nations Security Council, and on behalf of us all.

This is sometimes forgotten: that in serving under the UN flag they died in our names, as our representatives.

At their head was Sergio Vieira de Mello, a man of extraordinary grace and ability, as so many who knew him testify.

A man who gave 30 years to the United Nations, rising from a field officer to High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Representative to Iraq.

From Bangladesh and Bosnia to South Sudan to East Timor, he spent the majority of his career in the field, working alongside people forced from their homes by war, and assisting them with his skill as a diplomat and negotiator.

Perhaps the greatest testament to his contribution, is how much his advice would be valued today.

As the Syrian conflict enters its seventh year, as we live through the gravest refugee crisis since the founding of the United Nations, as 20 million people are on the brink of death from starvation in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and northeast Nigeria, I cannot imagine that there is anyone in the leadership of the United Nations who would not welcome the opportunity to consult Sergio, or send him into the field once more. He is truly missed, even today.

It is humbling for me to speak tonight in the presence of members of Sergios family and his former colleagues.

I never knew Sergio, but I have stood before the plaque in the place where he died.

I felt profound sadness at the fact that the conflict in Iraq  the source of so much Iraqi suffering to this day - had claimed the lives of men and women whose only intention was to try and improve a desperate situation.

But I also saw clearly the value and nobility of a life spent in service of others.

Sergio was a man who never turned down an assignment, no matter how difficult and dangerous - or as others have put it, was handed one impossible task after another.

He was a man, to borrow the words of Thomas Paine, whose country was the world, and whose religion was to do good.

He will always remain a hero and inspiration to all who follow in his footsteps.

The UNs work did not end there, in the rubble of the Canal Hotel, 14 years ago.

Hundreds of UN staff have served, and continue to, serve in Iraq, as they do from Afghanistan to Somalia, because the task of building peace and security can never be abandoned, no matter how bleak the situation.

My thoughts on Sergios life and legacy derive from my 16 years with UNHCR, the Agency he spent so much of his career serving and representing.

But I also speak as a citizen of my country  the United States.

I believe all of us who work with the UN preserve this duality. The United Nations is not a country, it is a place where we come together as nations and people to try to resolve our differences and unite in common action.

As a citizen, I find myself looking out on a global environment that seems more troubling and uncertain than at any time in my lifetime. I imagine many of you may feel the same.

We are grappling with a level of conflict and insecurity that seems to exceed our will and capabilities: with more refugees than ever before, and new wars erupting on top of existing conflicts, some already lasting decades.

We see a rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others.

We see some politicians elected partly on the basis of dismissing international institutions and agreements, as if our countries have not benefited from cooperation, but actually been harmed by it.

We hear some leaders talking as if some of our proudest achievements are in fact our biggest liabilities  whether it is the tradition of successfully integrating refugees into our societies, or the institutions and treaties we have built rooted in laws and human rights.

We see nations that played a proud role in the founding of the International Criminal Court withdrawing from it, on the one hand, and on the other, we see arrest warrants for alleged war crimes issued but not implemented, and other crimes ignored altogether.

We see a country like South Sudan ushered by the international community into independence, then largely abandoned  not by the UN agencies and NGOs  but effectively abandoned, without the massive support they needed to make a success of sovereignty.

And we see resolutions and laws on the protection of civilians and the use of chemical weapons, for instance, flouted repeatedly, in some cases under the cover of Security Council vetoes, as in Syria.

Many of these things are not new  but taken together  and in the absence of strong international leadership, they are deeply worrying.

When we consider all this and more, as citizens, what is our answer?

Do we, as some would encourage us to think, turn our backs on the world, and hope we can wait for storms to pass?

Or do we strengthen our commitment to diplomacy and to the United Nations?

I strongly believe there is only one choice, demanded by reason as well as by conscience, which is the hard work of diplomacy and negotiation and reform of the UN.

This is not to say that that is any way an easy road. And there are reasons people feel insecure today.

The level of conflict and lack of solutions combined with the fear of terrorism; the reality that globalization has bought vast benefits to some but worsened the lot of others; the sense of a disconnect between citizens and governments, or in some countries the lack of governance; the overall feeling that for all our gains in technology and connectedness, we are less in control of forces shaping our lives  all these factors and more have contributed to a sense of a world out of balance, and there are no easy answers.

And despite the millions of people who have lifted themselves out of poverty in our lifetimes, the difference between the lives of those of us born in wealthy, democratic societies and those born into the slums and refugee camps of the world is a profound injustice. We see it and we know it to be wrong, at a simple human level. That inequality is contributing to instability, conflict and migration as well as to the sense that the international system serves the few at the expense of the many.

But again, what is our answer, as citizens?

Do we withdraw from the world where before we felt a responsibility to be part of solutions?

I am a proud American and I am an internationalist.

I believe anyone committed to human rights is an internationalist.

It means seeing the world with a sense of fairness and humility, and recognizing our own humanity in the struggles of others.

It stems from love of ones country, but not at the expense of others - from patriotism, but not from narrow nationalism.

It includes the view that success isn't being better or greater than others, but finding your place in a world where others succeed too.

And that a strong nation, like a strong person, helps others to rise up and be independent.

It is the spirit that made possible the creation of the UN, out of the rubble and ruin and 60 million dead of World War Two; so that even before the task of defeating Nazism was complete, that generation of wartime leaders was forging the United Nations.

If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must.

The challenge is how to restore that sense of balance and hopefulness in our countries, while not sacrificing all we have learnt about the value and necessity of internationalism.

Because a world in which we turn our back on our global responsibilities will be a world that produces greater insecurity, violence and danger for us and for our children.

This is not a clash between idealism and realism.

It is the recognition that there is no shortcut to peace and security, and no substitute for the long, painstaking effort to end conflicts, expand human rights and strengthen the rule of law.

We have to challenge the idea that the strongest leaders are those most willing to dismiss human rights on the grounds of national interest. The strongest leaders are those who are capable of pursuing both.

Having strong values and the will to act upon them doesnt weaken our borders or our militaries  it is their essential foundation.

None of this is to say that the UN is perfect. Of course, it is not.

I have never met a field officer who has not railed against its shortcomings, as I imagine Sergio did in his darkest moments.

He, like all of us, wanted a UN that was more decisive, less bureaucratic, and that lived up to its standards. But he never said it was pointless. He never threw in the towel.

The UN is an imperfect organization because we are imperfect. It is not separate from us.

Our decisions, particularly those made by the Security Council, have played a part in creating the landscape we are dealing with today.

We should always remember why the UN was formed, and what it is for, and take that responsibility seriously.

We have to recognize the damage we do when we undermine the UN or use it selectively - or not at all - or when we rely on aid to do the job of diplomacy, or give the UN impossible tasks and then underfund it.

For example today, there is not a single humanitarian appeal anywhere in the world that is funded by even half of what is required. In fact it is worse than that. Appeals for countries on the brink of famine today are 17%, 7%, and 5% funded, for example.

Of course, emergency aid is not the long-term answer.

No one prefers that kind of aid. Not citizens of donor countries. Not governments. Not refugees. They do not want to be dependent.

It would be far better to be able to invest all our funds in infrastructure and schools and trade and enterprises.

But lets be clear, emergency aid has to continue because many states cannot or will not protect the rights of citizens around the world.

It is what we spend in countries where we have no diplomacy or our diplomacy is not working.

Until we do better at preventing and reducing conflict, we are doomed to be in a cycle of having to help feed or shelter people when societies collapse.

As another legendary UN leader, who was also killed in the line of duty, Dag Hammerskold, said Everything will be all right  you know when? When people, just people, stop thinking of the United Nations as a weird Picasso abstraction and see it as a drawing they made themselves.

The UN can only change if governments change their policies. And if we as citizens ask our governments to do that.

It is moving, if you think about it: We are the future generations envisaged in the UN Charter.

When our grandparents resolved to spare future generations the scourge of war, as written in the Charter, they were thinking of us.

But as well as dreaming of our safety they also left us a responsibility.

President Roosevelt, addressing the US Congress in January 1945, six months before the end of Second World War, said this:

In the field of foreign policy, we propose to stand together with the United Nations not for the war alone but for the victory for which the war is fought.

He went on:

The firm foundation can be built- and it will be built. But the continuance and assurance of a living peace must, in the long run, be the work of the people themselves.

Today, we have to ask ourselves, are we living up to that mission?

They gave us that start. What have we done with it?

It is clear to me that we have made huge strides. But our agreements and institutions are only as strong as our will to uphold them today.

And if we do not, for whatever reason, we bequeath a darker and more unstable world to all those who come after us. It is not for this that previous generations shed blood and worked so hard on behalf of all of us.

The memory of those who came before us holds us true to our ideals.

Resting unchanging in time, they remind us of who we are and what we stand for.

They give us hope to stay in the fight, as Sergio did, until his last breath.

14 years since his death, there is a stronger need than ever before for us to stay true to the ideals and purposes of the United Nations.

That is what I hope his memory holds us to today.

We cant all be Sergios. But I hope all of us can determine that we shall be a generation that renews its commitment to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

But in the final analysis, even if we do not, even if that level of vision eludes us and we continue to simply manage rather than to try to overcome our generations challenges, we have to keep working determinedly and patiently.

And you can be certain, as you do, that you follow the example of one of the UN's finest sons: and that to do even a little of his good, to apply ourselves to the work he left unfinished, in whatever way we can, is a worthy task for any one of us.

Thank you
Haasan had recently taken to Twitter and posted strong messages against social inequality and the political situation in the state after the death of Jayalalithaa.

By Pramod Madhav: Chief Minister Edapadi K Palaniswami countered actor Kamal Haasan's allegations about the ruling government and blaming it for causing unnecessary trouble to the actor's film career.

Haasan had recently taken to Twitter and posted strong messages against social inequality and the political situation in the state after the death of Jayalalithaa. The actor welcomed the protest for Jallikattu by students at Marina beach too stating that he was expecting more such protests.

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The actor said that he's been vocal all his life about certain dogmas in the society and never abstained from criticising anyone, be it the chief minister or anyone else.

Talking about reforms in politics, Haasan stated that it has a become a profession to be a politician and said, "This is a profession where they choose their own salary, perks and many do relinquish it even after their term gets over." He even criticised the state politicians of becoming inaccessible to the public in recent times, which is not good for Tamil Nadu and talking about saffronisation, the actor claimed that Dravidian culture can never be eradicated.

The actor took a direct jibe on the AIADMK saying that one person, who was in power was the major reason for creating unnecessary ban and delay to his movie Vishwaroopam, causing a loss of Rs 55 crore four years ago.

Irked by Haasan's comments, Chief Minister Palaniswami attempted to obliterate the claims speaking during an event at Salem yesterday and questioned if he has forgotten the fact that it was Jayalalithaa who solved the isuue.

EPS also questioned Haasan stand as to how could he say that his government should not continue. "How can you question my governance and how can you say that I'm not the right person to rule. I've been with the party since the beginning and have held countless posts within the party and you call me an unknown face," he said.

WIth the open rebuttal, an open war has ensued between the ruling AIADMK and the actor, where the first set seems to have gone in the Haasan favour as CM's comeback lacked the punch or flavour.

Watch the video here:

Also read: Kamal Haasan reveals who was behind Vishwaroopam controversy, after 4 years

Also read: Family of JNU scholar found dead demands CBI probe

--- ENDS ---
Many students coming from low-income families are considered one of the brightest and the ones with potential. However, many of them are not able to get in to the top colleges in the United States for many reasons and one of them is the cost.

The presidents of the top 30 schools in the US believe that they miss out on the best students who come from the low income families, and decided to make changes to increase enrollment of these students, ABC KSAT 12 reported. President Michael Drake from the Ohio State University admitted that they have been accepting more students from the upper half of the income distribution, but they also believe that when it comes to talent, the potential is more evenly distributed.

These schools consist of both private and public colleges and universities, like the Ivy League schools, Georgia Tech, University of Maryland, and many others. Among these are Franklin and Marshall College who also expressed their commitment last month to enroll more low income students, according WITF.

The goal is to encourage institutions who have the highest graduation rates to admit more students from low income families, and low income families are those that earn less than the median income which is $57,000. These schools aim to enroll 12% of these students and that is equivalent to 50,000 in total to the top colleges in the US in the next eight years.

As to how they will do it, the admissions processes are not bound to change, but they plan to lower the cost of college with the help of financial aid. This is because they believe that these student qualify just like the rest, only that they do not apply because college is expensive. They also plan to make changes with their recruitment policies by making efforts to directly reach out to students.
When a mother learned about her daughter's dream to become a dentist, she has decided to take action and that paved the way for the creation of Girls 4 Science. The program is aims to increase STEM exposure to girls so that they become more excited and interested about it.

Jackie Lomax is the founder of Girls 4 Science organization based in Chicago, and according to NewsOne, the focus of the group is help minority girls aged 10 to 18 to develop their curiosity and interest in the fields of science, math, engineering and technology.

At present, more than 500 girls have been trained by the program and Lomax looks forward to training 500 more, ABC7 reported.

One of the students, Nakia Chappelle expressed how Girls 4 Science has opened many different opportunities for her. She is one of the many girls who spends her Saturdays to attend the Girls 4 Science program. She is happy about how she gets to learn these things outside of the classroom and get to do it with the people or her friends who share the same interest.

According to Lomax, the teachers are all subject matter experts who work in different industries of STEM. The program is for free and discusses the topics which are taken fresh from the headlines.

Lomax looks forward to giving the same opportunity to learn to many more young women because she considers the fields of science, technology, engineering and math to be an important aspect of the people's lives. And her goal is to be able to increase women's exposure to these things, empower them and hopefully find employment in the STEM related industries in the future.

At present, the graduation rate and college placement of the program is at 100 percent.
Google' Advanced Technology and Project has always had a vision to create innovative products, such as wearables that are equipped with surfaces that can be controlled by gestures. Such is its collaboration with Levi's Project Jacquard which has produced the first smart jacket with the features they've imagined.

The smart jacket called Levi's Commuter Jacket was introduced in 2016 and brought to the SXSW in Austin, Texas this week. The smart jacket is made up of a conductive fabric and equipped with a Bluetooth device attached to the jacket.

The interactive surface is connected by 15 threads that respond when you touch or made gestures on the sleeve. Those gestures are then sent to your phone through the Bluetooth device attached to it.

You can do various activities, such as find out the time or listen to music, just by swiping or brushing the jacket with your fingers. The companion app called the Project Jacquard enables you to choose what kind of gesture will correspond to the activity.

The conductive threads are totally flexible and washable. However, the cuff links need to be removed before washing the jacket because that's where the electronics are.

A Google spokesperson said via The Verge that they are still testing it to ensure consumers will have the best experience once it's out in the market. Google is set to release it this fall. Although it was originally planned for a spring release, Google said that it has delayed the launch because they are still refining some parts to it although they did not clarify which part.

Levi's on the other hand, said that they are looking to add more gestures to the app. Thus, it might be that the app still needs refining before they can really sell it to the market. The jacket is reportedly going to cost around $350.
EU Parliament suspended a polish MEP after he passed sexist remarks, calling the female gender as 'weaker' and 'less intelligent'.

By India Today Web Desk: European Parliament on Tuesday set a fine example of intolerance against sexism after the parliament suspended a Polish MEP, Janusz Korwin-Mikke for passing a sexist remark during a parliamentary debate.

FYI || From women to we men: Saudi Arabia inaugurates girls' council but without any girls ||

The president of the EU Parliament, Antonio Tajani, suspended Korwin-Mikke for 10 days and snatched his lawmakers' daily subsistence allowance for 30 days.

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Mikke has also been banned from representing the legislature for a year so that he cannot participate in any inter-parliamentary delegations, conferences or inter-institution forums.

FYI || Politics and patriarchy: Prejudice of Indian politicians becomes an abominable act ||

During a debate on unfair gender pay gap, Mikke said, "Of course women must earn less than men because they are weaker, they are smaller, they are less intelligent. They must earn less, that's all."

Antonia Tajani's speech declaring penalty on Mikke:

Mikke's remark on women being 'less intelligent' and 'weak':

Also Watch: What happens when the 'male gaze' turns feminine?

--- ENDS ---
As the costs of college continue to rise, a school district in Pennsylvania makes an effort to make college possible for students who aspire and dream big. Students who have good grades are offered free college for 2 years at Harrisburg Area Community College.

According to KRON4, the Steelton-Highspire School District works in collaboration with the community college system in order to help those kids who were able to maintain good grades, and at the same time, managed to stay away from trouble.

Steel-High is the very first Midstate district to have launched this program, according to ABC8 News. In fact, it will even give the students a little extra incentive to encourage them to score high in the succeeding tests.

Daytona Walsh, a 7th grader who is a part of the program called the Harrisburg Promise said how her parents were hooked about the offer. She said that academics always gets harder every time especially when you go up. She shared a piece of advice and said that the only thing she did was to study and study and pay attention. She understands that she needs to do that since she wants to stay in the program.

The Harrisburg Promise covers two years free college tuition at any HACC campus only if the students are able to maintain a 2.5 GPA through middle and high school. They must also be able to abide by other rules mentioned by the principal Sheri Woodall which includes staying out of drugs and alcohol. She also said that students should not become a teenage parent.

These are basically the requirements set up by the HACC. The initiative began last semester, and there are already 23 students who qualified and signed up for the applications.
Engineering is one of the most in-demand fields these days. Before you fully launch yourself in the engineering industry, however, you need a grad school that will help you strengthen the skills and knowledge you have acquired. Here are the top 5 grad schools for engineering in the United States according to the U.S. News ranking:

#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT's School of Engineering has 15 areas where you can specialize in, all of which are highly ranked. The school is also equipped with 20 research centers around the campus focusing on different topics, such as soldier nanotechnologies and ocean engineering. For those who are already in the engineering field but planning to shift, the school has a Career Re-Engineering Program, a part-time one-semester long term where students can take part in research projects, internship programs, or career workshops.

Some of the most notable alumni of MIT's School of Engineering are William David Coolidge, who made major contributions to the development of X-ray machines, and Nicholas A. Peppas, a pioneer in nanobiotechnology, drug delivery, and biomaterials.

#2 Stanford University

Stanford University is neighbors with Silicon Valley making its location a very strategic one for engineering students. Stanford's School of Engineering has a 265 full-time faculty and a 7:1:1 student-faculty ratio. Its grad school for engineering has 10 areas to specialize in which include Aeronautics Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. The school has 65 research centers and labs scattered around the campus.

Famous alumni are Frederick Terman and John L. Hennessy, who are considered as the father and godfather of Silicon Valley respectively.

#3 University of California - Berkeley

The University of California - Berkeley's School of Engineering has the lowest tuition fee among the top 5 grad schools for engineering which is $11,220 per year for full time and in-state while out-of-state full-time students have to pay $26,322 per year. Those who will take their master's degree in engineering at UC-Berkeley will take two years to finish it but an accelerated program is available which will take a year to finish. There are eight areas of specialization in engineering which include Applied Science and Technology.

Notable alumni include Margaret Schmidt, Chief Design Officer of TiVo, and T.Y. Lin, a pioneer researcher and practitioner of pre-stressed concrete.

#4 California Institute of Technology

CalTech's chemical engineering program is separate from its Engineering and Applied Science Department. There are specializations available for aeronautics, civil, and mechanical engineering among others. Like all other engineering schools, CalTech has a number of research centers scattered around the campus including the Center for Neuromorphic Systems Engineering.

Some of its notable alumni are Frank Borman, commander of Gemini 7 and Apollo 8 space missions and Regina E. Dugan, the first female director of DARPA.

#5 Carnegie Mellon University

The Carnegie Mellon Institute of Technology's graduate programs has 10 interdisciplinary majors to choose from. Furthermore, engineering students have the option to pursue a research-based or course-based program. They also offer research programs in other parts of the world which students can take part in.

Notable alumni are David Parnas, a pioneer in software engineering and Mao Yisheng, a bridge expert and the first Ph.D graduate of Carnegie Tech.
Central State University was on lockdown for a few hours after a gunfire incident was reported. Wilberforce University also lifted its lockdown after CSU.

On Monday night, Central State University took to Twitter to alert its campus community about gunfire on campus. The school confirmed the lockdown just before 9 p.m. until further notice.

NBC4i.com reported that the lockdown was lifted about three hours later. The university sent out a statement expressing their thanks to the University's Campus Police Department, Greene County Sheriff's Office, Wilberforce University Police and Kettering Police's canine unit for responding quickly to the situation. Apparently, Central State University received a report of an armed robbery in one of its buildings.

Officers heard a gunshot while investigation was going on. Both Central State and Wilberforce University campuses were immediately placed on lock down.

One female student was found to have been wounded and was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. She is already in a stable condition. No one else was injured.

The police searched the nearby woods and found a weapon. Continuing the investigation are the Greene County Sheriff's Office and Central State University Campus Police. The incident was said to have happened around a co-ed dorm.

According to Dayton Daily News, CSU has increased its police presence right after the gunfire incident. Police have been more visible and are patrolling the campus more. The university has also announced that it is offering counseling to students who need it.

Students gathered together for a vigil in campus on Tuesday. They sang songs and prayed together. The university has discouraged reporters to interview students even though the school is a public institution.

Apparently, the gunfire incident stemmed from a robbery. Three CSU students, one of whom had a gun, entered the victim's room and demanded marijuana.

The victim was able to identify the suspects but no arrests have been made yet. A female student got shot in the leg when a bullet traveled through a wall and struck her.
Spring break is coming soon and students are definitely excited to have time to relax after keeping up with stressful exams and project deadlines. However, not all students actually get to enjoy an ideal spring break.

There are a lot of free things that students on spring break can do in Europe. Places like Berlin, London, Belfast and Athens have sights and spots that tourists can visit for free.

While there are also ways to enjoy spring break without leaving the city, low-income and first-generation students actually have a lot to worry about economically with the week-long break. The Daily Pennsylvanian reported that some Penn students have trouble with looking for affordable food options since the dining halls are closed.

Fortunately, the Greenfield Intercultural Center (GIC) at the University of Pennsylvania has provided a food pantry that first-generation and low-income students could use. This has been met with positive feedback, saying that the system has been very helpful.

First-generation and low-income students still face another problem come spring break, though. Due to lack of resources, they cannot travel or join special spring break programs. Graduate students Hulya Miclisse-Polat, who interns at GIC, said that the community needs to check why these programs do not address this specific issue.

Freshman Daniel Gonzalez added that these spring break programs do not offer financial aid. This makes it difficult for first-generation and low-income students to participate.

Nonetheless, Gonzalez had admitted that he does not feel isolated because he found a strong community of first-generation and low-income students at UPenn. Several of these students stayed over for spring break too.

Another freshman said that the decision to travel or not is a tough decision since it's hard to find balance, financially, between what he wants to do and what he needs to do. He noted that there are a lot of opportunities at Penn but the institution does not seem to recognize that not everyone can afford it.
Stanford University and University of Calgary researchers were able to transform pulses of electrical current sent 1,000 feet below ground into an image of where seawater has infiltrated freshwater aquifers. The scientists have mapped saltwater intrusion along the Monterey Bay coastline.

The study will help explain factors controlling the saltwater phenomenon. This is also expected to help improve the groundwater models that local water managers utilize in making decisions about pumping groundwater to meet the need for drinking or farming, Phys.org reported.

Meredith Goebel, a PhD candidate at Stanford's School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, said that they hope the local managers can use their findings to better spot regions that are most affected by saltwater intrusion. She added that the study can help targeted management practices be more effective.

Rosemary Knight, Goebel's graduate advisor and he George L. Harrington Professor at Stanford, admitted that she believes Earth imaging using geophysical methods can help manage the health of groundwater systems in the same way as medical imaging has played a significant role in the management of human health. Knight specializes in using geophysical imaging tools to monitor and manage freshwater resources.

The researchers used a geophysical imaging technique named electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to map the salinity of groundwater along the stretch of the California Central coast. Seawater is said to be electrically conductive because of its high salt content while freshwater is electrically resistive.

According to Stanford's official website, ERT is a better and cheaper alternative to the current method used to monitor saltwater intrusion. The method done today involves drilling "sentinel" wells at specific locations.

Knight noted that this only provides information on one location. The ERT, on the other hand, can give scientists a full 2D slice with spatial coverage which cannot be done with sentinel wells. These wells are also expensive and it cost nearly $1 million to drill four of the wells along Monterey Bay.
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"India needs to battle radicalisation of young minds. The challenge we are not coping so well with," Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said while speaking at Counter Terrorism Conference in Delhi.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: Days after UP ATS gunned down Saifulla, an alleged ISIS recruit, in the heart of Lucknow, the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said there is a concern about radicalisation and challenges arising out of it.

"India needs to battle radicalisation of young minds. The challenge we are not coping so well with," he said while speaking at Counter Terrorism Conference in Delhi. "But, we are working towards it," he added further.

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Putting his personal opinion before a large audience, he said, "We have to have continue growth for sustained development. More opportunities should wean away people who can be radicalized."

This is after NIA recently took over the ISIS case of Lucknow and Bhopal involving several recruits mostly in their 20's. NIA has been probing several cases of radicalised youth with close to 60 youths being arrested.

The top bureaucrat heading the internal security said, " India has failed as a state not being responsible player. We need to improve state capacity and criminal justice system, which is more antiquated than administration." He further said indicating that the current system was not ready to rise to the challenges of present times.

"If terrorism has to stop, it has to stop, it has to stop at beat constable level, not NSG." Adding that Mumbai 26/11 attack is an example of state failure and what's wrong with system and issue of governance.

Talking of dismissal performance, he said, "The state capacity is not much. The commitment to fight the menace (terror) is not much. I am also symbol of the system implying the responsibility begins top down. There is lack of focus to provide law and order. Not able to provide security to citizens is a failure."

Also read:

Lucknow encounter: Home grown ISIS Khorasan module was planning big strike. All you need to know

Lucknow siege: How 4 states - UP, Telangana, MP, Kerala - worked together to bust ISIS Khurasan module

--- ENDS ---
It seems it's time for some fireworks in the Samajwadi Party which was brutally humbled by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the just-concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

By Indo-Asian News Service: It seems it's time for some fireworks in the Samajwadi Party (SP) which was brutally humbled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the just-concluded Uttar Pradesh Assembly election.

Rumblings have begun in the erstwhile ruling party which was reduced to an all-time low of 47 in its 25th year and now has a hugely diminished aura and numbers in the 17th Vidhan Sabha.

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The first murmurs were heard as results poured in on Saturday, and it became evident that the SP would touch a new low and the BJP a new high - a landslide of 325 seats along with its allies.

It was only after the results were announced that the SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, went for the first time, to the Janeshwar Mishra Trust office - which housed the war room of the Congress and SP alliance.

Mulayam Singh Yadav was edged out by his Chief Minister son, Akhilesh Yadav, as the national president of the party on January 1.

A stone's throw from his sprawling 5, Vikramaditya Marg bungalow on Panch Bangalia, the tense-looking Yadav chieftain reportedly had gone to meet with and console party workers. He, however, was there for just five-odd minutes and left when he saw his son.

Akhilesh, though, is said to have hurriedly pulled himself together and touched his father's feet.

Mulayam said nothing and just drove away. He later left for the airport and flew to Saifai, their native village, for the annual Holi celebrations.

Akhilesh Yadav left a little later and took the Agra-Lucknow Expressway to drive with his family to Saifai. Enroute, he met some supporters who had gathered along the route. "We will see what went wrong, do not lose heart," he told the young men in a bid to lift their spirits.

Akhilesh, after the rout at the hustings, rued that he never knew people would vote him out so badly despite the work done by his government in the past five years. "Main samajh gaya hoon ki vote samjhane se nahin, bahkane se milta hai," (I've understood that votes are gained by pulling wool over people's eyes) he said.

He also taunted the voters by saying: "I guess people did not like the Expressway and were rather looking for a bullet train to come to Uttar Pradesh." A reference to one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet schemes.

Insiders say the swords are out and soon a "pitched battle would be fought in the open" in the SP.

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Shivpal, who won from Jaswantnagar yet again with a huge margin, now stands vindicated. He was locked in a bitter feud for power within the party since October last year and was completely sidelined in the assembly elections. He is now waiting for his turn to strike.

During the infighting, he had openly told Akhilesh that he was on a suicidal mission with the likes of Ram Gopal Yadav and the young brigade that included Udayveer Singh, Sanjay Lathar, Sunil Singh Sajan and other close aides. Both Mulayam and Shivpal had forewarned Akhilesh about having any truck with the Congress.

Akhilesh, however, rode roughshod over this advice and not only promoted his close aides but did whatever uncle Ram Gopal said. He joined hands with the Congress, and went to the extent of giving the alliance partner 105 of the 403 seats.

The Congress which had 28 legislators in the outgoing house is now down to a mere seven, its worst-ever performance in Uttar Pradesh.

An angry Mulayam never campaigned for SP candidates and stuck to canvassing for Shivpal and daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav.

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Shivpal was not asked to campaign either, and Akhilesh and Dimple were the only star campaigners in the staggered polls.

The extent of the anger in the now-divided family can be gauged by the fact that it was for the first time that Shivpal did not turn up for the Holi do at Saifai, where every year the clan meets and celebrates the festival in style.

After the party's rout, Shivpal has said openly that this was not the defeat of the Samajwadi Party, but a defeat of "ghamand" (arrogance). He chose to stay put in Etawah and play Holi with his fans and supporters.

Mulayam, it is said, drove off to Lucknow as son Akhilesh arrived in Saifai. The whereabouts of Ram Gopal Yadav are not known.

Just before the last phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam's second wife Sadhna Gupta, in an interview to a television agency, had slammed Akhilesh for "showing disrespect to neta ji". The interview, many political observers here had inferred, was a "signal of things to come post polls".

While Mulayam, in an informal chat on Holi eve, told some close aides that Akhilesh alone could not be held responsible for the rout. He added that the "anger of Shivpal and Amar Singh was understandable", he is also learnt to be very cut-up with Akhilesh.

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He privately holds him and solely him responsible for the party's disastrous show at the hustings, a close aide informed.

Mohd Azam Khan, a party stalwart and one of the founding members of the SP, was spotted weeping openly at a public meeting in Rampur on Sunday. Unable to take the loss, he was addressing a gathering of supporters when he broke down.

Akhilesh has called a meeting of the newly-elected party legislators on Wednesday and it is likely that any future strategy will then be spelt out.

For now there is an ominous silence in the Yadav clan and in the SP, which, many feel, could be the proverbial calm before the storm.

Also Read: As Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party loses election, supporters blame Congress and 'traitor' Shivpal

Also Read: Uttar Pradesh election results 2017: Where Akhilesh got his cycle punctured

Also Watch: Samajwadi Party, Congress announce alliance for UP Assembly Polls

--- ENDS ---
Published: March 15, 2017

Chief Executives of International Dairy Queen, Auto-Owners Insurance, Act1 Group and L.L. Bean to Speak at UT Fellows Forum March 21

The leaders of International Dairy Queen, Auto-Owners Insurance, Act1 Group and L.L. Bean are slated to speak at The University of Tampas Fellows Forum on Tuesday, March 21, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Ferguson Hall. A continental breakfast will be served at 7:15 a.m., and the program will run from 89:30 a.m.



Speakers include John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen; Jeffrey Harrold, chairman and CEO of Auto-Owners Insurance; Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of Act1 Group; and Stephen Smith, CEO of L.L. Bean.



John Gainor is president and CEO of International Dairy Queen Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company. Gainor is responsible for overseeing more than 6,800 restaurants in the Dairy Queen, Orange Julius and Karmelkorn systems throughout the U.S., Canada and 28 other countries.



Jeffrey F. Harrold is chairman of the board and CEO of Auto-Owners Insurance, a mutual insurance company that offers auto, home, business and life insurance to policyholders exclusively through independent agents. Auto-Owners Insurance has been ranked among the Fortune 500 every year for the past 14 years.



Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of The Act1 Group, the largest privately held, woman- and minority-owned workforce management company in the U.S. Founded in 1978, the Act1 Group provides employment, workforce management and procurement solutions to a wide range of organizations, companies and government agencies in 19 countries.



Stephen Smith is president and CEO of L.L. Bean, an American, privately held e-commerce, mail-order and retail company founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean. The company, based in Freeport, ME, has grown from a one-man operation to a global organization with annual sales of $1.6 billion.



The forum will be moderated by Stacie Schaible of WFLA News Channel 8.



Tickets are $40 and may be purchased through the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerces website at www.tampachamber.com. Proceeds from the event go toward the Board of Fellows Endowed Scholarship, which supports students in the Sykes College of Business.



Since 1987, the Fellows Forum has been the annual flagship event for The University of Tampa Board of Fellows, bringing nationally recognized executives to Tampa to share their business experiences. Last years forum attracted more than 1,000 attendees.



This years presenting sponsor is Verizon. Platinum sponsors include the Straz Center, Design Styles Architecture, United Healthcare, Beck, UBS, Phelps Dunbar, Clark Capital Investments, Brown & Brown Insurance, Hill Ward Henderson, Harden, Jabil and Auto-Owners Insurance.



For more information, go to www.ut.edu/FellowsForum or contact Niti Shah, director of Fellows and Counselors, at (813) 257-6220 or nshah@ut.edu.
Governor of a Saudi province launched a girls' council without any girls in the council. Logical error or gender segregation?

By India Today Web Desk: Have you ever had a pizza without cheese? Maybe in Saudi you can grab one since in al-Qassim province, Saudi Arabia inaugurated its first girls' council on Saturday - which had no girls.

A picture was released to mark the first Qassim Girls Council meeting. In the photo, 13 men on stage were seen, but, not one woman.

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FYI || Radical Islamists troll, threaten, abuse Muslim woman for singing Hindu devotional song ||

So where are the girls in this inaugural girls' council formed to empower women?

In Saudi Arabia, there is strict state policy of gender segregation between unrelated men and women. It is rigorously enforced and diligently followed.

FYI || Kiss of Love returns: Kerala activists begin protest against Shiv Sena moral policing ||

Which brings us back to the question, yet again. Where were the girls in the girls' council?

Apparently, the women were in the other room and were linked through a video to attend the conference.

The inaugural council was led by Prince Faisal bin Mishal bin Saud, the province's governor. According to a BBC report, he said he was proud of it all since a thing like this was the first of its kind in the region.

"In the Qassim region, we look at women as sisters to men, and we feel a responsibility to open up more and more opportunities that will serve the work of women and girls," he said.

FYI || Statue of pint-size girl put up in front of Wall Street bull to mark gender diversity ||

Remember the pizza without cheese? Well, it seems there is a layer of butter if not cheese since the girls' council is chaired by Princess Abir bint Salman who is the governor's wife, who also was not in the photograph.

Also Watch: Not afraid of threats, says 16-year-old singer on fatwa issued by 46 Assam Muslim clerics

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By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha

Washington, Mar 15 (PTI) Seema Verma has been sworn-in as the head of a key US health care agency that oversees health insurance programmes for 130 million Americans, becoming the second Indian-American to be inducted into the Trump administration.

"President Donald Trump has chosen one of the leading experts in America on state-based healthcare solutions to lead this important agency," US Vice President Mike Pence said at the swearing-in ceremony at the White House yesterday.

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As the head of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services she would be heading the USD 1 trillion federal agency that provides health services to 130 million Americans.

Verma is the second Indian-American to be inducted into the Trump administration.

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was the first cabinet rank official from the community to serve in any presidential administration.

The Senate confirmed her nomination on Monday by a vote of 55-43, largely along party lines.

She is likely to play a key role in the health care reform of President Trump, who has made it a priority to repeal and replace the affordable health care of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Verma was elevated to the top federal position after her successful career in private health sector, spanning two decades.

In the recent years she had played a key role in health care reforms in Indiana, where Pence was the Governor, and few other states such as -- Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.

"Seema, President Trump has now asked you to bring your expertise to Washington, DC. As Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, were confident that youll help restore health care decision-making to the states, and in the process, help make the best health care system in the world even better," Pence said.

Noting that Vermas extraordinary record stretches back for over 20 years, Pence said that after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a masters degree in public health, she went to work in Indiana for the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County.

As a result of her efforts, Pence said today Indianas programme is leading the nation with its emphasis on personal responsibility and effective care for people who need it most.

"Im grateful and appreciative of President Trump not only for asking me to be the administrator but for putting together an incredibly talented group of individuals that hes brought from the private sector into government service, people like Dr Tom Price. And I am proud to be a part of this team," Verma said.

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She said that today Americas health care stands at a crossroad and they have no choice but to fix it.

"Under President Trumps leadership and vision, we finally have an incredible opportunity to move our health care system into one that puts Americans in charge of their health care and will ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care that they can afford," she added. PTI LKJ ASV AKJ AKJ

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The 90s punk group The Offspring will partner with longtime American band Sublime With Rome for an anticipated concert at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) on Friday, September 29.

Making their first appearance at the DLVEC, The Offspring will bring a slew of fan favorites and a memorable performance to the heart of Las Vegas alongside Sublime with Rome.

Dexter Holland (vocals, guitar), Noodles (guitar), Greg K (bass) and Pete Parada (drums) are The Offspring, one of rocks most exciting bands. The Offspring have performed over 1100 shows across the globe and sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Their 1994 release Smash remains the highest-selling album of all-time on an independent label. Among the bands best hits are the rock anthems Self Esteem, Come Out And Play (Keep Em Separated), The Kids Arent Alright and Youre Gonna Go Far, Kid.

The Southern California trio Sublime With Rome, featuring Rome Ramirez (vocals/guitar), Eric Wilson (bass) and Carlos Verdugo (drums), will play some of their biggest songs including tracks from their most recent release, Sirens. Co-produced by Paul Leary and Rome, the 11-track album was released in July of 2015 and hit #2 on Billboards Current Alternative Album Chart and #3 Billboards Rock Album Chart. Since their humble beginnings in 1988, the Long Beach band amassed a cult following and boasted radio hits with songs such as What I Got, Santeria and Wrong Way.
Rumours started circulating on social media about Chouhan's exit from Madhya Pradesh soon after the BJP decided to send Parrikar to Goa as chief minister.

By Hemender Sharma: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will not replace Manohar Parrikar as the defence minister of the country.

Rubbishing rumours of him going to Delhi, Chouhan said, "These are rumours. I'm not going anywhere and there is no need to pay any heed to such rumours."

Chouhan was forced to react on the issue after Union Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste on Tuesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not be affected in any way if the chief minister is shifted to Delhi.

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Rumours started circulating on social media about Chouhan's exit from Madhya Pradesh soon after the BJP decided to send Parrikar to Goa as chief minister.

The rumour that initially started with a message on WhatsApp became viral in no time and top BJP leaders of the state had to intervene to call the bluff.

The first one to intervene was Revenue Minister Uma Shankar Gupta who was followed by state BJP president Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan.

"Shivraj Chouhan is the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and will continue to remain so," Uma Shankar Gupta said.

State BJP president Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan went a step ahead and blamed the opposition Congress party for the rumour. "Chouhan is the most popular leader of Madhya Pradesh. We will fight the 2018 assembly elections under his leadership and the Congress is afraid of him. I suspect the Congress is behind this rumour as they want him out of Madhya Pradesh at any cost. There is no one in the Congress who can match his leadership," Nand Kumar Chouhan said.

The Congress party, however, rubbished the charges levelled against it by the state BJP president.

"Chouhan has become a liability for the BJP because of his involvement in scams like the VYAPAM scam and the dumper scam. Many in the BJP want to get rid of him and this message perhaps reflects their anguish. We do not care who leads the BJP," Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedi while taking to India Today said.

"Union Minister of state Faggan Singh Kulaste has said that the BJP will not be affected if Chouhan goes to Delhi. This shows that this is the internal fight of the party. BJP's state president should look into the infighting of his party before raising fingers at the Congress," Chaturvedi added.

Also Read: Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan's nephew caught evading mining royalty

Also Read: Former Madhya Pradesh Minister Babulal Gaur questions functioning of CM Shivraj Chouhan's govt

Also Watch: Goa: Parrikar to resign as defence minister, to be chief minister

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The growth seen in 2017 was higher than the 0.33 per cent growth rate noted in the first two months of 2016, according to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Industry insiders said the rise in the first months of the year would help credit growth spread more evenly across each quarter instead of only making an impact in the last quarter, as in previous years.

According to expert Nguyen Tri Hieu, based on the current condition of the global economy, optimistic forecasts of the countrys credit growth for this year can still be maintained.

However, he added, the rise for two months alone cannot say much, as there could be many fluctuations, especially in imports and exports, in the remaining months of the year. "If the world economy experiences a strong shake-up, this will surely affect Viet Nam," he said.

Credit institutions also appear cautious with their business goals as they have set lower credit growth targets this year than last year. Vietcombank, for example, has set a credit growth target of roughly 18 per cent this year, lower than the 18.9 per cent rise seen last year.

In discussing the caution being exercised by credit institutions, experts have said there are both domestic and international causes behind it.

According to experts, the global economy in 2017 is forecast to be challenging and will have an impact on Viet Nams economy, which is wide open and dependent on exports.

Now, even the US government is moving towards trade protectionism, bringing US manufacturers back to the US market. The USs economic relations with other nations are also under review. This will partly reduce foreign investment in Viet Nam, as investors tend to return to traditional markets when the global economy slows down.

Banks seem to have acknowledged this risk too, so they are being more cautious with their business goals, the experts forecast.

In the domestic market, the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has claimed it will continue to apply tight controls over lending in potentially risky areas, such as lending to large clients, real estate, and BOT and BT projects in the transport sector.

Under SBVs Circular 06/2016/TT-NHNN on asset-liability management and real estate loans, commercial banks have been allowed to use a maximum ratio of 50 per cent short-term funding for loans with terms extending beyond 12 months since the end of 2016, down from the previous 60 per cent. This ratio will be reduced to 40 per cent by the end of 2017.

Circular 06 also raised the risk weights for real estate loans to 200 per cent from the end of 2016, from the previous 150 per cent.

The rising risk weight means if commercial banks want to expand their real estate loans segment, they must increase their capital to have a capital adequacy ratio of at least 9 per cent. If they fail to increase their capital, the banks must limit their scale of lending. Meanwhile, it remains difficult to raise capital at this time.

Besides, many commercial banks have also prioritised the quality of lending instead of only focusing on credit growth as previously.

Pham Hong Hai, General Director of HSBC Vietnam, told Thoi bao ngan hang (Banking Times) that credit flows should focus on key areas of the economy, based on the effective measurement of capital flow. Hai also agreed with the central banks decision to tightly control the amount of capital pouring into potentially risky areas, such as real estate and securities.

According to Hai, if credit growth is too high, banks will face many difficulties in maintaining and ensuring the security of their capital in future.

Nghiem Xuan Thanh, chairman of Vietcombank, which was the first bank to successfully recover all bad debts sold to the Viet Nam Asset Management Company and currently has a bad debt ratio of less than 1.5 per cent, said his bank planned to actively promote lending to the governments five priority areas this year. Outstanding loans to these areas amounted to VND170 trillion (US$7.49 billion), accounting for 35 per cent of the banks total outstanding loans. The priority areas include agriculture and rural development, production for export, small and medium enterprises, support industry and hi-tech application.

Expert Hieu said the most important task for banks in using their capital effectively is to manage risk, adding that banks should only provide loans to well-scrutinised applicants. The governance of banks must also be changed to fit reality.

In addition, operating costs must be considered, the expert said.
Vietnamese Government is looking to increase the use of renewable energy to address environmental issues and the rising scarcity of power resources. - Photo solarapac.org

US power group AES Corporation has signed an MOU to invest $750 million in a solar factory, which will have the capacity to generate 300 to 500 megawatts (MW).

Licences were also granted to two companies, a Vietnamese one and a foreign firm.

Viet Nams Xuan Thien Company Limited will invest $2.2 billion in a 2,000MW solar project in the region.

South Koreas SolarPark Company Limited has been given the licence to build a $45 million solar plant in the province. Last year, it had signed an MOU for a $600 million to $1 billion solar power plant project, to be built over 40 years, from 2016 to 2056. The project will be constructed at Ea Sup Thuong Lake in Ea Sup District and will have a production capacity of 300MW to 500 MW.

In addition, Viet Nams Long Thanh Infrastructure Development and Investment Company plans to invest $308 million in a 250MW solar installation in the country.

At present, Viet Nam relies mostly on coal-fired and hydropower plants to meet its demand for electricity, which is growing at a pace of 11 per cent per annum. The Government is looking to increase the use of renewable energy to address environmental issues and the rising scarcity of power resources.

Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam are seeking solutions to secure solar power and setting targets to stimulate green energy generation when global agreements to limit pollution come into effect.
illustration photo, source: zing

In a resolution on solutions for macro-economic monitoring released on March 10, the government ordered ministries and localities peoples committees to strengthen the inspection and supervision of the operational effectiveness of all state-owned groups and corporations.

The groups and corporations will also have to periodically report their operational results to the government.

The governments tough move, aimed to make groups and corporations more transparent, has been highly commended by foreign experts.

Hong Sun, general secretary of the Korea Chamber of Business in Vietnam, told VIR that the move will help strengthen foreign investors confidence in the governments efforts to make state-owned enterprises (SOEs) operate transparently.

SOEs money is by nature that of the public. Thus it is quite necessary to have close control over their operations, he said.

International financial organisations and foreign firms are greatly interested in Vietnamese SOEs operations, because they want SOEs to quicken their equitisation, he said. However, over the past many years, such operations have never been made transparent.

Echoing this view, Aaron Batten, country economist from the Asian Development Banks Vietnam Resident Mission, also told VIR that the Vietnamese government should have closer control over SOEs. It is also necessary to reduce, and eventually remove state ownership in many commercial sectors of the economy, to allow the private sector to grow and compete on a level playing field.

According to Batten, Vietnam currently adopts a decentralised system of ownership over SOEs. The system is common in countries that have favoured economic intervention by the state and with a large number of SOEs, as it allowed the line ministry to use sector expertise to implement an active industrial policy.

However, decentralisation also causes fragmented ownership, weakening the power of the state to push ahead with SOE reforms. Lacking clear accountability lines and being difficult to coordinate can contribute to inefficiencies within SOEs, Batten said.

Meanwhile, Warren Mundy, managing director of Australias BlueStone Consulting Pty., Ltd. and former commissioner of Australias Productivity Commission, told VIR that in Vietnam, SOEs dominate many important markets, such as electricity, gas, oil, minerals, telecommunication services, domestic air transportation, credit financing, and railways, which is unfair to private firms.

Transparency, openness, and a strong commitment to robustly reforming SOEs and institution are central to ensuring a level playing field for all enterprises, and that Vietnam can lure more foreign direct investment, stressed Mundy, who used to work with Vietnams Central Institute for Economic Management on economic reforms.

The International Monetary Fund suggested that Vietnam should accelerate the reform of the SOE sector. Key elements include: faster and more comprehensive equitisation, while ensuring due process; transparency of equitisation procedures and their use; enforcement of disclosure and reporting requirements; governance reforms to address conflicts of interests between regulations and SOE management, along with strengthened accountability; continued divestment from non-core areas; restructuring and eventual exit of unprofitable SOEs; and the creation of a level playing field with the private sector by curtailing SOEs preferential access to credit and other resources.
Retailers preferred

On March 7, 2017, the Hanoi Peoples Committee issued Decision No. 1558/QD-UBND on criteria for selecting Hapros strategic investors.

According to this decision, strategic investors should satisfy the following conditions: they should have an owners equity of over VND2 trillion ($87 million) in the most recently audited financial report by an independent auditing company, no bad debts, a debt/equity ratio less than three in their 2015 audited financial statement, and they should also have positive after-tax profit in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

Besides, the investors must obey the law and be able to prove that they have the amount of money or assets with a value at least equal to the value of stakes registered to purchase. Particularly, they must deposit 30 per cent in advance and have a bank guarantee for the remaining 70 per cent they register to buy at the initial offering price of Hapro.

Bidders will have to buy after winning in the auction and if they refuse to buy after all, their deposit will not be refunded.

The investor should be experienced in commercial operations. Priority will be given to those with experience in import-export, domestic retail, and those who have an established retail system or are holding stakes in such enterprises.

Strategic investors must commit to taking over all the rights and obligations of the corporation at the moment of valuation. Meanwhile, strategic investors are also responsible for the workforce in this state-owned corporation in accordance with the law after undertaking equitisation.

Attractive land bank

Hapro is on Hanois list of equitisation in the period of 2016-2020. The company currently owns many attractive properties. In 2016, though it divested from many state-owned and joint venture companies, Hapro still held controlling interest in numerous subsidiaries, which have plenty of huge real estates. Hapro is scheduled for further divestment in the future.

One of the attractive real estates owned by Hapro is the shopping mall and office building on Le Duan Street. The construction covers an area of 1,624 square metres, however, it has been delayed for months due to financial obstacles and failing to get approval from local authorities to increase the buildings height beyond what was previously approved. Another real estate project is on Cat Linh Street, which currently serves as Hapros headquarters.

In addition, a range of Hapro subsidiaries hold further valuable parcels of land, like Hapro Holdings, which owns eight real estate projects in Vietnam or Long Bien Trade Investment Joint Stock Company with its 11 office buildings, and Trang Thi Trade & Service Company, with 42 land plots for leasing.

When Hapro divested from some of its subsidiaries, the stake sale attracted a lot of attention from investors.

At the beginning of 2016, when Hapro announced selling all of its stakes in CMC Hanoi (51 per cent, 510,000 shares) at the initial offering price of VND23,100 ($1.01), there were 18 investors who registered to purchase the stakes with a total registered volume of 2.55 million shares, five times as much.

In the end, three individual investors purchased shares from Hapro, paid VND38.25 billion ($1.67 million), which was equivalent to VND75,000 ($3.28) per share.

In September 2016, Vinaconex 3 planned to purchase a maximum of 5.7 million shares of CMC Hanoi, equivalent to 95.34 per cent of CMC Hanois chartered capital, at a price of VND35,000 ($1.53) per share.

Notably, before equitisation, CMC Hanoi continuously reported decreasing revenue and profit. In 2015, the firm suffered a loss of VND9.6 billion ($422,400), and recorded a cumulative loss of VND38.21 billion ($1.67 million) by December 31, 2015. With these poor results, it is believed that investors were interested in CMC Hanoi due to the prime location of its headquarter on Thuy Khue Street, Hanoi.

Another case of Hapros successful divestment due to prime location is Hapro-Bat Trang, a ceramics and pottery company. Hapro-Bat Trang reported poor business results. As of the end of the first quarter of 2015, the company had cumulative loss of VND2.5 billion ($110,000) and total assets of VND16.5 billion ($723,000).

Yet in March 2015, Hapro offered price of VND140,000 ($6.13) per share. In total, the 63.6 per cent stake offered by Hapro had a value of nearly VND17 billion ($740,000), higher than total assets of Hapro.

It can be said that besides the land plots that Hapro-Bat Trang owns, there was almost nothing worthy left in this company. But 21 individual investors signed up to buy a total seven times as many shares. In the end one investor bought all the shares at the price of VND421,600 ($18.5) per share.

Despite advantages in commercial spaces, over the years, return on sales has been quite low, about 0.7 to 0.8 per cent only.

According to Nguyen Huu Thang, Hapros chairman, in 2016, the company earned a revenue of VND5.923 trillion ($259 million), which is up 5 per cent on-year, and an import-export turnover of $164.5 million. Of the total, export turnover reached $158.9 million and import turnover was $5.6 million.
New initiative: Local residents collect products from the mangrove-shrimp model project.

The official attitude of provincial authorities in the Mekong Delta region this year could be deemed forewarned is forearmed.

Authorities are determined to prevent a recurrence of the disaster that struck last year after the worst drought in 90 years, along with serious saline intrusion, affected the entire region.

This year, the Delta is storing as much fresh water as possible. Dykes have been upgraded, sluices erected, and crops restructured. Master plans on climate-change adaptation are being reviewed and adjusted.

Predictions are that saline intrusion will be at a higher level this year in comparison with previous years. But it will be lower and less serious than last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Irrigation General Department.

Salty water is already beginning to enter the Delta and will increase by early March.

Kien Giang Province in the southwestern area of the Delta has taken precautionary measures by investing more than VND40 billion (US$1.8 million) to upgrade 276 dykes and build sluices on the Kien River and Cut Canal.

Another VND20 billion ($900,000) has been spent on drilling more wells to ensure fresh water for domestic use.

The province has also worked closely with the neighbouring province of An Giang on a proper plan to use water resources, according to Nguyen Van Tam, the director of Kien Giangs Agriculture and Rural Development Department.

Authorities have made careful plans for the winter-autumn crop, based on the availability of water resources in different localities.

In Bac Lieu Province, hot weather and salinity have been occurring since early February.

The province, working with the neighbouring provinces of Ca Mau and Soc Trang, is now operating 100 major sluices to adjust the usage level of fresh water.

More than 40 temporary dykes have been built, and farmers have been warned to preserve fresh water.

In an attempt to prevent saline intrusion and preserve soil quality, the entire region has also reduced the number of rice crops planted from three to two each year. The extra time will be used for vegetable cultivation.

Tien Giang in the coastal region, for example, has already shifted 2,500 hectares of land to vegetable cultivation.

Master plan

Opinions about a master plan for the Delta to cope with climate change vary among experts, but all agree that it must be adjusted and completed as soon as possible.

Dr Tang Duc Thang of the Southern Institute of Water Resource Research said: The Delta needs a long-term master plan to cope with drought and salinity, as it is one of several places in the world that will suffer the most from climate change.

This year, the amount of fresh water in the Mekong River is estimated to be 15-35 per cent lower in comparison with previous years, according to a report from the General Department of Irrigation.

Water-related development in the Mekong upstream has already affected agricultural production and daily life, and it will have a more serious impact in the future, Thang said.

The government should give priority to investing in salinity-control sluices along the Tien and Hau rivers and modernising irrigation by using automatic measurements and connecting independent irrigation systems to a larger system, he added.

To cope with changes in weather, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has made a 2016-20 action plan, which links agricultural production and rural development in the Mekong Delta.

Under the plan, rice is now mainly cultivated in the Dong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) sub-region, which includes the provinces of Long An, Dong Thap and Tien Giang.

Coconuts and pomelos are grown in a sub-region traversed by the Tien and Hau rivers in the provinces of Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh and Ben Tre. And shrimp are farmed mostly in the sub-region of the Ca Mau peninsula, which includes Soc Trang, Ca Mau, Bac Lieu and Kien Giang provinces.

As part of the plan, rice and catfish are now the major products in the sub-region of Long Xuyen, which includes the provinces of Hau Giang, An Giang, Can Tho and Kien Giang.

Tran Cong Thang, deputy head of the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, said that while the government had taken action to cope with climate change, more solutions were needed.

Viet Nam has built more irrigation dykes and sluices, enhanced measurements and warnings, provided more financial and technical support, changed timetables for crop farming, shifted farm land from rice to vegetables, and planted new rice seeds resilient to drought and salinity, he said.

But all of these measures have limitations and we still lack long-term, sustainable solutions for the region, he added.

However, Dr Andrew Wyatt, the Mekong Delta programme manager at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Viet Nam, told Viet Nam News that the Mekong Delta Plan had already covered many of the most pressing issues.

The plan was created in 2013 by Viet Nam and the Netherlands under a Strategic Partnership Arrangement on Climate-Change Adaptation and Water Management.

The Mekong Delta Plan has carefully noted all of the climate-change impacts that would affect the region over the long term, and all suggestions have been properly given under the 100-year plan, Wyatt said.

The master plan is currently being reviewed and adjustments will be made, according to Wyatt.

Salinity: friend or foe?

I think Vietnamese authorities and local communities should change their views and consider salinity as an opportunity to develop in a new way, Wyatt said, adding that agricultural practices could be shifted to take advantage of saline conditions.

Before Viet Nams reunification in 1975, the Mekong Delta region had no dyke systems to keep fresh water.

In the past, farmers knew how to cope with salinity, but now, after a long time of being protected, they dont know how to deal with it, he added.

Wyatt said that warnings about serious drought and salinity from local authorities to local farmers had been ignored last year.

Local authorities should provide farmers with useful software that will help them prepare for climate change, he said.

Over the years, the extensive irrigation system in the delta helped Viet Nam become one of the biggest rice exporters in the world. However, changes to that system have occurred.

In many places, like the southernmost province of Ca Mau, local farmers destroyed irrigation systems and dykes so they could pump salt water into their shrimp farms," he said. "So now, its time to carefully review agricultural production in the region in the context of climate change."

Wyatt also pointed out that in the past, only land in the middle of the Delta region could grow fruit because it was not threatened by flooding or saline intrusion at that time.

Now, fruit-growing areas have expanded and salinity could affect orchards because fruit needs several years to grow, he said.

Mangrove-shrimp farming model

One climate-adaptation project, a new integrated mangrove-shrimp farming model, has been highly successful in the coastal region of the Delta.

Introduced in Ca Mau, it has helped farmers earn more income, while preserving mangrove swamps that aquaculture often destroys.

Many shrimp farmers in the past, for example, cut down mangroves to build ponds for shrimp, which thrive in salty water. This caused coastal erosion and increased saline intrusion in inland farming areas.

The mangrove-shrimp project, organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Netherlands Development Organisation, was first set up in Ca Mau Provinces Nhung Mien Protective Forest with 1,075 households.

The project goal is to help local shrimp farmers become more profitable by combining farms with protected mangrove forests, thus increasing profitability and sustainability while also enhancing coastal resilience to climate change.

Although shrimp farming is one of Viet Nams leading export-related activities, it is also the leading cause of mangrove loss in a country with a long, densely populated coastline vulnerable to tropical storms and rising sea levels.

The sustainability of the shrimp farming business and the conservation of mangroves are both national priorities.

The mangrove-shrimp project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

It focuses on a group of around 2,700 farmers who use an integrated model of farming shrimp in mangrove forests in which each household has to earmark 60 per cent of the land for mangroves.

While farmers may have significantly lower yields per hectare than intensive shrimp farms, the integrated model results in a highly diverse output, lower costs and much lower risk of crop failure.

Not only is this model resilient to disease, but it is also stable and profitable, with incomes significantly higher than from traditional farming.

Households receive training that allows them to acquire certification in raising shrimp without industrial food or chemicals. Farmers also learn how to manage household waste and protect forests.

With the model, local residents can earn a sustainable living while mangroves are preserved and protect the coast, Wyatt said.

Underground water is also protected as the mangroves reduce water evaporation.

If you can protect underground water, you can help stop ground depression, and right now, the Mekong Delta is expected to sink around 10 millimetres each year because of excessive use of underground water, Wyatt said.
The Ministry of Finance has rejected a petition from traditional taxi companies to introduce tax calculation measures such as Uber and Grab cars.- Photo congthuonghcm.vn

According to an official letter sent by the ministry to the HCM City Taxi Association, existing regulations on tax, including rate of tax, investment preferential conditions and tax exemption or reduction, are applicable for all kinds of enterprises

Therefore, enterprises that have a definite amount of revenue, expenditure and income from business activities must pay tax according to the declaration method. For foreign firms that do not have a definite number, the State offices will calculate tax based on percentage of taxable turnover.

Earlier, the association proposed that the State cut value added tax (VAT) for traditional taxis from the current 10 per cent to five per cent. However, the ministry said according to the reform strategy on tax system during 2011-20, VAT would stand at only one rate of 10 per cent for all kinds of businesses. VAT will be at five per cent only for essential goods and at zero per cent for export goods.

Therefore, there was no basis to accept the associations proposal on cutting VAT to five per cent as well as its complaint that traditional taxis were paying more kinds of taxes and fees against Grab and Uber cars, the ministry said.

According to statistics of tax offices in HCM City, the ministry said almost all taxi companies in the city had a low rate of corporate income tax at between 0.01-0.06 per cent.

The association also proposed all turn-over of Grab and Uber cars be taxable, but the ministry said the current guidance of calculating tax for turnover of Grab and Uber cars was appropriate.

The ministry said if 100 per cent of turnover from Uber cars transporting customers was determined to be taxable, it would lead to overlapping and unreasonable taxes because Uber would get 20 per cent of turnover from transporting customers and the remaining 80 per cent would go to organisations and individuals that had business contracts or agreements with Uber.
Vertiv is the new name, but the company is still an established global industry leader. Its a trusted partner for the operators in data centres, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities, and one with newfound speed, focus and flexibility as a standalone company.

With offices in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities, Vertiv in Vietnam will build on the broad portfolio of product and service offerings for power, thermal and IT management capabilities it previously offered as Emerson Network Power, including its industry-leading flagship brands ASCO, Chloride, Liebert, NetSure and Trellis. This follows the global campaign to rebrand Vertiv as a standalone company after completing the sale to Platinum Equity.

Truong Quang Dzung, country manager of Vertiv in Vietnam, said that the company will be aggressively expanding into the telecommunications, banking, healthcare and transportation industries.

We are seeing strong demand for our products, solutions and services from these industries, he said. In the telecommunications industry, for example, local operators are now aggressively increasing their bandwidth and coverage on fixed-line broadband and mobile networks, as well as 4G technologies.

Digital transformation is also taking place in the banking and healthcare industries with the increasing deployment of e-services. For many years, Vertiv has been the preferred provider of robust and reliable infrastructure not just in telecom networks, but also in data centres in these industries, he added.

In addition, Vietnam is also seeing growth in the manufacturing sector, as the country eyes to become a global manufacturing hub.

Apart from its industry leading power, thermal and infrastructure management solutions, Vertiv also has its turnkey data centres, which combine power, thermal and monitoring in a rapidly deployable solution that is more cost effective and efficient than traditional data centre builds.

We are excited to be Vertiv and we will continue to work closely with our customers and partners in enabling Vietnams digital transformation initiatives, added Dzung.

Vietnam is a key market for us here in Asia. As Vertiv, we will continue to build on the unmatched legacy and strong foundation weve established over the years. We are committed to helping our customers achieve their goals and enable their digital strategies, Paul Churchill, vice president of Southeast Asia sales at Vertiv, said of the rebrand.
Yogendra Vasupal was arrested and sent to jail by the Chennai police commissioner after a case was filed against Vasupal by Jigsaw Advertising accusing him of fraud. A blog post Vasupal made on Medium is now going viral and it presents his side of the story, along with audio-visual proof.

By India Today Web Desk: The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of hotel room aggregator startup Stayzilla, Yogendra Vasupal, was arrested and sent to jail by the Chennai police commissioner after a case was filed against Vasupal by Jigsaw Advertising accusing him of fraud. Vasupal is said to be locked up in the Puzhal Central Prison as of now and hasn't gotten bail yet.

Yogi's wife is @the court, waiting for FIR copy, no bail granted 4now. all, let's raise our voice more in support of Yogi. #ReleaseYogiNow- Shradha Sharma (@SharmaShradha) March 15, 2017

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WHY WAS YOGENDRA VASUPAL ARRESTED?

Stayzilla, a Private Limited company, had an ongoing dispute with a Chennai-based advertising firm -- Jigsaw Advertising -- over deficiency of services provided. Stayzilla had asked the company to move court but instead, the company filed a criminal case against the CEO and co-founder Vasupal, in Chennai, accusing him of cheating and intimidation among others. Point to be noted here is that by law, Stayzilla, the Private Limited Company registered, owe money to the advertising firm and not Vasupal in his personal capacity. Instead of a civil case, a criminal case was filed against Vasupal and he is now behind bars.

THREAT TO CO-FOUNDER'S SON'S LIFE

Co-founder of Stayzilla Sachit Singhi received a box delivered to him from an anonymous source inside which there was a voodoo doll and his son's photo. The writing on the packaging said, "The most special way to say you care".

WHAT YOGENDRA VASUPAL'S BLOG POST SAYS

A long blog post that was published less than 12 hours ago from Yogendra Vasupal's account on Medium.com, the startup man presents his side of the story. Titled, "Help! I need everybody...", Vasupal detailed the two cases Stayzilla encounters.

Case against landlord, a politician

Since the time Vasupal informed the landlord of the property out of where Stayzilla's Bengaluru office functioned about the rough patch the company is facing, Vasupal's blog post says, that the landlord, who also happens to be a politician, insulted him, threatened to kill him using a revolver, and even physically assaulted his office staff.

This video is proof:

The blog post also said that the politician used to create an unsafe environment for women employees at Stayzilla by ogling at them and passing comments. After the assault, Vasupal sought help from the police and as per his blog post, getting an FIR filed against the politician was quite a task.

"Just as the FIR was filed, I found out that the landlord had returned to the office with a lot of his folks roaming in front of the office in bikes and on feet. I again had to escalate the matter to a senior official to get him out of the office because everybody in the police station still refused to do anything about it. Keep in mind the FIR was already filed by then," read his post.

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Case with Jigsaw Advertising

Bengaluru policemen, in mufti, went to Vasupal's house on March 9 and wanted him to report at the police station for questioning. On learning that a criminal case has been filed against him instead of a civil case against the company, Vasupal decided to talk to the Inspector in-charge. He realised an FIR was not filed till then but the officer threatened Vasupal that once an FIR is filed, he could be arrested and jailed.

"After being taken aback for a split second, I realized that as long as I fear going to the Jail, I will always succumb to baseless threats. I then told him if it was my fate to go to jail, I will. Post which I will win this baseless case in court and prove him wrong. Ended the call with that," he blogged.

Now, Yogendra Vasupal has been arrested and jailed.

STARTUP COMMUNITY STANDS UP FOR YOGENDRA VASUPAL WITH #ReleaseYogiNow

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Reading his side of the story from the blog, social media users and people from the startup community have started speaking up for Vasupal. They are demanding him to be released from the jail and are using #ReleaseYogiNow. Founder of Your Story, Shradha Sharma, is one of the prominent faces fighting for Vasupal.

Hey startup founders & employees tweet in support of Stayzilla & Yogendra use hashtag #ReleaseYogiNow. Also tag @narendramodi @rajnathsingh- Unicon Baba (@uni_con1) March 15, 2017

#ReleaseYogiNow I know @YogiVasupal for 7 years now & he does not deserve this humiliation. He is a real kindered spirit @SharmaShradha https://t.co/KzX0VzoNqy- Vishal Krishna (@vishalskrishna) March 15, 2017

Death threats?I mean seriously?& then you put the defendant behind bars who filed FIR 1st. How about jailing the offenders? #ReleaseYogiNow- Kranti Agrawal (@KrantiAgrawal) March 15, 2017

Very sad and wrong. Bail petition can be moved only tomorrow now, was delayed- to get certified copy of FIR and SDM order. #ReleaseYogiNow- Shradha Sharma (@SharmaShradha) March 15, 2017

What Stops law firms in shwing #Yogi to public & why he can't be allowed to meet his spouse & family members #ReleaseYogiNow https://t.co/trYKM08tyl- Saurabh Bohra (@saurabh_bohra) March 15, 2017

Prime Minister @narendramodi This is a test case for startups in India. Please do intervene. #ReleaseYogiNow https://t.co/wIqnn0Gewf- EmotionalQuotient (@Umashankar35) March 15, 2017

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Karnataka Minister of IT and Tourism Priyank Kharge tweeted saying he has spoken to Tamil Nadu Private Secretary Ramachandran about Vasupal's case and have requested intervention.

Spoke to TN IT Pr Secretary Mr. Ramchandran on @stayzilla issue. Have asked his intervention on the merits of the case & do the needful- Priyank Kharge (@PriyankKharge) March 15, 2017

--- ENDS ---
American oil firms are drilling again, boosting supply and weighing on the oil price recovery. (Photo: AFP/Andrew Burton)

As a result, prices rose in February as last year's accord between OPEC members and some non-members gained traction, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in its monthly oil report.

The oil price recovery was, however, under threat from fresh supply as high-cost producers in the United States started drilling again, encouraged by the price upswing, as well as from rising Canadian production.

An OPEC oil price reference basket rose by about two percent to an average of US$53.37 in February, the organisation said. "High compliance with supply adjustments by OPEC and some non-OPEC producers supported gains," it said.

In December, OPEC agreed with 11 non-members, including Russia, to cut output in the first half of this year to push prices higher.

PLACING BETS

Looking at the oil futures market, a key gauge of pent-up demand, OPEC said a record number of investors were placing wagers on price increases.

"Bets on crude oil prices rising have hit a new record high for the third month in a row, giving additional support to oil prices," OPEC said.

"Investor optimism over the effectiveness of the production adjustments encouraged record bets on a sustained rally," it said, adding however that "growing US output and stubbornly high stockpiles kept price gains in check and contained prices within a tight range".

The oil price has seen a strong recovery from 2016 lows and is currently more than 30 percent up from levels a year ago. But the rally has been stuttering in recent weeks as a cocktail of threats to the recovery has emerged.

Investors are nervous because of a surprisingly big jump in US stockpiles reported last week, increased US shale production and concerns about implementation of the OPEC-led deal to cut output.

On Tuesday, WTI oil stood at US$48.59 per barrel and Brent at US$51.77. Both contracts were up on the day, but between four and five percent lower than three months ago.

DEMAND ALSO RISES

OPEC does not predict oil prices, but the organisation did revise up its supply outlook for this year in an acknowledgement that fresh drilling in the US was having an impact on efforts to reduce a glut in the market.

"An improving outlook for Canadian oil sands and US supply were the main contributors to the revision" it said. In February, "growing US output and stubbornly high stockpiles kept price gains in check and contained prices within a tight range", it noted.

Citing a survey by Baker Hughes, an oil firm, OPEC said the number of American oil rigs had risen for seven consecutive weeks and was now 55 per cent higher than a year ago.

Oil investors have been wondering whether OPEC might extend its current output deal to counter rising production elsewhere, but the report did not address that question.

Meanwhile, rising global demand for oil will help rebalance the market, OPEC projections showed. The cartel boosted its 2017 outlook for demand growth to 1.26 million barrels per day, an increase of 70,000 barrels a day from last month's outlook.

"The upward adjustments were due to more optimistic expectations for oil demand in OECD Europe, as well as Asia Pacific," OPEC said. OPEC's 13 member countries together produce one-third of the world's oil.
On a roll

SCG Cement-Building Materials Co., Ltd., a member of Siam Cement Group (SCG), has just spent $156 million on buying up the shares of Vietnam Construction Materials JSC (VCM).

The Bangkok Post quoted a statement from SCG as saying that the enterprise value (EV) of this transaction was $440 million, including a net debt and additional investments to improve the efficiency of the acquired assets.

VCM has a capacity of 3.1 million tonnes a year. According to SCG, the plant has the potential to be more efficient (by what margin?).

Earlier, on February 28, Siam City Cement Vietnam finished the purchase of LafargeHolcims 65 per cent stake in LafargeHolcim Vietnam.

LafargeHolcim Vietnam announced its new name, Siam City Cement Vietnam, with the product brand INSEE, following the example of other LafargeHolcim subsidiaries taken over by SCC in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

LafargeHolcim Group cited that LafargeHolcim Vietnam is valued at $890.33 million. The 65 per cent stake must have cost around $580 million.

With LafargeHolcim holding 38 per cent of the Vietnamese market, the purchase is going to bring SCC considerable power.

Losing businesses

The Vietnam National Cement Association, the organisation of all cement producers in Vietnam, earlier this year predicted that Vietnam will have a surplus of cement from 2017 because of the recent increases in production capacity and because cement produced in Vietnam is no longer competitive.

According to the associations data, as of the end of 2016 the total designed capacity of all cement plants in Vietnam was 88 million tonnes a year. Counting in the plants that are being constructed and expected to start operation by 2018, the capacity would be 108 million tonnes a year. Not to mention that the currently operating ones would be upgrading technology, which would push out production to 120-130 million tonnes by 2020.

Meanwhile, demand in 2016 was 60 million tonnes and is projected to fall somewhere between 82 and 93 million tonnes by 2020.. Nguyen Quang Chung, head of the association, predicted that domestic competition will become more and more heated.

Moreover, exporting has become more difficult with Government Decree No. 100/2016/ND-CP dated July 2016 guiding the implementation of the value-added tax (VAT) law.

The decree imposes an export tax of 5 per cent on exported cement products. The taxes have increased the cost of export by $4.5 per tonne of clinker and $7.5 per tonne of cement based on the average Free-on-Board (FOB) prices of $30 and $50, respectively. In addition, these products are not eligible for input VAT deduction because they are produced from natural resources.

On top of this is the ever growing surplus from other countries that forces down price. In many conferences Vietnamese cement producers have voiced that they are pressured by the price of cement from China, Pakistan, India, and other countries.

In the meantime, multiple Vietnamese cement producers have reported losses and debts.

On March 10, newswire dantri.vn dug out a 2016 report from the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Construction, saying that Vietnam Cement Corporation (Vicem) is deep in debts. According to the inspection conclusion dated October 2016, Vicem and its 20 subsidiaries were almost VND1 billion ($44 million) in debt.

Subsidiary VICEM Haiphong reported VND400 billion ($17.5 million) in accumulated losses. VICEM Danang had VND4.5 billion ($197,300) in accumulated losses.

As of August 2016, VICEM Hoang Mai owed VND2 trillion ($88 million) in dividends. Halong Cement incurred an average loss between VND400 and 600 billion ($17.5-26.3 million) each year after starting operation in 2010.

Earlier this month, the Tuyen Quang Peoples Committee announced the auction of its 3 million shares in Tuyen Quang Cement JSC at VND3,200 (14 US cent) apiece, significantly lower than the book value of VND10,000 (44 US cent). Even at this discount price the public doubted anyone would buy because the company has been reporting consecutive losses for the past three years. As of the end of September, the companys accumulated loss was VND264 billion ($11.6 million), with liabilities at VND385 billion ($17 million).

With the current status of the Vietnamese cement market and newly passed regulation that make it more difficult to export cement than before, one may question the economic sense of the recent acquisitions.
Corals damaged by a cruise ship in Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/Indonesia Marine Security Agency/Bakamla)

Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia has long been a top attraction for intrepid travellers and avid divers, home to palm-fringed islands surrounded by an underwater kaleidoscope of coral and fish.

But the 4,200-ton Caledonian Sky slammed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in Raja Ampat, earlier this month after taking the tourists aboard on a bird-watching expedition.

The boat, which was carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, became grounded on the reefs and had to be refloated by a tug boat before continuing on its journey.

The accident has damaged an estimated 13,500 square metres (145,000 square feet) of coral reef which could cost up to US$16.2 million to restore, according to Ricardo Tapilatu, a marine researcher from the University of Papua who headed a team assessing the impact.

There has been outrage in the local tourism industry which relies on Raja Ampat's natural wonders for its survival.

"How can this happen? Was a 12-year-old at the wheel?" Stay Raja Ampat, a website that links tourists up with homestays, said on its Facebook page. "Anchor damage from ships like these is bad enough, but actually grounding a ship on a reef takes it to a whole new level."

'VERY BIG LOSS'

Head of Raja Ampat's tourism agency Yusdi Lamatenggo confirmed the accident, which took place on Mar 4.

Environmental group Conservation International said that the Bahamas-flagged ship had gone into an area that it should not have entered due to the unique coral reefs.

"This is a very, very big loss for us," Victor Nikijuluw, the marine programme director at Conservation International Indonesia, told AFP. "Even when (the reefs) grow back, they will not be as pristine as they were before," he added.

Local search and rescue agency officials said they were called to help when the ship ran aground and had intended to evacuate the passengers immediately.

"However when we reached the site and spoke with the captain of the ship as well as one passenger, they refused to be evacuated and asked instead for a tug boat," local agency chief Prasetyo Budiarto told a television station.

But the tug took numerous attempts to refloat the massive vessel, causing even more damage to the reef.

The ship's operator, Britain-based tour company Noble Caledonia, said in a statement they were working with the Indonesian government to reach an agreement in relation to any damage caused.

"The company is firmly committed to the protection of the environment and as such deeply regrets any damage caused to the reef," it said.

The Indonesian government said it was assessing the impact and would seek compensation from the operator.

The remote archipelago of Raja Ampat - which means Four Kingdoms in Indonesian - lies between the Pacific and Indian oceans. A 2002 report from Conservation International said it was home to nearly 1,400 varieties of fish and 603 species of coral.
Seized smuggled rhino horns are displayed at a customs office in Hanoi, Vietnam. (AFP/STR)

Vietnam is a hot market for rhino horn, believed to have medicinal properties and is in high demand among the communist nation's growing middle class.

The country is a popular transit point for illegal animal products, which often move from Africa through Vietnam to other parts of Asia.

The latest haul of the prized animal parts at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport were found hidden in luggage on a flight from Nairobi, according to the official publication of the Hanoi police department.

"After scanning and checking, customs officials discovered the two suitcases of 57 kilogrammes and 61 kilogrammes were full of suspected rhino horns," the online Capital Security Newspaper reports said.

Photos showed the huge haul in suitcases and stacked on tables.

Conservationists have warned that rampant demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam, where it is falsely believed to cure cancer and treat hangovers, is decimating African rhino populations.

A single kilogramme of rhino horn can fetch up to US$60,000 on the local market, according to reports.

Britain's Prince William delivered an urgent plea in Vietnam in November to end wildlife trafficking to save critically endangered species such as rhino, elephants and pangolins.

Wild rhino populations have dwindled to just 29,000 from half a million at the beginning of the 20th century, according to the International Rhino Foundation.

Trade in rhino horn was banned globally in 1977 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
As the alliance partner in Nitish Kumar government, Lalu Prasad's RJD continues to target the CM accusing him of silently supporting the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP, on the other hand, remains optimistic about Nitish's return into the NDA fold.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: A massive shift is being witnessed in Bihar politics after the Uttar Pradesh verdict where the BJP registered a landslide victory. As the alliance partner in Nitish Kumar government, Lalu Prasad's RJD continues to target the CM accusing him of silently supporting the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP, on the other hand, remains optimistic about Nitish's return into the NDA fold.

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Speaking to journalists in Patna, senior BJP leader and former deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi when questioned about the growing rift between RJD -JDU and possibility of Nitish making a comeback into NDA, he sounded optimistic.

"Just wait and see what happens next. Everyting is possible in politics," said Sushil Modi, senior BJP leader.

It may be noted that ever since BJP recorded a thumping majority in Uttar Pradesh, senior RJD leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has alleged that Nitish Kumar's party JDU by deciding not to fight polls in UP covertly helped the BJP to win elections. Nitish Kumar too, reacting to the UP poll results had slammed the Samajwadi-Congress alliance asserting that their opposition to de-monetization ruined their chances in elections. He said that opposition de-monetization was a wrong move by parties like Congress, Samajwadi Party and BSP.

RJD is also angry over the recent meeting of two senior JDU leaders Shyam Rajak and Sanjay Singh with Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav on the day of Holi which both leaders called a informal meeting. However, in order to douse the fire over the grand alliance, RJD leader and deputy CM Tejaswi Yadav and his MLC mother Rabri Devi have asked Raghuvansh Prasad Singh tobfefrain from making comments which are adverse to health of grand alliance.

" Raghuvansh Prasad's comments are not in good taste and I urge him to refrain from making such comments," said Rabri Devi.

--- ENDS ---
Police on Sunday shut down a private screening of a documentary about the death of prominent government critic Kem Ley last year that linked the security forces to the man on trial for his murder.

The screening, organized by the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), was prevented from taking place after dozens of mixed security forces turned up at the private residence where the Al Jazeera film, Cambodias Deadly Politics, was due to be shown.

The filmmakers had tracked down friends and family members of the man suspected of killing Ley, Oeut Ang. They told Al Jazeera that Ang had attended meetings with senior district military and police officials in the weeks prior to his alleged crime and suggested that he had been hired by a former military commander - hinting at possible state involvement in the high-profile murder.

Analysts and rights workers this week criticized the authorities actions, saying the strong-arm tactics were further evidence of the erosion of freedom of expression under Prime Minister Hun Sen.

This contradicts the law. If we hold private screenings, there is no need to provide notice or ask for legal permission unless its a public place, Am Sam Ath, monitoring manager at local rights group Licadho, told VOA Khmer.

Meas Ny, a social development researcher, said the images of security forces shutting down the screening reflected badly on Hun Sens government.

They used to talk about concerns over a color revolution. Revolutions evolve from small things, so they are trying to prevent any events, he said.

The prohibition itself will not have any effect. This story has already reached the general public, he added.

A spokesman for the police in Russey Keo district, where the screening was due to be held, defended the crackdown.

This group of youths had planned to screen anarchy. Thats why the authorities went to advise and reach and educate [them], he said.

No arrests were made, he added, although four youths were detained for over four hours and made to sign agreements pledging not to screen the film without permission in the future, according to the head of the group that organized the event.

Moung Sony, president of KSILA, said the groups intention was not to cause anarchy, but rather to spread awareness of the unanswered questions surrounding Leys death.

I asked them which law or article [prohibited the screening], he said. They didnt answer. Its not unlawful; its a political move.
Prime Minister Hun Sen and other senior officials have, using U.S. President Donald Trump as a pretext, threatened to expel media outlets from the country for unfavorable coverage.

Following Trumps attacks on the media, which include barring the New York Times, CNN and other outlets from press conferences, the Cambodian government has said it will take action against media it sees as threatening the country.

Phay Siphan, senior government spokesman, told VOA Khmer this week that it saw international broadcasters Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, along with local radio station Voice of Democracy as subversive.

You could say my post was threatening. It depends of your freedom of thought. As the mandated government, we have to defend Cambodias interest since those three stations are foreign-owned, he said.

Why is it OK for the United States to do it and when Cambodia reacts ... we are accused of dictatorship?

Moeun Chhean Narridh, director of the Cambodia Institute for Media Studies, said he thought comparing the United States and Cambodia when it came to media freedoms was a misunderstanding since the U.S. context is different from Cambodia, where freedom of the press is still much younger.

He added that while the media must remain independent, it must also be objective. The subversive radio stations mentioned by Siphan, he said, adhere to professionalism.

They balance their reports by getting responses from other sides, such as from the government.

If there is suppression of the press, it does not only violate the constitution, but also the government and society does not benefit, since society can only move forward when people can fully access information, he said.

Although Cambodias constitution provides for a free press, most media is controlled by pro-government business interests and its output are closely monitored.

In late February, Prime Minister Hun Sen mocked the United States, which his government sees as hypocritical when it comes to advocating for human rights and press freedom. So condemn Trump as a dictator, he jibed.

Pa Nguon Teang, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, which runs Voice of Democracy, said Trumps stance on the media provided a bad example for the worlds leaders, especially dictators.

In response to the Cambodian governments threats, he said Voice of Democracy was an independent media outlet that had always acted professionally.

Jing Zhang, managing editor of VOAs East Asia Pacific Division, rejected the characterization of 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."

Voice of America Director Amanda Bennett expressed support for VOA's work in Cambodia and around the world.

For decades, Voice of America has been a model of the very American bedrock of values of a free and independent press, Bennett wrote in an email to the New York Times. Those are the principles we have long lived and worked by, especially in places around the world where those values are under attack.

Radio Free Asia said that it would continue its independent, credible and honest journalism in Cambodia.

The governments efforts to deter and discourage RFA and our esteemed media colleagues only further underscore the need for free press in Cambodia, Rohit Mahajan, the director of public affairs for Radio Free Asia, said in an email to the New York Times.

Puy Kea, secretary general of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, however, said the warning from the government should be received positively.

Informing in advance is better than not saying anything and then expelling or suing the radio stations, he said, adding that he does not believe the stations mentioned by Siphan will be shuttered.

As a press observer, I dont believe that the government will close [radio stations] since the government has been trying to establish democracy, free and pluralistic ... press for a long time, he said.

I dont think the government will roll back democracy.

David Josar, U.S. embassy deputy spokesman, said: The United States has a long history of a free and unfettered press. A free press is fundamental to any democracy.
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With a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, scientists at Purdue University are researching new methods for affordable large-scale monitoring of crucially important traits of industrial crops. VOAs George Putic reports.
In 2009, the Boko Haram insurgency against the Nigerian government began in the city of Maiduguri, in northeast Borno State. Since then, more than 1.8 million people have fled their homes causing a dire humanitarian crisis. This year, more than $1 billion is needed to meet their needs. Recently, a delegation of U.N. Security Council diplomats traveled from New York to assess the humanitarian crisis. VOA's Margaret Besheer accompanied the mission and has this report from Maiduguri.
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House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said the committee did not find any evidence to support President Trump's allegation that President Obama 'wiretapped' Trump Tower. Nunes spoke to reporters at a stakeout on Wednesday, March 15.
Ranch owners in Kenyas Laikipia County, a plateau and home to some of the largest ranches and conservancies in the country, are living in constant fear following a several attacks by armed pastoralists.



According to witnesses, cattle herders equipped with AK-47 rifles, spears and poisoned arrows have been moving around the county, targeting fenced-in properties. The attackers have destroyed homes, maimed animals and burned lodges.



The attacks have escalated in recent months, leaving at least a dozen people dead and sparking an outcry for greater government intervention.



The most recent victim was Tristan Voorspuy, a British army veteran shot dead on March 6 as he tried to inspect some lodges that were burned by attackers two days before. His body was found lying next to his injured horse.



Following the incident, Kenyas minister for internal security, Joseph Nkaissery, told VOAs Swahili service that the head of the country's criminal investigation directorate had been sent to the area to lead the investigation.



Already, 379 illegal grazers have already been arrested, said Nkaissery. He said the government is in the process of identifying and removing all the invaders, but hastened to add that we have to do it humanely.



Drought only part of the problem



The government attributes the situation to the regional drought, which it says is driving herders to seek new grazing lands for their cattle.Even in the best of times, Laikipia is a hot place, sitting right on the equator.



But some analysts say that approach is too simplistic and fails to address underlying issues.



Short-term programs to address famine and drought do not guard against future invasions, says Moses Wafula, a professor at Kenyatta University.



Initially, locals also thought that the attacks were a product of the drought. But the size and scope of the invasions have made many wonder if there is a connection to Kenyas national elections, scheduled for August.



Some analysts say politicians may be inciting the herders, telling them that they have a right to the land because it belonged to their ancestors before British colonizers forcibly removed the Maasai pastoralist community from the Rift Valley and Laikipi in the early 20th century and sent them to the area now known as the Maasai Mara, near the border of Kenya and Tanzania.



The violent land invasions are being stoked by politicians seeking votes from particular ethnic blocs, says Sarah Korere, who is running for a parliament seat for Laikipia North.



Banditry



Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta seems to agree, based on comments in his state of the nation address to parliament on Wednesday.

We are still confronted by lawlessness and violence in the form of banditry in parts of the North Rift [Valley] and Laikipia, he said. I take this opportunity to warn politicians in the affected areas to stop incitement to all forms of violence.



Kenyatta said his administration will use all means at our disposal to pursue and bring to justice the perpetrators.



For now, many ranchers say the government is not doing much to help them.



Maria Dodds, the manager of Kifuku Borans cattle ranch, which has experienced several raids, says she has been playing cat-and-mouse games with the illegal herders.



They cut my fence and we embarked on using stones, arranging them to provide a compact fence. They, of course, come and remove the stones, one at a time, she says.



John Kariuki, a Kenyan political analyst, says concerted efforts are required to guarantee the protection of private property, ensure equitable access to natural resources, and create a long-term strategy to help locals cope with the effects of droughts.



Unless the powers that be address issues like corruption, policy, security, management of resources and development within rural areas, this conflict will continue, he said.
Several thousand Belarusians rallied Wednesday to protest an unpopular labor law in a challenge to the ex-Soviet republic's longtime ruler.

The march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies in several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law, which required citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges.



Earlier this month, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko suspended collection of the fee - an unprecedented step back for the authoritarian leader who has ruled the 10-million nation with an iron fist since 1994. But Lukashenko's move has failed to end the protests, which have included calls for his resignation.



The demonstrations were the strongest outpouring of discontent in years in the tightly-controlled nation between Russia and Poland, reflecting the pain inflicted by the law amid a two-year recession.



I have lost patience, said Andrei Sushkevich, a 43-year-old small trader who attended the rally in Minsk together with his unemployed wife and their 7-year old son. We need to fight this rotten Soviet-style system or leave the country.



Sushkevich was holding a picture of Lukashenko with an inscription Enough! Participants in the march, which was sanctioned by the authorities, were calling on Lukashenko to step down, chanting Go Away!



These are protests against poverty, against bad decisions by the government, said Denis Sadovskiy, one of the organizers of the rally. Lukashenko no longer has money to pay for the society's loyalty.



Lukashenko, a former state farm director, has maintained Soviet-style state controls over most of the economy while relentlessly cracking down on opposition and independent media. He has relied on cheap energy and other subsidies and loans provided by Belarus' main sponsor and ally, Russia.



However, Lukashenko's ties with Russia have soured recently amid a spate of economic disputes. When Belarus refused to pay the price Russia charged for its natural gas last year, accumulating a $550 million debt, Moscow responded by sharply cutting supplies of oil. Since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus had used cheap Russian crude for products that accounted for more than a third of its export revenues.



Amid the spat with Russia, Lukashenko has flirted with the West in a bid to wring concessions from the Kremlin - a strategy he had successfully used in the past. But recent arrests of dozens of opposition activists in response to protests against the labor law could make it harder for the Belarusian leader to mend ties with the West.



The authorities hadn't expected such a massive wave of protests, and again had to launch the machine of repressions that could significantly slow down the process of normalization of ties with the West, said Valery Karbalevich, an independent Minsk-based political analyst.
Flying unannounced into a still-dangerous city, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson told Somalias president Wednesday that Britain is committed to helping Somalia to boost security and avert a full-blown famine.



Johnson held a closed-door meeting with President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed at the heavily-guarded presidential palace in Mogadishu, where the two men discussed the ongoing drought, the threat of militant group al-Shabab and the London summit on Somalia, according to sources at the presidential office.



In a joint news conference after the meeting, the Somali president asked Britain to help bolster security.



We are very hopeful that your country [Britain] and my country collaborate on security and the fight against al-Shabab, which is one of the biggest factors responsible for the countrys problems, including the drought, Mohamed said.



Johnson urged humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance to save lives as Somalia tries to cope with its worst drought since the one in 2011, which killed an estimated 260,000.





British assistance



His visit comes days after the British government said it will fund a $19.5 million program to help avert famine in Somalia over the coming months. The program is aimed at getting food and water to more than 450,000 people.



Some 6.2 million Somalis are considered to be food insecure.



You have been telling us little bit about the natural resources of Somalia and the potential of Somalia, and it shame that you are facing such problems particularly the drought and the risk of starvation, Johnson said. I think we are moving fast to try and tackle that.



Suicide bombings and other attacks by al-Shabab militants have made Mogadishu one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Several high-profile politicans have visited the city in recent years but only under tight security.



Johnsons visit Wednesday was no different. He traveled in a fleet of armored vehicles from heavily fortified Mogadishu airport. Nearly 100 soldiers were deployed along the the busy Maka-al-Mukarama Road, where a blast near a hotel killed five people on Monday.
"I have talked to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai. I have also raised these issues with the highest authorities in the US," Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha.

By Praveen Shekhar: Speaking in Parliament today on the race attacks on Indians in the United States, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the hate crimes and assured the House that the Indian government is engaging with the Donald Trump administration over it.

"I have talked to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai. I have also raised these issues with the highest authorities in the US," Swaraj said in the Lok Sabha. "The safety and security of Indians is our top most priority," she said.

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"The US authorities including President Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incidents," she said. Swaraj informed the House that the FBI is investigating the recent killings.

The minister also read a letter sent by Kuchibhotla's wife to the Indian Ambassador to the US. "All the help extended to me in time is deeply appreciated," Swaraj quoted from the letter.

The House was voicing its concern over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas on February 22 in an apparent hate crime, and of another Indian Harnish Patel a week later. A Sikh man, Deep Rai, who was an American citizen, was fired at in a racial attack last week, and is out of danger.

Last week in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had said the attacks on Indians started happening after Trump took over as the President of the Unites States.

"Indians in the US are being killed, threatened, asked to leave the country while our government remains silent. This has started after (Donald) Trump became the President (of the US). The Indian government has failed to ensure the safety of its diaspora," he said.

Hate crimes against Indians in the United States seems to have risen in last few months:

March 3, 2017: 39-year-old Sikh man named Deep Rai in the US was shot outside his home by a partially-masked gunman who shouted "go back to your own country". Deep Rai, was working on his vehicle outside his home in Kent, Washington, when he was approached by a stranger, who walked up to his home's driveway.

March 2, 2017: 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner, Harnish Patel was shot dead outside his home in Lancaster County, South Carolina.

February 23, 2017: An Indian-origin girl was racially abused on a train by an African-American man in New York.

February 22, 2017: Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), an aviation engineer at technology company Garmin, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured as Adam Purinton shot them in Olathe city, Kansas in Midwestern US.

February 11, 2017: 27-year-old Vamsi Chander Reddy, an Indian techie was shot dead by an unidentified assailant in California. Vamsi Chander Reddy from Warangal district of Telangana was found dead with bullet injuries near the garage of his apartment at Milpitas in California. He was staying in the US after completing his MS in Computer Sciences from a private university in Silicon Valley.

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Nov 14, 2016: 17-year-old Gurnoor Singh Nahal, an Indian-origin Sikh boy, was shot dead when he was returning home from work. He was coming home from work when he was shot. The incident took place in California. HATE CRIMES IN US

Criminal hate crime incidents reported to police increased 6.8 per cent in the United States in 2015, according to official FBI data.

There were 5,850 incidents in 2015, compared to 5,479 reported in 2014, the widely anticipated report showed.

ALSO READ | Congress and TMC raise issue of attacks on Indians in USA in Lok Sabha

WATCH | India engaging with Trump administration: Sushma Swaraj on hate crimes in US

--- ENDS ---
Brazil's top public prosecutor asked the Supreme Court to open 83 new investigations into senior politicians on Tuesday, reportedly including five ministers and leading lawmakers, in a dramatic escalation of a graft probe threatening the government.

Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot also requested that the Court send 211 other requests to lower courts based on much-anticipated testimony by dozens of executives of engineering group Odebrecht SA in Brazil's biggest-ever corruption scandal.

Brazilian newspapers reported that Janot called for an investigation of five members of President Michel Temer's cabinet, along with his most senior allies in Congress, raising concerns about the stability of his administration and the fate of fiscal reforms cheered by investors.

Temer said last month that he would suspend any cabinet member who is placed under investigation and would dismiss them only if they are indicted for corruption.

Under Brazilian law, cabinet ministers, federal senators and lower house lawmakers can be tried only in the Supreme Court, where cases often take years to come to trial.

Janot could not disclose the names of the politicians and others covered by his request as the Odebrecht testimony and related investigations are still under seal. He asked Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin to lift the judicial secrecy on the case for the sake of transparency and the public interest.

In a letter to explain the operation, Janot said his actions on Tuesday will remind Brazilians "of the sad reality of a democracy under attack by the corruption and the abuse of political and economical powers."

President Temer himself has not been directly implicated in illicit party funding and has denied any wrongdoing in the sprawling three-year corruption scandal centered on overpriced contacts at state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA.

Dozens of politicians reportedly named for taking kickbacks in the testimony by Odebrecht executives included senators in Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PDMB) and the allied Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which led the impeachment of leftist Dilma Rousseff last year.

Janot called for lower courts to investigate Rousseff and her predecessor and political mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to newspapers O Globo, O Estado de S.Paulo and Folha de S.Paulo. Both former presidents have repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge of alleged corruption.

Test for Temer

The new investigations will be a test for Temer as he strives to pull Latin America's largest nation out of its worst recession in more than a century.

Temer succeeded Rousseff in May, vowing to eliminate corruption and restore fiscal discipline, but he has already lost several ministers to bribery allegations.

His chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, a key organizer of political support in Congress for a crucial reform of Brazil's costly pension system, is on thin ice after an Odebrecht executive was reported to have said he asked for a cash donation for Temer's 2014 campaign.

Newspapers Globo, Folha and Estado reported that Padilha and four other members of Temer's cabinet were on Janot's list: Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes, Science Minister Gilberto Kassab, Cities Minister Bruno Araujo and Wellington Moreira Franco, the head of Temer's high-profile infrastructure privatization program.

Janot also called for the investigation of key Temer allies in Congress, according to the newspapers, including lower House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and the three most senior PMDB senators: Senate President Eunicio Oliveira and senators Romero Juca and Renan Calheiros.

Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes said he required access to Janot's accusations and will only comment when he is aware of the content. Cities Minister Araujo said he has asked for campaign donations from Odebrecht in the past, but did so in accordance with the law.

Senator Romero Juca said he is available to collaborate with investigations and believes facts will be clarified.

Reuters was not able to confirm the media reports. The other politicians cited were not immediately available for comment, but they all have consistently denied wrongdoings.

The PMDB released a statement on Tuesday expressing support for the investigations and calling for "the clarification of the facts of the matter."

PSDB said it has always defended the Car Wash investigation, believing that it is the only way to separate guilty from innocent.

Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said news of the investigation should not hurt progress on the government's pension reform.

Janot first opened investigations of seated politicians implicated in the kickback scandal in March 2015, but only five have been indicted and none convicted.

The new round of investigations fueled by the Odebrecht testimony follows 10 months of negotiations with the family-owned firm, Latin America's largest engineering group.

In December, Odebrecht signed a leniency accord with prosecutors, agreeing to pay 6.7 billion reais ($1.9 billion), admit guilt and offer details of bribes it paid.

Seventy-seven of its executives, including family patriarch and Chairman Emilio Odebrecht and his jailed son and former Chief Executive Marcelo Odebrecht, made some 950 statements to a team of 116 prosecutors across the country, Janot's office said.
Brazil's president and senior lawmakers were unwavering in their support for a major pension reform on Wednesday despite nationwide protests against the proposal and the dramatic expansion of a graft probe threatening the ruling coalition.

Moody's Investors Service added a vote of confidence in the government, citing the ongoing progress of fiscal reforms as a reason for revising its outlook for Brazil's sovereign credit rating to "stable" from "negative."

Brazil's currency and benchmark stock index both rose around 2.0 percent on Wednesday, leading a rally in Latin American assets after the U.S. Federal Reserve signaled a gradual pace for interest rate rises.

Wednesday's developments underscored that the political momentum is still in President Michel Temer's favor as he pushes head with an unpopular austerity agenda that has drawn opposition into the streets but retained the support of congressional leaders.

The public backing from legislative allies was particularly important after Brazil's top public prosecutor moved on Tuesday to target dozens of senior politicians as part of a corruption probe centered on kickbacks at state oil company Petrobras.

Despite the snowballing investigation and well-organized union resistance, Thomaz Favaro, a political analyst with global consultancy Control Risks, said Temer has built a more robust coalition than his predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached last year as the Petrobras scandal gained steam.

"The coalition behind Temer has proven to be more stable than Dilma's and will continue to be so despite corruption investigations, due to the degree of ideological affinity that unites it on business initiatives and concern for Brazil's fiscal position," he said.

Brazil's prosecutor general reportedly named five members of Temer's cabinet and his most senior congressional allies in motions before the Supreme Court, but those same senior lawmakers said on Wednesday they were pressing on with reforms.

Asked if the scandal would interfere with the legislative calendar, Senate President Eunicio Oliveira and House Speaker Rodrigo Maia said nothing had changed. Both said investigations would give a chance to clarify allegations in the press.

Their steadfast support contrasted with rowdy demonstrations that occupied the finance ministry in the capital Brasilia and snarled traffic in the business hub of Sao Paulo to protest Temer's proposed reforms.

The impact of a strike by public transportation workers was lighter than anticipated in Rio de Janeiro and other smaller cities.

Still, an afternoon march drew tens of thousands to a midtown thoroughfare in Sao Paulo, highlighting well organized union resistance to limiting pension benefits and raising the retirement age as the government has proposed.

A smaller demonstration in Rio was marked by clashes between masked protestors and police, who used tear gas to control the crowd.

Temer told small business owners in Brasilia on Wednesday that pension reform was essential to lifting the economy from its worst slump on record and closing a huge fiscal deficit before it triggered an even deeper crisis.

"We can't do something too modest now or in four or five years we'll have to follow the example of Portugal, Spain, Greece and other countries that had to make a much bigger cut because they didn't take preventative measures," he said.

Moody's said it expected Temer's pension reform to pass Congress in the second half of 2017.
Cameroon says it has killed at least 60 Boko Haram fighters and destroyed a stronghold for the militant group, as well as a huge stock of seized weapons, in fighting along its northern border.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon minister of communication and a government spokesperson, said, since January 26, thousands of Cameroon soldiers, supported by Nigerian troops, have launched raids on Boko Haram strongholds in the Mandara mountains, freeing more than 5,000 people, including women and children, from captivity.

Issa Tchiroma said at least 60 terrorists have been killed since the offensive began in late January.

More than 20 suspects have been arrested and are helping the Cameroon and Nigerian militaries in their investigations, he added. He also said troops have destroyed a refuge center for the insurgents in the Mandara highlands, a petroleum depot and an explosives factory, as well as the residence of a Boko Haram leader, which also served as a hideout for the terrorists, and a huge consignment of weapons, vehicles and motorcycles.

Issa Tchiroma said at least 5,000 people were freed, including the elderly. They were transported to a camp for displaced people in the Nigerian town of Banki and are receiving treatment from both Cameroon and Nigerian military health workers, he said.

No soldiers were killed in the offensive, Issa Tchiroma said.

In December last year, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari announced troops had chased Boko Haram militants out of their key remaining base in the Sambisa forest, another former stronghold that straddles Cameroons border with Nigeria.

Cameroon and Nigeria that same month reopened the border between the two countries for the first time in three years.

Cameroon has since called for vigilance and collaboration between its military and the population, stating that the insurgents had resorted to large-scale suicide bombings as their firepower had been greatly reduced.

Boko Haram's six-year insurgency has killed more than 25,000 people and displaced nearly 2.3 million, according to rights groups and the United Nations.
Lawmakers in Colombia have approved the creation of special courts for the prosecution of war crimes, a key component of the historic peace agreement reached with the country's largest rebel group.

The Senate voted 61-2 in favor of the tribunals after hours of debate on Monday.

The peace tribunals have been one of the most hotly contested elements of the accord.

Conservative opponents complain that rebels behind scores of atrocities will be spared jail time if they confess their crimes while human rights activists contend that modifications introduced into the legislation will prevent military officials from being punished for extrajudicial killings of civilians.

President Juan Manuel Santos hailed the tribunals' creation as "a great step in consolidating peace."
Colombian Vice President German Vargas Lleras has announced he will step down on Wednesday, fueling speculation that he will run in presidential elections next year.

President Juan Manuel Santos nominated former national police chief General Oscar Naranjo as Vargas' successor, stating he wanted Naranjo to strengthen security and the drive to stamp out coca cultivation.

Vargas, a member of the center-right Cambio Radical party, has said he has not decided whether to run for president, but Wednesday is the last day a government official must resign to be eligible to compete for the presidency in 2018.

Keeping his options open

In announcing his decision to step down in a speech on Tuesday night, Vargas, 55, said he was keeping his options open.

A growing number of media commentators and political analysts believe Vargas will become a presidential contender and run against the candidate of Santos' ruling U party.

As vice president since 2014, Vargas focused on infrastructure projects, spearheading improvements to roadways and building subsidized housing for the poor.

He has not publicly criticized Santos' 2016 peace agreement with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But local news media has reported he was against the deal's terms allowing rebels to enter politics and receive no jail time.

Members of powerful families

Like Santos, Vargas comes from one of the most powerful families in Colombia. He is the grandson of former president Carlos Lleras Restrepo and nephew of former presidential candidate Carlos Lleras de la Fuente.

He was unharmed in a 2005 car bomb in Bogota, which authorities blamed on the FARC. In 2002 he lost fingers on his left hand when he opened a letter bomb at his congressional office. Santos' nomination of Naranjo as vice president needs to be approved by Congress.

The new Vice President @Gr_Naranjo will be in charge of strengthening citizen security and to eradicate 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of coca, Santos said from his Twitter account on Tuesday night, referring to the raw material for cocaine.

Helped with peace agreement

Naranjo, 60, was part of the government negotiating team in Havana that worked for four years to clinch a peace agreement with the FARC. The accord ended the 52-year war with the guerrillas, who are beginning to hand in their weapons.

He served as head of the national police force between 2007 and 2012.
Two disabled Syrian refugees who embarked on an extraordinary journey to escape Islamic State have had an emotional reunion with family members in Germany.



Alan Mohammad and his sister Gyan have muscular dystrophy. In 2014, Islamic State fighters were approaching their hometown of Al Hakasah in Syria, and all of the family members fled their home.



They tried to reach Turkey three times, but say they were fired on by border guards on each occasion. They then managed to cross into Iraq, but again Islamic State swept across the region, forcing them to flee once more  and this time the family was split up.



Alan and Gyans father and sister were able to reach Germany. For the disabled siblings, the journey was far more tortuous. They crossed the mountains from Iraq into Turkey strapped to either side of a horse. Their mother, brother and younger sister pushed their wheelchairs behind. Eventually they reached Turkeys western coast, and paid smugglers $750 each to put them on an inflatable dinghy to Greece.



Perilous journey

Alan Mohammad recalls the voyage.



Every time I look around I see babies, children crying inside the boat. It was a very difficult moment, he said.



The engine on the dinghy cut out, leaving them adrift for four hours until they were spotted by an EU patrol vessel and taken to a refugee camp on the island of Chios.



The family arrived on the Greek mainland just as the route to Western Europe through the Balkans was closed. They remained stranded in a camp for several months. Amnesty International highlighted their situation  and they received thousands of support letters.



This is unfortunately not the only case that Amnesty International has come across about people with disabilities vulnerable people, that arrived in Greece after a very, very difficult and dangerous journey, because there is no other way to arrive in Europe, said Monica Costa Riba of Amnesty, who has met the family several times.



Wondrous reunion

In September, Alan, Gyan and their family members were moved to a Greek hotel. Then last week they were told to pack their bags for a flight to Munich. They later arrived in the northern German city of Hanover, and the whole family was finally reunited after more than a year apart.



I remember on one occasion Alan telling me that if I close my eyes, my dream is to see me with my father again, said Costa Riba. And finally in this case, this has happened. But this is not the case for thousands of families that are still stranded in Greece waiting for Europe to accept them and to welcome them in other countries.



Relocating refugees from Greece and Italy remains well behind schedule. However, the European Union says its resettlement process, whereby refugees are given safe passage to Europe from camps bordering Syria, is making good progress, with close to 15,000 people given asylum under the program.
Exit polls from the Netherlands election Wednesday indicated that Prime Minister Mark Rutte defeated anti-immigrant, anti-Islam nationalist Geert Wilders by a larger margin than expected.

Rutte's center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy was projected to win 31 seats, far more than any other party, including Wilders' Freedom Party.

Nevertheless, a coalition will be needed to form the next government. Those negotiations could take months, and the largest parties all indicated they would not work with Wilders.

Wilders' run was seen as the latest test of a wave of populism that has swept Europe and the United States. After Britain voted to leave the European Union, Wilders' climb to prominence was seen as further warning that cooperation among European nations could be threatened.

The Dutch elections are framed as one in a series of elections, after Brexit and [U.S. President Donald] Trump and before those in France and Germany, between political establishment and xenophobe populism," said Emile van Outeren, a political reporter for the Dutch daily NRC. "Only since Wilders started dropping in the polls has there been some attention for the fact that our coalition system and the excluding by other parties" would prevent Wilders from governing.

But when it came to media attention, Wilders won. Despite his few public appearances, a quarter of the election news was about the far-right leader and his messages.

The Christian Democrats, along with a social-liberal party known as D66, the Green Left, and the Socialist Party were all expected to finish within a few percentage points of each other. The variety of parties probably means coalition talks will take a long time.

The Social Democrats were likely to be the biggest losers, set to lose a third or more of their seats.

Andre Krouwel, a political scientist at the University of Amsterdam, said the recent decline in support for Wilders had a lot to do with voters waiting until the last moment to make a final decision.

If you ask voters a month before the elections, you will only get opinions of very convinced voters," he said. "But 40 percent were still unsure a week before the elections. ... More extremist parties usually poll high at the start of the election campaign because the moderate voters are only included now."

Final results were expected early Thursday.
For 30 years, Werknesh lived in a house built at the Koshe landfill and trash dump site in Addis Ababa. That ended Saturday night, when she returned from a funeral to find her home buried under a landslide of earth and garbage.

A total of six people who lived with her, including her pregnant daughter and three grandchildren, were killed.



Our children are covered under the soil, she told VOAs Amharic Service in a phone interview. It sounded like an explosion, and then covered everyone with soil. There are bodies that have not been found until now.

Workers slowly located those bodies this week as they dug into the Koshe site in a desperate but mostly futile search for survivors. More than 100 people have been killed in the landslide.



By all accounts, dozens of women and children were among the dead.



Werknesh  who spoke on condition that her last name not be published -- has recovered the bodies of her family and is preparing them for a funeral.



She criticized the government for what she calls its slow response. The government didnt even order an excavator. I had to pay for an excavator out of my own pocket, she said.



Working to save lives



Before Saturdays disaster, the 53-year-old landfill on the outskirts of Addis was home to more than 300 people, some of whom lived in makeshift cardboard and plastic shelters near its edges.



Hundreds more climb the mounds of trash each day, looking for items they can use or sell as vultures circle overhead. There is always more trash to inspect, as the city adds about 300,000 tons of waste to the dump each year.



So far, officials have sidestepped questions about what caused the landslide. Addis Mayor Diriba Kuma said his administration is focused on helping people avoid additional loss. We are making sure that they settle in places far away from the area, and we are also providing humanitarian assistance, he said.



The government is exerting maximum efforts to save lives, and the cause and reason have yet to be investigated, said Information Minister Lencho, speaking in Amharic.



Lencho did offer a theory, saying the landfill is susceptible to slight disturbances. The garbage is not made out of concrete or is not made out of natural rock, he said. We will give details when all things are investigated and the cause is known, and it could also be that, because the background isn't strong, it can fall apart on its own.



Several survivors who spoke to VOA blamed the government for destabilizing the garbage by pushing it to one side.



Others pointed to a biogas plant under construction, which connects to the landfill via pipes and wells. The U.N. Development Program is working with local authorities and Addis Ababa University to capture methane produced by decomposing organic matter at Koshe.



Through the project, the city will receive revenue from the sale of carbon credits.



Whatever the cause, the chairman of the All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), Adane Tilahun, told VOA that the government and the city administration should take responsibility for what happened due to years of negligence.



The Addis Ababa administration that has been dumping trash has also been witnessing that people lived there, he said. Instead of moving the residents to a better space for living, the administration didnt do that, and people who dont have shelter have been victimized as a result. They should be held to account.



Symptom of greater troubles



For city administrators, helping victims of the landslide is not the only challenge. Despite unprecedented economic growth across the country, many residents in Ethiopias capital and largest city struggle to find employment and receive basic services.



Over a quarter of households have an unemployed adult, and 22 percent of the city's population live below the poverty line. Less than half of residents have reliable access to clean water, and under 30 percent have sewerage services, according to figures compiled by the World Bank in 2015.



A booming population means city officials will be further challenged to meet the needs of all inhabitants. Addis Ababa has nearly doubled in size since the 1990s, and the World Bank projects its population will reach 10 million  more than twice the current size  over the next two decades.





For the moment, residents of Koshe simply want the government to prevent future disasters at the landfill.



One resident who compared Saturdays landslide to the apocalypse said it could easily happen again.



What you see from this point on is dangerous. As you can see, its all hanging, he said, gesturing to a rubbish pile.



In a tent set up near the site to mourn the dead, local resident Aberash Aleneh said people want both answers and assistance.



The problem is not over, she said. There are people on the brink of life and death with their homes still hanging as the ground moves. What is the government thinking about doing for them? We are scared and we are spending day and night outside because of that. We have no idea what to do.
The European Parliament is urging the European Commission to adopt measures that would make life better for more than 340 million rabbits raised for food every year in Europe.

The parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to recommend outlawing battery cages for rabbits  tiny enclosures with wire-mesh floors no bigger than ordinary letter-size pieces of paper.

Animal welfare groups say rabbits are extremely sensitive animals who suffer terribly in such small spaces, with such problems as open, infected wounds, respiratory disease and even cannibalism as the frustrated animals turn against one another.

Humane regulations already exist for pigs, cattle and chickens raised for food, but not rabbits.

European Consumer Affairs Commissioner Vera Jourova said such standards for rabbits should not be an EU-wide concern but one for individual states.
Opposition activists with whistles and horns tried to spoil Prime Minister Viktor Orban's speech on Wednesday commemorating Hungary's 1848 revolution against the Habsburgs.

Speaking outside the National Museum, Orban again took aim at the European Union bureaucracy in Brussels and international financial powers, saying they were not concerned about Hungary's past and future and that the country needs to be protected from migration.

Several hundred protesters, many of them supporters of the small opposition party Egyutt (Together), blew referee whistles and horns and made Orban's speech hard to hear in different areas around the National Museum.

Together chairman Peter Juhasz said the protest was an act of last resort due to Orban's isolation.

"Viktor Orban is unwilling to face the public in any forum and he is unwilling to publicly debate opposition politicians," Juhasz said. "He does not answer questions from independent journalists and citizens have no way of giving him feedback."

Together, which holds two of the 199 seats in parliament, describes itself as a "sober, centrist" party of liberal democrats opposed to populism.

Late Tuesday, a court order revoked a police ban on the whistling, but only Orban supporters with special invitations were allowed close to the platform from where the prime minister spoke. While there was some pushing between Orban supporters and those whistling, there was no repeat of the violent confrontations at a similar event last October.

Orban, an early supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump especially because of his anti-migration stance and disdain for political correctness, suggested that other countries in Europe would follow in the footsteps of the United States and Britain in breaking with the status quo.

"In the past year, nations have again rebelled," Orban said. "They rebelled against the hypocritical alliance of the Brussels bureaucrats, the liberal global media and the bottomless paunch of international capital.

"This year, it will be continued," Orban said in reference to elections Wednesday in The Netherlands and later this year in France and Germany.

He reiterated his opposition to an EU scheme to relocate asylum seekers from Greece and Italy to other EU countries until their asylum requests are decided.

"We must stop Brussels," Orban said. "We must protect our borders. We must block the relocation [of migrants]."

Orban's new policy aimed at keeping all asylum seekers, including children older than 14, in container camps on the Serbian border has drawn sharp criticism from United Nations agencies, the Council of Europe and human rights groups.
By Press Trust of India: Hyderabad, Mar 14 (PTI) The Hyderabad High Court today sought the Telangana governments stand on a plea questioning the donation of gold ornaments worth Rs 5 crores to Tirupati temple allegedly at the cost of public exchequer.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Shamim Akhtar sought the governments stand issuing it a notice on a plea by noted writer-activist Kancha Ilaiah, who contended that a secular government cannot gift gold ornaments to temples at the cost of exchequer.

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"If the Chief Minister (K Chandrasekhar Rao) had vowed to gift gold ornaments, he should do so with his money, not with public money," the petition said. The bench issued notices to the state government and the Commissioner, Endowments, seeking their replies within four weeks.

Rao had offered gold ornaments worth a staggering Rs five crore to Lord Venkateswara temple of Tirupati last month. He was said to have taken a vow to make the offering following fulfilment of his dream of a separate Telangana state.

He had made similar donations to other temples too, inviting criticism from the opposition for misuse of public money. PTI Cor VVK KRK RAX

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The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced indictments for two Russian spies and two other people suspected of stealing personal information from hundreds of millions of people in the 2014 hack of Yahoo.

Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said the four indictments include two officers from the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and two hackers who helped them in the intrusion.

WATCH: Justice Department announces indictment

The FSB officers, identified as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere, she said.

She said the hackers targeted the accounts of government officials from both Russia and the U.S., as well as journalists, financial services employees and military personnel.

One of the co-conspirators, Alexsey Belan, has been indicted twice before by the U.S. for similar hacking exploits, and has been on the FBIs most wanted cyber criminals list for more than three years.

The other hacker, Karim Baratov, was arrested Tuesday in Canada, McCord said.

The FSB is Russias intelligence agency. The unit within the FSB where the two defendants work, known as Center 18, is the main FBI point of contact in Moscow for cyber-crime matters, according to McCord.

The involvement and direction of FSB officers with law enforcement responsibilities makes this conduct that much more egregious, she said. There are no free passes for foreign state-sponsored criminal behavior.

WATCH: McCord on effort to protect American citizens

In 2014, Yahoos security team uncovered evidence that a hacker backed by an unnamed foreign government had pried into user accounts, but executives failed to act sufficiently on that knowledge, according to the results of an internal investigation. At that time, Yahoo only notified 26 people that their accounts had been breached.

That breach affected at least 500 million users whose email addresses, birth dates, answers to security questions, and other personal information may have been stolen.

Three months later, Yahoo revealed it had uncovered a separate hack in 2013 affecting about 1 billion accounts, including some that were also hit in 2014.

The companys investigation into the mishandled hack led to the loss of an annual bonus for CEO Marissa Mayer and the resignation of Yahoos general counsel, Ronald Bell.
In the heart of Persian Square, in West Los Angeles, everyone is getting ready for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, when family members visit each other.Normally its the busy season for the travel agencies that cater to the Iranian community.

But not this year.

They ask us questions more than they make reservation, said Sherry Tahouri, owner of Shahrezad Tour and Travel.



Tahouri caters mostly to the Iranian Community in Los Angeles, many of whom still have family in Iran.



President Donald Trumps revised executive order banning travelers who do not currently have visasfrom six Muslim majority countries from entering the U.S. for three months is scheduled to take effect on March 16.Among the six countries on the travel order is Iran.

Even before it takes effect, the order is disrupting Nowruz travel plans. Most people when they purchase their ticket, they are purchasing a non-refundable ticket, the lowest fare and in that case, they were asking, 'We need our refund because were scared to go there. We dont want to go,' said Farhad Besharati, owner of Travel ATT.



He said Iranian Americans, even those who are U.S. citizens are afraid to travel or go to Iran because of Trumps executive order.Even though it doesnt apply to U.S. citizens, they fear another change in thetravel rules.



Its about 40 years after Irans revolution. A lot of people that are here, their relatives getting older and older, so they cannot (see them), said journalist Reza Goharzad.

'State sponsor of terrorism'



According to the executive order:Iran has been designated as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1984 and continues to support various terrorist groups, including Hizballah, Hamas and terrorist groups in IraqIran does not cooperate with the United States in counterterrorism efforts.



Trump supporters applaud the measure.



Weve been invaded by, you know, refugees from all over, you know from Europe and, you know, from our  from countries like Syria and Iran. And we  they have to be vetted, they have to be, insisted Palm Springs resident Maureen Martin.



But Iranian Americans have never been the source of terrorism in the United States, said journalist Goharzad. Terror happened in the United States happened by Saudi Arabians. Happened by people from Pakistan, happened by people from different countries, Muslim countries that are not on the list, and they are allied to the United States.

While Iran is not a U.S. ally, Goharzad said many of its people are. "You have to separate the governments account with the people.My people they are under the big pressure of the dictatorship in Iran. So, dont put governments fault on the people.

Iranian students

Varun Soni, dean of religious life at the University of Southern California (USC), points out that Muslims are not the only Iranians likely to be caught up in the travel order.

We have a very large Iranian community here in Los Angeles, including a large Iranian Jewish community and a large Iranian Bahai community, he said.



Rose Youssefi is in the medical field and said the order's effect on Iranian students will be "devastating."

Theres a lot of students in medicine have been caught and cant come back. They have pending residencies, pending degrees waiting for them and they cant return," she says. "Its not fair at all. Its heart breaking.

Travel agency owner Besharati said that pending any action in the courts - the travel order is being contested by a number of states- there is nothing to do but be patient with President Trumps order.



We have to give him a chance for some months, some time, at least maybe he can prove he was right about this decision.



In the meantime, journalist Goharzad seeks solace and wisdom from Persian poet Hafez.



He says it never stay the same way as it was, and it will not stay the same way as it is. Everything will change.
A son of a prominent Iranian opposition figure has accused Irans leaders of persecuting his family by sentencing his brother to six months in prison for distributing propaganda against the government.



Mohammad Taghi Karroubi, speaking to VOA Persian by phone from Britain on Tuesday, said the six-month sentence imposed on his brother Mohammad Hossein Karroubi has no legal basis and is designed to pressure their family. Both men are sons of former Iranian parliament speaker Mehdi Karroubi, a cleric who has been under house arrest in Iran since 2011 for supporting protests against the results of the countrys 2009 presidential election. Karroubi and other opposition figures denounced the vote as rigged by the countrys ruling conservatives to re-elect then-president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.



Irans state-run ILNA news agency reported the sentencing of Hossein Karroubi on the anti-government propaganda charge on Monday, citing his lawyer Mohammad Jalilian. Hossein Karroubi had distributed an open letter written by his father to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in April 2016  a letter in which the former speaker appealed for a public trial to resolve his years of detention under house arrest.



"The only crime committed by my father was to ask for a public trial in the form of a letter to President Rouhani, Taghi Karroubi told VOA. I don't think making such a request public should have legal consequences for anyone." He sent out a tweet on Monday saying his fathers April 2016 letter has yet to receive a response from the Iranian government.



Karroubi unsuccessfully campaigned for president in the disputed 2009 election as part of the pro-reform Green movement. Another pro-reform candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi, and his wife, womens rights advocate Zahra Rahnavard, also were put under house arrest in 2011. None of the three dissidents has faced any formal charges.



Jalilian said his client, Hossein Karroubi, will appeal the six-month prison term.



There was no immediate comment from the Iranian judiciary on the case, and it was not clear when an appeal will be filed or whether Hossein Karroubi will be detained in the interim.
U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, wiretapped him in the weeks before last November's election is unfounded, the top leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said Wednesday.

"We don't have any evidence that took place," Republican Congressman Devin Nunes, the panel's chairman, said. "I don't think there was a tapping of Trump Tower," the president's skyscraper headquarters in New York.

Congressman Adam Schiff, the committee's top Democrat, agreed. "To date, I see no evidence (of Obama-ordered wiretapping), no basis for that whatsoever," he said.

WATCH: Nunez says no evidence of wiretapping

WATCH: Schiff deeply concerned about Trump allegations

Awaiting info from Justice Dept.

Nunes and Schiff said they are waiting for information from the country's Department of Justice by next Monday about whether the agency knows of any court-ordered wiretaps of Trump, but said they had learned of no such bugging so far in their investigation.

The congressional probe was requested by the White House after Trump made the explosive wiretapping allegation in a March 4 Twitter comment.

The House Intelligence Committee is also looking at links between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials during the billionaire real estate mogul's long run for the White House and in the weeks after he won the election before assuming power January 20.

Nunes said that James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the country's top law enforcement agency, would testify next Monday before the intelligence committee about the wiretapping allegation and the agency's investigation of Russian meddling in the election aimed at helping Trump win.

He said the panel expects to learn by Friday from U.S. investigators of any names of Trump aides who talked with Russian officials beyond the one known such contact, conversations between Trump's ousted national security adviser, retired Army general Michael Flynn, and the Russian ambassador to Washington.

Trump dismissed Flynn after he lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his contacts with the ambassador, Sergey Kislyak.

Original allegation

Trump first made the allegation March 4, saying, "Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory."



But the president since then has provided no evidence for his claim and dodged reporters' repeated questions about the allegation.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer has sought this week to walk back Trump's contention, saying that the wire tapping allegation was meant to refer to a broader allegation of surveillance of the Trump campaign at its skyscraper headquarters in New York and not wiretapping specifically, even though that is what the president alleged.

Yet Spicer said Tuesday that Trump is "very confident" that in the end he will be vindicated about the claim.

Schiff assailed the "irresponsibility of the president and his spokesman" in making the wiretapping claim.



WATCH: Schiff on Trump's unfounded accusation of Obama

Meanwhile, a key U.S. senator, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, says he is determined to find out whether the wiretapping claim is true.

Graham, who lost last year's Republican presidential nomination to Trump, told CNN on Wednesday, "I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Congress is going to flex its muscle."

He vowed, if need be, to subpoena the country's top law enforcement agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to determine whether any U.S. judge issued a secret wiretapping edict that the FBI carried out.

Graham, voicing his doubts about Trump's wiretapping claim, has sought answers from FBI Director James Comey about the president's allegation. But the South Carolina lawmaker said that so far Comey has not disclosed any information about the purported wiretap or whether the FBI is conducting a criminal investigation of links between Trump campaign aides and Russian officials in the months before the election and after Trump won.

Graham is conducting a hearing later Wednesday on Russian interference in the election, but said that Comey would not be among the witnesses. Comey, however, is set to brief a group of senators.

Russian interference

The U.S. intelligence community concluded last year that Moscow interfered in the election, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering the hacking of the computer of John Podesta, the campaign chief for Democrat Hillary Clinton, the former U.S. secretary of state Trump defeated in the election.

Subsequently, the anti-secrecy group WikiLeaks released thousands of Podesta's emails in the weeks before the election showing embarrassing behind-the-scenes efforts by Democratic operatives to help Clinton win the party's presidential nomination.

"I don't have political hate with the president," the senator said, adding he has had recent pleasant conversations with Trump on other issues.

But Graham said the Trump wiretap allegation is "something very, very serious" and needs to be determined one way or another.
Amid rapid urbanization, the HIV epidemic and increasing rates of non-communicable diseases, people in sub-Saharan Africa are especially vulnerable to kidney disease. Medical experts are meeting in Cameroon to examine ways of reducing the rising incidents of chronic kidney disease.



A dialysis machine at the hemodialysis center in Cameroon's capital city, Yaounde, extracts blood from kidney patients, then filters and measures it before it is returned to the body.

Among the hundreds of dialysis patients at at the center is Ngalla Priscilia.

"I started dialysis in 2002. What damaged my kidney was high blood pressure. The dialysis itself is not expensive. What is killing us here is the drugs and the [laboratory] tests that we have to do," she said.

Priscilia says her condition was detected early enough, thanks to her cousin, who is a nurse.

Cameroon's Kidney Foundation reports a majority of kidney patients in the country go to the hospital when the disease is at an advanced stage. Many others die without ever being diagnosed.

Maintenance issues



Bertrand Balagock, president of the Yaounde Association of People Living with Kidney Defects in Yaounde, says regular treatment is not always possible because most of the machines are not maintained properly. He says instead of the four hours of treatment, patients may undergo just three hours of dialysis.

He says only seven of the 20 machines at the center are functioning and that is greatly destabilizing patients. He says a patient who had to be treated on Monday is treated on Wednesday or Thursday and the water room that is very vital in dialysis treatment is not functioning regularly and people can not be treated effectively for dialysis.

Cameroon has about 2,000 patients with acute kidney infections, up from 400 in 2012.

Gloria Ashungtantang, an official of the dialysis center, says the number of people with kidney problems is growing.

"Any severe infection would cause the kidney to shutdown," she said. "Acute kidney failure linked to pregnancy is a major cause in our environment. Chronic kidney failure, what are the causes? Diabetes, hypertension and chronic infections. Avoid obesity. Exercise to lose weight. Avoid smoking, avoid taking non-prescribed drugs. Sugary drinks are very dangerous."

Lack of access



According to the U.S.-based National Kidney Foundation, 10 percent of the world's population is affected by chronic kidney disease and millions die each year because they do not have access to affordable treatment.

Kitty Jager, a nephrologist from the Netherlands, says another contributing factor to the increase in kidney disease is that most medical staff, especially in developing countries, are not learning new treatment methods.

"Many doctors have been trained by universities and end up at a particular level of medical knowledge, but then all the new knowledge that they will gain after their graduation will be from reading the literature, listening to presentations where people report on their scientific data," said Jager. "They need to know very well how they should interpret results of particular studies so that they can use this for their medical work."

Jager says one of goals at the meeting in Yaounde is to find ways of training as many nephrologists as possible to enable them to do scientific research and be able to read scientific publications so that they can interpret the data.

Experts are calling on the population to encourage early screening, saying that kidney disease often has no symptoms, and can go undetected until very advanced. But a simple urine test can detect the disease.
An interview in Russian state media Tuesday indicates that one of Libyas rival governments is looking increasingly to Moscow as a patron, a move thats concerning U.S. military commanders in the region.

Aguila Saleh, speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), told RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-controlled news agency, that hes asked Russia to help train Libyan National Army fighters led by General Khalifa Haftar and has invited Russian lawmakers to visit eastern Libya.

Most of our officers were trained in Russia and many speak Russian, and they know how to use Russian equipment, Saleh is reported as saying. He promised Libya will pay $4 billion in Gadhafi-era military debt owed to Russia and added the Kremlin has promised to help in the fight against terrorism.

His remarks come just a day after the Kremlin denied multiple reports that a team of Russian special forces and drones have been deployed to a military base in Egypt near the Libyan border -- part of a push by Moscow to support renegade military commander Haftar, U.S. military commanders think.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) is loyal to the HoR, but Haftar is an independent-minded commander who doesn't always see eye-to-eye with HoR politicians.

Russia connections

According to Saleh, the Kremlin has promised to treat wounded LNA soldiers in Russia. He disclosed that a delegation from the HoR will visit Moscow shortly. The HoR has withheld support from the U.N.-brokered and internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

The Reuters news agency, citing both Egyptian and U.S. officials, reported Monday that that a 22-member Russian special force unit had been deployed to the Egyptian airbase Sidi Barrani, 100 kilometers from the Libyan border.

But Russian lawmakers dubbed the report fake news, and the deputy chairman of the Russian Dumas defense panel, Andrei Krasov, dismissed the report as a deliberate act of misinformation.

Egyptian officials also denied the claims. There is no foreign soldier from any foreign country on Egyptian soil, Egyptian army spokesman Tamer Al-Rifai said.

Salehs interview, though, will add to the alarm of U.S. military commanders.

Last week in Washington, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, the head of U.S. Africa Command, told lawmakers on the Senate Armed Services Committee: Russia is trying to exert influence on the ultimate decision of who becomes and what entity becomes in charge of the government inside Libya.

Syrian scenario

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham then asked whether Moscow is trying to do in Libya what it has been doing in Syria, which has been to manipulate a political outcome. Waldhauser responded: Yes, that's a good way to characterize it.

General Haftar toured a Russian warship in January and held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow in November.

Analysts say Russia appears to playing all sides in the conflict in Libya. Earlier this month, the prime minister of the GNA, Fayez al-Sarraj, held talks with Russian officials in Moscow.

While it's too early to tell if Russia has chosen sides in the ongoing Libyan conflict, it is clear that Moscow has decided to expand its stake there, said Ilan Berman, vice president of the American Foreign Policy Council, a Washington-based think tank.

Just as importantly, it's evident that the various political parties have begun to view the Kremlin as a key power broker - and have begun to act accordingly," Berman told VOA.

Lia Quartapelle, an Italian lawmaker and member of the foreign affairs committee in Italys parliament, said she thinks Moscow is looking to cement a role in Libya ahead of any policy shift toward Libya by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Italian politicians say Russias mounting interest in Libya appears be part of a larger bid to rekindle Soviet-era influence in the Middle East and North Africa.

Five years after Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi, who oversaw a four-decade-long republic of fear, was ousted in a NATO-backed popular uprising, three governments are still embroiled in a deadly competition for power in the North African country.

Tripoli-based government

Last year, with the backing of Western powers, the U.N. oversaw the formation of the Tripoli-based GNA. But two rump parliaments, a mainly Islamist dominated General National Congress in Tripoli, and the HoR, which backs General Haftar, have withheld support from the GNA.

The high revolutionary hopes of 2012 have been dashed as the country struggles with militia and crime-based violence, the rise of an Islamic State affiliate and sharp ideological and regional divisions.

This week, violence intensified in the Libyan capital, where the childrens ward of Tripolis Hadba Hospital was hit by a missile and clashes escalated near the Rixos Hotel between local armed groups and militias from the powerful town of Misrata, who have occupied part of the city.

On Tuesday, rocket-propelled grenades struck a high-rise office building as well as the Marriott Hotel in a business district. Key junctions in the city have been blocked by barricades, say residents.

In February a bleak assessment by European border officials of the turmoil in Libya cast doubt on the prospects for European Union efforts to work more closely with authorities in the strife-torn country to curb migration flows across the Mediterranean.

The report by officials with the EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya painted a grim picture of factional dysfunction and chaos within Libyan law enforcement bodies and its ministries, which are barely operating.

Due to the absence of a functioning national government, genuine and legitimate state structures are difficult to identify, in particular, given the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of loyalties, the officials said in their 56-page report, which was leaked to the website statewatch.org.

EU governments and the United States have urged General Haftar to hand back the ports of Ras Lanuf and al-Sidra, two of Libyas main oil terminals, which his forces captured recently.

In a joint statement they expressed strong concern regarding violence in the oil crescent, adding that the oil facilities belong to the Libyan people and must remain under the exclusive control of central authorities.
On this day, March 15 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress, urging legislation that would guarantee voting rights for all, regardless of race or color.

Using the phrase We shall overcome, borrowed from leaders of the civil rights movement such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Johnson declared that every American citizen must have an equal right to vote.

Johnson reminded the nation that the 15th Amendment, passed after the Civil War, granted all Americans the right to vote.

Their cause must be our cause too, Johnson said. Because it is not just Negroes, but really it is all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome.

Despite the Constitution, states defiantly erected barriers to keep African-Americans from voting. Discrimination had taken the form of literacy, knowledge or so-called character tests for blacks designed to block them from registering to vote.

The speech was delivered eight days after racial violence erupted in Selma, Alabama.

Civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King and more than 500 supporters were attacked while planning a march to Montgomery to register African-Americans.

The police violence that erupted resulted in the death of a King supporter, a white Unitarian Minister from Boston named James J. Reeb.

Five months later on August 6, 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act. The legislation made it illegal to impose restrictions that would deny black Americans the ability to vote in federal, state and local elections.

The Voting Rights Act had it seeds in The Civil Rights Act of 1964, first proposed by President John F. Kennedy, Jr.
A Malaysian official says authorities have used DNA to confirm the identity of Kim Jon Nam, the murdered half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday the test was done using a sample obtained from one of Kim Jong Nam's children.

Kim was attacked February 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur. Two women smeared what Malaysian authorities say was VX nerve agent on his face. He died 20 minutes later.

North Korea has rejected the autopsy, and so far has not stated that the man killed was Kim Jong Nam.

Authorities in Malaysia have charged 25-year-old Indonesian Siti Aisyah and 28-year-old Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong with murder for allegedly being the women seen in security camera video carrying out the attack.

Malaysia has blamed North Korea for organizing the killing and is seeking additional suspects in the case.

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 the Disneyland theme park in Tokyo.
McDonald's has started testing mobile order-and-pay after acknowledging the ordering process in its restaurants can be "stressful."

The company says it will gather feedback from the test before launching the option nationally toward the end of the year. It says mobile order-and-pay is now available at 29 stores in Monterey and Salinas, California, and will expand to 51 more locations in Spokane, Washington, next week.

The rollout comes as customers increasingly seek out convenience through options like online ordering or delivery. McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook has noted the initial stages of visiting can be "stressful," and the chain is making changes to improve the overall customer experience. That includes introducing ordering kiosks, which McDonald's says can help ease lines at the counter and improve the accuracy of orders - another frustration for customers. Easterbrook has also talked about the potential of delivery.

With its mobile order-and-pay option, McDonald's says customers place an order on its app then go to a restaurant and "check in" to select how they want to get their food. That could be at the counter, in the drive-thru, or with curbside delivery, where an employee brings out orders to a designated space. Orders are prepared once customers check in at the restaurant.

Starbucks has already found success using its mobile app and loyalty program to encourage people to visit more often and spend more when they do. The chain has also said its mobile order-and-pay option was so popular that it caused congestion at pick-up counters last year, leading some customers who walked into stores to leave without buying anything. Starbucks said it is working on fixing those issues.

It's not clear whether McDonald's will be able to get the same level of usage for its mobile app and order-and-pay option. Since coffee tends to be more of a daily habit, for instance, people may be more willing to download an app for it on their phones.
Ministers and officials representing the 12 countries of the failed Trans-Pacific Partnership, plus China and South Korea, began talks in Chile on Tuesday, but any concrete decision on how a new trade pact might look seemed far off.

The TPP, which would have included about 40 percent of the world's gross domestic product, was effectively torpedoed after U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in January.

Chile, a keen free-trade enthusiast and one of the signatories of the original agreement, invited TPP representatives to its Pacific-facing coastal city of Vina del Mar to try to thrash out a way forward.

But officials said the conversation is just the beginning of a long and uncertain road.

"We see this as an opportunity to have a frank round-the-table conversation to gauge where each of the countries are and then to work out how we might consider what next steps there may be, if there are any," New Zealand trade minister Todd McClay told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of the conference. "I'm not coming here expecting to make any decisions this week."

However, McClay expressed optimism that "there is life still in the TPP" and said he expected the signatory countries to clarify a way ahead "in a few months."

Chile said its best hope at this point was more meetings.

"If we can get some clarity on what is ahead then that more than justifies the meeting," Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz told reporters.

The United States will represented by its ambassador to Chile, while China, which criticized the TPP and was not part of it, has sent its special envoy for Latin America, Yin Hengmin.

Both China and Chile have emphasized that the meeting - officially, the "High Level Dialogue on Integration Initiatives in the Asia-Pacific Region" - is not just about the TPP.

Nonetheless, what future, if any, the trade deal may have appears to be the dominant discussion topic over the two-day meeting.

Possibilities include redesigning it without the United States or building instead on the proposed Southeast Asian-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Signatories may also use the TPP as a springboard for new bilateral deals, Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said.

Certainly, officials say, there is a reluctance to scrap the TPP entirely.

"These 11 countries have been negotiating with each other for 8 or 9 years, so we know a lot about each other," said McClay.
By India Today Web Desk: Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who will be donning the judge's hat once again for the eight season of dance reality show Nach Baliye, says this time she is going to have a different experience.

"I have judged children for a singing reality show. I really get along with children so it was easy. Here it will be a different experience for me and for the contestants as well. I am going to judge a dance reality show for the first time," Sonakshi told reporters here on Tuesday.

advertisement

WATCH: This Nach Baliye promo featuring Divyanka and Vivek is a treat for Divek fans

About judging the performances, the Akira star said, "I will look how well they do as a pair and the coordination between them. To see the equations between the couples would be beautiful."

Also read: Before the premiere of Nach Baliye 8, a look at how the recent dance reality shows have fared

Apart from Sonakshi Sinha, Terence Lewis and Mohit Suri will judge the show. This year Divyanka Tripathi-Vivek Dahiya, Dipika Kakar-Shoaib Ibrahim, Mona Lisa-Vikrant Singh Rajpoot, Vikkas Manaktala-Gunjan Walia, Bharti Singh-Harsh Limbachiyaa among others will be participating in the much-awaited dance reality show.

Upasana Singh and Karan Tacker will be the hosts.

(With inputs from IANS)

--- ENDS ---
The United Nations warns that conflict and poverty are fueling human trafficking and modern slavery, putting $150 billion a year into the coffers of organized crime worldwide.



Trafficking networks have gone global, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday during a special session on the issue. He said victims can be found in 106 countries.



Some 21 million people are estimated to be victims, used as forced labor, sex slaves, coerced into prostitution, or involuntarily recruited into armed groups. Some even have had their organs removed by traffickers to sell on the illegal transplant market.



For organized crime networks, human trafficking is a low-risk, high-reward criminal business, said Yury Fedotov, head of the U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime. He said low conviction rates for perpetrators let traffickers operate with near-impunity.



The conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia and elsewhere are churning out millions of desperate and vulnerable people susceptible to traffickers.





Somali human rights campaigner Ilwad Elman told the council that in her country, women and young children are trafficked for domestic work, forced prostitution and even organ removal.



Conflict and insecurity breed desperation, and traffickers present themselves as a ticket out of all of that, she said via a video link from Mogadishu.



Erosion of the rule of law enables transnational trafficking networks to act with impunity, Britains Independent Anti-slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland told the Security Council.



Slave trade booming in Libya



Europol has confirmed that traffickers are increasingly targeting refugees in the EU, Hyland said, referring to the European Unions law enforcement agency. And nearly half of all refugees are children, many of whom are unaccompanied and, therefore, especially vulnerable.



He told of meeting a 15-year-old Eritrean girl at a refugee reception center on the Italian island of Lampedusa. She had been kidnapped and held for three months in Libya in a connection house where she was raped multiple times a day.





A modern-day slave trade is now booming in Libya, Hyland warned. Political, military and social conditions have created an environment where traffickers have thrived.



According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 70 percent of migrants moving from North Africa to Europe have experienced exploitation and human trafficking, mainly in Libya.



Terror groups, including Islamic State and Boko Haram, also engage in enslavement and forced labor, while drug traffickers use kidnapping and ransom to finance their operations.



The current refugee and migration crisis is a boon to traffickers.

As people take to the road, predators take advantage, Secretary-General Guterres said. Refugee camps have become a fertile hunting ground for traffickers to find new victims.



No borders



But trafficking can happen far from conflict zones, as well.



No country is immune from this crisis, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said. That includes the United States, where, despite our efforts to combat human trafficking, too many people are still falling victim to criminals who force them into prostitution or other types of work with no pay and no way out.





Haley noted that traffickers are using technology and the internet to their advantage in the recruiting and selling of people.



President Donald Trump's administration is committed to ending this absolutely horrific practice, she said, and is about to launch a new initiative to raise $1.5 billion to help countries break up trafficking rings and assist survivors.



The funding will come partly from the U.S. government, but unlike most assistance programs, the initiative will seek to raise most of its money from partners in foreign governments and in the private sector.

Ending modern slavery must be a collective effort, Haley said, and she pledged that the new initiative would spend its money on programs that show results.



Groups that receive funding must set measurable goals, and they must target a 50-percent reduction in modern slavery for the population they will be working with, she said.



Prevention efforts



The secretary-general made clear there is much that states can do to both punish and prevent human trafficking.



He said a solid legal framework already is in place, including the U.N. Convention Against Transnational Crime, and conventions from the International Labor Organization and the Global Plan of Action on Human Trafficking.



States also need to strengthen cooperation and coordination on law enforcement, investigations and intelligence sharing, Guterres said.



At the same time, we need to get at the underlying vulnerabilities that fuel this phenomenon, the U.N. chief added, by empowering girls through education, by respecting the rights of minorities and by establishing safe and legal channels of migration.
Seated amid his family's simple possessions in a bamboo and thatch-roofed shelter, Saw Maung Care describes with anguish how they lost their home and livelihood as conflict flared in southeastern Myanmar in September.

"The soldiers came and destroyed some of our farms, our houses and firewood. We are angry, but we cannot do anything," he said, explaining that the army reportedly burned down many evacuated houses to prevent rebels from hiding there.

Saw Maung Care said he and some 5,500 ethnic Kayin had to quickly flee their villages near Kayin State's border with Thailand, leaving their farm animals and rice harvest behind. They have since lived off limited food handouts in Myaing Gyi Ngu camp, a parched field with rows of cramped, ramshackle huts with little water, hygiene or sanitation.

Management of the IDP camp - where a third of the population is under 13 years of age - said they faced a constant food shortage as state authorities had blocked international aid deliveries to the site in Hlaingbwe Township.

"Our amount of food is only enough for four days," said Naw Tin La, who managed the camp's food warehouse, adding that they only received irregular food donations from state authorities and Kayin community groups.

"We don't know why the high-level authorities stop foreign organizations - we want to accept donations from anyone," she said.

World Food Program (WFP) spokesperson Arsen Sahakyan said on Tuesday that state authorities had declined the agency's offer of food support, adding that WFP last made a limited food delivery of high-energy biscuits for children in November.

138,000 newly displaced

The government restrictions on international aid access for the Kayin IDPs are part of a nationwide trend of worsening conflict, displacement and humanitarian conditions, a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) warned.

It said international aid agencies now face restrictions or limited access in 21 crisis-hit townships in Myanmar. "Unfortunately, our ability to reach people who depend on humanitarian assistance in different parts of the country has been getting worse," said UNOCHA spokesperson Pierre Peron.

Conflict escalated after Aung San Suu Kyi's first peace conference in September. Her government could only stand by as the powerful army launched dry-season offensives against ethnic rebels, who launched counterattacks.

In Rakhine State, her government defended a brutal army crackdown in Rohingya Muslim communities after local insurgents attacked police stations on October 9.

Since then, some 138,000 civilians fled their homes in Rakhine, Shan, Kachin and Kayin states, and only 21,000 have returned, according to UNOCHA. Some 94,000 are Rohingya who fled alleged army abuses, which the military denies, and about 74,000 of them crossed into Bangladesh.

Last week saw a new wave of displacement as a reported 20,000 Kokang civilians, an ethnic Chinese minority, fled Shan State for China after Kokang rebels launched surprise attacks on Laukkai town on March 6.

The new displacement adds to the roughly 220,000 long-term IDPs who were displaced in the states since 2012. Another 100,000 Kayin refugees have lived in camps in Thailand since the 1990s.

Shrinking aid access

In most cases, the army has blocked aid access, ostensibly for security reasons. UNOCHA said international food deliveries to about 42,000 IDPs in rebel-held areas in Kachin and Shan states, which were already falling because of a UN funding shortfall, have been blocked for months.

In northern Rakhine, aid access to 20,000 IDPs and some 150,000 impoverished and undernourished Rohingya villagers was severely restricted from October until the start of this year, UNOCHA said.

Since then, the agency said, "the government permitted an incremental resumption of humanitarian activities, including distributions of food and other relief items." But many limitations remain, including a ban on visits by international staff.

Widespread abuses

At a UN Human Rights Council meeting on Monday, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee alleged widespread army abuses against the Rohingya, such as rape, murder and the destruction of villages. She also condemned abuses in other ethnic areas and the lack of aid access in crisis-hit states.

Lee warned that Myanmar "may be trying to expel the Rohingya population from the country altogether" and called for a Commission of Inquiry, the highest-level UN probe, into Rohingya abuses. However, leading EU states reportedly favor a softer approach.

Myanmar's Permanent Representative at the UN, Hau Do Suan, urged the Council to wait for his government's investigations into alleged army abuses - an inquiry that rights activists believe will yield little result.

Hau Do Suan said the authorities were duly facilitating the international aid response in Rakhine. He added that IDPs in Kachin rebel areas could cross the front line on foot to pick up food at army distribution points - a proposal that UN agencies have repeatedly rejected as completely unsafe.

'There are so many land mines'

Until September, Kayin State had not seen fighting for years and major rebel groups signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the government in 2015. But violence erupted when a splinter rebel group claimed the army killed its leader.

The IDPs at Myaing Gyi Ngu camp fled the rugged Mae Ta Waw area in northern Kayin, long considered a "black zone" - or an area where the army has little to no control and can deem anyone a legitimate target.

Kayin IDP Naw Tin Swe said life in their villages had been isolated: there was no voting in black zones in the historic 2015 elections, she had never heard of the peace process, nor did she speak Burmese. Her family of five yearned to return to their village nonetheless, but feared it would long remain unsafe.

"We heard Aung San Suu Kyi was elected; we don't know exactly. If she can give us help we will welcome it," Naw Tin Swe said. "We just really want to go back to our farm and home, but we heard there are so many land mines."
The U.S. Justice Department unsealed indictments Tuesday against eight more current and former Navy officials in a bribery and kickback scheme led by a crooked contractor known as "Fat Leonard."

The case, which cost the U.S. government roughly $35 million, has been under investigation for four years, and U.S. authorities say about 200 suspects were involved.

"This is a fleecing and betrayal of the United States Navy of epic proportions ... carried out by the Navy's highest-ranking officers," Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson said Tuesday.

The Justice Department said Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless, a senior Navy intelligence officer based at the Pentagon, was among the suspects, along with three retired Navy captains, an active-duty captain, an active-duty commander and a retired chief warrant officer. They are charged with bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators.

The suspects are accused of taking bribes from a Singapore-based defense contractor, Leonard Francis, who has already pleaded guilty to defrauding the Navy of tens of millions of dollars. Francis, known as "Fat Leonard," was CEO of defense contractor Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA).

Those indicted are accused of accepting watches, cigars, alcohol, free hotel rooms, and the services of prostitutes, courtesy of Francis, who allegedly threw lavish sex parties for his allies in return for lucrative contracts that GDMA held supplying Navy ships in the Pacific with food, water, fuel and other necessities.

Authorities estimate that Francis and his firm overcharged the Navy by about $35 million.

All are charged with offenses allegedly committed while they were assigned to the Navy's Seventh Fleet, based in Japan.

Overall, 25 named individuals have been charged in connection with the corruption scandal - 20 current or former Navy officials and five employees of "Fat Leonard." Some cases are still pending, but most of the defendants have pleaded guilty and sentenced to prison terms and fines ranging up to $100,000, and ordered to pay restitution to the Navy.

Francis, a Malaysian national, is awaiting sentencing.
After six years of budget cuts, the U.S. Navy is expected to see a funding increase when President Donald Trump's administration unveils its 2018 budget later this week.

The Navy has put its best foot forward abroad. But in Washington, Navy officials have shared bleak statistics that reveal a damaged force.

During a recent embed aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, VOA saw a fully capable naval force dominating the waterways it roamed while striking Islamic State targets in the Middle East.

"There's no shortages for us," Rear Admiral Kenneth Whitesell, the commander for Carrier Strike Group 2, said. "I haven't seen any readiness shortfalls from this end."

Aboard the Bush, Whitesell rattled off several examples of the carrier's well-being, explaining how the crew had loaded plenty of fuel, extra weapons and a steady stream of spare parts for repairs.

But there's another side to this carrier's story, one that Navy officials aren't always comfortable talking about. Prior to the crew's deployment, the Bush spent about a half-year longer than expected in the shipyard undergoing critical maintenance.

The result -- despite the Navy having 10 completed carriers, not a single one was deployed in the Middle East region for about two months until the Bush arrived in the Mediterranean Sea in February.

"We did spend a little more time in the shipyard than we would have preferred," the aircraft carrier's commanding officer, Captain Will Pennington, told VOA.

Buying solutions

The Navy wants billions in additional funding to help fix its maintenance backlog and to buy new weapons and equipment, and former Pentagon Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer Mike McCord told VOA the military branch is poised to see "some of the biggest gains."

"I do think it looks like maybe some of the more substantial, and possibly more sustainable, increases are coming their way," McCord said.

One of the big ticket items the Navy is requesting is about 25 more F/A-18 fighter jets, used aboard the Bush to both strike Islamic State targets and refuel other F18s by attaching a fuel tank on the bottom of the aircraft.

Despite the need for this aircraft in the counter-ISIS fight, officials say nearly two thirds of the Navy's F/A-18 Hornets can't fly -- grounded for maintenance after taking to the skies for thousands of more hours than they were originally built to fly.

"Our Legacy Hornets, which the Marine Corps and we operate today, are well beyond their design life, let alone their service life," Admiral William Moran, the Vice Chief of Naval Operation, said in a House Armed Services Committee hearing last month.

The Trump administration's budget released this week is expected to increase defense spending by $54 billion, with much of that going to the Navy.

Earlier this month, Trump toured the most expensive ship ever built, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, to highlight his commitment to increased military spending. Standing on the deck of the carrier, Trump promised more ships, planes and other equipment.

"We will give our military the tools you need to prevent war and, if required, to fight war and only do one thing -- you know what that is? Win! Win," Trump told sailors.

More money needed in the future

McCord told VOA he agrees that boosting the budget is a good idea, but that it will not improve naval readiness without a long-term financial commitment.

"If you don't have adequate funding, then having more ships, more sailors with the same budget you had before, or only a slight increase or an unpredictable or unsustainable increase, they're all chasing the same level of resources, and you're not necessarily going to be much better off," McCord said.

He also urged Congress to start passing the defense budgets on time, in order to give service chiefs the opportunity to plan ahead.

When Congress can't agree on a budget, it often passes continuing resolutions, appropriations bills that set aside money for specific federal government departments, agencies and programs in order to continue normal government operations without disruption until a final budget is passed.

"We spent about a third of our time in the past administration under a continuing resolution. That's inefficient in and of itself," McCord added.
Niagara Falls, whose most famous thrill-seekers have gone over the brink in barrels, wants to be the place the rest of us go for outdoor adventure, too.



A new marketing effort launched Tuesday rebrands the American shore of the falls as a natural playground to be explored on foot, bike, boat or helicopter.



U.S. tourism officials, ever in competition with their counterparts on the heavily developed Canadian side of the binational attraction, say their new focus embraces the American side's less commercial feel in a way they hope will attract more visitors for longer stays.



"What people are wanting to have on a getaway or a vacation is a time of experience and not just to come and witness or see and hear, but actually experience and touch and feel and do,'' said John Percy, president and chief executive of Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp., which has been renamed Destination Niagara USA.



"Niagara Falls is the embodiment of America's adventurous spirit,'' he said.



The refocusing, coming just in time for the busy season, followed interviews, focus groups and visitor surveys that found that those who visit and live in the region most value its scenic, historical and natural attributes and are drawn to outdoor adventure, officials said.



The findings align with support in recent years for the ongoing removal of a highway that was built along the Niagara River, which will increase access to the water's edge, as well as strong opposition to a proposal to build a lodge on rustic Goat Island inside Niagara Falls State Park. Opponents of the lodge cite renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted's declaration more than 100 years ago that the area should be off-limits to developers.



It's a marked contrast to Niagara Falls, Ontario, where neon-lit museums, rides and restaurants offer a carnival-like atmosphere at the water's edge.



Niagara Falls State Park sees about 8 million visitors every year from all over the world, a number that has been steadily rising, Percy said, along with hotel visits and dollars spent.
Critics of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro applauded the Organization of American States leader's call to suspend Venezuela from the group unless the country holds "full general elections as soon as possible," while the nation's socialist government condemned the prospect of foreign intervention.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro on Tuesday released a 75-page report accusing Venezuela of violating the rights of its people, including by ignoring the results of 2015 legislative elections and by incarcerating political opponents. Such actions conflict with the standards of the Inter-American Democratic Charter that Venezuela has signed.

"Unfortunately, in Venezuela there is  need for the implementation of the Inter-American Charter," said Carlos Berrisbetia, an opposition lawmaker in the National Assembly. "Why? Because human rights are not respected, the rights of Venezuelans are not respected, freedoms and the constitution have been violated."

But Venezuela's foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, scolded the OAS leader as a "sad evildoer."

"Almagro, a known enemy of the people of Venezuela, has forged false assumptions against the republic with the sole objective of encouraging international intervention ... heightening the economic war," the AFP news agency reported her as saying.

Venezuela in 'crisis'

In a letter accompanying the report to the OAS governing body, the Permanent Council, Almagro said his findings updated a report submitted last May. Since then, Venezuela has spiraled "further and further into its acute economic, social, political and humanitarian crisis," he wrote in urging OAS intervention.

OAS could suspend Venezuela if at least 22 of the group's 34 active member states agree. A vote has not been scheduled.

Oil-rich Venezuela for years doled out petroleum to some of its neighbors at minimal cost, engendering goodwill. But some of that may have ebbed as the country's fortunes plunged along with oil prices in 2014.

"We are not yet sure how the countries' representatives will behave at the time of the [OAS] vote," said Jaime Aparicio, who served as Bolivian ambassador to the United States from 2002 to 2006. While "Brazil, Argentina and Peru have already expressed criticism of the system in Venezuela and their support to the Venezuelan people," he said some poor Caribbean nations were less predictable.

The rise of some right-leaning governments in the region also has diminished support for Maduro. Since becoming president in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chavez, he has charged that Venezuela has been the target of an imperialist, capitalist United States. He has steadily amassed power, taking control of the judiciary and trying to block the National Assembly, as well as stymying efforts for a recall referendum.

Today, "corruption is rampant and the economy is in a free fall," the OAS report says. "There is not enough food, health services are extremely scarce and the humanitarian crisis is at a scale unheard of in the Western Hemisphere. Civil and political rights are ignored, all for the sake of preserving the wealth, privilege and impunity of those holding onto power."

Power of 'isolation'

A vote to suspend Venezuela from the OAS would force accountability, bringing in "other observers and other actors from around the region" to help the country work toward democratic reforms, said Ben Raderstorf, an analyst with Inter-American Dialogue, a U.S.-based center.

Suspension wouldn't bring measures such as economic sanctions, he noted.

"The real power is in the isolation," Raderstorf explained. "It's in the strong statement that a large majority of countries around the hemisphere are condemning Venezuela and are committing their democratic pressure to a shared goal.  This is a powerful diplomatic tool."

The OAS report represents a broadening acknowledgement of Venezuela's slide from democracy, said Angel Medina Davis, president of the Latin American Parliament, Venezuela chapter.

It is not only the OAS that "remains impatient, remains concerned about what is happening in Venezuela," Medina said. "... The different chancelleries of Latin America have been raising their protests and their concern."

He also noted Venezuela's December suspension from the South American regional economic bloc Mercosur for failing to address human rights and trade standards in its national laws.

Venezuelan elections for state governors were set for late 2016 but postponed and not yet rescheduled, while the country's presidential election is to take place in December 2018.
The head of the Organization of American States wants regional governments to suspend Venezuela from the Washington-based group unless general elections are held soon to break a political impasse that he said Tuesday is destroying the country's democracy.



OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro made the request in a 75-page report on Venezuela's political crisis, in which he accused President Nicolas Maduro's socialist government of systematically violating human rights and standards of democracy enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter, to which Venezuela is a signatory.



Maduro's government had no immediate comment, but in the past it has accused Almagro of doing the bidding of the U.S. government and trying to isolate Venezuela.





Almagro asked the OAS's 34 member states to intervene in Venezuela's crisis almost a year ago after Maduro's government disavowed a landslide loss to the opposition in legislative election and then suspended a constitutionally allowed recall campaign seeking to force him from office before the 2018 election.



But regional governments, many of them ideologically aligned with Maduro's leftist administration or recipients of subsidized Venezuelan oil shipments, voted against intervention and instead threw their weight behind an attempt at dialogue between his government and the opposition.



Those talks, which were sponsored by the Vatican and enjoyed the support of the Obama administration, broke down after little progress on key opposition demands, including freedom for dozens of jailed activists and a commitment to hold gubernatorial elections that were supposed to have taken place last year.



"The repeated attempts at dialogue have failed and the citizens of Venezuela have lost even more faith in their government and the democratic process,'' Almagro wrote in his report. "The absence of dialogue is the first sign of the failure of the political system, because democracy can't exist when voices aren't heard or have been silenced.''



Whether there is enough support to suspend Venezuela is unclear.



A suspension requires the support of two-thirds of the OAS members. The vote last year to open proceedings against Venezuela's government for violating the Inter-American Democratic Charter fell three votes short of the 23 required to be adopted, with many poor Caribbean nations who receive Venezuelan oil siding with Maduro.



But since then a center-right government has won elections in Haiti and a conservative, anti-Maduro businessman is ahead in polls to become Ecuador's president in next month's election. Regional governments have also taken a tougher stance, with the Mercosur trade bloc led by Argentina and Brazil voting in December to suspend Venezuela.



U.S. President Donald Trump has also shown a greater willingness than Obama to confront Venezuela, as evidenced by his decision last month to slap drug sanctions on Maduro's vice president and his Oval Office meeting with the wife of jailed activist Leopoldo Lopez.



OAS members have kicked out only two nations before. Communist Cuba was expelled in 1962 and Honduras was suspended briefly following a 2009 military coup. The ban of Cuba, a close ally of Maduro, was lifted in 2009 but President Raul Castro's government has rejected rejoining the hemispheric group.
President Donald Trump says he is throwing out former President Barack Obama's executive order ending a review of the tough fuel economy standards for new U.S.-built cars and trucks.

Trump made his announcement Wednesday before an audience of auto workers in Ypsilianti, Michigan, where he declared that the "assault on the American auto industry is over."

"My administration will work tirelessly to eliminate the industry-killing regulations, to lower the job-crushing taxes and to ensure a level playing field for all American companies and workers,'' he said.

Trump was expected to set aside the fuel economy standards approved in 2012 and to be gradually increased to 23 kilometers per liter of gasoline by 2025.

Instead, the Environmental Protection Agency will review those standards by an April 2018 deadline to see, in the words of EPA chief Scott Pruitt, "that this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment."

The White House contends Obama broke an earlier agreement with the auto industry to review the standards by 2018. Advocates of the tougher standards dispute that.

The year 2018 "was the deadline by which they were obligated to complete the review. No agreement was broken," Therese Langer, transportation program director at the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) told VOA News.

The agencies completed a comprehensive technical assessment report in July 2016, which made clear that the standards as adopted remained feasible and cost-effective. At that point, making the decision promptly was consistent with the goal of providing adequate lead time for manufacturer product planning.





Setting standards

The Trump administration wants to set standards that are technologically and economically feasible, according to the official who briefed reporters on condition he not be named.

Some automakers argue that the tougher standards will mean consumers would have to pay thousands of dollars extra for a new car.

But the administration cannot scrap the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate completely without Congress' consent. Lawmakers originally approved the CAFE regulations in the mid-1970s, following the oil embargo by OPEC members.

The current issue deals with rules on fuel economy and emissions affecting automobiles that will appear in showrooms from the years 2022 through 2025.

The proposed vehicle standards for those model years will save consumers tens of billions of dollars at the pump and help domestic automakers stay competitive in a global vehicle market that is moving steadily toward highly efficient vehicles, ACEEE executive director Steve Nadel told VOA.



Detroit automakers

But the move to cars and trucks that do not rely on conventional fossil fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, has slowed, say those in the Trump administration and in the auto industry.

Because we have low gas prices, consumers just arent buying those vehicles that run on batteries in addition to or instead of fuel, said the Trump administration official briefing reporters at the White House.

One hitch for the industry and other proponents of the looser standards is that 13 states say they will follow California in adhering to stricter fleet fuel efficiencies  a market that makes up more than 40 percent of the U.S. automotive sales market.

Thats an issue well have to confront, but its farther down the road, the senior White House official said when asked about that issue by reporters.

California and New York are intervening in a lawsuit filed by auto manufacturers that seeks to set aside the existing EPA regulations because, the suit contends, the emission standards aren't realistic.

California Governor Jerry Brown also sent a letter to the EPA's Pruitt calling the announced effort to rollback standards "an unconscionable gift to polluters."

"Once again, you've put the interests of big oil ahead of clean air and politics ahead of science," Brown wrote.

Brown's letter also said that EPA research suggests the current emission targets for 2022-2025 would save consumers more than $1,650 per vehicle, drastically cut oil consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions by more than 500 million metric tons.
A meeting Britain is hosting Wednesday is expected to resolve the tense border dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan, officials told VOA hours before the talks.

Pakistan closed its border with landlocked Afghanistan to all traffic nearly a month ago, after a string of terrorist attacks killed scores of people. Authorities in Pakistan blame the violence on fugitive militants Islamabad says are sheltering in Afghan territory.

The border closure fueled bilateral tensions, prompting Britain to intervene and facilitate Wednesdays meeting.

We expect as a results of the talks in London and the recent contacts that we have had within the government and with the government of Afghanistan we expect this issue [border talks] to be resolved in the coming week, Pakistani Trade Minister Khurram Dastgir Khan told VOA in Islamabad.

He said that efforts are under way to open the Afghan border with heightened security procedures so that trading resumes as soon as possible.

That should be an immediate result of it for sure, a senior Afghan official told VOA when asked if Kabul expected London talks to lead to opening the border. The official requested anonymity because he is directly involved in diplomatic engagements that paved the ground for Wednesdays meeting.

Both Minister Khan and the Afghan official spoke hours before British National Security Adviser Mark Lyall Grant was to mediate talks between Afghan National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar and Pakistani foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz.

Khan underscored the need for Pakistan and Afghanistan to separate political and security issues from trade-related activities.

He added that Pakistan sent a proposed draft on preferential trade agreement to Kabul several years ago but it has since been awaiting approval by the Afghan National Security Council, making it difficult for his government to meet traders demands for separating economics from security issues.

The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif agrees completely, provided the same understanding is on the other side and whatever hurdles that were present before the recent border closure were because the government of Afghanistan insisted to take both tracks together, said the minister.

He acknowledged that the decision to close the border has inflicted heavy financial losses on traders in both countries but said he was not in a position to immediately provide estimates.

They [traders] say it is somewhere around $40-50 million; some people say it is up to $100 million because there is a very large number of traders who deal in perishables. Those numbers take a while to come to us, he said.

Last week, Islamabad opened the border for only two days to allow tens of thousands of stranded Afghans to return to their country.

Afghanistan depends on Pakistani seaports for international trade, which is considered the war-torn countrys economic lifeline. The border closure has stranded thousands of shipping containers after having left Pakistans southern port of Karachi on the Arabian Sea.


Seventeen Republican U.S. congressmen have introduced a resolution calling on the House of Representatives to seek "economically viable" ways to combat global warming, setting the stage for a potential clash with President Donald Trump's administration.

Trump has repeatedly expressed doubt about climate change and at one point said it was a hoax. Last week, his new environmental chief Scott Pruitt said carbon dioxide emissions are not a chief contributor to global warming.

Rep. Ryan Costello, one of three co-sponsors, said in a joint statement that Congress should explore "economically viable ways" to stem the effects of global warming, including those that embrace "clean energy technologies."

"Our goal with this resolution is to shift the debate from whether climate change is real toward the tangible efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate its effects," said co-sponsor Carlos Curbelo, who is from the southeastern city of Miami, Florida, where streets regularly flood due to rising sea levels.

Co-sponsor Elise Stafanik said the resolution "brings together the priority of addressing the risks of climate change with the importance of protecting and creating American jobs.

The measure urges Congress to commit to responsible environmental management and base any policy decisions in science and "quantifiable facts."

Most scientists blame human activity, including the burning of fossil fuels, as the main cause of rising global temperatures.

A similar resolution was signed by 17 Republicans during the last session of Congress. Some of them lost their bids for re-election.
By Press Trust of India: Srinagar, Mar 15 (PTI) Three militants and a minor girl were today killed in an encounter between the ultras and security forces in north Kashmirs Kupwara district, police said.

The girls brother and a policeman were also injured in the encounter which started this morning.

Security forces this morning launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kalaroos village of the district following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, a police official said.

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He said as the forces were conducting the operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

"Three militants have been killed in the encounter," the official said, adding the three bodies and three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site.

He said the identity of the slain militants is yet to be ascertained.

During the gunfight, the official said, a minor girl Kaniza (12) was hit by a "stray bullet" and died on the spot, while her brother Faisal was injured and has been rushed to a hospital for treatment.

He said a policeman was also injured in the initial gunfight. PTI SSB MIJ DV

--- ENDS ---
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to confirm former Republican senator Dan Coats to be President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence and to approve Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster as his national security adviser.

The vote was 85-12 to confirm Coats, who also served as ambassador to Germany under former President George W. Bush.

Fifty-one votes were required for confirmation. The only Republican who voted against Coats was Senator Rand Paul, one of the Senate's leading privacy advocates, as are several of the Democrats who also voted against Coats.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden had said he would object to Coats' nomination because he felt the office of the Director of National Intelligence had not provided the committee with enough information about how many Americans' communication records had been subjected to government surveillance.

McMaster was also approved as Trump's national security adviser by an overwhelming margin, with 85 senators in favor and just nine opposed, as voting continued.

The Senate does not normally approve a president's national security adviser, but McMaster's reappointment to his new position had to be considered by the Senate because he is an active-duty military officer.

McMaster, 54, who is known for speaking his mind and challenging his superiors, replaces retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser on February 13 after reports emerged that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about speaking to Russia's ambassador to the United States about U.S. sanctions before Trump took office.

Coats, 73, replaces James Clapper, who retired as president Barack Obama left office in January.

Coats was a member of the Senate intelligence committee until he retired from the Senate at the end of last year. He pledged during his confirmation hearing on February 28 to support a thorough investigation of any Russian effort to influence the 2016 presidential election.
South Korean President Park Geun-hye's removal from office, which is likely to bring about a significant change in the country's political landscape, begs the question of whether it will affect the U.S.-South Korea joint efforts against North Korea.

Following months of massive protests by millions of people demanding her ouster, Park left office last week after South Korea's Constitutional Court unanimously upheld a parliamentary vote to impeach her over an influence peddling scandal that has rattled the nation's political and business elite.

A presidential election is scheduled for early May. Moon Jae-in from the opposition Democratic Party, who lost to Park in 2012, is likely to secure the top spot, opinion polls suggest. Unlike the past two conservative presidents, Moon, a human rights lawyer and former chief of staff to left-leaning President Roh Moo-hyun, advocates rapprochement and cooperation with Pyongyang.

The night before the court removed the country's first female leader, Moon said the alliance with Washington is "a pillar of our diplomacy," but added that South Korea should learn to "say 'no' to the Americans," according to The New York Times.

Possible shift to opposition

Amid speculation that the possible shift to a liberal government in South Korea may soften the country's posture on the North, four former U.S. ambassadors to South Korea told VOA the relations between the two allies likely will remain on compatible footing, no matter who wins the upcoming election.

Mark Lippert, who served as ambassador to Seoul until mid-January, said the U.S.-South Korea alliance has always been evolving and that the two countries were able to mitigate and manage disputes as they occurred.

"The past has been one where even when we have had disagreements, we managed to drive the alliance forward in a very positive and strong manner," said Lippert, who served during Barack Obama's second term in office. "And that gives me great hope and confidence to the future."

Thomas Hubbard, who served from 2001 to 2004 during the George W. Bush administration, said the alliance is strong enough to endure some changes.

"For the last 10 years of so, we've pursued a remarkably united approach to North Korea, and I see no reason why that would have to change with a new Korean government," he said.

Alliance likely to remain intact

Kathleen Stephens, who served as ambassador during the first Obama term, said whoever comes to power next in Seoul is going to have to deal with a far more dangerous and stubborn North Korea.

"The most immediate challenge is, of course, the state of determination of North Korea under Kim Jong Un to consolidate its nuclear weapons and missile technology to include new and very dangerous capabilities," said Stephens, who is now a William J. Perry Distinguished Fellow at Stanford University's Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center.

"I think the policy approaches [toward North Korea] are not clear and are going to require a good deal of deep consultation between Washington and Seoul and indeed with other partners in the region."

Alexander Vershbow, who spent three years in South Korea from 2005 to 2008, cautioned that questions may arise over the foreign policy decisions of former President Park, including the ongoing deployment of the U.S. missile defense system THAAD to South Korea.

"It's possible that some of the candidates may question the THAAD decision itself," said Vershbow, who is currently with the Atlantic Council. "I think that would be unfortunate because it is an appropriate response to the growing missile threat posed by North Korea."

The deployment drew strong domestic opposition as well as protests from China, which contends that the system's advanced radar will penetrate into its territory. The first elements of the defensive shield arrived last week, and the system could be operational as early as April.

North Korean factor

North Korea's state media have followed Park's impeachment closely since the corruption scandal surfaced in late October. Some experts have warned that North Korea could take advantage of South Korea's political uncertainties.

Dennis Wilder, a former senior director for East Asian affairs at the National Security Council in the George W. Bush administration, told VOA Pyongyang might try to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul.

"The North Koreans will take advantage of any kind of weakness in the South to try and put pressure on the people of South Korea and the government of South Korea," said Wilder, who is now a Georgetown University professor. "I am sure the North Koreans would like to see the new THAAD system removed from South Korea, they would want to see the joint military exercises reduced."

Shortly after Park was ousted, the U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to its longstanding ally.

"The U.S.-ROK alliance will continue to be a linchpin of regional stability and security, and we will continue to meet our alliance commitments, especially with respect to defending against the threat from North Korea," U.S. State Department Acting Spokesperson Mark Toner said.
A renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement could benefit the United States, Mexico and Canada, enhancing the continent's competitiveness in global markets, say several close observers of the trade deal with a keen interest in entrepreneurship.

Revising NAFTA with an eye toward increased protection of intellectual property rights would bring "a more collaborative environment ... to get some real innovation going," said Reva Goujon, a vice president at the global geopolitical analysis firm Stratfor. "Because that's what this continent needs when you're talking about aging demographics, technological adaptations.

"There's so much that North America can do to be the most competitive [region] in the world," she told VOA.

"The North America Free Trade Agreement in the Era of Trump" was the subject of a panel discussion Goujon participated in at the South by Southwest Conference & Festivals (SXSW), an annual gathering of innovators in music, movies and technology, as well as in political thinking and social activism. The annual 10-day festival opened Friday.

President Donald Trump wasn't at SXSW, but his presence loomed over the discussion. He has talked about withdrawing the United States from NAFTA and imposing border tariffs on goods produced outside the country. That's on top of repeatedly insisting that Mexicans will pay for a border wall they don't want and after disinviting their president from a White House visit.

Collaboration anticipated

Yet U.S. Representative Will Hurd, a Texas Republican, said he trusted that all three signatories would collaborate on updating the deal to maintain a free-trade zone.

"NAFTA can be strengthened," said Hurd, also a panelist, noting that Trump, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had made the same point.

"Folks in my district know that the U.S., Mexico and Canada, we build things together. And Mexico  we're No. 1 trading partners," said Hurd, whose constituents mostly are Latino. "  That's the issue I'm trying to articulate to my colleagues up in Washington, D.C., as we talk about border security, as we talk about strengthening NAFTA."

Hurd is a former CIA officer who serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and heads the House subcommittee on information technology.

Areas of concern

He added that any NAFTA revision must "focus on issues such as agriculture and energy, which today are very different from 30 years ago. We should think about creating a NAFTA 2.0 to boost U.S. competitiveness in the rest of the world." That, Hurd added, also would "improve North American competitiveness in the rest of the world."

Goujon agreed "there's a lot to be updated within NAFTA when you talk about labor, environmental regulations, raising regional content so that all of North America benefits. ... We just need to make sure there are no distractions related to the wall."

She acknowledged NAFTA had contributed to "some disadvantages for low-wage workers who have really been left in the lurch," and who also were pummeled by automation in manufacturing and by China's 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization.

"But there are a lot of jobs that are created from a free-trade agreement like this," Goujon said, estimating at least 4 million jobs "depend on U.S.-Mexico trade. And supply chains are so greatly integrated between the United States and Mexico that if you just untangled that  and I don't think you can  you would be causing enormous economic disruption."

Skeptics have said it would be hard for the United States to alter the deal and impose tariffs on Mexico without harming Canada, too.

"I can't see how it is possible at all. It would be very complicated to do and I don't think Mexico would ... ever go along with it," Mark Warner, a Toronto trade lawyer, told the Reuters news service last month.

Showcase for Mexico

The SXSW panel discussion took place at Casa Mexico, a public-private partnership hosting concerts, exhibitions and presentations that showcase the neighboring country's sociocultural riches as well as its business ambitions.

"We're a country of innovation, of technology development," said Carlos Gonzalez Gutierrez, Mexico's consul general in Austin. "We're the 15th- or 14th-[largest] economy in the world. And that story's often not told in the U.S. We need to rebrand Mexico and fight misperceptions."

The World Bank ranked Mexico 15th globally in terms of gross domestic product in 2015.

The partnership brought roughly 100 young entrepreneurs to SXSW to meet investors "and benefit from this ecosystem, which is one of the most developed in the world in terms of venture capital and entrepreneurship," Gonzalez said.

Conversely, Mexico wants to show off its own talent, he added.

"There's an incredible push in terms of entrepreneurship in Mexico ... and there's a growing and increasingly consolidated market for venture capitalists and funds of venture capitalists in Mexico that we wanted to bring to SXSW to be better known."

Gonzalez said his government also wanted clarity about the Trump administration's trade goals so Mexico could "bring that certainty to people who might be asking themselves" about whether and how to deal with the United States.
In a new report presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council, a top U.N. official warned that conditions in South Sudan have gone from bad to worse in the last few months, and urged the council to launch a new investigation into potential human rights violations.

Yasmin Sooka, chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, also said a hybrid court, agreed to in a 2015 peace agreement, should be operational by the end of this year.

During a regular session of the Human Rights Council Tuesday, Sooka told observers that unlawful arrests and detentions, torture, rape and killings have become the norm in South Sudan, the world's youngest country.

Whats chilling is that they are occurring in many more parts of the country than before. Whole villages burnt to ashes, attacks on hospitals and churches, bodies dumped in rivers, allegations of young girls held as sexual slaves, women, young and old, gang raped and boys and men forcibly recruited, Sooka said.

The U.N. official is calling for an impartial and independent investigation to be launched by the United Nations to look into reports of crimes committed in South Sudan. Sooka said that unfortunately, impunity is the norm in South Sudan, so the mere knowledge that credible information is being gathered can act as a deterrent to future rights violations.

Government often seen as culprit

In the last nine months alone, Sooka said, there has been a massive increase in gross human rights violations and abuses, as well as an escalation in fighting in many parts of the country, putting millions of lives at risk. She indicated to the council that the government is often behind such abuse.

The government has also conducted a brutal campaign of repression to silence civil society. Journalists who write about the daily suffering of South Sudanese citizens find themselves accused of being the enemy of the state. Civil society activists and their families are threatened," she said. "The commission regrets that many U.N. and IGAD monitoring staff have been detained by the National Security Service - some for nearly three years - despite repeated demands from the U.N. for access and their release. These are employees of international and regional bodies who have been accused of opposition sympathies and detained without charge.

She also said South Sudanese officials repeatedly obstruct and manipulate humanitarians from reaching people in need, and reported the commission has found a pattern of ethnic cleansing and population engineering in the country.

When the commission visited the northern town of Malakal we saw how the redrawing of state boundary lines had helped depopulate the town of its Shilluk and Nuer inhabitants," Sooka said. "Civil servants had been forcibly relocated out of the town on the basis of their ethnicity. The commission has been subsequently told that a number of Dinka, who fled Yei last year and settled around the airport in Juba, were airlifted by the government to Malakal in February this year, just after fighting emptied nearby Wau Shilluk of its Shilluk population. .





Government counters

Paulino Wanawila, South Sudans minister for justice, said the commissions assessment overlooks the governments efforts to implement the 2015 peace deal signed by the two warring parties and other representatives in South Sudan.

The government of South Sudan - to improve the human rights for the people - one of them is acceptance [of] the protection force which we are waiting for. Another one is the evacuation and the collecting of over 200 illegal arms from the people, said Wanawila.

Despite the governments statement to the council that 2017 has been a year of peace and prosperity, Sooka said, Sadly, this is surreal in a country enduring one of Africas worst wars.

In the last month alone, she pointed out to the council, there has been a serious escalation of fighting in parts of greater Upper Nile and the greater Equatoria region, with dire consequences for the civilian population. She noted that in recent months, at least seven civilian officials and military commanders have resigned their posts, protesting the governments ethnic bias and tribalism.

Sooka said the hybrid court must be established immediately and cases prosecuted. She said the alternative is a policy of appeasement, making the U.N. complicit in the bloodshed.
Nearly four in 10 U.S. colleges and universities have reported a decline in international student applications, according to a recent survey by six higher education groups.

The study, of 250 American colleges and universities, found the highest number of declines were from applicants from the Middle East. Universities report declines of 39 percent in undergraduate applications from the Middle East, while applications from graduate students from the region have decreased by 31 percent.

According to the Institute of Higher Education, the majority of Middle East students are from Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait.

The report mentions that according to institution-based professionals perceptions the United States is now less welcoming to individuals from other countries is one of the most frequently noted concerns of international students and their families.

More than one million international students come to the United States to attend colleges and universities, adding some $32.8 billion to the U.S. economy. The majority are from China, with more than 300,000 nationals studying, followed by India with 160,000 students.

Iran, which accounted for more than 12,000 international students for the 2015/2016 academic year, is one of six countries for which U.S. President Donald Trumps has instituted a temporary ban on travelers.

India and China, which make up 47 percent of international student enrollment, have also been impacted. Twenty-six percent of colleges have reported declining undergraduate applications from India, while 25 percent say they have seen a decline in those from China.

Although one of the top destinations for international students, U.S. universities and colleges face stiff competition from schools in Britain, Canada, France and Australia which each attracting a significant number of applicants.

The international student survey was conducted in February by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Institute of International Education, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and the International Association for College Admission Counseling.

Full results from the study will be released later this month.
Four teenage suicide bombers killed two people and injured 16 others in a residential area in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a disaster agency spokesman said on Wednesday.

The girls knocked on the door of a house and then detonated their devices, a representative of the state-run emergency service in Borno State said.

The focus on individual homes is a new tactic.

The blasts in the Muna Garage area, on the edge of the city worst hit by jihadist group Boko Haram's eight year insurgency, occurred around 1:15 a.m (0015 GMT), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman Abdulkadir Ibrahim said.

"Four female teenage suicide bombers and two other men died," he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Japan on the first leg of a three-nation trip to Asia that is designed to reassure allies and discuss ways to counter growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

As Tillerson travels to meet with foreign leaders in Japan, South Korea and China, he will not be accompanied by the usual throng of reporters from news organizations that traditionally have traveled with the secretary of state.

Instead, only one reporter, Erin McPike of the conservative leaning website the Independent Journal Review, was chosen to travel with Tillerson on this trip.

One reporter selected

Under intense questioning from beat reporters Wednesday, acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said McPike was selected by a group of decision makers in an attempt "to look at outside the box approaches to how we handle coverage of the secretary."

Toner tried to reassure inquiring reporters the media will "have broad access" to Tillerson. He said 23 journalists, including 17 from the U.S., will have access during media availibilities.

But when asked if McPike will have access to Tillerson when other reporters will not, Toner could not respond definitively. "I can't speak to what additional access may be provided to this reporter," he said.

Tillerson changes planes

The State Department originally said Tillerson would not take journalists with him because the plane he was traveling on was too small. He ended up taking a Boeing 737, which could have accommodated some of the regular agency reporters, each of whom is required to cover his or her own costs.

The secretary of state has scheduled meetings Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

He goes Friday to South Korea for talks with acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, but is not scheduled to meet with any opposition figures in the country that is holding elections for a new leader in May.

Need for increased pressure

Japan and South Korea, which host U.S. troops and are already within range of North Korean missiles, support U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang. A statement by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said the three allies were conducting drills Wednesday in seas east of the divided Korean Peninsula and north of Japan to promote interoperability.

The final leg of Tillerson's trip is in China, where his chief objective is meeting with President Xi Jinping to lay the groundwork for a summit between Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump, which is expected to take place in early April in Florida.
Newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit this week with caretaker conservative officials in Seoul, who might all soon be swept from power.

South Korea is in the midst of disruptive political change with liberal opposition leaders, who dont see eye to eye with the United State on North Korea policy, poised to win a soon to be held presidential election.

Last weeks Constitutional Court decision to uphold the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye set in motion a 60-day deadline for scheduling a new presidential election. President Parks sudden downfall was caused by a domestic scandal, her alleged connection to a multi-million dollar influence bribery scheme involving top Korean conglomerates.

But the upcoming election is also expected to be a referendum on Parks hardline foreign policy positions to deal with the increasing North Korean nuclear threat through coercive pressure only, using increased economic sanctions and military deterrence.





United front

This week, Tillerson is likely to see only scenes of unity when he visits with American military forces in South Korea engaged in joint exercises, that include the nuclear powered aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson, in a show of force to counter North Koreas advancing nuclear and missile capabilities.

North Korea has warned it would launch "merciless" attacks if the carrier infringes on its sovereignty or dignity during the drills.

Tillerson will also likely hear only words of support for U.S. policy when he meets with Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn and South Korean Foreign Affairs Minister Yun Byung-Se. Both conservative interim officials echo the U.S. on the need to increase North Korean sanctions to pressure the Kim Jong Un government to dismantle its' nuclear arsenal in return for security guarantees and economic aid.

Any compromise in this position, many conservatives say, will only legitimize North Korea as a nuclear state.

Thae Young Ho, the former deputy head of the North Korean Embassy in London until he defected to the South last year, argues further that any negotiations are futile because North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will never give up his nuclear arsenal.

I am absolutely sure that the only way to solve the North Korean nuclear issue fundamentally is the elimination of the Kim Jong Un regime, said Thae.

THAAD

Both sides will likely voice strong support for increased deterrence, especially the controversial THAAD missile defense system that can potentially intercept a nuclear-armed North Korea ballistic missile at a high altitude.

Washington and Seoul have both defended THAAD, as well as expanding the scale of joint military drills in South Korea, as a necessary security measures in the face of North Koreas numerous ballistic missile launches and nuclear tests conducted in the last year.

Both also want to resolve through talks Chinas strong opposition to THAAD as an unnecessary and provocative military escalation, and its concern that the systems powerful radar could be used to monitor others in the region. Beijing is reportedly retaliating by restricting the operations of some South Korean companies, and limiting imports and tourist visas.

For some advocates, THAAD has become an issue of maintaining national sovereignty in the face of Chinese pressure, as much as it is a needed defensive measure.

Were going to find out whether the South Koreans are willing to give up their sovereign right to defend themselves and if South Korea is willing to accept becoming the Chinese vassal, said Grant Newsham with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies in Tokyo.

South Korea first



But while the U.S. priority may be to prevent North Korea from developing a nuclear-armed long-range missile that could reach the American mainland, liberals in South Korea want to first reduce the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula.

Moon Jae-in, the leading presidential candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, wants to take a less confrontational approach to deal with the current reality, rather than hoping for the collapse of the Kim government.

We cant deny that the ruler of the North Korean people is Kim Jong Un. We have no choice but to recognize Kim Jong Un as a counterpart, whether we put pressure and impose sanctions on North Korea or hold dialogue, said Moon.

The liberal presidential candidates also value the strong U.S. military alliance and support international sanctions on North Korea, but they argue that the punitive-only approach has failed to force North Korea to the negotiating table. In fact, they point out, Pyongyang has accelerated nuclear and ballistic missile testing at an unprecedented rate in the last year despite the increased international sanctions imposed on them.

Liberal leaders advocate a return to engagement polices that might rebuild trust and reduce tensions through exchanges and selective economic aid and joint ventures.While the South Korean Sunshine policy of engagement that began at the turn of the century ultimately failed to stop the North from developing nuclear weapons, they argue it did have some success in slowing the pace of progress. Advocates say it may be worth the effort to try again, to focus on fostering long-term peaceful internal change through economic interaction.

You got to be really honest and accepting what has not been working, and what has been working, and try to see a new approach, said Bong Young-shik with the Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies in Seoul.

Some leading opposition candidates also oppose THAAD as an American military escalation aimed at China that would do little to protect South Korea from the thousands of missiles and artillery North Korea has already in position near the border.

Keeping China as an engaged economic and diplomatic partner, they say, is more in South Koreas interest than siding with the U.S. on THAAD.

The South Korean liberal coalition won the majority in the National Assembly last year, and is ahead in presidential election public opinion polls.
When U.S. President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel sit down for a get to know you session at the White House Friday, the entire future of the Transatlantic relationship will be hanging in the balance.

The leaders of two of the worlds most powerful economies have seemed to be on a collision course since candidate Trump accused Merkel of ruining Europe with liberal immigration policies, spoke ill of NATO, and hinted at a trade war.

Merkel, for her part, scolded Trump for imposing a travel ban on immigrants from six mostly Muslim countries, and reminded him that any close U.S./Germany cooperation must be based on values of democracy, freedom, respect for the rule of law and human dignity, regardless of origin, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political belief.

NATO



A minefield of explosive issues await. But on many of the key points, from NATO to the European Union, experts say the seeds of cooperation have already been sown.

Daniel Hamilton, director of the Center for Transatlantic Relations at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, says its important to note that while Trump often says one thing, his administration actually is doing something else.

When it comes to official statements, his vice president [Pence] went to Germany and Brussels and said reassuring things about NATO. Secretary [of Defense] Mattis echoed all that. Those have all been mainstream traditional U.S. foreign policy statements about the alliance, he said.

Analysts note, too, that Merkels Germany and other NATO allies have responded positively to President Trumps call for Europe to take a greater share of the collective defense burden. He [Trump] has blown hot and cold on NATO, Hamilton explains. They need to step up on their financial commitment, but the president has been a bit mistaken in saying the Europeans have lagged in the fight against terrorism.

Still, Hamilton warns of troubled waters on the economic front of the U.S./EU relationship. Trumps stated preference for bilateral pacts with trading partners flies in the face of the European Unions position that it is the sole representative of its 28 member countries.

As a candidate, Trump suggested he would renounce multilateral deals such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) with Europe, which had been championed by Merkel and former president Barack Obama.

In a hint at a possible compromise, a senior administration official told reporters last week that T-TIP could be considered a one-on-one trade deal, given how the EU structure interconnects European economies.

Trade



Another hot potato will be the so-called "border adjustment tax," which is meant to encourage companies to make goods in the United States. Trump sees the tax as boosting his job creation agenda. Europeans see it as a challenge to the global trading system at a time when Trumps policies are pushing the United States toward protectionism.

The Germans are worried, said Stephen Szabo, executive director of the Transatlantic Academy and a fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Trumps trade negotiator [Peter] Navarro has been singling out Germany as the biggest U.S. trade problem, bigger even than China. Navarro heads the newly formed White House National Trade Council.

Szabo says Merkel will make the point that German firms are big investors in the U.S., creating more than 600,000 American jobs in American-German companies. So shes going to explain that if you go after us, youre going to be hurting jobs in the U.S.

SAISs Daniel Hamilton says Merkel will try to use her considerable negotiating skills to provide a fuller understanding of European perspectives to a president famous for his book "The Art of the Deal." Her style is not to confront; shes very pragmatic, she downplays the drama, he told VOA. Shell come with a number of key agenda points, part of it is to help the president understand some of the dynamics affecting Europe and Germanys role.

Hamilton sees the White House meetings as a prelude to further negotiations when Trump makes his first presidential visit to Europe in May to attend both a NATO summit in Brussels followed by a G7 summit on the Italian island of Sicily. That will be the next big step," he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have agreed to explore ways to "further strengthen" strategic relations between the two countries, signaling a thawing of ties that cooled under President Barack Obama's administration after it reached a 2015 nuclear agreement with regional rival Iran.

The White House said Wednesday that the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to stability in the Middle East, which is confronted with Iran's nuclear ambitions and conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

Trump and Prince Mohammed, who met Tuesday in Washington, also agreed to "explore additional steps" to identify commercial and investment opportunities, including those involving energy, a sector Saudi Arabia has a key stake in as the world's top oil exporter.

The president said he would support a new joint program designed to leverage "unique initiatives" in energy, infrastructure, technology and other areas that may be worth more than $200 billion in "direct and indirect investments" by 2021.

The White House statement said the two countries projected that expanded economic collaboration could create up to 1 million American jobs within the next four years.

The visit by the deputy crown prince was the highest-level visit to Washington by a Saudi royal family member since Trump's November presidential victory.

Prince Mohammed is leading Saudi Arabia's efforts to bolster its economy by diversifying it away from a reliance on crude oil prices.

Saudi officials have expressed optimism about rebuilding relations with the United States and collaborating with the Trump administration to limit Iran's influence in the region.

Saudi Arabia is the largest buyer of American-made weapons.
By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Mar 15 (PTI) US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit China this week, the Chinese foreign ministry said today as both countries prepared for the first summit between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump next month.

Tillerson will visit from March 18 to 19 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

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Both the officials will exchange views on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of common concern, she was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

It will be Tillersons first visit to Beijing after he took over the office.

The first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida, state-run Global Times reported.

The meeting is expected to set the course for the worlds most important diplomatic relationship for the next four years.

"Obviously, both countries agree that a summit between the two leaders needs to be arranged as soon as possible, and whether or not it happens next month, the summit will be a significant step for the Sino-US relationship in the next four years," said Ni Feng, deputy director of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

Trumps previous remarks on Taiwan, the South China Sea and trade led to concern over the future of the Sino-US relationship, Ni said.

"So the release of information about the summit in April is absolutely good news and even a surprise for observers who care about Sino-US relations," the Times report said.

This means the course of Sino-US relations over the next four years will be charted sooner than expected by the two leaders without too many difficulties or frictions, Ni added. PTI KJV MRJ AKJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
Moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental rules, President Donald Trump is set to announce in Michigan plans to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks.

Trump is expected to reveal his plans during an appearance Wednesday at the American Center for Mobility in Detroit where he'll challenge the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) emissions targets that were a centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's strategy to combat global warming. The rollback underscores the Trump administration's rejection of mainstream climate science in an effort to boost economic growth.

The Detroit center was used to produce B-24 bombers during World War II and is now in the process of being converted into an automotive testing and product development center. While visiting there the president is expected to meet with auto executives and workers and discuss "how his plans for rolling back federal red tape will lead to more American jobs and higher wages, specifically in the automobile sector," Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.

The EPA under Obama's stewardship had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

The president will travel later Wednesday to Nashville, Tennessee, where he'll lay a wreath at President Andrew Jackson's tomb to mark what would have been Jackson's 250th birthday, before holding a campaign-style rally in the city.

But the most significant move of the day will likely be the president's announcement on the CAFE emissions targets. The move will have no immediate effect. But it is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states like California that have adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

The president will target the Obama administration's January decision to end a review process before he left office.

Back in 2012, the Obama set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025. The administration agreed to complete a midterm evaluation in 2018. But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump will announce that he's putting that midterm review back on track, so that officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

While the administration has not said explicitly it wants to weaken the standards, a senior White House official said the Obama-era EPA had ignored reams of data cited by the automotive industry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity at a White House briefing in order to outline the action, despite the president's criticism of the use of un-named sources.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents a dozen major car manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota, last month urged EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to relax the standards, saying they will drive up car costs, price customers out of the market and depress the industry. Obama's EPA had argued the costs to consumers were mitigated by gas savings and that the rules would decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

Once in Nashville, Trump will be given a private tour of Jackson's home, according to Howard Kittell, the President and CEO of the Hermitage mansion. He'll also lay a wreath at Jackson's tomb in honor of the seventh president's birthday and deliver remarks.

Jackson has enjoyed something of a resurgence thanks to Trump. During the campaign, some of Trump's aides took to comparing him to the former president - a fellow populist outsider who took on a member of the Washington establishment and ran a campaign railing against corrupt elites.

Trump mused during his first days in Washington that "there hasn't been anything like this since Andrew Jackson" and hung a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office after moving in.

Historians had been souring on the slave-owning president whose Indian Removal Act of 1830 commissioned the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands. More than 4,000 died during their journeys west.

Jackson's standing had fallen so much that that the U.S. Treasury opted to remove Jackson from the $20 bill.

But Kittell said that attendance at the museum has surged since the election.

"Jackson is probably getting more media attention now," Kittell said, 'than when he was president."
Multiple Twitter accounts were hacked Wednesday to include tweets branding the Netherlands and Germany as "Nazi" and disseminating pro-Turkish government messages.

The messages, in Turkish, are part of an escalation of tensions between Turkey and Europe ahead of a Turkish referendum on expanding presidential powers.

Using the hashtags #Nazialmanya (NaziGermany) or #Nazihollanda (NaziHolland), hackers infiltrated hundreds of accounts of politicians, high-profile CEOs, publishers, government agencies and NGOs.

Some of the accounts hacked include news organizations Die Welt and BBC North America as well as French politician Alain Juppe, the account of the European Parliament, and non-government organizations, including Amnesty International.

According to Twitter, the hacked accounts have all been recovered.

The pro-Turkey tweets began with a swastika and linked to a YouTube video entitled "Nazi Germany, Nazi Holland, see you April 16th" - the date of the Turkish referendum.

The hacks Wednesday coincided with Dutch parliamentary elections.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly called the Dutch government "Nazis" for preventing two of his Cabinet ministers from speaking at a rally in The Netherlands for ethnic Turks in support of the Turkish referendum.

Turkey has also suspended high-level ties with The Netherlands as part of a package of sanctions to protest Dutch actions. The measures also include banning the Dutch ambassador, who is currently out of the country, from returning to Turkey and suspending diplomatic flights.
Turkey's European Union affairs minister, Omer Celik, further ratcheted up tensions with the bloc Wednesday, saying Turkey has fulfilled the obligations of its refugee agreement and sees no reason to maintain the deal, contending Brussels has failed to keep its promises.

Under last year's deal, Turkey agreed to step up security of its borders and accept migrants who entered EU countries illegally from its territory. The agreement helped slow the massive exodus of migrants into Europe.

Ankara has accused Brussels of failing to honor its side of the bargain by letting Turks travel without visas in EU countries. Brussels disputes the accusation, saying Ankara has failed to meet requirements for visa-free travel.

Tensions have risen with the Netherlands and Germany, which have banned Turkish ministers from campaigning to ethnic Turks before a referendum next month on extending Turkey's presidential powers.

Analysts suggest Ankara's disillusionment with the refugee deal means it has become viewed as just useful leverage in the deepening dispute with Brussels.

"An impression has been created by this [Turkish] government this was a mistake from the beginning in negotiating this deal. It turned into a bartering situation. You give this, you give us the visas and we will give you this and that sort of thing," noted political columnist Semih Idiz of the Al Monitor website. Idiz warns the latest dispute is already causing alarm in Europe. "Greece, I understand, is in panic because there is the fear [that] without the deal then we will have the disorganized flood of people again."

War of words

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has led an unprecedented war of words against Dutch and German leaders, and the wider EU has also been strongly condemned by Ankara for failing to take its side.

Political consultant Atilla Yesilada of Global Source Partners says such rhetoric is aimed at consolidating Erdogan's nationalist voting base before the April referendum that polls indicate remains too close to call. Yesilada says Ankara would probably be bluffing in threatening to cancel the refugee deal, given its likely consequences.

"Taking such a step would mean cutting the umbilical cord to the EU. Because it's not ordinary times for the EU. Such a step would come right before the French and a few months before the German elections. I would assume Europe would do something in return  a temporary suspension of accession talks might be brought to the table," Yesilada said.

A suspension of EU talks would add to Turkey's growing diplomatic isolation. "This will weaken Turkey's links to Europe," warned columnist Idiz. "We already have strained relations with the U.S. The only country that will be happy is Russia, which is trying to pull Turkey away from the West."

Economic impact

Such a move would also deal a major blow to the country's already struggling economy. This week the latest unemployment figures were at a seven-year high of 12.7 percent.

Analysts point out with Turkey hosting more than 3 million refugees, it needs support from Europe in coping with the cost, which Ankara says is more than $10 billion.

Given that pressure is growing in Europe to harden its stance toward Turkey, observers warn Erdogan could be cornering himself.

"They [Erdogan and government] may be trapped by their own rhetoric at the end of the day," said Idiz, "because they are so obsessed about the domestic situation, the referendum and the animosity, deep feelings they've created and they may not have a back gear, in all this, and that's the danger."

Analysts suggest the danger to the refugee deal is further heightened because of the lack of checks and balances to Erdogan's power

"It's probably a bluff, but in a democratic country, you look at what the parliament thinks, what the opposition thinks, none of which is the case in Turkey," observed consultant Yesilada. "One morning, Mr. Erdogan can wake up in a bad mood and say 'well, just sign the forms and the refugee deal is no longer valid' and no one will have the courage to say 'this is wrong, what are you doing. '"
Mexican authorities said Tuesday that more than 250 skulls had been found at a mass grave near the eastern city of Veracruz.

Verazruz state prosecutor Jorge Winckler, who confirmed the discovery, said drug traffickers had used the city of Veracruz as a dumping ground for bodies for many years.

"I cannot imagine how many more people are illegally buried there,'' Winckler said, noting the state had reports of about 2,400 people who were still missing. "Veracruz is an enormous mass grave.''

An activist group consisting of relatives of the missing began searching fields around the area last year after failing to get help from authorities.

"We dig holes, but we try not to touch the remains,'' said member Lucia Diaz, because DNA may be the only hope of identifying the dead and touching the bones might contaminate them.

So far, Diaz said, searchers have found about 125 pits that contain about 253 bodies. Nobody knows when the burials began, but Diaz said some were quite recent.

Identities of two victims

So far only two sets of remains  those of a police detective and his assistant  have been identified, Winckler said.

The prosecutor said that excavations had covered only a third of the lot where the skulls were found, and that more people might be buried there.

Diaz joined the effort after her own son, Guillermo Lagunes Diaz, was kidnapped from his home in 2013. No trace of him was ever found.

"He was kidnapped. Beyond that I know nothing,'' she said, adding that despite her pleas for action, state officials were slow to investigate the case and didn't bother even to track his phone, which might have helped locate him.

Veracruz has long been dominated by the ferocious Zetas cartel. But the Jalisco New Generation cartel began moving in around 2011, sparking bloody turf battles.

Drug cartels in other parts of Mexico have deposited victims' bodies in mass graves before. In the northern state of Durango, authorities found more than 300 bodies in a mass grave in the state capital in April 2011.
Ukraine will impose sanctions on the Ukrainian subsidiaries of Russian state-owned banks, the central bank said Wednesday, part of a wider crackdown over increased tensions in eastern separatist regions.

The restrictions will ban the banks from taking money out of Ukraine, Kateryna Rozhkova, a deputy central bank chief, told journalists in a briefing.

Five Russian state-owned banks are present in Ukraine with a combined market share of 8.6 percent and liabilities of 36 billion hryvnia ($1.3 billion). Sberbank, VEB and VTB are among the top 20 largest lenders.

The banks have already been banned from increasing their assets and deposits following a breakdown in relations between Ukraine and Russia in 2014 due to Moscow's annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian separatists.

"These banks have a high level of debt to their parent structures. Sanctions prevent these debts being paid," Rozhkova said.

Sberbank's press office said it could not comment fully until the decision was finalized, but expressed hope that Ukraine's authorities would show "wisdom and foresight."

Rail blockade

The new sanctions were requested by Ukraine's Security and Defense Council, which earlier Wednesday also halted all cargo traffic with rebel-held territory, formalizing an existing rail blockade that has fueled the worst political crisis in nearly a year.

Increased political tension and a flare-up in the eastern conflict earlier in 2017 had prompted activists to protest against the continued presence of Russian banks in Ukraine.

On Monday, Sberbank said it was concerned by the protests, which included a nationalist group walling up the entrance to one of its branches in Kyiv with masonry and cement.

The latest restrictions do not apply to private banks that operate in both Ukraine and Russia, such as Alfa Bank and Ukrsotsbank, which account for 7 percent of assets in Ukraine's banking system.

Rozhkova said the sanctioned banks' liabilities were completely covered by their assets and the restrictions would not prevent the lenders from being sold.

VEB and VTB are already in talks to sell their Ukrainian subsidiaries.
Pro-China political statements by Taiwanese universities seeking to sustain enrollment by students from the mainland are presenting a new obstacle to the Taipei government's goal of decreasing its dependence on its powerful political rival.

As many as one third of the 152 higher-learning institutions in Taiwan, many of them private schools that depend on overseas students ahead of an expected fall in local enrollment, have issued documents or statements supportive of Beijings political views, local media reports say.

The statements usually promise that mainland Chinese students will not be exposed to information suggesting Taiwan and China are separate countries or supporting Taiwans legal independence from China.

We are just saying to mainland Chinese students that our curriculum wont touch on politically sensitive activities and then that we wont carry out one-China, one-Taiwan, two-Chinas or Taiwan independence activities, said Liao Pei-an, head of publicity with Shih Hsin University, a private Taipei college for news media students.

Taiwans Ministry of Education declined Wednesday to estimate the number of schools with pro-China statements, but said on its website last week exchanges should be equal, win-win as well as respectful of academic freedom.

Communist Beijing sees the two sides as one, though they have been separately ruled since the 1940s. Opinion surveys indicate most Taiwanese prefer their islands autonomy. Beijing insists the two sides eventually reunify.

Some parents in China fear political differences might cause conflicts between their children and the Taiwanese. Universities and government bodies in China that approve study in Taiwan also may feel they need to be more careful under todays Taiwan leadership, said Nathan Liu, international affairs and diplomacy professor at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.

The statements are probably aimed at easing those concerns, he said.

My guess would be that first, students or family, parents, they believe that Taiwan is not a good place to go, said Nathan Liu. Number two, schools, the people in charge believe I better play safe. I dont want to get in trouble if the policy changes or anything and I still have students in Taiwan.

Shih Hsin University drafted its statement because some local governments in China need them before approving study in Taiwan, Liao said. The school does not place limits on classroom instruction to mainland Chinese students, he said.

Provincial governments also have pressure from their superiors and to let these students go study in Taiwan they might need this document, Liao said. These are a minority of the provinces."

The pro-Beijing statements from universities came to light after Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May and may have picked up since her inauguration.

They undermine her strategy of stepping away from economic dependence on China in favor of stronger relations with countries such as India and those in Southeast Asia. In her May 20 inauguration speech, Tsai said a shift in economic priorities to India and Southeast Asia would bid farewell to our past over reliance on a single market, a likely reference to China.

Tsais government and officials in Beijing have never talked because they cannot agree on how to regard each other  as two parts of China or something that recognizes Taiwans self-rule. The impasse has frustrated Beijing, which scholars in Taiwan say is slowing getting back at Tsai through economic means.

The number of short-term university students from China to Taiwan has suddenly fallen this academic year. The number of students in non-degree programs fell from 34,114 in the 2015-2016 academic year to 32,648 the current year, according to education ministry figures. The number had more than doubled from 2011 to 2013.

Since Tsai took office, the number of mainland Chinese group tourist arrivals has also declined, with a cut of about 30 percent between May and the end of 2016. Their decline, often blamed in Taiwan on pressure from Beijing, follows a sharp rise after the two sides agreed to open tourism in 2008 when overall relations were better.

Tour operators protested against Tsai in September and experts in Taipei fear other sectors dependent on China could follow if Beijing cramps their trades to make a political statement. China was Taiwans top export market last year, bringing in about $111 billion with Hong Kong included.

Of course the business community, especially the businesses in China, are pressured to say things that counter the Taiwan government actions, said Lai I-chung, former vice president of Taiwan Think Tank and China policy architect for the ruling party. (China) wants to put pressure on Taiwanese businessmen. But these businessmen are not representing the interests of Taiwan, just representing their own interests.

Students from China generally say Taiwanese students treat them well and they like the lack of political curbs on classroom instruction that they find in China. Those impressions may clash with earlier concerns of isolation over political differences.

Going to class and things like that are more open and unregulated, and then for things like lifestyle, the campus management feels a bit freer, said Wang Junwen, a third-year Chinese literature major from the Shanghai area who is studying in Taipei from February through June.

In mainland China, it would be managed more strictly as well as supervised more precisely, she said.
Soo Yee moved to the U.S. from South Korea in 2000. Only later, after she became a U.S. citizen, was she allowed to sponsor her parents and bring them to the U.S., too. Now they live with her at her Virginia home.

"Without their support, it's difficult for me to work. ... I wouldn't be here on a Saturday morning," Yee said. She is founder of the Korean American Outreach Group and on this recent Saturday, she was volunteering to help other Asian immigrants with green cards apply for naturalization.

The naturalization process, which takes an average of six months, gives qualified new Americans the right to vote, a U.S. passport, and even the opportunity to hold an elected office in most states and counties.

Applications for citizenship have been steadily increasing in recent decades, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). And, says DHS, Asian Americans have the highest naturalization rates in the United States, reaching 261,374 new Americans in 2015 out of a total of 730,259. Legal permanent residents (or green card holders) from India, Philippines and China were among the top nationals applying for U.S. naturalization.

Organizations, such as the Asian Americans Advancing Justice Center (AAJC)  where Yee was volunteering  frequently hold citizenship clinics to help green card holders maneuver the process.

The AAJC clinics are part of a nationwide initiative called the New Americans campaign, which is funded by a number of private foundations aiming to help community groups reach a broad number of immigrants and help as many people as possible to naturalize.

Relatives and government jobs

This clinic was held in downtown Rockville, Maryland, where some 20 volunteers helped walk-ins or pre-screened legal residents to check in, fill out a 20-page form, and verify the necessary documentation.

"I understand how difficult it is. Even for myself  every time I try to fill in any government application, it's overwhelming," Yee said. She received the same assistance when she was applying for U.S. citizenship.

"[I tell them] every angle of their lives matter [when] they're citizens because it's the only way they can voice their needs," Yee said. "They gain the ownership of where they live. And the more Asians get citizenship [status], that means more votes. That means more power to address their voice."

But she concedes that most Asian applicants, like herself, are mainly interested in bringing over relatives or in getting federal government jobs.

To be a citizen, a person begins with a green card that allows an immigrant to permanently live and work in the U.S. The countdown to the path to citizenship then begins. After five years, the permanent resident can apply for naturalization. If legal residence was acquired through marriage, the wait is three years.

Many choose not to apply. In 2013, 8 million people were eligible to become citizens, DHS says, but only a small fraction chose to apply. Marita Etcubanez, director of strategic initiatives at AAJC, says one reason is cost. Citizenship applicants must pay $725.

Surge expected

However, Etcubanez projects a surge in naturalization applications in the coming months.

A lot has to do with fear, she said, referring to President Donald Trump's executive orders to stop illegal immigration. A set of guidelines issued in February by DHS Secretary John Kelly expanded the priority list for immigrants who face immediate removal, summarized a plan to hire thousands of enforcement agents, and assigned local authorities to act as immigration officers to apply immigration laws.

Green card holders are not generally subject to arrest and deportation, but Etcubanez says, "Folks are concerned."

Citizenship seems like a safe harbor. "Once you become a U.S. citizen you don't have to worry about deportation," Etcubanez said. "You're not in danger. You don't have to worry about jeopardizing your immigration status in any way, right. You're set.

'I love this country'

Not everyone is worried.

Leo, a 60-year-old Maryland resident who wanted VOA to use only his nickname, said he is "too old" to apply for federal jobs and is not interested in sponsoring a family member.

"The reason I want to naturalize is because I love this country," the Chinese national said.

Through an interpreter, Leo said AAJC volunteers helped him at the citizenship clinic weeks prior. He then decided to bring his wife. They were both applying for naturalization.

In 2009, the Chinese national came to the United States and asked for asylum. He used to own copyrights to products in the educational field in China, but soon found himself fighting to keep those rights.

He was persecuted and treated "unfairly," Leo said. Once he was able to get to the U.S., he felt the American government was "really supportive" and treated him "fairly."

Leo said he is not afraid of deportation because he has been obeying the law, and he supports Trump and his new immigration policies "as long as whatever he does follows the U.S. Constitution."
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators Wednesday introduced legislation which calls for an increase in the number of visas available to Afghans who helped U.S. forces in positions such as interpreters.

The bill calls for an extra 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas specifically for Afghans who assisted the U.S. military, often risking their lives.

"This legislation would ensure the continuation of this vital Special Immigrant Visa program, and send a clear message that America will not turn its back on those who at great personal risk stand with us in the fight against terror," Senator John McCain said in a statement.





McCain, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced the measure alongside fellow Republican Thom Tillis, Jack Reed, the committee's top Democrat, and another Democrat, Jeanne Shaheen.

Faced with a shrinking pool of visas, the U.S. embassy in Kabul has started turning away Afghan military interpreters and other Afghan nationals seeking to immigrate to the United States through the decade-old special visa program.

A State Department official said Friday the embassy stopped scheduling new special immigrant visa interviews for Afghans on March 1 after concluding that it had enough unused visas only for those who are already in the final stages of the application process.

The Special Immigrant Visa program was created by Congress in 2008 for Afghan military translators, but was later expanded to cover any Afghan who could demonstrate "at least one year of faithful and valuable service" to or on behalf of the U.S. government.

With tens of thousands of U.S. forces serving in Afghanistan, the program long enjoyed bipartisan support, with Congress extending it annually and authorizing 7,000 visas in 2015 and 2016.

As the U.S. combat mission is winding down and anti-immigrant sentiment sparked during the recent presidential campaign continues to rise, opposition to the program has grown.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, then a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a longtime critic of the program, led an effort last year against increasing the number of Special Immigrant Visas to Afghans.
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday warned of serious consequences if the European Union does not give Western Balkan countries a clear message about joining the bloc, citing growing nationalism and pro-Russian sympathies in the region.

He said Britain's vote to leave the EU, increasing conflicts among existing EU members and Greece's continued economic struggles had unsettled many in the Balkans, fanning concern about how realistic Serbian membership in the EU really was.

You hear these rumors. The EU doesn't want us. And then people try to find something different. That's something we see as a danger, Vucic told Reuters a day after he met Chancellor Angela Merkel.

EU needs to step up

People are becoming more nationalistic, and on a monthly basis you see a slight decline of EU popularity and a slight rise of Russia popularity.

He said he urged Merkel to assert more leadership on the issue of EU membership for Serbia and its neighbors, with an eye to showing the tangible benefits of future EU membership, including jobs and Western values.

We need huge support from the EU. All this messy stuff, it sends the wrong message to the people, Vucic said.

Still scarred by wars fought in the 1990s along political, ethnic and religious lines, the Balkan countries are at various stages of reforms aimed at paving the way for membership, with Serbia seen as a linchpin whose development could pull up others.

Reforms are key to EU for Balkan states

Russia, which is trying to exploit its historic links in the region to challenge EU and U.S. involvement, opposes the accession of Balkan states into the EU.

European leaders said at a summit last week more Balkan states could still join the European Union if they stuck to a path of economic and democratic reform.

Vucic's center-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) last month nominated him to run for the largely ceremonial post of president in a move he said was aimed at shoring up support for Serbia's strategic goal of joining the EU while maintaining friendly ties with Russia.

Serbia draws praise

Vucic underscored Serbia's strategic goal of joining the EU, but said his country was not seeking to join NATO and would stay neutral militarily, trying to maintain good ties with both Russia and the United States.

Merkel lauded Serbia's role in the Balkans during a news conference with Vucic on Monday and underscored Germany's continued commitment to working toward EU membership. Germany has a 4 billion euro balance of trade with Serbia, with 370 German firms doing business there.

Vucic hailed his country's positive economic prospects, predicting growth of 3.5 percent this year, and highlighting his drive to introduce a single market in the west Balkans.
Steve Herman became VOA's White House bureau chief in March after spending 25 years as a foreign correspondent. His previous post required Herman to travel often throughout the world. Now he reports from a small booth on the world's biggest political stories. Here are his initial impressions of day-to-day work as a White House correspondent.

The mushroom method refers to keeping reporters in the dark and feeding them manure. Throughout many presidential administrations, reporters assigned to the basement by the West Wing have frequently complained of being treated like mushrooms.

Philomena Jurey, who covered Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan for VOA, titled her autobiography A Basement Seat to History.

Others have compared their plight to prisoners in cramped, overcrowded quarters.

Most people think the White House beat is glamorous. It isnt, recalls former VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson. It can be a boring grind in a little booth that can feel stifling at times.

Wolfson adds that despite the mostly obstructed view the reporters "are an eyewitness to history and the job is what you make of it."

Once cleared through the northwest gate, the roaming ground for White House correspondents is quite limited with infrequent exceptions.

The reporters can meander unescorted through the two narrow floors encompassing the press briefing room. Down one floor, the basement booths and desks are where VOA and a dozen or so other news outlets maintain their White House bureaus.

'Pebble Beach'

The only outdoor space not off limits is between the so-called Palm Room doors and the winding driveway from the West Wing entrance to an area of the North Lawn where TV reporters stand-up positions are known as Pebble Beach (once covered with gravel, but now asphalt).

Presidential departures and arrivals via Marine One are generally open to all media with White House passes and credentials. That allows escorted trips to the South Lawn, which doubles as a landing pad for the presidential helicopter.

The events are an opportunity for reporters to shout questions at the arriving or departing president who can feign hearing difficulties due to the noisy aircraft engines.

There may also be glimpses of the president entering or exiting the Oval Office.

No more than a small designated pack of media ever assemble in the presidents famed Oval Office at any one time. This group is known as a pool, which shares its video, audio or notes with other non-attendees who toil for outlets on the rotating list of pool duty.

VOA finds itself on in-town pool duty, on average, twice a month. That means standing by for long hours of waiting for something (or nothing) to happen and then hearing a squawk over the loudspeakers to quickly assemble at the Palm Room doors.

Nobody is keen on pool duty, said Wolfson who covered the White House from 1988-92 and again from 2001-2009. You have to make sure your equipment is ready to record at all times. ... And never forget to take a good book.

These days the book is usually replaced with distracted scrolling through ones Twitter feed.

Although pool duty is mostly mundane, it is, according to Wolfson, "a necessary evil  ask anyone who was covering the White House when Reagan was shot (in 1981 outside a Washington hotel)."

The most familiar scene involving reporters and the White House is the briefing by the press secretary.

Calling on reporters

In previous administrations, there was a tradition of calling first on a front-row senior wire service reporter (AP nowadays, UPI in decades past).

The White House Correspondents Association controls the press room seating arrangements, but the White House, itself, determines which individuals receive credentials to enter and line the aisles.

VOA has had a full-time presence in the White House press for many decades and occupies a fourth-row permanent seat between National Journal and Fox News Radio in the briefing room.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer, much to the chagrin of the major media outlets, gives less priority to the wires and TV network journalists, instead pointing his finger over them to other reporters, including those on the sidelines. This includes those from entities so obscure that a Google search for their bylines yields no results.

Some reporters who ask questions at the daily briefings are not even in the room - they are the rotating recipients of the new Skype seats - their video images beamed in behind the press secretary, who has selected them in advance from across the country.

The interchange between the briefer and the questioners, in every administration, has been testy at times.

In the Trump White House, however, it has frequently turned into a test of wills. Spicer daily finds himself on the defensive, called on to explain the presidents controversial tweets. He has no reluctance to turn the tables on the media, slamming journalists and accusing them of deliberately false reporting.

The reporters and Spicer quickly became material for parodies on television comedy shows, most notably NBCs Saturday Night Live, where actress Melissa McCarthy portrays an unhinged Spicer ramming reporters with his lectern.

Life threatens to imitate art.

Spicer, when one recent briefing grew tense, quipped dont make me make the podium move.

Behind the scenes in the press room, it has been less jocular.

Inclusion of far-right media

Tempers have frayed over the White Houses decision to credential commentators from far-right online websites, including those accused of supporting white nationalism and trafficking in conspiracies.

One such figure has commented publicly that he was in the press room primarily to dig up dirt on the established White House correspondents.

The grizzled standard-bearers of the mainstream media in the front row roll their eyes and mutter curses when Spicer points to the back of the room and calls on one of the so-called floaters  usually young Trump cheerleaders who will throw questions at Spicer with all the hardness of a beach ball.

For the presidents supporters, the medias criticism falls on deaf ears. Many of them are already critical of the mainstream media, so journalists complaints are taken as evidence the administration is following through on Trumps attacks on the so-called dishonest media.

This all puts the White House press room reporters in the spotlight, despite their best efforts to keep it beamed on the president and his players.

Struggling to avoid being cultivated with the mushroom method, the subterranean journalists advocate to a sometimes-skeptical outside world the words of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis: Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.
The United States today said it is working with India and Nuclear Supplies Group members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping.

By Press Trust of India: The United States today said it is working with India and Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG) members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in America's policy on the issue under the Trump administration.

"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership," a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

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The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on India's bid to be a member of the 48-member NSG.

The US and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best efforts, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.

"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance India's case for membership," the State Department official said, indicating that there has been no change in the US policy towards India's NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.

CHINA'S STANCE ON ISSUE KEY

The key to India's membership now lies with China.

However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself, as was done by President George Bush.

Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month.

In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an "outlier" on the NSG issue.

ALSO READ

NSG membership not Obama's farewell gift: China hits back at US for backing India

'Outlier' China blocked India's NSG membership: Obama administration

ALSO WATCH | Foreign Secretary on China visit, India hopeful on Masood Azhar, NSG issue

--- ENDS ---
U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter early Wednesday in an apparent attempt to discredit a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and tax expert who said he unexpectedly received, by email, two pages of Trump's 2005 tax returns.

The White House issued a statement late Tuesday saying President Donald Trump had more than $150 million in income in 2005, on which he paid $38 million in income taxes, and blasted a television report disclosing his official tax returns as an illegal act.

The statement was issued before a report broadcast by MSNBC-TV. Network host Rachel Maddow revealed what she said were two pages of Trump's 2005 tax forms and credited David Cay Johnston as the source of the information.

Johnston told Maddow he found the two pages in his mailbox. He said he did not know who sent them, or why.

Copies sent to White House



Maddow said she sent copies of the forms to the White House for comment. The administration issued its public statement before her program went on the air Tuesday night.

In its pre-emptive statement, the White House said, "You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago."

The statement added, "Before being elected president, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world. It is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the president will focus on his."

Favorable snapshot



The snapshot of the 2005 return was largely favorable to the president, who has claimed he has paid his fair share of taxes.

On ABC's 'Good Morning America' Wednesday, Johnston said it was possible he received the two pages of Trump's 2005 tax return from Trump himself or someone close to him. "Donald has a long history of leaking things about himself," said Johnston.

Johnston said the most important information missing from the return are the sources of income because it would disclose "who he's beholden to" and confirm or deny allegations of controversial ties with Russian businesses.

Trump's tax return also shows business losses of $103 million that year and that he paid an effective tax rate of 24.5 percent. That is much higher than the roughly 10 percent the average American pays each year, but below the 27.4 percent that taxpayers with average incomes of $1 million were paying in 2005, according to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

Trump's 2005 return shows most of Trump's tax bill that year was due to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which is aimed at preventing high-income earners from paying minimal taxes.

The AMT requires many taxpayers to calculate their taxes under regular income tax rules and a second time under AMT, and then pay the higher amount.

Without the AMT, Trump would have avoided paying all but a few million dollars of his 2005 tax bill.

Campaign promises



On his campaign website, Trump proposed eliminating the AMT, which is expected to rake in more than $350 billion dollars in revenues between 2016 and 2025.

Trump has long insisted that the American public is not interested in his returns, and has said little can be learned from them. But Trump's full returns would contain key details about things like his charitable giving, how much he made each year and what were the sources of his earnings.

This tax issue was a major point of attack from his campaign rival Hillary Clinton, who suggested Trump had something to hide.

Although Trump repeatedly said he could not release his current tax returns because he was being audited by the Internal Revenue Service, a claim the IRS said is not correct, the issue caught the public imagination months ago. Since Trump took over the White House on January 20, more than one million Americans have signed an electronic petition demanding the president release his tax documents.

The White House has not said whether the president plans to release any of his annual tax returns while he is in office.
Researchers have found that a less strenuous form of exercise known as whole-body vibration may work just as well as regular exercise in helping to control diabetes. WBV, as it's called, could also benefit people who find it difficult to exercise.

Scientists say WBV transmits energy through the body when someone is standing, sitting or lying on a gently vibrating device, causing muscles to contract and relax many times each second.

The effect may be to strengthen and increase muscle mass, improving blood sugar control along with other problems seen in diabetes. At least, that's what studies in mice suggest.

Bearing in mind that exercise is good for everyone, including people with diabetes, researchers at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia, studied five-week-old male rodents, comparing the effects of whole-body vibration to that of running on a treadmill.

Vibrating platform

A cage containing both normal and specially bred obese, diabetic mice was placed on a gently vibrating platform for 20 minutes per day for 12 weeks.

Another group of rodents  both diabetic and healthy mice  was trained to run on a treadmill for 45 minutes a day for the same period of time.

A third group of diabetic and healthy mice remained sedentary and were used for comparison.

Investigators saw similar health benefits in the diabetic mice that ran on the treadmill and those exposed to whole-body vibration.

Meghan McGee-Lawrence, an assistant professor in the Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy at the Medical College of Georgia, said the results of the study showed that "vibration may be just as effective as exercise at combating some of the negative consequences of obesity and diabetes."

Biomarker improvements

McGee-Lawrence said mice subjected to whole-body vibration and those that ran on the treadmill were both able to decrease fat in the liver, improve insulin sensitivity and increase muscle fiber.

While there was improvement in the biomarkers of diabetic WBV mice and treadmill mice, they never became as healthy as the normal animals.

During the study, the mice were weighed weekly. Researchers found that the diabetic mice subjected to vibration and the treadmill gained less weight after the study was over than the sedentary rodents.

There was also evidence that whole-body vibration might improve the bone strength of diabetics.

The study was published in the journal Endocrinology.

McGee-Lawrence said researchers are now trying to determine the mechanisms that underlie improved diabetes control in both exercise and whole-body vibration mice.

More study urged

There are vibrating chairs and beds available on the market, but McGee-Lawrence cautioned people against starting a routine of whole-body vibration and thinking they are controlling their diabetes.

"We know that some whole-body vibration ... seems to be good for the body, but too much can be a bad thing," she said. "And in terms of finding ways to apply that [to humans] ... I think we need some more studies to guide us on that so that when folks start doing this, we get the best beneficial effects we can without running the risk of having any potential side effects."

One potential harm of too much vibration, often seen heavy-machine operators, is tissue inflammation.

If researchers are able to repeat the results in humans, McGee-Lawrence said, whole-body vibration could be a useful add-on to the treatment of diabetes.
Visitors to Bangalore, India, these days can see street art, have beer at local microbreweries or take an Uber ride to a distant neighborhood to meet with venture capitalists about a recent startup that grabbed their attention.

Gone are the days of a city dominated by call centers and American visa seekers.

"There's an artisanal hot dog place there," Sean Blagsvedt, founder of online job portal Babajob, said of a nearby neighborhood, speaking over his plate of salmon sashimi. "You have a bazillion 20-something tech people who don't like to cook and suddenly have a [large amount] of money to start paying for interesting food. ... You saw the same things in San Francisco."

A wide variety of dining options, nightlife and other activities has blossomed alongside the tech industry in "India's Silicon Valley."

Bangalore was rated the most dynamic city in the world, two spots ahead of California's Silicon Valley  which isn't a city but was ranked as one  by the JLL City Momentum Index this year. The index looks at more than 100 cities around the world, rated by their "ability to embrace technological change, absorb rapid population growth and strengthen global connectivity."

Not looking abroad

Call centers and outsourced IT workers still make up a part of Bangalore, but a vibrant crowd of modern, enthusiastic, tech-minded people has grown to dominate the city  and for most of them, the promise of "a better life" abroad is not on their radar.

Bangalore, however, has been attracting Americans and Europeans to start companies in India for Indians. And this phenomenon is hardly new.

Blagsvedt, who is also Babajob's CEO, moved to Bangalore from his hometown of Seattle, Washington, when he was 28 to work with Microsoft. Although Blagsvedt enjoyed his work, he felt compelled to work more directly with Indians, for Indians.

"I always had this nagging thing, like, am I doing enough to address the inequity that I saw, am I doing enough to make the best use of my skills, to try to do something important to make a difference?" he said.

After reading a study that said to get out of poverty, one needed to either change jobs or start a successful business, Blagsvedt was inspired to change how people found those positions.

"If only we could find a way to digitize all the jobs, make it accessible to people who don't use computers, and digitize the social network, then we might be able to catalyze the escape from poverty for a lot of people," he said.

Twelve years, a successful company and a family later, Blagsvedt is "more Bangalorean than me!" according to an Indian on his team, Akshay Chaturvedi.

In the past 10 years, however, it's not just Americans and Europeans with humanitarian motivations who are starting companies in Bangalore.

Indians, even those who paid for American educations and planned to pay off those debts with American jobs, have seen the increasing opportunity back home.

'A lot of vibrancy'

"[There is] a lot of young talent trying to build solutions that are uniquely India on almost every sector, whether that's health services, education, digital media, even financial inclusion," said Vani Kola, a venture capitalist who has been in Bangalore for 10 years after working in Silicon Valley. "I see a lot of vibrancy with respect to opportunity for building unique companies with unique solutions for India."

And Indians have taken advantage of that opportunity. The number of startups in Bangalore rivals those in the top tech cities around the world. In 2015, San Francisco research firm Compass rated Bangalore as the second fastest-growing startup ecosystem in the world, and it was the only Asian city besides Singapore to place in the top 20 startup ecosystems.

Chaturvedi is one such person who, after completing a fellowship in the United States, returned to India, specifically Bangalore, to join the world of unique Indian startups.

"I can't imagine my life without startups," Chaturvedi told VOA. "Everything I do  I'm touched by a startup at least 20 times a day. Every single dinner I order by some food tech startup."

In the days after we spoke with him at Babajob, Chaturvedi quit to work on his own startup  Leverage, an online platform for higher education services.

Although the question of the future of H1-B visas, a visa most often granted to IT workers from India, is on the minds of American companies that employ them, Bangalore seems less concerned.

"When students studied there, I said, 'Look, there's a lot of opportunity calling in India  can't I do something here?' That, I think, was a trend that was already there for the last few years," Kola said. "And now [the] Indian economy seems to be strong and the opportunity from startups seems very viable in India."

Fewer seeking H1-Bs

Blagsvedt holds a stronger opinion, saying that H1-B visas are exploitative, and that the rise of opportunity in Bangalore has limited the number of people desperate for those options.

"They haven't raised that minimum salary in 22 years," Blagsvedt said. "Now you tell me where you can hire a five-year programmer in Silicon Valley for $65,000 [a year]. You just can't. And what does that guy have as recourse? If he doesn't like the job, his visa is sponsored fully  he can't complain, he can't even switch jobs!"

Blagsvedt and Chaturvedi both said that in the Bangalore startup ecosystem, they had heard no talk, or worry, about the proposed changes to the U.S. visa program.

Chaturvedi did admit, however, that any threats to the H1-B program "would have been far scarier 10 years back."

In today's Bangalore, any widespread panic that Silicon Valley might imagine simply hasn't taken hold.
Lawyers with groups involved in lawsuits seeking to forestall President Donald Trump's orders to limit travelers and refugees coming to the United States said they are watching federal court hearings scheduled Wednesday in Maryland, Hawaii and Washington state for any decisions that could affect the implementation Thursday of the most recent travel order.

Three federal appeals judges last month upheld a Washington state ruling that suspended the first travel order, issued January 27, a week after Trumps inauguration. The revised version released last week attempts to bypass the lawsuits, protests and frenzied roll-out of the first order.

The most recent travel-related executive order, issued by Trump on March 6, barred visas to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days and all refugee admissions for 120 days, beginning March 16, with the government citing national security concerns.

Opponents to the order - which will affect the six predominantly Muslim countries and a refugee population awaiting resettlement that includes many Muslims - maintain that the second order is as religiously discriminatory and unconstitutional as the first, and plan to continue legal challenges to the presidents policies.

"No matter how far President Trump tries to run away from his initial statements that this was a ban on Muslims and discrimination against Muslims, he can't erase where this order originated -- in an effort to discriminate against Muslims on the basis of their religion," said Cecillia Wang, Deputy Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, on a call with reporters Tuesday.

At various times while campaigning for president, Trump made sweeping statements calling to bar refugees and Muslims from entering the United States.

The White House denies that the order targets Muslims.

Because of the 10-day advance notice, rather than immediate implementation, chaotic airport disruptions are not expected if the order takes effect Thursday.

Mark Doss, a lawyer with the International Refugee Assistance Project, said attorneys will be ready to respond at airports Thursday in case there are any issues."
The European Union is getting ready to amend its legislation on reproducing radio and television broadcasts. The issue is whether the collective system that governs the reproduction of musical recordings should apply to this type of product.

The European Commission also envisages applying this system to press agency dispatches. This was requested by the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) notably with respect GoogleNews. However the European Parliament is opposed to this because it would require extending the system to encompass every article published on the net and then republished on other sites.

It is important to recall that the collective management of copyright benefits the most important authors to the detriment of the little fish. In practise, small authors never pocket the rights that they should obtain when their musical recordings are reproduced because these are diverted to the accounts of the largest fish.

In a communique, the European Alliance of News Agencies (EANA) reminds us that, since its member agencies have not been able to survive from advertising alone, they are demanding that a system of collective remuneration, whereby funds are deducted from research engines revenues, is set up. But the thirty agencies that are members of this alliance are public companies or private-public partnerships. Thus all that is happening is that copyright will be harnessed as a vehicle to benefit States.
Minister Pinotti has but one dream: an Italian Pentagon - a single structure for the heads of all the armed forces  a miniature copy of the US model. The dream is on the verge of being realized.

The new structure, announces the Minister in an interview with the Repubblica, is already in the planning phase and a first tranche of funds is provided in the budget of the Stability Law. It will rise up in the airport area of Centocelle in Rome, where there is [sufficient] space to construct other buildings and infrastructures. The Directorate-General of Arms, with its 1,500 staff has also relocated to Centocelle; the operational Commander of the inter-force heads is already there, through whom the Chief of Staff of Defense commands all the armed forces operations. Most importantly, those operations abroad: Italy has committed itself to 30 military missions in 20 countries, from Kosovo to Iraq and Afghanistan, from Libya to Somalia and Mali. The Minister explains that given that components of all the armed forces participate in all of these missions, a single, interface command is needed, based at Centocelle.

Thus the draft law on implementing the White Book for International Security and Defense, presented on 10 February by the Council of Ministers becomes effective, even before it is discussed in parliament. Thus a bloodless coup is in full swing. With noone saying a word, the coup subverts the constitutional bases of the Italian Republic, reconfiguring it into a power that intervenes by force in the areas overlooking the Mediterranean  North Africa, the Middle East, the Balkans  to bolster its own economic and strategic vital interests and anywhere else in the world where the Western interests, as represented by Nato under US command, are at stake. New arms are needed for this end.

Lets take the example of the first two Gulfstream 550 modernized airplanes that Italy has just received from Israel at a price of around a billion dollars: these are true and proper flying commands, equipped with the most advanced electronics, for long range offensive missions.

At the same time, Italy needs war professionals, capable of using new technologies and fighting in far off countries in the most diverse environmental conditions. We need young soldiers,  explains Minister Pinotti  the key is to enlist personnel aged between 19-20 years, by offering them a substantial training package for seven years of their lives, that teaches them languages and professionalism. If they find themselves on the job market when they are 26 or 27 years old, they will not find it difficult to find another occupation, because we are committed to creating new employment opportunities through legislative pathways.

Thus in a context of unemployment and job instability, the youth are offered a path that will enable them to earn a wage and to hold a secure job: the war. And the draft law also entrusts the war professionals and the commands of the Italian Pentagon, with safeguarding free institutions with specific tasks in cases of extraordinary necessity and urgency. This is a vague formulation that lends itself to authoritative measures and subversive strategies.

All this costs. Italy, Pinotti announces, even while still unable to meet the Nato requirement of contributing 2% of its GDP to defense, is increasing its commitment: This year, we are contributing 1.18% of the GDP - in real terms around 23 billion. Then the minister informs us that Italy spends on average 63 million euro per day on defense. This is in addition to the costs for the military missions and the main weapons, written in the budgets of other ministries.

While political debate rages on at Rome on the environmental impact of the new stadium, noone is worried about the social impact of the new Tricoloured Pentagon.
Judge Andrew Napolitano has declared on Fox News that it was not the NSA, nor the CIA nor the US FBI that spied on Donald Trump when he was a presidential candidate and then President elect. Rather, it was the British GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters).

The GCHQ is a member of the Five Eyes agreement, established on 5 March 1946, as an extension of the Atlantic Charter and the allies victory.

The links between the United Kingdom and the Obama Administration are all the more strong given that London funded the beginning of Barack Obamas presidential electoral campaign. A number of members of the first Obama administration had been chosen within the Pilgrims Society, an organization that shies away from the spotlight and which is chaired by Queen Elizabeth II.

According to Judge Napolitano, the GCHQ transmitted to President Obama the transcripts of the wiretappings from Trump Tower.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon had been forced to resign during the Watergate scandal because he had wire tapped the headquarters of his democratic rival.
By Press Trust of India: New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) A UN body today proposed extension of the Istanbul-Teheran-Islamabad (ITI) train corridor to Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka (DKD) to promote regional cooperation.

It maintained that the train corridor has the potential to become an important transport artery for intra-regional trade and an important conduit of Asias connectivity with Europe.

"The operationalisation of a cohesive international transport network faces gaps and challenges in South and South-West Asia, compared to other subregions of Asia and the Pacific," Matthew Hammill, officer-in-charge of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said here.

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ESCAP, as the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region, is mandated with the promotion of regional cooperation for sustainable development. Transport connectivity is a cornerstone of regional cooperation, shaping regional production networks and trade patterns through its impact on competitiveness.

"For rail, this includes a proposal to extend the Istanbul?Tehran?Islamabad (ITI) Container Train Corridor to Delhi-Kolkata-Dhaka (DKD). This ITI-DKD corridor can also be extended further to Yangon to become the ITI?DKD-Y Container Rail Corridor," Hammill said.

ESCAP in coordination with Indian Railways organised a two-day conference here to explore cross-border rail connectivity in South and South West Asia.

Advocating Dhaka-Istanbul rail connectivity, Hammill said, "A key advantage of the ITI-DKD-Y corridor is that, as a trunk rail route traversing the breadth of Southern Asia, it can be linked with other corridors longitudinally."

The international meet was attended by representatives from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Russian Federation among others.

Hammill said, "It can also provide multi-modal linkages to connect with landlocked developing countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan and Nepal and as well as various Central Asian countries. The corridor has the potential to become an important transport artery for intra-regional trade and an important conduit of Asias connectivity with Europe."

The meeting was part of ESCAPs continued advocacy towards operationalising this international rail corridor.

ESCAPs efforts are focused on making such policy tools and guidelines available for the benefit of participating countries.

Its Regional Cooperation Framework for Facilitation of International Railway Transport is an important guiding document in this respect, which can help to address various operational challenges and non-physical barriers.

Hammil said the meeting aims to share information and details about the extent of proposed measures for the development of cross-border railway transport among South and South-West Asian countries.

It also aims to discuss further steps for strengthening international railway transport in the subregion. PTI ARU ZMN

--- ENDS ---
Never mind, Ill find a new account to usssseee. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Like so many of us in our weakest moments, Adele cant resist the joys of a good tweet, so much so that shes not allowed to tweet for herself anymore. In a performance in Brisbane, Australia, the pop star revealed that shes not allowed to access my own Twitter because Im quite mouthy and I say the wrong thing a lot of the time. (She has previously said that those Twitter privileges were revoked because of her fondness for drunk tweeting  who among us can judge?) So now, Adeles lurking on Twitter with a new handle. They dont know I have a secret account, she said. Well, obviously they do now because I said that. By they I mean my management. Time to hunt for that account before it gets shut down too. If you notice a lot of lewd British jokes coming from @hellobeyoncefan25, youve found her.
Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images

It seems that Ben Affleck has been back battling some old demons. In a statement posted to Facebook this afternoon, he disclosed that he had recently completed a trip to rehab for alcohol abuse. I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something Ive dealt with in the past and will continue to confront, wrote Affleck. I want to live life to the fullest and be the best father I can be. I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step. Im lucky to have the love of my family and friends, including my co-parent, Jen, who has supported me and cared for our kids as Ive done the work I set out to do. This was the first of many steps being taken towards a positive recovery.

Affleck, who is 44, previously entered rehab in 2001 for alcohol-related issues, which he discussed with The Hollywood Reporter in 2012: I went to rehab for being 29 and partying too much and not having a lot of boundaries and to clear my head and try to get some idea of who I wanted to be. Perhaps the move away from the directors chair for Warner Bros.s Batman was made in connection with a desire to focus on his personal life and recovery. Affleck remains separated, but not yet officially divorced, from his wife, Jennifer Garner.
Charlize Theron in Atomic Blonde. Photo: Focus Features

Theres an extended fight scene two-thirds of the way through Charlize Therons new spy thriller Atomic Blonde, from John Wick co-director David Leitch, that is so jaw-dropping it may well shape the trajectory of her career. We knew from Mad Max: Fury Road that Theron could do action, but she raises her game in Blonde, playing a British spy brought in to clean up a mess of double-crossing and betrayal in East Berlin right around the fall of the Wall. Theron has plenty of great moments of hand-to-hand combat (not to mention some truly steamy lesbian sex scenes with Kingsmans Sofia Boutella), always in some killer outfit, stiletto heels, and her characters signature platinum-blonde bob. But its that bruiser of a third-act stairwell fight that was all anyone could talk about when the movie premiered at South by Southwest this week.

That single scene vaults Theron into the elite ranks of actresses capable of taking over the blockbuster action-heroine legacy Angelina Jolie left behind a decade ago. What makes it so memorable isnt just that its at least five minutes long, and looks like it was shot in one take (it probably wasnt, but still, bravo), but just how much physical punishment Therons character takes. Unlike many contemporary movies, where characters have magical healing abilities, the stakes here feel real. At one point Theron struggles to push herself off the ground, looking like shes about to retch, then reaches for the closest household object in her vicinity to bash a bad guys head in. With every new blow comes the palpable sense that she might die.

Indeed, Theron has been kicking ass for some time, heres the proof:

Too bad we have to slog through the rest of the movie to get to it.

On the surface, Atomic Blonde should be your new favorite comic-book movie. It is based on the graphic novel The Coldest City, comes with a strong female empowerment message, and employs some of the coolest set design youre likely to see this year, from the graffiti-covered streets of East Berlin to Therons neon blue and pink hotel room. Even a bit when a baddie gets hit in the face with a skateboard and the blood splatters on the lens, a moment thats set to 99 Luftballons, is gorgeous. Id recommend watching whole thing on repeat, with the sound off, on drugs, at a house party.

But the bravura design and cinematography cant compete with the infuriating decision by Leitch and screenwriter Kurt Johnstad (300) to chose style over substance every time. The movie saddles those amazing set pieces with a plot so convoluted I didnt know Therons characters name until I saw it written on an envelope near the movies end. (Its Lorraine.) Her motivations and backstory are accounted for in a thin flashback that suggests she had an intimate relationship with another spy whos murdered early on  a thread the movie then completely drops. Not that it matters much, but the plot involves some list of all secret agents across MI6, the CIA, and the KGB going missing. James McAvoy is there too, with a great, scenery-chewing part as Therons drunk partner, but his character also gets lost in the narrative mess. A movie that fucks with my enjoyment of James McAvoy cannot be forgiven.

But Theron is still reason enough to check out Atomic Blonde. She fought to make this movie for five years  longer if you consider all the groundwork she had to lay in supporting roles and co-leads, or speaking up for equal pay in Hollywood. When the script fails her, her eyes keep the mystery and emotion going. Theron told the SXSW audience she spent months working out in the same gym where Keanu Reeves was training for John Wick. (Theyd often spar one another  please, Hollywood, make that movie.) At first, Theron recalled, she told her trainer, This is never gonna work, I look like Big Bird. By the end, she could throw a gigantic stuntman to the floor. I was like, Were gonna pretend that, right? And [my trainer] was like, No, youre going to throw a big dude. And I was like, All right! Lets throw some big dudes!

During training, she also cracked two of her magnificent teeth from clenching her jaw so hard. (They still havent healed.) The hard knocks kept coming during the shoot. The thing I cant figure out was I know I saw Ms. Therons face bounce off the wall, an audience member asked. Yes, that was my face. Youre welcome, Theron confirmed.

All that effort seemed to spill over as Theron took in the cheers of her SXSW audience. Ive been doing this for over 20 years, and tonight was really special for me, she said, choking up. The moment felt significant: One of our greatest actresses taking a bow for a kick-ass performance as, essentially, a bisexual female James Bond. All she was missing was a movie that deserved her.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture and Image by Getty Images

In an ever-changing world, one constant we can hold on to is the fact that Donald Trump is always erratically tweeting. When hes not tweeting about politics or Russia, the 45th president of the United States likes to take aim at celebrities  particularly those who dont agree with his political or personal ideals. This morning, Trump tweeted a fresh insult to Snoop Dogg in response to the rappers very anti-Trump music video, saying he has a failing career and all.

Of course, its far from the first time Trump has fired back at celebrities who disparage him by criticizing their perceived success  the Meryl Streep debacle is now burned into our memory  but it seems that Trump has a particular affinity for using the verb to fail in his attacks. Below, weve put together a short timeline of all of these instances on Twitter. What can we say? He really likes that verb.

December 2012

The target: Rosie ODonnell

.@Rosie--If America's Got Talent uses you, the show will fail like all your others!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2012

January 2013

The target: Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong did himself great harm last night. Lawsuits & failure will follow him!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2013

May 2013

The target: Mark Cuban

@mcuban is a short ball hitter who had a massive failure on television, The Benefactor. Now he is one of many on a modest ratings show, S T.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 11, 2013

January 2014

The target: Bill Maher

Failing comedian Bill Maher, who I got an accidental glimpse of the other night, is really a dumb guy, just look at his past!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 30, 2014

December 2014

The target: Rosie ODonnell (again)

Rosie ODonnell went after me again on The View in order to stir up her failing ratings. Nothing will help her--@Rosie always fails.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2014

No surprise. @Rosie is failing on @TheView.Terrible ratings.Malcontent" & another season is "out of the question" http://t.co/RAh59q06N4  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2014

Its Tuesday. How many more The View Execs will leak that they want @rosie gone? Show is failing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 2, 2014

Ratings way down, show irrelevant. Why haven't they learned? @Rosie always fails.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 1, 2014

December 2014

The target: Bill Maher (again)

Dummy Bill Maher did an advertisement for the failing New York Times where the picture of him is very sad-he looks pathetic, bloated & gone!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2014

July 2015

The target: Chuck Todd

Sleep eyes @ChuckTodd is killing Meet The Press. Isn't he pathetic? Love watching him fail!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2015

October 2015

The target: Glenn Beck

Failing host @glennbeck, a mental basketcase, loves SUPERPACS - in other words, he wants your politicians totally controlled by lobbyists!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 29, 2015

December 2015January 2016

The target: Glenn Beck (again)

.@GlennBeck got fired like a dog by #Fox. The Blaze is failing and he wanted to have me on his show. I said no - because he is irrelevant.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2015

.@oreillyfactor please explain to the very dumb and failing @glennbeck that I supported John McCain big league in 2008, not Obama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2016

Wacko @glennbeck is a sad answer to the @SarahPalinUSA endorsement that Cruz so desperately wanted. Glenn is a failing, crying, lost soul!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2016

The only reason irrelevant @GlennBeck doesn't like me is I refused to do his failing show - asked many times. Very few listeners - sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2016

March 2017

The target: Snoop Dogg

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

For what its worth, Trump has also deemed Vultures very own New York Magazine a failing, boring and totally biased publication in the past and encourages everyone to cancel their subscriptions to New York Ragazine. Sad!
Photo: Getty Images, New Line Cinema

In his 2004 song On the Couch, Prince gave a shout-out to the indie 1990s romantic comedy Love Jones. Dont make me sleep on the couch  Love Jones is on the TV again, baby, he sang. According to an oral history of the Sundance-winning film, Prince was such a fan of the film that Love Jones was the inspiration behind that song and another track that the production couldnt afford. I have a regret about it that I could not get this Prince song that I wanted, writer-director Ted Witcher told the Los Angeles Times. He had written this song that I had cut a scene in the movie to. We tried to get the clearance and we couldnt. We wound up having to put another major artists song in its place. Long after the movies release, Prince told Witcher about the movies impact on the Musicology track: Years later, I ran into Prince and he was a fan of the movie. He said he watched it a million times and he had written a song for his record called On the Couch, which was inspired by a scene in Love Jones, Witcher recalled. Even though the Nia LongLarenz Tate romance has one of the greatest R&B soundtracks of all time, think about the Prince song that could have been.
Before we can talk about anything that happens in Hong Kong, we need to discuss Eden Sassoons hair. I dont even mean that busted black hairpiece that looks like something from the Raquel Welch for Wigs and Plus line that made her look like Scarlett Johansson playing a warrior from the future in a Saturday Night Live skit. Im talking about the little hairballs she wears while walking around with Lisar  its like they were inspired by Chun-Li from Street Fighter. Seriously, would Eden ever consider walking down the sidewalk of Sunset Boulevard (the real street, not the movie or the shitty Andrew Lloyd Webber musical) wearing such hair? And, as such, is it culturally insensitive for a white woman to look like shes engaged in some serious anime cosplay while on her only trip to Hong Kong? These are serious questions. I really do want to know.

Erika Jayne, as perfect as she is, toes this line too, especially when she shows up for dinner with her victory curls and a long, silk chinoiserie robe that is absolutely stunning, but, well, a little bit too much like pajamas. Erika looks like shes going to perform Anything Goes from the opening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. (I would pay $1 million to see her actually do this.) The looks all the women are wearing at that dinner are totally off. No one dressed for the same event. Lisa Rinna is dressed like shes going to a PTA meeting in Santa Clarita. Dorit is dressed for a day of shopping and looking down her nose at everything at a high-end mall. Eden is dressed for a Siouxsie Sioux dance party at a senior citizens center. And Lisa looks like shes going to Miss Havishams wedding or something.

But not everyone can be like Erika Jayne and bring three people to outfit her and do her hair and makeup. The montage of everyone packing is hysterical. It starts with Lisa, who has Ken there to talk to her about the trip. Then we see Dorit, who is ordering around her mute maid. Then its Lisar, who cant get anyone to critique her outfit choices, so the producers force her to talk to her dog, and even Lola walks away bored to tears.

Then there is Erika Jayne. Someone made a look book for her trip, with pages and pages of pictures of her different outfits and descriptions of them. Someone printed out each page, like its a blog post your mom wanted to make sure you saw and whipped out of her purse at brunch and handed over to you, and the last three pages are just weird internet ads with no text at all. I have so many questions about this book. Who made it? Who is wearing all of those clothes? It cant be Erika, right? Is it her assistant? Is one of the qualifications to be Erikas assistant that she has to be the same size so she can pose in the look book? Or did they hire someone who is her size for a photo shoot so she could model those outfits for Erikas book? This is just insane.

I feel a little bamboozled by this whole Hong Kong trip, though. I thought they were going because Lisa was going to present her documentary about the Yulin Dog Meat Festival. We know the evils of this festival by now because, like a plug for The Agency, we have to hear about it in every single episode. I figured there was going to be a panel discussion or her showing it for a group of animal activists or something. As we proceed, she warns people about how graphic the footage might be. Considering it turned Ken Todd, a pumice stone with a trust fund and a pet dog, into a blubbering mess, surely these women wont be able take it.

Dorit decides to tag along with Lisa to this documentary thing because someone has to go. Then Eileen  never LVPs closest friend  decides, Know what? Were here for this and its the right thing to do, so Im going to go too. She is even mature enough to call Lisa up and ask if thats kosher, and Lisa enthusiastically accepts. The two even hope that it might be a keystone upon which to build a friendship. Theres a lot of grown-up behavior and real healing here. I hated every minute of it.

Anyway, they get all dressed up to go to this big documentary-panel-activism whoosie-whatsit, but thats not what it is at all. Its just Lisa recording her voice-over for the documentary in front of a green screen. These two went along to watch her read lines. Why did this have to be done a 16-hour flight away? Are there not sound studios and editing bays in Burbank capable of doing Lisas ADR? She should have warned everyone away  not because of the footage they might see, but because this would be the single most boring event that has happened on a Real Housewives trip ever. And this is only months after Meghan King Edmonds skulked around an Irish village, literally trying to touch a relative of hers on the shoulder.

All of the drama-adjacent events of the episode lead up to a confrontation between Lisar and Dorit on a junk boat, which looks like the most uncomfortable and horrific way to spend a sunset in Hong Kong. I would rather be tied up and flogged by a dominatrix dressed as PK, a Toblerone covered in pus, than sit on that junk. Anyway, Lisar is mad that Dorit intimated at dinner in Mexico that she might have some kind of drug problem because she pulled out her mom-bag of pills. Dorit is mad that someone told Lisar and wants to know who is guilty.

Shes right: Dorit didnt say Lisar had a drug problem, but she has sort of kept pointing to it, like shes Wile E. Coyote holding a wooden sign with a big red arrow to a picture of a tunnel painted on the side of the mountain and the rest of the cast is the Road Runner. Do you think she might have been  under the influence? she asks Eden when they talk about Lisar. In Mexico, she did say something along the lines of, It was so funny. We were at Edens and Lisa pulled out this huge bag of pills and said she put Xanax in her smoothie, so  You could slide a million different allegations into that ellipsis. Its like when youre discussing a mutual friend and how slutty he is and someone says, Oh, we were watching the Olympics and he said he would let the entire mens water-polo team bang him, so  Obviously its a joke, but its being used as evidence that there might be some truth behind the joke.

Lisar and Dorit are confronting each other across the junk, and its boring and stupid and a familiar case of who-said-what-to-whom-and-with-what-intentions. At least Kim Richardss name doesnt come up even once. Then it morphs into something more interesting when Erika decides to pipe up and testify as an objective third party, saying that Dorit did mention the pill incident and it was a bit leading. Dorit doesnt want Erika saying anything because, well, Dorit has to be right.

Finally, Erika asks Dorit what her problem is. Dorits response: What is your problem with me? I didnt think that Erika had a problem with Dorit, but she certainly made one. Dorit decided that Erika didnt immediately cozy up to her, so she would mention how much she thought Erika didnt like her every time they saw each other. Naturally, that pushed Erika away, because who wants to be friends with someone who needs to be given the second half of a Best Friends Forever necklace every single time youre both at recess?

The funny thing is, Dorits problem has nothing to do with Erikas actions. At one point, Dorit even said shes been given no indication that it is her specifically, rather than just the way Erika is. Dorits problem is that she thinks someone on the face of the earth doesnt like her. That is the only reason Erika upset her, because she was the only member of the group who wasnt falling for her bullshit. Or as Erika herself says, Its because I dont like bullshit, Dorit. And thats what I think you are.

She is. She is. Dorit is total bullshit and she talks too much and no one likes her. Thank you, Erika Jayne. You are a pajama-clad warrior for truth, justice, and the American way. Sadly, we have to wait for next weeks episode to get the rest of the fight, but I feel like this will be the end. Finally, Erika let herself openly dislike someone, and it was just as harsh and wonderful as anyone who lusted after her tri-pronged earrings (i.e., everyone) would ever wish that it could be.

As those words echoed around the finned top of the junk, they ricocheted into the choppy waters of Victoria Harbor, its waves slowly sonaring their way through the oil-laced deep. Just a glimmer of their former selves, the words trickled down like a billion dead krill congealed into a single bolus. It was just enough  the dropping of that force on the seabed  to cause the sand to mushroom up into the water and land again. But that was enough to move every grain just a hair, and those grains moved rocks, and those rocks moved boulders, and those boulders caused a rift at the bottom of the ocean. The water flooded into that rift, cold and salty and peppered with the faint underscoring of Erikas victory. That was enough to wake it as it let out a low, gurgling rumble that was just a preview for the citys destruction. That was just enough to open that one yellow reptilian eye, like it was the first blossom of a radioactive spring.
Theres a key exchange in Pests when Stan crosses the street to chat with Philip about dating a woman he met at the gym. Stan says he told her about his job and she gave him a weird look.

Philip: Youre an FBI agent, Stan. Women love that stuff!

Stan: Maybe when we were chasing Capone and Dillinger. Its 1984, Philip.

For the Jennings, Stan, and Oleg, life in the spy game has eroded their spirit, as the initial sense of patriotic duty has curdled bit by bit into disillusionment. Keep in mind that this conversation takes place early in the episode, before Stan gets briefed on the CIAs plans to exploit Oleg, now that hes back working for the KGB in Russia. As Stan futilely attempts to explain to his superiors, Olegs betrayal of his country was a one-time arrangement built on trust between adversaries, meant to relieve his conscience over a bioweapons project that he could not abide. Now Stans word is rendered meaningless, and Olegs extraordinary courage will likely be rewarded by his death and perhaps the deaths of his family members, too. He will be punished for doing the right thing.

Whenever The Americans reaches the crucial moment in which Stan finds out the truth about the Jennings, that same feeling of betrayal, humiliation, and powerlessness will grip him again, and whatever idealistic motives he once had about joining the intelligence community will be rendered a distant memory. What Pests emphasizes in that driveway exchange and throughout the rest of the episode is that Stan and Philip are in the same boat, even though only Philip knows it right now. Theyve both been on the job long enough to know that nothing is as morally clear-cut as chasing Capone and Dillinger; the environment is such that even ordinary people, such as that attractive woman at the gym, are inclined to back away slowly.

Of the two sides, Pests takes a particularly grim view of American intelligence agencies and the lengths theyre willing to go to notch a victory in the Cold War. When Gabriel meets Philip and Elizabeth in the opening scene, he makes a point of noting that their new mission will take them to the land of Lincoln, just so he can lament the decline of a country that now has Ronald Reagan in charge. The possibility that Americans are deliberately sabotaging Soviet grains to stoke the countrys hunger problems is too much even for Philip to fathom. Going after peoples food? I thought there were things they wouldnt do, he says.

In the Department of Contemporary Relevance, this weeks episode dovetails with a fascinating real-life conversation between former National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor and Michael McFaul, President Obamas former ambassador to Russia, on Vietors excellent new podcast, Pod Save the World. McFaul talks about Obamas attempts to reset diplomatic relations with Russia and his desire for win-win outcomes between parties that were otherwise adversarial. This explains how the United States and Russia were able to negotiate the New START treaty to reduce nuclear warheads in both countries while Dmitry Medvedev was president of Russia. The relationship soured, however, when Vladimir Putin asserted himself, and win-win outcomes were scrapped in favor of politics as a zero-sum game.

On The Americans, the win-win of Stan and Olegs partnership on bioweapons has now been sacrificed for the zero-sum game of winning the Cold War. Showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields were likely not thinking about Americas current relationship with Russia when they wrote Pests, but theyre hip to the tragic disparity between agendas. Stan has had many low moments with the FBI, but the move on Oleg nonetheless shakes him to the core. We have to play by the rules, he pleads to the deputy attorney general. If the FBI cant respect Olegs decency in preventing people from getting hurt, Stan says, I dont know what kind of organization we are in punishing him for that. Its the type of speech a person makes before tendering his resignation  but Stan, like Philip, Elizabeth, and Oleg  is used to bearing additional burdens on his soul.

Meanwhile, Philip and Elizabeth return to the dreadful work of preparing Paige for her own life in espionage  or least containing the serious threat that a scared, moody, independent-minded teenager poses for the entire family. Elizabeth often plays the role of chief enforcer and she does so again in Pests, during another training session in which she reiterates their concerns about Paige seeing Matthew. But the expression on Keri Russells face after they find Paige sleeping in the closet is utterly heartbreaking, and its a small masterstroke for the episodes director, Chris Long, to hang on that expression right before the cut into the opening credits. The shift in Philip and Elizabeths thinking is startling: They go from frantically worrying about Paige staying at Matthews and a scenario in which theyre not home to answer Stans call in the middle of the night, to finding their first-born child at her most vulnerable.

The fretting continues as Paige waves Matthew past first base, and her parents have to figure out how to approach a particularly complicated version of The Talk. Elizabeths insight into sex is universal in the first part, specifically troubling in the second: Youre going to feel and say things to Matthew that youve never felt or said before. How are you going to handle things then? Philip and Elizabeth know by their own example how intimacy and love can complicate a partnership, but Elizabeths solution for Paige is unexpected and wise. Rather than treating her like a child, which will stoke her rebelliousness and raise more suspicions from Stan about her happiness, Paige is granted the freedom and respect shes been craving.

All parents have to let go of their children at some point, trusting that theyll make good decisions on their own. The only difference here is the life-or-death stakes.

Hammers and Sickles

 Last week, I didnt give proper respect to Hans, who Elizabeth had to kill in the operation to collect samples from Williams body. Hans was an anti-apartheid South African who became a KGB informant out of disgust with American foreign policy. He trained and surveilled under the Jennings guidance and was looking forward to seeing his sister in a couple of weeks. RIP Hans.

 Tuans militancy in private with Philip and Elizabeth makes a striking contrast to their world-weariness. The scene at Bennigans is hilarious, in the intense yet wordless hostility that greets Alexeis endless ranting about America as a land of plenty, but it seems like Tuan is the angriest of everyone  not just with Alexei, but also with poor, suffering Pasha. My whole family died back home, he says. I was out with my grandma when they bombed the village  These kids have no idea. Family, more food than they can eat, all these clothes. I can get Pasha to do anything I want. Hes weak.

 Are the Jennings having The Talk a day or two late? I took Paige sliding her hand up Matthews pant leg as a suggestion that the green light was on, but shes cagey with her parents about whether shes done it yet or not.

 Tonights fun period detail: When Stans new squeeze meets Philip at the gym, shes wearing a big scrunchie on her wrist a la Debbie Gibson.

 The code to the FBI situation room is 9331. If youre ever sent back to 1984 and want the unofficial tour of FBI headquarters, that information will come in handy.
The Belko Experiment. Photo: Hector Alvarez

The thing about Battle Royale, for all the notoriety that preceded its release in the U.S., was that it was smart enough to be fake. An action-horror movie about junior-high kids murdering each other would be unwatchable and horrific if it was treated with the shaky-cam gravitas thats the default for many contemporary horror films. But watch Battle Royale now  with its theatrical tableau and fruit-punch sprays of blood  and its fairly obvious that director Kinji Fukasaku wasnt interested in violence so much as making the ultimate teen drama. Half the kills are cutaway shots.

The Belko Experiment, a deeply ugly and unnecessary film written by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, pitches itself as a Battle Royale in an office building. Ties and pencil skirts replace school uniforms, workplace grudges and romances replace adolescent angst, but this time, the kills are real. The concept is not without merit  what if your boring job, in all its abstract drudgery, was just a front for a sadistic human experiment? But ultimately, The Belko Experiment has nothing more to say about such modern absurdities than Office Space did nearly two decades ago with a lot fewer spattered brains. The fundamental ironic juxtaposition  ultraviolence meets corporate banality  is a bludgeon that never feels fresh no matter how many times its driven into our aching skulls.

The setting is the Bogota office of Belko, a murkily defined nonprofit that mostly sounds like a temp agency. Driving into work one morning, the local employees are turned away at the gate by the new, heavily armed security detail, while the English-speaking staff are sent through. One of them is our hero, Michael, whos played by John Gallagher Jr., a sharp and nuanced actor who someday will escape the curse of being cast as Not Jim Halpert. Inside appears to be just another boring office, albeit one built on a pile of dirt in rural Colombia where the employees are all fitted with tracker implants  in case of a hostage situation, theyre told.

As it turns out, the Belko staff are treated to the mother of all hostage situations: The building is covered in armored walls, and a mysterious voice gets on the intercom to announce that they must kill two of their fellow employees in order to keep 30 more of them from being killed. The trackers in their heads are, of course, fitted with explosives, and the mysterious voice demonstrates its power when all the employees have assembled in the lobby in their first tentative attempt to reason their way out of the situation.

The problem is that director Greg McLean (also behind the divisive modern grindhouse film Wolf Creek) doesnt do much to visually distinguish the head explosions  and there are a lot of them  from sniper gunshots. Perhaps this is intentional, but the effect is the image of 80 or so terrified humans running around their workplace dodging what may as well be an active shooter. Theyve been shaded in just enough dimensions that we cant dismiss them as one-dimensional horror movie props, but we dont know them well enough for their deaths to mean anything. So its just terror and chaos, too well-choreographed not to recall any number of mass shootings in the last decade.

Are we meant to take some kind of sinister glee in watching cubicles and cafeterias get drenched in viscera? Is it supposed to feel ironic or subversive to imagine a similar scene in our own offices? Characters periodically take an elevator to rendezvous or plan their next escape attempt, and as they catch their breath and wipe the blood from their eyes, we hear the kind of lounge-y elevator music that doesnt really exist outside of punch lines anymore. Whats the joke? What is being satirized  the expectation that we can go about our boring lives without finding ourselves in the middle of a mass killing? Message received.

The Belko Experiment is the kind of film many people will walk out of, and those who stick it out to the end just to see the curtain pulled back will be sorely let down by an ending so anti-climactic I could spoil it right now and youd ask, Thats it? If the script feels undercooked, thats because it was: Gunn originally wrote in the period between 2006s Slither and 2009s Super, then walked away from directing the project during a time of personal upheaval. As he put it, making this movie didnt seem to be the way I wanted to spend the next few months of my life. Why he or the films producers thought anyone else would feel differently remains a mystery.
BSP supremo Mayawati has called party cadres to Lucknow on the 83rd birth anniversary of its founder Kanshi Ram today to introspect and reinvent itself to remain relevant in Indian politics.

By Kumar Shakti Shekhar: With its rout in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) faces the worst phase in almost 33 years of its existence. BSP, one of the eight national parties, urgently needs to introspect and reinvent itself to remain relevant in Indian politics.

To that end, BSP supremo Mayawati has called party cadres to Lucknow on the 83rd birth anniversary of its founder Kanshi Ram today. The party cadres and supporters are likely to meet at Kanshi Ram Smarak on the VIP road where Mayawati may address them. Sources said she is also expected to preside over a meeting of the party's top office-bearers to devise a fresh strategy.

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KANSHI RAM'S PRINCIPLES NO LONGER RELEVANT?

Ironically, BSP needs to deviate from some of the core principles of its founder Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary. He floated the concept that an unstable government at the Centre was advantageous for BSP as it could derive maximum benefits to the deprived sections.

He had said, "I want a majboor (weak) government at the Centre and not a majboot (strong) one till we reach the Centre."

However, that phase is over with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presiding over a BJP-led majority NDA government at the Centre. In that sense, BSP is in no position to extract any benefits from the Centre for its votebank consisting mainly of Dalits.

Moreover, be it the 2014 Lok Sabha or the February-March Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, Dalits seem to have abandoned BSP, dealing the severest blows to it ever. They have apparently been successfully wooed by BJP.

While failing to keep its flock together, BSP also failed to win back the unstinted support of the Muslims and Brahmins who had catapulted it to power in UP in 2007. While Muslim votes have got divided between it and Samajwadi Party-Congress combine, Brahmins put their weight behind BJP, leading to the latter's victory with a three-fourths majority in the recently concluded state Assembly election.

Kanshi Ram's second popular concept, formulated after forming BSP, was that the party would fight the first election to lose, next to get noticed and the third election to win. That phase too passed long ago.

BSP's UNENVIABLE PHASE

For the first time in a couple of years, BSP is going through a peculiar and unenviable phase. While its vote share remains considerably high, it has failed to translate it into seats. This is what the party needs to contemplate.

For instance, in the recent Assembly elections, BSP garnered 22.2 per cent of the votes, winning 19 seats. On the other hand, SP got lesser votes (21.8 per cent) than BSP but bagged a much higher number of seats (47).

A similar pattern was observed in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. BSP got a decent 19.6 per cent votes in Uttar Pradesh, but failed to even open its account. On the other hand, SP got 22.2 per cent of votes, winning five seats. Congress got only 7.5 per cent of the votes and it won two seats.

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The difference was starker at the national level. BSP got 4.14 per cent of the vote share and it did not win a single seat.

On the other hand, other national parties and even regional parties got a much lesser vote share but were successful in winning seats.

Sample some of them:

MAYAWATI'S POLITICAL CAREER AT STAKE

BSP needs to take concerted steps to correct this anomaly in the vote share and the number of seats won. But before that, Mayawati will have to take measures to save her political career from getting lost in oblivion.

Her six-year Rajya Sabha term ends in April 2018. She does not even have the required number of MLAs to get re-elected to the Upper House. She may have to depend upon SP or BJP to retain her Rajya Sabha membership. Even Congress, with seven MLAs, cannot bail her out.

Will such realignment of forces take place? Or will Mayawati devise some other way out? If these do not happen, BSP and Mayawati face the threat of going through a long, dark tunnel ahead, if not a dead end.

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Also read | Jaitley: Mayawati lost UP because of wrong policies, not rigged EVMs

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The days of its supremacy in the state, where it ruled for over three decades, even winning 300-plus seats, seem long gone. The Congress now finds itself in a situation where there are not even supporters to hold its flag in most parts of the state.

By Indo-Asian News Service: On Tuesday, as Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi described the poll outcome in Uttar Pradesh as "a little down", he yet again seemed completely unaware of the reality on the ground, where the Grand Old Party finds itself in an existential crisis.

Forget the days of its supremacy in the state, where it ruled for over three decades, even winning 300-plus seats, like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of today. The Congress now finds itself in a situation where there are not even supporters to hold its flag in most parts of the state.

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Having yielded space to alliance partner Samajwadi Party (SP) in 298 of the 403 seats and settling for a paltry 105, "any recovery for the Congress is not just a tall order, but an almost impossible task", feel party workers.

CONG WON 269 SEATS IN 1985

The last time the party did well in the state was in 1985, when it won 269 seats. Since then, the march to the bottom has been relentless.

Between 1985 and 1989, the party nosedived to 94 seats. It slipped again in 1991, with just 46 seats, and further to 28 seats in 1993. In 1996, it bagged 33 seats, won 25 in 2002 and 22 in 2007, when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati romped home with 204 seats.

Despite its best efforts, the Congress failed to emerge out of the shadows of the regional parties like the SP and BSP and its tally only marginally increased to 28 when the BSP was voted out and Akhilesh Yadav embraced by the electorate in 2012. And now it has just seven seats.

Party leaders at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) blame the central and well as the state leadership for the steady decline of the party's fortunes.

A diehard supporter, who has worked hard for the Congress, told IANS that there was no "seriousness" in its approach for India's most populous and politically crucial state.

"This time, some serious work was done when Rahul started the Kisan Yatra from Deoria to Delhi and interspersed it with the Khaat Sabhas; but it all went phutt when some wise minds suggested joining forces with the SP," he rued, while pointing out how the dismal results had shred the strategy to pieces.

A Muslim party leader is equally cut up. "When elections are managed not by leaders but by hired, so-called strategists and professionals, the results are a foregone conclusion," he said, directly blaming "master strategist" Prashant Kishor for the disastrous show.

'MASTER STRATEGIST' PRASHANT KISHOR FAILS IN UP

Kishor, who masterminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful 2014 Lok Sabha campaign and helped Nitish Kumar make a stunning return as Chief Minister of Bihar, was roped in by the Congress to revive its fortunes in Uttar Pradesh.

"The party in Uttar Pradesh cannot be remote-controlled by people sitting in Delhi. The need of the hour is to cultivate sincere, local leadership in Lucknow," said another ageing leader, who served as a minister in a Congress government.

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Worried state leaders now say that Tuesday's appraisal by the 46-year-old Gandhi scion, making light of the drubbing handed out by the BJP, was at odds with ground realities.

"He still seems to be living in a make-belief world that we will rise from the ashes without a sound strategy and serious introspection. Sadly, it is not going to be that easy," said a restless office bearer of the Congress, who has been managing its office at Mall Avenue.

SP-CONGRESS COMBINE A FLOP?

Party leaders also concede that piggybacking on SP, especially Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, proved too costly. The initial flutter -- the 'UP ko ye saath pasand hai' credo wherein two young leaders, Rahul and Akhilesh, were projected as the future of the state -- died down in the face of an aggressive campaign by 66-year-old Modi.

"There was strong anti-incumbency against the ruling SP and its Chief Minister had also failed to manage his own party well enough to give our alliance a head start," averred a senior UPCC leader not wishing to be named. He added that the internal family and party bickerings in the SP also had a negative effect on the prospects of the alliance.

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Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh are in favour of the party doing some introspection and a major rejig of the organisation, as also distancing itself from the regional parties.

Akhilesh Yadav has said that his alliance with the Congress, despite the rout, was very much on. There has been no word from the Congress leadership so far. Party workers are waiting to see how and when the much-awaited introspection will start.

Also read | Raj Babbar offers to resign as UP Congress chief after Assembly election disaster

Also read | Knives out in Congress: Sonia loyalist questions Rahul Gandhi after Uttar Pradesh election disaster

WATCH VIDEO

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During the campaign trail, Trump had vowed that he would work for free by either donating his salary or accepting the bare minimum ($1) as his income.

By India Today Web Desk: US President Donald Trump will donate his annual $400,000 (around Rs 2.6 crore) salary to charity by this year's end, his press secretary said.

Interestingly, the press, which Trump has at various times called dishonest and disposed to reporting 'fake news', will get to decide where the salary goes.

During a media briefing, White House press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed that Trump's salary will go to charity and that the reporters who cover the White house will get to decide where it goes.

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"He has kindly asked that you all help determine where that goes," Spicer said. He added, "The way that we can avoid scrutiny (over where the salary is donated) is to let the (White House) press corp determine where it should go," eliciting laughter from the gathered reporters.

"In all seriousness, I think his view is he made a pledge to the American people he wants to donate it to charity and he'd love your help to determine where it should go," Spicer went on to say.

During the campaign trail, Trump had vowed that he would work for free by either donating his salary or accepting the bare minimum ($1) as his income.

Trump, whose personal wealth is valued at $3.7 billion by business magazine Forbes, has been criticized for refusing to release his tax return. Trump has refused to budge on the topic even after taking office.

Trump is not the first US president to forgo his income while in White House. Herbert Hoover and John F. Kennedy also donated their presidential salaries to charity.

ALSO READ: How India should deal with Trump

ALSO READ: Indian-American woman confronts Donald Trump spokesman Sean Spicer, video goes viral on Twitter

ALSO WATCH | US presidential election: Donald Trump, the billionaire president

--- ENDS ---
City and county leaders saw a sunny picture of the local economys future in a study by The Perryman Group, a Waco-based research and analysis firm.

Wacos economic output will likely double by 2040, largely thanks to the citys long-term infrastructure commitments, according to the study. The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area also will grow by 59,100 residents to about 323,000 people, a 22 percent increase, according to the study. The Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area includes McLennan and Falls counties.

Economist Ray Perryman announced the findings during a press conference Tuesday at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative.

(Infrastructure) is kind of like the skeleton of the body, Perryman said. You dont always see it, but its very important. If you dont have it, you cant really do very much.

Every dollar in infrastructure spending will bring in $3.13 in total local spending, the study found.

The study also points to Wacos 10-year Capital Improvement Project, which will invest $139 million in wastewater projects, $131 million in water projects and $50 million in street improvements. Those investments should maintain Wacos quality of life, foster economic growth and increase long-term sustainability, according to the city.

Transportation projects, including an Interstate 35 upgrade and a bus rapid transit system, would support projected growth in the area, according to the study.

The Dallas area is finally growing south, and Austin has been growing north for awhile, Perryman said. That distance is much shorter now, mobility seems greater now than it was then, and the congestion is worse in those places than it was then. And the premium on accessibility is much greater now than it was then.

City Manager Dale Fisseler said he is impressed by the report.

It verified what I was hoping, which is that these are good investments for the city, Fisseler said.

He said Wacos bond score upgrade last year to AA-plus reaffirms that were going in the right direction with our infrastructure.

Economic boosts, including momentum with downtown developments, also contribute to the studys findings.

Magnolia spotlight

Magnolia Market at the Silos draws 20,000 visitors in an average week, and 1.2 million people visited in 2016, the study found.

Were fortunate that Fixer Upper and the success of Chip and Joanna Gaines have shined a national light on Waco the last few years, Mayor Kyle Deaver said. And now a lot of people in the nation understand what a great place Waco is and are wanting to move here. In fact, were seeing that on a regular basis.

Other factors working in Wacos favor include quality of higher education options, availability of development-ready land, business incentives, parks and recreation activities, and ongoing riverfront development.

I think Waco has a very good future, Perryman said. I think a lot of things are going right, and I think this infrastructure is a very important piece of it.
A suspected child molester who faces a life prison term with no hope for parole failed to show up for his day in court Tuesday.

Judge Ralph Strother of Wacos 19th State District Court forfeited Anubis David Mendezs $150,000 bond and issued a warrant for his arrest.

With prospective jurors waiting in the hallway Tuesday morning, Mendezs attorney, Brian Gibson, told the judge he hasnt been in recent contact with his client, his family cant find him, and neither can his bail bondsman.

Mendez, 38, has been living in Waco, but he is not a U.S. citizen, court officials said.

He was set to stand trial on nine felony counts, including continuous sexual abuse of a young child, three counts of sexual assault of a child and five counts of indecency with a child.

Continuous sexual abuse of a young child convictions come with a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and up to life without parole.

Court documents show Mendez is charged with having an improper sexual relationship with a girl starting when she was 11 in 2007, until 2009.

Mendez told a detective that he had a secret and did not know how his family would react when they found out. He also said he was sorry but would not explain further, according to court records.

Federal, state and local authorities also are continuing their search for a Central Texas truck driver who skipped out on his trial nine months ago before he could be sentenced to life in prison without parole for sexually abusing a young family member.

In June, a 54th State District Court jury convicted 58-year-old Aurelio Ibarra of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child by contact, but the native of Mexico and longtime Groesbeck resident was a no-show for the final two days of his trial in Waco.

Judge Matt Johnson continued the trial without him and was forced to delay sentencing until Ibarra is brought back to Waco.
Eleven more bikers arrested but not indicted after the 2015 Twin Peaks shootout filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday, alleging they were arrested without cause and their constitutional rights have been trampled on.

Daryle Walker, of Franklin County, Ohio; Michael Woods, of Bell County; Don Fowler, of Ellis County; David Cepeda, of Bexar County; Kevin Rash, of McLennan County; Richard Kreder, of Navarro County; Greg Corrales, of Bexar County; Bobby Joe Samford, of Milam County; Jimmy Spencer Jr., of Montgomery County; Craig Rodahl, of McLennan County; and Arley Harris III, of Bosque County, are the latest bikers to allege in a lawsuit filed in an Austin federal court that their civil rights were violated by their unlawful arrests and improper incarceration under $1 million bonds each.

The 55-page lawsuit, filed on the bikers behalf by Dallas attorney Don Tittle, names as defendants former Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman, Waco police Detective Manuel Chavez, McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna, the city of Waco, McLennan County and unnamed government employees involved in the arrests identified only as John Does.

Unspecified damages

Unlike another lawsuit filed last week on behalf of Brenham resident Morgan English, who is seeking $350 million in damages after her arrest at Twin Peaks, the latest lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

None of these (11) individuals have been indicted, the lawsuit states. In fact, despite the passage of 22 months since the date of the incident, none of their cases have even been presented to a grand jury.

Despite the fact that no evidence whatsoever indicates that any of them were engaged in anything other than completely lawful conduct, defendants Stroman, Reyna and Chavez recently stated in legal pleadings filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas that these individuals have not been absolved of criminal wrongdoing and remain very much under investigation. This suit seeks to correct the miscarriage of justice and assault on the United States Constitution perpetrated by these defendants.

Reyna did not return a phone message left at his office Tuesday.

Reyna conferred with Stroman by telephone and with Stromans top assistants at the scene before the decision was made to arrest 177 bikers after the May 17, 2015, shootout that left nine bikers dead and more than 20 injured.

Chavez signed off on identical affidavits to obtain arrest warrants for the bikers.

McLennan County Judge Scott Felton said Tuesday he cannot comment on pending litigation.

Waco City Attorney Jennifer Richie also said she would not comment on pending litigation.

There are pending criminal matters and civil lawsuits, and the city of Waco chooses to litigate these matters in the courts, Richie said.

Tittle now has filed suits on behalf of 31 bikers arrested in the Twin Peaks incident. Of those 31, seven have been indicted. The rest have not. With the statute of limitations to file lawsuits in the case expiring May 17, Tittle said he expects to file many more suits in coming weeks.

Every time I hear Abel Reyna open his mouth, I become more and more motivated to do everything within my power to hold him and the other defendants accountable for this gross miscarriage of justice. Tittle said Tuesday.

No biker has gone to trial, and 155 remain under indictment on first-degree felony engaging in organized criminal activity charges. Some of the bikers indicted were not arrested the day of the shootout.

An effort to disqualify Reyna from overseeing the prosecution of the biker cases remains pending in Wacos 10th Court of Appeals.

U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks, of Austin, who is presiding over the civil litigation, lifted a stay last month that would have put the civil lawsuits on hold until after the criminal cases are disposed of. Sparks placed the stay last year, shortly after the first suits were filed.

The lawsuit alleges that authorities relied on identical, fill-in-the-blank arrest affidavits that did not allege specific facts against the plaintiffs that would in any way establish probable cause for their arrests.

Reyna and police officials decided to arrest the bikers en masse based entirely on their presence at Twin Peaks, the motorcycle club that defendants presumed an individual was associated with and/or the clothing they were wearing at the time of the incident, the suit alleges.

Conspiracy theory

Rather than investigating the incident and relying on actual facts to establish probable cause, defendants theorized that a conspiracy of epic proportion between dozens of people had taken place, and willfully ignored the total absence of facts to support their theory,  according to the suit.

The lawsuit says that one of the plaintiffs, Daryle Walker, is the father of four sons and serves as a veteran services officer for Lincoln County, Ohio. He served in the Army for more than 20 years as a military policeman and criminal investigator.

Walker was deployed twice to Afghanistan and was awarded two Bronze Stars while in the Army, the suit says. He was in Waco with friends to attend a meeting of the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents and was smoking a cigar on the back side of the restaurant when he heard gunshots. He immediately took cover and was engaged in completely lawful conduct while at Twin Peaks, the suit alleges.

Woods also served in the Army for more than 20 years and works at Fort Hood for a federal contractor, according to the suit.

Fowler was a pediatric nurse at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for almost 25 years at the time of his arrest. Cepeda, according to the suit, holds a bachelors degree in business and information systems from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Rash, a Navy veteran, has worked many years in the pest control industry, while Samford is a lifelong electrician and Spencer lost his construction job and was evicted after his mugshot appeared with others arrested that day, the suit says.

Rodahl helped escort Twin Peaks staff members inside a walk-in cooler while taking cover from the gunfire, while Harris was a China Spring volunteer firefighter.
The United Way of Waco-McLennan County has a new executive director, and she plans to build on the legacy her long-serving predecessor has left, she said.

Barbara Mosacchio starts her new position Wednesday and brings more than 20 years of experience in philanthropic service with her.

The organizations board of directors announced the change in leadership earlier this month, after former executive director Homer Trevino announced his desire to pursue other interests, according to a United Way press release. Trevino had been with the organization for 40 years.

As Homer transitions to this next chapter, we are more than grateful for all he has achieved for our community, United Way Board President Clint Weaver stated in the press release.

Mosacchio has been leading the Chicago Youth Centers organization for about the past five years and has led the Atlanta Womens Foundation and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, she said.

But what drew her from Chicago to Waco was the opportunity to see the impact of nonprofit groups on more of a community level, she said.

United Way of Waco-McLennan County helps generate funding for other local nonprofit groups and agencies that support more than 41,000 people in the area.

When I knew I wanted to look for a new position, I knew I wanted to be somewhere where I could touch and feel the impact of my work in a much stronger way than Ive been able to do at Chicago Youth Centers or other metropolitan areas like Chicago, she said.

Building on legacy

I feel United Way plays such an important role in the community matrix of certain cities and community engagement and, obviously, fundraising, and I have a great respect for how United Way has continued to build on its legacy but has also responded to change with the times.

Already impressed with the engagement by multiple nonprofit groups and organizations in the area, she walked away from her interview knowing Waco has the power to make big changes, Mosacchio said.

She is stepping into the role at a time when collaboration is becoming increasingly important for nonprofits, she said.

I think whats happening across the United Way system and in the nonprofit arena in general is people coming together to look at big issues, she said. Where are we at from an education standpoint? Where are we at from an economic security standpoint? Where are we at with health and wellness, and saying collectively, how do we collectively come together and impact those issues?

Throughout this process, we have witnessed the amazing will of this community and its leaders as they engaged in helping us vet and hire our new executive, search committee co-chair Mark Reynolds stated in the press release.

We are grateful to each of them and to everyone who is a United Way donor. We are particularly grateful to the Rapoport, Waco and Cooper foundations who have given so generously of their time, interest and resources to support us in this important process.

Reaching out

In the short time she has been in Waco since her hire, Mosacchio already has reached out to local organizations, including Prosper Waco and the Waco Foundation.

Waco Foundation is excited for Barbara to join the community as the new executive director of the United Way, Executive Director Ashley Allison said in a statement Tuesday.

Barbaras experience and expertise in transforming organizations while staying flexible and mission focused will be truly beneficial to our region and the nonprofits and community members we serve. We look forward to a great partnership with Barbara and the United Way.

As United Way continues to address those basic human needs, Mosacchio said she wants the organization to take a step back and look at how it can better partner with other local entities to make a difference.

How do we begin to move our United Way in that same direction? How do we inspire the community? I think community engagement is going to be a big piece of our work going forward, because thats really whats going to turn the tide and make sure the community isnt only asked to give their dollars, but that the community can clearly see the impact of those dollars, much like I want to see the impact of the work I do, Mosacchio said.

Its our responsibility to make sure the community knows what their investment is really doing.
After the lock-her-up campaign of 2016, President Trumps administration has an unexpected message for those still investigating Hillary Clintons emails: Shut it down.

Trump made clear after the election that he had no appetite to go after Clinton legally. On Monday his administration went further: His Justice Department went to court to fight those still going after Clinton.

Two conservative legal groups were in federal court in Washington on Monday to compel the release of more Clinton emails. And the Trump administration was on the other side.

It is moot, said Justice Department lawyer Carol Federighi, telling Judge James E. Boasberg of the administration plan to oppose requests for discovery by the two legal groups, Judicial Watch and Cause of Action. Our principal argument is going to be mootness based on all the developments that have happened since the case was filed. Federighi was talking about legal mootness: Its hard to claim that the government hasnt been forthcoming when 55,000 pages of the former secretary of states emails have been made public and the FBI has completed an exhaustive investigation.

But the emails are also politically moot: Clinton lost the presidency, in part because FBI Director James Comey publicly reopened the Clinton email investigation on the eve of the election on what turned out to be dubious grounds. She has returned to private life and her emails, never exactly revelatory, are now irrelevant.

Whats interesting is that Trumps DOJ essentially said so  even having Federighi, the same career lawyer who argued the case for the Obama administration, do the same for it.

Its incredible, Tom Fitton, the head of Judicial Watch, told me after Mondays hearing. Theyre taking the same position as the Obama administration on Clinton.

Fitton said he suspects the administration sided against him Monday because there arent yet enough political appointees at the Justice Department to redirect prosecutors. I dont think President Trump would be pleased with his administrations defense of Clinton, Fitton said.

Thats one possibility.

Another is the Trump administration will defend executive power like those before it.

A third explanation: the Trump administration finds the whole matter silly and has no wish to encourage these legal Captain Ahabs in unending attempts to harpoon Clinton.

Fourteen months ago, Boasberg (whom Ive known since he was in law school three decades ago) ruled against Judicial Watch, saying the plaintiffs were on a hunt for any kernel of fact even if marginally relevant.

But in a surprising ruling released after Christmas, the D.C. Circuit overturned Boasbergs decision. Absent a showing that the requested enforcement action could not shake loose a few more emails, the case is not moot, Judge Stephen Williams wrote. Though previous attempts to get Clintons emails released bore some fruit, the Department has not explained why shaking the tree harder  might not bear more still.

Some conservatives exulted that their vanquished foe had suffered yet another blow. Trump gets green light to go after Hillarys emails, trumpeted WorldNetDaily.com.

But Trump, to the consternation of the Clinton critics, refused to hit the gas. Its good to be here during the Trump administration! a disappointed Fitton told fellow lawyers at the plaintiffs table after arriving for Mondays hearing.

Boasberg began the hearing by raising his hands in an exaggerated shrug, shaking his head and smiling. Interesting decision, he said of the appellate ruling.

Federighi, formerly of the Obama Justice Department and now with the Trump Justice Department, expressed her view that if the request for more Clinton emails wasnt moot 14 months ago, it certainly is moot now.

John J. Vecchione, representing Cause of Action, argued that he needs to know more  even after an extensive FBI investigation and tens of thousands of emails released, and even though the Trump administration opposes him.

Its like peeling an onion, he said.

Exactly: Once you remove all the layers, youre left with nothing.

Dana Milbank covers political theater for The Washington Post.
The mood turned confrontational if not downright ugly at the Highway 84 West Neighborhood Association meeting two weeks ago with city of Waco officials over a new or expanded landfill proposed off Old Lorena Road. One reason: Neither side made a compelling enough case to change the others assumptions and prejudices. And things just went downhill from there.

The neighborhood folks dismissed the city contention that the proposed landfill site is, in fact, a new site, insisting it is actually an expansion of the current landfill and thus in violation of a 1992 lawsuit settlement that precluded any such expansion. City officials insist the proposed landfill site is indeed a new site and point to an effort more than 10 years ago to expand the current landfill  one they abandoned because it violated the agreement. Not so this time, they claim.

Meanwhile, Councilman Jim Holmes  arguing on behalf of his West Waco constituents  insisted this was not a case of NIMBY, not-in-my-back-yard sentiments, because no one deserves to have such a landfill near his or her neighborhood. But as residents in the mostly white crowd angrily addressed city officials, that sentiment influenced at least some comments, including a woman expressing amazement the city would contemplate expanding the landfill in a very nice area. And Brad Holland, who spoke for many citizens that evening, said the site should be branded the Kyle Deaver Landfill in honor of Wacos mayor till neighbors are convinced otherwise.

Under the circumstances, the Waco City Council last week was absolutely right to bow to such concerns and formally order the city to explore alternative sites and produce a cost analysis if a landfill site is located several miles beyond city limits, as Councilman Holmes says is the case with similar-sized Texas cities. That said, city officials made clear legal work on the site off Old Lorena Road must proceed, given dwindling time to properly gain a state permit.

Whatever decision the council finally makes, geology and cost must remain the key factors. City officials could have made their case lots stronger by stressing the fact the proposed site sits atop hundreds of feet of shale, meaning it is effectively impermeable and unlikely to contaminate any groundwater  an understandable concern voiced by neighborhood folks and of interest to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In other areas, groundwater lies too close to the surface. Cost is also relevant, including that for refuse trucks going to and from the dump  wherever it is. And a landfill site scores highly by being accessible by state highway. Other conditions must be considered for any potential site, including that it not restrict flow in a 100-year floodplain.

At last weeks council meeting, Mayor Deaver regretted that some pretty blatant misrepresentations have hindered the process. Hes right. All parties must rely on civility, relevant facts and hard data. Lets hope that city officials keep an open mind in seeking out and considering alternative sites. And if Highway 84 West Neighborhood Association members have site prospects in mind, nows the time to offer them up for serious consideration.












Oppose landfill site

The city of Waco must do the right thing for area-wide citizens and stop the Highway 84 landfill expansion for two primary reasons.

First, the city has an agreement to not expand this landfill. Citizens need to know their local government will honor agreements and keep its word. Simply referring to this project as a new landfill, rather than an expansion, is exactly the type of trickery that results in distrust of government officials.

Secondly, expanding the landfill closer to the neighboring creek and river will increase runoff into nearby Lake Waco, raising the risk of polluting our water supply. This gamble cannot be worth the risk.

Understandably, a cost exists for locating a new landfill site; however, that cost will look small compared to rebuilding the citys integrity and cleaning up a polluted water supply.

Richard Grandy, Woodway

Abolish Texas abortion

As a lifelong Republican and conservative activist, Im deeply disappointed in the Republican Legislatures unwillingness to move HB 948, a bill to abolish abortion, through committee. During the Republican convention, 88 percent of delegates, myself included, voted to make this a legislative priority this legislative session. Apart from a handful of brave conservatives, there is no movement to bring it to the floor for a vote.In flagrant disregard of the will of Texas Republicans, this important bill will likely die in committee. Preborn babies arent agendas, next sessions, vacancies on the court, exceptions, things to regulate, planks in party platforms or poker chips to wager elections on. Preborn babies are real human beings. And they are dying horrible, torturous deaths while you argue legalese, arm wrestle rules and procedures and wait for the next political season.

Make your deals with the devil. Pat yourself on the back. Bow low to the Court. But God will hold you accountable for what you do and what you dont do. Its time to end abortion now. Abolish abortion in Texas.

Kendra Thomas, Waco

Wake up, ICE!

With immigrants, legal and illegal, protesting more often these days, this is the best opportunity to identify who they are, where they are and the businesses and organizations they seek out to support them. It also gives those individuals who would like to see immigration laws enforced an opportunity. They can now boycott any business, organization and university that wants to violate immigration laws by aiding and abetting illegal aliens.

I urge all law-abiding citizens to take this opportunity to cast your vote with your wallet. First get the criminals out, then lets focus on the rest of the problem. Build the wall and man it with armed guards. Maybe if we cut all aid to Mexico and stop allowing billions of dollars to be wire-transferred to Mexico, we could get their attention.

Rusty Cosper, Gatesville
AUSTIN  The Texas Senate on Tuesday tentatively signed off on the so-called bathroom bill on a 21-10 vote, with one Democrat  state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., of Brownsville  voting in favor of the bill.

Senate Bill 6, a legislative priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and other publicly owned facilities that match their biological sex and not gender identity.

And it would pre-empt local anti-discrimination laws meant to allow transgender residents to use public bathrooms that match their gender identity.

The vote on the controversial legislation came after a 41/2-hour debate over discrimination against transgender Texans, local control and whether the proposed regulations would actually deter men from entering

Before passing the bill, senators considered 22 amendments. Republican senators joined the bills author, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, in rejecting all but three amendments that make minor tweaks to the legislation but did not alter the main bathroom policies proposed.

More than a dozen amendments were rejected, including one that would have added discrimination protections for transgender individuals to the bill and another that would have prohibited individuals from personally investigating the gender identity of someone using a public bathroom.

The Senate also rejected amendments that would have required the state to study the bills economic impact as well as crimes that occur in bathrooms.

The upper chamber still must give the legislation a final stamp of approval before sending it on to the House. That vote, known as third reading, could come as early as Wednesday.
AUSTIN  In pushing a replacement for the Affordable Care Act that cuts off funds for Planned Parenthood, Republicans are out to reassure women who rely on the major health care organization that other clinics will step up to provide their low-cost breast exams, contraception and cancer screenings.

Texas is trying to prove it. But one big bet is quietly sputtering and in danger of teaching the opposite lesson conservatives are after.

Last summer, Texas gave $1.6 million to an anti-abortion organization called the Heidi Group to help strengthen small clinics that specialize in womens health like Planned Parenthood but do not offer abortions. The goal was to help the clinics boost their patient rolls and show there would be no gap in services if the nations largest abortion provider had to scale back.

The effort offered a model other conservative states could follow if Republicans make their long-sought dream of defunding Planned Parenthood a reality under President Donald Trump. Several states already are moving to curtail the organizations funds.

But eight months later, the Heidi Group has little to show for its work. An Associated Press review found the nonprofit group has done little of the outreach it promised, such as helping clinics promote their services on Facebook or airing public service announcements. It has not made good on plans to establish an 800 number to help women find providers or ensure that all clinics have updated websites.

Neither the group nor state officials would say how many patients have been served by the private clinics.

The Heidi Group is led by Carol Everett, a prominent anti-abortion activist and influential conservative force in the Texas Legislature.

In a brief interview, Everett said some of the community clinics are not cooperating despite her best efforts to attract more clients.

We worked on one Facebook site for three months, and they didnt want to do it And we worked on websites and they didnt want to do it, Everett said of the clinics. We cant force them. Were not forcing them.

Everett said advertising she planned was stalled by delays in a separate $5.1 million family planning contract.

Everett proposed helping two dozen selected clinics serve 50,000 women overall in a year, more than such small facilities would normally handle. Clinic officials contacted by the AP either did not return calls or would not speak on the record.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which awarded the funding to the Heidi Group, acknowledged the problems. Spokeswoman Carrie Williams said in an email that the agency had to provide quite a bit of technical support for the effort and make many site visits. She disputed that the contract funding has been as slow as Everett alleged.

The bottom line is that we are holding our contractors accountable and will do everything we can to help them make themselves successful, she said.
BJP chief Amit Shah is busy meeting senior leaders and brainstorming over whom to appoint as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. UP BJP chief KP Maurya and union Home Minister Rajnath Singh are both favourites.

KP Maurya and Rajnath Singh are both said to be in the running for the UP CM's post

By Mail Today Bureau: Overwhelmed with the mandate received in the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, the BJP is in a fix on how to appoint a chief minister who balances the development discourse of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the caste and social equations in the state and the ideological expectations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Mail Today has learnt from highly placed sources that UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is strongly billed as the frontrunner along with MoS and Bhumihar leader Manoj Sinha and union home minister and Thakur stalwart Rajnath Singh, met the Prime Minister at his 7RCR residence late in the evening on Tuesday. "Maurya has told the PM that he is a servant of the party and will continue to serve the party is whatever role it wants."

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A senior party leader who has been victorious in the polls and whose name has been floated as a prospective candidate for CM told Mail Today that "people as well as the media should expect a complete surprise. The state of UP is so big and the mandate so humongous that it cannot be left just like that".

Throughout Tuesday, the high command, especially party chief Amit Shah, remained busy in discussions with senior functionaries of the state as well as the central organization. Shah, reportedly, also went into a brainstorming session with RSS' interface with the BJP and Sangh's joint general secretary, Krishna Gopal.

NAME ALREADY DECIDED?

Party sources said that three names as of now have emerged as the hot favourites, though some members also believe that the name has already been decided and the exercise is being done only to give the process a semblance of widespread consultation. "It is not a coalition government. We have won a landslide victory behind Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and they are the right people to decide who will lead."

Rumours were afloat that the RSS wanted Rajnath Singh as the chief minister, being the "tallest" leader in the state. The home minister will head to Nagpur on Wednesday to meet RSS leadership, sources said.

The choice of the chief minister is also expected to make the next cabinet reshuffle, slated for sometime in April, to become complicated.

"If Rajnath Singh leaves for UP, then the crucial post of home minister falls vacant. Even now Arun Jaitley is holding dual portfolios of defence and finance. Singh's leaving Delhi could mean a fundamental reshaping of the cabinet," said a senior party leader, who also hinted at party chief Amit Shah finding a place in the cabinet.

ALSO READ | Who will be the next Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister? Home Minister Rajnath Singh leads the race

ALSO WATCH | Race for Uttar Pradesh CM heats up, final decision expected by Wednesday

--- ENDS ---
ASHLAND  Volunteer fire departments like Ashlands are constantly battling the challenges created by a lack of members, requiring them to do more with less.

As a result, the departments are turning to new technology to keep their communities safe.

The Ashland Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased six new Scott Sight thermal imaging cameras to help accomplish that task.

The Sight cameras are integrated into the SCBA face pieces the firefighters wear when they enter a smoky atmosphere, Meyer said.

I think its going to be a huge asset just because it frees up your hands, he added.

Rather than hold up a thermal imaging camera, the Ashland firefighters will be able to carry tools or maintain a hose line, making firefighting more efficient and effective.

This will speed up the process for us to extinguish the fire and get to the victims quicker, said AVFD First Captain Matt Meyer.

The new cameras also allow the firefighter to see through smoke and more efficiently navigate dark environments, and gives them the ability to know where their fellow firefighters are during a fire, as well as locating potentially dangerous anomalies such as holes in floors or burned out stairways, Meyer said.

These new Sights are important because they allow the user to locate victims and down firefighters, he added.

The department will also use the new cameras during training exercises.

The new Sights are also important in training operations because they allow instructors to monitor the trainees locations and actions as well as the ability to provide real-time feedback to develop better firefighters, Meyer said.

The department is among the first in the state to put this new technology into service, according to Meyer. They were put on the market in late 2016. The Mead Volunteer Fire Department also bought four of the units.

We are the only two departments in Nebraska that have them right now, Meyer said.

Prior to getting the new units, the Ashland department utilized an older version thermal imaging camera. The unit is much larger and heavier than the new camera, Meyer said.

However, the older unit has more advanced technology, so the department will keep it in service. The older unit has a dual mode feature that allows the firefighter to differentiate between high and low heat mode. This feature automatically adapts the image so the viewer can differentiate what they are viewing, Meyer explained.

The new camera operates on a black and white scale that shows the hottest areas in the image in red. It also provides the firefighter information so they can determine ahead of time if it is safe to go into the area.

There is also a temperature readout that provides the user with information needed to ensure the firefighter does not place themselves into a potentially dangerous situation, Meyer said.

Meyer and other members of the department keep up on the latest trends in firefighting technology through social media. Thats where they heard about the new Scott Sight cameras, which they soon added to the departments wish list, he said.

Ashland Fire Chief Brian Whitehead did some negotiating with sales representatives who are also helping the department purchase a

new grass rig that will be delivered in the summer. With a lowered price, donations from the public and assistance from local elected officials, the department was able to purchase six units.

Were very fortunate we got six of them, Meyer said.

The department is also fortunate they enjoy continued support for their efforts.

The Ashland Fire Department would like to thank our community and local elected officials for their continued donations, support, and focus on keeping our local firefighters safe, Meyer said.
WAHOO  Wahoo will be stop number two for a mobile childrens museum that will put on miles across the state celebrating 150 years of statehood.

The 53-foot, double-expandable trailer will roll from Omaha into Wahoo April 12 and will provide area youth a hands-on learning experience through April 14.

The Mobile Childrens Museum will be located at the Wahoo Public Library for two and a half days. No definitive times have been scheduled yet.

We think its a great way to celebrate Nebraska 150, and were happy to have it here, said Wahoo Public Library Director Denise Lawver.

Lawver said after learning that Wahoo had been a chosen stop she quickly volunteered the library to host the museum.

The library is responsible for providing the space, security and 15 to 20 volunteers.

Lawver hopes area schools will take advantage and perhaps make a field trip out of the free, interactive opportunity.

Our goal is to try to get as many kiddos as possible, she said.

The climate controlled childrens museum on wheels includes GPS tracking, Wi-Fi, its own generator and is fully accessible to those with mobility limitatins.

The trailer will facilitate for a variety of both interior and exterior activities.

Interior exhibits will allow kids to build shelters and test them in a wind chamber or earthquake simulator, design a 10-acre homestead, create a movie, test their Nebraska knowledge, explore toys from the past and craft their own postcards, organizers said.

Exterior exhibits surrounding the trailer will allow for optimal play and learning space. Kids can engage in a timed obstacle course, foam block invention area and toy creation station.

The museums activities are intended for children ages 5 through 12, but audiences of all ages are welcome.

The Mobile Childrens Museum is Nebraska 150 Celebrations largest project.

According to Nebraska First Lady Susanne Shore, the Mobile Childrens Museum was created in partnership with the Omaha Childrens Museum as an outreach program to bring fun, hands-on activities to children across the state that may not normally have access to childrens museums.

Through play, interactivity and the latest technology, Nebraskas children will explore their heritage and envision their futures, Shore said. We hope the experience will help power the imagination and create an excitement about learning.

The mobile museum is often held in conjunction with other events unique to the 42 Nebraska communities it will visit over 26 weeks.

Lawver said it worked out well that the dates of the museums presence in Wahoo will coincide with National Library Week.

The Wahoo Public Library will get the week started with an April 10 special program before the arrival of the museum to cap off the week.

Continuing with the excitement of 150 years of statehood and Nebraska-themed programs, the library will host Nebraska, the 37th Star, with Thad Beach.

At 4 p.m. April 10, Beach will provide an hour of family friendly music and stories centered on Nebraska.

After its stop in Wahoo, the Mobile Childrens Museum will head west to Red Cloud.

For more information or for a list of the Mobile Childrens Museums other stops across the state visit http://ne150.org/museum.
On April 9 , the Museum will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Boeing 737s first flight. A panel presentation at noon will include maiden flight pilot Brien Wygle, and original 737 engineers Bob Bogash and Peter Morton. Boeing Company Historian Mike Lombardi will moderate. The Boeing Company will provide a new 737 MAX for viewing in the parking lot, with the possibility of a demonstration flight at 1:15 p.m. , which is the exact time the prototype first took off in 1967.

A reception in the Aviation Pavilion, next to the prototype, follows from 2-4 p.m. Guests include the panelists and others who participated in the colorful history of the worlds most successful airliner. Festivities include a toast and birthday cake. A giant birthday card will be displayed, which visitors will be encouraged to sign. Visitors are also encouraged to bring their own cards with stories of their own experiences.
Commentators say the "structural changes" remark is a stock response and evades the fundamental issue: that Congress faces a leadership crisis.

By Reuters: Many political parties faring as poorly as the Indian National Congress (INC) in a bellwether state election would ditch key leaders, if they did not go of their own accord.

Not so Rahul Gandhi, who remains in charge after his attempts to connect with voters in the country's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh ended in failure.

Congress support in a state that is home to one in six Indians fell to 6 percent and it won seven of 403 seats in the state assembly, marking a new low for a party that ruled the world's largest democracy for two-thirds of its 70 year history.

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Filling the void is Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which won the biggest majority in the state for any party since 1977. It sets him on a path to re-election in a 2019 national ballot.

Rahul, 46, is not yet president of Congress, but with his mother, Sonia, abroad for medical treatment, he is already its de facto leader. He spearheaded the party's 2014 general election campaign that also led to humiliating defeat.

In the wake of the Uttar Pradesh results at the weekend, senior party members have not challenged Rahul, even as they concede the need for action.

"There is no reason for despondency," Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior Congress lawmaker, told Reuters. "There is a need for surgical, structural changes and I have no doubt they will happen."

Not everyone is so sanguine.

"There is no leader today with a pan-India acceptability who can take on Modi & the BJP in 2019," tweeted Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, whose party is allied to Congress.

"At this rate we might as well forget 2019 & start planning/hoping for 2024," he said, referring to the dates of the next general elections.

"UNMITIGATED LIABILITY"

Rahul's campaign in Uttar Pradesh never gained traction: people who came to see him at outdoor meetings stole the benches put out by party workers for them to sit on.

His hiring of Prashant Kishor, the backroom strategist who helped chart Modi's rise to national power, did not pay off. And Sonia Gandhi took a nasty fall after fainting on a road show in Varanasi, the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha constituency.

Rahul, facing the press on the steps of parliament on Tuesday, deflected questions on his future but did say: "We need to make structural and organisational changes - that's a fact."

That, say commentators, is a stock response and evades the fundamental issue: that Congress faces a leadership crisis.

"Rahul Gandhi is now an unmitigated liability for the party," Pratap Bhanu Mehta, president of the Centre for Policy Research, wrote in the Indian Express.

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"What diminishes the party even more is that there are no challengers to Rahul - the very lack of open revolt diminishes the party's character to the point where it is now the object of outright contempt."

Plenty of ink has been spilled over the years on political obituaries of the Congress, which enjoyed national dominance under Indira Gandhi and in the aftermath of her 1984 assassination - the last time Congress held an absolute majority in Uttar Pradesh.

Sonia Gandhi's election victory in 2004 marked a temporary reprieve. Despite winning only 26.5 percent of the national vote, she managed to forge a ruling alliance that held for a decade.

NO CONTEST

Now, in Modi, Congress faces an adversary who is in his element on the campaign trail and is uncompromising in his quest to create a "Congress-free India".

"Modi is a driven, 24/7 politician and with Rahul it's just no contest. That is demoralising for the party," said commentator Ashok Malik, a distinguished fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi.

In fact, Congress won a notable victory in Punjab during the latest round of local elections of which Uttar Pradesh was the most important. Even so, it actually lost votes in all five states that went to the polls.

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Demonstrating the BJP's greater hunger for power, the Hindu nationalist party has laid claim to two small states where no party won a clear majority, quickly forming coalition alliances despite being outpolled by the left-leaning Congress.

"There should be red, flashing alarm bells going off within Congress," said Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington and author of a new book, "When Crime Pays", on Indian electoral politics.

"The Congress has bounced back from devastation before, but they have not yet demonstrated any ability to introspect on their shortcomings."

One option for Congress, analysts said, would be for Rahul, or possibly his low-profile sister Priyanka, to retain control of the central leadership while nurturing a new generation of state leaders who could rebuild the party's electoral viability.

Failing that, a series of regional or local alliances could blunt the BJP's advance. Yet analysts doubt such a rag-tag coalition could pose a serious challenge to Modi's bid for a second term.

And, as Uttar Pradesh showed, teaming up with Rahul Gandhi - the strategy chosen by defeated Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav - can prove toxic at the ballot box.

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Rahul's political troubles are not only national; they lie closer to home. In Uttar Pradesh, Congress lost all four assembly seats that lie within his parliamentary constituency of Amethi.

ALSO READ

A little down, Rahul Gandhi said on winning 7 UP seats. What the Congress's existential crisis means

Goa: From being the single-largest party to sitting in Opposition, how Congress lost the plot

Raj Babbar offers to resign as UP Congress chief after Assembly election disaster

WATCH VIDEO | Congress loyalists question leadership, chorus grows louder against Rahul Gandhi

--- ENDS ---
The Congress which fought the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election in alliance with Samajwadi Party could win just seven seats of 105 it contested.

By India Today Web Desk: Raj Babbar has offered to resign from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress chief after his party's disastrous performance in the just concluded in the state.

"I could not live up to the expectation. I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it," Raj Babbar said.

The Congress, which had fought the Uttar Pradesh election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, won just seven of the 105 it contested, a tally lower than the Apna Dal, which won nine.

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In further insult to the injury, the Congress lost all five seats in Rahul Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency Amethi, with four of them going to the BJP.

CONGRESS NEEDS STRUCTURAL CHANGES: RAHUL GANDHI

Talking to reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of using money power for forming government in Goa and Manipur despite Congress emerging as the single largest party. However, he admitted that Congress needed structural changes.

"We are in the opposition, you have ups and downs. We had a little down in Uttar Pradesh, that's fine we accept it. We had five elections, we formed the government in Punjab and won in Manipur and Goa. That is not a bad result. It is true that we lost in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand," Gandhi said.

"But as far Congress is concerned we do need to make structural, organisational changes," he said, adding that Congress had an ideological fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Despite the humiliating loss in Uttar Pradesh, the Congress has made it clear that there was no question of vice president Rahul Gandhi stepping down.

"There is no question of Rahul Gandhi stepping down," veteran leader Digvijaya Singh had said in response to media queries about a change of guard in the Congress top brass.

"The Nehru-Gandhi family is the greatest binding factor for the Congress and the leadership has to come to Rahul," he said.

Singh, however, conceded that the Congress party needed to build regional leaders.

ALSO READ:

Insult to injury: In UP, Congress is now smaller than even Apna Dal

Election results: Congress still says there is no question of Rahul Gandhi stepping down

--- ENDS ---
The ex-boyfriend, identified as Anubhav Yadav, has been arrested from Kaushambi in Ghaziabad. Four other accused are still at large, according to police.

By India Today Web Desk: A woman from Uzbekistan was allegedly beaten up and gang-raped by her ex-boyfriend and his four friends at her flat in south Delhi's Masoodpur area, police said on Wednesday. The ex-boyfriend has been arrested.

The ex-boyfriend, identified as Anubhav Yadav, has been arrested. An FIR has been issued against Yadav and his friends at the Vasant Kunj police station.

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THE CASE IN DETAIL The incident took place on March 10, but the victim didn't report the matter to the police so far as she was quite scared, a senior police officer said. She finally mustered the courage to lodge a complaint, after an acquaintance whom she narrated the incident to, suggested that she approach the police. The woman has alleged that she fell unconscious after being beaten up following which she was gang-raped by her ex-boyfriend and his four friends. In her complaint, the woman said that she was staying in the rented flat for the past six months. She told the police that Yadav was her boyfriend for the past four years. They had met each other on a social networking site and later got into a relationship. According to the woman's complaint, she broke-up with Yadav two weeks ago. However, Yadav was against her decision and continued "calling and harassing" her over phone and finally on March 10, attacked her with his friends. The woman identified two of the perpetrators as her former boyfriend Anubhav Yadav and his friend Gaurav Bhatia. She told the police that the other three men were not known to her as she had not met them before. Senior police officers said that they were conducting raids to nab the accused. While Yadav has been arrested from Kaushambi in Ghaziabad, four others are still at large, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal said.

--- ENDS ---
The Sydney and Melbourne housing markets are continuing to "defy belief" but banks have warned that government measures designed to address affordability could actually drive up prices.

National Australia Bank chief economist Alan Oster said property prices were showing no signs of slowing, despite growing concerns about affordability two months out from the federal budget.

The analysis from NAB shows median dwelling prices have climbed up to nine times higher than gross household incomes in Sydney and seven times higher in Melbourne on the back of surging investor demand.

"The housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne continue to defy belief," said Mr Oster.
Canning MP Andrew Hastie makes light of the furore brewing on Twitter over his discussion about gay marriage. Credit:Facebook.com/hastieandrew Coopers said it was "incredibly saddened by the impact our involvement with the Bible Society has had on our valued Coopers drinkers". But Mr Hastie said the back-down was a "craven capitulation" that showed "little spine". "The whole point of this video was to demonstrate that two MPs can disagree on a very important issue and still be friends and still respect each other," he said. "The public reaction from the left has demonstrated there is something seriously wrong at the heart of our democracy. I had no idea when I did this with Tim that we would trigger so many people on Twitter.

"They [Coopers Brewery] are apologising for nothing; they've done nothing wrong." Mr Wilson said the discussion was designed to allow the participants to disagree, without being disagreeable. "Let's be frank: we jumped at the chance to demonstrate how civil discussion should be had, that's our role as parliamentarians," he said. "But as somebody who also supports a change in the law, I thought it was a good way to get a conversation directly to people who you may not always be able to engage on this issue." Both MPs said they were surprised at the anger unleashed over the video.

"It demonstrated that the left demand your surrender if you disagree with them, they shut down dissent and at their heart they are totally illiberal," Mr Hastie said. "In their minds any dissent must be eliminated and the idea you can have a discussion in which people disagree but respect each other is not part of their world. "I've had crass and bullying emails from as far away as Tasmania and the reason people are so unsettled by it is that it goes to the heart of our civilisation. Are we truly free, are we truly democratic, do we allow free thought?" Mr Wilson said: "I think it is a sign that there's a section of society that is very intolerant of a difference of opinion on an issue like this today. I think it only calls to the point of the video, which is to have respectful disagreement. Both side of the argument were presented very respectfully, with a bit of humour. "I think this response has been way over the top and shows just how easily people use the idea of being offended today now to boycott companies when they haven't done anything wrong, when their product was simply used a prop as part of showing how you can have a robust discussion.

"We were given the beers and I was a bit surprised to be quite frank, as it was recorded just after noon and I don't tend to have a drink at lunchtime. If you look, my bottle is very full because I didn't sip any of it." The Bible Society released a statement standing by the video and said it was not sponsored by Coopers. "The interest from the public in this campaign reinforces the message of the video - that it is important for Australians to have respectful conversations about serious issues," the statement said. Coopers corporate affairs director Melanie Cooper said the brewery was "supportive of diversity and encourages individualism". "Our company supports marriage equality," Ms Cooper said.
Investors love the shares of big dividend-paying companies, but they could be leaving themselves exposed to the "dividend trap".

When the cash rate was cut to 3 per cent at the end of 2012, the dividend buying stepped-up a notch and has continued as the cash rate has been lowered even further.

Dividends yields can be high for bad reasons.

Despite warnings that the hunger for yield is driving up the share prices of our biggest listed companies to unsustainable levels and their prices would have to fall, those fears have not been realised.

But whether some of the biggest dividend payers can maintain their dividends is another matter.
An airline passenger has spoken of her horror when her battery-operated headphones exploded on her face mid-flight.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a warning after the woman, travelling from Beijing to Melbourne on February 19, was left with a burnt face, hand and burnt hair.

The woman, whose identity has been concealed by the ATSB, said she was listening to music on a pair of battery-operated headphones when she fell asleep about two hours into the flight.

She woke to a loud explosion.
A seven-year-old boy has died after being hit by a truck on Tuesday night in the remote town of Mingenew, 380 kilometres north of Perth.

WA police said the boy's four-year-old brother witnessed the incident and the truck driver - who is currently assisting police - may not be aware the boy was hit.

The Mingenew road house near where the boy was killed. Credit:Graeme Powell / ABC News

The seven-year-old was standing on the corner of Midlands Road and Williams Street about 7.30pm when he was hit by the vehicle.
The state's environmental regulator has slapped a Perth building contractor with a hefty fine after he dumped construction and demolition waste at a former client's home after a payment dispute.

The 36-year-old builder had refurbished a rental property in the south-eastern suburb of Camillo and disposed of the waste correctly, but things went sour after a disagreement with the homeowner over the bill.

The waste dumped at the property.

He returned and dumped two trailer-loads of waste from another job, including fencing, tiles and a washing machine, directly onto the client's driveway, blocking the garage and stopping the tenant - an elderly woman tenant - from parking her car.

The tenant called the owner, who called the City of Armadale, whose ranger nipped out and captured the illegal dumping on film while it was happening and reported it to the Department of Environmental Regulation, which prosecuted the case.
Costume designers for Padmavati are in a state of shock after the sets of the film were torched in Kolhapur, which also included the costumes.

By Press Trust of India: Designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula are in a state of shock after the costumes of their upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmavati, on which they worked on for months, were torched on the sets of the movie in Kolhapur.

The shooting of the Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh starrer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, when a group of around 15-20 people came to the set in the wee hours and torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there.

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Calling the incident "unfortunate", Rimple says both she and Harpreet are heart-broken as they could never imagine something like this could happen.

"Something so unfortunate has happened because of illiteracy in our country. There is so much hard work that was put into making the clothes. We will work day and night and make up for the damages, but morally we are are very low. We are broken sentimentally. For creative people like me, Harpreet and Mr Bhansali, it is very shocking," Rimple told PTI.

It is second such incident for the film. In January this year, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in Padmavati.

Rimple says she fails to understand why people are vandalising the sets despite the assurance by the makers that the film is not distorting history.

"The CEO and Mr Bhansali have released so many statements saying that there is nothing in the film which is distorting history. But still some sections don't understand."

The designer says she is constantly in touch with Shobha Sant, who is the CEO of Bhansali films, and they are trying to gauge the damage. Rimple says as far as her knowledge the costumes for the junior actors have been burned to ashes.

"There has been a huge monetary loss. Almost all the junior actors costumes have been burned to ashes. As far as seniors are concerned, I am yet to get a check on that. I am unable to contact too many people because the network is bad in Kolhapur."

Rimple says she has deliberately not spoken to Bhansali about the incident as he is going through a lot emotionally.

"Mr Bhansali was recuperating from the Jaipur incident and then this happened. He held himself strong and continued this shoot. He never anticipated something like this to happen," she says.

The designer says because of such incidents and huge monetary loss, there will be a substantial delay in the films shooting.

ALSO READ: After Jaipur, Padmavati film set burnt in Kolhapur

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ALSO READ: Sanjay Leela Bhansali stops Padmavati shooting in Rajasthan after attack

ALSO WATCH: Sanjay Leela Bhansali thrashed, sets of Padmavati vandalised by Karni Sena

--- ENDS ---
The WCO Integrity Sub-Committee (ISC) held its 16th Session on 9-10 March 2017 at the WCO headquarters in Brussels. Over 150 delegates representing WCO Member administrations and stakeholder organizations participated in discussions that ensued after a warm welcome by the Chairperson, Mrs. Sigfriur Gunnlaugsdottir from Iceland Customs

On the first day, a joint session of the Capacity Building Committee and the Integrity sub-Committee was held. The theme of the joint session was Collective Action to promote Integrity. Collective action refers to actions undertaken by individuals and/or groups towards a collective purpose or goal and is advocated as a measure to combat corruption. The Director of Customs from Guatemala Revenue Authority (SAT) and a representative from the private sector made a joint presentation on the benefits of joining forces to fight corruption, which was followed by a presentation from the Basel Institute on Governance, the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network and Indonesia Customs.

The Members highlighted the importance for administrations to establish adequate communication mechanisms with private sector and to engage all stakeholder in pursuing development agendas, particularly in the initiatives to enhance integrity and fight corruption.

The ISC agenda featured presentations on how an Internal Affairs Unit can enhance integrity in an organization and on the importance of having an Integrity Strategy.

The ISC Chair addressed the opportunity to make a connection between the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and Integrity in a paper and a presentation where she analysed the provisions of the TFA and asked the ISC to look at ways to take advantage of the TFA to further promote integrity.

The Secretariat presented a document that identified trends observed through an analysis of mission reports over the last 5 years and asked the ISC participants to comment on the document as well as to the way they wished the Secretariat to address some of the problems highlighted. The ISC was also asked to indicate what topics they wished for the WCO to work on in the area of integrity and what they would like to see on the next ISC agenda. Quite a few suggestions were made.

WCO Members took the opportunity of the 16th ISC Session to have frank discussions and share their views on the issue of integrity in Customs.

Mrs. Sigfriur GUNNLAUGSDOTTIR of Iceland Customs was re-elected as the Chairperson of the ISC. Mr. Carlos ENRIQUEZ from Mexico Customs was elected Vice-Chair of the ISC.
At the invitation of Mr. Visvanath Das, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) and Vice-Chair of the WCO Asia/Pacific region, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the 18th Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Meeting in Suva, Fiji, from 14 to 16 March 2017. The meeting took place in the Great Council of the Chiefs (GCC) Complex, a building of major significance to the people of Fiji. Seventy-eight representatives from 24 Members in the region attended the three-day meeting.

The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Das and was officially launched by Mr. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Fijis Attorney-General and Minister for Economy. Welcoming the delegates, the Minister spoke about the necessity to adopt international standards and to share best practices in order to ensure certainty in international trade and to protect borders. He stated that international cooperation and connectivity were essential elements in the fight against criminal activities and that Members in the region must be aware of and optimally exploit the benefits of digital technology.

Delegates from the region were briefed by Secretary General Mikuriya on the progress that had been made on key topics since the WCOs July Council and December Policy Commission sessions. He emphasized five main priorities: the important role of Customs in security and the fight against terrorism; the entry into force of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the opportunities and challenges it poses for Customs; e-commerce and its impact on cross-border transactions from both an economic and security perspective; Customs/tax cooperation; and the role of Customs in the fight against illicit financial flows  an area in which the expertise of the WCO and its Members had been recognized by the G20  and the opportunities presented by using digital technologies and data analysis capabilities.

The Secretary General was also interested in hearing from regional Members about their priorities. He welcomed the initiatives in the region that embraced the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and that included it in the WCOs activities, while looking forward to increased cooperation with the OCO.

The delegates agreed on a Regional Strategic Plan and discussed several topics including the measures to counter tobacco smuggling, private sector involvement, including the possibility of back-to-back engagement with them at next year's regional meeting, and governance issues. The meeting also considered reports from the Vice-Chair, the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), the Regional Training Centre (RTC) and the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO).

Secretary General Mikuriya and the delegates expressed their appreciation for the warm welcome they had received and for the arrangements that had been made to ensure a successful meeting, with a particular emphasis on Fijis traditional welcoming ceremony.
WSU Hosts Regional Science Fair for 350 Local Students

March 16, 2017

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University will host 350 students at the Ritchey Science & Engineering Fair, March 23 and 24 from in the Dee Events Center.

Harold Ritchey

The doors open at 9 a.m. for project setup. Students must be ready for judging by noon. Public viewing starts at 5 p.m., and the awards ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Northern Utah middle school and high school students who finished at the top of their individual school fairs will compete against other regional winners. Middle school students compete March 23 and high school students compete March 24.

Judges are community members who have academic or professional experience in science, technology, engineering and math. They will review and rank entries from approximately 250 students from grades six through eight and 100 students from high school. Categories include a wide spectrum of science topics, from botany to zoology.

Encouraging STEM education in our young students is paramount, said Matthew Nicolau, WSUs medical laboratory sciences chair. Four finalists are chosen from the senior fair to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering fair. Two observers (non-participants) are chosen from the junior fair to attend.

The Ritchey Science Fair is named in honor of Dr. Harold Ritchey who was the chairman of the board at Thiokol Chemical Company (now Orbital ATK) from 1949 to 1977. He invented detergent motor oil and owned patents in rocket propulsion, astronautics, petroleum and nuclear science.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

For a photo, please visit the following link:

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2017-photos/March-2017/i-mCM6qgT/A
Photo: The Tribune

Dear Editor,

There is a political featuring Dr.Hubert Minnis that seems to be highlighting all of the things that Dr.Minnis is not. The ad was broadcast last week and for some reason it was followed by a promo on the new critical care block at The Princess Margaret Hospital. As far as I know the Critical Care facility was built during the time that Dr.Minnis was Minister of Health. Are we being intentionally misled?

If the ad is an attempt to compare Dr. Minnis and Prime Minister Christie, what framework is being used?

As far as I know Dr.Minnis has held only one Cabinet post in his career and he has something to show for it, while Minister Perry Christie was returned to the fold of the Progressive Liberal Party, and was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Trade and Industry by the then Prime Minister.

Christies ministerial responsibilities included the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry; mining, geological surveys, petroleum, fuel, oils and petrochemicals, industries encouragement, manufacturing, relations with The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation, relations with The Bahamas National Trust, Andros reef and blue holes, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Co-operatives(Wikipedia). And, he has little to show for the time he spent in those ministries.

Our Prime Minister would be better at his job if he concentrated on doing just one thing well, the job he was elected to do!

Sincerely,

Edward Hutcheson

March 12, 2017

The views expressed are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the WeblogBahamas (which has no corporate view).
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By Adam Morton

Mar. 14, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY

By Adam Morton Mar. 14, 2017 | 07:00 PM | PADUCAH, KY

On Tuesday, the Paducah Board of Commissioners introduced an amendment to a city ordinance that would allow microbreweries with the appropriate licenses to sell malt beverages by the drink and package on Sundays.



Currently, Paducah's microbreweries cannot serve alcoholic beverages without a restaurant license. Only one of the two microbreweries in Paducah has restaurant status.



If the amendment is passed it would allow the microbrewery without restaurant status, and any other future microbreweries to be open on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.



City Manager Jeff Pederson said that although the main point of the amendment is to allow Sunday sales, there is more than that. "It would also allow customer to take beer out of there, which is commonly done in a growler," Pederson said.



City Commissioner Sandra Wilson brought the change to the board of commissioners. Wilson said one of the breweries mentioned that if they could be open on Sunday, they would . Wilson said, "We started looking into it; if it was something we could approve locally and it is."



Wilson said she was glad to see the added tourism.



Mayor Brandi Harless is also looking forward to the impact on tourism and the local impact. "Microbreweries have been a big tourism pull for us, and also just a local kind of hangout thing," Harless said.



The final vote will take place at the next scheduled meeting of the City Commission.
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By The Associated Press

Mar. 14, 2017 | FRANKFORT, KY

By The Associated Press Mar. 14, 2017 | 05:42 PM | FRANKFORT, KY

One of the top Republicans in the state Senate says a bill that would let students attend the school closest to their home will not pass this year.



Senate Republican Caucus chairman Dan Seum said lawmakers did not have enough time to pass House Bill 151. But he said the bill would return next year, vowing to hold hearings on it over the summer so lawmakers could consider it for the 2018 legislative session.



Opponents said the bill would have effectively ended the busing system for Jefferson County Public Schools, designed to integrate the state's largest school district. The school board publicly opposed the bill.



Seum said the busing program placed hardships on families and said it did not improve the district's performance.
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When I finished reading Filthy Business for the first time, I found that the time seemed to have flown past. I found it funny, pertinent, entertaining and utterly gripping, and I knew I wanted to direct it.

I have to confess to being a devotee of a good family drama, but the intensity, both comic and dramatic, of Ryan Craig's script took me by surprise. It may help that the story is inspired by Ryan's own family's experience, but the period in which it is set, 1968  1982, saw momentous social change in Britain as we wrestled with issues of identity and immigration. Programming 14 new plays for Hampstead every year, I am always looking for plays with contemporary resonance, and here was a story from the past that felt very much part of our present.

The contradictions in the play are part of the essence of the British debate that rages around us today

Set in an enormous rubber shop, Filthy Business charts the lives of three generations of the Solomon family as they struggle to become an integrated part of a modern Britain - one as confused as it seems to be today over who can claim to be 'British'. The matriarch of the family, Yetta Solomon, has her roots firmly in her European past. An exile from Eastern Europe during the early part of the century, escaping horrendous persecution and losing her immediate family, Yetta builds a new life for herself and her sons through a passionate belief in hard work and family loyalty. Solomon Rubber becomes a shining example of a late sixties British business, part of a British economy benefitting from companies with strong immigrant roots. Yetta, however, rejects any notion that she is an immigrant: Who you calling immigrant? You little pisher. I'm as British as you are, I sweat blood for dis country.'

I love these contradictions in the play and they are part of the essence of the British debate. A debate that rages around us as we stand on the brink of triggering of Article 50.

Yetta rejects any notion that she is an immigrant

Yetta's grandchildren have, of course, little interest in any of this as they make their way in swinging sixties London, fighting fiercely over who should take over the business. Their fights are underpinned by an unassailable belief in an idea of 'family' that must be protected at all costs. Throw into the mix two Nigerian exiles and an ambitious machinist working in the basement, and you have a potent cocktail.

Edward Hall (Director) rehearsing Filthy Business

 Dominic Clemence

Designer Ashley Martin-Davis has created a huge three storey rubber shop that towers over our auditorium and which, I'm happy to say, can both embrace and release the comedy and focus the intimate moments of the play. It's also a full realisation of the brutal environment with which the characters have to contend. And the end of the play takes me back to that moment in post-Falklands Britain when the destruction of Union power, with a rampant Margaret Thatcher at the helm, led us into the new age of a goal driven economy. Commerce at all costs

By Edward Hall

Filthy Business opens at Hampstead Theatre on 16 March, with previews from now, and runs until 22 April.
A comprehensive approach

Guaranteeing the right to abortion isnt enough. We know that economic, cultural, religious, and systemic barriers prevent many people from accessing abortion care even where its legal and available.

Our solution: We work across institutions and communities to build sustainable abortion ecosystems. In such an ecosystem, people have the information they need to make decisions about reproductive health, theres community and health-system support for human rights and abortion access, and laws and policies support full bodily autonomy.
* 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.
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Reporters are generally uncomfortable when their own first-person experiences start to bleed into the third-person narratives theyre creating.

That is evidently not the case with journalist-playwright Annabel Soutar of the Montreal theatre company Porte Parole when it came to her play The Watershed.

Like her work Seeds (seen last year at Prairie Theatre Exchange), the two-hour-and-45-minute opus (including intermission) is a verbatim play, in which the dialogue has been transcribed from real interviews, or real life.

By necessity, Soutar inserted herself into Seeds on occasion in a necessary acknowledgment that the story of Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeisers battle with agri-giant Monsanto did not happen in a vacuum. The character of Annabel Soutar was duly seen arranging and conducting interviews, and also interjecting here and there to helpfully correct any inaccurate or misleading statement uttered by a character.

Soutar promotes herself to the harried heroine of The Watershed, a work that examines the issue of water stewardship. It centres on the dispute that arose when Stephen Harpers Conservative government pulled the plug on the Experimental Lakes Area project in 2013, a decision that appeared to be motivated by sheer spite rather than conscientious cost-cutting, especially given the world-class research being conducted there.

Soutars expanded role, encompassing her husband, her two daughters and her parents, should not be considered a vanity move. The issue is one of posterity. In a world facing many scary crises due to climate change, Soutar is simply offering herself up to provide a vital sense of context as a parent deeply concerned with the environmental/economic legacy we will leave our children.

The two-hour-and-45-minute opus (including intermission) is a verbatim play, in which the dialogue has been transcribed from real interviews, or real life. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)

Soutar (Liisa Repo-Martell, once Ophelia to Keanu Reevess Hamlet at Royal MTC some years ago) has booked a commission by the 2015 Pan Am Games to do a work on the subject of water resources.

To that end, we see her arrange a visit by a plumber to educate her two daughters as to how water gets to their house. Once Soutar hears of the imminent closure of the Experimental Lakes Area, she uncovers a tangled system of conflicting agendas, where access to safe water bumps up against the voracious needs of the oil industry, and the benign pursuits of science crash against the rocks of political expediency.

The second act, which details a Montreal-to-Alberta road trip with Soutars family, feels like a distraction  as if an earnest eco-documentary has been interrupted by a PG-rated road comedy. It takes a while before it gets back on track, but its a credit to director Chris Abraham of Torontos Crows Theatre that we stick with it. As he did with Seeds, Abraham sets an urgent pace for the eight actors on stage, most of them playing multiple roles. (One cant help admire the way Abraham portrays himself as a character, an artistic director of a theatre company who comes to the unnerving realization that federal funding for his own organization is in the hands of a political party with a penchant for payback.)

The cast is superb. Bruce Dinsmore plays multiple roles, but he is especially funny as former PM Harper, a man who tried to present as a non-threatening authority figure but always radiated as being somehow off. Eric Peterson also plays multiple roles, including a bombastic Fox News anchor and a water scientist whose unfiltered candour on the subject of the oil sands may have turned the Harper government in vengeful mode. He is especially affecting as Soutars Tory father, respectfully trying to make his liberal daughter understand the conservative viewpoint without a hint of anger or condescension. (Its an especially civilized pleasure to witness this dialogue in an age of puerile libtard name-calling.)

Molly Kidder is also notable in her multiple roles, including Soutars eldest daughter, but she is especially poignant as a student-scientist whose reaction to the ELA closure is one of deeply felt betrayal.

If anyone is cynical enough to think Kidder was stunt-cast because her Peterson happens to be her father, she puts that notion to rest with a combination of emotional availability and consummate skill. She deserves to be on that stage.

randall.king@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @FreepKing

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Actors Liisa Repo-Martell (left) and Eric Peterson in The Watershed, the latest documentary play from Montreal playwright Annabel Soutar. (Boris Minkevich / Winnipeg Free Press)
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Today in Music History

In 1967, Frank Sinatra won the Record of the Year Grammy for Strangers in the Night and Album of the Year for Sinatra: A Man and His Music. John Lennon and Paul McCartney pulled an upset by winning for Song of the Year for Michelle.

Born This Day

Judd Hirsch, 1935

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS From right, Alana Hibbert, Michael Torontow, Sarite Harris and Rebecca Auerbach, actors performing in Bittergirl: The Musical, a show at the RMTC about coming through a breakup.

Mike Love, 1941

Fabio, 1959

Bret Michaels, 1963

Mark McGrath, 1968

Eva Longoria, 1975

Concerts

Tanya Tucker

Club Regent Event Centre, 8 p.m. Tickets $36-$63 plus fees at Ticketmaster.

Theatre

Another Flashdance

Celebrations Dinner Theatre, 6:15 p.m. Tickets $52.25-$62.95 at celebrations.ca, 204-982-8282.

Bittergirl: The Musical

Royal MTC Mainstage, 7:30 p.m. Tickets $22-$79.50 at royalmtc.ca.

Comedy

Dave Hemsted

Rumors Comedy Club, 8 p.m. Tickets $12 at 204-488-4520, rumorscomedyclub.com.

Out and About

Cafe Scientifique

McNally Robinson, 7 p.m. The University of Manitoba Cafe Scientifique presents The Battle against Brain Tumours: Developing New Treatments through Innovative Research, an interactive panel discussion for non-researchers.

Clubs

Cavern (112 Osborne): Cougars In America, Dobranski

The Edge Tap & Grill (531 St Marys Rd.): Travis Barre

The Good Will Social Club (625 Portage Ave.): Library Happy Hour, Karaoke

Jekyll & Hydes Freehouse (437 Stradbrook Ave.): Comedy night

Palm Lounge (Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway): Carter Graham

Pony Corral (Pier 7 Pembina Hwy.) Garrett & Nazeem

Royal George Hotel (123 Regent Ave. W.): Jam Night

Silver Heights Restaurant (2169 Portage Ave.): Karaoke

Wee Johnnys Irish Pub (177 McDermot Ave.): Open Mic
Part and parcel of this rhetoric are boastful comments regarding Irans military readiness. IRGC officers and other hardline officials have been known to transparently express openness to the prospect of war with the strongest fighting forces in the world, including those of the United States military. This rhetoric was on display once again on Monday, when the Associated Press reported that the Iranian Defense Ministry had claimed to be starting mass production on a domestically produced tank supposedly equipped with precision-guided missiles.

The AP report notes that Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan declared the Karrar tank to be capable of competing with the most advanced tanks in the world in terms of power, precision, and mobility. The report provides coveys no independent commentary on the validity of such claims, but the Islamic Republic has a demonstrated history of overstating the levels of its military advancement in various areas. This was highlighted last week in an article republished at Scout.com, which pointed to the Qaher F-313 fighter jet as an example of military equipment that was independently judged to be a non-functional mock-up, despite Tehrans claims of operational readiness.

Nevertheless, the AP points out that Iran has been domestically producing weapons and military technology for two decades. And whether recent claims about the Karrar tank can be substantiated or not, the claims themselves illustrate that the regime is striving to carry on with a substantial military buildup in the present conditions, which include considerable relief from economic sanctions as a result of the nuclear agreement.

The Washington Times highlighted another Iranian claim of military advancement on Monday, namely that the countrys air defenses now included equipment capable of jamming the controls of a drone and even taking them over in order to turn it against its operators or land it safely on Iranian territory. Such claims are reminiscent of a 2011 incident in which an American drone crash landed in Iran, leading the Iranians to claim that they had brought it down intentionally while the Americans maintained that it was an accident. The capture of the downed aircraft later led to the IRGC asserting that it had cloned the technology, but the images of the resulting clone were disputed in much the same way as those of the Qaher F-313.

Despite the disputed account of the 2011 incident, the Washington Times seemed to take Irans latest claims seriously. But the report also concluded that Irans boastful claims about reverse-engineering foreign military technology could actually be a drag on the countrys military development over the long term, in that it might create disincentives for current allies like Russia and China to continue selling their military tech to the Islamic Republic.

Despite Iranian claims to the contrary, it is doubtful that purely domestic development would make up for the loss of access to Russian weapons like the S-300 missile defense system, the sale of which was interrupted by international sanctions but completed last year following the nuclear agreement. Many opponents of the Iranian regime have also suggested that the nuclear agreement provided hardline entities like the IRGC with a great deal more money for the purchase of military equipment.

And the Washington Times, referencing intelligence releases by the opposition National Council of Resistance of Iran, indicates that IRGC expenditures on arms had already been steadily increasing, going from about three billion dollars in 2008 to 13 billion in 2015.

These increased expenditures almost certainly bolster the same sort of IRGC rhetoric that is on display in the commentary surrounding close encounters with the naval vessels of the United States and other traditionally Iranian adversaries. On Sunday, the Huffington Post published an editorial by Dr. Majid Rafizadeh of the International American Council on the Middle East, in which he said, These incidents clearly highlight the fact that Iran is attempting to showcase its military power and regional preeminence to the United States.

Rafizadeh also pointed to 14 ballistic missile tests since the conclusion of nuclear negotiations, as further evidence of Tehrans bold notions about its military strength and its willingness to defy international will. The missile tests fly in the face of a UN Security Council resolution calling upon the Islamic Republic to avoid all work on weapons that are capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. But Rafizadeh alleges that the Iranian regime believes all talks held with the purpose of countering Irans actions are simply rhetoric.

This belief may very well be challenged by the Trump administration, which has already taken steps toward possibly having the IRGC listed as a foreign terrorist organization, which would inextricably lead to diminishment of its financial resources, especially where arms purchases are concerned.

Trump also ordered a raid against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen soon after taking office, thus highlighting the administrations apparent willingness to directly confront Iranian military influence in the broader Middle East. This confrontation is likely to be seen as increasingly imperative, in light of the involvement of traditional American allies like Saudi Arabia in the conflict, as well as the lengthening reach of Houthi weapons that are largely provided by Iran and the IRGC.

On Monday, The Tower reported that the Houthi rebels has apparently planted a naval mine in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, killing two Yemeni sailors and wounding eight others, and highlighting the threat that the ongoing conflict could pose to international shipping lanes. To a great extent, this is merely an extension of existing threats that had been deliberately highlighted by Iran when it threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to the US and its allies in the midst of the above-mentioned close encounters.
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Mayor Brian Bowman wants Winnipeg to take a leadership role in implementing the important work detailed in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canadas calls to action.

Bowman introduced a motion at Wednesdays executive policy committee meeting calling for council to adopt a document known as Winnipegs Indigenous Accord, which would lead to an annual report detailing how the community is responding to reconciliation efforts.

The accord outlines a series of principles and commitments on reconciliation, which community members, businesses and organizations are invited to sign. Bowman and City of Winnipeg CAO Doug McNeil were the first signatures on the document.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Brian Bowman

Bowman said the accord is the natural followup to his declaration of 2016 as the Year of Reconciliation.

My hope is that the Year of Reconciliation will one day be seen as a milestone on a journey to a better Winnipeg, he told EPC, explaining that he hopes the accord will encourage indigenous and non-indigenous Winnipeggers to work together in partnership and mutual respect.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission documented what happened in the Indian Residential Schools through survivor statements. It drafted 94 calls to action as a start to rebuilding Canadas relationship with its indigenous peoples.

Bowmans motion was unanimously approved by EPC and it goes next to council.

The motion calls on those who sign the accord to share their goals and successes, which would be published in an annual report by the citys indigenous relations division.

Bowman said the accord was developed by his Mayors Indigenous Advisory Circle, in consultation and collaboration with community leaders and organizations.

In an unusual move, Bowman brought some members of that group to the EPC meeting, where they were allowed to speak in support of the accord and the motion.

Kimberley Puhach, the advisory panels chairwoman, said the accord will help bring partners together from across our community and is an important part of our journey of reconciliation.

The accord and the motion was also endorsed by Loren Remillard, president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Damon Johnston, president of the Aboriginal Council of Winnipeg, both of whom spoke at the meeting.

Bowman described the accord it as an aspirational document, based on similar initiatives undertaken in Thompson and Edmonton.

Its essentially a framework for ongoing dialogue, Bowman told reporters, adding the annual reports stemming from the accord will be proof reconciliation efforts are working.

We want to see annual goal-setting, by those who sign the accord, he said. The (accord) is a tool to accomplish more tangible acts by many parties in the community.

One of the principles of the accord recognizes that reconciliation efforts by those who sign the document will require a substantial investment of resources.

Bowman said it will be up to each of the signatories to the document to determine what investment they are prepared to make and publicly disclose it in the annual report.

Bowman said the citys investment is being made through councils ongoing support of its indigenous relations division, adding the accord will not require council to commit any additional funds for reconciliation efforts.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca

Accord+March+15+2017
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Four people were arrested and cash, drugs and stolen property seized after a police raid in a small south-central Manitoba community last week.

On the morning of March 10, RCMP officers from the Carman, Manitou and Morris detachments, along with assistance from emergency response and canine team members, executed a warrant at a residence in Miami.

According to police, they seized an estimated $25,000 in cash and a small amount of marijuana and recovered an ATV that had been reported stolen out of Saskatchewan two years ago.

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Reuben John Reimer, 34, of Morden, faces charges including possession of proceeds of crime, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled drug and substance.

An unnamed 44-year-old female and an unnamed 21-year-old female were subsequently released for court and face charges under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The fourth person arrested, a male youth, was released from custody and will not face charges.

Carman RCMP continue to investigate.

The local urban district of Miami has a population of roughly 430 and is located about 115 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.
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This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA  Premier Brian Pallister says he will not be intimidated by the federal government into signing a health-care deal he feels is fundamentally bad for Manitoba, regardless of any threats Ottawa makes.

We will stand up for ourselves and we will be heard, he said during question period Wednesday.

His remarks followed a Free Press report earlier in the day about Ottawas threat to end $60 million in promised funding for the Winnipegs new Factory of the Future research facility unless Manitoba capitulates and agrees to the health-care deal the other provinces and territories have all signed.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Premier Brian Pallister had hoped other premiers would stand with him on that, but none did. The premiers initially joined forces in an effort to get a better health deal, but the unity was short-lived; Manitoba is the last holdout.

Thats not something you bring into a negotiation, if you have strength of character, Pallister said.

The threat is referenced in a letter sent Monday to Richard Maksymetz, chief of staff to Finance Minister Bill Morneau, by Michael Richards, Manitobas deputy minister of intergovernmental affairs.

Richards rejected the demands outright and said they are completely unacceptable to my government.

He wants Ottawa to confirm its commitment to Factory of the Future and lift the hold placed on the ongoing site selection process.

The letter indicates Ottawa also made demands for Manitoba to finally agree to Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus national climate-change framework.

Factory of the Future is a project of the previous Conservative government to build a new $60-million National Research Council facility in Winnipeg focused on aerospace, automotive and agricultural equipment-manufacturing research.

Progress on the project has been slow as the NRC struggles to find an appropriate parcel of land.

The $60 million was in this years budget but it will lapse at the end of this month unless Morneau and Trudeau agree to extend it into the next budget, which Morneau will table next Wednesday.

A senior federal official said Ottawa has not given a firm deadline for Manitoba to have a health deal in place and said the mention of Factory of the Future wasnt  specifically  a threat.

We just pointed out it is going to lapse in three weeks, he said, referring to the funding commitment.

He agreed he could see how Manitoba would take that as a threat.

Its also factually correct. It is going to lapse in three weeks, he said.

He said there are a several outstanding issues between Manitoba and Ottawa and the federal government is just trying to wrap them all up at the same time.

He also said Pallister is the one who first linked the health-care deal to the climate-change framework when he refused to support the latter at the first ministers meeting in December. Pallister said his support for the framework would depend on Trudeau agreeing to a first ministers meeting on health care and to putting a better deal on the table for health-care funding.

Pallister had hoped other premiers would stand with him on that, but none did. The premiers initially joined forces in an effort to get a better health deal, but the unity was short-lived; Manitoba stands alone without a health agreement.

Pallister acknowledged Wednesday he made a link between Manitobas support for the climate-change pact and his desire to see the prime minister improve the health-care deal, but said it was a request.

I never threatened Ottawa, he said.

The health agreement signed in the rest of the country raises the Canada Health Transfer by at least three per cent a year for a decade, and splits $11.5 billion over 10 years for home care and mental-health programs.

In addition to the money already on offer, Manitoba wants another $60 million over a decade to deal with chronic kidney disease. Richards letter indicates Manitoba is also seeking $5 million to address the opioid overdose crisis.

Both British Columbia and Alberta secured some additional funding for the drug battle in their deals.

Ottawa has not yet said whether Manitobas share of home care and mental-health money for 2017-18 will be taken off the table if the province doesnt sign on before Wednesdays budget.

Ottawa told the unsigned final four that it wanted everyone on board by March 10. Ontario, Alberta and Quebec agreed last Friday.

However the federal government does not have the same level of political influence over Manitoba as it did with other premiers such as B.C.s Christy Clark, who is facing re-election this spring, or Ontarios Kathleen Wynne, whose poll numbers are the lowest in the country and has to seek re-election no later than June 2018.

Pallister, on the other hand, was elected less than a year ago with a huge majority, and with opposition parties in Manitoba struggling to rebuild, he is enjoying an extended honeymoon period and has political capital to spare.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

LETTER TO MAKSYMETZ
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After seeing its management ranks double under a decade of NDP rule, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority has been told to cut 90 positions by the Pallister government.

Responding to questions in the legislature Tuesday, Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen said the number of WRHA managers nearly doubled from 2006 to 2016 under the NDP government.

In an interview afterwards, Goertzen provided more detail, saying the regions management complement soared to just over 600 positions from just over 300 a decade earlier.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen has told the WRHA to cut management staff by 15 per cent.

The Progressive Conservatives have served notice the region is to cut management staff by 15 per cent. A plan on how to accomplish that is due by the end of the month.

I thought a 15 per cent reduction in management, given that context, was reasonable, Goertzen said of the increase in positions.

The premier has been really clear that setting the tone at the top is important. So it has to start at the top.

In total, the province has directed the WRHA to identify $83 million in savings  on a budget of $2.6 billion  by eliminating some programs and improving efficiency in the delivery of others. That plan has to be completed by March 31.

NDP health critic Matt Wiebe said hes concerned about the effect of the proposed staff cuts. He said Manitoba regional health authority administrative costs have consistently been below the national average.

We want to see well-managed organizations as well, but we want to see, ultimately, that patient care isnt affected, he said.

Under the NDP, the Regional Health Authority Act was amended to ensure that WRHA corporate costs dont exceed 2.99 per cent of total operating costs in a given year. The Selinger government reduced the number of regional health authorities in Manitoba to five from 11 to cut administrative costs.

Bronwyn Penner Holigroski, a spokeswoman for the WRHA, said the organization is working to achieve the 15 per cent management cut.

We are currently reviewing which positions will be affected, she said in an email to the Free Press.

Penner Holigroski said management numbers rose over the last decade as a number of health sites and services in the city devolved to the WRHA, meaning their staff and management are now counted as WRHA employees.

She said examples include the Grace Hospital, Victoria General Hospital, Middlechurch Personal Care Home, QuickCare Clinics, the Crisis Response Centre and the Churchill Health Centre, which was formerly part of a separate RHA.

Penner Holigroski said from 2006 to 2016, WRHA administrative costs remained relatively stable in percentage terms.

The WRHA will make every effort to mitigate the impact of this action on our staff and retain an administrative structure that continues to support the delivery of quality health care services, she said in an email.

The WRHA, as well as our staff, are committed to the principles of high-quality care, patient safety and accountability. WRHA leadership will remain as transparent as possible throughout this process, she added.

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca
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A towing company wont be held liable for auctioning an abandoned leased car it had towed, a Manitoba judge ruled.

The auction sale put Tartan Towing at odds with the auto dealer, Kobis Auto, which argued it hadnt been given proper notice the BMW it owned was about to go up for sale.

But Kobis would have known about the impending sale if the dealer had registered the correct vehicle identification number and checked the sale notice that was required to be advertised by law, Court of Queens Bench Justice David Kroft ruled last month.

PHIL HOSSACK / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A Manitoba judge has ruled that Tartan Towing wont be held liable for auctioning off an abandoned leased car it had towed.

The judge dismissed Kobis civil claim against Tartan Towing after a trial in December. He decided Kobis is entitled to $24,664.40 from the woman who leased the car before she abandoned it and stopped making loan payments.

Sonja Pecanac, a retired nurse, testified the 2004 BMW 750Li she was leasing from Kobis for more than $600 per month needed servicing so she and her son were told by an Osborne Village garage to park it on Wardlaw Avenue in November 2014.

On Nov. 23, the city ticketed the car as an abandoned vehicle, and Tartan towed it, first to another street about a kilometre away and then to its impound lot.

Pecanac discovered the car was gone and searched the area. She calling the citys 311 service and local tow truck companies, including Tartan, but no one knew where it was.

She reported it stolen and, on Dec. 9, 2014, police told her they found the car impounded at Tartans lot. She couldnt afford the fee to get the car back, she testified, and told Tartan Towing that in a phone conversation.

There were no keys in the locked vehicle, so court heard Tartan couldnt identify the registered owner.

The law prevents garage owners from breaking in to vehicles to retrieve ownership information. The car was sold at auction in April 2015 to one of Tartans own employees, who bought it for $9,000 with the proceeds of sales from other towed vehicles.

Kobis found out about the sale after the cars dead battery was recharged and a tracking device in the car started working again.

Justice Kroft ruled Tartan Towing did nothing wrong  even though it didnt give Kobis written notice of the sale  because Kobis had registered the wrong vehicle identification number (VIN) associated with the BMW. If the VIN had been correct, Tartans search of the VIN wouldve led the towing company to issue a written notice to the auto dealer.

The towing company also advertised the upcoming sale of the vehicle in the Manitoba Gazette as required by law. A Kobis employee testified the auto dealer doesnt check the Manitoba Gazette. The auction was also advertised online by Kayes auction house and in the Winnipeg Free Press.

The judge suggested it would be a good idea for Kobis to check the Manitoba Gazette in the future.

Given the nature of its business, which includes leases to high-risk leasees, perhaps this practice should be reconsidered, the judge said in the Feb. 22 decision.

I am not suggesting that by advertising in the Manitoba Gazette, a garage keeper is somehow relieved from its other notice obligations. I simply am pointing out that in this fact situation, a review of the Manitoba Gazette would have alerted Kobis to the auction despite the erroneous VIN, he said.

Tartan paid Kobis the proceeds of the BMWs auctioning, but as a result of the courts decision it wont have to pay damages and will be entitled to some legal costs paid by Kobis.

At trial, a Tartan employee said 600 to 700 vehicles that are towed per year are unclaimed, and about one-third of those have no identifiable owner.

 with files from Kevin Rollason

katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay
Opinion

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This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba is unique among Canadian jurisdictions when it comes to governing its Crown corporations.

Shortly after assuming power, the Pallister government fired the board members of the major Crowns  Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Public Insurance and Liquor and Lotteries  and replaced them with its own appointees.

While every government retains the right to do this, rarely do incoming governments clear out boards lock, stock and barrel. Governments customarily leave sitting board members to run out their terms and replace them with their own appointees afterward.

The Pallister government, however, argued such replacements were necessary as the Crowns were overly politicized. I have no means of verifying those claims, nor do I have any evidence of problematic political interference in the operations of the Crowns.

The Tories actions speak to their perceptions of the composition of the boards and the problematic close connection between the former NDP government and its Crown appendages.

The Progressive Conservatives plan to introduce a new governing regime, contained in Bill 20, is a welcome change to the governance model of this provinces Crown corporations and will hopefully lead to a structural shift in how these firms are managed.

Its goal, very generally, is to clearly set out the roles and expectations that the government will have for its Crown appendages in a formal, written and public mandate. This legislation seeks to clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of the Crowns executives, board members and other officials through a number of mandatory reporting mechanisms. It will also establish transparent evaluative criteria for the firms and their operations, as well as do away with the old Crown Corporation Council that performed well, but had a relatively limited mandate.

From the sounds of it, the new secretariat created in the legislation will have an expanded role to play in managing the relationship between the government and its Crowns. Hopefully, the creators of this new agency will take lessons from Saskatchewans Crown Investments Corp., considered the gold standard for managing Crowns. It owns the shares in the Crowns and is governed by a board made up of MLAs and ministers reporting directly to the minister responsible for the Crown Investments Corp. Its board, then, acts as a de facto subcommittee of cabinet.

Most critically, the Crown Investments Corp. has substantial policy capacity and is run by politically astute executives. Its goal, in essence, is to formalize the relationship between the Crowns and the government so that expectations and demands on Crowns are made in writing through regular and transparent channels.

It is fair for the government to set the long-term policy and commercial goals and expectations for Crown corporations. What is more problematic is when governments make ad hoc decisions and give directions to the Crowns to do things to meet short-term partisan or specific political needs.

Setting goals is one thing, but unduly interfering in their operations or micromanaging how they fulfil those goals is quite another. Finding the right balance  as in many other cases  is easier said than done.

Of course, strategic goals and long-term capital spending plans must involve the government of the day and therefore are inherently politicized. This is not to fault the former NDP government, which pushed the Crowns  and particularly Hydro  to act boldly in their capital investments. The new Hydro One place, Bipole III and the Keeyask generating project are three examples of the audacious vision the NDP had for this Crown.

The Progressive Conservative government, as is its right as the single shareholder, has a more modest and restricted vision for this firm as it faces some significant financial challenges. The proposed new Crown, Efficiency Manitoba, should be better positioned to reduce energy consumption rates as it will be easier to incentivize an independent entity to meet its energy reduction targets.

Power Smart, while an excellent program, was constrained as a unit within Hydro as its mandate, to some degree, conflicted with the demands made on the firm, principally to return revenues to the government and to keep power cheap.

We will not understand the legacy left by the Conservative changes to the governance regime until a new party is elected and boards are replaced with partisan appointments that fit the new governments point of view.

With luck, Manitoba will migrate to a new governance paradigm where the Crowns are managed in the interests of all citizens and their board members and the executives are not judged primarily on their partisan affiliations but for their care and concern for the firms under their charge.

Malcolm G. Bird is an associate professor of political science at the University of Winnipeg.
Although the French-headquartered Airbus is going ahead with a deal that was already finalized before US President Donald Trump took office, many other European businesses are holding back their exploration of trade with Iranian entities until it becomes clearer whether the 2015 nuclear agreement will remain in force or whether the White House will impose new sanctions in response to ongoing Iranian provocations.

Still, there appears to be little international consensus on whether to avoid or pursue economic entanglements with the Islamic Republic. And if the Trump administration does begin to discourage such entanglements, it will face the challenge of overcoming existing international pressure in favor of opening up the Iranian economy to widespread foreign investment.

Several reports highlighted this pressure at the beginning of the week. Xinhua News Agency reported that Australia and Iran had been seriously discussing collaboration in the areas of water management and development of renewable energy alternatives. Irans English-language propaganda network Press TV boasted that Indian imports of Iranian crude oil had increased to three times their level from last year, thus underscoring the great international desire for Iranian petroleum. And the Jakarta Post reported that the government of Indonesia was pressing for the development of a direct payment method to facilitate trade with the Islamic Republic.

This latter topic is particularly important in terms of the threat that the US continues to pose to investment in Iran by companies that also do business within America, or rely upon financing in American dollars. It is precisely because of the tendency of trade to go through foreign intermediaries that many Western firms are concerned about doing business with Iran, since their assets could then be seized by American banks if they were found to be in violation of sanctions.

In reporting on a three billion euro oil investment deal that has been undertaken in Iran by South Koreas Hyundai, Agence France-Presse noted that the company would likely have some difficulty obtaining financing for the deal over the next nine months because so many banks remain unwilling to provide such financing as long as the threat of American sanctions remains salient.

The difficult that Hyundai will face is indicative of the tools that the Trump administration will be able to wield if it does make the decision to actively oppose the sorts of foreign investment that were expected to be made possible by the nuclear agreement that was spearheaded by his predecessor.
Winona Country Recorder Bob Bambenek will speak at the spring presentation of the Minnesota City Historical Association at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 19, at St. Pauls Catholic Church Hall, 132 Anderson St., in Minnesota City.

Bambenek, one of the best known elected people in the area, will inform on changing land values, sales and legal issues.

Bambenek and his staff have been helpful to the MCHA in its search for data related to historical properties, including the recently researched history of the Ellsworth Mill in Minnesota City. The presentation is open to the public, and there is no charge.
A Wisconsin congressman says there is much the public does not yet know about the Russian governments alleged meddling in the U.S. presidential race.

Lets just say theres going to be a lot more coming out regarding Russia and their interference in the elections, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Black Earth, said Monday during a Baraboo town hall event.

In October, 17 U.S. intelligence agencies released a joint statement that said the Russian government ordered the hacking of Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clintons campaign emails.

In January, intelligence officials reported that Russias systematic release of information from those hacks to WikiLeaks was intended to help then-candidate Donald Trump win. They prepared a classified report on the matter for lawmakers.

Pocan said the information contained within that report  coupled with Trumps suggestion at the time that he would be open to lifting Russian sanctions  caused him to have real concerns.

Pocan said many in Congress still have not read the full report. And although he cannot provide details, he said, there is much the public does not yet know that eventually will be revealed. He said he supported the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the matter. Republican leaders have opposed that.

Before a half-full theater at the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County campus, Pocan also answered constituent questions about a Republican-sponsored bill to dismantle and replace former President Barack Obamas signature health care law.

On Monday, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a report that estimated the GOP proposal would result in 14 million people losing health insurance next year, and that the number would grow to 24 million by 2026.

The Trump administration has disputed the report. And House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, has said the CBO analysis does not take into account additional steps the GOP-led Congress and Trump administration would take to lower costs and increase choices.

Pocan said he believes the Republican proposal is tax policy disguised as a health care bill. In the end, what the bill is probably really about is the wealthiest people getting a tax cut, Pocan said, adding that he favors a single-payer option, an increase to Social Security benefits, and the right to negotiate prescription drug prices.

The congressman told town hall attendees that if they do not support the Republican majoritys plans, they should call and email their representatives in Congress as frequently as possible.

Pocan also said an expected increase in military spending by the Trump administration will likely limit the funds available for other policy initiatives, including efforts to bring high-speed internet access to rural areas. The Wisconsin lawmaker was one of four representatives who last year formed the bi-partisan Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Republican Party of Wisconsin has a surprise for you. Were not the stereotypical GOP that you hear about, or see on television, and were not made up solely of old angry white men. Were actually quite a diverse group of people.

Over the past several weeks, Republicans have been celebrating the 2016 elections with their annual Lincoln Day dinners. For the Democrats out there, this is similar to your (Thomas) Jefferson dinners; only Republicans arent scrambling to disavow Abraham Lincoln because he actually freed the slaves rather than owning them.

On March 11, the Republican Party of Dane County celebrated at the Monona Terrace in Madison. The event was kicked off with a presentation of the U.S. flag by the Boy Scouts Color Guard, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Father Richard Heilman then led off the evening with a story about politics. His tale led you to believe he was telling about the woeful times of our era. At the end, he announced that he was not talking about President Donald Trump; rather he was speaking of the Roman Emperor Constantine. History would recall him as Constantine the Great, or St. Constantine.

Father Heilman then talked about the attacks against Christianity. Not just here, but across the world and particularly in the Middle East. He jovially placed a red and white cap upon his head that read, Make America Holy Again. When the raucous laughter (and applause) died down, he officially opened the evening with an invocation.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson led the guest speakers by thanking this group of grassroots supporters for helping him win an election that everyone else had written off. He was introduced by former Secretary of State Candidate Julian Bradley. Bradley is black.

He then announced the next speaker, Frank Humphrey. Humphrey is the Wisconsin State Conference president of the NAACP. He also is a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP. Humphrey shared how he came to be a member of the Republican Party after completing law school in 1989. He was encouraged by then-Dane County party chair Joyce Waldrop to read the platforms of both major parties and pick a team. He did.

Humphrey served as treasurer of the Republican Party of Dane County, served as its vice-chair as well as chair of their annual Lincoln Day Dinner. Humphrey said that if you read the platform it makes sense. He strongly stated that he knows there are serious issues within the black community, but he believes if more blacks actually read the platform, they too would vote Republican.

In fairness to Humphrey he is a self-proclaimed independent these days, but his message was clear. There is a lot of work to do to help lift the black community back into prosperity within our communities. The policies of the left have not provided the answers.

I was sitting with state Rep. Scott Allen and his wife Angila. During Humphreys speech, Angila nodded several times in agreement. Allens wife also is black. She carries the demeanor of a strong woman who, like many other women, is proud of her white husband and their two daughters.

There also was the introduction of state Sen. Leah Vukmir who was welcomed with a standing ovation. The Assistant Majority Leader told a powerful story about how she fended for her childrens public educational needs. It led to her run for the Assembly in 2001. When it came to fighting for education, this former nurse chose the GOP.

Theres a long list of people that break the perceived mold. Two weeks ago, the Republican Party of Sauk County elected Blas (Ray) Perez Jr. as its new county chair. Ray is a proud Latino from East L.A. The groups chairman Scott Grabins wife Carol chaired their Lincoln Day event. Shes a very powerful GOP woman with an incredibly strong Latino accent.

Still not convinced? Ask Sek Cheong or Tawsif Anim Zoheb who they stand with.

The left can continue to characterize the GOP as the guys who sign the front of the checks, but the reality is many of us also sign the back (and were not all guys). Were also not all old  ask the right kids from Reedsburg and Edgewood high schools among others. Were also not all white.

Simply take Humphreys advice and read the party platforms. Im confident most folks will choose the GOP as well. You could say were not your grandfathers GOP  despite the stereotype.
A fatwa has been issued by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, saying such celebrations are forbidden, yet they continue. He stated last year that such celebrations have no place in sharia and people should refrain from taking part in these activities.

State and city police announced in various regions of Iran that 30,000 posters and brochures were distributed to discourage people form taking part in such celebrations.

They also issued statements threatening to take action against those disrupting the peace. State police authorities are concerned about social media posts providing instructions for home-made firecrackers, as well.

.The Fire Festivities have become a major dilemma, the state-run Resalat daily reported, signaling how the Iranian regime has failed to block such activities. For more details see the article published by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

Also reported, on Tuesday, March 14, the eve of the Fire Festival in the Iranian capital, Tehran, a number of local youths gathered on the Air Force Fifth Street to celebrate the annual Festival clashed with security police who were out in force to prevent the festivities.The youths used fire crackers, sound bombs, squibs and spitdevils to scare off the suppressive security forces.

According to reports from Gohardasht prison, the warden has, as is usual in every year, prevented the prisoners from going outside their cells to take a breath of fresh air on the eve of the Fire Festival celebrations. The political prisoners defied him, and lit fires inside the hallways, and jumped over the fire in celebration of Feast of Fire. The prisoners chanted death to the dictators, and Death to Khamenei.

The sound of fireworks were so loud that it turned the streets into a battle ground between the public and the security forces. The city of Isfahan, central Iran, has turned into a battle ground between those adamant to celebrate the Feast of Fire Festivals and the suppressive revolutionary guards who want to prevent the celebrations.

A reporter for the Iranian Resistance (MEK) says as you walk around the city you see local youth setting up fireworks at every corner, defying the suppressive rules. There is so much smoke from these fireworks that it is not possible for the authorities to stop the people from having fun.

Mostafa, a taxi driver says, I hear sound of fire crackers and the hiss of the rockets everywhere I go. The city looks like a battle-ground.

Despite the authorities efforts to stop these festival by scaring the people, nobody is listening. People are ignoring mullahs measures to stop the festivities, according to Mostafa.

Residents of Baneh, western Kurdish province hold their fire festival Celebrations on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 by playing with fireworks and throwing firecrackers.

This, despite the authorities warnings against the celebration, because they fear that the occasion might be used to for an uprising by the people. The sounds of the fireworks can be heard all around the city, and e security forces are unable to stop the people. They fear a clash could go out of control and turn in to a huge riot. For more, see this article by the NCRI.

Cities of Tehran such as Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Yasouj, Shahr-e Kurd and Baneh turned Fire Feast (last Wednesday of the year) to a scene of confrontation and expression of hatred for the velayat-e faqih system.

In Tehran, Fire Feast was celebrated at the Mother square, the third and fourth squares of Tehranpars, and Enghelab and Imam Hossein squares. At the Fifth Avenue of Nirou Hawaii, youths threw firecrackers in front of a police vehicle that damaged the front of the vehicle. In Tehranpars, youths also burned a large portrait of Khomeini and Khamenei.

In Mashhad youth threw Molotov cocktails at the headquarters of the repressive Bassij organ at Vakil Abad Boulevard. The youth of Shahr-e Kurd set up fire all across the city, threw Molotov cocktails at police forces and clashed with them. In Isfahan, the sound of explosions were heard across the city. In Baneh, people celebrated using grenades, as well as firecrackers and fireworks.

Police forces did not get out of their vehicles for fear of the wrath of the youth. In Yasouj, the sound of firecrackers and youths activities were heard from noon throughout the day.

Repressive forces had a dense presence with motorized patrols in the streets seeking to intimidate the society, while the Fire Feast was celebrated. The state-run media continually broadcast the fatwa of Khomeini on disapprobation of Fire Feast and called it sinful.

Police chief Hossein Ashtary threatened to deal with the aggressors and violators of the peoples rights very seriously.

Tehran police chief Hossein Sajedinia said: In case those who disturb the order cause inconvenience, the police will confront seriously, as reported by Tasnim, March 14th.

However, the regimes officials failed to hide the real cause of their fear of this national celebration. Saad, a member of the regimes parliament said, The Fire Feast in recent years has turned from a traditional one to a dangerous ceremony.

The people, especially the youth, ridiculed the comments of the regimes officials who had been trying to dissuade people from participating in this celebration by referring to those who were killed in the Plasco Building blaze. By holding these celebrations in every corner, they voiced their hatred of all this deception.

Read more here, in the NCRIs article.

As well as showing their defiance, by celebrating the Fire Festivities, political prisoners in hall 12 of ward 4 in Karajs Gohardasht Prison, they expressed their hatred of the mullahs regime chanting Death to Dictator and Death to Mullahs Regime.

In Tehran youth in various areas, including Tajrish, Narmak and Ekbatan held widespread celebrations marking the Fire Festivities. In the capitals Nezam Abad people jumped over small bonfires chanting Mullahs Must Be Killed.

Youths were seen celebrating in the cities of Robat Karim, Arak, Urmia, Rasht, Ardevil, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad, Kashan, Asluyie, Yasuj, Shahr-e Kord, Kermanshah, Bane, Khoramabad, Sardasht and Mahshahr.

Repressive forces, including state police and theGuidance patrols, were seen in various cities attempting to disperse the youth. However, the people responded by ridiculing them and forcing these units to leave the scenes.

For more information, see this article by the NCRI.
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The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Premier Plan MMAI Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Illinois Inc., Aetna Better Health of Indiana Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Tennessee Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. 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Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Applications LLC, CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund GP LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund LP, CVS Health Ventures Management LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Management Support LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS Pharmacy Overseas Online LLC, CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc.  Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Austin LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Los Angeles LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Philadelphia LLC, CVS-SHC Renal Holdings LLC, Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc.  CVS Pharmacy Inc. 75%/Aetna Life Insurance Company 25%, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., Credentials Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. 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Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services LLC, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare LLC, Omnicare LLC  Aetna Inc 0.28%/CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. 49.86%/CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. 49.86%, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada 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Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC.

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The man, Syed, has remained silent out of fear, since the beginning of his trial last week in Berlin, according to his attorney. Syed is accused of examining targets for Iran, in the event of a war with Western nations, as well as conducting espionage on Irans behalf against Germany and France.

Evidence that has been made public shows that Syed collected information on many targets, however, only two were cited because they are public figures. One is German politician Reinhold Robbe of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), who also headed the German-Israeli Society until two years ago. The other is Daniel Rouach, a French-Israeli professor at the Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris.

Syed compiled a dossier on Robbe that included the politicians home and work addresses, along with his typical daily movements, that German federal prosecutors displayed. Dossiers like this are helpful in identifying locations suitable for an assassination. The dossier contained Robbes travel routes along with other possible routes he could take.

Syed studied engineering and also worked at the German Aerospace Center in the city of Bremen in northern Germany, according to public data. There is no information how or why Iran recruited Syed, or what type of training he received. Iran has used non-Iranian nationals for intelligence collection in the past.

This case is believed to be the first foreign plot in the post-Cold War era of a German politician being targeted for assassination. It is possible that other plots were never discovered or were abandoned. It demonstrates that Iran is preparing for conflict with the West, despite the nuclear agreement.

The fact that planning for this assassination attempt began before the U.S. presidential election or the current German elections, means this was not an attempt to disrupt the elections.
Varian Medical Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, sells, and services medical devices and software products for treating cancer and other medical conditions worldwide. It operates through Oncology Systems and Proton Solutions segments. The Oncology Systems segment offers hardware and software products for treating cancer with radiotherapy, fixed field intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiotherapy, artificial intelligence based adaptive radiotherapy, and brachytherapy, as well as quality assurance equipment. Its products include linear accelerators, brachytherapy afterloaders, treatment accessories, and quality assurance software; and information management, treatment planning, image processing, clinical knowledge exchange, patient care management, decision-making support, and practice management software. This segment serves university research and community hospitals, private and governmental institutions, healthcare agencies, physicians' offices, medical oncology practices, radiotherapy centers, and cancer care clinics. The Proton Solutions segment designs, develops, manufactures, sells, and services products and systems for delivering proton therapy for the treatment of cancer. The company has a strategic agreement with McKesson Corp. to supply treatment delivery systems and planning, services, and radiotherapy information system solutions to its U.S. Oncology Network and Vantage Oncology affiliated sites of care; and a strategic partnership with Siemens AG to represent Siemens diagnostic imaging products to radiation oncology clinics in the United States and other select markets. Varian Medical Systems, Inc. was formerly known as Varian Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Varian Medical Systems, Inc. in April 1999. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Palo Alto, California.




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[March 14, 2017] MGT Signs Letter of Intent to Develop Privacy Mobile Phone

DURHAM, N.C., March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTC: MGTI) announced today that it has signed a non-binding letter of intent with Nordic IT Sourcing Association to develop a truly secure mobile phone. The letter of intent is expected to lead to a definitive contract whereby MGT would be responsible for designing, testing and assembling a state of the art cell phone with privacy features that stay one step ahead of hackers and eavesdroppers. The base phone will be procured as an OEM model using the Android operating system, and then modified using the skills of MGT's cybersecurity team. The definitive agreement will be predicated on minimum initial and recurring quantities, currently anticipated at 160,000 units to begin, and 50,000 units monthly thereafter. Subject to final specifications, revenues to MGT are contemplated at $350 USD per unit. With today's announcement, MGT has joined forces with a leading influential think tank focused on mobile, security, and digital services. Nordic IT is involved in the research and development of disruptive technologies on behalf of its members and partners, which include senior executives from many of the world's largest corporations. The partners expect a definitive agreement within 60 days, with initial product shipments approximately a year later. John McAfee, Executive Chairman and CEO of MGT observed, "Smartphones have become the Achilles heel of cybersecurity. No matter how secure our applications become, they must still execute in an environment designed from ground up to be a spy device. It is like building a race car and having it powered by a rubber band." Alexander Reay, President of Nordic IT, stated, "We are honored to be working with cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee and his team. MGT's innovative ideas should result in a unique offering in mobile communications. We have been heavily involved in the research of security and privacy issues, both in the Nordics and with our partners worldwide. With the new GDPR regulations here in Europe set to take effect i 2018 and recent leaks, there is no end to the privacy issues facing enterprises and society as a whole. We strongly believe that such a device will be the center of attention for both privacy concerned consumers, and corporate leaders looking to develop a winning strategic cybersecurity and privacy program on behalf of their company."



About MGT Capital Investments, Inc.

MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (OTC: MGTI) is in the process of acquiring and developing a diverse portfolio of cyber security technologies. With industry pioneer John McAfee at its helm, MGT is positioned to address various cyber threats through advanced protection technologies for mobile and personal tech devices, as well as corporate networks. Also as part of its corporate efforts in secure technologies, MGT is growing its capacity in mining Bitcoin. Currently at 5.0 PH/s, the Company's facility in WA state produces about 100 Bitcoins per month, ranking it as one of the largest U.S. based Bitcoin miners. Further, MGT is in active discussions with financial partners to grow Bitcoin output materially.

Lastly, MGT stockholders have voted to change the corporate name of MGT to "John McAfee Global Technologies, Inc." Following a dispute over ownership and permitted usage of the name McAfee, The Company and Intel have agreed to a mediation process to avoid unnecessary legal costs. For more information on the Company, please visit: http://ir.stockpr.com/mgtci. About the Nordic IT Association

Nordic IT is a Member Organization and Disruption Think-tank in the Nordic region. As the only dedicated IT sourcing association covering the Nordic IT sourcing industry, its focus is on various aspects of IT sourcing and creating solutions for IT professionals throughout the Nordic region. Combining thought leadership forums and learning programs with a centric on-line knowledge pool, it covers all areas of IT and technology sourcing. The Association's core mission is to foster innovation, continuous improvement and better business outcomes on behalf of its members. Forwardlooking Statements

This press release contains forwardlooking statements. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions are intended to identify "forwardlooking statements." All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forwardlooking statements. This includes all statements about the Company's plans, beliefs, estimates and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates and projections, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include issues related to: rapidly changing technology and evolving standards in the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate; the ability to obtain sufficient funding to continue operations, maintain adequate cash flow, profitably exploit new business, license and sign new agreements; the unpredictable nature of consumer preferences; and other factors set forth in the Company's most recently filed annual report and registration statement. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forwardlooking statements, which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Readers should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described in other documents that the Company files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investor and Media Contact

Tiffany Madison

Director of Corporate Communications

MGT Capital Investments, Inc.

[email protected]

469.730.6703 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mgt-signs-letter-of-intent-to-develop-privacy-mobile-phone-300423455.html SOURCE MGT Capital Investments, Inc.

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Forests cover about 31% of the earths total land surface and provide many environmental benefits including the preservation of biodiversity, conservation of soil, and mitigation of climate change. Over half of the worlds population relies on forested watersheds for their drinking water and agricultural and industrial purposes. According to the World Bank, more than 1.6 billion people are dependent on forests for their livelihoods and about 300 million people live in the forests, which also serves as a home for more than half of the global terrestrial species. However, forests around the world are facing severe threats due to several anthropogenic activities. It has been estimated by the Food and Agriculture Organization that about 7.4 million hectares of the worlds forest are being lost due to deforestation every year.

Content:

What Is Deforestation?

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines deforestation as the permanent conversion of the worlds forest areas to other non-forested land uses such as agriculture, animal grazing, urbanization, as well as to obtain wood for fuel, manufacturing, and construction activities.

Tropical rainforests deforestation in Borneo in Southeast Asia.

The greatest amount of deforestation has been occurring in the tropical rainforests, where the forests are being cut down at a rate of 30 soccer pitches (approximately 1.32 acres) every minute. Tropical rainforests harbor much of the worlds biodiversity and hence deforestation in these areas is of particular concern. Thus, deforestation is currently one of the most critical environmental problems faced by mankind that also have long term social, economic, and ecological consequences. It has been found that if the current rate of deforestation continues unabatedly, then the worlds rainforest could completely vanish in about 100 years.

Causes Of Deforestation

The main causes of global deforestation are as follows:

Agricultural Expansion

Malaysian rainforests cleared for palm-oil cultivation.

Deforestation occurs when large forested areas are cleared for agriculture and grazing of livestock. According to a report by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), about 48% of deforestation is caused by subsistence farming, about 32% by commercial agriculture, about 14% by logging, and about 5% by removal of fuelwood. Much of the deforestation is also caused due to slash-and-burn agriculture, which includes the cutting and burning of forests to clear land for agricultural use.

Conversion Of Forests For Infrastructure And Human Settlements

Human settlements encoraching into forested areas.

Large areas of forests have also been cleared for building roads, railways, dams, and other infrastructure and for constructing housing and settlements for the burgeoning human population. To keep pace with the growing global population, the use of forest land is expected to expand further and put significant pressure on the vulnerable tropical forests.

Logging And Mining

Logging is a major cause of deforestation.

Illegal Logging accounts for over 80% of all logging activities which includes the harvesting and sale of timber, and different products such as matchsticks, paper, and furniture. It has been reported that about 380,000 hectares of forest land are annually cut to meet the increased global demand for wood and wood products. The high demand for fuelwood (charcoal) has also been a major cause of deforestation and forest degradation in the drier tropical areas.

Gold mining destroying the rainforest in Guyana, South America

There has also been an increase in mining on tropical forests due to the rising demands and high mineral prices. These projects are accompanied by the development of massive infrastructure such as the construction of roads, railways, and power stations, which significantly amplifies deforestation.

Overgrazing

Vast tracts of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil has been cleared for cattle ranching activities.

The uncontrolled and indiscriminate rearing and grazing of cattle also lead to the degradation of forests. Overgrazing also accelerates soil erosion, resulting in the removal of minerals and nutrients from the topsoil, thereby transforming the grasslands into desert.

Forest Fires

Wildfires are often started by people and destroy vast tracts of forest land.

Whether caused due to human activities or by natural events, forest fires destroy large areas of forest, every year. The forest composition also changes due to forest fires. In 2020, devastating fires engulfed vast tracts of the Amazon rainforest in South America. Most of these fires were started by people to clear forest land for agriculture or cattle ranchin activities. The fires soon became uncontrollable and engulfed vast tracts of forested land.

Climate Change

Increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and storm surges due to anthropogenic climate change, leads to the destruction of millions of hectares of forest every year. Wildfires, disease, floods, cyclones, etc., resulting from climate change often destroy thousands of trees resulting in deforestation.

Effects Of Deforestation

The negative consequences of deforestation are as follows:

Climate Imbalance

Deforestation is the key driver of climate change and accounts for over 20% of the greenhouse gas emissions. The forests act as carbon sinks, sequestering carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. As the trees are cut down, the sequestered carbon dioxide is released back into the atmosphere, subsequently leading to an increase in the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and a net increase in the global temperature. It has been estimated by scientists that about 1.5 billion tons of carbon are annually released into the atmosphere due to deforestation. The loss of trees would also impact the microclimate as oxygen levels would go down, leading to an increase in the heat and pollution levels.

Disruption Of The Hydrologic Cycle

Caption

Trees help to regulate the moisture content in the atmosphere. The macropores in their roots also allow deeper penetration of water, thereby increasing the water-retention capacity of the soil. The loss of trees dramatically alters the local hydrological cycles, leading to drier and warmer conditions.

Drought

Drought and desertification are some of the negative consequences of deforestation.

Deforestation leads to reduced humidity and a decline in groundwater levels. The hot weather and the changing rainfall pattern make the area too dry, resulting in drought, desertification, and crop failures.

Soil Erosion And Flooding

Loss of trees exposed the soil to wind and water action leading to soil erosion.

The roots of the trees firmly hold back the humus-rich topmost layer of the soil and help it to stay firmly in place. Deforestation leads to the widespread erosion of this precious topsoil, leaving the sterile land more prone to flooding and desertification. The removal of trees also causes the sloped lands to be more prone to landslides.

The reduction in forest cover, leads to an increase in the surface water runoff, elevating the river levels and resulting in more flooding in the downstream areas.

Decreased Biodiversity And Habitat Loss

Deforestation for palm oil plantations is one of the main reasons threatening the survival of orangutans in Indonesia.

Tropical forests serve as the planets most diverse ecosystem, providing food and shelter to several plants, animals, birds, insects, and microorganisms. Deforestation leads to the removal of significant forest areas, destroying biodiversity, and the loss of natural habitats for several important species. The loss of large swathes of forest due to the numerous development projects results in the extreme fragmentation of wildlife habitats and an increase in human-wildlife conflicts. Habitat destruction eventually leads to the extinction of many species. It has been estimated that about 137 floral and faunal species are lost every day due to deforestation, which equals to the loss of about 50000 species annually.

Loss Of Valuable Medicines

Clavija procera (Theophrastaceae). Used as a snake bite remedy by the Quichua Indians in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Several medical compounds are derived from plants that are found in the tropical rainforests. The widespread destruction of these forests due to deforestation results in the loss of several valuable species of medicinal plants. If deforestation continues at this rate, then the potential cures for many deadly diseases may become extinct, even before they have been discovered and analyzed by scientists.

Rise In Zoonotic Diseases

The large-scale deforestation due to anthropogenic activities brings the wild animals near humans and increases the risk of the transmission of different zoonotic diseases. The increased soil erosion due to deforestation has resulted in the formation of stagnant water pools, that serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes which are the vectors of malaria and yellow fever. The loss of natural habitat for the fruit bats due to deforestation had facilitated the transmission of the Nipah virus in Malaysia. The emergence of the SARS-CoV2 virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, has also been linked to habitat loss due to the expansion of the human population into the forest areas.

Disruption Of Livelihoods

Deforestation also leads to the disruption of the livelihoods of many indigenous people that live and depend to a high degree on the forest for their survival. These people are the worst affected by deforestation. In the long-term, however,

Solutions To Deforestation

Protecting the world's forest cover is essential to the survival of all species on Earth.

The following strategies must be implemented by the administrative authorities to combat deforestation:
Early Life

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was born in Aachen, Germany before he moved to Berlin, joining the office of Bruno Paul, an interior designer. Mies started his career as an architect in 1908 where he worked at the studio of Peter Behrens as an apprentice until 1912 where he worked alongside Le Corbusier, another major influence in modern architecture.

Career

Despite, Mies lacking any formal college level certificate or education, his talent was instantly acknowledged, and soon enough he was promoted to work on independent commissions. Van der Rohe first began designing upper-class homes, inspired heavily by the simplicity of Prussian Neo-classical architecture. Following the first World War, Europe was experiencing a cultural shift that sought out alternative architecture types. Mies van der Rohe reacted by designing modernist buildings that often featured all-glass detailing and innovative lines. He refined this style by incorporating the use of geometric forms as part of the German avant-garde, a group determined to prove to decline in relevance of old European architectural styles. Following the resistance met during the time of Nazi-occupied Germany, who saw van der Rohe's architecture as non-German, van der Rohe left Germany for the United States. It was there he took a position as department head of the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. It was the van der Rohe's educational material and attitude that started what is now known as the Second Chicago School.

Major Contributions

It was in America that van der Mies got to fulfill his dream as the architect he wanted to be and express himself as a true artist. Most of his important projects in the United States are found in the area of Chicago such as Crown Hall, 860-880 Lake Shore Drive, Farnsworth House, the Chicago Federal Center Complex. Notable outside of Chicago are the Seagram Building in New York, the TD Canada Trust Tower in Toronto, and Westmount Square outside of Montreal. Also included amongst his works are the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas which he was commissioned to design the master plan of in 1953. The National Gallery in Berlin was one of the last projects Mies designed, and it is considered one of the perfect signatures of his approach to architecture. Mies is also known for designing modern furniture pieces with the use of new industrial technologies, and he mostly collaborated with Lilly Reich on the designs. Examples of his modern furniture designs include the Tugendhat chair, the Barcelona table and chair and the Brno chair. His contribution to modern furniture features fine craftsmanship incorporated with the use of traditional luxurious materials such as leather together with modern frames made of chrome.

Challenges

Despite the proven significance of van der Rohe's work, he received criticism in equal measure. Post-modernism played a significant role in the demise of Modernism as it was readily welcomed and most preferred as an architectural style. Another key reason as to why Mies's style failed to catch on is that his artistic prowess was almost impossible to match as he had already set high standards that his followers could not reach.

Death and Legacy

Mies van der Rohe aimed at developing an architectural style that provided a free and open space. In the last 20 years of his life, he was not only able to develop but also build his architectural vision dubbed "skin and bones". On August 17th, 1969 Mies van der Rohe died leaving behind a great legacy in the history of modern architecture.
Cenotes (singular Cenote) is a natural hole in the surface of the earth which is formed after extensive corrosion of the limestone rock by subterranean water. The name is derived from the Yucatec Maya word tsonot which means a place with underground water. Areas where cenotes form have little soil formation and have a characteristic geology of limestone-based bedrock.

Formation Of Cenotes

Cenotes are formed after subterraneal rock is dissolved, exposing underground water. The rocks under which cenotes form, are usually limestone rocks which dissolve easily in water. The surface caves in and forms a pit. Cenotes vary in size and recent discoveries have shown that cenotes lead to a series of underground cave systems spanning several miles in length.

Types Of Cenotes

Cenotes can be classified in three groups according to their appearances. Pit cenotes are the cenotes which have a narrow entrance compared to the bottom. Cylinder cenotes are the cenotes which have steep vertical walls. Cave cenotes are those which have a cave-like entrance. Last but not least is the basin cenotes, which are cenotes having shallow water basins.

Cenotes In Mayan History

Mexico has the greatest concentration of cenotes in the world with over 6000 cenotes found in the Yucatan Peninsula alone. Prior to the coming of Europeans, the Yucatan was inhabited by the Mayan people who were famed for their architecture as well as their superior astrological knowledge. Cenotes played significant role to the Mayan people because they were the only source of fresh water in the area which has neither rivers nor streams. The Mayan people therefore associated the sinkholes to their spiritual beliefs. One cenote of great significance was the one in Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza is a Mayan word which translated to at the mouth of the well of Itza. The Mayans depicted the cenotes in their art with several paintings from the era having depictions of the cenotes. This ancient civilization is infamous for its shocking rituals with the human sacrifice being practiced.

Recent archeological studies in several cenotes in Yucatan Peninsula painted a grim picture of this ancient practice when several human skeletons were discovered inside the water-filled sinkholes in Chichen Itza along with other items such as pottery, jewelry, textiles, and weapons. Scientists believe that the skeletons belong to people who were cast inside the cenotes to appease their ancient rain deity known as Chaak. It is believed the human sacrifice was conducted when the Maya were experiencing a long drought, a drought which has been linked to the decline of the Mayan civilization. The sacred cenotes where the skeletons were found are near another historical site, the El Castillo which is a step pyramid built in honor of another deity, Kukulkan.

Criticism

However, some critics argue that the skeletons belonged to people who accidentally fell into the water-filled caves but scientist disapprove these claims stating that the location where the remains were found could only be accessed after water levels had fallen.
Map projection is a systematic transformation of longitudes and latitudes of locations on the surface of an ellipsoid or a sphere into locations in a plane. Map projections are needed to create maps. Some of the oldest map projections date back to about 650 BCE. Maps have not only shaped the geographical interpretation of the world, but they have also facilitated the progress of humankind. Since ancient times, maps have been made for various uses ranging from trade, invasion, to exploration.

9. Theatrum Orbis Terrarum - 1570

The term "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" is translated to mean "Theater of the World". It was authored by Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish and Netherlander geographer, and cartographer. The map is recognized as the first true modern atlas. The atlas compiled maps of the nations in the world by using contemporary information. It was uniformly sized, used both tests and maps, and included scholarly citations of the original mapmakers which were unusual features at the time. The Atlas benefited from great commercial success, and it is recognized as a cartography summary of the 16th century.

8. Cantino World Map - 1502

The Cantino World Map was drawn in Lisbon, Portugal, from where it was obtained and smuggled to Italy by Alberto Cantino, a formal delegate of the House of Este. The map illustrated Portugals geographical discoveries of the 15th century including those of the New World. The map clearly showed interesting details including the demarcation line dividing the Portuguese and Spanish territories in the New World as provided for in the Treaty of Torsedillas. It used standards to indicate control and conquests. The map is highly valuable as it represents a transition from medieval to modern mapmaking ideas.

7. Genoese Map - 1457

The Genoese Map was anonymously drawn, and it heavily relied on information given by the Italian explorer and merchant, Niccolo de' Conti. The map features legends in Latin, royalty on their thrones, and loxodromes and it depicts major populated areas as castellated towns. It was carefully drawn, and it stands out for various reasons. First, it places North at the top when most medieval maps put East or South. The map is also almond-shaped, a contrast to the oval and disc shapes preferred by most medieval mapmakers. The Map is preserved by the government of Italy in the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale of Florence.

6. Catalan World Atlas - 1375

The Catalan World Atlas was drawn in 1375 and written in the Catalan language. Cresques Abraham, a Jewish book illuminator, is credited with the creation of the map which was produced by the Majorcan cartographic school. The map portrayed the complete geographical information available in the later middle Ages, including the latest knowledge on China and Asia. The map depicts the north at the bottom and the south at the top which sets it apart from other nautical charts. The Catalans were skilled cartographers as illustrated by the map and it remains the most significant medieval map written in the Catalan language.

5. Hereford Mappa Mundi - 1300

It is the largest known medieval map and for years it had remained secrete kept under the floor of Bishop Audleys Chantry. The map is drawn on a large calfskin canvas, and in 1855 it was repaired and displayed at the British Museum. The map was intended for inspiration rather than navigation, and it features 420 towns, 15 biblical events, 33 exotic plants and animals, eight classical myths, and 32 people. The city of Jerusalem is recognizably located at the maps center in addition to other important cities at that time such as Paris and Rome. The continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean region are well depicted. The Hereford Mappa Mundi is a striking work of art, and it is also known for its geophysical anomalies.

4. Anglo-Saxon Cotton world map - 1040

The Anglo-Saxon Cotton world map is the earliest known attempt of depicting the British Isles. The map was drawn in Canterbury and East is on top, West at the bottom and North is on the left. The British Isles, the Scillies, and the Orkneys are visibly shown. The map incorporates little drawings such as those showing mountains and cities, and in some parts, descriptions are added to the drawings. The then Saxon capital of Dublin and Winchester, London, is portrayed by use of Roman-style town symbols. Notably, two fighting men are depicted in the south of Britain; a drawing believed to reflect the conflict between the native Britons and the Saxons. The map is recognized for portraying highly developed scientific and geographical knowledge, unparalleled at the time.

3. Ptolemy - c. 150

The Ptolemy map was drawn in the 2nd century based on information published in the book Geographia by Claudius Ptolemy. Ptolemy was a Greek knowledgeable in the fields of geography, mathematics, and astronomy. His book gave mapmakers valuable information such as the size of the earth as well as the coordinates for the 8,000 locations indicated on the map. Before this, mapmakers had relied on the proportion and importance of countries instead of mathematical calculations. Ptolemys book challenged medieval mapmaking and triggered a sensation. The maps locations stretch from the Canary Islands in the western part to Korea in the east. The importance of his work was reflected in errors perpetuated over time by the subsequent generations of mapmakers such as his under-exaggeration of the earths circumference.

2. Eratosthenes - c. 276-194 BCE

This map was named after its author who was a Greek astronomer credited with creating the geography discipline. Eratosthenes devised the system of longitude and latitude and also calculated the circumference of the world. Armed with these calculations, he drew a map of the world. Places named in the map include Hellas (Greece), Taprobance (Sri Lanka), Lerne (Ireland), Pontus Euxinux (Black Sea), and Cyrene (Libya). At the time of creating the map, Eratosthenes thought it depicted the whole world, but it only reflected regions around the Mediterranean and a few parts of Asia. Eratosthenes geographical estimates were the most accurate in his era, and his map paved the way for the advancement of geography.

1. Imago Mundi - 650 BCE

The Imago Mundi map was discovered at Sippar in the southern region of Iraq. It is in the form of a clay tablet which has been damaged over time. The map is from the Babylonian era, and it illustrates the Mesopotamian world as well as the mythical one from the Babylonian perspective. The map, which is mostly a diagram, portrays the city of Babylon in addition to seven cities and seven islands. There are cuneiform texts which translate to descriptions of the islands and the mythical beasts believed to live in them. The world is represented as a disc surrounded by water. The map is kept in the British Museum, and it remains the worlds oldest map.
Agriculture plays a significant role in the Australian economy with over 61% of the nations land used for agricultural practices. Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to Australias GDP injecting $155 billion every year in the GDP and accounting for 12% of the nations total GDP. Grains such as wheat and corn account for over 25% of all agricultural exports. Due to world-standard agricultural practices as well as the excellent climate in the country, Australian agricultural products attract huge demand in many countries all over the world with China, Japan, and the United States being the top destinations for Australias agricultural products.

Top Agricultural Export Markets Of Australia

1. China

The Peoples Republic of China is the largest trading partner of Australia with total products traded between the two countries in 2009 being valued at AUD$85.1 billion, a figure that has been increasing since. China imported about AUD$3.4 billion in agricultural products in 2009. The top Australian agricultural products exported to China are wool, wheat, and butter. However, the demand for wool in China has seen a decline in the recent past caused by the large-scale production of synthetic fabric materials in China. The China-Australian Free Trade Agreement (ChaAFTA) effected in 2015 has been crucial in increasing Australias agricultural exports to China by removing tariffs for export of beef and dairy products. In 2015, Australia exported 21% of the total agricultural exports to the world.

2. United States

The United States is an important Australian trading partner with more than US$3.3 billion of trade goods being exported to the United States in 2014. The United States and Australia have a binding Free Trade Agreement known as the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement established in 2005 which has been instrumental in increasing the number of commodities exported to the United States by easing exporting procedures while reducing tariffs for several agricultural products and removing duty for dairy products, cotton, avocados, and beef. Australia exported 11.3% of its total agricultural exports to the US.

3. Japan

Japan is the third-largest consumer of Australian agricultural products with AUD$697 million worth of grains and oilseeds being imported by Japan every year. Japan is also the largest export market for Australian beef accounting for 35.8% of all beef exports to the world market. Australia enjoys a trading surplus with Japan caused by the low self-sufficiency rate of Japan, especially in food. One of the most popular foods in Japan is noodles which drive a huge demand for Australias wheat used in noodle production. Another agricultural product with great demand in Japan is barley used in beer production and is exported primarily from Australia. In recent years, the governments of Japan and Australia have been in discussion for the establishment of a trading agreement which if implemented will create favorable policies for exporting agricultural commodities from Australia. In 2015, Japan accounted for 9.4% of Australia's export market for agricultural products.

Decline In Agricultural Exports

Several economists had forecasted a peak in Australias agricultural production after which the industry would face a decline. In recent years, this trend has begun to be evident. The geography of the country as well as changing climatic conditions have impacted agricultural production to stagnate which has affected agricultural exports while facing growing competition from several South American and Asian countries. The trend has made experts call for an improvement in existing agricultural practices to cope with the changing economic and climatic conditions.
Oregon Trail is an old 2,170-mile trading route that stretched from the eastern United States to the west coast. The Oregon Trail crossed through several present-day states including Kansas, Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, and Nebraska. The route began from the town of Independence, Missouri and ended in Oregon City, Oregon. The Oregon Trail also served as an important emigration route.

Origin Of The Oregon Trail

Prior to the establishment of the Oregon Trail, the only way that traders in the eastern United States could reach the west was through sailing their ships around the entire American coastline (North American and South American coasts), a route that was time-consuming, taking almost a year to accomplish. Then in 1803, President Jefferson instructed explorer Meriwether Lewis to move west and map the area and identify any areas of economic significance. Lewis together with his colleague William Clark started the journey which is now known as the Lewis and Clark Expedition and their expedition signified the beginning of the Oregon Trail. The earliest sections of the Oregon Trail were used initially by fur traders, missionaries and trappers with the only available mode of transport being by foot or on horseback. Other expeditions would later follow to extend the trail westwards such as an expedition led by the Pacific Fur Company which was looking for new locations to capture beavers whose fur was in great demand. Missionaries also were key in the early stages of the Oregon Trail with the Dalles Methodist Missions leaders trekking westwards to spread the gospel while establishing new parishes and churches en route.

Emigration Along The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail was an important emigration route as settlers moved west to seek new opportunities. The earliest migrants who used the Oregon Trail were a group of men from Illinois who set out to colonize Oregon on behalf of America on May 1st, 1839. The men, led by Thomas Farnham had labeled themselves as the Oregon Dragoons and went with the motto, Oregon or The Grave. Another group of emigrants were known as the Bartleson-Bidwell Party who in 1841 started out on the first known journey to Oregon using the Oregon Trail. After these early successful travels, huge groups of people began using the Oregon Trail to seek better opportunities in Oregon. This included the Great Migration of 1843, led by John Gantt, where about 1,000 people left Illinois for Oregon using hundreds of wagons. Another key event was the Mormon emigration of 1847 after the 1844 murder of their prophet, Joseph Smith in Missouri, Illinois. Tens of thousands of Mormons traveled westwards establishing various facilities along the way including the Mormon ferry which operated in the North Platte and the Green Ferry. In the late 1840s word spread that gold had been discovered in California, news which saw thousands of men and women travel from Oregon to California to exploit the precious metal while increasing the traffic along the Oregon Trail.

Legacy Of The Trail

It is estimated that more than 400,000 people used the Oregon Trail. The Louisiana Territory Purchased by the United States Government was one of the important events that are linked to the Oregon Trail. The Oregon Trails legacy is still felt in the state of Oregon with several literary pieces being written about it. Presently, much of the modern highway like the interstate 84 and interstate 80 follow the course and pass through towns that was established to serve the Oregon trail.
[March 14, 2017] Global Artificial Intelligence Market in the Industrial Sector 2017-2021

LONDON, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial Intelligence



AI technologies are being developed to assist human beings in deliberating, deducing, analyzing, and inventing new technologies that can guarantee the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The availability and widespread adoption of graphical processing units due to innovation in technology, increased power capacity, and reduced costs have been an impetus for the adoption of AI technologies in sensor systems.



Technavio's analysts forecast the global artificial intelligence market in the industrial sector to grow at a CAGR of 52.65% during the period 2017-2021.



Covered in this report

The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global artificial intelligence market in the industrial sector for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report presents the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the top four vendors operating in the market.



The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:

- Americas

- APAC

- EMEA



Technavio's report, Global Artificial Intelligence Market in the Industrial Sector 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



Key vendors

- Amazon Web Services

- IBM

- Siemens

- Omron Adept Technologies



Other prominent vendors

- Affectiva

- AIBrain

- Anki

- AOL

- Ayasdi

- CloudMinds

- DataRobot

- Digital Reasoning

- eBay

- Enefy

- iCarbonX

- MindMeld

- NICE

- Nokia

-Oracle







- Sentinent Technologies

- Twitter

- Vicarious

- Viv

- Bellabeat

- CrowdFlower

- Didi Chuxing

- Enlitic

- Facebook

- GE

- Google

- Gradberry

- Gridspace

- Humanoid

- Intel

- Jibo

- KwikDesk

- Leap Motion

- Microsoft

- Nuance Communications

- Nvidia

- Quantum Simulations

- Scaled Inference

- Wit.ai

- ALEKS

- Appier

- Blackboard

- Cognii

- Converge Venture Partners

- eDreams Edusoft

- Incredible Labs

- Jenzabar

- MIND Research Institute

- PandaWhale

- Pearson

- Pixatel

- Quid

- RadiumOne

- Rigetti Computing

- Topicmarks



Market driver

- Development of deep-learning technology.

- For a full, detailed list, view our report





Market challenge

- Technical difficulties in developing AI technologies.

- For a full, detailed list, view our report



Market trend

- AI technology for advanced robot programming.

- For a full, detailed list, view our report



Key questions answered in this report

- What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?

- What are the key market trends?

- What is driving this market?

- What are the challenges to market growth?

- Who are the key vendors in this market space?

- What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?

- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?



You can request one free hour of our analyst's time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4647367/



Methodology

Research methodology is based on extensive primary and secondary research. Primary research includes in-depth interviews with industry experts, vendors, resellers and customers. Secondary research includes Technavio Platform, industry publications, company reports, news articles, analyst reports, trade associations and the data published by Government agencies.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4647367/



About Reportbuyer

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Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-artificial-intelligence-market-in-the-industrial-sector-2017-2021-300423578.html SOURCE ReportBuyer

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ADM headquarters building in Chicago, US. (File photo)

CHICAGO, US: Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) said that it is continuing to expand its animal nutrition footprint in China with the construction of a new feed-premix facility in Xiangtan, in Hunan Province, central China. And the addition of aquaculture feed production lines at its existing Nanjing complex in Jiangsu province, eastern China.

The Xiangtan plant will have the capacity to produce 120,000 metric tonnes annually of premix, concentrate, animal-complete, and fish complete feeds. It will be strategically located to supply products to customers in three provinces in central China: Hunan, Hubei and Guangxi. The facility will employ about 120 people.

The aquaculture lines in Nanjing will be capable of producing 50,000 metric tonnes of extruded and pelleted feeds during the six-month aquaculture season that runs from April to September. ADM is targeting completion of both projects in early 2019.

The new plants will add to ADMs network of animal nutrition facilities in China; the company operates premix facilities in Dalian and Tianjin in the northern part of the country, as well as the Nanjing facility in eastern China and the companys new plant in Zhangzhou, in southern China, which is expected to be complete by summer 2017.

One of the main pillars of our strategy to increase shareholder value is enhancing our footprint in areas of growing demand. Population growth and higher disposable incomes are continuing to support increased animal protein and thus animal feed demand in China, said Brent Fenton, president, ADM animal nutrition.

Our new Xiangtan feed-premix facility is our fifth animal feed plant in the countrywill position us to continue meeting this increased demand in the central part of the country, and the addition of four aquaculture feed lines at our Nanjing plant will offer us entry into the growing Chinese high-value specialty aquafeed market, added Fenton.

 Worldofchemicals News
Keith Allen Schultz

By: William Martin WorldWideWeirdNews.com

A burglar was caught before he was able to steal valuables after getting stuck in a chimney during the break in, according to police in California.

The Ridgecrest Police Department said that they have arrested 28-year-old Keith Allen Schultz, after his friend called for help to rescue him from the chimney.

Schultz has been charged with one count of first-degree burglary. He was booked into jail, where he is being held without bail.

According to the criminal complaint, officers of the Ridgecrest Police Department were dispatched to the 500 block of W. Maime Avenue, after a residential burglary alarm was triggered.

After speaking with the alarm company, police dispatch received a call from an unknown female, who wanted to report that her friend was stuck in a chimney and needed help.

Coincidently, the burglary alarm and request for aid were at the same location. When officers arrived on the scene, they located Schultz, who was stuck inside of the chimney.

Officers also found signs of forced entry into the residence and an open back door. It is believed that Schultz attempted to break into the residence by climbing down the chimney, getting himself stuck.

His accomplice forced entry into the residence, attempting to free him, but triggered the home alarm instead. The accomplice fled the scene and remains at large.

Schultz was eventually freed from the chimney by the Kern County Fire Department, and taken into custody. After receiving a medical attention, Shultz was transported to the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield, for booking.

The mug shot shows Schultzas face covered in ash from the chimney.
A young man wanted to make a point about racism in the United States, but his plan backfired when he was exposed for a liar by police. 20-year-old Khalil Cavil of Texas was working at the Saltgrass Steak House in Odessa when he claimed he was discriminated against because of his Muslim name. Cavil took
[March 15, 2017] Ionic Delivers Key Management Service Support for Google Cloud Storage

ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionic Security Inc., a pioneer of high-assurance data protection and control, today announced Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage is now available with support for Google Customer-Supplied Encryption Keys, or CSEK, for Google Cloud Storage. CSEK allows you to provide a third party 256-bit string, such as an AES encryption key, for use in protecting your data at rest in Google Cloud Storage. Typically, CSEK is used by customers with stricter regulatory needs, or a need to provide their own key. Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage allows you to easily manage these keys in a scalable way and in a consistent method across your enterprise. "We ae excited to announce the first of many powerful Customer Supplied Encryption Key (CSEK) capabilities. Our new Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage solution enables developers to simply and seamlessly use their own one-time use encryption keys with the full capabilities of the Ionic platform while natively leveraging Google Cloud Storage," stated Adam Ghetti, Ionic's Founder and CEO.



About Ionic Security

Ionic Security accelerates Internet trust by protecting and controlling data everywhere it travels and anywhere it resides, whether on the corporate network, in the cloud or on mobile devices. The industry's first high-assurance data protection and control platform, Ionic Security takes a comprehensive approach to protecting distributed data in today's borderless enterprise without proxies or gateways or changes in user behavior. The Ionic platform has been licensed to enterprises representing millions of users worldwide in a wide range of industries including Financial Services, Public Sector, Retail, Healthcare, Enterprise Software and Manufacturing. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is backed by leading firms including Amazon.com, Inc., Goldman Sachs, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Icon Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Meritech Capital Partners, TechOperators, and Hayman Capital Management, L.P. More information can be found at Ionic.com.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ionic-delivers-key-management-service-support-for-google-cloud-storage-300423907.html SOURCE Ionic Security

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Vehicle Set Alight in Early Morning Arson Attack

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Mar 15th, 2017

A vehicle was set alight by arsonists in Wrexham during the early hours of this morning.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze on Connor Crescent at 3am this morning.

One crew from Wrexham attended the scene and used one hose reel jet and a breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire.

The car was left with 100% damage to the engine compartment, 50% damage to the dashboard and smoke damage to the remainder of the vehicle.

A spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the cause of fire was deliberate ignition.

Picture  Google Maps
Prime Minister Theresa May cleared the final hurdle to triggering Article 50 beginning Britains exit from the European Union (EU) Monday. But she did so amid the crisis generated by Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon demanding a second referendum on Scotlands independence from the UK.

The intervention by Sturgeon, Scotlands first minister, was the most dramatic expression of broader divisions within ruling circles over Brexit and focused on the primary issue that unites the nationalists with the City of Londoncontinued access to the European Single Market.

Monday evenings debate had to deal with two amendments proposed by Britains unelected House of Lords. The governments EU Withdrawal Bill was passed after the government had comfortably won votes on two Lords amendments. MPs voted by 335 votes to 287 to overturn the Lords amendment on inserting a guarantee of the status of EU citizens resident in the UK, with six hard-line pro-Brexit Labour MPs joining with the Conservatives. A second amendment on holding a final meaningful vote on any deal after the conclusion of Brexit talks was voted down by 331 to 286 with only two Tories rebelling. Labour MPs were then whipped by party leader Jeremy Corbyn to vote in favour of the Brexit bill.

Peers later accepted the decision on EU citizens by 274 to 135 and voted by 274 votes to 118 not to challenge the Commons again over a parliamentary veto on the deal struck on Brexit. On the rights of EU citizens to live and work in the UK, just 25 Labour peers sided with the Liberal Democrats, with Labours spokeswoman Baroness Hayter attacking the Lib Dems for falsely raising peoples hopes.

The governments two-line bill stating that ministers will trigger article 50 and start the formal Brexit process now goes forward for Royal Assent to become law.

There was speculation that May would announce the beginning of Brexit yesterday, in order to pre-empt todays general election in the Netherlands and the EU celebrations March 25-28 on the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which established the EUs forerunner, the European Economic Community (EEC). The intention was to avoid further inflaming opposition, in Europe and domestically, especially given that the election in the Netherlands is dominated by efforts to limit the impact of the anti-EU position of Geert Wilders Party For Freedom.

The government has denied that this was ever Mays intention, but if it was, then Sturgeons demand for a second independence referendum blew such plans out of the water. In September 2014, the SNP Yes to independence campaign was defeated by a 55 percent vote. But polls now suggest a 50-50 split on the issue, largely because Scotland favoured remaining in the UK but also within the EU. In last Junes Brexit referendum, Scotland voted by 62 percent to remain in the EU.

The SNP intends to capitalise on this sentiment to push its separatist agenda.

Sturgeon announced that she intends to hold a second referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, at a time when Brexit negotiations are expected to be reaching a conclusion. This plan will be put to the Scottish parliament today. But the Brexit process is set to take at least two years from when May invokes Article 50 and could take much longer.

In a speech Monday, Sturgeon stressed that a vote for independence before the end of March 2019 would make it easier for Scotland to remain in the EUeven though the UK would still be a member and the EU has made clear that an independent Scotland would have to negotiate entry. If the UK leaves the EU without Scotland indicating beforehandor at least within a short time after itthat we want a different relationship with Europe, we could face a lengthy period outside not just the EU but also the single market, she declared.

There is little possibility of May accepting a second referendum at such a point in time, even if she is forced to concede one after Brexit is completed. The Times has reported, The Scottish National Party needs Westminsters approval for a legally binding vote and last night Mrs Mays allies made clear that she would not allow a referendum during exit negotiations with the EU.

A government source explained, The prime minister has said this would mean a vote while she was negotiating Brexit and I think that can be taken pretty clearly as a message that this timing is completely unacceptable.

The broader implications of Sturgeons move are underscored by events in Northern Ireland, which voted 56 percent to 44 percent to Remain and where the pro-Remain Irish nationalists of Sinn Fein came within a hairs breadth of supplanting the Democratic Unionist Party as the largest party in the Assembly in the May 2 elections. The Republic of Irelands Taoiseach, Enda Kenny of Fine Gael, has demanded that any Brexit deal includes an explicit clause that allows Northern Ireland to rejoin the EU as part of a future united Ireland. The main opposition Fianna Fail is to bring forward a white paper on a united Ireland.

Under these dangerous circumstances of rising national tensions, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn offers no alternative to working people. Having first abandoned his past opposition to the EU and backed a Remain vote, he now dutifully whips his party behind the Brexit agenda of the Tories.

He utilises left phrases to justify alternative but essentially pro-capitalist positionsFirst, the little Englander nationalism of the Labour left and the Stalinists, with which he has long been allied, then a capitulation to the pro-EU line of the City of London as demanded by the Blairites within the Labour Party, and finally, acquiescence before the nationalist agenda that dictates Brexit. His essential concerns were made apparent by yesterdays reply to May that the UK must have tariff-free access to the Single Market.

His loyalty to the requirements of business is barely concealed by his pledge that Labour, at every stage, will challenge the governments plans for a bargain-basement Brexit with Labours alternative of a Brexit that puts jobs, living standards and rights first.

The crisis confronting Britains ruling class is acute. Indeed, the Tory MPs who triumphed in forcing through their Brexit plans did so under a Union flag that could soon be as defunct as that of the EUs that presently flies alongside it over Westminster.

The Socialist Equality Party in its statement on the Brexit referendum urged an active boycott, explaining that a Remain vote meant endorsing the reactionary institutions of the EU, which is a mechanism for the subjugation of the continent to the dictates of the financial markets and imposing an agenda of austerity, militarism and war. We warned that a Leave vote led by arch-Tories and the xenophobes of the UK Independence Party would be seized on as an endorsement of British nationalism and give strength to far right tendencies across Europe.

In this context we explained, The biggest political danger in this situation is the mixing of class banners on the basis of the espousal of a supposedly left nationalism. It was on the basis of opposition to such a policy that the SEP rejected support for Scottish separatism in the 2014 referendum, characterising it as a retrograde step that cut across the unity of the working class in England and Scotland.

This warning has been amply confirmed, as has our fundamental insistence that Against the national chauvinism and xenophobia promoted by both sides in the referendum campaign, the working class must advance its own internationalist programme to unify the struggles of workers throughout Europe in defence of living standards and democratic rights. The alternative for workers to the Europe of the transnational corporations is the struggle for the United Socialist States of Europe.

This author also recommends:

For an active boycott of the Brexit referendum!

[29 February, 2016]
Border agents with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) carried out searches of nearly 25,000 cell phones in 2016, a fivefold increase over the 5,000 devices that were searched the previous year. The agency is on track to more than double its 2016 total this year, having searched 5,000 devices in February alone.

The ability of CBP agents to arbitrarily search and seize travelers electronic devices, such as smartphones and laptop computers, applies to anyone crossing the US border, including citizens and legal residents. The policy was first implemented under the administration of George W. Bush in July 2008 and continued through the Obama years, resulting in the search of tens of thousands of electronic devices.

If travelers refuse to unlock their phones, CBP agents can impound a travelers electronic devices in order to carry out data sweeps and hold them for weeks before giving them back.

While travelers are not legally required to give up their passwords or unlock their devices, agents have used threats, physical force and indefinite detention in order to compel travelers to give agents unlimited access to their personal information. While they cannot be criminally charged, noncitizens can be refused entry to the US for refusing to comply with a CBP agents orders.

The Department of Homeland Security has deployed more than a dozen software programs that allow agents to search and extract data from most Apple and Android devices regardless of password protection.

Programs such as Device Seizure, Black Light, Lantern and Oxygen Forensics allow agents to access and download deleted call logs, e-mails, videos, photos and other files as well as access social media accounts through apps for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The data which is collected without a warrant or suspicion by the CBP can be shared with a host of other federal agencies including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Treasury Department and the National Counterterrorism Center.

The US Constitutions prohibition against warrantless searches and seizures contained in the Fourth Amendment, which applies to most domestic police agencies, does not apply at the US border or international airports, where travelers can be searched and have their personal items taken from them by federal agents without any probable cause.

In addition to their largely unrestricted operations at the border, the CBP can set up immigration checkpoints as far away as 100 miles inland from the US borders where they are, however, legally required to have a warrant or probable cause to search a person or their possessions. Nearly two thirds of the US population, 200 million people, live within this zone.

An investigation by NBC News examined the cases of 25 US citizens who were recently forced by federal agents at an airport or border crossing, under the threat of detention or physical force, to hand over their phones and passwords for examination. A majority of those subjected to the invasive search, 23 out of 25, were Muslim.

In one case reported by NBC News, a couple from Buffalo, New York, Akram Shibly and Kelly McCormick, were stopped twice in a four-day period entering the US from Canada in January and on the second occasion had their phones forcibly seized.

On January 1, Shibly and McCormick were detained for two hours and were compelled to give up their phones and passwords. Three days later, they were again asked to hand over their phones and passwords as they entered the US. When Shibly refused, having just had all his data seized by the CBP a few days prior, he was quickly surrounded by three agents, placed in a chokehold and his phone was pulled from his pocket. Seeing the assault on her boyfriend, McCormick also gave up her phone.

It just felt like a gross violation of our rights, Shibly told NBC News. While Shibly was born in New York state, both of his parents were originally from Syria, one of the countries included in Trumps travel ban.

Other recent cases impacting those traveling to and from the US:

 Sidd Bikkannavar, a US citizen and NASA scientist, was detained at George Bush Intercontinental airport in Houston, Texas, at the end of January after returning to the US from Chile. He was compelled by CBP agents to give up his NASA work phone and access PIN, possible compromising sensitive data contained on it, before he was allowed back into the country.

 Haisam Elsharkawi, an American citizen and electronics salesman, was detained on February 9 by CBP agents as he was trying to fly from Los Angeles to Saudi Arabia. He was handcuffed and pressured into unlocking his cell phone so that it could be searched. Elsharkawi was eventually released after agents found nothing suspicious, but he had missed his flight and was not given a refund.

 Celestine Omin, a 28-year-old software engineer from Nigeria, was forced by CBP agents at New Yorks JFK Airport to complete a written test to prove his computer knowledge before he was allowed into the country last month.

 In late February, passengers on a domestic flight from San Francisco to New York were compelled to show identification documents to CBP agents before being allowed off the plane. CBP officials claimed they were looking for someone on the flight with a deportation order. That individual was not found on the plane.

The growing number of high-profile cases at the border since January indicates that agents and officers of the CBP, the largest law enforcement agency operating under the aegis of the Department of Homeland Security, have been emboldened by executive orders signed by President Donald Trump targeting immigrant workers already in the county as well as those traveling to the US from predominantly Muslim countries.

The shackles are off, Hugh Handeyside, a staff attorney with the ACLUs National Security Project told NBC News. We see individual officers and perhaps supervisors as well pushing those limits, exceeding their authority and violating peoples rights.
The Trump White House has secretly authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to resume drone assassination strikes that in the latter years of the Obama administration had been largely reserved for the US military, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

The Journal cited unnamed US officials revealing that the authorization was granted shortly after Trump visited CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia on January 21, the day after his inauguration. No announcement has been made as to the change in policy, and the White House as well as the CIA and the Pentagon have declined to comment on the matter.

According to the report, the authorization initially provided to the CIA was in relation to drone strikes in Syria, where the agency killed Egyptian Al Qaeda leader Abu al Khayr al Masri in an airstrike late last month.

It appears, however, that the policy has already been expanded globally, with an apparent CIA drone strike in Pakistan that killed two men, and a wave of strikes in Yemenmore in a single week this month than in any single year under the Obama administrationfor which the Pentagon failed to take responsibility.

The return to drone assassinations by the US intelligence agency is part of a broader turn by the Trump administration toward jettisoning cosmetic restrictions imposed by Obama during his second term. These measures were aimed at providing a veneer of legality for the drone murder program, which had been greatly expanded by the CIA and the Pentagon under Obama, while firmly institutionalizing it as an instrument of the US state.

During the final years of the Obama administration, the CIA and the Pentagon worked in tandem in the drone killing program, with the intelligence agency providing surveillance and location of targets and the military sending in killer drones to fire the missiles.

The Obama White House presented this arrangement as a bid to lend the drone program a pretense of transparency, as the Pentagon would issue reports on its strikes, while the CIA routinely refuses to confirm or deny actions by its own operatives.

In reality, the Pentagon routinely ignores or grossly underestimates its own slaughter of civilians in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. And the Obama administration issued a secret order allowing the CIA to continue its covert drone war in northwestern Pakistans Federally Administered Tribal Areas near the Afghan border, as part of the attempt to quell the Taliban and other insurgents challenging the US puppet regime in Kabul.

In July 2016, when the Obama administration issued its executive order purporting to sanitize the drone assassination program, the Director of National Intelligence provided an accompanying estimate of the number of civilians killed in drone strikes since Obamas inauguration in January 2009. The figure givenbetween 64 and 116was less than a tenth of the deaths conservatively estimated by independent monitoring groups.

The other consideration in shifting the responsibility from the CIA to the Pentagon was the blatant illegality of intelligence agentswho are not considered legitimate combatants under international lawcarrying out lethal operations abroad. By 2013, court cases had been initiated in Pakistan charging CIA personnel with murder and terrorism, while a class action lawsuit by relatives of drone strike victims was also brought against the US government and the CIA. The change in policy was also initiated with an eye toward the threat of possible war crimes prosecutions.

In May of 2013, Obama delivered a speech at the National Defense University vowing that drone strikes would be launched only against terrorists who posed a continuing and imminent threat to the American people, and only under conditions of near-certainty that no civilians will be killed or injured. The pretense of concern for civilians being blown to pieces as collateral damage inflicted by drone strikes was meant merely to provide a humanitarian cover for cold-blooded assassinations and massacres.

The executive order issued by Obama in July 2016 repeated this language, while institutionalizing the drone assassination program and reaffirming the supposedly inalienable right of the US president to order state murder by means of Hellfire missiles of anyone in any part of the world, including US citizens.

This is the criminal political legacy that Obama has handed off to the Trump administration. Trump is now dispensing with the pretense of humanitarian concern, while also satisfying the demands of the Pentagon and the CIA to streamline the killing process to allow commanders and operatives on the ground to order drone strikes without having them vetted through Washington.

This shift may signal a departure from the Obama administrations signature terror Tuesdays, in which the Oval Office was turned into a headquarters for approving kill lists and organizing targeted killings, with the responsibility instead being delegated to US military commanders and CIA agents.

Citing senior US officials, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, The Trump administration is close to finishing a review that would make it easier for the Pentagon to launch counterterrorism strikes anywhere in the world by lowering the threshold on acceptable civilian casualties and scaling back other constraints imposed by the Obama administration.

The changes, the Post reported, would empower the Pentagon to make decisions on targets without approval from the White House and potentially scrap the near-certainty standard of no civilian deaths for strikes outside war zones.

As part of the move to waive such restrictions, Trump has signed off on a request to designate three provinces of Yemen as areas of active hostilities, i.e., free-fire zones, where the rules on civilian deaths do not apply. His administration is reportedly about to grant similar approval in relation to Somalia.

Again, this is not an innovation on the part of the Trump administration, but follows similar dispensation granted by Obama in Libya during the bombardment of the coastal city of Sirt last summer.

Whatever the tactical differences between the Democrats and the Republicans over US foreign policy, both defend Washingtons right to murder people indiscriminately in every corner of the planet.
Indias ruling party, the Hindu supremacist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has won a major electoral victory, winning a majority in the state assembly of Uttar Pradesh, the north Indian state that is home to one-sixth of Indias population.

The BJP is also likely to lead the government in three of the four other states where state assembly elections were held in February and early MarchUttarakhand, Goa, and Manipur. Only in Punjab, where the BJP had been the junior partner in a decade-old coalition government, did it suffer a serious reversal.

By contrast, the five state elections whose results were tabulated last Saturday constituted a debacle for the Congress Party. The Congress, which until only recently was the Indian bourgeoisies preferred party of government, is no longer a significant force in wide swathes of India, including Uttar Pradesh. Depending on the outcome of the post-election maneuvering in Manipur, it will hold office in only 5 or 6 of Indias 29 states. The BJP, meanwhile, will hold power in at least 15 states, representing about 60 percent of the countrys total population, as well as forming Indias national government.

The BJP has been quick to proclaim the state election results a ringing endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modis rightwing agenda of accelerated pro-investor reform (that is privatization and austerity) and a more assertive foreign policy (integration into Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China and increased belligerence against Pakistan.)

In reality, the BJP was the utterly undeserving beneficiary of popular anger and disaffection with the Congress and various caste-based and regional parties that have themselves implemented neo-liberal reforms, presiding over mass poverty, intensifying economic insecurity and ever-widening social inequality. For their part, the twin Stalinist parliamentary parties, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, have responded to the BJPs rise and the intensification of class conflict by redoubling their efforts to subordinate the working class to the Indian state, the Congress and other rightwing opposition parties. This has only helped further boost the BJP.

There is no question Modi and his BJP will use their strengthened political hand to attack the working class. Already government sources have told the Times of India that changes will soon be made to facilitate and grow foreign direct investment in the multi-brand retail sector, thereby opening the door for the likes of Walmart and Carrefour to aggressively expand into India.

Modi was himself the star BJP campaigner in the just concluded state elections, especially in Uttar Pradesh (UP), where the party did not even project a chief minister candidate.

If Modi and the national BJP leadership invested so heavily in the state elections, it is not only because control of the UP government is a major political prize. The party strength in the various state legislatures will directly impact on the election of Indias president in July and will, over time, result in changes in the composition of the upper house of the national parliament, the Rajya Sabha. Because the BJP currently lacks a working majority in the Rajya Sabha, it has been unable to push through some of the reforms most eagerly sought by its big business backers. These include changes to labour laws to make it easier to lay off workers and close plants in the so-called organized sector and the gutting of restrictions on the expropriation of agricultural land for big business projects.

As in the 2014 national election, the BJP cast itself as the party of economic development, promising growth and modernization and pointing to the manifest failure of its opponents to raise the mass of the population out of poverty and squalor. It also played up Modis humble origins, contrasting them with the pedigree of Rahul Gandhi, the principal Congress Party spokesman, who is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Congress prime ministers.

At the same time, the BJP made unmistakable anti-Muslim communal appeals. BJP President Amit Shah touted the Hindu rights demands for the building of a Hindu temple on the site of the razed Babri Majsid mosque in Ayodhya and the banning of cow-slaughter. In the first weeks of the campaign, the BJP also made much of the illegal and reckless Special Forces raids it had ordered inside Pakistan, claiming that under Modi and the BJP India is a rising military and great power.

But the focus of its appeal in UP was to mass anger over the failure of the incumbent, caste-based Samajwadi Party government to create jobs, provide electricity, and reduce poverty.

The Samajwadi Party responded by forming an alliance with the Congress Party. The Congress postures as the protagonist of inclusive growth, but in fact has done much of the heavy-lifting over the past quarter-century in pushing through socially regressive, pro-investor reforms and forging a strategic partnership between India and US imperialism.

Socio-economic conditions in UP are among the worst in India, a country blighted by mass hunger and social degradation. According to World Bank estimates, 70 percent of UPs population lives on less than US $1 a day. A recent report from the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) estimated more than ten million young people in UP (those in the 15-35 age-group) are unemployed.

Repeating its success in UP in the 2014 national elections, the BJP captured 312 of UPs 403 assembly seats with just under 40 percent of the popular vote. The Samajwadi Party (SP) saw its assembly representation slashed from 224 to 47, while the Congress seat tally fell from 28 to just 7.

Another significant development was the poor showing of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which postures as the representative of the Dalits (former Untouchables) and other disproportionately impoverished lower-caste groups. The BSP and SP have dominated state politics in UP since 2002, but the BSP won just 19 seats, down from 80 in the previous election.

To undercut both the SP and BSP, the BJP exploited caste divisions, nominating as candidates local notables who claimed to represent lower caste groups that had not received their fair share of electoral nominations and government patronage from SP and BSP governments in Lucknow.

In neighboring Uttarakhand, the Congress was ousted from power by the BJP. With 46 percent of the vote, the BJP won 57 seats, up from 26 in the previous states election. The Congress saw its seat tally, plunge by 21 to just 11. Even the sitting Congress Chief Minister, Harish Rawat, failed to win re-election.

In the small northeastern seat of Manipur, the Congress seat tally was slashed by 19 to 28. The BJP, which won no seats in the previous Manipur state election, captured 21 and now claims to have rallied sufficient support from other parties, including a Congress defector, to wield a parliamentary majority.

In the small former Portuguese colony of Goa, the Congress was able to emerge as the largest single party. Capitalizing on disaffection with the five year-old BJP state government, it won 17 seats in the 40-member state assembly, almost double its 2012 tally. But the BJP quickly filled the breach, no doubt using the ample patronage powers of the central government and its own war-chest. The BJP rallied support from smaller parties and told Manohar Parrikar to give up his post as Defense Minister and take back the Chief Ministership of Goa, a position he held from 2000 to 2005 and from March 2012 to November 2014.

Only in Punjab, which, with a population of some 30 million was the second largest of the five states to go the polls, was the Congress able to upend the BJP. The Congress won 77 seats in the 117-member state assembly, ending ten years of rule by a coalition government of the Sikh communalist Shrimonai Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP. The SAD lost 41 seats, leaving it with 15, while the BJP won just 3 seats and only 5.4 percent of the popular vote.

Despite the employment crisis and the economic dislocation caused by the Modi governments demonetization measure, the Stalinist Left Front failed to win a single seat in any of the five states, repeating its miserable 2012 performance.

The Stalinists were once a significant political force in the industrial cities of UP and in the Punjab. But as elsewhere in India their support has hemorrhaged as a result of their promotion of caste-based politics, including alliances with various rightwing caste-ist and regional parties, and their role in implementing big business reform agenda. Since 1991, the Stalinists have supported a succession of central Indian governments, most of them Congress-led, that have pursued the ruling elites agenda of making India a cheap-labour haven for global capital. Moreover, in those states where the Left has formed the government it has implemented what the Stalinists themselves describe as pro-investor policies.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull held talks in Jakarta with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on March 7. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Trade Minister Steve Ciobo, who accompanied Turnbull, held more extensive meetings with their Indonesian counterparts. The discussions followed a visit to Sydney by Widido on February 2526, during which he held summits with Australian business leaders and a private dinner at Turnbulls Sydney Harbour mansion.

The flurry of diplomatic activity between the two countries is in large part a response to the US Trump administration. Its unilateralist and protectionist America First agenda threatens to disrupt existing patterns of trade and investment, while its bellicose demands for economic concessions from China and other countries threaten to heighten already volatile strategic and military tensions in Asia.

The Australian capitalist class, one of the closest allies of the US and backers of the Obama administrations pivot to Asia against China, has been beset with uncertainty. Trump has repudiated any participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was aimed at further forcing open Asian markets, and ultimately the Chinese market, to foreign competition and investment. Instead, Trump has asserted his administration will seek bilateral agreements with China, Japan, South Korea and other major economies that favour US interests, at the expense of other competitors, including Australian-based corporations.

To pressure China into granting the US preferential trade arrangements, the Trump administration has flagged everything from renouncing the One China policy regarding Taiwan to challenging Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea. It is dangerously escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The US would expect Canberra, which is strategically bound to Washington by the ANZUS alliance and integrated with the American military through bases and joint deployments, to join any military conflict against ChinaAustralias largest export market and trading partner.

An open discussion is taking place in Australian ruling circles as to whether, after relying on the United States to enforce their mutual imperialist interests in Asia for the entire post-World War II period, they can continue to do so. In that context, the Turnbull government has ordered the recall of 113 top Australian diplomats from around the world to discuss a foreign policy reset and has embarked on efforts to consolidate Australias strategic and economic relations in the region and internationally.

No Asian country is of greater strategic significance to Australian imperialism than Indonesia, a resource-rich archipelago directly to its north, with a population of over 260 million and a history of struggle by the working class and rural oppressed against colonial and neo-colonial domination.

Working with the US and the Indonesian military, Australia played a criminal role in the 196566 Indonesian military coup, in which up to one million members and supporters of the Indonesian Communist Party were murdered. In 19971998, Australia collaborated with Washington to ensure that a mass movement against the Suharto dictatorship was channeled behind the so-called democrats headed by Megawati Sukarnoputri, who guaranteed that Indonesia would remain subordinate to the imperialist powers.

In 2017, Australia is once again seeking to shore up its interests in Indonesia. The talks with the Widodo government involved further overtures by Canberra to overcome the lingering anger in the Indonesian ruling elite over the 2013 leak by Edward Snowden that Australian agencies were spying on top political and military figures, including then president and former Suharto-era general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Relations deteriorated anew at the beginning of this year over revelations that Australian military officers had disparaged Indonesia and its military.

While a temporary Indonesian suspension on military exchanges had already been lifted before the diplomatic visits, pledges of closer ties were made. An agreement was signed for greater cooperation on combatting terrorism. Since 2001, that pretext, along with preventing people smugglers bringing refugees from Indonesia to Australia by boat, has been employed to justify significant activity across the archipelago by Australian intelligence and police agencies. Indonesian forces are expected to participate in the massive joint US-Australia Talisman Sabre military exercises in July.

In the only hint of possible tensions during the talks, Turnbull rejected an earlier suggestion from Widido that the Australian and Indonesian navies could undertake joint patrols in the South China Sea, where Indonesia controls the Natuna Islands. China infuriated Jakarta last year when it issued a statement asserting that it had overlapping claims with Indonesia to the waters around the islands.

The Natuna Islands are held by Indonesia, and China does not dispute its sovereignty but claims parts of the waters in the surrounding Exclusive Economic Zone. The Indonesian navy has already fired on and boarded Chinese fishing boats in the disputed area. Questioned by journalists about whether Australia would send naval forces to operate with Indonesia in the area, Turnbull replied: We are not going to undertake any actions which would increase tensions in the South China Sea.

Beyond security, the main issue in the Sydney and Jakarta discussions centred on a proposed free trade pactnamed the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA). Talks were initiated in 2010, but little progress toward finalising a deal was made until 2016. A seventh round of negotiations is now scheduled in May.

Economic relations at present are dominated by exports of agricultural goods by Australia, and petroleum and other resources by Indonesia. Despite its close proximity, Australias total merchandise trade with Indonesia in 20152016 was just $11.23 billion$5.5 billion in exports and $5.6 billion in imports. Australian cumulative investment in Indonesia is barely $8.5 billion.

The primary aim of the IA-CEPA, from the standpoint of Australian corporations, is to gain greater access to Indonesias proportionally tiny, but numerically significant, upper middle class for not only agricultural goods, but banks, insurance companies, educational institutions and other service sector providers.

While not mentioned in any official communique or press conference, the other overriding concern of Australian imperialism is Indonesias political stability. The vast economic restructuring that has taken place in the country since the 19971998 crisis has led to staggering levels of social inequality and immense class antagonisms. The top 1 percent of the population control over 50 percent of the countrys wealth. The wealthiest four individuals own more wealth than the bottom 100 million people. An estimated 80 percent of the population have gained nothing from economic growth, and 93 million, in both urban and rural areas, earn less than $3.10 per daythe World Banks definition of moderate poverty. Social tensions have been expressed in the growth of strikes, protests and unrest in the province of West Papua.

Australias ruling elite, no less than the Widido government and Indonesias military-security apparatus, is anxious to ensure that social tensions do not spiral out of control.
More than one million Michigan residents have been hit by power outages since a March 8 storm knocked down thousands of power lines and utility poles. The states two main utilitiesDTE Energy and Consumers Energyhave long neglected the decaying electrical infrastructure in the state while focusing on boosting returns for wealthy investors and top executives.

Detroit residents have a long and bitter experience with DTE Energy, which has conducted mass utility shutoffs against poor residents unable to afford its exorbitant rates. These shutoffs led to a series of fatal house fires. This included a January 5, 2010 fire on Dexter Avenue that killed two disabled brothers, Marvin Allen, 62, and Tyrone Allen, 61, and Lynn Greer, 58. This was followed by a March 2, 2010 house fire on Bangor Street, where three children, Travion Young, Fantasia Young, and Selena Young, ages 5, 4 and 3, respectively, perished hours after DTE had cut power and gas to the home.

DTE is politically well-connected and various politicians, from Michigans Republican governor, Rick Snyder, to Detroit Democrats and African American preachers have all run to the defense of DTE, whose former corporate board member, David Bing, was Detroits mayor from 2010 to 2014.

The World Socialist Web Site spoke with Detroit residents about the recent power outages and about their experiences with DTE. Artelia Lane, a retired worker, said, A lot of people in my area lost their power. My mother, daughter, sister-in-law, neighbors, everyone around me lost power. For most of us it was out from Wednesday [March 8] until Saturday and Sunday evening [March 11-12].

My daughter is especially upset because she works from home for an airline company. And because it was determined to be an Act of God, they dont have to pay you.

Everyone lost food, and because it was cold many people couldnt stay in their house so they went to neighbors, hotels, or wherever they could go. My daughter stayed at home and used a gas space heater. But that doesnt heat the entire house, just certain areas.

Im staying with friends and we lost power. The entire area was affected. I live in the central section of Detroit and was told that 459 people in this area were affected. If you went up Livernois you could see that the entire strip was affected: all the restaurantsWendys, Popeyes, Churchs Chickenthey were all without power.

Artelia then explained her experience with DTE. My house was badly damaged because of a fire that was caused by an exposed line from DTE, which connected to the back of my house from the alley. This happened last August. The wire was frayed and the line started sparkling like a firecracker and exploded like a bomb went off.

My daughter was a video of the wire and the damage. Its very dangerous. It could have affected the entire neighborhood.

Similar fires took place in September 2010 resulting in whole neighborhoods catching on fire. (See: Fires burn throughout Detroit: Residents hold energy giant responsible).

Artelia continued, I wasnt at home at the time of the fire, but before I left to go out of town to visit my brother I noticed that the power would go out if I used the microwave, air conditioner or the TV. I called DTE to complain about it and they walked me through reprogramming my microwave. At the time, I wasnt aware of what was causing the problem. The appliances would go off and we would turn it back on.

The fire caused extensive damage in my home. Everything has been affected by smoke damage. I believe it was a surge that caused the fire through the TV. The TV blew up. The windows were blown out in the bedroom where the TV was. The fire did damage to the roof. The house is not livable. They estimate there was $6-$10,000 in damage but DTE says it is not responsible.

They came out and replaced the line but that was it. I filed papers against them in January but they havent responded. The problem is that we dont have anyone, especially politicians like [Democratic Congressman] John Conyers, who will speak up for us.

In our neighborhood, the power is always going off whenever the wind blows. The problem is the lines are all outdated. And this is not just a Detroit problem. Its a national problem thats happening all over the country.

I spoke to my cousin, who is an electrician in Detroit and he said that following the massive power blackout in 2003, they only replaced one transformer. He said that nothing was done to change the situation in Detroit and that a similar problem could happen again.

We are subject to go out at any time. What is needed is a vast replacement of all the lines. They dont want to do that because it costs money.

Gail Gates, the president of the Doris Kendall Block Club, told the WSWS, The power in our area went out on Thursday, one day after the major outage, which surprised us. We went to bed on Wednesday and woke up to a cold, frigid morning. We asked ourselves, Why us?

My mother is a diabetic. I moved back to Detroit to take care of her, so I took her downtown to stay with other relatives. In order to find out what was taking place we set up a 24-hour text line communication in collaboration with the Oakman Block Club so we could let people know what was happening.

The outage took place in a fairly large area. There are a lot of seniors on our block, so a lot of people starting picking up their family members so that they were safe. I would say that 60 percent of the people in this neighborhood are senior citizens in their mid- to upper 80s.

Im concerned because it could have been very serious. With a lot of seniors living in the cold, no access to food or electricity, things could have been bad. Its a challenge for the get around as it is, let alone with the cold without electricity.

What people did for food, I dont know. I know a number of people went to fast-food locations. We have electric meters in my house so we couldnt cook without electricity.

My neighbor said he went back to his house for clothing and found that it was colder inside his house than it was outside. We are lucky there were no injuries. In fact, it was so cold that for many people they didnt lose any food. Had it been the summer time it would have been a different story.

One thing I have noticed is that the power shutoffs are starting to happen with more frequency. I moved back in 2013, and since then I have experienced at least four power outages.

The World Socialist Web Site also contacted Sylvia Young, the mother who lost her three children in the March 2, 2010 house fire in Detroit. Feel its sad and I feel sorry for the people who do not have lights because there was no heat and what about the kids? Im just glad no lives have been lost due to the power outage and no families have lost homes or kids.

After it was pointed out that two elderly people75-year-old Lonnie Sibbett and 70-year-old Leona Sibbettdied from carbon monoxide poisoning, likely caused by an emergency generator in their Jackson, Michigan area home, Sylvia said, I did not know that. My heart goes out to the family. DTE can come cut your lights out instantly but it takes days and weeks to get your electricity and heat back on.
As the Trump administration ramps up its confrontation with North Korea and heightens tensions, especially with China, throughout the region, the Japanese government is significantly extending the activities of its military. While operating under the umbrella of its strategic alliance with the US, Tokyo is exploiting the opportunity to rearm militarily so as to pursue its own imperialist ambitions.

In another menacing warning to Pyongyang, a Japanese guided-missile destroyer yesterday began two days of joint exercises with similar vessels from South Korea and the US. The warships, all equipped with Aegis anti-ballistic missile systems, are operating in the area where four North Korean test missiles landed last week.

The Trump administration is reviewing US strategy toward North Korea and, according to media leaks, considering regime change and military strikes to deal with the Pyongyang regime. South Korea and the US are currently engaged in huge annual war games that include the rehearsal of decapitation raids by special forces units to assassinate the North Korean leadership.

The joint naval exercises by Japan, the US and South Korea are part of preparations for war, not only with North Korea, but also China. Beijing condemned the Pentagons decision last week to begin the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile battery in South Korea. The THAAD installation is part of a broader anti-missile network, including the Aegis system, for fighting war with nuclear-armed powers.

The US has been pressing for closer military collaboration between Japan and South Korea, particularly on anti-missile systems. Hostility in South Korea toward Japan, its former colonial ruler, resulted in a 2012 intelligence-sharing agreement between Tokyo and Seoul being postponed until 2014. The US navy noted that the current exercises would employ tactical data link systems to trade communications, intelligence and other data among the ships.

The Chinese foreign ministry called on all sides to end a vicious cycle that could spiral out of control, adding: North Korea has violated UN Security Council resolutions banning its ballistic missile launches; on the other hand, South Korea, the USand now Japaninsist on conducting super-large-scale military drills.

Pyongyang accused the US of preparing a preemptive strike and threatened merciless ultra-precision strikes from the ground, air, sea and underwater if its territory were attacked. Such reckless rhetoric, along with the expansion of its nuclear arsenal and missile capabilities, only plays directly into the hands of the US and its allies and provides a pretext for war.

As well as collaborating with the US and South Korean navies, the Japanese military plans to dispatch its largest warship, the JS Izumo, for three months of operations, including in another dangerous flashpointthe disputed waters of the South China Sea, where it will engage in joint exercises with the US navy.

The presence of a Japanese warship in the South China Sea is certain to heighten tensions with China. The two countries are already involved in a dangerous stand-off in the East China Sea over the disputed Senkaku islets, known as Diaoyu in China. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who is due to arrive in Japan today, has threatened to block Chinas access to its islets in the South China Seaa reckless act that could provoke war.

The Izumo, which is nominally termed a helicopter carrier and designed for anti-submarine warfare, is also capable of carrying the American Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. Thus, in reality, it is an aircraft carrier, larger than those operated by many other countries. Tokyo has deliberately not termed the warship an aircraft carrier. To acknowledge the carrier as an offensive weapon would further breach Article 9 of the Japanese constitution, which renounces war as a means of settling international disputes and vows never to maintain military forces.

Japans military is designated as Self-Defence Forces to maintain the illusion that its operations are not in breach of the constitution. The current right-wing government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, however, is determined to rearm Japan and remove all legal and constitutional restraints on its military. He wants to make Japan a normal nation with a strong military, to ensure that Japanese imperialism can use military might in pursuit of its economic and strategic interests.

In 2015, defying mass protests, the Abe government rammed through legislation to allow the Japanese military to engage in collective self-defencein other words, US-led wars of aggression. Now, senior government figures are exploiting the alleged threat posed by Pyongyang to argue that the Japanese military must be able to conduct pre-emptive strikes against North Koreathat is, to have offensive weapons such as ballistic missiles and/or long-range bombers.

Speaking last week after the North Korean missile tests, Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi refused to rule out acquiring the capacity for pre-emptive military strikes. I do not rule out any method and we will consider various options, consistent with international law and the constitution of our country.

Her comments are part of a broader discussion taking place in the Japanese political establishment. The Nikkei Asian Weekly reported last month that the national security panel of Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) planned to recommend that the country acquire the ability to strike enemy bases in the case of an imminent threat. LDP vice president Masahiko Komura claimed such a capacity would not violate the constitution. In fact, the LDP is pushing for a complete revision of the constitution that would substantially modify Article 9 or remove it altogether.

The dispatch of the Izumo is fully in line with US strategic planning for war with Chinato strengthen military ties and collaboration between allies and strategic partners in Asia, as well as with the US. The Japanese warship will make port calls in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka before joining the Malabar joint naval exercise with Indian and US naval vessels in the Indian Ocean in July.

While falling into line with US plans at present, the Abe government is intent on extending Japanese influence and interests in Asia and overcoming the memories of the crimes of Japanese militarism during the 1930s and 1940s.

Amid a worsening global economic crisis and rising geo-political tensions, a confrontation between the US and Japan could also emerge as the two imperialist powers compete for dominance in Asiaas occurred in the 1930s and led to a horrific war in the Pacific in which millions died.
Republican Representative Steve King won praise from Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups for statements this weekend that openly embraced the superiority of the white race and condemned immigrants as a threat to Western civilization.

King made his first comment on Twitter where he voiced his support for the ultra-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who has called for banning the Koran and prohibiting Muslim immigration into the Netherlands.

Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies, King wrote. In a second tweet, King post a photo of himself with Wilders, saying cultural suicide by demographic transformation must end.

When some media pundits and fellow Republican congressmen criticized his comments, King began a tour of media outlets to gain greater publicity for his fascistic views. Appearing on CNN Monday, he declared he had not been misinterpreted. I meant exactly what I said, he continued. Im a champion for Western civilization, which he called a superior civilization.

He said that during a recent visit to western Europe he had spoken repeatedly about the need to increase the white birth rate: Ive been to Europe and Ive spoken on this issue and Ive said the same thing as far as 10 years ago to the German people and any population of people that is a declining population that isnt willing to have enough babies to reproduce themselves. Ive said to them, You cant rebuild your civilization with somebody elses babies. Youve got to keep your birthrate up and you need to teach your children your values.

Spelling out his racist view of immigrants, he condemned those who were living in enclaves, refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization. He added, Id like to see an America thats just so homogenous that we look a lot the same, from that perspective.

This is an effort on the left, I think, to break down the American civilization, the American culture, and turn it into something entirely different, King said Monday. And, yes, our English language is a big part of it. Its a carrier of freedom.

Kings foul views are noteworthy only because he spells out openly and without any political disguise the ideological basis of the Trump administration and Republican Partys policies on immigration and racial minorities. His views are an expression of the backwardness cultivated by the American ruling class as a whole after decades of unending war and social reaction.

Elected from a northwestern Iowa district that is predominantly rural and agricultural, and heavily dependent on immigrants for both farm labor and work in the many local slaughterhouses and meatpacking plants, King has based his political career from the very beginning on anti-immigrant racism.

He entered electoral politics at the age of 47 as the owner of small construction company, appealing to Christian fundamentalists and chauvinists alarmed by the growing Hispanic population in the district (up from near-zero to 7 percent of the population by 2012). King introduced and pushed through an English-only bill in the state legislature, banning any delivery of government services in Spanish.

He won a closely contested Republican primary to fill a vacancy in the US House of Representatives in 2002, and immediately formed close ties with such ultra-right mainstays as Michele Bachmann of neighboring Minnesota, and Tom Tancredo, an anti-immigrant demagogue from Colorado.

While most statewide Republican officials and the congressional Republican leadership in Washington condemned Kings latest verbal atrocities, his bigotry is hardly a secret. In 2013, during debate on a failed immigration bill, King made the notorious claim that for every Mexican immigrant who graduated from college in the US, there were 100 who had calves the size of cantaloupes from carrying heavy loads of marijuana across the border. He once called immigration a slow-motion Holocaust directed against the white majority in the United States.

Kings open racism did not deter Republican presidential candidates from virtually camping out on his doorstep in 2015-2016 to seek his endorsement, which eventually went to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the favorite of the Christian fundamentalist groups that dominate the Iowa Republican Party.
There are periods when knowledge of nature and society undergoes a quantum leap within a short time. In the natural sciences, the names of Galileo, Darwin and Einstein are associated with such revolutions; in the social sciences, it is the names of Marx and Engels.

Within the space of a few years, the two men accomplished an unprecedented revolution of ideas. They broke with German idealism and placed the understanding of society on a materialistic basis. They discovered the class struggle as the driving force of history and developed socialism from a utopia into a science.

The full significance of this colossal achievement became clear only with the passage of time. Marxism laid the theoretical foundation for the first mass party of the working class, German Social Democracy led by August Bebel, and the first victorious proletarian revolution, the October Revolution in Russia 100 years ago.

While Stalinism destroyed the Soviet Union, Marxism is more relevant today than ever before. The global financial crisis, outrageous levels of social inequality, growing militarism, and the rise to prominence of extreme right-wing figures such as Donald Trump in the USall of this has prompted many to turn to Marx to find a way out of the impasse of capitalism. Even Marxs opponents are forced to take his insights seriously once again.

The Haitian-born director Raoul Peck has set himself the task of presenting the formative years of Marxism in a film. He is well aware of the timeliness of his theme. At a time when the world is in a state of emergency due to the financial crisis, Karl Marx is experiencing unexpected interest, he writes in a contribution to the film. More than 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, it was now possible to return to Karl Marxs contribution to science without feelings of guilt. The task of the film, he explained, is to discover the real contribution of this scientific and political thinker.

The collaboration between Marx and Engels

The Young Karl Marx focuses on a strictly limited period. It begins with the prohibition, in March 1843, of the Rheinische Zeitung, which Marx led as editor, and concludes with the writing of the Communist Manifesto at the end of 1847. These are the years during which Marx and Engels broke with the petty bourgeois democrats and laid the theoretical foundations for the modern, socialist workers movement.

The film portrays the events of these years in strictly chronological order, focusing on the close collaboration between Marx and Engels. It also gives attention to the contributions of Marxs wife, Jenny von Westphalen, and Engels wife Mary Burns, an Irish worker. This focus on Marx and Engels constitutes the strength of the film. Peck vividly shows how the two inspire one another and develop a close personal friendship.

Peck, who became acquainted with Marxism as a student in the West Berlin of the 1970s, refrains from any attempt to construct a contrast between the romantic and covert idealist Marx and the materialist Engels, as was usual among Western Marxist circles of the time. The film repeatedly identifies Marx as a great materialist and expounds the revolutionary basis of the friendship between Marx and Engels: their determination not to reconcile themselves with the existing conditions of exploitation and the half-heartedness of the petty-bourgeois democrats.

The very first scene portrays a brutal massacre of poor people gathering dead wood in a forest, a punishable offence according to the law of that time. An article by Marx from the Rheinische Zeitung is quoted: The people sees the punishment, but it does not see the crime. And because it sees no crime where there is punishment, you should fear it, because it will take revenge.

The prohibition of the Rheinische Zeitung, which was constantly obliged to make concessions to the Prussian censorship, leads to a fierce dispute between Marx and the young Hegelians, who blame Marxs strident polemics for the ban.

Marx replies: All you think about is hair-splitting over words. You write vague literary reviews and vague summaries of vague political ideas. You Young Hegelians and freethinkers, as you call yourselves looking for approval, continue to enjoy yourselves! I have become tired of fighting with pinpricks. I have become tired of hypocrisy. We are banned. Be it!

Marx himself wrote 16 years later about his development at that time: In the year 1842-43, as editor of the Rheinische Zeitung, I first found myself in the embarrassing position of having to discuss what is known as material interests. The deliberations of the Rhenish Landtag on forest thefts and the division of landed property  caused me in the first instance to turn my attention to economic questions.

Marx objected to the echo of French socialism and communism, slightly tinged by philosophy that was noticeable in the Rheinische Zeitung, calling it dilettantism. His previous studies, however, did not allow him to express any opinion on the content of the French theories. That is why when the publishers of the Rheinische Zeitung conceived the illusion that by a more compliant policy on the part of the paper it might be possible to secure the abrogation of the death sentence passed upon it, I eagerly grasped the opportunity to withdraw from the public stage to my study.

One of the main focal points of the film is Engels experience in England with his fathers textile business in Manchesterwhere Engels works as a clerkand the terrible living quarters of the working class. Engels could access the workers quarters, thanks to his girlfriend Mary Burnsbut not without receiving a bloody nose in the process. Here he assembles the material for his book, The Condition of the Working Class in England, which appears in 1845.

This work is not only a terrible charge against capitalism and the bourgeoisie, Lenin later comments. Engels was the first to say that the proletariat is not only a suffering class; that it is, in fact, the disgraceful economic condition of the proletariat that drives it irresistibly forward and compels it to fight for its ultimate emancipation. And the fighting proletariat will help itself. 

The film shows quite correctly that it was Engels who pointed out to Marx the importance of the writings of the classical English economists. His article, Outline of a Critique of National Economy, published by Engels at the beginning of their collaboration in the German-French Yearbooks, anticipated many of the ideas Marx later developed more thoroughly in Capital.

In a later sceneone of the most amusing in the filmEngels, Marx and Mary Burns encounter an employer friend of Engels senior in a London club. The entrepreneur, who employs children at his factory, stoutly maintains that night shifts do not affect their health. You mean, they do not affect your health, Mary Burns replies to the stunned employer.

Raoul Peck has selected German actors for the main roles in the film, a Franco-German-Belgian co-production. August Diehl is a convincing Marx, combining perspicacity and wit with authority. Stefan Konarske plays a charming Engels, who is perhaps a touch too ingratiating.

Vicky Krieps is a very credible Jenny Marx, who abandoned her aristocratic upbringing to share the fate of an emigrant and become the wife of a revolutionaryand did not regret it for a moment. Hannah Steele plays Mary Burns as a rebellious and independent Irish woman, though it is not authenticated that she became acquainted with Engels as a ringleader of rebellious workers at the factory of Engels senior, as the film implies.

The supporting roles are also filled well. Olivier Gourmet presents a somewhat pedantic Proudhon, and Alexander Scheer a clumsy Weitling, giving speeches in florid phrases.

Political conflicts

Marx and Engels developed their historical materialist outlook on the eve of the bourgeois revolution, which swept across Europe in 1848, through fierce polemics with representatives of tendencies articulating the interests of bourgeois and middle-class layers, as well as conservative artisans.

The film gives much space to these disputes. In the course of the film we are introduced to, among many others, the young Hegelians Max Stirner and Bruno Bauer, the editor of the German-French Yearbooks Arnold Ruge, the French socialist Pierre Proudhon, the True Socialists Moses Hess and Karl Grun, and the utopian Wilhelm Weitling.

Although the dialogues are largely based on original sources, it is often difficult to understand what the disputes are about. One reason is the drama of the action. The film tries to portray the life of its protagonistsboth are not yet 30in all their aspects: love, birth, debauchery, material misery, conflicts with parents, etc. Peck said his intention was to put Marx, the bearded old man, aside and to revive the exploits of this fabulous trio ... in an explosive Europe under the thumb of censorship and on the eve of the bourgeois-democratic revolution.

As a result, the political content of the disputes often remains obscure. Before the viewer has grappled with one topic, the film moves on to the next scene. Here, a somewhat slower pace would have been desirable. Its worth watching the movie twice.

The reduction of processes that developed over a protracted period to a single event creates problems as well. Dramatically, this may be justified, but it trivializes the film.

In real life, Marx and Engels got to know one another over a prolonged period. Engels had already met Marx in Cologne when Marx was still in charge of the Rheinische Zeitung, and Engels also wrote for the newspaper. Their first meeting in Cologne was cool because Marx had already broken with the Young Hegelians, while Engels still supported them. Nevertheless, prior to commencing their lifelong friendship in Paris, they had already known and appreciated the work of each other.

In the film, however, (apart from an accidental meeting in Berlin) Marx and Engels meet each other in the Paris apartment of Arnold Ruge, begin by verbally abusing one another, then seek to outdo themselves with mutual compliments and finally seal their friendship with a game of chess and much alcoholall in one day. This appears artificial and lacks credibility.

The following scene is even more trivial. The drunken pair stagger along the streets of Paris, Marx throws up in the gutter, and then slurs: You know, I think Ive understood something. The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it. This is the most embarrassing scene in the entire movie.

In fact, Marxs Theses on Feuerbach, of which number 11 is cited here, represented a tremendous advance in the elaboration of the historical-materialist outlook. Tackling the idealism of Hegel and the Young Hegelians, Marx and Engels had turned to the materialism of Ludwig Feuerbach. His materialism, however, was passive and contemplative because, as Marx put it, he did not grasp the significance of revolutionary, of practical-critical, activity.

The issue for Marx was not to counterpose changing the world to its interpretation and to promote some sort of blind activism, as this scene suggests. Rather, Marx emphasized that the world can only be properly understood by incorporating human practice. That then provides the basis for consciously changing it.

The League of the Just

The last third of the film deals with the activities of Marx and Engels in the League of the Just. It shows that even at that time they worked intensively to establish an international party of the working class. In Brussels, they founded the Communist Correspondence Committee, which was able to establish links with a number of countries. In the beginning of 1847, they then joined the ranks of the League of the Just, which had been founded in 1836 by German workers and tailors forced into exile. The League propagated political and social revolution, and had offshoots in several countries.

Marx and Engels worked on basing the practice of the League on a properly thought out, scientific program. This required a rigorous struggle against various petty bourgeois tendencies, which exercised considerable influence on the League. The film reconstructs the political struggles that raged in the League with great intensity. Here, too, the heated arguments sometimes distract from the content of the issues disputed.

Marxs confrontation with Proudhon is dealt with in a number of scenes. Early in the film, Karl and Jenny Marx attend a banquet in Paris at which the celebrated middle-class socialist and forerunner of anarchism speaks. Marx criticises his famous phrase property is theft, which, as Jenny mockingly remarks is travelling in circles. If property is theft, then what is theft, the misappropriation of property?

Nevertheless, relations with Proudhon remain friendly. However, when Proudhon publishes his work, The Philosophy of Poverty, in 1846, Marx responds with The Poverty of Philosophy. The book tears Proudhons theories apart and answers them with the first systematic presentation of historical materialism.

Much time in the film is also given to the polemics with Wilhelm Weitling, a tailor who had played a leading role in establishing the League of the Just. Weitling defended communist ideas, which he sought to realize with utopian methods. Marx and Engels try to convince him that the working class needs a scientific theory and cannot content itself with a propaganda based exclusively on morals and feelings.

In the end, there is an open break. After Weitling proclaims at a meeting that a hundred thousand armed proletarians, with the help of forty thousand criminals are sufficient to end the tyranny of the bourgeoisie, Marx retorts: To seek to mobilise workers without offering them a doctrine that is constructive is a dishonest and arrogant game with an inspired prophet on the one side and speechless and feeble-minded people on the other.

The deeply offended Weitling points to thousands of letters, which prove to me that my modest work is of greater weight for the cause than parlour room doctrines, far removed from the suffering people. Marx roars back angrily: Ignorance has not helped anyone, never.

Finally, Weitling leaves the room saying, I will be the first victim of the guillotine. Then its your turn. Then your friends. And finally, youll cut off your own neck. Critique devours everything that exists. And when nothing is left, it devours itself.

This scene is ambiguous. It can be interpreted as a critique of Marxs struggle for programmatic and theoretical clarity. Peck, as is clear from his film, has nothing in common with those who make Marxism responsible for the crimes of Stalinism. However, in a comment on the film, he also expressed his mistrust of all dogmas, including Marxism without specifying what he means by Marxism in quotation marks.

It is also striking that the film endsto the music of a Bob Dylan songwith a rapid sequence of images of catastrophes, key events, political figures and protests of the past 100 years. It features images of Che Guevara, Patrice Lumumba and the Occupy movement, but not of Lenin and Trotsky and the October Revolution. In this way, Peck glorifies precisely the type of petty-bourgeois politics that Marx, as the film vividly shows, entirely rejected.

Raoul Peck was born in Haiti, grew up in Zaire (Congo), the United States and France, and studied in Berlin. Politically, he was always closer to anti-imperialist nationalist movements than to revolutionary Marxism. Two of his best-known films deal with Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of independent Congo, whose murder by the CIA Peck experienced as a child. Peck was minister of culture in Haiti from 1996 to 1997.

Pecks co-author, Pascal Bonitzer, has a long history in the French left cinema. He played a prominent role in the film journal Cahiers du Cinema, at a time when it was undergoing a Maoist, post-structuralist phase in the early 1970s.

It must be assumed, therefore, that some of the films weaknesses are not only the result of the difficulty of adequately portraying complex theoretical discussions within a two-hour film, but also of certain reservations on the part of the filmmakers about Marxism.

This does not affect, however, the conclusion of the film. Marx and Engels experience a huge success when the League of the Just is transformed into the Communist League in 1847 and changes its central slogan from All human beings are brothers to Proletarians of all countries, unite. The second congress of the Communist League, attended by representatives from 30 branches from seven countries, including the US, then commissions Marx and Engels to write its program, the Communist Manifesto.

The film ends with Marx, Engels and Jenny working intensively on the Communist Manifesto, reading aloud paragraphs from this outstanding historic document.

If the film, despite its weaknesses, encourages young people to study Marxism, it will fulfill an important task.
The Socialist Party (SP) is one of the 28 parties competing for the 150 seats in parliament in todays Dutch elections. With 10 percent support in the polls, the SP is only just behind the right-wing Liberal Party (VVD) of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, but ahead of the governing social democratic PvdA, which at 7.4 percent is expected to suffer an historic defeat.

The SPs explicit nationalism demonstrates that, contrary to its name, the party has nothing to do with socialism. The SP uncritically supports the anti-Turkish campaign with which Rutte has sought to outdo the vehemently xenophobic PVV of Geert Wilders from the right on the eve of the elections. Rutte issued a ban on Turkeys Foreign Minister entering the country and deported the Families Minister to prevent her from campaigning for the upcoming constitutional referendum at a meeting of Turkish citizens at the Turkish consulate.

Emile Roemer, the lead candidate for the SP, declared in a press statement that there was no place in the Netherlands for the propaganda circus of sultan Erdogan. He called on the Rutte government to suspend further talks on Turkey joining the European Union (EU).

Roemer continued, Recent days have shown that it is not possible to reach reliable agreements with the Turkish government. The Turkish government should not be allowed to intervene in our domestic affairs. The current situation reveals what the SP has been saying for years, that we have to fully and completely oppose the influencing of Dutch citizens by Ankara.

The SP thereby joined the chorus of anti-Muslim agitation which is legitimising the attack on democratic rights. Roemers declarations are virtually indistinguishable from the tirades of Wilders, who raged against the Turkish ministers, Go away, this is our country! and added, I say to all Turks in the Netherlands who agree with Erdogan: go to Turkey and dont come back again!

The closeness to Wilders illustrates just how right-wing the SPs programme in fact is. While it attempts to confuse young people and workers with left rhetoric and activism, and spreads illusions in the reformability of capitalism, the SP at the same time promotes a strong state and the sealing of the borders against immigrants and refugees. With its right-wing, xenophobic demagogy, the SP is jointly responsible for the rise of Wilders.

The SP was founded in 1972 as a Maoist group, but quickly gave up its flirtation with Maoism, as the party itself describes its founding phase, and focused exclusively on practical campaigns within the environs of the trade unions and building local alliances. When Jan Marijnessen became SP leader in 1986, he excised all references of Lenin and Marx from the party programme and initiated a breakthrough in parliament.

In the 1990s, the SP managed to secure two deputies in the second chamber. The party profited from the catastrophic social consequences of the Polder model, which established the framework within which the trade unions and business organisations have cooperated closely with governments since the early 1980s to drastically cut wages and social spending.

Under the social democratic government of Wim Kok (PvdA), the Polder model was accelerated in the mid 1990s. As a result, social inequality rose dramatically. Poverty increased, minorities were excluded and rent prices in the cities exploded.

The constant redistribution of wealth from the bottom to the top ultimately destabilised the political system. The social democrats and trade unions were discredited. Right-wing populist organisations benefited from the sharp social tensions in the formerly relatively egalitarian Netherlands. Meanwhile the SP rose to be the third largest party in terms of members. They spent considerable time leading the polls ahead of the 2012 election, but ultimately wound up only in fourth place.

The SPs official programme is hardly distinguishable from those of right-wing, social democratic parties. Since 2006, the party has abandoned any demands it deemed too radical. Since then, they neither call for leaving NATO, nor the abolition of the monarchy. The SP has encouraged prejudices against immigrants and defends Dutch membership in the EU. Its social criticism is limited to a few cosmetic changes in social welfare benefits.

The SPs socialism restricts itself to paying lip service to respect for human dignity, equality and solidarity. These values, according to the SPs charter, have proven to be essential elements of human civilisation and progress over centuries.

In its current election programme, the SP represents openly nationalist standpoints. The party calls for the ending of the free movement of labour within the EU. At the beginning of the election campaign, lead candidate Roemer demanded a halt to unregulated mass migration adding, There must once again be a system of work permits by which people are permitted to come here to look for work. This would put the Netherlands in a position to win back control over who comes here to work and to determine the economic sectors in which we require people.

In 1983, the party published a xenophobic pamphlet entitled Foreign labour and capital, which demanded that foreign workers had to either adapt to the language and values of the country or leave.

The SP demands that Dutch workers be given preferential treatment over immigrants and calls for limits on the entry of migrants into the EU. It advocates the concentration of refugees in detention centres close to the border, and the creation of registration centres outside the EU.

The SP also calls for a vast expansion of the domestic repressive powers of the state and backs military interventions. A visible police presence is necessary to make our neighbourhoods safe, strengthen social obligations and identify early signs of radicalisation. This is why we want more police officers, declared the SP.

The SP would participate in UN-mandated interventions without reservation, if they are effective and appropriate and do not come into conflict with international law. Cooperation with military allies is always possible for the SP, as long as the Dutch government retains control over its own soldiers.

In 2005, the SP campaigned against the EU constitution, which was subsequently defeated by a wide margin in a referendum. It now no longer questions the Netherlands EU membership and criticises the EU from the right by urging a stronger role for nation-states.

Even a governing coalition with the right-wing liberal VVD appears possible, despite the fact that Roemer excluded it in the lead-up to the elections. In six of the 12 provincial governments, the SP has cooperated for years with all other parties, with the exception of Wilders PVV. In Amsterdam and Brabent, they share government with the VVD and the left liberal D66.

The SP is offering itself to the ruling class under conditions of general social and political instability as a force capable of saving Dutch capitalism. But the party is stagnating in the polls. The SP is only expected to secure between 12 and 14 seats in parliament, at the last election it won 15 seats.

The support of pseudo-left organisations, which justify every shift to the right by the SP, has failed to benefit the latter. As Socialistisch Alternatief, the Dutch section of the Committee for a Workers International (CWI), wrote, Since there is no mass workers party, which represents the independent political interests of the working class in the election, the Socialist Party can be seen as the best voting option for many workers.

The SP and its pseudo-left satellites base themselves on members of the privileged middle class, academics and trade union officials. To defend the interests of these well-heeled sections of the middle class, the SP is moving ever further to the right.
Six people have died in the western part of New York state in the wake of a major windstorm last Wednesday, which knocked down trees and power lines, leaving tens of thousands of people around the cities of Buffalo and Rochester without power for days. Immediately following the storm, temperatures began to rapidly drop, forcing many to heat their homes with fireplaces and generators or to head to shelters to stay warm.

On Monday, the Monroe County Department of Public Health reported that six deaths could be attributed to the storm. Two people were killed when they fell down stairs in their homes due to lack of light. Two more people were killed in a suburb of Rochester when they caused a fire while attempting to power their home with a generator. Another man was killed after falling from his roof while checking for damage.

Earlier in the week, a 70-year-old man was killed when he drove through an intersection that had lost its traffic lights and collided with another vehicle.

Despite the strong winds that caused trees and power lines to fall, all of the deaths came after the windstorm itself had passed and were the result of a social and economic system unable to cope with emergencies and provide for the basic health and well-being of the population.

Four days after the storm, over 32,000 homes in the Rochester area still lacked power as a winter storm moved into the region, threatening to cause more damage and blackouts.

The painfully slow response-time and lack of preparedness by the areas utility company, Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), were criticized by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who stated, I dont consider three days to restore power an adequate response plan. I want to know what happened. Cuomo also called for an investigation into RG&E as to whether the company correctly followed its emergency response plan, which it is required to adhere to by law.

Despite Cuomos public criticisms of RG&E, in June of 2016 the New York Public Service Commission, which Cuomo oversees, allowed RG&E to raise rates for both gas and electricity. The four individuals who sit on the Public Service Commision and make decisions on price hikes for consumers are appointed by the New York governor.

Due to the rate hikes, customers who receive both gas and electricity from RG&E will pay $147 more on average per year by 2018. This price increase would apply only to the delivery charge. Actual prices consumers see on their bills could be even more due to the fluctuating price of gas and electricity.

The conglomerate that owns RG&E, Avangrid, has already started to reap the rewards from the rate increase and recently reported a net income of $630 million for the year 2016, compared to a net income of $267 million in 2015. By 2018, RG&E will make an additional $76.5 million a year thanks to the rate increase, and another Avangrid-owned utility company, New York State Electric and Gas Corp. (NYSEG), will make $131.6 million more in revenue annually.

Avangrid claims the rate hikes were needed to make up for losses incurred during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and to upgrade its transmission network.

While burying and upgrading power lines has been proposed as a solution to avoiding widespread outages that cost lives and money, the cost of the initial investment is often cited as the prohibitive factor. In fact, the biggest obstacle is the capitalist system itself, which allows companies like Avangrid to enrich their shareholders and profit off of outdated energy infrastructure while the working class foots the bill and is subject to fees and shutoffs for failing to pay up.
The Dutch national elections, which are being held today, have been dominated by an outpouring of xenophobia, nationalism and racism on a scale unseen since the days when Adolf Hitler railed against the Jewish conspiracy in Berlins Sportpalast and Benito Mussolini whipped up crowds from the balcony of Romes Piazza Venezia.

Geert Wilders and his fascistic Party for Freedom have called for a ban on immigration from Muslim countries, the closure of mosques and a ban on the Koran. But Wilders, far from being the exception, has set the tone for the entire spectrum of Dutch politics, from the conservative government of Prime Minister Mark Rutte to the ex-Maoist Socialist Party.

If you dont like it here, you can leave, Rutte told immigrants earlier this month. The Wall Street Journal commented that, coming from a multilingual classical-music lover, long known for pro-globalization and socially liberal policies, this rhetoric epitomizes a European establishment that is ever more openly embracing the right-wing populism embodied by Wilders.

The Journal noted, In France, the presidential candidate for conservative party Les Republicains, Francois Fillon, has heavily focused on defending French cultural identity, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel, seeking a fourth term in September, has stepped back from her open-door immigration policy. The newspaper added, In the U.K., Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May has made stronger immigration controls a priority for the countrys future relations with the EU.

The seemingly magnetic appeal of Wilders right-wing populism to bourgeois politicians on both sides of the Atlantic was expressed in an outburst by US Congressman Steve King, a representative from Iowa, who this week proclaimed, Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies.

For decades, bourgeois historians have asserted that the rise of fascism in the 1930s, contrary to the analysis of Marxists such as Leon Trotsky, was some sort of terrible accident, the result of the actions of madmen like Hitler and Mussolini who took power despite the best efforts of capitalist politicians to preserve democracy.

By contrast, Trotsky explained that fascism was the expression of the basic tendencies of capitalism, which in periods of relative prosperity can afford the outward trappings of democracy, but in periods of crisis reverts to its basic inherent tendency: militarism and dictatorship, which capitalist politicians seek to provide with a populist cover through xenophobic and nationalist demagogy.

The emergence of fascism in 20th century Europe and the coming to power of the Nazis amid the Great Depression in 1933 were not an isolated historical catastrophe never to be repeated, but the product of capitalism and its deep decay. In the 21st century, amid the deepest capitalist crisis since the 1930s, fascistic forces increasingly dominate European bourgeois politics.

Just three days before the election, Rutte sought to prove his right-wing credentials by provoking a major diplomatic incident with Turkey. His government banned the Turkish Foreign Minister from entering the Netherlands, barricaded the Turkish Consulate in Rotterdam, and expelled the Turkish Minister of Family Affairs with a police escort to the countrys border.

The other parties applauded, including the social democratic Labour Party (PvdA) and the pseudo-left Socialist Party. Parties throughout Europe followed suit. In Germany, the Left Party enthusiastically greeted Ruttes right-wing provocation and urged the German government to follow the example of the consistent approach of the Dutch government.

This shift far to the right is the response of the bourgeois parties to a profound crisis of capitalist society in the Netherlands and across Europe. Decades of welfare cuts, the enrichment of a tiny minority at the expense of the majority and the spread of war have generated economic and social tensions that cannot be resolved by democratic methods.

Under the impact of class and international contradictions that are too highly charged, the safety switches of democracy either burn out or explode, wrote Leon Trotsky in 1929, more than three years before the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany. That is what the short circuit of dictatorship represents.

Then, as now, the bourgeoisie responds to the crisis of the capitalist system with militarism, war and dictatorship. The methods of social conciliation, on which bourgeois rule was based in the post-war period, have long ceased to function. The social democratic parties and trade unions are discredited and have lost any support in the working class.

In the Netherlands, the PvdA, once one of the most influential European social democratic parties, stands on the brink of collapse. In opinion polls, it is in seventh place. In the early 1980s, the PvdA launched the attack on the Dutch social security system and has since played a leading role in destroying it. Since 2012, there have been six PvdA ministers in Ruttes right-wing government. Its best-known representative, the head of the Euro Group, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, came to prominence agitating for austerity against Greece.

Now the Dutch ruling class is trying to avert the threat of a social explosion by drawing on the methods of fascism, mobilizing the dregs of society against the working class.

Wilders, himself a former parliamentary deputy of Ruttes Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), appeals to the middle class, faced with the threat of being thrown into the mass of the working poor, and to the frustration of impoverished workers by blaming immigrants for this social misery. In the first half of the 20th century, fascism used the Jews as scapegoats; today, a bankrupt political system scapegoats immigrants and Muslims.

The adoption of Wilders right-wing policies by the establishment parties must be taken as a warning. The ruling elites are preparing to break with democratic methods, to suppress any opposition to social cuts and militarism.

This is true not only in the Netherlands. After the Brexit referendum in the UK and the election of Trump as president of the United States, the Dutch election is setting the tone for the French presidential election in April, where far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leads in the polls, and for the German elections in September, where the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) is garnering similar poll numbers to Wilders PVV.

The fact that it is the far-right forces that profit from the deepest crisis of world capitalism since the 1930s is an unanswerable indictment of the capitalist political establishment.

The return of fascism, war and militarism can only be opposed by an independent movement of the international working class, fighting for the overthrow of capitalism and the construction of a socialist society. This means building sections of the International Committee of the Fourth International throughout Europe and internationally.
Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes administration and the National Democratic Front (NDF), the legal wing of the Maoist Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), issued an announcement on March 11 in Utrecht that they had reached an agreement and were resuming peace talks. The five-point agreement, they stated, was arrived at through back-channel negotiations following the collapse of previous negotiations and the lifting of the ceasefire in early February.

The peace talks failed as a result of deliberate violations of the ceasefire agreement by both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the CPPs armed wing, the New Peoples Army (NPA). Jorge Madlos, of the NPA National Operational Command, appears to be heading a faction which is opposed to the ceasefire and peace talks and is working to sabotage them.

On February 7, Duterte ordered the AFP to launch all-out war against the NPA. He repeated this cry on a number of occasions. On March 9, he called for the AFP to use newly-purchased jets and missiles to bombard regions allegedly held by the NPA. If there is collateral damage, he said, Sorry. Two days later the resumption of the peace talks was announced.

The rapid shifting, from talk of peace and coalition to all-out war and back to peace again, is a product of immense political volatility. The vulgar rhetoric and lurching political zig-zags of Duterte are less an expression of the psychology of this former mayor and death squad leader, and far more an expression of an insoluble social crisis and imminent danger of imperialist war.

Dutertes moves to reorient Philippine economic and diplomatic ties away from Washington and in the direction of Beijing have deeply destabilized bourgeois politics in the former colony of US imperialism.

At the same time, there is evidence of mounting social opposition and hostility from the working class and oppressed masses. A survey in December revealed that eight out of ten Filipinos feared for their lives or the lives of a loved one as a result of Dutertes murderous war on drugs. Over the past weekend, thousands of homeless families in Bulacan seized over 5,000 empty government homes and declared their intent to occupy them.

In this unstable situation, Duterte has sought to shore up his shaky hold on power by resting his administration on simultaneous support from the military and the CPP.

Under the auspices of his war on drugs, which has killed over 8,000 people in the past eight months, Duterte has prepared the apparatus of military rule. He does not control the military brass, however. The generals are loyal, above all, to Washington. As Duterte has moved closer to Beijing, their loyalty to him has wavered, and they have gotten in the habit of publicly gainsaying his statements.

Duterte has relied on the CPP and its front organizations, meanwhile, to contain class tensions and mobilize support behind his right-wing agenda. The CPP selected four members to serve in Dutertes cabinet and led rallies in support of the president and his policies. It has used its role in suppressing opposition to the government to negotiate terms in the peace deal and positions within Dutertes government. Just as Duterte does not fully control his military leadership, however, it is also clear that Joma Sison, head of the CPP, does not fully control the NPA.

This is an explosive situation.

The response of the CPP and its front organizations to the mounting opposition to the social crisis gripping Philippines society and to the Duterte administration, has been to issue an appeal for unity and struggle. Using the language of Stalinism, they called on the party and its front organizations to maintain unity with Duterte, while struggling with him at the same time. They are working as a loyal opposition, containing protests against Duterte, criticizing some of his policies, and calling for pressure to be brought to bear upon his government, but always concluding with support.

Thus, while in their demonstrations the CPPs front organizations now denounce Duterte as a fascist, the Maoists remain within his cabinet. The CPP is still negotiating peace, and every rally and leaflet concludes with a call to pressure Duterte back to the interests of the people.

Eight months ago, the CPP enthusiastically endorsed Dutertes presidency, including explicitly supporting his so-called war on drugs as a progressive measure on behalf of the poor.

This stark and grotesque political trajectory is not an aberration, but the necessary expression of the CPPs Stalinist program. A survey of the history of the CPP reveals that this is the partys standard pattern of behavior. In its half century of existence, the CPP has demonstrated that there is not a single section of the capitalist class or its representatives whom they will not endorse and, when it subsequently becomes politically necessary, decry.

The CPP and Stalinism

The CPP was founded on the program of Stalinism. The Stalinist bureaucracies in Moscow and Beijing, in betrayal of Marxism and the Russian Revolution, sought to secure their privileged status behind the program of Socialism in One Country. Stalinist parties around the globe, in the name of this program, subordinated the working class to the bourgeoisie, telling them that the revolutionary tasks were national and democratic in character, and not yet socialist. They claimed that a section of the bourgeoisie would thus play a revolutionary role and could serve as a political ally. In this way, they mobilized the working class behind their enemy, the capitalists, and in return secured choice positions and a modicum of support for the interests of Moscow or Beijing. The result for the working class has always been disastrous.

In the name of this program, Sison, head of Kabataang Makabayan, the youth wing of the Communist Party, endorsed Ferdinand Marcos for president in 1965, claiming that Marcos and his Nacionalista Party represented a progressive force in Philippine society. Sison continued this support for several years, personally meeting with Marcos in 1967 to discuss economic policy and writing a public letter to the president in November of that year offering him friendly advice, which he signed Very Truly Yours, Jose Ma. Sison.

In 1967, however, the Communist Party split in two. Both retained their Stalinist program, but one was loyal to Moscow and the other, the CPPwhich Sison founded in December 1968to Beijing. Marcos moved to open ties with the Eastern European bloc, and Sison and the CPP broke with him. The CPP, in keeping with the perspective of Mao Zedong, established the New Peoples Army to carry out a peasant war in the countryside. The NPA was, in its own founding documents, proclaimed to be a means of securing ties with a section of the bourgeoisie in a broad national united front.

Sison and the CPP gave their full support to Marcoss leading rival, Benigno Aquino and the Liberal Party (LP). They actively campaigned for the LP in the 1971 election and repeatedly denounced Marcos as a fascist. In return, the LP funded the CPP and its front groups and gave token support for Beijings foreign policy interests, traveling repeatedly to China and occasionally bringing back copies of Maos Red Book for Sison and his cohort.

When Marcos declared martial law in September 1972, the Moscow-oriented party embraced his dictatorship and entered his cabinet, murdering the members of their own party who opposed this policy. The bourgeois opposition to Marcos quietly acquiesced and took up life in exile.

Sison and the CPP welcomed martial law. Sison hailed its declaration, writing that the conditions of revolutionary struggle have been tremendously enhanced. As their bourgeois allies disappeared, the CPP sought allies from among landlord class, whom they termed, the enlightened gentry. The struggle of the working class in the cities, which had reached explosive levels before the declaration, was silenced by the military dictatorship, and the CPP directed all remaining opposition to the countryside, effectively stabilizing Marcos rule.

In the lead-up to the Marcos dictatorships collapse in 1986, the CPP opposed his leading bourgeois rival, Corazon Aquino, as being no different from Marcos and pursued a boycott policy in the February electiona policy initially promoted by a small section of the bourgeoisie. On Marcoss ouster, the CPP abruptly altered its line and declared enthusiastic support for the progressive Aquino administration, calling on workers and peasants to endorse her.

In 1987, the CPP front organizations led a march to the presidential palace of Malacanang, with placards appealing to Cory our Hero to grant land reform. Aquino had her troops open fire on the peasant rally, killing 13.

Only after this event did the CPP, by a split vote, break ties with Aquino and begin to denounce her as a fascist. On her death in 2009, Sison described Aquino as an outstanding and inspiring figure in the anti-fascist alliance. The CPP was at the time looking to form an alliance with her son.

Each subsequent election and political crisis has seen similar maneuvers and betrayals by the CPP. The partys front organizations played a crucial role in the ouster of President Joseph Estrada by constitutional coup in 2001, and the installation of Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into office. They hailed her as progressive and sought an alliance with her administration. When, in a move to stabilize her rule, she sent troops to crack down on poor protesters on Mendiola, they supported her action as the suppression of a rabble. Within three years, as class tensions again mounted and the alliance soured, the CPP denounced her as a fascist.

Duterte and the CPP

No development has more clearly demonstrated the rotten character of the CPPs Stalinist politics, however, than its relationship with Duterte. The partys full-throated support for Duterte was directly responsible for his rise to political prominence over several decades as mayor of Davao City, where he openly functioned as the head of the citys death squads.

When Duterte briefly withdrew from the presidential race in late 2015, the front organizations of the CPP formed an alliance with a rival candidate Grace Poe. They proclaimed her the progressive representative of the national bourgeoisie, but it was a half-hearted alliance at best. When Duterte re-entered the race, the CPP front group candidates were already running on Poes ticket and could not back out to join Duterte.

Last May, immediately after the election, Bayan, the CPP front umbrella group, issued a statement mildly criticizing Dutertes economic agenda. Sison responded, publicly upbraiding Bayans leadership. You dont just attack capitalists, he stated. We can work with nationalist capitalists even as we talk to and persuade compradors  Our honeymoon is just beginning. Were talking to him. Hes offered us positions.

Less than a week after Dutertes election, the CPPs official paper, Ang Bayan declared that Duterte would carry out progressive policies that should be supported. From this point, the partys enthusiastic endorsement of Duterte proceeded with extraordinary speed.

As the CPP entered this alliance, the fascistic character of Duterte was already crystal clear. During his campaign, he threatened to declare martial law, and stated that his law and order campaign would leave 100,000 bodies floating in the bay. He vowed that if workers went on strike he would kill them; he said murdered journalists deserved to be killed.

The CPP selected four members to serve in Dutertes cabinet. They led rallies in support of his administration. In late June, Sison said a coalition government of the CPP with the Duterte administration was in sight. He declared the forces of the NPA could merge with the AFP, or serve as armed guards at factories. The class outlook of the CPP could not be clearer. Sison was declaring it would police the working class at factories on behalf of the state, if peace were declared.

The CPP wholeheartedly endorsed Dutertes murderous drug war. On June 21, Ang Bayan wrote: The people will completely support [puspusang susuportahan] the steps that Duterte will take to remove and punish the drug syndicates. Duterte called upon the NPA to join his war on drugs, and on July 7 the NPA excitedly declared it was pleased to hear the appeal of the Duterte regime to the revolutionary forces to assist in his campaign.

Einstein Recedes, secretary general of the CPPs youth front organization, Anakbayan, declared on June 26: We believe that Dutertes campaign against dangerous drugs and crime is a boon to the poor. Bayan hosted a dinner for Duterte in July, in which he announced: If you know of any addicts, go ahead and kill them yourself. Bayan had the head of the Philippine National Police, Bato de la Rosa, the man directly responsible for carrying out this murderous campaign, speak at one of their rallies. Renato Reyes, head of Bayan, eagerly shook his hand afterward and posted the image on Facebook.

As the death toll mounted, and it became apparent that a campaign of mass murder had been launched, the CPP and its front groups continued to support Duterte. Bayans official statement in mid-July peddled the line being promoted by the Duterte administration, which pretended that the deaths were being carried out by drug dealers themselves, killing each other.

Social opposition is reaching a breaking point, however, and the CPP is scrambling to retain its influence among the masses. Vencer Crisostomo, chair of Anakbayan, told a rally this month: Everyday it is becoming more clear that Duterte is a hangman, a fascist, and desires to become a dictator like his idol, Marcos. He did not call for a break with the Duterte administration, however. Just as the CPP welcomed martial law in 1972, so he expressed a willingness to welcome it now, stating: Marcos was dubbed the number 1 recruiter of the NPA. Duterte may as yet beat the record of Marcos.

Sison and the CPP have played a politically criminal role in stabilizing and promoting the fascistic Duterte administration and in corralling opposition to it. This role is in keeping with the partys entire history and expresses its political program and class orientation.

Philippine history has already demonstrated the immense danger that martial law poses to the working class. The CPP made its declaration possible in 1972, and welcomed it. The CPP is following the precisely the same orientation today.

The Filipino working class and oppressed masses must draw the lessons of this history. There is no way that they can defend their basic democratic rights on the basis of the Stalinist program of nationalism and class collaboration. Only on the basis of the struggle for socialism, in alliance with their class brothers and sisters around world, and independent of every section of the bourgeoisie, can the Filipino working class defend its interests and its very lives from the imminent danger of dictatorship.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbulls federal Liberal-National government has unveiled a so-called expert panel tasked with imposing yet another standardised test, this time on Year 1 students.

On January 31, the first day of the new school year, Education Minister Simon Birmingham declared that new phonics and numeracy tests would comprise part of the governments back to basics education approach. This approach is supposedly aimed at using record and growing levels of investment in Australian schools as effectively as possible to turnaround areas of stagnating or worsening performance.

The reality is that public schools and their students are grossly under-resourced. The governments new testing regime is aimed at further undermining the public education system, by extending the impact of the former Labor governments National Assessment ProgramLiteracy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing regime. NAPLAN remains the pivotal mechanism for federal and state government moves to target working class schools for reform or closure, tie teachers job security and salaries to standardised test results, and narrow the curriculum, bringing back regressive teaching methods through teaching to the test.

While NAPLAN begins with Year 3 students, the government has now moved to target children two years earlier, with six-year-olds to be tested on their numeracy and literacy skills.

While details of the numeracy testing component remain unclear, the reactionary agenda behind the new literacy phonics screen becomes clear when one examines the experts appointed to the government panel. Not a single literacy expert or educational academic has been assigned to inform the development and implementation of a national Year 1 check.

Instead, four individuals have been appointed directly from a right-wing campaign group, led by the Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) and backed by the Murdoch media.

The CIS is a free market think tank, financed by mining companies and other transnational corporations. In recent years it has focussed its remit on demanding austerity budget cuts that target the working class, totalling $60 billion a year, every year for a decade.

Last year the CIS established the Five from Five education campaign group, led by CIS staffer Jennifer Buckingham. Buckingham is one of the four literacy-based appointees to the phonics test panel, all of whom are Five from Five campaigners and supportersSteven Capp, principal of Melbournes Bentleigh West Primary School; Pamela Snow, head of the La Trobe Rural Health School; and Mandy Nayton, CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation.

The CISs Five from Five campaign is backed by Murdochs Australian newspaper and has been endorsed by multiple dyslexia campaign and advocacy organisations. It purports to be a group of organisations and individuals who support the objective of promoting effective, evidence-based reading instruction.

In fact, the CIS is using the literacy campaign as a cynical cover to advance its agenda of dismantling the public education system.

Jennifer Buckingham has authored numerous propaganda pieces, in the guise of research reports and op-ed pieces in the Murdoch and financial press, to attack public schools. In a 2014 CIS paper, School Funding on a Budget, she declared that education cannot be quarantined from efforts to bring the [budget] back into balance, adding that measures to reduce future spending and improve productivity could include removing mandatory class sizes and making it easier for principals to dismiss ineffective teachers, that is, to victimise targeted teachers and impose cost-cutting layoffs.

Buckingham also advocates so-called vouchers, the mechanism long advocated by proponents of a wholly privatised school system, in which families are annually allocated a set amount of public money for each school child that can be used to enrol them at either public or private schools. In addition, she has campaigned for charter schools, i.e., schools that are publicly funded but privately operated. In a 2015 CIS paper, Free to Choose Charter Schools: How charter and for-profit schools can boost public education, Buckingham insisted that a corporate takeover of chronically-failing [public] schools would provide the positive disruptive reform Australian education needs.

Backed by the government, this right-wing ideologue is now posturing as an expert on the teaching of reading.

The Year 1 testing panel will report to the government by the end of April. Education Minister Birmingham, however, has already outlined what will be in the new phonics test. The government is importing a British phonics test, first imposed on primary schools there in 2012 by the Conservative-led government. The test involves teachers assessing Year 1 students ability to read 20 words on flashcards, without the context of an authentic text or even a sentence, and 20 so-called pseudo- or nonsense-words. If students are deemed to have failed the test, they have to repeat it in Year 2.

The Australian government has ignored numerous critiques of this test issued by literacy experts.

One survey of teachers found that 91 percent had concluded that the expensive and time-consuming test had told them nothing that they did not already know about their students reading abilities. More fundamentally, the tests extraction of separate words from any meaningful context and the demand that students read them (or, more accurately, pronounce them correctly) is contrary to the premise of all quality literacy instructionnamely, that reading is not simply saying words (barking at print) but generating meaning from print. Isolating individual words prevents young readers from utilising multiple strategies to read, including by predicting what comes next in a sentence through their knowledge of grammar and syntax, text conventions, and prior understanding of the texts subject.

These issues emerge most sharply with the required testing of pseudo-words.

Children will be instructed to read computer-generated nonsense such as shan, flarm, and strom. This is supposedly being done in order to assess the students knowledge of letter-sound relationships. In practice, however, fluent readers (who have moved beyond inefficient sounding out, decoding strategies) know that reading should always make sense, and they approach the test on that basis. Reports have documented strong readers saying, for example, storm instead of strom, and farm instead of flarm, and therefore being ranked in the standardised test as less proficient than emergent readers, who laboriously sound out f-l-ah-ar-mm and s-t-r-oh-mm. (See: Howard Gibson and Jennifer England, The inclusion of pseudo words within the year one phonics screening check in English primary schools, Cambridge Journal of Education, 2015.)

Such reports underscore the fact that the Australian governments new testing measures have nothing to do with assisting either students or teachers.

The immediate agenda is to mandate regressive new teaching measures in public schools across the country. In Britain, the introduction of the phonics test was accompanied by the statutory imposition of a specific literacy teaching model, known as synthetic phonics. Well trained literacy educators will teach the complex relationship between the English alphabets 26 letters and the 4244 sounds within spoken English, as it is developmentally required for each studentthrough an open and inquiring engagement with rich picture story books and other texts written by real authors, and through authentic writing experiences.

Synthetic phonics, on the other hand, is made up of a rigidly presented, one-size-fits-all, instruction in letter-sound relationships. There are countless commercially marketed synthetic phonics programs, such as Jolly Phonics, for which the governments agenda promises a profit bonanza. They typically present one letter-sound per day or per week instruction for the whole class, regardless of different students literacy development, and use commercially-produced phonics texts (the fat cat sat on the mat) instead of engaging books written by genuine authors to entertain and enlighten the children. In attempting to reduce the learning of reading to a mindless set of mechanical skills, the government is promoting synthetic phonics as another means of narrowing the school curriculum and suppressing creative and critical thought among young people in the public school system.

The CIS and its Five from Five campaign is also agitating for direct instructiona deeply authoritarian, 1950s-style teaching method involving teachers clicking their fingers and students chanting rote-memorised responses. American-based companies selling direct instruction scripts for schools and teachers have already received millions of dollars, via government contracts, for use in Aboriginal schools in Queensland and the Northern Territory. One direct instruction organisationGood to Great Schools Australia, which operates in Queenslands Cape York indigenous communitiesis part of the CIS Five from Five campaign.

Despite the documented disasters that direct instruction has wrought across Aboriginal communities, including plummeting school attendance rates and increased student disruption and violence, the government has indicated its intention to extend the direct instruction model to working class public schools across the country.

In the face of this onslaught, the teachers unions are once again demonstrating their complicity with the government. A statement issued by the Australian Education Union on January 31 raised nothing about the political agenda behind the phonics test, and instead urged the government to adopt the bogus Gonski school funding model, which is backed by the opposition Labor Party, the original sponsor of standardised testing.
Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents have endured a week of disastrous power outages, after high winds and falling trees on March 7 and 8 downed powerlines and broke utility poles and equipment. At its peak last week, more than a million homes, schools and businesses in the metropolitan Detroit area and outstate areas had no electricity.

With no power or heat for days on end, working-class families, the elderly and infirm braved chilling temperatures in their homes or scrambled to stay with relatives, friends or at hotels, some of which raised prices to exploit the situation. Traffic lights in Detroit were darkened at busy intersections for days.

At least two deaths were attributed to the outages, with authorities suspecting an emergency power generator caused the fatal carbon monoxide poisoning of 75-year-old Lonnie Sibbett and 70-year-old Leona Sibbett at their home near Jackson.

Seeking to assuage public anger, officials from DTE Energy repeatedly set new deadlines for the restoration of power, only to revise them again and again. Despite 16-hour shifts by thousands of linemen and tree cutters, including those who traveled from Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana, as of this writing at least 4,000 customers still have no power, according to DTE.

Utility executives and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder blamed 60-70 mile-per-hour winds for the largest power outage in state history. The scope of the blackout and human suffering, however, cannot be attributed to nature, let alone an act of God. This was a manmade and entirely avoidable disaster, which once again exposes the irrational character of capitalism and the subordination of human need to the relentless pursuit of private profit.

Michigans severe weather patterns are well known. Both DTE Energywhich saw 670,000 of its customers lose powerand Consumers Energywhich saw 300,000are notorious for cost cutting and failing to maintain and upgrade their largely decaying electrical infrastructure.

It is well known, for example, that burying power lines results in fewer power outages and improved reliability because circuits are protected from storm damage, auto accidents and animal interference. Although some cities in the US and around the world have begun undergrounding, DTE has repeatedly rejected proposals, claiming the costs of installing and monitoring buried power lines are prohibitive.

DTE executives and investors, along with city and state officials, both Democratic and Republican, have concluded that it is a waste of money to improve the infrastructure in large parts of the Detroit metro area and other economically devastated former auto manufacturing hubs like Flint, Pontiac and Saginaw, where there has been reduced industrial demand and the growth of impoverished customers who cannot afford their exorbitant bills.

Detroit residents regularly complain about frayed and decaying power lines, which spark and cause fire damage to homes or entire blocks. What investment DTE has made largely involves measures to stop alleged energy theft by impoverished residents and to make it easier to shut off delinquent customers. After popular outrage erupted in the aftermath of a series of fatal house fires caused by utility shutoffs, DTE installed millions of smart meters, which allow the company to remotely shut off customers without sending someone to their homes.

The politically connected energy giant is deeply involved in downsizing Detroit and stripping whatever assets it considers potentially profitable. In 2013, Detroits Democratic mayor, David Bing, who had spent two decades on DTEs corporate board before taking office, handed the city over to an emergency manager who promptly threw it into bankruptcy. The one proviso the mayor set was that the emergency manager would complete Bings plan to hand the citys street lighting system to DTE.

Earlier this year, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a four percent rate hike for DTE, which went into effect on February 7. At the time, Trevor F. Lauer, DTE president and chief operating officer, said that the rate hikes were needed among other things to modernize the electric infrastructure in our Southeast Michigan service territory. The electricity rate hike followed the state regulators approval of a 9.9 percent rate increase for DTE Energy Co.s natural gas service.

The utility had a gross income of $1.93 billion in 2016, up from $1.74 billion in 2015. In the last five years, DTE Energy pulled in $8.61 billion in gross income. Its share value has doubled over the last five years, and in the last year alone its stock price has risen from $88.06 to $100.46, almost three times the share price of General Motors.

Rather than investing in serious infrastructure upgrades, DTE is increasingly investing in unregulated energy trading, i.e., Enron-style speculation, as well as construction and far more profitable natural gas projects.

In 2015, DTE Energy CEO Gerald Anderson made $9,674,769 in total compensation, according to his proxy statement. Of this total, his salary was $1,268,269, he was paid a bonus of $1,973,000, he received stock awards of $6,299,250 and $134,250 came from other types of compensation. In addition, the company pays out lucrative quarterly dividends to its major shareholders, including hedge funds Vanguard, State Street and BlackRock, which cater to high net worth individuals.

While its top executives and investors wallow in money, DTE has announced that customers can apply for a credit for $25 because of the outages, which cost individuals hundreds if not thousands of dollars in lost wages, spoiled food, hotel bills, frozen pipes and other losses. To add insult to injury, customers will only receive this princely sum if DTE investigators determine their outage lasted more than 120 hours, or five days.

The looting of societys resources at the expense of vital infrastructure is hardly limited to Michigan. Last week, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its report card, issued every four years, on Americas infrastructure. It gave both the US generally and energy infrastructure specifically a D+.

Much of the U.S. energy system predates the turn of the 20th century, the report states. Most electric transmission and distribution lines were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s with a fifty year life expectancy, and more than 640,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines in the lower 48 states power grids are at full capacity.

The report notes that due to aging infrastructure, severe weather events, and attacks and vandalism, in 2015 Americans experienced a reported 3,571 total [electric] outages, with an average duration of 49 minutes. It then warns, Without greater attention to aging equipment, capacity bottlenecks, and increased demand, as well as increasing storm and climate impacts, Americans will likely experience longer and more frequent power interruptions.

The report estimates that the investment gap between what is needed and what will be spent on electric infrastructure between 2016 and 2025 is $177 billion. The report notes that funding is generally not an issue for the utility giants when it comes to building new transmission and distribution (T&D) lines; nevertheless electric utilities and market researchers predict a modest reduction in T&D spending in years 2017 to 2020.

In other words, without seeing sufficient profit opportunities, the utilities are rolling the dice on near-failing infrastructure, regardless of the devastating human impact. This is the most forceful argument for nationalizing the utility industry and running it as a genuinely public enterprise, free from the relentless demands by Wall Street for ever-higher investor returns.

This will require a mass political movement by the working class against both big-business parties, which have squandered trillions on war, bank bailouts and corporate tax cuts. Instead of Trumps bogus infrastructure proposals, which will funnel even more money to private corporate interests, the Socialist Equality Party calls for a multitrillion-dollar public works program to rebuild the countrys infrastructure.

All basic utilities, including electricity, gas, phone and Internet connections, must be made available to everyone as a basic social right. This and all other social rights must be paid for by seizing the ill-gotten gains of the financial aristocracy and nationalizing the banks as part of a planned, socialist economy.
The South Sudan civil war, which erupted in December 2013, is assuming an increasingly genocidal character, according to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR). In the course of the war, both the US-backed government led by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) and President Salva Kiir, and SPLA opposition faction led by Vice President Riek Machar, have carried out atrocities against civilians.

On February 7, UN experts officially began registering warning signs for ethnic cleansing and indicators for genocide. The situation is characterized by massive insecurity and large-scale polarization of communities, the UN found.

The SPLA regime has organized a scorched earth campaign and is carrying out population engineering through forced relocation of ethnic minorities. Kiir and other top SPLA officials have directly ordered mass killing and property seizures against civilian communities. SPLA members frequently abuse civilians at military checkpoints and during warrantless searches of residential areas.

Barely six years after its secession from the Sudan, a development hailed by Western bourgeois public opinion as a victory for democracy and the self-determination of nations, South Sudan is experiencing levels of chaos and social breakdown which bring to mind the worst catastrophes of the 20th century.

Three years of civil war have produced widespread famine and a massive refugee crisis. Some 1.5 million South Sudanese have already become refugees, and 2 million have been displaced internally as a result of the war. Some 700,000 are in refugee camps across the border in Uganda. One million South Sudanese are at risk of starving in the coming year.

The crisis in South Sudan is an advanced manifestation of the unviability and breakdown of the nation-state system across Africa and worldwide. The pressure of world imperialism against the oppressed countries finds its sharpest expression in the weakest nations.

South Sudans political structure, controlled by a coalition of generals and aspiring dictators cobbled together with US cash and weapons, ruled for only two years before breaking in two. Between 2012-2013, the Kiir leadership pursued policies aimed at driving the Machar faction out of the government. In an effort to tighten his grip over the South Sudanese government, President Kiir ordered the firing of hundreds of military and political officials and reorganized the top committees of the state so as to entrench his own supporters in power. In December 2013, gunfire broke out during meetings of the SPLMs National Liberation Council amid circumstances that remain unclear. President Kiir seized on the clashes to accuse Machar of planning a coup, and expel him and his supporters from the government.

The state of war between the SPLA factions has since served, to a large extent, as a pretext for the expropriation and murder of ethnic minorities and civilians generally. The UN found that: Civilians have been deliberately and systematically targeted on the basis of their ethnicity by armed forces and groups, including SPLA and SPLM/A in Opposition, and also by groups aligned with them. Individuals have been targeted for killing, arbitrary arrest and detention, sexual violence, sexual slavery and forced marriage. Communities have been subjected to scorched-earth policies that result in the destruction of their homes and means of livelihood. Many of the attacks have been carried out by SPLA soldiers and the militias affiliated with them. Armed groups attack villages, burn homes, kill and rape.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed in horrific attacks, often targeted on the basis of their ethnicity or perceived allegiances, the UN found.

For all this savagery, the SPLA is merely a local enforcer of the policies and economic interests of the American ruling class. The men organizing the killing from Juba were placed in power as part of a geopolitical operation aimed at opening Sudans oil resources to exploitation by American firms. Washington has sought for decades to exploit long-standing conflicts between the Sudans northern and southern elites as a means of projecting power against the central Sudanese government in Khartoum, whose ties to China and the Soviet Union threatened to block American companies from accessing Sudans oil fields.

Founded in 1983, the SPLA became a favored proxy army of US imperialism, developing close ties with the US political elite and rising, during the 2005-2011 transition process, to assume control of the newly-formed South Sudanese state. The signature black cowboy hat of President Salva Kiir, without which he never appears in public, was a gift from none other than US President George W. Bush, given to Kiir at the White House in July 2006.

While in power, the Kiir and the SPLA have employed ethno-nationalism as an ideological cover for its self-serving collaboration with imperialism. Advertising themselves as leaders of a liberation movement, the SPLAs cadres could be more accurately described as networks of US-backed warlords. They view the South Sudanese state as nothing more than a means of expanding their property and privileges. Despite being expelled from the Juba government, Machars opposition forces continue to manage significant business interests and maintain ties to foreign government and corporations. Machars militias remain armed and continue to occupy territory and move about the country largely at will. In a telling detail reported by the Sentry, the families of Kiir and Machar, who pose as mortal enemies in public view, live just miles apart in luxurious mansions near Nairobi.

New Kiirs and Machars are being cultivated by American imperialism in countless countries. The historic processes that pushed the United States to support the break-up of the Sudan are active on every continent. They are essentially the same tendencies of development that have defined world politics for 100 years: the domination of finance capital and the economic rivalry between the major nations produces an endless chain of regional wars, military dictators and ethnic slaughters.

The removal of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) from the geopolitical landscape has, since 1991, cleared the way for 25 years of relentless economic and military warfare against the former colonial countries. A quarter century of unobstructed capitalist world-rule has produced nothing less then the liquidation of entire sections of world society. Tens of millions are living as homeless refugees, with no social or political rights, as a consequences of the wars and counterrevolutionary economic policies of the worlds capitalist governments.

Last Friday, UN humanitarian leader Stephen OBrien described the international humanitarian situation as worse then any time since 1945. Spreading famine and disease are threatening the lives of 20 million people living in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria, OBrien said.

More South Sudans are being prepared. In every part of the world, the economic and political objectives of the US ruling elite demand not peaceful development and the raising of living standards, but ever greater levels of destruction and robbery. During the epoch of imperialism, as Leon Trotsky wrote, the capitalist organization of world economy becomes its opposite, that is, barbarous disorganization and chaos. In lines that could easily have been written yesterday, as an explanation of the broader historical process that has led to the catastrophe in South Sudan, Trotsky wrote:

The future development of world economy on the capitalistic basis means a ceaseless struggle for new and ever new fields of capitalist exploitation, which must be obtained from one and the same source, the earth. The economic rivalry under the banner of militarism is accompanied by robbery and destruction which violate the elementary principles of human economy.

The fate of South Sudan, like that of Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia, shows the future that capitalism and imperialist war have in store for humanity unless stopped by the mobilization of the African and international working class in revolutionary struggle.
The WSWS is publishing new translations of Leon Trotsky's writings from February-March 1917. In many cases, these articles are now in English for the first time.

This article was published in the Russian-language New York newspaper Novy mir (New World) on March 15, 1917. It was published in Russian in Trotskys 1923 Voina i Revoliutsiia (War and Revolution), Vol 2, pp. 419-421. It is translated here for the first time. (Translator: Fred Williams; Copyright: WSWS).

Europe is uneasy. A worrisome spring wind is blowing from the Russian East, and it brings with it the revolutionary cries of Petrograd and Moscow workers.

Two years ago, Hohenzollern and Habsburg would have met news about a revolutionary movement in Russia not without satisfaction. But now such news can only fill their hearts with anxious foreboding. For there is unease in Germany and terror in Austria. German submarines are rather successful in sinking Allied munitions, but they are powerless in obtaining even one extra piece of bread or glass of milk for German mothers. And the demonstrations of hungry women in Petrograd and Moscow might tomorrow awaken a response among mothers in Berlin and Leipzig.

We must win, the conservative leader Count Westarp said recently in Dresden, and we must receive indemnity: otherwise, after the war every German soldier will have to pay taxes to the state that are five times greater than he paid before the war.

The French Minister of Finance, Ribot, is of the same opinion as Westarp: we must conquer (Germany), and we must receive indemnity (from Germany)otherwise the rulers will be in difficult straits with the people when the results begin to be tallied. But victory is now just as far away as it was on the first day of the war. Meanwhile France, with its population that has not been growing, has already lost one and a half million dead. And how many legless, armless, insane and blind invalids Terror grips the souls of patriotic windbags and political charlatans who are strangers to a feeling of responsibility, but know very well a sense of fear. The French parliament is seeking a way out. What to undertake? It intends to throw overboard Premier Briand, the father-protector of all financial and political scoundrels of the unhappy republic, in order to replace him with another figure of the same quality, but lesser stature.

England, too, is worried. Lloyd George showed great cunning when it came to sticking a knife into his boss, Asquith. Idlers and simpletons therefore expected that Lloyd George would crush the Germans in the shortest possible time; but this defrocked evangelical, who had become the head of the bandits of British imperialism, turned out to be incapable of performing miracles. The population of England, as in Germany, has become ever more convinced that the war has been driven into a blind alley. Agitation by opponents of the war is finding an ever greater response. The prisons are overflowing with socialists. The Irish are ever more insistently demanding the establishment of home rule from the government which answers with arrests of Irish revolutionaries.

The Italian government, which brought to the war a much greater appetite than an armed force, feels it is on no more solid ground than all the others. On the one hand, the Austro-German submarines are hindering shipments of coal that they need so badly. On the other hand, courageous Italian socialists with ever-growing success are conducting their agitation against the war. The rapidly approaching retirement of the Hungarian dictator Tisza is therefore unable to bring joy to the Italian premier Boselli: it only reminds him of his own fatal hour.

There is unease in the parliaments and governmental circles of warring Europe. Ministerial crises everywhere hang in the air, and if the fall of the tattered leaders of national war is delayed for some reason, then it is only because there are slightly more authoritative parliamentary operators or adventurists who would be prepared to take upon themselves the burden of power under the present circumstances.

Meanwhile the war machine is working non-stop on both sides. All governments want peace and all fear it, for the day that peace negotiations begin will be the day of drawing a balance sheet. Lacking hope for victory, the rulers continue the war, lending an ever more destructive character to its methods. And yet it is becoming cleareven for bourgeois public opinion in the neutral countriesthat only the intervention of a third force is capable of putting an end to the mutual slaughter of the European people. This third force can only be the revolutionary proletariat.

Fear when facing its inevitable emergence is the main force in the politics of governments, parliaments and parties. Both the ministerial crises and the shuffling of parliamentary parties are prompted in the final analysis by their fear of the masses they have deceived.

Under these conditions, the strikes and unrest in Petersburg and Moscow receive a political significance that goes far beyond the borders of Russia. This is the beginning of the end. Every decisive action taken by the Russian proletariat against the most worthless of the worthless European governments will serve as a mighty stimulus for the workers in all other countries. The crust of patriotic moods and military discipline has grown ever so thin over the 31 months of the war. One sharp joltand this crust will turn to dust. The rulers know this. For that reason there is such unease in Europe.

Novy mir, 15 March 1917.
Kastl -- 80th

Mrs. Kastl graduated from Mattoon High School in 1955. She joined the U.S. Navy after high school, and retired from Ampad in Mattoon after 25 years of service. She was active with the Daughters of Isabella (D of I) for many years and enjoyed quilting and bowling with her sisters. She has always donated blood to the American Red Cross since her time in the military. She and Richard often donated together; later they both began donating platelets in lieu of blood, something that she continues to do.
This lot near East Nob Hill Boulevard and South 22nd Street was approved by the city council for a homeless encampment site in Yakima, Wash., Tuesday, March 7, 2017. The lot is between the Yakima City Wastewater Division and the old Kmart store. (SOFIA JARAMILLO/ Yakima-Herald Republic)
Flooding has continued in parts of Kittitas County and the Sheriffs Office has activated its emergency operations center even though waters have started to recede in Ellensburg.
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At the Mattoon Area Family YMCA we offer programs to enhance skills and offer safety in our community. We encourage anyone seeking the skills of a lifeguard to sign up for our upcoming lifeguard certification.

The Mattoon Ys lifeguard certification is offered through the American Red Cross with the next training scheduled for mid-April. This will be considered a blended training which means that there will be some online work required. The other unique detail of the April training is that it will be offered over the Mattoon Unit 2 Spring Break instead of over two long weekends. All participants must be at least 15 years of age to register.

This April Lifeguard Certification will meet April 10 through April 14 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. On Tuesday, April 11, and on Thursday, April 13, participants will need transportation to travel to Sullivan. Anyone registered must attend all dates to qualify for a possible certification.

Participants must be able to pass all pre-requisites for this course. These include: swim 300 yards continually (freestyle and breastroke), tread water without hands for two minutes and swim and retrieve a block within a time limit. To pass the certification, not only do all sessions to need to be attended, but skills must be performed with 100% accuracy and a written test must be completed with at least 80% accuracy.

Space will be limited for the April session and anyone interested is encouraged to register early. Registration is set to close on April 6th. The fee for this course is $190 for our Y members and $215 for non-members. Another certification course may be offered in May but has not been scheduled at this time. For more information on Lifeguard Certification, please contact Austin Birch at abirch@mattoonymca.org or 217-234-9494.

The ability to help someone in an emergency situation may mean saving a life. At the Mattoon Y, CPR certification courses are offered to give you the proper skills. We encourage you to sign up for one of the May CPR classes.

May CPR certifications will be offered on Tuesday, May 2nd -5-9 p.m. and again on Wednesday, May 17th- 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm. CPR certification is through the American Red Cross and is held inside the Mattoon Y. The fee for this certification is $50 and is open to both Y members and non-members. The CPR certification will include First Aid/CPR/First Aid for adults, youth and infants. During the four hour course, all participants will be required to demonstrate some skills.

Registration is currently open for both of these upcoming CPR courses. Please give the Y desk staff a call at 217-234-9494 to register. Other options include registering in person or visit our website, www.mattoonymca.org and click the register tab. Payment is required at the time of registration.
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Seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used Costa Rica as a good model for a potential Palestinian state in his visits to the US and Australia, it may be worth examining the merits of this possibility. As interested Israelis, we have been researchingtogether with Palestinian and Costa Rican academicshow best to learn from the positive experience of the demilitarization of one of Latin America's most democratic republics. We argue that non-militarization is the optimal strategy for the enlightened self-interest of the Palestiniansbut not just as an enemys a priori demand.

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In 1948, an armed popular rebellion was waged in Costa Rica against the military serving the fraudulent government leader, President Teodoro Picado. The revolt was successful, with the rebels taking control of the country, while suffering about 500 casualties out of a population of less than a million at the time.

Instead of having a strong police force and running the risk it could become a powerful national guard that would replace the armyas happened in neighboring Panamathe wise Costa Ricans established several separate functional police forces: judiciary, border control, urban police, etc.

Netanyahu with Trump, raising the possibility of using the Costa Rican model (Photo: Reuters)

After the disbandment of Costa Rica's army, there have been attempted invasions from Nicaragua in the north, both from the dictatorship of the Somoza family as well as the Sandinista rule that followed. The Costa Ricans' alertness and, above all, the Inter-American Reciprocal Defense Treaty, provided deterrence, including support from the air forces of the much larger countries, such as Mexico and Venezuela.

Since then, Costa Rica has not fought in a war nor experienced any significant acts of domestic political violence. Instead of investing in war and security, the defense budget now goes into education. For this political and moral position of strength, Costa Ricas President Oscar Arias was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize four decades later for exporting democracy to the rest of Central America. The proven principle of mutual defense that established democracies do not fight wars with each other, has been also vigorously supported by Natan Sharansky and Ron Dermer's book The Case for Democracy.

Costa Rican President Oscar Arias (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

For this and perhaps other variables, Costa Rica ranks 14th in the World Index of Happiness, the first among Latin American countries. Israel ranks even higher, at 11, while the Palestinian territories rank among the lowest, at 108. This asymmetry is part of the problem.

Can Israels prime minister dictate to the Palestinians that they must follow Costa Rica's example, while at the same timejust in casekeeping the IDF controlling their entire country? His threatening, patronizing tone and demanding attitude is perceived by the Palestinian as something they have no choice but to accept. Netanyahu would be wise to remember, however, the culture of honor and pride prevalent in the Middle East.

The Palestinian case has similarities and differences to Costa Rica. There is no Palestinian army, which makes it easier to overcome the difficult task of dismantling an army. The existing Palestinian Preventive Security Force has no heavy arms, such as tanks, planes or artillery. They are no match against Israel. But while the Lion of Judea is indeed the King of the Jungle, a swarm of bees can still cause terrible pain to the lion. Hence, the future Palestinian state could be seen as non-militarized but still serve as a reminder that while Israel can win wars, it cannot impose peace.

In Costa Rica, the disbandment of the army was not a dictate or demand by an enemy neighbor. The Patio de Agua declaration was self-proclaimed and popular. In interviews conducted with political, civil society and activist leaders in the West Bank, we found that there is overwhelming support for this idea. The main reason they support a Palestine without a military is simple: they want to be a democracy. They do not want to be another Arab a kingdom or a military dictatorship. Many hope to be much more like Israel than other Arab countries. For most of them as refugeeslike we Jews wereemphasis on education is very important, as you can often carry nothing with you but your own peoples bright minds.

The armies of Arab nations have killed more Palestinians than the Israelis didin Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. An international force in the Jordan Valley, including Israelis defending the Palestinian border from neighboring Arab countries, shielding Palestinians from the massacres taking place around them, will provide deterrence that a Palestinian force could not offer.

Palestinian Police train in Jenin (Photo: AP)

Pragmatically, the Palestinians understand that they are no match for these countries, and that an attempt to catch up would require spending unprecedented sums. Realistically, they would have no airspace for their fighting planes to fly in, or waters for their naval vessels to patrol or carry out reconnaissance missions.

In this heavily armed Middle East, no money, space or experience can keep them as safe as regional alliances, accords endorsed by the Quartet (United States, Russia, UN and EU), and peacekeeping forces. If Israel could be part of an international force present in the Jordan Valley to prevent any threat posed by non-democratic regimes, it can be seen, and sold, as a blessing to all.

With some reserved optimism, we can argue that security is not only a zero-sum game that only Israel can rightfully win. If we put ourselves in the Palestinians' shoes, focusing solely on providing security for both parties could and should be seen as a win-win.

From an Israeli perspective, it has always been security first, peace later. In hopes of making progress on one of the core issues of the conflict, and in an effort to look at the conflict from a wider perspective, we should focus on human security, which is defined as freedom from pervasive threats to people's rights, safety and lives. The conflict is composed of people. By addressing the fears and needs of the individual, we are combating greater national and international security risks.

Our wish is that this article comes to the attention of our prime minister and he understands that it is better to discuss non-militarization in a way that would benefit both sides. Our neighbors would have an easier time accepting this win-win scenario in security if we handle it with care rather than threats.

Even though the Israeli leadership is at an impasse on the matter, we have been continuing this study in cooperation with Palestinian and Costa Rican colleagues. One of them is Prof. Amb Rodrigo Carreras, who served twice as Costa Rica's ambassador to Israel, following the footsteps of his late father, Prof. Rev Benjamin Nunez, who also served twice in Israel.

So, a question to our prime minister: do you merely want to score political points or do you really wish to learn from experience and history? Change your tone from provocation to reconciliation, and weand otherswill all be glad to put our modest energies to the service of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In the meantime, we are going to continue with our research and conduct some simulations with our students at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya and at Haifa University.

Long term security correlates also with human security; can we at least agree on that?
US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy held his first talks on Tuesday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, amid Palestinian concerns that the new administration in Washington is more favourably disposed towards Israel.

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Jason Greenblatt's talks with Abbas took place in Ramallah, the Palestinian seat of government, a day after he held a lengthy meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

"President Abbas and I discussed how to make progress toward peace, building capacity of Palestinian security forces and stopping incitement," Greenblatt tweeted after the meeting.

In a separate statement issued by the US Consulate General, the two men "reaffirmed the commitment of both the Palestinian Authority and the United States to advance a genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

Abbas stressed that the Palestinian strategic choice was to achieve a two-state solution, the statement added.

Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been frozen since 2014. Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has been ambivalent about a two-state solution , the mainstay of US policy in the region for the past two decades.

"I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like ... I can live with either one," Trump told a February 15 news conference during a visit to Washington by Netanyahu, causing consternation across the Arab world and in many European capitals.

However, Trump last Friday held his first telephone conversation with Abbas since becoming president and invited him to the White House

Tuesday's statement said Abbas had told Greenblatt he believed that under Trump's leadership "a historic peace deal was possible."

Abbas and Greenblatt also discussed plans to strengthen the Palestinian economy and the importance of ensuring economic opportunities for Palestinians, the statement said.

On Monday, Netanyahu and Greenblatt discussed Israel's settlement building "with the hope of reaching a formula that will aim to promote peace and security," the Israeli leader's office said.

One of the most heated issues between Israel and the Palestinians is Israel's building of settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, territory the Palestinians want for their own future state along with the Gaza Strip.

Greenblatt, a longtime top lawyer in Trump's company, also serves as the president's special negotiator for trade deals, among other responsibilities.
Police have arrested 13 suspects as part of an investigation into corruption in Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the companies providing it goods and services.

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Throughout the course of the investigation, which had been ongoing for a number of months, several senior company officials were arrested in addition to former senior IDF officer Brig. Gen. (res.) Amal Asad.

Asad is believed to have received bribes from the company DruzNet, who allegedly transferred fund to him through his relatives so he would help them keep their IAI contract.

Asad has denied all accusations against him, which include bribery, breach of trust and money laundering.

Israel Aerospace Industries (Photo: IAI)

Among those arrested are also senior board members and a bank manager.

One of the senior IAI board members is suspected for assisting another company in being contracted to work with the IAI. The aforementioned company has previously been said to be dangerously unqualified for the industry.

A police representative stated that the senior board member "worked in a criminal fashion to allow the contracting of a company as a supplier for the IAI. That same company worked in the industry while endangering public safety, by providing services it was not supposed to."

Responding to the question of what danger the senior member poses that warrants an arrest, the police representative said that "the suspect did everything in his power to allow the contracting of a company even though it was unqualified to work with the industry. If not for him, the danger the company posed by its activities as a supplier would not have existed."

Judge Amit Michaels then ruled that "after reading the case file I found the suspicion to be highly plausible. The case file holds dozens of documents against the suspect and his alleged endangering of public safety due to his ties with the aforementioned company."

Brig. Gen. (res.) Amal Asad, at his arrest (Motti Kimchi)

The corruption investigation focused on suppliers providing bribes and kickbacks to company officials in order to win various tenders.

In one glaring example, an as-of-yet unidentified northern Israel company allegedly provided illicit favors in exchange for several IAI contracts. In direct contravention of regulations, the same company was also given clear preference over others in tenders.

According to information from police, the unnamed contracting company was awarded "rolling" orders, meaning, each time payment for a particular service was concluded, an additional service contract would be provided.

Another example includes fraudulent payment invoices being submitted by IAI officials for services that never occurred.

Investigators also believe that the contracting company was illicitly favored due to an association with one of IAI's directors, a senior IDF reserve officer, and his good connections with other IAI executives.

One of the suspects from the northern contracting company is a member of the Likud Central Committee and another is a Histadrut member.

"This is a complex and extensive investigation, which involves a number of different actors being suspected of a variety of offenses including bribery, aggravated fraud, money laundering, theft by a public servant and breach of trust," police said in a statement.

Police also added that the undercover investigation uncovered "systematic criminal conduct and deep suspected corruption that is apparently the norm in IAI.

"This case includes a large and diverse amount of people involved, including board members, executives, managers, junior staff; all those who were gatekeepers (to IAI), in addition to service providers and consultants for the company."

IAI have issued a statement in response to the affair: "Recently, several suspicions of unlawful conduct were checked by the Aerospace Industries.

Following instructions by the CEO and the directorate, the company acted to investigate these suspicions, showing zero tolerance towards any wrongdoing while investing considerable recourse and using many different means in an effort to eliminate these phenomena, which do not reflect our policies.

The resulting findings of these investigations were then handed to the appropriate law enforcement agencies."

The undercover investigation was handled by the Lahav 433 unit of the Israel Police and the Director of Security of the Defense Establishment ("Malmab"). It also involved investigators from the Israel Tax Authority and State Attorney.

As part of the investigation, police have executed search warrants on the homes and offices of the suspects.

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg and Lior Mor)
MARSHALL (JG-TC) -- Three motorists were injured and a Marshall Fire Department pickup truck was damaged in a three-vehicle crash during icy weather Tuesday evening on Interstate 70.

In addition, two motorists were injured in a single-vehicle rollover accident that occurred about a half hour earlier on the same section of I-70.

An Illinois State Police press release reported that the three-vehicle crash took place at approximately 7:45 p.m. on eastbound I-70 near milepost 153.

The accident occurred after a Marshall Fire Department brush truck, driven by William D. Brown of Marshall, stopped on the south shoulder to assist a motorist, Randy L. Aldridge of Jay, Fla., whose pickup truck had slid off the road and onto the shoulder.

As Brown was assisting Aldridge, traffic on I-70 was moving at a greatly reduced speed due to congestion caused by an unrelated earlier accident further west on the interstate.

State police reported that this situation was compounded by the fact that the pickup trucks of Brown and Aldridge were sitting on the opposite shoulder of I-70 from the vehicles in the unrelated accident and by a thin sheet of ice covering most of the interstate in that location.

As a passenger car driven by Trenaya N. Blackburn of Steubenville, Ohio, neared the two pickup trucks, her car went into an uncontrolled skid. This resulted in the car slightly colliding with Brown's pickup before sliding into Aldridge's pickup where it sat on the shoulder.

Blackburn, 25, and two of her passengers -- Sarah J. Blackburn, 45, and Nariah L.Jones, 19, both of Steubenville -- were taken to Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Ind., for treatment of injuries.

Aldridge's passenger, Ronald K. Chavers, 57, of Monticello, Miss., was treated at the accident scene. Blackburn was ticketed for failing to reduce speed and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

A state police press release reported that the unrelated earlier accident took place at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday on eastbound I-70 at milepost 152, five miles east of Marshall.

This accident occurred as a van driven by Gaston Munoz of Terre Haute, Ind., struck an icy bridge deck. The van skidded out of control and ran off of the roadway to the left. The van then struck the median and overturned several times before stopping in the median, facing eastbound.

Two of Munoz's passengers -- Francisco A. Reyes, 39, of Indianapolis and Gaston Munoz Jr., 24, of Terre Haute, Ind. -- were taken to Union Hospital for treatment of injuries. Munoz, 46, was ticketed for driving too fast for conditions and not having a valid driver's license.
Tovah Kararos murder at the HMO clinic in Holon rattled the healthcare system, but the numbers show that this was hardly an isolated incident. Doctors, nurses, social workers and teachers suffer daily attacks, both physical and verbal. Every year, approximately 3,000 violent incidents against public servants, particularly in the healthcare system, are reported.

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Public servantsin healthcare, in schools, among social workers and in public transportwent on strike on Wednesday morning following the murder.

The entire healthcare system was shut down for two hours from 8am to 10am. All government hospitals were closed, including general hospitals, geriatric, psychiatric and rehabilitation facilities. In addition, services were not provided at the HMOs, baby clinics and regional clinics. Procedures not categorized as urgent were postponed.

Nurses' protest in Hillel Yaffe

High schools, social workers, and public transportation workers also joined the demonstrative strikes for a few hours on Wednesday morning.

Rambam Medical Center protest

Each HMO, baby clinic and hospital uses a computerized system that transmits all reported violent incidents to the Ministry of Healths database.

In recent years, the Ministry of Health initiated a pilot project, in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Security, that stations police officers in hospitals.

Today, there are police officers at Rambam (Haifa), Nahariya, Hillel Yaffe (Hadera), Ichilov (Tel Aviv), Wolfson (Holon) and Assaf Harofeh (Rishon Lezion).

The murder suspect (Photo: Yariv Katz)

"We have seen that in spite of police presence, there has been a rise in the number of reported incidents," said David Schwartz, who is responsible for handling incidents against medical staff at the Ministry of Health. "We believe it is precisely that fact (police presence) that encourages medical staff to go and complain."

Recently, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Health have decided to increase the number of police officers placed in hospitals. Some HMOs even have panic buttons and cruisers patrolling the different clinics.

Tovah Kararo (Photo: from Facebook)

Despite all efforts, over the past year, quite a few cases of violence against medical workers have been reportedsix months ago, an Arab physician treated an IDF soldier in the orthopedic emergency room at Assaf Harofeh Hospital in Rishon Lezion. About an hour after treatment, the soldier's father arrived, went into the doctor's office and began cursing him, using racial slurs. The father had also apparently used physical violence. A few months earlier, a family destroyed hospital property following the death of a loved one at Assaf Harofeh.

The Teachers Organization joined the strike in both solidarity and protest against the proliferation of violence aimed at education workers by both students and parents. On Tuesday, the Netivot Chaim yeshiva in Pisgat Zeev was shut down after the mother of one of the students threatened to set a teacher on fire.

The numbers collected by different databases show that over the last two months, there have been more than ten cases of reported violence against education workers, which means that at least one such case occurs every week.

Photo: Assaf Kamar

According to the social workers union and the Ministry of Social Affairs, in 2015, more than 230 violent incidents were reported against social workers, half of which were physical in nature. This represents an increase of about 45 percent compared with the number of violent incidents recorded in 2014.

"Some public workers feel their blood is forfeit," Khadija Abu Ghazal, a social worker from Umm al-Fahm, told Ynet. "Civil servants absorb all the anger and violence in society and they feel like no one has their backs," she continued.

(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
Supporters of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement received support and encouragement from the State of Israel through a law adopted last week . The law, which states that no visa or residency permit of any kind will be granted to foreign citizens who have called for a boycott against Israel, will likely increase and strengthen the boycott movements following.

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As part of the competition between the coalitions members on who can enact more anti-democratic laws, this has to be the most foolish one. According to this law, which was proposed by MKs Bezalel Smotrich (Bayit Yehudi) and Roy Folkman (Kulanu) and is based on a law from 2011, the expression a boycott of the State of Israel is defined as a boycott imposed on a person or a product, including people or products from the West Bank area and the settlements.

We can both feel national pride and believe in human rights," MK Folkman said during the Knesset discussion on the legislation. "We can also defend Israel's name and dignity, and there's no shame in that. But the last thing that this patriotic law does is defend Israels name and dignity.

Anti-Israel campaign. The law will make it more difficult for Jewish organizations to present Israel to the American public as a democratic and pluralistic state

One of the absurd outcomes of this law will be that many people who have been fighting the anti-Israel boycott movement for years, but are in favor of boycotting the territories, will now be included in the list of people barred entry to Israel. In other words, those fighting the anti-Israel boycott movement will be boycotted by the state from now on. We are talking about quite a few Jewish American liberals, whose Zionism is different to MK Smotrichs Zionism. The efficiency of these peoples battle for Israel is ten times higher than the official PR done by the governments messengers, who are funded by public funds worth millions.

Philosopher Michael Walzer, one of the leading intellectuals in the United States, holds a Zionist world view and has been fighting the anti-Israel boycott movement for years but supports a boycott of the settlements. In a recent interview with Haaretz he said: I can assure you that (the law) will greatly help the BDS movement I have already received emails from people who have been critical of the Israeli government but also of BDS, writing that at this point, we might as well join BDS.

This law is so bad and harmful, that even institutionalized Jewish organizations like the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee have warned that it will actually hurt Israel and interfere with their efforts to fight the boycotts against the country, because from now on it will make it more difficult for them to present Israel to the American public as a democratic and pluralistic state.

In fact, the law has already caused damage: Within just a week, more than 100 American researchers have already signed a petition in which they are threatening not to visit Israel.

Contrary to the statement made by one of the laws proposers, MK Folkman, that he believes in human rights, the new law critically undermines the principles democracy and human rights. It is damaging to the right to freedom of movement and the right to freedom of speech of people whose views do not match those of the Israeli government. It also harms Palestinians with a temporary residency permit who live in Israel for the purpose of family reunification, among other things. The Justice Ministrys stand, which sought to exclude them from the law, was rejected, and from now on they will be exposed to a revocation of their rights after expressing political opinions.

This law is also characterized by an extraordinary amount of hypocrisy. On the one hand, it gives the interior minister the authority to act as a commissar of political opinions and bar people from entering based on their views on boycotting the territories. On the other hand, the Israeli government itself has signed scientific cooperation agreement with different countries, including a major prestigious scientific agreement with the European Union, known as Horizon 2020, in which the state pledged that the agreement would not apply to scientific activity taking place in the West Bank, thereby basically joining the boycott against Israeli activity in the territories. In this case, the state gave up its dignity and national pride in return for a few hundred million euros.
Former residents of the illegal outpost of Amona have demanded Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin construction on an alternative settlement, or they will take matters into their own hands.

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A month after the evacuation of Amona, the settlers demanded Netanyahu to clarify plans for the construction of a new settlement, as was agreed upon.

"It has been two months since President Trump was inaugurated. Was this whole performance (agreeing to build a new community) a falsehood designed for you to gain time or do you really love settlements? Amona was your test case. There is no legal or political obstacle preventing a new community in the Trump era," the settlers said in a letter to the prime minister.

Amona protestors outside of the PM's residence (Photo: Amit Shabi)

The letter continued with a threat from the former residents that if construction does not begin by the end of the month, they will build their new homes themselves.

"If your promises to build a new community do not materialize and work does not begin by March 31, then there is no escaping us going to new land to realize your commitments to us, and we will establish ourselves in a new community," they wrote.

The decision to send the scathing letter was made after residents claim agreements were not honored following the meeting between Netanyahu and Trump's Israel advisor, Jason Greenblatt.

"As a businessman, President Trump knows his word is bond and commitments need to be respected," they wrote. "Greenblatt is also a businessman who holds the same values. A man's word is his honor. We are looking to you and at you."

Meanwhile, members of the National Union faction of Bayit Yehudi, led by Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel and MK Bezalel Smotrich, have decided to boycott a team-building activity for coalition members Wednesday to protest Netanyahu's inaction on building a new settlement for Amona evacuees.

In a statement, Ariel and Smotrich said we cannot celebrate or party with the coalition when our brothers and sisters from Amona continue to wallow in appalling conditions and the prime minister refuses to honor his promise to build them a new community.

Amona residents praised the move and called on other right-wing parliamentarians to follow suit.

While we have been on a hunger strike for the past 14 days outside the Prime Minister's Residence, after two months of living in dormitory conditions mourning the demolition of our community and waiting for the government to make a decision, the prime minister is holding gala receptions and celebrations for his friends instead of worrying about honoring his most basic commitments and immediately approving the creation of a new community for people that he evicted from the homes they lived in for 20 years. Where is the shame?"







TPS contributed to this story.

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg and Yaara Shalom)
The German government has officially confirmed that David Shimron , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attorney, was present at a meeting in Tel Aviv between Miki Ganor, German conglomerate ThyssenKrupps representative in Israel, and German Ambassador Clemens von Goetze in December 2015.

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The meeting was held while negotiations were ongoing on a deal to purchase three submarines for the Israeli Navy, raising doubts concerning Shimron's claims that he was not involved in the deal. And while meetings between the German ambassador with representatives of German companies in Israel are not unusual, Shimron's presence raises new questions about his role.

In response to a parliamentary question, German government officials have admitted for the first time that while they are unaware of any conversations between German government representatives and Shimron since January 2014, they can confirm that one meeting was held.

Navy submarine (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)

"Mr. Shimron was present at a lunch in a Tel Aviv restaurant, to which ThyssenKrupp's representative in Israel invited the German ambassador on December 22, 2015. The topic of the meeting was internal and external political issues, as well as general issues," the German government said in a statement.

The meeting was held two months after Netanyahu, accompanied by then-National Security Advisor and current director of the Mossad Yossi Cohen, went to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and discuss, among other things, the possibility of Israel purchasing three submarines. Inside sources said the meeting was held on the sidelines of a diplomatic event.

David Shimron

After the suspicions came to light, Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed he did not know of Shimron's involvement in the negotiations over the submarines deal before November 2016.

But if Shimron , a close associate of Netanyahu's, met with Ganor and the German ambassador in December 2015, it would mean there is a possibility the German government knew of Shimron's involvement in ThyssenKrupp's business a year before Netanyahu learned about it.

German financial newspaper Handelsblatt has reported that Shimron was involved in Ganor's work with ThyssenKrupp and was present at a meeting with the German holding company in Essen.

In his original comment on the case, Shimron claimed he never discussed the submarines with the prime minister or with any other government official.

But since then, it has been revealed that Shimron also worked in conjunction with governmental agents, as indicated by an email sent by the legal adviser to the Defense Ministry, Ahaz Ben-Ari, claiming that Shimron inquired about the cancellation of the international tender for the purchase of the vessels.

The German government's reply to the query indicates that Shimron was indeed in contact, even if indirectly, with representatives of the German government.

According to then Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, it was only in February 2016a month and a half after the said meetingthat he was astounded to discover that Netanyahu had signed an agreement to purchase German submarines without his knowledge.

(Translated and edited by N. Elias and Yaara Shalom)
The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court extended the remand of 78-years-old Asher Faraj by eight days on Wednesday morning, a day after he is alleged to have burned nurse Tovah Kararo to death at an HMO in Holon.

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Faraj entered the HMO in Holon on Tuesday and then allegedly poured an accelerant in the room Kararo was sitting and lit it ablaze. He then fled the scene and was arrested after a short chase.

Asher Faraj in court Monday

During Faraj's remand, he will undergo psychiatric evaluation to determine whether or not he is fit to stand trial.

At the start of the hearing, Faraj's attorney said, "With the consent of both sides, the suspect will be sent for psychiatric evaluation and it is agreed that he will not be sent to Clalit clinics or the Abarbanel Mental Health Center in Holon. The background of this incident is supposedly related to public health services, so the evaluation should be conducted by a hospital, so as to avoid a conflict of interest."

Faraj after his arrest (Photo: Shaul Golan)

In her remarks, Judge Ronit Poznanski-Katz said, "This is a tragic case that is indicative of recurring instances of violence by patients and family members against medical personnel. This shows the dangerous line that the suspect was not afraid to cross and bring about this serious outcome."

A police representative, Meir Amos, asked the court to extend Faraj's detention by 12 days as he is suspected of murder and arson with the intent to cause bodily harm.

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
MAIDUGURI -- Four teenage suicide bombers killed two people and injured 16 others in a residential area in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, a disaster agency spokesman said on Wednesday.

The girls knocked on the door of a house and then detonated their devices, a representative of the state-run emergency service in Borno State said.

The focus on individual homes is a new tactic.

The blasts in the Muna Garage area, on the edge of the city worst hit by jihadist group Boko Haram's eight year insurgency, occurred around 1:15 a.m (0015 GMT), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman Abdulkadir Ibrahim said.

"Four female teenage suicide bombers and two other men died," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched an unprecedentedly harsh verbal attack on Tuesday against the new Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, calling it "the corporate left" and accusing it of providing a platform for terrorists supporters after the corporation decided not to fire one of its employees who shared a tweet expressing support for a terrorist.

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"A reporter working for the left-wing corporation praised a terrorist. You would expect her to be fired, no? No, she was only 'suspended.' The leftist corporation chose to provide a platform for terror supporters," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

Samah Watad, a Jatt resident, is employed as a researcher in the corporations Arab division. Watad shared a tweet on her personal Twitter account praising the terrorist Basel al-Araj, who was liquidated last week.

Once matters came to light, the corporation decided to "suspend Watad until further notice, after the severity of her tweet and its implications were explained to her. Watad clarified that she did not intend for her actions to be construed as an expression of support nor does she encourage or support violence of any kind."

In the meantime, Watad is still working as a researcher in the corporation.

(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
The mayor of Tel Aviv rushed to help the German travel blogger lift her luggage away from the incoming tide as she made her way into the city's newest beachfront digsa wooden lifeguard tower refurbished as a pop-up luxury suite.

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As part of an effort to market Israel a winter tourist destination for Europeans, the city of Tel Aviv and Israel's tourism ministry have teamed up with a local hotel chain to temporarily transform the tower into a two-story suite, with hot tub, room service and very unobstructed ocean views.

Pop-up hotel on the Tel Aviv beach (Photo: AFP)

"There is a phenomenon of hotel rooms in unexpected or unusually inaccessible places," said Eytan Schwartz, head of Tel Aviv Global and Tourism, a department of the city administration.

Only 15 couples, winners of an online competition, will get to stay in the tower, whose stilts are buffeted by the waves.

Interior of one of the lifeguard hotels (Photo: AFP)

Boutique hotels have in recent years perched guests in tree houses, construction cranes and salt flats, but Tel Aviv is believed to be the first to occupy a lifeguard hut.

Israel's tourism industry welcomes around four million visitors a year. The tourism ministry is investing $25 million in a campaign to encourage them to go to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as complementary destinations.

Tel Aviv lifeguard tower (Photo: AFP)

"Today tourism looks for cities," Amir Halevi, director-general of the ministry, told Reuters.

"We sell Israel through Tel Aviv."

With its beach, warm weather, wealth of restaurants and buzzing nightlife, Tel Aviv has become a popular destination among Europeans, even for long weekends on budget airlines.

Photo: AFP

In the first two months of 2017, tourist visits rose 20 percent from the same period last year, according to Halevi.

The one-night stay in the beachfront suite is free for winners of a contest run through hotels.com. Contenders took pictures of themselves in beach gear, holding signs with the hashtag #TakeMe2TelAviv.

The view (Photo: AFP)

Fifteen winners from Europe will stay in the suite before it is taken down in two weeks. Plans are in the works for a similar pop-up hotel in Jerusalem's Old City, Halevi said.
Palestinian painter Samia Halaby has blunt advice for aspiring Arab artistsget your inspiration first-hand, whether from ordinary people or historical documents, avoiding the "lies" of the media.

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Halaby, who made her name with abstract paintings, drew on both kinds of sources for her most overtly political project, a series of drawings of the 1956 massacre of Palestinians by Israeli Border Police at Kafr Qasem.

The drawings, and a separate exhibition of her multicolored abstracts called Illuminated Space, make up a Halaby double bill on display at Dubais Ayyam Gallery for Dubai Art Week.

Flowers by Samia Halaby (Photo: Courtesy of Ayyam Gallery)

"My advice to young aspiring artists in the Arab world and other similar countries that are torn by political, economic and social problems caused by imperialist challenges is to concentrate on history and its details, and to not follow the existing media, because there are a lot of lies, she told Reuters.

They should be attentive to their surroundings and their societies...specifically the common class of society."

The Kafr Qasem project grew out of a visit in 1999 to the village where, on October 29, 1956, Israeli border guards killed 48 people and an unborn child.

More than half the dead were women and children.

The victims were returning home from work across the de facto border between Israel and Jordan, unaware that they were infringing a military curfew declared on the eve of war with Egypt. Israels late president, Shimon Peres, formally apologized for the massacre in 2007.

I started to draw about my experience and, as time went by, I realised that it was an extremely significant experience, Halaby said.

She started not only drawing more but also interviewing villagers and seeking documentation.

The book that emerged last November, "Drawing the Kafr Qasem massacre," is more than a collection of drawings; much of it is devoted to interviews with the survivors.

So how does this political engagement fit with the better known abstract works of an artist who was born in Jerusalem in 1936, but left her homeland upon the creation of Israel in 1948, and has made her life in the United States?

"Palestine is very present in my life, but when you ask me where it lies in my paintingsit exists, but you wouldn't find one of my abstract paintings about Palestine, you can't find Palestine in the paintings' titles, she said.

But it has affected me differently, by making me politically progressive, which made me think about art and what it is...Hence my choice of abstract artbecause it is an optimistic kind of art, a futuristic one rather than an art that lives in the past."
Mohammed al-Amairah, who was involved in the terror attack that claimed the life of Rabbi Michael "Miki" Mark, was sentenced on Wednesday to two life terms in prison and ordered to pay NIS 250,000 in compensation to the victim's family.

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Mark, 48, was murdered in a shooting attack in the southern Mount Hebron area of the West Bank in July 2016. His wife and two of his children were wounded in the attack.

The family's car came under fire while traveling on Route 60 near Beit Hagai, south of Hebron. Mark's wife, Hava, was seriously wounded, their 15-year-old son Pedaya was lightly wounded, while 13-year-old daughter Tehila was moderate-to-seriously wounded.

L-r: Mohammed Fakih, Muaz Fakih, Mohammed al-Amairah and Sahib Fakih (Photo: Shin Bet)

Al-Amairah, who was arrested two weeks after the murder, was convicted of premeditated murder and several counts of attempted murder both for the attack on the Mark family and for three other attempted attacks.

His accomplice, Mohammed Fakih, was killed on July 26 after a firefight with IDF troops that arrived at his home to arrest him.

Several of Fakih's relatives were also arrested, including his brother, Sahib, who confessed in his interrogation to aiding his brother hide, as well as helping him hide the weapons he had.

The terrorist's cousin, Muaz Fakih, also confessed to helping find a place for his cousin to stay in the days that followed the attack.

"Eight months have passed since our father's murder by vile people," the Mark family said in a statement. "The heinous murderer who was sentenced today does not interest us and the trial was not part of our painful daily lives. These days, we're busy strengthening the family, embracing one another and, along with our mother who has not yet recovered from her serious injury, we're working to rebuild our lives."

Rabbi Miki Mark

"There are those who kill and those who build. We learned from our father that we must always continue growing strong by building one flood atop the other," the family added.

In a letter to the judges, one of Mark's sons, Shlomi, said that while the family doesn't care about the terrorist himself, "what is important to us is that he can't go back to hurting other people... he and his accomplice were imprisoned before, released in the Shalit deal, and resumed their terror activity. Don't let them do that again."

The family urged Israel's leadership not to release any more terrorists in any deal. "It has been proven that even a terrorist without 'blood on his hands' who gets released returns to the cycle of terrorism and becomes a terrorist with 'blood on his hands.' We ask the leaders of the country not to cave in to pressure from within or without to release terrorists and call on those who supported the (Shalit) deal to visit the graves of those murdered by these released terrorists and ask for their forgiveness," the family said.

(Translated and edited by Yaara Shalom)
CHARLESTON -- Coles County Board members were told Tuesday that the county might face a lawsuit over the how its handled a reassessment of commercial and industrial property.

For the fourth month in a row, a crowd of people attended the board's meeting to question or criticize the project. They were led by Charleston business owner James DiNaso, who said a lawsuit is planned for once the reassessment is complete, if it continues.

"There are some solid legal challenges to this process," DiNaso said.

The county began reassessing commercial and business property for taxing purposes in 2015 because the property hadn't been reassessed since 2001.

The county opted to do the work in phases with Mattoon Township property reassessed first, leading to the complaints after township property owners received notices of their assessment changes in December.

Among DiNaso's contentions Tuesday was that the method meant changes were "unequally applied" to Mattoon Township while changes in other townships won't affect taxes until later.

He also said there was too little time to appeal the assessments with the county Board of Review. He argued there has been a "wide disparity" between the county's new values and those of private appraisers, with little Board of Review response to the difference in the figures.

"Nobody wants to take responsibility," DiNaso also said.

Also, DiNaso called for an immediate suspension of the reassessment project and that previous property values be used for this year's taxes for Mattoon Township businesses.

Any county board member who knew that the assessments weren't taking place as required should resign, he also said. He and others also questioned the methods used by Bob Becker, the appraiser the county hired for the project.

Mattoon business owner Robb Perry also criticized the Board of Review for what he called a lack of willingness to pay attention to property values determined by private appraisers.

"They're not getting the job done," he said of the board and called for its three members to resign.

The board didn't directly respond to those comments Tuesday.

However, earlier explanations were that the lack of reassessments weren't addressed until current county Supervisor of Assessments Karen Biddle was appointed to the position in 2015.

Ultimately, Biddle, a longtime employee of the assessment office, said two earlier supervisors did start the project, at least to some extent, but it stopped when her immediate predecessor, Chad Turner, was in the position.

On Tuesday, board Chairman Stan Metzger said the reassessment might not have much impact on the total amount of taxes paid and collected.

He noted the limits in increases of taxes under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, so the new values shouldn't lead to a "windfall" for the county's taxing bodies.

"Taxes were not raised," Metzger said. "The assessments were brought current."

However, during an exchange with DiNaso, Metzger did agree that it's "likely" that business owners who had assessment increases will pay more.

"Absolutely, in a dollar term, it is an increase for the county," DiNaso said.

Also Tuesday, the board voted against purchasing a Charleston Transitional Facility building on the courthouse square, which had been considered as a possible site for a courthouse annex.

The board was faced with a Monday deadline in the agreement it had with CTF, leading to the need for the decision.

The board voted, without discussion, 10-0 against the purchase. Vice Chairman Mark Degler and member Travis Coffey didn't attend the meeting.

Earlier, Metzger said he didn't think the board would agree to the purchase because of ongoing expenses related to the project. It's not known what the county will do next concerning a possible courthouse annex, which would be a location for offices not directly related to the court system.
Ahlam Tamimi the convicted terrorist who helped carry out a suicide bombing at a Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem in 2001has been added to the FBI's list of Most Wanted Terrorists.

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In light of the dubious honor, the United States government has issued the Jordanian government an extradition and arrest order for Tamimi.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security, Mary B. McCord, and Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, Andrew Vale, made the announcement, in which they described Tamimi as an "unrepentant terrorist."

Ahlam Tamimi in prison

Tamimi, a Jordanian citizen, drove the suicide bomber, Izz al-Din Shuheil al-Masri, to the restaurant in Jerusalem after having scouted out the location.

Al-Masri, who was in possession of an explosive device packed with nails, nuts and bolts, detonated the bomb when the restaurant was at peak occupancy, killing 15 people and wounding 130 others.

For her role in the attack, Tamimi was sentenced to 16 life terms, but was released eight years later as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

After her release from prison, Tamimi became a television star in Jordan and symbol of the struggle against Israel.

In an interview with Hamas, Tamimi said, "It was a calculated act conducted with conviction and faith in Allah. A Jihad warrior is always ready for martyrdom, imprisonment or to succeed in the mission. I succeeded in overcoming prison and I was releasedwhy should I be regretful?"

"Al-Tamimi is an unrepentant terrorist who admitted to her role in a deadly terrorist bombing that injured and killed numerous innocent victims," McCord said. "Two Americans were killed and four injured. The charges unsealed today serve as a reminder that when terrorists target Americans anywhere in the world, we will never forgetand we will continue to ensure that they are held accountable."

However, a Jordanian court has ruled that under Jordan's constitution, it is forbidden to extradite Jordanian nationals. In an effort to pressure the Jordanian government, Tamimi was added to the FBI's Most Wanted List.

In their statement, McCord and Vale noted that the maximum expected punishment, should Tamimi be found guilty in a US court of law, is life imprisonment or death.

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner of Shurat HaDin, who is representing the victims and their families, said, "The terrorist Ahlam Tamimi took part in the horrifying murder of civilians, including children, and did not pay for it. We opposed her release from Israeli prison and we expect her to stand trial before an American court, which will convict her. I certainly hope that the court will decide to act against her with the full force of the law."

(Translated and edited by Fred Goldberg)
Residents of one of the most ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in London were shocked to discover that one of the streets in the neighborhood was displaying a questionable warning signpost, bearing a black silhouette of what appeared to be an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man.

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British news network BBC reported on Wednesday that the neighborhood watch known as the Shomrim, which is working for the Jewish community in London in order to combat anti-Semitism, noticed the traffic sign near a synagogue in Stamford Hill neighborhood, and reported the incident to the police. The sign may have been placed during the Purim celebrations.

Beware of Jews sign (Photo: Shomrim Twitter account)

Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Hackney North Diane Abbott described it as "disgusting" and "unacceptable" in a tweet.

More than 20,000 Orthodox Jews live in Stamford Hill. Barry Bard, one of the neighborhood watch "guards," told the Evening Standard that "The sign has caused a lot of concern amongst local Jewish residents, especially as it is in such close proximity to a synagogue.

The Community Security Trust charity organization, which documents anti-Semitic incidents and provides security to the Jewish community in Britain, published a report last month, according to which there was a record number of anti-Semitic incidents in 2016 across Britain.

According to the organization, last year, there were more than three anti-Semitic incidents a day on average with an overall increase of 36 percent compared to 2015.
Rebecca Weiss, a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor suffers from loneliness. Even though she has a caregiver who helps her around the house and volunteers who drop by from time to timebeing alone is the hardest thing for her, which is why she decided to call out to the public: Come visit me.

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"I really want people to come and visit me. I always have something to talk about with people," said Weiss, who lives in Rishon LeZion and has no family. She cant walk, so she passes most of her time watching TV.

A few days ago, MK Merav Michaeli (Zionist Union) was contacted via Facebook by Weiss, with the help of one of the volunteers who visits her. "All Rivkah wants is to meet MK Merav Michaeli before she dies," wrote the volunteer to Michaeli.

Rivkah Weiss with MK Merav Michaeli

The MK immediately got into her car and went to visit Rivkah at her home.

Ms. Weiss was extremely touched by the gesture. She cracked open her family album and showed Michaeli a picture of her grandfather, Israel Kastner.

She told Michaeli that she had worked for WIZO (Women's International Zionist Organization) for many years, and now, she is an avid follower of the news, despite the fact that she can hardly see or hear. Nevertheless, she still holds strong opinions current affairs in the country.

Despite the loneliness and the wretched conditions thrust upon her by the Nazis, Ms. Weiss maintains a sense of humor and wit.

"It was a tremendous privilege to visit the remarkable Rivkah Weiss. Luckily, Rivkah isnt shy about asking people to visit her," said Michaeli.

"The elderly in Israel not only suffer from physical neglect but also from social and emotional neglect. Go visit Rivkah and any other senior who would surely enjoy the company," Michaeli urged the public.

If anyone wishes to visit Ms. Weiss, please contact Kobi the volunteer at: 052-8193352.

(Translated and edited by N. Elias)
An IDF Skylark drone carrying out routine operations in the northern Gaza Strip crashed in the Saja'iyya area on Wednesday afternoon.

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The IDF said it was investigating whether the drone went down because of a technical malfunction and stated that "no damage was caused to security as a result of the crash."

The drone belongs to the Artillery Corps and is being utilized in tactical missions like reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

Archive photo: A Skylark drone seized by Hamas

There has been a series of drone crashes in recent year on the northern border, Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In January, a Skylark drone crashed in southern Lebanon

In December 2014, Syrian and Lebanese media reported that a Skylark drone belonging to the IDF was shot down in Quneitra , near the Druze village of Hadera stronghold of Assad supporters. At the time, the IDF Spokesman's Office said that the army was not aware of a drone being shot down or crashing on the northern front.

In March 2014, Hamas's military wing claimed that a Skylark drone crashed in the southern Gaza Strip as a result of a malfunction and that it seized it.
TEHRAN -- Iran's official news agency is reporting that authorities have detained two Iranian nationals and charged them with spying.

The Wednesday report by IRNA said the two had "espionage devices" while pretending they were on a tourist visit to Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf. It is the largest in a three-island cluster controlled by Iran but also claimed by the United Arab Emirates.

The report said there would be further investigation but did not elaborate.
The Israeli government is claiming that Hamas spotters were the targets of IDF shells that led to the death of three of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's daughters and one of his nieces during Operation Cast Lead in 2009.

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According to affidavits filed by the Israeli government in the Be'er Sheva District Court, Hamas spotters were identified in the same building as the Abuelaish family. Furthermore, the state is also reiterating the claim that Palestinian weapons depots located in the building were what caused the deaths, rather than IDF artillery fire.

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish (Photo: Barel Efraim)

The affidavits were filed Wednesday morning during a hearing on a lawsuit filed by Abuelaish, who is seeking an apology, acceptance of responsibility and financial compensation.

The main argument between the two parties is what ultimately led to the deaths of the three girls; the IDF shells or the weapons cache of a terrorist organization.

Lt. Col. Eran Tuval, commander of the IDF's Materials and Chemical Branch, examined fragments taken from the girls and found chemical components on them which IDF weaponry did not contain. On the other hand, the examination found that the chemicals were used in weapons used by Hamas. As such, he concluded that there was indeed an enemy ammunition dump in the same building.

Photo: AP

Judge Shlomo Friedlander addressed Dr. Abuelaish at the beginning of the hearing by expressing his condolences for his loss. "I would like to express our deep grief and shock over the tragedy that befell you and your family," he said. "On this there can be no doubt. The throat burns at such a tragedy and I express my regrets.

"We are gathered here to hold a legal hearing on disputed factual issues. We will hold it without detracting from our participation in the sorrow of the family."

For his part, Abuelaish responded to the judge, expressing his appreciation for his sympathy. "Your words mean a lot to me. I did not want to be in this place. In this situation, my hope is that this hearing will bring justice and lessons. From the moment I saw my dead girls in front of me, I devoted my life to saving life.

"Ground forces attacked and we got stranded inside the house," Abuelaish continued. "Explosions could be heard from all around. I thought that no place here is safer than home. I told myself that at least I'll get to spend time with my kids. I was happy to be with them, despite everything."







Dr. Abuelaish with members of his family (Photo: AFP)

The defense then asked him to clarify his version of events.

"So your home was an island of calm, without war, and suddenly a tank appeared and shelled your houseeven though its operators knew it was your housefor no reason. Is that your story?" Abuelaish was asked.

"My story? A story suggests that it is a figment of someone's imagination. It's my reality. It's my tragedy," the doctor responded, adding "there was no reason for my girls to die, they did nothing. We were not involved in any activity that can justify the shelling of my home. There was no shooting, there wasnt anything."

The doctor went on to say that "At the time no one in Gaza was safe. We need to ask why they shot at my house. The people in my building were not involved in any violent act."

Judge Friedlander then directly addressed Abuelaish, asking him if he believes that the commanding officer is a murderer, one who ordered the shooting on a whim.

Photo: AFP

However, the doctor declined to answer him directly, pointing out instead that the whole area was a war zone, and consequently blamed fear as the possible key factor in the officer's decision.

Abuelaish then added that the strike was a total surprise, saying "at first I couldnt believe it, but when I saw the destruction at the house I walked into my daughters' room andI don't want anyone in the world to see something such as that."

One of Abuelaish's daughters, Shada, then took the the witness box, and was asked whether she saw any Hamas operatives, to which she said no. "I only saw the Israeli soldiers. I saw them near our house."

When asked how she recognized them as Israeli soldiers, she pointed to their uniforms but also admitted that she "knows that sometimes Hamas soldiers wear IDF uniforms."

The affidavits filed by the government included testimonies and documents by Colonel D., the commander who was in charge during the incident. Lt. Col. Tuval. Col. D. claimed that the IDF encountered fierce resistance during the battle in Gaza for several days.

Photo: AP

On the day of the incident, after an IDF unit took control of a junction in the area, a Palestinian force opened fire on it.

"The unit spotted scouts that aim the enemies' snipers at the building in which Abuelaish's family resided. After 20 minutes, during which the unit made sure of their position, while under enemy fire, an order was given by the battalion's commanding officer to fire at them," claimed the colonel in his testimony

"Two shells were fired at the scouting unit, and the building was hit. Thick black smoke then rose from the building, which does something that should be produced by the shells," he emphasized as he recalled the tense scenes.

Photo: AP

The colonel noted that the IDF unit acted with "covert means to directly and selectively hit only the enemy combatants, while minimizing use of armaments."

Furthermore, he said that the IDF units took great risks to avoid civilian casualties, which even included operating in the area with their weapons "on safety."

"Several minutes after the shelling, IDF forces reported children's cries coming from the building, and then a report was given of civilians exiting the structure," said the colonel. Only then did it become apparent that the strike had resulted in a civilan tragedy, and ambulances were consequently called to evacuate any casualties.

Abuelaish said that the tears he sheds for his daughters are "tears of pain and hope. This tragedy was the reason for the ceasefire. I taught my children to only give life, and to always help others; not with bullets or shells but with wisdom, education and words. I hope that we will all adopt this message and teach it to everyone."

(Translated & edited by: Fred Goldberg and Lior Mor)
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman penned harsh words in a letter to Rabbi Yigal Levinstein on Wednesday, urging him to resign from his position at a pre-military yeshiva academy following a controversial lecture which he delivered to his students, expressing his opposition to female conscription into combat roles in the IDF.

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Speaking at the Bnei David pre-army preparatory Yeshiva in Eli earlier this month, Levinstein asked his listeners "Who would agree to marry them? and suggested that girls use enlistment as a mere mechanism to climb social ladders.

In the missive sent to Levinstein, Lieberman issued an ultimatum that should he fail to step down, he would use his authority in the Defense Ministry to cease his offices recognition of the yeshiva as an IDF-affiliated institution.

Avigdor Lieberman (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)

Despite his demands, Liebermans office pointed out that while no specific timeframe for Levinsteins resignation had been specified, the defense minister expected that it would come within a reasonable period of time.

As someone who has respect and appreciation for rabbis, I was extremely disappointed by the blunt and insulting style of someone who is thought of as a respected and appreciated rabbi, and because of similar things that were said by you in the past a number of times about other groups who serve in the IDF, Lieberman wrote. You even repudiated what you said claiming that they were taken out of context.

Rabbi Yigal Levinstein

In my humble opinion, it is indicative of both a desire to provoke and agitate, and also a loss of common sense. I dont know which one is worse between the two, he continued.

Lieberman went on to say that on a personal note, Levinsteins comments had offended him not merely as the defense minister who appreciates and values women serving in the military, along with others who have sacrificed their lives in Israels wars, but also as a proud father whose religious daughter served in the IDF. It didnt harm her and didnt harm her religious belief, her judaism, nor her feminism.

Levinsteins comments were entirely at odds with the values of both the IDF and the state, Lieberman asserted. Women have always served in the IDF, contributed to Israels battles and some of them have even paid with their lives.

Indeed, Lieberman cited specific examples of fallen female soldiers who had died in service, who he said represented shining examples of the fighting spirit.

Among those mentioned in the letter was Hadar Cohen, 19, who was critically wounded in a combined stabbing and shooting attack at Jerusalem's Damascus gate in February 2016. He also mentioned Keren Tendler and Tamar Ariel.

From right to left: Hadar Cohen, Keren Tendler and Tamar Ariel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

These are just three examples from 859 fallen female IDF soldiers who were killed since the founding of the state and from 990 women who were killed as fighters since the struggle for the Land of Israel began in 1860, he reminded Levinstein.

Leibermans demands and rebuke however, were met with defiance by the yeshiva, which issued a response. Out of a belief in our role as teachers and educators, we will not cooperate with any assault on the freedom of speech and the opinions of rabbis, students and graduates of Bnei David, the statement read.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett also entered the fray saying that Liebermans warning was yet more political nonsense, just like (when he) supported annexation of Judea and Samaria, opposed annexation of Judea and Samaria, (spoke about) revoking citizenship of Arab Israelis, taking out (Ismail) Haniyeh within 48 hours of becoming defense minister.

Naftali Bennett (Photo: Mark Yisrael Salam)

Lieberman hit back on Twitter, stepping up the level of the invective as he accused Bennett of protecting someone who is trying to turn Israel into Iran. But we wont allow that, In Israel, women are equal to men and military service is for everyone, he said.

Bennett countered on his Twitter page, accusing Lieberman of playing politics at the expense of IDF soldiers. "Lieberman, don't play politics on the backs of IDF fighters. The academy in Eli will not close down."

(Translated and edited by Alexander J. Apfel)
A UN agency published a report on Wednesday accusing Israel of imposing an "apartheid regime" of racial discrimination on the Palestinian people, and said it was the first time a UN body had clearly made the charge.

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The report commissioned by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) concluded "Israel has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole". The accusationoften directed at Israel by its critics - is fiercely rejected by the Jewish state.

UN Under-Secretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf said the report was the "first of its type" from a UN body that "clearly and frankly concludes that Israel is a racist state that has established an apartheid system that persecutes the Palestinian people".

Photo: AFP

Khalaf was speaking at an event to launch the report at ESCWA's Beirut headquarters. ESCWA comprises 18 Arab states in Western Asia, according to its website. Its aims include to support economic and social development in member states. The report was prepared at the request of member states, Khalaf said.

The report said it had established on the "basis of scholarly inquiry and overwhelming evidence, that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid". However, only a ruling by an international tribunal in that sense would make such an assessment truly authoritative," it added.

The report said the "strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian people" was the main method through which Israel imposes apartheid, with Palestinians divided into four groups oppressed through "distinct laws, policies and practices".

It identified the four sets of Palestinians as: Palestinian citizens of Israel; Palestinians in east Jerusalem; Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; and Palestinians living as refugees or in exile.

UN Under-Secretary General Rima Khalaf with former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Israels Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon harshly attacked the report. The UN Secretary-General must categorically denounce this lying report. The attempts to discredit the only democracy in the Middle East are shameful and shocking, he said.

It is not surprising that a committee that stands at the head of calls for boycotts against Israel and compares Israel to the most horrific regimes in human history publishes a report like this.

Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman likened the report to Der Sturmera Nazi propaganda publication that was strongly anti-Semitic.

Shortly after news broke of the report, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, sought calm tensions which risked spilling over into yet another a diplomatic sparring match between Israel and the world body, by assuring that the report had been compiled without consultation with the UN secretariat and that it therefore does not reflect Guterres's position.

"The report as it stands does not reflect the views of the secretary-general (Antonio Guterres)," said Dujarric, adding that the report itself notes that it reflects the views of the authors.

ESCWA hoped the report would inform further deliberations on the root causes of the problem in the United Nations, among member states, and in society, Khalaf said.

It was authored by Richard Falk, a former UN human rights investigator for the Palestinian territories and a fierce critic of Israel, and Virginia Tilley, professor of political science at Southern Illinois University.

Before leaving his post as UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories in 2014, Falk said Israeli policies bore unacceptable characteristics of colonialism, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

The United States accused him of being biased against Israel.
The Police Investigation Unit (PIU) began reenacting the Umm al-Hiran shooting Wednesday night in an effort to ascertain the circumstances of the incident on January 18 which led to Yaqoub Abu al-Qiyan being shot dead by police after he drove into 5 officers, killing Sgt. Erez Levi.

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Investigators brought a vehicle similar to that of al-Qiyan's, using it during the reconstruction with its lights turned ondespite the fact that the initial testimony of the incident provided by the police claimed that al-Qiyan's headlights were off.

The reenactment was aided by a drone intended to provide the same vantage point as the video recordings of the incident.

The decision to reconstruct how the incident transpired came after the PIU investigation concluded that the shooting of al-Qiyan was both premature and excessive

An autopsy performed on al-Qiyan found that he suffered a bullet wound to his knee, causing him to involuntarily step on the gas pedal. According to some assessments, the bullet may have been what caused him to accelerate.

Photo: Roee Idan

Another detail revealed by the autopsy report is that another gunshot wound to al-Qiyan's chest caused massive bleeding that lasted for some 20-30 minutes. Investigators deduced, therefore, that al-Qiyan's life could possibly have been saved had medical teams been permitted to treat him sooner.

Investigators are still waiting for the ballistics test's results, which should shed more light on the incident.

Reenactment of the incident

X

Police Internal Affairs state that no officer involved in the incident was present for the reconstruction.

Immediately after the incident, police claimed that al-Qiyan had deliberately rammed his vehicles into the officers as they were surrounding Bedouin Umm al-Hiran ahead of the demolition of illegal homes built in the village. They later contended that he had been involved with the Islamic Movement.

In addition, Israel Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh and the minister who oversees his force, Gilad Erdan, both publicly declared that this was absolutely a terrorist attack.

Not much time elapsed however, before his family and friends denied that he had driven with any malicious intent, or that he was in any way affiliated with the Islamic Movement.

(Translated & edited by: Lior Mor)
Each year senators are given the opportunity to select one bill to designate as their personal priority.

This year, the bill I chose to designate is LB92, a bill to require certain health carriers to provide coverage for certain services delivered through telehealth. LB92 advanced out of committee unanimously and has no fiscal note, meaning it will not have a cost burden on the state of Nebraska.

Under this legislation, health insurance companies are required to cover any service offered through telehealth that is already covered for an in-person consultation. Currently, even though many doctors have embraced telehealth technology, some have been reluctant to utilize it because they do not know whether insurers will reimburse them. This reimbursement policy is already in place for state Medicaid, and it only makes sense that we would extend it to those covered by individual or group health insurance plans.

Initially, I was unfamiliar with exactly what telemedicine meant, but learned it is the use of advanced telecommunications and other technologies exchanged in real time via electronic communication between sites to monitor patient health status. Tools that can be utilized to deliver telemedicine include networked programs, point-to-point connections, monitoring centers, or web e-based e-health patient service sites. I like to think of it as Facetime with a medical professional.

Under this legislation, services provided include primary care, specialist referral services, remote patient monitoring, consumer medical and health information, consultation, diagnosis, and health education to patients.

I believe telemedicine is particularly important in assuring timely and effective delivery of health services to vulnerable populations such as individuals in rural areas, low-income individuals, and individuals with mobility impairments. Telemedicine provides the opportunity for alternative delivery of care and cost saving opportunities for plans, providers, and beneficiaries.

I truly believe that this tool, designed to serve smaller communities that have health clinics but few if any full-time doctors, is incredibly valuable to Nebraskans. As we consider the shortage of doctors and practitioners throughout the state, especially in the rural areas, it is important for us to utilize all the options in reaching our entire population with vital services. Telehealth consultations can also be significantly less expensive than an in-person doctor visit.

I believe it is time for Nebraska to expand telehealth services across the state and eliminate any doubt for doctors and patients that these services are covered by insurance. My colleagues agreed with me, and the bill was advanced to Select File earlier this week with strong support.

As always, if we can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact my office. My door is open and I have made it a goal to be accessible to the constituents of our district. Please stop by any time. My e-mail address is mkolterman@leg.ne.gov, and the office phone number is 402-471-2756. David and Katie are always available to assist you with your needs. If I am not immediately available, please do not hesitate to work with them to address any issues that you may need assistance. Please continue to follow me on Facebook at Kolterman for Legislature and on Twitter at @KoltermanforLegislature.
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.
Chemonics International seeks multiple positions for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded sustainable landscapes activity in Southeast Asia. The projects objective is to catalyze private sector finance to upscale and drive investments in agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) toward low emission, profitable business models. This position will be based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Position Descriptions:

AFOLU Advisor

Identify investment opportunities in low-emission land management. Assist businesses and projects on the verge of adopting sustainable, low-emission practices to facilitate their access to finance to scale-up low emission land use and green their supply chain.

Senior Finance advisor

Augment investments in sustainable landscapes through support to companies and banks to formulate green bonds. Build capacity of fund managers and banks to improve and standardize environmental, social and governance guidelines and systems to develop ecosystems for sustainable landscape investment in the region

PPP Specialist

Build partnerships and alliances with public private sector parties to spur investments in AFOLU sector.

Communities of Practice Advisor

Will assist in promoting the sharing of knowledge and lessons learned across countries and landscapes, and developing or strengthening effective platforms for building a community of practice dedicated to identifying and financing business models that support low-emissions land use management.

MRV Specialist

Lead work in closing gaps between the science and its practical application in the design, implementation and use of monitoring, reporting, and verification systems related to the AFOLU sector. Ensure that local and regional MRV practitioners/stakeholders have access to relevant information and capacities as needed.

M&E Specialist
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, on Tuesday stated in Constanta that he worked, together with work teams from within the party, on certain modifications in the area of energy price regulation, while discussing some of the proposals including

- The Senate plenary meeting passed on Monday, as the decision-making body, with 83 votes "in favour," 37 votes "against" and three abstentions, the draft law regarding the Statute of judges and prosecutors, with one of the amendments being the removal of the disciplinary offense regarding the non-compliance

- The draft law regarding the statute of judges and prosecutors was adopted, on Tuesday, by the plenary meeting of the Chamber of Deputies, with 198 votes "in favour," 80 votes "against" and 4 abstentions. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- Save Romania Union (USR) floor leader Ionut Mosteanu announced on Tuesday in the Chamber of Deputies' plenary sitting the tabling of a simple motion against Minister of the Interior Lucian Bode, told Agerpres. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Marcel Ciolacu, will pay an official visit to Japan between September 26 and 28, to participate in the state funeral ceremony of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook

- The legal committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved, on Tuesday, the draft whistleblower law, under review at the request of President Klaus Iohannis, the Save Romania Union (USR) amendments being rejected, even though they would have facilitated the disclosure of irregularities in public institutions,

- The culture committee of the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday discussed the way in which political parties finance certain broadcasts for advertising outside of electoral campaigns, as shown in a Recorder investigation, with National Audio-visual Council (CNA) representatives participating, told Agerpres.

- Parliament will be illuminated, on Tuesday and Wednesday, in the colors of the Ukrainian flag - blue and yellow, to mark the National Flag Day and the Independence Day celebrated by the neighboring country, the Chamber of Deputies informed. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste
For someone who is an introvert and a loner of sorts, friends come in as angels to make life blissful. Times will change for sure but what will remain constant for another 69860000 million years is the special bond between friends. <br><br> And thanks to FBI mean Facebook for helping people re-connect with long lost friends. The letters FB occupy a very special place in my heart for it also means FRIENDS and BONDING to me. <br><br> I feel so proud of myself for deriving such a beautiful full form for FBI think I must fix up an appointment with Mark and suggest him to change FACEBOOK to FRIENDS & BONDING.wondering who Mark is? Mark Zuckerburg is the brain behind such a genius networking website <i>yaar</i><br><br> Theres none to laugh at my poor jokelet me keep it to myself<br><br> Jokes apart, with the help of FB, I have been able to virtually bridge the geographical distances between me and my friends, who are spread across the globe. I feel like thanking Mark a zillion times for creating such an incredible platform that helps people catch-up with old pals and even make new ones. What a genius he is! <br><br> A lot of controversies do surround Facebook for its credibility and its influence on people at largeand many have become FB addicts. Moreover, there are many, who refrain from getting hooked to social networking sites fearing they would becomes addicts. <br><br> However, I would beg to differ. In a way yes FACEBOOK has influenced regular users great deal and we tend to spend most of our times clinging onto our accounts to update the latest on our personal and even professional front. But that holds true for any other habit that becomes a part of our lifestyle. It is entirely up to us to ensure we dont go overboard! Isnt it? <br><br> I have least complaints about FACEBOOK and I believe its nothing less a boon to people who have friends far and wide; it is faster, easier and undeniably one of the cheapest mediums of constant communication. Of course, nothing brings bigger happiness than catching up with pals in person. But considering a busy schedule and the helpless physical separation one can do little but succumb to the inevitable. In such a scenario FB comes in handy. <br><br> Now let me shift the focus to friendsguess I have said too much about Facebookdoes that show how addicted I am to FBNo..Not allMay be! <br><br> I dont feel the need to celebrate friendship on the day that is solely dedicated to them and which falls on the first Sunday in the month of August. Friends are forever and eternal. What is more important than tying a friendship band and buying goodies for friends is that one needs to keep up the special bond through thick and thin. So to flood `Happy Friendship Day` messages on your friends FACEBOOK wall seems like a dud idea! Oh noNot againFB again finds a mention here.<br><br> Back to friends.there is this friend of mine who keeps posting weird status messages- My tummy feels sicksomething is cooking inside it.Have been visiting the loo regularly since morning. On reading his message I get to know he needs to visit a doc for sure.There is another crazy friend who keeps posting his love at first sight messages he might have posted 59478573 thousand times earlier. And like always I know he has yet again fallen in loveonly to fall in love once again the next day! <br><br> Recently, I viewed pictures of my school friends baby and those made me wonder and realize how old I have turned! But I was happy to see my darling friend put on oodles of weight, yet looking as pretty as ever before. I could even feel her baby in my arms. Oh what a wonderful feeling it was. <br><br> It has been months I have moved out of my cityyet I have traveled far and wideand even to the UKthere is where another friend of mine staysand I could see myself virtually traveling to the English countryside after seeing pictures posted by him on FB.<br><br> Virtual phones calls and traveling is cheaper, isnt itat least they dont burn a hole in your pocket! That is one of the reasons why I love FB.FB literally helps me save money that seldom manages to come to my handsit hardly does<br><br> Whateverif you think despite I having said I am not going to talk about FACEBOOKI ended up discussing it.I think I owe a lot to it for it has given me a wider horizon to get instantly connected to my friends who are very special. But one question that I need to ask myself is whether I am really a FB addict?I guess I amand I dont mind being oneas long as I am able to be in constant touch with my buddies.and btw are you too a FB crazy person like me? Let me clarify- here by FB I meant FRIENDS & BONDING! <br><br> What did you think?
Andrew Wilson had enjoyed working for Rick and Julie Holm so much he asked them -- more than once -- if he could open a second La Paz Mexican Restaurant or even buy the current one from them.

They always said no thanks, were good, Wilson said.

That was until last fall when the Holms reached out to Wilson, who last worked at La Paz 12 years ago after putting in six years at the popular Lincoln restaurant.

They wanted to know if I was still interested, and I said I very much so, Wilson said.

On April 1, the Holms will turn over the popular eatery to Wilson and longtime La Paz employee Jonas Steele. The Holms opened the restaurant at 321 N. Cotner Blvd. in May 1989.

Its a retirement of sorts, according to 68-year-old Rick. Julie is 61.

On one hand, its breaking our hearts to walk away, Rick said. On the other hand, this offers us an opportunity to do some other things in our lives.

Rick is a food-service lifer, having started as a waiter at the old Boars Head in 1971. After years of opening and running restaurants for others, he and Julie paid $40,000 for the eatery on North Cotner Boulevard, then called Sitio Mexican Restaurant.

That got our foot in the door, Rick said.

They kept it a Mexican restaurant, and renamed it La Paz.

That was our favorite food, Rick said. We had been collecting recipes for years. We finally had enough (recipes) to open a restaurant. Thats why we did it.

Building it into a success didnt come easy. Rick said it took about four years for the restaurant to break even.

We ate all our meals there, he said. We made enough to cover our house payment.

Business eventually took off, with La Paz seeing double digit increases each year right up to 2008 when it stopped for everybody, Rick said.

He said La Paz succeeded, when others didnt, because the Holms maintained their food quality and had good help -- like Steele, who has worked there 20-plus years, Wilson and several others.

I also really think it helped to have owners of a small mom-and-pop-type place to be around all the time, he said. For the first 20 years, we lived there night and day.

When the Holms decided to sell, they didnt want a stranger buying it. Thats why they reached out to Steele and Wilson, who managed Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Omaha for six years, after leaving La Paz.

They are family, Rick said. Wilson even met his wife at La Paz, when they both worked there.

If there are any two people who can do as good or better with the restaurant, its these guys, Rick said.
Public school advocates and their equally passionate school choice counterparts painted very different pictures of what Nebraskas education system would look like if it authorized charter schools during hours of testimony at a Legislative hearing Tuesday.

On one hand, Clarice Jackson of Omaha said when her daughter attended public school in north Omaha she was unable to read in fourth grade. Once she enrolled her in a private school that helped her accommodate her dyslexia she began reading at a third-grade level in one year.

You want parents to read to their kids? They came from the same school that is now failing their kid. They cant read because they were never taught how to read, Jackson said. How long do we wait for you all to figure it out and get it together? By the time you all figure it out another generation will be failed.

On the side, ONeill Public Schools student Lauren Osborne credits her high school teacher and counselor with getting her help for mental health issues.

Im very much convinced Im here today because of my public school, she said. If you take money from public schools to go into charters, what happens to people like me?

The bill (LB630), introduced by Sen. Tyson Larson of ONeill, would allow charter schools in districts with low-performing schools. The charter schools would be overseen by a new Independent Public School Authorizing and Accountability Commission created by the bill.

Larson said he planned to offer an amendment to strengthen accountability measures in LB630 and to address constitutional questions raised by Nebraska Department of Education officials.

Nebraska is one of seven states that does not authorize charter schools.

The full Legislature is unlikely to debate the bill this session because it wasnt prioritized.

Still, that didnt stop proponents from holding a news conference Tuesday in support of it, or from more than 150 people gathering for a rally in opposition to it.

Several senators -- including two on the education committee -- attended and spoke at the rally, along with several school board members and superintendents, students and teachers who braved the cold.

Inside, the hearing became heated at times, with Larson prompting a groan from the crowd when he said that charter schools have more flexibility to create their own curriculum and dont have to deal with unions that care more about retirement funds and hours teachers work.

Do you have any research to back up your claim that charter school teachers work harder than public school teachers? asked Sen. Adam Morfeld.

Larson said he misspoke and did not mean to imply public school teachers dont work hard, but that unions limit the time they can work.

Charter school proponents said they can have longer school days, hold kids to high expectations and make changes quickly to help increase achievement more quickly.

Jason Epting, a Nebraska native who is now a principal at a charter school in New York said making such changes from within the public school system can be hard.

Public school advocates say charter schools siphon money from public schools, have less oversight and are not required to accept all students, as public schools do.

Sarah Thomas, who taught high school English and now teaches at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said her daughters experience as an Americorps volunteer showed her the devastation charter schools caused to the public schools in the urban area she served.

So why is it morally acceptable to subject our most vulnerable youth to the great charter school experiment when the results are mixed at best?

Omaha Public Schools board member Yolanda Williams defended the schools in her city  where 28 of the state's lowest-performing schools exist -- saying changes theyve made are making a difference and they want to be able to continue that work.

What were doing at OPS, what were doing at LPS, what were doing around our great state is proof that we don't need charter schools, she said.
Legislation to scrap Nebraska's requirement that all motorcycle riders wear helmets is officially dead for this year.

Speaker of the Legislature Jim Scheer of Norfolk said he has removed the bill (LB368) from this session's agenda after a cloture motion to free the proposal from a legislative filibuster failed on Tuesday and he will not recognize a motion to reconsider that vote.

Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill, a supporter of the bill who was absent for Tuesday's vote, filed the reconsideration motion.

Scheer pointed to his mid-February notice to fellow senators that any bill that fails to be freed from a filibuster by a cloture motion is "finished for the year."

LB368, introduced by Sen. John Lowe of Kearney, would have removed the helmet mandate for motorcycle riders 21 or older.

His cloture motion to end the filibuster, led by Sen. Robert Hilkemann of Omaha during the first stage of floor debate, failed on a 32-12 vote.

Under current legislative rules, at least 33 votes are required to invoke cloture, end debate and allow a bill to move forward.
Two staff members were treated for injuries Wednesday afternoon after they were assaulted by inmates at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, a prison spokeswoman said in a news release.

None of the injuries were life-threatening, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services spokeswoman Dawn-Renee Smith said.

The assaults happened after 1 p.m. in Housing Unit 2, the same unit where prisoners started fires and killed two fellow inmates on March 2.

On Wednesday, officials said four inmates had been let out of their cells, some to clean up plugged toilets that had flooded areas of the housing unit and others for their meals.

The assaults followed. Staff who were assaulted and others responding to the incidents used physical force to subdue the inmates, Smith said.

Officials said the inmates involved in the assaults and others in the unit threatened additional assaults and demanded to be let out of their cells.

Continued physical acts of violence will result in more safety precautions and fewer individuals allowed out at one time, Director Scott Frakes said in the release. "We will do whatever is necessary to keep people safe."

The unit has been under what officials describe as "modified operations" since the March 2 incident.

The remainder of the Tecumseh prison is operating normally.

Designed for 960 inmates, the prison housed 1,032 on an average day at the end of 2016, according to department statistics.
Modern mixes with medieval during weekly Nebraska Swordfighters Guild meetings.

Rondel daggers hang from a belt and sheath at the waists of members, who wear blue jeans and matching maroon T-shirts printed with the groups logo. In each of their gloved hands, a longsword.

After warming up, members face each other in a circle and tip their swords to the ground in salute. Then, the meeting begins.

The Lincoln guild meets 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Willard Community Center, where members practice combat techniques used by European swordsmen between the 13th and 15th centuries.

While members wield swords and protect their face with a mesh mask often seen in fencing, the two forms of combat are not the same.

There are subtle differences, said Bill Murphree, 54, president of the guild.

Murphree started fencing when he was 16 and has been involved in some form of sword work since. He said one of the biggest differences between the two is the practical uses behind the sword.

While fencing is considered a sport, Murphree said, swordfighting focuses more on historical context. All of the techniques used at their practices are based on historical European martial arts.

Murphree first discovered the historical form of martial arts about 20 years ago when he found a manual of medieval fighting techniques online.

It was like, Oh my gosh, they actually have books from this time on the subject matter, he said. It was a completely dead art until it was resurrected from the books and the manuals, to give a second life 

The guild bases most of its sword work on a manual created by 14th-century Italian Master at Arms Fiore dei Liberi. His combat style has detailed instructions on wrestling, baton, dagger, arming sword, longsword, lance, poleaxe and mounted combat, all of which are taught to guild members as if they were to be used in real combat.

We try to put it in the very martial context, Murphree said. We dont do it to play around like they do in the movies.

Today, the guild has about 13 members, but assistant instructor Daniel Cadenbach expects those numbers to grow.

In the past couple years, weve kind of ramped stuff up, he said.

The guild will be offering its next 12-week beginner's class at Southeast Community College as a continuing education course.

The group has also made changes to its structure in recent years, gaining nonprofit status and being named a chapter of the Chicago Swordplay Guild.

Cadenbach said working with the Chicago guild provides insurance for the Lincoln chapter. The guild promotes itself through tournaments and demonstrations at schools, club meetings and Renaissance fairs.

Cadenbach said the guild has attended the festival at James Arthur Vineyards for several years, giving a presentation thats half educational and half unchoreographed free play between members -- some of whom are dressed in full suits of armor.

We teach about the historical martial arts system, Cadenbach said. Its not just a bunch of guys whaling at each other with sticks.

Murphree said many members aim to work up to sword combat in full armor. Cadenbach said a full suit of armor can cost anywhere from $500 to $10,000.

Cadenbach said as long as the armor is fitted properly -- which often means ordering custom-made attire -- its relatively easy to move around in.

His collection weighs about 100 pounds, but he said the weight is distributed evenly across the body and doesnt feel burdensome.

Murphree owns about 30 weapons in addition to his suit of armor, spanning from rapiers and longswords to more unorthodox weapons like spears, poleaxes and maces.

The number of swords in the group probably outnumbers the people, he said.

Murphree said his favorite aspect of swordfighting is its use of both mental and physical strength.

Its a physical chess game, he said. Its mind and body and total competition, and by the end  you and your partner both know who won.
It was bound to be Deja Vu! Mr S(The Aspiring Singer) and Saurav back together for another trip. The last trip we had together was the "Triund" trip and it was bloody darn good one. The trip started on a bad note(as usual)as it took me 200 bucks to go from Kalkaji to Old Delhi Railway station. A railway station always brings the Metrosexual Indian to ground Zero...the crowd,the collective sweat,the cacophony all combine together to form that unique orchestra that Luciano Pavarotti would have been proud of. <br><br> On 25th Oct'08 morning we reached the Kotdwara Station. A small cute station, Kotdwara is also the tipping point for all things ahead that are called "Garhwali". We boarded a shared jeep to Landowne and after a journey that lasted one hour, we finally reached our destination -"Blue Pine Resort". <br><br> The Hotel deal that I got from an online company was a good one. Three Nights/Four Days package for two at 3800 INR...well,that's no bad,eh? The view from the Balcony was amazing! <br><br> The hotel room was also really cute with colourful drapes and a real cozy feel to it. Sitting idle has never been a habit of mine nor Mr S'. So we set off...to Lansdowne. Actually our hotel was located in Deriyakhal, which is about 5 Kms from Lansdowne Cantonment. The walk that one takes through the twisted roads has to be one of my favourites till now. <br><br> Lansdowne is all about the Garwal Rifles. Garhwal Rifles is a well known infantry rifle regiment of the Indian Army. During the World Wars and the wars fought after Independence, the regiment not only showed exemplary courage but also maintained its unique identity. Mainly made up of Garhwali soldiers, this regiment fought with great valour during the Kargil conflict. More than 25,000 soldiers of this regiment are at present engaged in the task of safeguarding the motherland. <br><br> The cleanliness that this cantonment town maintains is mind blowing. Not only is it clean, but the discipline is exemplary. About 4000 soldiers, at least 40,000 civilians...yet there was so much harmony between SILENCE and CHAOS! <br><br> Mr S, a born shopper, was thrilled to be in the Lansdowne market. Right from Diwali crackers to Himesh Reshamiya CDs to an imported DVD player, this market which is a km from the cantonment is chaotic, crowded and THRIVING! We decided to have our own fun anyway...After shaving ourselves clean,we even wanted to take a studio photo with me in a Toy Car and Mr S with a 70's Sunglass doing a John Travolta :-), but we never found an appropriate studio:-( <br><br> The road back to the hotel was as exhilarating as the ascent. The evenings were amazing. It was as if the sun came down the hill and took away our sweat...our tears...our worries...our paradoxical problems!
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Artsakh Republic told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces made over 55 ceasefire violations firing from various caliber small arms across Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

The Ministry issued an announcement which says: On March 14 and overnight March 15 the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime over 55 times by firing more than 1890 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

The Defense Army forces of Artsakh continue confidently conducting the military service and take countermeasures in case of strict necessity.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenias President Serzh Sargsyan doesnt think that the change in governance system will have an influence on Armenias foreign policy, Armenpress correspondent reports.

Regardless of the governance system, the states run their foreign policy. I think the governance will become effective. I believe that the civil society will develop more quickly, the political parties will have guarantees for unimpeded activity under the Constitution, the President said in a meeting with the students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

President Sargsyan recalled that previously there was not a presidential system in Armenia, rather it was a semi-presidential system which hinders the effective governance and the security provision in case when the President and the parliamentary majority belong to various political movements or parties.

Thats why we believed, and the people supported us, that the responsibility must be there where there is a right. No any official, be the President, or the Prime Minister, can give response to issues for the solutions of which he has no resources. Therefore, I think that this governance system today is very acceptable for the Armenian people. Although, there are numerous examples, where great achievements are recorded both in the presidential system, as it was in the US, and in the parliamentary system like in Germany and other European countries, President Sargsyan stated.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Another round of consultations were held March 12-14 in Tehran over signing a temporary free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union member states and Iran. Representatives of EEU member states and the Eurasian Economic Commission were present at the meeting.

The delegation of the Armenian side was led by deputy minister of economic development and investments Hovhannes Azizyan. The consultation focused on the text of the draft agreement, as well as the list of products which the sides suggest to implement tariff privileges for, the ministry told ARMENPRESS.

The sides agreed to continue discussions in order to sign the document in the foreseeable future.

Azizyan also had meetings with Irans deputy minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mojtaba Khosrotaji and deputy minister of agriculture Ali Akbar Mehrfardi.

The Iranian side was proposed the creation of a joint Armenian-Iranian import/export company, which will contribute to exports from Armenia to Iran, as well as Iranian products to markets having privileged regimes for Armenia. The Iranian welcomed the idea and suggested to discuss the possible mechanisms for realization.
MOSCOW, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The signing of new agreement with the European Union will give a lot to Armenia, President Serzh Sargsyan said in a meeting with the students of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Armenpress correspondent reported.

First of all, friendly, allies relations. Secondly, favorable trade regime. I will bring one example, zero customs duty is set for the export of aluminum foil from Armenia, whereas from Russia the customs duty is 7%, President Sargsyan said.

He said currently Armenia takes part in a number of EU programs, in particular, Horizon 2020 program, as well as various programs on small and medium enterprises, science development and etc. We will launch talks with the EU over establishing visa-free regime soon. We just believe that by this we do not harm anyone. Nothing bad will happen to anyone from this. The Russian citizens and Russia can be quiet since we are guided by the provision that by participating in any negotiation and joining any organization we take into account our obligations, Armenias President said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Syrias armed opposition will hold a meeting with experts from the countries that act as the guarantors of the Syrian ceasefire (Russia, Iran and Turkey) on March 16 in Astana, Kazakhstans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anuar Zhainakov said, reports TASS.

"As for the participation of armed opposition representatives in the talks, representatives of the Southern and Northern fronts are expected to arrive tonight. Tomorrow they will hold consultations with experts from the ceasefire guarantor countries (Russia, Iran and Turkey) on compliance with the cessation of hostilities, Anuar Zhainakov saying as quoted by TASS.

He informed that tomorrow the talks will continue.

The international meeting on Syrian conflict settlement launched on March 14 in Astana. The delegations of Russia, Iran and Turkey, as well as the UN, US and Jordan are taking part in the meeting.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenia needs good organizers and specialists, President Serzh Sargsyan said in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Armenpress correspondent reports.

It would be better that even not all Armenians, but at least 50% of them return to Armenia since we really need them, the President said.

He recalled that in the recent period the state has started to provide assistance to the students who study in the worlds 10 best universities. We pay their tuition, and majority of them returns, however, we need good specialists. Already leading companies in their spheres come to Armenia, thats why there is a need of specialists, the President said, adding that there is a need of specialists in the security field.

In line with this, we still do not have enough opportunities to provide people with apartments, well-paid jobs, thats why we still do not carry out specific programs on this path. Probably, you know that we are criticized in our country that people leave Armenia. This is not a good process, despite that it is typical for not only all post-Soviet countries, but also the countries of Eastern Europe, as well as those countries where the standard of living is 5-6 times higher than that of Armenia. In fact, this is the process, Serzh Sargsyan said. He suggested the Armenian students of the Institute to form a group and develop proposals over the abovementioned issues which he is ready to consider.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Patrick Labaune  President of the Provincial Council of Drome published an article in the French Le Monde newspaper where he explains that the Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan on charges of visiting the Artsakh Republic (Nagorno Karabakh).

Labaune says France must demand explanation from Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev who is in Paris on an official visit.

Armenpress presents the full article.

On February 7 an extremely serious event took place: on that day Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan by the latters request. Neither the complaints of Russia nor Israel changed anything. Moscow expressed its deep disappointment over the extradition decision, stating that it doesnt comply with the spirit of the allied relations between Russia and Belarus, and Tel Aviv announced that it carefully follows the developments and is in contact with all interested sides through diplomatic and consular channels.

The reasons over extradition decision made by the Belarus court and quoted by Azerbaijan are especially concerning: Alexander Lapshin committed a crime by insulting Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, and furthermore, visiting Nagorno Karabakh, mainly an Armenian-populated independent state which was given to Baku by Stalin. As this case confirms, official Baku does everything trying to isolate Nagorno Karabakh from all foreign contacts, which will enable it to more easily commit an aggression against Artsakh as it happened last year in April.

Azerbaijan  country of physical and legal insecurity

But that strategy is doomed to failure, and Lapshins case draws more attention on the Karabakh democracy. Many of us have already visited Stepanakert and brought their witness on the truth and strength of the Karabakh democracy. Being a member of France-Artsakh friendship circle, I have visited Nagorno Karabakh many times at the invitation of the leadership of that country. In September, 2015, on the occasion of the Francophonie Days organized by official Stepanakert, we, 200 French people representing various spheres, were holding discsussions with our Artsakh partners on opportunities to strengthen the friendly ties between our cities and utilizing the economic opportunities in a developing country.

What is Mr. Aliyev going to do? Whether he will again ban us to enter the Azerbaijani territory with its absurd and outdated persona non grata black lists? And who will want to visit a country which ensures so little guarantee for physical and legal safety?

Will he present extradition demands towards all of us? However, there will not be places for all of us in Baku prisons since they are full of local political prisoners.

Lets recall that human rights organizations consider Belarus and Azerbaijan equal dictatorships which are ranked 157th and 163rd respectively in the list of 180 countries in the freedom of speech ranking, that Belarus was simply dismissed from the Council of Europe, that the same threatens Azerbaijan, that, overall, these two countries under the leaderships of Alexander Lukashenko and Ilham Aliyev are in the latest ranks of the international community.

France against its own values

Lets also remind that the relations with Azerbaijan are investigated by the Information Mission of the French National Assembly due to Bakus caviar diplomacy by which that country bribes numerous European lawmakers, and that the reports of hearings conducted by the Mission reveal the truth, showing what in reality Azerbaijan is.

France bears a unique responsibility in the region. It co-chairs the OSCE Minsk Group, pledging to assist Armenia, Azerbaijan and Nagorno Karabakh to sign a peace agreement which will officially put an end to the prolonged conflict of more than 20 years. The relations with Azerbaijan should not push our country to sacrifice its own values, quite the contrary, our country must clearly express them, as well as all the principles on which the establishment of peace and security in the region must be based. It is welcomed that our diplomacy recently is concerned over Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny arrested in Moscow, but why this diplomacy continues to keep silence over Alexander Lapshins case, as well as countless of cases of other victims of Aliyevs regime?.

All this angers us, but encourages us in our commitment to fight against any human rights violation, arbitrary restrictions on freedom of speech both in Azerbaijan and elsewhere. Today we all are Alexander Lapshin.

Patrick Labaune.
MOSCOW, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armed Forces of Armenia are battleworthy and have everything necessary for providing the security of Armenias borders and also be the guarantor of security for the population of Nagorno Karabakh, President Sargsyan said in Moscows State Institute of International Relations in response to a students question, ARMENPRESS correspondent reports.

I will repeat once again, we dont want war, we want to solve this issue peacefully, with the help of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the President stressed.

Serzh Sargsyan reminded that during the last three years the Azerbaijani side often mentions that the status-quo is unacceptable. Actually the status-quo is unacceptable: we would also like for everything to change, and Azerbaijan to recognize the right for self determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, in that case the status quo will really change. Everything else derives from this. This is an indissoluble right. Todays world order hints this. If there was no self determination right, is there was no possibility to exercise it, then both Armenia and Azerbaijan would be a part of the Soviet Union. You cant become an independent state through self determination in one case, and then oppose another case. This is unacceptable. This way, is the Azerbaijani side really recognizes the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh and it self determines, all other issues will be solved very quickly, he said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan attended the opening of the Food Safety: Consumer Rights forum on March 15. The day marks the international day of consumer rights protection.

The PM welcomed the initiative on celebrating the international day of consumer rights protection for the first time the Food Safety Service and expressed conviction that it will become a good tradition and will contribute to raising awareness of consumers in different spheres.

We must be quite consistent. The more we increase the civil stance of our citizens in all sectors, the more all of us will profit. And for this reason, it is extremely important for consumers, NGOs and other professional structures to cooperates with us on a daily basis. The Governments program viewed the protection of the citizen as a priority, specifying the food safety sector, the PM said.

It is very important for us to create such conditions for producers and services, which will contribute to both ensuring, safety, and increasing quality  meeting the most strict demands of the consumers, he added.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of NGOs and mass media in terms of raising awareness over consumer rights.

Eurasian Economic Commission Board member, minister for technical regulation Valery Koreshkov and head of the state service for food safety Ishkhan Karapetyan also delivered speeches.

Koreshkov highlighted the organization of the forum in a EEU member state on the occasion of the international day of consumer rights protection, and said it is a good platform for discussion and exchange of ideas.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. As a result of the agreements reached between Armenia's Minister of Economic Development and Investments Suren Karayan and Russia's Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov on March 3, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Armenias SME investments universal credit organization signed an agreement on March 14 to establish Armenian-Russian investment fund, press service of the Armenian Ministry told Armenpress.

The sides plan to develop investment programs by contributing to the deepening of trade-economic and investments cooperation between the two countries and Armenias integration in the Eurasian economic space. The respective agreement was signed within the framework of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyans visit to Russia.

We are happy to welcome our first international co-investor partner from the CIS countries. Armenia is Russias key trading partner, including also in the EAEU. The Fund to be established will contribute to the further development of economies of out states thanks to implementation of various programs in priority fields such as agriculture, industrial production, transportation, logistics infrastructures, Kirill Dmitriev - Chief Executive Officer at the Russian Direct Investment Fund said.

We are happy to cooperate with the Russian Direct Investment Fund the international experience of which in the field of mutual investment partnership is very important in terms of increasing the effectiveness of the Armenian-Russian joint projects. We are confident that our joint investments will boost further integration of the economies of Armenia and Russia, the trade turnover growth and the strengthening of friendly ties of the two states, Artur Badalyan  Executive Director of "SME Investments" UCO CJSC said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The delegation of the CIS observation mission will observe Armenias upcoming parliamentary election on April 2, reports Armenpress.

On March 15, after the meeting with Chairman of Armenias Central Electoral Commission Tigran Mukuchyan, the delegation representatives held a meeting with reporters in Armenia.

Viktor Guminsky  First Deputy Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, told reporters that on March 14 the headquarters of the CSI observation mission was opened in Yerevan. We have just finished the meeting with Chairman of Armenias Central Electoral Commission Tigran Mukuchyan. We informed him about the missions activity, as well as got acquainted with the electoral legislation in Armenia which was adopted after the constitutional referendum. I want to state that in our opinion the changes made in Armenias Electoral Code are revolutionary since they increase the citizens democratic right to vote, fair competition guarantees and in general, the democratic electoral process, he said.

He added that they have received a proposal to carry out observation mission in the election by Armenias Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan. We have accepted the proposal with pleasure. We have taken all the necessary measures with the remaining CIS countries. Today I want to note that the observation mission is already formed. 150-180 observers from the CIS member states will work at the mission. 20 of them will be long-term observers, the remaining will be short-term who will visit Armenia 2-4 days earlier before the election. The task of our office is to hold legal, informational and organizational events aimed at ensuring the successful work of the observers, conducting all works at the highest level, Guminsky said.

He said their major principles are political neutrality, non-interference in the electoral process and the internal life of a country. The assessments of our observers will be mainly derived from what they will see during the preparation works and the election. Only through this way we will give our assessment to Armenias election, Viktor Guminsky said.

CIS observation mission will be chaired by Sergey Lebedev, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee. The CIS has carried out 9 observation missions in Armenia. Viktor Guminsky stated that they have enough experience and expressed hope this time as well the mission will carry out its duties at a high level.

The observation mission will give assessment over the election on April 3 when the preliminary results are published. We understand very well that the upcoming election is very important for Armenia since the countrys future will depend on it. We wish the Armenian people to choose the path which will ensure stability within the public and the progress of the Republic of Armenia, he said.

Armenias parliamentary election will be held on April 2.
MOSCOW, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Over the past 25 years the relations of Armenia and Russia received full allied essence  in the true sense of the word, Russias President Vladimir Putin said during a meeting with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, ARMENPRESS correspondent reports from Moscow.

The relations of Armenia and Russia have always been built on very deep roots, which date back to centuries, the past. This way it continues also in the current stage of development, Putin said.

Vladimir Putin also mentioned that April 3 will mark the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Russia.

We know that our meeting is taking place in the background of the preparation for big domestic political events in Armenia. The parliamentary, National Assembly election is scheduled for April 2 in Armenia. I am sure, under your leadership, Armenia will pass this stage of its development. I wish you success, Putin said.

Putin also underscored that Armenia and Russia are cooperating in almost every direction, in international organizations, including the organizations which operate in the post-Soviet territory, as well as universal international organizations.
MOSCOW, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The cooperation and partnership of Armenia and Russia is continuously getting enriched, new issues are being added, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, thanking his Russian counterpart for the invitation to visit Moscow on a state visit.

We hold high level regular meetings, which enable to summarize the results of actions on specific periods and naturally outline the main directions of cooperation for the coming times and the future Sargsyan said.

The President reminded that this year is a jubilee for the bilateral relations, marking the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

These years were years of close cooperation, and we reached true allied relations. It is the agenda itself that dictates the essence of such relations, Sargsyan said, expressing confidence that todays meeting will proceed in an atmosphere of mutual trust and will be meaningful.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community of France on March 14 held a protest on the occasion of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs visit to France, Nouvelle d'Armenie reports.

Earlier Murad Papazian  Co-Chairman of the Coordination Council of the Armenian Organizations of France, ARF Bureau Member, informed that the protest will be held aimed at condemning Aliyevs visit, as well as supporting the issue of self-determination of Artsakh and its people.

We must make sure that media will cover our initiative. The protest will be held in a place where there are always a large number of people, as well as tourists. It is expected many people will take part in the protest, Papazian said earlier.

The protests were held in Paris, Lyon and Marseille.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Germanys largest newspaper Bild tabloid published its March 15 issue with severe criticism for Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The issue had the following title Bild tells the truth to Erdogans face  you arent democratic, you arent desired here.

The article features Erdogans political life, his family, the constitutional changes, and the Germans perspectives on the Turkey-EU relations.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 15 during a state visit to Russia.

The leaders of the two strategic partner states discussed issues related to the agenda of the Armenian-Russian bilateral and multilateral format relations and cooperation, touched upon the process of implementation of high level agreements of various sectors.

The Presidents Office told ARMENPRESS Sargsyan and Putin discussed the process of settlement of the NK conflict and exchanged ideas over international and regional issues and challenges.

At the beginning of the narrow format meeting, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed his Armenian counterpart and said Russia and Armenia will celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties on April 3, and during these years the Armenian-Russia relations gained an allied essence.

We are actively cooperating in almost all directions within international organizations, including the ones in the post-Soviet territory, as well as in universal international organizations.

Many events happened during these years, but the relations between Armenia and Russia have always been built based on deep roots dating back to the past, to centuries. They continue in the same manner in the current stage of development.

We know, that our meeting is also being held in the background of the preparations for large domestic political events in Armenia  the parliamentary: National Assembly election is planned for April 2, and this all is associated with the constitutional reforms. The process seemingly isnt an easy one, but I am sure Armenia will pass this stage of development under your leadership. We sincerely wish successes to you, President Putin said.

President Sargsyan thanked Putin for the state visit invitation and mentioned that the partnership of the two states is continuously being expanded, new issues arise, and regular high level meetings enable to summarize the work which was carried out in a specific period, and naturally to outline the main directions of cooperation for the near future and prospects.

This year is really a jubilee year, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties. These years were a period of close cooperation, and we succeeded in forming truly allied relations.

Relations of such essence always dictate our agenda.

Mr. Putin, I am sure our todays meeting will also be substantial and will pass in an atmosphere of mutual trust.

Thank you for the invitation and warm reception, President Sargsyan said.

After the narrow format meeting, expanded format talks were held with the participation of delegations of the two countries.

In honor of President Sargsyans state visit to Russia, an official dinner was served on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nancy Hicks article on the extended battle psychologists and other professionals have had in asserting our responsibility to retain nondiscriminatory language regarding sexual orientation and gender identity ("Boards, Ricketts at odds," March 11) provides an informative outline of this struggle and what is at stake. For nearly a decade the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and two successive governors have allowed a religious group to assert undue influence on the signing of updated licensing regulations. Here is some further discussion to clarify the importance of the issue and the motivations behind the impasse.

First, this issue is not just about referring people for counseling -- clinical psychologists diagnose and treat the full range of mental illnesses, including very serious ones. Our patients are often extremely vulnerable, at high risk for suicide and other calamities. The governor wants to allow psychologists to turn patients away without consideration of their stability or the publics safety. This would be comparable to emergency room physicians ignoring accident victims who offend their deeply held convictions.

The new regulations that the governor is holding hostage reflect psychologists role in high-risk, high-stakes health care decision-making. They would update critically important diagnosis and assessment standards that affect how people are determined to be mentally ill, legally competent, eligible for disability benefits, not guilty by reason of insanity and subject to civil commitment. In addition, our outdated regulations are impairing our ability to recruit the best and brightest new psychologists. In some cases new university faculty who are licensed in other states are unable to juggle research and teaching demands of the tenure struggle while meeting Nebraska requirements. The new regulations would fix this.

These have nothing to do with the reasons the governor is holding up the regulations. The real reason remains somewhat obscure. The Nebraska Constitution requires that the purpose of health care licensing is to protect the public. Allowing psychologists to discriminate according to their deeply held convictions protects nobody, not even psychologists. No psychologist anywhere has ever been prosecuted, successfully sued or disciplined for refusing to treat anybody. In fact, we are trained to not treat people when our personal convictions may interfere with our effectiveness. But when we do decline to treat people we must also protect their safety and the publics. This often requires more than handing them a phone book and showing them the door. Incredibly, this debate is about whether its OK for a psychologist to do no more than that, if patients offend our deeply held convictions, no matter how suicidal, distressed, agitated, angry, homicidal, psychotic, demented, confused or dangerous they may be.

It is also government overreach and regulatory micromanagement at its worst, to prescribe in licensing regulations a canned minimum response for such a huge range of situations. Sometimes a referral can be as simple as looking practitioners up in a directory. Sometimes its an extremely sensitive and risky situation with potentially catastrophic outcomes. The accepted way of regulating this complexity is to hold practitioners accountable for using their professional judgment to make a referral that ensures the patient will make it safely to the next caregiver. There has never been a need to change that.

There is a deeper, even more troubling side to this debate. For some, applying conscience clause logic to mental health creates opportunities to confront, berate, and bully those who offend ones deeply held convictions. For some, simply informing patients that not all practitioners have the same deeply held beliefs is too much to ask. For health care professionals, this violates the very first of Hippocrates rules -- do no harm. This impasse is an extreme case of a mean-spirited solution looking for a defenseless problem. The only justification given by any state official is that the Catholic Conference demands it. It only makes sense as a politicization of health care regulation, to promote discrimination against vulnerable people on behalf of a special interest, with disregard for public safety or the public interest.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin wished success to Armenia in holding free and democratic parliamentary elections, Armenpress reports Putin told in a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan.

The visit of the President of the Republic of Armenia to Moscow takes place in an important period for domestic politics  Constitutional reforms aimed at the creation of a parliamentary republic come to end. Parliamentary elections will soon take place.

I know that the authorities of Armenia and personally you, honorable Serzh Azatovich, make efforts so that the election campaign, voting and summing of the results are conducted in a free and democratic way. I wish you success in it. Russia is really interested in a stable, sovereign and dynamically developing Armenia, Putin announced.

He stressed that Armenia and Russia have friendly and allied relations. Very soon, on April 3, we will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Russia and Armenia sincerely strive to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and multidimensional strategic partnership, Putin said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Presidents of Armenia and Russia summed up the results of the high level talks that took place in the Kremlin on March 15 for media representatives.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, Presidents of Armenia and Russia, Serzh Sargsyan and Vladimir Putin, issues a joint statement based on the results of the meeting.

Honorable Vladimir Vladimirovich,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear media representatives,

Vladimir Vladimirovich presented the results of our meeting in detail. As for me, I would like to touch upon the following issues.

We really held constructive and rather saturated talks. As always, they passed in an atmosphere of full mutual understanding which is characteristic to the nature of our allied partnership. Each meeting is a good opportunity to analyze and discuss the implementation process of agreements and joint ventures and to outline new directions of partnership between our states.

This is a jubilee year for our relations; we mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation and today we conducted a rather detailed review of the quarter century path of our countries.

In the recent years Armenian-Russian relations have obtained new pace with deeper content. We recorded with Vladimir Vladimirovich that the continuation of the joint efforts aimed at deepening our strategic partnership stems from the interest of our fraternal peoples. Based on the results of the comprehensive discussions of bilateral issues we affirmed readiness to make efforts in the future as well to deepen cooperation in security, external policy, military-technical, trade and economic and humanitarian spheres in line with the nature and principles of the Treaty on friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance, as well as the Declaration of the Republic of Armenia and Russian Federation on allied partnership that has entered into the 21st century.

In this context I would like to emphasize the importance of signing the intergovernmental agreement between our states on joint military unit of the armed forces of our countries, as well as the entering into force the agreement of the United Regional System of Air Defense in the Caucasian Region of Collective Security. No doubt, these documents will further promote security in South Caucasus region.

We touched upon the entire scope of trade and economic issues. We specially focused on cooperation in spheres like trade, investments, energy and transport. Russia is Armenias largest trade partner, President Sargsyan said, adding that a significant rise of indexes has been recorded in January of the current year against the same period of 2016. This speaks about a serious potential that should be utilized, including through the levers of the EAEU for the benefit of our businessmen and citizens, Serzh Sargsyan said. The Armenian President emphasized that Armenia, being an active member of the Eurasian Economic Union, is extremely interested in deepening partnership in the sidelines of the EAEU, as well as raising the Unions international reputation.

Nuclear energy, science and innovative technologies are the spheres of partnership that undoubtedly enrich the traditional cooperation circle, Serzh Sargsyan said.

Referring to the transportation-logistic projects, the Armenian President assured that the Armenian side is ready to develop them. Considering Armenias opportunities, its geographical location and membership to the EAEU we see great potential in providing a transit route from Armenia to Iran and Persian Gulf, President Sargsyan said.



The President of Armenia told the reporters that during the talks with the Russian President the sides referred to the issue of external policy coordination, particularly in the sidelines of the UN, OSCE, EAEU and the CSTO. We referred to some aspects of the Eurasian Economic Unions activities, including to the prospects of developing mutually beneficial relations with 3rd countries and international organizations. We recorded the necessity of making consistent efforts aimed at raising CSTOs effectiveness and the necessity to abide with the norms and principles of the fundamental documents of the Organization, as well as respecting the commitments assumed by us, he said, adding that other key regional and international issues were also discussed.

Taking the opportunity I want to thank the Russian side for assisting Armenia in providing humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.



We discussed the security of our region in detail paying special attention on Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement and creation of favorable conditions to progress with the negotiation process. We highly appreciate Russias and the other two OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair countries contribution to the efforts of exclusively peaceful settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The importance of abiding to 1994/1995 agreements on ceasefire regime preservation was highlighted, as well as the necessity to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements.

We share the opinion that use of force or threat to use force are inadmissible and harm the peace process, President Sargsyan said.



Honorable ladies and gentlemen, we will make joint efforts to develop allied partnership in the future as well for the progress of our states and friendship of our peoples, Sargsyan said, once again expressing gratitude to the Russian President for the productive and constructive talks.



I express special gratitude to Vladimir Putin for returning the painting of prominent painter M. A. Vrubel Demon and Angel with Tamara's Soul to Armenia stolen from Armenia in 1995. Thank to the efforts of relevant bodies the painting has been discovered. Vladimir Putin expressed readiness to return it to Armenia. I am very grateful, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan concluded.




YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan, who has been elected as the locum tenens by the Clerical Assembly, made a statement about the notice from the governors office which states that the election is legally impossible, Armenpress reports Istanbul-based Agos informs.

Right after the meeting of Clerical Assembly in which Archbishop Karekin Bekciyan elected as the locum tenens, a notice from the governors office claiming that the election is legally impossible was handed out. Locum tenens Bekciyan made a statement about this development.

Bekciyan stated that a group including Atesyan and Masalyan will go to Istanbul governors office. Bekciyan said, I wont be there. In this planned meeting, our party will explain the logic of election of locum tenens. Then, an announcement will be made. This will happen within a couple of days. I will be here in the mean time.

Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan has been elected locum tenens of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Peace of Arts 2017 campaign of Genocide awareness has begun in commemoration of the 102nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, starting March 10th to April 30, 2017, at seven locations, Armenpress reports, citing Horizon weekly.

Peace of Art will display a message of peace on electronic billboards, calling on the international community to recognize the first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide.

April 2017 is the month of remembrance of the Holocaust and all genocides in the world, and on this occasion we are calling on Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide by honoring the memory of the innocent victims of all genocides, Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, the Peace of Art president said. The billboards reflect the historical moment, when His Holiness Karekin II, together with Pope Francis on behalf of the Armenian and Catholic community worldwide, released doves soaring towards Mt. Ararat, sending a message of peace to Turkey to recognize the Armenian genocide.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. People are reacting against the interference of the governors office in the patriarchal election. Lawyer Sebu Aslangil stated that the notice of the governors office is unlawful, Armenpress reports Istanbul-based Agos informs.

Today, after Karekin Bekciyan was elected as locum tenens, General Vicar of Patriarch Aram Atesyan told the press that the governors office has sent a notice. In this notice, it was claimed that the election is legally impossible.

Lawyer and member of Enterprising Committee Sebu Aslangil made a statement, reacting against the notice.

This notice is arbitrary. The election conforms to the proceedings and traditions. Starting the election is quite lawful.

On this point, we can talk about the scope of influence of the general vicar. According to our traditions, general vicar doesnt have the authority to start election. There is also no regulation concerning the limits of vicars authority. Thus, general vicar doesnt have the authority to stop the process of election. The existence of vicar doesnt have anything to do with the process of election, Sebu Aslangil said.

Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Germany Archbishop Garegin Bekchyan has been elected locum tenens of the Armenian Patriarch of Istanbul.
Cathay Pacific is struggling as lower-cost carriers, particularly from mainland China, eat into its market share

Hong Kong's troubled flagship airline Cathay Pacific on Wednesday posted its first annual loss since the height of the financial crisis as it was hit by "intense competition" and a drop in demand from business travellers.

The firm is struggling despite an expansion of international air travel in the region as lower cost carriers, particularly from mainland China, eat into its market share.

Companies like China Eastern and China Southern Airlines are offering direct services to Europe and the United States from the mainland, while budget carriers like Spring Airlines offer regional routes, undermining Cathay's once critical Hong Kong hub.

The airline is also losing premium travellers as it comes under pressure from Middle East rivals which are expanding into Asia and offering more luxury touches.

That has led to promotional prices for Cathay's top tickets as they are sold to leisure travellers.

Analysts said other established Asian operators were similarly suffering from increased competition, but believed Cathay's major fuel-hedging losses put it in an even weaker position.

Its $74 million net loss in 2016 reversed a $773 million profit in the previous year and comes as the firm prepares a wholesale review of its operations, with chairman John Slosar warning 2017 would be similarly "challenging".

The results, the worst since 2008, were also well off expectations, with an average profit of $57.9 million forecast by analysts in a Bloomberg News survey.

The company's shares dropped as much as five percent in early afternoon trade before finishing 1.4 percent down.

- 'Leaner organisation' -

Cathay announced a major restructuring programme in January that will see jobs axed, but it has not said how many.

"Our organisation will become leaner," Slosar said in a statement to the Hong Kong exchange on Wednesday. "Our aim is to reduce our unit costs excluding fuel over the next three years."

Slosar and Cathay chief executive Ivan Chu would give no further details on possible job losses when asked by reporters at a press conference later Wednesday.

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Slosar said efficiency measures did not mean lower quality of service.

"We have built a great brand and product -- we're not going to sacrifice that," he told reporters.

Passenger revenue dropped 8.4 percent year-on-year to $8.6 billion, hit by overcapacity in the market and weak foreign currencies.

Analyst Jackson Wong of Huarong International Securities said Cathay had lost its niche and would find it hard to turn the corner.

"For a big company like this, with competition in the market now, it's extremely difficult to turn around the business," he told AFP.

Wong said cost-cutting was the path back to profitability but believed the firm needed to be clearer about what its restructuring would entail to win back investor confidence.

Other observers said Cathay was not offering a quality experience that justified its prices.

"As a passenger of Cathay Pacific when I travel business class it's OK, but if I travel economy class, I feel like I'm sitting in a budget airline cabin. This is a big problem," said Dickie Wong of Kingston Securities.

He added the management had done a "disastrous job" over fuel hedging.

Cathay said it had benefited from low oil prices -- fuel accounts for a huge portion of a carrier's costs -- but that advantage was reduced by $1.1 billion in hedging losses.

Those losses were "largely incurred on hedges put in place when the fuel price was much higher than today" Slosar said.

Oil hedging is when an airline locks in prices of fuel at a pre-determined level for a certain amount of time.

However, analyst William Horton told Bloomberg News that Cathay would "ride out" the crisis and stay committed to its premium strategy in Hong Kong as the city's airport plans a third runway.

International travel in the Asia-Pacific grew 8.3 percent in 2016, according to the International Air Transport Association.

It beat global growth figures of 6.3 percent and was only behind the Middle East in the regional rankings.

But high-profile carriers have nonetheless felt the pinch.

Singapore Airlines saw net profit drop 35.6 percent in the final three months of 2016 while Japan Airlines reported a 24.6 percent fall in the April-December period.

-- Bloomberg News contributed to this report --
US President Donald Trump tells automotive workers: "We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you"

President Donald Trump moved to freeze future vehicle emission targets Wednesday, during a trip to the faded US automotive hub in Michigan.

Insisting higher environmental standards hurt trade, Trump announced that targets for 2022-2025 will be put on hold pending review.

"We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you," Trump said after touring an automotive testing facility near Detroit.

"I'm asking all of the companies here today to join us in this new industrial revolution."

The Trump White House says the rules were issued in an 11th hour move by the Obama administration without taking into consideration the realities of the market, the constraints of various actors in the field and consumer expectations.

But White House officials also admit they have not examined what impact the move may have on exports.

Major markets, including 13 US states -- most notably California-- as well as Japan and European nations have their own emission standards that are often higher than US federal levels.

In a February letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt, US auto manufacturers had asked the new president to suspend the Obama administration's restrictions, saying they could threaten employment.

Trump on Wednesday also told a roundtable of automotive chief executives that he would help them if the relationship ran both ways.

"We're going to do some wonderful work with you but you're going to have to help us with jobs," he said.

Since his January 20 inauguration, Trump has repeatedly indicated he wants to slash environmental regulations, saying they are hurting job creation in the United States.

Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, was one of the EPA's fiercest opponents prior to being named by Trump to head the agency.

Last week, Pruitt sparked outrage when he went against scientific consensus in claiming that increasing greenhouse gas emissions were not a determining factor in climate change.
Russian agents Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, indicted in the US over a massive Yahoo hack, were part of the successor to the KGB

Two Russian intelligence agents and a duo of hackers were indicted Wednesday over a data breach that compromised 500 million Yahoo accounts in one of the largest cyberattacks in history.

The indictment announced by the US Justice Department links Russia's top spy agency, the FSB, to the massive hacking operation which began in 2014 with the twin goals of espionage and financial gain.

It comes amid a high-stakes investigation into Russian cyber-meddling in the US election, potentially aimed at boosting the campaign of President Donald Trump.

The Russian agents were identified as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, both members of the successor agency to Russia's KGB.

Dokuchaev was an officer in the FSB Center for Information Security, known as "Center 18," which is tasked with investigating hacking and is the FBI's point of contact in Moscow for cyber crimes.

The 33-year-old Dokuchaev was reported to have been arrested in Moscow earlier this year on treason charges. He is accused of directing the Yahoo hack along with his superior, the 43-year-old Sushchin.

The two officers "protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere," acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord told reporters.

They are accused of hiring hackers Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov to carry out the attacks, which continued until late 2016.

Targets of the Yahoo breach included both Russian and US government officials, including cyber security, diplomatic and military personnel, according to McCord, who said it aimed to gather information "clearly some of which has intelligence value."

She added that "the criminal hackers used this to line their own pockets for private financial gain," seeking to cash in on the breach by accessing stolen credit or gift card numbers, and through a series of spam marketing schemes.

- Journalists, diplomats targeted -

The US indictment includes 47 criminal charges including conspiracy, computer fraud, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets and identity theft.

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Asked if there were any links between the Yahoo hack and the wider question of Russian interference, McCord said, "We don't have anything that suggests... any relationship," but added that the election case "is an ongoing investigation."

The US statement said some targets were "of predictable interest" to the Russian spy agency including Russian and US government officials and employees of a prominent Russian cybersecurity company.

The Yahoo breach, McCord said, "also targeted Russian journalists; numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit; and employees of financial services and other commercial entities."

Other accounts compromised by the hackers belonged to employees of commercial entities, such as a Russian investment banking firm, a French transportation company, US financial services and private equity firms, a Swiss bitcoin wallet and banking firm and a US airline, according to the Justice Department.

Baratov, a 22-year-old Canadian-Kazakh national, was arrested this week on a US warrant in Canada, she said.

Belan, 29, has been indicted twice in US cases involving the hacking of e-commerce companies, and is listed as one of the FBI's "Cyber Most Wanted criminals."

- 'State-sponsored' -

FBI executive assistant director Paul Abbate said the agency has asked Moscow for assistance in apprehending the suspects but noted that "we have had limited cooperation with that element of the Russian government."

In Russia a high-level official quoted by Russian news agencies said that "Washington did not communicate with Moscow about this issue through the available channels set up to address issues related to cybersecurity."

The source added that "the absence of specifics in this case suggests this is the latest twist in the use of the subject of Russian hackers in the internal political struggle in the US."

The attack on Yahoo, disclosed last year, was one of the largest ever data breaches and at the time was blamed on a "nation-state" attacker.

Yahoo's assistant general counsel Chris Madsen said in a statement that the indictment "unequivocally shows the attacks on Yahoo were state-sponsored."

Chief executive Marissa Mayer tweeted that Yahoo was "very grateful to the FBI & DOJ" for their work.

The internet pioneer, which is in the process of selling its core assets, has been rocked by the disclosure of the breach and a separate case that affected one billion users.

- Cookies, erectile dysfunction -

The indictment unsealed in federal court in San Francisco showed a series of techniques used by the hackers in accessing user accounts.

In some cases, they used emails disguised as legitimate messages, a technique known as "phishing."

Another scheme directed users searching for erectile dysfunction medications to a fake website that included malicious software.

The hackers were also able to produce forged "cookies" or bits of software used to authenticate users, and used stolen Yahoo credentials to compromise accounts of other webmail providers, including Google.

These efforts enabled the hackers to obtain a backup copy of Yahoo's user database and eventually its "account management tool" that controlled passwords and other personal information, the indictment said.
It may not have been pretty, but give Rep. Jeff Fortenberry credit for holding a town hall meeting Monday night.

The 1st District congressman answered questions for 90 minutes at Southwest High School in front of a crowd of nearly 1,000. He is the only member of Nebraskas congressional delegation to hold a traditional town hall meeting during this congressional recess.

The town hall meeting is democracy in its purest form, and despite social media, email and all the other electronic communication methods available today, it remains an essential tool for lawmakers to understand their constituents and for constituents to know their opinions are heard.

The Journal Stars headline on the story  Getting an earful  was an understatement. The crowd was loud and demanding, particularly when it came to getting answers on health care reform. Fortenberry had the luck  or misfortune  to be speaking only hours after the Congressional Budget Office released its estimate that 14 million people would lose insurance coverage in the first year under the Republicans plan, and that number would rise to 24 million by 2026.

Plenty of people had their own health care stories to share, people who currently had coverage and feared losing it. Their message was an important one for Fortenberry to hear.

Mondays contentious meeting proved folks have the talking part down. It was less clear how much listening was going on. Clearly many in attendance didnt see eye to eye with Fortenberry on health care and other issues.

And while there was a lot of shouting, Fortenberry himself held the only microphone, forcing constituents to yell their questions, which the congressman would then repeat for the whole audience. This didnt sit well with some attendees, nor does it truly serve the purposes of a town hall, where it puts the power in the hand that holds the mic. Its not hard, though, to imagine why Fortenberry mightve preferred a setup that left him with the loudest voice in the room.

Fortenberrys town hall wasn't a high-water mark for civil discourse, but he probably didn't enter the meeting expecting group hugs and high fives. He withstood the grilling unruffled, and one way or another, voices were heard and order was maintained.

Discussion is essential to solving our communitys and our nations problems. The better the discussion the better chance we have to effect real change.
Inditex, whose brands include Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka and Oysho, said its bottom-line profit rose 10 percent to 3.16 billion euros last year

Spain's fashion retail giant Inditex, owner of popular brand Zara, said Wednesday that its drive to expand internationally helped push up profits last year.

Inditex, one of the world's largest fashion retailers, said in a statement that its bottom-line profit rose by 10 percent to 3.16 billion euros ($3.4 billion) last year.

The company -- whose brands include Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka and Oysho -- therefore beat its main rival, Sweden's H&M, which booked net profit of around two billion euros in 2016.

But the Spanish group's profit growth was slower than in 2015 when its bottom line had risen by 15 percent as weaker currencies in China, Russia and Mexico reduced the value of sales in those markets when translated into euros.

"These are a positive set of results against a backdrop of strong prior-year performance," said Inditex chairman Pablo Isla.

Revenues expanded by 12 percent to 23.3 billion euros, "underpinned by growth in all of the geographic regions where the group is present," Inditex said.

Europe accounted for around 60 percent of its sales, Asia represented 24 percent and the Americas 15 percent.

By comparison, H&M's sales topped the 24-billion-euro mark in 2016.

Inditex said sales growth had continued apace in the new financial year, with store sales rising 13 per cent between February 1 and March 12 on constant-currency terms.

The company said that it opened 279 new stores in its business year, which runs from February to January, bringing the total number of stores worldwide to nearly 7,300 in 93 countries.

It entered five new markets ?- New Zealand, Vietnam, Paraguay, Nicaragua and Aruba ?- and continued to launch new online sales platforms in markets around the world.

- More new stores -

After starting online sales in Singapore and Malaysia this month, Inditex plans to add such services in Thailand and Vietnam in the next few weeks, and in India during the second half of the year.

The company does not provide sales figures for its online sales -- which it began relatively late, in 2010 -- but Isla said Internet sales had a lower profitability than the rest of its activity.

Story continues

Inditex said it expects a similar rate of new store openings in 2017 as in past years and would continue its strategy of opening flagship stores in top shopping districts and absorbing its own small outlets into nearby big stores.

The company said it will open a 5,000 square-metre flagship Zara store in Mumbai, which will be its largest store in India. Inditex has 21 stores in that market.

It also plans to open newly refurbished stores in iconic locations in Paris and London next year.

Based in Arteixo, a small town in northwest of Spain, Inditex makes over half of its clothes in factories close to its main markets --- in Spain, Portugal, North Africa, Turkey and Eastern Europe.

This business model allows it to get clothes to stores much faster than its rivals, who prioritise low production costs and outsource manufacturing to China, and can react more quickly to shifting consumer tastes to avoid excess inventory.

Clothes made for Zara, for instance, can go from the design stage to store racks in a mere two weeks. By comparison the process takes H&M six months.

Shop assistants report back customer reactions, to their managers, who then provide feedback to designers.

Inditex created nearly 9,600 new jobs in 2016, boosting its worldwide headcount to close to 162,500.

It also said it would increase the dividend payout by 13 percent to 0.68 euros per share for 2016.
LOS ANGELESThe lawsuit filed in January by director Tony T.which until recently had performer Ramon Nomar as co-plaintiffcharging adult star Nikki Benz and production corporation MindGeek with defamation is expected to go to trial by jury in early 2018, according to T.'s counsel, industry attorney Karen Tynan.

The suit, filed January 11 in Los Angeles Superior Court, concerns allegations Benz made via social media about a December 19 shoot for Brazzers (a subsidiary of MindGeek) directed by Tony T., with Nomar and herself performing. In the suit, T. maintains that Benz's claims she was "abused" and had her consent repeatedly violated during said shoot were untrue and that he "sustained shame, mortification and hurt feelings" as a result.

In a press statement, Tynan said that raw footage from the shoot in questionwhich was screened for select industry members the evening of January 11"did not back up any of [Benz's] claims ... and none of the on-set crew witnessed anything that would corroborate her story."

She added that MindGeek's subsequent termination of T.'s contract and its public statements about the matter "worked to confirm Benz's claims, and further damaged [T.'s] reputation, leaving him not only without a contract, but largely unemployable in the adult industry."

Tynan said that a case management conference is set for May 16 in Los Angeles, at which "Tony plans to ask for a two-week jury trial." She noted that discovery has not yet begun in the case, but that an early 2018 trial date is projected.

As a point of possible pertinence, California trial procedure, according to KinseyLaw.com, stipulates that civil cases such as this "must be tried by a jury, unless a jury trial is waived," meaning that the only way the case would not go before a jury would be if both parties waived the right to have one.
OTTOWA, CanadaStandard Innovation Corp. last week settled a multi-million dollar lawsuit that alleged privacy violations of its customers, and sent a letter to partners explaining the details of the settlement.

The makers of the We-Vibe family of products settled for $3.75 million: about $3 million will go to users of the app, while the remaining $750,000 will go to people who purchased the app-controlled vibrator.

The woman who filed the suit and a co-plaintiff will each be awarded $5,000.

The suit claimed the We-Connect appwhich is used by some We-Vibe products, but not allmonitored and recorded how consumers use the device in real-time, and alleged the app tracked personal details such as the date and time of each use of the vibe and the app, the chosen vibration intensity and pattern and the email addresses of users who have registered within the app.

Company officials sent the following letter to partners today:

Youve likely seen media coverage related to the settlement of a US class action lawsuit naming Standard Innovation. We have agreed to settle this case so that we can focus on the business of designing and creating products. We maintain that our data practices comply with applicable laws, and that there was no wrongdoing in this case. Wed like to provide you with more information for your customers.

We take customer privacy and data security seriously. Its important to let consumers know that there has been no compromise of We-Vibe users personal information or data.

In September, we responded rapidly to concerns about We-Connect app privacy and security. We enhanced our privacy notice, increased app security, provided customers more choice in the data they share, and we continue to work with leading privacy and security experts to improve the app. More details of these changes are available on our website.

As with many apps, certain limited data is required for the app to work on an individuals device. That data is used in an aggregate and anonymous form that does not personally identify any individual We-Connect app users. Consumers may also choose to use We-Vibe products without the app. You can direct customers to our app Privacy Notice for more information on our privacy and data practices.

The lawsuit is US-based, and the settlement applies to individuals in the United States. The Court has appointed a third-party Settlement Administrator. The Settlement Administrator is responsible for posting a website with information about the settlement and for processing claims. You can direct consumers seeking more information to SICclassactionsettlement.com. We expect the website to be live no later than March 21, 2017.

The settlement covers two groups or classes. The Purchaser Class is for anyone in the United States who bought any of the following Bluetooth-enabled We-Vibe vibrators before September 26, 2016: We-Vibe Classic, We-Vibe 4 Plus, We-Vibe 4 Plus App Only, Rave by We-Vibe and Nova by We-Vibe products. The App Class includes anyone in the United States who downloaded the We-Connect application and used it to control one of the above listed products before September 26, 2016.

We value our business partners and thank you for your continued support.
LOS ANGELES  Its National Pi Day, and Nina Elle is celebrating with a brand new creampie scene for Naughty America.

Released today on the My First Sex Teacher site, Elle portrays a teacher who really cares about her students. When her student, Justin Hunt, is having trouble understanding the concept of Pi, Elle tries everything to help him understand. Poor Hunt is so confused he brought her a pie and whipped cream. While she appreciates his efforts, she decides to teach him about her favorite type of creampie, which has nothing to do with food.

Elle said, There arent too many ways to celebrate Pi Day, so Im glad NA gave me the opportunity to give my fans a great scene. Maybe this will be a new Pi Day tradition for me.

Nina is represented by ATMLA and is available for B/G, B/B/G, B/G/G, G/G, IR, solo, fetish, and more. Directors and producers can contact ATMLA via its website for bookings. To book Nina for feature performances at your club, contact The Lee Network.

Follow Nina on Twitter and Instagram.
CYBERSPACE  WankzVR releases "Happy Birthday," starring new alt-porn star, Ivy Lebelle with Chad Alva. In this scene, VR users enjoy a pleasant surprise when they receive an unexpected visit from birthday stripper, Lebelle.

"I've always admired alt-porn and its edgy aesthetics. The tattoos and piercings are what people associate it with, but for me, it's also that snarling honesty and easy confidence that I find really irresistible. So, it was a dream for us to work with Ivy Lebelle. Even though she's new, she's really making a name for herself as a star to watch out for. She's such a good performer and VR just really amplifies that," said assistant director, Nick.

Lebelle said, "Since I'm new to the industry. The VR experience was especially unique and I think really pulled the 'performer' out of me because the male talent isn't allowed to do much. I got to have fun with my character and being the aggressor/seducer. The crew was lovely and super easy to work with. I would happily go back any time!"

To watch a preview of this scene, click here.

For more information, visit WankzVR.com and follow on Twitter @WankzVR
question-63916_640

It is not everyone?s goal to outperform the market. Still, given the choice, I believe investors would prefer to beat the market than not. Here are a couple of questions you can ask yourself to identify outperforming stocks.

Which sectors or industries are underperforming?

Identify underperforming sectors or industries. Then buy the top companies from the sector.

Here?s an example of how this have worked beautifully for the top Canadian banks, which are the most profitable publicly traded companies in Canada.

Bank stocks underperformed in 2015. Then in 2016, Royal Bank of Canada (TSX:RY)(NYSE:RY) shares rallied about 22%. The same thing happened to shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD).

Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) shares were even more amazing, as they climbed a whopping 33%! (In 2015, Bank of Nova Scotia fell harder, allowing the shares to make a stronger comeback.)

So, never count out underperforming stocks. They can make an amazing comeback as long as the profits of their underlying businesses are still intact.

win

Which has higher growth?

When considering two companies in the same industry, the one with higher growth will likely outperform the one with lower growth, given that you pay a reasonable multiple for the higher-growth company.

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (TSX:AQN)(NYSE:AQN) and Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS)(NYSE:FTS) are both utilities. In comparison, the former has delivered higher returns as of late.

Algonquin?s one-year returns were about 24%, of which roughly 5% came from dividends and 19% came from capital appreciation.

Although, roughly a year ago, the utility was trading at a multiple of about 21.8, it was a reasonable multiple for its earnings-per-share (EPS) growth, which was 24% in 2016.

Fortis?s one-year returns were about 18%, of which roughly 4% came from dividends and 14% came from capital appreciation.

A year ago, the utility was trading at a multiple of about 17.5, which was reasonable for its stability and expected moderate growth of 5.75-7% per year for the next few years.

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Since Algonquin?s EPS is expected to grow on average by about 11.5% per year for the next few years, the utility should continue to outperform Fortis as an investment.

The difference in compounded returns can add up to make a big difference ? the longer you hold, the bigger the difference.

An investment of $10,000 with 12% annualized returns transforms to north of $33,000 in 10 years. If the same amount were invested for an 8% rate of return, it would have grown to only $22,200. That?s a $10,800 difference!

Investor takeaway

Every additional percentage of returns you earn from your portfolio will make a big difference in the long run. So, consider investing in tomorrow?s outperformers when they?re underperforming today!

Looking for a few great dividend-paying stocks to buy today?

If so, you're in luck! Because we just tapped one of our top analysts -- and experts in this field -- and asked him to put together a special report highlighting three of his favorite dividend-payers to buy right now.

These three "Cash Kings" have an average yield of 4.0%... are poised to profit from three diverse (and highly crucial) sectors of the economy... and look like they have the ability to grow their dividend well into the future.

For a limited time you can get a copy of this brand new special report by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of ALGONQUIN POWER AND UTILITIES CORP. and FORTIS INC.

Looking for a few great dividend-paying stocks to buy today?

If so, you're in luck! Because we just tapped one of our top analysts -- and experts in this field -- and asked him to put together a special report highlighting three of his favorite dividend-payers to buy right now.

These three "Cash Kings" have an average yield of 4.0%... are poised to profit from three diverse (and highly crucial) sectors of the economy... and look like they have the ability to grow their dividend well into the future.

For a limited time you can get a copy of this brand new special report by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Kay Ng owns shares of ALGONQUIN POWER AND UTILITIES CORP. and FORTIS INC.
By Simon Jessop

LONDON (Reuters) - A consortium of Canadian and Kuwaiti investors has agreed to buy a minority stake in Britain's Thames Water from funds managed by Macquarie, ending the Australian group's 11-year investment in Britain's largest water firm.

The deal is the latest high-profile acquisition of British infrastructure by overseas investors, as pension schemes, sovereign wealth funds and others look to tap into stable returns tough to find in other financial markets.

Canadian pension fund investor Borealis Infrastructure and the infrastructure investing arm of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) are buying a 26 percent stake in Kemble Water Holdings, the holding company of Thames Water.

Borealis, infrastructure investment manager for OMERS, the pension plan for Ontario's municipal employees, and Wren House Infrastructure Management, the infrastructure arm of the KIA, said they had agreed to buy the stake from Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets.

No financial details were disclosed.

Thames Water is Britain's largest water and wastewater services provider, with 15 million customers across London, the Thames Valley and surrounding areas. It supplies 2.6 billion liters of drinking water per day.

"The Consortium has met with Thames Water's existing management team and... will support Thames Water's ongoing 4.5 billion pound capital investment program - for the 2015 to 2020 regulatory period - the largest in the UK water industry," Borealis and Wren House said in a joint statement.

Macquarie, in a separate statement, said its Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 2, which held most of the stake, was divesting as it approaches maturity and the deal would end the group's involvement with Thames Water.

During its tenure, Thames Water invested more than 11 billion pounds, or around 1 billion pounds a year, more than twice that invested during the five-year period before privatization in 1989, it said.

"Today, Thames Water is undoubtedly a better, stronger and more customer-focused business than that which we invested in back in 2006," said Martin Stanley, global head of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.

(Reporting by Simon Jessop; editing by Lawrence White and Jason Neely)
cannabis-marijuana 16-9

Canopy Growth Corp (TSX:WEED) is to be added to the broad S&P TSX Composite index on May 20, 2017. A lot of hype has come with the news, and management at Canopy is celebrating another ?first.? There is indeed a reason to celebrate the achievement, but what could the inclusion on the index mean for individual investors?

There are a number of big institutions, including mutual funds, pension funds, and investment banks, that use the TSX Composite and its sub-indices as performance benchmarks for their portfolios. The addition of Canopy to the index will introduce some new dimensions to the index?s performance.

Canopy is currently the only listed marijuana stock trading on the main Toronto Stock Exchange. All those funds that track the TSX Composite or its sub-indexes may be mandated to buy into Canopy as there is currently no other substitute. There will likely be a swarming of institutional investors into the company?s stock.

These institutions will come with complications, blessings, and curses to Canopy?s stock.

The good news

Firstly, institutional investors are smart money managers who could further improve the valuation of Canopy?s stock. They have a vast number of trained analysts, access to a host of corporate and market data that retail investors may not afford, and they can perform a more in-depth analysis than individual investors. Canopy may be more fairly valued going forward.

Secondly, these big investors could further lift Canopy?s stock price. Not only will they increase demand and improve liquidity in the stock, but once they establish a position, they usually closely engage with management on how best value can be created in the company going forward. Usually, investors who buy in to a stock with the initial wave of institutional buyers make good money.

Moreover, institutional investors may dampen the volatility in the stock going forward. The stock is currently likely being held by many traders and speculators with short-term holding periods who overreact even to the most trivial information. Institutions usually have a long-term perspective in a stock as they incur high due diligence and transaction costs when entering a position.

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Rather than selling whenever there is some negative market noise, institutions usually choose to have a dialogue with firm directorship. They can even suggest hiring new management, promote value-driven decisions, and create more shareholder wealth by better monitoring of management.

The downside

There could be some few complication with increased institutional shareholder concentration in Canopy.

Institutions may hold millions of shares in a stock. With the high uncertainty surrounding the marijuana industry, especially the critical recreational legalization, something could go wrong in the sector. These big guys could decide to offload their stocks all at once. With such big stock volumes coming on to the market all at once, Canopy shares could massively drop in a matter of minutes, and recovery could take years.

Foolish bottom line

Great times are likely coming for marijuana investors and to Canopy in particular. An increase in institutional investors in the stock may boost shareholder confidence and bring price stability, but the uncertainty with recreational legalization is a huge factor that could be magnified.

Invest with caution!

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Brian Paradza has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Brian Paradza has no position in any stocks mentioned.
dollar sign_money_dividends_16-9

Investors are having a tough time finding value in the current market.

Let?s take a look at TransAlta Corporation (TSX:TA)(NYSE:TAC) to see if it might be attractive right now.

Painful times

A perfect storm of high debt, falling power rates, and opposition to coal-fired electricity generation hit TransAlta hard in recent years.

As a result, management had to slash the dividend a number of times, sending long-term investors for the exits.

Five years ago, TransAlta traded for $20 per share. At the lowest point in early 2016, it slipped below $4.

Better days ahead?

Investors who had the courage to buy at that point are sitting on some healthy gains. The stock is back above $7 and better days might be on the way.

Why?

Management has done a good job of reducing debt. The company finished 2016 with net debt of $3.89 billion, which was down from $4.25 billion at the same time the previous year.

On top of that, a deal negotiated with Alberta has now cleared up any confusion regarding the future of the company?s Alberta-based coal plants.

Under the agreement, Alberta will pay TransAlta about $37.4 million per year through 2030 as assistance to help the company transition away from coal.

Alberta is also switching the set-up of its power market to a system where it will pay power companies for their capacity as well as the power they produce. This should provide the incentive needed to attract investments in renewable energy.

The province relies on coal plants for close to half of its electricity, so new power generation will be required to replace the capacity lost due to the closing of some plants.

As part of its deal, TransCanada is committed to remaining a key player in the Alberta market.

Steady results

Power prices remain weak, but TransAlta expects 2017 results to be better than last year, as the South Hedland project comes online and the first transition payments kick in from Alberta.

The current quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share should be safe and provides a yield of 2.2%.

Story continues

Value play

TransAlta owns a majority interest in TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TSX:RNW). At the time of writing, the RNW holdings are worth about $2.1 billion.

TransAlta?s market capitalization is only about $2 billion, so the market is essentially putting no value on the assets that TransAlta still owns.

Should you buy?

Power prices are expected to remain weak for the medium term, and the oil industry is still struggling. That said, the long-term outlook for TransAlta should be positive.

If you have some patience, it might be worthwhile to pick up the stock while it is still unloved. TransAlta looks cheap today, and you can sit back and collect the dividend until better days arrive.

Looking for a few great dividend-paying stocks to buy today?

If so, you're in luck! Because we just tapped one of our top analysts -- and experts in this field -- and asked him to put together a special report highlighting three of his favorite dividend-payers to buy right now.

These three "Cash Kings" have an average yield of 4.0%... are poised to profit from three diverse (and highly crucial) sectors of the economy... and look like they have the ability to grow their dividend well into the future.

For a limited time you can get a copy of this brand new special report by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of TransAlta.

Looking for a few great dividend-paying stocks to buy today?

If so, you're in luck! Because we just tapped one of our top analysts -- and experts in this field -- and asked him to put together a special report highlighting three of his favorite dividend-payers to buy right now.

These three "Cash Kings" have an average yield of 4.0%... are poised to profit from three diverse (and highly crucial) sectors of the economy... and look like they have the ability to grow their dividend well into the future.

For a limited time you can get a copy of this brand new special report by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker owns shares of TransAlta.
oil-well-site

Crescent Point Energy Corp. (TSX:CPG)(NYSE:CPG) is trading close to its 12-month low, and investors are wondering if the sell-off is overdone.

Let?s take a look at the current situation to see if Crescent Point should be in your portfolio.

Oil outlook

Oil prices recovered in 2016 from a low below US$30 per barrel early in the year to US$55 per barrel in December.

The initial rally occurred due to hopes for an agreement by OPEC producers to reduce supplies, and the extended recovery occurred after OPEC finally announced an agreement in late November.

What?s the scoop?

OPEC and a handful of other countries, including Russia, are targeting production cuts of 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) through June 2017.

Oil remained above US$50 through January and February, as markets believed OPEC and its partners were meeting their reduction objectives, but crude prices have slipped in the past week.

Why?

Russia reported February production that was relatively unchanged from January. The country reduced output in January by 100,000 bpd and has agreed to reduce production by 300,000 bpd under the deal with OPEC.

The fact that Russia paused its output cuts has investors wondering if the OPEC deal is falling apart.

OPEC says its members hit a reduction compliance rate of 94% in February, so there is a chance the pact will remain intact, but reports have come out suggesting Saudi Arabia is carrying the load for some of its OPEC peers who are missing their targets.

At the time of writing, WTI oil is at US$48.40 per barrel.

Crescent Point

Crescent Point currently trades for about $14.50 per share. A year ago, investors had to pay close to $18 for the stock, and that was when oil traded at US$45 per barrel.

So, based on oil prices, Crescent Point was either overbought last year or is now oversold. When we take a look at the production outlook, the oversold argument starts to gather more steam.

Crescent Point raised its capital plan for 2017 and expects to exit the year with a 10% gain in average daily production. Higher output at better prices should be supportive for the stock.

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In addition, the company?s balance sheet remains in good shape, and Crescent Point has adequate financial liquidity to enable it to ride out another downturn, or scoop up additional strategic assets to boost the resource base.

Should you buy?

Crescent Point looks attractive today if you have a positive view of the long-term oil story, and it might be worthwhile to add a contrarian position to your portfolio.

However, I would keep the position small, given the near-term market risks. Oil prices could fall further, as rising U.S. production provides a headwind and concerns mount over OPEC?s ability to meet its reduction targets.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Oct. 7 release by The Washington Post of video and audio boasting of repeated sexually predatory behavior gave everyone a glimpse into the dark chasm that is Donald Trump. In a carefully crafted response he attempted to minimize his criminal behavior, saying "Bill Clintons said much worse," as if invoking another persons egregious behavior somehow lessened or justified his own despicable conduct. Again, another peek into the abyss.

Nebraskas own pillars of Jell-O, Pete Ricketts, Deb Fisher, Jeff Fortenberry and Adrian Smith, were momentarily taken aback by Trumps depravity ("Fischer, Fortenberry abandon Trump," Oct. 9, 2016). However, they quickly regained their political equilibrium and, without discernible embarrassment, asserted that willful, repetitive sexual predatory action is preferable to not being a Republican. Their cowardice struck the ultimate Faustian bargain.

Philosophers have discussed moral relativism and situational ethics for centuries. However, each of us knows at some point, at some level, when something is wrong. We know that it always has been wrong and that it always will be wrong, with no excuses and no exceptions. When we deny to ourselves and to others that this dichotomy exists, we begin drifting into a quagmire from which there is no easy retreat.

Ive never subscribed to the notion of holding elected officials to a higher moral and ethical standard than we apply to ourselves. What would that say about our morals and ethics, especially in todays political climate? However, that hope, anyway, has persisted. That is until this past election when many people clearly demonstrated they just dont give a damn what slithers into the White House.

Larry McClung, Lincoln
oil pump 16-9

Oil continues to whipsaw wildly because of rising inventories and fears that OPEC will fail to maintain the production cuts implemented earlier this year. This is having a sharp impact on the value of energy stocks, triggering yet another sell-off as investors brace for a protracted decline in prices.

While opportunities abound for investors seeking to make a contrarian bet on crude, recent events emphasize the need for investors to exercise caution.

One energy stock that stands out as a credible candidate to bet on higher oil prices over the long term is Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (TSX:GTE)(NYSE:GTE). Not only does it possess many notable attributes that will allow it to survive lower prices, but it also completed a transformative acquisition in 2016 that leaves it will positioned to benefit from higher oil prices.

Now what?

During 2016 Gran Tierra completed four strategic acquisitions in Colombia, the most significant being the US$525 million purchase of PetroLatina. This added 469,000 acres to Gran Tierra?s already extensive Colombian landholding, boosted oil reserves by 53 million barrels, and boosted production by 5,300 barrels daily.

Such a needle-moving purchase made Gran Tierra the dominant landholder in the prolific Putumayo basin in southern Colombia and significantly expanded its drilling inventory while substantially enhancing its exploration upside.

The strength of Gran Tierra?s position can be seen from its solid 2016 results.

Royalties shot up by a remarkable 19%, while operating costs fell by just under 9%, allowing Gran Tierra to generate an operating netback of US$16.75 per barrel. That is particularly important for investors to note, because operating netback is a key measure of profitability for an oil company?s operations.

Even after crude fell to its lowest price in over a decade in early 2016, causing Brent (the international benchmark price) to average just US$44 per barrel over the course of the year, Gran Tierra was still capable of delivering a strong netback.

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The intermediate oil producer is attractively priced. Its last traded price of $3.47 per share is almost half of the independently determined value of its oil reserves of $6.55 per share, highlighting the considerable upside on offer.

Another characteristic that makes Gran Tierra a solid opportunity is its clean balance sheet with net debt of US$172 million, or a mere 1.4 times EBITDA.

It is also well positioned to take full advantage of higher oil prices.

The company plans to grow 2017 oil production by at least 25% and drill between 20 and 23 wells. Given the strong success rate already experienced and the quality of its acreage, it is likely that Gran Tierra?s drilling program will meet with considerable success over the course of the year. That program will be funded internally from cash flow, meaning that Gran Tierra will retain that pristine balance sheet.

The peace deal between the Colombian government and the largest belligerent group in that nation?s civil war will also benefit Gran Tierra. It will reduce the likelihood of production outages due to attacks on energy infrastructure, especially pipelines. Along with Gran Tierra?s focus on cost reductions, transportation as well as operating expenses will fall further.

So what?

If anything, I expect Gran Tierra to unlock value for investors over the course of 2017 and deliver some solid results during the year. In conjunction with higher oil prices, this will lift the company?s bottom line and should cause its stock price to appreciate, making now the time for investors to add the company to their portfolios.

Canada's answer to Amazon.com

You've probably never even heard of this up-and-coming e-commerce powerhouse headquartered in Eastern Ontario...

But, despite coming public just last year, it's already helping the likes of Budweiser... Tesla... Subway... and Red Bull move $9.9 BILLION (and counting) worth of goods online each year.

And now it's caught the eye of the legendary investor who got behind Amazon.com in 1997 -- just before it shot up over 23,000% and made investors like you and me rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Click here to discover why this investor says it's time to buy.

More reading

Fool contributor Matt Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Canada's answer to Amazon.com

You've probably never even heard of this up-and-coming e-commerce powerhouse headquartered in Eastern Ontario...

But, despite coming public just last year, it's already helping the likes of Budweiser... Tesla... Subway... and Red Bull move $9.9 BILLION (and counting) worth of goods online each year.

And now it's caught the eye of the legendary investor who got behind Amazon.com in 1997 -- just before it shot up over 23,000% and made investors like you and me rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Click here to discover why this investor says it's time to buy.

Fool contributor Matt Smith has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Fake news writers Jestin Coler (center) and Jeffrey Marty (left) speak at SXSW. (Photo by Mindy Best/Getty Images for SXSW)

AUSTIN  A keynote offering a sometimes-uncomfortable perspective on fake news at the South by Southwest Conference here started with a pitch suggesting a different story.

The description below a generic title on the conferences website for Tuesdays talk by Yasmin Green, director of research at Googles Jigsaw project, implied shed speak about countering the radicalization of at-risk audiences. Thats a serious issue that would make for a great SXSW panel, but its not what Greens talk actually covered.

Instead, after explaining that her job at the Alphabet, Inc. (GOOG, GOOGL) offshoot was to make the internet safer for the next billion people who are coming online, Green said she would conduct some onstage research into one particular problem: fake news.

Thats the current name for stories circulated to bamboozle readers, although Green also used disinformation, the term adopted in the 1980s for misleading information the Soviet Union propagated. After the 2016 election, some observers blamed fake news for tilting the outcome; lately, President Trump has latched onto the term as a generic description for stories he doesnt like.

To unpack the problem, Green brought out two proprietors of fake news. One, a Los Angeles-area publisher named Jestin Coler, found made-up stories unexpectedly profitable, while the other, Tampa-based lawyer Jeffrey Marty, created a popular Twitter account for a fictional congressman.

From satire to market-tested fake news

Green stated upfront that she does not support news fraudsters. Access to information is a fundamental human right. Deceitful content really does undermine the promise of the internet, she said.

Yasmin Green, director of research and development for Jigsaw, speaks about fake news during her talk at SXSW. (Photo by Mindy Best/Getty Images for SXSW)

But neither Coler nor Marty said they set out to subvert that promise.

For Coler, creating a satirical site called National Report was really just about having fun, he said.

Then advertisers started showing up, which led Coler and his colleagues to concoct stories that drew more clicks. Conspiracy theories tended to work well, he said, citing a phony story about a government mandate that you received an RFID chip as part of Obamacare.

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The financial rewards mattered  Coler said he later went on to start the fake Denver Guardian because my mortgage was due  but the practice yielded an emotional high too. It certainly turns into something thats very addictive.

Colers fake stories, though, had real-world consequences. He said a fake piece about Coloradans being able to buy marijuana with food stamps led a state representative to introduce a bill banning the practice.

(But even that claim is fake. The Denver Post reported that state Sen. Vicki Marble introduced her bill months before Colers story.)

An example of the kind of fake news stories produced by Coler and his National Report website.

Therapy turns political tool

Marty, meanwhile, said he created the phony @RepStevenSmith account in 2013 as a form of therapy after the suicide of a close friend with whom hed collaborated on many pranks. It was just kind of like a way of lashing out, he said.

But as Donald Trumps campaign for president accelerated through the Republican primaries, the accounts popularity did too  and Twitter users including Star Treks William Shatner got faked out by it. The phony congressmans endorsement of Trump drew some 7,000 retweets, Marty said.

None of this made him money, but Marty realized he could use the account to vent about the dishonesty of many mainstream Republicans. Later, he employed it to generate publicity about the WikiLeaks disclosures of Democratic National Committee co-chair John Podestas e-mails.

Jestin Coler speaks onstage at the Interactive Keynote during SXSW. (Photo by Mindy Best/Getty Images for SXSW)

Marty complained about Podestas e-mail being ignored by the media  which based on the volume of articles about the topic seems very clearly untrue. Seeing a peddler of fake news use a spot on a SXSW stage to spout more of it may have caused some of the audience members to leave the room.

What works to spread fake news

Green, one of the last speakers added to the SXSW schedule, then asked the two what had worked best to get their disinformation distributed.

Coler said teamwork was essential. He noted that his 20 or so contributors would help each other by jumping into the comments section with fake outrage. Facebook (FB) groups also worked to seed stories.

He also built backdrops to lend credibility to fake stories. For example, he created a phony site for a pot dispensary taking food-stamp payments to support his hoax, then populated the Denver Guardian site with silly local news stuff to make new readers think theyd found a real publication.

Coler said he never needed Twitter or Facebook bots to promote his work. Once you get an emotional response from the readers they become your bots.

Marty pointed to such Twitter best practices as adding photos, video and hashtags  the last of which dont have to be relevant as long as theyre trending. He also cited the effectiveness of having a foil for his fake account: an outrageous, phony chief of staff that Rep. Smith can dress down in public.

Yasmin Green talks with fake news writers Jestin Coler and Jeffrey Marty at SXSW in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mindy Best/Getty Images for SXSW)

Many people, he added, keep reading after realizing its all a hoax: Even when they know its fake, they still start tweeting it out as humor.

Can tech fix this?

Green closed by asking the two what we could do to help real facts overcome fake ones. (She didnt mention that Google just updated its search guidelines to lower the visibility of fake, bigotry-reinforcing pages.) Both Coler and Marty voiced doubts about any technological fix.

The former suggested that while Google or Facebook could ship new fact-checking apps, the people who need those tools are the ones who think other people need tools. The latter complained that traditional media sites served as fake-news outlets when they uncritically passed on U.S. government reports about Iraqs alleged nuclear-weapons programs before the 2003 war.

And both pointed out that fake news didnt start with the social media of 2014. Coler recalled seeing supermarket tabloids with front-page headlines about Bill Clinton meeting aliens: This stuff has always been around.

More from Rob:

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
This Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 photo shows Ellen Purtell, centre, as she watches her 15-year-old son Bobby Costanzo, right, helping his sister Grace Costanzo, 10, with math homework, at their home in Chatham, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

If youre a teen preparing to file taxes for the first time, scared, grown-up, confused and proud might describe some of what youre feeling right now. And while it probably doesnt rank high up there with lifes other firsts, filing your inaugural return is a rite of passage we all must do at some point.

Or perhaps youre new to Canada, and are a little overwhelmed with what to do now that youre faced with your first tax season. What should you know, and where should you go for help?

For those who are embarking on their first filing, or those helping out a first-time filer, there are some key things to keep in mind as you prepare for that May 1 deadline.

Be punctual

If you owe money and you file your taxes beyond the deadline, youll be dinged late-filing penalties and potentially interest charges says Evelyn Jacks, a Winnipeg-based financial services educator, author and Canadian tax guru.

Those who operate an unincorporated small business have an extended time to file their returns and can do so by midnight June 15. But if you owe money to the CRA its best to file by May 1 because they will charge you interest on any amount owing.

Ensure each family member files

To be eligible for the Canada child tax benefit, the CRA takes into account the combined net income of both parents. You should file a tax return whether or not you earn an income because if you have children, you may be eligible for this tax credit.

Newcomers get help

Newcomers should know that we are taxed as residents, not citizens. If you have residency in Canada, you must file a tax return and report your world income in Canadian funds. Your Canadian residence begins from the date of entry into Canada. An immigrants personal amounts will be pro-rated based on the date they arrived in Canada. To help navigate the difficult process of filing a tax return, Jacks recommends getting assistance from a tax professional. This will be especially useful for a newcomers first tax year to get help with such items as personal tax credits.

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Dont let the lingo get you down

Jacks maintains that one of the biggest barriers to understanding taxes is the new terminology  terms such as family net income and refundable tax credits can leave you scratching your head. But Jacks says not to worry about that.

Just jump in, she says. There is no such thing as a stupid tax question. Remember this is something that is not going to go away. It will be a life skill or a financial literacy skill. Its going to cost you a lot of money if you dont get on top of it.

Become more tax literate

Did you know moving expenses, including the commission you paid a realtor to sell your home, is a tax write-off if you are relocating for a job or to start your own business? Did you know you can recover errors and omissions in tax returns for up to ten years? Lets say you neglected to file a return in 2009 or perhaps you just learned about a disability credit you didnt know you were eligible for. You can recoup these potential gains.

Student should claim tax credits

The GST is a refundable tax credit that is eligible to students. It goes up to $280 this July. The only way to receive it is by filing a return so do so even if you have no income. As Jacks points out, it could pay for a few textbooks.

Dont forget to claim the tuition tax credit if youre attending a post-secondary school. The credit reduces the amount you owe the CRA. But what if you dont owe anything or very little? You can transfer some of the credit to a parent or grandparent, or carry it forward to a year when you do owe more tax.

Who should file?

Any Canadian resident who has made income anywhere in the world that is taxable, or anyone who is interested in collecting tax credits should file a return.

Why should you file?

Even if youre a teen who doesnt think theres much point, its worth filing for the refundable tax credits alone. But theres more. According to Jacks, its important to begin learning about the process so you can figure out how to pay the least amount of taxes in the future and to start saving for retirement.

You want to learn how to be an investor to earn a tax-efficient income in order to build wealth, Jacks says, and elaborates on in her book Family Tax Essentials. There is so much cool stuff to know. Once people get their appetites whet a little they find that learning about taxes is fun. Make it your business to drill down.
husky energy inc_16-9

Husky Energy Inc. (TSX:HSE) has been crushed by the rout in oil prices, as the stock is now off 56% from its high in 2014. The company has been struggling to rally, even with oil prices climbing above the $50 levels. Husky?s assets are extremely capital intensive, and it has been tough on the company?s balance sheet.

The company eventually cut its dividend entirely, and many investors have taken the stock off their radars because of this cut. Sure, it?s rarely a good idea to invest in a company that has a history of dividend cuts, but the management team is looking to change things up so that such a cut doesn?t happen again.

Li Ka-Shing, Hong Kong billionaire and controller of Husky, knows that the capital-intensive assets aren?t great in an environment where oil prices are low, so he?s planning to sell some of the company?s eastern Canadian offshore assets to free up billions of dollars? worth of cash. It?s most likely that this cash will be used for an investment in Asia, which will be better for the company if oil prices drop like they did in the early part of last year.

Oil prices are starting to drop from the $50 levels, and some believe another oil crash could be in the works, as the OPEC pact starts to fall apart. Many producers may be cheating and feeding the oil glut by pumping oil like there?s no tomorrow. OPEC isn?t going to police its members, so it?s quite possible that a lot of oil companies could give up their recent gains.

Husky has no recent gains from the current rally to $50, so I believe the company still has a decent margin of safety compared to its peers in the oil patch.

The capital-intensive eastern Canadian assets will continue to drag the company down, so if oil drops below $30 again, there?s a possibility that Husky could fall even further. Eventually, Husky will be a decent performer in a low oil price environment, but for now, the company is highly sensitive to drops in crude prices.

If you believe oil prices have stabilized and won?t crash again, then Husky could be a fantastic contrarian play. The company trades at a ridiculously cheap 0.9 price-to-book multiple, and there?s a high chance the company will reinstate its dividend later this year, assuming oil prices don?t crash again.

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Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Joey Frenette has no position in any stocks mentioned.
solar power 16-9

Renewable energy sources represent some of the most intriguing opportunities in the market. Renewable energy already makes up over 50% of the power generation in Canada, and renewable energy markets around the world are growing, despite what appears to be a pro big-oil administration in Washington.

One of the things I absolutely love about renewable energy investments is how they benefit from two separate moats that provide a nearly impenetrable fortress surrounding what could be lucrative revenue streams.

The first moat is that as a utility which generates power, that power is sold off at what are, for the most part, regulated rates. Those regulated rates are established in agreements that will span, in some cases, upwards of 20 years, which cements the renewable energy opportunity as a long-term play. This also creates the opportunity for further growth as sentiment around renewable energy sources continues to improve and older fossil-fuel burning facilities are phased out.

The second moat is the more ethical approach to power generation. Renewable energy sources are viewed as the current baseline in terms of energy development, so to replace a solar farm with a coal-burning facility at this point would be unthinkable.

Some renewable energy companies pay impressive dividends that could provide growth and income for years.

Here?s a look at a few renewable energy companies that could continue to power your portfolio.

Innergex Renewable Energy

If you haven?t heard about Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. (TSX:INE) before, you will certainly remember the company from this point on. Innergex is one the largest independent power producers on the market with a diversified mix of facilities that spans hydro, wind, and solar installations across Canada, the U.S., and France. In total, all 47 facilities generate 939 MW of power with a further 70 MW of capability currently under construction.

In terms of a dividend, Innergex pays a handsome $0.165 per share monthly, which comes out to $1.98 per share year, giving Innergex a very healthy 4.65% yield. Over the years, Innergex has steadily increased that dividend with increases recorded in each of the past three years.

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Last month, Innergex announced yet another increase, setting up for a fourth consecutive year of increases. Even better, that trend is likely to continue doing so thanks to a sustainable payout ratio near 90%.

Future growth is also another reason to consider Innergex. The stock has appreciated nearly 10% in the past year, and over the course of the past five years Innergex has shot up nearly 40%.

Innergex currently trades just under $15.

TransAlta Renewables

TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TSX:RNW) is another pick for investors looking for income from the renewable energy sector. TransAlta is another independent power producer that currently owns or maintains an interest in over 30 facilities located in Canada, the U.S., and Australia.

TransAlta?s facility composition is 51% wind, 44% gas and 5% hydro facilities; together they provide 2,441 MW of power-generating capacity.

TransAlta currently offers investors a monthly dividend of $0.07333 per share, which translates into a very impressive 5.82% yield on the stock. TransAlta has also steadily increased the dividend throughout the years with the most recent uptick coming last year.

In terms of growth, TransAlta has appreciated by over 20% in the past year, and looking out over the past five years, TransAlta has jumped over 50%. That growth is expected to flow into 2017 as the company completes construction of the south Hedland facility, which should be operational later this year.

TransAlta currently trades at a little over $15.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Demetris Afxentiou has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Demetris Afxentiou has no position in any stocks mentioned.
A California study has found opioid overdoses were more common among patients who also had prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs.

A study published in the British Medical Journal Tuesday found 30 per cent of fatal opioid overdoses in the U.S. also involved benzodiazepines, a class of drugs used to treat anxiety and sleep problems.

Abuse of prescription painkillers, and the resulting potential for addiction and overdose, is considered a crisis in parts of Canada, Many of the drugs are prescribed by doctors.

To perform the study, researchers at Stanford University and the University of California looked at 315,428 privately insured people aged 18 to 64 who had an opioid prescription and who were continuously enrolled in a health plan with medical and pharmacy benefits.

The people studied were not known drug abusers and had been prescribed these drugs by a physician, said lead author Dr. Eric Sun, assistant professor at the department of anesthesiology, pain and perioperative medicine at Stanford University in California.

The study found rising use of the painkillers in combination with anti-anxiety drugs in the period from 2001 to 2013.

Spike in opioid prescriptions

Opioid prescriptions have increased sharply in the U.S.  nearly threefold  over the past 15 years, researchers say, mirroring a similar sharp increase in opioid prescriptions in Canada over the same period.

In 2001, about nine per cent of opioid users also were prescribed benzodiazepine, but by 2013, that had risen to 17 per cent.

Those who took both drugs at once had a significantly higher risk of death than people using opioids alone, said Sun.

During overdoses, benzodiazepines enhance the respiratory suppression associated with opioids and people stop breathing.

This effect is known in the medical community, and Sun said a "black box" warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had drawn attention to the potential effect of combining the drugs.

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"Probably most clinicians are aware of the increased risk  they might not be aware of the magnitude," he said.

And doctors don't necessarily know all the prescriptions their patients may be taking.

"One doctor might not know what another doctor is prescribing. At Stanford we're all one health system, and I can see what other doctors at Stanford are prescribing, but doctors outside of Stanford, unless you tell me, I don't know." he told CBC News.

He said there might be a role for insurance companies that cover drug prescriptions to alert physicians to dangerous drug combinations.

Opioid users who used benzodiazepines concurrently were at substantially higher risk of an emergency room visit or hospital inpatient admission for opioid-related poisoning or an opioid-related adverse event, the study found.

How to reduce risk

Chronic painkiller users who also took anti-anxiety drugs experienced the highest adjusted incidence of emergency room visits or inpatient admissions.

The researchers estimate elimination of the concurrent use of anti-anxiety drugs and opioid painkillers could reduce the population risk of an emergency room visit for opioid overdose by 15 per cent.

The study's authors urge caution in prescribing opioids concurrently with anti-anxiety drugs, and call for education programs that warn prescribers and patients about the risks of taking both medications in combination.

"This is not to say that no one should use these drugs at the same time. It is a risk-benefit analysis any time you take a drug and maybe this is something people should consider," Sun said.
retail_shopping_carts-16-9

Since the IPO (initial public offering) in 2015, shares of Shopify Inc. (TSX:SHOP)(NYSE:SHOP) have held up quite well. Trading between $30 and $60 for close to two years, the fate of the company hasn?t been as morbid as many other technology companies that have come before it.

Many investors over the age of 35 will remember the 1999/2000 technology bubble which brought euphoria from the markets to main street. Even worse, however, was the way the popping of the bubble negatively affected people.

Being an important player in the technology sector, shares of Shopify have had a fantastic start to the year. Since January, shares are up nearly 50%, and the momentum seems to be continuing strongly. The company, which offers merchants the ability to run their own e-commerce platforms and accept payments, is right in the middle of where every investor should want to be.

Imagine being the doorman at the only party in town!

For new website start-ups, the ability to sell a product on the website and get paid is incredibly important. Enter Shopify, which not only offers the ability to accept payments, but does much more by assisting with file storage, e-mail and sales support. For creative people thinking about the nuts and bolts of execution, the company offers a solution which frees up more time for entrepreneurs.

The great story is the revenue growth experienced by the company over the past number of years. From fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2016, the company?s revenues increased from $50.25 million to now over $389 million. The total CAGR (compounded annual growth rate) is nothing short of 97.8%. It?s almost doubled every single year!

Working our way down the income statement, the good news continues. The COGS (cost of goods sold) increased from $42.22 in fiscal 2014 (fiscal 2013 was not fairly representative, so this number was not used) to $179.84 in fiscal 2016. The CAGR is approximately 106%.

Although the COGS have increased at a faster rate than revenues, the result is still very clear: sales efforts are working, and the marketing efforts are clearly bringing in new revenues.

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Although the company is not yet profitable, the truth of the matter is, growth investors have a lot to be excited about over the long term. The cost of acquiring and retaining each new customer typically declines over time as people (especially busy entrepreneurs) enjoy familiarity. This is in addition to the research and development expenses, which will eventually decline to a ?normal? amount as the steering wheel is both invented and refined. Profitability will come. The only question is when will profitability arrive.

As most investors are looking for something exciting with positive upside potential, shares of Shopify may just fit the bill. But because it?s never showed profitability, investors should be cautious on this one.

Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

More reading

Fool contributor Ryan Goldsman has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Shopify and SHOPIFY INC. Shopify is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.



Six "pro" strategies for today's highly uncertain market

Motley Fool Canada's $250,000-real-money-portfolio service, Motley Fool Pro, is currently closed to new members. But lead advisor Jim Gilles is doing something special for investors who are worried about the market and where it will head in 2017.

He's revealing the six strategies he uses in Pro to help members guardrail their portfolios and make money in up, down, and sideways markets.

For a limited time you can download this "Pro 2017 Survival Guide" free of charge by simply clicking here.

Fool contributor Ryan Goldsman has no position in any stocks mentioned. Tom Gardner owns shares of Shopify. The Motley Fool owns shares of Shopify and SHOPIFY INC. Shopify is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.


Stocks (^DJI, ^GSPC, ^IXIC) are edging up at the midday mark, as investors await the latest from the Fed at 2:00 pm ET. The energy sector (XLE) is leading the way up, while the consumer discretionary sector (XLY) is in the rear, just holding onto some green. Keith Bliss of Cuttone and Company joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange.

To discuss the other big stories of the day, Alexis Christoforous is joined by Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and Yahoo Finances Dan Roberts.

Jame Dimon: Get ready for QE4

The Fed might be taking away the punch bowl today, but JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says to get ready for QE4. Hes talking about the estimated $1.8 trillion in untaxed cash being stashed overseasand expectations that Trump-led tax reform will help bring it back onshore.

Trump to nominate Goldmans Jim Donovan for Treasury post

Another Goldman Sachs banker is heading for a top job in the Trump administration. Hes Goldman private banker and law school professor Jim Donovan, and hell be nominated to be deputy to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who was also a partner at Goldman.

March Madness and Warren Buffett: the connection

After four play-in games, the real NCAA action kicks off Thursday. And that means millions of fans will be watching their brackets and hoping to win some money, including fans who work for billionaire Warren Buffett.
There's been plenty going on in the fast-food restaurant industry. As competitive pressures mount, the businesses are adding new ingredients to their growth plans to both remain profitable and retain market dominance.

From global expansion to strategic acquisition, and from periodic menu shuffles to tempting value deals, leading vendors are pulling out all the stops to stay ahead of the curve and head off challenges posed by economic uncertainty and fickle consumer preferences.

That the U.S. fast food restaurant market amassed US$203 billion in revenue in 2015 is a sign that the industry has proven itself to be resilient. By 2020, this figure is projected to reach US$224 billion, climbing higher year after year at a steady clip.

Fast food chains, countering sluggishness in their traditional markets, are looking to grow through menu innovation and adoption of new practices, and are spreading their global footprint to faster growing emerging markets.

Some of these companies are compelling growth stories with consistent annual revenue growth, expanding margins and strong cash flow generation, making them appetizing long-term investments, according to Morningstar equity research.

Starbucks Corp. Ticker SBUX Current yield 1.65% Forward P/E 22.1 Price US$54.63 Fair value US$66 Data as of Mar. 13, 2017

Starbucks Corp. ( SBUX ) is a global coffee chain with 25,700 stores that sell coffee, cold blended beverages, food and accessories. The firm also distributes packaged and single-serve coffee, tea, juice and pastries through its own stores and grocery store chains, and sells bottled beverages and ice creams through partnerships.

Starbucks recently announced a five-year growth plan that involves adding 12,000 new outlets globally by 2021. As part of the plan, the firm aims to grow revenue by 10%, earnings per share (EPS) by 15% to 20%, as well as mid-single-digit comparable-store growth each year. "Starbucks' international opportunities are undeniable--particularly in China, India, Japan and Brazil," says R.J. Hottovy, sector strategist at Morningstar, in a report, calling it much more than a retail story.

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The firm, he adds, is just starting to scratch the surface of its long-term channel, brand and geographic growth potential. "We view Starbucks as one of the most compelling growth stories in the global consumer space today, poised for top-line growth and margin expansion through menu innovations, sustainable cost advantages and evolution into a diversified retail and consumer packaged goods platform," says Hottovy.

Many of Starbucks' competitive advantages extend to international markets, which Hottovy regards as "a critical growth engine over the next several decades." Morningstar forecasts average annual revenue growth of 9%, EPS growth in mid-teens, and operating margins around 24% over the next decade.

In addition, the wide-moat company can sustain a 40% to 45% dividend payout, with average annual dividend growth in mid-teens over the next 10 years, says Hottovy, who appraised the stock's worth at US$66, implying a 3% free cash flow yield and enterprise value/EBITDA of 15 times.

Yum Brands Inc. Ticker YUM Current yield 2.69% Forward P/E 20.3 Price US$64.38 Fair value US$72 Data as of Mar. 13, 2017

With 43,600 restaurant locations,

Yum Brands ( YUM ) operates one of the largest networks of global quick-service restaurants including KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The chain generated US$46 billion in system-wide sales during 2016 of which KFC accounted for 52%, Pizza Hut 27% and another 21% coming from Taco Bell. Yum cleaved into two publicly traded companies--Yum Brands and Yum China--in 2016.

Despite competition nipping at the fast-food giant's heels, it offers "one of the more compelling global consumer growth stories, even after the separation of Yum China as a trademark franchisee," says a Morningstar report.

The wide-moat business' solid competitive advantage is rooted in strong brand intangible assets in KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, as well as a scalable franchise model. "Yum possesses some of the most universally recognized brands in the quick-service restaurant category," says Hottovy.

The company has been pushing for average unit volume improvement, same-store sales growth and margin expansion across underperforming regions. It's doing so through greater stress on product customization, improved restaurant utilization, increased use of digital ordering, and by making the brands more relevant to millennials, says Hottovy, who recently raised the stock's fair value from US$65 to US$72, incorporating enterprise value/EBITDA of 16 times and a free cash flow yield of 3%.

Management's projection for 2017 includes sales growth of at least 5% and high-single-digit operating profit growth. This means the company will need to crank up top-line and margin growth in 2018-19 to attain its 2019 EPS target of US$3.75, says Hottovy, who forecasts core operating margins to grow from 26.2% in 2016 to the low- to mid-50s by 2021.

Restaurant Brands International Inc. Ticker QSR Current yield 1.19% Forward P/E 37.7 Price US$54.76 Fair value US$59 Data as of Mar. 13, 2017

The third-largest quick service restaurant chain, created as a result of the consolidation of Burger King, Tim Hortons and, more recently, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen,

Restaurant Brands International ( QSR ) generated US$27.9 billion in sales from 23,000 restaurants in 2016.

The company is backed by Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital, which owns a 51% stake and has a strong track record for cost-cutting and international expansion. "Under the stewardship of 3G Capital, which has helped to drive a meaningful improvement in franchisee relations and fundamentals across the Burger King system through a simplified menu and aggressive operating cost cuts, the entire RBI portfolio can accelerate their respective strategic plans while leveraging best practices," says a Morningstar equity report.

Hottovy, who recently upped the stock's fair value from US$52 to US$59, says Burger King's global reach, with a large network of franchisees in the United States, Latin America and Europe, will help boost the Tim Hortons and Popeyes brands internationally. "The combined RBI entity boasts some of the restaurant category's strongest profitability metrics," he adds, noting the consolidation with Burger King could deepen Tim Horton's and Popeyes' competitive advantage.

The recent addition of Popeyes to RBI's brand portfolio is of great strategic importance. "Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen fits the mould of what [RBI] looks for in an acquisition: heavy franchise ownership (97% of Popeyes restaurants are franchised), exposure to the fast-growing chicken category (which has ample global appeal), little overlap with existing RBI brands, improving U.S. average unit volumes, burgeoning international potential and cost reduction opportunities," says Hottovy.

The company, projects Morningstar, could have 37,000 restaurants around the world (23,700 Burger King, 7,800 Tim Hortons, and 5,800 Popeyes locations) over the next 10 years, implying 5% annual growth, and operating margin expansion from 40% in 2016 to the low-50s, gained by way of enhanced economies of scale in emerging markets.

Complete access to Morningstar's research on equities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds is available to subscribers to Morningstar Canada Premium.
Nebraskas land auctions still attract a crowd  farmers in co-op hats, curious neighbors, keen-eyed investors.

The crowds are about the same, said Travis Augustin, an auctioneer and managing broker with Hastings-based Ruhter Auction & Realty.

But the bidders, he said, are raising their hands a little slower and less often than they did when farming was more profitable.

The University of Nebraska's land-market survey, which appeared in the Wednesday edition of Cornhusker Economics, shows slower bids and land sales that have translated into a 10 percent decline in Nebraskas average farmland value over the past year.

It marks the third consecutive year Nebraskas weighted average price for farmland has declined. The average, as of Feb. 1, was $2,805 per acre this year, which is 15 percent lower than the states 2014 peak of $3,315 per acre.

The Nebraska appraisers, farm managers and agricultural finance professionals who replied to the survey said low commodity prices and concerns about high property taxes are putting pressure on land values, said Jim Jansen, an agricultural economist with UNL's Extension Office.

But the state average doesnt tell the whole story.

Every piece of land is different. You have to look at the farm to actually see its true potential, Augustin said.

Prices and declines vary depending on a range of factors, including region, land use, productivity and whether the land is irrigated.

Augustin said buyers are being more selective.

Good irrigated farm ground, good soils and good water is still in high demand, he said. There are still a lot of buyers out there looking for farmland, and still a lot of people in a strong financial position able to buy it.

Dryland with irrigation potential dropped an average of 13 percent, the biggest decrease of all the statewide land classes, followed by tillable grazing land at 12 percent.

When crop prices were better, there was incentive to develop those land classes to produce higher yields. But with low commodity prices, there is less of that incentive present to help buoy the value. Regulatory issues related to developing irrigation also were noted as a negative by survey respondents.

The next-hardest-hit class was dryland without irrigation potential and nontillable pastures, both of which saw declines of about 10 percent. The drop was steepest, about 15 percent, in heavy winter wheat-producing areas, such as the central, southwest and southern areas of Nebraska. Wheat had particularly low prices in 2016, which likely contributed to the decline.

The cost to rent land for farming and ranching also declined. The cost to rent irrigated cropland fell 5 to 10 percent across the state. Pasture land rates dropped 5 to 15 percent, depending on the region, with the biggest declines in eastern Nebraska, which had the highest rents.

Pat Chohon, part-owner and Realtor for O'Neill-based Waldo Realty, said the most-active buyers in the current land market are neighbors looking to expand their own farms.

But the investors are still there, standing at the back of the auction crowd getting a feel for the market.

I think the general consensus is everyone realizes things do cycle and theyre just patiently waiting, Chohon said.
Its a love-hate thing when you shop in Banawe. Its great because the prices are way cheaper compared to the same ones offered by casa shops. And you can also haggle for a much lower price. Whats not so great is that its a bit scary to go there, especially if its your first time. There are quite a number of dubious individuals lurking behind this place, and your chances of getting duped by someone becomes greater if youre not paying attention to whats going on around you.

The best defense here is knowledge. Here are some things you need to know when you shop in Banawe:

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Dress very simply  and by that we mean SIMPLY

The more simple it is, the better. Take off your Rolex watch, ditch your Armani shirt and Ferragamo designer shoes. If you dont, then expect the sellers to jack up the prices way higher than they really are.

By the way, this rule also extends to your car. Dont expect to get a fair price for a cheap part if you park your Bentley on the driveway. Its all about making an impressionand making a profit. If you look rich, then theyll charge more because they know you have the money to pay for it.

The best outfit we recommend is a simple pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of slippers that you normally wear at home. Yes, thats how simple we want it to be. You need to blend in with the crowd, and not attract attention by flaunting your wealth.

Know which parts are safe to buy

The safest parts and accessories to buy here are the standard parts that you can also get on Ebay or other online shops. The critical parts, like brake and rotor parts, inner tie rods, and control arm are best bought from your car dealer or their accredited auto supply shops.

How will you know if a part or accessory is a critical one? Ask yourself if your life depends on it performing well 24/7. If it does, then its too valuable to be replaced with a cheaper, imitation part.

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Do your research

Go online and check out the typical price of an original part or accessory before you go to Banawe, or ask a mechanic about the typical service fee for certain car repairs or replacements. That way, you wont get fooled by sellers who like overcharging customers to gain more profit.

Make a list of the items youre going to buy

Making a list of what items to buy will make things much faster, especially during your transactions with store clerks.

Be prepared to buy an item if you took a lot of time asking and haggling for it. We dont recommend that you spend a lot of time inquiring about an item (you already did your research earlier, right?), haggling for the right price, and then finally saying that you need to look around first before you make a decision.

If your goal is to compare prices, then be direct by first saying that you dont intend to buy anything for now. Or better yet, do some window shopping by asking the store clerk about an items price (and their last price, if theres any), and then leave immediately. A minute or less is the way to go here. That way, you dont waste their timeand yours in the process.

Be very kind to the store clerks

This is a given already, but we have another reason why you should treat these sellers with respect: They can recommend another shop in case they dont carry the particular auto part or accessory youre looking for. Whats more, they can ask the store to hand-deliver the item straight to where you are.

Actually, many of these shops are family-owned, and each shop is just part of a larger network of their business. So dont be surprised if one store in a given location sells automotive parts, while another store with a similar name and a different location sells car accessories or repair services as well.

Bring a sample with you when you go there

Do your best to bring your broken or damaged car part with you when you go there. This makes things easier for the seller to look for the specific item you need. Otherwise, you may have to wait a long time while they check service manuals and other reference materials to match the item that youre looking for. Besides, not all of them have these resource materials, so youll end up wasting a lot of time just waiting for a shop to look for your car part or accessory from scratch.

A Word of Caution

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Like Divisoria, Banawe is also a haven for shady people and petty thieves who like to prey on unsuspecting car buyers. However, dont let this discourage you from going there, since you can also find a lot of reputable and trustworthy shops if you know where to look. You just need to be vigilant and cautious when youre there at all times.

You can divide Banawe into two sides: the one on the E. Rodriguez side has busier shops placed near each other. The other side going to Del Monte has more shops that arent spaced too close together, and often has better terms of services compared to the other one. Whichever the case, both sides have unscrupulous sellers that may sell you questionable merchandise from time to time. So always keep your eyes and ears openwhichever side youre on.

Be especially careful of fixers who seem to be helpful, but are really out there to get as much money from you as they can. Many of them will swarm all over you, and theyll point out at something in your car that needs fixing, when in reality, nothings really wrong with your vehicle. Theyre just trying to see if youll bite the bait and shell out some money for a quick, non-existent repair.

This is their number one modus operandiso beware. If they do this and give you parts that are from unknown origins, then suspect the worst and get out of there fast. These parts might be stolen; otherwise, the fixers get a certain percentage from the shop they buy them from, which is around 10% of the entire cost of the car part or accessory. Be especially cautious when youre in Cardiz Street, Dona Josefa, since many of these cases seem to stem somewhere within this location.

Where to Shop in Banawe

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There are more than 100 shops scattered around the place, so it can be pretty intimidating to go to when its your first time (or even your second). Its best to do your research and list down some of the shops you intend to visit before you go there. You can also feel more confident by going to the well-known shops first, such as:

Christone Auto Parts Trading

Trading Company

Address: 239, Banawe Avenue, Quezon City, 1113 Metro Manila

Phone: (02) 241 5254

Team Car Banawe

Auto Parts Store

Address: 30 Banawe St, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 413 5996

Autobacs

Auto Parts Store

Address: 30 G H I Banawe St, Sto Domingo, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 741 1947

Ginza

Auto Parts Store

Address: 30 Banawe St, Sto. Domingo, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 741 1748

Auto Circuit

Auto Parts Store

Address: 42-G Banawe St, Sto Domingo, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 415 8997

*C3 Audio

Car audio equipment

Address: Banawe Avenue, corner Dapitan Street, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 710 6994

*C-3 Audio and Accessories

Trading Company

Address: 37-I, Banawe Street, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 410 4379

Intense Car Accessories

Car Accessories

Address: 76, Banawe Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 712 0904

Toto Auto Electrical Specialist

Electrical Supply Store

Address: 48-A Agno Street, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 732 3145

Wilson & Jackson Automotive Repair Shop

Car Service

Address: 96 D. Tuazon, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 354 8899

*Youngbros. Parts Centre, Inc.

Auto Parts Store

Address: 37 F Banawe St, Brgy.Lourdes, Quezon City, 1113 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 732 4657

Yen Commercial

Automotive Parts

Address: 35 Banawe Street Corner Malaya Street, Quezon City

Phone:(02) 712 0286

HBK Motor Parts

Automotive parts

Address: E Corner Macopa Brgy. St., Banawe St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 712 9963

Ultra Auto Parts

Car Repair and Maintenance

Address: 85-C Banawe Street, Quezon City, 1100 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 711 2791

Fordland Spare Parts Corporation

Automotive parts

Address: 45 Banawe Street Corner Kitanlad Street, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1100

Phone: (02)4487740

*Autospecs Motor Sales

Motorcycle Parts Store

Address: 37 H Banawe St, Santa Mesa Heights, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 732 3835

Bless Car Accessories

Car Repair and Maintenance

Address: 35 I, Banawe Avenue, St. Peter, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila

Phone:(02) 732 8552

*Jemsons Auto Electrical and Jorges Radiator Shop

Car Audio & Video. Car Alarm. Power Lock. Power Window. Mechanism. Tint. HID. Carbon Sticker

809 Banawe St., Quezon City, Philippines

Phone: (02)4678131 / 09322222692 / 09395521116

Shopping in Banawe can be a rewarding experience if you prepare beforehand and practice caution at all times. This place is really a haven for all car lovers and enthusiasts, so going there is worth your time and effort in the end.



*These shops have good ratings from customers.

The post What You Need to Know When Shopping in Banawe appeared first on Carmudi Philippines Journal.
A crowd gathers behind a statue titled Fearless Girl Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in New York. The statue was installed by an investment firm in honor of International Womens Day. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Not only do women continue to get paid less and face greater barriers to employment, theyre also dealing with stiffer penalties when disciplined for wrongdoing.

According to a new working paper, female financial advisers are 20 per cent more likely to be fired because of misconduct, despite being three times less likely to commit transgressions.

The results also showed that women are 30 per cent less likely than their male counterparts to find a new job and are less likely to be repeat offenders.

Women face substantially harsher punishments both by the firms that employ them, and other potential employers in the industry, the study stated

The financial advisory industry is willing to give male advisers a second chance, while female advisers are likely to be cast from the industry.

The findings mirror those from a study late last year, which indicated that female CEOs were significantly more likely to be blamed for a company crisis than their male counterparts.

The new paper, which was put together by business professors at Stanford and the universities of Chicago and Minnesota, looked at data between 2005 to 2015 from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the organization which is charged with self-regulating the profession in the U.S.

The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada performs the same role north of the border.

The researchers also attempted to identify why female advisers were more likely to lose jobs because of misconduct.

One possibility that they explored was that womens transgressions were more costly and detrimental to their employers.

But they actually found that misconduct committed by male advisers cost firms 20 per cent more to settle.

In other words, even if job separation rates following misconduct were identical, these results would still suggest that punishment of misconduct is biased against women, Gregor Matvos, co-author of the study and professor of finance at the University of Chicago, said in a press release.

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According to Quartz, the industry is dominated by men, who make up three-quarters of its ranks.

And these results, which point to a biased environment in finance, likely dont come as a shock to women who work in the industry.

The paper pointed to a 2014 survey, which found that 88 per cent of female respondents said they believe gender discrimination exists in the field, while 46 per cent indicated it was happening at their own firm and a further 31 per cent they personally experienced it.
FILE PHOTO - Giant earth moving heavy equipment operates in the Syncrude tar sands mining operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada on September 17, 2014. REUTERS/Todd Korol/File Photo

By Ethan Lou and Nia Williams

CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Portions of the Syncrude Canada's plant in Alberta are running at "minimum rates" on Wednesday as a fire that broke out on the site continued to burn for a second day, the facility and its parent company said.

While the fire continued to burn at the oil sands site in northern Alberta, it had been "isolated and controlled" and most workers had returned, Syncrude spokesman Will Gibson said.

Sneh Seetal, spokeswoman for Syncrude majority owner Suncor Energy Inc (Toronto:SU.TO - News), did not specify what the minimum rates for the 350,000 barrel-per-day Mildred Lake upgrading facility were.

Before the announcement, synthetic crude prices had jumped on uncertainty over the production impact.

Two trading sources said they had been issued notice by one of Syncrude's owners that there could be volume cuts as a result of the fire but the impact and duration of the event was still being determined.

Syncrude plans to do a complete damage assessment of the facility and begin repairs once it is safe to do so, but has so far not given any estimate of the expected impact on crude output.

Gibson said Syncrude's fire crews were monitoring the blaze and had decided to allow it to continue to burn to consume residual hydrocarbons at the scene.

"This is the safest approach to the situation; we have reduced the fire load considerably," Gibson said.

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon after a line failure caused a treated naphtha leak, Syncrude said in a statement, adding that the remainder of the operation was in a safe and stable condition.

Synthetic crude prices soared to a nine-month high of $2 a barrel over the West Texas Intermediate benchmark, according to Shorcan Energy brokers, after the premium had jumped to 80 cents at settlement on Tuesday.

Syncrude already had a turnaround scheduled to start in late April and last until June and some traders in Canada's oil capital Calgary were questioning whether that could now be moved forward.

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"Judging by the strength of synthetic crude prices the market is of the mind production will be curtailed for some time, whether that be non-voluntary or intentional," said RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Tran. "Syncrude could potentially fast forward the timing of upcoming planned maintenance."

Syncrude, Canada's largest single source of synthetic crude, is majority-owned by Suncor Energy Inc (Toronto:SU.TO - News) while Imperial Oil Ltd (Toronto:IMO.TO - News) provides operational, technical and business management support under a services agreement signed in 2006.

An explosion rocked the Mildred Lake facility around 2 p.m. local time on Tuesday, prompting an evacuation, employees said. The facility is about 40 km (25 miles) north of the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray.

One worker was injured in the fire and was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition, according to Alberta Health Services.

Alberta Labor spokesman Trent Bancarz said the department's officers would conduct a health and safety investigation in the wake of the fire.

(Additional reporting by Catherine Ngai in New York; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and David Gregorio)
A lawsuit against the Canadian Transit Company will continue in honour of Stephen Chaborek, a World War II navy veteran who launched the legal action alleging the bridge company turned his neighbourhood into a "slum."

Chaborek died on March 11 at age 95. His lawsuit and legacy are ongoing.

"The action will proceed in his memory," said Harvey Strosberg, a senior partner with Sutts Strosberg LLP, the firm representing Chaborek and the other members of the class action suit. "It's a David and Goliath-like battle, Steve against the CTC and hopefully he'll win even in death."

Never one to back down from a fight, Chaborek launched the $16.5-million lawsuit after watching more than 100 houses around his home on Indian Road be boarded up and abandoned.

A resident of the area for more than 50 years, he said he was tired of watching his area fall apart while the bridge company did nothing.

"They (CTC) had to respond and blame somebody so the city is number one and it could be vice versa where the city will now blame the bridge. So it's the people here who have to suffer for it," Chaborek told CBC in 2013 shortly after taking legal action.

On March 6, despite sickness that kept him bedridden, the former auto worker testified in a Windsor court via video tape and challenged the CTC about the impact it had on the home he loved.

"Steve was a hero to this community and to me," said Strosberg, who thinks of his client all the time. "He loved his property, he loved his neighbourhood, he loved his neighbours and he loved Sandwich."

Not your normal grandfather

Sama Selman grew up in the house next to Chaborek's meticulously cared for home. The 16-year-old said he's watched the impact the bridge company has had on the neighbourhood from his front porch.

"It's been slow and painful," he said. "Most residents opted to move out or give up  but Steve Chaborek  has been fighting for this neighbourhood as long as we've been here."

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Selman said the much older man used to tell him stories about his time in the navy and became a grandfather-like figure to him. But, while most grandfathers are content to sit in a rocking chair, Chaborek had the "courage" to lead a legal battle.

"Most people  let the bridge take their homes, but he signified progress and the possibility that we could fight this," said Selman.

Chaborek's daughter took the stand March 7 and cried as she told the court her grandson called the bridge a "bully" and asked why his grandfather had to live that way.

"My dad was in the war and I've told him it's like he lives in a war zone now," she said. "It's a disgrace how it happened."

Lawsuit continues

The lawsuit continues Tuesday, but will not take place Wednesday in honour of the veteran's funeral. Court is scheduled to last two more weeks.

Strosberg described Chaborek as a "wonderful family man." He is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

"May he be granted the peace he has earned and the grace he deserves," read his obituary.
By Sylvain Andzongo YAOUNDE (Reuters) - West African forces freed 5,000 people being held in villages by Boko Haram, in an operation that killed more than 60 fighters and destroyed the Islamist group's hideout along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, Cameroon said on Wednesday. "(The) hostages freed consisted mostly of women, children and elderly people," Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary told a news conference. He later clarified that "the 5,000 people were saved after a sweep at the border within Cameroonian territory ... who were hostages that could not leave the villages," adding that "more than 60 terrorists were ... neutralized." In addition, 21 Boko Haram suspects had been arrested in the raid in the Mandara Mountains between Feb. 26 and March 7, which destroyed a fuel depot and recovered weapons, motorcycles, around 50 bicycles, flags and "various propaganda objects". Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has been fighting since 2009 to try to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Lake Chad region, where Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad join.A coordinated push by the militaries of the four nations has dismantled much of the territory Boko Haram once held, but the group remains capable of launching lethal attacks, often targeting the civilian population. In 2014 Boko Haram gunmen abducted 276 schoolgirls from the Nigerian village of Chibok, to worldwide horror, and some 200 of them are thought to still be in captivity. The Lake Chad region has witnessed an increase in attacks bearing the hallmarks of Boko Haram in markets and refugee camps since late 2016, and the United Nations says more than seven million people risk starvation owing to insecurity there. As its fighters have been increasingly been killed or locked up, the militants have sometimes resorted to using female captives as suicide bombers. Four female teenage suicide bombers killed two people and injured 16 others on Wednesday in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, where the uprising first began. Bakary said no Cameroonian soldiers had been killed in the raid, although one had been wounded. (Reporting by Sylvain Andzongo; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - Criminal investigators say they have built a case documenting the widespread torture and murder of Syrian detainees by the Assad government, relying on official photos and meticulous documents. More than 700,000 pages from Syrian intelligence and security archives have been smuggled out by the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA), an independent group of legal experts, through a secret network. "The documentation is, in the main, generated by the security-intelligence, military and political structures of the regime," William Wiley, who has worked for U.N. war crimes tribunals on former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, told Reuters. A key document from 2011 orders the arrest of protesters or people in contact with foreign media, he said in a new documentary "Syria's Disappeared: The Case Against Assad" that tracks Wiley and his group's work in Syria. In another, an official asks what to do with a "hospital refrigerator full of unidentified corpses that have decomposed". "This person copied the Ministry of Justice, so a localized problem is being brought to the attention of the regime," said Wiley, executive director of CIJA, a non-profit foundation that is also preparing cases in Iraq for prosecution. The government of President Bashar al-Assad denies findings by U.N. investigators that detainees are tortured and executed in a policy of "extermination", in the war that is entering its seventh year. "The queen and king of evidence in any criminal investigation is a document. It isn't cross-examined because it is factual, it is truth," Wiley said in the documentary. The film, which had its premiere at the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights in Geneva this week, includes interviews with former detainees and grieving mothers. "We are trying to lay the foundation for prosecution along the lines of Nuremberg," Wiley said in the documentary. His group is funded by countries including Britain, Canada and Germany. Stephen Rapp, former U.S. ambassador for war crimes issues, said of Syrian authorities: "They were keeping meticulous records." "This is the legal equivalent of a 'slam dunk'," he said in the film. Investigators have access to 55,000 photos of detainees' bodies - some with gouged out eyes - smuggled out by a former forensic photographer code-named Caesar who worked at Tishreen military hospital. All files have been moved to a secret location in Europe with the aim of sharing them with national judicial authorities or a future international court. "The real potential (for prosecution) is with national war crimes units domestically," Wiley told the film's audience. Lawyer Almudena Bernabeu, shown in the film, has lodged a case in Spain, alleging "state terrorism" on behalf of a Syrian-Spanish woman who recognized her dead brother among the Caesar photos. A judge will rule on whether the case is admissible. At the screening, former detainee and activist Mazen Al Hamada, who was released, says interrogators broke his ribs, hung him by handcuffed wrists, and sexually assaulted him. "We want those perpetrators to be tried, we have to be patient," he said to a standing ovation. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Alison Williams)
The FBI alleges that 22-year-old Karim Baratov, from Ancaster, Ont., was one of four men connected with a series of cyberattacks carried out on Yahoo that began in early 2014.

But you wouldn't know it from Baratov's online persona.

On Instagram, Baratov presents himself as a high-end car enthusiast. He has frequently posted pictures of Aston Martins, Audis, Mercedes and BMWs, among other cars that he claimed to own; gaining nearly 30,000 followers in the process.

In one post, he describes himself as "well off in high school to be able to afford driving a BMW 7 series and pay off a mortgage on my first house."

In others, he's shown spreading handfuls of $100 bills.

Baratov, who has dual Canadian-Kazakh citizenship, goes by at least two other names according to the FBI. He does not list his profession, nor how he became so well off at such a young age, on social media.

His Instagram profile describes him only as a: "Workaholic. Occasional drawer. Gym rat."

But a cached search reveals another description: "Self made entrepreneur/programmer/web developer/investor."

Clues left on Baratov's various social media profiles and websites registered under his name  coupled with allegations of computer hacking and economic espionage made by the FBI  offer a glimpse into how Baratov may have made his living.

He claimed in postings on the social media site Ask.fm that he made his "first million" when he was 15, working on "online services."

"I prefer online businesses because there is way less risk and less effort in a way," he wrote.

A call to the number tied with Baratov's home address was not answered.

Baratov made a brief appearance in a Hamilton courthouse on Wednesday morning and was returned to custody.

Old websites leave clues

Neighbours on Chambers Avenue where Baratov lives said Wednesday they often puzzled at the young man's lifestyle  to be able to afford to live alone in a large, new house in an expensive subdivision, and to always be seen driving pricey cars.

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"His parents either bought him the house, or he's getting money somewhere else, because he doesn't seem to work all day; he just drives up and down the street," said Kerry Carter, a neighbour who lives a few doors down.

Baratov's Facebook page links to a website called Elite Space, written in Russian, which claims to offer a number of services, including servers for rent in Russia, protection from distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and domain names in China.

Though it does not specifically mention hacking, there are clues on other sites that this may also have been among his services.

For example, an email address matching one of Baratov's aliases was used to register an account with a Russian discussion forum, which lists DDoS and hacking as the Canadian user's interests. The profile then links to a website that claims to offer email hacking services for a handful of Russian email services, including Mail.ru, as well as Gmail.

There are also a number of websites registered in Baratov's name, including one called "mail-google.us," and another "mail-yandex.us." Though the websites are no longer online, the URLs appear designed to trick visitors into thinking they are visiting a legitimate Google or Yandex email site  a common phishing tactic.

While it is difficult to definitively link the sites to Baratov, they appear to fit the FBI's description of his alleged illicit work.

According to the agency's indictment, Baratov's job was to use the information gleaned from the Yahoo intrusion to gain access to targets' email accounts with other service providers.

Baratov's last Instagram post was a photo from the 70Down restaurant and lounge in Toronto's Yorkville neighbourhood, the night before his arrest.
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New York, March 15, 2017Iranian authorities should immediately release Ehsan Mazandarani, Hengameh Shahidi, and all journalists jailed for their work, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The arrests come ahead of presidential elections scheduled for May.

Security forces detained Mazandarani, a reporter for the reformist daily newspaper Etemad and the former editor of the daily newspaper Farhikhtegan, from his home in Tehran on March 12, according to media reports. The reasons for Mazandaranis latest detention were not immediately clear, the reports said. The reformist website Kalame reported that Mazandarani phoned his family from Tehrans Evin Prison to say he was beginning a hunger strike.

The journalist was released from prison on February 11, having served 15 months of a two-year prison sentence on charges of propagandizing against the state and collusion against national security.

Security forces in the northern Iranian city of Mashhad on March 9 detained Hengameh Shahidi, who also contributes to Etemad and the news website Gooya, according to media reports, which said she had traveled to Mashhad to attend her grandmothers funeral.

Mostafa Turk Hamedani, Shahidis attorney, told the official ILNA news agency that he had requested permission to visit his client, but needed court approval first, because she is being charged with unspecified national security crimes.

In addition to her work as a journalist, Shahidi is a member of the National Trust Party. In 2009, she was an adviser to opposition presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, who has been under house arrest since 2011.

Ehsan Mazandarani and Hengameh Shahidi are journalists, not criminals. They should be freed without delay, CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour said from Washington, D.C. If Iran wishes the coming presidential elections to be seen as free and fair, it must release its hold on the media and allow journalists to work without fear of reprisal.

In a separate incident, officers assaulted imprisoned journalist Issa Saharkhiz on his hospital bed in Tehran Heart Center on March 11, Mehdi Saharikhiz, the journalists son, told CPJ. Mehdi Saharikhiz told CPJ that two officers overturned his fathers bed as they searched underneath it.

After my father protested, the officers physically assaulted him, Saharkhiz said.

Issa Saharkhiz was arrested in November 2015, three months before parliamentary elections. In September 2016, he was sentenced to 21 months in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader.

Iran is scheduled to hold presidential elections in May. Iranian authorities have cracked down on independent or critical journalists ahead of past elections, CPJ research shows.
SIDNEY  A police department in far western Nebraska is offering  tongue in cheek  drug dealers "a FREE service to help you eliminate your drug competition!"

The Sidney Police Department posted the faked form in fun on its Facebook page Tuesday, imploring drug dealers to report their competitors' names, addresses, phone numbers and normal business hours.

Police Chief Joe Aikens said the posting had several shares and likes, but no one had yet turned in a faked form with real information.

On a serious note, Aikens said the post has stirred conversation about community involvement in drug cases. He says the more people involved in reporting suspicious activity, the better off everybody is.
John McCain

Republican Sen. John McCain slammed his GOP colleague, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, on Wednesday after Paul blocked the passage of a treaty that would allow Montenegro to move forward with joining NATO, Defense News' Joe Gould reported.

McCain warned before the vote that If theres objection, you are achieving the objectives of Vladimir Putin...and I do not say that lightly.

Paul then entered the Senate chamber, voted against the accession protocol, and exited.

The only conclusion you can draw when he walks away is he has no argument to be made, McCain said after Paul walked out abruptly, according to The Washington Examiner. "The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is staunchly opposed to Montengro's accession to NATO, which he views as a threat to Russian sovereignty. Albania and Croatia joined the alliance 2009.

"Senator McCain believes that the person who benefits the most from Congresss failure to ratify Montenegros ascension to NATO is Vladimir Putin, whose government has sought to destroy the NATO alliance, erode confidence in Americas commitments to its allies, overthrow the duly-elected government of Montenegro, and undermine democratic institutions throughout Europe," McCain's spokesperson, Julie Tarallo, told Business Insider on Wednesday.

"The overwhelming majority of senators who support this treaty, and certainly the people of Montenegro, deserved an explanation from Senator Paul on the Senate floor as to why he sought to prevent this small, brave country from joining in the defense of the free world," Tarallo added.

For Montenegro to move forward with the accession process, which was approved in May, the treaty has to be ratified by the US Senate by unanimous consent. Twenty-one of 28 NATO allies have already backed Montenegro's accession.

Asked about McCain's comment, Paul stood by his decision to block the treaty and said it would be "unwise to expand the monetary and military obligations of the United States given the burden of our $20 trillion debt."

Weiterlesen

"Currently, the United States has troops in dozens of countries and is actively fighting in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen (with the occasional drone strike in Pakistan)," Paul told Business Insider in a statement provided by his office. "In addition, the United States is pledged to defend 28 countries in NATO."

McCain promised Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic in January that the Senate would ratify the treaty soon, according to Radio Free Europe.

Markovic was the target of a coup plot, allegedly orchestrated by Russian intelligence agents, to overthrow Montenegro's pro-NATO government and replace it with a Russia-friendly regime, The New York Times reported. The plot was uncovered in November after the pro-Russian mercenary who helped organize it was arrested by Montenegrin police.

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Blasphemy is a criminal offence in Pakistan and can carry the death penalty.





Islamabad: Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered that blasphemous content on social media websites be removed or blocked and those posting such material strictly punished.





Sharifs tough talk against blasphemy will appeal to his conservative voter base ahead of elections likely to take place next year.





Effective steps must be taken immediately to remove and block such content, the prime minister said in a statement.





He instructed Pakistans foreign ministry to contact international foreign social media firms and demand the blocking of blasphemous posts. He did not mention any company by name, but social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are popular in Pakistan.





All relevant institutions must unite to hunt those who spread such material and to award them strict punishment under the law, Sharif said.





Blasphemy is a highly charged issue in Pakistan.





Dozens have been murdered over blasphemy allegations, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies.





In one high profile case in 2011, the governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was assassinated by one of his bodyguards after he called for reform of the countrys blasphemy laws. Taseers killer, Mumtaz Qadri, was executed last year, but not before becoming a hero in the eyes of the religious right.





Sharif also called for punishment for those who used the countrys blasphemy laws to settle private disputes, which critics of the religious law say happens frequently.





When a group of five liberal activists went missing earlier this year, they were accused by religious hardliners of blasphemy. Some among the group had previously criticised the political influence of the military and spoken up for the rights of religious minorities.





They later reappeared in public in Pakistan. The activists, one of whom claimed to have been tortured by a state institution linked to the military, denied the accusations of blasphemy. The military and the government denied any involvement in their brief disappearance.





Earlier on Tuesday, at a ceremony in the port city of Karachi to commemorate the Hindu religious festival of Holi, Sharif said he would fight for Pakistans minority communities who were unjustly treated. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Pakistani nation has always rejected politics of hate, he said.





In January, Sharif inaugurated the restoration of an ancient Hindu temple complex in Punjab, a gesture seen by many as an appeal to the Muslim nations minority communities and an attempt to soften the countrys image abroad.





 | 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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Source: Agence France-Presse, March 15, 2017
James Bigby

A former Kennedale auto mechanic who killed a father and his infant son in a 1987 Christmas Eve killing spree was put to death Tuesday.





James Eugene Bigby, 61, was pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m. Bigby was the fourth inmate in Texas and the sixth nationally to be executed by lethal injection this year.





Im sorry, Bigby said in part during his final statement, addressing family members of those slain. I hope that my death will bring you peace and closure.



Officials said Bigby, who has exhausted all of his appeals, struggled to control his emotions Tuesday as he was moved to a small cell near the death chamber.





Bigby was convicted of capital murder for the two slayings. He shot 26-year-old Michael Trekell and suffocated Trekells 4-month-old son, Jayson.





Evidence also showed that Bigby killed two other men  Calvin Wesley Crane and Frank Bubba Johnson  later the same day, believing they along with Trekell were conspiring against him in a workers compensation case he filed against a former employer. He was not tried in those deaths.





In a foiled escape attempt during his 1991 trial, Bigby grabbed a gun from behind state District Judge Don Leonards bench and confronted him with it in the judges chambers. Bigby was captured after Leonard, a bailiff and Assistant District Attorney Robert Mayfield wrestled him to the ground and took the gun.





Lawyers had tried to convince jurors that he was insane, calling witnesses who said he was a paranoid schizophrenic . Jurors were also told of the gun incident.





I dont think anyone in the courtroom claimed he wasnt mentally ill, but there were too many dead people and a dead baby, Wes Ball, one of Bigbys defense lawyers at the new punishment trial, recalled Monday. And going up and getting the judges gun out of his drawer in court and going at him  is kind of the icing-on-the-cake moment.





Bigby has been in and out of prison since 1977, according to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records.





In 2005, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Bigbys sentence, but not his conviction, ruling that jurors were improperly not allowed to consider whether his mental illness was a mitigating factor. The court said that paranoid schizophrenia is a severe mental illness and that Bigby had proved he had it at the time of the crimes.





The Walls Unit, Huntsville, Texas, where executions are carried out. After hearing testimony and seeing evidence from the initial trial 15 years earlier, a second jury gave Bigby another death sentence in September 2006. After hearing testimony and seeing evidence from the initial trial 15 years earlier, a second jury gave Bigby another death sentence in September 2006.





Bigby is one of four Tarrant County Death Row inmates, including one who has already been executed, who were scheduled for execution this year.





Christopher Wilkins, the first to be executed in the United States in 2017, was put to death on Jan. 11. Wilkins was convicted of capital murder for fatally shooting Willie Freeman and Mike Silva on Oct. 28, 2005.





The execution of Paul Storey, 32, is set for April 12. Storey was convicted of killing Hurst Putt-Putt assistant manager Jonas Cherry, who was shot in the head and legs as he begged for his life during a robbery in 2006. Accomplice Mark Porter pleaded guilty to capital murder and received a life sentence.





Tilon Lashon Carter, 37, was scheduled to be put to death in February but received a stay of execution. His new execution date is May 16.





Carter was convicted of the robbery and 2004 slaying of James Tomlin, 89. Prosecutors said Carter and his girlfriend, Leketha Allen, went to Tomlins home to rob him and took $6,000. Allen was sentenced to 25 years.

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Source: Star-Telegram , Mitch Mitchell, March 14, 2017
Three Islamic militants convicted by military courts were executed in a prison in central Pakistan on Wednesday, the Pakistani army announced.





The militants were associated with the Pakistani Taliban and a second extremist group named Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami, the army said in a statement.





They were convicted of involvement in the killing of soldiers and police officers, it said.





The Pakistani government began trying alleged Islamic militants in military courts and lifted a moratorium on executions following a December 2014 Taliban attack on a school that killed more than 150 people, most of them schoolchildren.





Human rights groups have criticized the fairness of the military courts, but the army says all defendants have a right to appeal.





The two-year mandate for the military courts to try alleged Islamic militants recently expired, and parliament has been debating whether to continue the practice.





Pakistan has been at war with Islamic militants for over a decade.





Elsewhere on Wednesday, gunmen intercepted the car of a bureaucrat, Abdullah Jan, in the southwestern city of Quetta, and abducted him, according to police officer Abdur Razzaq Cheema.





No ransom or any other demand has been made yet and no one has claimed responsibility.





Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, is a hotspot for both Islamic militant groups and separatist insurgents who demand greater autonomy and a larger share of regional resources.

 | 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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Source: Associated Press, March 15, 2017
It all started when Davido announced in the morning of March 14, 2017 that he felt like giving away money. Mr Eazi saw his tweet and then asked for his help financially.

Davido

Since his fight with Lagos big boy Hushpuppi ended, Davido has gone back to his lavish ways but this time he wanted other Nigerians to come and help him spend his money.

READ ALSO: Eniola Badmus proves her loyalty to Davido

Taking to Twitter, Davido announced on Wednesday that he felt like giving money away. Of course, one expected immediate responses from regular Nigerians. What was unexpected was the quick response from popular musician Mr Eazi, seeking a share of the largesse..

Not one to let such a funny moment pass, Davido replied Eazi saying: Life is Eazi for you na. He also added the smiley face emoji once again reiterating that it was a joke.

PAY ATTENTION! Never miss a single gist! Download Legit.ng news app for android

These our celebrities sef ehn

Watch a roundup of happenings in the Nigerian music industry below:

Source: Legit.ng
-- Authors warn that the weaponisation of health care in Syria - a strategy of using people's need for health care against them by violently denying access - sets a dangerous precedent that the global health community must urgently address.

Marking six years since the start of the Syrian conflict (15 March), a study in The Lancet provides new estimates for the number of medical personnel killed: 814 from March 2011 to February 2017. With nearly 200 attacks on health facilities in 2016 alone, medicine denied in besieged areas, and indispensable young medics forced to deliver care in extreme conditions, the study describes the extent to which health has been weaponised in the conflict, in what human rights organisations have described as a war-crime strategy.

The study brings together data from multiple sources to analyse the impact of the crisis on health workers. It is the first report by The Lancet Commission on Syria led by the Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut (AUB) [1].

The weaponisation of health care, a strategy largely used by the Syrian government and its main ally Russia, threatens the foundation of medical neutrality as laid out in international humanitarian law. The authors say the conflict has revealed serious shortcomings of global governance and call for a new role for global health organisations in responding to health needs in conflicts. This includes systematic documentation of attacks on health workers and their perpetrators via WHO, greater protection for health workers by strengthening the procedural mechanisms behind the UN Security Council Resolution 2286 condemning attacks on health workers, and greater accountability for breaches of international law.

"2016 marked the most dangerous year to date for health workers in Syria, and attacks on health workers continue. Rampant violations of international humanitarian law, and particularly the systematic attacks on health facilities and workers with intention to shut down care, to control the population set dangerous precedents." says Dr Samer Jabbour, one of the lead authors of the study, co-Chair of the Commission, and Associate Professor of Public Health Practice at AUB's Faculty of Health Sciences.

"The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered, despite their enormous consequences. There have been repudiated denunciations, but little action on bringing the perpetrators to justice. This inadequate response challenges the foundation of medical neutrality needed to sustain the operations of global health and protect health workers in situations of armed conflict." [2]

In 2012, the Syrian government passed a law effectively criminalising medical aid to the opposition, despite the explicit protections for health workers afforded by International Humanitarian Law. Attacks on health workers have included executions, imprisonment, abduction and torture.

Bringing together data from multiple sources, the authors report new estimates for the number of medical personnel killed in the conflict - estimated at 814 between March 2011 and February 2017. "We know that this number is a gross underestimate of medical personnel killed, limited by difficulties of evidence gathering and corroboration in conflict," says Dr Jabbour.

The authors also update estimates on the numbers of attacks on health facilities, 199 in 2016 (an increase from 91 in 2012), with the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia, responsible for at least 94% of attacks.

A feature of weaponisation has been repeated targeting of facilities to shut them down. Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including 6 times to date in 2017. M10, an underground hospital in eastern Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in 3 years and completely destroyed in October 2016.

"Over time, targeting has become more frequent, more obvious, and more geographically widespread. To the best of our knowledge, this level of targeting health facilities has not occurred in any previous war, and the data we were able to collect overwhelmingly show intent to target, which falls under the definition of a war crime," says Dr Jabbour.

Estimates suggest that between 2011 and 2015, at least 15000 doctors, or half of the pre-war numbers, had left the country. In Eastern Aleppo, approximately 1 doctor remained for every 7000 residents, compared with 1 in 800 in 2010. The only population survey conducted during the war estimated that two thirds of the population live in areas where health workers are insufficient or entirely lacking. The majority of areas without health workers were under military siege.

The exodus of older, more experienced doctors has left critical gaps. Younger, less experienced medics - many of whom are students - have become indispensable. They are left to fill gaps, often with no experience in trauma management or emergency medicine, and forced to interrupt their training. Not only does this mean increased risk for patients, but also warns of a serious shortage of skilled medical doctors in years to come.

In non-government controlled areas, the few health workers left face massive numbers of trauma victims, shortages of medicines, epidemics of infectious disease and chemical attacks. In areas under siege, surgical supplies and essential medicines are rarely allowed in, patients rarely evacuated, and public health measures such as water chlorination and measles vaccination blocked.

The bulk of Syria's remaining health workers are in government-controlled areas where they also face mortar attacks from rebel areas, heightened security risks, limitations on travel, and reduced training opportunities. Some health workers report being forced to breach ethical principles under pressure.

The study also highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of health workers who have mobilised on an unprecedented scale in response to the Syrian war - providing care under extreme conditions, creating networks to provide aid, organizing training and medical education, and gaining a political platform for advocacy and international support.

The report sets out a list of actions for policy makers. Although WHO has begun monitoring attacks, the tools implemented report only on the attacks, not the perpetrators responsible, undermining accountability efforts. The authors call on WHO and other UN agencies, the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly to review and strengthen their policies and practices, in terms of reporting breaches of medical neutrality, maintaining independence, resisting pressure by governments to follow the official line, providing undeterred advocacy for health workers under duress including in non-government controlled areas, and strengthening operational capacity to deliver health aid and support to health workers across conflict lines.

They also call for global solidarity for health workers in conflict, including the need for training and support, greater awareness on the global political agenda, and stronger donor attention.

The paper is published alongside a Comment from WHO and an Editorial in The Lancet, which states: "By their own definition, WHO's commitment to meeting the health needs of Syrians has been inadequate. The summits and intergovernmental meetings organised in the face of Ebola have not been matched by a response to this very different human catastrophe. If the USA is withdrawing from its role as a champion for a peaceful and democratic Syria, it is even more important that multi-lateral organisations step in to fill the vacuum and show leadership. WHO must now focus every effort on supporting the health structure and health workers in Syria, raising the finances needed to meet this challenge, and mobilising international support to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria, as they acknowledge in a Comment."

###

NOTES TO EDITORS

The report was conducted by authors from the American University in Beirut (Lebanon), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (USA), the Syrian American Medical Society (USA and Lebanon), Cambridge University (UK), Imperial College London (UK), and Multi-Aid Programs (Lebanon).

[1] The Lancet-American University of Beirut Commission on Syria will collect and analyse data on the conflict and make recommendations to address current and future unmet health needs, including those related to rebuilding and strengthening the global health response to political conflict. The Commission will produce a global report in 2018. Find out more about the Commission http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)32583-1/fulltext or https://www.aub.edu.lb/lcs

[2] Quote direct from author and cannot be found in the text of the article.

IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A LINK FOR YOUR READERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WILL GO LIVE AT THE TIME THE EMBARGO LIFTS: http://www.thelancet.com/commmissions/syria?elsca1=tlpr
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug by teens. Research tells us that when marijuana use begins in the teen years, it can have a significant impact on brain development said Abbe Edgecomb, SCIP coordinator for Lincoln/Lancaster County. "We also know that the amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily over the past few decades, and with increased potency comes increased health risks and harmful reactions, specifically for our youth.
By Pavel Polityuk and Alexei Kalmykov KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday halted all cargo traffic with rebel-held territory in the east of the country, formalising an existing rail blockade by Ukrainian activists that has fuelled the worst political crisis in nearly a year. In a standoff that is hurting the economies of both sides, separatists have seized control of strategic Ukraine-registered industries in their territory in response to the rail blockade, which has cut off coal and steel shipments since late January. Tensions have escalated in recent days, leading to clashes between law enforcement agencies and the activists, who have been joined by some members of parliament. The blockade posed a dilemma for President Petro Poroshenko. Breaking it up by force could provoke a major domestic backlash, but allowing it to proceed unilaterally risked undermining the state's authority. Poroshenko's Security and Defence Council introduced the state-led cargo ban to counter what he described as the political and social threat posed by the unofficial blockade. The decision "is dictated by the necessity to prevent the destabilising of the situation in the country, which is being undermined by political operators," he told the council. "Our wish is to prevent social strife." The suspension will remain until rebels hand back control of Ukrainian businesses and comply with a 2015 peace agreement, according to the Security Council. The asset seizures by separatists have mostly affected businesses in the financial and industrial group owned by Ukraine's richest man, Rinat Akhmetov. On Wednesday, Akhmetov's Metinvest and DTEK Energy said their main businesses in rebel-held territory had been taken under separatist control. The two companies, which are the main employers on both sides of the eastern front line, said they had halted production at the affected operations. "The main result will be a dramatic decline in income and a rise in unemployment," said Maksim Timchenko, DTEK's chief executive. The crisis has put pressure on Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman's government just as it is about to lose its year-long immunity from facing any vote of no confidence. It was appointed last April by a fragile coalition that includes Poroshenko's party, after the previous government fell. Russia, which backs the separatists in the east, called on Ukraine on Wednesday to end the blockade. The situation risked turning into a "humanitarian catastrophe", the Russian foreign ministry said. Rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said Ukraine's decision had nothing to do with the separatists, saying it was instead "evidence of an internal power struggle in Kiev." The suspension will further squeeze the Ukrainian economy, already facing potential rolling blackouts and monthly economic losses of up to 4 billion hryvnias ($150 million) from the existing blockade, according to the government. The central bank says expected economic growth could nearly halve this year to 1.5 percent if rail traffic does not resume. Poroshenko expects the government on Thursday to come up with fresh forecasts for the impact of the broader ban on the economy, energy security and currency stability. The trade squeeze has highlighted the complicated economic relationship between the two sides and represents a new phase in a standoff that has killed more than 10,000 people. Germany, which has taken a leading role in trying to end the conflict, said it was seriously concerned about "increasing partitionist tendencies" in eastern Ukraine. Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer told a government news conference: "The danger of a military escalation is far from over." He said Berlin was urging Ukraine and Russia to live up to agreements made as part of the 2015 Minsk peace process, citing troubling actions by both sides, including the rebel asset seizures and the government's decision to cut off trade. (Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Berlin; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Larry King)
French English

NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN

Montrouge, March 15, 2017

Press release

Credit Agricole Group announces the successful sale of 56,720,400 Amundi preferential subscription rights for approximately 67 million euros

Credit Agricole SA and Credit Agricole Immobilier completed today the sale of 56,720,400 preferential subscription rights, by way of a private placement to institutional investors, for an amount of c. 67 million euros.

After the completion of the Amundi's rights offering, Credit Agricole Group is expected to hold approximately 70% of Amundi's share capital .

The settlement and delivery for the placement is expected to take place on March 17 2017.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to purchase any securities by the Credit Agricole Group and no public offering of the preferential subscription rights is being made in France or any other jurisdiction.

Disclaimer

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or purchase, or the solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase, securities of Amundi.

No communication or information relating to the placement of preferential subscription rights referred to herein may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction in which registration or approval is required. No action has been (or will be) taken in any jurisdiction where such registration or approval would be required. The placement of preferential subscription rights may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Amundi and Group Credit Agricole take no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person. The distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law.

This press release does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC as amended (the "Prospectus Directive").

In France, the offer and sale of the securities described in this announcement will be exclusively carried out through a private placement, in accordance with article L.411-2 II of the French Financial and Monetary Code and the related applicable regulations. The offer and sale of the preferential subscription rights described in this announcement do not constitute a public offering within the meaning of article L.411-1 of the French Financial and Monetary Code and will not require the preparation of a prospectus submitted to the visa of the Autorite des marches financiers.

With respect to each member State of the European Economic Area other than France (the "Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of securities requiring a publication of a prospectus in any Member State. As a result, the securities of Amundi may only be offered in the Member States (a) to qualified investors, as defined by the Prospectus Directive; or (b) in any other circumstances, not requiring Amundi to publish a prospectus as provided under Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this paragraph, "securities offered to the public" in a given Member State means any communication, in any form and by any means, of sufficient information about the terms and conditions of the offer and the securities so as to enable an investor to make a decision to buy or subscribe for the securities, as the same may be varied in that Member State.

The above selling restrictions are in addition to any other selling restrictions which may be applicable in the Member States.

The distribution of this press release is directed only at (i) persons outside the United Kingdom, subject to applicable laws, or (ii) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth bodies corporate, unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value trusts as described in Article 49(2) (a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The rights issue is only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such rights will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on, this press release or any information contained herein.

This press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or purchase, or a solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any securities of Amundi in the United States of America. Securities may not be offered, subscribed or sold in the United States of America absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements thereof. The securities of Amundi have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and Amundi does not intend to make a public offer of its securities in the United States of America.

This announcement may not be published, forwarded, distributed or released, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which it would be unlawful to do so.

Press contacts

Charlotte de Chavagnac 01 57 72 11 17 - charlotte.dechavagnac@credit-agricole-sa.fr

Alexandre Barat 01 43 23 07 31 - alexandre.barat@credit-agricole-sa.fr

All our press releases are available at https://www.credit-agricole.com/en

https://twitter.com/Credit_Agricole
Swedish English

Notice of extraordinary general meeting in Nordic Mines AB (PUBL)

The shareholders of Nordic Mines AB (publ), org.nr 556679-1215 (the "Company") are invited to the extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday 18 April 2017 at 14:00 (CET), at Visma Services AB, Lindhagensgatan 94 in Stockholm.

Notification of attendance etc.

A shareholder, who wishes to participate at the general meeting, must:

be recorded as shareholder in the share register held by Euroclear Sweden AB on Monday 10 April 2017, and

notify the Company of his/her intention to attend the meeting, no later than Monday 10 April 2017, to address Nordic Mines AB (publ), c/o Advokatfirman Lindahl KB, Att. Sarah Rehnstrom, Box 1065, 101 39 Stockholm, Sweden, by telephone +46 8 527 70 882, or by email to bolagsstamma@lindahl.se.

The notification shall include the shareholder's full name, personal identification number or company registration number (or similar), address, daytime phone number, shareholding, and where applicable, details of assistants (maximum two), deputy or representative.

Nominee-registered shares

In order to be entitled to participate at the general meeting, shareholders whose shares are registered in the name of a nominee must re-register the shares in their own name in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB. Such re-registration must be carried out on Monday 10 April 2017. This means that such shareholder should request re-registration with the nominee well in advance of this date.

Proxy

Shareholders who are represented by proxy shall issue a dated power of attorney for such representative. If the power of attorney is issued by a legal person, a certified copy of the certificate of registration or equivalent for the legal person must be enclosed with the power of attorney. The power of attorney's validity may not be more than five years from the issuance of the power of attorney. The original copy of the power of attorney together with any certificate of registration should be sent to the Company at the above stated address in ample time before the general meeting. The Company provides a form of power of attorney on request and this form of power of attorney is also available at the Company's website, www.nordicmines.com.

Proposed Agenda

1. Opening of the general meeting and election of chairman

2. Preparation and approval of voting list

3. Election of one or two persons to verify the minutes

4. Decision of whether the general meeting has been duly convened

5. Approval of the agenda

6. Resolutions to:

a. amend the articles of association; and

b. decrease the Company's share capital

7. Resolution to approve the board of directors' resolution to issue shares and warrants (Units) with preferential rights for existing shareholders

8. Resolution to approve the board of directors' resolution to issue shares and warrants (Units) with deviation from the existing shareholders' preferential rights

9. Resolution to increase the Company's share capital through a bonus issue

10. Resolution to decrease the Company's share capital

11. Resolution on the number of board members

12. Resolution on fees to the board members

13. Election of board member

14. Closing of the general meeting

Proposals for resolutions

Item 6 - Resolution to

a) amend the articles of association

To enable the decrease of the Company's share capital under item 6 b) and the share issues under items 7 and 8, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves on the following amendments to the articles of association of the Company:

The provision in  4 regarding the limits of the share capital of the Company is amended so that the share capital shall be no less than SEK 100,000,000 and no more than SEK 400,000,000.

The provision in  5 regarding the limits of the number of shares of the Company is amended so that the number of shares shall be no less than 400,000,000 and no more than 1,600,000,000.

b) decrease the Company's share capital

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves on a reduction of the company's share capital by maximum SEK 96,961,993.74. The reduction shall be effected without cancellation of shares. The reduction amount shall be allocated as non-restricted equity. The reduction is made in order to reduce the quota value of the shares to facilitate the issues of shares to be resolved in accordance with items 7 and 8. Following the reduction, the Company's share capital will amount to SEK 152,745,144.12 divided between 565,722,756 shares in total (prior to the new issues of shares), each share having a quota value of SEK 0.27.

The reduction is subject to the amendment to the articles of association in accordance with item 6 a) above.

The managing director, or any other person appointed by the board of directors, shall be entitled to make such minor amendments that are necessary to register the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office (Sw. Bolagsverket) and Euroclear Sweden AB.

The general meetings' resolution under item 6 a)-b) above shall be resolved upon as one decision. Such resolution requires, for its validity, that a minimum of two-thirds of the votes cast and the shares represented support the resolution.

Item 7 - Resolution to approve the board of directors' resolution to issue shares and warrants (Units) with preferential rights for existing shareholders

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' resolution as of 15 March 2017 to increase the Company's share capital with not more than SEK 50,915,048.04 by an issue of not more than 188,574,252 new shares.

Further, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' resolution as of 15 March 2017, to issue not more than 188,574,252 warrants, entitling to subscription of not more than 188,574,252 shares in the Company, whereby the Company's share capital may, upon exercise of the warrants, increase with not more than SEK 50,915,048.04.

The issues shall be considered as one resolution and be conducted through issuance of so called Units (the "Rights Issue"). The Rights Issue shall be conducted on the terms set out below.

The right to subscribe for Units in the Rights Issue shall with preferential rights be granted to those who on the record date for the Rights Issue are registered as shareholders of the Company. Each shareholder is entitled to preferential right to subscribe for Units in proportion to their existing holdings.

One (1) existing share entitles the holder to one (1) Unit right. Three (3) Unit rights entitle the holder to subscribe for one (1) Unit, consisting of one (1) new share and one (1) warrant. One (1) warrant entitles to subscription of one (1) share in the Company. The subscription price per Unit is SEK 0.27. The warrants are issued without consideration.

In the event that all Units are not subscribed for with preferential rights, the board of directors shall, within the maximum limit of the Rights Issue, resolve on the allocation of Units not subscribed with preferential rights. Such allocation shall firstly be made to investors who have subscribed for Units with Unit rights, irrespectively if they were shareholders at the record date or not, and, in the event of oversubscription, in proportion to the number of Unit rights each investor have used for subscription of Units, and to the extent this is not possible, by drawing of lots. Allocation should secondly be made to others who have subscribed for Units without Unit rights and, in case of oversubscription, in proportion to the amount subscribed, and if this cannot be made, through drawing of lots.

The record date for determining the right to receive Unit rights shall be Thursday 27 April 2017.

Subscription with preferential rights shall be made by way of cash payment during the period from 2 May 2017 up to and including 16 May 2017. The board of directors shall be entitled to prolong the subscription period as well as the time of payment.

Application for subscription of Units not based on Unit rights shall be made on a separate subscription list during the period stated above. Payment for subscription without preferential rights shall be made through payment in cash no later than three (3) bank days after the contract notes evidencing the allocation of Units have been sent out. The board of directors shall be entitled to prolong the subscription period as well as the time of payment. It is noted that the board of directors has the right to approve payment by way of set-off in accordance with Chapter 13, Section 41 of the Swedish Companies Act (Sw. aktiebolagslagen (2005:551)).

The new shares entitle to dividends for the first time on the first record date for dividend that take place after the Rights Issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and been recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB. The new shares issued after subscription with warrants entitle to dividends for the first time on the first record date for dividend that take place after the new shares has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and been recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB.

One (1) warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) new share in the Company and the subscription price shall be the lower of SEK 0.27 and the share's quota value at the time of exercise.

Subscription of shares in the Company with warrants may take place during the period from and including 2 April 2018 up to and including 30 April 2018.

The managing director, or any other person appointed by the board of directors, shall be entitled to make such minor amendments that are necessary to register the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB.

Lau Su Holding AB and Lao Tzu Investments AB have informed the Company of their intention to receive repayment of existing shareholder and short term loans of USD 1,200,000 and USD 250,000 respectively, including accrued interest until 16 May 2017, by subscribing for shares in the Rights Issue. This corresponds to 22.0 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively, of the Rights Issue, if fully subscribed. The existing shareholder and short term loans of USD 1,450,000 in total, including accrued interest, accumulate to 26.7 per cent, of the Rights Issue, if fully subscribed.

The Rights Issue is subject to the amendment to the articles of association and decrease of the Company's share capital in accordance with item 6 a)-b) above.

Item 8 - Resolution to approve the board of directors' resolution to issue shares and warrants (Units) with deviation from the existing shareholders' preferential rights

If Lao Tzu Investments AB is not allocated at least 8,882,403 Units in the Rights Issue, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' resolution as of 15 March 2017 to increase the Company's share capital with not more than SEK 2,398,248.81 by an issue of not more than 8,882,403 shares. Further, the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to approve the board of directors' resolution as of 15 March 2017, to issue not more than 8,882,403 warrants, entitling to subscription of not more than 8,882,403 shares in the Company, whereby the Company's share capital may, upon exercise of the warrants, increase with not more than SEK 2,398,248.81. The new issue shall be considered as one resolution and be conducted through issuance of so called Units on the following terms.

One (1) Unit consists of one (1) new share and one (1) warrant. One (1) warrant entitles to subscription of one (1) share in the Company. The subscription price shall be SEK 0.27 per Unit, which corresponds to the subscription price in the Rights Issue and equals the market price as estimated by the board of directors.

The right to subscribe for Units shall, with deviation from the existing shareholders' preferential rights, belong to Lao Tzu Investments AB, to enable Lao Tzu Investments AB to set-off short-term loans that Lao Tzu Investments AB has granted the Company. Vinod Sethi, the chairman of the Company, and Salim Govani, board member of the Company, are also board members of Lao Tzu Investments AB. Kari Langenoja, board member of the Company, is the chairman of Lao Tzu Investments AB.

Subscription shall be made on a subscription list on 19 May 2017 at the latest. Payment for the Units shall be made on 19 May 2017, at the latest, through payment in cash. The board of directors shall be entitled to prolong the subscription period as well as the time of payment. It is noted that the board of directors has the right to approve payment by way of set-off in accordance with Chapter 13, Section 41 of the Swedish Companies Act.

The board of directors shall resolve on the allocation of the Units subscribed for under this item. The board of directors may allocate up to 8,882,403 Units under this issue, with the deduction for the number of Units allocated to Lao Tzu Investments AB in the Rights Issue under item 7.

The new shares entitle to dividends for the first time on the first record date for dividend that take place after the new issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and been recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB. The new shares issued after subscription with warrants entitle to dividends for the first time on the first record date for dividend that take place after the new shares has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and been recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB.

One (1) warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) new share in the Company and the subscription price shall be the lower of SEK 0.27 and the share's quota value at the time of exercise.

Subscription of shares in the Company with warrants may take place during the period from and including 2 April 2018 up to and including 30 April 2018.

The new issue is subject to the amendment to the articles of association and decrease of the Company's share capital in accordance with item 6 a)-b) above. The resolution under item 8 requires, for its validity, that a minimum of nine-tenths of the votes cast and the shares represented support the resolution.

Item 9 - Resolution to increase the Company's share capital through a bonus issue

To facilitate the registration of the board of directors' proposal on the share capital reduction pursuant to item 6 b), the board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves a bonus issue, without the issuance of shares, to increase the share capital by no more than SEK 83,343,720.78 by way of transfer from the Company's non-restricted equity. The board of directors shall be authorised to execute the transfer.

Item 10 - Resolution to decrease the Company's share capital

The board of directors proposes that the general meeting resolves to decrease the Company's share capital by maximum SEK 83,343,720.78. The reduction shall be effected without cancellation of shares and the reduction amount shall be allocated as non-restricted equity. The reduction is made in order to facilitate subscription for new shares in the Company by the use of the warrants that are proposed to be issued under items 7 and 8. Apart from the reduction of share capital, the Company's restricted equity will not be affected. The reduction in share capital to be allocated as non-restricted equity requires authorisation from either the Swedish Companies Registration Office or a court of general jurisdiction.

The reduction is subject to the amendment to the articles of association in accordance with item 6 a) above.

The managing director, or any other person appointed by the board of directors, shall be entitled to make such minor amendments that are necessary to register the resolution with the Swedish Companies Registration Office and Euroclear Sweden AB.

Item 11 - Resolution on the number of board members

Lau Su Holding AB, the majority shareholder of the Company, has proposed that the number of members of the board of directors remains in accordance with the resolution by the annual general meeting on 30 June 2016, which is eight.

Item 12 - Resolution on fees to the board members

Lau Su Holding AB, the majority shareholder of the Company, has proposed that the fees to the board of directors remain in accordance with the resolutions by the annual general meeting on 30 June 2016, meaning remuneration for the board of directors amounting to SEK 200,000 for independent directors per person and year and that dependent directors do not receive any remuneration.

Item 13 - Election of board members

Lau Su Holding AB, the majority shareholder of the Company, has proposed that Fredrik Zettergren is elected board member, for the time until the end of the next annual general meeting. Fredrik Zettergren is dependent in relation to the Company's majority shareholder Lau Su Holding AB and hence, shall in accordance with item 13 not receive any board remuneration. It is noted that the other board members (Vinod Sethi, Hans Andreasson, Torsten Borjemalm, Salim Govani, Kari Langenoja, Saradhi Rajan and Krister Soderholm) are to remain as board members until the end of the next annual general meeting.

Fredrik Zettergren

Fredrik Zettergren is a Swedish citizen born 1969. Fredrik Zettergren is partner at the law firm Zettergren & Lagercrantz Advokatfirma. Fredrik Zettergren was previously partner and the chairman of the board of directors of Advokatfirman Fylgia. He has a Master of laws, LLM in Law and economics from Stockholm University and is a member of the Swedish Bar Association.

Fredrik Zettergren is independent in relation to the Company and its executive management and dependent in relation to major shareholders in the Company.

Information at the general meeting

Shareholders have the possibility to request information on circumstances which may affect the assessment of a matter on the agenda. Such information shall be provided by the board of directors or the managing director at the general meeting provided that such information may be given without any significant harm to the Company.

Number of shares and votes in the Company

At the date of this notice, the total number of shares and votes in the Company amounts to 565,722,756. The Company itself holds no shares in the Company.

Available documents

Complete proposals for resolutions and other documentation under the Swedish Companies Act will be available at Advokatfirman Lindahl's office with address Master Samuelsgatan 20, Stockholm, Sweden no later than 28 March 2017 and at the Company's website www.nordicmines.com. The documentation will, upon request, be sent free of charge to shareholders who have provided their postal address. The documents will also be available at the general meeting.

Stockholm in March 2017

Nordic Mines AB (publ)

The board of directors

For additional information, please contact:

Rune Nordstrom, Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations:

rune.nordstrom@nordicmines.com, +46 70 602 65 20

For more information about Nordic Mines, please visit www.nordicmines.com.

Nordic Mines AB (publ) is obliged to make this information public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 09:30 am CET on 15 March 2017.

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3d0677e-76da-45e1-9651-0330819790a4
Largest Order in the Companys History from Manufacturer of Disruptive Technology

FREMONT, Calif., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Power Corporation (NYSE Mkt:DPW) has been awarded a 3-year, $50 million purchase order by MTIX Ltd., headquartered in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, U.K., to manufacture, install and service textile treatment systems that utilize MTIXs proprietary Multiplexed Laser Surface Enhancement (MLSE) system. MTIX has developed a cost effective and environmentally friendly material synthesis technology featuring a virtual dry process and breakthrough technology for textile applications utilizing the MLSE system which uses a combination of high voltage, high frequency electrical discharge plasma and laser energy to imbue textiles with desirable technical characteristics.



This purchase order represents a significant business step by the Company since the order will enhance our power solution core technology business, as well as open new market opportunities, stated Mr. Amos Kohn, the Companys President and Chief Executive Officer. Because of our well-established international engineering and manufacturing capabilities, Digital Power Corporation is the perfect partner for MTIX Ltd. We will leverage our UK based subsidiary, Digital Power Limited, to manufacture, install and service the initial systems in this order for U.K./European based customers. Our expertise with power solution systems for the commercial and defense markets works well for the design of the MLSE system, which has components that include a sophisticated plasma and energy system, Kohn further stated. This purchase order also validates the Companys effort to seek new business opportunities. Through its strategic investments, the Company has acquired an indirect interest in MTIX and its proprietary technology.

The state-of-the-art MLSE technology can be applied to a wide range of textiles and materials and yields economic and environmental benefits. Integrated with an existing process line or operating as a standalone unit, the MLSE system reduces greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption and the use of hazardous and toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process while providing enhancements to final products.

The MLSE technology can be employed at all stages of materials processing and surface preparation including cleaning, dyeing, printing and finishing. MLSE is essentially a dry process, carried out at atmospheric pressure and using safe, inert gases with a combination of plasma and photonic energy to effect material synthesis. The intensity of the hybrid energy and an admixture of various gases determine the nature of the fabric enhancement.

Functional treatments and outcomes that are possible with MLSE include:

Textile surface preparation

Printing enhancements

Dyeing process enhancements

Hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, stain resistance and durability

Fire retardancy

Antimicrobial properties

Kohn further stated, We are proud to partner with MTIX on such a revolutionary technology with so much potential for the textile industry. As part of our strategic alliance with MTIX, we will manufacture and support this unique technology, which offers significant performance improvements, processing cost savings and environmental benefits. Mr. Kohn continued, With the systems ability to produce superior products while reducing the environmental impact of materials processing in an industry that traditionally uses high levels of water, energy and chemicals, we expect to continue to supply this green technology for major international textile manufacturers in the coming years.

Digital Power Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Digital Power Corporation, will manufacture, install and service MLSE systems for the UK and European textile market. Its global presence and collaboration with MTIX will allow Digital Power Corporation to offer opportunities for fabric manufacturers and processors to increase their market share and to process products by innovative and efficient means.

About Digital Power Corporation

Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Digital Power Corporation designs, manufactures and sells high-grade customized and off-the-shelf power system solutions. Its products are used in the most demanding telecom, industrial, medical and military applications where customers demand high density, high efficiency and ruggedized power solutions. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Digital Power Limited branded as Gresham Power Electronics, is based in Salisbury, UK. Corporate website: www.digipwr.com.

About MTIX Ltd.

MTIX, Ltd. is an advanced materials and processing technology company located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. The company has developed a novel, cost effective and environmentally friendly material synthesis technology for textile applications. The MLSE technology for textile applications was partly funded by Eco-Innovation Initiative of the European Union. Website: www.mti-x.com.

Forward Looking Statements

The foregoing press release contains forward looking statements regarding future events or results within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, MTIX and its customers being able to order all of the machines subject to the purchase order, being able to reproduce the MTIX process, benefits and enhancements on a production scale, and the Companys ability to integrate a sophisticated plasma and energy system. The Company cautions readers that such forward looking statements are, in fact, predictions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and that actual events or results may differ materially from those anticipated events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further, MTIX and its prospective customers related to the purchase order may modify their purchase forecasts for these products that would increase or decrease the Companys actual revenue versus current revenue forecast for these customers. The Company disclaims any current intention to update its forward looking statements, and the estimates and assumptions within them, at any time or for any reason. More information about potential risk factors that could affect the Companys business and financial results are included in the Companys most recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Companys Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available on the Companys website at www.digipwr.com.
COLUMBIA, Md., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EventTracker, a leader in security information and event management (SIEM), today announced that its SIEMphonic managed security services can help financial institutions comply with New York states newly-established requirements, enacted in response to increasing cybersecurity threats posed to information and financial systems. The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies (23 NYCRR 500) took effect on March 1, 2017 in an effort to protect customer information, as well as the IT systems of regulated entities. Institutions have 180 days, or until Oct. 1, 2017, to comply with certain aspects of the regulation.



Financial services organizations licensed and/or regulated by the New York State DFS are now required to assess their specific security risk profile and design a program that addresses the organizations risks, as well as file an annual certification that confirms compliance with the regulations.

Cybersecurity expert A.N. Ananth, CEO of EventTracker, thinks New York might be among the first, but similar regulations are likely to spread to other states. Ananth also sees a role for managed security services providers (MSSPs) to aid financial institutions in implementing a cybersecurity program that can identify and assess internal and external cybersecurity risks, detect and respond to cybersecurity events, and fulfill applicable regulatory reporting obligations.

Complying with the mandate can be prohibitively expensive for small and mid-size banks, credit unions, and financial organizations. Many cant afford to hire a CISO  even a fractional or interim CISO  or assign the internal resources to fulfill the mandate of making risk management the core of your security decisions, said Ananth. Thats where MSSP services fill the skill and budget gap. Technology alone is about 15 percent of the solution. Expert analysts and robust, disciplined, and documented processes, the core of the services we are offering, are the remaining 85 percent.

Research analysts at Gartner agree. Organizations struggle to deploy, manage and use an effective combination of expertise and tools to detect threats, especially targeted advanced threats and insider threats, said Gartner in a report.1

EventTracker has created several educational resources to help financial services organizations comply with New Yorks new cybersecurity regulations, including:

Regulation Overview

Solution Brief

Q&A Webinar

Free Incident Response Plan Template

Deadline Infographic

Join EventTracker for a webinar: 23 NYCRR 500 Compliance: Everything you need to know on April 6, 2017 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET.

Follow this link for a complete list of New Yorks cybersecurity requirements.

Key components of the New York cybersecurity requirements addressed by EventTracker technology and solutions include:

Conducting penetration testing and vulnerability assessments

Monitoring of assets and creation of audit trails

Providing updated technical training of cybersecurity personnel

Ensuring third parties and vendors are secure and securely accessing your data

Securely destroying unnecessary data

SIEMphonic, EventTrackers flagship service, combines SIEM technology, intrusion detection, vulnerability scanning, flow analysis, and HoneyNet capabilities with a fully managed security service. The result is a complete cybersecurity solution that delivers SME businesses the outcome they are seekingeffective cybersecurity at an attractive price point, including managed detection and response (MDR). Key capabilities include:

247 managed security services

EventTracker 8 SIEM platform

Threat intelligence

HoneyNet deception technology

Behavior analysis

For more information on EventTracker, visit https://www.eventtracker.com

Tweet This: .@LogTalk (EventTracker) #SIEM tech and services help financial institutions meet #NY #cybersecurity requirements http://bit.ly/2nxbf3g

About EventTracker

EventTrackers advanced security solutions protect enterprises and small businesses from data breaches and insider fraud, and streamline regulatory compliance. The companys EventTracker platform comprises SIEM, vulnerability scanning, intrusion detection, behavior analytics, a honeynet deception network and other defense in-depth capabilities within a single management platform. The company complements its state-of-the-art technology with 24x7 managed services from its global security operations center (SOC) to ensure its customers achieve desired outcomessafer networks, better endpoint security, earlier detection of intrusion, and relevant and specific threat intelligence. The

company serves the retail, hospitality, healthcare, legal, banking and financial services, utilities and government sectors.

EventTracker is a division of Netsurion, a leader in remotely-managed IT security services that protect multi-location businesses information, payment systems and on-premise public and private Wi-Fi networks. www.eventtracker.com. Twitter: @logtalk.

1 Gartner, " Market Guide for Managed Detection and Response Services, Gartner, Toby Bussa, Craig Lawson, Kelly M. Kavanagh, May 10, 2016.
English Finnish

Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc: Savings Banks Group's Annual Financial Statement 2016

Central Bank of Savings Banks Plc

Stock Exchange Release

15 March 2017 at 2 pm (CET +1)

Savings Banks Group's Board of Director's Report and Consolidated IFRS Financial Statements 1 January - 31 December 2016 has been published.

A pdf-document containing the Board of Director's Report and Consolidated IFRS Financial Statements for 1 January - 31 December 2016 is attached to this release. The Report in PDF format can be also found at www.saastopankki.fi.

SAVINGS BANKS GROUP

Further information:



Pasi Kamari, Managing Director Savings Banks Union Coop

pasi.kamari@saastopankki.fi

Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc belongs to the Savings Banks Amalgamation and Savings Banks Group and acts as Group's central credit institution. Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc's role is to ensure liquidity and wholesale funding of the Savings Banks Group via operating in the money and capital markets, to operate payment transfers and issuance of payment cards.

Read more at www.spkeskuspankki.fi, www.saastopankki.fi
English Lithuanian

By the initiative and decision of the Board of the company the Annual General Meeting of Vilniaus Degtine AB (company code 120057287) to be held on April 6th, 2017 at 11.00 a.m. at the company's premises in Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius is convened. Registration of shareholders starts at 10.00 a.m.

The shareholders attending the meeting must provide an identification document. The representatives of the shareholders must additionally posses a proxy approved by the procedure prescribed by law.

A shareholder may, by means of electronic communications, authorize a natural or legal person to participate and vote in his name at the General Meeting of Shareholders. Such a power of attorney of the shareholder need not be certified by a notary. The power of attorney issued through electronic communication channels must be confirmed by the shareholder by a safe electronic signature developed by safe signature equipment and approved by a qualified certificate effective in the Republic of Lithuania. The shareholder shall inform the company on the power of attorney issued through electronic communication channels by e-mail vd@degtine.lt no later than last business day before the meeting at 4 p.m. The power of attorney and notification shall be issued in writing. The power of attorney and notification to the company shall be signed with the Electronic Signature but not the letters sent via the e-mail. By submitting the notification to the company the shareholder shall include the Internet address from which it would be possible to download the software to verify an Electronics Signature of the shareholder.

The Meeting's accounting day  March 30th, 2017. The persons who are shareholders of the company at the end of accounting day of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall have the right to attend and vote at the General Meeting of Shareholders.

The rights accounting day  April 21st, 2017. The shareholders will use property rights arising from the resolutions accepted during the General Meeting of Shareholders on a ratio basis of number of shares at the end of the rights accounting day.

On the Agenda:

1. Auditor's opinion on the set of company's financial statements and on the company's yearly report.

2. Proposals and comments of the Supervisory Board.

3. Approval of the company's yearly report for the year 2016.

4. Approval of the set of company's financial statements for the year 2016.

5. Appropriation of the years 2016 profit of the Company

6. Election of the firm of auditors and establishment of terms of remuneration for audit services.

7. Regarding mortgage and pledge of companies fixed assets.

8. Other questions.

The agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be supplemented by initiative of shareholders who own shares no less than 1/20 of all the votes. Proposals to the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be submitted by e-mail vd@degtine.lt or delivered to the Company's office at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, no later than the March 23rd, 2017. Please be informed that along with a proposal to supplement the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders must be submitted the drafts of proposed decisions, or if the decisions shall not be adopted, explanations on each of the proposed issue.

Shareholders who own shares no less than 1/20 of all votes own the right at any time before the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders or during the meeting in writing (delivering proposals to the company at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius) or by e-mail vd@degtine.lt propose new draft decisions related to the questions included into agenda, additional candidates of the companys organs, propose an audit company.

Shareholders own the right to ask the questions concerning the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Questions may be submitted by e-mail vd@degtine.lt or delivered directly to the Company's office at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, not later than 3 working days till General Meeting. The Company may refuse to answer to shareholder's questions if they are concerned to the commercial (industrial) secrets or other confidential information. If it is possible to set the shareholder's identity, the Company shall inform the shareholder on the refusal to provide asked information.

Each shareholder or representative thereof shall have the right to cast his/her vote in advance in writing by filling in a general ballot paper. The general ballot paper form shall be announced in the company's website http://www.degtine.lt. no later than 21 days before the Meeting. Upon the shareholders request in writing, the company no later than 10 days before the Meeting shall send a general ballot paper by registered mail free of charge or hand it in person against signature. The general ballot paper filled shall be signed by the shareholder or his/her representative. In case the ballot paper is signed by the shareholders authorized representative, such person along with the filled ballot paper shall submit the document to confirm the voting right corresponding to the requirements set by the laws. The ballot paper filled and the document confirming the voting right (if required) shall be submitted in a written form to the company's head office Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, by registered mail or by handing against signature no later than on the last business day before the Meeting.

The following information and documents during the whole period are available on the website of the company http://www.degtine.lt starting no later than 21 days before the Meeting:

- report on the convening of the Meeting;

- the total number of the company's shares and the number of shares with voting rights on the convening day of the Meeting;

- draft resolutions on each agenda issue and other documents to be submitted to the Meeting;

- general ballot paper form.

Attachments:

Draft Resolutions of the General Shareholder Meeting; Draft Financial Statements for the year 2016; Ballot Paper.

Authorized to provide additional information  General Manager Dovile Tamoseviciene 8 5 233 0819

Dovile Tamoseviciene

General Manager

8 5 233 0819
Estonian English

The management board of AS Linda Nektar (register code 10211034, hereinafter also referred to as the Company) convenes the annual general meeting of shareholders, to be held at 11:00 on 7 April 2017 at the conference room of the headquarters of AS LHV Pank, address Tartu mnt 2, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia.

Registration of participants will start at the venue of the meeting at 10.30. Registration will end at 10.50.

The list of shareholders entitled to participate at the general meeting will be fixed 7 days before the general meeting, i.e. as at 23.59 on 31 March 2017.

For registration, we kindly ask the participants to submit the following documents:

1. shareholders who are natural persons are required to submit their identity document; representatives must submit a written power of attorney;

2. the representative of a shareholder who is a legal person must submit a valid extract of the register where the person is registered and which provides the right of representation of the shareholder (legal representation) as well as the identity document. Representatives who are not legal representatives must also submit a valid written power of attorney.

A shareholder may inform the Company of the appointment of a representative or withdrawal of the power of attorney prior to the general meeting, by sending the corresponding digitally signed notice to the e-mail address of the Company info@lindanektar.ee or by delivering the notice in a format which can be reproduced in writing to the Company's location at Kobela, Antsla parish, Voru county, between 09:00 and 17:00 by using the respective forms published on the webpage of the Company located at http://www.lindanektar.ee/. Should a shareholder wish to inform the Company of the appointment of a representative or withdrawal of the power of attorney granted to a representative prior to the general meeting, the corresponding notice must be delivered and received by the Company at the latest by 23.59 on 3 April 2017.

Pursuant to the resolution adopted by the Company's supervisory board on 14 March 2017, the agenda of the general meeting is as follows together with the proposals of the supervisory board set forth under each agenda item:

1. Approval of annual report of financial year 2016

The proposal of the supervisory board is to approve the Companys annual report of the financial year 2016 as presented by the Companys management board.

2. Distribution of profit

Net profit of the financial year 2016 is 831,661.75 euro. The proposal of the supervisory board is to:

1) allocate 41,583.09 euro from the net profit to the mandatory legal reserve;

2) pay dividends to the shareholders 0.19 euro per share, in the total amount of 299,270.71 euro;

3) transfer 490,807.95 euro to the retained earnings.

The list of the shareholders entitled to dividends shall be fixed as at 23.59 on 21 April 2017. Dividends shall be paid to the shareholders by transfer to the bank account of the shareholders on 28 April 2017.

3. Appointment of an auditor for financial year 2017 and determining auditors remuneration

The proposal of the supervisory board is to appoint Grant Thornton Baltic OU (register code: 10384467) as the auditor of the Company for the financial year 2017, and to remunerate the auditor for its auditing services in accordance with the contract to be entered into with the auditor.

4. Increase of remuneration of chairman of supervisory board

The proposal of the supervisory board is to increase the monthly remuneration of Erik Hagstrom, the chairman of the Companys supervisory board, from 250 euro to 1250 euro (gross amount), and to amend the relevant agreement entered into with Erik Hagstrom, accordingly. The Companys management board shall be authorized to represent the Company upon the signing of the necessary amendment agreement with Erik Hagstrom.

All documents related to the annual general meeting of the Company (including the notice on convening the general meeting, the draft resolutions, the Company's annual report 2016 and other documents to be submitted to the general meeting) will be available to the shareholders on the webpage of the Company located at http://www.lindanektar.ee/ and at the Company's location at Kobela, Antsla parish, Voru county, during working days from 09:00 to 17:00 from the notification of convening the general meeting until the day of the general meeting.

All shareholders shall have the right to receive from the management board information on the Company's operations at the general meeting. The management board may refuse to give information, if there is a reason to presume that this may cause significant damage to the interests of the Company. Where the management board refuses to give information, a shareholder may demand that the legality of the shareholder's demand be decided by the general meeting or submit, within 2 weeks after the refusal, an application to a court in proceedings on petition in order to obligate the management board to give information.

Any questions regarding the agenda items of the general meeting may be addressed to the Company's email address info@lindanektar.ee.

Shareholders, whose shares represent at least 1/10 of the share capital of the Company may demand the inclusion of additional items into the agenda of the annual general meeting, if the corresponding claim is filed in writing at least 15 days prior to the general meeting at the e-mail address: info@lindanektar.ee or to the Company's location at Kobela, Antsla parish, Voru county.

Shareholders, whose shares represent at least 1/10 of the share capital of the Company, may submit to the Company in writing a draft resolution on each agenda item, by posting the draft to the e-mail address info@lindanektar.ee or to the Company's location at Kobela, Antsla parish, Voru county. The draft must be submitted in electronic form or by e-mail so that it would be delivered to and received by the Company no later than 3 days before the general meeting.

Kadri Rauba

Member of the management board of AS Linda Nektar
Lincoln Community Playhouse joins Nebraskans for the Arts in celebrating National Arts Advocacy Day on March 21. The Playhouse will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for citizens to come and show their support for local arts programs, National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Arts Council.

Each year, Morrie Enders, Playhouse executive director said, the Americans for the Arts organizes a day for arts advocates to travel to Washington D.C. to express their support of the arts. The Playhouse, along with various sites around the state, are giving people arts advocacy participation without the travel.

The Playhouse will have lists of representatives, arts information, sample letters, post cards and stamps available. There will also be a computer for email access to representatives.
orange

that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as

that of

were

informing his literary style as much as

that of

was

and it informed his literary style as well as

was

informing both his literary style and

was

as it informed his literary style as much as

were

informing both his literary style in addition to

1. that of Japan / Japan ( parallelism )

2. was / were ( subject-verb agreement )

3. How they end ( modifiers/conjunctions )

Let's start with #1 on our list: that of Japan / Japan.

parallelism

Europe, China, and

that of Japan

Europe, China, and

that of Japan

Europe, China, and

Japan

Europe, China, and

Japan

Europe, China, and

Japan

We can rule out options A & B because "that of Japan" isn't worded the same way as the other two items on the list (Europe, China).

Now, let's move on to #2 on our list: was / were.

subject-verb agreement

singular

singular

was

was

were

We can rule out option E because it uses the plural verb "were" with a singular subject, which doesn't agree!

Now that we're left with only 2 options, let's move on to #3 on our list: how they end.

informing both his literary style and

CORRECT

as it

as much as

INCORRECT

at the same time

There you have it - option C is the right choice here!

Hello Everyone!Let's take a look at this question, one issue at a time, and narrow it down to the right choice! Before we dive in, let's take a look at the original question and highlight any major differences between the options inRyunosuke Akutagawas knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, andthe content of his fiction.(A)Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer,(B)Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer,(C) Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer,(D) Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer,(E) Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer,After a quick glance over the options, we have a few things we can focus on:This is an issue of! Let's take a look at each option, and determine which ones use parallel structure, and toss out the ones that don't:(A)were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as(B)was instrumental in his development as a writer, and it informed his literary style as well as(C)was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and(D)was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as(E)were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in addition toThis is an issue of! We know the subject of the sentence is "knowledge," which is asubject, and that means we need to use averb to match. Let's see which options use a singular verb, and toss out the ones that don't:(C) Europe, China, and Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and(D) Europe, China, and Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as(E) Europe, China, and Japaninstrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in addition toWe need to make sure the ending makes sense, doesn't distort meaning, and is 100% clear for readers:(C) Europe, China, and Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer,This is! The modifier "informing both his literary style and..." is clearly modifying the subject "knowledge." It also follows the idiomatic structure "both X and Y" at the end when it says "both his literary style and the content of his fiction."(D) Europe, China, and Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer,informed his literary styleThis isbecause it's not written clearly. We have the pronoun "it," which could refer to knowledge or development. Vague pronouns are a major no-no on the GMAT! Also, the word "as" is a problem because it changes the meaning. This sentence is saying that Akutagawa's knowledge helped him develop as a writerthat it informed his literary style and the content of his fiction. This isn't true - he gained the knowledge first, and then it helped make him a better writer!It uses parallel structure, proper subject-verb agreement, and a clearly written modifier!Don't study for the GMAT. Train for it._________________
It could be recalled that on Monday, January 31, the story of how a Nigerian soldier brutally beat up a Nollywood actress, Ebere Ohakwe hit the internet as the soldier was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour and no pay.

Woman beaten by soldier in Ikorodu

Again in Ikorodu area of Lagos, the case of how a soldier brutally beat up a young woman, after she allegedly challenged a soldier who slapped her brother for no reason.

The soldier whose name wasn't given is reportedly said to be attached to the 174 battalion, Nigerian Army Barrack, Odoguyan Ikorodu. Facebook user, Sheriff Alabi Mosalu, who shared the story posted saying:

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

"I think Nigerian army should be called to order fast...this lady was brutalised by 174 battalion Ikorodu all because she challenged a soldier that slapped her brother....this is becoming too much and barbaric likewise....please share till it gets to buratai....I dont want to believe our soldiers are animals...kilode"

See post below:

Lady brutalized for challenging Nigerian soldier who slapped her brother

Read full story of how the soldier who beat up a Nollywood actress on her way to Onitsha, was caught and imprisoned for 28 days.

This story is so pathetic that a lot of Nigerians have passed all sorts of insults to the Nigerian Army, due to the way they treat civilians as if they are not human beings. Read some of the comments below:

Watch related video below:

Nawa o!

Source: Legit.ng
A Nigerian married woman has exposed a man who is begging to sleep with her on Facebook.

The lady posted screenshots of a chat between her and the alleged man on social media. In the chat, the man kept pestering the woman to sleep with him even after she told him she was married.

Married woman exposes Nigerian man asking to sleep with her on Facebook

PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App

After he refused to stop pestering her, the lady then decided to expose him on social media for the whole world to see.

Read chat below:

Chei!

Watch video below:

Source: Legit.ng
As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ
Wanda Holbrook, the 57-year-old Grand Rapids woman had a specialty of fixing robots if something went wrong, Joinfo.com reports with reference to Detroit Free Press.

Tragically, something did go wrong in 2015, but Holbrook never saw it coming. A robots arm malfunctioned one day, hitting and crushing Holbrooks head, killing her. The tragedy devastated her husband, three children, grandchildren and dozens of coworkers who filled the back four pews at her funeral.

Nearly two years later, her husband is still searching for answers, and he has turned to the courts for intervention.

In a wrongful death lawsuit filed March 7 in U.S. District Court, Bill Holbrook is suing five robotics companies, claiming they all played a role in his wifes death and that the accident was due to negligence by those who designed, built, tested and monitored the robots. He said he wants to know what went wrong, hold the responsible parties accountable and prevent a similar tragedy.

I want to make sure nothing like this happens to another family. We would feel terrible if we didnt do anything and then another family had to go through something similar to this, Bill Holbrook said in a telephone interview with the Free Press on Tuesday. If its an accident, its an accident. If its preventable, I want it to be prevented.

According to the lawsuit, the accident happened July 7, 2015, at Ionia-based Ventra Ionia, which specializes in the welding and stamping of truck bumpers and trailer hitches. For unknown reasons, a robots arm took Wanda by surprise, entering the section she was working in and hit and crushed Wandas head between a hitch assembly it was attempting to place in a fixture.

Holbrook, who had worked at the plant for 12 years, was found nonresponsive by the other employees and pronounced dead at the scene about 40 minutes after the accident, the lawsuit states.

Holbrook worked in an 800-square-foot area where robots would take a truck bumper and weld plates onto it. She was working in an area known as the 100 cell when the robots arm swung into her territory and pressed her head into a fixture, the lawsuit states.

Other employees at Ventra noticed that something had gone wrong  certain operations werent functioning properly  so they went looking for Holbrook, who was found unresponsive in section 140, the lawsuit states.

The robot from section 130 should have never entered section 140, and should have never attempted to load a hitch assembly within a fixture that was already loaded with a hitch assembly, the lawsuit states. A failure of one or more of defendants safety systems or devices had taken place, causing Wandas death.

For Bill Holbrook, the pain from the accident is still to raw to deal with. Thats why hes hired lawyers to do a lot of the digging, he said, noting his entire family has struggled to cope with losing a woman who was dedicated to her family and profession.

She absolutely loved what she did, Bill Holbrook said. She was meticulous and thorough and careful about everything that she did  She could have gone anywhere with her journeyman card. And I had asked her several times to look at other options, but she would come back to me and say, I really feel like this is where God wants me to be. 

The five named defendants are: Ohio-based Lincoln Electric Co.; Flex-N-Gate, a Delaware corporation with offices in Warren; Prodomax Automation, a Canadian company; FANUC America Corp., which has offices in Rochester Hills, and Nachi Robotic Systems, which has offices in Novi.

Ventra Ionia was not sued and did not return calls for comment. The defendants have not yet been served with the lawsuit and could not be reached for comment.

Grand Rapids attorney Matthew Wikander, who is representing Holbrook, said he is still investigating the accident, noting the company has not allowed him into the plant to inspect the area where Wanda Holbrook worked. He said that a workers compensation claim also is in dispute right now and that Holbrooks family has been denied benefits.

When we were denied access to the facility, we knew we had to file the lawsuit, Wikander said. There may be other players involved.  I think theres a lot more to this story.

Wikander stressed: We dont believe Wanda did anything wrong. Wanda was a very experienced professional.

Wikander called her death a catastrophic loss for the family.

A life partner is gone. A mother is gone. A grandmother is gone, Wikander said. My job is to not only figure out what exactly happened and hopefully prevent it from happening to anyone else, but also to compensate her and the family for their losses.
Its been two and a half years since Google and Motorola released the Nexus 6 smartphone, but its still supposed to be able to run the latest version of Android.

The rollout has been anything but smooth though. As Android Police notes, it took longer for Google to release Android 7.0 Nougat and then Android 7.1.1 for the Nexus 6 than for other phones, and there were a number of bugs along the way.

Now theres something even stranger happening: some Nexus 6 users who are running Android 7.1.1 are being prompted to install a software update that downgrades the operating system to Android 7.0.

Several people have confirmed in a reddit thread that theyve received the update. And at least one user complains that installing the update makes the phone pretty much unusable, since all apps will crash once its installed.

It sounds like this might be some sort of a mistake rather than an attempt by Google to address bugs in Android 7.1.1 for the phone by rolling users back to an earlier version.

Update: Nope. Its not a mistake. Google provided an Android 7.1.1 ROM that users can flash, but OTA updates are only supported for Android 7.0. Users that want to continue using Android 7.1.1 will have to sideload the operating system and avoid installing any downgrade updates.

Android is usually designed to work well when upgrading from an older version of the operating system to a newer one. But going backward usually requires a factory reset (which means wiping all your data and re-installing apps after the new OS is loaded).

Since the Nexus 6 probably wont be officially supported much longer, this might be as good a time as any for users to consider unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom ROM. Or if you havent installed the update/downgrade yet, you might just want to keep an eye out for it and not tap the install button.
Michael Eric Dyson has said, "Someone changed your diapers. And if that's the case, you ain't self made." "White culture" in this country didn't get there all on its on own. Native Americans were robbed of their land. Among other things, slaves picked cotton, and, just incidentally, built the white house. Chinese laborers built the railroad. What would we be eating today(and how much would we have to pay for it) without Mexican fruit and vegetable pickers? But those diverse cultures are not just about back-breaking labor. They are about American thought, informed by diverse histories and backgrounds. After the heartbreaking Supreme Court decision of 2000, I began to notice that all of the people speaking my mind on the TV news shows or in opinion columns were black. And while white Democrats were ready to roll over and play dead, but the black caucus persisted in calling out what they believed was an affront to our democracy. So I am respectfully asking: Do you understand something that white commentators and politicians can't possibly get?
Credit: Swiss National Science Foundation

Drugs are taboo during pregnancy. That's the guiding principle. But the reality is different. According to an international study that was published in 2014 in the British Medical Journal, 80 percent of all women take drugs during pregnancy. So it's all the more important for medical personnel to know which substances could be dangerous to the unborn child, and which are safe. But pregnant women are often excluded from medical studies because no one is prepared to take a deliberate risk with the health of the foetus.

Although no one denies the fact that women and men are fundamentally different, medical researchers still generally test their new drugs and therapies on men. It's simply assumed that they will have the same impact on women. But that's by no means always the case.

The metabolisms of men and women sometimes process drugs differently. The female liver contains certain other enzymes that can ensure that drugs work (or not). Furthermore, drugs are distributed differently in a woman's body. Women are mostly smaller than men, and have a higher proportion of fatty tissue. Certain drugs collect there, which again has an impact on their effectiveness. Then there's the female kidney, which only performs to 80 percent of the capacity of the male kidney. This fact naturally has an impact on how metabolites are excreted from the body. And this is all without taking women's menstrual cycle into consideration.

Reactions to the Thalidomide scandal

The situation with children is at least as difficult. Like women, they are barely taken into account in medical research. Researchers only develop very few drugs specifically for them. But when it comes to drugs and therapies, children are not merely small adults for whom one can simply reduce the dose according to their weight. And paediatric medicine covers a vast range of ages: you can't compare new-born babies with school-age children, any more than you can compare young people in puberty with toddlers.

Various initiatives have been set up in Switzerland that hope to change this untenable state of affairs. Alice Panchaud is a pharmacologist at the University Hospital in Lausanne (CHUV) and is investigating methods to help find non-hazardous drugs for pregnant women. There was little awareness of this topic until the 1960s, when the Thalidomide scandal happened. Children were born with deformed arms and legs after their mothers took the sedative Thalidomide to help mitigate morning sickness during pregnancy. Since that scandal, everything has been done to try and keep pregnant women from taking any drugs at all. "Regrettably, that isn't realistic", says Panchaud, who is currently on a two-year research visit to the Harvard School of Public Health. There are diseases that you simply have to treat during pregnancy because they would be more dangerous for the unborn child than any drugs used to treat them.

Collecting data on individual cases

Even if pregnant women don't take part in clinical trials, there are still two ways of getting usable data about them. Time and again there are cases of women taking drugs without being aware that they are pregnant. Then there are women who for medical reasons are compelled to take certain substances. "We urgently have to collect and analyse the data of these two groups", says Panchaud. In this manner, a database could be constructed, listing drugs that are harmless to pregnant women. The rule of thumb is: wherever possible, no new drugs should be given to a pregnant woman, because we just don't know enough about them.

In the USA and northern Europe, good progress is being made on just such databases. In Switzerland, however, too little effort is being invested, and the situation is made more difficult by the far more modest amounts of data available. It's not just about determining whether a drug is harmless to pregnant women. The permissible dose can also often vary during pregnancy. Women gain weight and retain more water in their bodies, which mostly means that doctors have to increase their dosage. And for this, too, doctors ought to have the relevant data to help them make the right decision in individual cases. So at the CHUV in Lausanne, the relevant authorities are now setting up a biobank with blood samples of pregnant women who are being given drugs.

Children have different cancers

Efforts are also being made to improve the situation with children. The research network Swiss Pednet, which links the Swiss children's hospitals, is campaigning for the development of more drugs and therapies specifically for children. The dilemma is similar to that with pregnant women. No one wants to test drugs on healthy children, but at the same time there are many situations in which children need drugs. "We don't want to subject sick children to experiments", says David Nadal, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Zurich Children's Hospital and co-founder of Swiss Pednet. That is why a professional research structure is needed in paediatrics, along with the corresponding finances to enable researchers to collect and analyse data. "Society has to increase its awareness of just how important medical studies are in general, and especially for children", says Nadal. Today, already more than 80 percent of children hospitalised with cancer are being treated within the framework of such studies. Especially in the case of cancer, there is a great need for new drugs that can specifically help children, because they usually fall sick from cancers that are different from those that affect adults.

Thanks to the initiative of various researchers, it has been proven in recent years that there is a clear gender difference in cases of heart disease. "Women die of heart attacks twice as often as men", says Catherine Gebhard, a cardiologist at the Zurich University Hospital. And if they withstand an actual heart attack, they also have less chances of surviving afterwards. Nevertheless, only 24 percent of the test subjects in heart studies are female, and older women are barely represented at all, even though it has meanwhile become clear that male and female hearts develop differently in old age.

"We still know far too little about why women die more often than men after a heart attack", says Gebhard. The problems begin already at the lowest level. Tests on lab animals are carried out in advance of clinical studies on humans, but almost all the lab animals used are male. The assumption is that the results will also be valid for female animals. Gebhard is now running a research project in which she hopes to find out why women's hearts age differently. In the near future, women with heart disease should be able to get targeted medical help just the same as pregnant women and children.
One out of every four children admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) for critical illness develops delirium, according to an international study led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators. The researchers also found the prevalence of delirium nearly doubles after five days of hospitalization in a pediatric ICU, underscoring the need for routine monitoring of delirium with children.

The study, published March 14 in Critical Care Medicine, describes the first-ever large, international study on delirium prevalence in critically ill pediatric patients admitted to ICUs. Delirium, a disturbed mental state characterized by changes in alertness, cognition or awareness known to occur in adults with critical illnesses, has only recently been recognized in children, and its prevalence and effects on recovery are not well understood. Adult patients with delirium do poorly when they are in the hospital and are more likely to die; those who survive their critical illness tend to do worse after discharge compared with those without delirium.

"Our study shows that delirium with children is more common and more widespread than previously recognized," said Dr. Chani Traube, associate professor of clinical pediatrics in the Division of Critical Care Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and a pediatric intensivist at the Phyllis and David Komansky Center for Children's Health at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Monitoring children for the development of delirium should be a routine part of the care we provide, just as we monitor children for the development of fevers when they are sick."

The research team conducted the study at 25 pediatric ICUs in the United States, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and Saudi Arabia. Over the course of two designated study days, nurses screened 994 children for delirium using the Cornell Assessment for Pediatric Delirium (CAPD), a rapid bedside tool developed by Dr. Gabrielle Silver, a child psychiatrist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, and the investigative team. The CAPD questionnaire enables ICU nurses, who have multiple interactions with a child during the course of a day, to evaluate the child's awareness of his environment, ability to make eye contact and ability to communicate needs or wants, among other factors. Of those screened, the researchers determined the mental status of 835 children.

The researchers found that 209 out of the 835 patients, or 25 percent, had delirium. Delirium prevalence rates varied significantly with the underlying medical reason for patients' ICU admission, with highest delirium rates found in children admitted with an infectious disease or inflammatory disorder. In addition, while delirium was common throughout hospitalization, the prevalence increased to 38 percent after six days, which Traube attributes to hospital-based risk factors, including use of physical restraints, medications for sedation (benzodiazepines), immobility and sleep deprivation. Children 2 years old or younger were especially vulnerable to the health effects of these hospital-based risk factors.

The study, which was funded in part by the Clinical and Translational Science Center at Weill Cornell Medicine, shows the feasibility of using CAPD to screen for delirium in children, Traube said.

"Most of the ICUs participating in our study don't routinely screen for delirium, and they were able to do so without much difficulty in nearly all their patients," Traube said. "You don't need to buy expensive equipment or do extensive training."

More information: Delirium in Critically Ill Children: An International Point Prevalence Study. Critical Care Medicine: DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000002250 Journal information: Critical Care Medicine Delirium in Critically Ill Children: An International Point Prevalence Study.
Oregon resident Pat Duty found herself and her children needing to have end-of-life care conversations with her husband, Jimmy, about his wishes after he fell ill in 2013. Credit: Pat Duty

People with serious illness or frailty in Oregon are more likely to have their end-of-life care wishes honored, and, consequently, less likely to be hospitalized and more likely to use home hospice services compared with Washington state and the rest of the country, according to data published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"The level of care you receive near the end of life depends more on the state you live in and the systems they have in place than your actual wishes," says author Susan Tolle, M.D., director of the OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care and co-led the creation of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST Program.

Through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, co-author Joan Teno, M.D., M.S., of the University of Washington, looked at utilization trends for Medicare fee-for-service, including the percentage of patients who died at home, died in hospice, were admitted to the intensive care unit in the last 30 days of life, and were discharged home after hospitalization in the last 30 days of life.

The utilization patterns are strikingly different in Oregon:

Nearly two-thirds of Oregonians die at home, compared with 39.6 percent of Americans nationwide.

Intensive care unit use in the last 30 days of life in Oregon was 18.2 percent, compared with 23 percent in Washington state and 28.5 percent nationwide.

Patients who were hospitalized in the last month of life were more likely to be discharged home in Oregon than in Washington state or nationwide (73.5 percent in Oregon, 63.5 percent in Washington and 54.2 percent nationwide).

According to Tolle, Oregon has integrated end-of-life care initiatives throughout all levels of the health care system, from state government to local health care systems, with the creation of the POLST Program to better elicit, record and honor patients' wishes to have or to limit medical treatments near the end of life.

The POLST Program allows patients with advanced illness and frailty to have a meaningful conversation with their health care professional in which they can discuss goals of care and document patient preferences with the POLST form, a medical order that can be honored across settings of care and by emergency medical technicians.

"It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why there are such differences in care at the end of life in Oregon compared with other states, but we think it reflects the complexity and intensity of the initiatives developed to support not only the POLST Program but a more comprehensive plan of care to honor a person's wishes and ensure their desired symptom management," says Teno, a professor in the Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at the University of Washington.

"While Washington also has an established POLST Program, we lag far behind Oregon. It takes much more than a form to change the culture of end-of-life care in a state," Teno states.

Oregon resident Pat Duty found herself and her children needing to have end-of-life care conversations with her husband, Jimmy, about his wishes after he fell ill in 2013.

"End-of-life care planning is about giving patients a voice before they become too sick," says Duty. "I didn't want to make the wrong choice or have to wonder what he would have wanted had something more serious happened."

The OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care has hosted more than 200 conferences for health care professionals about ethics, palliative care and communication skills, and has developed numerous outreach and education materials, including a video titled, "Understanding POLST," which helps patients and health care professionals talk about and document end-of-life care wishes.

"Transforming care near the end of life requires more than merely implementing the use of POLST forms in states," says Tolle. "Until we embrace the complexity of this social interaction, the need for multifaceted interventions and public health strategies, we will fail to make the needed improvements in care at the close of life."

Duty says she wants to speak out about ensuring end-of-life care wishes are honored so that her husband's voice is heard.

"There's a certain dignity to it, and when it's done with compassion and listening, it empowers the person who has the illness or disease," Duty states. "It's truly an honor for me to be able to talk about it, even if just a few people learn and read about it, that is what Jimmy would have wanted."
(HealthDay)Living near a day care center won't increase your child's risk of catching contagious illnesses like whooping cough, new research suggests.

Scientists from Drexel University in Philadelphia reported that kids in neighborhoods with one or more day care centers don't get sick more often from extra germs circulating in the area.

For the study, the researchers analyzed the total number of day care centers in Philadelphia and compared them to areas in the city where people were diagnosed with whooping cough (pertussis).

"Hypothetically, more day care use could translate to more children, parents and caretakers getting sick because of everyone being in contact with each other. But we wanted to ask the question, 'Do these people carry germs back into the local community, making other kids sick?' " said study leader Neal Goldstein.

"The answer to that appears to be, 'No.' The presence of day cares in an area does not necessarily mean there is community risk of pertussis [whooping cough] among kids," Goldstein said.

He's an assistant research professor in the university's Dornsife School of Public Health and made his comments in a university news release.

The researchers looked specifically at reported cases of whooping cough among children up to the age of 6 from 2001 through 2013. Overall, 410 cases were identified.

The researchers analyzed where these children lived in relation to the 2,000 registered day care sites in Philadelphia. In the end, the investigators found no connection between living near day care centers and higher rates of whooping cough.

The researchers suggested that vaccinations are a key factor in controlling rates of vaccine-preventable diseases, including whooping cough.

Among a large control group of children who did not get whooping cough, 81 percent were fully immunized against the infection. Among the children studied who did contract whooping cough, only 64 percent were immunized.

"The most important factor we observed that was correlated with greater pertussis risk was lack of vaccination," Goldstein said. "We know that vaccination is important, but this analysis suggests that it's even more important than where you live."

Registered child care centers have strict immunization requirements that effectively keep infection rates in check, the study authors explained.

The findings were published recently in the journal Public Health.

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides more information on Journal information: Public Health The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides more information on whooping cough

Copyright  2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Azurion: next generation image guided therapy platform . Credit: PRNewsFoto/Royal Philips

(Medical Xpress)Image-guided therapy is one of the more rapidly expanding fronts of modern medicine. While many immense hardware challenges in this field have already been overcome, several thorny software issues continue to be cumbersome. For example, poor interoperability and system integration, steep learning curves, and non-intuitive user experiences are all endemic in the business. A powerful new platform from Philips called Azurion is set transform the way medical procedures are done in the interventional lab.

The once clear distinction between surgical procedures done in the OR, and interventional procedures done in a hybrid cath lab (the place where the big instruments are) is rapidly becoming blurred. This convergence is due in part to the great demand for real time imaging by a variety of modalities before, during, and after many surgeries. Azurion's platform brings together several of their prior innovations under one roof to handle a wide variety of routine and complex procedures. These earlier tools were frequently specific for certain organs or systems and had tended to have clearly descriptive names like VesselNavigator, EmboGuide, Echonavigator, and AneurysmFlow.

The sheer number of instruments that can now be brought to bear to shed light on or otherwise affect patient condition is staggering. In addition to the more familiar xray, ultrasonic, radio frequency, thermal or MRI methods, there are now more exotic proton, neutron, and even electron beams one can aim at various maladies. Increasingly, these myriad spies, interrogators, and persuaders must be brought to bear from the inside, via various catheters and probes. To wield these technologies, doctors and technicians alike need more than just a desk and computer screen to sit at in the lab or surgical suitethey need a full-fledged cockpit.

Furthermore, docs and patients both share two counterpoised imperatives: they need on demand access to patient database records, but require that access to be security and with some expectation of privacy. Additionally, once images are retrieved, rendered, and processed, there is often a need to merge patient data and device into the same assembly. For example, in engineering design, a CAD jockey's job is greatly streamlined by having the ability to download and incorporate full parametric 3-D models of parts directly from the manufacturer into their model.

In this case, the CAD designer benefits from not having to flesh out each screw and thread they might specify, and the manufacturer benefits because the engineer is then apt to turn the automatically generated Bill of Materials into a direct part order. In much this same general way, doctors can pop in a model from a manufacturer of a new heart valve or stent into their pre-operative patient mock up to get a better idea of exactly how everything fits together.

It is here, in this cross platform interoperability that the Azurion platform may have greatest potential. To illustrate better, consider a patient making a simple request for their own scan data. If they are *lucky*, they might get a disk or drive that contains their images stored in something know as DICOM file format. This format was first created by radiologists and medical physicists to meet demands for dose-planning in radiation therapy. In addition to encoding some patient details and maybe some scheme for compression, the DICOM specification includes its own network communications protocols and even designates 'ports'. For example, many IT types familiar with HTTP might know that port 80 or 8080 are common defaults. Similarly, port 104 can be specified for DICOM, or perhaps something else for more secure protocols.

Next, the inquisitive patient would have to look for a DICOM viewer which they can install in order to decode their images. We should mention here that over half of the people and patients in the US have an entry in 'EPIC', the majority software cult now in widespread use for electronic health records. Although Azurion 'integrates seamlessly' with EPIC (essentially this means EPIC information and data is accessible on Azurion's monitors), and it can talk to a DICOM cloud so to speak, patients can't actually access any of these things. If one is looking to invest in a full-fledged package for their own use, I would hazard a guess that Azurion may be the cheaper way to go. Judging by what Duke University Health System recently paid for EPIC ($700 million), it is probably beyond the means of most individuals.

Another thing that an enterprising patient may want to try in their idle moments between chemo cycles is running a custom deep learning convolutional neural network analysis on their lymph node biopsy scan data. It is not inconceivable that capable patients might want their own early indicators on whether they have any potential metastasis. Alternatively, many may simply want to get a second cutting edge deep AI opinion. Fortunately, in talking to Ronald Tabaksblat, business leader for Philips Image Guided Therapy Systems, I learned that Azurion can already seamlessly connect to cloud based solutions for image analytics and display. Specifically, to wares provided by the likes of Proscia for breast and lung cancer, and the now FDA approved cardiac imaging platform from Arterys.

So what else might one do with Azurion?

One brilliant way to put Azurion to productive use is in MRA and CTA (MRI angiography and CT angiography). In these types of scans a 'harmless' contrast agent is given to the patient to visually enhance the vasculature. The problem is that contrast agent (which curiously makes you feel really warm, and also puts a metal taste in your mouth) probably isn't so harmless, particularly if you need to get scanned regularly. Azurion simply uses pre-acquired contrast image data in subsequent scans so contrast isn't needed each time.

As compared to injecting mere contrast agent, something all together more delicate would be the precision injection of a chemotherapy like doxorubicin into specific arterial branches of the liver vasculature. Here, Azurion or a technology very much like it would be essentially for tracking the full 3-D real time picture. If controlling that procedure isn't challenging enough for your software package, then consider an even more eclectic way to spend an afternoon, namely getting a ' Magnetic Resonance Thermometry-Guided Stereotactic Fiber Optic Laser Thermal Amygdalohippocampotomy'. We will have to wait and see whether this dauntingly technical beast of an operation will ever become a routine pulldown menu option on Azurion.

 2017 Medical Xpress
Black History Month came and went all too quicklywhile it gave our nation a spotlight for the accomplishments and contributions of the black community, it also reminded us to reflect and focus on the threats facing African-Americans all year around. Beyond the month of February, civil rights advocacy continues to address racial disparities in voting rights, education and criminal justice, but discrimination also impacts the black community in ways that aren't typically seen as social issues. This is particularly true in public health and should be addressed by doctors and nurse practitioners.

Discrimination affects mental and physical health

Racism is detrimental to mental and physical health because repeated exposure causes a heightened sense of fear and anxiety regardless of whether victims experience physical violence or merely anticipate discriminatory behavior. The Southern Poverty Law Center reported more than 1,000 hate crimes in the month following the 2016 presidential election221 of which were logged as anti-black incidents. The past several years of media coverage on tragic cases of police brutality and alarming stop-and-frisk regulations shows us that many more cases often go unreported, and have profound negative impact on the health of African-Americans.

Long-term physical manifestations of discrimination include depression, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and premature death. One of America's leading social epidemiologists, Nancy Krieger, points out that constant stress from racial profiling can give way to unhealthy coping mechanisms, like over- or undereating, retreating from personal relationships, unstable anger management, violence, and other lifestyle choices. These coping mechanisms exacerbate poorer health outcomes overtime, creating a cycle based in what Krieger terms "embodied inequality"the idea that human bodies do not partition social and biological experiences.

Discrimination shapes health care

Indirect effects of racism in health care are often harder to see on the surface, but can create barriers to accessing quality care. These barriers can be identified through social determinants of health, which are "conditions in one's environmentwhere people are born, live, work, learn, play, and worshipthat have a huge impact on how healthy certain individuals and communities are or are not," according to Healthy People 2020. Victims of racism are more vulnerable to the risks of living through social determinants that make it harder to seek medical care, like inadequate transportation, low income, poor health literacy, fewer educational opportunities, underemployment, and other systemic barriers.

Black communities have historically experienced more structural barriers to health care than white communities, which not only make it harder to seek treatment, but can also lead to poor outcomes even if treatment is accessed. A 2012 study from Johns Hopkins University found that many primary care doctors hold a subconscious bias toward their black patients, which undermines any positive outcomes of a medical visit. During visits with black patients, the study revealed that doctors tended to speak slower, use less positive tones, dominate conversations and spent less time addressing social aspects of the patients' lives. Inadequate patient-doctor consultations can result in poor health literacy, which can lead patients to wait longer before seeking care for a health issue, and ultimately creates more urgent and expensive treatments long term.

Health literacy can mitigate racial disparities

Mitigating the detrimental effects of racismsubconscious or notis easier said than done, but begins with providers acknowledging that biases exist and are creating health disparities. While medical providers can work to eliminate attitudes that lead to discrimination, they can also participate in public policy and on-the-ground interactions with patients. On an administrative level, providers can employ more diverse staff members, and promote medical research for racial disparities in public health, and work to expand access to quality health care to African-American patients. One potential avenue for intervention is through increased health literacy but in order to promote health literacy among African Americans, nurses, social workers, and educators must collaborate to meet patients where they are, listen to their concerns, advocate for creative solutions, and train others in professional communities to do the same.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines health literacy as the ability of individuals to obtain and comprehend basic health information and navigate services that can help them make informed decisions about their health. Those with a greater level of health literacy are more likely to have positive health outcomes and prevent disease and chronic conditions. In turn, these outcomes and preventative measures reduce the overall cost of healthcare in the United States. Proficient health literacy can be as simple as understanding how to contact a nurse practitioner, when to call an ambulance, and how to read a prescription label. The National Assessment of Health Literacy estimates that only 12 percent of adults have the necessary level of health literacy to effectively manage and prevent diseases, and that number may be even lower in underserved communities.

A variety of factors can put African-Americans at a higher risk of reduced health literacy. The lack of equal educational opportunities has been linked to decreased access to healthcare information. Lower socioeconomic status can make it difficult for people to access transportation to their healthcare provider, find affordable coverage, and obtain health information. Even if people are able to access healthcare, they may face the challenge of a doctor or healthcare professional whose racial bias, whether conscious or unconscious, prevents good communication and quality care. One study in the American Journal of Public Health found that primary care physicians who possess subconscious racial bias are more likely to dominate conversations with African-American patients and leave these patients feeling uninvolved when it comes to decisions about their health. Patients who feel unheard and unsupported may be less likely to return for follow-up appointments or receive care that reflects their social and emotional needs in addition to physical ailments.

There are a number of avenues through which health providers can begin to promote health literacy. To start, professionals should know and recognize the social determinants that put individuals at risk for low literacy, such as race, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status. To overcome these barriers, professionals can also consider creative and targeted outreach efforts, such as mobile clinics, in-depth patient education during initial and follow-up visits, and resources tailored for individuals with disabilities and lower reading levels.

Finally, providers should understand and recognize the physical impact that experiencing or anticipating racism can have on an individual. A large survey of 30,000 people found that 18.2 percent of black participants experience regular physical stress compared to only 1.6 percent of white participants. Discrimination has been linked to depression, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and mortality. The stress of discrimination among African-American mothers also has been linked to preterm delivery and higher infant mortality.

Providers must consider how they can influence and demand change at the administrative level. Diverse medical staff can helped create an informed and collaborative atmosphere for promoting health literacy. Healthcare providers can dedicate time and energy to regularly gathering, summarizing, and disseminating feedback from communities affected by low health literacy through focus groups, surveys, and interviews. Organizations and academic institutions can promote and fund research on racial disparities in health and the health of the Black community to further understand how to best engage with this community, and whether tailored messaging would be effective.

Mitigating the impact of discrimination as a public threat requires effort at the policy-level but also on-the-ground efforts through daily interactions between patients and their providers. Nurses and family nurse practitioners are in a unique position for addressing low health literacy because of their level of patient interaction. Studies show that teaching minorities about the social determinants that increase vulnerabilities to racial discrimination can prepare patients to navigate health and lifestyle choices that improve outcomes beyond the walls of the doctor's office. In addition, nursing educators can consider how issues of equality and health literacy can motivate and draw more people to the medical profession.

Racial discrimination disrupts the daily lives of its victims and impacts communities in countless waysmental, physical and emotional health are no exception. Discrimination towards the African-American community is a public health issue that must be addressed by doctors and nurse practitioners. However, they can't do it alone social workers, policy makers and educators must collaborate to help medical professionals meet patients where they are, listen to their concerns, advocate for creative solutions, and train others in professional communities to do the same.

This story is republished courtesy of PLOS Blogs: blogs.plos.org.
Edu Mobile, an MVNO aimed at students, is set to launch in South Africa in the next three months, according to founder Kyle Isaacs.

Isaacs said the MVNO will run on one of South Africas big four networks, but could not currently disclose further details.

The set-up of the virtual network is being handled in-house, as it will allow Edu Mobile to easily make and deploy changes in the future, said Isaacs.

We interact directly with the [mobile network operators] APIs, he said.

Unlimited browsing, apps, and email

The primary SIM-only package offered by the MVNO will be its Student essential package, which is priced at R99 per month.

It features:

Uncapped browsing

Uncapped access to banking apps

Uncapped access to social apps (WhatsApp, Facebook)

Uncapped email access

Uncapped access to essential apps (Uber, SnapScan, OLX, Gumtree, News24)

The uncapped browsing offered by Edu Mobile caters for loading and viewing pages.

VoIP, streaming videos, downloading files, and (P2P) transfers are blocked. However, students can access pre-authorised sources such as university portals which provide access to essential material.

Edu Mobile said it is able to offer the uncapped services as its package limits connections speeds to 240kbps-250kbps.

Based on internal testing, when using Edu Mobile speeds ranging between 240kpbs250kpbs, there is no noticeable difference in browsing pages and operating social services compared to other networks operating without the speed limit being set, it said.

Fair usage policy

The virtual network also imposes a fair usage policy on users, which is 1.2GB per month.

When a user exceeds 1.2GB during a 30-day period, speeds are then throttled to a lower level until the month is over.

Our aim is to never disconnect any user, but rather resort to throttling speeds. The lowered speeds are determined by algorithms based on individual usage patterns.

Edu Mobile said users can also purchase data bundles to add to their package. The data bundles allow for faster network speeds and support file downloading, P2P services, and streaming.

Benefits of Edu Mobile

The company said its virtual network will offer many benefits, including no contractual commitments (bar a month-to-month agreement).

It is also the first mobile network in South Africa to offer parental control, said Edu Mobile.

This allows parents to restrict access to certain sites on their childs phone.
Teraco recently raised a debt funding facility from Absa to the tune of R1.2 billion. While impressive, this does not provide the full picture of the investment the company has made in infrastructure expansion.

Chief financial officer for Teraco Jan Hnizdo told MyBroadband that Teraco is EBITDA positive (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) and it reinvests everything in the business.

[None of our earnings] are going to shareholder dividends or anything, said Hnizdo.

Taking everything into account, Teraco will have invested R2 billion by June 2017.

In the next two or three years, Teraco sees itself investing another R2 billion, said Hnizdo.

Teraco recently finished construction of an expansion to its Isando data centre, which it will now start filling with client equipment.

Construction is also underway at its facilities in Cape Town and Durban.

Its next major project is the construction of a new data centre in Bredell, Gauteng.

The new facility will have 24MW of capacity, or 12MW of IT power, making it the largest data centre in Africa, said Teraco.

Teraco currently has 350 contractual relationships with customers, having grown by about 100 customers in the past 12 months. Its customer base is made up of a mix of local and overseas players.

Among them are 160 telecommunications companies which represent local, African, and international carriers. These providers connect to Teraco from all over the world and pick up the content hosted in its facilities.

Looking at Teracos growth, and the growth experienced by data environment providers in Europe over the past year, he said they only see demand for their facilities increasing.

When its current builds and the new facility in Bredell are complete, Teraco will have 50MW of capacity, said Hnizdo.

This will account for 45% of South Africas data centre capacity, he said.
Germanys justice minister is threatening social media sites like Facebook and Twitter with fines of up to 50 million if they do not remove hate speech or defamatory fake news.

The plans were announced as part of Germanys drive to contain the scourge of abuse and incitement on social media.

AP reported that Justice Minister Heiko Maas said: Twitter deletes just 1% of illegal content flagged by users, while Facebook deletes 39%.

The proposals will require additional resources from social media companies to address the issue.

Many commentators described the proposal as unenforceable, with billions of posts made daily.

Now read: Facebook could be regulated in South Africa by the ANC Government
RACINE  A former substitute teacher, accused of sexting and fondling high school girls, has pleaded guilty to four of the seven charges he was facing in the case, including sexual assault of a student by school staff.

Justin D. Beaton faces a combined sentence of up to 10 years in prison on the charges.

Beaton, of the 1600 block of Grange Avenue in Racine, was charged last March with two counts of child enticement, two counts of sexual assault of a student by a school staff member and exposing a child to harmful material, after he allegedly exchanged sexually explicit text messages, kissed and groped two girls, and sent a photo of his genitals to a Case High School student over social media.

As part of a plea agreement reached with the state, Beaton pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one of two sexual-assault charges he faced, and the charge of exposing a child to harmful material.

Both charges are felonies and both require sex-offender registry following conviction.

He faces up to three years in prison on the sexual-assault charge and up to 18 months in prison on the exposure charge.

A sentencing hearing in the case has been set for 10 a.m. on May 30 at the county Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave.

Beaton, 29, also pleaded guilty to two counts of bail jumping for reportedly trying to contact one of the alleged victims in the case, violating the terms of his bond.

Each of those bail jumping charges caries a punishment of up to three years in prison.

The two child-enticement charges, along with the second sexual-assault charge, were dismissed but read into the record, which means Racine County Circuit Judge Emily Mueller can consider them during sentencing.

Each of the child enticement charges carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

Beaton remains free on bond but must not have contact with any of the victims in the case, or Case High School or Horlick High School. He also is prohibited from using the Internet or a phone.
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UAE lifts most COVID-19 restrictions for tourists

President of Finland says country has no plans to host nuclear weapons

Flight restrictions extended to 11 airports in Russia

Armenia ranks among top 5 CIS countries for winter tourism

Envoy: Russian president awarded Armenian philologist with medal

Iranian intelligence arrests 26 terrorists: an Azerbaijani citizen among them

Russian Defense Ministry confirms: Azerbaijan fired at Khramort village in Artsakh

Number of oil and gas drilling rigs is up in US

Economy minister: Azerbaijan aggression prevented increase of Armenia wheat sowing areas

Gegharkunik governor: There are observers who recorded that Azerbaijan carried out aggression against Armenia

The National Interest: Iran turns attention to the Caucasus

Tokayev: Kazakhstan is ready to use other measures, besides diplomacy, for its defense

FAO: World grain prices rise in October

Kremlin urges Yerevan and Baku to refrain from destabilization

Governor of Armenias Tavush on possible handover of enclaves to Azerbaijan: Not being discussed now

Governor of Armenias Vayots Dzor: We have pastures that are monitored by Azerbaijan

WSJ: Sullivan is in contact with Ushakov and Patrushev on Ukraine

Vayots Dzor governor: Azerbaijan military that infiltrated Armenia can be seen with naked eye from Jermuk city

Armenia President: Military clashes, hostilities have direct impact on soil, air pollution

IRGC seizes over 1,500 weapons in Iran riots

Minister: $879 million worth of agricultural products exported from Armenia

Japan to exterminate 150 thousand chickens because of bird flu outbreak

Armenia informational online platform for promoting highly qualified specialists engagement is launched

South Korea's president apologizes for crush in downtown Seoul

Documento: Greek PM Mitsotakis used intelligence services to spy on dozens of people

Close to $98M to be allocated from Armenia state budget for agricultural projects in 2023

Man who set self on fire near Armenia government mansion is in severe condition

Anti-Iranian action to take place in Baku

UN promises to lift restrictions on Russian grain exports in near future

Fighter jet crashes in Saudi Arabia

About $770M to be assigned to Armenia territorial administration, infrastructure ministry next year

Armenia parliament vice-speaker: There is very important note in Sochi statement

Copper falls in price

New York bank robberies up 42% this year

Armenia President to attend climate change convention in Egypt

Gold prices change slightly

World oil prices falling

Mirzoyan, Blinken, Bayramov to meet in Washington today

How long will it take to know US midterm elections results?

Iranian Armenian MP: Iran-Armenia trade is expected to reach $1B

U.S. National Park Service urges against licking the Sonora desert toad

Azerbaijan army units open fire in direction of Armenia positions

Minister: Britain's government faces tough decisions

Pashinyan: Teachers in Armenia must get 800,000, 1,000,000 and 1,200,000 drams wages

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

U.S. arms sales in Europe are soaring

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

Iranian Parliament Speaker's visit to Azerbaijan postponed

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

Civilian exploded on mine in Artsakh

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

Tropical Storm Nalgae death toll climbs to 155 in Philippines

Artak Beglaryan is appointed advisor to Artsakh Minister of State (PHOTOS)

US House committee extends deadline for Trump to produce documents on Capitol attack

Over 200 elephants die in Kenya amid drought

13 dead in cafe fire in Russia

Armenia Security Council chief to head for Poland, Netherlands, Lithuania

Rishi Sunak: State cannot fix all problems

Newspaper: To what extent Armenia adheres to sanctions on Russia?

Biden accuses Twitter of spewing lies

Newspaper: There are active political processes in Karabakh

Qatar FM slams hypocrisy of calls to boycott World Cup

France, Singapore and Switzerland begin joint testing of experimental digital currencies

Oil war is Biden's biggest mistake

Japan considers possible deployment of hypersonic missiles by 2030

Jake Sullivan arrives in Kyiv on unannounced visit

Germany to install better air defense system over Defense Ministry buildings
YEREVAN.  According to the information that Zhamanak newspaper received, the US embassy in Armenia has complainedwith internal proceduresto Armenian authorities with respect to Mihran Poghosyan, former head of the Compulsory Enforcement Service of Judicial Orders of Armenia, who has been nominated as an MP candidate by the ruling party, in the forthcoming parliamentary election in the country.

The [US] ambassador himself expressed dissatisfaction hinting that they are against his nomination.

Also, the US embassy may apply towards Mihran Poghosyan the ban which still is in force against Armenias several oligarchs, after March 1, wrote Zhamanak.

The parliamentary election in Armenia will be conducted on April 2.
STEPANAKERT.  The adversary violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between the Karabakh and Azerbaijani opposing forces around 55 times, from late Tuesday night to early Wednesday morning.

During this time the Azerbaijani armed forces fired more than 1,890 shots toward the position-holders of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) Defense Army, and with different-caliber shooting weapons, the defense army informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

But the Artsakh defense army vanguard units continue confidently carrying out their military watch, and they take actions in response solely when necessary.
Tehran hosted regular consultations aimed at finalizing agreement on temporarily free trade between Iran and members of the Eurasian Economic Union.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Eurasion Union and Eurasian Economic Commission.

The Armenian delegation was headed by deputy minister of economic development Hovhannes Azizyan. The sides discussed the text of a draft agreement and the list of goods that will be imported and exported with preferences.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Armenian official met with the deputy minister of industry and trade Modjtaba Hosrotadji and agriculture minister Ali Akbar Mehrfard.

The Armenian side offered to set up a joint Armenian-Iranian company dealing with export and import. The Iranian side welcomed the idea and suggested to discuss possible mechanisms of creating a joint company.
YEREVAN.  The most important thing for MP Vahe Enfiajyan, who is also an MP candidate from Tsarukyan Alliancewhich is led by opposition Prosperous Armenia Party Chairman and businessman MP, Gagik Tsarukyanis team victory in the forthcoming parliamentary election in the country.

He noted, at a press conference on Wednesday, that the ongoing election campaign season is productive. In his words, during this period their political force was able to present to the people programs that will become a reality after the election.

[But] time is not enough for Gagik Tsarukyan to be present in all settlements, added Enfiajyan. However, we will do everything so that these meetings with the people are organized.

And reflecting on the several incidents that occurred during the campaign season, he noted that the guilty needs to be brought to account, and everything must be done so that campaigning is conducted under the law.

The Armenian person should have the right to express a view, and no one should encroach upon it, added Vahe Enfiajyan.

The parliamentary election in Armenia will be conducted on April 2.
RACINE  Mayor John Dickert will recommend James Palenick, director of economic and business development in Fayetteville, N.C., as the citys next city administrator, according to a city release issued Wednesday afternoon.

The recommendation will come at Tuesdays City Council meeting, according to the release. If approved, Palenick would replace Tom Friedel, who will retire at the end of this month.

Palenick was announced as one of three finalists two weeks ago. He was ultimately chosen over Bloomington, Ill., City Manager David Hales and Aretha Adams, a former assistant city manager for Lancaster, Texas. Hales, in a radio interview on Monday, said he had taken himself out of the running for the Racine post.

When reached for comment Wednesday, Palenick expressed his excitement to get started, pending the councils approval.

Ive accepted the offer, but I dont make the final decision, he said. I was very pleased, very excited and very humbled by it.

Palenick added that he plans to quickly immerse himself in the community.

Ill be doing a lot of listening, he said. Listening to the mayor, staff and the community and learning whats most important to them.

Dickert sought input from department heads and aldermen during the interview process, according to the release.

We were very pleased with the finalists, and the feedback I received from the department heads and alders was very helpful as I made my final decision.

Varied experience

Palenick has more than 28 years of experience in service to local government as a city manager and chief administrative officer in communities in Michigan, New Mexico and North Carolina.

The release said his strengths include economic and community development and redevelopment, and financial sustainability.

Palenick has also been dismissed from three of those jobs, in Bay City, Mich.; Rio Rancho, N.M.; and Gastonia, N.C.; after significant city council turnover. In Rio Rancho, he sued for back pay after the New Mexico attorney general determined he had been dismissed illegally.

Palenick earned a master's degree in public administration with honors from Western Michigan University. He has a concentration in local government management and economic development. He also holds a bachelors degree in public administration from Western Michigan University, where he graduated summa cum laude.

Pending approval by the City Council, Palenick would start in mid-April. He said Wednesday that April 24 is his tentative start date.
STEPANAKERT.  Azerbaijani refugees may return by accepting the citizenship of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

Davit Babayan, Head of the Central Information Department of the Office of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) President and Deputy Dead of the NKR Presidents Office, stated the abovementioned.

He noted this commentingat the request of Armenian News-NEWS.amon the Azerbaijani deputy FMs statement regarding their Great Return plan. Babayan recalled, however, that this is not the first such statement.

Actually, the return is very easy to implement; its enough to become a citizen of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, he noted. We [i.e. Artsakh] do not discriminate between the citizens of different nationalities. We are a developed democratic state, by contrast to Azerbaijan, where people are persecuted solely for belonging to the Armenian nation.

At the same time, Davit Babayan stressed that Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan also need to be considered when discussing the matter of refugees.

Furthermore, the ancient Armenian landsShahumyan, Northern Karabakhremain under the control of Azerbaijan, he added.

Also, Babayan recalled that capital city Baku and the majority of the cities of Azerbaijan were built by Armenian architects.
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 conducted a planned monitoring of the Line of Contact between the armed forces of Artsakh and Azerbaijan.

The monitoring was held on Wednesday, and in the direction of the Martakert Region of the NKR, to the northwest of Talish 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 was conducted by Field Assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova) and Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria), as well as staff member of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO Peter Svedberg (Sweden).

From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring was held by Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, his Field Assistant Jiri Aberle (Czech Republic), and Personal Assistant Simon Tiller (Great Britain).

The monitoring passed in accordance with the agreed schedule, and no ceasefire violation was recorded.

From the Artsakh side, the monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives from the Republic of Artsakh Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and Defense.
YEREVAN.  Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan received Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan Charimirat Purchekov, who has arrived in Armenia to attend the 8th meeting of the Armenian-Turkmen Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation.

The PM noted that Armenia looks toward the development of relations between the two countries, and added that there is great potential for cooperation, the press office of the government informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. In this connection, the interlocutors underscored the Armenian premiers slated upcoming official visit to Turkmenistan.

Also, Karapetyan and Purchekov reflected on collaboration in several specific domains.
YEREVAN.  Several new medical drugs were synthesized in Armenia, and the state should help manufacture them, said Vazgen Safaryan, Chairman of the United Progressive Communist Party of Armenia, at a press conference on Wednesday.

To note, Safaryan is second on the Communist Party of Armenias proportional representation list for the forthcoming parliamentary election in the country.

He noted that the Institute of Fine Organic Chemistry of Armenia has synthesized about a dozen new medical drugs, and they solely need to undergo clinical tests. The institute, however, does not have the respective funding.

As a result, they export them to Belarus, where they just fill in the capsules and sell dozens of times more expensive, noted Safaryan.

He added that the conclusion to be drawn from this situation is that the Armenian state needs to assist pharmacists in creating new jobs.
President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan, who is in Russia on an official visit, on Wednesday met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two presidents discussed key bilateral cooperation matters and prospects for the development of integration cooperation in the Eurasian region, informed the Kremlin official website.

We will soon, on April 23, mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, said Putin. Over the course of these years, relations between Russia and Armenia have taken on an allied nature (). We are actively cooperating in international organizations. (). Armenia-Russia relations are always built on the basis of deep roots that come from centuries, from the past.

The Russian president also stressed that this talk is held against the backdrop of the preparations for the parliamentary election to be conducted in Armenia on April 2, and that all this is linked to constitutional reforms in the country.

I am confident that Armenia, under your leadership, will pass this phase of development, Putin told, in particular to the President of Armenia.

Sargsyan, for his part, stated that Armenian-Russian relations are constantly getting richer. He added that the high-level bilateral talks enable to highlight and sum up the work that has been done, and point to the main areas of cooperation.

We mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations, added the Armenian president. These years became years of close cooperation, and we achieved so sincere allied relations.
RACINE COUNTY  Snowmageddon it was not. But a late snowstorm Tuesday, just a week before spring officially returns, was still a challenge for folks in Racine County.

Sean Miller, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's office in Sullivan, said the highest reported snowfall in the state for three-day storm was reported one mile east/northeast of Elmwood Park, just south of Racine, at a total of 21.5 inches. The second highest snowfall reported was in the Village of North Bay, just north of the city, at 17.5 inches. Snow totals elsewhere in the county ranged from 10 to 16 inches.

The main thing that brought all the extra snow was the lake effect, so the folks closer to the lake got the brunt," Miller said. "The lake-effect snows come in bands and it is just a matter of where the band sets up and they can move. For a while a band was to your north, and then it eventually made its way closer to you.

School bus stuck

In Mount Pleasant, the snow briefly trapped a school bus in a snow bank Tuesday morning. The driver was reportedly making a right hand turn from Highway 32 (Sheridan Road) onto Chicory Road, when the bus slipped and got stuck and had to be pulled out.

"There were probably a dozen students on the bus at the time, none of whom were hurt," Mount Pleasant Police Sgt. Shawn Lucas said.

Mount Pleasant police also responded to a rollover on Highway KR. No one was injured in that incident, either, police said.

Challenging roads

From 6 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Racine Police responded to 10 motor-vehicle accidents, none severe, and 17 motorists who needed help because they were either stuck or went off the road due to the weather.

"Being that this was one of the worst snowstorms weve seen in a while, Id say we fared pretty well," Racine Police Sgt. Adam Malacara said.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office was busy, with several accidents that shut down lanes on I-94 and other highways.

"Some deputies voluntarily canceled their day off, stayed over for an additional shift and worked in dangerous whiteout conditions," Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said.

Deputies assisted at 12 accident calls, including three hit-and-run crashes, and 25 vehicles in ditches. Deputies also assisted four motorists who needed help for various reasons and provided six assists to other agencies dealing with crash cleanups.

"Perhaps the best news to report after this late season winter storm is there were no fatalities and not a single deputy sheriff was injured," Schmaling said.

More cleanup

Racine County plows are scheduled to be out again on Wednesday for additional cleanup. Julie Anderson, Racine County Public Works an Development Services director, said the opening in the clouds helped a lot.

"The sunshine definitely worked in our favor to get snow melted once plowing was done. Sun and salt work very well together," said Anderson.

Racine County had 35 plows working their established routes starting Sunday night, pausing with a break in the weather Monday afternoon, then returning to the roads again overnight into Tuesday to help commuters with the lingering lake-effect snow.

Anderson was pleased with the progress and the safety of the crews.

"There were no accidents or incidents with any Racine County plows or highway personnel during this storm event," Anderson said. "Racine County was well-prepared and treated this storm like any other snow storm. Plow truck drivers are highly trained."

Parking restrictions

The City of Racine was operating under a snow emergency, declared by the Department of Public Works, that was to remain in effect on until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

According to Malacara, during a snow emergency no parking is allowed on either side of arterial streets and all cars must be parked on the odd-numbered side on local streets. Snow emergencies are declared after major snowstorms to aid city crews in snow removal.

About 60 streets in the city are classified as arterial streets, including Washington Avenue, Main Street, Northwestern Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Kinzie Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and all metered streets.

For a full list of roads classified as arterial streets and related snow emergency guidelines, including rules regarding sidewalk snow removal, visit: cityofracine.org/snowemergency.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will review Armenia during its meeting in Geneva from March 20 to April 12.

The Committee will review Moldova (21-22 March); Iran (22-23 March); Cyprus (23-24 March); Bosnia and Herzegovina (27-28 March); Jordan (28-29 March); Armenia (29-30 March); Honduras (30-31 March) and Canada (3-4 April).

The above are among the 172 States that have ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and so are required to submit regular reports to the Committee, which is composed of 18 international independent experts.

During the meetings in Geneva, Committee members will hold question and answer sessions with the respective State delegations. They will also hear from organisations representing disabled persons, NGOs and national human rights institutions.
YEREVAN.  Along the lines of his official visit to Russia, President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on Wednesday met with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The presidents of the two strategic partner countries discussed the agenda of Armenian-Russian relations and cooperation, and reflected on the process of implementation of the agreements that were reached, the Press Office of the President of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Also, Sargsyan and Putin conferred on the Nagorno-Karabakh peace process, and exchanged views on the present-day regional and international matters and challenges.

The meeting in a narrow format between the two presidents was followed by talks in an expanded format.

And an official dinner was given, on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in honor of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.
Russia continues to support in every way in searching for mutually acceptable solutions to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict both within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and during the direct contacts with Yerevan and Baku.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the aforementioned at a joint briefing with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Moscow on Wednesday.

Sargsyan, for his part, noted that at the meeting with his Russian counterpart special attention was attached to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement and creation of necessary conditions for advancing the negotiation process.

We highly appreciate the efforts of Russia and other OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs towards the exclusively peaceful settlement of the conflict. The importance of implementing the open-ended tripartite ceasefire agreements of 1994-95 was reiterated and the need for implementing the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg was underscored. We both agree that the threat to use force and its use are unacceptable and harm the peace process, Sargsyan stressed.
YEREVAN. - The Armenian authorities are ready to cooperate with all the observation missions to hold elections, which will be in line with the international standards.

Prime Minister of Armenia, Karen Karapetyan, said the aforementioned at the meeting with the head of the OSCE/ODIHR observation mission Jan Petersen on Wednesday.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to the pre-election political situation and process for the preparation to elections, the press-service of the Armenian Government informed Armenian News  NEWS.am.

We are determined and are ready to react to all the problems very harshly, the PM said.

Jan Petersen, for his part, stressed that since his arrival in Armenian, close cooperation has been established with the countrys authorities, political parties and other partners. He also noted that the interim report of the OSCE/ODIHR mission on the work carried out by them will be ready in the near future. In Petersens words, the interest among the OSCE member-states to the elections in Armenia is quite high, a large delegation of observers having been sent to the republic. The Head of Mission expressed hope that the elections in Armenia will be held at a high level and in line with the international standards.
YEREVAN. - Representatives of the Armenian National Congress (ANC) Levon Zurabyan and Aram Manukyan on Wednesday met with the US Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills.

Upon the request of the Ambassador, Zurabyan briefed the latter on the course of the election campaign of the ANC and the possibility to control the lawfulness of the campaign.

The Ambassador, for his part, underscored the importance of the efforts towards raising the transparency of the election process and developing democracy.

Apart from this, the sides discussed the political platform Congress-PPA [i.e. Peoples Party of Armenia], the internal political developments and issues, as well as issues related to the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Later in the night of the incident, the detective investigating the case reported receiving a voicemail from a woman who said she went to bed and felt a lump in her pillow; she discovered the bullet while checking out the lump.
Time will show whether the construction of Iran-Armenia railway is logical or not.

Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the ruling Republican Party (RPA) of Armenia, said the aforementioned on Wednesday at the meeting with the voters in Yerevans Erebuni administrative district.

In his words, if Armenia isnt building it, this doesnt mean that the country doesnt cooperate actively with Iran. Karapetyan expressed satisfaction with the fact that it is all the same to the transporters whether to carry out the transportations by railway or motorway.

The most important thing is the effectiveness and reliable road, which will make the transportations cheaper. If we have a quality motorway, which corresponds to the international standards, Iran will make use of it, Karapetyan said, adding that in the US, for instance, the majority of the transportations are carried out by motorways.
Within the frameworks of his working visit to Greece, Artsakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Karen Mirzoyan on Wednesday met with the representatives of a number of political forces represented in the Parliament of Greece, in particular, with Panayotis Zgouridis (Deputy Chairman of the Independent Greeks Party), Lianna Kanelli (Communist Party), Sylvana Rapti (PASOK Panhellenic Socialist Movement), Eve Khristofilopoulou (Democratic Union Party), and Giorgos Koumoutsakos (New Democracy Party).

Mirzoyan briefed the Greek MPs on the situation in Artsakh and around it, also touching on the current stage of the peaceful settlement process of the Azerbaijani-Karabakh conflict and the steps taken by the Artsakh authorities for ensuring conditions for the resumption of the negotiation process, the press-service of the Artsakh MFA informed Armenian News  NEWS.am.

Referring to the achievements in the state-building process and the latest developments in Artsakh, the FM underscored the determination of the Artsakh people and authorities in strengthening the independent statehood based on democratic values and principles.

During the meetings, the sides exchanged views on the opportunities and prospects of cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy.
CDC Identifies Zika Risk in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties

Its the first virus transmission since June 15, 2016.

According to a news release, the CDC has identified a potential risk of Zika virus transmission in Miami-Dade County, as well as Broward and Palm Beach Counties in Florida. The transmission started on June 15, 2016.

An analysis of acquired Zika cases, as well as travel patterns, has led the agency to determine that since June 15, 2016, there has been a potential increased risk for residents in Broward and Palm Beach because of travel areas.

The CDC says that an increased risk of Zika exposure attributed to semen could be attributed to: local transmission in Miami-Dade County, evidence Zika can persist in semen longer than other fluids, ongoing concern about Zika due to undiagnosed people, and the regular movement of people between counties.
DOT: January 2017 Airline On-Time Arrival Rate Down From January 2016

The rate is up from December 2016, however

According to a news release, airline carriers posted an on-time arrival rate of 76% in January 2017, down from 81.3% in January 2016, but up from the 75.6% in December 2016. The report was part of the Air Travel Consumer Report (ATCR).

That report indicates 2% of the scheduled domestic flights were canceled. 30 tarmac delays occurred of more than three hours on domestic flights, while 12 tarmac delays of more than four hours on international flights occurred. 18 flights were chronically delayed for two consecutive months, while there were no chronically delayed flights for three consecutive months or more.




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What Chefs Eat: Andrew Koser of Rumpus Room

In this series, we ask Milwaukee area chefs to share their favorite dishes - both from area restaurants and for eating at home. In this edition, we talked with Chef Andrew Koser of Rumpus Room.
STURTEVANT  The Village of Sturtevant is poised to sue Racine County over four county-owned properties on Highway 11 that Sturtevant would like to have developed and has been trying to obtain since at least last spring.

The village served the county with a summons and complaint on March 1 and gave the county 10 days to respond. At about 4 p.m. Tuesday, attorney Alan Marcuvitz of Milwaukee-based von Briesen & Roper was expected to file the lawsuit this morning, Village President Steve Jansen said.

The suit seeks to force the county to give four vacant properties along Highway 11, across the road from Farm & Fleet, to the village for future development or put them up for sale. Racine County took the four parcels, and about 80 more that at one time had all been part of the failed Cobble Court condominium development, in November 2015 via a mass tax foreclosure.

Sturtevant wants to redevelop the four properties, totaling 13 acres, along Durand Avenue as part of a Highway 11 corridor upgrade. The area lies within a new tax-increment district the village recently created.

The Village Board last year offered the county $275,000 for the four properties, but the county rejected the offer. Sturtevant officials say they have continued trying to get the county to sell or donate the four parcels to the village ever since, but with no results.

The lawsuit states in part: The expressed policy of (the) County, when it becomes the owner of any property through tax foreclosure proceedings, is to expeditiously convey ownership of any such property to the municipality in which such property is located.

It further states: (The) county has committed to transfer ownership of the property to the village at no cost, but has failed to do so.

The suit also maintains that Racine County has an obligation to offer the properties for public sale if it does not convey them to the village and cites both Wisconsin law and Racine County code.

The suit also asks for a judgment ordering Racine County to promptly turn the four parcels over to the Village of Sturtevant at no cost or immediately put them up for public sale.

Months of inaction

The tussle over the four properties has been ongoing since at least last spring. Meanwhile, Sturtevant Trustee Chris Wright said Tuesday, since December the county has transferred several parcels to Racine and Mount Pleasant  but not to Sturtevant. In each of those cases, he said, the transfer took less than one month.

Wright said county officials told village officials last year that the four properties would be put into Sturtevants hands by the end of 2016, but the year ended with no action.

Since then, he said, we have continued to try to get a response. We have encouraged the county to take action on what they promised to do.

Top county officials said Tuesday that the situation has stalled since last August because Marcuvitz has not responded to county messages.

County Corporation Counsel Jon Lehman wrote Tuesday: I was surprised by an email that I received on March 1 from the Village of Sturtevants attorney Alan Marcuvitz, along with a copy of the summons and complaint that he apparently intends to file on behalf of his client. My last discussion with Mr. Marcuvitz was August 2016, and notwithstanding several telephone and email messages to him requesting an update on the villages progress toward its goals over the past seven months, the March 1 email was his first response.

County Executive Jonathan Delagrave also said Tuesday he was surprised by the villages intention to file a lawsuit and said he hopes the matter can be resolved by litigation. The county has shown it will turn over properties to other municipalities if theres a good, sound, positive (reason), he said and cited examples with Racine, Mount Pleasant and Union Grove.

Delagrave also said he shares Sturtevants goal of developing and upgrading the Highway 11 corridor through the village.

The county will take its time, protect the taxpayers and make sure when it turns over the land, were doing it for the right reasons, he said.

I really think were going to get to resolution sooner than later, Delagrave predicted.
A Marriott luxury and lifestyle hotel in Phuket offers incredible rates for Thais and Thai work permit holders until October 31, 2017

Phuket  March 14, 2017- Discover the beauty of pristine Mai Khao beach at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa with tempting Thai Resident rate. The offer enables residents of Thailand to enjoy special rates of Deluxe Room for THB 3700/room/night and Pool Villa for THB 7500/room/night. Take advantage of staying in the luxurious and tranquil resort for your holiday in Phuket until October 31, 2017.

Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa provides visitors with a luxurious island ambience for a relaxing reprieve whether traveling for business or leisure. While secluded from the hustle and bustle of daily life, the resort is conveniently located just a short drive from Phuket International Airport. Designed with comfort in mind, all of our pampering guest rooms and villas in Phuket feature chic decor, plush linens, high-tech amenities and 24-hour room service. Travelers may also choose accommodations with breathtaking beach views and private plunge pools.

For more information or making reservation, please contact +66 76 363 999 or email phuket@renaissancehotels.com

Visit: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/hktbr-renaissance-phuket-resort-and-spa/
Credit: Paul Burston/University of Melbourne

If a heatwave hit Melbourne and the power blacked out, most apartment buildings would bake, with indoor temperatures exceeding international health standards, according to a new analysis that calls for Australia to adopt standards to protect occupants against heat stress.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne modelled six common apartment designs in the city and all six failed standards for new buildings set in France, the UK, Germany and the US. There are no health standards to ensure against heat stress in the Building Code of Australia.

Lead researcher and construction scientist Mr Chris Jensen, from the Melbourne School of Design, said the results are a wake-up call given the risk of heatwaves. He says it's time Australia catches up with other countries to adopt similar standards for new buildings, and he says action is needed to encourage the retrofitting of existing buildings.

He suggests that just as all buildings have energy ratings, the government could introduce "summer comfort" ratings on apartments to reduce heat stress for occupants and incentivise owners to upgrade their buildings.

"The research highlights to the public that heat stress inside apartments is a real issue and that we need to do more to control for this, not only in new buildings, but also for existing buildings," says Mr Jensen. "It isn't a new problem, but climate change science expects more frequent and possibly longer heatwaves, so the health risk is only going to increase.

"What we need to be concerned about are existing apartment buildings that lack air conditioning and are susceptible to overheating, but we also need to be concerned about most buildings should a heat wave coincide with a power black out which would eliminate all air-conditioning."

Such an "event" is far from fanciful given the blackouts that hit South Australia in February 2017 and warnings of possible load shedding in Sydney during the recent NSW heatwave.

France introduced "summer comfort" standards after the 2003 heatwave there estimated to have caused over 14,800 deaths, with the elderly particularly vulnerable. The French standards require that without the use of air conditioning, building design should ensure that temperatures inside rooms don't exceed 28 degrees for more than 3 per cent of the year - equivalent to 260 hours.

The researchers modelled how six common Melbourne apartment designs could cope with excessively high temperatures by testing them against the heatwave conditions that hit Melbourne in January and February 2009, which included the Black Saturday bushfire disaster of 7 February. That heatwave included three straight days when the temperature topped 43 degrees, while nighttime lows exceeded 25 degrees. They also chose a worst-case scenario by modelling west-facing apartments that are most exposed to the sun. All six sample apartments failed the four international standards they were tested against.

"We modelled both old and new apartment designs, including an example of a recent and best practice design, so it is fair to say that most other west-facing apartments in Melbourne would fail these international standards under these conditions, and quite possibly those in other orientations," Mr Jensen says.

Some common reasons why the apartment designs failed included:

Single glazed windows with poorly insulated frames

Lack of insulation generally

Poor natural ventilation

Aged weather stripping that provided only moderate draft protection

Mr Jensen says it is possible that under a standard tailored to the Australian climate more buildings would pass, since it could reflect the fact that locals are more accustomed to hotter conditions. But he warns it is still likely many existing apartments wouldn't meet a new standard. He says current building standards governing energy use only indirectly address "summer comfort" since they aim to reduce cooling energy requirements. He says more explicit heat stress standards, which measure a building differently, are needed to ensure designs directly took account of the health risks.

"As a priority we need to introduce into the building code our own 'summer comfort' standards that are tailored to our own climate, and simultaneously efforts to retrofit buildings to reduce over heating need to be prioritised on high risk cases." He said such high risk cases include west facing apartments with lots of glass and buildings where vulnerable people such as the elderly may be housed.

He says introducing standards for new buildings would be relatively easy and wouldn't impose significantly higher costs on building design and construction. The big problem, he says, will be in funding the retrofitting of existing buildings. He says owners and governments would likely be reluctant to meet the cost of widespread retrofitting.

A more effective short-term solution might include an apartment heat stress rating system, to alert potential buyers and occupants about the comfort of the apartment.

"This would strategically drive the market to improve performance," says Mr Jensen.

"It is unlikely many building owners will be prepared to invest perhaps millions of dollars in retrofitting unless they feel they have to. But a comfort rating would change the equation because occupants will be able to compare the rating on buildings, giving owners an incentive to ensure their buildings are attractive."

Beyond standards and designs, Mr Jensen says there needs to be greater awareness among occupants of what they can do in heatwave conditions to keep themselves comfortable. He says educating occupants to open windows and balcony doors is an effective way of allowing buildings to cool naturally, at no cost. He also suggests that people close off a room during a heatwave to keep it relatively cooler as a place to retreat to. People can also make decisions to leave their apartments and spend time at air-conditioned locations such as shopping centres and cinemas.

"Just as the government has a bushfire advisory program, it would also be a simple strategy to provide advice for what to do during heat waves," he says.

To improve existing buildings, the study found the easiest and most effective strategies for apartments include:

improving ventilation, both in the fabric of the apartment and operated by occupants (like opening a window)

using external heat-reflective coating and paint

installing appropriate shading.
Gilles Nies and Professor Holger Hermanns with the replica of a nano satellite, whose performance can now be determined thanks to their research. Credit: Oliver Dietze

Nano satellites weighing just a few kilograms orbit the Earth. Pivotal point of these miniature computers are their solar-powered batteries. Computer scientists at Saarland University have now developed a procedure that allows for better planning of solar battery operations. They are able to predict how much the on-board battery will in fact be utilized in the course of the satellite's mission. The efficiency achieved here is about five times greater than with conventional systems. And electric cars on Earth are already benefiting from the procedure as well. The researchers will present their methods at the Cebit computer fair in Hannover (Hall 6, Stand E28).

"As far as we know, there is nothing like it in Earth orbit so far," says Holger Hermanns, professor of Computer Science at Saarland University. In collaboration with his doctoral student Gilles Nies and student Marvin Stenger, Hermanns has developed a procedure that allows for far more accurate predictions of the amount of battery power needed for a particular operation in space. Until now, space logisticians have tended to plan with overly large and heavy batteries, conceding valuable space needed for other equipment and experiments. "Amongst other things, not enough attention has been paid to the recovery effect, a phenomenon well-known from mobile phones. If the phone dies due to an empty battery, it often takes just a few minutes of waiting, then you can turn the phone back on again and use it, for a short time at least," Hermanns says. The new battery model can be used to monitor the exact amount of energy currently available, and determine how much of it is present in chemically bound form, that is, not immediately usable. This lets the computer scientists calculate the probability of the battery being discharged at any given moment.

The Saarbruecken computer scientists' findings can also be applied on Earth. "Batteries are ubiquitous  and a good battery model helps in a lot of situations," says Holger Hermanns. Consider, for instance, the energy demands of an electric car: "So far, we could only answer the following question: Under ideal conditions, will the battery charge be enough for this electric car to make it to Frankfurt Airport? Now we can see whether the air conditioning system can be operated in such a way that you have a chance greater than 99 percent at all times to make it to your plane in time with the current charge," explains Hermanns.

More information: For more information, see depend.cs.uni-sb.de/
The UA's Han Jiang and his colleagues explored what influences CEOs' decisions to stay or go when business is bad. Credit: University of Arizona

It's a common scenario in the corporate world. A company begins to fail, and before long the CEO is out the door. Sometimes the person is asked to go, but other times it's a voluntary movea decision that may be driven largely by the executive's so-called "social capital," according to a new study led by the University of Arizona.

Researchers found that CEOs who have strong social capitalor personal relationships with business colleagues and key external stakeholdersare less likely to jump ship if their companies begin to fail. Yet, at the same time, executives with very low social capital may be just as likely to stick around during difficult times, albeit for different reasons. In the end, it's the executives whose social capital falls somewhere in the middle who are most likely to quit when the going gets tough, according to the study, which is published in the Strategic Management Journal.

Lead researcher Han Jiang, an assistant professor of management and organizations in the UA's Eller College of Management, approached the question of what motivates CEOs to jump ship from a network embeddedness perspective, which argues that people's decisions are strongly affected by their social ties and the networks in which they participate.

A CEO's decision to stay or go is ultimately a cost-benefit dilemma, Jiang explained. If a company fails on an executive's watch, his or her reputation could suffer, and he or she may become less valuable in the labor market as a result. That alone could be powerful enough motivation to jump ship. However, if a CEO chooses to leave, he or she could in turn be sacrificing access to valuable company resources and connections.

Jiang and his collaborators found that when CEOs have low social capital, or limited professional networks, they indeed may wish to leave their failing firms in order to protect their reputations, but because of their minimal connections, quitting often is not a viable option.

"If I don't have strong enough social capital and I don't know anybody in this business circle, even if I want to escape from my declining firm, I probably won't be able to find opportunities that will allow me to do so," Jiang said. "I probably will be locked up in my company, so I have no choice but to stay."

On the flip side, while CEOs who have very strong social capital could potentially leverage their connections to find employment elsewhere, they, too, are unlikely to leave, precisely because of how well-connected they are.

"If my social capital is strong enough, I probably won't be that worried or concerned about the negative consequences of my company failing. Even if my firm does end up failing, I can still manage to leverage my strong connections to find myself a parachute that will allow me to land safely after that failure," Jiang said. "More importantly, if I have very strong social capital, I'm probably more confident about using my capability and my resources to save my firm."

The social capital of a CEO's colleagues also may factor into an executive's decision, Jiang said.

"If my peers have very strong social networks, I'll probably be very hesitant to leave," Jiang said. "If I just abandon everyone, and they have very strong social networks, they may leverage their networks to trash me. Even worse, they may make me the scapegoat. They might use their social network to send out a message blaming me as the one responsible for the decline."

Executives with moderate social capital are the most likely to voluntarily step down from the helm of a failing company, Jiang said.

"If I have a medium level of social capital, I can leverage my fairly established social network to find myself alternative employment opportunities," he said. "Compared to extremely socially connected executives, I'm probably not that confident about being able to save my firm, and I probably won't be that protected from the consequences of a potential public failure. I have both the motivation and the capability to leave."

The researchers' findings were based on an analysis of the social capital and voluntary job movements of 278 executives of declining firms in China, where publicly traded companies that report two consecutive years of loss are labeled on the Chinese stock market as "special treatment" to alert traders to their declining performance and high-risk nature.

Jiang and his collaborators controlled for factors such as CEOs' age, education, gender, compensation, executive shareholding and tenure in their current positions.

While much of the literature on CEO turnover has focused on involuntary departures, or firings, fewer studies have looked at what motivates CEOs of failing companies to voluntarily leave their posts, said Jiang, who became interested in the topic while working as a consultant in China.

"We are among the few research efforts that specifically highlight the potential decision mechanisms behind voluntary executive turnover," Jiang said. "This can provide us some fresh insight that will allow us to examine the operation of declining firms. For example, with our findings we can probably predict who will choose to stay in these declining firms. Practitioners may also be able to identify those who stayed but should have left in order to increase the effectiveness of turnaround efforts of these declining firms."

While the data used in the study was from China, Jiang expects the findings to hold true across cultures and also industries, although the magnitude of social capital's effect could varyfor example, between countries such as China that place high value on social networking versus countries driven more by individualism.

Despite those potential differences in effect size, Jiang said, the general story is expected to remain the same: "Your social capital determines both the opportunity to voluntarily leave your employer and the potential costs of doing so."

More information: Han Jiang et al. Choose to fight or choose to flee? A network embeddedness perspective of executive ship jumping in declining firms, Strategic Management Journal (2017). DOI: 10.1002/smj.2637
Georgia Tech Professor Yuhang Wang explains maps showing terrain, population density and other issues affecting haze formation in the East China Plains during winter months. Credit: John Toon, Georgia Tech

China's severe winter air pollution problems may be worsened by changes in atmospheric circulation prompted by Arctic sea ice loss and increased Eurasian snowfall - both caused by global climate change.

Modeling and data analysis done by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology suggest that sea ice and snowfall changes have shifted China's winter monsoon, helping create stagnant atmospheric conditions that trap pollution over the country's major population and industrial centers. Those changes in regional atmospheric conditions are frustrating efforts to address pollution through emission controls.

"Emissions in China have been decreasing over the last four years, but the severe winter haze is not getting better," said Yuhang Wang, a professor in Georgia Tech's School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. "Mostly, that's because of a very rapid change in the high polar regions where sea ice is decreasing and snowfall is increasing. This perturbation keeps cold air from getting into the eastern parts of China where it would flush out the air pollution."

To be reported March 15 in the journal Science Advances, the research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency. The paper presents a clear example of how large-scale perturbations caused by global climate change can have significant regional impacts, and is believed to be the first to link sea ice and snowfall levels to regional air pollution.

Haze problems in the East China Plains - which include the capital Beijing - first gained worldwide attention during the winter of 2013 when an instrument at the U.S. embassy recorded extremely high levels of PM 2.5 particles. The haze prompted the Chinese government to institute strict targets for reducing emissions from industry and other sources.

China's severe winter air pollution problems may be worsened by changes in atmospheric circulation prompted by Arctic sea ice loss and increased Eurasian snowfall - both caused by global climate change. Modeling and data analysis done by researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology suggest that sea ice and snowfall changes have shifted China's winter monsoon, helping create stagnant atmospheric conditions that trap pollution over the country's major population and industrial centers. Credit: Georgia Tech

Though these emission controls appear to be working, the haze during December and January continues. So Wang and colleagues Yufei Zou, Yuzhong Zhang and Ja-Ho Koo wondered if other factors may be playing a role.

Long-term air quality measurements aren't available in China, so the researchers had to piece together estimates based on visibility measures and satellite data. To analyze the historical records, they created a new Pollution Potential Index (PPI) that used air temperature gradient anomalies and surface wind speeds as a proxy for ventilation conditions over eastern China.

"Once we generated the PPI and combined it with the visibility data, it was obvious that January 2013 was well beyond anything that had ever been seen before going back at least three decades," said Wang. "But in that month emissions had not changed, so we knew there had to be another factor."

The East China Plains consist of interconnected basins surrounded by mountain ranges to the west and the ocean to the east, a mirror image of the polluted Southern California. Pollution generated by industry and vehicles can be removed effectively only by horizontal dispersion or by vertical mixing in winter, and when those processes fail to move out stagnant air, pollution builds up. It seemed likely that something was preventing the ventilation that would have kept the air cleaner.

The researchers next looked at climate features such as sea ice, snowfall, El Ninos, and Pacific Oscillations. They conducted principal component and maximum covariance analyses and found correlations of stagnant air conditions over China to Arctic sea ice - which reached a record low in the fall of 2012 - and snowfall in the upper latitudes of Siberia, which had reached a record high earlier in the winter. They then used atmospheric model simulations to study how those factors change large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns and pollution ventilation over eastern China.

A photo taken in the city of Taiyuan, China shows haze on December 3, 2016. Credit: Yuhang Wang

"The reductions in sea ice and increase in snowfall have the effect of damping the climatological pressure ridge structure over China," Wang said. "That flattens the temperature and pressure gradients and moves the East Asian Winter Monsoon to the east, decreasing wind speeds and creating an atmospheric circulation that makes the air in China more stagnant."

The results of the model were consistent with observations that Korea and Japan had been unusually cold that winter, while eastern China had been unusually warm - both suggesting that the cold center had moved.

The winter of 2017 saw the same factors, with low levels of Arctic sea ice in September 2016, high snowfall - and severe haze. Wang says those factors are likely to continue as the global climate change disrupts the normal structure of the atmosphere.

"Despite the efforts to reduce emissions, we think that haze will probably continue for the future," he said. "This is partly climate-driven now, so it probably won't get much better in the winter. Emissions are no longer the only driver of these conditions."

Wang hopes to continue the study using new data from China's air quality monitoring network. The impact of global climate change, he said, may be unique to China because of its geography and sensitivity to changes in atmospheric circulation structure. Though the problem is now manifested in air pollution, he said the results of the study should encourage the nation to continue addressing climate change.

"The very rapid change in polar warming is really having a large impact on China," he said. "That gives China an incentive to not only follow through on air pollutant emission reductions, and also to look at the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our research shows that cutting greenhouse gases would help with the winter haze problem."

More information: Yufei Zou, Yuhang Wang, Yuzhong Zhang, Ja-Ho Koo, "Arctic sea ice, Eurasia snow, and extreme winter haze in China," Science Advances, 2017. advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/3/e1602751 Journal information: Science Advances
Credit: University of Leeds

Discussion around limiting climate change primarily focusses on whether the best results can be gained by individuals changing how they act, or governments introducing new legislation.

Now though, University of Leeds academics Dr Rob Lawlor and Dr Helen Morley from the Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre suggest engineering professionals could also play a pivotal role, and could provide a co-ordinated response helping to mitigate climate change.

Writing in the journal Science and Engineering Ethics, they say engineering professional institutions could take a stand in tackling climate change by developing a declaration imposing restrictions and requirements on members.

"A strong and coordinated action by the engineering profession could itself make a significant difference in how we respond to climate change," they said.

"We know many engineers and firms make great efforts to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and research is carried out and supported by the sector to help reduce its impact on the world. We're suggesting that concerted action could improve this process further."

Quoting 2014 research by Richard Heede from the Climate Accountability Institute, they say nearly two-thirds of historic carbon dioxide and methane emissions could be attributed to crude oil and natural gas producers, coal extractors, and cement producers. These are industries typically enabled by the engineering profession.

They argue that the profession could take a more active role and have a positive impact in reducing the level of damaging emissions by proposing environmental restrictions or encouraging engineers to think how the resources and processes they use could be as environmentally friendly as possible.

In doing so, they could provide an important route to cutting emissions, alongside action by individuals and governments.

Dr Lawlor and Dr Morley say the engineering profession could, and should, play a significant role in the abatement of climate change by providing a co-ordinated response to the problem. If the profession can set strict standards for professional engineers, with sanctions for those who refuse to comply, this could have a significant impact in relation to efforts to develop a coordinated response to climate change.

Sanctions could include revocation of an engineer's chartered status for those refusing to comply with an agreed declaration.

They stress their intention is to encourage debate and create a positive future where professional engineers can contribute to reducing climate change through decisions they take at work. They emphasise that there are three reasons why the engineering sector is well placed to have a significant impact:

Engineers influence the development of key industries responsible for emissions. Changes in engineering practice, therefore, have significant potential to change our current emissions profile.

Engineers are professionals, who recognise themselves as part of a profession with a code of ethics. A key characteristic of a profession is that it is self-regulating and recognises its duty to the public.

The profession's institutions have a significant public voice and carry respect. Their positions on issues in their field can carry weight in wider situations as a result of their expertise.

In this context, the pair say, if the engineering profession makes a bold statement about the need to address climate change and about its intention to assert set strict standards, this is likely to be more effective than similar advice coming from other groups.

Their proposal is based on a similar move by the medical profession in 1964 when the World Medical Association, a confederation of professional bodies representing physicians agreed independent standards relating to medical research.

Although these standards, laid out in the Declaration of Helsinki, were not based in law, they showed the profession as a whole acting together to improve standards. It held physicians to higher standards than the law in their countries, and has subsequently been adopted into legal frameworks.

More information: Rob Lawlor et al. Climate Change and Professional Responsibility: A Declaration of Helsinki for Engineers, Science and Engineering Ethics (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s11948-017-9884-4
Cody McKellips, a junior in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T, demonstrates the prototype of his Last Chance water rescue device. Credit: Missouri University of Science and Technology

The night Brian Hunt died, volunteer firefighter Cody McKellips vowed to find a better way for fire and rescue teams to speed up water rescues, particularly as flood waters rise.

McKellips, a junior in aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T, was working with the Walnut Grove Volunteer Fire Department when storms caused massive flooding in the Springfield, Missouri, area. Hunt became the 14th victim of the flood when his truck was swept off of a Route H bridge into the Pomme de Terre River the day after Christmas in 2016.

"It was flooding that night all around Springfield, Missouri," McKellips recalls. "It was around 40 degrees. Hunt was in the middle of the river, which at that point was probably 200 feet across," McKellips says. "We were so far away, and you could see the water rise  it was happening so quickly  and we weren't able to get enough equipment to them. We couldn't get to him."

The next day, McKellips and his father, Dr. Tom McKellips, a retired Springfield firefighter and now a volunteer firefighter in Walnut Grove, sat down at their kitchen table and started pitching ideas to help fire departments avoid losses like this in the future.

"Volunteer fire departments don't have very good equipment, but they supply rescue services across most of the United States," McKellips says. Large municipal fire departments may have rescue boats, but they can take 30 minutes or more to mobilize. Some send a ladder out over the water. Others use a device similar to a Frisbee with a rope attached, but those can only travel 50 feet or so, he says.

By the end of the night, the McKellipses and partner Matt Halaschak, an electronics expert, had plans for a prototype of a water rescue device. And before long the three formed a non-profit company to manufacture the device  Global Rescue Systems.

Credit: Missouri University of Science and Technology

The prototype flotation device, called the Last Chance, has three primary components  a specially designed stand, a pneumatic launcher and a projectile. The projectile, which looks a bit like a foam swimming pool toy, is the flotation device. The device weighs about 30 pounds and costs just over $100 to build.

McKellips' engineering background helped him evaluate the mechanics of materials, safety, price optimization, aerodynamics and rocketry concepts.

"It's fairly simple," McKellips says. "You use compressed air to launch the projectile a decent distance." Right now, the device is capable of launching the flotation device about 250 feet. The team is working on improvements that will extend that reach to well over 500 feet.

"The device is pulling a rope, so it is basically the opposite of a rocket  instead of losing mass, it's gaining mass," he says. "But you've got to be able to pull them in."

The Last Chance prototype is designed to not automatically retract  and for good reason. There is a lot of debris in the water during a flood, McKellips says, and that would make a self-retracting device difficult to use. It would also add to the cost of the device, which McKellips says isn't part of the plan.

A main goal of the project is to make these devices so inexpensively that they can be provided at little or no cost to fire and rescue teams. They have provided a prototype to the Pleasant Hope Volunteer Fire Department and the company is raising funds to pursue a patent and begin larger-scale production. They're also working on more advanced versions of the Last Chance and other rescue devices.
Silica carbonate biomorphs grown with natural water from Ney spring. Credit: Garcia-Ruiz et al. Sci. Adv. 2017;3:e1602285

An international team of researchers discovered that inorganic chemicals can self-organize into complex structures that mimic primitive life on Earth.

Florida State University Professor of Chemistry Oliver Steinbock and Professor Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (Spanish National Research Council) in Granada, Spain published an article in Wednesday's edition of Science Advances that shows fossil-like objects grew in natural spring water abundant in the early stages of the planet. But they were inorganic materials that resulted from simple chemical reactions.

This complicates the identification of Earth's earliest microfossils and redefines the search for life on other planets and moons.

"Inorganic microstructures can potentially be indistinguishable from ancient traces of life both in morphology and chemical composition," Garcia-Ruiz said.

Scientists had seen hints of this in past lab work, but now through Steinbock and Garcia-Ruiz's research, it is clear that this also happened in nature.

To do this work, the team of scientists collected and analyzed an extreme form of soda water from the Ney Springs in Northern California. Today this type of water is found in only a few spots worldwide, but it was widespread during the early stages of Earth's existence.

The growth of biomorphs. Width of the twisted ribbon is 20 microns. Credit: Dr. Gan Zhang

By addition of just one other ubiquitous chemicalcalcium or barium saltthis water produces tiny structures, such as tubes, helices, and worm-like objects that are reminiscent of the shapes of primitive organisms. The water also generates complex mineral structures that are similar to nacrethe shiny substance of sea shells.

The similarities between actual fossils and these inorganic structures go beyond appearance and extend to their chemical nature. This will make it even more complicated for scientists examining early evidence of life on Earth.

The growth of biomorphs. Credit: Dr. Gan Zhang

"Our findings reveal an unusual convergence of simple biological shapes and complex inorganic structures and make the job of identifying earliest microfossils on Earth and life on other planets even harder," Steinbock said. "It's fascinating. How could I identify a fossil if I went to Mars? How could I convince myself that it was once alive? In the future, scientists will need to be even more alert that everything that looks like life is not necessarily life."

Self-assembled calcite mesocrystals grown with Nay springs waters. Credit: Garcia-Ruiz et al. Sci. Adv. 2017;3:e1602285

More information: "Biomimetic mineral self-organization from silica-rich spring waters" Science Advances, advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/3/e1602285 Journal information: Science Advances
The Yangtze Finless Porpoise is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. These animals are threatened by incidental catch, vessel collision, pollution, and habitat degradation. Credit: Huigong Yu

Freshwater megafauna such as river dolphins, crocodilians and sturgeons play vital roles in their respective ecosystems. In a recent scientific publication, researchers of the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin have teamed up with international colleagues to illustrate the factors that currently threaten these large vertebrates. The authors also call for a more comprehensive assessment on these large freshwater animals and for a more targeted conservation plan. Also, a wider range of freshwater species and freshwater ecosystems suffering from biodiversity decrease have the potential to benefit from such megafauna-based actions.

Many large aquatic vertebrates, referred to as freshwater megafauna, cover long distances between their breeding and feeding grounds. To ensure their safe passage, they are dependent on free-flowing waters. However, this makes them vulnerable to the increasing fragmentation of river catchments caused by damming. The Russian sturgeon, for example, has lost 70 per cent of its spawning grounds in the Caspian Sea basin and its entire Black Sea basin spawning grounds over the last 60 years due to dam construction. The boom in dam construction also affects many other species, such as the Amazonian manatee, the Ganges river dolphin and the Mekong giant catfish  these species are now classified as threatened. "The fragmentation of habitats is one of the central threats to freshwater megafauna, as well as overexploitation" explained Fengzhi He. The IGB researcher is the lead author of the study on the disappearance of large vertebrates from rivers and lakes, published recently in WIREs Water. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, more than half of the world's large-bodied vertebrates weighing more than 30 kg that live in freshwater ecosystems are threatened.

Yet, freshwater megafauna species play key roles in their respective ecosystems: owing to their size, most are at the top of the food chain, meaning that a large proportion of creatures in the local ecosystem would be affected by their extinction. The mode of life of the Eurasian beaver and the North American beaver, for example, induces them to shape entire river courses, affecting not only biochemical and hydrological processes, but also in-stream and riparian assemblages; in the Everglades, the American alligator creates and maintains small ponds, providing habitats for a large number of plants and smaller animals. "The importance of freshwater megafauna for biodiversity and humans cannot be overstated," stressed Fengzhi He. Together with colleagues from IUCN, the University of Tubingen and Queen Mary University of London, Fengzhi He describes in this publication which factors pose threats to freshwater megafauna. Besides the obstruction and fragmentation of water bodies following dam construction, these factors include overexploitation, environmental pollution, habitat destruction, species invasion and the changes associated with climate change.

According to the authors, megafauna species are highly susceptible to external factors owing to their long lifespan, large body size, late maturity and low fecundity. Despite the fact that many megafauna species are under great threat, they have been largely neglected in previous research and conservation actions. Fengzhi He and his co-authors call for research focusing on the distribution patterns, life history and population dynamics of freshwater megafauna. Freshwaters are among the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, where biodiversity is declining faster than in marine and terrestrial realms. For this reason, it is all the more important to develop sustainable nature conservation strategies for freshwater ecosystems and their megafauna.

The Yangtze Finless Porpoise is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. These animals are threatened by incidental catch, vessel collision, pollution, and habitat degradation. Credit: Huigong Yu

More information: Fengzhi He et al. Disappearing giants: a review of threats to freshwater megafauna, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water (2017). DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1208
Two candidates who are both newcomers are vying to fill Seat 6 on the Madison School Board, which is an open seat because incumbent Michael Flores opted not to run. Another School Board race, for Seat 7, is no longer contested after incumbent Ed Hughes dropped out for family reasons, ceding the race to challenger Nicki Vander Meulen. Hughes name, however, will still appear on the ballot. Each term on the board is for three years.

Kate Toews

Age: 36

Address: 2115 Madison St.

Family: Married to Daniel Erman; children Isaac, 7, Nora, 4, and Tristan, 1

Job: Latitude; adviser to early stage startup companies

Political experience: None

Other public service: I serve as a citizen member of the city of Madison Early Childhood Care and Education Committee, and on the board of directors of Working Capital for Community Needs, a microfinance nonprofit, and I volunteer in the classroom.

Education: Bachelors degree in political science from Brown University, masters degree in business administration from UC Berkeley

Email or website: KateToews.com

Ali Muldrow

Age: 29

Address: 827 Dane St.

Family: Partner Sandy Welander; children Adrian Whitney, 7, and Esau Amir, 2

Job: Director of youth programming and inclusion for the Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools (GSAFE)

Political experience: None

Other public service: Im a volunteer board member for the Fair Wisconsin Education Fund and co-founder of the Black Girls are Magic collective here in Madison. Over the course of the last 10 years I have volunteered in over 15 public schools.

Education: I attended UW-Madison and MATC and left college when my first daughter was born in 2009.

Email or website: alimuldrow.com

Q&A

What is the main challenge facing the district and how would you address it? Toews: I see several challenges. 1.) The Walker-DeVos privatization agenda threatens our school funding; 2.) Low teacher morale causes almost half of new teachers to leave; 3.) the racial achievement gap. I believe we can work collaboratively to increase staff retention while building a more diverse workforce, and emphasizing early childhood education, to help us tackle the achievement gap.

Muldrow: The challenge that defines Madisons public schools at this time is racial disparities. We must become a community that is committed to equity. It is not enough to hope that we get better in the long term, we must seize this opportunity to transform our schools and be at the forefront of inclusion. This means applying a lens of equity to all that we do; it means abandoning practices that do not produce the best outcomes for students, and investing in opportunities that promote the success of all children. I believe our schools have the potential to provide every single student with an excellent education and I will work tirelessly to ensure our schools and our students have access to their full potential.

In what ways can the district improve, and how would you do that? Toews: We can improve educational outcomes for all students while also improving school climate and students ability to form supportive relationships at school. We do that by using our resources wisely to have the biggest impact in the classroom and ensuring we have the best teachers. As a former educator, current parent, businesswoman and entrepreneur, Im prepared for this work.

Muldrow: For the last few years I have been very impressed with the leadership of MMSD as it has critically examined the impact of exclusionary practices. Now is the time to shift our focus to inclusionary practices. We must develop curricula, classrooms, and schools where diversity is valued, celebrated and learned from.

Please rate the superintendents performance and list any additional performance criteria youd like to see. Toews: I support the superintendents commitment to addressing the achievement gap and her focus on educational outcomes such as improving third-grade literacy and high school graduation rates. I would also use criteria that reflect how engaged our students, families and staff feel about their schools. Specifically, I would consider enrollment trends, student and family feedback, and teacher retention rates.
In this photo provided by Abigail D'Ambrosia Carroll, an Arenahippus jaw fragment (with second and third molars), as discovered in field. Global warming often leads to global shrinking for mammals, like us, a new study suggests. At least twice before in Earth's history, when carbon dioxide levels soared and temperatures spiked, mammals shriveled in a bit in size, including our earliest primate ancestor, according to a new study based on fossil teeth found in Wyoming. And the study's chief author said it could be a glimpse of a smaller mammal future under even faster man-made warning that's going on now. (Abigail D'Ambrosia Carroll via AP)

Global warming shrank certain animals in the ancient past, and scientists worry it could happen again.

Warm-blooded animals got smaller at least twice in Earth's history when carbon dioxide levels soared and temperatures spiked as part of a natural warming, a new study says.

University of New Hampshire researcher Abigail D'Ambrosia warned that mammalsbut not peoplecould shrivel in the future under even faster man-made warming.

"It's something we need to keep an eye out for," said D'Ambrosia, who led the new work. "The question is how fast are we going to see these changes."

Three different species shrank noticeably about 54 million years ago when the planet suddenly heated up. One of theman early, compact horsegot 14 percent smaller, going from about 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms) to 14.6 pounds (6.6 kilograms), according to an analysis of fossil teeth in Wednesday's journal Science Advances.

"These guys were probably about the size of maybe a dog, then they dwarfed," said D'Ambrosia. "They may have gone down to the size of a cat."

Another creature that contracted was a lemur-like animal that's the earliest known primate. It shrank about 4 percent; while it may not seem like much, it's noticeable because studies of the animal over millions of years showed it was usually getting bigger over time, D'Ambrosia said.

Previous studies have documented a similar shrinking of mammals, including another early horse ancestor, during an earlier warming about 56 million years ago. Scientists and farmers have also long tracked animals, such as cows, that shrink and give less milk during hotter stretches.

This latest work shows heating and shrinking are connected over millions of years.

In this artist rendering provided by the Florida Museum of Natural History, illustration by Danielle Byerley shows a comparison of a Sifrhippus sandrae, right, with a modern Morgan horse that stands about 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs about 1,000 pounds. Global warming often leads to global shrinking for mammals, like us, a new study suggests. At least twice before in Earth's history, when carbon dioxide levels soared and temperatures spiked, mammals shriveled in a bit in size, including our earliest primate ancestor, according to a new study based on fossil teeth found in Wyoming. And the study's chief author said it could be a glimpse of a smaller mammal future under even faster man-made warning that's going on now. (Florida Museum of Natural History, illustration by Danielle Byerley via AP)

"These results are very significant because they provide another independent test of whether climate drives changes in body size in mammals," said Jonathan Bloch, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, who wasn't part of the study. "If we start to see patterns repeat themselves, we can learn from that. And what we learn from these lessons will certainly be important as we think about the possible response of plants and animals to future climate change."

Both D'Ambrosia's study and that of the earlier warming are based on fossils recovered from the Bighorn Basin of Wyoming. D'Ambrosia said it's unlikely that the shrinking only happened there.

In hotter climates, mammals and other warm-blooded animals need to shed heat so they shrink. Smaller animals have more skinor furper pound than bigger animals so more heat can escape, making them better adapted for warmer climate. Larger animals do better in the cold because they have less skin per pound and keep their heat.

The bigger natural warming56 million years agosaw temperatures rise 9 degrees (5.8 degrees Celsius) or more probably from giant belches of methane from dead plants and animals that had accumulated on the sea floor, said Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer.

More information: "Repetitive mammalian dwarfing during ancient greenhouse warming events," Science Advances, advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/3/e1601430 Journal information: Science Advances

 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Members of the ARADS team  NASAs Atacama Rover Astrobiology Drilling Studies project  start the day setting up the rover for test runs in Chiles Atacama Desert. Credit: NASA/CampoAlto/V. Robles

Due to its extreme dryness, the Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the most important environments on Earth for researchers who need to approximate the conditions of Mars.

Working in 90-plus-degree heat in arguably the driest place on Earth, the team behind NASA's Atacama Rover Astrobiology Drilling Studies, or ARADS, project just completed its second season of tests. The project aims to show that roving, drilling and life-detection can all happen together, with the goal of demonstrating the technical feasibility and scientific value of a mission that searches for evidence of life on Mars.

Thirty-five researchers, scientists, engineers and support staff spent a month testing tools and collecting scientific data on how life exists in the high desert today and how it first developed in this environment.

Geological and soil mineral evidence suggests that extremely dry conditions have persisted in the Atacama Desert for at least 10 to 15 million years, and possibly far longer. Coupled with strong, persistent ultraviolet radiation from the sun, this means that what little life exists in the Atacama is in the form of microbes living underground or inside rocks.

Similarly, if life exists or ever existed on Mars, the planet's surface dryness and extensive radiation exposure would likely drive it underground. That makes locations like the Atacama good places to practice looking for life on Mars.

Roving, Drilling, Hunting for Life

The rover in its mobile configuration with drill raised and visible at the front, arm stowed, and instruments closed. Credit: NASA/CampoAlto/V. Robles

Until human explorers arrive on the Red Planet, robotic missions will take the lead, with future missions probing the surface and drilling underground at promising locations. During their month in the hyper-arid core of the desert, near Estacion Yungay, the ARADS team tested technology for this purpose. Developed by NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley, the KREX-2 rover carries a lightweight, low-power, two-meter drill, along with a robotic sample transfer arm. This year it was accompanied by three life-detection instruments, positioned nearby, which were fed samples acquired by the rover's drill.

Designed to look for evidence of life, these tools include the Wet Chemistry Laboratory, an instrument developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory that flew on the 2007 Phoenix mission to Mars, and the Signs of Life Detector, contributed by Spain's Center for Astrobiology. The latter uses biochemical methods distantly related to home medical tests. While diabetics, for instance, may monitor their blood sugar with a device that detects the presence of a single molecule  glucose  the rover instrument will search for 512 different biological compounds.

Both of these tools were tested in the first ARADS season in February 2016, and returned this year for a trial of some new modifications.

New for 2017 is the Microfluidic Life Analyzer from JPL, making its first field test. It processes minuscule volumes of fluid samples to isolate amino acids, a building block of life.

The KREX-2 rover navigates autonomously, avoiding obstacles as it moves from one sampling location to another. Credit: NASA/CampoAlto/V. Robles

The engineers and scientists working in the Atacama during the month of February were successful in their primary objective to drill from the rover to depths of up to two meters, acquiring samples that the three ARADS instruments searched for signs of current or past life.

"The drill, rover and robot arm combination behaved beautifully in the field," said ARADS Principal Investigator Brian Glass of Ames. "It was a steady platform that enabled us to go deeper than we expected."

This year was the second in a series of four annual tests planned through early 2019. Next year is expected to see the rover itself carry and operate the life-detection instruments, alongside the drill tested this year.

In our lifetimes, NASA and its partners will be able to answer some of humanity's fundamental questions about life beyond Earth, such as whether Mars was home to microbial life in the past, and if it still is today. Our robotic scientific explorers are now paving the way. Together, humans and robotics will pioneer Mars and the solar system.

Provided by NASA
The dome of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT). Credit: CFHT and Jean-Charles Cuillandre

The first scientific evidence on Venus of a wind circulation between the equator and the poles, also named meridional wind, was gathered by an international team led by Pedro Machado, of the Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciencias do Espaco (IA) and Faculdade de Ciencias da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL). This result was published today in the scientific journal Icarus, a reference publication in the field of Solar System research.

Analysing the light from the sun reflected on the top of the clouds on Venus, Pedro Machado and his team identified, in both hemispheres, a wind component perpendicular to the equator, consistent with the characteristic atmospheric circulation of an Hadley cell and with an average velocity of 81 km/h.

Pedro Machado (IA e FCUL) says that "this detection is crucial to understand the transfer of energy between the equatorial region and the high latitudes, shedding light on a phenomenon that for decades has remained unexplained and which is the super-rotation of the Venus atmosphere."

Presently, the scientific community is searching for a physical model capable of explaining this phenomenon of super-rotation. In this paper, the team is adding to this model through a study of the wind parallel to the equator, or zonal wind, and how it changes with time and with the latitude, together with the first results concerning the presence of a meridional wind. One of the next steps is to detect the branch of meridional wind at lower altitude along which the air returns to the equator.

Machado and his team have also designed the only method today which uses visible light to measure, from telescopes on Earth, the instantaneous speed of the wind in the atmosphere of another planet. It is based on the Doppler effect5 that the clouds, due to their motion, apply on the light of the Sun reflected on them.

Sequential acquisition of spectra on the Venus dayside using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on the 19th April, 2014. Credit: Pedro Machado et al.

Pedro Machado adds: "Several research groups attempted to measure the meridional wind on Venus. Attempts made until now based on observations from the ground were unsuccessful, while those using data from the Venus Express mission were limited to the southern hemisphere and produced results that were inconclusive".

Data used in this study published today were gathered from simultaneous and coordinated observations of the atmosphere of Venus conducted with the Venus Express spacecraft, from the European Space Agency (ESA), and with the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) using the high resolution spectrograph ESPaDOnS.

More information: Pedro Machado et al. Venus cloud-tracked and doppler velocimetry winds from CFHT/ESPaDOnS and Venus Express/VIRTIS in April 2014, Icarus (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.icarus.2016.12.017 Journal information: Icarus

Provided by Instituto de Astrofisica e Ciencias do Espaco
What happens when the lights are turned out in the enormous clean room that currently houses NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? The technicians who are inspecting the telescope and its expansive golden mirrors look like ghostly wraiths in this image as they conduct a 'lights out inspection' in the Spacecraft Systems Development and Integration Facility (SSDIF) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn

What happens when the lights are turned out in the enormous clean room that currently houses NASA's James Webb Space Telescope? The technicians who are inspecting the telescope and its expansive golden mirrors look like ghostly wraiths in this image as they conduct a "lights out inspection" in the Spacecraft Systems Development and Integration Facility (SSDIF) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

The clean room lights were turned off to inspect the telescope after it experienced vibration and acoustic testing. The contamination control engineer used a bright flashlight and special ultraviolet flashlights to inspect for contamination because it's easier to find in the dark.

NASA photographer Chris Gunn said "The people have a ghostly appearance because it's a long exposure." He left the camera's shutter open for a longer than normal time so the movement of the technicians appear as a blur. He also used a special light "painting" technique to light up the primary mirror.
ELID-NTU Outobot spray painting a wall. Credit: Nanyang Technological University

An innovative robotic system that can clean building exteriors using water jets or give new coats of paint is now ready to serve customers in Singapore.

It is co-developed by local pioneer in automated controls and biometric contactless systems ELID Technology International and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), ranked 4th globally for Engineering & Technology in the recent Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2017.

Named OutoBot, this patent-pending automation is locally built and will improve productivity while enhancing workplace safety. It needs only half the manpower to run and can work for longer hours as compared to manual methods.

For the washing or painting of a building facade, a team of five is usually required  two on the ground and roof top, with three cleaners or painters on the gondola.

Instead, Outobot requires only two workers  one operator on the ground and one as a safety officer.

It has a robotic arm equipped with a camera and a spray nozzle that can shoot high-pressure water jets to clean surfaces or to spray paint. No painters or cleaners are required to be on the system's specially built gondola.

Innovative OutoBot cleans and washes highrise buildings. Credit: Nanyang Technological University

ELID's first innovation in robotic automation was envisaged in response to the Housing & Development Board (HDB) call for proposals to automate the painting of external HDB building facades, so as to enhance worker safety and increase productivity.

Managing Director of ELID Technology International, Mr Dennis Lim, who first came up with an idea of the robotic system, said it would tackle productivity issues for painting buildings in line with Singapore's Smart Nation vision.

"With Singapore's rapidly aging workforce, we need to find ways to enable our employees to continue contributing despite their advanced years," Mr Lim explained.

"Using our new robot, we have shown that a labour-intensive job can transformed into one that can be easily done by an older worker, and at the same time eliminating the risk of employees having to work at heights," added Mr Lim.

Professor Chen I-Ming, Director of the NTU Robotic Research Centre who jointly led the development of OutoBot, said the project is an example of how the university leverages its engineering expertise to improve productivity, while enhancing worker safety.

"Our aim is to make the cleaning and painting of high-rise buildings easier, safer and more cost-effective," explained Prof Chen, who teaches at NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. "By using spray painting over conventional roller painting, our robot is also more precise and efficient, minimising waste and saving paint."

From left- NTU Prof Chen I-Ming, ELID Group Managing Director Mr Dennis Lim and ELID Vice President Mr Kenneth Wong. Credit: Nanyang Technological University

"To tackle Singapore's manpower challenges, NTU has a strong research focus on robotics, which is set to fill an important gap in the productivity and automation needs of the industry. We can now do more with less manpower."

How it works

OutoBot comprises of a robotic arm with six-degrees of freedom mounted on a specially designed automated gondola and weighs under 500 kilogrammes.

Powered by a conventional power outlet, the robot can scan the exterior surface of a building using a camera and automatically plot the areas to spray paint or clean while avoiding the windows. It also gives a more consistent coat of paint as compared to the manual methods.

Apart from saving up to 50 per cent manpower requirements, it can speed up both the cleaning and painting process by about 30 per cent since it does not need a break. The automated system also minimises wastage, saving up to 20 per cent of paint.

To speed up the process at the same building, multiple systems can be deployed.

ELID-NTU robot can paint and wash, consisting of a customised automated gondola and a robotic arm. Credit: Nanyang Technological University

Next phase: Trials in industrial and residential areas

The made-in-Singapore OutoBot is now patent pending and has been put through its paces at an industrial building located at Ubi, in the eastern part of Singapore. It is now ready and will be deployed for an upcoming project over the next few months.

It will also be tested on selected public housing blocks, in consultation with HDB. Through the trials, HDB will work with ELID to refine or customise the robot's design to better suit its building designs and facades.

ELID, together with NTU's innovation and enterprise arm NTUitive, are now in talks with other companies as well as government agencies to deploy the robot at other suitable commercial and residential properties.
UV light triggers chemical reactions in DNA and RNA that can lead to deleterious genetic mutations. Quantum control simulations by LMU researchers led by Regina de Vivie-Riedle promise to facilitate future studies of the underlying mechanisms. Credit: psdesign1 / Fotolia.com

A theoretical study of the UV light induced reaction of the RNA-nucleobase uracil, carried out by LMU researchers, suggests that carefully shaped laser pulses can be used to trap the crucial intermediate state for detailed characterization.

LMU researchers led by Regina de Vivie-Riedle, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at LMU Munich, have developed a concept which suggests how studies of the photochemical interaction of UV radiation with ribonucleic acid (RNA) can be optimized. The energetic photons of which UV radiation is composed trigger chemical transformations in the nucleotide bases that form the subunits of both DNA and RNA, which may result in deleterious genetic mutations. In order to obtain a better understanding of the molecular mechanism that leads to such photodamage, the dynamics of purified samples of RNA and DNA bases are extensively investigated with ultrashort laser pulses with a view to characterizing transient intermediates that arise in the course of the photochemical reaction. The problem with this approach is that the excited molecules very rapidly release the energy injected by the short laser pulse. "This phenomenon of photorelaxation is regarded to be an inbuilt protective response that minimizes the risk of photodamage, but it also makes it very difficult to learn much about the excited state itself," as Daniel Keefer, a member of de Vivie-Riedle's group explains.

Together with Spiridoula Matsika, a former Humboldt Fellow at LMU from Temple University in Philadelphia, Regina de Vivie-Riedle and her co-workers demonstrate how the ultrafast relaxation process in the compound uracil, one of the RNA bases, can be controlled with tailored light fields. This study also shows how the excited state can be effectively 'trapped' to facilitate its characterization. The basic idea is to shape the laser pulse in such a way that the molecule remains in the excited state for longer (over 50 picoseconds instead of 190 femtoseconds)  rather as if the process of relaxation into the ground state was temporarily interrupted by pressing the Pause button. The results and their implications are described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Earlier experiments that employed femtosecond laser pulses to excite uracil served as the starting point for the new study. The LMU researchers optimized the exciting laser pulses with respect to various control aims, achieving both an acceleration and a significant extension of the excited state lifetime by almost 30-fold. Especially this trapping in the crucial state opens the path for follow-up spectroscopic studies of the reaction which leads to photodamage. Moreover, these results should be applicable to the other bases found in nucleic acids. "We are confident that our model will facilitate future studies of the reaction mechanisms that lead to photodamage of nucleotides," says de Vivie-Riedle.

More information: Daniel Keefer et al. Controlling Photorelaxation in Uracil with Shaped Laser Pulses: A Theoretical Assessment, Journal of the American Chemical Society (2017). DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b12033 Journal information: Journal of the American Chemical Society
3D printer. Credit: Aalto University

According to a recent research, companies should always manufacture technologically demanding products close to the product development. On the other hand, the more standardised the production is, the further it can be moved, even on short notice. Thus, there are more factors than just price that affect the choice of the manufacturing location; often the choice is about the interdependence of the company's operations.

'If the proximity of the market or product development are important aspects for a company, the products are most likely manufactured in the company's home country, or at least very close to it', estimates Postdoctoral Researcher Timo Seppala from Aalto University and The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, Etla.

The research analysed the choice of manufacturing location from the viewpoints of standardised methods, interdependence of operations and their proximity.

Standard products can generally be manufactured almost anywhere. Each season's production can be auctioned to the contract manufacturer with the most affordable price.

'Grocery stores' own brands are good examples of consumer products that are very often produced with the auction model, and for which the price is really the only meaningful factor', adds Seppala.

The production models of Helkama and Ponsse

The research analysed the Finnish bicycle producer Helkama's choice of manufacturing country. The classic model Kaunotar was manufactured in the Baltic countries for a year, then the production was moved to Indonesia for a partner, with which Helkama collaborated for several years. The offered colour options or other types of demand's fast fluctuations are not very important factors for Kaunotar, unlike for another popular Helkama model, Jopo. Therefore, the manufacturing location of the standardised product could be changed quickly.

'About half of Helkama's production takes place abroad. We don't invite producers for tender annually. Instead, we search for partners who meet our demands for both quality and security of supply. We manufacture special bicycles and all products in the Jopo-family domestically. This way we can flexibly react to the demand for different colour options for Jopo products with our own domestic production', tells Satu Helkama, CEO of the Helkama Emotor Oy.

Forest machine producer Ponsse's technologies and use of digital technology are so advanced, that it is reasonable to place both the manufacturing and the product testing under the same roof in Vierema. Therefore, Ponsse has a technological edge over its competitors. For the same reason, the company's product development cycle is also remarkably faster than that of companies which have decentralised their production. Ponsse's centralised operations model, which is similar to Helkama's Jopo production, keeps most of the product's added value in Finland.

'Many companies choose to manufacture their products in China, because everything is so affordable there. President Trump's policy, on the other hand, aims at returning all production back to the United States. In the light of this research, however, things aren't always so simple', contemplates Seppala.

More information: Mikko Ketokivi et al. Why locate manufacturing in a high-cost country? A case study of 35 production location decisions, Journal of Operations Management (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.jom.2016.12.005
Credit: ktsimage

n the quest for reliable artificial intelligence, EPFL scientist Marcel Salathe argues that AI technology should be openly available. He will be discussing the topic at this year's edition of South by South West on March 14th in Austin, Texas.

Will artificial intelligence (AI) change the nature of work? For EPFL theoretical biologist Marcel Salathe, the answer is invariably yes. To him, a more fundamental question that needs to be addressed is who owns that artificial intelligence?

"We have to hold AI accountable, and the only way to do this is to verify it for biases and make sure there is no deliberate misinformation," says Salathe. "This is not possible if the AI is privatized."

AI is both the algorithm and the data

So what exactly is AI? It is generally regarded as "intelligence exhibited by machines". Today, it is highly task specific, specially designed to beat humans at strategic games like Chess and Go, or diagnose skin disease on par with doctors' skills.

On a practical level, AI is implemented through what scientists call "machine learning", which means using a computer to run specifically designed software that can be "trained", i.e. process data with the help of algorithms and to correctly identify certain features from that data set. Like human cognition, AI learns by trial and error. Unlike humans, however, AI can process and recall large quantities of data, giving it a tremendous advantage over us.

Crucial to AI learning, therefore, is the underlying data. For Salathe, AI is defined by both the algorithm and the data, and as such, both should be publicly available.

Deep learning algorithms can be perturbed

Last year, Salathe created an algorithm to recognize plant diseases. With more than 50,000 photos of healthy and diseased plants in the database, the algorithm uses artificial intelligence to diagnose plant diseases with the help of your smartphone. As for human disease, a recent study by a Stanford Group on cancer showed that AI can be trained to recognize skin cancer slightly better than a group of doctors. The consequences are far-reaching: AI may one day diagnose our diseases instead of doctors. If so, will we really be able to trust its diagnosis?

These diagnostic tools use data sets of images to train and learn. But visual data sets can be perturbed that prevent deep learning algorithms from correctly classifying images. Deep neural networks are highly vulnerable to visual perturbations that are practically impossible to detect with the naked eye, yet causing the AI to misclassify images.

In future implementations of AI-assisted medical diagnostic tools, these perturbations pose a serious threat. More generally, the perturbations are real and may already be affecting the filtered information that reaches us every day. These vulnerabilities underscore the importance of certifying AI technology and monitoring its reliability.
Algal population split into two equally sized groups when exposed to turbulence. Downward swimming cells become egg-shaped, while those swimming upwards are pear-shaped. This change of shape involves a difference of just one micrometre. Credit:  ETH Zurich

Microscopic marine plankton are not helplessly adrift in the ocean. They can perceive cues that indicate turbulence, rapidly respond to regulate their behaviour and actively adapt. ETH researchers have demonstrated for the first time how they do this .

Plankton in the ocean are constantly on the move. By day, these tiny organisms, one-tenth the diameter of a human hair, actively migrate towards the sunlit ocean surface to carry out photosynthesis. At night, they make their way to depths of tens of metres, where the supply of nutrients is greater.

During their regular trips between well-lit and nutrient-rich zones, plankton cells frequently encounter turbulent layers, which disrupt this essential migratory pattern. It is still a mystery how these minute organisms can navigate through the dangers of turbulent waters. Plankton cells are whirled around by turbulenceparticularly by the smallest, millimetre-sized flow vorticesas if they were in a miniature washing machine, which can induce permanent damage to their propulsion appendages and cell envelope. In the worst case, they can perish in turbulence.

Migratory behaviour observed in micro-chambers

Certain microalgae have, however, developed a sophisticated response to such turbulent cues. Post-doctoral researchers Anupam Sengupta and Francesco Carrara, together with their advisor Roman Stocker, Professor at the ETH Zurich Institute of Environmental Engineering, have shown this in a study recently published in the journal Nature.

Using laboratory experiments, the three scientists "brought the ocean into the lab" and examined the migratory behaviour of Heterosigma akashiwo, an alga known for forming toxic algal blooms. To examine swimming behaviour, the researchers used a microfabricated chamber, just a few cubic millimetres in volume, in which they introduced the Heterosigma cells. The chamber could be rotated along its axis using a computer-controlled motor, exposing cells to periodic flips in orientation replicating how tiny turbulent vortices flip the cells upside down in the ocean.

Diving with foresight

The scientists were able to observe that an algal population moving upwards split into two equally sized groups over a period of 30 minutes after the chamber was repeatedly flipped by 180 degrees. One group of cells continued to strive upwards, whereas the other group switched behaviour and began to swim in the opposite direction. This population split did not occur with algae in stationary chambers, in which all swam continuously upwards and accumulated near the top surface.

By zooming into single cells, the researchers discovered the reason for the change in swimming behaviour. When exposed to the turbulence-like cues, the cells were able to actively and rapidly change their shape: from asymmetric pear-shaped cells swimming upwards, the cells morphed into egg-shaped structures swimming downwards. Strikingly, this shift involved changes of less than a micrometre. "It is spectacular that a cell barely 10 micrometres in size can adapt its shape to change its swimming direction," says the study's co-author Francesco Carrara.

Perfect adaptation

Roman Stocker does not view this mechanism as just a coincidence. "The algae have adapted perfectly to their ocean habitat: they can actively swim, they perceive a range of different environmental signals, including turbulence, and they rapidly adapt and regulate their behaviour accordingly." Anupam Sengupta adds: "We now better understand how these microorganisms confront potentially detrimental situations, however, at the moment we can only speculate as to why the cells do this."

The researchers argue that splitting into two groups creates an evolutionary advantage for the population: in this manner, the entire population is not lost when it encounters a layer of strong turbulence, but in the worst case, only half. In avoiding the turbulence by diving, the downward-swimming cells suffer the short-term cost of receiving too little light to carry out photosynthesis, meaning that they cannot grow. The researchers also found evidence that the flipping by turbulence has a physiological impact on the algae. Cells that were flipped in their experiment exhibited higher levels of stress than those in the stationary chambers.

Climate change influences turbulence

The researchers now plan to observe the algae in a larger tank, where they will expose the cells not only to flipping but also to real turbulence. Understanding how these minute cells respond to turbulence holds great importance for our understanding of the ocean. "As we now know that global climate change will modify the turbulence landscape in the ocean, it is particularly important to understand how the organisms that are the foundation of the marine food web respond to it. This work contributes a piece of the puzzle, by demonstrating that phytoplankton are not just at the mercy of turbulence, but can actively cope with it," says the ETH professor.

More information: Anupam Sengupta et al, Phytoplankton can actively diversify their migration strategy in response to turbulent cues, Nature (2017). DOI: 10.1038/nature21415 Journal information: Nature
Credit: Lauric Thiault

Sharks form strong social networks that are relatively unaffected when several members leave the group, and members also learn how to avoid capture, new research released today has found.

Researchers investigated the blacktip reef shark's (Carcharhinus melanopterus) social network, and revealed that not all sharks are equal in terms of maintaining the connectivity within their social network, in a study published in Biology Letters.

Where individual sharks were removed from the network, and they found that up to 50 per cent of the population could be removed before the entire network collapsed.

The researchers, from Macquarie University and the Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l'Environnement, examined a population of the sharks in French Polynesia.

"The sharks have many relationships with other sharks in their network, so a large number of sharks can be removed from the network before the network breaks down," said study author Dr Johann Mourier from the Centre de Recherche Insulaire et Observatoire de l'Environnement. "This is a sign of a resilient society."

The role that an individual shark plays in its social network helps maintain social cohesion and can enhance the shark network's resilience to environmental and human-influenced disturbances.

"It may surprise people that sharks have social networks too. Sharks have traditionally been assumed to show some form of social structure only in particular situations like mating, feeding or migrations. Even though their social structure is not as complex as that of some mammals, sharks can display an affinity for one another," said study co-author Associate Professor Culum Brown from the Department of Biological Sciences.

In addition to this surprising result, the researchers also noticed that the sharks already caught were increasingly difficult to catch again as they avoided the fishing gear. This has implications for population size estimates based on mark-recapture methodologies.

"The shark's ability to learn from previous negative experiences resulted in a network that is more resilient to removal from fishing" said Dr Mourier.

To study the social network of sharks, the researchers used the patterns found on the dorsal fins  which are like fingerprints in humans  to identify each individual shark.

"By observing which sharks hang out together at given time points, we can build a social network," said Associate Professor Brown.

"This study highlights the complexity of relationships between individuals in the wild and suggest managers need to rethink their approach to conservation questions by keeping in mind that each individual plays a different role in social relationships and thereby influences population resilience," concluded Associate Professor Brown.

More information: Mourier, J., Brown, C., Planes, S. Learning and robustness to catch-and-release fishing in a shark social network. Biology Letters. March 2017. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2016.0824 Journal information: Biology Letters
Credit: Public Domain Images

It has been said that Britain has more surveillance cameras than any other country in the world. This proliferation of CCTV cameras led the government to establish a surveillance camera commissioner responsible for overseeing their governance  the only country in the world to do so. In another first, the commissioner has now released a national strategy for England and Wales to set out how CCTV should be operated and to ensure that cameras are used in the public interest.

The growing prevalence of cameras and greater understanding of the many ways in which we are surveilled has led many  including the current commissioner, Tony Porter, to voice concern that Britain is "sleepwalking into a surveillance state". This raises critical questions about whether we can be confident that all these cameras are being used in a way the public would approve of  and if not, whether regulation can force CCTV operators into line.

It's not just the sheer number of cameras that is of concern. Deployed by many public sector and private organisations in a fragmented and piecemeal manner over the last 20 years, different systems offer vastly different technical capabilities and are used in different ways. There is a lack of standardisation and limited public awareness about what CCTV cameras are capable of and what they are used for. This is particularly important given developments in facial recognition and movement tracking technology.

There are also concerns about the misuse of cameras, for example camera operators abusing their position for voyeurism or commercial gain. Or cameras that do little to deter crime, where image quality was too poor for use in court, or even instances where cameras that could have provided vital footage were switched off to save money. With advances in digital technology, such as face recognition, there are also issues about privacy, data sharing and profiling and the possible "chilling effect" that this will have on society.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence demonstrating support for public cameras used with the aim of detecting crime and ensuring public safety. But the point here is that in practice it's impossible to look at a camera and know what is happening behind the lens, whether someone is watching, whether your image is being shared with other agencies, or even if the camera is switched on. This is important. As members of the public, we are the ones subjected to surveillance, it is our personal data and likeness captured and used by these systems, so we should be told for what and by whom.

It is the surveillance camera commissioner's responsibility to ensure that surveillance cameras are operated in accordance with the law, reassuring the public that their use is in the best interests of society.

Body-worn cameras are on the rise among those in public services. Credit: West Midlands Police, CC BY-SA

A world first regulation

The strategy encourages best practice in how organisations use cameras, such as standardised technical requirements to ensure footage is of sufficient quality for use as evidence in court, and training requirements and expected practices for camera operators, so the public can be confident in how the systems are used. It stresses compliance with the law, especially in relation to data processing, and promotes public engagement activities to ensure better public understanding of CCTV use. Another aspect emphasised is for organisations such as local authorities, the police, commercial CCTV installers, private sector bodies and regulators to work together to make better use of CCTV footage and camera networks.

By bringing together all the elements relating to camera surveillance in one coherent initiative, this could be the world's most coherent camera governance regime  one that applies also to body-worn video cameras, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, and aerial drones.

But the strategy has limitations. First, not all cameras are bound by the regulations  those in residential and commercial properties are not covered, nor those operated by the NHS. Such operators are asked to become "voluntary adopters" of the code. Second, there are questions over whether the commissioner has the power to enforce his regulations on providers, and what the consequences would be for failing to do so  there are no obvious penalties that can be imposed by the commissioner. Third, as there is also an information commissioner who has jurisdiction in this area and it's not always clear who has primary authority relating to cameras regulation.

While the publication of the strategy demonstrates that there will be more concerted efforts to govern how CCTV is used in the future, we cannot ignore that at the same time technology is constantly moving on. We are likely to see a proliferation of body cameras worn by public servants and surveillance cameras combined with sophisticated processing software that will allow face recognition, people tracking, and even behaviour recognition.

In the future, surveillance camera processes will become more opaque, more sophisticated, and potentially integrated with data from a variety of sources, including social media, meaning decisions about who to survey and who determines intensive surveillance will be determined by big data and algorithms. Any regulatory framework that does not or cannot keep up with the pace of change will soon become worthless.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
A new study of Samoan youth gangs in South Auckland has found that sending troubled youth back to their homeland can be detrimental to their wellbeing, and that of the village they are sent to.

Gisa Dr Moses Faleolo spent more than a year listening to the life stories of young men who had been sent back to live with extended family in Samoa in a bid to separate them from gang life in New Zealand. Gisa Dr Faleolo discovered that what seemed to be a good idea in fact, sometimes, had a negative impact on the young men and the Samoan villagers.

His study, From the Street to the Village: The Transfer of NZ Youth Gang Culture to Samoa reveals insights into the lives of five members of Samoan youth gangs living in South Auckland, aged between 16 and 24. Over time he won their trust and they opened up to him about their lives and the paths that had led them to violence and crime.

Gisa Dr Faleolo says despite the best intentions, moving gang members out of the community and back to Samoa often fell short of expectations. "Rather than depend on extended families in Samoa to carry out the 'transformation', a more formal multi-faceted policy approach is needed," he says.

"While the parents hope their extended families back home can persuade their child to relinquish gang values, culture and activities, and re-connect with more traditional Samoan values, culture and language, it often doesn't happen. Instead, they use what they learned in their gang to adapt and adjust to authoritarian Samoan village life," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

"For some, the experience was significant on an emotional level. One of the boys felt separated, isolated and distanced from his mum, to whom he was very close. His life in New Zealand was all he knew. The experience of being sent to Samoa made him feel 'abandoned' and 'disowned'. Others had to re-adapt to Samoan life after more than a decade of living in New Zealand.

"They also created gangs that replicated New Zealand ethnic minority gangs to build reputation for themselves for protection, and to allow them to continue the activities they were involved in here," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

The five life stories used in this research formed part of Dr Faleolo's doctoral study Hard-Hard. Solid! Life Histories of Samoans in Bloods Youth Gangs in New Zealand, where 25 young gang members were interviewed. Involuntary return migration to Samoa was one of the key themes identified in that study, and forms the basis of Gisa Dr Faleolo's latest research.

"I was like getting a hiding a lot so my mum stopped giving me a hiding and just sent me to Samoa for six months " - WF

Gisa Dr Faleolo says all of the boys sent back to Samoa were bullied when they first arrived at school, and the relationship they had with teachers and fellow students was often hostile.

"In the end, the boys' strategies for coping with bullying in Samoan schools was led by the adage 'If you can't beat them, join them'."

"I never went to school, I used to like change my uniform to plain clothes and then bus back to town and just look for them [the bullies - now associates] and then start drinking"  BPF

Gisa Dr Faleolo says in addition to the "join them" strategy, the boys replicated aspects of their lifestyle in South Auckland, only instead of fights with other gangs it was against other schools or stall owners in the Apia markets. "One of them transferred his knowledge of slanging, or selling marijuana, from South Auckland to Samoa, and recruited boys from his village to form a gang," he says.

"Eventually the parents' confidence that sending them back to Samoa would keep them out of trouble and help them, turned to concern and anxiety after family members reported their behavior hadn't changed," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

"  they ring and my grandparents go, 'It's better for you to bring him back, he's getting worse over here and we don't want him to get fa'asala [punished or fined] from the nu'u [ village leadership]. They were worried how I was getting drunk most times, shouting choo-hoo, making noises and swearing " - MS

"Despite being enrolled in school, they didn't embrace or complete their education. They rebuilt their lives, but these new lives were copied from their lives in South Auckland. They took what got them into trouble here back to Samoa, from the street to the village, and in the process transferred youth gang culture from New Zealand to Samoa," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

"  I had fights with stall owners at the market, I was too drunk, but she was not like an old lady, she was a tom-boy, cut hair, all tatts, then she said 'sau sau' [come-come] and I just went boom, she was 'niniva' [dizzy] and fell back, and I just laughed. But then I got locked up for two months " - LOP

In the end, the boys felt that being sent to Samoa only made them worse and added further problems to their lives, he says.

"It doesn't work. Perhaps for some people aye, but not me. Somehow I still came back the same, no changes (laughs). I was sent there because I was getting into trouble a lot over here, but somehow being sent to Samoa got me into more trouble; just different country, different bloody idiots" - WF

Gisa Dr Faleolo says sadly, once they were returned to New Zealand, it was not long before they drifted back into gang life and crime. "Most of them remain unemployed. Their police records and lack of school qualifications remain obstacles to entering the workforce. A few of them also ended up on home detention, and before the courts for violent crimes. Three of these men became young fathers not long after returning to Auckland."

He says it is time to consider a strategy to prevent the transfer of youth gang culture from New Zealand to Samoa. "Failure to act could be detrimental to Samoa's villages, community development and sectors such as health, education, law and order, social development, religion, economy and cultural identity.

"If the growth of gang culture isn't addressed, the erosion of Samoan society could be at stake, as a new generation of Samoan youth find the attractions of gang membership greater than those of being a proud Samoan," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

He is calling for a strategy to be implemented to ensure that extended family members, villages and social services are equipped with the means to manage wayward behavior. "It works by placing the onus of responsibility on key village institutions to help rehabilitate Samoan youth sent back from New Zealand.

"It might work this way, for example. As soon as the young man arrives, he is assigned a taule'ale'a [responsible for many tasks and duties to contribute to the wellbeing of the village] as a buddy. The youth will not stay with his extended family, but may visit or spend a night with them. The taule'ale'a passes on what he has been taught, and activates the process of correcting and reforming," Gisa Dr Faleolo says.

"They would learn things like the aganu'u [customs and beliefs], who he is, who his family members are, his ancestral lineage, the importance of respect, obedience, humility and love," he says.

Gisa Dr Faleolo says the model offers many advantages on an individual level, but also on a village level. "It can build strong character, improve relationships and enhance attitudinal traits like patience, forgiveness and resilience. It also minimises the strain on families, because they have the support of the village."

He says there is a need for the Samoan government to review and re-think existing policies, and consider this new strategy as a starting point for new policy development.

More information: The report is available online: mro.massey.ac.nz/bitstream/han  quence=2&isAllowed=y
A YouTube video by an enterprising 14-year-old showcasing the talents of his laid-off dad, a Florida-based marketing specialist, has scored thousands of hits and several job interviews.

Despite YouTube's attempts to safeguard user anonymity, intelligence agencies, hackers and online advertising companies can still determine which videos a user is watching, according to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) research.

Ran Dubin, a doctoral student in the BGU Department of Communication Systems Engineering who is an expert in cyber security, presented this research at the Black Hat Europe meeting in London.

"We built a simple yet robust machine-learning algorithm that can identify which video you watchedwithin a predetermined set of videoswith a high degree of accuracy," Dubin says. "The algorithm is based on an in-depth study of how video services work, how video content is encoded and how a video player requests information to play it."

Dubin was able to us this algorithm to determine if someone had watched a specific video from a set of suspicious, terror-related videos. Intelligence agencies could access this technology for tracking terrorists or other suspicious individuals. Internet marketing companies could track the number and make-up of viewers watching an ad.

While this information could be helpful, Dubin warns average YouTube users to be aware that their viewing history on YouTube and other internet video platforms can be tracked.

"It's important to know that video encryption is not as secure as we once thought," he says. "Google, YouTube's parent company, is not likely to patch the gaps, since it would be prohibitively expensive to create a traffic obfuscation mechanism for every user's every video request."

Researchers are exploring an upside to this discovery: the ability to assess video quality without breaking an encryption. "While internet service providers want to ensure they are providing high quality streaming, encryption has made accessing information much more challenging," says Dubin. "This tracking algorithm could help."
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Demonstrators occupied Brazil's finance ministry, flooded the center of Sao Paulo and went on strike in a string of cities on Wednesday to protest reforms to the cash-strapped country's pension system. The biggest demonstration took place in the financial powerhouse Sao Paulo, where thousands of people filled a section of the main avenue. Organizers claimed that up to 80,000 people attended, saying the fiery former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva would address the crowd later. A strike by metro and bus workers in Sao Paulo earlier had paralyzed the morning rush hour. During a dramatic protest in the capital Brasilia, hundreds of activists burst into the finance ministry before the start of the workday, occupying the building until late afternoon. Police said they vandalized the ministry and broke windows. Staff at public schools in Rio de Janeiro also went on strike, trash collectors stopped work in Curitiba and the metro was shut down in Belo Horizonte, according to the news portal G1. The unrest marked the most serious challenge in the streets so far to attempts by center-right President Michel Temer to tame the budget and restore an economy mired in two straight years of recession. "We're on strike for the future of the country," said Rio teacher Mirna Aragon at a protest with thousands of other people. "The rights of workers have been thrown in the gutter." - Question of rights - A provision to set the retirement age at 65 is central to the pension reform -- a shock to a country where many are able to draw pensions at 54. That reform is needed to prevent the pension system's "collapse," the hugely unpopular Temer said on Wednesday. "No one will have their rights taken away," he said in an address, describing the reforms as "saving the benefits of today's retirees and of the young who will retire tomorrow." Arguing that the country will be driven to bankruptcy if austerity measures are not taken, Temer has already steered a 20-year budget freeze through Congress. He got one piece of good news Wednesday when the Moody's financial ratings agency upgraded its outlook for Brazil from "negative" to "stable." However, leftist opposition organizations say Temer is punishing ordinary Brazilians already suffering the worst recession in the country's history, with unemployment at a record 12.6 percent -- around 13 million jobless. The popular actor Wagner Moura -- who plays the drug lord Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series "Narcos" -- added his voice, saying "this reform represents yet another enormous blow to the rights of Brazilian workers." - Corruption probes - Temer took over last year after his leftist predecessor Dilma Rousseff was impeached for illegally manipulating government accounts with unauthorized loans. He has made a return to economic health his main goal, saying he does not care if austerity measures decrease his already rock-bottom popularity. However, Temer's credibility among Brazilians is being hurt further by a ballooning graft scandal over embezzlement from the state oil company Petrobras. The scandal entered new territory on Tuesday, when the prosecutor general requested the Supreme Court for the authority to investigate scores of politicians. They reportedly include five ministers as well as the presidents of both houses of Congress. Temer has said he will not fire ministers unless they are actually charged with crimes. However, earlier phases in the scandal have already claimed several ministers, raising questions over Temer's ability to keep a congressional coalition together for the all-important vote on pension reform.
With neither the mainstream left nor right tipped to win the French presidency, this year's election could end a lock on power that has defined the country's politics for decades. Surveys show voters are fed up with a political class seemingly incapable of solving the problem of high unemployment and low growth amid widespread fears about the impact of globalisation. Only 17 percent of those questioned in an Ipsos poll last month gave high marks to France's democratic system. This general malaise finds the two big traditional parties -- Socialists on the left and Republicans on the right -- struggling for positives as the election clock ticks down. Instead, the centre and the far right are seen as frontrunners, with their candidates expected to lead the pack in the April 23 first round to qualify for the run-off vote on May 7. France is "coming to the end of a political order that started in the 1980s", said political scientist and pollster Jerome Sainte-Marie. Over this time, the reins passed back and forth between the Socialists and the Republicans (previously known as the UMP), with the far-right National Front (NF) looking on from the sidelines. But with each swing of the pendulum, real change has become increasingly elusive, "alongside a growing exasperation in the face of the economic crisis", Sainte-Marie said. Current polls show that NF leader Marine Le Pen, 48, and centrist Emmanuel Macron, a 39-year-old former Socialist minister who founded his own movement last year, will duel in May's final vote. - 'Failed recipes' - As well as a prevailing mood of disillusionment, which reflects longstanding trends showing the French are worried about the direction of their country, there are also short-term reasons to explain the possible shift. The Socialists are deeply divided after the unpopular five-year term of incumbent President Francois Hollande and struggling to rally voters around their candidate, the former education minister Benoit Hamon. Despite being picked in a primary vote in January by party activists, Hamon's economic programme and tax-and-spend proposals are divisive: popular with left-wingers but seen as making him unelectable by others. Communist-backed candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who rejected an alliance with Hamon, is also threatening to split their vote. He enjoys about 10 percent support, according to surveys. Most importantly, the Republicans' candidate Francois Fillon, the clear frontrunner until the end of January to be president is mired in a fake jobs scandal. He was charged with several offences including the misuse of public money on Tuesday after employing his wife in parliament, but has insisted on staying in the race. The scandal has upended the campaign and has provided an opening for the energetic Macron. "Their recipes have simply failed," argues the centrist, economically liberal and pro-European Macron, who says he wants to lift up a middle class that has been "neglected" by both the left and the right. - Globalisation v 'losing out' - Meanwhile Le Pen, the anti-immigration, anti-EU candidate, scores points by railing against the establishment "elites". The rhetoric of the NF does not come in a vacuum but on the heels of Britain's shock vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trump's stunning US election win. Unlike Fillon, who has had to battle to stay in the race, Le Pen has carried on unscathed despite her own fake jobs scandal as an MEP. A recent survey found more than one in three respondents -- 36 percent -- think Le Pen has new ideas for solving France's problems. "We are seeing a democratic shift in France and the world... towards populist culture and the collapse of the culture of parties," historian Pierre Rosanvallon wrote in the centre-left daily Le Monde. The new rift, according to Sainte Marie, will be between those who are benefiting from globalisation and "those who feel they are losing out". This is Le Pen's analysis too, with her party saying Macron, a millionaire former investment banker, is the perfect opponent as they seek to make the election a battle between "patriots" and "globalists".
A Republican bill drawing opposition from Democrats and unions would do away with Wisconsins more than century-old requirement that 16- and 17-year-olds obtain a state permit before taking a job.

The bill also would remove the phrase child labor from state statutes and replace it with the employment of minors, signaling another break from the states Progressive Era laws. It comes six years after Republicans lifted limits on how many hours 16- and 17-year-olds are allowed to work.

Opponents of the bill said the permits give parents more control over their childrens school-work balance and also protect children from abusive parents and employers.

The permits generate about $700,000, half of which helps fund enforcement of state child labor laws, which would remain in place. Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, questioned who would enforce those laws if funding for those positions is cut.

Bill co-author Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, said the permit requirement is overly burdensome based on his 17-year-old daughters experience applying to become a church camp counselor.

I dont need the government to step in and tell me how to parent, Kapenga said.

At a Senate committee hearing on the bill Wednesday, both sides acknowledged the value of teenagers working and said the proposal was being put forward with good intentions. But they disagreed sharply on whether the change was necessary.

Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, said she could support removing the permit for 17-year-olds and ensuring homeless and unaccompanied teens can get a permit, but she said the benefits of a permitting system outweigh the cost.

I can see this (bill) as being a tool for some employers to take advantage of low-income, poverty-stricken youth, Johnson said.

The Department of Workforce Development issued 70,258 work permits to 16- and 17-year-olds last year, or about 73 percent of all work permits issued to minors. The rest went to children younger than 16.

To get a permit, minors must get a letter from their employer outlining their job responsibilities and obtain a signature from a parent, guardian or court-ordered foster parent.

In some cases, the Department of Workforce Development will waive the signature for a teen who has difficulty obtaining a signature, though it handles five or fewer such cases per year, said Jim Chiolino, assistant administrator in the division of equal rights.

The cost of the $10 permits is ultimately paid by employers, who must reimburse teens for the permits in their first paycheck.

Jonny Hunter, co-founder of the Madison-based Underground Food Collective, testified in support of the bill, saying hes seen the permitting process impede disadvantaged youth from finding a job.

Weve had times when we lined up employment (for teenagers) and have not been able to hire them because they couldnt get the signature, Hunter said.

Stephanie Bloomingdale, secretary treasurer of the AFL-CIO of Wisconsin, said her biggest concern about the bill is the lost funding to enforce child labor laws.

Currently, there are six full-time positions dedicated to processing permits and responding to complaints about teenagers employed illegally in dangerous fields such as roofing or meat-cutting.

She said it wasnt until the state instituted a permit system in 1903 that employers respected the role of parents and role of school and work. She added the permit preserves parents ability to encourage their children to improve their grades before getting a job.

Every 16- or 17-year-old will tell you they dont need any more rules, but every parent will tell you that 16- or 17-year-old is still a child, Bloomingdale said. Because theyre a child they still need that parent advising.

Lisa Furseth, executive director of the Hendricks Family Foundation in Beloit, stressed that the bill deals with permits and doesnt change employment law affecting children. She said employers have complained about the permit as a barrier to employing teenagers at a time when getting more young people into the workforce is a priority for the state.

The more we can get them to legally and legitimately move their lives forward the better they will be, Furseth said.
(Bloomberg) -- Iran is on track to out-produce Qatar, the worlds biggest LNG exporter, at the vast natural gas deposit they share in the Persian Gulf. But as much as they might want, the Iranians wont have much gas to export because they are likely to use most of the new production themselves.

1. How much natural gas does Iran export?

Almost nothing. Iran has 18.2 percent of proven gas reserves, ahead of Russia and Qatar, according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy. Unlike its competitors, which have built far-flung pipelines and liquefied natural gas plants to reach foreign buyers, Iran exported 8.4 billion cubic meters (300 billion cubic feet) in 2015 while importing 7.5 billion cubic meters the same year. Until recently, it was a net importer, buying or bartering for gas from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan because its domestic distribution network doesnt supply the entire country. Iran exports less gas by pipeline than Myanmar or Kazakhstan, which together hold less than 1 percent of global reserves.

2. So where is all Irans gas going?

Half of it goes to warming homes, 21 percent to generating power and 18 percent for industrial use, including petrochemicals production, according to Cedigaz, an industry research group. Iran, with about 80 million people, is the fourth-biggest market for natural gas, after the U.S., Russia and China. New production can barely keep up with demand. Gas consumption almost doubled to 191.2 billion cubic meters in 2015 from 102.7 billion in 2005, according to BP statistics, while output rose over the same period to 192.5 billion cubic meters from 102.3 billion.

3. Will it export more in the future?

Iran plans this year to start sending gas by pipeline to Baghdad in neighboring Iraq, a step that would make it the 15th-biggest exporter, up seven spots from its current rank. But Iraq is planning its own pipeline to export gas to Kuwait and may not prove to be a long-term customer. Irans development of LNG plants stalled for years due to international sanctions, and such facilities arent a priority given the impending glut of liquefied gas.

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The country is considering pipelines to Oman, Pakistan and other countries, though cross-border links are scarce in the turbulent region. Floating LNG plants, a temporary fix until permanent facilities for liquefying gas can be built, are also an option. Ali Amirani, marketing director at the National Iranian Gas Export Co., concedes that the nation will consume most of its gas until at least 2024.

4. What about the new volumes from South Pars?

By March 2018, Irans output at the giant South Pars gas field in the Gulf will have surpassed Qatars production at the connected North Field, Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said on March 7. Additional development phases at South Pars should give Iran more room for exports in the future. For now, Irans motivation for producing more gas is to re-inject it underground into crude reservoirs, especially into some of the shared oil fields with Iraq. The other incentive is to supply the domestic market, Stephen Fullerton, a research associate at consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd., said in a January interview.

Gas re-injection, which isnt considered part of marketed consumption, can increase the production and recoverable reserves of oil. The entire output from one South Pars phase went into Iranian oil fields, Fullerton said. They have huge demand for that, especially with the ramp-up of new projects for oil, he said.

For more on Irans natural gas export plans, click here.

5. So Iran has to choose between oil and gas exports?

Exactly. Iran is seeking to attract $100 billion of foreign investment into its energy industry. To boost crude output, it needs gas -- much more gas than its currently injecting. Iran required 93 billion cubic meters of gas for re-injection in 2014 but could only allocate 32 billion, according to Cedigaz. Gas used for oil production, together with domestic consumption of the fuel, is sapping volumes available for export.

6. Is Qatar worried about rising output from the shared field?

Qatar has placed a moratorium on new drilling in the North Field since 2005, and its international expansion signals a plan to preserve domestic reserves for as long as possible. The North Field-South Pars reservoir has enough gas for both countries to exploit, according to Wood Mackenzies Fullerton. Even though science shows few risks to the field from shared production, a perception that Qatar has already extracted at least twice as much gas as Iran may cause tensions, Jean-Francois Seznec, a scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, wrote in an August study.

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar Petroleums chief executive officer, denied that his company halted drilling to allay Iranian concerns. Irans development of South Pars has nothing to do with what we do with the moratorium, he told reporters in February. It never did and never will.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mohammed Aly Sergie in Doha at msergie@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Nayla Razzouk at nrazzouk2@bloomberg.net, Bruce Stanley, Rob Verdonck

2017 Bloomberg L.P.
France's presidential election campaign has been overshadowed by the scandal over suspected fake jobs for family members engulfing Republicans nominee Francois Fillon. But the conservative candidate, who was charged Tuesday with misuse of public funds and other offences, is not the only one battling legal woes. Following is a summary of the cases, great and small, ensnaring the main contenders: - Francois Fillon - The 63-year-old former premier is grappling with the most serious legal problems facing a presidential candidate in modern history following revelations in the French press in late January. He is accused of misusing public money in respect to payments totalling 680,000 euros ($725,000) to his wife Penelope between 1986 and 2013 from funds made available to lawmakers for parliamentary assistants. French MPs are allowed to employ family members but Fillon has failed so far to convince investigators that Penelope -- a low-key figure who had previously claimed to have little input into her husband's career -- earned her salary, which exceeded 10,000 euros a month in 2007. He is also being investigated over payments to two of his children for acting as Senate assistants between 2005 and 2007 as well as payments to Penelope from a literary magazine owned by a billionaire friend of his, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere. The staunch Catholic, who had campaigned as a man of integrity, has also been charged for failing to declare a 2013 interest-free loan of 50,000 euros from Ladreit de Lacharriere to a state transparency watchdog. Fillon has since repaid the loan. - Marine Le Pen - Far-right leader Le Pen, 48, goes into the election with several investigations hanging over her party and her entourage. One of her close friends and communications advisor, Frederic Chatillon, is accused of illegally funding the National Front's campaign in municipal, European and departmental polls in 2014 and 2015. Chatillon already faces trial, along with two FN officials, over the party's 2012 general election campaign. The three are accused of setting up a scheme to overcharge for campaign expenses that were reimbursed by the state. More damaging are allegations that the eurosceptic FN siphoned-off money from Brussels to fund party expenses in France. The European Parliament accuses the FN of defrauding it to the tune of some 340,000 euros ($360,000) by using funds for parliamentary assistants to pay Le Pen's personal assistant Catherine Griset and her bodyguard Thierry Legier for work back home. Le Pen has furiously denied any wrongdoing, invoking her immunity as a member of the European Parliament in refusing to attend questioning by investigating magistrates. Griset has been charged with breach of trust. Le Pen is also being investigated by French prosecutors for distributing violent images after tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities. Finally, tax authorities are looking into claims that Le Pen and her estranged father, former party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, failed to declare the full value of family properties. A preliminary investigation has been launched. - Emmanuel Macron - The 39-year-old centrist independent has largely avoided scandal but could be tainted by the fallout from an investigation into possible favouritism over a 2016 event in Las Vegas at which he was the main speaker. The glitzy event at the CES electronics fair was organised without a public tender by a unit within the economy ministry, then headed by Macron. Public relations giant Havas was chosen to organise the event, which cost nearly 400,000 euros ($425,000), without bids being sought from other companies. Macron's team says the investigation targets the event's organisers and not their man, who has been boosted by the scandal engulfing Fillon. "My integrity is not in question," Macron himself said, adding that "what happened is in no way comparable" to being charged. - Benoit Hamon - Keen to show that no-one is above reproach, the National Front has drawn attention to a minor affair involving the mild-mannered Socialist candidate, Benoit Hamon. Hamon, 49, was charged last year with making public insults for calling Nicolas Miguet, a little-known presidential candidate who was fined for conflict of interest in a business deal, a "crook".
Poland's government approved Wednesday plans to build a large new airport outside the capital Warsaw that it hopes could become a passenger and cargo hub for central and eastern Europe.

Development and Finance Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told reporters that the project foresees the airport serving up to 50 million passengers per year.

That is four times the number of passengers Warsaw's main airport served last year, and would place, and put it in competition with Madrid's Barajas airport for sixth place among European airports according to 2016 figures.

One of the EU's fastest growing economies, Poland has seen rapid passenger growth in recent years. It registered 30 million air passengers in 2015, and estimates suggest this number could double to 60 million by 2030.

Plans call for the new airport to be located between Warsaw and the central city of Lodz and open in 2027-28.

Although the government has not put a price tag on the project, experts estimate it could cost around seven billion euros ($7.4 billion).

Morawiecki cited studies suggesting the airport could serve up to 180 million passengers per year with connections to neighbours Ukraine, Belarus and Russia as well as the Baltic states and the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

That would put it far out in front of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport, which was the world's busiest last year at just over 104 million passengers.

Morawiecki also suggested the airport could become an air cargo hub for China's One Belt, One Road initiative, or modern-day Silk Road, for goods exported by from the Asian giant to Europe.

Morawiecki has become the mastermind behind the expansion of state involvement in the Polish economy since the October 2015 victory of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Support for Scottish independence is at a record high but still remains below 50 percent, according to a new study published on Wednesday, as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made a fresh bid to break away. Sturgeon has said a second referendum was needed because of Scotland's opposition to Brexit, but the study found that rising euroscepticism in Scotland could undermine her argument. Two other polls also published on Wednesday showed similar levels in favour of independence, although the support was broadly similar to previous comparable polls. The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader on Monday announced she would be seeking authority from the Scottish parliament next week to hold a second referendum on leaving the United Kingdom. This would ideally take place before Brexit, she said, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the two-year process of leaving the EU later this month. The ScotCen long-term social attitudes study found that 46 percent of Scots now back independence, the highest level since the survey began in 1999. "Overwhelming support for independence among younger voters might mean there is majority support for independence in future," it said. But the survey, conducted between July and December last year, also found rising levels of euroscepticism, from 40 percent in 1999 to 67 percent last year. "High levels of euroscepticism in Scotland mean focusing on EU membership may not be the best way to swing voters in favour of 'Yes'," it said. Two other opinion polls by YouGov and Survation, meanwhile found that 43 percent and 47 percent of voters respectively would back independence, once the undecideds were excluded. A YouGov poll in December had put independence support at 44 percent, while a Survation survey in September also showed a level of 47 percent. May has yet to agree to the referendum, but noted that the European Commission had said Scotland would have to reapply for EU membership if it left the UK. "Scotland will be leaving the European Union, it will leave the European Union either as a member of the United Kingdom or were it independent," she told MPs. - 'We will have our say' - May initially rejected the idea of a second vote as "divisive", less than three years after Scots voted by 55 percent to reject independence in September 2014. Angus Robertson, the SNP's most senior figure in the British parliament, told The Guardian newspaper that a referendum could be avoided if Scotland was allowed to stay in the EU single market. But in testy exchanges in the House of Commons, he warned that time was running out. He said May must agree her plan for Brexit with Scotland before she triggers Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown to leaving, by her deadline of the end of March. "If she is not prepared to negotiate on behalf of the Scottish government and secure membership of the single European market, people in Scotland will have a referendum and we will have our say," Robertson said, sparking deafening cheers and jeers from MPs. May told him she would remain in discussions with Sturgeon's government -- but rejected comparisons between Britain's move to end 43-years of EU membership, and Scotland's bid to leave the UK. "We have been one country for over 300 years. We have fought together, we've worked together, we've achieved together," she told MPs. "And constitutional game-playing must not be allowed to break the deep bonds of our shared history and our future together." Sturgeon on Tuesday used Twitter to question May's mandate for Brexit, noting that she took office after the referendum "and is not yet elected by anyone". May responded Wednesday with a subtle dig, noting last year's Scottish election in which Sturgeon "was returned as the first minister of a minority government".
The number of women wielding political power worldwide has stagnated, new data released Wednesday at the United Nations showed in findings that UN Women called troubling. There were 17 women heads of state or government in 2016, down from 19 in 2015, while women won 22.3 of seats in all elections last year, compared with 25 percent the previous year. "There is overall stagnation", UN Women executive director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told a news conference. "These are results that are warning bells and there is the persistent missing voice of women where it matters most." Mlambo-Ngucka said the new data was "quite troubling" and the failure to achieve progress in women's representation in politics raised questions about democracy. The global average of women in national parliaments increased only slightly from 22.6 percent in 2015 to 23.3 percent last year, according to the data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. "Power is still firmly in men's hands," said IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong, who said the failure to achieve progress was due to a lack of political will. Bulgaria, France, Nicaragua, Sweden and Canada have achieved gender parity in government, with women holding at least half of all ministerial posts. Most women ministers in the world hold the environment, energy or natural resources portfolios, followed closely by social affairs. Finland and Cape Verde, which have had high rates of women ministers, dropped significantly. Women are also losing ground in Africa, but there were big gains for women in elections in Pacific island-states. The data was released during the Commission on the Status of Women, a two-week UN conference aimed at taking stock of progress toward gender equality.
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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
Combination of satellite photos shows Chinese-controlled North Island, part of the Paracel Islands group in the South China Sea, on February 15, 2017 (top) and on March 6, 2017. Planet Labs/Handout via REUTERS

China has started fresh construction work in the disputed South China Sea, new satellite images show, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach across the vital trade waterway.

Regional military attaches and experts believe the work shows Chinas determination to build up its network of reefs and islets, even if it is seeking to avoid a fresh confrontation with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

An image of North Island in the Paracels group taken on March 6 shows recent work including land clearing and possible preparation for a harbor to support what experts believe may be eventual military installations. Initial work was damaged in a typhoon last year.

The pictures, provided by private satellite firm Planet Labs, follow reports in January showing work undertaken on nearby Tree Island and other features in the Paracels, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

Diplomats briefed on latest Western intelligence assessments say Beijing is pursuing efforts to dominate its maritime backyard, even if it tweaks the timing of moves to avoid being overtly provocative.

The Paracels are going to be vital to any future Chinese attempt to dominate the South China Sea, said Carl Thayer, a South China Sea expert at Australias Defence Force Academy.

We can see they are committed to militarization, whatever the official rhetoric tells us, even if they are going to do it bit by bit.

UNCERTAINTIES OVER TRUMP

The more widely disputed Spratlys archipelago to the south are higher profile but the Paracels are key to Chinas presence in the South China Sea,

China has in recent years temporarily based surface-to-air missile launchers and crack jet fighters at long established bases on Woody Island on the Paracels, helping protect its nuclear submarine facilities on Hainan Island.

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North Island is part of an arc of reefs that are expected to form a protective screen for Woody, which includes civilian facilities and a listening post.

Zhang Baohui, a mainland security expert at Hong Kongs Lingnan University, said he believed China was pursuing long-held goals of strengthening its facilities in the Paracels, and had calculated the Trump administration would not over-react given other pressing priorities.

Theres also uncertainty with this young Trump administration, but this is very important work to the Chinesethe Paracels are vital to defending Hainan, which is in turn important to Chinas nuclear deterrent, he said.

The calculation here is that it is really only Vietnam that will be rattled by this.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Chinas Defence Ministry said it was not familiar with any work at North Island.

What needs to be stressed is that the Xisha Islands are Chinas inherent territory, it said, using the Chinese name for the Paracels. China fully occupied the Paracels in 1974 after forcing the navy of the-then South Vietnam off its holdings.

News of fresh Chinese activity comes as Rex Tillerson prepares for his first visit to the region as U.S. Secretary of State later this week. Tillerson sparked alarm in Beijing when he said in January China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the South China Sea.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was unable to confirm new construction work on North Island but said it would not be surprising.

It would be in line with what they have been doing, why else would they clearing land on the islands but for militarization, the official said. There is no other reason to have a presence there.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing say China is not looking for confrontation with the United States over the South China Sea, pointing to Chinas low-key reaction to last months patrol of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the waters there.

China has recently sought to portray itself as being conciliatory over the disputed waterway, saying it and Southeast Asian nations are committed to a peaceful resolution.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said a draft code of conduct for behavior in the South China Sea had now been completed and that tensions had distinctly dropped.

For a graphic of Chinas reclamations in the Paracels, click here  By Greg Torode | HONG KONG

(Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING and Idrees Ali in WASHINGTON; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

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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
A Republican bill seeking to examine the relocation of state agencies outside Dane County  including moving the Department of Children and Families to Milwaukee  could cost about a half-million dollars or more, while potential savings are unknown, according to a state fiscal analysis.

If a study led to an agency moving out of Madison, it has the potential to disrupt hundreds of Madison workers and have ripple effects on the citys office rental market.

The proposal from Rep. Joe Sanfelippo, R-West Allis, tasks the Department of Children and Families with developing a plan to move its headquarters from Madison to Milwaukee in the 2019-21 budget.

The DCF is already planning to move from seven locations in Madison to the GEF 3 building in 2019 or 2020 as part of the states Madison Master Plan.

That move is expected to cost $341,000, which the state would incur a second time if the agency moved again to Milwaukee, according to the fiscal analysis prepared by the Department of Administration. If the agency cancels the planned move to GEF 3 and later moves to Milwaukee, it would cost $51,200 a year to continue leasing its current space.

The bill also would require the Department of Administration whenever it enters or renews a lease to perform a cost-benefit analysis involving locations in two other counties outside Dane and Milwaukee. That would cost $443,868 each year for additional staff and overhead, according to the fiscal analysis.

Sanfelippo floated the proposal last session, though not with any specific reference to moving DCF. The Legislature included the provision requiring the review of additional lease options in the 2015-17 state budget, but Gov. Scott Walker vetoed it because the agency already has the authority to conduct such a review, spokesman Tom Evenson said.

However, while Walker proposed moving the Department of Natural Resources forestry division to northern Wisconsin in his latest budget after mandating a study of such a move two years ago, he didnt propose moving DCF to Milwaukee or studying such a move. The DNR move to an office in Wausau is expected to cost as much as $17 million over 20 years.

Sanfelippo said the state is wasting money by leasing buildings in Madisons expensive Downtown office market. In the case of DCF, more than 60 percent of the states nearly 10,000 welfare recipients live in Milwaukee County compared with 3.7 percent who live in Dane County. The agency administers the program.

He also acknowledged a potential economic benefit for other communities in the state from moving well-paid state workers there.

If youre DCF, the bulk of your market is in Milwaukee and you could be paying 20 or 30 or 40 percent lower (rent) and relocating to an area of the state that needs good jobs, Sanfelippo said. Its a win-win-win all the way around. Why wouldnt you do it?

DOA spokesman Steve Michels said the state already seeks low rates for building leases as part of its bidding processes.

Governor Walkers administration is consistently looking to improve efficiency while delivering more value through government that is accountable to the taxpayers, Michels said. We are happy to look at any proposal that might save money and improve our services.

The fiscal analysis doesnt project what moving state agencies out of Madison could save the state. It also doesnt consider the potential economic impact of moving state workers out of Madison.

DCF employs nearly 800 full-time equivalent positions, or about 1 percent of all state positions, though many are not located in Madison.

Dane County Democrats have opposed moves to relocate state agencies outside of the capital, citing concerns about the potential economic impact on the citys real estate market. One Democrat, Sen. Lena Taylor, of Milwaukee, is a co-sponsor of the bill.
TOKYO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday began a three-nation tour of Asia where anxiety is rising over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, along with questions over how the Trump administration will tackle one of its sternest national security challenges.

Tillerson flew to his first stop in Japan as the U.S., Japanese and South Korea navies conducted missile defense information-sharing drills in the region. Uncertainty remains, however, over how the U.S. administration intends to pressure or persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons that also pose an emerging threat to the United States itself.

Tillerson is to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday. He will also travel to South Korea, which is gripped by domestic political turmoil after the ouster of its president, and then to China, which is conflicted about how to treat North Korea, its traditional ally, for fear of triggering its collapse.

Adding to the combustible mix of military tension and the region's historic rivalries is another factor  confusion about U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO has adopted a low profile during his six weeks as secretary of state. The State Department Correspondents' Association expressed disappointment Wednesday that Tillerson was traveling to Asia without a full contingent of the diplomatic press corps or even a pool reporter on his plane  although he did take a reporter from the conservative-leaning website the Independent Journal Review.

President Donald Trump's rise to power has raised anxiety in Asian capitals. During last year's election campaign, Trump asked whether allies like Japan and South Korea contribute enough for their own defense or should get their own nuclear weapons. He also questioned the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China.

Trump has allayed some of those concerns since taking office. He hosted Abe at his Florida resort last month, and when Tillerson goes to Beijing on Saturday, the secretary of state is expected to arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S.

Story continues

"The U.S. allies, Japan and South Korea, want to know that the United States is going to continue to defend them but also is going to show a certain amount of finesse and diplomatic skills in dealing with China and with North Korea," said Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University's campus in Tokyo.

North Korea will be a top priority on all Tillerson's stops. The State Department says Tillerson wants to discuss "fresh" approaches. Administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, but signs are that the U.S. for starters wants to see rigorous implementation of existing sanctions against the North.

As under the Obama administration, there appears to be little desire for now to negotiate with North Korea, unless it commits to denuclearization, which it shows no sign of doing.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland  something Trump has vowed won't happen.

The U.S. is currently involved in annual military drills in South Korea that North Korea regards as a rehearsal for invasion. In a show of defiance, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the ocean off Japan last week. The next day, the U.S. began bringing in equipment for the long-planned deployment in South Korea of a missile defense system known by its acronym, THAAD.

That has raised tensions with China, which says the THAAD's radar could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear deterrent. The U.S. says the system is intended to be used only against North Korea. That adds to the long list of sharp differences between Washington and Beijing on issues like their trade imbalance and the militarization of the South China Sea.

After Tokyo, Tillerson visits South Korea, caught up in political upheaval after last week's ouster of its president, Park Geun-hye, over a corruption scandal. Park had been in lockstep with Washington's efforts to isolate North Korea. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Korea's government.

Tillerson's final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing. China recently announced it was suspending for the rest of the year coal imports that are an important source of revenue for North Korea. That is to comply with U.N. sanctions aimed at restricting the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for all parties to return to talks. Aid-for-disarmament negotiations have been stalled for years. Last week China's foreign minister warned that the U.S., South Korea and North Korea could be heading for conflict.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu contributed to this report.
Just as its obvious that winter is not over yet, neither is the flu season.

While March is the end of the peak flu season, its also a great time for small businesses to get prepared for the next one.

Prepare for the flu season?

Absolutely.

Flu Season Hits Small Businesses Hard

The impact of the flu on small businesses is big. New data from Funding Circle shows that 47.4 percent of small businesses report being adversely impacted by the flu virus.

Almost half of all small businesses suffered loss of productivity or disruption of operations due to flu, Funding Circle found during a 2016 small business owner survey.

Think about it. When a big company has someone call out sick with the flu, either a simple phone call summons a replacement or they absorb the temporary loss. When someone at a small business with just a handful of employees is laid up with the flu, the ability to compensate becomes trickier.

Many small businesses rely on a core set of employees to keep things running day-to-day, Funding Circle communications chief Liz Pollock told Small Business Trends. So, a spate of missed workdays during flu season, even from just a handful of employees, can have serious implications on the operations, productivity and bottom line of a small business.

Lost Time

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 111 million work days are lost to the flu every year. That includes big businesses, too, of course. The financial impact of the flu each year adds up to about $7 billion, including both lost wages and slowed productivity. Since most businesses in the U.S. are small businesses, their share of those totals is considerable.

That means the flu  almost as much as any other challenge  is one of the biggest pitfalls to avoid for small businesses. Something this impactful is begging for a prevention plan.

Timing Is Everything

Before you go about putting a flu prevention plan in place, understand a little more about the viral infection. This is definitely one viral thing you DONT want around the office.

Theres no need to identify the symptoms of the flu. When you see one of your co-workers looking a certain way, you know they have the flu. You also know theyre contagious.

A common misconception is that the flu is only a threat certain times in the year. Thats true, to a point. That certain time extends from October until March. In fact, since 1982-83, the peak flu season in the U.S. was identified in March six times. Thats the third most often that a month has been identified as peak during those years.

Check out this graph from the CDC that shows when the flu has been at its fiercest by month over the last 35 years:

The flu is a big problem every season most often in February. December is a particularly difficult month for the flu, too, historically.

Things to Do

OK, the 2016-17 flu season is technically nearing its end.

If your small business team suffered at all this season on account of the flu, know that there are things you can do to help prevent a flu outbreak at your office or among employees.

Keep the Common Areas Clean

During flu season, its important to keep spots like the break rooms or restrooms spotless. These are notorious spots for germs. If need be, hire an outside company to come in regularly and clean work spaces.

Set Up a Flu Shot Drive

Organize a drive to have certified healthcare officials conduct flu shot clinics. An ounce of prevention, almost literally. If you cant offer your team full benefits packages, an event like a clinic could compensate at least partially.

According to Funding Circle, searches on Google for flu shot vaccines peak in September.

Educate

Constantly remind your employees of the signs and symptoms of the flu. Encourage healthier eating habits and other common prevention measures that boost immunity. Share healthy habits through emails. Bring in healthy foods for employees.

Man Down Plan

Pardon the completely unintentional gender bias  but the flu has a good chance of sidelining one or more of your employees in the next 12 months. Depending on the size of your team and their availability, you need to figure out how to keep the company moving until sick employees can return to action. Figure out who does what and when if someone calls out sick.
Marketing a startup isnt a straightforward process. There are countless different routes that businesses can take to get the word out. So it can be invaluable for those businesses to have some help when theyre starting out.

And thats exactly the type of thing that Startmarke provides. The company specializes in helping startup companies with various areas of marketing, offering unique customizable services like content planning, website SEO services and more. Read about the company, and its marketing packages for small businesses, below in this weeks Small Business Spotlight.

What the Business Does

Sells custom marketing packages for small businesses and startups.

Founder Demetrius Brown told Small Business Trends, Startmarke offers small businesses and startup companies low priced marketing packages with a number of custom add on options.

Business Niche

Offering solutions that are affordable for small businesses.

Brown says, We make all of our pricing transparent and upfront with our flat fee pricing structure.

How the Business Got Started

After working with larger businesses.

Brown explains, I myself the founder, worked previously as an engineer for a software company. I then went on to work in marketing and advertising consulting Fortune 500 companies and brands on marketing to Millennials. I started Startmarke which stands for (Marketing for Startups) to help small business and startups with their marketing efforts when they need it most while remaining budget friendly.

Biggest Risk

Starting the company without any capital.

Brown says, I completely bootstrapped and worked from the ground up to gain clients and help get our name out there. If I did not have knowledge in understanding how to market there could have been a different turnout. The result of my risk is that I learned more about how to build an effective strategy on a tight budget.

Lesson Learned

Start with a detailed plan.

Brown says, I would start by raising capital for my company as well as drawing out a more detailed roadmap for the future.

How Theyd Spend an Extra $100,000

Promoting the business.

Brown says, I would use a portion of the funds marketing and promoting the business. The rest of the money I would use for working capital.

Favorite Quote

Yesterday has already happened, and tomorrow doesnt exist yet, seize the day  Demetrius Brown

* * * * *

Find out more about the Small Biz Spotlight program

Images: Startmarke; Top Image: Zach Baker  Web Developer, James Herold  President, Moe Hassen  Director of Business Development, Zachary Crane  Research Lead, Chelsea Whims  Account Manager
If the employment rate of Roma matched that of the majority, the labour market would get 150,000 people it badly needs.

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More information about the Slovak labour market Please see our Career & Employment Guide. This years edition was published also thanks to support from the general partner of the guide, the executive search firm - Amrop.

Segregated communities where thousands of unemployed Roma live, could become an asset for the labour market now that Slovakia is struggling with a lack of qualified labour. But the government shows little interest in putting that potential to full use.

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The low birth rate will totally overwhelm us in a few years time, Michal Palenik of the non-governmental Employment Institute told The Slovak Spectator. The number of unemployed people from settlements represent 5 to 10 percent of the countrys population, and ignoring them is suicidal, according to Palenik.

There are approximately 402,000 Roma living in Slovakia with 95,000 of them living on the fringes of municipalities and 74,000 residing in segregated settlements, the Atlas of Roma Communities estimates.

To maintain the countrys current unemployment rate in 2025 without hiring immigrants, the number of employed Roma has to rise from the current 15 to 50 percent. If the employment rate of the Roma matched that of the majority, the labour market would get an infusion of 150,000 people, a 2014 Slovak Academy of Sciences study stated. Moreover, Slovakias GDP would increase by 3.1 billion if Roma had the same employment opportunities and wage levels as non-Roma, according to a 2012 World Bank Study.

Punishing the hard-working

There are signs that the number of Roma who have a job are higher than official records suggest, as they are active on the grey labour market, according to the National Employment Strategy published in October 2014.

The exact numbers of Roma taking informal jobs are unknown, but the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) took a look at indicators such as lack of medical and social insurance in 2014.

On average, 19 percent of Roma in paid occupations living in EU countries say that they do not have medical insurance. The survey results also show that every third Roma respondent aged 45 and over does not expect or  if retired  does not receive a pension, according to FRA.

On average, the grey economy has less of a negative impact in Slovakia than elsewhere. Still, the state should deal with it because it is unfair to punish poor people for trying to earn money, Palenik said.

It is funny that we praise highly educated people for taking two full-time jobs but punish Roma with two job contracts, he noted.

Measures do not target the full-scale problem

To combat these trends, the current government pledged in its April 2016 programme statement to create 100,000 jobs and support employment particularly in poorly developed communities by creating social companies.

Those 100,000 jobs may be a measure targeting 100,000 Roma or zero Roma, Laco Oravec of Milan Simecka Foundation, who works with socially excluded people, told The Slovak Spectator. They are not even able to name the group which they want to target with those measures.

While social companies may work in some settlements, it is not a way to solve the problem concerning such a large number of people in general. The state should instead support private firms in creating daughter companies focused on hiring excluded people, according to Palenik.

But private employers are mostly unprepared to hire people without working habits and claim that Roma are unreliable.

I gave work to [some] Roma, entrepreneur Kamil Juscak told The Slovak Spectator. They got advance payments, a per diem allowance and then they packed up and ran away.

Therefore, employers should hire a specialist or train their management to help people lacking working habits to overcome early difficulties, according to Slavka Macakova, the director of ETP Slovakia, an NGO working with Roma.

Those people havent worked for a long time, they studied near settlements and dont know the unwritten rules of the middle class, Macakova told The Slovak Spectator.

Better education for the excluded pays off

In Slovakia, low value on the labour market is hereditary. Children from disadvantaged communities perform poorly at schools and later on the labour market, the OECDs Education at a Glance study states. In the TIMSS 2015 study, 10-year-olds from the socially most disadvantaged environments achieved the poorest results among all EU and OECD countries. When those students turn 15, they have a 3.5 times greater chance of earning the poorest results in science-related subjects, the PISA 2015 results show.

The system currently works in a way that we merely tell pupils with poor results that they perform poorly, Vladimir Burjan, publisher of Dobra Skola magazine told The Slovak Spectator.

On the other hand, special programmes targeting disadvantaged children are highly rewarding for countries. Investment in education of such children is comparable or higher than the historically highest returns on equity markets, according to the study, The Life-Cycle Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program by the University of Chicago.

The programme generates a benefit of USD7.3 for every dollar spent on it, reads the study.
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We will also offer benefits to our employees, including employee shares, a starting bonus as well as health and dental insurance, Amazon Vice-President for European Operations Roy Perticucci said in an interview with the Sme daily.

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SME: Slovakia has been mentioned in the past as a potential investment destination for Amazon. Two years ago, however, the company decided to build a fulfilment centre in the Czech Republic. Why did you finally decided to invest in Slovakia?

Roy Perticucci (RP): The current investment into the logistics centre is first of all a result of the successful work of Amazon in Bratislava-based offices which already employ 850 people.

SME: The new logistics centre will be situated in western Slovakia, close to Sered. Why did you pick this location?

RP: We have found everything we needed in Sered.

SME: What exactly?

RP: There are three basic factors we take into consideration when choosing a locality. First of all, sufficiency of potential labour force is important for us. Our investments are big, thus we try to use their potential as much as possible.

This, of course, is not possible without transparent legislation and construction permits or the possibility of unlimited operation. The third important factor is infrastructure and trouble-free accessibility of our logistics centres.

SME: Did you choose the locality on your own or did someone, for example, from the government, help you?

RP: We have real estate teams which identify appropriate places across Europe. We always choose the localities, in which we want to invest, properly.

SME: Are you considering additional investments in Slovakia?

RP: We are seeking new spots across all of Europe, and we have only recently announced an investment in Slovakia. I dont want to talk about our future plans until they are finalised.

SME: Sered, in the Galanta district, is a locality with one of the lowest jobless rates in Slovakia. Will you try to find potential workers also in other regions and persuade them to commute to work?

RP: Our main task will be to make Amazon the jobseekers first choice. We offer attractive benefits and several career growth possibilities. We expect that we will be able to convince the employees with our offer to commute.

Read also:

Read also: Amazon will open logistics centre in Slovakia Read more

SME: Will you also hire people from neighbouring Hungary?

RP: We will search for talented people regardless of their nationality.

SME: Companies in Slovakia currently say they cannot find enough good and qualified people willing to work.

RP: I wont comment on what other companies say. We know from our surveys there are many people with quality education from various professional fields.

SME: Do you also plan to train new workers?

RP: Yes, we have very comprehensive starting training courses and programmes in Amazon.

SME: It used to be said in the past that your company has rather strict rules. How do you choose your employees?

RP: Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, famously said: Id rather interview 50 people and not hire anyone than hire the wrong person. We are very selective and we seek the biggest talents that would identify with our passion for principles.

SME: What does an ordinary interview in your company look like?

RP: I will give you an example of recruitment for a managerial position. The first step is a phone interview with a recruitment employee, either from our company or our recruitment agencies. This is followed by a writing task. For senior positions we require the candidates to give more extensive answers.

The candidates then undergo a personal interview with several leading employees of Amazon. We invite a candidate to our company to have an interview with our HR manager, sales director, bar raiser, i.e. the full-time employee who alongside his work spends two to 30 hours a week interviewing people searching for jobs at other departments of the company. The last step involves analytical tests.

SME: You plan to employ 1,000 people in Slovakia, according to the official statements, but the unofficial information suggest the number may be higher, up to 3,000 staffers. Which is true?

RP: The number will be higher as we also recruit people for our corporate centre in Bratislava. Moreover, we will hire extra people during season peaks.

SME: What exactly will the employees in the Slovak centre do?

RP: Our employees will use the most up-to-date technologies to assess the condition of products that could not be delivered or were returned to Amazon.

We have already launched recruitment of several experts for positions from operation managers and engineers, through personnel managers, accountants to IT experts. We will also create more jobs for graduates.

SME: You say you have already started recruiting. How do you search for employees?

RP: We are still only in an initial phase of recruitment for leading positions and we only plan to launch the advertisement campaigns promoting the jobs in Amazon. We are looking for people with analytical thinking from various professional fields and expertises. One of the most important factors will be the will to develop their personality.

SME: How much will people earn?

RP: We dont publish the salary conditions at top positions. However, I can tell that they are strongly competitive and accompanied by benefits, including employee shares, a starting bonus, health and dental insurance, life and injury insurance and a supplementary pension plan. We also adjust the salaries every year to make them attractive.

SME: There are often reports that Amazon employees protest due to low salaries and bad working conditions. But you say you will create attractive conditions.

RP: We respect the personal rights of each of our workers to be a member of a trade union and we will continue in direct dialogues with our employees regardless of whether they are members of a trade union or not.

We sincerely believe that this direct connection is the most effective way to understand and respond to the needs of our staffers. We will always call on our employees to approach their managers directly with impulses, comments and questions they are dealing with.

SME: How much do you plan to invest in Slovakia?

RP: We will not publish the amount. We bring advanced hardware and software solutions to Slovakia and we have already created more than 850 jobs in our Bratislava-based offices. I can assure you our investment is significant.

SME: Have you also asked the government for investment aid? If yes, for how much?

RP: Amazon hasnt received any financial support from the Slovak government. We, however, are very thankful for the support we receive from the state and regional institutions. Thanks to them, Slovakia is a very attractive location for investors.

SME: What kind of support from state institutions are you talking about?

RP: We positively evaluate the involvement of the government in the processes that preceded the investment. For an investment like ours it is crucial to secure quick deciding processes and clear instructions from offices for requirements and standards.

We also welcome the support of the government in easing our recruitment activities and collaboration with universities.

SME: There was also information that you will open some brick-and-mortar shops. What is the situation like now?

RP: They are called Amazon Go. It is a new type of shops without cash registers. We have created the most modern technology so customers dont have to wait in queues.

They only need to use our application Amazon Go to enter the shop, take the product they want and leave. No queues, no cash registers. Amazon Go is currently open for Amazon employees in Seattle and is expected to be publicly accessible later this year.

SME: Do you plan to open any such shops in Europe, or directly in Slovakia?

RP: Not for now.

SME: The closest warehouse for Slovaks who want to order some goods is currently situated in Germany. Do you plan to open another one in Europe?

RP: Slovak customers can order goods from any of our websites and it will be delivered in two-four days in the case of an express order. All our centres in Europe are part of the European network and take care of customers across Europe.

SME: You currently offer free transport if customers make an order exceeding 39. Why did you choose such an action?

RP: Our more-than-20-year obsession with customers made us realise that the consumers primarily focus on three things: price, selection and comfort. Thus we try to offer the broadest selection of goods for the best prices and the quickest delivery. This is the reason why we offered Slovaks free delivery and shortened the waiting time.

SME: Is one of the reasons for introducing these changes due to fear of other e-shops?

RP: We dont pay attention to our competition, we focus only on our customers. Its our philosophy.

Read also:

Read also: Amazon will deliver packages for free Read more

SME: One of the reports published in connection with Amazon in the past suggested that the parcels could be delivered by drones. Has this service started?

RP: The first delivery by drone took place in December 2016 in the United Kingdom. The customer received the ordered goods 13 minutes after making an order.

SME: Does it mean that no other drone delivery has taken place since then or that you now regularly use drones?

RP: We have development centres Prime Air in the USA, the UK, Austria and Israel. Currently we are testing vehicles at several international locations.

SME: Do you plan to spread this kind of delivery to other countries? Is it possible that drones will also deliver orders to Slovak customers?

RP: We are negotiating with regulators and lawmakers in several countries, in order to make Prime Air available for all customers across the globe. We will continue in our efforts.

SME: Amazon is currently one of the better-robotised companies. Is it possible that in, lets say five years, people will be mostly replaced by robots?

RP: Employees of Amazon really work in a technologically developed environment. The technologies, however, should first of all help. I can thus say that our employees work hand in hand with technologies and the employment has grown everywhere we have introduced mechanisation. This year we will create 15,000 new jobs in Europe, while we will continue investing in up-to-date technologies, including Amazon Robotics.

SME: So the scenario that in five, 10 or 15 years people will be replaced by robots is unrealistic?

RP: No.

SME: The wide-spread opinion is that robots will replace people, but you say that thanks to robotisation you create new jobs. How is this possible?

RP: The image of robots replacing people is a myth. Robots should help people at work and increase their effectiveness, not replace them. The robotics significantly makes the everyday tasks of our employees easier and enables them to put added value into their work. We still employ new people in our centres.

One of the positive examples is EWR (New Jersey), where we have thousands of robots, but the centre employs the most employees in the whole North-American network. The core of all processes in Amazon is people, and this wont change.

Only in this way we will be able to continue in innovations and development of new technologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency, and also to secure the highest-quality standard for our customers.

SME: Will employees in Slovakia also work with robots?

RP: Our centre in Sered will be the biggest and most modern reverse logistics centre Amazon has. It will not use the Amazon Robotics technologies, but rather various hardware and software solutions implemented in our processes.

SUB: Why won't Amazon Robotics be used in Slovakia?

RP: The Amazon technology isnt adapted for use in the reverse logistics centres. We use the automation to reduce the volume of manual work, such as lifting and carrying, instead. The advanced electronics are able to effectively test and repair the returned products.

SME: Do you currently shop via Amazon?

RP: Ive been Amazons customers for more than 15 years. I dont shop in Amazon because I work there, even if this could be a sufficient reason. I use Amazon for its good selection, good prices and great comfort.

SME: What was the last thing you bought?

RP: I bought a book titled, My Favourite Thing is Monsters by Emil Ferris. It is a great book, it reminds me of Robert Crumbs work.

Sme
Hartmut Tautz killing is ruled illegal. After his name has been rehabilitated, his family is entitled to damage compensation.

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The District Bratislava I Court, in a breakthrough move, ruled on March 13 that the killing of Hartmut Tautz aged 18, during his flight from East-German and Czechoslovak communism, was a crime. Tautz was caught on the Czechoslovak-Austrian border near Bratislava in 1986, the TASR newswire wrote, and savaged by guard dogs controlled by the border police. He died later, as a result of his injuries.

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A criminal prosecution must ensue, the Nations Memorz Institute {(UPN) wrote in a statement. It added that due to the practices of Slovak justice so far, this is a huge success. Finally, after many decades, the bereft family have been given moral satisfaction, the head of UPN board, Ondrej Krajnak, told TASR. This is a first, precedential decision of the Slovak court which expresses moral satisfaction for victims of the Iron Curtain, lawyer Lubomir Muller, representing the family, said as quoted by TASR.

The court decision has also been welcomed by the Platform of European Memory and Conscience which identified, within the Justice 2.0 project, that the killing of civilians fleeing to the West in times of communism was a crime against humanity, UPN spokesman Peter Juscak informed the newswire.

The Platform filed criminal complaints in Germany and Poland in cases in which German and Polish citizens were killed on the Czechoslovak borders. Now, the doors have been opened for all families of the Iron Curtain victims to go the same path, head of the platform, Neela Winkelmann, said.

A memorial commemorating the fate of Hartmut Tautz was unveiled last year, close to the Slovak-Austrian border.
The money will go mostly to modernise the trains, but also to build terminals and parking lots.

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The European Union will allocate up to 1 billion from its funds for Slovak railway projects through to 2020. As a result, there should be quicker trains, parking lots and more transfer points for public transport, the Hospodarske Noviny daily reported on March 14.

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The money will be used for 21 crucial projects. The government promised in its programme statement that it will launch the modernisation of 250 kilometres of rails.

One of the subsidised projects will concern the track between Devinska Nova Vec and the Czech borders. The state-run railway company ZSR has already launched the competition, with deadlines for submitting bids expiring in the following weeks. It concerns the modernisation of 30 kilometres of rails in order to allow trains to travel at 200 kilometres per hour, Hospodarske Noviny wrote.

Former head of ZSR Pavel Kravec is mindful of the fact that the railway needs to allow speeds of 200 km/h as the Czechs are also modernising their own tracks to allow for this speed.

The experts addressed by the daily do not expect any serious problems accompanying the project.

The track is nearly straight so it is not necessary to change its location, said Martin Fundarek from the non-governmental initiative, Better Transport, as quoted by Hospodarske Noviny. The only problematic point may be a border bridge which only allows a speed of 80 km/h, he added.

ZSR also plans to use the EU funds for the most expensive project in its history that will be constructed by the consortium of firms led by Doprastav for 365 million. It concerns the modernisation of the track between Puchov and Povazska Tepla (both in the Trencin Region) to allow speeds of 160 km/h.

The completion of the modernisation of this railway section will finalise the modernisation of the whole track between Bratislava and Zilina and will allow the trains to travel at 160 km/h, ZSR informed, as quoted by Hospodarske Noviny.

The state plans to complete the modernisation of the section between Povazska Tepla and Zilina costing 127 million this year. Brussels will repay 85 percent of both projects, the daily wrote.

ZSR also plans to modernise the track under the Tatras, which is part of the more extensive modernisation of the railway between Zilina and Kosice. The construction works on the Poprad-Lucivna section, which is about 10 kilometres long, should cost about 100 million.

The EU money is also expected to be used for smaller projects, including the construction of integrated transport terminals. There should be seven of them in Bratislava, according to Hospodarske Noviny. Another terminal is planned for Trebisov (Kosice Region).
Protection of whistle-blowers may soon be one prevention tool.

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There is corruption in top political levels, according to the General Prosecutor, Jaromir Ciznar.

Lets not pretend that corruption does not exist in the highest places, Ciznar said at the seminar focused on increasing legal awareness in the prevention and fight against corruption held on March 14, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

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Corruption was, is and will be there, he added, expressing the hope that we will not only talk about it but also fight it.

Corruption is a cancer of society, Ciznar said, as quoted by SITA, adding that it threatens the rule of law, democracy and moral values in society.

Earlier this year, however, Interior Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer) claimed that Slovakia will not see the investigation of corruption among the highest political circles in 2017, as this socially undesirable phenomenon does not exist among political leaders.

However, the ministry later said he was misquoted by the media and his words were taken out of context.

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The fight against corruption became more intensive after 2005, when the penal codes were re-codified. Until then, its results were nearly zero, Ciznar added.

The prosecutors office is prevented from investigating corruption mostly by the fact that when someone reports it, he/she later withdraws the report after finding out that they can also be prosecuted.

Because they have to report it voluntarily and in due time, Ciznar said, as quoted by SITA.

He mentioned several examples where people have come to report a three-year-old case but there was a possibility that they too could also face prosecution. At that moment they forget about reporting the case and then are criticised for doing nothing.

To be successful in fighting corruption, Ciznar says it is necessary that the criminal prosecution authorities know about it at the time it takes place, and not ex post as evidence may be missing, reported SITA.

The general prosecutor also claimed he does not support financial benefits for whistleblowers.

Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was also present at the seminar, promised to prepare an amendment to the law on protecting whistleblowers that should motivate them to report corruption, the TASR newswire wrote.
The new EU directive will impact about one half of registered weapons in Slovakia, much to the displeasure of some shooters.

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The European Parliament wants to make the conditions for possessing firearms much stricter. The new directive will have the biggest impact on the deactivated or so-called expansion weapons which will be banned completely, the Sme daily reported.

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Observers expect that the new rules will impact about half of all legally possessed weapons. Their number, according to the Interior Ministry statistics, amounts to more than 320,000, according to Sme.

The first problem is that the legislation will not fulfill its function, said Peter Nagy, deputy head of the Slovak Shooting Association, as quoted by the daily.

Instead of fighting terrorists, the new rules will only complicate the lives of sport shooters, he added.

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The first information out indicated that the new rules would concern air rifles, which were to be officially registered, but that information turned out to be false. People using these types of guns will still only need to have their ID card with them.

The new rules may cause problems to military history clubs which often use expansion weapons.

It will be possible to own expansion weapons only with an exception from the Interior Ministry, Ludovit Miklanek of the association of firearm possessors Legis Telum told Sme. Currently, there are about 400 exceptions, but it is unreal to issue them for all weapons.

Under the new rules, the capacity of the magazines of long semi-automatic firearms will be regulated. It will not be allowed to have more than 10 bullets in them, while currently the number is much higher.

There are hundreds of thousands of high-capacity magazines, which can be bought in shops, among shooters, Miklanek told Sme, adding that people who obtained them legally will be additionally criminalised.

In the case of violation of the new rules, authorities will be able to remove the a shooter's gun licence. The only ones entitled for exceptions will be sport shooters, Sme wrote.

Some changes will concern also gun licences, as their validity will be shortened from 10 to five years.

Slovakia now has 15 months to implement the directive into its legislation, Sme wrote.
They also face charges for abusing power and may spend up to 10 years in prison.

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The police officers who kicked a 22-year-old wounded female driver in the head in August 2016 will be dismissed from the force in the following days or weeks, claimed Police Corps President Tibor Gaspar at a session of the parliamentary human rights committee on March 14.

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He spoke to the committee following the publishing of a video capturing the arrest of 22-year-old Michaela, made by the Novy Cas daily. The case goes back to August 2016. When the driver disregarded a police warning to stop her car, the officers fired their guns at her vehicle 13 times. When she did pull over, they kicked her repeatedly in the head as she lay on the ground, despite the fact that the young woman was defenceless and had been shot in the chest and through an earlobe, the TASR newswire reported.

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Gaspar also informed the committee of measures designed to prevent such behaviour in the future, albeit conceding that they might not be 100-percent effective.

Theres no measure to completely prevent such cases from occurring, the Police Corps president said, as quoted by TASR.

Currently, there are 23,000 police officers and some 600 patrols (1,200 officers) on the streets communicating with people. Approximately another 1,000 of them are assigned to criminal prosecution proceedings, Gaspar continued.

Some power will always be applied by them and not all need necessarily sit well with people, but thats what supervisory mechanisms are for, he added, as quoted by TASR.

Gaspar also condemned the behaviour of the officers who took action against the 22-year-old driver.

I can tell from the video that it might even constitute an attempt to cause grievous bodily harm because she was being kicked in vital organs such as the head, he said, as quoted by TASR.

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The proceeding against the three police officers started only in February, though the inspectors received the video already last August, the public-service broadcaster RTVS reported. The officers now face charges of being an accessory to the abuse of a public officials powers and could be sentenced to four to 10 years in jail if convicted.

When asked why the case only was taken on several months after the incident had occurred, Gaspar referred to the Criminal Code which sets the time limits.

Every case is individual and this is one where certain inquiry and other related acts have to be made, Gaspar added, as quoted by the SITA newswire, adding that the only one who can interfere into the process is the supervising prosecutor.

Among the systemic measures the police have passed or are planning to approve are attaching cameras to police uniforms, changes to guidelines governing the use of force, raising the minimum recruitment age from 18 to 21 and more hours of periodic training, including psychological preparation.
The coalition comes up with a way to cancel the controversial amnesties from the nineties; the solution dissolves Ficos constitutionality concerns.

Andrej Danko, Robert Fico, and Bela Bugar (left to right) agreed on a way to scrap the amnesties. (Source: Sme - Jozef Jakubco)

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In the wake of mounting public pressure, the ruling coalition has come up with a solution on how to scrap the controversial amnesties of former prime minister, Vladimir Meciar. His current successor Robert Fico, who was previously against abolishing the amnesties, is satisfied with the proposed solution, which he called the constitutional way.

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Meciar granted the amnesties in 1997 as acting president. The amnesties concern the suspected crimes connected with the abduction of the son of the late President Michal Kovac in 1995, and the murder of Robert Remias in 1996.

Two decades after the amnesties were granted, Fico and his partners have now come up with a constitutional amendment that they believe will make abolishing the amnesties legal.

We consider this decision to be in line with the Constitution and the constitutional traditions, we refuse to pass such important decisions in a way that could spark doubts in the future about the constitutionality of what the government and the parliament are doing, Fico told journalists as he presented the proposal.

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Fico pledged that all the MPs of the ruling coalition will vote in favour of the changes, but remarked that the constitutional change will also require the cooperation of the opposition.

Qualified majority proposed

The new rules should allow the parliament to cancel the amnesties if at least one fifth of the 150 MPs signs the proposal to do so, and subsequently at least three fifths of the plenum vote in favour of the proposal.

Additionally, the Constitutional Court will be automatically required to rule within two months on the validity of the parliament's decision.

The cabinet discussed the change to the Constitution, which they are seeking to pass on March 15 in a short-tracked legislative process, in addition to the proposal to scrap the Meciar amnesties, and the amnesty of former president Michal Kovac for his son.

SNS head and Parliamentary Speaker Andrej Danko believes the proposal to be a compromise.

[This solution] has very sensitively concocted the very essence that can solve all the remarks, all the attitudes of anyone who decides on such a complicated matter, Danko said.

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Consequences?

Criminal prosecution bodies will get the green light, Fico said.

Scrapping the amnesties in the parliament will also automatically mean cancelling all the steps that criminal prosecution bodies have taken, for instance, to stop the criminal prosecution due to amnesties, Bela Bugar of Most-Hid said. He represents the only party in the coalition that has been in favour of abolishing the amnesties in the long run.

Investigators believed that the boss of the countrys SIS intelligence service, Ivan Lexa, masterminded the abduction and Lexa subsequently faced several serious criminal cases including abduction, sabotage, robbery, treason, misuse of power and other white-collar crimes.

Lexa was also accused of involvement in the murder of Robert Remias. He was alleged to have done this to prevent witnesses from testifying about Kovac Jrs abduction to Austria in 1995.

However, Lexa was ultimately shielded from the most serious charges against him by the Meciar amnesties. These were revoked by Meciars successor as acting president, Mikulas Dzurinda, but after Lexas subsequent detention, the European Court of Human Rights in 2008 ruled in Lexas favour, effectively reversing the revocation and re-imposing the amnesties.

Endless debate might now end

There have been seven attempts to do away with the amnesties linked to events that happened 20 years ago, the first one immediately after the government of Mikulas Dzurinda took office following the 1998 election that toppled Meciars rule in Slovakia.

There is also another proposal to scrap the amnesties currently in the parliament, proposed by opposition MP and former prominent figure of the Velvet Revolution in Slovakia, Jan Budaj.

Yet Robert Fico, who is a lawyer and who ruled the country together with Meciars HZDS party (now obsolete) and the Slovak National Party (SNS), which is also part of the coalition today, has until now insisted that scrapping the amnesties would be unconstitutional, and legal nonsense.

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The SNS, which also partnered with HZDS in the coalition in 1997, has held a similar opinion.

The debate surrounding the Meciar amnesties has always been more or less intensively present in the Slovak public, but there has never been enough political consensus on scrapping them. Recently, the topic has returned to the public discourse with a new intensity, first in the autumn of 2016 when President Kovac died, and now with the movie about the abduction being screened in cinemas around Slovakia.

There has even been a petition signed by more than 66,000 people, calling on the government to scrap the amnesties. Prominent lawyers have also issued a statement with a similar call.

Based on the Focus polling agency poll from February this year, 63 percent citizens of Slovakia would like to see the amnesties cancelled.

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Bratislava city council calls for wider discussion.

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Developer HB Reavis wants to build a cable car to connect the biggest housing estate in Bratislava, Petrzalka, with the new bus station. The developer will start building the new bus station, Stanica Nivy, combining a transport interchange and a shopping centre, in July. The cable car would be a bonus to the bus station project which is costing 345 million, the Sme daily wrote.

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The investor has been discussing the possible form of the cable car, costing 50 million, with several companies and is reviewing at least six variants. Similar cable cars already run in Singapore, Lisbon, Barcelona and London.

Nothing is finally decided yet; it is a proposal waiting for approval, said Martina Jamrichova, spokesperson for HB Reavis, as cited by Sme.

The cable car would be a supplementary solution to transport in the city.

The ambition is to integrate it into the public transport system, said Jamrichova.

Bratislava Integrated Transport (BID) considers the idea to be interesting as it would connect the biggest city borough with the most visited part of the city.

Within the development of integrated transport we are open to all opportunities for improvement of public transport in the whole region, including those less traditional, which will serve not only regular travellers but also visitors, said Marian Rovensky, CEO of BID.

But several Bratislavans are sceptical and think that the city has other problems to deal with before constructing a cable car. Also because of this, the Bratislava regional government, which supports the ideal of the cablecar, will organise an expert conference about it during the first week of April. It will invite representatives of the city, investors and experts in transport.

Bratislava city council is rather cautious.

Bratislavans already have various experiences with a number of promises, ideas and visions, said Michal Lukac from the press department of the Bratislava city council.

Thus until a tangible proposal with concrete solutions for connection to the main transport systems in the city, assessment of its impact on transport, a proposal for acquisition and settlement of land, as well as financing is on the table, the city council will perceive it as a vision, not a project, added Lukac.

The city council would welcome a wider discussion about such plans.

We are not against the pro-active proposals of developers, they can bring good things, said Lukac. But in the case of such a fundamental thing, coordination with specialised departments of the city as well as the lay public is important.

Parameters of the cablecar

The transport capacity of the cable car would be between 3,000 and 4,000 people per hour. The investor is considering two versions of the cabins - for 10-15 people or for 30-35 people. The ride from one Danube embankment to the opposite side should last eight minutes. The cable car line would start near the Economic University and end at the new bus station. Another two stops may be at the opposite ends of the Apollo Bridge.
The ministries will be able to comment on new proposals for prices, but there is a risk it would be opposed by the European Commission.

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The government will strengthen its influence on the Regulatory Office for Network Industries (URSO) as the Economy and Environment Ministries will again be enabled to comment on pricing decisions.

Moreover, the new URSO head will be appointed by the government, according to the amendment to the law on regulation in network industries approved at the cabinets March 15 session.

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URSO will remain the independent authority, Economy Minister Peter Ziga (Smer) said, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

One of the main changes stemming from the amendment is that the government, not the president will appoint the new head of the regulator.

The practice has shown that the government bears the biggest political responsibility for URSOs decisions, thus it is logical that it will be responsible for his appointment, Ziga explained, as quoted by SITA.

He also defends the return of the competences to the ministries. The Economy Ministry will comment on the decisions on new prices for heat, gas and electricity, while the Environment Ministry will respond to the proposal to change water prices.

If one of the ministries has comments and the authority will not accept them, it will have to publish them, Ziga said, as quoted by SITA.

The involvement of the ministries will not violate European directives. The fact however is that back in 2012, after adopting the third energy liberalisation package, it had to change the legislation.

We consulted with lawyers, Ziga explained, as quoted by SITA.

Some observers, however, have a different opinion. Former economy minister Juraj Miskov says there is also the possibility that the European Commission will submit a lawsuit as the change was part of the European directive whose aim was to liberalise the market more, the Sme daily reported.

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Other changes proposed in the amendment suggest that the URSO head will not hold the post of the chair of the Regulatory Council, which is a controlling and appellate body for the regulator, at the same time. The head of the council will be elected from its members, and subsequently appointed by the president.

The Regulatory Council will have six members, three of whom will be nominated by parliament and three by the government, SITA reported.

URSO will also have to prepare impact studies anytime it decides to change its price regulation. It will have to compare the proposed change with the current state, and also evaluate its impact on customers.

We want to prevent a situation where the government does not have information about the impact of new price regulations, Ziga explained, as quoted by SITA.

Moreover, the URSO head will have two deputies. Under the new rules, one of them will also have to sign new price decisions, otherwise they will not be valid.

Parliament is expected to discuss the amendment in a fast-track proceeding during the March session. The changes should become valid as of this June.
The Education Ministry presented a reform meant to guide change in the education sector for the next decade.

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The document presented on March 15, which deals with changes to pre-school education, teachers' work, regional and university education, and more, should be discussed for the next six weeks. Subsequently, it is slated to be submitted to the government and parliament.

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This document should serve as a longer-term vision meant to ensure that political representations pass specific measures, including financial coverage, geared towards the optimum future education of children and youth, said Education Minister Peter Plavcan (a nominee of the coalition party SNS). Plavcan wants to include both the community of experts as well as the public in the discussion on reform. After it is passed, the ministry will draft two-year action plans, the first one for the period 2018-2019 and slated to see its first measures come into effect as of September 1, 2018.

As one of reform architects, Milan Ftacnik explained for the TASR newswire that the reform aims to introduce the individualisation of education, with the ultimate goal of developing in each child his or her best potential, as well as changes to the student evaluation system, a streamlined preparation of future teachers, the introduction of teacher assistants to free up teachers from tasks not directly related to teaching and new accreditation of universities.

Authors of the reform also expect the government to meet its obligations stemming from its government programme, in which it had pledged to bring Slovakia to the level of the European average in terms of education financing by 2020.

Without an increased amount of financial resources, the targets proposed in the programme are unattainable, Ftacnik added, as cited by TASR.
Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak reacted to most recent accusation by a former ministry employee, retorting that nobody wittingly made a slip in conenction with the Slovak EU presidency.

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No public procurement took place because the size of the contract did not require it, said Lajcak on March 15 in response to the latest accusations levelled by Juraj Zelinka, a former ministry employee, concerning dubious purchases at the ministry during Slovakias presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2016.

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We were allowed by law to contact a single supplier directly, and we did just that, the minister said, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Given that we care about spending public funds prudently, however, we made an extra effort and  beyond what the law requires  surveyed the market by contacting two additional suppliers, said Lajcak.

By double-checking that the contract would not be overpriced, the ministry actually made things more difficult for itself, he indicated. Lajcak further asserted that the Slovak presidency was successful and earned the country much recognition abroad. He pledged his commitment to ensure that no questions will loom over the transparency and efficiency of spending.Thus, I have initiated an audit and today, the Supreme Audit Office, Anti-trust Office and the Public Procurement Office are operating at the ministry, FAM Lajcak stated.

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Were not concealing anything, we stick to the law, the minister said. I cannot speak on behalf of the 1,200 people working at the ministry, but Im sure that none of my colleagues put a foot wrong intentionally, much less violated the law. Lajcak also believes that the supervisory authorities will confirm that the ministry spent the funds effectively, adding that he feels sorry for all the people working there, who have worked fairly and dutifully on the Slovak presidency and whose work is now scandalised in this way.

His comments came after another former ministry employee, Juraj Zelinka, joined the ranks of Zuzana Hlavkova and Pavol Szalai, who back in November 2016 decried what they believe were shady purchases by the ministry.

Zelinka, who joined the ministry after Hlavkova and Szalai left in February 2016, stated that at a meeting in mid-April 2016 the ministry proposed fictitious market research supposedly aimed at assessing agencies to organise commercial spots. It would then approach three agencies concerning a contract. [They proposed] carrying out market research despite the fact that a specific agency had already been working on the [commercial] spots for several weeks, said the former employee. A company called Loco Agency, which belongs to director Peter Nunez, is supposed to be the agency concerned.
Learning Management Systems

Fourth Annual Schoology User Conference Scheduled for Chicago This July

Schoology, a learning management system for K12, higher education institutions and companies, is holding its fourth annual user conference, Schoology NEXT, this summer in Chicago. The conference equips Schoology LMS users with the skills and support needed to accelerate their school or institutional goals.

At Schoology NEXT, users will experience sessions in two types of formats: Traditional 45-minute lectures that feature one presenter or 75-minute interactive workshops where participants get to be co-explorers and work alongside the presenter.

The 2016 user conference had nearly 1,000 education leaders in attendance. Image Credit: Schoology.

Participants can select from the following four session tracks for the conference:

Visionary Leadership , an exploration of high-level concepts and strategies that help drive change across schools and universities with an overall goal to better understand digital-age learning. Topics covered include large-scale implementations, capacity building, professional development and change management.

, an exploration of high-level concepts and strategies that help drive change across schools and universities with an overall goal to better understand digital-age learning. Topics covered include large-scale implementations, capacity building, professional development and change management. Assessments, Data, and Informed Decision-Making , an investigation of the key concepts and best practices for using formative and summative assessments, aggregated data and analytics to inform important decisions. Topics covered include tracking and reporting student progress, data-driven instruction, and starting targeted institutional initiatives.

, an investigation of the key concepts and best practices for using formative and summative assessments, aggregated data and analytics to inform important decisions. Topics covered include tracking and reporting student progress, data-driven instruction, and starting targeted institutional initiatives. Innovative Instructional Practices , a journey led by master instructors who will share their discoveries and practices that have yielded notable results. Topics covered include blended learning stories and best practices, gamification, personalizing learning and global learning.

, a journey led by master instructors who will share their discoveries and practices that have yielded notable results. Topics covered include blended learning stories and best practices, gamification, personalizing learning and global learning. Inside Schoology, a behind-the-scenes look at Schoology led by the men and women who run the machine. Staff with expertise ranging from professional development to systems engineering will cover topics that include (but are not limited to) company best practices, training for newly launched features, as well as hands-on workshops with upcoming developments.

The 2016 conference had nearly 1,000 education leaders in attendance  technology directors, CTOs, CIOs, curriculum directors, K12 teachers, higher education faculty, deans, principals, superintendents and many others, a news release said.

Schoology NEXT will take place July 24-26 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. To find out more, visit the event web page.
By John O'Donnell and Padraic Halpin DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland has complained to the European Commission that it is being undercut by rival centres competing to host financial firms looking for a European Union base outside London after Brexit. Last week, U.S. insurer AIG became the biggest group so far to pick Luxembourg as its EU base, alarming Irish officials who fear others may follow after British Prime Minister Theresa May won the right to begin the potentially long process of separation from the EU. While the final terms for doing business with the EU from Britain are uncertain, finance executives say privately they expect Brexit to isolate London and want to establish bases inside the bloc from where they can access its single market, prompting them to look at Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and Luxembourg as alternatives. AIG said its move was driven by Luxembourg's proximity to its European clients and its role as a founder of the EU. "Other cities in Europe are being very aggressive in trying to win business," Eoghan Murphy, the minister in charge of promoting Dublin's financial centre, told Reuters, describing what he called "dangerous competition". "We have always said ... we would not be predatory ... that we are not interested in brass plating," he said, referring to the practice of setting up a token operation with a "brass plate" sign outside in order to gain market access. Although the EU wants to show a united front in divorce negotiations with Britain, the dispute over the division of Brexit spoils is already testing this. Murphy said he had raised concerns with Valdis Dombrovskis, one of the European Commission's most senior officials, about "creeping regulatory arbitrage", a reference to undercutting rivals with lax rules. Although banks face strict supervision under the European Central Bank in the euro zone, there is no similarly powerful regulator for insurers and other financial players, leaving decisions on factors such as the size of a local operation to individual countries. The European Commission declined to comment on the Irish complaint but one official, who asked not to be named, said it "will monitor any developments in this area closely". To view a graphic on banks' Brexit dilemma, click http://tmsnrt.rs/2njGna9 BACK DOOR OPENED With the final decision on moves out of London still months away, the rivalry has become increasingly hostile, with some Frankfurt lobbyists, for example, saying privately the Irish accent makes local English incomprehensible. Nevertheless, Dublin has received 80 enquiries, according to IDA Ireland, the state agency that attracts foreign investment, from banks to fund managers, while Ireland's central bank received five applications from insurers to set up. And while Murphy did not name Luxembourg, Irish officials said this was the centre that had triggered the concerns. "We are hearing from various sources that companies are being offered certain incentives," said Murphy. "That they are offering a back door to the single market, without the requirement to have capital to back up their entities in the European Union." Ireland's central bank, wary of the risks in finance after the country was almost bankrupted by a financial crash, is making higher demands, officials and consultants said. "Luxembourg do not appear to be requiring companies to set up substantial offices in order to establish an insurer," said one senior insurance executive, who is choosing between locations including Dublin and Luxembourg. Insurers hoped that this would be enough to access the EU single market and did not "want to commit to substantial cost", he added. This was disputed by a spokesman for Luxembourg's finance ministry who said: "Luxembourg is strongly committed to the highest standards in the supervision of the financial sector". The stakes are high for Ireland in particular, where the arrival of foreign banks will be an important economic boost. The country, whose economic rebound from near collapse has been held up by states like Germany as proof tough reforms can work, is now considered the EU economy most at risk from Brexit. "Dublin will expand," Kieran Donoghue, head of International Financial Services at IDA Ireland, said, adding that he expects companies to make their choice by the end of June. "Some investments will be significant and potentially transformative." However, a "hard Brexit" - in which Britain loses access to the EU's single market - would wipe more than 4 percent off total Irish exports, compared to 2.5 percent for Germany and just 0.6 percent for Luxembourg, an Irish government commissioned report showed. Such a hit for Ireland's export-focussed economy could knock around 3.5 percent off GDP within a decade, and cost around 40,000 jobs, the report said. Murphy's department set a target two years ago of adding 10,000 new financial services jobs by 2020 - a 30 percent jump - meaning that even if Ireland succeeds in winning business, it will only help offset the expected broader economic damage. "A number of companies have already committed to Dublin," Donoghue said. "The shortlist for several is between Dublin and one other centre." As decisions near, one consultant advising firms on the move said that the atmosphere had become "heated". "Ireland is No.1 or No.2 for most companies. But there is no point in being second." (Additional reporting by Carolyn Cohn in London; Writing By John O'Donnell; Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Aaron Maasho ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Police stopped people on Tuesday from entering the site of a landslide at an Ethiopian rubbish dump after bereaved families tussled with rescue workers there, blaming the government for a slow response to a disaster that killed 82 people this weekend. Relatives pushed and shoved the handful of emergency workers, angrily accusing them of delays and saying dozens of people were still missing after Saturday's landslide at the 50-year-old Reppi dump in the capital of Addis Ababa. "My nephew! My sister's son!" one elderly woman sobbed as she held aloft a picture inside one of several hastily erected funeral tents packed with mourners. After a run of deadly protests last year, authorities will be anxious to tamp down any sign of dissent that could become a catalyst for wider demonstrations. "Nobody is helping us. We are doing all the digging ourselves. It is shameful," Kaleab Tsegaye, a relative of one victim told Reuters. Earlier in the morning, relatives shoved workers away from the site. "Go back to where you came from! Stop pretending you are working!" one shouted. The situation seemed calmer in the afternoon but one police officer told Reuters that angry residents were still barring police from helping look for bodies. Dozens of police officers stood at the fringes of the dump. A police officer told Reuters 17 more bodies had been recovered on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 82 so far. "An overwhelming number are being buried without being identified," she said, declining to give her name. Hundreds of people live on the dump, the city's only landfill site, scavenging for food and items they can sell such as recyclable metal. The landslide destroyed 49 homes. On Monday, hundreds of people gathered at the scene, weeping and praying. Some accuse the government of negligence. Families bitterly complained they had been left to dig for the bodies of their loved ones by the light of their mobile phones. Ethiopia is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, but the drive to industrialise has also stoked discontent among those who feel left behind. In October, the government imposed a national state of emergency after more than 500 people were killed in protests in Oromiya region as anger over a development scheme sparked broader anti-government demonstrations. (Editing by Katharine Houreld and)
By Andrew Osborn MOSCOW (Reuters) - First, armed police seized some of its books. Next, its director was put on trial accused of stirring up ethnic hatred. And now, quietly, its shelves have been emptied and its volumes packed up, ready to be merged into another library's collection. A year and a half after Russia's only state-run Ukrainian language library, Moscow's Library of Ukrainian Literature, was dragged into a political dispute between the two countries, Reuters has learnt that authorities are quietly winding it down. Officially, what is happening to the library -- its 52,000 books are being transferred to Russia's main foreign language library -- is "a change of address" not a closure. But the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, some of the library's employees, and members of Russia's large Ukrainian diaspora say it is a closure in all but name. Tatyana Muntyan, a library employee, said that even before the transfer its director had reduced opening hours, stopped home lending, halted acquisitions, and made readers show passports to gain entry. The library's director declined to comment. The saga, along with other measures, suggests political differences between Moscow and Kiev are driving a wedge between two peoples whose cultures have been interwoven for centuries. It is likely to stoke Ukrainian fears that their culture, as well as their territorial integrity, is under siege. Moscow annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and Kiev accuses it of backing pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, an allegation the Kremlin denies. Russian officials have often cast doubt on Ukraine's status as a separate country, recalling much of it was once part of the Russian empire. Some Ukrainians say the library's fate is another example of their nationhood being undermined by Russia. "They want to prove that we are 'one people,'" wrote Vitaly Portnikov, a Ukrainian commentator for Radio Free Europe. "To do that, you need to destroy everything that constitutes the cultural uniqueness of the Ukrainian people. In such a situation why have a Ukrainian library in the centre of Moscow?" DAWN RAID, ARREST Estimates of the number of Ukrainians in Russia range from five to ten million, making them Russia's third-largest ethnic group. Since Moscow annexed Crimea, some Ukrainians say they feel insecure in Russia. A Ukrainian film director, Oleg Sentsov, is serving 20 years in jail for "terrorist attacks" in Crimea after what Amnesty International called "a show trial." Diplomatic ties between the two are, as one Ukrainian official put it, "almost zero". Ukraine warned its citizens in October against travelling to Russia, saying they were at risk following an increase in harassment and detentions by Russia's security services. The Ukrainian library's problems got serious in October 2015 when armed, masked police carried out a pre-dawn raid and arrested Natalya Sharina, then its director, confiscating books the authorities called illegal anti-Russian propaganda. One of the books, by Dmytro Korchinskiy, a Ukrainian nationalist author banned in Russia, was on a list of "extremist" literature. Library employees said at the time that investigators had planted extremist books to frame them. Investigators have declined to respond to that allegation. Sharina, 59, who denies wrongdoing, has been under house arrest since then, and is on trial in a Moscow court accused of inciting ethnic hatred by distributing literature one Russian expert certified as anti-Russian. Her successor has accused her of misappropriating funds too. Sharina denies that. Her legal team says the case against her is politically-motivated. Designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, she faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty. Other library staff say they have been cross-examined in the wider investigation, with some having their homes searched. There has so far been no official announcement of the library's closure, but Moscow city officials said in December they planned to give its collection to a new centre of Slavonic culture that will house books from 13 countries. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urged Russia not to go ahead, saying the library should be spared the "deliberate destruction of the only specialised state institution founded by the Ukrainian community". It had raised the issue with the Russian government, which had ignored the pleas. EMPTY SHELVES A Reuters reporter who visited the library, a sprawling green building, saw empty shelves, piles of boxes packed with books, and no readers. On the web site of the Moscow city government, which owns the library, its designation has been quietly changed. Once listed as a library, it is now in an amorphous "other" category. Employees say they tell readers there are no longer any books to read, they no longer offer Ukrainian language lessons, and that the library's contents are being transferred to the new centre elsewhere in Moscow. A spokeswoman for the Moscow city authorities said the most popular books were already available in their new home. Others would be transferred later. More readers went to the new library than frequented the Ukrainian library, she said. The Ukrainian library traces its history back to 1918 and has, in various incarnations, weathered a Stalin-era clamp down on Ukrainian literature and World War Two. The new cultural centre does not appear to have the space to display the Ukrainian library's 52,000 books and periodicals. It said in December it would only be able to hold 12,000 books. The library's current director, Natalya Vidineeva, who was brought in after her predecessor's arrest, told Reuters via a security guard she would not discuss the matter and referred questions to the Moscow city authorities. The Moscow city spokeswoman said "there was no political element" in what was happening to the library. "There is no intention to 'destroy' or 'kill something off," she said in emailed comments. "On the contrary, by transferring the books ... we are not only preserving the Library of Ukrainian Literature's books, but also believe it will facilitate the popularisation of the Ukrainian literary legacy." The Kremlin has declined to comment, but when asked about the Ukrainian library in December 2015, President Vladimir Putin said he knew nothing about its problems, but that it was important it should not "in any circumstances" be lost. "We're keen to find out what kind of new life the library can have without any books," said employee Tatyana Muntyan. "We come to work each day and don't know what awaits us." (Editing by Giles Elgood)
Japan izumo aircraft carrier helicopter JMSDF

REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan plans to dispatch its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea beginning in May, three sources said, in its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War Two.

China claims almost all the disputed waters and its growing military presence has fueled concern in Japan and the West, with the United States holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.

The Izumo helicopter carrier, commissioned only two years ago, will make stops in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka before joining the Malabar joint naval exercise with Indian and U.S. naval vessels in the Indian Ocean in July.

It will return to Japan in August, the sources said.

"The aim is to test the capability of the Izumo by sending it out on an extended mission," said one of the sources who have knowledge of the plan. "It will train with the U.S. Navy in the South China Sea," he added, asking not to be identified because he is not authorized to talk to the media.

A spokesman for Japan's Maritime Self Defense Force declined to comment.

Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the sea which has rich fishing grounds, oil and gas deposits and through which around $5 trillion of global sea-borne trade passes each year.

Japan does not have any claim to the waters, but has a separate maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea.

Japan wants to invite Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has pushed ties with China in recent months as he has criticized the old alliance with the United States, to visit the Izumo when it visits Subic Bay, about 100 km (62 miles) west of Manila, another of the sources said.

Asked during a news conference about his view on the warship visit, Duterte said, without elaborating, "I have invited all of them."

He added: "It is international passage, the South China Sea is not our territory, but it is part of our entitlement."

Story continues

On whether he would visit the warship at Subic Bay, Duterte said: "If I have time."

Japan's flag-flying operation comes as the United States under President Donald Trump appears to be taking a tougher line with China. Washington has criticized China's construction of man-made islands and a build-up of military facilities that it worries could be used to restrict free movement.

Beijing in January said it had "irrefutable" sovereignty over the disputed islands after the White House vowed to defend "international territories".

The 249 meter-long (816.93 ft) Izumo is as large as Japan's World War Two-era carriers and can operate up to nine helicopters. It resembles the amphibious assault carriers used by U.S. Marines, but lacks their well deck for launching landing craft and other vessels.

Japan in recent years, particularly under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has been stretching the limits of its post-war, pacifist constitution. It has designated the Izumo as a destroyer because the constitution forbids the acquisition of offensive weapons. The vessel, nonetheless, allows Japan to project military power well beyond its territory.

Based in Yokosuka, near to Tokyo, which is also home to the U.S. Seventh Fleet's carrier, the Ronald Reagan, the Izumo's primary mission is anti-submarine warfare.

(Additional reporting by Martin Petty in Manila; Editing by Nick Macfie)

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PA Democrat Re-Launches

Effort to Create Gun Registry

By Jenn Jacques. March 13th, 2017

Since he first took office in 2001, Pennsylvania State Representative Angel Cruz has made it a point to advocate for gun control. But some say his latest efforts show how desperate the movement is to cram infringements down gun owners' throats at the state level.

House Bill 610, also known as the Firearm Registration Act, aims to give the Pennsylvania State Police the right to maintain a registry of all guns and gun owners in a central database. .......

This is almost typical of some moves attempted by anti-gun legislators -- potentially in any state. Here we see almost ridiculous efforts to impose restrictions on legal gun ownership, which in essence are nothing more than pure ''gun control''. As most realize, gun registration databases are regarded as being precursors of confiscation.

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By Antonio De la Jara VINA DEL MAR, Chile (Reuters) - Peru's foreign minister called a proposal to suspend Venezuela from the Organization Of American States (OAS) "extreme" and said on Wednesday it likely would not have sufficient support of member states. Luis Almagro, secretary general of the OAS, said on Tuesday Venezuela should be suspended if it does not hold general elections as soon as possible. Venezuelan authorities last year blocked a referendum sought by the opposition to recall President Nicolas Maduro, and they have also delayed local elections where the ruling Socialists were expected to fare badly amid an economic crisis. "In principle such initiatives have to be taken by member states and the suspension approach is extreme," Peruvian Foreign Minister Ricardo Luna told Reuters on the sidelines of a meeting in the Chilean city of Vina del Mar. "If you add up the numbers there is not a majority, and the vote is by consensus," he said. Luna's comments do not bode well for Almagro's proposal. Under President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Peru has been one of Latin America's more vocal critics of Venezuela's government, expressing concern about an erosion of democracy and economic problems. Two-thirds of the 34 countries in the OAS General Assembly would have to vote in favor of Venezuela's suspension for it to take effect. Almagro has been studying a potential expulsion of Venezuela since last year. The OAS suspended communist-ruled Cuba from 1962 to 2009. Havana has still not returned, given its view - like Venezuela - that the body is servile to Washington. Venezuela's foreign minister, Delcy Rodriguez, lashed out at Almagro at a news conference on Wednesday, calling him a pawn of "imperialism." "Luis Almagro is a moral and ethical midget," she said. Mexico, another OAS member, is holding a meeting to analyze Almagro's proposal, Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told Reuters in Chile. Even as Caracas loses allies in South America after Peru, Argentina and Brazil elected right-leaning leaders recently, it still has stalwart allies among the leftist ALBA bloc and can count on sympathy from small Caribbean states that have benefited from cheap Venezuelan oil in the past. The region is still divided over how to deal with Venezuela, said Teneo Intelligence in a report on Wednesday. The OAS is still seen as a tool of U.S. diplomacy by some in the region, and U.S. policy toward Venezuela does not necessarily play well in Latin America, particularly at a time when U.S. policy toward Mexico threatens to create region-wide rifts, Teneo Intelligence said. (Additional reporting by Andrew Cawthorne in Caracas; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Samia Nakhoul (Reuters) - Six years since the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, he is winning on the battlefield but Syria's civil war is far from over, with his once stable country broken into fiefdoms ruled by rebels and warlords. While few non-partisan observers think the conflict will end soon, fewer still believe Assad can retake the whole country. But since all outside players now seem to have adjusted to his staying, no one expects a peace deal either. Many foresee, at best, a ceasefire observed much of the time over much of a territory that will be effectively partitioned between competing forces. During five years of stuttering negotiations between the government and the opposition, brokered by the United Nations, the United States and Russia, and more recently by Russia and Turkey, the sticking point has been whether Assad would go. Now, the starting point is that he will stay. We have to be realistic  hes not leaving, says Robert Ford, a former American ambassador to Damascus who resigned in frustration at President Barack Obamas indecision on Syria and remains in contact with many of the conflicts protagonists. After Aleppo, there is no chance" of dislodging Assad, Ford added. "That's the result of the military victory they won." It started six years ago with protests across Syria, mainly among the country's majority Sunni Muslims, against Assad and his family's 40-year rule built around the minority Alawite community, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. In March 2011, "Arab Spring" protests sweeping the region had already dislodged autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt, and would later claim the long-term rulers of Libya and Yemen, two other countries still embroiled in civil wars six years on. Assad responded to Syria's protests with unconstrained violence, turning the uprising into a war to the death. Western leaders including Obama predicted Assad would quickly fall. But he hung on, using the resources of the state and backing from Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah Shi'ite militia to fight rebels funded by Arab states to a stalemate. A year and a half ago, Russia joined the war on his side, tipping the balance in his favor. Today an estimated half a million people have been killed, half the population has been uprooted in the world's biggest refugee crisis, and the war has set new standards of savagery in its impact on civilians. Most of the world's major powers and regional states have backed proxy forces in a complicated multi-sided conflict, while the Islamic State jihadist group, at war with everyone else, declared a caliphate straddling the border with Iraq. Anti-Assad rebels, split between nationalists and Islamists, are splintered and abandoned by their half-hearted patrons. International actors - Russia, Iran, the United States and Turkey - crowd an ever more confusing battlefield. And Assad is still there, proclaiming he will reconquer every inch of a devastated country shattered into ruins. RESEMBLING LEBANON AND IRAQ Since Russia stormed into Syria 18 months ago, Assad has surged from the verge of a collapse among his depleted loyalist forces to a formidable position of military strength. His recapture in December of the rebel enclave in Aleppo, their last urban stronghold, was a major turning point in the war and left the insurgents bottled up in rural Idlib province and battling each other. Syria now faces a situation that could resemble neighboring Lebanon at several stages of its 1975-90 civil war, when it was carved into fiefdoms by competing militias, with long lulls in fighting punctuated by violent cataclysms. It could also share some traits with Iraq after the first Gulf War, which left its former ruler Saddam Hussein in power for more than a decade as a global pariah, with his legitimacy in question and his economy strangled by sanctions. Andrew Tabler, a Syria specialist at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think-tank, does not see anyone, much less Assad's allies Russia or Iran, ordering the president out, although he can still imagine a violent end for Assad. I dont see Russia or Iran asking him to step down, but we do have to prepare for an eventuality in this volatile environment that Assad may be targeted for assassination because of how much of a barrier he is to a settlement - him personally." Assad himself, asked in an interview if he had thought about leaving Syria, said: Never. After six years, the most difficult time has passed, which was in 2012-13. Those times we never thought about (leaving), how could I think about it now?" For the former ambassador Ford, who once saw Assad's demise as inevitable, the flip side of him now seeming impregnable is that his opponents can never accept his continued rule. Among the millions of Syrian refugees and internally displaced, many cannot return to homes in areas they see as subject to the tyranny of rule by Assad's secret police, which the opposition blames for hundreds of thousands of deaths. CONVERGING INTERESTS Nevertheless, an emerging international consensus in practice favors pro-Assad forces, illustrated by events around the northern town of Manbij this month, when Washington sent its first openly acknowledged regular ground troops. The small U.S. force was sent to separate Kurdish fighters Washington has supported from rival Arab rebels backed by Turkey near the town. By blocking any advance of the rebels, the U.S. move was seen as a tacit endorsement of the presence of Assad's Russian-backed forces in the area. The Americans are cooperating with the Russians in a way that is going to help complete the regimes victory in Syria," says Eugene Rogan, professor of modern Middle Eastern history at the University of Oxford, of the U.S. moves in Manbij. Syria watchers say a patchy ceasefire in place now - brokered by Russia and Turkey - could be consolidated. But they believe Assad will eventually try to annihilate the rebel forces pushed into rural Idlib, one village at a time. Yet Assad and his patrons will always face the constraint of limited manpower, which stretches his forces ever thinner the more territory he regains and makes his troops more exposed to attacks by opposition groups and jihadis of Islamic State. Recent deadly attacks inside government-held cities, on a military intelligence headquarters in Homs and on Iraqi Shiite pilgrims in Damascus, underline the threat, which Assad's refusal to compromise could magnify. If youre Iran and Russia and you know Assad's manpower limitations and political rigidity you have a problem," says Tabler. You have to cut a deal so that Iran and Russia dont have to surge troops into Syria, which is their dilemma." Ford, after informal recent discussions with Russian experts familiar with Moscow's policy, says the Russians believe the Syrian army is exhausted and that it would be difficult for Assad to recapture all of the country. Since Assad cannot hope to run Syria with the iron centralized control he once exercised, there needs to be decentralization, Ford said, noting that Moscow had proposed a less-centralized constitution but Assad had rejected it. That leaves the likely outcome continued de facto partition of Syria, even if Assad continues to make incremental gains. The only way to avoid partition, without a peace agreement, is for the Syrian government to recapture the whole country and that could take years," says Ford. Boundaries are fluid, but at present Assad and his allies will probably keep control of the main population centers, from Aleppo in the north to Deraa in the south, including the coast and the capital, Damascus. Many of the millions of people who fled those areas are unlikely to return soon. Turkey and a rebel force that it backs hold a pocket in the far north, while other rebels retain their big enclave in Idlib and west of Aleppo. The Syrian Kurds control areas in the northeast and northwest. The next year will probably see an attempt to push Islamic State from Raqqa, its citadel on the Euphrates river in northeast Syria. The United States seems intent on relying on Kurdish fighters for that assault, to the chagrin of Turkey which views the main Syrian Kurdish force as enemies. Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, said Assad's continued rule was increasingly - if tacitly - accepted by the forces that have called for his downfall. But Landis and others conclude that even if the West and Syrias neighbors accepted Assads partial reoccupation of the country, it would not mean the international community would embrace him, much less help pay for Syrias reconstruction. The entire western world hates Assad and theyre going to squeeze him economically," Landis said. Hes not going to be reintegrated, hes going to be like Iraq used to be under Saddam Hussein." (Additional reporting by Tom Perry; Editing by Angus McDowall and Peter Graff)
Spain's Bankia logo is seen inside bank's headquarters before a news conference to present their annual results in Madrid, Spain, January 30, 2017. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's bank bailout fund told nationalised lenders Bankia (BKIA.MC) and Banco Mare Nostrum (BMN) on Wednesday to begin a merger process which it said was best option to recover public aid pumped in to the struggling banks.

Both banks were badly hit by Spain's economic crisis after the property market crash, which began in 2007, and were bailed out with almost 24 billion euros (20.85 billion pounds) of public money in 2013.

Of that, more than 22 billion euros was poured into Bankia, which lost more than 19 billion euros in 2012 due to soured real estate holdings, and over 1.6 billion euros into BMN.

"Based on analysis and studies by AFI and Societe Generale, the merger of Bankia and BMN is the best strategy to optimise the recovery of public aid," the bailout fund, the Frob, said.

The merger of the two lenders would bring Spanish coffers 401 million euros more than the individual sale of each bank, the Frob said.

The fund said studies have valued the state's 65 percent stake in BMN at 690 million euros ($733.1 million). The Spanish government also holds a 65.5 percent stake in Bankia.

The Frob has conducted a study over the last few months in to the best route to take on the two banks and recently attempted to sell BMN, although it only received interest from a single bidder.

The government passed a law in December giving it until the end of 2019 to privatise Bankia and a year more for BMN.

In separate statements, both banks said they would look at the proposal though the final decision to begin the merger must be taken by their respective boards.

Shares in Bankia opened up 0.9 percent at 1 euro per share on Wednesday.

($1 = 0.9404 euros)

(This version of the story has been refiled to fix spelling of BMN in headline)

(Reporting by Jose Elias Rodriguez; Writing by Paul Day)
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Aukkarapon Niyomyat BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai activist who made fun of one of junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha's ballads on Facebook was charged on Tuesday with cyber crime for publishing material critical of the government. Veera Somkwamkid was charged with "importing false computer data" for a post saying most Thais lacked confidence in the military government, which took power in a 2014 coup in the name of ending more than a decade of political unrest. Veera's post had been based on a tongue-in-cheek survey he carried out online as to which of the promises in the junta theme song "Returning Happiness to Thailand" had been kept. Pledges in the stirring song, penned by Prime Minister Prayuth, include: "We'll do as promised", "We won't need long", "The beautiful land will return", "We will be honest" and "We would like to return happiness to you all". Most participants in the survey said "None of the Above". Veera, chairman of the People's Rights and Liberty Protection Group, denied all charges. He could face up to three years in jail, but was released on bail. His post was in response to a series of polls by Thai survey institutions that showed strong support for the military government, Veera said. "I insist that my post was published according to my rights and liberty to ask people's opinion," he told reporters after hearing his charge at a cyber police division. Prayuth has written several ballads since taking power. Filled with emotion, they get frequent play on state radio and are sung by an army chorister rather than the prime minister himself. The government has made increasing use of cyber laws against critics. "The government should be more open," said Weerawat Somnuek, of Thai legal watchdog group iLaw. "They should start allowing people to say more and start listening to people." Thailand was asked to address several rights issues in U.N. review sessions in Geneva this week. Rights groups said the delegation failed to show genuine commitment. (Additional reporting and writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Clarence Fernandez)
By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda acknowledged on Wednesday that its security forces killed more than 100 people in an assault on a tribal leader's palace last year, revising the death toll upwards by dozens, but denied a rights group's accusation that children were among the dead. Security forces killed scores of people in November when they stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, a tribal leader of the Bakonzo people, who was later accused of leading a secessionist movement. The palace was torched and Mumbere was detained along with dozens of his guards. He and some of the guards have since been charged with treason, murder, terrorism and other offences, which they deny. He is free on bail. Officials had previously said 62 people died in the assault. Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said on Wednesday 103 people had been killed. However he denied the findings of a new report by Human Rights Watch that the death toll was even higher, at least 155, including 15 children between the ages of 3 and 14. "Human Rights Watch found evidence, including accounts by confidential sources and medical personnel who witnessed the events, that security officials had misrepresented the number of people killed and eliminated evidence of the childrens deaths," said the report, released earlier on Wednesday by the New York-based watchdog. The children were last seen in the palace compound, according to their families, the report said. The accounts of violence worse than previously reported could raise concern among Uganda's Western allies. The United States and Britain help fund Ugandan security forces and see the country as a reliable bulwark against militant Islam in East Africa despite frequent complaints of abuses by state forces. In a statement responding to the Human Rights Watch report, Opondo denied children were killed. "There is no evidence to back this falsehood," he said. The population of the area near the palace, in the foothills of Mt Rwenzori in western Uganda, favours the opposition. Uganda's veteran leader, President Yoweri Museveni, lost to his rival Kizza Besigye there in the last polls in February 2016. Museveni, 72, has been in power for more than three decades. His critics accuse his government of deliberately stoking violence in the region as retribution for its residents' rejection of the ruling party, a charge the government denies. A group of Ugandan legislators have petitioned the Hague-based International Criminal Court to investigate the violence. One lawmaker accused the security forces of committing "crimes against humanity." Opondo ruled out an international investigation since the attack is the subject of an ongoing criminal trial. (This version of the story corrects spelling of first name of military spokesman) (Editing by Katharine Houreld and Peter Graff)
ANKARA, Turkey  Turkey has criticized the European Union for siding with the Netherlands in a diplomatic dispute over Turkish ministers campaign plans in the country.

In a statement Tuesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the EUs stance on Turkey was short-sighted and carried no value for Turkey, as well as lending credence to extremists.

The spat has raised concerns that co-operation between the EU and Turkey on a number of issues, such as dealing with the flow of migrants from war-torn Syria, may start to fray.

The ministry argued that the European bloc had ignored the (Netherlands) violation of diplomatic conventions and the law after Dutch authorities escorted the Turkish family affairs minister out of the country and denied the foreign minister permission to land.

The two ministers had sought to campaign and court the votes of Turks in the Netherlands that are eligible to vote in an April 16 referendum on expanding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans powers. Around 400,000 people with ties to Turkey live in the Netherlands.

The diplomatic spat between the two countries escalated swiftly with Erdogan making several Nazi comparisons with EU member states Germany and the Netherlands. The EU has called on Turkey to cease excessive statements.

On Monday, Turkey slapped a series of political sanctions against the Netherlands, including halting political discussions between the two countries and closing Turkish airspace to Dutch diplomats. Other sanctions bar the Dutch ambassador entry back into Turkey and advise parliament to withdraw from a Dutch-Turkish friendship group.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said the sanctions would apply until the Netherlands takes steps to redress the actions that Ankara sees as a grave insult.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also backed the Netherlands in its diplomatic fight with Turkey, pledging her full support and solidarity with the Dutch and saying the Nazi gibes were unacceptable.

Erdogan responded angrily to Merkels support for the Netherlands, exclaiming Shame on you! during a television interview on Monday.

Merkel has refrained from reacting to Erdogan.

The chancellor has no intention of participating in the race of provocations, Merkels spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said late Monday. She wont play along. The accusations are recognizably absurd.

Also Monday, the German Foreign Ministry amended its travel advice for Turkey, noting that elevated political tensions and protests that could also be directed against Germany should be expected during the referendum campaign. It recommended that travelers stay away from political events and large gatherings of people.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Rotterdam said that specialized armed security forces he sent to a standoff with Turkish Family Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya on Saturday night had permission to open fire if necessary.

Speaking late Monday night on a television talk show, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said he sent the special armed intervention unit to the Turkish consulate amid fears that a 12-man security detail that had driven to the Netherlands from Germany with the minister could be armed.

Aboutaleb said on the Nieuwsuur show that it was important to be sure that if it came to a confrontation that we would be the boss and that the unit had been given permission to shoot.

The Turkish minister was eventually escorted out of the Netherlands in the early hours of Sunday.

Earlier, the Dutch also had refused Turkeys foreign minister permission to visit. Both ministers wanted to address rallies about next months constitutional reform referendum on giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more power.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte repeated Tuesday, on the last day of campaigning for Dutch elections that have been overshadowed by the diplomatic crisis that Dutch authorities are working to de-escalate tensions with Ankara.

__

Associated Press writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands, contributed.
When President Donald Trump told an interviewer last month that former president Barack Obama had warned him of a grave military problem from a certain place, there was little doubt that the place was North Korea.

And that was before the military dictatorship launched missiles in a perceived challenge to the new Trump administration or allegedly ordered a bizarre assassination in a busy international airport.

The threat from North Korea  nuclear-armed, impoverished and deeply suspicious of a potential U.S. attack  is the centerpiece of Secretary of State Rex Tillersons visit to Asia beginning Wednesday. It was also the main topic for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Asia trip last month  his first as the Pentagon chief.

The top State Department diplomat for Asia, acting assistant secretary Susan Thornton, told reporters Monday that Tillerson would discuss and coordinate strategy to address the advancing nuclear missile threat from North Korea.

In Japan and South Korea, that means reassuring U.S. allies most at risk from an unprovoked North Korean attack. In China, which is Tillersons last stop, it means leaning on the Norths protector and only ally to use its economic power to choke Pyongyangs missile development.

The No. 1 issue will be North Korea just because its so present for each of the countries Tillerson will visit, said Victor Cha, a former top adviser on Asia under President George W. Bush.

Among the key issues related to North Korea will be a restatement of U.S. commitment to defend Japan and South Korea after Trumps seemingly offhand suggestions during the presidential campaign that the United States could save money by having those allies develop their own nuclear weapons.

We remain very concerned about the aggressive posture of the Kim Jong Un regime, said Tamaki Tsukada, spokesman for the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

We welcome the U.S. announcement that all options are on the table. The recent provocations from North Korea show we cannot be complacent or have a business-as-usual scenario. We need to consider a new mode.

Ongoing annual U.S.-South Korean military exercises and deployment starting this month of a U.S. missile shield in South Korea will be the backdrop for Tillersons assurances. China strongly opposes the system, known as THAAD, as well as the joint military exercises. The United States has dismissed what U.S. officials suggested was an unserious Chinese proposal to do away with the exercises in exchange for North Korea suspending missile tests.

The potential for conflict with North Korea appears higher than in recent years as the dynastic regime edges closer to the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon to U.S. shores and confronts a new U.S. administration it perceives as antagonistic.

The United States has set a red line against a North Korean inter-continental ballistic missile but has not said exactly what the consequences would be for a program Pyongyang has trumpeted as a national achievement.

North Korea wont be the only topic, of course, especially in China, where Tillerson is charged with calming ruffled feathers from Trumps repeated assertions during the campaign that China was cheating the United States on trade and stealing its jobs.

Trump compounded Chinese anger by breaking decades of diplomatic protocol when he spoke directly to Taiwans elected leader. The December telephone conversation cast doubt on the incoming U.S. administrations commitment to the one-China policy that is a bedrock of wary but mostly stable U.S.-Chinese relations. Trump and his aides have been backpedaling ever since, but it will fall to Tillerson to make the first high-level U.S. assurances in Beijing and set the tone for an expected visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States next month.

The Trump administration has junked the Obama-era diplomatic catchphrases pivot to Asia or rebalance to Asia but not the diplomatic and security imperatives that drove that policy, Asia experts said.

It seems clear that when it comes to foreign policy, the Trump administration wants to make Asia first, said Harry Kazianis, an Asia security specialist at the Center for the National Interest. This is an administration that has been very clear since Day One that a tougher line on China was going to be a key part of their Asia strategy, including on trade, he said.

Asian nations will be watching Tillersons engagement closely for clues to the new administrations next moves on Asian trade policy after Trump, as promised, walked away from Obamas signature Trans-Pacific Partnership omnibus trade package. Japan, especially, was rattled by the collapse of the TPP.

The United States is expected to seek new bilateral trade deals with some of the Asian nations that were party to the TPP, as well as outside Asia.

Tillerson made an unusual and perhaps unprecedented decision to travel without a complement of State Department reporters on this first extensive solo trip. Past secretaries of state have used a big marquee trip early in their tenures to underscore U.S. commitment to a region, set out new positions or reset relations after periods of suspicion or animosity, and to ensure that the U.S. message is heard both overseas and at home.

Tillersons deliberate choice means that seasoned American diplomatic reporters cannot cover all of his engagements, even if they travel independently. It could also undermine U.S. statements about press freedoms and government accountability around the world and step back from U.S. insistence that Chinese officials face and take questions from visiting American reporters.

This is the secretarys decision, to travel with a smaller footprint, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tuesday.
Mike and Jesse are adding interesting stuff to the blog in our spare time, so pardon the miscellany and lack of any organization.



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SANTA FE  Over the past two years, Gov. Susana Martinez has vetoed three bills that would have authorized the growing of industrial hemp in New Mexico.

But state lawmakers are ready to try again, just three days after her last hemp veto.

A compromise proposal offered by a bipartisan group of lawmakers would allow the state Agriculture Department to oversee the growing of industrial hemp for research and development.

Its strikingly similar to an earlier version, but Republican Rep. Rick Little of Chaparral said the sponsors made minor changes aimed at assuring the governor the bill wont conflict with federal law.

Supporters of the bill said hemp is a drought-tolerant plant often imported from Canada, but New Mexico has the potential to produce and sell it.

This is economic development for New Mexico, said Rep. Bealquin Bill Gomez, D-La Mesa.

Gomez is a co-sponsor of House Bill 530, along with Little; Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque; and House Minority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque.

The bill won approval 65-1 in the state House late Tuesday and now heads to the Senate.

Similar measures have already won approval in both chambers, only to be rejected by Gov. Martinez, who says hemp could interfere with law-enforcement efforts to address marijuana.

Hemp is related to marijuana, but with low levels of the chemical that can make someone high.

Supporters say authorizing hemp would create agricultural jobs in New Mexico. It can be used to make clothes, animal food and other products.

Maestas said the growing of hemp could some day rival the economic benefits of chile-growing.

Within 10 to 20 years, he said, hemp will be our second biggest cash crop.

A 2014 federal law allows universities and state departments of agriculture to begin cultivating industrial hemp for limited purposes.

Other action

In other action late Tuesday, the state House overwhelmingly backed a bill that de-emphasizes the prosecution of minor crimes, such as jaywalking and littering.

The sponsor, Democratic Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas of Albuquerque, said the bill would free up law enforcement and legal resources for more serious cases.

It won approval 64-1 and now heads to the Senate.
Recognizing that a representative government is dependent upon an informed electorate, the intent of the Legislature in enacting the Inspection of Public Records Act is to ensure, and it is declared to be the public policy of this state, that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees. It is the further intent of the Legislature, and it is declared to be the public policy of this state, that to provide persons with such information is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of public officers and employees.

 From New Mexicos Inspection of Public Records Act

The week of March 12-18 is Sunshine Week, a time when the media and open government advocates throughout the country take stock of battles won and lost in the fight for government transparency.

In this state, the New Mexico Press Association, its member newspapers, and the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government are often on the front lines of these battles, fighting for more openness. These fights are about keeping government accountable to you, the citizens. And they are about keeping democracy alive.

New Mexico has two strong sunshine laws. The Inspection of Public Records Act makes it clear that most records maintained by state and local government agencies are public and must be made available to anyone who asks to see them. The law does specify some records that are off limits to the public, but those exceptions are few and far between. Then theres the Open Meetings Act, which requires that city councils, school boards and other state and local governing bodies conduct their business in open meetings. Again, governing boards can go behind closed doors to discuss certain matters, but even then, all final decisions must be made during an open meeting.

Journalists use these laws regularly to access information. But New Mexicos sunshine laws were enacted to give everyone the opportunity to keep tabs on what their government is doing.

There have been attempts over the years to scale back our public records law.

Indeed, lawmakers in Santa Fe are considering several measures that, if enacted, would exempt certain records from public disclosure.

One proposal, Senate Bill 93, would allow government agencies to keep the names and applications of people applying for public jobs confidential. Both the Press Association and FOG oppose that legislation. Injecting secrecy into the government hiring process is a bad idea because it eliminates the ability for journalists and members of the public to verify that the person hired for a taxpayer-funded position was the best candidate. Fortunately, that legislation was tabled by the Senate Public Affairs Committee and doesnt appear to be gaining traction.

The Legislature is considering several other bills that would restrict public access to records. We urge lawmakers to vote for transparency when those issues come up.

Finally, we cant allow Sunshine Week to pass without mentioning our states judiciary, which has taken a major step forward in the transparency arena.

The Supreme Court approved a proposal in January to give news reporters and others secure online access to court records. This is part of the high courts effort to provide online access to court records to the public at large, although moving forward with that plan will require funding for redaction software to safeguard personal identifying information like Social Security numbers.

We applaud the Supreme Court for embracing transparency.

Founded in 1888, the New Mexico Press Association exists to improve the quality of member newspapers, encourage high journalistic standards, promote journalism education and will seek to protect the rights of Free Speech for its members as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America.
WASHINGTON  President Trump, during the campaign, said he gets military advice from the shows.

He wasnt kidding. Now, as leader of the free world, he gets up in the morning and, long before receiving his intelligence briefing, he flips on cable news and starts tweeting. His comments are in the style of a guy in a La-Z-Boy shouting at the TV, except the guy in the La-Z-Boy has 26 million Twitter followers and controls a nuclear arsenal that could destroy the world.

Fox News morning show flashes a graphic alleging 122 released Gitmo prisoners re-engaged in terrorism. Within an hour, Trump tweets from the White House: 122 vicious prisoners, released by the Obama administration from Gitmo, have returned to the battlefield. Just another terrible decision! (As The Washington Posts Jenna Johnson pointed out, 113 of the 122 were released during the George W. Bush administration.)

A Fox & Friends host calls for Trump to block federal funding to universities that try to silence conservative voices, after violent protests at the University of California at Berkeley over a speech by conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos. Half an hour later, Trump tweets: If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view  NO FEDERAL FUNDS?

Fox News OReilly Factor cites Chicago crime statistics. An hour later, Trump tweets the same stats: If Chicago doesnt fix the horrible carnage going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds!

Fox News labels Chelsea Manning an ungrateful traitor who called President Barack Obama a weak leader. Fourteen minutes later, CNNs Brian Stelter notes, Trump tweets: Ungrateful TRAITOR Chelsea Manning, who should never have been released from prison, is now calling President Obama a weak leader. Terrible!

Fox News Tucker Carlson airs a report alleging that Sweden has been trying to cover up an outburst of violence caused by Muslim immigrants. The next day, Trump tells a crowd in Florida: You look at whats happening last night in Sweden. Sweden? Who would believe this?

Swedes have no idea what Trump is talking about; an international incident ensues.

Trumps virtual shouts at the television arent limited to Fox News (NBC, MSNBC and CNN have fired him up, too), and they have been about everything from Russia to Obamacare to flag burning. Clearly we are not going to get Trump to turn off the idiot box and do his homework. But perhaps somebody could change the channel in the residence?

With some guidance from Hank Stuever, the Posts TV critic, I searched for shows that might prove useful distractions for Trump.

Instead of dire warnings of terrorist threats, he could tweet about Showtimes Homeland: Ungrateful TRAITOR Carrie Mathison, whose law firm helps Radical Islamic Terrorists, has daughter taken away. We are already winning again, America!

He could channel personal animosity not at Democrats but at contestants of Discoverys Naked and Afraid: CHOKER Jason, highly overrated with 6.8 PSR, drops out on Day 11 because of parasites. Weak! Too much pixelation covering Lacey. Sad.

His unnerving rants about crime and violence could find an outlet in recent actions on CMTs Nashville: Rayna escapes knife attack but then killed after car crash. Carnage stops right now!

He might direct his conspiracy theories about rigged elections into demanding an investigation into how crooked Blake Shelton won five of 11 seasons on The Voice. His curious fondness for Russia could find a healthy outlet by watching FXs The Americans; everybody roots for Russian spies Philip and Elizabeth. And he could work through his issues with women and minorities by focusing them on HBOs Girls: Shocker! Total zero Lena Dunham gets pregnant by the foreign Muslim, Riz Ahmed.

And  who knows?  maybe watching the Weather Channel now and then might get him to reconsider climate change: Winter Storm Reggie coming followed by 2 more storms  and 49 Midwest tornadoes. I INHERITED A MESS!

Who wouldnt retweet that?
WASHINGTON  In its zeal to repeal, the U.S. House of Representatives recently voted to overturn a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule forbidding the baiting, trapping and denning of bears and wolves in Alaskas national wildlife refuges.

The Senate is poised to consider the resolution as soon as next week.

Distilled to its essence, Alaskas politicians want to reduce bear and wolf populations so hunters will have more moose and caribou to kill. Alaskas full congressional delegation  Rep. Don Young and Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (all Republicans)  is behind the push.

Arguing for passage of H.J. Res. 69, Young told of entering wolf dens and killing mother and pups back when he worked as a bounty hunter of predators. Presumably, this was intended to impress his fellow legislators, as are his office walls, which are bedecked with animal trophies.

This isnt an anti-hunting column. Im on record supporting humane hunting for food, and I recognize that without hunters, many of whom are ardent conservationists, many wetlands would have been drained for commercial development. This is a plea for common sense, compassion and conservation. What are wildlife refuges, after all, if not refuges for wildlife?

The underlying so-called principle behind the resolution is the GOPs promise to reduce job-killing regulations. While zealous regulation has led to some corporate outsourcing  and responsible tweaks can be made here and there  not one job is protected nor one dime saved by overturning the wildlife agencys rule.

One could even argue that Youngs move is anti-business. Alaskas greatest resource second only to oil is tourism. People go to Alaska to hunt but also to visit the parks and see the animals. Watching animals, in fact, brings Alaska more tourism dollars than hunting does, according to Alaskas Department of Fish and Game.

The sheer savagery of what would become lawful if the Senate falls prey to its companion resolution (S.J. Res. 18) should give pause to anyone with a heartbeat.

Hunters could scout grizzlies from the air and then be deposited on the ground to kill them. (Aerial shooting is still forbidden.) They could hunt wolves during denning season, either shooting a mother wolf, thus dooming her babies, or entering the den and killing all, frequently with gas. Hunters could also bait, trap or snare, causing an agonizing death usually exacerbated by freezing temperatures. The traps are steel-jawed. A snare is a wire that wraps around an animals neck, then tightens as it pulls away.

These enhanced methods would target animals at their most vulnerable, in other words, and cause maximum suffering for no tenable reason. Moreover, artificially reducing the number of predators winnows down diversity essential to a healthy ecosystem, which can lead to unintended and disastrous consequences.

Of hunters, one must ask: Where is the sportsmanship in all of this? To Young and his like-minded colleagues, such a query is beside the point. Ultimately, they say, this is a states rights issue. There it is, the love Republicans cant quit. In fact, no law grants state land managers authority to overrule federal land managers decisions related to federal land  for good reason.

Without the National Park Service, we might have had mining in the Grand Canyon, noted Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States (where my son works), in a telephone interview. Without federal protections, whats to stop Wyoming from authorizing hunting grizzlies in Yellowstone?

States rights simply dont apply when you have a federal category of lands authorized by Congress, he said. This is really our Serengeti.

As a humane matter, theres no defending House Joint Resolution 69. As a regulatory issue, it defies logic. As an economic concern, protecting wildlife from cruel hunting practices makes sense.

Senators should vote to leave the protective rule in place  not only to protect our wildlife from politicians predatory practices but also to reassure Americans that the chamber still has a conscience.
LAS CRUCES  Nayeli remembers crossing the border as an 8-year-old girl: She and her mother boarded an inflatable raft that ferried people back and forth beneath the international bridge in downtown El Paso.

Above, the official port of entry for people with visas. Below, the unofficial entry point for those without.

It was 1991, and the illegal ferry traffic in broad daylight between the concrete banks of the canal dividing El Paso from Ciudad Juarez was so prevalent, so tolerated, that to a young girl it didnt seem illegal at all. A Border Patrol spokesman told the Journal the illegal raft rides used to cost 50 cents one way.

Nayelis mother, Ana Maria, intended for the two of them to visit family in New Mexico and then head back to her home and husband in central Mexico.

Circumstances intervened. Ana Maria discovered she was pregnant; she stayed on. Her daughter was born with a cleft palate and needed medical care. She stayed longer. Her husband decided to join his family. He crossed legally with a visa, then overstayed it.

Today, the familys story adds up to a complicated web of unresolved immigration statuses in which, except for the U.S.-born generation, no two situations are alike.

Politicians speak of the nations estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants, but that term breeds the misconception that immigrants are here either legally or illegally, when immigration status is rarely black-and-white.

Many immigrant families, especially in New Mexicos border region, live in a gray zone in which relatives have each applied under different circumstances to bring their status into compliance. Nationwide, from 2009 to 2013, 4.1 million U.S. citizen children were living with an unauthorized immigrant parent, according to Pew Research.

But while they wait for the U.S. government to respond to their petitions, Nayeli said, she, her mother and father could all be at risk of deportation under President Donald Trumps expanded immigration enforcement policies. The Department of Homeland Security says its targeting criminals but defines that category to include not just people convicted of violent crimes but also anyone who has ever broken or is suspected of breaking any law.

Crossing the border illegally is a federal crime; so is working with false documents.

On the February morning that reports began circulating of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, Nayelis phone started ringing. It was members of a close-knit group of undocumented immigrants, their relatives and allies in southern New Mexico and West Texas called the Border Network for Human Rights.

She was home from her job as caregiver for elders, and a member of the network wanted to know: Could she document the operation that was happening at a trailer park not far from her home? Nayeli said, Yes.

I have always taught my kids not to live in fear, Nayeli said. I have learned how to defend myself extremely well. If I get taken in, its only going to speed up my process to see the judge.

Nayeli, now a 33-year-old mother of three U.S. citizen children  ages 14, 11 and 6  has been waiting two years for an immigration judge to hear her case. She has applied for legal permanent residency through a provision of the Violence Against Women Act.

There is no telling how long the wait will be; the backlog of cases in the nations immigration courts recently topped 534,000, and waits to see a judge have stretched into years.

Nayelis mother and father are seeking legal status through their now 22-year-old second daughter, a U.S. citizen who also has power of attorney over Nayelis children. If Nayeli is arrested, her childrens schools and doctors know her sister. Her mother, who speaks little English, knows exactly what to do if she is the one who is arrested.

My mom knows to call her daughter, Nayeli said. She knows she has to have certain information  what agency picked her up, where they are taking her; she knows not to sign anything.

For my family, its been a plan thats been happening for many years, she said. Since my sister turned 18, she has been able to make any legal decisions over my children, which is horrible. Sometimes I think it is a lot of responsibility for somebody so young.

Nayelis own children have grown up with these sorts of what if discussions, and she says they worry about her a lot.

Some people dont realize that by deporting so many people, the ones who will be affected most are the children, she said. It makes me nervous to talk about it, but its the truth.

UpFront is a regular Journal news and opinion column. Comment directly to Journal staff writer Lauren Villagran at lvillagran@abqjournal.com. Go to www.abqjournal.com/letters/new to submit a letter to the editor.
A man with Albuquerque ties has been kidnapped by unknown assailants in the Democratic Republic of Congo where he was working as a United Nations expert on the African nation, his father confirmed Tuesday.

Michael Sharp, 34, and a second U.N. official had fallen into the hands of negative forces not yet identified, along with four Congolese in the nations Kasai Central province, Reuters reported based on a statement issued by the Congolese government.

Sharp made Albuquerque his U.S. base and took up residence here within the past year, his father, John Sharp of Hesston, Kan., said Tuesday in a brief phone interview.

Official reports do not list the date of Sharps abduction and include few other details.

The United Nations posted a brief statement on its website Monday confirming that two members of a group of experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo are reported missing in that country.

It also said that the U.N. and the U.N. peacekeeping operation there are doing everything possible to locate the experts. The statement did not identify the two.

Reuters News Agency reported that Sharp and Zaida Catalan, a U.N. official of Swedish nationality, were part of a U.N. panel investigating conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fighting has simmered there since the mid-1990s, when a civil war spawned dozens of armed groups and drew in neighboring armies, Reuters reported.

Sharp and Catalan were kidnapped while traveling by motorcycle through the countrys heavily forested Kasai Central province with three motorcycle-taxi drivers and a translator, all of whom were abducted.

The Kasai Central province has seen fighting between Congolese security forces and a local tribal militia called the Kamuina Nsapu since July, Reuters reported.

John Sharp, who teaches in the History and Bible departments at Hesston College, a college of the Mennonite Church USA, said his son attends the Albuquerque Mennonite Church during his visits to New Mexico.

The Rev. Tom Kauffman, pastor of the Albuquerque Mennonite Church, said he has had few opportunities to get to know Sharp.

I know he spends much of his time overseas, so it isnt surprising that I didnt see him a lot, said Kauffman, who pastors an Albuquerque congregation with about 60 members. Sharp rents an apartment in Albuquerque, he said.

The Mennonite World Review reported that Sharp has worked for the U.N. since 2015 and previously had spent three years as the Mennonite Central Committees Eastern Congo coordinator.

The Mennonite Central Committee and its partner organizations plan to make rescue efforts separate from those of the U.N., the Mennonite publication said.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

An Albuquerque police officer violated Mary Hawkes constitutional rights and police mishandled evidence the night then-officer Jeremy Dear shot and killed the 19-year-old woman, according to an internal affairs sergeant who investigated the shooting.

Albuquerque police Sgt. Scott Norris also said that Dear had a reputation for being abrasive, lacked interpersonal skills and frequently was the target of internal police investigations.

He made his comments in a previously sealed deposition taken by Shannon Kennedy, an attorney representing the Hawkes family in ongoing lawsuits against Dear and the city of Albuquerque. Parts of the deposition were unsealed during a hearing Monday before state District Judge Nan Nash on several motions in the case.

Norris had been conducting an internal affairs investigation into the shooting. He said in his deposition that the search by officer Sonny Molina of a cellphone that identified Hawkes as a potential car thief  and which eventually led to the fatal chase  wasnt constitutional.

During the hearing Monday, Nash denied one of Kennedys motions for summary judgment, but agreed that Molina should have obtained a warrant before searching the cellphone.

Molina said he had seen Hawkes driving a truck before she parked it and fled the area. Molina found the phone inside the truck and saw that it was opened to Hawkes Facebook page, which sparked a manhunt for the girl by officers in Albuquerques busy Southeast Area Command.

A police spokeswoman shortly after the shooting said that the department at the time didnt have a policy governing when cellphones could be searched.

Police officials, responding to a Journal question Tuesday, didnt say whether any officer was disciplined for policy violations in connection with the Mary Hawkes shooting. Police Chief Gorden Eden previously said during a deposition that the internal affairs investigation into the shooting was stopped and never completed because the district attorney hasnt announced whether charges will be filed in the case.

At the time, APD often waited for a criminal investigation to be completed before conducting an internal affairs probe to determine whether any policies had been broken.

But Norris said police made mistakes that night.

He (Molina) didnt have probable cause to search a phone. He hasnt established anything. And if he had established anything, he didnt put it on a piece of paper signed by a judge, Norris said, according to a transcript of the deposition. I can tell you that, as a supervisor, if he had brought that to me and written the facts down on a warrant, I wouldnt have signed it. And Id have told him, you aint taking that to a judge.'

Phone abandoned?

Plaintiffs argued in their motion that Molina used the information he found on the phone to assemble a pack of officers to search for and find and kill her.

But the city of Albuquerque argued in its response that Hawkes abandoned the phone, which did not even belong to her, and therefore had no subjective expectation of privacy in the cellphone.

Nash ultimately found that there were no exigent circumstances that would have made the warrantless search of the cellphone permissible.

Kennedy called Nashs finding fantastic for the Hawkes familys case, even though it came in the context of a denial of their motion for summary judgment. A jury will have to determine at trial whether that unconstitutional search was a cause of Hawkes death, Kennedy said.

The city legal department was not available for comment Tuesday, but said in a statement that it was pleased with the judges denial of the Hawkes motion.

Nash also heard arguments regarding a second motion for summary judgment that she said she would rule on later.

Shooting questioned

Dear shot Hawkes, a suspected car thief, near Zuni and Wyoming in Southeast Albuquerque on April 21, 2014, after a short foot chase. Police have said that Hawkes pointed a gun at Dear, but that account has been questioned by the lawsuits filed in the case.

The nearly 3-year-old shooting has been a source of controversy for the police department.

Dear, who had a history of excessive force complaints, didnt make a recording of the shooting. He said his camera was unplugged during the brief foot chase prior to the shooting.

The lawsuits filed in the case have raised questions about the incident. One suit says that Hawkes fingerprints or DNA were never found on the weapon that police collected at the scene and which they said she pointed at Dear before he fired his shots. And the suit says that Hawkes injuries werent consistent with the police version of the shooting.

In documents the Journal received Tuesday, messages from Dear sent to another officer hours before the shooting show that he was talking about being tired and only getting three hours of sleep the night before.

Norris also said in his deposition that when police recovered the stolen truck the night of the shooting, they didnt collect all of the property inside the truck.

It was an incomplete job, Norris said. And the thing is, is look what ultimately happened, right?  You cant overlook things like that.

Eden fired Dear from the department, but not for the shooting. It was after a separate internal affairs investigation found that Dear failed to make recordings on many of the calls he was on. Dear appealed his termination and the city personnel board voted to reinstate him. The city appealed the boards decision, which is pending.

When reached Tuesday, Dears attorney Tom Grover said Norris comments are not relevant to Dears appeal to get his job back.

Two cases consolidated

Judge Nan Nash on Tuesday granted the Hawkes familys motion to consolidate two civil lawsuits surrounding 19-year-old Mary Hawkes death.

The cases filed in state District Court  one against the city of Albuquerque and one against Jeremy Dear  both involve common questions of law or fact, Nash wrote in her order filed Tuesday. Both Dear and the city opposed the consolidation, citing potential prejudice and confusion.

Nash wrote that much of the testimony in both cases overlaps and would be repeated in two separate trials, and that consolidation would avoid unnecessary costs and may prevent delay and is in the interest of judicial economy and resources.

Dears attorney argued that his clients alleged misdeeds that are relevant to the citys potential liability are irrelevant to whether his use of force against Hawkes was objectively reasonable.
SANTA FE  A bill to change New Mexicos system for funding dams, roadways and other infrastructure projects is headed to the Senate floor after passing a key committee late Tuesday.

But the legislation may amount to more of a baby step than a radical overhaul after its sponsor signed off on sweeping changes that scaled back the bills initial intent.

As originally drafted, Senate Bill 262 would have created a new legislative interim committee, tasked with reviewing and ranking potential infrastructure projects. The body would then submit a plan before the start of each legislative session  similar to how the states annual budget process works.

While the new 18-member committee would still be established under changes to the bill unveiled Tuesday in the Senate Finance Committee, the panel would only review potential projects, not rank them.

Sen. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, insisted the measure would still improve the states capital outlay system, which has come under fire in recent years for being wasteful and ineffective.

We can continue to bemoan the problem, or we can tackle it, Cervantes said during Tuesdays hearing, in which the bill was endorsed by a 11-0 vote.

He also said a flaw with the states current public infrastructure system is a lack of vetting, which could be addressed by having lawmakers study projects while the Legislature is not in session.

The fundamental problem we have with capital outlay is we dont have an opportunity and mechanism to dialogue, Cervantes said.

But its unclear how much of a change the proposed legislation would represent as lawmakers would presumably still put together a final list of projects during legislative sessions  and without having to disclose which projects they funded.

Kristina Fisher, the associate director of Think New Mexico, a Santa Fe-based think tank thats advocated for an overhauled infrastructure funding system, said Tuesday the bill would be a step forward.

The substitute bill creates a solid foundation on which further capital outlay reforms can be built, Fisher said. It sets the stage for a more transparent review of infrastructure projects and better planning of projects on the front end, which will help move money off the sidelines and create jobs.

Several other measures seeking to change the states public infrastructure system also have been proposed during this years 60-day session, but most have stalled in legislative committees.

Some critics have complained that various projects funded by legislators in recent years do not meet the definition of vital needs  with examples including rugby equipment, band instruments and the acquisition of zoo animals.

With the state facing a prolonged budget crunch, theres also been heightened scrutiny of unspent New Mexico infrastructure dollars, due largely to a lack of planning and oversight.

In all, there were more 2,500 projects totaling $978.4 million in unspent public works, or capital outlay, money as of January, according to the Legislative Finance Committee.
CLOVIS  Three airmen assigned to Cannon Air Force Base were killed when their U-28A aircraft crashed south of the Clovis Municipal Airport about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. All were part of the 318th Special Operations Squadron, according to a report on the website of the Eastern New Mexico News.

Their identities were not immediately released. The cause of the crash was under investigation.

We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family, Col. Ben Maitre said in a news release. Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time.

Capt. Brandon Baccam of Cannon held a news conference at 8 a.m. Wednesday, but released few additional details. The training mission did include operations near the Clovis Municipal airport, he said, a names of the airmen would not be released until family had been notified of the accident.

The U-28A provides a manned fixed wing, on-call/surge capability for improved Tactical Airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of Special Operations Forces, according to the Air Force website.

Baccam said the accident happened during a training exercise. It was reported at 6:54 p.m. A small fire related to the crash was extinguished at 7:39 p.m., he said. Three people were on board.

Latest from Clovis via Eastern New Mexico News
PHOENIX  The Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a broad challenge to the states law on capital punishment, rejecting arguments that there are too many possible circumstances making defendants eligible for possible death sentences.

The justices dealt with the challenge in a unanimous ruling upholding two murder convictions and death sentences of Abel Daniel Hidalgo, who is in a federal prison in Arizona serving life sentences for two other killings committed on an Indian reservation in Idaho.

Defense lawyers for Hidalgo and other Arizona murder defendants had argued that in trial court that Arizonas death penalty law doesnt sufficiently narrow eligibility for the death penalty.

Arizona law includes 14 so-called aggravating circumstances that prosecutors can allege for jurors to decide whether a defendant is eligible for a possible death sentence instead of life in prison.

The circumstances include a previous conviction for a serious offense, killing for money, victims who are police officers or a child under age 15, killing while in prison and killing in an especially heinous, cruel or depraved manner.

Defense attorneys argued that defendants due-process rights were violated because nearly every first-degree murder case filed in Maricopa County, which includes most of metro Phoenix, could support at least one aggravating factor.

However, the Supreme Courts ruling authored by Chief Justice Scott Bales noted that prosecutors only sought a death penalty in about 10 percent of Maricopa County first-degree murder cases in a two-year span earlier this decade.

Determining whether a defendant will be sentenced to death involves several narrowing steps that go beyond the laws listing of aggravating factors, including consideration of evidence suggesting leniency, Bales said.

Observing that at least one of several aggravating circumstances could apply to nearly every murder is not the same as saying that a particular aggravating circumstance is present in every murder, Bales added.

Hidalgo pleaded guilty in the January 2001 contract killing of Phoenix auto-body shop owner Michael Cordova and the killing of upholsterer Jose Rojas. Jurors then sentenced him to death.

Hidalgo said he killed Cordova for $1,000 at the behest of a gang member and that he killed Rojas because Rojas was at Cordovas business and was a potential witness.

In the Arizona killings, prosecutors alleged and jurors found multiple aggravating factors  a money-related motive, prior convictions for a serious offense, convictions for another offense that could be punished by either life or death and commission of multiple murders.

Hidalgo pleaded guilty in federal court in Idaho to the 2002 drug-related killings of two Shoshone-Bannock women, 21-year-old Leigha Tacunan and 42-year-old Margaret Fellows.

Prosecutors didnt ascribe a motive to the killings at a home on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Idaho, but an FBI agent testified in a hearing in the case that the Hidalgo had supplied drugs to the women. Tacunan was a former girlfriend of Hidalgo.
For an entire morning last September, a young monk named Sengdao Oudomsinh stood outside his temple in Laos hoping to catch a glimpse of President Barack Obama.

Obama was passing through Sengdaos tiny town of Luang Prabang during his final trip as president to Asia. And Sengdao, an 18-year-old monk, had fantasies of shaking the American presidents hand  or better yet, asking one of the many burning questions he had for Obama, whose speeches had inspired him from half a world away.

Sengdao came away disappointed that day, not realizing that Obamas motorcade had taken another route through town. But last week, more than six months later, Sengdao got something even better: a personal letter from the former president offering words of advice, reflection and encouragement.

Dear Novice Sengdao, it began. My staff let me know you had some questions that you had hoped to ask me during my recent visit to Laos . . .

I couldnt believe it, the young monk said during a Skype call from Laos. It makes me admire him even more and want to look up to him as an example.

As a reporter covering Obamas trip, I ran into Sengdao at his temple on the day of Obamas visit and wrote an article about him. We later learned the story had circulated from the U.S. Embassy in Laos to the State Department, eventually reaching the White House during Obamas last months in office.

I recounted how Sengdao left his impoverished familys rice farm as a boy to pursue a better life as a novice monk at a temple. He taught himself English by watching videos on YouTube and became fascinated with videos of Obamas speeches. One speech in particular, he told me, had struck a nerve: Obamas victory speech after winning reelection in 2012, in which he told a crowd in Chicago that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can make it here in America if youre willing to try.

He said, In America, you can make it if you try,' Sengdao said that day while we waited together for Obamas motorcade. I think its very true  but not always. I want to know if its true in Laos.

The letter Sengdao received from Obama last week was dated Sept. 30, 2016, just three weeks after Obamas visit. But U.S. Embassy staff were not able to deliver it until last Friday, when U.S. Ambassador Rena Bitter and two members of her staff traveled to Luang Prabang to hand Obamas words to the young monk. Embassy staff confirmed the letter came from Obama, but said they couldnt comment on it without State Department approval.

So far, Sengdao has told only few friends about the visit. He has shown the actual letter to even fewer people because of how precious it feels. Its not a secret, but it feels very personal and private that he would choose to write something to me. I dont want to ruin that feeling, Sengdao said. He emailed me a copy of the letter, but asked that it not be posted in full online.

Obama encouraged Sengdao to keep pursuing his dreams and dedicate himself to improving his own life and the lives of others. The letter is an answer to all my questions, Sengdao said. He is like me, someone who started from nothing. It makes me think I can do that as well.

For a long time, Sengdaos dream has been to attend a university abroad, ideally in the United States. By studying abroad, he hopes to be able to help others by working for the United Nations or with international human rights organizations.

Last year, Sengdao applied to one of the only international scholarships for students in Laos  and was crushed to discover he missed the cut. But this year, after Obamas visit, he applied again  attaching a copy of the article  and was one of a few chosen for final interviews.

The interview is coming up on Saturday, and Sengdao has spent the past few days reading and rereading Obamas letter to him, hoping against the odds that the former presidents belief in him will be justified.

He is a man of hope, Sengdao said toward the end of our call. And it makes me unique, I think, because now he has given these words of hope to me.
TOKYO  South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday summoned former president Park Geun-hye for questioning over the corruption scandal that led to her being impeached from office last week.

Park, who had refused to be questioned while in office, now has lost her immunity from prosecution and will actively cooperate with the investigation, her lawyer said.

Separately, the South Korean government also announced that a snap election to replace Park would be held on May 9. But Hwang Kyo-ahn, the prime minister who is now acting president, dashed conservatives hopes when he said he would not run for election.

To stabilize state affairs and fairly administer the presidential election, Ive reached the judgment that it is inappropriate for me to run in the election, Hwang said during a cabinet meeting Wednesday. From now onwards, I would like to focus on the tremendous responsibility as the acting president.

Moon Jae-in, a progressive from the main opposition Democratic party, has a strong lead in the polls, but Hwang was scoring second even before declaring an interest in running  though still a long way behind Moon.

Hwang became the obvious candidate for conservatives after Ban Ki-moon, the former U.N. secretary general, pulled out of the running. Conservatives now have no clear contender to challenge Moon

The impeachment of Park on Friday was the first time a president has been dismissed from office since democracy was instituted in South Korea three decades ago. Her removal will help bring about an end to the political vacuum the country has been in for the past three months, as preparations are now underway to replace her.

But the criminal investigation will continue and could yield more explosive details about corruption at the top levels of government and business.

The Constitutional Court Friday found Park had continuously violated the law and the constitution. The court concluded that the former president had helped her friend Choi Soon-sil extract bribes from South Korean conglomerates, leaked her confidential documents, and then lied to cover up her wrongdoing.

The justices also upbraided Park for refusing to answer questions about the case. Park had rejected special prosecutors requests to answer questions about her role, and she declined to appear before the Constitutional Court.

Even after her impeachment, she remains defiant.

I feel sorry that I could not finish the mandate given to me as president, a spokesman for Park quoted her as saying Sunday night, when she left the presidential Blue House and returned to her private home  some 56 hours after being dismissed. It will take time, but I believe the truth will be revealed, Park added, according to the spokesman.

Prosecutors said they had summoned her to be questioned next Tuesday. Son Bum-kyu, a lawyer for Park, confirmed that they had received it. We will fully cooperate with the investigation, he told reporters.

Prosecutors have recommended 13 charges against Park, including bribery and abuse of power.

They allege that Choi, Parks friend, planned to take $37 million in bribes from Samsung in return for favorable treatment for the countrys largest conglomerate. Prosecutors say that Park knew of the plan.

Choi is now on trial for bribery and extortion, as is Lee Jae-yong, the de facto head of Samsung. Lee, who has been effectively running the huge conglomerate since his father, Lee Kun-hee, was hospitalized almost three years ago, is facing charges including bribery, embezzlement, perjury and violating the law on transferring assets overseas.

Both Choi and Lee strongly deny any wrongdoing.
THE HAGUE  The Dutch political establishment appeared Wednesday to fend off a challenge from anti-Muslim firebrand Geert Wilders in a national election, according to exit polls, a victory that heartened centrist leaders across Europe who are fearful of populist upsets in their own nations.

The result confirmed Wilders as a powerful voice on immigration in the Netherlands. But it would leave in place Prime Minister Mark Rutte and do little to alter the fundamental dynamic in a country unhappy with the status quo but deeply divided among many political parties.

The vote in the prosperous trading nation was seen as a bellwether for France and Germany, which head to the polls in the coming months and have also been shaken by fierce anti-immigrant sentiment. The British vote to exit the European Union and the election of Donald Trump, a skeptic about NATO and European integration, have cracked the door to a fundamental reordering of the post-World War II Western order.

But Wilders nose-dived in recent weeks after topping opinion polls for most of the past 18 months, as Dutch voters appeared to turn away from an election message that described some Moroccans as scum and called for banning the Koran and shuttering mosques.

Wednesday is an evening where the Netherlands, after Brexit, after the American elections, said no to the wrong kind of populism, Rutte told a cheering crowd in The Hague. He said he had already spoken to other European leaders to accept their congratulations.

But Wilders vowed to continue his fight.

Rutte is far away from rid of me!! Wilders wrote on Twitter shortly after the initial exit polls were released, embracing his role as more of a pest than a governing leader. Despite the disappointing result, he still gained seats, reconfirming his role as a thorn in the side of the nations mainstream leaders.

Outside Dutch borders, many leaders offered sighs of relief.

Netherlands, oh Netherlands, you are the champions, Peter Altmaier, the chief of staff to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, wrote on Twitter, echoing a Dutch soccer chant.

Taken together, the initial results appeared to show a nation that agreed that it disliked the current political situation  but had immense internal divisions about an alternative direction. With about a third of the vote counted early Thursday, the results were holding roughly steady.

Ruttes center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy remained the largest party according to the exit poll, but it was on track to lose nearly a quarter of its seats in parliament, forcing the prime minister to form a new, broader coalition across the political spectrum. His coalition partner, the center-left Labor Party, was wiped out as a political force, a punishing blow in response to cooperation with a longtime rival that had a sharply different approach to the core issues of working citizens.

Even as Wilders confronted limits to his ballot-box appeal, his agenda-setting power remained evident after many mainstream politicians tacked rightward during the campaign to advocate for stricter limits on immigrants.

All the politicians of the main parties have been debating his issues, more than theyve been debating other issues such as climate change, said Sarah de Lange, a professor of political science at the University of Amsterdam.

Wilders Party for Freedom was forecast to build slightly on its current 15 seats in the lower house of parliament, tying it with the centrist Democrats 66 party and the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal. The center-left Green-Left party, led by Jesse Klaver, a 30-year-old upstart who embraced Barack Obama-style campaign tactics, also appeared to do well, potentially quadrupling its seats.

With Brexit and Trump and with the elections in France and Germany on their way, all those journalists weve spoken with in the last weeks wanted to know: Will populism break through in the Netherlands? Klaver said at a jubilant evening rally. This is the answer we have for Europe. Populism didnt break through.

Still, the likely formation of a broad, weak coalition across the political spectrum could give extra ammunition to Wilders even though he will be barred from power. Rutte has repeatedly said he would not work with the peroxide-haired firebrand.

Rutte also significantly toughened his stance on immigrants during the campaign in a bid to capture Wilders supporters, telling immigrants in January to act normal or go away.

But Wilderss showing will probably slow the momentum of French anti-immigrant leader Marine Le Pen, who, if she captures her nations presidency in May, would try to lead France out of the EU, shattering the bloc in the process. German leaders also face a challenge as the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party stands to capture seats in Parliament.

The key effect of it is international, Cas Mudde, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia who focuses on political extremism in Europe. It determines what issues we talk about and how we talk about them. He said that mainstream Dutch political leaders would probably feel less pressure to take a hard line against immigration and may actually become significantly more moderate depending on the outcome of coalition negotiations.

The tone of the Dutch campaign dispirited some citizens who want a welcoming attitude toward refugees and immigrants.

Theyre not making the point what they want to do. Theyre just saying what theyre against, said Arieke Maljaars, 32, a teacher at an elementary school in the heavily immigrant Schilderswijk area of The Hague, where Turkish kebab stands are close to Surinamese grocery stores. She said she planned to vote for the small, centrist Christian Union party. She said some of her 8- and 9-year-old students, most of whom are immigrants or the children of immigrants, were really scared.

One of them said, Maybe Ill have to go to Turkey, and I really dont want to go there. For children in the neighborhood, it can feel frightening, Maljaars said.

The campaign upended old notions about Dutch tolerance and inclusiveness, and the influx of immigrants starting in 2015 has created the perception of new strains on society. There was a net increase of 56,000 people in 2015, and 88,000 in 2016, many of them Syrian, according to the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics. About 10 percent of the Netherlands 17 million people are non-Western immigrants or their children.

The refugee crisis has helped fuel the Dutch debate. The push-and-pull comes at the same time as Trumps triumph in the United States, the British rejection of immigrants after the decision to leave the EU and the fiery immigration-focused election campaigns in France and Germany.

Many Wilders supporters said Wednesday that they resented that refugees who came to their country were provided housing and health care even as Dutch people struggled to make ends meet.

I understand they dont have anything, but I have to pay for all that, said Bep van Beele, 66, who lives in the working-class Duindorp area of The Hague, a bastion of Wilderss support. It creates jealousy. Theres not much left for the Dutchman.



The Washington Posts Annabell Van den Berghe contributed to this report.
Alaska Airlines is adding another nonstop flight to its Albuquerque airport roster, this time with a daily trip to San Diego.

Tickets go on sale today, and service begins Oct. 18.

The airlines announced last week it would begin serving San Francisco out of the Albuquerque Sunport in September. And it plans to add flights to Portland, Ore., and Orange County in August. It has been flying between Albuquerque and Seattle since 2014.

Since 2009, the Sunport has added three new airlines with service to three new destinations and expanded options to six existing destinations, which ultimately led to positive passenger growth in 2016, according to a city news release.
On Monday, Aug. 21, in the middle of the day, the sky will go dark. The temperature will suddenly get several degrees colder. Birds will stop chirping and retreat to their nests. And tens of millions of people, crammed into a 60-mile-wide path that crosses from Oregon to the Carolinas, will stand in America looking up at the sky.

Its easy to understand why many people will view this as an act of God.

The total solar eclipse that will cross America this summer  an event that last happened 99 years ago  will be an important moment for scientific observers and a massive nationwide spectator event. It will also, for many people of faith, be evidence of Gods majesty  and even, to a few, a harbinger of the coming end of the world.

I dont think its an accident that God put us human beings here on Earth where we can actually see total solar eclipses. I think God wants us to make these discoveries, said Hugh Ross, who is both an astronomer and a minister. I would argue that God on purpose made the universe beautiful, and one of the beauties is a solar eclipse.

Ross will be leading a trip to watch the eclipse for about 80 people interested in finding spirituality in science. Theyll travel down a dirt road into a field in Eastern Oregon, where they will wait for the sun to be blotted out. Across the country, other church groups will do the same.

A solar eclipse isnt all that rare. The moon is always rotating around the Earth, while the Earth rotates around the sun. Usually the moon appears slightly higher or lower than the sunlight hits the Earth. But twice a year, its right smack in front of it, and the moon blocks out the sun during the daytime, and thats at least a partial solar eclipse.

When a total eclipse occurs, the shadow falls on just a tiny part of the Earth, about 60 to 100 miles wide, and then moves about a thousand miles over the course of a few hours. Because so much of the Earth is water, this almost always happens over an ocean.

The last total solar eclipse visible from the continental United States was in 1979, and it was only over a corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Something like this summers event, where so many people on land can see a total solar eclipse, is exceptionally rare  although the United States actually will experience another one, crossing an opposite diagonal swath of the country, in 2024.

This August, the path of totality cuts across the entire country, and every single spot in the continental United States will see an eclipse up to 60 percent.

That means that anyone in the country can step outside and see some darkness on that Monday in August. But eclipse-watchers  including Jay M. Pasachoff, a Williams College astronomer who has traveled around the world to witness an astonishing 65 eclipses  say that one truly has to see totality to really grasp the awe-inspiring nature of an eclipse. Even 99 percent, Pasachoff said, is nowhere near as dramatic as the moment it totally goes dark, which will last for up to two minutes and 40 seconds.

You have to be in totality to do it. Basically the universe gets a million times darker, Pasachoff said. It is absolutely necessary to be in the path of totality. Its a poor second to be off to the side.

For Ross and other clergy planning to showcase the eclipse as both a scientific and a religious event, that stunning experience of seeing totality is an opportunity for discussing Gods handiwork. When Ross was a researcher at the California Institute of Technology, he would take his fellow scientists on hiking trips in the Sierra Nevada, he said.

When they would say, Yeah, its gorgeous, I would say, Why is it so beautiful? It would always lead to a discussion about the Christian faith, he said. For that reason  the opportunity to use natural beauty as a tool for evangelism  he thinks this eclipse will be a popular Christian event. A lot of leaders of churches are going to be encouraging people, he said, to go see the eclipse in August.

Its certainly not just church leaders who have that idea. Visitors from as far as Europe and Asia started booking hotel rooms months ago in sleepy little corners of Wyoming and Idaho where they will be able to see the eclipse.

The population living in that long path of totality, from Oregon to the Carolinas, is about 12 million people, by the count of Angela Speck, co-chair of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences task force on the 2017 eclipse. Speck says another 12 million or many more could easily visit for the eclipse date. Nearly everyone in the continental United States lives within one days drive of the eclipse path  so if 4 percent of the country decided they wanted to drive to the right spot that day and see the sun go dark, 12 million would turn to 24 million overnight.

Theres precedent: In 1991, Speck said, so many people tried to enter Mexico to see a total eclipse that the country closed parts of its borders.

Speck and others involved in this years eclipse preparation are concerned that rural communities on the eclipse path wont be prepared for the massive traffic jams, the food and water needs of the hordes of visitors, or the safety glasses that every eclipse-watcher should have. (They cost about a dollar, but supplying one to every American who may look up at the total or partial eclipse is a staggering task.)

In certain religious communities, the talk surrounding the eclipse has to do with a different sort of preparation. Gary Ray isnt worried about just travel plans and adequate eye protection. Hes focused on the Rapture.

Ray, a writer for the evangelical Christian publication Unsealed, views this eclipse as one of several astronomical signs that the day when Christians will be whisked away from the Earth is fast approaching.

The Bible says a number of times that theres going to be signs in the heavens before Jesus Christ returns to Earth. We see this as possibly one of those, Ray said about the eclipse.

He is even more interested in another astronomical event that will occur 33 days after the eclipse, on Sept. 23, 2017.

The Book of Revelation, which is full of extraordinary imagery, describes a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head who gives birth to a boy who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter while she is threatened by a red, seven-headed dragon. The woman then grows the wings of an eagle and is swallowed up by the earth.

Ray says that image will be created in the sky on Sept. 23. The constellation Virgo  representing the woman  will be clothed in sunlight, in a position that is over the moon and under nine stars and three planets. The planet Jupiter, which will have been inside Virgo  in her womb, in Rays interpretation  will move out of Virgo, as if she is giving birth.

Astronomers dont see this as a particularly unusual event. But to Ray and others, it could be the sign that the Rapture is ready to happen: We think its God signaling to us that hes about to make His next move.

And Ray thinks the two eclipses that are slated to travel across the United States in 2017 and 2024, together marking an X across the nation, could be the starting and ending signs bookmarking a seven-year period of awful tribulations that Revelations says waits in store for nonbelievers who are left behind on Earth when the Rapture occurs.

That time frame is speculative, 2017 to 2024. But it makes a lot of sense. There are a lot of things that really point us to that, he said.

Therefore, the eclipse preparation that Ray recommends is a bit different from the scientists associations advice.

My number one encouragement to people would be to just trust God. More importantly, to trust the right God, he said, warning that those who do not believe when the day of the Rapture comes will be left behind to face the tribulations. If people want to be ready, the one thing you can do is accept what He has offered, which is the gift of grace and forgiveness. Thats all we have to do to be ready.

University of Redlands astronomer Tyler Nordgren, who is advising the National Park Service on handling this eclipse, looked at prior events. Just a partial eclipse, not a total one, set visitor records in 2012 when it crossed through National Park Service sites in the Southwest. For this summer, he told the Park Service, Imagine the biggest event youve ever had, and double it.

So come August, even nonbelievers looking out at the crowds on the eclipse path may find themselves comparing it to an apocalyptic event. For one Eastern Oregon park, Nordgren predicts 25,000 to 50,000 sky-watchers. The park has one toilet.
HOUSTON  A Houston-area fire chief has fired five firefighters and suspended another after video surfaced of them hazing a rookie colleague who had been strapped to a backboard.

Stephen Whitehead, fire chief of the Westfield department in north Harris County, says the video was brought to his attention Monday.

It appears to show water at one point being poured over the rookie firefighter, similar to waterboarding. At other times hes doused with food as others yell at him.

Whitehead says the victim of the hazing didnt want to file a complaint. The incident occurred at the departments central fire station.

Whitehead condemned the hazing, calling it dangerous and a blight on our profession.
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla.  Authorities in Florida are continuing to search for a college student on spring break and a charter boat crew member who went missing in turbulent Tampa Bay-area waters.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Wednesday during a news conference that 15 Colorado State University students were on a charter boat anchored Tuesday evening off Shell Key when five male students went swimming off its side.

Four students made it back. Coast Guard officials said Wednesday a crew member saw the fifth student struggling and jumped into the water to help.

The Coast Guard identified the crew member as 27-year-old Andrew Dillman of New York, and the student as 21-year-old Jie Luo of China.

Gualtieri said there are conflicting reports about whether the captain of the 71-foot boat allowed the students to swim in the rough water. The captain said he didnt give permission but the students said the captain didnt say they couldnt swim.

Deputies told the Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/2msBoiD ) that neither man wore a flotation device. The students, who were staying in Orlando but came to the Gulf Coast to take the boat trip, were drinking, Gualtieri said. Theres no indication the crew was intoxicated.

Gualtieri said his agency, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard, will continue searching for the men for at least a day, if not longer.

Experience tells us that we need to keep this going, he said, adding that conditions in the Gulf are choppy, with heavy currents.

Dillmans family members are flying to the area from New York and Luos family is considering coming from China, he said.

Authorities have notified the Chinese consulate in Houston.

Colorado State University spokesman Mike Hooker expressed concern for the students and Dillman in a statement Wednesday.

___

A previous version of this story spelled Jie Luos last name Lou.

___

Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com.
A lot of people first became acquainted with Kal Penn after he starred as a stoner with a serious case of the munchies in the cult classic Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle. But in the years leading up to his breakout, he, unlike most struggling actors, faced an added layer of difficulty: Most roles were stereotypical parts that entailed heavy accents and broken English.

Penn aired his early career grievances on Twitter after he stumbled onto some scripts from his younger years.

He wanted to avoid having to do accents, but casting directors would insist.

Tried to convince them to let me speak without an accent & make it funny on the merits (was told no), he tweeted.

He also said that when he was asked to make his accent more authentic, it usually meant they wanted Apu, as in the immigrant Kwik-E-Mart owner from The Simpsons. The parts entailed cologne jokes and profuse sweating, not to mention names like Ravi Tulu Singh Shankar Ramanji.

Penn has had a varied, successful career since playing Kumar, and hes managed to mostly avoid stereotypical Indian characters. He was a series regular on House and How I Met Your Mother, and hes currently starring opposite Kiefer Sutherland on Designated Survivor, playing the White House press secretary. But he had to weather quite a few indignities to get where he is. And hes not alone. His experiences mirror those of actor Aziz Ansari, who mined his early career obstacles for comedy on his Netflix show Master of None.

On that series, Ansari plays Dev, a struggling actor. At one point, hes trying out for a bit part as a cabdriver on a cop show and the casting director tells him to read his lines with an Indian accent. Dev refuses, even though he knows hell lose the part. Later, he complains to his friend Ravi (Ravi Patel), whos also an actor but doesnt mind putting on an accent to get a paycheck.

Isnt it frustrating so much of the stuff we go out for is just stereotypes? Dev asks Ravi. Cabdriver, scientist, IT guy.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, many non-stereotypical roles for actors of color are being given to white actors  think of Scarlett Johansson cast in the adaptation of the manga series Ghost in the Shell or Rooney Mara as Tigerlily in Pan. Ridley Scott claimed he had to hire big-name actors to get financing for Exodus: Gods and Kings.

I cant cast Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such, Scott famously quipped.

But, as Ansaris Master of None co-creator Alan Yang explained to the Hollywood Reporter, the only way for Asian-American actors to make it to A-list status is for someone to take a chance on a non-A-list Asian-American actor.

I understand the argument that the business is risk-averse, but thats just an excuse to be cowardly, Yang said during the interview. (Hollywood) cast Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World. He wasnt a movie star until they put him in those movies. For people who are making decisions, you have to take that risk.

Penn took a break from acting for a while to serve in the Obama administration, so he isnt shy about politics. This also isnt the first time hes openly discussed discrimination. Earlier this year someone left a hateful comment when Penn posted an Instagram that was critical of the travel ban.

You dont belong in this country, you f-ing joke, one commenter wrote. (Penn, by the way, is from New Jersey.) The actor responded by starting an online fundraiser to benefit the International Rescue Committee, titled, Donating to Syrian Refugees in the name of the dude who said I dont belong in America.

He was hoping to raise $2,500. He managed to pull in more than $860,000.
FORT WORTH, Texas  When wildfires scorched more than 1 million acres in early March across parts of the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Kansas, forecasters used a new weather satellite to see the infernos developing, almost in real time.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram (http://bit.ly/2nnR2AD ) reports when a line of severe thunderstorms produced five tornadoes in the Houston area on Feb. 14, the same satellite could see lightning strikes intensifying inside the storms. That kind of information could be helpful the next time a strong line of storms fires up west of Fort Worth.

This high-resolution data is going to give us a lot of insight into the severity of these storms, said Tom Bradshaw, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Fort Worth, who added that lightning is one clue to the intensity of a storm.

The GOES 16 (short for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) was launched last November and sits more than 22,000 miles above the Earth.

The satellite is still in a testing phase and not considered operational, but it is providing stunning images, not just of weather phenomena like the West Texas dust storms, but of the sun as well.

Wildfires show up as black spots on the satellites infrared images. In remote areas, the satellite may detect them before anybody sees them on the ground. The satellite wont see one- to two-acre fires but should see anything spreading about 50 acres, Bradshaw said.

What were able to do now is detect fires pretty shortly after they start, Bradshaw said. The characteristics of how fires show up on infrared satellite data are pretty distinct.

For North Texas, the satellite could help with severe storms and large wildfires, such as the Possum Kingdom wildfire that charred 170,000 acres in Palo Pinto, Young and Stephens counties in 2011.

None of these by themselves are going to be silver bullets, Bradshaw said. But its going provide us a richer data set.

___

Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com

This is an AP Member Exchange shared by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
When you think about the Founding Fathers, you probably think of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and, these days, Alexander Hamilton.

But theres another founder whose legacy isnt a monument, memorial or Broadway musical. Hes James Madison, and he left behind words that protect U.S. citizens  the Bill of Rights.

To mark Madisons 266th birthday, which is Thursday, we decided to examine one part of his legacy: a free press. Lets look at why Madison included free press guarantees in the Bill of Rights.

As a British subject, Madison knew it was a crime for newspapers to criticize the kings government. This was called seditious libel, and in England it didnt matter whether the criticism that the newspaper printed was true.

That was the baseline that the American colonists were working with, said Lata Nott, executive director of the First Amendment Center at the Newseum Institute in Washington, D.C.

But even before Madisons time, American laws had begun to change. In 1735, a New York newspaper publisher had been found not guilty of libel because what he had printed about that colonys governor was true.

Thats probably where the idea of free press was born, Nott said. If you say something true, you shouldnt be charged with any sort of a crime.

As the colonies were separating from Great Britain, there was a lot of talk about freedoms. Just before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, fellow Virginian George Mason championed a free press in that colonys Declaration of Rights. He said it was something that can never be restrained but by despotic governments. (In a despotic government, one or a few leaders have all the power.)

Madison didnt see the need to protect individual freedom with a bill of rights when he and others wrote the Constitution in 1787.

Madisons feeling was the checks and balances would keep authority in check, Nott said, referring to the separate powers of the three branches of government.

But some lawmakers, including Mason and Jefferson, strongly supported the idea of guaranteeing freedom of the press.

In 1789, Jefferson wrote to a fellow lawmaker: Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.

So Madison agreed to come up with amendments to protect citizens rights. He included this:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Congress approved this amendment, and by Dec. 15, 1791, three-fourths of the states ratified, or agreed to, it and nine others, adding them to the Constitution.

It didnt take long for some lawmakers to decide they didnt like a free press. In 1798, Congress passed the Sedition Act, which made it a crime to publish any false, scandalous, and malicious writing against the government and President John Adams.

More than a dozen newspaper editors were fined or jailed, and even a member of Congress, Representative Matthew Lyon, was arrested for writing that Adams had an unbounded thirst for ridiculous pomp.

People were being thrown in jail for expressing opinions, Nott said.

The law expired when Adams left office in 1801, but that challenge to the First Amendment intensified Madisons support for an independent press, according to Hilarie Hicks, a research associate at Montpelier, Madisons home in Orange County, Virginia.

I would definitely say that the freedom of the press was always important to him, but he didnt see it challenged until the  Sedition Act, she said.

Presidents before and after Madison werent entirely supportive of the press.

As for what is not true, you will always find abundance in the newspapers, Jefferson wrote while in office.

But theres nothing in Madisons papers to suggest that he changed his opinion about a free press, Hicks said. I dont think things got under his skin.

Even after two terms as president, Madison didnt waver. As he wrote to a former senator from Kentucky, A people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with power which knowledge gives.



What do you think?

We would like to hear your thoughts on a free press in the 21st century. Is it still important, and if so, why?

If you are in grades four through eight, write us a short essay on the subject (no more than 300 words). Send it, along with your name, age and home town, to KidsPost, The Washington Post, 1301 K St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Or fill out our form at kidspost.com. A parent or teacher must give permission for you to enter and provide their contact information. The deadline for entries is April 13. The winner will receive four tickets to the Newseum in Washington and will have the essay published in KidsPost on May 3, which is World Press Freedom Day.
TUCSON, Ariz.  Authorities are looking for a suspect who broke into the Islamic Center of Tucson, ripped up copies of the Quran and scattered the pieces around the building.

The center said in a post on its Facebook page that surveillance footage shows an unknown man breaking in and damaging the religious property early Monday. Nothing was stolen and no one was hurt.

Police Sgt. Kim Bay says the man is considered a suspect and police want to talk to him before determining his motivation.

Police are asking for the communitys help in locating the vandal. Anyone with information is asked to alert the authorities.
New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a brief this week in support of Hawaiis challenge to President Trumps revised executive order temporarily banning travel to the U.S. from six Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East.

The amicus brief, filed by 13 states and the District of Columbia, asks a federal court hearing Hawaiis lawsuit today to block Trumps executive order set to take effect on Thursday. The Trump administrations first effort to enact the ban was blocked by a federal judge, but a subsequent revised ban, which allows existing visa holders from the six countries to travel to the U.S., is set to take effect Thursday. Balderass brief contends that the new executive order remains unconstitutional despite the changes.

Discriminating against people for their religion is un-American and unconstitutional, and as such, I will fight President Trumps new travel ban in court alongside other states, Balderas said in a statement. Additionally, New Mexico cannot afford to have our hospitals, research facilities and universities negatively impacted by this illegal order.

The states amicus brief says that Trumps immigration ban is preventing states from hiring doctors and professors, harming university recruitment of foreign students and causing economic losses from reduced travel and tourism. The brief also asserts that the executive order amounts to discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin and jeopardizes the states efforts to ensure equal protection under the law.
SANTA FE  For the eighth time in two days, Gov. Susana Martinez on Wednesday vetoed legislation that had drawn broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the Legislature.

She offered no explanation for her decision in any of the veto messages  six of which were issued Wednesday and two on Tuesday.

The first bill she rejected Wednesday was aimed at making it easier for local governments to support the development of infrastructure for high-speed internet.

It won approval 37-1 in the Senate and 62-0 in the state House. A bipartisan pair of legislators sponsored it: Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. James Smith, R-Sandia Park.

Padilla immediately lashed out at the governor for the unexplained veto.

After hearing the news that New Mexico has the highest unemployment in the nation, Padilla said in a written statement, its hard to imagine why Gov. Martinez would stand in the way of our cities and counties efforts to bring high-speed internet that would attract needed jobs and support local small businesses.

Later in the day, she vetoed five other proposals  Senate Bill 184 to clarify rules for horse-race licenses and tests; Senate Bill 356, on notification to county treasurers about public improvement districts; House Bill 126, to clarify rules for a loan repayment program for medical students; Senate Bill 222, on the definition of political subdivisions; and Senate Bill 64, removing a sunset clause from a school capital outlay law.

Four of the bills had passed without a single dissenting vote, and the other had one no vote.

Martinez didnt offer an explanation for any of the vetoes, and her office told the Journal that she had no comment.

Seven of the eight bills vetoed by Martinez over the past two days originated in the Senate.

Thats the same chamber that voted to override her veto of a different bill, House Bill 241, which would have allowed teachers to take more sick leave without damaging their annual evaluations.

Martinez described the override as petty and suggested the Senate is bitter because she wont support tax increases as part of a budget package.

It was the first time either chamber had voted to override a Martinez veto, which takes a two-thirds vote.

To overturn the governors veto, the House would also have to vote to override, and House Minority Leader Nate Gentry, R-Albuquerque, said hes confident such a move would fail.

As for the two Senate bills vetoed Tuesday, one also had passed both chambers without a single dissenting vote. That measure, Senate Bill 67, would have required county treasurers to be notified about the creation of tax diversion districts.

The other measure, Senate Bill 134, would have allowed a unit of computer science to count toward a high school students math requirement. It passed with bipartisan majorities  33-4 in the Senate and 67-0 in the House.

Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces, expressed disappointment on the Senate floor as one veto was read into the record Wednesday.

I was hoping there was some sort of a message so we can figure out which way to jump, she said.
Copyright  2017 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  After years of resistance, the idea of creating an independent New Mexico ethics commission to look into complaints against elected officials appears headed for the legislative finish line.

The proposed constitutional amendment, House Joint Resolution 8, cleared the Senate Rules Committee  a place where previous proposals had been derailed  on a 9-1 vote on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate floor. A full Senate vote is expected today.

Im encouraged because I think clearly were going to have something in the Constitution, said Rep. Jim Dines, R-Albuquerque, whos led a bipartisan push to establish an ethics commission.

However, before signing off on the proposal, the Senate committee removed language dealing with transparency requirements and the commissions makeup.

Senate Rules Commission Chairwoman Linda Lopez, D-Albuquerque, proposed the changes, saying constitutional amendments should be succinct.

Details about the makeup of the committee, and how it would respond to filed complaints, would apparently have to be hashed out by lawmakers in 2019, provided statewide voters approve creation of the ethics commission in November 2018.

Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, a first-term lawmaker and co-sponsor of the measure, credited new blood in the Legislature and new legislative leadership for moving the proposal forward.

The sentiment has shifted, and I think its a big step forward, Small told reporters after Wednesdays vote.

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, cast the lone no vote in committee, saying the Senate has ably handled ethics issues that have arisen.

I often get dismayed when it looks like we dont have any ethics here, because we truly do, Ingle said.

New Mexico has had a string of recent scandals involving elected officials, and is currently one of just eight states without an ethics commission, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

As currently drafted, the proposed constitutional amendment calls for the creation of a seven-member independent ethics commission to review complaints against elected officials, candidates, lobbyists and certain government employees.

The body would have certain set powers, including the authority to require the attendance of witnesses or the production of records and other evidence relevant to an investigation by subpoena, but specific details about the commissions day-to-day actions would have to be determined in the Legislature.

Under the version approved last week by the House on a 66-0 vote, ethics complaints would have been publicly released once a response to the complaint was filed  or upon the due date for a response.

In addition, complaints deemed by the commission to be frivolous would have been publicly released with a reason for dismissal.

The revised version does not address when, or if, complaints would be made public.

Despite removal of the transparency language, Heather Ferguson of Common Cause New Mexico, a group thats pushed for years for creation of an independent ethics commission, called the vote a historic day for New Mexico.

Theres always going to have to be compromises along the way, Ferguson said. The legislative body does have a will to want to accomplish this.

Meanwhile, Wednesdays vote marked a stark difference from last year, when Dines balked at proposed changes to a similar measure and said he would no longer want his name appearing on it if the changes were approved.

This time around, Dines said hed been persuaded by Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, and others to keep the measure short.

Though he said he still preferred having the transparency requirements included, he described the final product as workable.

I did not know for sure what was going to happen today, Dines said. The process isnt over, but Im encouraged.
New Mexico turned out in force at this weeks South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, pumping up the states reputation as a burgeoning hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The annual conference, held March 10-19, has become a bustling destination event for innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors to learn about new technologies and startups, share ideas, attend educational events and network with people from across the globe.

Albuquerque has led the charge in recent years to build New Mexicos presence there. But this year, the city partnered with the New Mexico Department of Tourism to leverage its New Mexico True campaign as a broad branding tool to showcase the states assets and attractions.

We need to put ourselves out in the forefront of the national conversation about innovation and entrepreneurship, said Mayor Richard Berry, who headed the Albuquerque delegation. To do that, we need to go where the innovators and entrepreneurs are, and South by Southwest is one of the best places for that.

About a dozen local startups joined the delegation, along with public officials, economic development professionals and New Mexico-based entrepreneurs and investors. Many participated in, or led, panel discussions, some of which focused specifically on Albuquerque and New Mexico.

The mayor spoke on one panel about Albuquerque efforts to address racial equity by including more of the citys diverse population in entrepreneurship and economic opportunity.

Representatives from Sandia National Laboratories headed a panel on U.S. Department of Energy programs to promote new clean-energy technologies.

The Creative Startups business accelerator also spoke about the global creative economy and its efforts to help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. And New Mexico-based Cottonwood Technology Fund headed a panel on innovation in the construction, energy and transport industries.

New Mexico startups, meanwhile, worked the halls to network, share ideas and attend events, said New Mexico Technology Council President Nyika Allen.

Its important for local startups to get out there and make connections that can help build their businesses, Allen said.

Five of the startups had won free, $1,500 tickets to South by Southwest in last falls Scrappy Startup Challenge, sponsored by the Tech Council and other Albuquerque organizations.

One of them, InnoBright Technologies, pitched its new rendering process for video animation at the prestigious Tech.co Startup Night competition, although it didnt win.

Were showcasing New Mexico through all these events, Allen said. Were getting the word out about what makes us unique in a national and global forum.
MOSCOW  Ukraine on Wednesday announced a transport blockade of rebel-held areas that is likely to cause serious economic disruption and could threaten a precarious cease-fire in the east of the country.

It will be in place until the occupiers return stolen Ukrainian industry to Ukrainian jurisdiction, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told the countrys national security council in Kiev.

The move represents a dramatic U-turn by Poroshenko, who had previously tried to end a transport blockade on the rebel east imposed by nationalist groups. It shows the governments vulnerability to radical forces, which have increasingly shaped the nations policy agenda.

Many economic links have been preserved between separatist-controlled areas that are dominated by heavy industry, particularly coal mining and metallurgy, and government-held Ukraine despite a three-year conflict.

But the new measures appeared to amount to a full-blown trade ban.

All rail and road connections with the rebel-controlled mini-states will be cut from Wednesday, National Security and Defense Council head Oleksander Turchynov told reporters, the Tass news agency reported.

The only exception to the new blockade will be for humanitarian deliveries by Ukrainian organizations, the United Nations and the Red Cross.

Poroshenko had previously criticized blockades on rebel-held areas imposed by nationalist activists, arguing that they hurt ordinary Ukrainians and drive residents of the east to join the rebel ranks.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denounced the move, describing it as contradicting common sense and a sense of human conscience, Tass reported.

The German government also criticized the Ukrainian government.

From our point of view, such a decision doesnt contribute to de-escalation: quite the contrary, it tends to encourage the separatist tendencies in Donbass, Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schaefer said in Berlin, referring to the area of eastern Ukraine under rebel control.

Martin Sajdik, a special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in the so-called contact group for talks on the situation in eastern Ukraine, said Wednesday following its meeting in Minsk that the latest developments heightened tensions and have a clearly adverse effect for the process of bringing positions closer.

Denis Pushilin, a rebel envoy to the talks, said the Ukrainian blockade represents a clear violation of the 2015 peace deal and borders on genocide.

Activist blockades that began in January seriously hit trade on both sides, cutting off coal shipments to government-controlled territory and impeding deliveries from the mills and factories that are the easts economic backbone. Ukrainian officials said they were contributing to rolling blackouts across the country and had inflicted millions of dollars of economic losses.

Dozens of activists taking part in the blockade were detained by Ukrainian security services this week following clashes with police sent to disperse them.

Nationalist activists in Kiev have also targeted Russian-owned banks, including a protest Monday during which they bricked up the Kiev headquarters of Russian-owned Sberbank.

Russias foreign minister called the Ukrainian authorities failure to stop the nationalist demonstrators targeting the banks shameful.

Rebel leaders in Donetsk said earlier this month that they had taken over the management of 40 factories and coal mines in retaliation for the blockade. They include those owned by Rinat Akhmetov, who is regarded as Ukraines richest person.

Akhmetovs Metinvest holding company on Wednesday declared a complete loss of control over its assets in the rebel-controlled territories. It said in a statement that it has decided to halt all operations at its industrial plants there in the face of the rebels actions.

The blockade has exacerbated tensions in Ukraine, where fighting between government forces and separatist rebels has killed more than 9,800 people since April 2014.

____

Geir Moulson in Berlin, Yuras Karmanau in Minsk, Belarus and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
DETROIT  President Donald Trumps decision to re-examine Obama-era rules that govern automobile gas mileage could be the first round of a potentially bruising political fight: revoking the ability of California and other Democratic-leaning states to set their own, tougher car-emission standards.

Environmental groups are preparing for the clash, which began even before Trump acted and is likely to be settled by the courts.

Californias unique status dates to 1970, in the early days of the Clean Air Act. Because of the states smoggy skies, Congress gave California a waiver, allowing it to set stricter pollution standards than the rest of the nation. The California standard is now used by at least a dozen, mostly Northeastern states, including New York and Massachusetts.

The Trump administration has said it wants one uniform fuel mileage requirement for automakers across the U.S. Environmental groups and California officials fear that the administration will try to revoke the waiver, and theyre taking action to fight it in court.

California Gov. Jerry Brown denounced the Trump administrations move, telling Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt in a letter Wednesday it was a gift to polluters. Brown warned auto makers in another letter Wednesday that his state would take the necessary steps to preserve its current emissions standards.

Buttressing Browns threats, California filed a motion late Tuesday to intervene in a new lawsuit brought by auto manufacturers against the EPA, a move immediately joined by New York State. The actions will allow the two states to defend the tougher emissions standards in court.

President Trumps action represents a dramatic wrong turn in our nations efforts to fight air pollution from passenger cars and trucks and protect the health of our children, seniors and all communities, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Trump took the first step toward a legal showdown on Wednesday in Michigan when he announced that the government will re-examine fuel economy requirements for 2022-2025. The rules were affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration as part of a broader effort to control greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Although the Trump administration says it hasnt decided whether to weaken the requirements, Trump has promised the CEOs of major car companies that hell reduce unnecessary regulations. His EPA chief, Pruitt, has said he doesnt believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming, putting him at odds with Obamas EPA and mainstream climate science.

These standards are costly for automakers and the American people, Pruitt said Wednesday. He promised a thorough review that will help ensure this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment.

Environmental groups predict Trump will weaken the standards, which now require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving conditions by 2025, about 10 mpg (4.25 kpl) higher than the current standard. The auto industry is concerned that the standards will be hard to meet because people are buying more trucks and SUVs and shunning fuel-efficient cars.

The Trump administration downplayed any potential fight, saying officials have more than a year to resolve differences. A decision is not due until April 2018.

Currently, California and federal standards are mostly the same. But if Trump relaxes the standards, California and the other states likely would keep the 36 mpg rule in place, potentially creating two standards. Since about 40 percent of the nations vehicles are in states that follow California rules, automakers probably would conform to them rather than build two different vehicles for the U.S. market.

That means California would end up setting national policy. Thats a problem for the industry because car prices could rise and hurt sales. The EPA estimates the current standards will cost $875 per vehicle, while a study commissioned by the auto industry estimates it at $1,249 per vehicle by 2025. However, the government says fuel savings would more than offset the added costs.

If no agreement is reached, the administration could try to revoke Californias latest waiver, setting up an epic legal battle over who controls emissions and fuel economy policies.

A senior White House official said Tuesday that the administration wants to negotiate one national standard. We welcome California to the table, the official told reporters in a conference call. He spoke on condition of anonymity even though Trump has criticized the use of unnamed sources.

If California wants to go a different direction (in 2018), well have to deal with it at that point, he said.

The feds have some leverage: A new waiver will be needed in 2025.

Regardless of what happens in the U.S., automakers who sell globally will still have to improve vehicle efficiency because of rising fuel economy standards in the rest of the world. China, Europe and Japan will all require fleets to average 47 miles per gallon or higher by 2020.

____

Associated Press writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer in San Francisco contributed. Daly reported from Washington.
HONOLULU  For the second time, a federal court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trumps efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations, putting the presidents revised travel ban on hold just hours before it was to take effect.

This time, the ruling came from a judge in Hawaii who rejected the governments claims that the travel ban is about national security, not discrimination. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state, and that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination.

Watson criticized what he called the illogic of the governments arguments and cited significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus behind the travel ban. He also noted that while courts should not examine the veiled psyche and secret motives of government decision-makers, the remarkable facts at issue here require no such impermissible inquiry.

For instance, there is nothing veiled about this press release: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,' Watson wrote, referring to a statement Trump issued as a candidate.

Trump called the ruling an example of unprecedented judicial overreach and said his administration would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one, which he said he wished he could implement.

Were going to win. Were going to keep our citizens safe, the president said at a rally in Nashville. The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear.

The judge issued his 43-page ruling less than two hours after hearing Hawaiis request for a temporary restraining order to stop the ban from being put into practice.

The hearing was one of three held Wednesday in federal courts around the country. U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle, who blocked the initial travel ban last month, did not immediately rule on a request from an immigrant-rights group to block the revised version. Neither was there a ruling from U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland in a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.

In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban. A case brought by Washington state argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Trumps initial travel ban, issued on a Friday in late January, brought chaos and protests to airports around the country as travelers from seven nations  Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen  were barred from entering even if they had prior permission to come to the U.S. The State Department canceled up to 60,000 visas, but later reversed that decision.

Robart ordered the government to stop enforcing the ban, which also suspended the nations acceptance of refugees from around the world, and a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously declined to reinstate the ban.

The administration subsequently rewrote the ban, emphasizing more of a national security rationale, dropping Iraq from the list of banned countries and spelling out some reasons that travelers from the listed nations might be granted waivers allowing them into the U.S. despite the policy. The new ban does not apply to travelers who already have visas.

Critics of the ban said the changes made it more palatable, but they still argued that it violated both the Constitution and federal immigration law, and they tweaked their lawsuits to target the revised order.

Watson is a 2012 appointee of President Barack Obama. He is the only Native Hawaiian currently sitting as a federal judge and the fourth in U.S. history. He received his law degree from Harvard in 1991.

In his order, he found little evidence the travel ban would aid national security, noting a point brought up by the state: that a draft report from the Department of Homeland Security found nationality to be an unlikely indicator of terrorism threats.

If the administration seeks an emergency stay of Watsons decision at the 9th Circuit, the matter would be heard by different judges from the three who ruled on the case last month. Thats because the panel of judges assigned to such cases rotates every month, said court spokesman David Madden.

The 9th Circuit on Wednesday declined to reconsider the 3-0 decision not to reinstate the original ban. In a dissent, five judges said they considered that decision incorrect and wanted it vacated.

Whatever we, as individuals, may feel about the president or the executive order, the presidents decision was well within the powers of the presidency, Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the five.

In Seattle, Robart grilled lawyers on two seemingly conflicting federal laws on immigration  one that gives the president the authority to keep any class of aliens out of the country and another that forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of nationality when it comes to issuing immigrant visas.

In Maryland, the judge weighed whether the measure discriminates against Muslims.

Arguing for the Justice Department, Jeffrey Wall said: It doesnt say anything about religion. It doesnt draw any religious distinctions.

The Maryland lawsuit also argues that its against federal law for the Trump administration to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000. Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

Watson made it clear that his decision applied nationwide, ruling that the ban could not be enforced at any U.S. borders or ports of entry or in the issuance of visas.

In the Hawaii case, the federal government said there was no need to issue an emergency restraining order because Hawaii officials offered only generalized allegations of harm.

Arguing by telephone, Wall challenged Hawaiis claim that the order violates due-process rights of Ismail Elshikh, a U.S. citizen who wants his mother-in-law to visit his family from Syria. He said courts have not extended due-process rights outside of a spousal relationship.

Neal Katyal, a Washington, D.C., attorney representing Hawaii, called the story of Elshiskh, an Egyptian immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, the story of America.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who filed the lawsuit that succeeded in blocking the first ban, cheered the Hawaii judges ruling.

Its very exciting, Ferguson said. At this point its a team effort  multiple lawsuits and multiple states.

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press Writer Ben Nuckols in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Sudhin Thanawala in San Francisco also contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Paul D. Ryan is not backing away from the sweeping health legislation that some opponents are deriding as Ryancare.

The Wisconsin Republican has become the salesman in chief for the plan to repeal and replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act, putting a heavy focus on conservative-leaning outlets to try to quell the brewing rebellion on the right flank. On Wednesday morning, he made the pitch on Fox Business News, his fourth appearance on the constellation of networks owned by Rupert Murdoch in the past week. Then he called in to Laura Ingrahams radio show and told one of his biggest critics that the plan would be a major conservative victory over the existing law.

Were replacing it with Republican tax policy thats been long-standing stuff that the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, have been talking for years. Its the Tom Price bill that most conservatives co-sponsored here just last year, Ryan told Ingraham, who has built her career opposing most of what Republican leaders in Congress support.

Price, a former House Budget Committee chairman, also has been selling the legislation in his new capacity as secretary of health and human services, along with Vice President Mike Pence and, occasionally on Twitter, President Donald Trump.

But Ryan has been the public face of the sales pitch.

This appears to be a risky bet for the speakers political standing because of the mounting concerns on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum of House and Senate Republicans. Far-right conservatives have returned to their Obama-era roots of opposing whatever comes out of the speakers office, while moderates from states that expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act (ACA) complain that the initial legislation would take away insurance coverage from millions of people.

That problem is more pronounced in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has less margin for error. That has led some rank-and-file Republicans to complain that Ryan is poised to make the same mistake that Democrats made in 1993 and 2009 on energy policy.

Both of those years, at the start of new administrations, House Democrats pushed through liberal legislation that would not receive even a perfunctory vote in the Senate, stranding dozens of House Democrats without any political cover for having voted for a controversial bill that never became law.

Some Senate Republicans are telling their House counterparts thats where they are headed  and they are warning them to do nothing instead.

If you dont believe its better than Obamacare over the long haul, if you think youre going to own it for the rest of your life, President Trump, it will be called Trumpcare, dont buy it, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, R-S.C., told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday.

Graham argued for just letting the existing ACA markets collapse, hoping that would provide the political momentum for more far-reaching legislation that even some Democrats would support given the urgency. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has called for the House to slow its pace to try to pass the legislation late next week, saying its doomed in the Senate and instead suggesting that the proper course is a much more deliberative approach over many more months.

However, theres a large silent majority of House Republicans who have made the opposite political calculation. Because so many Republicans represent deeply conservative districts, their biggest fear is an opponent in the primary and not a Democrat in the general election.

This big contingent of House Republicans take their leadership at its word that this is the best chance to truly repeal what they call Obamacare, House GOP advisers said. They want to vote for anything that does just that and want to support legislation that the Trump administration is backing, even if it dies in the Senate, because thats easier to explain to angry conservative voters back home who want to know why they didnt support Trumps push to repeal the ACA.

Senior advisers in both chambers remain optimistic that the House can still get its version of the legislation over to the Senate  and from there, the Senate might have to amend the Medicaid provisions and set up a House-Senate conference to fight over the differences in the two bills for several more weeks.

In the House, Ryans leadership team sees the two pockets of resistance. First, theres the block of moderates and mainstream conservatives from states that accepted Medicaid expansion to cover some of the uninsured. While they do not seek as much media attention, these wavering moderates far outnumber the conservatives who are currently opposed.

In New York alone, nine Republicans are concerned that the legislation would not do enough to help their constituents who would lose Medicaid coverage and would prefer more generous tax credits to help them buy new insurance plans.

But conservatives are wary of the tax credits and any expansion of them risks widening the pool of opponents on the right.

Thats why some Ryan insiders are saying that, despite all the talk about modifying the legislation, this bill has been carefully crafted with those two pockets of opposition in mind. Some minor tweaks can be made when the House Rules Committee considers the legislation later this month, but in general Ryans team thinks that any big shift to the right on tax credits or Medicaid would lose too many votes from the center.

Despite the bigger concern about members from those states with Medicaid concerns, Ryans public posture has been about demonstrating his conservative bona fides in supporting the bill.

A Wednesday afternoon appearance CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper will mark Ryans 10th one-on-one interview with a national TV or radio personality in a week. Of those interviews, eight have been with conservative-friendly outlets.

As a governing party, we have an obligation to keep our promises, to pass the reforms that we told people we would pass if we got this opportunity, Ryan said Monday evening on Fox News Channels First 100 Days With Martha MacCallum.
With rental vacancies dipping below 5 percent in the metro area, a local investor recently snapped up two older apartment complexes in Albuquerques tightening multi-family market.

The Continental Arms and Laurels at Uptown were purchased together as a portfolio, according to Kentner Continental Arms Property LLC, the seller.

The sales price was not disclosed.

The deal included the 83-unit Continental Arms, located at 1200 Madeira SE near San Mateo and Gibson and built in 1964 and the 59-unit Laurels at Uptown, located at 1311 Louisiana NE and built in 1974.

The new owner plans to renovate both properties, said Cynthia Meister, associate broker with Colliers International in Albuquerque.

These older properties present great opportunity for rejuvenation in outstanding locations, said Meister. This sale marks part of a nationwide trend of investors modernizing well-located mid-century properties to create very popular infill rental communities.

The new landlord, identified as Continental Apartments LLC, already owns several multifamily properties in Albuquerque.

Meister said both apartment properties have occupancy rates of 90 to 93 percent.

With fewer single-family homes available for sale, the citys vacancy rate for well-located and maintained apartment properties has tightened, said Meister. The apartment occupancy rate citywide is north of 95 percent  more for newly built communities with amenities and energy-efficient features.

Meister said her team is seeing an uptick in requests from longtime apartment building owners seeking valuations, which analyze the cash flow from rents with the costs of upkeep and improvements to attract tenants.

More Albuquerque apartment complexes in the 50-to-100 unit range could be making their way into the sales pipeline this year, Meister said.
State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

Bern, 15.03.2017 - The Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which was instituted by the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed by Switzerland and the Russian Federation in December 2012, held its third meeting this Tuesday 14 March 2017 in Bern.

The Swiss delegation, comprising members of the Swiss academic and research community and headed by Ambassador Mauro Moruzzi, welcomed a Russian delegation of ten from the Ministry of Education and Science, research funding agencies and academic institutions.

Discussions focussed primarily on the current state of cooperation in research and its development potential. The Commission was informed of the implementation progress of the 25 joint research projects that started at the end of 2015, and discussed modalities for a new call for proposals. It also addressed the topic of cooperation in innovation, which could be further strengthened by the end of the year under the multilateral EUREKA initiative.

Switzerland and Russia are long-standing partners and strong ties exist between the respective scientific communities. Between 2011 and 2016, more than 130 direct collaborations were supported for an amount of over CHF 14 million on the Swiss side. During the same period, researchers of 120 projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation indicated collaborating with colleagues from Russia. Since 1968, more than 300 young Russian researchers have benefited from Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. Furthermore, Switzerland and Russia are members of major international research organisations in material analysis, the ESRF (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility) in Grenoble and the European XFEL (X-ray Free Electron Laser) in Hamburg.

Address for enquiries

Anouk De Bast

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI

International Relations Division

Tel. +41 58 463 31 76

anouk.de-bast@sbfi.admin.ch

Publisher

State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation

http://www.sbfi.admin.ch




An old lawsuit against former Sprint Corp. executives and directors is making headlines again thanks to new information about a lawyer in the 2005 case  which was related to the Sprint/Nextel merger. The case has now undergone an appeals process thanks to what can only be described as exorbitant attorneys fees charged by Sprints employees. Those awarded fees have already been cut from $4.2 million down to just $450,000 but whats grabbing headlines is the fact that more than a quarter of those requested fees had been set aside for a single lawyer. Alexander J. Silow, the fee records show, had racked up more than 13 hours per day, reviewing 48,443 documents. For Silows work alone, more than $1.5 million had originally been asked for. A co-founder of the Weiser Law firm  just one of the firms representing Sprint  called Silows work indispensable in helping to make well-informed decisions. However, new evidence has also been presented showing that Silow was not even authorized to practice law and that is what all of the fuss is about.

The initial fee reduction was awarded against Sprint in November of last year after Kansas Judge James Vano called the amount requested, unbelievable. Vano also expressed concerns that the number of hours billed had been inflated deliberately. Silows deception was first caught by his own employer, which promptly sent a letter to the Judge. While the firm did not outline exactly how it happened or how it was discovered, Weiser was able to figure out first that Silow had not provided his real name when no Alexander J. Silow showed up in the states repository of licensed lawyers. His real name, as it turns out, is Jeffrey M. Silow. Providing a false name is bad enough, but it was also discovered that Silow had been disbarred in 1987  a fact confirmed by Pennsylvanias attorney discipline office. As a result, one Sprint Shareholder requested as recently as last month that the case be reviewed again by Judge Vano in light of the new allegations.

What started out as a pretty typical case seems to have turned out to be anything but. After all, the original suit was only set to reclaim damages caused by alleged incompetence and self-dealing by former executives. The rather anti-climactic conclusion was that Sprint agreed to make changes to its corporate policy and its board of directors. Sprint seems to be in and out of court a lot over the last several years. Unfortunately, while this particular case could have ended with Novembers ruling, it looks like there will be far more happening thanks to the latest turn of events.
Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger is the name of the first Android app launched thanks to Googles Area 120 business incubator. The app appeared on the Google Play Store earlier this week and is currently available for download in a limited number of territories as developers are presumably still optimizing it for a wider release. As its name suggests, Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger is an instant messaging (IM) solution, but one that puts a large accent on emoji and voice-enabled controls. Users can sign into the app with their Google accounts, after which theyre able to use Supersonic Fun Voice Messengers simple conversational interface. You can dictate your messages or record short clips by simply holding a button, similar to how youd accomplish the same while using a popular IM app like WhatsApp.

While the messaging market is highly competitive, Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger is a standalone solution that requires your recipients to also have the app installed if they want to receive your messages. Given its limited availability and a wide variety of alternatives, it may be a while before this solution gains some traction on the market. Regardless, Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger boasts a number of unique features that make it stand out from its competitors. For example, the app changes your speech to text almost instantly, meaning its one of the simplest solutions for dictating and sending messages.

While highly advanced, Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger wasnt designed as a business solution, just like its name indicates. Instead, the app tries to entertain its users by changing certain words into emoji, meaning the messages you dictate will likely look rather colorful when transformed into writing. Naturally, as not everyone is familiar with every existing emoji, Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger also provides recipients with original audio recordings that they can listen to in case they arent able to understand the contents of any message theyve received. The app is available for download from the Google Play Store free of charge and features no advertising or in-app purchases, though it only works on devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop and newer versions of Googles operating system. You can check whether Supersonic Fun Voice Messenger is available in your territory by following the link below.
The LG TONE Studio (HBS-W120) Bluetooth wireless headset was announced by the company back in December, right before CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas kicked off, and the company just announced its global rollout details. This wireless headset is the newest addition to the companys TONE line of audio products, and was showcased during this years Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. That being said, LG has just announced that theyre starting to rollout this headset on a global basis, read on.

The company announced that the LG TONE Studio headset will first roll out in the Middle East, which will happen this week, and after that, this headset will become available in North American markets, where it will land before the end of March. Asia and Latin America will follow in April, and the headset will land in Europe in May. The company did not share the LG TONE Studios pricing structure, the company did say that the pricing info will become available for each market separately when the time comes, same goes for the exact release date. The LG TONE Studio is actually the first wearable audio device to come with 3D surround sound, says LG. Now, in case youre not bothered by the fact that this audio device goes around your neck, which has been a trademark of LGs TONE lineup, then theres much to love about it, as it allegedly offers really compelling sound output, along with some other interesting features.

The LG TONE Studio headset comes with four speakers, two full range ones on the top, and on the bottom, youll find two vibrating ones. These speakers are working together in order to deliver great sound, and give you a personal surround sound experience while youre listening to music, watching a movie, etc. Sound experts over at DTS worked together with LG in order to push this audio wearable to a whole new level, and the LG TONE Studio also features a Hi-Fi DAC, which is a digital to analog converter, in case you didnt know that. The Hi-Fi DAC is supposed to enhance sound quality by recreating audio content to the best of its ability. Now, this headset is also equipped with Dual Play, which will let you connect two LG TONE Studio devices and share the sound from a movie youre watching, or perhaps some songs youre listening to, which is an interesting feature, thats for sure.
The OUKITEL K6000 Plus was recently announced by OUKITEL and along with its introduction came a brief explanation as to what can be expected with this latest OUKITEL smartphone. One of the main selling points is that this is a big smartphone and in particular, in the battery department. As the OUKITEL K6000 Plus comes packing a 6,080 mAh battery, a slight increase compared to the previous OUKITEL K6000 Pro  which in itself, came with a large battery.

Now, OUKITEL has provided some more details on what The Conquer  as OUKITEL likes to call it  will offer. For instance, the OUKITEL K6000 Plus will come equipped with a 5.5-inch display which makes use of an FHD resolution and Asahi glass. Along with a design and manufacturing process which has looked to ensure the OUKITEL K6000 Plus adopts a thin disposition, in spite of its size and larger than usual battery. So much so, that OUKITEL states the OUKITEL K6000 Plus is actually lighter and thinner than its predecessor, the OUKITEL K6000 Pro. Another confirmed feature is the 16-megapixel camera which will be found on the back of the device. According to OUKITEL, the rear camera employs an OmniVision 16880 sensor and makes use of PDAF for quicker and more accurate focusing. The front-facing camera on the other hand, is designed with selfies in mind, as it comes in an 8-megapixel from and includes an 80-degree wide angle lens.

Other features worth noting include the addition of a gyroscope (which actually marks a first for an OUKITEL phone), an included flash charger (which looks to offer a full battery refill in as little as one hour and forty minutes), a MediaTek MT6750 octa-core processor, a front-positioned fingerprint sensor, and Android 7.0 (Nougat) out of the box. At the moment though, there are still no firm details on what the likely price of the OUKITEL K6000 Plus will be at launch. Although OUKITEL has confirmed that the new smartphone will be available to buy before the end of the month. You can find out more about the OUKITEL K6000 Plus by heading over to the companys website, through the link below.
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will soon officially announce charges against people who hacked Yahoo and compromised hundreds of millions of its users several years ago, sources familiar with the matter told CNN. The announcement is said to be made on Thursday as both the DOJ and the San Francisco branch of the FBI have scheduled press conferences for tomorrow. Neither agency disclosed the topic of their respective conference, but sources understand that both will talk about at least one of the two massive data breaches Yahoo suffered in recent years.

Authorities reportedly believe that a group of hackers responsible for attacks on Yahoo is connected to Russia, but its still unclear whether that means theyre directly linked to the Russian government. When announcing the 2014 hack that compromised 500 million user accounts last fall, Yahoo claimed that the attack was state-sponsored but refused to identify the country that it suspected financed the breach. However, the Sunnyvale-based Internet company expressed a firm belief that the attack was motivated by non-financial interests. If the DOJ and the FBI truly connect that breach to Russia, such a move could mark another strain in already tense relations between the United States and Russia. In the run-up to last years U.S. presidential elections, numerous parties suggested that Russia is trying to hack the U.S. to help President Trump win the election. Members of the Democratic Party have also recently been calling for authorities to investigate the relationship between the 45th President of the United States and Russia, so official allegations of a Russian-sponsored attack on Yahoo would likely intensify their efforts to prove that President Trump has been compromised by Russia.

Following the announcement of official charges against perpetrators responsible for hacking Yahoo, the Sunnyvale-based company may finally be ready to sell its core business to Verizon, the largest wireless carrier in the country thats been trying to acquire Yahoos Internet business since last year. The transaction would have likely been completed by now if Yahoo wasnt attacked but both parties delayed the deal until the second quarter of 2017 until authorities conclude their investigations into the matter.
The LeEco Le X850 is now expected to be unveiled and/or made available to buy on April 11, according to a tipster who provided the information via a social media post on Weibo. In addition to the launch date, the same tipster revealed that the LeEco Le X850 will be available in four color options, consisting of black, gold, gray, and white. At the moment, it is not clear if the April 11 date is specifically just for China, although that does seem likely to be the case, due to the lack of details that have come through on this particular smartphone over the last few months. It is worth noting that a leaked image did surface yesterday of a new and unnamed LeEco flagship which could be this smartphone. Although, it just as easily could be a LeEco Le Pro4, or anything else for that matter.

While the last few months have been quiet on the LeEco Le X850, this is a smartphone that had made its way through TENAA during the closing months of 2016. As a result, a number of the specs are already widely known. For instance, the LeEco Le X850 was listed back in November as coming equipped with a 5.7-inch display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution. Inside, the LeEco Le X850 is expected to come loaded with 4GB of RAM, 64GB internal storage, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 quad-core processor, and a 3,900 mAh battery. In terms of cameras, the LeEco Le X850 will come packing a dual rear camera setup which is spearheaded by two 13-megapixel cameras, along with a 16-megapixel front-facing camera.

Interestingly, the TENAA information suggested that the LeEco Le X850 will be available in coffee gray and gold charm colors. Which means if the current information is correct, the color variance can now be extended to include the black and white color options as well. Likewise, while this latest information does not bring with it much in the way of technical information, it does seem to be indicating that there will be more than one variant available. For instance, while the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model was spotted passing through TENAA, the latest information suggests a 6GB RAM model will also be available. As well as additional storage models, such as 32GB and 128GB options.
Its rumored that pre-orders for the Galaxy S8 will start on April 7th in South Korea, according to a new report out of the region from ET News. In addition to the pre-order date its also being rumored that the sales of the device will begin on April 21st, which is about a week before the sales of the device are rumored to start in Canada and what is likely to be the same date in the U.S. Pre-orders in South Korea are said to continue until April 17th, and then a day later Samsung will host a special pre-launch event at some of the carrier stores of the three carriers in the region who will hold pre-orders for both the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus.

With the week-long time difference between what is rumored to be the launch day for sales in South Korea and the launch day in North America, its entirely possible, although not guaranteed, that pre-orders may begin in places like the U.S. and Canada about a week after they start in South Korea, which would put pre-orders in those two countries as going live on April 14th, though this is only speculation. Having said that Samsung could also choose to start pre-orders in South Korea and in North America at the same time as these are two of Samsungs largest markets. Samsung is scheduled to announce the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus on March 29th at their upcoming Unpacked event.

The rumor states that the pre-launch event will be held for reserved subscribers only though the report doesnt explain what constitutes a reserved subscriber. What is likely is that this is referring to anyone who places a pre-order for either of the new phones, and that it may give them a chance to pick up the device at the store during the pre-launch, which is said to be taking place from the 18th through the 20th in South Korea at the designated retail stores of South Koreas three telecom companies. Sales are also reported to start first at the online websites of the carriers as well as other online markets in the region.
Jay Y. Lee, Samsung Groups Vice Chairman that was recently arrested in South Korea on charges of bribery and embezzlement connected to a massive corruption scandal can still lead the company from jail, Reuters reports. The de facto heir of the largest business conglomerate in the country can meet with his lawyers as often as he likes, which is a privilege that he may opt to use provided he stays incarcerated in the coming months. Apart from his lawyers, Lee has the right to up to 12 hours of monthly visits from anyone else, including other executives at Samsung who may use that time to brief him on the companys affairs. His potential involvement in the firms dealings is still strictly limited to meetings as Lee isnt allowed to have a computer in his cell in Seoul Detention Center and also cant bring any documents with him.

Due to the fact that Lees contribution to the company can only amount to reviewing documents and issuing orders during meetings, one of the most powerful businessmen in the country may meet with his lawyers on numerous occasions in the coming months. While the current situation is less than ideal for both Lee and Samsungs corporate affairs, the Seoul-based conglomerate has no plans to seek a replacement for its chief whos also the grandson of the companys founder. There is no plan B, one executive told Reuters, adding how Samsungs top management is convinced that Lee will be proven innocent in court and continue leading the company in the future.

Lees initial trial is currently set to be concluded by late May, but Samsung may seek bail if the ruling ends up being unfavorable for the defendant and Lee ends up filing an appeal with the Supreme Court of South Korea. In that scenario, Lee may be in jail until September, which would additionally inconvenience both him and Samsungs corporate dealings. Lees arrest already led to numerous radical changes at Samsung, including an aggressive restructuring and an overhaul of the companys donation policies that allegedly enabled its Vice Chairman to pay over $37 million in bribes to facilitate a controversial merger of Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries in 2015.
Samsung confirmed that its latest artificial intelligence (AI) assistant will be called Bixby. The companys Italian website recently updated its Privacy Policy that now includes the name of its upcoming voice-enabled assistant that industry insiders are expecting will debut with the upcoming Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus. Additionally, the wording of the passage referring to Bixby suggests that the Samsungs next digital companion will also make its way to more Galaxy devices in the future, including mid-range and possibly even entry-level offerings.

This latest turn of events confirms the rumor on Bixbys existence that started circulating the industry in late 2016 after Samsung filed to trademark the word Bixby and its variations in Europe. Bixby was likely developed by Viv Labs, an AI startup that Samsung acquired in November for an undisclosed sum. Viv Labs was founded by people who originally worked on Apples intelligent assistant Siri, though their new digital companion is said to be significantly more advanced than its alternatives. Bixby will reportedly support up to eight languages at launch and be deeply integrated into all of Samsungs default apps that will ship with the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus. For example, one recent report indicated that the AI assistant will be able to access the camera of the Galaxy S8 in order to conduct a visual search, identify a product, then purchase that same product online through Samsung Pay Mini, a new online payments solution that Samsung announced last month.

The companys latest financial report suggested that Bixby will be advertised as one of the main selling points of the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus as the Seoul-based consumer electronics manufacturer said its looking to differentiate its future products with extremely capable and unique software features like its upcoming AI assistant. Furthermore, some of Samsungs recent trademark filings indicated that Bixby may also debut on computers and Internet of Things (IoT) devices in the future, meaning that the tech giant may be looking to create an entire ecosystem around the voice-enabled companion. More information on Bixby is bound to follow soon as the assistant will likely be officially unveiled alongside the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8 Plus on March 29.
Samsung has just released the Unpacked 2017 application, and its now available in the Google Play Store. This application has been released because the company will host their Unpacked 2017 event on March 29, and during it, well get to see the Galaxy S8 announcement, while the Galaxy S8 Plus will almost certainly going to be announced alongside it. Samsung already confirmed the date for the Unpacked 2017 event, and the official app is now available as well.

Samsung will host this years Galaxy S Unpacked event in New York, and most of you wont be able to participate, which is why Samsung released this application. This app will bring you all the latest news from the companys Unpacked 2017 event, and it includes a countdown timer as well. The details about the event are included here as well, such as the location, date and time of the New York event, and the satellite event in London as well. If youre planning to attend, you can sign up with your registration code, and confirm youll be attending the event. Samsungs recently released teaser video is also available here, and we presume that a live stream will also be available through this application, even though the company did not confirm anything of the sort just yet. The design of this app is quite simple, which is the way its supposed to be. Check out the gallery down below for more info, and you can always download the app in order to check it out yourself. If youd like to do that, click on the Google Play Store banner which is placed below this article.

Thanks to a number of rumors, leaks and reports, we pretty much know what to expect when it comes to the Galaxy S8. Samsungs all-new flagship will be made out of metal and glass, and will sport really thin bezels all around. Samsung will ditch the physical home button and capacitive keys this time around in favor of on-screen keys, and the device will sport a physical Bixby AI button on the left, which is the companys all-new AI assistant it seems. Android Nougat will come pre-installed on the Galaxy S8, and on top of it, youll get Samsungs custom UI. The Snapdragon 835 will fuel the Galaxy S8 in some markets, while Samsungs Exynos 8895 SoC will be in charge of that in other markets, well probably get more info regarding all that on March 29, so stay tuned.
If a smartphone is popular enough, it will likely be put through a durability test by the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything and the latest device to be tested to its limit in terms of durability, is the Nokia 6. JerryRigEverything puts the Nokia 6 against various durability tests, starting with the scratch test on the display of the device. He performs his usual scratch test on the display with his various picks based on Mohs scale of hardness and like most smartphones which come with a tempered glass display, it scratches at level 6 on this scale. The YouTuber then tries scratching the home button, but his blade has no effect on it. However, the earpiece on the Nokia 6 is covered by a piece of cloth, which came off when probed with a blade and tweezers. He then proceeds to scratch the metal rear of the device, and it is indeed made out of metal. He carves a map of Finland on to its back, as Nokia did originate from the country.

The chassis of the device is made entirely out of metal, save for the antenna lines, which are made out of plastic. Moving on to the burn test, the IPS LCD display lasts 10 seconds against the flame, before turning off. However, the pixels do recover after a few seconds, without a hint of the burn test. Last to be performed is the infamous bend, and the Nokia 6 passes it with flying colors, barely flexing when the test was performed.

The Nokia 6 is the first smartphone produced by HMD Global for the Nokia brand, and it has proven to be very popular in China. In terms of specs, the Nokia 6 is a mid-range offering from the Finnish company with a unibody frame built with aluminum alloys. Display-wise, it packs a 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD display with 2.5D curved glass protected by Cornings Gorilla Glass 3. Under the hood, the Nokia 6 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and the Adreno 505 GPU for rendering graphics. Memory-wise, it comes with 3GB / 4GB of RAM coupled with 32GB / 64GB of internal storage which can be expanded by up to 128GB via a microSD card slot. For optics, the Nokia 6 features a 16-megapixel rear camera with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a dual tone flash, as well as an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter with an 84-degree wide-angle lens. The device supports two SIM cards and is powered by a 3,000mAh non-removable battery. It also features a fingerprint reader which is embedded into its physical home button. The Nokia 6 is running Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.
Xiaomis in-house MIUI Music app boasts a large external library as a reward for those who buy a Xiaomi device and stick with the default music app, and the inking of a deal with Warner Music Group just made that selection a good bit larger. On top of existing options, Xiaomi can now throw music from Warner Bros. Records, Atlantic Records, and Parlophone Records into the mix, which includes hits from big name artists like Yui Aragaki, David Guetta, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Ed Sheeran, among a great many others. The deal has just been signed recently, so users of the MIUI Music App may not see WMG artists and songs in their playlists just yet.

This deal is not the first that Xiaomi has signed with a major record label by any means, with some 30 labels under their belt, give or take. The list even includes Sony Music and Universal Music, two of the biggest names in the industry that pick up artists worldwide. The huge list of record labels means that MIUI Music users have access to what is arguably one of the biggest libraries in the music app world. On the other side of the coin, Xiaomi is far from the first company in the tech world to sign on the dotted line with Warner Music Group. Spotify, SoundCloud, Pandora, and even Google Play Music have all signed up to net their users official access to Warner Music Groups content in the past.

That grand selection of available music is not the only perk of sticking with MIUI Music instead of using another music app on your Xiaomi phone, of course; the app has also picked up a number of advanced features over the years, such as the ability to search music, cloud syncing, and artist information pages. While the app may not boast all of the smart features of something like jukefox or the wide variety of audio features found in more specialized apps like PowerAmp, the feature set on offer with the MIUI Music app beats just about any other stock music app out there.
Air quality monitoring station at Ratna Park

The Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE), the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (Icimod) and the US Embassy jointly inaugurated an air quality monitoring station at Ratna Park in the Capital on Tuesday.
ABS

The first Huracan Performante in America has recently landed at Lamborghini Houston. And don't imagine that the 640 hp beast, which comes dressed in white, is being kept inside the showroom at all times.Instead, the Sant'Agata Bolognese animal has attended a car meet that was recently held at The Woodlands. The vlogging community was obviously present at the Texan event, which is how we ended up with the piece of footage at the bottom of the page.We have to return to the statement we made in the intro to mention that the Performante actually caused a double stir. Debut aside, the Nurburgring record of the V10 beast determined certain aficionados to raise their eyebrows.Mostly using conspiracy-grade ideas, most of those who claimed the Huracan Performante's 6:52.01 Green Hell time wasn't real were recently silenced, when the Italian automaker addressed the criticism.Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's Director of Research and Development, explained that the naturally aspirated beast used Pirelli Trofeo R tires. Since the rubber is street legal and can be found on the vehicle's list of optional extras, things are in check.Also, the automaker explained it has VBox GPS data for the record-setting lap, which demonstrates the time was set using a single session, not by adding times achieved on individual segments.Now that the Nurburgring has fully opened its gates for the 2017, we're looking forward to seeing Koenigsegg making another lap record attempt with the velocity-glorious One:1 - the rumor mill talks about how the factory car had already beaten the Porsche 918 Spyder's 6:57 time, which used to be the production car record, before going through thesensor-caused crash that took a serious toll on the hypercar. Fortunately, the Swedes have had plenty of time to rebuild the car, hence our stopwatch expectations.
AMG

As the prototypes have moved into the advanced part of the development cycle, we've been able to spy them testing close to the arctic circle.The G80 has already built an unofficial reputation as a BMW 3-Series rival, but we expect the South Korean model to be slightly longer than its Bavarian target.The test cars remain heavily covered and, if you're willing to look at the 2016 concept that previewed the car in the effort to gues the styling of the upcoming model, you should keep in mind that the styling of the production vehicle will be considerably more conservative.As Toyota did when it introduced Lexus back in 1989, Hyundai has set its sights on the US market for the Genesis label. An European market introduction is also planned for the sub-brand, but Old Continent buyers will have to wait for 2019 to meet the new badge.Meanwhile, the engine line-up of the G70 will kick off with a turbo four, a two-liter unit delivering 245 hp. A six-cylinder version is also possible and the upper hp limit is set by the 365 hp output of the Genesis G80 Sport - this level of power would allow the G70 to compete with the likes of the Audi S4 , the Mercedes-C43 and the BMW 340i.Since the said concept featured a hybrid powertrain, we expect the gas-electric setup to make its way into the production vehicle. As such, we should receive a setup consisting of the turbo-four mentioned above and an electric motor.Hyundai usually manages to keep its test cars well hidden before their unveiling, so don't expect the prototypes to shed their camo too soon.
The Kia incarnation of the vehicle should wear the Stonic moniker, since the company has already filed a trademark application for the name. As for the Hyundai sister model of the Stonic, we can't even turn to the rumor mill for a tentative name.The prototype spied here was testing in Scandinavia, with its 17-inch allow wheels standing out from the distance.And while the vehicle is still covered in heavy camouflage, we expect the styling of the high-riding model to be a bold one. For one thing, we can look back to the Kia Provo concept delivered back in 2013 for inspiration - we added a few pics of the concept at the bottom of the image gallery to your right.It's worth mentioning that, while Kia already offers such a B-segment vehicle, the KX3 present on the Chinese market is far from meeting the refinement standards of the North American and European customers. As such, the rumor mill talks about the crossover seen here sharing its platform with the 2017 Kia Rio The most important question regarding the tech side of the upcoming model has to do with whether the automaker will offer the Stonic as a front-wheel-drive model of it Kia decides to match the class-defining Nissan Juke be delivering all-wheel-drive as an option.Kia will introduce the Stonic by the end of the year, with the most likely event to mark the debut of the subcompact crossover being the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Two months later, we should see the city-friendly Kia setting wheel on US soil at the LA Auto Show.
According to the data released by Ducati, 55,451 motorcycles were delivered to customers all over the world in 2016, representing an increase of 1.2% as well as the seventh consecutive year of growth.The continuous evolution of our range, both in terms of quality and technology, the constant development of our dealer network and the effectiveness of a strategy based on investments aimed at the products, the quality and the customers, have enabled the company to continue on its growth curve, declared Claudio Domenicali, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati Motor Holding. This allows us to look to the future with optimism, knowing that we are heading in the right direction.The European market made a significant contribution to the end result, with many of its countries reporting double-digit growth figures. In Italy, for example, sales have risen by 20 percent, while in Spain it went up by 38%.Across the pond, the United States confirms its position as Ducatis number one market, scoring 8,787 motorcycles delivered to new owners. Motorcycles sold in Brazil increased by 36% and by a whopping 215 percent in Argentina. In China, another significant market, Ducati doubled the previous years result registering a 120 percent increase.Ducati continues its profitable growth trend, commented Andre Stoffels, Chief Financial Officer at Ducati Motor Holding. During 2016 we further consolidated the positive results of the previous years. The company is continuing to invest in new technologies and in new products. For these reasons, we shall be able to continue to register constant growth both in terms of turnover and profits.2017 will most likely be another year of growth, as the company launched seven new models - the 1299 Superleggera , the Ducati SuperSport , the Multistrada 950 , the Monster 797, Monster 1200, and two new Scrambler versions (Cafe Racer and Desert Sled).
EV

kWh

NEDC

SUV

The British automaker recently unleashed the I-Pace on the streets of London and, while the company was shooting the, it invited the British vlogger inside the car. The resulting test driver barely fits the definition of the genre, having taken place inside a car park, but, given the state of the contraption we're talking about, the resulting piece of footage, which you can find at the bottom of the page, is worthy of our attention.We're looking at the Photon Red example of the concept, with the color having been introduced for the Geneva Motor Show - the vehicle made its debut last year, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.The cab forward styling of the model is the result of the clean sheet approach the Brits used when designing the I-Pace. The all-new electric platform underpinning the vehicle means that, for instance, its center of gravity sits 120 mm lower than that of the similarly-sized F-Pace In concept form, the I-Pace features a 90lithium-ion battery pack, but Jaguar has hinted at other versions. The dual-motor machine delivers an overall output of 400 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), with the all-wheel-drive vehicle completing the 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) sprint in around four seconds.As for the all-important driving range, themixed cycle shows the electric Jag can deliver 310 miles (500 km) on a single charge.The Coventry automaker will show us the production face of the electricby the end of the year, while the high-riding model is scheduled to hit the market by mid-2018. Until then, you can check out the first impressions on the green motoring example below.
A new report on Action News Jax (Jacksonville) says Florida is in the first spot when it comes to deadly motorcycle crashes in the United States. Duval County is also one of the top 10 deadliest counties of the state.The data shows that over 600 people died in motorcycle crashes in Florida back in 2015, out of which 23 were happened to be in Duval. Nationwide, the number of motorcycle fatalities rose by 30 percent from 2014, and Duval ranked eighth out of Floridas 67 counties for the number of motorcycle deaths.The deadliest county is Miami-Dade, with a number of 67, followed by Hillsborough with 48. These frightening numbers came from AAA and were released the day before the 76th annual Bike Week in Daytona.Part of the problem for all those deaths is the lack of safety helmet use. The study said that more than 80 percent of riders claimed to wear a helmet, but less than half of the Florida riders have been seen wearing such equipment.And, yes, that happens because of the law. In Florida, you are allowed to ride without a helmet if youre 21 years old and have at least $10,000 in medical coverage insurance.That seems a bit stupid, because the State of Florida made seat belt use in cars, vans, and trucks mandatory and violating this rule will cost you $30 according to the DMV.Simple logic tells us that riding motorcycles are more dangerous than driving cars because you have half of the wheels and no protective cage built around you to absorb the impact.Helmets should be mandatory everywhere. Its your choice not to wear one to look cool, but whats the point if you can die from a 15 mph spill? Dont be stupid, wear a lid!
This is a first for the four-ringed brand, but not a surprise if you think about the fact that it is an important part of the Volkswagen Group. According to multiple sources, German prosecutors raided Audis headquarters, and its two biggest factories in the automakers homeland. Volkswagen s headquarters in Wolfsburg were not spared of the search, and investigators also checked six other unspecified facilities.Unlike the situation with VW, the investigation that sent prosecutors to the offices of Audi was focused on the 3.0-liter V6 TDI engines that were used in its luxury models.The same engine was also shared with Porsche, and both variants of the power plant must be recalled across the world once the proposed fix will be approved by the authorities of the countries where it was marketed.As Automotive News remarks, this raid coincided with the day when Rupert Stadler, the CEO of Audi, was presenting the annual earnings report during a major press conference. German daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung noted that the prosecutors had learned of the gathering at a time when it was too late to adjust the schedule of the search, which implies that the coincidence was entirely unintentional.Evidently, reporters who were present at the event asked the companys CEO about the situation, and Stadlers reply was that he has always supported efforts to clarify the diesel issue at Audi. The four ringed brand's leader also noted that the efforts to recover from the scandal are far from over.Sources close to the matter told some journalists that homes of Audi and Volkswagen employees were examined, but Rupert Stadler has responded that his residence is not among them.If the search was not enough bad news for Audi, the results of last year have noted a 37 percent drop in operating profit when compared to 2015. The return on sales fell to by 3.2 percent from 2015 results, which led to a final figure of 5.1%, well below the targeted range, which is between 8-10%.
Another round of conflict?

The Nepali populace is impatient to embark on the path to prosperity. The next logical step would be to hold a round of elections at three different levels and focus on economic development.
HP

The Civic Type R in U.S.-spec form is big news for Honda fans. Not only is it the first-ever Honda to wear the Type R badge in the United States, but the new kid on the block is also touted as being the most fun-to-drive Civic of them all. And just like the model it replaces, its got a turbo and a manual.Honda made it clear that the six-speed stick shift is essential for a sporty driving experience, and we wouldnt have it any other way. Ford did pretty much the same thing with the Focus RS, so thats a closed case from my point of view. In agreement with the original recipe for hot hatchbacks, drive from the 2.0-liter mill is sent to the front axle. More specifically, 316(320 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). By comparison, the Chevrolet Camaro with the 2.0-liter LTG turbo is 41 ponies down on the new-generation Civic Type R."We're happy to inform our U.S. enthusiasts that the long wait for the forbidden fruit of Honda Type R performance is nearly over, said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president & general manager of Honda in America. What's more, the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Electric will also premiere in the Big Apple.

Teased only last week, the siblings of the Clarity Fuel Cell have their own specialties. The Electric is expected to sell for something like $35,000 before incentives, which is good value for money considering that its an electrified mid-size sedan. The bad news is, an unconfirmed report alleges that the Clarity Electrics range will be limited to 80 miles (129 km) or thereabout.Those suffering from range anxiety, yours truly included, would rather the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid . Up to this point, Honda let slip two details about this model: A) a hyper-efficient gasoline-hybrid extended range mode; B) it will be able to travel more than 40 miles (64 km) on electric power alone.
First of all, the example seen here wasn't present in the images that accompanied the announcement of the first customer cars being ready for delivery - we'll tip our lens to the Bugatti Chiron Facebook page for this image.Secondly, the rumor mill talks about the Austrian-registered Chiron belonging to Ferdinand Piech.If this is true, allow us to mention that the grandson of the Volkswagen Beetle's creator should probably enjoy driving as much as possible these days, as his career-related thrills seem to be on a descending trend.It all started back in 2015, when Piech was forced to resign, giving up his VW Chairman position after over two decades of serving the company. The move came following a confrontation that saw the 80-year-old battling former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn, who has also resigned, as a result of the Dieselgate scandal.Piech remains a member of the supervisory board of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the investment company that holds the majority of the VW voting shares, but raising tensions within his family now also threaten this role.The family debate started after Piech reportedly alleged that his cousin Wolfgang Porsche, along with other figures on the VW supervisory board, were aware of the Dieselgate affair earlier than they declared.It seems that, last month, Piech accused the said board members of having known about the diesel cheating months before the US regulators made the scheme public, but investigators rejected the allegations.According to Automotive News , a decision could be taken by mid-April, in preparation for the Porsche Holding's annual shareholders meeting, which is scheduled for May 30.
The Austrian manufacturer said the new models will be launched as part of the 2018 EXC range, finally telling us its years of tests and development came to fruition.It was no secret that KTM s research center in Mattighofen, Austria, was working on the new technology, which offers considerable benefits over carbureted models and now its finally confirmed.This is an incredibly exciting development for KTM. We have been developing 2-stroke fuel injection for some time, and our goal was to create competitive motorcycles with all the benefits of fuel injection while fitting into our READY TO RACE mantra, KTM Product Marketing Manager Joachim Sauer said. There has been extensive testing and considerations for our Research and Development team to take into account during this process, so we are very motivated by this next step and world first in technology, as we take a major step forward in this segment, he added.By bringing fuel injection to the simple smoker, fuel economy will be drastically improved while the need to pre-mix fuel or alter the machines jetting will be eliminated. Moreover, the new 2-stroke TPI (Transfer Port Injection) models are said to offer a completely new experience regarding power delivery and rideability.KTM believes the new 2-stroke fuel injection system is revolutionary and it will detail the way it works closer to the new models launch dates. The company is looking forward to unveil the new KTM 250 EXC TPI and KTM 300 EXC TPI this May. In Europe, the bikes will arrive at the dealerships in early summer, while in the USA and Canada, the models will land in late fall in very limited quantities.
Primarily manufactured in Spain at the Vitoria-Gasteiz assembly plant in the Basque Country, the factory has recently finished manufacturing the 100,000th example of the W447 V-Class . M-B notes that it rolled off the assembly line last Friday, on March 10, and it was turned into a Marco Polo Horizon. As a brief refresher, the order books for the recreational vehicle opened in February, with retail pricing kicking off from 52,051.Production of the V-Class started in Vitoria in March 2014 , and ever since, the light commercial vehicle produced achieved the greatest growth rate within the Mercedes-Benz Vans model lineup. The three-pointed star highlights that almost 48,700 units were sold last year.To sustain the increasing demand for the V-Class, Mercedes-Benz decided to pour more money into the Vitoria plant in order to expand production capacity. The automaker doesnt go into further detail, but notes that an ambitious production program is expected, too. At the present moment, Mercedes-Benzs Spanish manufacturing complex employs almost 5,000 workers and rolls out 668 V-Classes per day.In its domestic market, the V-Class is available from 36,990 in three variations: kompakt, lang, and extralang. Engine-wise, there are three mills to choose from, all displacing 2.1 liters: V 200 d, V 220 d, and the V 250 d. We put the latter to the test a few years ago, and to quote my colleague, the V 250 d  cant win all the battles, but overall victory has been achieved . Indeed, the V-Class is, at heart, a pretty posh minivan.Things can get even posher with the Marco Polo lineup, especially the Horizon model mentioned a few paragraphs earlier. Those customers who would rather an honest-to-god variant of the V-Class neednt look any further than the Vito Tourer Crew, which is retailing from 23,788.
TDI

In first the instance, the fourth-generation A8 is due to be unveiled later this year. The 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show is arguably the most likely venue where the veil will come off, with sales expected to start for the 2018 model year. Audi makes a case for the all-new A8 with Level 3 automated driving functions that will work in traffic jams at speeds up to 60 km/h.2018 will see Audi launch the all-new A7 . The shutterbugs caught the second-generation model a couple of times now, including in the United States in near-production form. Its a sleeker, sharper interpretation of the A7 we all know and love, with headlights inspired by those of the upcoming A8. The Q8 will supplement the sport utility vehicle family that same year, riding on the MLB Evo platform that also underpins the Q7. The future flagships biggest plus point is design, which borrows a couple of cues from the 1980 Ur-Quattro. Its also expected to spawn SQ8 and even RS Q8 performance variants. Mild-hybrid powertrains and the 3.0V6 will make the cut too.For 2019, at least one model is planned. Q4 is its name, and according to Audi, its a sporty compact utility vehicle. Im not joking about the sporty part. The four-ringed automaker doesnt go into detail about whats in the offing, but its a given the Q4 will be a crossover more at home in the city.Last, but certainly not least, Audi plans to launch three battery-electric models by the year 2020 and to electrify additional model series after that. One of the said EVs is the 2019 Audi e-tron , which will have its batteries produced by Samsung SDI in Hungary. To boot, the "e-tron" moniker will continue to be used in combination with numerical nomenclatures (think A6 e-tron and Q7 e-tron) to denominate plug-in hybrid powertrains.
AWD

Thus, the Nissan Kicks will come to India as well. Nissan's lineup in India is pretty small, and it includes two versions of the Micra, the Sunny sedan, and Terrano, which is a rebadged Duster. However, the Datsun brand has a lot more to offer and was basically designed with markets like India in mind.So where does that leave the Kicks? Well, it would probably fill the role of a rival for the Creta because Hyundai is running away with that part of the market. However, Nissan won't get the luxury of taking full advantage of the existing engineering work done in Brazil.According to an article by Autocar India , the India-spec Kicks will be based on the Renault Duster platform. It's amazing how much work the alliance is still doing with an ancient Clio platform. In South America, they made their version of the Captur and a cool pickup truck, while the Europeans just got twin-clutch gearbox options.The codename for the Kicks is PB1D, and word is the Renault Captur is also coming to India within the next year or so. Nissan is going to launch in the second half of next year, so there's quite a lot of time for Hyundai continue dominating the market. If only they didn't make the Juke into such an abstract little thing. But Nissan also plans to export the model to other markets in the region, possibly Africa and the Middle East as well.Both models are likely to be offered with engines unique to this market, meaning a 1.6-liter petrol and the familiar 1.5-liter K9K diesel lump. We don't expectto be offered, not that it matters to most buyers.
More on this:

1 Florida Republican Proposes Bill To Abolish the EPA

2 Lynk Brand Wants To Launch Its Cars In The USA, Fears Trump' Surcharge

3 EPA Gets Freeze On Grants, Contracts, And More

4 Two Days after the Elections, US Automakers Plea Trump to Ease the Push for EVs
The new deployment, which would almost double the number of U.S. forces in Syria, is in the planning stages, according to the U.S. defense officials who tipped off The Washington Post. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Trump still have to approve the deployment, which General Joseph Votel proposed.

Why now: The deployment to northern Syria, which could take place in the coming weeks, would be to bolster the current U.S. operation on the ground in advance of an offensive on Raqqa. If deployed, these troops would reportedly focus on advisement roles and offer expertise on bomb disposal and air support coordination for the U.S.-backed Kurds and Arabs.

Why this matters: This increases the potential for U.S. combat involvement in Syria. The U.S. has already deployed Marine artillery, Army Rangers, and other forces, a step which Obama avoided. Limits on the number of troops that Obama put in place might be lifted soon.
The latest podcast from Columbia University's energy think tank has an interesting chat with Eirik Wrness, the chief economist at Norwegian oil giant Statoil. But if you don't have 34 minutes to spare...

A big takeaway: Even if carbon emissions are controlled enough to hold the global temperature rise to 2 degrees celsius above preindustrial levels (that's the difficult goal of the Paris accord), oil companies will still need to find lots of crude to meet global demand.

"Even in a world where demand is declining significantly some decades from now towards a 2 degree scenario . . . we need the equivalent of three to six new Saudi Arabias, or three to six United States', if you like, in new oil production by 2040  to offset decline from existing fields if we were to stop investing today," Wrness said on the Center on Global Energy's latest podcast.

Why it matters: We're hearing a string of warnings from industry officials and experts that even with the U.S. production surge, global investments in new production could lag behind what's needed. The world's oil thirst isn't peaking anytime soon despite better efficiency and new technologies, according to forecasts from the International Energy Agency and big companies.
The Environmental Protection Agency isn't fighting the White House's initial budget that proposes to cut the agency's budget by about $2 billion  or roughly 25%  and reduce the agency's workforce by roughly 3,000 employees.

Climate change programs would be gutted under the proposal and the workforce attached to these programs would be cleared out of the agency  in line with the aggressive vision of EPA transition head Myron Ebell.

The Trump Administration, in fact, is now discussing making even deeper cuts to the EPA, according to a source privy to the White House's internal deliberations. Senior Trump officials consider the EPA the leading edge of the administration's plans to deconstruct the administrative state.

The only place where the EPA administrator Scott Pruitt pushed back substantially against the initial budget proposal was over the planned cuts to environmental cleanup projects. Pruitt has voiced support for funding to cleanup brownfields, which are contaminated former industrial sites that could be redeveloped.

"They [the EPA career employees] just have to deal with it, because this was coming," said a source with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Pruitt has also prioritized funding for the Superfund program and water infrastructure projects.

What comes next: The EPA has sent back a budget to the administration and is waiting for the next version to be sent back to them. There'll be a back-and-forth process until President Trump makes his final decision. It's unlikely, though, that these budgets will fly through Congress.
Binod Ghimire covers parliamentary affairs and human rights for The Kathmandu Post. Since joining the Post in 2010, he has reported primarily on social issues, focusing on education and transitional justice.
Here's CNN reporter Manu Raju telling Anderson Cooper about a story that's flying below the radar tonight, but could be huge news tomorrow:

Senator: Comey to go public on Trump-Russia probe https://t.co/YZ32bCBsdM @mkraju has more. https://t.co/PCeRjYuex5  Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) March 15, 2017
Seventeen House Republicans are freelancing a bit with a new resolution about how dangerous climate change is and the need to do something about it (though it's super-vague on that score).

Why it matters: It creates at least a small GOP contrast with President Trump on the heels of his EPA chief breaking sharply with the scientific community on global warming. Look for environmentalists to cite the resolution as they try and paint the administration as extreme. They might even use this comment from GOP Rep. Mark Sanford in The Atlantic:

"[I]t's like with Alcoholics Anonymous, if you don't even recognize the fact that you have a problem, you're never going to address the problem."

To be sure: Don't look for these House Republicans to counter attacks on some of Obama's biggest policies. Most of the Republicans sponsoring the measureincluding leaders Ryan Costello, Carlos Curbelo and Elise Stefanikhave actually voted to try and kill Obama's sweeping regulations to cut carbon from power plants.
While brand marketers have employed marketing mix modeling for a long time, its not the most effective way to measure the return on digital video. Thats where attribution comes in.

Attribution looks at things at a very detailed transaction level. Individual people and households and devices, so its able to really see the impact of digital video, says Jim Spaeth, who is a Partner at the Sequent Partners consultancy.

Spaeth is one of a host of industry experts who gathered in Manhattan for the recent Beet.TV Leadership Summit titled Outcomes, presented by video marketing technology provider Eyeview. In this interview, he talks about the impact of video throughout the purchase funnel and the astronomical ROI for Honda dealerships highlighted by a Sequent case study.

Mix modeling is a great tool that serves a great purpose, but its not very fine its view of the marketplace, says Spaeth. And because video usually isnt the biggest piece of a marketers overall budget, its hard to get a read on its direct contributions to sales.

Last year, Sequent was tapped by Eyeview to do a deep dive on the importance of video in driving offline sales. Sequent surveyed more than 200 senior brand managers and interviewed some two dozen in depth. The studys most noteworthy findings indicated that to demonstrate real ROI from video marketing campaigns, brands must embrace a one-to-one model instead of one-to-many.

The research also revealed that digital video is at its inflection point of the adoption curve, moving from a branding to a sales tool. Some 50% of respondents were using ROI as a way of gauging the payback of digital video and about 50% of them said they hoped to be doing so in another year or two, according to Spaeth.

He cites the example of TriHonda Dealers (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), which had one of the most spectacular ROIs Ive ever seen. Each dollar invested in the campaign returned $7 in profit.

It was tremendously effective for them, says Spaeth. They really pulled together kind of the triple header of strong creative, good targeting and personalization.

Interviewing Jim Spaeth for Beet.TV was Matt Prohaska (Prohaska Consulting).

This video is part of a Beet.TV leadership summit on video outcomes presented by Eyeview. For more videos from event, please visit this page.




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
Capital spending at 21pc as ministries fail to use funds

Three government ministries that received almost half of the total capital budget have utilised only a quarter of available funds so far, prompting capital spending to slow down in the first eight months of the current fiscal year.
Consumer courts to be set up in each district

Nepal will have consumer courts as soon as the Consumer Protection Act 2017 is approved by Parliament.
Photo: Facebook

UPDATED: 11:05 a.m.

A Canadian man of Kazakh origins has been arrested in Ontario as one of four suspects in a massive hack of Yahoo emails, Toronto police said Wednesday.

Karim Baratov, 22, was taken into custody in Ancaster, Ont., on Tuesday at the request of American authorities, a police spokesman said.

"Our job was to locate and arrest one of the people," Mark Pugash told The Canadian Press. "We did that safely without incident."

In a release, the U.S. Department of Justice said a grand jury in California has indicted Baratov and three others, two of them allegedly officers of the Russian Federal Security Service, for computer hacking, economic espionage and other criminal offences.

According to the department, the four are alleged to have hacked into Yahoo's systems and stolen information from more than 500 million user accounts.

"(They) then used some of that stolen information to obtain unauthorized access to the contents of accounts at Yahoo, Google and other webmail providers, including accounts of Russian journalists, U.S. and Russian government officials and private-sector employees of financial, transportation and other companies," the department alleged.

"One of the defendants also exploited his access to Yahoo's network for his personal financial gain, by searching user communications for credit-card and gift-card account numbers."

Officials alleged the conspiracy began in January 2014.

Toronto officers were involved because its fugitive squad has a strong reputation, Pugash said. He could offer no further information about Baratov but said the suspect had been turned over to the RCMP.

"This was a very large operation," Pugash said. "Our job was that final part of it, which was to locate and arrest him."

Mountie spokesman Sgt. Harold Pfleiderer said the RCMP assisted the FBI in its investigation.
This is a current list of the top 250 companies by market capitalization on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Learn more .

Many investors understand the reasons for having a diversified portfolio. One way to accomplish this is to diversify within an asset class. For equity investors in the United States this can mean investing in both growth and value stocks.

It can also mean investing in international stocks. And when investors want to do this, they need look no further than our neighbor to the north. Canada has a range of stocks for investors to consider. This article will focus on strategies that investors can use when looking to invest in Canadian stocks.

Why Buy Canadian Stocks?

There are a few reasons for investors to consider Canadian stocks as part of their diversification strategy:

A Large Natural Resources Sector  The sheer size of the country and its location lets investors know that it is an area rich in natural resources. This also means that the country has a source of current and future wealth.

An Advanced Skills-Based Economy  In this regard, Canada is similar to other western nations. The difference is that it is not as common to find these skill-based professions in a country with so many natural resources.

Stability  Canada is not exempt from any problems that impact the global economy. However, the country is known for stable financial and business policies that have kept the economy relatively stable. This Goldilocks economy has meant that many Canadian stocks havent enjoyed the outsized growth of some U.S. equities. However, it also comes with a bit of protection against downside risk.

How Have Canadian Stocks Performed?

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, there was a time when U.S. stocks and Canadian stocks performed nearly identically. Heres a graph that shows the performance of the S&P 500 Index vs. the TSX Index



Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

You can see that with a couple of exceptions, the two indexes performed remarkably similar. That all changed around 2012 and Canadian stocks became less attractive.

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

This disparity is widely due to one sector, technology. However, Canadian technology stocks have been on the rise. And in 2022, the country is benefiting from renewed interest in materials stocks as well as a spike in commodity prices.

What Are the Best Sectors of Canadian Stocks?

For different reasons finance, materials, and energy stocks are among the best performing stocks as of September 2022. Heres a brief overview of each sector and some of the top names for investors to consider.

Financial  Similar to the United States, Canada has a strong banking industry. Many Canadian banks have a track record of solid performance that can provide long-term value to a portfolio. And several of these stocks pay dividends with attractive yields for investors.

This sector makes up the largest percentage of the TSX at roughly 30%. And the Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE:RY)is the top-weighted constituent in the TSX. Beyond the Royal Bank of Canada some of the other top-performing Canadian financial stocks include:

Materials and Mining  Canadian stocks can be an ideal choice for investors looking to diversify into gold and precious metals without owning the physical metal. Canada has a large natural resources sector. So, its not surprising that there are a number of gold mining companies with Canadian origins. This sector also gives investors exposure to other components in the mining and agriculture sectors. This sector makes up approximately 11.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian materials and mining stocks include:

Energy  Canadian stocks offer both traditional fossil fuel-based energy stocks as well as some renewable energy stocks. This sector makes up approximately 18.5% of the TSX. Some of the top Canadian energy stocks include:

Technology  As mentioned earlier, technology stocks have largely been the domain of the United States. As evidence of this, information technology stocks make up only about 5.5% of the TSX. However, there are a few Canadian companies that have become stars in the new economy being created. Some of the more popular names include:

What Are the Risks of Investing in Canadian Stocks?

One concern about investing in Canadian stocks is that they can be heavily weighted towards cyclical industries. For example, as of February 2022 financials (33.5%), energy (14.8%) and industrials (11.7%) made up nearly 60% of the index. That may be too much for some investors particularly because those sectors all tend to correlate roughly the same way as the economic cycle. But as a long-term play, Canadian stocks are worth considering with a small part of your portfolio.

How to Buy Canadian Stocks

Buy Individual Stocks on a Stock Exchange

Hundreds of Canadian stocks have dual listings on either the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or the NASDAQ. This is the most convenient way to get exposure to Canadian stocks because there are no barriers to stock ownership. These shares can be purchased in U.S. dollars directly from the exchange just like purchasing a U.S. stock.

However, for a full list of the best Canadian stocks, investors should look at the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). The TSX is one of the oldest stock exchanges having been founded in 1852. Its also the third largest stock exchange in North America in terms of market capitalization.

The Toronto Stock Exchange includes approximately 1,500 companies. It allows investors to trade stocks, investment trusts, exchange-traded products, bonds, commodities, futures, options, and other derivative products. All transactions on the TSX are executed in Canadian dollars.

Invest in a Mutual Fund or ETF

There are many mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that supply exposure to Canadian stocks. Some funds supply exposure to both U.S. and Canadian stocks. Other funds hold just Canadian stocks. Some examples of those include:

BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF

Horizons S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap ETF

As with investing in any asset class, investors need to consider their investment objective, time horizon and risk tolerance before choosing a fund that fits their needs. Investors will also want to pay attention to the funds fee structure to ensure youre making the most efficient use of your capital.

The Final Word on Investing in Canadian Stocks

Investing in Canadian stocks is one way for investors to add diversification to their portfolio. MarketBeat provides a list of the top Canadian stocks that trade on the TSX. This is Canadas version of the NYSE or NASDAQ in the United States and includes many of the same stocks.

Thats one advantage of investing in Canadian stocks is that many have a dual listing which removes many of the obstacles that can come with investing in international stocks.

However, investors should be aware that many of the best Canadian stocks are in highly cyclical industries which can lead to underperformance when those sectors are out of favor. Still, due to their relative stability and in some cases an impressive dividend, Canadian stocks may have a place in an investors portfolio.
The admissions-test results for New York Citys specialized high schools were announced last week, followed inevitably by a spate of articles bemoaning the continued lack of diversity, in terms of black and Latino enrollment, at the highly selective schools, and by renewed calls from progressives to gut the test. In an article in the Summer 2014 issue of City Journal, I discussed how poor and working-class Asian-American kids from immigrant families have come to dominate enrollment at these eight schoolsparticularly the flagship Stuyvesant High Schooland how the effort by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other affluent white liberals to replace the admissions test with holistic selection criteria would primarily benefit their own privileged children, rather than underrepresented minorities, at the expense of these Asian students. A subsequent study by the Research Alliance for New York City Schools at NYU confirmed this suspicion.

The most recent test results continue the pattern of Asian dominance and disappointing performance by other minorities. Asian students received offers for 53 percent of the slots at the eight schools, and 65 percent at Stuyvesant. (Once some offers are declined by students opting for private schools, these figures will likely increase to roughly the same 60 percent and 73 percent population shares, respectively, that Asians have held at these schools the last few years.) By contrast, black test-takers received only 4 percent of the offers at the eight schools and 1 percent at Stuyvesant, while Hispanic students received 6 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Attempts by de Blasio, the NAACP, the United Federation of Teachers, and others on the left to change the state law mandating an objective admissions test for the specialized schools have stalled in the legislatureowing largely to the grassroots opposition of many in the Asian-American community. Instead, the city has implemented and expanded, and the state has funded, various efforts, including outreach and tutoring programs, to identify and prepare black and Latino middle-school students capable of passing the test. (The city has also tinkered with the test in largely innocuous ways but has apparently abandoned an almost certainly illegal trial balloon to add a subjective essay section.)

These outreach initiatives are not only justified but morally imperative. The city has an obligation, as Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. told the Wall Street Journal, to nurture gifted students in every neighborhood. But these efforts are fundamentally different from the defeatist and ironically racist push to scrap standards in the name of diversity.

Theyre not likely to have a very big impact on the admissions figures, though. Thats one thing that the progressives who attack these efforts are right about. The effect of such individual nurturing on group differences in achievement is obviously dwarfed by much broader and more powerful socio-cultural and other influences. These complex factors are the subject of study by scholars such as the great African-American Stuyvesant dropout Thomas Sowell, and are beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say that family structure is crucial, and while decline can be precipitous, improvement is glacial. So the ethnic makeup of the specialized schools is unlikely to undergo significant change anytime soon.

But so what? It seems reasonable to assume (though there does not appear to be any data on it) that white ethnic groups with historically lower educational attainment levels are also underrepresented at Stuyvesant and the other specialized high schools, albeit not to the same degree as blacks and Latinos. Yet what could be more insulting, bigoted, and demeaning to the Irish-American, Italian-American, and other white-ethnic kids who do pass the test than to lower standards in an attempt to increase their numbers? Perhaps there are greater arguments for preferences for black students, if not Latinos, to counter historical discrimination in society at large (though there is no evidence of racial discrimination at the specialized schools). But the same stigma would still apply to those in the favored groupsunfairly labelling the next Thomas Sowell as an affirmative-action selection who couldnt make it on his own, while setting up those who really couldnt make it on their own, and dont have the talent to compete against the smartest kids in the city, for failure.

What about diversity, now touted with evangelical zeal as the highest and loftiest goal of society? Put aside the Orwellian irony of saying that schools with 60 percent minority enrollment are not diverse. The even greater irony is that the fetishization of racial diversity for its own sake by modern liberals has made diversitys genuine benefits harder to realize. The true value of diversity at a place like Stuyvesant is the excitement of bringing together the best and the brightest of all races, religions, and ethnicitieswithout regard to race, religion, or ethnicity. Liberals decry that only 13 African-Americans have been offered seats in the Stuyvesant class of 2021. But is diversity better served if a brilliant young Chinese-American physicist works on an equal level (and perhaps forms a close lifelong friendship) with a brilliant young African-American physicist from among those 13or if the Chinese kid passes 20 black kids in the hall?

For these reasons, defenders of merit selection at the specialized schools should not fall into the trap of accepting the liberal view that diversity is itself the goal, and that the continued disappointing numbers are some sort of crisis. By all means, we must double down on nurturing gifted students from every neighborhood. But we can never lose sight of the pursuit of excellence for which were nurturing them.

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images
RNIB's Orbit Reader

For the last 30 years or so, the only way that Braille readers could access the internet was by converting text files into audio files and listening to them, or, if they were lucky enough to live in the developed world and had a spare 4,000, by using a refreshable Braille machine which converts computer files into Braille symbols.

This state of affairs bothered RNIB chair Kevin Carey, who is himself blind and was lucky enough to live in England and have one of these devices. They were very, very expensive, he says. What this meant was that unless you lived in a rich country where the public sector bought these devices for education and employment, nobody got them. And huge amounts are still being spent generating hard-copy Braille on bits of paper from mega Braille printing presses  30 years after the internet.
Pokhara Airport design to be sent to Chinese bank for loan

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) is preparing to send the preliminary procedural design of the proposed regional international airport in Pokhara to China EXIM Bank to acquire financing to build the much-awaited project.
A children's cancer charity offered significant personal benefits to a convicted fraudster and to three of its four trustees, including the fraudster's wife, according to a Charity Commission report published today.

The Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Kids Integrated Cancer Treatment in 2014 and has now concluded that there was serious mismanagement and misconduct after the charity failed to manage conflicts of interest and made unauthorised trustee payments.

In 2012 the commission received a complaint about the charitys links to businessman Kevin Wright, who was married to one of the trustees, and who was later found guilty of stealing 1m from childrens cancer funds set up in his son's name.

The inquiry found that three of the four trustees received private benefit from the charity. This included unauthorised trustee payments.

One of the trustees was engaged as a contractor for the charity and told police that instead of wages they took payment from cash donations. Another was paid 150 per month to store files and 30 per month towards their phone bill.

During the course of the inquiry the charity closed and was removed from the register. The commission is now considering whether to use some of its new powers to take further action. It is consider the fitness of those individuals to be trustees and may use powers to ban them from becoming trustees in the future.

The regulator also criticised the charity for submitting misleading information to the charity and having poor financial controls and did not maintain adequate records.

The inquiry found that some support was provided to families with children suffering from cancer.

This was absolutely unacceptable

Michelle Russell, director of investigations, enforcement and monitoring at the Charity Commission, said: While we found some evidence of charitable activity, there were numerous personal and business associations between the charity and the convicted individual, which led to significant financial personal benefits for him and his companies, and significant private financial benefit to three of the four trustees.

That is absolutely unacceptable, as it goes against one of the most fundamental principles of charity, namely that charities exist to provide public, not private benefit.

Those involved also allowed serious deficiencies to take place and mismanagement of and misconduct in charity. The trustees failed to comply with their duties and responsibilities and let down not just themselves, but also the people the charity was set up to help.

Charity Commission freezes bank account of Hindu charity

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry and frozen the bank accounts of a grantmaking Hindu charity.

Bhaarat Welfare Trusts objects are to promote Hindu culture and religion through grants but the regulator has become concerned about its financial management.

The commission has been engaging with the charity since 2013, it found serious issues when it conducted a visit in 2015 and opened a statutory inquiry in January 2017 after the charity failed to address the commissions concerns.

Trustees were unable to account for funds transferred to India between 2010 and 2015, according to the commission. It is also concerned about the basis on which donations for a specific project were held, unmanaged conflicts of interest and whether the charity had claimed Gift Aid validly.

The commission said it has further serious concerns relating to legal action taken by the charity in relation to dispute with another charity.

For the year ending March 2016 the charity had an income of 1.2m and expenditure of 1.3m.




Legacies consortium Remember a Charity has called on the government to make wills exempt from VAT if they include a charitable gift, claiming it could generate a further 800m for good causes in the process.

Charities themselves do not pay VAT on wills, but anyone making a will has to pay VAT on services provided by solicitors. Remember a Charity believes that if there was a VAT exemption for people giving gifts to charities, this would encourage all solicitors and will-writers to mention charitable legacies when they prepare wills.

It says this could lead to a growth in the number of charitable bequests, from 37,000 to 52,000 each year, which it believes could be worth 800m.

The cost to government would be 1.3m if all wills cost 150 to make, although the likely cost would be higher, because many wills cost much more - and also because government would lose out on substantial inheritance taxes if more estates went to charity.

In a statement released yesterday, Remember a Charity estimated that "VAT exemption on charitable wills could double the number of people leaving a gift to charity in their will, generating a further 800m for good causes for the relatively low cost to government".

The call was made by the consortium as part of a two-pronged legacies campaign, which also saw Remember a Charity call on the government to re-examine recent changes to the fee structure for estates going to probate.

The statement said this was part of the consortiums wider campaign with the government to secure fiscal incentives that will encourage legacy giving among the wider UK population, not only those affected by Inheritance Tax (IHT).

Charities are facing two major threats to legacy income

Rob Cope, director of Remember a Charity, said that changes in the fee structure of probate and to the Inheritance Tax threshold which will come into force from April would be like a double whammy for legacy fundraising.

Charities are facing two major threats to legacy income, said Cope. We know that IHT exemption is a powerful motivator for financial advisers to raise the issue of legacy giving with clients and to encourage people to give.

But from April, the IHT threshold is going up and it will be relevant to fewer people, which means that solicitors will have to approach the topic of legacy giving in a different way. Together with the hike in probate fees, this is a double whammy that could have a detrimental impact on legacy giving and their family estates.

We are calling on government to introduce a VAT exemption on the cost of writing all wills that include a charitable gift. While this change would come at a relatively low cost to government, this could make a huge difference to charities, giving solicitors and Will-writers cause to highlight the option and benefits of legacy giving with all clients.

Both the Charity Finance Group and the Institute of Fundraising have supported Remember a Charitys campaign.




I suggest moving code into a folder, perhaps c:\code and setting proper permissions on it.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.



There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.



.



Any idea for these errors buddy? these are the only errors remaining right now



The OutputLogFile parameter is not supported by the VsTsc task. Verify the parameter exists on the task, and it is a settable public instance property



The VsTsc task could not be initialized with its input parameters



But when I am running the application its giving me the following error:



Build:Unknown compiler option listemittedfiles. BSCSecurityAddressBookWeb C:\Users\aaleem01\Desktop\Angular2Apps\BSCSecurityAddressBookWeb\BSCSecurityAddressBookWeb\tsc

Thanks,



Abdul Aleem



"There is already enough hatred in the world lets spread love, compassion and affection."



modified 20-Mar-17 20:21pm.



I wrote my own identity attribute for MVC, but it has 1 flaw in it.

So when I create links to the users account, if they haven't logged in, the attribute catches it and redirects them to login.



In the attribute, I change the filter context to RedirectToRouteResult and send them to Login.

But after they login, they return to the original page and not the page I sent them to in the first place.



I guess I'm looking for a way to capture the original destination and pass it to the Login Page, so the controller can move them on their way to the proper destination.

I've seen Amazon do it in a query string. Any thoughts?



So this is a OnActionExecuting call

filterContext.Result = new RedirectToRouteResult( new RouteValueDictionary{ { " controller" , " Account" }, { " action" , " SignIn" } }); If it ain't broke don't fix it





Then while I was thinking about creating the route, I thought that there must already be a route that can be captured every time the attribute fires. The destination I was sending them to in the first place.

Thus ... string rUrl = " /" + ( string )filterContext.RouteData.Values[ " controller" ] + " /" + ( string )filterContext.RouteData.Values[ " action" ]; Then while experimenting with creating the new route, I just added another key value pair.



So on OnActionExecuting() filterContext.Result = new RedirectToRouteResult( new RouteValueDictionary{ { " controller" , " Account" }, { " action" , " SignIn" }, { " rUrl" , rUrl } }); My SignIn program already had the mechanics to handle the rUrl query string so that was not a problem.



This is really cool at the moment unless it backfire on me later down the road.

I think this is going to bite me back if I send the user to simply login and return to the same page.

I need to figure out how to read a query string, perhaps that would be in the route values as well.



[Edit]

I like this version now. For some reason this puts a big smile on my face!

The ability to write these attributes in MVC is amazing. Saves so much work in the long run. string rUrl = filterContext.HttpContext.Request.QueryString[ " rUrl" ] != null ? ( string )filterContext.HttpContext.Request.QueryString[ " rUrl" ] : null ; string goUrl = " /" + ( string )filterContext.RouteData.Values[ " controller" ] + " /" + ( string )filterContext.RouteData.Values[ " action" ]; filterContext.Result = new RedirectToRouteResult( new RouteValueDictionary{ { " controller" , " Account" }, { " action" , " SignIn" }, { " rUrl" , rUrl != null ? rUrl : goUrl } }); If it ain't broke don't fix it



modified 16-Mar-17 17:30pm.



Please provide me the simple website in which my problem will solved



Member 13062652 wrote: Please provide me the simple website in which my problem will solved www.google.com[^]



I know that there are many answers on google, I tried many but nothing worked! I have a CodeMirror text editor and a list of files.I want to display the contents of a file when click on it.This is my first time using Javasctipt so I can't figure out what's wrong with my code.





This is the code I wrote so far:



controller:

C# public ActionResult Index() { StudentsCodes model = new StudentsCodes(); model.Student = (Student)CurrentUser; var user = UserManager.FindById(((Student)CurrentUser).InstructorID); model.Instructor =(Instructor) user; return View(model); } public PartialViewResult DevelopmentPartial (StudentsCodes path ) { return PartialView(path); }



Main view:



HTML < script type =" text/javascript" src =" ~/Scripts/jquery.unobtrusive-ajax.js" > < / script > < script type =" text/javascript" src =" ~/Scripts/jquery-3.1.1.js" > < / script > < ul id =" tree" > @foreach (var file in Directory.GetFiles(Server.MapPath("~/Content/" + Model.Student.UserName + "/CompilerProject/" + name))) { var filename = Path.GetFileName(file); < li id =" filelist" onclick =" @(Model.path = " ~/Content/ " + Model.Student.UserName + " /CompilerProject/src/ " + @filename) " > @filename /li> } < div id =" partial" > @{ Html.RenderPartial("DevelopmentPartial",null); } < /div > < script > $( document ).ready( function () { $( " #filelist" ).click( function (e) { @{Html.RenderAction( " DevelopmentPartial" , Model); } }); }); < / script >



PartialView:



HTML @using (Html.BeginForm()) { var fileContents= ""; if (Model==null) { fileContents = ""; } else { fileContents = System.IO.File.ReadAllText(Server.MapPath(Model.path)); } @Html.TextArea("code", fileContents, new { id = "code" }) }



The result was a non-clickable list elements , 3 text editors overlap each other, and display only the contents of the last file in the list. What am I doing wrong?





Two things you may want to try here.

You should not have multiple elements with the same id but you can have multiple elements with the same class.

Use .on to attach events for partially rendered html. change < li id =" filelist" to < li class =" filelist" change $( " #filelist" ).click( function (e) { to $( " .filelist" ).on("click", function (e) {

_______________________________________________________________

Ah don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket





The files in the list are still not clickable.



EDIT:

I modified the script :

C# <pre><script> $(document).ready(function () { $( " .filelist" ).click(function (e) { $( ' #partial' ).load( " DevelopmentPartial" ) @{ } }); }); </script>



Now it refreshes the partial view but it doesn't display the contents of the files, even though I update Model.path onclick.



modified 17-Mar-17 4:46am.







$(".filelist").on("click", function (e) {

_______________________________________________________________

Ah don't lean on me man, cause you can't afford the ticket





I'm updating my model here:

C# <li class = " filelist" onclick= " @(Model.path = " ~/Content/ " + Model.Student.UserName + " /CompilerProject/src/ " + @filename)" >

Is that wrong?



I am rewriting an old website created, I think, using Visual Studio 2010 and am now using Visual Studio 2017. The old website had a command

Html.RenderPartial( " ~/Counter/counter.ascx" , new ViewDataDictionary { { " digits" , 6 }, { " id" , " RLSBC" } } ); which essentially displayed "id", the number of visits to the site, formatted as per "digits", 6 . The variable "digits" is a .gif file of the numbers 0-9 designed in a particular way and id was displayed as a 6 digit number using digits.gif.



That statement does not work in VS 2017. It gives me an error message that essentially states that ViewDataDictionary cannot take zero parameters.



No doubt there will be other times I don't quite understand what it going on, so, is there a manual I can purchase which describes this and the other commands I will no doubt need as I progress. It would also be good if it described the use of Entity Framework, which I will need to access and SQL database.



xiecsuk wrote: is there a manual I can purchase which describes this and the other commands I will no doubt need as I progress. I find the easiest thing to do is to google the class. For example, google the error or just google ViewDataDictionary and you will probably get links to MSDN help and read through those.



I can't imagine there is a manual that will walk you through what you are doing.

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.



There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.



xiecsuk wrote: essentially states that ViewDataDictionary cannot take zero parameters

That's odd, because MSDN[^] says that it can. Can you post the full error message?



As an alternative, you should be able to pass an anonymous object instead of a ViewDataDictionary :

Html.RenderPartial( " ~/Counter/counter.ascx" , new { digits: 6 , id: " RLSBC" })





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer









' viewDataDictionary does not contain a constructor that takes 0 arguments' The problem is that MSDN isn't detailed enough. It doesn't say anywhere I could find that Html.RenderPartial should be prefixed with @ sign. That was the first thing that caused me problems. Under VS 2010, it started with <%.



And my requirements have now changed a bit. ~/Counter/counter.ascx used to count the number of visitors and overwrite the value in RLSBC.txt. I have moved that function to Start.cs to make sure it is only run once per visit. (The old method used to be run more than once per visit.) The viewDataDictionary part took id (the current number of visits) in RLSBC (RLSBC.txt) and display it as 6 characters using digits (digits.gif). Digits.gif and RLSBC.txt are both in the wwwroot/Counter directory.



Is HTML.RenderPartial / viewDataDictionary still the correct way to achieve my goals?



xiecsuk wrote: viewDataDictionary

That doesn't match the code you posted, which was using the ViewDataDictionary class. (Note the upper-case "V" at the start, which is lower-case in your error message.)



xiecsuk wrote: Html.RenderPartial should be prefixed with @ sign. That was the first thing that caused me problems. Under VS 2010, it started with <%.

It sounds like you've switched between view engines - you were using the older ASPX view engine, and you're now using Razor.

ScottGu's Blog - Introducing Razor  a new view engine for ASP.NET[^]

Introduction to ASP.NET Web Programming Using the Razor Syntax (C#) | Microsoft Docs[^]



xiecsuk wrote: Is HTML.RenderPartial / viewDataDictionary still the correct way to achieve my goals?

It sounds to me like your partial view was doing too much. The code to update the counter should not be in a view, so you've done the right thing moving it.





"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."

- Homer







V and not v .



Thank you so much for the two web references. That is just what I was looking for; something that gave more detail than is provided by using Peek Definition or Go To Definition off the mouse button 2 menu.



I will read through them, learn and hopefully improve my website.



Now I need to understand how to format my counter using the .gif definition.



I create a web page with asp.net using visual.studio. And I need to acquire data from my website and save it to my computer, in a particular folder. How can I do this? Should I write this part of the program in 'Site.Master.cs' or can you tell me more exactly what I have to do, please?

NetworkAcquisitionDevice device = new NetworkAcquisitionDevice("100.0.0.1",51212,30);

FrameSearcherSecond frameSearcher = new FrameSearcherSecond();

FormatterXorByte formatterCust = new FormatterXorByte();



DataAcquisition daq = new DataAcquisition(device, frameSearcher, formatterCust);



daq.EnableDataFormatting(true);

daq.EnableFrameSearching(true);

daq.EnableDataWriting(true); // data wil be in your harddisk.



daq.StartAcquisition();

bool stop =false;

while (!stop)

{



byte[] dataFromDevice= daq.GetData();



//process data here

}



daq.StopDataAcquisition();

daq.Reset(); // it will reset all parameters.





There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.



There are only 10 types of people in the world, those who understand binary and those who don't.



I have a web application where I have a template (word) which I need to open/save and replace some values at run time. How do I do this?


Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) Saturday claimed that hackers were trying to gain access to his personal and government-issued devices through bogus password-reset notifications.

In a short flurry of Twitter messages, Sasse blamed the hacking attempts on his criticism of WikiLeaks and its founder, Julian Assange, earlier in the week.

"Heads-up...I've been critical of Assange & WikiLeaks this week. So...big surprise: Am having multiple 'password reset' attempts right now," Sasse tweeted Saturday. The probing was hitting "basically every device, every platform, personal and govt," he added in a follow-up tweet.

Sasse did not elaborate on the exact nature of the password-reset messages he said he'd seen, such as whether they were limited to a single app -- Twitter, for instance -- and how they had been sent.

Sasse was not the only federal lawmaker to make the claim about reset requests. "Getting a lot of 'password reset' requests. Must be angering the hacker/WikiLeaks crowd by calling out Trump/Russia ties," tweeted Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) Sunday.

Most attacks featuring password-reset requests rely on email. The messages purport to be from a service's support team. The links embedded in such notifications direct users to bogus sites, which harvest the credentials as they're entered. Security experts have urged users for decades to ignore the links within emails like these, and instead steer their browser directly to a service's legitimate password reset function.

Confusing that advice, however, have been the seemingly endless parade of service breaches, and the ensuing large-scale forced password resets those services then demand of their users.

As Sasse noted in his weekend tweets, he was critical of Assange after the secret-spilling WikiLeaks released a trove of CIA documents that alleged the agency could hack smartphones, personal computers, routers and other digital devices worldwide.

In a Thursday statement, Sasse -- who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight -- said, "Assange should spend the rest of his life wearing an orange jumpsuit" and called the Australian "an enemy of the American people and an ally to Vladimir Putin."

Assange in 2012 took refuge in the London embassy of Ecuador to stymie extradition to Sweden, where he was wanted for questioning on sexual assault allegations. He held a press conference Thursday during which he pledged to provide technology firms like Apple, Google and Microsoft with technical information on the software vulnerabilities the CIA supposedly used to compromise devices. The vendors could then use that information to patch the flaws.

This story, "GOP senator alleges password-hijack attempts after blasting WikiLeaks founder" was originally published by Computerworld .
According to a research article published in the latest issue of Science, a new, still-experimental blood test called VirScan can identify almost every virus you've ever been exposed to, by testing only a single drop of your blood. Better still, this test is expected to only cost $25 to perform.

On June 5, Science published a research article discussing Comprehensive serological profiling of human populations using a synthetic human virome. The study's senior author is Stephen Elledge, a professor of genetics and medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Elledge admits that the current version of the test has some limitations  it can overlook smaller viruses, or miss past infections for which the immune response has dwindled, but the test can apparently detect signs of exposure to over 1,000 strains from 206 different species of virus  almost every virus known to infect humans.

The study's abstract page offers a brief explanation of how this works: In addition to causing illness, viruses leave indelible footprints behind, because infection permanently alters the immune system. Blood tests that detect antiviral antibodies can provide information about both past and present viral exposures. But researchers developed a blood test that identifies antibodies against all known human viruses by [u]sing a synthetic representation of all human viral peptides.

Amino acids

Peptides are combinations of amino acids, and amino acids are what combine to make various proteins. A virus, meanwhile, is essentially just a scrap or genetic material, either DNA or RNA, wrapped in a protein shell.

Viruses are not considered living organisms in their own right, because they cannot reproduce by themselves (or in conjunction with other members of their species). Viruses can only reproduce by invading the cells of living organisms  usually plants, animals or bacteria  and then commandeering those living cells to produce new copies of the virus.

When you get a virus, your immune system (ideally) responds by producing special proteins called antibodies to fight the viral infection. But traces of those antibodies will remain even after you've beaten that virus, which means you now enjoy what's called acquired immunity to that virus: even if you're exposed to that particular virus again, your immune system knows how to produce the necessary antibodies and fight off the virus before you even feel sick.

Consider the viral disease people call the common cold even though it's technically inaccurate to talk about the common cold, because it's not a single disease. There are over 200 different viruses that cause cold-like symptoms in people, and once you've had a particular cold virus, you then enjoy acquired immunity to it.

Something going around

This explains, among other things, why young children seem to catch colds all the time, whereas middle-aged and older adults rarely do: all else being equal, the older you are, the more colds you've already had and thus the more acquired immunities you've collected. It also explains the occasional mystery Seems like everybody in my social circle caught a nasty cold  except me. I wonder why I didn't catch it? Maybe it's because you already had that particular strain of cold virus a few years ago, and acquired immunity before your current companions did.

(Vaccines, meanwhile, work by using dead or weakened strains of certain viruses to stimulate the immune system into producing the right strain of virus-fighting antibodies without actually suffering from the viral infection.)

So if your doctor wants to know whether you have or had a particular viral infection, it's relatively easy to find out by looking for those virus-specific antibodies in your blood. But VirScan promises to vastly streamline this process by testing not merely for one viral antibody, but almost all of them. This not only makes it easier to determine a patient's full viral history, but will also make it easier to detect and treat certain viral infections before the patient even shows symptoms.

For example, people with hepatitis C have a pretty good prognosis if they are treated right away  but the disease usually takes awhile to develop noticeable symptoms, and by the time that happens the infection's advanced enough to be difficult to treat.

Better treatment options

In addition to improving treatment options for individual patients, VirScan also promises to make it much easier for researchers to study the overall history and development of certain diseases  how do they spread, and which populations are most vulnerable. It can also further research to study whether individual viruses or the body's own immune response to them could in turn lead to other diseases, or even in the development of certain cancers.

As Stephen Elledge said, I'm sure therell be lots of applications we havent even dreamed of. Thats what happens when you invent technology  you cant imagine what people will do with it. They're so clever.
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New York, March 15, 2017Russian authorities should immediately release Yuriy Baranchik, chief analytical editor of the pro-Kremlin Russian news agency Regnum, and allow him to work unobstructed, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Security forces arrested Baranchik, a Belarusian citizen, in his Moscow apartment today at the request of the Belarus authorities, according to Russian and Belarusian news reports. If extradited and convicted, the journalist faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison on charges of inciting ethnic hatred, the reports said. Regnum reported that Baranchik had asked Russia to grant him political asylum following his arrest.

In a statement published on its website today, Belarus Investigative Committee, a law-enforcement agency, confirmed Baranchiks arrest in Moscow and accused him of having commissioned and paid for articles by Regnum contributors Sergey Shiptenko, Yuriy Pavlovets, and Dmitry Alimkin, whom Belarusian security forces arrested in December 2016 on similar charges. The journalists, whom the Investigative Committee called a criminal gang, were also critical of Lukashenkos policies. They are jailed in Belarus pending the conclusion of the investigation, according to media reports.

Belarusian state media today claimed that Baranchik, Shiptenko, Pavlovets, and Alimkin denied in an insulting manner that Belarus is a sovereign state, that Belarusian is a national language, and that they had tried to create aggression toward the Russian diaspora.

Yuriy Baranchiks only crime is to have reported critically on the administration of one of the most authoritarian countries in Europe, CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney said. Russian authorities should release him immediately and refuse to send him back to Belarus where he would face unjust imprisonment.

Baranchiks work for Regnum often criticized Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and argued for a greater Russian influence in Belarus.

Modest Kolerov, Regnums editor-in-chief, called the accusations against Baranchik unscrupulous and far-fetched and the case politically motivated in an article published by Regnums website today. Following the December arrest of the three Regnum contributors, Kolerov called the journalists political prisoners.

Lukashenkos wide-ranging anti-press tactics have included broad legal restrictions on the press; politicized prosecution of journalists; imprisonments; travel bans against critical reporters; debilitating raids on independent newsrooms; and the wholesale confiscation of newspapers and seizure of reporting equipment.
Aruba will see a bump of just about 14 percent in cruise traffic for 2017, as the island surges to the 750,000 passenger mark.

The summer months are looking strong, said Ronella Tjin Asjoe, CEO at Aruba Tourism Authority, in an interview with Cruise Industry News. One of the objectives for us is to spread cruise tourism throughout the year. The opportunity to grow comes primarily from growing the summer season.

Aruba has thus benefited from the reintroduction of Pullmanturs Southern Caribbean program, which will run this summer and is confirmed to be back for 2018.

Asjoe said she couldnt speak for the port authority, but future plans take into account that ships are getting larger. Helping matters now, is the cargo facility, which has been moved away from the cruise terminal since 2016.

By June a new Welcome Plaza will be done, showcasing a better organized cruise port experience and allowing passengers better flow, advised Asjoe.

For the future, Asjoe has her eyes on sustainable growth.

We will not be able to growth at 14 percent a year, she said. We are looking at the capacity of ships and how many we can handle at once while still ensuring a good level of service on the island.

The challenge is to figure out to what extent we can grow and accommodate bigger ships, and also continue to position Aruba as an attractive destination for smaller ships, creating that balance.
Dutch polls open in test of anti-establishment sentiment in the Netherlands

The Dutch began voting on Wednesday in an election seen as a test of anti-immigrant and nationalist feeling, magnified in the last few days by a spat with Turkey, and as one of three polls this year that will gauge the strength of the ties that bind the European Union together.
Various news, rumors and notes as heard by the Cruise Industry News editorial team on Wednesday in Ft. Lauderdale.

Ship Sizes Changed: Carnival Corporation's next generation of ships, powered by LNG, have grown in size. Originally announced at 180,000 tons, Meyer Werft said in a statement the ships are 183,900 tons last month when steel was cut for the first AIDA LNG-powered newbuild. The delivery has also moved up, from early 2019 to late 2018.

All Leisure Ships Moved: All Leisure Groups Minerva and Discovery are about to find long-term new homes.

SuperStar Gemini: The year-round cruise program out of the Singapore Cruise Center for the SuperStar Gemini is set to come to end later this year, according to sources, and the ship is set to re-deploy to Thailand.

Joy Ports: Where is the Norwegian Joy calling before she is christened in Shanghai in late June? There are berth bookings at Marina Bay (May 20) and Guam (May 27). the ship then will call on Qingdao and Tianjin in early June. With recent pullback in South Korea, overall China deployment and port calls may be adjusted.

LNG: Will Quantum 4 and Quantum 5 feature powerplant changes?

Twist: Dansk Wilton has launched DW TWIST, a new carpet solution that combines design, colors and texture yarn making it possible to create new dimensions and user experiences with high-end carpets, according to the company.
Holland America Line said in a press release it is "honoring its Master Chef and culinary consultant Rudi Sodamin, the creator of Sel de Mer aboard ms Koningsdam, by launching the French brasserie as a pop-up in the Pinnacle Grill and naming it Rudis Sel de Mer."

Six ships in the fleet will feature the venue, including ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam and ms Zuiderdam.



Rudis Sel de Mer will build on the menu of classic French dishes including locally sourced seafood served comparable to an intimate brasserie with custom decor, plates, menus and uniforms reflecting the ambiance of the original Koningsdam restaurant.

A specially crafted cocktail and wine menu also will be featured. Rudis Sel de Mer will be offered once on seven-day cruises and twice on cruises longer than 10 days.

Sel de Mer onboard Koningsdam is extremely popular among our guests and one of the most talked about dining experiences in the industry, said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. The restaurant showcases our commitment to providing our guests with unrivaled dining options, and launching it as Rudis Sel de Mer on six more ships as a pop-up will allow more of our guests to see what the buzz is all about and indulge in its phenomenal cuisine.

Rudis Sel de Mer is set to debut in 2017 on ms Nieuw Amsterdam March 31, ms Oosterdam May 11, ms Eurodam May 24, ms Westerdam June 12, ms Noordam Oct. 2 and ms Zuiderdam Nov. 10.

Rudis Sel de Mer will serve a selection of French seafood dishes with a contemporary twist, said the company.

After an amuse-bouche of Seared Scallops on Seaweed Salad and Light Saffron Vinaigrette Foam, guests can select appetizers including Steak Tartare, Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, Rudis Seafood Tower and the classic Fruits de Mer (serves two).

For an entree, guests can dine on Broiled Maine Lobster, Whole Dover Sole Meuniere, Rack of Lamb Persillade, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Frites, Souffle au Fromage and the popular Salt Crust Baked Branzino.
The 2017 conference season officially kicked off a couple of weeks ago at the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. From now through next November, the calendar is filled with events large and small, all competing for your conference budget dollars. Regardless of size or topic, any worthwhile conference must provide an opportunity for you to learn, network and explore. So it stands to reason that youll only get your moneys worth if you do all three in equal measure.

Learn

Simply put, go to the sessions. At larger conferences, you have the luxury of choosing from different breakout sessions depending on your personal and professional interests. However, even at small conferences where everyone attends the same sessions, conference sessions are designed to educate you and provide you with actionable information. If you find the sessions at a particular conference offer little in the way of educational benefits or actionable information, you should probably consider scratching that conference from next years budget  even if it is in the Bahamas when there are three feet of snow in your driveway.

Network

One of the great and unusual aspects of the credit union industry is the willingness by most credit unions to openly share ideas with each other. If you only have lunch with people you know, if you only go out to dinner with your own staff and board members, and if you dont hang out at the hotel bar for at least a little while, youre missing a huge opportunity to gain valuable insight about our industry. Even when you talk with people whose ideas dont align with yours, theres still value in the conversation. After all, the best ideas are formed by a critical analysis of both similar and opposing views.

Explore

Many conference attendees see the exhibit hall as the gauntlet one must run to reach the food tables or the portable bar. If you see exhibitors as nothing more than a necessary evil, youre making a big mistake. Even if youre not in the market for anything specific, you owe it to your members to stay on top of whats happening with the latest products and services. Whats the worst that can happen? You come away with some new ideas to implement using the products your credit union already owns. You can be the hero without spending a dime on new products. That aint so bad, is it?

Learn, network and explore. If you do those three things, every conference you attend will be a success.
From lush landscapes to buzzing cities, Vietnam is designed to dazzle. Few countries have changed so much in so little time. This intrepid corner of Southeast Asia has persevered through colonialism, communism, war and poverty, and like the proverbial phoenix, has risen again to claim top spots on countless bucket lists.

Prepare for sensory overload. Though it has not forgotten its past, Vietnam has come roaring into the future. Urban centres like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are bursting with youthful populations, innovators in arts and sciences, and tidal waves of motorbikes. In other corners of the country, ethnic markets, ancient temples, and intricate pagodas continue to draw visitors from both home and abroad.

But Vietnams most stunning sights sit beyond city borders. Peaceful paddy fields and majestic national parks, languid river deltas and pristine beaches, jagged karst peaks and fathomless caves  the natural scenery here is transcendent.

Extraordinary Vietnam holidays await. Discover yours below.

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and one of the countrys most popular destinations. The southern capital has left its war-torn days behind for a head-spinning mix of economic success and poverty. The combination makes for a constant flurry of sights and sounds, a whirlwind experience thats overwhelming and exhilarating in equal measures.

Immerse yourself in the citys rich history with visits to the War Remnants Museum (formerly the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes) and the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral. Drop by the Reunification Palace and Central Post Office to see some of HCMCs most striking architecture. Experience tradition at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Giac Lam Pagoda, and Binh Tay Market. Visit the 48th-floor Saigon Skydeck in the Bitexco Financial Tower for a view above it all.

Tay Ninh

From your HQ in Ho Chi Minh City, take a day trip to Tay Ninh, home to one of Vietnams most interesting indigenous religions, Cao Daism. The Cao Dai Great Temple is an utterly astonishing structure: a rococo clash of kitsch and creed that blends motifs from Christian churches, Chinese temples, and Islamic mosques. The jurys out on whether its art or an eyesore, but its certainly intriguing.

Your second stop is the Cu Chi tunnels, a network of underground passageways once used as hideouts, living quarters, and supply routes by the Viet Cong. Life in the tunnels was difficult. Air, food, and water were scarce. Vermin and poisonous insects roamed the passages. Malaria, the second largest cause of death during the war, was rampant. Yet today the tunnels are a popular tourist attraction, and visitors are even invited to crawl through the safer parts of the system.

Mekong Delta

Another destination easily reached from Ho Chi Minh City is the Mekong Delta. Here, in the rice bowl of Vietnam, visitors are greeted by a bewildering variety of colours and rhythms. The mighty Mekong River empties into the South China Sea, leaving a spiders web of tributaries in its wake. Life on the Mekong Delta revolves around the water  countless boats traverse its network of streams, and even houses and markets float upon the innumerable canals.

Spend a day or two exploring the regions orchards and paddy fields, markets, and religious structures. Popular stops include My Tho, Ben Tre, Sa Dec, Vinh Long, Can Tho, Cai Be, Ca Mau, Chau Doc, and Soc Trang during the colourful Ok Om Bok festival.

Da Lat

Dubbed the City of Eternal Spring for its distinctive temperate climate, Da Lat was developed as a resort by the French in the early 1900s. Many reminders of its colonial heritage remain today, making it a favourite spot for Vietnamese honeymooners seeking romance. The Europe-meets-Asia vibe is unique, though the love obsession veers towards cheesy at times (think horse-drawn carriages and swan-shaped pedal boats).

Mui Ne & Nha Trang

A hectic travel schedule demands occasional respite, and Vietnams beaches are the place to take it. Try Mui Ne, the countrys top resort destination, if youre looking for an upmarket take on sun and surf. Farther north, lively nightlife and a more locals-friendly scene can be found in Nha Trang. The latter also has a noteworthy culinary culture, nearby hot springs, and the worlds longest cross-sea cable-car ride.

Hoi An

Dont be fooled by its diminutive size. Hoi Ans picturesque scenery and laid-back atmosphere draw rave reviews from visitors, making it a must-see stop for all Vietnam holidays. There two main points on your Hoi An itinerary: eat and shop. The food here may be the best in the entire country, and the citys many inexpensive tailors can whip up made-to-measure clothes in no time.

Beyond the eating and shopping, Hoi An has endless other charms to recommend it. Visit Quan Cong Temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge if you like architectural accomplishments. Attend the Full Moon Festival to see the streets come alive with music, dancing, and brightly coloured lanterns. Relax on the local beaches or take a trip to Cham Island to scuba dive. Explore the atmospheric ruins of My Son, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

Hue

Pronounced hway, this aristocratic city boasts immense opportunity for historic exploration. Hue was once the capital of the Nguyen emperors, and still claims the temples and palaces to prove it. Youll find the once-grand Imperial City on the north bank of the Perfume River, inside the 19th-century walled citadel. To the east lies Phu Cat, the citys original merchants quarter. To the south are the palatial Royal Mausoleums. Hue is also the main jumping-off point for day-tours of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), if youre looking for history of a different sort.

Detours

If you can spare the time between Hue and Hanoi, the route is peppered with enticing detours begging to be explored. The glittering limestone cavern of Phong Nha, accessible only by boat, was once revered as the largest cave in Vietnam. It has since been surpassed by Son Doong  believed to be the largest cave in the entire world. Only one tour operator is currently authorised to lead expeditions into Son Doong, and theres a two-year waitlist.

On the outskirts of the northern Red River Delta lie the mystical landscapes of Tam Coc and Van Long. Limestone outcrops collide with serene rice paddies in a scenic spectacle inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Tam Coc is a flooded cave karst system composed of three caves that can be explored by boat. Nearby Bich Dong is a pagoda complex dating back to 1428. The Van Long Nature Reserve is popular with bird watchers and is one of the last natural refuges of the Delacours langur, one of the worlds most endangered primate species.

Also in the region is Hoa Lu, home to architectural remains that once housed the Dinh and Le kings. Though their palaces have long been reduced to rubble, seventeenth-century copies of their eleventh-century temples still stand.

Hanoi

Vietnams capital has shed its war-ravaged image to emerge as one of Southeast Asias most vibrant and culturally significant cities. Like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi is both a feast for the senses and guaranteed to overwhelm them. Visitors never run short of things to do.

Make the most of your trip by finding your way into the Old Quarter, where you can experience the citys best inexpensive street eats (the bahn mi and pho are musts). Wash them down with bia hoi, a light-alcohol beer thats made fresh daily and costs next to nothing.

See Quan Su Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts. Shop at Dong Xuan Market and pay your respects at Ho Chi Minh Museum & Mausoleum. Stroll through stately pagodas and temples, along the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, and down the elegant tree-lined boulevards of the French Quarter. See it all by motorbike if you crave authenticity and have nerves of steel.

Ha Long Bay

There are few more dramatic ways to end a Vietnamese tour than a trip to Ha Long Bay, a breathtaking mass of limestone peaks (some 1,900 islands and islets in total) jutting from the sea. Because of their extremely precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and untouched by human presence. Their scenic beauty is off the charts as a result, as is their biodiversity.

Ho Chi Minh City 1/18 Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City 2/18 Chill Skybar 3/18 Cao Dai Great Temple 4/18 Mekong Delta 5/18 Mekong Delta 6/18 Hang Nga Crazy House, Da Lat 7/18 Mui Ne 8/18 Hoi An 9/18 My Son 10/18 Hue 11/18 Son Doong 12/18 Tam Coc 13/18 Bich Dong 14/18 Hanoi 15/18 Hanoi 16/18 Hanoi 17/18 Ha Long Bay 18/18

To fully absorb the immensity of Ha Long Bay, youll want to experience it from multiple angles. First admire its ethereal beauty from land, then drift across its emerald waters on an overnight cruise tour. Drop by mountainous Cat Ba, the largest and most beautiful island in the bay, if time allows.
1.4 million Pennsylvanians asked to vote by mail. How fast will ballots be counted?
BEER-SHEVA, Israel...March 15, 2017 -- Despite YouTube's attempts to safeguard user anonymity, intelligence agencies, hackers and online advertising companies can still determine which videos a user is watching, according to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) research.

Ran Dubin, a doctoral student in the BGU Department of Communication Systems Engineering who is an expert in cyber security, presented this research at the Black Hat Europe meeting in London.

"We built a simple yet robust machine-learning algorithm that can identify which video you watched--within a predetermined set of videos--with a high degree of accuracy," Dubin says. "The algorithm is based on an in-depth study of how video services work, how video content is encoded and how a video player requests information to play it."

Dubin was able to us this algorithm to determine if someone had watched a specific video from a set of suspicious, terror-related videos. Intelligence agencies could access this technology for tracking terrorists or other suspicious individuals. Internet marketing companies could track the number and make-up of viewers watching an ad.

While this information could be helpful, Dubin warns average YouTube users to be aware that their viewing history on YouTube and other internet video platforms can be tracked.

"It's important to know that video encryption is not as secure as we once thought," he says. "Google, YouTube's parent company, is not likely to patch the gaps, since it would be prohibitively expensive to create a traffic obfuscation mechanism for every user's every video request."

Researchers are exploring an upside to this discovery: the ability to assess video quality without breaking an encryption. "While internet service providers want to ensure they are providing high quality streaming, encryption has made accessing information much more challenging," says Dubin. "This tracking algorithm could help."

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About American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision: creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. As Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) looks ahead to turning 50 in 2020,

AABGU imagines a future that goes beyond the walls of academia. It is a future where BGU invents a new world and inspires a vision for a stronger Israel and its next generation of leaders. Together with supporters, AABGU will help the University foster excellence in teaching, research and outreach to the communities of the Negev for the next 50 years and beyond. Visit vision.aabgu.org to learn more.

AABGU, which is headquartered in Manhattan, has nine regional offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.aabgu.org.
High returns draw more farmers to fish farming

The number of people involved in fishery in Jhapa has increased over the years due to high returns as compared to other traditional crops. Currently, there are more than 1,200 fish farmers in the district.
Public health officials are increasingly concerned over methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The bacteria have developed resistance to a number of treatments, even antibiotics of last resort in some cases. Now researchers report in ACS' journal Bioconjugate Chemistry that a new class of compounds can treat MRSA skin infections in mice with no signs of acute toxicity, and no signs that the bacteria would develop resistance to them after many applications.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year at least 2 million people in America become infected by bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and 23,000 people die from such infections. Researchers have been working to combat this major public health threat for years. One of the latest fronts in this fight involves antimicrobial peptides and lipopeptides, which can destroy bacterial membranes. But translating these molecules into clinical products has been difficult. More recently, researchers have developed a new class of membrane-busting compounds called lysine-conjugated aliphatic norspermidine analogues (LANAs) that have been effective at killing certain bacteria and the Ebola virus in lab tests. Mohini Mohan Konai and Jayanta Haldar wanted to see if these compounds could also work against MRSA.

The researchers found that LANAs were effective against four MRSA strains in lab experiments. Testing on mice showed that the compounds could eliminate MRSA skin infections, which form notoriously difficult-to-treat biofilms. Even after 20 passages, the MRSA bacteria failed to develop resistance to the compounds. The results suggest that LANAs could be strong contenders for treating MRSA skin infections, the researchers say.

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The authors cite funding from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. They also acknowledge the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (India) for support via a senior research fellowship.

The abstract that accompanies this study is available here.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With nearly 157,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

To automatically receive news releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org.

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DALLAS, March 15, 2017 -- New recommendations clarify which patients who have malfunctioning heart valves may benefit from artificial valves replaced through a minimally invasive procedure; clarify the need for antibiotics for some patients prior to a dental procedure; and expand the age range for choosing tissue valve replacement.

The guidelines for treating patients with heart valve disease has been updated to reflect the latest scientific research published since the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology last issued guidelines in 2014.

"There have been significant developments in the treatment of patients with valve disease using open heart surgery to repair rather than replace leaky valves," said Rick Nishimura, M.D., a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic and writing committee co-chair of the new guideline focused update. "For example, we are now able to replace abnormal valves using a catheter based approach, so that patients at higher risk of surgery can be treated less invasively."

The guideline focused updated is published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The valves of the heart open to enable blood to flow in one direction through and out of the heart, then close to prevent blood from flowing in the reverse direction. In valvular heart disease, one or more of the heart's four valves does not work properly, creating problems ranging from allowing blood to leak through the valve in the wrong direction, called regurgitation, to obstructing blood flow moving forward, a condition known as stenosis. Heart valve problems, which can be present at birth or result from infection, heart disease or heart attacks, are initially diagnosed when an abnormal heart sound called an arrhythmia is detected. Heart valve problems can be symptomatic or diagnosed as an abnormality during testing or imaging of the chest.

Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening that restricts the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta. Although some people have aortic stenosis because of a congenital heart defect, this condition more commonly develops during aging as calcium deposits restrict the amount of blood flowing through the valve. The treatment for aortic stenosis traditionally required open heart surgery to replace the damaged valve, but the development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become an option for some patients. In TAVR the valve is replaced via a narrow tube called a catheter without the need for open heart surgery.

The guideline update modifies some recommendations for open heart surgical aortic valve replacement and TAVR based on the results of clinical trials. Surgical aortic valve replacement, for example, is recommended for people with advanced aortic stenosis who have low or intermediate risk of surgery for either symptoms or other indications of future problems. Low or intermediate risk of surgery means that healthcare providers evaluated the patient and feel they are unlikely to have major complications if they underwent open heart surgery.

For patients with advanced aortic stenosis who have symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, and are at intermediate or high risk of surgery, the writing committee found that transcatheter replacement is a reasonable alternative to surgical replacement. The decision to undergo surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, Nishimura said, should be a shared decision in consultation with the patient, surgeon and cardiologist to determine the best option based on the patient's needs and preferences.

The shared decision-making approach should also be used when considering replacing a faulty valve with either a mechanical or tissue valve.

Among patients undergoing aortic or mitral valve replacement, the age range was expanded from 60 to 70 years of age to 50 to 70 years of age for the choice of either a mechanical or tissue valve. Mechanical valves, which last longer than tissue valves but may require taking blood thinners for life, were previously recommended for patients younger than 60 years old. Newer tissue valves, which may not require blood thinners, last longer than the earlier generation of tissue valves, without the need for replacement as often, giving patients between the ages of 50 and 60 more options, Nishimura said.

The authors have also clarified the 2014 recommendations regarding which patients with a risk of developing a disease called infective endocarditis should receive antibiotics before certain dental procedures. Infective endocarditis is an infection caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream and settle in the heart lining, a heart valve or a blood vessel. Bacteria released into the bloodstream during dental work, cleaning, or even routine brushing or chewing food can cause this disease. The guidelines now say that giving antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection is reasonable before dental procedures for people who have had previous valve surgery or previous infection of their valve or for patients who have certain types of congenital heart disease and were born with abnormal valves.

It's unclear how well preventive antibiotics work against infection, but regular dental hygiene and a dental checkup at least every six months are important for anyone with valve disease or an artificial valve.

The focused update is intended to help healthcare providers prevent symptoms, disability and premature death in patients with valve disease. "A heart murmur often is detected on physical examination many years before symptoms appear and should prompt further evaluation with an echocardiogram. Careful periodic monitoring and medical therapy result in better long term outcomes because patients have valve replacement at the right time; not too soon and not too late," said Catherine M. Otto, M.D., co-chair of the writing committee and professor of Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.

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Co-authors are Robert O. Bonow, M.D.; Michael J. Mack, M.D.; Blase A. Carabello, M.D.; Christopher J. McLeod, M.B.Ch.B., Ph.D.; John P. Erwin III, M.D.; Patrick T. O'Gara, M.D.; Lee A. Fleisher, M.D.; Vera H. Rigolin, M.D.; Hani Jneid, M.D.; Thoralf M. Sundt III, M.D. and Annemarie Thompson, M.D. Author disclosures are on the manuscript.

Additional Resources:

After March 15, 2017, view the manuscript online.

Heart Valve Problems and Disease

Aortic Valve Stenosis

Infective Endocarditis

Follow AHA/ASA news on Twitter @HeartNews.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association's science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical and device manufacturers and health insurance providers are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have proposed a new, sophisticated method of detecting molecules with sensors based on ultra-thin nanomaterials

More efficient sensors are needed to be able to detect environmental pollution. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have proposed a new, sophisticated method of detecting molecules with sensors based on ultra-thin nanomaterials. The novel method could improve environmental sensing in the future. The results are published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

"This could open up new possibilities for the detection of environmental gases. Our method is more robust than conventional sensors, which rely on small changes in optical properties", says Maja Feierabend, PhD student at the Department of Physics and the main author of the article from Chalmers University of Technology and Technische Universitat Berlin.

Together with her supervisor, Associate Professor Ermin Malic, and Gunnar Berghauser, postdoctoral researcher at Chalmers, she has proposed a new type of chemical nanosensor that consists of atomically thin nanomaterials that are extremely sensitive to changes in their surroundings.

If you shine light on the sensor, you will see the optical fingerprint of the material itself. Molecules are identified by activating dark electronic states in the sensor material. If there are molecules on its surface, they will interact with these dark states and switch them on, making them visible. The result is an altered optical fingerprint, containing new features that prove the presence of the molecules.

"Our method has promising potential, paving the way for ultra-thin, fast, efficient and accurate sensors. In the future, this could hopefully lead to highly sensitive and selective sensors that can be used in environmental research", says Ermin Malic.

The researchers have filed a patent application for the novel sensor method. The next step is to work with experimental physicists and chemists to demonstrate the proof-of-principle for this new class of chemical sensors.

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Read the scientific article in Nature Communications: "Proposal for dark exciton based chemical sensors"
New York, NY -- Emmy-award winning journalist Charlie Rose will receive the inaugural Dana Public Outreach Award for his commitment to educating the public about the importance of brain research through his broadcasting work. This newly created award is given by The Dana Foundation in recognition of an individual's contribution to educating the public about the progress and promise of brain research, and is accompanied by a $25,000 prize. It will be presented to Rose by Nobel laureate and neuroscientist Eric Kandel at a Dana Foundation reception in November during the annual Society for Neuroscience conference in Washington, DC.

"As people around the globe celebrate brain research during Brain Awareness Week, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on someone who has promoted neuroscience for many years," said Edward Rover, chairman and president of The Dana Foundation. "Through his captivating television interviews with neuroscientists, Charlie Rose informs a wide audience about important brain topics in an accessible way, which is something we strive to accomplish and recognize at The Dana Foundation."

Rose is anchor and executive editor of "Charlie Rose," the nightly one-hour program that engages in one-on-one, in-depth conversations and round-table discussions, and the newly launched "Charlie Rose: The Week," chronicling the best stories and interviews of the past seven days. He also co-anchors "CBS This Morning," is a correspondent for "60 Minutes" and occasionally anchors on the "CBS Evening News."

Since 1991, Rose has counted more than 80 notable neuroscientists among his television guests; in 2009, he launched "The Brain Series" on PBS, with co-host Kandel, inviting leading physicians and scientists to discuss biology, behavior, and the brain. There have been 32 programs so far; the videos can be viewed for free on the Charlie Rose website.

"In 'The Brain Series,' Charlie has not only advocated educating the public on the importance and applicability of science, but he has made it clear that in a democratic society we cannot function without being informed about the political and scientific issues that surround us," said Kandel.

The Dana Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports brain research through grants, publications, and educational programs. Through its year-round outreach, it is committed to disseminating information about the brain in an understandable and accessible manner.

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Coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, Brain Awareness Week unites the efforts of hundreds of universities, hospitals, patient advocacy groups, professional associations, government agencies, service organizations, and K-12 schools around the world in a week-long celebration of the brain.
You've just discovered a unique, eyeless catfish from the murky bottoms of the Amazon River. What do you do?

If you're Mark Sabaj of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, you name the new fish after your adventuresome daughter, of course.

"I named it Xyliphius sofiae as an expression of love for my daughter and appreciation for everything she has taught me," said Sabaj, PhD, interim curator of Ichthyology at the Academy. "Like Sofia, this specimen is unique."

For the past two years, since she was 5, Sofia has joined her father on fieldwork, which he said is his "favorite part of the job."

"Naturally, I want to bring my daughter on trips to the field," Sabaj explained. "The best part is the shared thrill of discovery as we pull our net out of the water."

That's just how the X. sofiae specimen was obtained. Sofia was yet to be born when the specimen was initially pulled from the middle of the Amazon River near Iquitos, Peru by Sabaj and local fishermen.. The fish was officially described in a paper published in Copeia, authored by Tiago Carvalho, then of the Academy, and co-authored by Sabaj and Carvalho's advisor, Roberto Reis of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

Just over 44 millimeters from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail, the X. sofiae is relatively small for Xyliphius, a genus of banjo catfish native to South America.

"It has two characteristics that are relatively rare among catfishes: The complete loss of its eyes and its pale -- almost extreme lack of -- pigmentation," Sabaj said. "Most catfishes with similar features inhabit underground aquifers and other cave environments."

The habitat of X. sofiae does bare some similarities to dark waters below ground, though.

"The Amazon River carries a lot of sediments from the Andes Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, so light does not penetrate far below its surface," Sabaj explained.

Xyliphius sofiae is extremely well-adapted to such dark environments. Being blind isn't an issue at such murky depths in part because the catfish has long barbels (whiskers) and fin filaments that likely allow it to feel its way around.

Although it's unclear what the fish eats, the best guess is that it sifts around the bottom of rivers for micro-invertebrates.

All of this points to the X. sofiae being at the pinnacle of evolution for banjo catfishes in a lightless aquatic environment.

"Perhaps most the most interesting aspect of the X. sofiae is its habitat, the dark depths of the Amazon channel," Sabaj said. "Until recently, such habitats remained poorly explored and the diversity of its denizens was poorly documented."

The fish named for Sofia now resides at the Academy in Philadelphia, the only known museum specimen in the world. If things keep up, Sofia may continue to follow in her father's footsteps and add more specimens to the Academy's vaunted collections.

Sofia's excitement for fieldwork isn't her only chip off the old block, it turns out. Having species named for them is in the family blood. In total, Sabaj has five species, including three catfish, named after him, starting with the Peckoltia sabaji, a popular pleco named in 2003 by Jon Armbruster, a long-time friend from Auburn University who was Sabaj's office mate in gradute school.

"Taxonomists can name a new species almost anything they want, so I'm humbled to be recognized by my colleagues for my contributions to taxonomy," Sabaj said.

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Sophia Antipolis, 15 March 2017: Painkillers considered harmless by the general public are associated with increased risk of cardiac arrest, according to research published today in the March issue of European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.1

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used drugs worldwide and some, including ibuprofen, are available over the counter.

"Allowing these drugs to be purchased without a prescription, and without any advice or restrictions, sends a message to the public that they must be safe," said author Professor Gunnar H. Gislason, professor of cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Denmark. "Previous studies have shown that NSAIDs are related to increased cardiovascular risk which is a concern because they are widely used."

The current study investigated the link between NSAID use and cardiac arrest. All patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2001 and 2010 were identified from the nationwide Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry. Data was collected on all redeemed prescriptions for NSAIDs from Danish pharmacies since 1995. These included the non-selective NSAIDs (diclofenac, naproxen, ibuprofen), and COX-2 selective inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib).

A case-time-control design was used to examine the association between NSAID use and cardiac arrest. Each patient served as both case and control in two different time periods, eliminating the confounding effect of chronic comorbidities. Use of NSAIDs during the 30 days before cardiac arrest (case period) was compared to used of NSAIDs during a preceding 30 day period without cardiac arrest (control period).

Information was not obtained on over-the-counter drugs. Ibuprofen is the only over-the-counter NSAID in Denmark and is limited to small packages of 200 mg dosages. As patients were their own control, any underestimation of ibuprofen use should be equally distributed between the case and control periods.

A total of 28 947 patients had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark during the ten year period. Of these, 3 376 were treated with an NSAID up to 30 days before the event. Ibuprofen and diclofenac were the most commonly used NSAIDs, making up 51% and 22% of total NSAID use, respectively.

Use of any NSAID was associated with a 31% increased risk of cardiac arrest. Diclofenac and ibuprofen were associated with a 50% and 31% increased risk, respectively. Naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib were not associated with the occurrence of cardiac arrest, probably due to a low number of events.

"The findings are a stark reminder that NSAIDs are not harmless," said Professor Gislason. "Diclofenac and ibuprofen, both commonly used drugs, were associated with significantly increased risk of cardiac arrest. NSAIDs should be used with caution and for a valid indication. They should probably be avoided in patients with cardiovascular disease or many cardiovascular risk factors."

NSAIDs exert numerous effects on the cardiovascular system which could explain the link with cardiac arrest. These include influencing platelet aggregation and causing blood clots, causing the arteries to constrict, increasing fluid retention, and raising blood pressure.

Professor Gislason said: "I don't think these drugs should be sold in supermarkets or petrol stations where there is no professional advice on how to use them. Over-the-counter NSAIDs should only be available at pharmacies, in limited quantities, and in low doses."

"Do not take more than 1200 mg of ibuprofen per day," he continued. "Naproxen is probably the safest NSAID and we can take up to 500 mg a day. Diclofenac is the riskiest NSAID and should be avoided by patients with cardiovascular disease and the general population. Safer drugs are available that have similar painkilling effects so there is no reason to use diclofenac."

Professor Gislason concluded: "The current message being sent to the public about NSAIDs is wrong. If you can buy these drugs in a convenience store then you probably think 'they must be safe for me'. Our study adds to the evidence about the adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs and confirms that they should be taken seriously, and used only after consulting a healthcare professional."

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International study investigates transmission of microorganisms that cause malaria and other diseases from migratory to resident avian species

Monitoring and understanding the dispersal of potentially pathological microorganisms are constant concerns for sanitary and epidemiological authorities worldwide. The risks involved are evident, given the possibility of outbreaks of emerging diseases in humans or in domestic animals and livestock.

Cross-border transfer of pathological agents can occur not only through human mobility but also through the movement of wild animals. Among the leading suspects to be monitored are migratory birds, which transport parasites over long distances, but little is known about how parasites are transferred by flocks of birds in wintering or breeding sites.

A pioneering study was based on an analysis of malaria parasites in blood samples taken from more than 24,000 migratory and resident birds in 23 countries throughout the Americas.

"It's the largest study ever performed on the parasitology of migratory birds in the Americas," said biologist Maria Svensson-Coelho, researcher at the Federal University of Sao Paulo's Environmental, Chemical & Pharmaceutical Science Institute (ICAQF-UNIFESP) in Brazil, where was responsible for processing some of the samples.

"Hundreds of species of birds leave their tropical or subtropical wintering ranges every year to spend the summer in high-latitude breeding ranges, returning to low latitudes at the end of the mating season," Svensson-Coelho said. "These species are exposed to different parasites in their boreal or temperate breeding areas and subtropical or tropical wintering areas. They may disperse parasites between these areas."

Knowing how populations of pathogens are distributed over vast geographical areas is essential to understanding the epidemiology of these parasites, the local patterns of virulence, and the evolution of host resistance.

A survey published in 2007 examined the host and geographical distributions of 259 lineages of parasites in birds of Europe and Africa, finding that 31 lineages that infect migratory birds could be transmitted to birds living in both areas. "The aim of our research is to conduct the same type of survey for New World birds," Svensson-Coelho said.

In Brazil, blood samples from migratory and resident birds were collected in the Cerrado at the Aguas Emendadas Ecological Station in the Federal District near Brasilia and in Cantao and Lajeado State Parks in Tocantins State. Alan Fecchio, a researcher at the Federal University of Bahia, was responsible for collecting blood samples in the Cerrado.

Also in South America, the study analyzed material from the Amazon region of Ecuador and the semi-arid region of Venezuela. In Central America, the areas covered were in Panama and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Blood samples were also collected from birds in nine states in the eastern United States (Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Tennessee) and all major Caribbean islands except Cuba (Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, and Virgin Islands). The study did not include birds that migrate along the Pacific Coast west of the Andes.

The species from which blood samples were taken included the house, fox and song sparrows (Passer domesticus, Passerella iliaca and Melospiza melodia); the cocoa, wood, clay-colored, forest, bare-eyed and red-legged thrushes (Turdus fumigatus, Hylocichla mustelina, T. grayi, T. lherminieri, T. nudigenis and T. plumbeus); the American robin (T. migratorius); the Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula); the reddish-winged bare-eye (Phlegopsis erythroptera); the rufous-tailed antwren (Epinecrophylla erythrura); the common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas); the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola); the black-throated blue warbler (Setophaga caerulescens); the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis); the red-eyed vireo (Vireo olivaceus); the northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos); and the worm-eating and black-and-white warblers (Helmitheros vermivorus and Mniotilta varia).

Malaria parasites in the blood samples were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and identified by DNA sequencing. The researchers analyzed 24,000 samples and found approximately 4,700 with infections, representing 79 malaria parasites belonging to avian malaria lineages of the genera Plasmodium (42 lineages in 1,982 host individuals) and Haemoproteus (37 lineages in 2,022 host individuals). The latter is the most common blood parasite in birds.

"Prevalence is normally low," Svensson-Coelho said. "In the area of Ecuador we surveyed, it was 21.6%, or 539 infected birds in a total of 2,488, and in an area of the United States with many samples, it was 37%, or 271 out of 726."

Blood has to be collected from a great many birds in order to obtain a sufficiently large parasite sample size, she explained, since generally speaking, parasites infect only a small fraction of the total bird population.

"Prevalence may vary not just between localities but also between species in the same place," she said. "In Ecuador, for example, only 5.6% or six of the 107 individuals we collected of Pipra filicauda (Pipridae) turned out to have malaria, whereas 91.2% or 31 out of 34 specimens of Formicarius colma (Formicariidae) were infected. This information is in the article published in 2013 in Ornithological Monographs."

The parasites that cause avian malaria (Plasmodium spp.) are responsible for its transmission to every continent except Antarctica. Some 60 species have been described, out of a total of more than 500.

The avian migration system in the Americas involves shorter distances than between Europe and Africa, especially to the Caribbean islands and Central America. In addition, migratory birds are more likely to encounter related resident species in breeding and wintering areas in the Americas than in Europe and Africa.

"The family and even gender affinities between American migratory and resident birds probably increase the likelihood of parasite transmission between migratory and resident hosts," Svensson-Coelho said.

Emerging diseases

One of the most striking differences between the 2007 survey and this one is that only two parasite lineages out of 250 in three genera were found in host birds from both Europe and Africa, compared with 13 of the 79 lineages of Plasmodium and Haemoproteus detected in American resident birds.

"The role of migratory birds in dispersing these parasite lineages between temperate and tropical regions appears to be maximized in the Americas, possibly owing to the relatively short distances traveled by several species that winter in Central America and the Caribbean, or because of the taxonomic affinity of most American birds from temperate and tropical regions," Svensson-Coelho said.

Avian malaria parasites are not transmissible to humans, but migratory birds transport many other microorganisms, some of which are responsible for emerging diseases. West Nile virus, which originated in Africa, is one example of a pathogen that infects humans and that has been introduced to North America by migratory birds.

Another example is influenza: the virus is endemic and inoffensive in migratory waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans, but these birds are responsible for spreading new lineages around the planet.

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- An international team of researchers discovered that inorganic chemicals can self-organize into complex structures that mimic primitive life on Earth.

Florida State University Professor of Chemistry Oliver Steinbock and Professor Juan Manuel Garcia-Ruiz of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (Spanish National Research Council) in Granada, Spain published an article in Wednesday's edition of Science Advances that shows fossil-like objects grew in natural spring water abundant in the early stages of the planet. But they were inorganic materials that resulted from simple chemical reactions.

This complicates the identification of Earth's earliest microfossils and redefines the search for life on other planets and moons.

"Inorganic microstructures can potentially be indistinguishable from ancient traces of life both in morphology and chemical composition," Garcia-Ruiz said.

Scientists had seen hints of this in past lab work, but now through Steinbock and Garcia-Ruiz's research, it is clear that this also happened in nature.

To do this work, the team of scientists collected and analyzed an extreme form of soda water from the Ney Springs in Northern California. Today this type of water is found in only a few spots worldwide, but it was widespread during the early stages of Earth's existence.

By addition of just one other ubiquitous chemical -- calcium or barium salt -- this water produces tiny structures, such as tubes, helices, and worm-like objects that are reminiscent of the shapes of primitive organisms. The water also generates complex mineral structures that are similar to nacre--the shiny substance of sea shells.

The similarities between actual fossils and these inorganic structures go beyond appearance and extend to their chemical nature. This will make it even more complicated for scientists examining early evidence of life on Earth.

"Our findings reveal an unusual convergence of simple biological shapes and complex inorganic structures and make the job of identifying earliest microfossils on Earth and life on other planets even harder," Steinbock said. "It's fascinating. How could I identify a fossil if I went to Mars? How could I convince myself that it was once alive? In the future, scientists will need to be even more alert that everything that looks like life is not necessarily life."

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In addition to Steinbock and Garcia-Ruiz, the research team consisted of Electra Kotopoulou and Leonardo Tamborrino from the Spanish National Research Council in Spain and former Florida State University graduate student Elias Nakouzi.

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation and the European Research Council.
DETROIT - Whether you're younger than 65 or older than 75, age may not be a discernible factor in the success of shoulder replacement surgery, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.

In a small prospective study of 365 patients, researchers made a surprising finding: While younger patients had better function and range of motion before surgery, it was the older cohort that saw greater improvement from pre-operative levels after surgery. Younger patients also had a higher complication rate.

Researchers theorize that the older patients had greater improvement simply because they had worse shoulder function before surgery.

The study is being presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in San Diego.

"Much like we saw with hip and knee replacements, we are seeing an increased trend in shoulder replacement surgery," says Kelechi Okoroha, M.D., a fifth-year resident in Henry Ford's Department of Orthopedic Surgery and the study's lead author. "Our study suggests that age is not a noticeable factor on the final outcome of surgery. However, older patients see more improvement in their shoulder function than what they had prior to surgery."

An estimated 53,000 people undergo shoulder replacement surgery each year due in large part to the "wear and tear" type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. People who have surgery experience an improved quality of life including less pain, improved motion and strength, and function.

Researchers at Henry Ford in Detroit analyzed data and shoulder function scores from two patient cohorts with osteoarthritis who had surgery: 262 patients under 65 and 103 patients older than 75. Patients older than 75 showed greater improvement in shoulder function scores after surgery.

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MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz

David.Olejarz@hfhs.org

313.874.4094
Boston, MA - A team of researchers from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) reported that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program appears to have reduced depression among eligible undocumented immigrants, often referred to as the "Dreamers." These timely findings come on the heels of ongoing debates around the future under the Trump Administration of immigration policies, including the DACA program, which provides renewable, temporary work permits to undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children. Thus far, over 750,000 individuals have been enrolled.

"It is well known that economic circumstances affect mental health," said lead researcher Atheendar Venkataramani, MD, PhD, of the MGH Division of General Medicine. "The DACA program increased access to the U.S labor market for these individuals and raised hopes for a better economic future. The large mental health benefits we found likely reflect these positive changes."

The current study, published in the latest issue of The Lancet Public Health, examined data submitted from 2008 to 2015 by more than 14,000 non-citizen Hispanic adults through the U.S. National Health Interview Survey. The researchers used respondents' age, timing of immigration and other criteria to identify potentially DACA-eligible persons. They then compared changes in respondents' overall self-reported health and depression symptoms before and after the 2012 implementation of DACA between those who might be eligible - the survey did not ask about immigration status - and those definitely not eligible for DACA.

Overall, the study found that DACA-eligible persons were 50% less likely to report symptoms consistent with major depression at the time they completed the survey. No association was found between DACA eligibility and self-reported overall health, which the authors noted is likely due to the relative youth of participants and the fact that physical health symptoms may take longer to evolve in response to policy changes. Because neither immigration status nor DACA enrollment were directly elicited in these surveys, the authors also noted that estimates from their analysis likely understate the true impacts of the DACA program on mental health.

"Our statistical estimates are averaged over a large group of people who reported that they are non-citizens. Estimates are that close to 60% of self-reported non-citizens in large U.S. surveys are undocumented, and a smaller fraction of that group may have been signed up for DACA," said Venkataramani. "It is possible that mental health benefits would be much larger for persons directly affected by the policy."

Study co-author Ichiro Kawachi, MBChB, PhD, the John L. Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb Professor of Social Epidemiology and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard Chan School, said, "Our study reveals the potentially large consequences of changes in immigration policy on important health outcomes. Policymakers have traditionally not taken health impacts into account when debating immigration. While our results are specific to the DACA program, we hope they may better inform decisions around immigration policy more generally."

Alexander C. Tsai, MD, of the Chester M. Pierce Division of Global Psychiatry at MGH, the senior author of the study, adds that the findings reveal the importance of economic opportunities for health. "As the current political climate has demonstrated, there has been a lot of anxiety about how there no longer seems to be equal opportunities to share in prosperity through hard work -- that's the American Dream, and it's fading." Referring to companion studies from his group, published recently in the American Journal of Public Health and The Lancet Public Health, he said, "Our research program has shown that there is a strong and meaningful link between the prospects for upward social mobility and good health. The current work really underscores that point --giving people access to the American Dream improves their mental health in a substantial way."

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Tsai is an assistant professor of psychiatry and Venkataramani an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Additional co-authors of The Lancet Public Health paper are Sachin Shah, MD, MGH Department of Medicine, and Rourke O'Brien, PhD, University of Wisconsin - Madison.

After the embargo lifts, the full paper can be found at this link: http://thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(17)30047-6/fulltext?elsca1=tlxpr

"Health consequences of the US Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration programme: a quasi-experimental study," Atheendar S. Venkataramani, Sachin J. Shah, Rourke O'Brien, Ichiro Kawachi, Alexander C. Tsai, The Lancet Public Health, March 14, 2017, doi: 10.1016/S2468-2667(17)30047-6

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people's lives - not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at Harvard Chan School teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the school is recognized as America's oldest professional training program in public health.

Massachusetts General Hospital, founded in 1811, is the original and largest teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. The MGH Research Institute conducts the largest hospital-based research program in the nation, with an annual research budget of more than $800 million and major research centers in HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular research, cancer, computational and integrative biology, cutaneous biology, human genetics, medical imaging, neurodegenerative disorders, regenerative medicine, reproductive biology, systems biology, photomedicine and transplantation biology. The MGH topped the 2015 Nature Index list of health care organizations publishing in leading scientific journals and earned the prestigious 2015 Foster G. McGaw Prize for Excellence in Community Service. In August 2016 the MGH was once again named to the Honor Roll in the U.S. News & World Report list of "America's Best Hospitals."
Know your rights

Consumer rights activists, organisations and government consumer agencies around the globe have been marking International Consumer Rights Day on March 15 even though it is not formally recognised by the United Nations (UN).
Biologists from the A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, a unit of the Lomonosov Moscow State University suggested the approach to prevent kidney injury after ischemia. Moreover, the scientists explained why these mechanisms become non-protective in kidney of an old organism. The results of the study are published in the Scientific Reports journal.

The project ran by scientists from the A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University is focused on elucidation of mechanisms underlying such severe pathologyas renal failure, caused by ischemia (renal infarct).

Egor Plotnikov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of mitochondria' structure and functions, working at the A.N. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University and one of the corresponding authors of the article, comments: "We've shown that it's possible to prevent kidney damage by its preliminary "training" by short periods of ischemia (blocking of blood supply). However, our main discovery is the fact that this mechanism is disabled in old animals and, as a result, a kidney becomes unprotected. It is extremely important problem as the major part of clinical cases of renal failure occurs in aged patients. To afford the protection of their kidneys would be a great success for medicine".

In experiments young and old rats were used, although what scientists note to get old animals for the experiment is not easy. However, the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, provided the Moscow scientists with a unique strain of premature aged rats OXYS, using whose all results and deciphered mechanisms have been proved.

Egor Plotnikov follows: "In the current article we describe what underlies such a loss of adaptation in kidney in old rats (and, probably, in old people). All cells acquire a mechanism of "quality control", which provides removal of damaged cellular elements (in our case -- damaged mitochondria) responsible for permanent self-renewal of the system. However, these mechanisms become broken in an old kidney and its adaptive mechanisms stop functioning".

The basic mitochondrial function in any cell, including kidney cells, is energy production. Due to oxidation of substrates, energy is stored in the form of a universal energy form, ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). A mitochondrion operates as a power-station in the proper sense of the word as initially energy is stored in the inner mitochondrial membrane in the form of electrical potential and only after that it is converted into ATP. Besides that, mitochondria have many other functions: synthesis of some hormones and other substances, detoxification and other functions, including determination of the cell fate - to die or to survive. Moreover, most of these functions are more or less functionally connected with the very electrical transmembrane potential.

The scientists revealed that a considerable number of mitochondria in old rats have lower transmembrane potential and this process inevitably leads to cell death. Since kidney cells can not proliferate, their death becomes irreplaceable and the more they die, the tougher renal injury is. When this happens a kidney is no more able to fulfill its main functions: to remove products of metabolism from the organism, many of which are quite toxic. That's why such "bad" mitochondria should be removed in the process of "quality control". In a young kidney quality control depends on transmembrane potential of mitochondria - when it drops below the critical value for a long time, a mitochondrion gets a "black label" in the form of a special protein -- PINK-1. Such a labeled mitochondrion undergoes a process of self-destruction (autophagy) and becomes destroyed in a lysosome (a special organelle, acting as a cellular "stomach"). In cells of old kidneys this process is broken and damaged mitochondria with low potential cannot be destroyed but, on the contrary, are increased in number.

The scientists emphasize: it is possible that they discovered a factor which is a marker of old (or possible premature old) cells. This factor is protein acetylation. In the organ damaged by ischemia the number of proteins to which acetyl group (an acetic acid moiety) is attached significantly increases. But the most important thing is the fact that the number of acetylated proteins in a kidneyrises with aging.

Egor Plotnikov says: "We've shown that training (preconditioning) doesn't work in old age because "bad mitochondria" aren't removed by autophagy. There is the following process: we block blood supply of the kidney (namely, we deprive it of oxygen and substrates) and under these conditions the weakest mitochondria in cells loose their potential and are immediately removed by the quality control system. As a result the "renewal" or just "purges" of mitochondrion population takes place and only the healthy ones survive. That's why in case of severe kidney ischemia mitochondria can cope with the damage and they survive. And what happens in old rats? We do kidney preconditioning, mitochondria loose their potential but they aren't removed as the clean up system operates poorly. As a result of such training "bad" mitochondria are only accumulated in an old cell and in case of kidney ischemia everything gets even worse."

Similar procedures of kidney training are already conducted for people. It has been shown earlier by another scientific group that the mechanism of ischemic or hypoxic training also operates in a human organism. Moreover, clinical practice shows that organs of aged people don't respond to many defensive agents (namely, drugs, simulating preconditioning). As it's quite difficult to cut off blood supply in some organs in a human body (to do so, special surgical intervention in order to constrict renal vessels are needed), so called remote preconditioning (distant training) is used in clinics. This technique allows to interrupt blood supply of an organ (for instance, a muscle) - it looks like arterial blood pressure measurement with using a blood pressure cuff, when an arm or a leg of a patient is squeezed for several minutes. This procedure has not been applied for kidney protection yet, but positive effects for a heart have been observed. However, all these techniques don't work in case of old patients.

Egor Plotnikov concludes: "This project opens a prospect for renal failure treatment. Moreover, mechanisms that we discovered are quite universal, so it's obvious that they are also applicable not only to kidney ischemia, but also to other renal pathologies. It's becoming clear why, on the one hand, aged people suffer from severe kidney injury so often and on the other hand, why most modern treatment methods are helpless when used in case of old people. Our data show the trend for further development of drugs, which could help an old kidney to recover capacity to resist ischemia and increase its adaptation reserves."

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The study was supported by the Russian science foundation (RSF) (project 14-15-00147).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- In the center of a distant galaxy, almost 300 million light years from Earth, scientists have discovered a supermassive black hole that is "choking" on a sudden influx of stellar debris.

In a paper published today in Astrophysical Journal Letters, researchers from MIT, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and elsewhere report on a "tidal disruption flare" -- a dramatic burst of electromagnetic activity that occurs when a black hole obliterates a nearby star. The flare was first discovered on Nov. 11, 2014, and scientists have since trained a variety of telescopes on the event to learn more about how black holes grow and evolve.

The MIT-led team looked through data collected by two different telescopes and identified a curious pattern in the energy emitted by the flare: As the obliterated star's dust fell into the black hole, the researchers observed small fluctuations in the optical and ultraviolet (UV) bands of the electromagnetic spectrum. This very same pattern repeated itself 32 days later, this time in the X-ray band.

The researchers used simulations of the event performed by others to infer that such energy "echoes" were produced from the following scenario: As a star migrated close to the black hole, it was quickly ripped apart by the black hole's gravitational energy. The resulting stellar debris, swirling ever closer to the black hole, collided with itself, giving off bursts of optical and UV light at the collision sites. As it was pulled further in, the colliding debris heated up, producing X-ray flares, in the same pattern as the optical bursts, just before the debris fell into the black hole.

"In essence, this black hole has not had much to feed on for a while, and suddenly along comes an unlucky star full of matter," says Dheeraj Pasham, the paper's first author and a postdoc in MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. "What we're seeing is, this stellar material is not just continuously being fed onto the black hole, but it's interacting with itself -- stopping and going, stopping and going. This is telling us that the black hole is 'choking' on this sudden supply of stellar debris."

Pasham's co-authors include MIT Kavli postdoc Aleksander Sadowski and researchers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Maryland, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A "lucky" sighting

Pasham says tidal disruption flares are a potential window into the universe's many "hidden" black holes, which are not actively accreting, or feeding on material.

"Almost every massive galaxy contains a supermassive black hole," Pasham says. "But we won't know about them if they're sitting around doing nothing, unless there's an event like a tidal disruption flare."

Such flares occur when a star, migrating close to a black hole, gets pulled apart from the black hole's immense gravitational energy. This stellar obliteration can give off incredible bursts of energy all along the electromagnetic spectrum, from the radio band, through the optical and UV wavelengths, and on through the X-ray and high-energy gamma ray bands. As extreme as they are, tidal disruption flares are difficult to observe, as they happen infrequently.

"You'd have to stare at one galaxy for roughly 10,000 to 100,000 years to see a star getting disrupted by the black hole at the center," Pasham says.

Nevertheless, on Nov. 11, 2014, a global network of robotic telescopes named ASASSN (All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae) picked up signals of a possible tidal disruption flare from a galaxy 300 million light years away. Scientists quickly focused other telescopes on the event, including the X-ray telescope aboard NASA's Swift satellite, an orbiting spacecraft that scans the sky for bursts of extremely high energy.

"Only recently have telescopes started 'talking' to each other, and for this particular event we were lucky because a lot of people were ready for it," Pasham says. "It just resulted in a lot of data."

A light-on collision

With access to these data, Pasham and his colleagues wanted to solve a longstanding mystery: Where did a flare's bursts of light first arise? Using models of black hole dynamics, scientists have been able to estimate that as a black hole rips a star apart, the resulting tidal disruption flare can produce X-ray emissions very close to the black hole. But it's been difficult to pinpoint the origin of optical and UV emissions. Doing so would be an added step toward understanding what happens when a star gets disrupted.

"Supermassive black holes and their host galaxies grow in-situ," Pasham says. "Knowing exactly what happens in tidal disruption flares could help us understand this black hole and galaxy coevolution process."

The researchers studied the first 270 days following the detection of the tidal disruption flare, named ASASSN-14li. In particular, they analyzed X-ray and optical/UV data taken by the Swift satellite and the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope. They identified fluctuations, or bursts, in the X-ray band -- two broad peaks (one around day 50, and the other around day 110) followed by a short dip around day 80. They identified this very same pattern in the optical/UV data some 32 days earlier.

To explain these emission "echoes," the team ran simulations of a tidal disruption flare produced from a black hole obliterating a star. The researchers modeled the resulting accretion disc -- an elliptical disc of stellar debris swirling around the black hole -- along with its probable speed, radius, and rate of infall, or speed at which material falls onto the black hole.

From simulations run by others, the researchers conclude that the optical and UV bursts likely originated from the collision of stellar debris on the outer perimeter of the black hole. As this colliding material circles closer into the black hole, it heats up, eventually giving off X-ray emissions, which can lag behind the optical emissions, similar to what the scientists observed in the data.

"For supermassive black holes steadily accreting, you wouldn't expect this choking to happen," Pasham says. "The material around the black hole would be slowly rotating and losing some energy with each circular orbit. But that's not what's happening here. Because you have a lot of material falling onto the black hole, it's interacting with itself, falling in again, and interacting again. If there are more events in the future, maybe we can see if this is what happens for other tidal disruption flares."

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This research was supported, in part, by NASA.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

ARCHIVE: Dead X-ray satellite reveals "quiet" center of massive galaxy cluster

http://news.mit.edu/2016/X-ray-satellite-quiet-center-perseus-cluster-0706

ARCHIVE: Scientists observe supermassive black hole feeding on cold gas

http://news.mit.edu/2016/scientists-observe-supermassive-black-hole-feeding-cold-gas-0608
Earth's radiation belts, two doughnut-shaped regions of charged particles encircling our planet, were discovered more than 50 years ago, but their behavior is still not completely understood. Now, new observations from NASA's Van Allen Probes mission show that the fastest, most energetic electrons in the inner radiation belt are not present as much of the time as previously thought. The results are presented in a paper in the Journal of Geophysical Research and show that there typically isn't as much radiation in the inner belt as previously assumed -- good news for spacecraft flying in the region.

Past space missions have not been able to distinguish electrons from high-energy protons in the inner radiation belt. But by using a special instrument, the Magnetic Electron and Ion Spectrometer -- MagEIS -- on the Van Allen Probes, the scientists could look at the particles separately for the first time. What they found was surprising --there are usually none of these super-fast electrons, known as relativistic electrons, in the inner belt, contrary to what scientists expected.

"We've known for a long time that there are these really energetic protons in there, which can contaminate the measurements, but we've never had a good way to remove them from the measurements until now," said Seth Claudepierre, lead author and Van Allen Probes scientist at the Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California.

Of the two radiation belts, scientists have long understood the outer belt to be the rowdy one. During intense geomagnetic storms, when charged particles from the sun hurtle across the solar system, the outer radiation belt pulsates dramatically, growing and shrinking in response to the pressure of the solar particles and magnetic field. Meanwhile, the inner belt maintains a steady position above Earth's surface. The new results, however, show the composition of the inner belt isn't as constant as scientists had assumed.

Ordinarily, the inner belt is composed of high-energy protons and low-energy electrons. However, after a very strong geomagnetic storm in June 2015, relativistic electrons were pushed deep into the inner belt.

The findings were visible because of the way MagEIS was designed. The instrument creates its own internal magnetic field, which allows it to sort particles based on their charge and energy. By separating the electrons from the protons, the scientists could understand which particles were contributing to the population of particles in the inner belt.

"When we carefully process the data and remove the contamination, we can see things that we've never been able to see before," said Claudepierre. "These results are totally changing the way we think about the radiation belt at these energies."

Given the rarity of the storms, which can inject relativistic electrons into the inner belt, the scientists now understand there to typically be lower levels of radiation there -- a result that has implications for spacecraft flying in the region. Knowing exactly how much radiation is present may enable scientists and engineers to design lighter and cheaper satellites tailored to withstand the less intense radiation levels they'll encounter.

In addition to providing a new outlook on spacecraft design, the findings open a new realm for scientists to study next.

"This opens up the possibility of doing science that previously was not possible," said Shri Kanekal, Van Allen Probes deputy mission scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, not involved with the study. "For example, we can now investigate under what circumstances these electrons penetrate the inner region and see if more intense geomagnetic storms give electrons that are more intense or more energetic."

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The Van Allen Probes is the second mission in NASA's Living with a Star Program and one of many NASA heliophysics missions studying our near-Earth environment. The spacecraft plunge through the radiation belts five to six times a day on a highly elliptical orbit, in order to understand the physical processes that add and remove electrons from the region.
People with serious illness or frailty in Oregon are more likely to have their end-of-life care wishes honored, and, consequently, less likely to be hospitalized and more likely to use home hospice services compared with Washington state and the rest of the country, according to data published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"The level of care you receive near the end of life depends more on the state you live in and the systems they have in place than your actual wishes," says author Susan Tolle, M.D., director of the OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care and co-led the creation of the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST Program.

Through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, co-author Joan Teno, M.D., M.S., of the University of Washington, looked at utilization trends for Medicare fee-for-service, including the percentage of patients who died at home, died in hospice, were admitted to the intensive care unit in the last 30 days of life, and were discharged home after hospitalization in the last 30 days of life.

The utilization patterns are strikingly different in Oregon:

Nearly two-thirds of Oregonians die at home, compared with 39.6 percent of Americans nationwide.

Intensive care unit use in the last 30 days of life in Oregon was 18.2 percent, compared with 23 percent in Washington state and 28.5 percent nationwide.

Patients who were hospitalized in the last month of life were more likely to be discharged home in Oregon than in Washington state or nationwide (73.5 percent in Oregon, 63.5 percent in Washington and 54.2 percent nationwide).

According to Tolle, Oregon has integrated end-of-life care initiatives throughout all levels of the health care system, from state government to local health care systems, with the creation of the POLST Program to better elicit, record and honor patients' wishes to have or to limit medical treatments near the end of life.

The POLST Program allows patients with advanced illness and frailty to have a meaningful conversation with their health care professional in which they can discuss goals of care and document patient preferences with the POLST form, a medical order that can be honored across settings of care and by emergency medical technicians.

"It is difficult to pinpoint exactly why there are such differences in care at the end of life in Oregon compared with other states, but we think it reflects the complexity and intensity of the initiatives developed to support not only the POLST Program but a more comprehensive plan of care to honor a person's wishes and ensure their desired symptom management," says Teno, a professor in the Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine and the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence at the University of Washington.

"While Washington also has an established POLST Program, we lag far behind Oregon. It takes much more than a form to change the culture of end-of-life care in a state," Teno states.

Oregon resident Pat Duty found herself and her children needing to have end-of-life care conversations with her husband, Jimmy, about his wishes after he fell ill in 2013.

"End-of-life care planning is about giving patients a voice before they become too sick," says Duty. "I didn't want to make the wrong choice or have to wonder what he would have wanted had something more serious happened."

The OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care has hosted more than 200 conferences for health care professionals about ethics, palliative care and communication skills, and has developed numerous outreach and education materials, including a video titled, "Understanding POLST," which helps patients and health care professionals talk about and document end-of-life care wishes.

"Transforming care near the end of life requires more than merely implementing the use of POLST forms in states," says Tolle. "Until we embrace the complexity of this social interaction, the need for multifaceted interventions and public health strategies, we will fail to make the needed improvements in care at the close of life."

Duty says she wants to speak out about ensuring end-of-life care wishes are honored so that her husband's voice is heard.

"There's a certain dignity to it, and when it's done with compassion and listening, it empowers the person who has the illness or disease," Duty states. "It's truly an honor for me to be able to talk about it, even if just a few people learn and read about it, that is what Jimmy would have wanted."

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About OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University is a nationally prominent research university and Oregon's only public academic health center. It serves patients throughout the region with a Level 1 trauma center and nationally recognized Doernbecher Children's Hospital. OHSU operates dental, medical, nursing and pharmacy schools that rank high both in research funding and in meeting the university's social mission. OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute helped pioneer personalized medicine through a discovery that identified how to shut down cells that enable cancer to grow without harming healthy ones. OHSU Brain Institute scientists are nationally recognized for discoveries that have led to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease and new treatments for Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke. OHSU's Casey Eye Institute is a global leader in ophthalmic imaging, and in clinical trials related to eye disease. OHSU Center for Ethics in Health Care is dedicated to raising the level of ethical standards in all aspects of health care throughout the community.
Five types of pediatric brain cancer were safely and effectively treated in mice by an antibody that causes immune cells to engulf and eat tumors without hurting healthy brain cells, according to a new study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The immune therapy studied consists of antibodies against a cellular "don't eat me" signal called CD47. Developed at Stanford, the anti-CD47 antibodies are already being tested in early clinical trials in adults who have tumors outside the central nervous system. But they have never been tried against pediatric brain tumors until now.

The new study pitted anti-CD47 antibodies against human cancer cells that had been grown in a dish and implanted in mice. The tests targeted five aggressive pediatric brain tumors: Group 3 medulloblastoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, pediatric glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.

"For many of these tumors, there's just no treatment," said Samuel Cheshier, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurosurgery. "Diagnosis is synonymous with a death sentence."

The study will be published March 15 in Science Translational Medicine. Cheshier shares senior authorship of the paper with Irving Weissman, MD, the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research and professor of pathology and of developmental biology. The lead authors are postdoctoral scholar Sharareh Gholamin, MD, and senior research scientist Siddhartha Mitra, PhD.

'Very, very active tumor-killing'

Many childhood brain tumors are inoperable. Some also lack effective chemotherapy drugs, or require radiation and chemotherapy so toxic to the developing brain that they cause devastating long-term side effects. In contrast with the toxic profile of existing treatments, the preclinical trials conducted by Cheshier's team indicate that anti-CD47 antibodies specifically target cancer cells while leaving healthy brain cells alone.

"The most exciting aspect of our findings is that no matter what kind of brain tumor we tested it against, this treatment worked really well in the animal models," said Cheshier, who is also a pediatric neurosurgeon at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. In mice that had been implanted with both normal human brain cells and human brain cancer cells, "there was no toxicity to normal human cells but very, very active tumor-killing in vivo," he said.

Given the encouraging results of the new study and the ongoing research on anti-CD47 antibodies in adults, the antibodies are expected to reach clinical trials in children with brain cancer in one to two years, he added.

The anti-CD47 antibodies help the immune system to detect an important difference between cancerous and healthy cells: Cancer cells make "eat me" signals that are displayed on their cell surfaces, while healthy cells do not. However, cancer cells hide these "eat me" signals by producing large quantities of CD47, a "don't eat me" protein that is found on the surface of both healthy and malignant cells. When CD47 is blocked by antibodies, immune cells called macrophages can detect the cancer cells' "eat me" signals. Macrophages then selectively target, engulf and destroy the cancer cells without harming healthy cells, because normal cells lack the "eat me" signals.

Study highlights

The Stanford team conducted a long series of experiments using different combinations of tumor cells and healthy cells in culture, as well as in various mouse models in which human brain cancer cells had been implanted in mice. Highlights of their experiments included the following:

The team confirmed that all the various cancers tested express the CD47 "don't eat me" signal, as well as an "eat me" signal called CRT.

In a dish, Group 3 medulloblastoma cells treated with anti-CD47 antibodies were engulfed and eaten by macrophages, while healthy brain cells were not harmed.

In mice with a partially functioning immune system that had been transplanted with any of the five types of pediatric brain tumors, treating the mice with anti-CD47 antibodies significantly reduced the presence of those tumors.

In mice, the antibody crossed the blood-brain barrier in significant amounts after being injected into the peritoneal space. This was an important finding because some other forms of immunotherapy are unable to cross this barrier. In mice transplanted with Group 3 medulloblastoma, anti-CD47 antibodies were more effective at treating the primary tumor if given in the peritoneal space, but better at treating metastases if given directly into the cerebrospinal fluid.

Mixing healthy human neural progenitor cells with anti-CD47 antibodies did not cause any damage to the neural progenitor cells, either in their viability or ability to proliferate, suggesting that the antibodies would not interfere with brain development. In mice with a fully functioning immune system that had been implanted with cells from a high-grade glioma cell line, anti-CD47 antibodies significantly prolonged survival of the animals, from an average of 21 days for those in the untreated group to 32 and 38 days for those receiving low and high doses of antibodies, respectively.

In mice treated with anti-CD47 antibodies, their brains, examined after treatment, showed that macrophages concentrated at the sites of the tumors. Further tests showed that macrophages got inside the tumors.

The anti-CD47 antibodies did not completely eliminate all tumors, suggesting that the antibodies may not be able to completely penetrate large tumors, the researchers noted.

To maximize their effects, the antibodies will likely need to be combined with other forms of cancer treatment, a concept the researchers plan to investigate further, Cheshier said. In the future, patients may receive combinations of immune therapies and lower doses of standard cancer treatments, he said, adding, "The question is: Can we wisely combine immune therapies and other approaches to make cancer treatment more efficacious and less toxic?"

Anti-CD47 antibodies also may have an advantage over other immunotherapies in that they activate macrophages, which completely engulf and eat cancer cells, Cheshier noted. "In many forms of immunotherapy, the cells you target die and spill their contents, which can cause dysregulated immune responses," he said. Anti-CD47 antibodies may produce fewer such side effects, though the idea remains to be tested.

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Other Stanford co-authors of the paper are medical students Abdullah Feroze, Rogelio Esparza and Michael Zhang; postdoctoral scholars Suzana Kahn, PhD, Anne Volkmer, MD and Stephen Willingham, PhD; research assistants Anitha Ponnuswami, Theresa Storm, Cyndhavi Narayanan and Pauline Chu; senior research associate Jie Liu, MD, PhD; undergraduate research associate Chase Richard; Aaron McCarthy, a former life sciences research professional and animal colony manager; Patricia Lovelace, research and development engineer; Simone Schubert, life science researcher; visiting scholar Gregor Hutter, MD, PhD; Griffith Harsh, MD, professor of neurosurgery; Michelle Monje, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology; Yoon-Jae Cho, MD, a former assistant professor of neurology and neurological sciences; Ravi Majeti, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine; senior scientist Jens Volkmer, MD; Paul Fisher, MD, professor of pediatrics; Gerald Grant, MD, associate professor of neurosurgery; Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, professor of neurosurgery; Hannes Vogel, MD, professor of pathology and of pediatrics; and Michael Edwards, MD, professor of neurosurgery.

Cheshier, Monje, Majeti, Fisher, Grant and Edwards are members of Stanford's Child Health Research Institute. Cheshier, Weissman, Harsh, Monje, Majeti, Fisher, Grant, Vogel and Edwards are members of the Stanford Cancer Institute.

Scientists from SickKids, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto; University Hospital, Dusseldorf; and Johns Hopkins University also contributed to the study.

The study was funded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (grant NINDSK08NS070926); the National Cancer Institute (grant P30CA006973); the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine; the Price Family Charitable Fund; the Center for Children's Brain Tumors at Stanford; St. Baldrick's Foundation; the American Brain Tumor Foundation; the Seibel Stem Cell Institute; the Pew Charitable Trusts; the Dr. Mildred-Scheel Foundation/German Cancer Aid; the German Research Foundation; the McKenna Claire Foundation; the Matthew Larson Foundation; Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation; The Cure Starts Now; the Lyla Nsouli Foundation; the Dylan Jewett, Connor Johnson, Zoey Ganesh, Dylan Frick, Abigail Jensen, Wayland Villars and Jennifer Kranz memorial funds; the Virginia and D. K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research; the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health; the National Institutes of Health (grant UL1TR001085); the Tashia and John Morgridge Endowed Pediatric Faculty Scholar and Fellowships Awards; and the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Endowed Faculty Scholarship in Pediatric Cancer and Blood Diseases. The study was also funded by gifts from George Landegger; Rider and Victoria McDowell; Charles Comey and Judith Huang; and Colin and Jenna Fisher.

Stanford's Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences also supported the work.

Print media contact: Erin Digitale at (650) 724-9175 (digitale@stanford.edu)

Broadcast media contact: Margarita Gallardo at (650) 723-7897 (mjgallardo@stanford.edu)
Three people with macular degeneration were blinded after undergoing an unproven stem cell treatment that was touted as a clinical trial in 2015 at a clinic in Florida. Within a week following the treatment, the patients experienced a variety of complications, including vision loss, detached retinas and hemorrhage. They are now blind.

A paper documenting the cases will be published March 16 in The New England Journal of Medicine.

The article is a "call to awareness for patients, physicians and regulatory agencies of the risks of this kind of minimally regulated, patient-funded research," said Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, PhD, professor and chair of ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine and co-author of the paper.

The three patients -- all women, ranging in age from 72 to 88 -- suffered from macular degeneration, a common, progressive disease of the retina that leads to loss of vision. Before the surgery, the vision in their eyes ranged from 20/30 to 20/200. Now, the patients are likely to remain blind, said co-author Thomas Albini, MD, an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami, where two of the patients were subsequently treated for complications from the stem cell treatments. "Although I can't say it's impossible, it's extremely unlikely they would regain vision."

Appealing to patients 'desperate for care'

Two of the patients learned of the so-called clinical trial on ClinicalTrials.gov, a registry and results database run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, where it was called "Study to assess the safety and effects of cells injected intravitreal in dry macular degeneration." Some of the patients believed they were participating in a trial, although the consent form and other written materials given to the patients did not mention a trial, Albini said.

"There's a lot of hope for stem cells, and these types of clinics appeal to patients desperate for care who hope that stem cells are going to be the answer, but in this case these women participated in a clinical enterprise that was off-the-charts dangerous," Albini said.

Each patient paid $5,000 for the procedure. Any clinical trial that has a fee should raise a red flag, the authors said.

"I'm not aware of any legitimate research, at least in ophthalmology, that is patient-funded," Albini said.

At the clinic, which is not named in the paper, the patients had fat cells removed from their abdomens and a standard blood draw. The fat tissue was processed with enzymes, with the goal of obtaining stem cells. Platelet-dense plasma was isolated from the blood. The cells were then mixed with the platelet-dense plasma and injected into their eyes. Patients reported that the entire process took less than an hour, Albini said. The patients had both eyes treated at once -- another red flag, Albini and Goldberg said, because most doctors would opt for a conservative approach to observe how one eye responds to an experimental treatment before attempting the other eye.

Shoddy stem cell preparation may have led to some of the patients' complications, which could have been caused by injection of a contaminant or the cell wash solution into the eye, Albini said. When injected into the eye, the stem cells also could have changed into myofibroblasts, a type of cell associated with scarring.

No evidence of vision restoration

But even if executed correctly, there is no evidence suggesting that the procedure could help restore vision, Goldberg and Albini said. In fact, there is sparse evidence that adipose-derived stem cells, the type of cells that the clinic claimed to use, are capable of differentiating, or maturing, into retinal pigment epithelium or photoreceptor cells, which play a critical role in macular degeneration and are the cells some researchers are targeting to develop therapies.

"There is a lot of very well-founded evidence for the positive potential of stem therapy for many human diseases, but there's no excuse for not designing a trial properly and basing it on preclinical research," Goldberg said.

The "trial" lacked nearly all of the components of a properly designed clinical trial, including a hypothesis based on laboratory experiments, assignment of a control group and treatment group, collection of data, masking of clinical and patient groups, and plans for follow-up, Goldberg and Albini said. "There was a whole list of egregious things," Albini said.

Listings on ClinicalTrials.gov are not fully scrutinized for scientific soundness, Goldberg said. Although still visible on the website, the listing now states: "This study has been withdrawn prior to enrollment." The clinic is also no longer performing these eye injections, although it is still seeing patients, Albini said.

The procedures were arguably not subject to Food and Drug Administration approval because the cells were not transferred between patients and were considered "minimally processed," according to Title 21, Part 1271.10, of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FDA released more specific guidelines in October 2015, after these procedures were performed, establishing the requirement for FDA oversight and approval for these types of procedures.

'It's alarming'

"We expect health care providers to take every precaution to ensure patient safety, but this definitely shows that the lack of oversight can lead to bad players and bad outcomes. It's alarming," Albini said.

The authors acknowledged that it is difficult for patients to know whether a clinical trial, or a stem cell therapy, is legitimate. Goldberg recommended that patients considering a stem cell treatment consult a website, A Closer Look at Stem Cells, maintained by the International Society for Stem Cell Research. It is also advisable to check if a trial is affiliated with an academic medical center, Goldberg said.

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The lead author is Ajay Kuriyan, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Researchers from the University of Miami, University of Rochester, University of Oklahoma and the Center for Sight also co-authored the study.

The report was funded by the National Institutes of Health (grant P30EY014801), Research to Prevent Blindness, the Department of Defense and the Klorfine Foundation.

Stanford's Department of Ophthalmology also supported the work.

The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu.
PHILADELPHIA -- Labor is an intensely strenuous activity, with the uterine muscle contracting every few minutes to reposition a baby through the pelvis and down the birth canal. Even low levels of dehydration can seriously compromise normal physiological function, yet recent studies looking at hydration in laboring women via the rates of intravenous (IV) fluid showed conflicting results. By pooling the data of several studies, Thomas Jefferson University researchers showed that a higher rate of IV fluids not only decreased c-section rates, but also shortened the overall length of labor by one hour, as well as shortened the pushing phase. The results were published online as an accepted article in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.

"The results are compelling and strongly argue for a change in practice," says Vincenzo Berghella, M.D., the Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. "We have already begun changing practice at Jefferson to give women more fluids in labor, to allow them to have the best chance of delivering vaginally."

Dr. Berghella and colleagues compiled data from seven small clinical trials that collectively included a total of 1,215 women. Of those, about half (or 593 women) received IV fluids at a rate of 250 milliliters per hour, and the other half (622 women) received fluids at the lower rate of 125 milliliters per hour. General practice in the United States is to administer IV fluids at 125 milliliters per hour during labor.

With the data pooled, the researchers could see a clear difference in outcomes for women in the two groups. Women getting the faster fluid rate (250 milliliters per hour) were less likely to get a cesarean section. The higher fluid rate also reduced the overall time of labor by an average of 64 minutes, and shortened the pushing phase by nearly 3 minutes, on average.

"We've known that it's important for women to stay well hydrated during pregnancy and labor. This study suggests that IV fluids could help women maintain hydration at appropriate levels, reduce the likelihood of c-section, and decrease length of labor," says Dr. Berghella. "Recently, we also showed that letting women eat more liberally in labor, especially in early labor, has benefits including shorter labor, and no identifiable risks."

Today, approximately one in three births in the United States occurs via c-section, despite an increased attention by national and international obstetric societies on safely reducing the practice. This study and others are providing evidence for changes in obstetric practice that could help safely reduce c-section rates. Drs. Ehsanipoor, Saccone, Seligman, Pierce-Williams, and Ciardulli were the co-investigators with Dr Berghella.

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The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Article reference: R.M. Ehsanipoor., et al., "Intravenous Fluid Rate for Reduction of Cesarean Delivery Rate in Nulliparous Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13121. 2017.

About Jefferson

Jefferson, through its academic and clinical entities of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, including Abington Health and Aria Health, is reimagining health care for the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson has 23,000 people dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, educating the health professionals of tomorrow, and discovering new treatments and therapies to define the future of care. With a university and hospital that date back to 1824, today Jefferson is comprised of six colleges, nine hospitals, 34 outpatient and urgent care locations, and a multitude of physician practices throughout the region, serving more than 100,000 inpatients, 373,000 emergency patients and 2.2 million outpatients annually.
(Washington, DC - March 17, 2017) - Physicians, fellows, and researchers from Mount Sinai Health System will present research updates and clinical findings at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Sessions in Washington, D.C., March 17-19, 2017.

Mount Sinai cardiologists are available to comment on breaking news at the session.

Additionally, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, Director of Mount Sinai Heart and Physician-in-Chief of The Mount Sinai Hospital, will be awarded the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award by the American College of Cardiology in honor of his lifetime of contributions to the cardiovascular profession on Sunday, March 19.

Significant scientific presentations and poster sessions include:

Section 1261M-05- Predictive Values of the Ideal Cardiovascular Health and the Fuster-BEWAT Scores for Detecting Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Healthy Individuals. (Saturday, March 18, 4 pm). The study examines the predictive value of the Fuster-BEWAT score for predicting the extent of subclinical atherosclerosis in healthy individuals. Mount Sinai researchers include Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD.

Section 1310M-03- Subclinical Atherosclerosis in the Absence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Pre-Risk Status in PESA Study. (Sunday, March 19, 9:45 am). The study aimed to identify determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis in the absence of cardiovascular risk factors and to explore the impact of upper normal ranges of cardiovascular risk factors. Mount Sinai researchers include Dr. Fuster and Javier Sanz, MD.

Session 1139M-05- Global Plaque Burden by Carotid and Femoral 3D Vascular Ultrasound: The PESA (Progression and Early Detection of Subclinical Atherosclerosis) Study. (Friday, March 17, 10:15 am.) The study explored the feasibility of global plaque burden (GPB) quantification by carotid and femoral 3D vascular ultrasound and its potential additive value over detection of plaque presence alone. Mount Sinai researchers include Dr. Fuster.

Session 1118-207 Myocardial Oxygenation Using Blood Level-Oxygen Dependent Sequence in Magnetic Resonance Determines Myocardial Energetics and Capillary Density. (Friday, March 17, 10 am.) The study seeks to validate if blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) cardiac magnetic resonant imaging can detect myocardial ischemia in 16 pigs. Mount Sinai researchers include Dr. Fuster and Roger Hajjar, MD.

Other key presentations and research at the meeting include:

Friday, March 17:

10 am Session 1121: LV Unloading Using Impella CP Improves LA Pressure, Function, and Stiffness in Ischemic Pig Model.

10 am Session 1115-177: Atherosclerotic Plaque Morphology in Response to High Intensity Lipid Lowering Therapy by Multimodality Imaging Among Women and Men: A YELLOW-II Sub-study.

10 am Session 1113-132: Effect of Thrombotic and Bleeding Risk According to Platelet Reactivity on 2-Year Mortality: The ADAPT-DES Study.

10 am Session 1124: Fv-Hsp70 Protects Myocardium from Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury.

10:10 am Session 1135-M: Treatment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Diabetes: 3-Year Outcomes Comparing CABG and PCI With Everolimus-Eluting Stents From the EXCEL Study.

3:45 pm Session 1154: Comparing PCI Outcomes in the Very Elderly: Does Age Matter? A Report from Outcomes of Septuagenarians, Octogenarians and Nonagenarians After PCI.

3:45 pm Session 1157-189: Multivessel Versus Culprit-Only PCI in Patients with Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Multivessel Disease: Results From the PROMETHEUS Study.

Saturday, March 18:

8 am-6 pm: Dr. Fuster's All-Day Cardiovascular Symposium

8 am Session 991-04: PCSK9 Variants and Neurocognitive Impairment: Data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study.

3:45 pm Session 1242-156: Use of Potent P2y12 Inhibitors in African-American Patients Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Acute Coronary Syndromes.

3:45 pm Session 1239-129 / 129: Timing and Algorithm of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After TAVR.

3:45 pm Session 1264M: Safety of Perflutren-Based Echocardiographic Contrast Agent Administration in the Setting of a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO): A Multicenter Study Conducted in Tertiary Care Centers Based in the New York/Chicago Metropolitan Areas.

3:45 pm Session 1235: Optical Coherence Tomography of Culprit Lesions in Patients with Prior Cerebrovascular Events Compared to Controls.

3:45 pm Session: 1242-155: Predictors of High-Intensity Statin Use after Percutaneous Coronary Interventions.

Sunday, March 19

9:45 am Session 1287-185: Risk and Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Ischemic Events in Females and Males After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

1:30 pm Session 1313M: Long-Term Benefits of Repair Versus Replacement for Acute Native Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

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About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services--from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.

The System includes approximately 6,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked as one of the nation's top 10 hospitals in Geriatrics, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and Gastroenterology, and is in the top 25 in five other specialties in the 2015-2016 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital also is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel is ranked regionally.

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
WASHINGTON -- With the growing popularity of mobile phone apps to pay for purchases at cash registers and gas pumps, users would like to know their personal financial information is safe from cyber-attacks. For the first time, researchers have demonstrated a prototype device that can send unbreakable secret keys from a handheld device to a terminal.

In The Optical Society (OSA) journal Optics Express, researchers lay out a scheme for transmitting quantum keys at a high enough data rate to ensure data security while compensating for the inevitable movement of the human hand. Their prototype system uses ultra-fast LEDs and moveable mirrors to send a secret key at a rate of more than 30 kilobytes per second over a distance of 0.5 meters.

"The idea is that this gadget would be a mobile object that talks to something that is fixed," said Iris Choi of Oxford University, one of the paper's authors. If integrated into a cell phone, for example, the device could allow secure links to near-field communications mobile payment systems and indoor Wi-Fi networks. It also could improve the security of ATMs and help prevent ATM skimming attacks, which are estimated to cost the industry more than $2 billion annually.

Keys made from light

The technology is a quantum key distribution system. Quantum key distribution relies on characteristics of a single photon to provide a bit--a 1 or a 0--to build up a cryptographic key that can encrypt and decrypt information. Quantum keys are considered secure because if someone intercepts the quantum bits and then passes them on, the very act of measuring them will alter them.

"When an eavesdropper attempts to tap into the channel, it will change the content of the key," Choi said. "We're not saying this technology can prevent being eavesdropped on, but if you do eavesdrop, we know you're there."

The system contains six resonant-cavity LEDs, which provide overlapping spectra of light. Each of the six is filtered into a different polarization, split into pairs to represent 1s and 0s--horizontal or vertical, diagonal or anti-diagonal, circular left or circular right. The circularly polarized LEDs provide the bits for the key, while the other pairs are used to measure the security of the channel and provide error correction. Every four nanoseconds, one of the channels produces a one-nanosecond pulse in a random pattern. On the other end, six polarized receivers pick up the light from their matching LEDs and convert the photons into the key.

It's important not to let a potential adversary know which channel has which polarization, because that would reveal which bits were being sent, but there will always be some slight variation in the wavelength emitted by each LED, which could serve to identify them and give a hacker a way to break the code. The researchers solved this problem by equipping both the transmitter and the receiver with filters that select only a portion of the light, so they all shine with the exact same color, regardless of which polarization they produce.

Steering the beam

A quantum key must be long enough to ensure that an adversary cannot hack it simply by guessing randomly. This requires the system to transmit a large number of bits in less than a second. Achieving such a high data transmission rate in turn requires that most of the photons get to where they're supposed to go.

As a result, Choi said, the prototype's most important innovation is the steering system. Even someone trying to hold perfectly still has some motion in his hand. The research team measured this motion by looking at how the spot of a laser pointer jittered as a person tried to hold it steady. They then optimized design elements of the beam-steering system, such as bandwidth and field of view, to compensate for this hand movement.

To help the detector properly align with the transmitter and further correct for hand movement, both the receiver and the transmitter contain a bright LED with a different color than the quantum key distribution LED that acts as a beacon. A position sensing detector on the other side measures the precise location of the beacon and moves a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror to align the incoming light with the fiber optics of the detector.

The team tested their idea with a handheld prototype made from off-the-shelf equipment. Choi said the design likely could be easily miniaturized in order to turn the system into a practical component for a mobile phone from brands such as Nokia, which participated in the research. Improving the protocol while keeping the same hardware could also increase the transmission rate, and other changes could be made to let the device work over longer distances to, for instance, connect with a Wi-Fi hub.

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Paper: H. Chun, I. Choi, G. Faulkner, L. Clarke, B. Barber, G. George, C. Capon, A. Niskanen, J. Wabnig, D. O'Brien, D. Bitauld, "Handheld free space quantum key distribution with dynamic motion compensation," Opt. Express., Volume 25, Issue 6, 6784-6795 (2017). DOI: 10.1364/OE.25.006784.

About Optics Express

Optics Express reports on new developments in all fields of optical science and technology every two weeks. The journal provides rapid publication of original, peer-reviewed papers. It is published by The Optical Society and edited by Andrew M. Weiner of Purdue University. Optics Express is an open-access journal and is available at no cost to readers online at: OSA Publishing.

About The Optical Society

Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. For more information, visit osa.org/100.

Media Contacts:

Rebecca B. Andersen

The Optical Society

randersen@osa.org

+1 202.416.1443

Joshua Miller

The Optical Society

jmiller@osa.org

+1 202.416.1435
Foxtrot or tango? On the biological dance floor, careful choreography may decide how well a suitor is able to woo a partner

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- At every moment inside the human body, a carefully choreographed dance is being performed.

Proteins shake their bodies and wave their limbs, all with the goal of optimizing their interaction with other molecules, including other proteins. These tiny motions, called vibrations, enable the molecules to change shape quickly to bind to one another, which in turn facilitates tasks like absorbing oxygen and repairing cells.

The body's efficiency at performing these functions depends on how well proteins can interact.

But what makes one protein a better suitor than another?

A new study sheds light on this question, showing that in this biological courtship, dance moves matter.

"In the past, research on protein vibrations focused a lot on the energy of those vibrations," says lead scientist Andrea Markelz, PhD, a professor of physics in the University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences. "But what we found is that the direction of motion seems to matter more. The direction of motion -- the direction in which different parts of the protein are moving -- can really determine how well a protein performs its biological function."

The findings help to lay a foundation for the development of drugs targeting molecular vibrations. Such pharmaceuticals would block proteins from carrying out tasks that contribute to disease.

"We conducted the research using a new technique we developed called anisotropic terahertz microscopy (ATM), which reveals how nature exploits protein motions to improve efficiency. We can then optimize these motions for medicine and biotechnology," says first author Katherine Niessen, a UB PhD candidate in physics.

The research, published on March 14 in Biophysical Journal, was conducted by UB, the University of Perugia in Italy, and Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute. It was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Foxtrot or tango?

The study focused on the chicken egg white lysozyme, a protein found in egg whites.

As a first step in their project, the scientists compared the regular vibrations of the lysozyme to the vibrations of the lysozyme when it was bound to a molecule whose presence blocked the protein from carrying out its usual biological duties.

What the scientists saw was that the free and inhibited lysozymes vibrated at similar energies, but with distinct directions of motion: The free lysozyme fluttered with a hinge-like flapping action -- like the wings of a butterfly -- while the inhibited lysozyme moved in a more scissor-like pattern.

"The result was a fundamental change from the conventional view. The vibrations changed their direction, even as the energy of the motions stayed the same," Markelz says. (She adds that as an analogy, this is akin to two people performing different dances -- the foxtrot and tango, for instance -- but exerting the same amount of energy.)

The same dynamic emerged when the team compared the regular lysozyme to a mutant chicken egg white lysozyme that was more effective at performing its job. The mutant and normal lysozymes had the same vibrational energies, but different vibrational directions.

A turnkey instrument for measuring vibrations

Research on molecular vibrations could open new avenues for drug development and artificial energy harvesting (the vibrations may explain why photosynthesis is so efficient). But historically, the tiny pulses and palpitations within proteins have been very hard to study.

Markelz is hoping to change that by developing a turnkey instrument that scientists around the world can use to research the vibrations.

To study the chicken egg white lysozyme, her team employed the ATM technique that her research group developed in-house. Unlike other methods used to research protein vibrations, ATM enables scientists to observe not only vibrational energies, but also the direction of motions.

The NSF recently awarded Markelz a nearly $400,000 grant to commercialize an easy-to-use ATM instrument, which would expand the capacity of the scientific community to explore molecular vibrations. The device would represent a great advance over other existing methods, which provide only a coarse overview of the vibrations and require extremely dry and cold environments and expensive facilities, Markelz says.

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Malaysia says found out murdered Kim Jong Nam's identity from son's DNA

Malaysia found out the identity of Kim Jong Nam's body based on DNA sample taken from his son, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.
The world's most valuable copper deposits, known as porphyry deposits, originate from cooling magma. But how can we predict the size of these deposits? What factors govern the amount of copper present? Researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have studied over 100,000 combinations to establish the depth and number of years required for magma to produce a given amount of copper. The same scientists have also devised a model that can detect the quantity of copper held in a deposit by means of a simple factor analysis. The research, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports, will make it possible to estimate the potential for mining the metal before beginning any drilling. It is a model that will undoubtedly be of great benefit to mining companies.

Porphyry copper deposits account for 75% of natural copper worldwide. They are formed by magma chambers situated between 10 and 15 km beneath the Earth's surface. At this depth, the magma heats to around 900C but when it comes into contact with the surrounding rock, it cools and crystallises. The water in the magma can then no longer be in solution: it forms bubbles that escape to the surface, carrying with them a substantial part of the copper originally contained in the magma. At a depth of around 2-3 km, the bubbles cool down in the porosities of the rocks, and precipitate the copper they contain as sulphide, creating deposits that may include from 1 to >200 million tons of copper. This explains why Massimo Chiaradia and Luca Caricchi, researchers in the earth sciences department in the faculty of science at UNIGE, were so keen to discover what dictates the amount of copper in a deposit and whether it was possible to anticipate its size.

More magma means more copper

The volume of magma determines the amount of copper, but under what conditions does the volume of the initial magma form? Chiaradia explains: "We used models that incorporate the depth and timescale at which the magma accumulates, the duration of the build-up that forms the deposit, the water content of the magma and the quantity of copper in the water. We then varied these parameters from a minimum to a maximum based on actual measurements." By modifying the parameters, the scientists obtained 100,000 simulations that they compared with the actual data available to them, which helped define the ideal conditions for the formation of a huge deposit. As Caricchi adds: "The optimum conditions for creating a magmatic system that results in the formation of a deposit of 30 to 240 million tons of copper is a depth of over 20 km and a continuous injection time of molten magma of over 2 million years."

In search of the ideal deposit

Magma contains water, copper and various other chemical components, including Strontium (Sr) and Yttrium (Y). We know that when the Sr divided by Y ratio is between 50 and 150 in the magma, there is a high probability of finding copper in the deposit. The researchers at UNIGE integrated this ratio into their new model and merged it with the estimated formation time for deposits. Other minerals are associated with copper in these deposits, which allows scientists to date them thanks to the natural decay of uranium into lead and rhenium into osmium. This enabled the scientists to establish the age, i.e. the birth, but also the length, i.e. the number of years, for forming a copper deposit, which can range from tens of thousands of years to two million years. "These two items of data -- the Sr / Y ratio and the duration of the formation -- meant we could design a table of probabilities for determining the amount of copper in the deposit under analysis", continues Chiaradia. Mining companies will be able to use this model to assess the size of a copper deposit at the initial research stage, before starting any significant drilling work. "Our model," says Caricchi, "which we have compared to real data, has an excellent match rate, and it can save an enormous amount of time and money during mining explorations."

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The evolution of land animals has been shaped by barriers such as oceans and mountains which have divided them and sent them down different genetic paths.

Scientists have generally seen sea life as more "connected", with currents mixing species in a constant genetic melting pot.

But researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered the truth may be more complex, and some species could be just as disconnected as those divided by mountains or motorways.

They studied two species of soft coral, and in one - the pink sea fan - they found distinct genetic differences between those living in different places.

"Marine life is often seen as totally connected, in the sense that the larvae of any organism can move anywhere," said Dr Jamie Stevens, of the University of Exeter.

"But among pink sea fans we have found genetic differences between those living off north-west Ireland, those off southern Portugal and those off south-west Britain and north-west France.

"These populations of pink sea fans are on the way to becoming different species from one another.

"We don't yet fully understand the causes of this genetic division.

"Currents are one possible barrier - and one which could be just as real and impenetrable as a motorway would be in dividing two populations of hedgehogs."

The researchers also found that populations of pink sea fans around south-west Britain are "net exporters" - sending out more genetic material to other areas than their area receives.

The other coral species studied - dead man's fingers - did not show evidence of distinct genetic structures in the different locations.

Whether these differences are due to better connectivity in this species due its larvae being able to survive longer in the water column or whether dead mans's fingers are less affected by the environment in which they eventually settle than the pink sea fan is at this time unknown.

Both the pink sea fan and dead man's fingers are "broadcast spawners", releasing large amounts of larvae into the water.

The Exeter study could have implications for the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).

Dr Stevens said the research suggested existing MPAs in British waters appear to be well placed with regard to these species, but he added: "If we want to safeguard the full range of diversity of marine species, we need to protect each species in multiple locations".

"For example, if we protect pink sea fans only off the coasts of the UK and France, we wouldn't be protecting the genetically different pink sea fans off Ireland or Portugal."

The paper, published in the journal Heredity, is entitled: "Contrasting patterns of population structure and gene flow facilitate exploration of connectivity in two widely distributed temperate octocorals."

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The research was supported by Natural England, the NERC and the University of Exeter.
Coordinated activities of protein kinases and protein phosphatases ensure phosphorylation homeostasis and amplitude of signaling response, and understandably its imbalance is linked to diseases, such as cancer. Unlike with protein kinases, the current knowledge of protein phosphatase functions and especially on their formed interactions and complexes remains fragmentary.

In a study published in the 26th of April issue of Cell Systems (advanced online 15th March), a Finnish-Swiss research team led by Dr. Markku Varjosalo from the Institute of biotechnology and University of Helsinki, report global quantitative interactomics analysis covering half of the human protein phosphatome. They further derive and characterize the molecular functions and pathways that the protein phosphatases connect via their stable or transient interactors. Furthermore, their study reveals novel physical as well as functional links to phosphatase-based regulation of human cancer.

"This study is a continuum of our almost a decade long efforts to systematically dissect the molecular mechanisms behind the protein phosphorylation. After our extensive analyses on protein kinases, the protein phosphatases were naturally to follow. The protein phosphatases were too long thought to just be the negative counterpart of protein kinases, with promiscuous activity and low intrinsic substrate specificity. Recent studies such as ours, however, establish protein phosphatases as positive and essential regulators of signal transduction, with remarkable substrate specificity and coordinated activities. The phosphatases are also promising targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of various cancers", Dr. Varjosalo states.

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The study was financially supported by the Academy of Finland, University of Helsinki, The Sigrid Juselius Foundation, The Emil Aaltonen Foundation, the Swiss Initiative in Systems Biology (SystemsX.ch), Instrumentarium Science Foundation and the Cancer Society of Finland.
Zhifeng Ren, a University of Houston physicist and a principal investigator with the Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH, has launched a new academic journal, "Materials Today Physics," which will focus on new and emerging materials.

The journal, to be published by Elsevier, was announced this week at the annual meeting of the American Physical Society in New Orleans. It will initially focus primarily on thermoelectric and photovoltaic materials, although Ren said he expects it to quickly evolve to encompass other emerging materials.

Ren, who is MD Anderson Chair Professor of Physics at UH, will serve as the editor-in-chief.

The journal, to be published under Elsevier's "Materials Today" umbrella, is expected to become the flagship high-impact journal for both materials science and physics, Ren said. It is accepting manuscripts for peer review now, and Ren said papers will be reviewed within three weeks and published online after they are accepted. The first print edition of the journal is expected this summer.

Paul Chu, founding director of the Texas Center for Superconductivity, will serve on the editorial board, along with scientists from around the world. He said there is a clear need for a high-quality journal for the rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field of materials science and physics.

"Materials Today Physics will speed the dissemination of crucial information about materials from their discovery to synthesis, from characterization to understanding, and ultimately to application," Chu said. "Ren is well qualified to be the editor-in-chief, based on his 30 years of experience in discovering exciting materials and their physics, in materials such as superconductors, carbon nanotubes, semiconducting nanowires, thermoelectrics, flexible transparent conductors and efficient catalysts."

Ramanan Krishnamoorti, interim vice president for research and technology transfer at UH, said the journal is a good fit for Ren and the University, which has a strong research focus on materials science.

"Dr. Ren is known internationally for his work with thermoelectric and other energy-related materials," Krishnamoorti said. "His work has been published in high-impact journals for more than two decades, and I look forward to seeing this new journal evolve to reflect the growing global interest in the physics of emerging materials that will define the cutting-edge of science and technology development over a broad cross-section of applications."

Ren, who was recruited to UH from Boston College in 2013, received the Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Science from The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas in 2014.

Thermoelectric materials produce electricity as energy moves from a warmer area to a cooler one - capturing the waste heat from an industrial smokestack, for example, would allow the generation of electricity using a thermoelectric material. The field is growing at a significant pace, but there has been no academic journal that focuses largely on thermoelectrics, and Ren said important papers are published in a wide array of journals. He predicts that "Materials Today Physics" will publish some of the most important findings in thermoelectrics, along with other fields.

Several papers already have been submitted, and Ren said he expects to publish between 200 and 300 papers a year. For more information, see journals.elsevier.com/materials-today-physics.

"In the beginning, we want to put an emphasis on thermoelectrics and any emerging topics that come up," he said. That will include photovoltaic materials, superconductors, topological insulators, efficient catalysts, flexible transparent conductors and emerging materials for use under extreme conditions.

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NSF creates a Long-term Ecological Research program to collect data and create models to track and predict seasonal dynamics and possible climate change effects on lagoons and rivers along the Beaufort Sea

AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts Amherst climate scientist Michael Rawlins has received a five-year, $370,000 grant from the National Science Foundation as part of a multi-institution effort to better understand biological processes and land-ocean interactions controlling the structure and function of coastal lagoons in northern Alaska.

The team led by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin will receive $5.6 million grant from NSF's Long-term Ecological Research (LTER) program and Office of Polar Programs (OPP) for the study to begin later this year. They will collect data and create models to track and predict seasonal dynamics and possible climate change effects on the ecology of the lagoon complexes and rivers along the Beaufort Sea coast in northern Alaska.

As Rawlins explains, "We believe that under continued warming there will be large changes in the makeup - the quality and quantity - of carbon and nutrient contents of these rivers and streams flowing from the mountains of the North Slope to the coastal lagoons. At present it's highly unknown how much material is carried by rivers to the Arctic ocean."

"Six years of gathering data in this remote region will help us to better understand how both natural variations and climate change influence the food web structure and other ecosystem dynamics of these lagoons. The flows of water and carbon into the lagoons strongly affect nutrient availability and biological productivity of food resources that native communities in the region rely on," he adds.

The researchers point out that the Beaufort Lagoons are refuges for many species of migratory fish and waterfowl essential to the subsistence culture of Inupiat communities in northern Alaska. In particular, Barrow, Nuiqsut and Kaktvik hunters and residents rely on the high productivity of these lagoon systems to support fish and bird populations they live on.

With warming and thawing Arctic permafrost, Rawlins says, organic matter stored for thousands of years in soils is mobilized and released into streams and rivers. "Much of this organic matter, primarily dissolved organic carbon, is transported to coastal estuaries. Sunlight and microbes also convert some of the river carbon to carbon dioxide, which leads to additional warming. Unfortunately, field measurements of riverborne carbon and other nutrients are sparse. There is very little known about these fluxes of freshwater and carbon in Arctic streams and rivers."

As an expert in climate modeling, Rawlins will use field measurements and data collected by the team on river and stream discharges, dissolved and particulate matter, other nutrients, temperature and other variables over several years and seasons to build databases and develop numerical hydrological and biogeochemical models. The models will not only estimate these flows into the Beaufort Lagoons in the recent past, but also how project permafrost thaw and water cycle intensification will impact lagoon ecosystem dynamics in the future. Water cycle intensification is a known manifestation of a warming climate, he points out.

The researchers say that Arctic lagoons provide a very special opportunity to study the interactions between variables such as land-based carbon and nitrogen cycles, microbial and aquatic life and the food chain over seasons and across many years. Models may also take into account barrier island geomorphology that can have a strong influence on water exchanges between lagoons and the open ocean.

Anticipating impacts of future changes are "of great interest and concern to local communities," the investigators point out. Specific study sites will include Elson Lagoon, Admiralty Bay, Simpson Lagoon, Stefansson Sound and Kaktovik, Jago, Angun and Nuvagapuk Lagoons. The LTER will operate in partnership with the local Inupiat government and other federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The researchers also plan to include a strong education component in their research that involves not only undergraduate and graduate students, but will continue a successful K-12 summer science program in Kaktovik and expand it to Barrow and Nuiqsut. Local high school seniors and recent high school grads will be recruited as field research assistants to work directly with visiting researchers in data collection. Study results, photos, videos and other products will be shared freely with local residents and the North Slope community at large, they add.

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On March 15 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Prime Minister Enda Kenny of Ireland honored Adrian Raftery, a professor of statistics and sociology at the University of Washington, for his diverse contributions to the field of statistics. Kenny presented Raftery with the St. Patrick's Day Medal, which is awarded each year by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

Raftery, who has worked at the UW since 1986, develops new statistical methodology, with a focus on the social, environmental and health sciences. His methods have been applied to problems ranging from weather forecasting to population growth projections.

"I am very happy to be recognized by Science Foundation Ireland," said Raftery. "It means a lot to me to be honored by my own country."

SFI, the Irish government's primary agency for funding and promoting STEM research, engagement and education, established the St. Patrick's Day Medal in 2014 to honor Irish-born scientists who live and work in the United States. SFI initially awarded the medal to just one scientist per year, but last year SFI started to honor two scientists each year, one from academia and one from industry.

Raftery was SFI's 2017 medal recipient for academic research, while T. Pearse Lyons received the medal this year from industry. Lyons is founder and president of Alltech, Inc., a Kentucky-based agricultural products and food science company.

In a statement released by the foundation for the ceremony at the United States Institute of Peace, Kenny, who also uses the Irish title of his office, "An Taoiseach," praised the impact that Raftery and Lyons have had on their fields.

"They have demonstrated how academic and industry based scientific research can create jobs, tackle global problems and impact positively on people and society," said Kenny. "These distinguished medal recipients are driving globally significant innovation in the areas of agriculture, food production, health, and population and weather forecasting, to name just a few."

Raftery was born in Dublin and became interested in statistics as a secondary student at Dublin's St. Conleth's College. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1976 and a master's degree in statistics and operations research in 1977, both from Trinity College Dublin. After obtaining his doctoral degree in mathematical statistics from the Universite Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris in 1980, Raftery served as a lecturer at Trinity College Dublin before joining the University of Washington in 1986.

At the UW, Raftery has worked to develop new statistical methods for scientific problems. A wide range of scientific fields, particularly in the "big data" era, rely on statistical tools to draw conclusions about the world at large from the results of specific experiments or series of observations. Raftery has developed, tested and applied statistical models and methods to improve and sharpen these tools for better forecasting and estimates of probability.

"To a large extent, this award is for the work of my amazing Ph.D. students and collaborators at UW, in Ireland and elsewhere over the years," said Raftery. "It reflects the strategic impact of statistical thinking on science and policy. I am happy to have been able to help colleagues in a variety of scientific fields with new statistical methods to interpret their data."

Raftery served as founding director of the UW Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences from 1999 to 2009. He became a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2003 and a member of the National Academy of Science in 2009. Over the course of his career, Raftery has authored over 200 articles in scientific journals, and Thomson Reuters named him the most-cited researcher in mathematics in the world from 1995 to 2005.

The wide reach of Raftery's work is also evident in his long list of collaborators across scientific fields. For example, he has worked with marine biologists to estimate the population of bowhead whales in the northern Pacific and Arctic oceans, and with U.N. scientists to model how HIV infections spread among vulnerable, hard-to-reach populations in parts of Europe and Africa. He has also applied his models to studies of air quality, world population, social mobility, gene expression in cells, fertility, migration and family structure, among other topics. He also found time to help the Irish government estimate the Emerald Isle's production capacity for wind power.

That is the type of global impact that SFI seeks to honor with the St. Patrick's Day Medal, according to SFI Director General Mark Ferguson.

"The research undertaken by these two Irish leaders has had a profound and diverse impact across the globe," said Ferguson in a statement.

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For more information, contact Raftery at 206-543-4505 or raftery@uw.edu.
The globalisation of Asian tobacco companies should be of increasing international concern, according to a new study by researchers at the University of York and Simon Fraser University, Canada.

Analysing the global business strategies of Asian tobacco companies in Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand, researchers found that these companies have started to export their brands to rapidly growing markets in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Published in Global Public Health, key methods in their shift from a domestic focus to aspiring transnational companies include:

Government supported consolidation and restructuring of domestic operations including shutting down facilities deemed inefficient, merging smaller concerns into larger ones, and upgrading production capacity

Increased manufacturing specifically for export to foreign markets

New product development to create brands that have global appeal

Product innovation including specially designed filters, use of flavourings, super slim cigarettes and electronic cigarettes

Foreign direct investment in the form of joint ventures, overseas manufacturing and leaf growing operations

Researchers say their success in global expansion will mean a further increase to the already six million deaths caused by tobacco use each year.

Dr Jappe Eckhardt, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations in York's Department of Politics and co-author of the study, said: "There are already one billion tobacco smokers worldwide, and this number is likely to rise further with Asian tobacco companies poised to enter the global market. It is very likely that this will lead to more smokers worldwide.

"Most attention of national and global tobacco control efforts is targeted at companies like British American Tobacco and Philip Morris, often referred to as Big Tobacco. However, our research shows this new group of Asian tobacco companies aims to gain market share across the globe through increased marketing, the development of new products and lowering prices.

"For example, the China National Tobacco Company (CNTC) is by far the world's largest tobacco company but to date has been largely domestically focused. Consolidation has been followed by a strong commitment by the state-owned monopoly to "go global" over the next decade through exports, overseas manufacturing and leaf production.

"Rather than supporting the expansion of these companies, as sources of profit, Asian governments need to recognize that far greater economic, environmental and social costs are being caused by this deadly industry.

"Collective action by all countries, focused on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, is needed more than ever."

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Plans to increase National Insurance levels for self-employed people - announced in the Budget last week - have been dropped.

The Chancellors U turn will come as a 'huge relief' to the majority of farmers who are self-employed, said NFU Mutual.

Sean McCann, Chartered Financial Planner at leading rural insurer NFU Mutual, said: These measures would have increased financial pressure on self-employed farmers, contractors and the many country people who are already facing a difficult period in the run-up to BREXIT, he added.

However, he warned that the Chancellor had already signalled that he would be looking to redress the gap in revenue caused by the U turn.

He could seek other ways to increase taxation of small businesses - or reduce the benefits available to them.

Mr McCann continued: It may be that Philip Hammond goes after tax reliefs available to farmers and businesses  such as Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief which he may think could be eroded without triggering the massive backlash that his measures to increase National Insurance for the self-employed generated.

Well be watching the Chancellors Autumn Budget closely and alerting farmers to measures we feel could unfairly affect their finances.

The National Farmers Union said the rise in National Insurance Contributions would have had a 'detrimental impact' for farmers.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has today (15 March) classified glyphosate as not carcinogenic.

The Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) assessed glyphosates hazardousness against the criteria in the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation.

They considered extensive scientific data in coming to their opinion.

RAC concluded that the available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria in the CLP Regulation to classify glyphosate for specific target organ toxicity, or as a carcinogen, as a mutagen or for reproductive toxicity.

The adopted opinion will go through a normal editorial check before it is sent to the European Commission.

The adopted opinion on the harmonised classification for glyphosate will be taken into account when the Commission and EU Member States consider whether to renew the approval to use glyphosate as an active substance in pesticides, later this year.

'Is and always has been safe'

The Crop Protection Association (CPA) Chief Executive Sarah Mukherjee said glyphosate 'is and always has been safe'.

She said: This ruling is another reminder this debate has never really been about safety, it has been hijacked and politicised to force a wider debate on modern agriculture. Its right that were having that debate, but its wrong to use health scares to get there.

Glyphosate is an essential part of the farmers toolkit, helping them to tackle pests and produce healthy and safe food. Over 40 years of robust scientific evidence, supported by one of the most extensive human health, crop residue and environmental databases ever compiled on any pesticide shows no risk to safety, clearly the Commission should reauthorise glyphosate for the standard 15 year period.

National Farmers Union Vice President Guy Smith: Now ECHA has released its classification there can be no reason why glyphosate should not be reauthorised for a further 15 years when the European Commission makes its decision on a proposal later this year.

We will continue to work with our members and with other European farming unions to ensure the facts about glyphosates safety and importance are heard in the run-up to that decision.

'Contradicting'

Environmental charity Soil Association said today's findings 'contradicts' the position of the World Health Organisations International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen in 2015.

Soil Association Policy Director, Peter Melchett said: This also contradicts the Californian court which has just agreed that glyphosate can be labelled under Californian law as cancer causing.

It is not clear why the ECHA reached a different conclusion from IARC but unlike IARC, the ECHA has relied to a large extent on unpublished data from the pesticide industry, which is unlikely to be made available for independent scientific scrutiny or verification.

The ECHA only reviewed evidence on glyphosate in isolation, rather than as it is used, in products that always contain other substances. However, the EU Commissions EFSA has cautioned that some glyphosate products contain higher toxicity. It has also recommended the UK and other governments to restrict the use of glyphosate pre-harvest, and in public parks, playgrounds and gardens.

While the debate on links between glyphosate and cancer will continue, the ECHAs opinion doesnt change the pressing need to develop even more practical alternatives for those farmers who currently rely on it.

Petition

Last month, a petition was created to help stop the removal of glyphosate as a result of "anti farming groups spreading false science and misinformation" to the wider non-farming public.

On social media, the hashtag #glyphosateisvital has been trending on Twitter as farmers and those in the agricultural business sent messages to the wide-public about the benefits of keeping glyphosate legal.

Glyphosate is coming up to potential re-authorisation by 31 December 2017, when the European Commission decides its fate.
Farming Minister George Eustice has tread carefully on the subject of extending country of origin labelling once the UK leaves the EU.

On Tuesday 14 March, MPs debated the future of food labelling in a Westminster Hall Debate led by Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy.

Sturdy opened the debate by stating that the food and farming sector is nationally important, contributing over 108 billion a year for the UK economy, and playing a valuable role in conservation.

He went on to stress the importance of clear and accurate food labelling to British farmers by enabling them to compete fairly and giving consumers the ability and confidence to buy British.

Sturdy called for the law to be changed, once the UK leaves the EU, to extend mandatory labelling to processed food, ensuring that only products made with meat that has been born, reared and slaughtered in the UK can be labelled British.

'Consumer confidence is vital'

Conservative MP for York Outer, Julian Sturdy, led the debate on the future of food labelling

The Farming Minister, George Eustice MP, responded to the debate by saying that consumer confidence is vital and stated that after leaving the EU there will be an opportunity to do things differently, to improve things and to bring clearer labelling in some areas.

The Minister said: It would be hard to extend country of origin [labelling] to all processed meats. He stressed the importance of voluntary schemes in this area and did not rule out extending mandatory requirements, stating: Im always open to try and strengthen consumer transparency and if there is a way of going further we will look at that.

On dairy products, the Minister stated that whilst it would not be possible to extend mandatory country of origin to all dairy products, it would certainly be possible on some products such as butter and cheese where it is relatively easy to identify country of origin.

The debate took place just a day after Parliament approved the Brexit bill which will give Theresa May the authority to trigger Article 50, and begin negotiations to leave the EU.

It highlighted the range of issues affecting the countryside which the Government will need to consider during the negotiation and beyond.

'More choice and more confidence'

The rural sector has campaigned for better food labelling for many years.

In a letter to Defra Secretary of State Andrea Leadsom in September, the NFU, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and National Pig Association said a country of origin move would give shoppers more choice and confidence when buying British food and increase transparency in the supply chain.

Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association (NSA), has previously accused retailers of talking up their support for British farmers whilst importing foreign meat.

"They are all doing it. They all say how committed they are to UK producers but five minutes later they are doing something contrary," said Mr Stocker.

And the Countryside Alliance has campaigned for a Honest, Fair, Simple campaign which was launched in 2011.

Danish pork sausages.. British?

Legal requirements for country of origin labelling and protected product names are currently determined by the EU. The EU Commission has established mandatory country of origin labelling for beef, lamb, pork and poultry.

However, this does not include foods where the meat is processed or an ingredient, such as sausages and ready meals.

Therefore it remains the case that sausages made in the UK using Danish pork can still legally be labelled as British. The requirements also do not include dairy products.

Commenting upon the debate, Head of Policy at the Countryside Alliance, Sarah Lee, said: Following various food scares the British public are very concerned about the provenance of their food which is why we supported this important parliamentary debate on food labelling.

We would like all meat products  including those where meat is an ingredient  to have full country of origin labelling so consumers can be confident about what they are eating and where it came from.

It was disappointing to hear the Farming Minister, George Eustice MP, saying it would be hard to extend country of origin to all processed meats. It still remains the case that sausages made in Britain from Danish pork can be legitimately labelled as British because the meat has been processed in the UK.
Migration realities

A report entitled Labour Migration and the Remittance Economy: The Socio-Political Impact was released in Kathmandu on Monday.
An elderly farmer, who has been on trial for shooting a man he believed was trying to steal his diesel, has been found not guilty today (10 March).

Father-of-three Kenneth Hugill, 83, used a double-barrel shotgun to shoot Richard Stables, 44, as he walked out to challenge him in pitch darkness outside his farmhouse in Wilberfoss, near York.

Mr Stables, of Bradford, who had been out lamping with a lurcher dog told a jury at Hull Crown Court he and a friend had stumbled on the farm when he was shot in the foot without warning.

The jury heard Stables has convictions for burglary and theft, possession of an offensive weapon and was on a police intelligence crime list as a person active in rural crime.

Giving evidence from the witness box at Hull Crown Court, Mr Hugill said he had gone to bed at 9pm with wife Sheila, 78, when he was alerted by a light outside at around 2am before seeing a vehicle entering the farm with its lights off.

He said: "I thought initially it was someone with a flash light. It was black. The next thing was a slight silhouette of a vehicle going past the farmyard entrance. The vehicle did not have its lights on. I thought it was up to no good.

"I got up. Got dressed, came down stairs, put my boot and cap on opened the gun cabinet, took out two cartridges and went out to investigate what was in the yard."

'It petrified me'

He said he walked across his yard and saw the vehicle outside his farm building.

"It revved up loudly and drove towards me. It petrified me. I thought it was coming at me," he said.

"I fired a shot down the side of the vehicle, near to the floor in to the ground to stop it coming at me.

"At this point there were no lights on. I thought there were people in the car. I did not want to hit anybody. I just wanted to frighten them away.

"I fired a second shot up in the air. After the vehicle had gone I went back to the house. I contacted my son."

Prosecutor Christopher Dunn told Hull Crown Court that Mr Hugill accepts he fired a shotgun and that the injuries were caused by him.

But, the prosecutor said, what is an issue is exactly what happened at the time the shot was fired, and why it was fired.
Farmers have been reassured of Prime Minister Theresa May's commitment to British farming, as she stated today (15 March) that she will continue to back British farmers.

In her answer to Victoria Atkins MP, Louth and Horncastle, during todays Prime Ministers Questions, the PM said: We do have an opportunity to build a new future for our food & farming industry when we leave the European Union.

We will maintain the UKs high standards of food safety and of animal welfare, that will be a priority for us and any trade deals we enter into will need to be right for consumers, for businesses, for farmers they will need to ensure our food safety and environmental protection and of course the animal welfare standards I just referred to.

We recognise the need for certainty for businesses and weve already provided guarantees of support for farmers up to 2020 and I can assure her we will continue to back British farmers.

Pleased to see a commitment

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has welcomed todays remarks from May on food and farmings future post-Brexit.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: We are pleased to see that farmings significant contribution to the country, economically, socially and environmentally, has been recognised at by the Prime Minister.

For every 1 invested in farming, it gives 7.40 back to the nation. To maintain, or even accelerate, British farmings contribution post-Brexit, we need Government to secure the right trade conditions and access to a competent and reliable workforce in formal negotiations.

The importance of certainty for farming businesses mentioned by the Prime Minister today is something British farmers need and the country needs. Were continuing to push for commitments for when the Treasurys guarantee comes to a close at the end of 2019. After all, this will be when the UK is operating outside of the EU.

Mr Raymond concluded: The Prime Minister rightfully says we have an opportunity to build a new future for our industry post Brexit. The NFUs work on post-Brexit policy will ensure Government is able to seize this opportunity so the farming sector can thrive.
First Milk has announced today (15 March) that Mike Gallacher is to step down as CEO and will be succeeded by Shelagh Hancock.

Over the last two years, Mike Gallacher led a radical transformation of First Milk, focusing on its core business in cheese and liquid contracts and divesting a number of loss making subsidiaries.

Mr Gallacher's work is estimated to have driven a 30m improvement in the financial performance of the business and corresponding improvements in returns to members.

25 years experience

The new CEO, Shelagh Hancock, has over 25 years experience in the food and agricultural supply sectors.

Most recently she held the roles of Managing Director and Business Development Director at Medina Dairy where she led the development of strategic relationships and business growth with major retailers. Prior to this, she held a number of senior executive positions at the farmer-owned co-operative Milk Link including Milk Business Unit Director and Membership Director.

First Milk Chairman Clive Sharpe said: Mike has led First Milk through a period of huge change, with enormous levels of energy and focus. In addition to delivering a real transformation in our business performance he has also built an effective team and put in place the modern governance processes that will underpin our future success.

Mikes departure is not a surprise as he has been open about his plans. On behalf of the members and the Board, I want to express our appreciation for the outstanding results he has delivered. Both Mike and I are delighted at the appointment of Shelagh who brings a wealth of experience to the role.

'Farmers working together'

CEO Mike Gallacher said: I am very proud of the huge progress made by all First Milk employees in transforming the business and in delivering improved results for our members. First Milk is now a very different business and customers and members can be confident in its future as a British Dairy Co-op.

Commenting on her appointment as CEO, Shelagh Hancock said: As a firm believer in the principle of farmers working together for the benefit of each other, I am delighted to be working again for a farmer co-operative. I strongly believe that First Milk has got a bright future and as a British farmer owned co-op weve got great credentials to build on.

There are still further opportunities to develop the core business and I am confident that we can continue to build a strong and vibrant co-operative capable of creating value for its customers, and most importantly for our members.
Dairy and forage machinery company Lely is to sell its forage business to Massey Ferguson parent company AGCO.

Chief executive officer Alexander van der Lely said the company will focus more on the dairy side of its business, developing robotics for milking, data collection and farm automation.

Family-owned business Lely had, until now, focused on two different product categories and markets with its dairy and forage business units.

But under a strategic review, it decided that to be able to continue operating successfully in the market, the organisation must adapt to the increasingly wide range of requirements of its different product groups.

Alexander van der Lely said: Lely intends to focus entirely on its role as innovator in the field of robotisation, and sensor and data systems for use on dairy farms. Over the last 15 years, these product groups have grown into a successful activity for Lely, with a great deal of potential for the future.

"Besides the innovative milking robot, other products have also been developed that are primarily based on automation with the aid of robots.

Lely was founded in 1948 in the Netherlands and has customers in more than 60 countries globally.
Talks are under way that could allow online grocery shoppers to only buy British products, farming minister George Eustice has said.

Mr Eustice said he was talking to the National Farmers Union (NFU) about a radical new online labelling system for food.

The comments came during a Westminster Hall debate on the future of food labelling.

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane) said: "I would like to raise the subject of labelling on online shopping, because often if one wants to shop online one doesn't know whether it's British food or not.

"Would there be a way that we could consider having a button to press when you do your online shop so that you can just choose from British produce? Surely that's really going to help us as we leave the EU?"

Fellow Tory Julian Sturdy (York Outer), who led the debate, said: "I applaud that and I think it's an excellent idea, and I hope the minister certainly takes that point on board."

Meanwhile, speaking at the recent launch of the Institute of Financial Accountant's (IFA) policy paper on Brexit, Chief Economist, Rowena Dwyer said that the entire EU beef market could be adversely affected, if Irish beef exports to the UK are displaced.

There are concerns that the EU market will not be able to cope with the additional supply of beef, if Irish exports to the UK are displaced, she said.
Beer production keeps going flat for the big brewers as consumers expand their taste palates to include a broader array of alcohol, including hard liquor and spirits, but Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD 6.02%) has a deep bench of suds to keep its business frothy.

The global brewer recently noted that with its acquisition of SABMiller complete, its portfolio of more than 500 beers includes seven of the top 10 global beer brands. It also claimed ownership of 18 brands that each generate over $1 billion in annual retail sales. That makes it a brewing powerhouse with the ability to withstand any changes in drinking fashion.

Beer production on the decline

Certainly the U.S. beer market is in a funk. According to the Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, beer production in 2016 fell to 188.6 million barrels, a 1.2% decline from 2015's 190 million barrels.

With one barrel the equivalent to 31 gallons, that's still a heck of a lot of beer, but production has been steadily falling and is down 6% from 2002 when it exceeded 200 million barrels. Last year, in fact, was the first time in decades that production was below 190 million barrels.

Even the market segment that has been reporting double-digit percentage gains for years -- craft beer -- has started to show weakness: The industry trade group Brewers Association, which represents independent craft brewers, said their segment's production expanded by only around 8% last year. That still indicates the niche is growing, but it's largely small-batch brewers that are doing the heavy lifting while the big craft brewers like Boston Beer (SAM 1.03%) stumble. The leading craft brewer reported depletions (shipments to distributors and retailers, a proxy measure of consumer demand) had fallen 5% last year.

It's really becoming a market delineated between true craft brewers and what is being called "mass craft" beer. As drinkers search out the latest in new, local flavors, the big craft brands -- and the mega brewers like Anheuser-Busch, which have their own mass craft brews such as A-B's Shock Top -- suffer.

Importing growth

Yet the slowdown in beer sales is not an across-the-board phenomenon, either. According to industry site BevNet, the market researchers at Nielsen say off-premise sales of imported beer rose 6.8.% last year while dollar sales were up 9.1%, with almost all Mexican beers showing strong growth.

Unfortunately, that doesn't help Anheuser-Busch, which had to sell the U.S. distribution rights to the popular Corona brand to Constellation Brands (STZ 1.42%) in order for its acquisition of Mexican brewer Modelo to pass regulatory muster.

A rich portfolio of brands

Still, it bodes well for the brewer elsewhere, as the company's global distribution of Corona and its sister beer Modelo Especial are two of the beers in its billion-dollar sale portfolio. Here are all 18 of AB-InBev's biggest selling brands.

Brand Category Country of Origin Antarctica Local Brazil Beck's International Germany Brahma Local Brazil Bud Light Local U.S. Budweiser Global U.S. Busch Global U.S. Cass Local South Korea Corona Global Mexico Guarana Local Brazil Harbin Local China Michelob Ultra Local U.S. Modelo Especial Local Mexico Natural Light Global U.S. Quilmes Local Argentina Sedrin Local China Skol Local Brazil Stella Artois Global Belgium Victoria Local Mexico

While these brands generate a sizable percentage of Anheuser-Busch InBev's $45.5 billion in annual revenues, it should also be noted that fully half of those brands are from the U.S. and Brazil, two markets that are experiencing turmoil.

Brewing up trouble

The shakeout going on in the U.S. we mentioned above, but Brazil has its own local issues: Due to economic problems, its currency was devalued, which has led to an increased cost of sales for the brewer. Still, Anheuser-Busch says it remains upbeat about the prospects for the market. It has done business in Brazil for 30 years, and with favorable demographics suggesting the likelihood to future growth, it foresees a turnaround in its fortunes there.

Plus, with the Miller merger now behind it, Anheuser-Busch InBev has strengthened its position in developing markets and sees itself poised for growth in Asia, Central and South America, and Africa, markets it says will play a key role in its plans.

Although investors tend to focus on how beer trends in the U.S. will impact a brewer, given its global reach, and its portfolio of hundreds of brands beyond its $1-billion-a-year sellers, it would be short-sighted to bet against this company based on its domestic woes.




Documents on air safety improvements submitted to EU delegation

The government on Wednesday formally submitted documents related to the air safety improvements that Nepal has made to the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal requesting it to remove Nepali airlines from the blacklist of the European Commission (EC).
Hawaii Island Recovery Announces the Relaunch of Their Website

The website has a new look and feel, is easy to navigate, it's straightforward and showcases more of the treatment options, HawaiianRecovery.com reports

--

Hawaii Island Recovery proudly announces the relaunch of their website. The new website has a fresh look and feel and is easy to navigate. Furthermore, it is straightforward and showcases more of the treatment options found at the facility, such as dolphin therapy. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports approximately $500 billion is spent each year by local, state and federal governments for addiction and substance abuse, yet only two cents of every dollar goes to prevention and treatment. For this reason, individuals need to ensure they choose the right treatment for the addict to ensure the best results.

"Every individual is unique, thus there isn't a single treatment that can be used for every addict. Our Kona rehab facility makes use of a variety of treatment methods, including holistic health services and equine therapy, to meet the needs of more patients. The new website allows potential patients and their loved ones to learn more about these treatments and their benefits," Jan Seifert, spokesperson for Hawaii Island Recovery (Hawaiianrecovery.com), announces.

Addiction is a complex disease, and medical professionals continue to learn more about it every day. New ways are constantly being found to prevent and treat the disease, with the hopes of eventually ending it. As a result, new treatment methods are being developed every day, yet many addicts and their loved ones aren't aware of the options available to them.

"Finding information on various treatment methods can be difficult. When an addict and his or her family are in crisis, they need the information to be easily found. For this reason, Hawaii Island Recovery opted to redo the website to make it easy to navigate and find the desired material. Time is of the essence when a person is suffering from addiction, as the next fix can be deadly to the addict or someone else. Visit our site to obtain valuable information in a timely manner," Seifert recommends.

Comparing hawaii rehab centers can be difficult. One benefit of choosing a treatment center that makes use of multiple modalities is the patient can get the specific help they need, whether it be one type of therapy or a combination of methods. The care needs to be personalized and the interventions cutting edge for the best chance of success.

"Treating an addiction requires a holistic approach. The treatment must address the mind, the body and the spirit. Hawaii Island Recovery makes use of traditional and new methods, including yoga and massage, to help patients. Learn more about the many options available to those who choose to recover with us. Our website makes it easy to learn more about our program and all it has to offer. Be sure to check it out today," Seifert states.

About Hawaii Island Recovery:

Hawaii Island Recovery, a residential inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program, offers detox services to help individuals overcome an addiction. New treatment modalities, such as dolphin therapy, may be found here, and patients enjoy the beauty of the Hawaiian islands during the recovery process. The environment allows them to relax, while simultaneously focusing on their recovery.

Contact Info:

Name: Jan Seifert

Organization: Hawaii Island Recovery

Address: 75-170 Hualalai Rd c311a, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Phone: (866) 390-5070

Source URL: http://marketersmedia.com/hawaii-island-recovery-announces-the-relaunch-of-their-website/178004

For more information, please visit https://hawaiianrecovery.com/

Source: MarketersMedia

Release ID: 178004

For more information visit r



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Today, in partnership, left wing activists and tech employees staged an alliance against White House policies. Tech Stands Up organized a rally in Palo Alto attended by hundreds of people.

Highly paid tech workers drive up rents in the Bay Area. Many commute to Silicon Valley on luxury buses. Protests in Palo Alto against Palantir take aim at the Big Data company for providing its product to the Department of Homeland Security to identify undocumented immigrants. But today, in partnership, left wing activists and tech employees staged an alliance against White House policies.



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By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) |  

Trump is meeting this week with Muhammad bin Salman, the deputy heir apparent of the Saudi Arabian throne and the minister of defense. He had lunch with him at the White House on Tuesday, and will have more extended talks on Thursday, according to white House spokesman Sean Spicer.

Here are some of the main disputes between Trump and Saudi Arabia.

1. Syria.

Syria is the most important dispute, and the one Trump is least likely to give way on. Trump has repeatedly expressed support for strongman Bashar al-Assad and for the Russian intervention in Syria, at one point suggesting that if Russian president Vladimir Putin wishes to deal with radicalism in Syria, we should let him.

Trumps positions on Syria are diametrically opposite from what the Saudi elite want. They have a proxy group among the rebels, the Army of Islam, made up of Salafis or fundamentalists with an extreme anti-Shiite ideology. This group is now leading the rebel side in Russian-sponsored negotiations with the regime. It is militarily mainly important near Damascus, in Douma and Ghouta and is now under siege by the resurgent regime.

Former Secretary of State John Kerry admitted that the US views the Army of Islam as a terrorist group only one step removed from al-Qaeda.

So Muhammad b. Salman is likely to press Trump to back off his strong support for Bashar al-Assad and for Putins Syria policy and to give the green light for an attempt at Saudi reassertion via heavier arms and more money to stop Army of Islam positions from crumbling around Damascus.

Trump is erratic, but his one piece of consistency has been a stress on good relations with Russia, so my guess is that Prince Muhammad will come away empty-handed on Syria.

2. Yemen.

Muhammad b. Salman is credited with pushing for the Saudi-led coalitions air war on Yemen in an attempt to unseat the Helpers of God party-militia, popularly known as the Houthis.

Yemen was ruled by a Zaydi Shiite theocratic leader, or Imam, in the mid-twentieth century, but he was unseated by a revolution led by Arab nationalist officers in the 1960s. During the civil war, the Saudi royal family supported the Imam (even though he was a Shiite) and the Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser supported the young Arab nationalists. In 1978 one of the nationalist officers, Ali Abdullah Saleh, came to power, and ruled as a president for life until early 2012.

Although Saleh began as an Arab nationalist revolutionary, Saleh became conservative over time and attracted Saudi support. He was overthrown by the 2011-2012 youth revolution, but remained powerful in the ruling party and among factions in the military. He was succeeded via national referendum by his vice president, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi. Yemen in 2012-14 was pursuing national reconciliation, multi-party talks, and a new constitution and new elections.

Then in September of 2014 the rural Zaydi revolutionaries, the Houthis, marched into the capital of Sanaa and took over, in stealth cooperation with Saleh and his loyalists. By early 2015 they had forced out President Mansour Hadi and then rampaged down to Sunni areas in the south, taking the port of Aden. The Houthis resent hard line Saudi Wahhabi dominance in the Gulf and challenged Riyads hegemony. They accepted some minor support from Iran, which was mostly symbolic, but that made the Saudis very threatened. The Houthi/ Saleh coalition and its recklessness and naked ambition derailed all the gains of the 2011-2012 revolution and opened the country to foreign intervention and war. Zaydis are only 1/3 of the Yemeni population and could not hope to rule the whole country.

By spring 2015 Muhammad B. Salman had decided to intervene to put Mansour Hadi back in power and to push the Houthis back to their rural northern homeland. His coalition did manage to kick the Houthis out of the port of Aden, but you could not say the war has gone well. Guerrilla groups seldom fall to air assaults.

The US is supporting the Saudi war effort, having swallowed the sketchy line that Houthis are sort of like Yemeni Hizbullah and are Irans cats paws. Trumps friend Mike Flynn even painted a Houthi engagement with a Saudi ship offshore as an Iranian attack on the US Navy. The US military is helping refuel the Saudi fighter jets and even helping choose targets for bombing. The Saudis have sometimes disregarded US advice to avoid, e.g., bridges that serve civilian populations, and this recklessness has frustrated the State Department and the Pentagon. The Saudi bombings have hit hospitals, schools, weddings and created a huge refugee crisis, and have caused millions to go to bed hungry.

My guess is that Prince Muhammad will be given a blank check by Trump to do whatever he likes to Yemen.

3. ISIL

Trump complained during the presidential campaign that Saudi Arabia was not doing anything special to combat Daesh (ISIS, ISIL). Although Saudi fighter jets have flown a few missions against Daesh positions, Trump is correct that defeating Daesh has been a very, very low priority for Riyadh. In part, the Saudi royal family may hope that Daesh keeps Iran busy in Iraq, acting as a barrier to Irans establishment of a secure sphere of influence in the Arab world stretching from Iraq through Syria to Lebanon.

Arguably, theyd have done the world a favor if they had bombed Daesh intensively and left Yemen alone.

Trump suggested that he would boycott Saudi petroleum if Riyadh did not step up and provide more military resources to fight Daesh.

As it happens, Daesh is on its last legs as a territorial state, now holding only a bit of West Mosul and some towns of about 100,000 in northern Iraq like Hawija and Tel Afar. By the end of 2017, it could have lost its state-like character entirely, though it will still be powerful in some villages and neighborhoods, and able to blow stuff up from time to time.

It is not clear if Trump will want now to strong arm Saudi Arabia into joining the last part of the anti-Daesh campaign. There is no reason to think that the Saudis have much interest in doing so.

4. Jeusalem

The Saudis dont want Trump to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, since East Jerusalem is occupied territory and the Saudis support the PLO, which wants it for Palestines capital. The Dome of the Rock is also the third holiest shrine in the Muslim world.

5. Iran

It is not clear whether Saudi Arabia has made its peace with the Iran nuclear deal negotiated with the UN Security Council plus Germany. Certainly, Riyadh is distressed that international economic pressure on Iran has been dramatically lessened and that Iran is free to continue to seek spheres of influence in the neighborhood. Iran has beaten Saudi Arabia in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and in Western Afghanistan. That has to smart. Prince Muhammad will impress upon Trump the desirability of continuing the US unilateral sanctions against Iran, and the need to contain it.

It does not now appear that Trump will in fact tear up the nuclear deal. He can be depended to take a hard line with Iran, and to continue the Treasury Department sanctions on Tehran. But he is with Russia in Syria, which means he is willy nilly with Iran in Syria.

So it is hard to see what the prince can get from Trump with regard to Iran except some tough talk.

6. Petroleum

Trump is dedicated to keeping petroleum profitable as long as possible. This stance pleases Saudi Arabia. But Prince Muhammad is likely more clear-eyed about the future than is Trump. The age of the electric car is bearing down on us. Oil is probably doomed within 15-20 years. Prince Muhammad knows this, and is trying to begin the process of diversifying the Saudi economy and transitioning to the post-fossil fuel age. But the slower the world goes, the better for the Saudi royal family (and the worse for the earth). The prince may push for more climate denialism and for anti-solar and anti-wind legislation, i.e. all the things Trump, Scott Pruitt, Rex Tillerson and the whole rogues gallery already support. For now, they can have their love fest with the Saudi royal family.



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Maan News Agency |  

Israels occupation of Palestinian territory does not only exist above ground. Since 1967, Israel has systematically colonized Palestinian natural resources and, in the field of hydrocarbons, has prevented Palestinians from accessing their own oil and gas reserves. Such restrictions have ensured the continued dependence of Palestinians on Israel for their energy needs. The Palestinians own efforts to develop their energy sector fail to challenge Israels overarching hegemony over Palestinian resources. Rather, they pursue growth and state building within the reality of the occupation, further reinforcing  even if inadvertently  the asymmetric balance between occupied and occupier.

The energy crisis Israel imposes on Gaza and Palestine

Within the space of a few years, Israel has moved from being a regional gas importer to acquiring the potential to become an exporter. As Israel became awash with gas, the Gaza Strips pitiful reality became starker than ever. The Gaza Strip has been under blockade since 2007. The Gaza Power Generation Company (GPGC), the sole company of its kind in the Palestinian territory, currently runs on liquid fuel that is purchased and transported into the Gaza Strip from the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank.

To supplement power from GPGC, Gaza purchases electricity from the Israeli Electricity Company as well as from the Egyptian electric grid  in line with the Paris Protocol, enshrined between Israel and the PLO as part of the Oslo Accords. Even so, fuel purchased for power generation in Gaza is insufficient to meet local demand, and the Strip has suffered from chronic electricity shortages since Israel imposed the blockade.

In early 2017, protests swept throughout Gaza as inhabitants of this coastal enclave protested having electricity for only three to four hours daily. Aside from the tremendous restrictions these shortages put on mundane facets of life, electricity outages have a crippling impact on the economic activity of the private sector, healthcare, education, and life-sustaining facilities such as water sanitation plants. Stunted operations in these areas have consequences that are both immediate and lasting, impacting rising generations.

Blame for Gazas energy crisis is fired in all directions. Protesters flooding the winter streets blamed Hamass government, the PA, and Israel. Anger was directed at Hamass government for allegedly diverting funds from the purchase of fuel necessary to run Gazas only power plant toward other activities, including the building of tunnels.

Frustrated demonstrators accused the PA of supporting the blockade by controlling fuel purchases and transfers into Gaza. The power company itself, a privately owned operation, is repeatedly criticized for supposedly making profit off the backs of ordinary Gazans who suffer from these shortages.

To mitigate the particularly painful winter months of late 2016 and early 2017, interventions into Gazas energy sector were forthcoming from Turkey and Qatar in the form of fuel supplies that allowed the resumption of power generation from GPGC. These measures are at best short-term palliatives that will carry Gazans through another chapter of a chronic crisis.

In this wave of popular anger and recrimination, the impact of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and Israels broader colonization and control of Palestinian resources is diluted, if not pushed to the background.

Yet Palestinians discovered gas reserves almost a decade before Israels gas bonanza. In 1999, the Gaza Marine field was discovered off the coast of Gaza, and the license for exploration and production was awarded to BG Group, the major British oil and gas company since acquired by Shell.

In the early days of the discovery, this national treasure was hailed as a breakthrough that could offer Palestinians a windfall. At a time when the Oslo Accords that had been signed in 1993 still seemed plausible, the resource discovery was viewed as something that could provide Palestinians with a much-needed boost toward self-determination.

With an estimated 1 tcf of gas, Gaza Marine is not sufficiently large to act as an exporter. But the gas volumes it holds are sufficient to make the Palestinian energy sector entirely self-sufficient. Not only would Palestinians not have to import Israeli or Egyptian gas or electricity, but the Gaza Strip would not suffer from any electricity shortages. Moreover, the Palestinian economy would enjoy a significant source of revenue.

That move to sovereign rule was not to be. Despite persistent attempts by owners of the field and investors to develop Gaza Marine, Israel placed unyielding restrictions that have prevented any measures from taking place. This is despite the fact that exploration and production from Gaza Marine would be relatively straightforward given the shallow depth of the reserve and its location close to Palestinian shores.

According to documents uncovered by Al-Shabaka, Israel initially prevented the development of this field as it sought commercially favorable terms for the gas produced. After Israel discovered its own resources, it began citing security concerns that were heightened with Hamass takeover of the Gaza Strip.

Although Netanyahu allegedly considered allowing Palestinians to develop Gaza Marine in 2012 as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the Gaza Strip, these efforts have yet to materialize. Given the recent acquisition of BG Group by Shell, and the latters global asset divestment program, it is likely that Gaza Marine will be sold off.

Until Israel ends its stranglehold on the Palestinian economy, this Palestinian asset is likely to remain stranded. Indeed, the manner in which the Israeli and Palestinian gas discoveries have shaped economic development in Israel and the Palestinian territory elucidates the power disparity between the two parties. Unlike Israel, which rapidly secured energy independence after the discovery of its gas fields, Palestinians are unable to access a resource they discovered close to two decades earlier.

Rather than addressing the root cause of the blockade and the occupation regime that has prevented their control of resources such as Gaza Marine, Palestinians are instead forced to seek immediate measures that mitigate the pressing misery they face. Although this is understandable in the context of a brutal occupation, efforts to enhance quality of life under occupation overlook the longer-term strategic goal of securing energy independence within the broader goal of freedom from occupation and realization of Palestinian rights.

Economic peace and normalization

Israels gas discoveries are often heralded as potential catalysts for a regional transformation. The positioning of the Israeli state as an energy supplier to resource-poor neighbors is considered a sure way to facilitate economic integration between countries such as Jordan and Egypt as well as the Palestinians.

The economic benefit that cheap pipeline gas could offer these countries is seen to offset any social and political concerns among their citizens regarding dealings with Israel. This line of thinking assumes that through economic integration, the pursuant stability would diminish prospects of volatility in an explosive region as Israel and its neighbors become integrated in mutual dependency.

The notion of economic peace has a long history in the region and has manifested itself in various forms, including recently in Secretary of State John Kerrys economic development proposal . This view also appears favored by the Trump administrations ambassador to Israel, David Friedman.

Rather than directly addressing the political impasse caused by Israels prolonged occupation and other violations, such proposals address issues related to quality of life, trade, or economic growth, presumably as a stepping stone to peace. With similar thinking, once the Israeli gas discoveries were made, the Obama administration began to explore ways to position Israel as a regional energy hub.

Proponents of this approach of separating national and political rights from economic incentives would argue that there is an obvious commercial advantage for Israeli gas to be used within the Palestinian territory and Jordan. Israel now has an excess of gas, and these regions are still dependent on energy imports.

In the case of the Palestinian territory, dependence on Israel already exists, and not only in Gaza: close to 88 percent of Palestinian consumption is supplied by Israel, with the West Bank importing almost the entirety of its electricity from Israel. Advocates for economic peace believe that prospects for instability diminish when such mutual dependency is reinforced.

The dangers of truncated sovereignty

There are several national and regional dangers to the push for closer integration through gas deals in the absence of a concurrent effort on the political front.

The first danger is that Palestinian energy security is pinned to Israels goodwill. Israel can and has in the past used its power to effectively turn the taps off for Palestinian consumers. The most evident (and violent) manifestation of Israels willingness to withhold power to Palestinians is its decision to destroy without hesitation the sole power generation company in the Gaza Strip during its bombardment of the coastal enclave in 2006 and again in 2014.

Secondly, this approach legitimizes the Israeli occupation, soon entering its fiftieth year. Not only is there no cost to Israels prevention of Palestinian state building, there is rather a direct reward in the form of revenue from the sales of gas to territories maintained indefinitely under Israels territorial control.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, such energy exchange and trade in the pursuit of economic peace in the absence of any political prospects merely entrenches the power imbalance between the two parties  the occupier and the occupied. Such integration propagates a fiction of normative sovereign relations between an occupying power and a captive economy in the West Bank and Gaza.

One might think back to similar quality of life initiatives that were put forward in the 1980s, with the direct encouragement of the Reagan White House, as a failed alternative to political engagement with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The constant efforts to circumvent Palestinian political demands through such measures has allowed Israel to manage , rather than resolve, the conflict.

The case of gas demonstrates most starkly how Palestinian state building efforts through the development of national resources have been elided in favor of alleviating energy crises within the framework of truncated sovereignty. Instead of addressing Palestinians inability to explore their own natural resources, American diplomats are actively working with Israel to facilitate negotiations that enhance Palestinian quality of life that ultimately leaves them bound to Israel in perpetuity.

This approach carries regional dangers as well. Jordan is currently dependent on Israel for around 40 percent of its energy imports. Jordans willingness to enter into this kind of commitment, despite several geostrategic disadvantages, advances Israels normalization in the region even as it maintains its occupation of Palestinian territory.

This disposition heralds several threats at a time when the Trump administration is proposing the pursuit of outside in diplomatic measures that might entirely circumvent the Palestinians.

Strategies for pushback

In normal conditions, mutual dependency and economic development are indeed anchors against instability and hold the benefit of advancing the quality of life of the inhabitants of the region. However, they must not be viewed as an end in their own right, and certainly not as a substitute for the realization of Palestinian rights. Such a depoliticized view can only go so far. Focusing solely on economic peace has detrimental consequences precisely because it overlooks the broader historical context that has led to Palestinian, and possibly regional, dependency.

Economic growth will never remove Palestinian calls for sovereignty and rights or the demand for self-determination. That was a lesson that was fully articulated with the eruption of the first intifada close to 30 years ago, after decades of normalized economic relations between Israel and the territories under its military occupation. While economic peace could offer short-term relief, it will only pave the way toward greater stability if it is built on a foundation of equality and justice.

Palestinians right to their own resources is subject to final status negotiations with the Israelis. The current gas agreements being pursued will create an infrastructure of dependency that will be difficult to untangle in the case of a negotiated settlement. More importantly, given the vanishing hopes of a negotiated two-state solution, these agreements merely concretize the status quo.

Therefore, while economic relations may have to be pursued to avert humanitarian suffering, as the case might be with increasing fuel and electricity supply to Gaza, the PLO and PA as well as Palestinian civil society and the Palestine solidarity movement must continue to use all the tools at their disposal to push for justice and rights for Palestinians.

At the same time, the PLO/PA must use such economic negotiations as a means of securing accountability from Israel rather than as a way of acquiescing to enforced dependency. In particular, the non-observer member state status that Palestine has secured at the UN must be used to lobby at international legal forums such as the International Criminal Court to push Israel to meet its responsibility as an occupying power under international law. This means it is tasked with the responsibility of safeguarding the livelihood of inhabitants under its control, including the provision of electricity and fuel, and it is accountable for decisions it might make to turn the taps off.

Certain elements of economic peace may serve the Palestinians in the short term by underpinning economic growth and development. But these cannot come at the expense of an indefinite state of dependency and truncated sovereignty. Palestinians must work on two fronts: They must push to hold Israels occupation accountable in international forums. And they must ensure that prospects of forced economic integration and any attempt by Israel to impose a one-state apartheid reality is met by a call for rights and equality . Whichever political vision is pursued for Israel and the Palestinians, the Palestinian leadership must formulate a strategy around these gas deals and contextualize notions of economic development within the wider struggle for Palestinian liberation.

The views expressed in this article are the authors and do not necessarily reflect Maan News Agencys or Informed Comments editorial policy.

This is an edited version of a policy brief authored by Al-Shabaka Policy Fellow Tareq Baconi. Read an unabridged version here.

Al-Shabaka is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and foster public debate on Palestinian human rights and self-determination within the framework of international law.
By Amir Ahmadi Arian | ( OpenDemocracy.net ) |  

Donald Trump is not an aberration. He is the extreme manifestation of an existing foreign policy doctrine  the mafia principle  and he is determined to release the whole potential of its violent core.

In his first few weeks in office, Donald Trump issued executive orders the way he has been sending out tweets. For a reason: being an active user for years, he has learned from it how to distract. He knows that the best way to cover up a provocative tweet is to issue a dozen more irritating, more brazen, more insane tweets, and people forget about the first one. We all have been with him on this rollercoaster dashing down to the bottom of the abyss, and the speed is such that we hardly get to pause and look around. Sometimes, however, the formula fails, and Trumps move is so disturbing that people cant move on. The first travel ban, issued on January 27, was that kind of moment.

The new travel ban came out in March 6, seemingly better articulated and fixed. However, fundamental questions are still in place, and the removal of Iraq from the order, while bringing deserved relief to Iraqi travelers, throws up new ambiguities. Now that the order is updated, it is timely to take a look at it again, in order to, in Donald Trumps eloquent words the first time he raised the ban on Muslims, figure out what the hell is going on.

Behind the selection

While signing the first order, Trump mentioned the lessons he learned from 9/11 and pentagon, omitting the fact that the ban initially included Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, and none of the hijackers on that day were from those countries. In an interview with David Muir on ABC, he added San Bernardino on the list, carried out by a Chicago born man radicalized in Saudi Arabia, which is not on Trumps list. Unsurprisingly, Muir let him off the hook without pressing for a less absurd answer.

The Trump administration has demonstrated mind-blowing imperviousness to facts

The Trump administration has demonstrated mind-blowing imperviousness to facts, but dismissing facts dont make them go away. We know that the post-9/11 terror attacks motivated by radical Islamism were mostly carried out by either American born radicalized young men, or immigrants from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. In none of the major attacks on American soil since the 1970s (San Bernardino, Fort Hood, Boston, etc), was a single citizen of the banned countries involved.

Why singling out the countries that have caused no harm? The simplest explanation is that Trump put the ban on countries where he has no business ties. That perfectly fits his character, and his idea of presidency as, among other things, a means to protect and boost his brand. But still, there are 50 Muslim majority countries in the world, and Trump has business only in a few of them.

Donald Trump is so off the known spectrum that many tend to look at him as an aberration, an exception to an otherwise consistent, sensible foreign policy. However, we understand this chaos better if, all his shenanigans notwithstanding, we look at him in the context of the US foreign policy as a whole. Without that perspective, we may well put all emerging controversial policies down to his chaotic style of governance, and miss the chance of understanding it for what it is. After all, those seven countries were first selected by Obama as countries of concern. The continuity is stronger than it seems.

The mafia principle

One place to go for making sense of this executive order is a book Noam Chomsky published in 2010, where he proposed the notion of mafia principle in US foreign policy.

Like any other mafia organization, nothing riles up the godfather more than defiance

The idea is rather simple: like any other mafia organization, nothing riles up the godfather more than defiance. Apart from hurting his ego, successful defiance might be noticed by other discontented parties, and embolden them into action. So when someone defies in that world, the godfather does not suffice to put them down. He tries to make a lesson out of them, so that, as Iranians say, others keep their swords in the sheath. The history of US invasions comes down to this mentality: Japan, Vietnam, Iraq, all were punished, not because any of them posed a threat to US national security, but for their stubborn disobedience.

As to the travel ban, if one thing holds the banned countries together, it is their defiance to the US hegemony in the world in different periods: Islamic republic in Iran, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, Assad family in Syria, Omar al-Bashir in Sudan, Yemen after Houthi resurgence. Some of them have already been severely punished: the US army decimated Iraq and turned Libya into a failed state, Sudan and Iran have suffered the most brutal economic sanctions in history. They have little else in common, and none has ever been a direct national security threat to America.

The leniency towards Iraq in the updated version should be understood in this context: fighting ISIS as reason for the exemption makes no sense, because in that case Iran would have been off the list too. What distinguishes Iraq is the way the Iraqi government negotiated over the ban: first, Iraqi prime minister Haidar Al-Abadi in a phone call ensured Trump that his country remains neutral in regional conflicts, and then Iraq agreed to hand over private information of its citizens to the US for background check. In other words, one of the rebels in the mafia world comes around and makes up with the godfather. Exemption from punishment is his reward.

Capone-style sentimentality

American governments, democrats and republicans alike, have displayed a discernible style of breaking defiance: a strange mix of massive brutality at start, and ensuing sentimentality, poured lavishly on villains when they are on their knees. Take Japan and Vietnam: when the godfather makes sure that the villain is devastated, he comes over, give the defeated a pat on the back, helps them up, and calls them allies. No wonder that, of all candidates, Al Capone grew to become the mythical figure of American mafia: a man at ease with murdering everyone he deemed enemy, while eager to help out the families of the victims and contribute to charities.

Now the American voters have elected the closest thing to an actual mafia godfather into office

Now the American voters have elected the closest thing to an actual mafia godfather into office: a brutal billionaire with a checkered past who, to mention only one attribute he shares with a mafia godfather, hides his tax record in his vault. He seems like a gangster boss straight out of a Martin Scorsese film: vulgar, ruthless, dishonest, thin-skinned. He has already shown incredible penchant for revenge, and huge eagerness for mafia-style retaliation.

In that context, Donald Trump is not an aberration. He is the extreme manifestation of an existing foreign policy doctrine  mafia principle  and he is determined to release the whole potential of its violent core. The ban is only the beginning: the new godfather on the block will go out of his way to crack down on all forms of defiance, domestically or internationally.

Amir Ahmadi Arian is an Iranian novelist and journalist, the author of two critically acclaimed novels and a book of nonfiction in Farsi, short stories and essays in English. He holds a PhD in comparative literature from The University of Queensland, Australia. He is currently enrolled at NYU writing program, and lives in New York City.

Via OpenDemocracy.net

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Related video added by Juan Cole:

Hindustan Times: Get out of my country: Trump Travel Ban, H1-B visa curbs and Indians in US
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Otis Gold Corp. ("Otis" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE:OOO)(OTC PINK:OGLDF) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to (1) increase its interest in the Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek Gold-Silver Properties located in Cassia County, Idaho from 80% to 100% and (2) reduce the existing net smelter royalty on these projects from 2.5% to 2.0%.

In consideration, 380,000 Otis Common Shares of Otis will be issued to the vendors, and these shares will be subject to a voluntary hold period ending July 31, 2017. The transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory bodies. The transaction results in Otis increasing its interest to 100% in what is known as the Oakley Project, a land package that comprises Blue Hill Creek, Matrix Creek and what is known as Cold Creek.

About Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek

The Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek properties are located in Cassia County, Idaho approximately 24 kilometers south of Oakley, Idaho. Blue Hill Creek, which is host to a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource Estimate of 163,000 ounces Au in 10,994,000 tons at a grade of 0.51 g/t Au (see Otis News Release dated September 23, 2016), consists of 36 federal lode mining claims covering 720 acres and an 80 acre Idaho State Mineral Lease. Matrix Creek, immediately adjacent and contiguous to Blue Hill Creek, consists of 41 federal lode mining claims covering 820 acres and a 320 acre Idaho State Mineral Lease.

Blue Hill Creek ("BHC") occurs within a north-trending, five-mile-long by one-mile-wide zone of low-sulfidation, hot spring-type gold occurrences along the western margin of the Albion Range metamorphic core complex. The BHC sinters and related gold-silver mineralization were discovered in 1985 during regional exploration by Meridian Minerals. The related epithermal mineralization is hosted in volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Tertiary Salt Lake formation. Mineralization at BHC is open in multiple directions. In a 5-hole, 1,308m diamond drill program completed in 2014, 3 holes intercepted gold mineralization including 0.691 gpt Au over 123m (BHC14-01), 0.705 gpt Au over 41.1m (BHC14-03) and 0.405 gpt Au over 113.9m (BHC14-04) (see Otis Gold News Release dated February 5, 2015).

Matrix Creek ("MC") is distinctive from BHC in terms of mineralization, host lithology and structure. MC is located southeast and south of BHC and is named because it is characterized by a distinctive carapace of breccia up to 12 meters thick which consists of quartzite fragments separated by black to dark grey matrix of extremely fine-grained quartz and pyrite. The breccias are strongly anomalous for both gold and silver. Fourteen surface grab samples collected by Otis averaged 0.55 g/t Au and 70.4 g/t Ag, with the highest-grade sample returning 1.24 g/t Au and 306 g/t Ag. Preliminary 48-hour bottle-roll results performed by ALS Chemex Labs in Vancouver, B.C., suggest that the gold is up to 82% recoverable and that the silver is up to 93% recoverable (see Otis News Release dated September 18, 2014). While limited work has been completed by Otis on MC, it seems likely that the breccias formed along a detachment fault associated with the development of the metamorphic core complex that forms the core of the Albion Range immediately to the east.

The relationship between the mineralization at MC and BHC is ambiguous. The breccias cut through both properties and may be much thicker in the subsurface at BHC than is suggested by surface outcrop. The high-angle faults associated with the BHC graben cut and displace the low angle MC detachment structure. The high-angle faults therefore post-date the MC detachment system. Because these faults appear to cut through the mineralized detachment at MC, the detachment may have served as a source for the gold for the BHC hydrothermal system.

States Otis President & CEO Craig Lindsay: "We are very pleased to increase our ownership to 100% in the emerging district-scale Oakley Project. We see a significant amount of exploration potential at Oakley for both gold and silver, and having a 100% ownership interest increases our flexibility in how we approach the development of this exciting asset. We are planning fieldwork at Oakley this summer, and will be announcing a specific work program in due course."

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person under National Instrument (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this News Release is Paul D. Gray, P. Geo, who has reviewed and approved its technical content.

About the Company

Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore Gold Project, located in Clark County, Idaho.
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Source Exploration Corp. (the "Company" or "Source") (TSX VENTURE:SOP)(OTC:SRXLF)(FRANKFURT:4QW1) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Brian Robertson, P.Eng., as Chairman, effective immediately. Mr. Robertson currently serves as President & CEO of the company and is also a Director.

Mr. Robertson is a Professional Engineer and holds the Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Laurentian University. He has served as a President and Director for Canadian listed companies and has extensive experience in financing, directing exploration programs and the evaluation of corporate acquisitions. His global experience includes operating and construction of precious metal mines in Canada and offshore, including a 21 year career with Placer Dome Inc.

In his new role as Chairman, Brian replaces Mr. David Baker, previously Executive Chairman, who will remain on the Board as an independent director.

Mr. Robertson, Chairman, President & CEO, commented, "I want to thank David for his strong leadership during his term as Executive Chairman and am pleased that he will be continuing as a Director involved with the development and growth of the company."

About Las Minas

The Las Minas Project hosts near-surface gold-silver and copper skarn mineralization and high-grade gold-silver epithermal vein deposits. The project is comprised of six mineral concessions covering approximately 1,616 hectares (3,995 acres), with several small high-grade, past-producing mines and numerous untested targets.

The district is host to one of the largest underexplored gold-silver and copper skarn systems known in Mexico, and has a production history that extends back to the Aztec era. The Las Minas granodiorite intrusive measures approximately 10 kilometres in diameter and underlies the Las Minas concessions. The mineralization controls and association with magnetite appear to be similar to parts of the Guerrero Gold belt, which is the site of the Los Filos and Morelos gold deposits.

Las Minas is an early-stage exploration project and does not contain any mineral resource estimates as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The potential quantities and grades disclosed herein are conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource for the targets discussed herein. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in these targets being delineated as a mineral resource.

About Source Exploration

Source Exploration is a Canadian based mineral exploration company committed to building long-term value through ongoing discoveries and strategic acquisitions of prospective precious metals deposits in Mexico. Source is exploring the Las Minas Project, which is located in the core of the Las Minas district in the Veracruz State, Mexico. The district is host to one of the largest underexplored skarn systems known in Mexico and has a strong production history that dates back to the Aztec era.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Osisko Mining Inc. (TSX:OSK) ("Osisko" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce new results from the ongoing drill program at its 100% owned Garrison gold project located in Garrison Township, Ontario. The current 35,000 metre drill program is designed to further test the known Garrcon, Jonpol and 903 zones. A total of ten new holes are reported in this release, with significant assay results presented in the table below.

Significant new results include: 10.9 g/t Au over 3.9 metres in OSK-G17-331, 13.8 g/t Au over 2.0 metres in OSK-G17-324, 1.07 g/t Au over 32.4 metres in OSK-G17-328 and 1.38 g/t Au over 26.0 metres in OSK-G16-317.

The new results have demonstrated the potential to expand the extent of known mineralization in the 903 zone and along strike west of the Garrcon zone. The ongoing drill program for 2017 will continue to follow new extensions of the mineralized zones within the Garrcon, Jonpol and 903 zones.

Maps and sections showing hole locations and complete drilling results are available at www.osiskomining.com.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) uncut Au (g/t) cut to

30 g/t Zone OSK-G16-317 54.0 80.0 26.0 1.38 Garrcon OSK-G17-317A 689.5 691.5 2.0 4.6 Garrcon 788.0 790.0 2.0 6.4 Garrcon OSK-G17-331 588.6 592.5 3.9 10.9 2.8 Garrcon Including 588.6 589.10 0.5 77.2 15.0 Garrcon OSK-G17-324 398.0 400.0 2.0 13.8 903 OSK-G17-328 259.7 292.1 32.4 1.07 903 OSK-G17-332 85.0 102.0 17.0 1.09 903 Notes:True Widths are estimated at 65 - 80% of the reported core length interval.See "Quality Control" below.

Hole Number Azimuth () Dip () Length (m) UTM E UTM N Section OSK-G16-317 0 -90 639 578529 5373835 1350W OSK-G17-317A 0 -90 361 578529 5373835 1350W OSK-G16-321 340 -55 570 577068 5373010 3000W OSK-G17-324 340 -50 468 576859 5372999 3200W OSK-G17-327 340 -45 289 577336 5373162 2700W OSK-G17-328 340 -50 477 577133 5373138 2900W OSK-G17-330 340 -45 306 576830 5373091 3200W OSK-G17-331 340 -45 819 577840 5373240 2200W OSK-G17-332 340 -50 339 577396 5373291 2600W OSK-G17-335 340 -45 354 577242 5373128 2800W OSK-G17-342 340 -45 204 577286 5373303 2700W

OSK-G16-317 was a vertical hole targeting 100 metres west of hole OSK-G16-209X in the Garrcon Deep Zone. Drilling in the Garrcon resource intersecting shallow mineralization averaging 1.38 g/t Au over 26.0 metres. Hole OSK-G17-317A was a wedge from hole OSK-G16-317 which did intersect the target zone, including 4.6 g/t Au over 2.0 metres and 6.4 g/t Au over 2.0 metres.

OSK-G17-331 drilled through the Destor Porcupine Fault Zone, intersected the 903 Zone and later along the footwall of the fault zone intersected the western extension of the Garrcon Zone, including an interval averaging 10.9 g/t Au over 3.9 metres. This represents a 650 metre extension west of the defined Garrcon Zone resource area. Additional drill holes are planned to follow up on these potentially significant new results. The mineralization within the hole shows the same character as the Garrcon Zone with areas of strong silicification and alteration of the Temiskaming metasediments.

OSK-G17-324 targeted the western extension of the 903 Zone and intersected 13.8 g/t Au over 2.0 metres within syenite. This hole is 500 metres west of previously reported results from drill hole OSK-G17-326 (16.7 g/t Au over 16.4 metres).

OSK-G17-328 was drilled within the central section of the 903 Zone and intersected an interval averaging 1.07 g/t Au over 32.4 metres within altered syenite.

OSK-G17-332 was drilled within the central portion of the 903 Zone intersecting shallow gold mineralization averaging 1.09 g/t Au over 17.0 metres.

OSK-G17-321, 327, 330, 335 and 342 did not return any significant intervals.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been reviewed, prepared and approved by Mr. Greg Matheson, P.Geo. Senior Project Manager of the Garrison gold project, who is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

Quality Control

True widths of the new exploration intercepts reported in this press release have yet to be determined. Additional drilling is planned for the immediate area which will enable the true width determination. Assays are uncut except where indicated, and calculated intervals are reported over a minimum length of 2 metres using a lower cutoff of 3 g/t Au. All HQ core assays reported were obtained by either whole sample rock metallic screen/fire assay or standard 30 gram fire-assaying with AA finish at SGS Minerals Services in Cochrane, Ontario. The whole sample metallic screen assay method is selected by the geologist when samples contain coarse gold or any samples displaying gold initial fire assay values greater than 4g/t. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practices. Standards and blanks are included with every 20 samples for Quality Assurance/Quality Control purposes by the Corporation as well as the lab. Approximately 5% of sample pulps are sent to secondary laboratories for check assays.

About the Garrison Project

The Garrison Project area is comprised of 214 mineral claims, 25 mining leases, and 87 patent claims encompassing approximately 8,000 hectares.

Both Garrcon and Jonpol have resource estimates that are described in a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which was completed by a previous operator Northern Gold Mining Inc. (entitled "Technical Report on the Golden Bear Project - Garrison Property: Larder Lake Mining Division, Garrison Township, Ontario, Canada") dated December 30, 2013, with an effective date of December 30, 2013 (the "Garrison Technical Report"). The Garrison Technical Report was prepared by A.C.A. Howe International Limited for Northern Gold Mining Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Osisko) and is available on Osisko's website at www.osiskomining.com and on SEDAR under Northern Gold Mining Inc.'s issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Resource estimates were conducted by A.C.A. Howe International Limited according to CIM standards. The Garrcon Zone estimates showed 15.1 million tonnes with an average grade of 1.07 g/t Au (521,000 oz) in measured resources; 14.1 million tonnes averaging 1.16 g/t Au (526,000 oz) in indicated resources; and 1.7 million tonnes averaging 0.72 g/t Au (39,000 oz) in inferred resources. Potential underground resources of 5.1 million tonnes averaging 3.49 g/t Au (577,000 oz) in the inferred category were also outlined. Resources were reported at a cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t Au for open pit extraction and 1.5 g/t in a bulk underground mining scenario using a gold price of US$1,250/oz.

At the Jonpol Zone, resources were estimated as 0.87 million tonnes averaging 5.34 g/t Au (150,000 oz) in the indicated category; and 1.07 million tonnes averaging 5.56 g/t Au (192,000 oz) in inferred resources. Resources were reported at a cut-off grade of 3.0 g/t Au and assume an underground extraction scenario using a gold price of US$1,250/oz.

Readers are cautioned that inferred resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the inferred resources will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Garrcon Zone

The Garrcon Zone has a shallow plunge eastward along the footwall of the Destor-Porcupine Fault Zone with the bulk of the resource in the western, more densely drilled area. The zone is exposed at surface and has potential for open pit bulk mining at an estimated overall stripping ratio of 1.8:1. There is potential for additional underground resources below the pit and along the easterly plunge of the zone, which is open for further exploration down dip and along strike.

The Garrcon shaft was sunk in 1935 and 1936 by the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Co. of Canada ("Cominco") and the Shaft and South Zones were tested for high grade gold mineralization. Cominco drove approximately 1,430 metres of drifts and cross cuts, mining underground veins. Diamond drilling by Cominco and Lac Minerals Ltd. in the mid-to-late 1980s identified broad sections of low grade mineralization. In 2006-2007, ValGold Resources Ltd. conducted additional drilling confirming these zones. From 2009-2013 Northern Gold Mining Inc. conducted 97,000 metres of diamond drilling which delineated the current resource.

In 2014, Northern Gold Mining Inc. was granted a trial mining permit allowing the extraction of up to 150,000 tonnes. Northern Gold Mining Inc. mined 73,534 dry tonnes which was processed at the nearby Holt mill facility recovering 3,516.3 oz at an average head grade of 1.55 g/t and recovery of 95.9%. The trial production permit remains active.

Jonpol Zone

Jonpol is situated in the Munro Fault Zone, a west striking splay off the north side of the Destor-Porcupine Fault. Hosted in a shear zone tens of metres wide in altered mafic volcanic rocks, the deposit consists of four high grade gold mineralized zones (JP, JD, RP and East) over a strike length of 1.7 kilometers. Gold mineralization is hosted in quartz carbonate veins, in mafic and ultramafic host rocks, and is associated with intense albite and/or sericite alteration and pyrite mineralization.

In 1997, a 49,087 tonne bulk sample was extracted from the central part of the JP zone by Hillsborough Resources Limited with an average grade of 6.7 g/t which produced 9,476 ounces Au. From 1985-2013, over 130,000 metres of drilling was completed on the property by previous operators. Development work on the JP zone included the sinking of a 184 metre shaft as well as development of a ramp to the 150 metre level with mining on six sublevels. The Jonpol infrastructure underwent reclamation in the late 1990s and was closed out in 2001, but the existing ramp and shaft are preserved.

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 Garrcon and Jonpol zones 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 and has approximately $190 million in cash and equity investment.
VANCOUVER B.C. / TheNewswire / March 15 2017 - Tower Resources Ltd. ("Tower" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a $1 million financing package ("Transaction") with Sandstorm Gold Ltd. ("Sandstorm") (NYSE MKT:SAND) including a royalty investment and private placement. The Company has also agreed to a concurrent non-brokered private placement for proceeds of up to $2.7 million. All currency amounts in Canadian dollars.

Transaction and Private Placement Highlights

Provides multi-year funding for exploration of Tower's Rabbit North, Nechako Gold, and More Creek, properties;

Total of up to $3.2 million in new equity financing of which Sandstorm will subscribe for $500,000;

Sandstorm will pay $500,000 cash consideration for a 2% net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") on Tower's Rabbit North Extension, Nechako Gold and More Creek properties;

Tower will have the option to buy-back 50% (total 1%) of each new NSR sold to Sandstorm for $500,000 per property;

Tower will assign Sandstorm the right to purchase 1% of the underlying NSR on Tower's Rabbit North property.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO noted, "We are extremely happy to have Sandstorm as an investor in Tower and believe that this transaction is an endorsement of both Tower's people and properties. "The funds provided by the sale of the royalty as well as the private placement will allow Tower to aggressively explore each of our core assets in BC and opportunistically add prospective properties to our pipeline."

Sandstorm Transaction

As part of the financing package, Tower will receive a $500,000 payment in return for granting Sandstorm a two percent (2%) NSR on Tower's Rabbit North Extension, Nechako Gold and. More Creek properties. Tower will have the option to buyback one percent (1%) of the NSR on each of the properties from Sandstorm for cash consideration of $500,00 per property. In addition, Tower will assign to Sandstorm the right to purchase one percent (1%) of Tower's two percent buyback right underlying the Rabbit North property. Concurrent with the NSR investment, Sandstorm will subscribe for 3.44 million units of a private placement at $0.145 per unit for total proceeds of $500,000. Each unit is to consist of one common share and one half of one transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will be exercisable at $0.22 for a period of five years. Fort Capital Partners acted as an advisor to the company in connection with the Sandstorm financing package and will be issued units in consideration for their services.

Private Placement

Concurrent with the Sandstorm Transaction, Tower has arranged a non-brokered private placement of up to 18.62 million units of the company for gross proceeds of $2,700,000. As with the Sandstorm private placement, each unit is to consist of one common share and one half of one transferable share purchase warrant exercisable at $0.22 for a period of five years. Proceeds from the private placement will be used for exploration of the Company's mineral property portfolio and general working capital purposes. Tower will pay finder's fees to qualified finders in amounts permitted by the TSX Venture Exchange. Both the Sandstorm Transaction and concurrent private placement remain subject to regulatory approval.

All securities issued in connection with the private placement (including securities issued to Sandstorm, Fort Capital and any finders) will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and all applicable state securities laws, or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

About Tower Resources

Tower Resources Ltd. (TWR.V) is a Vancouver-based junior mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral properties, primarily in British Columbia. The company's key exploration assets are Rabbit North, Nechako Gold and More Creek.
Surrey, BC (FSCwire) - Miranda Gold Corp. ("Miranda") (TSX-V: MAD) is pleased to announce it has signed an option agreement (the Agreement) that allows IAMGOLD Corporation (IAMGOLD) (TSX: IMG, NYSE: IAG) to earn an interest in Mirandas Antares Project in Colombia by conducting exploration on a scheduled earn-in basis. IAMGOLD will operate the project with input from Miranda.

IAMGOLD is required to incur US$100,000 in expenditures during 2017 to maintain the right to enter into the option which begins on the later of January 1, 2018 or the date on which mineral title to one or more of the exploration applications making up the Antares Project has been granted by the Colombian government. At such time, should IAMGOLD elect to enter into the option, it will be obligated to incur US$750,000 in expenditures during the subsequent 12 months.

The Antares Project consists of ten primarily contiguous exploration applications. The project covers 10,500 hectares, and is located 20 kilometers east-northeast of Medellin and 45 kilometers west-southwest of the Gramalote deposit within the Antioquia Department. There are two operating mines within 40 kilometers of Antares - Red Eagle Mining Corporations San Ramon Mine and Antioquia Gold Inc.s Cisneros project - indicating it is possible to rapidly permit mines in this part of Antioquia in less than two years.

The Antares Project was generated using Gramalote as a deposit analog model. Antares is a granite-hosted sheeted vein and fracture and stockwork-hosted gold system within northeast shear zones hosted within the Antioquia Batholith, characteristics similar to Gramalote. Antares is notable for its numerous large hydraulically mined excavations of in situ, bulk-mineralized granite that occur on a northeast trend through the project. Gramalote is also characterized by areas of hydraulic mining, including zones which lie within its resource and designed pit area.

Antares mineralization occurs within the geochemical footprint of an impressive stream sediment anomaly extending for at least 14-square kilometers at a reconnaissance survey density of 2 to 3 samples per square kilometer, with nearly all values greater than 300 ppb Au in conventional stream sediment samples. The Santa Rita and Guaricu pits (hydraulic excavations) show consistent mineralization in systematic channel samples, with anomalies in the Santa Rita pit extending for 300 meters by 150 meters - with gold values from below detection up to 9.0 g Au/t in two-meter samples - but with channel sample intervals as high as 32 meters of 1.2 g Au/t. There are likely two main parallel shears within the Santa Rita pit - similar to Gramalote - where several parallel shears in that deposit will be mined within the same designed pit.

Mirandas sampling was difficult - and only sporadically representative - in the Guaricu pit because of extensive wall failure. However, a soil grid in an area of small workings adjacent to Guaricu shows an open soil anomaly of 600 meters by 100 to 150 meters with values in a range of 100 to 538 ppb Au. Importantly, this grid shows both that soil sampling will be effective to explore the property and that significant anomalies adjoin or extend from the large hydraulically mined excavations. The excavations, surrounding areas, and the associated soils anomalies will provide immediate drill targets - after application to title conversion and permitting. There are no environmentally sensitive areas or indigenous lands within the applications.

Joseph Hebert, Mirandas Chief Executive Officer, commented that, Miranda is extremely pleased to partner with IAMGOLD on the Antares Project. IAMGOLD is a well-funded company with a highly competent and well-established exploration team in Colombia. Miranda intends to maintain the momentum of acquiring and joint venturing additional quality projects in Colombia.

Agreement Details

The Agreement grants IAMGOLD an option to acquire an initial undivided 51% interest in the mineral rights of Antares by funding a total of US$5,000,000 in expenditures, including a commitment to drill at least 3,000 meters over four years. IAMGOLD also has a second option to acquire a further undivided 14% interest in the mineral rights, for an aggregate 65% interest by making additional exploration expenditures of US$7,000,000, including a commitment to drill at least 12,000 meters within a subsequent term of four years from the exercise of the first option. IAMGOLD can attain a further 10% interest, for an aggregate 75% in the mineral rights of Antares, by providing Miranda, at its election, financing for mine construction.

About Miranda

Miranda is a gold Prospect Generator active in Colombia with a production joint venture in Alaska. Our emphasis is on acquiring gold exploration projects with world-class discovery potential. Miranda performs its own grass roots exploration and then employs a joint venture business model on its projects to maximize investor exposure to discovery and minimize financial risk. Miranda has ongoing relationships with Gold Torrent, Inc., Montezuma Mines Inc., and now IAMGOLD Corporation.

Qualified Person

Data disclosed in this press release have been reviewed and verified by Mirandas Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Joseph Hebert, C.P.G., B.Sc. Geology, and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
TORONTO, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - LSC Lithium Corporation (the "Company" or "LSC") (TSXV: LSC) is pleased to announce that it has delivered notice of exercise of its option (the "Option") to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital of LitheA Inc. ("LitheA") from BMC Global Limited ("BMC"). LitheA's principal asset is its Salar de Pozuelos tenements (the "Pozuelos Property") located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. The completion of the acquisition is subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") approval.

The key benefits of the acquisition are:

The Pozuelos Property covers approximately 99% of the surface area of the Salar.

The Pozuelos Property has been subject to extensive exploration by LitheA since 2008.

LSC intends to pursue an expedited exploration program to advance the Pozuelos Property to feasibility study level as quickly as possible.

LitheA's portfolio will add another 30,000 hectares to LSC's Argentina Exploration Portfolio.

Based on available historical sampling and exploration data, management considers the Pozuelos Property to be one of the most important undeveloped lithium brine projects in Argentina with the potential to be a significant lithium producer should the project successfully advance to a feasibility study level. "Acquiring LitheA will provide LSC with an additional high-potential lithium Salar in close proximity to the rest of our properties in one of the world's most prolific lithium producing regions. This acquisition brings the Company's portfolio to 15 properties totaling approximately 270,000 hectares, which is a significant portfolio to draw from when advancing our exploration program," commented Wayne Richardson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LSC.

The Pozuelos Property is a major strategic acquisition for LSC as it is a large, high quality Salar located in the Province of Salta, Argentina and in close proximity to Enirgi Group Corporation's ("Enirgi Group") planned future Regional Processing Facility at Salar del Rincon. LSC and Enirgi Group are strategically cooperating on lithium development in Northern Argentina pursuant to a Relationship Agreement whereby, among other things, the parties will examine the most economic solution to process LSC's brines which may include supplying LSC's brines for processing at Enirgi Group's planned facility. LSC anticipates brine samples from the Pozuelos project will be available for initial metallurgical test work at Enirgi Group's demonstration plant on the Salar del Rincon, following its anticipated commissioning. The map featured shows the location of the Pozuelos Property to Enirgi Group's Salar del Rincon Project approximately 80 kilometers away.

The Pozuelos Property

The Pozuelos Property is located in the Puna (Altiplano) region of northwest Argentina, in the western Salta province. It is located approximately 230 km west of the city of Salta and 150 km east of the Chilean border. The Pozuelos Property is comprised of two main mining groups, Lithea Norte and Lithea Sur, covering 10,500 hectares and centered in Salar de Pozuelos.

The mining concessions, which make up the Pozuelos Property, are currently registered under the name LitheA Inc., S.A., a branch of LitheA. The tenements on the Pozuelos Property are fully registered for lithium and borates extraction. In addition to the above mining groups, LitheA holds several other mining tenements on Salar de Pozuelos which are prospective for fresh water and are currently registered for disseminated gold and copper.

No resources or reserves have been defined on the Pozuelos Property. Reported grades are based on historic sampling results obtained by LitheA during 2010 exploration. While LSC has no reason to believe the historic sample results are not reliable, there can be no assurance that historic sample results will be confirmed by future exploration. No qualified person has undertaken specific work to classify the prior exploration work in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and LSC is not considering the historic information as a current resource estimate.

Accessibility, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography

The Pozuelos Property is located in Salta Province and within the Puna area of northwest Argentina which forms part of the "Lithium Triangle". Access to the Pozuelos area from the City of Salta is via high quality paved and secondary gravel roads. The total driving distance between Salta and the Pozuelos Property is approximately 220 km, and the driving time is approximately 4.5 hours.

Local infrastructure is good. The regional administrative center of San Antonio de los Cobres (population 2,000) is within a two-hour drive and offers basic services. Approximately 30 km to the east of the project site, a railway crosses from Northern Argentina to Chile, providing potential access to a number of ports in Northern Chile. 35 km to the east of Salar de Pozuelos there is a branch from a major gas pipeline running from Northern Argentina to Chile. High voltage transmission wires also cross to Chile 50 km to the north. Both of them could provide power for a potential project development. Water of a suitable quality for a supply of process water has been intersected in potentially sufficient quantities using a natural source on the northwestern side of Pozuelos.

Geology Setting

Salar de Pozuelos is classified as a mature halite salar. Halite development proceeds from a highly fractured and porous zone down to approximately 35 m, followed by progressively more compacted halite down to approximately 70 m depth, where it transitions to a mixed halite/clay matrix trending to thick clay at 90 m down to approximately 135 m depth. Below 135 m depth to the bottom of the deepest drill hole at 183 m the clay transitions to a halite/clay mix with clay predominating. Geophysics indicates the presence of two depocentres; one greater than 150 m, and the other to the southwest greater than 100 m and perhaps of more clastic sediment composition.

Prior Exploration

Salar de Pozuelos has been subject to extensive exploration by LitheA since 2008. This work has included initial broadly spaced surface pitting, an extensive program of surface pitting and brine sampling on a 500 m x 500 m grid, geophysical exploration comprising VES (Vertical Electrical Sounding) and MT (magnteotelluric) surveys; exploration diamond core and reverse circulation (RC) drilling and development of pumping wells to 90 m depth for both short and long term porosity testing, brine sampling, and pumping tests.

The surface sampling work showed high values of lithium throughout the salar, with values in excess of 500 mg/L in the central part of the salar and values in excess of 200 mg/L throughout the whole of the salar. The average grade for surface samples is approximately 750 mg/L lithium. The sampling work also indicated that the brine had a highly favourable Mg:Li ratio, typically less than 6:1, Mg to Li. Down hole sampling from drilling indicated lithium grades measured on surface typically extend to the bottom of the holes.

In connection with the acquisition, LSC has undertaken a program of due diligence surface sampling. Samples have been collected from 23 surface pits previously dug by LitheA. Sample assays for the due diligence samples supported the results obtained by LitheA. Samples were assayed by ICP-AES method at NorLab, an Argentine accredited laboratory. The sampling procedures and assay data have been reviewed and verified by Don Hains, P. Geo.

Between January and February 2010, LitheA completed two vertical wells (SPZ RC001 and SPZ RC 002) to a depth of approximately 90 m. A short (20 m deep) uncased piezometer well was drilled approximately 11 m east of SPZ RC001. The wells were 1 km apart and located in the main depocentre of the salar. Pumping data indicated good transmissivity values of 639 m2/day or SPZ001 down to 75 m and 400 m2/day for SPZ002 down to 55 m. Average lithium brine values for both pumping wells was in excess of 500 mg/L over duration of the pump tests (19 days).

In addition, a vertical HQ size diamond drillhole (SPZ DDH001) was drilled to a depth of 183 m adjacent to SPZ RC001. This hole was drilled to collect data on variations in lithology with depth and to collect brine samples below a massive clay layer encountered at about 90 m depth in the rotary holes. The brine sample assay results show lithium values are relatively consistent with depth and consistent with the surface sample assays from adjacent pits.

Table 1: Historic Drill Holes  salar de Pozuelos

Hole No. Hole Type Purpose Coordinates (Gauss Kruger Posgar 94 datum) Depth (m) Azimuth East North SPZRC001 RC Monitor 3415980 7267032 96 900 SPZRC001P RC Pumping 3415991 7267034 85 900 SPZRC002 RC Pumping 3416988 7267023 89 900 SPZDDH001 DD Geology 3416007 7267034 183 900

Source: LitheA, from SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd. (2011)

In 2011, SRK Consulting prepared a report for LitheA which reviewed and considered previous work at Salar de Pozuelos and conducted preliminary and indicative estimates of porosity. Due to uncertainties in respect of porosity and anisotropic permeability, SRK was of the opinion that it was not possible to determine resources until such time as further exploration work was completed.

Exploration Program

LSC has commenced and is undertaking a program of geophysical, diamond drilling and pump tests to confirm the prior exploration work by LitheA and to develop sufficient exploration data for an initial NI 43-101 compliant resource report. Work is currently underway with initial results expected in the second quarter of this year but no assurance can be made that there will be any category of mineral resource estimated pursuant to NI 43-101.

The Option

Pursuant to an option agreement (the "Agreement") dated November 23, 2016, as amended, between, among others, BMC and LSC Lithium Inc. ("LSC Lithium"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, LSC Lithium was granted an option to purchase from BMC all of the issued shares of LitheA, a British Virgin Islands company.

The consideration payable (the "Purchase Price") by LSC is approximately $44 million, of which $38.5 million will be payable to BMC (in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of LitheA) and $5.5 million (plus interest) will be payable to a beneficial shareholder (the "BMC Holder") of BMC (in exchange for a $5.5 million promissory note issued by LitheA to the BMC Holder).

On November 14, 2016, Lithium S Corporation ("Lithium S"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, on its own behalf and as agent for the other members of a syndicate of Lenders (the "Lenders") which included, inter alia, Enirgi Group and Regent Mercantile Holdings Limited ("Regent"), entered into a loan agreement (the "BMC Loan") pursuant to which $14,275,816 was advanced to BMC Holdings Limited, the shareholder of BMC.

The Purchase Price will be satisfied, as to $14,275,816 plus interest at the rate of 2% per month from November 14, 2016 by the assignment of the BMC Loan, which is guaranteed by BMC and LitheA, and as to the balance by the issuance of common shares of LSC (the "LSC Shares") valued at $0.964 each. The payment of the $5.5 million (plus interest at the rate of 12% per annum from November 14, 2016) will be satisfied as to cash in the amount of any accrued and unpaid interest, and the balance in cash and/or through the issuance of LSC Shares valued at $0.964 each at the option of the BMC Holder.

Pursuant to an agreement dated November 14, 2016, as amended on February 7, 2017, LSC granted the Lenders (other than Lithium S) the right (the "Exchange Right") to exchange following the delivery of the notice of exercise under the Agreement, the principal amount of $13 million owing to them under the BMC Loan for LSC Shares (issued at $0.965 each). If they exercise their respective Exchange Rights a maximum of 5,181,347 LSC Shares will be issued to Enirgi Group and 1,813,472 LSC Shares will be issued to Regent, each of which is a Non-Arm's Length Party of the Company under TSX-V policies as a result of shareholdings in the Company and/or cross-directorships. Lithium S provided $1,275,816 of the BMC Loan and this amount will be set-off against the Purchase Price and will not be repaid in cash. A fee of $500,000 is payable to an employee of LitheA for introducing the opportunity, upon the successful completion of the acquisition. The Company will seek to pay such fee in LSC shares, subject to regulatory approval.

With respect to the $14,275,816 portion of the Purchase Price, Enirgi Group has agreed to convert its $5 million loan into LSC Shares and the BMC Holder has agreed to convert $3 million of its loan into LSC Shares. The maximum number of LSC Shares issuable in connection with the Agreement and the Exchange Right is approximately 44 million. The exact allocation of the total Purchase Price between cash and LSC Shares will depend, in large part, on whether the other Lenders elect to receive cash and/or LSC Shares which will be determined no later than two weeks prior to the closing date. The Company expects to close the acquisition on or before June 29, 2017, subject to receipt of regulatory approval.

LitheA has $16,219,619 of unsecured, subordinated debt owing to BMC (the "Subordinated BMC Debt"). The Subordinated BMC Debt does not bear interest, and will be repaid by LitheA in semi-annual installments calculated on the following basis: 20% of net income, plus 20% of depreciation and amortization, less 20% of capital expenditures, less 20% of net changes in working capital (excluding cash and debt), less certain other specified amounts. Pursuant to a secured promissory grid note (the "Note") entered into on December 22, 2016 LitheA has $600,000 outstanding under a loan facility from the Company. The loan has been primarily used by LitheA to advance due diligence and exploration work on the Pozuelos Property. On March 14, 2017, the LSC board of directors approved increasing the Note to $2 million. Any amounts outstanding under the Note at the closing of the acquisition of LitheA will become an inter-company debt of LSC.

Qualified Person/Data Verification

The scientific and technical information included in this press release is based upon information prepared and approved by Donald H. Hains, P.Geo. Donald H. Hains is a qualified person, as defined in NI 43-101 and is independent of LSC and LitheA. Mr. Hains has verified the sampling data against the original assay certificates and the available assay data base and examined available drill core, and is of the opinion that the data verification procedures employed are adequate to corroborate the historical sample results.

ABOUT LSC LITHIUM CORPORATION:

LSC is an emerging lithium producer that 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 - March 15, 2017) - Red Eagle Exploration Limited (TSX VENTURE: XR) is pleased to announce the acquisition of an additional two exploitation mining concessions totalling 124 hectares in the prolific California-Vetas Gold District located in Santander, Colombia. These two concessions are adjacent to the strategic block of six concessions Red Eagle Exploration recently acquired (news release dated February 15, 2017). The now eight properties, which collectively comprise the California Gold Project, are adjacent to and along strike from concessions which contain La Bodega gold deposit currently being developed by Mubadala Development. The last public NI 43-101 Technical Report for La Bodega was issued by Ventana Gold dated effective November 8, 2010 and reported an Inferred resource of 3.47M ounces of gold.1

Transaction

Red Eagle Exploration has an option to purchase 100% of two additional exploitation mining concessions for consideration of US $7,493,250 of which 50% is payable in cash and 50% is payable in shares of Red Eagle Exploration. Initial payments of US $62,444 and $62,444 payable in shares of Red Eagle Exploration are due upon closing. The balance of the payments are due over a two year period subsequent to title transfer. An additional payment is due three years from the date of title transfer equivalent to 1.5% of the value of gold and silver Measured and Indicated resources included in a NI 43-101 Technical Report. The transactions are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About the California Gold Project

The California Gold Project comprises 250 hectares within the prolific California-Vetas Gold District, which also contains the multi-million ounce La Bodega and Angostura gold deposits. Elevation ranges from 2,400 to 2,700 metres above sea level, far below the Paramo boundaries.

California is situated in the Santander Massif of the eastern cordillera of the Andes Mountains. The massif is comprised of Precambrian gneisses, schists, quartzites and migmatites of the Guyana Shield. Intermediate to granitic intrusives of the Santander Plutonic Group were emplaced during a period of uplift in the Jurassic/Triassic era. Porphyry intrusive stocks and dikes in the immediate areas of mineralization may be as young as Tertiary in age. Regional faulting parallels the topographic fabric with the crustal-scale northwest trending Bucaramanga-Santa Marta wrench fault and the northeast trending Rio Cucutilla fault zone defining the principal structural trends.

The gold-silver-copper mineralization in the California Gold Project is part of the same, large mineralizing system localized along a regional northeast-trending fault zone that also hosts the adjacent La Bodega deposit. Mineralization occurs in northeast, northwest and east-west striking, generally steeply north-dipping faulted structures containing high grade veins up to two metres in width. Vein mineralogy includes pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite.

Red Eagle Exploration plans to advance the California Gold Project toward economic feasibility by the delineation of high-grade vein resources exploitable by modern underground mining methods. This work will initially involve compiling existing data, detailed underground mapping of existing mine workings, detailed underground channel sampling, and prioritizing targets for subsequent drifting along with surface and underground diamond drilling as soon as possible.

The California Gold Project is located approximately ten kilometres from Red Eagle Exploration's existing Vetas Gold Project, potentially resulting in operational synergies including processing at a central mill.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Red Eagle Exploration's Vice President of Exploration, Jeff Toohey P.Eng., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101.

About Red Eagle Exploration

Red Eagle Exploration is a well-financed precious metals exploration and development corporation majority owned by gold producer Red Eagle Mining Corporation. Red Eagle Exploration has an experienced exploration and mine development team focused on building shareholder value through acquiring and developing high grade gold and silver projects with low costs and low technical risks in Colombia, a jurisdiction with prolific historic production but until recently limited modern exploration. Red Eagle Exploration owns 100% of the California Gold, Vetas Gold and Santa Ana Silver Projects, which consist of numerous historic and existing mines and where exploration is currently underway to delineate high-grade vein resources exploitable by modern underground mining methods.
SLMM activists set passenger bus on fire

Supporters of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM), which has been protesting against the CPN-UMLs nationwide election rally, on Tuesday obstructed the Nepalgunj-Gulariya road stretch and set a Lamahi-bound passenger bus on fire at Udharpur in Banke.
A girl statue symbolizing "comfort women" elected on March 8 at Nepal Himalaya Pavillon in Wiesent, Germany. / Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo

Japan is seeking to remove a girl statue symbolizing victims of its wartime sex slavery, which was set up in Germany last week, a Korean activist there said Wednesday.

Japan's move comes as people are stepping up efforts to install more statues in the United States and Europe in addition to Korea.

A senior official from the Japanese Consulate in Munich lodged a protest to Heribert Wirth, the president of the board at Nepal Himalaya Pavillon in Wiesent, Germany, after the statue was set up there March 8, according to Choo Yong-nam, a pastor in Germany.

It was the first statue to be established in Europe to symbolize the women sexually enslaved by Japanese soldiers during the 1910-45 occupation of Korea.

Choo said he led the campaign to set up the statue in the park on the occasion of the 109th anniversary of International Women's Day in consultation with Wirth and other relevant officials.

The Japanese official then visited Wirth, presented him a copy of an agreement reached between Korea and Japan over former Korean sex slaves in 2015, and told him the statue should be removed in line with the 2015 agreement, according to Choo.

"Wirth still decided to keep the statue in the park after we explained to him the background information concerning the statue," Choo wrote on Facebook. "Wirth responded that he and his wife allowed the statue to be set up for women's peace, not to blame Japan. He also said the statue will no longer need to be present at the park if Japan makes an apology and compensates Korea sufficiently."

Criticizing Japan for opposing the statue in "a persistent and dirty manner," Choo commented his fellow activists in Europe will push to build more statues in the region.

"You cannot stop us," he wrote.

He urged people on Facebook to protect the statue "by all means." He also said he finds it deplorable that the Seoul government has kept mum over the dispute.

Japan has argued that establishment of any statues would be a violation of the 2015 agreement aimed at ending the controversy over Tokyo's wartime sex crimes and that Korea should make efforts accordingly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has remained low-key over the dispute concerning the statues.

The ministry said it is working on its response over the controversy in Wiesent.

Japan recalled its ambassador to Korea, Yasumasa Nagamine, in January in retaliation of the establishment of a new statue outside the Japanese Consulate in Busan and has not returned him since then.

Over 60 girl statues have been set up in Korea since December 2011 when the first of its kind was placed across the street from the Japanese Embassy in Seoul.

There are at least eight statues in the U.S., including ones in California, Michigan, New Jersey and New York.

Canada and Japan also have at least one statue each.


Police officers and supporters of the disgraced former President Park Geun-hye stand near her residence in Samseong-dong southern Seoul, Tuesday night. / Yonhap



By Lee Kyung-min

Complaints about noise and harassment from staunch supporters of the disgraced former President Park Geun-hye increased Wednesday, among residents in Samseong-dong, after Park returned to her house there after leaving Cheong Wa Dae, Sunday.

According to police, three individuals have been apprehended since Sunday for assaulting police officers and screaming in front of Park's home.

The three were among more than 100 Park supporters who continued to stage rallies protesting the Constitutional Court's ruling that removed Park from office. Almost 320 police officers dispatched to the site remain there to prevent possible violent clashes.

Some of the protestors blocked the road near Park's home by lying on the ground refusing to move. They said, "If you want to drive through, you have to run over me." They all waved the Korean national flag.

The supporters, according to police, lashed out at the residents for criticizing the group over the noise. "I saw news reports in which a resident here complained that we were loud. They are communists," one of the Park's supporters was quoted as saying.

Some of the Park supporters harassed passersby by asking them to wear the badge of the Korean national flag and to show respect for the elderly.

Anxiety is spreading among parents of children attending Samreung Elementary School nearby.

The school issued an advisory letter, Monday, asking parents to have their children use only the main gate of the school and refrain from using the back entrance. The back gate is only a few meters away from Park's home, and avoiding Park supporters would be impossible as there is only one alley connecting the gate to others.

Police said the supporters' assembly is legitimate as they earlier submitted a request to hold an assembly until April 10.

Dispersing the group, police added, is impossible as they are exercising the right to freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution.

However, if the residents file a suit against the group and the court rules in favor of them, the supporters would then have to move.

The residents have a good chance of winning the suit, as the law governing assembly allows restricting or limiting the right to protest near a school zone when it is feared it will infringe on the students' right to study in a peaceful environment.

The residents have yet to decide whether to seek legal action.

Meanwhile, police are questioning 16 individuals, a considerable number of whom are Park supporters, suspected of committing 21 violent crimes during rallies near Cheong Wa Dae since Friday.
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SLMM announces withdrawal of support to govt

Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha (SLMM) has formally decided to withdraw its support from the government, claiming latter took no step towards addressing its concern.
BT Group plc provides communications services worldwide. Its Consumer segment sells telephones, baby monitors, and Wi-Fi extenders through high street retailers, online BT Shop, and Website BT.com; and offers home phone, copper and fiber broadband, TV, and mobile services in various packages. The company's EE segment offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile network services; broadband, fixed-voice, and TV services; and postpaid and prepaid plans, and emergency services network. This segment also sells 4G mobile phones, tablets, connected devices, and mobile broadband devices from various manufacturers. Its Business and Public Sector segment provides fixed voice, mobility, fiber and connectivity, and networked IT services to retailers, utilities, public sector, healthcare, sports, construction, finance, and educational sectors. The company's Global Services segment offers business communications and ICT services comprising BT Connect, BT Security, BT One, BT Contact, BT Compute, BT Advise, and BT for financial markets. This segment serves approximately 5,500 customers in 180 countries. Its Wholesale and Ventures segment enables communications providers and other organizations to provide fixed or mobile phone services. Its ventures provide mass-market services, such as directory enquiries and payphones; and enterprise services comprising BT Fleet and BT Redcare. This segment also provides broadband and Ethernet, voice, hosted communication, mobile virtual network operator, managed solutions, machine-to-machine, roaming, and media services. The company's Openreach segment engages in the provision of services over the local access network; and installation and maintenance of fiber and copper communications networks that connect homes and businesses. The company was formerly known as Newgate Telecommunications Limited and changed its name to BT Group plc in September 2001. BT Group plc was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
Himax Technologies, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company, provides display imaging processing technologies in China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Europe, and the United States. The company operates through two segments, Driver IC and Non-Driver Products. It offers display driver integrated circuits (ICs) and timing controllers that are used in televisions, laptops, monitors, mobile phones, tablets, automotive, digital cameras, car navigation, virtual reality devices, and other consumer electronic devices. The company also designs and provides controllers for touch sensor displays; in-cell touch and display driver integration single-chip solutions; light-emitting diode driver and power management ICs; and liquid crystal on silicon microdisplays for augmented reality (AR) devices and head-up displays for the automotive industry. In addition, it offers complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensors and wafer-level optics for AR devices, 3D sensing, and ultra-low power AI image sensing, which are used in various applications, such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, TV, PC camera, automobile, security, medical devices, home appliance, Internet of Things, etc. The company markets its display drivers and display-related products to panel manufacturers, agents or distributors, module manufacturers, and assembly houses; and non-driver products to camera module manufacturers, optical engine manufacturers, and television system manufacturers. Himax Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 2001 and is headquartered in Tainan City, Taiwan.
Olin Corporation manufactures and distributes chemical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls; Epoxy; and Winchester. The Chlor Alkali Products and Vinyls segment offers chlorine and caustic soda, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride monomers, methyl chloride, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products, potassium hydroxide, chlorinated organics intermediates and solvents, and sodium hypochlorite. The Epoxy segment provides epoxy materials and precursors, including aromatics, such as acetone, bisphenol, cumene, and phenol, as well as allyl chloride, epichlorohydrin, and glycerin used for the manufacturers of polymers, resins and other plastic materials, and water purification; liquid and solid epoxy resins that are used in adhesives, marines, protective coatings, composites, and flooring; and converted epoxy resins and additives for use in electrical laminates, paints and coatings, wind blades, electronics, and construction. The Winchester segment offers sporting ammunition products, including shotshells, small caliber centerfire, and rimfire ammunition products for hunters and recreational shooters, and law enforcement agencies; small caliber military ammunition products for use in infantry and mounted weapons; and industrial products comprising gauge loads and powder-actuated tool loads for maintenance applications in power and concrete industries, and powder-actuated tools in construction industry. The company markets its products through its sales force, as well as directly to various industrial customers, mass merchants, retailers, wholesalers, other distributors, and the U.S. Government and its prime contractors. Olin Corporation was incorporated in 1892 and is based in Clayton, Missouri.
Smart & Final Stores, Inc. operates as a food retailer in the United States. It operates in two segments, Smart & Final and Smart Foodservice. The company's stores offer fresh perishables and everyday grocery items, such as produce, meat and deli, dairy and cheese, grocery, and beverage products, as well as paper and packaging, and restaurant equipment and janitorial supplies. It also provides various private label products under the First Street, Sun Harvest, Simply Value, La Romanella, Montecito, Iris, and Ambiance brands. The company sells its products to household and business customers; restaurants; caterers; and various other foodservice businesses, such as food trucks and coffee houses through vendors and suppliers. As of December 30, 2018, it operated 326 grocery and foodservice stores, including 59 Smart & Final stores, 201 Smart & Final Extra! stores, and 66 Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores located in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, as well as 15 stores in Northwestern Mexico operated through a joint venture. Smart & Final Stores, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Commerce, California.
Turkey attacks Dutch with Srebrenica jibe

Turkey's war of words with the Netherlands has worsened after the Turkish president accused the Dutch of carrying out a massacre of Muslim men at Srebrenica, Bosnia, in 1995.
Agent Bart Hernandez and trainer Julio Estrada have been convicted by a Florida jury after being indicted on charges of human trafficking in February 2016, reports Curt Anderson of the Associated Press. Hernandez, once a prominent player representative, worked with Estrada in bringing players such as Leonys Martin, Jose Abreu, Raisel Iglesias and Jorge Soler to the United States.

The Miami Heralds Linda Robertson reported earlier this week that two of the four counts of smuggling against Hernandez were dismissed, as U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the prosecution lacked sufficient evidence to prove that Hernandez smuggled Abreu or Phillies right-hander Dalier Hinojosa into the country. Hernandez still faced charges for smuggling Martin into the country, per Robertson, while Estrada faced three counts of smuggling players into the country.

According to Anderson, Hernandez is facing between three and 15 years in prison, while Estrada faces between five and 35 years of incarceration. The pair is also facing the forfeiture of $15.5MM. Sentencing has been set for July 11, and the defense attorneys have promised there would be appeals, Anderson adds.

Martin and Abreu have both shared eye-opening stories of their departure from Cuba during the trial. A previous report from Yahoos Jeff Passan back in 2013 revealed that upon leaving Cuba, Martin and his family believed they were being transported to safety and were instead held hostage, at gunpoint, while Martins initial five-year deal with the Rangers was negotiated. And as Anderson wrote last month, Martins testimony included details of one evening in Mexico in which eight to nine men broke into his apartment with a crowbar and pressured him to leave with them. There were also abduction attempts made on the men who were aiding in smuggling Martin out of Cuba, and beyond that, Martin was forced to initially agree to pay 35 percent of his United States earnings to the smuggling group on top of the more standard five percent to Hernandez for negotiating his deal with teams.

As for Abreu, the White Sox slugger detailed in his testimony (via the AP) that he was advised by his main contact/fixer in Haiti (where he established residency upon departing Cuba) to destroy his fake passport while on his flight from Haiti to the United States. Abreu testified that he actually ate the page of the false documentation that contained his alias and photograph. Immigration policy at the time allowed Abreu to remain in the United States without proper travel documentation because he had already reached American land. Abreu stated that he feared that he needed to be at a meeting with the White Sox on a specific date or could see his contract fall through, and he could not risk being turned away due to forged paperwork.

As was the case with Martin, Abreu was forced to agree to part with an enormous amount of his U.S. earnings, 20 percent to the smuggling group plus five percent to Hernandez, in exchange for their illegal operations. Per Andersons latest story, Abreu testified that he had already paid Estrada more than $7MM of his career earnings.

According to Anderson, neither Estrada nor Hernandez testified over the six weeks during which the jury heard testimonies in the trial. Their defense sought to prove that the two men were running legitimate business operations.
Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang has decided to appeal his DUI sentence in South Korea, reports Jee-ho Yoo of Koreas Yonhap News Agency (Twitter links). The appeal decision on Kangs behalf was made in an effort to get his sentence reduced to a court fine, which would expedite his visa acquisition process and allow him to join the Pirates more quickly. The 29-year-old Kang admitted guilt following what was reportedly his third DUI arrest and received an eight-month sentence that was suspended for two years earlier this month. Kang can reportedly avoid any jail time if he does not violate the terms set forth as part of the agreement to suspend his sentence. The Pirates placed Kang on the restricted list over the weekend, as Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote, and as of that writing it had yet to be determined precisely how long Kang would require to secure his work visa. The infielder hoped to resolve the issue within a week, per Adamski, but Pirates president Frank Coonnelly chose not to comment on the matter. Its not yet known if Kang will face any type of punishment from the team upon arriving in the U.S.

Heres more from the NL Central
Ghanaian millinery and clutch designer, Velma Owusu Bempah, has managed to rise above odds and grab some positive attention to her business in a fashion industry where attention is only given to cloth designers.

The UK-trained millinery and clutch designer is one of the country's best. She is the designer behind the clutch used by Samira Bawumia to complete her beautiful outfit and headpiece during the 'Ghana 60 years On' parade on March 6.

She told NEWS-ONE in an exclusive interview over the weekend that it is a great opportunity for her to design for the vice president's wife.

According to her, it always feels special when such high-profile personalities in the society approach her for business.

It makes us feel special because before people of that nature come to you, they know, I mean they look out for you. So making a choice to come for you, then they know they are coming for a good quality stuff, she said.

An unparalleled figure in Ghana's fashion scene, Velma Owusu Bempah is a distinguished milliner and women's clutch and jewellerry designer for over a decade.

She is unique and known for her effortless take on glamour.

The CEO of Velma's Millinery & Accessories has built a thriving and successful business, operating from Sarah's Fabrics building in the heart of Osu, Accra, where she offers her clients impeccable hats or fascinators and the best of accessories for women.

She is respected for her comprehensive style, exceptional taste and expertise accessible to her growing audience.

As a young Bsc Marketing graduate from the University of Ghana Business School in 2004, Velma was inspired by her mother, Sarah Crossland, to go after her passion to become one of the world's celebrated bags, jewellery and millinery designers.

In 2005, she then enrolled at the Central St Martin's School of Arts& Designs, an affiliate of London School of Arts, where she took courses in millinery, bag designing and communication.

Having completed, she returned to Ghana to establish what is now known as the Velma's Millinery & Accessories in 2006.

She has so far endeared herself as a trusted curator of style and image to her many celebrity clients and high-profile personalities.

Every Ghanaian or African woman deserves to stand out on their own and be uniquemy thing is every woman that comes to me should stand out, she said is the inspiration behind every work she does.

I do a lot of sourcing; I mean putting raw materials together and all that. For just a piece, I need to do a whole lot of collections. When a client gets a clutch from me, I can't do the same thing for another person, the mother of two beautiful daughters added.

On top of her tall clients list are Anita Erskine, Sandra Ankobiah, Juliet Ibrahim, Shirley Frimpong- Manso, Joselyn Dumas, among others.

Aside designing a clutch for Samira Bawumia, she also has clients in South Africa, UK, Ivory Coast and other countries.

Velma collaborates with other respected fashion designers, including her sister Ophelia Crossland by designing millinery or fascinators, clutches or bags and jewelleries to complement their collections.

Her first clutch collection was called Ankara collection and then she followed with Royal collection, which were made of kente. She also did metallic and semi-precious stone collections. She most often designs clutch bags and she is unique at it in different shapes; be it box, oval or envelope shapes.

She will be releasing her latest collection at the 2017 edition of 'Rythms On Da Runway' fashion event.

I don't repeat clutches or bags. Unless someone stresses me to do something similar, she revealed, adding her products are affordable, depending on what a client wants.

Velma's Millinery & Accessories is a shop that when you enter you can come for something. It is a shop that is not so expensive that one can't afford. Everything in our shop is unique even if it's the cheapest, she stated.

With her vast expertise in designing, Velma remains an inspiration to a department of Ghana's fashion industry that is yet to win more media attention.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] )
Femi Otedola and Peace Hyde

15.03.2017 LISTEN

In 2008, a shipment containing one million tons of diesel set sail, heading for the shores of Nigeria. The owner of the vessel, Femi Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil, a petroleum and power generation company, had grown the company to one of the largest in Nigeria, with over 500 gas stations, according to Forbes. The growth had been rapid and profits were at an all-time high. Then disaster struck.

I had about 93 percent of the diesel market on my fingertips. All of a sudden oil prices collapsed and I had over one million tons of diesel on the high seas and the price dropped from $146 to $34, says Otedola.

That was only the beginning of his problems. The naira was subsequently devalued and interest began to skyrocket. When the dust settled, Otedola had lost over $480 million due to the plunge in oil prices, $258 million through the devaluation of the naira, a further $320 million due to accruing interest and then additionally $160 million when the stocks crashed.

I had two options, either to commit suicide or to weather the storm. I decided to weather the storm. I just knew it was a phase I had to go through. You see God prepares you for greater things and of course experience is the best teacher so I had to learn my lessons. I took the bitter pill, he says.

Otedola was now $1.2 billion in debt. He sought solace in the only thing that had set him on the path to discovering oil, destiny. You cannot compete with destiny, so it was my destiny to make billions every month and lose billions as well. I said to myself 'I was not going to have friends and enemies; I was only going to have competitors.

Speaking to Forbes correspondent Peace Hyde in the new flagship show My Worst Day showing on GHOne, Otedola discloses that he learnt so much from that experience.

Experience is the best teacher. I didn't have a proper structure and I also put the blame on the banks for not advising me. All they were interested in was the profits. They were not interested in sustainability of the business, they were shortsighted and all they were interested in was throwing money at me. So they never advised me, says Otedola.

The banks had to shave off about $400 million from the debt leaving Otedola $800 million in the red. AMCON ordered him a restructuring deal, which Otedola declined. He opted instead to repay what he owed and start all over again.

He continuesSo we got a reputable firm to value my assets. I had about 184 fats, which I gave up. I was the largest investor in the Nigerian banking sector, which I gave up, I was also a major shareholder of Africa Finance Corporation and I was the chair- man of Transcorp Hilton. I was a share- holder in Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited, the second largest shareholder in Chevron Texaco, Visafone and several companies which they valued, and I had to give up to repay the debt.

Otedola was left with two properties, his office space and a 34 percent stake in African Petroleum, which he rebranded, to Forte Oil in 2010. In 2014, Otedola bounced back to reclaim his place on the FORBES rich list and currently has a net worth of $1.8 billion according to the FORBES wealth unit in the United States. These days, he is much wiser; there are systems in place to prevent a similar collapse of his mammoth oil empire.

According to the mogul, the day he lost everything was the day he learned his biggest lesson. It taught him that he could overcome anything.


The Miss Ghana and Mr Ghana ambassadors, Afua Asieduwaa Akrofie and Archibald Acquaye, have asked Ghanaians to be proud of Ghana's kente, a national treasure that ought to be cherished by all.

The two personalities have endorsed the fabric which is one of the country's oldest heritages.

Kente remains a colourful Ghanaian traditional fabric worn mostly on important occasions and celebrations.

According to Afua, Kente is one of Ghana's best cultural brands to the world and I'm always proud to be associated with it as a Ghanaian.

The two pageant personalities were among several others who attended an exhibition of some of the country's finest and oldest kente fabrics at the Peduase Valley Resort at Aburi in the Eastern Region on March 4.

Fabrics exhibited were by Amadu Baba, a Ghanaian artifact collector who has been gathering the materials for over four decades.

Most of the kente cloths exhibited were over 100 years old, some of which had been used by famous traditional leaders of the Volta and Ashanti Regions.

The event, dubbed 'Weaved With Love & Pride', was aimed at celebrating Ghana's rich culture as part of Ghana's 60th anniversary celebration.

The Managing Director of Peduase Valley Resort, Hussein Fakhry, said Ghana must identify key elements of its culture, including the kente and capitalise on them to promote the Ghana brand.

Today, branding Ghana should be the mission and vision of every one of us, of every entrepreneur, businessman, parent, teacher, doctor, artiste and farmer. This branding can only happen by identifying our strength, then building on through it, he said.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony were Prof Audrey Gadzekpo; Dean of the School of Information and Communications Studies at the University of Ghana, and CEO of Exclusive Events, organisers of Miss Ghana pageant, Inna Patty.

By Francis Addo (Twitter: @fdee50 Email: [email protected] )


Health advocate and host of My Health My Life on UTV, Abigail N.M Ashley, has successfully launched her maiden book titled 'A Decade Of My Life, Behind My Smiles' at the Sunlodge Hotel in Accra.

More than 300 people turned up for the launch, where popular Ghanaian music group, Ink Africa, performed live to entertain the audience.

Hosted by motivational speaker Kwaku Adumata, the launch attracted celebrities, radio and television presenters and other top personalities in the society.

Speaking at the launch chaired by Dr Adu Boateng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Endpoint Homeopathic Clinic, the mother of the author, Justicia Naa Yoyoe Nartey-Ashley, stated, As a family, we are very proud of Abigail because she has done something that is very wonderful. Abigail has done something others have failed to do. The book is full of inspiring message that could change someone's life.

Describing the book as a motivational and inspirational one, she added that it is a must-read book for everyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Boateng, on his part, said the book could help one to realise his full potential because it acts as a generator to kick-start one to work hard towards his or her dream.

'A Decade Of My Life, Behind My Smiles' shares a life story of how the author's life was saved when she developed a fatal kidney disease, of which doctors declared a few months for her to live.

Her life was said to be dependent on dialysis therapy, which, in fact, is immensely expensive, and so almost impossible for her to count herself among the living five years ago.

Sharing her surviving story, Abigail who is currently in her final year at the university studying Public Health wept, saying,The part that really got me jittery was when trained doctors in Ghana, South Africa and London told me that if I fail to undergo dialysis I could not live to see the fifth year.

By George Clifford Owusu
By Hafsa Obeng, GNA

Accra, March 14, GNA - Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Greater Accra Regional Minister has reiterated government's commitment to establishing solid, efficient machinery for good governance, enhancing accountability and respect for the rule of law and human right.

He said government was committed to bring governance to the doorsteps of the people and would focus on effective and efficient decentralisation through greater grass root participation, better planning and improved service delivery in local communities.

'The fundamental requirement for sustainable requirement for sustainable development is good governance.'

Mr Ashitey made this observation on Tuesday when he paid a working visit to the Ga South and Central Municipal Assemblies to interact and acquaint himself with their operations.

'I am here to acquaint myself with your operations and to know from you what challenges you have if there are any, so that together we can fashion out the way forward in addressing those challenges.'

He said it was important to recognise that our richness, diversity of our talents, capacities and resources when harness, would lead to the creation of new wealth and improve the overall well-being of our people.

Mr Ashitey said as assemblies they must strive to build a region devoid of political, ethnic, and religious affiliations, and be able to put the past behind and seek to pursue an agenda that would address the challenges confronting the region and nation so as to collectively build a just, fair and prosperous society where there is an equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities for all in the Region.

He noted that, the issue of waste management and sanitation in general were part of the government's top priorities considering the challenge faced as a region.

This, he said was in the bid to transform the cities in conformity to global standards and best practices in terms of access to water, waste management, spatial development, infrastructural management, sewage dislodgement and treatment in a more scientific way that would make our cities re silent.

'As urbanisation continues to take place, the management of solid waste has become a major public health and environmental concern in our urban areas.

'The concern is serious, particularly in the capital cities, like most assemblies in the region. The health implications of the phenomenon of urban waste and filth are unthinkable as we all know.'

He said it was the fundamental duty of every government to ensure that its citizens live in clean and unpolluted environment. Besides, access to sanitation services is essential for human dignity and for economic development.

It is government's priority and policy to ensure that sanitation services of acceptable quality are available to satisfy the socio- economic needs of individuals in the country at each point in time.

The Regional Minister urged the assemblies to take issues of Staff Training and Refresher Courses seriously so as to build the capacity of their Staff to be able to deliver on their mandate efficiently and effectively.

'This remains the surest way by which you can bring to bear on our day to day activities new and innovative ideas and approaches that can address the many technical, socio-economic and political challenges that confront us in the performance of your duties as professionals.'

He urged them to try as much as possible to invoke the portions of their bye-laws as local authorities to deal with those who flout the bye-laws on sanitation with impunity.

He said they must ensure that the necessary financial and material resources that would come to the Assemblies would be used judiciously for the benefit of the people and not for individual pockets.

GNA
By Afedzi Abdullah, GNA

Cape Coast, March 14, GNA - The Central Regional Red Cross Society in collaboration with the Regional Health Directorate and other stakeholders have intensified efforts to prevent a possible cholera outbreak in the Region this year.

As part of the efforts, the Society has distributed 100 hand washing buckets, soap and detergents to communities, schools, public toilets and other public places to encourage hand washing practices.

The Region in the last quarter of 2016 recorded high cases of cholera with majority of the cases from the Cape Coast Metropolis.

This, influenced an emergency collaboration between the Society, Ghana Health Service, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other stakeholders to bring the outbreak under control.

The collaboration proved effective and the Region is hoping to further strengthen it to intensify public education on environmental, personal and food hygiene and infections prevention.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency on the sidelines of a consultation forum to access the effectiveness of the collaboration between the agencies, Regional Director of Public Health, Dr Kwaku Karikari indicated that there had not been any case of cholera in the Region since January 4.

He said the continuous increase in cholera cases and the attendant deaths were unacceptable and required urgent steps to contain the spread.

Dr Kaikari said among other things that poor sanitation had been cited as one of the major causes of the increasing incidence of cholera in the Region.

He therefore called on the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strictly enforce the existing sanitation bye-laws prosecute people and institutions that flout them.

Dr Karikari urged the public to maintain personal hygiene by cultivating the habit of hand washing to prevent the spread of diseases.

Mr Kofi Addo, Secretary General, Ghana Red Cross Society said though hand washing was very important in the prevention of the spread of cholera, many did not get access to simple hand washing tools, hence the distribution of the hand washing items to the communities.

He expressed dissatisfaction about the unhygienic surroundings in the various communities across the country and admonished Ghanaians to take sanitation issues seriously.

Mr Addo said individuals and stakeholders must play their roles to ensure that the communities were clean and free from the outbreak of diseases.

He admitted that Government alone could not provide the needed logistics for the red cross to effectively perform its functions and appealed to other corporate institutions to support the Red Cross Society.

Mr John Ekow Aidoo, Regional Manager, Ghana Red Cross Society said research had shown that hand washing accounted for about 42 per cent in the prevention of cholera.

He urged the public to always wash their hands before meals, before the preparation of food, after using the toilet, before feeding a child and after cleaning a child.

GNA
Gomoa Fetteh (C/R), March 14, GNA - The inhabitants of Gomoa Kakraba, near Awutu Beraku in the Central Region, are living in fear following the attack on their chief by armed men.

Nana Essel Amoakwandoh III, the Chief of Fetteh Kakraba, who made this known to the press, appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the National Security to, as matter of urgency, intervene to protect life and property.

Narrating the incident, Nana Amokwandoh said at about 12:30 hours on Thursday, March 9, eight armed men, wearing masks, entered his house at Fetteh Kakraba and asked where he was so they could deal with him.

The chief said the armed men arrived in the house on four motor bikes and started giving warning shots, saying; 'we want to kill him if he is a man he should come out from his room to face us and he will see the consequences'.

He said they shot several times at his V8 Lexus Car and other vehicles in the house and destroyed plastic chairs and doors in a desperate attempt to enter his hall to shoot him.

Nana Amokwandoh said the inhabitants were living in fear as there had been persistent attacks on him adding that the police and security agencies were doing little to ward off such attacks.

He said the armed men also unleashed similar attacks on Nana Yaw Kodonum, Omankrado of the town, and destroyed chairs and glass windows.

The chief linked the attack to a chieftaincy and land dispute lingering in the area over the past years.

He said about two years ago, one of the sub-chiefs, Nana Okyere Panttu, was assassinated by unidentified gunmen who used similar motorbikes in the attack.

The chief said the alleged suspects were arrested but were later granted bail.

He apealed to the IGP and National Security to endeavour to give him and the inhabitants the maximum protection to stop the continuous armed attacks.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) S.S. Amfo, the Awutu Bereku District Police Commander, has said the matter had reported to the police and investigations were ongoing to unravel the source of the attack. GNA
14.03.2017 LISTEN

Essem (E/R), March 14, GNA - Two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have donated bales of dresses worth Gh3,000.00 to more than 200 children at Essem, near Akim Oda, in the Eastern Region.

The NGOs are the Sharon Village of Hope Africa Foundation and the Focus on Rural Mothers (FORM).

Mr Evans Oduro, the Chief Executive Officer of Sharon Village of Hope Africa Foundation, said at the presentation that the two NGOs came together to bring hope to the children of Essem in the Birim Central Municipality.

He said his Foundation was established on June 2, 2015 at Agona Swedru in the Central Region and it was aimed at promoting the welfare of children by providing them with shelter, food, clothing and education.

Mr Oduro said the NGO had supported several communities around Agona Swedru and that they joined hands with the FORM to extend relief to parents and children at Essem in a way of giving hope to them.

Madam Elizabeth Owusua, the Founder of FORM, said her NGO was set up in 2009 to co-ordinate programmes and activities of local and international agencies.

She said this was to assist in empowering rural women with the ability to contribute to the development of their communities, children's education, advocacy and embark on poverty alleviation projects.

She said plans were far advanced to help the Foundation to establish its branch in the Birim Central Municipality.

Nana Kofi Sakyi, the Odikro of Essem, who received the items, expressed gratitude to the NGOs for their kind gesture and acknowledged the effort of Mr Kwadwo Darkwa, a community member, who facilitated the assistance from the NGOs. GNA
'Turkish hackers' target Amnesty and Unicef Twitter accounts

Twitter accounts, including those of Amnesty International and Unicef USA, have been hacked by a group claiming to support the Turkish government.
14.03.2017 LISTEN

Accra, March 14, GNA - The Homicide Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department of Ghana Police Headquarters, Accra is investigating an alleged threat of death, by the Miotso Assemblyman at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region, on a 40-year-old driver.

Mr Nicholas Nyavor Adden, who has been issued with a medical form to seek medical attention to aid in the investigations, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra that he was supervising people on a piece of land at Dawhenya, to mould blocks when Theophilus Botwey allegedly confronted him with a gang, whilst firing a gun and chased him and his workers away.

He also ordered the landowner at gunpoint to leave the site.

Mr Nyavor alleged that there had been series of cases of threat of death by the Assemblyman and would be happy if the Police pursue the case.

GNA
By Hafsa Obeng, GNA

Accra, March 14, GNA - The Ghana Culture Forum (GCF) on Tuesday held the 2017 Ghana Culture Day, aimed at establishing a platform that brings together civil society organisations and individuals involved in the field of culture.

It is aimed at bringing issues of common concern in the culture sector to the fore.

The forum, which is the fifth since its inception, was on the theme: '60th Anniversary of Ghana's Independence: Cultural Re-orientation for the birth of a new Ghanaian.'

Mrs Catherine Abelema Afeku, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture said as the country celebrates its 60 th anniversary it was important for all to pause and take stock of the cultural heritage by examining how far we have come as a people and where we are going.

She said culture was an important element in tourism development, but its principal importance was in the enrichment of the lives of the people.

'My Ministry will assist less endowed traditional authorities to document their culture and history so as to bring to the fore the full range of Ghana's cultural tapestry.

'The development and support for our national culture will take into consideration our unity in diversity and recognise the value of culture as an instrument for validating ourselves as an African people, apart from celebrating our intrinsic cultural systems to showcase their richness to the rest of the world.'

She noted that since 2013, UNESCO had been championing the resourcefulness of Culture and its impact on national economies all over the world, and had affirmed that any nation that did not place culture at the forefront of its development agenda may not achieve any meaningful economic emancipation or achievement.

Mrs Afeku said government would therefore review the 2004 Ghana Cultural Policy document to make it even more relevant and purposeful in the face of current modern trends.

She said the policy review would take into account such objectives as culture for the youth, culture in education and culture as part of leisure.

She also assured that that government was determined to see to the completion of all abandoned regional Centre's of National Culture and commence a programme for establishing fully functional Centre's for National Culture in all the regional capitals.

'National cultural institutions such as the National Theater, the Du Bois Memorial Centre, the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and others will receive concentrated attention for refocusing the various programmes run by the,' she added.

She congratulated the GCF for staying true to its core value and applauded their effort at spending the next few months creating a truly national network, which would represent even more efficiently the practitioners of the creative arts and other cultural domains who were forging ahead with their talents, industrial prowess and business sense to bring Ghanaians to appreciate their culture.

Professor Esi Sutherland-Addy, Convener; Ghana Culture Forum, said the Forum was a network of cultural practitioners, activist, and organisations united around a common goal of affirming the cultural foundations of development and enhancing the cultural sector.

She said the GCF sought to ensure the recognition and mainstreaming of issues of culture in national development, monitor and intervene in developments in the cultural sector, and co-ordinate and present the views and voices of members ensuring that they were heard and ventilated.

The forum she said was also to support cultural activists and their organisations to promote the best Ghanaian creativity and heritage and to promote Ghanaian identity through its cultural diversity.

Professor Sutherland-Addy commended the Ministry for its efforts in improving and developing culture in the country.

He said the GCF would continue to engage government for continues resource allocation for the development of culture in the country.

GNA
By Godwill Arthur-Mensah/Benjamin Hallo, GNA

Accra, March 14, GNA - Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, the Senior Minister, said some of the contracts signed by the previous government at the eleventh hour were not in the interest of the state though abrogating them would lead to judgment debts.

He said one of the challenges facing the current government was that some contracts signed by the previous one could not be implemented because they were not in the interest of the state.

He said many of the contracts were signed by the John Mahama-led Government in the last 14 days to the end of its tenure and this amounted to breach of good faith.

Mr Osafo-Maafo, who was the chairperson of the then incoming government's Transition Team, made these remarks at a roundtable discussion organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), a policy think tank, to review the 2017 Presidential Transition in Accra, on the theme: ''Strengthening Presidential Transitions in Ghana''.

The roundtable discussion brought together various stakeholders including political party representatives, civil society organisations and donor partners that dispassionately discussed the shortcomings in the transition law.

The meeting discussed some lapses in the Presidential Transition Act, (Act 845) promulgated in 2012 and proposed amendment to the law in order to strengthen and deepen the country's democratic credentials.

Mr Osafo-Maafo said the Presidential Transition Law required the outgoing government to submit the handing over notes of the various ministries to the Administrator-General's Office of the Presidential Estates Unit, 30 days before the conduct of the general election.

He said even though he held meetings with the chairperson of the out-going government's team, Mr Julius Debrah, for mutual understanding and ensure acrimonious-free process, the appointments and contracts signed were against the spirit and letter of the law.

For fairness sake, he said, the appointment of the Auditor-General was in bad taste because by law, the Auditor-General was supposed to audit the previous government and queried why he was appointed at the last-minute.

Mr Osafo-Maafo reiterated the need to review the Presidential Transition Law, saying the law needed serious amendment in view of the lapses identified after its implementation in the 2017 transition.

He said certain provisions in the law needed clarity in view of inherent ambiguity and challenges posed during the transition period.

Commenting on the transition process, he said after the inauguration of the Transition Team, the reports by the various ministries were not ready.

However, eight of the reports were presented three days after the inauguration of the transition team out of the 25 reports expected from the outgoing government.

He expressed concern about non-availability of Asset Registers for the ministries, adding that the register was supposed to detail out all the properties of the ministries for easy tracking and evaluation.

Mr Michael Ofori Mensah, a Senior Research Fellow of the IEA, said after 24 years of constitutional rule, Ghana was viewed as a model of democracy in Africa due to successive and peaceful elections.

However, he said, the process of regime change had revealed institutional failures that undermined the country's democracy.

Mr Mensah said the acrimony that characterised the transition process polarised the political atmosphere and, therefore, advocated the review of the law to ensure smoother transfer of political power in the future.

He suggested that the Administrator-General's Office should report to Parliament every six months or annually so that the legislative body would have oversight responsibility over the executive arm of government on the country's assets.

Mr Ben Abdallah Bandah, the Chairperson of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, said the country must learn lessons from the 2013 and 2017 Presidential Transitions in order to improve upon the process.

He noted that the various political transitions had been characterised by hostilities, acrimony, accusations and counter accusations by officials of the outgoing government and the incoming government coupled with institutional failures.

He commended the IEA for its contribution towards the country's governance process. GNA
Mogadishu (AFP) - Suspected pirates boarded an oil tanker and forced its Sri Lankan crew to change course towards the northeastern Somali coast, in what could be the first such attack since 2012.

The armed men then demanded a ransom for the ship's release, according to the EU Naval Force who established contact with the oil tanker.

After sending a distress signal on Monday afternoon, the assailants boarded the Aris 13, taking its eight crew members hostage and forcing the vessel to change course.

"What we know for sure is that a small tanker has been attacked and has diverted," John Steed, a former British army officer who heads the Horn of Africa section of the Oceans Beyond Piracy NGO, said Tuesday.

"Whether this is a pirate attack needs to be confirmed. We do not know what the demands of those men are. But this looks pretty much like the old piracy attack scenario," he said.

The US, UN and EU intervened in 2012 after piracy cost the global economy $5.7 - 6.1 billion

Earlier reports said the vessel was Sri Lankan-flagged, but the foreign ministry in Colombo denied the claim.

"The ministry is taking action to verify the alleged incident, and initial enquiries have revealed that while the vessel involved is not registered under a Sri Lankan flag, it has an eight-member Sri Lankan crew," it said in a statement on Facebook.

According to the Marine Traffic website, which lists the movements of ships around the globe, the Aris 13 is a Comoros-flagged vessel.

Contact made

The EU Naval Force, the bloc's counter-piracy military operation, said late on Tuesday that its headquarters in London was able to make telephone contact with the ship's master.

"The master confirmed that armed men were on board his ship and they were demanding a ransom for the ship's release," a statement said.

The tanker was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Mogadishu when it was seized.

"Yesterday afternoon, the ship reported that it was followed by two skiffs. After that, it went silent and the owner of the ship was not able to get into contact," said Steed.

The European Union launched Operation Atalanta -- an anti-piracy mission to protect maritime vessels in the Horn of Africa -- in 2008

"There has not been an attack of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2012," he added.

The Aris 13 was reportedly forced to dock near the town of Alula on the Somali coast.

"Armed men are holding the boat and its crew near Alula," Muse Mohamed, a coast guard official in northeastern Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland, told AFP.

A traditional chief in the region, Abdihakim Mohamed Jama, contacted by telephone said more than 20 men, heavily armed, were on board the tanker and that the suspected pirates "are claiming to be fishermen".

Somali pirates began staging waves of attacks in 2005, seriously disrupting a major international shipping route.

In 2012 the trend cost the global economy $5.7 billion to $6.1 billion (5.4 to 5.7 billion euros), prompting interventions by the United Nations, the European Union and NATO.

Many commercial shippers began hiring private armed guards for their vessels.

At the peak of the piracy crisis in January 2011, 736 hostages and 32 boats were held.

Though anti-piracy measures ended attacks on commercial vessels, fishing boats have continued to face attacks.
The Ho High Court has adjourned a case involving seven members of a separatist group calling for the restoration of the Western Togoland from Ghana, Tuesday.

Three out of the seven members of Homeland Study Group Foundation who were charged with treason felony appeared before the court presided over by His Lordship, Justice Charles Agbevor.

Martin Asiamah Agbenu, 57, Divine Odonkor, 65 and Charles Kormi Kudjordji, 78, the leader of the group were arrested by the Volta Regional Police Command for attempting to declare Western Togoland independent from Ghana on May 9, 2017.

The Police had said the T-Shirt worn by members of the group with the inscription "9th May 2017 is OUR DAY Western Togoland" on March 6 amounts to treason.

The three accused persons were granted a GHC50,000 bail with two sureties each when they first appeared before the court presided over by Justice Agbevor last week. Four of the accused members are said to still be at large.

In a packed court filled with several members of the separatist group, the prosecution team led by State Attorney, Moses Asampoa pleaded with the court to give his team more time to gather enough evidence before the trial commence.

He, however, stood by the charges of treason felony insisting the intentions of the accused persons and their group to declare the Western Togoland independent from Ghana and wearing of the T-Shirts constitute to treason.

Photo: Lead counsel for the accused, Atsu Agbakpe

Mr Asampoa also appealed to the presiding judge to ban the wearing of the said 'Western Togoland' T-Shirt which was strongly objected by the lead counsel for the accused, Atsu Agbakpe.

Mr Agbakpe told the court it would be undemocratic under the constitution to ban the wearing of a T-Shirt.

He, therefore, appealed to the court to dismiss the case since the prosecution has failed to gather enough evidence to prosecute his clients.

Justice Agbevor, said even though the said 'Western Togoland' T-Shirt is related to the case, he can't ban members of the Homeland Study Group Foundation from wearing the said T-Shirt.

He, however, cautioned members of the separatist group to be weary of activities they engage in when wearing the said T-Shirt, while advising the defense and prosecution team counsels to be careful in their submissions to avert tension.

Meanwhile, Mr Kormi Kudjordji has admonished members of the group to adhere to the judge's advice and not engage in any illegal activity while they remain committed to the objective of the group.

He also indicated that the group is fighting for the restoration of the Western Togoland and not the secession of a part of the Volta region as reported by a section of the media.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Fred Quame Asare | Joy News
Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK and the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) have formerly inaugurated the Ghana Chapter of its Alumni association, which has become known as the Henley Alumni Group of Ghana (HAAG).

The event was graced by Special Guest of Honour and visiting Professor Yishan Tang of the Henley Business School, University of Reading, who was in town to lead a special information session on the joint Henley/UGBS MSc (Management Information Systems) programme and to formally inaugurate the HAAG on behalf of the Global Henley Alumni Association in the UK.

The formation of the HAAG aims at boosting Alumni networking relationship with sister alumni groups all over the globe as well as the post-graduation alumni academic pursuits such as the regular Henley Global Master Classes held in the UK from time to time.

The Alumni Volunteer committee members inaugurated in line with the Alumni Terms of Reference include

i) Nii Adumansa-Baddoo - Chairman

ii) Mr. Emmanuel Akoto - 1ST Vice- Chairman iii) Mr. Kojo Ohene-Kyei - 2nd Vice-Chairman iv) Mr. Amoako Bonti Asante - Secretary

v) Joyce Bannerman Wood (Mrs ) - Member

Speaking at the official inauguration in Accra, Nii Adumansa-Baddoo, Chairman of the HAAG, said the event was historic since this was the first time the group had come together as an alumni group in Ghana to be duly recognized by the global alumni community.

Though the association is in its infant stages, the Chairman was optimistic that this local alumni community, comprising the Ancient, who are the graduates of the Henley Executive MBA group and the Modern, who are largely the graduates of the Joint Henley/UGBS MSc (MIS) programme, will grow rapidly to be symbol of quality leadership and innovation in Ghana.

"Information available from the Henley website indicates that the Henley Business School (HBS) is the first to be established in the UK and has become famous for its excellent learning experience acquired through expert teaching, industry partnerships and cutting-edge research.

...It is also refreshing to mention that HBS is included in the top 1% of business schools with triple accreditation by the Association of MBA schools (AMBA) and the Association of Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business ( AACSB). This enviable record, undoubtedly, reflects the high quality teaching, learning and research in Henley ( https://www.henley.imaste-ips.com )," Nii Adumansa-Baddoo stated.

He was hopeful that the HAAG would be a pace-setter in expanding the frontiers of knowledge and academic excellence within in our local environment.

For his part, the Director-General of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Ing. Simon Allotey, who also happens to be a Henley Alumnus, took advantage of the inaugural ceremony to share his personal experiences.

"I wish to thank the Executives of the Henley Business School Ghana Alumni Group for this opportunity to speak at the inauguration of our Alumni Group. Let me first congratulate the newly inducted Executives and the Henley Business School for the tremendous effort and collaboration to make this historic event possible. We should all feel proud of our Alumni status of the prestigious Henley Business School.

From my personal experience, it does not come easy to acquire a MBA or any other degree from Henley. I particularly remember the exigent emails from Moira Holloway & Sus Ilett when I was trailing badly in my deadline for submission of my Assignments. I read one of the emails:

Assignment Progress

Moira Holloway <[email protected]>

Mon 2000-07-10, 12:01 AM

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Dear Simon,

Hello, How are you? It was good to finally meet you last month, I enjoyed

my visit to Ghana - though I wish I could have stayed longer!

I am writing to see how you are progressing with your outstanding assignments

- Managing Markets, Managing Performance and Managing Financial Resources.

Please let me know if you would like to meet with any tutors during your

visit to Henley at the end of the month.

I look forward to meeting you again soon.

Best wishes,

Moira

After the submission and marking of my Dissertation, I was really relieved when I received a message from sue Illett which read Congrats! Your hard work has paid off. You have completed the MBA program successfully and you are eligible for graduation

We all deserve tonnes of congratulations for combining work with Henleys Academic program. At GCAA there were a number of us on the programme between 1999 and 2000 and we often encouraged one another when the going got tough!

Recently I received through WhatsApp (Social media) a tirade by a Ghanaian who was complaining about the relevance of several formulas and tools we learn in school to improving the economic well-being of Ghanaians. He specifically queried how does pir2h bring food to my table? He clearly lacked appreciation of the application of theoretical concepts, tools and techniques in our daily lives at home or on the job. You obviously need to have knowledge of pir2 to calculate the area of a circle or pir2h to calculate the volume of the cylindrical canned drinks and food items he consumes. We thus have a challenge as MBA graduates to focus on the practical application of the various management theories models, tools, principles we have acquired in solving organisational issues.

On this historic occasion I wish to share my personal experience on the impact of the MBA program on my career and on my Organisational success. You will agree with me that the impact will not be the same for every graduate as several internal and external factors could influence the effective application of skills acquired during the programme to organisational success. For example, there are organisations in Ghana where the acquisition of a MBA degree does not excite the employer. It may not lead to higher responsibilities, higher pay or a promotion. There are a lot of people who clearly lack appreciation of the impact of management development on organisational performance.

I can speak only for myself and to some extent my colleagues at GCAA who were on the program.

I enrolled for the program in 1999 at a time when I was the Deputy Director of Engineering at GCAA. The very first assignment after doing the module on STRATEGY was on the Strategic organisational review  a case study of the GCAA. I must admit that my performance on this assignment was average as I was still set in my old ways. I did the strategic review mainly from my knowledge of the organisation with little application of the models and tools we have been taught. That was a wakeup call for me and the proper use of models has been part of my personal and working life up to date. Henley taught me to be critical and analytical. The uncountable models we reviewed and the exhaustive literature review we undertook confirmed diverse and sometimes divergent views on the same issue. I readily recall a few of these models including:

Porters 5 Forces ; McKenzies 7-s Framework; Force field Analysis; The BCG or Boston Consulting Group Matrix ; The Ansoff Matrix and the value Chain Analysis. Thus I soon learnt that organisational issues were not one-dimensional but were a complex matrix of interrelated causes and effects. Systems thinking became more relevant to me and issues were analysed from several perspectives.

I ceased to view issues from my perspective only and became more appreciative of the perspectives of other staff on various issues. This attitudinal change led to improved team work and collaboration. We would develop options based on the various perspectives and often come up with a solution which considered all the various views.

I was promoted to the position of Director of Engineering in 2000 when a vacancy arose and it would be preposterous to attribute that to the MBA program which was in progress.

Needless to say, I unconsciously applied the knowledge and skills gained in the management of the Engineering Department and I was chosen out of Four Technical heads to head the Technical Division of the Authority in 2004. The fairy tale continued in 2007 when the Government appointment me Ag. Director-General for the GCAA following the retirement of our DG who is now our Alumni Chairman.

Mrs Catherine Hoffman, Marketing Manager of the Authority eventually became the Director of Economic Regulations and Business Development; Mrs Joyce Bannerman-Wood also became the Director of Legal Services at the newly created Ghana Airports Company Ltd in 2007 whilst Mr Bernard Nyavor rose to become the Head of Airport Operations.

Other colleagues who were on the Executive MBA with me have also excelled.

To name just a few, Kojo Ohene Kyei who was a senior manager at the reputable Barclays Bank left to start his own company which today has become one of the leading non-banking financial services company in Ghana. Richard Allotey has a major construction company whilst Lawrence Armarfio is the Head of Corporate Planning at Ghana Post.

I believe we all feel more confident on the job with the knowledge of the availability of tools or weapons to deal with personal and organisational challenges. The MBA program definitely adds value to the work of the organisation. This is not to say that an organisation may not succeed without MBA graduates. In my view, the program improves on the quality of the work force leading to enhanced efficiencies and productivity. I recall that through Mr Baddoos leadership and management skills, the GCAA which could barely pay staff salaries at the time he took office as Director-General, became a transformed organisation by the time he left office in 2006 with positive balance sheets. Thanks to the transformational power of Henleys management program!

One key benefit of the program has been the forging of close personal and business relationships and even after the program. The networking has facilitated the sharing of information and strengthened the cooperation with my peers at several levels. For example, the Ghana Post officials led by Mr Lawrence Armarfio casually visited the Authority recently to benchmark our Performance Management and Compensation management system with theirs with a view of adopting best industry practice. He did not need an appointment and the official discussions were held in a very relaxed climate.

The MBA program has definitely improved our confidence and the job and it is my hope and expectation that beyond the networking opportunities to be provided by out alumni, we will through our outstanding performance on the job contribute effectively to the rapid socio-economic transformation of Ghanas economy. We as Alumni also have a responsibility to preach the good news about the Henley business programs to all and sundry.

We are willing, ready and available to assist the Henley Business School with Research and Teaching assistance as and when the need arises. I hope that our Alumni will be vibrant and keep to the event schedule drawn up for the rest of the year. We should also make an effort to reach to other Alumni who are on not or our WhatsApp or mailing list.

We look forward to enhanced collaboration with Henley, improved networking among the alumni and personal and corporate levels and the practical application of the tools and techniques learnt at Henley in improving the quality of our lives and families.

Once again, I congratulate Nii Adumansa Baddoo and his Executives for the hard work and wish the Alumni every success in its endeavours. "
The BEIGE Group, a financial services provider has presented a cheque for GHS60,000.00 to the Ghana @ 60 Planning Committee.

The donation is targeted at supporting the plethora of activities lined up for the yearlong celebration.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of The BEIGE Group, Mr. Charles Odonkor, the Deputy Managing Director of BEIGE Capital Savings and Loans, one of the subsidiaries of The BEIGE Group, lauded calls by the government to corporate Ghana to support the 60th Independence Celebration activities. Thus, the company felt the need to contribute its quota towards the Diamond Jubilee activities as a worthy gesture.

"We are more than happy to contribute our quota towards this important landmark of ours. The nations success is our success, thus contributing towards such an agenda is in the right direction. We are therefore prepared to support the government in mobilising for Ghanas future, he said.

He added that BEIGE is a Ghanaian owned company and it will not hesitate to support the celebration of such an important milestone in the history of the country.

Receiving the cheque, the Chairman of the Ghana 60 years on Planning Committee, Mr. Ken Amankwah commended BEIGE for its magnanimous contribution and show of patriotism.

Mr. Amankwah called on other corporate bodies to emulate the example of BEIGE to enable the committee to achieve the goals set for the year-long activities.

The BEIGE Group is a financial services provider with business interest in Banking, Pensions, Insurance and Investment.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, has sworn into office the new board members of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR).

The new board is chaired by Mr. Tongeaan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang.

Members of the Board include John Boadu, Dr. William Abayaawiea Atuilik, Edith Sapara-Grant, Seth Achamfour-Yeboah, Leon Kendon Appenteng, Nene Abayaateye Amegatcher Ambassador Isaac Osei and Kofi Brako.

The inauguration was held on Monday, March 13, 2017, at the conference room of the Energy Ministry in Accra.

After administering the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy to the members, the Energy Minister congratulated and expressed gratitude to the Board for their decision to serve the nation.

He assured the new TOR board of his unflinching support, and urged them to set strategic directions, collaborate with management, operate with maximum efficiency and discharge their duties professionally.

He also urged the new board to ensure the success of the oil refinery.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
Acting Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), Paul Ansah, says all contracts signed during the administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will be reviewed.

The newly appointed GPHA director said every single project undergo a critical review to ascertain if they are in the interest of the state.

All agreements, all contracts will be taken a second look at. Where there is the need to review, it will be reviewed, where there is the need to let it go; it will be let go. So we will look at the totality of all the package of all the projects, and see whether the conditions that are spelt out are entirely in our interest or not. If they are not, what has to be done to secure the interest of our country better than it is, will be done, he said.

Photo: Paul Ansah

He was speaking on the sidelines of a working visit to the Tema Port by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade.

He said he will also champion the implementation of the Port Infrastructure Development Fund to generate essential funds for key projects.

Paul Ansahs notice to review agreements signed during the tenure of the previous administration echoes a similar announcement by President Nana Akufo-Addo.

The President had indicated that government will conduct an audit of all Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) signed between the Electricity Company of Ghana(ECG), and Independent Power Producers(IPPs) under the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

According to him, the erstwhile John Mahama government had signed 43 PPAs, while a further 23 were under discussion.

Government is conducting a review of all the Power Agreements entered into by the previous government in order to prioritize, renegotiate, defer or cancel outright, if necessary, in the national interest, the President had said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN
City authorities in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region capital, rake in a daily revenue of GHS5,000 from motorists who park their vehicles in the central business district.

This figure reflects an increase from an initial 50 pesewas per slot three years ago to GHS1 currently charged motorists who decide to park at any of the 1,278 parking spaces available.

The on-street pay parking introduced by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in 2006 was meant to decongest the city centre, but that may not have happened a decade later.

The accredited collection agency, Gold Street Real Estate Company, which made 1.8 million Ghana Cedis in 2015, also generated close to 2 million Ghana Cedis for 2016 in revenues.

Arko Mensah, General Manager of Gold Street Real Estate Company, revealed the 2015 and 2016 figures during an interview with the Host of the LUV FMs Magazine program, The Diary, David Akuettey, on Tuesday.

So far as this year, we have been running a daily average [revenue] of between 5,000 and 7,000 Ghana Cedis, he added.

The regulation for on-street parking is that immediately a user parks, within one they are required to still pay the 1 Ghana Cedis.

Ten years after the introduction of on-street pay parking in Kumasi, there are concerns the measure has done little to decongest the city.

Motorists and other residents have had to contend with unbearable traffic, with little space to maneuver as vehicles are parked along major streets.

Patrons of this parking service and other residents are, however, worried about the persistent congestion, despite the intervention.

We have vehicles that park for as long as ten hours, and you tell me you are managing the place, as far as I and other users are concerned the answer is no because I dont see any management over there, a worried user, James Aboagye explains.

Chief Executive of Gold Street Real Estate Company, Kakraba Ampeh says, I am not satisfied where we are because if in the first two or three years we manage to control the situation and now it is in this state, I cant be satisfied.

Another frustrated user says, "Their task-force is very irrational because I am ready to pay but there are no spaces to park. I stop for a few minutes and want to buy something and they come to a clamp the vehicle without any fault of mine.

Managers of the scheme, Gold Street Real Estates, have however identified huge cargo trucks occupying major parking slots in the metropolis as the cause of the increase congestion.

Mr. Ampeh wants city authorities to provide alternative space outside the city for discharging cargo in a bid to intensify effort to address the continued congestion in the city.

There is the need for rethinking through the whole operation scheme. Remove wholesale business activities in the central business district. If KMA is able to provide a wholesale shopping area after the central business district, it will provide free further spaces for cars, he said.

There are also concerns about what the revenue generated since 2006 has been used for.

An average of between GHS600, 000 and GHS700,000 was collected from between 2006 to 2013. But this figure rose to GHS1.76 million in 2014

According to authorities, the revenues accumulated end up in the coffers of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and the Urban Roads Department.

Public Relations Officer for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, Godwin Okumah- Nyame, said the on-street parking toll end up as the state in coffers.

If you look at how public funds are managed, the same money is used to manage sanitation. Some go into roads and road markings. But in general whatever money we collect are state funds and it goes into our accounts and are being used as any state fund is being used, he said.

Meanwhile, plans for constructing a modern car park in the central business district is yet to materialise. Mr. Okumah-Nyame hints the KMA is exploring public-private partnership for the project.

Areas around the Kumasi Central Prison, according to him, have been designated for an ultramodern car park to be constructed.

The Chinese, early 2016 expressed interest to construct during a sister-city relationship in Ghana.

But Mr. Nyame emphasised that the project will not be funded by internally generated fund.

So the question still remains that why is the money being collected from on-street parking not being used for parking lot expansion?

Records available indicate that the traffic situation will be further escalated due to population growth in Kumasi and other parts of the fastest growing region in Ghana, which is growing at 2.7 percent annually.
Two Nepalis killed, one missing in Uttarakhand avalanche

Two Nepalis were killed in an avalanche at Pithoragarh of Indian state of Uttarakhand on Saturday.
Khartoum (AFP) - When Sudanese security agents came to call on businessman Alithi Yousef at his home in Khartoum, he knew immediately that his worst fears had been realised.

"They told me on January 17 that my daughter Aya had been killed in fighting in Sirte," he said.

The Libyan city on the Mediterranean coast was a former bastion of the jihadist Islamic State group, of which his daughter was a member. Pro-government forces retook it last December.

"But they also said they had some good news -- Aya had a four-month-old baby" daughter, Yousef said.

On August 30, 2015, Aya, then a 20-year-old medical student at a Khartoum university, disappeared from a restaurant in the city just hours after finishing her exams.

For two months her whereabouts were unknown.

Now four-month-old Lojien was brought to Khartoum in February, and in a way, bringing her 'home' has helped to ease her grandparents' pain

But then Yousef received a call from Aya to say she had joined IS in Libya along with four female friends from Khartoum.

Officials say dozens of Sudanese students -- some also holding Western passports -- have joined IS in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Sudanese media have reported the deaths of some of them.

Yousef said some of Aya's friends who joined IS had American or British passports.

"I was sure Aya couldn't go because she had a Sudanese passport, but I didn't understand," Yousef told AFP at his luxurious two-storey house in a Khartoum suburb.

'Her own world'

Aya travelled to Libya by road -- her passport was found in a Khartoum apartment a few days after she went missing.

Manal Fadlallah, wife of Sudanese businessman Alithi Yousef and mother of Aya who died fighting for the Islamic State (IS) group in the Libyan city of Sirte, holds a family portrait of their children, in Khartoum

In Libya she married a Sudanese IS member who had also been to the same university, Yousef said, showing a marriage certificate registered by the jihadist group in Sirte.

Details of their deaths remain sketchy, but Yousef and his wife Manal Fadlallah vividly remember the rapid changes they saw in their daughter before she joined IS.

Educated partly at an English primary school in Abu Dhabi where the family lived years ago, Aya had grown up listening to Western music and reading English novels.

But Aya's journey to "radical Islam" was swift.

Her personality changed in her second year at university, said Yousef as his wife fed milk to their granddaughter Lojien.

Although she used to dress casually in trousers and T-shirts, Aya began wearing conservative clothes, and donned an Islamic headscarf.

Manal Fadlallah, the mother of Aya Yousef, a former Sudanese medical student who had died fighting with the Islamic State (IS) group in the Libyan city of Sirte, shows her daughter's old school drawing books and novels, in Khartoum

Praying five times became a daily norm, and she was heard reciting Koranic verses late into the night, Yousef said.

Aya soon stopped visiting relatives or exchanging greetings with men.

"She just went into a shell, into her own world which was hidden from us," Yousef said.

Almost every day there was some further change in Aya, said her mother.

"When we asked her who was behind this, she told us 'Now I know my God'," Fadlallah said.

A life unravelling

Yousef said he had trusted his daughter and never checked her mobile phone or laptop.

"If I'd had any idea about her plans, I would have stayed in her room all the time and never left her alone," said the father of four, dressed in a Sudanese traditional white jelabaya.

The couple's shock at how Aya's life unravelled is evident from their family albums and her room.

Beside her bed is a small side table and a wooden cupboard, its shelf lined with English novels including renowned Afghan writer Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner".

Next to it are school textbooks and medical journals.

"She loved going to school wearing new clothes for celebrations like Christmas," said Fadlallah, showing some childhood photographs.

In one, Aya is pictured sitting next to a Santa Claus while celebrating Christmas at school in Abu Dhabi.

In another, she is seen holidaying on a beach with her family in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

"Our shock will last for years," said Yousef, looking at the only photograph of Aya wearing a headscarf.

Her parents now have the task of raising Lojien themselves.

Yousef initially refused to bring her from Libya when Sudanese officials offered to escort him to the war-torn country.

Easing the pain

"I'd lost my daughter: what was the point of bringing the baby here?"

But he relented, and a few days later decided to go after all.

Two Sudanese female officials accompanied him to Misrata, east of Tripoli, where Lojien was being cared for by the Libyan Red Crescent.

"As women we were very concerned about the security situation there," one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This was also our first experience of bringing a baby back to its family."

Lojien was brought to Khartoum in February, and in a way, bringing her "home" has helped to ease the family's pain.

"We have a major responsibility," said Yousef, vowing to make sure his granddaughter wants for nothing.

"Lojien is very dear to us. She is Aya's daughter and Aya was special."
President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to building a non-denominational national cathedral in the country.

According to him, the project is dear to his heart, and he is certain it will inure to the benefit of all Ghanaians when completed.

Addressing members of the Christian Council of Ghana who paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House, the President called for support from the clergy to ensure that the project takes off smoothly.

It is a project that is very dear to my heart, and Im hoping that together we will be able to realize it. No matter how long it takes, I think at least we have to begin, because I think it is a good idea and it inures to the ultimate benefit of all of us, Akufo-Addo said.

He urged members of the Council who will not be directly involved in working towards the realization of the facility, to give their ultimate support to those who will be tasked to undertake the project.

You have to pick some, you cannot pick everyone but I know that those who will be selected to work on the project have the support of the rest who are not on it to receive their endorsement and help, he said.

The President on 6th March 2017, cut the sod for the construction of the national Christian non-denominational cathedral for the country, as part of events that marked Ghanas 60th anniversary celebration.

He said at the sod cutting ceremony that the lack of such infrastructure in the country, prompted him to take the initiative which he said will serve a very important purpose for the Christian community in the country.

He revealed that funding for the project will be sourced from the Christian community and Churches in the country. But the idea has been challenged by some Ghanaians who say the facility is unnecessary considering that Ghana is a secular state and that the government appears to be interfering in religious affairs by this decision.

A member of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), James Kwabena Bomfeh, has in that regard filed a suit at the supreme court challenging the presidents decision to build the cathedral, saying that the country as a secular state must not be seen to be getting involved in religious activities such as building a Christian cathedral and facilitation Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has urged the Christian Council of Ghana not to relent in its efforts to make suggestions towards effectively governing the country.

He said it was helpful to hear from religious leaders on pertinent national issues that are of interest.

He noted that the management of the country must not be left in the hands of politicians, but everyone must come on board to do their part.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A former Minister of Education, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang, has said that efforts must be concentrated on improving the current educational system rather considering proposals to reintroduce the former O and A level system.

According to her, the previous education system also had challenges for which reason it was changed.

She called for caution on the part of government and stakeholders in education in considerations for another educational system.

Speaking on Eyewitness News on Tuesday, the former Education Minister said although the O and A level system was of a high standard, it was selective.

Yes, the system we have is not perfect, no system is perfect. The O and A level [system] was not perfect, so we can grow what we have and make it strong. If we are talking about bringing the old system back, we have the O and A level system that was very selective and I think we can all return to the statistics. How many children were in primary school then? How many got the chance to write the common entrance? How about the so many of our own children who never had the change at the O level? We should speak for them. If we bring a system that widens the net, and brings many more people on board, it is useful for us, she said.

She added that, a study of the trends in the current educational system, showed a number of challenges that needed to be addressed to improve the standard. She mentioned that the current system had challenges such as access, equity, and relevance which needs to be tackled.

Yes, the standards have fallen, weve said that often, but why are we not committed to work on this so we know where the specific issues are and then target our interventions? Naana Opoku Agyemang quizzed.

The Charismatic Bishops' Conference in a communique issued earlier this week, called on the government to reintroduce the 'O' and 'A' level educational system which according to them, will restore the integrity of formal education in Ghana.

It said the country had been subjected to an inferior form of education through the JHS and SHS for many years.

The Charismatic Bishops' Conference, founded by Bishop Dag Heward Mills, and comprises seasoned Ghanaian clergy, said, we call the JHS and SHS an inferior form of education because international universities require our SHS graduates to do a foundational course for a whole year before admitting them to the university proper. Years ago, graduates from secondary schools in Ghana did not have to do such foundational courses because they already had a good foundation.

We call the JHS and SHS an inferior form of education because we have reason to doubt the current ability of the WAEC to conduct credible examinations. It is common knowledge that the examinations are flawed with serious leakages, such that many students today do not know how to study unless they have seen leaked papers, it further said.

But some stakeholders including the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), have described the proposal as unwarranted especially as it is not based on any research, arguing that the current system must be improved to achieve the desired results.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Vice President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has been selling the Nana Akufo-Addo government's 'One District One Factory' programme to businesses in Mauritius.

The 'One District One Factory' programme is a public-private partnership for ensuring nationwide spread of industrialization in all 216 districts in Ghana.

The private sector will provide the investment, although government could partner if such an investment of public funds is adjudged prudent and advantageous.

Speaking at a Breakfast Business Meeting hosted by the Mauritius Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in collaboration with the Board of Investment of Mauritius, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the NPP government's determination to make the private sector a major player in Ghana's economy, and called on Mauritian and other businesses to take advantage of the pro-business policies announced in the budget.

An industrialization drive is our main agenda, the 'One-District One Factory' is the programme to achieve this, and the 216 districts have raw materials and need push up to get value addition to the products he stated.

Ghana cannot do it alone, we are in the context of the global economy and need partners; that is why we cherish the South-South cooperation between Ghana and Mauritius so much. We want to take advantage of the close relationship to make a major mark as far as our respective economies are concerned.

The government has made a major commitment to build an economy based on production and not taxation. We have abolished a lot of taxes and levies and going to abolish all import duties on raw materials and machinery imported into Ghana Dr. Bawumia said.

Hon. Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade for Mauritius, commended Ghana for her commitment to business development, and expressed hope that Ghanaian businesses would also invest in his country.

Mr. Michael Okyere Baafi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Board, who was part of a large Ghanaian business delegation at the meeting, was confident that the right building blocks had been put in place for rapid take off.

The Ghana government has introduced the appropriate legislation and we are optimistic that we will soon see several Mauritian businesses counted among those taking up the challenge of the One District, One Factory Programme. We at Free Zones Board are ready to partner them and make their businesses successful.

Vice President Bawumia was accompanied by Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Hon Ibrahim Awal, Minister for Business Development; Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications; Reginald Yoofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and other government officials.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
The People's National Convention (PNC), has said it does not trust the Progressive People Party (PPP) enough to agree to a merger with it and other smaller parties.

The PPP on Monday, March 13, 2017 at a press conference, announced its readiness to merge with other smaller political parties to form an effective third political force in the country.

But according to the PNC, the PPP, which was founded by Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, does not believe in the Nkrumahist ideologies, and therefore cannot seek for a merger with parties founded on those ideologies.

The 2016 flagbearer for the PNC, Dr. Edward Mahama, told Citi News many perceived smaller political parties after every election sought mergers, but arrangements to actualize them fail. He however discounted the possibility of the PNC merging with the PPP based on the difference in their ideologies.

Before the last election, we were in talks with the CPP. We were supposed to field one candidate and that didnt hold so I will not put too much trust in what they are saying because I have seen it before several times; year after year. People are very dishonest about their intentions.

PPP said they are not Nkrumahists, we are Nkrumahists, so what kind of relationship do they want with us? It is true that he [Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom] is not an Nkrumahist, he left CPP, so if PPP wants unity, they should re-enter CPP, and PNC and CPP can have that relationship because we are both Nkrumahists, he said.

He added that, I dont trust them [PPP] one bit. Why did he [Dr. Nduom] leave CPP in the first place and now he wants to unite with them. He should go back to CPP, then we will have Nkrumahist unity, or he should declare that he is an Nkrumahist, then we can have that relationship. We are Nkrumahist, whether we are losing elections or not, we are not running away from that label.

Meanwhile, the Convention People's Party (CPP), has welcomed the proposal for a merger with the PPP.

The Communications Director of the party, Abdul Rauf Kadir, told Citi News the CPP was open to talks for a merger and welcomes the proposal.

The Convention Peoples Party has always looked forward to the day where all the smaller parties, especially the Nkrumahist parties, come together to form a formidable political force in the country to rescue the mass of the people from the broken promises of the both the NDC and NPP.

He added that, We in the CPP, it is in our DNA that any move or discussion towards unity must be given the highest premium so we actually have an open door. Our We are very positive that this time around, even though Ghana is increasingly becoming a duo-politic political party system between the NDC and NPP, we believe that all the smaller political parties that reason and think like the CPP will come together so that we can forge ahead together, Abdul Rauf said.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Institute of Economic Affairs ( IEA), has said Ghana could have done better in the 2017 transition following the electoral victory of the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

At a review of the 2017 Presidential Transition on Tuesday, a Senior Research Fellow at the IEA, Dr. Michael Ofori Mensah, blamed the challenges that marred the transition process on institutional lapses.

While the law spells out clearly that the presidential estate unit should carry out an inventory, this was not the case. We did have an issue where we saw more or less a duplication of roles. When the transition law was passed, it assumed that the presidential estate unit will take over the duties that were being performed by a unit called the prestige unit of the PWD, which looks after the presidential homes.

The Ministry of Works and Housing actually administers or looks after the Minister's accommodation, but that assumption was perhaps false. There was a bit of turf guarding and so the Administrator General' s office was effectively left out and did not have the means to carry out its statutory duty of taking inventory

He particularly identified the sale of government vehicles to outgoing functionaries, the brouhaha surrounding the post-office residence of President Mahama, the question of a vice presidential residence, and what he described as midnight decisions of the out gone administration, as consequences of institutional lapses in the transition process.

While I must say former President Mahama did bring out a very brilliant directive, whereby he sought to stop the sale of houses and cars to the outgoing officials , this u-turn that was performed was quite most unfortunate at the time with the transition, which saw again the sale of cars to outgoing officials, and I believe that brought us back to 2009 to 2011, and more or less together with the Administrator General being under-resourced did come together to cause a few problems in the transition.

 If the Administrator General had been resourced to do his job, and had been in control of the presidential estate, I think it will not be the prerogative of an outgoing administration or an incoming administration to decide who gets what. That will be the decision of the Administrator General and that is what contributed to the saga.

Presenting the IEAs position paper, Dr. Ofori Mensah called for a second look at the policy on the sale of government vehicles to outgoing functionaries.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of State and MP for Wa central, Rashid Pelpuo, said President Mahama was moved by the sympathies for his outgoing functionaries, to allow them buy off their official vehicles.

He said President Mahama had taken an earlier decision against the practice but was moved by the concerns of his appointees in the dying days of his administration to allow them purchase the vehicles.

Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo, however called for a strengthening of the legal framework to ensure that transitions happen according to law.



By: Sixtus Dong Ullo & Marian Ansah /citifmonline.com/Ghana
Six teacher unions and the Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC), a national network of Civil Society Organisations interested in promoting quality basic education for all, have issued a communique at the end of a consultation forum on the teacher education curriculum framework at Ada in the Greater Accra region.

The teacher unions comprise the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers  Ghana (CCT-GH), Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG) and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG).

The consultation forum was aimed at seeking the views and insights of the Teacher Unions and CSOs on the draft National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework and to use the outcome to finalise the framework.

Read below the communique issued by the group:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY TEACHER UNIONS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS ON THE DRAFT NATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK (NTECF)

We the unions in Education in Ghana comprising Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers  Ghana (CCT-GH), Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) and Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) having been consulted and participated in series of workshops on the draft National Teacher Education Curriculum Framework and having deliberated extensively on the draft document, hereby communicate on this 10th day of March 2017 at the Aqua Safari Resort at Ada as follows:

Consultations among stakeholders have been wide enough to guarantee collective ownership of the framework.

The draft framework contains the essential elements required to train and equip pre-service teachers to be highly effective.

We call on all stakeholders to commit themselves to the framework and on government to affirm its commitment to the framework as stated in the State of the Nation Address and the 2017 Budget Statement.
The African University College of Communications (AUCC) will on Thursday, March 16, 2017, launch the first centre in West Africa, designed to develop the creative writing skills of aspiring writers.

Named after iconic Ghanaian writer, Ama Ata Aidoo, the Ama Ata Aidoo Centre for Creative Writing (Aidoo Centre), under the auspices of the Kojo Yankah School of Communications Studies at AUCC, will offer courses in Creative Writing  covering topics such as script-editing, short story writing and speech writing. It will also house the work of Ama Ata Aidoo and other African writers, develop a world class library for aspiring writers, organise conferences and lectures and nurture excellence in non-academic publishing.

Director of the Centre, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, a Writer and Editor, states: I am particularly encouraged by the support that the management of AUCC have given to the founding of this centre because I believe that competent creative writing and expression is central to the proper development of a society. Better written reviews of cultural production will help raise the standards of cultural production; more clearly articulated policies will improve our engagement with the institutions of government. Creative writing has impacts beyond the obvious and we intend to show that.

With the official launch approaching on March 16, 2017, Ama Ata Aidoo, has expressed her excitement at the honour of having the Aidoo Centre named after her. Apart from the massive size of the honour done me with the decision to establish the Centre, I could not have had a stronger signal of AUCC's intentions by my work and my name.

The launch will be held at forecourt of the Discovery House, African University College of Communications (AUCC), Adabraka on Thursday March 16, 2017 at 10.00am. It is a free event where patrons will have the opportunity to interact with Ama Ata Aidoo and also visit the Centre to acquaint themselves at first hand, some of her works. The location of AUCC is No 2 Jones Nelson Link, off Kojo Thompson Road, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana.
The 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the principal global body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality has opened ( Monday, March 13, 2017) in earnest at the United Nations headquarters, New York.

The two-weeks event has the priority theme "Women's Empowerment in the changing world of work". It is also reviewing " Challenges and Achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls for the 58th session of the CSW. Apart from the official meetings, there are High level discussions and side events.

Ghana's delegation is headed by the Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Ms. Otiko Afisah Djaba, and includes Parliamentarians, queen mothers, market women, women's organizers and farmers.

The UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres in his opening statement praised the Member states, UN entities, ECOSOC accredited non- governmental organizations from all over the world for raising their voices for women equality and dignity.

"I have seen the difference you make in every corner of the our globe. You are an inspiration. As you champion equality, you make the world better for all", Mr. Guterres said.

In his view women already have what it takes to succeed, explaining that "Men still dominate, even in countries that consider themselves as progressive. Male chauvinism blocks women- and that hurts everyone. We are all better off when we open doors of opportunity for women and girls: in classrooms and boardrooms, in military ranks and at peace talks, in all aspects of productive life".

The Secretary General who announced that he was joining the International Gender Champions, encouraged other senior leaders to be part of the campaign for equality.

To this end, he touched on the new steps to help end sexual exploitation and abuse committed under the UN flag, by deploying more women in uniform and more women leaders in the UN.

Meanwhile, on the sides of the session, Ghana's Gender Minister, Ms. Otiko Djaba has held bilateral talks with Ms. Karen Ellemann,the Minister of Equal Opportunities and Nordic Cooperation of Denmark on how their respective countries can address common goals and challenges to achieve gender equality in the world of work. Present was Ms. Patricia Appiagyei, Member for P.arliament for Asokwa.
15.03.2017 LISTEN

ACCRA, 13 MARCH- AIESEC, with a strategic support from the UNDP Ghana office, will be hosting the Ghana YouthSpeak forum scheduled for the 26th of MAY, 2017 in Accra. Youthspeak forum is the highlight of a national campaign championed by AIESEC that seeks to gain insight into the SDGs in Ghana, what young people think, how they want to be engaged in its implementation in Ghana. The forum is at the tail end of months of surveys and physical touch points that were all aimed at gathering and gaining insight into youth perspective on the SDGs and the future of Ghana at large. The forum is billed to be the largest youth gathering of the year with support from prominent personalities and stakeholders from various sectors who will aid in providing insight and facilitating knowledge sharing spaces for the forum.

Featuring keynotes, workshop spaces, panel discussions and action spaces, the forum aims to bring together 600 top youth leaders together, business, civil society, experts and thought leaders for a conversation around youth leadership and youth contribution to building a better Ghana using insights from the survey. The aim is to generate well-outlined actionable ideas and on how young people can be engaged in various strata of the society in the implementation of the SDGs. The outcome of the forum will see young people becoming more knowledgeable on the various SDGs that affect our everyday life and, most importantly, making measurable commitments to working on the SDGs under various frameworks in their localities. The forum will also enable action spaces where projects will be conceptualized and taken back by various individuals and organizations for real world impact.

A forum like this has been necessitated by the prevalent marginalization of the youth in actionable initiatives and the redundancy of todays youth in striving to take actions on things that matter to them. The forum will inspire and activate millennials who will make up the bulk of participants into being more socially conscious, more solution oriented and aware of the world around them and the individual roles they can play for its sustainable future.

Ghana YouthSPeak forum is supported by other goodwill community partners like the Young African Leaders Network (YALN Ghana), Galaxy youth foundation, INSPYA GH, JCI Ghana and a host of partners. Visit Bit.ly/gysforum to register as a participant.

For more information.

Kelvin Odanz, Public relations officer, AIESEC Ghana: [email protected] , +233 209 625 602, @AIESECGHANA
Ultimatum ends, but Morcha keeps mum

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahals statement on Tuesday that there was no need to tweak provincial boundaries for holding local level elections has wrong-footed the Madhes-based parties whose seven-day ultimatum to the government has now ended.
Tripoli (AFP) - Artillery exchanges rocked the Libyan capital for a third day on Wednesday after forces loyal to the UN-backed government stormed the headquarters of a rival militia overnight, witnesses said.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

Militia loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil, whose administration was replaced by the UN-backed government last year, have stepped up a campaign of defiance against its authority.

The militia, mainly drawn from Ghweil's hometown, third city Misrata, were putting up fierce resistance in their base in the Guest Palace, a complex of luxury villas in the city centre.

A rocket hit the Al-Khadhra Hospital without causing any casualties, a medic said.

Overnight, gunmen stormed the headquarters of Al-Nabaa television, a privately owned channel known for its Islamist leanings, witnesses said.

The channel remained off the air on Wednesday.

The fighting brought life in the capital to a standstill with schools and shops closed.

It came despite an appeal from UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler on Tuesday for an "immediate ceasefire".

"Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," Kobler said on Twitter.

The clashes erupted in the neighbourhoods of Hay al-Andalus and Gargaresh on Monday evening, prompting the government to deploy tanks.

A damaged van lies on a road in the Hay al-Andalus neighbourhood of the Libyan capital Tripoli on March 14, 2017, following clashes between rival armed groups

They came as heavy fighting rocked the east of Libya where forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar announced their recapture of two key oil ports on Tuesday.

Haftar's forces, which do not recognise the UN-backed government, mounted a day-long assault by land, sea and air to retake the ports of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra, after they were seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.
15.03.2017 LISTEN

In St Johns Gospel Chapter 3, the Christian Bible tells the story of a tax collector whose soul became won for God in these words:

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.

He came to Jesus at night and said, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.

Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.

"How can someone be born when they are old? Nicodemus asked. Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mothers womb to be born!

Jesus answered, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

Yes.

I have often listened with some measure of constraint as believers in the Christian faith discuss the place of the Spirit in their lives. Most times, it is like enabling them speak in tongues, enabling them see visions, enabling them prophesy, enabling them live by faith.

I know that Science has made serious attempts at unravelling the mystery of creation. And although there are issues about this life that still confound Science, things that only Religion can fathom, yet, it is true that wherever Science and Religion conflict, superstition reigns.

Now, from the science we call psychology and from Religion, we know there are two types of Spirits  the good spirit that belongs to God and the bad spirit that belongs to the devil, Satan. In other words, both God and Satan have peculiarities or attributes by which they can be known.

But let me first explain that all these spirits live in us, men and women. Our body is like a house hosting several spirits, some strong and difficult to resist, others small and scarcely effective. Our body can also be compared with a computer that houses both software and hardware and their applications. Or better still, like a car that houses an engine. We all know what the engine means to a car. Without an engine, the car cannot move. That is exactly the way it is with the spirits stored in our body.

And that is why we have free will, to choose what we want from the many spirits that dwell inside of us.

From my studies and from my experiences, I think one of the most dangerous ones is the Spirit of Anger. When that spirit surfaces and takes control, everything changes: from the right perception, to the right thinking and from the right spoken words to the right actions. Nothing is straight or clear in the eyes any more. There is a tendency to make a mountain out of a mole hole, a storm out of a tea cup. Anyone who is overwhelmed by this evil spirit of anger can do anything. He can torture, he can maim and he can kill.

But if, on the other hand, you are able to stay on top of this devilish spirit all the time, the result can be quite amazing. You will be on top of your world, on top of every problem and on top of every situation. You will know peace in your life.

The problem is that to be able to stay on top of this particular spirit, you have to understand and appreciate that you dont need it at all in your life. But like a thief, it will always come to take control of you at the least opportunity. What do you do?

You must put it in prayer to God. As you pray every day, ask God to keep you on top of the spirit of anger. Day after day, you will see how your rating improves and the moment you are in total control of that useless spirit called Anger, your life circumstances will never be the same again.

There are others like the spirit of hatred, the spirit of envy, the spirit of sexual slavery, the spirit of covetousness, the spirit of betrayal, the spirit of jealousy, the spirit of selfishness, the spirit of kleptomania, the spirit of quarrelling and all the other spirits that do not tally with the second most important command of God to do unto others as you would want them to do to you. The moment you identify them, do away with them before they do away with you.

As you pray, ask God to fill your being with the good spirits. The spirit of selfless love which opens up the mind to other good spirits like the spirit of compassion, the spirit of open mindedness, the spirit of goodness that makes you feel for others, the spirit of infectious happiness that radiates through you to others, the spirit of peace, the spirit of tolerance, the spirit of faithfulness, the spirit of gentleness and self-control.

Once we are equipped with the right knowledge of the spirits that are in us which also manipulate our thoughts, words and actions and we are ready to take control of them, then we are truly born again and the wind can blow wherever it pleases. We will hear its sound. We will be in a position to tell where it comes from or where it is going to land us, if we allow it. That is what will happen when we are born to the knowledge of the Spirit. Praying to God without ceasing, to fill our being with the right spirit, is what we must do to be saved.
Tripoli (AFP) - Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government overran the headquarters of a rival militia on Wednesday as artillery exchanges rocked the capital for a third day, a security source said.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

Militia loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil, whose administration was replaced by the UN-backed Government of National Accord last year, have stepped up a campaign of defiance against its authority.

But overnight, government forces launched an assault on the militia's headquarters in the Guest Palace, a complex of luxury villas in the city centre, and overran it after heavy fighting.

"It's over. Ghweil's forces have pulled out and GNA forces have taken control of the area," a witness told AFP.

A security source confirmed the militia's withdrawal. He had no immediate word on any casualties.

It was the third straight day of fighting between government forces and the militia, who are mainly drawn from Ghweil's hometown, third city Misrata.

The sound of gunfire and explosions was heard from multiple neighbourhoods of the capital.

A rocket hit the Al-Khadhra Hospital without causing any casualties, a medic said.

Overnight, gunmen stormed the headquarters of Al-Nabaa television, a privately owned channel known for its Islamist leanings, witnesses said.

The channel remained off the air on Wednesday.

The fighting brought life in the capital to a standstill with schools and shops closed.

It came despite an appeal from UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler on Tuesday for an "immediate ceasefire".

"Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," Kobler said on Twitter.

The clashes erupted in the neighbourhoods of Hay al-Andalus and Gargaresh on Monday evening, prompting the government to deploy tanks.

A damaged van lies on a road in the Hay al-Andalus neighbourhood of the Libyan capital Tripoli on March 14, 2017, following clashes between rival armed groups

They came as heavy fighting rocked the east of Libya where forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar announced their recapture of two key oil ports on Tuesday.

Haftar's forces, which do not recognise the UN-backed government, mounted a day-long assault by land, sea and air to retake the ports of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra, after they were seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.
The Majority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament yesterday accused the erstwhile Mahama administration of over-bloating its 2016 budget by GH8 billion.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government also increased the national debt to GH122 billion from the GH9.5 billion it inherited from the Kufuor government in 2009.

The NPP says for overstepping its 2016 budget, the NDC government needs to apologise to Ghanaians for its reckless spending.

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko, said former President John Mahamas government broke the Appropriation Act 2016 when it spent over GH51 billion instead of the approved GH43 billion.

Mr Agyarko, who made the claim on the floor of the house, described the recent outcry by NDC MPs over government's 2017 budgetary allocation to the presidency as misguided.

If you look at the total expenditure with the revised version, it came out with GH43 billion, but it [NDC government] spent well over GH51 billion, he told Joy FM.

Parliament approved, under a certificate of urgency, the Appropriation Act for the 2016 fiscal year, committing GH50,109,851,734.00 from the Consolidated Fund for government to carry out its financial obligations for the year.

Out of the GH50.1 billion, GH14 billion was earmarked for wages and salaries, pensions, gratuities and social security.

But former Deputy Finance Minister, Casiel Ato Forson, described Mr Agyarkos claim as baseless.

I can say on authority that as a deputy minister of finance, the then administration never broke the Appropriation Act, he said. We stayed within the Appropriation Act.

The Ajumako Enyan Essiam MP said the expenditure Mr Agyarko was making reference to had to do with commitment of the previous government and not cash spent.

The appropriation is on cash bases so you cannot compare the two and draw the conclusion that we broke the law, he asserted.

Meanwhile, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, appealed to his colleagues to collaborate to put an end to the practice of governments' overspending their budget.

The issue that the MP for Ayawaso is raising is that over the years, we have allowed governments to spend beyond what we approve in the Appropriation Act. So we need to look at it as a house, he charged.

He explained that if at any time any government needs to overspend its budget, parliament has to be notified for additional money to be approved for it.
Solomon Namliit Boar

15.03.2017 LISTEN

Deputy Minister-designate for the Northern Region, Solomon Namliit Boar, has proposed the setting up of a Peace Fund to help sensitise the people of the region on the need to always maintain peace and help promote development.

The deputy regional minister-designate made the proposal yesterday when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament and was asked how he could help to deal with the incessant disturbances  either chieftaincy or land disputes  which are undermining the peace and development of the region.

Other deputy ministers-designate, who were also vetted by the committee were Elizabeth Agyeman, former MP for Oforikrom, for the Ashanti Region; Gifty Eugenia Kusi, former MP for Tarkwa, Western Region and Elizabeth Sackey, former MP for Okaikoi North, Greater Accra Region.

Mr Boar said the fund would be used to engage religious and traditional leaders to hold educational programmes, especially for the youth of the region, to avoid such conflicts and protect their future and interest.

He said some religious bodies have started such peace advocacy campaign in the Northern Region and that it was absolutely important for such Peace Fund to be set up to help broaden the peace agenda and also involve many stakeholders in the efforts to minimize the chieftaincy and land conflicts in the region.

He told the committee that he would work closely with the regional minister to help promote development in the area.

Mr Boar mentioned lack of potable water for the people of the region as one of the major problems facing the people and said that he intends to engage many of the Non-Governmental Organisations to provide a number of boreholes for the people.

Mr Namliit Boar said the 'one village, one dam' policy of the government would also help provide constant source of water for all-year-round farming in the Northern Region.

The Deputy Northern Regional minister-designate, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bunkpurugu, said he would also ensure that felling of trees that is seriously degrading the land in the north is controlled to make the land support improved farming.

One area Mr Boar said was of great concern to him is how children of the Northern Region would get access to formal education, especially the females, stressing that he would also devote a lot of his attention to improving access to education in the region for all children of school going age.

Western Region

The Deputy Western Regional Minister-designate, Gifty Eugenia Kusi, who was also vetted, assured the Appointments Commitment of her unalloyed support for her regional minister whom she described as affable and very understanding, and promised to work closely with him to promote the development of the region.

When she was asked whether she would be able to work with the regional minister without any form of conflict, having been a member of parliament for a long time, the nominee said, We are already bonded and have good relationship. I promise on my honour to be faithful and loyal to my regional minister.

When she was asked about her opinion as a heath expert on the rising cases of suicide in the country, the deputy regional minister-designate said the recent suicide phenomenon is very disturbing and sad.

She said it was very important for the government to increase budgetary allocations to the psychiatric hospitals in the country to help extend their services to the Ghanaian populace.

She also noted that counseling departments in the various educational institutions, especially secondary and tertiary levels, should be strengthened.

The day-to-day activities of these counseling departments must be strengthened and extended to all students, she suggested.

Ms Kusi said it was also important for teachers in institutions to always get closer to students to know their problems so that they could be assisted with the best of counseling.

On the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy in the Western Region, Gifty Kusi, who was a former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa/Nsuaem, said she would play an advocacy role for teenagers to either abstain from sex and concentrate on their education or to have protected sex since it is an undeniable fact that most teenagers are very active sexually.

Greater Accra Region

The Deputy Minister-designate for the Greater Accra Region, Elizabeth Sackey, said she would collaborate with her regional minister to push the development of the region forward.

Ms Sackey, who was a former MP for Okaikwei North, said she would play an active role in ensuring the empowerment of women in the region, especially those along the coast.

She explained that empowerment of women starts with good educational background and so she would advocate for girls to enroll in schools; and with the school feeding and capitation grant in place, many girls would be attracted to attend school instead of staying at home.

She said she would work in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to organize workshops and sensitisation programmes for women groups to help empower them and also help them set up business ventures.

The Deputy Minister-designate for the Ashanti Region, Elizabeth Agyemang, said she would concentrate her efforts in assisting vulnerable women in the region and also help promote girl-child education.

According to her, she would assist her regional minister in fighting the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which is assuming alarming proportions in the region.

She also promised to encourage women to go into farming since it is a profitable venture, using herself as an example.

By Thomas Fosu Jnr
The Charismatic Bishops' Conference (CBC) wants military intervention to end the armed robbery scourge in the country.

According to them, the current approach towards eradicating armed robbery in the country has failed and so military approach should be unleashed on the robbers to stem the tide.

There is no region of Ghana that is safe from armed robbery, the bishops said in a communique to mark Ghana's 60th independence anniversary, adding, Students in universities cannot walk freely on campuses. Student hostels are routinely attacked.

They wondered, What is the use of an army if people do not feel safe in their own country? Why are we maintaining such an institution with tax payers' money if it is not benefiting the nation?

'Release Equipment'

They said the military should be able to release their equipment and their highly-trained professionals to be involved in wiping out armed robbery.

The CBC observed, After 60 years of managing our own affairs, it should not be that buses need escorts to travel on certain roads during day or at night.

The bishops said, Let us be practical. It is not the duty of the police . It is the duty of all Ghanaians, including the army, to ensure that Ghana is a safe place again.

'O' & 'A' Level

The bishops agreed that it was time for the government to 're-introduce' the General Certificate Examination (GCE) Ordinary ('O') and Advanced ('A') level systems to restore the integrity of formal education in Ghana.

According to them, 'O' and 'A' level education are better than what we currently have. Ghana has been subjected to an inferior form of education through the JHS and SHS for many years.

We call the JHS and SHS an inferior form of education because international universities require our SHS graduates to do a foundational course for a whole year before admitting them to the universities proper. Years ago, graduates from secondary schools in Ghana did not have to do such foundational courses because they already had a good foundation.

We call the JHS and SHS an inferior form of education because we have reason to doubt the current ability of the WAEC to conduct credible examinations. It is common knowledge that the examinations are flawed with serious leakages, such that many students today do not know how to study, unless they have seen leaked papers.

Chicken Ban

CBC called on the government to ban the importation of chicken to save the country's poultry industry and create employment.

It noted that the sector had in the past few years regressed due to government agreements and said, That has made poultry farmers poorer.

It noted, Some prominent poultry businesses in the country have been wiped out before our eyes and made incapable of producing poultry for consumption in the country. It does not make sense to have poultry farms any longer because a locally grown chicken is sold for GH40, while the imported ones are sold for GH15.

Road Toll

The bishops admonished the government not to allow tolls collected along major highways to be deposited into central government funds, and suggested that they must be used entirely for maintaining and managing those roads where the tolls are collected.

They called for a shift from asphalt road construction to the use of concrete and said that government should move away from securing loans from foreign donors for road construction but rather utilize local materials and local people.

It is time to govern and lead our nation in a new way! The old ways have been tried and tested for sixty years. It is clear that the old ways are not working, it observed.

By William Yaw Owusu
The Council of State has expressed displeasure about the Center for Democratic Developments (CDD's) recent publication asking the council members to justify the GH13,000 monthly salary paid them.

In a statement signed by Richie Osei Asiedu, Ag. Secretary to the council, reacting to CDDs publication it stated, Although an admonition to any establishment to fulfill its mandate is generally a welcome call, indicating the expectations of the one making the call, it is also worrying to adduce other comments that are considered unfortunate.

It said, On whether the said allowance or salary is deemed appropriate in the eyes of CDD and others who hold similar view, it is worth noting that council members, for most of the previous councils to date, have been men and women who have accomplished laurels in public and private sectors and not members seeking for survival.

To many, service to mother Ghana and generations to come, has been the motivation rather than the alleged benefits always trumpeted in the media.

The statement said by the 1992 Constitution, the Council of State is part of Article 71 office holders whose emoluments are determined by a Presidential Committee on Emoluments with laid-down processes and the outcome of the recent committee could be obtained from the appropriate institution.

It is, therefore, perplexing to observe from the publication that a reputable institution such as the CDD could not better analyse such document to know the actual conditions of service of sitting Council of State members but to follow the wagon of generalization.

Adopting the posture of 'accuse and get a defenc' should not be encouraged as the 7th Council of State aims at ensuring wider consultation in its work, which we believe has been the practice with past Councils of State, it maintained.

The statement said it is on record that in the spirit of consultation with stakeholders, previous councils had cooperated with the CDD to discuss election-related issues.

It said although the public could plead ignorance of the council's activities, the CDD, among many others, could not comfortably claim same.

This is because the council, despite the Constitutional provision of holding meetings in camera, has since 2002 published reports that have been widely circulated to both Government and non-governmental institutions, including foreign embassies, educational institutions, libraries, etc. The report of the 6th Council is currently in circulation. This practice is to fill the void of understanding the work of the Council of State over the years, the statement indicated.

On the volume of work of the council, it said reference could be made to the speech delivered by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the swearing-in of the 7th Council, and the response from it (Council).

BY Cephas Larbi

[email protected]
The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Johnson Asiedu Nketia has lashed out at President Akufo-Addo over the size of his government.

According to him, the new government has let down the masses because during the electioneering the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) promised to cut down the size of the government when it comes to power.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Nketia told host of Morning Starr Francis Abban that it will mean the expenditure of the government on emoluments will increase.

If you are on the Progressive part of government, you are likely to end up with a bigger government.

Increasing the size of government will mean spending of too much money to run the country NPP mentioned that they will cut down on government. Unfortunately, they are increasing the numbers, General Mosquito, as he is affectionately called, asserted.

Mr. Nketia added: They have let down the masses that they will cut down the size of government. They have ended up with a bigger government they should come out to explain to us.

President Akufo-Addo will be announcing a 50-member deputy ministerial list soon , which will make his government the biggest so far under the Fourth Republic. So far, 46 ministers have been vetted and sworn into office.

The previous NPP government led by former President John Kufuor had 88 ministers while the Mills administration that succeeded it had 69 ministerial appointees. The Mahama administration, however, had 78 ministerial appointments.
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo, has called for an amendment to the provisions of the Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845) to make it more definitive.

Speaking during an Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) 2017 Presidential Transition forum, Madam Akuffo noted that the controversy over the residences and vehicles for outgoing government officials, as well as those the role of the Administrator General in the transition process would all be better addressed through this amendment.

We speak about assets being taken and run away with. It behoves those who hold those properties to deal with them rightly. We have enough laws and regulation we should rely on, she said.

It says before you leave office, you hand over all government property in your possession. When I took office as The Deputy Attorney General, moving to live in an official bungalow before I took possession of it, we took an inventory, we both signed, they took their copy and I kept my copy.

On the matter of last-minute contracts, she acknowledged that an outgoing government had the power to continue to govern until its final day office.

But when we apply the law, you do not interpret it to the point of absurdity. You take the totally of the law into account. The law that empowers that you rules to the last day also has an aspect running from it to the transition act, Madam Akuffo stated.

The Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845) was enacted to establish arrangements for the political transfer of administration from an out-going democratically elected President and to provide for related matters.

Parliament passed a new amendment of Presidential Transition Bill in October 2016 and under the new amendment of the Presidential Transition Act 2012, the outgoing President would be required to vacate the official bungalows one month before swearing-in of the new President on January 7.

The Bill also granted the Office Administrator General legal powers to forcefully evict an outgoing President when they exceed the time limit.

Until the enactment of the Presidential Transition Act, 2012 (Act 845), there was no legal blueprint for the transition of political power in the country. This left transitions characterised by administrative lapses, forced evictions and seizure of vehicles.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Government has been ostensibly hamstrung by some last-minute contracts signed by the Mahama administration, the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Marfo has revealed.

The Mahama administration came under intense criticism for what was described as midnight decisions to contract and recruit for and on behalf of the country within the last two weeks of its lifespan.

Speaking at an Institute of Economic Affairs ( IEA) review of the 2017 Presidential Transition, the Senior Minister said the Attorney Generals Office was in the process of reviewing all last-minute contracts of the previous administration in a process he described as a complete waste of effort and man hours.

We shouldn't haven't have done them in the first instance, Mr. Osafo-Maafo stressed.

Yaw Osafo-Maafo

One of the problems we are facing as a new government are the many contracts which were signed within the last 14 days and not only within the centre but in institutions like COCOBOD and if you don't take care, you will run the country into all kinds of judgement debts because these agreements have also been signed and maybe are legally binding.

You cant just come and say abrogate them. Some of the conditions are such that you cannot implement them because they are not in the interest of the state so what do we do? We are taking these contracts one by one and under the able leadership of our Attorney General, we are looking at them, he said.

Concerns over last-minute contracts were raised by the Akufo-Addo administrations side of the Transition team with the Mr. Osafo-Maafo, who was co-chair of the Transition team, serving notice the incoming government would review such contracts.

There were initially some indications that both sides of the transition team had reached a compromise regarding the signing of new contracts and other decisions with major financial implications as the Mahama administration was to take all such decisions in consultation with the Akufo-Addo administration.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
It is turning out to be a constant refrain, but on a day like this, we cannot ignore the state of our environment. We are endangering the very survival of the beautiful and blessed land that our forefathers bequeathed to us. The dense forests, that were homes to varied trees, plants and fauna, have largely disappeared. Today we import timber for our use, and the description of our land as a tropical forest no longer fits the reality. Our rivers and lakes are disappearing, and those that still exist are all polluted.

It bears repeating that we do not own the land. But hold it in trust for generations yet unborn. We have a right to exploit the bounties of the earth and extract the minerals and even redirect the path of rivers, but we do not have the right to denude the land of the plants and fauna, nor poison the rivers and lakes  President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.

Even though President Akufo Addo mesmerized everybody with his powerful speech on the 60th Anniversary of Ghana's independence at the Black Star Square, what caught my attention was not the chronological order of his presentation of the background of our independence but what is quoted above. If the President had been silent on this issue, I would have been very much disappointed. I have had cause to write extensively about the state of our environment and at a point in time it seemed I was the lone voice crying on the desert. Thank God no mean a person but the President of Ghana has hit the nail on the head.

The first Europeans to arrive at present day Ghana's coast were the Portuguese in 1471. They encountered variety of African kingdoms, some of which controlled substantial deposit of gold in the soil. The British too followed and like the Portuguese their main interest was the gold deposit that the region could and can still boast of. In fact, the Gold Coast had long been the name for the region used by the Europeans because of the large deposit of gold resources found in the area. We used to be proud when this land of ours used to be called Gold Coast because we thought we were sitting on gold, and rightfully so. What we did not realize was that one day the Gold Coast will turn to Gold Curse.

Galamsey the most devastating operation in this land of our birth (Or is it land of our death?) started in Obuasi and its environs. Much attention was not paid to the illegal activities because all what they were doing were to gather the rocks and soil which fell from conveyor belts of the Obuasi Gold Mines and processed them with mercury to extract gold. In those days gold buyers trooped to the gold mining town to buy at a reasonably cheap price to sell abroad. Before we could say Jack Robin, people from other gold mining towns like Prestea, Bibiani, Tarkwa, Bogoso etc joined the band wagon and the result is what we are seeing now. If we had nipped the menace in the bud, the situation would not have escalated to the extent that our river bodies are under threat as the president has said.

Anytime I drive along the Kumasi-Accra highway and see the state of the Birim river, I feel guilty and hopeless because I know generation yet unborn will write our names in bronze. The situation is worse when you see what the 'Galamsey' guys have done to Oti, Tano, Pra, Sisili and other big rivers in Ghana. I do not know the type of fish that can survive in these rivers and lakes that have been severely polluted by these guys who have refused to think about the future but what they can get today. To add insult to injury, the Chinese have virtually invaded our mining communities with heavy equipment randomly devastating the environment with impunity. Can any Ghanaian go to China to engage in such an illegality and go scot free?

Chiefs who condone and connive with these foreigners to degrade the environment should be exposed, named and shamed. These are criminals in 'kente' cloths and 'ahenema' sandals who are out there to destroy the future of generations yet to come. We should try to investigate the root cause and fight the menace at all fronts. If a chief is found to be behind the offer of land for the Chinese and their Ghanaian counterparts to engage in this criminal activities, he should be hauled before court and if found guilty, he should face the full rigors of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. What is most disturbing is that these Chinese have frontmen who are Ghanaians and who should have concern for the preservation of the environment but because of money, they have sold their consciences and behave like the proverbial goat that rubs its tail on the wall of its keeper thinking it is destroying the house.

I am aware the previous government did set up a task force to deal with the issue, but sadly, the task force became an avenue for extortion and naked thievery. Before the task force embarks on an operation, there are some of them who will call the leadership of the 'galamsey' team on their cell phones to inform them not to go to work on that particular day. In this era of mobile money, members of the task force receive monies from the 'galamseyers' on their mobile phones and they smile their ways to the next mobile money operation center to withdraw their booty while the people and the environment suffer. If there is anything called Judgment Day, these guys will pay dearly on that fateful day.

President Akufo Addo's Planting For Jobs idea will hit the rocks if the issue of 'galamsey' is not tackled with all seriousness. Even as we are preparing to plant now that the rains have started falling, these 'galamsey' guys are destroying the very land on which we intend to plant our crops. In some cases, they are buying cocoa farms and turning the earth upside down to prospect for gold. In some places where these 'galamsey' operations are going on, they dig under the houses of residents, thereby threatening the lives of people who dwell in the houses. This is very serious, my brother!

'Galamsey' operations which used to be concentrated in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions have now reached the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Upper West and Upper East regions. That is how serious the situation has developed. Go to Kenyase in the Brong Ahafo Region, Dollar Power and Tinga in the Northern Region and Bongo in the Upper East Region and see the effect of 'galamsey and you will understand the President better. In Kenyase, for example, we had some politicians who were deep in the job and because they have the power and money they were able to bribe security officials who would look the other way as their boys continue to destroy the environment. Ask Naaba Abdullai, the alleged self-confessed murderer and the brother of Hon. Collins Dauda.

DON'T LOOK FOR FAULT, LOOK FOR A REMEDY  HENRY FORD

And so now that these 'galamseyers' are on the loose and have been on the loose for so long a time what should be done? We are not in a revolutionary era where the military can go out there, arrest culprits, shave off their hair with broken bottles, drill them and throw them into guardrooms. That era is gone not to return again. In this democratic dispensation, the courts are there to speak for us. The time has come for us to establish Environmental Courts across the length and breadth of the country. If someone is caught in the act of engaging in 'galamsey' the person should be arranged before such a court of competent jurisdiction. If the person is found culpable, the law should deal with him without fear or favour. If for example, two hundred 'galamseyers' find themselves languishing in jail, anyone who will contemplate engaging in the act will think twice.

Another way of dealing with the menace is to create the enabling environment for the teeming youth to get employment and woo them to abandon 'galamsey' and get on the right footing. If farming, for example, is made attractive with modern farming equipment, capital and cheap farm inputs, greater number of these guys who migrate to the mining communities to engage in 'galamsey' will stay back home and take part in the Planting For Jobs programme. In those days when the late General Kutu Acheampong introduced the Operation Feed Yourself programme, the youth did not bother to migrate to the big cities for menial jobs. They preferred staying back in their villages to embark on farming where no one controlled them rather than travelling to the big cities to work where they were often abused.

In fact, in those days, General Acheampong also introduced Operation Feed the Factory where people living close to food processing factories got seriously engaged in the production of the particular raw material needed at the factory. If President Akufo Addo says his government will establish one factory in every district, it stands to reason that when the programme kicks off, there will be the need for raw materials to feed the factories. And if the one village one dam kicks off I don't see the reason why the young man or woman in the three northern regions will travel down south to push wheel barrows and do other menial jobs. They will stay back home and engage in all-year round harvesting of pepper, tomatoes, cabbages, onions etc. Call me Joseph, the dreamer if you like!!!

Eric Bawah
Ghana is definitely on the path of recovery and would need the support of her citizens to heal the economic wounds inflicted upon her by the bad management of her economy.

During his campaign trail, the then candidate Nana Akufo-Addo told Ghanaians, whose nod he needed to undertake his programme of reformation and growth for a country he and many others were convinced required such treatment that they should vote for him.

They did because they could not have endorsed more his assurance of a better tomorrow and a Ghana which would work again.

The test for the success of his campaign came in the form of a massive victory at the polls at a time when many, with doubts about the electoral management system, thought it could not go his way. Little did such doubting Thomases know that there comes a time in the history of people when things change.

That change has come and indeed signs of the take-off of the President's programmes are beginning to manifest.

Ghanaians can no longer be taken for granted as they used to be many years ago.

Former President John Mahama did not get it right when he said at the peak of his political career that his compatriots have short memories.

Perhaps he thought at the time that the old ways could persist.

We have discovered lately that Ghanaians do not have short memories any longer and would deal with any government which takes them for granted, as they did to the previous political administration.

President Nana Akufo-Addo, having witnessed the rise and fall of his predecessor, including the vicissitudes of local politics which he endured for a long period should be the last person to seek to repeat the blunders of yesteryears.

We are convinced beyond doubt that he is best primed to understand the implications of appointing the number of appointees which some think is on the high side.

A President in a hurry and with a plateful of programmes which the opposition think are unfeasible and populist must know what he is doing when he appoints three or so deputy ministers for a ministry.

If he needs a hundred appointees to reverse the sorry state of Ghana's socio-economic standing so be it.

We find it laughable the charge the opposition is leveling against the president for making so many appointments.

There are so many things to be accomplished and with that many more hands are needed to provide the cruising speed the President requires for his varied agendas.

They would have cause to complain when at the end of his tenure, there is little or nothing to point at in terms of the development contained in the manifesto of his party.

For those who have been nominated and appointed, let them understand the situation they find themselves in.

President Nana Akufo-Addo is eager for results and they must assist him to achieve them.

The expectations have never been so high and so those who are not ready to go with the vision of the President must advise themselves forthwith.
There is credible information to the effect that Omni Bank, owned by the CEO of Zoomlion Joseph Siaw Agyepong, has almost sealed a deal with the central bank, the Bank of Ghana (BOG), for the sale and purchase of BOGs shares in Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS)

If this deal finally goes through, it would be necessary to investigate, particularly because of the quick manner Omni Bank was allegedly sponsored to mature rapidly, as to engage in all manner of transactions, including the takeover of very sensitive and lucrative national assets like this one, GHIPSS. In the words of the banks M.D, Phillip Oti-Mensah, We have grown our capital from 4 million cedis to over 140 million in the shortest period. Just three years ago, we were at the bottom, but now we are number one.

How did that happen and who pulled the strings? In the next 3 years, they hope to increase their capital assets from 140 million to over 3 billion Ghana Cedis. Is this genuinely possible in a highly competitive and choked banking system, especially for a new industry entrant? So this is where our state regulators ought to sit up, more so when the owners of the same bank have a record of allegedly purchasing state assets like the Akwatia Diamond and refusing to pay.

The second reason that the sale of BOGs shares in GHIPSS must be discontinued is that the owner of the bank, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, had been involved in too many scandals and corruption related issues. In the GYEEDA Scandal of 2013, two of his companies featured prominently. On page 138 of the Ministerial Impact Assesment & Review Report on GYEEDA, the committee made two key recommendations about Zoomlion and its subsidiaries that were service providers. It was advised that the deal with Better Ghana Management Services Ltd should be terminated in accordance with the provisions in the contract as it did not provide value for money. It, again, recommended that considering the expiration of the waste and sanitation contract with ZOOMLION, this contract should be subjected to competitive bidding, rationalised against a separate existing contract by the same Service Provider with the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to avoid duplication and reduce chances of overcharge.

Then in the multi-million dollar scandal with Subah Infosolutions Ltd in which rather bizarre circumstances Subah managed to secure a contract to earn millions of cedis in a service that was already being provided free-of-charge by AFRIWAVE. On 26th October, 2013, www.citifmonline.com reported as ffs:

Available evidence shows that the company did absolutely no work for the people of Ghana to merit the average GHc4 million it received monthly from the tax watchdog. Our crack team of investigators looking hard at piles of files and account records of Subah InfoSolutions has uncovered various payments by the company to a number of institutions and individuals.

Regrettably however, the NDC government, then, did nothing to halt the mess involving Subah even after several experts had condemned that particular contract. For example, the President of Policy think-tank, IMANI Ghana, was reported to have remarked on 14th May, 2014 by the Chronicled newspaper that I dont want to call it a fraud, but I am extremely worried about governments acceptance of the report, which is a broad day robbery.

The Imani President also noted with interest that the law that gives backing to the communications service tax, which gave birth to the contract, was actually passed in July 2013. Again, you couldnt be working before the law was actually passed for the very activity you were supposed to undertake, he noted. In October 2013, The Chronicle reported that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had paid a whopping GH144 million to Subah Infosolutions Limited for allegedly monitoring revenues generated by the telecom companies.

The calculation was based on a monthly payment of GH4 million. Information obtained at the time indicated that the GRA contracted SUBAH INFOSOLUTIONS LIMITED somewhere in 2010 to electronically monitor revenue generated by the telecom companies to enable them calculate and collect the right taxes from the companies. The contract was worth $100 million per year.
An Infectious Diseases specialist at the Pediatric Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has urged the public to help de-congest the Maternity Ward where a newborn baby shares a cot with seven others.

At a joint session of Joy News' AM Show and Joy FM's Super Morning Show in Ashanti regional capital Kumasi, Dr. Anthony Enimil said his unit launched a 'one baby, one cot' campaign in 2016 to help ease the situation.

Fatally congested wards contribute to an average of four babies dying daily at Ghana's second largest hospital.

Photo: Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Paediatrician Dr. Gykua Plange-Rhule has revealed at least two babies died yesterday at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

The Associate Professor. School of Medical Sciences said the two died in the day; she could not confirm if there were any more fatalities during the night shift.

A father who lost two babies at KATH has testified seeing bed bugs in baby cots.

While pointing to over-crowding at the Mother and Baby Unit as contributing to the deaths, the specialist and lawyer Dr. Gyikua Plange-Rhule said other factors like abnormalities can be cited as causes of death.

She said some babies die because they were pre-mature while others die because 'they are just too tiny'.

She explained pressure on facilities at the maternity ward began 'certainly more than 10 years ago'.

The current Mother and Baby Unit is an old labour ward not specially fit for its current use. She complained that severe pressure on facilities is affecting hygienic practices at the ward.

A lack of basic hand washing can cause an infection on a baby, she explained. A bottle of handwashing gel for mothers can get finished in just two hours and there is a need for more sinks.

There has been many occasions when authorities have considered turning away expectant mothers and other patients because more admissions pose a hazard to the babies in the cot, she said.

'But if you turn them away where do they go?', Dr. Gyikua Plange-Rhule revealed the frustrations of decision-makers at the largest hospital in the Ashanti region.

Officials explained that when a nurse or doctor has to see three babies at a time, the chances of death due to inadequate healthcare increases.

A Joy News Special Assignment documentary by Seth Kwame Boateng titled 'Next to Die' has highlighted shocking state of affairs at the largest hospital in the Ashanti region.

It has led Multimedia brands Joy News TV and Joy FM to begin an advocacy to help complete a spacious but abandoned hospital block that can take nearly a 1,000 beds.

Dr. Gyikua Plange-Rhule has said the block when completed will boost enthusiasm and morale of professionals at the hospital.

Story by Ghana|myjoyonline.com|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) owes the Yendi Hospital in the Northern Region 11 months of arrears, DAILY GUIDE has discovered.

The situation, DAILY GUIDE can confirm, is affecting health delivery at the facility since the Yendi Hospital is a referral point for 12 districts in the Eastern Corridor.

The residents of the Eastern Corridor and its surrounding districts and communities are patrons of the Yendi Hospital and it will be big blow to them, should the facility decide to suspend health insurance due to lack of funds.

The Yendi Hospital Public Relations Officer (PRO), Alhassan Wemah, told DAILY GUIDE that the delay in payment of the claims affects the supply that the hospital needs.

He indicated that some suppliers go to the extent of coming to the facility to demand for payment of supply they have made to them which is sometimes embarrassing.

We are owing people a lot and they come to the hospital and ask us, you have taken my items and you are not telling me anything about payment.

Sometimes, we cannot even attend to our clients due to the pressure mounted on us by the suppliers, he lamented.

The PRO of the hospital appealed to government to intervene into the situation to enable the facility to settle their suppliers the money they owe them.

( [email protected] )

FROM Eric Kombat, Yendi


A major appeal is being launched on Wednesday to help more than 16 million people facing hunger in east Africa.

The Disasters Emergency Commission is calling for funds to scale up the response to drought in the region and prevent hunger on a massive scale, while aid agencies warn that countless lives are at stake.

Drought has been especially acute across Somalia, southern and south eastern Ethiopia, and northern and coastal Kenya. Central and southern Somalia has recorded only a third of the rainfall expected .

Famine has already been declared in parts of South Sudan . War and a collapsing economy have left 100,000 people facing starvation, while 4.9 million people , more than 40% of the population, are considered severely food insecure by the UN.

The UN has warned that Somalia is also on the brink of famine, with 6.2 million people , more than half the countrys population, in urgent need of help.

Somalias president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo Mohamed, has declared the drought a national disaster and called for urgent assistance. On Tuesday Somalis gathered in the capital, Mogadishu, to pray for rain. Around 110 people died as a result of hunger in the country at the start of this month, and urgent action is needed to stop a repeat of the famine six years ago, which the UN estimates claimed close to 260,000 lives .

In Ethiopia, the current drought hit the country before it could recover from the devastating effect of El Nino in 2015 and 2016 , and more than 5.6 million peopleare in urgent need. Some $18.5m (15m) has been released (pdf) from the UNs Central Emergency Response Fund to provide support to those suffering from hunger, malnutrition and severe water shortages in the worst-hit region.

Stephen OBrien, the UNs emergency relief coordinator and under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, said: I was recently in Ethiopias Somali region, where I saw the devastating impact this drought is having on peoples lives, livestock and livelihoods. We must act. Time lost means lives lost.

Kenya declared a national drought emergency last month, affecting 23 of its 47 counties. The government has projected that the number of people facing food insecurity will rise from the current 2.7 million to 4 million by April this year.

The UK government has said it will match-fund the first 5m donated by the public to the DEC appeal.

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DEC member charities are already working to deliver food, treatment for malnutrition and clean drinking water.

Save the Children said its health and nutrition clinics are reporting all the early warnings signs of an avoidable catastrophe, with deaths from cholera and acute watery diarrhoea rising sharply.

DECs chief executive, Saleh Saeed, said: Hunger on a massive scale is looming. More than 800,000 children under five are severely malnourished. Without urgent treatment, they are at risk of starving.

Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase. 

ActionAids head of humanitarian response, Mike Noyes, said: This is yet another urgent wake-up call to the world. The need is huge and countless lives are at stake. People are already dying needlessly.

Today, children are dying of hunger whilst their mothers watch in despair. The global community cannot stand by and let this continue. We do not understand why many rich countries are not reacting already.

Eid Abdi Muhammed, 18 months old, in the stabilisation ward for severely malnourished children in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Photograph: Kate Holt/Unicef

Reporting from Hargeisa, the capital of the state of Somaliland, Ben Quinn met Eid, aged 18 months. He is one of the thousands of Somali children suffering from severe malnutrition.

Nursing Eid in the only stabilisation ward for severely malnourished children in Hargeisa, Najax, his mother, told how they had made the journey from the Daror region of Ethiopia , at least four hours away by car. They had undertaken the trip on foot and with the help of lifts from strangers.

We had 100 sheep and goats but everything died. We just didnt have the means, Najax said, as other mothers and their children lay on the floor on mattresses.

Her son, who had been suffering from malnutrition-related complications including diarrhoea and had been vomiting, is now slowly recovering after he was brought to Hargeisa general hospital, where he was given a therapeutic milk product designed to treat severe malnutrition.

Dr Ahmed Omar Askar, the hospital director general, said he feared for those who were unable to make it to the small number of clinics.

Here we have enough supplies for now but the problem is not here, the problem is in the countryside where these children are coming from, he said. Some cases are reaching here, from as far away as Ethiopia, but you can imagine the number of children with these problems in the areas hardest hit by drought.

He added: The hospital can receive a few hundred cases, but I think action needs to be taken at a community level for the people in the countryside. Its not possible to bring everyone to this hospital. There needs to be very quick action, support for people who already are in these drought affected regions and it needs to come soon to prevent a very serious situation.
A devastating fire outbreak on Sunday 12 March 2017 completely destroyed several residences and properties at a small squatter community at Busia Junction near Odorkor in Accra.

There were, however, and fortunately, no loss of human lives.

The affected residents numbering over 30 people from several families lamented the complete loss of their properties and pleaded to the authorities and other philanthropists for help.

SUNDA Ghana Investments (SUNDA), a Chinese company operating in the vicinity, responded quickly to the plea of the fire victims.

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Mr Isaac Hu, the managing director of SUNDA, importers and distributors of household items for the past thirteen years in Ghana, said the company could not sit by and watch the suffering of the victims whiles operating business in the area.

According to Mr Hu Sunda donated products such as toiletries and detergents, food items, clothing and mosquito sprays. The company also made cash donations to alleviate the immediate suffering of the victims of the fire.

The victims of the devastating fire were full of praise for the timely intervention of SUNDA.

According to them they are yet to receive official help from government even though the MP for Ablekuma North, Hon Nana Akua Afriyie, as well as the NADMO coordinator visited them.

Whiles praising and expressing gratitude to SUNDA for helping them in their time of distress, the affected fire victims have appealed for more help from other corporate bodies and especially the national disaster management organisation.

Public Relations Manager of SUNDA Ghana investments, Ms Naa-Shika Coleman, also appealed to other organisations to support the fire victims since SUNDA alone is unable to meet all their needs.



Mr Isaac Hu, the managing director of SUNDA, importers and distributors of household items for the past thirteen years in Ghana, said the company could not sit by and watch the suffering of the victims.

Public Relations Manager of SUNDA Ghana investments, Ms Naa-Shika Coleman, also appealed to other organisations to support the fire victims.

The devastation after a fire outbreak on Sunday 12 March 2017 in a small squatter community at Busia Junction near Odorkor in Accra.

Stunned victims of the fire outbreak on Sunday 12 March 2017 in a small squatter community at Busia Junction near Odorkor in Accra stand around helpless after they have lost all their possessions.
Daniel Asiedu, the man accused of murdering the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, J. B. Danquah, has denied killing the former MP in court.

According to him he was lured by his in-law, whose name he gave as Kwame, to the Accra Regional Police Command where he was arrested for killing the former legislator.

Asiedu made the statement at the start of his committal proceedings at the Accra District Court on Wednesday morning.

Facts

Asiedu was arrested on Thursday, February 11, 2016, in a special operation led by the Accra Regional Police Commander, Commissioner of Police (COP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

He allegedly confessed that he stabbed the MP to death.

Upon his arrest, three mobile phones, two of which were believed to belong to the late MP, were retrieved from the suspect.

The facts of the case, as presented by the prosecution, were that the MP, Mr Danquah-Adu, lived with his family in a one-storey house at Shiashie, near East Legon, in Accra, while Asiedu and Bosso lived at Agbogbloshie, also in Accra.

About 11:40 p.m. on February 8, 2016, the MP arrived home and went to bed in a room located on the first floor of his house.

About 1 a.m. that same night, Asiedu and Bosso, armed with a catapult, a cutter and a sharp knife, went to the legislators house.

Bosso is said to have assisted Asiedu to enter the house by scaling the wall on the blind side of a security man who was fast asleep. On entering the house, Asiedu climbed onto a porch on the top floor with a ladder and entered the MPs bedroom through a window.

While Asiedu was searching the room, the MP woke up and held him. There ensued a struggle, during which Asiedu stabbed the MP in the right chest above the breast. The MP consequently held the knife, and Asiedu pulled it through the MPs hand, making a deep cut in his palm.

The legislator, who bled profusely, fell by his bed, after which Asiedu stabbed him several times on his right chest and neck.

On realising that the MP was dying, Asiedu left the room and took with him three iPhones.

Meanwhile, the struggle between the MP and Asiedu had drawn the attention of the security man in the house, who alerted other security men in the neighbourhood.

Having realised the impending danger, Bosso took to his heels, leaving Asiedu behind. However, Asiedu managed to descend from the top of the house and jumped over the electric fencing on the walls of the house into an adjoining house and escaped.
The worlds top cassava experts are gathering in Nigeria to report progress on developing new varieties of cassava with higher yield and nutritional content. The meeting will take place on March 14-16, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in Ibadan.

Africa produces more than half of the worlds cassava  about 86 million tons from over 10 million hectares, said Chiedozie Egesi, IITA-based project manager of the Next Generation Cassava Breeding (NextGen Cassava) project, who also works to biofortify cassava with essential micronutrients. But disease pathogens and climate change threaten cassava production and jeopardize the income and food security of smallholder farmers. Since 2012, scientists on the NextGen Cassava project have been working to significantly increase the rate of genetic improvement in cassava breeding and unlock cassavas full potential.

Cassava is a clonally propagated crop and seed set is difficult. New varieties with enhanced productivity and nutritional traits typically take up to 10 years to develop.

Scientists on the NextGen project are focused on giving breeders in Africa access to the most advanced plant breeding technologies to deliver improved varieties to farmers more rapidly.

Partners of NextGen Cassava are using a state-of-the-art plant breeding approach known as genomic selection to improve cassava productivity for the 21st century, said Ronnie Coffman, Cornell professor of plant breeding and genetics, director of International Programs, who is the principal investigator on the multi-partner grant.

Genomic selection shortens breeding cycles, provides more accurate evaluation at the seedling stage, and gives plant breeders the ability to evaluate a much larger number of clones without the need to plant them in the target environment. Using genomic selection, new releases of cassava are ready in as little as six years.

The best clones from NextGen Cassava genomic selection efforts are in Uniform Yield Trials this year and are due to be released to farmers in the next two years, said Egesi.

Cassava is predicted to be one of the few crops that will benefit from climate change because it requires few inputs and can withstand drought, marginal soils and long-term underground storage. A cash and subsistence crop, the storage roots of this perennial woody shrub are processed, consumed freshly boiled or raw, and eaten by people as well as animals as a low-cost source of carbohydrates. No other continent depends on cassava to feed as many people as does Africa, where 500 million people consume it daily. The purpose of NextGen Cassava project is to improve the cassava breeding process making it faster and more efficient to produce the varieties farmers need, said Peter Kulakow, cassava breeder at IITA, Ibadan.

In 2012, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom (DFID) under its UK Aid program invested $25.2M to improve the staple crops productivity and build human and technical capacity for plant breeding in sub-Saharan Africa.

The five-year project, led by Cornell University, works with 10 institutional partners across six countries on three continents: Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI/USA), Embrapa (Brazil), International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT/Colombia), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA/Nigeria), National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI/Uganda), National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI/Nigeria), University of Hawaii (USA), U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, and U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. Most recently, NextGen Cassava has expanded to include Tanzania, partnering with the Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute (LZARDI).

The partners share cassava data, expertise, and information on a publicly available website (www.cassavabase.org ) .

In addition to reporting on the latest genomic information from cassava sequencing to improve productivity and yield, project partners will discuss progress on incorporating cassava germplasm diversity from South America into African breeding programs, training the next generation of plant breeders, and improving infrastructure at African institutions.
Kampala (AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said 155 people, including 15 children, were killed in fierce fighting that erupted late last year in western Uganda between security forces and a tribal king's palace guards.

The death toll was "far higher than the Ugandan authorities claimed at the time", the US-based watchdog said in a statement.

But the report was dismissed by the Ugandan government, which said it contained "inconsistencies" and challenged the allegation that children were among the dead, putting the death toll at just over 100.

HRW calculated its toll based on interviews with 95 relatives of victims, as well as with religious, security and administrative officials.

The clashes erupted in the western town of Kasese on November 26 and ended a day later when police stormed the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, who has been accused of commanding a militia with separatist ambitions.

Police said the violence started when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards.

But HRW said it began when troops forced their way into a local administrative office, killing eight guards and sparking a wave of retaliatory violence, during which the palace guards used machetes to defend their turf.

It said the palace guards "often carry agricultural tools, such as machetes, but are not formally armed... and would not constitute an armed force or group under international humanitarian law."

HRW said at least 55 people, including 14 police officers, were killed on November 26, while more than 100 others, among them 15 children, died the next day.

'Deliberate' omissions

But government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said the report lacked "depth" and contained "several inconsistencies ... that do not represent the true facts."

"It deliberately misses out incidents that led to the near-breakdown of law and order," he said in a statement, accusing the rights group of ignoring the wider context of years of violence by the militia.

He put the death toll at 103, among them 12 women and 40 men as well as 51 bodies which remained unclaimed.

And he challenged the allegation that children were among the dead. "As opposed to the HRW report that 16 children (sic) were killed during the operation, there is no evidence."

The report also "promotes violence in the region, referring to machetes as agricultural tools as opposed to Uganda penal code act defines them as lethal weapons," he said.

Clashes erupted in the Ugandan town of Kasese on November 26 and ended a day later when police stormed the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere

HRW has called for an independent inquiry into the incident.

"People in Kasese are still looking for their family members, including children, and they deserve answers and justice for these gruesome killings," said Maria Burnett, associate Africa director at HRW.

In December, the tribal king was charged with treason, but released on bail in February.

The traditional kingdom in western Uganda has a history of separatist leanings dating back to independence. The region where it is based is an opposition stronghold that has long complained of marginalisation from Kampala.
Daniel Asiedu, the suspected murderer of the former Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, has been committed to the High Court for a full trial to commence.

The committal, which took place at an Accra District Magistrate Court, was after he was indicted by the State and charged with murder.

According to the court, Daniel Asiedus evidence during the indictment process, was full of contradictions, hence the decision to send him to the High Court for a full trial.

The suspect was arrested in 2016 after he was alleged to have stabbed the late MP with a knife leading to his death at his residence in Accra.

Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu

Asiedu denied the allegation of being contracted to kill the deceased, and explained that, he entered the late MPs residence to steal, which led to a struggle between them leading to his death.

Ivy Danquah-Adu, the wife of the late MP, has expressed dismay with the delay in prosecuting her late husbands supposed killers.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has said it will use every lawful means available to it, to provide justice and bring closure to the murder case.

Daniel Asiedu has been in police custody for the past 12 months, and was awaiting a bill of indictment and the summary of evidence to establish link to the murder of the late MP.

This had resulted in a delay in the commencement of a full trial. A second suspect, one Vincent Booso, faces the charge of abetment of robbery.



By: Fred Djabanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Direcotor of the Ghana Education Service, Ann Kye-eebo has confirmed knowledge of the sacking of over 300 final year students of the Navrongo Senior High School, indefinately.

According to her, she received a complain from the Headmistress of the School on Tuesday afternoon, over the misconduct of the final year students towards their Masters and school properties.

The Headmistress wanted the Directorate of Education to intervene to calm the angry students down.

Madam Kye-eebo told the media that, her advised to the students to rescind their decision so as to get their academic work going peacefully till they finish writing their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, did not yield any positive result, as they continued threatening mayhem.

I had no option than to agree with the leadership of the School, to sack the final students to ease the tention in the school and also to protect lives and property in the school. So, from Wednesday morning, the final year students have been out of the school.

Daily Guide has gathered that, the School Prefects and other Students Representative Council members are still on campus, because they were seen calming down their colleagues and advising them to eat their meals.

Now the worry of many concerned persons is how the students, especially those from outside the Upper East region, will servive throughout the period they will be staying outside campus to prepare to write their final examination.

Some female students who spoke with the Daily Guide said, suddenly young men in the Navrongo town have started being nice and promising to help them with accomodation and daily feeding so long as they continue to stay out of campus.

As for me, I tell them I dont need their help; my mother has called her friend to help me with accomodation and food. I have asked for money for transportation to school to write all my exams.  but sir the problem is that, some of my friends are not lucky like me, I know the small boys and men will get them by all means. A final year female student noted.

If the situation does not change anytime soon and the students remain out, many of the female students will fall victim to the many distractive traps in the Municipality.

Navrongo is a busy town from morning to night, with many genuine economic activities, but could become dangerous for these stranded girls, especially at night. It is an open secret that, there are lots of promiscious activities in the area at night, due to its closeness to the Ghana-Burkina-Faso border.

Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga
The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has disclosed that the NDC is going through torrid times after losing the 2016 elections to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as there is massive scramble for the control of the party.

Speaking Wednesday on Morning Starr, he said every Tom, Dick and Harry in the party is ambitious and wants to control the party.

It is part of politickingthe partiesthe political party is a group of individuals who may share similar ideas as to how the government ought to bethe society ought to be run and they capture power to be able to put their ideas into practice, he told Francis Abban, the host of Morning Starr.

So that is the foundation of politicking. That there must be ambition. There must be struggle for control of state power between parties. If you come inside the parties, there must be ambition there too. There must be struggle for the control of the party so that those who emerge would have their views upheld and those views will control the direction of the party, he added.

Addressing factionalism in the NDC, Mr. Nketia who was recently elected for a four-year term as a vice president of the Socialist International (SI) said he was not in the position to deny or confirm its existence in the NDC.

But party building, he said is necessarily clashes of opinions and so there must be schools of thoughts in every mature political organization.

As a result, averred Mr. Nketia, quality decisions will always emerge to ensure the success of the party.

On his relationship with former president Jerry John Rawlings, he said suggestions of existence of rancor between the two of them are untrue.

But when the host quipped: He is your best friend?Mr. Nketia replied: I havent said so.

He said he relates to him as the founder of the party, same as the way he relates to the Chairman of the NDC and former President John Mahama as chairman and as immediate past leader of the NDC respectively.

You dont need to be friends with people for you to work with them, said Mr. Nketia.
Nairobi (AFP) - Thirteen people, mostly women and children, have been killed in central Kenya this week in a cycle of violence between rival farming tribes hit by drought, police and the Red Cross said.

Police spokesman George Kinoti said the violence broke out on Monday when Ilchamus herdsmen, a sub-group of the Tugen people, launched an attack on members of the Pokot tribe seeking to steal their cattle.

Two men died in the fighting in Baringo, which lies some 250 kilometres (150 miles) north of Nairobi.

On Tuesday two Pokot women were killed, provoking further anger among the community which organised their own punitive overnight raid.

"Suspected Pokot raiders in a retaliatory attack to avenge the killing of their town women... attacked Mukutani market", killing five women and four children, Kinoti said in a statement.

Four other people were wounded in the last attack, including a baby and two children, the Kenyan Red Cross said.

"It is unfortunate that the majority of those killed are children and women," Kenyan Red Cross Society head Abbas Gullet said in a separate statement.

"I call upon all involved parties to this conflict, especially community elders from the Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities to come to the table and resolve this conflict, to avoid further loss of innocent life," he added.

Outbreaks of violence have multiplied in central Kenya in recent weeks among groups of semi-nomadic herders mong the hardest hit by the drought which is affecting swathes of eastern Africa.

Heavily armed herders have in recent weeks forced their way into private ranches in central Laikipia, slaughtering wildlife and destroying property in invasions blamed on a biting drought, but also local politics.

A British farmer was shot dead on March 6 while going to inspect damage on his vast ranch caused by herders seeking pasture for their own animals

The police spokesman said security operations had been intensified after the latest violence.
Kinshasa (AFP) - The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday said its troops were pressing ahead with a search for two foreign experts who were kidnapped in the violence-wracked central Kasai region.

"The search is ongoing ... both by the UN and by the government" for the foreign experts and their four Congolese staff, who were kidnapped Sunday, said the spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, Charles-Antoine Bambara.

One of the foreign victims was American and other Swedish-Chilean.

MONUSCO chief Maman Sidikou has travelled to Kananga, the regional capital, to follow up on the search operation, Bambara added.

Along with the two foreign experts, three Congolese motorcycle-taxi drivers and an interpreter were also taken hostage by unidentified assailants in the Kasai region.

The attackers then drove their victims into a forest nearby, where authorities lost track of them.

The Congolese government said the group was travelling in the Kasai region without the local authorities being informed.

They have also criticised the group for travelling in the troubled area by motorcycle-taxi.

A Uruguayan peacekeeper was shot and injured last week in the same region, which has been wracked by a rebellion since September.

The uprising erupted after government forces in August killed a tribal chief and militia leader, Kamwina Nsapu, who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila.

The violence has since spilled over to the neighbouring provinces of Kasai-Oriental and Lomami, leaving at least 400 people dead.

The United Nations has nearly 19,000 troops deployed in the DR Congo, its largest and costliest peacekeeping mission.

About 100 of those troops were recently dispatched to the Kasai region.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week asked the Security Council to send an extra 320 UN police to the country after a deal to end a dispute over the presidential election stalled.

The so-called Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo is made up of six people and provides annual reports on the situation in the country, notably on the movement of illegal arms.
And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and HANGED HIMSELF. Mathew 27:5

The above scripture talks about Judas who betrayed Jesus and proceeded to hang himself and died because he couldnt deal with the guilt of betrayal. Some alarming information stumbled upon by The Globe newspaper reveals that the rate of suicide in Ghana is climbing at an incredible rate. Available statistics on suicide in Ghana as at 2012 put together by the Network for Anti-suicide and Crisis Prevention over a year indicate that Greater Accra region had the highest number of deaths by suicide, recording 431 and still counting. Therefore, 5 years down the lane, you dont need a calculator to tell the rate at which human lives are attenuating. The most dominant methods now is by hanging, falling off from a height with a massive thud to the floor or poisoning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested that by the year 2020, 1.5 million people will kill themselves annually worldwide. (I am wondering whether it was a prophecy or a prediction though).

The question is who do we blame for this suicide phenomenon? If you blame the victim of this demonic act, he can come out with the rebuttal that a voice spoke to him or he felt too lonely and alone and the only available agent to welcome him was suicide. If you pick the rope, the rope could mount a well- meaning defensive mechanism that it was laying somewhere unconcerned when someone needed help to cross over to the other side of the world, the best it can do was to assist. The state has only one stand: to prosecute victims of attempted but failed suicides. This is where I agree with Psychiatrist Dr. Kwadwo Marfo Obeng, when he said the law criminalizing suicide does not make sense since suicidal persons lack the mental capacity to bother about laws and criminal prosecutions (Bam!). Despite Section 57 Clause 2 of the 1960 Criminal Code of Ghana which clearly states that attempted suicide is a crime, I vehemently disagree with DCOP Kweku Ayensu Opare-Addo who has kicked against the calls to de-criminalize suicide. Why? If the state will prosecute me for attempting to kill myself, then the best to do is to manage and ensure I dont come back alive after the attempt. This is where I advise people to go to church because 99.9% of mans real problem is spiritual.

Think of this: why should a young lady who represents the parents investment had enough patience to get to Level 400, just woke up one day to end her life with impatience? Why should a young man who had no transport fare managed to walk from his house to a far place to hang himself and end his God- given life. Why would an 11 year old student pack his books nicely and go home and hang himself in the kitchen? What happened, what did he hear and who taught him that the best way to end a struggle is to end ones life.

Life is made up of two folders: experience and information. What you have experienced and not forgotten in the past can influence your present living. Secondly your destination is a function of the information you are receiving now.

If Judas died as a result of not being able to deal with the guilt of betrayal, could these myriads of suicide cases be traceable to the incompetence of the victims not been able to deal with certain staffs in their lives. Could it be that the man couldnt deal with the badgering from his landlord for his rents so he had the last options to commit suicide?, or could it be that the students couldnt deal with the disappointment from the ex- boyfriend and the only option left is to jump off the cliff? , what about the young boy who hanged himself in the kitchen? , could it be that he couldnt deal with the loneliness or rejection anytime he goes to school to associate with his friends and when he comes homes too, the dad is busy watching premier league and the mum, cooking? And he is left with a virgin thought yet to be fed with something new; suicide.

Now, this is it! Man is not an island, everyone needs a relationship not an affair. We must learn to be there for each other in times of troubles. We must be in the position to help peoples emotional needs and psychological need. It is true, in this era no one cares but that is a violation of scriptures. Bible said blatantly in Galatians Chapter Six verses number Two, and I quote Bear you one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. The only fulfillment of the law of Christ is not in the splendiferous and pulchritudinous appearance of your outward adornment but the consent for one another. Parent must learn to pray and listen to their wards no matter the nonsense they have to spew after school, pastors must learn to listen to their sons and daughters, cell leaders needs to check up daily on members, departmental executives of the various establishments needs more than a teacher/ boss- students/ employee relationships. Thats why Jesus said I no longer call you servants but Friends. Why? Servants are workers, friendship is based on bonds than works thats why you knew what happened to your brother but dont know what happened to your workers/ students- its because you dont have a relationship, what you have is a hit and ran affair. HOLD THE BLAME GAME!!! WAGE WAR AGAINST TO SUICIDE.

I end with a quote from the wise man, Solomon in Ecclesiastes Chapter Seven Verses Fourteen and Seventeen:

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why should you die before your time?

R. Duafah

[email protected]

0276-091-371
Barely a few days after the official launch of its 6th Anniversary Celebrations, the H4P (Here for Perfection) Organization demonstrated its relentless resolve in improving the conditions of Persons Living with Disability in Ghana.

The H4P Organization (a Non-Governmental Organization with a Special Advocacy for Persons with Disability) on the 17th of February, 2017 paid a working visit to the Dr. Seth Tetteh-Ocloo State School for the Deaf at Adjei Kojo, Ashaiman.

The H4P Organization through its Helping Hand Community Projects partner with and support Special Schools and Institutions. Donations in kind and cash are often presented, festive parties organized among others to emphasize H4Ps commitment to magnify ability in spite of disability. Special Schools and institutions that have benefited from these working visits include the New Horizon Special School, the Autism Awareness Care and Training Centre, Dzorwulu Special School, ShareCare Ghana, Wa School for the Blind etc.

The CEO and some staff of the H4P Organization during the working visit interacted with the Head of the Institution, Ms. Barbara Ennin, teachers and students of the school. H4P used the occasion to listen to challenges being faced by the school in order to offer the needed assistance. Food items and cleaning detergents were donated to the staff and students of the school.

Ms. Elorm Assiseh of the H4P Organisation presenting gifts to fifty (50) teachers and staff of the School.

Over the years, the H4P Organization has demonstrated support not just for special children but has also shown appreciation to their teachers and caregivers because H4P believes that education is the bedrock for national development. H4P has continuously advocated for equal platforms and resources to be given Special Educational institutions so that children with disability can be properly equipped in skills and knowledge to become responsible citizens in the country.

Dr. Seth Tetteh-Ocloo School for the Deaf is a public basic special school for pupils with hearing and speech difficulties within the Ghana Education Service set up. The school was set up in August 1966 by Dr. Seth Tetteh Ocloo, a hearing impaired person.

A cross-section of students of the Dr. Seth Tetteh-Ocloo state school for the Deaf with their presents at the event.

2017-03-15 163358
Johannesburg (AFP) - More than 17 million of the poorest South Africans could lose their welfare payments within weeks in a government dispute that the country's top judge said Wednesday displayed "absolute incompetence".

The system of distributing money to nearly one third of the population is close to collapse after the Social Security Agency (SASSA) failed in its vow to take on the delivery contract.

The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday heard an application asking for the court to intervene and ensure that the payments are made after March 31.

Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has been under fierce attack for denying there was a looming crisis, which could damage support for the ruling ANC party among millions of poor voters.

"I genuinely want to understand how we get to this level... that can be characterised as absolute incompetence?" Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said at the hearing.

South Africa pays out around 140 billion rand ($10.7 billion) a year in grants to vulnerable people including pensioners, unemployed mothers and the disabled.

The payments have been outsourced to a private company Cash Paymaster Services (CPS), whose contract expires at the end of March.

Members of the ANC Women's League shout their support on March 15, 2017, for embattled Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini in a government dispute that could see millions of poor South Africans lose welfare payments

But the contract was ruled unlawful in 2014 by the Constitutional Court, which unsuccessfully ordered a new one to be negotiated.

"The beneficiaries still do not know what will happen," Geoff Budlender, a lawyer representing the Black Sash action group that brought the application, told the court.

"There is simply no explanation at all for the minister's actions and for her inactions.

"The court is the last resort which the beneficiaries... have to ensure that they get their rights and they don't go hungry."

Andrew Breitenbach, lawyer for SASSA and Dlamini, argued that the government had not been negligent but admitted his clients had failed to fulfil their pledge to take over the contract.

The African National Congress party, which led the struggle against apartheid, came to power in 1994 under Nelson Mandela but has lost support in recent years.

Led by President Jacob Zuma, the ANC recorded its worst ever election results in local polls last year while remaining the country's biggest party.

South Africa will hold a general election next year.


The United Nations Programme for HIV&AIDS (UNAIDS) has called for a campaign against HIV stigmatization and discrimination of all forms in Ghana.

According to the programme, HIV stigmatization and discrimination, which remains widespread particularly in the health-care setting, creates a serious barrier to access to HIV services.

A recent Stigma Index study shows that People Living with HIV across the country persistently experience various forms of stigma and discrimination due to structural and social factors, with the worst forms of stigma being gossip and verbal insults (63% and 79% respectively).

The study also showed that in an attempt to avoid stigmatization in their local communities, some PLHIVs incur additional travel costs to treatment centers elsewhere.

Addressing the press at the UNAIDS-led global observance of Zero Discrimination Day, UNAIDS Country Director, Girmay Haile, stressed the need for Ghana to create an enabling environment and space that allows for in-depth discussions on stigma and discrimination against targeted groups.

Because, a nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable, he said. Discrimination doesn't just hurt individuals; it hurts everyone, whereas welcoming and embracing diversity in all its forms brings benefits for all, he added.

Mr. Girmay said the country's fast-truck targets of 90-90-90 cannot be achieved if issues related to stigma and discrimination are not properly discussed and addressed from all sections of the society.

He therefore called for the issue of stigma to be addressed through the enactment and enforcement of relevant laws and policies such as the passage of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, which provides anti-stigma provisions to promote and protect the rights of PLHIV as well as ameliorate the socio-economic consequences of the HIV epidemic on individuals and society as a whole.

Mr. Emmanuel Beluzebr, President of NAP+ Ghana called on traditional rulers to use their customary powers to ensure that discrimination against persons living with HIV in their traditional areas are stopped.

Mr. Victor Ntumi, President of GHANET noted that more actions needed to be taken by government and the relevant state agencies to fully apply the laws against stigma and discrimination in order to protect the rights and freedoms of PLHIV and Most At Risk Populations.

#Art2EndAIDS Competition

The #Art2EndAIDS Competition and Exposition end AIDS, a collaborative campaign between UNAIDS and The Moremi Initiative, was also launched on Zero Discrimination Day.

The #Art2EndAIDS is an initiative under the Ghana Protect the Goal Campaign which is aimed at addressing  On the FastTrack to End HIV/AIDS, a global UNAIDS strategy.

Young people in Ghana are invited to submit paintings, drawings or sculptures as entries for the competition.

Winners will receive rewards and selected art pieces will be exhibited through the country.

By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri


Dr. Alejandro Badia, MD, F.A.C.S. hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon of the United States, will travel to the Eastern Region of Koforidua, on March 17th, 2017 to carry out a medical mission at the St. Joseph Hospital.

Dr. Badia, who is also the former president of the International Society for Sport Traumatology of the Hand (ISSPORTH) and founder of Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNow, along with a Swiss surgical team led by Dr. Philippe Cuenod, from Geneva, will carry out specialized surgical operations which require their expertise.

They will also transfer skills and share the latest advancements of upper extremity surgeries with the St. Joseph Hospital's medical staff.

The puropose of the team's visit to Ghana is to enhance the quality of orthopedic care for Ghanaian patients.

Although Ghana's population exceeds 28 million people, fewer than 40 orthopedic surgeons provide care for the entire country, which is rapidly developing economically.

I am thrilled of the opportunity to join Dr. Cuendon and his team during this medical mission to Ghana. My goal is help train locals to care for their own people as well as be an international resource, and tie to USA, for colleagues regarding complex orthopedic issues, particularly of hand and upper limb, stated Dr. Badia.

The programme is funded under the Gruppo Internazionale di Chirurghi Amici della Mano founded by Marco Lanzetta.
Dar es Salaam (AFP) - A top Tanzanian television presenter has been suspended, along with eight fellow employees of the main state-run channel, for relaying fake news in which US President Donald Trump praised his Tanzanian counterpart.

In the fake news item, run this weekend, Trump describes Tanzania's President John Magufuli as an example for other African leaders.

TBC1 regrets "a lack of professionalism which led to the dissemination of false information," the channel's head Ayub Rioba Chacha said in a Swahili-language statement.

The nine employees involved, including celebrated reporter/presenter Gabriel Zacharia, would have avoided the problem if they had stuck to the editorial rules, he added.

The offending item was taken from a fake news website.

In the fake online article Trump hails Magufuli and his fight against corruption, presenting him as "an African hero" and an example to other regional leaders accused of "doing nothing".

Magufuli, who came to power in 2015, has been nicknamed "tingatinga", meaning "bulldozer" in Swahili.

He began his presidency by sweeping the streets on independence day and summarily firing government officials suspected of ineptitude or corruption.

He has also sacked latecomer civil servants during surprise visits to their offices and banned first class tickets, expensive foreign travel and costly "per diem" allowances for officials.

To his detractors Magufuli is authoritarian and populist.

His administration has shut down newspapers, banned opposition rallies, switched off live broadcasts of parliamentary sessions and applied a draconian "cyber crimes" law to jail critics.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as misplaced governments announcement of additional 54 ministers Wednesday.

NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not need a huge team to improve the economic fortunes of the country.

Speaking to Gifty Andoh on The Pulse on JOYNEWS, he said the appointment of more ministers by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos shows he doesnt understand governance.

They dont know what they are talking about. They should proceed to appoint one minister, one district and one minister, one constituency, he said, mocking the President's 2016 election campaign's one district, one factory, and one village, one dam mantra.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

The President has announced a list of 50 deputy Ministers and four (4) Ministers of state, bringing the total number of Ministerial appointees in the government to 110.

Some of the Ministries especially Agriculture, Information, Energy and Local Government, have been assigned three (3) deputy Ministers with others having two deputy Ministers.

Sections of Ghanaians have taken to social media to register their displeasure with the decision christening it "the biggest government in the history of the country."

Some of the new Ministers

Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, has explained at a news conference that government considered the mismanaged nature of the economy before making the appointments.

He said Ghanaians should prefer a President who will assemble a "huge team of competent people" than the one who will appoint a small number of Ministers who will misapply state funds.

But Mr Asiedu Nketia has said the huge team of ministers appointed by the President will put unnecessary pressure on the public purse.

The additional Ministers, he said would all be given police escorts, land cruisers, salaries and saloon cars which he desribed as needless.

You dont come out and say that because there is a problem with the economy so you need more ministers, he said, cautioning government to cut down the number of appointees.

Mr Asiedu Nketia said it is appropriate for an NDC government to appoint more ministers because it believes in a bigger government, but not an NPP government.

Everybody knows that when you say you are a liberal government then you believe in a smaller government, but not a bigger the government, he said.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brako-Powers | [email protected]
President Akufo-Addo is the first head of state in the 4th Republic to have more than a hundred (100) ministers serve in his government.

He has beaten his predecessor, John Mahama, by 26 appointees. John Mahama had 84 ministers  deputies included.

This development comes after Nana Addo named 50 deputy ministers and 4 new ministers of state today [Wednesday], March 15, 2017, bringing the total to 110 ministers.

The number includes those appointed as Regional ministers, deputy regional ministers, substantive ministers and their deputies, and ministers of state at the presidency/ministry.

See the infographic below for a comparison between President Akufo-Addo and former President, John Mahama.

NB: Akufo-Addos ministers of state (Presidency/Ministry) number include ministers for security and parliamentary affairs.



By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @jnyabor
Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, and Deputy Majority Leader, Adwoa Sarfo, has been appointed a Minister of State at the presidency in charge of Public Procurement.

Her name was among a list of four new ministers of state that was presented to Parliament for vetting and approval.

The other three ministers of state appointed include, Minister of State at the Office of the President, Brian Acheampong, Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nurah Gyeile and Minister of State at the Ministry of Education in charge of Tertiary Education, Kwesi Yankah.

This brings to 14, the number of persons appointed by President Nana Akufo-Addo as Ministers of State at the presidency, with 26 others serving as substantive ministers, bringing the number to 40.

The President also on Wednesday, named 50 persons as Deputy Ministers. In all, the President's ministerial appointments come to 110 , the highest since the fourth Republic.

What will be Adwoa Sarfo's role?

It is unclear what the role of Adwoa Sarfo would be at the Presidency in charge of Public Procurement, considering that the Public Procurement Authority already exists.

The NPP while in opposition argued that, sole sourcing allowed corruption, and benefited a privileged few in the NDC government.

Adwoa Safo, a professional lawyer with specialization in Procurement Law, is thus perhaps expected to push for major changes in public procurement.

She once worked as the first legal officer of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) for two (2) years, and was very instrumental in the formulation of the proposals that formed the basis for the creation of the Appeals and Complaint Panel of PPA, and the change of the name Public Procurement Board to Public Procurement Authority.

Adwoa Safo calls for more power for procurement authority

At a recent news conference in February, she advocated for the amendment of the public procurement act to give the Procurement Authority, the powers to conduct value for money auditing on sole-sourced projects.

She described as sad, revelations by the Auditor General's annual reports that 80 percent of the procurement malpractices are centred on sole sourcing.



By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
President Nana Addo's decision to appoint some 110 Ministers including deputies and regional ministers, has generated mixed reactions among Ghanaians who are mostly outraged by the move.

The President today [Wednesday], named 54 persons to serve as Ministers of State at the presidency/ministries, and deputy ministers in his government, bringing to 110, the number of ministers who will be serving under his administration.

This is the highest number of appointees any government has had since the fourth Republic.

Some Ghanaians who could not hide their frustration about the move, took to social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook, to express their concerns.

Many suggested that the President in most cases was rewarding party loyalty by giving out positions, instead of having in mind the larger national interest.

Below are samples of social media reactions

The view generally is that, the move will only burden the public purse considering that side the salaries and benefits, all these officials will retire with huge amounts as ex-gratia.

Information Minister Mustapha Hamid, has said Nana Addo did not any point promise a lean government, urging Ghanaians to judge them by efficiency and not the size of the government.



By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

Follow @EfeAnsah
Abuja (AFP) - Nigeria's Senate on Wednesday rejected the appointment of President Muhammadu Buhari's nominee to head the country's anti-graft agency, in a blow to the government's war on corruption.

Buhari rode to power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform and appointed Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But the Senate refused to approve Magu's official appointment, citing internal security reports that accuse him of corruption.

aZ"Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stance of the current government," Senator Dino Melaye said, quoting from a report by the Department of State Services.

Buhari had previously cleared Magu after investigating the allegations in the reports, which have not been made public.

Anti-corruption campaigners say that the politicisation of Magu's appointment -- what is normally a routine approval -- highlights how difficult it is to tackle endemic graft in Nigeria, one of Africa's top oil and gas producers.

"The current chairman is leaving no stone unturned," said Debo Adeniran of the Lagos-based Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, explaining that many senate members are being probed in connection with graft.

"They don't want him (Magu) to complete all the investigations that are going on," Adeniran told AFP.

"Basically, it's a vindictive approach that the Senate is carrying out," he said, adding "it's demoralising."

Buhari was elected two years ago vowing to stop the plunder of state funds by corrupt politicians and public officials in the country of 180 million people.

The main opposition party, however, has accused him of conducting a political witch-hunt because many of those arrested and charged were opposition party members or served in the previous administration.
Nairobi (AFP) - The seizing of the Aris 13 tanker and its Sri Lankan crew on Monday -- the first successful attack by Somali pirates since 2012 -- came as little surprise to John Steed of the Oceans Beyond Piracy campaign group.

International naval patrols and anti-piracy measures on commercial ships have practically eradicated Somali piracy since its peak in early 2011.

But the poverty and other factors motivating the pirates have not disappeared and some ships may be letting their guard drop.

"The question wasn't really if an attack was going to happen, the question was when," Steed, who heads the Horn of Africa section of the non-governmental organisation (NGO), told AFP.

Somali piracy not beaten?

Steed says the international community took significant steps to improve security, boosting naval forces in the area and requiring ships to take protection measures. These included reporting in and out of high risk areas, sailing at top speed as far away as possible from the coast and travelling with armed escorts.

"Hundreds of pirates were arrested, others gave up, and we hadn't had an attack of a commercial ship for five years," he said.

"But the one thing that's not really been addressed is the real root cause of this, which is poverty and the lack of jobs on the ground. There's also a drought, so there's no food, no water."

Illegal fishing in Somali waters, often by ships from Southeast Asia, feeds resentment among locals, who have seen outsiders looting their resources, Steed said.

"We've been warning that the pirates haven't gone away, they've just been doing other things, they're smuggling all sorts of goods, like weapons. And when the opportunity came to take a ship, they've taken it."

Shipping firms got sloppy?

After five years without a successful attack, Steed said, complacency may have set in.

"It's human, companies will say to the captain 'don't use so much fuel, sail more slowly, take the shortest possible route from A to B' -- it saves money and fuel," he said.

Sometimes crews will ask the captain to sail close to the coast so they have phone network coverage to communicate with their families, he said, and naval forces are under pressure to redeploy to higher profile areas such as the Mediterranean.

"Without any pirate attack for five years, the number of assets and resources available to international naval forces are less than they were at the height of piracy," he said.

Steed said the Aris 13 made itself very vulnerable.

"This ship took a shortcut and sailed close to the coast," he said. "They were an opportunity target, sailing slow, sailing close to the coast, no protection, no armed guards. It was an accident waiting to happen."

More attacks?

"There is a potential for copycat attacks. If this one was to be successful, possibly with ransom money, other pirate groups might try the same thing," Steed warned.

Shipping must get back to following proper security procedures, he said, and for a long-term solution the problems of Somali fishermen must be addressed.
Parliament has approved the Akufo-Addo governments 2017 budget, amidst protests from the Minority Members of Parliament.

According to the Minority, the House lacked the quorum at the time of the budget approval.

In a Citi News interview, the Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak accused the Speaker of Parliament, Mike Ocquaye of exhibiting bias in the matter.

Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak

What he did was very unfortunate and we are considering whether we should not come with a substantive motion about the conduct of the Speaker, Mr. Mubarak said.

With the greatest respect to him what he did was wrong. He abused the Minority which was just not fair. We are going into a caucus meeting to determine whether we can come using our rules.

The Minority Chief Whip also suggested that Majority MPs were not serious about government business.

If they knew they were going to approve their policy, by 10 am, all the 169 Majority MPs should have been here. We should not have been struggling with the numbers, he stated.

Ken Ofori-Atta, Finance Minister

The passing of the budget followed the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta presenting four Bills to Parliament for the proposed tax cuts in the 2017 budget.

The bills presented were; the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, Special Petroleum Tax (Amendment) Bill, Special Import (Amendment) Bill and Customs and Excise (Petroleum Taxes and the Petroleum Related Levies (Repeal) Bill.

The 2017 budget is seeking to abolish and review some 12 key taxes but the proposed tax cuts by the minister can only take effect after it has received parliamentary approval through amendments of existing Bills.



By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Johannesburg (AFP) - The South African government on Wednesday said it was offering to pay 1.17 billion rand ($91 billion) in compensation to victims of a 2012 police shooting that left 34 mineworkers dead and dozens wounded.

"The 1.17 billion rand presented here is an amount linked to a certain number of individualsas loss of supportas injuries and of course fatalities," Police Minister Minister Nathi Nhleko told lawmakers.

The amount will cover 652 claims made by families who lost breadwinners, miners who were injured and those who were unlawfully arrested.

The 34 miners were gunned down after police were deployed to break up a wildcat strike that had turned violent at the Lonmin-owned Marikana platinum mine northwest of Johannesburg in August 2012.

It was the worst police violence in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.

An official inquiry established by President Jacob Zuma put much of the blame for the massacre on police tactics used to disperse the strikers, but it did not go as far as recommending compensation.

Last year Zuma announced that government was ready to pay damages.

The police minister did not state when the claims would be settled saying the process depended on the finalisation of legal processes.

A senior police official, Nashee Sewpersadh, told lawmakers that the offers had in principle been accepted.
Mogadishu (AFP) - Britain's foreign minister, Boris Johnson, made a surprise visit to Somalia on Wednesday, conferring with leaders on its security problems and a devastating drought ahead of a conference in London.

Johnson met the new president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, in the centre of the capital Mogadishu, Somali sources and the British foreign office said separately.

He also saw a demonstration of training provided by the British military to the Somali army and the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) force, the British statement said.

Johnson also visited an operations centre coordinating action to combat Somalia's drought, met regional leaders and lawmakers and joined training aimed at improving the Somali justice system, it added.

Aid agencies say the drought has left about three million people in crisis, adding to the problems of a country battling jihadist insurgents.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in February that Somalia risks facing its third famine in 25 years. The last one, in 2011, killed an estimated 260,000 people.

More than 6.2 million people -- half the population -- need urgent humanitarian aid, according to the WHO.

Somalia, which declared a "national disaster" over the drought on February 28, is among three nations on the verge of famine, along with Yemen and Nigeria. In South Sudan, 100,000 people are already in famine conditions. Overall, more than 20 million people face starvation in the four countries.

Johnson's visit to Somalia had not been announced for security reasons.

It started a tour of East Africa and after Mogadishu he headed to Uganda.

He will then visit Ethiopia and Kenya, "where he will be discussing regional security, prosperity and the upcoming London Somalia Conference on May 11, 2017 and the Commonwealth Summit in April 2018," his office said.

An AFP journalist in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, said Johnson met President Yoweri Museveni, and thanked him for Uganda's support for AMISOM.

AMISOM has been deployed to back Somalia's internationally-backed administration in fighting the Shabaab jihadist militia.

The force has 22,000 troops, of whom 6,200 are Ugandan, the largest single contribution. The country last June announced it intended to pull out its troops in December 2017.
Construction companies in Lagos are numerous. Building contractors in Lagos provide a great variety of services to create the building of your dream. Making trust is a big issue in the construction business, and experience in this business also plays a significant role.

Construction companies in Lagos state

Nevertheless, it should be noted that modern technologies and innovations in constructions also a matter of respect. Therefore, what companies should be placed in Top 9 Construction companies in Lagos Nigeria?

Construction Business

Construction companies in Lagos state

Companies in Nigeria have been struggling through the hard times. Business in Nigeria has always been a hard choice due to the unstable political and economic situation. Therefore, a company with decades of experience in the Nigerian building market is a rare jade. Still, it does not mean that new players can`t compete with veterans. Technologies and innovations have always been needed in the construction market. Therefore, new companies with clear and fresh view on the construction business are always welcome in Nigeria. Still, who is better? Experienced veteran or an innovative newbie? Check the Top 9 Building Companies in Lagos.

Top 9 Construction Companies in Lagos

I.T.B Construction Limited

Construction companies in Lagos state

It`s a construction company with headquarters in Lagos. The company specialize in civil construction and engineering. It`s a part of Chagoury Group. This branch of the business was established in 1995. The company also wants to increase development and training expertise of African specialists. It currently has more than one thousand employees. I.T.B Construction Limited worked on projects, like Construction of 82 Division Army Headquarters, Society General Bank, Oil Tank Facilities

Brunelli Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited

Construction companies in Lagos state

Brunelli Construction Company is a branch of Picollo Brunelli and CO. This Italian company has been in Nigerian construction market since 1972. The company specialises in concrete electric poles construction, canal dredging, drainage construction, shore protection works and jetties construction. They also work with water treatment plant projects. The headquarters of the company are stationed in Lagos.

Costain West Africa PLC

Construction companies in Lagos state

Costain West Africa PLC has been incorporated into the African building business. It`s one of the leading construction companies in Lagos. They are present in five business operating segments:

Civil Engineering  building of airports, bridges, railways, roads and dams.

Homes  home construction segment.

Furniture  production of furniture and joinery.

Gas and Oil  construction of Gas and Oil facilities.

Rail  Rail construction.

The company has more than eleven hundred employees.

READ ALSO: Banana island houses: Why are they so expensive?

El-Alan Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited

Construction companies in Lagos state

It`s a Limited Liability Company that was created in 1982. For today it`s one of the most fast-growing and dynamic construction companies in Lagos. Their primary spheres were subcontract works and renovations, but with the development of the company`s name, they shifted to full construction works. E-Alan partners with many international companies to promote their services. Their projects include Techno Oil, Semovita factory, Tango Towers, Gorilla building.

Cappa and D`Alberto PLC

Construction companies in Lagos state

It`s one of the oldest construction companies in Lagos Nigeria. Their history begins in 1932. The company founders were Pietro Carlo Cappa and Vigino D`Alberto from Piedmont in Northern Italy. Cappa and D`Alberto PLC is still a part of Nigerian-Italian construction syndicate. Their main projects are Diamond bank in Lekki Lagos, Mobil House in Victoria Island, Bella`s Place in Victoria Island, Central Bank of Nigeria branch office in Victoria Island.

Buildstruct Advance Builder Company

Construction companies in Lagos state

Buildstruct Advance Builder LTD. is a registered construction company stationed in Lagos. Their main spheres of the building are commercial, residential and civil. They provide services, like real estate development, building engineering, building consultancy, building project management. It`s a new company on the market, but they have built their reputation on accomplishing small and large scale projects across the country, which provides them with a place in the Top 9.

Energobuilding Construction Limited

Construction companies in Lagos state

Energobuilding Construction Limited is a private company which focuses on building construction and engineering. This company is a full member of the Federation of the construction industry. It`s also a member of British safety council. They provide service, like building construction, building renovation, hotel construction, building designing, building consultancy, construction engineering.

Reynolds Construction Company

Construction companies in Lagos state

Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary company of SBI International Holdings. Their main headquarters are stationed in Switzerland. They specialize in asphalt concrete production, aggregates production, hydrotechnical development. Among their projects are the Construction of a New Chancery for South African Embassy, Katampe District Extension and around 20 roads projects.

Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

Construction companies in Lagos state

It`s one of the oldest building contractors in Lagos. They are experts in marine and civil constructions. Among their projects are Eko bridge in Lagos, the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, the National assembly phase 3. It`s one of the most vision oriented companies in Lagos.

READ ALSO: hurches in Nigeria - Top 5 most beautiful

Source: Legit.ng
There are numerous Orthodox churches in Nigeria today. The Orthodox mission in the country began as an ethnic need for the hundreds of Greek and Cypriot immigrants who had relocated to Nigeria. The first Orthodox church in Nigeria was built decades before the colonial era. Since then, the mission has expanded tremendously and now has many churches across the country.

The inside of a large cathedral. Photo: pixabay.com, @Tama66

Source: UGC

The building of the first Orthodox Church in Nigeria was facilitated by a Cypriot family known as the Levedis. It was dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ.

Examples of orthodox churches in Nigeria

The Orthodox Church is the second-largest Christian church in the world, with over 220 million baptized converts. Here is a list of Orthodox churches in Nigeria and some fascinating facts about them.

1. Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos

The Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos, is among the oldest and most popular churches in Nigeria. In 2017, the church marked its 150th anniversary. The church's current building was designed in 1924, with construction beginning in 1925. This was to relocate the church from its previous ancient building, constructed in 1867.

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Interesting facts

Dr Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a formerly enslaved Yoruba man, became the first bishop of the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos.

Dr Samuel Ajayi Crowther's relics were transferred to the cathedral in 1976.

2. Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul

A view inside a church. Photo: pixabay.com, @Skitterphoto

Source: UGC

It is hard to come across a list of names of churches in Nigeria that does not mention The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. It is a church located in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State. It is the seat of the Diocese of Abeokuta. The church was started by the Fathers of the Society of African Missions (SMA) in 1880. In 1997, it was elevated to cathedral status.

Interesting facts

It is among the oldest Nigerian churches, having existed for over 140 years.

The cathedral has numerous entrances and a high, curved ceiling.

3. St. George Coptic Orthodox Church

The universal Coptic Orthodox Church is widely believed to be the oldest church in the world. It was founded by St. Mark the Evangelist, author of the second gospel in Alexandria, Egypt, in the year 61 A.D. The word 'Copt' means Egyptian.

The first Coptic Orthodox Church in Nigeria was built in Lagos in 2005. The newest one is the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Calabar.

Interesting facts

It has its roots in Egypt and the Apostle Mark

Coptic originates from a Greek word that means Egyptian.

The Coptic Church currently has over 10 million church members.

4. Antioch Christian Evangelical Assembly

The Antioch Christian Evangelical Assembly was built in honour of St Ignatius of Antioch, who was arrested and killed by Roman soldiers. He died as a martyr at a Roman arena. His death was meant to be a lesson to Christians, but it encouraged them. The church is situated at 82 Old Ojo Rd, Amuwo, Lagos, Nigeria.

Interesting facts

Ignatius referred to himself as Theophorous or the God-bearer.

Ignatius was the third bishop of the church at Antioch.

5. Saint Nectarius Orthodox Church

Saint Nectarius Orthodox Church is a Greek-based church and part of the African patriarchate. St Nectarius was a Greek martyr and one of the seven missionaries sent by Pope Fabian from Rome to Gaul to spread Christianity there.

Interesting facts

The head of this church is catechist Rom Nwankwo

Besides being a missionary, Saint Nectarius was a philanthropist and writer.

6. Saint John the Chrysostom

An expansive church hall. Photo: pixabay.com, @ddzphoto

Source: UGC

The church was started in Antioch by three hierarchs named St John Chrysostom, St Gregory the theologian, and St Basil the great. John Chrysostom was an important Early Church Father who served as archbishop of Constantinople. He is known for his preaching and public speaking and his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders.

Interesting facts

The three hierarchs are all celebrated on the 30th of January each year.

It was previously known as the Church of Assumption of Mary

It is located in Anambra State.

7. Annunciation of the Theotokos Orthodox Church

The church is named after one of the most incredible feasts in the Christian church. The Annunciation of the Theotokos is one of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church. It is third in the list of Great Feasts, after the Nativity of the Lord and Holy Theophany. It means a celebration of the great news of the birth of Christ.

Interesting facts

The feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos is dedicated to women and mothers

The church is located in Edo State

8. St. Archangels Orthodox Church

The St Archangels church can be found in numerous parts of the world, Nigeria included. The church is named after the three archangels, namely Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael. Archpriest Loannis Okolo currently heads the church in Nigeria.

Interesting facts

The archangels after whom the church is named are said to defeat Satan in the Apocalypse and are the princes of the angelic hierarchy.

The Nigerian church is located in Neni, Anambra

9. Temple in the Name of St Christopher

The church has a picture of the famous St Christopher on the door. The congregants believe that you will not meet accidental death on any day you gaze upon the image. St Christopher is said to have been very handsome, so he asked God to disfigure him so to avoid temptations, and it was done to him.

Interesting facts

St Christopher is said to have carried Christ on his shoulders in the form of a child.

Some women were sent to persuade St Christopher to deny Christ cunningly, but they left as Christians.

10. The Pan-African Orthodox Church

Beautiful church walls. Photo: pixabay.com, @1899441

Source: UGC

The Pan-African Orthodox Church was established in 1967 in Detroit, Michigan. Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr. founded the church to institutionalize the Israelite legacy. The church has left an indelible mark on black people, especially in terms of their collective consciousness and the establishment of institutions that work for their good.

Interesting facts

The church is also known as the Shrine of the Black Madonna

It is primarily based on the ancient Israelite legacy

How is Orthodox different from Catholic?

The Catholic Church largely believes the Pope to be infallible in matters of doctrine. Orthodox believers, on the other hand, reject the infallibility of the Pope and consider him human and, therefore, subject to error.

Is Greek Orthodox the same as Catholic?

No, it is not. Roman Catholic is also known as Western Catholic and differs in doctrine from the Eastern Catholic, also known as the Greek Orthodox Church.

Does Orthodox have a pope?

The Pope greeting followers. Photo: pixabay.com, @Annett_Klingner

Source: UGC

The church has no central doctrinal or governmental authority equivalent to the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope.

Which country has the most Orthodox Christians?

Eastern Orthodoxy is the predominant religion in Russia, where 77% of the citizens are part of the church.

What are Orthodox beliefs?

Orthodoxy believes that the Christian Faith and the church are inseparable. They believe that it is not possible to know Christ, to share in the life of the Holy Trinity, or to be considered a Christian except through the church.

Why did Catholic and Orthodox split?

The split, commonly known as the Great Schism, came about due to a complex mix of religious disagreements and political conflicts, including the use of unleavened bread as a sacrament.

Which is the largest religion in the world?

Christianity is the world's largest religion, with approximately 2.382 billion followers.

There are various Orthodox churches in Nigeria. These are spread across the country and vary in numerous aspects, such as size, year of establishment, and leadership.

READ ALSO: Old-school activities for church services the congregation will enjoy

Legit.ng recently published an article about some of the most interesting old-school activities that a church congregation can enjoy. Are you looking to spice up your church services but don't know where to start? You can try some old-school activities for the church members.

There are numerous tried-and-true fun activities to do at church that your congregation will enjoy. Whether you use these at every service or only occasionally, they are sure to bring smiles and laughter to the people in your church.

Source: Legit.ng
There are many traditional practices in Nigeria. Even if Nigeria is a part of the civilized world with modern economy and society, some tribes still prefer to live according to the ancient customs. Still, these traditions can be violent and unethical for the modern world. According to the Anti Child Abuse Society in Nigeria, many harmful cultural practices work directly against children. Should these traditions be stopped as the relics of the past?

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

African tribes have many dangerous traditions. One of the most problematic questions for this region of the planet is violence against children and women. They usually become victims of harmful traditional practices in Nigeria, Cameroon, South Africa and many other countries of Africa.

Top 20 Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Efidan tradition

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Efidan is one of the types of harmful traditional incision. Efidan translates as cutting. This tradition is still used in the rural areas of Nigeria. For the tribes, cutting is a part of adolescent traditions. Parents usually cut their children when they reach puberty. For women, scars needed to decorate their body and be more sexually appeal to men. For men, scars and cuttings serve the same purpose, and through them, they show that they are ready to take responsibility for a family.

The problem is that cuttings are made by people who knows nothing about medicine or by children themselves, which leads to the blood loss and even death. Moreover, instruments for cutting are not sterilized properly which can lead to the variety of diseases, HIV and AIDS. The Anti Child Abuse Society of Africa stands for stopping Efidan or at least monitoring it by local authorities.

Nutrition violence

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Sometimes children do not desire to eat food, but parents want them to eat  what should they do in this case? Some parents in the Gwaris, Yorubas and Hausas found a violent solution to this problem. If a child does not want to swallow watery food, then the parents or caregivers put the kid`s head between legs, close the nostrils and provide food to the mouth when the kid opens it. If the kids are crying during this procedure, then it`s a good sign for a parent to feed them. Nevertheless, these cultural practices of delivering food may lead to choking, chemical pneumonitis and aspiration pneumonia.

Forced marriage

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Child marriage is a very common cultural practices in some Nigerian tribes. The main victims of early marriage are young girls. The marriage age for them is considered to be around 12 years old. Still, some girls enter the puberty period in the house of the husband. Sometimes they can be married to a man much older, then they are. The violence occurs when a girl refuses to marry or have sex with a husband. They have to suffer from the pregnancy in the young age and suffer from obstructive labor. Young girls can be bought directly from the parents. Many of the children are given free to marriage for future economic and political benefits.

Children`s labor

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Occupational violence is a part of harmful traditional practices in Igboland. Children under age of 12 have to work on the farms against their will. They can work regardless climatic conditions. This practice is common in the forest and farm regions of Nigeria. Still, parents send their children to work as they believe it will help them to secure a job position in the future. Therefore, children do not go to school and have to work without proper protection. Public organizations and UN attorneys investigate cases of forced children labor in Nigeria.

Blood vengeance

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

UN Study on Violence in Africa provides facts of blood vengeance in some tribes. This tradition is based on the religion basis. If one member of the family harms a member of another family, then the whole family can pay a death price for the actions of one member. These cultural practices stand against law in Nigeria. Still, it does not stop these traditions. Families still have grudges and they prefer to solve their problems not in the courts. Therefore, Nigeria suffers from brutal murders in rural areas of the country.

Son preferences over daughters

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Sons preferences can take many forms in cultural practices of tribes in Nigeria. This custom is rooted in gender inequality. According to this custom, families see the continuity of the lineage in men rather than women. Therefore, families see girls as not a part of the family. They justify the fact of the girls` abuse as they will be a part of the husband`s family. Therefore, these families see their main goal as to feed girls up until the age when they are ready to give birth to children. When girls reach the necessary age they can be married forcedly to a man.

Arranged Marriage

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

This custom may not be harmful for a body, but forced marriage can be harmful for a soul. The arranged marriage is one of the widespread harmful traditional practices in Africa. Parents make arrangement that they children will marry at the certain age. Some of these arranged marriages become successful while others can be disastrous. According to these cultural practices, children have no freedom in choosing their life partners. Therefore, children become hostages of political and economic games of adults. Children who resist forced marriage can be severely punished not only by parents but also by the family of the future husband or wife.

Female Genital Mutilation

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

This practice is also known as female circumcision. It`s one of the cultural practices, where a female child has to go through the procedure of partial or total removal of the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Some cultures in Africa see this tradition as a part of becoming a woman. Therefore, young girls undergo the procedure during the puberty period. Female Genital Mutilation is believed to be made to ensure women`s virginity. Some tribe cultures see external female organs as an unclean. Therefore, they believe that they clean they girls with mutilation of the organs.

Bride Kidnapping

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

It`s also one of the cultural practices of forced marriage. The main victims of this tradition are young women. They can be kidnapped by an individual or a group of individuals. Kidnapped women do not have an option to refuse the marriage. If they refuse to a proposal, then their families will be marked as shameful. Therefore, kidnapped women have no choice then to marry their kidnappers. Still, some women can choose more radical options, they can commit a suicide. UN express concerns about women kidnapping in Africa.

READ ALSO: Sharia law in Nigerian constitution

Virginity test

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

It`s one of the old cultural traditions in Africa. Virgin girls in tribes are defined as clean and pure. Girls who did not save their virginity up to the marriage can be treated horribly. Virginity tests in Africa tribes can have various forms. According to the traditions, a girl can be defined as virgin if she has an intact hymen, innocent eyes, the tightness of muscles behind the knees and tight breasts. Some tribes also examine male virginity. According to some traditional tests, a boy defines as a virgin if he has a thick foreskin and can urinate over one-meter-high fence with no hands.

Breast ironing

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Breast ironing is one of the harmful tradition practices in Africa. This practice is performed by a mother on a pubescent daughter. With use of grinding stones, spatulas and hot stones a mother irons a daughter`s breast. According to some sources, African women firstly started to use this practice to prevent sexual abuse and beginning of sexual life for girls. On the contrary, it does not prevent girls from becoming sexually active, but it leads to an inability to produce breast milk.

Witch burning

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Life of African tribes is always connected with survival. Moreover, African people are deeply religious, and the desperate times they are ready for desperate and foolish measures. Communities in Africa might experience various types of disaster, like long dry season, illness of tribe members, the death of cattle. Nevertheless, instead of seeking logical reasons of these issues, they tend to believe that it can be sorcery. Therefore, they burn innocent people to illuminate the sorcery is one the most harmful traditional practices in Africa.

Dowry violence

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

It can be treated as a part of the long-standing tradition, but it`s another useful phrase for this is bribing the family of the future bride. Dowry may include money, gifts, property or goods. Moreover, the worst thing in this situation is that a woman is treated like a staff. Her price is estimated by characteristics, like youth, fertility and virginity. The family of the woman can treat her not like a person, but like a slave with no permit to say no to a future husband.

Acid attacks

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

It`s another harmful tradition which came to Nigeria from Arabic world. Acid attack is an act where an attacker throws acid to the body or face of a victim. Acid attacks are a part of home violence in closed Muslim communities in Nigeria. Usual victims of acid attacks are women under age 25. The acid attacks resulted in the face scars, loss of eyesight body burning and even death. Moreover, it will also lead to a psychological trauma.

Wife inheritance traditions

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

According to the laws of some African tribe, a widow may not inherit the property of a husband. Moreover, a widow can be inherited by her husband`s kinsman, like brother, father or even son. Therefore, she becomes a wife of another man and has to provide matrimonial duties to her next husband.

Sometimes, relatives of the husband can claim a widow to cleanse the name of the husband. The community may decide how to cleanse the husband, and the range of cleansing methods are various. It can be having sexual intercourse with a social outcast, a trip to the wilds and sleep over with her husbands corpse.

Polygamy

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Polygamy is a practice of marrying more than one person. Still, in African tribes, this is connected more with polygyny. It`s a situation when a man can marry to multiple women, where a woman can marry only once. Therefore, women in this situation are highly dependent on men. It raises a question of women`s right in such types of families.

Forced pregnancy

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Regarding war and conflicts preserving community is highly important. Therefore, women in these situations are seen as tools of continuation of the lineage. Nevertheless, they are not asked to bear a child. They usually become victims of rapes and forced impregnations. The sides of the conflicts see the man semen as a continuation of the community. Therefore, if a man impregnates a woman from another tribe, she and her child become a part of the man`s community.

Stoning of Women

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Stoning is capital punishment for women. It`s performed by non-state actors. Usually, a woman is buried up to the neck with no ability to move. The executioners throw rocks to the head of the condemned. It leads to a slow and painful death for a woman. It is one of the harmful traditional practices in Nigeria that can be seen in Muslim communities. Typical accusations for women, in this case, are infidelity, disobedience, and infertility.

Honor crimes

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Honor crimes involve physical or mental abuse, murder, exile, forced marriage of a member of a family to save the family. They can be committed against men and women. They are a subject of legal prosecution in Nigeria.

Male circumcision

Harmful traditional practices in Nigeria

Male circumcision is a part of many cultures in the world. Nevertheless, male circumcision in Nigerian tribes is a question not only ethical but also medical. Many male circumcision operations are carried not in the hospitals and not by sterile tools. Therefore, up to 40% of boys die due to infection after circumcision operations in tribes.

READ ALSO: Hausa hairstyles and their names

Source: Legit.ng
Hundreds of youths on Tuesday, March 14, stormed the Kaduna International Airport to receive former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to a report on The Punch, the youth under the aegis of the Kaduna Articulated and Atikucare Foundation, declared their support for the ex-vice president ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.

Atiku's presidential ambition gets huge nod as Kaduna youths storm Airport to receive him

It was gathered that Atiku was on his way to Abuja to see President Muhammadu Buhari, who arrived the country from medical vacation in the United Kingdom, when he was being received by the crowd.

Atiku, who could not resist the youths carrying placards, alighted from his car to attend to them.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards were  Kaduna articulated Sai Atiku, "we are in your support, Atiku 2019".

The youths later accompanied the vice presidents convoy to his Kaduna residence where several other well wishers were on the ground to welcome him.

Recall that not fewer than 300,000 youths had pledged support for the presidential bid of Atiku.

The huge support comes from a group called Concerned Nigerian Youth Development Organisation (CNYDO), which has endorsed Atiku as the right man to take over the job of ruling Nigeria from incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

Reactions trail Atiku's presidential ambition.

Source: Legit.ng
But for President Muhammadu Buharis intervention, the Senate was ready to boot out Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), the comptroller-general of customs.

The president, it was learnt, had further threatened to sacrifice any of his appointee who attempts to cause a friction between him and the National Assembly.

Hameed Ali reportedly ran to Saraki after Buhari's intervention

Vanguard reports that Buhari warned his appointees not to overheat the polity by creating avoidable friction between the executive and the legislature arms of government.

Ali later met with Saraki late Tuesday, March 14 after the latter had earlier written to the Senate that he would not be present at the Wednesday session to answer questions from the lawmakers.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Custom boss Ali arrives N'Assembly, holds private meeting with Saraki

At the time of this report, however, it was not known if Ali would now honour the invitation by the Senate.

The report said the meeting between Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara was called at the instance of the former who pleaded with the lawmakers and tried to see how to resolve the looming crisis.

Saraki and Dogara met with President Buhari over the issue

According to the report, President Buhari was not comfortable with the language of some of his appointees and he particularly told the customs boss that whoever loves him will not at this point in time orchestrate any scuttle between the executive and the legislature.

This was why, sensing the danger from Buhari, Ali ran to Saraki and reportedly regretted not honouring the Senates invitation, saying he was bereaved.

Ali was summoned over a new policy that wants owners of cars in Nigeria to have custom duties and the senators wanted him to appear in the official uniform of the Nigerian Customs Service which he had never worn since taking up the appointment to head the parastatal.

READ ALSO: Senate orders Hameed Ali to appear on Wednesday

Senate spokesperson, Abdullahi Sabi, had said: The subject matter for which we are summoning is not dire but critical to Nigerians.

We stand by the Nigerian people. The primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of Nigerians.

Any policy that infringes on the welfare and security of Nigerians is not a policy. The Nigerian Customs is being run in a way that Nigerians will pay for their inefficiencies.

You have done everything to buy a vehicle to give comfort to your family and somebody comes and tells you this  where is your customs duty?

Buhari reportedly warned his aides and appointees against causing any friction between the executive and the legislature

This is why the Senate is not in support of the policy. Its anti-people.

While reacting, some Nigerians praise the Senate for taking the action against Ali and the Nigerian Customs Service while others wondered if Ali must put on the uniform of the government parastatal.

Source: Legit.ng
Explosions in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, in the early hours of Wednesday, March 15 has left not fewer than six people dead.

Sahara Reporters writes that the explosions were caused by Boko Haram suicide bombers that detonated improvised explosive devices attached to their bodies.

The attack, it said, occurred at the Muna Garage in Maiduguri which was just recently attacked by the insurgents.

Boko Haram fighters are said to be stationed somewhere in Nigeria, according to factional leader Shekau

According to a Facebook user Medan Oukoh, who also posted a video of what was left of the bombers, the attack occurred at around 2.15am on Wednesday.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said in a statement that the attack was actually carried out by four female Boko Haram bombers at about 1.15am on Wednesday.

The suicide bombers and two other people were killed in the attack and an additional 16 people suffered injuries, NEMA said.

The statement by Mallam Abdulkareem Ibrahim, the information officer in charge of NEMA's Northeast zonal office, read:

Four female teenage suicide bombers and two other men died (6 people) when the four females detonated explosives at Usmanti along Mina Garage road at about 1. 15 am.

Sixteen people who got injured were administered with first aid by rescue workers before being transported to the State Specialist Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri Borno state.

The attack comes just a day after the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of the Islamist insurgent group released a video showing the gruesome and cold-blooded murder of three men it claimed were government spies that infiltrated it.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army probes attack on church by soldiers

In the 7-minute video, the insurgents also displayed large cache of high-grade military weapons including what appeared to be anti-aircraft missiles and boasted that it remains firmly in a place in the country that the Nigerian Army could not recapture.

Nigerians are not pleased with the latest attack. Many wonder when the bombings will stop while others are confident that Boko Haram's end is near.

But the Nigerian Army has been securing victories over the group as it continued clearance of the terrorist group's former hideouts in different places in Borno state.

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Just on Tuesday, March 14, the Army announced the take over of a logistics base in Shirawa in Kala Balge local government area of the state. The Army rescued 455 hostages and overpowered insurgent fighters in the process.

Source: Legit.ng
- The National Universities Commission (NUC) has started its plan to discredit all the courses offered by some specialized universities

- The commission's action comes two months after the federal government gave a directive warning all specialized universities not to offer course not included in their mandate

- The federal ministry of education had in a order advised these universities which were set up to offer specific courses in some sectors of the Nigerian economy

NUC has said that all specialized universities offering illegal courses should stick to their mandate

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has started its plan to discredit all the courses offered by some specialized universities, Premium Times reports.

The commission's action comes two months after the federal government gave a directive warning all specialized universities not to offer course not included in their mandate.

The federal ministry of education had in a order advised these universities which were set up to offer specific courses in some sectors of the Nigerian economy.

READ ALSO: Genius! See the first 'electric car' in Africa built by Nigerian university students that does not use fuel (photos, video)

These universities include universities of technology and agriculture.

But speaking on the matter, the director of information at the NUC Ibrahim Yakasai said the commission have had meeting with officials of the affected special universities.

Yakasai said the NUC met with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, vice chancellors of the specialized universities to harmonize the courses that were being offered by the institutions.

He said the schools affected brought their programs for review by the commission.

We are looking at the courses that are actually related to the mandates given to them, looking at the courses that are relevant for the Agriculture universities and those that are also relevant to technology universities; thereby de-list those that are not relevant and ask them to stop doing them," Yakasai said.

READ ALSO: 7 Nigerian universities with mind blowing structures and scenery (photos)

We will then revert back to the schools on the ones being approved for them and then we forward it to JAMB," he said.

He however added that students who are currently on the affected programs will be allowed to complete their courses.

He however added that students who are currently on the affected programs will be allowed to complete their courses.

Also lecturers currently teaching programs which will be de-listed will be deployed to other related courses to continue teaching.

We are not NAFDAC, we are dealing with human beings and not medicines that we can ban and discard. Whenever there is an order like this, we have to allow those already being enrolled legally to finish and their degrees will be recognized, he said.

READ ALSO: You cant expel 4000 students, they did not commit any crime  NANS tells UNIOSUN

He further warned all specialized universities to adhere to their provided mandate to avoid de-listment.

Every school has laws and when those laws were written, it is clearly stated in the laws why they are set up for.

So what is difficult in the government asking them to go back to the laws and mandate the government approved for them, he said.

Source: Legit.ng
Editors note: There is no doubt that corruption is a major issue hindering the Nigerias progress. This menace has permeated every sector of the Nigerias economy. This may be the reason President Muhammadu Buhari promised to tackle the menace even before he became the president of Nigeria.

His resolve to fight the corruption to a standstill, has, thus started yielding results as some public officials who were hitherto untouchable are now being docked by the Economic and Finance Crime Commission (EFCC) for fraudulently enriching themselves.

In this article, Sani Mohammed, urges President Muhammadu Buhari to be holistic in his fight against corruption by not shielding any member of APC who is indicted of corruption including the sitting governors, senators and House of Reps members.

PMB's reform agenda appears to be sauntering out of the gates, according to the civil society-run Buharimeter.

Writing on 4th-11-2015 on the Washinton Post, Mr Matthew Page said Buharis reform agenda probably faces its greatest threat from corrupt, old-school politicians within his own All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Buhari should neutralize some of the APCs shadiest figures, who could emerge as veto players, as described in Carl LeVans recent book.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Corruption, one the challenges facing Africas most populous nation and largest economy continues to grow. Nigerians nevertheless expect their Mr Presidents reform agenda to show tangible results, and soon given these imperatives, one of the things Buhari can do to get the ball rolling is to carefully clean the house.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: EFCC arrests Goodluck Jonathans godson over alleged N2bn scam

Examples of these kleptocrats are not hard to find. The U.S. Department of Justice has accused one sitting APC governor of helping former dictator Sani Abacha steal at least $458 million from state coffers.

Atiku Bagudu

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014, the current All Progressives Congress's Governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu, was indicted by the U.S. government as the Americans froze more than $458 million stolen by former Nigerian dictator in largest Kleptocracy Forfeiture Action Ever Brought in the U.S.

The Senator formerly representing Kebbi Central, on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, dumped the party to contest the states governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The Department of Justice has frozen more than $458 million in corruption proceeds hidden in bank accounts around the world by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and conspirators including Alhaji Bagudu.

A civil forfeiture complaint in the United States District Court in the District of Columbia seeks recovery of more than $550 million in connection with the largest kleptocracy forfeiture action brought in the departments history.

General Abacha was one of the most notorious kleptocrats in memory, who embezzled billions from the people of Nigeria while millions lived in poverty, said Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman.

This is the largest civil forfeiture action to recover the proceeds of foreign official corruption ever brought by the department.

Through our Kleptocracy Initiative, we are seizing the assets of foreign leaders who steal funds that properly belong to the citizens they serve. Todays action sends a clear message: we are determined and equipped to confiscate the ill-gotten riches of corrupt leaders who drain the resources of their countries.

The over $458 million in frozen funds and the additional assets named in the complaint represent the proceeds of corruption during and after the military regime of General Abacha, who assumed the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a military coup on Nov. 17, 1993, and held that position until his death on June 8, 1998.

The complaint alleges that General Abacha, his son Mohammed Sani Abacha, their associate Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and others embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria and others, then laundered their criminal proceeds through the purchase of bonds backed by the United States using U.S. financial institutions.

As alleged in the complaint, General Abacha and Atiku Bagudu and others systematically embezzled billions of dollars in public funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the false pretense that the funds were necessary for national security.

The conspirators withdrew the funds in cash and then moved the money overseas through U.S. financial institutions. General Abacha and his finance minister also allegedly caused the Government of Nigeria to purchase Nigerian government bonds at vastly inflated prices from a company controlled by Bagudu and Mohammed Abacha, generating an illegal windfall of more than $282 million.

In addition, General Abacha and his associates allegedly extorted more than $11 million from a French company and its Nigerian affiliate in connection with payments on government contracts. Funds involved in each of these schemes were allegedly laundered through the United States.

Admittedly, housecleaning carries political risks for Buhari. After all, his victorious electoral coalition included powerful defectors from former president Goodluck Jonathans Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If he unduly antagonises these establishment figures, they could derail his partys newfound dominance by joining their former comrades in the opposition PDP.

EFCC operatives

What we know as a fact (to which the court has documents at hand now) are that Atiku was arrested by the U.S. Marshals on the street of Houston, Texas, on a Thursday, May 22, 2003 on a request to the US. Department of Justice by the United Kingdom, the U.K. wanted him extradited to the Island of Jersey, U.K. to face charges for money laundering there.

He was detained without bail at a Federal Detention Center in Houston Texas for about six months (5/22/2003 to 19/11/2003) after which he was released to the custody of his bailer, Aisha Bagudu, having posted a bank's cashier's cheque of half a million dollars as bond. He then was asked to report periodically to his parole officer at the court, despite being on electronic monitoring to prevent escape.

Atiku negotiated with the Nigerian government and got a deal to be handed over to Nigeria for further prosecution, having signed/promised to return the looted/laundered money to the Nigerian government. His other U.S. cases went on (he had quite a few of them).

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In 2014, his companies were indicated in a Washington DC court and assets forfeited in what the U.S. Department of Justice described as the largest kleptocracy case ever in its entire history of prosecuting criminals (you can Google that; it is on FBI's official website).

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- Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has revealed the reason Nigeria didn't declare war on South Africa over the xenophobic attacks targeted at Nigerians and other nationals

- He said the government opted for dialogue because the crisis was not sponsored by the South African government

Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said that Nigeria could have declared war against South Africa over the xenophobic attacks targeted at Nigerians and other nationals.

Onyeama noted that the government opted for dialogue because the crisis was not sponsored by the South African government.

READ ALSO: Xenophobia: South African High Commission supports Alabanza Peace Concert in Johannesburg

The minister was speaking when he met with the Nigerians resident in South Africa at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria on Tuesday March 14.

He said: When this issue came up, we look at the options before us; we could have declared war with South Africa.

We could have recalled our ambassador; we could have nationalized South African companies in Nigeria.

We could have even asked Nigerians in South Africa to come back home and we also have the option of dialogue.

But we opted for the last, which is to engage them in discussion to find a lasting solution to the problem.

It may not be the right decision but I believe it could be a win-win situation.

I do not believe the South African Government is xenophobic or even the large number of South Africans.

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Onyeama, however, assured that the government had put machinery in place within the Early Warning Unit mechanism that would guarantee payment of compensation by the South African Government.

Source: Legit.ng
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has officially suspended the implementation of a new controversial motor import duty payment.

Customs Comptroller-general Hameed Ali (centre) was at the National Assembly complex on Tuesday, March 14 to meet with Senate leadership

The Service announced the decision in a statement signed and released on Wednesday, March 15 by its acting spokesman Joseph Attah.

READ ALSO: Fayose's aide faults EFCC's N49m cash recovery at Kaduna Airport

The statement said the decision to suspend the vehicle duty payment policy meeting between the management of the NCS and the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise.

According to the statement: Following the unnecessary tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the Nigeria Customs Service planned motor duty payment, the leadership of the National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) met with a view to resolving the impasse.

They both agreed that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C.45, LFN 2004 should be put on hold while the Senate Committee on Customs and Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.

While payment of duty on vehicles or indeed any dutiable imported item remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian, NCS Management has directed that the exercise be put on hold while expressing readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.

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Recall that Customs comptroller-general Hameed Ali paid a visit to the Senate president Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, March 14.

Reports said Ali arrived at the Senate wing of the National Assembly complex a few minutes before 6pm to hold a meeting with Saraki in his office.

It was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed him (Ali) to answer to the Senates summon.

The Nigerian Senate and Hameed Ali have been at odds over the refusal of the customs boss to wear his uniform of service to show his designation.

Source: Legit.ng
There was a mild drama on Wednesday March 15, at the Federal Executive Council meeting as President Muhammadu Buhari asked the whereabouts of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

There was a mild drama on Wednesday March 15, at the Federal Executive Council meeting as President Muhammadu Buhari asked the whereabouts of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The president called on the Ministers of Transportation and Information, Rotimi Amechi and respectively, said the opening prayers.

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The drama ensued before asking the information minister to say the prayer when Mr. Buhari said: "I haven't seen Lai".

The minister responded: "I am here sir."

This is the first council meeting Buhari is presiding over since he returned to the country last Friday from his medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

The last FEC meeting President Buhari presided over was on January 11 before he departed for London on January 19.

Source: Legit.ng
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the French Ambassador to Nigeria Denys Gauer is dreaming over his comment about Biafra agitation.

The group also said that the ambassador lacked knowledge of his host country and needed to refer to his history.

IPOB has said the French ambassador to Nigeria is dreaming

Gauer had on Monday, March 13, told Guardian Newspaper that there is no future for Biafra despite its agitation.

He said the French government will not support any individual or group seeking the secession of any part of Nigeria.

He also said that France was working with the country in its fight against insurgency, adding that the fight against insurgency had brought Nigeria and France together, more than before.

READ ALSO: There is no future for Biafra - France

But in its reaction to Gauer's comment, the IPOB said the French ambassador is dreaming.

The group while it disagrees with Gauer's statement, the ambassador is partially correctly because, "Biafrans have no future in the zoo called Nigeria, but we have future outside Nigeria. This statement you made is indicative of the Imperialist and philosophical principles the so-called Western world have towards Africans in general."

The IPOB also said the Biafra agitators have always respected and maintained good relationship with France.

The group said not withstanding the country's decision, the freedom of Biafra is the responsibility of its supporters.

"We did not count on you when we started and will not count on you when you declare us your enemy," IPOB said.

Below are 7 reasons IPOB gave to support its claim that the French ambassador is dreaming:

1. What right do you have to enforce slavery and genocide against African countries by encouraging their killing of one another?

The issue of BIAFRA did not start today, and in case you are not up to date with a number of crimes committed by a government on a particular race of BIAFRANS OF (EASTERN NIGERIA), from 1914 up to March 2017. Please go back and do your research.

READ ALSO: Mixed reactions trails France rejection of Biafra

2. As an Ambassador you should know the history of the country you are assigned. If as a human being with conscience and you watched and learned about the 1967-70 genocidal war by your host country where over three million innocent women and children where starved to death, not including the ones shot and indiscriminately bombed at open markets, schools and makeshift hospitals, you should be extremely guarded and be able to to have a way out in event your declaration was a mistake.

3. Your support for Nigeria to fight Boko Haram is within the absolute right of the French government.

If you like sell them your Mirage planes, missiles, and pan hard, we the Biafrans have no say. You blindly and foolishly support the Nigerian military that in turn feed the Boko Haram you think you are fighting the Nigerian military, in turn, gives those arms back to Boko Haram.

This is not the first nor will it be the last of your failed foreign policies. You were paying the price when you went to the Iraqi war, and today you are back at it again. The same thing will happen to you in Nigeria, and it will be very very costly to your country.

4. What is the correlation between Boko Haram insurgency in the Muslim North and their destined policy with the federal government of Nigeria to wipe off all Biafrans and take over their land as it relates to we Biafrans who are trying to avoid being exterminated by the Government you are supporting.

READ ALSO: Release Nnamdi Kanu, Dasuki, unconditionally - Fayose

5. You have continued to keep mute with regard to NIGERIA'S violation of all sorts of United Nations rules, even the Amnesty International report. You are supporting any British blunder even when you could have carried out respectable principles.

Your covert support for a genocidist Mohammad Buhari who committed more crimes than Saddam Hussain, Idi Amin or even Milosovich of the Yugoslavia raises more questions than answers as to the genuineness of the United Nations, it's composition as well as equitable and impartial application and enforcement of it's rules.

6. Your pronounced support for a genocidal and criminal gives credence to NIGERIA'S military denial of it's genocidal acts against Biafrans even with undeniable and irrefutable videos.

Your support bolsters Nigeria's courage to abuse your own agency The Amnesty International because Britain and France are completely behind their atrocities. Your revelation is a blessing in disguise. Now we know why Nigeria is doing what it is doing and the powers behind it.

READ ALSO: IPOB kicks off Biafra exhibition in Spain, promise to HIT other countries (photos)

7. For all intents and purposes, France is a conspirator with Britain to effect as quickly as possible the extermination of Biafrans because France once highly regarded when it comes to foreign policy and fundamental human rights of people during the era of President Charles Degaul have degenerated into an era of visionless diplomats whose ultimate goal is to plunder the resources of poorer countries for their personal benefits and not even for the French.

If your miscarriage of principles is a pay back to Nigeria for giving you part of BIAFRA as part of war loot and booty, you would have avoided taking a wrong and shortsighted course.

Source: Legit.ng
Mr Kayode Fayemi, the Nigerian minister of solid minerals development recently went on a visit to various mining sites in Nigeria.

On March 14, 2017, one of the first places he visited was the site of marble stones mining in Kaduna.

He said: "We are determined to put in place necessary funding to support scaling up of capacity for marbles and dimension stones."

He also visited sites of illegal gold mining operations in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state, below are pictures from the sites.

The minister of Mines and Steel Development and his team made a brief stop on Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Highness Zubairu Jibril Mai Gwari II

READ ALSO: Photos: Gold discovered in Kano state?

They also visited some sites of illegal gold mining operations in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna state

READ ALSO: Top 10 facts about Nigeria's new money-maker, nickel

Fayemi said while visiting the marble mining sites: "We are determined to put in place necessary funding to support scaling up of capacity for marbles and dimension stones."

After he left the illegal gold mining sites, he further proceeded to a mining site at old Birning Gwari road for a National Tower.

The official handle of the ministry tweeted this:

Fayemi also made other visits:

Meanwhile, Dr Fayemi, the minister of solid materials, was a speaker at the 2016 New Telegraph Economic Summit

At the summit held in Lagos the ex-governor spoke on how mining can help Nigerian get back to economic stability.

He said that Nigeria's resources are under-exploited, and the potential of the illegal mining industry could tapped for the benefit of all. He revealed that over 6 million Nigerians are involved in illegal mining in Nigeria.

Watch a video on the Abuja airport:

Watch a video of Rotimi Amaechi speaking on his job as a minister:

Source: Legit.ng
The Niger River is obviously a relevant river among other west-African rivers. It takes the eleventh place among all world longest rivers and takes bronze among all rivers on the African continent. The Niger River is very painterly, its beauty is captivating and eye-catchy. To get detailed background of one of the African symbols keep reading. We will tell you the history of the River Niger and its secrets.

Who discovered River Niger?

History of River Niger

The origin of the River Nigers name is still unknown. According to one probable of the versions, its name comes from the Latin word niger, which means "black". The native-born population calls the river differently.

This African river is notable for its unusual waterway. It has the form of a boomerang, this fact has been confusing for 2.5 thousand years all geographers. The source of the Niger is only 240 km from the Atlantic coast. It would seem that the water should flow towards the salt water, as all the self-respecting rivers of the world do. However, in contradiction with the laws of geology, the Niger flows not towards the ocean, but to the opposite.

Its waters flow northeast to the Sahara desert and then turn to the southeast in 20 km from the antique city of Timbuktu. Only after this, it rushes towards the Atlantic coast. This is 3940 extra miles. The figure is impressive and requires an explanation.

Who discovered River Niger?

Many experts believe that in antiue times when there was no Sahara, there were 2 rivers flowing in these places. Their journey began in the northern regions of Africa, and rivers flowed into a large lake near Timbuktu. A single stream flowed from it, which carried its waters to the Gulf of Guinea. It is conditionally called the Lower Niger.

READ ALSO: Ethnic groups in Nigeria

Sahara began to form about 5 thousand years ago. Accordingly, the rivers and their sources disappeared. The lake also disappeared, and a new river appeared instead, it is formed from small streams and rivers of West Africa. It became the outgoing stream of the Lower Niger with a source near the Atlantic coast. The great desert radically has changed the whole North and Central Africa.

We have one open question: Who discovered the River Niger? Many scientists, travelers and geographers tried to research the Niger, some of them even forfeit their lives.

Who discovered the source of River Niger?

In the Middle Ages, Arab geographers believed that the Niger was connected with the Nile. This idea belongs to the Greek geographers - according to Herodotus, for instance, the Niger was the source of the Nile, flowing from Atlas. The first, who has challenged this point view was V.G. Brown in his work "Travels in Africa, written in 1799.

Who discovered River Niger?

In 1796, the young Scottish physician Mungo Park became the first of the Europeans, who reached the Niger. Park has found that the Niger flows to the east and has nothing to do with either Senegal or the Gambia - before Europeans believed that the Niger is divided into these rivers. M. Park was going to find out where the real flow of the Niger was directed, but has caught of the tropical fever, he had to turn back. In 1805, he again came to the Niger and explored his current from Bamako to Bussang, where he was killed by local residents. The lower course of the Niger at that time was unknown and no discovered, but it was believed that it empties into the Gulf of Guinea. This opinion was confirmed by the travels of Dixon Denham and Hugh Clapperton in 1825 and the second trip of Clapperton in 1827. In the late 20-ies of the XIX century, the French traveler Rene Calle visited Timbuktu, posing as an Arab merchant.

Who discovered River Niger?

Who discovered the mouth of River Niger?

In 1830, the British government sent Richard Lander, the Clapperton's companion in the previous journey, to the banks of the Niger, for a more thorough investigation of the course of the river. Lander with his brother reached Bussang by land, came down from there downstream and, having sailed a path of 900 km, reached the Guinea Bay. In 1832, Lander entered the Niger through the Benin Bay and swam up the river. The same journey, simultaneously with him, was made by Laird and Oldfield, from which the latter swam 750 km from the mouth to the Rabbi.

In 1946, Jean Sauvie, Pierre Ponty and filmmaker Jean Rouche (citizens of France and workers of the French Colony) decided to make a journey along the full length of the river, which most likely nobody ever did before them. They began their journey from the very origins of the Niger in the Kisidugu area, Guinea-Bissau, first on foot, as conditions didn't allow the possibility of rafts using. After they traveled on different boats, as the Niger expanded and deepened. Pierre Ponti stopped traveling to Niamey, and Jean Sauvie togwether with Jean Rouche reached the ocean in 1947.

Who discovered River Niger?

They filmed their way onto a 16-millimeter camera, from these filming, Jean Rush assembled his first 2 ethnographical documentary movies: "Au pays des mages noirs" and "La chasse a l'hippopotame". The film served as an illustration to the book Rush, which was published later, "Le Niger En Pirogue" (1954), as well as the book "Descente du Niger" (2001). Pierre Ponti also carried a typewriter with him and sent articles to the newspapers along the way.

The traveler from Norway Helge Hjelland undertook expedition along the full length of the Niger in 2005, beginning his journey to Guinea-Bissau. He also shot a documental film about his journey, which he called "The Cruellest Journey".

Now you know the story of the River Niger. The time reveals all the secrets. Hope it was fun and educational. Share this useful information.

READ ALSO: River Niger is drying up like Lake Chad - Anyanwu

Source: Legit.ng
The Nigerian Senate has rejected the nomination of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu as the right man for the full-time job.

Magu speaking during his screening at the Senate on Wednesday, March 15

The Senate's decision to reject Magu followed a report from the Department of State Services (DSS) which again disqualified the EFCC chief based on his failure of an integrity test by the secret police.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Senate screens EFCC boss Magu (Video)

The acting EFCC boss looked to be doing well during his screening for the position at the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, March 15 when Senator Dino Melaye revealed that the upper house of legislature had received a letter saying Magu was not qualified for the job because he failed integrity test. by the secret police.

Front page of the DSS report

Melaye said two reports from the DSS were released yesterday on Ibrahim Magu and they all indicted Magu.

Melaye read Paragraph 14 of the DSS letter on Magu which stated: In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government.

Page two of the report on Magu

Replying Melaye, Magu slammed the DSS saying that the organisation had shown it had a problem when it released two different reports on him to the Senate late last year.

What do you say about credibility of that agency? he queried.

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The DSS report signed by its Director-General Folashade Bello said Magu failed integrity test

The Clerk of the House however denied that Senate received two letters from the DSS.

According to him, what was received was a letter on October 3, 2016.

The Senate, he said, requested that the DSS re-confirm its integrity report on Magu. This was what was received on Wednesday and to which Melaye referred during questioning of Magu.

To some Nigerians, Magu's rejection by the Senate again shows that some powerful forces are at play against the acting chief of the anti-corruption agency. They are however adamant that Magu remains the right man for the job

Others simply argue that if he had impressed the Senate during screening as he should, he would have been confirmed.

Source: Legit.ng
On Wednesday, March 15, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu's confirmation as substantive chairman was rejected by the Senate.

Nigerians have said they don't expect less on the confirmation of Magu from those (lawmakers) sinking N150B yearly without accountability

This rejection, a second of its kind since Magu's nomination as the acting chairman by the president, has thrown the country and Nigeria's into heated discussions.

While some believe that there are strong forces against the acting chairman's confirmation, others have called on the president to nominate another individual for the position of EFCC's chairman.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate rejects Magu's nomination as DSS disqualifies him again (see DSS report)

However, some other Nigerians have accused the Nigerian Senate of denying Magu his confirmation because most of them (the lawmakers) are corrupt.

These Nigerians are of the opinion that the Senate is working against Magu with the help of the Department of State Service (DSS) to prevent Magu from fishing out corrupt individuals withing both institutions.

READ ALSO: Lawyer moves to stop Saraki, Akpabio others from participating in Magu's screening

Ibrahim Magu was appointed as the acting chairman of the EFCC by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2015.

However, in December 2016, the Nigerian Senate failed to confirm Magu as the substantive chairman over two conflicting reports by the DSS indicting Magu of corrupt practices.

READ ALSO: HAPPENING NOW: Nigerian Senate screens EFCC boss Magu (Photo, Video)

However, on January 24, 2017, President Buhari renominated Magu for confirmation.

Like the first time he was, again, denied the position by the Senate.

Below are reactions from Nigerians on Magu's rejection as EFCC chairman:

Source: Legit.ng
For the second time in three months, the Nigerian Senate rejected the nomination of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu.

In December, the Senate rejected Magus nomination based on a DSS report which accused him of corruption and gross violation of human rights.

He was renominated by President Muhammadu Buhari and appeared before the Senate again today, March 15, but he was once again rejected.

Magu fielded questions from the lawmakers and after answering them, he was rejected as senators voted against his confirmation.

READ ALSO: Senate rejects Magu's nomination as DSS disqualifies him again

Here are some of the questions he was asked by the senators.

1. What are the special powers of the EFCC under section 6 of the EFCC act? Senate president Bukola Saraki asked.

2. How will the EFCC under Magu fight corruption within the law? Deputy Senate president Ike Ekweremadu asked.

3. He also asked about the operations of the EFCC on disobeying court orders and cases of human rights abuse.

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4. What is the concept of financial crime as stipulated in the EFCC act? Senator, Isah Misau, who represents Bauchi Central district asked.

5. Is it body language of the Nigerian president that EFCC uses to fight corruption since people close to the president are not probed? He asked again.

6. He also asked why the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria who released money to Dasuki is not being investigated by the EFCC.

7. Dasuki took money illegally and not a single person from the CBN has been investigated or prosecuted so far. Senator Misau queried.

8. How much funds has been recovered since you took charge of the commission? Senator Duro Faseyi representing Ekiti North Senatorial district asked.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Senate screens EFCC boss Magu (Video)

9. You need to expatiate on your activities on human rights, what are your findings and activities on the Paris Club fund? Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna central asked.

10. Sen. Atai Aidoko asks about the operational procedure in detaining suspects on investigation

11. Can you say that anybody you're prosecuting will take you serious, why prosecute people on the Newspaper before it gets to court? Senator Biodun Olujimi who represents Ekiti south senatorial district asked.

Magu's rejection for the second time has been greeted with mixed reactions. Some Nigerians are of the opinion that the lawmakers are against Magu's confirmation because they are corrupt.

Some others are asking President Buhari to nominate another individual for the position of EFCC's chairman.

In the video below, the man says Buhari is the general overseer of corruption.

Source: Legit.ng
- The Nigerian Senate has agreed to issue a warrant for the arrest of the comptroller general of Nigeria Customs Service Hameed Ali

- The senators on Wednesday, March 15, during a plenary unanimously passed a motion to issue the warrant that will compel Ali appear before it on Thursday, March 16

The senators unanimously agreed that Ali must be compelled to appear before the Senate on Thursday

The Nigerian Senate has agreed to issue a warrant for the arrest of the comptroller general of Nigeria Customs Service Hameed Ali.

The senators on Wednesday, March 15, during a plenary unanimously passed a motion to issue the warrant that will compel Ali appear before it on Thursday, March 16.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Customs boss Hameed Ali shuns senate again, lawmakers kick

The Senate decision came after Ali failed to make an appearance before the Red Chamber today.

He had in a letter told the Senate that he (Ali) would not be able to appear before it because he was bereaved.

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The customs boss had in recent time had series of altercation with the Senate after the senators said he (Ali) must appear before them dressed in a custom's uniform.

However, Ali, a retired Nigerian army colonel in his response said will not wear uniform as he was only appointed to work and reform the Nigeria Customs Service.

READ ALSO: UPDATE: Hameed Ali must go! Protesters take to streets in Anambra

In his defence, Ali also said he cannot be mandated to wear customs' 'Khaki' as a retired senior officer of the Nigerian army, although this claim has been demystified by a former custom boss Bello Haliru.

Haliru in a recent interview said that wearing uniform as a comptroller general is part of the service's regulation.

He however, noted that he does not know the terms and conditions of the appointment of the current comptroller general of NCS.

Also, protesters on Wednesday afternoon, hit the streets of Anambra state over the actions of the comptroller general of customs.

The protesters in their scores demanded the removal of Ali with immediate effect.

See screenshots of Nigerians reaction to Senate's order of arrest on Ali below:

The Nigerian Senate has called for the arrest of Customs boss Hameed Ali

The Senate Hameed will be compelled to appear before it on Thursday

Ali, a retired army colonel has refused to wear the Customs' uniform

Ali said as a retired Nigerian army senior officer, he cannot wear Customs' 'Khaki'

Source: Legit.ng
Why did the Nigerian Senate reject Ibrahim Magu as the full-time chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)?

There have been insinuations that he did not answer some of the questions posed to him satisfactorily. Others have said it is a conspiracy of sorts. However one clear thing is that the following senators during the screening were involved in his rejection.

All the information you see below, was gotten from the official handle of the Nigerian Senate official handle:

1. Bukola Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki did not use his remarkable influence to prevent the rejection of Magu

As the Senate President, Bukola Saraki exerts remarkable influence in the Senate, yet even when there was opposition to the rejection of Magu, Saraki said: "We should not rubbish the entire institution because of an individual."

At the end of the session, he said: "This is democracy."

2. Duro Faseyi

Duro Faseyi the Ekiti North Senator asked Magu how much the EFCC had recovered so far

Duro Faseyi of Ekiti North was another Senator grilled Magu. Sen. Duro Faseyi asked: "How much has been recovered so far by the EFCC?" To which Magu said: "It is very difficult for me to say."

Magu's inability to answer that question was a major factor in his rejection.

3. Shehu Sani

Senator Shehu Sani added to Magu's problem by drilling him about the Paris Club Fund

Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central also grilled the rejected EFCC boss. He asked him about the Paris Club Fund, which is a major accusation on Magu, saying: ''You need to expantiate on your activities on human rights, what are your findings and activities on the Paris Club fund?''

4. Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye despite Magu's statement regarding him was especially vocal in the rejection

Although Magu said he had worked closely with Dino Melaye in the past, the Kogi senator was the first to grill Magu over the DSS report.

Melaye went on to say that notwithstanding the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari urging the Senate to confirm Magu despite his disqualification by the DSS, the secret service has written another letter to the legislature to disqualify the Acting EFCC Chairman.

He then went on to do this:

5. Isah Misau

Isah Misau of Bauchi Central asked Magu about the CBN Governor

Senator Isah Misau of Bauchi Central troubled Magu with two heavy questions.

First he asked: ''Dasuki took money illegally and not a single person from the CBN has been investigated or prosecuted so far...''

Then he said: "Why is Central Bank Governor who released money not being investigated by EFCC?"

6. Senator Olujimi

Senator Olujimi of Ekiti state asked Magu: "Can you say that anybody you're prosecuting will take you serious, why prosecute people on the Newspaper before it gets to court?"

Watch a video on corruption in Nigeria:

Source: Legit.ng
WASHINGTON  President Obama declined on Friday to refer to the 1915 massacre of Armenians as genocide, breaking a campaign promise as his presidency nears its end.

Mr. Obama, in a statement to mark Armenian Remembrance Day on April 24, called the massacre the first mass atrocity of the 20th century and a tragedy that must not be repeated. Yet he stopped short of using the word genocide, a term he applied to the killings before he became president in 2009.

I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915, and my view has not changed, Mr. Obama said.

Armenian-American leaders have urged Mr. Obama each year to keep a pledge he made as a presidential candidate in 2008, when he said the United States government had a responsibility to recognize the attacks as genocide and vowed to do so if elected. Mr. Obamas failure to fulfill that pledge in his final annual statement on the massacre infuriated advocates and lawmakers who accused the president of outsourcing Americas moral voice to Turkey, which staunchly opposes the genocide label.
This year we decided to take our summer vacation in Amsterdam. For my family, Amsterdam is not just any destination. I lived in the city for seven years and wrote a book about it. My partner, Pamela, lived there for 23 years. We met in Amsterdam. Our son was born in the city. We have friends, family, colleagues, memories and roots there. It is, logically and in our hearts, our second home. And yet, three years after returning to the United States, we realized that it had become shockingly remote in our lives. So while the trip would be a vacation, the real motive was to spend a couple of weeks reclaiming Amsterdam.

We had been hearing and reading that the city had changed dramatically in the short time since we had moved, thanks to a number of forces. The population is growing, the city has plans to build 50,000 homes over the next 10 years, and the largest group of newcomers (both Dutch and immigrants from places like Turkey and Morocco) are those between the ages of 20 and 34, who are putting down roots and reshaping the urban landscape.

At the same time, real estate prices are spiking. Thats partly because housing costs in top-tier European cities like London and Paris have moved into the stratosphere, while the Netherlands is one of the few places where it is possible to obtain a mortgage with no money down.

Meanwhile, a few years ago Amsterdam ramped up permits for new hotels, which began coming online at the same time the Airbnb phenomenon hit. To all of that you have to factor in the ineffable: that global hipsterism came to the conclusion that Amsterdam  with its orderly northern languor, its human scale, its society built around coffee and beer  was a place of relevance.
LONDON  Behind a wrought-iron gate and down a dark alleyway, in the basement of a turn-of-the-20th-century housing development for the poor, Jessica Turtle and her husband, Matt, are working to make their concept of a museum succeed.

In their small office on the lower level of the historic Peabody Housing Estates, just a few blocks from Victoria Station, Ms. Turtle explained her vision. We wanted something that was creative and cultural, she said, and something that would transform the lives of those involved.

What the Turtles have created is a museum that honors the harsh realities and the history of the homeless, an indigent population that Londoners call rough sleepers. Founded in early 2016, their Museum of Homelessness has a concept, a board, a couple of grants and a growing program of events. But theres one thing conspicuously lacking: a physical space.

As such, the Museum of Homelessness is one of a number of small but innovative institutions in the United States and Europe built around often challenging concepts and lacking an actual building to give them literal form. I find it very exciting and very promising, Elizabeth Merritt, director of the Center for the Future of Museums of the American Alliance of Museums, said of the trend. This experiment of untethering our assumption of You start with a building, you start with a collection, may create dynamic new forms of museums that are really good at surviving in the future.
Season 5, Episode 2: Pests

Tuesdays episode of The Americans was quiet, dark and ominous. It was transitional  no one died, no big secrets were revealed, but uneasiness reigned. Scene after scene took place in the dark: nighttime drives through Washington; nighttime walks across Moscow; a surreptitious break-in on an Illinois farm; a meaningless but beautifully composed F.B.I. stakeout, in which Stan Beeman and Dennis Aderholt were striped in alternating bars of shadow and light.

A series of silent moments were just as important as any of the dialogue in moving the story forward:

 Philip and Elizabeth, alarmed when they came home late and couldnt find Paige, opening the door to her closet and finding her sacked-out on the floor because she couldnt fall asleep in her bed.

 The look on Paiges face as she punched a pillow held by Elizabeth. Her mom had just told her that she couldnt date Matthew, and Paiges hard stare told you what shed rather be hitting.
For instance, de-icing a plane can cost about $10,000 per flight for a Boeing 747, said Robert Mann, the president of R. W. Mann & Company, an airline-industry analysis firm. So even though planes can fly in bad weather, airlines can resume normal service faster if they avoid regions affected by bad weather.

Its a lot easier to cancel than it is to work through the problem in real time, Mr. Mann said. If you cancel, you know where the aircraft and crew are going to be. You can decide when to restart the operation and how. Thats far more reliable than throwing everything into the mix and just crossing your fingers and hoping it works out.

In 2007, JetBlue passengers were stranded for hours as a Valentines Day storm passed over New York City. Many of them spent that time on an aircraft away from the gate. Two years later, the federal government enacted a passenger bill of rights, which imposes steep fines on airlines that strand their passengers during inclement weather.

Pre-emptive cancellations allow airlines to avoid these penalties, Mr. Mann said. But he also added that the increased use of email, text notifications and other communications have helped carriers more easily notify their customers of cancellations, allowing travelers to make alternative plans.

Fiona Dawson was scheduled to fly home to Washington, D.C., via Newark on Tuesday after visiting family in Britain, but was notified by United Airlines on Friday night that her travel plans might be disrupted. She was able to change her flight ahead of time and is now traveling on Wednesday instead.
Another Goldman Sachs executive is being hired for a senior government role in Washington  this time at the Treasury Department.

James Donovan, a longtime Goldman banking and investment management executive, has been named to be the deputy to the Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin.

Mr. Donovan, 50, would be responsible for helping Mr. Mnuchin, also a Goldman alumnus, in running a government agency that handles a wide range of economic matters, from producing physical currency to enforcing economic sanctions against nations.

President Trump also said on Tuesday evening that he would nominate David Malpass, a former Treasury official under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, to be undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs. Four others were named for senior positions in the Treasury Department.
WASHINGTON  A retired United States Navy admiral and eight other high-ranking officers were indicted on Tuesday in a widening bribery scandal in which prosecutors say a foreign contractor traded luxury travel, lavish gifts and prostitutes for inside intelligence.

A total of 25 military officers and private-sector executives have now been prosecuted in one of the worst corruption scandals to hit the military in years.

Prosecutors, laying out in unsparing detail a plot that stretched from Singapore to Washington, accused the officers  all with the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific, the Navys largest  of betraying the public trust for bribes from a well-connected military contractor in Singapore, Leonard Glenn Francis, known as Fat Leonard. The scheme cost the Navy tens of millions of dollars in overbillings to Mr. Francis firm, as he relied on sensitive and sometimes classified information the officers had given them to game the system, according to the indictment.

The yearslong bribery scheme amounts to a staggering degree of corruption by the most prominent leaders of the Seventh Fleet, said Alana W. Robinson, the acting United States attorney in San Diego, where the charges were brought.
WASHINGTON  In the latest verbal acrobatics over President Trumps allegation that President Barack Obama spied on him during the 2016 campaign, the White House spokesman said on Tuesday that he was confident Mr. Trumps claim would eventually be found to be true.

Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, said he was very confident that the Justice Department would submit data to the House Intelligence Committee after it missed a Monday deadline to produce evidence of Mr. Trumps claim. The House committee is investigating Russian interference in the presidential election.

Mr. Trump is extremely confident that there will be evidence to support his accusation, Mr. Spicer said on Tuesday. There is significant reporting about surveillance techniques that have existed throughout the 2016 election. Ill leave it to them to issue their report, but I think he feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him.

Mr. Spicer also said that Kellyanne Conway, a senior adviser to Mr. Trump who suggested in an interview that the surveillance could have included a microwave oven, made the comment as a joke. The microwave is not a sound way of surveilling someone, and I think that has been cleaned up, Mr. Spicer said. It was made in jest, so I think we can put that to rest.
Mr. Fillon, who had sold himself as the image of rectitude, promised after the scandal first broke that he would withdraw from the race if he were criminally charged. But he later reneged on that pledge, prompting many supporters in his party and his campaign staff to desert him.

Since the first revelations, polls have shown Mr. Fillon likely to be eliminated in a first round on April 23. That would leave two candidates outside the major parties, including Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Front, to battle it out in the decisive second round on May 7. That unprecedented development, coupled with Ms. Le Pens newfound status as a contender against a former economy minister, Emmanuel Macron, has deeply unsettled political life here.

Mr. Fillons problems were compounded over the weekend by revelations of his alleged extravagant sartorial tastes. Reports, not denied by him, have said nearly 48,500 euros, or about $51,500, has been paid to a tailor since 2012 for fine suits, although it was unclear who made the payments. The newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, which first published the reports, added on Sunday that an anonymous benefactor paid in February for two suits worth about $13,800 for Mr. Fillon, prompting Parliaments ethics ombudsman to open an inquiry.

The new charges were expected, but they were announced a day ahead of schedule after Le Canard Enchaine leaked the development over Twitter. Mr. Fillon had been summoned by investigative judges for Wednesday, but his lawyer said Tuesday that he had asked that Mr. Fillon meet with them a day earlier to avoid a large news media stakeout.

Mr. Fillon read a statement to the judges that was obtained by the newspaper Le Figaro. In it, the newspaper said, Mr. Fillon denied any wrongdoing, as he has done consistently before.
WASHINGTON  President Trump hosted Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia for lunch at the White House on Tuesday, moving to forge a warmer relationship with the kingdom after a period of tension between the United States and a longstanding ally.

The lunch was an early effort by Mr. Trump to engage with Prince Mohammed, the defense minister of Saudi Arabia. Hopes are high in Riyadh for improved relations with the United States after strained diplomacy between the Obama administration and the Saudis, particularly over the nuclear deal with Iran.

The visit  initially expected to be a short meet-and-greet but turned at the last moment into a formal lunch  was a chance for the two men to also discuss Yemen, where a civil war has pitted Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels against a Saudi-led coalition of mostly Sunni Arab countries with American support, and where the United States is stepping up a campaign against Al Qaeda. Mr. Trump faces a decision on whether to resume arms sales to the Saudis.

Mr. Trump, a new American president eager to break with his predecessor, and Prince Mohammed, a young, ambitious leader jockeying for influence in his kingdom, each see the other as a crucial ally on a variety of pressing issues. Neither spoke to reporters as they shook hands in the Oval Office, or later, when they took seats in the State Dining Room for a lunch with senior aides.
PHILADELPHIA  Sometimes an exhibition, planned years in advance, arrives at a moment that makes it seem remarkably prescient. That is true of a show opening on March 17 at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia and later this year at the American Jewish Historical Society in New York.

Organized by the two institutions, which are collaborating on an exhibition for the first time, 1917: How One Year Changed the World focuses on three historic events and their major impact on Jews around the world: Americas entry into World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Balfour Declaration.

The war and the revolution resulted in strict limits on immigration to the United States, reflecting a fear among Americans that unrest in Europe would spread to their country. The restrictions were not overtly aimed at Jews, but because the quotas from countries with high Jewish populations were tightened, fewer Jews were able to settle in the United States. The Balfour Declaration, meanwhile, expressed Britains support for a Jewish home in Palestine.
Soon, I was developing a full-blown vision of what the museum could be like. Someone said, Jean Dubuffet has a museum just like that in Switzerland. So the filmmaker Donna Matson and the philanthropist LeRoy Hoffberger and I traveled to Lausanne to study the Dubuffet museum and to make a short film about it. That was the beginning.

What did you find there?

A model. The museum was full of the art of patients with mental illness, but also that of everyday people like housewives and truck drivers. The curators put biographies of the artists on the walls and wrote of the context in which works had been produced. The entire place was friendly to the visitor.

A second model, for different reasons, was Frank Oppenheimers Exploratorium in San Francisco. There, the exhibits demystified science and invited young visitors to consider becoming scientists themselves. In a similar way, I hoped our future museum would encourage visitors to consider their own creative possibilities.

Why did you have the audacity  the chutzpah, if you will  to think you could start a museum?

I had a lot of experience in starting things. Id had my own ballet company at a very young age  22. I knew people whod listen if I had an idea.

Now, AVAM took a decade of lobbying and fund-raising to become a reality. This was the first major museum in Baltimore in 60 years, and the 1980s were not a good time financially for the city. But by 1989, we were on our way. Thats when the city gave us development rights to a plot of land on Baltimores Inner Harbor. Our next step was to find $7.6 million so that we could erect a building.
To grasp the history behind The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s, a new exhibition opening next month at the Cooper Hewitt, the Smithsonians design museum, there is far more to study and experience than just the 400 pieces of art, furniture and textiles on view.

There is the museums Immersion Room, for example, where vintage wallpaper patterns are digitally projected, floor to ceiling; while there, take in a playlist piped in courtesy of Jazz at Lincoln Center. If your timing is good, you might catch a spontaneous jazz performance in the galleries by students from the Manhattan School of Music.

Or get out of the museum entirely and take a walking tour of Harlem that highlights the nightclubs where artists and designers of the time mingled and drew inspiration.

Those attractions are part of an overhaul in recent years at the Cooper Hewitt, which its director, Caroline Baumann, describes as a self-conscious effort to shake off its reputation as an elegant, lovely museum on 91st Street you experience once a year. Under Ms. Baumann, the institution has become more interactive, more high-tech and more collaborative with other institutions  the kind of ingredients that tend to appeal to younger visitors.
When the director of a major Dutch museum visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York a few years ago, he was distressed to see that its display of de Stijl works was far superior to anything the Netherlands had done on this renowned Dutch art movement.

It was quite painful, said Benno Tempel, director of the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague.

But that was in 2011. Now de Stijl is getting its due in the country where it began. The Netherlands is hosting a yearlong, nationwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of de Stijl (the style), a movement that began in 1917 and is characterized by the reduction of form and color to their essentials: bold, simple, abstract geometric compositions and primary hues.
AMSTERDAM  How safe is it to buy old masters at Tefaf Maastricht, which bills itself as one of the most intensely vetted and reliable art fairs in the world? That question is being asked this week by some art dealers both inside and outside the fair, after Dutch news organizations flagged the fact that three participating galleries have open legal cases involving artworks deemed by other experts to be fakes or forgeries, and that a fourth is associated with a continuing investigation into possible forgery. No conclusion has been reached by the courts in any of these cases.

The Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad first raised the question, asking whether the four galleries should be allowed to participate in the fair this year and citing insiders whose critical comments could not all be verified by The New York Times.

But Daniel Blau, an art dealer from Munich who was named in the article, said in an interview with The Times that he was concerned about the four participants and had chosen to take a sabbatical from exhibiting this year because of concerns the fairs reputation would be damaged.

The four galleries mentioned by NRC are Colnaghi, the Weiss Gallery and the Mayor Gallery, all from London, and Didier Aaron from Paris. They are long-term participants in the annual art fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands, which runs through March 19 this year. Konrad Bernheimer of the Colnaghi gallery serves on the Tefaf board.
It is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, led by giants like Mahler, Toscanini and Bernstein, but the New York Philharmonics recent struggles have sent shudders through audiences, donors and power brokers across the classical music world.

It has run deficits for most of this century. It is sometimes treated as an afterthought amid the rich cultural offerings of New York. And during the past two months, it reached a crisis point: An exodus of top executives threatened the Philharmonics ability to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for the long-delayed renovation of its drab Lincoln Center home, and left a vacuum just as the orchestra needs to plan the introduction of its next music director, Jaap van Zweden, in 2018.

So it was nothing short of a coup for the troubled Philharmonic to announce on Wednesday that it had poached one of the most successful arts administrators in the nation to become its next president and chief executive officer: Deborah Borda, who helped make the Los Angeles Philharmonic the envy of the orchestra world during her 17 years at its helm.

It will be a homecoming of sorts for Ms. Borda, 67, who ran the New York Philharmonic in the 1990s.

You know, the New York Philharmonic is a critical institution in this country, and when things arent going smoothly at the New York Philharmonic everybody notices, Ms. Borda said in an interview. Any challenge is really an opportunity. And there are big challenges  I dont deny those  but those are great opportunities.
Tommy LiPuma, a record producer and music executive who found enormous success melding the sounds of jazz and pop on albums by George Benson, Diana Krall, Natalie Cole and others, died on Monday in Manhattan. He was 80.

His death, at a hospital, was announced by his family, which did not specify a cause.

In a five-decade career in music that started after he quit a job as a barber, Mr. LiPuma worked with an array of artists that also included Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Paul McCartney, Dr. John, Al Jarreau and even the British alternative duo Everything but the Girl.

His productions, many geared toward an adult audience whose tastes rarely intersect with the Top 10, sold tens of millions of copies, and he collected five Grammy Awards.

Mr. Bensons 1976 hit album Breezin drew on soulful jazz and R&B but had a slick pop sheen. Through his work on that album, Mr. LiPuma helped create the blueprint for what became known  for better or worse  as smooth jazz. Mr. LiPuma himself never embraced the term.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists, remembers the hushed tones that accompanied her first period.

In a recent interview in New York, she leaned in to mimic her mothers voice. What are you doing with your menstrual pads? she whispers. My mother taught me to go burn them in the backyard when nobodys looking.

Ms. Adichie never fully understood the shame that was supposed to usher in womanhood, which made her hide her pads and made her friends apologize to boyfriends for having periods at all.

Im not going to have my daughter have that kind of shame, she said.

Ms. Adichies latest book, Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, is a 63-page blueprint for achieving that reality. Written as a letter to a friend, the book offers a set of guidelines for how to raise a feminist daughter. Teach her to love books; never speak of marriage as an achievement; because you are a girl is never a reason for anything. The premise of feminism, Ms. Adichie writes, is simply: I matter. I matter equally. The Washington Post wrote that much of the book would be familiar to readers of Ms. Adichies previous work but that it was more personal, more urgent.
Paul Muldoon, who for a decade has served as the poetry editor of The New Yorker, will step down, the magazine announced on Wednesday. His successor will be Kevin Young, who moved to New York from Atlanta last year to become the director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Mr. Young is an esteemed poet and scholar whose work has been published in The New Yorker dating back to 1999. His most recent work, Blue Laws: Selected & Uncollected Poems 1995-2015, made the 2016 National Book Award longlist. He will retain his position at the Schomburg Center.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning Mr. Muldoon, 65, who was raised in Ireland, had his first poem published when he was 16 and his first short collection at 19. In 1996, he was awarded an American Academy of Arts and Letters award in literature. In 2007, he replaced Alice Quinn at The New Yorker as the poetry editor, a post that she held for 20 years.

In 2013, Mr. Muldoon started a poetry podcast, saying that the eye is not the only buyer into, and beneficiary of, the poem. He was also well known for his interviews at the New Yorker Festival, including with Patti Smith in 2012 and Paul Simon in 2013.
Both books are meant to scare us, and the central theme is privacy: Without intervention, they suggest, well come to regret todays inaction. I agree, but the authors miss the real horror show on the horizon. The futures fundamental infrastructure is being built by computer scientists, data scientists, network engineers and security experts just like Weigend and Mitnick, who do not recognize their own biases. This encodes an urgent flaw in the foundation itself. The next layer will be just a little off, along with the next one and the one after that, as the problems compound.

Right now, humans and machines engage in supervised learning. Experts teach the system by labeling an initial data set; once the computer reaches basic proficiency, they let it try sorting data on its own. If the system makes an error, the experts correct it. Eventually, this process yields highly sophisticated algorithms capable of refining and using our personal data for a variety of purposes: automatically sorting spam out of your inbox, say, or recommending a show youll like on Netflix. Then, building on this foundation of data and algorithms, more teaching and learning takes place.

But human bias creeps into computerized algorithms in disconcerting ways. In 2015, Googles photo app mistook a black software developer for a gorilla in photos he uploaded. In 2016, the Microsoft chatbot Tay went on a homophobic, anti-Semitic rampage after just one day of interactions on Twitter. Months later, reporters at ProPublica uncovered how algorithms in police software discriminate against black people while mislabeling white criminals as low risk. Recently when I searched C.E.O. on Google Images, the first woman listed was C.E.O. Barbie.

Data scientists arent inherently racist, sexist, anti-Semitic or homophobic. But they are human, and they harbor unconscious biases just as we all do. This comes through in both books. In Mitnicks, women appear primarily in anecdotes and always as unwitting, jealous or angry. Near the end, Mitnick describes trying to enter Canada from Michigan, and wonders if hes stopped because a Middle Eastern guy with only a green card was driving. (He might be right, but he doesnt allow for the possibility that his own criminal record could also be responsible.)

Weigends book is meticulously researched, yet nearly all the experts he quotes are men. Early on he tells the story of Latanya Sweeney, who in the 1990s produced a now famous study of anonymized public health data in Massachusetts. She proved that the data could be traced back to individuals, including the governor himself. But Sweeney is far better known for something Weigend never mentions: Shes the Harvard professor who discovered that  because of her black-sounding name  she was appearing in Google ads for criminal records and background checks. Weigend could have cited her to address bias in the second of his six rights, involving the integrity of a refinerys social data ecosystem. But he neglects to discuss the well-documented sexism, racism, xenophobia and homophobia in the machine-learning infrastructure.

The omission of women and people of color from something as benign as book research illustrates the real challenge of unconscious bias in data and algorithms. Weigend and Mitnick rely only on whats immediate and familiar  an unfortunately common practice in the data community. University computer science, math and physics departments lack diversity in staff and coursework. Corporate data science is homogeneous. So are professional and academic conferences, where the future of data is discussed. If the people mining and processing our data are nothing like us, and if the machines learn only from them, our data can yield only warped caricatures, like the zombies you see on TV.

As a futurist, I try to figure out how your data will someday power things like artificially intelligent cars, computer-assisted doctors and robot security agents. Thats why I found both books concerning. Think of all the characteristics that make up who you are: how much coffee you drink, how fast you drive, how often you open your refrigerator, your respiratory rate, what slang you use, the random strangers youve friended on Facebook. You may look like Weigend and Mitnick and therefore may not have experienced algorithmic discrimination yet. You, too, should be afraid. Weve only recently struck oil.
WAKING LIONS

By Ayelet Gundar-Goshen

Translated by Sondra Silverston

341 pp. Little, Brown & Company. $26.

Eitan Green, the protagonist of the Israeli author Ayelet Gundar-Goshens novel Waking Lions, is a respected neurosurgeon who has been forced by a professional dispute to relocate from Tel Aviv to Beersheba, a desert town where dust is everywhere, a thin white layer, like the icing on a birthday cake no one wants. Speeding through a remote area in his S.U.V. late one night, he hits an Eritrean man walking by the roadside. And when he decides that the victim is beyond help, he impulsively flees the scene.

The next morning, the victims widow shows up at Eitans doorstep, holding his wallet and demanding not his money but his expertise. Soon she has blackmailed him into treating illegal immigrants from the northeast of Africa at an abandoned garage that has been turned into an underground hospital. The novel that follows  part psychological thriller, part morality play  takes readers through the wilderness of the Negev desert and its underworld of Israeli drug dealers, Bedouin gangs and desperate refugees.

Image

Gundar-Goshen has said that she believes the writers job is to force readers to look at what theyd usually avoid. Not short on discomfiting scenes, Waking Lions offers a commentary on privilege and otherness, challenging readers to confront their own blind spots and preconceptions. The themes of visibility and invisibility, of the power dynamics between the observed and the observer, run throughout the narrative. Although the victims widow, Sirkit, who scrubs floors at a gas station restaurant, often goes unnoticed by Israelis, she is a beautiful woman, and thus used to the male gaze. She knows that men can fasten their eyes on you the way people put a collar on a dog. As the lone witness to Eitans crime, she has become the only one who knew him for what he was. The authority she holds over him both infuriates and intrigues him. The intimacy that emerges between them is rendered with a restrained intensity that creates some of the novels most dramatic scenes.
LONDON  European regulators gave a Monsanto a boost on Wednesday after determining that the main ingredient in the companys flagship weed killer should not be classified as causing cancer.

The decision was welcome for Monsanto, coming a day after unsealed records from a federal court in San Francisco raised questions about the safety of the weed killer, Roundup, and concerns about the companys research practices. The European review was focused on the safety of glyphosate, the main ingredient in Roundup.

Glyphosate should not be classified as a carcinogen, that is, as a substance causing cancer, Tim Bowmer, chairman of the committee for risk assessment at the European Chemicals Agency, said at a news briefing. This conclusion was based both on the human evidence and the weight of the evidence of all of the animal studies reviewed.

The safety of glyphosate has been a contentious topic since the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization, classified the substance as a probable carcinogen two years ago. The classification drew a strong response from Monsanto, and a number of regulatory bodies, including the European Food Safety Agency and the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States subsequently differed with the determination.
YPSILANTI, Mich.  President Trump came to the heart of the auto industry on Wednesday with a manifesto for American manufacturing: to remove the shackles of regulation and restore an age of industrial glory.

Granting the automakers their top wish, Mr. Trump halted an initiative by the Obama administration to impose stringent fuel-economy standards by 2025  rules meant to cut carbon emissions and meet international commitments to address climate change.

Instead, Mr. Trump vowed to keep cutting regulations as a means to accelerate economic growth and add new jobs.

The assault on the American auto industry is over, he declared.

The move to reopen the governments review of the standards will allow automakers to argue for less stringent  and less costly  mileage standards than the target of 54.5 miles per gallon set in 2012 by President Barack Obama.
Promising stem-cell research in eye disease and other conditions is taking place. But researchers and health officials have been warning for years that patients are at risk from hundreds of private clinics that have sprung up around the United States and overseas, offering stem-cell treatments for all manner of ailments, like injured knees, damaged spinal discs, neurological diseases and heart failure. Businesses promising regenerative medicine have multiplied, with little or no regulation.

Stem cells, which can develop into many different types of cells, are thought to have tremendous potential to repair or replace tissue damaged by disease, injury or aging. But so far, the F.D.A. has approved only a few stem-cell products to treat certain blood disorders.

The women in Florida suffered detached retinas, in which the thin layer of light-sensing cells that send signals to the optic nerve pulls away from the back of the eye  a condition that usually needs prompt surgery to prevent blindness. Doctors who examined the patients said they suspected that the stem cells had grown onto the retina and then contracted, pulling it off the eyeball.

One woman had such high pressure inside her eyes  about three times the normal level  that it may have damaged her optic nerves. Doctors operated quickly to relieve the pressure, but she became blind.

The really horrible thing about this is that you would never, nobody practicing good medicine would ever do an experimental procedure on a patient on both eyes on the same day, said Dr. Thomas A. Albini, an author of the article who saw two of the patients, at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Standard practice, he said, is to treat one eye at a time, usually the worse eye first, so that if something goes wrong at least the patient still has one eye left with some vision.
Its all about planning, said Todd Socia, the vice president for production. On the night before the storm, when many people across the Northeast were making sure to take their laptops home with them, Mr. Socia said he huddled with members of the news and production teams assessing the storms severity and considering whether there were ways to get the paper out the door faster, ahead of the storm.

Having navigated Hurricane Sandy in 2012 as well as the blackout of August 2003 (which shut down the papers production plant in College Point, Queens), Mark Weitzel, who directs the print distribution operation, said the production team has something of a playbook it draws upon for various emergency scenarios and weather events.

In this instance, as is often the case with weather emergencies, the team decided it would be useful to have a little more production time. Accordingly, Tom Jolly, associate masthead editor for print, and Mr. Weitzel decided to close the news pages an hour earlier.

For Times writers and editors, this meant one hour less in the day. (Mr. Jolly explained why the earlier closing time did not mean less news: The major news, including the lead story on the C.B.O. report about the new health plan, occurred during the day, so readers didnt miss out on anything notable. He added, Of course the newspaper is always published according to set deadlines, and if news happens afterwards, we follow up in the next days paper.)

To speed things further, the production team decided to add another printing press; the fourth press made it possible to print more papers more quickly. It costs more to run the extra press, but Mr. Weitzel said the extra press would make it possible to get papers to subscribers on time and so was worth it.
Have you noticed that people your age spend more time on interactive media than they do using marijuana or other drugs? If so, do you think interactive media somehow satisfies similar needs or impulses as drug experimentation?

In Are Teenagers Replacing Drugs With Smartphones?, Matt Richtel writes:

Amid an opioid epidemic, the rise of deadly synthetic drugs and the widening legalization of marijuana, a curious bright spot has emerged in the youth drug culture: American teenagers are growing less likely to try or regularly use drugs, including alcohol.

With minor fits and starts, the trend has been building for a decade, with no clear understanding as to why. Some experts theorize that falling cigarette-smoking rates are cutting into a key gateway to drugs, or that antidrug education campaigns, long a largely failed enterprise, have finally taken hold.

But researchers are starting to ponder an intriguing question: Are teenagers using drugs less in part because they are constantly stimulated and entertained by their computers and phones?

The possibility is worth exploring, they say, because use of smartphones and tablets has exploded over the same period that drug use has declined. This correlation does not mean that one phenomenon is causing the other, but scientists say interactive media appears to play to similar impulses as drug experimentation, including sensation-seeking and the desire for independence.

Or it might be that gadgets simply absorb a lot of time that could be used for other pursuits, including partying.

Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says she plans to begin research on the topic in the next few months, and will convene a group of scholars in April to discuss it. The possibility that smartphones were contributing to a decline in drug use by teenagers, Dr. Volkow said, was the first question she asked when she saw the agencys most recent survey results. The survey, Monitoring the Future, an annual government-funded report measuring drug use by teenagers, found that past-year use of illicit drugs other than marijuana was at the lowest level in the 40-year history of the project for eighth, 10th and 12th graders.

Use of marijuana is down over the past decade for eighth and 10th graders even as social acceptability is up, the study found. Though marijuana use has risen among 12th graders, the use of cocaine, hallucinogens, ecstasy and crack are all down, too, while LSD use has remained steady.

Even as heroin use has become an epidemic among adults in some communities, it has fallen among high schoolers over the past decade, the study found.
Conversation - 07 (Asian-American) Cut 2016-03-09 00:00 ESTHER: I think the conversations I had about race with my family was primarily lead by my dad, and it would just be in little lessons. Like Id pick up the phone and Id say hello, and he goes, I can tell youre Korean over the phone, and I was like, Its because I am Korean, and Im on the phone with you, and he goes, No, no one should be able to tell youre Korean on the phone, people should just think youre American. 00:24 RINKU: When my parents talked about Americans they clearly meant white Americans, when they meant any other type of Americans they named them, they said Black people, or Latinos, or Native- American Indians was the language they would use for Native people, so I understood early on that a real American was a White American, everybody else had to be qualified. 00:53 MONIQUE: Well, Asian-American to me is um- is a political identification, not like Democratic or Republican, but meaning a way to organize, a group identification that has political implications and meaning, and power and strength. 01:13 ADEEL: Wearing this skin color is a big deal to me, which is why I dont say Im just American anymore because America doesnt see me as just American. 01:26 HASAN: My first experience with race was, when I was six years old I fell in love with this girl named Janis Mallo and I went up to her in the sandbox and I was like, Janis I love you! and she was like, Youre the color of poop! And that was memory number one with racism, and I didnt know what that was, I just took that literally and was like, What? Ahhh its not rubbing off, like it was very terrifying. 01:47 MONIQUE: These children around me already had the racial epithets to use against me. You know its the first time in my life of course that I heard, you know, chink, and jap, and gook. 02:03 CHITRA: When I was in 2nd grade I used to walk a little bit to the bus stop away from my school, and there was a boy who used to beat me up, and when he used to beat me up he used to call me the N-word. Which I didnt quite know what it meant but I knew that it was something negative, and- people who evoke the most fear in me is like 10-year-old white boys, like I will cross the street. 02:25 ESTHER: My dad used to run a small business and I remember people coming in who werent Korean and just white customers coming in, and they would just tell my dad to go back to his country. And this was before my dad had a full grasp on the English language and I remember seeing my dads hands like being balled up in fists underneath the counter but my dad just saying, Ok thank you, come back soon. 03:00 HASAN: My dad he grew up in a very interesting time in Indians sort of development and growth. So he grew up when partition happened. During the time of partition there was a lot of aggression, so for him to hear my stories of micro-aggression he just didnt have a whole lot of room or empathy to understand what it meant, because hes like, Im dealing with full on aggression, like Ive seen full on riots, people being killed, you know, fine kids call you Saddam Hussein just deal with it, we have an amazing opportunity here. We have freeways, Wi-Fi and Jamba Juice you better go be president, no excuses. 03:34 VISH: I had enough of stereotyping and not knowing who I was that I decided, Ok I wanted to become invisible, I didnt want any eyes on me. So I took a big step of basically taking off my turban, cutting off my hair, and that worked for a while. 03:50 CHI-HUI: You know on one hand theres this idea of foreignness of not belonging, and then on the other hand theres this idea of being a successful minority who has achieved, and who should be modeled after, and theres not a whole lot of room to work in between these. 04:07 RINKU: Immigration was opened in 1965 to professional Asian families, so we were really chosen and creamed from our countries, that we were meant to occupy a position as the solution to the problem of black-rebellion and of black resistance, and thats not a good position for us, that we should join the problem, rather than join that false solution. 04:34 ANDREW: Was I ever a model minority? Of course, you know I was a good student, and thats probably the extent of it. But you know, I had a cousin who had a murder rap. 04:45 CATHY: You know, I was the only Asian kid in Ridgewood, in a working class neighborhood, and I went to high school I hung out with gangs, I got into a lot of trouble, and I barely made it into college. 04:55 CHHAYA: The Bronx is home for me, and I think that, that growing up with black and brown folks, you know, again, determines our political alignment and solidarity work around like BlackLivesMatter and things like that, because we came from the same community, we lived in the same ghettos and we know what it means to be invisible and abandoned in the US. 05:20 KELVIN: Just because Im Malaysian doesnt mean Im exempt from the conversation on anti-blackness, simply because this system was setup in a global setting. And even within Asian countries like Japan, Korea, India, you see colorism as a very wide spread phenomena, because anti-blackness is so entrenched and so just deeply embedded in like the global psyche, and like the global construction of race yeah. 05:44 CATHY: When you look more deeply within our own community, and how were treated even differently within colorism and the spectrum of our skin tone, you know, Vietnamese people are treated differently and better than Cambodians, or Laos people or Hmong people, because were lighter. And I think with our own communities we have to acknowledge that, and acknowledge privilege of our skin color, and how we play a role being complacent and not being complacent and fighting back against what the system is between white supremacy and anti-blackness and everything in between the systems that upholds those two. 06:18 ESTHER: And I dont think this is unique to Asians, I think every racial group is made to feel like their situation is siloed from other groups of people, and its very keep your head down, eyes in your own lane, and make sure things are better for us, and I think that I saw that a lot growing up, and Ive definitely thought that at some point in my life, where I would see injustices happening to other groups of people in this country and I would tell myself, no you have your own things to worry about, make sure things are better for you. But then I realized when I grew up, that its not any of us thats the problem, its the system thats the problem and when the tide rises, all boats rise, so we need to stand by each other and support one another. 07:09
LONDON  Fans of The Matrix may get another chance to see how deep the rabbit hole goes: A new installment in the film franchise is in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The prospects for a fourth movie were almost as ambiguous as the trilogys famously complex plot. An article published on Tuesday said that the siblings Lana and Lilly Wachowski, who dreamed up and shot the original Matrix and its sequels, were not yet involved in the possible project.

Nor was it clear how the narrative of the new installment, which The Hollywood Reporter described as a relaunch and a reboot, would tie in with the existing Matrix films.

The participation of Keanu Reeves, who played the central figure, Neo, in all three films, was also an open question. In February, Mr. Reeves said he would take part in another Matrix film if the opportunity arose and if the Wachowskis were involved. I dunno, thatd be weird, but why not, he told Yahoo Movies.
The most stomach-churning scene in the new French horror film Raw isnt the one where the young cannibal girl gnaws on her sisters severed finger like its a KFC chicken wing. Its not the scene where the girls afternoon snack is a bloody accident victim.

What made me gag was a scene earlier in the film, in which the sweet-faced girl  a lifelong vegetarian, played with deranged glamour by Garance Marillier  is forced to swallow a rabbit kidney as part of a bizarre hazing ritual at the worlds unruliest veterinarian school.

Gross.

Ive been a vegetarian for almost 30 years. My light bulb moment was the day in high school when my loudmouthed friend Kim pointed out the bloody vein protruding from the chicken leg I was eating, and I almost threw up on her Trapper Keeper. Ive also been a devoted fan of horror movies since I first popped Slumber Party Massacre into my VCR one night in 1985. So my heart races more than usual when I watch a movie that combines my aversion to meat with my affection for horror.

It makes sense that how we get meat and why we consume it are considerations the horror genre takes seriously. Sometimes the killing of animals is used to shock, as in Ruggero Deodatos Cannibal Holocaust, which shows real footage of people dismembering a turtle. More often the link between flesh-eating and evil is metaphorically depicted as a race to the death between a monster exterminator and a human-animal victim. Slaughterhouse, sorority house: Its all the same.
Talk about a wicked case of the Mondays. Almost anyone who has worked in an office has felt beaten down by the job at some point, whether its by an annoying co-worker, a demanding boss or monotonous daily tasks. Its enough to make some people crack. Films like Office Space and shows like The Office turned the pitfalls of office culture into comedy. But what does it look like when that desire to smack a colleague silly is taken to darker places? You get the subgenre of office horror, in which bodies pile up alongside the copy machine. The latest entries include The Belko Experiment (March 17) and the forthcoming Mayhem, about the most hellish days at the office you can imagine. Heres a look at these, and other, office nightmares.

The Belko Experiment

DIRECTOR Greg McLean

PLOT It starts just like any other day at Belko Industries, a Bogota, Colombia, nonprofit that has American employees. But then a voice on the intercom tells employees they must kill a certain number of their co-workers, or more will die. Steel doors lock everyone in, touching off a Hunger Games-style kill-or-be-killed scenario. The movie includes several familiar types  the budding couple; the slacker; the stern boss; the annoying, too-flirty co-worker  and pits them against one another in a grisly death match.

GRUESOME BREAK FROM ROUTINE One especially unlucky employee is bludgeoned with a tape dispenser.
A criminal network made over $12 million stealing flash drives, headphones, ink cartridges and flea collars from big-box stores and selling them on websites like Amazon and eBay, according to an indictment on Wednesday.

Twelve people were indicted on 41 counts including conspiracy, enterprise corruption, money laundering and criminal possession of stolen property, in one of the most sprawling retail crime operations ever investigated.

The ring, we allege, consisted of four theft crews that operated all across the country stealing valuable merchandise from major retailers like Staples, Office Depot and Best Buy, Eric T. Schneiderman, the attorney general of New York, said at a news conference in Manhattan on Wednesday.

This is not shoplifting, he added. This is organized crime.

This week, investigators said they seized more than $1 million in stolen goods and over $7.7 million from the defendants, some of whom could face sentences of up to 25 years.
Theres a lot of power in having a morning routine. It reduces decision fatigue and can help you be more productive through the day.

You can also start the day more informed. Many New York Times readers do so by starting their days with the Morning Briefing. Last week we asked this group to tell us about their morning routines.

All told, 331 readers shared their routine with us. Among the most mentioned items: Coffee (126 mentions), prayer or meditation (84), running/walking (95) or exercise (94), breakfast (97) and planning the night before (35).

Below is some advice culled from Times reporting and offered by Times readers for each of these components of a successful morning routine.
To the Editor:

Those in Europe arguing in favor of a continental nuclear arsenal (Fearing U.S. Withdrawal, Europe Considers Its Own Nuclear Deterrent, The Interpreter, March 7) are heavy on politics, but glaringly light on law and humanity.

Some Western nations like to squarely blame North Koreas 2003 withdrawal from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or Irans program to enrich nuclear fuel for undermining the global nonproliferation regime. Without condoning the actions of North Korea or Iran, it is still plain to see that the creation of a European nuclear weapon alliance would violate both the spirit and the letter of the Nonproliferation Treaty.

Any use of even smaller, shorter-range tactical weapons would have catastrophic humanitarian consequences.

The majority of the worlds nations will gather at the United Nations in New York at the end of March to begin negotiating a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons. Such a treaty is urgently needed and long overdue.
The New York Police Department has a long, well-documented history of violating the rights of law-abiding citizens through illegal surveillance. Recognizing that record, Judge Charles Haight of Federal District Court in Manhattan in October wisely rejected a proposed legal settlement over the departments surveillance of Muslim citizens as being insufficiently protective.

On Monday, Judge Haight approved a new agreement, which was revised along the lines he had suggested. It strengthens oversight in a way that will serve as a check on illegal tactics while giving the department the freedom it needs to pursue legitimate counterterrorism investigations.

This problem dates back to the 1960s, when the Police Departments notorious Red Squad sought to disrupt and subvert groups like the Black Panthers. In 1971, a group of plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit charging the department with carrying out surveillance and other activities in a manner that violated their constitutional rights.

The case, named for the plaintiff Barbara Handschu, was expanded to include other organizations and was settled in 1985. The settlement barred the city from investigating political or religious groups unless they were connected to a crime that had occurred or was about to be committed.
Thats because prophecy is hard, and as the last two years have reminded us, historys arc bends one way only until it doesnt. So I cant say whether the recent decline in American religiosity will become an unstoppable collapse, as Dreher argues, or if its just the evaporation of nominal Christianity that will leave a churchgoing core intact. I cant say how far liberalism will go in forcing religious traditionalists and their institutions to bend the knee to the sexual revolution: For every instance of successful sexual-revolution Jacobinism, theres one thats fizzled out. And I can understand why progressive Christians dealing with the reality of President Trump would find the persecution narrative of their conservative co-believers less than persuasive at the present time.

But Drehers deeper, how to build a counterculture argument matters regardless of whether his prophecies are accurate, because it matters in the polarized, fragmenting America that exists right now. Whatever comes in 2030 or 2040, whether or not a once-dominant Christianity is doomed to marginalization or merely in decline, we have a severe problem of rootlessness, hyper-individualism and anomie already  how do you think we got Trumpism? There is blame enough to go around, but the weakness of religious community is an important part of the story; strong religious bonds were often an antidote to rootlessness and dissolution in Americas more Tocquevillian, communitarian past, and they remain so in certain present-day case studies (Mormon Utah, most notably).

The models of successful community that Dreher highlights  from Mormons to actual monastics  are often distinctive or ascetic in ways that the average American believer cant necessarily embrace. And as his critics reasonably point out, certain kinds of withdrawalism lead only to the hermetic existence of fundamentalists and cults.

But one might also think of the Benedict Option not as an absolute demand  to the monastery, go!  but as an invitation to sort of religious ratchet, in which people start from wherever they are and then take one step toward a greater rigor and coherence in the way they marry faith and life.

If every Catholic high school or college were one degree less secularized and worldly; if every Protestant megachurch were one degree more liturgical and theological; if not every Catholic but more Catholics became priests and nuns; if not every Christian family but more Christian families decided to have a third child or a fourth or fifth; if not every young Christian but more young Christians looked at working-class neighborhoods as an important mission field; if Catholics and Protestants alike could imitate even part of Mormonisms dense networking  all this would be a form of the Benedict Option in action, and both the churches and the common culture would be better for it.

And not only conservative churches. The basic model could be applied just as easily to non-Christian faiths, and it could be embraced by the progressive Christians who find Drehers vision  and Chaputs, and Esolens, and Russell Moores  too dogmatic and rigid and anti-modern.
Of course, Republicans are acting this way in large part because of President Trumps voters. Despite all the hard talk about repealing Obamacare, Mr. Trumps voters supported a man who promised a government-run health care plan that would provide universal coverage. In other words, he promised more than Obamacare. For that matter, Mr. Trump promised more government involvement in health care than Hillary Clinton did. It is not hard to see why Republicans think they can get away with breaking their promises. Their own partys presidential nominee promised more than what President Obama offered and claimed he could pay for it all without raising taxes.

Mr. Trumps voters want Obamacare, but they want Mr. Trumps gold-plated branding on it. They claim to hate Obamacare, but data show a good number of Mr. Trumps voters are actually using the Affordable Care Act. Just dont tell them that the Affordable Care Act is Obamacare. They like the former and hate the latter.

The 2016 election was, though it pains me to say, a defeat for conservatism. Both parties were willing to gravitate toward candidates who promised a strong federal government that could deliver a panacea without worrying about costs. Mr. Trump promised to be a strong man stamping out waste, fraud and abuse while putting Americans first. His voters are smart enough to understand that his programs will cost money. They just do not seem any more concerned than Republican leaders in Washington about budget costs. They all make a great show of caring in public, but it is just show.

So Democrats and Republicans are fighting over who gets to expand government for which voters and by how much. The Republicans, who claim to be the party of fiscal discipline, want to spend money, but at a slower pace than the Democrats and without raising taxes. It did not have to be this way. The Republicans did not have to embrace the Democrats presuppositions in creating Obamacare.
This article is part of the Opinion Today newsletter. You can sign up here to receive more briefings and a guide to the section daily in your inbox.

The timing of the attack sure seemed telling.

On Monday evening, as people were taking in the devastating analysis of Paul Ryans health care plan, the right-wing publication Breitbart was leading its website with an attack on Ryan. The attack, which had nothing to do with health care, tried to create more distance between Ryan and President Trump.

The headline read: Audio Emerges of When Paul Ryan Abandoned Donald Trump. The story was about a tape of Ryan talking with other Republicans during last years presidential campaign.
To the Editor:

Re Hurling Insults, Then Rebuked by Own Party (front page, March 14):

Representative Steve King of Iowa, saying things like we cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies, has developed a habit of embarrassing his home state. Despite his efforts to sidestep his comments with his aw-shucks attitude, make no mistake: His rhetoric is based solidly in white nationalism.

Having served in the Iowa Senate with Mr. King, I can personally attest that his words are always deliberate and his ideology consistently hateful. Steve King is racist and xenophobic. Mr. Kings name is celebrated among most of the hate groups across the nation identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

MATTHEW MCCOY, DES MOINES
Eight years later, on another hot and sticky spring night, I would lie in bed in that same hotel with the sound of incoming rockets landing in the city. And when my helicopter rose from the American embassy at dusk on the wars last day the airport really was under attack, and the fires I saw burning on the ground really were the ravages of war.

But that March, 50 years ago this month, the mood of American officials was all upbeat, get-on-the team optimism. We were winning. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara famously said that every quantitative measurement we have shows we are winning the war. From Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge in his elegant white suits to Gen. William Westmoreland in his starched and immaculately creased uniforms, the word was that even the most hardened doubters would become believers before the year was out.

Two years earlier President Lyndon B. Johnson had escalated the war, replacing mere advisers with main force fighting units, with more American troops and equipment pouring into the country every day. The Communists responded in kind: 1967 saw the war changing from Viet Cong punji stakes of sharpened bamboo and booby traps to North Vietnamese infantry battalions backed by heavy Russian artillery firing from across the Demilitarized Zone, one of the wars more ironic oxymorons. A.R.V.N., the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam, would still go on fighting, but it was Americas soldiers that would now be taking the lead, easing our Vietnamese allies to the side. It was Americas war now.

It would be my job to make some sense of all of this, and I spent the next several months crisscrossing the country, in the rice fields of the Mekong River delta, with the well-equipped American Army in the forested hills of the Central Highlands and with the Marine Corps in the northern reaches of South Vietnam. I rode in Jeeps, trucks, four-engined transport planes and countless helicopters in and out of fire fights, often riding in with ammunition resupply and out with the American dead zipped in their body bags.

But mostly I traveled on foot with the soldiers, getting to know officers and enlisted men. I saw how elusive the enemy could be, how devastating our fire power, and how McNamaras quantitative measurements were an illusion. The military called these operations search and destroy missions, but it became clear to me that although we could destroy, we could not win. With every village burned we were making more enemies, and despite our frequent bombing north of the DMZ there was no evidence that the other side was going to quit.
VISBY, Sweden  The colonel told me he wouldnt accuse me of gun possession, my cellmate Nabil Shurbaji told me happily one evening in June 2012. We were sitting in a dark, damp corner, in our torn clothes. Our bodies were covered with blisters and open wounds. Some were caused by daily beatings and electric shocks, some by scabies. Bed bugs swarmed over everything.

We cleaned our bodies and clothes twice a day, under a faint lamp. We took turns, in groups of four or five, but there were always more bugs. They were among our worst nightmares, in addition to the jailers above us.

The bug-infested cell where we were held was part of an air force intelligence center near the Mezzah military airport in Damascus. The center was under the supervision of Maher al-Assad, the brother of President Bashar al-Assad and one of the most feared men in Syrias security services. After the revolution broke out in March 2011, the airport became the site of interrogations of members of the opposition.

Nabil was thrilled about not being falsely accused of gun possession, a charge that was being leveled against many of those held alongside us. Gun possession charges, we believed at the time, could lead to a life sentence, or worse, a death sentence. (I later discovered, while investigating Syrias prisons, that being accused of using a gun can often be better than being a peaceful activist, doctor or journalist. One former jailer cited a twist on a cliche: The pen is more dangerous than a gun.)
Until recently, Beijing resisted using that leverage. It feared inciting the Kim regimes collapse, sending millions of North Koreans into China and losing the strategic buffer it enjoys with South Korea and its American ally.

But Kim Jong-uns erratic behavior has deeply upset Beijing; increasingly, it sees Pyongyang as the source of the instability it fears. President Obama emphasized to President Xi Jinping of China that North Koreas nuclear program is now a core concern of the United States, just as Taiwan is to China. He made clear that we would take every necessary step to protect ourselves and the allies we are sworn to defend, notably by deploying missile defense systems like Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or Thaad, which, while not aimed at China, clearly unnerve it. If Beijing wants to pre-empt additional defensive steps it must do more to bring Pyongyang to real negotiations. Its recent decision to curb coal imports is a good start.

The second component of the pressure campaign has been less visible, but just as vital. Working in weekly coordination with South Korea and Japan, the United States identified and then sought to sever the political, economic and diplomatic ties that North Korea enjoys around the world. Quietly but systematically, we went from country to country in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. We pressed each to eject North Korean guest workers whose remittances go not to their families but to help fund the military, and diplomats engaged in illicit commercial activities; to deny landing rights to Air Koryo, the national airline, and porting rights to North Koreas ships; to cut off or downgrade diplomatic relations; and to aggressively enforce and even go beyond sanctions authorized by the United Nations Security Council. To date, our efforts have cut in half high-level North Korean exchanges with other countries and possibly deprived North Korea of several hundred million dollars in revenues.

Mr. Tillerson should make clear that the United States will continue this dogged, daily diplomacy for the purpose of bringing North Korea back to credible negotiations. But he will have to grapple with the likelihood that post-impeachment elections in South Korea this May will empower a new leadership with a much more lenient approach toward Pyongyang. And he will have to contend with China pressuring Seoul during the election campaign to back away from deploying Thaad. His saving grace may be Kim Jong-uns inability to resist a new round of provocative actions.

In the end, North Koreas conduct may change only when its leadership does. That is most likely to happen from within. Kim Jong-uns internal campaign of terror  in which even the highest-ranking officials are not safe from execution or assassination  increasingly risks provoking his overthrow.

Regime change could also mean regime collapse and a free-for-all to control the nuclear weapons. Worry about that possibility led the Obama administration to war-game collapse scenarios in the White House Situation Room. The results underscored the imperative of the United States reaching detailed understandings  first with South Korea, then with China  about exactly what the three countries would do, where their forces would go and who and how they would secure the Norths nuclear arsenal. Pursuing those plans must also be a priority for the Trump administration.
 More on Arkansas plan to execute eight men in 10 days.

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SYDNEY, Australia  The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has long been one of the worlds most magnificent natural wonders, so enormous it can be seen from space, so beautiful it can move visitors to tears.

But the reef, and the profusion of sea creatures living near it, are in profound trouble.

Huge sections of the Great Barrier Reef, stretching across hundreds of miles of its most pristine northern sector, were recently found to be dead, killed last year by overheated seawater. More southerly sections around the middle of the reef that barely escaped then are bleaching now, a potential precursor to another die-off that could rob some of the reefs most visited areas of color and life.

We didnt expect to see this level of destruction to the Great Barrier Reef for another 30 years, said Terry P. Hughes, director of a government-funded center for coral reef studies at James Cook University in Australia and the lead author of a paper on the reef that is being published Thursday as the cover article of the journal Nature. In the north, I saw hundreds of reefs  literally two-thirds of the reefs were dying and are now dead.

The damage to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the worlds largest living structures, is part of a global calamity that has been unfolding intermittently for nearly two decades and seems to be intensifying. In the paper, dozens of scientists described the recent disaster as the third worldwide mass bleaching of coral reefs since 1998, but by far the most widespread and damaging.
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Ms. Monroys memoir, The Marriage Act, tells the full story of her marriage to her gay best friend. You can follow her on Twitter.

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P.S. There is still time to enter our College Essay Contest.
UNTIL RECENTLY, the Parisian designer and architect Joseph Dirand savored the boundaries built into his profession; he was certain that limits focused him, or at least that there was value in the elaborate dance of convincing clients to do things his way. Still, even at his rarefied level, there were practical concerns as well as budgets, albeit often stupendous ones. At its Surf Club residences in Miami, whose rooms Dirand swathed in travertine, the Four Seasons handed him a 700-page book of guidelines; the Balenciaga showroom in Toyko  that showcased the dreamy, uninterrupted expanses of rare marble that the 43-year-old Dirand so loves  had a mission to sell merchandise and the LApogee Courchevel resort had to be finished ahead of time for the resorts brief ski season.

All of these limitations were healthy, even necessary, to keep in check Dirands extreme nature, fueled by the gnawing drive toward a new vision of minimalism that both reinterprets history and hints at the future, and an obsessive love of details so minute they are nearly microscopic. I have loved constraints. They give me comfort, says Dirand, seated at a banquette at Loulou, the restaurant at the Louvres Musee des Arts Decoratifs, which he designed. Attenuated, bearded and coiled with energy, he pecks meagerly at a magnificent pasta as he tells me the story of the project that reminded him of what it means to be entirely free.
The internet has been a great destroyer of cultural businesses. Its toll includes getting people accustomed to listening to music and consuming news without paying, and it has freed people to cut the cable cord.

But some of that arc may be changing  and all at once, Farhad Manjoo writes in The New York Times.

In his State of the Art column, he writes that consumers are, with accelerating momentum, more willing to pay for content online. Sure, people have been subscribing to Netflix for some time, which has enabled that streaming service to order up strong original programming. But now people are more game to pay for all sorts of content  podcasts, videos by YouTube stars and even art through sites like Patreon, which lets consumers finance artists over time.

The trend is evident in the news business, including at The Times and The Washington Post, where subscriptions have jumped in the last few months. Subscriptions have soared elsewhere, too, including for Apple Music and Spotify.
SAN FRANCISCO  The Justice Department charged two Russian intelligence officers on Wednesday with directing a sweeping criminal conspiracy that stole data on 500 million Yahoo accounts in 2014, deepening the rift between American and Russian authorities on cybersecurity.

The Russian government used the information obtained by the intelligence officers and two other men to spy on a range of targets, from White House and military officials to executives at banks, two American cloud computing companies, an airline and even a gambling regulator in Nevada, according to an indictment. The stolen data was also used to spy on Russian government officials and business executives, federal prosecutors said.

Russians have been accused of other cyberattacks on the United States  most notably the theft of emails last year from the Democratic National Committee. But the Yahoo case is the first time that federal prosecutors have brought cybercrime charges against Russian intelligence officials, according to the Justice Department.

Particularly galling to American investigators was that the two Russian intelligence agents they say directed the scheme, Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev and Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, worked for an arm of Russias Federal Security Service, or F.S.B., that is supposed to help foreign intelligence agencies catch cybercriminals. Instead, the officials helped the hackers avoid detection.
The world premiere of Alan Ayckbourns The Divide, a two-part play set in a dystopian future when men and women in England are forbidden contact in the wake of a devastating plague, is among the theater productions planned. The show is a coproduction with Londons Old Vic, which was one of the few companies to perform at the inaugural festival in 1947. Flight, based on Caroline Brotherss novel about young Afghan refugees, will be presented by the Scottish company Vox Motus.

Ms. Harriss works being presented this summer include Oresteia: This Restless House, a modern take on Aeschylus classic Greek tragedy about perhaps the most dysfunctional family of all; the show had a critically acclaimed premiere at Citizens Theater in Glasgow last year. She will also be represented with a new version of Ionescos Rhinoceros, to be presented with DOT Theater of Istanbul and performed by a cast of actors from Scotland and Turkey, and Meet Me at Dawn, a fable inspired by the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice, to be directed by Orla OLoughlin, the artistic director of Edinburghs Traverse Theater.

It is somewhat unusual for one playwright to have multiple productions at the festival, but it seems appropriate in this case. She writes really well about the age of anxiety, Mr. Linehan said, discussing Ms. Harris in a brief telephone interview. Theres something in her plays about the fragility of civilizations. Things are always on the verge of collapse, which seems right for this moment in time.

The festivals ambitious opera program will include a new production of Verdis Macbeth, created by Teatro Regio of Turin. (The Verdi opera was actually the opening act of the 1947 festival.) Stagings of La Boheme and Don Giovanni are among other opera highlights.
The new show, which begins previews on March 16 at the August Wilson Theater before an April 17 opening, may well repeat the success of Matilda; when Groundhog Day had its premiere in London in August, Ben Brantley of The New York Times praised it as a bright whirligig of a show.

Mr. Rubin said he started being approached about stage adaptations 20 years ago, not long after the release of the movie in which Bill Murray plays a meanspirited weatherman, Phil, who relives the same day in Punxsutawney, Pa., over and over. Stephen Sondheim even expressed interest in the 2000s, before withdrawing. In the press he said [the movie] was unimprovable, Mr. Minchin recalled. I dont think art needs to be improvable. I dont suppose Les Miserables is an improvement on the Hugo [novel], but its brilliant.

He paused, then added, chuckling, I think Jesus Christ Superstar is an improvement on the Bible.

Still, he is aware that Groundhog Day has many fans ready to pounce on perceived betrayals. I had to be careful because the movie is a bit of a sacred text, and I dont really do sacred, Mr. Minchin said. At least unlike the Superstar lyricist Tim Rice, who could not share notes with the Bibles authors, he had a direct line to his source material in Mr. Rubin.

I came in with a script and an outline and a lot of song ideas, and Tim came with the same thing, Mr. Rubin said on the phone from his Santa Fe, N.M., home. From that, we massaged the show together.

By then, Mr. Minchin was used to high-stakes situations involving beloved sources. After all, this profanity-loving, eyeliner-wearing author of paeans to humanism and odes to sex dolls (You dont have problems with your weight at all/You never steal food from my plate at all/I never have to masturbate at all/Unstoppable, inflatable you) was a risky choice for the Royal Shakespeare Companys adaptation of Matilda. Yet his caustic sensibility turned out to be a perfect match for Dahls saccharine-free worldview. He wasnt new to theater, either, having collaborated with youth companies in Perth, where he grew up.

When I was 17, I rewrote the songs for a musicalized version of Loves Labours Lost, Mr. Minchin said. The next year, I rewrote the songs to Brechts Mother Courage. Then I finished my degree and said to Mom and Dad: Can I have a year just doing theater? Ill just wash dishes. He worked at a local cafe and wrote scores for shows such as The Tempest.
LOS ANGELES  Lee Baca, the former Los Angeles County sheriff, was found guilty on Wednesday of obstructing a federal investigation of corruption and abuses in county jails, as well as covering up his attempt to block investigators.

The verdict brings an end to a corruption scandal that has dogged the largest sheriffs department in the country and reached the highest levels of the department. Ten other officers, ranging from rank-and-file deputies to Mr. Bacas second in command, have been convicted or pleaded guilty to interfering in the federal investigation into the jail system. More deputies have been found guilty of routinely sexually humiliating inmates and severely beating them at the jails, according to the Justice Department.

Mr. Baca, who is now 74 and has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, could face up to 20 years in federal prison. It is a remarkable fall for a man who was viewed nationally as progressive on criminal justice issues and praised for his outreach to ethnic communities.

The verdict, which the jury reached after less than two days of deliberations, came in the second trial against Mr. Baca, who resigned in 2014 amid the investigation into the corruption charges. Last December, another jury deadlocked, with 11 of the jurors wanting to grant an acquittal and just one finding him guilty.
Jackson was the first American elected president who was not part of the Eastern elite although he had served in the House and Senate. In 1824, he won the popular vote but failed to muster a majority in the Electoral College, throwing the race to the House, which chose John Quincy Adams. Four years later, Jackson ousted Adams with 56 percent of the vote, and later won a second term with 54 percent.

Philosophy

Mr. Trump, a wealthy real estate developer known for his bombast, styled himself as a man of the people, beating the dominant political dynasty of his day to win the presidency. He is fighting what his chief strategist calls the administrative state and signed orders to build a wall along the Mexican border and temporarily ban visitors from six predominantly Muslim countries. Critics accuse him of having an authoritarian streak, but he thrills supporters with his forthright, bare-knuckles style.

Jackson, a wealthy slaveholding plantation owner known for his bombast, styled himself as a man of the people, beating the dominant political dynasty of his day to win the presidency. He battled the Bank of the United States and signed a law that forced the Cherokee nation out of its land in what was called the Trail of Tears. Critics called him the American Bonaparte for what they saw as his dictatorial streak, but he was popular with everyday Americans who saw him as their champion.

Courting conflict

Mr. Trump relishes fights and made his name in part with a reality television show that pitted contestants against one another, some of whom he dismissed with his classic line, Youre fired. He has feuded for years with various figures, including Rosie ODonnell, whom he has called a pig, a real loser and a mentally sick woman.

Jackson relished fights and made a name for himself as a frequent dueler against those he contended had slighted him. He fought between five and 100 duels, according to historians. In one, he killed a man who had insulted him as a worthless scoundrel, a poltroon and a coward. A poltroon was not a good thing to be called.

Battles with courts

After his travel ban was blocked in court, Mr. Trump said, The opinion of this so-called judge, which essentially takes law enforcement away from our country, is ridiculous and will be overturned!

After the chief justice of the United States ruled in a case involving the seizure of Cherokee land in Georgia, Jackson was said to have replied, John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.
WASHINGTON  The House Republicans plan to replace the Affordable Care Act is messy and confusing. No one is sure exactly how Americans will be affected and how much more health insurance will cost them.

But there are two certainties. Their health care plan provides a tax cut for the wealthiest Americans. And it will make it easier for Republicans to pass more tax cuts this year. It could also be viewed by some people as a break from some of the populist campaign promises President Trump made to lift up the countrys forgotten men and women.

The Congressional Budget Office analysis of the Republican plan released this week revealed the full scope of the windfall that the legislation would bring. It offers billions of dollars worth of tax cuts to health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, investors and even tanning salon operators. The cuts amount to nearly $1 trillion over a decade. The beneficiaries would be the richest Americans who for years have complained that the Affordable Care Act unfairly burdened them with the responsibility of subsidizing insurance for the poor.

The repeal of the Affordable Care Acts taxes is necessary for Republicans to move forward with an even more ambitious part of their agenda: tax reform. Doing this first shrinks the amount of revenue they are going to have to raise to make their tax bill add up, said Howard Gleckman, a fellow at the Tax Policy Center.
Rachel Maddow had a big scoop, and she handled it her way.

With a single tweet on Tuesday, Ms. Maddow, the MSNBC anchor, set the political world ablaze, announcing at 7:36 p.m. that she was poised to reveal previously unseen tax records from President Trump on her 9 p.m. program. (Seriously, Ms. Maddow added.)

In the need-it-this-instant world of online news, 84 minutes struck some journalists as an awfully long time to wait. The White House took advantage, releasing a pre-emptive statement that detailed Mr. Trumps tax figures from 2005 before MSNBC had a chance to air its own report. The Daily Beast and other news outlets ran items as well.

Ms. Maddow, who is enjoying the biggest viewership of her shows nine-year run, did not appear to mind. She opened her program on Tuesday as she usually does: with a deliberately paced, fact-heavy monologue, in this case reviewing Mr. Trumps past refusal to release his taxes to catch up viewers on why this new revelation mattered.

The revelation itself, however, was held back until after the first commercial break, a windup that some fellow journalists, eager for any bombshells, found exceedingly lengthy.
President Donald J. Trumps admiration for Andrew Jackson is well known. He hung his portrait in the Oval Office, and last spring criticized the Treasury Departments decision to take Jackson off the front of the $20 bill.

And on Wednesday, Jacksons 250th birthday, Mr. Trump visited the Hermitage, Jacksons home in Nashville, where he laid a wreath at his tomb and paid tribute to Old Hickorys populism.

It was during the Revolution that Jackson first confronted and defied an arrogant elite, Mr. Trump said. Does that sound familiar?

Jacksons historical reputation has declined sharply in recent decades, especially among Democrats. The party that once celebrated him as a central pillar has rushed to remove his name from symbolic places of honor, distancing itself from his record on slavery and the forced relocation of American Indian nations from the South.
WASHINGTON  President Trump on Wednesday denounced as fake news the release by journalists of a portion of his 2005 income tax form, just hours after his administration appeared to confirm the accuracy of the documents.

Two pages from the presidents 2005 tax returns were disclosed Tuesday evening by MSNBCs Rachel Maddow after being mailed to David Cay Johnston, a former New York Times reporter. They show that Mr. Trump paid $38 million in federal income taxes on reported income of $150 million, an effective tax rate of 25 percent.

The White House confirmed those numbers before the show and appeared to accept the documents authenticity by criticizing a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago and stating that it was totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns.
WASHINGTON  President Trump traveled to Detroit on Wednesday to announce a rollback of stringent fuel economy standards for cars and trucks that were put in place by the Obama administration  a welcome message to American automakers but one that could slow the push for a new generation of efficient vehicles.

The fuel-economy rules, aimed at cutting heat-trapping carbon dioxide, were one of the two main pillars of President Barack Obamas climate change legacy. Put forth in 2012, they would have required automakers to nearly double the average fuel economy of new cars and trucks to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, forcing automakers to speed development of highly fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrid and electric cars.

The rules have been widely praised by environmentalists and energy economists for reducing the nations dependence on foreign oil and its greenhouse pollution. If put fully into effect, the fuel efficiency standards would have cut oil consumption by about 12 billion barrels and reduced carbon dioxide pollution by about six billion tons over the lifetime of all the cars affected by the regulations.

That would have been a little more than the amount of oil consumed and carbon pollution produced by the United States in a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
This is a great day for democracy, religious and human rights, Mr. Elshikh, who was out of the country, said in a message relayed through Hakim Ouansafi, the chairman of the Muslim Association of Hawaii. I am very pleased that the processing of my mother-in-laws paperwork will not stop now but more importantly that this Muslim ban will not separate families and loved ones just because they happen to be from the six countries.

Mr. Elshikh, who is Egyptian and previously worked in Michigan, was recruited to the Hawaii mosque more than a decade ago, Mr. Ouansafi said. And when the association began recruiting someone to serve as a plaintiff, the imam, who became a citizen last year, agreed to do so without reservation, Mr. Ouansafi said.

After he became the face of the lawsuit, he received several threats from the mainland, Mr. Ouansafi said. If we lived in any other state, I would not have asked him to come forward, he said.

In the Maryland case, Judge Chuang, who was also appointed by Mr. Obama, declined to block the entire executive order from going into effect, but ruled that the most important section  banning travel from half a dozen countries  could not be enforced. His decision cited Mr. Trumps public comments to conclude that there were strong indications that the national security purpose is not the primary purpose for the travel ban, and that Mr. Trump may have intended to violate the constitutional prohibition on religious preferences.

In addition to the Hawaii and Maryland suits, a federal judge in Washington State heard arguments Wednesday in cases challenging the constitutionality of Mr. Trumps order, including one brought by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general, and another by nonprofit groups.
This is not the first time that a secretary of state has sought to play the missile defense card. Mr. Tillersons immediate predecessor in the job, John Kerry, told the Chinese that if China succeeded in constraining Pyongyangs military ambitions, the United States could limit and perhaps even withdraw some of its antimissile systems in the region.

The president of the United States deployed some additional missile defense capacity precisely because of the threat of North Korea, Mr. Kerry said after an April 2013 visit to Beijing. And it is logical that if the threat of North Korea disappears because the peninsula denuclearizes, then obviously that threat no longer mandates that kind of posture.

What we consider before using anonymous sources. Do the sources know the information? Whats their motivation for telling us? Have they proved reliable in the past? Can we corroborate the information? Even with these questions satisfied, The Times uses anonymous sources as a last resort. The reporter and at least one editor know the identity of the source. Learn more about our process.

But there is no evidence that China, perhaps fearing instability on the Korean Peninsula, ever applied the sort of pressure that would have prompted North Korea to shelve its military programs.

It is not clear how explicitly Mr. Tillerson, a diplomatic novice with no past experience in proliferation issues, will deliver the message to the Chinese at a moment that he will also be trying to set up the first meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping, at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida early next month.

During the presidential campaign, Mr. Trump said he was willing to sit down with North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, and negotiate with him directly, perhaps over a hamburger. Since then, Mr. Trump has taken an increasingly hard line, and suggested that he would link Chinas use of its influence over the North to other issues, including trade relations.

Last week, the Chinese repeated a proposal they knew the United States would reject, calling for a freeze in North Koreas nuclear and missile programs in return for a cessation of American and South Korean annual military exercises, which are just now beginning. The Trump administration immediately rejected that call, saying that it would reward the North if it complied with United Nations resolutions it had long ignored, and would make the United States defense arrangements with South Korea a subject of bargaining.

Reinforcing military ties, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conducted a 30-minute phone call on Tuesday with his South Korean counterpart, Gen. Lee Sun-jin. A Pentagon statement said the generals discussed the possibility that North Korea could carry out provocative actions during the joint American and South Korean exercises now underway, or in April when North Korean authorities commemorate the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the founder and first leader of the country.
Thousands of rape investigations are bogged down in Texas because of untested evidence, but a lawmaker has proposed a bill that would use public crowdfunding to help pay for testing and fix the backlog.

In the first legislation of its kind, the lawmaker, State Representative Victoria Neave, a Democrat from Dallas, introduced the bill in February to solicit donations of $1 or more from people when they renew or apply for drivers licenses. The money would underwrite a grant for the Department of Public Safety to test what are commonly called rape kits, which consist of evidence samples including hair, semen, fabric fibers and skin cells.

It was an issue that we thought was really important, Ms. Neave said in an interview on Tuesday. We know that women dont always get to the point of reporting the incident, and when they have the courage to voluntarily undergo the test, that takes a lot of courage.

My view is that the least thing we can do is make sure that we get these kits get tested, she said. We owe it to them.
MIAMI  Florida, which spearheaded the countrys use of the Stand Your Ground defense, is poised to significantly alter its self-defense laws, making it easier for defendants to use them.

The Florida Legislature is on the verge of passing legislation that would bolster self-defense laws and shift the burden to prosecutors during immunity hearings to show that such laws should not apply.

The Senate on Wednesday passed a revised Stand Your Ground bill by a vote of 23 to 15, paving the way for the House to take up the bill in the coming weeks. Gov. Rick Scott, a strong proponent of gun rights, is widely expected to sign the final measure.

I think of all the people who will be saved because we did this right and put the burden of proof where it belongs, State Senator Dennis Baxley, one of the authors of the original 2005 Stand Your Ground bill, said during a passionate floor debate that touched on the importance of self-defense and the reality of race in America. Im sorry if that burden seems too heavy. Thats what we do in America. You are innocent until proven guilty.
More than two years after 12-year-old Tamir Rice was fatally shot by a police officer outside a Cleveland recreational center, the citys police chief has disciplined the 911 operator who took the call.

The chief, Calvin Williams, wrote in a disciplinary letter dated March 10 that the operator, Constance Hollinger, would receive an eight-day suspension for violating protocol in her handling of the call in November 2014.

Tamir had been carrying a pellet gun near a recreation center when someone called 911 to report him. While the caller cautioned that Tamir was probably a juvenile and that the weapon was probably fake, Mr. Williams said in his letter that Ms. Hollinger had failed to convey that information to responding officers, who were told only of a report of a male with a weapon.

Tamirs mother, Samaria Rice, called the length of the suspension unacceptable in a statement posted by her lawyer, Subodh Chandra. Mr. Chandra said in the statement that the briefness of Ms. Hollingers suspension, and the fact that the disciplinary letter would remain in her file for only two years, was inadequate punishment.
KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo  Two United Nations officials and four Congolese citizens have disappeared in a conflict-ridden region of the Democratic Republic of Congo where army soldiers have been accused of murdering civilians, the United Nations mission there has said.

The officials  Michael Sharp, an American, and Zahida Katalan, a Swede  were traveling in the Kasai region on Sunday with three Congolese drivers and a translator when they disappeared, the United Nations mission said on Monday. It added that it was doing everything possible to locate them.

The officials, who are in Congo as part of a peacekeeping mission, had traveled to Kasai to investigate possible human rights violations after reports that government soldiers there had killed at least a dozen unarmed civilians, including children.
MEXICO CITY  The most severely disabled children were moved to an institution where 43 of them were housed together in one room. Many of the 130 children brought to a special education school had psychiatric and other problems, and the schools staff quickly found itself overwhelmed.

And all the youngsters had just lived through a terrifying experience  a fire that killed 40 girls at the Virgen de la Asuncion childrens home near Guatemala City.

Those were among the details in a report to be published on Wednesday by Disability Rights International, an advocacy organization in Washington whose representatives had gone on a scheduled trip to Guatemala to visit the home and other institutions when the disaster occurred last Wednesday.

The rush to place children in new facilities after the fire put them at risk of suffering the same abuse they endured at the home, the report said, because the new institutions were unprepared to take them.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Afghan officials sharply increased the tally of dead in an attack last week on a military hospital, saying Wednesday that at least 50 people, including patients and staff members, were killed.

In addition, 24 people have been arrested in connection with the March 8 attack, including Afghan generals, according to Lt. Gen. Helaludin Helal, the countrys deputy minister of defense for strategic and intelligence affairs. The arrests were for a variety of charges including negligence, incompetence and complicity, General Helal said at a contentious news conference.

The news conference was called after Afghan news reports and social media accounts suggested that the casualty toll was actually in the hundreds; that three hospitalized Afghan generals were among those killed by the attackers; and that the minister of defense, Abdullah Habibi, had personally signed the V.I.P. vehicle pass that allowed the attackers to enter the heavily guarded hospital complex in a car packed with explosives and weapons.

The reports seemed to be fueled partly by contradictory government claims immediately after the attack that only two people had died, a number many officials stuck to even after personnel at the Ministry of Defense confirmed that at least 31 people were dead.
BEIJING  Chinas premier, Li Keqiang, defended his government on Wednesday as a bulwark of economic and regional stability, arguing that smoldering tensions with the Trump administration over trade imbalances, North Korea and other disputes in Asia could be solved through dialogue.

The comments appeared intended to set an upbeat tone for a first meeting between President Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that is provisionally scheduled for next month at Mr. Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In an annual news conference that lasted more than two hours, Mr. Li stressed his optimism about relations with the United States.

This relationship is crucial for not just China and the United States, but also for regional and global peace, security and stability, and we have to protect its progress, Mr. Li told hundreds of reporters at the end of the annual meeting of Chinas legislature, the National Peoples Congress.

Mr. Lis comments, under giant chandeliers in the lavish Golden Hall at the Great Hall of the People on Tiananmen Square, showed how quickly the outward mood in relations had shifted. Before and after his election victory in November, Mr. Trump threw down a series of challenges that rattled policy makers in Beijing.
In the later years of his life, he made headlines with politically charged statements, like calling for a military takeover of Pakistan, and declaring politicians corrupt, or sounding alarmist notes about the state of the country.

At work, he would meet with the dozens of people who needed assistance with everything from adoptions to ambulances, or answer the phone himself, a rarity in a country where meeting anyone requires going through layers of middlemen and assistants.

It is the part of the job with which Faisal Edhi is still struggling. Im stretched, he said.

The foundation is managed by a trust that comprised its founder, his wife, Bilquis  a philanthropist in her own right  and their children, Faisal and Kubra, while managers from outside the family handle the daily operations.

The children are all very hard-working and down to earth, and theyre always available, said Jameel Yusuf, the former head of Karachis Citizens-Police Liaison Committee. Its a tough job. Edhi covered everything from east to west, north to south; he didnt leave any stone unturned on all issues involving citizens and their plight.

Faisal Edhis loss is double-edged: He lost a father and his backbone of support at work. Now Im alone, he said. I dont feel like leaving his room empty. I still sleep on a cot near his, because thats where Id slept for the last few years.

He is excited about an ambitious new project to train midwives, nurses and paramedic staff at an Edhi-run hospital, just as he worries about the financial health of the organization.
The Malaysian authorities sought on Wednesday to definitively put to rest a nagging question about the brazen assassination of a man in Kuala Lumpurs international airport last month: They said he was indeed Kim Jong-nam, estranged half brother of Kim Jong-un, North Koreas leader, because they had DNA confirmation from a relative.

The police compared the DNA of Mr. Kim with a sample provided by one of his children, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters at a news conference.

I once again confirm that the body is that of Kim Jong-nam, Mr. Zahid said, contradicting the official North Korean position, which insists the man, killed Feb. 13 in a crowded airport terminal, was named Kim Chol.

Mr. Kim was assaulted by two women who approached him and smeared his face with a liquid that autopsy tests showed was VX nerve agent, a banned chemical weapon. He was carrying a passport with the name Kim Chol.
SEOUL, South Korea  South Koreans will go to the polls in May to elect a successor to Park Geun-hye, whose presidency ended last week in a historic court ruling, the government announced on Wednesday.

The vote will be May 9, nearly two months after the Constitutional Court decision last Friday, which formally removed Ms. Park from office. The ruling approved the National Assemblys December vote to impeach her.

By law, the country must elect a new president within 60 days of the ruling, and all the major political parties have announced schedules for primary races to select their candidates.

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as acting president, announced the date of the election. He also said that he would not run for the job, choosing to focus instead on his role as acting president during the transition period.
The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, which does important work advocating for the security of Afghan reporters, also wanted to honor me  and 99 other women in journalism. They gave us red flowers as well, along with notebooks instead of scarves.

Few people in Afghanistan know about the real meaning and history of Womens Day, which is meant to acknowledge the long history of womens struggle for emancipation. Many here think that it is a day like Mothers Day and that they should give gifts to their mothers, wives and even their female colleagues  especially head scarves.

For many women in Afghanistan, the day is a reminder not so much of how far they have come, but how much further there is to go.

The other day I was on the street reporting on a suicide bombing. Policemen and even some of the male journalists at the scene kept asking what I was doing, as if I were engaged in work unbecoming of a woman. The nicer ones were worried I would be scarred by the experience, and couldnt handle it. The ruder ones felt I was stepping out of my lane.

One official suggested that it was dangerous for me to be out that late at night.

It isnt easy being a woman journalist in Afghanistan; it isnt easy being a woman here, for that matter.

But for many Afghan women, that is not what comes across in all these celebrations.

It often appears that many institutions use Womens Day to show a liberal face, but just for a day.
Will other citizens rights be protected as well? asked He Weifang, a professor of law at Peking University and a prominent critic of the Communist Party. This is a really bad move and has violated the basic spirit of civil laws, which champion dignity, personal freedom and equality.

Still, others have warned that enshrining too many freedoms in the civil code, which hundreds of thousands of judges across the country will use to decide disputes large and small, might risk creating social unrest.

One prominent legal scholar, Liang Huixing of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, has raised the possibility of revolution if China were to guarantee expansive personal freedoms like property rights and free speech in the civil code, as some lawmakers and scholars have suggested. He has drawn comparisons to the 2014 uprising in Ukraine, warning of the threat posed by unchecked freedom.

Zhou Guangquan, a lawmaker and a professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, dismissed concerns that the government was not interested in protecting individual rights. He said it was essential to update Chinas civil law, which has its roots in German law and was last significantly revised in the 1980s, before economic and social transformations.

There are a lot of overlaps and contradictions, Mr. Zhou wrote in an email. The passing of civil code will erase these problems.

Lawmakers say they intend to grapple with a host of issues in the civil code, including whether unborn children should be entitled to inheritance rights. They also say they intend to update laws on property to include virtual possessions, and to protect good Samaritans from punishment if they accidentally injure someone they are helping.

The new rules might also touch on the need to conserve resources, Mr. Zhou said, helping resolve issues like the excess use of packaging in popular holiday gifts like moon cakes.
A Message From Turkey, a Nation Under Pressure

March 15, 2017

In the first of a series, our correspondent takes us behind the scenes of todays Turkey, a nation in crisis facing a crackdown on rights.

Before I left to begin reporting for The New York Times in Turkey  a nation strained by war, terrorist insurgencies, a refugee crisis and a widening crackdown on dissent  Turkish diplomats in Washington sent me on my way with a velvet box.

I wasnt sure what to expect when I opened it. Inside, I found a small gray stone with a card that described it as a symbol of Turkeys devotion to democracy.
1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process.

2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive.

3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents.

4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance.

Vote

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The post immediately spurred a loud outcry on social media and dominated Danish news bulletins. Analysts said the ministers decision to post it reflected a populist backlash against migration across Europe so robust that it is now considered a badge of honor, even among mainstream politicians, to boast about making life harder for refugees.

Many in Denmark may agree with the immigration measures she has taken. But there is a feeling that ordering a cake to celebrate it was a step too far, said Jakob Nielsen, the online editor of Politiken, a leading newspaper. It shows how far the pendulum has swung against immigration.

Dr. Haifaa Awad, a Danish physician who volunteers in Syria, wrote on Facebook under the ministers post that she planned to forward the photograph of the cake to the few Syrian doctors still fighting to save human lives from chlorine bombs in Syria. They were people who cant flee or are now stranded far away from your layered cake buffet, she wrote.
Ruttes supporters opt for stability

Henk Janssen, a hotel manager in Valkenburg, in the south of the country, said he was voting for the party of Mr. Rutte, the prime minister.

I vote for stability, for the people in government now, he said. Half the world seems to be on fire. People are undermining each other, insulting, lying, creating conflict. Not only in our country but around the world.

He said he believed that a voter uprising or even a violent confrontation over immigration was possible, because the mood is harsher everywhere. People are becoming more extreme, more willing to fight when they disagree.

With the elections over, he hopes a new government can calm things down. The political climate right now is unhealthy. He noted the threat of Islamist extremism and tensions with Russia and Turkey.

When Mr. Wilders briefly campaigned in the town of Valkenburg, it was really abnormal, police everywhere, a helicopter flying circles over the center, said Anna van Meersen, a shop attendant in the town. How could a man like that govern us?

But, she cautioned: People who vote for Wilders may not talk about it. They dont like the negative reactions they get.  MARLISE SIMONS

Some young voters stay home

Brit Maanen, 20, a receptionist at a wellness center in Heerlen, said she and her friends were not voting. We dont understand enough of what goes on, she said. We hear a lot of talk among politicians, but we don't hear much difference. We see a lot of people who want some power, or a lot of power.

Ms. Maanen said she had grown up in a multicultural society where she was used to seeing immigrants. In her hometown, Heerlen, she said she was pleased to see fewer women who are totally veiled.

Many wear headscarves. But not many are now covering up their faces. I feel better about that, not so uneasy.

What does she want from the new government? In this country we have freedom of religion, freedom of expression. We want to keep it that way.

 MARLISE SIMONS

Has the populist fever peaked?

Paul vant Veer, 44, a D.J. and music programmer who also works in a record store, grew up attending antinuclear rallies in the city of Zwolle in the central-eastern Netherlands.

On Wednesday, he planned to vote for the Party for the Animals. Theyre one of the only parties that really cares about how the world will be in 15 or 20 years, he said at a cafe in Zwolle. The environment is one of the main issues that hasnt been talked about much before these elections. Its a bigger fear for me than terrorism is.

But Mr. Veers father has moved in a different direction. He plans to vote for Mr. Wilderss Party for Freedom.

Im very sad about that, the son said. Nowadays Im kind of ashamed of Holland because there seems to be far more hate and racism and intolerance than ever came to the surface before.

Other voters in Zwolle said they hoped to stem the populist tide.

Iris Groenendyk, 27, a child protection worker, said she had voted for the centrist party Democrats 66, based on its positions on education and health care. Im a bit scared, because of the fact that there are a lot of people who are interested by Wilderss rhetoric, she said.

Theo van Uden, 66, a human resources manager at a provincial Dutch court, said he was voting for the opposition Socialist Party, because income inequality was his main concern.

The last four years I would say that the politics have changed and it looks like populism is growing and growing, but my feeling is that were at the top of the hill with populism, he said.  I dont think its going up more. I think its going down.  NINA SIEGAL
THE HAGUE  Elections in the Netherlands on Wednesday are being watched especially closely across Europe and beyond as a key gauge of whether formerly strong barriers to the far right still stand on a continent with painful memories of fascism, but also with a growing number of aspiring nationalist leaders.

The Dutch vote is the first of several critical European elections this year, to be followed by those in France, Germany and possibly Italy. A common thread in the campaigns has been attacks on the European Union for diluting sovereignty, opening borders to migrants and leaving nations vulnerable to terrorism.

These are the quarterfinals in trying to prevent the wrong sort of populism from winning, Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister and leader of the center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy, said of the Dutch election.

The half finals are in France in April and May and in September in Germany, we have the finals, he said.
A black and white photograph shows Adolf Hitler reading on a deck chair on the veranda of his Bavarian Alps headquarters. In another image, he pauses during a stroll, an easy grin on his face. He looks into the camera, and smiling onlookers look at him.

The photographs, chilling in their casual depiction of the murderous dictator, were among dozens of images of Nazi officials in an album that was discovered among the belongings of his companion, Eva Braun, in Hitlers bunker in Berlin in 1945, according to C&T Auctioneers of Britain. The album was found in a drawer in her bedroom.

The album was sold at an auction on Wednesday in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Britain, to an unidentified bidder for 34,000 pounds, or about $41,000, the auctioneers said. The images could not be republished without permission, but they remained visible on the auction site and in a Reuters video.
Twitter accounts belonging to high-profile news outlets, international brands and politicians were hacked on Wednesday, briefly showing posts in support of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president who is in a bitter standoff with several European Union countries.

The dispute involves several countries, including the Netherlands and Germany, where Turkish politicians wish to hold rallies and campaign for a referendum on Turkeys proposed Constitution. The Twitter breaches on Wednesday, however, came as Dutch voters were casting ballots in their general election. Separately, websites in the Netherlands that help people decide how to vote were hit by online attacks on Tuesday.

Mr. Erdogan criticized the governments of Germany and the Netherlands, accusing them of Nazi practices, after Turkish politicians were prevented from attending events in those countries. Over the weekend, the Dutch authorities stopped the Turkish foreign minister from landing in the Netherlands, where he was to attend a rally, and they ordered the Turkish minister for families to be escorted out of the country, citing risks to public order and security.

The Twitter hacking on Wednesday appeared to be related to that growing dispute. The defamatory messages, in Turkish, accused Germany and the Netherlands of having Nazi ties, and they linked to a video of a speech by Mr. Erdogan.
MOSCOW  The Ukrainian authorities halted all trade with two Russian-controlled separatist enclaves in the countrys east on Wednesday, using an economic weapon to strike at what has been a long-festering military problem.

The decision to block all but humanitarian trade dealt another blow to the much-beleaguered Minsk peace process and raised tensions not just with the separatists but with their patrons in Moscow, who could be called upon to provide aid and markets to the breakaway regions.

President Petro O. Poroshenko has been reluctant to isolate the breakaway areas, in a region known as the Donbas, fearing that would implicitly recognize their independence and be a first step toward the countrys partition.

But the idea of halting trade has long animated Ukrainian nationalists as a way to shift the cost of sustaining the approximately three million people in the eastern region onto Russias already weakened economy. In recent weeks armed bands of men in tattered camouflage had begun doing exactly that, blockading rail shipments from the east, mostly coal trains.
CAIRO  More than 3,300 children were hospitalized in Egypt on Tuesday after an outbreak of food poisoning at several state-run primary schools, state-owned news media said.

The mass poisoning, in the impoverished Upper Egypt province of Sohag, north of Luxor, was one of the biggest food-safety cases to hit the country in years.

Officials suspect that school lunches may have been contaminated, and they have opened an investigation. Samples from the lunches, consisting of processed cheese cubes, dry sesame paste bars and loaves of bread, were being analyzed, they added.

Children, most younger than 12, began vomiting within an hour of eating the lunches, Ahmed Nashaat, a Sohag lawmaker, said in a telephone interview. A total of 3,353 children became ill, and at least 50 ambulances were sent to the schools, state news media said. Since then, all but 17 of the students have recovered and been discharged. No deaths or serious complications were reported.
TRIPOLI, Libya  Armed groups aligned with a Libyan government in Tripoli that is backed by the United Nations took over a compound occupied by the leader of a rival government on Wednesday after heavy fighting that spread to several parts of the city.

The offices of a television station sympathetic to the self-declared government opposed to the one backed by the United Nations were burned down in the clashes, and the channel went off air. A hospital was also hit.

The fighting apparently was set off on Monday by a dispute over control of a bank in the Hay al-Andalus neighborhood. It then escalated into power struggles between militias loyal to the rival governments: the Government of National Accord, which is backed by the United Nations, and the self-declared National Salvation Government.

Tripoli, Libyas capital, is controlled by a patchwork of armed groups that have built local fiefs and vied for power since Libyas 2011 uprising.
A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a historic judicial building in Damascus on Wednesday, Syrian state media said. It was the second mass-casualty attack in five days in the heart of the Syrian capital.

The head of the Damascus police, Mohammed Kheir Ismail, told Syrian state television that the attacker arrived at the building wearing a military uniform and carrying a rifle and hand grenades. When guards took away his weapons and began to search him, he rushed into the building and detonated an explosives belt.

This is a dirty action, as people who enter the palace are innocent, Ahmad al-Sayed, Syrias attorney general, said of the attack at the building, the Palace of Justice.

Syrian state media broadcast images of pools of blood on the buildings marble floor and said at least 30 people had been killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which opposes the government and tracks the Syrian conflict from Britain, said at least 39 people were killed, including seven police officers and guards.
Some students and families may not have copies of their 2015 tax returns to refer to when filling out the form. (Starting with the current filing season, in a move aimed at making it easier to file the form early, the Fafsa requires year-older tax returns  meaning filers need returns from tax year 2015, rather than 2016.)

If they dont have a copy, or didnt use tax software or a professional preparer who can provide one, filers must request a tax transcript from the I.R.S., to make sure they have accurate information. You can request one electronically on the I.R.S. website. You will need a mobile phone account in your name, as well as information to verify your identity, like a credit card account number. Or you can request a transcript by mail, which can take five to 10 days.

One possible bright spot: This is the first Fafsa season in which students could begin filing in October (previously, filers had to wait until Jan. 1). Because high schools encouraged seniors to file early, many had already filed their Fafsas before the data tool shut down. As of Feb. 17, high school Fafsa filings had increased by 74 percent compared with the same time last year, said Carrie Warick, director of policy and advocacy at the National College Access Network.

It is not yet clear how the absence of the data tool may be affecting returning college students, Ms. Warick said. Many may not have been in a rush to file early, since they most likely expected to rely on the tool to complete their forms quickly.

Ms. Warick said that students should not wait for the I.R.S. data tool to return online to file their Fafsas, as it is uncertain how long it will be unavailable. College students who need help should contact their institutions financial aid office, and high school students should seek assistance from their schools college counselors.

Justin Draeger, chief executive of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, said the group was urging the Education Department to take steps, like easing the criteria used to select forms for verification, to avoid a backlog in the processing of student aid.

Here are some questions and answers about completing the Fafsa:

Does the suspension of the data retrieval tool mean I must file a paper Fafsa?

No. The Fafsa form remains available online, but you must fill in tax information yourself.
Hello, welcome to Live With The New York Times. Today were discussing press restrictions in Egypt and the region. This is a topic thats of particular relevance in the wake of President Trump calling the news media in the United States, the enemy of the American people.

Declan Walsh, the Cairo bureau chief for The Times, will be joining us along with a handful of journalists who also work in Cairo. Theyll be discussing the challenges visual journalists face working in Egypt, and how things have gotten harder since the permissive days of the Arab Spring. Please jump in with your questions for Declan and the other journalists.

And here are some of Declans recent articles from Egypt, including the latest on Hosni Mubarak, the autocrat who was toppled in 2011.
How does money, work or social class fit into your life, and did you write about it in the college application essay that you submitted this school year?

For the fifth year, Ron Lieber, the New York Timess Your Money columnist, is asking high school seniors and people applying to college during their gap years to send in undergraduate application essays on these topics. To get an idea of the kinds of things we like to publish, here are some essays weve featured in The Times: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013.

No topic is too weighty and no stunt too flighty or approach too light for our taste, as long as the essay has at least something to do with money. In the past people have written about their own jobs or their parents work (or lack thereof), what its like to be poor, what its like to be rich and what its like to work at McDonalds. One essay threw shade on the waste and expense of the college admissions process, while another described fellow high school students and their specialization in marijuana, Adderall and test answers.

Well pick a few of the best entries to run in early May and pay the writers our normal freelance rate.

Please use the form below to send your essays to us by Friday, April 21.

A new twist this year: Anyone who wants to send in a bit of multimedia to go with the essay is welcome to do so. Videos, Instagram or Snapchat stories or anything else is welcome. If you are submitting a story from either Instagram or Snapchat, please download it and send it as a video file.

Not doing this wont hurt your chances, but were open to the possibility that something in addition to words on a page might bring your relationship with money to life.
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Showers this morning then scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High 79F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
As of this week, Hannibal Gaddafi, one of seven children of Muammar Gaddafi and his Widow Safia Farkash has spent without a scintilla of evidence that he violated any Lebanese law, nearly one and a half years wrongly incarcerated in a Beirut jail.

The Lebanese government has rejected increased local and international demands that it provide a legal justification for Hannibal's continued imprisonment and violations of his basic human rights.

[Photo: Hannibal Gaddafi]

Hannibal was abducted from Syria on December 11, 2015. According to Lebanon's Internal Security Force (ISF), investigators, Amal member Hassan Yaacoub and his brothers Ali and Hussein had orchestrated an elaborate scheme to seize Gaddafi from Syria and force him into Lebanon. They discovered that Hassan Yaacoub had worked with a woman named "Fatima" to lure Gaddafi from the coastal Syrian province of Latakia to Damascus, and on to Lebanon. Security forces arrested Hassan and Hussein Yaacoub but not Ali even though Hannibal has stated that it was Ali who beat him in the face repeatedly with a pistol.

All Hannibal wants is to return to Libya when it's feasible. Sources close to his family and some political observers in Libya, Cairo and elsewhere believe that his brother, Seif al Islam who has recently been released into loose protective house arrest which, according to his sister and mother, Seif agrees is the safest place for him at the moment, may well be Libya's future leader.

Seif recently declined a Putin offer of asylum in Russia and favors a UN supervised election to decide Libya's government. Much of his time these days is reportedly spent building tribal loyalties and some suggest he sometimes coordinates with the General Khalifa Hafter's, a former Gadaffi aide and currently a leading figure in the Tobruk based government with the support of its Parliament.

As is well known, since the 2011 revolution, Libya has been engulfed in chaos, devolving into civil war in the summer of 2014 when Libya Dawn, a coalition of Islamist and Misratan militias, captured Tripoli. Tribal forces opposing Libya Dawn have coalesced in eastern Libya around Haftar's Libyan National Army, supporting the national parliament in Tobruk. Russia officially recognizes Tobruk, not Tripoli, as the legitimate government, even printing Tobruk's banknotes.

In testimony before the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee on 3/10/2017, the chief of the Pentagon's Africa command, General Thomas Waldhauser, testified that "Russia is trying to exert influence on the ultimate decision of who and what entity and individuals comprise the government inside Libya." Asked by Russian critic Senator Lindsey Graham whether Russia was "trying to do in Libya what they are doing in Syria", Waldhauser replied , "Yes."

Russia appears to be seeking a future role for Seif in Libya's government. This is relevant to the Musa Sadr case because recently Seif has been saying that "it's time to put the Sadr case behind us" implying that he will open the Sadr case file to the public.

Seif and Hannibal's sister Aisha, a human rights lawyer and former UN Goodwill Ambassador, also plans to return to Libya and there is a grass roots movement, especially among Libya's tribes for the siblings to enter politics as political reformers. Support inside Libya and regionally for both Qaddafi children to return is growing according to Libyan sources.



Seif al-Islam Gadaffi was sentenced to death by a court in Tripoli on July 28, 2015

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Seif al-Islam Gaddafi (photo above) was sentenced to death by a court in Tripoli on July 28, 2015 in a mass trial of former regime figures widely criticized by human rights groups and observers.

However, the verdict was nullified the next year when the Libyan government announced that Seif was included in a General Libyan Amnesty and Seif was freed by the Tripoli Court. But Seif is still indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and Interpol maintains a Red Notice to apprehend him should he travel abroad. Seif's sister, Aisha Gaddafi is living temporarily in Oman with her mother and children. As with her brother Hannibal, she intends to return to Libya.

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If the Republicans don't come to their senses and back off their stated intention of repealing Obamacare, without an effective replacement plan, and a sizable portion of the 22 million Americans currently enrolled either lose their coverage or suffer in some other way, Republicans better start writing their political obituaries.

Americans watch as Republicans assume full control of Congress and the bizarre Trump juggernaut gets underway. They are very wary and concerned about what they have seen and heard so far and are fearful of what may happen next. Many have this feeling of dread while others possess a growing anger and frustration.

The repeal and replacement of the ACA, the Affordable Care Act, has become the centerpiece of the Republican agenda. What is truly troubling is how the Republicans are going about trying to advance this legislation. This process has just started and in no time at all it is generating a huge controversy that has the potential for igniting a firestorm of objections across America.

This is not some small, inconsequential issue; it is of monumental importance to some 22 million Americans. Sure, the ACA has its faults but they can be fixed and there is no need to dismantle it and replace it with some hastily worked out program whereby millions of Americans would stand to lose their coverage.

Much smarter politicians would not be talking about repealing the ACA; they would simply take the program, Keep all the effective, successful portions of it, and address the areas where it is deficient and ineffective; study what's involved, involve medical experts, and then test it in many ways before implementing the changes. They could change the name, Obamacare, if they felt it was necessary.

No, these aren't the smartest politicians, they are Republicans who are not known for building and creating. The thought of fixing and repairing this health care legislation probably never entered their minds since they are so fixated on destroying a program they previously fought so hard to prevent and failed. That sticks in their craws.

Paul Ryan, probably the worst Speaker of the House in modern history, a sociopath of the highest order, is against almost every government program that helps Americans in need. Here's an article that shows his twisted plans to defund Medicaid which will destroy medical coverage for many millions of Americans; how craven and cowardly can this guy be?

Right now most of those staunch Trump disciples are still strongly backing him but it won't be long before they ask themselves: "What in the world have we done? This is not what we thought Trump would do when he said he would change everything that is wrong in Washington and then do what is right for the American people." And when they realize that they have been betrayed and sucked in by Trump, and they become more and more disillusioned, they will become prime targets for the Democrats and independents for recruitment into their ranks.

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From Paul Craig Roberts Website

Graeme MacQueen, a university professor in Canada, calls attention to the American left's inability to exercise imagination with regard to the reports of the Warren Commission and the 9/11 Commission. A collection of individuals and publications, somehow regarded as leftwing, has proven to be active agents for the conspiratorial state against true dissent.

Here is the link to Graeme MacQueen's article.

The United States no longer has a leftwing, and neither does Europe, Greece least of all, a country whose "leftwing" government has agreed that Greece's creditors can loot and plunder the Greek people and the public assets of Greece in behalf of the One Percent. The British Labour Party is as rightwing as the Conservatives, and the French socialist party is more rightwing and much more acceptant of American overlordship than General Charles DeGaul.

In Germany the electorate has put in place as Chancellor of Germany a US puppet who represents Washington, not the German people. And she will continue to represent Washington, even if it means war with Russia.

The leftwing, once a force that attempted to hold governments accountable, has merged with the American Empire. The American "left" has now joined with the military/security complex to deep-six the prospect of detente with Russia. See here, for example.

The American leftwing has joined with the neocons, the presstitute media, and the military/security complex in a common agreement that anyone who favors better relations with Russia is a Russian agent or a dupe of Vladimir Putin. And if you know enough to doubt the Warren Commission and 9/11 Commission reports, you are a conspiracy kook and are put on Harvard's list of purveyors of "fake news." Everyone who does not agree with the Establishment's line is "fake news." And this is in a "democracy with free speech." What a joke America has become!

In other words, the "left" has accepted the neoconservative line that those who advocate peace with Russia, other than on US imposed terms, are traitors to America, including the President of the United States. Harvard University now has a PropOrNot type of list of suspect websites. All who favor normal relations with Russia are on the list.

We have reached the point that even for Harvard University, no dissent from hating Russia is possible. This leaves war as the only option.

Are you ready to die for the military/security complex's enormous budget?
This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.

From Counterpunch

The die is cast. Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland, has announced that she is to seek approval from the Scottish Parliament to proceed with a second referendum on Scottish Independence between the autumn of 2018 and spring of 2019.

That Nicola Sturgeon had no choice but to take this course has been self evident for some time. With 62% of people in Scotland voting to remain in the EU last year, which translates to every one of Scotland's 32 local councils, and with Theresa May refusing to countenance any special arrangement by which Scotland could retain its membership of the EU single market while remaining part of Brexit Britain, it is impossible to escape the conclusion that in the rarefied environs of Toryshire, Scotland is viewed as just another region within the UK rather than a partner nation of the UK.

The indisputable future impact of Brexit on the Scottish economy -- on investment, jobs, and on Scottish society -- cannot simply be wished away in obeisance to an EU referendum result that has only succeeded in kicking over a constitutional hornet's nest.

I write these words as someone who was opposed to Scottish independence in 2014, penning numerous articles and appearing at debates putting the arguments against breaking up a union that has been extant since 1707. Those arguments were based on the progressive character of class as the determinant of political opposition to a status quo of inequality and social and economic injustice in Britain, as opposed to the regressive character of nationalism.

But between the referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 and today we have experienced south of the border Brexit, driven by xenophobia and anti-migrant hostility, both of which have been elevated to the political mainstream for the first time since the 1930s -- and in similar economic and social conditions brought about by a global recession/depression.

In the wake of the vote to exit the EU hate crimes in parts of the UK have spiked, three million EU citizens currently living and working in the UK have been reduced to bargaining chips in a game of political horse-trading, while the ugly politics of British nationalism with its atavistic attachment to the verities of 19th Century nativism have predominated. Meanwhile, the depiction and treatment of refugees, people whose only crime has been to flee the chaos and carnage created in large part by Britain's own foreign policy over the past decade and more, stands as a withering indictment of a country that increasingly resembles a poor Xerox of a civilized society.

The enemy of working class people, the impediment to their ability to prosper and see their children prosper, is not and never has been migrants. It is and will always be those for whom poverty is not a consequence of economic factors inherent within deregulated capitalism, but instead is a product of individual character deficiency and thus should be punished accordingly.

Tory austerity not migrants is the root cause of the growing pressure on public services, the NHS, jobs, and housing. It has less to do with economics -- unless, that is, we are talking voodoo economics -- and more to do with ideology. More simply put, austerity is the unleashing of an assault on working class communities across the country, punishing them for the reckless actions of a deregulated banking and financial sector, in the process turning what was a crisis of private greed into a crisis of public spending.

It is a dynamic that has proved manna from heaven for those for whom the scapegoating of "the other" is coterminous with patriotism and love of country.

As for Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader's capitulation to Brexit reached its nadir with the decision to impose of a three-line whip on Labour MPs in support of Theresa May and her triggering of Article 50 without any amendments -- a so-called hard Brexit. It is a decision that will forever mark his legacy as a leader who rather than resist this rising tide of ugly British nationalism opted to roll with it in the hope of winning back the support of working class voters in the North of England, the Midlands, and South Wales.

This has been his mistake, one that will not only mark his legacy but has ensured that Labour in Scotland is fated to continue down the path towards political extinction.

Of course there are no guarantees when it comes to the outcome of a second referendum on Scottish independence. But what is certain is that the stakes involved are higher than they were in 2014. They involve the question of whether we should be offering the hand of friendship to migrants and refugees or the fist of fury; defending multiculturalism and diversity or abandoning them; and ultimately the choice between outward-looking Scottish internationalism or backward-looking British nationalism.

Indyref 2. Let it come.
From The Unz Review



Vintage American Flag

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In all the political drama taking place in the US as a result of the attempted color revolution against Trump, the bigger picture sometimes gets forgotten. And yet, this bigger picture is quite amazing, because if we look at it we will see irrefutable signs that the Empire in engaged in some bizarre slow motion version of seppuku and the only mystery left is who, or what, will serve as the Empire's kaishakunin (assuming there will be one).

I would even argue that the Empire is pursuing a full-spectrum policy of self-destruction on several distinct levels, with each level contributing the overall sum total suicide. And when I refer to self-destructive behavior I don't mean long-term issues such as the non-sustainability of the capitalist economic model or the social consequences of a society which not only is unable to differentiate right from wrong, but which now decrees that deviant behavior is healthy and normal. These are what I call "long term walls" into which we will, inevitably, crash, but which are comparatively further away than some "immediate walls." Let me list a few of these:

Political suicide: the Neocons' refusal to accept the election of Donald Trump has resulted in a massive campaign to de-legitimize him. What the Neocons clearly fail to see, or don't care about, is that by de-legitimizing Trump they are also de-legitimizing the entire political process which brought Trump to power and upon which the United States is built as a society. As a direct result of this campaign, not only are millions of Americans becoming disgusted with the political system they were indoctrinated to believe in, but internationally the notion of "American democracy" is becoming a sad joke.

And just to make things worse, the US corporate media is finally revealing its true face and has now unapologetically shown the entire world that not only is it not in any way "fair" or "objective," but that it is a 100% prostituted propaganda machine which faithfully serves the interests of the US "deep state."

A key element of the quasi-constant brainwashing of the average American has always been the regular holding of elections. Never mind that, at least until now, the outcome of these elections made very little difference inside the US and none at all outside, the goal was never to consult the people -- the goal has always been to give the illusion of democracy and people-power. Now that the Democrats say that the Russians rigged the elections and the Republicans say that it was the Democrats and their millions of dead voters who tried stealing it, it become rather obvious that these elections were always a joke, a pseudo-democratic "liturgy," a brainwashing ritual -- you name it -- but never about anything real.

The emergence of the concept of the 1% can be "credited" to the Obama Administration, since it was during Obama that the entire "Occupy Wall Street" movement took off, but the ultimate unmasking of the viciously evil true face of that 1% must be credited to Hillary with her truly historical confession in which she openly declared that those who oppose her were a "basket of deplorables." We already knew, thanks to Victoria Nuland, what the AngloZionist leaders thought of the people of Europe, now we know what they think of the people of the USA: exactly the same thing.

The bottom line is this: I don't think that the moral authority and political credibility of the US have ever been lower than today. Decades of propaganda by Hollywood and the official US media machine have now collapsed and nobody buys that counter-factual nonsense anymore.

Foreign policy suicide: let's see what options there are to choose from. The Neocons want a war with Russia which the Trump people don't. The Trump people, however, want, well maybe not a war, although that option is very much on the table, but at least a very serious confrontation with China, North Korea or Iran, and about half of them would also like some kind of confrontation with Russia. There is absolutely nobody, at least at the top, who would dare to suggest that a confrontation or, even worse, a war with China, Iran, North Korea or Russia would be a disaster, a calamity for the USA. In fact, serious people with impressive credentials and a lot of gravitas are discussing these possibilities as if they were real, as it the US could in some sense prevail. This is laughable. Well, no, it is not. But it would be if it wasn't so frightening and depressing. The truth is very, very different.

While it is probably not impossible for the United States to prevail, in purely military terms, against the DPRK in a war, the potential risks are nothing short of immense. And I don't mean the risk posed by the North Korean nukes which, apparently, is also quite real. I mean the risk of starting a war against a country which has Seoul within conventional artillery range, an active duty army of well over one million people and 180,000 special forces. Let us assume for a second that the DPRK has no air force and no navy and an army composed of only 1M+ soldiers, 21k+ artillery pieces and 180k special forces. How do you propose to deal with that threat? If you have an easy, obvious solution, you have watched too many Hollywood movies. You probably also don't understand the terrain.

But yes, the DPRK also has major weaknesses and I cannot exclude that the North Korean armed forces would rapidly collapse under a sustained attack by the US and the ROK. I did not say that I believe that this would happen, only that I don't exclude it. Should that happen, the US might well prevail relatively rapidly, at least in purely military terms. However, please keep in mind that any military operation has to serve a political goal and, in that sense, I cannot imagine any scenario under which the US would walk away from a war against the DPRK with anything remotely resembling a real "victory."

There is a paraphrase of something Ho Chi Minh allegedlytold to the French in the 1940s which I really like. It goes like this:"... we kill some of you, you kill a lot of us, and then we win." That is how a war with the DPRK would probably play out. I call this the "American curse": Americans are very good at killing people, but they are not good at winning wars. Still, in the case of the DPRK there is at least a possibility of a military victory, even if at a potentially huge cost. With Iran, Russia or China there is no such possibility at all: a war with any of them would be a guaranteed disaster (I wrote about a war in Iran here and about a war with Russia too many times to count). So why is it that even though out of the 4 possible wars, one is a potential disaster and the 3 others are a guaranteed disaster, why is it that these are discussed as if they were potential options?!

The reason for that can be found in the unique mix of crass ignorance and political cowardice of the entire US political class. First, a lot (most?) of US politicians believe in their own silly propaganda about the US armed forces being "the best" in "the world" (no evidence needed!). But even those who are smart enough to realize that this is a load of baloney which nobody outside the US still takes seriously, they know that saying that publicly is political suicide. So they pretend, go along, and keep on repetitively spewing the patriotic mantra about "rah, rah, USA, USA, 'Merica number one, we are the best" etc. Some figure that since the US spends more on aggression that the rest of the planet combined, that must mean that the US armed forces must be "better" (whatever that means). To the birthplace of "bigger is better" the answer is self-evident. It is also completely wrong.

Eventually, something crazy inevitably happens. Like in Syria were the State Department had one policy, the Pentagon another and the CIA yet another one. The resulting cognitive dissonance is removed by engaging in classical doublethink: "yes, we screwed up over and over, but we are still the best." Ironically, that kind of mindset is at the core of the American inability to learn from past mistakes. If the choice is between an honest evaluation of past operations and political expediency, the latter always prevails (at least amongst civilians, US servicemen are often far more capable of self-critical evaluation, especially in ranks up to Colonel and below, the problem here is that civilians and generals rarely listen to them).

The result is total chaos: the US foreign policy is wholly dependent on the US ability to threaten the use of military force, but the harsh reality is that every country out there which dared to defy Uncle Sam did that only after coming to the conclusion that the US did not have the means to crush it militarily. In other words, only the weak, which are already de-facto US colonies, fear the USA. Or, put differently, the only countries who dare to defy Uncle Sam are the strong ones (that was all quite predictable, but US politicians don't know about Hegel or dialectics). And just to make it worse, there is no real US foreign policy. What there is is only the sum vector of the different foreign policies desired by various more or less covert "deep state" actors, agencies and individuals. That resulting "sum vector" is inevitably short-term, focuses on a quickfix approach, and unable to take into account any complexity.

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Now, I am seeking to build support for abolishing the CIA, and for impeaching Donald Trump, and for banning weaponized drones. So I'm not exactly a fan of murder by robot or a partisan Republican. And I'm all in favor of any new reasons (fact-based or otherwise) people might find to try to put an end to government killings. But I think there's some confusion we'd be better off without.

The Constitution gives Congress the power to make war, a power it has relinquished since 1941. President George W. Bush went through certain vestigial formalities of lying to Congress and obtaining vague authorizations. President Barack Obama, in launching a war on Libya, intentionally avoided any appearance of Congress having any role whatsoever. He also radically expanded drone wars in several countries (and "special" operations in numerous countries) -- in the case of Yemen predictably escalating it into a wider air and ground war, again without Congress. In Syria and Iraq he used foreign troops, then U.S. "advisors" combined with bombings to inch his way into new wars.

Obama oversaw the creation of the CIA's drone war operations. And while he advertised in the New York Times his role in picking whom to murder, he did not actually give the order each time. He delegated that power to subordinates. The Wall Street Journal's article suggests that Obama never gave the CIA the role of deciding whom to murder. This is contradicted by numerous reports over the years suggesting otherwise, including those claiming that, late in his presidency, Obama took that power away. But even those reports admit that very little is known and nothing officially stated about the CIA's role, and that the CIA has remained closely involved. We also know from a former drone pilot turned whistleblower that the CIA's drone pilots have always actually been Air Force pilots anyway:

"The CIA might be the customer but the air force has always flown it. A CIA label is just an excuse to not have to give up any information. That is all it has ever been."

The one partial transcript we have of a drone murder, out of all the hundreds of transcripts and videos that likely exist, depicts blood thirsty sadists eager to kill. The many thousands of reports we have on specific drone murders have not identified a single one in which any of the criteria that President Obama established for them was met. We know of no victims who could not have been arrested instead, or who were "an imminent and continuing threat to the United States of America," or whose killing involved zero risk of killing civilians.

Supposedly, the greater the role of the military, and the lesser the role of the CIA, the greater the capacity of Congress for oversight. That's a great argument for abolishing the CIA. But, in reality, we have yet to see the vaguest hint of Congressional oversight. Congress has not informed the public of the nature of the drone wars. We've seen no additional transcripts and no videos. Congress has not made use of the Constitution or even the War Powers Resolution to halt or even limit the drone murders in any way. Congress has not objected to the failure of Presidents Obama or Trump to meet Obama's self-imposed criteria. Nor has it created its own criteria.

Trump and his subordinates are using drone missiles at a faster pace even than Obama did. Trump has moved weaponized drones to the border of North Korea. And the story that Trump is giving the CIA freer rein to murder people with drones could possibly be true and is as likely as not a story Trump intentionally promoted. But this is at most a return to a policy that Obama created and then claimed to have ended. And it is at most a fine distinction of roles in operations that involved and still involve both the CIA and the military, as well as the NSA. The question of which of those entities is making a key decision should end the pretense that the president is making all of the decisions. And not a single bit of it is in any way in compliance with the U.S. Constitution, the United Nations Charter, the War Powers Resolution, the Kellogg Briand Pact, the Hague Convention of 1899, or the laws against murder that are on the books in each nation where the U.S. government is murdering people.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

The other day, I walked across much of Manhattan Island on the street where I grew up. Once upon a time, in a space of just four blocks along that very street there were four movie theaters (no small wonder in the 1950s). Only The Paris Theater, somewhat the worse for wear, still stands. Tao, a pan-Asian restaurant, has replaced one of them; the other two were obliterated, their buildings razed and built anew in a city that regularly eats itself for breakfast.

At one of those two, the RKO 58th Street, I spent a significant part of my childhood watching John Wayne, Audie Murphy, and other monumental war heroes of the big screen (and, in Murphy's case, an actual war hero as well) go to hell and back defeating America's enemies. It was, I have to say, thrilling. Sometimes I would be sitting there right next to my dad and who could have asked for better than that? After all, in World War II he had been operations officer for the First Air Commandos in Burma, so who knew better than he what war was all about? He took me to such films, watched them with me, and never, not once, told me that anything I had seen onscreen wasn't the god's honest truth about how it all went down.

Strangely (at least to the young Tom Engelhardt), he rarely talked, no less bragged or told stories of any sort, about "his" war, the one I knew so well onscreen. In this, as Susan Faludi wrote years ago, he was undoubtedly typical of what we've come to call "the greatest generation" -- they thought otherwise -- but who might better have been labeled, at least by their sons, the silent generation. It was true that, on occasion, my father would suddenly burst into unpredictable rage over the owners of a local store who, he believed, had been "war profiteers," or over the thought of going to a Japanese restaurant or owning a German Volkswagen. A few times in my childhood, he even pulled a scuffed green duffle bag filled with war memorabilia out of the back of his closet and let me watch as he silently sorted through it all, including his mess kit, wartime photos, two-sided silk maps of Burma, and his old service revolver. I would be suitably awed. Even then, though, he said next to nothing about his war.

All this came to mind as I read today's post by TomDispatchregular Michael Klare on our new president and the war that ended at Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the most glorious of global triumphs and the most terrifying of apocalyptic conclusions. It was, of course, the war I, like every other American boy of that moment including Donald Trump, had watched reverentially in movie theaters and on TV as the Marines eternally advanced to victory, or Merrill's Marauders won the day, or the Nazis were mowed down. Meanwhile, at school we all "ducked and covered" under our desks, as sirens wailed outside and CONELRAD broadcast its warnings from a radio on our teacher's desk, all the while imagining that war's "victory weapon" annihilating us all.

And yet who could doubt that we Americans were the ultimate victors, that the U.S. military was glorious beyond compare, that the war my father wouldn't talk about we had won, won, won, won, or that, in its onscreen form, as absorbed by the young Donald J. Trump, it became, as Klare argues convincingly, the bedrock foundation for his present military policies, the ones that he swears will finally leave America "winning" again for the first time in years. What would Audie Murphy or my father think now? Tom

Trump's Military Nostalgia (or Victory at Sea All Over Again)

Rebuilding a Last-Century Military to Fight Last-Century Wars

By Michael T. Klare If you are an American male of a certain age -- Donald Trump's age, to be exact -- you are likely to have vivid memories of Victory at Sea, the Emmy award-winning NBC documentary series about the U.S. Navy in World War II that aired from October 1952 to May 1953. One of the first extended documentaries of its type, Victory at Sea traced the Navy's triumphal journey from the humiliation of Pearl Harbor to the great victories at Midway and Leyte Gulf in the Pacific and finally to Japan's surrender aboard the USS Missouri. Drawing on archival footage (all in black and white, of course) and featuring a majestic sound track composed by Richard Rodgers of Broadway musical fame, the series enjoyed immense popularity. For many young people of that time, it was the most compelling, graphic imagery available about the epic war our fathers, uncles, and classmates' dads had fought in. Why do I mention this? Because I'm convinced that President Trump's talk of rebuilding the U.S. military and "winning wars again" has been deeply influenced by the kind of iconography that was commonplace in Victory at Sea and the war movies of his youth. Consider his comments on February 27th, when announcing that he would request an extra $54 billion annually in additional military spending. "We have to start winning wars again," he declared. "I have to say, when I was young, in high school and college, everybody used to say we never lost a war. We never lost a war, remember?" Now, recall that when Trump was growing up, the United States was not winning wars -- except on the TV screen and in Hollywood. In the early 1950s, when Victory at Sea was aired, America was being fought to a standstill in Korea and just beginning the long, slow descent into the Vietnam quagmire. But if, like Trump, you ignored what was happening in those places and managed to evade service in Vietnam, your image of war was largely shaped by the screen, where it was essentially true that "we never lost a war, remember?" Trump similarly echoed themes from Victory at Sea on March 2nd in a speech aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, America's newest aircraft carrier. There, clearly relishing the opportunity to don a Navy bomber jacket -- "They said, here, Mr. President, please take this home, he quipped happily. "I said, let me wear it" -- he extolled the carrier fleet. "We are standing today," he commented stirringly, "on 4.5 acres of combat power and sovereign U.S. territory, the likes of which there is nothing to compete." Then, as part of a proposed massive build-up of the Navy, he called on the country to fund an enormously expensive 12th carrier on a planet on which no other country has more than two in service (and that country, Italy, is an ally). The new president went on to discuss the role of U.S. aircraft carriers in World War II -- yes, World War II! -- a key turning point in the naval war against Japan. "You've all known about the Battle of Midway, where the sailors of the U.S. Navy fought with the bravery that will be remembered throughout the ages," he noted. "Many brave Americans died that day, and, through their sacrifice, they turned the tide of the Pacific War. It was a tough tide, it was a big tide, it was a vicious tide, and they turned it." Again, Donald Trump (not exactly a well-read military historian) undoubtedly was recalling parts of Victory at Sea, or perhaps Hollywood's 1976 version of the same, Midway (with its all-star cast of Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum, and Cliff Robertson, among others). Both portrayed the famous battle in exactly this fashion: as the "turning of the tide" in the war against Japan. Yes, a speechwriter probably penned Trump's lines, but they were spoken with such gusto that you could feel how heartfelt they were, how much they reflected his imagined "experience" of that war. Trump's attachment to these "memories" of America's glory days at war helps explain his approach to military policy and defense funding. Typically, when proposing major increase in military spending, American presidents and their secretaries of defense have articulated grand strategic reasons for doing so -- to contain Soviet expansionism, say, or accelerate the global war on terror. Trump's White House doesn't bother with such rationales. Other than speeding up the war against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, a war launched two and a half years ago by President Obama and now apparently nearing its official completion date, President Trump's only justification for throwing tens of billions of dollars more at the Pentagon is to overcome a supposed deterioration of U.S. military capabilities and to enable the Armed Forces to start "winning wars again." Otherwise, the rationale seems to boil down to something like the following: let's rebuild the Navy that defeated Japan in World War II so that we can win battles like Midway all over again. Trump's Naval Fixation

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"Rob Kall's must-read book offers a VIP look at todays many "connection revolutions," plus key suggestions for bottom-up leadership in each one."



Susan Strong, author of Move Our Message: How to Get America's Ear
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"Rob Kall's writings on the "bottom-up" revolution have real potential to show people that they can hold power accountable and improve justice. A book on this subject could help to repair the economic, legal, social, and political fabric of the United States."



Paul Craig Roberts, former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, former editor and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and Scripps Howard News Service.
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Furthermore it is also intolerable to hear that the US has troops on the ground in Syria and apparently has for some time without authorization of the US Congress.

It is also intolerable that this government has decided to escalate tensions between China and the US by placing anti missile systems in South Korea.

I want representatives that reject this sort of war mongering by the US government. I want representatives that do not casually vote yes on these absurd military budgets and support the funding of US military bases around the world.

I expect my representatives to take an extreme legislation stance in opposition to the activities above including picking, holding news conferences and anything else to draw attention to these disturbing and illegal activities.

I had heard somewhere that Massachusetts was the most liberal state in the union. So I thought that I would start by reading up on the Massachusetts Delegation to the US Congress, starting with Elizabeth Warren. This what I found at https://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1464

Mar 2, 2017

Washington, D.C. - Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congressman Joseph Kennedy III (D-Mass.) today announced that the House and Senate Appropriations committees have included two additional set orders and awarded an additional $114 million [$114,000,000] emphasis and italics added., for General Dynamics' Warfighter Information Network-Tactical program (WIN-T) in their final version of the fiscal 2017 defense appropriations bill. WIN-T, which is produced at the General Dynamics facility in Taunton, improves the Army's communications systems and provides soldiers with mobile, enhanced and secure information-sharing capabilities on the battlefield. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill next week.

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Arshad M Khan

President Obama's final foreign policy speech at MacDill air force base in Tampa, betrayed its purpose through the venue. The Tampa, Florida, base is home to Special Operations Command and Central Command -- Special Operations playing an ever increasing role in counter terrorism.

The gist of the speech seemed to assert that the US is and should stay true to its values when fighting terrorism. An assertion when at the same time Congressman Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, had written a letter to then Secretary of State, John Kerry, warning him the US could be charged with war crimes in aiding Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign in Yemen. The US was helping through in-air refueling of planes. The Congressman claimed there were 70 documented incidents targeting civilians including women and children. Yemen itself never had a refugee crisis through years of civil conflict, that is until the merciless Saudi air onslaught. Matters are even worse now with the Trump administration's direct U.S. participation.

What did Libya do to incur US wrath? It was fighting a civil war where the casualties were in the hundreds and the rebels themselves not without foreign instigators. Look at Libya now. From leading Africa on the Human Development Index scale to being bombed into a shambles without an effective government. By the way, what was the strategic (or for that matter even tactical) value of bombing a precious and expensive water system bringing water from the south to Tripoli? And how did it help the civilian population of Tripoli? Now, of course, those who can, in Libya, are fleeing to Europe. In fact, sub-Saharan Africans who would come to Libya seeking work now try also to get to Europe.

Ask the Libyans who they blame for their problems and the answer comes back without equivocation, the US. It was the leading cause of the country's destruction. Ask the Yemenis " ditto. It is the country supplying the planes, the bombs, the air-refueling. Without it there would be no air campaign. It also conducts drone strikes (bombs) targeting personnel. Ask the Syrians as a National Public Radio reporter did last December. They certainly do not blame President Bashar Assad, who they feel is doing well at keeping the country together. No, they blame the Saudis, the Gulf States and their arms supplier-in-chief, the US.

Ask the Somalis. It was a U.S. sponsored invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia that destroyed the last chance of Somali stability, continuing the killing. The Islamic Courts regime could not have chosen a worse name; it sent danger signals rippling through the US administration, bringing fears of a Taliban and al-Qaeda replay. And it was a quiet, studious Somali student who went on a rampage at Ohio State University on November 28, 2016, injuring 11 in a knife attack. Mr. Trump seized the opportunity to express his condolences and to repeat his anti-Muslim immigration and "extreme vetting" creed.

Ask the Iraqis and the Afghans. A vast swathe from North Africa through Yemen into Afghanistan and Pakistan are embroiled in conflict. Estimates of deaths in Iraq vary from 200,000 ascribed to violence to a million from the ravages of war. The war casualties in Afghanistan according to the Watson Institute at Brown University stand at around 111,000 with at least as many wounded, and continue to increase after a US presence for 15 years. Deaths from the effects of war among the population are not easily determined but as in Iraq are likely to be even higher.

The question to ask is whether 19 persons, primarily from Saudi Arabia, responsible for the 9/11 attacks warrant this wholesale killing. And for what? If anything, the situation and the fear factor in the US are worse and one of the reasons why Donald Trump's is in the White House.

Is this heavy-handed policy actually fighting terrorism successfully, or is it alienating populations enough to be a proximate cause?
To Trump voters:



I voted for Hillary Clinton and before her for Barack Obama. So, you and I probably disagree on many crucial issues: gun control, abortion rights, immigration policies, Black Lives Matter, same sex marriage, etc. I doubt that either of us would have any success trying to change the other on any of those issues. But we might be able to agree on a few things.



1. We would both like to keep our planet able to sustain life for our children, grandchildren, and beyond. Yet climatologists overwhelmingly agree that the earth is heating up, in large part because of human activities, and with potentially devastating consequences. We trust scientists who enable us to land men on the moon; eradicate deadly diseases; and develop powerful weaponry systems. Yet many politicians arrogantly claim that they know more than our best scientists about the cause of climate change--and whether climate change is even occurring. Amateurs do not get to overrule NASA scientists about the proper coordinates for a rocket launch, and amateurs should not shape attitudes toward climate change. Let's you and I band together and warn politicians that we'll vote them out of office unless they take measures to protect our planet.

2. Donald Trump has said that, as long as we maintain a nuclear arsenal, we should be willing to use it. That attitude terrifies me and I hope it does you as well. The devastation inflicted on Hiroshima and Nagasaki would be minor compared with what our vastly more powerful bombs would do. And, if the U.S. ever started bombing, we would become a pariah nation with retaliation likely. The entire planet might soon be covered by a mushroom cloud.

3. I hope you share my belief that the U.S. President is a servant of the people. So, the President should not lie to the people. Donald Trump has been caught in almost a lie a day since he's taken office.

4. I hope you also share my belief that we should not allow or encourage people in other countries to influence our elections. Donald Trump encouraged Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's emails and almost surely affect the election.

5. Finally, I hope you share my belief that democracies need a free press. But Donald Trump calls newspapers the enemy. That puts him in the company of every dictator who ever lived.



You probably like Mike Pence. I don't, but Trump is so erratic and dangerous that I'd welcome his impeachment even if it means that Pence ascends to the presidency. Please consider contacting your local officials, Democratic or Republican, and urging them to start proceedings.




When Presidents have low approval ratings, one way to "unify the country" is to enter a war. When the "commander-in-chief" attacks somebody called an "enemy," people in politics and in the media tend to hesitate to criticize, even if the war is unnecessary, cruel, or foolish. The military does what it's told, people die, the expense is enormous, and some of the survivors are ruined by PTSD or losses that are more physical. People who stay home thank the brave soldiers for their "service." The military-industrial complex wins renewed acquiescence for absorbing, if you include nuclear weapons and veterans' benefits, way more than half of the Federal budget. And people in distant countries suffer.

The anniversary of the My Lai massacre in Vietnam is March 16. (That date is easy for me to remember because it happens to be my birthday.) For months the massacre was hidden from the U.S. public, until the Cleveland Plain Dealer revealed it. Ghastly photos were published.

It was this event that inspired Nevitt Sanford and a collaborator to hold a conference at a cathedral in San Francisco on "human destructiveness" and then to assemble a book called Sanctions for Evil. With colleagues, some of them victims of the Nazis, Sanford had earlier given us The Authoritarian Personality, a landmark in a research tradition that is newly relevant. For example, it led to a critique and extension by Robert Altemeyer.

My Lai was not the only village that the U.S. "destroyed in order to save it." Among other lessons, My Lai stands as a monument to the enormous difficulty of separating backers of the indigenous enemy from other ordinary villagers, a difficulty not limited to Viet Nam. Instead, soldiers are instructed to send people off to camps where they can be controlled or, as in the case of My Lai, just shoot them and burn their houses.

Okay, Vietnam was a special case, where we took over from the colonial French; not to be confused with Iraq where we defeated a regime that had taken over from the colonial British. Okay, the current prospects for occasioning attack are different, including in Syria, Yemen, parts of Ukraine, North Korea, and China (perhaps over what is known as the South China Sea but is bordered by several other countries and is the site of artificial islands).

Even if the U.S. regards itself as "exceptional" and "the last best hope of mankind," by what right do we intervene in and even cause far-away conflicts and lapse into practices revealed, fort example, in the My Lai massacre? This may be tempting to a President who is failing or truculent or both, but at what cost to the country?

In Sanctions for Evil (1971), the authors noted at the start that "when the My Lai massacre was finally reported, many of us saw in the fate of that hamlet not an isolated atrocity distinct in its effect from the rest of the war but an emblem of the larger destructiveness to which our country was contributing in Vietnam." They continued: "while taking issue with critics who argue that the U.S. purpose in Vietnam was genocidal or that our society is now fascistic, we do find disturbing similarities between the mass victimization of another people in Vietnam and the way black people in our country have been treated as if they were things and even the way the Nazi regime set out to eliminate 'inferior races'."

At the time we were warned that the countries of Southeast Asia were poised like "dominoes" that would fall to the communists one after the other. Today Vietnam is a tourist attraction. No doubt there are very bad people in the world, but is acting "tough" necessarily the wisest way of dealing with them? The truly patriotic act is enduring skepticism.
Never thought of visiting Cuba? Well, you might be soon. In our Breakout Role series, we take a look at places that have seen huge increases in tourism in the last few years, and try to figure out whats causing all the hype.

For any American traveler under the age of 55, the thought of a vacation in Cuba has almost always been a foreign concept. That all changed in 2015 though, when president Obama reopened diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation for the first time since 1961.

Obama was the first president to visit Cuba while in office since Calvin Coolidge made the trip in 1928, and now many Americans are following suit. For U.S. citizens, booking an actual vacation to the former Soviet ally, which lies just 90 miles south of Florida, is still fairly difficultbut its not impossible.

With a new administration in office, its unclear what the state of American-Cuban travel will be going forward, but one thing is for sure: Cubas tourism industry is thriving with or without the United States. The countrys number of yearly international visitors increased by 17 percent in 2015 alone, making it the worlds 14th fastest-growing market. This trend isnt a new phenomena either, and Cubas annual visitors has been growing steadily since the late 90s, with the number essentially doubling between 2002 and 2015.

Photo: Patrick Denker, CC-BY

John Ahrens, the director of a tour company called Cuban Adventures, says hes seen his business grow organically over the past few years, with his companys popularity matching of that of the hospitality industry as a whole. For him, Cubas prominence in the world tourism market is largely a product of current economic and cultural situationdeveloping but preserved, its a country caught between the old and the new.

Things have changed from the last 20 years, but the character is still pretty much the same. The culture hasnt changed that much, but theres been an improvement in the services available. 

While Ahrens has noticed more taxis, more restaurants and more bars pop up in recent years, prices have remained relatively cheap. For example, restaurant prices in Cuba are about 60 percent less than in the U.S., and a pint of domestic Cuban beer only costs around $1 on average, compared to $4 in America.

And renewed U.S. presence is certainly playing a role as well. In the first year after relations reopened, American travel to Cubawhich up to that point had been done through a third country or other indirect methodincreased by 77 percent, and many U.S. companies are eager to invest in the Cuban economy.

That being said, relations between Americans and Cuba remain strict, and there are actually only 12 reasons U.S. citizens can legally make the trip, including humanitarian projects, journalistic activity and family visits.

For people without a direct, obvious purpose, the most viable option is people-to-people trips, which are educational journeys that Americans can plan themselves. The actual definition of this term is really vague, but it basically means that U.S. travelers visit Cuba strictly for tourism purposesthey must also participate in some sort of experience that enriches their knowledge of the culture as a whole.

Photo: momo, CC-BY

As with any country with a booming tourism industry, there is a fear that the influx of foreign visitors could in some way harm Cubas authenticity and cultural charm. In recent years, its become trendy to frame travel to the Caribbean country this way, with many guides offering advice on what to see before Cuba is ruined by American investment.

Everyone says, Oh, we want to go to Cuba before it changes, Ahrens says.

Ahrens says much of this concern is actually coming from tourists and other outsiders, while many locals are welcoming the changes that come with privatization and foreign involvement. The point here is a simple on

The localsfrom what I can tellthey want development as much as they can get, Ahrens says.

And while the government has been slow to move away from government ownership, development is certainly coming. Last year, the country announced plans to construct 100,000 new hotel rooms to help keep up with its burgeoning hospitality market.

Photo: Stephen Colebourne, CC-BY

Whether you agree that Cuba is being ruined or not, there is still plenty to look forward to when visiting the Hispanic country. Culturally, Havana is the natural first stop on any vacation, as colorful alleyways, vintage cars and gorgeous cathedrals cover the streets of the nations capital. When it comes to history, the Morro Castle, and its accompanying lighthouse, provide a look into the citys 16th century origins.

Outside of Havana, the beaches of Varadero offer a more traditionalalbeit exceptionally beautifultype of Caribbean getaway. Home to more than 50 hotels, the small peninsula on the islands north side is also a snorkeling and diving hub.

The country is also home to nine UNESCO world heritage sites, ranging from idyllic historical preservation to awe-inspiring natural beauty. Whether its hiking in the shockingly green, rolling hills of the Parque Nacional Vinales, or browsing the well-maintained 17th century streets of Trinidad, preservation is widespread in Cuba.

Flight Rates: Current round trip flights from Miami to Havana can be found for as little as $157  $335, while rates from New York cost between $298 and $400.

Travel Concerns: Tourist travel to Cuba is still prohibited for Americans not visiting for one of 12 authorized reasons, according to the Department of State. Additionally, most U.S. debit and credit cards dont work in Cuba, so youll need to get the cash you need beforehand.

Currency Exchange: 1 USD = 1 Cuban convertible peso (CUC), which is the countrys special currency for foreign travelers. In the standard domestic currency, 1 USD = 26.5 Cuban pesos (CUP).

More Info: For those seeking more information about the travel process for American citizens, the U.S. embassy in Cuba has a detailed guide. Meanwhile, Cubas official tourism website offers information regarding accommodations, attractions and special events.

Top photo: Thomas Munter, CC-BY

Dillon Thompson is University of Georgia student and freelance writer with a love for travel and an addiction to coffee and hip-hop music.
While many things can be said about the success of Luke Holden and his multi-million-dollar company, Lukes Lobster, two things, in particular, stand out. Going into finance post-graduation isnt the only key to making it big, and nothing is so good that it cant be made better.

As is the case for many in the industry, Holden comes from a long line of fisherman and began his foray into the lobstering world as a kid. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Holden spent his summers lobstering in the waters off Cape Elizabeth in Maine. During a stint as an investment banker in Manhattan in 2007, he realized that high-quality, affordable lobster rolls werent a thing in the city.

From that moment on, he made it his mission to change the lobster roll scene, and in 2009, the first Lukes Lobster officially opened its doors in the East Village. With little-to-no business experience and a $15,000 loan from his father, Holden and his Craigslist-found business partner made Lukes profitable within three weeks of being in business.

According to the World Wildlife Organization, over 85 percent of the worlds fisheries have been pushed to or surpassed their biological limits. Despite the numerous overfishing issues that have plagued many sought-after species such as Bluefin Tuna, lobster remains one of the most abundant and lucrative seafood populations.

A recent Associated Press article reported that 2016 was the seventh consecutive year that Maine lobstermen set a record for the value of their lobster catch. Last year, Maine fishermen caught nearly 131 million pounds of the crustacean worth over $533 million at the docks, exceeding 2015s record by over $30 million.

Its clear that U.S. lobster fishermen are consistently catching more lobsters, year after year. This begs the questionwhat is this industry doing so well that keeps the future of the lobster industry out of peril? For starters, the Department of Maine Resources strictly enforces rules that include the types of traps that can be used and the acceptable size limits of caught lobsters. Furthermore, females caught with eggs must be thrown back.

From the humble start of Lukes Lobster to the present-day, one goal has remained: to connect its customers to the source. By taking his experiences growing up in the lobstering community and implementing the ethics of sustainable fishing learned from an early age, Holden has remained steadfast to his principles. Lukes Lobster is continuously implementing solutions to ensure that it upholds its commitment to serve only 100 percent traceable and certified sustainable seafood, while simultaneously keeping up with demand.

In 2012, Holden took the companys commitment to trap-to-table traceability to a whole new level by founding Cape Seafood, a sustainable seafood processing facility in Saco, Maine. This facility quickly became Lukes only supplier. We are working directly with the harvesters to cut out the middleman to increase quality and offer the best price to our guests, said Holden.

This crucial progression in Holdens company growth has allowed the business to hand-pick lobsters directly from the dock, and also immediately clean, steam, package, and ship them to its shacks, thereby ensuring its freshness. Cape Seafood remains the only Marine Stewardship Council-certified sustainable and Safety Quality Food Level 3 certified seafood company in North America.

Though Holden cant speak to the level of commitment to sustainability and traceability of his competitors, he explained that Lukes Lobster can support the fact that we only source from sustainable resources by proving that we can trace our seafood back to its source.

Most recently Holden, along with a group of over 20 lobstermen, and the owners of a historic wharf in Tenants Harbor, Maine, opened the worlds first-ever fishermens co-op to be vertically integrated with a seafood processing company and restaurant group. The new, revitalized lobster shack, appropriately named Lukes at Tenants Harbor, allows guests to dine at the source.

While there are many fishermen co-ops throughout the world, this is the first co-op in Maine that works directly with a processor to cut out the middleman (the dealer) and has additional earning potential if the restaurant located at the co-op financially performs. I believe trust is the biggest impediment to these relationships occurring more frequently, said Holden in response to why a co-op quite like his has never been done before.

Furthermore, Holden has committed to putting 50 percent of this shacks profits back into the Tenants Harbor Fishermens Co-op. This partnership promotes diversified revenue streams for the members of the co-op and sets a new standard to make the fishing industry fairer and more sustainable for all parties.

Lukes Lobster and the Tenants Harbor Fishermans Co-op have created a model that has enabled the co-op to earn income through at least four different channels versus just selling their catch each day and being done, explained Holden. Diversification is thus an element of sustainability for the community. By proving that trust and cooperation can work like a rising tide and raise all boats, the Tenants Harbor Fishermans Co-op will hopefully drive others in the industry to think outside of the box to find strategic initiatives.

We plan to continue to build the brand as the best-in-class seafood company in the US. We will do this by continuing to share our sustainable, traceable food with guests at our shacks, and by developing related products as we uphold our commitment to sustainability, traceability, and quality, asserted Holden in response to whats next for his lobster empire.

In seven years, Holden and his business partner Ben Conniff have opened 21 locations operating in the United States, as well as a new Lukes Cart concept at Whole Foods in Brooklyns trendy Williamsburg neighborhood. They also have five profitable locations in Tokyo. By sticking to what he loves and remaining true to his Maine heritage, Lukes Lobster has transformed into both a multi-million-dollar business that saw over $20 million in sales last year and a pioneering industry leader.
As results of the 2016 presidential election poured in last November, my Twitter feed was clean. I didnt see any hint of who was ahead, and I didnt know who would be the next U.S. president until much later the following day. As I walked into the dining room on board Hurtigrutens expedition liner, Fram, all I could see were pale blue icebergs flanking either side of the ship. We were slowly nearing Antarctica, making our way through Iceberg Alley, the gateway to the lower latitudes. The ship had Wi-Fi, but part of the reason we were on board was to get away from technology, especially during the election. Someone finally braved the explosion of reactions on social media to check the results of the election, and then quickly shut off their phone right after. News of Trumps triumph slowly made its way around the dining room the old fashioned way: word of mouth.

Pew Research Center estimates that 84 percent of adults in the U.S. are connected to the Internet and 68 percent are constantly attached to their cell phone, making the concept of a digital detox so popularand necessarythese days that January has been dubbed Digital Wellness Month. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami even payed tribute to the concept with a new digital wellness program with day-long retreats designed to disconnect and re-evaluate your relationship with technology. The idea is to create a routine of digital balance, shutting off from technology and switching your focus to mindfulness exercises like meditation and journaling. Guests can even relieve the stress and strain from all those hours logged at a laptop with spa treatments designed to ease your hands and shoulders of tension from typing.

City escapes like this are one way to switch off, if only for a day, but travelers are now looking to get even further from technology, taking a breather in some of the most remote corners of the globe from the end of the Americas in Torres Del Paine National Park to the lowlands of Vietnam.

As the Vietnamese government has lifted travel restrictions in the northeastern region of Ha Giang, Vietnam, along the border of China, nows the time to jet off and experience a taste of this time-trapped tribal culture. Ride & Seek has launched a 10-day Vietnam Bike Tour that weaves through the 5,000-square-mile province thats made up of 22 ethnic minorities, with rides of up to 100 miles per day through terraced rice paddies and villages where youll be able to connect with the locals in ways that dont require an app.



Image: courtesy of Robert Michael Poole

For an even more remote stay, switch off in style at Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia. Sleep in one of 40 handmade gers, or traditional nomadic herder felt tents, looking out across the Gobi Desert and its mountains, with an opening in the center (used as a sundial by nomads) thats perfect for stargazing in bed. A stay here is secluded enough, but the trek to the tents is what really gives the feeling youve disconnected from society. From the capital of Ulaanbaatar, youll have to take a 1.5-hour flight to Dalanzadgad at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Then its another 90 minutes by 44 on an off-roading trip to the lodge.



Image: courtesy of Robert Michael Poole

Serving as a base for archeologists and filmmakers, Three Camel is equal parts eco lodge and luxury escape with a modern take on traditional gers, featuring stove heating, fully equipped private bathrooms, and locally made amenities like bathrobes and Mongolian felt slippers. Playing on the theme of escape, the lodge is telephone- and Internet-free, which means you wont be able to immediately Instagram images of your Mongolian feast at the Bulagtai Restaurant, which serves up slightly Westernized versions of traditional fare using organic produce from nearby farms and dairy from local nomadic families thats pasteurized on site. When the sun starts to set, snag a pre-dinner drink in the main lounge, Dino House, modeled after a traditional Mongolian sum, or temple, with veranda views across the desert and local drinks like American-inspired pale Golden Gobi beer.



Image: courtesy of Robert Michael Poole

Just outside of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, you can find a luxurious escape of another sort sitting on 100 acres bordering the Fjord of Last Hope. The Singular Patagonia celebrates travelers whose pioneer spirit brought them to the area to start a new life. The five-star hotel housed in a former cold storage plant acts as a living piece of history, as well as a prime launch pad to explore the nearby park. All 57 rooms and suites show off expansive views of the Patagonian fjords, which you can easily set off and explore on the resorts personal speedboat. The scenery is really the star of the show here, with sailing trips around the nearby Serrano and Balmaceda glaciers and treks to the Mylodon Caves, where archeologists have found presence of human existence dating back to 12,000 B.C.

After youve gotten a bit of a mental escape, head back and indulge in dinner on par with some of the best restaurants in the world with a locally fueled meal prepped by Chef Laurent Pasqualetto, who has worked in some of Frances haute eateries like Fouquets on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. At the restaurant, youll see just how much of an impact the surrounding landscape plays on the cuisine here with revamped favorites like Patagonian hare and South American king crab served alongside wines sourced from each of the countrys grape-growing valleys.

Lane Nieset is a freelance travel writer based out of Miami, Florida.
On Thursday, two House committees approved the American Health Care Act to uproot President Obamas Affordable Care Act. While Democrats have been proposing new amendments, the Republican majority has been quick to shut them down.

Some major changes include defunding Planned Parenthood, rolling back Medicaid coverage, and eliminating private insurance coverage of abortions. All three deeply affect low income families and women but also victims of of sexual violence and assault.

For instance, The Washington Post reports the new bill would remove mental health and substance abuse coverage serving over 1.3 million Americans. Both types of services fall under the requirement for essential services. Once passed, essential services wont be a federal requirement and states will decide individually to keep mental health included in medical coverage. Sexual violence survivors, for instance, rely on mental health services for counseling and emotional support. Without access, they can risk suffering from poor mental health in the aftermath of an incident.

As a result, many wonder what healthcare will look like for sexual violence survivors in the years to come. Which policy details could be dissolved next? Plus, I havent even mentioned how many victims have spoken out against the president elects inappropriate and violent behavior against women.

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies are prohibited from denying those with a pre-existing condition. The legislation also explicitly outlines the definition of a pre-existing condition as any condition you had before your coverage started, according to Healthcare.gov. For example, pregnancy services are covered on the day your plan begins, no matter what.

Without this detail, long-term health problems as a direct result of rape or even rape itself could be deemed a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies have the power to deny coverage for services related to the pre-existing condition. They could even drop patients plans entirely because of it, too.

From the health perspective, there are a lot of acute and long-term consequences of sexual assault, explains Jhumka Gupta, a faculty member at George Mason University. Sexual assault can be a one-time incident, but it can also be a chronic incident.

As a social epidemiologist, Gupta studies how violence and gender discrimination affect public health. In addition to legal support and advocacy, she stressed survivors immediate need for health care access to sexually transmitted disease testing, mental health counseling and treatment for any immediate injuries. A one-off incident of violence can lead to lingering, dangerous medical problems.

There is research linking sexual violence to poor reproductive health, being at an increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, poor mental health and other injuries which could be deemed a pre-existing condition, she stressed. This prevents a sexual violence survivor from obtaining health insurance and could also raise her premiums.

Before ACA protection, insurance companies could use rape as a basis to deny coverage. PolitiFact reports six states, as of 2010, didnt have laws protecting survivors from such discrimination. The states included Idaho, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont and Wyoming.

However, blatant injustices certainly werent exclusive to those states. Back in 2009, the National Womens Law Center launched Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-Existing Condition. The campaign speaks to the culture of misogyny within the healthcare industry. A report released at the same time cites that in 2009, only 13 percent of health plans available to 30-year-olds provided maternity care.

Christina Turner, a survivor and then Tampa-based health insurance agent, spoke at the launch event on October 9. According to NWLC, Turner sought counseling and anti-HIV medication after being raped in 2002. She started calling Florida insurance companies about a hypothetical rape survivoressentially describing her situation without explicitly saying soneeding insurance, but companies refused coverage. If she attached her name to the situation, she would have jeopardized and forfeited her own health plan.

Prior to 2010, insurance companies could also charge more for women, even without including maternal care in their policies. NPR reports women were collectively paying $1 billion more than men every year for health insurance premiums. The stigma stems from the idea women are larger consumers than any other gender because of their ability to get pregnant.

The ACA also requires specific preventative services for women. These include general screenings for conditions women are at an increased risk for, including domestic and intimate partner violence. Planned Parenthood, for instance, provides many of these services for low income women and families.

[With the general screenings,] the health care provider can connect women experiencing violence with necessary health and social services, Gupta explains. Often, women who experience intimate partner violence are isolated. Often, the healthcare provider is the one person outside of the family to have contact with her. By screening, doctors are in a powerful position to connect women to resources.

In August 2011, contraception was added to the ACAs list of preventative services. Private insurance companies now must cover birth control in their policies without charging a copay or raising deductibles. According to the U.S. Department of Health, the updated guidelines expanded healthcare access to 47 million women, who could then choose their own birth control methods.

More researchers are talking about reproductive coercion, where there is pressure to become pregnant and/or destruction of birth control methods, not allowing a woman to use birth control, Gupta mentions. The ACA could cover birth control methods in a womans control, such as an IUD.

Without the ACA, health coverage will become significantly more costly for womens services. Co-pays for birth control will skyrocket. Forbes explains women spent $1.4 billion in copays alone in 2013. Maternity care expenses are also expected to increase drastically.

As Trumps team prepares to slash government spending by $10.5 billion, The Cut reports 25 grant programs created by the Violence Against Women Act of 1992 could soon disappear. This includes programs dedicated to reducing sexual assault, stalking and other types of violence. Some were created in response to the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2013, which expanded protection to Native Americans, immigrants and the LGBTQIA community.

Likewise, cutting grant funding seizes any progress in violence prevention. Nonprofits wont have the financial resources to continue research. This directly affects Guptas work, since she collaborates with community partners to study the social impacts of sexual violence.

We need more research and programming to stop the victim blaming from happening and destigmatize sexual assault, Gupta added. There are some public health programs that do that on a smaller scale, but we need to be implemented more widely.

In the meantime, these changes wont take effect until next year. Gupta strongly recommends sexual violence survivors and those with chronic medical conditions take action now to prepare for whats to come in the near future.

Were at a point where politicians are reinventing the definition of sexual assault, she said. Try to be seen as soon as possible. Establish a plan with a healthcare provider. Get tests done in case coverage is cut off. If possible, get prescriptions filled. Get copies of your medical records.
Sen. Fernando Esteves announced plans yesterday to conduct a health survey through the Investigative Task Force on Environmental Pollutants, to record oral histories regarding exposure to Agent Orange and other cancer-causing pollutants on the island.

The survey, along with other environmental health analytics, will be compiled to conduct a comparative analysis of subjective and objective data to verify whether the military did use Agent Orange on Guam.

The short-term goal is an admittance of guilt by the Department of Defense, he said. And I think theyre going to have a hard time proving that they didnt use Agent Orange here.

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Committing to environmental health efforts

Survey administration will be a volunteer effort. The first-term senator admitted the scope was expansive, and that funding for analysis of the data is one issue that will need to be resolved.

In the meantime, Esteves has opted out of his legislative retirement benefits along with Speaker Benjamin Cruz, about $40,000 that can be redirected toward the survey.

However imposing the task may be, Esteves said it's important not just because of whats happened in the past, but how we choose to move forward in the future.

Esteves also said it was the task forces responsibility to be committed to all environmental health efforts as a whole.

Reports of Agent Orange use

Agent orange is an herbicide used widely by the United States to kill vegetation during the Vietnam War.

According to Viet Nam News, the U.S. sprayed more than 80 million liters of herbicide over southern Vietnam, exposing about 4.8 million Vietnamese to toxic chemicals.

Earlier this year, 68-year-old veteran Leroy Foster told national news publications that he sprayed Agent Orange in military facilities and defense properties on Guam.

Foster has said he suffers from 33 diseases, including five different cancers.

Officials have consistently denied that the U.S. military used Agent Orange outside of Vietnam, Post files state.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 09:00:12

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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Ashburton Ventures Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Ashburton Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture:ABR). has issued a press release with the following headline:Ashburton Backs New Breakthrough Zeolite SolutionTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Ashburton Ventures Inc., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Ashburton Ventures Inc.Source: Ashburton Ventures Inc. (TSX Venture: ABR, FWB: ARB, WKN: A1J3M5, ISIN: CA0437832086)Date: March 15, 2017Time: 4:00 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Ashburton Ventures Inc. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
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FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Badger Daylighting Ltd.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Calgary, Alberta (FSCWire) - Badger Daylighting Ltd. (TSX:BAD). has issued a press release with the following headline:Badger Daylighting Ltd. March Cash DividendTo view this press release on the FSCwire website, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:If you would prefer, you can also view this press release as a PDF file, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser:For more information on Badger Daylighting Ltd., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Badger Daylighting Ltd.Source: Badger Daylighting Ltd. (TSX: BAD, ISIN: A1H5L9, WKN: CA05651W2094)Date: March 15, 2017Time: 11:18 AM EDT--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Badger Daylighting Ltd. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.)
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 08:04:01

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 15, 2017 - Bavarian Nordic A/S (OMX: BAVA, OTC: BVNRY) announced today that the Company has awarded restricted stock units to members of the Corporate Management.

The Board of Directors of Bavarian Nordic A/S believes that restricted stock units as an incentive will further increase the long-term shared interests between the Corporate Management and the Company's shareholders,

Therefore, in accordance with the Company's remuneration policy and the general guidelines for incentive remuneration, the Board of Directors has today decided to postpone the payment of half of the achieved cash bonus for President & CEO, Paul Chaplin and Executive Vice President & CFO, Ole Larsen for 3 years, converting the postponed bonus into restricted stock units. Each restricted stock unit provides the owner with a right to receive one share in Bavarian Nordic A/S of nominally DKK 10.

The number of restricted stock units has been calculated on the basis of an average of the closing price of the Company's shares over a period of 15 trading days prior to the date of grant. The acquisition of restricted stock units is conditional upon the recipient not having passed away prior to the expiry of a 3-year period after the date of grant. The Board has decided to grant additional restricted stock units free of charge on expiry of the 3 years (so-called "matching shares") upon the recipient not having passed away and the recipient still being employed at the time of the grant of the matching shares (i.e. 3 years from the time of grant). One matching share will be granted for each two acquired restricted stock units. This means that a total of up to 8,463 restricted stock units will be awarded, including potential matching shares.

The value of one restricted stock unit is DKK 292.3, based on an average of the closing price of the Company's shares over a period of 15 trading days prior to the date of grant.

About Bavarian Nordic

Bavarian Nordic is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development, manufacturing and commercialization of cancer immunotherapies and vaccines for infectious diseases, based on the Company's live virus vaccine platform. Through long-standing collaborations, including a collaboration with the U.S. government, Bavarian Nordic has developed a portfolio of vaccines for infectious diseases, including the non-replicating smallpox vaccine, IMVAMUNE, which is stockpiled for emergency use by the United States and other governments. The vaccine is approved in the European Union (under the trade name IMVANEX) and in Canada. Bavarian Nordic and its partner Janssen are developing an Ebola vaccine regimen, which has been fast-tracked, with the backing of worldwide health authorities, and a vaccine for the prevention and treatment of HPV. Additionally, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, Bavarian Nordic has developed a portfolio of active cancer immunotherapies, including PROSTVAC, which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. The company has partnered with Bristol-Myers Squibb for the potential commercialization of PROSTVAC. For more information visit www.bavarian-nordic.com or follow us on Twitter @bavariannordic.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, future events, performance and/or other information that is not historical information. All such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances after the date made, except as required by law.

Contacts

Rolf Sass Srensen

Vice President Investor Relations (EU)

Tel: +45 61 77 47 43

Seth Lewis

Vice President Investor Relations (US)

Tel: +1 978 341 5271



Company Announcement no. 7 / 2017

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Bavarian Nordic A/S via Globenewswire


Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Epoxy Resins Paints Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020" report to their offering.

Epoxy Resins Paints Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 09:11:49

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Epoxy resins which are also known as polyepoxides belong to the category of reactive prepolymers and polymers that contain the epoxide group. Epoxy resins are one of the most versatile compounds that are widely used in the orthophthalic and polyester family. Epoxy resins usually react either with themselves or with other co-reactants which include phenols, acids, alcohols, polyfunctional amines and thiols among others. Epoxy resins are either low molecular weight pre-polymers or high molecular weight polymers which usually contain at least two epoxide groups. The epoxide group is also known as oxirane and glycidyl group. The raw material required to industrially manufacture epoxy resins are largely derived from petroleum.However, some of the plant derived sources are becoming popular in manufacturing epoxy resins. Epoxy resins being polymeric or semi-polymeric materials and thus, are rarely exist in their pure state. Epoxy resins are known for their excellent electrical, mechanical and heat resistance properties. The epoxide content in the epoxy resins is the most crucial factor which determines the characteristics of epoxy resins. Different grades of epoxy resins are usually blended with various additives, plasticizers and fillers. Epoxy resins find wide range of applications in paints and coatings, electrical and electronic components and structural adhesives manufacturing industries. The paint and coatings industry is one of the major applications of the epoxy resins market.Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-168 Growing population coupled with changing lifestyle is expected to boost the overall growth of the construction industry. The growing construction industry is expected to augment the growth of the paints and coatings industry. The paints and coating industry is expected to further grow owing to the rising demand from the automobile industry. The rising demand for high end luxury automobiles is further expected to enhance the overall growth of the paints and coatings industry. Thus, the growing paints and coatings industry is expected to drive the overall growth of the epoxy resins market. Epoxy resins are w9idely used by the paints and coating industry on the heavy duty metal substrates. In addition, paints and coatings containing epoxy resins use less energy than that compared to other heat-cured powder coatings. Moreover, paints and coatings containing epoxy resins are also considered environmental friendly than other chemicals.Asia Pacific is the largest manufacturer of epoxy resins owing to the presence of large manufacturers in China. The presence of many manufacturers coupled with their huge production capacities is expected to boost the overall growth of the epoxy resins market. Europe is one of the major consumers of the epoxy resins market. Epoxy resins being environmental friendly are further expected to augment the overall demand in the market. The demand for epoxy resins is gradually growing in North America. Thus, the growing consumer awareness towards environment friendly products coupled with the presence of stringent environmental regulations is expected to further boost the overall growth of the market.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-168 Momentive Performance Materials, Kukdo Chemical (South Korea), Huntsman Corporation (U.S.), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Atul Ltd (India), Sika AG (Switzerland), Cytec Industries Incorporation (U.S.), DuPont (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), BASF SE (Germany), Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd, NAMA Chemicals (Saudi Arabia), LEUNA-Harze GmbH (Germany), and Spolchemie A.S. (Czech Republic) among others are expected to some of the major participants of the global epoxy resins market. The companies are mainly focused towards developing bio based epoxy resins in order to comply with the stringent environmental regulations.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 08:05:01

Research findings reveal 70% of organizations need more granular customer segmentation data, while 58% cite email data for HCPs as a key requirement

European Life Sciences Survey Shows Need for More Detailed Customer Data to Improve Healthcare Professional Interactions

Veeva Systems Inc.

Sue Glanville, +44 (0) 7715 817589

sue@catalystcomms.co.uk

or

Cate Bonthuys, +44 (0) 7746 546773

cate@catalystcomms.co.uk

New research released by Veeva Systems at eyeforpharma Barcelona reveals the need for more detailed customer profile and email data, as the life sciences industry strives to improve the effectiveness of customer engagements. Results from the Veeva 2016 European Customer Data [..] show that a majority (70%) of companies are looking for greater customer segmentation data to deliver personalized multichannel communications.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703150052

VEEVA 2016 EUROPEAN CUSTOMER DATA SURVEY

Life sciences companies can increase reach and deliver more relevant, tailored information to physicians through digital engagement. In addition, healthcare professionals (HCPs) can interact with field reps through the online channels and mobile devices they prefer. Quality customer data is foundational for effective digital engagement, and yet findings from the survey show gaps in customer data quality.

Less than half (40%) of respondents are satisfied that their customer data provides a complete and real-time view, despite nearly three-quarters (73%) citing a complete and real-time view as a top customer data priority. Commercial operations and marketing have the lowest satisfaction, with less than one-third of commercial operations (32%) and marketing (31%) respondents satisfied that they have a complete and real-time customer view.

Consequently, the need for improved data quality is on the top of the corporate agenda for a majority of life sciences companies. More than three-quarters (78%) of respondents say they either have data quality improvement initiatives in place or will do so within two years. Looking beyond what their data provider offers today, more than half (58%) cite email data as a key future requirement and nearly half (49%) identify KOL profile data as priority.

There is a significant opportunity for the life sciences industry to increase the effectiveness of customer engagements, fueled by quality customer data, to deliver the right content at the right time through the right channel, said Guillaume Roussel, director of strategy, Veeva OpenData, Europe. Multichannel customer engagement is at the heart of successful commercial strategies, and the transition of customer data will allow life sciences companies to improve customer interactions.

The Veeva 2016 European Customer Data [..] examines the current state of data quality within life sciences companies across Europe. The findings represent the experiences and opinions of more than 80 life sciences decision makers across all of the major European markets, with respondents primarily from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and UK.

Additional Information

Download the survey executive summary: veeva.com/eu/datasurvey

View the infographic on commercial operations data requirements: veeva.com/eu/commopspotlight

Connect with Veeva on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/veeva-systems

Follow @Veeva_EU on Twitter: twitter.com/veeva_eu

Like Veeva on Facebook: facebook.com/veevasystems

About Veeva Systems

Veeva Systems Inc. is a leader in cloud-based software for the global life sciences industry. Committed to innovation, product excellence, and customer success, Veeva has more than 500 customers, ranging from the world's largest pharmaceutical companies to emerging biotechs. Veeva is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, with offices in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. For more information, visit www.veeva.com/eu.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including the market demand for and acceptance of Veevas products and services, the results from use of Veevas products and services, and general business conditions, particularly in the life sciences industry. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon Veevas historical performance and its current plans, estimates, and expectations, and are not a representation that such plans, estimates, or expectations will be achieved. These forward-looking statements represent Veevas expectations as of the date of this press announcement. Subsequent events may cause these expectations to change, and Veeva disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking statements in the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect Veevas financial results are included under the captions, Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the companys filing on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 31, 2016. This is available on the companys website at veeva.com under the Investors section and on the SECs website at sec.gov. Further information on potential risks that could affect actual results will be included in other filings Veeva makes with the SEC from time to time.

###

 2017 Veeva Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Veeva and the Veeva logo are trademarks of Veeva Systems Inc.

Veeva Systems Inc. owns other registered and unregistered trademarks.

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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703150052
High Temperature Ceramics Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 08:07:13

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Ceramics are covalent compounds containing metal and non-metal atoms primarily held in covalent and ionic bonds. Generally, ceramics are made by taking mixtures of earth elements, powders, water and clay. This mixture is shaped into the desired form and is then fired in a high temperature oven. Ceramics are then painted with glazes which are waterproof and decorative. At elevated temperature, ceramics have high hardness, high melting points, excellent chemical corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. Some ceramics are good dielectrics or insulators, whereas others are good electrical or thermal conductors. Ceramics are widely used in our daily life. Glass, plates, bricks, tiles and sanitary ware are some examples of the ceramics we see every day. Ceramics can also be found in products like automobiles (sparkplug), phone lines and watches. They are even used in space shuttles and aircrafts. Ceramics can be broadly classified into two categories: traditional and advanced. Traditional ceramics include clay products such as cement and glass, whereas advanced ceramics consist of pure oxides, nitrides, carbides and many others.Advanced ceramics are widely used in industrial applications where the operating temperature is generally high or which require hard substances that can withstand great pressure. Ceramics offer various advantages compared to other materials. Ceramics are more corrosion and heat resistant than polymers or metals, stiffer and harder than steel, and have a lower density than most alloys and metals. Raw material for advance ceramics materials are plentiful, inexpensive and display wide range of properties. For automotive applications, they are used in various applications like airbag sensors, spark plugs, valves, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, oxygen sensors, thermistors, catalytic converters, ceramic rotors, ceramic filters piston rings and safety glass windshields.Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-179 The different types of high temperature ceramics include ceramic matrix composites and ultrahigh temperature ceramic coatings. Advanced high temperature materials are key components in the emerging material technologies, which are giving impetus to many industries. The global high temperature ceramics market is driven by several factors like replacement of materials for the sake of creating cost effective solutions, the growing demand for energy conservation across various industries, and government regulations to reduce greenhouse emissions.The global high temperature ceramics market is led by AsiaPacific (APAC) which accounts for over 40-45% of the total consumption by volume. The cost of high temperature ceramics in APAC is lesser than that in Europe, North America or Latin America. In terms of revenue, North America is the largest market followed by APAC and Europe. The cost of high temperature ceramics is expected to remain low for the next few years in the APAC region. Due to government regulations and incentives offered for sustainability and energy conservation, North America and Europe are expected to offer significant growth opportunities for the high temperature ceramics market.On the basis of industry applications, the global high temperature ceramics market is segmented into automotive, aerospace, chemical processing, metallurgical, power generation and others. Some of the most common applications of high temperature ceramics are afterburners, boilers, castings, exhaust stacks, flanges, furnaces, headers, incinerators, manifolds, molds and dies, ovens, heat exchangers, pumps, blowers, pipingand ducting. In the aerospace industry, high temperature ceramics are used in cutting edge applications, which require structural and chemical stability at extremely high operating temperatures. On the basis of composition, the high temperature ceramics are segmented into oxides (alumina, zirconia), non-oxides (carbides, nitrides) and composites (combination of oxides and non-oxides).Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-179 There are many global and regional players operating in the high temperature ceramics market especially in APAC. Some of the key participants are Morgan Thermal Ceramics, ZIRCAR Ceramics, Inc., Skamol A/S, Promat International, IBIDEN Company Ltd., Rath Incorporated, General Insulation Europe Ltd., Unifrax Corporation, and Shandong Luyang Share Co. Ltd.In future, the understanding and controlling behavior of the microstructures and properties of high temperature ceramics are expected to be key elements in research activities. This research will further increase the operating temperature limits of existing high temperature ceramics.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 14:08:01

Netkom selects Stratoscale to deploy an AWS-compatible region within its datacenter, which will be leveraged to offer Netkoms customers advanced cloud services

Netkom Leverages Stratoscales Cloud Infrastructure to Onboard New Customers within Hours

Racepoint Global for Stratoscale

Calin Gunn, +1-202-517-1502

stratoscale@racepointglobal.com

Stratoscale announced that Netkom, a Switzerland-based IT service provider, has implemented Symphony 3 as its cloud infrastructure solution, transforming Netkoms datacenter into an AWS-compatible cloud region. In tandem with the launch of its new cloud services, which is based on Stratoscales solution, Netkom will present at CeBIT 2017 on March 20  24.

Driven by its ongoing cloud discussions with customers, Netkoms focus has shifted toward offering cloud services as a seamless extension of their customers existing enterprise datacenter, combining SaaS, IaaS and PaaS solutions. Netkom wanted to build a robust and highly available cluster that would ensure the scalability and performance required to offer public cloud services, while reducing the complexity associated with optimizing and scaling infrastructure. Obtaining optimal infrastructure efficiencies and streamlining our customer onboarding process was a critical consideration in evaluating various cloud infrastructure solution vendors, explained Andre Matter, Netkoms CEO.

Stratoscale enables enterprises and MSPs to deploy an AWS region on top of existing hardware by transforming any x86 server into an elastic, highly utilized and consumable cloud that is AWS compatible. Deployed in minutes, Stratoscale enables service providers to align with an AWS-cloud-first strategy. Stratoscale offers sought-after flexibility and simplicity in managing all workloads and resources via a single pane control, decoupled from any hardware vendor constraints.

We specifically designed our product to cater to the special requirements of service providers, said Ariel Maislos, Stratoscales CEO. Capabilities such as multi-tenancy, quota-based consumption, chargeback and self-service are critical to any effective cloud offering. By offering service providers all the cloud services customers have grown to appreciate, supported by high availability and resiliency, we can offer service providers an enterprise grade solution that can be deployed and marketed immediately.

Netkom leveraged existing hardware to deploy Stratoscale. The flexibility in using any server and storage solution was very attractive to Netkom because it eliminated vendor lock-in constraints. Netkom was also able to reduce customer onboarding from a week to just a few hours.

Our partnership with Stratoscale and the implementation was fully aligned with Netkom's strategy to reduce our support and datacenter maintenance, said Matthias Imhof, Netkoms COO. Stratoscale offered the simplicity of building and managing a complete cluster within a few hours and provided the availability, scalability and performance we need to onboard new customers.

Late last year, Stratoscale announced Stratoscale Symphony 3, the third generation of the companys comprehensive cloud data center software, as well as the availability of a fully managed and AWS-compatible relational database service which provides single-click deployment and seamless scalability while removing operational friction. With the added services and capabilities, Stratoscale is providing a superior solution for Netkom to meet market demands as the industry evolves.

About Netkom

Based in Switzerland, Netkom IT Services GmbH is a full-service IT provider with a focus on high availability, performance, flexibility and security.

About Stratoscale

Stratoscale is the cloud infrastructure company, allowing anyone to deploy an AWS compatible region in the datacenter. Stratoscale Symphony, can be deployed in minutes on commodity x86 servers, creating an AWS region supporting EC2, S3, EBS, VPC RDS and Kubernetes. Stratoscale was named a Cool Vendor in Servers and Virtualization by Gartner and raised more than $70M from leading investors, including Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cisco, Intel, Qualcomm Ventures, SanDisk and Leslie Ventures.

* AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/201703150051
Network Function Virtualization Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 10:11:01

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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 Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-266 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.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-266 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.
PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 16:08:01

Odfjell SE announces that the Company's Board of Director has approved the 2016 annual accounts in line with the preliminary full year results as presented 15 February 2017.

Based on the Company's 2016 results, including the profit from the sale of the Oman terminal, the Board of Director recommends a dividend of NOK 1.50 per share. The dividend is subject to shareholders approval and will be voted on at the Company's Annual General Meeting, scheduled for 11 May 2017 in Bergen, Norway.

This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.

The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Odfjell SE via Globenewswire


Polyurethane Resins Paints and Coatings Market

PR-Inside.com: 2017-03-15 08:27:33

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Polyurethane resins are produced by the reacting polyalcohol and an organic di-isocyanate. Polyurethane resins are extensively used in applications such as surface coatings, footwear, furniture and packaging. Polyurethane resin paints are characterized by properties such as high durability, toughness, easy cleaning and high gloss. Owing to these properties, polyurethane resin paints finds wide spread applications across the globe. Polyurethane resin paints are also used where high performance is expected, in applications such as oil-rig towers, warehouses, industrial plants, heat resistant coatings, bridges etc.Paints perform the vital role of protecting the surfaces from rust and weathering, increasing durability and also increasing the visual appeal of the products. Polyurethane resin paints are used in various applications such as wood coatings, aircraft coatings, construction etc. The demand for polyurethane resin paints is expected to witness strong growth from the furniture segment where polyurethane resin paints are used to paint the surface of wooden furniture. Interiors and furniture coating is one of the major end-user industry of polyurethane resin paints. Polyurethane resin paints are used are used for applying protective layer over wooden furniture in order to protect the wooden surfaces. Economic growth in Asia Pacific and Latin America coupled with growing disposable income in these regions, have led to an increase in demand for furniture products and this in turn is expected to drive the demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings used in furniture applications. Polyurethane resins coatings are also used for marine applications across the globe. Other applications where polyurethane resin paints and coatings can be used include heavy duty exterior and interior structural coating, exterior surfaces of steel tanks, clean rooms, conveyors, chemical processing equipments, paper mills, power plants, offshore structures, oil field machinery, handrails, etc.Request For Report Sample@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-154 The demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings is also expected to see robust growth from the marine industry. Increasing demand and sales of leisure boats globally is expected to drive the demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings market in the near future. The demand for boats has seen a significant increase in countries such as U.S further adding to the demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings. Growing construction activities globally is also expected to increase the demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings in the next few years. Polyurethane resin paints and coatings are also used for applying protective base layers to various products. The demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings from automobile sector is also anticipated to exhibit strong growth in the next few years.In terms of consumption Asia Pacific was the highest consumer of polyurethane resin paints and coatings followed by North America, Europe and Latin America. In Asia Pacific, China and India were the major markets for polyurethane resin paints and coatings. The demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings is higher in these countries on account of growing disposable income in this region and growing expenditure on furniture and interiors. In Latin America, Brazil is the major market for polyurethane resin paints and coatings. The demand for polyurethane resin paints and coatings is also expected to be high in Middle East and African countries on account of growing construction activities in these regions.Request For TOC@ http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-154 Some of the major companies operating in the global polyurethane resin paints and coatings market are BASF SE, Sherwin Williams, Henkel, Lubrizol, DSM, and Arkema among others.
2016 was the best year so far in the company history of SES Spar European Shopping Centers: The retailers at its 30 shopping sites generated gross sales revenue of 2.85 billion. This represents an increase of 6% compared to 2015. The growth is mainly due to higher productivity per unit

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Zee TV has secured satellite TV rights to air what is being touted as the biggest budget Indian movie to date, 2.0, for a reported INR1.1 billion.





Written and directed by Shankar and scheduled for theatrical release for Diwali on 18 October, the INR3.5 billion (US$53.2 million) science fiction movie will be broadcast direct-to-home by Zee TV in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu.A successor to the 2010 Tamil film Enthiran, the film will feature actor Rajinikanth reprising the roles of Dr Vaseegaran and Chitti, alongside Akshay Kumar and British actress Amy Jackson. Filming concluded on 2.0 last year, and the movie is now in post production. Theatrical rights have yet to be agreed, with speculation that the Hindi rights alone could be sold for over INR1 billion.The INR110 crore (1.1 billion) deal is only for the films satellite rights. We are in talks with Amazon Prime and Netflix for the films digital rights, Lyca Productions creative head Raju Mahalingam told The Hindu The rights deal with Zee TV reportedly spans a 15-year period.
TDG research revealed that the proportion of US broadband households not subscribing to a legacy pay-TV service  cord nils, with zero use of TV services from cable, satellite or telco-TV providers  has more than doubled in the past five years.





The Life Without Legacy Pay-TV: A Profile of US Cord Cutters and Cord Nevers report found that percentage of cord nils has risen 144% since 2011 as the value of the broadband/pay-TV bundle erodes. In 2011, 9% of the 85 million US broadband households qualified as cord nils, but by the end of 2016, this number surpassed 100 million, with 22% qualifying. This means that the number of broadband households living without legacy pay-TV has grown from just under eight million in 2011 to 22 million by year-end 2016.Wall Street and the media are myopically focused on the quarterly drip of legacy pay-TV subscribers, which unfortunately overlooks a larger and more dangerous trend, remarked Michael Greeson, TDG co-founder and director of research, and author of the report . Where broadband (and broadband video) goes, legacy pay-TV subscriptions will increasingly decline. This is indeed what has transpired.Greeson added that the full extent of the disruption has been largely overlooked and has led to the rush by operators to introduce skinny bundles . Yet it also noted that except for Comcast, even before Broadband Pay-TV services gain a serious footing, already for US MVPDs, the stickiness of the Internet/TV bundle appears to be in decline.
New Toyota Corolla Facelift made its global debut about a year ago. The car has now been launched in India for a starting price of INR 15.87 lakh, ex-showroom for the petrol variant and INR 17.36 lakh, ex-showroom for the diesel variant.

Design changes on board the new Toyota Corolla facelift includes a new bumper in the front flanked by sleeker and redesigned headlamp cluster. Updates at the rear include a pair of LED tail-lamps. Top of the line Corolla facelift will also receive LED headlamps flanked by LED DRLs.

2017 Toyota Corolla Facelift

[table id=34 /]

[table id=35 /]

*ex-showroom, Delhi prices.

New Toyota Corolla gets a new colour option  Phantom Brown. It also gets new chrome door handles and a thin chrome garnish on the lower part of the doors. Overall, the design of the new Corolla is pretty much like that of the current one, with inspiration from brands Under Priority and Keen Look design language.

Apart from the updated design, new Corolla is also loaded with new tech along with standard tech which is already on offer with the current variant. New tech includes LDA  Lane Departure Alert, PCS  Pre-Collision System, AHB  Automatic High Beam. All three of these new systems rely on laser and a camera which is mounted on the windscreen.

Powering the 2017 Toyota Corolla Facelift are the same engine and transmission options which are seen on board the current Corolla. In India, Corolla is offered with 1.8-liter petrol 138 hp / 173 Nm engine mated either to a 6 speed MT or CVT, and a 1.4-liter diesel 87 hp / 205 Nm mated to a 6 speed MT.

Also See  Toyota C-HR crossover heading for India launch in 2018

Key Features of the New Corolla Altis

Exterior Features

1. Advanced Bi-beam LED Headlamps

2. LED Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)

3. New 3D bumper design

4. Advanced grille design

5. Stylish LED Tail Lamp

6. Sophisticated new alloys

Interior Features

1. Newly designed Instrument Panel with Soft Touch Dashboard

2. Interior colour refreshed to flaxen

Performance Features

1. Enhanced performance with 7 Speed Super CVTi with Sport Mode and Paddle Shift

2. New Corolla Altis will be available in the following engine options:

 1.8 L petrol engine with Dual VVT-i

 1.4 L diesel engine with Variable Nozzle Turbo and Intercooler

3. Sport drive mode adds to the responsive drive train

Comfort & Convenience Features

1. Minus ion generator (nanoe)

2. Autofold and reverse linked ORVM

3. New Corolla Altis continues to offer opulent rear reclining seats

Safety & Security Feature

1. 7 SRS Airbags

2. Hill Start Assist Control

3. Vehicle Stability Control

4. ABS & EBD with BA

News Release
Dowling-Degos disease is a hereditary pigmentation disorder that generally progresses harmlessly. However, some of those affected also develop severe skin inflammation. An international team of researchers under the leadership of the University of Bonn has now found a cause for this link. Their knowledge comes thanks to an animal that is known among aquarium owners for its characteristic pigmentation: the zebrafish. The results have now been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

People with Dowling-Degos disease have a noticeably large number of dark pigment spots. These are frequently found in certain areas of the body, such as the face, neck, torso, hands, and the bending folds of the arms and legs. The pigmentation disorder generally progresses harmlessly; however, it can have a negative aesthetic effect.

Occasionally, those affected also develop extremely unpleasant skin inflammation, called acne inversa. This is not only painful but is also associated with festering blisters that can leave scars when they burst. The colonization of microorganisms on the affected areas of skin also creates unpleasant body odor. Acne inversa has a chronic progression; a permanent solution is only provided by surgery.

"We have genetically examined 90 people with Dowling-Degos disease since 2005," explains Prof. Regina Betz from the Institute of Human Genetics at the University Hospital of Bonn. "Six of them also suffered from acne inversa." The scientists found a special characteristic in this subgroup: the patients displayed mutations in what is known as the PSENEN gene.

It has been known that PSENEN mutations can cause acne inversa. "However, we were able to show for the first time that changes in this gene primarily cause Dowling-Degos disease and around half of the mutation carriers develop acne inversa," emphasizes Damian Ralser, who is currently working on his doctorate at the Institute of Human Genetics.

To do this, the scientists used an animal that should be known to many aquarium enthusiasts due to its striking pigmentation: the zebrafish. However, the characteristic blueish black stripes, which give the fish its name, only form over time. The eyelash-sized zebrafish larvae are more or less transparent.

Fish as a model organism

Many processes in the body can thus be observed easily under an optical microscope. For this reason, the zebrafish is now used as a model organism by scientists around the globe. At the University of Bonn, Prof. Benjamin Odermatt from the Anatomical Institute is researching how zebrafish repair defective nerve tissue.

Zebrafish also have the PSENEN gene. "In order to be able to research more closely what effect PSENEN has, we, in collaboration with Prof. Odermatt, deactivated the gene in some zebrafish larvae and then compared these with normal larvae under the microscope," explains Damian Ralser.

The pigment cells -- the melanocytes -- usually wander in a certain direction in the zebrafish larvae. This ensures that the characteristic striped pattern develops over time. However, the pigment cells wandered back and forth aimlessly in animals in which the functioning of PSENEN was disrupted. They ultimately collected in unusual places to form clearly visible patches -- similar to people with Dowling-Degos disease.

Only a small proportion of all Dowling-Degos patients carry a PSENEN mutation. "There are also other disease genes that lead to the pigmentation disorder," says Betz. She recommend that all those affected undergo testing. If a disrupted PSENEN gene is the actual cause, there is a significantly increased risk of also suffering from acne inversa. However, the scientist emphasizes that no one is exposed to this risk without protection: "This severe form of acne develops in particular in PSENEN mutation carriers who smoke a lot or who are overweight."
An international research team, led by scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has created the first cellular model of anorexia nervosa (AN), reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from adolescent females with the eating disorder.

Writing in the March 14th issue of Translational Psychiatry, the scientists said the resulting AN neurons -- the disease in a dish -- revealed a novel gene that appears to contribute to AN pathophysiology, buttressing the idea that AN has a strong genetic factor. The proof-of-concept approach, they said, provides a new tool to investigate the elusive and largely unknown molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the disease.

"Anorexia is a very complicated, multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder," said Alysson Muotri, PhD, professor in the UC San Diego School of Medicine departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program and a member of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. "It has proved to be a very difficult disease to study, let alone treat. We don't actually have good experimental models for eating disorders. In fact, there are no treatments to reverse AN symptoms."

Primarily affecting young female adolescents between ages 15 and 19, AN is characterized by distorted body image and self-imposed food restriction to the point of emaciation or death. It has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric conditions. For females between 15 and 24 years old who suffer from AN, the mortality rate associated with the illness is 12 times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death.

Though often viewed as a non-biological disorder, new research suggests 50 to 75 percent of risk for AN may be heritable; with predisposition driven primarily by genetics and not, as sometimes presumed, by vanity, poor parenting or factors related to specific groups of individuals.

But little is actually known about the molecular, cellular or genetic elements or genesis of AN. In their study, Muotri and colleagues at UC San Diego and in Brazil, Australia and Thailand, took skin cells from four females with AN and four healthy controls, generated iPSCs (stem cells with the ability to become many types of cells) from these cells and induce these iPSCs to become neurons.

(Previously, Muotri and colleagues had created stem cell-derived neuronal models of autism and Williams syndrome, a rare genetic neurological condition.)

Then they performed unbiased comprehensive whole transcriptome and pathway analyses to determine not just which genes were being expressed or activated in AN neurons, but which genes or transcripts (bits of RNA used in cellular messaging) might be associated with causing or advancing the disease process.

No predicted differences in neurotransmitter levels were observed, the researchers said, but they did note disruption in the Tachykinin receptor 1 (TACR1) gene. Tachykinins are neuropeptides or proteins expressed throughout the nervous and immune systems, where they participate in many cellular and physiological processes and have been linked to multiple diseases, including chronic inflammation, cancer, infection and affective and addictive disorders.

The scientists posit that disruption of the tachykinin system may contribute to AN before other phenotypes or observed characteristics become obvious, but said further studies employing larger patient cohorts are necessary.

"But more to the point, this work helps make that possible," said Muotri. "It's a novel technological advance in the field of eating disorders, which impacts millions of people. These findings transform our ability to study how genetic variations alter brain molecular pathways and cellular networks to change risk of AN -- and perhaps our ability to create new therapies."
Pollinator insects accelerate plant evolution, but a plant changes in different ways depending on the pollinator. After only nine generations, the same plant is larger and more fragrant if pollinated by bumblebees rather than flies, as a study conducted by evolutionary biologists from the University of Zurich reveals.

Not much plant sex happens without pollinator insects: Bees, flies or butterflies transfer the male pollen grains to the stigma of a plant's female style, thereby ensuring its sexual reproduction. Researchers from the Department of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany at the University of Zurich now reveal that pollinator insects also have a surprisingly strong influence on plant evolution.

Plants pollinated by bumblebees become more fragrant

For their experiment, UZH professor Florian Schiestl and doctoral student Daniel Gervasi used field mustard -- a kind of cabbage species and a close relative of oilseed rape. The researchers allowed one plant group to be pollinated solely by bumblebees for nine generations, another only by hoverflies and a third by hand. Afterwards they analyzed the plants, "which differed greatly," as Florian Schiestl explains. The plants pollinated by bumblebees were larger and had more fragrant flowers with a greater UV color component, which bees and their relatives see. The plants pollinated by hoverflies, on the other hand, were smaller, their flowers were less fragrant and they self-pollinated considerably more. According to Schiestl, the mechanism of evolutionary change is fact that different pollinators differ in their preferences and thus preferentially cross-pollinate specific plant individuals, much like a plant breeder using individuals with favorable properties. The flies' considerably lower pollination efficiency is the cause of the increase in self-pollination. The plants essentially help themselves if the pollinator transfers too little pollen.

Pollinator insects hasten plant evolution

The fact that the plants change so significantly already after nine generations came as a surprise to the researchers: "The traditional assumption is that evolution is a slow process," explains Schiestl. The evolutionary biologist from UZH draws the following conclusion from his results: "A change in the composition of pollinator insects in natural habitats can trigger a rapid evolutionary transformation in plants." This is particularly interesting as certain pollinator insects such as bees have been vastly decimated by the extensive use of pesticides and the depletion of the landscape in recent decades. According to Schiestl, it would thus be conceivable for plants to increasingly rely on flies as pollinators, which would result in the evolution of weaker flower fragrances and more self-pollination. In the longer term, this would reduce a plant population's genetic variability and the plants would become more susceptible to disease.
For decades, phosphorus has accumulated in Wisconsin soils. Though farmers have taken steps to reduce the quantity of the agricultural nutrient applied to and running off their fields, a new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that a "legacy" of abundant soil phosphorus in the Yahara watershed of Southern Wisconsin has a large, direct and long-lasting impact on water quality.

Published March 13 in the journal Ecosystems, the study may be the first to provide quantifiable evidence that eliminating the overabundance of phosphorus will be critical for improving the quality of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers.

For example, the results indicate that a 50 percent reduction in soil phosphorus in the Yahara watershed's croplands would improve water quality by reducing the summertime concentration of phosphorus in Lake Mendota, the region's flagship lake, by 25 percent.

"If we continue to apply phosphorus at a greater rate than we remove it, then phosphorus accumulates over time and that's what's been happening over many decades in the Yahara watershed," says Melissa Motew, the study's lead author and a Ph.D. candidate in the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

Phosphorus seeps into soils primarily by way of fertilizer and manure, and what crops and other plants don't use to grow then leaks into waterways with rain and snowmelt runoff. Scientists have long believed that excess soil phosphorus is a culprit behind the murky waters and smelly algal blooms in some of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers.

Conventional efforts, like no-till farming and cover crops, have tried to address nutrient runoff by slowing its movement from soils to waterways. However, the study shows that simply preventing runoff and erosion does not address the core problem of abundant soil phosphorus, and this overabundance could override conservation efforts.

"Solutions should be focused on stopping phosphorus from going onto the landscape or mining the excess amount that is already built up," says co-author Christopher Kucharik, a professor of agronomy and environmental studies at UW-Madison.
Biotic crises during the Triassic period may have delayed marine recovery after a mass extinction during the late Permian, according to a study published March 15, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by William Foster from University of Texas, Austin, USA, and colleagues.

The late Permian mass extinction was a catastrophic biotic crisis- an estimated 81 percent of marine species were lost, and recovery took longer than for any other extinction event. Some researchers had previously hypothesized that biotic crises subsequently impeded the recovery of life at the bottom of the oceans. To investigate further, Foster and colleagues examined marine invertebrate fossils in the Werfen Formation in the Dolomites, Italy. They assessed diversity and other measures of ocean floor marine communities during the Triassic, the geological period which followed the mass extinction. They were able to gather the highest-resolution, most continuous dataset from this formation to date.

The researchers found that extinction rates of these marine invertebrates peaked twice during the early Triassic. Moreover, these raised extinction rates were associated with carbon isotope shifts, possibly indicating increased stress in the environment which could have affected species' ability to survive and diversify. After the second biotic crisis, ecological diversity increased, possibly following a relaxation of the environmental stresses that had previously limited marine recovery. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that after the late Permian mass extinction, marine recovery was delayed by subsequent biotic crises.

William Foster, the lead author on the study, says, "The early evolution of marine ecosystems 252 million years ago wasn't only ushered by the greatest mass extinction of all time, but also affected by two more subsequent extinction events associated with climate change. This is not only interesting from an evolutionary point of view, but also because those environmental conditions that life had to adapt to, to survive back then, are similar to those predicted for future climate warming scenarios."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2017-59

The Securities and Exchange Commissions Office of the Investor Advocate today announced it will host an Evidence Summit to discuss strategies for raising retail investors understanding of key investment characteristics such as fees, risks, returns, and conflicts of interest.

The March 10 Evidence Summit will mark the official launch of the SECs new investor research initiative led by the SECs Office of the Investor Advocate, dubbed POSITIER, also known as Policy Oriented Stakeholder and Investor Testing for Innovative and Effective Regulation.

POSITIER seeks to inform the rulemaking process with evidence obtained from surveys and specific testing projects. Under this initiative, the SECs Office of the Investor Advocate has launched a specific study program to examine the topic of Retail Disclosure Effectiveness. This study program seeks to identify and test interventions that increase investor awareness of key investment features and, in turn, improve investment outcomes.

I am excited about the launch of POSITIER, said Investor Advocate Rick Fleming, because it has the potential to make a significant contribution to evidence-based policymaking at the Commission. With this new tool, we can gain better insights into the potential benefits to investors from proposed rule changes, and we will be able to help identify the best options amongst competing policy choices.

Acting Chairman Michael Piwowar and Commissioner Kara Stein will speak at the event, as well as an interdisciplinary group of leading scholars in household and behavioral finance, psychology, marketing, and law. Although the focus will be on disclosure in the context of investment funds, the insights on improving the cognitive salience of information will be relevant to other financial disclosure contexts.

The Evidence Summit will be held at the SECs Washington, D.C. headquarters on Friday, March 10, 2017 and will be open to the public and webcast live on the SECs website. The agenda is available at https://www.sec.gov/page/positier.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2017-62

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a California-based company and its founder with falsely touting record revenue numbers to investors and claiming to be a leader in the marijuana industry while some of its earnings came from sham transactions with a secret affiliate.

According to the SECs complaint, Medbox provided marijuana consulting services and claimed to sell vending machines known as Medbox devices capable of dispensing marijuana on the basis of biometric identification. The SEC alleges that Vincent Mehdizadeh created a shell company called New-Age Investment Consulting to carry out illegal stock sales and used the proceeds from those sales to boost Medboxs revenue. Medbox allegedly issued press releases headlining the phony revenues as record earnings to legitimize itself as a viable commercial operation when in fact nearly 90 percent of the companys revenue in the first quarter of 2014 stemmed from sham transactions with New-Age. Mehdizadeh allegedly acknowledged in a text message that the only thing we are really good at is public company publicity and stock awareness. We get an A+ for creating revenue off sheer will but that wont continue.

Meanwhile, according to the SECs complaint, Mehdizadeh funded the purchase of a luxury home in the Pacific Palisades with proceeds from New-Ages illicit stock sales.

The SECs complaint additionally charges Medboxs then-CEO Bruce Bedrick with being complicit in the scheme and personally profiting. The SEC also charged New-Age and Mehdizadehs then-fiancee Yocelin Legaspi with unlawfully selling unregistered securities. Mehdizadeh installed Legaspi as the supposed CEO of New-Age when he created the company.

As alleged in our complaint, investors were misled into believing that Medbox was a leader in the burgeoning marijuana industry when the company was just round-tripping money from illegal stock sales to boost revenue, said Michele Wein Layne, Director of the SECs Los Angeles Regional Office.

Mehdizadeh and Medbox, which has since changed its name to Notis Global, have agreed to settle the SECs charges. Mehdizadeh agreed to pay more than $12 million in disgorgement and penalties and agreed to be barred from serving as an officer or director of a public company or participating in any penny stock offerings. The settlements are subject to court approval. The SECs litigation continues against Bedrick, Legaspi, and New-Age.

The SECs investigation was conducted by Megan M. Bergstrom, Roger Boudreau, and Spencer Bendell of the Los Angeles office. The litigation will be led by Gary Leung. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
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Finland has ordered 48 South Korean K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for about $3.3 million each. This price includes training, spare parts, maintenance and howitzer modernization to Finland standards (installation of Finnish made communication equipment and battle management system). The contract also includes an option for additional K9s. Deliveries begin by the end of 2017 and all 48 vehicles should arrive to Finland till 2024. Nearby Estonia will now be able to get valuable advice from Finland to determine if Estonia should go forward with a similar purchase of twelve K9s.

In 2016 the Finns began negotiating the K9 purchase terms with South Korea because the Finns had determined that the K9 was the least expensive option to obtain modern self-propelled howitzers that could be easily handled by the conscripts Finland still depends on for most of their military manpower. By the end of 2016 the Finns had confirmed this with field trials of the K9 which as expected, performed better than competitors.

K9 is a South Korean designed and manufactured self-propelled howitzer which was developed as a replacement for the K55 (license variant of M109). K9 is a 48 ton self-propelled howitzer operated by a crew of five and using a NATO standard 155mm gun which can take out targets 40 kilometers away. Development of the K9 began in 1989 and mass production began in 1999. So far K9 is used by South Kora armed forces and exported to Turkey and India with several other nations considering purchase. In addition the K9 chassis is also used in Polish 155 mm self-propelled howitzers.

For Finland obtaining the K9 enables them to phase out most of its Cold War era Russian self-propelled artillery systems like 152 mm 2S5 or 122 mm 2S1. Meanwhile Estonia was looking for cheap opportunity to significantly increase the artillery and maneuver capabilities of the countrys land forces. Estonia decided buying the K9 made it easier for them to replace their own aging Russian equipment at an affordable cost. That decision is not surprising because Baltic States have long had very good relations with their Scandinavian neighbors, especially Finland, which speaks a unique Central Asian language similar to Estonian. It should be noted that now all countries near Russia are increasing their defense budgets due Russian aggressive politics (annexing the Crimea Peninsula and invasion of Ukraine). -- Przemysaw Juraszek
The government offensive along the Red Sea coast has gained a lot of ground (especially coastline) since January when the Shia rebels controlled nearly all of the 450 kilometer Yemeni Red Sea coastline. But now nearly all of the coastline is back under government control and the Shia rebels are largely confined to the Red Sea port of Hodeida. This has been the main port for the delivery of foreign aid for civilians in rebel held areas.

The rebels have prevented UN personnel from inspecting aid shipments (for weapons and other contraband) and the government claims the rebels have been seizing aid shipments and preventing UN personnel from verifying that the aid is going to civilians. The rebels are putting up a strong defense around Hodeida and that slows down the advance but cannot stop it.

The rebels have stopped trying to win back smaller ports like Midi (north of Hodeida) and Mocha (south of Hodeida) and concentrate on the defense of Hodeida and, 150 kilometers to the east, the national capital Saana. Government forces are now within 20 kilometers of Saana and about to take the airport there.

The fighting is most intense at night, when government air support is less effective. The rebels have learned how to minimize the government airpower advantage. Since late 2015 much of the violence has been in Taiz province, which has always been heavily fought over mainly because it has a lengthy Red Sea coastline which enabled smugglers to bring in weapons and other aid for the Shia rebels. There is still a lot of fighting around inland areas, like the city of Taiz. Most of the Red Sea coast of Taiz is now under government control. Fighting is low key but constant.

In the far northwest, on the Saudi border, shooting across the border continues with about 130 Saudis killed by these border attacks since 2015. Losses on the Yemeni side are similar. Nearly all this border violence takes place is in the three Saudi border provinces of Jizan, Asir and Najran. Most of the threatened border is in Najran where most of the half million locals are Shia. Nevertheless these Shia are loyal to the Saudi king. The provincial capital (also called Najran) has a population of 240,000 and is close enough to the Yemen border to be the target of frequent Yemeni rebel artillery and rocket attacks.

Leaning On Al Qaeda

The new U.S. government has revived their operations to go after Islamic terrorists in Yemen. This is one of the countries where al Qaeda has been trying, with mixed success, to establish a new base area in which they can train new recruits and plan international terror attacks. Al Qaeda has been unable to rebuild the base camps in had in Afghanistan before 2001. Efforts to establish a new base in places like Pakistan, Mali, Libya, Somalia and Yemen have all failed. Al Qaeda has been able to establish temporary camps and safe houses but these tend to be found and attacked by the many enemies (most of them fellow Moslems) al Qaeda tends to create wherever it operates.

Yemen has long been a refuge, but not a sanctuary, for al Qaeda. The United States withdrew its counter-terrorism personnel from Yemen in mid-2015 and greatly reduced their efforts against the many Islamic terrorists in Yemen. In mid-2016 Yemeni government and coalition forces had pushed the Shia rebels back enough to divert troops and aircraft to go after the Islamic terrorists who have been moving freely in the south, especially the southwest. Most of these gunmen belong to AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula). Some 5-10 percent are with ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant), which splits it efforts between attacking government and AQAP targets as well as the Shia (rebels or civilians). The ISIL/AQAP conflict is to determine which version of a religious dictatorship should rule Yemen. Since mid-2016 AQAP and ISIL appear to have temporarily stopped attacking each other and concentrated on more threatening foes, like government forces (troops and tribal militias) and Shia rebels. Also fighting ISIL and AQAP are the Americans who use UAVs and manned surveillance aircraft as well as satellites to track terrorist activities. This information is shared with the coalition but is mainly used to find suitable targets for airstrikes, usually via armed UAVs.

In the first week of March the U.S. carried out more than 40 airstrikes against Islamic terrorist targets in southern and central Yemen. In all of 2016 there were only 38 such attacks in Yemen and that was an increase from 22 in 2015, 23 in 2014 and 26 in 2013. There were 41 attacks in 2012, the year after Yemen was hit with Arab Spring uprisings that produced a new government that led to the current civil war and resurgent AQAP. There will apparently be a lot more American counter-terror activity in Yemen during 2017. Not just airstrikes but also commando raids against Islamic terrorist bases, which now tend to be in remote mountain villages. These raids obtain a lot of detailed information on how the Islamic terrorists operate this is immediately used by intelligence operations (electronic and photographic aircraft and UAVs constantly overhead) to locate Islamic terrorist personnel and facilities that can be hit with smart bombs or guided missiles. The Arab coalition has special operations personnel who can be trusted to go in after these airstrikes and search for data and ID the dead. Some of these Arab commandos have worked with their American counterparts in Afghanistan and elsewhere since 2001. The U.S. believes there are about 3,000 active Sunni Islamic terrorists in Yemen, most belonging to AQAP and at least five percent with ISIL. The American airstrikes and ground operations in Yemen have already killed 5-10 senior AQAP leaders and over twenty of their subordinates in 2017. The Yemen security forces (army and tribal militias) the Arab coalition forces have killed over fifty AQAP and ISIL personnel, mostly during ground operations. This includes continued Islamic terrorist attacks on the security forces but also from battles with the security forces. ISIL likes to make attacks on the Shia rebel forces but that is difficult because the rebels have pretty good security when it comes to Islamic terrorist violence. Despite that some of these attacks do succeed, usually against Shia civilians.

Reluctance To Engage

UN pleas for peace talks are being ignored and Yemen gets little media attention worldwide. That is one reason why UN calls for more donations of cash for food and other aid are largely ignored. The UN has documented the extent of the disaster. Since the civil war began in early 2015 nearly 8,000 have died, over 40,000 were wounded and more than ten percent of the population (about three million people) has been driven from their homes and are still unable to return. About half the population is in need of food and medical aid. Yet the UN obtains only a fraction of the money for this from the usual donor nations. The main problem is the chronic corruption in Yemen and the fact that even with so many (millions) of Yemenis dependent on food aid, a lot of this aid gets diverted by corrupt officials and local (often tribal) leaders. Pledges to deal with the corruption was what initially got the Shia rebels support from non-Shia Yemenis. That support has since faded because the Shia have demonstrated they are less concerned with reducing corruption than they are with expanding their own power. UN pleas for aid get some response from the oil rich nations backing the government and rebels, but this appears to be mainly to obtain some positive publicity in a situation where most of the news is relentlessly negative.

Poverty and hunger are nothing new for Yemen and the primary causes, in addition to corruption, have been around for a long time. The population problem is the result of a high birth rate, which is made possible by modern technology and encouraged by ancient customs and religious beliefs. The impact of conservative forms of Islam also means there has been little economic or educational improvements, at least compared to the non-Islamic world, for a long time. The economy is primitive and unproductive. Water, food and power shortages, as well as growing unemployment make life miserable for most Yemenis. Because of all these pre-existing problems and all the unrest since 2011 Yemen is now broke, disorganized and desperate. Before the civil war began in 2011 the Yemeni GDP was $37 billion. Now it is about half that and falling.

Yemen has long been considered one of the most corrupt nations on the planet. In 2016 Yemen ranked 170th out of 176 countries while Saudi Arabia ranks 62 and the U.S. ranks 18 when it comes to lack of corruption. The Transparency International Corruption Perception Index measures nations on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The most corrupt nations (usually North Korea, Somalia or, since 2011, South Sudan) have a rating of under fifteen while the least corrupt (usually Denmark) it is often 90 or higher. The current scores are 14 for Yemen, 46 for Saudi Arabia, 10 for Somalia, 66 for the UAE (United Arab Emirates) 64 for Israel, 34 for Egypt, 29 for Iran, 17 for Iraq, 41 for Kuwait, 32 for Pakistan, 40 for India, 15 for Afghanistan, 29 for Russia, 40 for China, 11 for South Sudan, 12 for North Korea, 30 for Mexico, 74 for the United States, and 72 for Japan. A lower corruption score is common with nations in economic trouble. African nations are the most corrupt, followed by Middle Eastern ones.

The Iran Connection

Iran has a pretty realistic attitude towards the situation in Yemen. That explains why Iranian support is a low cost operation. Iran always urged the Yemeni Shia to adopt a more cautious and gradual strategy. That advice was ignored and when the Yemeni Shia had an opportunity to seize the capital and declare a new government in 2015 they did so. It didnt work but came close enough to encourage Iran to spend a lot of what little cash they had to support the Yemeni Shia. Iran knew that the Yemeni Shia, or at least some of them, would be grateful for this support and that would benefit Iran long-term. In the meantime the situation in Yemen, where the outnumbered and outgunned Shia are holding out against the Sunni majority and their Arab (led by the Saudis) allies hurts Iranian enemies (the Sunni Arab Gulf states and the West) while providing the Iranians with excellent media opportunities to criticize the Arabs and the West. Iran is making the most of the fact that the Arabs, even with greater numbers and superior weapons, are unable to defeat fellow Arabs who just happen to be Shia. Iran, the largest Shia majority nation in the world, considers the Shia form of Islam superior to the Sunni variants (which over 80 percent of Moslems follow). Iranian media plays up the suffering of Yemenis in general and manages to keep itself too low profile for the media to pay attention to.

The UN continues to push for peace talks but the Iran backed Shia rebels and their Iranian backers are waiting for the most opportune time to make a deal. The rebels and Iranian media keep calling for the UN to first investigate all the civilian casualties from Arab (mainly Saudi) air strikes. Iran, sensing better opportunities elsewhere, is ignoring UN calls to participate in peace talks. The Arab coalition is not interested either because, Iranian sponsored propaganda to the contrary, the government and their Arab allies feel they are winning. The march to victory is more a shuffle forward than a sprint to the finish line but a win is a win, especially when you are dealing with chronically troublesome neighbors.

March 1, 2017: In the north (Saada province) Shia rebels exchanged artillery (howitzers, mortars, rockets) with Saudi forces on the other side of the border. The explosions could be heard for several hours but there were no media reports of casualties but civilians on both sides of the border indicated there were over a dozen wounded and a few dead from some of the shells hitting residential areas.

February 24, 2017: In the south (Abyan province) AQAP attacked an army camp some 50 kilometers east of Aden near the port town of Zinjibar. The assault used a suicide car bomber and gunmen. Eight soldiers were killed and about the same number of attackers. After an hour of gunfire the surviving Islamic terrorists fled, taking most of their dead with them. Since late 2015 AQAP has been a constant presence in Abyan and frequently operated in Zinjibar. But since mid-2016 the government has controlled the port towns east of Aden that AQAP had occupied for about a year.
The Childrens Book Review | March 15, 2017

Written by Jory John

Illustrated by Lane Smith

Age Range: 3-7

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (2016)

ISBN: 978-0-553-51337-0

What to expect: Penguins, positive outlook, funny

Penguins seem to have an easy life  but it might just be colder on their end of the iceberg than we realize!

Penguin has a problem. Well, lots of problems. Mainly, its too cold. And too early. And the ocean smells too fishy. Seriously, did anyone realize how fishy that smells? Penguins day starts rough, and just gets rougher. Cant the fish just swim up to him? He can barely swim as it is! And forget trying to find a friend, or even his mom and dad in a crowd. Everyone looks exactly alike.

Penguin is waddling and complaining across the iceberg when he meets with a fed-up walrus. This wise walrus confronts Penguin and reminds him to stop and notice the beauty around him.

Yes, some things are challenging out hereBut hear me now, my new friend: I wouldnt trade my life for any other, and I am quite sure you wouldnt either.

Well. That certainly puts Penguin in his place. He notices that the mountains are rather pretty, and that he has great family and friends (when he can find them). Maybe things are pretty great after all!

Until it gets dark. Then his beak gets too cold.

This hilarious book will make kids and parents giggle. Jory John has an exquisitely dry sense of humor that fans of Jon Klassen (I WANT MY HAT BACK) will adore. Children will love all of Penguins super serious but silly complaints. The illustrations are hilarious, and the cover is mesmerizing. Just try looking at it for a few moments without getting dizzythats a lot of penguins in a row! The message of appreciating what you have while you have it will really resonate with children (and adults). Its easy to forget how many great things we have in our lives, as Penguin shows us.

The ice could always be colder, you know.

Highly recommended.

Available Here:

About Jory John

Jory John is a New York Times bestselling author of books for both children and adults. He is a two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor Recipient.

Jorys work includes the New York Times bestselling novel The Terrible Two, the award-winning picture book Goodnight Already! and the national bestseller All my friends are dead and a sequel, All my friends are still dead, which received the 2013 ALA Reluctant Young Readers Award. Jorys forthcoming picture books include Quit Calling Me a Monster! (illustrated by Bob Shea) and Penguin Problems (illustrated by Lane Smith).

In addition to the books listed below, Jory has written for the New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Believer, McSweeneys Internet Tendency, and BuzzFeed, among many other publications.

For more than six years, Jory worked as the programs director at 826 Valencia, a nonprofit writing and educational center in San Franciscos Mission District, founded by Dave Eggers.

Find Jory at www.joryjohn.com and on Twitter @joryjohn.

About Lane Smith

Lane Smith is the author and/or illustrator of several award-winning books for children. He is a two-time winner of the Caldecott Honor for Grandpa Green (2012) and The Stinky Cheese Man (1993). Four of his books have won the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award and several of his books, including Its a Book, John, Paul George & Ben and Madam President have been New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. Mr. Smith has illustrated works by the likes of Bob Shea, Roald Dahl, Dr. Seuss, George Saunders, Judith Viorst, Florence Parry Heide, Jack Prelutsky and Eve Merriam. Some of his most popular books are with frequent collaborator, Jon Scieszka. Mr. Smith lives in Connecticut with his wife Molly Leach, an award-winning graphic designer. For more information, visit: www.lanesmithbooks.com.

Penguin Problems, by Jory John and Lane Smith, was reviewed by Denise Mealy. Discover more books like Penguin Problems by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Humorous Books, Jory John, Lane Smith, Penguin Books, and Positive Thinking.
Wildlife Services exists "to improve the coexistence of people and wildlife," according to its website, but special interest groups, like ranchers raising livestock, appear to have become be the priority, pushing animals out wherever people need more room. "Today's USDA's Wildlife Services (WS) delivers a vital service to farmers and ranchers throughout the United States by providing federal expertise in managing wildlife damage," a USDA spokesperson told The Dodo. "Although we emphasize the use of nonlethal tools, they are not always effective. No one tool provides 100% protection and lethal methods are sometimes necessary." "In many cases, preventative measures have already been tried and exhausted," he said. "Our staff are often asked to assist with or implement lethal control methods for other agencies or members of the general public, leaving some individuals and groups with a critical view of our program."

Dodo Shows Pittie Nation The Sweetest Pittie Was Living Under A Jeep

Because many methods of slaughter are indiscriminate, the government reported that 2,790 animals were unintentionally killed last year, including bears, bobcats, foxes, otters and turtles. Even family pets have been reported dead in the past because of these methods. Recently, a rare Oregon gray wolf died because he was lured by an M44, a device intended to kill coyotes that shoots cyanide into the mouth of any animal who bites down on it. Cyanide poisoning strangled the wolf's cells, making it impossible for him to absorb oxygen, and he suffocated to death. He was one of just six wolves of Oregon's Shamrock pack.

As for the animals the government agency actually intends to kill, they perish in a flurry of controversy. Last year, Wildlife Services killed 76,963 adult coyotes, and destroyed 430 coyote dens, likely killing uncounted pups. At least 14,654 prairie dogs were killed and over 68,000 prairie dog burrows were destroyed or fumigated. Wildlife services killed 3,791 foxes, and an unknown number of pups in 128 dens, which were destroyed; 21,184 beavers, 997 bobcats, 415 gray wolves, 407 black bears, 334 mountain lions and 535 river otters (415 of them were killed "unintentionally") also died in 2016 at the hands of the government agency.

Coyote and pup peeking out of den | Shutterstock

"[M]any of these methods are implemented without first considering experimental evidence of their effectiveness," the investigation, released last September, said. This means that killing so many animals, including natural predators, could be making the conflict between wild animals and farmers even worse. Another investigation showed that killing predators to protect livestock can even backfire. For instance, for each wolf killed, the odds that other wolves will prey on nearby farm animals actually increase.

An M44, one of the tools Wildlife Services uses to kill animals, which shoots cyanide into the animal's mouth | USDA

"Despite mounting public outcry to reform these barbaric, outdated tactics, Wildlife Services continues its taxpayer-funded slaughter of America's wildlife," Collette Adkins, a biologist and attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement. "There's simply no scientific basis for continuing to shoot, poison and strangle millions of animals every year ... Wolves, bears and other carnivores help keep the natural balance of their ecosystems. Our government kills off the predators, such as coyotes, and then kills off their prey - like prairie dogs - in an absurd, pointless cycle of violence." Adkins has hope that if enough people put pressure on the agency, things could change and American wildlife could become much safer.

Prairie dogs at the entrance to their burrow | Shutterstock
OTTAWAFinance Minister Bill Morneau will trumpet Canadas firm belief in a rules-based, multilateral trading system when his G20 counterparts host Donald Trumps new treasury secretary for the first time this weekend, officials say.

A senior Finance Department official, who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity, said the uncertainty of U.S. financial policy under Donald Trump is set to dominate the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors.

Morneau expects to be a popular person when he meets his counterparts in the German city of Baden-Baden.

Thats because hes already met some high-level Trump administration officials, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who will be making his G20 debut, the official said.

The official said the ministers and bank governors expect Morneau to shed light on some of the uncertainty about U.S. fiscal and trade policy that pervades the G20.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump END

The finance ministers are helping to set the table for the July G20 leaders summit in Hamburg that Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are expected to attend.

That is one of several major summits on Trumps international agenda this coming spring and summer, which will also include gatherings of the G7 and NATO.

It is important for the prime minister and this government, broadly, to engage positively, constructively with its partners around the world, to advance our mutual interests, to look out for jobs, said another senior government official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity

At the end of the day, progressive trade is possible.

A preview of the German-hosted G20 was to have occurred Tuesday, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel was supposed to meet Trump in Washington.

But the visit was postponed to Friday because of a heavy snowstorm that hit the U.S. northeast.

Canada hopes the Merkel-Trump tete-a-tete can smooth over some of the acrimony that has plagued German-U.S. relations.

Trump has called Merkels decision to allow nearly 900,000 asylum seekers into Germany a disaster and has criticized the countrys trade surplus with the United States.

Trudeau gave Merkel an account of his own visit with Trump at the White House last month when he visited her days later in Berlin.

The Liberal government is stepping up its own courtship of the Trump administration with its decision to dispatch high-level visitors to 11 key U.S. states that have strong business and trading ties to Canada.

Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, New York, Texas, California and Florida will all receive visits from about a dozen different cabinet ministers in an effort to stress the strong economic links between the two countries.

For eight of the states, Canada is their top trading partner, while some of the states are being targeted because they are the homes of prominent members of Trumps cabinet.

The visits got underway on Tuesday, when Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, travelled to Iowa, where the government says 100,000 jobs depend on trade with Canada.

The visits will continue over the next three months. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is in charge of Canada-U.S. relations, will visit Pennsylvania, a swing state that was key to Trumps victory, as well as California, which boasts the U.S.s largest economy.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly will also visit California. Officials say they want to see a senior Quebec minister tell what they see as a positive story about how California and Quebec share a carbon-pricing market, something touted as a model for other jurisdictions.

At the same time, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr will return to Texas, where he joined Trudeau last week at a major international energy gathering in Houston to promote Canadas energy sector.

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As Dutch voters head to the polls on Wednesday, a swath of high-profile Twitter accounts have been hacked, with the attackers posting content supporting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his feud with Germany and the Netherlands.

Turkish-language hashtags reading NaziGermany and NaziHolland appeared on the verified Twitter accounts of German newspaper Die Welt, Forbes Magazine, BBC North America, and Reuters Japan. Also targeted were the Twitter accounts of the European Parliament, French politicians like Alain Juppe, and Sprint Corp.s chief executive officer and President Marcelo Claure, among others.

We are aware of an issue affecting a number of account holders this morning, said Twitter Inc. company spokeswoman Kaori Saito. We quickly located the source which was limited to a third party app. We removed its permissions immediately. No additional accounts are impacted.

An Amsterdam-based startup said its investigating if its the source of the postings. Twitter Counter, a marketing tool that allows people and companies to track their popularity on Twitter, said its now blocking people from postings through its system while it studies the issue. The company says it has more than 2 million users and tracks more than 350 million Twitter accounts.

Our app has been used. Its pending further investigation, said Twitter Counter CEO Omer Ginor. We are aware of the situation and have started an investigation into the matter.

Twitter Counter, founded in 2008, reported an attack in November in which accounts from Sony Corp., Viacom Inc., Microsoft Corp. and others were compromised and posting spam messages. Twitter Counter apologized and said it had fixed the problem.

Ginor said the company had reached 95 per cent certainty that it had fixed the problem after being hacked in November. The company couldnt be sure a hacker was still lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity.

The incidents show the indirect ways hackers can take over a companys Twitter feed. Twitter Counter is one of many companies that plug into Twitter to provide marketing and analytics tools for people, businesses and other groups. Companies including Time Inc., Netflix Inc., Chevron Corp. and YouTube use Twitter Counter, according to its website.

With the current political conflict between The Netherlands and Turkey, we have observed an increase in takeovers of high profile social media accounts, said Jens Monrad, senior intelligence analyst at cybersecurity company FireEye Inc.

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Dutch PM wants to stop wrong sort of populism as voters head to the polls

Geert Wilderss party slumps in the polls on eve of election

Dutch election muddied by political party fragmentation

The attack comes just a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkels government increased the pressure on social networks, including Facebook Inc. and Twitter, to curb the spread of fake news and malicious posts, weighing fines of up to $53 million for companies that fail to delete illegal content in a timely manner. Her government is taking malicious posts on social media increasingly seriously ahead of the Sept. 24 election in Europes biggest economy.

The tweets Wednesday included a swastika and described the attack as a little Ottoman slap. See you on April 16, they read, referring to the date of Turkeys referendum to grant more powers to Erdogan, and finish with: What did I write? Learn Turkish.

A four-minute video attached to the tweets begins with an Erdogan speech in which he says: If were going to die, lets die like men. It then features scenes from various Erdogan speeches, starting with his showdown with then-Israeli President Shimon Peres in Davos in 2009, as a campaign song chanting his name, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, plays in the background.

BBC North America has since tweeted that it temporarily lost control of its account, but normal service has resumed. Some of the tweets have been deleted.

Attackers always look for the weakest link of the chain, said Matt Suiche, founder of United Arab Emirates-based cybersecurity startup Comae Technologies. Third party platforms are perfect targets. It makes lots of sense.

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YAMAZAKI, JAPANA dim storage room surrounded by bamboo groves and pastoral hills is filled wall-to-wall with 3,000 wooden barrels. Here sleeps, for years, sometimes decades, prized Japanese whisky.

The Suntory distillery in Yamazaki, near the ancient capital of Kyoto, is where the first drop of made-in-Japan malt whisky was distilled in 1924.

These days, Japanese whisky is winning accolades from around the world, often beating the products from Scotland its makers set out to emulate.

In 2003, the Yamazaki 12 Years single malt whisky became the first Japanese whisky to win the gold medal at the International Spirits Challenge, the most authoritative liquor competition in the world. Last year, Hibiki, another Suntory label, won the Worlds Best Blended Whisky prize at the World Whiskies Awards, for the fourth time. A bottle of Yamazaki Sherry Cask, aged 25 years, fetches thousands of dollars each.

They have a lot more earthiness to them. They are much more a product of their environment, Wes Barbee, a 23-year-old consultant from Houston, gushed as he joined dozens of Japanese and foreign tourists visiting the Yamazaki distillery and lining up for a taste.

American and Canadian whisky has nothing on this. Its mass production. This is very intimate. The flavours are carefully chosen, he said.

Japan Inc. abounds with stories of manufacturers like automaker Toyota Motor Corp. and musical instrument manufacturer Yamaha Corp. that at first imitated Western pioneers in their industries but ended up matching if not outdoing them.

Suntory founder Shinjiro Torii was determined to introduce Scotch to Japan. Overcoming early failures, he eventually adapted his methods to distil a whisky palatable to Japanese.

Experts believe that aside from Japans clean and tasty ground water, its four distinct seasons help to deepen whisky flavours during years of aging.

Scotlands many distilleries make blending whisky flavours easy. Suntory had to develop its own array of flavours using various temperatures and combinations of yeasts for fermentation, as well as more complex methods of distilling whisky.

After fermentation, the beige liquid gets heated and distilled in pot stills, huge metallic containers of varying shapes that can quicken or delay the distilling process, yielding nuances of flavours.

The result is a colourless liquid that smells almost like antiseptic that is stored in barrels, or casks, in a cavernous warehouse designed for aging whiskies. No nails are used in the casks, whose strips of old wood are bound by tightened metal rings. Aging gives whisky its colour and personality  what whisky lovers say distinguishes it from wine or beer.

The casks, used over and over again, include old wine and bourbon barrels. Some are from Europe and the U.S. and others are made of Japanese oak. Suntorys three distilleries in Japan house a million casks.

Its a mystery exactly how whisky ages, says Shinji Fukuyo, Suntorys chief blender.

Flavours of each cask are mixed  just right, like a jigsaw puzzle, he says  to create, and recreate, various kinds of whisky and develop new ones.

A serious-looking, slight man with greying hair, Fukuyo says he avoids garlic or greasy fish, especially for breakfast, to keep his taste buds pure for his job.

Whats important for whisky is that its deliciousness must deepen with aging, sitting in the casks for a long time, said Fukuyo, 55, demonstrating how he examines the whisky in a glass, swirling the crystalline amber spirit against the light.

He gently rolls a sip on his tongue, then spits it out: Fukuyo does 100 such tastings a day, sometimes more than 200. He switches positions of the glasses on the table to remember what he just tasted. There is no time for note-taking.

Its a clean and beautiful taste. Its hard to explain in words, he said of Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky aged in a white oak cask has a hint of citrus or green-apple. One aged in a sherry cask is fragrant, rich and sweet, evocative of dried fruit. Whisky aged in Japanese oak and smoky whisky have pungent, herbal flavours.

The growing popularity of Japans cuisine has helped win a following for its whisky, which was designed to be consumed with food, experts say.

Nikka Whisky, a unit of Asahi Breweries, froze its overseas expansion in 2014, finding it impossible to keep up with demand, says Emiko Kaji, who manages Nikkas international business.

Nikka Whisky From the Barrel, packaged in a sleek bottle, is doing especially well in Europe, she says.

Sukhinder Singh, owner of London-based retailer The Whisky Exchange, says he has had to ration his supplies of Japanese whisky to hotels and restaurants. He never seems to have enough.

At first, Japanese victories in blindfold whisky contests baffled connoisseurs. By now the Japanese blends have won over even the skeptics, he said.

When whisky expert Jim Murray voted the Yamazaki Sherry Cask the Best Whisky in the World for his 2015 Whisky Bible, its price shot up overnight. Prices of other Japanese whiskies have also been rising.

Everyone went: We want to buy Japanese, Singh said in a phone interview. The problem we have at the moment is not selling it. Its getting it.

We can sell every bottle we can get, he said.

Zoetrope, a tiny bar in a dingy Tokyo back street building, is famed among lovers of Japanese whisky.

Japanese whisky has an unpredictability that makes it fun, and the highly skilful Japanese blenders have created a subtle taste with an impeccable balance, said Atsushi Horigami, Zoetropes owner and bartender, standing before counters and shelves crammed with colourful bottles.

Thousands of kilometres away at Festa, a bar in San Francisco, banker Crystal Roseberry was trying Suntorys Yamazaki 12, at $40 a drink, for the first time.

Soft, silky, not jarring, elegant, friendly. And it still has a structure of a good whisky, which I think is very important, she said in an interview over an online call. This whisky is intriguing,

Bar owner Masae Matsumoto was glad to have stocked up on Yamazaki.

Its gotten impossible to get over the last six months, she said. Japanese whisky tastes so good.

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A Vancouver restaurant provoked the ire of the Irish after sharing a photo of a poorly poured pint of Guinness to promote their St. Patricks Day party.

Railtown Cafes photo of an overflowing drink with foam oozing down the glass was meant to be artsy, said owner Dan Olson.

But it was a little too artsy and it really struck a chord with some of our Irish clientele out there, admitted Olson, who woke up Tuesday morning to a barrage of emails and comments on the restaurants social media profiles.

What they thought was an inoffensive photo had quickly caught the attention of Guinness connoisseurs from as far away as Ireland, the home of the beloved brew.

The faux pas was picked up by Irish news outlets like the Irish Independent, Joe and the Daily Edge, which expressed bitter disappointment over the pour.

One story called it sacrilegious while another said, No, just no

Online commenters were also perturbed, with one Twitter user calling it an abomination.

The backlash was pretty negative said Olson.

People took it quite serious. They felt like we were digging at their heritage basically, so anyway, thats one thing weve learned so far: dont mess with a person and their Guinness.

For the uninitiated, theres an art to pouring a Guinness.

It takes 119.5 seconds, just about two minutes and its a double pour cascade, said Patrick McMurray, owner of Ceili Cottage, an east-end Toronto Irish pub.

McMurray called Railtowns pour the worst thing ever, and said it had been poured once, likely to the top, rather than in two parts as it should have been.

Though the flavour wouldnt have been too compromised by the pour, said McMurray, a Guinness in that state is unacceptable.

Its really the art and the experience of the whole thing. If its not properly poured its not presented to you properly, eyes eat first, so your eyes are going to be jealous of what your tongue is tasting.

Olson says hes learned his lesson. The incriminating photo was removed from the restaurants social media accounts and has been replaced with a new, improved one and an apology for the earlier flub.

Thanks for the friendly comments, everyone! it read. Were not all a bunch of maple-syrup drinking snow farmers and to make up for the blasphemous pour depicted in the previous photo, weve poured another pint that we hope is worthy of Ireland.

To bury the hatchet, Olson said hes offering to buy anyone who comes in on St. Patricks Day with their Irish passport a properly poured pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson.

We want people to know we actually do know how to pour a Guinness here, we do take it seriously, we dont take it for granted and the picture that went out was a mistake.

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Google is asking Canadian students to submit a design for the banner atop the search engine home page to celebrate Canadas 150th birthday.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 have until May 2 to submit a Google doodle based on the theme What I see for Canadas future is 

The winning students doodle  to be judged on artistic merit, creativity and originality  will be displayed on the Google.ca homepage for a day.

The winning doodler will receive a $10,000 scholarship, a $10,000 technology grant for his or her school and a paid trip to Toronto where the top doodle will be revealed on June 13.

Google says students can submit a doodle made from almost any medium, including computer code.

The winning doodle will be selected by Google employees and a panel of guest judges which includes federal Science Minister Kirsty Duncan.

Students, parents and teachers can download entry forms and contest rules at g.co/d4gcanada.

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In the photo, Karim Baratov leans against his sleek black Mercedes, parked next to his vanity-plated Aston Martin in the driveway of his Ancaster home.

Baratov, 22, was led down this same driveway by Toronto police on Tuesday, neighbours say.

On Wednesday, the United States Department of Justice announced that Baratov had been indicted, along with two Russian intelligence officers and a Russian man once on the FBIs Most Wanted Cyber Criminals list, in connection with a hack of 500 million Yahoo accounts. None of the charges have been proven in court.

If convicted on his most serious charge, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Baratov could face a maximum of 20 years in jail.

In scouring extensive social media accounts that appear to belong to Baratov, examining property records and speaking with neighbours and former classmates, a profile has emerged of the young Canadian of Kazakh origin caught up in this major cross-border digital crime.

Social media entries that appear to have been posted by Baratov portray the life of a wealthy young man with money to burn on luxury cars, arm-length tattoos and performance-enhancing workout supplements.

Ministry of Transportation documents show that Baratov has, at various times in the past five years, affixed his Mr Karim vanity license plate to an Aston Martin, a Porsche, an Audi, a Lamborghini, a Mercedes Benz and three BMWs.

Classmates recalled that Baratov began driving flashy cars and wearing expensive clothes in high school.

He had the biggest amount of disposable income that Id ever seen for a person that age, said Jake Hagen, who started going to school with Baratov in Grade 7.

He bought his friends everything (like) clothes, and hed take them all out to dinner, Hagen added, noting that Baratov was just really weird as a teen.

He was a guy who very much understood that he was very well off and that people hung out with him because he had money.

Avian Yuen said he was impressed by Baratovs money and found him to be a polite and introverted kid, who obviously had a talent for computer programming.

In an online Q&A that appears to have been hosted by Baratov, he says he is a professional programmer and that he is active in the stock market.

At 14 I was making more than both of my parents combined. At 15 I got my first million, he writes.

A link on a Facebook page that appears to belong to Baratov leads to elitespace.net, a Russian-language website that offers web servers and web hosting services to people in Russia and China.

Vehicle records show that in 2016, Baratov took out loans of over $104,000 and $65,000 for a 2009 Aston Martin and 2013 Mercedes, respectively.

If Baratov is convicted, U.S. authorities will seize all assets that are considered to be the proceeds of crime, the Department of Justice said in its indictment.

That includes the Aston Martin, the Mercedes and all funds held in a PayPal account that belongs to Baratov and is registered in the name of his company Elite Space Corporation.

Property records show that in 2015, Baratov and a middle-aged married couple named Akhmet Tokbergenov and Dinara Tokbergenova, bought a home in an Ancaster subdivision for $642,500, taking out a mortgage of $514,000 that has not yet been paid off.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Baratov also goes by the names Karim Akehmet Tokbergenov and Karim Taloverov.

The home was listed for sale two days ago for about $930,000 but was abruptly delisted Wednesday.

In a handful of Instagram and Facebook posts, Baratov flexes his arm muscles and details his 11 weekly visits to the gym.

My body feels like a little science project lately, writes Baratov under a photo of performance supplements. Ordered almost every (supplement) that is available for sale.

In other posts, Baratov shows off his pencil sketches.

Baratov appears to have drawn himself as the Terminator in one sketch. In another, he has copied the nude portrait of actress Kate Winslet from the film Titanic. In a third, he had drawn a silhouette of a mans head, filled with visions of a mansion, a pole dancer, a sports car and a sack full of cash.

Neighbours said Baratov lives alone in the modern, two-storey house, and has little contact with them.

A couple that neighbours thought were Baratovs parents would visit regularly to do chores, they said.

We thought there was something strange about him, said Kerry Carter, who lives two doors down. How did such a young guy have so many cars?

Carter said Baratov was generally a quiet neighbour but did throw parties. At times his friends pricey cars lined the street, she said.

In a Facebook post that appears to have been made by Baratov, he boasts that being suspended from high school for threatening to kill my ex-friend as a joke, gave him enough spare time to build up his business. In the post, he claims he later got himself expelled from school, saying that it changed my life to better.

Jeff Josiph described Baratov as one of his closest friends but, when asked what Baratov does for a living said, I dont pay attention to his work life, I hung out with him because he was a good guy.

Shane Leo said he has known Baratov since the pair attended Ancaster High School together.

Karim is a nice guy and a loyal friend and I can always rely on him in times of need, Leo told the Star. Anything that he has done in the past does not define him now... He always motivates me to be the best I can be and has been a very positive impact on my life.

With files from Alicja Siekierska and The Canadian Press

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Canadas reputation for humanitarian and compassionate handling of refugee issues is getting a boost from the results of a $1-million international competition that is sometimes dubbed the Nobel Prize for business students.

The theme of this years Hult Prize, Refugees  The Reawakening of Human Potential,focused on restoring the rights and dignity of people and societies who may be, or are forced into motion due to social injustices, politics, economic pressures, climate change and war.

Earlier this month, Canadian universities won three of the six final spots out of 2,000 teams in the contest run by the Hult Prize Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. The contest is known as the worlds largest student competition for producing the next wave of social entrepreneurs.

Teams from York University, the University of Waterloo and the University of Calgary won in semifinal rounds in Shanghai, London and Dubai respectively, and are in contention for the prize to build their own social enterprise and put their ideas into practice. The prize will be awarded in September.

We are so honoured to know three of the six final teams are from Canada. We are so proud of that, said Vasiliki Belegrinis, 20, a third-year business student on the Yorks Team Empower. This is a great opportunity to show the world Canada is a leader in social entrepreneurship.

The York team was formed in the fall by Akash Sidhu and his high school friend, Joseph Truong, both 21 and in their fourth year at the Schulich School of Business. Friends Amal Naufer and Belegrinis were later brought on board.

Naufer, 20, also in her third year at Schulich, said her parents left Sri Lanka and arrived in Canada via Saudi Arabia in 2001 to have a peaceful life and better future. Truongs parents were Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s and stayed in camps in Malaysia before they were resettled to Canada.

The team interviewed refugees connected through Yorks Centre for Refugee Studies and asked what dignity meant to them and what could be done to make them feel empowered.

How they define dignity is having access to opportunity to take control of their lives, said Naufer. Connectivity to the internet can facilitate their access to opportunity.

Through what is known as mesh technology, the York team hopes to provide stable and affordable internet access through wireless mesh nodes in refugee camps and large urban centres. The team wants to use the technology to distribute and share information on education, employment and health care among refugees.

Sidhu said the team spent 10 days in Shanghai and was thrilled with the exchange of ideas with competitors from around the world. Each team was required to make two 10-minute presentations before 16 judges and other contestants. It was nerve-wracking but our message resonated with the judges, he said.

Each finalist will attend the Hult Prize Accelerator, a six-week incubator training program, and have a chance to pilot their ideas before the finals in the U.S. in September, where the winner will be picked.

This means a lot to us. We absolutely want to win. If we use the money effectively, we can make a difference in so many lives, said Truong.

Team EPOCH from the University of Waterloo is proposing to develop an app to allow refugees and community members to share skills, knowledge, talents and services.

Skill2Trade, the team representing the University of Calgary, won in Dubai for a project to assist refugees in Calgary and Ghana.

The 2013 Hult Prize was won by a team from McGill University on its project to grow edible insects for food and the social enterprise, Aspire, operates in Ghana and the United States.

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ANCHORAGE, ALASKAAlaska wildlife officials warned people Tuesday to keep their distance from grumpy moose after two close calls this past weekend.

One of the animals walked up behind a woman tending chickens in the city of Homer on Sunday and started eating chicken food from a bucket she carried. When she turned, the startled moose kicked her.

It pulled its nose out of the bucket, looked at her, reared back and kicked her right in the noggin, said Jason Herreman, assistant area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Another agitated moose twice charged skiers in a lift line Saturday at Alyeska Resort, a downhill ski venue in the resort town of Girdwood, said Ken Marsh, spokesman for Fish and Game. No one was hurt, but authorities advised resort officials to shoot and kill the animal Sunday to remove the threat to skiers.

Not all moose are looking for a fight right now, but they do tend to get a little cranky this time of year, Marsh said.

In summer, moose eat lush leaves but turn to twigs and other woody material in winter, which are not as nutritious, biologists said. The animals are tired and ready for spring, Marsh said.

Most Alaska residents know better than to get near a moose in mating season or between a moose mother and a new calf, but they generally regard the animals as docile. Moose are a common sight along roads and even streets of Anchorage, the states largest city.

At the ski resort, the moose was positioned at a blind corner. Skiers had to pass the animal to get to the lift line. As more skiers appeared, the moose became increasingly agitated and charged people twice.

It sort of ended up resembling the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Marsh said.

Feeding moose can trigger attacks, and the woman who was kicked in the head unintentionally was doing just that, Herreman said.

She had been allowing her chickens to roam and would periodically throw them feed, not knowing that a moose born last year had been chasing the chickens off to eat the feed, he said.

The young moose defended itself as it would against a wolf: They rear up on their back legs a little bit and then kick out with their front ones, Herreman said.

The woman had a welt on her head afterward. A blow to the head from a large cow could have been fatal, he said. Adult moose range from 800-pound small cows to 1,600-pound large adult bulls.

Now shes keeping her chickens in the coop and feeding them in the coop, Herreman said.

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For an entire morning last September, a young monk named Sengdao Oudomsinh stood outside his temple in Laos hoping to catch a glimpse of then-U.S. president Barack Obama.

Obama was passing through Sengdaos tiny town of Luang Prabang during his final trip as president to Asia. And Sengdao, an 18-year-old monk, had fantasies of shaking the American presidents hand  or better yet, asking one of the many burning questions he had for Obama, whose speeches had inspired him from half a world away.

Sengdao came away disappointed that day, not realizing that Obamas motorcade had taken another route through town. But last week, more than six months later, Sengdao got something even better: a personal letter from the former president offering words of advice, reflection and encouragement.

Dear Novice Sengdao, it began. My staff let me know you had some questions that you had hoped to ask me during my recent visit to Laos . . .

I couldnt believe it, the young monk said during a Skype call from Laos. It makes me admire him even more and want to look up to him as an example.

As a reporter covering Obamas trip, I ran into Sengdao at his temple on the day of Obamas visit and wrote an article about him. We later learned the story had circulated from the U.S. Embassy in Laos to the State Department, eventually reaching the White House during Obamas last months in office.

I recounted how Sengdao left his impoverished familys rice farm as a boy to pursue a better life as a novice monk at a temple. He taught himself English by watching videos on YouTube and became fascinated with videos of Obamas speeches. One speech in particular, he told me, had struck a nerve: Obamas victory speech after winning re-election in 2012, in which he told a crowd in Chicago that no matter who you are or where you come from, you can make it here in America if youre willing to try.

He said, In America, you can make it if you try, Sengdao said that day while we waited together for Obamas motorcade. I think its very true  but not always. I want to know if its true in Laos.

The letter Sengdao received from Obama last week was dated Sept. 30, 2016, just three weeks after Obamas visit. But U.S. Embassy staff were not able to deliver it until last Friday, when U.S. Ambassador Rena Bitter and two members of her staff travelled to Luang Prabang to hand Obamas words to the young monk. Embassy staff confirmed the letter came from Obama, but said they couldnt comment on it without State Department approval.

So far, Sengdao has told few friends about the visit. He has shown the actual letter to even fewer people because of how precious it feels. Its not a secret, but it feels very personal and private that he would choose to write something to me. I dont want to ruin that feeling, Sengdao said. He emailed me a copy of the letter, but asked that it not be posted in full online.

Obama encouraged Sengdao to keep pursuing his dreams and dedicate himself to improving his own life and the lives of others. The letter is an answer to all my questions, Sengdao said. He is like me, someone who started from nothing. It makes me think I can do that as well.

For a long time, Sengdaos dream has been to attend a university abroad, ideally in the United States. By studying abroad, he hopes to be able to help others by working for the United Nations or with international human rights organizations.

Last year, Sengdao applied to one of the only international scholarships for students in Laos  and was crushed to discover he missed the cut. But this year, after Obamas visit, he applied again  attaching a copy of the article  and was one of a few chosen for final interviews.

The interview is coming up on Saturday and Sengdao has spent the past few days reading and rereading Obamas letter to him, hoping against the odds that the former presidents belief in him will be justified.

He is a man of hope, Sengdao said toward the end of our call. And it makes me unique, I think, because now he has given these words of hope to me.

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WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump is moving to roll back another one of his predecessors strict environmental policies, setting up a possible dilemma for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and again demonstrating his intention to free big companies from regulations on pollution and climate change.

The early words and deeds from Trump and his Environmental Protection Agency chief have provoked deep alarm among environmental advocates, who fear an unprecedented and world-damaging assault on green laws and rules. Tuesday validated their fears, and the week might get worse for them yet.

Trumps plan to abandon a Barack Obama commitment on car fuel-economy standards was announced by a White House official in the evening. Seven hours earlier, the Axios news website reported that the administration was discussing EPA cuts even deeper than the 25-per-cent cut it has already floated.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

In between, Bloomberg reported that Trump is planning to sign a sweeping directive that would not only begin the process of lifting Obamas restrictions on coal leasing and emissions from power plants but also dramatically shrink the role climate change plays in decisions across the government.

In terms of our overall environmental program, both domestically and globally, I dont think there is any threat that has occurred since the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency which is so severe. I think this is perhaps the singular most important crisis so far in the 50-year-or-so history, said Walter Rosenbaum, a Florida environmental scholar who served as a special assistant at the EPA in the early 1990s.

The White House official said Trump on Wednesday will announce in Detroit that he is abandoning a decision Obamas administration made in its waning days to require automakers to meet a stringent fuel-economy standard by 2025.

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Trump White House wants to cut 3,000 jobs from EPA, eliminate key programs

Trump names Scott Pruitt, a climate skeptic who is suing the EPA, to head the EPA

Trumps pick for EPA says climate change is no hoax

Automakers had lobbied Trump to take another look at the 54.5-miles-per-gallon standard, which was introduced in 2012 but not immediately finalized. Trumps EPA will now take a year to study whether the standard still makes sense, as the Obama administration originally said it would do.

The decision doesnt necessarily mean dirtier cars. The official said Trump has not yet decided to lower the standard. Even if he eventually does, automakers would probably still choose to make vehicles that met the stricter standard set by big-market California, said Rebecca Lindland, executive analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Still, a reduction would force Trudeau to choose between keeping Canadas own standard consistent with Americas  Stephen Harpers government adopted the strict standard in 2012 in the name of harmonization  or taking an environmental stand that would separate him from Trump.

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna will be in Washington on Wednesday for official meetings and for public remarks on two subjects suddenly fraught in the U.S. capital: Canadas efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and 

Trumps EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, caused an uproar when he said he did not believe carbon emissions are the main driver of global warming, though they are. And a draft Trump budget, obtained by The Associated Press, would slash U.S. funding for Great Lakes restoration from $300 million to $10 million.

Trump has long rejected science on global warming. And he has made no secret of his disdain for the assertive Obama-era environmental policy many Republicans call improper overreach.

In one of Trumps first moves in office, he issued an order to pave the way for the approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. In February, he ordered the replacement of an Obama clean-water rule opposed by farmers.

He has not yet decided what to do on the global Paris climate agreement he promised to cancel. But he made an emphatic statement of environmental intent with his choice of Pruitt, a close ally of the oil industry, to run the EPA. Pruitt sued the EPA 14 times as attorney general of Oklahoma.

Its hard to imagine somebody worse for the environment, said Mark Derichsweiler, vice-chair Oklahomas Sierra Club.

Jeff Holmstead, who ran the EPAs air office during George W. Bushs tenure and is now a lawyer for energy companies, said activists are making extravagant claims about Trump and Pruitt for fundraising purposes. Pruitt, he said, would merely refocus the EPA on its core functions.

To the extent the environmentalists are focused exclusively on climate change, yeah, I dont think the EPAs going to do the kinds of aggressive things that weve seen for the last eight years. But when it comes to what EPAs real mission is, which is improving air quality, improving water quality, making sure the drinking water is safe, I dont think therell be any drop-off under Pruitt, Holmstead said.

David Doniger, director of the climate program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, professed optimism of a different kind.

Trump, he said, is proposing deeply unpopular policies that will generate pushback even from Trump voters and from a Republican Congress. Groups like his will aggressively challenge Trump in court. And he said Americans tend to like environmental institutions better when they are under attack, and they tend to come out stronger.

He acknowledged it would take a while to get to the happy place.

The Allies won World War II, he said, but it wasnt a pleasant experience.

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WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump paid $38 million in federal taxes in 2005 on income of $153 million and reported a $105 million writedown in business losses, according to a copy of his tax return first revealed Tuesday night.

Trump paid an effective tax rate of 24 per cent and saved millions of dollars in additional taxes by claiming the losses, according to the document, the first two pages of which were obtained by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston and first reported by DC Report, a non-profit news site he runs, and on MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

The return shows that Trump paid $36.5 million in income tax, of which about $31 million was in the form of an alternative minimum tax, a supplemental tax designed to cut down on filers with excessive deductions. He also paid about $1.5 million in Medicare and Social Security taxes.

The document offers a rare snapshot of Trumps personal finances, considering he has refused to disclose his tax returns to the public. The White House issued a statement chastising MSNBC for reporting on Trumps taxes  totally illegal, read the statement  but also confirming top-line numbers from the return and defending Trump.

Still, Trump tweeted early Wednesday that the report was FAKE NEWS and asked: Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, went to his mailbox and found my tax returns?

Trump tweeted: Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, went to his mailbox and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!

Trumps taxes were a major flash point in last years campaign and continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny from Democrats and others who believe they would show whether he has financial relationships with any Russian entities.

The newly revealed pages from his 2005 return do not detail his financial ties, but they do seem to disprove the theory that some Democrats advanced in last years campaign that Trump avoided paying any federal income taxes during that period.

In their first general-election debate, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton speculated about Trump, maybe he doesnt want the American people  all of you watching tonight  to know that hes paid nothing in federal taxes. At that, Trump quipped, That makes me smart.

Donald Trump Jr., the presidents oldest son, tweeted, Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is& that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes

Last fall, the New York Times revealed that Trump reported a massive $916 million loss in 1995, which he could have carried over to allow him to offset taxable income and avoid paying income taxes for up to 18 years. Though Trump was able to use those net losses as a deduction in 2005, the returns show, they did not zero out his tax obligation altogether.

Trump used real estate deductions to pay no federal income taxes in 1978 and 1979, according to Trump tax returns submitted years ago to New Jersey regulators. Much of those losses came from a deduction offered to real estate developers, like Trump, allowing them to subtract from their income on the basis that buildings depreciate in value over time.

Trump repeatedly has refused to release his income tax returns  breaking with four decades of tradition for presidential nominees  claiming that he has been under audit and that his lawyers have counselled him not to release them.

The Internal Revenue Service has not confirmed that it is auditing Trumps taxes.

The Washington Post could not independently verify the 2005 return, but a statement from the White House indicated that it is authentic. The statement, issued to reporters anonymously to be attributed to a White House spokesperson, accused MSNBC of unlawfully releasing Trumps tax returns.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, the statement said. It added that Trump, as one of the most successful businessmen in the world, paid no more tax than legally required.

The statement went on to say: Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that. Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans.

The tax documents were sent to Johnston, a veteran investigative reporter who specializes in taxes and formerly worked at the New York Times. He speculated on air to Maddow that Trump himself may have sent him the returns.

The return shows Trump and wife Melania paid most of their income taxes as an alternative minimum tax. Taxpayers requesting many itemized deductions must pay the AMT in certain circumstances. The AMT rejects specific deductions, including for dependants and assorted real estate writedowns. In his tax-reform plan, Trump has called for eliminating the AMT.

The return shows that Trumps business income in 2005 totalled roughly $42 million, with capital gains from investments totalling roughly $32 million and income from partnerships, trusts and so-called S corporations totalling roughly $67 million.

Trump used roughly $103 million in net operating losses, carried over from previous years, to greatly lower that tax obligation. Trump also used such losses, likely from a series of costly business failures and Atlantic City bankruptcies, to lower his tax bill in 1995.

Trump has routinely taken pride in his aggressive working of the nations tax laws.

I have brilliantly used those laws, Trump said at a campaign event in October. I was able to use the tax laws of this country, and my business acumen, to dig out of the real estate mess  you would call it a depression  when few others were able to do what I did.

Trumps reported income in 2005 may call into question his net worth. Trump says he is now worth more than $10 billion, but independent estimators have said that figure may be overstated. In 2005, Trump said he was worth more than $5 billion.

Trump sued author Timothy OBrien after his 2005 book, TrumpNation, cited anonymous sources suggesting Trump was instead worth $150 to $250 million. In depositions from that case, OBriens attorneys revealed estimates from two lenders to Trump, North York Bank and Deutsche Bank, who suggested Trumps net worth was between $800 million and $1.2 billion.

Trumps current finances are set to face a new test with the coming April 18 tax deadline. He has steadfastly refused to release his returns, pointing both to ongoing audits and to his belief that Americans do not care to see them. However, a Pew Research Center survey in January found that 60 per cent of Americans believe that Trump has a responsibility to release his returns.

All U.S. presidents are automatically audited every year, as prescribed by a guideline in the Internal Revenue Service manual in place for presidents and vice presidents since the 1970s. Trump could urge Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to change that provision, legal experts said. Trump has not said whether he would do so.

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The day before it is supposed to go into effect U.S. President Donald Trumps revised travel ban will be scrutinized in federal courtrooms across the country on Wednesday.

In Maryland, a U.S. judge will hear arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union and others who want to stop the new directive and more than a half-dozen states are trying to derail the executive order affecting travellers from six Muslim-majority nations.

Hawaiis lawsuit is heading to federal court in Honolulu, while Washington state, which successfully sued to block the original ban, wants its own hearing before a federal judge in Seattle. Five other states have joined Washingtons challenge.

Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump

Heres a look at whats going on and the hurdles the new ban faces:

Busy day in court

Hawaii will argue that the new order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students. Ismail Elshikh, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the ban will prevent his Syrian mother-in-law from visiting.

The federal government will argue that the allegations are pure speculation. Justice Department lawyers also say the president is authorized to restrict or suspend entry into the United States.

Read more:

Hawaii sues to block revised Trump travel ban, the first state to do so

Trumps travel ban threatens to deter foreign tourists from U.S.

New Trump travel ban removes Iraq from list, officials say

In Washington state, Attorney General Bob Ferguson is pushing for a hearing before Judge James Robart, who halted the original ban last month. Ferguson wants Robart to apply the ruling to the new ban.

Ferguson says the new order is unconstitutional and harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon who rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim. Federal lawyers say the revised travel ban is substantially different from the original directive.

Immigrant advocacy groups and the ACLU are also suing in Maryland. They will ask a judge there early Wednesday to issue an injunction, saying its illegal to reduce the number of refugees in the middle of a fiscal year. The lawsuit is broader, but the ACLU expects a ruling on that part of the case even if other aspects of the ban are blocked elsewhere.

Old versus new ban

Washington and Hawaii say the order is an effort to carry out the Muslim ban he promised during his campaign and is a violation of the First Amendment, which bars the government from favouring or disfavouring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different than the old.

They point to statements by Trumps advisers, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who said Trump asked him how to implement a Muslim ban legally, and Stephen Miller, who said the revised order was designed to have the same basic policy outcome as the first.

The new version tries to erase the notion that it was designed to target Muslims by detailing more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due process rights of travellers.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program. It does not apply to travellers who already have visas.

The states First Amendment claim has not been resolved. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the original ban but didnt rule on the discrimination claim.

Some legal scholars have said the order does not apply to all Muslims or even all predominantly Muslim nations  a point 9th Circuit Judge Richard Clifton made during arguments in Washingtons case.

Does the president have the authority?

The administration says the travel ban is about national security. The revised order specifies that people from the listed countries warrant additional scrutiny in connection with our immigration policies because the conditions in these countries present heightened threats.

But intelligence analysts at the Department of Homeland Security have questioned that rationale, concluding that citizenship is an unlikely indicator of terrorist ties.

In addition, the states and civil liberties groups say U.S. immigration law generally prohibits the government from discriminating based on nationality when issuing immigrant visas. The president cannot rewrite that law by executive order, the states say.

Are the states the right ones to sue?

Some legal scholars have questioned whether states have standing to bring their cases, citing limits the Supreme Court has placed on when states can sue the federal government.

Michael McConnell, a constitutional law professor at Stanford Law School, has said he is highly skeptical that states can sue over this issue.

The 9th Circuit panel found that Washington and Minnesota, which is part of the original lawsuit, did have standing, at least at that early stage. The judges noted that some people would not enrol in universities or join the faculty, causing real harm for the states.

Hawaii focuses on an additional aspect: the loss of tourism, and thus tax dollars, in the heavily travel-dependent state.

I dont think standings a serious problem, said Rory Little, a former Supreme Court clerk who teaches at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. Theres clearly harm to state budgets, harm to state universities.

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A mosque shooting, anti-Muslim protests, arson, vandalism and, recently, a bomb threat.

The past two months has seen unprecedented levels of verbal and physical attacks on Muslims across Canada. Now that the vigils and rallies have subsided, how do you continue supporting Muslims?

Strengthen your relationships with Muslims now; dont wait for another tragedy  that was my key message during my talk at the Parkdale Against Islamophobia and the U.S. Travel Ban town hall.

My fellow panellists  an immigration lawyer, a community legal worker and MPP Cheri DiNovo  called for changes to our immigration and refugee policies.

While systemic change is critical, I work in community engagement and Ive observed many Canadians grappling with how to show support beyond attending vigils and rallies. I opted to share simple relation-building actions people can take with that room full of Muslims and non-Muslims at the Parkdale Library.

Here are the five actions I shared:

1. Offer a ride to a Muslim woman.

When the shooting happened, I imposed a curfew on myself and I would take a cab instead of public transit at night. I was protecting myself from the spate of anti-Muslim assaults that inevitably follow incidents targeting Muslims. Women are inherently vulnerable in public spaces; imagine the increased lack of safety visible Muslim women experience when Islamophobic sentiments are high. Offer a ride to a female Muslim neighbour, colleague or friend to help them travel safely.

2. Continue and deepen the conversation.

I was invited to tea at a friends place last weekend. I was apprehensive about going but I was soon in deep conversation with three other people I had never met. We talked about living in Canada as a Muslim, as a young person facing precarious employment, and as an educator in a marginalized neighbourhood. It was a beautiful moment of bridge-building on a deep interpersonal level, and it restored the sense safety I had lost since the Quebec mosque shooting. I observed many beautiful conversations this past month at rallies, vigils, on Facebook and Twitter. Now think about the Muslims with whom youve had brief exchanges and invite them to tea and deepen that connection.

3. Share a meal.

When I co-organized Torontos first Open Iftar last summer, I witnessed something beautiful: how sharing a meal bonded Muslim and non-Muslim community members in my neighbourhood. Food is a universal language and eating together is a powerful catalyst for healing conversations. Even though some guests arrived feeling nervous, they were soon chatting and laughing alongside one another once the food was served. Invite a Muslim colleague, friend or neighbour to breakfast or lunch if you already have a relationship with them. Or, to help take the pressure off of them, invite a group of together for a block party or potluck.

4. Organize a play date.

Children are usually the ones to take the first step across a divide. I learned this from simply watching my young nieces interact with other children; the adults around them often follow suit by letting their guards down and starting a conversation. If you feel nervous about getting to know someone, let the children take the lead. Invite a Muslim mom or dad  or both  to an afternoon play date at your house or at the park. Ive also observed how every adult in the room will instinctively jump to their feet to help the moment a child falls down. As parents, your shared desire to raise your family in a safe and healthy environment can be the common ground from which deep and meaningful conversations will start.

5. Ask: What do you need?

If you are in doubt on how to support Muslims, ask them what they need. I have been inundated with people asking me how they feel, and responding each time is emotionally daunting. I appreciate people who ask me what I need instead. For example, a good friend of mine regularly asks if I needed to talk. As a result, I was able to give her a call whenever I feel overwhelmed. Similar to any community that is grieving, there are no prescriptive ways to support Muslims. They are diverse, they have varied needs and they heal in different ways. Find out what they need to heal.

Making friends across differences shouldnt be hinged upon tragedies, but non-Muslim Canadians can leverage these moments to undo the ignorance at the root of Islamophobia. Dont wait for another tragedy to act.

Shazlin Rahman is a Malaysian-born and Toronto-based writer, social justice advocate and stakeholder engagement specialist at the Inspirit Foundation.

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The controversy over whether Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freelands grandfather was a Nazi collaborator says a little about her. It says more about the Wests current fascination with Russian disinformation.

The basic facts about Michael Chomiaks activities during the Second World War are now well known. A Ukrainian nationalist living in what was soon to become part of the Soviet Union, Chomiak and his wife fled into the German-controlled part of Poland after the 1939 Hitler-Stalin pact was signed.

He then edited a Ukrainian language newspaper published under the aegis of the Nazis  first in Krakow and later in Vienna, before landing in Germany at wars end.

The family emigrated to Alberta where Chomiaks granddaughter, Freeland, was born and raised.

I dont judge Chomiak. War presents impossible choices. Presumably, he and his wife reckoned they would fare better under a Nazi dictatorship than a Soviet one. If they were Jewish, they might have made a different calculation.

None of this would matter if Freeland had not talked and written glowingly about the influence these grandparents exerted on her. But she did.

(Their experience) had a very big effect on me, she told Star national affairs writer Linda Diebel shortly after being appointed to cabinet in 2015.

They were also committed to the idea, like most in the (Ukrainian) diaspora, that Ukraine would one day be independent and that the community had a responsibility to the country they had been forced to flee.

This fascination with the ideas of her maternal grandfather certainly doesnt mean that Freeland is a Nazi sympathizer. But it may help explain why journalists and others began to look into the background of a man who had so affected her thinking.

I say others because governments, like corporations, encourage the publication of material that promotes their cause.

So it should be no surprise that, following Freelands promotion to foreign minister in January, stories about her grandfather began to appear on websites favourable to Russia.

Russia routinely argues that its enemies in the current Ukrainian standoff are neo-Nazis. Freeland, a vocal backer of Ukraine in that standoff is seen by Moscow as too friendly to its adversaries. For supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Chomiak story was a gift.

But it was neither Russian disinformation nor false news. It was true. Freelands grandfather had worked with the Nazis. The newspaper he edited did publish ant-Semitic material.

Documents attesting to this fact exist in an Alberta archive, according to the Ottawa Citizen. Freelands uncle, a historian, had written about it in a 1996 academic journal.

And, as the Globe and Mail eventually reported, Freeland has known of her grandfathers wartime activities for at least two decades.

The lesson for Freeland is that she should be more straightforward. Her response when asked about her grandfathers wartime activities last week was dodgy. Without actually answering the question, she suggested that she was the victim of a Russian disinformation campaign.

The lesson for the rest of us is that we should be more careful about accepting such pat explanations.

The tendency today, which has been magnified by Donald Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election, is to treat Putin as a master puppeteer.

Democrats, still angry that their candidate lost, blame Russian hacking for Trumps success. Putin is said to be planning similar interference in various European elections.

The anti-Putinists forget two things. First, disinformation is not unique to the Russians. It is what intelligence agencies do.

During the First World War, the British confected stories of German atrocities. During the original Cold War, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency routinely planted false stories in the foreign press.

Second, not all news that seems to favour Russia is false. The world is a complicated place. Choices are rarely binary.

Nothing illustrates this as neatly as the Freeland affair. The foreign affairs minister, a former journalist, is widely respected. She is smart and capable.

By contrast, Putin is viewed as a villain controlling an army of evil minions. Anything that supports the villain by casting aspersions on this nice womans treasured grandfather couldnt possibly be true.

Except, of course, when it is. This time, the minions werent lying. That too can happen.

Thomas Walkom appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

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The view that the Ontario Medical Associations commitment to a binding arbitration process for doctors is merely a disguised attempt to get pay increases for doctors is certainly not one shared by one of the founders of our modern publicly funded medicare system. Moreover, binding arbitration for physicians is supported by the treatment of other essential service providers in Ontario and by the experience of physicians in other provinces.

Justice Emmet Hall, in his landmark 1980 review of medicare, recognized the compelling justification for binding arbitration for physicians as a fundamental safeguard of fairness.

In his view, if doctors were to be prohibited from practicing outside of the publicly funded system, there had to be a fair and independent process for determining their compensation when working within the public system.

Justice Hall rejected any notion that government could unilaterally reduce or determine payments to doctors, characterizing it as wrongful conscription of physician services. He concluded that, if legislation is to prohibit doctors from opting out of medicare (or extra-billing), it must also provide that when negotiations fail and an impasse occurs, the issues in dispute must be sent to binding arbitration.

This principle was subsequently reflected in the 1984 Canada Health Act, which requires that, where a province bans extra-billing, only binding arbitration for physicians is deemed to meet the legislative requirement for reasonable physician compensation.

In both its editorials (Feb. 27) and columns (Bob Hepburn, March 9), the Toronto Star has blithely rejected this view.

Despite the fundamental and historic recognition that a binding arbitration process is a principled and necessary quid pro quo of our medicare system, it has been argued in the pages of this newspaper that government should not agree to arbitration for physicians, because this would result in unwarranted and unreasonable compensation increases for physicians.

However, contrary to this bald assertion, the experience in provinces where binding interest arbitration for physician compensation is in place  which happens to be the majority of other provinces  is that, where physicians are treated fairly and respectfully, they have proven themselves to be more than willing and responsible partners in working with government to improve the health care system. Moreover, the norm for negotiated or arbitrated outcomes has not been one of excessive fee increases.

No doubt a process of interest arbitration would prevent government from unilaterally cutting health care funding for physician services. But, as the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled, binding arbitration must be made available to essential service providers, whenever society concludes that disputes over their compensation or working conditions should not be resolved by strikes.

Significantly, this is already the case for all other essential service providers in Ontario (including hospital workers, police and firefighters). Indeed, unless we want to face the continuing prospect of physician job action or unilateral government action in each successive round of negotiations, the only way to resolve legitimate differences at the bargaining table is through a fair and independent binding arbitration process.

Notably, the Toronto Star has been even slower to recognize the compelling need for arbitration for physicians than the government itself. Last month, both Premier Wynne and Minister of Health Hoskins publicly expressed their joint commitment to the principle of interest arbitration, and to negotiating an interest arbitration process as the first order of business when negotiations resume.

While the OMA has welcomed this development, Ontario doctors are also painfully aware that, after several years of government intransigence and unilateral compensation cuts, there is no guarantee the government will follow through. And so, while the OMA expects government to return to the table and agree to a fair and independent binding arbitration process, it is also understandably planning for the possibility that it will not do so.

Despite the Toronto Stars efforts to sensationalize the issue and draw a historically inaccurate comparison with the 1986 job action protesting the ban on extra-billing, the OMA has been clear that it would support job action only as a last resort, and only to secure a durable and lasting binding interest arbitration process  one intended to ensure physicians working within medicare will never have to resort to job action again. The OMA has also repeatedly emphasized that job action would never compromise access to essential and urgent medical care.

The last thing the OMA has wanted is for patients to be caught in the middle of its long-standing dispute with the government over the need for a fair and independent process for physicians. Hopefully, now that the government has accepted the principle of binding arbitration, the province and Ontarios doctors can finally get on with the work of building the health care system that Ontarians deserve.

Howard Goldblatt is a founding partner of Goldblatt Partners and lead negotiator for the Ontario Medical Association. Steven Barrett is managing partner of Goldblatt Partners and co-counsel with Mr. Goldblatt.

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For years human rights organizations, ombudsmen and prison watchdogs have fought on the side of the angels by pressing Canadas prison service to reduce the use of segregation.

Finally, it appears to be paying off.

Canadas federal prison watchdog, Ivan Zinger, released new figures this week that, happily, reflect a sharp decline in the use of solitary confinement.

Among his findings:

On any given day in 2015-16 there were about 375 inmates held in segregation, less than half the 800 held in solitary in 2013-14.

Overall admissions to segregation in 2015-16 totalled 6,782, the lowest figure in a decade and down substantially from the 8,321 in the previous year.

And the average length of stay was reduced to 26 days last year, compared to 44 a decade ago.

All of this is good news. Especially considering that as recently as December 2014 the Correctional Service of Canada was flatly rejecting recommendations from a coroners jury into the death of Ashley Smith that it curb its use of solitary confinement, saying it would hobble the safe management of the prison system. (Smith choked herself to death in 2007 at the age of 19 after 300 days on segregation status in the last year of her life.)

Clearly, senior managers have finally seen the light. But theres still a long way to go to protect prisoners rights and health.

While the 26-day average stay in solitary is an improvement over past years, the goal should be to get it down to a maximum of 15 days. The United Nations says anything longer than that amounts to torture. In fact, studies show the negative effects of long-term solitary confinement can include psychosis, hallucinations, insomnia and confusion. Even more worrisome, it increases the risk factor for suicide.

How bad is solitary? Canadian prison expert Michael Jackson describes it as the most individually destructive, psychologically crippling and socially alienating experience that could conceivably exist within the borders of the country.

Thats why other organizations, such as the Ontario Human Rights Commission, have demanded an outright ban on its use.

As well-intentioned as that recommendation is, its a step too far. There may be cases where a prisoner is a danger to himself or to others, and segregation can be used as an effective tool for a limited time.

That said, it should be a measure of last resort for correctional officials under strict conditions aimed at protecting prisoners, not punishing them.

Thats where the federal government comes in. Canadas prison service has now shown it can dramatically reduce the use of solitary confinement in its jails without risking their safe management. But its use should not be up to the whim of managers.

Ottawa must pass legislation that will strictly define when it can be used and for how long. Only then can we be confident that prisoners will be treated humanely.

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This story has been updated with information on Delta's planned Philadelphia departures.

Winter Storm Stella has brought air travel in the New York area to a near halt, but a few flights were operating Tuesday.

United

(UAL)

flights will start arriving at Newark Airport in Newark, N.J., around 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Tuesday. "We will have aircraft at Newark to begin operations Wednesday," said United spokeswoman Erin Benson.

At Delta (DAL) , "we departed a couple of flights {from LaGuardia and Newark} early this morning," spokesman Michael Thomas said shortly before noon. But "operations are still suspended at the three N.Y. area airports," he said.

Delta said "flights should return to relative normalcy Wednesday, pending facility evaluations and resumption of mass transit services in New York."

American (AAL) cancelled all Tuesday flights at the New York airports and Boston Logan. It plans to resume limited service at the four airports at noon Wednesday.

The storm has not been as severe as expected.

"Snowpocalypse not," The Daily News reported. "A change in the path of Tuesday's winter storm is sparing New Yorkers from the 16 to 20 inches predicted a day earlier by Mayor de Blasio.

"The snow is instead expected to give way to a wintry mix of sleet or rain," the newspaper said.

Although flight activity is near zero, the Port Authority of New York said all three airports remain open.

As of 11 a.m. EDT, nearly every LaGuardia flight scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled, but only 772 of 1,200 flights at JFK have been cancelled, raising the possibility that some flights later in the day could operate. Most likely, Tuesday arrivals will enable Wednesday departures.

At Newark, airlines have cancelled 1,015 flights of the normal 1,200 daily flights.

In general, the Port Authority warned passengers to stay away.

"With a storm of this magnitude, airlines will cancel hundreds of flights at the agency's airports, so travelers should check with their carriers," the agency said. "If warranted, the Port Authority also has supplies of cots and other essential items ready to accommodate ticketed passengers who may become stranded at the airports."

Conditions are better south of New York. Limited operations were set to resume late Tuesday morning at the Washington D.C. airports.

At Philadelphia International Airport, "Delta is expected to begin departures at 1 pm," said airport spokeswoman Mary Flannery.

"American is planning on some departures, mostly transatlantic, starting at 6 p.m., weather permitting," Flannery said. Airport weather includes ice pellets.

FlightAware.com said Tuesday that airlines have cancelled 5,432 flights Tuesday, bringing the week's total to 7,746 cancellations, impacting more than 400,000 travelers. "The storm is crippling air travel in the Northeast," the aviation software and data services company. Newark Airport had more than 1,000 cancellations, while LaGuardia had 846, JFK had 761 and Philadelphia International had 439.

As most travelers know, the best place to change travel arrangements is on the airline's web site. Phone calls to reservations often involve delays.

This article is commentary by an independent contributor. At the time of publication, the author held no positions in the stocks mentioned.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will aim to console nervous allies throughout Asia regarding recent North Korea nuclear and missile threats and press China on the matter, during his first trip to Asia this week.

Tillerson will visit Japan and South Korea before making the trip to Beijing.

While in Beijing Tillerson will help finalize the trip to the U.S. by Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.
A collection of 17 Republican members of Congress on Wednesday signed a resolution to seek "economically viable" ways to battle global warming, according to Reuters.

The legislation, introduced by Elise Stefanik of New York, Carlos Curbelo of Florida and Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania, pledges to "study and address the causes and effects of measured changes to global and regional climates."

Furthermore, it seeks ways to "balance human activities" that contribute to climate change.
Donald Trump has tapped yet another Goldman Sachs (GS) executive to join his administration.

The president announced plans to nominate James Donovan, managing director at Goldman Sachs and adjunct professor at the University of Virginia School of Law, as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He will join other former Goldman employees brought on by Trump, including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, National Economic Council director Gary Cohn, chief White House strategist Steve Bannon and senior counselor on economic initiatives to the president Dina Powell.

Donovan, who at Goldman worked on corporate strategy, investment banking and investment management, according to the Trump administration, is expected to work on Trump's economic policy agenda.

The number of former Goldman Sachs alumni populating the executive branch under Trump has spurred cries of hypocrisy among onlookers who note the president railed against Wall Street and sought to vilify Goldman on the campaign trail.

During the Republican primary race, he criticized Senator Ted Cruz for his failure to disclose a loan from Goldman Sachs, where Cruz's wife also works. He said the bank has "total control" over both Cruz and Hillary Clinton.

As the Washington Post notes, one of Trump's final presidential campaign ads included a clip showing Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein as part of a "global power structure."

Whatever his qualms about Goldman in the past, they appear to have dissipated -- Donovan marks his fifth hire from the investment giant.

On Tuesday, Trump also announced his selection of Christopher Giancarlo to head the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and appointments to a handful of other administration positions.

You're Invited ...

Wall Street Goes to Washington. In the first of a series of conversations with President Trump's economic advisers, acclaimed author and columnist Michael Wolff will sit down with Trump insider Anthony Scaramucci, co-founder of private-equity firm Skybridge Capital. They'll discuss the Trump administration, Scaramucci's thoughts on the policies and regulations under debate and his outlook for the next four years. Join us for this cocktail party on Monday, March 27, at The Metropolitan Club in New York. The event is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, email events@thestreet.com.
Mistras Group, Inc. provides technology-enabled asset protection solutions worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Services, International, and Products and Systems. It offers non-destructive testing services; predictive maintenance assessments of fixed and rotating assets; inline inspection for pipelines; and develops enterprise inspection database management software and plant condition management software. The company also provides maintenance and light mechanical services, such as corrosion removal, mitigation and prevention, insulation installation and removal, electrical, heat tracing, industrial cleaning, pipefitting, and welding; engineering consulting services primarily for process equipment, technologies, and facilities; and utilizes scaffolding and rope access to access at-height and confined assets. In addition, it offers certified divers for subsea inspection and maintenance; unmanned aerial, land-based, and subsea systems for inspection applications; online condition-monitoring solutions; quality assurance and quality control solutions for new and existing metal and alloy components, materials, and composites. Further, the company designs and installs monitoring systems, as well as provides commissioning, training, reporting, technical support, and annual maintenance services; Web-based solutions; and custom-developed software. Additionally, it designs, manufactures, and sells acoustic emission sensors, instruments, and turnkey systems for monitoring and testing materials, pressure components, processes, and structures, as well as automated ultrasonic systems and scanners. The company serves oil and gas, commercial aerospace and defense, fossil and nuclear power, alternative and renewable energy, industrial, public infrastructure, petrochemical, transportation, and process industries, as well as research and engineering institutions. Mistras Group, Inc. was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Princeton Junction, New Jersey.
Credit Suisse Group AG, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial services in Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The company offers wealth management solutions, including investment advice and discretionary asset management services; risk management solutions, such as managed investment products; and wealth planning, succession planning, and trust services. It also provides financing and lending solutions, including consumer credit and real estate mortgage lending, real asset lending relating to ship, and aviation financing for UHNWI; standard and structured hedging, and lombard lending solutions, as well as collateral trading services; and investment banking solutions, such as global securities sales, trading and execution, capital raising, and advisory services. In addition, the company offers banking solutions, such as payments, accounts, debit and credit cards, and product bundles; asset management products; equity and debt underwriting, and advisory services; cash equities, equity derivatives, and convertibles, as well as prime services; and fixed income products, such as credit, securitized, macro, emerging markets, financing, structured credit, and other products. Further, it provides HOLT, a framework for assessing the performance of approximately 20,000 companies; and equity and fixed income research services. The company serves private and institutional clients; ultra-high-net-worth individuals, high-net-worth individuals, and affluent and retail clients; corporate clients, small and medium-sized enterprises, external asset managers, financial institutions, and commodity traders; and pension funds, hedge funds, governments, foundations and endowments, corporations, entrepreneurs, private individuals, financial sponsors, and sovereign clients. As of December 31, 2021, it operated through a network of 311 offices and branches. The company was founded in 1856 and is based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc. operates as an omni-channel specialty retailer of various products for home. It offers cooking, dining, and entertaining products, such as cookware, tools, electrics, cutlery, tabletop and bar, outdoor, furniture, and a library of cookbooks under the Williams Sonoma Home brand, as well as home furnishings and decorative accessories under the Williams Sonoma lifestyle brand; and furniture, bedding, lighting, rugs, table essentials, and decorative accessories under the Pottery Barn brand. The company also provides home decor products under the West Elm brand; kids accessories under the Pottery Barn Kids brand; and an organic bedding to multi-purpose furniture under the Pottery Barn Teen brand. In addition, it offers made-to-order lighting, hardware, furniture, and home decors inspired by history under the Rejuvenation brand; and women's and men's accessories, travel, entertaining and bar, home decor, and seasonal items under the Mark and Graham brand, as well as operates a 3-D imaging and augmented reality platform for the home furnishings and decor industry. The company markets its products through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. It operates 544 stores comprising 502 stores in 41states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico; 20 stores in Canada; 19 stores in Australia; 3 stores in the United Kingdom; and 139 franchised stores, as well as e-commerce websites in various countries in the Middle East, the Philippines, Mexico, South Korea, and India. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
New York and New Jersey congressional representatives have been misled into thinking that our Open Skies agreements kill American jobs. Data shows its quite the opposite.

Emirates Airlines launched their new round-trip flight between Newark and Athens last Sunday - amid protests at Newark, and after twenty-five members of the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegation recently sent a letter to President Trump asking him to stop the flight.

The opposition to the flight is driven by the Big Three U.S. airlines (American, Delta and United) and their unions, as part of a broader effort to unravel Open Skies agreements that allow foreign carriers to compete on overseas routes. The arguments of these groups against Open Skies continue to be offensively self-interested, not to mention ridiculous.

Flight options have declined in the U.S. over the last ten years, driving up prices and fueling traveler frustrations. New routes from more airlines give flyers more choices, driving prices down and incentivizing more air travel. It really is that simple.

Unfortunately, the New York-New Jersey Congressional delegation appears to have been misled by the U.S. legacy carriers. These legacy airlines happen to control 80 percent of seat capacity on trans-Atlantic routesand enjoy anti-trust immunity from the federal government. Their goal is to block out competitors like Emirates to protect their dominant position in the marketplace.

The New York-New Jersey delegations letter asks the president to block the Emirates flight under the pretext of protecting American jobs. Doing so would not only be a clear violation of the U.S.-U.A.E. Open Skies agreement, but would also drive up prices and further reduce trans-Atlantic passengers already-paltry optionsthe sort of market domination Open Skies agreements are meant to deter.

U.S. legacy carriers and their European joint venture partners (American-British Airways, Delta-Air France and United-Lufthansa) are exempt from anti-trust laws and practically monopolize the trans-Atlantic market. Yet the NY-NJ delegation letter contends that Emirates and two other Persian Gulf-based airlines, Etihad and Qatar Airways, have an unfair advantage over American air carriers, which could force American carriers to discontinue routes and cut jobs.

In fact, quite the opposite is true.

Gulf carriers drive thousands of travelers and millions in revenue directly to U.S.-based airlines. In fact, nearly 30 percent of all Gulf carrier passengers to the U.S. transferred to U.S. airlines upon their arrival hereand that number only continues to grow, as new routes to the U.S. open up from previously untapped markets in South Asia and the Middle East.

In 2014, thanks to our Open Skies agreements with Qatar and the U.A.E., the Gulf carriers brought 1.1 million international visitors to U.S. markets. Those visitors contributed more than $4.1 billion to the nations GDP, supported nearly 50,000 American jobs and generated $1.1 billion in crucial federal, state and local tax revenue.

Additionally, Emirates and the other Gulf carriers have committed to purchasing 235 Boeing 777X, which will support thousands of American manufacturing jobsa stated priority for President Trump.

Perhaps the most puzzling part about the New York-New Jersey delegations position is the fact that their own states stand to benefit greatly from upholding Open Skies agreements. Visitors to the New York City area who arrived on a Gulf carrier flight in 2014 spent over $1.7 billion during their trips, supporting over 21,000 jobs.

If you want to talk about American job creation, you cant ignore those numbers. By attempting to block the Emirates flight and upend our Open Skies agreement with the U.A.E. and Qatar, the New York-New Jersey delegation is putting thousands of jobs and billions in economic benefits at risk.

Major travel businesses from New York and New Jersey agree. Companies including Wyndham Hotels, Loews Hotels and Resorts, Explore Brooklyn and Meet AC (Atlantic City, NJ) signed on to a U.S. Travel Association letter in 2015 asking the Administration to protect Open Skies.

The bottom line: Open Skies is good for American jobs. President Trump would set a dangerous precedent for our economy by stopping Emirates Newark-Athens routethe New York-New Jersey delegation should be careful what they wish for.

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 2022 Travel Industry Wire
23 civilians were killed, 107 civilians were wounded in Donbas during the period from November 16, 2016 to February 15, 2017.

Ms. Fiona Frazer, the Head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, stated this at the briefing, presenting the 17th report of the Mission, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We documented 130 civilian victims [those affected by the conflict] during the period from November 16, 2016 to February 15, 2017. Twenty-three persons were killed, another 107 were wounded," Frazer said.

She said that the findings of the Mission were based on the interviews with 205 people, who became victims or witnessed human rights violations, 65% of whom had been victims of shelling.

At the same time, she added that the Mission had already managed to document the information about more than 33,000 people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

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Paying the official visit to Ankara, Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman reached specific agreements with President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the intensification of economic cooperation, in particular, on the implementation of specific projects.

This is reported by the Governmental portal.

"The deepening of cooperation between the two countries in trade and economic area is one of the key prerequisites for the successful strategic partnership development," the Head of the Ukrainian Government said. In this context, Volodymyr Groysman stressed that signing of the Ukraine-Turkey Free Trade Agreement on mutually beneficial terms would facilitate the process of trade revitalization.

The parties separately discussed the issue of cooperation in the defense and industrial and aerospace fields.

The Prime Minister of Ukraine called the Turkish side for closer interaction in the energy sector, in particular, regarding the involvement of Ukrainian companies in the construction and modernization of gas storage facilities.

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The Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), jointly with the World Bank, plans to represent a pilot project on competition development in Ukraine.

Chairman of the Anti-Monopoly Committee of Ukraine Yuriy Terentyev said during an open meeting dedicated to the results of committees work in 2016, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

I met with the leaders of the World Bank Group in Washington, who are involved in the development of competition policy. And I proposed that a similar project be developed in Ukraine, as we had such plans back in 2010, he said.

According to the AMCU chairman, the pilot project will be launched as soon as this year.

"Weve just started our cooperation, so the long-term program with the World Bank, unfortunately, hasnt been signed yet, but in the middle of summer, somewhere in July, we should jointly develop the first draft of the competition development program," Terentyev said.

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Successful vote of the Ukrainian Parliament on ratification of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA) opens the way to further practical steps for the agreement implementation.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this in a commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Yesterday's decision means for us the transition to practical implementation of the Free Trade Agreement and the launch of activity in several major vectors," Shevchenko said.

According to him, the Embassy soon plans to focus its work on three main areas of bilateral economic cooperation.

"The first large area is trade missions and establishing contacts between the concerned businesses from Ukraine and Canada. The second direction is public purchases, and the third one is privatization," the Ambassador said.

Shevchenko singled out the IT sector, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and agriculture industries, especially processing of food products, as the most promising areas of the Canadian-Ukrainian cooperation.

As reported, 272 Ukrainian MPs voted for adoption of the law on ratification of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement on Tuesday, March 14.

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The National Bank of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine should analyze the activities of the banking institutions of Ukraine, which contain a share of the state banks of the Russian Federation in their funds, and to submit proposals to impose sanctions on such institutions within a day.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov said this following today's meeting of the Council, the NSDC press service reports.

"The National Bank of Ukraine and the Security Service of Ukraine are instructed to analyze the activities of the banking institutions of Ukraine, which contain a share of the state banks of the Russian Federation in their funds, and to submit proposals to impose sanctions on such institutions within a day," Turchynov said.

As reported, at the Cabinets meeting on March 10, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov called on the authorities to impose sanctions on the Ukrainian subsidiary of the Sberbank of Russia.

Earlier it was reported that the Sberbank of Russia began to service holders of passports of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic and Luhansk Peoples Republic in its branches.

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The Ryanair airline plans to carry more than 500,000 passengers in the Ukrainian direction annually and create more than 350 jobs.

Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer David O'Brien said this at a press conference in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We plan to carry more than 500,000 passengers and our work will allow creating more than 350 jobs," he said.

According to O'Brien, the company's planes will first fly from Kyiv to Stockholm, Manchester, Einthoven and London. From Lviv Ryanair will fly to Krakow, Wroclaw, Berlin, Eindhoven, Budapest, London and the airport of Memmingen near Munich.

Flights will be launched after October 30. The price will start from EUR 19.99, but later it will be determined by the passenger demand.

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First Vice Prime Minister, Economic Development and Trade Minister of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv has met with the delegation of entrepreneurs from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), who arrived to get acquainted with Ukrainian investment opportunities and projects.

This is reported by the Governmental portal.

During the meeting, Kubiv stressed the importance of increasing Japanese investment in Ukraine as now Ukraine is attractive for creating new and expanding existing production capacities, given the achieved macroeconomic stabilization and growth in all key sectors of the economy, particularly, industrial production.

The First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine also specified that the establishment of close political and economic contact with Japan was one of the most important tasks and priorities of Ukraine. To build on such ties, it is necessary to establish an effective B2B contact among the entrepreneurs in Ukraine and Japan, Stepan Kubiv noted.

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Berlin is concerned about the developments in eastern Ukraine, particularly, the blockade and calls on both parties to stop actions that lead to even greater escalation.

German Federal Government Spokesman Steffen Seibert and German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Martin Schaefer have stated this at on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports from Germany.

"The federal government appeals to all those who are blocking the important railway connection with Donbas: Stop doing this as such actions hamper not only attempts to reach a peaceful solution but provision of Ukraine with electricity as well," Seibert said.

He stressed that such violent actions led to further split of the country.

In turn, Martin Schaefer said that the German government "is critical of the blockade of movement of goods by Ukrainian activists, which the Ukrainian government has not been energetically trying to stop so far."

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The photo exhibition "Displaced. 12 Stories from Ukraine" opened in Warsaw downtown on Tuesday.

The opening ceremony was attended by Ukrainian and British diplomats, representatives of the Polish state and local authorities, non-governmental organizations, ordinary Ukrainians and Poles, an Ukrinform own correspondent reports.

"The issue of displaced persons is the issue of human destinies, people, who were forced to leave their homes and jobs and look for new places to live," said Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Andriy Deshchytsia.

He thanked Poland, the UK, Canada and the EU for the support in organizing this exhibition.

Daria Ihnatenko on behalf of one of the exhibition organizer, the Canadian NGO Stabilization Support Services, informed that the exhibition had already been held in Berlin, Rome, The Hague, Strasbourg and Paris.

"The international community should know what is happening in Ukraine. It is important to disseminate this information as people often do not know what is going on in eastern Ukraine. We are here to tell about 1.5 million internally displaced persons and give an opportunity to show the personal stories of specific people," Ihnatenko stressed.

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Let me say straight out that if all military histories were as thrilling and well written as Robert Gaudis African Kaiser, I might give up reading fiction and literary biography.

Anyone interested in 20th-century culture is bound to spend some time thinking about World War I. Yet while most of us are aware of the horrors of trench combat and the thousands lying dead in Flanders fields where poppies blow, what about the war outside Europe? What about German East Africa? Until I read Gaudis book, almost all I knew was that Lord Greystoke fought Huns in Tarzan the Untamed and that the sinking of an enemy warship provided the climax for the movie The African Queen.

Still, the war in Africa was more than a sideshow. A brilliant guerrilla strategist, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck forged his fanatically loyal Schutztruppe  a small colonial infantry consisting of largely black soldiers  into a highly efficient fighting force, aggressive and completely self-supporting, and one that was the first racially integrated army in modern history. As von Lettow bluntly said, Here in Africa we are all equal. The better man will always outwit the inferior and the color of his skin does not matter. These words were not mere lip service, either: His actions show that he genuinely believed them.

"African Kaiser: General Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck and the Great War in Africa, 1914-1918," by Robert Gaudi (Caliber)

On his very first page Gaudi reveals his own awe of what von Lettow and his men accomplished:

Cut off from the world by the British blockade in what remained of Germanys last colony . . . they marched through bush and jungle and swamp and thorn scrub pori. They clambered up mountains and across arid, rocky plateaus, mostly without shoes. Their rifles were ancient or captured from the enemy; their artillery a few naval guns scavenged off a gutted battleship in the fetid sluice of the Rufiji [River]. They attacked, retreated, advanced, attacked, retreated to fight again. And though vastly outnumbered by British, South African, Belgian, and Portuguese armies, they could not be caught or beaten.

[The Age of Caesar: A fresh look at the key players in a time of historic unrest]

African Kaiser, however, doesnt just focus on these ragtag troops and their general. Gaudi tells us about Room 40  center for British cryptography  and the history of zeppelins. We are given a brief account of the colonial wars in southern Africa. We learn myriad odd facts, such as the widespread belief that drinking sweet vermouth offered protection from malaria. Periodically, Gaudi veers off to recount the daring exploits of con artists, great white hunters and battleship commanders.

To illustrate his heros character he even retells the story of Gylippus from Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War. Under attack and blockade by the Athenians, Syracuse called on its ally Sparta for help. But the Spartans were themselves hard-pressed and could spare only one man, Gylippus. But that one man by sheer force of personality and military skill reorganized Syracuses army and choosing the right moment to attack, turned the tide of the war against the Athenians. As Gaudi points out and von Lettows operations repeatedly demonstrated, in battle, numbers dont matter as much as resolve.

Described only as a freelance writer living in Virginia, Gaudi writes with the flair of a latter-day Macaulay. He sets his scenes carefully and describes naval and military action like a novelist. His sentences are models of clarity and vivacity, sometimes further enlivened with wry authorial comments. The academically inclined, however, may fault his decision to eschew source notes. Caught up by Gaudis skillful storytelling, most readers arent likely to care.

[The man who brought humanist values  and Civilisation  to a mass market]

Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck came from a long line of soldiers. He was brought up with Prussian discipline, attended the military academy at Kassel, enjoyed reading philosophy and literature, mastered English, French and several African languages, and tasted first blood in China during mop-up operations following the Boxer Rebellion.

After his service in Asia, von Lettow was assigned to German South West Africa during fierce uprisings by the Herero and Hottentots. In 1906, an exploding shell cost him the use of his left eye. But his experiences taught him that Africans fought with the country rather than against it; they generally eschewed pitched battles and were extremely mobile, drawing heavily laden, plodding German soldiers on long, exhausting marches through waterless bush tangled with thorn scrub where German firepower could not be used with effectiveness. He would later apply these lessons against the British.

Back in Germany because of his eye injury, von Lettow worried that his career as a field officer was over. Eventually, though, he was given command of the 2nd Sea Battalion on the North Sea. Four years later, by now in his mid-40s, he was finally ordered to lead the small Schutztruppe in German East Africa, a colony that had earned the allegiance of its indigenous people through respectfulness and education. Typically, von Lettow immediately began to learn Swahili. En route to Dar es Salaam, he encountered a charming young Danish woman named Karen Blixen, with whom he shared a shipboard romance. Later during the war, Blixen  better known as Isak Dinesen, author of Out of Africa used her admirers inscribed picture as a talisman against violence by German partisans.

The second half of African Kaiser follows von Lettows guerrilla operations, as he outfoxes the British time and again. His aim was almost always tactical  through his commando raids he could assist the Fatherlands larger war effort by compelling Britain to divert men and material to Africa. In the end, he would be the only undefeated German general of World War I and a recipient of his nations equivalent of the Medal of Honor. Amazingly, Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck lived on to oppose Hitler, survive another world war and die in 1964, just short of his 95th birthday.

Michael Dirda reviews books on Thursday in Style.
Ten years ago, former vice president Al Gore wrote a book called The Assault on Reason. Now, Penguin Books has published an updated version, with a revised subtitle: Our Information Ecosystem, from the Age of Print to the Age of Trump. The Washington Post interviewed Gore by phone Tuesday, and we learned that he still believes the Internet has the potential to help save Americas beleaguered political system. Here are some portions of that exchange (both the questions and answers have been edited for brevity and clarity):

The Washington Post: So youve decided to reissue this book. What is the argument youre trying to make, at this particular moment in American politics?

Al Gore: The basic point Im trying to underscore is that weve seen a radical systemic change in the way we communicate with one another in the United States of America. And the assumptions that undergirded our founders design have been, in important ways, radically altered.

The founders of our country saw a well-informed citizenry as the bedrock of our system, and assumed that the communication among citizens and between citizens and elected representatives would take place in a way that lifted the best available evidence to the top, where it received more attention than all the noise below. And that no longer happens.

Secondly, there were almost no barriers to entry into the public conversation during the age of the printing press and now, in our present time, which is still heavily influenced by broadcasting technology, there are gatekeepers that bar entry to individual citizens. The ongoing displacement of broadcasting technology by the Internet brings the possibility to restoring the role of individual citizens in representative democracy, but it has not done so yet.

We focus on individuals, whether its George and W. Bush and Dick Cheney on one hand or Donald Trump and Stephen Bannon on the other hand, and of course their roles have been and are important. But the craziness that people are just dismayed by today really can be traced, ultimately, to this radical change. Those with a lot of money and recurring revenue streams to support a constant repetition of misleading messages to the public has distorted the essential role that reason used to play to a much larger degree.

Many people with a diversity of perspectives and life experience and every other way, . . . under the right conditions, can be much smarter than the smartest individuals in the group. And that is one of the reasons the United States rose to be the most respected and most successful and most admired nation in the history of the world. [But that success] relied upon our conditions that have been radically disrupted.

Those with wealth and power have been able to dominate the public conversation with phrases like clean coal. You have these extremely misleading information campaigns that displace the kind of robust conversation of democracy that used to keep us on track.

WP: In the new version of your book, you note that you were probably overly optimistic about the Internet when it was first published a decade ago. Although you are consistently optimistic about how the Internet can really restore some of the foundations of democracy that you see in peril right now. How do you reconcile what youre saying, about the need for connection and the idea that the Internet is this mediating force, when in fact, right now, its really been a vehicle for reinforcing peoples preexisting ideas and circulating information thats inaccurate?

Gore: People choose to go to Internet sites that reinforce their preexisting ideas. But there is a signal that individuals are finding their way back into a prominent role in the conversation.

Look at the group Indivisible, as an example. Those three former congressional staffers put out their blueprint for citizen activism on the Internet last December after they had been aggrieved by the outcome of the election. [That guide has been downloaded 1.9 million times.]

Now all of a sudden we see in these Republican town hall meetings all over the country, huge crowds that have organized in advance, that have their messaging down pat, that are really beginning to change the tone of this Congress and turn the ship of state. And its certainly too early to predict how successful it will be, but thats an Internet-based phenomena. And when you look at all the reform movements that have sprung up in every issue area, all of them live and thrive on the Internet. And as the generation of digital natives ages into more positions of power and prominence, then I dont think its unrealistic at all to believe the architecture of this new information ecosystem is going to give us a chance, once again, to elevate the role of reason, and best available evidence.

WP: One question about Scott Pruitt and the Environmental Protection Agency. Clearly he created some controversy last week when he said he could not reach a definitive conclusion as to whether carbon dioxide has been the primary driver of climate change in recent years. What does it say about our political discourse when you have the head of the EPA saying that?

Gore: The premise of this book is that beliefs that are obviously false and easily demonstrated as false to the satisfaction of any reasonable person who looks at the underlying facts used to be shot down more readily when the conversation of democracy was operating in a healthier pattern. But again, were seeing this response in social media to the latest false statement by Pruitt, and thats having an impact on news coverage more generally. A combination of forces that resulted in his appointment are still propping up this false belief. But it wont survive for long.
Mrs. Field displays one of her cookbooks in her kitchen in San Francisco. (Katy Raddatz/San Francisco Chronicle)

Carol Field, a food writer who led a generation of cooks on an exploration of Italian culture and cuisine with beloved volumes including The Italian Baker, died March 10 at a hospital in San Francisco. She was 76.

The cause was complications from a stroke, said her son, Matt Field.

Mrs. Field taught herself to cook after marrying at age 21 and prided herself on being the first Italian in her family tree. She traced her interest in the Italian kitchen to her sojourn in a small Ligurian town, Pugliola, where her husband, an architect, was to film a PBS documentary on city planning in 1972.

What began as curiosity about the countrys landscapes and flavors grew into a passion that lasted the rest of her life. Her first book, The Hill Towns of Italy (1983), with photographs by Richard Kauffman, documented the splendor of communities such as San Gimignano, Gubbio and Assisi perched precariously on the countrys hillsides.

Her second book  and best known  was The Italian Baker (1985), an encyclopedic tome documenting the history and art of Italys breads, cakes and pastries. It is a tradition as varied as Italy itself, encompassing the pillowy focaccia of Liguria, the heavy, honeyed panforte of Siena and the sweet cassata of Sicily.

The volume ranked on the James Beard Foundations Bakers Dozen of seminal books on baking, among numerous other honors Mrs. Field received in the United States and Italy.

Every bread baker, home or pro, has been influenced, knowingly or unknowingly, by Carol Fields Italian Baker,  Corby Kummer, a food writer and senior editor of the Atlantic, observed in the New York Times in 2011.

Kummer credited her with helping fuel the rise  so to speak  of the popularity in the United States of focaccia, a delicacy she explored in the book Focaccia: Simple Breads From the Italian Oven (1994).

Focaccia is to the north of Italy what pizza is to the south, she wrote in The Washington Post in 1994, a rustic flat bread with a surface fragrant with olive oil, herbs from the hillsides and any number of tasty ingredients harvested from the fields and the sea. Pizza may be the more famous cousin, but focaccia is taking the country by storm.

As for the many varieties of pizza, she once observed: These crisp or chewy country breads are the food of peasants and wily city dwellers with little money but lots of imagination.

Such insights placed her, food writer Molly ONeill wrote in the Times in 1997, in the rare pantheon of cookbook writers who are erudite anthropologists as well.

Mrs. Fields other books included Celebrating Italy (1990), about the regional festivals by which Italians mark the passage of seasons.

For that volume, Mrs. Field traveled up and down the spine of Italy many times over to witness events such as the Feast of San Domenico in May, featuring snake handlers, in Cocullo; the infiorate in June in Spello, where the streets are carpeted in flower petals arranged in artistic designs; and the autumnal pumpkin festival in Villastrada.

When I discovered a festival celebrating lard, she wrote, I knew that the Italians could celebrate anything.

Mrs. Field also wrote Italy in Small Bites (1993), about the snacks called merende or spuntini that usually require only two eating implements: one right hand and one left hand, she quipped to the Chicago Tribune. In the cookbook In Nonnas Kitchen: Recipes and Traditions From Italys Grandmothers (1997), she documented the home-cooking practices that she saw fading away with the arrival of a new rhythm of life.

Im really interested in . . . preserving traditions, which is why I went to see the grandmothers, she told the Chicago Sun-Times in 1997. Their daughters have gone to work and so have their granddaughters. Im just astonished by how little some of the daughters and granddaughters know. They are used to being cooked for and they are used to the food, but they dont know anything about it. And they dont have time to learn it.

Carol Helen Hart was born in San Francisco on March 27, 1940, and grew up in a home filled with literature if not traditions of cooking. Her father, James D. Hart, chairman of the English department at the University of California at Berkeley, was the author of The Oxford Companion to American Literature. Her mother, the former Ruth Arnstein, was an activist for civil rights and other social-justice causes.

In 1961, Mrs. Field received a bachelors degree in English from Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Shortly thereafter, she co-founded a bookstore, Minervas Owl, in San Francisco.

Following her sabbatical in Italy, she began writing for filmmaker Francis Ford Coppolas City magazine in San Francisco. Her byline also appeared in publications including Gourmet, Bon Appetit and Food & Wine, and she was featured on television with chefs including Julia Child and Mario Batali. In addition to her cookbooks, she wrote a novel, Mangoes and Quince (2001).

Mrs. Fields husband, John Field, died in February after 55 years of marriage. Survivors include two children, Matt Field of San Francisco and Alison Field of Chestnut Hill, Mass.; a brother, the noted pollster Peter Hart, of Washington; and three grandchildren.

Mrs. Field and her husband had homes in San Francisco and the Tuscan town of Pedona. She was drawn to Italy, she once remarked, because there you have your culture and can eat it, too.
The following review appears in The Washington Posts 2019 Fall Dining Guide.



Rigatoni Calabrese  spicy nduja, arugula and calamari (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

(Excellent)

There are pasta houses, and theres Sfoglina, Fabio Trabocchis glam response to our affection for Italian noodles. Both branches come with singular charms. The Van Ness original, watched over by chef Erin Clarke, counts a cozy pasta-making room that can go private at night; the downtown spinoff, helmed by chef Chris Watson, is dressed with a long stretch of bar where I could see myself becoming a regular. (Due this month: a third location, in Rosslyn.)

The menus are similarly delicious. Calling to me are agnolotti stuffed with herbed goat cheese and brightened with flowers, and shells that catch their topping of pancetta, escarole and sunny egg so that every bite delivers carbonara bliss. Youll want to start with a drink and nibble: anchovies on buttered toast for something light, fluffy meatballs in a moat of polenta for something heartier. In the not pasta corner waits a crisp-edged veal cutlet, fragrant with sage.

No room for dessert? Take something home. Chocolate cake with hazelnuts and chocolate ganache is a bar raiser  and a welcome sight during a midnight refrigerator raid.

3 stars

Sfoglina: Downtown: 1099 New York Ave. NW. Van Ness: 4445 Connecticut Ave. NW. 202-525-1402. sfoglinapasta.com .

Open: Downtown: Dinner daily, lunch weekdays. Van Ness: Dinner daily, lunch Tuesday through Friday, brunch weekends.

Price: Small plates $10-$26, pastas $19-$24, entrees $22-$28.

Sound check: 70 decibels / Conversation is easy.

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The following review originally appeared in The Washington Posts 2018 Fall Dining Guide.



Beet tortelloni at Sfoglina. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Sfoglina is about pasta, but thats not where it ends

(Excellent)

Fabio Trabocchi has fine dining covered with Fiola, seafood addressed with Fiola Mare and Spanish mastered at (be-still-my-heart) Del Mar. The task for Sfoglina, which now counts a cheerful dining room downtown as well as in Van Ness, is to offer a comparatively relaxed Italian experience. To that end, Trabocchi deploys flour and water. Pasta embraces all ages, he says of the signature lure at Sfoglina, the restaurant in his arsenal he thinks is the easiest to replicate. (Look for a third Sfoglina in Rosslyn next spring, and expect the same appealing red-and-white palette.) Carb-loading excursions to the current restaurants find rich lamb ragu draped over supple pappardelle, and goat cheese slipped inside ravioli sparked with lemon. Pasta might be the hook, but the kitchens do just as well with grilled spicy calamari, sage-scented veal cutlet under a blizzard of grated cheese, and tiramisu served as a parfait, one of a number of fine desserts rolled to the table on a trolley. Always pushing to improve, Trabocchi is adding to his staff next year an artisan pasta maker from his home region of Marche to teach the troops how to roll everything by hand. No machines, the standard-bearer promises.

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This review appeared in The Washington Posts 2017 Fall Dining Guide as No. 10 on Toms Top 10.



Squid ink and smoked paprika cannelloni curl baccala with lobster and peperoncino is the latest in a long line of inventive, playful pastas to grace the menu at Sfoglina in Van Ness. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

Sfoglina brings indulgence to the neighborhood

(Excellent)

With all its red and white lights, pillows and seating, this beacon in a restaurant desert stands ready for Christmas, Valentines Day or really, any occasion that calls for toasting. Sfoglina is the supposedly relaxed restaurant from tastemaker Fabio Trabocchi, although everything about it  the amuse-bouche that launches dinner, the pastas made in a room to the side, the oh-so-smooth staff, the relative hush  spells indulgence. The menu, orchestrated by Michael Fusano, is short but exquisite; even the arugula salad with curls of stone fruit prompts Dont you want to take a picture first? Of recent pastas here, the most creative and delicious is a wide ribbon stained black with squid ink and stuffed with salt cod. The way the cannelloni is curled around lush lobster, the pasta appears to be a fish. No restaurant makes short ribs look more alluring than this one, which positions rosy beef, pureed potatoes and zucchini so they look like an art exhibition on their wooden board. Decline dessert and you still might find something sweet in your doggie bag. Lemon cake for breakfast works for me.

The Top 10 restaurants of 2017:

No. 10 Sfoglina

No. 9 The Salt Line

No. 8 ChiKo

No. 7 Tiger Fork

No. 6 Bad Saint

No. 5 Metier

No. 4 Minibar

No. 3 Himitsu

No. 2 Pineapple and Pearls

No. 1 Inn at Little Washington



72-hour beef short ribs with zucchini, polenta and salsa verde. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

Executive Chef Michael Fusano presides over the refreshingly hushed dining Van Ness dining room. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

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The following review appeared in The Washington Posts 2017 Spring Dining Guide.

I swear, casual to Fabio Trabocchi means wearing Ferragamo without socks in a Ferrari with the top down. Did anyone really think the chef behind the luxe Fiola and Fiola Mare was capable of delivering what he promised  a neighborhood pasta house  in Van Ness? Expect to see truffles and handblown crystal lights in the new place (pronounced sfoal-YEE-nah). The pastas are rolled out in the morning in a small room off the entrance that turns into a private dining room at night. Among the prizes is spaghetti alla chittara topped with an egg and tossed with pancetta and escarole. Before and after there are nibbles (grilled calamari with romesco) and not pasta, including wine-poached branzino with olive oil mashed potatoes. The biggest luxury of all? Relative quiet, thanks to a dining room as well padded as it is well appointed.



The Piemontese 40-Yolk Hand-Cut Pappardelle Primavera screams spring with seasonal vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

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The following review was originally published March 15, 2017.

Sfoglina review: A pronounced expression of pasta and more, from Team Fiola

Catch the fake news from Fabio Trabocchi? The Italian empire builder (Fiola, Fiola Mare, Casa Luca) claims to have opened a casual place to eat in Washington.

The name of the newcomer is Sfoglina, and it specializes in handmade pasta, delivered on dishes that look like they came from some nonnas cupboard. Any notion of casa sweet casa pretty much ends there, however. Sfoglina turns out to be almost as rich as its siblings. Consider the three-gram garnish of black truffles for $45, over winter, and a kids menu with its 20-month aged prosciutto.

Almost everywhere you look theres a sign that Trabocchi and his wife and business partner, Maria, have fabulous taste. Picture handblown crystal light fixtures and custom-printed Italian wall fabrics. Sfoglinas palette  shades of red and white, bordering on a Valentines Day card  is feminine, but not overly so.

I say good taste almost everywhere only because of the near-Trumpian fetish for branding at Sfoglina, where the light shades, the bread bags and even some of the pillows carry the name of the restaurant, a reference to the Italian women who specialize in making pasta by hand. If anyone should know that less is more, its the stylish Trabocchis.

To the side of the foyer is a room with a single cherry wood table, created for rolling out pasta, up to eight or so shapes a day. At night, the space transforms to a private room for eight diners. The venue is one of the citys cozier spaces, thanks to windows that let you see outside and a doorway that frames the party beyond.



Fresh homemade pasta includes Beet Tortelloni folded by Yansy Santos. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

The design of the room helps manage the volume and keep conversation easy. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

Sfoglina is one of the few restaurants of my acquaintance to equip itself with a pronouncer, in the form of a small sign at the host stand (its sfoal-YEE-nah; the g is silent). The name might be hard to get out, but the idea is easy  too easy  to swallow. From a menu that resembles a clipboard, only prettier, diners compose a meal from categories spanning nibbles, small plates, pasta and not pasta.

The kitchens idea of a snack is much like the owners idea of informal. The nibbles are substantial enough to qualify as a first course, and so pretty, they really ought to be in pictures. The most soothing dish is soft polenta swirled with crisp, caramelized mushrooms and sharpened with Parmigiano-Reggiano, at once primal and perfect. The best nibble for sharing is tender grilled calamari, draped with romesco sauce. One visit, dinner commenced with a gift from the chef, a creamy knob of buffalo milk mozzarella on a pool of tonnato (tuna) sauce, a dish I was happy to see later on the standing menu. This is a kitchen that understands octopus, which it seasons with lemon zest and espelette, and thinks to pair it with artichokes, roasted and pleasing in their tangy tomato sauce.

Youre probably here for pasta, the selections divided between classic and seasonal and representing multiple regions of Italy. Abruzzo is flagged by spaghetti alla chitarra, a fine nest of square-cut (guitar) spaghetti topped with an egg and tossed with wilted escarole and bits of pancetta. Pierce the egg, and youve got something akin to carbonara.

Sweet bites of lobster and tender octopus lend their charms to an Amalfi-inspired bowl of casarecce, short, tubular-shaped pasta that catches a lobster-and-tomato sauce tweaked with Calabrian chiles and smoked paprika. If there are two or more of you, the best strategy is to order three pastas for $65 and eat them family-style, portioned out at the table by a server.



Spaghetti cut on a chitarra is served carbonara-style with pancetta, escarole and an egg. (Deb Lindsey /For The Washington Post)

One of the prettiest pastas in the bunch, beet-tinted goat cheese ravioli set on a pool of sage-garnished fondue, arrives with a wrinkle: sliced pears, so hard they almost crunch. But theyre a minor distraction amid a bevy of major attractions. (Another disappointment is the replacement of the original chive crackers, hollow and delicious, with sourdough bread.)

Not pasta translates to a handful of very good main courses, among them wine-poached branzino served atop crushed, olive-oiled potatoes that wouldnt taste out of place at Fiola Mare, the elegant seafood specialist in Georgetown.

Sfoglina, guided by executive chef Michael Fusano, 38, formerly of Casa Luca, also makes the finest short ribs Ive encountered outside a home kitchen. The meat is domestic Wagyu, cooked to blushing, lavished with fresh herbs and served on a puddle of polenta. The unusual color of the short ribs is explained by the way theyre prepared, sous vide, for 72 hours at a low temperature.

Proof that Trabocchi doesnt take himself too seriously and recognizes a good trend when it comes along (or gets revived) is a twist on soft-serve ice cream, typically offered in a couple flavors. Vanilla and chocolate gelato, served as a big, creamy swirl with salted caramel sauce, is kid stuff done in adult fashion. Theres also a citrusy hazelnut cake treated to whipped mascarpone, and a silken panna cotta topped with dark chocolate sauce and airy chocolate beads. Refrain, then, from carbo-loading up front.



A Melograno mocktail is garnished with fresh flowers. (Doug Kapustin/For The Washington Post)

A lemon and hazelnut cake comes garnished with whipped mascarpone on the side. (Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post)

Dinner comes with a welcome accompaniment: peace, if not quiet. Sfoglina plays background music, but its never so loud you cant hear your tablemates. Helping to absorb any noise are swags of fabric overhead and a tufted banquette, one whose back stretches to the ceiling. The result is a better appreciation of the food, for the simple reason it doesnt have to compete with anything other than maybe your companions fork.

As at all the Trabocchis establishments, the service at the baby of the bunch is super-smooth. Here comes the dapper general manager Gian Mario Cabiddu to press the flesh, and there goes the dashing restaurant manager Sam Lindenberg to fetch the perfect wine with some red-sauced gnocchi, so light the little pillows almost melt on the tongue.

Am I recognized here? I am. Have friends unknown to the staff shared with me similar tales of doting attention? They have. Sfoglina tends to treat everyone like premium members at the club.

The branding throughout the restaurant leads a diner to wonder if the owner wants to expand the concept beyond Van Ness. Its quite possible, yes, says Trabocchi. Were quite happy with the early results.

While the chef has made no commitments, hes open to another Sfoglina somewhere in the DMV, news that the next neighborhood should greet with YAY.
Rachel Maddow, host of a show on MSNBC, was at the center of a political media whirl on Tuesday with a story on President Donald Trumps tax returns. (Associated Press)

In journalism, its called burying the lede.

And Rachel Maddow gave a master class in just that on her MSNBC show Tuesday night.

With huge numbers of viewers tuned in because of her earlier tweet that she had obtained President Trumps tax returns, she talked . . . and talked . . . and talked. For an eternity  or close to 20 minutes, which certainly felt like an eternity  viewers heard about everything except the actual news. We got Russian oligarchs, Cypriot banks, the firing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and much more.

Havent seen this much windup since El Duque, quipped Maggie Haberman, a New York Times reporter, referring on Twitter to former Yankee Orlando Hernandezs pitching style.

About 10 minutes in, I started wondering what would have happened if Maddow, rather than David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post, had been sent the Access Hollywood video? How long, how long, would we have waited to find out what a really famous guy can grab em by?

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Some old-timers were even recalling TV host Geraldo Riveras overhyped 1986 exploration of Al Capones vault.

Maddows reveal, when it finally came, was interesting if underwhelming: Trump paid $38 million in federal taxes in 2005 at about a 25 percent rate and took a huge write-down. (Donald Trump Jr. tweeted his sarcastic thanks to Maddow for showing his fathers business success; and indeed, these figures were not damaging to Trump in the way that a New York Times report last fall on his leaked 1995 taxes were.)

In the nearly 90 minutes between Maddows initial tweet and the actual news being pronounced on her show by her star guest, investigative reporter David Cay Johnston, the White House itself had gone on the offensive to release the numbers, and the Daily Beast, where Johnston writes a column, had published a story on the same.

And by then, talk on Twitter had already turned to whether Trump himself had released the returns, possibly as a shiny-object distraction from the Republican health-care bill.

The smart money says no: Much more likely, they emanated from the unsuccessful and ill-advised 2006 lawsuit that Trump filed against former New York Times reporter and Trump biographer Timothy OBrien in which the same returns  2005  were provided in discovery.

Maddows slow reveal had its defenders, such as viewer Karen Charmatz, who tweeted: I like the way she explains things. Sometimes its proper to contextualize an issue. This is one of those times.

But mostly, it had its critics, including Jason Del Rey of Recode: Maddow just convinced millions more to cut the cable cord.

And, happily, the show provided educational material beyond how to bury the lede. Dictionary.com said its top request for word definition was for transom, after Johnston described how he received the documents over the transom, meaning that they arrived unrequested and in this case, in the old-fashioned U.S. mail  the second time Trump tax returns have come to a reporter that way in recent months.

And the cable-cutting generation younger than 35 who scrambled to stream the Maddow show or watch from a bar or a parents home seemed to learn something, too: That the world of cable TV has its own language and its own inexplicable mores.

Maddows approach was in keeping with how she conducts her highly rated show every night. This is not a woman who believes in cutting to the chase.

As she told Michael Grynbaum of the Times in a recent interview, Maddow never assumes that her viewers have all the information and context they need: Theres new people here every night. I definitely feel like, hey, if youre new, let me meet you where you are.

In the end, a scoop is a scoop, and Maddow certainly milked it for all it was worth. To her credit, she also put the crucial subject of Trumps finances squarely back in the national conversation.

The presidents Tuesday night complaint that Maddow must be desperate for ratings  and that the publication of the return was illegal  doesnt hold up. The publication of newsworthy material is not against the law; the presidents tax returns, long denied to the public, certainly meet that test.

In addition to Maddows not-so-short course in burying the lede, and the new understanding of how over the transom works, we all learned something else: Just how fast President Trump can move to release his tax returns when he wants to.

The transom awaits.

For more by Margaret Sullivan visit wapo.st/sullivan
Bill Walsh, a Washington Post copy editor who wrote three irreverent books about his craft, noting evolutions and devolutions of language, the indispensability of hyphens and his hostility toward semicolons, and distinctions  for the sake of clarity  between Playboy Playmates and Playboy Bunnies, died March 15 at a hospice center in Arlington, Va. He was 55.

The cause was complications from bile-duct cancer, said his wife, Jacqueline Dupree, a Post informational technology specialist.

In the hurly-burly of a newsroom, where even the best reporters have widely varying degrees of grammatical competence, copy editors are the often unheralded guardians of language and common sense. They are the front-line mud soldiers in an endless war against bad spelling, ill-considered sentence construction and factual errors.

They prevent English teachers everywhere from wincing. They save behinds.

By many accounts, Mr. Walsh stood at the zenith of his profession.

(The Washington Post)

Mary Norris, the recently retired New Yorker magazine copy editor and author of Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen, called Mr. Walsh that rare thing: a celebrity copy editor . . . clever, decisive, entertaining, and knowledgeable, in person and on the page.

Generous and collegial, she continued in an email, he was sought after on the copy-editing circuit (and there is one!).

The publication American Journalism Review once described Mr. Walsh as the undisputed king of copy bloggers. He dubbed his long-running editing and grammar website The Slot, after the nickname for the central location the copy chief traditionally occupied in the newsroom. In the era before computers, rank-and-file copy editors sat along the edge, or rim, of the copy desk, tossing headlines and stories to the chief in the center, or slot.

Among other positions during his 20 years at The Post, Mr. Walsh served as the copy chief of the National and Business desks.

Mr. Walsh wrote three volumes about copy editing, Lapsing Into a Comma (2000); The Elephants of Style (2004), which punned off William Strunk Jr. and E.B. Whites ubiquitous grammar handbook The Elements of Style; and Yes, I Could Care Less: How to Be a Language Snob Without Being a Jerk (2013).

Mr. Walsh relished playing the part of a curmudgeon, writing from the perspective of some past-his-prime newspaper guy . . . yelling at you.

While holding his ground on proper word choice, capitalization and subject-verb agreement, Mr. Walsh was far less prescriptive than other language mavens regarding split infinitives, sentence fragments, conjunctions at the beginning of a sentence and prepositions at the end. He also gave up trying to annihilate the word hopefully as an adverb.

He saw value in Strunk and Whites adages (omit needless words) but did not lionize the volume as the infallible word of the grammar gods. He regarded rules as sometimes there to be broken  depending, of course, on the judgment and tolerance of a copy editor.

His books were not aimed at writers of Ivy League graduate theses. They were grounded in workaday newspaper usage: Some company names include exclamation points that are not generally used in print, as it risks sounding way too excited in headlines (Tech Stock Surge Boosts Yahoo!).

A copy editor must at all times exercise vigilance in word choice, he cautioned. A Playboy Bunny is a Playboy Club waitress who has donned a cottontail uniform, he explained, while a Playmate is a centerfold. (The term Playboy model should be used gingerly, he wrote, as it could refer to women with the modeling arm of Hugh Hefners enterprise, in addition to those who doff their clothing for the magazine.)

He rolled his eyes at silly redundancies (Armed gunmen: Theyre the worst kind) and explained the utility, for a copy editor, of being well read. Although the people of Pakistan are Pakistanis, the people of Afghanistan are Afghans, he wrote in The Elephants of Style. The word afghani refers solely to the countrys main unit of currency. To call an Afghan an afghani is like calling an American a dollar.

Mr. Walsh said he tried to steer clear of absolutes in language, but he had his peeves. The semicolon is an ugly bastard, he wrote in Lapsing Into a Comma, and thus I try to avoid it.

The hyphen, however, he found beautiful  an instrument of clarity and precision.

Most people dont understand hyphens, so they lash out against them, he told American Journalism Review. Im a big advocate of the hyphen. If you write the orange juice salesman, you have a salesman whos orange. The orange-juice salesman is more precise.

William Francis Walsh was born in Pottsville, Pa., on Dec. 20, 1961, and completed high school in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, Ariz. He was a 1984 journalism graduate of the University of Arizona.

He worked at the now-defunct Phoenix Gazette and the Washington Times before joining The Post.

In 2000, he married Dupree. Besides his wife, of Washington, survivors include his mother and stepfather, Molly Chilinski and Gary Chilinski of Eloy, Ariz.; two brothers, Terence Walsh of Frederick, Md., and Kenneth Walsh of New York City, both copy editors; and a sister, Jennifer Jaurigue of Chandler, Ariz.

Mr. Walsh was a frequent presenter at conferences of the American Copy Editors Society, and in 2016 he was a keynote speaker at a gathering of the Editors Association of Canada.

The New Yorkers Norris, the other keynote presenter, recalled that Mr. Walsh was addressing some nitpicking thing like whether or not to continue to capitalize the Internet. The hard-liners still capitalize it (and make two words of Web site, with the cap), although the future is clear. The kids will lower-case it, because [and this is pure Bill] what dont they lower-case? He held out hope for them, though. He showed a slide of a beach chair and a cocktail, the implication being that once we retire  or go to our reward  they can do what they want.
Although Jeff Sessions came to town Wednesday to talk about crime, the attorney general didnt invite top Virginia lawmakers. But his appearance did invite protests.

About 70 people angered by Sessionss visit with state and federal law enforcement officers had gathered outside the downtown SunTrust building by shortly after 9 a.m., bundled against the 25-degree cold.

Just down the hill from the State Capitol, two delegates and a state senator  all Democrats  told the crowd that Sessions was not fit for his office.

Mr. Sessions, please do us all a public service by owning up to your history  from your attempt to intimidate black voters to your refusal to tell the truth to the Judiciary Committee about your contact with Russian officials  and step down from this highest office of the land, Del. Delores L. McQuinn (D-Richmond) said to cheers.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor, joined the protesters, who were told by building security to stay outside on the sidewalk as Sessions spoke on the fourth floor.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, at the podium, gestures during a news conference after a speech before law enforcement officers on Wednesday in Richmond. (Steve Helber/AP)

Neither Northam, Gov. Terry McAuliffe or Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring  all Democrats  were invited to the event with Sessions, Northam noted. To have him come to Richmond, our back yard, and not even issue an invitation to us, I think, is unacceptable, Northam said.

He blasted Sessions for failing to disclose his meetings with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing. To have the highest-ranking law enforcement agent in the country unable to tell the truth is unacceptable, so Ive called on him to resign, Northam said.

Northams rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, former congressman Tom Perriello, has also called on Sessions to resign. Perriello was not at the protest.

All around Northam, protesters held signs, chanted and marched to the rear of the building in search of Sessionss motorcade. Having missed him, they continued on around the block. One woman banged on a skillet with a wooden spoon as the crowd chanted, Sessions out of RVA! and No Sessions! No KKK! No fascist USA!

I just think its our civic responsibility to make our voices heard, said Angela Lovett, 52, a retired military veteran from the Richmond suburb of Midlothian. After attending the Womens March on Washington shortly after President Trumps inauguration, Lovett said she felt a new urgency to get politically involved. Like others in the crowd, she said she had learned of Sessionss visit through Facebook alerts.

Like a lot of people, weve been appalled by this administration, said her friend Moulton Avery, 68, who runs a nonprofit organization that promotes cold water safety. Every single day its just another thing I thought Id never see in my lifetime. This man Sessions  hes just another wolf in front of the chicken house. He lies under oath to Congress, and its like no big deal. In any normal situation, he wouldve been out.

Avery held a sign that said Liar Liar Pants on Fire and LGBTQ Rights are Human Rights.

Montigue Magruder, 30, of Richmond, said he was less concerned about allegations that Sessions had communications with Russia and more concerned about his record on civil rights.

Quite frankly, I think he promotes white supremacy, said Magruder, who is African American and works in elder care. He opposed the Voting Rights Act, and that impacts people like me, he said.

Calling the Russia issue a bunch of red baiting, he said that we need to oppose him on his actual track record . . . how hes intimidated black voters and what not.

Nearby, Margaret Doyle held a sign that said I stand with Coretta, a reference to the letter Coretta Scott King wrote about Sessions in the 1980s and that Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was prevented from reading on the Senate floor during Sessionss confirmation.

Obviously, Jeff Sessions is not qualified to be our attorney general. He perjured himself. He lied! He lied, and he should resign, said Doyle, 58, who owns a catering company in Richmond. As she spoke, drivers motoring by on Main Street honked their horns and sent up a round of cheers in the crowd.
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, seen at a news conference last month, proposed a green bank on Wednesday to fund projects to cut emissions in the nations capital. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)

D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser wants to set aside $7 million in city funds next year to lend money to building owners and developers to make improvements that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the nations capital.

The proposal for a green bank would have D.C. emulate similar but larger efforts underway in Connecticut, New York and several other Democrat-controlled states.

Tommy Wells, Bowsers director of the Energy and Environment Department, said the fund would allow large building owners and those undertaking renovations to obtain affordable loans to replace aging heating, ventilation and cooling systems  among the largest sources of carbon emissions in the city. Low-interest loans would also be available to fund more-experimental technologies, such as geothermal heating from D.C. sewer lines, he said.

We have many buildings with HVAC systems that are reaching their end-of-life cycles, and thats a problem  74 percent of all greenhouse gases in the city come from energy consumption of buildings, Wells said. How do they get good, cheap financing? With a green bank, were in a position to fund major renovations with high-efficiency systems.

In a statement, Bowser said the fund would allow Washington to lead the way, becoming the first U.S. city to have a green bank.

By creating a Green Bank, we will create more jobs for D.C. residents, which will allow us to continue our push for inclusive prosperity, she said.

But the mayors reference to the District as a city  and for the purposes of ranking it first among municipalities  runs counter to her stance that D.C. should be considered a state.

Bowser usually refers to the District as a jurisdiction with the combined responsibilities of a city, a county and a state. Last year, she presided over the drafting of a state constitution and led a successful referendum campaign to win voter approval to petition Congress to recognize the District as the 51st state.

But when it comes to touting the Districts environmental achievements, Bowser seems to refer to her home town as a city. When she announced a contract to purchase wind power last year, she said the deal was the largest wind-power deal of its kind ever entered into by an American city.

The Districts green bank would be a fraction of the size of those that exist in states. Connecticut launched its green bank with an annual contribution of $35 million, or five times that proposed in D.C. New Yorks began with a $210 million investment and plans to grow its fund to $1 billion.

Wells, however, said each dollar in D.C. public investment could leverage $5 in private financing. A department fact sheet on the program also suggests that the District could accelerate borrowing by issuing bonds that would be paid for in part with the $7 million in annual financing in Bowsers proposal.

In addition to replacing heating and cooling systems, city literature says the fund could be used to underwrite loans for rooftop solar systems with batteries to guarantee energy for building occupants. The money could also fund District-scale infrastructure such as anaerobic digesters, microgrid infrastructure, or fuel cells.

To operate like a state green bank, the District would have to set up an independent financing authority. Bowser is proposing a board of 11 mayoral appointees with experience in finance and sustainability to run the bank.
The University of Maryland is taking new steps to coordinate services for undocumented immigrants who are enrolled at College Park.

Officials at U-Md. and many other colleges and universities have repeatedly expressed solidarity with these students since the presidential election. President Trump took a hard line against illegal immigration during his campaign, but he has recently suggested that he hopes to work out a solution for some who were young children when they arrived in the United States.

This week, U-Md. said it will assign a person on its staff to coordinate services for undocumented students as part of an ongoing commitment to them. University spokeswoman Katie Lawson said that the coordinator will address the immediate needs of those students and that we will continue to assess the need for staff support moving forward.

[Ivy League students, professors, alumni ask schools to be sanctuaries ]

Lawson said the university is also forming a working group to focus on undocumented students, drawing on expertise from various corners of the campus community.

U-Md. is not the only school to take such actions. Georgetown University last fall appointed a part-time adviser to serve undocumented students.

Exactly how many undocumented students are at the 38,000-student university is unclear. The university has said that it has a little more than 100 students who qualified for a federal program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which protects certain immigrants from deportation if they arrived before their 16th birthday.

The Diamondback, a student newspaper, reported the news about the coordinator Monday.

The developments come after ProtectUMD, a coalition of student groups, developed a list of demands addressing issues that marginalized students face. Included on that list, according to the Diamondback, was a call for an undocumented-student coordinator.

Applying to a state institution can be difficult for undocumented students, said Erica Fuentes, 22, president of the student organization Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society. A lot of times college applications require students to disclose personal information about themselves, oftentimes [asking] residency questions and things like that.

Fuentes said a coordinator could help students with that process and with various other legal issues. But there is more to do than paperwork.



A coordinator could give emotional counsel and support as well, Fuentes said. Undocumented students face a lot of issues because theyre balancing going to school, oftentimes paying their tuition entirely out of pocket because they dont qualify for financial aid.

[Advocates warn dreamers to lie low as Trump ramps up deportation plans]

As a presidential candidate, Trump made undocumented immigrants a central part of his campaign, often stirring crowds at rallies with heated rhetoric. He promised to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico and to hire thousands of new border agents to deport those who are in the country illegally, particularly if they have criminal records.

Since Trump took office, immigrant communities across the country have been shaken by hundreds of arrests.
Fairfax County

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax County Police Department. For information, call 703-246-2253.

Fair Oaks District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Brian Dr., 9200 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a residence.

Caronia Way, 4700 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Lake Normandy Ct., 5300 block, March 5. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., 12300 block, March 6. A cellphone was stolen from a vehicle.

Lee Hwy., 11100 block, March 5. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Metrotech Dr., 13800 block, March 5. A laptop was stolen from a business.

Venturi Lane, 13600 block, March 6. Property was stolen from a residence.

Franconia District

INDECENT EXPOSURE

Springfield Mall, 6700 block, 5:30 p.m. March 5. A man was charged with exposing himself to a 47-year-old woman in a mall parking lot. The man drove up next to the victim as she was walking and spoke to her, police said. When she looked over, she saw him touching himself inappropriately and called police. Officers identified the man and obtained a misdemeanor warrant for indecent exposure.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Backlick Rd., 6400 block, March 9. A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle.

Bismach Dr., 5600 block, March 8. Tires were stolen from a vehicle.

Edsall Rd., 6400 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Frontier Dr., 6700 block, March 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Grandwind Dr., 7700 block, 10 p.m. March 9. Residents came home to find an unknown man inside their home. As one resident called police, the man ran toward the other and pushed her to the floor. The man then ran out of the house. The victim did not require medical attention. K9 and Fairfax 1 helped search for the man, who was described as a man of unknown race wearing all black, including a black mask over his face.

Gunston Plaza, 7700 block, March 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Hilltop Village Center, 7900 block, March 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesville Blvd., 7100 block, March 9. Tires were stolen from a vehicle.

Monroe Dr., 5700 block, March 9. Rims and tires were stolen from a vehicle.

Rose Hill Dr., 6000 block, March 8. A watch was stolen from a residence.

Springfield Towne Center, 6600 block, March 5. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Mason District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Blvd., 6100 block, March 5. Beer was stolen from a business.

Arlington Blvd., 6200 block, March 6. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Center Lane, 5700 block, 10:53 p.m. March 4. Tools were stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 6800 block, March 6. A purse was stolen from a business.

Ellery Cir., 3500 block, March 9. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Knoll Dr., 3000 block, March 9. Jewelry was stolen from a residence.

Larchmont Dr., 3600 block, March 5. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 5500 block, March 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 6100 block, March 5. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Little River Tpk., 6200 block, March 8. Snacks were stolen from a business.

Little River Tpk., 6500 block, March 8. Chainsaws were stolen from a business.

Seminole Ave., 4800 block, March 9. Property was stolen from a residence.

Seven Corners Pl., 6400 block, 8:49 a.m. March 4. A medical prescription pad was stolen from a business.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Little River Tpk., 6200 block, March 5. A 2013 Toyota Corolla.

14th St. S., 3600 block, March 6. A 2007 Ford E-150 with a Goldline camper.

McLean District

ROBBERY

Lawndale Dr., 6600 block, 7:06 p.m. March 3.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Balls Hill Rd., 1400 block, March 5. A bag was stolen from a vehicle.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1400 block, March 8. A purse was stolen from a business.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1900 block, March 5. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1900 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1900 block, March 6. Cash was stolen from a business.

Georgetown Pike, 6500 block, March 6. A cellphone was stolen from a school.

International Dr., 2000 block, March 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Lee Hwy., 8100 block, March 9. Liquor was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 8000 block, March 6. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 8400 block, March 5. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Lewinsville Park Ct., 7300 block, March 9. A package was stolen from a business.

Old Maple Sq., 7400 block, March 9. GPS devices were stolen from a vehicle.

Old Meadow Rd., 1800 block, March 5. Copper was stolen from a vehicle.

Towers Crescent Plaza, 1800 block, March 9. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Mount Vernon District

ASSAULT

Richmond Hwy., 7300 block, 5:59 p.m. March 8. Assault on law enforcement.

ROBBERIES

Richmond Hwy., 7100 block, 10:25 p.m. March 4.

Tower Dr., 6600 block, 7:13 p.m. March 5.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Dr., 2600 block, March 5. Property was stolen from a residence.

Audubon Ave., 7900 block, March 8. A cellphone was stolen from a residence.

Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy., 5600 block, March 5. Beer was stolen from a business.

Mount Vernon Square Center, 7400 block, March 5. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Old Mount Vernon Rd., 9200 block, March 9. A purse was stolen from a business.

Parkers Lane, 2500 block, March 6. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Parson Ct., 7200 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 6200 block, March 6. A cellphone was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6600 block, March 9. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, March 5. Beer was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, March 5. A purse was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7800 block, March 9. A key was stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 7900 block, March 6. A purse was stolen from a business.

Sacramento Mews Pl., 5500 block, March 8. A package was stolen from a residence.

Stirrup Lane, 2100 block, March 5. A cellphone was stolen from a residence.

Stover Dr., 7200 block, March 5. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

Stover Dr., 7200 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Wakefield Dr., 6600 block, March 8. A passport was stolen from a residence.

Westfield Ct., 7100 block, March 5. An electronic device was stolen from a vehicle.

VEHICLE THEFT

Arlington Dr., 2700 block, March 5. A 2012 Subaru Impreza.

Reston District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Beaver Cir., 1700 block, 11 p.m. March 3 to 7 a.m. March 4. Small electronics were stolen from a residence entered through a door.

Bowman Towne Dr., 11900 block, March 8. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Hunters Woods Plaza, 2300 block, March 6. Beer was stolen from a business.

Hunters Woods Plaza, 2300 block, March 8. Beer was stolen from a business.

James Madison Cir., 2500 block, March 5. A wallet was stolen from a residence.

Tryton Way, 12100 block, 3 to 3:20 a.m. March 5. A purse and wallet were stolen from a residence entered by using a garage-door opener that was left in an unlocked car.

Sully District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Braddock Rd., 13800 block, March 5. A purse was stolen from a business.

Cochran Pl., 4700 block, March 6. A purse was stolen from a vehicle.

West Springfield District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Braddock Rd., 10600 block, March 5. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Groveland Dr., 8500 block, 3 p.m. March 2 to 3 p.m. March 3. Electronic items and apparel were stolen. There did not appear to be signs of forced entry.

Whitlers Creek Dr., 7200 block, March 8. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Woodwren Lane, 8600 block, March 9. A catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle.

Fairfax City

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax City Police Department. For information, call 703-273-2889.

ROBBERY

Layton Hall Dr., 1:31 a.m. March 8.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Fairfax Blvd., 10400 block, 7:52 p.m. March 4. An employee reported that someone had entered the building through a window and taken keys to several vehicles. The case is being investigated.

University Dr., 3900 block, 12:49 a.m. March 4. Shoplifting.

University Dr., 3900 block, 2:55 p.m. March 6. Shoplifting.

Falls Church

No incident report was received from the Falls Church Police Department. For information, call 703-248-5056.

Herndon

These were among incidents reported by the Herndon Police Department. For information, call 703-435-6846.

ASSAULTS

Elden St., 100 block, 12:25 p.m. March 4. Simple assault.

Elden St., 1100 block, 6:25 p.m. Feb. 27.

Florida Ave., 500 block, 4:10 p.m. March 4.

Hertford St., 1100 block, 8:43 p.m. Feb. 27. Simple assault.

Highcourt Lane, 2100 block, 3:39 p.m. Feb. 27. Simple assault.

Reneau Way, 300 block, 9:49 a.m. March 3. Simple assault.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bayshire Lane, 1400 block, 11:01 a.m. March 2. Tampering with a vehicle.

Elden St., 1200 block, 1:12 p.m. March 4. Shoplifting.

Post Dr., 600 block, 7:41 p.m. March 3. Shoplifting.

Reneau Way, 300 block, 9:24 a.m. March 4. From building.

Reneau Way, 400 block, 8:31 a.m. Feb. 27. From vehicle.

Saber Lane, 1000 block, 3:11 a.m. March 2. Tampering with a vehicle.

FRAUD

Spring St., 200 block, 4:41 p.m. Feb. 27. Credit card/ATM fraud.

VANDALISM

Magnolia Lane, 1200 block, 2:16 p.m. March 3. Destruction of property.

Van Buren St., 200 block, 2:23 p.m. March 4. Destruction of property.

Vienna

These were among incidents reported by the Vienna Police Department. For information, call 703-255-6396.

ASSAULT

Maple Ave. East, 300 block, 12:20 p.m. March 3. The owner of the building said that a verbal disagreement he had with one of his tenants became physical when the tenant pushed him. The owner was advised of the warrant process should he wish to pursue charges.

THEFT/BREAK-IN

Country Club Dr. NE, 900 block, 7:30 p.m. March 6. Petty theft.

VANDALISM

Cabin Rd. SE, 300 block, March 10.

Cherry St. SE, 100 block, 4:30 p.m. March 2. Destruction of property.
By Robert Owot

In Agago district in Northern Uganda, a -47- year -old man has committed suicide over unfair land distribution by his father.

The deceased has been identified as Mathew Obot, a resident of Olenyo West village, Adilang sub-county in Agago district.

LC III chairman of Adilang sub-county, Mohammed Okwir said Obot reportedly was not satisfied with how his father had split land among his brothers.

According to Okwir, after the land was split, Obot became a recluse. He later hanged himself on Tuesday.

Okwir has condemned the act and urged locals to seek alternative ways of addressing land disputes.
Marylands House of Delegates on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to Gov. Larry Hogans $43.5 billion budget after restoring nearly three-quarters of the $112.3 million in spending requirements the Republican leader had wanted to cut.

The chamber, which is on track to advance the revised fiscal plan to the Senate this week, added amendments to salvage funding Hogan planned to slash for a new hospital in Prince Georges County, state grants for poorer jurisdictions and teacher-retention, after-school and scholarship programs.

The plan would leave a general fund balance of $137 million at the end of fiscal 2018.

Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said the spending plan restores our commitments despite uncertainty in our current fiscal environment, referring to reduced revenue projections for the state.

The revised legislation would cut by more than two-thirds the $6.8 million Hogan proposed for scholarships to help low-income students attend private schools. The change would eliminate assistance for students previously enrolled in private schools but continue support for those whom the program recently helped switch from public to private institutions.

During a wide-ranging news conference Wednesday, Hogan noted that the legislature approved the scholarship program last year with broad bipartisan support, adding that Democrats are playing politics by attempting to cut this important funding, limiting opportunities for deserving kids in our state.

The House removed a provision in Hogans spending plan that would halve the $30 million in operating funds that existing law provides for the Prince Georges Regional Medical Center in fiscal 2018. The governor plans to make up for his proposed reduction in future budgets as part of a pledge to provide $55 million to the hospital over five years.

Lawmakers also restored $8.4 million for state grants to Baltimore and other jurisdictions that receive relatively little revenue from income taxes.

Additionally, the revised legislation would provide $4 million more than Hogans proposal to cover the cost of giving new teachers extra hours to adjust to their jobs and provide extra pay to educators who are certified with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

The House plan provides $5 million in state grants for the Public School Opportunities Enhancement Program in fiscal 2018, which Hogans proposal did not fund.

It reinstates $5 million in mandated annual funding for a program providing higher-education scholarships to students from poor school districts who meet strict academic and social requirements through middle and high school.

The House struck a provision that would have placed a 2 percent cap on increases to reimbursement rates for care providers who work with the developmentally disabled, allowing for a 3.5 percent increase instead. The change will cost the state $8.4 million.

Republicans tried to block several of the House amendments Wednesday, including one that would save about $1 million by using civilians to replace 50 state troopers, largely through attrition. Those troopers work in administrative and support positions.

To cut the state police at a time when our state is experiencing such violence and a heroin epidemic is simply unconscionable, Hogan said during his news conference.

McIntosh said during Wednesdays floor debate that no troopers would be taken off the streets or laid off.

This is not about removing state police, she said.
On Dec.4, D.C. police detained a gunman who had walked into Comet Ping Pong, a popular Northwest Washington restaurant and music venue. Police said no injuries were reported. (Sharif Silmi)

A North Carolina man accused of commandeering a Washington pizza restaurant with an assault-style rifle in December is expected to plead guilty in a deal with federal prosecutors, both sides told a federal judge Wednesday.

Terms of the plea offer to Edgar Maddison Welch, 28, of Salisbury, N.C., were not disclosed. The U.S. attorneys office for the District and Welchs federal defender said they had agreed on a plea in principle, but declined to comment further at a previously scheduled court appearance after a deadline to accept the deal or face trial expired Monday.

U.S. District Judge Ketanji B. Jackson ordered the parties to submit final terms to her by Monday and set a March 24 plea agreement hearing.

Welch pleaded not guilty Dec. 16 to a federal charge of interstate transportation of a firearm and ammunition and to two D.C. offenses: assault with a dangerous weapon and possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

Welch faced a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted of either the federal firearms or D.C. assault charges and a statutory maximum of 15 years in prison if convicted of the D.C. firearms count.

Meighan Stone leaves flowers and signs outside Comet Ping Pong on Dec. 5 in Washington. A man identified as Edgar Maddison Welch was arrested Sunday after coming to the restaurant armed. The incident was linked to fake news stories that have been dubbed Pizzagate. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

[Comet pizza gunman anticipated violent confrontation, police say]

Under a deal, Welch could plead to fewer or lesser charges, and prosecutors could agree to a far shorter recommended sentence under federal guidelines that factor in variables such as a defendants criminal history, cooperation and the specific facts of the case.

Jackson is not obligated to accept a plea offer or agreed-upon sentencing recommendations.

[Welchs parents say they are sorry for any heartaches son has caused]

In charging documents, an FBI agent said it appeared that Welch contemplated a violent confrontation at the restaurant, citing text messages, call records and other information retrieved from his phone.

Police said Welch was consumed with the viral conspiracy theory known as Pizzagate, which falsely linked Hillary Clinton to an alleged child sex trafficking ring. The story said the ring operated in the basement of Comet Ping Pong in upper Northwest D.C., where Clintons presidential campaign chairman, John Podesta, occasionally dined.

Welch prompted a panicked evacuation by customers on a Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, police said, when he walked into the restaurant with a .38-caliber Colt revolver and a Colt AR-15 rifle strapped across his chest.

(Whitney Shefte/The Washington Post)

[Edgar Welch federal complaint]

Welch fired the assault-style weapon two or three times inside the restaurant, police said. They said he also pointed the rifle toward an employee who had emerged from a back area of the restaurant after everyone else fled.

Welch did not shoot anyone and surrendered after he found no evidence of hidden rooms or sex trafficking, police said.

Police said in charging documents that Welch anticipated that his efforts could end in violence and tried to recruit two co-conspirators, citing text and calling records.

Raiding a pedo ring, possible [sic] sacrificing the lives of a few for the lives of many, Welch texted a friend two days before he drove to Washington in a Toyota Prius, according to federal prosecutors. The text continued: Standing up against a corrupt system that kidnaps, tortures and rapes babies and children in our own backyard.

Friends and family members had said they thought Welch was on a mission to save children, not to hurt anybody.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has repeatedly condemned the recreational use of marijuana. On Wednesday he went a step further, casting doubt on medical marijuana use.

I think medical marijuana has been hyped, maybe too much, he told reporters in Richmond after an event about violent crime. Dosages can be constructed in a way that might be beneficial, I acknowledge that, but if you smoke marijuana, for example, where you have no idea how much THC youre getting, its probably not a good way to administer a medicinal amount. So forgive me if Im a bit dubious about that.

Sessions vows crackdown on drug dealing and gun crime

Sessions also cast doubt, as he has before, on the use of marijuana to curb opioid addiction.

Studies have shown that medical marijuana laws and access to medical marijuana dispensaries are associated with fewer opioid deaths and less prescription painkiller abuse.

During his campaign, President Trump said he was 100 percent in favor of medical marijuana. White House spokesman Sean Spicer recently confirmed that the president sees a big difference between using marijuana for medical and recreational purposes.

The problem is that youre seeing now a disagreement between Sessions and the president on the issue of medical marijuana, said Michael Collins of the Drug Policy Alliance. Its concerning because the administration, the White House themselves, have sort of committed themselves to not going after medical marijuana. Sessions is out casting doubt on that.

Smoking is a necessary way to consume medical marijuana, he said, because chronic pain sufferers need the instantaneous relief other forms of the drug cannot provide. The dosage concern doesnt make sense, he said, because theres no evidence of fatal marijuana overdoses.

A congressional provision prevents the Justice Department from spending money to interfere with state-level medical marijuana programs. However, that appropriations amendment must be reauthorized this year. Twenty-eight states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico have medical marijuana programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Collins said the federal government could easily do research into marijuana efficacy, but that opponents of legalization are standing in the way.

The people complaining that more research needs to be done are the very people in a position to do the research, he said. But theyll never do it, because they know the research will show the positives.

Independent studies have generally found marijuana to be effective for treating chronic pain, nausea and vomiting in cancer patients, and muscle spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. But the Drug Enforcement Administration, which operates under the Justice Department, maintains that marijuana has no medical value.
A D.C. Superior Court judge overseeing the cases of more than 200 protesters arrested during the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Trump said Tuesday that prosecutors must begin informing defendants of the precise allegations against them  and how the government intends to prove each persons involvement in the chaotic riots.

During an arraignment in D.C. Superior Court for 16 people charged with felony rioting, Judge Lynn Leibovitz told prosecutors that she expects that defendants and their attorneys will be provided with detailed evidence. Though the government has alleged some specific crimes, it so far has largely lumped the protesters together.

I want you to provide each video and how the government identifies each defendant and point to where that defendant is being identified, Leibovitz told Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff. The judge said the prosecution should begin handing over that evidence by next month.

Kerkhoff said prosecutors were uploading multiple hours of police body camera footage of the riots. Leibovitz reiterated that defense attorneys need specific information on their clients alleged roles by any means necessary.

Last month, prosecutors indicted 214 people on felony rioting charges. One of those people also was charged with assaulting police officers. Others were linked to specific damage, including the torching of a limousine and the smashing of windows at a McDonalds restaurant and a Starbucks coffee shop. Six police officers were injured.

[Hundreds indicted in Jan. 20 inauguration rioting]

In coming weeks, dozens of those indicted will appear in court for their arraignments.

Leibovitz has not set a trial date but did schedule hearings for April.

In court Tuesday, 16 defendants  sitting in the jury box  pleaded not guilty. Several of those charged asked whether they could waive their appearance at their next court hearing because they live far from the District, including in Chicago, Pittsburgh and Vermont, and traveling to Washington is challenging.

Leibovitz denied their request and ordered each defendant to return for all hearings.

You are charged with a serious offense, a felony, and it is important that you are here for all proceedings, she said.

Identifying and proving each defendants purported role in the riots, defense attorneys have long argued, will be a challenge for the prosecution. Many of the protesters were wearing masks or had scarves over their faces.

According to the indictment, some protesters were armed with hammers, crowbars, bricks, rocks, flares and firecrackers. The group, prosecutors said in the indictment, cheered and celebrated the violence and destruction.

One attorney, Patrice Sulton, repeatedly requested that the judge require prosecutors to share evidence on behalf of her client.

It is physically impossible for every person charged to have engaged in all of the wrongdoing alleged in the indictment, Sulton said.

Of the 231 people arrested during the inauguration, 214 have been indicted. Prosecutors dropped charges against 16 people, including some journalists. Felony rioting carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Federal prosecutors agreed Wednesday to drop charges against an American University student accused of aiming a laser pointer at a U.S. Park Police helicopter on Inauguration Day if he completes a one-year term of good conduct including 100 hours of community service.

The felony case against George Herdeg, 21, an international-studies major from San Antonio, could be dismissed in as soon as six months if he completes his community service under a deferred-prosecution agreement reached by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erik M. Kenerson of the District and Herdegs lawyer, prominent white-collar defense attorney Abbe D. Lowell.

The signed deal was submitted to U.S. Magistrate Judge Robin M. Meriweather. A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips declined further comment, but a five-page agreement released by the office stated that Herdeg had agreed to court supervision, to remain a full-time student or regularly employed and to commit no crimes or associate with convicted felons.

Herdeg and Lowell declined to comment after a brief hearing Wednesday afternoon.

In court filings, prosecutors said that when Herdeg was charged in January, he denied to police intentionally aiming a laser pointer in his possession at an aircraft. Federal law requires proof of a defendants intent to find guilt.

In the prosecution agreement, Herdeg acknowledged that he knowingly aimed the laser beam into the police helicopters flight path, but it was not his intent to have the beam make contact with the helicopter. However, the agreement states, the beam in fact struck the helicopter itself.

Prosecutors disclosed Herdegs arrest at the same time they announced charging more than 200 demonstrators with felony rioting after damage was done to storefronts and a limousine was set on fire in a four-block area near 13th and K streets NW the afternoon of President Trumps inauguration. Sixteen of those cases have been dismissed, including those brought against some journalists swept up while covering protests, and 214 people have been charged with offenses under District law.

[Inauguration protesters vandalize, set fires, try to disrupt Trumps oath]

Family members at court previously said Herdeg was not a protester.

Herdeg was charged under a federal law that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. He had been ordered not to possess a laser pointer and was released on his own recognizance pending the hearing Wednesday.

[Inauguration Days mass arrests are challenging for prosecutors]

According to charging documents, personnel aboard Eagle 3, a U.S. Park Police helicopter that was circling demonstrations near Franklin Square about 3:41 p.m. on Jan. 20, saw transient green flash[es], which they understood as a laser pointer being pointed at the aircraft.

Law enforcement officers canvassing on the ground a short time later saw a beam coming from a group of six men, including Herdeg, who was carrying the device, according to court filings. Herdeg was arrested and later admitted using the laser, Park Police detective Andrew Watson said in an affidavit to the court.

A Justice Department spokeswoman said that from 2013 to 2015, prosecutors filed 18 to 20 cases a year involving laser-pointer incidents with aircraft, although the number fell to 11 last year and one in the current fiscal year between Oct. 1. and Jan. 23.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday pledged aggressive criminal prosecution of drug dealers and gun-toting felons to combat what he described as a troubling rise in violent crime.

I am determined that this country will not go backwards, Sessions said as he addressed law enforcement officials in Richmond. President Trump gave us a clear directive. Its the policy of this administration to reduce crime in America, not preside over an increase in crime, but reduce crime.

Sessions traveled to Virginias capital to highlight Project Exile, a two-decades-old federal program that gives felons caught carrying guns mandatory five-year prison sentences.

The crime rate in our country remains at historic lows, the attorney general acknowledged in his remarks. But were beginning to see an increase again.

He attributed that increase to less forceful prosecutions and lower sentences, a declining prison population and a growing opioid epidemic. He also said that in this age of viral videos and targeted killings of police, police officers in many communities were afraid to do their jobs.

The solution, Sessions said, is to hammer drug dealers and other criminals while bringing back the drug abstinence campaigns of the 1980s and 1990s.

We have too much of a tolerance for drug use, Sessions said. We need to say, as Nancy Reagan said, Just say no. Theres no excuse for this, its not recreational. Lives are at stake, and were not going to worry about being fashionable.

Sessions scoffed at the idea, promoted by some doctors and researchers, that medical marijuana can be used as an alternative painkiller to prevent or treat opioid addiction.

Ive heard people say we could solve our heroin problem with marijuana, he said. How stupid is that? Give me a break!

After his speech, Sessions told reporters he believed medical marijuana has been hyped, maybe too much. He added that his office may rethink parts of an Obama-era policy that largely allows individual states to legalize marijuana use.

Critics of Project Exile said the five-year mandatory minimum disproportionately affected poor black Americans. Sessions said he was sensitive to these issues but that most people in low-income African American neighborhoods want tough criminal penalties.

Recalling his own time as a prosecutor in Alabama, Sessions said that the people in those communities pleaded with us to have more police and do a better job getting thugs off the street.

Sessionss visit came amid questions over Trumps wiretapping claims and Sessionss own communications with the Russian government.

Sessions told reporters he had not told the president anything that might back up the allegation that Barack Obama spied on Trump before the election. The attorney general has recused himself from that issue, he said, because of his involvement in the campaign.

The Justice Department asked this week for more time to turn over any information that might back up Trumps claims.

Sessions said that he didnt consider his meetings with the Russian ambassador to be improper because they didnt discuss the campaign.

The appearance drew about 70 demonstrators, who gathered outside in the cold. They criticized Sessionss record on civil rights and his failure to disclose contacts with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing. Sessions out of RVA! and No Sessions! No KKK! No fascist U.S.A., they chanted.

The group was joined by Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. He noted that neither he nor the governor had been invited, which he called unacceptable.

Inside, Sessions largely focused on prosecuting violent crime.

[Sessions greeted in Richmond by protesters]

The idea behind Project Exile, which was started to combat gang violence in Richmond, was to seize guns from people who were carrying them illegally and were most likely to use them in crimes. At the time, Richmond had one of the five highest per capita murder rates in the nation.

The programs name came from the fact that, if convicted, a suspect would immediately be sent to a federal prison, often far from home.

During Project Exiles first year, Richmond homicides declined 33 percent, and armed robberies declined 30 percent.

In 1999, the projects second year, homicides declined another 21 percent.

But sentencing reform advocates have criticized the program, which was replicated in some other cities, such as Rochester, N.Y.

Its far from clear that Project Exile produced any of the benefits supporters attribute to it, Kevin Ring, president of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, said in an interview. Thats no surprise. One-size-fits-all federal programs dont work, even in criminal justice. The American way of doing justice is making the time fit the crime, not giving the same cookie-cutter sentence to everyone.

Ring said that national studies are mixed on the programs results. Gun crime fell over the same period in cities that didnt use Project Exile, he said.

Rep. Robert C. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), who has opposed Project Exile for many years, said the crime rate actually fell further in parts of Virginia that did not use the program.

Everyone knows that mandatory minimums dont work, Scott said. They have been studied extensively and fail to reduce crime and waste taxpayers money. . . . The only people they work for are politicians yelling at crowds trying to get a standing ovation.

Project Exile continues, according to the Justice Department, but Sessions said the number of cases brought under the policy has been declining.

This downward trend is going to end, he said. Were going to attempt to bring more of those cases and exile people out of Richmond to some federal penitentiary for a while.

Gregory S. Schneider contributed to this report.
This image provided by the FBI is the most wanted poster for Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, a Jordanian woman charged in connection with a 2001 bombing of a Jerusalem pizza restaurant that killed 15 and injured dozens. The case against Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi was filed under seal in 2013 but announced publicly by the Justice Department on Tuesday. The FBI has added Al-Tamimi, who served eight years in prison after pleading guilty in an Israeli court, to its list of Most Wanted Terrorists. (FBI via AP/AP)

U.S. authorities have added a Jordanian woman to the FBIs list of most wanted terrorists and unsealed charges against her in a 2001 suicide bombing attack at a crowded Jerusalem pizzeria that killed 15 people, including two Americans.

A U.S. official indicated that the Justice Department on Tuesday unsealed a July 2013 complaint against Ahlam Aref Ahmad Al-Tamimi, also known as Khalti and Halati, because law enforcement officials no longer thought that keeping it secret would aid U.S. efforts to obtain her custody.

Al-Tamimi pleaded guilty in Israel in 2003 and was sentenced to 16 life terms for assisting the bomber in the Aug. 9, 2001, attack on a Sbarro restaurant, according to charging documents.

Among the 15 dead were Judith Shoshana Greenbaum, a pregnant 31-year-old from New Jersey, and Malka Roth, a 15-year-old Israeli who also had dual U.S.-Australian citizenship. Four U.S. citizens were among more than 120 injured.

[Terror strikes Jerusalem]

New Jersey schoolteacher Judith Shoshana Greenbaum, right, is shown with her husband, Shmuel Greenbaum, in an undated photo taken in the summer of 2000. (AP)

A former student working part time as a television journalist, Al-Tamimi met with and drove the bomber to the target after pledging to carry out attacks on behalf of the military wing of the Palestinian organization Hamas, according to an FBI affidavit included with the complaint.

Al-Tamimi served eight years before being released in October 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, and returned to Jordan, which forbids extradition of its nationals, Justice Department officials said.

[Gilad Shalit prisoner swap: Israel names 447 to be freed; victims families protest]

Al-Tamimis release was controversial, as was the exchange of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for a single Israeli soldier. In interviews from prison, Al-Tamimi described driving the bomber and then going on Palestinian television to announce the news of the attack.

[Prisoner swap with Israel emboldens Hamas]

In 2012, then-Reps. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), Howard L. Berman (D-Calif.) and 50 other members of Congress backed by relatives of terrorism victims and pro-Israel groups called on the Justice Department to prosecute Al-Tamimi and others.

In a statement announcing the case Tuesday with U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips of the District and FBI Washington Field Office Director Andrew Vale, acting U.S. assistant attorney general for national security Mary B. McCord said, The charges unsealed today serve as a reminder that when terrorists target Americans anywhere in the world, we will never forget  and we will continue to seek to ensure that they are held accountable.

Malka Chana Roth was known as Malki. (Family photo)

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to explain the timing of the action, a U.S. official added: We seek a court order to seal charges whenever we, in consultation with our law enforcement partners, believe that keeping the charges sealed will assist in our efforts to obtain custody of the defendant. When we and our law enforcement partners no longer believe that keeping the charges sealed will aid in those efforts, we unseal the charges.

The Justice Department said it will continue working with foreign partners to gain custody of Al-Tamimi.
Tierek Ty Jay Thomas, 20, of the District, left, and Samuel F. Brown, 20, of Hyattsville, are charged with first-degree murder and other counts in the Feb. 10 death of Waasi Harron Raheem Young, 20, a Washington rapper. (Montgomery County Police)

The robbers, police say, had a plan: Lure a marijuana dealer to a dead-end street, surround his car and take his $1,000 worth of pot.

Things didnt go as planned.

You are shooting me! one of the men yelled, just before he was killed by at least one of his alleged robbery associates, according to police accounts in Montgomery County District Court.

The accounts, along with a prosecutors summary of the case at a court hearing Friday, describe chaotic gunfire at 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 along Hawk Run Terrace, a community of townhouses in Montgomery Village.

Killed in the incident was Waasi Harron Raheem Young, 20, a Washington rapper who went by YC or TrapFlavaCee, according to court records.

The purported marijuana dealer also was shot but managed to flee  in a different car  and went to a hospital, according to court records. He is expected to survive.

Authorities have charged two men with felony murder, a charge brought under the legal argument that they killed someone  Young  while committing other felonies: the attempted robbery and attempted murder of the surviving reputed drug dealer, according to court records. Police identified the suspects as Samuel Fayomi Brown, 20, of Hyattsville, and Tierek Ty Jay Thomas, 20, of Washington.

It is unclear from court records whether Brown has retained an attorney. At the Friday hearing for Thomas, John Lavigne, a public defender representing him, questioned whether there was any direct evidence tying Thomas to the crime scene. Lavigne said Thomas was a high school graduate, had no previous criminal record, had been living in a hotel provided by a shelter agency, and was helping to raise a child. His family ran into some hard times, Lavigne said.

Thomas and Brown are being held in the Montgomery County jail on no-bond status.

For police, the case began on the afternoon of Feb. 10 when they received multiple 911 calls for a shooting. They arrived at Hawk Run Terrace to find Youngs body. They soon learned that a second man had shown up at a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds.

That man, authorities said, gave an account to detectives.

He said he was a drug dealer, detectives said, and had received a call requesting a delivery of marijuana along with a text with the address for the delivery.

After pulling up, detectives said in their account of his conversation, two men got in the alleged dealers car  one in front and one in back  as a silver Hyundai Sonata pulled in behind him, blocking his vehicle. Authorities say they were able to corroborate parts of his account with at least one witness, cellphone records and rental-car records.

Shots are fired within the car, Montgomery County Assistant States Attorney John Lalos said in court. Subjects from the blocking vehicle, if you will, exit. . . . They were armed and they began shooting.

It was at that point, police say, that Young called out that he was being shot at.

After the shooting stopped, the robbery crew ran off in different directions, police said. The man identified as the drug dealer, unable to drive his trapped car, made his way to the Hyundai, according to police.

He fled the scene, Lalos said, essentially escaping what had been a drug rip  with him as the victim.

Authorities contend that Brown was part of the pair who climbed in the alleged dealers car, getting in the front seat. They said Thomas was one of the men who emerged from the Hyundai and began shooting.

Police arrested Brown and Thomas on Thursday, and said that when they pulled over Thomas in a vehicle, he had a loaded .40-caliber handgun with him.

Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report.
A federal judge in Hawaii on Wednesday issued a sweeping freeze of President Trumps new executive order hours before it would have temporarily barred the issuance of new visas to citizens of six Muslim-majority countries and suspended the admission of new refugees.

In a blistering 43-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson pointed to Trumps own comments and those of his close advisers as evidence that his order was meant to discriminate against Muslims and declared there was a strong likelihood of success that those suing would prove the directive violated the Constitution.

Watson declared that a reasonable, objective observer  enlightened by the specific historical context, contemporaneous public statements, and specific sequence of events leading to its issuance  would conclude that the Executive Order was issued with a purpose to disfavor a particular religion.

He lambasted the government, in particular, for asserting that because the ban did not apply to all Muslims in the world, it could not be construed as discriminating against Muslims.

The illogic of the Governments contentions is palpable, Watson wrote. The notion that one can demonstrate animus toward any group of people only by targeting all of them at once is fundamentally flawed.

Early Thursday, a federal judge in Maryland issued a second, narrower injunction against the measure  suspending only the portion that stopped the issuance of visas to citizens of six Muslim-majority countries. In that case, U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang also pointed to statements by Trump and his advisers made that, in Chuangs opinion, indicated the executive order was the realization of the long-envisioned Muslim ban.

These statements, which include explicit, direct statements of President Trumps animus toward Muslims and intention to impose a ban on Muslims entering the United States, present a convincing case that the First Executive Order was issued to accomplish, as nearly as possible, President Trumps promised Muslim ban, Chuang wrote.

At a rally in Nashville on Wednesday, Trump called the Hawaii court ruling terrible and asked a cheering crowd whether the ruling was done by a judge for political reasons. He said the administration would fight the case as far as it needs to go, including up to the Supreme Court, and rued that he had been persuaded to sign a watered-down version of his first travel ban.

Let me tell you something, I think we ought to go back to the first one and go all the way, Trump said. The danger is clear, the law is clear, the need for my executive order is clear.

Sarah Isgur Flores, a spokeswoman for the Justice Department, said in a statement: The Department of Justice strongly disagrees with the federal district courts ruling, which is flawed both in reasoning and in scope. The Presidents Executive Order falls squarely within his lawful authority in seeking to protect our Nations security, and the Department will continue to defend this Executive Order in the courts.

(Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

Watson was one of three federal judges to hear arguments Wednesday about the ban, though he was the first to issue an opinion.

A ruling was also expected from a federal judge in Washington.

As the ruling in Hawaii was being handed down, James L. Robart, the federal judge in Washington state who froze Trumps first travel ban, was hearing arguments about whether he should freeze the second. He said he did not think his first freeze was still in effect, though he did not immediately rule on whether he should issue a new one.

Watsons decision might not be the last word. He was considering only a request for a temporary restraining order, and while that required him to assess whether challengers of the ban would ultimately succeed, his ruling is not final on that question. The Justice Department could appeal the ruling or wage a longer-term court battle before the judge in Hawaii.

Watsons decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by Hawaii. Lawyers for the state alleged that the new entry ban, much like the old, violated the establishment clause of the First Amendment because it was essentially a Muslim ban, hurt the ability of state businesses and universities to recruit top talent, and damaged the states robust tourism industry.

They pointed to the case of Ismail Elshikh, the imam of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, whose mother-in-laws application for an immigrant visa was still being processed. Under the new executive order, attorneys for Hawaii said, Elshikh feared that his mother-in-law, a Syrian national, would ultimately be banned from entering the United States.

[Why Hawaii says Trumps new travel ban is still unconstitutional]

Dr. Elshikh certainly has standing in this case. He, along with all of the Muslim residents in Hawaii, face higher hurdles to see family because of religious faith, lawyer Colleen Roh Sinzdak said at a hearing Wednesday. It is not merely a harm to the Muslim residents of the state of Hawaii, but also is a harm to the United States as a whole and is against the First Amendment itself.

Elshikh is a U.S. citizen of Egyptian descent who has been a resident of Hawaii for over a decade. His wife is of Syrian descent and is also a resident of Hawaii.

Justice Department lawyers argued that Trump was well within his authority to impose the ban, which was necessary for national security, and that those challenging it had raised only speculative harms. They bear the burden of showing irreparable harm  and there is no harm at all, said the acting U.S. solicitor general, Jeffrey Wall, who argued on behalf of the government in Greenbelt, Md., in the morning and by phone in Hawaii in the afternoon.

Watson agreed with the state on virtually all the points. He ruled that the state had preliminarily demonstrated its universities and tourism industry would be hurt, and that harm could be traced to the executive order. He wrote that Elshikh had alleged direct, concrete injuries to both himself and his immediate family.

And Watson declared that the governments assertion of the national security need for the order was at the very least, secondary to a religious objective of temporarily suspending the entry of Muslims. He pointed to Trumps own campaign trail comments and public statements by advisers as evidence.

For instance, there is nothing veiled about this press release: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,  Watson wrote. Nor is there anything secret about the Executives motive specific to the issuance of the Executive Order. Rudolph Giuliani explained on television how the Executive Order came to be. He said: When [Mr. 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. 

Watson also pointed to a recent Fox News appearance by Stephen Miller, in which the presidents senior policy adviser said the new ban would have mostly minor technical differences from the previous iteration frozen by the courts, and Americans would see the same basic policy outcome for the country.

These plainly-worded statements, made in the months leading up to and contemporaneous with the signing of the Executive Order, and, in many cases, made by the Executive himself, betray the Executive Orders stated secular purpose, Watson wrote.

Opponents of the ban across the country  including those who had argued against it in different cases on Wednesday  hailed Watsons ruling.

Bob Ferguson, the Washington state attorney general who asked Robart to block the measure, called the Hawaii ruling fantastic news. Justin Cox, a staff attorney for the National Immigration Law Center who argued for a restraining order in the case in Maryland, said, This is absolutely a victory and should be celebrated as such, especially because the court held that the plaintiffs, that Hawaii was likely to succeed on its establishment clause claim which essentially is that the primary purpose of the executive order is to discriminate against Muslims.

Cox said while the judge did not halt the order entirely, he blocked the crucial sections  those halting the issuance of new visas and suspending the refugee program. Left intact, Cox said, were lesser-known provisions, including one that orders Homeland Security and the U.S. attorney general to publicize information about foreign nationals charged with terrorism-related offenses and other crimes. He said the provision seems designed to whip up fear of Muslims.

Its a shaming device that its really a dehumanizing device, he said. It perpetuates this myth, this damaging stereotype of Muslims as terrorists.

Trumps new entry ban had suspended the U.S. refugee program for 120 days and halted for 90 days the issuance of new visas to people from six Muslim-majority countries: Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Libya and Syria. It was different from the first entry ban in that it omitted Iraq from the list of affected countries, did not affect current visa or green-card holders and spelled out a robust list of people who might be able to apply for exceptions.

The administration could have defended the first ban in court  though it chose instead to rewrite the presidents executive order in such a way that it might be more defensible. The next step might have been to persuade the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to rehear the case en banc, after a three-judge panel with the court upheld the freeze on Trumps ban.

Hawaii is a part of the 9th Circuit, so the legal road could pass through the appeals court there again. Perhaps previewing the contentious fight ahead, five of the circuits judges on Wednesday signed a dissenting opinion in the case over the original travel ban, declaring Trumps decision to issue the executive order was well within the powers of the presidency. The judges wanted to wipe out a ruling by a three-judge panel declaring otherwise.

Above all, in a democracy, we have the duty to preserve the liberty of the people by keeping the enormous powers of the national government separated, Judge Jay S. Bybee wrote for the dissenters. We are judges, not Platonic Guardians. It is our duty to say what the law is, and the meta-source of our law, the U.S. Constitution, commits the power to make foreign policy, including the decisions to permit or forbid entry into the United States, to the President and Congress.

The dissent was signed by Judges Bybee, Sandra S. Ikuta, Consuelo M. Callahan and Carlos T. Bea, who all were appointed by President George W. Bush; and Judge Alex Kozinski, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan. It seemed to represent a minority view. The circuit has 25 active judges, and the court said a majority had not voted in favor of reconsidering the three-judge panels published opinion to keep Trumps first ban frozen.

That opinion was signed by Judges Michelle T. Friedland, who was appointed by President Obama; Richard R. Clifton, who was appointed by President George W. Bush; and Judge William C. Canby Jr., who was appointed by President Carter.

Judge Stephen Reinhardt, also a Carter appointee, formally joined their opinion Wednesday and remarked that only a small number of 9th Circuit judges wanted to overturn it.

Takase reported from Honolulu. Lornet Turnbull in Seattle contributed to this report.
Alexandria Vice Mayor Justin Wilson (D) pitches raising the advertised tax rate by 5.7 cents per $100 of assessed value at Tuesday night council meeting, as seen in this image from the meeting webcast. (Courtesy of Alexandria, Va.)

The Alexandria City Council voted 6 to 1 Tuesday night to advertise a property tax rate hike of 5.7 cents, more than twice what the city manager recommended, one day after scores of school advocates pressured the council to raise more money for school construction and maintenance.

The proposal, which would raise property taxes to $1.13 per $100 of assessed property value, could cost the average homeowner $356 more than what they now pay. The council also is considering higher fees for sewers and trash, and a new storm-water utility fee, all of which would add about $200 more to a homeowners bill in fiscal 2018.

Vice Mayor Justin Wilson (D) said that although the council might not enact the higher property tax rate he proposed, its time to consider how to raise more revenue. He coupled the tax rate proposal with a new joint city-schools committee that would create a city-and-schools facilities plan that could result in shared buildings.

I cant understand the suggestion that we are not going to introduce additional debt capacity, were not going to reduce massively our capital budget, were not going to introduce new revenue to the picture, and somehow were going make this happen. Its fantasy, its absolute fantasy, he said.

Even if the council were to adopt the 5.7 cent tax rate hike, it would not raise enough money to pay for all school and city needs, Wilson noted.

The city is facing significantly higher spending for Metro, a costly reconstruction of its combined sewer system in Old Town and a $661 million request from the school system  nearly triple its current plan  to rebuild or modernize one-third of all Alexandria schools in the next 10 years.

Under Virginia law, the City Council provides schools with local tax revenue. The School Board and superintendent decide how to spend it.

Mayor Allison Silberberg (D) was the lone no vote on advertising the higher tax rate, which essentially sets a ceiling for how much the council can raise taxes when approving the annual budget.

She said that she favored the city managers proposed property tax hike of 2.7 cents, especially because residents will have to deal with new fees.

To have that 5.7 cent increase on top of the new fees is a great deal to ask of our taxpayers, Silberberg said. I dont think this is the time.
Seema Verma is sworn into office by Vice President Pence on Tuesday as her husband and children look on. Verma now heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Hours after she was sworn in, the Trump administrations top official for Medicaid and her boss dispatched a letter to the nations governors, urging states to alter the insurance program for the nations poor by imposing insurance premiums, charging them for part of emergency room bills and prodding them to get jobs.

The letter, sent Tuesday night by Seema Verma, the new administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, also derides the Medicaid expansion that 31 states and the District of Columbia adopted under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The expansion, which has extendedMedicaid to 11 million people with incomes of up to about $16,000 for a single person or nearly $34,000 for a family of four, was a clear departure from the core, historical mission of the program, the letter says.

By paying so much for covering these new beneficiaries, they contend, the ACA has provided states with an incentive to deprioritize the most vulnerable populations. The three-page letter does not mention that, for the first three years, the federal government paid the entire cost of covering the expansion group and still pays nearly all of that.

The message from Verma and Price signals an initial step toward redesigning the program along lines that conservatives have long favored and that the new Medicaid administrator brought to Indiana as a consultant and the chief architect of broad changes that state first adopted nearly a decade ago.

(Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

[Trump turns to conservative tacticians to run HHS and Medicare, Medicaid]

Both officials have in the past railed against a system that requires states to get federal permission to modernize their Medicaid programs. But the letter makes clear that they will, at least for now, continue to rely on a system in which states must request waivers to become exempt from federal rules so they can try different approaches within the program.

Medicaid covers 68 million low-income people, including children, pregnant women and those who are elderly or disabled as well as adults who merely are poor or qualify through the ACAs expansion.

The quick impetus for states to rethink their approach comes as House Republicans debate plans that would rewrite the program in fundamental ways, ending the federal governments open-ended responsibility in paying for beneficiaries costs while abolishing the ACAs expansion within several years.

A particular concern among critics of such conservative directions is the possibility that Medicaid might require people to be employed or training for jobs to qualify for benefits  as the nations main welfare program has done for the past two decades. In approving a variety of Medicaid experiments under the ACA, the Obama administration consistently rejected requests from any state that wanted to compel its Medicaid beneficiaries to hold a job.

Andy Slavitt, the acting administrator of CMS until January, said the new HHS and CMS leaders are going to do what they are going to do. These would shift the program in ways the Obama administration would not have done, he acknowledged. Still, he praised their intention to continue requiring waivers to test Medicaid experiments.

The letter from Verma and Price stops short of urging an outright work requirement, saying that CMS will review and approve meritorious innovations that build on the human dignity that comes with training, employment and independence.

Asked whether the Trump administration would allow states to impose work requirements within Medicaid, an HHS spokesman replied, We cant speculate.

[Tom Price belongs to a doctors group with unorthodox views on government and health]

Verma was sworn in on Tuesday, a day after the Senate confirmed her nomination by a vote of 55 to 43 along party lines. The vote reflected the deep divisions on Capitol Hill over the Trump administrations plans for the nations health-care system. At her confirmation hearing earlier this month, Verma sidestepped the question of whether she would favor a nationwide extension of the unusual Medicaid provisions she helped Indiana secure.

Indiana requires everyone who receives benefits to pay monthly premiums, and their contributions are invested in health savings accounts. Very poor people who do not make the payments are bumped down to a lower tier of coverage, while people with slightly more income are temporarily removed from the program.

CMS is a powerhouse within the Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing about $1 trillion in spending on the two vast entitlement programs. For the past seven years, the agency also has carried out most of the implementation of the ACA, which Trump and others in the GOP are working to demolish and replace with more conservative health policies.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Christian Gehrels, center, and an Afghan interpreter talk with Afghan men in eastern Paktika province in this file photo from 2011. An Afghan who helped the U.S. mission is facing deportation despite being granted a Special Immigrant Visa for his service to the United States. (Matt Ford/Associated Press)

A federal court late Wednesday stopped the Trump administration from deporting an Afghan man who is trying to enter the United States with a special visa reserved for those who have assisted the U.S. mission in Afghanistan at great risk to their own lives.

Hours before immigration officials were set to send the Special Immigrant Visa-recipient back to Afghanistan, the Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit on Wednesday granted a temporary stay of the deportation in response to an emergency request by the mans lawyers.

Department of Homeland Security officials detained the man, whom lawyers declined to identify for privacy reasons, when he arrived at Newark International Airport on Monday night, said Elizabeth Foydel, a lawyer for the International Refugee Assistance Project, one of three groups seeking his release.

His case would have been the first known removal of an Afghan recipient of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and is the second case in a matter of days involving SIV holders being detained while trying to enter the United States legally.

(Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

Foydel said immigration authorities had held the 25-year-old for nearly 36 hours without providing access to a lawyer, during which time the government says he voluntarily withdrew his application for entry to the United States. The U.S. State Department revoked his visa, at the request of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Tuesday night, she said.

CBP officials declined to comment on the mans case.

A federal judge had denied an initial request by the mans lawyers to prevent the deportation, but the appeals court blocked his removal.

Authorities earlier this month also sought to block an Afghan national carrying the same type of visa from entering the country with his wife and young children. A federal judge in Los Angeles last week halted an attempt by immigration officials to deny the familys entry.

[This family got U.S. visas after risking their lives for America. Then immigration officials tried to deport them.]

The U.S. government created the SIV program for Iraqi and Afghan nationals in 2007 in an effort to provide an immigration opportunity to people in those two countries who helped the U.S. missions there, often as interpreters for U.S. troops and diplomats, and at great personal peril.

The SIV vetting process is extensive and requires approval by multiple government agencies, including the DHS. Some applicants have gone into hiding to protect themselves while waiting years for approval to travel to the United States.

U.S. law stipulates that a successful Afghan SIV applicant must demonstrate Afghan citizenship or nationality, have been employed by or on behalf of the United States Government in Afghanistan . . . for not less than one year and have provided faithful and valuable service to the United States Government.

Advocates for the program, which has long enjoyed bipartisan support, say they fear that incidents such as this mans attempted removal  coming on the eve of a new government travel ban targeting primarily Muslim countries  could indicate a broader shift in U.S. policy. Advocates also argue that the visas are not only necessary to protect those who have helped the United States, but they also ensure further help and cooperation in U.S. war zones in the future.

[Afghan visa program extended despite pushback from immigration foes]

The Trump administration had planned to implement on Thursday a travel ban on new visa applicants from six majority-Muslim countries, a measure it says will prevent potential terrorists from entering the United States. But a federal judge in Hawaii froze the executive order nationwide Wednesday. Afghanistan, also a majority-Muslim country, is not on the list of countries Trump wants to ban, but the Afghan SIV holders lawyers think the detentions  for which immigration authorities have provided no reason  are related to the policy move.

In the first case involving an Afghan SIV holder, federal officials in Los Angeles this month detained an Afghan family, including three small children, as they entered the country. The family was released without charge last week after a federal judge intervened; the family had been held for four days.

Customs and Border Protection does not typically comment on individual cases, and an agency official declined to do so Wednesday. But the official said that a variety of things, including newly accessible intelligence, an individuals answers to questions, general nervousness or a lack of eye contact can all factor into a border officials decision to deny a person entry to the country, regardless of what kind of visa the person is carrying.

It is on the traveler, the burden of proof, to show that they are admissible to the United States, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly.

Foydel said it is difficult to say whether her client fully understood the implications of what he was doing when he agreed under questioning to relinquish his visa.

And Marion Goins Leon, a former soldier and contractor with the U.S. military who had worked with the man in Afghanistan, said the mans English is limited enough that if you talk to him too fast, he doesnt understand.

The governments argument appeared to hinge on the fact that man no longer had a valid visa  because it was revoked  and that, under questioning from border officials, he explicitly stated that he has no fear of returning to Afghanistan; and (2) voluntarily withdrew his application for admission to the United States, according to the decision by Judge Jose L. Linares of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Furthermore, the Government argues that aliens have no Constitutional right to entry to the United States or to a visa, even if they present themselves at a port of entry.

Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) on Wednesday introduced a bill to authorize an additional 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans, after program advocates reported last week that the U.S. Embassy in Kabul had halted the evaluation of new applicants.

This is a matter of life and death for interpreters and other support staff. As we speak, many of them are being hunted down by the Taliban and other terrorists, Shaheen said in a news release Wednesday. Shaheen spokesman Ryan Nickel said the senator last week sent a letter to DHS Secretary John Kelly, requesting information about the circumstances of the Afghan familys detention in Los Angeles. She did not receive a reply, Nickel said, and the senator planned to send another inquiry Wednesday about the Afghan man slated for deportation in New Jersey.

We have a moral obligation to protect the thousands of Afghans who put themselves, and their families, at risk to help our soldiers and diplomats, Shaheen said. To abandon them now would be a stain on our nations honor.

McCain, a decorated military veteran, echoed that concern: We simply cannot win this war without the assistance of the Afghan people who put their lives on the line to help American troops and diplomats serving in harms way.

Leon, the former soldier and military contractor who had employed the man in Afghanistan and sponsored his SIV application, said he had at one point provided his employee housing on the U.S. military base where he worked, because the man had been harassed and attacked on his way to work.

Leon said he had previously helped get about 10 of his former employees into the United States with visas. Hes the first one they did this to, Leon said.

This article has been updated.


Lacey Rzeszowski, left, Beth Little and Marjorie Fox listen to a speakers explanations during the Center for American Women in Politics weekend training seminar called Ready to Run at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., on March 11. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

 Beth Little joined tens of thousands of women in Washington when they marched to protest the presidency of Donald Trump, whose election in November unsettled the stay-at-home mom and community volunteer.

Just a few weeks later, Little joined 250 women at Rutgers University here to take the next step in her plan to push back against a political climate that she says threatens the countrys progress toward diversity and equality for women and minorities.

Little, who lives in Summit, N.J., has decided to run for local office, and she and two friends who also are planning to hit the hustings attended a weekend workshop to learn about the basics of waging a political campaign.

[A newspaper said this woman needed a dose of humility after she nearly won the mayoral election]

The 1-day workshop is called Ready to Run, and last weekends attendance was more than 66 percent higher than usual, said Deborah Walsh, director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgerss Eagleton Institute of Politics.

Walsh, who attributed the increased interest to concern over the outcome of last falls elections, said she had to close registration and turn women away because of overwhelming interest.

This is the 18th year weve held Ready to Run and never before have we seen this kind of turnout or energy, Walsh said. The challenge now is maintaining this level of engagement for the long haul. Changing the face of power is a marathon, not a sprint.



Women raise their hands to ask questions at the Ready to Run event. An unprecedented number of women attended the seminar to learn how to run for office. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Little, 49, plans to run for an at-large seat on the Summit Common Council. She attended the training program with Marjorie Fox and Lacey Rzeszowski, who also live in Summit. The women became friends through their mutual community work. Fox is running for the Ward 2 seat on the council and Rzeszowski plans to challenge Summits representative in the New Jersey General Assembly.

I feel really reassured. I think its really a helpful learning experience, Little said of the workshop. And just being in this room with women who are all smart and passionate and care about making our state and our cities a better place is really exciting.

The passion was palpable as women who announced they were running for office drew applause and cheers. Breakout sessions included tutorials on raising money, developing a digital strategy, doing media interviews and how to maneuver into a leadership role in New Jerseys closed-party system. A separate set of workshops aimed to help women who are not ready to jump into the candidate pool but want to up their advocacy game.

(Deirdra O'Regan/The Washington Post)

Discussion leaders reminded the women that their storm-the-castle enthusiasm is great, but that they need to learn and master the rules of the game to win elections; just being a woman wont necessarily garner victory at the polls.

You have to learn to navigate the system the way it is, Walsh said, a lesson that has been paying off. Walsh said that when the center started Ready to Run, New Jersey ranked 43rd nationally in the percentage of women in its state legislature.

This northeastern, highly educated, high-income state ranked in the bottom 10 percent, she said. Now its ranked 14th in the nation and it had been 11th.



Women stand in the back of the conference room during the Center for American Women in Politics weekend training seminar. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Little is a former child-abuse prosecutor who met Rzeszowski and Fox through their work in Summit, a city of 22,000 about 40 minutes outside of New York City. The median household income is $129,583, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Rzeszowski, 42, a stay-at-home mom, is running for the New Jersey General Assembly, going up against her districts incumbent, Nancy Munoz. She became active in the effort to curb gun violence after the Sandy Hook shootings and clashed with Munoz and other Republican Party leaders over their resistance to stronger gun-control measures.

So Rzeszowski, who had been a Republican, will be running this fall as a Democrat, having changed her registration just weeks ago.

I felt like the party had left me. Thats what the Womens March has done for me, she said. She and Little started a group called Summit Marches On to keep up the momentum from the Womens March.

Fox, 51, did not make it to the march in Washington but says she has long been interested in good government, and has been active in local party politics and served on various city commissions.

I feel the current council has not been responsive to citizens, she said. I feel I can do a better job of listening to and addressing the needs of the community.

The Summit women said they are not naive about the challenges. The electorate is almost evenly divided among Democrats, Republicans and independents. Rzeszowski estimates she will have to raise more than $150,000 for her race, and the women note that they are in the New York City media market, making paid advertising expensive.

At least they wont have contentious primaries, because they have been chosen as the Democratic Partys candidates for their seats. But they acknowledge that going up against the Republicans in the fall will be not be easy.

A win for any of us or all of us would be quite a coup, Fox said.
Stanley Godofsky, a lawyer who helped write U.S. Supreme Court briefs in two of the most celebrated freedom-of-the-press and First Amendment cases of recent times, died March 6 at a hospital in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 88.

The cause was complications from a liver infection, said a son, David Godofsky. A longtime resident of New York, he lived most recently in Boca Raton.

Mr. Godofsky was a member of a firm that had long represented The Washington Post and was an author of one of the briefs that prevailed in the 1971 Pentagon Papers case.

The case involved Nixon administration efforts to halt publication by The Post and the New York Times of a secret multi-volume history of Americas involvement in the Vietnam War.

In ruling 6 to 3 against the government, the high court said the government had not met the heavy burden required to justify prior restraint, the suppression of news or information before it was published as opposed to legal action taken after publication.

He was a very imaginative and capable litigator and clearly made a contribution to the Supreme Court brief, Anthony F. Tony Essaye, another of the lawyers who represented the newspaper, said in an interview.

In addition to Mr. Godofsky and Essaye, the brief also carried the names of Roger A. Clark, Leo P. Larkin Jr. and William R. Glendon. Glendon presented the oral argument.

In another effort in behalf of The Post Co., Mr. Godofsky helped submit a friend of the court brief in the case known as New York Times v. Sullivan . The Times had been sued by an Alabama official who said he had been libeled in an advertisement about a civil rights demonstration.

The 1964 Supreme Court ruling in that case essentially halted efforts to use the law of libel against media organizations trying to provide vigorous coverage of public issues and public figures.

Over decades of practice with the firm long known as Rogers & Wells, Mr. Godofsky handled litigation of various sorts, but his First Amendment efforts drew the most attention. He wrote widely and spoke about the cases and about First Amendment guarantees.

In a law review paper, he wrote that the essence of the Pentagon Papers case was that the government failed in its attempt to stop the presses. Thereafter, he wrote, government would think long and hard before it again rushes off to court to stop publication of political information.

The Times v. Sullivan ruling has appeared to irritate many who claim it makes it all but impossible to recover damages from the media for anything said about them. But eliminating that opportunity, Mr. Godofsky once wrote, was part of the price for leaving the press free to do its job.

Stanley Godofsky was born in New York City on May 24, 1928. He was a 1949 graduate of Columbia University and a 1951 graduate of Columbia Law School.

According to his son, he was first in his law school class and his hiring at what was then Dwight, Royall, Harris, Koegel & Caskey was an experiment for a firm that previously was without Jewish partners. He was partner at what was later known as Rogers & Wells from 1961 until his retirement in 1989. (The firm later merged into Clifford Chance.)

His first wife, the former Elaine Weiss, died in 1994 after 41 years of marriage. Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Phyllis Shaevitz Godofsky of Boca Raton; two children from his first marriage, David Godofsky of Oakton, Va., and Jenice Spicer of Reston, Va.; a sister; and six grandchildren.
Vladimir V. Kara-Murza is vice chairman of the Open Russia movement and chairman of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom. He is recovering from a suspected poisoning that left him in a coma in February.

Last month, thousands of people held rallies and vigils in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities across Russia to mark the second anniversary of the murder of Boris Nemtsov, the former deputy prime minister and leader of the countrys pro-democracy opposition who was gunned down near the Kremlin on Feb. 27, 2015. While the suspected perpetrators  all of them linked to Vladimir Putins viceroy in Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov  are currently on trial in a Moscow military court, investigators have not pursued those who ordered and organized the killing. The Russian governments priority seems to be trying to erase Nemtsovs memory. Several times a week, municipal workers, with help from the police, plunder the makeshift memorial on the bridge where he was killed, and the authorities have repeatedly rejected petitions for a plaque to the slain politician in Moscow. While his popular memory lives on, official commemoration of Nemtsov will have to wait for a change of government.

But it doesnt have to in other countries.

This year, on the anniversary of the shooting, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation that would designate the stretch of Wisconsin Avenue NW in front of the Russian Embassy in Washington as Boris Nemtsov Plaza and change the missions address to 1 Boris Nemtsov Plaza. The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) and referred to the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which Johnson chairs. 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.

Notably, the redesignation of this particular address would have more than a symbolic meaning. On Sept. 28, 1994, Nemtsov participated in the official opening of the new Russian Embassy in Washington. Then governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Nemtsov was part of a delegation led by Russian President Boris Yeltsin. At a dinner in the embassy that evening, Yeltsin introduced Nemtsov to President Bill Clinton by indicating the future he had in mind for the young politician. Strobe Talbott, then the U.S. deputy secretary of state, was standing next to the two presidents. When I met recently with Talbott, he recalled Yeltsins words to Clinton about Nemtsov: Let me introduce you to this guy, keep an eye on him. This young man is as good as me, and he is about as big as me, and hell be the president of Russia.

Nemtsov did not become president. But for many people in my country, he became the symbol of a different Russia  more democratic, more hopeful, more European, one at peace with itself and with its neighbors.

The renaming of diplomatic addresses has a precedent that was also set by Congress and that was also connected with Russia. In 1984, an amendment to the D.C. appropriations bill offered by Sen. Alfonse M. DAmato (R-N.Y.) changed the address of the then-Soviet Embassy on 16th Street NW to 1 Andrei Sakharov Plaza, in honor of the Russian dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was being kept in internal exile in Gorky (the Soviet-era name for Nizhny Novgorod). Few could have thought then that less than a decade later, Russian diplomats would display a bust of Sakharov in the embassy itself.

There will come a day when Russia takes pride in having Boris Nemtsovs name on its embassy letterhead. It will also be grateful to those who, in difficult times, did not allow it to forget.
ITS JUST not believable, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said Monday, after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the GOPs Obamacare repeal-and-replace bill would result in 24 million more Americans without coverage.

Heres what is not believable: Mr. Prices prediction that our plan will cover more individuals at a lower cost and give them the choices that they want for the coverage, a claim that expert after expert has deemed a fantasy.

Many Republicans are doing everything they can to discredit the nonpartisan CBO. But the office backed up its projections with solid and transparent economic analysis. Even as he criticized the report, Mr. Price admitted he had not read it. So what, other than wishful thinking, inspired his attacks? An expert score of his own? If he has one, his office would not share it with us when we asked Tuesday.

One major line of attack for Mr. Price and other Republicans is that Obamacare is so bad that almost anything else would be better. Right now, current law, weve got individuals who have health coverage but no health care, Mr. Price said. But the GOP bill would make this problem worse, allowing insurers to hike out-of-pocket costs. Meanwhile, the CBO discredited the argument that Obamacare is collapsing, concluding that the insurance market would be stable under current law.

The other major complaint is that the CBO scored only one of three stages of the GOP reform effort, not the whole picture. But a second stage  legislating further changes under normal parliamentary procedures in the Senate  would require 60 votes and is highly unlikely to happen. Another stage  Mr. Price promulgating rules changes from his perch at HHS  has yet to be fleshed out. If House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) and the Trump administration want to hang the defense of their plan on yet-to-be-revealed policy changes, they should reveal the full package before proceeding further. In the event, it is unlikely that further deregulation would improve the health-care prospect for most Americans. In fact, Mr. Prices rules changes would likely make it easier for insurers to sell plans that catered to young, healthy and wealthy people and left older, sicker and poorer folks struggling to obtain decent coverage they can afford.

(Sarah Parnass,Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

For his part, Mr. Ryan claimed satisfaction with the CBO report: If youre not going to force people to buy something they dont want to buy, they wont buy it, he said on Fox News. In fact, the CBO concluded that the Republican bill would make insurance coverage significantly more expensive for older people and that, unsurprisingly, low-income people between 50 and 64  that is, the ones who need the most help  would disproportionately choose not to buy insurance, bearing the brunt of predicted coverage losses.

There are some voices of reason within the GOP. Lets say the CBO is half-right; that should be cause for concern, said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.). So rather than attacking the CBO . . . I would think the prudent thing for the party to do is to look at the CBO report and see if we can address some of the concerns raised.

Heres one other suggestion: Make the minor tweaks Obamacare needs and move on to solving genuine problems rather than creating new ones.
James Robertson is a retired U.S. district judge for the District of Columbia.

In the summer of 1987, I led a team of young lawyers to oppose President Ronald Reagans nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court. Our work, which today would be called opposition research, found its way into the devastating confirmation hearing testimony of Erwin Griswold, the former Harvard Law School dean who had been Borks predecessor as solicitor general.

I do not claim that the work of my little team had any real impact on the Senates 58-to-42 vote rejecting Borks nomination. Griswold was only one in a parade of powerful anti-Bork witnesses, and Borks arrogance and tin ear for politics were his own worst enemies. As distasteful as the battle was, the end  the successful nomination of Anthony M. Kennedy after Borks defeat  seemed to justify the means.

Nevertheless, I regret my part in what I now regard as a terrible political mistake. While the nation did wind up with a much more acceptable choice, the treatment of Bork touched off a Thirty Years War on judicial appointments. We have politicized the judicial confirmation process far beyond historical norms and undermined public confidence in the judiciary. Its time for a truce.

Judge Neil Gorsuch is superbly well-prepared and well-qualified to serve as an associate justice of the Supreme Court. There is no real dispute about that. Nevertheless, it seems that anti-Gorsuch forces are girding their loins for battle. Poor Gorsuch, they will say. Were going to do the best we can to defeat your nomination  but its not about you.

Just what is it about, then?

The first answer is: We dont like the decisions we are afraid he will make. Anyone with a basic understanding of how judges make decisions rejects that simplistic argument out of hand. Teams of young lawyers are certainly doing opposition research on Gorsuch today just as we did 30 years ago, but they have found nothing disqualifying yet and (I predict) will fail to do so.

Does his record support the label extremist? Certainly not. Ideologue? No. Conservative? Yes, of course  but elections do have consequences. Gorsuch has declined and will continue to decline to answer questions about how he would decide any issue that might come before him  not only because he is ethically bound to do so, but also because, until he reads the briefs and hears the arguments, he doesnt know. Neither does anyone else.

Another common reason to oppose Gorsuch: The Democratic base demands it. That answer gives new meaning to the term leading from behind. It assumes that this base is a rabid, unthinking multitude of sans-culottes who must be obeyed. But the real base that Democrats need to find and cultivate is voters who can distinguish outrageous actions from responsible ones.

Democrats should want leadership from the front, not mindless obedience to those whose only position is opposition. Responsible leaders should be explaining the function of the third branch in the U.S. constitutional system, the importance of judicial independence and the danger of a politicized judiciary. A base that understands those things will support the prompt and uncomplicated confirmation of Gorsuch.

The final reason for opposition  and for many Democrats the most powerful one  is really schoolyard talk: Because you did it to Merrick Garland. Set aside for a moment the obvious retort from Republicans  that is, We did it to Garland because we had the votes, and you dont  and consider instead where the argument goes from there. It goes on and on and on. We will struggle without end, each obstructionist act lacking any better reason than the most recent insult. This is the Hatfields and McCoys. The Jets and Sharks.

Are there no statesmen in politics today? No game theorists? It is true that Democrats would not receive many points for making a cooperative move that can be coerced anyway, but (as the Harry Reids and Mitch McConnells of this world love to remind one another) there will be another election, and what goes around comes around. A peace offering, plainly labeled as such, just might lead to something that is better for the country than mindless, vindictive tit for tat. What do the Democrats have to lose?
WikiLeaks leader Julian Assanges revelation last week of the CIAs arsenal of hacking tools had a misplaced tone of surprise, a bit like Claude Rainss famous line in Casablanca: Im shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!

The hacking community, of which WikiLeaks and the CIAs cyberwarriors are both aggressive offshoots, has been invading and exploiting every device in sight since the dawn of the digital age. It would be nice if governments, criminals and self-appointed do-gooders didnt invade privacy and steal things from the Internet, but we dont live in that world.

Cyber-mischief is a crowded and well-established field. The hackers convention known as DEF CON is holding its 25th anniversary gathering this July in Las Vegas: Were celebrating 25 years of warranty-voiding, boundary-expanding adventures in technological subversion, boasts its website. These folks have been around so long their black T-shirts have turned gray.

Last year, DEF CON hosted discussions on hacking driverless cars, hotel keys and point-of-sale systems, and on inserting ransomware via your home thermostat that would roast or freeze you until you paid up, among other topics. One session was called How to overthrow a government. Nice.

I attended DEF CON in 2012 when I was researching a novel about hacking and espionage called The Director. I have never forgotten the Wall of Sheep near the entrance, an electronic scroll that recorded all the attendees devices that were being hacked, in real time. Topics included hacking cloud servers, mobile phones, routers, GPS and even airplanes.

The National Security Agency had a booth that year, over near Lockpick Village. (I kid you not.) I was told that recruiters from the U.S. intelligence community were in attendance, along with many contractors that serve it. So, too, presumably, were observers from foreign intelligence services, because the convention is pretty much wide open. Everyone was scouting the best hacking tools and cleverest code writers.

The dark side of this world exploded into view with WikiLeaks publication of the CIA toolkit. Some scary initial stories argued that the CIA could crack Signal and WhatsApp phone encryption, not to mention your toaster and television. But security experts Nicholas Weaver and Zeynep Tufekci have pushed back against those early claims, in the Lawfare blog and in the New York Times, respectively.

The hardest question here is whether the CIA and other government agencies have a responsibility to disclose to software vendors the holes they discover in computer code, so they can be fixed quickly. This may sound like a no-brainer. The government even has a little-known program, called the Vulnerability Equities Process, that posits that U.S. agencies should share such exploits whenever the public benefit outweighs the cost to the government.

But this cost-benefit analysis turns out to be tricky, many computer-security experts argue. The problem is that theres a global market for zero-day exploits (ones that are unknown on the day theyre used). U.S. intelligence agencies buy some of these exploits; so do other countries spy services, criminal gangs and the software vendors themselves. In a hostile world, the United States needs a stockpile of such tools, for both offense and defense, the argument goes. And sharing the details may not help the public as much as it hurts the government.

A recent report by the Rand Corp. titled Zero Days, Thousands of Nights opens a window on this spooky market. By Rands calculation, there are about two dozen companies selling or renting exploits to the United States and its allies, with many of these contractors making between $1 million and $2.5 million annually. (Another, darker network sells to adversaries and criminals.)

The surprise was that the exploits being marketed survived a long time undetected and were unlikely to be snatched by competitors. The more than 200 zero-day exploits studied by Rand went undetected for an average of 6.9 years, with only 5.8 percent discovered by competitors within a year. Given this evidence, Rand argued, some may conclude that stockpiling zero-days may be a reasonable option to combat potential adversaries.

But lets be honest: The real shocker in the WikiLeaks scoop is the demonstration, once again, that the U.S. government cant keep secrets. It makes little sense for the CIA to argue against disclosing its cyber-tricks to computer companies if this valuable information is going to get leaked to adversaries or the hacker underground anyway.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

Unilateral disarmament sounds like a bad idea. But so is the assumption that this information is safely protected.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Culture and demographics are our destiny. Stop.

But Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) didnt stop there. He continued to feed his foot deep into his gullet: We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies.

Well, now. Lets pause to parse.

First, one never speaks of somebody elses babies except to exclaim how precious they are  each and every one. For a politician to say this, the exclamation is best accompanied by a warm smile and an unmistakable tone of admiration for the infants heroic mother. (Note: All mothers are heroic.)

Second, whats all this about restoring civilization? Did we lose it? Is civilization crumbling beneath our noses?

Admittedly, Ive mentioned more than once that civilization hangs by a thread, which for me means Americans must promptly learn the difference between your and youre. Youre proud of your baby though heaven knows why (Im not a politician).

Of equal urgency, its fewer than, not less than, when speaking of things that can be counted. As in, fewer than one in a million Americans know who Steve King is.

Kings comment came in the form of a tweet, apparently in support of Geert Wilders, the Dutch nationalist politician hoping to become prime minister of the Netherlands following Wednesdays election.

Both Wilders  who once called Moroccans scum  and King do seem cut from the same cloth. Both men are apparently concerned that immigrant encroachment is posing a danger to civilization as we know it, especially among certain recurring arrivals, including: (1) Muslims, whose faith is sometimes used by certain fanatics to justify murdering the rest of us; (2) people from a variety of nations who, importantly, do not have white skin, or, inferentially, Western values coursing through their veins.

To the Kings and Wilderses (and Trumps?), the problems are obvious and undeniable. Even to the less knee-jerk, the fast-changing demographic landscape has created at least some level of discomfort and uncertainty. Suddenly, the majority has to ponder the imponderable: Who, me, a minority?

Im as happy as anyone to dismiss extremists of any sort as this-ist or that-phobe. But such labeling seems both facile and unproductive. Swaddling ourselves in righteous indignation, we settle by the fire, cooing to our superior intellects and noticing too late the hungry mob building a pyre beyond the window.

King speaks stupidly and carelessly, to be sure. His ineloquent tongue could reduce the Gettysburg Address to a cartoon caption. But hes addressing an idea that is far from alien to a large percentage of Western civilizations acolytes and beneficiaries.

Wilders, too, is a symptom of something real and profound. He didnt invent himself out of nothing. His scum comment last month followed the shocking 2004 murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Dutch-Moroccan Muslim claiming to defend the name of Allah.

Just as 9/11 caused the United States to lose its rose-hued glasses, van Goghs fatal shooting and throat slashing ruptured the Netherlands long-standing and proud tradition of tolerance. Loss of innocence becomes its own empty vessel that is quickly filled with lust for revenge born of ultimate betrayal. As in: We welcomed you to our home and you turned our goodwill against us. Or killed our artists. Or blew up our buildings  and destroyed our hearts.

The forces that escort people such as King, Wilders and President Trump to the dais are not, in other words, primarily hateful, though they easily can so evolve. At their root, theyre something else. It is this something else that slips into the gulf of deferred aspirations when labels are substituted for the hard work of thinking.

Undergirding Kings remarks, of course, is the false notion that those people come to the United States only to propagate and take advantage of our generosity without contributing in return. In addition to being ignorant, Kings words are mean  and possibly speak more to his sense of women as breeders than of Latinos, Hispanics and others as freeloaders. Too much time on those Iowa sow farms, perhaps?

What is needed are new voices to articulate these fundamental concerns, recognize them with respect and work toward solutions that dont require that our neighbors be marginalized. This would seem especially compelling to those now considering what it might be like to become a minority in their own country.

In the new age upon us, our best hope is that our nations values linger on through coming generations of all varieties of Americans. Who knows? Maybe a more enlightened future actually is in gestation, eventually to be fashioned by somebody elses baby.

Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook.
VIRGINIA OFFICIALS talk a good game when it comes to rehabilitating criminal convicts. In practice, they fall short. The state remains one of the nations most mean-spirited when it comes to restoring voting rights to convicted felons, a process that is automatic or nearly so in most states, and Republicans would like to make the rules still more stringent. Virginia is no more forgiving  we would say, no more humane  in determining who may, or rather may not, adopt children.

A case in point is Laura Tarantino, a 28-year-old Alexandria woman who, with her husband, Frederick, an Air Force reservist, is the parent of a 5-year-old boy. The Tarantinos would dearly love to adopt a child  Laura was herself adopted as a baby  but cannot, owing to her convictions, as a teenager and as a 21-year-old on a pair of drug charges, the second of which sent her to prison for a year.

As described by The Posts Victoria St. Martin, the heart-rending saga of the Tarantinos struggle to adopt is a case study of a capricious and arbitrary law whose real-world effect is not just cruel but senseless, too. If Ms. Tarantino lived in Maryland or the District, or a number of other states, she and her husband would be eligible to adopt a child, having cleared the five-year waiting period following her felony convictions. In the commonwealth, however, a 10-year hiatus following conviction is required. And so the Tarantinos, barred from adoption until 2019 by Lauras 2009 conviction, wait, and wait  and lobby for a change in the law.

Granted, some criminal convictions  certainly any that involve serious violence, or abuse of minors  are grounds for disqualifying would-be parents from adopting children. For many other crimes, including many drug offenses, a waiting period before adoption is a fair and reasonable restriction.

But a 10-year wait, for Ms. Tarantinos heroin possession conviction, is excessive. State law should allow for a case-by-case assessment of prospective adoptive parents whose individual merits and circumstances vary enormously.

Such is the Virginia laws arbitrariness that a criminal conviction for breaking and entering of a home with the intent of theft would mean a 25-year wait for a perpetrator who hoped to become a foster parent. But the same convict would never be able to adopt a child. Ever.

The welfare of an individual child is the paramount concern, as Del. Robert B. Bell (R-Albemarle) rightly told The Post. But in an undertaking as subject to circumstance as the adoption of a child, a one-size-fits-all approach defies logic. If the state can make considered individual judgments about granting parole to convicts, why cant it do the same for ex-felons who hope to become adoptive parents?
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, shown at his confirmation hearing in January, is in Asia this week. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

As Secretary of State Rex Tillerson kicks off his Asia trip Thursday, one of his loudest messages could be one that goes unspoken.

State Department officials said Tillersons focus during meetings in Japan, South Korea and China will be on North Koreas nuclear threat, as well as trade and economics. But his aversion to dealing with U.S. journalists  and his decision to initially bar them from his traveling party before granting a seat to a reporter for a conservative website at the last minute  have added to growing questions about the Trump administrations commitment to a free press and transparent government.

For the nations top diplomat, the approach cuts sharply against the practice of his predecessors, in Republican and Democratic administrations, who have allowed reporters on their planes as an expression of American values  and as a tool to help pressure authoritarian regimes toward greater openness.

Tillersons abrupt change of direction comes at a time when his boss, President Trump, and other senior White House officials have referred to mainstream media outlets as fake news, the opposition party and the enemy of the people and restricted access to some news briefings.

Foreign capitals have taken notice.

There is an element of concern in the Japanese media about that level of control that Trump is trying to exert on the U.S. news media, said Tamaki Tsukada, spokesman for the Japanese Embassy in Washington.

The Trump administrations posture also has been noted in Beijing, where Communist Party leaders have appropriated Trumps rhetoric as they continue a years-long effort to tighten government control of news and information. That effort has included restricting public access to the Internet, jailing Chinese journalists and denying visas to American reporters.

This month, Xinhua, a state-run news agency, a ttacked foreign news outlets for writing fake news full of cleverly orchestrated lies in their reports on the alleged torture of a human rights lawyer by government agents.

Were in a period where Chinese government pressure on journalists is as great as its been since the 1980s, so having a secretary who raises the importance of a free press and the treatment of journalists is important, said Rebecca MacKinnon, a former journalist based in Beijing who oversees a project at the New America think tank that examines digital privacy rights and free expression.

Its been a key part of our foreign policy for decades for Republicans and Democrats, MacKinnon said. If that changes or if the message is not conveyed  that sends a message not just to the world and the Chinese government but also to Chinese journalists, human rights lawyers and activists.

Tillerson, who regularly traveled with a single aide while serving as chief executive of ExxonMobil, is said to be uncomfortable with the large entourage of U.S. officials, reporters and security personnel that typically accompanies the secretary of state. This is his third trip abroad on a small plane, with less space for staff and for reporters. State Department officials have characterized it as a cost-cutting measure, though news organizations pay for their own expenses.

Tillersons aides emphasized that they have made arrangements to permit American reporters, who travel on their own or are based abroad, to cover his stops in each capital. And they said he will participate in his first news conference during a joint appearance with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Thursday.

The only journalist on the plane is Erin McPike, a reporter for the Independent Journal Review, an Alexandria, Va.-based website founded by two former Republican operatives.

We take this responsibility seriously, publication co-founder Alex Skatell said in a statement, expressing confidence in her coverage. McPike, who is listed on the website as a White House correspondent, was invited by the State Department to cover the trip, Skatell said.

Trump administration officials rejected the suggestion that the Chinese would view Tillersons exclusion of other reporters as a signal that the administration would tacitly endorse  or choose to overlook  intimidation tactics against journalists.

Taking the American press corps to Beijing has not over the course of 40 years, to my knowledge, particularly changed the conditions for Chinese media, said Victoria Coates, a senior director for strategic communications at the National Security Council. It demonstrates solidarity, but it does not achieve anything.

Nevertheless, Tillerson is being watched closely at home and abroad for signals of how the Trump administration, which has proposed slashing the budget of the State Department, intends to engage the world. His early approach represents a sharp departure from his predecessor, John F. Kerry, who served as secretary of state during President Barack Obamas second term.

In private meetings and in public, Kerry often spoke out about the values of a free and independent press. During a visit to Beijing in 2014, he met with Chinese bloggers in a roundtable arranged by the U.S. Embassy and photographed by American journalists traveling with him.

It came at a time when Beijing was clamping down on political dissent, and the bloggers asked Kerry to help tear down the Great Firewall of censorship blocking what citizens can read online. Kerry told them he had raised the matter with Chinese officials, prompting the foreign ministry to label his views naive.

Kerry was not the only Obama administration official to pressure the Chinese. Vice President Biden met with a group of Beijing-based reporters from the New York Times and Bloomberg News during a trip to China in December 2013.

Those organizations were being threatened by the government after stories that exposed the secret wealth of relatives of Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Communist leaders. Biden said he raised their concerns in a private meeting with Xi.

Media organizations that were having difficulties with visas sought assistance, and we were open to that because we always seek fair treatment for U.S. journalists working abroad, said Jeff Prescott, a former Obama and Biden aide who helped arrange the vice presidents Asia trip. In-depth reporting is critical to how Americans understand developments in a place like China. The fact that journalists faced visa challenges at the time of a high-level visit presented an opportunity to highlight the issue and provided leverage to help address it.

A year later, during Obamas state visit to Beijing, the U.S. delegation negotiated with the Chinese to ensure that Xi took a question from an American reporter at a news conference. Obama used the opportunity to call on a New York Times correspondent, who promptly asked the Chinese leader about his efforts to deny visas to foreign reporters.

Former Obama aides acknowledged that their efforts paid limited dividends in China. But they emphasized that the messaging resonated throughout the region, including in Southeast Asia, where the United States had positioned itself as a democratic alternative to Chinas growing influence.

It is not known whether Tillerson will raise human rights, including press freedoms, during his stop in Beijing. A State Department official who briefed reporters before the trip did not mention it being on the agenda.

Im just always wary of predicting exactly what will be on the agenda of any meeting, but I can guarantee that it is a concern, said Mark Toner, the agencys acting spokesman. We recognize there are challenges there. Human rights is one of those challenges, and freedom of the press is an essential part of that.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly quoted Tamaki Tsukada, spokesman for the Japanese Embassy in Washington, as saying there is elevated concern among the Japanese media about the White House's attempts to control the U.S. news media. Tsukada said there is an element of concern. The quotation has been corrected.
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla.

March 17, 2017 President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son, Barron, walk to Marine One at the White House en route to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

The beginning of the presidents term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

The beginning of his term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

The beginning of his term has featured controversial executive orders and frequent conflicts with the media.

See what President Trump has been doing since taking office

See what President Trump has been doing since taking office

Others may think of history as a lens. Donald Trump regards it as a mirror.

On Wednesday, he traveled to Tennessee to commemorate the 250th birthday of the seventh president, Andrew Jackson, and toured Jacksons plantation, which is known as the Hermitage.

Inspirational visit, I have to tell you. Im a fan, Trump said outside Old Hickorys Greek Revival-style mansion.

What apparently has struck the president most about his illustrious predecessor is how much he and Old Hickory have in common.

They say my election was most similar to his, Trump said during an appearance in Detroit, where he stopped before heading here for the Hermitage visit and an evening political rally in Nashville. 1828  thats a long time ago. Usually, they go back like to this one or that one, 12 years ago, 16. I mean, 1828, thats a long way, thats a long time ago.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

Although Jackson is regarded as the founder of the Democratic Party and won the popular vote, there are more than a few resemblances between the forces that elected the seventh president and the 45th.

Jackson, like Trump, was a wealthy man who gave voice to the frustrations and anger of working-class whites against moneyed interests.

A departure from the mannered elite who had been elected before him, the frontiersman son of Scots-Irish immigrants was known as the peoples president.

He upended the established order in Washington. As Trump has sought to do, Jackson wielded his executive powers boldly. An 1832 cartoon, captioned King Andrew I, depicted him in a crown and ermine robe. His was an appeal that the establishment of his day had difficulty understanding or accepting.

But unlike the current president, Jackson served in the military  becoming a national hero when he commanded a defeat of the British at the 1815 Battle of New Orleans  and spent time in government before assuming the nations highest office.

After Trumps surprising victory last November, chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon predicted to the Hollywood Reporter that like [Andrew] Jacksons populism, were going to build an entirely new political movement. The conservatives are going to go crazy.

[Andrew Jackson was a rich populist who bragged and invited scorn. Trump draws new interest in the 7th president.]

President Trump tours the Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson, to commemorate Jackson's 250th birthday on March 15, 2017. (Evan Vucci/AP)

More recent interpretations of Jacksons time in office have taken some of the sheen off his reputation. He supported slavery and forced Native Americans off their lands with the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the Trail of Tears forced march that cost the lives of thousands.

The Obama administration called for Jackson to be bumped from the $20 bill in favor of abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman, a decision that Trump at the time called pure political correctness.

In a recent survey of 91 historians conducted by the cable network C-SPAN, Jackson ranked 18th among U.S. presidents on 10 qualities of leadership. He slipped six places since the poll was last conducted, in 2009, which was the sharpest decline of any former president.

Jackson was the original populist, not the inventor, but maybe the shrewdest practitioner of the politics of us versus them, said presidential historian Richard Norton Smith. American politics is all about winning the allegiance of the forgotten man. Franklin D. Roosevelt did it in the 1930s. Richard Nixon did it in the 1960s. But before them, there was Andrew Jackson.

Although Trump has hung a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office, his stated reasons for doing so are vague.

During a town hall event in April, Trump said that Andrew Jackson had a great history.

While giving the hosts of Fox & Friends a tour of the Oval Office late last month, Trump explained why he selected the portrait of Jackson: They say that his campaign and his whole thing was most like mine. That was interesting. . . . Thats the great Andrew Jackson, who actually was a great general, and he was a great president  but a controversial president.

The White Houses top Jackson history buff is Bannon, who invoked him in describing Trumps dark inaugural address  memorable for its reference to American carnage.

[Lincoln, Washington and Roosevelts remain historys best presidents in survey]

I dont think weve had a speech like that since Andrew Jackson came to the White House, Bannon said. But you could see it was very Jacksonian. Its got a deep, deep root of patriotism there.

But Jackson himself might bristle at comparisons between his election and that of Trump, who lost the popular vote but prevailed in the electoral college.

The first time Jackson ran, in a four-way race in 1824, he had won a plurality of both the popular vote and the electoral college, only to see the House of Representatives vote to give the presidency to John Quincy Adams.

Voter turnout quadrupled in the next election and Jackson handily ousted Adams from the White House. In his annual message to Congress, Jackson proposed abolishing the electoral college.

Trump is not the first president to claim a piece of Jacksons legacy.

So dominant a figure was Old Hickory in 19th-century politics that James K. Polk styled himself Young Hickory in the election of 1844. Franklin Pierce diluted the brand again in 1852, running as Young Hickory of the Granite Hills.

Abraham Lincoln invoked Jacksons name when mobs in Baltimore blocked the movement of federal troops in 1861: There is no Washington in that  no Jackson in that  no manhood nor honor in that.

Nor is Trump the only one of Jacksons successors to make a pilgrimage to the Hermitage. Franklin D. Roosevelt did it in the depths of the Great Depression, and declared: The more I learn about old Andy Jackson, the more I love him.

But presidents need not leave the White House to be reminded of him. The North Portico  added to the building by Jackson  looks out over Lafayette Square, where there is a bronze statue of the seventh president on horseback.

Tumulty reported from Washington. Abby Phillip in Nashville contributed to this report.
President Trump, center, meets with Republican congressional leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), second left, and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.), right, at the White House on March 1. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

A simmering rebellion of conservative populists loyal to President Trump is further endangering the GOP health-care push, with a chorus of influential voices suspicious of the proposal warning the president to abandon it.

From headlines at Breitbart to chatter on Fox News Channel and right-wing talk radio, as well as among friends who have Trumps ear, the message has been blunt: The plan being advanced by congressional Republican leaders is deeply flawed  and, at worst, a political trap.

Trumps allies worry that he is jeopardizing his presidency by promoting the bill spearheaded by House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (Wis.), arguing that it would fracture Trumps coalition of working- and middle-class voters, many of them older and subsisting on federal aid.

Vice President Pence and administration officials scrambled Tuesday to salvage the plan amid widespread dissatisfaction in both the Senate and House over the Congressional Budget Offices estimate that 24 million fewer people would be insured in a decade under the Ryan proposal, titled the American Health Care Act.

Trump  who has not yet fully used the bully pulpit of the presidency to rally support for the plan  spoke privately with Ryan on Tuesday afternoon. They discussed the various factions, the opinions of several key lawmakers and developing a closing strategy, according to two people with knowledge of the call.

(Daron Taylor/The Washington Post)

Trump loyalists warned that the president was at risk of violating some of his biggest campaign promises  such as providing broad health coverage for all Americans and preserving Medicaid and other entitlement programs  in service to an ideological project championed for years by Ryan and other establishment Republicans.

Trump figures things out pretty quickly, and I think hes figuring out this situation, how the House Republicans did him a disservice, said Christopher Ruddy, a longtime Trump friend. President Trump is a big-picture, pragmatic Republican, and unfortunately the Ryan Republican plan doesnt capture his worldview.

Ruddy, the chief executive of Newsmax Media, published a column Tuesday urging Trump to ditch the current bill.

Inside the White House, senior officials said they are taking note of the mounting opposition. You cant be so blind that youre not seeing the outside noise, said one adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the adviser was not authorized to speak publicly.

A second adviser, who also requested anonymity to speak candidly, said, We take their views seriously and were listening, but we do appreciate when those concerns are shared privately and with a smaller megaphone.

[Obamacare revision would reduce insured numbers by 24 million]

Keeping Republicans on edge are several Trump advisers with tenuous ties to Ryan and the party establishment who might be more responsive than others to outside pressure, including chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon and senior policy adviser Stephen Miller.

Vice President Pence swears in Seema Verma, center, as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at the White House complex on Tuesday. Her husband Sanjay, left, son Shaan and daughter Maya look on. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

The White House strategy has been to spotlight what it sees as the urgent need to overhaul the health-care system rather than the legislative fix itself. At his Tuesday briefing, press secretary Sean Spicer highlighted real-life examples of actual Americans who shared with Trump stories of suffering in a listening session Monday.

These are the stories that are at the top of the presidents mind as he works towards reforming our health-care system, Spicer said.

This fresh public agitation from Trump loyalists comes as hard-line Republicans in Congress already stand opposed to the health-care bill. These lawmakers, many of whom are members of the House Freedom Caucus, see the proposal as insufficiently conservative because it is too reliant on tax credits and does not fully repeal the Affordable Care Act, the law often known as Obamacare that was signed by President Barack Obama.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally, said the president should not be tempted by outside calls to abandon the Ryan bill and should instead let the legislative process work.

Whats happening now is a gut check, he said. Its not unusual. People are figuring out what theyre going to stand tight on.

The cascade of opposition within Trumps movement started flowing soon after the bill was unveiled last week and picked up speed this week. On Breitbart  the anti-establishment, conservative news site that has been a platform for Trumpism and was once run by Bannon  article after article has railed against a bill its headline writers excoriate as RyanCare.

One heavily promoted story said that RyanCare was a perverse economic system and featured an interview with Rep. David Brat (R-Va.), a tea party hero who unseated then-Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014.

Breitbart published leaked audio of Ryan on Monday that could undermine his relationship with Trump. The recording is of Ryan on a conference call with House Republicans last year, immediately following the release of the Access Hollywood video in which Trump bragged about sexually assaulting women. Ryan said on the call that he was not going to defend Donald Trump  not now, not in the future.

Breitbart also has been promoting a rally Wednesday on Capitol Hill organized by FreedomWorks, a right-wing advocacy group that stoked the tea party movement. The event will feature Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.), Mike Lee (Utah) and Rand Paul (Ky.), who oppose Ryans health-care bill.

Paul told reporters Tuesday that the plan was losing momentum: Theres not really any kind of coalition thats going to get the Ryan bill to pass. I think the CBO score makes it harder for him to pass his bill, and hes losing the argument.

[Trump goes into dealmaking mode, works behind the scenes on health bill]

The rush by Ryan to quickly pass the health-care bill concerns some of Trumps top supporters, including Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). I dont think Americans care whether this bill passes by Easter or Memorial Day, Cotton said Tuesday on Hugh Hewitts radio show.

Republican strategist John Brabender said he observed a number of focus groups of Trump voters in Rust Belt states and found them willing to be patient about the timetable for overhauling health care.

Brabender said the White House should take a deep breath and not feel like anybody has to rush out and sign something they dont feel good about. . . . They have to be careful not to just quickly check a box and then own something around their neck for years.

Cotton dismissed promises from Trump and Republican congressional leaders of an evolving, multiphase process that would continue throughout the year.

There is no three-phase process, Cotton said on Hewitts show. There is no three-step plan. That is just political talk. Its just politicians engaging in spin.

At the White House, Spicer was confronted at his briefing about Cottons criticism as an example of the administration lacking control over what its own supporters are saying. Its a free country, Spicer said. He can say what he wants.

Rush Limbaugh echoed Cottons concerns on his airwaves Tuesday. The conservative talk-radio commentator said the message from congressional leaders is: We gotta pass the bill. We gotta send it up to president. No matter whats in it, we gotta pass the bill.

Passing the bill becomes the measure of success, he continued, and so thats when the real dangerous horse-trading begins.

Limbaugh has sounded protective of Trump, explaining on his show last Friday that the presidents supporters should give him time to work out a better deal because he is inside the sausage factory for only the first time.

Trump is probably finding out just how deeply intertwined the tentacles of this are throughout our society, and what happens when you remove one tentacle? he asked. You find six more pop up that you didnt know were there.

Fox News host Eric Bolling, who once considered joining the Trump administration and is friendly with the president, published an op-ed Tuesday on the networks website that said Ryan and the establishment GOP have pulled a fast one on President Trump.

Its time for President Trump to scrap the GOP health-care bill, Bolling wrote.

Conservative talk-radio host Laura Ingraham, a friend of Trumps who was considered for a job in the White House, said Tuesday on Fox News that the Ryan bill is a trap.

I think Donald Trump is going to get caught on this in 2020, she said, referring to the next presidential election. Id like to spend an hour talking to him about it. I think this is a trap set for Trump, and its going to be bad.

Former senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), who was a key player in the battle over the Affordable Care Act in 2010, said of the current situation: The Republicans are in an impossible position.

Most of the people who are in opposition to this have never governed, dont know how to govern and dont want to govern, Gregg said. Unfortunately, Republicans now control the government and have to learn how to govern. The Laura Ingrahams of the world, who make their money agitating, arent functional in a situation where the president has to govern.

David Weigel contributed to this report.
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan is not backing away from the sweeping health legislation that some opponents are deriding as Ryancare.

The Wisconsin Republican has become the salesman in chief for the plan to repeal and replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act, putting a heavy focus on conservative-leaning outlets to try to quell the brewing rebellion on the right flank. On Wednesday morning, he made the pitch on Fox Business Network, his fourth appearance on the constellation of networks owned by Rupert Murdoch in the past week. Then he called in to Laura Ingrahams radio show and told one of his biggest critics that the plan would be a major conservative victory over the existing law.

Were replacing it with Republican tax policy thats been long-standing stuff that the Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute have been talking for years. Its the Tom Price bill that most conservatives co-sponsored here just last year, Ryan told Ingraham, who has built her career opposing most of what Republican leaders in Congress support.

Price, a former House Budget Committee chairman, also has been selling the legislation in his new capacity as secretary of health and human services, along with Vice President Pence and, occasionally on Twitter, President Trump.

But Ryan has been the public face of the sales pitch.

(Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

This appears to be a risky bet for the speakers political standing because of the mounting concerns on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum of House and Senate Republicans. Far-right conservatives have returned to their Obama-era roots of opposing whatever comes out of the speakers office, while moderates from states that expanded Medicaid under President Barack Obamas Affordable Care Act complain that the initial legislation would take away insurance coverage from millions of people.

That problem is more pronounced in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has less margin for error. That has led some rank-and-file Republicans to complain that Ryan is poised to make the same mistake that Democrats made in 1993 and 2009 on energy policy.

[Trump loyalists sound alarm over Ryancare, endangering health bill]

Both of those years, at the start of new administrations, House Democrats pushed through liberal legislation that would not receive even a perfunctory vote in the Senate, stranding dozens of House Democrats without any political cover for having voted for a controversial bill that never became law.

Some Senate Republicans are telling their House counterparts thats where they are headed  and they are warning them to do nothing instead.

If you dont believe its better than Obamacare over the long haul, if you think youre going to own it for the rest of your life, President Trump, it will be called Trumpcare, dont buy it, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday.

Graham argued for just letting the existing ACA markets collapse, hoping that would provide the political momentum for more far-reaching legislation that even some Democrats would support, given the urgency. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has called for the House to slow its pace to try to pass the legislation late next week, saying its doomed in the Senate and suggesting instead that the proper course is a much more deliberative approach over many more months.

However, theres a large, silent majority of House Republicans who have made the opposite political calculation. Because so many Republicans represent deeply conservative districts, their biggest fear is an opponent in the primary and not a Democrat in the general election.

This big contingent of House Republicans takes the leadership at its word that this is the best chance to truly repeal what they call Obamacare, House GOP advisers said. They want to vote for anything that does just that and want to support legislation that the Trump administration is backing, even if it dies in the Senate, because thats easier to explain to angry conservative voters back home who want to know why they didnt support Trumps push to repeal the ACA.

Senior advisers in both chambers remain optimistic that the House can still get its version of the legislation over to the Senate  and from there, the Senate might have to amend the Medicaid provisions and set up a House-Senate conference to fight over the differences in the two bills for several more weeks.

[Behind closed doors, Republican lawmakers fret about how to repeal Obamacare]

In the House, Ryans leadership team sees the two pockets of resistance. First, theres the block of moderates and mainstream conservatives from states that accepted Medicaid expansion to cover some of the uninsured. While they do not seek as much media attention, these wavering moderates far outnumber the conservatives who are currently opposed.

In New York alone, nine Republicans are concerned that the legislation would not do enough to help their constituents who would lose Medicaid coverage and would prefer more generous tax credits to help them buy new insurance plans.

But conservatives are wary of the tax credits, and any expansion of them risks widening the pool of opponents on the right.

Thats why some Ryan insiders are saying that, despite all the talk about modifying the legislation, this bill has been carefully crafted with those two pockets of opposition in mind. Some minor tweaks can be made when the House Rules Committee considers the legislation later this month, but in general, Ryans team thinks that any big shift to the right on tax credits or Medicaid would lose too many votes from the center.

Despite the bigger concern about members from those states with Medicaid concerns, Ryans public posture has been about demonstrating his conservative bona fides in supporting the bill.

A Wednesday afternoon appearance on CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper marked Ryans 10th one-on-one interview with a national TV or radio personality in a week. Of those interviews, eight have been with conservative-friendly outlets.

As a governing party, we have an obligation to keep our promises, to pass the reforms that we told people we would pass if we got this opportunity, Ryan said Monday evening on Fox News Channels The First 100 Days With Martha MacCallum.

Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley is among Republicans expressing frustration over what they say is a lack of cooperation from intelligence officials. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Tensions between congressional Republicans and the Trump administration are rising over Russia, as lawmakers probing alleged ties between the presidents team and the Kremlin accused officials of trying to block their efforts.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), whose committee is one of several where investigations are fully underway, accused Justice Department officials Wednesday of lying when they promised to share information about ongoing department probes with lawmakers conducting oversight.

It doesnt matter whether you have a Republican or Democrat president, every time they come up here for their nomination hearing . . . I ask them, Are you going to answer phone calls and our letters, and are you going to give us the documents we want? And every time we get a real positive yes! And then they end up being liars! Grassley said, screaming into the phone during an interview with The Washington Post. Its not if theyre treating us differently than another committee. Its if theyre responding at all.

Grassley spoke as he awaited a meeting with FBI Director James B. Comey to determine whether the bureau is investigating alleged Russian interference in last years elections. Grassley has threatened to block the nomination of Rod J. Rosenstein as deputy attorney general until his committee receives an FBI briefing. Late Wednesday afternoon, his committees ranking Democrat, Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)  who also attended the private briefing with Comey  credited Grassleys tough language and the strength of his written warnings to the Justice Department with getting the briefing to happen.

Grassley is not alone in voicing frustration at how the administration is interacting with lawmakers trying to investigate allegations of links between the Trump team and Russia. Several key lawmakers are threatening to subpoena the administration for evidence backing up President Trumps charges that the Obama administration wiretapped his phones during the campaign.

The tension could break into the open Monday during a House Intelligence Committee public hearing on Russia. The hearing will feature Comey and Adm. Mike Rogers, head of the National Security Agency. It will provide a rare chance for lawmakers to grill the FBI director and other officials in a public setting on the allegations that Russia intervened in the campaign in an attempt to tilt it toward Trump.

House Intelligence Committee leaders Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) and Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) said Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena the Justice Department for evidence to back up Trumps wiretap claim if the administration does not meet a Monday deadline.

Nunes, who served on Trumps transition team, declared flatly Wednesday that there was no evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped while Trump was a candidate.

I dont think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower, Nunes said. He added that if you are taking Trumps tweets literally  which he advised people not to do  then clearly the president was wrong.

But Trump is defending the explosive charge, arguing during an interview with Fox News on Wednesday night that the term wiretap covers a lot of different things.

I think youre going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks, Trump said, according to a partial transcript of the interview.

Trumps wiretapping claims, first made on Twitter, were a pivotal episode for many Republican lawmakers, who are losing patience with the president and his administration as they await proof that few believe exists.

Sens. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committees crime and terrorism subcommittee, also sent Justice Department officials a letter last week asking for evidence of any wiretapping warrants or applications. Graham threatened Wednesday to subpoena that information until he heard that Comey would soon brief them privately on the subject. It was not clear when that briefing would happen  or whether it will satisfy senators threatening to block Rosensteins nomination until they receive more information.

Delaying Rosenstein from starting his job could end up hurting those looking to get to the bottom of allegations about Russia. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a close Trump ally who served as a campaign adviser, has recused himself from investigating anything related to the president  meaning it would fall to the deputy attorney general to take charge of such inquiries, and determine whether to appoint a special prosecutor for the case.

As lawmakers begin to dig into their investigations related to Russia, the rhetoric between them  including many Republicans  and the Trump administration has become more charged.

Nunes and Schiff complained Wednesday that their investigation was being slowed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which has not supplied committee members and staffers with a computer to use while they review documents  forcing them to take notes by hand.

This has become a bit of a stumbling block for our investigators to actually be able to compile and get through the information, Nunes said.

We feel a real sense of urgency about conducting this investigation not only thoroughly but as swiftly as possible, Schiff said. So anything that slows us down is a problem.

An ODNI spokesman said Wednesday that the intelligence community was working to address the logistical challenges inherent in protecting the security of sensitive intelligence sources and methods.

Nunes and Schiff also sent Comey, Rogers and CIA Director Mike Pompeo a letter Wednesday demanding a complete list of people whose names have been unmasked after popping up in other surveillance  the way, they noted, authorities discovered that former national security adviser Michael Flynn had contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. If that information isnt provided by Friday, Nunes said he would likely subpoena those records.

Nunes added that it was a possibility that Trumps name could appear on such a list. He maintained, however, that he has seen no evidence of improper contact between the president or his affiliates and Russian officials  a conclusion Schiff declined to endorse.

In the course of their investigation, Nunes and Schiff have had fairly regular access to Comey as members of the Gang of Eight, the group of senior lawmakers who receive the highest-level intelligence briefings. House Intelligence Committee members were recently cleared to receive access to the same intelligence as the Gang of Eight; the Senate Intelligence Committee has received briefings from Comey as well.

But in the Judiciary Committee, Comeys attention has been late in coming, and promises of briefings materialized only after Grassley and Graham threatened to hold up Rosensteins nomination.

That seems to have gotten their attention, Grassley said during the interview.

Grassley and Graham stress that there are pragmatic reasons for them to be resorting to such measures to get a briefing.

If there is a criminal investigation regarding the Trump campaign and ties to Russia, I want to know about it because were doing congressional investigations of all things Russia, Graham said in an interview. I dont want to run into a criminal investigation not knowing its out there.

For several weeks, the Senate Judiciary panel has asked the FBI for additional information and briefings on allegations of links between the Trump administration and the Kremlin, reiterating the request when Flynn resigned and when Trump made his wiretapping allegations. Grassley said Comey has told him he was awaiting clearance to update his committee, even as he made trips to Capitol Hill to huddle with Intelligence Committee members.

Grassley said hes unsure how Republican colleagues feel about Comeys reluctance to explain the FBIs ongoing investigations, but he added: I imagine a lot of them are much more frustrated than Ive just demonstrated to you.

[Senate Judiciary chairman: No deputy AG vote until we get an FBI briefing on Russia]

Read more at PowerPost
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Wednesday that his health-care proposal must change to pass the House, marking a significant retreat from his earlier position that the carefully crafted legislation would fail if substantially altered.

Ryan acknowledged that changes would be made two days after an analysis issued by the Congressional Budget Office prompted a fresh round of criticism of his proposal. Among the reports projections was that 14 million fewer Americans would be insured after one year under the Republican plan.

Speaking after a private meeting of GOP lawmakers, Ryan said that leaders would incorporate feedback from the rank-and-file in response to the CBO findings. He did not repeat his previous comments calling support for the bill a binary choice for Republican lawmakers.

Now that we have our score we can make some necessary improvements and refinements to the bill, he said, referring to the CBOs estimate of the effect on the number of those covered by health insurance and what the GOP proposal would cost.

Ryan did not detail what changes are under consideration to his plan.

View Graphic Whats next for the Obamacare replacement bill

Vice President Pence also spoke to House Republicans in the meeting, acknowledging that the White House was open to changes in the legislation, which heads to the House Budget Committee for approval Thursday. President Trump has offered his support for Ryans measure, while still meeting with conservative lawmakers who have expressed serious doubts about the plan.

This president is ready to put the full weight of his bully pulpit and all of his tools behind the bill, Pence told Republicans, according to Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.). It was very important for us to hear that, because there are a lot of people who need that shoring up.

Earlier in the day, Pence told conservatives at a private lunch meeting of the Republican Study Committee, a large caucus of conservative House Republicans, that the plan was still under negotiation, according to several attendees.

As he said, its not often that we get an opportunity to undo such a big piece of legislation that had negative consequences on the American people, said Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), paraphrasing Pences message. Hes open to make improvements. . . . Anything that can get 218 votes and make the bill better, were all about it.

Pences visit to Capitol Hill  which included meetings with influential blocs of Republicans as well as individual members  came as part of a White House effort to salvage support for the embattled American Health Care Act, even as Trumps conservative allies told him the bill could be a political trap.

Ryan aides played down his remarks, saying that the speaker had long acknowledged further changes were possible as the bill moved through a multistep legislative process.

As the speaker has repeatedly said, this bill will work its way through regular order and while the structure will remain intact, modifications will happen during the legislating process, spokeswoman AshLee Strong said. But the reality remains: Members will face a binary choice to either vote for a bill that can pass or vote for Obamacare status quo.

(Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post)

The legislation will face an important test Thursday, when the Budget Committee will decide whether to advance it to the House floor. The committee may not directly amend the bill but may make nonbinding recommendations. Any substantive changes would be made by the House Rules Committee, which controls how the bill is presented and debated on the floor.

House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black (R-Tenn.) insisted that GOP leaders are not dug in when it comes to concerns about the measure.

Were listening; were definitely listening, she said Wednesday to the conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. And I will tell you: Tune in to our Budget Committee tomorrow, and you will hear these conversations.

The blitz came two days after the CBO estimated that 24 million fewer Americans would be insured over the next 10 years under the GOP plan. The falling coverage numbers and estimates of higher premiums for older and low-income Americans raised concerns among many lawmakers, particularly those representing states that expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

[Budget office bombshell is going to force changes to health-care bill]

Ryan plans to hold a House floor vote next week, and Trump administration officials have spent the past two days in near-constant discussions with Republican lawmakers as they scramble to find enough votes to pass the measure. Leaders were set to take a preliminary count of members supporting the bill Wednesday night.

Critics of the legislation warned Wednesday that the measure remains far short of the 216 votes needed for passage. Typically, 218 votes are needed to pass a bill in the 435-member House, but five pending vacancies have reduced that threshold. No Democrats are expected to support the bill, and with 237 Republicans, party leaders can afford no more than 21 defections.

They will whip it, and they will find 40 nos and another 30 or 40 undecideds, said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, who has called for changes to mollify conservatives.

One member of the Budget Committee who belongs to the Freedom Caucus, Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.), said he will vote against the bill in committee. Two other Freedom Caucus members, as well as three others on the panel, have not said how they will vote.

One conservative Budget Committee member who has voiced concerns about the bill said Wednesday that he had been persuaded to advance it.

Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) said he would support the legislation in the panel based on an implied promise that things are going to be different on the floor, and therefore we can keep the process moving.

He declined to say exactly who had made that promise: People higher up on the food chain than me.

Ill say this, if the bill that comes to the floor is the exact same one in Budget, Ill feel a little bit that Id been had, he said.

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) acknowledged in an interview with MSNBC on Wednesday that the bill remains under negotiation.

Watching sausage being made is not the prettiest thing, he said. What can we do on those final pieces that are being negotiated with President Trump and a number of our members in our conference that ultimately want to get to a yes vote and send this bill over to the Senate?

Ryan spent much of Tuesday and Wednesday giving interviews in an attempt to drum up support for the plan. On the Fox Business Network, he defended the plan as a collaboration with Trump and the Senate and said that the major components are staying intact while opening the door to refinements and improvements.

Later, in an interview with the conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, he countered reports that the White Houses support for the bill might be slipping. Ryan said he had spoken to White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Trumps chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, a number of times about the bill, and he noted that Trump had brought lawmakers to the White House multiple times to make the case for the legislation.

We are on the same page as the White House, Ryan said. I think there are those who would love to wedge us for one reason or another, but thats just not the case.

[White House tries to salvage GOP health-care plan as criticism mounts]

Hours later, at a rally for Affordable Care Act opponents outside the Capitol, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) told activists that the House plan has a lot of problems but could possibly be modified into a real repeal of the ACA.

I believe we can get it done, Cruz said. I can tell you, the last week, four days, Ive been at the White House meeting with the president, with the vice president, saying, Weve got to get it done. 

Various changes have been floated since the bill was unveiled this month. Conservatives have pushed for an earlier phaseout of the ACAs Medicaid expansion, moving it from the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2018, but GOP moderates in the House and Senate have pushed back on that notion.

Doing that would be a nonstarter and would be enormously and hugely problematic for many of our members, said Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), a co-chairman of the centrist Tuesday Group.

Meadows said Wednesday that the Freedom Caucus is closely focused on repealing more of the ACAs mandates governing the extent of insurance coverage. That is probably the No. 1 priority, he said. If we can get those, it would make the rest of it a whole lot easier.

GOP leaders, however, have kept those provisions out of the pending legislation, arguing that their inclusion could threaten the bills passage in the Senate and that many of those mandates can be undone through Trump administration actions.

In another sign of the effect of the CBO report, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) floated a proposal to recalibrate the tax credits established under the House bill to offer more substantial help to low-income Americans. The House bill would offer assistance to individuals making as much as $115,000 a year; Thunes amendment would phase out aid for those making about $75,000 or more.

We want to build on what the House has done, and we think that this amendment does that, Thune said. It just makes it more defensible both in terms of the policy implications and the politics.

Kelsey Snell, Sean Sullivan, Elise Viebeck and David Weigel contributed to this report.

Read more at PowerPost
Syrian security forces cordon off an area following a reported suicide bombing at the Justice Palace in Damascus on March 15. (Agence France-Presse via Getty Images)

Suicide bombers killed dozens of people in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, the sixth anniversary of anti-government protests that devolved into one of the deadliest wars of the century.

Syrian state media said a first attacker detonated his explosives outside the largest courthouse in Damascus, known as the Justice Palace. Hours later, it reported that a second bomber had attacked a restaurant in the citys Rabweh district, killing several people.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, put the death toll at 39, with more than 100 wounded.

Once the site of an Ottoman-era barracks, the Justice Palace is blocks from the labyrinthine Hamidiyeh Bazaar, where wildcat protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assads rule began in 2011, before a fierce government crackdown turned the uprising into all-out war.

[Syrias civil war: Photos and stories of Aleppo]

Although much of Damascus is now tightly secured, Wednesdays bombings were the second assault to hit the capital in a week, heightening concerns among Syrian commanders that the armed anti-government rebellion  now all but crushed  could be turning to urban mass-casualty strikes.

On Saturday, scores of people, many thought to be Iraqi Shiite pilgrims, were killed in a double bombing claimed by an al-Qaeda-linked rebel alliance known as Tahrir al-Sham.

The group also claimed coordinated attacks on security headquarters in the western city of Homs last month, killing at least 42 people.

Syrias war has divided and destroyed much of the country. Monitoring groups say almost a half-million people have been killed and more than 100,000 arrested or forcibly disappeared. The violence has also spurred one of the greatest refugee crises since World War II, with the resettlement of Syrians becoming a divisive political issue across the Middle East, Europe and the United States.

[Report: Syria has secretly executed thousands of political prisoners]

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that more than half of the countrys hospitals are closed or only partially functioning, and that nearly two-thirds of health-care workers have fled.

World powers are now focused on corralling the government and opposition into peace talks, laying out early stages of reconstruction plans that are dependent on a political settlement.

On Wednesday, Russia, Turkey and Iran announced a fresh round of talks between the warring parties in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on May 3 and 4.

In an interview with Reuters, the United Nations envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, urged the government and rebels to speed up those talks.

There is no way that we should be accepting the fact that the sixth anniversary becomes the seventh, he said.

Read more:

In Syria, aid deliveries tail off to hundreds of thousands in need

U.S. forces in Syria try to keep warring allies apart

A heavenly place: Memories from prewar Aleppo

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Anatoly Chernyaev, an influential foreign policy adviser and speechwriter for Mikhail Gorbachev who argued passionately for military de-escalation and political openness while keeping a poignant, detailed personal diary of his observations during the final two decades of the Soviet Union, died March 12 in Moscow. He was 95.

The Gorbachev Foundation confirmed the death in a statement. Family members said he had been suffering from a respiratory illness.

Mr. Chernyaev, a World War II veteran who spent decades rising through the ranks of the Kremlins foreign policy establishment, came to larger attention as a member of a liberal circle of advisers to Gorbachev from 1986 until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Among Gorbachevs most trusted confidants, he was a tireless proponent of the new thinking that would reform the Soviet Union after years of stagnation, demilitarizing its foreign policy and seeking glasnost, or openness, at home.

He urged Gorbachev to seek a historic reduction in nuclear arms with the United States; supported an immediate pullout of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, which the Russians invaded in 1979; and, as early as 1986, proposed considering the prospect of a unified Germany.

Mikhail Gorbachev and Anatoly Chernyaev in 2010. (National Security Archive)

He was a constant fixture at Gorbachevs summits with President Ronald Reagan, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and other world leaders. On the evening the Soviet Union fell, he was one of a few advisers who retreated with Gorbachev to the Kremlins half-lit Walnut Room to make mournful toasts over cognac. Both had sought reform, not the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He was probably the most sincere and greatest supporter of Gorbachevs policies and thinking, said Pavel Palazhchenko, Gorbachevs former chief English-language interpreter and the head of the Gorbachev Foundations media service. Chernyaev viewed this as the opportunity of a lifetime to change foreign policy and, through that, to create conditions for real change at home in the Soviet Union.

Despite shunning publicity  he often stood to the side during group photographs at summits  his influence was considerable. As Gorbachev planned a meeting with Reagan in 1986, Mr. Chernyaev told him that a planned suggestion for modest arms control provided by the Foreign Ministry was no good. (Simply crap! Gorbachev replied, according to a note by Mr. Chernyaev later published in his memoirs).

Earlier that year, Gorbachev had proposed abolishing nuclear weapons by the year 2000, a radical suggestion that many abroad interpreted as propaganda.

Mr. Chernyaev, seeking to implement the spirit of Gorbachevs thinking, proposed making good on that statement, suggesting a significant reduction in strategic weapons as the focus of the meeting. The main goal of Reykjavik, if I understood you correctly in the South, is to sweep Reagan off his feet by our bold, even risky approach to the central problems of world politics, he wrote about the 1986 summit in Iceland.

Gorbachev agreed, and with Reagan talked about the most far-reaching proposals to get rid of nuclear weapons ever discussed during the Cold War. The talks collapsed in disagreement over Reagans missile defense plans, but they provided the foundation for the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty that was the first to eliminate an entire class of nuclear arms.

Erudite and energetic, Mr. Chernyaev became an important vessel for those reform-minded officials in the Soviet bureaucracy who were dismayed by the rollback of the thaw following Joseph Stalins death in 1953 and the Soviet Unions armed intervention in Czechoslovakia in the 1968 Prague Spring.

Anatoly Chernyaev (National Security Archive)

He was a decade older than Gorbachev, brought up in an intelligentsia circle in 1920s Moscow during the comparatively liberal years of Vladimir Lenins New Economic Policy, before Stalin came to power.

Even as a top adviser, he read voraciously (especially literature) and championed novels such as Anatoly Rybakovs Children of the Arbat against the censor.

What influenced Chernyaev and his closest contemporaries most profoundly was what he terms a cult of culture  a passion for literature, history, and ideas  that understood Russia is an inextricable part of Western civilization, Robert English, a scholar of international relations and Slavic languages and literature, wrote in an introduction to Mr. Chernyaevs memoirs, My Six Years with Gorbachev.

Those dormant proponents of the new thinking were energized by the rise of Gorbachev, whose support for reform was like a ray of light, said Svetlana Savranskaya, a senior research fellow at George Washington Universitys National Security Archive who edited the translations of the meticulous diaries that Mr. Chernyaev had kept since 1972.

Mr. Chernyaev was effusive in his praise of Gorbachev, particularly in the latters early years as general secretary of the Community Party from 1985 to 1987.

Weve got a rare leader: a very smart man, educated, alive, honest, with ideas and imagination. And he is brave, Mr. Chernyaev wrote in January 1986, shortly before he was tapped as foreign policy adviser.

That admiration was strained in the later years of perestroika. He recognized early the growing backlash against Gorbachev, and dictated a scathing letter of resignation following the deaths of anti-Soviet protesters in Lithuania in 1991. He never submitted it.

At times, his prose could cut.

He is isolated, he wrote of Gorbachev on July 8, 1990, during the last congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He blames his opponents for not realizing that we are living in an already different society. But he does not realize it himself, because his view of a different society does not correspond to what it is in reality. And for the most part, in reality it turned out to be bad, not good  as he expected it to be when he gave it freedom.

Anatoly Sergeevich Chernyaev was born in Moscow on May 25, 1921, into the family of a former tsarist officer.

He fought against Nazi Germany during World War II as a platoon commander in the Baltics, hiding a lifelong asthmatic condition to avoid disqualification from military service.

After returning from war, he graduated with a history degree in 1949 from Moscow State University and then taught at his alma mater for much of the next decade. After a three-year stint working in Prague at the magazine Problems of Peace and Socialism, an unintentional incubator for liberal Soviet officials, he joined the international department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. He became deputy head of the department in 1970.

He was considering retirement by the time Gorbachev hand-picked him as his foreign policy adviser 16 years later.

Im tired, he wrote then in his diary. I am 65, I want a steady life, more rest and more time for myself, books, exhibitions, theater, the Conservatory, for the loved ones and other women. The bustling position of an adviser does not suit me.

Nonetheless, he consented.

His wife of 47 years, the former Genya Solomonovna Vaynberg, died in 2005. Survivors include his companion of 12 years, Lyudmila Rudakova of Moscow; a daughter from his marriage, Anna Chernyaeva of Moscow; and a grandson.

After 1991, he collaborated with the Gorbachev Foundation and also published books. In 2004, he donated the copies of his diaries covering 1972 to 1991 to the National Security Archive, an anti-secrecy organization. Savranskaya said he did so because he feared they may not remain publicly accessible in Russia.

His views had soured about the political direction of Russia recently under President Vladimir Putin. He was grieving, Savranskaya said. The political direction was so dark and negative, that sometimes he would say, I wish we didnt live to see it. 

CORRECTION: The obituary incorrectly reported Mr. Chernyaevs birthday as May 26, 1921, and the year he donated his diaries to the National Security Archive as 1994. His birthday is May 25, 1921, and he donated his diaries in 2004. The story has been revised.
Chinas premier told the United States on Wednesday: We dont want a trade war with you, but if one breaks out, your companies would bear the brunt.

Yet despite tensions over jobs, currency rates and security matters, Premier Li Keqiang told a news conference in Beijing ahead of the first visit by the new U.S. secretary of state that he remained optimistic about the future of Chinas relationship with the United States.

Our hope on the Chinese side is that, no matter what bumps this relationship may run into, it will continue to move forward in a positive direction, he said.

[Call me, maybe? Trump reaches out to Chinas president in a letter.]

The two countries share extensive common interests and should sit down to talk to each other to build trust and narrow differences, Li told journalists at the end of Chinas annual parliamentary session. He added that diplomats were working toward a face-to-face meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Trump.

Experts say China has been pushing hard to arrange such a meeting, realizing how important personal chemistry between the two leaders could be in maintaining stable ties. U.S. news media have reported that a meeting has been tentatively scheduled for April 6-7 at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Tokyo late Wednesday for his first Asia trip since taking office, and he will visit Beijing later in the week.

Li said Chinas trade and investment ties with the United States created up to 1 million American jobs last year.

Recently I came across an article from an authoritative international think tank. It says that should a trade war break out between China and the United States, it would be foreign-invested companies, in particular U.S. firms, that would bear the brunt of it, he said.

We don't want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldnt make our trade fairer, he added.

[Why American companies fear China is turning its back on them]

While a trade war would have a disproportionate effect on American firms such as Apple that outsource manufacturing to China, economist Christopher Balding said it is not accurate to say that the U.S. economy as a whole is more vulnerable.

China is much more dependent on trade with the U.S. as a percentage of GDP, and received most of its trade surplus from the U.S., said Balding, an associate professor at the HSBC Business School in Shenzhen. It would be easier for U.S. firms to move their supply chain than for China to change its industrial structure, he added.

It remains advisable for China to match its rhetoric on open markets and free trade with action, by opening up its markets to competition in goods and investment, Balding said.

Lis comments came a day after Trumps nominee for U.S. trade representative said that China is one of the top trade problems the United States faces and that it is not clear whether Beijing is still manipulating its currency.

If you look at our problems, China is right up there, Robert E. Lighthizer told the Senate Finance Committee at a confirmation hearing Tuesday.

[Dont let Beijing push us around, warns frustrated former ambassador to China]

Trump repeatedly complained about China on the campaign trail, accusing it of stealing American jobs, manipulating its currency, militarizing the South China Sea and not doing enough to rein in North Koreas nuclear program.

He then upset Beijing by accepting a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen after his election and publicly questioning whether Washington should maintain its one-China policy.

But he eventually backed off, agreeing to honor the policy during what he called a very warm phone call with Xi in February. Since then, he has also refrained from any criticism of China on his Twitter feed.

Li reiterated that the one-China policy is the political foundation of relations and must not be undermined.

With that foundation in place, we believe there are bright prospects for China-U.S. cooperation, he said.

While relations with China will be discussed during Tillersons visit, North Koreas nuclear program is expected to top the secretary of states agenda.

Li repeated his countrys call for dialogue to lower tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions may lead to conflict which would only bring harm to all the parties involved, he said. Its just common sense that no one wants to see chaos on his doorstep.

Read more:

Anxious China scrambles to build rapport with unpredictable Trump and his hawkish Cabinet

As Rex Tillerson makes his debut in Asia, the No. 1 issue will be North Korea

Which world leaders are richer than Donald Trump?

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
Dutch voters headed to the polls in an election that will set the tone for a year of ballot-box drama in Europe.

Dutch voters headed to the polls in an election that will set the tone for a year of ballot-box drama in Europe, as anti-immigrant, anti-establishment campaigners test their strength against long-serving politicians and parties.

Dutch voters headed to the polls in an election that will set the tone for a year of ballot-box drama in Europe, as anti-immigrant, anti-establishment campaigners test their strength against long-serving politicians and parties.

The Dutch political establishment appeared Wednesday to fend off a challenge from anti-Muslim firebrand Geert Wilders, according to initial vote counts, a victory in a closely watched national election that heartened centrist leaders across Europe who are fearful of populist upsets in their own nations.

The result was embraced by other leaders inside and outside the Netherlands as a major blow to anti-immigrant populism, breaking a streak of disruption that started with the Brexit vote and continued with the election of Donald Trump, a skeptic of European integration. Instead, as the Netherlands famed tulip season gets underway, Prime Minister Mark Rutte will remain in office as he tries to form a coalition.

The vote in the prosperous trading nation was seen as a bellwether for France and Germany, which head to the polls in the coming months and have also been shaken by fierce anti-immigrant sentiment.

Wilders nose-dived in recent weeks after topping opinion polls for most of the past 18 months, as Dutch voters appeared to turn away from an election message that described some Moroccans as scum and called for banning the Koran and shuttering mosques.

Wednesday is an evening where the Netherlands, after Brexit, after the American elections, said no to the wrong kind of populism, Rutte told a cheering crowd in The Hague. He said he had already spoken to other European leaders to accept their congratulations.

(Video: Anna-Maria Magnusson / Full Story Media for The Washington Post)

But Wilders vowed to continue his fight, saying that his fierce message had resonated with Dutch voters and that he would prevail as the victor of the next elections.

Well have to wait for the next time to make this happen, Wilders told reporters early Thursday. I guarantee you, this patriotic spring will start. It has already started.

Despite the worse-than-expected result, Wilders was still on track to gain seats, reconfirming his role as a sharp and persistent thorn in the side of the nations mainstream leaders.

Outside Dutch borders, many leaders offered sighs of reliefat the dike that voters may have erected against populist tides.

Congratulations to the Dutch for stopping the rise of the extreme right, wrote French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault on Twitter. Willingness to work for a stronger Europe. His nation faces the first round of a presidential election on April 23.

There, National Front leader Marine Le Pen has vowed to try to lead France out of the European Union if she wins the presidency, a step that would likely shatter the bloc. German leaders also face a challenge as the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party stands to capture seats in Parliament.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also sent a relieved valentine.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is greeted by supporters as he arrives to make a speech in The Hague after his election victory. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

I look forward to continued good cooperation as friends, neighbors, Europeans, Merkel told Rutte in a phone call, her spokesman said.

Taken together, the initial results appeared to show a nation that agreed that it disliked the current political situation  but diverged sharply about an alternative direction. Turnout was high  more than 80 percent  and there were 28 parties to choose from.

With 84 percent of the voting districts reporting results early Thursday, Ruttes center-right Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy remained the largest party, but it was on track to lose nearly a quarter of its seats in parliament, forcing the prime minister to form a new, broader coalition across the political spectrum. His coalition partner, the center-left Labor Party, was wiped out as a political force, a punishing blow in response to cooperation with a longtime rival that had a sharply different approach to the core issues of working citizens.

Even as Wilders confronted limits to his ballot-box appeal  he captured about 13 percent of the vote  his agenda-setting power remained evident after many mainstream politicians tacked rightward during the campaign to advocate for stricter limits on immigrants.

All the politicians of the main parties have been debating his issues, more than theyve been debating other issues such as climate change, said Sarah de Lange, a professor of political science at the University of Amsterdam.

Wilderss Party for Freedom was forecast to build slightly on its current 15 seats in the lower house of parliament, tying it with the centrist Democrats 66 party and the center-right Christian Democratic Appeal. The center-left Green-Left party, led by Jesse Klaver, a 30-year-old upstart who embraced Barack Obama-style campaign tactics, also appeared to do well, potentially quadrupling its seats.

With Brexit and Trump and with the elections in France and Germany on their way, all those journalists weve spoken with in the last weeks wanted to know: Will populism break through in the Netherlands? Klaver said at a jubilant evening rally. This is the answer we have for Europe. Populism didnt break through.

Still, the likely formation of a broad, weak coalition across the political spectrum could give extra ammunition to Wilders even though he will be barred from power. Rutte has repeatedly said he would not work with the peroxide-haired campaigner. Wilders may be able win more voters in the future by saying that mainstream parties are conniving across political lines to ignore the will of the Dutch people.

But it remained to be seen how enduring the sharp tone on immigrants would be.

Rutte significantly toughened his stance on immigrants during the campaign in a bid to capture Wilderss supporters, telling immigrants in January to act normal or go away.

With many of the prime ministers potential coalition partners in favor of a more accepting approach to refugees, he may moderate his tone to build partnerships. And Wilderss underwhelming election-day performance will further ease pressure to take a hard line on immigration.

The key effect of it is international, said Cas Mudde, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia who focuses on political extremism in Europe. It determines what issues we talk about and how we talk about them.

He said that mainstream Dutch political leaders would probably feel less pressure to take a hard line against immigration and may actually become significantly more moderate depending on the outcome of coalition negotiations.

The tone of the Dutch campaign dispirited some citizens who want a welcoming attitude toward refugees and immigrants.

Theyre not making the point what they want to do. Theyre just saying what theyre against, said Arieke Maljaars, 32, a teacher at an elementary school in the heavily immigrant Schilderswijk area of The Hague, where Turkish kebab stands are close to Surinamese grocery stores. She said she planned to vote for the small, centrist Christian Union party. She said some of her 8- and 9-year-old students, most of whom are immigrants or the children of immigrants, were really scared.

One of them said, Maybe Ill have to go to Turkey, and I really dont want to go there. For children in the neighborhood, it can feel frightening, Maljaars said.

Muslim immigrants also said they felt threatened by the message.

Its normal that someone thinks about his own country. But dont do it with discrimination, said Nawaz Nawaz, 62, who emigrated from Pakistan to The Hague 40 years ago and said he voted for a small party that caters to older voters.

Many Wilders supporters said Wednesday that they resented that refugees who came to their country were provided housing and health care even as Dutch people struggled to make ends meet.

I understand they dont have anything, but I have to pay for all that, said Bep van Beele, 66, who lives in the working-class Duindorp area of The Hague, a bastion of Wilderss support. It creates jealousy. Theres not much left for the Dutchman.

Annabell Van den Berghe in The Hague and Isaac Stanley-Becker in Maastricht contributed to this report.
Hackers apparently sympathetic to the Turkish government posted Twitter messages Wednesday on hundreds of public accounts deriding Germany and the Netherlands as Nazis, opening a new front in an escalating war of words between Turkey and its European allies.

It was not clear who was responsible for the tweets, which were posted on the accounts of Amnesty International, UNICEF and the BBC, among others. But the messages suggested backing for Turkish views  echoing recent rhetoric by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan has accused Germany and the Netherlands of Nazism after officials in those countries prevented Turkish ministers from holding political campaign events to court expatriate Turks.

Twitter said it had revoked access to a third-party app in response to the messages, which were mostly removed by late Wednesday, the Associated Press reported. Twitter Counter, an analytics company monitoring the social media site, said it had started an investigation into the hack, the AP reported.

[What Turkey was seeking when Trump called Erdogan]

This is a screen grab of the Amnesty International Twitter feed taken on March 15. Twitter says it has revoked access to block "a third-party app" apparently used to hack a number of accounts to broadcast pro-Turkish messages, like the one illustrated. (AP)

Turkey is weeks away from a referendum that could shift its system of government and grant Erdogan broad new presidential powers while extending his tenure in office. With polls showing an evenly divided electorate, Erdogans supporters have been anxious to sway millions of Turkish voters living in Europe.

That desire has collided with rising anti-Erdogan sentiment in several European countries, stemming from his governments crackdown on dissidents and the surging popularity in Europe of anti-immigrant parties.

In the Netherlands, voters cast ballots Wednesday in elections that mark a test of strength for the countrys anti-Islam forces, led by Geert Wilders, who wants to ban the Koran and shut down mosques.

After more than half a dozen Turkish campaign rallies in the Netherlands and Germany were canceled, Turkish officials accused the Dutch and German governments of caving to domestic nationalist fervor.

At the same time, Erdogans increasingly scathing responses are broadly seen as his own attempt to whip up nationalist support ahead of the referendum. The broadsides by Erdogan include blaming the Netherlands for the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica, Bosnia, which was, in fact, carried out by Bosnian Serb forces. Dutch peacekeepers had been assigned to the area.

It remained to be seen whether his approach  which risked long-term damage to Turkeys relationship with Europe  would have an immediate effect on the Turkish referendum.

Ozer Sencar, chairman of the polling company MetroPOLL, said that anti-Europe appeals were unlikely to sway the portion of the electorate that was still undecided, saying those voters were likely to be more concerned with Turkeys faltering economy than a political dispute with European countries.

The latest unemployment figures, released Wednesday, did not seem to provide any relief for the Turkish government. In December, the unemployment rate hit 12.7 percent, the highest rate in seven years, according to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Read more:

The spat between Turkey and the Netherlands is all about winning votes

Netherlands cancels Turkish foreign ministers visit in spiraling feud between Europe and Turkey

As a new relationship is tested, Turkey keeps high hopes for Trump

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world

Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news
On his way to planting an explosive in a Manhattan alley last September, suspected bombmaker Ahmad Rahimi stumbled into a deep hole in the U.S. system of safeguards against domestic terrorist attacks.

The Elizabeth, N.J., resident had twice come under scrutiny by the FBI because of reported extremist views and suspicious travel overseas. But investigators found no grounds for arresting him, and they lacked alternative measures for maintaining surveillance or influencing the Afghan immigrants behavior.

That gap is the subject of a new bipartisan report that warns of a serious flaw in U.S. defenses against homegrown terrorism: the lack of an effective, comprehensive system for finding, redirecting and rehabilitating Americans who may be on a path to violent extremism. Unless such a system is put in place, the report says, law enforcement officials will be left to try to prevent attacks only after the would-be terrorist becomes operational.

Fighting terrorism requires both tactical efforts to thwart attacks and strategic efforts to counter the extremist radicalization that fuels its hatred and violence and undergirds its strategy and global appeal, says the report, based on a year-long study commissioned by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think tank.

[U.S. team uses Facebook to peel off potential terrorist recruits]

The report, released Wednesday, urges federal backing for an array of programs that would seek to prevent radicalization from taking root in local communities, as well as measures to identify and help people already on a path toward radicalism. The proposed remedies would mostly take place outside the criminal justice system while maintaining a strong connective tissue with law enforcement so that police can be forewarned if someone appears on the brink of committing violence, it says.

The studys release comes as the Trump administration is conducting a formal review of federal programs that focus on countering violent extremism  or CVE, as the field is known. Current efforts have drawn criticism from lawmakers as well as some senior Trump aides.

Matthew Levitt, a former FBI counterterrorism analyst and a co-author of the study, said past U.S. administrations have been slow to embrace community-based approaches that some politicians see as soft. The resulting absence of comprehensive strategy has allowed dangerous people to slip under the radar screen, he said.

Such was the case with the suspects in two of last years most sensational acts of domestic terrorism: Rahimi, the man suspected of planting homemade bombs in New Yorks Chelsea neighborhood and two New Jersey towns, and Omar Mateen, the gunman who killed 49 people in a nightclub in Orlando in June. Both men had been subjects of FBI probes in previous months, but investigators dropped the cases after failing to find evidence of criminal intent.

[Jihadist groups hail travel ban as a victory]

Empowering and incentivizing communities to be active in these cases is in the local and national interest, and the FBI would be the first to say this, said Levitt, who now directs the Washington Institutes Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. At a time when the bureau is conducting more than 900 terrorism-related investigations around the country, he said, it is vital that community organizations be involved in reducing the pool of future violent extremists and handling cases in which the person has not yet crossed the legal threshold.

The study, which included high-ranking counterterrorism officials from previous Republican and Democratic administrations, recommends that government agencies adopt approaches similar to those used by public-health officials to prevent and contain epidemics. It calls for a three-tiered system that would seek to limit exposure to extremist ideology in the first place, then spot potential problems and respond to them before they turn into serious threats. The approach would draw on community organizations, including mosques, churches, civic organizations, social workers and mental health counselors.

The systems latter tier would include off-ramp programs to help rehabilitate formerly radicalized people  including former prison inmates and defectors or returnees who traveled overseas to join jihadist groups. The U.S. penal system now offers scant assistance to ensure that people convicted of terrorism-related offenses do not return to their old patterns, Levitt said.

[Use of terrorist drones by ISIS spurs terrorism fears]

In the next few years, youre going to see people released from prison after being convicted on terrorism charges, he said. There are no reentry programs within the U.S. prison system other than the typical parole officer, who doesnt do CVE stuff.

The report recommends that the proposed initiatives address not just Islamist radicalization but also other extremist groups, including far-right white supremacists behind a rash of attacks on ethnic and religious minorities in recent months. It also suggests that U.S. officials exercise caution in choosing terms used to label or describe radical groups.

The bipartisan panel noted the distinction between Islamic extremism  the administrations preferred term  and Islamist radicals, which refers to followers of a radical political ideology separate from Islam as a religion.

Any serious and effective effort to counter the extremist ideology driving groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaeda must be part of a larger strategy to prevent and counter the full range of Islamist and other extremist ideologies posing security threats to the United States, the report says. And the reason is not ideological; it is practical and programmatic and has to do with how good-governance and public safety programs actually work on the ground in local communities across the country.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley sits in the U.N. Security Council before voting on a resolution to ban the supply of helicopters to the Syrian government and to blacklist Syrian military commanders over accusations of toxic gas attacks on Feb. 28. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

White House instructions to the State Department to look for cuts totaling more than a third

of its budget include orders for what potentially are even higher reductions in U.S. payments to the United Nations.

U.S. officials cautioned that the outline of President Trumps preliminary budget, to be released Thursday, is unlikely to reveal much in the way of intentions for specific programs. Were early in the process with respect to budget numbers . . . it may look very differently a couple weeks or a couple of months down the road, acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Tuesday.

But the outline could provide an indication of how the administration plans to deal with an international institution that Trump during his campaign said caused more problems than it solved, and was just a club for people to get together and talk and have a good time.

[The U.N.s new leader is taking on an impossible job]

The United States spends about $10 billion a year on and through the United Nations, a combination of assessed payments that run the secretariat, peacekeeping operations and programs ranging from the International Atomic Energy Agency to the World Health Organization, and voluntary contributions that include what is by far the largest amount of assistance to global humanitarian aid programs.

Assessments are based on an agreed formula according to national wealth, under which the United States pays between 22 and 28 percent of total costs. Most, but not all, of the assessed and voluntary payments come from the State Department budget.

Threats to decrease or withhold U.N. payments have been common in the past, particularly in Republican administrations, and the United States has often found itself in arrears on assessed funding.

But the Trump administration appears more serious than most in its threats to make deeper and more permanent cuts in payments that would significantly affect U.N. operations. At the same time, it has warned that it may withdraw altogether from U.N. agencies it considers particularly counterproductive.

Chief among them is the U.N. Human Rights Council, a 47-member Geneva-based agency whose rotating membership has included widely agreed rights violators such as China, Cuba and Saudi Arabia. Although President George W. Bush refused to join, President Barack Obama reasoned that it was better to be within the tent than outside.

The principal U.S. criticism of the council is that it has made Israel its favorite punching bag. But Obama officials argued that the U.S. presence on the council had defended Israel and decreased the number of resolutions against it, while leading condemnations of countries such as Syria and North Korea.

During Trumps first month in office, his administration considered vacating the seat, but decided instead to simply warn the council. In a letter to leading humanitarian nonprofits, first reported by Foreign Policy, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the Human Rights Council requires considerable reform in order for us to continue to participate.

Foreign Policy also reported Monday that the State Department had been instructed to seek cuts of more than 50 percent in funding for U.N. programs, although U.S. officials, speaking about budget plans on the condition of anonymity, said that number was above what is being sought.

In her January confirmation hearing, the U. S. ambassador to the United Nations, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, said she would not shy away from using U.S. funding as leverage to change the organization.

At the same time, however, she said that I do not think we need to pull money from the U.N. We dont believe in slash-and-burn.

I havent had anyone talk to me about cutting off the aid, Haley told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee of her conversations with the administration. But we need to look at each and every mission, see what were doing and see how we can make it more effective for people in the area. . . . As Ive said, you can never win with slash-and-burn techniques. That doesnt work. What is important is that we do strategic types of cutting if were going to cut anything at all.

But there is little doubt that the administration is looking to significantly reduce U.S. spending, even as it has said it intends to increase American clout at the United Nations.

Many in Congress have reacted negatively to reports that the administration is looking to cut the overall State Department budget  which accounts for less than 1 percent of the budget  by up to 37 percent.

Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) said such a proposal would be dead on arrival on Capitol Hill, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he was not in favor of such draconian cuts that probably couldnt pass in the Senate.

The diplomatic portion of the federal budget is very important, McConnell told reporters last month.

But the United Nations traditionally has drawn less congressional support. Ire among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remains particularly high over a U.S. abstention late last year under the Obama administration on a Security Council resolution criticizing Israeli settlements in West Bank territory.

I think that after what they have done, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said of the Israel vote, there should be a reduction in funding. Id like to see it specified on some aspects of the U.N., but certainly what they did in their vote in Israel is something  I dont think they deserve American tax dollars.

Graham agreed. While describing himself as an internationalist, he said in an interview that he had suggested we suspend the U.N. funding until they deal with the Israeli issue.

Karoun Demirjian contributed to this report.

Read more:
A supporter of ousted South Korean President Park Geun-hye holds her portrait in front of her private home in Seoul on March 15, 2017. (Ahn Young-Joon/AP)

South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday summoned former president Park Geun-hye for questioning over the huge corruption scandal that led to her being impeached from office last week.

Park, who had refused to be questioned while in office, no longer has immunity from prosecution and will actively cooperate with the investigation, her lawyer said.

Separately, the South Korean government also announced that an election to replace Park would be held May 9. But Hwang Kyo-ahn, the prime minister who is now the acting president, dashed conservatives hopes when he said he would not run for the presidency.

To stabilize state affairs and fairly administer the presidential election, Ive reached the judgment that it is inappropriate for me to run in the election, Hwang said during a cabinet meeting Wednesday. From now onwards, I would like to focus on the tremendous responsibility as the acting president.

Moon Jae-in, a progressive from the main opposition Democratic Party, has a strong lead in the polls, but Hwang had been scoring second  although still a long way behind Moon.

(Jason Aldag,Anna Fifield,Gillian Brockell/The Washington Post)

Hwang became the obvious candidate for conservatives after Ban Ki-moon, the former U.N. secretary general, pulled out of the running. Conservatives now have no clear contender to challenge Moon.

[ South Korean president removed from office over corruption scandal ]

The impeachment of Park on Friday was the first time a president has been dismissed from office since democracy was instituted in South Korea three decades ago. Her removal will help bring an end to the political vacuum the country has experienced for the past three months.

But the criminal investigation will continue and could yield more explosive details about corruption at the top levels of government and business.

The Constitutional Court on Friday found that Park had continuously violated the law and the constitution. The court concluded that as president, Park had helped her friend Choi Soon-sil extract bribes from South Korean conglomerates, leaked confidential documents to Choi and then lied to cover up her wrongdoing.

The justices also upbraided Park for refusing to answer questions about the case. Park had rejected special prosecutors requests that she answer questions about her role, and she declined to appear before the Constitutional Court.

Even after her impeachment, she remains defiant.

1 of 31 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  See activists react to the ousting of South Koreas president View Photos Park Geun-hye has been removed from office, and the nation will need to hold a presidential election within 60 days. Caption Park Geun-hye has been removed from office, and the nation will need to hold a presidential election within 60 days. March 11, 2017 Protesters hold up placards during a rally in Seoul calling for impeached President Park Geun-hyes arrest. South Korean police braced for more violence between opponents and supporters of the ousted president, who was stripped of her powers by the Constitutional Court over a corruption scandal that has plunged the country into a political turmoil. Ahn Young-Joon/AP Wait 1 second to continue.

I feel sorry that I could not finish the mandate given to me as president, a spokesman for Park quoted her as saying Sunday night, when she left the presidential Blue House and returned to her private home  some 56 hours after being dismissed. It will take time, but I believe the truth will be revealed, Park added, according to the spokesman.

[ South Korean prosecutors say president colluded in corruption ]

Prosecutors said they have summoned her to be questioned next Tuesday. Son Bum-kyu, a lawyer for Park, confirmed that her lawyers had received the summons. We will fully cooperate with the investigation, he told reporters.



Prosecutors have recommended 13 charges against Park, including bribery and abuse of power.



They allege that Parks friend Choi planned to take $37 million in bribes from Samsung in return for favorable treatment for the countrys largest conglomerate. Prosecutors say that Park knew of the plan.

Choi is on trial on charges of bribery and extortion, as is Lee Jae-yong, the de facto head of Samsung. Lee, who has been effectively running the huge conglomerate since his father, Lee Kun-hee, was hospitalized almost three years ago, is facing charges including bribery, embezzlement, perjury and violating the law on transferring assets overseas.

Both Choi and Lee strongly deny any wrongdoing.

Read more:

Samsung scion to be indicted on bribery charges

Presidential 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
Every year in mid-March, the world joins the Irish in celebrating their roots and the death of their patron saint, Saint Patrick. In some parts of Ireland March 17 is seen as a holy day, but most people honor St. Patrick by celebrating his adopted homeland with plenty of Guinness , green beers,...

Every year in mid-March, the world joins the Irish in celebrating their roots and the death of their patron saint, Saint Patrick. In some parts of Ireland March 17 is seen as a holy day, but most people honor St. Patrick by celebrating his adopted homeland with plenty of Guinness, green beers, parades, Irish music, and rowdy bar crawls.

Slideshow: The World's 9 Rowdiest St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

Unfortunately, due to bad weather in different parts of the world this year, some big events have been cancelled  like Aucklands St. Patricks Festival Parade. However, not to worry: There is still plenty of partying to partake in across the globe, from St. Croixs parade, to the week-long festivities in Edinburgh and late night dancing in the streets of Buenos Aires.

Whether youre Irish or not, you should make a point to join in on the fun this weekend. Heres a list of some the worlds rowdiest St. Patricks Day celebrations.



Additional reporting by Zoe Zellers.
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, has a birthday today. But how much do you know about one of the most controversial presidents?

jacksonassassin

Even Jacksons birthplace is controversial, since no one knows which future state he was born in. He was born on March 15, 1767, in a region that sits in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

In his lifetime, Jackson was a larger-than-life figure. Hes also the father of the modern Democratic Party, among other things. And Jacksons legendary fight with the Second Bank of the United States had wide-ranging implications for the American economy.

Here are 10 facts about Jackson you may not know:

1. He was a Revolutionary War prisoner of war. Jackson, his mother, and two brothers were involved in the conflict. Young Andrew, who served as a courier, was the only one of the four to survive the war. He was also taken prisoner by the British and later released.

2. Jackson, like Lincoln, was a self-taught frontier lawyer. Jackson was taken in by his uncles after he was orphaned during the Revolutionary War. He studied law while still in his teens, passed the bar at age 20, and became a successful frontier lawyer. Jackson was then appointed solicitor of the western district of North Carolina.

3. He served in Congress at a young age. Jackson was Tennessees first representative in the House, taking office in 1796. He quit after nine months to become a senator, but quit that job after seven months and returned to Tennessee.

4. Jackson made his money in the cotton business and owned slaves. He bought a plantation in Tennessee called The Hermitage in 1804 and already owned nine slaves. When Jackson left Tennessee to become president, the plantation had more than 100 slaves.

5. Jackson was also a self-taught military leader. Jackson became involved in Tennessees state militia, winning an 1802 election to replace another Revolutionary War figure, John Sevier, as the militias leader. His victory, along with his militia at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814, led to his commission in the U.S. Army, where he defeated the British at New Orleans.

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6. Jackson fought the Indians, but adopted two as children. After the War of 1812, Jackson led military forces against the Indians and was involved in treaties that led to the relocation of Indians. As president, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which eventually led to the Cherokee Trail of Tears. But he had two adopted sons who were Indians, and Jackson was friendly with some individual Indians.

7. Jackson was friends with Aaron Burr. The former vice president stayed for several days at The Hermitage as he apparently spoke with Jackson about his plans for an adventure in the Western states. Jackson also was on the witness list for Burrs treason trial. The two men served in Congress at the same time, but in different chambers.

8. Jackson had a long history of dueling. Like Burr, Jackson killed a man in a duel, and in Jacksons lifetime he was involved in at least a dozen duels. In 1806, Jackson survived a shot to the chest to kill Charles Dickinson in a duel over a horse-racing bet (Dickinson had also insulted Jacksons wife). Dickinson was known as the best shot in Tennessee, but Jackson prevailed. Jackson also had a famous gunfight with Thomas Hart Benton.

9. Jackson beat up his own assassin. In January 1805, President Jackson was confronted by a deranged man as he left a funeral held at the Capitol. The man fired point blank at Jackson with a pistol, but the gun misfired. Jackson then started beating the man with his cane. The assassin pulled out a second pistol, which also misfired. Several politicians, including Davy Crockett, subdued the man.

10. Jackson really did have a giant block of cheese in the White House. As weve reported before, Jackson received the 1,400-pound cheddar wheel as a gift in 1835 and kept it in the White House lobby for two years. Before he left office in 1837, Jackson let the public consume the giant cheddar at a reception, which stunk up the building for days.

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WACO, Texas (AP)  Eleven bikers have filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging their civil rights were violated when they were arrested after the 2015 shootout at a Central Texas restaurant.

In their lawsuit, the 11 contend they were arrested without cause after the shootout that killed nine people at the Twin Peaks restaurant and bar in Waco.

The Waco Tribune-Herald (http://bit.ly/2mPMDF8) reports the lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from defendants McLennan County and the city of Waco, former Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman, Detective Manuel Chavez, McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna and other unidentified government employees.

Last week, Morgan English sued county and city officials, alleging civil rights violations and asking for $350 million in damages.

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This story has been corrected to delete reference to second lawsuit filed, which has come into question.

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Information from: Waco Tribune-Herald, http://www.wacotrib.com
The Daily Beast

Doug Mills/The New York TimesFormer President Donald Trump mocked Ron DeSantis at his Saturday night rallycalling the Florida governor Ron DeSanctimonious.And hours later, Trump found himself in hot water with fellow conservatives who werent pleased that hed taken aim at the increasingly popular DeSantis.During his rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, while touting his poll numbers (from a month ago), Trump found an opening to take a swing at DeSantis, whos quickly turned into an unofficial 202
Sixteen-year-old Alba Parejo was bullied for having more than 500 birthmarks  now shes a model and can be seen in magazines, buses and billboards across the country. (Photos: Instagram/albaparejo)

The worst thing I heard was someone telling me dont show your back to anyone, because no one wants a misshapen girlfriend.'

Alba Parejo is a 16-year-old unearthly beauty from Barcelona, Spain. She recently entered  and won  a modelling competition to be the face of a body positivity campaign, now she can be seen in magazines, and across billboards and buses in her country. However, the teen admittedly didnt always feel confident about her looks. Parejo was born with congenital melanocytic nevus, a condition that causes brown birthmarks and dark patches of skin to form on the skin.

I have nevus on my hip, bottom, my thighs and more than 500 moles over my body, the model said in an interview with Caters News agency.

Also see: Teen goes from being called bruised banana to landing Ford modelling contract

People are born to be different????. Yet most people spend their whole life trying to fit in and be the same as everyone else ????#bareyourbirthmark A post shared by Alba Parejo???? (@albaparejo_) on Jul 18, 2016 at 2:42pm PDT

When she was five-years-old, Parejo had already endured 30 operations to remove some of the birthmarks due to the pain they caused. According to Nevus Outreach, some aspects of the affected skin can be uncomfortable  nevus skin can itch and is more fragile than other skin not affected by nevus, making it more prone to tearing.

After her operations, Parejo had to deal with surgery scars in addition to the prominent birthmarks. Growing up, she was mercilessly laughed at and called everything from a Dalmatian to an alien. People even asked her if she painted her skin.

La que me apoya, la que me ensena dia a dia, mi protectora, mi angel de la guarda, mi madre #sumaysigue #otrotacomas #felicidades???? #mitodo A post shared by Alba Parejo???? (@albaparejo_) on Aug 25, 2015 at 2:40pm PDT

Translation: The one who supports me, the one who teaches me day by day, my protector, my guardian angel, my mother

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I realized people were staring at me because of my skin, which made me feel bad, strangers looked at me as if I was a monster, she said in the interview. The worst thing I heard was someone telling me dont show your back to anyone, because no one wants a misshapen girlfriend.

During her childhood, she said she was ashamed to let people see her skin. She yearned to be normal and spent days crying and wishing she were someone else.

She endured years of therapy and received support from her family and friends before coming to the point where she learned to love herself and embrace her skin.

Also see: Model sparks embrace acne movement after walking the runway with pimples

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are????#bareyourbirthmark A post shared by Alba Parejo???? (@albaparejo_) on Dec 1, 2016 at 1:13pm PST

As time went on, I realized that my moles, scars and my nevus is a big part of me both physically and psychologically, she said.

Last year the teen had had enough of being a victim. She posted photos of her birthmarks online and subsequently received hundreds of retweets, over 1,500 likes and supportive comments from people across the globe, who compared her to everything from a beautiful galaxy to a work of art.

We are all born different and because certain people are born different from the rest, does not mean that we are less, she stated on Instagram.

The positive support encouraged the teen to enter, and win, a modelling competition; she is now the face of the Anecblau shopping centre, has appeared as the cover model for Anecblau magazine and has since garnered work with other photographers.

Quien me lo iba a decir? #campananavidad2016 A post shared by Alba Parejo???? (@albaparejo_) on Dec 19, 2016 at 12:55pm PST

She feels more body positive and is trying to make her disease more well known in order to help other people.

What is the use of being afraid? Whats the use of looking down every time a group of teenagers walk by? What is the use of not doing things for fear of what the rest think? It is of no use, therefore, I love myself as I am and I adore my skin, she said.

We were born to be real, not to be perfect???? A post shared by Alba Parejo???? (@albaparejo_) on Feb 4, 2017 at 1:16pm PST

Large congenital nevi occur in one in every 20,000 births. The nevi form in the womb within the firm trimester of pregnancy and are caused by a defect during the embryologic development.

Its not hereditary and theres currently no confirmed method of prevention. It can appear in both males and females and in people of all races.

Let us know what you think by tweeting @YahooStyleCA!




SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Authorities in Puerto Rico say they have detained up to 30 migrants from the Dominican Republic in waters near the U.S. territory.

Police said Wednesday that the migrants were found aboard a boat near the tiny Puerto Rican island of Desecheo.

Thousands of Dominican migrants try to cross the dangerous Mona Passage every year in an attempt to land in Puerto Rico.
BERLIN (AP)  Three men and a woman were sentenced to prison terms between three and five years Wednesday for forming a far-right terrorist group in Germany with a plan to bomb refugee homes as a tactic to scare migrants into leaving the country.

The Munich state court ruled that the four founded the so-called Oldschool Society in August 2014. The group grew to have about 30 members with plans to commit attacks on foreigners and refugee homes because of their racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim beliefs, the court said.

Judge Reinhold Baier said in his verdict that the group wanted to drive refugees out of Germany even if it meant killing people to do so, the German news agency dpa reported.

Germany's top security official, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, applauded the verdict, saying it showed authorities are "acting decisively against any form of terrorism."

"The verdict today shows that the state is determined and vigilant in the fight against right-wing extremism and far-right terrorism," he said.

The group had planned to attack a refugee shelter in the Saxon town of Borna in May 2015, but police had the group under surveillance and detained the four founding members shortly before they could carry out the plan.

The head of the group, 58-year-old Andreas H., from the southern city of Augsburg, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Deputy leader Markus W., 41, received five years and his girlfriend, Denise G., 24, received three years and 10 months. Both are from the eastern state of Saxony.

Olaf O. from the western city of Bochum, the group's spokesman, was sentenced to three years. Last names were withheld in line with German privacy rules.

The four expressed their hatred for migrants on social media, mobile messaging and in a phone chat group. Denise G., who called herself "terror lady," expressed impatience during the conversations that attack plans were not developing fast enough, dpa reported.

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In a separate conversation, Andreas H. and Merkus W. talked about how to build a nail bomb.

During raids on their homes, police found weapons, illegal explosives and nails. According to the court, Markus W. and Denise G. had bought the illegal explosives in the Czech Republic just days before the planned attack in Borna.

Germany has seen a sharp increase in attacks on asylum homes in the last two years amid an unprecedented influx of migrants seeking refuge in Germany from war, persecution and poverty.
By the time you retire, you have probably been building your credit score for decades. In fact, senior citizens tend to have the best credit scores of any generation, according to the credit reporting bureau Experian. But while this time in your life is meant for relaxation, that doesn't mean that you can completely let down your guard regarding credit.

Good credit is important throughout your adult life, including in your later years. Here are four times when your credit record counts.

[See: 8 Ways to Maximize Your Credit Card Rewards.]

1. Downsizing or moving to a different location. Maybe you want to relocate to a warmer climate or an area that's closer to family. Or you could decide to save money and housecleaning effort by downsizing to a smaller home. Unless you can pay cash for your new place, you will need to apply for a mortgage. The better your credit, the better chance you have of qualifying for the lowest mortgage rates.

Even if you decide to rent a property, whether it's your primary residence or a vacation home, you will need good credit. Most landlords run credit checks to lower the risk that they end up with tenants who can't pay on time every month.

[See: 10 Easy Ways to Pay Off Debt.]

2. Getting the best credit card. For many older Americans, retirement is a time to travel. A good travel rewards credit card is a great tool for saving money on your dream vacation. You'll earn points for your regular spending on the card (and often bonus points for travel expenses), which you can eventually cash in for free flights and hotel stays. Plus, most airline cards come with perks such as free checked bags, trip cancellation insurance and free rental car insurance.

A good credit score gives you access to top-tier rewards cards. Those premium programs can make a serious dent in the cost of frequent trips.

If you're the type who likes to stick closer to home, cash back credit cards can help defray the cost of everyday expenses. As long as you pay off your balance in full every month and don't spend more than you normally would just to earn points, you should come out ahead with a rewards card.

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Plus, credit cards come with more consumer protections than debit cards. That can be especially important for older consumers, who are often targeted by fraudsters. Zero liability policies mean that you aren't responsible for any fraudulent charges on your credit card, as long as you quickly report suspicious activity to your card issuer.

3. Embarking on a second career. For many seniors, retirement doesn't mean leaving the workforce altogether. If you want to get a part-time job, switch careers or start a business, a bad or lapsed credit record could create hurdles. Some employers check credit reports for job applicants. So do small-business lenders and even some business suppliers. A strong credit history helps assure them that you are responsible.

[See: What to Do If You've Fallen (Way) Behind on Your Credit Card Payments.]

4. Entering assisted living and nursing home care. No one likes to think about it, but there may come a time when you need to move into a facility that provides access to medical care. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes are expensive, and they don't take Medicare for long-term stays. Managers of these facilities will want to see that you can make timely payments for your care, and a good credit score helps convince them. A bad credit record could keep you from being approved to live there.

How to maintain your good credit score. It's easy to let your credit record lapse if you don't have any outstanding loans. One simple way to keep your record active is by regularly using a credit card and paying the bill on time every month, even if it's just for a small expense such as a tank of gas or load of groceries. If you fail to use a card, the issuer will eventually deem it inactive and close the account, damaging your credit score.

It's also important to continue checking your credit record to make sure that it doesn't contain errors and that you haven't been a victim of fraud. You can get a free copy of your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Greg Go is the co-founder of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card education blog, where you can find tips on how to find the best travel credit cards. His insights have been featured on platforms such as CNBC, BigThink, Yahoo Finance, Business.com and About.com. Go was the keynote speaker for the Financial Blogger Conference in 2013. In 2016, he was nominated for the Plutus Lifetime Achievement Award at the same conference.
On Wednesday, Rex Tillerson departed for his first trip to Asia as secretary of state. Japanese, South Korean, and Chinese officials and observers will be asking five fundamental questions about the new administrations Asia policy.

1. Will the United States continue to lead in Asia? While the signals coming from the White House on global leadership have not been encouraging, American allies and partners, and for different reasons, China, are asking whether America will maintain its leadership role in Asia. Will the United States continue to rally other countries around priorities like nonproliferation, counterterrorism, and freedom of navigation? That Tillerson is not visiting Southeast Asia on his first trip is disappointing, because it is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), now in its 50th year, that provides the platforms, like the East Asia Summit, where the U.S. can speak to regional priorities such as foreign terrorist fighters and Chinas artificial island-building in the South China Sea. Southeast Asia is also home to an exploding consumer class. But stops in Tokyo and Seoul will give Tillerson a chance to solidify relationships with counterparts in Japan and South Korea, with both allies looking for reassurance of U.S. staying power and shared priorities.

2. Does the Trump administration have a vision for strategic economic engagement in Asia? Central to the question of American leadership is a vision for a prosperous Asia, as economic policy is a critical facet of diplomacy in Asia. With the Trump administrations dismissal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, partners and allies are left questioning what the new administration wants to achieve in Asia on the economic front. There is great demand for the United States to provide alternatives to Chinas Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a trade deal that includes all of Asia, and to the One Belt, One Road development strategy. Asia wants more high-quality U.S. goods and investment. But bilateral trade deals are not the best vehicle in a region that is integrating. At base, ASEANs main project is to come together in an economic and political union. Fast-growing Southeast Asia will want to know that the United States continues to support its vision of an ASEAN community.

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3. What is the Trump administrations China policy? Trump has signaled his intention to take a harder line with China. But while the region certainly looks to the United States to take a lead in pushing back on bad Chinese behavior, standing up to China is not an end in and of itself. U.S. partners in Asia want to see a strategy grounded in shared principles  protecting U.S. rights and sovereignty, advancing a fair and transparent economic environment, and guarding U.S. national security  and that seeks not just to confront China, but also to find common ground and work out differences peacefully. All of Asia, but particularly Southeast Asia, is irreversibly dependent on both the United States and China for its economic livelihood and for regional peace and stability. No one in Asia wants a new Cold War that forces countries to choose sides. Conversely, in areas where the United States and China have been able to forge cooperation  or at least civil dialogue  it can catalyze region-wide cooperation. A case in point is North Korea.

4. Does the Trump administration have a clear strategy for dealing with North Korea? North Koreas recent missile launches, apparently simulating an attack on U.S. and South Korean forces, will undoubtedly be at the center of Tillersons discussions. In recent years, efforts to work with China to impose new costs on North Korea  particularly through U.N. sanctions  have helped galvanize broader regional efforts to shut down North Korean proliferation activities and fundraising. With clear guidance from the U.N. Security Council, and particularly with consensus among the permanent members  China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States  smaller, weaker nations have been more willing and able to help shut down Pyongyangs money-making pipelines. With the killing of Kim Jung Uns younger brother in Kuala Lumpur last month, now is a good time to push Southeast Asia toward even tougher enforcement of sanctions.

South Koreas decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system is an important signal that the United States will protect itself and its allies, but it is also raising tensions with China, which opposes North Koreas nuclear activities, but also has deep-seated concerns about the consequences for China of possible conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Pressing Beijing to do more to raise the costs to the North of pursuing its illegal nuclear and missile programs will be key to any North Korea strategy, but China does not, in fact, have complete control over Pyongyang. In Tillersons discussions in Beijing, Asia will be looking to see that he intends to push China to do more, but also that he understands Chinese interests. North Koreas nuclear program is a complex, hard problem with no good answers. It is a quandary that has challenged even the best, most seasoned diplomats and strategic thinkers. Asia will be watching to see if the Trump administration is up to this difficult task.

5. Does the Trump administration have a sensible approach to fractious maritime disputes? The South China Sea has faded from the public eye in recent months, but many in Asia will be looking to Tillersons meetings to clarify the U.S. position on the regions maritime disagreements. His call during his confirmation hearing for a blockade of island outposts and statements from other key Donald Trump advisers suggesting a more confrontational approach in the South China Sea initially raised serious questions about U.S. intentions. The one thing that the entire region, including ASEAN, has consistently agreed on has been the need to resolve disputes in accordance with international law (even if some, particularly China, try to interpret that law differently). Chinese officials will most likely seek to avoid discussion of maritime issues.

Japan, whose own maritime dispute with China in the Senkaku Islands has heated up in recent years, has sought reassurances that the United States will continue to uphold international law, honor its security commitments, and continue to oppose Chinas militarization of its South China Sea outposts. How Tillerson responds to these opposing pressures will be telling. If he visits Japan and China without speaking on maritime issues, that will raise questions about Americas commitment to international law, its longstanding role as security guarantor in the region, and obligations to allies like Japan and the Philippines. But an approach that isnt grounded in law, and doesnt take into account the complexities of the competing claims, will only aggravate tensions and weaken the ability of the United States to lead on this consequential issue.

Photo credit: Tillerson (right) and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bonn, Germany, on February 17, 2017. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
Photo credit: Courtesy of Le Creuset

From Delish

The best things in life may be free, but the second-best things are most certainly not. In fact, they can be pretty pricey. We'll sing Le Creuset's praises until the end of time (the cast-iron pots and pans are our editors' favorites), but we'll also be the first to admit that the brand is not exactly wallet-friendly. Alas, we're not deterred - and you shouldn't be, either. Here are five ways to save money while knocking a Le Creuset French oven off your wish list.

Take a road trip.

There are Le Creuset Outlet Stores in 36 states, and they're a bargain-hunting Le Creuset-lover's dream come true. You might have to drive to get to one (many are located just outside of major cities), but once you arrive you'll find a good stock of cast-iron ovens and braisers on the cheap. If you're nervous that you're sacrificing quality for price, don't be: The discounted items are probably just in discontinued colorways or have minor defects - like a bubble in the enamel - that won't affect your cooking.

Visit discount stores.

TJ Maxx Maxxinistas have been holding out on us: They're not only finding deals on Tibi dresses and Kate Spade handbags; they're scooping up insanely inexpensive Le Creuset pieces. The same goes for similar shops, like Marshalls and Tuesday Morning, and discounts are made for the reasons execs slash prices at the outlets: The ovens are last year's colors or have teeny-tiny-you-need-glasses-to-notice imperfections. You won't always find an ample selection - sometimes you won't find any at all - but it's worth a trip to the kitchen section when you're at these stores.

Turn someone else's trash into your treasure.

Photo credit: Joanne Levesque / Getty

Perennial Le Creuset collectors tout flea markets and garage sales as good spots to pick up no-longer-wanted pieces. Some superfans have even found totally usable French ovens in their neighbor's trash!

Call your grandma.

Yes, we're serious. If Grams is a hardcore cook, there's a decent chance she's got at least one Le Creuset piece collecting dust in her cupboard. The storied brand is famous for its lifetime warranty, which offers the original owner protection against defects (not including normal wear and tear).

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Join a cashback website.

Photo credit: The Washington Post / Getty

If you don't want to compromise on small defects or strange colors (that flame orange set isn't going to complete itself!), you might have to pay full price. Before you shop, sign up for a website that will put money back in your pocket just for buying something. Ebates offers 5 percent cash back on LeCreuset.com purchases, while ShopAtHome gives you up to 6 percent at Macy's and JC Penney.

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As Americans wrap their minds around the significance of Russias interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the possibility that the Donald Trump campaign entered into a quid pro quo with the Russian government, Russian soldiers continue to kill Ukrainians in Donbass. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has raged for three years and claimed 10,000 lives, attracts scant U.S. media attention these days unless it is connected to Trump. However, even if the killings in Donbass seem routine and Americans remain (rightly) focused on Russias interference in their own country, the United States cannot afford to lose sight of the Kremlins ongoing political-military campaign to destabilize Ukraine and install a pro-Russian government in Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin undoubtedly briefed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week on the latest aspects of this campaign.

There is in fact a direct connection between Russias aggression in Ukraine and its interference in the U.S. election. Russias efforts to install a more pliable figure in the White House were aimed in part to get the new U.S. administration to back off from its support for Ukraine. In my professional interactions with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, he was singularly focused on criticizing U.S. support for the democratic government in Kiev. Kislyak and other Russian government officials often argued that Moscows core interests were threatened by the fall of Ukraines previous kleptocratic government led by Viktor Yanukovych, and that the United States should steer clear of Ukraine.

The reason why Ukraine matters to the United States is not because it has important economic or military interests there. Rather, it is because Russias invasion of its neighbor and attempted annexation of part of its territory contravene the most basic principles of the international order: respect for other countries sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders. When these principles are violated by brute force and the act goes unchallenged, not only does it fan the flames of Russias territorial ambitions on its periphery but also invites countries around the world to use force to achieve similar revanchist aims.

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It is precisely for these reasons that the national security professionals in the current administration must develop a coherent strategy for supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. This requires a cognitive leap of faith: setting aside for the moment the possibility that the Trump campaign reached a deal to throw Ukraine under the bus (even given the fact that former campaign chairman Paul Manafort had previously worked for the kleptocratic Yanukovych regime). An independent special prosecutor must look into that possibility. The professional national security officials in the White House, State Department, and Pentagon cannot, however, afford to become distracted by this issue and should begin putting in place the policies to ensure Russias objectives in Ukraine are blocked. They should start by focusing on the following six issues.

1. The new administration should continue to strengthen Ukraines defenses against Russian aggression. The $335-million program launched by the Obama administration in 2016 providing training and equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces is a good baseline from which to work. Military training by British, Canadian, Lithuanian, and U.S. forces has dramatically increased Ukraines capabilities and provided the skills and equipment to repel attacks like the deadly assault in Avdiivka at the end of January. Despite suffering several dozen casualties, Ukrainian forces stood firm in Avdiivka and successfully repulsed a combined Russian and separatist offensive. The Ukrainian troops on the front lines at the time were trained by U.S. instructors.

In addition to extending and expanding the training program to eventually include combined arms training (a qualitative step up from current training efforts), the new administration should also provide Ukraine with defensive weapons and equipment. This includes anti-tank missiles and counter-battery radars with fire control systems to allow Ukrainian forces to target the sources of incoming artillery shells. Most Ukrainian casualties result from Russian multiple rocket launchers, mortars, and mobile artillery. The United States and other NATO nations should therefore give Ukraine the means to defend itself against these highly lethal weapons, many of which indiscriminately target civilians as well as soldiers.

While some have claimed that arming Ukraine would invite Russia to escalate the conflict, defensive weapons will not tip the balance on the battlefield in Ukraines favor, given Russias overwhelming advantage in firepower. They will however make it costlier and more difficult for the combined Russian and separatist forces to go on the offense and take additional territory, as they attempted to do in Avdiivka. For the Russian General Staff, NATOs refusal to arm Ukraine is in fact far more provocative than the provision of defensive weapons.

2. The United States needs to get directly involved in the diplomacy to resolve the conflict. In the early stages of the crisis, the United States and European Union played a direct role in convening discussions with Russian and Ukrainian officials. However, the U.S. was sidelined in the diplomatic process when French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel excluded President Barack Obama from a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Poroshenko in Normandy in June 2014, giving rise to the so-called Normandy group (France, Germany, Ukraine, and Russia). With the United States absent, the Normandy leaders subsequently agreed on the poorly crafted Minsk protocol of February 2015, which elevated the role of Russian proxies in the negotiations and gave Moscow a pretext for blocking implementation.

By giving the proxies a seat at the table to discuss the modalities of implementing the Minsk protocol  including provisions for Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) access to the entire territory of Donbass and removal of heavy weapons  the February 2015 agreement implicitly passed the buck from the Kremlin to Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. Predictably, the result has been a lack of progress in the two years since the Minsk protocol was agreed upon. Moscow perfected this game after its invasion of Georgia in 2008 with the Geneva International Discussions. The Kremlin understands perfectly well that the pretense of negotiations perpetuates the status quo, while the involvement of local proxies deflects blame. The United States must get directly involved in the negotiations to change this dynamic.

3. No resolution to the conflict is possible without increasing leverage over Russia. This is admittedly not an easy task. Russia wants control of the government in Kiev, and is willing to play the long game and invest significant resources to achieve this objective. While sanctions have certainly hurt Russias economy, Moscow is probably betting that over time it can pick off a European (or American) leader by using the right sweeteners and get them to defect from the existing consensus. To maximize its leverage, the United States therefore needs to be able to dial sanctions up or down, depending on Russian behavior. This is quite difficult for sanctions that require close U.S.-EU collaboration, because EU decision-making is slow and cumbersome. Furthermore, unilateral U.S. sanctions targeting upstream energy development or defense-industrial production would be ineffective without EU buy-in, because European companies could simply backfill the contracts vacated by their U.S. competitors. Financial sanctions, however, can be more easily regulated and are less dependent on matching EU measures. Furthermore, there is significant scope to go further with existing financial sanctions. To date, the United States has imposed blocking sanctions  i.e. sanctions that block all of a companys financial transactions  on only one Russian bank, and that bank is not even among the top 20 largest financial institutions in Russia. Unilateral U.S. financial sanctions should thus be considered as a tool to incentivize compliance with the Minsk protocol.

4. The time horizons must change. Right now Russia is playing the long game, determined to keep its military options open while it experiments with political subversion using corruption and oligarchs as tools. Sanctions and low oil prices have hurt the Russian economy, but the impact has been gradual and cumulative, enough to weigh on decision-making about Russias next steps but not enough to call the mission into question. The administration should therefore work with France and Germany to craft a detailed roadmap for implementing the Minsk protocol, spelling out very concretely what steps need to be taken and their sequencing.

Although the Minsk agreements of September 2014 and February 2015 are far from perfect, their key conditions do offer a path towards restoring Ukraines sovereignty over Donbass. The key to successful implementation, however, lies in linking the Minsk roadmap to an explicit timeline. So, for example, Western leaders should insist that Russia withdraw its forces from the line of contact by a specific date. Right now this requirement is open-ended, so combined Russian/separatist and Ukrainian forces remain entrenched, in some places with less than 100 yards of separation. Once forces withdraw from the line of contact, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission must be given a 24/7 mandate to certify the withdrawal of heavy weapons from proscribed zones, also by a specific date. Currently, there is no timeframe specified for the withdrawal of heavy weapons and OSCE monitors perform their job during daylight hours only  hardly a recipe for sustainable demilitarization. Under a strict timeline for Minsk implementation there would be consequences for Russias missed deadlines, consisting primarily of increased sanctions. To date, the absence of any deadlines or consequences for failing to meet them has perpetuated a deadly status quo and encouraged Moscow to try to outlast the West. After all, Putin has been in power for 17 years and has seen his share of Western leaders come and go. He may think that if he can just hang on a little longer, the Western consensus on sanctions will eventually be broken.

5. The new administration must continue to invest in Ukraines success. The Obama administration devoted exceptional high-level attention to Ukraine, with Vice President Joe Biden regularly interacting with Ukraines top leadership. The Obama administration also applied conditionality to its assistance in order to force Ukrainian leaders to make necessary but difficult reforms. One of the worst things the new administration could do to Ukraine (aside from an explicit sellout to Russian interests) would be to adopt a laissez-faire approach. Although Ukraine has a vibrant civil society and a strong cadre of reforms in government and in the parliament, it also has its share of holdovers from the old system that continue to profit from entrenched corruption. At U.S. urging, powerful institutions have been set up to fight this endemic corruption, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption. But a weak judiciary and networks of cronies inside the bureaucracy have fought a vicious war against these new institutions, correctly understanding their power to change the entire system. Only concerted Western pressure and vigilance can ensure that Ukraines rule of law institutions gradually fulfil this mandate.

6. The new administration must enlist greater European support for Ukraines democratic development. European countries simply do not exert the sort of leverage and conditionality on reforms as the United States or the International Monetary Fund. Europe arguably has the most to win or lose from Ukraines success and so its curiously passive role cannot be allowed to stand. European ambassadors in Kiev should go beyond the comfort zone of sending cables back to their capitals and speaking out more about what needs to be done to advance reforms. To be sure, Ukraine has made enormous strides in the last few years. But continued progress requires coordinated, proactive involvement by U.S. and European leaders to ensure that Ukraine keeps reforming, strengthening its democratic institutions, and developing the capabilities to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

For the future of European security and the liberal international order, the international community needs to ensure that when Kremlin leaders reflect a decade from now on Russias occupation of Ukraine, they see it as a strategic blunder that set Ukraine irrevocably on a path towards Western integration and liberal democracy.

Photo credit: Tillerson (right) meets with Klimkin at the State Department in Washington on March 7, 2017. MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
Adam Driver and Rihanna are both set to star in upcoming music-filled drama "Annette" reports Variety.

Amazon Studios has acquired US and Canadian distribution rights to the movie, with the producers now looking for another female lead, after Rooney Mara pulled out of the project due to other commitments.

The movie will be helmed by cult French director Leos Carax ("Holy Motors") and will mark Carax's English-language debut.

The drama will feature original songs by Sparks, the art-rock band founded in 1971 by Ron and Russell Mael.

Shooting on "Annette" will begin this spring.

Driver has just wrapped up his role on HBO's "Girls" as season six of the series now draws to a close. He will soon be seen in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" out December this year, and most recently starred in Jim Jarmusch drama "Paterson."
Afghanistan's defense ministry Wednesday shrugged off allegations that insiders were involved in a catastrophic insurgent attack on the country's largest military hospital, as it faces scathing public criticism over the assault.

Gunmen disguised as doctors stormed Sardar Daud Khan hospital in Kabul last Wednesday, with multiple surviving staff telling AFP that insiders including two interns were among the attackers.

The carnage inside the heavily guarded hospital points at a spectacular intelligence failure and spotlights how insurgents have managed to infiltrate top government and military institutions in Afghanistan.

"We have no evidence it was an insider job," Deputy Defense Minister Helaludin Helal, head of a government investigation team, told reporters.

"The attackers entered the hospital using a Corolla car. One blew himself up and four others entered the building."

But his comment contradicts an earlier statement from his own ministry's spokesman Mohammad Radmanish, who conceded that "the attack was carried out from both outside and inside".

"This could not have been possible without the help of people inside," Radmanish said on Sunday.

Public anger has grown over the episode, with speculation swirling on social media that such a brazen attack on the tightly guarded hospital could not have happened without the complicity of high-ranking officials.

"The government is trying to cover up its embarrassing security failures and pretend there was no help from within," one Afghan said on Facebook Wednesday, echoing a deluge of similar comments.

The Afghan security leadership has also come under bitter criticism from lawmakers.

MPs are calling for the impeachment of Afghanistan's defense and interior ministers and the intelligence chief, as the country braces for an intense fighting season in the spring.

For his part, Helal said 24 hospital and military officials accused of "negligence of duty" are being prosecuted.

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He added 50 people were killed by five attackers. But security sources and the survivors, some of whom counted dead bodies, previously told AFP that the death toll exceeded 100.

The savagery of the assault was characterised by how the assailants stabbed bed-ridden patients, threw grenades into crowded wards and shot people from point-blank range.

The Islamic State group claimed it was behind the attack via its propaganda agency Amaq -- hours after the Taliban denied responsibility.

But the survivors AFP spoke to said the attackers chanted "Long live Taliban" in Pashto and attacked all but two wards on the hospital's first floor where Taliban patients were admitted.
A monumental new installation by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei goes on display this week as part of the exhibition "Law of the Journey" at the National Gallery in Prague, and the artist has shared a time-lapse video of the installation's set-up.

At the center of the show, the dissident artist examines the European refugee crisis with an epic installation that takes over the gallery's post-industrial, cathedral-like big hall. Here, a large inflatable raft is filled by more than 300 life-size human figures.

A refugee himself, Ai Weiwei has conceived a number of art projects devoted to the crisis; his documentary "Human Flow" was unveiled earlier this year at the Berlin film festival.



The exhibition will feature some of the artist's previous works as well, including "Laundromat" (2016), which also addresses the refugee crisis; "With Flowers" (2013-2015), a self-portrait in confinement; "Snake Ceiling" (2009) and the chandelier sculpture "Traveling Light" (2007).



"Ai Weiwei: Law of the Journey" will be on display from March 17, 2017 to January 7, 2018.



Watch the a video of the installation set-up: www.instagram.com/p/BRlm-vggoA7



Find out more about the exhibition at www.ngprague.cz/en/exposition-detail/ai-weiwei.
In the introduction to a headline-making episode Tuesday of her MSNBC show in which she revealed the contents of one of Donald Trumps old tax returns, Rachel Maddow had cause to remind audiences of a particular presidential one-liner from American history: the moment in November of 1973 when President Richard Nixon told the American people, I am not a crook.

Though Nixon was already embroiled in the Watergate scandal that would lead to his downfall and the line was widely interpreted as a reflection of that situation  the break-in that started everything took place in 1972, and Nixon had been questioned about that too  the line came in response to something else. At an editors conference, a journalist named Joseph Ungaro asked whether the Presidents taxes had been accurately reported. The people have to know whether or not their President is a crook, Nixon responded. Well, I am not a crook. I have earned everything Ive got.

The question of Nixons taxes was the subject of a TIME cover story early the following year  a cover that Maddow displayed to viewers on Tuesday night. As Maddow noted to viewers, the questioning of Nixons tax situation was fruitful for investigators, a situation that TIME explained:

The President, when the IRS is concerned, I assure you, is just another citizen and even more so. President Richard Nixon offered that wry observation exactly one month ago, when advance warnings had been posted that he might owe half a million dollars in back taxes. Last week Citizen Richard Nixon learned exactly how much even more so could add up to. On Tuesday afternoon, three agents of the Internal Revenue Service journeyed to the White House to present him with a bill of $432,787.13, for back taxes for the four years 1969-72, plus an undisclosed amount of interest due that could make the total he owes as high as $460,000. A day later the staff of the Congressional Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation published its own independent estimate of Nixons tax and interest liabilities. It was remarkably close to the IRS calculation: $476,431. Neither agency nor committee made any accusation of fraud on the part of the President and, as good as his word when he invited the committee to audit his returns last December, Nixon promptly declared that he would pay the IRS bill. His present tax lawyers, Kenneth W. Gemmill and H. Chapman Rose, dissented from that decision, arguing that if permitted to contest the IRS findings through the courts, they could significantly reduce the amount. Most tax experts agree, but that course was clearly not open to the nations No. 1 taxpayer at a time when he is fighting to avoid impeachment and keep his office. As one presidential aide explained: His position was that he had promised to abide by the committees recommendationsand that was it. There never was any question. It was more important to keep his word, even if it hurt. And let me tell you, it hurt.

Nixon, as the story noted, enjoyed the dubious distinction of being the first sitting President ever to be audited by the Congressional Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. The investigation generally concluded that, though Nixon had not properly paid his taxes, his owing money did not mean he had purposefully committed fraud. Nevertheless, amid the larger atmosphere of scandal, Nixons assertion that he was not a crook would go down as a one of the most infamous statements of presidential history.

As TIME put it in that cover story, the White House doubtless wishes that somehow the books could be snapped shut as decisively and relatively cleanly on Watergate as they were last week on the Presidents tax problems. Of course, they cannot be.

Read the full story here in the TIME Vault: Nixons Tax Scandal
A 1,000-year-old circular tomb, whose walls are decorated with colorful murals, has been discovered in Datong City, in northern China.

Because the tomb's entranceway is sealed off with bricks, archaeologists had to enter through a hole in the deteriorating arch-shaped roof.

The team, from the Datong Municipal Institute of Archaeology, found cremated human remains in an urn in the middle of the tomb. No texts were found in the tomb, but the archaeologists believe that the tomb likely belonged to a husband and wife. [See Photos of the Circular Tomb and Colorful Murals]

The murals on the walls show servants, cranes and numerous articles of clothing that hang on several stands, their colors still vibrant despite the passage of a millennia.

Colorful clothing

Colorful clothing abounds on the tomb's murals. One clothes stand, painted on a mural on the west wall, has "sky blue, beige, bluish-gray, yellowish-brown and pink clothes," wrote the archaeological team in a paper published recently in the journal Chinese Cultural Relics. "The garment to the far right has a green-diamond grid pattern, each diamond of which has a small red decorative flower in it," wrote the archaeologists, noting that another article of clothing has what appears to be a jade ring that "hangs at the waist."

The murals on the west wall of the 1,000-year-old tomb depict articles of clothing as well as two servants. Courtesy of Chinese Cultural Relics

Additionally, the mural shows that "in front of the clothes stand there is a long rectangular table, on which are placed four round plates, black on the outside and red inside, holding, respectively, a headdress, bracelets, hairpins and combs," the archaeologists wrote.

On the east wall of the tomb the mural shows another clothes stand. "On the stand hang beige, light green, bluish-gray, pink and brown clothes," the archaeologists wrote. "On one of the garments hangs a ring-shaped pei pendant accompanied by a string of black beads." Pei is a word that can mean "matching" or "accompanying" in English.

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Liao Dynasty

The team believes that the tomb likely dates to the Liao Dynasty (A.D. 9071125). Historical records indicate that this dynasty, controlled by the Khitan, flourished in northern China, Mongolia and parts of Russia.

At that time, people in northern China were sometimes buried in tombs decorated with murals. In 2014, Live Science reportedon the discovery of another tomb containing murals, which was found decorated with images of stars as well as numerous animals, including a crane, deer, yellow turtle and even a cat playingwith a silk ball. That tomb was also excavated by a team from the Datong Municipal Institute of Archaeology.

Archaeologists believe that both mural-decorated tombs will help shed light on those who lived during the Liao Dynasty.

The tomb with the murals showing colorful clothing was excavated by the Datong Municipal Institute of Archaeology team in 2007. The team published a report on the tomb in 2015, in Chinese, in the journal Wenwu. That report was translated into English for publication in Chinese Cultural Relics.

Original article on Live Science.

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By Stephanie Nebehay GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. refugee agency special envoy Angelina Jolie made an impassioned plea on Wednesday for internationalism in the face of wars driving people from their homes and a "rising tide of nationalism masquerading as patriotism". The Hollywood actress, speaking at the United Nations in Geneva, called for a renewed commitment to the "imperfect" world body and to diplomacy to settle conflicts. "If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must," Jolie said in the annual Sergio Vieira de Mello lecture honoring the veteran U.N. aid worker killed in a Baghdad bombing in 2003. "We see a rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others," she warned. Jolie did not refer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump whose administration is reviewing its funding of the United Nations and its participation in the U.N. Human Rights Council. "A lot of the fear we observe today of refugees, of foreigners, is produced by ignorance, often fuelling politicians as well," she said in response to a question. "We have to recognize the damage we do when we undermine the U.N. or use it selectively -- or not at all -- or when we rely on aid to do the job of diplomacy, or give the U.N. impossible tasks and then underfund it." Not a single humanitarian appeal to donor governments worldwide has received even half the amount needed, she said. Operations in four countries where 20 million people are on the brink of death from starvation -- Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria -- are severely underfunded. Jolie, who described herself as "a proud American" and "an internationalist", has worked since 2001 for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), visiting uprooted civilians from Iraq to Cambodia and Kenya. (This version of the story fixes a typo in paragraph 7) (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Catherine Evans)
Riyadh (AFP) - Another policeman has been killed during an upsurge of violence in a Shiite-dominated district of Saudi Arabia, official media said on Wednesday.

Gunfire broke out at about 7:30 pm (1630 GMT) Tuesday when police tried to stop a suspicious car near the central hospital in Qatif, on the Gulf coast, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Someone in the car started shooting, mortally wounding one of the officers, it said.

His colleagues stopped the suspects' car but they escaped "while shooting randomly" and then stole the car of a doctor to make their getaway, the ministry added.

Police found Molotov cocktails in the suspects' abandoned vehicle, which also had been stolen.

The dead policeman is the second Qatif officer shot dead in just over a week.

Another was gunned down on March 7 as he tried to leave a Qatif police station in his personal car.

Two days later a "terrorism" suspect was shot dead and a policeman wounded during a firefight in the Qatif area.

Last Saturday police said they came under fire while looking for suspects in the Shiite town of Awamiya.

They "responded as necessary," leading to the death of a teenager who was wanted, they said.

At least 10 policemen have now been shot dead since 2014 in the Qatif area, where police stations are guarded by unusually heavy security with concrete walls or protective barriers.

Most of Saudi Arabia's Shiites live in the oil-rich east, where they have long complained of marginalisation in the Sunni-majority kingdom.

There has been periodic unrest since Shiite protests began in 2011 and developed into a call for equality.
(DAMASCUS, Syria)  A suicide bomber detonated his explosives vest inside the main judicial building in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people and wounding many others, state media said.

The official news agency, SANA, said another suicide explosion struck a restaurant in Rabweh district of Damascus, leading to an unknown number of casualties.

The bombing inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market in Damascus, was the latest in a spate of deadly explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital.

It came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the countrys bitter civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others. The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar Assads rule but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war. The chaos allowed al-Qaida and later the Islamic State group to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by al-Qaida-linked militants to try and counter recent military advances by Assads forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

According to Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail, the Justice Palace attacker struck in the early afternoon  at 1.20 p.m. A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the palace, the police chief told state TV.

The guards stopped the man, took away his arms and asked to search him. At that point, the man hurled himself inside the building and detonated his explosives, the chief said.

Syrias attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, who was in the building just a few meters away from the explosion, confirmed that account to state TV, saying that when the security guards tried to arrest the man, he threw himself inside the palace and blew himself up. He said 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded.

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This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent, he said, noting that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer casualties to hospital.

In the second attack, in Rabweh district, SANA said a suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant, killing several people. The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he rushed into a restaurant and detonated his explosives vest. There was no immediate claim for that attack either.

Wednesdays bombings followed twin attacks on Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in Damascus that killed at least 40 people.

On Feb. 25, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syrias central city of Homs, clashed with government troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others.

The high profile attacks were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee, formerly known as the Nusra Front.

There was no immediate claim for Wednesdays bombing, which came during a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Syrias armed opposition boycotted those talks due to what they say are ongoing government military offensives across the country.

Syrias U.N. ambassador said earlier Wednesday he was concluding his participation in the latest round of talks in Astana, after two days of meetings without rebels. Bashar Jaafari said discussions were constructive but only one official paper was produced  about demining Palmyra, the historic Syrian town that pro-government forces recaptured from the Islamic State group two weeks ago.

Syrian rebels did not send any delegates to this, third round in Astana, accusing the government and Russia  one of Damascus main backers  of breaking cease-fire pledges and obligations to distribute humanitarian aid.

The Astana talks, brokered by Russia and Turkey, are centered on reaching a cease-fire in Syria and getting humanitarian relief to millions of suffering civilians. They run parallel to the U.N.-mediated political talks in Geneva aimed at ending Syrias civil war.

Meanwhile, taking stock of six years of Syrias civil war, the U.N. health agency said in Geneva on Wednesday that over half of all hospitals and public health centers in the violence-wracked country have closed or are partially functioning, and nearly two-thirds of health-care workers have fled.

The head of the World Health Organizations emergencies program, Peter Salama, said resources to help the health care system are stretched to the limit, citing security threats to health care workers and a lack of access to medicines and medical equipment.

Salama called for systematic and unhindered access for life-saving materials like vaccines and medical supplies on this sad anniversary of the start of war in Syria and before more lives are lost.
PORT STANLEY, Falkland Islands (AP)  Nobel peace laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel and other Argentine human rights activists have visited a Falklands Islands cemetery ahead of planned efforts by Britain and Argentina to identify the remains of 123 Argentine soldiers buried after their 1982 war.

The two nations agreed last year to have a team of forensic experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross identify the remains. Esquivel, Nora Cortinas of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo group and other activists visited Darwin Cemetery on Tuesday.

"For me it is all about looking to rebuild a bridge between the habitants of the islands and us, as human beings, as peoples. After all we have shared roots," Perez Esquivel said.

Argentina lost a brief but bloody war with Britain after Argentine troops invaded the South Atlantic archipelago. Argentina still claims the islands, which it calls the Malvinas. Britain says the Falklands are a self-governing entity under its protection.

In all, the war claimed the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 British soldiers. The bodies of the Argentine war dead are expected to be exhumed from their individual graves in June so DNA samples can be taken. Some fear the identification could lead others to ask that the remains be moved to Argentina's mainland, though that is not part of the plan at this point.

"I think every one of the families has the right to decide where the bodies of their sons should finally rest," Cortinas said. "We have to keep strengthening bonds among our communities and maintain respect among out peoples. In this case, this country has been colonized and we have to end with that colonization and let these people be free."

Some islanders have already expressed concern about the visit, saying the Argentines ignore the wishes of the Falklands' 3,000 residents who have expressed a desire to remain British.

"They seem to be stuck with the idea that we are directly under colonial rule and in fact, they keep talking about our government, if they talk about our government at all, as a colonial government," said John Fowler, a former editor of the islands' weekly newspaper, the Penguin News.

In a breakthrough after decades of tense relations, Argentina and Britain also agreed last year to lift some restrictions on the extraction of natural resources, shipping and fishing industries in the Falklands and increase the number of flights between the islands and South America.
PHOENIX (AP)  A woman has filed a lawsuit against the Phoenix suburb of Avondale and two of its police officers, claiming they forced her to take a sobriety test at the side of a city street while she was naked from the waist down.

The lawsuit filed earlier this month said the woman had removed her pants before the 2016 traffic stop because she had soiled them earlier due to an incontinence problem.

The officers, she said in the lawsuit, ignored her repeated pleas to let her put her pants back on before she exited her car.

The woman had been a victim of sexual violence earlier in her life and was traumatized by the traffic stop, the lawsuit said. The Associated Press is not identifying the woman because it generally does not name people who have been victims of sexual assaults.

Avondale police spokesman Jaret Redfearn declined comment Wednesday on the lawsuit.

The incident was investigated by Avondale police and the officers were cleared of wrongdoing, said the woman's lawyer Patricia Ronan.

But Ronan said the inquiry was flawed because her client was never formally interviewed by the person who conducted the investigation. The police report about the stop makes no mention of the woman being naked from the waist down, Ronan said.

The woman and her boyfriend were pulled over on March 5, 2016, as they headed home after at the Phoenix International Speedway, the lawsuit said. She was the designated driver.

When Officers Ronal Bergeron and Justin Iwen approached the car, she explained that she wasn't wearing pants because of her incontinence problem and asked if she could put them back on before got out of the car, the lawsuit said.

The woman said that Iwen did not acknowledge her concerns and instead demanded that she get out of the car, the lawsuit said.

She repeated her request, but Iwen declined and told her to get out of the car. Once outside the car, Iwen again refused another request to let her cover up, according to the lawsuit.

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Vehicles passed by as she stood on the shoulder of the road and performed the field sobriety test, and the woman tried to pull down her shirt to cover up but that did not work, the lawsuit said.

She was given a written warning for an improper left turn but insisted she did not make an illegal turn, the lawsuit said.

It asks for unspecified monetary damages.

The woman earlier filed a notice of claim precursor to a lawsuit seeking $250,000.

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Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at https://www.apnews.com/search/jacques%20billeaud .

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This story corrects in the 3rd paragraph that the lawyer's last name is Ronan, not Ronana.
Vina del Mar (Chile) (AFP) - Asia-Pacific ministers said Wednesday they would seek to move forward on a trade agreement resembling the Trans-Pacific Partnership after President Donald Trump killed the deal by withdrawing the United States.

After two days of high-level meetings in Chile, officials from the 11 other countries in TPP -- plus China and South Korea -- wrapped up their talks with no clear plan to replace the defunct deal but a dogged determination not to throw out years of painstaking negotiations.

"We have decided to move forward together, in particular with the Asia-Pacific countries," Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told a news conference, without specifying which ones.

"The withdrawal of a very important member of TPP opens up new opportunities," he said.

Negotiated under former US president Barack Obama, who wanted to counter China's rising influence, TPP was to have slashed tariffs and tightened trade ties between countries accounting for some 40 percent of the world economy.

But Trump's decision to pull out of the deal killed it before it could even be implemented -- the Republican president's biggest blow yet to the free-trade deals he blames for shipping American jobs overseas.

Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz, who hosted the meeting in the Pacific resort town of Vina del Mar, said the idea was to "generate more certainty" at a time of "protectionist tendencies in some parts of the world."

China was represented at the meeting by its special representative on Latin American affairs, Yin Hengmin.

The US ambassador to Chile, Carol Perez, also attended -- although she was not invited to a side meeting of the 11 remaining TPP members.

Videgaray said any future trade deals had to meet two criteria.

One is to be of the same "high quality" as TPP or higher in terms of labor regulations, environmental regulations, intellectual property protections and other requirements.

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The other is that any replacement deals would have to come "in the short term," he said.

Officials did not rule out a "TPP 2.0" with China.

"It would be up to China to decide, within its strategy, whether it can adopt the (regulatory) discipline of TPP," Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told AFP.
Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev has called for renewed talks with Nagorno-Karabakh, the separatist region in Azerbaijans southwest.

Nagorno-Karabakh is populated by mostly Armenians who say they are a sovereign state, separate and apart from Azerbaijan. The breakaway region is a source of tension between the governments of Armenia and Azerbaijan (and the people in Nagorno-Karabakh itself) since long before 1994, when the all-out post-Soviet clash over Nagorno-Karabakh region came to a halt.

At the first stage, the negotiations should resume as soon as possible. Armenia should not elude the talks, Aliyev said during a visit to France, which is co-chair of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Minsk Group on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Aliyev also noted that France  as well as the groups other co-chairs, Russia and the United States  are pushing to resolve the dispute.

We say that too, and we want the status quo to be changed as soon as possible, we want this conflict to end. We want peace in the region, allowing Azerbaijani refugees to return to their homeland, Aliyev said.

Nagorno-Karabakhs independence is not recognized by the international community. The country, however, claims sovereignty, and has its own parliament  which, last May, voted for Ruben Melikyan as its ombudsman for human rights.

Melikyan was brought in from Armenia the month after some of the worst fighting the region had seen since 1994. Each side maintains the other started last springs fighting.

Its not frozen, Melikyan said of the conflict, in an interview with Foreign Policy. A frozen conflict is one in which both sides are at a tense but calm standstill. But in the past 10 months, Melikyan noted, 20 soldiers from the Nagorno Karabakh side were killed, and 95 were wounded. He said he knew that the Azeri side suffered losses, as well.

People are dying was also Melikyans response when given the question of whether both sides might use the issue of Nagorno Karabakh to stir up political fervor back home (which is, incidentally, exactly what Vugar Gurbanov, counselor at the Embassy of Azerbaijan, said Armenia is doing). People are dying, Melikyan said. How can we say we benefit from that?

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Melikyan said he is a human rights defender, not an Armenian rights defender, and points to efforts he made to get an Azeri man accused of entering Nagorno Karabakh to foment unrest the lawyer of his choice. But Azerbaijan, he says, does not recognize the rights of those in Nagorno Karabakh. Azerbaijan does not recognize Nagorno Karabakh the humanity of the people therein, he told FP, adding, rights must be universal.

Unsurprisingly, the situation is viewed somewhat differently from the Azeri side. Gurbanov noted that Azeris were expelled from Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding areas. Its not only about the occupation of territories, but how they are occupied, he told FP.

Hikmat Hajiyev, spokesperson of Azerbaijans foreign ministry, said in an email to FP that the reality on the ground is that Armenia used force against territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan and occupied 20 percent territories of Azerbaijan. Further, he said that Armenia, with its policy of occupation and notorious ethnic cleansing by all means tries to present the conflict as [a] self-determination issue of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

And the talks themselves are also seem a point of contention. Melikyan said talks and statements will be futile unless Azerbaijan changes its Armeniphobia. Meanwhile, Gurbanov dismissed that as Armenian nationalism, and cited OSCE co-chairs as saying, Without starting talks, no one should expect peace in the region.

That things should change is the one thing on which both sides agree. Of course the people of Nagorno Karabakh deserve a better life, Gurbanov said.

Melikyan, meanwhile, wants to bring the international human rights community to the region, so that the conflict wont only be a back and forth between the two sides. He is also focused on creating a mechanism to investigate the sequence of violent, often contested events in the region.

Otherwise, its a vicious cycle, he said.

Update, Mar. 16 2017 11:38 am ET: This piece has been updated to include comment from Azerbaijans foreign ministry.

Photo credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images
ROME (AP)  European authorities say that an influx of Bangladeshis coming from Libya has contributed to a near-doubling of migrants arriving in Italy last month.

The European Union's Frontex border patrol agency said Wednesday that there were 10,900 detections of illegal border crossings into the European Union at the three main border crossings  some 9,000 from the central Mediterranean route, with the rest from the Greek islands and the western Balkans. That's less than a 10th of the figure from the same period last year, but 46 percent higher than in January because of the unusually busy Libya-Italy route.

Frontex said Guinean and Bangladeshis were the top nationalities reaching Italy last month, with Bangladeshis often flying to Tripoli on work visas and then paying smugglers to get to Europe.
Everyone's talking about "BBC Dad" but we should be talking about the real stars of everybody's favorite Skype interview, BBC Dad's kids.

Korea expert Robert Kelly held his first press conference Wednesday since becoming a viral sensation, all thanks to his two children, who decided to crash his BBC interview. And this new media appearance has shown us, beyond doubt, that his kids still DGAF  and that they are our heroes.

SEE ALSO: Watch these kids recreate that wild 'BBC dad' interview

How Kelly managed to keep an extremely serious face while discussing the impeachment of South Korea's President Park Geun-hye via webcam while his wife flailed to remove their children is beyond us, and at the press conference on Wednesday the kids still had us all LOLing.

"We love our children very much and are happy that our family blooper, our family error there on television brought so much laughter to so many people," Kelly said seriously, while his two children were busy living their best lives.

His 4-year-old daughter Marion was showing off her funky glasses and sucking on a lollipop, already bored and fed up with her life in the spotlight.

To show how much she did not care about any of this, when the camera cut to her she made the biggest power move and laid her head down on the freaking desk. When she decided to join the press conference again, she gave a stare of boredom so withering that those at home couldn't help but feel her pain.

Hero.

"We thought it was a disaster," Kelly went on, explaining he profusely apologized to the BBC, but like WHY, DUDE? Your kids are great, they are the bright spots of the year. In fact, we should loosen up a little bit more and be like them.

Bored of his dad's talking and feeling a tad left out, 8-month-old James commanded the room in his bright yellow onesie, calling the press conference to a close by reaching for something on the table and making some powerful gurgling noises.

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Hero.

BBC Dad's kids 4 lyfe.
The Hague (AFP) - The small lowlands country of The Netherlands holds a general election on Wednesday, the first in a series of national polls that could reshape Europe's political landscape.

Away from the tourist delights of the tulips, windmills and clogs, here is a beginner's guide to the Dutch elections:

- What is at stake? -

Amid the rise of populist and far-right parties, the Dutch will be the first to cast ballots ahead of presidential votes in France in April and May, and legislative polls in Germany in September.

After the surprise Brexit vote and Donald Trump's win in the US presidential election, far-right Dutch MP Geert Wilders is hoping for his best result to date.

- Who is running? -

The vote has essentially come down to a race between Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) and outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Liberals (VVD).

But there are 28 parties -- a post World War II record -- competing for the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house of parliament. A total of 76 seats are needed for a majority.

Thanks to a complex system of proportional representation, even small parties can get seats, enabling them to play an important role in shaping the make-up and viability of the next government.

Wilders has slipped after topping the polls for weeks, but smaller parties like the green GroenLinks have also been wooing voters away from some of the country's long-established parties.

- The main campaign themes -

In recent days, the elections have been overshadowed by a diplomatic row with Turkey which has thrust issues of integration and immigration back up the agenda.

Wilders's anti-Islam, anti-immigration platform was boosted late last year by Europe's worst refugee crisis since the 1940s and a slew of attacks by Islamic jihadists.

His one-page party manifesto vows to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, close mosques and ban the sale of the Koran.

In an overt bid to win over some of his supporters, other parties have increasingly insisted on bolstering what they call "Dutch values."

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Earlier this year, Rutte told citizens with immigrant backgrounds to "act normally" and adapt to Dutch norms or "leave".

But for many Dutch the most important questions are the economy, jobs, pensions and caring for a greying population.

- How do elections work here? -

The Dutch lower house -- Tweede Kamer -- says on its website that "no party has ever received more than 50 percent of the votes."

"All governments since World War II have been coalition governments, supported by two or more parties to form a majority."

Once the official results are announced on March 21 by the elections commission, the new parliament will be installed on March 23.

A point person, known as an "informateur", investigates which parties could form a coalition, and presides over negotiations between the party leaders to draw up a programme of policies.

These discussions can take weeks or even months. Dutch media has reported it takes on average three months for a new government to take office.

Once a programme has been set out, a person known as a "formateur" begins drawing up the possible new cabinet. The reward for this arduous task is often the top job -- becoming prime minister.

- Who could join new coalition? -

Even though Wilders had been leading the polls for months, he has dropped back to second place behind Rutte.

Most party leaders have vowed not to work with him. So even if the PVV were to emerge as the largest party, it would likely be excluded from government.

Analysts say Rutte's VVD could join up with the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the progressive D66 seeking to reach the magic 76 needed for a majority.

But here GroenLinks or even some of the smaller parties may find themselves with the weighty role of kingmaker.

Parliamentary seats are attributed according to a complicated formula based on the number of votes cast divided by the 150 available parliamentary seats, which determines that year's electoral quota.
Just two years ago, the Obama White House welcomed Russias top internal security official, Alexander Bortnikov, to Washington, as the head of a Kremlin delegation attending a highly publicized U.S. government summit on countering violent extremism.

What U.S. officials did not then know is that officers of the agency that Bortnikov heads, the FSB or Federal Security Service, were at that moment directing an audacious state-sponsored cyberattack to penetrate Yahoos email network, deploying criminal hackers to steal data on 500 million email users, according to criminal charges unveiled by the Justice Department on Wednesday. The indictment handed up by a federal grand jury in California charged two FSB officers and two civilians  one Russian and one from Kazakhstan, now living in Canada  with crimes including computer hacking and economic espionage.

The FSB sponsored cyberattack, which lasted from 2014 to last September, was described by government officials today as one of the largest data breaches in history: It involved the theft of vast amounts of credit card data and other financial information, as well as personal details on individuals of high interest to the Russian government: journalists, U.S. officials and U.S. and foreign corporate executives and employees, including a senior officer of a major U.S. airline and even a Nevada gaming official.

FBI wanted posters for Alexsey Belan, Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin. (Source: FBI)

But what was especially galling to U.S. officials is that the two FSB officers at the center of the plot, Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, were assigned to the agencys Center for Information Security, or Center 18  a cybercrime unit that was the FBIs point of contact for investigating criminal hacking operations.

What this shows is that weve been had, said Steve Hall, a former CIA station chief in Moscow who later directed agency operations in Russia. Center 18 was the part of the FSB that was supposed to be working with us.

But instead of working with the FBI and CIA to catch hackers, the FSB officers were actually working with hackers themselves, according to the Justice Department charges. In the Yahoo attack, two alleged cybercriminals were also charged as co-conspirators in the plot. One of them, Alexsey Belan, a notorious cyberthief who has been twice indicted in the United States and is on the FBIs Cyber Most Wanted list, received sensitive law enforcement and intelligence information from the FSB that helped him avoid detection by the FBI and facilitated his theft of proprietary Yahoo data  including stealing the companys Account Management Tool (AMT), a system that Yahoo used to make and log changes to user accounts. His purpose, a senior U.S. official said today, was to line his own pockets with money.

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The indictment gives some details on Belans methods. He allegedly manipulated Yahoos English-language search engine so that when users searched for erectile dysfunction medications, they were redirected to an unnamed U.S. cloud computing company that automatically sent them to the website of an online pharmacy company. The online pharmacy paid commissions to marketers who drove traffic to its website. As a result, Belan was paid for diverting Yahoo search engine users to it, the indictment charges.

The indictment alleges that the two FSB officers were not acting alone in the Yahoo plot. It refers to other FSB officers known and unknown to the grand jury, including an unnamed FSB Officer 3 who was the senior FSB official assigned to Center 18.

There is no evidence that they [Dokuchaev and Sushchin] were rogue, said one department official when asked if the two FSB officers were believed to be acting on their own or were part of a broader agency plot. (However, Russias news agency Interfax reported last December that Dokuchaev, whose hacker alias was Forb, was arrested in December in Moscow, on charges of state treason, for passing information to the CIA. He had reportedly agreed to work for the FSB to avoid prosecution for bank card fraud. Sushchin, the other FSB officer charged in the case, was described by Justice officials as Dokuchaevs superior at the FSBs Center 18.)

In one sense, the charges against FSB officers are not a surprise: The Obama administration, shortly before it left office, imposed sanctions against the Russian agency for its role in cyberattacks aimed at influencing the U.S. election, even though the most egregious actor was believed to be a rival agency, the GRU, Russias military intelligence service.

But the discovery that the very cybercrime unit that was supposed to be working with the FBI was actively involved in a massive cybercrime targeting a U.S. company clearly stung. In announcing the charges today, Mary McCord, the acting assistant attorney general for the national security division, emphasized the FSBs roots as the successor to the Soviet KGB and described its involvement as beyond the pale.

Mary McCord, the acting U.S. assistant attorney general for national security, addresses a joint news conference held by the FBI National Security Division and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2017. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters)

Although the FSB is often thought of as a spy agency, given its internal security role, it is also Russias prime law enforcement agency  the equivalent of Russias FBI. The involvement and direction of FSB officers with law enforcement responsibilities makes this conduct that much more egregious, McCord said. There are no free passes for foreign state-sponsored criminal behavior.

More broadly, the indictment calls into question years of U.S. efforts to work with the FSB on a broad range of issues, from catching cybercriminals to counterterrorism, according to Hall, the former CIA officer.

When he served in Moscow, Hall recalled, I cant tell how many times the FBI [liaison] would come to me, all excited, saying, Hey, we got this great thing going with the FSB.

I would tell him, Let me know how that works out for you, he added. Then inevitably, months later, he said, he would see the FBI liaison again, only to be told that whatever the bureau had hoped to be working on with the FSB had once again ended up as a bust.

Read more from Yahoo News:
Addison Timlin accepted the role of Hillary Clinton in the upcoming When Im a Moth biopic when the winner of the 2016 election was yet to be determined. Now, the 25-year-old actress is discussing what it was like to portray a young version of the Democratic nominee after such a contentious race.

I was so, so heartbroken, Timlin told Buzzfeed of Clintons loss. I was so sad for her. Playing her and thinking about her and reading about her and listening to her when she was a young woman, she is fing remarkableI dont think any of us expected what happened to happen  but in that way, it kind of gives the movie another shape.

Set in 1969, during the gap year Clinton spent working in Alaska after graduating from Wellesley College, Timlin says When Im a Moth will explore how the beginning of Clintons career shaped her as a politician.
The video shows a 13-foot (4 meters) African rock python (Python sebae) being interrupted by a snake catcher as the snake attempts to down a young impala on a farm in South Africa. According to Maroela Media, the snake catcher, Arthur Roden, had been called to a farm in the province of Limpopo by a farmer who suspected that this impala wasn't the first the python had taken on his land. (Impala are farmed in South Africa as game animals for trophy hunters.)

The snake probably lost its lunch because it was disturbed, said Alan Resetar, the collection manager for amphibians and reptiles at The Field Museum in Chicago. Snakes are vulnerable when they're eating and often abandon their prey if bothered, he said. [In Images: Hungry Python Eats Porcupine Whole]

"Even in the field sometimes when I'm catching snakes, they'll upchuck what they're eating," Resetar told Live Science.

Big gulp

Rock pythons are Africa's largest snakes, according to the nonprofit Wildscreen Arkive. They can grow to be more than 26 feet (7.9 m) long, and they kill by constriction. They very rarely attack humans, though fatal attacks have occurred. In 2013, a pet rock python escaped from an enclosure in an apartment in New Brunswick, Canada, and killed two young boys who were sleeping there.

A python regurgitates its antelope meal. Caters Tv/YouTube

Like most snakes that swallow prey whole, the rock python has an incredibly flexible jaw. The two halves of the lower jaw can move independently and are connected by a ligament that stretches. The jaw is also connected at the back of the snake's skull by three joints to allow for major movement. The bones of the skull are reduced and streamlined, Resetar said.

"You'd be surprised at how little there actually is to the snake skull itself, except for the braincase," Resetar said. The bones that protect the brain are quite strong, he said, which prevents the brain from being damaged by an errant hoof or antler passing by.

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Snakes have other adaptations to allow for huge mouthfuls, including stretchy skin at the base of the mouth, Resetar said. They also have curved teeth that hook into the prey and help steady it as they "walk" their jaws up and over their meal.

Eyes bigger than stomach?

The rock python in the video from South Africa was ambitious to go after prey that large, but it probably would have been successful at scarfing the impala if it hadn't been disturbed, according to Resetar.

"Snakes are just fantastic as far as how much they can take down," he said.

A Burmese python found dead in Everglades National Park in 2005 with a nearly intact alligator carcass protruding from its ripped belly. National Park Service

Occasionally, a snake's eyes will be larger than its stomach, though. Resetar once came across a garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) in the desert trying to swallow a huge American toad (Anaxyrus americanus).

"The snake was doing its best to swallow it, and the toad was doing its best to keep out of the snake's jaws," Resetar said. Eventually, the snake had to give up and let the too-big toad hop away.

On occasion, prey gets a posthumous victory. In 2015, a cyclist in South Africa came across a python with a large lump in its abdomen. A few days later, the same snake was found dead. A reptilian autopsy found a spiny porcupine inside the python's belly. The snake might have fallen, and the prey's quills might have pierced the snake's insides on impact.

In another famous case, a Burmese python was found in Everglades National Park split nearly in two, with a practically intact alligator corpse sticking out of its belly. It's not clear whether the python died in the process of swallowing its prey or shortly thereafter, but alligator-versus-python matchups have become common in the Everglades as the invasive pythons take hold in the region.

Original article on Live Science.

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NEW DELHI (AP)  Police in the western Indian beach state of Goa say they have arrested a man in connection with the death of an Irish tourist.

Police superintendent Sammy Tavares says a local criminal was arrested Wednesday and was being questioned about the death of Danielle McLaughlin whose body was found near Canacona village of the state a day earlier.

Tavares says McLaughlin's body was found lying in an isolated part of the beach by a farmer early Tuesday.

Police were waiting for the results of an autopsy conducted on the body and had informed McLaughlin's family in County Donegal in Ireland.

The beach resort state of Goa is a popular destination for western tourists visiting India.
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that reopens an amnesty for Brazilians to repatriate undeclared assets from abroad without prosecution, though they will have to pay 35 percent in tax and fines. The 120-day repatriation window will open as soon as President Michel Temer signs the bill into law. Temer's government expects to collect 13.2 billion reais ($4.32 billion) in extra revenues from the new program that was decided on the success of an earlier amnesty last year that brought in 46.8 billion reais. Those revenues helped Brazil's authorities meet their primary budget deficit goal for 2016. The proceeds from the new amnesty will be shared with cash-strapped Brazilian states and municipal governments that are desperate for funds to pay salaries and suppliers. The amnesty taps the desire of Brazilians who hold billions of dollars in off-shore assets to come clean with the tax man at a time of growing international uncertainty and the increasing exchange of tax information between governments. The extra cash comes in handy in a country that has posted widening budget deficits for three straight years and whose government is struggling to restore fiscal discipline with unpopular austerity measures. Critics say the amnesty allows holders of assets gained through graft to launder funds they stashed abroad at a time when prosecutors are investigating Brazil's largest ever corruption scandal involving bribes and political kickbacks. (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; editing by Diane Craft)
Before Britain voted to leave the European Union last year, pro-Brexit campaigners were warned that doing so would almost certainly reopen the question of the future of the United Kingdom itself. Leaving the EU, they were warned, would renew the argument for Scottish independence since, as the polls showed and voters subsequently confirmed, a majority of Scots favored remaining a part of the EU. Brexit would breathe new life into an independence movement that needed a lift, less than three years after it was defeated in what historians will now term the first Scottish independence referendum.

The battle for Scotland was not settled in 2014. It was simply deferred. Scots rejected independence that year, but since 45 percent of those who voted endorsed independence, it was plain then  and is even plainer now  that this original vote was but a provisional, tepid endorsement of the constitutional status quo. Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon  the former and current leaders, respectively, of the pro-independence Scottish National Party  had suggested at the time that the referendum was either a once-in-a-lifetime or, at the very least, a once-in-a-generation opportunity, but the votes had scarcely been counted before nationalists started agitating for a second vote. Salmonds memoir of the referendum campaign was titled, quoting Ted Kennedy, The Dream Shall Never Die.

But if the dream has been resurrected sooner than expected, it is thanks in no small part to Brexit. Without Brexit, there would be no plausible mandate for a second referendum. English Conservatives scoffed at the suggestion that leaving the EU might prompt fresh demands for a second plebiscite. They should know better now: On Monday, Sturgeon, Scotlands first minister, announced her intention to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence. This was not, she suggested, her fault but rather something that had been forced upon her by a U.K. government determined to push for a so-called hard Brexit, neglecting Scotlands particular interests. Scotland, she said, was being ignored. The instinct to do nothing and just hope for the best is understandable, she said, but, in the end, inadequate. Having spent the last eight months warning that a second referendum was highly likely, Sturgeon found herself running out of room for maneuver. So the people must be consulted, again, and given the opportunity to decide Scotlands constitutional status, again. By doing so, they will also determine the future of the United Kingdom  a future that looks more problematic than ever.

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Indeed, the initial response to Sturgeons gambit suggests that Downing Street remains ill-equipped to grasp whats happening in Scotland. Sturgeon has said she would like a referendum to be held once the broad outline of Brexit is known but before the U.K. has formally left the EU. But some in the U.K. government seem tempted to deny Scotland its right to hold a referendum at all, despite having conceded the principle  and having set a precedent  in 2014.

The more reasonable within Parliament are adamant that no referendum should take place until after Brexit has been accomplished. The SNP, they hope to insist, should be forced to wait until after the next round of Scottish parliamentary elections in 2021. Only then would it have a clear and unequivocal mandate for a fresh referendum. Only then would Parliament, which has the legal authority on such matters, allow such a plebiscite to take place. Delaying a poll until then would allow the U.K. government to concentrate on Brexit without having to fight distracting battles on a second constitutional front. At the very least, they say, no referendum should take place until after a Brexit deal has been agreed to at some point in 2019. The danger, however, is that refusing Scotland permission to decide its future risks inflaming opinion there, driving open-minded voters toward independence. Even Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives and thus the standard-bearer for red, white, and blue Unionism, has conceded that the U.K. government cannot rule out a referendum forever.

So a second vote is coming, and it is coming in the near future. The SNP will have to tread carefully: The dream may never die, but putting it to a vote a third time in a generation, should it be rejected twice, risks becoming subject to the law of diminishing returns. And a yes, even given Brexit, is by no means a given: A poll published last week found Scotland evenly divided, with 50 percent of respondents saying they would vote for independence and 50 percent for the Union. More significantly still, more than 80 percent of voters surveyed claimed their minds were already made up and unlikely to be changed. The referendum  if and when it occurs  will be an attritional campaign to win the hearts, minds, and votes of just 1 in 5 voters. It will be an exercise in political narrowcasting and, as such, one likely to exhaust as many voters as it thrills.

And the case for independence will have to be different from that offered last time, too. Then, on the back of buoyant North Sea oil revenues, the SNP argued independence would leave Scots wealthier than if they remained part of the U.K. Since then, oil prices have collapsed, puncturing the rosy economic forecasts upon which the nationalists relied. At least initially, an independent Scotland would be saddled with a deficit approaching 10 percent of GDP, the worst in Europe. Independence would be a painful, astringent business. Economic self-interest is not what it was, however. If it were, Britain might not have voted for Brexit.

This years case for independence, then, is instinctive and intuitive. It would, as Sturgeon says, with a wink at the Brexiteers and their take back control mantra, allow Scotland to be in control of events and not just at the mercy of them. This, she will argue, is who we are, and as a distinct people and society, it makes sense for Scotland to run its own affairs. The alternative, after all, is a United Kingdom dominated, for the foreseeable future, by a Conservative Party that has few friends in Scotland. Better, surely, to take control and be responsible for our own affairs, even if the early years of the new nation will be hard, and even lean, times.

Whether the Unionist appeal to ancient loyalties will carry as much weight this time around remains to be seen. Unionism needs to offer something more than a cost-benefit analysis of economic interest, but talk of the U.K. as a partnership of equals rings hollow when, since England accounts for nearly 85 percent of the population, some partners are evidently more influential and more equal than others.

During the first referendum, the Unionist campaign was dubbed Project Fear, playing heavily on economic risk and uncertainty. What currency would an independent Scotland use? Would it really be able to join the EU, or would its application instead be vetoed by Spain or Belgium? Even more significantly, would it really be able to pay its own way, or would it instead be materially poorer than if remained part of the U.K.? All this helped concentrate minds in 2014 and may yet do so again, not least since none of these questions have easy or even attractive answers two years later.

But the Brexit delusion is that you can have everything you like without having to accept anything you dont. Until now, the case for independence in Scotland has been bedeviled by an awareness that its a territory where the U.K. market has four times the worth of the EU and whose status with the latter following emancipation would be by no means certain. But in a post-Brexit world all things now seem possible, and the dream lives on, no more grounded in reality than before.

Photo credit: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
London (AFP) - Britain's finance minister Philip Hammond announced a shock U-turn over planned tax hikes for the self-employed on Wednesday, one week after unveiling the measure in his flagship budget.

Hammond, a key member of Prime Minister Theresa May's Conservative government, had faced a storm of criticism over the proposals, particularly from the right-wing press and senior MPs in his own Conservative Party.

The measure would have hiked up National Insurance payrolls tax on millions of self-employed people.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Hammond had previously insisted that the move -- designed to raise 2 billion ($2.43 billion, 2 billion euros) over the next two years -- would help ease pressure on the social care system.

Critics had expressed deep concern at the proposal which broke an election pledge not to increase VAT, National Insurance contributions (NICs) or income tax, revealing divisions in the ruling Conservatives.

"There will be no increases in NICs rates in this parliament," Hammond wrote in a open letter to lawmakers, reversing the government's earlier stance that it was fair.

He added: "It is very important both to me and to the Prime Minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit of the commitments that were made.

"In the light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measure set out in the budget."

May's spokesman said the implications for Britain's finances would be spelled out in a future budget statement towards the end of the year.

May and Hammond "have listened to the concerns of colleagues", he said.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour party, blasted the government over the U-turn, arguing it had left "a black hole in the budget".

He added: "It seems to me like a government in a bit of chaos."
By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A UK spy agency did not eavesdrop on Donald Trump during and after last year's U.S. presidential election, a British security official said on Tuesday, denying an allegation by a U.S. television analyst. The official, who is familiar with British government policy and security operations, told Reuters that the charge made on Tuesday by Fox News analyst Andrew Napolitano, was "totally untrue and quite frankly absurd." Trump, who became president in January, tweeted earlier this month that his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, wiretapped him during the late stages of the 2016 campaign. The Republican president offered no evidence for the allegation, which an Obama spokesman said was "simply false." Senior Obama administration officials, including former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, have also denied any such wiretapping occurred. On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department told the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee that it needed more time to respond to a demand for copies of any documents that might show Obama ordered eavesdropping on Trump. On the "Fox & Friends" program, Napolitano, a political commentator and former New Jersey judge, said that rather than ordering U.S. agencies to spy on Trump, Obama obtained transcripts of Trump's conversations from Britain's Government Communications Headquarters, or GCHQ, the equivalent of the U.S. National Security Agency, which monitors overseas electronic communications. "Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command - he didn't use the NSA, he didn't use the CIA, he didn't use the FBI and he didn't use the Department of Justice," Napolitano said, adding that the former president "used GCHQ." GCHQ has a close relationship with the NSA, as well as with the eavesdropping agencies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand in a consortium called "Five Eyes."The British official said that under British law, GCHQ "can only gather intelligence for national security purposes" and noted that the U.S. election "clearly doesn't meet that criteria." The official added that GCHQ "can only carry out intelligence operations where it is legal in both the U.S. and UK to do so." Under U.S. law, presidents cannot direct wiretapping. Instead, the federal government can ask a court to authorize the action, but it must provide justification. The British agency declined a request for comment. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by John Walcott and Peter Cooney)
London (AFP) - A London court on Wednesday reduced the conviction of a British soldier found guilty of killing an injured Taliban fighter to manslaughter from murder, in a high-profile case that has divided the country.

Alexander Blackman is currently in jail for shooting the fighter at close range in Afghanistan's Helmand Province on September 15, 2011, after the Afghan was seriously injured by fire from an Apache helicopter.

"There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil... It's nothing you wouldn't do to us," Blackman was heard saying, paraphrasing Shakespeare "Hamlet", in footage captured by a camera on a soldier's helmet.

"Obviously this doesn't go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention," he said to his fellow Royal Marines, a reference to international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war.

Blackman was convicted by a court martial in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison with a 10-year minimum.

The sentence was later reduced to eight years to take into account the fact that he was suffering from combat stress disorder -- the same reason given by the judges on Wednesday for downgrading his conviction.

A further hearing, whose date has not been set, will decide what sentence he still has to serve.

His wife, Claire, who has spearheaded a public campaign involving best-selling author Frederick Forsyth and many veterans, said she was "delighted" by the ruling.

"This is a crucial decision and one which better reflects the circumstances my husband found himself in during that terrible tour in Afghanistan," she told reporters outside the court.

She said she hoped for "a significant reduction" in Blackman's sentence.

The case marked the first time since World War II that a British soldier was convicted of a murder carried out on the battlefield.

"You treated that Afghan man with contempt and murdered him in cold blood," judge Jeff Blackett told Blackman at his court martial in 2013.

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"By doing so you have betrayed your corps and all British service personnel who have served in Afghanistan, and you have tarnished their reputation," Blackett said.

The conviction was supported by Britain's chief of the defence staff at the time, Nicholas Houghton, who said: "Murder is murder, this is a heinous crime."

But on Wednesday the judges said that Blackman was suffering from a "combination of stressors" that impaired his ability to make rational judgments.

They said it was "clear that a consequence was that he had developed a hatred for the Taliban and a desire for revenge".
By Sylvain Andzongo YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Regional West African forces freed 5,000 captives from a Boko Haram base in a more than week-long operation that also completely destroyed the militants' hideout in mountains along the Nigeria-Cameroon border, Cameroon said Wednesday. The "hostages freed consisted mostly of women, children and elderly people," Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary told a news conference. He added that 21 Boko Haram suspects had been arrested in the raid in the Mandara Mountains between Feb. 26 and March 7, which destroyed a fuel depot and recovered weapons, motorcycles, around 50 bicycles and "various propaganda objects". Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram has been fighting since 2009 to try to establish a medieval Islamic caliphate in the Lake Chad region, where Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad join.A coordinated push by the militaries of these four nations dismantled much of the territory Boko Haram once held, but it remains capable of launching lethal attacks, often targeting the civilian population. In 2014 Boko Haram gunmen abducted 276 schoolgirls from the Nigerian village of Chibok, to worldwide horror, and some 200 of them are thought to still be in captivity. The Lake Chad region has witnessed an increase in attacks bearing the hallmarks of Boko Haram in markets and refugee camps since late 2016, and the United Nations says more than seven million people risk starvation owing to insecurity there. As its fighters have been increasingly been killed or locked up, the militants have sometimes resorted to using female captives as suicide bombers. Four female teenage suicide bombers killed two people and injured 16 others on Wednesday in the northeast Nigerian city of Maiduguri, where the uprising first began. [nL5N1GS2BE] Bakary said no Cameroonian soldiers had been killed in the raid, though one had been wounded. (Reporting by Sylvain Andzongo; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Louise Ireland and Ken Ferris)
We've been taught since day one that poor grammar leads to unfortunate situations - bad grades, missed job opportunities and ridicule by the internet, just to name a few.

Nevertheless, we continue to make them. Nothing can stand in the way of us and our bad grammar.

Using data gathered from Editor, one of Microsoft's newest features in Word, Microsoft has released a list of the 10 most commonly flagged grammar mistakes by their proofing tools.

SEE ALSO: The chat app war between Microsoft and Slack heats up

It's worth noting that these mistakes go beyond just mixing up their/there/they're. Editor learns your writing style as you use it, not only noting instances where you misspelled something but also offering suggestions to eliminate redundancy or confusing language.

So while Editor can make your emails and papers sound really good, please be advised that Editor will not write them for you. You still have to do that.

Without further ado, here's Microsoft's list of 10 most common grammar mistakes:

1. Too many white spaces between words.

Example: To the left.

This one is an easy one to make, and an easy one to let slide. No harm done as long as the idea is sound and the words are spelled correctly, right? We're sorry to say that it's pretty obvious when you put too many spaces between your words, and it doesn't look good. Please ease up on your poor spacebar.

2. Punctuation (missing comma)

Example: If the weather remains the same we'll leave early.

People like to say that commas indicate pauses, and it's absolutely true. Try reading the above comma-less sentence without sounding like you're snapping at someone. Or like you are out of breath. Or like you are trying to rush out of conversation you don't want to be in. It's impossible.

3. Comma missing after introductory phrase

Example: First of all we must make sure that the power is off.

Please just give commas the respect they deserve. Please.

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4. Hypenation

Example: My 3 year old son.

Hyphens are a handy way to group together descriptors. Not only do they make your writing easier to follow, but they also allow you a dangerous amount of creativity. How else would nonsense descriptions like "Frankenstein-esque" and "semi-biweekly" exist?

5. Subject verb agreement

Example: The cats eats .

This sounds a little like a tongue twister, doesn't it? If it sounds like a tongue twister, it probably means you did something wrong.

6. Capitalization

Example: It's cold, But we are going out.

Why are we still doing this? This may be the most unprofessional mistake to make, second only to literally using a curse word where it is unwarranted. It also just Looks bad, Right? <- Doesn't it?

7. Possessive and plural forms

Example: My sisters car is old.

Unfortunately, it may be time to accept that as a society we are never going to master the world of apostrophes. Things like "its/it's" will forever be a mystery to some people, even though the rule is really not hard to understand.

8. Agreement with noun phrases

Example: I would like to buy this apples .

This one may be more due to typos than anything else, because it's pretty easy to spot a mistake when it sounds that wrong.

9. Commonly confused words

Example: After all that running, I am out of breathe .

Honestly, the English language is to blame for this. Why is bass and base pronounced the same way but mean different things? Why did we feel the need to do that to ourselves?

10. Incorrect verb form after auxiliary

Example: They had ate when we came.

Obscure verb conjugations are the worst. With that being said, it's also pretty noticeable when you use the wrong one.
DiventureIN welcomes authors Inette Miller and Iokepa Hanalei Imaikalani to Driftless Books and Music, 518 Walnut St., Viroqua, Saturday, March 25, from 2 to 4 p.m.

They will share empowering aboriginal Hawaiian chanting, ancestral stories and hold a book signing for The Return Voyage: 95,000 Miles on the Paths of Our Ancestors.

lokepa, a native Hawaiian, relinquished everything I worked for all my life to embrace his aboriginal identity and reawaken his ancestral culture.

Miller is a Jewish woman who surrendered a privileged writers life to join him, camping on Hawaiian beaches with little food and no money, and walking the paths of his ancestors.

Together, they packed all they owned into three suitcases and began their ancestor-driven Return Voyage across America. Their message: what native Hawaiians lived for 12,000 years  ritual practices that prevented war have profound implications for the 21st century.

Miller was a national and international journalist for 16 years  a war correspondent for Time in Vietnam and Cambodia. Her most recent book, Grandmothers Whisper, was awarded the prestigious Visionary Award. She is author of Burning Bridges, produced as an ABC Movie of the Week and translated into a half-dozen languages. She has appeared widely on major network news and talk shows  and taught her Writing to Find Your Voice workshop across the country

There is no charge for this event, which is open to the public.
If you could have been there, somewhere in Siberia at the end of the Paleozoic Era nearly 252 million years ago, you would have witnessed an apocalyptic horror that rarely visits our planet.

Also, I mean, you would have been doomed. Almost certainly. It was a bad scene. Mass extinction is a real shitshow.

But lets say, somehow, you could have watched this madness unfoldwithout succumbing to the monstrous cloud of carbon dioxide belched up from the volcanoes of the Siberian Traps, without being incinerated by an ocean of lava, without starving in the ruins of the global acid rain that destroyed the ecosystems on land, and without being burned alive in the wildfires that scorched the earth.

If you could have lived through all of this, which, by the way, you wouldnt have, you would have been among the few creatures to survive what paleontologists now refer to as the Great Dying. Its a good name for what happened.

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There have only been five mass extinction events, that we know of, on Earth. The mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs was the most recentbut it wasn't the most devastating. The Great Dying, which preceded the demise of the dinosaurs by about 180 million years, was by far the worst: The planet warmed rapidly roughly 50 degrees Fahrenheit over a 60,000-year period. Some 90 percent of all living creatures went kaput. It then took 10 million years for life on Earth to bounce back, which was a curiously long recovery period, even for an extinction of that magnitude.

What interested us was how long it took life to recover afterward, said William Foster, a professor of geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin and the lead author of a new study about the Great Dying, published in the journal PLOS ONE on Wednesday. Because not only was this the worst mass-extinction event, but recovery took millions of years.

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Foster wanted to know: Did the recovery of life on Earth take so long after the Great Dying because the extinction event itself was so cataclysmic? Or was something else going on?

To find out, he and his colleagues traveled to the Dolomites, a mountain range in northeastern Italy thats known for its long geologic record of the Triassic, the period that came just after the Permian, which was capped by the Great Dying. The team examined marine invertebrate fossils, and from that work produced the most continuous dataset ever collected from the region.

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The fossils they found showed that there were two additional extinction events in the recovery period after the Great Dyingnot so major as to be deemed mass extinctions, but bad enough to slow the recuperation of life on Earth. Foster and his colleagues found that during that 10 million year recovery period marine invertebrates peaked then died off two times in association with carbon isotope shifts, which correlated with volcanic pulses from the Siberian Traps. In other words, just as life seemed to be bouncing back from the Great Dying, another extinction event derailed ittwice.

This is not only interesting from an evolutionary point of view, Foster says, but also because those environmental conditions that life had to adapt to, to survive back then, are similar to those predicted for future climate warming scenarios.

Similar, maybe, but not the identical. And thank goodness for that.

The volcanic eruptions that marked the start of the Great Dying were absolutely monstrous. The entire area of what is now China was covered in some 40 feet of lava. Those same volcanoes released a huge amount of gas, which set off the atmospheric deoxygenation that led to dramatic climate change. For context, its borderline ridiculous to compare the magnitude of this event to the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, one of the deadliest and most violent volcanic eruptions in recorded history. Krakatoa is very, very, very small compared to what happened at the Siberian Traps, Foster said. Krakatoa killed some 36,000 people.

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The magnitude of the volcanic eruptions 252 million years ago may be difficult to comprehend today, but whats happening to the atmosphere is familiar.

This is what makes it so interesting, Foster told me, Because you have this huge volcanic eruption that releases all these gases, and then you look at whats happening today [with climate change] and theyre all the same gases. Theyre causing the same effects. So we can say, This is what it did in the past and this is what we might be looking at for the future.

The natural next question is: Wheres the threshold, in terms of planetary warming, for setting off a mass extinction like the Great Dying? For most animals we dont know the threshold, Foster said. Its really, really hard to reconstruct values that far back in the past, but its what were trying to develop: What are our thresholds? What sorts of temperatures are we talking about?

Looking at the human activity that is spiking global temperatures today, were still nowhere near the deoxygenation that took place 252 million years ago. We dont think we will reach the threshold we reached in the Great Dying, Foster told me. Or, we hope we wont, anyway.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, average global temperatures are likely to increase by at least 3 degrees within the next 80 years. In some places, they might increase by nearly 9 degreesstill substantially below the 50-degree increase that began after the eruptions of the Siberian Traps. (Even a difference of one or two degrees, however, can yield extraordinarily different outcomes for the planet.) Theres clear scientific consensus that human activity is driving climate change today. What happens to our species as a result is less certain.

The Earth has reinvented itself at least five times before. In each mass extinction, planetary life was very nearly wiped clean. Microscopic organisms, insects, furry beasts, and reptilian land monsters have all been destroyed at one point or another.

There are survivors, of course. Even the Great Dying spared some clams, sea snails, urchins, brittle stars, and seed shrimp. These creatures didnt just survive, they also became the most abundant animals in our oceans, a reminder that the story of life on our planet isnt the story of a single species at the top of the food chain, but ultimately a tale of relentless adaptability.

Big cool things like dinosaurs are pretty rare to find compared with clams, says Peter Brannen, the author of The Ends of the World. And from one mass extinction to the next, theres remarkably constancy on one handsame magmatic systems on the same planet orbiting the same ole star. Yet theres staggering newness, too.

The world looks totally different before and after a mass extinction, Brannen told me. Sixty-seven million years ago, you had mosasaurs and big non-bird dinosaurs, and 15 million years later you have whales and giant land-mammals.

In one way its scary that were even in the same conversation as major mass extinction events, Brannen added, referring to climate change. But the Earth has seen way worse than we could ever dish out and it still recovers. The Earth, in the long run? The Earth will be fine.

Humans, maybe not so much.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
The Syrian war has been raging since 2011, and while millions have fled the country over the past six years, there are still many being impacted on the ground  particularly children.

In an effort to rally support for children caught in the conflict, a host of celebrities join War Child UK, an organization whose aim is to protect and educate children in Syria and Yemen in the midst of war, to spread awareness and garner support for the little ones affected.

SEE ALSO: 'Cries From Syria' is a grisly crash-course on the Syrian revolution

Jude Law, Nicole Scherzinger, Carey Mulligan, Michael McIntyre, Mumford and Sons' Marcus Mumford, Sam Smith and James Bay all joined together for the campaign and tell the story of Fatima, a 17-year-old Syrian girl. The video details her experience fleeing Syria and leaving behind her siblings to escape to Jordan.

The Syrian war has now lasted 6 years: enough is enough. Please watch and share this video from @WarChildUK. #Syria6 https://t.co/hSvcTfAcwu  Coldplay (@coldplay) March 15, 2017

"I want to tell the world what's happening in Syria," Nicole Scherzinger reads in Fatima's words. "I want to build my future and finish my education."

"It's time to say enough is enough," the celebrities repeat before Fatima herself makes a plea for those watching to help end the civil war in Syria.

Musicians like Coldplay and Florence Welch have shown their support for the campaign via Twitter. You can learn more about War Child UK's visions to support and protect children impacted by the Syrian war here.
Paris (AFP) - A controversial theatre director is using children to stage a story about how Belgium has been traumatised by the paedophile killer Marc Dutroux, who kidnapped and raped six little girls.

Milo Rau, who shot to fame for his acclaimed play "The Last Days of the Ceausescus" about Romania's former communist dictators, said he worked for six months with child actors and psychologists before staging "Five Easy Pieces".

The Dutroux case, which sparked huge street protests at the multiple failings of the authorities, still haunts Belgium more than a decade after the man dubbed "The Monster of Charleroi" was sentenced to life in prison in 2004.

The electrician confessed to the murder of four of the six girls he imprisoned.

Two died of starvation in 1996 in a basement cell in one of his homes while he was in prison for a separate kidnapping.

Rau said Dutroux has since become a bogeyman for Belgium children and during casting of the play he was surprised to discover the young actors "knew the case well.

"For them it's a myth, a fairytale, something very far away," the Swiss director told AFP.

Critics have so far praised the play -- which uses seven children aged between eight and 13 alongside adult actors -- for its sensitivity, with the Swiss newspaper the Tribune de Geneve saying Rau had favoured "intelligence over sensationalism".

But the director -- who previously staged Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik's speech from the dock -- admitted that "creating adult theatre with children could metaphorically be seen as an act of paedophilia."

- Too shocking? -

Asked whether the case was too shocking for children, Rau made clear that the play wasn't "about the horror in itself. It's about the big issues which lurk behind this... the decline of a country, national paranoia and the mourning and anger which followed the crimes."

The play is being staged in Flemish, with surtitles in French, at Nanterre near Paris this weekend as a part of a European tour taking in Britain, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

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It was commissioned by the Campo arts centre in the Belgium city of Ghent, which is famous for its work with children.

"When they asked me to work on a series of child plays for adults I said to myself, 'Belgium plus children -- I am going to do something on Dutroux'," Rau said.

"The Dutroux case brings together all Belgium's big traumas: its dysfunctional elites, the end of the mining industry and the loss of its colonies.

"Dutroux's father was born in the Belgian Congo and lived there till he was six," he added, and the family also lived in Burundi.

The production begins with Congo's declaration of independence and ends with the funerals of Dutroux's victims, at which Belgian politicians were jeered.

Dutroux's lawyer revealed last year that the killer had planned to "kidnap many children" and keep them in an "underground city" in an abandoned mine shaft near his home in Charleroi, in the southwest of the country.

- Outrage continues -

Rau, 40, whose 2011 drama documentary "Hate Radio" about the Rwandan genocide was an international hit, said the play deals directly with the story of only one of the victims.

Sabine Dardenne was 12 when she was found alive in a cellar close to Charleroi days after Dutroux was finally arrested in August 1996.

She is played by nine-year-old Rachel Dedain in the drama.

Rather than a reconstruction of the case, Rau said he used its horrors to examine Belgium society, which was outraged by the official incompetence that dogged the case.

One of the child actors plays Dutroux's father, another the king of Belgium and others police officers investigating the disappearances of the girls.

Dutroux had already served prison sentences for multiple rapes when he became the prime suspect in the disappearance of two friends aged eight and nine in Liege in June 1995.

But he wasn't arrested for 14 months by which time four other girls had disappeared.

Both he and his wife Michelle Martin -- a former primary school teacher -- had previously been jailed for kidnapping children in the 1980s.

The fact that the case took the best part of a decade to be tried only increased public anger.

More than 300,000 people took to the streets of Brussels in the so-called "white march" after Dutroux's arrest to express their fury at the government and the justice system.

Many still believe he lay at the heart of a paedophile ring that encompassed politicians, judges and policemen.

Controversies about evidence being withheld only added to conspiracy theories.

The play's title is inspired by a composition by Igor Stravinsky, and has no connection with a 1970 Hollywood movie of that name which starred Jack Nicholson.
(HONG KONG)  China has started fresh construction work in the disputed South China Sea, new satellite images show, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach across the vital trade waterway.

Regional military attaches and experts believe the work shows Chinas determination to build up its network of reefs and islets, even if it is seeking to avoid a fresh confrontation with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

An image of North Island in the Paracels group taken on March 6 shows recent work including land clearing and possible preparation for a harbor to support what experts believe may be eventual military installations. Initial work was damaged in a typhoon last year.

The pictures, provided by private satellite firm Planet Labs, follow reports in January showing work undertaken on nearby Tree Island and other features in the Paracels, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

Diplomats briefed on latest Western intelligence assessments say Beijing is pursuing efforts to dominate its maritime backyard, even if it tweaks the timing of moves to avoid being overtly provocative.

The Paracels are going to be vital to any future Chinese attempt to dominate the South China Sea, said Carl Thayer, a South China Sea expert at Australias Defense Force Academy.

We can see they are committed to militarization, whatever the official rhetoric tells us, even if they are going to do it bit by bit.

The more widely disputed Spratlys archipelago to the south are higher profile but the Paracels are key to Chinas presence in the South China Sea, China has in recent years temporarily based surface-to-air missile launchers and crack jet fighters at long established bases on Woody Island on the Paracels, helping protect its nuclear submarine facilities on Hainan Island.

North Island is part of an arc of reefs that are expected to form a protective screen for Woody, which includes civilian facilities and a listening post.

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Zhang Baohui, a mainland security expert at Hong Kongs Lingnan University, said he believed China was pursuing long-held goals of strengthening its facilities in the Paracels, and had calculated the Trump administration would not over-react given other pressing priorities.

Theres also uncertainty with this young Trump administration, but this is very important work to the Chinese  the Paracels are vital to defending Hainan, which is in turn important to Chinas nuclear deterrent, he said.

The calculation here is that it is really only Vietnam that will be rattled by this.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Chinas Defense Ministry said it was not familiar with any work at North Island.

What needs to be stressed is that the Xisha Islands are Chinas inherent territory, it said, using the Chinese name for the Paracels. China fully occupied the Paracels in 1974 after forcing the navy of the-then South Vietnam off its holdings.

News of fresh Chinese activity comes as Rex Tillerson prepares for his first visit to the region as U.S. Secretary of State later this week. Tillerson sparked alarm in Beijing when he said in January China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the South China Sea.

A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was unable to confirm new construction work on North Island but said it would not be surprising.

It would be in line with what they have been doing, why else would they clearing land on the islands but for militarization, the official said. There is no other reason to have a presence there.

Diplomatic sources in Beijing say China is not looking for confrontation with the United States over the South China Sea, pointing to Chinas low-key reaction to last months patrol of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the waters there.

China has recently sought to portray itself as being conciliatory over the disputed waterway, saying it and Southeast Asian nations are committed to a peaceful resolution.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said a draft code of conduct for behavior in the South China Sea had now been completed and that tensions had distinctly dropped.

Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing and Idrees Ali in Washington
NEW YORK (Reuters) - China's Anbang Insurance Group [ANBANG.UL] said it is not investing in a flagship Manhattan office tower owned by the family of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser.

Anbang Insurance Group was named in a Bloomberg report on Monday as a possible investor in a $4 billion deal to buy the 41-floor building located at 666 Fifth Avenue, according to a copy of the agreement that was being circulated to attract additional investors.

"The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal," a spokesman for Anbang said in a statement on Tuesday.

The property was purchased by Kushner Cos in 2006 for $1.8 billion, which at the time was the highest price paid for a single building in Manhattan.

"Kushner Companies is in active discussions around 666 5th Avenue, and nothing has been finalised," a spokesperson for the company said on Tuesday.

The New York Times had reported in January that Anbang Chairman Wu Xiaohui and Jared Kushner were nearing agreement on a joint venture to redevelop the building.

The aging property occupies a full block that fronts Fifth Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Street  prime real estate for retailers that is just steps from Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a few blocks south of Trump Tower.

Anbang, established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of China's most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets.

Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($240 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, although a handful did not make it across the finish line.

The Chinese insurer abruptly pulled out of a $14 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc last year, and its attempt to buy U.S. annuities and life insurer Fidelity & Guaranty Life <FGL.N> is facing regulatory hurdles.

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In 2014, the insurer bought New York's landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc <HLT.N> for $1.95 billion. The company reportedly plans to convert as many as 1,100 of the hotel's 1,413 rooms into condominiums.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said 666 Fifth Avenue was 20 percent vacant as of July 2016, and valued the property at $982.1 million. Kroll called some $1.1 billion in debt on the building a "loan of concern."

Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners of Class A office and high-end retail space in Manhattan, gained a 49.5 percent interest as part of a $1.215 billion recapitalization of the building in 2011.

Vornado did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Matthew Miller in Beijing and Koh Gui Qing and Herb Lash in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr and Richard Pullin)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - China's Anbang Insurance Group [ANBANG.UL] said it is not investing in a Manhattan office tower owned by the family of Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser.

Anbang Insurance Group was named in a Bloomberg report as a possible investor in a $4 billion deal to buy the 41-floor building located at 666 Fifth Avenue, according to a copy of the agreement that was being circulated to attract additional investors.

"The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal," a spokesman for Anbang said in a statement on Tuesday.

The property was purchased by Kushner Companies in 2006 for $1.8 billion, which at the time was the highest sales price for a single building in Manhattan.

"Kushner Companies is in active discussions around 666 5th Avenue, and nothing has been finalised, a spokesperson for Kushner Companies said on Tuesday.

Anbang, established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of China's most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets.

Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($239.8 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, although a handful did not make it across the finish line.

The Chinese insurer abruptly pulled out of a $14 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc last year, and its attempt to buy U.S. annuities and life insurer Fidelity & Guaranty Life <FGL.N> is facing regulatory hurdles.

In 2014, the insurer bought New Yorks landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc <HLT.N> for $1.95 billion. The company reportedly plans to convert as many as 1,100 of the hotels 1,413 rooms into condominiums.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said the 666 Fifth Avenue building was 20 percent vacant as of July 2016, and valued the property at $982.1 million.

(Reporting by Matthew Miller in Beijing and Koh Gui Qing in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr)
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday expressed confidence in the European Union, calling for a united, prosperous and stable Europe amid widespread concerns about the impact of Brexit and the rise of nationalism. Speaking at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament, Li said that China backed European integration. "I am optimistic about the prospects of the European Union, and we are optimistic about the development prospects for China-EU relations," he said. European Council President Donald Tusk in February warned that, in the wake of Brexit and with growing nationalism, the EU faced the biggest challenges in its 60-year history, compounded by an assertive China, an aggressive Russia and worrying declarations from U.S. President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has stirred concern in Europe due to doubts about NATO and countering Russia in Ukraine, as well as over free trade. Trump has similarly worried China by criticizing the country's trade practices and threatened to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese imports, as part of his pledge to put "America first". Li said China did not want to see a trade war with the U.S. While acknowledging that trade ties between China and the EU have been strained in recent years over steel, Li said that China and the EU had experience at "appropriately resolving" disputes. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Nick Macfie)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground. "We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament. "Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction," he said. "We may have different statistical methods, but I believe whatever differences we may have we can all sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions," Li said. Issues that cannot immediately be solved should be "shelved" for the time being, he added. U.S. media have reported that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Florida next month. Trump has attacked China on issues ranging from trade to the South China Sea and what he perceives as China's lack of interest in reining in nuclear-armed North Korea. During the election campaign, Trump had threatened to label China a currency manipulator and impose huge tariffs on imports of Chinese goods. He has not followed through on either move yet, but the U.S. Treasury will issue its semi-annual currency report in April. China's trade surplus against the United States was $366 billion in 2015. Last month, Trump held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who outranks Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi. Li also reiterated in his remarks that China-U.S. relations are founded upon adherence to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part. The "one China" policy "has remained unshaken despite changing circumstances," he said, adding "this foundation cannot be undermined." Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and saying the United States did not have to stick to the policy, vaguely suggesting that he may abandon the policy as part of negotiations for a better trade deal with China. 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, proudly democratic Taiwan. Li also said China did not seek a sustained trade surplus with the European Union, and that the imbalance "would clearly improve" if Europe exported more high-tech products to China. The United States and the EU have long maintained export controls as security measures against China on a range of products with both military and civilian uses. China wants access to high-tech components to move its manufacturing industries higher up the value chain, but the foreign business community has often voiced concern about weak protection of intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers in exchange for market access. (Reporting by Ryan Woo, Kevin Yao and Michael Martina; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Richard Borsuk and Kim Coghill)
Tripoli (AFP) - Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government overran the headquarters of a rival militia on Wednesday as artillery exchanges rocked the capital for a third day, a security source said.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

Militia loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil, whose administration was replaced by the UN-backed Government of National Accord last year, have stepped up a campaign of defiance against its authority.

But overnight, government forces launched an assault on the militia's headquarters in the Guest Palace, a complex of luxury villas in the city centre, and overran it after heavy fighting.

"It's over. Ghweil's forces have pulled out and GNA forces have taken control of the area," a witness told AFP.

A security source confirmed the militia's withdrawal. He had no immediate word on any casualties.

It was the third straight day of fighting between government forces and the militia, who are mainly drawn from Ghweil's hometown, third city Misrata.

The sound of gunfire and explosions was heard from multiple neighbourhoods of the capital.

A rocket hit the Al-Khadhra Hospital without causing any casualties, a medic said.

Overnight, gunmen stormed the headquarters of Al-Nabaa television, a privately owned channel known for its Islamist leanings, witnesses said.

The channel remained off the air on Wednesday.

The fighting brought life in the capital to a standstill with schools and shops closed.

It came despite an appeal from UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler on Tuesday for an "immediate ceasefire".

"Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," Kobler said on Twitter.

The clashes erupted in the neighbourhoods of Hay al-Andalus and Gargaresh on Monday evening, prompting the government to deploy tanks.

They came as heavy fighting rocked the east of Libya where forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar announced their recapture of two key oil ports on Tuesday.

Haftar's forces, which do not recognise the UN-backed government, mounted a day-long assault by land, sea and air to retake the ports of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra, after they were seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.
By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington's famed cherry blossoms, one of the U.S. capital's major tourist attractions, were badly damaged by this week's late-season winter storm, the National Park Service said on Wednesday. Damaged blooms could cut into the tens of thousands of tourists who flock to enjoy the pink-and-white trees that make Washington's Cherry Blossom Festival one of the biggest U.S. springtime parties. "The number of cherry trees that reach the blossom stage may be reduced as a result of the recent cold temperatures," the National Park Service said in a statement. Blossoms at earlier stages of bloom will be forced open over the next day or two to determine if they have been harmed, the agency said. Peak bloom for the Yoshino cherry trees, the most abundant variety, is expected between March 19 and 22. Washington's Cherry Blossom Festival opens on March 25 and runs through April 8. Horticulturists who checked some of the thousands of cherry trees that line the city's Tidal Basin found widespread damage in blossoms that had reached the fifth of six stages in the bloom cycle, the Park Service said. The cherry trees were a gift from Japan to Washington in 1912 to honor the friendship between the two countries. Temperatures in the Washington area fell to 22 Fahrenheit (minus 5 Celsius) early on Wednesday as a winter storm pummeled the Northeast and Middle Atlantic states with high winds, snow and temperatures well below average. Temperatures remained below 24F (minus 4C), when 90 percent of exposed blooms can be affected, for at least five hours, the Park Service said. Similar temperatures were expected for Wednesday and Thursday nights. The National Park Service last week moved back its prediction for peak bloom. It previously had forecast the peak bloom for March 14-17, following the warmest February in Washington on record. The earliest peak bloom on record is March 15. (Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Leslie Adler)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  Permit holders who receive active shooting training would be able to carry concealed weapons almost anywhere in Arkansas, even the state Capitol, under a measure lawmakers sent Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday that goes far beyond the original goal of protecting college campuses.

Hutchinson, who chaired a National Rifle Association task force that called for trained, armed staff at schools after the 2012 elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, says he'll sign the measure that would become one of the broadest such laws in the country.

Here are some key elements facts about the bill that passed the Arkansas House on Wednesday and now awaits the governor's signature:

___

WHAT WOULD IT DO?

Any state resident 21 or older can apply for a concealed weapons permit, and that permit would become enhanced after completing eight hours of active shooting training.

With the enhanced permit, they would be allowed to carry concealed firearms on college campuses and other public buildings. It also provides them access to private establishments like bars, restaurants and places of worship  unless there are weapons prohibitions posted at the facilities. Concealed handguns would still be banned at K-12 schools, courtrooms and prisons.

Concealed carry would be prohibited from disciplinary hearings on campus grounds. Private colleges and universities that do not want to allow concealed carry on their campuses must post notices with that designation.

The Arkansas State Police will design the training curriculum. The actual training will be conducted by certified trainers throughout the state. State police may waive up to four hours of training based on the license holder's prior training within ten years of applying for the permit endorsement.

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HOW HAS IT CHANGED?

The NRA-backed bill barely resembles the one Republican Rep. Charlie Collins initially introduced to grant concealed weapon permits to faculty in an effort to help them respond to potential campus attacks.

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A subsequent version would have allowed anyone 25 and older with a concealed handgun license to carry on a college campus if the person undergoes up to 16 hours of active shooter training. The NRA objected to the training and age restrictions, and the measure stalled before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The age restrictions were eventually removed from the measure, but the training component was reduced.

University of Arkansas System spokesman Nate Hinkel said the next step for the system is to ensure its policies and practices align with the law.

"Our position has always been that we believe a decision such as this that involves the safety our our students is best left to our board of trustees, which has voted continuously to disallow concealed handguns on our campuses at the advice of our law enforcement officials," Hinkel said.

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HOW WILL ARKANSAS COMPARE TO OTHER STATES?

According to nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, this bill would make Arkansas the 10th state to allow guns on campuses. The organization also says bills passed over the last few years in Idaho, Tennessee and Texas are more limited than Arkansas' proposed legislation, and contain more exemptions for sensitive places on campus.

Since the bill has expanded beyond campus carry, Everytown's legal counsel Andrew Karwoski called it "an unusual piece of legislation."

"States that have this type system include Mississippi  where a permit holder who undergoes a training course can carry in almost any sensitive location, and Idaho  where enhanced permit holders can carry on college campuses," Karwoski said.

Indiana recently held a hearing on a bill allowing legislative employees to carry guns.

Everytown for Gun Safety plans to run an ad in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Thursday urging Gov. Asa Hutchinson to veto the bill.
Ottawa (AFP) - Canada's consumer watchdog announced Wednesday an investigation into bank tellers pressuring customers to purchase additional financial services, and going as far as tricking or lying to meet sales quotas.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCA) probe follows a report by public broadcaster CBC that uncovered widespread use of dodgy and possibly criminal tactics to get customers to increase credit limits, sign up for credit cards or make riskier investments that earn the banks higher commissions.

The CBC cited more than 1,000 employees of Canada's five biggest banks saying they felt pressured by managers to go to extreme lengths to upsell.

In a statement, the FCA said "recent allegations related to the sale of products and services by financial institutions to consumers without properly obtaining their prior express consent" deserved scrutiny.

A former Bank of Montreal financial services manager in Calgary, Alberta, told the CBC he had been "pressured to lie and cheat customers."

A Toronto Dominion (TD) insurance broker in Barrie, Ontario, was quoted as saying: "We are straight up told to tell false stories to sell products."

"We're all doing it," added a Royal Bank of Canada financial adviser.

Several employees have reportedly taken stress leave or quit over the banks' expectations.

Last Friday, TD's share price fell 5.5 percent, shedding about Can$6 billion in market capitalization after the allegations came to light.

Since then, the Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Montreal, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and Scotiabank have also seen their stocks slide.
Washington police officers responded when a local Goodwill store reported a cooler someone had donated that was filled with marijuana.

Read: Lost and Found: Person Leaves a Bag of Marijuana in Police Department Parking Lot

"They were going through donated items," said Debbie Willis of the Monroe Police Department. "They found a cooler, and they opened the lid, and there were five very large bags of marijuana."

She told InsideEdition.com the cooler contained 3.75 pounds of marijuana, with street value of approximately $24,000.

Willis explained that Goodwill employees believe the cooler was dropped off Monday night, but, "theyre not exactly sure how it was donated."

Officers are continuing to investigate surveillance footage in hopes of finding the cooler's former owner.

"Theres lots of people claiming, 'I think thats my cooler [on social media],'" Willis joked. "But the possibility of us knowing really who did it is very small."

Read: Woman Allegedly Hides Marijuana in Child's Lunch Box as She's Pulled Over by Cops

It is legal to carry up to one ounce of marijuana in Washington state. However, Willis explained the cooler contained nearly 60 ounces of the substance.

Watch: Goodwill Staff Finds $8,000 in Shirt Donated by Woman Who Didn't Know Husband Was Saving

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CANTON, Ohio (AP)  An Ohio couple who reported their 5-year-old daughter missing before her body was found hidden at their restaurant in January have pleaded not guilty to murder and corpse-abuse charges.

Mingming Chen and her husband, Liang Zhao, entered their pleas Wednesday in a Canton courtroom. They remain held under $5 million bond.

Authorities say Chen repeatedly punched Ashley Zhao. They say Liang Zhao unsuccessfully tried to revive the girl and then tried to help conceal her death.

Authorities say Zhao told 911 dispatchers on Jan. 9 his daughter was sleeping in the back of Ang's Asian Cuisine restaurant in North Canton before she vanished. Police found the girl's body hidden inside the business the next day.

Chen and Zhao are Chinese. Chen's attorney has declined to comment. Zhao's attorney can't be reached.
By Dan Levine and Mica Rosenberg HONOLULU/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. federal judge in Hawaii dealt another legal blow to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, issuing an emergency halt to his revised travel ban just hours before it was set to go into effect early on Thursday. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson put out an emergency stop on Trump's executive order, which aimed to temporarily bar entry to the United States of most refugees as well as travellers from six Muslim-majority countries. Watson said the state of Hawaii showed a strong likelihood of success in its claims that the order violates the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prevents religious discrimination. Critics of the ban argued it was discriminatory against Muslims. The Republican president has said the policy is critical for national security. The case was one of several that were moving through U.S. courts on Wednesday brought by states' attorneys general and immigrant advocacy groups. Trump's first travel order signed on Jan. 27, which was more sweeping than the second revised order signed on March 6, was also halted by a federal judge. White House spokesman Sean Spicer, asked about the judge's order, did not comment. (Reporting by Dan Levine in Honolulu and Ian Simpson in Greenbelt, Md. Additional reporting by Mica Rosenberg and Jonathan Allen in New York; Writing by Mica Rosenberg; Editing by Peter Cooney and Jonathan Oatis)
Irish rockers The Cranberries have unleashed an acoustic remake of their 1993 song "Linger," which will be part of an upcoming unplugged album by the band, as they prepare to take on a greatest hits tour across Ireland and the UK.

The fresh record, dubbed "Something Else", will feature "Linger" -- which was the band's first major hit -- among other acoustic takes on selected past songs, as well as three new tracks (via Pitchfork).

"Something Else" is scheduled for release on April 28, with the full 13-song tracklist as follows: "Linger," "The Glory," "Dreams," "When You're Gone," "Zombie," "Ridiculous," "Rupture," "Ode to My Family," "Free to Decide," "Just My Imagination," "Animal Instinct," "You & Me," and "Why".

Commenting on the new record, the band took to their Facebook page and said: "Over two weeks in Limerick University last year, at the home of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, we revisited old times in new clothes dusting away any cobwebs with strings -- our old songs revisited with an orchestra. With a little bit more experience behind them, with a new lease of life. They sound fresh again. Music and more to come soon."

Listen to the new acoustic version of "Linger" here: http://vevo.ly/JlcIM2
A video of a bare chested man falling from a slackline 100 feet above the ground is raising concerns.

Read: Adults Charged After Thousands of Balls Are Released on Street in YouTube Stunt

In the clip, the man was wearing a harness that saved his life, and managed to get back up on the line in Cleveland National Forest outside San Diego earlier this week.

The video is part of a new craze called "high lining" when daredevils try to balance themselves on a suspended length of flat webbing set up at dizzying heights. They're attached by anchors that are drilled into the rocks.

Keeping your balance isn't easy as the lines swing wildly in the wind.

There are hair-raising videos on YouTube and some national parks have forbidden high-lining over safety concerns.

Read: Hoax-us Pocus? Magician Criss Angel Hits Back After He's Accused of Faking Injury for Publicity

John Lindquist set up the so-called slacklines at Cleveland National Forest, where highlining is allowed, and he wants everyone to know he takes safety seriously.

He claimed the line can hold 7,000 pounds and "is amazingly strong."

"We try and make sure we are as safe as possible," he told Inside Edition. "This [cable] can hold 7,000 pounds, it's amazingly strong."

Jim Galli, who shot the video of his friend falling from the slackline at Cleveland National Forest insisted to Inside Edition that what they are doing is safe and they "have a harness."

Watch: Nik Wallenda Speaks Out After 5 Injured in High-Wire Stunt Gone Wrong: 'We'll Get Through This'

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The Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo says that it is inspiring to witness growing opposition to the brutal war being waged against drugs in her country and has renewed her calls for an end to the slaughter in a written interview with TIME.

The stance puts her in stark opposition to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has made the savage suppression of suspected drug dealers and users a key tenet of his administration.

If the notion of a Vice President openly contradicting the head of state seems unusual, its because the two positions are elected separately in the Philippines. In the countrys May 2016 vice-presidential election, Robredo narrowly defeated Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., the son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, whom Duterte favored.

This is not the first time Robredo has spoken out against Dutertes policies. She was a vocal critic of the Presidents decision to approve Marcos burial at the countrys Heroes Cemetery last year and in December Duterte blocked her from attending Cabinet meetings because the two had irreconcilable differences.

Robredo will address attendees at the 60th U.N Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna in a video message Thursday that highlights human-rights abuses committed under Duterte. In the video, she notes inconsistent data relayed by the President in support of his war, in which more than 8,000 people have been killed since July 1. She also questions why no action has been taken on over 500 complaints filed at the Philippine Commission on Human Rights.

Robredo has repeatedly denied involvement in alleged plots to oust the President. In an email Q&A with TIME, she talks about the international communitys response to the drug war, and the arrest of another outspoken critic of the President, Senator Leila de Lima.

What do you hope your address to the U.N. commission will achieve?

The message was crafted by listening to Filipinos who have experienced human-rights violations and stories from the grassroots. Despite this dark environment, it is inspiring to see that there are still a lot of people who continue to fight for human rights and are standing up against extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

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Despite the ongoing culture of fear and death in our country, there are still leaders and people in our country who refuse to give up the fight for the rights of our countrymen.

What do you think of the international communitys response to Dutertes drug war?

We are encouraged by the way the international community is pointing out and sounding the alarm on the increased number of human-rights violations in our country. We hope that they continue to be outspoken on their concerns.

We hope that in the next few months we, together with the international community, can convince the current administration to focus its efforts in ending human-rights violations and extrajudicial killings. In addition, let us work together to strengthen the existing accountability mechanisms in the Philippines in order for us to have those responsible brought to justice. We hope that we can persuade the administration to concentrate more on the bigger war we are facing  the war on poverty.

Has the U.N. response to human-rights abuses in the drug war been vigorous enough?

Yes, and we hope that they continue doing what they are doing. We hope they continue to engage our government through recommendations and pointing out the violations that they observe.

A few months ago, there were reports that a U.N. human-rights rapporteur would visit our country to investigate the ongoing violations and extrajudicial killings. We are still hopeful that this will eventually push through and that an independent and nonpartisan body may look into the problem more closely. In addition, we are grateful that international NGOs, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have taken a closer look at the situation and are actively engaging the government to help solve and curb the human-rights problems in the country.

Leila de Lima has referred to herself as a political prisoner. Do you agree?

If we look into the chronology of her arrest, we can see how politically motivated the charges are. She has been charged with drug trafficking yet not 1 g of illegal drugs has been found in her possession.

This all started when the Senator pushed for a congressional investigation on the proliferation of extrajudicial killings. From there, she was publicly humiliated by the lower house in a series of scathing hearings. At the end of those hearings, the congressional committee did not recommend that charges be filed against the Senator. But the administration still went through with filing their cases and having the Senator arrested. This was an effort to silence a vocal critic of the administration.

Are you worried about speaking out publicly against the President given what has happened to de Lima?

No, because this is my duty as an elected official. We believe that in order for a democracy to be vibrant and healthy we must continue to voice out alternatives and other points of view. We cannot be disheartened by the noise around us because that would be an injustice for the Filipino people. As I said before, democracy demands dissent.
ONALASKA/PALATINE, Ill.  Joseph M. Kiszka, 91, of Onalaska, formerly of Palatine, died Monday, March 6, 2017, at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse. A Funeral Mass will be 4 p.m. Monday, March 20, at Roncalli Newman Center in La Crosse, with visitation 3 to 3:45 p.m. Monday, with military honors prior to Mass. Entombment will be in Community Mausoleum at All Saints Catholic Cemetery in Des Plaines, Ill., at a later date. Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements. A complete obituary will follow.
By Lawrence Hurley WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats on Wednesday outlined how they will question Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch at his confirmation hearing next week over what they say is a pro-corporate bias in his rulings as an appeals court judge. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that the burden is on Gorsuch, a conservative appeals court judge from Colorado, to prove at the hearing starting on Monday that he is an independent judge and not a pro-business activist. "Judge Gorsuch may act like a neutral, calm judge, but his record and his career clearly show he harbors a right-wing, pro-corporate, special-interest legal agenda," Schumer said. Schumer appeared on Capitol Hill with several individual plaintiffs that Gorsuch ruled against in his position as a judge on the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. "He expresses a lot of empathy and sympathy for the less powerful," Schumer said, "but when it comes to time to rule, when the chips are down, far too often he sides with the powerful few over everyday Americans just trying to get a fair shake." Conservative legal activists who support the nomination say that Democrats are cherry-picking a small number of rulings that distort Gorsuch's 11-year record as a judge. President Donald Trump nominated Gorsuch on Jan. 31 to fill a yearlong vacancy on the nine-justice Supreme Court. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate has to approve the appointment for it to take effect. Last year they refused to consider Democratic former president Barack Obama's nominee to fill the vacancy caused by the February 2016 death of conservative justice Antonin Scalia. Trump's fellow Republicans control the Senate 52-48, but Schumer repeated his view that Gorsuch would need to win 60 votes, rather than a simple majority, to move toward confirmation. Democrats can seek to use a procedural maneuver to block a confirmation vote if Gorsuch's supporters cannot muster 60 votes, although Republicans could change the Senate rules. "If a nominee cant get 60 votes, you dont change the rules," Schumer said. "You change the nominee." Among the plaintiffs who spoke out was truck driver Alphonse Maddin, who was fired after he disobeyed a supervisor and abandoned his trailer at the side of a road after the brakes froze. Gorsuch wrote a dissenting opinion as a three-judge panel ruled last year that Maddin was wrongly terminated and had to be reinstated with back pay. "This was a seven-year battle," Maddin said. "Seven different judges heard my case. One of those judges found against me. That judge was Neil Gorsuch." (Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Disney on Wednesday said it would not release a censored version of its film "Beauty and the Beast" in Malaysia after authorities in the Muslim-majority nation cut a "gay moment" in the movie.

The film, featuring "Harry Potter" star Emma Watson, has raised hackles worldwide among religious groups angered by its depiction of Le Fou, the sycophantic sidekick to antagonist Gaston, as a gay man, making him Disney's first ever out LGBT character.

The head of Malaysia's censorship board earlier told local media that a "gay moment" had been removed from the film before approving its release.

But on Wednesday, a Disney spokesperson told AFP that "the film has not been and will not be cut for Malaysia", effectively shelving plans to release it in the Southeast Asian country.

The film was originally slated to be released on Thursday in Malaysia.

Director Bill Condon has revealed that the movie contains Disney's "first exclusively gay moment", although some critics have said the reference is extremely mild and fleeting.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, where laws criminalising sodomy can result in imprisonment, corporal punishment and fines.

Religious groups and Islamic scholars had previously called for the film to be banned over concerns that it would promote "negative values" in the country.

The movie has also come under fire from religious figures in neighbouring Singapore, with Christian clergy attacking Disney for deviating from "wholesome, mainstream values".

At least one theatre in the US state of Alabama has refused to show the film while Russia slapped an adults-only rating on the movie last week following pressure by an ultra-conservative lawmaker who was pushing for a ban.

Despite the controversy, the movie has already become the fastest-selling family film in history, outpacing previous record-holder "Finding Dory," according to online ticket seller Fandango, ahead of its release this week.
The Justice Department on Wednesday alleged that two Russian intelligence agents joined forces with criminal hackers to pull off one of the largest computer breaches in U.S. history, the 2014 hack of internet giant Yahoo, which exposed the usernames and passwords of some 500 million users.

The indictment, unveiled by prosecutors at a Washington press conference, highlighted the symbiotic relationship between Russian security services and its criminal hacker underground  and how the two have combined to become a crucial tool of the Kremlins foreign policy.

High-profile indictments can also serve to put foreign governments on notice. Almost three years ago, then-Attorney General Eric Holder strode a Washington podium to announce what was then an unprecedented indictment: charges against three Peoples Liberation Army officers for their role in a campaign of intellectual property theft targeting American firms.

That marked the beginning of a campaign of pressure against China that eventually resulted in an agreement between Washington and China not to use digital tools to steal business secrets from one another. While it didnt end all Chinese hacking, it did result in a marked decrease in Chinese digital attacks on American firms, according to several computer security companies.

But Wednesdays indictment will be unlikely to produce similar dividends in the case of Russian state-sanctioned hacking, experts said.

Whats critical here is the larger geopolitical relationship, said Michael Sulmeyer, the director of the Cyber Security Project at Harvards Belfer Center. Real change will have to come from a change in belief that this kind of behavior will have real costs to their national interests.

Prosecutors allege that two officers of Russias FSB  the successor agency to the KGB  teamed up with criminal hackers to steal user data from hundreds of millions of Yahoo accounts.

FSB officers Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin allegedly directed two hackers, Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, to break into Yahoos central computer systems, harvest user credentials, and acquire tools to break into email accounts. The attack exposed the email accounts of millions of users and embarrassed the internet giant.

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Dokuchaev and Sushchins scheme married criminal and foreign intelligence objectives, according to the Justice Department, who charged the two with a bevy of offenses, including computer hacking, economic espionage, and wire fraud. If arrested, tried, and convicted  a very long shot for three of the four suspects  they could face more than 100 years in prison.

The two FSB officers allegedly used the information stolen from Yahoo to target the email accounts of Russian journalists, foreign diplomats, and Russian government officials. At the same time, Belan and Baratov allegedly pursued a variety of criminal schemes to cash in on the heist.

In one, Belan allegedly used his access to Yahoo servers to present users who searched for erectile dysfunction medication to be shown a link that he had created. That link then redirected users to an online pharmacy that paid marketers who funneled traffic to the site.

Only Baratov, a 22-year-old Canadian-Kazakh dual national, is in custody; he was arrested Tuesday by Canadian authorities. The other three are thought to be in Russia and are unlikely to ever see the inside of a U.S. courtroom. The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, and Moscow will all but certainly refuse to hand over members of its own security services to American authorities.

Belan has been indicted twice before and for three years has been on the FBIs list of most wanted cyber criminals.

Russian criminal hackers typically enjoy the protection of the state as long as they do not attack targets within Russia. Evgeniy Bogachev, accused of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars, reportedly lives in comfort in the Black Sea resort town of Anapa and has reportedly allowed Russian security services to search the computers he has infected.

By allowing criminal hackers to flourish within Russian borders, the Kremlin has a cadre of computer savvy operatives at its disposal. It can use these hackers to carry out digital attacks with a modicum of plausible deniability by mingling intelligence operations with criminal schemes, making the former harder to detect.

Both Russia and China use cyber operations as a tool of statecraft, but they have different objectives in mind. Much of Chinese cyber espionage is targeted at stealing corporate secrets. And as much as Beijing seeks to shape the world order to its benefit, ultimately President Xi Jinping has made clear he considers China a status quo power that is interested in upholding the existing order, said James Lewis, cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Moscow, in contrast, has a darker view of the world, making them less amenable to conventional forms of suasion.

They think there is a Western plot to destroy Russia. They really believe that, Lewis said. So for them its a very different kind of struggle.

One noteworthy element of the case: The FSB division that employed Dokuchaev and Sushchin is nominally responsible for cyber defense and is the FBIs Russian point of contact for collaborating in hunting down criminal hackers. Earlier this year, Russian authorities reportedly arrested Dokuchaev and other FSB officials as part of a shake-up that, according to unconfirmed reports, targeted a CIA spy ring.

But the big question remains: how can Washington persuade Russia to alter its behavior in cyberspace? In the waning days of the Obama administration, Washington slapped sanctions on the FSB and expelled dozens of Russian diplomats, in reprisal for the election meddling.

So far, though, Washingtons retaliatory moves appear to have had little effect. Even after American intelligence called out Russian election meddling in October, and the White House slapped sanctions on FSB operatives and Belan in December, Moscow has continued its influence operations in Europe, seeking to boost its preferred candidates in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

For now, Washington has a limited toolkit to strike back. What can we do to the Russians? We are sort of maxed out on sanctions. We know we are not going to arrest these people. So we need to find new punishments, Lewis said.

Such punishments might include embarrassing revelations about Russian state-sponsored doping efforts, financial dealings, and perhaps covert action, he said.

But that would depend on the willingness of the Trump administration to take a tougher line on Russia. On the campaign trail, Trump staked a series of Kremlin-friendly positions, as FSB hackers mounted an information war that U.S. intelligence officials concluded was meant to boost his candidacy. Since taking office, Trump has suggested forming a closer partnership with Russia, but he has also picked several Russia hawks for key administration positions, making it unclear just what kind of policy the administration will pursue.

Congressional and FBI investigators are now examining whether Trump campaign officials colluded with Moscow, as part of wide-ranging probes examining communications between the Trump team and Moscow and their financial ties to Russia. The House Intelligence Committee will hold its first public hearing on the matter next week, and the Senate intelligence panel is also conducting an investigation.

A pair of top Republican senators, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Wednesday demanded more cooperation from the FBI. Grassley bemoaned the agencys reluctant cooperation with congressional investigators, and Graham demanded to know by Wednesday if the bureau is conducting a criminal investigation of Trumps ties to Russia.

One Justice Department official, who is not authorized to speak to the press, said on Wednesday: There are lots of tentacles at play here.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images
President Donald Trump paid $38 million on more than $150 million in income in 2005, a White House official said Tuesday night.

The disclosure, which fills in a small data point in one of the big lingering mysteries looming over Trumps presidency, came just before the figures

The two-page form, which is labeled Client Copy, doesnt reveal the sources of Trumps income, which has been the primary reason for Democrats to call on Trump to release his returns

David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer-prize winning investigative journalist and veteran tax reporter, was leaked Trumps 1040 tax form from 2005 and brought the document to Maddow.

Here's a photo of the Trump tax returns that @maddow just displayed. There's a stamp that reads "Client Copy." pic.twitter.com/GxmHGQDmd0  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 15, 2017

It came in the mail over the transom, explained Johnston, now the editor and founder of DCReport.org. The numbers, he said, fit the things we know about Trumps finances from other public records.

The document indicates that Trump, who defied decades of political convention by declining to release his tax returns during his campaign for President, paid a roughly 25% effective tax rate in 2005.

The document shows that Trump paid $5.3 million in taxes and another $31.2 million due to his obligations under the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which is designed to ensure a baseline tax payment for some payers. During his campaign, Trump proposed scrapping that tax.

Trumps tax returns in the years since remain a mystery. Democrats have cited the absence of disclosure as an indication that Trump is hiding something. Nearly 1.1 million people have signed a White House petition urging Trump to immediate release his full returns.

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The White House official denounced the disclosure of the 2005 return as an illegal act.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, the White House official said, noting that Trump had a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than he was legally obligated.

Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, the official said, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that.

During the presidential campaign, Trump proposed cutting taxes, especially for the very wealthy, reducing the current seven tax brackets to four: 0%, 10%, 20% and 25%. Trumps tax reform plan is not expected to be brought up until after Congress completes its work on healthcare reform, an effort that has faced significant headwinds.

Trumps income puts him in the highest of the current brackets, 39.6%, though it is normal for the very wealthy to pay a far lower effective tax rate. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney paid a 14.1% effective rate in 2011.

Citing an ongoing audit for which he never supplied proof, Trump declined to release his recent returns during the campaign. Asked last week whether Trump would release his 2016 returns, Press Secretary Sean Spicer said: My understanding is hes still under audit and Ill follow up on the question.

Every major presidential candidate in recent history has disclosed their returns, including 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. She and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, earned $10.75 million in 2015, and paid a 34.2% federal tax rate.

The disclosure, Maddow said, is only a start.

With reporting by Zeke J. Miller
Well, it's safe to say that Donald Trump didn't like that Snoop Dogg video.

The U.S. president woke up quite early, as always, and tweeted his fury at the rapper:

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

He's referring to the politically tinged video for "Lavender" in which Snoop rolls out clowns, weed, references to the Philando Castile shooting, and "Ronald Klump," an orange-faced clown who is president.

SEE ALSO: Snoop Dogg points gun at a Donald Trump clown in his new video

In the video's climax, Snoop and Klump come face-to-face and Snoop points a toy gun at Klump's head.

Snoop was heavily criticised for the music video.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio said the rap star "shouldn't have done that."

"We've had presidents assassinated before... so anything like that is something people should be really careful about."

Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, told TMZ he was "shocked" by the video and said the rapper "owes the president an apology."

Theres absolutely nothing funny about an assassination attempt on a president, and Im really shocked at him, because I thought he was better than that," he said.

However, Snoop said he wasn't looking for a reaction with the video.

He told Billboard: When I be putting shit out, I dont ever expect or look for a reaction. I just put it out because I feel like its something thats missing."

"Any time I drop something, Im trying to fill in a void. I feel like its a lot of people making cool records, having fun, partying, but nobodys dealing with the real issue with this fucking clown as president, and the shit that we dealing with out here, so I wanted to take time out to push pause on a party record and make one of these records for the time being.
Yangon (AFP) - Raging battles on Myanmar's border with China have claimed dozens more lives, military and official sources said Wednesday, as the mounting death toll landed a fresh blow to the government's faltering peace process.

Fighting broke out between troops and ethnic minority rebels in the Chinese-speaking Kokang border region in northeastern Shan State this month when insurgents dressed in police uniforms launched a surprise raid on security forces.

Thousands of people have since fled to China to escape the ensuing gun battles, artillery strikes and fires, leaving Laukkai deserted.

Military sources said 28 civilians and police have been killed, while the commander in chief's office has reported at least 46 insurgents have also died.

Troops "found the bodies of 17 enemies and seized 27 weapons" between March 6-14, it said in a statement.

Three more rebels were killed on Wednesday during an army offensive in which "some military officers and other (lower) rank soldiers were killed and injured," it added.

A military source who asked not to be named said the figures were in addition to 26 rebels the government said had been killed in a statement on March 6.

State media reported on Tuesday that "dozens of soldiers" had also been killed in the escalating clashes.

The bloodshed has threatened to derail de facto leader Suu Kyi's efforts to seal a peace deal with Myanmar's ethnic minorities, some of which have been fighting the state for decades.

The UN said at least 50,000 people have fled their homes in Shan and Kachin States since September to escape some of the worst violence to grip Myanmar's restive border regions for decades.

A second round of peace talks initially scheduled for late February have now been pushed back to May.

This month's clashes in the Kokang region have also raised tensions with Beijing, which fears the deadly unrest will spill across its borders as it did in 2015.

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The people of Kokang have strong bonds with Myanmar's giant neighbour -- locals speak a Chinese dialect and the yuan is the common currency.

Observers believe Beijing also holds significant sway over the ethnic fighters and has been angling to leverage its key role in the government's peace process.

Last week China called for an immediate ceasefire and this week officials have reportedly been holding talks with rebel groups in a bid to calm the fighting.
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Two suicide bomb attacks killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens more in Damascus on Wednesday, state media reported, in the second such spate of bombings in the Syrian capital in five days. The first suicide bomber targeted the Palace of Justice, the main courthouse in central Damascus near the Old City. Justice Minister Najem al-Ahmad told reporters the initial death toll was 31, mostly civilians. The second suicide blast struck a popular restaurant in the al-Rabweh area of Damascus to the west of the first attack causing several casualties, state media reported. State news agency SANA cited the Damascus police as saying that there were 102 injured in the courthouse attack and 28 injured in the restaurant. Analysts who follow Syria have predicted that as jihadist rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad suffer military reverses, they will increasingly turn to guerrilla attacks in territory controlled by the government. As well as the Damascus bombings of recent days, which coincide with the sixth anniversary of the protests that sparked Syria's civil war, attackers also twice struck the government-held city of Homs in the past few weeks. On Saturday scores of people, most of them Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims, were killed in a double suicide attack in Damascus claimed by an alliance of jihadist groups known as Tahrir al-Sham. Their military chief, the former al Qaeda leader in Syria, Abu Mohammad al Golani, had vowed more attacks after claiming multiple suicide attacks in the city of Homs last month. The courthouse bomber set off his explosive device at 1:20 p.m. (1120 GMT) as the police tried to search him and stop him from entering the building, state television cited the Damascus police chief as saying. Syrian state television broadcast footage from inside the courthouse showing blood splattered on a floor littered with papers, a shoe and broken tiles and stones. Images from a hospital showed a man in a suit on a stretcher with blood on his clothes. The explosion hit the courthouse "at a time when the area is crowded" with lawyers, judges and civilians, harming a large number of people, Ahmed al-Sayyid, a senior state legal official told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV. He later added that 45 people had been wounded. No further details were immediately available. "RETALIATION" The government and its allies, Russia's air force, Iran and Shi'ite militias, have also maintained a fierce assault on some rebel-held areas including air strikes and artillery bombardments. Assad and his allies describe all the rebels fighting against the government, which include jihadists as well as nationalist groups supported by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies, as terrorists. "The attack came as a retaliation against the latest victories of the Syrian army and the political victories in Geneva and Astana," Ahmad said, referring to recent peace talks in Switzerland and Kazakhstan. State media reported that the second bomber had entered the restaurant and detonated the device after having been chased by security forces. "These are people who blow themselves up to kill others...," Interior Minister Mohammad al Shaar told state media, adding that the security personnel were pursuing other suspects involved in the bombings. In late February an attack in central Homs killed dozens of people with coordinated shootings and suicide bombs that targeted two security headquarters and led to the death of a senior official. That attack was also claimed by Tahrir al-Sham, which includes the Fateh al-Sham group that was formerly known as the Nusra Front until it formally broke ties with al Qaeda last year. Another suicide attack in Homs on Tuesday killed one person and injured two others, a witness told Reuters. (Reporting by Ellen Francis in Beirut and Kinda Makieh in Damascus; Writing by Tom Perry and Angus McDowall; Editing by Ken Ferris and Gareth Jones)
According to the first exit poll, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruttes Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy came first in Wednesdays parliamentary election, parrying a challenge from far-right candidate Geert Wilderss Party for Freedom, which is predicted to tie with another party in second place.

Preliminary results are expected later Wednesday evening. If Rutte is indeed the winner, establishment parties in Europe will likely seize on it as a sign that the continent can avoid repeating the shock, populist victories of the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom and President Donald Trumps election in the United States. That, at least, seems to be the German Foreign Offices stance.

Large majority of Dutch voters have rejected anti European populists. That's good news. We need you for a strong #Europe! #tk2017 @MinBZ  GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) March 15, 2017

Wilders was polling well before the vote, although he lost some support as what analysts called the Trump effect kicked in. Rutte himself seems to have taken that position: This is a night for the Netherlands, he told supporters after seeing exit polls. After Brexit, after the US election, we said stop it, stop it to the wrong kind of populism.

Further, voters seemed to support Ruttes stance against Turkish officials campaigning for their pro-Erdogan referendum in the Netherlands. Rutte might have high turnout to thank: 81 percent of voters took part on Wednesday.

But it remains unclear which of the six main parties predicted to enter parliament Rutte can turn to for another governing coalition. Ruttes party, which had governed in coalition with the center-left Labor Party, seems set to lose ten seats, taking it down to 32 of the 76 needed to rule, while the Labor Party, suffering a historic loss of 38 seats, won just nine.

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The big winner of the day seems also to be from the left: GreenLeft, the party of communists, pacifists, and radicals alike, is believed to have upped its number of seats from four to 16.

Despite the loss of seats, Ruttes task seems to have been made easier by Wilderss xenophobic rhetoric. Many Dutch parties  28 took part in the elections, making coalitions de rigeur  have said they would not join ranks with Wilders even if the Party for Freedom did win the most seats.

Update, Mar. 15 2017, 5:45 pm ET: This post was updated to include the German Foreign Offices celebratory tweet.

Update, Mar. 15 2017, 7:05 pm ET: This post was updated to include the victory of GreenLeft.

Update, Mar. 15 7:58 pm ET: This post was updated to reflect that Wilderss party tied for third, not second, and that Ruttes party won 33, not 31, as the first exit poll said.

Update, Mar. 15 11:43 pm ET: This post was updated to reflect Wilderss party tied for second and Ruttes with 32 seats after over half the vote had been counted. Additionally, it was updated to include Ruttes victory statement.

Photo credit: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/AFP/Getty Images
The Hague (AFP) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte easily defeated a strong challenge by far-right rival Geert Wilders in key elections seen as a bellwether of populist support in Europe, partial vote counts said Thursday.

With more than 54 percent of votes counted, Rutte's Liberal VVD party was set to win 32 seats, making it the largest in the new 150-seat parliament, with Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) beaten into second place alongside two others on 19 seats, the Dutch news agency ANP said.

Millions of Dutch flocked to the polls in a near-record turnout, with the stakes high in an election pitting the pro-European Rutte against his anti-immigration and anti-EU rival.

Following last year's shock Brexit referendum and Donald Trump's victory in the US, the Dutch vote was being closely scrutinised as a gauge of the rise of populism on the continent ahead of crucial elections in France and Germany.

"This was the evening when The Netherlands, after Brexit and the American elections, said 'stop' to the wrong kind of populism," Rutte told cheering supporters.

"Now of course it's important to unite the country in the coming weeks and months and that we succeed in forming a stable government for the next four years," he added.

Relieved European leaders, fearing the rise of anti-EU sentiment in one of the bloc's founding members, congratulated Rutte, now headed for a third term at the head of the one the eurozone's largest economies.

A spokesman for EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker hailed it as a "vote against extremists" while one senior European source told AFP on condition of anonymity: "Common sense strikes back."

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault of France, where the far-right Marine Le Pen is currently seen winning the first round of the presidential election in April, congratulated Rutte for "stopping the rise of the far-right".

- 'Not rid of me yet ' -

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Wilders had pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Koran and leave the EU if he won the polls.

He thanked his supporters in a message on Twitter, with his party set to boost its number of MPs to 19. The PVV won 15 seats in the 2012 elections, which had slipped to 12 in the outgoing parliament.

"We won seats. The first gains are made. And Rutte is not rid of me yet," he said.

Eyeing weeks, if not months, of protracted coalition talks ahead, Wilders offered early Thursday to work with the new government.

"I would still like to co-govern as the PVV, if possible. But if that doesn't work ... we'll support the cabinet, where needed, on the issues that are important to us."

Most of the other leaders, including Rutte have vowed not to work with Wilders, denouncing his incendiary rhetoric and his go-it-alone attitude.

Turnout reached 81 percent, just shy of the record of 88 percent set in 1977.

Rutte appeared to have benefited from his firm stance in a spiralling diplomatic spat with Turkey after authorities barred Turkish ministers from rallying support in the Netherlands for a referendum.

- 'No Trumpian force' -

Assuming the exit polls reflect the final result, Rutte will get the first chance to form the next coalition and could possibly turn to the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the Democracy party D66, which both matched Wilders with a predicted 19 seats.

But with the three parties' combined total of 70 seats, he would need another party to reach the 76-seat majority.

The "PVV is not such a revolutionary, Trumpian force," Leiden University expert Geerten Waling told AFP.

"People stick to responsible politicians mostly," he said, acknowledging though that the PVV's showing was "not small".

The analyst also pointed to the "disastrous" showing of the traditional Labour party, Rutte's sole partner in the outgoing coalition.

Support for the party appears to have evaporated and the partial count showed it winning just nine seats -- well down from the 38 it won in 2012.

Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher told supporters late Wednesday "the voters have spoken, difficult as it is, but that is democracy."

One of the biggest winners of the day was the young, charismatic Jesse Klaver, leader of the ecologist leftwing GroenLinks.

In a remarkable turnaround, the party is likely to win 16 seats compared to just four in the outgoing parliament.
Fannie Sellens became involved in union work while she was employed as a Chicago garment worker. She helped organize the United Garment Workers of America and became involved in employee strikes. As an organizer for the United Mine Workers of America, Sellens was arrested in the nonunion coalfields of West Virginia. She served six months in prison before being pardoned by President Woodrow Wilson. After moving to Pennsylvania, she realized one of the fastest ways to recruit people to join unions was by appealing to the wives of the workers. Coal operators determined to destroy her, and on Aug. 26, 1919, she was fatally shot and beaten by coal-company-controlled deputies. Ten deputies were charged in her murder; none were punished.
(THE HAGUE, Netherlands)  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday claimed a dominating parliamentary election victory over anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, who failed the years first litmus test for populism in Europe.

Provisional results with over half the votes counted suggested Ruttes party won 32 seats in the 150-member legislature, 13 more than Wilders party, which took only third place with 19 seats. The surging CDA Christian Democrats claimed 20.

Following Britains vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trumps election as U.S. president, the Netherlands said, Whoa! to the wrong kind of populism, said Rutte, who is now poised for a third term as prime minister.

We want to stick to the course we have  safe and stable and prosperous, Rutte added.

Wilders, who campaigned on radical pledges to close borders to migrants from Muslim nations, close mosques, ban the Quran and take the Netherlands out of the EU, had insisted that whatever the result of the election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent arent going away.

Rutte has not seen the back of me, Wilders said after the results had sunk in.

His Party for Freedom clinched 24 seats in 2010 before sinking to 15 in 2012, and Wednesdays total left him with about 12 percent of the electorate, far less than populists in Britain and the United States have scored.

Those are not the 30 seats we hoped for, Wilders told reporters early Thursday, adding that hed rather have been the biggest party.

Both France and Germany have elections this year in which far-right candidates and parties are hoping to make an impact.

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Rutte on his election success and his clear victory against extremism.

In Germany, Socialist leader Martin Schulz tweeted. I am relieved, but we need to continue to fight for an open and Free Europe.

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Rutte, who for much of the campaign appeared to be racing to keep pace with Wilders, may have profited from the hard line he drew in a diplomatic standoff with Turkey over the past week.

The fight erupted over the Netherlands refusal to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies in Rotterdam about a referendum that could give Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers. It gave Rutte an opportunity to show his statesmanship by refusing to bow to foreign pressure, a stance with widespread backing in the nation.

I mean this is your electoral campaign dream, right? You cant script this if it was a movie, Amsterdam Free University political scientist Andre Krouwel said. Its really helped Mark Rutte to take the lead and a big lead over Geert Wilders.

Under brilliant skies, the Dutch went to vote in huge numbers, with turnout estimated to have reached at 82 percent.

In a subplot of the elections, the Green Left party registered a historic victory, turning it into the largest party on the left wing of Dutch politics, together with the Socialist Party.

The provisional results showed the Greens leaping from four seats to 14 in parliament after a strong campaign by charismatic leader Jesse Klaver, who invites comparisons to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

It remains to be seen if the 30-year-old Klaver will take his party into the next ruling coalition, which looks likely to be dominated by Ruttes VVD and other right-leaning parties.

The Labor Party of Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem appeared to have been punished by voters in the election, plunging from 38 seats at the last election to just nine, according to the Ipsos exit poll.

Because of the result, it looked unlikely Dijsselbloem would be able to hang on to his post of leading the 19-nation Eurogroup, which manages the currency of the European Union nations that use the euro.

Rutte had framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nations economic recovery and casting Wilders as a far-right radical who was unprepared to make tough decisions.

Although he drove through unpopular austerity measures over the last four years, the Dutch economic recovery has gathered pace and unemployment has fallen fast under the prime minister.

Wilders, meanwhile, attempted to tap into discontent among voters who said they were not benefiting from the economic recovery.

Even if his party had placed first in the election, Wilders stood a remote chance of becoming prime minister in the Netherlands, where a proportional representation system all but guarantees coalition governments.

The main political parties, including Ruttes, had ruled out forming a coalition government with the Party for Freedom.

The left-leaning Dutch Labor Party appeared to be hammered by its supporters for its role over the last four years in pushing through a tough austerity package as junior member in a two-party Cabinet with Ruttes VVD.

The coalition Ruttes VVD party had with Labor can no longer be replicated and the prime minister is likely to look to the right for new coalition partners.

Rutte has been resolute about not wanting to share power with Wilders, so that tightens the market in which he can acquire the necessary 75-seat threshold.

Weeks, if not months of coalition-building talks may be required before a new government is installed.
The Hague (AFP) - Millions of Dutch flocked to the polls Wednesday in a test of the "patriotic revolution" promised by far-right MP Geert Wilders, with Europe closely watching the outcome amid signs his support may be waning.

Following last year's shock Brexit referendum, and Donald Trump's victory in the US, the Dutch vote is seen as a gauge of populism on the continent ahead of key elections in France and Germany this year.

The Dutch election has also been gatecrashed by an explosive row with Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hurled a new round of abuse at The Netherlands on Wednesday, accusing the country of massacring over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995.

Wilders voted in a school in The Hague, mobbed by hundreds of reporters, as final polls suggested he was trailing the Liberal VVD party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

"Whatever the outcome of the election today, the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay," Wilders said.

Polls close at 2000 GMT, with exit polls expected shortly after. Wilders has reason to be cautious however after his Freedom Party (PVV) has flopped in past votes.

"Let's wait and see what the result will be," he told reporters.

- High turnout -

On a warm spring day, queues began swelling early and the research institute IPSOS said turnout was already "a lot" higher than at the same point in 2012 when final participation was 74 percent.

Amid the tussle between Rutte and Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters had been wavering between the 28 parties running.

"This is a crucial election for The Netherlands," Rutte said as he voted.

"This is a chance for a big democracy like The Netherlands to make a point... to stop this... domino effect of the wrong sort of populism."

Wilders has pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Koran and leave the EU.

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Trumpeting the country's economic growth and stability, Rutte is bidding for a third term as premier of the country -- one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

In the central Hague district of Schilderswijk, where most residents are from Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese backgrounds, a steady flow of voters - many of them women wearing headscarfs - came and went at one polling station.

None wanted to speak openly though. "The people are feeling very delicate right now," one man told AFP, referring to the row with Turkey.

"You'd be surprised, but some people here will vote for the PVV. They may not support Geert Wilders, but they are fed up with the criminality, perpetuated mainly by youngsters who lack the benefit of a proper education," said another man, who also asked not to be named.

- Fragmented landscape -

Final polls appeared to show Rutte consolidating his lead over Wilders, crediting the VVD with 24 to 28 seats -- well down on its 40 outgoing seats.

After months leading the polls, Wilders has slipped and was seen barely clinging onto second place with between 19 and 22 MPs -- up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before.

Closing in on Wilders were long-standing parties the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs. Both would be natural coalition partners for Rutte.

"I am hoping for a strong centre" coalition, said Alexander van der Hooft.

"But I'm afraid it's going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government," he told AFP.

Rutte's handling of the crisis with Ankara -- barring one Turkish minister from flying into the country, and expelling another -- appears to have boosted his image.

Wilders though won support Tuesday from ideological ally French far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen who called him "a patriot".

It reportedly takes an average of three months to form a coalition, but observers say it may take longer with four or even five parties needed to reach the 76-seat majority.

While traditional Labour appears to be sinking, the ecologist left-wing GroenLinks and its charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver could win 16 to 18 seats.

"I hope GroenLinks will win. Jesse Klaver is a breath of fresh air," said lawyer Marloes van Heugten.
The Netherlands warned its citizens against traveling to Turkey Monday amid the two countries' ongoing dispute over two Turkish ministers being barred from addressing political rallies in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. Tensions between Ankara and the Hague flared last week when Dutch authorities prevented Turkish officials from attending the Saturday rallies, which were aimed at encouraging Turks living in Europe to vote in a pivotal referendum in Turkey, according to BBC News.

"Since 11 March, 2017 there have been diplomatic tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands. Stay alert across the whole of Turkey and avoid gatherings and crowded places," the Dutch foreign ministry warned in statement Monday.

Read: Syrian War Over? Assad Winning As US, Russia Join Forces Against Turkey

The Dutch government reportedly forbid Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from flying to the rallies in Rotterdam Saturday and prevented Turkish Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate there, according to the Middle East Eye. Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the decision by the Dutch government would be made by a "banana republic" and resembled "Nazi remnants."

Turkey summoned the Dutch charge daffaires Daan Feddo Huising for the third day in a row Monday and presented him with two notes addressed to the Dutch government asking for a written apology and accusing the Hague of breaching the Vienna Convention on diplomacy.

Erdogan accused the Netherlands of pushing for a No vote on the referendum, which would grant greater presidential powers while weakening those of the Turkish parliament. Ankara says the constitutional changes would make Turkeys presidential system resemble that of the United States and France, but Erdogan's political opponents viewed the new policy as an attempt to bolster his one-man rule over the country.

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"To be called Nazis by a regime which is walking backwards in regards to human rights is just disgusting," Dutch Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher told BBC News.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Dutch embassy in Ankara over the weekend as Erdogan called on international organizations to impose sanctions on the Netherlands and accused European governments of "Islamophobia." Turkey will "surely have sanctions" against the Netherlands, Turkish EU Minister Omer Celik told Reuters Monday.

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By Ayman al-Warfalli BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - East Libyan forces said they had regained control on Tuesday of the major oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider from a rival faction that seized them earlier this month and were pursuing their opponents into the desert. Ahmed al-Mismari, spokesman for the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), said fighters from the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) were retreating toward the coastal town of Harawa, more than 100 km (60 miles) west of Es Sider and to Jufra, their desert base nearly 300 km to the south. Air strikes were being carried out against BDB positions in Jufra late on Tuesday, an air force official said. Footage and photos showed LNA troops posing around the ports, and a resident in Ras Lanuf confirmed that they had entered the town that adjoins the oil port and refinery following clashes and air strikes. A statement by a media outlet aligned with the BDB said the group's fighters were still stationed in the area. The fighting for control of the ports in Libya's Oil Crescent, a strip of coast southwest of Benghazi, has raised fears of an escalation of violence in the country and a reversal for the OPEC member state's efforts to revive its oil output. The LNA and the BDB are on opposite sides in a stop-start conflict between factions based in eastern and western Libya that erupted in 2014, leaving Libya with rival governments. Negotiations to strike a political deal between the two sides have so far failed, and the renewal of fighting could harden the east-west split. Akram Buhaliqa, an LNA commander in the nearby city of Ajdabiya, said ground, air and naval forces had been deployed in Tuesday's offensive. The LNA said 10 of its troops had been killed and 18 wounded in the fighting. No casualty figures for the BDB were available. The LNA took control of the Oil Crescent ports in September, ending a long blockade in the area. It handed the ports to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) in Tripoli, allowing it to more than double Libya's oil production. The BDB's advance caught the LNA off guard and eastern factions reacted angrily, accusing a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli of supporting their rivals. Mismari suggested that this time a handover to the NOC in Tripoli was not guaranteed, saying a decision on who would receive the ports would be made later and that the head of an eastern, breakaway NOC, Naji al-Maghrabi, would inspect them. The statement came as a letter surfaced in which Maghrabi said he could no longer comply with a unification deal agreed last year with NOC Tripoli, partly because of the failure to move the NOC's headquarters to Benghazi. Eastern factions have tried to sell oil independently of Tripoli in the past, but have been blocked by international sanctions that are still in place. Since the BDB overran Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, Libya's national oil output has dipped again from about 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 600,000 bpd due to a disruption of operations at the ports. The ports are two of the largest in Libya, with a combined potential capacity of about 600,000 bpd, but both were badly damaged in previous rounds of fighting and were operating at a fraction of pre-conflict levels. The LNA retained control of Brega and Zueitina, the two ports closest to Benghazi. The United Nations said on Tuesday the latest fighting around the Oil Crescent had been marked by human rights violations including unlawful killings and arbitrary detentions. (Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar in London and Aidan Lewis in Tunis; Editing by Gareth Jones, Toni Reinhold)
Addis Ababa (AFP) - The death toll from a landslide at Ethiopia's largest rubbish dump in the capital Addis Ababa climbed to 113 on Wednesday, a city spokeswoman said.

The toll from Saturday's disaster has "reached 113", Dagmawit Moges, a spokeswoman for the Addis Ababa city administration, told AFP.

Tragedy struck when part of the largest hillside at the Koshe rubbish dump collapsed, burying a slum that had been built on the landfill.

Communications Minister Negeri Lencho said the majority of the dead were women, and that rescue operations are continuing.

"As far as I know, they are still searching," Lencho said, adding that he could not explain why the toll had risen so dramatically from a previous tally of 72 dead on Tuesday.

Koshe is the largest rubbish dump in Ethiopia, and home to a community of perhaps hundreds of people who collect and resell rubbish trucked in from around the capital city.

The government tried to close the dump last year and move it to a new location, but opposition from people living near the new site forced them to reverse their decision.

Koshe residents who spoke to AFP blamed the landslide on the building of a new biogas plant on top of the waste.

They said bulldozers had destabilised the soil during construction.

Lencho said an investigation into the tragedy was ongoing.

He had earlier said slumdwellers may have inadvertently caused the disaster.

Ethiopia's parliament declared three days of national mourning starting from Wednesday.

The government was helping relatives of the victims pay for their funeral costs, Lencho said.
Addis Ababa (AFP) - The death toll from a landslide at Ethiopia's largest rubbish dump in the capital Addis Ababa climbed to 113 on Wednesday, among them many women and children.

Tragedy struck on Saturday when part of the largest hillside at the Koshe rubbish dump collapsed, burying a slum that had been built on the landfill.

The toll from the disaster has "reached 113", Dagmawit Moges, a spokeswoman for the Addis Ababa city administration, told AFP.

Communications Minister Negeri Lencho said the majority of the dead were women, and that rescue operations are continuing.

"As far as I know, they are still searching," Lencho said, adding that he could not explain why the toll had risen so dramatically from a previous tally of 72 dead on Tuesday.

Flags were flying at half-mast across Ethiopia in memory of the victims of the disaster, which also included many children.

Koshe is the country's largest rubbish dump, and was home to a community of perhaps hundreds of people who collect and resell rubbish trucked in from around the capital city.

- Living in squalor -

Although one of Africa's top economic performers, with GDP growing by about 10 percent in 2015 and Addis Ababa filled with high-rise buildings and newly paved roads, Ethiopia is still one of the world's poorest countries.

The people of Koshe lived in squalor of a degree that is uncommon in the city of four million people.

Last year, the government tried to close the landfill and move it to a new location, but opposition from people living near the new site forced authorities to reverse their decision.

Addis Ababa's construction boom didn't leave Koshe untouched; a biogas plant is being built on top of the rubbish dump.

Koshe residents who spoke to AFP blamed the landslide on the facility's construction.

They said bulldozers that packed down soil to make way for the new plant destabilised the hillside.

Lencho said he could not comment on the cause of tragedy, saying an investigation was under way.

Story continues

He had earlier said slum dwellers may have inadvertently caused the disaster.

The landslide spared a handful of shacks made of plastic tarps and sticks, but it appears their days are numbered.

Lencho said the government would be moving people who had built their homes on the landfill into proper housing.

Authorities would also pay for the funeral expenses of the more than 100 victims of the tragedy.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union is committed to the migration deal with Turkey and expects Ankara to comply as well, a for the bloc's executive arm said on Wednesday. "We remain committed to the spokeswoman application of the EU-Turkey (agreement)," the spokeswoman said. "This is a contract of mutual trust and delivery, we expect that both parts will comply with their commitments." (Reporting by Tom Koerkemeier, Writing by Gabriela Baczynska)
Here's something: The District of Bonnyville in Alberta, Canada is holding a contest to name a taxidermied rat.

Is Bonnyville's other name Pawnee, Indiana? We don't know for sure, but maybe.

The district posted the contest to their Facebook page, along with a picture of the unnamed rat.

"Agriculture and Waste Services has added this little guy  a Norway rat  to their pest control education toolbox, and want YOUR help to name it," the caption of the post reads.

SEE ALSO: Ridiculous plan to remove a rat from a house actually works

Before you start firing off your ready list of great rat names, please check if you live in Bonnyville. If you do not, you are ineligible to participate.

The official rules of the contest explain that the rat "will be used to educate M.D. residents about the pests."

According to CBC News, Alberta has been rat free for decades and has committed to staying that way. The first step to doing that is the educate residents on exactly how terrible a rat problem could be.

"It's for educational purposes, so people can actually see what a Norway rat looks like," pest control officer Kirby Claybert told CBC. "Because Alberta's rat-free, so many people in their lifetime have never seen a Norway rat, or what it looks like."

The winner of the contest will receive a $100 gift card to Boston Pizza, as well as District of Bonnyville branded swag.

While we aren't located in Bonnyville, we have a suggestion: Boaty McBoatface, perhaps?
A parent group for parents of students with autism has been formed and will meet monthly at the Viroqua Elementary School library, 115 Education Ave., Viroqua.

The group, which is for parents and caregivers of students with autism, will meet for approximately one hour. Parents and caregivers from other local school districts are welcome to attend and help establish a network of parents that can share ideas, concerns, and support one another.
By Brad Brooks CURITIBA, Brazil (Reuters) - A top Brazilian prosecutor said more than 350 new investigations will spring from a trove of testimony by executives of construction firm Odebrecht, revealing how corruption cut across the political spectrum from the smallest cities to the highest levels of government. Carlos Lima, the dean of a team of prosecutors in southern Brazil that is driving the three-year old "Car Wash" investigation, said the Odebrecht statements expanded the probe far beyond expectations and would ensnare top congressmen, senior members of the executive branch and other powerful figures. On Tuesday, Brazil's Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot asked the Supreme Court to open 83 new investigations into politicians based on the still-sealed testimony. He also requested another 211 potential cases be sent to lower courts. "Between the cases that will go to the Supreme Court and those that will land here with us in Curitiba, there will be upward of 350 new investigations that will begin," Lima told Reuters Tuesday in his office in the southern city of Curitiba. The revelations could topple President Michel Temer's government, experts say, or derail the prospect of economic reforms that has lifted Brazilian financial markets and made its currency amongst the best performing in the world last year. Odebrecht is one of several large construction firms that for years paid billions of dollars in bribes to Brazilian politicians and executives at state-controlled businesses, primarily oil company Petrobras. The 'Car Wash' investigation started three years ago with a probe into a money launderer whose testimony revealed the vast scheme that has now enveloped top political and business leaders. Since signing the world's largest leniency deal with Brazilian, U.S. and Swiss prosecutors late last year, Odebrecht has become the target of probes by several Latin American nations, where it admitted to paying bribes to win contracts. Lima said the new investigations would bring in several other nations that are not yet investigating Odebrecht, without providing details. Lima said the Odebrecht testimony would shock even graft-weary Brazilians. It would show how corruption was endemic at all levels of government, from municipal to federal, as construction firms shelled out billions in bribes in exchange for lucrative government contracts, he said. "There will be no doubt left about the immense extent of corruption in the Brazilian political system, from top to bottom. It is going to be on view for the entire world to see," Lima said. "Car Wash by itself will not change a thing, but it will reveal the extent of corruption. What has to change is our democracy itself," he said. "The Brazilian population has to decide now if it wants to continue to be cheated." BRASILIA ON EDGE Brazil's political class is agonizing about the over 950 depositions given by 77 Odebrecht executives, expected to be made public soon. Janot has asked the Supreme Court for permission to investigate congressmen and ministers; the release of their names is imminent. Janot already obtained permission to investigate 54 politicians in 2015. It is not clear if some of those names will feature on the new list. Congressmen have been working for months to undermine the Car Wash investigation, Lima said, trying to pass amnesty measures during the dead of night. So far those efforts have borne no fruit and Lima believes the moment has passed. "Once it is known who is not involved, the mood of those not under investigation will be more positive, and I believe they will see that it's useless to try to pass amnesties or other measures to allow those who are corrupt to escape justice," he said. He would not comment on whether he thinks the Odebrecht revelations would result in the fall of Temer, who took over as president last year following the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff. Temer served as vice president to Rousseff but helped to lead the maneuverings that ended in her ouster. Sergio Praca, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a leading Brazilian University, said Temer's government is on the brink. Temer has repeatedly said he is a caretaker president until the 2018 elections and that his main goal is to pass economic reforms to pull Brazil's economy from its worst recession on record. Temer has pushed through austerity measures and is likely to get changes to the bloated pension system passed, Praca said. "But once the Odebrecht testimony really hits, even if Temer's government survives, which it very well may not, it will have absolutely no political force," he said. "There will be total paralysis. No more reforms will pass because this government is going to implode. Nothing will get done until a new president is elected." (Reporting by Brad Brooks; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Daniel Flynn)
By J.R. Wu TAIPEI (Reuters) - China's accelerated military development and recent activity by its military aircraft and ships around Taiwan pose an increased threat to the self-ruled island, according to a Taiwanese government defense report draft reviewed by Reuters. The 2017 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) also highlights the uncertainty over the future strategic direction of the United States in the region, the impact of Japan flexing its military capabilities and "conflict crisis" potential in the disputed South China Sea. "The recent activity of Chinese jets and ships around Taiwan shows the continued rise in (China's) military threat capabilities," highlighting the importance of Taiwan's need to defend itself, the review will say. "In addition to posing a military threat to our country, it also has a negative impact on regional stability." The document is due to be presented to parliament on Thursday by Taiwan defense minister Feng Shih-kuan. The defense ministry had no comment on the report on Wednesday. The four-yearly review is the first since President Tsai Ing-wen took office last May and the first under her Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan. "The country's military development and Taiwan's freedom and prosperity are the same living body," according to the draft. WAYWARD PROVINCE The QDR comes as China - which claims Taiwan as a wayward province to be taken back by force if necessary - has been stepping up air and sea military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan as part of a sweeping modernization of its armed forces. Speaking in Beijing at his annual news conference on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang repeated that China was resolutely opposed to Taiwan independence but it would uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait. "No matter how the situation on the island may evolve, the fraternal bond between the two sides cannot be severed and will not be able to change history or the fact that both sides belong to one and the same China," Li said. Developments in the South China Sea, including rejection of an international court ruling by other claimants on territorial rights of the Philippines in the disputed waters, China's land reclamation and militarization, and freedom of navigation patrols championed by the United States, could deepen strife in the area, the review will say. "Sovereignty disputes in the region and strategic competition could intensify, leading to hidden conflict crisis." China has begun new construction work on a disputed island in the South China Sea, satellite images show, just days ahead of the first official visit to the region by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The review also listed Japan's move away from its pacifist constitution "to strengthen its armaments and lift a ban on using troops abroad" as having deep and far-reaching impacts on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait. Reuters reported this week that Japan plans to send its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea beginning in May - its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War Two. Among security challenges for Taiwan, the review also said "the United States' Asia-Pacific strategic direction and troop deployment was not clear" under the new administration of President Donald Trump. Trump provoked consternation in Beijing by taking a congratulatory call from Taiwan's Tsai and then calling into question adherence to the "One China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it. Last month, Trump agreed to honor the policy during a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The United States remains Taiwan's biggest ally and arms supplier and is bound by legislation to provide the means to help the island defend itself. The review reflected the realities of Taiwan's situation, but wasn't specific enough on how Tsai's government will address budget needs for major indigenous defense programs or the shrinking number of soldiers in the armed forces, said Chieh Chung, a research fellow in the national security division of Taiwan's National Policy Foundation, a local think tank. The review affirmed Taiwan's push to develop and build its own submarines, jets and ships, and strengthen its electronic and cyber defenses against China. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Suspected Kurdish rebels on Wednesday detonated explosives on a highway as security forces were passing by, killing two soldiers, the state-run news agency reported.

The explosion occurred on a highway linking the cities of Mardin and Diyarbakir in southeast Turkey, Anadolu Agency said.

The private Dogan News Agency said the attack targeted soldiers who searching for land mines. It said the security forces launched a large-scale operation in the region to catch the assailants.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, have launched a series of violent attacks since 2015, when a fragile peace process with the government collapsed.

The group, considered a terror organization by Turkey and its Western allies, has led a separatist insurgency since 1984. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people since then.
Stockholm (AFP) - Three young men suspected of gang raping a woman in Sweden and livestreaming the attack on Facebook are to face trial, Swedish prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Two of the men, aged 18 and 21 -- both Afghan citizens -- have been charged with raping the victim in turn in an apartment in Uppsala, 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of Stockholm in January.

A third man, a 24-year-old Swedish national, has been charged with being an accessory to rape by filming the attack and posting it on Facebook, and failing to try to stop it.

Swedish prosecutors claimed in the charge sheet the 24-year-old encouraged his friends, and "laughed and in close proximity filmed the incident with his mobile phone, and posted it live or very shortly after the rape on Facebook."

All three suspects were arrested on January 22 after members of a closed Facebook group, which has 60,000 members, saw the attack streamed live and alerted police.

Police responding to the calls ended the livestream.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and therefore "particularly vulnerable", prosecutors said, using a legal term in Sweden which means a rape victim does not necessarily have to try to fend off an attacker.

Eight people who saw the livestream are cited as witnesses in the case.

The rapes lasted for several minutes, as the 24-year-old was urged by several Facebook watchers to stop it but did not, the charge sheet said.

The 24-year-old was also charged with aggravated slander for posting the events on Facebook.

"The crime should be judged as aggravated as (the livestream's) content and the extent to which it was spread could be expected to cause serious harm," the prosecutors said.

The three men have denied all charges.

The film has been removed from Facebook but it has been circulated on the internet.

Prosecutors said they had photographs, film sequences, witness testimonies and a medical report to back up their case, though they have not yet secured the full live-streamed footage from Facebook officials in the US.
By Anna Pujol-Mazzini LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Syrian war started six years ago with protests across the country against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad and his family's 40-year rule. "Arab Spring" protests sweeping the region had already dislodged autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt, and would later claim the long-term rulers of Libya and Yemen, two other countries still embroiled in civil wars six years on. Assad responded to Syria's protests with unconstrained violence, turning the uprising into a war to the death. An estimated half a million people have been killed, half the population has been uprooted in the world's biggest refugee crisis, and the war has set new standards of savagery in its impact on civilians. Here are some facts on the humanitarian impact of the conflict: DEATH TOLL * About half a million people are estimated to have been killed since the conflict began. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Monday there are about 465,000 people killed and missing in the war. Among those killed are more than 96,000 civilians. * At least 652 children were killed last year, up by 20 percent from 2015, the UNICEF, U.N.'s children agency said. The figures - collected since 2014 - only represent formally verified casualties, meaning the true toll could be higher. REFUGEES AND DISPLACED * There are currently almost five million registered Syrian refugees. Most of them are living in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. * 6.3 million Syrians are internally displaced. * Altogether, the number of refugees and displaced people means that half of the Syrian population, which stood at 22 million before the start of the conflict, have fled their homes. * In Europe, a little under a million Syrians have applied for asylum, with Germany and Sweden receiving two-thirds of applications. AID CHALLENGES * 13.5 million people remain in need of aid inside the country. However, aid agencies often struggle to reach people in need. "Over the last year in Syria all parties involved have blocked vital aid supplies and millions have become poorer, hungrier and more isolated from assistance," Norwegian Refugee Council's Middle East director Carsten Hansen said on Monday. * Around five million people remain trapped in areas of active fighting, including nearly one million trapped in besieged areas inside Syria with almost no aid. EDUCATION * One third of the schools in Syria have been destroyed or damaged by over 4,000 attacks on schools and education facilities. Hundreds of thousands of teachers have fled the country. * As a result, 1.75 million children and young people do not attend classes, and mathematics and reading skills are falling far behind pre-war levels. HEALTH * At least 814 medical personnel were killed between March 2011 and February 2017. These figures may be underestimated due to difficulties in gathering evidence, researchers say. * 2016 was the most dangerous year for health workers in Syria, with multiple attacks including killings, imprisonment, abduction and torture. * There were almost 200 attacks on health centers last year alone. Sources: UNOCHA, NRC, UNHCR, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Reuters, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, UNICEF, IRC (Reporting by Anna Pujol-Mazzini @annapmzn, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
By Anna Pujol-Mazzini LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Syrian war started six years ago with protests across the country against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad and his family's 40-year rule. "Arab Spring" protests sweeping the region had already dislodged autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt, and would later claim the long-term rulers of Libya and Yemen, two other countries still embroiled in civil wars six years on. Assad responded to Syria's protests with unconstrained violence, turning the uprising into a war to the death. An estimated half a million people have been killed, half the population has been uprooted in the world's biggest refugee crisis, and the war has set new standards of savagery in its impact on civilians. Here are some facts on the humanitarian impact of the conflict: DEATH TOLL * About half a million people are estimated to have been killed since the conflict began. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Monday there are about 465,000 people killed and missing in the war. Among those killed are more than 96,000 civilians. * At least 652 children were killed last year, up by 20 percent from 2015, the UNICEF, U.N.'s children agency said. The figures - collected since 2014 - only represent formally verified casualties, meaning the true toll could be higher. REFUGEES AND DISPLACED * There are currently almost five million registered Syrian refugees. Most of them are living in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon. * 6.3 million Syrians are internally displaced. * Altogether, the number of refugees and displaced people means that half of the Syrian population, which stood at 22 million before the start of the conflict, have fled their homes. * In Europe, a little under a million Syrians have applied for asylum, with Germany and Sweden receiving two-thirds of applications. AID CHALLENGES * 13.5 million people remain in need of aid inside the country. However, aid agencies often struggle to reach people in need. "Over the last year in Syria all parties involved have blocked vital aid supplies and millions have become poorer, hungrier and more isolated from assistance," Norwegian Refugee Council's Middle East director Carsten Hansen said on Monday. * Around five million people remain trapped in areas of active fighting, including nearly one million trapped in besieged areas inside Syria with almost no aid. EDUCATION * One third of the schools in Syria have been destroyed or damaged by over 4,000 attacks on schools and education facilities. Hundreds of thousands of teachers have fled the country. * As a result, 1.75 million children and young people do not attend classes, and mathematics and reading skills are falling far behind pre-war levels. HEALTH * At least 814 medical personnel were killed between March 2011 and February 2017. These figures may be underestimated due to difficulties in gathering evidence, researchers say. * 2016 was the most dangerous year for health workers in Syria, with multiple attacks including killings, imprisonment, abduction and torture. * There were almost 200 attacks on health centres last year alone. Sources: UNOCHA, NRC, UNHCR, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Reuters, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, UNICEF, IRC (Reporting by Anna Pujol-Mazzini @annapmzn, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit http://news.trust.org)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP)  A former Navy officer from Virginia is among nine people recently indicted in the growing bribery scandal in which officers took lavish gifts from a contractor that serviced American ships overseas, according to recently unsealed federal court documents.

Former Chief Warrant Officer Robert "Bob" Gorsuch, 49, allegedly passed along ship schedules on two occasions to Leonard Francis, also known as "Fat Leonard" for his wide girth. Gorsuch, of Virginia Beach, also set up a secret email account to plot with the Malaysian ship contractor and helped vet other potential conspirators in the Navy, court records said.

During an exchange in 2007, Gorsuch and others officers had a $12,000 dinner with Francis in in Sydney, Australia, prosecutors said. Francis paid for the scallops, fois gras and beef loin and Gorsuch gave him the information on computer disks.

Francis owned the Singapore-based company Glenn Defense Marine Asia. It provided fuel, food and trash removal to Navy ships at various ports in Asia, including Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Gorsuch is among nine current and former military officers charged in the latest indictment. The officers called themselves the Lion King's Harem, the Wolfpack, the Cool Kids and the Brotherhood. They scouted for others who might also accept sex, trips and other lavish perks from Francis in exchange for classified information.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Gorsuch says he was working on hiring a lawyer, but would not comment further. Court records say he was released on $10,000 unsecured bond in Norfolk. He must appear in a San Diego federal court on March 21.

Gorsuch spent 25 years in the Navy before retiring in 2010, according to the Navy Office of Information. He served on submarines and at the White House, earning various medals along the way.

During the time of the alleged conspiracy in 2007 and 2008, Gorsuch allegedly wrote to Francis: "Bob here. Just got turned on to this third party email website that the military folks can't block or track."

Story continues

During another email exchange, Gorsuch discussed newly arrived officers to the 7th Fleet who might want to join in on the scheme, according to court records. Gorsuch told Francis there was doubt about one's ability to "keep his mouth shut about fine dining. . . . still working on it."

___

Associated Press researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report.
It might be time to take Finn Jones off his own show's press tour. The actor and star of Netflix's upcoming Marvel's Iron Fist can't wrap his mind around fans rejecting a white billionaire protagonist  except that now there's Donald Trump.

"We filmed the show way before Trumps election," Jones told Radio Times. "And I think its very interesting to see how that perception, now that Trumps in power, how it makes it very difficult to root for someone coming from white privilege, when that archetype is public enemy number one."

SEE ALSO: 'Ghost in the Shell' gets brutally dragged in its own viral campaign

Nice try, Finny, but audiences have longed for more than altruistic white heroes for quite some time, and as tempting as it is to blame Trump for Iron Fist appropriating Asian culture for the four millionth time or defaulting to yet another white actor, something tells us he's actually not guilty.

"I think the world has changed a lot since we were filming that television show," Jones said in his Radio Times interview. "Im playing a white American billionaire superhero, at a time when the white American billionaire archetype is public enemy number one, especially in the US."

It has less to do with public enemies than with Hollywood's history of whitewashing and lack of roles for women. Jones was aware of the missed opportunity to cast an Asian, but he believes in the show, even if critics don't.

"Ive been working eight years and Ive experienced it firsthand, the disparity when it comes to Asian representation  even more than that, Asian misrepresentation," Jones' costar Jessica Henwick told The Daily Beast. But I also have seen what Finns done in this role and I honestly, honestly think that he smashes it out the park."

Jones has insisted that viewers stick with the show and watch its entirety, adding that "these shows are made for the fans, not for the critics," as if fans won't be critical.

Yikes. What would the rest of the Defenders have to say about this?
The Root River Soil and Water Conservation District annually receives cost-share funds from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to assist landowners with implementation of erosion control practices.

The purpose of this program is to assist landowners and land occupiers in offsetting the costs of installing conservation practices where the primary purpose is the control of soil erosion or sedimentation, or protection and improvement of water quality.

Through the state cost-share program, landowners and occupiers can request financial and technical assistance from the Root River SWCD to implement state-approved conservation practices. The program, which was originally approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 1977, provides up to 75 percent of the total eligible costs of a practice. Any landowner and land occupier may apply for cost share assistance.

The Root River SWCD Supervisors approved that cost-share funding for 2017 projects could be piggy backed with Federal EQIP funding up to 90% cost-share of the eligible costs of a project. If a project does not have EQIP funding the cost-share rate will be 75% of the eligible costs of a project.

Primary best management practices must be designed to meet the purpose of the practice, for an effective life of not less than ten years from the date it is approved for final payment. The projects that are selected target high-priority erosion and water quality problems. There must be a current erosion control problem and the proposed practice must treat the existing erosion problem. Practices where runoff or sediment from the contributing watershed prevents the practice from achieving the intended purpose with normal operation and maintenance are ineligible. All practices must be consistent with the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) or professionally accepted engineering or ecological practices. Landowners and land occupiers are ineligible for cost-share on work that is started or completed prior to cost-share contract approval by the district board.

Practices can include: grassed waterways, terraces, water and sediment control basins, grade stabilization structures, diversions, cover crops, and contour strip cropping.

For more information or to determine eligibility contact the Root River SWCD office at 507-724-5261 ext. 3.
A sometimes fatal bacterial disease carried by fleas and lice appears to be spreading more often, and over a larger swath of territory in Texas than it did a decade ago, a new study suggests.

The authors arent sure how to explain the increase in murine typhus cases, though one suggested the rampant population of opossums in Texas may not be helping. The flea that can transmit the bacteria, called Ctenocephalides felis or the cat flea, infests opossums as well as rodents.

The condition has been traditionally found in southern Texas, in places where there is more poverty, said Melissa Nolan Garcia, a pediatric tropical medicine instructor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

However, when we are starting to see more cases in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas  I think were starting to see a little bit of a shift, she told STAT.

We really dont know why theres an increase and we werent able to hypothesis too about that in this paper. Really the main point was just to bring home the fact that were starting to see a geographic expansion and that were starting to see more cases.

The study was published online Wednesday in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The authors  from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital, as well as the Texas Department of State Health  looked through Texas health records for recorded cases of typhus group rickettsiosis, a cluster of closely related diseases caused by a type of bacteria called rickettsia. Under state law, doctors are required to report all cases they diagnose.

The disease is also seen in Southern California, but this group only studied data from Texas.

While the researchers looked for cases of three diseases in this cluster, one was not found and another was seen only rarely. Most cases were caused by Rickettsia typhi, which is more commonly called murine typhus.

The researchers charted the number and geographic distribution of cases from 2003 to 2013. In the first year of the period, only 27 people were diagnosed with the disease; the cases were spread out over nine counties. And in the first few years of the study period, the annual count was around 100 cases.

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But from 2008 the number of cases each year more than doubled and the number of counties reporting the disease climbed to 41. Of the 1,762 cases reported over the decade, nearly 60 percent  1,047  were sick enough to require hospitalization, and four people died.

Bites from infected fleas trigger the infection. In some people, the disease is mild and resolves on its own. In fact, the researchers believe their findings underestimate the problem, because only those sick enough to need care would have been tested.

Symptoms include fever, headache, rash, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and achy muscles. Young children and teenagers made up the largest group among the diagnosed cases. Nolan Garcia suggested children may be more likely to play with pets that have picked up infected fleas.

Read more: Obamacare repeal and Trumps spending plan put CDC budget in peril

The disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics, if it is diagnosed early enough. But the disease shares symptoms with a number of diseases and this diagnosis is not top of mind for many doctors.

Patients who become severely ill  some end up in intensive care  can face a long recovery. But why some people get better without treatment while others become critically ill is not known.

This is sadly a very neglected disease we dont know a lot about, Nolan Garcia said.

Dr. Lucas Blanton, of the University of Texas Medical Branch, in Galveston, was pleased to see this paper published, for that reason. An infectious diseases physician, Blanton has been studying rickettsial diseases.

He agreed there appear to be more cases, and cases found in more parts of Texas. But he wondered if the geographic spread the authors reported was a true expansion of the disease-causing fleas  or growing awareness of murine typhus among doctors, who are then more likely to spot it.

Blanton noted that in the first half of the last century, the disease was more widespread. At one time it was all over the Southeast United States, he said. But spraying of the pesticide DDT in the 1940s drove down flea populations, which slashed the number of human cases.

Still, it didnt drive out the disease entirely, and doctors in Texas and Southern California should include it on their list of possibilities when faced with patients with fever, headache, and rash.

Even if numbers are small compared to other infectious diseases  the remedy is so simple. Being able to treat a patient with a relatively inexpensive antibiotic and have them get better quickly means a lot, Blanton said. And all it really requires is awareness.
Paris (AFP) - France said Wednesday that security forces would start dismantling another migrant camp on its northern coast near the port of Dunkirk "as soon as possible" after clashes at the site.

The population of the Grande-Synthe camp has swelled to about 1,400 to 1,500 people since the destruction last October of the squalid "Jungle" camp near Calais, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away.

"It's no longer just a question of re-establishing public order" in the camp, Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux told a hearing at the French Senate.

France will proceed with a "progressive dismantling of the camp which should start as soon as possible," he said, adding that "we can't let things continue like this."

For more than a decade France's northern coast has been a magnet for refugees and migrants trying to reach Britain, with French authorities repeatedly tearing down camps in the region.

The Grande-Synthe camp, populated mostly by Kurds at present, was built by the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to house migrants and refugees who otherwise sleep in tents or makeshift shelters.

They gather along the northern coast in France seeking to break into trucks heading to Britain or pay smugglers to help them get across the Channel.

Police intervened at the camp after five men were injured in a fight at the start of the month. Another man was stabbed in November.

Several thousands of people from the Jungle were sent to accommodation around France last October, leading to fierce criticism from the far-right National Front party and other groups.

The Socialist government, which is determined to try to stop another camp from springing up in Calais, has criticised Britain for reneging on a deal to resettle hundreds of underage migrants from the camp.
Paris (AFP) - The French government said Wednesday it plans to dismantle a migrant camp built by humanitarian group MSF on its northern coast, less than six months after clearing a separate camp in nearby Calais.

Speaking at a French senate hearing, Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux said security forces would close the Grande-Synthe facility near the port of Dunkirk "as soon as possible" after a series of violent clashes there.

Its wooden cabins, home to about 1,500 migrants and refugees, most of them Kurds, were opened in March 2016 by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) over the objections of the central government.

"It's no longer just a question of re-establishing public order" in the camp, Le Roux said.

France will proceed with a "progressive dismantling of the camp which should start as soon as possible," he said, adding that "we can't let things continue like this."

For more than a decade, France's northern coast has been a magnet for refugees and migrants trying to reach Britain, with French authorities repeatedly tearing down shantytowns in the area.

After fleeing war or poverty, men, women and children gather near ports where they seek to break into trucks heading to Britain or pay smugglers to help them get across the Channel.

The issue is a constant source of friction between Britain and France and an embarrassment for the French government, which has been criticised by the United Nations refugee agency for failing to provide adequate accommodation.

In October last year, police began dismantling the so-called "Jungle" camp near Calais, which was home to thousands, sending its residents to accommodation around France, leading to a backlash from some far-right mayors.

- Mayor unaware -

The mayor of Grande-Synthe, an environmentalist who encouraged MSF to build the camp, told AFP he was unaware of the government's plans to tear down the facility, billed as France's only "international standard" camp when it opened.

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"I'm very surprised and I don't agree," Damien Careme told AFP after Le Roux's announcement, adding that there had been some minor violence on Tuesday night during a demonstration but saying it did not justify the closure.

"You can easily see that we play an essential role (in helping migrants and refugees) and I don't see how you can stop this," he said.

Police intervened at the start of the month in Grande-Synthe after five men were injured during a fight in which knives were used and gunshots were reported. Another man was stabbed in November.

The government believes the camps encourage people to travel there, causing a major security problem, and urges migrants instead to register asylum applications in France and seek shelter in facilities elsewhere.

Repeated break-ins around ports have caused delays to travellers and truck drivers, while local residents also complain about disruption and damage done to the image of their area.

The Socialist government, which is determined to try to stop another camp from springing up in Calais, has criticised Britain for reneging on a deal to resettle hundreds of underage migrants from the camp.
Paris (AFP) - French rightwing presidential candidate Francois Fillon said Wednesday he had the backing of angry voters after being charged with misusing public money, as scandals rather than policy continue to dominate the campaign.

"There's been a manipulation of events against me with one objective: to stop me being a candidate in the presidential election," Fillon told Radio Classique, again denying allegations his wife was paid from public funds for a fake job.

"There's a very strong movement going on. There's anger among voters on the right and in the centre who don't want to see their election stolen."

The comments came as new problems piled up for the presidential contenders, with almost daily revelations in the press and fresh legal investigations creating a cloud of suspicion overhanging the two-round vote in April and May.

Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen confirmed to AFP on Tuesday that tax authorities were pursuing her and her father, former party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, over the value of their family properties.

The anti-immigration, anti-EU leader faces several other investigations into campaign financing and the misuse of money at the European Parliament, where she has a seat.

And after Fillon was charged on Tuesday, the Paris prosecutors' office opened a preliminary enquiry into a state-financed event attended by centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron last year while he was a minister.

The probe into the organisation of a promotional evening for French hi-tech companies in Las Vegas does not target Macron personally, but could add to disillusionment among French voters with their political class.

"The campaign has been stolen," lawmaker Eric Ciotti from Fillon's Republicans party told BFM television on Wednesday as he defended the candidate, who has slipped to third place in opinion polls.

The disarray appears to have so far benefited 39-year-old Macron in particular, who is running as an independent for his new "En Marche" (On the Move) movement.

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He and the anti-establishment Le Pen are shown in opinion polls to be the likely top two candidates in the first round on April 23.

Polls suggest Macron would beat Le Pen in the decisive runoff on May 7 -- but after Donald Trump's victory in the United States and Britain's vote to leave the European Union, analysts caution against bold predictions.

- Socialist infighting -

Political rather than legal difficulties continue to mount for the Socialist candidate Benoit Hamon.

The leftwinger has seen numerous party heavyweights defect and back Macron, who served in the Socialist government of President Francois Hollande until August last year.

He has also failed to clinch an alliance with Communist-backed Jean-Luc Melenchon who risks splitting the vote on the left.

Manuel Valls, Socialist prime minister until December, announced on Tuesday that he would not back Hamon and his left-wing tax-and-spend programme.

"I won't be backing anyone and I won't take lessons on responsibility or loyalty from anyone," he told a meeting of Socialist lawmakers and party officials at parliament, sources told AFP.

"I'm loyal to my political family, I'm not leaving the Socialist party, but to give my backing would contradict all my political commitments and impossible to explain," the pro-business moderniser added.

Media reports this week -- which Valls denied -- said he was preparing to come out in favour of Macron.
As we head toward college graduation season, soon-to-be graduates are starting to plan their futures. While for many this will mean starting their careers, about 3 million students will enroll in graduate programs -- almost twice the number that pursued postbaccalaureate degrees in 1990 -- according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The return on investment for the extended time in school is a no-brainer for many, but others will need to do some serious soul-searching and long-term financial planning before making the decision to take on the often significant student loan debt that can come with a graduate degree.

Some careers -- such as physicists, surgeons and dentists -- can generally expect a six-figure salary that can ensure their student loans are affordable; however, those pursuing more public service-oriented fields, such as teachers and public defenders, often find themselves having to choose between their passion and their long-term finances.

[Find out how to weigh the cost and benefits of graduate school.]

Thankfully, over the past decade, federal financial aid policies have made it easier for students pursuing such fields to not only afford their graduate school but also manage the resulting debt. The aggregate Stafford loan limit for graduate students is a generous $138,500, including any undergraduate Stafford loans a student may have borrowed.

If that isn't enough, graduate students have access to Graduate PLUS loan amounts that are only limited by the cost of their education minus any other aid. This federal loan policy ensures that anyone wanting to pursue a graduate degree is not barred from doing so based on his or her economic status.

To ensure that those with a passion for public service can pursue those fields and still afford their student loan payments, Congress has introduced several income-driven repayment options over the last decade or so, as well as a program signed into law in 2007 called Public Service Loan Forgiveness. These options not only keep federal student loans affordable but also forgive the balance after a certain number of years.

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[Look at this side-by-side comparison of three income-based repayment plans.]

The problem with these programs is that they're expensive. The Government Accountability Office predicts that the cost to taxpayers for the PSLF program alone will be more than $80 billion. The other issue is that these programs may have resulted in a disincentive for students to keep their borrowing at affordable amounts.

With these issues in mind, both the former and current administrations have discussed policy changes to the PSLF and income-driven programs that could affect future students. There has also been some recent chatter about changes to the Graduate PLUS loan program that could make postbaccalaureate programs unaffordable for some students altogether. Given all of this, here are some possibilities graduate students could possibly anticipate.

For several years, the Obama administration and some members of Congress have proposed capping the forgiveness under the PSLF program at the current undergraduate federal student loan limit of $57,500. In recent years, Republican s proposed eliminating PSLF altogether for new borrowers.

[Read about what DeVos might do with student loans.]

The Student Loan Ranger predicts that it is more likely than not that PSLF will be capped, probably at the undergraduate loan limit, for new borrowers who take their first loan after any such legislation is signed. This could be as early as fall 2017 if the proposal is included in the next round of budget discussions or if Congress makes progress on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act at the end of this year or next. There is a chance they will make the more drastic change of cutting the program altogether, but we hope at this point that this is less likely.

As for Graduate PLUS loans, we've been hearing and reading chatter that some Republicans think graduate school borrowing should be pushed over to the private market altogether. The thought process is that this would help curb subsidy costs to taxpayers, while allowing private lenders and schools to help determine how much debt makes sense for students pursuing certain fields of study.

We're concerned that such a policy would bar many lower and middle-income students from graduate school because of the much higher credit criteria required for private loans. Such policies could also be a disincentive to those who wish to pursue lower - income-generating public service fields, such as education or social work.

If you are considering graduate school in the next year or two, you probably don't have too much to worry about , since any drastic policy changes such as these are unlikely to be implemented in that time frame. With that said, you should never borrow with the assumption of loan forgiveness, and it's imperative that all students do some serious research on the return on investment for their chosen schools and fields of study before pursuing graduate school .

Betsy Mayotte, director of consumer outreach and compliance for American Student Assistance, regularly advises consumers on planning and paying for college. Mayotte, who received a B.S. in business communications from Bentley College, responds to public inquiries via the advice resource "Just Ask" and is frequently quoted in traditional and social media on the topics of student loans and financial aid.
Berlin (AFP) - Finance ministers from the world's top nations gather in Germany Friday as fears grow that US President Donald Trump could upend the global economic order with his America First policy.

Within two months of moving into the White House, Trump has already torn up the trans-Pacific free trade pact, threatened punitive tariffs against multinationals with factories outside the United States and attacked "currency manipulation" by export giant China.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin makes his first official foreign foray when he joins the G20 gathering of finance ministers and central bankers from Friday in the western German spa town of Baden-Baden.

The former Goldman Sachs banker faces scrutiny by Washington's key trading partners for clues on whether the world's biggest economy fully intends to abandon its long-standing support of open markets and free trade.

Germany adopted a conciliatory tone ahead of the meeting, shrugging off Trump's attacks against Berlin over its massive trade surplus.

"There is no reason to be pessimistic about the world economy, and there is no reason to be pessimistic about the relationship with the US," said a German finance ministry official.

"There are topics that require discussion that are known to all, such as in the area of taxes. We think that these discussions will run constructively and lead to a good understanding," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official did not specify which tax issue, but among protectionist measures threatened by Trump is a 35-percent levy against BMW if the German car giant pushes on with building a factory in Mexico.

- Where's the US going? -

The issue is also expected to come up when Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Trump for the first time in Washington on Friday.

A European colleague was less ambivalent about his concerns, asking: "Will the US continue to believe in the G20?"

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And IMF chief Christine Lagarde urged the G20 to "collectively avoid self-inflicted injuries".

"This requires steering clear of policies that would seriously undermine trade, migration, capital flows, and the sharing of technologies across borders," she wrote in a message that appeared targeted primarily at Trump.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also warned Washington against starting a trade war.

"We don't want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldn't make our trade fairer," Li told reporters Wednesday.

The problem is that, "it's still rather difficult to decipher which way the US is going," said another European source, adding "we see a difference between the president's position and those at ministerial level."

The eve of the G20 meeting may provide some clarity, when German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble hosts Mnuchin Thursday for talks in Berlin.

The Baden-Baden gathering aims to lay the groundwork ahead of a July leaders' summit in Hamburg.

A statement is produced at the end of the two-day meeting that has in past sessions consistently committed signatories to rejecting protectionism and refraining from competitive currency devaluations.

But fears are running high that this year's may look a little different.

Ahead of the talks, a senior Treasury official said Mnuchin will press partners to fulfil their commitments on exchange rates.

- Glaring omission -

While declining to say if Washington will push for stronger language on the issue, the official said the G20 can be a "helpful" forum to promote issues of interest to the US administration, including pledges to avoid devaluing currencies to gain a competitive trade advantage.

White House economic advisor Peter Navarro has accused export giants Germany and China of taking advantage of weak currencies to build a trade surplus with the US.

Likewise on protectionism, the US Treasury official declined to speculate on any changes that might be made to the statement.

But a draft of the concluding statement seen by Bloomberg has sparked concerns because of the glaring omission of an anti-protectionism pledge.

For the EU's top economic official Pierre Moscovici, the G20 meeting is all the more important given the unknowns.

"In a time of heightened policy uncertainty, we must seize this opportunity to provide some clarity," he stressed.
BERLIN (AP)  A dog walker in the German capital can be thankful he turned out to be a fruitless target after his close call with a coconut cannon.

The man was walking in an industrial area on March 1 when he heard a bang and a ball-shaped projectile flew past him, hitting a nearby lamppost.

Berlin police say officers called to the scene were surprised to find a large homemade cannon capable of shooting coconuts at high speeds with compressed air.

A 23-year-old man told officers he had helped to build the cannon for an art project in the Antarctic and wanted to test it before it was shipped.

Police said Wednesday they impounded the cannon and prosecutors are investigating whether it breaches arms control laws.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's largest association of mosques needs to undertake fundamental reforms to ensure its independence from Turkey after reports that its clerics spied on people in Germany, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Tuesday. The association of mosques, Ditib, brings clerics from Turkey to serve the three million people with a Turkish background who live in Germany. In January, Germany's chief federal prosecutor opened an investigation into possible spying by clerics sent by Ankara. "Concrete steps are needed to clearly and transparently ensure the autonomy and independence of the national association and the state associations" of Ditib, de Maiziere said after a meeting of the German Conference on Islam. De Maiziere's comments came as tensions rise between Turkey and European countries like Germany and Netherlands, where concern has grown about an increasingly authoritarian tone from Ankara. They also follow a warning from Germany's domestic intelligence agency last week about a big increase in Turkish spying in Germany before an April 16 referendum in Turkey on increasing the powers of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey's Diyanet religious authority denied any involvement by its imams in illegal activities and said investigations over alleged espionage defamed the organization. De Maiziere expressed concern the reports of possible spying by Ditib clerics and said such actions would be unacceptable if proven true. He said an organization influenced to such an extent by another country could not meet the conditions required to be considered a religious community. Only clear steps to shore up its autonomy would allow Ditib to maintain its status as religious organization in Germany, the minister said. He said German states were correct to examine whether they wanted to continue working with Ditib in shaping Islamic religious studies in their schools. (Reporting by Thorsten Severin; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Larry King)
Black River Memorial Hospital (BRMH) is highlighting the importance of advance healthcare decision making. April 16 is designated as National Healthcare Decisions Day. An advance directive is a legal document that tells family, friends and other healthcare professionals a persons wishes about the medical care they want when they are too sick or hurt to do so.

BRMH wants to help people understand how to fill out an advance directive, also known as healthcare power of attorney or living will. BRMH is holding a free educational event on Tuesday, April 18, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Halvorson Conference Room. Dr. Kirk Lane will provide a 20-minute presentation about how to begin the conversation on advance healthcare planning.

Dr. Lane said, This event will help people begin to understand how important it is to make their healthcare wishes known. During the second half of the program, there will be staff available to answer questions or to help those who wish to fill out their own advance directive.

Please attend and receive tools on how to have this very important conversation. Refreshments will be served. Please register by calling Barb Brower at 715-284-3629 or email browerb@brmh.net.
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - State prosecutors in southern Germany said Wednesday they had searched offices belonging to carmaker Audi over parent company Volkswagen's diesel emissions cheating scandal.

Investigators from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony states searched "sites belonging to Audi AG and seven other locations" on suspicion of "fraud and illegal advertising", Munich prosecutors said in a statement.

The investigation relates to some 80,000 vehicles fitted with Audi 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines sold in the United States between 2009 and 2015, prosecutors said.

"There is suspicion that devices were built into these vehicles to manipulate emissions readings and conform to US emissions limits, without the buyers being informed," they continued.

"Prosecutors from Munich and Stuttgart searched offices at our sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm," an Audi spokesman confirmed to AFP, adding that "we are cooperating fully with the authorities."

Audi parent Volkswagen admitted in late 2015 to installing so-called "defeat devices" into 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide, designed to reduce emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides when engines were undergoing regulatory tests.

Most of the affected cars fall under the VW brand, but vehicles made by the group's Audi, Skoda and Seat brands were also among those carrying the software.

With the searches, investigators hope to uncover "which people were involved in the application of the technology and possibly in providing incorrect information to third parties," the prosecutors' statement read.

Two top engineers at Audi stepped down in the space of a year over the scandal, most recently head of technical development Stefan Knirsch in September.

VW has so far set aside more than 22 billion euros ($23.4 billion) to cover fines and compensation related to the "dieselgate" affair, but experts estimate the final bill could be much higher.

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Meanwhile, investigations in several countries are seeking to establish who at the group was responsible for the cheating.

Audi boss Rupert Stadler was accused of involvement by a former employee, but the luxury carmaker's board reiterated their conference in him in late February.

"There is still a long way to go before (dieselgate) is finally cleared up," Stadler told journalists at the firm's annual results press conference Wednesday. "We will keep at it."
Berlin (AFP) - Germany's biggest-selling daily Bild on Wednesday lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, branding him persona non grata and accusing him of "endangering Europe's stability through his lust for power".

"Bild tells the truth to Erdogan's face -- you are not a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not welcome here!," the tabloid-style newspaper said on its front page.

The outburst accompanied with an article headlined "the little man from the Bosphorus" came as Ankara is locked with several European nations, including Germany, in a bitter row over Turkish ministers' plans to hold rallies abroad.

Ankara had reacted with fury after several German towns blocked Turkish politicians from holding rallies in Germany ahead of a crucial referendum that could vastly expand Erdogan's powers.

With eligible voters numbering some 1.4 million in Germany alone, Erdogan's government is eager to tap the diaspora vote in the April 16 poll.

Erdogan has accused Germany of "Nazi practices" for blocking his ministers from speaking.

Turkey has also suspended top-level ties with The Netherlands, and has shut out the Dutch ambassador to Ankara until The Hague meets its conditions over the rallies.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Ankara was playing the role of the victim with its broadsides against NATO allies, as it seeks to galvanise support ahead of the referendum.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Wednesday that Congress would flex its muscle and issue a subpoena if FBI Director James Comey did not respond to his request to say whether the agency is investigating President Trumps unsubstantiated wiretapping claims as well as possible ties between Russia and Trumps campaign.

If its not true, just tell me its not true, Graham said on NBCs Today, speaking about the potential investigation and Trumps evidence-free claim that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower before the election.

Why is it taking so long to get the answer? he asked.

He made the comments during a round of morning interviews, which also included MSNBCs Morning Joe and CNNs New Day. Graham said he and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., in their capacity as members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Comey two weeks ago and gave him until Wednesday to answer whether or not his agency is investigating links between Russia and the Trump campaign.

The reason, Graham said, is that the committee does not want its congressional investigation into Russias interference in the election to run up against a possible criminal investigation. Graham emphasized multiple times that he personally likes Comey.

On New Day, he said that while he thus far had no reason to suspect collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, The longer it takes to answer my letter, the more concerned and suspicious Im beginning to be.

Graham also delivered a fierce defense of the congressional investigation into Russias presidential election interference on Morning Joe. The U.S. intelligence community accused the Kremlin of backing the cyberattacks that led to WikiLeaks publishing politically toxic emails from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clintons campaign chairman. Reports have indicated that federal officials have probed ties between Trump associates and Russia.

Russias trying to break the back of democracy all over the world, Graham began. Theyre trying to destroy NATO, the European Union, alliances that have kept the world a safe place, and Russias an autocratic dictatorship that kills everything they dont like when it comes to scrutinizing Putin, and it is in our national security interest to punish people who interfere in our election. It was Democrats today; it could be Republicans in the next election.

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Though the interviews mostly focused on Russia, the House Republicans proposed Obamacare replacement legislation was also on the docket. On Today Graham was asked if the bill was dead on arrival, to which he responded, Its mortally wounded; I dont know if its died yet.

He also offered some political advice for the White House: Heres what I hope the president would do: Try to get a good bill. If you cant, let Obamacare collapse and challenge the Democrats to help him fix a problem they created. Trump himself has publicly mused about a similar idea.

During his appearance on Morning Joe, Graham was also asked for his thoughts on Trumps 2005 federal income tax return, which was partially revealed on MSNBC Tuesday. The filing showed the president made about $150 million and paid about $38 million.

Next time we have dinner, hes paying, is my first reaction.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Individuals who steal classified information from the U.S. government are "enemies to our state" and must be punished forcefully, the White House's homeland security adviser said on Wednesday. Tom Bossert, in remarks that were among the first he has made publicly since becoming the White House homeland security adviser, characterized cyber security in the U.S. government and around the world as being in general disarray. We need to find the people who do it and hold them accountable and be absolutely unwavering in doing so," Bossert said in remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, D.C. "People who have taken things that they should not have taken, like Snowden and others, are absolute enemies to our state. Period," Bossert said. "They need to be caught, punished, and treated as such. He was referring to Edward Snowden, the former U.S. National Security Agency contractor whose leak of classified information in 2014 triggered an international furor over the reach of U.S. spy operations. Bossert, whose role includes special emphasis on cyber security, made his remarks a week after WikiLeaks published documents related to secret CIA hacking tools. Investigators believe the documents were likely provided by a contractor or CIA employee, two U.S. officials told Reuters last week. It would be the third high-profile public case in recent years in which an insider pilfered a large tranche of secrets from a U.S. intelligence agency. The recent CIA leak shows that intensified U.S. government efforts to prevent leaks by "insider threats" have largely failed, according to cyber security professionals and intelligence officials. In January former President Barack Obama shortened the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former U.S. military intelligence analyst who leaked hundreds of thousands of State Department cables to WikiLeaks in 2010 Manning, now due for release in May, had served seven of her 35-year sentence, and Obama defended his leniency by saying justice had been served. But he drew criticism from Republicans who said the move could embolden other potential leakers. Bossert said agencies and companies have a responsibility to institute controls and continuous employee screening and monitoring systems to guard against insider threats. As he characterized cyber security as being in general disarray, Bossert said the Obama administration did not do enough to forcefully combat and deter growing criminal and nation-state threats. "I feel like I have re-awoken from a long eight-year nap and I found a world that is on fire," Bossert said. President Donald Trump's annual budget proposal, expected to be released on Thursday, would reflect the White House's plan to prioritize cyber security across the federal government, Bossert said. He also confirmed media reports that Rob Joyce, the National Security Agency's top hacker, is joining the White House as cyber security coordinator. (Reporting by Dustin Volz; Editing by Leslie Adler)
The only tiki bar in eastern Afghanistan had an unusual payment program. A sign inside read simply, If you supply data, you will get beer. The idea was that anyone  or any foreigner, because Afghans were not allowed  could upload data on a one-terabyte hard drive kept at the bar, located in the Taj Mahal Guest House in Jalalabad. In exchange, they would get free beer courtesy of the Synergy Strike Force, the informal name of the American civilians who ran the establishment.

Patrons could contribute any sort of data  maps, PowerPoint slides, videos, or photographs. They could also copy data from the drive. The Beer for Data program, as the exchange was called, was about merging data from humanitarian workers, private security contractors, the military, and anyone else willing to contribute. The Synergy Strike Force was not a military unit, a government division, or even a private company; it was the self-chosen name of the odd assortment of Westerners who worked  or in some cases volunteered  on the development projects run out of the guest house.

The Synergy Strike Forces Beer for Data exchange was a pure embodiment of the techno-utopian dream of free information and citizen empowerment that had emerged in recent years from the hacker community. Only no one would have guessed that this utopia was being created in the chaos of Afghanistan, let alone in Jalalabad, a city that had once been home to Osama bin Laden. Or even more unlikely, that the Synergy Strike Force would soon attract the attention of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Founded in 1958 to help the United States win the space race, DARPA is best known for its role in futuristic technology, be it driverless cars or implantable brain chips. During the Vietnam War, DARPA had led a counterinsurgency research program that spanned the globe from Saigon to Tehran and employed hundreds of personnel, but the agency has been largely forgotten.

However, DARPAs interest in the potential of open-source information came at a critical juncture in Afghanistan. In January 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, the war in Afghanistan was in its eighth year, and a resurgent Taliban, whose regime had rapidly collapsed after the American invasion in 2001, was challenging the central governments tenuous authority in the provinces. Counterinsurgency, the doctrine that had been promoted in Vietnam decades earlier, was back in vogue.

For DARPA, getting involved in Afghanistan represented a return to its Vietnam-era roots, after nearly three decades of staying out of war zones. In 2009, the agency launched an ambitious initiative in data mining. Eventually, DARPA brought two data-mining programs to Afghanistan: a highly secretive program meant to predict insurgent attacks based on big data science used by companies like Amazon to predict customers purchases; and a program based on the emerging science of social networks, attempting under the guise of humanitarian work to enlist an unwitting army of Afghan civilians to spy for the American military. And so DARPAs first deployment to a war zone since Vietnam began with a group of well-intentioned hacktivists trading beer for data at Afghanistans only tiki bar.

In Vietnam, DARPA had made the mistake of trying to win the war with technology, as one senior agency official in charge of the work had later recalled. The question once again was whether cutting-edge science and technology could do any better in Afghanistan.

In 2009, a team from MIT won $40,000 cash prize from DARPA for being the first to locate 10 red weather balloons like these spread across the United States by incentivizing crowd-sourced reconnaissance on social media. (Photo credit: DARPA)

In February 2009, Tony Tether, the longest-serving director of DARPA, was ordered to resign. Obamas pick to replace him, announced in July 2009, was a public watershed for the agency. Regina Dugan became the agencys first female director.

As a program manager at DARPA in the 1990s, Dugan had earned a reputation for boldness  and some alleged recklessness  visiting minefields and combat zones to test bomb-detection technology. When she started making the rounds in the Washington Beltway as DARPA director, her choice of attire  short skirts, stiletto heels, and leather jackets  generated as much buzz as her credentials. A self-styled technology enthusiast, Dugan liked talking about theories of innovation. Her lecture style was often better suited to the world of TED, the popular technology conference, than to old-school military briefing rooms. There is a time and a place for daydreaming, but it is not at DARPA, she told Congress. DARPA is not the place of dream-like musings or fantasies, not a place for self-indulging in wishes and hopes.

One of Dugans first moves was to hire Peter Lee, a prominent university computer scientist, to run a key DARPA office. The week before Lee was supposed to start, Dugan asked him to come to Washington immediately. She wanted him to meet with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who was scheduled to visit DARPAs headquarters. As he drove from Pittsburgh to Washington, Lee grew nervous. He was an ivory tower academic, and now that he was about to become a senior DARPA official, he realized he had no concrete plans for the agency. His apprehension grew worse when he was pulled over for speeding. He had visions of multiple tickets and having his license suspended.

The speeding incident, however, provided Lee with inspiration for the new office. He had recently learned about Trapster, a smartphone app that allows users to map and share information about speed traps using GPS. Trapster enabled a virtual army of tipsters to create a real-time map warning drivers of areas where the police may be lying in wait. Trapster finally provided Lee with an idea that he thought might interest the Pentagon chief. Instead of plotting speed traps, he imagined a Trapster-like application that could track potential bomb attacks in Afghanistan. Already, communities of people were collaborating online to track nuclear proliferation, spotting potential test sites in North Korea. Humanitarians were using crowdsourcing to monitor elections and respond to natural disasters. If crowdsourcing could plot speed traps and spot election fraud, perhaps it could be used in war zones.

When Lee presented the idea, the defense secretary seemed to like it. So did Dugan, who encouraged Lee to pursue it. That was the beginning of Lees Transformation Convergence Technology Office, a name so awkward it seemed tailor made for hiding the secret programs it would develop.

Dugan assigned to the office a group of military officers working at DARPA on a short-term basis, a sort of professional internship called the Service Chiefs Fellows Program. Normally, the officers toured military laboratories and did not do much substantive work, but Dugan wanted them to create a project with Lee. Soon, Lee and the fellows brainstormed a contest where participants would use social media in something resembling a national treasure hunt. The fellows proposed having teams compete to locate red weather balloons that DARPA would release across the United States.

Regina Dugan speaks at The Disruptive Innovation Awards on April 25, 2014 in New York City. (Photo credit: SLAVEN VLASIC/Getty Images)

The Network Challenge, as it was called, offered a $40,000 prize to the first team that could, on a specific day, identify the locations of the 10 red weather balloons placed across the United States. The idea was that teams would use social media to help locate the balloons. The contest would test the teams ability to leverage a network, figuring out how to motivate people to participate while weeding out possible fake sightings, and to do it quicker than other competitors. On Dec. 5, 2009, the day of the challenge, Lees biggest fear was that no team would identify all the balloons, undermining the point of the challenge. In the end, it took only nine hours for a team from MIT to win. They beat the competitors by using a sliding scale of financial incentives that rewarded not just those who spotted balloons, but those who recruited others who successfully spotted balloons. Alex Sandy Pentland, an MIT computer science professor who headed the winning team, called the task trivial.

The MIT scientist had reason to be confident. Pentland had already established a reputation as one of the nations leading big data scientists. His specialty was sifting through data to predict patterns of human behavior, an area he called social physics. Pentlands team had created a novel financial incentive system based on the assumption that peoples actions are dictated not purely by profit but by intangible benefits that come from exchanges that strengthen positions in social networks. If you look at the models for incentives, or for management through the army, through companies, through economics, theyre all about individual incentives, and they ignore the social fabric. What I just said about red balloons was that it wasnt about economics; it was about the social fabric, Pentland said.

Pentland theorized that someones position in the network  his or her social standing  was the primary motivator. In his calculation, people act to make their social fabric stronger, not necessarily to earn a bit of money. I give you a favor. Maybe in the future youll give me a favor. Thats what drove this thing, he said. Thats a very different way of thinking about things. Instead of paying attention to individuals, you pay attention to relationships.

Taking what was learned from the Network Challenge and moving it into a formal DARPA program was the next step. Someone made the observation and brought it to my attention that it might be possible for DARPA to get direct near-real-time access to several hundred data intelligence feeds from the theater in Afghanistan, Lee recalled. I thought that was very interesting. Most of the data feeds were classified only at the secret level. Some were even unclassified. One immediate question was, what might be possible if we did large-scale data mining on all of those feeds? Lee began to contact all the experts he knew in data mining, including Werner Vogels, the chief technology officer at Amazon, who provided a lot of framing for how we would approach this problem because its very similar to the kinds of data mining that Amazon does on its customers.

What Lee eventually formulated was a data-mining program based on the latest predictive analysis work being done in the commercial sector, but using military data from Afghanistan. For example, we were trying to understand if the price of potatoes at local markets was correlated with subsequent Taliban activity, insurgent activity, in the same way that Amazon might want to know if certain kinds of click behaviors on Amazon.com would correlate to higher sales of clothing versus handbags versus computers, Lee said.

Big data were about to be enlisted in a program to predict whether a village in Afghanistan was being taken over by the Taliban or when insurgents might plan the next attack. More important, big data were going to take DARPA back to war.

An aerial reconnaissance drone is launched by members of the U.S. Army operating in eastern Afghanistan on Sept. 7, 2012. (Photo credit: TONY KARUMBA/AFP/GettyImages)

In February 2010, two months after Lees red balloon contest, Dugan did something that no DARPA director had done since the Vietnam War: She traveled to a war zone to see what the agency might be able to contribute. Gen. Michael Oates, the head of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, the Pentagons bomb-fighting agency, invited Dugan on a three-day tour of Afghanistan. Military personnel expressed surprise to see her. Youre from DARPA, she recalled their general reaction. We call you when we have three- to five-year problems.

When Dugan returned to Washington she assembled the office directors and their deputies and gave them a month to come up with ideas for technologies DARPA could contribute immediately to the war in Afghanistan. By April, DARPA had identified about a dozen projects that could have an immediate effect on the war, and then Dugan narrowed those down to a final list. The technologies ranged from a blast gauge that would go in soldiers helmets to detect exposure to possible blast waves from IEDs to an imaging sensor, called the High Altitude LIDAR Operations Experiment, which could be used to create three-dimensional maps of Afghanistan.

Dugans priority, however, was a new program based on Lees big data work, called Nexus 7, which would help predict insurgency in Afghanistan. In August, Dugan met with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and laid out DARPAs plan for Afghanistan. The data-mining project, her briefing noted, would sequester [a] team of the Nations leading researchers in large scale computation techniques and social science. She called Nexus 7, a data-mining program named after a humanoid robot in the movie Blade Runner, the potentially big win.

In the summer of 2010, Nexus 7 was launched with Randy Garrett, a former NSA official involved in big data, as its head. At the National Security Agency, Garrett had been working on creating a cloud that would allow analysts to search through real-time data as it was vacuumed up by intelligence agencies. This cloud would include essentially every kind of data there is, Garrett said, from the millions of calls a day around the world the NSA intercepts, to various forms of internet traffic, from emails to Skype calls. Afghanistan, after 10 years of war, was one of the NSAs top targets for cell phone interception.

Garretts goal with Nexus 7 was to actually build this big data aggregated environment, a cloud, and then see how you would use it, according to a scientist who was involved in creating the DARPA program. Nexus 7 was a direct carryover of work started at the NSA, according to the scientist.

Other key members of the Nexus 7 team came from Sandy Pentlands Human Dynamics Lab at MIT, drawing on the same ideas that drove his teams win with the balloon contest and applying them to an entire society. Pentland described his contribution as informal, providing more of an intellectual framework than nuts-and-bolts work. At the core of Nexus 7 was Peter Lee, who created the program and ran it from his office. Nexus 7 turned out to be a bunch of desks, laptops, and secure computers literally in the hallway outside of my office, Lee said. It was just a zoo.

The direct relationship between the NSA and DARPA was one of the hallmarks of Nexus 7, but it was also the most problematic, because working with data from the NSA required navigating a maze of legal and statutory requirements that often prevent sharing and aggregating data among government agencies. As for why DARPA wanted the NSA data, L. Neale Cosby, a retired Army officer who consulted on the program, invoked the bank robber Willie Sutton: Why rob a bank? Because thats where the money is. The NSA was the bank; it had all the data.

Nexus 7 was unabashedly interested in data of all kinds. It was particularly interested in using patterns of daily life, including the costs of transportation and exotic vegetables, to make predictions about insurgencies in Afghanistan. We were really using the latest research in quasi-experimental design, in machine learning, and data mining literally on hundreds of intelligence feeds to make inferences about what would happen next, Lee said.

The program was kept secret to avoid any controversy. DARPA workers one office down had little idea what was going on when the group of young computer scientists set up shop in the agencys headquarters. We had to have cover stories to tell people if various Beltway people came to visit me in my office and they were walking through this pandemonium, Lee said. In budget documents, Nexus 7 was obliquely described as a program that combined data analysis and forecasting with social network analysis.

According to Dugan, Nexus 7 started making its first discoveries or meaningful predictions  just 82 days into the operation. But the program soon met resistance. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the head of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan when Nexus 7 started, was interested in the data-driven work promoted by DARPA. But in 2010 he was forced to resign after a Rolling Stone magazine profile depicted him and his staff as mocking senior White House leaders. Gen. David Petraeus returned to Afghanistan to take over, but he was not enthusiastic about Nexus 7. A disastrous meeting between Petraeus and Dugan in Afghanistan almost brought it to a halt. DARPAs proposal for algorithms did not sit well with a general who believed he wrote the book, metaphorically and literally, on counterinsurgency.

At that point, however, Nexus 7 had support from Gen. James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a technology enthusiast, who had given an official green light to the deployment of the program and its personnel. (Dugan said Cartwrights response to Nexus 7s first discoveries was Go and go faster.)

DARPA would eventually deploy more than 100 people across Afghanistan, working on Nexus 7 and other technology programs. Peter Lee, the creator of Nexus 7, was not among them. He abruptly left DARPA after less than a year to become the head of research at Microsoft. On the day he left for Seattle in September 2010 to start his new job, the Nexus 7 team, some members as young as their mid-20s, was departing for Afghanistan. I should have been with them, he said.

It was the first operational deployment from DARPA since the Vietnam War, Dugan later recounted. The program also became Dugans top priority as she shuttled back and forth to Afghanistan with Cartwright. In congressional testimony in 2011, Dugan did not use the Nexus 7 name, but simply described a 90-day Skunk Works activity that involved scientists and counterinsurgency experts working on crowdsourcing and social-networking technologies.

DARPAs army of technogeeks, as Dugan affectionately referred to them, was young and had no military experience, and the culture shock soon became apparent. Military officials in Kabul were reluctant to share intelligence with computer scientists just out of graduate school, and the intelligence they did provide was not nice and neat, like consumer data. Once in Afghanistan, the analysts began to gather as much intelligence as they could: phone records from the NSA, radar feeds from the military, and intelligence reports. But much of the data that came into Nexus 7 were qualitative, rather than quantitative, which were not easy to plug into a computer program. Even when the data were quantitative, like from radar, they rarely covered the exact same place over time.

By late 2010, DARPA was touting Nexus 7s successes within the Pentagon, but it was not clear what, if anything, it had accomplished. As members of the team worked on a base crunching numbers from military and intelligence data feeds, another team of contractors, the Synergy Strike Force, was working in the provinces of Afghanistan, swapping beer for data and using crowdsourcing techniques honed in the red balloon hunt.

An man looks at his cell phone in Kabul on Oct. 21, 2012. (Photo credit: JAWAD JALALI/AFP/Getty Images)

The Synergy Strike Force was always more a concept than a formal organization, an improbable mix of humanitarians, hacktivists, and technophiles who had set up shop in Jalalabads Taj Mahal Guest House, which had previously been occupied by Australian mercenaries. The eclectic group included techno-enthusiasts who wanted to bring the Silicon Valley ethos to Afghanistan. There were a few burners, attendees of the annual Burning Man festival, but there were also scientists, security contractors, and a dedicated group from the MIT Fab Lab, short for fabrication laboratory, which was building technology, like solar power and Wi-Fi networks, using do-it-yourself engineering.

For a while the Taj was something of an informal meeting place for Westerners in Afghanistan, or the tiki bar at the edge of the universe, as Smari McCarthy, who was part of the Synergy Strike Force, explained in a video interview. McCarthy, a self-described information freedom activist, called the Taj a little oasis on the edge of Jalalabad where youve got this strange mixture of military people, private security contractors, NGO people, and crazy people who are out there to try and build infrastructure in their time off. All sorts of people who under normal circumstances would never meet.

When the Synergy Strike Force took over the Taj, the tiki bar began to attract a mix of misfits, artists, and do-gooders, if for no other reason than that it was probably the only bar in all of Nangarhar province. The motley group, described as super-powered geeks, set about building do-it-yourself Wi-Fi networks and other small-scale tech projects for Afghans. It was sometimes hard to see what united them, other than the belief that open-source technologies could, if not save the world, then at least substantially improve it.

In 2010, around the time that DARPA was thinking about data mining in Afghanistan, Todd Huffman, one of the leaders of the Synergy Strike Force, was introduced to DARPA officials at a chance meeting in Washington. Huffman had recently returned from Haiti, where he had been working with Ushahidi, the open-source mapping organization that helped locate victims of the 2010 earthquake. Huffman, a bearded devotee of Burning Man, whose hair on any given day might be dyed in shades of red and yellow, started talking about crowdsourcing in Haiti and similar work in Afghanistan during the elections. It sounded similar to what DARPA was trying to do with a crowdsourced data-collecting program it had developed called More Eyes. Soon, Ryan Paterson, an official in charge of the agencys newly formed field unit in Afghanistan, showed up at the Taj to spend a month with the burners and anarchists. He even tended bar.

The Synergy Strike Force was perhaps best known for its Beer for Data program, but it had also done crowdsourcing work in Afghanistan to spot election fraud. Unlike the young computer scientists who sifted through Nexus 7 data from the confines of a military base, the Synergy Strike Force would be on the ground outside the wire, as the saying went  working with Afghans to collect data. We were referred to as those weird DARPA people, said one regional coordinator for the program. Weird for DARPA is a real accomplishment.

Soon, DARPA was sponsoring miniversions of the Network Challenge in Afghanistan. Under More Eyes, members of the Synergy Strike Force fanned out over Afghanistan in 2011, handing out cell phones to participants in contests to map out areas in the provinces of Nangarhar and Bamiyan. Afghan participants, often drawn from the humanitarian and development communities, were provided with GPS-enabled phones and instructed to mark the location of buildings and streets. As with the red balloon contest, the experiments often had an economic incentive: Winning teams got to keep their cell phones. Participants were not told that More Eyes was intended to provide the military with intelligence, and DARPA never publicly announced the program.

Although some of the experiments involved collecting information on politics or health care, the focus was on gathering data useful to military operations. Generally speaking, U.S. forces have been very successful at intercepting cellular calls and incorporating them into our intelligence framework, an undated report by one Beltway defense contractor said. However, these operations are just the tip of the iceberg of what can be done through cooperative techniques such as crowdsourcing.

The crowdsourcing projects promoted by groups like Ushahidi in Haiti were dedicated to humanitarian operations, sometimes even in cooperation with the military. But More Eyes laid bare the overlap between crowdsourcing and intelligence collection. According to an unpublished white paper written by DARPAs Paterson, crowdsourcing would, for example, allow an Afghan to report an attack on a convoy. The report might cue a drone and eventually a military strike. Paterson said More Eyes worked directly with the Defense Intelligence Agency on a project called Afghanistan Atmospherics, which involved using selected local persons to passively observe and report on things they see and hear in the course of everyday activities.

Paterson described More Eyes as a way to catalyze the local population to generate white data useful for assessing stability at multiple levels (regional, provincial, district and village). The advantage of this white data, as opposed to the black world of intelligence, is that it is generated spontaneously by the local population  untainted by influence of outsiders. In other words, More Eyes was recruiting unwitting spies.

DARPA was clearly concerned that recruiting local Afghans to provide intelligence could be viewed as citizen spying. More Eyes documents warned against using foreign phones that stand out due to their appearance or advanced functionality and can be an indicator of collusion with foreigners and can invite threats from local insurgents. The DARPA white paper suggested that the phones be equipped with an application that can delete data, either by the user or remotely, presumably protecting the information from discovery by the Taliban. The members of the Synergy Strike Force at the Taj, some of whom blogged regularly about their experiences, never publicly mentioned the Defense Department, perhaps because many of the teams hacktivists and technophiles found it difficult to reconcile their self-image as development workers with being military contractors.

The Synergy Strike Force was a bizarre cultural convergence. As hackers around the world were chafing at the American governments attempts to crack down on self-proclaimed information freedom organizations, like WikiLeaks, the Synergy Strike Forces information activists were working on a project to help the defense and intelligence communities collect data in Afghanistan. The group touted its work with headlines like Afghanistans DIY Internet Brings the Web to War-Torn Towns, and it used DARPA money to pay for solar panels for local universities, but More Eyes was really about intelligence collection. Though the Beer for Data effort was never formally part of the DARPA program, the Synergy Strike Force happily offered the one-terabyte hard drive to the Pentagon. Even the DIY internet was an opportunity to mine data, providing a treasure trove of internet traffic in Afghanistan that the NSA could only dream of collecting, according to a scientist leading the project. The program bought laptops, which could be accessed remotely, for provincial Afghan government officials, including the governor of Jalalabad. Was the More Eyes program successful? the scientist asked rhetorically. Well, lets see. I just put a foreign electronic sensor into the governors bedroom.

In the end, however, the program fell short of its hopes to demonstrate crowdsourcing in Afghanistan. According to the white paper by DARPAs Paterson, a series of experiments showed that More Eyes overestimated the ability of Afghans to access the internet and the reach of mobile phone services in Afghanistan. The More Eyes Team quickly learned that only 4 percent of the population had access and skills necessary to access and exploit the Internet, he wrote. Rural populations had even less. The DARPA contract, which ran out toward the end of 2011, was not renewed.

The Synergy Strike Force and its tiki bar oasis also soon came to an end. Violence in Jalalabad grew steadily worse in 2010 and 2011. Afghans who had worked and socialized with the foreigners at the Taj received death threats, and the insurgency that Western visitors to the bar were trying to forestall enveloped the establishment. On Aug. 11, 2012, two men on motorcycles intercepted a car driven by Mehrab Saraj, the manager of the Taj and a friend to many who had worked on More Eyes. Saraj, who had survived the Soviet invasion, Taliban rule, and the American invasion, was shot in the chest and killed.

The tiki bar, left, and the pool  as well as solar panels installed by members of MITs Fab Lab  are shown at the abandoned Taj Mahal Guest House in December 2013 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. (Photo credit: NATHAN HODGE)

For several years, Petraeuss reintroduction of counterinsurgency was hailed as a success, at least in Iraq. The accolades were ultimately short-lived. Similar to Vietnam, the local governments failure to govern effectively in Iraq ended up fueling the insurgency. In Afghanistan, where the central government was even weaker, counterinsurgency by 2013 was being widely derided as a failed strategy. In the end, Petraeuss approach suffered from the same fatal flaw as counterinsurgency in the latter days of Vietnam. The local government, not foreign forces, must ultimately provide security. Iraq and Afghanistan were counterinsurgency turned on its head.

DARPA never publicly discussed More Eyes. Although the Pentagon later touted Nexus 7 as a success, there is no evidence that it had any useful impact on operations. There are no models, and there are no algorithms, one anonymous official told Wired, griping about the programs deployment to Afghanistan. A more sanguine assessment was published in the Wall Street Journal, which quoted an unnamed former official claiming that Nexus 7s predictions about attacks in Afghanistan were accurate between 60 and 70 percent of the time. Its the ultimate correlation tool, the official told the newspaper. It is literally being able to predict the future. Neither statement added substance to the debate. However, one thing was clear: Nexus 7 did not change the course of the war.

By 2013, DARPAs work in Afghanistan had drawn to a close, though the Taj, the onetime staging base for More Eyes, lived on as a symbol of the agencys well-intentioned but ultimately failed efforts to harness science in the service of counterinsurgency. The Taj was nominally open that year, serving stale cornflakes to the rare guest, who could lounge on a rusting lawn chair perched on cracked concrete overlooking the long-empty pool. At the edge of the pool, solar panels, which powered nothing at all, tilted wistfully toward the sun. All that was left of the only tiki bar in Afghanistan was a collection of moldering business cards and a Synergy Strike Force combat patch stapled to a piece of wood, the last remnants of the Western patrons who had swapped their data for beer. Outside this onetime oasis of DARPA-funded techno-optimism, Afghans lived and fought much as they had for more than 1,000 years. Inside, the bar stood empty, an enduring testament to sciences ability to transform warfare but not to end it.

This article is adapted from Sharon Weinbergers new book, The Imagineers of War: The Untold Story of DARPA, the Pentagon Agency that Changed the World.

Top photo credit: Getty Images/Foreign Policy illustration
From Woman's Day

As explained in the popular teen movie Mean Girls, most high schoolers break off into different cliques at lunchtime. For some students, this period is the best part of their day. For others-who may not have anyone to sit with-it can be a stressful time spent alone.

One thoughtful group of students in Florida decided to make it their mission that none of their classmates would be left out. They began a club at Boca Raton Community High School called "We Dine Together", which is founded on the idea that all good friendships start around a table. Members of the club roam the crowded courtyard during lunch to track down anyone who's eating alone-and then they introduce themselves and sit with their new friend.

"No kid should eat alone," Denis Estimon, one of the club's leaders, told the Sun Sentinel. "There are so many problems in this world and the only thing that can solve it is relationships."

Dennis, who came to the United States from Haiti in first grade, is one of four students who helped create We Dine Together. He and the other founders all remember what it was like to feel alone at school when they first moved there.

"It's not a good feeling, you're by yourself," he said. "And that's something I don't want anybody to go through."

Now more than 60 students have joined since the beginning of the year. Some used to eat alone, others are outgoing and just wanted to help. The group gets together weekly to eat pizza, share poetry, play games, and organize community service efforts. Eventually, the group hopes to spread the mission behind We Dine Together to others schools across the country.

You can learn more in the student's interview with Steve Hartman for CBS Evening News.

(h/t Sun Sentinel, Huffington Post)

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GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemala's Supreme Court on Wednesday granted a request by prosecutors to lift the immunity of Edgar Justino Ovalle, a lawmaker and adviser to President Jimmy Morales.

Ovalle is a former military officer accused of participating in rights abuses during the 1960-1996 civil war. He is now a member of Congress, which gave him immunity from prosecution.

Court spokesman Angel Pineda said the unanimous ruling stripped Ovalle of his congressional immunity and opens the way to try him on suspicion of murder, forced disappearance and crimes against humanity.

Ovalle has not attended congressional sessions for over a month and his whereabouts are not clear.

The complaint against him was presented in January 2016, but his lawyers had prevented it from moving forward until now.

Ovalle has been linked to the kidnapping of multiple people in 1983 and 1984, when he was second in command of a military zone in Coban, north of Guatemala City. The victims were later killed and buried in clandestine graves on a military base. More than 500 human remains have been found in the area.

Aura Elena Farfan, president of the Association of Detained and Disappeared Family Members of Guatemala, praised Wednesday's ruling.

"For us as relatives, it is encouraging," said Farfan, who is a plaintiff in the case. "It gives us hope and strength and we hope due process is followed."
Honolulu (AFP) - Federal judges have halted Donald Trump's revised executive order to temporarily close US borders to refugees and nationals from six Muslim-majority countries, dealing the president a humiliating defeat.

The rulings triggered a nationwide freeze on enforcement of a ban on entry by nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. They also halt a 120-day suspension of the US refugee admissions program. Trump's restrictions had been due to go into effect Thursday.

On Wednesday, US District Judge Derrick Watson ruled that the state of Hawaii, in its legal challenge, had established a strong likelihood that the ban would cause "irreparable injury" were it to go ahead.

Early Thursday in Maryland, US District Judge Theodore Chuang issued a similar nationwide injunction on a separate complaint filed by advocacy groups claiming that the amended order discriminates against Muslims.

Chuang ruled that the plaintiffs "are likely to prevail on the merits, that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of injunctive relief and that the balance of the equities and the public interest favor an injunction."

Trump vowed to fight the "flawed" ruling all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary, describing it as "unprecedented judicial overreach."

"The law in the Constitution gave the president the power to suspend immigration when he deems it to be in the national interest of our country," he said Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, adding: "We are going to win."

However, the court in Honolulu indicated that it would not stay its decision in the event of an appeal, meaning the ban cannot go ahead as planned on Thursday regardless of any action the White House takes.

It was the first court to issue its ruling in a trio of legal challenges against the ban, which had been set to go into effect at midnight.

Washington state's attorney general, meanwhile, filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order that would last up to 14 days in order to halt the travel restrictions, also citing "irreparable injuries."

Story continues

- Muslim ban? -

The Trump administration's wide-ranging initial travel restrictions imposed on January 27 were slapped down by the federal courts, after sparking a legal, political and logistical furor.

Trump signed a revised ban behind closed doors on March 6 with a reduced scope, exempting Iraqis and permanent US residents, but maintaining the temporary ban on the other six countries and refugees.

The White House said those six countries were targeted because their screening and information capabilities could not meet US security requirements.

Watson, however, rejected the White House claim that the order wasn't a Muslim ban, ruling that it was plausible "to conclude that targeting these countries likewise targets Islam" given their Muslim populations ranging from 90.7 percent to 99.8 percent.

The judge made reference to several examples of Trump explicitly framing proposed action on immigration in religious tones, including a March 2016 interview during which the then president-elect said: "I think Islam hates us."

"Mr Trump was asked, 'Is there a war between the West and radical Islam, or between the West and Islam itself?' He replied: 'It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who,'" the judge added.

The first version of Trump's order triggered protests at home and abroad as well as chaos at US airports as people were detained upon arrival and either held for hours or sent back to where they came from.

- Coast to coast -

The Trump administration narrowed the restrictions in its revised order to try to ensure it would be unassailable.

"This order doesn't draw any religious distinction at all," said Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey Wall, in defending the government's position.

Questioned about Trump's tweets and statements during the presidential campaign in which he promised to enact a "Muslim ban," Wall said: "There is a difference between a president and a candidate."

But critics say the new order essentially remains a ban on Muslims coming to the United States, and therefore unconstitutional because it singles out followers of a certain religion for discrimination.

Since September 11, 2001, the worst attacks in the United States have been committed either by Americans or by people from countries not on the Trump travel ban list.

Critics also argue that it will have a very negative effect on schools, universities and the business world, mainly the high tech sector, which employs many highly skilled immigrants.
A woman suffered burns to her face and hands after her headphones caught fire during a flight to Australia, officials said Wednesday as they warned about the dangers of battery-operated devices on planes.

The passenger was listening to music on her own battery-operated headphones as she dozed on the flight from Beijing to Melbourne on February 19 when there was a loud explosion.

"As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face," she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) which investigated the incident.

"I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck. I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor.

"They were sparking and had small amounts of fire."

Flight attendants rushed to help and poured a bucket of water on the headphones, but the battery and its cover were both melted and stuck to the floor.

Pictures show the woman, who was not named, with a blackened face and neck and blisters on her hands, with passengers having to endure the smell of melted plastic, burnt electronics and burnt hair for the remainder of the flight.

"People were coughing and choking the entire way home," the woman added.

The transport safety bureau, which did not identify which airline was involved, assessed that the lithium-ion batteries in the device likely caught fire.

"As the range of products using batteries grows, the potential for in-flight issues increases," it said, reminding travellers using battery-powered devices they must be kept in an approved stowage unless in use.

Spare batteries should be kept in carry-on luggage, it added.

Many airlines last year barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones over fire risk concerns, following reports of exploding batteries.

The South Korean electronics giant recalled all its Note 7s, costing it billions of dollars.

There have been several incidents involving lithium batteries in recent years with a flight due to leave Sydney last year disembarked when smoke was seen coming from a passenger's hand luggage.

It was later found that lithium batteries had ignited.

Also last year, a personal electronic device began belching smoke then caught on fire on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles to New York, the ATSB reported.
Prosecutors are charging a Black River Falls man, Timothy P King, with obstructing an officer and mistreating animals all stemming from a July 2016 event.

Deputy Michael Bartlett first arrived in the Town of Komensky to help the Black River Falls ambulance who responded to a pit-bull attack on King.

King said he was charged by a large, tan pit-bull while he was walking down the street which resulted in a large cut on his hand and scrapes to his knee.

King was walking his own dog when a pit-bull came running out to the road, both dogs barked and growled at each other.

King said he knew the dog belonged to his grandmother and when he went to ask her about kenneling the dog, it charged him biting his hand and dragging him around.

The dog allegedly dragged him around for 50-75 yards through the lawn, but Bartlett noticed no grass or mud and only one small scrape on King.

Bartlett attempted to talk with Kings wife who had made the call in, but received no answer at their home and didnt see any pit-bulls.

When searching Kings neighbors house, Bartlett was greeted by the grandmother, Anita WhiteEagle, who stated her dog was locked in the bathroom.

WhiteEagle was under the impression that Bartlett was there to take her complaint about King who had chased the dog and beat it with a metal pole.

She said her dog was usually nice, but people didnt like it because it looked mean so WhiteEagle would occasionally let the dog run free through the neighborhood because the dog liked to run.

It was during one of these outings that King allegedly chased the dog back to WhiteEagles back patio where he threatened to kill it.

After several blows from King, WhiteEagle says the dog retaliated and bit his hand once which sent King into a rage.

A witness to the event would support WhiteEagle saying that King chased the dog onto the deck and began striking it with a metal pole.

Bartlett, along with the Jackson County Humane Society, observed the dog was in good spirits but had several open and bleeding wounds on its face and snout.

When asked about the conflicting stories, King apparently got upset with the officer and said the dog was going to die.

He was told the dog was no longer with WhiteEagle and that he shouldnt try to kill other peoples dogs, but King said the dog would eventually go back to her and there wasnt anything anyone could do to stop the dog from dying.

King got upset when Bartlett tried to ask more about what happened and asked him to leave. When Bartlett tried to call the next day he said he was busy and didnt want the deputy to come to his house.

At the time of this complaint, King was out on two misdemeanor bonds as well.
Sydney (AFP) - A woman whose headphones caught fire on a plane suffered burns to her face and hands, Australian officials said Wednesday as they warned about the dangers of battery-operated devices in-flight.

The passenger was listening to music on her own battery-operated headphones as she dozed about two hours into the trip from Beijing to Melbourne on February 19 when there was a loud explosion.

"As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face," she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) which investigated the incident.

For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android.

"I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck. I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor.

"They were sparking and had small amounts of fire."

Flight attendants rushed to help and poured a bucket of water on the headphones, but the battery and its cover had both melted and stuck to the floor.

Pictures show the woman, who was not named, with a blackened face and neck and blisters on her hands.

Fellow passengers had to endure the smell of melted plastic, burnt electronics and singed hair for the remainder of the flight.

"People were coughing and choking the entire way home," the woman added.

The transport safety bureau, which did not identify the airline or brand of headphones involved ni the incident, said the lithium-ion batteries in the device likely caught fire.

"As the range of products using batteries grows, the potential for in-flight issues increases," it said, adding that such devices needed to be stored safely if they were not being used.

Spare batteries should be kept in carry-on luggage, and not checked in, the bureau said.

- Belching smoke -

The ATSB's Stuart Godley said it was the first report of headphones catching fire in Australia, but there have been a number of other phone and device battery incidents.

Last year, a flight due to leave Sydney had to be evacuated when smoke was seen coming from a passenger's hand luggage. It was later found that lithium batteries had caught fire.

Story continues

Also last year, an electronic device began belching smoke then caught fire on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles to New York, with a crew member needing to use a fire extinguisher to put it out, the ATSB reported.

In another Qantas incident in 2016, attendants were alerted to smoke on a flight from Sydney to Dallas. They found a crushed and burnt out device wedged tightly in the seat.

"We've also had a case of a person using personal air purifier and the batteries in that have caught on fire on a flight," Godley told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Many airlines last year barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones over fire risk concerns, following reports of exploding lithium-ion batteries.

The South Korean electronics giant, which prides itself on innovation and quality, was forced to recall all its Note 7s, costing it billions of dollars.

Lithium-ion batteries are prized for handheld electronics because they can pack a considerable amount of energy for their weight.

Like all batteries, they use different materials, one holding positive ions -- the cathode -- and the other holding negative ions -- the anode.

These ions move one way when charging, and back again when discharging -- being used.

Manufacturing flaws affecting the separators are one potential source of fires. Another is damage to the battery.

In addition, overcharging the packs -- or charging them too fast -- can also lead to overheating and a short circuit that can cause a fire.
House Speaker Paul Ryan is looking lonelier and lonelier as Republicans in the House and Senate  and even President Trump -- continue to distance themselves from the proposed American Health Care Act, House leaderships plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Already facing opposition from both conservative and moderate Republicans, the report from the Congressional Budget Office issued on Monday only increased divisions in a party that will need almost perfect unity to succeed in passing the legislation.

The CBOs report found that the bill could cost up to 24 million Americans their health insurance by 2026, a problem that has even lawmakers normally loyal to the Republican leadership in the House shaking their heads.

Related: How the GOP Health Plan Would Devastate Mentally Ill, Addicted

Virginia Congressman Rob Wittman wrote on his Facebook page Monday night, I do believe that we can enact meaningful health care reforms that put the patient and health care provider back at the center of our healthcare system, but this bill is not the right answer.

On the Senate side, where passage of the bill as written is even more in doubt than it is in the House, Republican moderates were plainly alarmed at the coverage numbers.

The top line numbers are alarming, Maine Sen. Susan Collins told reporters on Monday night. These kinds of estimates are going to cause revisions in the bill, almost certainly. I dont think that the bill that is being considered now is the bill that ultimately will be the one that we vote on in the Senate.

Even Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the Majority Whip, conceded that eliminating coverage for 24 million people might be a bridge too far. Obviously, we want to improve those coverage numbers, he told reporters on Monday.

Related: GOP Replacement Plan Could Send Hospital Costs Soaring Again

But the biggest problem facing Ryan may be that all indications are that the person with the largest megaphone in the discussion, President Trump, appears to be moving in a direction that would worsen, not improve, coverage rates.

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Trump has been leaning toward changes to the bill that House conservatives, like Freedom Caucus leader Mark Meadows of North Carolina want to see, according to Politico. Meadows and others in his caucus have expressed strong reservations about the AHCA, complaining that it leaves too much of the ACA intact and that its introduction of refundable tax credits for purchasing insurance on the open market amount to the creation of a new entitlement program.

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, an influential voice within the Freedom Caucus, appeared on Fox News Tuesday morning and blasted the plan. This bill doesnt repeal Obamacare, he said. This bill doesnt unite Republicans. This bill doesnt bring down the cost of premiums.

He added, Theres a reason every major conservative organization in the country is opposed to this legislation.

Related: Republican Health Plan -- Good for the Budget, Bad for the Poor and Elderly

Lawmakers like Meadows and Jordan are vitally important to the bills passage because the Freedom Caucus, by itself, has enough votes to derail the legislation in the House of Representatives, even if everyone else in the Republican conference remains united.

To appease conservatives, Politico reports, Trump and his senior advisers have been indicating that they are open to changes to the legislation, such as speeding up the phase-out of the ACAs Medicaid expansion and accelerating other changes to the healthcare market.

Of course, those changes wont just do zero to address the number of people who lose their insurance under AHCA. It will only make sure that they lose it even faster.

The White House seems to be banking on the idea that by appeasing conservatives, the bill will be able to get through the House, even if it loses a small number of supporters among Republicans concerned about the coverage losses.

Related: GOPs Repeal of Obamacare Taxes Could Put Medicare Closer to Insolvency

But Paul Ryans biggest problem is greater than just getting the bill through the House. He needs a bill that can also pass the Senate.

Normally, its not the job of the House Speaker to worry about votes in the other chamber. But Ryan will be asking his members to vote on a proposal that will be featured in every Democratic House candidates campaign advertisements in 2018, and he cant ask them to do that without offering a reasonable path by which the measure becomes law.

Right now, he doesnt have one, and unfortunately for the House Speaker, every concession he makes to conservatives makes it less likely he will find one. In the Senate, Republicans can only afford to lose three votes without killing the legislation, and even that would require a tie-breaking vote by the vice president.

Changes to the bill that further depress the percentage of Americans with insurance coverage, or accelerate the loss of coverage are only going to harden the opposition it faces from Senate Republicans like Maines Collins and others who have expressed concern about the proposals effects on the uninsured rate.

Its a dilemma that offers the Speaker no obvious way out, and help from the White House doesnt seem to be forthcoming.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
By Will Boggs MD (Reuters Health) - - After a heart attack, taking one of the drugs known as statins can lower the risk of a second attack, but for people who go off statins because of side effects, that risk rises again sharply, researchers say. In a study of more than 105,000 older Americans who had one heart attack, those who couldnt tolerate statins were 50 percent more likely than those who stayed on statins to have a second heart attack. "Every effort should be made to take a statin because these agents have been consistently proven to reduce cardiovascular events (heart attacks, stroke), death from heart disease, and death, Dr. Robert S. Rosenson from Mount Sinai Heart, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York told Reuters Health. A decision to forego statin therapy or reduce the dosage places you at a 50 percent higher risk for a cardiovascular event in the next year, he said by email. The team analyzed data on patients covered by Medicare, the federal health insurance for people over age 65, who had already had one heart attack and been prescribed a statin drug such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) or simvastatin (Zocor). While statins are used quite widely, some patients report muscle pain while taking this class of drugs. For many who experience this side effect it is bad enough that they ask their doctor to lower their dosage or take them off the drug and switch them to something else. Rosensons team compared the rates of recurrent heart attack, other coronary heart disease events and death from all causes for people who stayed on their prescribed statins at least 80 percent of the time and those who had to take lower doses or stop taking statins altogether. Less than 2 percent of patients couldn't tolerate the statins, and more than half were able to stay on the drugs, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology report. Compared with patients who took their statins most of the time, those who couldn't tolerate statins were 50 percent more likely to have another heart attack and 51 percent more likely to have some other coronary event like needing to have a blocked coronary artery cleared or a coronary bypass operation. Statin muscle complaints are the most common cause of statin intolerance, Rosenson said. You should engage your health care provider to assist with the decision whether the symptoms are potentially statin related or due to another cause such as an inactive thyroid gland or arthritis. "The findings of the current study clearly show that there are serious morbid consequences to the elusive disorder of statin intolerance and support an aggressive management strategy for clinicians treating these anguished and challenging patients, Dr. Steven E. Nissen from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio writes in a related editorial. Patients should know that several options are available if they happen to experience side effects from statin therapy and that even if they are intolerant to several statins we now have a variety of strategies we can use to help reduce their risk of future cardiac events, said Dr. David Saxon, an endocrinologist at University of Colorado and the Denver VA Medical Center who wasnt involved in the study. For those who have had a previous heart attack, finding a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about the different strategies that can be used to manage statin intolerance is especially important as it may prevent repeat cardiac problems, Saxon said by email. Several excellent studies have shown that if you are someone who has had side effects with one or even a few statin medications it doesn't mean that you won't tolerate a statin or other medication that improves cholesterol levels in the future, he added. Strategies that can be used to overcome statin intolerance include trying a different statin at a low dose, taking a statin just once or a few times a week and gradually increasing how often you take it, or, in some specific situations, switching to other non-statin medications that improve cholesterol levels, Saxon said. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2nAuw3z and http://bit.ly/2n5qeok Journal of the American College of Cardiology, online March 13, 2017.
(Reuters) - Highlights of the day for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday:

HEALTHCARE

The White House and congressional leaders say they are weighing changes to their plan to dismantle the Obamacare health law as Republicans' questions mount following an estimate that it would cause 14 million Americans to lose insurance next year.

TAX RETURNS

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow says on Twitter she has obtained Donald Trump's 2005 tax returns, and the White House responds by saying the president had paid $38 million in taxes on more than $150 million in income.

SAUDI ARABIA

Trump meets Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House for a discussion likely to touch on investment opportunities in the kingdom and efforts to stop the war in Syria.

PALESTINIANS

Trump's Middle East envoy holds his first talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, amid Palestinian concerns that the new administration in Washington is more favorably disposed toward Israel.

TRADE

Trump's choice for the top U.S. trade negotiator pledges an "America First" strategy to aggressively enforce U.S. laws and trade deals to stop unfair imports and push China to scrap excess factory capacity.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Trump's administration is preparing to release a wide-ranging executive order to reduce the role that climate change plays in policy decisions, according to a Trump administration official who reviewed a draft of the order.

ADMINISTRATION

Trump plans to nominate J. Christopher Giancarlo to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the regulator tasked with policing the massive over-the-counter derivatives market, the White House says.

Trump will nominate Goldman Sachs Group Managing Director James Donovan as deputy secretary of the Treasury, the White House says.

IMMIGRATION

The White House says that Trump does not agree with a controversial tweet on immigration and birth rates by Republican Representative Steve King.

Story continues

AIRLINE INDUSTRY

Airline industry group IATA is concerned about protectionist rhetoric from the United States and other governments but sees the Trump administration's plans to invest in infrastructure as positive for the industry.

G20

A senior Canadian Finance Ministry official says there is a lot of uncertainty over what direction the United States wants to take on issues such as trade and taxation policy ahead of the upcoming meeting of G20 finance ministers.

MARKETS

Shares of hospitals and health insurers fall after the U.S. Congressional Budget Office forecasts that 14 million Americans will lose medical insurance by next year under a Republican plan to dismantle Obamacare.

(Compiled by Bill Trott, Jonathan Oatis and Peter Cooney; Editing by James Dalgleish and Lisa Shumaker)
The Republican leader of the House Intelligence Committee says he has yet to see any evidence of President Trumps claim that former President Barack Obama tapped his phones at Trump Tower before the 2016 presidential election.

That evidence still remains the same, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told reporters at a press conference Wednesday on Capitol Hill. We dont have any evidence that that took place.

Trump leveled the explosive allegation against his predecessor on Twitter earlier this month.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my wires tapped in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism! Trump declared.

Is it legal for a sitting President to be wire tapping a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW! he added.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Is it legal for a sitting President to be "wire tapping" a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2017

Obamas office categorically denied the charge that the former president had been involved in ordering any wiretapping. It did not address the possibility that some branch of the government had carried out surveillance of Trump or his aides during the 2016 campaign.

I dont think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower, Nunes said.

But Nunes also said that his assessment depends on how literally you take Trumps tweets.

I think the challenge here is, President Obama wouldnt physically go over and wiretap Trump Tower, he said. So now you have to decide, Are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president is wrong.

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Earlier this week, Kellyanne Conway, a counselor to Trump, offered a rather creative suggestion for how such surveillance could have been carried out.

There are many ways to surveil each other, Conway told the Record, a New Jersey newspaper, on Sunday. There was an article this week that talked about how you can surveil someone through their phones, through certainly their television sets  any number of different ways. Microwaves that turn into cameras, et cetera. So we know that is just a fact of modern life.

At a press conference in Richmond, Va., Attorney General Jeff Sessions was asked if he had briefed Trump on evidence of preelection surveillance before the president raised the issue on Twitter.

Look, Sessions replied. The answers no.

Under pressure, Sessions has recused himself from any investigations related to the Trump campaign following the revelation that he met twice with Russias ambassador to the United States during the campaign while he was an informal adviser to then-candidate Trump. During his confirmation hearings, Sessions denied having contact with Russian officials.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking member on the committee, said the panel still has not received evidence from the Justice Department related to Trumps assertion, and that it is has given the department a March 20 deadline to provide any information.

FBI Director James Comey, who was reportedly incensed by Trumps wiretapping allegation, has agreed to testify before the committee at a public hearing on Monday.

Read more from Yahoo News:
By Marton Dunai BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's right-wing populist prime minister Viktor Orban called on European nationalist leaders on Wednesday to revolt against an "unholy alliance of Brussels bureaucrats, the liberal world media and insatiable international capitalists". The European Union is facing a period of upheaval following Britain's vote to leave the 28-member bloc, with nationalist parties poised to gain support in Dutch and French elections. Orban, whose Fidesz party faces elections in 2018 after two consecutive terms in office, called on nationalist leaders to bring about a "deep but peaceful" transformation of Europe. Right-wing leader Geert Wilders' PVV (Party for Freedom), which is anti-Islam and anti-EU, could win the largest number of votes in the Dutch polls on Wednesday, but is widely seen as being unable to form a coalition government. "We still have a chance to keep the rising energies of revolt within a constitutional framework and transform the European empire ... but in a peaceful and orderly fashion," Orban told thousands of supporters. Under Orban, Budapest has locked horns with European and international partners over economic and democratic issues, most recently over migration, which he says is a threat to Europe's socioeconomic make up. Political upheaval around the world is growing because of challenges to national sovereignty from global capital and international bureaucracies, Orban said, adding that people were expressing their unhappiness with a perceived weakness in the face of mass immigration. "To preserve our independence we need to bravely fight the battles that lie ahead of us. We must stop Brussels, defend our borders, deny mass relocations," Orban said, adding that government must be "in the hands of nationalist forces". Opposition activists who staged a demonstration during Orban's speech used whistles to try to drown him out. "The Hungarian people have whistled him off court," opposition politician Peter Juhasz said. (Editing by Alexander Smith)
March 15 has a special place in history, thanks to William Shakespeares use of the Ides of March theme in his play, Julius Caesar. So what is an Ides and do big historical things really happen then?

Woodrow Wilson

The word Ides is a Latin term for the day that falls in the middle of a calendar month. There were three Ides where the date fell on the 15th  March, July and October. In 46 B.C., Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, and it was on March 15 in the year 44 B.C. that Caesar assassinated by his fellow Roman leaders. He was actually killed inside Romes Senate chamber, where Caesars bodyguards werent permitted to enter.

In Shakespeares 1599 play, the author had the character of Caesar utter the Latin words, Et tu Brute? or You, too, Brutus? as he was attacked by former protege Marcus Junius Brutus. Historians dont really know if this happened at the actual assassination, but the phrase became synonymous with the concept of betrayal.

Since then, some folks have kept a wary eye on March 15, but not everything that has happened in mid-March has been a tinged with badness. Here are 10 landmark events that happened on a March 15th.

1767: Andrew Jackson is born. The future U.S. President was born a region that sits in both North Carolina and South Carolina.

1781: The Battle of Guilford Court House. Outnumbered British forces led by Lord Cornwallis route an American revolutionary army in North Carolina.

1783: Washington averts Army mutiny. George Washington convinces Continental Army officers to step down from a potential mutiny because of lack of payment from Congress.

1820: Maine becomes the 23rd state. Maine gains admission to the Union as part of the Missouri Compromise.

1913: Wilson holds the first Presidential press conference ever. The new President holds an official press event for about 100 reporters at the White House where he speaks to them as a group.

1916: Wilson orders troops to Mexico. President Woodrow Wilson orders a force of more than 4,000 U.S. troops to cross the border in an attempt to disrupt Pancho Villa.

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1917: Tsar Nicholas II abdicates in Russia. The Tsar was unable to find a functional successor, which was a key moment in the Russian Revolution.

1965: Johnson urges passage of Voting Rights Act. About one week after the violence in Selma, Alabama, President Lyndon Johnson tells Congress it must pass the Act in a nighttime address to lawmakers and the nation.

1985: First Internet domain name registered. It was called symbolics.com and it belonged to Massachusetts computer company.

1990: Mikhail Gorbachev is elected as President of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev served in this elected position, which was new to the Soviet Union, until December 25, 1991.

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Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte told CNBC on Tuesday that Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was "totally off the mark" when he recently compared the Dutch to Nazis and had behaved in an "increasingly hysterical" manner.

Erdogan had denounced the Netherlands as "Nazi remnants" on Saturday after the Dutch administration withdrew its permission for Turkey's foreign minister and family affairs minister to attend rallies in the country. Turkey's president has since suspended diplomatic relations with Amsterdam.

"When something happens like last Saturday, we have to take a stance (and) we have to draw a line and say this is unacceptable," Rutte told CNBC as he campaigned to maintain his premiership ahead of the Dutch general election on Wednesday.

"We will never negotiate under the threat of sanctions."



Turkey is due to hold a referendum on April 16 on whether to extend the presidential powers available to Erdogan and the support from Turkish citizens based in other EU countries, such as the Netherlands, is viewed as critical by the president.

Therefore, the decision by Rutte's government to revoke its permission for Turkish officials to attend rallies in the Netherlands sparked a ferocious response from Ankara.

In a speech televised on Tuesday, Erdogan used the Srebrenica massacre, in which Dutch troops failed to prevent a mass execution, to further escalate the dispute between the two nations.

"I have to say that the President of Turkey today is in (an) increasingly hysterical way talking about the Netherlands. He has now made a historical and unwise remark about Srebrenica which is totally off the mark and which is totally untrue," Rutte added.

Increasingly unstable world

The Netherlands general election is perceived by many as a bellwether for Europe as a whole as Rutte seeks to hold off the challenge from far-right populist candidate, Geert Wilders.

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Wilders has dominated the campaign trail with anti-European Union and anti-Islamic rhetoric. However, the latest opinion polls show that he is now neck and neck with the prime minister with just over 24 hours to go until citizens cast their votes.

The fragmented nature of the Dutch parliamentary system would appear to suggest that neither candidate is poised to secure a majority on Wednesday yet Rutte argued he has the experience to cobble together multiple parties and govern effectively.

"(The election campaign) has been about identity and about the economy but also how to keep this country safe and stable in an increasingly unstable world which is my main task as Prime Minister," Rutte concluded.







More From CNBC


Sorong (Indonesia) (AFP) - Indonesia on Wednesday vowed to take action after a British-owned cruise ship smashed into pristine coral reefs and caused extensive damage, as residents of the popular tourist site lamented "paradise" had been ruined.

The vice president demanded that the Caledonian Sky's operator pay compensation as authorities said a criminal act could have been committed and they may seek the extradition of the ship's captain.

Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse marine habitats on Earth, and attracts intrepid travellers and divers to its palm-fringed islands surrounded by coral and fish.

The accident happened this month when the 4,200-ton ship smashed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in Raja Ampat, after taking tourists on a bird-watching expedition.

The boat, which was carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, became grounded on the reefs and only refloated later on a high tide. Numerous attempts to free it using a tug boat failed, and only caused further damage to the corals.

Residents of Raja Ampat, located in the remote eastern region of Papua, have expressed anger at the impact on tourism and livelihoods of fishermen, while the government has reacted with fury.

"The boat has insurance -- they have to pay," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said, referring to the ship's operator.

- 'Devastated' local community -

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said that the devastation of the reef "will not be tolerated".

"The government is very concerned and very worried about this incident and certainly all steps will be taken to ensure accountability."

He added one step the government could take was to seek the extradition of the ship's captain back to Indonesia. Authorities say destruction of coral reef is against the law, and someone found guilty of deliberately carrying out such an act could be jailed for up to 10 years.

Story continues

After Indonesia, the vessel sailed on to the Philippines and officials have expressed anger the captain did not stay in the country while the damage was still being assessed.

Martin Makusi, a local tourist guide and owner of a homestay in Raja Ampat, said he was "devastated" by the destruction of the reefs.

"This incident makes me sad, disappointed and angry because the coral reefs in Raja Ampat are like paradise for us," he told AFP.

Ricardo Tapilatu, a marine researcher from the University of Papua who headed a team assessing the impact, has said the March 4 accident damaged an estimated 13,500 square metres (145,000 square feet) of coral reef which could cost up to $16.2 million to restore.

Noble Caledonia, the British-based tour company that operates the Caledonian Sky, said they were "very upset" by the damage, were working to reach a settlement with the government and had set up a fund to help repair the reef.

"We value our relationships around the world with local people and we are sorry to have impacted the local community," the company said in a statement.

str-rws-dsa-sr/eb
All we seek is help to get the basic broadband services that you all take for granted, Justin Fortney from Clifton Township in Pierce County wrote to me. It has been frustrating for us families to watch the digital revolution pass us byWe oftenpack the family into the car and drive to a relatives house or commercial business to use their Internet.

According to the federal governments most recent information, Wisconsin ranks last in the Midwest in both rural and urban broadband access with only 44% of rural folks accessing download speeds of 25 Mbps.

Both federal and state governments responded with grant programs to expand broadband but there are problems with assuring that residents actually receive the promised services.

With much fanfare, Governor Walker recently announced his plan to add money for broadband to schools and rural areas. Later, Senator Marklein released a different bill. The Senators bill was voted out of his rural affairs committee and is headed for final passage soon.

Sen. Markleins bill is false advertising. The bill is neither rural nor broadband. As now written, nearly every Wisconsin county would be eligible for expansion grants. Broadband for awardees is defined at the turtle-slow speed of 5 Mbps download and .6 Mbps upload. In addition, such a paltry amount of money is used for grants that would not cover my small rural county with broadband even if we used all the statewide funds.

More problems exist with the federal grant programs.

Mr. Fortney described the problem in his email. He refers to one federal program known as CAF-II.

Our area is CAF-II Subsidized Area, but still no Internet. These limited funds are being used by thecompany to further increase the speed of areas that already have broadband. Mr. Fortney described how both large companies near him said they have no plans to provide services to him. Yet both companies received large grants to expand broadband.

The two large companied mentioned by Mr. Fortney sent representatives to a community meeting I attended last year. Neither company would commit to expanding service in Pierce County. In the words of one company representative, I dont want to promise you fiber where fiber is not going to comeIts not a great business investment to put in copper or fiber, and Were not going to go trenching through a bluff[we are looking for] where can we grab the low hanging fruit.

What can Wisconsin do if these large companies do not intend to use federal dollars to bring the 21st Century to rural Wisconsin?

First, we should agree on WHAT IS broadband. The federal definition  25 Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload is a good place to start. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 49 (the bill speeding for hasty passage) will award grants to those providing much less.

Second, money for Rural broadband should go to rural areas. Senate Bill 49  and the current state grant program  makes nearly the entire state eligible for awards. The Public Service Commission has broad latitude to send the money to just about any county in the state. This should change.

Third, Wisconsin must invest enough money to actually make a difference in the problem. To date, the state awarded 42 grants totaling approximately $3.9 million. This money is not enough to provide broadband for just my small home county. In comparison, Minnesota appropriated $65.5 million and Governor Dayton is proposing spending another $100 million.

Finally, Wisconsin should independently verify that companies keep their promises to the state (in their grant applications) and to consumers. I frequently hear of companies promising one speed and delivering another, of broadband maps that show an area as served and it is not, and of companies using poor service in an area to apply for a grant and then not delivering services to the neighbors.

Broadband is the 21st Century equivalent of electricity. Someday most of us may plan a visit to a rural area or are going to need to contact someone in a rural area. All of us are going to eat something grown in a rural area and these days you need broadband for farming. We need to make sure the promised Rural Broadband bill is the Real Deal for rural Wisconsin.
The early results are in, and at least one Wall Street firm is now convinced that Netflix, Inc. (ticker: NFLX) may be doing better in international markets than originally expected. On Wednesday, Jefferies analyst John Janedis upgraded Netflix from "underperform" to "hold" and raised the firm's price target for the stock by more than 40 percent to $135.

Jefferies' newfound optimism comes from the firm's latest checks on Netflix's performance in international markets, particularly the key regions of Germany and India. According to Janedis, a large-scale customer survey in both countries revealed that Netflix may not be running up against as much local competition as originally anticipated.

"The growth opportunity appears larger than we had expected, as original content is performing well, mobile consumption is growing, competition appears limited and the pricing plan is gaining traction," Janedis says.

The survey results indicate that Netflix's two-pronged growth approach of investing heavily in international expansion and original content may already be paying off. The company plans to invest $6 billion in original content this year.

CEO Reed Hastings recently says the company is putting $1.75 billion into European productions. And India is also clearly a critical market. "In 2017, we'll be working on making our Indian service better in every dimension," Hastings said during his first official trip to India earlier this year.

[See: 7 of the Best Stocks to Buy for 2017.]

Netflix recently announced new partnerships with Airtel, Videocon d2h and Vodafone to help tackle one of the largest global markets.

Jefferies reports that both Netflix and rival Amazon.com ( AMZN) are both likely gaining market share from local providers in India and Germany. Survey results reveal that 74 percent of Indian respondents subscribe to Amazon Prime Video, while 63 percent of respondents subscribe to Netflix. In Germany, reported subscription rates are 67 percent and 45 percent, respectively.

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The survey also revealed that only 6 percent of Netflix subscribers in India would not be open to an increase in subscription price down the line, suggesting Netflix has substantial pricing power in the region.

Finally, more than half of subscribers in both India (58 percent) and Germany (66 percent) indicated that they enjoy watching Netflix original content the most while using the platform.

"As NFLX offers a limited amount of local content (for now -- relative to local platforms), the outperformance of originals across multiple regions has been a key local growth driver," Janedis says.

[See: 20 Awesome Dividend Stocks for Guaranteed Income.]

Jefferies has now raised its 2017 subscriber growth projections for Netflix from 12.5 million net additions to 13.5 million.

Wayne Duggan is a freelance investment strategy reporter with a focus on energy and emerging market stocks. He has a degree in brain and cognitive sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and specializes in the psychological challenges of investing. He is a senior financial market reporter for Benzinga and has contributed financial market analysis to Motley Fool, Seeking Alpha and InvestorPlace. He is also the author of the book "Beating Wall Street With Common Sense," which focuses on the practical strategies he has used to outperform the stock market. You can follow him on Twitter @DugganSense, check out his latest content at tradingcommonsense.com or email him at wpd@tradingcommonsense.com.
Dublin (AFP) - Ireland has raised "very serious concerns" with the European Commission about tactics used by rival EU states to entice UK-based financial firms seeking to remain in the bloc after Brexit, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Ireland's financial services minister Eoghan Murphy recently told commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis there was anecdotal evidence that some countries were offering firms, primarily insurers, a "back door" to the single market by reducing their capital requirements.

A spokesman on Wednesday confirmed the issue was raised.

"A number of areas were discussed, including ensuring there is consistency across EU member states in the application of European and member state regulatory standards for financial services," the spokesman added.

The concerns were raised before last weekas announcement by insurance giant AIG that it had chosen Luxembourg as its EU base.

Ireland was once synonymous with "light-touch financial regulation" but that changed after the regime was blamed for contributing to the country's cataclysmic economic crash in 2008.

John Cronin, chairman of one of Ireland's biggest law firms McCann Fitzgerald, said regulation in Ireland was exemplary and in the absence of uniformity across the EU, the minister was making a valid point.

"There is concern across Europe about... the lack of standardisation," he told AFP.

"This shouldn't be turning into some sort of post-Brexit beauty parade where one state tries to outdo the other to win business."

In a speech this week, Irish Central Bank director Ed Sibley warned of a need to ensure consistency across Europe to avoid a "regulatory race to the bottom in the search for the crumbs of comfort that are falling from the Brexit plate".

Kevin Sammon, a spokesman for IDA Ireland, the country's main industrial promotion agency, said it was "fighting hard" to attract inward investment in the wake of Britain's exit from the EU.

"We are confident that the investment proposition for financial services remains very strong," he said.

The Irish Funds Industry Association, whose mission is "to support, complement and develop the funds industry in Ireland", made no comment.
Indian police said Wednesday they had launched a murder investigation after a young Irish woman was found dead in the popular tourist state of Goa.

The body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was discovered in a field on Tuesday and an autopsy is being conducted to ascertain whether she was sexually assaulted, deputy superintendent Sammy Tavares of the Goan police told AFP.

"Her body was found in a naked state. A case has been filed under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (murder)," he said, adding that a suspect had been arrested.

Several foreigners have died in Goa over the past decade or so, including 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling, whose bruised and semi-naked body was found in shallow water on a beach in 2008.

The deaths, many in suspicious circumstances or from drug or alcohol abuse, have blighted the picturesque state's reputation as a tourist haven.

In a brief statement, McLaughlin's mother Andrea Brannigan said the family were "finding it very difficult at this trying time.

"Danielle will be sadly missed by us all."

A fund created by McLaughlin's friend Christy Duffy to fund the repatriation of her body quickly raised more than 15,000 euros ($16,000).

"Anyone who knew her knew that she was a beautiful and kind hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter," Duffy said.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better."

- An unwelcome spotlight -

Ireland said Glasgow-born McLaughlin also held a British passport, while Britain's consulate in Mumbai told AFP it was working closely with local authorities.

In a statement, the Irish foreign ministry said its embassy in India was "following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa."

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate has the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities.

"The Irish embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today," the statement added.

Last September, two Indian men were cleared of the rape and murder of Keeling, whose death became international news, shining a spotlight on the seedy side of the resort which is popular with Westerners and drawing attention to India's sluggish justice system.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's defence minister Wednesday demanded a rabbi heading an institute that prepares young Jews for their military service resign after he made offensive comments about women in the army.

"I demand your resignation. If not, I will have to cancel the recognition of the institute as a pre-military institute," Avigdor Lieberman wrote to rabbi Yigal Levinstein in a letter released by his ministry.

The Bnei David institute, which says it prepares young Jews spiritually for their compulsory military service, responded that it would not interfere in the "freedom of expression of our rabbis and students".

Levinstein caused public outrage after he criticised women being part of the army in comments reported by the media last week on International Women's Day.

He said Jewish women who joined the army left "no longer Jewish", and asked "who would accept to marry" a woman who had served in the armed forces.

Lieberman said Wednesday the rabbi's comments had "insulted soldiers, including the women who fell on the front".

His institute, which is based in the Jewish settlement of Ely in the occupied West Bank, says it aims to train a religious elite within the army.

Military service -- two years and eight months for men and two years for women -- is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis.

According to an army spokesman, 2,200 practising Jewish women serve in the army compared to just 937 in 2010.

The Israeli infantry includes three mixed-gender battalions.

A minority of conservative rabbis who belong to the religious nationalist movement believe women should not do their military service as unrelated men and women should not mix.

The same rabbi last year caused an uproar when he described homosexuals as "perverts".
Hollywood couple John Krasinski and Emily Blunt have signed on to co-star in their first feature film together, with production on the feature to start this fall.

While plot details on the project are still unknown, the film is a supernatural thriller titled "A Quiet Place", with Krasinksi reportedly attached to write, direct and star in the film, opposite his wife Blunt.

According to Variety, Krasinski and Blunt, who wed in 2010, prefer keeping their work and home lives separate, but neither wanted to pass up the film after reading the script.

Blunt is next set to appear on screens on December 25, 2018, in Disney's highly anticipated "Mary Poppins" sequel "Mary Poppins Returns", while Krasinksi is set to star in Kathryn Bigelow's upcoming movie about the Detroit Riots.
David Cay Johnston, an investigative reporter who revealed the news of President Donald Trump's tax returns from 2005, said Tuesday night on "The Rachel Maddow Show" that the two-page document comprising Trump's tax returns were mailed to him. "They came in the mail," Johnston told Rachel Maddow on her show. He added that Trump could have sent the documents himself.

Johnston did not specify when he received the documents and said that he did not break any law to obtain them because he did not solicit them. White House released a statement before the "Rachel Maddow Show" saying that the tax documents were obtained and revealed illegally.

The leaked documents said Trump paid $38 million in federal income taxes on a declared income of $150 million with an effective tax rate of 25 percent. Trump allegedly wrote off $100 million in losses to reduce the tax amount. A major portion of the total tax, amounting to $31 million, was paid under AMT (alternative minimum tax). Without it, Trump would have to pay almost $5 million in regular taxes and $2 million in self-employment taxes.

"Trumps return shows that hes pushing tax changes that benefit multimillionaire heirs like him, not the middle class," Lily Batchelder, a tax law professor at New York University and former majority chief tax counsel for the Senate Finance Committee, told the New York Times. "His proposal to repeal the A.M.T. would have slashed his own tax burden by $31 million, and his income tax rate would be lower than the average rate paid by families earning $75,000 to $100,000."

Johnston, who leaked the documents of Trump's tax returns, had written a book on Trump in 2016, "The Making of Donald Trump." He released the book in August 2016. Johnston first met Trump in 1988 while he was working with the Philadelphia Inquirer. It took him almost thirty years to cover Trump and then finally write his book on him.

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"I almost immediately recognized Donald as the P.T. Barnum of our age," Johnston told the Times in an interview about his book last year.

Johnston was a former tax reporter at the Times from February 1995 to April 2008. He also received the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for his work related to exposing loopholes in the U.S. tax code.

In 2016, Johnston found a news website named "DC Report" that mainly reports on the ways in which the Trump administration works. The website's aim is to cover Trump in an in-depth manner.

Johnston tweeted several hours after breaking the news saying, "Let's have open debates, not threats."

After his inauguration in January, Trump became the first president in modern history to refuse to provide his tax details. He said the government forbid him from revealing his tax history and that he was being audited by the Internal Revenue Service.

During a news conference in January, Trump mentioned about his taxes in front of the audience. That was the last time he did so.

"Im not releasing the tax returns because as you know theyre under audit," he said while specifying that his taxes had nothing to do with voters. "The only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters."

"You learn very little from a tax return," he added.

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By Zachary Fagenson MIAMI (Reuters) - An Iraq war veteran accused of killing five people in a shooting at a Florida airport this year appears mentally fit to stand trial despite psychiatric health issues, a federal judge said on Wednesday. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said she would not order a mental competency evaluation for Esteban Santiago after his lawyers said he was taking prescribed anti-psychotic medication and participating in his defense. "He has been increasingly engaged and present during each of his sessions with his lawyers," said Bloom, who sits in the Southern District of Florida in Miami. Santiago, 26, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder after his arrest, according to court documents. Authorities say he opened fire in the baggage claim area of the Fort Lauderdale airport on Jan. 6 in one of the nation's most recent deadly mass shootings. Santiago has pleaded not guilty to 22 criminal charges, including violence at an airport causing death and injury, and firearms crimes. Bloom told Santiago she would hold monthly status hearings to ensure that he continues taking his medication and remains competent. Santiago, shackled and in a beige jumpsuit, said he understood the hearings were intended "to see if I'm mentally capable for trial." If convicted, he could be punished by life imprisonment or death. The U.S. attorney general ultimately would decide whether to seek a death sentence. Defense attorneys and prosecutors said in court it could take as long as a year to vet the factors involved in that decision. A trial scheduled for October could be delayed, Bloom said. A private first class in the National Guard who served in Iraq from 2010 to 2011, Santiago traveled from Alaska to Florida on a one-way airline ticket with a handgun and ammunition in his checked luggage, according to authorities. He claimed his gun case upon arrival and loaded the weapon in a men's bathroom, investigators said in a criminal complaint. Santiago opened fire on the first people he saw after leaving the restroom, it said. Authorities said Santiago aimed at victims' heads and bodies until he ran out of ammunition and was taken into custody. Six people also were wounded in the attack. Santiago told investigators he was inspired by the Islamic State militant group and had previously chatted online with Islamist extremists, according to FBI testimony previously presented in court. (Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien; Writing by Letitia Stein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Leslie Adler)
Knutson Memorial Library will be hosting the book launch and signing for local author, Lisa Gammon Olsons first book, Dust Flowers," March 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Many people may know Gammon Olson as the friendly face and voice in the Coon Valley Elementary School office; this book fulfills her childhood dream to be an author  a dream she has had since her own days as an elementary school student. Her mother was a huge influence, constantly encouraged her to write; both mother and sister could be relied on for feedback on everything Lisa wrote.

"All of my stories have the element of hope in them," she says. "How everything we do impacts someonepositive or negative. In any situation -- no matter how big -- there will be lots of things you cant control but any small act of kindness you do can make a big difference in someones life.

Gammon Olson didnt have far to look for an illustrator for Dust Flowers." Her son Kyle is an artist at Williams Interactive in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He also does a lot of freelancing and was happy to bring his mothers story to life with his artwork.

This special event is sponsored by the Friends of KML. Refreshments will be provided and books will be available for sale at the library that evening. Books are also available for sale through the publishers website, http://www.eifrigpublishing.com/. For more information, call the library at 452-3757.
From Delish

Our biggest threat to national security could be lurking right in your kitchen. You look to your microwave to help you warm that Cup of Noodles, whip up shortcut green bean casserole, or create pourable fondant frosting, but according to the senior counselor to the President of the United States, the appliance could be used for a much more sinister purpose: espionage.

During an interview with The Bergen Record in NJ, Kellyanne Conway was asked whether she knew if Trump Tower had been wiretapped by the Obama administration - an allegation President Donald Trump made that has yet to be backed up by hard evidence. "What I can say is there are many ways to surveil each other now, unfortunately," she replied. "There was an article this week that talked about how you can surveil someone through their phones, certainly through their television sets - any number of different ways - microwaves that turn into cameras, et cetera."

She deemed it "a fact of modern life," and while it's an easy leap to see how a phone or TV could be wired to spy on someone, particularly in the era of bluetooth-pairing, wifi-enabled everything, the concept of turning a microwave into a camera prompted many people to wonder, "um, what?" (And rightfully so, it seems: After investigating the ways a microwave oven could be hacked, Wired determined the kitchen staple couldn't be used as such, unless you own a microphone-equipped, voice-activated one. Wired couldn't find evidence of such a gadget on the market, however. Additional searches for the article Conway references have been fruitless so far.)

Photo credit: Lou Rocco / Getty

Conway's statement quickly became headline news, prompting the counselor to clarify her statements both on Twitter and in an interview with CNN.

"I'm not Inspector Gadget," she told CNN. "I don't believe people are using the microwave to spy on the Trump campaign."

So, to be clear, she was citing it as an example of the ways household items could be used as surveillance devices - not as the answer to the question the reporter posed. Conway initially told CNN that The Bergen Record reporter had asked her about "surveillance generally," but in the video of the interview - which you can watch here - you can see she's asked directly: "Do you know whether Trump Tower was wiretapped?"

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When the question came up again on CNN, she took a different approach, saying she's "not in the job of having evidence ... that's what investigations are for."

President Trump has asked Congress to investigate the wiretapping claims he made as part of its larger investigation as to whether Russia interfered in the presidential election, the New York Times reported. On Monday, March 13, the Department of Justice requested more time to collect evidence that would support the allegations against the Obama administration.

A spokesman for former President Barack Obama has denied the claims. So has James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence.

Follow Delish on Instagram.

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By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Republican and Democrat on the U.S. Senate Banking Committee both said on Wednesday that sanctions imposed on Russia over its involvement in Ukraine must not be lifted without drastic changes by Russia. Senator Mike Crapo, the panel's Republican chairman, said reducing sanctions could encourage Moscow to continue aggressive actions, three years after it annexed Ukraine's Crimea region. Senator Sherrod Brown, the ranking Democrat, said the panel should look at increasing sanctions. "Russia remains a hostile, recalcitrant power, deploying its military, cyber-enabled information espionage activities and economic tactics to harm the United States and drive a wedge between it and its allies," Crapo said. President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans and Democrats in congress have both expressed concern that Trump might reduce sanctions on Russia imposed under his predecessor, Democratic former President Barack Obama, because of Trump's expressed desire to improve relations with Moscow. Trump has said he intends, at least for now, to maintain U.S. sanctions. Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was forced from that position last month after revelations that he had discussed U.S. sanctions on Russia with Moscow's ambassador to the United States before Trump took office. Brown noted a report by U.S. intelligence agencies concluding that Russia sought to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election on Trump's behalf. He said the committee should focus on how it can strengthen its response to Russia. Russia denies any attempt to influence the U.S. election result. "We should strengthen, not weaken, Russian sanctions, and the president must work with Congress on a Russia policy that is clear-eyed about our adversaries and their behavior," Brown said in his opening statement at the hearing. Brown also said a surge in violence in Ukraine since Trump was elected president in November is a test by Moscow of the U.S. resolve to support the Kiev government and the Ukrainian people. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
A Texas killer who murdered a father and the man's infant son and later attacked his capital murder trial judge has been executed.

James Bigby, 61, showed up at a Fort Worth motel room on Christmas Eve 1987, after prosecutors said he fatally shot Michael Trekell and suffocated Trekells 4-month-old son Jayson at their Arlington home.

Read: Day Before Execution, Serial Killer Insists He Didn't Murder 3 Women: 'My Conscience Is Clear'

Years later, as he stood trial on capital murder charges, Bigby reportedly grabbed a loaded gun from behind the presiding judge's bench during a court recess and barged into the judge's chambers.

Officials said Bigby announced, "Lets go, judge" amid an apparent attempt to abduct him.

The judge and a prosecutor in the case managed to overpower Bigby and pull the gun away. The trial then continued.

Evidence presented by prosecutors showed Bigby killed two other men prior to his 1987 motel room standoff with a SWAT team because he believed they were conspiring with Trekell against him in a worker's compensation suit, The Associated Press reported.

"I regret killing the baby but not the other," Bigby told police.

Police said Bigby confessed to all four murders under questioning but he was never tried in the slayings of Calvin Crane Jr. or Frank Johnson, who were both found shot dead in their homes.

Rejecting an insanity defense in the deaths of Trekell and his son, a jury later sentenced Bigby to die.

Over a decade later, a federal appeals court threw out the sentence in a ruling that said the jury had been improperly instructed during the punishment phase.

Three years after the sentence was overturned, it was reinstated by a jury in Tarrant County.

Watch: Dad Who Lost Daughter in Ohio Execution: The Killer Must Have Known My Family

Bigby was the fourth Texas inmate to be executed this year. Six relatives of his victims watched him die by lethal injection.

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"I hope this will bring you peace and Im sorry for all the pain and suffering," he told them. "I hope that you could forgive me, but if you dont, I understand. I dont think I could forgive anyone who would have killed my children."

Watch: Police Search for Killer Who Stabbed Nurse to Death in Her Bedroom

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Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - Malaysia used a DNA sample from one of Kim Jong-Nam's children to confirm the identity of the assassinated half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, the deputy prime minister said Wednesday.

The 45-year-old was poisoned with the deadly nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

His killing triggered a fierce diplomatic row between Malaysia and North Korea, which have expelled each other's ambassadors and refused to let their citizens leave.

Investigators "confirmed the identity of the body as Kim Jong-Nam based on the sample obtained from his child", said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, without elaborating further.

Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for Kim's death, but the North has rejected those claims and slammed Malaysia's refusal to hand over his body without a DNA sample from next of kin.

Ahmad Zahid told reporters the two countries began official talks on Monday to resolve the crisis and bring nine Malaysians, who are trapped in Pyongyang, home.

Pyongyang has never confirmed the identity of the victim, who was carrying a passport bearing the name of Kim Chol when he was attacked.

Malaysia officially confirmed his identity on Friday, nearly a month after the murder, but refused to say whether authorities had obtained a DNA sample from next of kin.

- Fears son could be next -

Kim's wife and children, who were living in exile in the Chinese territory of Macau, staged a vanishing act after the murder. There are fears his 21-year-old son, Kim Han-Sol, could be targeted next.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed on Wednesday told AFP authorities did not want to reveal how they managed to obtain the DNA sample, citing safety concerns.

"It is from one of the children," Nur Jazlan said.

"We do not want to say which child because it could endanger the life of that child."

Malaysia also used fingerprints, obtained by the Japanese government following a failed attempt by Kim to enter the country and visit Disneyland in 2001, to determine his identity, he said.

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"We... got the fingerprint samples from Japanese authorities. We used as many identification markers as possible to confirm the identity of Kim Jong-Nam," he added.

In what may be the first comments by the family since Kim's death, a young man identifying himself as Han-Sol appeared in a video that circulated last week. The claim was later verified by South Korea's intelligence agency.

But he did not reveal his whereabouts or offer to claim his father's body, which was embalmed recently to stop it decomposing as it lies in a morgue in Kuala Lumpur.

Investigators are seeking seven North Korean suspects, four of whom left Malaysia on the day of the murder. The police chief has said he believes the other three are hiding in North Korea's embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid said the government was negotiating with "an open heart and (an) open mind" to end the impasse and was "looking into all possibilities", including swapping the North Korean suspects for the nine stranded Malaysians.

Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear the secretive regime, insisting that Kim most likely died of a heart attack.

Two women -- one Vietnamese and one Indonesian -- have been arrested and charged with Kim's murder. Airport CCTV footage shows them approaching the victim and apparently smearing his face with a piece of cloth.
Seoul (AFP) - South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday ordered ousted president Park Geun-Hye to appear before them next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

Park, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court last Friday, will be required to attend a prosecutors' office in Seoul next Tuesday, a spokesman said.

A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

Friday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

Park's lawyer said Wednesday she would "cooperate" with the probe.

She is set to become the fourth former South Korean leader to be questioned by prosecutors over corruption scandals.

Two former army-backed leaders who ruled in the 1980s and the early 1990s -- Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo -- both served jail terms for bribery after they retired.

Another ex-president, Roh Moo-Hyun, killed himself by jumping off a cliff in 2009 after being questioned by prosecutors over suspected bribery.

The latest corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park.

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The former president is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including nomination of top officials and diplomats.

Park voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed" through her spokesman after returning to her private home on Sunday.

The ouster of Park -- who had commanded a huge following among older, conservative South Koreans who benefited from the rapid growth under her father's 1961-79 rule -- has sparked angry, sometimes violent protests by her supporters.

- Election date -

The presidential poll to choose Park's successor will be held on May 9, the public administration ministry announced Wednesday.

The scandal has left Park's conservative party in tatters -- it has changed its name in an effort to relaunch itself -- and fanned the popularity of liberal opposition parties.

Moon Jae-In, former head of the main opposition Democratic Party, holds a commanding lead in opinion polls.

His most likely conservative challenger after former UN chief Ban Ki-moon bowed out last month had been seen as Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Park's prime minister who has been standing in as acting president since her parliamentary impeachment in December.

But Hwang said Wednesday he would not stand, leaving the Liberty Korea party with no clear standard-bearer.

"I am aware of the voices of people who want me to join the presidential race," said Hwang said, who would have to step down as acting president if he was to become a candidate.

"I have concluded that it is inappropriate for me for stable governing and fair management of the election process," he told a cabinet meeting.

"I will only focus on carrying out my duties as acting president."
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A husband and wife from Taiwan found stabbed to death in their home in a well-to-do Southern California neighborhood in October were probably robbery victims, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said Wednesday.

Cheng Long Wang, 60, and his wife, Mei Chu Chung, 57, were found slain in their Diamond Bar home on Oct. 20, 2016 after family members could not reach the couple, who immigrated to the US in 2000.

"This couple was married for 30 years and were a classic example of the American success story," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell told reporters.

Investigators suspect the couple had been victims of a robbery and about $15,000 had been taken from the home, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Katz.

Officials would not say whether they believed the couple was targeted, but investigators believe the assailant knew the couple kept large amounts of cash in the home, Katz said.

The slaying was "extremely unusual" for the Sothern California community and appears to have been an isolated incident, Katz said.

Cheng Long Wang worked as a computer programmer and Mei Chu Chung had taught art to children and offered lessons in a studio she had in their home, the couple's adult son said. Both were very active in their community, he said.

"They didn't deserve a death like this," said their son, Dr. Gary Wang, who flew in from Iowa to attend a news conference Wednesday. "They were just honest people who lived within their means."

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell and County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced a $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

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Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MikeBalsamo1.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  In a story March 14 about a proposal to give local officials in Nevada the authority to finance and build light rail and other high-capacity transportation systems, The Associated Press erroneously reported the bill number that would provide that authority. The bill number is Senate Bill 149, not 201.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Las Vegas officials seek state permission for light rail

State and local officials are laying the groundwork to build a multi-billion-dollar light rail system in Las Vegas

By ALISON NOON

The Associated Press

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP)  State and local government officials presented a legislative plan Tuesday laying the groundwork to build a multi-billion-dollar light rail system to link McCarran International Airport with the Las Vegas Strip.

For two years, members of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada have been drawing blueprints for the light rail and makeovers such as pedestrian bridges or wider sidewalks on the Strip. They're also considering high-capacity transit options to connect residential neighborhoods, college campuses, Sunrise Hospital and shopping hubs.

But they need the state's permission to fund or implement any plans.

The proposal heard in the Senate Transportation Committee would give local officials new authority to seek tax hikes or federal grants to finance an expanded portfolio of major transportation developments. Senate Bill 149 would also allow them to explore new technology, including self-driving cars.

Sen. Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, and a half-dozen transportation officials from across the state said Nevada is woefully behind other states in terms of helping residents and tourists navigate metropolitan areas.

"If we can lead in the travel and tourism industry  and who can dispute that, accommodating more than 42 million visitors a year  I find it hard to believe our community cannot come together to help build a world-class transportation system," Manendo said.

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His bill primarily intends to facilitate buildout in Las Vegas, but it is not limited to Clark County. It would also knock down some hurdles to expand public transit in Reno and elsewhere.

Nevada law currently limits regional transportation commissions to organizing "fixed guideway" systems, which exclude the high-capacity systems including railways being considered in Las Vegas. It's also unclear whether RTCs can autonomously secure funding for those high-capacity transportation systems.

RTC of Southern Nevada spokeswoman Angela Castro said that could affect their chances of winning certain federal grants, should any become available.

"Everybody is waiting to see what the federal government does in terms of transportation infrastructure investments," Castro said.

President Donald Trump campaigned on investing massively in transportation infrastructure as part of his pitch for new jobs. He has backed away from the pitch in interviews since winning the White House and has not proposed a specific funding plan.

Tina Quigley, general manager of the RTC of Southern Nevada, said she and a group of more than 30 other transportation experts based portions of SB149 on the light rail systems and transportation authorities in Denver, Phoenix, San Diego and Salt Lake City. Notably, she said, they drew from those states the need to very clearly define that regional transportation authorities have the jurisdiction to pursue mass transit systems.

The Las Vegas infrastructure plans are far from finalized. Quigley's commission estimated in December they could cost as much as $26 billion altogether. The light rail alone could cost up to $12.5 billion and could take 20-30 years to plan and build.
The Latest on legal challenges to the Trump administration's revised travel ban (all times Pacific unless noted):

3:30 p.m.

A federal judge in Seattle said after a hearing that he will issue a written order about whether to block President Donald Trump's revised travel ban but didn't say when he would make his decision.

Judge James Robart told lawyers for an immigrant rights group and for the Justice Department that he's most interested in whether the ban violates federal immigration law, and whether affected immigrants would be irreparably harmed should the ban go into effect.

The judge spent much of the Wednesday hearing grilling the lawyers about two seemingly conflicting federal laws on immigration  one which gives the president the authority to keep any class of aliens out of the country, and another that forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of nationality when it comes to issuing immigrant visas.

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2:55 p.m.

Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin says he's cautiously optimistic that a federal judge will rule in the state's favor and issue an injunction against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban before it goes into effect.

Chin spoke at a news conference Wednesday after U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson heard arguments regarding the injunction request.

The judge said he would issue a ruling before the ban is scheduled to go into effect at 9:01 p.m. PDT Wednesday.

Chin wasn't the only state attorney general at the hearing.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is in Honolulu for a conference, and sat in to hear the case. Oregon filed a brief supporting Hawaii's lawsuit.

Rosenblum says it's helpful that challenges to the travel ban are being held in so many jurisdictions, with the hope that at least one judge will issue a temporary restraining order.

Other hearings were held Wednesday in federal courts in Maryland and Washington state challenging the ban.

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2:15 p.m.

A hearing on President Donald Trump's revised travel ban is underway in federal court in Seattle.

Judge James Robart began the session Wednesday by questioning a lawyer for the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project about two seemingly conflicting federal laws on immigration.

One gives the president the authority to keep any class of aliens out of the country, and another forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of nationality when it comes to issuing visas.

Attorney Matt Adams responded that while the law does give the president broad authority, Congress later clarified the law to say the government can't discriminate on the basis of nationality any more than it could bar people based on their race.

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2 p.m.

A federal judge in Hawaii is considering a request to issue a temporary restraining order against the revised travel ban ordered by President Donald Trump.

U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson says he will issue a written order by 9:01 p.m. PDT, when Trump's executive order is set to take effect.

Watson made the statement Wednesday after hearing arguments by both sides in the case.

The ban blocks new visas for people from six predominantly Muslim countries and temporarily halts the U.S. refugee program.

Hawaii was the first state to file a lawsuit challenging the revised ban.

Its motion for a restraining order contends the ban discriminates on the basis of national origin.

The state also argues that the ban would prevent Hawaii residents from receiving visits from relatives in the six mostly Muslim countries covered by the ban.

The government says Hawaii's concerns are speculation.

More than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban.

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4:45 p.m.

A Justice Department attorney is arguing that there's no need for a judge in Hawaii to issue an emergency restraining order against the revised travel ban issued by President Donald Trump.

Jeffrey Wall of the Office of the Solicitor General said during a hearing Wednesday that plaintiffs have said little about harm from the ban that was not speculative.

He said Hawaii is making generalized allegations.

Wall said if the judge is inclined to issue an injunction, it shouldn't be nationwide and should be tailored to the claims raised by Hawaii.

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1:25 p.m.

Washington state has filed a backup motion in an effort to keep President Donald Trump's revised travel ban from taking effect as scheduled Thursday.

In a new court filing Wednesday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said the state supports the arguments made in a related case filed by an immigrant rights group based in Seattle that alleges the ban discriminates against Muslims and violates federal immigration law.

U.S. District Judge James Robart is hearing arguments in that case later in the day.

Ferguson said Robart should consider Washington state's new emergency motion for a temporary restraining order if he doesn't see fit to issue an order in the case by the rights group or to rule immediately on a prior motion by Washington state.

The Justice Department says Trump's action is a lawful exercise of presidential authority.

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1:15 p.m.

The state of Hawaii says an imam from Honolulu has legal standing to assert the First Amendment claim of religious discrimination when challenging President Donald Trump's revised travel ban.

Hawaii's case for a temporary restraining order to block the ban is being heard Wednesday in federal court in Honolulu.

The judge told lawyers that he is more interested in constitutional claims and wanted to know who had such standing in the lawsuit.

Attorney Colleen Roh Sinzdak says a Muslim plaintiff in the lawsuit, Ismail Elshikh, has such standing to challenge the ban. Elshikh says the ban prevents his mother-in-law, who lives in Syria, from visiting family in Hawaii.

Sinzdak says Elshikh and all Muslim residents in Hawaii face higher hurdles in reuniting with family members because of their faith.

She says that harm applies to all residents, not just Muslims.

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3:15 p.m. EDT

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin has arrived in a Honolulu federal courtroom, ready to challenge President Donald Trump's revised travel ban.

Chin arrived about 30 minutes before the start of Wednesday's hearing as legal efforts to overturn the ban now shift to Honolulu.

Chin's lawsuit claims the ban harms Hawaii by highlighting the state's dependence on international travelers, its ethnic diversity and its welcoming reputation as the Aloha State.

Hawaii's lawsuit includes a Muslim plaintiff, Ismail Elshikh, the imam of a Honolulu mosque. He says the ban prevents his mother-in-law, who lives in Syria, from visiting family in Hawaii.

In response, the Justice Department says Hawaii's claims are mere speculation.

It's not clear when U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson will rule on the state's request for a temporary restraining order.

Attorneys from the Washington, D.C., law firm Hawaii has hired will participate by phone. Justice Department attorneys are also phoning in for the hearing.

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12:30 p.m. EDT

Legal efforts to overturn President Donald Trump's travel ban now shift to Honolulu, where a hearing will be held later Wednesday.

The lawsuit claims the ban harms Hawaii by highlighting the state's dependence on international travelers, its ethnic diversity and its welcoming reputation as the Aloha State.

Hawaii's lawsuit includes a Muslim plaintiff, Ismail Elshikh, the imam of a Honolulu mosque. He says the ban prevents his mother-in-law, who lives in Syria, from visiting family in Hawaii.

In response, the Justice Department says Hawaii's claims are mere speculation.

It's not clear when U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson will rule on the state's request for a temporary restraining order.

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin plans to argue before the court, but attorneys from the Washington, D.C., law firm Hawaii has hired will participate by phone. Justice Department attorneys are also expected to phone in for the hearing.

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11:50 a.m. EDT

A federal judge in Maryland says he will issue a ruling in a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's revised travel ban.

However, U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang did not promise that he would rule before the ban takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. He also said Wednesday he may issue a narrow ruling that does not address the ban nationwide.

The lawsuit in Maryland was filed by the ACLU and other groups representing immigrants and refugees, as well as some individual plaintiffs. They argue banning travel from six majority-Muslim countries is unconstitutional discrimination on the basis of religion. They also say it's illegal for Trump to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half.

Government lawyers argued the ban was revised significantly to address legal concerns and no longer singles out Muslims.

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11:20 a.m. EDT

The Seattle federal judge who blocked President Donald Trump's original travel ban will hear a challenge to the new order by an immigrant rights group.

U.S. District Judge James Robart will hear arguments Wednesday in the lawsuit brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The group says the new version of the travel ban discriminates against Muslims and raises the same legal issues as the original.

Robart also is overseeing the legal challenge brought by Washington state. He also issued the order halting nationwide implementation of the first ban. Among the plaintiffs in the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project case is a legal permanent resident who has been trying to bring her 16-year-old son from war-torn Syria.

The Trump administration says it believes its revised order is legal. The travel ban is scheduled to go into effect next Thursday.

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10:50 a.m. EDT

Airbnb, Lyft and Wikimedia are among 58 technology companies backing a lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration's revised travel ban from taking effect.

The tech companies signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief filed in federal court on Tuesday claiming the White House's planned travel restrictions "would inflict significant and irreparable harm on U.S. businesses and their employees, stifling the growth of the United States' most prominent industries."

The filing supported a legal challenge from the state of Hawaii, which is trying to derail Trump's executive order affecting travelers from six Muslim-majority nations.

The tech companies signed onto the new brief also include Kickstarter, Dropbox Inc., Electronic Arts, Meetup, Pintrest, Square and TripAdvisor. Last month, nearly 100 tech companies signed a similar amicus brief opposing Trump's first proposed travel ban.

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9:30 a.m. EDT

Virginia's attorney general is supporting Hawaii's lawsuit against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban.

Attorney General Mark Herring said in a statement Tuesday that he joined 13 other attorneys general in filing an amicus brief Monday in the District Court for Hawaii. Hawaii has asked for a temporary restraining order blocking the enforcement of the revised travel ban. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday.

The attorneys general argue that the revised ban retains the unconstitutional components of the original order, including a broad ban on entry by nationals from several predominantly Muslim countries and a suspension of the refugee program.

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2:15 a.m. EDT

A Maryland judge is scheduled to hold a hearing on a lawsuit stemming from President Donald Trump's travel ban.

Several individuals and groups including the American Civil Liberties Union originally filed the lawsuit in February over the initial ban, which was blocked in court and later revised. On Wednesday, the groups will be asking a Maryland judge to issue an order that would keep the revised ban from taking effect. It's scheduled to take effect Thursday.

A federal judge in Hawaii has also scheduled a hearing Wednesday on the revised ban.

In Maryland, the groups are arguing that the revised ban has the same legal flaws as Trump's first executive order.
CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago's top judge announced a new program Tuesday to enable quick and free access to an attorney for people arrested in the city, where police have long been dogged by a reputation for civil rights violations and helping convict innocent people.

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said his order will mean arrestees won't have to wait until they make their first court appearance to speak to a lawyer, which is what happens in the vast majority of cases in the county that encompasses the nation's third largest city.

"Everybody deserves access to justice," Evans said in a statement. "They should always have the opportunity to speak with an attorney before talking to anybody else."

The order follows a review by First Defense Legal Aid, a nonprofit attorneys' group that determined less than 1 percent of people arrested by Chicago police last year were visited by a lawyer in a police station. The group recorded 838 such visits, out of 86,677 arrests.

Greg Hurley, an analyst and attorney with the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit focused on improving state judicial systems, said he had not heard of a similar program in any other state court system. He said at the very least, the program is unusual.

He said such an initiative is important, particularly for young people and anyone who "might not have a strong mental capacity and are able to recognize their rights." Hurley, whose specialties include indigent defense, said people are frightened when arrested, and he noted even innocent people can offer incriminating information to police.

Under Evan's order, attorneys from the organization and the Cook County public defender's office will send attorneys to police stations or designate a volunteer private attorney to do so at the public defender's office request. However, the order doesn't guarantee a lawyer will be dispatched in every case.

No cost estimate was provided by the judge or First Defense, which already provides free legal representation to people in Chicago police custody. First Defense issued a statement calling on private attorneys to volunteer to be dispatched to police stations, hospitals, schools and other places where people may be taken into police custody. The order says the program takes effect immediately.

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The Chicago Police Department didn't immediately return messages seeking comment on the program.

But the initiative won praise from the county's top prosecutor, State's Attorney Kim Foxx, who was elected last year amid public anger over the way police and her predecessor handled the investigation into the 2015 death of Laquan McDonald. Video release a year after the black teenager's death showed he was holding a small knife and walking away from police when he was shot 16 times by a white Chicago police officer.

The Chicago Police Department also was criticized in a scathing U.S. Justice Department report late last year that concluded the department had a long history of civil rights violations and excessive force. The department has paid out more than $660 million on police misconduct cases since 2004, with some of the largest payouts stemming from cases involving men who were tortured into confessing to killings they didn't commit.

And in 2015, the city took a step typically reserved for nations making amends for slavery or genocide with an agreement to pay more than $5 million in "reparations" to victims of police torture.

Foxx said Evan's order "affirms the commitment of all the stakeholders in the justice system to ensuring that no one is denied their constitutional rights to counsel."
Paris (AFP) - France's presidential election campaign has been overshadowed by the scandal over suspected fake jobs for family members engulfing Republicans nominee Francois Fillon.

But the conservative candidate, who was charged Tuesday with misuse of public funds and other offences, is not the only one battling legal woes.

Following is a summary of the cases, great and small, ensnaring the main contenders:

- Francois Fillon -

The 63-year-old former premier is grappling with the most serious legal problems facing a presidential candidate in modern history following revelations in the French press in late January.

He is accused of misusing public money in respect to payments totalling 680,000 euros ($725,000) to his wife Penelope between 1986 and 2013 from funds made available to lawmakers for parliamentary assistants.

French MPs are allowed to employ family members but Fillon has failed so far to convince investigators that Penelope -- a low-key figure who had previously claimed to have little input into her husband's career -- earned her salary, which exceeded 10,000 euros a month in 2007.

He is also being investigated over payments to two of his children for acting as Senate assistants between 2005 and 2007 as well as payments to Penelope from a literary magazine owned by a billionaire friend of his, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere.

The staunch Catholic, who had campaigned as a man of integrity, has also been charged for failing to declare a 2013 interest-free loan of 50,000 euros from Ladreit de Lacharriere to a state transparency watchdog.

Fillon has since repaid the loan.

- Marine Le Pen -

Far-right leader Le Pen, 48, goes into the election with several investigations hanging over her party and her entourage.

One of her close friends and communications advisor, Frederic Chatillon, is accused of illegally funding the National Front's campaign in municipal, European and departmental polls in 2014 and 2015.

Chatillon already faces trial, along with two FN officials, over the party's 2012 general election campaign. The three are accused of setting up a scheme to overcharge for campaign expenses that were reimbursed by the state.

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More damaging are allegations that the eurosceptic FN siphoned-off money from Brussels to fund party expenses in France.

The European Parliament accuses the FN of defrauding it to the tune of some 340,000 euros ($360,000) by using funds for parliamentary assistants to pay Le Pen's personal assistant Catherine Griset and her bodyguard Thierry Legier for work back home.

Le Pen has furiously denied any wrongdoing, invoking her immunity as a member of the European Parliament in refusing to attend questioning by investigating magistrates.

Griset has been charged with breach of trust.

Le Pen is also being investigated by French prosecutors for distributing violent images after tweeting pictures of Islamic State atrocities.

Finally, tax authorities are looking into claims that Le Pen and her estranged father, former party leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, failed to declare the full value of family properties. A preliminary investigation has been launched.

- Emmanuel Macron -

The 39-year-old centrist independent has largely avoided scandal but could be tainted by the fallout from an investigation into possible favouritism over a 2016 event in Las Vegas at which he was the main speaker.

The glitzy event at the CES electronics fair was organised without a public tender by a unit within the economy ministry, then headed by Macron.

Public relations giant Havas was chosen to organise the event, which cost nearly 400,000 euros ($425,000), without bids being sought from other companies.

Macron's team says the investigation targets the event's organisers and not their man, who has been boosted by the scandal engulfing Fillon.

"My integrity is not in question," Macron himself said, adding that "what happened is in no way comparable" to being charged.

- Benoit Hamon -

Keen to show that no-one is above reproach, the National Front has drawn attention to a minor affair involving the mild-mannered Socialist candidate, Benoit Hamon.

Hamon, 49, was charged last year with making public insults for calling Nicolas Miguet, a little-known presidential candidate who was fined for conflict of interest in a business deal, a "crook".
Betsy Morgan is no stranger to the duties of provost.

Morgan has been the interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse twice, holding the title from 2011 to 2012 and since 2015 while the university conducted national searches to fill the position.

This time, she wont have to give up her role after UW-L faculty members and leadership chose her to take the role permanently.

UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow announced the decision in an email sent campuswide on Wednesday. Morgan succeeds former provost Heidi Macpherson who left after being named the president of College at Brockport, a State University of New York campus.

Morgan was one of five finalists on campus in the past several weeks as part of a national search.

In addition to serving as interim provost, Morgan has been the chair of the psychology department and member of the faculty in a career at UW-L that has spanned more than two decades. She earned her Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California at Irvine, and her undergraduate degree in psychology and womens studies from the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Our university will be very fortunate to benefit from her outstanding dedication and leadership skills, Gow said in his email.
Tripoli (AFP) - Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government seized the headquarters of a rival militia on Wednesday in a third day of intense fighting for control of Tripoli.

The capital has seen exchanges of rocket and artillery fire between unity government forces and a militia loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival parliaments and governments vying for influence and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

Since taking power from Ghweil's administration in March 2016, the Government of National Accord has secured the backing of powerful militias in the capital, but some districts remain outside its control.

Ghweil refuses to recognise the GNA's authority.

Overnight, government forces launched an assault on his headquarters in the Guest Palace, a complex of luxury villas in the city centre, and overran it after heavy fighting.

"It's over. Ghweil's forces have pulled out and GNA forces have taken control of the area," a witness told AFP.

A security source confirmed the militia's withdrawal, but had no immediate word on casualties.

It was the third straight day of fighting between government forces and the militia, who are mainly drawn from Ghweil's hometown, third city Misrata.

Gunfire and explosions were heard from multiple parts of the capital.

A rocket hit the Al-Khadhra Hospital without causing any casualties, a medic said.

Overnight, gunmen stormed the headquarters of Al-Nabaa television, a privately owned channel known for its Islamist leanings, witnesses said.

The channel remained off the air on Wednesday.

The fighting brought life in the capital to a standstill, with shops shuttered and school closed.

- 'Outlaw groups' -

UN envoy Martin Kobler on Tuesday tweeted an appeal for an "immediate ceasefire", saying the fighting put civilians at "grave risk".

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Clashes erupted in the neighbourhoods of Hay al-Andalus and Gargaresh on Monday evening, prompting the government to deploy tanks.

Tripoli's GNA-allied police said security forces in Tripoli were battling "outlaw groups that are destabilising security and inciting chaos".

"It was our duty to eradicate them and fight them to stabilise the capital," they added.

The powerful militias of Misrata warned against attacks on their forces in Tripoli, saying they were ready to intervene to restore calm in the capital.

Nominally aligned with GNA forces, they have kept a distance from the most recent clashes in the capital, but their statement came after the arrest of some of their fighters there.

They called for the immediate release of everyone detained in Tripoli during the last two days.

Heavy fighting has also rocked the east of Libya where forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar announced their recapture of two key oil ports on Tuesday.

Haftar's forces mounted a day-long assault by land, sea and air to retake the ports of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra which had been seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.

Haftar and his ally, Libya's elected parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk, are hostile to the GNA, the result of a 2015 UN-backed deal.

They accuse the GNA of supporting the Benghazi Defence Brigades, a group including Islamist fighters which seized the oil ports in early March. The GNA denies any connection to fighting in the east.

The clashes in Tripoli are "the result of the abysmal failure by the GNA and the international community to implement the security arrangements in the Libyan Political Agreement," analyst Mohamed Eljarh of the Atlantic Council told AFP.

"None of the arrangements set out in the agreement was implemented on the ground in Tripoli," making military escalation and violence "the only viable option that can address the problem of militias and insecurity in the capital," he said.
BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Libya's eastern parliament said on Wednesday it supported ending a deal to unify the country's National Oil Corporation (NOC), a day after eastern forces recaptured major oil ports from a rival faction. The fighting for control of the ports in Libya's Oil Crescent, a strip of coast southwest of Benghazi, has raised fears of an escalation of violence and a reversal for the OPEC member state's efforts to revive its oil output. The statement from the parliament's energy committee urged the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) to hand over the ports of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf as soon as it had fully secured them, without saying who they should be handed to. The LNA originally seized Es Sider, Ras Lanuf and two other terminals in September, handing them to the NOC in Tripoli and allowing Libya's oil production to more than double. That move followed a deal in July to unify the Tripoli NOC with a rival NOC in the eastern city of Benghazi. Until the recent fighting over the ports between the LNA and the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB), the LNA had continued to allow oil to be exported under the authority of Tripoli even though the NOC unification deal had stalled. The parliament statement, coupled with the withdrawal of the NOC Benghazi head from the unification deal, appeared to signal that eastern-based factions may try to leverage their military control over the ports and other oil facilities. Prior to the NOC unification deal, attempts by eastern authorities to manage oil operations independently of the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli had been blocked by international sanctions that remain in place. The statement from the eastern parliament said it supported a withdrawal from the NOC unification deal partly because the NOC headquarters had not been moved to Benghazi, as agreed. "We inform everyone of the end of the agreement by which the oil ports were handed over to the so-called unified NOC," the parliament statement said. An LNA spokesman said on Tuesday that a decision on who should control the oil ports would not be taken immediately, and that the head of the Benghazi NOC would inspect them. National oil production dipped by about 100,000 barrels to some 600,000 bpd after the BDB attacked the ports on March 3. On Wednesday, LNA officials said they were continuing air strikes against the BDB a day after forcing them from the ports. The LNA accuses political rivals based in western Libya of supporting the BDB. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli; writing by Aidan Lewis; editing by David Clarke)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A look at the civil trial over the U.S. Army Corps' stewardship of the Missouri River and landowner claims that the agency's decisions have contributed to devastating floods.

WHAT'S ALLEGED: Several hundred landowners named in the class-action lawsuit filed in 2014 allege in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims that the Army Corps has deemphasized flood control along the Missouri and put more emphasis on habitat restoration, leading to more flooding. The plaintiffs also insist the Corps unconstitutionally deprived them of their land, essentially taking it without compensation.

THE CORPS' STANCE: The federal government argues in court filings that authorities never promised to stop all flooding along the 2,341-mile-long Missouri, and that the Corps' providing habitat for endangered species didn't exacerbate the inundation six years ago. Officials have said the Corps balances flood control and an array of other potential uses of the river, including shipping, recreation and hydropower.

THE TRIAL: The trial began March 6 in Kansas City, Missouri, and will shift in late April to Washington, D.C., with no decision expected at least until summer, at the earliest.

THE JUDGE: The presiding judge  Nancy Firestone, a former federal prosecutor appointed to the claims court in 1998  served in the late 1990s as a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice's environment and natural resources division after holding top positions in the Environmental Protection Agency, including as a judge of its environmental appeals board. She has Missouri connections, having gotten a bachelor's degree from St. Louis' Washington University and a law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - German airline group Lufthansa and pilots' union Cockpit said Wednesday they had struck a new deal to end a years-long battle over pay, pensions and jobs.

Under the agreement, 5,400 pilots flying for Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo, and low-cost subsidiary Germanwings will enjoy a salary increase of 11.4 percent over a period from May 2012 to June 2022.

The airlines will also pay flight crew a one-off bonus of 1.8 months' salary.

In return, pilots have accepted a gradual increase in their retirement age and change in their pension system to one in which their retirement payout is directly determined by the amount they have contributed monthly throughout their careers.

Executives and union representatives had agreed in February on a mediator's suggestion of an 8.7-percent increase in salary by 2019 and a 5,000-6,000 bonus for each pilot.

But the two sides continued their talks on other questions, including the vexed pension issue.

Cockpit said in a statement Wednesday that the latest deal would guarantee "structurally sustainable improved flight crew costs" -- in exchange for Lufthansa's agreement to keep at least 325 aircraft flying until mid-2022 using pilots covered by the bargain.

The comprehensive deal was "a great opportunity to bring a peaceful end to the years-long battle," union board member Joerg Handwerg said.

Repeated pilot walkouts in 2014 and 2015 cost Lufthansa 351 million euros, the firm says, with a further 100-million-euro tab for a week-long walkout last November that seriously disrupted traffic.

"The path to this result exacted a heavy toll from everyone involved -- but, in the interests of Lufthansa, our employees, customers, and shareholders, it was worth it," said Lufthansa personnel chief Bettina Volkens in a statement.
One of the world's leading wine trade shows has announced plans to host its first event in the US next year, to cater to the largest wine-consuming nation in the world.

Vinexpo, which alternates between Bordeaux and Hong Kong every year, will be held in New York for two days in March of 2018, and is set to attract major wine players from around the world eager to get in on a market that shows no signs of slowing.

The US has maintained its lock as the largest wine market in the world since 2010. The year 2016 marked the 24th consecutive year of growth for US wine sales reaching $59 billion USD in sales, to represent a 4 percent increase over 2015, says Vinexpo.

It's estimated that about a third (36 percent) of US adults drink wine, and nearly 40 percent say they drink wine weekly.

"The time is right to bring Vinexpo to the U.S. market, which leads the world in wine consumption and whose influence only continues to grow," said Guillaume Deglise, CEO of Vinexpo in a statement.

The US edition will be held in the Javits Center' 45,000-square-foot River Pavilion and feature tastings, conferences, master classes and networking events.

Though the US may lead the world's wine market now, China is closing the gap, with recent figures showing that the Asian giant is poised to leapfrog from fourth position now, to second place after the US by 2020.

The 2017 edition of Vinexpo, meanwhile, is set to return to Bordeaux this year and attract 48,000 trade visitors and 2,300 exhibitors from 151 countries.

Vinexpo also hosts a bi-annual event in Tokyo.

Vinexpo New York is set for March 5 -6, 2018.
NEW DELHI (AP)  Police in the Indian beach state of Goa on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with the death of an Irish tourist.

A local criminal was detained and was being questioned about the death of Danielle McLaughlin, said police superintendent Sammy Tavares.

Her body was found a day earlier by a farmer on an isolated beach near Canacona village.

The woman suffered injuries to her head and face, prompting police to launch a murder investigation, Tavares told reporters.

Police were waiting for the results of an autopsy and had informed McLaughlin's relatives from County Donegal in Ireland.

The southwestern beach resort state of Goa is a popular destination among tourists visiting India.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis.  It began with 20-year-old Damian A. Stauffer taking a shower while wearing clothes.

It ended after, prosecutors say, with Stauffer breaking an arm bone of a three year old boy, repeatedly striking an Eau Claire Police officer, stealing and then crashing a police car, repeatedly shrugging off the effects of a Taser and pepper spray, and then being shot with a non-lethal bean bag round.

A criminal complaint filed in Chippewa County Court on Tuesday detailed what prosecutors say was a night Stauffer rampaged through a portion of the city of Eau Claire thats in Chippewa County.

Stauffer faces nine charges from the March 6 events, including physical abuse of a child-intentionally causing bodily harm; attempted robbery with use of force; burglary, battery to a law enforcement officer, vehicle theft; attempted disarming a police officer; second degree recklessly endangering safety; resisting an officer; and obstructing an officer.

Stauffer, whose address is listed as the 3300 block of Runway Avenue, is under a $25,000 cash bond.

According to a criminal complaint:

A relative said Stauffer took a shower with all of his clothes on and then took the three-year-old boy before running out of Stauffers home. A mother later got the three-year-old back, and the child was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System-Eau Claire for treatment of a broken humerus bone, a long bone in the upper arm.

A police officer was called to another residence in the 3300 block of Runway Avenue, and was told Stauffer forced his way into that residence and fought a man who lived there. Stauffer demanded the mans car keys. The man said no and eventually was able to grab Stauffer and fling him out the door.

An officer in a squad car in an alley in the 3300 block of Runway Avenue said a man wearing a wet orange sweatshirt was charging at him at full speed. The officer was hit in the face. Stauffer opened the drivers side door of the squad car and pulled the officer out of the car. Once the officer was outside of the vehicle, Stauffer straddled the officer and punched him several times. The officer was able to kick Stauffer off of him and used his Taser on Stauffer with no affect. Stauffer was able to get on top of the officer and attempted to pull a knife that was in the officers vest. The officer fended that off, but Stauffer was able to get inside the squad car and floored the gas pedal.

The car crashed in the alley near the 3000 block of Runway Avenue. After the officers used pepper spray, Stauffer left the vehicle but would not follow the officers commands to show his hands and lie on the ground. It appeared that Stauffer was trying to get back inside the squad car, which had a rifle and shotgun inside. Thats when he was shot with the bean bag round in the upper portion of his thigh.

Stauffer will return to court at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 26. His bond was continued Tuesday by Judge Steve Gibbs.
By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) - - More than four in five stroke patients with a history of heart rhythm problems didnt get any blood thinners, or didnt take enough to help prevent a stroke before they had one, a U.S. study suggests. Most strokes occur when a clot blocks an artery carrying blood to the brain, known as an ischemic stroke. The study focused on more than 94,000 stroke patients with atrial fibrillation, an irregular rapid heartbeat that can lead to stroke, heart failure and chronic fatigue. Before their stroke, just 16 percent of these atrial fibrillation patients were taking adequate doses of older anticoagulants, which are also known as blood thinners, such as heparin or warfarin (Coumadin) that lengthen the time it takes for clots to form in the blood or of newer anticoagulants like dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) or apixaban (Eliquis). Atrial fibrillation patients not taking anticoagulants or taking inadequate anticoagulants are at high risk for stroke, said lead study author Dr. Ying Xian, a neurology researcher at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. Even in rare cases where therapeutic anticoagulation failed to prevent a stroke, patients who were taking (newer anticoagulants) or warfarin were 35 to 44 percent less likely to experience severe stroke, 21 to 25 percent less likely to die, and 40 to 50 percent more likely to function independently after a stroke, Xian added by email. In atrial fibrillation, electrical impulses in the upper chambers of the heart are chaotic, causing that part of the heart muscle to quiver rather than contracting normally. As a result, blood doesnt move as well to the hearts lower chambers. This can lead to the formation of clots that can then travel through the arteries. Atrial fibrillation patients have up to seven times the stroke risk of people without the disorder. Atrial fibrillation makes stroke up to five times more likely, and accounts for up to 15 percent of all ischemic strokes. To see how often atrial fibrillation patients received blood thinners to avert clots, Xian and colleagues examined data on patients hospitalized for stroke from 2012 to 2015 in one of 1,622 hospitals participating in the American Heart Association and American Stroke Associations Get With the GuidelinesStroke program. Patients were about 80 years old on average and more than half were women. Roughly 40 percent of patients got antiplatelet therapy like aspirin instead of anticoagulants before their strokes and 30 percent were taking no anticlotting therapy, researchers report in JAMA. The possibility of side effects may partly explain the limited use of blood thinners. Long-term use of the older blood thinner warfarin, for example, can increase the risk of severe bleeding, and its inconvenient because it requires frequent lab tests and check-ups to ensure that patients have the right dose. Newer anticoagulants are associated with fewer serious bleeding complications than warfarin but can have serious complications like severe heartburn, nausea or vomiting. One limitation of the study is that it lacked a control group of atrial fibrillation patients who didnt have a stroke, the authors note. It also wasnt an experiment designed to prove that certain therapies can directly prevent stroke. Still, the findings suggest that as many as 88,000 strokes might be prevented each year if people with atrial fibrillation took recommended doses of anticoagulants, Xian said. While some of the patients in this registry study may have had legitimate reasons to avoid antithrombotic therapy, this extremely low application rate of effective treatment to prevent stroke is disconcerting, said Dr. Samuel Wann, a cardiologist at Ascension Health in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A lot of work is still needed in order to get with the guidelines, Wann, who wasnt involved in the study, said by email. Lack of awareness is part of the problem, said Dr. Jonathan Hsu, a heart specialist at the University of California, San Diego, who wasnt involved in the study. Although an oral anticoagulant is a feared medication to be prescribed because of the risk of bleeding, many studies have shown that the improvement in stroke risk reduction far outweighs the bleeding risk in the grand majority of atrial fibrillation patients, Hsu said by email. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2eRKuCu JAMA, online March 14, 2017.
Facing tighter profit margins, the chief executive of the Mayo Clinic recently told his employees that the prestigious health system will prioritize the care of privately insured patients over those on Medicare and Medicaid.

That bold pronouncement by Dr. John Noseworthy  made in a speech to employees late last year  reflects the growing unease among hospital executives who are watching profits shrink due to steady increases in the number of government-insured patients. Medicaid, whose enrollment has increased dramatically under the Affordable Care Act, traditionally pays hospitals significantly less than commercial insurers.

Were asking  if the patient has commercial insurance, or [if] theyre Medicaid or Medicare patients and theyre equal, that we prioritize the commercial insured patients enough so  we can be financially strong at the end of the year, Noseworthy said.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported his comments Wednesday.

The policy is being implemented at an uncertain time for hospital finances, with many executives concerned that the GOPs plan to replace Obamacare could cause people to lose both private and public insurance coverage, forcing hospitals to absorb more uncompensated care.

But those pressures  and Noseworthys statement  predate the current debate over the law.

There is this thought that hospitals treat whoever comes to their door, but this is a statement that lays out what happens, said Christine Spencer, a health economist at the University of Baltimore. Its a surprise to hear it out loud like that, but hospitals, probably for decades, have engaged in these more subtle attempts to get privately insured patients over Medicaid or the uninsured.

As a top hospital system, Mayo stands to lose big on the spread between public and private insurance reimbursement from those sources, said Harold Miller, chief executive of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. The health systems market power gives it the ability to charge more for its services and command high payments from commercial insurers, a clout it cant wield with the federal government. So, he said, in prioritizing those commercially insured patients, it is following the money.

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Its a very lucrative thing for them to do, said Miller. While it makes sense from business perspective, he said, it doesnt help to solve the underlying problem of Americas sky-high medical costs. True leadership would be to figure out how to deliver high-quality services at the lowest cost possible, Miller said. If institutions are simply going to say, Im not going to serve patients unless I get paid more, thats only contributing to the problem.

Mayo representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Health care leaders talk with Trump about the VA, Obamacare, and costs

The hunt for higher-paying patients plays out in all sorts of ways, experts said. A medical center may locate its satellite offices and target their advertising in wealthier suburbs. Hospitals might reduce emergency room services so they do not have to handle the chronic yet untreated issues  such as diabetes or high blood pressure  that regularly bring people without insurance to the hospital.

Mayos policy would not apply to emergency care and Noseworthy said that Mayo will continue to take all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. He said the change would affect only a small number of patients, and only in circumstances when government-insured individuals and those with private coverage are seeking care for similar medical problems at the same time.

Mayo operates facilities in Minnesota, Arizona and Florida, and has reported increases in unreimbursed costs related to Medicaid patients in recent years. The disparity in payments between commercial and government insurers has grown wider under the Affordable Care Act, which reduced Medicare reimbursements and instituted penalties for readmissions and poor quality. It also changed the mix of patients hospitals see by increasing the number of Medicaid patients. In Minnesota, the Medicaid rolls have expanded by 300,000 people.

While having more paying patients is generally a good thing for hospitals, it can also exert financial pressure on hospitals that serve high numbers of Medicaid patients, because government reimbursements are lower and do not cover all billable costs. Experts said the gap between public and private reimbursement is ripe for public discussion.

Noseworthy said in his comments to employees that a recent 3.7 percent increase in Medicaid patients was a tipping point for Mayo. If we dont grow the commercially insured patients, we wont have income at the end of the year to pay our staff, pay the pensions, and so on, he said, so were looking for a really mild or modest change of a couple percentage points to shift that balance.

Even if Noseworthys statement was a hot-mic moment of honesty, Daniel Polsky, a health economist at the University of Pennsylvania, said it doesnt mean he and Mayo should be chastised for their strategy.

I dont think they should be shamed for saying it, he said. I think there should be some public discussion about whether elite systems such as Mayo should provide equal access to all payer types. I dont know the answer to that, but its a reasonable debate.

Despite the increase in publicly insured patients, Mayo has still generated significant profits. Its income jumped to $612 million in 2013. Last year, however, income dipped to $475 million, translating to an operating margin of 4.3 percent.
Moscow (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin set to cover the crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

Putin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said "a date has been agreed" but did not give any more details on the visit, state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the outlet that the visit would be announced "simultaneously" by Moscow and Berlin and that discussions would "of course" cover Ukraine.

The visit will be Merkel's first to the country in nearly two years after she last came to Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2015.

Merkel has been the main mediator with Putin over the crisis in Ukraine that has seen Moscow seize the Crimea region and back a separatist insurgency in the east of the country.

A peace plan brokered by France and Germany in February 2015 to end the conflict in Europe's backyard has stalled and bloody clashes continue regularly along the frontline.
The Southern California woman cops say is seen in surveillance footage as she allegedly abandoned her daughter at a grocery store has been identified and arrested.

Riverside PD says Chiengkham "Cindy" Vilaysane left her 2-year-old daughter at a Food 4 Less store Sunday evening. On Monday, the department released footage of the alleged abandonment before making Vilaysane's name and driver's license photo public Tuesday.

Watch: Adoptive Mom Abandons Baby In Hospital After Being Born with Rare Condition

Hours after she was identified, a bank teller in Riverside recognized the 31-year-old from news reports and alerted authorities.

Vilaysane was arrested at the bank and later questioned by detectives. She's since been booked on charges of child abandonment and endangerment, Riverside police Det. Paul Miranda said.

Miranda told CBS LA that family members told investigators Vilaysane was recently kicked out of her home because she had problems with drugs and alcohol abuse, as well as mental issues.

"The little girl is in good health good spirits, shes a little shaken up by whats been going on," Det. Paul Miranda said. She has since been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

On Monday, Riverside police released footage taken Sunday evening that shows an adult woman enter a Food 4 Less in Riverside with her 2-year-old daughter.

While inside the store, the toddler wandered off, but cops say the mother never sought out the childs whereabouts and continued shopping.

Watch: Mariah Carey's Ailing Sister Begs for Her Help: 'Please Don't Abandon Me'

When the mother was shopping, a good Samaritan brought the child to her and the mother responded, Oh, just leave her. The mother deserted the toddler after paying for the groceries, according to a release from Riverside police.

"It appears the toddler was intentionally left in the store by the mother. The small child was able to identify the woman as her mommy when she was shown a photo from the surveillance footage," the statement said.

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Watch: Father Arrested for Leaving 5-Year-Old Daughter Alone at Night in the Cold

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The death of a Miami teen who killed herself as video livestreamed on social media may have been watched by her own mother, the Florida Department of Children and Families alleged in a report.

Naika Venant, 14, broadcast on Facebook Live as she took her life on January 22, killing herself during the three-hour video, investigators wrote in their report, which was released Monday.

"In the days leading up to Naikas suicide, the teen expressed sadness to... her case manager over the fact that her mother told her that she didnt want her back and that Naika was going to age out of the foster care system," the report said.

"However, she appeared upbeat and happy and expressed plans for the future, it continued, noting she spoke of graduating from high school and attending college.

During her livestream, viewers pleaded with Naika to reconsider and shared words of sympathy, others encouraged her to follow through on killing herself and some voiced skepticism about the videos legitimacy, the report said.

Naika hanged herself in her foster homes bathroom, officials said.

Read: Cops Investigate What Led to 12-Year-Old Girl's Suicide as They Plead for Death Video's Removal

In the report, authorities claimed Venants mother, identified in the report as Gina Caze, but who called herself Gina Alexis on social media and to reporters, watched the livestream for nearly two hours.

They also alleged someone using her mothers Facebook profile wrote: #ADHD games played u sad little DCF custody jit, a derogatory slang word used when referring to a young person who thinks they are cooler than they are.

Thats why u where u at for this dumb s*** n more u keep crying wolf u dead u will get buried life goes on after a jit that doesnt listen to there (sic) parents trying to be grown seeking boys and girls attention instead of books, the post allegedly continued.

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Naika spent a total of 28 months in foster care between January 2009 and 2017, officials said.

The report alleges Naika had a history of sexual and physical abuse and neglect, writing that when she was 11, Naika disclosed her mother would often beat her, kick her, and slap her across the face.

Naika had been entered into foster care three times. The last time was after her mother relinquished custody of the teen in April 2016, citing that she had had it with her daughter and that she was no longer willing to care for her, DCF wrote.

Despite this, Naika reportedly continually expressed her desire to return home to her mother, who allegedly failed to comply with court orders to have weekly therapeutic visits with her daughter.

She failed to comply and, instead, would often have unsupervised contact with Naika through other means (e.g. social media), which often upset Naika, the report said. As the months progressed  the mother stopped cooperating with case management and she eventually expressed she had no desire for Naika to be reunified.

She made no effort to see her daughter on her birthday and even declined to see Naika for the Christmas holiday when the case manager was trying to arrange a visit between the two, citing that she had been drinking and smoking and wasnt in a presentable condition, the report continued. It wasnt until January 2017, however, when the mother expressed that Naika was yall problem and that she was not going to do anything else regarding her case.

In the days after Naika took her own life, her mother tearfully criticized DCF and the foster care system for failing to prevent her daughters death.

"I had trusted Floridas foster care people to care for my baby. Instead, she killed herself on Facebook," she said as she broke down, WSVN-TV reported.

And on social media, a woman claiming to be Naika's mother wrote on February 10: "The pain that I am feeling #cantsleep with knowing I won't hear your voice telling me when you happy or sad no more video chats ... Shopping for you knowing it's the last time signing papers for the last time seeing you like this for the last time the last nite nite kiss I didn't bring from Haiti for this result.. I lost my #1 friend my baby my #1 reason to live it's so hard without you... I love you to the moon and back princess.. R.I.P #NaikaVenant S.O.G #SaveOurGirls."

In a statement released to InsideEdition.com, Caze said DCFs report wrongfully places blame on me for the death of my daughter instead of accepting responsibility for the failures of the agencies that were supposed to protect her.

I did not witness the online suicide of my daughter, and I had no idea that it occurred until after she had passed away, Caze said. When I was first notified about the Facebook livestream, I was told it was a hoax.

She said that when she realized it might not have been a hoax, she desperately tried to find out what happened by calling the Center for Family and Child Enrichment (CFCE) case manager, the DCF hotline and local hospitals.

Jackson North [Medical Center] finally told me my daughter had been brought there, Caze said. I stand by my statement that the child welfare agencies serving my daughter totally failed her.

She alleged that Naika was raped in foster care when she was seven years old, and that during her last time in foster care, her daughter was placed into 14 different homes.

But none of them were therapeutically appropriate, she said. It is time that DCF and the agencies that were supposed to protect my daughter take responsibility for their own actions and for failing my daughter.

InsideEdition.com has also reached out to Cazes attorneys for comment.

Read: 14-Year-Old Girl Kills Herself In Front of Family After Being Cyberbullied

Investigators have not said whether Caze will be charged.

In a statement released to InsideEdition.com on Naikas death, DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said, There is little we can say that adequately describes the sorrow we still feel today from the loss of Naika. It is even more exacerbated by the information that was learned during the course of the CIRRT investigation  that this is a child who endured great trauma in her life and despite many service interventions, we were not able to put the pieces back together to prevent her from taking her own life in such a public forum.

There has been much work done in the child welfare system throughout the state, and in Miami-Dade County in recent years, but our work will never be done, he said. The findings outlined in the CIRRT present specific opportunities to make systemic improvements that will inform us and our partner agencies on how to better reach troubled kids.

Watch: Mom Posted Suicide Note on Facebook Before Killing Herself and Son

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How do you prove that something happened when the only testimony about the event comes from people who werent directly involved, and who may have been under duress at the time of their testimony?

Thats a question that confronts historians who study the story of Denmark Vesey, a black carpenter who bought his freedom after winning the lottery and then secretly plotted a slave rebellion in Charleston, S.C., in 1822. Though the rebellion never actually happened  a slave spilled the beans about it to authorities before it could happen  Vesey and 34 slaves, including some from the household of the states governor, were tried and executed for attempting to raise an insurrection.

However, because testimony about the plans for the revolt from Vesey himself cannot be found, historians have been left to draw conclusions about the event from the testimonies of people who knew him, leading modern-day scholars to question whether a detailed plan for such a rebellion even existed. (As with many investigations of conspiracies, experts are skeptical of the quality of and reliability of evidence, especially if it was extracted under stress.)

A new book out this week  The Denmark Vesey Affair: A Documentary History, edited by Douglas R. Egerton, Professor of History at Le Moyne College, and Robert L. Paquette, Professor of History at Hamilton College  aims to prove that even if the revolt itself didnt actually happen, the plot did exist, and that it was the most sophisticated collective plot against slavery in the U.S.

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The moment in time when the plot was hatched made sense, Egerton says. For one thing, in Veseys personal life, the moment was right. Since conspirators tend to be younger, and hes the equivalent of the village elder, the time had come to act or utterly give in, Egerton argues. Vesey also had children in slavery, and he wanted to lift their bondage.

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In addition, in 1820, the South Carolina legislature had passed a law requiring slaveowners to get approval from the state before they could free their slaves, making manumission more difficult. Egerton says that a number of principals in the Vesey plot were [also] motivated by debate around Missouris attempt to enter the union as a slave state or by the political situation down the Atlantic Coast in Haiti, where slavery did not exist and the government attracted free persons of color from the U.S. by promising them land. Given Charlestons busy harbor, residents would have had access to news from far and wide.

One of their pieces of evidence of the existence of the plot is a letter from the well-known abolitionist Lydia Maria Child to another well-known abolitionist, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, a Unitarian minister who supported John Browns attack on Harpers Ferry and led a black regiment during the Civil War. Higginson asked Childs for information on the history of slave rebellions for a series in The Atlantic, and she cited her interview with a free black man named Thomas Cilavan Brown, who was from Charleston and knew Vesey in both a personal and professional setting.

Heres what Brown told her:

He was a large, stout man. He was called the leader of the insurrection, and it was said arms were collected in his house. I was a carpenter and worked with Vesey who was also a carpenter; and I knew of his plan. I knew that several persons were in the habit of meeting at his house, who were afterward convicted and executed. I heard, at the time, of arms being buried in coffins, at Sullivans IslandIn the time of the insurrection, the slaves were tried in a small room, in the jail where they were confined. No colored person was allowed to go within two squares of the prison. Those two squares were filled with troops, 5,000 of whom were on duty day and night. I was told Vesey said, to those that tried him, that the work of insurrection would go on; but as none but white people were permitted to be present, I cannot tell whether he said it.

After the plot was revealed, the citys Emanuel Church, where Vesey was a congregant and leader, was burned to the ground and new black churches strictly forbidden, prompting authorities to build a fortress  now known as The Citadel  to deter future rebellions, as TIME has previously reported. (The church reopened after the war, but sadly returned to headlines more recently as the site of Dylann Roofs 2015 murder of nine Bible Study participants.)

Over the years, not only has there been controversy over whether Vesey plotted a rebellion, but also theres been controversy over how he should be remembered  most recently in 2014 when activists erected a life-size statue of Vesey in Charleston. To some, as one New York Times op-ed put it, he was an abolitionist, while to others he was a terrorist.

Paquette, however, argues that the Vesey affair should be remembered for its historical importance, instead, as it helped foment a political movement in the South: The Vesey Affair transformed politics in South Carolina, moving leaders like John C. Calhoun from qualified support for federal power to a states rights position that precipitates the nullification crisis, which was a prelude to the Civil War.
By Patrick Markey and Abdelaziz Boumzar MOSUL, Iraq, (Reuters) - Iraqi government forces killed the Islamic State commander of Mosul's Old City on Tuesday as the battle for the militants' last stronghold in Iraq focused on a bridge crossing the Tigris river. As fighting intensified on Tuesday after the previous day's heavy rains, civilians streamed out of western neighborhoods recaptured by the government, cold and hungry but relieved to be free of the militants' grip. IS snipers were slowing the advance of Interior Ministry Rapid Response units on the Iron Bridge linking western and eastern Mosul but the elite forces were still inching forward, officers said. Government forces also pushed into areas of western Mosul, Islamic State's last redoubt in the city that has been the de facto capital of their self-declared caliphate. Federal police killed the military commander of the Old City, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Ansary, during operations to clear Bab al-Tob district, a federal police officer said. With many IS leaders having already retreated from Mosul, Ansary's death comes as blow to the militants as they defend their shrinking area of control street-by-street and house-by-house. Capturing the Iron Bridge would mean Iraqi forces hold three of the five bridges in Mosul that span the Tigris, all of which have been damaged by the militants and U.S.-led air strikes. The southernmost two have already been retaken. "We are still moving toward the Iron Bridge. We are taking out snipers hiding in the surrounding building, we are still pushing for the Iron Bridge," Brigadier General Mahdi Abbas Abdullah of the Rapid Response force told Reuters. Near the Mosul Museum, Iraq forces used armored vehicles and tanks to attack snipers pinning down troops clearing areas around the bridge. An air strike targeting one Islamic State position hit a building, engulfing nearby troops in smoke and dust. Since starting the offensive in October, Iraqi forces with U.S.-led coalition support have retaken eastern Mosul and about 30 percent of the west from the militants, who are outnumbered but fiercely defending their last stronghold in Iraq. For much of Tuesday, the troops were within 100m (330 feet) of the bridge. "It's very key for our forces to secure the riverside and prevent Daesh militants from turning around our advancing forces," a Rapid Response spokesman said in the morning, using an Arab acronym for Islamic State. They expected to gain control of the Iron Bridge and the nearby area by the end of the day, he said. "Seizing the bridge will help further tighten the noose around Daesh fighters entrenched inside the old city," he said. HEAVY SHELLING The boom of shelling and heavy machinegun fire could be heard from the center of Mosul and helicopter gunships strafed the ground from above on Tuesday morning. Amid the combat, a steady stream of refugees trudged out of the western districts, carrying suitcases, bottles of water and other possessions. Some pushed children and sick elderly relatives in handcarts and wheelbarrows. Soldiers packed them into trucks on the Mosul-Baghdad highway to be taken to processing areas. Most left in the dark early morning hours or after the army recaptured their neighborhoods. Food had been scarce, they said. "We fled at 5 a.m. (0200 GMT) after the army had arrived. There has been a lot of shelling by Daesh," said Hamid Hadi, a teacher. "Mostly we've been eating water mixed with tomatoes." Ashraf Ali, a nurse who escaped with his wife and two children, said mortar rounds were falling as they fled. They took advantage of the army retaking their district to get out. "Daesh wanted us to move to their areas but we escaped when the army arrived," he said. As many as 600,000 civilians are caught with the militants inside Mosul, which Iraqi forces have effectively sealed off from the remaining territory that Islamic State controls in Iraq and Syria. The Iraqi forces include army, special forces, Kurdish peshmerga and Shi'ite militias. More than 200,000 Mosul residents have been displaced since the start of the campaign in October. The Ministry of Immigration and Displacement said on Tuesday that in recent days, almost 13,000 displaced people from western Mosul had been received seeking assistance and temporary accommodation each day. "Whenever we advance there are more people coming out," said one Iraqi officer directing refugee transport. "There are more people on this side of the city and people are trying to leave because there is no food and no supplies in their area." Losing Mosul would be a major strike against Islamic State. It is by far the largest city the militants have held since their leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself leader of a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria from a mosque in Mosul in the summer of 2014. (Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad, Writing by Angus MacSwan in Erbil, Editing by Ralph Boulton)
BLACK RIVER FALLS  The state Division of Criminal Investigation has ruled that Jackson County sheriffs deputies were justified when they shot and killed a highly intoxicated La Crosse man who had fired a rifle at them.

Obituary: Donovan P. Scheurich Sr. La Crosse  Donovan P. Scheurich Sr., 50, of La Crosse began his spiritual journey Wednesday

Donovan Scheurich Sr., 50, of La Crosse, was killed Jan. 25 after luring deputies to Black River Forest in the town of Millston.

Investigators determined that Scheurich had a blood-alcohol content of .332 and had THC in his system at the time of his death, and had told dispatchers on the phone: I dont want help, I want to die, and threatened to shoot himself. The BAC was more than four times the legal limit for drunken driving.

Jackson County Sheriff Duane Waldera and District Attorney Gerald Fox discussed results of the investigation Tuesday, including playing audio of the 911 call with Scheurich and video from deputy body cams.

The investigation cleared Sgt. Evan Mazur and deputies Michael Bartlett and Aaron Johnson, who were all put on administrative leave after the incident.

Scheurich had made multiple 911 calls on Jan. 25 that bounced between Monroe and Jackson counties. Millston is located near the county border.

Throughout the call, Scheurich sounded angry and paranoid that he was being traced, hanging up and calling back several times to try and thwart any tracking efforts.

He also threatened multiple times to start a shootout with the officers who had arrived.

Based on the recording of the call, he chose Black River Forest for the confrontation because I didnt come all the way out here to live. The whole point of this is to die.

About 25 minutes into his call, Scheurich fired the first shot. Deputies said they dont know in which direction Scheurich shot since deputies immediately took cover.

Officers tried to reason with Scheurich, but he remained aggressive and uncooperative.

Until that night, Waldera says the sheriffs office had little contact with Scheurich except for occasional calls for civil cases, but nothing to suggest he was violent.

Fox says that staying on the phone with dispatch was an incredibly invaluable tool in the DCI investigation because it recorded the entire interaction.

As deputies attempted to move toward Scheurich, he claimed to have night vision goggles that he could see them with and would hunt the officers down.

He also claimed to have TNT, but neither goggles nor explosives turned up in the investigation.

Deputies said Scheurich made statements during the call that he did not want to go back to the hospital, but they were not certain whether he was suffering from an illness.

Almost 30 minutes after the first shot was fired, Scheurich would again begin to aim his rifle at the officers  and thats when deputies fired at him.

Four of the 11 shots struck Scheurich, and deputies immediately attempted to resuscitate him.

EMT and a helicopter were called in to help, but he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The investigation determined that all officers complied fully policies and procedures.

This is obviously a tragedy, but it was justified, Fox said.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump paid $38 million in taxes on more than $150 million in income in 2005, the White House said on Tuesday, responding to an MSNBC report that the network had obtained two pages of the returns. MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said she received the documents from journalist David Cay Johnston, who said on her show that he received them in the mail. The returns, which MSNBC posted on its website, showed Trump paid an effective federal tax rate of 25 percent in 2005 after writing off $100 million in losses. The White House said in a statement that Trump took into account "large scale depreciation for construction." Trump has repeatedly refused to release his tax returns, drawing criticism throughout his campaign last year and speculation from his political rivals he was hiding something. A New York Times report in October said Trump, a New York real estate developer, declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns. The newspaper said the large tax deduction could have allowed him to avoid paying federal income taxes for up to 18 years. But the returns posted by MSNBC on Tuesday showed that he did pay taxes in 2005. The returns do not indicate whether he paid taxes in other years or how much he might have paid. The Washington Post reported last year that Trump paid no federal income taxes for at least two years in the late 1970s. The White House said in a statement on Tuesday that Trump, as head of the Trump Organization, had a responsibility "to pay no more tax than legally required." Presidents and major candidates for the White House have routinely released their income tax returns. Trump says he has not released his tax returns because they are under audit by the Internal Revenue Service. Experts say an IRS audit does not bar someone from releasing the documents. During a September presidential debate, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton criticized Trump, a Republican, for paying no federal income taxes. "That makes me smart," he responded. Trump has feuded with the media since his inauguration, often accusing it of promoting "fake news" intended to undermine his presidency. "The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans," the White House said on Tuesday. (Reporting by Eric Beech and Emily Stephenson; Editing by Lisa Shumaker, Leslie Adler and Michael Perry)
President Trump paid a roughly 25% effective tax rate in 2005, according to leaked tax returns made public Tuesday evening. Teased as an earth-shattering scoop by MSNBCs Rachel Maddow, the revelation was relatively modestproviding a glimpse of how Trump structured his tax burden but no information on how he actually earned his wealth. Trump is the first President in more than four decades not to have released his tax returns, and his aides signaled that he wont be reversing course anytime soon. The very real questions about Trumps taxes, the sources of his income, and his potential conflicts of interest arent dissipating either. But Tuesday nights anticipation and subsequent let-down proved to be a winning news cycle for the president.

Trump is back on the campaign trail Wednesday night, holding a campaign rally in Nashville. The trip comes as the President faces the question of how deeply to embrace the House Republican Obamacare replacement bill. Facing opposition from many in his own party, the bill is on thin ice just more than a week after its release. Trump could try to placate some of those concerns from the stage, or he could ignore the issue for a more Trump-focused (rather than agenda-focused) event.

Even House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes says there is no evidence that Trump was wiretapped in Trump Tower, as the president claimed in a series of inflammatory tweets earlier this month. We dont have any evidence that took place, Nunes said Wednesday. Its notable coming from Nunes, who has been one of the presidents staunchest Capitol Hill defenders.

Trump targets Obama mileage rule. Trump overrules his National Security Advisor. And Trump allies are plotting for when the House GOP bill fails.

Here are your must reads:

Must Reads

Donald Trumps 2005 Tax Return Reveals He Paid $38 Million in Taxes on $150 Income

Leaked document prompts confirmation from the White House [TIME]

Story continues

How Big Data Broke American Politics

It made it too easy to appeal to the extremes [NBC]

Steve Bannon and the Making of an Economic Nationalist

The controversial White House counselor says his fathers 2008 financial trauma helped crystallize his antiglobalist views and led to a political hardening [Wall Street Journal]

Ryans Gambit: Second Health Care Bill to Woo the Reluctant

But theres not enough support in the Senate [Associated Press]

Sound Off

I think theres pretty sound evidence that has been  that the microwave is not a sound way of surveilling someone. And I think that has been cleaned up. It was made in jest.  White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Kellyanne Conways comments about surveillance from microwaves

Thats what I think we want to do, is give everyone who wants to get healthcare the financial ability to get it is what the President is trying to achieve through this.  Spicer, recalibrating the presidents pledge that his plan would provide for healthcare for everybody

Bits and Bites

Senator: Comey to say whether FBI probing Russia, Trump campaign by Wednesday [CNN]

North Carolina Governor Who Signed Bathroom Bill Says He Cant Find Work [TIME]

Neil Gorsuch Has Web of Ties to Secretive Billionaire [New York Times]

Trump rejects push to oust NSC aide [Politico]

Top Marine Leader Vows to Hold Corps Members Accountable After Nude Photos Scandal [Associated Press]

Ruddy: Trump Should Ditch Freedom Caucus, Seek Bipartisan Plan [Newsmax]

President Trump Is Going to Challenge Fuel Efficiency Standards Shaped by Obama [Associated Press]
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Munich prosecutors said they have launched an investigation of unknown persons in connection with the sale of around 80,000 Audi diesel vehicles in the United States on suspicion that they were fitted with devices to cheat on emissions tests. Premises of Volkswagen's luxury unit Audi as well as seven other locations are being searched by several prosecutor's offices and state police from the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony, where VW is based. Audi said earlier on Wednesday that German prosecutors were searching its headquarters in Ingolstadt and a factory in Neckarsulm. (Reporting by Maria Sheahan; Editing by Madeline Chambers)
Ever wondered what a powerful country in the midst of a meth epidemic might look like under fascist leadership?

Turns out there's precedent, and it's not pretty. According to an eye-opening book published in the U.S. this month, meth addiction quite literally gave us history's greatest industrial menace: the Nazi war machine. It even got the teetotal Hitler in its grip during World War II.

SEE ALSO: Why you saw swastikas appearing on Twitter accounts everywhere

The book by German historian and journalist Norman Ohler is called Blitzed, and it's as breezy and darkly humorous as its title. But don't be fooled by the gallows humor of chapter names like "Sieg High" and "High Hitler": This is a serious and original work of scholarship that dropped jaws around Europe when it was published there last year.

Ohler has dug into the global Nazi records as never before (turns out a lot of them were taken back to an archive in Washington, D.C., after the war). What he's come back with is the little-known biography of an over-the-counter drug called Pervitin  "National Socialism in pill form," as Ohler calls it. (Except that it was marketed to German housewives in chocolate form, that's pretty accurate.)

Ohler estimates that 100 million little white Pervitin pills were chugged by Germans just in the pre-wartime period. Meanwhile, a whopping 35 million doses were ordered up by the Wermacht and Luftwaffe to fuel the coming war.

And what was Pervitin? You might know it better as the star of Breaking Bad, though its purity and potency would drive Walter White to tears: Methamphetamine.

Suddenly, if you've ever witnessed the devastation wreaked by this drug  the overly aggressive, ego-boosting, hyper-paranoid, tragically soulless and ultimately self-defeating lives of meth heads  World War II makes so much more sense.

SEE ALSO: 'It Can't Happen Here'  and (so far) it hasn't

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Germany had long been world leaders in drugged living through chemistry. Earlier in the century, one scientist at Merck managed to invent both aspirin and heroin in the same two-week period. Before the Nazis came to power, the Weimar Republic had been hooked on the purest morphine and cocaine, plentiful and cheap as liquor.

The Nazis, no surprise, were giant hypocrites when it came to drugs. They declared that the bodies of all good Germans belonged to the state and must be clean; they executed and imprisoned addicts and dealers. (Many, like the morphine junkie Herman Goring, were addicts regardless).

But then a company called Temmler started looking for a drug that might make German athletes better than Benzedrine  a low-level amphetamine  made American athletes at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. (Thanks, America.) On what we should now remember as the most ominous Halloween ever, 1937, Temmler patented its new superdrug.

The rest is horrifying history. Temmler modeled its massive ad campaign for Pervitin on one for Coca-Cola. They sent 3 milligrams of meth to every doctor in Berlin; many became hooked even before they recommended it to their patients for a variety of ailments. (Each Pervitin chocolate, for comparison, had 14 milligrams in.)

Nazi bosses loved it. The SS loved it. Students loved it. Anyone working the night shift in this booming, re-arming economy loved it. But nobody loved it like soldiers: "War was seen as a task that needed to be worked through," Ohler writes. Pervitin "helped the tank units not to worry too much about what they were doing in this foreign country, and instead let them get on with their job  even if the job meant killing."

The invasion of Poland in 1939 was conducted by soldiers on meth who didn't need sleep, and the partitioning of Poland with Russia was negotiated by officers on meth who felt supremely confident about everything.

That's when the war machine realized it was onto something.

SEE ALSO: A new database holds the faces of the guards who oversaw the atrocities at Auschwitz

What's particularly chilling about this is the way everyone was in on it. With the exception of a few concerned medical officials who tried to close the stable door after the meth-fueled horse had bolted (Pervitin became prescription-only in 1939, but was still supremely easy to get and production went up by 1.5 million units a year), the drug just suddenly seemed to be everywhere at once. The meth epidemic spread from the bottom up as much as from the pharma giant down.

There was a "stimulant directive" from the Reich's bureaucracy making sure all divisions were issued with massive quantities of the stuff, and that the soldiers were popping at least one pill a day and two if they had to stay up at night. But the soldiers were rapidly firing off stimulant directives of their own. Ohler offers letters from a future Nobel prize winner for literature, writing home to his family, his requests for PERVITIN filling the page in large block capitals.

Even the smart kids were meth heads in Nazi Germany.

Oh, and the clean-living Fuhrer too, though he didn't really know it. His personal physician, a quack who made it big by jabbing famous people in the butt so smoothly they didn't feel it, started sneaking some of it (along with morphine) into Hitler's daily "vitamin" injections during the war.

The effect all this meth had? Ohler makes a pretty convincing case that we wouldn't have the word "blitzkrieg" without it; the Germans may not even have conquered Europe. They were outnumbered by the French and British armies in 1940. If anything, Hitler actually wanted them to go slow. He feared a bloody return to World War I-style gridlock, and he also feared a runaway army that didn't need him.

Nazi tank drivers blitzed France at least in part because they were blitzed, popping up to four pills at a time. They didn't care for sleep. Lunch was a piece of chocolate or a biscuit. Commanders like Rommel literally drove over French divisions to get to the Atlantic, where one older officer insisted on going for a swim and died of a meth-induced heart attack.

The revelations in Blitzed, a relatively short book, are likely just the beginning of scholarship on the subject. For example, what part did Pervitin play in the Nazi street violence of the late 1930s? How many of the antisemitic killers and window-smashers of Kristallnacht, which took place a year into the nationwide meth epidemic, were high at the time?

We may never know, just as we may never know in what ways the U.S. meth epidemic  12 million Americans have used it  overlaps with the rise of white nationalism. But Blitzed is at least a timely reminder of the drug's terrifying power  and a decent argument against the Republican healthcare plan's removal of a provision that mandates Medicaid cover addiction treatment.

The battle to mitigate the effects of meth, currently the world's most popular psychostimulant, may be one of the most important fights there is.
Mosul (Iraq) (AFP) - Nearly 100,000 people have poured out of west Mosul in less than three weeks, the IOM said Wednesday, as Iraqi forces advance in their battle to retake the area from jihadists.

Iraqi security forces launched a major push last month to recapture west Mosul, the most populated urban area still held by the Islamic State group with an estimated 750,000 residents when the battle began.

Iraqi special forces units and police have made steady progress in the area, forcing IS out of a series of neighbourhoods and retaking important sites such as the airport, Mosul museum, train station and provincial government headquarters.

But the battle for west Mosul -- which is smaller but more densely populated than the eastern side which Iraqi forces recaptured earlier this year -- has pushed a flood of people to flee their homes.

Between February 25 and March 15, more than 97,000 people have been displaced from west Mosul, the International Organization for Migration said on its official Twitter account.

It marks an increase of around 17,000 from the displacement figure the IOM released the previous day, though this does not necessarily indicate that all of those additional people fled in the past 24 hours.

The IOM also said that Iraqi government figures indicated a total of more than 116,000 people from west Mosul had gone through a screening site south of the city.

Men, women and children carrying their possessions sometimes walk for hours before arriving at a security forces checkpoint.

From there they can take buses or pickup trucks to camps after the men go through initial screening aimed at identifying those with IS ties.

Hajj Ahmed, a 55-year-old wearing a dark coat over a traditional robe who had recently fled Mosul, said that people were living under IS siege.

- Advance west of Mosul -

"They have been besieging people for seven days," Hajj Ahmed said, praising Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service for saving them.

Story continues

"All the buildings have been destroyed over our heads by the car bombs. Some families are still stuck there," he said.

On the military front, Iraq's Joint Operations Command announced that soldiers and pro-government paramilitaries have recaptured the entire Badush area, northwest of Mosul.

It is an area that includes Badush prison, where Iraqi paramilitary forces said they had uncovered a mass grave containing the remains of hundreds of people executed by IS after the jail was recaptured last week.

Both Human Rights Watch and the United Nations have said that the jihadists killed up to 600 inmates at a ravine near the prison.

Iraqi soldiers and members of pro-government paramilitary groups are fighting IS west of Mosul, while CTS and the Rapid Response Division -- a special forces unit operating with members of the federal police -- are spearheading the advance in inside the city.

In Mosul, CTS forces hunted for bombs left by IS on Wednesday in areas that have recently been recaptured.

CTS is conducting an "operation to clear and search for bombs and explosives-rigged cars," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi, one of the top commanders in the unit, told AFP.

"There is not any operation to advance and attack new neighbourhoods in west Mosul today," Saadi said.

Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi, another CTS commander, also confirmed that the focus on Wednesday was on searching and clearing areas that had already been retaken.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since retaken most of the territory they lost, launching the operation to retake Mosul -- the country's last IS-held city -- in October.
Break out your pasta maker: Aziz Ansari's masterful Master of None is coming back to Netflix for Season 2 on May 12.

SEE ALSO: Aziz Ansari's 'Master of None' is funny, thoughtful and heartbreaking

Ansari himself announced the news via Instagram by reposting Netflix's adorably whimsical trailer. It shows Dev (Ansari) and Arnold (Eric Wareheim) riding scooters through the Italian countryside, which is what we imagine they've been doing since October 2015.

Season 1 ended with Dev leaving New York and Rachel (Noel Wells) to go to Italy probably to become an even more prolific pasta connoisseur than he is now. Season 2 filmed in Italy, so we won't miss out on this beautiful buddy adventure.
Nigeria's economy is still a mess. Unfortunately, it may be a while before things right themselves.

Like many energy-rich countries, Nigeria's economy got hit hard when oil prices plunged to $26 a barrel in February last year. To put the size of the move in perspective, oil was trading at more than $100 in mid-2014.

Unfortunately, the rebound in crude prices hasn't helped Nigeria much -- the list of problems for the country's economy is so long it is hard to know where to start.

"Last year was quite a mess," says Nicolas Jaquier, an economist for emerging market debt at Standard Life Investments in London. "It was a perfect storm."

[See: The Best Energy Stocks to Buy for 2017.]

In addition to the low oil prices, he points to lost production in the oil fields and a lack of an appropriate action by the country's central bank. The result was that the country fell into recession last year, shrinking an estimated 1.5 percent. That's been a rare thing for Nigeria. For the last two decades, the country saw continuous economic growth right up until 2016 when things changed, according to World Bank data.

Currency policy. Other countries that rely on petrodollars to grow haven't had the same problems, in large part because they adopted a different currency policy.

For instance, Russia which is heavily dependent on oil revenue for its budget, let its currency, the ruble, slide. That devaluation helped offset economic losses from weak energy prices by making non-energy exporters more competitive on the world market. The weaker ruble made the goods cheaper when looked at in terms of dollars.

Nigeria's central bank did not follow such a plan with its currency, the naira. "The central bank is under the control of the government and decided to keep the currency high," says Robert Marshall-Lee, head of emerging markets and Asian equities at Newton Investment Management.

The official rate, around 315 naira per dollar, isn't even close to the black market rates of around 500. It's a sign that the central bank picked the wrong exchange rate.

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The result has been a stunning shortage of dollars in Nigeria, and that makes repatriating profits from the country close to impossible. Why invest if you can't get your winnings back home? Instead, investors are sitting on the sidelines.

Investors are "waiting for the currency to reach market levels," Marshall-Lee says.

War. On top of the policy mess, terrorism is costing money and lives.

"Militant groups continue to bomb oil pipelines," analysts say in recent report from Brown Brothers Harriman, a New York-based financial services firm. "Oil Minister [Emmanuel Ibe] Kachikwu estimated that Nigeria lost as much as $100 [billion] in oil income from supply disruptions last year."

[See: The 25 Best Blue-Chip Stocks to Buy for 2017.]

In addition, there are mass kidnappings, and the response by the security services hasn't always been appropriate. "The army killed over 100 people [last] month when it mistakenly bombed a refugee camp that it mistook for [Islamist extremist group] Boko Haram," BBH says in its report.

Unrealized potential. All that bad news may have you wondering why anyone would consider Nigeria as a suitable place to invest. The truth is that the country has the potential to do well.

The latent opportunity isn't being realized because the economy has been hampered by excessive regulations and bureaucracy. Lifting the regulations and eliminating the bureaucracy would lead to substantially higher GDP, according to a recently published report.

"There is a strong, positive relationship between [ease of doing business] scores and prosperity," states a March-dated research paper by Steve Hanke, professor of applied economics at The Johns Hopkins University, Teja Polisetty and Jason Yin, both students at the same university.

The problem is that Nigeria scores exceptionally badly on the ease of doing business metric. "The government is larded with corruption and incompetence," Hanke told U.S. News & World Report. "It's just one damn thing after another."

How hard is it to operate in Nigeria? Getting electricity, trading across borders, registering property and paying taxes all place at 180 or worse out of a total of 189 countries in the ranking, the authors say in the report.

"Although Nigeria is on the bottom of the pack [...], there is great potential for prosperity by slashing regulations," they say.

If Nigeria could just make doing business a bit easier, then the economy would be richer.

What needs to change? Nigeria is burdened by inappropriate monetary policy, incompetence, corruption,and the presence of terrorists wreaking havoc on pipelines.

Corruption and government incompetence aren't new for Nigeria or indeed many other countries. So, while those things may hamper real economic growth going forward, what is keeping investors on the sideline now is the central bank's currency policy.

[See: Oil ETFs: 8 Ways to Invest in Black Gold.]

Until that changes, it makes sense for investors to stay away.

Simon Constable is a freelance economics and markets commentator for U.S. News & World Report. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, TheStreet and Forbes, as well as many other well-known publications. He co-authored "The WSJ Guide to the 50 Economic Indicators that Really Matter," which was an economics category winner in the Small Business Book Awards at Small Business Trends. Constable is also a fellow at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health and the Study of Business Enterprise. You can follow him Twitter @simonconstable or find him on LinkedIn.
June Kjome doesnt want to be a bossy old lady.

Despite her 96 years of experience, Kjome thinks people need less advice and more role models.

Its a great temptation when youre older to tell everyone how to do it, she said. I dont think people need advice as much as they need examples.

To her friends, the missionary, nurse and social justice activist is the embodiment of living  and aging  with grace, and they have put her thoughts into a new book, June Kjome: Reflections on Aging.

Shes a role model to me, said author Susan T. Hessel. We talk about people having a courageous fight about cancer, but we dont talk about them having a courageous fight about aging. She is the Eveready bunny. She keeps on going.

Born in Decorah, Iowa, and raised in Austin, Minn., Kjome said she was enthralled by missionaries who spoke at her church about their experiences abroad. When she graduated from nursing school at the University of Minnesota Kjome volunteered.

When the mission board called and asked if she would go to Zululand, Kjome recalls her response: Yes. Where is it?

In 1945, Kjome sailed aboard a cargo ship to the South African province, where she spent the next 17 years treating patients in back country clinics. She said she was appalled by the institutionalized racism but didnt dare to speak out for fear her visa would be revoked and the mission shut down.

After returning to the United States, Kjome got a job at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse and began speaking to church groups about her work  and the injustice of apartheid.

Kjome eventually became head of nursing education at what is now Gundersen Health Systems but retired in 1985 to devote herself to social justice.

She served on the board of the YWCA, which led her to eventually found a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. In the late 1980s she became an advocate for gay and lesbian rights. She fought hunger, racism, domestic violence. In 2002, she co-founded the anti-war group known as Women in Black and as recently as June was still attending their weekly vigils for peace.

It was just one thing after another, Kjome said.

All of us want to be like her when we grow up

The idea for the book originated in a bathroom stall.

In 2010, Susan Schmidt was attending an an annual gala hosted by the LGBT Resource Center for the Seven Rivers Region where June was the featured speaker. In the Radisson banquet hall bathroom, Schmidt overheard someone say they needed to find someone to read to June, whose eyesight was failing.

Schmidt didnt know Kjome, but she immediately volunteered.

I was a teacher for years, she said. And its one of my favorite things to do.

Once a week, Schmidt visits Kjome at her South Side apartment, where she reads her the newspaper and helps her pay her bills. Schmidt later recruited her friend Kate Mayer to fill in for her. Mayer now visits once a week to read books.

The friends started talking about how much they learned from Kjome, and Mayer suggested they find a way to share it with others.

It all started with both of us appreciating  she has so much insight, Mayer said.

Mayer and Schmidt recruited Hessel to write the book, which is organized into chapters on Kjomes values and the lessons shes learned over the years.

Hessel said she and her friends, all in their 60s, aspire to be like Kjome.

All of us want to be like her when we grow up, Hessel said.

Kjome said three things make life worth living: faith, family and friends. She also learned theres no sense complaining or worrying.

Get off your duff and do something, she said. There are many things you can do.

Growing old isnt easy, but Kjome jokes that the alternative isnt all that much fun.

Shes outlived her parents, siblings and most of her peers. There are fewer people who can share old memories, though shes grateful for the many new friends whove taken their place.

A combination of glaucoma and macular degeneration have taken most of her sight. Ten years ago she sold her car so she wouldnt be tempted to drive. Now she relies on a network of friends to ferry her to church and the store and regular meetings of the half dozen or so groups shes still involved with.

You have to get over that, she said of asking for help. Otherwise youll never get anywhere.

Kjome said she has no regrets, though shes frustrated that age has limited her ability to serve.

Im just glad I had an opportunity all those years to be active, she said.
By Felix Onuah ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian lawmakers aim to pass the 2017 budget by the end of March, the president of the upper house of parliament said on Tuesday, following a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari. The budget lays out plans to pull Africa's largest economy out of its first recession for 25 years, largely prompted by low global prices for the oil it produces and by attacks on energy facilities in the OPEC member's Niger Delta oil hub last year. Buhari, a 74-year-old former military ruler who has faced rising disenchantment over his handling of Nigeria's economy, presented his record 7.298 trillion naira ($23.21 billion) budget to lawmakers in December. "This month is our deadline to finish work on the budget and return it to the executive," Senate President Bukola Saraki said after the meeting with Buhari and the head of parliament's lower house. "We are working very hard to ensure we meet that deadline." The budget must be agreed by lawmakers before the president can sign it into law. The 2016 budget became law in May last year after being delayed by several weeks of wrangling between the government and the Senate. Saraki said he had also briefed Buhari at their meeting on the activities of parliament during the president's lengthy absence due to illness. Buhari resumed his presidential duties on Monday after spending seven weeks in Britain on medical leave for an undisclosed ailment. Saraki said the issues discussed with Buhari had included "stability in the Niger Delta" and the $1 billion Eurobond issued by Nigeria last month. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo drove policy implementation in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, during Buhari's absence. ($1 = 314.5000 naira) (Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; Editing by Gareth Jones)
ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari chaired his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday since returning from medical leave last week, approving a plan to develop the West African nation's non-oil industry. Buhari, 74, has had no public appearances outside the presidential villa since coming back on Friday from London where he had been treated for seven weeks for an undisclosed illness. Buhari called for two ministers for Christian and Muslim prayers before the national anthem was played at the start of the closed-door meeting before reporters were asked to leave the room, all of which is the usual practice at cabinet meetings. He did not address the media after the two-hour meeting. Trade and Industry Minister Okechukwu Enelamah told reporters the cabinet had approved to set up a council working with the private sector to expand Nigeria's non-oil industries. The council will be chaired by Buhari's deputy Yemi Osinbajo, who won plaudits for driving policy changes as acting president during Buhari's medical leave. In that time, Osinbajo travelled to the Niger Delta oil hub in a bid to calm tensions with militants who have attacked oil facilities - a region Buhari had been accused of neglecting - and concluded an economic reform plan required for a World bank loan. He later said he had Buhari's backing for his actions. Buhari, who first led the country from 1983 to 1985 after a military coup, was elected two years ago. Since then he has travelled to Britain several times to consult doctors although details of his illness have not been disclosed. Top political posts in Nigeria are traditionally shared to reflect the country's geographic and religious divisions. Buhari is a northern Muslim, while Osinbajo is a pastor from the mainly Christian south. (Reporting by Feix Onuah and Alexis Akwagyiram; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Julia Glover)
The top two members of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday they know of no evidence that President Donald Trump was subjected to a wiretap ordered by former President Barack Obama.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the panels chairman, and Rep. Adam Schiff (D.-Calif.), the ranking member, were speaking at a press conference nominally on the subject of their ongoing investigation into Trumps potential ties to Russia. The committee will hold its first public hearing next Monday, Mar. 20.

On Mar. 4, Trump claimed via Twitter that the former president had wiretapped the Trump Tower during the campaign, an assertion the White House tried to walk back later. The lawmakers said theyd seen no evidence to back up those claims.

Are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president is wrong, Nunes said.

Schiff was more forceful, saying the president should either retract his tweeted statement or explain himself.

There are from a national security perspective, grave concerns if the president is going to state things like that without any basis, he said.

FBI director James Comey is scheduled to testify at Mondays hearing. The comments by the two lawmakers on the intelligence committee seem to offer Trump a last chance to retract his claims about the alleged wiretapping before Comey speaks.

Separately on Wednesday, Schiff and Nunes co-authored a letter to Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, Mike Pompeo, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Comey, looking into the leaks of classified information to the media.

The two lawmakers expressed concern that the identity of U.S. individuals was made public in relation to classified information  specifically, in news reports that discussed phone conversations between former national security adviser Mike Flynn and the Russian ambassador. They asked the intelligence agencies to determine if any U.S. individuals associated with either presidential campaign were improperly unmasked by any intelligence officials.

Photo credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Photo credit: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

From Popular Mechanics

During World War Two, rumors swirled about any number of strange projects the Nazis might have been up to. One story that refused to die was that the Nazis had a secret Antarctic base. The persistence of this myth prompted Colin Summerhayes, a marine geologist and oceanographer at Cambridge, to take the unusual step of publishing a peer-reviewed paper disproving the idea of the frozen Nazi base.

Stories varied across decades, but two things in particular tend to be cited as evidence: the fact of a Nazi expedition into the Antarctic during 1938-39, and a supposed quote from Karl Donitz, the naval Admiral who became President of Germany after Hitler's suicide. During the Nuremberg trials, Donitz supposedly bragged about an "invulnerable fortress, a paradise-like oasis in the middle of eternal ice."

Myths of Nazi occultism had a basis in the Nazi's short-lived ventures in archaeology and experimental missile and plane projects. And rumors that took these details beyond the true and reasonable persisted after the war, as Summerhayers notes in the paper:

"As early as the 1950s rumors began to circulate among certain German nationalist circles that the postwar flying saucers were in fact German super-weapons that had been under development and tested during the Third Reich. At the time of Germany's surrender in May 1945, this technology was supposedly shipped to safety in the Arctic, South America and Antarctica. The abundance of UFO sightings was thus attributed to a hidden Nazi presence in remote and inaccessible regions of the world."

But following a meticulous look through Nazi records, Summerhayes found "no mention in any of the German documents of any intention to establish a base during the expedition of 19381939, nor that any attempt was made to do so at that time or afterwards." The expedition was only off the Antarctic coast for a month, most of which was dedicated to mapping out the small area in the first place.

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"As there is no evidence that the ship carried either motorised equipment or dogs," Summerhayes writes, "the building of a base in the mountains would mean that the crew had to do as Scott and Shackleton did, and, once they knew from the aerial photos where the mountains were, walk towards them across unmapped, dangerous, crevasse-ridden terrain tugging their stores and equipment behind them." From a strictly practical sense, a Nazi base doesn't bear out with the supplies at hand.

As for Donitz's claim, there has not been a single shred of proof to back it up, it remains questionable if he even said it. For all we know, Summerhayes writes, he might have been actually talking about the Arctic.

There was, in fact, a recent discovery of a Nazi Arctic base, known as Schatzgraber, or "Treasure Hunter." But Schatzgraber was a weather station meant to relay information to U-boats. And far from the frozen Shangri-La Donitz bragged about, the scientists had to eventually be picked up by U-boats because they had been poisoned by the raw polar bear meat they had been forced to eat due to lack of supplies.

For decades, Nazi stories have persisted on ideas of impossible strength and fortitude. But Summerhayes work shows they faced the same technical limitations as everyone else. And beneath all the larger-than-life rumors are the grounded and horrific facts.

You can read the full paper here.

Source: Hitler's Antarctic Base: The Myth and the Reality via Motherboard

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(TOKYO)  On his first trip to Asia as top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson wants to forge cooperation with Japan, South Korea and China against the nuclear threat from North Korea and demonstrate America First does not mean a U.S. diplomatic retreat from the volatile region.

Tillerson will find shared anxiety at the Norths saber-rattling but less agreement about how to deal with it, and unresolved questions about how the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies, can manage growing differences.

Japan and South Korea, which host American troops and are already within range of North Korean missiles, support U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang. The three navies were also conducting drills Wednesday in seas east of the divided Korean Peninsula and north of Japan to promote interoperability, the U.S. Navys 7th Fleet said.

But China remains conflicted about how to treat its traditional ally for fear of triggering its collapse.

Adding to the combustible mix of military tension and the regions historic rivalries is another factor  uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Tillerson, who arrives in Tokyo late Wednesday at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour, could provide some reassurance to nervy allies. He will meet Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO has adopted a low profile during his six weeks as secretary of state. The State Department Correspondents Association expressed disappointment Wednesday that Tillerson was traveling to Asia without a full contingent of the diplomatic press corps or even a pool reporter on his plane  although it is taking a reporter from the conservative-leaning website, the Independent Journal Review.

President Donald Trumps rise to power has raised anxiety in Asian capitals. During last years election campaign, Trump asked whether allies like Japan and South Korea contribute enough for their own defense or should get their own nuclear weapons. He also questioned the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China.

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Trump has allayed some of those concerns since taking office. Trump hosted Abe at his Florida resort last month, and when Tillerson goes to Beijing Saturday, he is expected to arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S.

The U.S. allies, Japan and South Korea, want to know that the United States is going to continue to defend them but also is going to show a certain amount of finesse and diplomatic skills in dealing with China and with North Korea, said Robert Dujarric, the director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple Universitys campus in Tokyo.

North Korea will be a top priority on all Tillersons stops. The State Department says Tillerson wants to discuss fresh approaches. Administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, but signs are that the U.S. for starters wants to see rigorous implementation of existing sanctions against Pyongyang.

There appears to be little desire for now to negotiate with North Korea, unless it commits to denuclearization, which it shows no sign of doing.

The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland  something Trump has vowed wont happen.

The U.S. is currently involved in annual military drills in South Korea that North Korea regards as rehearsal for invasion. In a show of defiance, the North fired four ballistic missiles into ocean off Japan last week. The next day, the U.S. began bringing in equipment for the long-planned deployment in South Korea of a missile defense system, known by its acronym, THAAD.

That has raised tensions with China, which says the THAADs radar could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear deterrent. The U.S. says the system is intended to be used only against North Korea.

After Tokyo, Tillerson visits South Korea, caught up in political upheaval after last weeks ouster of its president, Park Geun-hye, over a corruption scandal. Park had been in lockstep with Washingtons efforts to isolate Pyongyang. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Koreas government.

Tillersons final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing. China recently announced it was suspending for the rest of the year coal imports that are an important source of revenue for North Korea. That is to comply with U.N. sanctions aimed at restricting the Norths nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for all parties to return to talks. Aid-for-disarmament negotiations have been stalled for years. Last week Chinas foreign minister warned the U.S., South Korea and North Korea could be heading for conflict.

____

Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu contributed to this report.
By Ben Blanchard and Philip Wen BEIJING (Reuters) - China's annual parliament followed a tight script with no surprises and little drama, evidence of President Xi Jinping's ever firmer grip ahead of a party congress later this year that could bring more of his allies into the top leadership team. Potential successors were kept on the sidelines, foreign journalists often ignored and speculation hushed through the 10 days of the rubber-stamp National People's Congress, which ended on Wednesday, as it began, without incident. Premier Li Keqiang set the tone in an opening speech on March 5, with social and economic stability the top priority as the leadership targeted modestly slower growth and the building of a "firewall" against financial risks arising from record lending and a speculative property boom. Controversy, criticism of the leadership and chit-chat were off the agenda. There was no open session of the 'friendship with foreign countries' delegation to parliament's advisory body, a forum that in past years has seen complaints about slowing defense spending and comments on political intrigue at the top. No explanation was provided. "Xi does not want any unexpected drama ahead of the congress and has gone out of his way to ensure a low-key parliament," said a senior Beijing-based Western diplomat. The five-yearly congress, which will bring fresh blood into the top ranks of the party machinery, including the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee (PSC), is an opportunity for Xi to demonstrate just how thoroughly he has consolidated power since taking the reins in late 2012. In early 2012, his last parliament before taking over as party boss was overshadowed by the brewing corruption scandal that ended up engulfing the charismatic and ambitious Communist Party chief of Chongqing, Bo Xilai, who had been tipped by many for a top job. This time there were no distractions and no open dissent, with alternative power centres brought to heel over the intervening years. Bo was jailed for life in 2013, and his powerful ally in the PSC, domestic security chief Zhou Yongkang, was put under investigation for corruption the following year. The media were ordered to show their loyalty to the party line last year, and already strict internet controls were ratcheted still tighter, while a crackdown on civil rights lawyers silenced some of the few challenging voices. The mighty military has also been kept in check, with Xi assuming the position of Commander in Chief last year while pushing through a modernizing program that reorganized its command structure and will see 300,000 troops demobilized. Xi pressed the point with a high-profile visit to the People's Liberation Army delegation in parliament, calling for greater technical innovation as part of the modernization program. SIDESTEP Topics that might have caused a stir at the parliament, such as China's policies in the South China Sea, where it has been building military structures on atolls also claimed by some of its neighbors, were sidestepped in at least one session where there had been discussion before. At the open media session for delegates from the island of Hainan, which is in charge of administering China's islands in the region, officials only tangentially touched on the disputed waterway when mentioning pleasure cruises to the Paracel Islands. While officials in that forum have in the past been open to questions from foreign journalists, the only foreigner allowed a question this time was from Russia. And prickly questions on leadership changes in the autumn were ruled out in advance. "Don't bother asking," one Chinese official told Reuters. As if to avoid giving fuel to speculation, Xi was conspicuously absent from meetings of the provincial delegations from Guangdong, Chongqing and Guizhou, from which some of the hottest candidates for elevation to the PSC are based. When he did speak to delegates, he made much of his four-year campaign against corruption, a drive that has proved popular in the country while cementing his authority over party discipline. "Fasten the seatbelt of incorruptibility," he told lawmakers from the southwestern province of Sichuan, where the disgraced Zhou, who was eventually jailed for life in 2015, had his power base. A key barometer of how much political power Xi has amassed in his first five-year term will be whether he can break with party convention and successfully retain his ally and top graft buster Wang Qishan beyond retirement age. Plans for a sweeping overhaul of the party's anti-corruption architecture, including establishing a new National Supervisory Commission overseeing all public servants could provide Xi the justification to do just that. Wang himself was at the parliament, delivering an unswerving message of loyalty. "Under the party's leadership, there is only division of labour between the party and government, not separation of powers," Wang told Beijing delegates. "Within the Party, the government, the army, the people, academics, and east, west, south, north, centre - the party leads everything," he added. The only evidence of intrigue flickered briefly into life on Chinese social media on Wednesday, as some users parsed the wording of Premier Li's farewell, wondering if it supported speculation that Li might not have Xi's backing to keep his job in the autumn. "See you again, if there's the opportunity," Li said as he left the stage. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Philip Wen; Additional reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Will Waterman)
La Paz (AFP) - Old files have revealed the story of a businessman hailed as the "Bolivian Schindler" for helping thousands of Jews flee to the South American country to escape the Nazis.

Piles of documents had stood stacked for decades in the headquarters of a mining company formerly run by German Jewish entrepreneur Mauricio Hochschild.

In his time Hochschild was vilified as a ruthless tycoon, but when researchers started sorting through the paperwork decades later, they began to unravel the tale of how he helped Jews flee from persecution in the 1930s.

"He saved many souls from the Holocaust by bringing them to Bolivia and creating jobs for them," Carola Campos, head of the Bolivian Mining Corporation's information unit, told AFP.

- Jobs for fugitive Jews -

Along with fellow magnates Victor Aramayo and Simon Patino, Hochschild had his mining company nationalized in 1952 by the Bolivian government. It accused them of plundering the nation by mining its tin reserves for their own profit.

But the documents revealed what else Hochschild had been up to.

They include work contracts drawn up for Jews from Europe by the mining firm in the 1930s, says the head of the corporation's archives, Edgar Ramirez.

There is a letter from a kindergarten housing Jewish children in La Paz asking for Hochschild's help to expand the facility "in view of the number of children who are here and others who want to come."

One letter was from French authorities, asking him to receive a thousand Jewish orphans.

There are letters sent at the time by the British embassy to Hochschild with blacklists of companies linked to the Axis powers, whom he was forbidden to do business with.

- 'Bolivian Schindler' -

Of the many Jews who fled from repression under Adolf Hitler in 1930s Germany, thousands came to Bolivia.

For many it was a stepping stone on to the United States, Brazil, Argentina or Israel.

"In 1938 Hochschild calculated that he had brought between 2,000 and 3,000 Jews over. But seven months later, in 1939, he calculated that he had brought 9,000," said historian Robert Brockmann.

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That is several times more than the 1,000 or so that the German industrialist Oskar Schindler is estimated to have saved from deportation to a death camp, as recounted in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning 1993 film "Schindler's List."

Ramirez and Udler echo the phrase used by the Bolivian media to refer to Hochschild: "the Bolivian Schindler."

- Influence over president -

Brockmann is writing a book about Hochschild and his friendship with German Busch, Bolivia's military president from 1937 to 1939.

He says Hochschild helped persuade Busch to open up the country to Jewish migrants in 1938.

Hochschild told Busch the measure would bring laborers to Bolivia to help its agricultural development.

But it also allowed Hochschild to save the lives of fugitive poets, writers and historians, Ramirez says.

Hochschild paid the Jews' passage to Bolivia and housed them to begin with after they arrived.

- Refugees welcomed -

In the 1940s there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Bolivia, says Ricardo Udler, president of the Bolivian Israelite Circle.

Some of them arrived with Hochschild's help, while others arrived in Bolivia by different means.

Many moved on to other countries, and today the number of Jews in the country has sunk to just 500, Udler says.

"We are very grateful to Bolivia. It was one of the few countries that opened its doors to refugees from the war," said Monica Blankitny, whose father Jacobo came to Bolivia after surviving internment at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

- World memory -

The Hochschild documents were certified in October by the United Nations' cultural heritage body UNESCO. It has listed them in its Memory of the World documentary preservation program, Campos said.

Bolivia's Mining Museum plans to publish them online in March.

Hochschild was born in Biblis in western Germany 1881 and migrated to Bolivia in 1921.

He died in 1965 in Paris, four decades before the story of his help for his fellow Jews would come to light.
OPEC production fell in February as Saudi Arabia continued to compensate for other cartel members who have not yet achieved promised output cuts.

The producer group also raised concerns about rising global oil inventories and resurgent U.S. supply in its monthly report, and raised its forecast for non-OPEC production for 2017.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries produced a combined 31.96 million barrels a day last month, compared with 32.1 million barrels a day in January, according to secondary sources.

"High compliance with supply adjustments by OPEC and some non-OPEC producers supported gains" in crude oil futures in February, OPEC said.

Output by the members that committed to cutting production late last year was 29.7 million barrels a day, compared with 29.9 million last month. Libya and Nigeria are exempt as they attempt to restore supply sidelined by internal conflict.

Iran is permitted to increase its pumping to a certain extent. The February figures showed it was producing about 17,000 barrels a day above that level.

Among the cartel members still pumping beyond promised levels are Iraq, OPEC's second largest producer, and the United Arab Emirates, which pumped 63,000 and 51,000 barrels a day above their quotas, respectively.

OPEC agreed in November to curb output by 1.2 million barrels a day in the first half of 2017 to reduce a global oversupply of crude oil. Eleven other exporters including Russia committed to reducing their total supply by 556,000 in December.

While Reuters put the group's combined compliance to the output cut deal above 100 percent, Saudi Arabia continues to provide the lion's share of reductions.

Riyadh once again cut more deeply than required under the deal, according to both Saudi and secondary sources.

However, the Saudis reported significantly higher output than independent assessments showed. Riyadh said it produced 10.01 million barrels a day last month.

It pumped 9.8 million barrels a day in February, below its 10.06 million barrel per day quota under the accord, secondary sources said. That would be lower than its 9.87 million barrel a day output in January.

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The discrepancy is likely the result of a rebound in internal demand, which secondary sources can miss because they're focused on exports, said John Kilduff, founding partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital.

"If the Saudis are saying it, we take them at their word," he said. "They're probably the only ones you can believe when it comes to self-reporting."

Angola, OPEC's largest African producer, was the only other member to produce below its quota, secondary sources reported. Gabon, Kuwait, Qatar and Ecuador were 1,000 to 4,000 barrels a day above set levels.

The united front OPEC members showed in the early days of the deal has begun to crack. Saudi Oil Minister Khalid Al-Falih warned last week at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference that the kingdom would not underwrite other producers' investments at its own expense.

Also during the conference, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali Al-Luiebi said Baghdad could raise output to above 5 million barrels a day by the beginning of the second half.

OPEC ministers convened a last-minute conference at CERAWeek following those comments to reaffirm their commitment to the deal.

Supply and Demand Outlook

OPEC raised its forecast for 2017 oil demand by 70,000 barrels a day on the view that developed European nations and the Asia-Pacific region will consume more crude than previously thought. It now sees world demand averaging 96.31 million barrels a day this year.

The cartel also raised its 2017 non-OPEC supply outlook by 160,000 barrels a day, accounting for an "improving outlook for Canadian oil sands and US supply."

Higher oil prices, bolstered by OPEC's production curbs, have made more high-cost U.S. shale oil production profitable. Crude futures slid 9 percent last week after data showed another build in U.S. crude inventories.

"It seems that the oil supply recovery is gathering momentum in the world oil market, stimulated by gradually rising prices as well as improvements in drilling efficiency and well productivity in North America," OPEC said in its March report.

Oil held in storage in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a group of developed nations, rose in January to more than 3 billion barrels, above the five-year average, according to OPEC.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Gabon, Kuwait, Qatar and Ecuador produced between 1,000 and 4,000 barrels a day above their quotas.





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In some cases, actions speak louder than words, but when it comes to the tolerance and understanding of diverse religions, Wale Elegbede believes communication is key.

Elegbede, of La Crosse, an American Muslim and native of Lagos, Nigeria, shared a brief history of Islam and discussed the presence of Islamophobia during his Wednesday afternoon presentation at English Lutheran Church, My Neighbor is Muslim: What it Means to be Muslim within the Faith of Islam.

The talk was sixth in a series of seven Community Conversation events hosted by the La Crosse Interfaith Leaders Coalition. Session topics have included homelessness, mental health and income inequality.

(Islamophobia) is one of those issues that is prevalent here in our community, said Mark Solyst, pastor at English Lutheran Church and host of the event, attended by more than 100. We can tackle it here respectfully, in a non-partisan setting,

Elegbede, a member of the Interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder Network, defines Islamophobia as the close-minded prejudice against or hatred of Islam and Muslims, with an emphasis on closed minded.

(Islamophobics) believe that nothing good can come out of Islam because they dont understand it, Elegbede said, sharing an image of a man holding a sign reading, All I need to know about Islam I learned on 9-11.

This picture says it all, Elegbede said. You can denounce the crimes committed by an individual, but dont blame or label the majority. There should be no favoritism or discrimination against any religion. Resist the urge to stereotype or scapegoat minorities.

While Elegbede is proud to call La Crosse home, he asserts the area is not immune to prejudice. At times his children have been fearful to speak their minds, and he cites the recent death of Hussain Saeed Alnahdia, a Muslim UW-Stout student, who was killed in a possibly racially motivated assault. He is also distressed by claims that local Muslims fail to address terrorism.

La Crosse area Muslims have communicated numerous times that they denounce terrorist acts committed in the name of Islam, he said. We do stand up  weve been doing that for awhile.

Incidents of Islamophobia around the country are on the rise in this tumultuous time of political divide, but Elegbede believes the problem is not defined by partisanship.

Hate is hate, Elegbede said. This shouldnt be a party-line issue. Muslims love this country as much as anyone else. We need to build bridges and break down Islamophobia ... we need to sit down and talk and promote peace and understanding.

Elegbede encourages citizens to be proactive, to reach out to local politicians with concerns, to be active in inclusive social events such as La Crosse Neighbors Day and La Crosse Global Initiatives week and educate themselves on Islam.

Get to know a Muslim so you can really balance all the negatives you see on TV, Elegbede said. Lets focus on what we have in common. Thats how we get stuff done. As a community, were only as strong as we are together.
It has become the most memorable moment of Rogue One: Rebel troops making a frantic escape with the Death Star plans find themselves in a dark corridor. We hear familiar breathing. A red lightsaber ignites. And the audience goes wild as everyone's favorite Sith Lord goes to work.

But Vader's showstopping scene wasn't in the original version of the movie, director Gareth Edwards has now confirmed. Like just about everything else in Rogue One's third act, it was concocted by one of his editors  and shot a few months before the release of the Star Wars standalone.

SEE ALSO: 'Rogue One' reshoots changed more of the movie than we knew

In an interview with Fandango blogger Erik Davis, Edwards laid out the original ending. Vader's ship, the Executor, destroys the massive Mon Calamari vessel that has uploaded the plans from the Rogue One team on Scariff; we then cut to the famous blockade runner from the beginning of the original Star Wars, the Tantive IV, making its getaway.

Then editor Jabbez Olssen suggested the corridor scene, which Edwards calls "the Walk of Death." Olssen pitched it to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, and the scene was being shot on a Pinewood lot two weeks later.

(The strong influence of post-production editors is a fine Star Wars tradition; the original movie wouldn't have nearly looked as cool without George Lucas' then wife Marcia and her editing team, all of whom won Oscars for their work.)

Edwards loved the idea, and plotted the scene obsessively with storyboards  but didn't imagine it would become one of the key takeaways from the film.

"It was my last chance to do Star Wars," the director told Davis. "It really is just the greatest hits of Darth. We really didn't want to do anything you haven't seen him do so it didn't throw people off. We kept it to what had been established."

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In point of fact, very little of what Vader does in that corridor had been seen in the Star Wars films before. In the original trilogy we see him choke people at a distance and deflect Han Solo's blaster bolt before retrieving the blaster.

But Vader tossing around Rebel soldiers like rag dolls isn't something that had been established in movie canon. Until Rogue One, it was more the kind of thing you'd see in a Star Wars videogame such as The Force Unleashed.

Much of the Walk of Death is the result of Edwards' stunt team figuring out what they could do at short notice. "They came up with a whole shopping list of ideas," the director told Davis; "70 percent we used, and maybe 30 percent felt a little too extreme."

After all, this is an aging Sith Lord who is supposed to have a very low-energy lightsaber showdown with Obi-Wan Kenobi a few days after the Walk of Death. You don't want him kicking too much ass.
By Christine Kim and Ju-min Park SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Wednesday it will hold an election on May 9 to choose a successor for former President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in a historic court ruling last week over a widening corruption scandal. Prosecutors said on Wednesday Park - the first democratically elected president to be removed from office in South Korea - would be summoned for questioning on Tuesday into the influence-peddling scandal. The Constitutional Court dismissed Park from office on Friday when it upheld a parliamentary impeachment vote in December. Park has denied any wrongdoing. The Samsung Group [SAGR.UL], South Korea's largest conglomerate, is already embroiled in the scandal and the Yonhap news agency said prosecutors had started investigating two other conglomerates - the Lotte Group and SK Group. Samsung denies any wrongdoing. Spokesman for both the SK Group and Lotte said they would cooperate with the investigation. The turmoil comes at a time of rising tension with North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs, and with China over the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea that China sees as a threat to its security. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit South Korea, as well as Japan and China, this week. Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who has been acting president since the impeachment vote, said he would not run in the election. Minister of the Interior Hong Yun-sik promised the vote would be the most clean and transparent ever. "This election is unprecedented in our history," Hong told a briefing, referring to the short campaign period. Hwang had emerged in opinion polls as a top conservative candidate even though he had not declared an intention to run. The scandal has undermined support for the ruling conservatives, and Hwang's decision would appear to bolster the chances of a prominent liberal, Moon Jae-in, who is leading in opinion polls. 'FIND TRUTH' Park was summoned to appear for questioning at 9.30 a.m. (0030 GMT) next Tuesday, the prosecutors' office said. Her lawyers said in a statement they would cooperate. "The lawyers will cooperate with the investigation to find substantive truth swiftly by actively helping with various procedures," they said. Park had declined to be questioned by prosecutors or testify at the Constitutional Court when she was in office. After she left the presidential Blue House on Sunday, she issued a statement hinting of defiance, saying: "It will take time, but I believe the truth will be revealed." Prosecutors have not said how long they think their investigation would last. A special prosecution team had accused Park of colluding with a friend, Choi Soon-sil, to pressure big businesses into contributing to foundations set up to support her policies and allowing Choi to influence state affairs. Choi also denied wrongdoing. Jay Y. Lee, the head of Samsung Group, is on trial on bribery, embezzlement and other charges in connection with the scandal. Lee denies all charges. The prospect of an opposition election victory has raised questions about the future in South Korea of the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system, which China opposes because it says its radar can penetrate its territory. Tillerson will meet Hwang and Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se in Seoul on Friday. He is not scheduled to see opposition figures, a U.S. State Department official said, raising questions about the durability of any agreements. The aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson is in South Korean waters this week for exercises with South Korean forces. North Korea said the exercises were part of a "reckless scheme" to attack it and it warned the United States of "merciless" strikes if the carrier infringed on its sovereignty or dignity. (Reporting by Ju-min Park and Christine Kim; Additional reporting by Se Young Lee, Hyunjoo Jin; Writing by Robert Birsel; Editing by Bill Tarrant)
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  It was hard to imagine that ousted President Park Geun-hye could get any more unpopular in South Korea  until she moved out of the presidential palace and left her nine dogs behind.

Just days after being removed from office by the Constitutional Court over a massive corruption scandal, an animal rights group accused Park of animal abandonment for not bringing the dogs with her.

Park's neighbors had given her a pair of Jindo dogs, a Korean breed of hunting dogs, when she left for the presidential Blue House in 2013. The dogs recently gave birth to seven puppies, which are now considered too young to be separated from their mother, Kim Dong-jo, a Blue House spokesman, said Wednesday.

Kim said the dogs would continue to stay at the presidential palace until they're ready to be sent to new owners. Park told staff members to take good care of the dogs before vacating the Blue House on Sunday, he said.

Kim Ae Ra, who heads the Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the group filed a complaint Monday with South Korea's Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission over Park's dogs. The commission then asked the National Police Agency to look into the matter. Officials from the police agency couldn't immediately confirm how the case would be treated.

It appears unlikely that Park not taking the dogs with her would qualify as abandonment under South Korea's animal protection law, which defines lost or abandoned animals as those "wandering without an owner in public places" or "left deserted in paper boxes or other containers."

"It's difficult to say that the dogs were abandoned when it seems they are being taken care of and fed properly, and will likely receive medical attention when they need it," said Lee Hyeongchan, a veterinarian-turned-lawyer.

Animal abandonment is punishable by a fine of up to 1 million won ($873). People who fail to report an ownership change in pets within 30 days can also face fines of up to 500,000 won ($436).

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Park's decision to leave the dogs behind touched off a heated reaction from dog lovers, who flooded social media with angry remarks.

"It seems that Park Geun-hye is a person who entirely lacks empathy, whether it's for humans or for animals," Park Jeong-eon, a 38-year-old office worker who is unrelated to the ousted president, told The Associated Press.

Park's two adult dogs also had five puppies in 2015 and the presidential office sent them to civilian owners.

Parliament passed an impeachment motion against Park in December, and the court formally removed her from office on Friday. Prosecutors plan to question her next week over suspicions that she colluded with a friend to extort money and favors from companies and allowed the friend to secretly interfere with state affairs.
Kampala (AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said 155 people, including 15 children, were killed in fierce fighting that erupted late last year in western Uganda between security forces and a tribal king's palace guards.

The death toll was "far higher than the Ugandan authorities claimed at the time", the US-based watchdog said in a statement.

But the report was dismissed by the Ugandan government, which said it contained "inconsistencies" and challenged the allegation that children were among the dead, putting the death toll at just over 100.

HRW calculated its toll based on interviews with 95 relatives of victims, as well as with religious, security and administrative officials.

The clashes erupted in the western town of Kasese on November 26 and ended a day later when police stormed the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, who has been accused of commanding a militia with separatist ambitions.

Police said the violence started when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards.

But HRW said it began when troops forced their way into a local administrative office, killing eight guards and sparking a wave of retaliatory violence, during which the palace guards used machetes to defend their turf.

It said the palace guards "often carry agricultural tools, such as machetes, but are not formally armed... and would not constitute an armed force or group under international humanitarian law."

HRW said at least 55 people, including 14 police officers, were killed on November 26, while more than 100 others, among them 15 children, died the next day.

- 'Deliberate' omissions -

In a statement on Twitter, the US embassy in Uganda said it was "deeply troubled by the reported disproportionate use of force by security officials" in the raid.

"We are particularly concerned by reports that security forces made no effort to remove unarmed people from the compound, which may have contributed to the death of numerous children," it added.

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But government spokesman Ofwono Opondo challenged the report's allegation that children were among the dead.

"As opposed to the HRW report that 16 children (sic) were killed during the operation, there is no evidence," he said in a statement which put the death toll at 103, among them 12 women and 40 men, with another 51 bodies unclaimed.

He said the HRW investigation lacked "depth" and contained "several inconsistencies ... that do not represent the true facts."

"It deliberately misses out incidents that led to the near-breakdown of law and order," he charged, accusing the rights group of ignoring the wider context of years of violence by the militia.

The report also "promotes violence in the region, referring to machetes as agricultural tools as opposed to Uganda penal code act defines them as lethal weapons," he said.

Both the US embassy and HRW called for an independent inquiry into the incident.

"People in Kasese are still looking for their family members, including children, and they deserve answers and justice for these gruesome killings," said Maria Burnett, associate Africa director at HRW.

In December, the tribal king was charged with treason, but released on bail in February.

The traditional kingdom in western Uganda has a history of separatist leanings dating back to independence. The region where it is based is an opposition stronghold that has long complained of marginalisation from Kampala.
Paris (AFP) - More than 800 health workers have died in "acts of war crimes" in Syria since 2011, in hospital bombings, shootings, torture and executions perpetrated mainly by government-backed forces, researchers said Wednesday.

The Syrian government and its ally, Russia, have turned the violent withholding of healthcare into a weapon of war, according to an analysis published in The Lancet medical journal.

This "weaponisation" of healthcare, it said, "has translated into hundreds of health workers killed, hundreds more incarcerated or tortured and hundreds of health facilities deliberately and systematically attacked."

In the crosshairs, an estimated 15,000 doctors -- about half the pre-war number -- fled the country, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to basic care.

"The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered," the authors of the report said.

It was compiled by experts from universities in Beirut, Britain and the United States, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Multi-Aid Programs, an NGO.

The data they gathered showed that 782 health workers were killed from March 2011 to September last year.

Of the total, 247 (32 percent) were doctors, 176 (23 percent) nurses and 146 (19 percent) medics, according to Physicians for Human Rights, a nonprofit group.

The rest included pharmacists, medical students, ambulance workers and veterinarians who were added to the list because they were killed while treating people.

Shelling and bombing of hospitals and clinics accounted for 426 (55 percent) of deaths, the report said.

- 'Decimated' region -

Shootings of medical professionals followed with 180 deaths (23 percent), torture with 101 (13 percent) and executions with 61 (eight percent).

Since September 2016, at least 32 more lost their lives, "which brings the total number of health workers killed in acts of war crimes over the six years of the conflict to 814," the study said.

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This was probably a gross underestimate, it added.

The war in Syria has killed at least 320,000 people and displaced millions in six years.

The evidence suggested that the Syrian government targeted medics as a strategy, and to an extent never before seen in war, the researchers said.

The majority of the attacks on health facilities, 94 percent, were the work of "the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia".

"With the military surge that began in late September 2015, when Russia joined Syrian government forces, 2016 marked the worst year of the conflict to date in terms of attacks on medical facilities," the study said.

The SAMS reported 194 verified attacks last year, an 89-percent increase from 2015.

Almost a third of Syrians now live in areas with no health workers whatsoever, and another third are in areas with insufficient care, the report said.

Nearly half of hospitals were reported to be damaged.

A case in point: the Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including six times so far this year. And M10, an underground hospital in Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in three years before it was razed in October 2016.

While the remaining doctors -- many of them students or juniors with little experience -- brave the storm, international leaders have taken "little action on bringing the perpetrators to justice", the authors said.

The Lancet, in an editorial, pointed to "grievous failings by the global health community and international governance."

It called on the World Health Organization to raise funds to prop up the health infrastructure and health workers in Syria, and to mobilise international support to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

"An entire region and its people have been decimated while the world has watched," the journal said. "Health and development will take decades to catch up."
Coughs, runny noses, sore throats, and earaches are an inevitable part of life with young children. But a new survey suggests that some parents greatly overestimate how much prescribing antibiotics for kids will help.

Researchers at Bond University in Queensland, Australia, asked 400 parents with kids aged 12 and younger about when it was appropriate to use antibiotics for common upper respiratory illnesses. Results, published this week in the Annals of Family Medicine, reveal that most parents think antibiotics help to cure a cough (55 percent), sore throat (70 percent), and ear infection (92 percent).

These misconceptions about what antibiotics can cure are common among American parents as well. In a recent Harris poll of U.S. adults, more than half of respondents said that antibiotics are effective against viral infections. Forty percent thought that the drugs help cure a cold.



These beliefs about what antibiotics can remedy are not true, says Marvin Lipman, M.D., Consumer Reports chief medical advisor. Most respiratory infections such as bronchitis, colds, ear infections, and sinus infections in both kids and adults are caused by viruses, not bacteria," says Lipman. "And antibiotics dont work against viruses.

Many respondents to the Australian survey also thought that antibiotics could help children recover faster or reduce the risk of complications.

This is also a myth, says Lipman. The drugs wont shorten the duration of a viral illness or reduce the risk that it will develop into something worse, he says.

Why Doctors Prescribe Unnecessary Antibiotics

Almost 30 percent of the time, when doctors prescribe antibiotics for kids, the medications arent needed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Bond University researchers note that primary-care doctors may resort to antibiotics for several reasons. They may not be certain if an infection is caused by a virus or a bacteria, for example, and prescribe an antibiotic just in case. Or they may want to get through an appointment quickly and satisfy worried moms and dads.

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Indeed, a survey of 155 U.S. emergency-department and primary-care doctors published in 2014 found that physicians concerns about patient satisfaction ratings influenced their practice. Almost half the physicians believed that the pressure to obtain better scores prompted inappropriate prescribing, including unnecessary prescriptions for antibiotics.

Lipman points out that its never a good idea to prescribe an antibiotic to a child when its not needed because the drugs commonly cause unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. And more rarely, they cause more serious harm.

A recent study from the CDC revealed that side effects from antibiotics, most commonly severe allergic reactions, are responsible for more than 65,000 children being rushed to the ER every year. For children younger than 5, side effects from antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag, and generic) and azithromycin (Zithromax, Z-Pak, and generic) are the leading cause of ER visits due to adverse drug effects..

Whats more, overuse of these drugs is contributing to the rise of dangerous superbugsstrains of bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. The result is a growing number of infections that are more virulent and much harder to treat.

Below, recommendations from three medical specialty organizations regarding the use of antibiotics for ear and respiratory infections.

Childrens sore throat, cough, runny nose

American Academy of Pediatrics

Colds, coughs, bronchitis, and most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses and arent helped by antibiotics.

Consider antibiotics if: Your child has a sore throat and a strep test confirms that its caused by a bacteria. Colds and coughs typically clear up in a couple of weeks. If your child has a cough or congestion that lingers longer than that, see your doctor. The cause could be an underlying bacterial form of pneumonia or a sinus infection that is treatable with antibiotics.

Sinus infections (sinusitis)

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Sinusitis is almost always caused by a virus. Symptoms include a stuffed-up feeling, a runny nose, pain in the face, and fever. Even when bacteria are causing the symptoms, these infections usually clear up on their own in about a week.

Consider antibiotics if: Your child has symptoms that suggest the sinus infection may be caused by a bacteria. One telltale sign is a high fever with and thick, colored mucus for three or more days in a row. A bacteria may also be the culprit if symptoms are milder but linger longer than 10 days. Or if congestion appears to be clearing up and then suddenly comes back with a fever or pressure and pain in the face.

Childrens ear infections

American Academy of Family Physicians

Most ear infections improve on their own in two or three days, especially in children age 2 or older. Give your child over-the-counter pain relievers for a few days, and avoid antibiotics. Take your child to a doctor if symptoms arent better in two to three days or they get worse at any time.

Consider antibiotics if: An infant is 6 months or younger. Babies cant communicate how severe their pain is, and, at that age, serious infections have risks such as hearing loss. For children aged 6 months to 2 years, antibiotics are typically reserved for more serious infectionsthe child has a fever of 102 F or higher, for example, or has pain that isnt relieved by OTC medications. For children older than 2, doctors are typically advised to take a watchful waiting approach unless a child has a high fever and severe pain.

Those recommendations are part of the Choosing Wisely campaign, which details overused tests and treatments from more than 70 medical specialty organizations. Read more about the safe and effective use of antibiotics in Choosing Wisely recommendations produced in partnership with Consumer Reports.

Editor's Note: This article and related materials are made possible by a grant from the state Attorney General Consumer and Prescriber Education Grant Program, which is funded by the multistate settlement of consumer-fraud claims regarding the marketing of the prescription drug Neurontin (gabapentin).





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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2017 Consumer Reports, Inc.
Federal immigration police described the sweep as routine: 248 alleged "criminal aliens" arrested since the start of this month  an average of 21 a day  in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia. Hauled off to jail, they face deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ICE officers make extraordinary efforts to keep our communities safe, and this operation is just a small example of what they do every day, Jennifer Ritchey, acting director of ICE-Philadelphia, the local field office, said in a statement Monday.

However, a web search of ICE news releases suggests that the action may be more than a small, everyday example. It appears the previous largest targeted enforcement operation by Philadelphia-based agents netted 99 suspects over 12 days in 2008.

Of the 248 apprehended this month, ICE said, 197 were in Pennsylvania, 42 in West Virginia, eight in Delaware, and one in New Jersey. While ICE officials maintain the number of those nabbed was unremarkable, some advocates for immigrants see the agency ramping up in response to President Trump's call for a crackdown on illegal immigration, as well as new guidelines for ICE operations issued last month by the Department of Homeland Security.

Among those arrested, 88 had convictions on unspecified criminal charges; 32 had pending criminal charges; an additional 50 were previously deported and reentered illegally; and 18 are fugitives with outstanding final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge, according to ICE.

Left unanswered in Mondays announcement of the arrests were questions about who was arrested, on what charges, and their ages and countries of origin. On Wednesday morning, ICE officials said only that most of the detainees were taken to the York and Pike County Prisons. Some were transferred to correctional centers in Youngstown, Ohio, and San Antonio, Texas. Others were released on bail or their own recognizance. Obtaining further details would require the submission of a Freedom of Information Act request, ICE said.

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In its Monday news release, ICE also stressed the importance of rumor control, with a slap at some immigrant-advocacy organizations: Reports of ICE checkpoints and sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible. Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support.

Erika Almiron, director of Juntos, a South Philadelphia advocacy group for predominantly Mexican immigrants, said she doesn't traffic in rumors, but she feels obligated to let her community know how and where ICE agents operate.

For example, she said, she heard of three cases in the last week in which immigrants were grabbed by ICE agents just outside the Criminal Justice Center in Center City. The immigrants had appeared for court on relatively minor charges. Their cases were heard, and they were allowed to leave. When they stepped outside the building, Almiron said, they were arrested by ICE.

That hasnt happened in a long time, she said. Agents are looking for new ways to get people.

House raids seem to be happening less often, she said  in part because wary immigrants, having received know-your-rights training from Juntos community leaders, are refusing to open their doors.

That means arrests are happening elsewhere, including a bodega near Seventh and Reed Streets in South Philadelphia, where a Salvadoran man was taken into custody last week, said Almiron.

According to witnesses, ICE arrested Alejandro Ramos at El Primo Food Market, where he worked. In a brief interview on Wednesday, his son, Manuel Diaz Ramos, 24, who along with his sister has been running the market, said only their father was taken to York Prison.

Peter Pedemonti, director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, an interfaith, immigrant advocacy group, said his organization recently established a hotline for tips about where arrests are happening.

Of about 25 calls to the hotline in the last month, he said, his office confirmed eight arrests.

Weve heard about people being followed and arrested when they leave their homes, he said. But from what weve seen, ICE is looking for specific individuals, not doing dragnet-type sweeps.

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Gathering the courage to make an objection in court or cross-examine a witness can be difficult on a first attempt. So if you plan to pursue a career in criminal law, experts say to get as much trial experience as possible during law school.

Yosha Gunasekera, an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania Law School who works as a public defender in New York City, says she remembers feeling uncomfortable when she was told to cross-examine a police officer during a real trial as a student in a criminal law clinic. But overcoming this challenge ultimately increased her confidence, she says.

"It really made me comfortable in a courtroom setting," she said.

[Gain skills in trial law during law school.]

Experts say opportunities to do substantive legal work in externships, internships, clinical practicums and pro bono workshops are a critical factor in whether a law school provides meaningful preparation for a criminal law career. Another sign of quality in a criminal law program is having both former prosecutors and defense attorneys on its faculty, and connecting students with work experiences on both the prosecution and the defense sides.

"I think that understanding what happens on the other side of the table -- how they think about a case, what the issues are and what their struggles are -- can really make you a much more effective advocate for your side," said Heidi Rummel, a clinical law professor and co-director of the Post-Conviction Justice Project at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law.

Rummel, a former federal prosecutor who now does criminal defense work, says it is easier to predict the arguments that an adversary attorney will make if you are exposed to the way both the prosecution and defense approach criminal cases.

"Even though a lot of students have a clear idea about which side of the table they want to be on, it's an excellent opportunity in law school to get the other perspective," she says. "It will just make you better at what you do."

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[Get law school application advice from recent law grads.]

Ariel Neuman, a private criminal defense attorney based in Los Angeles, says one sign that a law school prioritizes its criminal law program is if it has professors who are former federal prosecutors.

"Becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney in a major city is among the most difficult jobs to get in the legal profession, and learning from these former federal prosecutors will give students vast insight into the criminal process," Neuman, a Harvard alumnus and former federal prosecutor, wrote in an email. "Schools that have them on faculty show a commitment to teaching criminal law and an understanding of the profession."

Also ask whether a law school has career service professionals on staff who specialize in helping graduates find public interest law jobs, experts say.

Gunasekera, the University of Pennsylvania alumna, says her advisers at the university's Toll Public Interest Center provided career advice throughout law school that helped her build up her resume.

[See a law school resume that made the cut at Harvard.]

"From day one, law students who know that this is the career they want to do should meet with someone like that and say, 'What is the strategic way to be successful in law school? What should I be doing to create the most attractive resume and really to get the best experience?'" she said.

Gunasekera also suggests researching whether a law school offers summer stipends for public interest fellowships or if it offers scholarships to public interest law students. That kind of financial support, coupled with either public service loan forgiveness or an income-based repayment plan, can make student loans more manageable for those who do public interest law, she says, despite the fact that this career path is less lucrative than corporate law.

Neal Davis, a Texas-based criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience, said that law school applicants dreaming of a criminal law career should inquire about whether the school has internships or externships with a district attorney's office, a public defender's office or the U.S. Department of Justice.

That kind of practical experience, Davis said, is more valuable for a criminal law career than a course on legal theory.

Prospective law students who want to become defense attorneys should target law schools with flexible course requirements, said Scott Kimberly, a criminal defense attorney in Tennessee.

"If all students are required to complete a certain curriculum through the first two years of law school, which may include an array of courses in legal theory wholly unrelated to criminal defense, a student may not be able to craft their courseload to focus on criminal defense," he said in an email. "If, on the other hand, students are only required to follow a set curriculum for one year, that would allow students to focus at least two years on criminal defense training."

Searching for a law school? Get our complete rankings of Best Law Schools.

Ilana Kowarski covers graduate schools for U.S. News. You can reach her via email at ikowarski@usnews.com.
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Pirates off the coast of Somalia, who hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, are demanding a ransom for the release of the vessel, the EU Naval Force said. The pirates seized the Comoros-flagged Aris 13 tanker on Monday, the first such hijacking in the region since 2012, and took it to the port of Alula in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland. "The EU Naval Force ... has received positive confirmation from the master of ... Aris 13, that his ship and crew are currently being held captive by a number of suspected armed pirates in an anchorage off the north coast of Puntland, close to Alula," the force said in a statement late on Tuesday. EU Navfor said as soon as it received an alert on the ship's seizure, it sent patrol aircraft from its Djibouti base to try to make radio contact and late on Tuesday its headquarters in London managed to contact the vessel's master by phone. "The master confirmed that armed men were on board his ship and they were demanding a ransom for the ships release. The EU Naval Force has now passed the information regarding the incident to the ships owners," EU Navfor said. It gave no details on the size of the ransom. The 1,800 deadweight tonne tanker is owned by Armi Shipping, a company registered in Panama, and managed by Aurora Ship Management in the United Arab Emirates, according to the French transport ministry's Equasis shipping data website. Experts said ship owners were becoming lax after a long period of calm, and that the vessel was an easy target because it was low, slow and close to the coast. Aid group Oceans Beyond Piracy said in a statement late on Tuesday the ship was carrying gas and fuel and was not registered with the Maritime Security Center for the Horn of Africa, which registers and tracks vessels in the region. The group said the Aris 13 was preparing to go through a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island which vessels often use, regardless of the piracy risks, to save time and cost. "This attack reinforces the need for vessels to follow shipping industry Best Management Practices (BMP) within the BMP specified High Risk Area," Oceans Beyond Piracy said. There was no immediate comment from the ship's owners and managers. In their prime in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off Somalia's coast, data from the International Maritime Bureau showed, and held hundreds of hostages. That year, Oceans Beyond Piracy estimated the global cost of piracy at about $7 billion. The shipping industry bore roughly 80 percent of those costs, the group's analysis shows. However, attacks fell off sharply after ship owners tightened security and vessels stayed further away from the Somali coast. (Reporting by George Obulutsa and Katharine Houreld; Editing by Louise Ireland)
ST. PAUL  The Minnesota House has approved a bill that would shield health insurance companies from some of the risk involved in paying for medical care.

The so-called reinsurance plan would have the state share in the costliest claims. In passing the bill Monday mostly along party lines, the Republican-led House also voted down DFL Gov. Mark Daytons plan to expand a public option.

Its the second major bill to advance this year aimed at shoring up a beleaguered individual insurance market. The first one provided direct premium rebates to buyers who lacked other public subsidies.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt says the market needed rescuing.

Its a bill that is a great second step now to healing the wounds to the individual marketplace that were brought on by Democrats by jumping into the deep end of the pool on Obamacare and MNsure here in Minnesota, he said.

Theres a rush to get a reinsurance law in place by April 1. Insurance companies are working out what they want to charge for policies next year. Theyll deliver estimates to state regulators around May.

It works like this: Insurance companies that incur a subscribers claims exceeding $50,000 and up to $250,000 would have a portion of those costs covered by a new state fund. A board would determine what percentage each payer shoulders.

The theory is that cost-sharing will improve premium rates for everyone because the risk tied to those sickest patients wouldnt be borne as much by the healthier subscribers.

Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, said his bill should provide comfort to companies teetering between offering individual policies and pulling out of the market. This thing called competition has been pretty good the last 200 years. Lets get some competition, lets get a robust market back, Davids said. Im not saying 2018 is going to be robust, but we want to head that way.

The federal health law rewrite by Republicans in Washington contemplates these state-based risk pools.

The congressional plan seeks $80 billion for a new Patient and State Stability Fund that would be used for grants to states, beginning next year. That money would be available from 2018 to 2026. States would have to provide matching money that starts at 7 percent of their federal allocation and gradually rises to 50 percent by 2020. Davids said Minnesota should be ready to take immediate advantage.

The way its going here is you dont get that money unless you get a reinsurance pool or if you dont have a reinsurance pool the feds will set one up for you, he said. Well, lets get ours in place.

But Democrats argued the way the Minnesota bill is structured makes it little more than a giveaway to insurance companies.

The bill carries a $200 million price tag in year one and a combined $700 million over the first four, with the money coming from redirected premium taxes and transfers from other special health accounts.

Dayton wants assurances about the plans effect on rates and their willingness to keep offering individual market insurance. It cant be just a blank check to the insurance industry, he said.

Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, has been frustrated by how few answers lawmakers have gotten so far as the reinsurance plan has moved along.

We asked them repeatedly if we did this mechanism of reinsurance ... would those premium rates come down? They cant answer that question, she said. Would people have more choices in the market? They dont have the answer for that.

For their part, Democrats pushed Daytons proposal to expand access to MinnesotaCare, which is now a subsidized care program for the working poor.

They favor allowing anyone to be able to buy into the program and says their monthly premiums would cover the cost. Rep. Clark Johnson, DFL-North Mankato, led the charge.

Its a popular choice because we know it, Johnson said. Its been around for 25 years. Its got very strong networks. Its offered in every county.

The proposal was offered as an amendment and failed on a party-line vote.

The Senate has a different reinsurance proposal, which relies on rainy-day reserves to pay for part of it. That bill is due for a floor vote on Wednesday.

We asked them repeatedly if we did this mechanism of reinsurance ... would those premium rates come down? They cant answer that question. Rep. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul
By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - Employees of Monsanto Co ghostwrote scientific reports that U.S. regulators relied on to determine that a chemical in its Roundup weed killer does not cause cancer, farmers and others suing the company claimed in court filings. The documents, which were made public on Tuesday, are part of a mass litigation in federal court in San Francisco claiming Monsanto failed to warn that exposure to Roundup could cause non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer. The company has denied that the product causes cancer. Plaintiffs claim that Monsanto's toxicology manager ghostwrote parts of a scientific report in 2013 that was published under the names of several academic scientists, and his boss ghostwrote parts of another in 2000. Both reports were used by the EPA to determine that glyphosate, a chemical in Roundup, was safe, they said. They cited an email from a Monsanto executive proposing to ghostwrite parts of the 2013 report, saying, "we would be keeping the cost down by us doing the writing" while researchers "would just edit & sign their names so to speak." In an email, a Monsanto spokeswoman denied that Monsanto scientists ghostwrote the 2000 report but did not directly address the 2013 report. She said the ghostwriting allegations were based on "cherry-picking" one email out of 10 million pages of documents. Another filing focused on Jess Rowland, a former deputy director at the Environmental Protection Agency who chaired a committee on cancer risk and who plaintiffs say worked with Monsanto to suppress studies of glyphosate. The filing includes an email from a Monsanto employee recounting how Rowland told him he "should get a medal" if he could "kill" a study of glyphosate at the Department of Health and Human Services, a separate federal agency. Rowland, who is retired, is not a defendant in the litigation. He could not immediately be located for comment. The EPA had no immediate comment. The federal mass litigation includes about 60 lawsuits, according to Aimee Wagstaff, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Several hundred more lawsuits are pending in state courts, she said. A California state court judge on Friday in a separate lawsuit ruled that California could classify glyphosate as a cancer risk. The case is In re Roundup Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 16-md-02741. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; editing by Noeleen Walder and Cynthia Osterman)
Photo credit: YouTube

From Popular Mechanics

The landing at the Caribbean island of St. Maartens, where planes pass right over people laying on the beach, is one of the coolest sights in aviation. This one almost went terribly wrong.

In this video captured on March 7, a Boeing 737 inbound from Toronto comes in too low and barely avoids crashing into the water. The pilot manages to pull up, fly over the beach, and come around for another pass. This time he sticks the landing.

That's one sighting the beach bar patrons won't soon forget.

Source: Digg

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The competitive Super Smash Bros. community is coming together to help out one of their own after a player went into cardiac arrest at a tournament in February.

Player Nicholas "Ministry" McGuire went into cardiac arrest during the BEAST 7 Smash tournament in Sweden in February after an artificial valve in his heart stopped working. Since being rushed to the hospital on Feb. 19 and moving around to multiple intensive care units at two different hospitals, McGuire's hospital bills are piling up and his sister Katherine McGuire has set up a GoFundMe page for some financial support.

The Smash community and others have already raised over $28,000.

SEE ALSO: The biggest rivalry in 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' history

McGuire's hospital expenses, which include two procedures to widen the conduit in his heart and implant a pacemaker, are expected to be around $200,000 when all is said and done. His Swedish work visa and health insurance expired just days before his cardiac arrest.

On top of the $23,300 that has been raised on GoFundMe as of today, two of the top Super Smash Bros. Melee players in the world have already hosted daily streams surpassing their goal of $5,000, enticing donators with incentive goals featuring other top Melee players.

We started the day with 2000 and finished with more than 5600USD, did not think this was possible, from the bottom of my heart, thanks <3  Adam Lindgren (@ArmadaUGS) March 14, 2017

The players, fellow Sweden resident Adam "Armada" Lindgren and Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman  two Melee Gods  have been running their charity streams on Twitch with all proceeds going to help McGuire. The next stream will start today on Armada's Twitch channel at 5 p.m. ET and will be featured on the front page of Twitch.

Incentives have included a player meet-and-greet with fellow Melee God Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma at a future tournament, an interview with Melee God Kevin "PPMD" Nanney and a bootcamp in Sweden featuring Armada and William "Leffen" Hjelte, who is widely considered to be the sixth and latest Melee God.

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Leffen, who competed in BEAST 7, tweeted that he would be donating his prize money to heart-related charities after McGuire's cardiac arrest.

Oh, I forgot to say but I'm donating my prizr money to a few different heart disease charities. I cant even look at 2nd place money ROFL  William Hjelte (@TSM_Leffen) February 20, 2017

Armada reached out to the Smash community on Reddit calling for anyone to donate anything they can, no matter how small.

"All donations matters, don't feel that '[$1] does not matter,'" he wrote. "When you have to pay [$200,000], every dollar matters."
Warsaw (AFP) - Poland and Ukraine said Wednesday they would take legal action against Russian plans for a second gas pipeline to the EU, a project they allege Moscow could use for political "blackmail".

Russian energy giant Gazprom plans to build a pipeline called Nord Stream 2 under the Baltic along an existing line to boost gas delivery capacity to Germany from Russia, thus bypassing Ukraine and Poland.

"For many years we've said that both Nord Stream I and Nord Stream II are political tools, used above all by Russia on Europe... Russia can use these two lines for blackmail at any time," Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski said at a joint press conference in Warsaw with Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin.

Waszczykowski also said that his country, a member of the European Union, and Ukraine, which is not a member of the EU, would "probably join forces" to use all legal means including international courts to convince the EU about the pipeline's alleged "political" nature.

"Our opinions on cooperating with Russia and on energy security differ from views held by many western European states," Waszczykowski said, adding that he thought Western views were "naive".

Under Moscow's thumb during the communist era, Warsaw and Kiev have long lobbied for energy independence from it, arguing that Russia could turn off the tap on gas supplies to press client states into complying with its wishes.

Klimkin said the EU ought to ask itself whether it wants to be "dependent on another state, because Gazprom is part of the Russia that nobody trusts."

Waszczykowski said that thanks to its new Baltic LNG terminal and new deliveries via a pipeline from Norway, Poland would be able to wean itself off Russian natural gas within five years.

"We have limited confidence... in European institutions," he said, adding Poland was doing its all to be "free from the diktat" of relying on gas deliveries from Russia.

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Klimkin said that Ukraine halted gas purchases from Russia more than a year ago. Moscow seized Ukraine's Crimea region in 2014 and has since backed a separatist insurgency in the east of the country.

A peace plan brokered by France and Germany in February 2015 to end the conflict in Europe's backyard has stalled and bloody clashes continue regularly along the frontline.

Waszczykowski on Wednesday suggested that "sooner or later" the United States would have to become involved in brokering a lasting peace.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Nashville police say a car of teenagers opened fire at a market because they were served the wrong pizza toppings.

Police say suspects ages 16, 17 and 18 were arrested Tuesday afternoon after guns were fired toward the D.B. Todd Market. No one was hurt.

Police say an undercover detective witnessed the gunfire, followed the car to a house and called backup. The car was reported stolen.

One suspect told police the shots were fired because they received a pizza with the wrong toppings.

They face aggravated assault, unlawful handgun possession and vehicle theft charges.

Eighteen-year-old Djuan Bowers is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond. The 17-year-old and 16-year-old face juvenile charges.

Bowers and the 17-year-old face additional aggravated robbery charges in a Feb. 20 holdup.
Police in California flooded a man's vehicle with water this week to save his life. But when the man exited the vehicle, those same police fatally shot him.

The bizarre incident began Sunday night when police in the Los Angeles suburb of Orange, California, pulled over a minivan driven by Michael Anthony Perez, 33, for a broken tail light and a warrant associated with the van's license plate number, police said in a statement. Perez pulled into a parking lot, but then refused to exit his vehicle and barricaded himself inside.

After roughly 30 minutes, police said Perez tried to light a gas container on fire. In dramatic video footage taken at the scene by OnScene.TV, Perez can be seen lighting a cigarette. Police said he placed the lit cigarette in a gas container.

Read: How Many Police Officers Have Been Indicted? Florida Police Officer Charged After Shooting Volunteer At Public Demonstration

The officers could smell the gasoline and became concerned when he lit a cigarette, Orange police Lt. Fred Lopez told KTLA in Los Angeles. We thought it could be combustible, so they felt that a plan needed to be put into place to save his life.

Police called in the fire department. Together, fire fighters and police broke a window and flooded the vehicle with a fire hose to prevent Perez from setting himself, or the vehicle, on fire. In the video footage, Perez can be seen climbing out the driver's side window as water begins to flood the minivan.

After falling to the ground, footage showed Perez engaged in a brief struggle with one of the many officers at the scene, before he was fatally shot once in the torso. Police said Perez removed a knife from his pants, prompting the officers at the scene to use deadly force.

Perez had been living in the van for four months, his father-in-law Mike Medina told the Orange County Register. "He was pretty disturbed," Medina said Monday.

Police told the Register Perez had an extensive criminal history, which included arrests for narcotics and weapons.

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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A court in Poland has issued an arrest warrant for a Minnesota man sought in a Nazi massacre, opening the way for Poland to seek his extradition from the United States on war crimes charges.

The Associated Press had previously identified the man as 98-year-old Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians in World War II.

Earlier this week, prosecutors from the state Institute of National Remembrance said evidence shows that American citizen Michael K. was a commander of a unit in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion that raided eastern Poland's village of Chlaniow in July 1944, killing 44 people, including women and children.

They sought an arrest warrant for him from a court in eastern Poland, a step toward extradition. Poland's justice officials haven't released the suspect's last name, in line with Poland's privacy laws.

Judge Dariusz Abramowicz told the AP Wednesday the regional court in Lublin issued a warrant, based on 13 volumes of evidence, including documents from the U.S., Germany and Ukraine and from Poland's archives. He said that the evidence was strong enough for an arrest to be sought.

"In the court's assessment the evidence presented by the Institute of National Remembrance indicates a high probability that the suspect committed the crimes," Abramowicz said.

Prosecutor in Lublin, Jacek Nowakowski said on local TVP 3 station that among various pieces of evidence that helped identify the man were his signatures from Nazi times and his application for the U.S. visa.

A 92-year-old resident of Chlaniow, Honorata Banach, whose house was burned in the raid, told the AP that everyone was surprised at the news of the arrest warrant.

"People say: 'he's still alive!' But what can they do to him at his age, with death at his side?" she said over the phone. Her family fled the attack.

The decision comes four years after the AP published a story establishing that Michael Karkoc commanded the unit, based on wartime documents, testimony from other members of the unit and Karkoc's own Ukrainian-language memoir.

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Karkoc must be present in court in Poland since the country does not recognize trial in absentia. If extradited, he would face a court in Lublin, in eastern Poland.

Abramowicz said there was no information to suggest that health conditions could hamper Karkoc from standing trial. Karkoc's family in Minneapolis says he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The family denies Karkoc was involved in any war crimes.

Karkoc's son, Andriy Karkoc, reiterated Wednesday that his father is innocent of any war crimes, and called on the judge to release any evidence that may implicate his father.

Informed of the arrest warrant, he asked rhetorically: "Do they have any evidence on which to base that?"

"We call on the judge to release all evidence that he has that supports this unjust, inappropriate and immoral action," he told the AP.

Andriy Karkoc also pointed out that German prosecutors declined in 2015 to seek his father's extradition, concluding he was unfit to stand trial.

It wasn't immediately clear when Poland's Justice Ministry would write the extradition motion, which would then be handled by the U.S. Justice Department.

The U.S. State Department referred questions to the Justice Department. Justice Department spokeswoman Nicole Navas said that the agency "is aware of the allegations reported in the media and we take all credible allegations of participation in WWII Nazi crimes very seriously." But she said that the department doesn't publicly comment on extradition requests as a matter of policy.

German prosecutors shelved their own war crimes investigation of Karkoc in 2015 after concluding that he wasn't fit for trial.

Karkoc's attorney refused to allow a medical expert from Germany, but instead provided medical documentation from doctors at the geriatric hospital in the U.S. where he was being treated.

Munich prosecutors called the assessment, which covered the span of a year and was evaluated by a German medical expert, "comprehensive."

The German probe began after the AP's story in June 2013, which also established that Karkoc had lied to American immigration officials to get into the U.S. a few years after World War II.

The evidence was assessed by Germany's special federal prosecutors' unit, which concluded there was enough for state prosecutors to pursue murder charges against Karkoc.

___

Steve Karnowski and Doug Glass in Minneapolis, and Dave Rising in Berlin, contributed to this report.

___

A previous version of this story has been corrected to show that the judge's last name is spelled Abramowicz, not Abamowicz.
(WASHINGTON)  Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone says he believes his contacts with a Russian-linked hacker who took credit for breaching the Democratic National Committee may have been obtained through a FISA warrant, which allows the government to collect the communications of individuals suspected of being agents of a foreign power.

Stone is among a handful of President Donald Trumps associates who are under scrutiny for possible links to Russia during the presidential race. In a statement to The Associated Press, Stone said hes retained two attorneys to explore whether he can compel the government to either charge me or admit they have no case whatsoever.

The Republican operative has acknowledged having a Twitter exchange with Guccifer 2.0, a hacker that U.S. officials believe has ties to Russia. Stone said he was unaware at the time of the brief exchange of allegations that the hacker in question is suspected of being a Russian asset.

I have no relationship with the Russian state, Russian Intelligence or any other Russians, said Stone, who split with Trumps campaign in August 2015 but remains in touch with the president.

Stones messages with Guccifer 2.0 were first reported by the website The Smoking Gun. He said the story contains information that could only be learned by surveillance of my domain and eavesdropping on my e-mail, phone calls and texts.

If these where obtained through a FISA warrant as I believe and the information was leaked to the Smoking Gun, that would constitute a felony, Stone said. He also suggested, without evidence, the government had Trump under surveillance during the presidential campaign.

Trump has accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping the New York skyscraper where he lived and ran his campaign, though he has provided no evidence to support his explosive allegation. On Monday, the White House started softening Trumps claims, with spokesman Sean Spicer saying the president was referring to general surveillance that may have been approved by the Obama administration.

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The FBI, as well as House and Senate committees, are investigating Russias interference in the 2016 election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russians. Trump has asked the congressional committees also to investigate his wiretapping allegations, though the Justice Department missed a Monday deadline to provide evidence to the House committee.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., says hes waiting to hear from FBI Director James Comey whether a warrant was issued that would have allowed the Obama administration to tap Trumps phones during the campaign. Graham says he asked Comey to answer by Wednesday and also to say whether the FBI is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

If Comey doesnt comply, Graham says Congress is going to flex its muscle.

Well issue a subpoena to get the information, well hold up the deputy attorney generals nomination until Congress is provided with the information to finally clear the air as to whether there was ever a warrant issued against the Trump campaign, Graham, who heads the Judiciary Committees crime and terrorism subcommittee, said Wednesday on NBCs Today show.

Republican Sen. John McCain has singled out Stone as a Trump associate who should answer questions about his ties to Russia. The Arizona lawmaker suggested in an interview Sunday with CNN that Stone may have ties to ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Stone denied any connection to Yanukovych or his political party. Stone said he did work for a small pro-Western splinter party of Ukrainian politician Volydmyr Litwin, calling the effort to help win seats in parliament a low budget operation.

Stone said he is willing to testify in any Senate hearings that occur in public and not behind closed doors. Hes retained former U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey and South Florida lawyer Grant Smith to represent him.

Last year, Coffey represented Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski when he was charged with simple battery after an altercation with a female reporter. The prosecutor later dropped the charges.
As speculation that the president may be behind the leak of his own tax returns, one man who knows Donald Trumps finances is speaking out.

Read: Donald Trump Slams Rachel Maddow's Release of His Tax Returns, Calls It 'Fake News'

Jack Mitnik, who prepared Trumps taxes for 30 years and last worked with the real estate mogul in 1995, spoke to Inside Edition Wednesday, saying that "there is no way to tell" who leaked the documents.

Mitnik did not prepare the 2005 returns that were leaked.

"As far as I know, at our practice, we sent the client his own return. What he did with it once he got it, I cant tell you," he told Inside Edition. "The taxpayer has control of his copy, we dont control it."

The two pages of the 2005 tax return were mailed anonymously to reporter David Cay Johnston, who wrote the 2016 book, The Making of Donald Trump. Johnston revealed the tax returns on Rachel Maddows MSNBC show Tuesday night.

The taxes are marked "client copy."

He triggered the speculation that Trump himself may be behind the leak when he appeared on Rachel Maddows MSNBC show Tuesday night.

Donald has a long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it is in his interest, he said.

Fox commentator Sean Hannity scorned that theory on his show, saying: They'll suggest, Oh! Trump probably put it in the guy's mailbox late at night himself! Watch, that is going to be the next conspiracy!

Howard Kurtz, host of Fox News Media Buzz, also lashed out about the conspiracy on his show, telling Inside Edition: "This reporter who wrote an anti-Trump book is the last person on Earth who the Trump team would want to give his tax returns to."

When Joe Scarborough suggested the president was behind the leak, Trump's personal attorney tweeted: "You better have proof to back up your claim and big mouth.

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On Wednesday morning, Trump scoffed at Johnstons claims on Twitter.

Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, went to his mailbox and found my tax returns? @nbcnews fake news! the president tweeted.

The White House confirmed Tuesday night that the commander in chief made more than $150 million in income in 2005 and paid $38 million in income taxes that year at a tax rate of 25 percent.

Read: Trump Blasts Snoop Dogg After New Video Shows Him Pointing Gun at President's Head

Maddow set the nation on fire with a single tweet at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday night, stating that she would release Trumps tax returns later that night on her show.

But as viewers tuned in, many were left underwhelmed at her report and vented their frustration on social media.

Kurtz told Inside Edition: A lot of people tuned in to watch Rachel and her big scoop and then it turned into this long historical rambling, analytical talk until she got to the first commercial break and Twitter went crazy."

He added: There is no question that this is a big time blunder by Rachel Maddow, not only did go on far too long to deliver the two pages  what news she had but she turned it into a partisan spectacle although the story didn't quite live up to the hype.

Watch: A Giuliani Officially Joins Trump Administration - Former NYC Mayor's Son, Andrew

Related Articles:
A University of Wisconsin-La Crosse police dispatcher claims she was fired for supporting Donald Trump.

In a letter sent Tuesday to the UW System Board of Regents, Kimberly Dearman's lawyer, Lee Fehr of Onalaska, said his client had been fired for political speech in support of President Donald Trump's travel ban. Fehr's letter said the comments were spurred by an email UW-L Chancellor Joe Gow sent to faculty, students and staff rebuking the move by the president. Gow denied Dearman was fired for her politics.

"I want to be very clear," Gow said. "We would never let someone go based on their political beliefs. We always follow due process and policy if anyone is let go."

According to a letter sent to Dearman from UW-L Human Resources Director Madeline Holzem on Monday, Dearman was given the option to resign or be terminated. According to the letter, Dearman was investigated after a complaint from a coworker and found to have violated university employee policies against unbecoming conduct and threatening or abusive language.

According to the university's definitions, unbecoming conduct is conduct, on or off the job, that adversely affects an employee's ability to continue to perform assigned duties or the university's ability to carry out its assigned mission, or that tends to promote mistrust or embarrassment of the university. Threatening or abusive language directed toward a supervisor, fellow employee or any other person is not allowed, and that includes offensive language, whether or not it's directed toward anyone in particular, and regardless of the intent.

Reached on Tuesday evening, Holzem said she was would not comment further because of possible legal action but did say Dearman had been terminated by the university. There is much more to the story, she said, but declined to elaborate.

The letter from Fehr states Dearman's remarks were in response to a Jan. 30 email sent to the campus community by Gow on behalf of UW-L leadership stating opposition to President Donald's Trump's initial travel ban. Gow's email said he was shocked and saddened by the order, which prohibited refugees and people from certain predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States.

Fehr's letter said Dearman told a coworker she supported Trump's travel ban and that it would prevent terrorists from entering the country. She also said those immigrants should go back where they came from.

Reached by phone on Tuesday afternoon, Fehr said no legal action had been taken by his law firm but he had asked the university to reinstate Dearman to her position. He has not heard from university officials, he said, and he assumes he will proceed with litigation.

"It is a very tragic situation," Fehr said, "that an employee in casual conversation would end up losing her job because another employee is somewhat offended."

Fehr said he was upset the chancellor didn't face any repercussions for his own political speech and said his actions were intended to alert the Board of Regents to the issue of political speech on campus. He said speech on campus should be diverse but felt university administrators were stifling certain points of view.

Gow said he took exception to those comments and said Fehr's actions seem designed to garner publicity and attention. After concerns were raised about Gow's email about the travel ban, the chancellor sent a second, apologizing for his comments and to make sure they didn't stifle discussion on campus, which he said is of utmost importance at a university.
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's revised immigration ban faced the first of several challenges in court Wednesday, one day before it was due to take effect.

Here are key points of the overhauled executive order.

- What's in it? -

Iraq, which was targeted by the original January 27 travel ban, is excluded this time. Six other countries remain: Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Iran. The US says that none of the six can supply adequate identity and security information on their citizens to satisfy US needs to safely vet visa applicants.

People with pre-existing, valid visas from the six countries are explicitly exempted from the restrictions in the new order, as are permanent US residents -- so-called green card holders. The original ban had extended to people with valid visas and even those with permanent residency, causing havoc at airport arrival halls and sparking a large number of legal challenges.

- Why a revised order? -

A Washington state judge halted implementation of the original order on February 3, accepting legal challenges that said it violated the constitutional rights of immigrants and their families by specifically targeting Muslims. The judge was supported by an appeals court, forcing the Trump administration to redraft the order.

- How long does the new order last? -

Ninety days from its implementation date for the six countries on the list. The aim is to give them time to improve their databases and screening systems to boost US confidence in the visa issuance process. But officials said there is no guarantee that the ban will be lifted after 90 days. It depends on how well the countries comply with US requirements.

- What about refugees? -

Trump's new order places a 120-day ban on refugee arrivals from any country. Officials say they need to strengthen vetting procedures for refugees to prevent potential terrorists from entering the country. They said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating 300 refugees already inside the United States for suspected terror links or sympathies.

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In the first order, refugees from war-torn Syria were banned indefinitely. But now they have the same status as other refugees.

At the same time, the order -- like its predecessor -- cuts the number of refugees the government will admit this year to 50,000, down from 110,000 originally envisaged.

- Is this a ban on Muslim arrivals? -

The US government rejects the notion, pointing out that visa issuance and arrivals remain unchanged from Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, as well as those in North Africa.

But critics continue to point to Trump and other administration official statements made during and after last year's presidential campaign to argue that the intention has always been to screen out Muslim arrivals.

"The Trump administration has conceded that its original Muslim ban was indefensible. Unfortunately, it has replaced it with a scaled-back version that shares the same fatal flaws," said Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Immigrant Rights Project.
THE TRUMP TAX PROTEST COMETH. Rachel Maddow and David Cay Johnston may have had Trump tax returns Tuesday night, as her Twitter feed announced, but they didnt have the Trump tax returns. No one has seen those  the full itemized forms that list sources of income  and President Trump and his 2016 campaign surrogates have offered a conflicting and bewildering array of reasons for not disclosing them.

Against this backdrop, a determined group of activists has vowed to amp up the pressure for their release and has spent the past two months planning April 15 tax marches in 80 cities in four nations to demand that Trump disclose his tax returns.

One thing we did learn last night is that despite his claims, Trump can release his taxes at a moments notice, said Delvone Michael, Washington director of the Working Families Party and a member of the Tax March executive committee. We also learned that he made a lot of money in 2005, and we still dont know where that money came from.  We also learned that his tax rate was lower than the rate of a lot of working families around the country.

Thats why were going to be marching on the 15th, to learn more, he told Yahoo News.

The Tax March started with a tweet the day after the Womens March on Jan. 21, when former Colbert Report writer Frank Lesser, author of the book Sad Monsters, tweeted:

Trump claims no one cares about his taxes. The next mass protest should be on Tax Day to prove him wrong.  Frank Lesser (@sadmonsters) January 22, 2017

It kind of took off from there, Michael recalled. Frank was the initial tweeter, and then it started being retweeted within the progressive community.

Temporarily called the Million Deductions March, within days it was relabeled the Tax March and organizers had started creating art for it. It was, Michael said, a grassroots movement that erupted overnight of people looking for something to plug into.

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Today, marches are being planned around the country, with more than 50,000 attendees expected at each of the marches in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, according to Michael, and at least a half million folks around the country and around the world in total to get to the bottom of what the president has to hide.

The Tax March is being supported by the fiscal and organizing power of some of the progressive movements biggest actors: the American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Tax Fairness, the Center for Popular Democracy, the Indivisible Project, MoveOn.Org, Our Revolution and the Working Families Party.

In addition to Michael, the Marchs eight-person executive committee includes Nelini Stamp, also with the Working Family Party and one of the original Occupy protest organizers in New York; National Womens Legal Center vice president and former Hill staffer Anna Chu; Vermont Law Schools Jennifer Taub, a specialist in the financial crisis and white collar crime; Indivar Dutta-Gupta at Georgetown Law School; former White House National Economic Counsel policy adviser Chad Maisel, now with Indivisible; activist and writer Maura Quint; and Philadelphia-based economic justice organizer Gwen Snyder, who is the point person for those organizing local marchers.

Many of the local marches are actually being organized by local activists in those cities, said Michael.

Anything that is resist Trump, people are definitely on board. Were open-sourcing it. And then we have an executive committee, but we cant run 80 marches.

In January, Pew Research Center polling showed that 60 percent of Americans thought Trump had an obligation to release his tax returns, and only 33 percent did not. That sentiment was, like just about everything pollsters study these days, polarized by party, with 79 percent of Democrats and Democratic leaners agreeing he should release his taxes, while only 38 percent of Republicans and Republican leaners agreeing he has a responsibility to do that.

DEPARTMENT OF BIPARTISAN COMITY. Democracy is in the streets, activists like to say, but after the election Washington arts organizer Philippa Hughes, a Democrat, decided that political divides need to be crossed over dinner. After the election, I was so depressed and distraught, and feeling helpless, that I just wanted to do something, she told WAMU 88.5. I just decided I was going to do the thing I enjoy doing as an action, like kind of like my own civic action in which I would try to understand Trump voters. She began hosting bipartisan dinners with Trump voters to break down the silos that divide right and left. Its a way of handling the times she hopes others will replicate, and that she plans to continue in the months ahead.

WALL WATCH. The Texas Observer reports on the dilemma facing one family whose land has been targeted as a site for building a border wall along the Mexican border. The selection of that parcel of land predates Trumps ascension to the presidency, but his promise to build an even bigger wall along the southern U.S. border could make stories like this more common in the years ahead.

The Observer: The week before Donald Trumps inauguration, Yvette Salinas received a letter she had been dreading for years: legal notice that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to build a border wall on her familys land near Los Ebanos. The 21-page document, entitled a Declaration of Taking, is addressed to her ailing mother, Maria Flores, who owns the property with her siblings. The letter offers Flores $2,900 for 1.2 acres near the Rio Grande. If she chooses not to accept the offer, the land could be seized through eminent domain. Its scary when you read it, Salinas says. You feel like you have to sign.'

Read more from Yahoo News:
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP)  A report published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia that concludes that Israel has established an "apartheid regime" drew swift criticism from the U.N. and Israeli officials on Wednesday.

The report titled "Israeli Practices Toward the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid" was released by ESCWA at a news conference in Beirut.

Its authors conclude that "Israel has established an apartheid regime that systematically institutionalizes racial oppression and domination of the Palestinian people as a whole. "

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon issued a statement condemning the report.

"The attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy is despicable and constitutes a blatant lie," he said.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked about the report, said it was published without any prior consultations with the U.N. Secretariat and its views do not reflect those of the secretary-general.

When asked who commissioned the report and who reviewed it, he said: "That's a question to ask of ESCWA. It's a report commissioned by ESCWA, and I would refer your questions to ESCWA."

Rima Khalaf, a Jordanian who heads the Beirut-based agency, which promotes economic and social development in 17 Arab countries, has frequently been criticized by Israel in the past.

In 2015, Israel's ambassador urged the U.N.'s internal watchdog to investigate her, accusing her of "modern day anti-Semitism." The year before, he tried unsuccessfully to get then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to suspend her.

Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the U.S is outraged by the report and suggested be withdrawn.

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted that the report should not be read "without anti nausea pills."

___

Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report from the United Nations.
Remember when Matt Damon survived on Mars by growing potatoes in the the movie The Martian? Well that might just be possible, researchers from the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru found.

CIP has been looking into different ways potatoes can grow in Mars, and now researchers say their experiments preliminary results are positive.

On Feb. 14, researchers planted a stem tuber in a CubeSat, which contains soil from the Pampas de La Joya desert in Southern Peru, home to the most Mars-like soils found on Earth. The CubeSat, built by engineers from University of Engineering and Technology (UTEC) in Lima, Peru in collaboration with NASAs Ames Research Center, mimics Mars air pressure, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. The CubeSat also delivers nutrient rich water and controls the temperature for the red planets day and night conditions.

If the crops can tolerate the extreme conditions that we are exposing them to in our CubeSat, they have a good chance to grow on Mars, said researcher Julio Valdivia-Silva from UTEC in a statement.

The experiment by CIP shows potatoes could grow in dry, salty soil mixed with some fertilized Earth soil for nutrition and structure. The growth of potatoes in the CubeSat can also help on Earth in places affected by climate change.

The results indicate that our efforts to breed varieties with high potential for strengthening food security in areas that are affected, or will be affected by climate change, are working, said CIP potato breeder Walter Amoros in a statement.

The findings are good news, as NASA gears up to send humans to explore Mars in 2033. Congress recently approved a bill which allocates $19.5 billion in spending for NASA in fiscal year 2017. The legislation, instructs NASA to look into a Mars human spaceflight mission to be launched in 2033.

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CIP uploaded Monday a time-lapse video on YouTube of initial plant growth:

You can even watch activity in the CubeSat live here.

Researchers will do more rounds of experiments to see which potato varieties do best in the CubeSat and to find out the minimum conditions required for a potato to survive.

Related Articles
Back in February, a receipt from Chef Mark Simmons' Brooklyn restaurant Kiwiana drew attention thanks to a note printed just beneath the total: "Immigrants make America great (they also cooked your food and served you today)."

Now a Santa Fe restaurant is following suit. Per local news affiliate KRQE, every receipt printed at Plaza Cafe Southside features the same pro-immigrant message Simmons put on his.

SEE ALSO: Restaurant bill reminds customers that 'immigrants make America great'

Belinda Marshall, the cafe's general manager, told local news that she opted to add the note a few months ago to show support for its employees.

While the U.S. president wants to build a wall along the Mexican border and has instituted a temporary ban on refugees, the note's aim is to remind customers of the roles immigrants play in their lives.

"I think it opens peoples eyes, because they dont think about that," she told KRQE.

And though she expected at least a few complaints, the note's seen nothing but support from customers.

In February, Kiwiana's Simmons told Mashable that the note is a "a reminder to ourselves and to our customers that immigrants are relatively the backbone of the hospitality industry, and they often are the people who cook for you ... all around America."

[H/T: Grub Street]
Jeff Mayers presented a birds-eye view of the shifting political landscape Wednesday to La Crosse area business leaders.

Mayers, the president of WisPolitics.com, provided background and his analysis of state and federal issues during an insider briefing at the La Crosse AmericInn. The event was sponsored by local businesses and organizations including the 7 Rivers Alliance, the La Crosse Area Development Corp., Kwik Trip and Dairyland Power Cooperative.

From a business community standpoint, a lot is going on right now in Madison and Washington, 7 Rivers Alliance Board President Michael Richards said. Knowing the landscape will help with thinking about what is to come.

WisPolitics.com, a nonprofit, nonpartisan online news source launched in 2000, provides both free and subscription-based services to readers. The organization also hosts events with politicians and publishes a directory of state and federal officials.

Why talk about politics in 2017? Mayers asked the crowd near the beginning of his presentation. Didnt we just get through that crazy election cycle?

The political landscape will dictate what will be successful in Madison and Washington, he said, such as the new power structure that President Donald Trump and Republicans are setting up. He said Wisconsin politicians such as Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Tammy Baldwin will likely run for re-election and are already working to set the tone of their campaigns this year through their policy pursuits.

Democrats are weak in Wisconsin, Mayers said, as Republicans continue to control the governors office, Senate and Assembly. He said Republicans also did very well nationally, with Sen. Ron Johnson beating his Democratic opponent Russ Feingold in the rematch in 2016 and the state voting for a Republican presidential candidate for the first time since 1984.

The Wisconsin budget will be one of the things to keep an eye on, Mayers said, as Republicans seem wary of some of Walkers proposals, such as funding a tuition decrease at the University of Wisconsin System and a promise to not raise new revenue to pay for transportation infrastructure. The Legislature didnt rubber stamp his last budget proposal, and Mayers predicted it wont do that this year, either.

Nationally, the health care debate will be the big issue as Republicans work out their counter to the Affordable Care Act. The passage of the ACA created a wave of resentment that swept Republicans into Congress in 2010, and Mayers said Republicans could face a similar situation with their proposal.

Health care will also likely swallow up time that could be devoted to other topics, and there has been talk of delaying work on a national infrastructure plan, one of Trumps key campaign promises. Anything that gets pushed back to 2018 will be less likely to get momentum as legislators worry about their re-election campaigns and prospects, Mayers said.

Congress attention can easily be swallowed up by these big issues, he said.

Jim Hill, executive director of LADCO, asked about the status of transportation funding in Wisconsin and the likelihood the Legislature would bypass the governors pledge to hold the line on taxes. Decreasing taxes or keeping them flat is an important plank for Walker, Mayers said, especially if he pursues another term as governor.

The Legislature forcing a standoff with the governor is unlikely, he said, adding that the most likely short-term solution would be to shuffle money from the general fund into transportation. Finding a long-term solution could be trickier, because options such as adding toll roads would take support at both the state and national level.

Big things happen when there is money in the budgets, Mayers said. Were at the beginning of the budget process here.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - There was a rise in reports of sexual assault at U.S. Navy and Army military academies in the last year, the Department of Defense said on Wednesday.

An annual report, based on anonymous surveys, said reports of sexual assault in total across the military academies had decreased slightly in the last year, and the Air Force Academy specifically saw a decrease from 49 reports to 32.

But the Military Academy at West Point received 26 reports of sexual assault, up from 17 in the previous year, and the Naval Academy in Annapolis saw three more reports compared to last year.

"This years survey results underscore the unique challenges the academies face in sustaining long-term decreases in the occurrence of sexual assault," an accompanying Pentagon statement said.

U.S. Senators grilled the Navy and Marine Corps' top leaders on Tuesday about a scandal involving a Facebook group called "Marines United" for sharing explicit pictures of female members of the armed forces.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has opened an inquiry into the matter.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Alistair Bell)
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian authorities have extradited a Chilean fugitive accused of embezzling almost a billion dollars, the police said on Wednesday. Rafael Garay was arrested in the Romanian city of Brasov last November. Santiago de Chile had issued an international arrest warrant for him in September 2016, charging he had fled the country with about $900 million belonging to investors in a company he controlled. Garay announced to investors in June 2016 that he had to close the firm and undergo treatment in France for brain cancer. Garay was put aboard a regular Bucharest-Paris flight at midday. (Reporting by Radu Marinas, editing by Larry King)
Moscow (AFP) - It was the year that ended centuries of royal rule, brought two revolutions, ushered in Soviet domination and changed the course of Russian history irrevocably.

A century later, the country seems unsure how to treat the tumultuous events of 1917 that saw it hurtle from the abdication of the last tsar Nicholas II to a Communist dictatorship in a matter of months.

During seven decades of Soviet rule the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks was celebrated with pomp by the Kremlin and the tsarist regime was demonised.

But after the collapse of the USSR in 1991 there was a u-turn that saw the royal family canonised and public opinion increasingly view the upheavals not as a triumph but as a tragedy that sparked generations of bloodshed and suffering in Russia.

Now, over a quarter of a century after the Communist empire founded by Vladimir Lenin vanished, current leader Vladimir Putin appears to be performing a balancing act.

Some 500 conferences, round tables, exhibitions and art festivals are planned to mark the centenary -- but so far, at least, there are no signs that there will be any major fanfare.

"Russian society needs an objective, honest and profound analysis of these events," Putin said in a speech last year.

"The lessons of history are needed primarily for reconciliation, to strengthen society," he said, adding that it is "impermissible to let the splits, malice, resentment and bitterness of the past into our life today."

- 'Immunise' against revolts -

A former Soviet-era intelligence officer, Putin has turned himself into what many see as a kind of modern tsar and surrounded himself with a new super-wealthy elite.

His mantra has been restoring stability, strength and unity to the country after the upheaval that followed the end of the Soviet Union, and returning Russia to the conservative values of the past.

Following mass anti-Kremlin rallies in 2011-12 and the ouster of the Russian-backed leader of Ukraine by protesters in 2014, authorities have been increasingly wary of any popular revolt that could impact their grip on power.

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And some analysts say the main aim of the authorities now is to use discussions of 1917 to warn against any uprisings.

"The centenary of the revolution will allow the Kremlin to immunise Russians against any form of revolts," sociologist Lev Gudkov, the head of the Levada Centre independent pollster, told AFP.

But while those at the top may want to downplay the revolutionary spirit of 1917, they also seem keen not to offend the considerable chunk of the population who pine for the Soviet past, especially ahead of a presidential election next year.

In rare comments on the Bolshevik leader, Putin has accused Lenin of putting an "atom bomb" under Russia's foundations that later exploded.

Yet he has also waxed nostalgic about the Soviet Union and famously described its collapse as "the greatest geopolitical catastrophe" of the twentieth century.

Under his rule the authorities have highlighted the glories of the Soviet period -- particularly victory in World War II -- as the Kremlin has sought to reassert some of its lost influence abroad.

Despite years of debate the embalmed body of Lenin remains in his mausoleum on Red Square and last year the Levada Centre found some 40 percent of Russians viewed his role positively, while just 20 percent saw him in a negative light.

In comparison some 21 percent said last month that the end of the monarchy was a disaster for Russia, while 13 percent called it a positive step.

- 'Contradictory' events -

Anatoly Torkunov is the man appointed to head the committee overseeing the official commemorations that Putin established last year.

The rector of the prestigious state-run MGIMO university is painstakingly balanced and insists the work of the committee -- made up of filmakers, journalists and Church leaders -- is not directed by the Kremlin.

He refuses to label 1917 as purely a tragedy for Russia, pointing out the revolution brought both bloodshed and modernisation.

While Torkunov concedes that the "controversial" events of 1917 still stir some passions, he says the issue is far less emotive than in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse and there should now be room for more objective discussions.

"Before, this issue was very emotional, but now I want to believe that there is a bit more distance," Torkunov told AFP.

"There will be an attempt if not to reach some sort of basic consensus on the events of 100 years ago, at least to discuss what happened in Russia and what it means for us today."

But he admits that even a century may not be long enough to fully come to terms with the legacy of 1917.

"Many people are posing the question: 'Is it only 100 years or has it already been 100 years?'" he said.

"In historical terms, 100 years is still a relatively short period."
Washington (AFP) - American and Russian troops are now both present in the northern Syrian city of Manbij and can clearly see each other in the former Islamic State stronghold, a US official said Wednesday.

The unlikely prospect of US and Russian armored vehicles rumbling down the same streets is another bizarre development in Syria's tangled conflict that has raged for six years.

"They can observe each other's movements," US military spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told reporters.

"They can see each other. They are not talking to each other, and they are not hanging out together."

A few dozen Army Ranger special operations forces earlier this month entered Manbij on a "reassurance and deterrence" operation in which the normally low-profile troops drove American flag-flying convoys through the city.

Their presence creates a buffer of sorts between Syrian Kurdish forces and Turkish troops eyeing the city, and the Pentagon has said that it wants all parties to focus on fighting IS jihadists in the region -- and not each other.

The United States is backing a Kurdish-Arab alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose fighters pushed the jihadists from Manbij last year.

Around the same time, Turkey crossed into northern Syria and joined the anti-IS fight, while also working to keep in check the Kurdish fighters, whom it views as terrorists.

Turkey threatened to strike the Syrian Kurdish militia forces unless they withdrew from Manbij.

Russia and Syrian regime forces have since moved humanitarian convoys carrying military equipment into the city.

Dorrian said the US and Russian troops do not communicate on the ground, but keep each other abreast of their movements through a special hotline.

This channel was initially set up in 2015 to prevent mishaps in the air as Russia started bombing Syria on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad.

The developments come as Syria marks the sixth anniversary of its brutal conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and has killed more than 320,000 people.

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The civil war and the anti-IS fight are interconnected but for the most part have played out in separate parts of Syria.

"The Syrian civil war - one of the world's worst humanitarian crises since World War II - continues to be the most dangerous and destabilizing conflict in the Middle East today," Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said in a statement.

"Six years in, Assad has created a safe haven for (IS) and Al-Qaeda, while he commits unspeakable acts of violence against his own people."
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed in a meeting on Tuesday that Iran represents a regional security threat, a senior adviser to the deputy crown prince said The adviser also said the talks marked a "historical turning point" in U.S.-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadh's alliance with Washington less important than negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015. It has been encouraged by the Trump administration's hardline stance on Iran and its nuclear program. "The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," the senior adviser said in a statement. (Writing by Yara Bayoumy; Editing by Paul Tait)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia hailed a "historical turning point" in U.S.-Saudi relations after a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders' shared view that Iran posed a regional security threat. The meeting on Tuesday appeared to signal a meeting of the minds on many issues between Trump and Prince Mohammed, in a marked difference from Riyadh's often fraught relationship with the Obama administration, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. "This meeting is considered a historical turning point in relations between both countries and which had passed through a period of divergence of views on many issues," a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement. "But the meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," the adviser said. Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadh's alliance with Washington less important than negotiating the Iran nuclear deal. Riyadh and other Gulf allies see in Trump a strong president who will shore up Washingtons role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadh's adversary Iran in a region central to U.S. security and energy interests, regional analysts said. The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as "very dangerous", the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on "the danger of Iran's regional expansionist activities". The White House has said the deal was not in the best interest of the United States. Iran denies interference in Arab countries. PRAISE FOR TRUMP The meeting was the first since Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues. Under the plan, which seeks to promote the private sector and make state-owned companies more efficient, Riyadh plans to sell up to 5 percent of state oil giant Saudi Aramco in what is expected to be the world's biggest initial public offering. The two leaders, who discussed opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in Saudi Arabia, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office posing for a picture in front of journalists. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present at the Oval Office meeting with Prince Mohammed. The meeting also appeared to illustrate support for some of the most contentious issues that Trump has faced since taking office on Jan. 20. On a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as one that was aimed at "Muslim countries or Islam". Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order on banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Libya from traveling to the United States but removed Iraq from the list, after his controversial first attempt was blocked in the court Trump's travel ban has come under criticism for targeting citizens of several mainly Muslim countries. The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed "expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam". The senior adviser said the leaders discussed the "successful Saudi experience of setting up a border protection system" on the Saudi-Iraq border which has prevented smuggling. Trump has vowed to start work quickly on the barrier along the nearly 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing to the north. TRUMP REVIEWING PGM SALE Obama late last year suspended the sale of U.S.-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen. U.S. officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co. The State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said. A source close to the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a main topic of the meeting would be Saudi investment in the United States, which could help the U.S. president fulfill his promises of job creation. "It's the creation of jobs through investments - President Trump wants results and statistics matter for him," said Ingrid Naranjo, an expert in U.S.-Saudi relations. "It makes a lot of sense for the diversification strategy of Saudi to invest abroad and especially in the U.S." Gregory Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said that while Saudi Arabia might find the atmospherics of its relations with Trump better than those with Obama, it might find less change than it hopes on key issues. For example, he said, Trump is unlikely to mount a major, costly effort to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, or to launch a full-scale campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as Riyadh might wish. I think theyre going to find rhetorically that the new administration says things and uses language they like more, said Gause. But I think on the ground, were not going to see an enormous difference. (Reporting by Yara Bayoumy, Jeff Mason and Warren Strobel in Washington and Reem Shamseddine in Saudi Arabia; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Peter Cooney and Michael Perry)
After more than a century mining the unconscious, psychoanalysis is really showing its age.

Only 15 percent of members in the American Psychoanalytic Association are under 50. And traditional Freudian analysis  lying on a couch, talking about your childhood, day after day for years  is widely seen as a musty relic, far too expensive and intensive to fit into modern life.

But analysts arent ready to give up on Sigmund yet.

Determined to reinvigorate their profession, theyre seeking to train a new and more diverse generation of therapists. Theyre introducing the concepts underlying analysis to schoolkids. Theyre holding public talks, including recent ones taking an analytical view of President Trump. Theyre opening their field to more rigorous research, sometimes in collaboration with neuroscientists.

And theyre working to persuade a skeptical public that psychoanalysis is relevant. Yes, busts of Sigmund Freud stare down anyone who enters the New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute, the oldest training center in the United States. But analysts say theyre not unduly fixated on his stages of psychosexual development or his ideas on the id, ego, and superego.

People say, Oh, does that mean youre Freudian? said Adele Tutter, a psychoanalyst in Manhattan. Thats kind of like asking a modern-day nuclear physicist whether hes Copernican. Much of what Copernicus said was not true, but it helped. It was the foundation.

The foundation for psychoanalysis starts with the unconscious. Freud theorized that humans act in order to satisfy needs they dont know exist. If patients in therapy could speak whatever came to mind  a concept known as free association  he thought theyd eventually push to the surface subconscious feelings that can lead to self-destructive behavior.

Now, practitioners are trying to make the case that such ideas have power beyond the analysts couch.

Weve started applying psychoanalytic ideas outside of our offices  in schools, in agencies, in business, said Mark Smaller, the immediate past president of the American Psychoanalytic Association. Weve made social issues much more on the minds of our membership.

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Smaller, for instance, has been bringing psychoanalysis to at-risk teenagers at Morton Alternative School in Cicero, Ill. Now in its 12th year, Project Realize has treated more than 400 students who were expelled from regular high school for aggressive and dysfunctional behavior. Smaller said the program has helped lower violence and improve graduation rates.

Another form of public engagement comes from an experimental psychoanalytic group called Das Unbehagen. It holds public readings and performances  often on edgy topics  in hopes of drawing an audience that may be receptive to Freudian ideas.

Talking about the arts or the occult is helpful, said Vanessa Sinclair, a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in New York and a cofounder of the group. I get younger people who are interested, and then I can throw psychoanalysis at them. It makes sense intuitively to a lot of people.

The struggle to get more patients on the couch

Is the outreach working?

Perhaps, if the goal is public awareness. In January, the Library of Congress unveiled a digitized archive of Freuds psychoanalytic and personal papers. Two new books on Freud  one a study, the other a biography  have been published within the past six months. Essays claiming to psychoanalyze figures like Kanye West and Donald Trump are routinely shared across social media.

Read more: Crazy like a fox: Mental health experts try to get inside Trumps mind

But analysts acknowledge it will be an uphill battle to get more patients on their couches. Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US will experience mental health issues, yet psychoanalysis is rarely covered by insurance  or considered a viable treatment option.

Theres much more emphasis on medication, said Lisa Deutscher, vice president of the 106-year-old New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. Even in a rather privileged stratum of society, there are shifts away from the idea that it would be useful to spend your time doing therapy. There are greater pressures, like the fact people are on call for their jobs 24/7. It makes other commitments in life that much harder.

It can even be hard for would-be analysts to find the time to train. They cant start until theyve earned an MD, a PhD, or a license to practice clinical social work. After that, they must complete four years of coursework in psychoanalysis and 200 hours of clinical training.

On top of all that, they have to undergo analysis for at least two years  for at least four sessions per week.

Theyre requirements that fit the 1950s, when every psychologist wanted to be an analyst, said Jamieson Webster, a psychoanalyst with a private practice in downtown Manhattan. If youre doing a MD or a PhD or an LCSW, the conditions of starting a private practice and having a job dont fit with analytic training anymore. Candidates find their analytic voice at 50. Thats nuts.

It may also help explain why 52 percent of members in the American Psychoanalytic Association are between 60 and 80 years old.

We are an aging organization, said Smaller, who runs the school program in Illinois. When I became president-elect at age 62, it was scary that I might have been considered a Young Turk.

To bring in a new generation of analysts, training centers have embraced a mode of treatment called psychoanalytic psychotherapy. It incorporates Freudian ideas about motivation and the unconscious, yet requires only two years to learn, making it an easier and cheaper route for new candidates to join the profession.

Read more: Psychotherapy by emoji: Mental health community wrestles with texting

And last year for the first time, the American Psychoanalytic Association offered two diversity grants to subsidize training for analysts from minority backgrounds. (The grants, however, were tiny: Just $2,500 each to the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute and the Psychoanalysis Institute at Emory University. That wasnt even enough to cover half a years tuition at the St. Louis institute.)

A tentative embrace of neuroscience

Perhaps the most radical move for psychoanalysis is to actively embrace scientific research in a quest to see how applying Freuds theory of the mind affects the physical brain.

Analysis needs to open these concepts up to new evidence, to new terminologies, to new methods, said Mark Solms, chair of neuropsychology at the University of Cape Town and research chair of the International Psychoanalytical Association. Blending analysis with neuroscience, he said, is the way forward.

The concept sparked considerable resistance when Solms first proposed it in the mid-80s. Now, though, its gaining acceptance.

Psychoanalysis, as I see it over the last few years, is right back at the table of science, said Smaller.

Read more: Psychiatric drugs havent improved for decades. So researchers are scouring the brain for leads

A 2010 meta-analysis assessing the recent body of research found that psychoanalysis is more powerful for some patients than medication and about as effective as cognitive behavior therapy, a short-term course of therapy that seeks to give patients practical tools to control conditions such as anxiety. But analysts say more rigorous research is needed.

We have to be open to the fact that undoubtedly some of things we think work dont work, Deutscher said. We have to know that if were testing our ideas, some will be proven and some will be disproven.

One key side effect of research: banishing a reputation that analysts are arrogant and aloof  and not willing to partner with other health care professionals.

Its only in recent years that psychoanalysts started being willing to do randomized control trials and actually measure the outcomes of their treatments, Solms said. As that information is accumulating, its up to us to advertise. You must remember what were up against. The pharmaceutical industry is enormous and has enormous resources. Its going to be an uphill battle, but the evidence speaks for itself.
(SOUTH ARI ATOLL, Maldives)  There were startling colors here just a year ago, a dazzling array of life beneath the waves. Now this Maldivian reef is dead, killed by the stress of rising ocean temperatures. Whats left is a haunting expanse of gray, a scene repeated in reefs across the globe in what has fast become a full-blown ecological catastrophe.

The world has lost roughly half its coral reefs in the last 30 years. Scientists are now scrambling to ensure that at least a fraction of these unique ecosystems survives beyond the next three decades. The health of the planet depends on it: Coral reefs support a quarter of all marine species, as well as half a billion people around the world.

This isnt something thats going to happen 100 years from now. Were losing them right now, said marine biologist Julia Baum of Canadas University of Victoria. Were losing them really quickly, much more quickly than I think any of us ever could have imagined.

Read More: Juvenile Coral and Fish Know When a Reef Has Gone Bad

Even if the world could halt global warming now, scientists still expect that more than 90 percent of corals will die by 2050. Without drastic intervention, we risk losing them all.

To lose coral reefs is to fundamentally undermine the health of a very large proportion of the human race, said Ruth Gates, director of the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

Coral reefs produce some of the oxygen we breathe. Often described as underwater rainforests, they populate a tiny fraction of the ocean but provide habitats for one in four marine species. Reefs also form crucial barriers that protect coastlines from the full force of storms.

They provide billions of dollars in revenue from tourism, fishing and other commerce, and are used in medical research for cures to diseases including cancer, arthritis and bacterial or viral infections.

Whether youre living in North America or Europe or Australia, you should be concerned, said biologist Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of the Global Change Institute at Australias University of Queensland. This is not just some distant dive destination, a holiday destination. This is the fabric of the ecosystem that supports us.

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And that fabric is being torn apart.

You couldnt be more dumb  to erode the very thing that life depends on  the ecosystem  and hope that youll get away with it, Hoegh-Guldberg said.

Corals are invertebrates, living mostly in tropical waters. They secrete calcium carbonate to build protective skeletons that grow and take on impressive colors, thanks to a symbiotic relationship with algae that live in their tissues and provide them with energy.

But corals are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, and are suffering from rising ocean temperatures and acidification, as well as from overfishing, pollution, coastal development and agricultural runoff.

A temperature change of just 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (1.8 to 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) can force coral to expel the algae, leaving their white skeletons visible in a process known as bleaching.

Bleached coral can recover if the water cools, but if high temperatures persist for months, the coral will die. Eventually the reef will degrade, leaving fish without habitats and coastlines less protected from storm surges.

The first global bleaching event occurred in 1998, when 16 percent of corals died. The problem spiraled dramatically in 2015-2016 amid an extended El Nino natural weather phenomenon that warmed Pacific waters near the equator and triggered the most widespread bleaching ever documented. This third global bleaching event, as it is known, continues today even after El Nino ended.

Headlines have focused on damage to Australias famed Great Barrier Reef, but other reefs have fared just as badly or worse across the world, from Japan to Hawaii to Florida.

Around the islands of the Maldives, an idyllic Indian Ocean tourism destination, some 73 percent of surveyed reefs suffered bleaching between March and May 2016, according to the countrys Marine Research Center.

This bleaching episode seems to have impacted the entire Maldives, but the severity of bleaching varies between reefs, according to local conditions, said Nizam Ibrahim, the centers senior research officer.

Worst hit have been areas in the central Pacific, where the University of Victorias Baum has been conducting research on Kiritimati, or Christmas Island, in the Republic of Kiribati. Warmer water temperatures lasted there for 10 months in 2015-2016, killing a staggering 90 percent of the reef.

Read More: Why Soil Could Make Climate Change Worse Than Scientists Thought

Baum had never seen anything like it.

As scientists, we were all on brand new territory, Baum said, as were the corals in terms of the thermal stress they were subjected to.

To make matters worse, scientists are predicting another wave of elevated ocean temperatures starting next month.

The models indicate that we will see the return of bleaching in the South Pacific soon, along with a possibility of bleaching in both the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean, said Mark Eakin, coral reef specialist and coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Coral Reef Watch, which uses satellites to monitor environmental conditions around reefs. It may not be as bad as last year, but could further stress reefs that are still hurting from the last two years.

The speed of the destruction is what alarms scientists and conservationists, as damaged coral might not have time to recover before it is hit again by warmer temperatures.

But some may have a chance.

Last month, Hoegh-Guldberg helped launch an initiative called 50 Reefs, aiming to identify those reefs with the best chance of survival in warming oceans and raise public awareness. His project partner is Richard Vevers, who heads the XL Catlin Seaview Survey, which has been documenting coral reefs worldwide.

For the reefs that are least vulnerable to climate change, the key will be to protect them from all the other issues they are facing  pollution, overfishing, coastal development, said Vevers, who founded The Ocean Agency, an Australian organization seeking new technologies to help mitigate some of the oceans greatest challenges. If the reefs remain healthy and resilient, they can hopefully become the vital seed-centers that can repopulate surrounding reefs.

Nature itself is providing small glimmers of hope. Some of Kiritimatis corals, for example, are showing tentative signs of a comeback.

But scientists dont want to leave it to chance, and are racing ahead with experiments they hope might stave off extinction.

Weve lost 50 percent of the reefs, but that means we still have 50 percent left, said Gates, who is working in Hawaii to breed corals that can better withstand increasing temperatures. We definitely dont want to get to the point where we dont intervene until we have 2 percent left.

Going a step further, she is also trying to train corals to survive rising temperatures, exposing them to sub-lethal heat stress in the hope they can somehow fix that in their memory and survive similar stress in the future.

Its probably time that we start thinking outside the box, Gates said. Its sort of a no-win game if we do nothing.
London (AFP) - Support for Scottish independence is at a record high but still remains below 50 percent, according to a new study published on Wednesday, as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made a fresh bid to break away.

Sturgeon has said a second referendum was needed because of Scotland's opposition to Brexit, but the study found that rising euroscepticism in Scotland could undermine her argument.

Two other polls also published on Wednesday showed similar levels in favour of independence, although the support was broadly similar to previous comparable polls.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader on Monday announced she would be seeking authority from the Scottish parliament next week to hold a second referendum on leaving the United Kingdom.

This would ideally take place before Brexit, she said, as Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to start the two-year process of leaving the EU later this month.

The ScotCen long-term social attitudes study found that 46 percent of Scots now back independence, the highest level since the survey began in 1999.

"Overwhelming support for independence among younger voters might mean there is majority support for independence in future," it said.

But the survey, conducted between July and December last year, also found rising levels of euroscepticism, from 40 percent in 1999 to 67 percent last year.

"High levels of euroscepticism in Scotland mean focusing on EU membership may not be the best way to swing voters in favour of 'Yes'," it said.

Two other opinion polls by YouGov and Survation, meanwhile found that 43 percent and 47 percent of voters respectively would back independence, once the undecideds were excluded.

A YouGov poll in December had put independence support at 44 percent, while a Survation survey in September also showed a level of 47 percent.

May has yet to agree to the referendum, but noted that the European Commission had said Scotland would have to reapply for EU membership if it left the UK.

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"Scotland will be leaving the European Union, it will leave the European Union either as a member of the United Kingdom or were it independent," she told MPs.

- 'We will have our say' -

May initially rejected the idea of a second vote as "divisive", less than three years after Scots voted by 55 percent to reject independence in September 2014.

Angus Robertson, the SNP's most senior figure in the British parliament, told The Guardian newspaper that a referendum could be avoided if Scotland was allowed to stay in the EU single market.

But in testy exchanges in the House of Commons, he warned that time was running out.

He said May must agree her plan for Brexit with Scotland before she triggers Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, starting a two-year countdown to leaving, by her deadline of the end of March.

"If she is not prepared to negotiate on behalf of the Scottish government and secure membership of the single European market, people in Scotland will have a referendum and we will have our say," Robertson said, sparking deafening cheers and jeers from MPs.

May told him she would remain in discussions with Sturgeon's government -- but rejected comparisons between Britain's move to end 43-years of EU membership, and Scotland's bid to leave the UK.

"We have been one country for over 300 years. We have fought together, we've worked together, we've achieved together," she told MPs.

"And constitutional game-playing must not be allowed to break the deep bonds of our shared history and our future together."

Sturgeon on Tuesday used Twitter to question May's mandate for Brexit, noting that she took office after the referendum "and is not yet elected by anyone".

May responded Wednesday with a subtle dig, noting last year's Scottish election in which Sturgeon "was returned as the first minister of a minority government".
President Donald Trump paid $38 million in taxes on income of more than $150 million in 2005, the White House confirmed on Tuesday.

Trump made a "large-scale" write-off for construction losses in 2005, the White House said, in response to questions about a partial disclosure of his tax return from that year.

He also paid "millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes," an official said, without giving further details.

The White House published its statement just before material from Trump's 2005 tax return was disclosed by journalist David Cay Johnson on his website and on MSNBC.

The White House said the publication was illegal. "You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," the official said Tuesday.

What the disclosure shows

The information was based on two pages of an IRS 1040 form supplied anonymously to Johnston. The information was partial -- it did not give a full picture even for 2005.

"The release of the top pages of Trump's 2005 tax return is a useful start, but is a drop in the disclosure bucket of what Trump owes the American people," Edward Kleinbard, the Johnson Professor of Law and Business at USC Gould School of Law and a former chief of staff at the Joint Committee on Taxation, told CNNMoney.

Kleinbard said that the disclosures gave no indication about any business links between Trump and Russia.

"Only complete returns can resolve the questions swirling around his alleged financial obligations and sources of income, such as Russian oligarchs or other sovereign countries," Kleinbard said.

Pressure for full tax disclosure

Trump had promised during the presidential campaign to release his returns -- which every presidential nominee in modern times has made into a precedent -- after the conclusion of a routine audit, but the White House has not spelled out when exactly that would be.

More recently, aides have suggested that since he won the election, he would not release his returns.

Democrats noted that the revelation served to demonstrate that the White House could disclose the president's tax information, if it wanted to.

"The only news out of this is that the White House CAN release the President's taxes, despite what campaign said," Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative, wrote on Twitter. "Which we all suspected."

In October, The New York Times obtained a single year's return anonymously that showed that Trump declared a $916 million loss and lists tax benefits he used after a turbulent financial period for him in the early 1990s.

The paper, citing tax experts, said Trump could have used his loss to cancel out an equivalent amount of taxable income for nearly two decades.

This story has been updated to reflect the latest reporting.
Berlin (AFP) - A German court on Wednesday sentenced Peter Fitzek, the self-declared "King of Germany", to jail for setting up an illegal bank and embezzling up 1.3 million euros of deposits.

Fitzek had installed his "kingdom" on the site of a former hospital in the eastern city of Wittenberg in 2012, and crowned himself sovereign.

He had also illegally set up a bank that he operated between 2009 and 2013.

Around 600 people banked with him, entrusting him with deposits totalling around 1.7 million euros ($1.8 million).

But prosecutors said Fitzek embezzled 1.3 million euros of the deposits for his own use.

Sentencing Fitzek to three years and eight months in prison, presiding judge Ursula Mertens noted that no proper accounting exists of the sums handled by Fitzek.

"Over the years, you've muddled along and taken a lot of money," said Mertens.

"Your investors now have nothing because nothing was hedged," she added.

Dressed in a blue shirt with a logo of his "kingdom", Fitzek interrupted the sentencing, shouting "joke", "scandal" and "lies".

Some 20 of his "subjects" who were following the proceedings also made catcalls. One man was eventually escorted out of the courtroom.

Fitzek argued that he had spent the missing funds for the good of his community.

But Mertens retorted: "You, Mr Fitzek, have done nothing for the common good. You have used the money on yourself."

Fitzek has been in and out of court, including for driving without a licence. He argued that his kingdom had issued the permit.

He has also been convicted of illegally running a health insurance service.

On his website koenigreichdeutschland.org Fitzek says he has also issued his own currency since 2007 called Engelgeld (Angel Money).

Germany's domestic intelligence service view Fitzek as part of the far-right "Reichsbuerger" or "Citizens of the Reich" movement which rejects the legitimacy of the German republic.

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Once dismissed simply as crackpots, the Reichsbuerger movement is being seen as an increasing threat after several members opened fire on police in recent months.

Domestic intelligence service chief Hans-Georg Maassen has said the "Reichsbuerger scene" of activists and sympathisers was now thought to number about 10,000, including 500-600 right-wing extremists and 700 with gun licences.

Fitzek denies being part of the movement.
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump's national security team was finally completed Wednesday when former senator Dan Coats gained final approval in Congress as director of national intelligence.

The Senate formally endorsed Coats, a moderate Republican who represented Indiana in the body until the beginning of January, by a vote of 85 to 12.

The White House has struggled to build a team for national security and military policy. Trump's first choice for his essential national security advisor, Mike Flynn, was forced to resign after allegedly misrepresenting the content of December phone calls with the Russian ambassador.

Coats was nominated on January 7, but was placed near the bottom of a list of cabinet-level officials requiring Senate approval.

As director of national intelligence, he will be in charge of coordinating 17 bodies in the national security sphere, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense intelligence agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Coats, 73, served as a Republican senator from Indiana from 1989 to 1999, and then from 2011 to the end of his term on January 3.

He was US ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005 under the George W. Bush administration.

He was one of six US legislators and three White House aides blacklisted by Moscow in 2014 in reprisal for US sanctions placed on the country for its seizure of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.

A strong advocate for sanctions against Moscow, Coats called the ban an honor.

But in his confirmation hearing at the Senate intelligence committee on February 28, his former colleagues warned he might be "too nice" for a job in a White House where some cabinet officials are already at odds with Trump advisors over policies and staffing.

"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 Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to confirm former Republican senator Dan Coats to be President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence and to approve Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster's transfer to become his national security adviser. The vote was 85-12 to confirm Coats, who also served as ambassador to Germany under former President George W. Bush. Fifty-one votes were required for confirmation. The only Republican who voted against Coats was Senator Rand Paul, one of the Senate's leading privacy advocates, as are several of the Democrats who also voted against Coats. Democratic Senator Ron Wyden had said he would object to Coats' nomination because he felt the office of the Director of National Intelligence had not provided the committee with enough information about how many Americans' communication records had been subjected to government surveillance. McMaster was approved as Trump's second national security adviser in an 86-10 vote. No Republican senator voted against him. McMaster had faced some opposition from Democratic senators who cited concerns about his past decision to allow two service members accused of assault to advance their careers while the case against them was open, in violation of Army regulations. The Senate does not normally approve a president's national security adviser but McMaster's reappointment to his new position had to be considered by the Senate because he is an active-duty military officer. McMaster, 54, who is known for speaking his mind and challenging his superiors, replaces retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, who was fired as national security adviser on Feb. 13 after reports emerged that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence about speaking to Russia's ambassador to the United States about U.S. sanctions before Trump took office. Coats, 73, replaces James Clapper, who retired as President Barack Obama left office in January. Coats was a member of the Senate's intelligence committee until he retired from the Senate at the end of last year. He pledged during his confirmation hearing on Feb. 28 to support a thorough investigation of any Russian effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Leslie Adler and Bill Trott)
Senate Democrats highlighted people who it says were overlooked or hurt by past decisions from Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch Wednesday.

At a press conference at the Capitol Visitors Center Wednesday morning, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal brought forward three people who were involved in cases heard by Gorsuch as a federal judge.

Alphonse Maddin was fired from his job at TransAm Trucking in 2009 for abandoning his trailer in sub-zero temperatures. I could not feel my feet, my skin was burning and cracking, my speech was slurred and I was having trouble breathing, Maddin said. Though his supervisor told him not to leave the trailer, Maddin unhitched it and drove away to seek shelter.

While Maddin won his case against TransAm, Gorsuch dissented, noting that while the law bars employers from firing a worker for refusing to operate a vehicle, Maddin in fact drove away. It might be fair to ask whether TransAms decision was a wise or kind one. But its not our job to answer questions like that. Our only task is to decide whether the decision was an illegal one, he wrote.

Maddin argued that the decision showed a willingness to artfully diminish the human side of the case.

The notion that the only judge who issued a dissent relating to the matter  has been nominated to become our nations next Supreme Court justice gives me cause for concern, he said.

Patricia Caplinger sued after a Medtronic medical device called Infuse was implanted in her in a way that was not approved by the FDA. In a 2015 10th Circuit ruling that sided with Medtronic, Gorsuch wrote that the federal regulations she cited govern only a devices labeling.

I am in constant pain, Caplinger said.

Katherine Hwang spoke last. Her mother, Grace, was fired from her job as an assistant professor at Kansas State University when she did not return to work after a six-month leave in which she underwent cancer treatment. Because of the flu epidemic, her doctors advised her not to expose herself due to a compromised immune system, Hwang said. Gorsuch wrote a 2014 Tenth Circuit ruling against Hwang.

Its difficult to conceive how an employees absence for six monthsan absence in which she could not work from home, part-time, or in any way in any placecould be consistent with discharging the essential functions of most any job in the national economy today, he wrote. The Rehabilitation Act seeks to prevent employers from callously denying reasonable accommodations that permit otherwise qualified disabled persons to worknot to turn employers into safety net providers for those who cannot work.

When Judge Gorsuch issued his ruling, he didnt think about this impact this had on our family, Hwang said Wednesday. Our only source of income was lost.
By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chairman of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee said on Tuesday he plans to hold public hearings on possible links between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, although he did not say when they would take place. "It will happen," Republican Senator Richard Burr told reporters after a closed committee meeting. Asked if he knew when, he said, "I don't yet, but soon." The House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, which, like the Senate panel, is conducting its own investigation of the possible Russia ties, will hold its first public hearing on Monday. Congressional Democrats have called for a special prosecutor or non-partisan select committee to investigate the matter. But Trump's fellow Republicans, who control majorities in both the Senate and House, say the various probes by congressional committees are sufficient. U.S. intelligence agencies said in January that Russia had conducted cyber attacks on Democrats in an effort to influence the 2016 U.S. election on Trump's behalf. Russia has denied this. Burr also said he did not now plan to follow the lead of other congressional committees that have requested any warrant applications or court documents related to Trump's assertion that former President Barack Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower. Trump gave no evidence to support his charge, which former Obama administration officials have denied. When asked to explain why he had not asked for such evidence, Burr said he felt it was unnecessary. "We've had sufficient conversations and gotten answers that we find to be satisfactory from the appropriate folks," Burr said, when asked to explain why he would not request. The leaders of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism have requested evidence about the alleged wiretapping. The Justice Department has asked for more time to respond. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters after leaving the closed committee meeting on Tuesday that he had still not seen any evidence to back up Trump's wiretapping claim. Burr declined comment on whether he had seen any evidence. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Minsk (AFP) - Some 3,000 protesters marched through the Belarusian capital Minsk Wednesday in the latest of a spate of rare demonstrations to challenge the country's authoritarian leader.

People shouted for strongman leader Alexander Lukashenko to resign as they held an officially sanctioned rally amid anger over plans for a controversial tax on those who work less than six months a year.

Lukashenko, who has ruled the ex-Soviet country with an iron grip since 1994, suspended the implementation of the so-called "tax on spongers" last week in the face of public ire but refused to scrap the unpopular measure entirely.

The move was seen as a rare concession to the biggest show of public discontent in years but demonstrations have not dissipated as people suffer in the face of a lengthy economic downturn.

"The popular protests are not just connected with the decree," Sergei Kalyakin, one of the organisers of Wednesday's march, told AFP.

"The problem is that it has become unbearable to live."

While the rally in Minsk passed off peacefully, authorities detained the leaders of an 800-strong demonstration in the western town of Grodno.

Some 100 people have been detained by the authorities since the start of the protests in February, the Vyasna rights group has said, with many receiving jail terms of up to two weeks.

Wedged between Russia and Poland, landlocked Belarus looks to former Soviet master Moscow as it closest ally and partner.

Lukashenko, however, insists he remains independent from the Kremlin and has recently tried to seek warmer ties for his isolated homeland with the West.
Nobody has had sex in space. Thats NASAs official line, anyway.

But if NASA is serious about establishing a human colony on Mars, then, as Daft Punk sang in slightly different words, those Martian colonists will have to get lucky.

Because of the lack of gravity in outer space, having sex would be difficult. For one, space sex might trigger motion sickness. And its a tough task to stay connected  a kiss was difficult enough in a zero gravity simulator, writer Vanna Bonta told NBC News in 2006. All things considered, sex in space would be, well, hard.

Read: Trump Working With NASA To Create Jobs For Astronauts

But the logistics of moving bodies are only the tip, so to speak, when it comes to the complications of having sex in space. The discussion resurfaced Tuesday after a report from FiveThirtyEight that focused more on the possibility of reproduction rather than sex  and it found that reproducing in space might be more complex than humans realized.

First, theres the issue of radiation. When subatomic particles crash into DNA, they can damage it, resulting in genetic mutations or cancer. And when people have children, those mutations could be passed along.

Read: Is NASA Closer To Sending Humans To The Red Planet?

Second, microgravity could have effects on human bodies that arent well understood. When mice were sent to the International Space Station seven years ago, some of those mice stopped ovulating. Others lost a structure that forms in the ovary after the egg is released. Of course, scientists dont know whether humans would be affected in the same way. But if there is any possibility that humans respond similarly, both effects could spell bad news for pregnancy.

This hardly is the first time the topic of sex in outer space has caught curious minds trapped by gravity on planet Earth. Ten years ago, Slate asked about sex in space, adding the observation, In space, no one can hear you moan. And in 1992, after a married astronaut couple headed to space and speculation flew, a headline from the Orlando Sentinel newspaper kept the topic as G-rated as possible: NASA: No Orbital Hanky-Panky For Husband And Wife Astronauts.

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Spaceship

Photo: Reuters

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MORGANTON, N.C. (AP)  Authorities say an autopsy is planned on the body of a 3-year-old boy found on the porch of a North Carolina house a day after his birthday.

The Burke County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that a motorist called 911 on Wednesday morning saying a child appeared to be lying on the front porch of a Morganton home, about 75 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Deputies who found the boy's body said the front door of the house was open when they arrived. Sheriff Steve Whisenant said the boy's mother and her boyfriend were asleep in the house when officers arrived.

Temperatures were in the mid-20s early Wednesday.

The boy's name has not been released. No charges have been filed.

A neighbor, Pat Williams, was shocked by the death.

"I was so sorry and I didn't know the family well," she said.

Williams said her children owned the house and had been renting it to the man for about a year. He recently started dating the child's mother, and the two had moved in with the man at the beginning March.

"He kept to himself, and we kept to ourselves," Williams said.
Citizens Water Coalition of Wisconsin opposes Senate Bill 76/Assembly Bill 105. We believe this bill will cause irreparable damage to our existing lakes, rivers, wetlands and streams as well as intensify existing conditions in sensitive resource areas that have been critically damaged due to the over-pumping of high-capacity wells.

Not only do members of the coalition find it appalling that these bills are not being sent through appropriate legislative committees within our Legislature but we find it inexcusable that the dual hearing planned will further limit citizen participation on such a crucial bill that will affect thousands of residents and waterways across the state.

Our biggest areas of concern are:

Existing high-capacity wells in the Central Sands and around the state would be given permission to pump without any limitations or review indefinitely.

No additional approval is needed for the owner of a high-capacity well when a transfer of the well occurs with the sale of property. DNR does not have periodic review to assess or condition the well further in the future even if its use has changed from a minimal pumping well to high-level pumping.

The transfer provision allows elected officials to purposefully and directly ignore the states Public Trust Doctrine, which requires the state to protect a citizens rights to the waters of Wisconsin. Transferring water rights with the sale of a property is in direct conflict with that doctrine outlined within our states Constitution. Transfer wording should be removed from this bill

The bill creates a designated study area, but still does not allow the DNR to assess the cumulative impacts of well withdrawals when issuing or conditioning well permits.

The sensitive resource study area designated in this bill is studying areas of the Central Sands that are currently showing minimal impact due to high-capacity wells and ignoring areas already showing extreme drawdown of water resources.

The bill expressly states that no person is entitled to administrative or judicial review of a department recommendation. Essentially, this says that a citizen cannot have a contested case hearing on the DNRs recommendations under the study. This itself is another attempt to shut down citizen participation in the governing process and should be removed from the bill.

As Wisconsin residents, we demand our elected officials to enact legislation that will ensure our surface and groundwater will be here for generations to come. We hold our representatives to the expectation that they will protect citizen interests over big industry donors who are attempting to buy preferential legislation.

Citizens Water Coalition of Wisconsin is a statewide coalition of thousands of individuals and hundreds of grassroots organizations dedicated to preserving and protecting our water resources. We are concerned about Wisconsins water resources and support sustainable water use. We cannot support legislation that gives Wisconsins water to the highest bidder at the detriment of the citizens and communities impacted by these poor legislative decisions.
At his news briefing Tuesday, as our Maddie Hanna reported, Gov. Christie took a shot at the government meteorologists in Mount Holly and Upton, N.Y., who cover New Jersey.

The governor was displeased with the forecasts for the Monday-Tuesday storm, saying it was a big underperformer.

"I've had my fill after the last 7 years of the National Weather Service, to tell you the truth, said Christie, evidently unhappy with the accumulation forecasts that were too high for a good portion of state.

Gary Szatkowski, the former chief meteorologist in Mount Holly, who was in charge during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, took exception.

It's a great disappointment to hear the governor speak that way about the National Weather Service, he wrote in an email.

The Mount Holly office is a highly regarded office with the NWS, and deserves better treatment than that.

And considering the outstanding forecast service by the NWS during Sandy, and the disastrous way NJ mishandled using that information  I'd expect a more responsible perspective from my governor.

In its assessment of the weather service performance during Sandy, the government praised the Mount Holly office for its innovative briefing packages, which provided itemized summaries of potential hazards in a PowerPoint format.

Joe Miketta, acting chief at Mount Holly, nor I. Ross Dickman, the New York boss, did not respond directly to the governor's comments, but they defended their forecasting decisions.

Miketta acknowledged that the accumulation forecasts were overdone, but pointed out that other aspects of the forecasts, including precipitation amounts, winds, and coastal flooding, were verified.

He said the using the "b" word -- as in blizzard -- motivated people to take action.

Said Dickman, "NWS offices decided it was best to remain on the high side of the forecast snowfall in the event the rain/snow line remained just east of the major cities, which was still a possibility.

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"NWS forecasters also expected a significant band of sleet with this storm in the 'transition' area. Sleet can be as treacherous, if not more so, than snow."

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Did The National Weather Service conceal the fact that Tuesdays storm was not going to be as bad as everyone feared in some parts of the country?

Read: Snowed In? The Power of Comfort Food During a Winter Storm

Officials were reportedly aware that the snowstorm in New York City would dump much less than the two feet they had predicted. But they apparently kept it to themselves.

"National Weather Service offices decided it was best to remain on the high side of the forecast snowfall," an NWS spokesman told Inside Edition. "It was the prudent thing to do."

"Out of extreme caution, we decided to stick with higher amounts," Greg Carbin, Chief of Forecast Operations for the Weather Prediction Center told The Associated Press.

All schools in the city were closed in anticipation of the blizzard that never was. In the end, the Big Apple got about seven inches.

The New York Post labeled the fiasco "flake news."

But other parts of the Northeast were walloped with huge snowfall totals for March, which is leading to other issues.

The sheer weight of the snow can cause roofs to collapse. On a flat roof, a patch of snow two feet deep is comparable to the weight of a pickup truck.

Pitched roofs also present the danger of falling ice and snow.

Read: House Completely Covered by Ice in Astonishing Viral Images

YouTube videos show how dangerous it can be if you climb on the roof to get rid of the snow.

Ben Gjana, of Expert Roofing Contractors of Westchester, showed Inside Edition the safe way to remove snow from your roof.

He advised having a ladder with someone holding it at the bottom to get close to the top, and remove it with a shovel or rake.

"I recommend going on a ladder and move their way around the gutter and not go high up there," he said.

Watch: From Sandwich Bags to a Potato, the Everyday Items That Save Your Car in the Snow

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A 10-year-old was given the shock of his life when what he thought was a special delivery was really his older brother hiding inside a cardboard box, before he left for the Army.

Read: Military Cousins Surprise 81-Year-Old Grandmother By Returning Home For Thanksgiving

Connor Dobbyn, 10, could be seen coming home from school in a video by Caters News.

He was asking if he could go to a friends house, so I was trying to blow it off and think of something last minute, his mom, Jessica Poth, told InsideEdition.com.

She then accuses her son of ordering a huge package without her permission, which brings him storminginto the home.

As Conner begins opening the enormous package, he jumps back, and notices his older brother, Brad Marek, emerging from the box.

I knew hed be excited, but he really blew it out of the water for us all, Poth said. I started getting really emotional when they really embraced, and I could hear him  it sounded like he was going to cry. He was a little bit more thrilled than I had anticipated.

She explained the family all lived in Florida until last June, when she and Connor moved to Cleveland, South Carolina to be with her husband. Brad stayed behind to live with his father.

Its been a couple months [since they have seen each other], she explained. They are truly very close. He just loves any time he gets to spend with Brad.

Read: Military Dad Surprises His 4 Kids at Florida Football Game in Front of 90,000 Cheering Fans

His recent visit comes just before he left for bootcamp in Fort Benning in Georgia.

Poth explained Brads inspiration for joining the Army comes from his great grandfather, who also served in the Army. Brad continues to wear his great grandfathers dog tag to honor him.

Watch: Sister Jumps Into Army Brother's Arms as He Surprises Her After 3 Years Deployed Overseas

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Photo credit: Facebook/Waffle House

From Delish

Joe Rogers Sr. never imagined he'd create a 1,900-restaurant chain; he just wanted to create an escape for the road-weary - the bleary-eyed truck drivers, the parents on the verge of short-circuiting if their kids ask "Are we there yet?" one more time en route to Disney World, the nightshift workers whose dinnertime was at an hour most of the world was asleep. In 1955, he co-founded Waffle House, a no-frills diner open 24 hours a day, and wound up creating an empire.

On Friday, March 3, Rogers passed away at 97 years old. Up until a few years ago, he still regularly visited the Southern chain's headquarters, ensuring the company upheld the values and people-focused service he founded the chain on. Rogers was known as the people person of the duo - his partner, 99-year-old Tom Forkner, handled the business end of things - and became the face of the brand, in a sense. He was often behind the counter or approaching customers as they ate, chatting them up to get to know them - and their needs - better.

Photo credit: Facebook/Waffle House

Waffle House may be known as the place where you can get your hash browns, smothered, covered, chunked and/or topped, but to Rogers, it was a place to take care of people.

"Most of our waitresses have hard lives," he told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2004. "A lot of them have a bunch of kids at home, and maybe their husbands don't have good jobs. We can't solve all their problems, but we can listen to them."

Photo credit: Bob B. Brown/Flickr Creative Commons

Over the years, the company's gotten some flak for being slow to change with the times - the company didn't start accepting credit cards until 2006, and after a brief stint with gift cards, it no longer offers them. But that's partially because of its focus on simplicity: Use ingredients people could find at the grocery store (seriously - that sausage is Jimmy Dean, and the bacon is from Smithfield), and keep costs low, so anyone can afford it, even if they're down to their last tank of gas and it's still a couple days until payday. In the process, the company's developed a cult following, becoming the backdrop for a country music video and the post-awards destination of choice for stars like Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, and Kimye. (Sorry, In-N-Out.)

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Rogers is survived by his wife of 74 years, Ruth, and his four children, as well as his grandchildren.

Follow Delish on Instagram.

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Sony have released a new restricted trailer for upcoming sci-fi thriller "Life."

The movie follows a team of scientists aboard the International Space Station, whose discovery mission turns into a fight to survive after they find a rapidly evolving life form that caused extinction on Mars.

The tense trailer gives a closer look at what to expect from the movie, and the alien aboard terrorising the ship's crew.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa "Life" stars Ryan Reynolds, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Olga Dihovichnaya, Ariyon Bakare, and Hiroyuki Sanada.

"Life" is released in theatres March 24.

The trailer can be viewed now on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKf6BJi-9tU
Actor Daniel Kaluuya is a bit confused and upset after Samuel L. Jackson's criticism about his latest role in Jordan Peele's comedy-horror film, Get Out.

Jackson and The National Review's Armond White made their comments shortly after the film received a coveted 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with over 100 reviews. The film, which delved deep into liberal racism, is now at 99%.

In an interview with New York's Hot 97 radio station, the Kong: Skull Island star said he had an issue with Get Out casting Kaluuya, a British actor, as an American man.

Kaluuya responded to the comments in an interview with GQ Magazine on Monday, with eloquent and open comments on race and his own personal struggles to fit in.

SEE ALSO: John Boyega has no time for Samuel L. Jackson's 'Get Out' criticism

Though Jackson hadn't yet seen Get Out, he explained that he couldn't help but wonder "what would that movie have been with an American brother [in the lead]," who could relate more to the specific type of American-centered racism tackled by the film.

'Because Daniel grew up in a country where, you know, theyve been interracially dating for a hundred years ... So what would a brother from America have made of that role?" he questioned on air.

To these comments, Kaluuya simply explained that racism is similar everywhere.

"I'm dark-skinned, bro. When I'm around black people I'm made to feel 'other' because I'm dark-skinned. I've had to wrestle with that, with people going 'You're too black,'" Kaluuya explained. "Then I come to America and they say, 'You're not black enough.' I go to Uganda, I can't speak the language. In India, I'm black. In the black community, I'm dark-skinned. In America, I'm British. Bro!"

Kaluuya went on to detail the history of racism in London, much of which, he explained, isn't always seen in the mainstream media. "The Brixton riots, the Tottenham riots, the 2011 riots, because black people were being killed by police," he listed, "Let me say, I'm not trying to culture-vulture the thing. I empathize. That script spoke to me. I've been to Ugandan weddings, and funerals, and seen that cousin bring a white girl. That's a thing in all communities. I really respect African American people. I just want to tell black stories."

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What truly frustrated Kaluuya about this role is that in order to prove he could play the part he had to open up about the trauma he's experienced as a black person. "I have to show off my struggle so that people accept that I'm black ... I'm just an individual. Just because you're black, you get taken and used to represent something. It mirrors what happens in the film," he shared.

"I resent that I have to prove that I'm black. I don't know what that is. I'm still processing it."

Kaluuya isn't the only British actor to weigh in on Jackson's comments. Earlier this month Star Wars actor John Boyega addressed the "stupid-ass conflict" on Twitter.

Black brits vs African American. A stupid ass conflict we don't have time for.  John Boyega (@JohnBoyega) March 8, 2017

Jordan Peele recently told The Guardian that while he "didnt want to go with a British actor because this movie was so much about representation of the African American experience," talking with Kaluuya made him understand how universal the struggles of racism are.
The Philadelphia region is cleaning up after a late-season winter storm. Tuesday's storm brought less snow than expected, but the wintry mix of snow, sleet and rain has affected travel, schools and services throughout the area. Here's the latest on the snow's aftermath.

TRANSPORTATION

Roads

Slick conditions are widespread. Main roads are generally clear, but many secondary and tertiary streets are not as plowing operations continue. Clean-up operations could last through Friday.

Temperatures that dipped into the 20s overnight have left black ice on wet roads and sidewalks and turned wet slush into an icy coating.

Some crashes, including at least one deadly accident, have been reported around the region as motorists navigate the tricky conditions.

A man was killed in Delaware County, when another driver lost control on a snow- and ice-covered section of Route 1 near Creek Road in Chadds Ford just before 5 a.m. Thursday, and slammed into his vehicle, Pennsylvania State Police said. Police said Jeffrey Phillippe, of Kennett Square, died in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Philadelphia's 311 line will take requests for salting and plowing starting Thursday.

Common sight in the NW Philly neighborhoods. This is Markle Street in Wissahickon. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/4nWjA5YS1J  Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio) March 15, 2017

Snow-covered road at Robbins Street and Lawndale Avenue. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/wMAtJwqTzm  Jan Carabeo (@JanCarabeoCBS3) March 15, 2017

The Police Department was also reminding residents not save shoveled-out parking spaces with lawn chairs and other objects.

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Conditions are also hazardous for pedestrians, who face slippery treks on uncleared sidewalks. Failing to shovel 3-foot path on sidewalks in Philadelphia can lead to a $50 code violation notice. The Benjamin Franklin Bridge's pedestrian walkway is closed.

Mass Transit

SEPTA: Most Regional Rail lines are facing weather-related delays.

PATCO: No issues reported.

NJ Transit: The Atlantic City Rail Line is running normally, while other rail lines are on a Presidents; Day schedule. Light rail, including the River Line, is running on a regular schedule. System-wide cross-honoring is in effect.

Amtrak: Modified service is running on the Northeast corridor, with some Northeast Regional, Acela Express and Keystone Service trains truncated or canceled.

Airport

Airlines are resuming normal operations at Philadelphia International Airport, but several dozen flights have been delayed or canceled.

The ground stop for flights heading to PHL from other airports has been lifted. Arrivals are running an average of 49 minutes late, according to a news release.

Travelers should check with their carriers or www.phl.org for flight status information.

SCHOOLS

Philadelphia public schools are open. Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools in the city had a two-hour delay. Many districts in the suburbs opened late or are closed (a full list is available from NBC Philadelphia).

UTILITIES

Tens of thousands of people lost power during the storm, but the outages had dropped by Wednesday morning. About 3,700 customers for PECO, PSE&G and Atlantic City Electric combined were lacking electricity Wednesday afternoon.

WEATHER

A high temperature of just 27 degrees is forecast for Philadelphia Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, so there is likely to be minimal melting of snow and ice. Light snow was falling early Thursday afternoon. The day is expected to be breezy; a wind advisory is in place until 8 p.m. The weather service says to expect west winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 45 mph.

Very windy conditions expected again today causing issues with blowing snow, tree & power line damage. see https://t.co/LgidMZadPn for info pic.twitter.com/Qm2ksDmhnR  NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) March 15, 2017

Thursday is also forecast to be chilly, with a high in the mid 30s.

Code Blue alerts are in effect due to the cold temperatures. To help someone get shelter, call homeless outreach at 215-232-1984.

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No, Antarctica isn't busting out the green beer for St. Patrick's Day. But a new satellite image of the continent shows strange green ice floating in the Ross Sea.

The green-tinged ice is probably the work of phytoplankton, marine glaciologist Jan Lieser of Australia's Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Center told NASA's Earth Observatory, which released the image yesterday (March 9).

Photosynthetic plankton called phytoplankton (and algae) grow all around Antarctica in summer (which runs from October to February, because Antarctica is in the Southern Hemisphere). It's now autumn on the icy continent, but algae blooms can happen in the Antarctic fall, too, the Earth Observatory reported.

In 2012, Lieser and her colleagues noted an enormous bloom in late February and early March that was 124 miles (200 kilometers) long and 62 miles (100 km) wide. Scientists on an expedition to observe the green swirls found that the bloom was not free-floating algae, but green sea ice, or sea ice with algae growing on it.

A zoomed-in patch of green ice near Antarctica's Ross Sea can be seen in this Landsat 8 image captured on March 5, 2017. NASA

The current late-season bloom appears to have gotten trapped in the slushy, just-forming sea ice, lending it a green hue. It's unclear whether the algae bloom is on the ice, or trapped within or beneath it.

On the other end of the globe, Arctic waters experience phytoplankton blooms, too. As in Antarctica, these tiny organisms are the basis of the food web. Scientists have found, however, that the Arctic's spring phytoplankton blooms are coming earlier. What's more, a second season of algae blooms has emerged in the fall, as sea ice has retreated.

Original article on Live Science.

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By Kate Kelland LONDON (Reuters) - The international community must do more to protect healthcare in Syria as medical services become targets of war, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal on Tuesday. Samer Jabbour, an associate professor at the American University of Beirut's Faculty of Health Sciences who co-led the study, said 2016 was the most dangerous year for health workers in Syria, with multiple attacks including killings, imprisonment, abduction and torture. "The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered, despite their enormous consequences," he said. "There have been repudiated denunciations, but little action." Published to mark the sixth anniversary of the Syrian crisis, the study used data from multiple sources to assess the conflicts impact on health care and health workers. It found a "weaponisation" of health care in Syria in which people's need for it was used against them by denying access. The study estimated 814 medical personnel were killed between March 2011 and February 2017 but Jabbour said this was probably "a gross underestimate" due to difficulties in gathering and corroborating evidence. Researchers said there were almost 200 attacks on health centers last year alone and said a key feature of the weaponisation of healthcare is the repeated targeting of medical facilities with the aim of shutting them down. Attacks on hospitals and health facilities increased to an estimated 199 in 2016, from just over 90 in 2012. Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including six times this year, the study found. M10, an underground hospital in eastern Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in three years, and destroyed in October 2016. "Over time, targeting has become more frequent, more obvious, and more geographically widespread. To the best of our knowledge, this level of targeting health facilities has not occurred in any previous war," Jabbour said. The researchers called for urgent action by policymakers, noting the World Health Organization (WHO) now monitors attacks but they suggest this does not go far enough since it only counts the strikes and does not document perpetrators. Karl Blanchet, who was not involved in the study but is director of the Health in Humanitarian Crises Centre at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said the findings raise a serious issue which affects other countries, too. "Syria is just the tip of the iceberg. In Afghanistan and Yemen today, international humanitarian organizations ...report attacks on health facilities every week. Patients have been shot while traveling in ambulances in Colombia, ambulances are used in suicide attacks in Afghanistan, doctors are murdered in Somalia, and hospitals bombed in Afghanistan, Yemen and Libya, he said in an emailed comment. The experts called for stronger national and international legislation to protect healthcare workers in conflicts, and urged UN agencies to advocate for health workers, resist pressure by governments to follow the official line, and strengthen capacity to deliver medical support across conflict lines. (Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Julia Glover)
Al Gore wrote a book, "Inconvenient Truth," about global warning, but until I saw pictures of the glaciers getting smaller and smaller, I didn't believe it.

I always thought science was the truth. Politics is what everyone hopes it is. For example, the state of Tennessee decided that instead of having the awkward 3.1416 for pi it should be plain 3. This was passed into law in Tennessee many, many years ago.

Galileo upheld the theory of Copernicus that the earth moves around the sun and he was sentenced to prison for this truth.

The wrong person is heading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and along with our governor's actions, needed protection for Wisconsin will suffer.
You might be more prone to pulling out your hair, but having children is a possible catalyst to living longer, according to a new study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Specifically, the study found a link to greater longevity for those with kids compared to their childless counterparts especially as they get older.

Researchers looked at lifespans of 704,481 men and 725,290 women from age 60 and up, all residing in Sweden and born between 1911 and 1925. The study, which relied on national registry data, examined marital status in addition to how many children each person had and their respective sexes.

Death risk naturally ticks upward as people age. But apart from other factors like education, having one child at a minimum meant a lower risk of dying sooner than having no children. This was more the case for men than women.

At age 60, men with children were expected to live another 20.2 years compared to 18.4 years for men without children. For women at the same age, the numbers were 24.6 years and 23.1 years. By age 80, men with children were expected to live 7.7 more years and women 9.5 years, longer than their childless peers at 7 and 8.9 years.

Still, the reasons for longevity don't just relate to having children.

"In terms of all other causes that would affect your death risk in these old ages, having a child is not among the greatest ones," study author Karin Modig told the Guardian. "But it is still a 1.5% difference [for 90-year-old men] which is still substantial."

The study did not reveal whether the sex of the child matters for longevity, though earlier research has considered "the social benefits of having a daughter," according to a news release. Researchers in this study surmise that other factors could be more influential in terms of longevity, like figuring out the health system, where sons could help just as much.

Researchers could also not offer any conclusive cause and effect for the study's results, since it was observational.

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"Support from adult children to aging parents may be of importance for parental health and longevity," according to the researchers. "At old age, the stress of parenthood is likely to be lower and instead, parents can benefit from social support from their children. In addition, parents have on average more healthful behaviors than childless individuals."

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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.
Stockholm (AFP) - Swedish prosecutors said Wednesday they have received a translation of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's interrogation four months after he was questioned on a rape allegation.

The 45-year-old founder of the secret-spilling website has been at the Ecuadoran embassy in London since 2012, having taken refuge to avoid being sent to Sweden where he faces a rape allegation.

He fears Sweden would extradite him to the United States over his website's leaking of diplomatic cables and other classified documents.

The Australian was questioned at the embassy on November 14 and 15 on the rape allegation which dates back to August 2010.

Assange has denied the accusation brought by a Swedish woman.

The Swedish prosecutor's office said in a statement that a report, prepared by Ecuadoran prosecutors, on the interrogation, was translated and is "now almost finished."

They declined to reveal the next legal steps to be taken in the case.

In early January, Ecuadoran authorities submitted the 400 to 500-page document to Sweden.

An earlier statement from the Swedish prosecutor's office on January 5 said the report was written mainly in Spanish, but did not mention the other languages.

"The prosecutors are still waiting for the translation of some minor parts of the report. These are expected to be completed shortly," they said.

Swedish prosecutor Ingrid Isgren, Ecuador's ambassador to Britain Carlos Ortiz, and an Ecuadoran lawyer representing Assange were all present when the former computer hacker was grilled in English on questions provided by Swedish officials.

The procedure has been marked by a series of complications since June 2012 when Assange chose to take refuge inside the embassy to escape a European arrest warrant issued by Sweden.

In August 2015, the five-year statute of limitations expired on another sexual assault probe into Assange concerning another Swedish woman.

But prosecutors are still investigating the rape allegation, which carries a 10-year statute of limitations.

"The prosecutors will now analyse the report and will thereafter decide what further investigative measures may be taken," the prosecutors' statement said.

"For confidentiality reasons, the prosecutors cannot provide information on which investigative measures they intend to conduct, nor when they will take place," it added.
By Dahlia Nehme DAMASCUS (Reuters) - In the cancer ward at Damascus Children's Hospital, doctors are struggling with a critical shortage of specialist drugs to treat their young patients - and it's not just due to the general chaos of the Syrian civil war. Local and World Health Organization (WHO) officials also blame Western sanctions for severely restricting pharmaceutical imports, even though medical supplies are largely exempt from measures imposed by the United States and European Union. Six years of conflict have brought the Syrian health service, once one of the best in the Middle East, close to collapse. Fewer than half of the country's hospitals are fully functioning and numbers of doctors have dived. The result is tumbling life expectancy - even after accounting for the hundreds of thousands directly killed in the fighting - and soaring deaths in pregnancy and childbirth. On top of this, cuts in health spending by the government that is fighting a hugely expensive war, a drastic fall in the Syrian currency and indirect effects of the sanctions are all deepening the misery of patients who need foreign-made drugs. For families with sick children, the situation is dire. At the children's hospital in government-held Damascus, the waiting room outside the cancer ward was crowded with relatives, many of whom had brought clothes, mattresses and blankets in case they had to spend long periods far from their homes outside the city. One of them was Naim Der Moussa, 55, who has been living in Damascus for a year to secure regular treatment for his 10-year-old daughter Waad. They left his wife and six other children behind in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor, where government forces are besieged by Islamic State. "My daughter was first diagnosed with kidney cancer and treated," he said. "Now cancer has been found also in her lungs." PROHIBITIVE EXPENSE Before the conflict, Syria produced 90 percent of the medicines it needed but anti-cancer drugs were among those where it traditionally relied on imports. Elizabeth Hoff, the WHO representative in Syria, said medicine imports have been hit by significant cuts in the government's health budget since the war began in 2011 plus a 90 percent drop in the value of the Syrian pound, which has made some pharmaceuticals prohibitively expensive. However, a lack of cash is not the only reason why supplies of cancer drugs are falling far short of increasing demand. "The impact of economic sanctions imposed on Syria heavily affected the procurement of some specific medicine including anti-cancer medicines," said Hoff. The sanctions were preventing many international pharmaceutical companies from dealing with the Syrian authorities as well as hindering foreign banks in handling payments for imported drugs, she added. The United States and EU have imposed a range of measures targeted both at the government and some of the many armed groups operating in the country. Washington has banned the export or sale of goods and services to Syria from the United States or by U.S. citizens. The EU has imposed travel bans, asset freezes and an arms embargo, with sanctions also targeting financial ties with Syrian institutions, buying oil and gas from the country or investing in its energy industry. President Bashar al-Assad has partly blamed the sanctions for turning many Syrians into refugees, often heading to Europe. Both the U.S. and EU regimes include exemptions for medicines and other humanitarian supplies. However, by clamping down on financial transactions and barring much business with the Syrian government, the sanctions are indirectly affecting trade in pharmaceuticals. Many drugs companies have erred on the side of caution, avoiding any business with Syria for fear of inadvertently falling foul of the sanctions. The U.S. State Department said the Treasury had authorised services in support of humanitarian activities in Syria, adding that there were legal ways to bring medicine into the country. The EU also rejected criticism of its sanctions. "Such measures are not aimed at the civilian population," an EU spokeswoman said. "EU sanctions do not apply to key sectors of the Syrian economy such as food and medicine." She acknowledged firms had increasingly pulled out of business with Syria but said this was also due to other reasons, including "security, reputation, commercial motivation, anti-money laundering measures" and the presence of jihadist groups. CRITICAL SHORTAGES ABOUND The WHO brings essential medicines and medical supplies into Syria, procuring generic drugs from approved sources in Europe, North Africa and Asia. Branded U.S. products cannot be imported due to the sanctions situation, Hoff said. With funds from Kuwait, the WHO has delivered life-saving medicine including to more than 16,000 cancer patients, of whom thousands are children with leukaemia. But this does not meet demand. Besides cancer medication, there are critical shortages of insulin, anaesthetics, specific antibiotics needed for intensive care, serums, intravenous fluids and other blood products and vaccines, Hoff said. The overall collapse in Syrian healthcare has contributed to a drop in life expectancy to 60 years for men and 70 for women in 2014, from 72 and 75 respectively in 2009. Only 44 percent of hospitals are now fully functioning and more than a quarter aren't working at all, the WHO said. By 2014, the number of doctors in Syria had dropped to 1.3 per 1,000 people, less than half the level in neighbouring Jordan and Lebanon. Against this deterioration, Damascus Children's Hospital has also come under increasing pressure. Cancer units in the provincial cities of Aleppo and Latakia were both put out of service in fighting earlier in the war. Now about 200 children visit the Damascus hospital every week, with more than 70 percent from outside the capital, according to its head, Maher Haddad. The weight of demand has delayed treatment for dozens of sick children by 15-20 days, affecting their prospects, overall health and response to medication, he added. Haddad also singled out the sanctions. Pharmex, the state-owned company that buys drugs for government-funded hospitals across Syria, was able to provide only 5-10 percent of the cancer medication that is required, he told Reuters. "Most of the cancer medicines are imported. Pharmex used to import the stock of medicines that public hospitals need. But it has not been able to do so largely because of the economic sanctions, I believe," he said. His hospital has only 36 free beds, with 17 of those allocated to children with cancer. In the waiting room, a woman who identified herself only by her first name Nawal, said she travels from the Qalamoun area north of Damascus every fortnight with her 14-year-old daughter who requires chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia. "We don't have hospitals or charities in Qalamoun. Free treatment is offered only at the Children's Hospital in Damascus," Nawal said. One private charity, Basma, is trying to help out by funding cancer drugs for poor families. The proportion of patients who need assistance has risen from about 30 percent to nearly 80 percent since the war began, executive manager Rima Salem said. Salem finds the delays in treatment worrying. "A child with cancer might die waiting for his turn to get treatment," she said. (Additional reporting by Yeganeh Torbati in Washington and Robin Emmott in Brussels; Editing by Angus McDowall and David Stamp)
Washington (AFP) - The US-backed Arab-Kurdish alliance leading the offensive to surround and recapture the Islamic State group's main bastion in Syria now comprises mainly Arab fighters, a US official said Wednesday.

The development is significant because the United States has been trying to bolster the Arab part of the Syrian Democratic Forces in a bid to placate Turkey, which views the Kurdish component as terrorists.

The SDF since last fall has been ramping up an offensive to recapture Raqa, which IS views as the capital of its supposed "caliphate."

The alliance is being backed by US-led air power, and American and other Western commandos are training and advising local forces.

"About 75 percent of that force that is now isolating Raqa is Syrian Arab, and this is a reflection that's demographically fairly consistent with what you would find in that area," US military spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told reporters.

Still, he said he expected Kurdish fighters to be involved in liberating Raqa "at some level."

Turkish forces are operating in northern Syria and have joined the anti-IS fight, but are also working to keep the Kurdish fighters in check.

Dorrian said it is possible Turkish forces may play a role in Raqa.

"We haven't come to an agreement about what that role will be or if there will be one, but we talk to Turkey... every day," he said.
Taipei (AFP) - Taiwan pledged Wednesday to build up its military in the face of an increased risk of invasion by China in a major defence ministry report that comes as ties with Beijing worsen.

China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be brought back into its fold, by force if necessary, even though the island has been self-governing since the two sides split after a civil war in 1949.

Beijing is deeply suspicious of president Tsai Ing-wen, whose Democratic Progressive Party is traditionally pro-independence.

Taiwan has never declared formal independence and last week China's premier Li Keqiang said authorities would not tolerate "any attempts to separate Taiwan from the motherland".

It has severed all official communications with Taipei since Tsai became leader in May and has reportedly discouraged Chinese visitors from travelling to the island.

In a summary of a four-yearly report to be delivered to parliament Thursday, Taiwan's defence ministry said it wanted to build a bolstered "multi-layer defence front" including submarines, missiles and drones which it hoped would act as a deterrent.

If there was still an attempted invasion, combined interception forces would "weaken the enemy's capabilities and crush its attacks to deter it from landing on the island".

The report summary said Beijing had never given up on its desire to invade.

"Preparing for a war to invade Taiwan is a major goal of its military preparation," the summary said.

It added China's military expenses had been growing and its resources had seen "rapid modernisation".

In contrast, Taiwan had limited capabilities and was suffering from a lack of soldiers.

To address its weaknesses, the island would focus on developing three key areas -- aerospace, shipbuilding and information security -- and would seek to develop more of its own weapons, the ministry said.

Beijing sent its only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, through the Taiwan Strait in January as a show of strength, but it did not enter Taiwanese waters.

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Since then Taiwan has announced a ramping up of its military, including the development of new stealth fighter jets and a locally built fleet of jet trainers.

Currently the United States, its most powerful ally, is its main arms supplier, even though the two sides do not have official diplomatic ties after Washington switched recognition to Beijing in 1979.

There have been concerns Taiwan will become a bargaining chip between the US and China since Donald Trump angered Beijing with a protocol-busting telephone conversation with Tsai following his election victory.

Trump and China's president Xi Jinping subsequently smoothed over the dispute in a phone call in which the US leader reiterated Washington's adherence to the "one China" policy that nominally endorses Beijing's claim to Taiwan.

China and the United States are currently discussing arrangements for a summit between Trump and Xi.

The defence ministry report made little mention of US ties, saying only that the US "maintains its deployment in Asia Pacific" and conducts military drills with allies.
The Trump administration has been at the center of a few wild claims in recent weeks, but theres an explanation. To put it in the native patois of Trumps signature form, Twitter:

lol jk!

For two straight days, Press Secretary Sean Spicer has played off comments made by President Trump and members of his team as simple jokes. Monday saw Kellyanne Conway quoted in The Record, a New Jersey newspaper, saying, What I can say is there are many ways to surveil each other. You can surveil someone through their phones, certainly through their television setsany number of ways. She added, in the line that launched a thousand memes, that there are microwaves that turn into cameras. During Tuesdays press briefing, Spicer conceded that your Maytag is not a sound way of surveilling someone and insisted that she was speaking in jest.

If she was joking, she apparently made no indication of it to reporter Mike Kelly, who clearly took her seriously. Conway did not offer any evidence to back up her claim, Kelly wrote solemnly.

Recommended: Americas Empty-Church Problem

Spicer played the comedy card on Monday too, during a typically surreal press briefing. Reporters were curious about the White Houses stance on unemployment numbers, which he and his team derided as fake when he was a candidate yet celebrated as real now that he was in office.

I guess the question is, when can we trust the president when he says something is phony and when he says its real? wondered NBCs Peter Alexander. Spicer said Trump can be trusted. How can we believe that [the employment report] is real when you just told us that it was phony then, but now its real? Alexander replied.

After skirmishing for a few minutes, Spicer concluded that the press, and the people, should take the presidents statements seriouslyif hes not joking, of course.

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This is a nifty piece of rhetoric. How is anyone to know whether Trump is joking? As Philip Bump noted after Mondays exchange, thats very difficult to tell. Trump doesnt really tell jokes in any sort of traditional sense. At the Al Smith Dinner in October, during which candidates typically offer good-natured ribbing of each other, Hillary Clinton delivered a fairly standard spiel. Trump, by contrast, drew boos and stunned silence for his routine, which wasnt really a series of jokes so much as a series of insults.

Trump has tried to claim inflammatory claims were just jokes before. In August, he called Barack Obama the founder of ISIS. It was a weird sort of claim, in that Trump almost certainly didnt literally mean that Obama had founded ISIS (although given Trumps tendency to pal around with Alex Jones, one can never be too sure). Instead, he seemed to mean that Obamas policies had fostered ISIS. A debatable assertion, to be sure, but not an insane one. Yet the following day he went on Hugh Hewitts radio show and insisted, No, I meant hes the founder of ISIS. I do. Finally, later, he claimed he had been sarcastic all along. Thats not how sarcasm works, and the claim didnt make sense given his comments on Hewitts show. Trump also pleaded sarcasm after getting up at a press conference and encouraging Russia to hack Hillary Clintons State Department emails.

This is a maneuver familiar to anyone who attended junior high school: When you screw up, just claim you were kidding and that everyone else missed the joke.

This is a maneuver familiar to anyone who attended junior high school: When you screw up, just claim you were kidding and that everyone else missed the joke.

Even if you were to take Trumps claim that he was joking seriously (so to speak), it would be nearly impossible to tell when he is and when he isnt, since he speaks with an unusually consistent tone and because, as my colleague Alex Wagner and Chuck Todd have observed, Trump almost never really laughs.

Recommended: Kellyannes Alternative Universe

If you have a joke, however, there must be a butt for that joke. And in these cases, it is typically the press. In Act I, Conway made her microwave remarks, which every context clue would suggest were simply a silly gaffe, weird flight of fancy (based, perhaps, on WikiLeaks dump of CIA documents last week). In Act II, reporters, correctly sizing Conways comments up as ridiculous but overplaying their significance, spent the next 24 hours or so reporting, analyzing, aggregating, and fact-checking them. In Act III, Sean Spicer wrote the whole thing off as just a big jokethus making the media look immensely silly for having chased after a shiny bauble for a day.

Theres an ongoing debate about whether the Trump team is comprised of bumbling fools, unable to get their stories straight, or Machiavellian geniuses, constantly distracting the press from the real story. Its a false dichotomy, for reasons that become clear in this case. As a rebuttal tactic, the just kidding! line is not especially sophisticated; indeed, its almost certainly born of desperation. But it serves its purpose of ridiculing the media here, especially within the longer narrative of Trumps tension with reporters, and given his supporters deep skepticism of the press.

This is, however, pernicious. The emerging pattern is that Trump (or an aide) speaks without really considering the effects of a statement, and then decides well after the fact whether the statement was a joke or serious. Such a paradigm makes diplomacy nearly impossible. If Obamas failed red line was deleterious to American interests, how much worse is it when every statement is potentially subject to ex post facto relegation to joke status? The same problem naturally applies to domestic political discourse. If citizens arent sure at any given time whether the president is kidding or not, its impossible to set up factual boundaries or make empirical conclusions. Which might be exactly the point.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazilian President Michel Temer's center-right government is facing accusations of trying to cover up exploitation of workers in conditions likened to modern-day slavery.

Since 2003, a weapon in the fight against companies mistreating workers, especially in Brazil's powerful agribusiness sector, has been the country's so-called "dirty list," which names violators.

The blacklist is meant to be published every six months but has failed to appear since Temer took over the presidency in May 2016, following the suspension of his leftwing predecessor Dilma Rousseff.

And fingers are being pointed at Temer's government, whose backers include the agricultural industry.

"It's clear that the government is censoring the dirty list and that it has come under pressure from the construction or agribusiness sectors," said Leonardo Sakamoto who founded Reporter Brasil, an NGO investigating companies accused of abusing workers.

Nearly 46 million people around the world work in slave-like conditions, most of them in Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, according the Walk Free Foundation, an Australia-based NGO.

Brazil, where slavery was abolished in 1888, is estimated to have 161,000 victims.

Most are young people from poor regions who are lured with false promises of good conditions to work on Brazil's extensive soy and sugarcane plantations, or its cattle ranches.

Once there they are poorly fed, made to work without pay and threatened if they try to leave, said Xavier Plassat, from the Catholic group Pastoral Land Commission in testimony to a regional rights body last year.

- Blacklist halted -

The blacklist was last published in 2014 under Rousseff's administration, but was halted in December of that year by the Supreme Court after a complaint by the construction industry association, which argued that companies listed had no way to defend their reputation.

In response, Rousseff's government made adjustments to the document and the Supreme Court lifted its ban from May 2016.

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The next publication date was scheduled for June but by then Temer had taken over, and no blacklist has been published since.

In March, a court ordered its publication, but this has again been held up following an appeal by the government's lawyer, again arguing that companies rights were being harmed.

Following revisions made by a government commission and representatives of management and unions, the list is now scheduled to reappear in July.

The Brazilian labor rights watchdog has added its voice to criticism of the delays, saying the blacklist "is the most effective, efficient and rapid way to fight the evil of slave labor."

- 'Guaranteeing transparency' -

Asked to comment, the labor ministry sent a statement to AFP quoting the minister, Ronaldo Nogueira, saying that the blacklist "is an important instrument for fighting slave labor."

But he added that modifications made under Rousseff failed to guarantee the right "to a proper defense by those who are accused."

The list was first created under leftwing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and those named can be fined or have funds frozen.

"The importance of the dirty list is huge in guaranteeing transparency of policy toward slave labor and so that foreign companies can analyze the risk and be assured when it comes to buying certain products," Reporter Brasil said.

In December, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled against Brazil in a historic case, ordering compensation to be paid to 85 people working in slave-like conditions in the Amazonian state of Para.
By Jon Herskovitz

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The state of Texas on Tuesday executed a man for launching a 1987 crime spree that led to the killing of four people, including a 4-month-old boy he drowned in a sink.

After more than 25 years on death row, James Bigby, 61, was put to death by lethal injection at the state's death chamber and pronounced dead at 6:31 p.m. CDT, a prisons official said.

The execution was the 542nd in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976, the most of any state. It was also the sixth this year in the United States, and four of those execution have taken place in Texas.

There were no last-minute appeals for Bigby. Lawyers previously asked for a halt to his execution, saying he had schizophrenia and his mental illness was not properly considered as a mitigating factor during sentencing.

Bigby was convicted and sentenced to death for the Fort Worth-area murders of Michael Trekell, 26, and his son Jayson, a 17-week old infant. He was also suspected in but not charged with the deaths of Calvin Crane and Frank Johnson.

Sometimes in multiple killings, prosecutors opt not to charge a person with all the murders, leaving open the possibility of bringing those charges later if there are problems at trial.

Bigby thought his three friends were trying to block a worker's compensation claim he filed. To stop them, he shot Trekell in the head and killed the baby in December 1987, according to court documents. Later the same day, he killed Crane and went the next day to Johnson's house and fatally shot him when he opened the door, the documents said.

He was arrested after a standoff with police during which he threatened suicide and said he wanted to go out "in a blaze of glory," the documents showed.

During a recess in his 1991 murder trial, Bigby retrieved a revolver from the judges bench, entered the judicial chambers, pointed the gun at the judges head and said: Lets go," the documents said.

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He was eventually subdued and later condemned to death.

In his last statement, he offered apologies to the families. "Im sorry. Im sorry. I hope that my death will bring you peace and closure," he was quoted as saying by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

(Reporting by Jon Herskovitz; Editing by G Crosse and Peter Cooney)
Three elderly women who underwent an unapproved stem cell treatment for macular degeneration became legally blind from the procedure, physicians who later treated the patients reported on Wednesday. It is the latest evidence that for-profit stem cell clinics are peddling the modern equivalent of snake oil in a gross violation of professional and possibly legal standards, said Dr. George Daley, a leading stem cell biologist and dean of Harvard Medical School, in an editorial accompanying the study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The women, ages 72 to 88, were all treated in the summer of 2015 at Florida-based Bioheart Inc., which last August changed its name to US Stem Cell.

Each woman received a slurry of cells derived from liposuctioning her belly. US Stem Cell employees processed the tissue to isolate what the study authors call the putative stem cells. Those were mixed with platelet-dense plasma from the patients blood, treated with an enzyme, shaken, spun, and injected into both eyes.

The women all suffered detached retinas, vision loss, and hemorrhages in their eyes. While previously they just had trouble reading small print, afterwards they could barely see hand movements or, in some cases, light.

Read more: FDA chief pushes back against criticism of stem cell treatment regulations

None of the women are named in the study. But at least two US Stem Cell patients, Elizabeth Noble and Patsy Bade, sued the company and some of its employees in 2015 after having stem cell procedures for macular degeneration that June. Both lawsuits were settled, with the women receiving payments.

The paper comes in the wake of efforts by the Food and Drug Administration to more tightly regulate stem cell clinics and close down those that put patients at risk. Those efforts have stalled, however. An FDA spokeswoman told STAT she has nothing to share at this time about the status of proposed regulations, and experts consider FDA action unlikely in the regulation-averse Trump administration.

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In general, clinics have argued they are not subject to regulation of procedures using stem cells taken from a patients own body as long as those cells are minimally processed.

There is little question that when the FDA is involved in regulatory oversight it works in favor of patient safety, said Stanford Universitys Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, senior author of the NEJM paper. That would have protected patients in cases like these.

Clinical trial?

The company appeared to have plans to do more such procedures. A clinical trial run by Bioheart, first listed in a government database in 2013, was withdrawn in September 2015 before it enrolled anyone.

At least one woman said she thought she was in a clinical trial that she found in that database. In fact, however, the consent form she signed was simply to undergo the stem cell procedure, said Dr. Thomas Albini, of the University of Miami, who treated two of the women days after their procedures, when they were in pain and becoming blind. (The third was treated at an Oklahoma eye institute.)

Read more: Stem cell clinics hawking unproven therapies sprout up across US

Each woman paid $5,000 for the procedure. Virtually no reputable clinical trial charges patients for a procedure that is supposedly being studied. The clinical trial listing lured these women into thinking this was a legitimate procedure and could help them, Albini said.

In response to requests for comment, US Stem Cells public relations firm said in a statement that, since 2001, its clinics have successfully conducted more than 7,000 stem cell procedures with less than 0.01 percent adverse reactions reported. The spokeswoman said the company would not comment on whether the women believed they were enrolling in a clinical trial or why it withdrew the trial before enrolling any patients.

It is not clear what went wrong in the three cases. One possibility is that the slurry contained cells that contracted, literally pulling the patients retinas off the back of the eye. Alternatively, enzymes used to prepare the fat cells might not have been washed off before the slurry was injected, and may have attacked the patients eyes. The womens blindness was obviously due to the procedure, Albini said, calling it off-the-charts dangerous. Not only is there no reputable research showing stem cells derived from fat and injected into the eye are safe and effective, but it was done on both eyes at once  a no-no even for established ophthalmological procedures.

Nor is it clear what the company thought the fat-derived stem cells would do in eyes. No stem cell expert contacted by STAT knew of any studies by the company testing the procedure in lab animals. This case is a perfect example of why doing preclinical studies [on lab animals] is so important, said Paul Knoepfler of the University of California, Davis, a stem cell biologist who follows the industry and was not involved in the new study. Doing the procedure in rats might have shown whether there are safety problems.

US Stem Cell no longer performs eye procedures. In a regulatory filing, it reported that its techniques can treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hip and knee conditions, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, autism, colitis, and lupus. There is no rigorous evidence that stem cells spun out of patients fat can safely and effectively treat any of these, and none are FDA-approved.

What was then Bioheart became a publicly traded company in February 2008, raising $5.8 million, one-tenth what it had forecast. The stock is currently trading at a little below 3 cents per share and the company is known for really preaching the gospel for stem cell therapy and the need for less FDA oversight, said Knoepfler.

At a recent FDA hearing on stem cell clinics, US Stem Cells chief scientific officer, Kristin Comella, said, The government should not regulate our bodies.  I will always stand up for patient rights.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Tin, her husband and five children have cleared years of refugee hurdles to come to the U.S.: blood tests, interviews, DNA and fingerprints, background checks. She has her one must-bring possession within reach, a well-worn Bible, and keeps their phone charged for the U.S. Embassy to call. But the odds of that happening dropped precipitously. President Donald Trump's 16-page redone travel ban "to keep the bad dudes out" aims to stop people from six Muslim countries from entering the U.S. this year and suspends refugees from arriving for 120 days. But the order also includes a sweeping 55 percent reduction in refugee visas overall, from a planned 110,000 to 50,000 this year.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  A teddy bear. A Bible. A photo of a beloved mother who died years ago. Refugees live for years out of suitcases in poverty, many envisioning their future in America. They own very little and will bring even less, but everyone has at least one precious item that they were planning to bring to the place they call their "fatherland." The odds of that happening just dropped precipitously. President Donald Trump's travel ban "to keep the bad dudes out" aims to stop people from six Muslim countries from entering to the U.S. this year and suspends refugees from arriving for 120 days.

TOKYO (AP)  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Wednesday began a three-nation tour of Asia where anxiety is rising over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, along with questions over how the Trump administration will tackle one of its sternest national security challenges. Tillerson flew to his first stop in Japan as the U.S., Japanese and South Korea navies conducted missile defense information-sharing drills in the region. Uncertainty remains, however, over how the U.S. administration intends to pressure or persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons that also pose an emerging threat to the United States itself.

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SYDNEY (AP)  Reducing pollution and curbing overfishing won't prevent the severe bleaching that is killing coral at catastrophic rates, according to a study of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. In the end, researchers say, the only way to save the world's coral from heat-induced bleaching is with a war on global warming. Scientists are quick to note that local protection of reefs can help damaged coral recover from the stress of rising ocean temperatures. But the new research shows that such efforts are ultimately futile when it comes to stopping bleaching in the first place. "We don't have any tools to climate-proof corals," said Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Australia and lead author of the study being published on Thursday in the journal Nature.

BEIJING (AP)  Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Wednesday for new talks to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula, ahead of a visit to the region this week by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that is expected to focus heavily on efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs. Li said China was a strong supporter of U.N. resolutions aimed at nudging the North toward ending its programs, and had "fully complied" with economic sanctions on Pyongyang. He acknowledged the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia in general, saying any conflict would be disastrous for all sides.

BEIJING (AP)  A visit to Beijing by Saudi Arabia's King Salman is highlighting China's budding engagement with the Middle East, which provides a crucial source of energy to fuel its economy and represents a key component in Beijing's bid to link China to Europe through infrastructure development. Salman was holding talks Thursday with President Xi Jinping following a formal welcoming ceremony. His visit is part of a monthlong swing through Asia that has included stops in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Japan in a push to develop a less oil-dependent growth strategy. Beijing is rolling out a trade and investment initiative across Central Asia and the Middle East called "One Belt One Road" and sees the desert kingdom as a regional linchpin.

MANILA, Philippines (AP)  A Philippine lawmaker has filed an impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte because of the thousands of deaths that have happened during his anti-drug crackdown and for alleged corruption, although the bid faces an uphill battle because Duterte's allies hold an overwhelming majority in Congress. Rep. Gary Alejano says the complaint he filed at the House of Representatives on Thursday alleges that the president violated the constitution and betrayed the public trust with his actions, including the crackdown that has sparked extrajudicial killings of drug suspects and because of a failure to declare huge bank deposits as required by law.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Korean prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to question ousted President Park Geun-hye next week about the corruption scandal that removed her from office, as the government announced that an election will be held on May 9 to pick her successor. Park lost her presidential immunity from prosecution after the Constitutional Court ruled Friday to formally end her rule over allegations that she colluded with longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to extort money from businesses and allowed Choi to pull government strings from the shadows. Prosecutors said they told Park's lawyer that they'll summon her next Tuesday as a suspect in the scandal.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  An Anglican bishop who says he was warned by churchgoers that he was not safe in his own Australian diocese over his work to address decades of child sexual abuse has announced his resignation. Newcastle Bishop Greg Thompson, who was sexually molested as a teenager by bishop who died in 1988, said in a statement Thursday he was quitting to focus on his health. The 60-year-old said he had witnessed firsthand the culture and conduct from some sections of the church, both as an abuse victim and in his work to address the diocese's abuse legacy. "When I started this journey to right the wrongs of child abuse in the diocese, I didn't expect to be in this position, nor did I expect to uncover systemic practices that have enabled the horrendous crimes against children," Thompson said.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  It was hard to imagine that ousted President Park Geun-hye could get any more unpopular in South Korea  until she moved out of the presidential palace and left her nine dogs behind. Just days after being removed from office by the Constitutional Court over a massive corruption scandal, an animal rights group accused Park of animal abandonment for not bringing the dogs with her. Park's neighbors had given her a pair of Jindo dogs, a Korean breed of hunting dogs, when she left for the presidential Blue House in 2013. The dogs recently gave birth to seven puppies, which are now considered too young to be separated from their mother, Kim Dong-jo, a Blue House spokesman, said Wednesday.
Washington (AFP) - Senior US lawmakers say they have seen no evidence to support President Donald Trump's claim that his predecessor Barack Obama wiretapped his New York home and office building.

"We don't have any evidence that that took place," Devin Nunes, the Republican head of the congressional committee looking into the allegation, said at a press conference Wednesday.

"I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," said Nunes, whose House Intelligence Committee is also investigating suspected Russian interference in last year's US presidential election.

Nunes's conclusion was echoed by the panel's top Democrat, Adam Schiff.

"To date I've seen no evidence that supports the claim that President Trump made that his predecessor had wiretapped he and his associates at Trump Tower," Schiff said at the press conference.

"Thus far, we have seen no basis for that whatsoever."

On March 4, Trump sparked a furor when he wrote on his Twitter account that Obama had put a wiretap on communications at Trump Tower, the New York home of the president and first family, before the November 8 election.

"Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!"

"Is it legal for a sitting President to be 'wire tapping' a race for president prior to an election? Turned down by court earlier. A NEW LOW!" he wrote in a second tweet.

- Trump: words were 'in quotes' -

The tweets set off a fierce controversy, in part because it was unprecedented for a US president to accuse a predecessor of a felony crime.

The allegation was also remarkable because Trump -- known for making bombastic and often unsubstantiated claims on Twitter -- would have access to secret law enforcement and intelligence inquiries containing such information.

In an interview late Wednesday with Fox News, Trump was asked how he found out about the alleged wiretapping.

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"I had been reading about things," he said, before making a reference to a New York Times article from January 20 and "other things" that he read where wiretapping was discussed.

Trump also mentioned by name a Fox News reporter who "the day previous" - presumably March 3 - "was talking about certain, very complex sets of things happening. And wiretapping. I said 'wait a minute, there's lot of wiretapping being talked about.' I'd been seeing a lot of things."

Trump told Fox "don't forget: when I say wiretap, those words were in quotes... because wiretapping is pretty old-fashioned stuff. But that really covers surveillance and many other things."

He added, however, that "for the most part I'm not going to discuss it because... we will be submitting things before the committee very soon that hasn't been submitted as of yet."

- FBI chief to testify -

During the press conference with Nunes and Schiff, they said they did not expect to hear evidence backing up Trump's claim when James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, testifies to the House Intelligence Committee on Monday.

But the two congressmen said they were hoping to make progress on the issues of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, including how many people linked to the Trump campaign might have been wiretapped in the course of that or other inquiries.

Also testifying Monday will be Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, the government's electronic spying body.

Another intelligence hearing, with testimony from other witnesses, is scheduled for March 28.
Washington's top diplomat arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday to kick off a first tour of Asian capitals under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear posturing.

An airplane carrying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson landed at the capital's Haneda airport Wednesday night, greeted by both Japanese and US officials.

Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime as he talks to allies Japan and South Korea and to rival great power China.

The former oilman will also talk commerce, after President Donald Trump's belligerent campaign rhetoric raised the spectre of a trade war between the United State and China.

But US officials confirmed North Korea's provocative behaviour would be "front and centre" as Tillerson meets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

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After Tokyo, it will be on to Seoul, a city already within range of North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, for talks with the acting leader after a corruption scandal saw President Park Geun-Hye ousted last week.

And then at the weekend, there will be his much anticipated trip to Beijing, amid reports that Tillerson will seek to finalise plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Trump in April.

Here, he might get a positive response. In a news conference after the annual National People's Congress parliament meeting on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said "there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation."

He warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war, and argued: "I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions."

But Tillerson will also have to broach the topic of North Korea's progress towards building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would be able to threaten US mainland cities or bases in the Pacific.

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"He's going to have an opportunity at every stop to talk about next steps or what we do now, with respect to North Korea," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

"I mean, it's obviously the looming challenge over our relations and, frankly, the security of the Korean Peninsula," he added in a news briefing before Tillerson left Washington.

- Nuclear arsenal -

China is perhaps the last country with significant leverage over North Korea, which has ignored several rounds of UN-backed sanctions targeting its banned nuclear weapons program.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's attempts to build an arsenal of nuclear devices, but has been much more measured in its reaction to the ballistic missile program.

Xi's government has been reluctant to back any moves that might destabilise Kim's regime, and is publicly more concerned about Washington's decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence program in South Korea.

Washington insists THAAD is a defensive system deployed to protect the South and US bases from North Korean missiles, but China fears its advanced radar system undermines China's nuclear deterrent.

In recent comments, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi implied the United States and North Korea were equally at fault for the latest crisis and moving towards a "head-on collision".

With apparently little prospect of a breakthrough, some foreign policy hawks in Washington have been pushing for secondary sanctions that would hurt Chinese banks doing business with North Korea.

But US officials played down expectations of any announcement during the trip.

Instead, Tillerson will test Chinese receptiveness to the idea of tougher measures on North Korea, while attempting to calm fears of an imminent trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.

"Everybody agrees on the challenge, which is: How do you stop North Korea's bad behaviour?" Toner said. "I think part of this trip will be about trying to hone in on some next steps.

"I think he really wants to try to drill down on that challenge for this trip. But let's not also ignore the other 800-pound gorilla in the room here, which is our trade relations with the region. It's hugely important."
Ride-hailing services might soon be a thing of the past in one Indonesian city.

Tourist-friendly Yogyakarta said all ride-hailing services including Uber, Grab, Go-Jek and Go-Car would soon be banned across the city.

SEE ALSO: Indonesia's largest fleet of taxis teams up to beat ride-hailing apps

The ban is expected to kick in as soon as this week.

"The regulation is being processed and will be done within a week. We will take action in accordance with the regulation," Yogyakarta Transportation Agency (Kopetayo) Head Gatot Saptadi told the Jakarta Globe on Friday.

The announcement comes following a riot in Yogyakarta earlier last month, with some 300 taxi drivers calling for the ride-sharing apps to be banned.

"Our income has dropped 90 percent. If nothing happens, we will take to the streets again," the coordinator of the Yogyakarta Metered Tai Drivers Community, Sutiman, told the Jakarta Post.

However, Uber and Grab had last year already received the higher Indonesian government's blessing to operate, following a protest which saw 10,000 taxi drivers protest in Jakarta.

This means that Yogyakarta will have to obtain an exception from the Ministry of Transportation to enact their regional ban, according to a Coconuts report.

Back in 2015, the mayor of another Indonesian city, Bandung, banned the use of ride-hailing apps, saying they violated public transportation requirements.

However, ride-hailing apps appear to still exist in Bandung, with a mob of minivan drivers attacking a suspected Uber car just this month.
Dubai (AFP) - The ruler of Dubai on Wednesday ordered three men accused of feeding a cat alive to two dogs and filming it to clean the city's zoo for three months.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered "those detained for torturing the cat to perform community service by cleaning the Dubai zoo for four hours a day for three months," a government statement said.

It is not clear if the men will also face prosecution. A recently enacted law on animal cruelty stipulates punishment of up to a year in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 dirhams ($54,500).

Emirati newspapers said a Gulf citizen and two Asians had been arrested over the video, which was widely shared on social media.

The video showed a man offering the cat in an open cage to two Rottweilers, encouraging them to devour the terrified feline as punishment for its having eating birds.

"You eat pigeons and chickens?" a man is heard saying to the cat, as it is being mauled by one of the dogs. "Eat the cat, eat it," he orders.

A picture released by the government showed three men in blue overalls sweeping a path in the Dubai zoo, but it was not clear if they were the accused.

"The crime committed by those negligent men contradicts basic human norms," the government statement said.

"The cruelty demonstrated in this barbaric act violates our values and the principles of our religion which tell us to be humane with animals," it added.
Donald Trump took to Twitter Wednesday morning to fire back at rapper Snoop Dogg after the rapper released a new video with him pulling a gun on a lookalike of the real estate tycoon donning clown makeup.

Read: Donald Trump Slams Rachel Maddow's Release of His Tax Returns, Calls It 'Fake News'

The president lashed out in the early morning tweetstorm to say: Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

In the California hip-hop titans new video for "Lavender," the rapper pulls a gun on the Trump lookalike. When the rapper pulls the trigger, a flag comes out of the gun that reads BANG!

After the video came out, Marco Rubio also blasted Snoop Dogg when asked about the clip by TMZ.

"Snoop shouldn't have done that... You know, we've had presidents assassinated before in this country, so anything like that is really something that you should be very careful about," Rubio said. "I think people can disagree ... [but] you've got to be very careful about that kind of thing, because the wrong person sees that and gets the wrong idea, you can have a real problem. So I'm not sure what Snoop was thinking, he should think about that a little bit."

Read: Sean Spicer Ambushed by Woman, Asked How It Feels to Work for a 'Fascist': 'Are You a Criminal as Well?'

Snoop Dogg has not yet commented on Trumps tweet.

The rapper did appear in a 2007 episode of The Apprentice: Los Angeles, in which Trump was the host.

Story continues

Watch: The Polar Espresso: Tom Hanks Sends New Coffee Machine to White House Press Corps

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We have just passed the halfway mark of the first 100 days of President Donald Trumps administration, and amid the chaotic, confusing onslaught of policy pronouncements, rollouts, resignations, and investigations  some good, some bad, some ugly  one thing at least is certain: We have entered a new and dangerous era of shock-jock diplomacy.

The problem is not the absence of a foreign-policy doctrine. There is, in fact, a Trump doctrine. The president has repeatedly stated, perhaps earlier and more succinctly than his predecessors, his worldview  summarized by the slogans America First and Make America Great Again.

We are living in a dangerous and disrupted world. Today, this includes 15,000 nuclear weapons and materials stockpiled in more than two dozen countries; rising, falling, and failing powers; aspiring nuclear-capable rogue states; a besieged European alliance in the wake of Brexit and the Ukraine crisis; and a resurgent post-Osama bin Laden terrorism threat. In the thick of this disorder, the unstable, erratic conduct of foreign policy by the worlds most powerful leader is as important as the policy itself. While the country and the world immediately recognize that this president does things differently, in the art of diplomacy, words matter.

The Ronald Reagan administration is our stark example that a disruptive U.S. foreign policy, breaking with the long-standing policies of its immediate predecessors, is not, in and of itself, a bad thing for America or the world. Reagans deliberate turn away from detente with the Soviet Union, the evil empire, precipitated a major increase for defense spending. His decision to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe and launch the Strategic Defense Initiative sent shock waves through the U.S. and global foreign-policy communities. But it also gave Reagan an immediate deterrence bounce  leaving adversaries and allies alike wary of taking actions that might have poked an unpredictable president and positioned him to seek better relations with our major adversary. In the end, these moves hastened the fall of the Soviet Union and the conclusion of the Cold War.

Right out of Reagans playbook, Trump has pledged to disrupt the U.S. foreign-policy establishment. He has dramatically challenged its underlying assumptions, making the case for the overreliance on U.S. financing for our allies security, positing the belief that a united Europe may not be in our  or Europes  interest, and suggesting that our allies might develop their own nuclear weapons. He has pledged to increase defense spending, protect the American homeland from immigrants entering illegally and terrorists with new and drastic measures, and negate trade deals he has deemed unfair. And he hasnt been shy to identify the greatest threat to the United States as radical Islamic extremism. Trump has called for an about-face to improve relations with Russia to meet this challenge.

President Trump has attacked these 21st-century evils  globalization, trade, open borders, radical Islamic extremism  with a verbal sledgehammer, announcing rapid-fire policies such as the travel ban and an increase in defense spending. Shock waves are reverberating among allies and adversaries alike, similar to the early days of the Reagan administration.

President Trump may be having a similar deterrence bounce  creating opportunities to solve important outstanding regional and global challenges with legacy solutions, including broad-based immigration reform, significant nuclear arms reductions, and successful coalitions to combat the terrorism threat. Iran, along with many other nations, is waiting to see policy before responding to presidential tweets or press statements. Meanwhile, Europe is moving to increase its share of NATO defense spending and is increasing its focus on terrorism. Already, there has reportedly been a significant decrease in illegal border crossings into the United States. And the business community has been responding with a long overdue step-up in responsibility to create domestic jobs to help offset the ravaging of American communities that have suffered as a result of global trade.

But the presidents undisciplined and unwieldy conduct of foreign policy threatens to undermine all this potential progress. His shock-jock diplomacy has included discursive tweets, unfiltered statements in press interviews, freewheeling phone calls with world leaders, critical national security decisions made over dinners, and meetings with foreign leaders without the engagement of the State Department.

This has caused widespread confusion within the U.S. government, among allies whose support we need on a broad range of issues and among adversaries who may dangerously misunderstand our intentions. Most importantly, it has undermined U.S. leadership as a beacon for democracy and individual freedoms at a time when the greatest challenge to our values comes from authoritarian, autocratic regimes. Perhaps one of the lowest points over the past 50 days was the presidents remark equating U.S. actions with Russian President Vladimir Putins murderous thuggery.

Dangerous at any time and by any standard, this type of undisciplined and unwieldy approach to American diplomacy risks cataclysmic miscalculation by friends and foes. At best, this undisciplined conduct of policy can only result in a loss of respect for Washingtons leadership, leaving a vacuum for more nefarious actors to fill. At worst, it can result in the increased spread of weapons of mass destruction among allies, as well as foes, and miscalculation raising the risk of conflict and escalation to an unthinkable nuclear conflict.

Thus, a top agenda item for the president and his national security advisors at this halfway point to 100 days must be to bring structure, order, and discipline to their conduct of foreign policy.

Two essential components of that approach include, first, a National Security Council process that is rigorous, inclusive, and comprehensive  engaging all of the U.S. government players on the development and implementation of these policies. Second, there needs to be a strategic, deliberative approach to public diplomacy.

The president is, more than likely, not going to stop tweeting. Frankly, it is not necessary that he put the phone down. Tweets can be very effective messaging, as we have seen. But public statements by the president need to be deliberative, coherent, and consistent with the strategy and goals of wider policy.

It is also incumbent upon his national security cabinet secretaries to more fully engage in public diplomacy. The State Department and the Defense Department have very important public diplomacy roles to play; interaction with the press is at the forefront of explaining administration strategy, goals, and tactics to the American public and abroad.

A dangerous, disrupted world demands coherent U.S. leadership. And this must start and end in the White House.

Photo credit: DREW ANGERER/Getty Images
Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump is set to propose drastic cuts to America's foreign aid and environmental programs in a security-heavy first budget blueprint to be released Thursday.

In a plan designed to translate bold campaign promises into dollar and cent commitments, the Republican leader is expected to propose steep cuts in State Department funding.

That could be a harbinger of reductions in foreign aid and funding to UN agencies, with knock-on effects around the world.

The Pentagon is expected to be the major winner with a nearly 10 percent boost -- shoveling more cash toward a defense budget already greater than that of the next seven nations combined.

Trump's broad-brush proposal covers only a fraction of the $3.8 trillion federal budget -- which is dominated by healthcare, pension and other baked-in costs.

The text will be heavily revised and fleshed out by Congress, before a full budget is released around May.

In that sense, the plan is as much a political statement as a fiscal outline: a fact not lost on the White House.

- Playing to the base -

The budget is a signal to Trump's supporters that he is a "man of action" and not a "typical politician."

Trump is looking to rally his base, amid multiple controversies over his Twitter outbursts, Russian meddling in the election that brought him to power and a simmering rift with Congressional Republicans over healthcare reform.

According to Gallup, Trump has approval ratings of 40 percent, a low for any modern president weeks into his tenure.

But security has been a major vote winner. An Economist/YouGov poll found that 51 percent of Republicans believe the United States will be safer from terrorism at the end of his term.

The budget may also be seen as a signal to the world that Trump's United States may be less engaged and will put "America first."

Diplomats and some former defense officials have already warned that less spending on things like democracy promotion and humanitarian aid will spell more trouble, and military spending, down the road.

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More than 120 retired generals and admirals recently signed a letter warning "that many of the crises our nation faces do not have military solutions alone."

They cited Jim Mattis, now defense secretary, as once saying "if you don't fully fund the State Department, then I need to buy more ammunition."

- 'Drastic cuts' -

The Environmental Protection Agency, which helps monitor air, water and other standards, is also likely to see significant cuts.

That is in keeping with Trump's promise to gut regulation.

On Wednesday, Trump traveled to Michigan, the home of the American auto industry -- and announced he will freeze targets to limit future vehicle emissions.

Trump's top advisor Steve Bannon has promised a broader "'deconstruction of the administrative state."

But Trump's plan is already coming under fire from Democratic lawmakers.

"It will prescribe drastic cuts in many of the programs and agencies that keep America safe, whether it's environmental programs, whether it is food safety, drug safety," said Kentucky representative John Yarmuth.

The ranking member on the House budget committee speculated that the proposal could be a negotiating position, an opening salvo in Trump's "art of the deal."

"If they want to negotiate with the health and safety and future of the American people, then that's pretty cynical," he said.
DETROIT (AP)  President Donald Trump's decision to re-examine Obama-era rules that govern automobile gas mileage could be the first round of a potentially bruising political fight: revoking the ability of California and other Democratic-leaning states to set their own, tougher car-emission standards.

Environmental groups are preparing for the clash, which began even before Trump acted and is likely to be settled by the courts.

California's unique status dates to 1970, in the early days of the Clean Air Act. Because of the state's smoggy skies, Congress gave California a "waiver," allowing it to set stricter pollution standards than the rest of the nation. The California standard is now used by at least a dozen, mostly Northeastern states, including New York and Massachusetts.

The Trump administration has said it wants one uniform fuel mileage requirement for automakers across the U.S. Environmental groups and California officials fear that the administration will try to revoke the waiver, and they're taking action to fight it in court.

California Gov. Jerry Brown denounced the Trump administration's move, telling Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt in a letter Wednesday it was a "gift to polluters." Brown warned auto makers in another letter Wednesday that his state would take the "necessary steps" to preserve its current emissions standards.

Buttressing Brown's threats, California filed a motion late Tuesday to intervene in a new lawsuit brought by auto manufacturers against the EPA, a move immediately joined by New York State. The actions will allow the two states to defend the tougher emissions standards in court.

"President Trump's action represents a dramatic wrong turn in our nation's efforts to fight air pollution from passenger cars and trucks and protect the health of our children, seniors and all communities," said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

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Trump took the first step toward a legal showdown on Wednesday in Michigan when he announced that the government will re-examine fuel economy requirements for 2022-2025. The rules were affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration as part of a broader effort to control greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Although the Trump administration says it hasn't decided whether to weaken the requirements, Trump has promised the CEOs of major car companies that he'll reduce "unnecessary regulations." His EPA chief, Pruitt, has said he doesn't believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming, putting him at odds with Obama's EPA and mainstream climate science.

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," Pruitt said Wednesday. He promised a "thorough review" that will "help ensure this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment."

Environmental groups predict Trump will weaken the standards, which now require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving conditions by 2025, about 10 mpg (4.25 kpl) higher than the current standard. The auto industry is concerned that the standards will be hard to meet because people are buying more trucks and SUVs and shunning fuel-efficient cars.

The Trump administration downplayed any potential fight, saying officials have more than a year to resolve differences. A decision is not due until April 2018.

Currently, California and federal standards are mostly the same. But if Trump relaxes the standards, California and the other states likely would keep the 36 mpg rule in place, potentially creating two standards. Since about 40 percent of the nation's vehicles are in states that follow California rules, automakers probably would conform to them rather than build two different vehicles for the U.S. market.

That means California would end up setting national policy. That's a problem for the industry because car prices could rise and hurt sales. The EPA estimates the current standards will cost $875 per vehicle, while a study commissioned by the auto industry estimates it at $1,249 per vehicle by 2025. However, the government says fuel savings would more than offset the added costs.

If no agreement is reached, the administration could try to revoke California's latest waiver, setting up an epic legal battle over who controls emissions and fuel economy policies.

A senior White House official said Tuesday that the administration wants to negotiate one national standard. "We welcome California to the table," the official told reporters in a conference call. He spoke on condition of anonymity even though Trump has criticized the use of unnamed sources.

"If California wants to go a different direction (in 2018), we'll have to deal with it at that point," he said.

The feds have some leverage: A new waiver will be needed in 2025.

Regardless of what happens in the U.S., automakers who sell globally will still have to improve vehicle efficiency because of rising fuel economy standards in the rest of the world. China, Europe and Japan will all require fleets to average 47 miles per gallon or higher by 2020.

____

Associated Press writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer in San Francisco contributed. Daly reported from Washington.
The revised Trump administration immigration ban executive order faces at least three immediate court challenges on Wednesday, just hours before it is scheduled to go into effect after midnight.

Federal judges in Maryland, Hawaii and Washington state will consider facts in the cases before deciding if or when to take any action to delay the temporary restrictions on immigrant travel from six predominantly Muslim Middle Eastern countries, as well as a temporary refugee ban on all nations.

On Wednesday morning in Maryland, Judge Theodore D. Chuang will consider requests for an injunction made by individual immigrants and refugee groups, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center.

Later in the afternoon, a federal judge in Hawaii, Derek K. Watson, will consider arguments made by Hawaiis attorney general that the revised immigration order hurts the states public universities and its economy.

About 90 minutes after the hearing starts in Hawaii, federal judge James Robart in Seattle will consider another challenge to the immigration ban, in the same jurisdiction where his temporary restraining order led to the redrafted executive order from the White House. For now, Robart will consider arguments in a separate case about the impact of the bans on relatives overseas of U.S. residents.

Also in Seattle, seven states are asking Robart to leave his original temporary restraining order in place. Its unclear if Robart will act on those requests in the near future.

In all three jurisdictions, the Justice Department has argued that its first and second executive orders were lawful and that the plaintiffs dont have a right to have the new executive order stopped temporarily across the entire country.

The Justice Department also believes the elimination of a provision from the original order about preferences for religious minorities also eliminates any question that the orders were a Muslim ban.

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The courts actions today will be closely watched not only for their potential to temporarily delay the immigrations bans, but also for clues from the judges that they believe the revised order deals with constitutional issues raised in courts over the past six weeks about religious discrimination, due process and equal protection.

Those fundamental questions could take at least one of the challenges to the Supreme Court at some point, experts believe.

Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center.

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New challenge to second Trump immigration order
Ypsilanti (United States) (AFP) - President Donald Trump moved to freeze future vehicle emission targets Wednesday, during a trip to the faded US automotive hub in Michigan.

Insisting higher environmental standards hurt trade, Trump announced that targets for 2022-2025 will be put on hold pending review.

"We're going to help the companies, and they're going to help you," Trump said after touring an automotive testing facility near Detroit.

"I'm asking all of the companies here today to join us in this new industrial revolution."

The Trump White House says the rules were issued in an 11th hour move by the Obama administration without taking into consideration the realities of the market, the constraints of various actors in the field and consumer expectations.

But White House officials also admit they have not examined what impact the move may have on exports.

Major markets, including 13 US states -- most notably California-- as well as Japan and European nations have their own emission standards that are often higher than US federal levels.

In a February letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt, US auto manufacturers had asked the new president to suspend the Obama administration's restrictions, saying they could threaten employment.

Trump on Wednesday also told a roundtable of automotive chief executives that he would help them if the relationship ran both ways.

"We're going to do some wonderful work with you but you're going to have to help us with jobs," he said.

Since his January 20 inauguration, Trump has repeatedly indicated he wants to slash environmental regulations, saying they are hurting job creation in the United States.

Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, was one of the EPA's fiercest opponents prior to being named by Trump to head the agency.

Last week, Pruitt sparked outrage when he went against scientific consensus in claiming that increasing greenhouse gas emissions were not a determining factor in climate change.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed opportunities for new economic programs and investments between the two countries during a meeting on Tuesday, the White House said. During the meeting with Prince Mohammed, Trump said he would support development of a new U.S.-Saudi program focused on energy, industry, infrastructure and technology that would provide potentially more than $200 billion in investments in the next four years, the White House said in a statement. The two leaders also agreed to continue consultations on energy to ensure global economic growth and to limit "supply disruption and volatility." (Reporting by Ayesha Rascoe; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
President Donald Trumps pick for U.S. trade representative assured senators the administrations protectionist rhetoric wouldnt translate into fewer markets for American exports at his confirmation hearing Tuesday.

Robert Lighthizer breezed through the hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, where his resume as a seasoned trade lawyer and his tough-on-China views seemed to play well with many members of the panel.

The Trump administration is placing a bet that a huge shakeup in U.S. trade policy will usher in a new era for the U.S. economy, lifting stagnant wages and bringing manufacturing jobs back to Americas heartland. The marked shift toward protectionism has unsettled many in Trumps party and is even stirring controversy in the White House, where it has pitted free-market Republicans against self-described economic nationalists.

The trade representative normally has wide discretion to set trade policy, but its not clear in this case that Lighthizer will be given full control given the competing factions seeking to shape this all-important policy area. Still, his stature as a trade heavyweight suggests he will play a large role.

On Tuesday, Lighthizer got a particularly warm reception from Democrats from manufacturing states who share his concerns about China and who hope he will be an ally in acting aggressively to counter its trade practices. Meanwhile, he received friendly but more pointed questions from Republicans, who seemed concerned about the administrations tone on trade and sought assurances from Lighthizer that he wouldnt pursue policies that would help manufacturers at the expense of farmers.

Sen. Pat Roberts (R.- Kan.), noting Americas $20 billion trade surplus in agriculture, asked him, Will you prioritize not only what our country makes but also what we grow? he asked.

I have a long history with agriculture, responded Lighthizer, who was deputy trade representative under Ronald Reagan. I assure you we will prioritize agriculture.

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For her part, Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D.- Mich.) signaled her approval of the Trump administrations China rhetoric, but worried it wouldnt translate into action. Lighthizer assured her the president was completely committed to the America First agenda, which I completely subscribe to.

She asked Lighthizer if the Chinese governments recent approval of a slew of trademarks for businesses bearing the Trump name would compromise his dealings with China. Let me assure the senator, this is not going to be a problem, Lighthizer said.

Trump has set himself apart from the traditionally free-trading GOP, and has alarmed trade experts with his appointment of Peter Navarro, an economist who espouses out-of-the-mainstream views on trade, to head a trade council within his administration. Against this backdrop, Lighthizer, who some also view as protectionist, is seen as a moderating force due to his years as a trade negotiator. Some say this makes him unlikely to take a slash-and-burn approach to trade relations.

On Tuesday, Sen. Pat Toomey (R.- Penn.) specifically raised Navarro and his fixation on bilateral trade deficits. He warned that reducing imports would invite retaliation and give American consumers fewer choices. The fact is: historically trade deficits do not harm manufacturing or hurt employment, he told Lighthizer.

Lighthizer is set to pass the Senate with broad support, but the timing of the vote is uncertain because he may need a special waiver due to his past work representing China and Brazil in trade disputes. A U.S. law bars people who represented foreign governments from serving as the trade representative.

The waiver, which would require a separate vote in both the House and the Senate, has become bogged down after Senate Democrats attempted to tie it to legislation authorizing health benefits for miners, angering Republicans. The Trump administration and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R.- Utah) are now arguing Lighthizer doesnt need the waiver. But in Tuesdays hearing, Democrats seemed insistent that he does.

What were saying to Republicans is, Just get this Miners Protection Act done. That would of course move forward Lighthizers confirmation, Sen. Bob Casey (D.- Penn.) said.

On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to slap tariffs of up to 45 percent on goods from China, and denounced the North American Free Trade Agreement as a bad deal for American manufacturing workers. Trump has tapped Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to be the point man to renegotiate the deal, a job normally reserved for the trade representative, stirring confusion about what role, if any, Lighthizer would actually play in those talks. Ross said last week he would soon trigger the 90-day process to renegotiate the deal.

In the hearing Tuesday, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R.-La.) noted that NAFTA had helped foster a burgeoning middle class in Mexico, creating a new market for U.S. goods. My concern is that if we are not careful, this could suffer, he said.

Lighthizer responded that Trump didnt intend to hurt any of the winners from NAFTA but insisted that the trade pact needed a revamp. The three-way trade deal was extensively revised in the context of the Trans Pacific Partnership, which included the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but Trump threw that overboard when he scrapped the 12-nation deal soon after taking office.

I realize the anxiety and the concern but I think theres a general consensus that NAFTA needs revision. Its clearly outdated, he said.

Photo credit: Mark Lyons / Stringer
When President Trump tweeted last week about our wonderful new Healthcare Bill, it was clear to us what he meant by our. The American Health Care Act of 2017 (AHCA) will weaken health care for millions and give tax breaks to the wealthy.

The bill (well call it Trumpcare in keeping with what Republicans called the current Affordable Care Act) will force many older Americans a few years shy of Medicare eligibility to pay substantially more for insurance. While the ACA limits insurers to charging older individuals no more than three times as much for coverage as younger ones, the AHCA will let them charge five times as much. The AHCAs proposed age-based tax credits, which will replace the ACAs federal income-based premium subsidies, wont make up the difference. Only young, healthy individuals who can tolerate bare-bones health care plans could benefit. Older Americans who rely on Medicare and need health care the most will be out of luck.

Children, elders, low-income adults, and people with disabilities who depend on Medicaid also stand to lose. By converting the structure of Medicaid to a per capita cap, the AHCA would slash federal funding for state programs. Faced with the burden of providing care with skeletal support, states would need to restrict eligibility, cut benefits, and increase costs of premiums, deductibles, and copayments.

Trumpcare would defund Planned Parenthood, the largest network provider for womens health. Each year nearly 5 million women, men, and adolescents rely on Planned Parenthood for screening and treatment of cancer and sexually transmitted infections, as well as for perinatal care.

Read more: Medical groups voice opposition to Republican plan to replace Obamacare

An ACA mandate currently requires insurers to offer coverage for so-called essential benefits that include emergency, pregnancy, maternity, and newborn care, as well as care for mental illness and substance use disorders. Americans covered by the AHCA could lose some of these essential benefits.

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A new report by the Congressional Budget Office estimates that under the AHCA, 24 million Americans would lose coverage over the next decade. That translates to 52,747 extra deaths a year, according to the most definitive study on death rates and Medicaid coverage expansion conducted by researchers at Harvard University and the City University of New York.

There is, however, a silver lining to the AHCA  for the wealthy, that is. It would repeal the current 3.8 percent tax on investment income and the 0.9 percent tax on upper income earners, giving a $600 billion tax cut to the rich over the next 10 years.

This isnt about some vague notion of care or coverage that few Americans will lose. If passed, the AHCA will affect millions of Americans, their family members, and their communities. As people forgo primary care or lose access to doctors, many people will miss opportunities to identify curable conditions before its too late, and emergency rooms will become more crowded. Hospitals will be forced to increase charges for the insured in order to make up for financial losses elsewhere. The nation as a whole will become sicker and health care will become more expensive.

Passage of this dumpster fire of a bill, as Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut called it, would be a catastrophe. But we can still prevent its passage if we act now. The American Medical Association, American Hospitals Association, American Nurses Association, American Association of Retired Persons, and other organizations have already released statements opposing the AHCA. But statements and lobbying alone may not be enough.

Thousands of health professionals are organizing grassroots efforts to fight this menace. A new generation of politically engaged doctors has been using social media, strengthening professional societies and unions, working with other health care providers, and building a collective voice. The recent nationwide Health Professionals Protest rallied 2,000 participants in white coats and scrubs to protest in front of local representatives offices. Many doctors organized the protest; one of us (A.G.) created the Facebook page for them.

With frontline experience and an ethical obligation to our patients, doctors are resoundingly saying, dont take away care from our patients.

But this work is not enough. We need all Americans vigilance, dialogue, and protest to keep our government accountable. Together, we must defend health care for those who need it most.

Christy Duan, MD, is a resident physician training in psychiatry at Northwell Health. Andrew Goldstein, MD, is a primary care physician at Bellevue Hospital and a public health researcher at Columbia University. The views expressed by the authors are their own and do not represent the views of the institutions with which they are affiliated.
DCReport.org and MSNBCs Rachel Maddow release President Donald Trumps 2005 1040 tax filing summary. The form reveals Trump paid $38M in taxes that year, but also wrote off $103M in losses. The White House called the release "illegal." DCReport.org and MSNBC said the Constitution and Supreme Court case law protect publication of secret documents if they are received legally. Trump's son said the documents discredit a "narrative" that Trump didn't pay taxes. Democrats said Trump's secrecy about his taxes suggests he has something to hide, such as potential financial ties to Russians.
President Donald Trump made more than $150 million and paid $38.4 million in federal taxes in 2005, according to two pages of his federal income tax returns for that year, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow revealed Tuesday. During an appearance on The Rachel Maddow Show, veteran tax journalist David Cay Johnston said he got hold of the documents when they came in the mail over the transom but is unknown of the sender.

Read: Rachel Maddow Live Stream: Watch Trump's Tax Returns in 2005 Get Revealed

Speculations are ripe that Trump is not releasing his income tax returns as he might be hiding whether his tax policy would benefit himself or his family, or the possibility of him having business ties with Russia or Turkey. Several Democratic lawmakers and Republicans have expressed a similar concern, according to the discussion at the show.

The White House confirmed Tuesday that Trump paid $38 million in taxes on an income of about $150 million in 2005, just minutes before Maddow was set to release a leaked portion of his tax returns for that year. Democrats were quick enough to attack Tuesday nights report, arguing that the White Houses decision to release details of Trumps 2005 taxes before Maddows show undercut his past refusal to release any such information, according to the New York Times.

If they can release some of the information, they can release all of the information, Zac Petkanas, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee, said in a statement. The only reason not to release his returns is to hide whats in them, such as financial connections with Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin.

Maddow tweeted Tuesday evening that she had Trump's Form 1040 from 2005. Fellow anchor Lawrence O'Donnell too tweeted before her show, "This is the night we've been waiting for."

It came to light last May that Trump did not pay any federal income tax for two years in the late 1970s because he reported having negative income during that time, according to the Washington Post. It was reported in June that Trump might have paid no taxes for two years in the early 1990s.

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According to Politico, Trump fears that if the public saw his taxes, his Russian connections would be known. He had said in October last year: "The reason they blame Russia [for hacking into Democratic emails] is they are trying to tarnish me with Russia. I know about Russia, but not about the inner workings. I have no business there and no loans from Russia. I have a great balance sheet. What Trump said was different from the claims the Trump Organization made before he decided to run for president.

Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., said at a real estate conference in 2008: Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross section of a lot of our assets and we see a lot of money pouring in from Russia," Politico reported in October last year.

Chris Murphy, a junior senator from Connecticut, also believes that an investigation into Trumps tax returns could focus on his bizarre positioning toward Russia. Legislation establishing a special Senate committee could theoretically give it the power to get these tax returns. That is fully within the power of the United States Congress, Murphy told MSNBCs Morning Joe" last month.

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Istanbul (AFP) - Turkey's red meat association has ordered a consignment of prize Dutch cattle to be sent back to the Netherlands, saying it no longer wants to farm the cows due to the diplomatic crisis between the countries.

Bulent Tunc, the head of the Turkish Association of Red Meat Producers, told Turkish media that a symbolic consignment of 40 Holstein Friesian cattle was already being sent back to the Netherlands.

"The Dutch Holstein cows have become very common in our country. But this breed is starting to cause serious problems," he told the Anadolu news agency.

"In future we do not want animal products from Holland. The first batch of Holsteins have been loaded and we will send them back," he added.

He said Turkey should start focusing on breeding its own cattle. "We have our own quality breeds," he said.

Tunc later told the Hurriyet daily that a symbolic number of 40 cattle had been loaded for sending back to Holland from the Biga dairy production site in the western Canakkale province.

"If they don't accept them back then we will distribute the cuts" after slaughter, he added.

Turkey and the Netherlands are going through their most explosive crisis after The Hague blocked Turkish ministers from holding rallies to back constitutional changes expanding Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Turkey has suspended high-level relations with The Netherlands and blocked its ambassador -- currently outside the country -- from returning to his post.

The government has also said economic sanctions could be imposed against the Netherlands -- a key trade partner and investor -- but has not given details.
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey may cancel a migrant readmission agreement with the European Union, and is also re-evaluating a $6 billion refugee deal with the bloc, foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised interview late Wednesday. Cavusoglu's remarks came at a time when Turkey-EU tensions are running high after several European countries prevented Turkish politicians, including the foreign minister, from holding rallies intended to drum up support for plans to give President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers in a referendum. Turkey agreed in 2013 to take back migrants who traveled illegally to the EU in return for the promise of visa-free travel. Last year it also agreed to stop illegal migrants from crossing into Greece in exchange for financial aid for those in its care and accelerated EU membership talks. "We may cancel the readmission agreement. The EU has been wasting our time on the visa liberalization issue. We are not applying the readmission agreement at the moment, and we are evaluating the refugee deal," Cavusoglu said in an interview on Kanal 24. The row escalated after the Dutch government banned a rally in Rotterdam at the weekend, fearing that tensions in Turkey over the referendum could spill over into its expatriate Turkish community. Erdogan retaliated by branding the Netherlands "Nazi remnants". He has also accused Germany of "fascist actions" for cancelling several planned rallies. Erdogan, who survived a military coup last summer, has defended his plans to amass greater powers, saying Turkey needs greater stability. But his crackdown on dissenting voices among the judiciary and the media since the failed coup has drawn rebuke from the West The EU is, however, caught between holding Erdogan accountable and guaranteeing the continuation of a deal to control the flow of refugees and migrants who pass through Turkey to Europe. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; editing by Richard Lough)
ANKARA (Reuters) - A Turkish court rejected a demand on Wednesday for the release of a German-Turkish journalist whose arrest last month has contributed to strained ties with Germany, according to a court ruling seen by Reuters. Deniz Yucel, a correspondent for German newspaper Die Welt, was jailed in late February on charges of propaganda in support of a terrorist organization and inciting public violence. The first German journalist to be held in a widespread crackdown that has followed the failed July 15 coup in Turkey and frequently targeted the media, he faces up to 10-1/2 years in prison if convicted. Yucel's lawyer launched an appeal for his release last week. But on Wednesday, an Istanbul penal court ruled that the nature of his reporting was beyond the bounds of media freedom. "The headlines, images, expressions, language and the tone in the defendant's reporting cannot be evaluated within the limits of journalism and press freedom," the ruling said. Authorities initially detained Yucel after he reported on emails that a leftist hacker collective had purportedly obtained from the private account of Berat Albayarak, Turkey's energy minister and the son-in-law of President Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan has described Yucel, a dual German-Turkish national, as a "German agent" and a member of an armed Kurdish militant group, and said a growing row between the two countries is because of Germany's support for Turkey's enemies. The spat between the two NATO allies has deepened since Erdogan called local German bans on rallies by Turkish ministers ahead of an April 16 referendum on increasing his powers "fascist actions", infuriating the German government. He has also branded the Netherlands "Nazi remnants" after Dutch authorities banned a rally in Rotterdam at the weekend, fearing tensions in Turkey over the referendum could spill over into its expatriate Turkish community. Berlin continues to press for fair treatment of Yucel and has rejected Turkey's claim that he was working as a German spy as "absolutely baseless". It remained unclear when the first hearing for Yucel would be held, his lawyer, Veysel Ok, told Reuters. More than 100,000 people have been sacked or suspended from Turkey's police, military and private sector since the failed coup and tens of thousands arrested. Ankara says the measures are necessary given the security threats it faces. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Catherine Evans)
ANKARA (Reuters) - Two Turkish soldiers were killed after a mine was detonated by Kurdish militants on a highway between the southeastern provinces of Diyarbakir and Mardin, Turkey's private Dogan news agency said on Wednesday. The soldiers were carrying out operations to detect mines in the region when militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) detonated a previously planted mine, Dogan said. Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast has been ravaged by violence since the automony-seeking PKK abandoned a 2-1/2-year ceasefire with the state in July 2015. The PKK has repeatedly targeted security forces since, claiming responsibility for a series of deadly bombings and attacks over the past year. More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict since the PKK took up arms in 1984. It is considered a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. (Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by David Dolan)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Wednesday that 12.2 million Americans across 50 states had selected an individual insurance plan as of Jan. 31, 2017, one-third of whom were new to this market created under Obamacare.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid said that of those, 10.1 million people had received premium tax credits based on income that help reduce their monthly health costs and that are one of the lynchpins of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare.

(Reporting by Caroline Humer; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
HONOLULU (Reuters) - U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson said at a court hearing in Hawaii on Wednesday that he will issue a written ruling about whether to halt President Donald Trump's revised travel ban before it is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Thursday. The State of Hawaii challenged the ban, which was signed on March 6 and revamped an earlier, more sweeping order, arguing it discriminates against Muslims and violates the U.S. Constitution. The first ban was halted by a federal court in Seattle. The new executive order would temporarily bar the entry of refugees and travelers from six Muslim-majority countries. (Reporting by Dan Levine in Honolulu; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
BEIRUT/UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A U.N. agency published a report on Wednesday accusing Israel of imposing an "apartheid regime" of racial discrimination on the Palestinian people, and said it was the first time a U.N. body had clearly made the charge. Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman likened the report, which was published by the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), to Der Sturmer - a Nazi propaganda publication that was strongly anti-Semitic. The report concluded "Israel has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole." The accusation - often directed at Israel by its critics - is fiercely rejected by Israel. (http://bit.ly/2mJh0eN) U.N. Under-Secretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Rima Khalaf said the report was the "first of its type" from a U.N. body that "clearly and frankly concludes that Israel is a racist state that has established an apartheid system that persecutes the Palestinian people". ESCWA comprises 18 Arab states in Western Asia and aims to support economic and social development in member states, according to its website. The report was prepared at the request of member states, Khalaf said. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York that the report was published without any prior consultation with the U.N. secretariat. "The report as it stands does not reflect the views of the secretary-general (Antonio Guterres)," said Dujarric, adding that the report itself notes that it reflects the views of the authors. The United States, an ally of Israel, said it was outraged by the report. "The United Nations secretariat was right to distance itself from this report, but it must go further and withdraw the report altogether," the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said in a statement. The Israeli ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, commenting on Twitter, also noted the report had not been endorsed by the U.N. secretary-general. "The attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy is despicable and constitutes a blatant lie," Israel's U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement. The report said it had established on the "basis of scholarly inquiry and overwhelming evidence, that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid." "However, only a ruling by an international tribunal in that sense would make such an assessment truly authoritative," it added. The report said the "strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian people" was the main method through which Israel imposes apartheid, with Palestinians divided into four groups oppressed through "distinct laws, policies and practices." It identified the four sets of Palestinians as: Palestinian citizens of Israel; Palestinians in East Jerusalem; Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; and Palestinians living as refugees or in exile. ESCWA hoped the report would inform further deliberations on the root causes of the problem in the United Nations, among member states, and in society, Khalaf said at an event to launch the report at ESCWA's Beirut headquarters. It was authored by Richard Falk, a former U.N. human rights investigator for the Palestinian territories, and Virginia Tilley, professor of political science at Southern Illinois University. Before leaving his post as U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories in 2014, Falk said Israeli policies bore unacceptable characteristics of colonialism, apartheid and ethnic cleansing. The United States accused him of being biased against Israel. (Additional reporting by Ari Rabinovitch in Jerusalem and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alison Williams, Lisa Shumaker and Frances Kerry)
Over 17 million people are under threat of famine in war-torn Yemen, making it one of the worlds worst hunger crises, a United Nations body and its humanitarian partners warned on Wednesday.

Officials pin the blame solely on the countrys conflict, which began in 2014. The conflict has a devastating impact on agricultural livelihoods. Crop and livestock production fell significantly compared to pre-crisis levels, said Salah Hajj Hassan, a representative for the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Yemen. It is absolutely essential that the humanitarian response encompass food and agriculture assistance to save not only lives but also livelihoods.

But the Yemenis might not get the help they so desperately need. The U.S. government is considering gutting U.S. funding for U.N. humanitarian programs by up to 50 percent and slashing the U.S. Agency for International Development budget by up to 37 percent.

Even without the United States pulling the rug out from under international development, the global humanitarian system is already stretched to the brink with upticks in starvation, disease, and conflict. Nigeria, Somalia, and South Sudan also face famine without further international assistance.

We stand at a critical point in history. Already at the beginning of the year we are facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the creation of the U.N., U.N. humanitarian envoy Stephen OBrien warned in a speech to the U.N. Security Council on March 10.

As international organizations and humanitarian groups scrape by with what they have, the most vulnerable in Yemen risk being left behind. There are 2.2 million children in Yemen at risk of acute malnutrition and 462,000 severely and acutely malnourished (SAM), according to the U.N. International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF). To put things in perspective, a SAM child is ten times more at risk of death if not treated on time than a healthy child his or her age, said UNICEF representative Meritxell Relano. We are seeing the highest levels of acute malnutrition in Yemens recent history, he said.

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The U.N. and its humanitarian partners released a technical report on March 1 outlining Yemens deteriorating food shortage crisis in detail.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014, when Houthi rebels rose up against the government and took large swaths of western Yemen, including the countrys capital, Sanaa. The conflict left over 80 percent of the country reliant on international assistance.

Saudi Arabia launched an Arab-led air campaign against the Houthi rebels in March 2015 that is criticized for indiscriminately targeting civilians. Over 10,000 people have been killed and 2.8 million displaced since the conflict began. U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up U.S. military force in Yemen, including air strikes and commando raids, since taking office in January.

Photo credit: SALEH AL-OBEIDI/AFP/Getty Images
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. and South Korean military chiefs warned on Tuesday that North Korea could "conduct provocative actions" in response to large-scale joint drills between the two countries, as China's premier also said tensions could lead to conflict. "The chairmen recognized the possibility that North Korea could conduct provocative actions during the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise, or in connection with North Korean major political events in April," a statement from Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford's office said, referring to the U.S.-South Korean military exercises. The statement said the two military leaders "discussed response options" during a call that lasted about 30 minutes. North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan earlier this month in response to annual U.S.-South Korea military drills, which the North sees as preparation for war. South Korean and U.S. troops began the large-scale joint drills, which are billed as defensive in nature, on March 1. The exercise last year involved about 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. South Korea has said this year's exercise would be of a similar scale. China is isolated North Korea's sole main ally but has been angered by Pyongyang's repeated nuclear and missile tests. However, it has also said Washington and Seoul have a responsibility to lower the temperature and that talks are a better way to resolve disputes. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday the situation on the Korean peninsula and more broadly in northeast Asia had become quite tense. "Tensions may lead to conflict, which would only bring harm to all the parties involved," Li said at his annual news conference in Beijing. "So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to de-escalate the situation, get issues back on the track of dialogue and work together to find proper solutions," he said. "It's just common sense that nobody wants to see chaos on their doorstep." The United States has also started to deploy "Gray Eagle" attack drones to South Korea. "The combined defense posture is firm regardless of the political situation in Korea," the statement quoted Dunford as saying. South Korea's Constitutional Court removed former President Park Geun-hye from office last week over a graft scandal involving the country's conglomerates at a time of rising tensions with North Korea and China. (Reporting by Eric Beech and Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Paul Tait)
By Abdi Sheikh MOGADISHU (Reuters) - British foreign minister Boris Johnson met Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Wednesday, pledging aid to help combat the effects of a devastating drought, the Somali president's office said. The country has been mired in civil war for more than a quarter of a century, and this year around 6.2 million Somalis, around half the population, need aid after the drought withered crops, killed livestock and dried up waterholes in East Africa. A statement from the Somali president's office said Britain would give 110 million pounds ($134.35 million) for drought in some parts of Somalia. The British Foreign Office said in a statement that Johnson discussed the drought and security. Britain pays stipends of $100 per month to some Somali police and soldiers, yet major problems with the security forces remain, including accountability for rights abuses and who has command and control of regional forces. "Boris met Somalias president Mohamed and discussed strengthening ties with Somalia, doubling the support for Somali government, and aid assistance for the drought," the website for state-run Radio Mogadishu said. Although it remains mired in violence and poverty, Somalia has shown some small signs of progress in recent years. African Union peacekeepers have clawed back large swathes of territory from Islamist insurgents al Shabaab. New federal states have devolved power from the weak central government. Last month, the president was elected in a political process which was heavily criticised for corruption but still resulted in a peaceful transfer of power. The drought, however, is threatening to erase some of the fragile gains and tip the country into famine. At least 360,000 Somali children are severely malnourished, meaning they will die within weeks unless they receive food aid. A 2011 famine in Somalia killed around 260,000 people. ($1 = 0.8187 pounds) (Writing by Katharine Houreld; editing by Susan Thomas and Toby Davis)
Photo credit: Porsche

From Road & Track

A new Porsche 911 GT2 is on its way. It was first confirmed by Porsche GT car head Andreas Preuninger last year, but since then we haven't heard much about itother than it'll be turbocharged. Now, we know the upcoming GT2 will be rear-wheel drive like the last one, but for the first time, it'll get a PDK gearbox standard. In other words, no manual option.

Porsche CEO Oliver Blume confirmed to Car Advice the rear-drive GT2 is in the works, and that it will only be sold with a dual-clutch gearbox. Blume declines to go into further detail, but he hints that the GT2 should be a monster.

"For the GT2 it's very typical to have big power combined with the turbo engine," Blume told Car Advice. "Today we can't talk about the power, but when we launch the car I think you will see at which level we can get to with the car. And we're still working at it."

For reference, the 2011 GT2 RS produced 620 horsepower90 more than the contemporary 911 Turbo S's 530 horsepower. It's not unreasonable to expect horsepower levels on the new GT2 RS exceeding its predecessor's dramatically.

When we spoke with Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger at the Geneva Motor Show, he was more coy about the upcoming GT2.

"There has been a GT2 before. It was a success. We're a company that likes to sell cars, so, that adds up in maybe another project," said Preuninger. "That's all I can tell you."

Considering there's what appears to be a GT2 prototype testing at the Nurburgring, we suspect we'll see this car soon. We can tell you with near certainty that it'll be very, very fast.

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If you want to be one of the first human beings to visit Mars, you better have a strong stomach. Scientists in Germany are testing ways in which urine and sweat could help astronauts grow food on the Red Planet.

Most food for missions to the International Space Station are brought as cargo from Earth. However, longer-duration space missions, such as those to Mars, will need a self-sustaining food supply, scientists have said. Jens Hauslage, a plant physiologist at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is researching how to grow food in space, including a test system that involves a tank of urine and a tomato plant, the BBCreported.

"The Earth is a closed biological system with plants producing oxygen and food; then you have the animals and the microbes to produce all the degradation processes in the soil," Hauslage told the BBC. "Without these systems, no sustainable long-term life-support system will be viable." [Sending Humans to Mars: 8 Steps to Red Planet Colonization]

Using both synthetic and human urine, Hauslage is conducting lab experiments to re-create this cycle in a way that could be useful for space fliers, the BBC reported. For example, the scientists filled columns of urine with pumice stones, the hole-covered stones that form when lava mixes with water. Within the pumice stones' holes are colonies of bacteria that feed on the urine, converting the ammonia in the urine into nitrites and nitrate salts (a fertilizer).

Most water on the International Space Station  including that from urine, sweat and wastewater from washing  is recycled aboard the orbiting lab. Hauslage's research at the DLR is investigating other applications for this water, which is already efficiently captured and recycled, for growing food in space.

The lab research will launch into space later this year on DLR's Eu:CROPIS (short for Euglena and Combined Regenerative Organic-food Production in Space) mission, a satellite containing two miniature greenhouses, Space.comreported. The satellite will simulate lunar gravity for the first six months, to test the potential of growing vegetables on the moon, and then will simulate Martian gravity.

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While the satellite orbits, 16 cameras will document the onboard tomato seeds that will germinate and grow automatically under. Just as in the lab experiments, the satellite growing environment will use bacteria to feed on synthetic urine, producing fertilizer for the tomatoes as they grow, the BBC reported.

"Ultimately, we are simulating and testing greenhouses that could be assembled inside a lunar or Martian habitat to provide the crew with a local source of fresh food," Hauslage said in a statement about the mission last year.

Original article on Live Science.

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A U.S. Air Force plane carrying three people crashed Tuesday evening in a field near Clovis Municipal Airport, New Mexico, officials at the Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) said. All aboard are reported to have been killed in the accident.

The crash involving a U-28A aircraft occurred during a training exercise at around 6:50 p.m. local time (8:50 p.m. EDT), Capt. Brandon Baccam said, according to KOB4, a local news network. Those aboard the aircraft are reported to be personnel of the 27th Special Operations Wing.

Read: US Military Plane Crashes In Japan

The crash triggered a blaze. However, firefighters bought the fire under control within about an hour of the crash, according to Baccam. It is not immediately known what caused the crash.

The single-engine plane was in the middle of practice maneuvers called "touch and goes" wherein the aircraft touches the runway, but it does not completely halt, Clovis Municipal Airport Director Kyle Berkshire reportedly said. The crash happened about a half mile off the airport during the exercises, Berkshire said, adding that the plane did not break entirely. The wreckage area was reported to be between 50 to 100 feet.

The authorities declined to reveal the status of the passengers.

"Names of the aircrew will not be released until confirmation of their status and next of kin have been notified," a Cannon AFB official told EverythingLubbock.com.

The U.S. military will reportedly be investigating the crash.

According to the Air Force, the U-28A plane provides a manned fixed wing, on-call/surge capability for improved tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of special operations forces. ... The U-28A is part of AFSOC's [Air Force Special Operations Command] NSAv [Non-standard aviation] fleet, and is operated by the 319th, 34th and 318th Special Operations squadrons. Training is conducted by the 5th and 19th SOS. These units are located at Hurlburt Field and Cannon AFB.

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United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday demanded that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres withdraw a report by a UN body accusing Israel of imposing apartheid on the Palestinians.

Guterres distanced himself from the report by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) but US Ambassador Nikki Haley said it should be scrapped altogether.

"The United States is outraged by the report," said Haley in a statement.

"The United Nations secretariat was right to distance itself from this report, but it must go further and withdraw the report altogether."

The study concluded that "available evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Israel is guilty of policies and practices that constitute the crime of apartheid."

Based in Beirut, ESCWA is comprised of 18 Arab countries, according to its website, which lists the state of Palestine as a full member, and works to strengthen cooperation and promote development.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said "the report as it stands does not reflect the views of the secretary-general" and was done without consultations with the UN secretariat.

One of the authors is Richard Falk, a former special UN rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

"That such anti-Israel propaganda would come from a body whose membership nearly universally does not recognize Israel is unsurprising," said Haley.

She described Falk as "a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories".

Haley has accused the United Nations of being biased against Israel and has vowed as President Donald Trump's envoy to staunchly defend Israel at the world body.

Israel's ambassador Danny Danon condemned the report, describing it as an "attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy."

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Danon said to label Israel as an apartheid regime was "despicable" and "a blatant lie."

The report found that Palestinians were subjected to a "strategic fragmentation" that allowed Israel to impose "racial domination" with different sets of laws by geographic regions.

The analysis showed "beyond a reasonable doubt" that "Israel is guilty of imposing an apartheid regime on the Palestinian people, which amounts to the commission of a crime against humanity."

The furor came ahead of a Security Council meeting next week to hear the first report from the United Nations on implementing a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building.
Washington (AFP) - US Republicans clashed Wednesday over plans to replace Obamacare, with President Donald Trump and top allies in Congress pitching a health care plan that is staring at defeat unless party rebels' demands for changes are met.

Seven years after Barack Obama's landmark reform became law -- a period when Republicans repeatedly tried and failed to yank it out by its roots -- the House and Senate will soon vote on a "repeal and replace" effort that hangs in the balance.

After facing sharp resistance from rank-and-file Republicans, House Speaker Paul Ryan acknowledged late Wednesday that changes would have to be made to get the legislation over the finish line.

Ryan said he envisioned "necessary improvements and refinements" made to the bill.

A crucial test comes Thursday, when the House Budget Committee votes on the plan. Republican Dave Brat said he will oppose it.

He is one of three members of the far-right Freedom Caucus on the 36-member Budget panel. If the three vote no, along with another Republican and united Democratic opposition, the measure would fail to advance.

Staunch conservatives like Brat hate the new plan's similarities to Obama's law.

Moderate Republicans are nervous that the bill winding through Congress would cause many struggling families to suffer, a prospect highlighted by a damning congressional projection that 24 million people could lose insurance within a decade under the plan.

And Senator Rand Paul, a key opponent who wants the entire plan scrapped in favor of a clean repeal bill, went so far as to accuse Ryan of misleading Trump about what is in the legislation.

Ryan "is selling him a bill of goods that he didn't explain to the president," Paul told reporters at a Washington rally where he urged conservatives to "bring down the Paul Ryan plan."

Trump and congressional Republicans campaigned relentlessly last year on a pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act -- popularly known as Obamacare -- and replace it with something that lowers premium costs and allows more choice for consumers.

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But the solution introduced in the House, already facing united opposition from Democrats, has been eviscerated by some in Trump's own party.

Enough opposition has swelled from Republicans in the Senate, where the party holds a narrow 52-48 majority, that the bill almost certainly will not pass without major changes.

"All of us are concerned about it," Republican Senator John McCain told AFP.

He is one of several senators raising warning flags over the plan's ending the expansion of Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled.

The Congressional Budget Office on Monday projected that millions of Americans could lose their coverage if federal funding dries up for the expansion.

"My state is a Medicaid state, so obviously we have to address that," McCain said.

- 'Catastrophic Situation' -

Trump took his sales pitch on the road Wednesday, holding a rowdy campaign-style rally in Nashville, Tennessee where he warned that Americans were facing a "catastrophic situation" with millions of people losing coverage should Obamcare not be repealed immediately.

"We want Americans to be able to purchase the health insurance they want, not the plans forced on them by our government," he said.

But he conceded that "negotiation" -- even with fellow Republicans -- was the path forward.

"We will arbitrate, we will all get together, we will get something done," Trump said.

Ryan, acknowledging "refinements and improvements" to the bill were likely, meanwhile appeared to reject the prospect of an overhaul.

"The major components are staying intact, because this is something we wrote with President Trump," he told Fox News.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence headed to Capitol Hill to rally Republicans to the cause in a closed-door gathering.

Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows said the bill needed to be reworked.

"Ultimately it's going to have to be amended in order to gain enough support to get passage on the House floor," he said.

The Republican plan replaces Obamacare's government subsidies with tax credits to help people buy insurance, but critics say the credits are not enough to cover insurance costs for lower-income families.

Meadows said one of his priorities is to add a work requirement for Medicaid recipients.

Several Republicans, including some governors in states that expanded Medicaid, believe such expansion to low-income adults without disabilities gives them an incentive not to work.

Senate Republican John Barrasso downplayed the divisions.

"There's still plenty of time to work on this," he said. "We need to get it right because the status quo cannot hold."
Washington (AFP) - The United States offered Wednesday to pay $5 million for information leading to those responsible for the murder of an American in Yemen in 2012, an attack claimed by Al-Qaeda.

Joel Shrum, a US citizen, was fatally shot by a gunman on the back of a motorcycle while he was on his way to work at a nongovernmental organization on March 18, 2012, in the city of Taez, according to the State Department.

At the time, the department said "We condemn this terrorist act in strongest terms" and demanded that the Yemeni authorities bring to justice anyone involved in the murder.

A statement attributed to Al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack and accused Shrum of preaching Christianity in the mainly Muslim nation.

Nearly five years after the attack, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is offering "a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of the murder of US citizen Joel Shrum."

The department noted that Shrum had been an administrator and English teacher at the International Training and Development Center, "one of the longest standing international development organizations in Yemen."

It also noted that a few days after the incident, Al-Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the murder.

The US government considers AQAP the most active branch of the global extremist network once led by Osama bin Laden. US military operations against it have intensified in Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in late January.

The United States is concerned about AQPA's growing presence in the impoverished African country as it takes advantage of the chaos of civil war.

In March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition began an air campaign in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, whose authority was being challenged by Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.

The conflict has left more than 7,400 people dead and 40,000 wounded, and Yemen faces a serious risk of famine, according to the United Nations.

The State Department said the $5 million bounty comes under its Rewards for Justice program, which has paid out more than $125 million since its creation in 1984.
Washington (AFP) - Up to 1,000 additional US troops could deploy to northern Syria under provisional plans drawn up by the Pentagon, a US defense official said on Wednesday.

The plans, which still need to be approved by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, would mark a significant uptick in US boots on the ground in Syria as part of the fight against the Islamic State group.

Currently, the troop level is capped at 500 in Syria, but that number has become increasingly meaningless as commanders flow extra "temporary" forces in as needed -- such as last week's deployment of a Marine artillery battery near Raqa.

The actual number of American troops in the war-torn country is likely now between 800 and 900, and a US defense official said the new plans would allow for up to 1,000 more.

"That's one of the proposals that's on the table for discussion," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The possible deployment was first reported by the Washington Post, which said the extra forces would come from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

The official said the troops would not be in direct combat, but rather serve in support roles for any additional capabilities the military requires in northern Syria, where a US-led coalition is training and backing a local Kurdish-Arab alliance to fight the Islamic State group.

Such missions could include additional artillery batteries and the use of rocket launchers known as HIMARS that can provide round-the-clock bombardment in the battle to recapture Raqa from IS.

Former president Barack Obama was loath to deploy combat troops into Syria and Iraq to fight IS, arguing the battle could only be meaningfully won by local forces.

Trump has said he wants to quicken the defeat of IS and told the Pentagon to come up with a range of plans that could accomplish that goal.

Syria is marking the sixth anniversary of its brutal civil war, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and has killed more than 320,000 people.

The civil war and the anti-IS fight are interconnected but for the most part have played out in separate parts of Syria.

The "United States does remain committed to finding a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the Syrian conflict," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "All of us know how hard that is.
United Nations (United States) (AFP) - US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told rights groups that the United States will quit the UN Human Rights Council unless it undergoes "considerable reform," according to a letter obtained by AFP on Wednesday.

The United States was elected to the 47-member council, the UN's main body for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, for a three-year term ending in 2019.

In a letter to eight rights groups, Tillerson said the US administration continues to "evaluate the effectiveness of the UN Human Rights Council" which is currently meeting in Geneva.

"We may not share a common view on this, given the make-up of the membership," he said. Council members include China and Cuba, which have been criticized by the United States for their rights record.

"While it may be the only such organization devoted to human rights, the Human Rights Council requires considerable reform in order for us to continue to participate."

Tillerson said the United States would press on with its "strong, principled objection to the Human Rights Council's biased agenda item against Israel."

President Donald Trump's administration has vowed to defend Israel at the United Nations and rebuked the rights council for adopting resolutions that criticize Washington's Mideast ally.

The new US administration will seek to renew the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria and ensure that rapporteurs for North Korea, Iran and Myanmar continue their work, he said in the letter dated March 8.

Tillerson did not give any indication of the deadline for a decision on the US seat at the council.

Rights groups are urging the United States to be a voice for human rights worldwide at the UN body.

The former US administration of Barack Obama played a key role in some of the council's major successes such as ground-breaking inquiries of atrocities in Syria and North Korea.

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"The United States is an integral part of the Human Rights Council," said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. "It's important that every country participate in its work."

The letter was sent to the Jacob Blaustein Institute, the Better World Campaign, the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Freedom House, Freedom Now, Human Rights First, Human Rights Campaign and the United Nations Association of the United States of America.

It was first reported by Foreign Policy magazine.
The US State Department said Wednesday that it is testing new media coverage rules as its boss Rex Tillerson traveled to Asia with no accredited reporters in tow -- a break with 50 years of tradition.

The former ExxonMobil CEO has kept a very low profile since taking up his position on February 2, speaking in public only three times.

He has not held a single news conference and never answers questions that reporters shout out when he is posing for photo ops with foreign counterparts.

Now Tillerson has angered US and foreign correspondents accredited to cover the State Department by traveling to Asia on Tuesday with just one journalist -- from a conservative publication called the Independent Journal Review.

That reporter is not a member of the group of major US and international media accredited to cover the department in charge of US diplomacy around the world.

Those 15-odd reporters normally travel on the same Air Force Boeing jetliner made available for the secretary of state, with each news outlet paying its reporter's way for a seat on the aircraft.

Asked why Tillerson is breaking with tradition as he traveled to Japan, South Korea and China from March 15-19, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said: "This is a chance, or an opportunity at the beginning of a new administration, to look at outside-the-box -- if I could say that -- approaches to how we cover or how we handle coverage of the secretary."

"It was decided to take a journalist who was not, or from an outlet that doesn't normally travel with the secretary, as part of an effort to include a broader representation of the US media," added Toner, who also served under former president Barack Obama.

Toner insisted the accredited press is not being ostracized and that the 20 or so reporters who traveled to Asia on their own to follow Tillerson would have access to him.

But Toner would not say if the novel arrangement would be repeated or whether the accredited press would again be allowed to travel with the top US diplomat the next time he travels abroad.

The traditional practice has been in place since the late 1960s in the interests of transparency and providing the public with important news.

The State Department Correspondents' Association said it was disappointed at how the latest trip was arranged and expressed hope the department would address its concerns soon.
[The stream has ended.]



President Donald Trump spoke in Michigan on Wednesday following a meeting with automakers in which he was expected to talk about policy changes the companies want.

Before Trump's speech, White House spokesman Sean Spicer released a picture of the president and Cabinet members meeting with auto executives and union leaders.

Trump touted efforts to encourage companies to hire and build in America, saying the 'assault on the American auto industry is over." Shortly before he started speaking, the Environmental Protection Agency said it would review Obama administration fuel economy standards that automakers have argued would make regulatory compliance costs rise.

The standards would increase fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by model-year 2025. The EPA said it will have to determine by the beginning of April 2018 whether the guidelines are "appropriate."

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a statement. "We will work with our partners at DOT to take a fresh look to determine if this approach is realistic.

Environmentalists have argued that rolling back the standards will continue U.S. reliance on fossil fuels and could exacerbate climate change.

Trump has used his position to publicly criticize companies who move production or jobs outside of the country. He says his economic agenda  including broad tax cuts and regulatory rollback  will encourage companies to manufacture and invest in the U.S.

He has already trumpeted announcements from General Motors (GM), Ford (F) and Fiat Chrysler (FCA-IT) that they would either retain jobs in the U.S. or invest more in American facilities since he won the 2016 election. But some of those plans were in the works well before Trump's electoral victory.

GM on Wednesday announced that it would add or retain about 900 jobs at three Michigan facilities. The company said they are not related to Trump's policies.
By Andreas Rinke BERLIN (Reuters) - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday warned of serious consequences if the European Union does not give Western Balkan countries a clear message about joining the bloc, citing growing nationalism and pro-Russian sympathies in the region. He said Britain's vote to leave the EU, increasing conflicts among existing EU members and Greece's continued economic struggles had unsettled many in the Balkans, fanning concern about how realistic Serbian membership in the EU really was. "You hear these rumors. 'The EU doesn't want us'. And then people try to find something different. That's something we see as a danger," Vucic told Reuters a day after he met Chancellor Angela Merkel. "People are becoming more nationalistic, and on a monthly basis you see a slight decline of EU popularity and a slight rise of Russia popularity." He said he urged Merkel to assert more leadership on the issue of EU membership for Serbia and its neighbors, with an eye to showing the tangible benefits of future EU membership, including jobs and Western values. "We need huge support from the EU. All this messy stuff, it sends the wrong message to the people," Vucic said. Still scarred by wars fought in the 1990s along political, ethnic and religious lines, the Balkan countries are at various stages of reforms aimed at paving the way for membership, with Serbia seen as a linchpin whose development could pull up others. Russia, which is trying to exploit its historic links in the region to challenge EU and U.S. involvement, opposes the accession of Balkan states into the EU. European leaders said at a summit last week more Balkan states could still join the European Union if they stuck to a path of economic and democratic reform. Vucic's center-right Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) last month nominated him to run for the largely ceremonial post of president in a move he said was aimed at shoring up support for Serbia's strategic goal of joining the EU while maintaining friendly ties with Russia. Vucic underscored Serbia's strategic goal of joining the EU, but said his country was not seeking to join NATO and would stay neutral militarily, trying to maintain good ties with both Russia and the United States. Merkel lauded Serbia's role in the Balkans during a news conference with Vucic on Monday and underscored Germany's continued commitment to working toward EU membership. Germany has a 4 billion euro balance of trade with Serbia, with 370 German firms doing business there. Vucic hailed his country's positive economic prospects, predicting growth of 3.5 percent this year, and highlighting his drive to introduce a single market in the west Balkans. (Reporting by Andreas Rinke; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Alison Williams)
An Ohio woman's last words helped ensure her missing baby boy's return to safety, cops say.

Before she succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest, 23-year-old Mandi Mangas said to responding Fulton County deputies, "Where's Winston?"

Read: 9-Year-Old Carlie Trent Found Safe 8 Days After Uncle Allegedly Kidnapped Her

The mother's words sparked an Amber Alert in and around Delta, Ohio, which eventually led to the boy and to the arrest of his father, James Ramey.

The drama unfolded early Tuesday when deputies arrived to Mangas' father's home at about 5 a.m. when they found the young mother in grave condition.

After reportedly also giving police the name of the suspect she said shot her, Mangas was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The Amber Alert and manhunt for Ramey lasted about five hours, at which point cops say they tracked the suspect to Indiana  150 miles from the scene of the crime  with the help of cell phone pings and tips to police.

Ramey was arrested around 10 a.m. in Fulton County, Ind., about 150 miles away from the crime scene in Delta. They credit the Amber Alert for helping catch Ramey.

Read: Will the Juice Get Loose in 2017? O.J. Simpson Could Make Parole This Year

"There were several calls that came in [from] people who had contact with Mr. Ramey, so we were able to track him," Delta Police Chief Nathan Hartsock told reporters Tuesday. "With the size of the community, we did have multiple officers, here in my department, working. But if it wasn't for assisting agencies, this would have been much slower process."

Ramey was booked in an Indiana jail on suspicion of murder. Authorities did not immediately set an extradition date.

Watch: Ex-FBI Agent Claims to Know Fate of Lauren Spierer Who Went Missing in 2011

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WASHINGTON (AP)  The White House indicated Wednesday that Saudi Arabia will remain a close consultant to President Donald Trump on security and economic challenges in the Middle East, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iran nuclear deal.

The White House statement offered a glimpse at how this nascent administration's Middle East policies are taking shape, and how influential Saudi Arabia may be in shaping them. It left little doubt of the president's commitment to reinforcing relations with Saudi Arabia in a lengthy readout Wednesday  a day after the visit.

Trump's rhetoric toward the Israel-Palestinian conflict has notably softened since he was sworn into office. Trump abandoned, at least for now, his vow to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a plan long in the works but never executed due to the potential security implications.

Trump has also urged Israel to stop settlement expansions in disputed territories and said that the Israelis and Palestinians should determine for themselves whether a one- or two-state solution may work best.

Saudi Arabia has long said that any normalization of relations with Israel must include a just resolution first to Palestinian statehood, including claims to east Jerusalem and one of Islam and Judaism's holiest sites.

More broadly, the statement also addresses the need for collaboration in the fight against the Islamic State militant group  the White House referring to the group as "Daesh," its Arabic acronym, for the first time. The Trump administration typically refers to the group by its English acronym, ISIS.

The White House emphasized the need to normalize relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, which had soured in recent years over Saudi objections to the Iran nuclear deal, reached by the Obama administration.

Saudi Arabia has welcomed Trump's hard line rhetoric on Iran, but the White House statement Wednesday notes "the importance of confronting Iran's destabilizing regional activities while continuing to evaluate and strictly enforce the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," indicating that the agreement may not be dismantled, as Trump had promised during the campaign.

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The statement emphasized the need to strengthen economic and commercial ties as well. The two sides discussed the creation of a new United States-Saudi program, undertaken by joint U.S.-Saudi working groups, which would embark on initiatives in the energy, industry, infrastructure, and technology sectors, with opportunities worth more than $200 billion, the statement said.

___

Associated Press writer Aya Batrawy in Dubai contributed to this report.
Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer will qualify for a severance package worth around $23 million if she is fired without cause or steps down for "good reason" from the search company, Yahoo! confirmed in a filing Monday.

Mayer is one of four Yahoo! executives who will receive large severance packages from the company. Other executives receiving similar golden parachute packages include chief financial officer Ken Goldman ($9.5 million), co-founder David Filo ($66,415), and chief revenue officer Lisa Utzschneider ($16.5 million).

According to the filing, Mayer and other key executives will receive the package if they are terminated without cause or "terminated by the executive for good reason" within a year of Yahoo!'s sale to Verizon closing.

If Mayer qualified for the package, it would add considerably to Mayer's net worth since she joined Yahoo! as CEO. Mayer earned around $36 million in 2015 and, as CNN notes, the package would come alongside an estimated $150 million Mayer has earned since she was hired in 2012.

The specific conditions for the golden parachute package reflect the shaky ground Mayer and Yahoo! currently find themselves on. For Yahoo!, the search company is starting to stabilize following its sale to Verizon last year. After revelations about two massive breaches involving Yahoo! user data emerged, the sale was in potential jeopardy, but the two companies agreed to continue with the acquisition on a $250 million discount. As part of the sale, Verizon only plans on taking on core assets from Yahoo! to bolster its own online advertising offerings.

Verizon's piecemeal approach to the merger plays a major role in Mayer's murky longterm future with Yahoo!. The search company previously confirmed that Mayer would step down from Yahoo!'s board of directors following the closing of the Verizon sale and Altaba  the holding company for Yahoo's remaining assets  would take on another CEO.

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Variety notes that Mayer is expected to work on at least an interim basis with Verizon after the sale closure. Previously, Mayer has also expressed public support for the sale. In a blog post after the sale was announced, Mayer said that she considered it important "to see Yahoo into its next chapter." But as of yet, Yahoo! hasn't confirmed what role Mayer would play in Yahoo! once it's fully acquired by Verizon.

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The YouTube star who shocked fans when she revealed she was shot while on vacation in Brazil has spoken out about the horrifying ordeal that has left a bullet in her body.

Read: Drug Kingpin 'El Chapo' Wants Out of Solitary Confinement, Complains of Being Cold and Alone

Jo Franco, 24, who travels the world with her friend, Damon Dominique, for their popular YouTube show "Shut Up and Go," says she was shot while they were celebrating Carnival.

"There were two motorcycles blocking the street and a man with a gun directly pointing inside the car," she told Inside Edition.

She was shot in the back, and X-rays show a bullet was lodged near her spine.

I feel something warm hit my back, she said. I just put my hand on my back and it was like that traumatizing moment when you look at your hand and see your own blood seeping out of you.

She said she didnt think she was going to die but rather was thinking I am going to survive.

Dominique was in shock as Franco was rushed the hospital.

But as she predicted, she would miraculously recover from the bullet wound.

"The bullet went directly in the only spot probably in the back where it would affect nothing vital," Franco said.

Franco was released from the hospital just 14 hours later and was walking on her own. She spent an additional five days in Rio to recover before heading back to Los Angeles. Surprisingly, she still had the bullet in her back.

"Its very close to my spine," she said. It's too much risk to remove a bullet from the spinal area.

Read: Sheriff's Deputies Heroically Save Jet Skiers in the Path of Cruise Ship in the Nick of Time

She calls herself lucky because she just happened to be leaning forward right when she was shot.

I looked at the left where I should have been shooting and there was a gaping hole where the first bullet entered the car, Franco said. Had I been sitting in that seat, I would not be here right now.

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She added: I couldnt express to you the fortune, how lucky I was. You don't hear of many cases where people are shot in the back and can walk."

Watch: Lyft Driver Speaks from Hospital Bed After Brutal Highway Beating: 'What Did I Do to Deserve That?'

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Photo credit: Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald/Getty Images

From Town & Country

Hillary Clinton may not be in the White House, but her daughter appears to be doing just fine.

Despite continuing reports that she's eyeing a Manhattan District representative seat, the product of a political powerhouse insists she's not planning campaign of her own any time soon.

This week, she made a video for Variety reaffirming that she has no plans at the moment to join the family business, so to speak.

I am not running for public office, Clinton said. I really am constantly surprised by the stories of me running for, fill in the blank-Congress, Senate, City Council, the presidency, she continued. I really find this all rather hysterical, because Ive been asked this question a lot throughout my life, and the answer has never changed.

However, Clinton isn't saying a the political sphere is off the table entirely.

If someone steps down or something changes, Ill then ask and answer those questions at that time," she said. "But right now, no, Im not running for public office.

Instead, she's filling her time with a new role on online travel platform Expedia's board of directors.

While Expedia did not reveal how much Clinton would be paid, CNN Money reports that non-employee board members received a $45,000 "annual retainer" in 2015 and were awarded $250,000 worth of stock.

She is also at work on another book, this time for kids, which will be called She Persisted. The picture book will feature 13 inspirational stories of American women throughout history, according to EW, including Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, Oprah Winfrey, Nellie Bly, Maria Tallchief, Claudette Colvin, Clara Lemlich, Ruby Bridges, Margaret Chase Smith, Sally Ride, Florence Griffith Joyner, Sonia Sotomayor, and (you guessed it) a certain former-Secretary of State who was the first female presidential nominee from a major party.

"I wrote this book for everyone who's ever wanted to speak up but has been told to quiet down, for everyone who's ever been made to feel less than," said Clinton in a statement. "The 13 women in She Persisted all overcame adversity to help shape our country-sometimes through speaking out, sometimes by staying seated, sometimes by captivating an audience. With this book, I want to send a message to young readers around the country-and the world-that persistence is power."

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The book takes it's title, of course, from the words Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used to rebuke Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, after she was silenced on the Senate floor for reading a letter from Corretta Scott King about then-Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. "She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted," said McConnell, and his words have has become a rallying cry for feminists across the country.

She Persisted will be released on May 30, coincidentally the same month as current first daughter Ivanka Trump's upcoming book, Women Who Work. This spring, Clinton will also be on a promotional tour for the paperback release of her 2015 book It's Your World. With the goal of "engaging and informing young audiences on issues like poverty, homelessness, education, gender equality and global health," she will visit with kids and teens in eight cities across the country.

Photo credit: Getty

Her new book can be seen as part of Chelsea Clinton's efforts to stay in the political game, which may come as something of a surprise to her fans and followers, who've come to know Chelsea as more of a behind-the-scenes force.

Stepping into the forefront of activism, Chelsea joined thousands of protesters at the "Today, I Am Muslim, Too" Rally in New York City's Time Square on February 20 (also known as President's Day). She even brought her 2-year-old daughter Charlotte along, tweeting, "Thank you to all who organized #IAmAMuslimToo today - Charlotte's 1st protest rally. #NoBanNoWallNoRaids."

Thank you to all who organized #IAmAMuslimToo today - Charlotte's 1st protest rally. #NoBanNoWallNoRaids pic.twitter.com/5mSXGQtPJU - Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 19, 2017

Chelsea has also been outspoken on Twitter-and not shy about responding to Donald Trump and his administration. In particular, she has focused on how the POTUS's policies will affect women and children.

On Saturday, Chelsea praised her mother's one-time opponent Senator Bernie Sanders's New York Times op-ed, which put pressure on Trump to stop French company Sanofi from acquiring the exclusive license to a Zika virus vaccine, which could lead to price gouging of a vaccine that mostly affects low-income women.

"Thank you Sen. Sanders-we need to ensure equitable access to the Zika vaccine & all vaccines," Clinton tweeted alongside his op-ed.

Thank you @SenSanders - we need to ensure equitable access to the #Zika vaccine & all vaccines https://t.co/mrJzGTrpVQ - Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 11, 2017

Chelsea also did a little mild trolling of the Twitter-in-chief. During a Florida rally on February 18, Trump infamously stated, "You look at what's happening last night in Sweden - Sweden - who would believe this? Sweden, they took in large numbers, they are having problems like they never thought possible." Joining the internet's chorus of bafflement, Chelsea wrote: "What happened in Sweden Friday night? Did they catch the Bowling Green Massacre perpetrators?"

What happened in Sweden Friday night? Did they catch the Bowling Green Massacre perpetrators? - Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 19, 2017

The Tweet garnered a response from Kellyanne Conway.

Bosnia lie a Great reminder. And 2 @ChelseaClinton & others, you can't "invent" quality candidates either. I misspoke; you lost the election https://t.co/7TwnX2b5yA - Kellyanne Conway (@KellyannePolls) February 3, 2017

Chelsea's has also struck a bi-partisan tone, at least when it comes to children. Responding to some negative comments about fellow first kid Barron Trump, Chelsea stuck up for him on Facebook saying, "He deserves the chance to be a kid."

Ironically, one of her biggest Twitter controversies stemmed from the fact that she adds spinach to her daughter's pancakes.

Spinach pancakes for #NationalPancakeDay (we won't eat them all tonight although Charlotte would if we let her)! pic.twitter.com/9zgWZ0k94W - Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 7, 2017

Plenty of people issued an immediate and vocal hard pass, but Chelsea wasn't phased.

Dear internet, my daughter needs +iron so we put spinach in everything we can. The pancakes may not be pretty but she eats them(&their iron) - Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 9, 2017

When she's not on the Twitter machine, the mother of two is busy with her family (she and husband Marc Mezvinsky live near Madison Square Park with Charlotte, and Aiden, 8 months) and working at the Clinton Foundation. She was spotted grabbing dinner with celebrity couples John Krasinski and Emily Blunt and Matt Damon and his wife Luciana at Nolita restaurant La Esquina. She also attended New York Fashion Week, where she was observed "flying under the radar."

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By Macaela Mackenzie. Photos: Getty Images.

In lets-all-take-a-step-backwards news, the European Unions highest court ruled this week that employers in Europe can legally ban hijabs at the office.

On Tuesday, a court in Luxembourg ruled it was legal to bar women from wearing hijabsas long as the company has a policy that bans all religious garb. While, technically, the ruling applies to symbols across religions and political bents, it comes in the midst of a European election season during which feelings towards Islamism have been under the microscope and conservative politicians have been gaining popularity, reports The Guardian.

Though not official, the ruling feels especially tailored to Muslim women. The decision comes as the result of two separate lawsuitsboth by Muslim women. In the first, a Belgian woman was fired from a security company where shed worked for three years when she started wearing a hijiab. The company said shed broken unwritten rules on religious symbols at work, according to The Guardian. In the second suit, a Muslim woman in France was fired from a tech firm after a customer claimed his employees were embarrassed" by the hijab she wore during a presentation. In this case, the court ruled in her favor, stating customers cannot ask an employee to remove a headscarf unless the company has a policy against them already in place. Last summer, French municipalities sparked outrage when Muslim women were prohibited from wearing swimwear that covers the body and the head, better known as the burkini.

Considering the current social climate around hijabsespecially in the global arenas of fashion and sportsthis seems like a major step backwards. This year, Somali-American Halima Aden made history as the first Muslim model to walk in fashion week wearing a hijab, hitting runways from new school Yeezy to old school Alberta Ferretti (and before that she made history as the first contestant to wear a burkini in a beauty pageant). In the world of sports, Nike made major news earlier this month by announcing plans to release a sport-friendly hijab, leveling the playing field for Muslim athletes.

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With the EUs ruling in the mix, it looks like two steps forward and one step back when it comes to fighting hijab-based discrimination.

This story originally appeared on Allure.

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The Cupertino giant has once again expressed its objection of Nebraskas proposed Right to Repair bill. This time it is countering the proposal with a hacking claim that could cause an even bigger problem for many companies.

Apple hired security researcher Jonathan Zdziarski, who helped the Cupertino company during its battle against the FBI over the iPhone that belonged to one of the San Bernardino shooters, Business Insider reported.

Ive accepted a position with Apples Security Engineering and Architecture team, and am very excited to be working with a group of like minded individuals so passionate about protecting the security and privacy of others, Zdziarski said in a blog post on Tuesday.

Apples addition of Zdziarski to the team comes after he said in 2014 that the company had created a security backdoor that could compromise private data. Zdziarski said authorities or individuals with malicious intent could access sensitive information in the same way an Apple Genius would.

Zdziarskis recent blog post added:

This decision marks the conclusion of what I feel has been a matter of conscience for me over time. Privacy is sacred; our digital lives can reveal so much about us  our interests, our deepest thoughts, and even who we love. I am thrilled to be working with such an exceptional group of people who share a passion to protect that.

Last year, Zdziarski strongly defended Apple in its fight against the FBI after the company refused to unlock an iPhone that belonged to one of the San Bernardino shooters. Zdziarski filed an amicus brief along with other security experts claiming if the court ruled in favor of the FBI and ordered Apple to create a forensic software for the government, it would put iPhones at risk in the future.

This spread increases the risk that the forensic software will escape Apples control either through theft, embezzlement, or order of another court, including a foreign government, the amicus brief stated. If that happens, the custom code could be used by criminals and governments to extract sensitive personal and business data from seized, lost, or stolen iPhones, or it could be reverse engineered, giving attackers a stepping stone on the path towards their goal of defeating Apples passcode security.

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The FBI dropped the case against Apple and instead got Israeli firm Cellebrite to unlock the iPhone.

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Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Cisco filed an amicus brief to support Google after a judge ordered the company to comply with an FBI warrant and hand over customer emails stored in servers outside the United States.

Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and Cisco have teamed up to support Google in an amicus brief after a court ruling ordered the search engine company to hand over emails stored on servers overseas following an FBI warrant, Business Insider reported.

"When a warrant seeks email content from a foreign data center, that invasion of privacy occurs outside the United States  in the place where the customers private communications are stored, and where they are accessed, and copied for the benefit of law enforcement, without the customers consent," the companies said.

The amicus brief, which is filed by parties who have an interest in the case but are not involved, outlines the tech companies interest on keeping U.S. authorities from accessing customer data stored outside the United States.

They also referenced a recent case involving Microsoft, in which a federal judge decided the company and other firms could not be forced to hand over customer emails stored outside the U.S. to the FBI.

What data Google has to give up isnt clear, however, the company said last month it planned to appeal the decision.

In the amicus brief, the companies argued the decision by the Pennsylvania judge invites foreign nations to reciprocate by likewise demanding that local offices of U.S. technology companies turn over U.S. citizens private communications stored on U.S. soil.

The tech firms continued writing, "Our sister nations clearly view US warrants directing service providers to access, copy, and transmit to the United States data stored on servers located within their territory as an extraterritorial act on the part of the US government."

Google and Microsofts cases are based on warrants issued under the U.S. Stored Communications Act signed in 1986, which is considered outdated by many tech firms. In the amicus brief companies argued the congress should decide if the law should apply overseas, not the judiciary.

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Because execution of a warrant seeking data stored abroad constitutes an improper extraterritorial application of the SCA, the magistrate judges ruling should be set aside, the companies said. The magistrate judges approach allows for an intrusion upon foreign sovereignty that Congress has not authorized.

Google said last month it will continue to push back on overbroad warrants.

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Apple is slated to release a new iPhone this year, and one premium model will reportedly feature a curved screen, news reports said. These curved displays seem to be all the rage, with companies designing the screens for everything from smartphones to televisions. But what, if anything, do you gain from the curve?

Plenty of others phone makers have released curved screens, but Samsung was the first with the release of the concave Samsung Galaxy Round in 2013. Since then firms have experimented with various different kinds of curves, but when Samsung introduced the convex dual-curved sides to its flagship Galaxy S6 in 2015 it set the zeitgeist and most phone makers have since toed the line.

Rumors about Apple's curved iPhone were reported by The Wall Street Journal. Citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, the Journal reported that Apple would be releasing a high-end version of its 10th-anniversary iPhone, alongside the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus; this version will have a curved screen and be priced at around $1,000. [10 Technologies That Will Transform Your Life]

And Apple is hardly the only company investing in this display technology. Samsung was the first to release a smartphone with a curved display, the concave Samsung Galaxy Round, in 2013. Since then, other companies have experimented with different kinds of curves, but in 2015, when Samsung introduced the convex, dual-curved sides to its flagship Galaxy S6, the company seemed to ignite a new trend.

Tellingly, The Korea Herald also reported that Samsung could end up supplying Apple with the curved screens. This is because Apple currently uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology in its iPhones, and creating curved screens is practical only with organic LED (OLED) displays.

These displays, which are also used in TVs, rely on a thin film of organic compound  that is, a compound that contains carbon  which emits light in response to an electric current. LCDs, on the other hand, require backlighting to shine light through the liquid crystals.

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Early work

Samsung pioneered OLED technology in the early 2000s, and has built up a market-leading position in the development of the small OLED displays used in smartphones, said Karl Leo, director of the Integrated Center for Applied Physics and Photonic Materials at the Technical University Dresden in Germany.

"Samsung took a high risk to develop the production processes," Leo told Live Science. "Initially, for a couple of years, Samsung had the market to itself, and since obviously Apple and Samsung are competitors, Apple clearly had a problem with the need to establish independent manufacturing facilities that have enough capacity for the very large number of displays it needs."

While mass-producing OLEDs is complicated, the benefits are considerable, and several other companies are now producing the screen on a large scale, Leo said. OLED displays can have higher contrasts  blacker blacks and brighter whites  than LCD displays, he said. And unlike with LCDs, looking at an OLED screen from narrow angles does not distort the color or contrast, he added.

Most importantly, OLEDs emit light themselves and so don't need backlighting, and this allows for much thinner displays, Leo said. In addition, the films of organic compounds are soft, making it possible to create a curved screen, he said.

But why would you want a curved screen? The curved edges of the Samsung Galaxy S6, which introduced the de facto standard for curved smartphone screens, featured various new functions. These included shortcuts and information that can be seen at a quick glance on the long, curved edges of the device.

But Samsung said the main goal was to tackle "FoMo," or fear of missing out, reported The Daily Telegraph. The phone allows users to assign a color for up to five contacts, and the screen lights up in that color if they call. When the screen is face down, users can still see the curved edges, so it's possible to tell if a friend is calling even if users are in a situation where it would be rude to check their phone.

Design vs. function

However, design choices are the main reason behind the new trend for curved screens, not functionality, said Leo, who owns a Galaxy S7 Edge himself.

"It's a desire [of] manufactures to distinguish themselves, but in my opinion this has its limits," he said. [11 Odd and Intriguing Smart Home Technologies]

I must frankly say a curved screen is a minor step," He said that the ultimate promise of OLED technology is flexible screens that can be bent and twisted without damaging them and even screens so supple they can be rolled up like a towel.

There are considerable challenges to overcome before reaching that promise though, he said. Creating highly flexible displays will require a flexible substrate (the layer on which the OLEDs are applied) rather than the glass substrate that is typically used today, he said.

OLEDs also need to be protected from humidity and oxygen; otherwise, the pixels get damaged and stop working, Leo said. With a glass substrate, this is not too difficult, but if phone manufacturers switch to a flexible plastic substrate, it is much more challenging to keep oxygen and humidity levels low enough, he added.

It's not just the OLEDs that need to be flexible, though. The transistor backplane  the layer of components responsible for electronically switching each pixel on and off  will need to be flexible as well, Leo said. He said that flexible organic transistors could solve this problem, but these materials are still a ways away from being commercially available, which means truly flexible displays aren't likely to appear anytime soon, according to Leo.

But unlike curved phone screens, when flexible displays do arrive, they will be cause for real excitement Leo said. For example, he says one could imagine a phone display that could be rolled up tight enough that it could fit inside a pen. When you want to use the phone display you simply unfurl it from the pen and then it rolls back up once you're done.

"Wouldn't that be lovely?" he said.

Or at home, imagine if your television is actually rolled up like a window shade, and if you want to use it, you pull it down, watch TV, and then simply zip it up again.

"So, for flexible displays, there are many beautiful applications," Leo said. "You can put them anywhere. You can put them in garments, so flexibility would be really a breakthrough for many applications."

Original article on Live Science.

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By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The co-founder of Australian software firm Atlassian Corp Plc said on Tuesday he was close to meeting a self-imposed one-week deadline of getting political and financial support for a plan to use batteries from Tesla Inc to bridge an electricity supply gap in South Australia.

Mike Cannon-Brookes and Tesla boss Elon Musk have become Australia's most talked about corporate pairing after Musk said he could solve the energy crisis plaguing the state in 100 days and Cannon-Brookes offered to help, in exchange for "mates rates", in a series of Twitter posts on March 9.

When Musk accepted Cannon-Brookes's offer, the Australian replied in another tweet, "You're on mate. Give me seven days to try and sort out politics & funding."

Five days on, Cannon-Brookes told Reuters the publicity generated by the exchange had resulted in two Australian state leaders and the prime minister speaking to Musk on the phone, as well as encouraging investors to ask him about backing the A$25 million ($19 million) Tesla project.

"I don't know what the definition of 'politics sorted out' was, there wasn't really a plan there, but we've now had the various premiers and the prime minister talking to Elon on the phone talking about storage," Cannon-Brookes told Reuters.

"I don't think it will be challenging to get the funds for at least one, if not more, large-scale battery installations," he added.

Musk's initial offer followed a string of power outages in South Australia, the country's fourth-largest state, including a blackout that left industry crippled for up to two weeks and stoked fears of more outages across the national electricity market due to tight supplies.

South Australia, the country's most renewables-dependent state, on Tuesday released an energy plan which involved A$150 million to encourage the development of 100 megawatts of battery storage, possibly provided by Tesla.

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The following day, neighboring Victoria state published an energy plan.

Some local energy technology firms have said they want Australian manufacturers to supply any renewable storage networks, but Cannon-Brookes said no local products could match the large workload.

"Someone's got to plug these things in, connect it to the grid, do the maintenance, plan the facility, do the economics, there's a lot of other pieces here that need to happen," he said, referring to the potential role of Australian firms.

($1 = 1.3194 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
This wanted poster provided by the FBI shows Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, aka Magg, 29, a Russian national and resident. The United States announced charges Wednesday, March 15, 2017, against two Russian intelligence officers and two hackers, including Belan, accusing them of a mega data breach at Yahoo that affected at least a half billion user accounts. (FBI via AP) This wanted poster provided by the FBI shows Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, aka Magg, 29, a Russian national and resident. The United States announced charges Wednesday, March 15, 2017, against two Russian intelligence officers and two hackers, including Belan, accusing them of a mega data breach at Yahoo that affected at least a half billion user accounts. (FBI via AP)

Four people charged by U.S. officials for a Yahoo data breach include two Russian intelligence officers and two hackers they enlisted. Some details on the men, according to an indictment, documents made public by the Justice Department and AP reporting:

 Karim Baratov, also known as "Kay," ''Karim Taloverov" and "Karim Akehmet Tokbergenov," is a 22-year-old hacker. He is a Canadian and Kazakh national and a resident of Canada.

People who said they know Baratov told The Associated Press he's an exotic car buff who has owned an Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche and Mercedes, among others. His Facebook page is peppered with photos of cars and includes one post in which he says he was suspended from school four years ago for threatening to kill a former friend as a joke.

"At first, I felt really upset as I have never got into trouble before; but time off school allowed me to work on my online projects 24/7, and really move my businesses to the next level," he apparently wrote.

"I was well off in high school to be able to afford driving a BMW 7 series and pay off a mortgage on my first house; however, all the extra free time allowed me to make triple and even quadruple the normal amount. By the time my suspension was done, I changed my whole life plan!"

Mike Le, owner of All In Detailings in Mississauga, Ontario, said Baratov was once a popular and flashy client but reserved about anything personal.

"All my friends know him too, and none of them know anything about his life," Le said. "He's very secretive about his life."

Friend Saqar Khudairy confirmed the Facebook profile as Baratov's and said his pal told him he owned a network of servers that hosted websites, mainly in Russia.

"He's a really nice guy. I got a great impression from when I met him. This is a huge shock," said Khudairy, 20.

 Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, also known as "Magg," is a 29-year-old Russian who was born in Latvia when it was still part of the Soviet Union and has been on the FBI's list of most wanted hackers for more than three years.

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He was indicted in Nevada in 2012 and in California in 2013, accused of computer fraud and abuse, aggravated identity theft and other crimes related to hacking into three different e-commence companies in the U.S. Arrested in Europe in 2013, he made it back to Russia before he could be extradited. Interpol has issued a request to member nations for his arrest and extradition, and in December he was one of two hackers designated for sanctions by President Barack Obama for "significant malicious cyber-enabled misappropriation of personal identifiers for private financial gain."

 Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev, also known as "Patrick Nagel," is an officer in the Russian Federal Security Service, or FSB, assigned to Center 18, which is the Russian intelligence agency's Center for Information Security. The 33-year-old major was arrested in December as part of a treason case, Russian media have reported. Little is known about the nature of the treason charge.

The U.S. Justice Department would not confirm that account.

In 2011, Dokuchaev was identified by the pseudonym "Forb" in the Russian-language magazine Hacker. In a 2004 interview with the Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Forb boasted of making money from credit-card fraud and breaking into U.S. government websites.

 Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin is Dokuchaev's superior at the Russian intelligence agency. He also was "embedded as a purported employee and head of information security" at a Russian investment bank. There, the 43-year-old Russian monitored communications of bank employees, but it's not clear if the bank knew he was an intelligence officer.

___

Associated Press writers Rob Gillies in Toronto and Howard Amos in Moscow contributed to this report.
Back in September, Yahoo confirmed a massive data breach that affected at least 500 million users that dated back to 2014. At the time, the company said it suspected a state-sponsored actor did it. The U.S. Justice Department has now brought charges against two Russian intelligence agents, as well as two accused co-conspirators, in connection to the hack attack.

A California grand jury indicted two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and two others dubbed "criminal hackers" for computer hacking, economic espionage, and other criminal offenses in connection with an alleged conspiracy to access Yahoos network and the contents of webmail accounts, the DOJ announced Wednesday.

Three of the defendants are Russian nationals and residents, one is a Canadian and Kazakh national and a resident of Canada. The two FSB officer defendants protected, directed, facilitated, and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the U.S. and elsewhere, the indictment reads.

The defendants are accused of using unauthorized access to Yahoos systems to steal information from at least half a billion Yahoo accounts, and then wielding some of the information they stole to obtain unauthorized access to the contents of accounts at Yahoo, Google and other webmail providers, including accounts of Russian journalists, U.S. and Russian government officials and private-sector employees of financial, transportation and other companies.

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The U.S. claims that one of the defendants used his access to the Yahoo network for personal financial gain, by searching through emails for credit card and gift account numbers, allegedly redirecting a subset of Yahoo search engine web traffic in order to make commissions, while enabling the theft of contacts of "at least" 30 million Yahoo accounts to facilitate a spam campaign.

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"The United States will vigorously investigate and prosecute the people behind such attacks to the fullest extent of the law," said U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The fallout from this Yahoo hackas well as another attack that may have occurred between 2015 and 2016has translated to a $350 million cut off Verizons initial offer to buy the struggling internet company.





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By Makiko Yamazaki and Taiga Uranaka

TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese state-backed fund may invest in Toshiba Corp's memory chip business as a minority partner - a move that would help the government prevent a sale to bidders it deems risky to national security, sources familiar with the matter said.

Discussions on a potential investment are, however, at a very early stage and may not develop further as some people within the government are concerned it could be seen as a publicly funded bailout, one of the sources said.

If the fund, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), teamed up with a bidder that would give the suitor a major advantage as it would represent a government stamp of approval, the sources said, declining to be identified as they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

Cutting-edge chips are at the heart of robotics, artificial intelligence and connected devices and the government is worried that key technology could be transferred to China, people with knowledge of the matter have said previously.

The government is prepared to use Japan's foreign exchange and foreign trade laws to control the auction if need be, they said.

Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko has said the ministry, which oversees INCJ, has no plans to rescue Toshiba. An INCJ spokesman said on Wednesday the fund would not comment on speculation.

Toshiba said it would not comment on specifics of the sale process. Chief Executive Satoshi Tsunakawa said on Tuesday, however, that it would take national security concerns into account.

In crisis over its Westinghouse nuclear business, Toshiba has put up most or even all of its prized memory chip business for sale to cope with an upcoming $6.3 billion writedown and to create a buffer for potential losses down the road.

Separately a person with direct knowledge said that the government-backed Development Bank of Japan would be willing to lend support. It was not immediately clear what form that support would take.

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A spokesman for the bank declined to comment.

Sources have said potential bidders include Western Digital Corp which operates a Japanese chip plant with Toshiba, rivals Micron Technology Inc and SK Hynix Inc. They also include Taiwan's TSMC and Foxconn as well as financial investors such as Bain Capital.

Toshiba has so far received bids that value the entire unit as high as 2 trillion yen ($17.4 billion), said a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Bidders have been asked to present their offers by March 29, he said.

INCJ was involved in an attempt to rescue liquid crystal display maker Sharp Corp about a year ago with the government aiming to broker a merger between it and Japan Display Inc. Sharp, however, reached an agreement to be bought by Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry.

($1 = 114.6900 yen)

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Taiga Uranaka; Additional reporting by Yoshiyasu Shida; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
By Lisa Baertlein CHICAGO (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp this month will begin testing its long-awaited U.S. mobile ordering app with the goal of avoiding the kinds of service hiccups that have haunted digital debuts by companies such as Starbucks Corp . Digital ordering has been challenging for many restaurant chains and their customers. Domino's Pizza Inc , now the industry leader, took years to perfect it. Starbucks' technology took far less time, but in January the chain said mobile orders poured in faster than they could be processed, creating backlogs that drove away time-crunched walk-in customers. McDonald's sees mobile as a way to win back customers after four straight years of traffic declines, but the project is not without risks. "We can't impact the speed or the quality of our food," Jim Sappington, McDonald's executive vice president of operations, digital and technology, told Reuters in an interview at a temporary warehouse space in Chicago's West Loop where the company has built a new high tech restaurant. It features a redesigned kitchen to speed order flow and show off its technology initiatives. If its famous french fries are served cold or if mobile customers have to wait for orders, "you get a question of 'Why did I use the app?'," Sappington said. "Our focus is to make the overall experience clearly better." McDonald's said that automating more orders should cut transaction times, reduce errors and free up workers to do things like deliver food to tables or cars in spots designated for mobile orders."It's better to be right than to be first to market," McDonald's Chief Executive Steve Easterbrook said recently. To that end, Sappington plans multiple pilot tests to work out any kinks and streamline the integration with the company's existing technology systems before rolling out the finished app in nearly all 14,000 U.S. restaurants and some 6,000 others in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and China, by the end of this year. LOW-TECH SOLUTIONS Kitchens are the heart of McDonald's business and crucial to the success of mobile ordering. "The potential is that they can screw up the flow of the whole restaurant," said Janna Sampson, co-chief investment officer at Oakbrook Investments LLC, which holds 65,000 McDonald's shares. McDonald's appears to be taking steps to protect itself from kitchen hiccups, she added. McDonald's is bringing restaurant operators to its Chicago warehouse space to show off a "hub and spoke" kitchen layout developed in French restaurants after the installation of self-service ordering kiosks. Among other things, that kitchen system clusters food preparation to increase efficiency, shaving miles off the daily distances covered by a restaurant's crew. Franchisees who operate most U.S. McDonald's restaurants will be tasked with sorting out the human elements of mobile ordering - namely how to best adjust kitchen layouts, work flows and staffing, said Richard Adams, a former McDonald's franchisee who now advises McDonald's restaurant operators. Unlike many others, McDonald's app will track a customer's location to ensure that orders are sent to the right restaurant and timed so that food is not left to wilt under heat lamps. When the customer arrives at the restaurant, the app asks for confirmation and payment before sending orders to the kitchen. "If they don't start your order until you pull in the lot, are you really gaining that much time?" investor Sampson asked. The final version of the app will also ask customers to choose table service, counter or drive-through pickup, or curbside delivery. Easterbrook said that if 20 percent of drive-through customers use curbside and another 20 percent use the lanes for pickup only, restaurants could serve another 20 cars per hour, lifting business at U.S. drive-throughs that account for some 70 percent of U.S. sales. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein, editing by Peter Henderson and Cynthia Osterman)
Even if the smartphone world is now officially dominated by iOS and Android, there could still be a niche for Nokia.

The latest Kantar Worldpanel data, published Wednesday, shows the iPhone 7 is the world's most popular handset; that Samsung is still the biggest handset maker; and Android still dominates the operating system landscape around the world. In Europe, 74.3% of phones run Android, 83.2% in China, 58.2% in the USA and 52.6% in Australia. Only in Japan is iOS more popular (49.5% verses 49%).

Yet, according to Kantar, the two marques that essentially created the smartphone market, Nokia and BlackBerry, could still find a new niche in this duopoly.

"February's Mobile World Congress 2017 demonstrated the true state of the market, with re-emerging brand names Nokia and BlackBerry capturing a lot of attention, but now operating on Android rather than on their own legacy operating systems," said Lauren Guenveur, Global Consumer Insight Director for Kantar Worldpanel ComTech. "We witnessed something of a throwback to times past with the new Nokia 3310 feature phone, an updated version of the iconic Nokia look, plus several new Nokia Android smartphones being marketed by HMD, now the exclusive licensee of the Nokia brand."

Indeed, the fondness with which Nokia is still regarded, particularly in Europe could well see the brand re-establish itself among consumers who would otherwise be considering a mid-range Samsung handset.

"HMD Global's focus on revitalizing the Nokia name seems concentrated on quality for cost. Its three new Android phones are priced at EUR 229 or less, with Android Nougat, Google Assistant, aluminum construction, and otherwise solid mid-range specs," said Dominic Sunnebo, Business Unit Director for Kantar Worldpanel ComTech Europe.

In other words, they could be very popular in "price-conscious markets like Italy and Spain," said Sunnebo.

However, breaking into the US once more could be a bigger challenge. "Seventy percent of the US domestic market is dominated by Apple and Samsung, and the third largest manufacturer, LG, accounted for an additional 11.1% of sales in the three months ending January 2017," Guenveur said. "It is difficult to see the impact of all the devices launched at MWC 2017 from the perspective of a US consumer since many of them are not initially planned for sale in the US."
By Dustin Volz WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday charged two Russian intelligence agents and two criminal hackers with masterminding the 2014 theft of 500 million Yahoo accounts, marking the first time the U.S. government has criminally charged Russian spies for cyber offences. The charges came amid a swirl of controversies relating to alleged Kremlin-backed hacking of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and possible links between Russian figures and associates of U.S. President Donald Trump, and uncertainty about whether Trump is willing to respond forcefully to aggression from Moscow in cyberspace and elsewhere. The 47-count Justice Department indictment includes charges of conspiracy, computer fraud and abuse, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets, wire fraud, access device fraud and aggravated identify theft. It paints a picture of the Russian security services working hand-in-hand with cyber criminals, who helped spies further their intelligence goals in exchange for using the same exploits to make money. "The criminal conduct at issue, carried out and otherwise facilitated by officers from an FSB unit that serves as the FBIs point of contact in Moscow on cyber crime matters, is beyond the pale, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said at a press conference announcing the charges. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) is the successor to the KGB. Yahoo said when it announced the then-unprecedented breach last September that it believed the attack was state-sponsored, and on Wednesday the company said the indictment "unequivocally shows" that to be the case. The charges announced Wednesday are not related to the hacking of Democratic Party emails during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. U.S. intelligence agencies have said they were carried out by Russian spy services, including the FSB, to help the campaign of Republican candidate Donald Trump. The indictment named the FSB officers involved as Dmitry Dokuchaev and his superior, Igor Sushchin, who are both in Russia. Dokuchaev was arrested for treason in December, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. Reuters sent a request for comment to the FSB in Moscow on Wednesday evening but there was no immediate response. The alleged criminals involved in the scheme include Alexsey Belan, who is among the FBI's most-wanted cyber criminals and was arrested in Europe in June 2013 but escaped to Russia before he could be extradited to the United States, according to the Justice Department. Karim Baratov, who was born in Kazakhstan but has Canadian citizenship, was also named in the indictment. The Justice Department said Baratov was arrested in Canada on Tuesday. Mark Pugash of Toronto police later confirmed the Tuesday arrest. McCord said the hacking campaign was waged by the FSB to collect intelligence but that the two hackers used the collected information as an opportunity to "line their pockets." The United States does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, but McCord said she was hopeful Russian authorities would cooperate in bringing criminals to justice. The United States often charges cyber criminals with the intent of deterring future state-sponsored activity. Washington has not contacted Moscow over the charges, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday, citing a "highly placed" source in Moscow. The administration of former President Barack Obama brought similar charges against Chinese and Iranian hackers who have not been extradited. In a statement, White House spokesman Michael Anton said the charges "are part of a broad effort across the government to defend the United States against cyber attacks and cyber-related crimes." 'RED NOTICE' Yahoo in December announced another breach that occurred in 2013 affecting one billion accounts. Special Agent Jack Bennett of the FBI's San Francisco Division said the 2013 breach is unrelated and that an investigation of that incident is ongoing. The hacks forced Yahoo to accept a discount of $350 million in what had been a $4.83 billion deal to sell its main assets to Verizon Communications Inc . At least 30 million of the Yahoo accounts in the 2014 breach were the most seriously affected, with Belan able to burrow deep into their accounts and take user contact lists that were later used for a financially motivated spam campaign, according to the indictment. Belan also stole financial information such as credit card numbers and gift cards, it said. Yahoo had previously said about 32 million accounts had fallen victim to the deeper attack, which it said leveraged forged browser cookies to access accounts without the need for a password. According to the indictment, FSB officers Sushchin and Dokuchaev also directed Baratov to use the information gained in the Yahoo breach to hack specific targets who possessed email accounts with other service providers, including Google. When Baratov was successful, Dokuchaev would reward him with a bounty, the indictment charged. Examples where Google accounts were targeted include an assistant to the deputy chairman of the Russian Federation, an officer of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a physical training expert employed by the Russian government. Details in the indictment reflect the often murky relationship in Russia between criminal hackers and government intelligence officers. Interpol issued a "red notice" on Belan in relation to an earlier hacking campaign, according to the indictment. Instead of arresting Belan, however, the FSB recruited him to help with cyber espionage and provided tools to evade detection from other authorities. Belan later gained unauthorized access to Yahoo's network that he shared with FSB, the indictment said. (Reporting by Dustin Volz in Washington and Joseph Menn in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Julia Edwards in Washington and Alexander Winning in Moscow; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe and James Dalgleish)
The Samsung Frame is designed to look like a piece of art but it an actual TV ... with a release date soon.

Televisions can really disrupt the design flow in a room, and sometimes make a room seem less formal, but Samsungs Frame is aiming to change that.

The new Samsung Frame TV that is disguised as a piece of art will be released this Spring, Samsung announced Tuesday at a Global Launch event in Paris. When you turn the TV off, you can opt to put it in Art Mode, meaning instead of fading to a black screen it will display a piece of custom art.

Whether you want a landscape, an architecture photo or drawings to fit in with your room Samsung's got you covered. The TV will come with more than 100 art options in ten different categories of art. The ample choice also means it can be set to match any room so theres no need to worry about it fitting in if you paint or mix up the theme of your living space.

Samsung says the TV will also come with a stand as well as a seamless wall mouth that leaves virtually no room between the screen and the wall, and will have interchangeable bezels, or the covers that frame the screen.

Details like price, app compatibility, smart features, and plug and outlets have yet to be released.

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Unlocked smartphones typically mean that you can get phone updates without having to wait for carrier approval. A new Samsung policy will more quickly bring updates to its unlocked Galaxy smartphones.

For Google Android users, getting regular security updates on your smartphone has always been a hurdle. But for owners of unlocked Samsung smartphones, the process will get easier soon.

Samsung customer service representatives confirmed that unlocked smartphones will immediately move to a monthly update release schedule, according to ZDNet.

"Due to various circumstances, we have been releasing security updates for unlocked (open) Galaxy devices in the U.S. on a quarterly basis, Samsung said. However, we have now resolved the challenges; and we are committed to releasing security updates for those devices on a monthly basis.

Along with confirming the shift in update scheduling, Samsung also noted that the first update package is slated to come this month.

For Samsung, the update helps make up for whats generally been a major blind spot for the companys smartphones. While carrier-branded Samsung smartphones have still received updates  albeit at a slower pace  unlocked Samsung smartphones were previously on an irregular schedule.

ZDNet previously noted that Samsungs unlocked smartphones received updates well behind its carrier smartphones thanks to its quarterly update release schedule. The slow updates even cancelled out one of the biggest upsides to purchasing an unlocked phone, since an unlocked phone traditionally means you can get updates right when Google  rather than a carrier, if you have a standard smartphone purchased through Verizon, AT&T or other major providers  approves them. Considering you also usually have to pay for the entire smartphone at once when you buy it unlocked, the sluggish update schedule was a justifiable headache for Samsung owners.

Still, the new update schedule should be a plus for Samsung unlocked smartphone owners who want to make sure their phones remain updated and secure. With the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge coming on April, the news will also be an benefit for future owners who want an unlocked version.

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Why are the Windows and Android platforms always targeted by malware and other malicious attacks from nefarious hackers? Because theyre used by so many people that the odds of a successful attack are dramatically increased compared to less popular platforms like macOS. For that same reason, Googles Gmail service is often the target of phishing scams that have become increasingly effective in recent years. Now, a new scam has been uncovered that may very well be the most well-executed scam in recent history, making it all too easy for victims to have their Google login credentials stolen.

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Via Lifehacker, the cyber security experts at Wordfence first brought this new scam to light earlier this year. In a nutshell, the scam targets Gmail users who access their email accounts in a web browser. It displays a graphic that looks identical to the graphic Google uses to indicate a PDF or Word document attachment, but it embeds the image in the email body itself. When the user clicks on it, he or she is redirected to a page that looks just like the normal Google login screen.

While the look is spot on, the page isnt actually hosted on Googles servers. Instead, its a recreation of the Google sign-in page that steals a users login credentials as he or she inputs a username and password. Those credentials are then used to gain access to the victims Gmail account and further spread the scam.

Heres what the scam email looks like:

The nearly identical resemblance to Googles own attachment graphics and login page is what makes this scam so dangerous. In fact, the only way most people are able to spot it is if they notice that the URL of the login screen that opens after the fake attachment is clicks begins with data:text/htyml rather than https: as it should. This is because the fake login page isnt actually hosted on a secure server.

Story continues

As noted in an update from Wordfence, the latest version of Googles Chrome browser now displays a Not Secure warning when pages like this load, which should help many users to avoid falling victim to the scam. Not everyone uses Chrome, however, and not all users who do browse with Chrome actually install Googles updates.

Trending right now:

See the original version of this article on BGR.com
On Saturday, Ma Natures tempest tantrum finally simmered down. Except for a couple restless nights with the wind roaring and rattling the house and maybe half-a-ton of pine cones and limbs to pick up in the yard, we came through relatively unscathed. While there is snow and ice hanging on in shady places, the wind actually dried things out quite a bit.

The weather has turned so cold that Scout and I drove through Goose Island Park to see if there might be enough ice in the back water for a fishing trip. There was ice, but not ice for walking on by me  yet. Well keep checking. There is snow in the forecast. I sure hope this qualifies as coming-in-like-a-lion weather after being spoiled by the weather in February.

This last week has been full with appointments, substitute teaching, meetings, food and fun. On Monday, I had my annual physical. Doc told me it is better to be healthy and heavy than unhealthy and heavy. Oh well, I am good for another 12,000 miles  I hope.

On Wednesday evening, Ellen rode along with me up to Alma for the Wisconsin Conservation Congress District 5 meeting. We drove to Nelson first and had some great food at J and Js BBQ. Ellen ordered a pulled pork sandwich and I had a third of a rack of seriously smoked ribs and a quarter of a chicken with fries and barbequed beans. I needed about twenty napkins to get my elbows unstuck from the table top. Good stuff at a fun place.

At the meeting, elected officials from Buffalo, Dunn, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Pepin, Pierce, Trempealeau and Vernon counties that comprise District 5 come together to learn about and comment on the questions up for voting at the upcoming county hearings on April 10. Our Vernon County group is Dave West, Jason Leis, Al Smith, Tim Morgan and yours truly.

We heard about a lot, including all 82 questions in the upcoming hearing handout, but the following questions and info stood out for me: possibly raising the musky size limit statewide, changing panfish limits and even size limits, DNR staffing updates, a southern Wisconsin deer study, elk restoration project, the DNR alignment process, state budget process related to the department, the loss of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, filling warden positions, Go Wild, new game tags, Vernon County has a new fish manager, as Kirk Olson will replace Jordan Weeks who is the new Mississippi River manager, raising the trout stamp from $10 to $15, proposed spring hearing voting online, CDACs, and more. We got home around midnight.

On Thursday, Ellen and I and our friend Curt Christensen went to the Annual De Soto FFA Banquet. We had a great dinner of delicious beef tips, chicken and mashed potatoes and all the fixins catered by Borgens of Westby. Then there were speeches and awards. Curt and I have been helping FFA supervisor Ron Von Glahn with the Jag Lake FFA retreat since the mid-90s and we were awarded honorary FFA degrees for our service. We rewarded 160-plus people with a karaoke sing along. Yeah, enough said.

Friday night we all met met with the Von Glahns, Gronnings, and Curt for fish at Rockys in Stoddard. The place was hopping, the Badgers were winning on the TV, the adult beverages were excellent, and the fish was better. Anyway, it felt good to sleep in a bit on Saturday.

I have told stories about NASA, the North American Squirrel Association. NASA provides outdoor opportunities to the disabled and elderly. The other night at Rockys Rick Elsen invited me to join his table at the annual NASA banquet on April 26 in La Crosse. You can learn more about this worthwhile fundraising event online at http://www.nasasquirrel.org/images/2017%20Banquet%20Application.pdf This is for a great cause and the banquet should be great fun.

We are seeing lots of deer browsing in the fields in early evening and after dark. We are still seeing some bucks with antlers too, including a dandy in a valley to the north of us. I took the truck for a test drive of the fog lights Saturday night. I saw four deer including a good buck just down the road. Take a ride in the country at dusk if you like seeing deer right now.

Speaking of being out at dusk, I like Daylight Saving Time. Why cant we just leave the clocks like they are today (Sunday) all year long? Some claim Daylight Saving Time is good for the economy because we spend more money when it is daylight later in the summer, but according to JP Morgan, the research does not bear this out because returning to Standard Time in the fall negates any economic gain from the summer daylight hours. Some say that schoolchildren will have to get on the bus in the dark. When the school buses turn around in our driveway in the morning to pick up the neighbor kids, it is dark-thirty most of the school year  just sayin. Also, I submit that maybe wed save a great deal of electricity during the holidays because the decorations would go on later (by sun time) and could be on for an hour less each night.

Recently there was an ill-conceived move afoot to do away with Daylight Saving Time by a couple of Wisconsin legislators. Fortunately, time ran out on the idea due to a lot of pressure on social media; however, Id be on board to go the do away with Standard Time. I say, Daylight Saving Time now, Daylight Saving Time this fall, and Daylight Saving Time all year long, if for no other reason than to give fishermen and bow hunters an extra hour of daylight after work in the fall.

Until next time, get out  Ellen said that she was greeted by a robins spring song when she walked outside this morning on her way to church. Our newly arrived regiment of robins must be wondering what they were thinking when they decided to head north so early. They definitely didnt check the weather forecast and they are definitely not rockin  maybe shivering. Oh well, we made it past the Ides of March, so daffodils and swallows cant be far behind. Enjoy.
CASHTON  The maple sap began flowing early this year at the expanding B&Es Trees farm south of Cashton, where owners Bree Breckel and Eric Weninger have put up a building with their own evaporator inside to boil the sap to create syrup.

Once theyve made their certified organic maple syrup, it will be aged for a year in charred oak bourbon barrels at the Food Enterprise Center in Viroqua, to give it a unique flavor. Then Beckel and Weninger will use their own bottling equipment to bottle it at the center, for sale in retail stores and restaurants and on the B&Es Trees website.

B&Es Trees sold its first bourbon barrel maple syrup in the fall of 2015, Breckel said.

Before she and Weninger came up with that unique product, their business had been selling regular certified organic maple syrup since 2012 to the Maple Valley Cooperative in Cashton.

This is their sixth year of maple syrup production.

Breckel and Weninger bought their first 40 acres of maple trees in 2011, before buying another 24 acres of land in 2012 and another 80 acres in 2016. Of their total 144 acres, maple trees cover about 120 acres.

Because weve been expanding, we were outgrowing the shared facility, Weninger said of the couples decision to install their own evaporator in their own new sugar house building. (The evaporator was expected to begin operating last week.) Before that, they and three other maple syrup producers had been sharing the evaporator at another sugar house a mile away.

It takes 40 to 50 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. From the trees, the sap flows through food-grade plastic tubing into three tanks at the farm. From there its transferred to three other tanks near the sugar house, before going into the evaporator to boil off water.

Weninger and Breckel plan to construct a second building in a few years, and move their bourbon barrel aging and bottling operations there.

For now, they run the equipment in the sugar house with a couple small solar panels and a propane-fired electric generator. They plan to add more solar panels and a wind turbine this summer.

We want to have as much of the farm and this facility on renewable energy as we can, Weninger said.

Sap usually begins flowing from their maple trees around the first or second week of March. But this year it began flowing in early February because of a warm spell. It warmed up so fast, before cold temperatures returned, Breckel added.

Sap flows best in maple trees with warm, sunny days and freezing nights. The amount of syrup that can be produced this spring depends on the weather.

The B&Es Trees maple syrup thats being sold today in stores and restaurants in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Colorado was aged for a year in bourbon barrels through an arrangement with Central Waters Brewing Co. in Amherst, Wis. It resulted from conversations with the brewerys owner, whom Weninger and Breckel first met at the Midwest Renewable Energy Associations 2013 energy fair in Custer, Wis.

After the barrels are used to age bourbon at a distillery, theyre emptied and sent to B&Es Trees and used to age maple syrup for one year. After theyre emptied of maple syrup, the barrels go to the Central Waters brewery where theyre used to age some of its beer.

Breckel and Weninger said the aging mellows the sweetness of the syrup and adds a hint of bourbon as well as smoky vanilla notes from the charred oak of the barrels. But theres no alcohol in it, Weninger said of B&Es Trees syrup.

Breckel, who was raised near Westby, has worked full time at B&Es Trees for two years. Before that, she worked at the Peoples Food Co-op in La Crosse for 10 years.

In February, Weninger, who was raised near Holmen, quit his job as a combustion engineer at the Harley-Davidson product development center in Milwaukee to work full time at B&Es Trees.

Breckel and Weninger first met at an Earth Day 2010 event in La Crosse.
Western Technical College will be hosting a New Directions luncheon to discuss where technology is going and how it affects businesses, Tuesday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lunda Center, 319 N. Seventh St., La Crosse.

Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, will discuss the advanced industry jobs that are swiftly changing our economy and how we work. He will also cover various state initiatives, which are affecting businesses in our area and the state of Wisconsin.

The Technology Council is the nonprofit, bipartisan science and technology policy advisory board to the governor and the Legislature. Its programs include the Tech Council Investor Network, the Tech Council Innovation Network, the Governors Business Plan Contest and regular events that connect entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and others with a stake in the tech-based economy.

The public is invited to attend. Cost of the event is $20 per person or $108 for a table of six. Lunch is included, and registration is required.

For more information or to register for the event, cntact Westerns Business and Industry Services at 608-789-6290 or email BIS@westerntc.edu.
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A recent court ruling will change the way hikers and tourists get up to the Hollywood sign.

The decision revolved around a gate on Beachwood Drive in the Hollywood Hillsthe gate has been used by pedestrians to get from Beachwood Drive to the Hollyridge Trail, which leads to the Hollywood sign.

Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables, which is located in that area, had claimed in a lawsuit that it has an "exclusive easement road" in that space, according to the L.A. Times, and complained that the city had been funneling hikers into that area by encouraging them to use the aforementioned gate.

According to a statement by the Department of Recreation and Parks, the ruling deemed "that pedestrian access along the road to Sunset Ranch was incompatible with with Sunset Ranch's legal easement and impeded their ability to conduct business." As such, the city will now take steps to divert people to other points of access to the Hollyridge Trail. The department said that it will be directing people to "other nearby access points that will include Canyon Road and the Vermont Canyon entrances," adding that this new effort will happen in the "next few weeks as we put in place enforcement to redirect and to effectively serve tourists, hikers and residents."

Rose Watson, a spokesperson with the Department of Recreation and Parks, told LAist that the department will be working on ways to redirect pedestrians away from the gate. "I imagine that there will be some new signage. We may also put out releases to alert people," said Rose. "We'll be informing the public and letting them know that those other entrances are already there."

When asked about the possibility of fines, Rose said that it's still too early to say. "The majority of people who come to the park are respectful and there are no issues. I hope, and think that, everyone will respect the law that was made," said Rose.

Councilmember David Ryu, who represents the surrounding district, issued a statement saying, Now that the Sunset Ranch litigation is done, we can focus on the work at hand. My office will continue to move forward on long-term strategies to create better experiences for tourists and safeguard the negatively impacted communities around the Hollywood Sign.

The ruling comes amid the ongoing saga in which certain residents of Beachwood Canyon have tried to block of their area to hikers wishing to reach the iconic sign. They argue that Beachwood Drive is ill-equipped to handle the amount of foot traffic that passes through the area, and have portrayed it as an issue of public safety. In 2015, some of those residents sued the city, saying that it encouraged people to use Beachwood Drive as an entrance to the trail without analyzing the impact as required by the California Environmental Quality Act.

While the recent ruling may seem like a victory for surrounding residents, some say that it'll only force pedestrians to other parts of the area. As noted by Curbed LA, sending pedestrians to Canyon Drive and Vermont will add more than a mile to the hike to the sign, and may increase foot traffic in nearby Bronson Canyon.
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(4) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (4) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (3) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (4) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (4) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (3) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (5) Jul 12 (5) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (3) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (3) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (4) Jun 29 (5) Jun 28 (2) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (3) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (3) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (3) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (3) May 29 (4) May 28 (4) May 27 (3) May 26 (5) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (3) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (3) May 15 (6) May 14 (3) May 13 (3) May 12 (5) May 11 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(3) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (7) Feb 05 (7) Feb 04 (7) Feb 03 (9) Feb 02 (7) Feb 01 (9) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (6) Jan 29 (5) Jan 28 (6) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (6) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (6) Jan 21 (6) Jan 20 (8) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (9) Jan 17 (5) Jan 16 (5) Jan 15 (6) Jan 14 (7) Jan 13 (7) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (7) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (7) Jan 08 (8) Jan 07 (11) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (7) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (8) Jan 01 (8) Dec 31 (6) Dec 30 (6) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (7) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (5) Dec 25 (5) Dec 24 (5) Dec 23 (7) Dec 22 (5) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (6) Dec 17 (6) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (5) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (6) Dec 05 (5) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (6) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (6) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (4) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (5) Nov 22 (7) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (6) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (5) Nov 13 (6) Nov 12 (6) Nov 11 (6) Nov 10 (8) Nov 09 (8) Nov 08 (7) Nov 07 (5) Nov 06 (5) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (6) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (4) Oct 30 (3) Oct 29 (5) Oct 28 (5) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (6) Oct 25 (6) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (5) Oct 21 (4) Oct 20 (6) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (4) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (5) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (7) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (2) Oct 07 (7) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (6) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (8) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (6) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (6) Sep 27 (4) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (4) Sep 24 (1) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (5) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (3) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (4) Sep 12 (3) Sep 11 (3) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (4) Sep 07 (4) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (5) Sep 04 (2) Sep 03 (4) Sep 02 (4) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (2) Aug 28 (4) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (4) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (4) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (5) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (3) Aug 08 (4) Aug 07 (3) Aug 06 (3) Aug 05 (3) Aug 04 (4) Aug 03 (4) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (4) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (5) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (3) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (3) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (3) Jul 10 (3) Jul 09 (4) Jul 08 (4) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (3) Jul 05 (5) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (4) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (5) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (4) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (6) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (3) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (5) Jun 04 (5) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (5) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (3) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (4) May 27 (5) May 26 (7) May 25 (4) May 24 (4) May 23 (4) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (3) May 19 (5) May 18 (4) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (4) May 14 (4) May 13 (5) May 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11 (3) Feb 10 (5) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (5) Feb 06 (5) Feb 05 (5) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (2) Jan 31 (5) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (6) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (3) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (4) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (5) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (5) Jan 04 (3) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (1) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (5) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (4) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (5) Dec 15 (5) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (4) Dec 01 (5) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (5) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (4) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (5) Nov 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California is set to open its roads up for the first time to self-driving vehicles with no human drivers.

The Department of Motor Vehicles announced plans to allow testing on state roads later this year of truly driverless cars.

Until now, California has only allowed testing of autonomous vehicles with a driver ready to take over if something goes wrong.

The proposed change would allow testing of vehicles with no steering wheel or pedal controls. However, any driverless vehicle being tested must be remotely controllable and able to stop itself in an emergency.

A hearing will be held next month to get public comments on the issue before the change can take effect. Officials say they hope the new rules can receive final approval by December.

The proposed rules open the path for self-driving cars to be widely sold and used throughout the state, officials said. Truly driverless vehicles could be available for sale in California as early as 2018.

The cars must also meet all federal safety requirements to be allowed on California roads.

The U.S. government released its own set of guidelines for driverless vehicles last September. Officials said the guidelines were intended to bring about a responsible introduction of autonomous technology in a safe, clean, efficient way.

California is the largest automobile market in the United States. Currently, 27 companies have permission to test autonomous vehicles on the states public roads. These include major U.S. and foreign carmakers, as well as technology companies like Google and Uber.

Ride-sharing company Uber was forced to pull its test cars out of California last December after a dispute with officials over required permits. Uber had argued it did not need state permits for testing because its vehicles were not fully autonomous.

But last week, Uber finally gave in to state officials and got the required permit to test its self-driving cars in California.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor.

How do you feel about the testing of driverless cars on public roads? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

autonomous  adj. existing separately from other things

steering wheel  n. wheel the driver uses to control the direction of a vehicle

pedal  n. control on a piece of equipment that is pushed with a foot

efficient  adj. capable of working well and producing good results
Assal Ravandi knows service. First, as a soldier in the United States Army in Afghanistan. Now, as a soldier for soldiers at the organization she founded: Academy of United States Veterans.

But Ravandi insists that her service has not been selfless.

Serving has always made me feel good and therefore, I consider it to be a self-serving act in a way, while it's still helping others. So, service was something that I thought I would end up doing one way or another.

Ravandi was born in Tehran, Iran. She came with her family to the United States at age 13. She thinks her decision, years later, to join the United States Army was partly inspired by the life she left.

I come from a place where people get killed, prosecuted, imprisoned for every ounce of freedom that they want in life and at the end, when all the blood is shed, and all the people that are imprisoned  you still dont have it.

Ravandi was 29 when she entered the military. Basic training is always difficult. Ravandi found it especially hard. She was surrounded by enlistees years younger than she. But she says, the experience taught her a lot, especially about herself.

The system was incredibly comprehensive and it taught me a lot physically, emotionally, mentally. My favorite part in the basic training experience that I had was marksmanship. I loved shooting my weapon, and I soon learned that I was physically more capable than I thought I was.

But marksmanship did not turn out to be Ravandis most important skill during her deployment in Afghanistan. She says, there, her native language, Farsi, proved a more powerful weapon in the effort to serve and protect. Farsi is very similar to Dari, the most common language spoken in Afghanistan.

I was asked to teach infantry soldiers the Farsi language. The Farsi that I taught was to build relationships. So, the first thing that I would teach them, it was in Dari dialect, which is the primary language of Afghanistan, and I would say, after you meet someone tell them Beysar khosh shodam, which means it is nice to meet you. And I think that kindness and that notion, that gesture, can bring people together.

Assal Ravandi was recognized for her work in teaching Farsi to infantry soldiers. Her battalion commander presented her with a medal.

Ravandis duty in Afghanistan and the Army had a major impact on her. After she left military service she found that nothing else measured up to the work she did as a soldier.

I felt so privileged, so honored to serve in the United States military. I think until I actually got there, I didnt know it was everything that I ever wanted and to be honest with you, I dont remember who I was before I was a soldier.

Returning to civilian life was not easy for Ravandi.

I kind of lost myself after my military service. I didnt know what I was going to do. I was just going through the motions, just going through life and I started to suffer from post-traumatic stress.

However, Ravandi did know what she wanted back from Army life.

The one thing that I missed the most, that could make me feel better was the community and comradery in the United States military.

So, she recreated it outside of the military by founding the Academy of United States Veterans. The group provides public and media relations support to veteran service organizations, veterans programs and veteran-owned businesses.

Its motto? We serve those, who serve those, who served!

Assal Ravandi says she does not think her story would have been possible in any other country in the world. She still expresses wonder that, in her words, freedom is something that is just given to you in the United States.

I take a lot of joy in this incredible life. This opportunity thats been given to me and to wake up every day and to know that I have put all the effort, all the thought, all the energy into something and in the end it was worthwhile.

Im Marsha James.

Marsha James wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Listening Quiz

See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each short video and then choose the best answer.

Quiz - People in America: Assal Ravandi Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

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Words in This Story

inspire - v. to make (someone) want to do something

enlistee  n. a person who signs up for military service

comradery  n. a feeling of good friendship among the people in a group

comprehensive  adj. including many, most, or all things

marksmanship  n. skill in shooting guns

infantry  n. the part of an army that has soldiers who fight on foot

gesture  n. something said or done to show a particular feeling or attitude

primary  adj. most important: main

post-traumatic stress  n. a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

privilege  n. a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud


Investigators in Somalia continue to find and remove bodies from large group burial places in the northwestern area of Somaliland. They are gathering evidence to present in court so that war criminals might be punished. Two such cases have been presented already in courts in the United States.

VOA went to the town of Berbera, in Somaliland, where the investigators are working.

They use metal hand tools to remove the soil covering a group burial place in the coastal town along the Gulf of Aden.

The bodies of seventeen men lie almost two meters below. Gunmen shot and then buried the men about thirty years ago. Troops loyal to the former Somali dictator Siad Barre are suspected of responsibility. Barre ordered a military campaign against rebels in Somaliland that killed about 50,000 people. Most of those killed were from the Isaaq group.

Somaliland declared independence after the Barre government collapsed in 1991. But other countries do not recognize Somaliland as a nation separate from Somalia.

Somaliland has created a War Crimes Investigations Commission. An international team working for the commission has been opening old graves to gather evidence. Khadar Ahmed Like is the chairman of the commission.

Every person has the right to be buried in his religious method. So, we are just taking out these bodies and we are burying them separately after cleaning and praying on them.

The commission has dug up 11 such burial places in the past five years. There are many more, including six others in Berbera alone. New graves are often discovered after rains wash away the topsoil, uncovering human remains. The commission has reburied more than 100 bodies.

After a few days of work, the team has found the bones of victims. Members remove the bones and try to make a complete skeleton of them. They examine the remains. They are trying to identify them and learn how they died.

Valeska Martinez is an expert from Chile. She finds a skull that has been badly broken. Its facial bones are missing. She says this shows the likely cause of death.

Mostly the case is (a) gunshot wound in the head or in the thoracic area. If we see, like, a gunshot wound in the head, we know that this person dont (didnt) die in a natural way. With that kind of proof, we can show in a court a proof that this person was murdered.

Not everyone supports opening the graves. The commission did not talk with family members about the process before it began its work. Some family members tried to stop the graves from being opened. There were clashes between family members and police.

The remains of Khadra Mohamed Abdis father were found in a mass grave. She says she wants the person who killed him to be found and sent to prison. But she does not want her fathers bones removed from the grave.

Its all so painful -- you know, someone you forgot twenty-five years ago, and then when we see the process, its like its new to us. All the time we are crying because we remember what happened that time. We told them not to dig but the decision is (out of) not our hand.

Commissioner Like dismisses the families concerns. He says proving the murders took place is important to the country. And he said it could persuade other countries to recognize Somaliland as a nation separate from Somalia.

Actually, for them its nothing, but it is for us to prove this genocide has occurred by the regime of Siad Barre.

Im Dorothy Gundy.

Correspondent Jason Patinkin reported this story from Berbera, Somaliland. John Smith adapted the story into VOA Special English. Caty Weaver 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

grave  n. a hole in the ground for burying a dead body

skull  n. the structure of bones that form the head and face of a person or animal

thoracic  adj. the part of an animals body between the neck and the waist

actually  adv. used to refer to what is true or real

occur  v. to happen

regime  n. a form of government


This is Whats Trending Today

Ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-hye moved out of the presidential home over the weekend.

She returned to her private home in the Gangnam area of Seoul, the capital.

But, Park left behind her nine pet dogs at the presidential Blue House.

Now, animal rights groups are accusing Park of animal abandonment.

The Busan Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals published the accusation on Twitter. The alliance said it brought the incident to the attention of police.

It and other animal rights groups in South Korea have offered to help find new homes for the nine dogs. They are Jindos, a Korean breed of hunting dog known for their loyalty.

Park was given two Jindos in 2013. The dogs, whose names mean New and Hope in English, became famous on the internet. Park would often post photographs of herself with them on her Facebook page.

The two dogs had seven puppies earlier this year.

A Blue House spokesman said that Wednesday that Park left the nine dogs at the presidential palace because the puppies are still too young to be separated from their mother. He said the dogs would stay there until the puppies are ready to be sent to new owners.

She [Park] told Blue House staff to take good care of the dogs and to find good foster homes for the puppies if necessary, the spokesman added.

It is not clear whether Parks decision to not take the dogs with her can be considered animal abandonment under South Korean law. The countrys animal protection law defines lost or abandoned animals as those wandering without an owner in public places or left deserted in paper boxes or other containers. Anyone charged with animal abandonment faces a fine of up to 1 million won, or $873.

On social media, people have been reacting to Parks decision to leave the dogs. Many people were angry.

Park Jeong-eon, a 38-year-old office worker, told the Associated Press, It seems that Park Geun-hye is a person who entirely lacks empathy, whether its for humans or for animals.

South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach Park Geun-hye last December. They found she had worked with a close friend to pressure large Korean businesses to donate huge amounts of money to two organizations.

The Constitutional Court officially removed her from office last Friday.

South Koreans will elect a new president on May 9.

And that's What's Trending Today.

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Words in This Story

abandonment - n. the act of leaving and never returning to someone who needs protection or help

breed - n. a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc.

foster home - n. a home where for a period of time a child (or animal) lives and is cared for by people who are not the child's parents or the animal's owners

wander - v.  to move around or go to different places usually without having a particular purpose or direction

empathy - n. the feeling that you understand and share another person's experiences and emotions
While the biggest names in a movie tend to score top billing, a film's overall success often depends on the chemistry of the entire ensemble rather than just one or two stars.
Taylor Swift scored a 10 out of 10 as she became the first artist in history to claim the top 10 slots of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
LEXINGTONThree mothers who met while on a similar journey of caring for and ultimately saying good-bye to a child with a congenital heart defect are the founders of a non-profit corporation called HeartBeatz.

The goal of the organization, established in January 2015, is to raise awareness regarding congenital heart defects and to provide information and support for families.

HeartBeatz was selected as this years non-profit to benefit from a portion of funds raised through the Lexington Clipper-Herald sponsored Red and Wild event, April 27 at the Holiday Inn Express.

Heather Larson, of Overton, said she met Alma Hayman and Liz Bulgrin while their children were patients at Childrens Hospital and Medical Center in

Omaha. We were blessed to find friendship in the midst of our childrens journey with congenital heart defects, said Larson. When our children passed in 2014, we were fortunate to have each other for support.

HeartBeatz honors the memories of Mia Larson, Rogue Hayman and Ethan Bulgrin. They changed our lives forever, said the families on the HeartBeatz website. They taught us how to be patient, be brave, and enjoy life in ways we never would have imagined. Their lives were short, but they left a big impact on so many.

Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect in the United States, affecting nearly 1 percent of all births, or about 40,000, per year. They include abnormalities in the hearts structure, electrical system and function of the heart. Statistics show that congenital heart defects are more common than pediatric cancer, about 60 times more prevalent.

Larson later learned that a portion of a babys heart usually closes naturally after birth by day nine or ten. When that happens the heart has to work harder and a defect might become manifest. Thats when families can start seeing heart failure, said Larson. Heart defects can also be detected in utero via ultrasound and by pulse ox screenings at birth.

She said her daughter Mias heart was the size of a walnut when she had surgery to put in a valve just millimeters wide.

Mia was in the hospital 14 out of the 17 months of her life. Some of those hospital stays were $400,000 a day. Parents shouldnt have to worry about that (cost), while they are watching what is happening to their child, said Larson, noting the medical coverage that exists that parents may be unaware of.

Nebraska is one of 16 states where a child can be independent of parents income after seven days of hospitalization, making the child eligible for Social Security and Medicaid, but parents may not know that and worry unnecessarily, said Larson.

I was fortunate, Larson said reflecting on her experience. Although there were ups and downs, our family always felt supported by family, friends and our community which made each day a little brighter. I want to return the favor to other families so they feel supported.

Larson said there wasnt a one-stop place to go for information when she searched after her daughters diagnosis. She found bits and pieces here and there, but often didnt glean information until after something happened.

HeartBeatz was formed from knowing the kinds of questions and needs families would face when they learned of a congenital heart defect diagnosis.

The HeartBeatz website, www.heartbeatz.org, includes facts on congenital heart defects, along with educational material. There are questions to ask medical providers, as well as information on tests and procedures.

Sometimes the questions are about practical issues, said Larson. Families may want to know what to expect in a childs development or about the availability of nursing care at home.

There is a section on medical bills and lodging options while a child is hospitalized. There are also tips for creating family fun and links to colorful legwarmers and G Button covers.

There are other family support resources listed on the website, including a grief page. Just because you need help, doesnt mean youre not strong, said Larson.

We provide a lot of education via website, said Larson.

HeartBeatz makes journey bags as something to give to families who perhaps took a child in for a check up and were whisked off to a hospital for a stay. The bags are packed with things like notes of encouragement, educational materials, a journal, pen, gift cards, blanket, toys, coloring book and hygiene items. A $40 donation can sponsor a bag.

HeartBeatz partnered with Beads of Couragea program where children receive beads to commemorate milestones of achievement along their treatment planin offering a bead as a symbol of strength, hope and unity and as a reminder of being together and fighting.

The non-profit also sponsors a fun day for heart kids and their siblings. Larson said they recognize it is important for families to be able to bond together and have fun without having to worry about the financial impact on a strained budget.

HeartBeatz is working with the Legislature to revise a bill on capturing statistics on birth defects, which is planned to be introduced in 2018. It would record statistics through the life span of a child.

HeartBeatz is 100-percent non-profit said Larson, operated strictly by volunteers, including graphic designers in Chicago and Denver.

We are blessed that we are chosen to be part of Red and Wild, said Larson. We are hoping it will raise more awareness for congenital heart defects.
COZAD  About one-and-a-half years ago, workshops were offered on how to paint a barn quilt in Cozad and Lexington.

As people took workshops, they hung them on their homes or barns and other people noticed them, said Julie Geiger, owner of Prairie Point Junction, a quilting supply business in Cozad.

After a large barn quilt was hung in front of the 100th Meridian Museum, it was a springboard for raising awareness and interest in barn quilts, Geiger said.

Geiger and Laurie Yocom, director of the Wilson Public Library, are the trend setters who worked from the beginning to spread interest in barn quilts.

"The Barn Quilt Trail is an idea we talked about with our tourism committee (of the Cozad Chamber of Commerce) for a few years," Geiger said. Both Geiger and Yocom are members of the tourism committee.

Once interest in barn quilts increased and enthusiasm for them was present in Lexington, Cozad and Gothenburg, Geiger and Yocom gave presentations on the history of barn quilts and the potential of a Barn Quilt Trail to increase economic development, tourism and community development.

Other goals of a Barn Quilt Trail are to beautify communities and to highlight the story telling and preservation potential of barn quilts.

Geiger noted a barn quilt, just like a quilt, could tie in lots of history of its material and family/regional history with its design and symbolism. Other places in the country have used enthusiasm generated by barn quilts to preserve old barns and add barn quilts to them, she noted.

"Other communities use it (barn quilts) as a historical project to preserve and renovate a building," she said.

Geiger said Yocom's main focus is to make barn quilt "an accessible art," that visitors can see it anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Cozad has such a strong art background," she said.

Next step in bringing a Dawson County Barn Quilt Trail is working on the development of a dedicated web site and a mobile app, Geiger said.

The target date of completion for the web site and app is sometime in early Spring in May, she said.

Currently, a listing of more than 45 barn quilts, available for viewing in Cozad, can be accessed by visiting the Cozad Chamber of Commerce's web site, cozadchamber.com.

A map of Cozad is currently available on the Cozad Chamber's web site with locations of barn quilts in Cozad listed on it, she said.

Geiger said she is hopeful that collaboration from other communities, such as Lexington, Gothenburg and Elwood, can allow the app and web site to include listings of barn quilts from those communities when both media platforms go live in the Spring.

For those wanting to attend a barn quilt painting class, Geiger said Rose Mapel teaches classes in Cozad, Sindy Fiene teaches classes in Elwood and classes are often taught by a volunteer at Central Community College in Lexington.

Mapel teaches barn quilt classes at her business in Cozad, Rustic Milling and Craft. For more information on barn quilt classes offered in Cozad, call Rose Mapel at 308-529-8992. Fiene teaches classes at her bed and breakfast business in Elwood, House on the Hill. For more information call 308-785-3828.

The Barn Quilt Trail will seek to bring people to Dawson County, both those passing through the area and those who seek out the barn quilt, Geiger said.

A longer term goal, once a larger amount of barn quilt are available for viewing and listed online, Geiger said she hopes to get some art tours organized. This idea would allow visitors to spend time in multiple towns in various days, where the art, restaurants and museums of each town could be showcased to visitors, she said.

"It really is an economic development vehicle," she said.

Geiger encourages barn quilt enthusiasts and community members to watch a barn quilt documentary currently airing on NET, because it features numerous communities in the state including Cozad, on the show "Patchwork on the Plains."

She said one segment of the documentary covers fourth and fifth graders from Cozad during the annual Ag Day at the farm of Ann and Tony Smith. Not only did students learn about different agriculture careers on the farm but students also learned to paint a barn quilt for each of the schools in Cozad, Geiger said.

According to a news release written by Geiger and Yocom, "Barn Quilts are considered one of the fastest growing grassroots arts movements in the country. A Barn Quilt is painted on plywood or signboard to represent a quilt design. The blocks often tell a story unique to the maker or location."

The spirit of barn quilts will be represented at this year's Quilts Around the Block, an event held in downtown Cozad every two years that is organized by Geiger.

Suzi Parron, a barn quilt author or historian will be the guest speaker during Quilts Around the Block, to be held the weekend of Aug. 12.

Parron will also host barn quilt workshops at the event, with a possible barn dance for that weekend still in the planning stages, Geiger said.

During the week of the Quilts Around the Block, Wilson Public Library in Cozad will display quilts that were awarded during the 150th Birthday of Nebraska, an event sponsored by the Nebraska State Quilt Guild.

Other special displays are also planned around Cozad during the week of Quilts Around the Block, Geiger said.
Annual Ladies Night Out to benefit Gracie Mulei family and HeartBeatz

COZAD  A Cozad family is learning the challenges of cystic fibrosis from lifes best teacherexperience.

Tina Mulei said many people associate cystic fibrosis with complications in the lungs and intestines, but there is more to it.

Before Gracie Mulei, 9, eats or drinks anything she takes pancreatic enzymes to prep her body to handle what goes into her stomach. Thats because her pancreas has zero function and otherwise her body cant absorb nutrients. Its one of the many issues Tinas daughter deals with as a child with cystic fibrosis.

Gracies body doesnt process sodium in usual ways and she requires extra sodium to keep from being dehydrated. Her bodily fluids are hard and sticky. She has a sinus surgery every year to clean out her passageways. Drawing blood for medical tests is difficult because the blood is thick. Gracies gall bladder doesnt allow bile to move through.

When asked how many surgeries there have been in Gracies life, Gracie is quick to respond, Too many. She and her mother dont have an official count.

Gracie said her most recent surgery was in December, prior to Christmas, when a feeding tube was installed to aid in getting nutrition and medication into her body.

It was a quality of life thing, said Tina. Prior to that, Gracie was discouraged by all the medications that were required and was giving up.

As has been typical, while one procedure was being done others were done too. Teams of doctors who oversee various parts of Gracies body each did their thing while Gracie was already under anesthesia. The feeding tube was combined with sinus surgery, something for her lungs and a PICC line, a peripherally inserted central catheter that is linked straight to her heart.

IVs hurt, reported Gracie.

When asked if the surgery and subsequent recovery interfered with celebrating Christmas, Gracie was quick to say no. It was a good Christmas, she said.

Mulei said she was about six months into the pregnancy with Gracie, her fifth child, when doctors alerted her to some concerns.

They could tell from an ultrasound that the babys stomach was big, but they didnt know why. When the babys heart rate dropped she was put on bed rest. At 35 weeks gestation Gracie was delivered by emergency C-section.

Not even a day later Gracie had her first surgery. Her intestines ruptured when she was born, right at the flap where the stomach connects with the intestines, which needed to be repaired.

Scar tissue in the area means sometimes Gracies digestive system gets blocked up and she has to be cleaned out and have things opened up again. When that happens it takes about a week before she can try eating again.

That has been her battle the past couple of years, on top of the lung stuff, said Tina.

From birth, Gracie was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for four months. She had five major surgeries during that time. Thats the surgery count her mom clearly remembers.

When Gracie was finally being released from the hospital, a gastroenterologist asked Tina to bring Gracie back in for another test. He wanted to do a liver biopsy.

Later, when the GI delivered the news that he found cystic fibrosis, Tina Mulei didnt believe him.

No, its not, she said. Her daughter had previously been screened for cystic fibrosis, one of many tests administered, with negative results. The other four girls in the family didnt have cystic fibrosis.

Family members on both sides were surprised and skeptical It doesnt run in our family, they said.

Tina said they were referred to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A sweat test done when Gracie was about a year old came back positive. That was followed by genetic testing and each parent was found with a gene mutation for cystic fibrosis.

When each parent has such a gene, a child has a one in four chance of having cystic fibrosis. Statistically there is a fifty percent chance of not having the disease while still being a carrier and a 25 percent chance of not having the disease and not being a carrier.

It sucks, but its interesting, Tina said of the genetics of the disease.

Gracie has a nephew who also has cystic fibrosis. That indicates her sister is a carrier, as is her husband, however, neither one of them has the disease.

Gracie doesnt get to interact with her nephew because people with cystic fibrosis shouldnt be around each other. They each carry a specific type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their lungs, that if swapped can cause lung infection, and frequent lung infections are already an issue.

As Gracie coughs her mother explains that she always has a cough, but it doesnt mean she has anything that is contagious.

Breathing through a straw for 15 to 20 minutes might give someone without cystic fibrosis a sense of what one aspect of cystic fibrosis is like, said Tina.

People with cystic fibrosis are prone to headaches, along with feeling light headed and tired.

On a typical day, Gracie wakes up at 6 a.m. for the feeding tube and medications. She might be able to catch a bit more rest while she lies down and waits for her stomach, which swells up big, to decrease in size again. She does a sinus rinse and then uses the vest, a device that looks like a life jacket that is hooked up to a machine with tubes. It shakes Gracie with the theory that it will loosen and thin the mucous in her lungs so she can huff it out. The machine treatment takes 45 minutes. She also uses a nebulizer.

I get ready fast, said Gracie of the time it takes her to dress and get ready. There is a handful of pills to take as they head out the door.

Cystic fibrosis is very time consuming, said Tina. There are a lot of medications, a lot of treatments.

Weekends are more relaxed, said Tina, but they try to keep the same schedule, minus the rushing part.

Because of its bulkiness, Gracies lung machine doesnt go to school, but while at school she uses a smaller device, either an Acapella or AerobiKa, along with a nebulizer. She does them together to streamline the process, but she misses recess for such treatments.

Each school year there is a new teacher to work with and educate about Gracies needs. Gracie works closely with a school nurse and school counselor. A child psychologist and pain management specialist are part of Gracies team of medical providers.

Tina said advances in treating cystic fibrosis are great, but the current health care situation makes managing the disease scary.

A stack of mail, addressed to the parent of Gracie, arrived in January with a warning that in 60 days certain things would no longer be covered by insurance.

Gracie takes 25 to 30 medicines a day. Specific medicines she requires range in price from $2,500 to $10,000 for a monthly supply. If Gracies lung or stomach fails, it wont be covered.

Tina said she was stressing out about the news, wondering what to do, when she received a phone call from the Lexington Clipper-Herald asking if she would consent to Gracie being this years Red and Wild recipient.

Stuff like this doesnt happen, ran through her thoughts, she said.

Im still speechless, she said. Im honored. I cant put it into words. Eventually Ill find the words.

Tina is a single parent who moved to Cozad from Denver five years ago when she needed a change of pace in life and a fresh start after a serious car accident. A friend with a Cozad connection recommended the city and said she would likely do well in a small town.

Tina said the move has been good for the family and she is amazed by how laid back and supportive people are.

Tina has worked for South Central Developmental Services for five years and was placed in an administrative position in July.

I love my job, she said, noting how supportive her co-workers have been.

Tina said she has always been honest with employers in explaining Gracies needs and how things may come up unexpectedly. The usual reaction is, Thats fine. Well deal with it as it comes, she said, but most employers ultimately arent as understanding as they hoped to be.

We just kind of take it as it comes, said Tina of helping Gracie keep up in school and navigate through life.

Gracies sisters at home, Hailey and Tessa, know how to help with her treatments, medicines and feeding machines. They take turns sleeping on the couch in the living room near Gracies hospital bed to make sure her breathing at night sounds ok. Two older sisters, Brittani and Kayla, while no longer in the home are supportive too.

The Gracie Mulei Family will be the beneficiary of the Ninth Annual Red and Wild event on Thursday, April 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Lexington. Tickets are $7 in advance, $8 at the door.

If you are interested in having a booth or donating items for the live auction, please contact the Lexington Clipper-Herald at 308-324-5511.
LEXINGTONBuilt in 1928, the old Dawson County Jail originally looked like a brick two-story cozy Georgian home.

As the decades went by, one or more additions made the jail larger. These changes also made the building look more like a jail. A concrete step entryway was taken away with its grassy knoll front yard. Also the large windows with dark shingles were replaced with long, narrow vertical-style windows.

Perhaps very few locals know as much about the old jailhouse, set to be demolished this year to accommodate more parking, than sisters Jo Swartz and Cindy Flint.

Both are daughters of the late Dawson County Sheriff John Rohnert. Both were raised in the jailhouse at a time when the sheriff's residence was the first floor of the jail.

On a windy, chilly afternoon in January, Swartz and Flint, accompanied by family members, visited the jailhouse one last time.

The inside of the building is cold and run-down. Decades of no use and no heating can be seen in holes in the walls and felt with the chill in the air. Boxes, used to store files of county departments, fill the entrance facing Washington Street.

"If these walls could talk, they would have a lot to talk about," said Keith Swartz, husband of Jo Swartz.

Entering the empty kitchen, the visitors pause as nostalgia sets in. To the left of the kitchen sink is an open compartment in the wallthe pull operated tray elevator used to transport meals to inmates on the second floor. Grandchildren of the Rohnerts would often fight to see who would operate it, the group reported.

A small room filled with scraps of cardboard and boxes was the bathroom. A cozy room with large windows and slabs of plywood resting on the side was the sisters' bedroom.

A closet door next to the entrance door of the room holds memories of a story.

As teenagers, when Jo was dating Keith, her mother told her she couldn't leave the house until she cleaned her room. Jo got all her clothing lying around and dumped it onto a pile, hidden in the closet.

When Keith entered Jo's room, mother Doris, wanting to compliment her daughter told him what he was getting into, he said.

"Mom said, she's (referring to Jo) going to make a good wife, pointing out how clean the room was. Then she opened the closet door and all the clothes fell everywhere," Jo said laughing.

A small room next to the stairway going up to the second floor is completely filled with piles and piles of paper files. This was Rohnert's office.

Most of the paper files left in the jail are found in the hallway leading to the jail cells on the second floor. Trash bins filled with junk and trash also line this hallway.

Housed in this hallway area is a cell with red metal door with a small horizontal opening for a food tray. It was the drunk tank for drunken offenders.

Past this is a room with two large glass windows and a small table. It was the communication room for visits.

Multiple sections of rows of jail cells, framed by red sliding bars form a labyrinth of habitations for inmates of the past.

One more isolated hallway with fewer cells once housed an infamous inmate, Keith said. The cell room at the end of this hallway, directly facing the west entrance to the Dawson County Courthouse, once housed Dennis Sell, convicted rapist and murderer, he said.

A relative of one of his victims was known to have parked west of the courthouse with a firearm waiting to get a chance to shoot Sell through the window opening, Keith said.

Ultimately, Rohnert had to cover up the windows of Sell's jail cell, he said.

With one truck trailer filled and transported from the jailhouse filled with shredded documents that had once been in storage, at least another truck will be needed to dispose of old documents, said Brian Woldt with the Emergency Management for Dawson County.

Woldt has been assigned to oversee emptying the building to prepare it for demolition.

Youth needing community service hours have helped him empty the jail of storage file paper so far, he said.

Woldt said he is in great need of more helpers, be they students or community members, to expedite the clearing of files from the jailhouse.

He noted that the Dawson County Commissioners have told him the county would be willing to make a donation to any school team or group in exchange for helping remove paper from the jail.

Dawson County Commissioners approved the demolition of the old jail in late 2016. Commissioners are waiting for Woldt and helpers to completely clear the jail of storage files from county departments before soliciting bids for demolition work.

Woldt said the more helpers he gets the sooner the jail can be ready.

For Keith, Gary and their wives, Jo and Cindy, the jailhouse always has been and will be more home than jail.

During their visit they took pictures of one jail cell where an inmate hand marked the days of his or her stay by scratching ones on the wall.

If the jailhouse was a place of confinement for inmates, it was a place of comfort and memories for the Swartz and Flint families.

"I didn't think of it as a jail, when you lived there, it was your home," Gary told Cindy.

The old jailhouse was a home, one filled with "so many memories," as one granddaughter of Rohnert said.
CHICAGO -- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Tokyo Bay Resort Development Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sogo Development Co., Ltd. for a Hyatt Place hotel near Tokyo Disney Resort in Chiba, Japan. Upon its expected opening in 2019, Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay will be the country's first Hyatt Place hotel.

"It is our great pleasure to introduce the Hyatt Place brand to Japan through our collaboration with Sogo Development Co., Ltd.," said Hirohide Abe, senior vice president of Hyatt, Japan and Micronesia. "This opening will mark a very important milestone for Hyatt's brand growth strategy as the company expands its portfolio in key locations within the country to increase preference among guests."

Hyatt Place hotels offer casual hospitality and purposeful service in a smartly designed, high-tech and contemporary environment. Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay will be located at Urayasu City in Chiba Prefecture, less than three miles (4 kilometers) from Tokyo Disney Resort, one of Tokyo's premier travel destinations. It is also conveniently located between both of Tokyo's airports, 12 miles (20 kilometers) from Haneda Airport and 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Narita Airport. The 10-story hotel will offer 365 guestrooms including two suites, 1,900 square feet (180 square meters) of meeting space, an all-day dining facility, and a 24-hour gym.

"We are excited to work with Hyatt to bring the first Hyatt Place hotel to Japan," said President and Chief Executive Officer Shinya Ozawa, Sogo Development Co., Ltd. "The new Hyatt Place Tokyo Bay will have the feel of a resort with beautiful surroundings, including a park and views of Tokyo Bay, something that is sure to satisfy both business and leisure travelers. We will continue to work alongside Hyatt to create a hotel that is loved and valued by all guests while still meeting the high expectations of the people living in the area."

For more information, please visit www.hyattplace.com.

The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.

About Sogo Development Co., Ltd. Founded in November 1963, Sogo Development Co., Ltd. is a part of the Sogo Development Group, a holding company that develops, leases and manages real estate. Sogo Development Co., Ltd. develops, manages and leases commercial facilities and office buildings. With the Hyatt project as a cornerstone, the Company plans to actively develop and manage hotels.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose  to care for people so they can be their best. As of March 31, 2022, the Company's portfolio included more than 1,150 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 71 countries across six continents. The Company's offering includes the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Alila, Andaz, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Caption by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, UrCove, and Hyatt Residence Club brands, as well as resort and hotel brands under the AMR Collection, including Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt loyalty program, ALG Vacations, Unlimited Vacation Club, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Sian Martin

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

+1 312 780 5797

Hyatt
The Second Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL) held its 10th meeting to discuss amendments regarding the Law on Prevention and Control of Tobacco Smoke yesterday. The majority of the committee (eight in favour and two against) agrees with a proposal according to which casinos must meet government requirements before 2019 to keep smoking lounges inside their facilities.

Last week, the government delivered new proposals to the committee for further discussion. The proposals included some requirements for gaming operators regarding smoking lounges inside casinos. Those adjustments seek to improve the requirements in terms of preventing smoke from leaking out of the lounges.

According to committee chairman Chan Chak Mo, three exceptions to the smoking ban are being proposed: allowing casinos to set up smoking lounges, establishing smoking lounges or smoking areas in prisons, and maintaining rooms which allow customers to sample tobacco products at tobacco stores.

Chan revealed that in yesterdays session, the government did not accept all of the aforementioned suggestions, additionally noting that the new bill still requires that no indoor smoking be allowed in prisons.

The government also proposed that any shops, aside from cigar stores, are not permitted to exhibit tobacco products.

The new amendments are expected to come into effect at the beginning of 2018, although the smoking lounges will only be allowed from January 1, 2019.

From that time, smoking inside casinos will be completely banned, barring in those smoking lounges which meet the governments requirements.

If the bill can be passed, it will come into effect on January 1, 2018, and, within one year, casinos can set up qualified smoking lounges, explained Chan.

He expressed the personal belief that smoking lounges can reduce the negative impact of second hand smoking for casino employees.

As the gaming sector contributes to the highest proportion of taxes in Macau, Chan suggested that the city should not take the risk of causing a reduction in these taxes by completely banning smoking inside casino premises. We cant predict the casinos losses if a full smoking ban is implemented, he justified.

He said that many casinos, including small ones, questioned the government about the consequences of being unable to meet the requirements for smoking lounges.

The government will not allow smoking [in the casinos], said Chan, explaining that this will be the consequence if casinos do not meet the government requirements.

Chan noted that if the law is passed and comes into effect on January 1, 2018, the government is giving casinos one year to set up their smoking lounges.

By 2019, according to Chan, if casinos cannot set up qualified smoking lounges, then customers will not be permitted to smoke inside the premises.

Next week, the committee will invite government representatives to attend its meeting on discussions of the bills amendment.

The Health Bureau announced last month that the revamp of smoking lounges in casinos would be a step forward.
Striking Berlin airport workers may cease giving notice of walkouts after Ryanair Holdings Plc began using its own ground staff to help maintain services from the German capital.

The tactic of bringing in foreign strikebreakers poses a security threat because the Ryanair employees are being granted so-called air-side access without sufficient checks, the Ver.di union said yesterday.

The labor group, which represents about 2,000 striking staff at six ground-handling providers, may now deviate from its practice of announcing each walkout a day in advance to give people time to change their travel plans.

Ryanair said it had brought in only fully qualified and authorized ground-handling staff to dispatch aircraft and minimize disruption to customers. Kenny Jacobs the carriers chief marketing officer, added that strikers have no business accessing the airport and ramp when they are not working.

Its a disgrace that Berlin customers and visitors are having their travel plans disrupted, Jacobs said in an emailed statement. We call on the German government to intervene.

Flights from Berlins Tegel and Schoenefeld airports are being disrupted for a third day in five as workers seek improvements in pay thats been squeezed by increased competition. Some 578 flights were canceled, taking the total lost since the walkouts began on Friday to more than 1,900.

Some other airlines are also managing to operate flights, and while that may be with Berlin-based staff or non- striking handlers, Ryanair said its not alone in drafting in help.

Europes biggest low-cost carrier serves Schoenefeld alongside discount rivals including EasyJet Plc and Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. Tegels leading operators are Air Berlin Plc, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and British Airways.

Ver.di said that the current strike will end today. While the union didnt directly respond to an offer from the employers to enter mediation, it said a sweetened pay deal must be proposed to stave off further action. Though an agreement has been reached at Stuttgart airport, the conflict could spread to Frankfurt, where Acciona SA has yet to agree terms, it said. Richard Weiss, Bloomberg
CTM held a spring dinner on Friday to express the companys gratitude to its members of staff for their contributions in the past year. With the participation of more than 1,000 staff members, CTM celebrated the Year of Rooster.

CEO of CITIC Telecom Lin Zhen Hu, CEO of CTM Vandy Poon and Chairman of CITIC Telecom Xin Yuen Jiang expressed their gratitude to all their employees for their hard work and contributions. They also expressed their hopes that their combined efforts would enable them all to move forward and grow bigger and stronger and to embrace all the opportunities the future could present. They also wished CTM a brilliant future for its 36th anniversary.

During the dinner, a special program called Appreciation Culture invited colleagues to share their experiences of positive attitudes and good deeds in the work environment through a video, to spread the positive energy of appreciation and to enhance the cohesion within the company.

VW seeks to move beyond crisis

Volkswagen AG sought to draw a line under the diesel scandal that has locked it in crisis mode for more than a year, with sweeping restructuring efforts starting to take hold and profitability improving at the namesake car brand.

While Chief Executive Officer Matthias Mueller acknowledged yesterday that emissions lawsuits will continue to preoccupy the automaker for many years, he said the company is back on track and in a position to push ahead with tackling an epochal shift in the auto industry. Those initiatives could eventually include talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, with the German company now more open to strategic partnerships, Mueller said.

Volkswagen needs to transform, not because everything in the past was bad, but because our industry will see more fundamental changes in the coming 10 years than over the past 100, Mueller said at the annual press conference in Wolfsburg, Germany. It was clear to me from day one that we need to seize this decisive turning point to realign Volkswagen for the future.

In addition to working through the scandal, Mueller has been loosening up Volkswagens rigid decision-making structure and pushing the manufacturer to tackle challenges posed by a shift to self-driving, electric vehicles. Last year, he set up Moia, which will offer ride-sharing and other mobility services. The group also plans to roll out more than 30 battery-powered vehicles by 2025.
The Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) is very interested in Sao Tome and Principe, and is awaiting the official establishment of relations between the two countries, the President of IPIM told Macauhub in Lisbon.

Following the reestablishment of diplomatic relations on December 26 [2016] the process is taking place on a diplomatic level and IPIM has to wait for clear guidelines from the central government, in view of its work to promote trade relations, said Jackson Chang.

Of course, IPIM is interested in exploring the Sao Tome and Principe market by carrying out missions involving Chinese companies, said Chang in Lisbon on the sidelines of a meeting of a delegation from the Pan-Pearl River Delta region with Portuguese companies and associations in the environmental sector.

The President of IPIM noted that he had visited all the Portuguese-speaking countries, with the exception of Sao Tome and Principe and said it was likely that Sao Tome businesspeople would be invited to the 2017 edition of the meeting of businesspeople from China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Sao Tome and Principe and the Republic of China re-established diplomatic relations on December 26 after Sao Tome cut ties with Taiwan.

The reestablishment of diplomatic relations will, according to the new Deputy Secretary-General of Forum Macau, Ding Tian, enable all Portuguese-speaking countries to be part of the Forum. MDT/Macauhub
An online video showing a person that identifies himself as Kim Han Sol, the oldest son of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month, prompted questions about where he might be hiding after fleeing from Macau, where he resided.

According to South Korean News Agency, Yonhap, last week Han Sol may have fled to the Netherlands to seek asylum.

In addition, according to Oxford Student website (OxStu), Han Sol has reportedly turned down an offer to study at an Oxford graduate college due to fears that his uncle could have him assassinated if he were to take up the offer.

The OxStu also cites a previous report from The Daily Mail which said Han Sols girlfriend was a student at Oxford University and he was initially planning to join her before receiving a warning (allegedly from Chinese security agents) that his life would be put at risk if he decided to enroll at the university.

Thae Yong Ho, a dissident who was previously a North Korean diplomat in London, said in an interview last week that the motive behind Kim Jong Nams murder was his half-

brothers desire to solidify his legitimacy as the leader. The former diplomat added also that Jong Nam had been, until now, the biggest obstacle to Kim Jong Un becoming a long-term leader in North Korea.

Han Sol has also been considered a key figure in order to conclude the process of identifying the body, with Malaysian authorities seeking family members of the deceased in order to collect DNA samples.

After the death of Jong Nam, Han Sol, could be presumed by the North Korean regime to now occupy the place left by his father and that makes him an obvious next target now that all doubts over the person killed at Malaysias main airport seem to be dissipated with several news outlets reporting that Nams body was finally identified with the help of Japanese authorities. RM

Japan assisted in identifying body



According to the Japan Times, Tokyo provided Malaysian authorities with Nams fingerprint data, which was collected in 2001 when he was detained by immigration at Tokyo Narita International Airport for trying to enter the country on a false passport. At that time the episode became a scandal, since Nams reason for being in the country were allegedly to visit Tokyo Disneyland. The same report notes that in addition to the fingerprint data, Japan also offered other physical characteristics to the Malaysian authorities that included mug shots taken at the time of the detention. Malaysias Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday that the body of Kim Jong Nam has been embalmed to better preserve it.
Recent developments in Mainland China regarding the preliminary granting to Donald Trump of the rights to the word mark TRUMP raised eyebrows worldwide. Not only did such approvals come shortly after Mr. Trump stepped into the presidential office, but also the nature of some of the services covered by the filings was, to put it mildly, ambiguous. The list includes escort services, spas and massage parlours, terms that have historically been used as euphemisms for a different line of activities.

The uproar focused mainly on the ethical, political and economic implications of a potential conflict of interest between Mr. Trump, the President and Mr. Trump, the Businessman. After all, the Trademark registrations about to be granted by China represent valuable private assets.

Another point made by some was that those filings imply that Mr. Trumps organization engages or intends to engage in unethical or illegal activities. However, Mr. Trump may have no intention of entering into such areas of business himself but simply be aiming at keeping his name-brand from being used in connection with such activities by third parties acting in bad faith.

Mr. Trump is a master-brander and his legal team is specialized in using all means available to protect his Intellectual Property rights. The filing of defensive trademarks as described above is one of them.

The Chinese economy has, in the last couple of decades, developed at an impressive rate. Part of that growth was, allegedly, based the abusive use and registration, by Chinese entrepreneurs, of ideas  including technology, services and brands  developed by foreign public and private companies. When it comes to trademarks, misappropriation is more visible and consequential, and can be very difficult to stop. This is because, as with Macau S.A.R., Mainland China is a first-to-file jurisdiction. In other words, and in general, the first one to the IP Office gets the right, even if the applicant is not the developer/first user of the mark.

In 2010, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, the GAC Group, branded its cars TRUMPCHI. This brand is now a common sight in the streets of Mainland China and it is very unlikely that Mr. Trump will be able to reverse this. But an earlier defensive filing of this mark for automobiles would most probably have barred the use and registration by GAC.

The Chinese government is now sending a clear message that Intellectual Property is to be upheld and international brand owners are more confident that action will be taken against infringers. Trials related to crimes against Intellectual Property increased to 147,000 in 2016, and Michael Jordan scored a big win recently against a Chinese company. However, the first-to-file rule remains in place and, more than ever, defensive filings should be part of a companys IP strategy.

In Macau, large corporations have been taking steps to protect their effective use of trademarks by way of registration, but also filing defensive marks. The catch is that a merely defensive filing is potentially vulnerable to cancellation for non-use three years after registration. But the low cost of re-filing, with a creative rewording of the list of items, is an incentive to keep using this preventive strategy.

Small and medium enterprises in Macau have been slower in taking advantage of the formal protection system available in the law. The consequences can entail serious legal costs for recovery of brands, and business-threatening repercussions if such recovery fails.

Ironically, Mr. Trump seems to consider that the risk of someone offering Trump Escort Services in Macau is lower than in Mainland China. None of the 26 applications he filed in Macau include a reference to massage or escort services. Maybe its time for a business visit to Macau  with a Secret Service escort.

* Partner, Head of Intellectual Property, MdME Lawyers
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his main rival at national elections, the far-fight populist Geert Wilders clashed Monday in their only nationally televised face-to-face debate ahead of Wednesdays vote, with Wilders calling Rutte untrustworthy and Rutte responding by saying a Wilders government would plunge the Netherlands into chaos.

The Dutch election is being seen as a key indicator of the future of populism in Europe after Britains vote to leave the European Union and Donald Trumps victory in the U.S. presidential election. Later this year, two far bigger European nations, France and Germany, also go to the polls.

Wilders Party for Freedom, or PVV, has been sliding in polls recently but is still close to Ruttes VVD.

On Wednesday the Netherlands has the chance to prevent us waking up on March 16 and you are the biggest party, Rutte told Wilders. That chance is still very real. That would mean the biggest party is one that walks away when it gets difficult, which puts party interest above the national interest.

The prime minister was referring to Wilders abandoning support for Ruttes first minority coalition in 2012 by refusing to back a tough austerity package.

Wilders, in turn, accused Rutte of breaking election pledges and vowed that taking the Netherlands out of the European Union  one of Wilders key pledges  would allow the Netherlands to become the boss in our own country again.

But in a debate that focused on the economy, health care and immigration, Rutte insisted Wilders did not offer real solutions to problems.

Wilders is unlikely to be able to form the next government even if he wins the popular vote as all mainstream parties have ruled out working with him. The Netherlands proportional representation voting system guarantees coalitions.

Referring to the ongoing Dutch diplomatic row with Turkey over Ruttes decision to block two ministers from addressing rallies in Rotterdam, Wilders said Rutte should at least throw the Turkish ambassador and his staff out of the country.

Rutte used the barb to attack Wilders who, like President Donald Trump, often communicates via tweets, portraying Wilders as unfit to lead.

This is the difference between tweeting from the couch and running the country, Rutte said. If you run the country you have to take sensible decisions.

Earlier Monday, Rutte said he wants the Netherlands to turn the tide of populism in this weeks parliamentary election.

Remember the Brexit. We all thought that would never happen. Remember the U.S. elections, he told reporters in Rotterdam. So lets not make that mistake again. These elections are crucial. Let us stop the domino effect right this week, this Wednesday. The domino effect of the wrong sort of populism winning in this world.

In the debate, Rutte mocked one of Wilders election pledges  to ban the Quran  asking if he intended to establish a Quran police to go door to door confiscating Islams holy book.

What we have to do to protect our borders is not make agreements with people like Mr. Erdogan, Wilders said, in a reference to the European Unions migrant deal with Turkey. Instead the government must shut the Dutch borders here. Mike Corder, Rotterdam, AP
Ex-Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou expressed confidence he would be exonerated after Taipei prosecutors indicted him over allegedly leaking details of a criminal investigation while still in office.

Ma, 66, was hit with three criminal counts yesterday alleging that he improperly disclosed a wiretapped conversation between lawmakers discussing an influence-peddling investigation, according to court documents filed by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. Each count carries a possible sentence of as many as three years in prison.

The former president and Kuomintang chief told reporters yesterday that he was exercising his constitutionally grounded authority over crisis management at the time. The act was not a crime, Ma said, according to a TVBS broadcast.

The indictment makes Ma, who championed closer ties with Taiwans one-time civil war rivals in China, the islands third consecutive president to face criminal charges after leaving office. His predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, of the rival Democratic Progressive Party, was granted medical parole in 2015 while serving a 20-year prison sentence following his corruption conviction.

Lee Teng-hui, who oversaw Taiwans transition to direct democracy as president from 1988 to 2000, was found not guilty of money laundering and embezzling government funds in November 2013.

The charges against Ma represent the latest twist in an enduring political saga that has entangled Taiwans most powerful officials. The alleged leaks fueled a failed bid by Ma to oust a popular legislative speaker, damaging his own low approval ratings and helped precipitate a series of election defeats that led to his Kuomintangs ouster.

The case turns on whether Ma improperly disclosed a wiretapped June 2013 conversation between the speaker, Wang Jin-pyng, and a DPP lawmaker who had recently been acquitted of breach-of-trust allegations. Wang told the lawmaker, Ker Chien-ming, that prosecutors wouldnt appeal, the Supreme Prosecutors Office said in September of that year.

While Wang was never accused of wrong-doing, Ker sought charges against Ma. Yesterday, the former president was accused of improperly discussing details of the call with the then-premier and his deputy secretary general, according to court documents. The charges were leaking non-defense secrets, leaking classified information from communications surveillance and breaking rules protecting personal information.

Ma was questioned more than three years ago in connection with the disclosures, but presidential immunity protected him until he left office in May. Ex-Taiwanese Prosecutor General Huang Shyh-ming was convicted in 2015 of improperly disclosing the information to Ma and was released after paying a fine.

Ma faces several investigations into actions be made while in public office. In June, current President Tsai Ing-wen, of DPP, denied Mas request to visit Hong Kong under a state secrets law that restricts trips by former top officials after they leave office, saying the city was a sensitive region.

Yesterday, Tsais office declined to comment, saying only that the president respects the judiciary and wouldnt comment on individual cases. Adela Lin, Yu-Huay Sun, Bloomberg
Rights groups are urging Thailands government to enact legislation banning torture and forced disappearances as its human rights record comes under United Nations review.

The review in Geneva by the U.N. Human Rights Committee comes shortly after Thailands legislature unanimously ratified a U.N. treaty against forced disappearances. But groups such as Human Rights Watch say Thailand needs domestic laws explicitly prohibiting torture and forced disappearances to effectively comply with the treaty.

Last month, Thailands legislature failed to pass a bill against torture and enforced disappearances, saying it needed more study. The U.N. expressed concern over the matter, which is to be discussed at the review of Thailands compliance with a civil and political rights treaty ratified in 1996.

I dont think theyre trying enough. Ratification of international law is not enough, said Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, director of the Cross Cultural Foundation, a Thai anti-torture organization. They need to do things domestically.

Other issues up for U.N. review include the transparency of Thailands legal system and its free speech record. The U.N. will issue recommendations to Thailand at the end of March.

We have repeatedly expressed concern that due to lack of legislative framework, any crime of enforced disappearances might continue with no accountability or legal redress, said Laurent Meillan, acting regional representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Southeast Asia. We are hopeful that after the review, efforts will be made to reintroduce the bill in its current form.

The proposed legislation would have set mandatory sentences for those found guilty of torture or abduction. It would force officials to let family members know where a suspect is being held, and create an independent committee to locate and aid abducted persons.

The bill also included measures against torture. Rights groups accuse Thailands military government of throwing political prisoners in military prisons and torturing them. Thailand has ratified U.N. treaties against torture and the government vigorously denies it tortures prisoners.

Since 1980, the U.N. has recorded 82 cases of enforced disappearances in Thailand. In one case, Somchai Neelapaijit, a Thai Muslim lawyer and human rights activist, was dragged from his car at night by five policemen in 2004; his body was never found. Though government officials were linked to his abduction, no one was ever prosecuted and last year police declared the case closed.

The government needs to take swift and concrete action to enact a law that severely penalizes torture and enforced disappearance, said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. After years of waiting, more promises are simply not enough. Dake Kang, Bangkok, AP
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson plunges this week into the increasingly volatile situation in North Asia with visits to Japan, South Korea and China, the regions central players for dealing with North Koreas missile launches and nuclear tests. Complicating the mission are Chinese concerns about how the U.S. has responded so far.

Beijing strenuously objects to the initial deployment to South Korea of a U.S. missile defense system. One of Tillersons chief tasks will be to assuage Asias biggest country and arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States.

Tillersons four-day trip will be closely watched for signs of how the Trump administration will approach the escalating tensions with North Korea, whose leader has disregarded international appeals to disarm and accelerated weapons development. The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Last week, North Korea launched four missiles into the ocean off Japan as the U.S. and South Korea began annual drills. The allies call the drills routine. Pyongyang regards them as an invasion rehearsal.

The Trump administration is searching for new ideas to stop North Korea in ways that years of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation have failed to do.

While administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, early signs indicate the U.S. wants to ensure current sanctions are properly applied, targeting the governments revenue sources and ability to import sensitive technology usable in nuclear weapons and missiles.

For now, there appears to be no desire to negotiate with North Korea  a holdover stance from the Obama administration, which demanded the North first commit to the goal of denuclearization. But U.S. officials have been vague about what their new approach might entail.

All eyes are now on Tillerson as he tries to navigate the complex and sometime acrimonious relationships necessary for formulating a regional strategy. Its a task President Donald Trump complicated last year by challenging Japan and South Korea to contribute more to their own defense and questioning the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China. But since taking office, Trump has sought to allay those concerns.

Tillerson will travel on a small plane without a contingent of journalists or a designated pool reporter who would send reports to the broader diplomatic press corps, departing from 50 years of practice and even from Tillersons earlier official overseas trips to Germany and Mexico.

The State Department says it will accommodate U.S.-based reporters traveling to Asia commercially by providing them access to Tillersons public events at each stop. But commercial flights dont easily align with Tillersons schedule, making such coverage more difficult.

Reporters have traveled with the secretary of state to report quickly on developments in foreign negotiations. They also question U.S. diplomats in front of their counterparts. Such practices allow immediate and comprehensive coverage of the diplomacy at hand. Journalists also are present if something untoward happens to the secretary of state. In 2015, John Kerry fell off his bicycle outside Geneva, breaking his leg at a delicate moment in Iran nuclear negotiations.

Some U.S. lawmakers are concerned Tillerson risks letting foreign governments shape coverage and sending a message that Washington isnt committed to supporting a free press. Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, urged Tillerson last week to reconsider. It wasnt clear if the decision might be amended.

Tillerson arrives today in Japan and will meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe the next day. Abe has courted Trump, visiting the presidents Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month. North Korea marked the occasion by test-launching a new type of solid-fuel missile.

Tillerson then visits South Korea, caught up in political upheaval after last weeks ouster of its president, Park Geun-

hye, over a corruption scandal. Park had been in lockstep with Washingtons efforts to isolate Pyongyang. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Koreas government.

Tillersons final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Relations are delicate after the U.S. and South Korea began the deployment last week of a missile defense system they say targets North Korea. Beijing claims the radar can range inside Chinese territory and weaken its nuclear deterrent.

The dispute threatens Washingtons effort to get Beijing to exert more economic pressure on its traditional ally, North Korea. China recently suspended North Korean coal imports, a major source of revenue for Pyongyang. China now wants the U.S. to restart nuclear talks with the North. Matthew Lee, Matthew Pennington, AP
Europe is currently facing a crisis regarding the integration of Muslim communities into its territories and an expert argued that the European Union is in need of creating policies aimed at this very end.

Henrique Raposo, a Portuguese writer and a media pundit, argued in his talk this week at the University of Macau  held as part of the Macau Literary Festival  that the solution to the current challenge is a revival of the classical liberal patriotism.

During the talk, Raposo argued that two conservative forces would decide the future of Europe.

Either the center-right patriotism of Merkel, Fillon or Macron, politicians determined to defend the cosmopolitan status quo of the last decades; or the far-right nationalism of Le Pen, Brexiteers, Alternative for Germany  political-forces to destroy Europe.

The center-right patriotism believes that all races and religion can live together under the same legal framework; whilst the extremists are more discriminatory  which is a mistake, according to the speaker.

Nevertheless Raposo acknowledged that one of the reasons for the ongoing discrimination of Muslims is fear of the recent terrorist attacks by the so-called Islamic State (IS).

The center-left and the center-right didnt respond to that fear. So they gave room and time for the far-right to grow. We now have to start thinking about integrating Muslims who are born and raised in Europe, he reasoned.

Raposo then argued that the EU could use Singapore as an example of how to integrate different communities  citing that the country acquires educational and housing policies for residents.

He noted that 80 percent of Singapore residents live in public housing regardless of their nationality. He also argued that there are no exclusive schools targeting specific nationalities.

They imposed a mandatory diversity. People have to live together [so] in every neighborhood [there are] Chinese, Malay and Indians, he said.

Meanwhile when questioned on how Europe is currently tackling the issue, Raposo briefly said, lousy, were making a mess of things.

He blamed the center-right for not developing a policy of integration, resulting in the view of Muslims as visitors to the territories.

We shouldnt use the term multiculturalism, we should use segregation or clash of communities, he argued, recalling the theories of political scientist Samuel P. Huntington who argued that the clash would become the primary source of conflict in the future.

Raposo noted that terrorist attacks are being conducted by Muslims living in Europe and not those from the Middle East.

We all have the moral duty to integrate refugees and all [the] economic interest [to do so ]. We need immigrants, a lot. Its crazy to build walls when we need them, he said, noting Europes ageing society.

The media pundit also noted that the strategy of IS in organizing these attacks is to make EU residents fearful of Muslims.

Were coming to that point. Were coming to a place in time where everybody in the streets [or] bus will be afraid of Muslims and we have to stop that immediately.

Raposo also added that it would take a generation for the EU to fully integrate Muslim communities in its countries. According to him, the EU has to solve the issue by integrating the community with the laws and values of the host country  without jeopardizing Islamic cultural and religious rights.
TWIN FALLS  If you love beer, April is the perfect time to celebrate by visiting your favorite local brewery  or all of them.

Its the inaugural Idaho Craft Beer Month, organized by Idaho Brewers United and Idaho Tourism.

Were hoping that breweries and restaurants and people that love craft beer take it as an opportunity to showcase craft beers, said Sheila Francis, executive director of Idaho Brewers United.

To kick off the event, the group is planning a statewide pint day April 1.

About 20 participating businesses  including Sawtooth Brewery in Hailey  will give out a commemorative glass with purchase of a beer.

Idaho is home to 55 breweries and a couple more are in the works, Francis said.

South-central Idaho has a handful, including Von Scheidt Brewing Co. inTwin Falls, Magic Valley Brewing in Buhl, Warfield Distillery & Brewery in Ketchum, Sun Valley Brewery in Hailey and Sawtooth Brewery in Hailey.

Interest in craft beer is catching hold in Bud Light-loving Idaho.

Here in Idaho, weve got significant barley production, Francis said. Weve got significant hop production.

Many factors contribute to the growth, including a growing movement of people becoming vested in their own communities, she said.

These are your neighbors and friends that are operating some of these small breweries.

The challenges of starting a brewery are similar to any small business.

One challenge with brewing industry in particular is the equipment required, Francis said.

Heres what four local breweries are offering during Idaho Craft Beer Month.

Von Scheidt Brewing Co., Twin Falls

In April, owner Pat Scheidt plans to bring back two retro beers, but didnt want to reveal what theyll be.

People ask for them all the time, he said.

Hes also planning to have another local Idaho brewery  but hes not sure which one yet  come in mid-April to do a tap takeover.

Von Scheidt Brewing Co. is offering several spice and herb flavored beers from now until the end of the summer.

Offerings include Esto Perpetua sage ale  a nod to Idahos state motto  and a rosemary lemon wheat beer.

Scheidt said the brewery will probably offer a about seven urban spice beers over the next four months.

The brewery has Coops Southern BBQ restaurant on site on the weekends, offering a variety of barbecue dishes. And on Saturday nights, you can often find jazz musicians performing.

Scheidt and his wife, Corina, opened the brewery in 2009.

Magic Valley Brewing, Buhl

For Idaho Craft Beer Month, were looking at maybe trying to do something, maybe turn out a new beer each week during that month, owner Rich White said.

But thats often something they aim for every month.

White plans to offer the brewerys Shoshone Paintbrush, an Irish-style red ale. Theyre also working on an imperial red ale.

For next month, hes debating on what to do for craft beers, such as a West Coast IPA or East Coast IPA.

Im kind of leaning toward staying with the American beers right now, White said.

White and his wife Judy opened the brewery about a year ago.

White  who grew up in Buhl and Twin Falls  is a master brewer who spent five years as a part-owner of White Water Brewing Co. in Rio Vista, Calif.

He has also been a homebrewer for about 25 years.

There are 10 taps at Magic Valley Brewing. The number of beers produced at the brewery  changes daily, he said.

Were very small still, he said. Were still trying to grow.

Last month, all of the taps were filled with their own beers  a first for the brewery.

Those offerings were Basalt Stout, El Diablo Corral JPA, Blue Heart Blonde, Shoshone Paintbrush, Cherry Cream, Talus stout, Mosey On IPA, Bog Berry, Chocolate Cherry and McCloud.

In addition to beer, Magic Valley Brewing offers pub-style food and sandwiches. They recently added wraps to the menu.

White said hes interested in offering prime rib regularly on Saturday nights. Were trying to get a couple of things like that moving forward.

Warfield Distillery & Brewery, Ketchum

Ben Bradley and Alex Buck launched their own brewery in Ketchum in July 2015.

Bradley said they both wanted to put down roots in the Wood River Valley to raise their children, so they decided to start a business.

We both share a passion for brewing and distilling, he said.

For Idaho Craft Beer Month, theyre using all of their guest taps for Idaho craft beer.

And theyll be releasing a spring/summer beer of their own  Witty Woodpecker  in April. Its a Belgian witbier.

Brewed with lemon peel, coriander and chamomile, we ferment this Belgian wit to full dryness giving it a crisp finish with notes of spice citrus, the brewerys website says.

Their other offerings on tap include: Still Thinking, a blond; Ad Hoc, a Dunkelweizen; Lucky 7, an Idaho Pale Ale; Thorny Thistle, a Scottish ale; Belgian Brown; Store House, a saison; and Big Plough.

Sun Valley Brewery, Hailey

Sun Valley Brewery  the oldest continuously-running brewery in Idaho  was founded in 1986. It moved to its current location on North Main Street in Hailey in 1992.

For Idaho Craft Beer Month, the brewery will release a new imperial porter April 1 called Plowshares, owner Sean Flynn said.

Its named after a mural, Swords into Plowshares, painted on the side of a building on River Street in Hailey. The local artist Tom Teitge approached the brewery about using the name and image on a beer label.

Hes a regular customer, Flynn said. He always gets our darkest beer, whatever it is.
TWIN FALLS  Voters gave a thumbs up Tuesday to continuing a supplemental levy to help the Twin Falls School District pay basic operating expenses.

About 68 percent of voters voted in favor of the two-year, $8.5 million measure.

It was enough to clear the required simple majority vote  more than 50 percent  needed to pass.

Its just another example of the people of Twin Falls supporting this investment in their children, Superintendent Wiley Dobbs said Tuesday night.

The school district continues to be thankful for our community thats so supportive of education, district spokeswoman Eva Craner said.

Across the Magic Valley, voters also approved four other school district measures: a 10-year plant facilities levy in Murtaugh and two-year supplemental levy renewals in Jerome, Gooding and Hansen.

Election results werent available late Tuesday night for Camas County. The school district sought $500,000 over two years  or $250,000 per year.

In Twin Falls, the ballot measure was a renewal of an existing levy. But the school district asked for $500,000 less in funding.

In December, the school board decided to lower the amount after citing worries about voter fatigue  especially, since voters approved a nearly $74 million bond in 2014 to build three new schools.

The supplemental levy makes up about 10 percent of the districts operating budget.

In Murtaugh, 86.84 percent of voters approved a new plant facilities levy: $175,000 annually for 10 years. The measure needed 60 percent approval.

Were just really happy with the voter turnout and the continued support we get from the community, Superintendent Michele Capps said Tuesday night.

The levy will help pay for facilities needs such as a new roof, air conditioning and new classroom carpet at Murtaugh Junior/Senior High School, asphalt repair, continued technology upgrades and school buses.

It will replace an existing $70,000 yearly levy, which was originally slated to run through 2019.

Property owners will see a yearly tax increase of $65.79 per $100,000 in valuation.

The first project on the list: replacing the middle/high school roof. Other projects will be tackled over the levys 10-year term.

Each year, well probably take on one big project, Capps said.

In Gooding, the school district levy passed with about 75 percent support. The measure was for $1.3 million over two years  or $650,000 each year.

Thats an increase compared with the $510,000 annual amount currently in place.

Jeromes measure  $1.3 million over two years or $650,000 each year  passed with 74.6 percent support.

In Hansen, the school district sought $580,000 over two years  or $290,000 per year. The measure passed with 66.67 percent support.
TWIN FALLS  The topic of domestic violence was center stage Tuesday night at a forum aiming to break the cycle of silence.

About 35 people attended the Times-News Community Forum on Domestic Violence at the theater at Marilyns Bar. The event was a collaboration between the Times-News and the cast of The Vagina Monologues and the College of Southern Idaho Pride Alliance.

The forum featured eight local experts in domestic violence who answered submitted questions and talked about how their agencies help victims and abusers. Questions tackled issues of how one might help a friend they suspect is a victim of domestic violence to teen dating violence and sexting.

One of the first questions of the night was one many on the panel have been asked. Why do victims of domestic violence stay or keep going back to their abuser. On average, a woman will leave an abusive relationship seven times before she leaves for good.

Its a question Lori Stewart, victims services coordinator at Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office, said is asked too often.

Its a very difficult situation for someone to leave their home with their children and move into a shelter with 20 other women, Stewart said. Im somewhat tired of that question. The bigger question is not why does she stay, but why does he batter? We need to change our thought process.

Stewart said people stay in violent relationships because of love, children, money, a lack of information about resources and often, the well-founded fear their spouse will kill them.

Karen McCarthy, an attorney with Idaho Legal Aid, said shes had clients whove stayed or dropped charges because they dont want to look over their shoulder their whole life, fearing that their abuser is stalking them. For them, it feels safer to stay and know where their abuser is.

Thats terrifying to hear, she said. But its not an irrational thing to say.

About 4,000 women die each year at the hands of an abuser. Three or more women are murdered by their boyfriends or husbands on average each day, according to the the American Psychology Association.

More than 1,000 protection order were issued in 2016, Twin Falls Police Chief Craig Kingsbury said.

Twin Falls Police has a mantra that aims at helping domestic violence victims.

Start by believing, Kingsbury said.

Kingsbury said sometimes the most damage police officers can unknowingly inflict is not believing victims, no matter the situation.

Marisol Towell with the Voices Against Violence womens shelter and Anne Tierney, program coordinator for St. Lukes CARES, both nodded in agreement with Kingsburys remarks.

If she feels shes not believed, that victim is going to shut down and not seek help, Kingsbury said.

Kingsbury encouraged victims to report and record everything an abuser does because it may help in a civil matter or with incarceration.

McCarthy often has clients who drop and re-file protection orders against and abuser. Still. She continues to represent them in court each time they need help.

Every time the system works, it helps them farther down the path, she said. If you close the door, youve trapped them.

Lynda Brennen, director of Advocates Against Violence in Rupert, said many times people just need to speak up and reach out, even if its hard to ask or believe. People often think whats going on in another persons life is none of their business, she said.

It lets us off the hook as friends and community members, Tierney said. It continues the cycle of secrecy. You have to go off of what they need instead of what you think is best or makes you feel good, Tierney said.

McCarthy shared that she once gave a friend a printout that depicted a power and control wheel. Its a tool that helps people become aware of violent or abusive behaviors. She told her friend if she didnt need it, throw it away. If she did need it, McCarthy told her friend, she was there for her.

Theres a way to open the door without being too pushy, McCarthy said.

One question the panel was asked was about steps to stop teen dating violence. Many panelists agreed the one of the first steps is to educate parents.

Sometimes it blows parents out of the water that this happens, Tierney said. Its important for parents to be on the lookout.

Signs of teen dating violence include a boyfriend or girlfriend trying to isolate their partner, being possessive, monitoring phone calls and wanting to know where their partner are at all times.

We need to help educate parents that these types of dynamics happen with teens, Tierney said.

Kingsbury said he is shocked by the amount of texting of nude photos that occurs in Twin Falls junior high and high school students. On average, school resource officers deal with one sexting case a week.

Its a phenomenon, Kingsbury said. When I was a school resource officer in 1995 I would have never thought of that.

Brennen suggested a simpler solution. If you pay the bill, you get to monitor cellphone usage.

Jason Beard, co-owner of Preferred Child and Family Services, said sexting and teen dating violence need to be addressed before its an issue and parents should create a safe, comfortable environment for their children to come to them with hard questions.

If you talking about penises or vaginas is not part of dinnertime conversations, Beard said. They will not be comfortable with coming to you.

Now that people in the Magic Valley are more aware of domestic violence, they must act to help in any way they can, Tierney said.

Everyone has to own this.
BOISE  Even if one of Idahos major transportation funding proposals becomes law, a new Snake River crossing probably isnt in the cards anytime soon, says the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Not that it wont ever be done, but its a lower priority than a lot of these other projects, Sen. Bert Brackett, R-Rogerson, said Tuesday.

Brackett introduced two big transportation funding bills on Friday, one which would authorize $300 million in bonds for transportation projects, one $500 million. A new Snake River crossing near Twin Falls is on the list of approved projects should lawmakers adopt the proposals.

Both bills authorize taking out $300 million in Grant Anticipation Revenue Bonds, or GARVEE bonds, where the state borrows the money and repays them with future federal highway payments.

The bigger bill authorizes an additional $200 million in bonds for state and local road projects. It also shifts additional money to transportation by renewing the surplus eliminator that moves some excess state revenue to transportation, getting rid of the tax on road materials and moving the roughly $17 million a year the Idaho State Police get from fuel tax into transportation and replacing ISPs money with sales tax funding. Hearings on both are expected on Thursday.

Both bills contain identical lists of projects the GARVEE bonds could fund, including a new Snake River crossing. While the Idaho Transportation Board would decide which projects to fund, Brackett said he expects some of the other projects on the list, such as improvements to Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley, to take higher priority over a new bridge outside of Twin Falls. The Transportation Board takes into account factors such as safety, congestion, and the existing road capacity in making those decisions, Brackett said.

If the Legislature gets involved in making those decisions, it gets totally political, he said.

There are two major bridges across the Snake River near Twin Falls that connect to Interstate 84  the Perrine Bridge, which connects the city to Jerome County, and the Hansen Bridge. The idea of building a new bridge has been considered in the past  former Gov. Dirk Kempthorne proposed one as part of his Connecting Idaho initiative, which was also funded with GARVEE bonds and ended up being scaled back considerably from his original proposal, and the Idaho Transportation Department did a study in 2008  but it hasnt gone anywhere as of yet. The 12 projects listed in Bracketts current bills were also on Kempthornes list in 2005.

The Legislature is looking to adjourn for the year at the end of next week, and whether and how to boost transportation funding or cut taxes this year are two major still-unresolved issues.

A Senate committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday on an income tax cut that passed the House more than a month ago but has stalled in the Senate since.
BOISE  The House Judiciary and Rules Committee is holding a meeting Wednesday to hear more about a bill that would get rid of mandatory minimum drug sentences in Idaho.

Other than for crimes involving larger amounts of drugs, Idaho imposes mandatory minimums for only a handful of violent felonies. The bill, sponsored by Boise Democratic Rep. Ilana Rubel and Nampa Republican Rep. Christy Perry, would get rid of the mandatory minimums for drug crimes, which can range from one to 15 years in prison. The current maximums, which can be life for some of the more serious offenses, would remain in place.
BURLEY  Members of the public will have an opportunity to answer questionnaires on applicants for the position of district judge in Cassia County.

The questionnaires are available at the county clerks office and must be returned to the Idaho Judicial Councils Office no later than April 3 to be considered.

The forms may also be found at judicialcouncil.idaho.gov.

Cassia County District Judge Michael Crabtree will retire on May 31.

The Idaho Judicial Council named six candidates for the position: Cassia County Prosecutor Douglas Abenroth, Cassia County Magistrate Judge Blaine Cannon, Rupert lawyer Michael Tribe, Burley lawyer Clayne Zollinger Jr., Filer lawyer Jeremy Vaughn and Samuel Beus, a Twin Falls County senior deputy public defender.

The council will interview the candidates on May 24 in the Cassia County District Courtroom.

Two to four candidates will be selected to recommend to the governor.

The salary for a district judge is $128,500.
Irene Fredrickson

PAUL  Irene Annie Fredrickson of Paul, funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where friends may call from 10 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

Francis Bergin

TWIN FALLS  Francis Bergin of Twin Falls, services at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the First Baptist Church, 205 E 5th in Shoshone. A visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 14 at Parkes Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Barbara Mary Barfuss

BOISE  Barbara Barfuss of Boise, funeral services at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the LDS Chapel, 1985 N. Blackcat Road, Meridian. A visitation will be held from 1 until 1:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Dee Attebury

KIMBERLY  Dee Attebury of Kimberly, funeral services at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Doyle Mason

TWIN FALLS  Doyle Mason of Twin Falls, services at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 16 at Rosenau Funeral Home.

Marvin Hirsch

RUPERT  Marvin Hirsch of Rupert, funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Rupert. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 15 at the mortuary and for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Ronald Lee

JEROME  Ronald Lee of Jerome, celebration of life at 3 p.m. Friday, March 17 at Living Waters Presbyterian Church, 821 East Main Street, Wendell.

Martha McRill

TWIN FALLS  Martha McRill of Twin Falls, memorial service at 1 p.m. Friday, March 17 at the Parkes Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls.

Terry Bailey

WYOMING  Terry Bailey formerly of Twin Falls, celebration of life from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday, March 17 at the Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Center at 111 Rakestraw Ave, Marbleton, Wyoming.

Earl Bird

CALIFORNIA  Earl Bird,formerly of Jerome, memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 17 at Demarays Jerome Memorial Chapel, 629 3rd Ave E.

Gene Kincheloe

TWIN FALLS  Gene Kincheloe, service at 10 a.m. Friday, March 17 at Parkes Magic Valley Funeral Home, Twin Falls.

Mary Jo Fries

RUPERT  Mary Jo Fries of Rupert, funeral services at 1 p.m. Friday, March 17 at the Rupert West LDS 2nd Ward Building, 26 S 100 W. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service.

Cheryl Ringenberg

TWIN FALLS  Cheryl Ringenberg of Twin Falls, celebration of life 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Rock Creek Community Church, 262 Fifth Avenue East, Twin Falls.

Verna Jean Carrico

TWIN FALLS  Verna Jean Carrico of Twin Falls, celebration of life at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18 at the First Christian Church in Gooding.

Marie Simpson

JEROME  Marie Simpson of Jerome, funeral services at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Carey LDS Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Robert Miller

JEROME  Robert Miller of Jerome, celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Snake River Elks Lodge, 412 E 200 S, Jerome.
Now we have the first draft of Repeal and Replace. Are you excited? Are you ready to pay a lot less for your health insurance? Did you notice that in the advanced publicity for this highly advertised bill that no one is saying that you can have the same coverage for less money? True, your kids can stay on your insurance until they are 26, and insurance companies cant reject you for a pre-existing condition. It doesnt say anything about how much it will cost, though.

Frankly, I had hoped for more. Trumps support came from the center of the country, and I doubt that much in the bill will help the population of that area at all. The bill will allow us to have less coverage for less money. It will give us tax credits rather than subsidies when we buy insurance. It will take away the taxes now levied on pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and high-end medical plans. But it will not solve the problems of the high cost of insurance in many parts of more rural America.

Most American geography can be characterized as sparsely populated. It can also be considered economically stagnant. These areas do not attract medical providers. The providers who do practice there do not need to join insurance plans that restrict payments because their practices are full with patients who pay the fees when they choose to go to the doctor and the guaranteed fees from Medicare and Medicaid. Small hospitals are closing or are providing a limited scope of care. Getting advanced medical care involves travel expenses and time away from home.

To add insult to injury, the exchange premiums in these areas are huge  especially in areas where incomes are lower. This is not because an insurance exchange is a bad idea. It is because the number of individuals covered is too small and the population often does not have adequate preventative care. Insurance always needs to balance risk and numbers of people insured. The higher the number of people who have the same insurance, the lower the risk that all of them will use it at the same time.

What is needed is larger insurance regions. Rather than a state-by-state approach, the exchange should be set up to cover several states or the whole country. If, for instance, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Nevada and Wyoming were all in one exchange, there could be enough people to adequately fund lower premiums.

I am not advocating single-payer insurance. Mandating single-payer would be too disruptive to our economy. It would also negate any positive effects of competition in the marketplace. We could, however, restructure the insurance industry to be more financially advantageous to the insured by eliminating individual state control and surrendering it to regional cooperatives governed by the federal mandates for coverage.

Rural medicine is in crisis because of the lack of providers. The ACA had a provision to encourage more doctors to go into family medicine, but it was not enough. The nation needs to turn out more doctors, nurse practitioners, and physicians assistants, ASAP! Congress should place high priority on funding more medical education in every practical way possible. Comprehensive preventative care means that disease processes are not advanced when encountered, and the costs to keep a patient enjoying a good quality of life are much less. We need medical providers throughout the country.

The Republicans have a public relations problem. They named the ACA Obamacare to increase negative perception, but several studies showed that people loved the plan when it was presented without Obamas name attached to it. Just patching the ACA might allow the name to endure. Therefore, the repeal-replace promise.

The Republicans also have a funding problem. Lobbyists for the pharmaceutical, durable medical equipment, and insurance industries want a repeal of the taxes and spending restrictions imposed by the ACA. I do not object to the practice of lobbying. Many of my personal interests are supported by lobbying efforts in Washington and Boise. What I object to is so much money being offered that it amounts to a practical bribe for votes. It can obscure the need for a fresh look at an issue.

Do we really want to go backward on health care? The future promises even larger leaps in medicine which lead to wonderful quality-of-life enhancements. Should we increase the resentment of those who cannot afford them or cannot find providers for them? If we believe that life is one of our inalienable rights, we cannot ignore the need for the best of health care for all.
Sunshine Week holds special significance this year.

We have a president who refers to the press as the enemy of the people. We have an administration that dismisses news it does not like as fake news. Information is disappearing from government websites. State lawmakers are seeking to make Idaho government less transparent. And we still have too many local governments oblivious to open-meetings and open-records laws.

These days, it seems the First Amendment is under attack from all sides, and our tradition of free expression seems to be fading. In our new reality, our leaders relentless repetition of falsehoods and attempts to silence dissent are threatening the spirit of a free and open society.

So, yes, Sunshine Week  celebrated by free-speech advocates and the media to bring attention to government transparency and First Amendment rights  is especially important this year, March 12-18.

But for all the efforts to discredit the press, to create a post-truth reality of alternative facts, we still believe the First Amendment is imperishable.

First of all, its enshrined in our Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

In just 45 words, James Madison raised these freedoms to be the most important in the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing free expression and individual liberties unheard of at the time. These rights have transcended any president or legislature or local government. And theyve survived attacks from all three for 228 years.

Second, these rights survive because people are willing to fight  and in some cases, die  for them. And theyre sustained in small ways, too, whenever someone writes a letter to the editor, buys a newspaper, attends church, holds a meeting without fear of government interference, or assembles to peacefully protest.

We encourage everyone to make one small gesture in support of the First Amendment this week. Its seldom one or two grand actions that defend against attacks on our freedoms  its the collective will of a people, the sum of many small actions.

Let us all do our parts.
Caesar, Turkey and the Netherlands Ides of March

I dont think Holland realized they planned their election on the Ides of March, dont remember the date or event ever being mentioned when I lived there as a child. That Washington knew what it was doing when back in 2013 it set the end of the latest debt ceiling compromise to March 15 is not likely either. Nor is Janet Yellen deliberately setting the Feds next rate hike on the date. They may all, in hindsight, wish they had possessed a little more historical knowledge.

When Shakespeare (and Plutarch before him) wrote Beware the Ides of March, he was talking about the murder of Julius Ceasar in 44 BC, by a group of senators, which included Brutus. But the incident can also be more broadly seen as the separation line between the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. And now were getting somewhere interesting when looking at present day events. Democracy under threat of absolutism.

Leafing through the Dutch press, opinions differ on which politicians will profit most from the sudden row with Turkey that flared up over the weekend. Is it far right Wilders, who can now claim that he always foresaw things like this? Or is it just a little less right PM Rutte, who gets to look like a statesman and a decision maker? None of the other parties, there are 31 in total, look positioned to reap any gains from the bewildering developments.

The Netherlands is the capital of fascism, said Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu on Sunday in France, where he ended up after being refused landing rights on Saturday. I know Im biased, but no matter how you twist and turn it, thats quite a statement about the country of Anne Frank, which lost most of its extensive Jewish population, and it was only a follow-up to Turkish president Erdogan earlier calling the Dutch nazis and remnants of fascists.

Erdogan later managed banana republic. And declared that no-one can treat his citizens the way a photograph taken Saturday night seemed to depict, in which a Turkish protester was attacked by a police dog. Apart from the question whether dogs should ever be used in quelling protests, this raises another issue crucial to the whole story. That is, Turkey insists that people whove lived in other countries for decades are nevertheless its citizens (and not of their adopted countries).

As an aside, that story and photo of the dog  a German shepherd- reminds me of When We Were Kings, the movie about the Rumble in the Jungle fight in Kinshasa between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, in which the latter emerges, upon arrival, from his plane with a huge German shepherd and thereby loses the sympthy of the local people, and some say the whole fight, people had very bad memories about such dogs.

So what happened in Holland? About 10 days ago, someone announced there would be a meeting (a rally) on Saturday March 11 in a party hall in Rotterdam, that would be attended by Turkish foreign minister Cavusoglu. This set off an alert inside the Dutch government, because in Germany similar meetings had been cancelled in the preceding days. The reason for the cancellations is that these are political rallies to gain support from Turks living abroad for an April 16 referendum designed to give Erdogan very far-reaching powers.

Turkey claims the right to freedom of speech and political gathering. And they would perhaps have been granted this, if not for the July 15 2016 coup in the country, and especially its aftermath. Both Germany and Holland have been aware of Erdogan and his people putting pressure on their citizens living abroad to for instance report hidden Gulen supporters to embassies and consulates and mosques. In other words, to create divisions between one group of (Dutch or German) Turks and another.

Needless to say, neither Berlin not The Hague wants anything to do with that. But they want to reach some sort of compromise. No matter how they may feel about the country post-coup, Turkey is a NATO partner and the EU has an all-important deal with Ankara to keep refugees away from Europe. Even though it was obvious from the start that this was the dumbest deal with the devil anyone since Faust has ever signed, elections trump common sense and principles.

Over the next days, the Dutch tell Ankara they consider foreign minister Cavusoglus planned rally undesirable. Rotterdam mayor Aboutaleb, a Dutch-Morrocan muslim, bans the planned meeting. But the Turks respond that Cavusoglu will come no matter what, and for Holland to arrange an alternative venue. The Dutch dont like this at all, but try to compromise with a meeting with a small group of invitees. On Friday, Turkey suggests the Rotterdam residence of the Turkish consul. Aboutaleb is not amused: the location of the home invites the gathering of a large number of people outside.

Saturday morning comes with a lot of discussion. The consulate is suggested as a venue. Then, Turkey sends a message to a large group of Dutch Turks to come to the consulate. And while talks are ongoing, Cavusoglu tells CNNTurk TV that if Holland revokes his planes landing rights, something that has been mentioned in negotiations only as a last resort, there will be economic and political sanctions.

Rutte and his crew see no other choice than to do just that: revoke the landing rights. To which the response is to drive the -female- Turkish Minister of Family Affairs, Kaya, whos in Germany, to Rotterdam. There were allegedly even multiple convoys, with decoys and all, so Holland wouldnt know what car she was in. Meanwhile, the allegations of nazism and fascism had started to be unloaded on The Hague.

As someone remarked: all Erdogan wanted was a photo-op, a picture with 10,000 Turks waving their flags in the streets of Holland. Things turned out different. Minister Kaya made it to Rotterdam, but was refused entry into the consulate, declared an undesirable alien and told she must return to Germany. It took many hours, but finally she was put into a different car than the one she came in and driven back across the border.

From where she took a private plane to Istanbul. Turkey apparently was not clear on the difference between someone having a diplomatic passport and having diplomatic immunity. These things are regulated in the Vienna Convention, and Turkey wants Holland to be found in violation of it. But it doesnt look like they are. And there are a few other things as well:

What I dont get: where in the world does it say that you are free to hold political campaign events in any country you choose? Can you see Guatemalan rallies in the streets of LA? With the risk of clashes between rival groups? And what would Turkey say if an anti-Erdogan protest were held in Berlin tomorrow? You think political rallies by foreigners are allowed in Turkey?

And then the rioting started late Saturday night in Rotterdam. What struck me in the pictures of the riots, and in other footage, is how many times they contain men making hand-signs of either the Muslim Brotherhood or the Grey Wolves, an ultra right wing Turkish group. I dont get how that fits in the streets of countries like Germany and Holland, and I dont get how it fits in with the man whos seen as a demi-god in Turkey, founder in 1923 of the secular country of Turhey, Kemal Ataturk.

It looks like Erdogan is trying to idolize Ataturk, as any Turkish leader would have to do to get votes, and at the same time make the country an islamic state, something Ataturk definitely did not want, but which could Erdogan hand a majority for the referendum next month. Why else does he accuse western Europe of being Islamophobic?

Oh, and how does Michael Flynn fit into this picture? Trumps former security adviser worked for Erdogan -indirectly- while sitting in on security meetings, and pushed the US to extradite Erdogans no. 1 enemy, Fethullah Gulen. If Washington had had proof that Gulen was behind the coup last year, one would think hed already have been extradited. Flynns role gets curiouser by the day. Is this why he was cast out of the Trump team? For being a foreign agent?

Also curious is the fact that Erdogan on Friday, the day before the Holland situation played out, was visiting Russia to meet with Putin. He arrived back home to say something about an anti-missile defense system they could build together, and suggested that Putin agreed with him on the danger of the Kurdish fighters in Syria and beyond. Only, Putin never acknowledged such a thing, and Putin has never forgiven Erdogan for downing a Russian jet in November 2015. He just waits for the right payback time. But Turkey is a NATO country.

The EU should never have kept the Union membership carrot dangling in front of Erdogans face, knowing full well Turkey would never be accepted as a member, zero chance. It should not have signed the refugee deal either; that could only ever have blown up into its face. The first and major victim of that will once again be Greece. Another country that Erdogan has been trying to bully.

Turkish jets violating Greek airspace are so common people tend to ignore them. Recently, army ships have been sailing into Greek waters too. The idea seems to be some sort of preparation for contesting the 1923 Lausanne Treaty , which settled ownership disputes post-Ottoman Empire. There are so many islands and islets and rocks, anyone who wants to can always find something to fight over. And then of course theres still Cyprus; negotiations are ongoing, but so are efforts to frustrate them.

And its not that the Turkish economy is doing so well, the lira lost 30% in 2016 and another 10% so far this year. But unlike Greece, Turkey still has its own currency, and therefore the ability to devaluate it and absorb financial shocks. Still, 40% in 15 months is a lot. Imports are getting very expensive. Maybe thats what Erdogan is trying to drown out with his fighting words.

This afternoon, Turkeys Parliament Speaker compared Dutch PM Rutte to Hitler, Franco AND Mussolini. Pol Pot must have slipped his mind for a moment. Denmark, France, Angela Merkel and Brussels have all told Turkey to tone down. But at the same time, German TV network ZDF reports there are 30 more Erdogan rallies and meetings planned in the country in the next month.

Erdogan is trying to let his people see him as a strongman, not afraid of anyone. He only has to paint this picture for another month, through his state owned TV channels, and hell get his near absolute powers. Meanwhile, the US and all of the EU are too busy trying to manage their own election issues. But that may not be such a wise choice. On April 17, they may be faced with a near dictator as member of NATO, and with a pro-Islam and anti-EU agenda.

Erdogan is done winning in Europe, and it was even only ever for his home audience to begin with. His biggest gains in votes -and he looks to be 48%-52% behind right now- will have to come from the war theater, where he pretends to fight ISIS only to send his army to kill the Kurds. It would be a good thing if besides Putin there were a few other powers to tell him thats a no-go. Donald?! Turkey will never beat the Kurds, its just an endless bloody battle. Time to make Kurdistan a nation, one way or the other.

It all sort of fits in with the whole political picture these days, doesnt it? And with Ceasar and the Ides of March.

By Raul Ilargi Meijer

Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2017 Copyright Raul I Meijer - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




The Libyan National Army (LNA) has forced the Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) off the oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Es Sider less than two weeks after being battled out.

LNA under the command of Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar has been preparing for a counter-offensive since last week, mobilizing a very large air and ground force.

The United Nations said on Tuesday the latest fighting around the Oil Crescent had been marked by human rights violations including unlawful killings and arbitrary detentions.

LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said the BDB have fled the coastal ports for towns more than 100km away. It is unclear if the oil ports will be handed over to the National Oil Corporation (NOC) after Mismari asserted that it was not guaranteed but added that Chairman Naji al-Maghrabi of the breakaway National Oil Corporation that was established last year would inspect the facilities before any decision is made.

The state-owned NOC is based in Tripoli and efforts to reach a unification deal with the NOC allied with Tobruk failed last year following the latters request for the headquarters to be transferred to Benghazi. Eastern factions have tried to sell oil independently by bypassing NOC-Tripoli but have been blocked by international sanctions that are still in place.

The fight for the control of oil ports is not expected to come to an end anytime soon because the revenue generated from it could provide stronger military prowess to the force that controls it.

Meanwhile, Russia has refuted claims that it is preparing to send its troops into Libya to fight on the sidelines of LNA. There are reports that a team of Special Forces and drones have been deployed to a military base in Egypt; 100 kilometers away from the border with Libya. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said it is news to him while International Affairs lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov described the reports as fake news. The deputy head of the state Duma defense committee, Andrei Krasov, said the reports must be a deliberate act of misinformation aimed at raising international tensions.
The Gambian Electoral Commission (IEC) on Monday announced that it has acknowledged 239 candidacies for the parliamentary elections.

April 6 elections will be the first parliamentary elections in the tiny West-African nation, since long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh has been sent to exile.

At the end of the filing period which ran from March 9 to 12, the 239 candidates were accepted and approved by the electoral commissioners the IEC said in a statement.

According to the electoral law, the ballot will be held in all 53 constituencies on Thursday, April 6, it added. The campaign will run from March 15 to April 4.

The Gambian National Assembly is made up of 53 Members: 48 elected and five appointed by the President, for a five-year term.

The countrys new president Adama Barrow, who was formerly a member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), is expected to fulfil a campaign promise to return Gambia to democracy after 22 years autocratic rule of ousted Yahya Jammeh.

The European Union will be observing the parliamentary polls, local media reported.

The organization recently pledged a 75 million aid package to The Gambia to help fix its battered economy and institutional reforms after Jammeh allegedly siphoned off billions of dollars from the state coffers.
Gunmen have kidnapped two United Nations officials in the Democratic Republic of Congos Kasai Central province, officials said.

Michael Sharp, a U.S. citizen, and Zaida Catalan, of Swedish nationality, had fallen into the hands of negative forces not yet identified, along with four Congolese they were with, the government said in a statement.

Sharp and Catalan were among a UN panel of experts investigating conflicts that have simmered in DRC since the mid-1990s.

The administrative and security services are working  in concert with Monusco (the U.N. mission) to obtain the liberation of the kidnapped persons, Information Minister Lambert Mende said.

In its communique, the government insisted that the UN experts were travelling in the province without the local authorities being informed.

Dozens of people were kidnapped last year by armed groups in eastern Congo, usually to obtain a ransom.

Armed groups have caused severe suffering in eastern DRC over the years since the 1996-2003 Congo wars.

The UN has almost 19,000 troops deployed in DRC, its largest and costliest peacekeeping mission.

The UN secretary general is seeking an additional 320 police for the peace keeping mission, as tensions over long-delayed elections also have spread violence into new areas of the vast territory.
A Sri Lankan-flagged fuel freighter has been hijacked in Somali waters after the vessel sent a distress call.

The ship sent a distress call, turned off its tracking system and altered course for the Somali coast, a piracy expert told Reuters.

According to Reuters, the Dubai-owned Aris 13 is believed to be carrying eight crew members.

A spokesperson for the European Union Naval Force, which runs anti-piracy operations in the area, said it was too early to confirm pirate involvement.

If confirmed, the incident would be the first hijack of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2012, he said.

Attacks by Somali pirates have dropped significantly since 2012, following an international naval effort.

Piracy used to be a major problem in the Gulf of Aden as Somali pirates frequently attacked ships, seized their cargoes and kidnapped crew members, later demanding ransom for their release.

Somalia has lacked a functioning central government since 1991, when the dictator Siad Barre fell. The Horn of Africa nation is prey to al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked Salafist group, and there are few jobs for youths.
The News in Brief

The Rustavi 2 case in Strasburg



The decision of the Supreme Court of Georgia on returning ownership of Rustavi 2 to Kibar Khalvashi is to be judged by the European Court. This needs the appropriate documents to be prepared by Rustavi 2 lawyers and submitted to Strasburg in fixed time frames.



Meanwhile, Khalvashi cannot operate TV channel. (The Messenger)







Georgian Church scandal



The Prosecutors Office aired the part of the interrogation of archpriest Giorgi Mamaladze. He is detained for the alleged plotting the assassinations of high rank employ of the Georgian Patriarchate.



The audio and video recordings were released. They contain evidences of the alleged crime. Mamaladzes lawyers stated that recordings were fabricated. The Prosecutors Office provided Mamaladzes family with state protection. (The Messenger)







Transparency International Georgia on Rustavi 2 Case



Transparency International Georgia is extremely concerned over the unanimous decision reached by the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court, which transferred the ownership of TV Company Rustavi 2 shares to Kibar Khalvashi (60%) and LLC Panorama (40%). The monitoring of the case as well as the final decision provide grounds to claim with assurance that the principle of fair trial has been violated throughout the proceedings. Rustavi 2 case gives an impression of governments attempt to take control over the main opposition media outlet, which significantly damages democracy in Georgia.



At this moment, only the ruling is published and the reasoning behind the decision is not available. However, taking into account the general political interests behind the case, we consider it important to point to a few circumstances that raise questions regarding the proceedings in all three instances of the courts as well as the recent decision:



At every stage of the case there have been questions regarding the independence and impartiality of the judges. More specifically, at first instance court doubts were raised that the launching of criminal prosecution against the mother of presiding judge may have be used for pressuring him. Rustavi 2 attorneys asked for judges recusal in Appellate court as well. Also, criminal investigation was launched by the Prosecutors Office over an alleged gross interference in adjudicating process of two members of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court. It was Rustavi 2 who reported on this case. Before it was reported, an internet campaign was launched and several high officials made statements that the opposition party was trying to influence judges. Such developments may be considered as an attempt to form a public opinion suitable to the government.



The Grand Chamber reached a decision in extremely short period of time. On November 22th, 2016 the case of Rustavi 2 was sent to the Grand Chamber from the Chamber of Civil Cases. The composition of the Grand Chamber was made known only 3 days ago. Notably, the composition of the Grand Chamber was not defined before that date, which was also confirmed to us via telephone communication with the Supreme Court representative last week. It is unclear how a newly composed chamber managed to reach a decision on a case of multiple volumes in just three days, especially taking into consideration the grounds for sending a case to the Grand Chamber, which was the complexity of the case and the fact that the contents of the case had been considered as a rare legal problem. This gives a rise to reasonable suspicion that either the composition of the Grand Chamber had been defined long before it was announced and the judges had been handed the case materials or/and the decision had been pre prepared for publishing.



Since the first days of the hearings there have been doubts about political motivations behind the case. The doubts about political motivations in the first and second instance courts have not been shed, which have been noted many times by the local NGOs and international organizations. A source of special concern was the interim ruling by the first instance court, which criticised the editorial policy of the independent TV company. There are also questions about the insufficient substantiation of decisions by city and appellate courts as well as about the extremely rapid pace of proceedings.



The decision is not consistent with the established practice of the Supreme Court. The decision by the Grand Chamber differs from the previous ruling (??-1224-1149-2015) of Civil law Chamber on a similar case on May 20th, 2016. The different approach taken in Rustavi 2 case intensifies doubts about the possible political motivation behind the case. Therefore, it is of special interest how the reasoned judgment will explain this difference.



Besides the judicial matters, it is also important to note that Rustavi 2 is critical of government and at the same time is the most-watched private TV company in Georgia. High level government officials never refrained from openly criticizing the station. High ratings and critical editorial policy of Rustavi 2 would explain governments political interests in the case.



Transparency International Georgia has paid special interest to the Rustavi 2 case. Several statements have been made regarding the shortcomings identified throughout the process, including the arbitrary reduction of days for appeal by the appellate court and insufficiently substantiated rulings of first instance court. We will also examine the substantiation of the Supreme Court decision as soon as it is published and will present an opinion on it.



The change of the editorial policy of Rustavi 2, following the March 2 decision, could prove to be a decisive blow for the free media.This will likely cause irreparable damage to the pluralistic media environment in the country. This, in itself, will have an extremely negative impact on the country's democratic development, damage it's reputation on international level and jeopardize the future of Euro-Atlantic integration. (Transparency.ge)







New IMF Mission Program Announced



In his comment on the agreement reached by the Government of Georgia on the launch of a new program at the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Mission, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili thanked the Government's economic team and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dimitri Kumsishvili for their work in this direction.



"I would like to commend the cooperation of the economic team with the IMF. I am especially grateful to Mr. Dimitri Kumsishvili. The completion of this important work has resulted in the announcement of IMF's new three-year program for Georgia, which means direct budget financing and gives the green light to all international financial institutions to finance Georgia. Our fiscal policy measures are prudent, our four-point reform agenda is very successful, and this program is off to a good start. The green light given to international financial institutions to act, for its part, confirms that our spatial planning program is guaranteed to be a success, advancing the country's economic dynamics to a completely new level. It also means many new jobs and parallel private investments. I congratulate all of you with this great start," the Prime Minister stated. (Government.gov.ge)




by @loujacobson

After a brief but divisive debate, the Senate Health Policy Committee Tuesday advanced a bill that would enhance an existing state pregnancy services program that excludes abortion referrals.

SB 1130, sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, would for the first time place into Florida statute a program that provides state funds to a network of pregnancy centers. The program has been operating since 2005 outside of statute, with funding provided on an annual basis during budget negotiations.

The Pregnancy Support Services program has fielded 5,796 hotline calls and provided 120,929 services to 24,184 women and families, Bean testified.

In statutes, we can further direct the Department of Health to firmly establish the program rather than relying on a proviso that could be changed every year, Bean testified.

Testifying against the bill, Missy Wesolowski, director of public policy for the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, said her group has seen such clinics use questionable studies -- such as those that arent peer reviewed or those that cite results that dont track with scientific consensus -- as fact.

The bill excludes family planning providers who provide birth control, testing for sexually transmitted diseases and referrals to safe and legal abortion services, she said.

During the debate, Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, echoed Wesolowskis concern about Beans assurances that the bill requires factual information from participating centers.

Sometimes you and I, we may both cite facts that are opposite, Montford said. Is there some assurance that the facts in this network that are used are medically sound?

Bean responded that thats another reason why we should have the bill codified in statute.

When Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, asked Bean what a center would do if a young woman came in and asked for information on abortion, Bean responded, They would not refer them to an abortion provider. They would say all of the other choices that are available out there.

Beans response drew audible laughter from opponents of the bill.

Representatives of Florida National Organization for Women and the Democratic Womens Club of Florida joined Planned Parenthood -- a provider of health services including abortion -- in registering their opposition to the bill at the committee meeting. A representative of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops rose in support.

The measure passed with two votes against: Book and Sen. Bobby Powell, D-Riviera Beach.
by @loujacobson

A Florida physician who specializes in geriatrics and memory care warned a Florida Senate committee that Alzheimers disease is both a present and a looming problem for the state.

"Please make no mistake -- we are in the midst of an epidemic of Alzheimers disease," Rosemary Laird, a geriatrician at the Centre for Senior Health in Winter Park, told the Senate Health Policy Committee on March 14. "Currently, half a million Floridians have Alzheimers disease, and in less than 10 years, a 40 percent growth rate means that another 200,000 Floridians will develop this devastating illness."

Laird was testifying in favor of SB 1050, a bill sponsored by Sen. David Simmons, R-Longwood, to establish a memory disorder clinic at Florida Hospital in Orange County.

Lairds office did not return a call, but we were able to find statistics that closely matched what she told the committee.

Keep reading from PolitiFact Florida.


@ByKristenMClark

Some Florida House Republicans have issued a challenge to the states top court  saying if the Legislature moves forward and enacts a constitutionally questionable measure seeking to impose harsher penalties on undocumented immigrants, then the Florida Supreme Court should prove them wrong.

HB 83, which passed its first House committee Wednesday, is rife with questions about its constitutionality because it subjects undocumented immigrants convicted of severe crimes to enhanced charges  and potentially longer prison sentences  solely on the basis of their immigration status.

But some House Republicans said a bills potential unconstitutionality shouldnt be a factor in whether lawmakers approve it.

I would submit to you that perhaps we sit in here one day and the Florida Supreme Court has told us this vote is wrong, Tampa Republican Rep. James Grant said, but I would encourage all of us to put the Florida Supreme Court in the position of telling us that we are wrong.

More here.

Photo credit: State Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa. Florida House.
via @loujacobson

As Florida House members took up a bill that would increase penalties for certain violent crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, participants noted a fundamental but often overlooked issue in the overall immigration debate: If you are in the United States illegally, does your mere presence in this country mean that you have committed a crime?

It first came up in comments by Ingrid M. Delgado, associate for social concerns for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops. She had come to the Florida House Judiciary Subcommittee on Criminal Justice on March 15, 2017, to testify against HB 83, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, that would heighten the penalties for certain violent offenses -- including sexual battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, murder, and the use of a destructive device such as a bomb -- if the defendant was in the country illegally.

Delgado said, "Unlawful presence is not a crime. It is a civil violation."

A few minutes later, Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, spoke in favor of the bill, saying she wanted to remind her colleagues about the legal status of the people the law targets.

"It amazes me, honestly, that we've even been talking about this as long as we have," she said. "I feel like in the midst of this, something has gotten lost that is a crucial, main point. And that is the fact that we're talking about people who are here illegally. That means that, legally, they are breaking the law."

Keep reading from PolitiFact Florida.

Miami Herald photo of a protest outside of Miami-Dade County Hall related to the county's policy on federal immigration detainers.
@ByKristenMClark & @loujacobson

Efforts by the Legislature to make explicitly clear the rights students and teachers have to express their religious beliefs in Florida public schools is ready for a floor vote in the Senate, while earning high praise in an initial House hearing.

A fast-tracked measure in the Senate (SB 436)  one of President Joe Negrons top priorities  passed its second and final committee Tuesday on a party-line vote, shortly before a House panel unanimously advanced its own version (HB 303).

The House conversation was in stark contrast to the Senates discussions, where that chambers measure has polarized members.

MORE: Lawmakers push for more religious liberties in Florida public schools

The bills were once identical, but the House Pre-K-12 Quality Subcommittee amended its bill to make it more narrow than the Senates  removing some of the more controversial elements, such as a requirement that school districts adopt a Florida Department of Education-crafted policy that establishes a limited public forum for student speakers at any school event. Such a provision would allow students of different faiths to, for example, pray at school assemblies.

The Houses pared-down bill won bipartisan support and near-universal endorsement from a crowded audience. When the House committee ended its meeting after passing the bill unanimously, one audience member shouted out: Can we close with a prayer? The remark drew scattered applause.

Lithia Republican Jake Raburn, the House Pre-K-12 Quality Subcommittee chairman, called it a bit perplexing that we have to be here when these protections are provided for.

Read more.

Photo credit: Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, presents his religious liberties bill to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The panel sent it to the Senate floor on a 5-4 vote, with Democrats opposed. Louis Jacobson / PolitiFact
Manatee County homebuilder Carlos Beruff (Photo by Giorgio Viera/Miami Herald)

@JeremySWallace

Gov. Rick Scott will have little trouble finding the location of his latest Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable near Sarasota on Thursday.

Scotts 9:30 a.m. stop in Manatee County will be at 1651 Whitfield Avenue, which just happens to be the same address as former U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Beruffs homebuilding business.

Beruff and Scott have become tight political allies. Scott has appointed Beruff to head an informal health care cost cutting committee, publicly praised his run for the U.S. Senate against fellow Republican Marco Rubio last summer, and two weeks ago picked him to be the chairman of the powerful Constitution Revision Commission, a 37-member commission with the power to put proposals directly onto the 2018 ballot.

Scotts office lists the Thursday rally as being at PropLogix. That real estate lien search company subleases space from the building Beruff had built for his homebuilding business, Medallion Home. It also is a company whose management includes Jesse Biter, a Sarasota businessman who is a member of Enterprise Floridas Board of Directors and whose father was considered for the CEO position of Enterprise Florida last fall.

The rally is part of what is now a two-month push by Scott to travel the state call out Republican legislators by name for voting for a bill to kill Enterprise Florida and another to severely hamper Visit Florida, the states tourism marketing agency. Scott has also used rallies to praise legislators who voted with him, even if it has meant praising Democrats.

Scott will technically be in House District 70, the home district of State Rep. Wengay Newton, D-St. Petersburg. Just on Tuesday Scott praised Newton at a rally in Tallahassee for being one of 28 House members to vote against the bill to kill Enterprise Florida. He'll also be a stones throw away from Rep. Joe Gruter's District 73. Gruters has been one of the biggest defenders of Enterprise Florida, speaking out against the House Republican leadership bill on the floor and proposing a separate bill that would preserve Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida.
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BOISE, Idaho  An eastern Idaho state lawmaker who thought his microphone was turned off on the floor of Idaho's House during a break Tuesday uttered that some public teachers are "clearly overpaid" and said later he didn't remember saying so.

"I know that quote would be attractive to reporters," Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg told The Associated Press, insisting he did not recall making the comment.

Nate made the comment while talking to Rep. Gayann DeMordaunt, a Republican from Eagle, during a break from the House's formal morning session to address technical issues with the internet. Lawmakers' microphones are typically turned off when the House is taking a break.

"We all know our districts, we all know there are teachers there clearly overpaid," Nate told DeMordaunt in a live streamed conversation sent from the House to the public.

After the House adjourned, Nate told reporters he believes teachers  especially those who teach math and science  are underpaid.

He said he must have misspoken when he made the comment about teachers being overpaid.

The comment heard over his microphone came after Nate argued against a budget appropriation proposal to add $2 million for counseling services in public schools.

He argued that the money could be spent to hire 53 more teachers. Throughout this legislative session, Nate has repeatedly debated against appropriation legislation to point out various budget increases could be better spent to fund teacher pay.

Nate's comment over the microphone Tuesday generated scrutiny because Idaho is in the middle of a five-year plan to boost teacher pay.

State school administrators have long said they lose their best and brightest teachers to neighboring states because Idaho cannot compete with higher salaries.

Known as the so-called "career ladder," the plan's most expensive implementation  an additional $62 million in teacher pay raises  is scheduled to be passed this year by the Idaho Legislature.

"It seems like there is a growing disconnect between the Legislature and what the voters want when it comes to education and this comment is evidence of that disconnect," said Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise.

Last year, Senate President Pro Tem Brent Hill said Nate secretly recorded them talking during a meeting.

A judge ordered Nate to disclose the recording after he originally refused, citing privacy concerns.
Life gets real in a hurry when the fish youre trying to catch rips the reel off your rod.

Thats what happened to KYSS disc jockey Charene Herrera last Sunday just as she was about to head for shore on the Blackfoot River.

We were in the last 10 minutes of the float, after six hours on the boat, Herrera said. Id had enough, but I grabbed my fly rod one more time with an ever-effective San Juan worm. It was a monster of a fish  definitely as long as my leg. I think it weighed about 10 pounds.

Hererra was using a five-weight rod with 3x tippet, a rig ordinarily aimed at fish a tenth that size. She and her partner had each caught several brown and cutthroat trout on a cold, windy float below Johnsrud Fishing Access Site.

The bull trout tore the reel out of its metal brackets but somehow didnt snap the rod as it rolled several times and tried to swim under Herreras boat. She fought it for the next 20 minutes before both angler and angled were tuckered out.

When the reel broke, I had to use it as a natural drag so I didnt stress the fish out too much, Herrera said. Theyre a threatened species, so you dont get to see them much. Id never caught one before in my life.

Bull trout are considered the grizzly bears of the river food chain. Theyre protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and must be released if caught on almost all Montana waterways. Herrera took a quick picture of her prize before releasing it back in the Blackfoot.

Photographing bull trout needs to be careful and quick, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations. The state handout on bull trout states "It is legal to photograph your trophy catch, however, it is essential that you minimize or eliminate the need to take the fish out of water. Ferguson and Tufts (1992) showed that nearly 40 percent of exhausted trout that were kept out of water for 30 seconds died; it rises to almost 70 percent if they are kept out of the water for 60 seconds. Have everything ready to take a photo before you handle the fish and try not to squeeze the fish or put your hands in its gills. Release the fish as quickly as possible."

Im still kind of in shock and awe since it happened, Herrera said. I dont know if I ever deserved a fish like that. The wind was whipping up the canyon and I was literally not going to grab my rod  just keep my hands in my mittens. Im never going to stop fishing the next time I go out.
Dr. John Osborn took a break from his day job at a Spokane emergency room to diagnose a much larger but little-known crisis  the Columbia River Treaty.

Were trying to get at what happens when you exchange one of the worlds richest salmon rivers for an integrated power system, the organizer of the Ethics and Treaty Project said during a Tuesday visit to Missoula. This community is located along two wonderful rivers  the Clark Fork and the Bitterroot  and theyre part of the basin of the Columbia River  one of the most remarkable rivers on the planet. But ever since Lewis and Clark walked over Lolo Pass, profound things have happened here.

In a nutshell, the United States and Canada agreed to leash the 1,200-mile Columbia with a series of dams and flood-control projects that affect 259,000 square miles of British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Oregon, Utah and Nevada. The system has been governed by a treaty signed in 1964 that expires in 2024. Two years ago, the United States government agreed to start renegotiating a new treaty.

But this time, a few more people will be at the table. While just the two federal governments hammered out the original Columbia River Treaty, this time at least 15 American Indian and Canadian First Peoples nations have claimed seats in an exercise of their own treaty rights. And improved scientific understanding of how the river influences its landscape has raised a new issue to discuss  ecosystem functions.

So in addition to negotiating how to keep the electricity flowing to Seattle and how to keep Portland from flooding, the new treaty must also consider whats owed the thousands of people who had their homes, livelihoods and culture downed when the big dams went up. It must consider how to adapt to a changing climate that may overwhelm the water storage capacities of the reservoirs behind those dams.

This is an example of us being able to go back in time and look at the development of a treaty for multiple groups of people, said Natalie Dawson, director of the Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana, which invited Osborn to lecture. We need to look at what did we do right and what did we do wrong as we go forward.

Members of the Ethics and Treaty Project will meet in Revelstoke, British Columbia, in May to discuss participation in the international negotiation process. Osborn said another meeting may be planned for Missoula to raise involvement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and communities affected by Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Kerr), Kootenai and Hungry Horse dams.

Its important we dont kick the can down the road to 2024 and suddenly realize were staring into the headlights of potentially dramatic change, Osborn said. We can continue the present course, with an iceberg dead ahead, or we can sit down and work with the Canadians in good faith and come up with solutions, based on the ethics of stewardship and justice.
Katie Irene Garding will get her chance Friday to lay out why her 2011 conviction in a fatal hit-and-run case should not stand.

The Stevenville woman was sentenced to 40 years in prison after being found guilty of the New Years Day 2008 vehicular homicide of Bronson Parsons in East Missoula. Parsons, 25, was walking with his roommate along Montana Highway 200 when a vehicle swerved, striking and killing him.

Nearly a year after the death, a jail inmate said Garding had come to his house the day Parsons died to get a broken fog lamp on her car repaired, telling him she had hit a deer. Gardings ex-boyfriend James Bordeaux, who was also in jail, later admitted she had been driving and hit something that night.

Bordeaux, who agreed to testify at trial after Garding was charged, received a plea agreement that resulted in a fully suspended sentence for felony burglary. Garding has denied hitting anything.

In 2015, the Montana Innocence Project filed a petition on Gardings behalf seeking to overturn her conviction and a new trial.

In the past few years, the organization has secured exonerations for Richard Raugust, who faced life in prison on a Sanders County murder conviction, and Cody Marble, whose rape case was overturned in January.

Missoula County District Court Judge John Larson  who also oversaw Garding's trial  will hear her case in a pair of hearings that start Friday.

The first, set to run through Monday, will allow each side to present up to five hours worth of testimony and evidence about two of Gardings new trial claims: that her lawyer did not do enough to defend her, and that she did not get access to certain evidence in the lead-up to the trial.

The groups petition said Jennifer Streano, the public defense attorney who represented Garding, provided ineffective counsel by not conducting a crash re-creation that could have been used to counter the prosecutions case.

The Montana Innocence Project has also claimed that the prosecution did not follow a court order to give all evidence to Garding, saying X-rays of Parsons were never disclosed. The organization contends the records of his injuries could indicate that Parsons was likely hit by a different type of vehicle.

A response brief filed by deputy county attorney Jennifer Clark last summer said the prosecution didnt hide any evidence, and that the X-rays in question were at the Montana State Crime Lab, which her office doesnt have control over. They had been repeatedly referenced in court proceedings, Clark said, adding that Garding could have simply requested them from the crime lab directly at any time.

Of Streanos work as defense attorney, Clark said even if Streano could have done a more thorough job, that wasn't enough to reach the standard for overturning a case, saying the court has never held that all lawyers are expected to be flawless tacticians.

A second hearing on Tuesday will deal with claims of alleged new evidence in Gardings case. The Montana Innocence Project conducted a crash reconstruction it believes will show that Garding's SUV would have sustained more damage if it had been involved in Parsons' death.

In her response brief, Clark said the reconstruction is simply fresh analysis of old information, and the court shouldnt consider it the same way it would look at completely new evidence in determining whether a new trial is warranted.
In recent days, the Solar Guy, a Bozeman man who makes his living installing private solar systems, has shared his views (March 9) on the legislative demise of House Bill 504, a measure that would have allowed solar developers to directly interconnect large, one-megawatt solar generators to public utilities and demand that the utilities transport their solar power, free of charge, to the solar developers customers throughout Montana.

The Solar Guy claimed that the legislation was defeated because NorthWestern simply doesnt want people to have the freedom to choose private generation by installing solar panels on their homes and small businesses. The Solar Guy, and others, say the defeat of HB504 is a big setback for net metering, which allows utility customers to install solar facilities and receive a bill credit for the excess electricity they generate.

House Bill 504 went far beyond net metering. It became obvious during the hearing on the bill that the solar industry had not disclosed to legislators what the bill really would have required utilities to do  subsidize the solar industry. Allowing private solar generators to directly interconnect to utilities, and mandating the utilities transport the solar power to their customers across the state, free of charge, is not net metering.

NorthWestern does not object to its customers wanting to generate their own energy  as long as those customers dont expect NorthWesterns other customers to subsidize their choice. House Bill 504 would have required NorthWestern to pay 11.5 cents per kilowatt hour for every kilowatt produced by the private solar generators. NorthWestern just signed a contract to buy wind power from an 80-megawatt wind farm at just under 3.8 cents per kilowatt hour. There is no reason for Montana to force its utilities to pay nearly three times as much for energy from a solar generator as for energy from a wind generator  other than to subsidize the solar industry at the expense of Montanans.

House Bill 504 died because the solar industrys propaganda machine bumped into the hard truth of real facts.
As members of the biology faculty at the University of Montana, we want to share some good news about our division and our positive outlook for the future. Lately, some opinions about UM published in these pages have been negative, and although the university faces a tough budget, the quality of our faculty and the education we give our students have never been better.

Biology is one of several departments at UM that has some of the worlds leading scholars. This year, faculty in ecology were named among the most productive in the world. In 2016, faculty in biology and the life sciences were awarded more than $40 million in research grants from outside sources. This money supports the university, funds pioneering research projects, promotes the training of our students and flows out to our surrounding communities. We collaborate with other departments and colleges all over campus to create innovative programs, including Wildlife Biology, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience, and the Center for Translational Medicine. Our faculty members are changing the world for the better and propelling UM toward a brighter future.

We are also passionate about teaching. We are constantly trying new methods to engage students of all kinds. We offer them inventive ways to learn in the classroom, internships that give them hands-on experiences outside the university, and chances to study abroad. In addition, faculty encourage students to do cutting-edge research in their laboratories and in the field, here in Montana and around the world. Under dedicated mentors, these students are trained in every aspect of doing science. They work in teams, learning to collaborate and communicate both with their peers and the general public. As a result, a high fraction of our undergrads are accepted into competitive fields like human and veterinarian medicine, and they are some of the best prepared in the state. UM biology undergrads have recently won national awards, ranging from the American Society of Microbiology to Udall Scholarships.

We encourage our students to take their skills and energy into the community  and they do! Our students are generous with their time, and volunteer thousands of hours to worthwhile causes. They assist at local hospices, health care centers and hospitals, they help teach river ecology to elementary school kids, volunteer at the SpectrUM science museum and Missoula Insectarium, raise money for the Poverello Center, and work as naturalists and summer camp leaders.

While we speak only for biology, we know that the faculty in many UM departments can tell similar success stories. We are proud to stand beside our excellent colleagues in the humanities and arts, and we hope they will also share their positive stories. Yet, like other campuses across the county, we face a rapidly changing world and many new challenges. Right now, UM faculty, staff and students are working together to decide how we can best meet those challenges. We must hold on to our core mission and be open-minded, practical and resourceful. Despite anticipated budget cuts and the changes to programs and staff, UM will continue to open students eyes to new perspectives and give them the skills they need to make a difference in the world.

We in biology are confident that UM has the academic quality, innovative spirit and commitment to educational excellence to stand out among the best universities in the United States.
Every year at about this time, news media and open records advocates throughout the nation join together to recognize Sunshine Week. This years Sunshine Week is being celebrated March 12-18, and as always, presents an opportune time to take stock of the progress made in the fight to keep public records open and accessible.

So how is Montana faring? While the state has won some small victories recently, its frustratingly clear that a much bigger battle is being lost.

First, the wins: Last year, newspapers across the state began publishing the photographs taken of accused criminals when they are booked into jail along with relevant news stories. The Missoulian was among those who had argued that mugshots, as they are commonly known, are public information  and the courts agreed.

Then, Kalispell Republican Rep. Frank Garner introduced House Bill 236 to settle the matter for good by clarifying that booking photographs are public criminal justice information. The bill was hailed by Montana news media and law enforcement agencies alike, who welcomed the clarification of a matter that had previously been determined on a county-by-county basis.

But that was before the House Judiciary Committee amended the bill in a way that essentially reversed its intent and prohibited the public release of mugshots. Fortunately, the amended version earned enough no votes on the House floor to die a well-deserved death.

The same fate met a similarly misguided proposal sponsored by Democratic Rep. Amanda Curtis of Butte, whose House Bill 553 would have barred news media from publishing photos of fatal accident scenes on social media. The bill only applied to news media, only social media and only for the period of time until the victims next-of-kin could be notified  leaving such large loopholes and so many unanswered questions that it was swiftly tabled by the Judiciary Committee.

Meanwhile, the Legislature is not doing a thing this session to limit or even address the ongoing use of private email and private social media accounts by public officials, or to address the severe lack of storage capacity and protocols.

Ideally, Gov. Steve Bullock would have led the charge to finally update the states systems to account for new, and increasingly popular, communication technology. Unfortunately, he does not appear to making such public transparency or accountability a priority. And he appears to have plenty of company among the states legislative leadership.

It comes as no surprise that elected officials would prefer to keep certain discussions from the public eye. The problem is that some public officials routinely use private accounts to discuss public business. Some of these discussion may have significant value as public records, but the people of Montana will never have a chance to evaluate them because they may never even know they exist.

Furthermore, the state lacks any consistent storage methods across the various departments, leaving public employees uncertain of what to save and what to delete. Very little of what is saved can be stored for long, because unlike some other states, Montana has not established an adequate storage framework.

The Governors Office and the Legislature are dealing with a number of top-priority issues, including infrastructure funding, child protection and health care. Their handling of these issues is a clear matter of public interest, and private communications on these matters deprive the public of our right to know.

This week, as we celebrate the sunshine that illuminates even the smallest, darkest corners of government, we also call on Montanans to demand that our government stop doing business in the dark.
So Greg Gianforte whines about mudslinging in his television ads, but whose political action committee is slinging mud within hours of his nomination as a candidate?

Montana doesnt need another thin-skinned millionaire from the east coast in Washington, D.C. Gianforte is trying again to buy an elected position in Montana and he couldnt even win his own county when running for governor!

Hes right when he says will support President Trump; in his tax breaks for the wealthy and assault on the poor and middle class, also known as Trumpcare, and denying access to public lands. This New Jersey millionaire does not represent my values.

Ron Olson,

Missoula
KALISPELL  A 29-year-old Evergreen woman who had been charged with ordering the murder of a 34-year-old Kalispell man has reached a plea agreement.

Melisa Ann Crone pleaded guilty Wednesday to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs. Both sides agreed to recommend a 20-year prison sentence when Crone is sentenced on May 25.

Robert Wittal is serving a 110-year prison sentence for deliberate homicide in the May 2016 stabbing death of 34-year-old Wade Rautio. His body was found near Creston after co-defendant David Toman led officers to the body.

Prosecutors had alleged Crone had ordered Wittal and two others to kill Rautio. Defense attorney Jason Bryan said he believed prosecutors would have a hard time convincing a jury that Crone was guilty of accountability to deliberate homicide.

Toman has reached a plea agreement while negotiations continue with another co-defendant.
A DAY IN AUSTIN TO PROTEST THE HIGH SPEED RAIL

Sylvia Sazama, Brook Holleman -Policy Intern for Donna Howard State Representative District 48, and Tachie Rhodes

March 7th, some of the Montgomery Yeehaw Sisters made a trip to Austin to stand behind our friends in neighboring counties that are threatened by the Texas Central Partners. This is the company that is trying to push through the High Speed Rail (HSR). There were over 200 private citizens to listen to the many judges and representatives of the counties throughout central Texas that would be directly affected by the 'bullet train'. After a breakfast we all gathered in a room to hear how our Reps are fighting for us and the bills they now have on the docket to block the construction of the expensive project. If you listen to the ads the Texas Central Partners have on TV, you would tend to think this could be a good thing for our state, while nothing could be further from the truth!

**From recent research done on the whole situation, There has been proof to show that in all of the world there are only 2 high speed railways that actually make money...Tokyo to Osaka and Paris to Lyon. All other high-speed rails lose money. These trains were built to relieve crowding on conventional rail lines and to connect cities with extremely high residential and commercial population densities, low rates of car ownership, and large subway systems with high rates of usage. These cities also lack robust toll-free roadway systems and nearby airports with low-cost air service.

In contrast, Dallas and Houston have some of the highest rates of car ownership, smallest transit systems and percentage of transit usage, and lowest population densities, making it far from ideal for high-speed rail. Low ridership and high construction costs would in all likelihood, make this project a fatal deal, leaving Texas tax payers with covering the remaining cost!

These things were all taken into consideration and researched intensely before the meeting:

Cost v. Ridership, No existing passenger rail service, Airport proximity to downtown, Limited transit service, low population density, low employment density and car ownership. All of these subjects can have major and moderate impacts on Texas.

There is nothing good about this endeavor for Texas! It would negatively impact farmers, ranchers, historical family homes and the acreage owned by average citizens in small towns and neighboring communities, as the HSR slices through our state, virtually cutting it in half.

When the Texas Central talks about how many 'parcels' it already has willing sellers for, beware! Parcels is NOT the same as miles, so 300 parcels could mean 40 to 50 miles! The only people this could benefit would be people who work downtown in Dallas and Houston and perhaps a few of the people in College Station where the other stop would be. It will take most people an hour or two commuting to the train from their homes. After they arrive at their station destination, the price of the ticket is roughly the same price as airfare. Upon arrival at the other end there would have to be someone waiting to pick the rider up or there will be rental car fees and the time it takes to arrange transportation. No cost or time is saved.

Several personal stories of the Texas Central bullying farmers and ranchers into letting them survey their acreage has led to lawsuits. The Texas Centrals want to claim eminent domain and try to offer money that is supposedly so much higher 'now than it will be later'. However, they cannot get a Texas Dept of Transportation license to be on the land and Texas does not allow an eminent domain of private property. When counter sued, the Texas Central have had to drop their law suits.

Our purpose at the capitol was to split up into groups of 3 or 4 then go to our chosen representatives and tell them of our many reasons for disapproval of the HSR being built anywhere in Texas. It was not a belligerent or loud 'protest' session. It was merely a personal informative meeting with our Reps to let them know we would really appreciate them looking over the materials we left for them, and to listen to 'we the people' of this great state, and consider our concerns and wishes.

When our Representatives were all in session, we asked to speak to someone at their office who was in charge or knowledgeable about the transportation section. We got very good responses from the assistants in the offices of Donna Howard- State Rep. District 48, Jim Murphy-House of Rep. District 133, and Poncho Nevarez-House of Rep. District 74.

After our meetings, we were allowed to tour the Capitol. The 3 of us sat in briefly on a meeting in the State Senate room, then over to the House Of Representatives which was closed, lunch and to the souvenir shop. Afterwards all 200 plus of us went back to the original meeting room and gave updates and heard what our elected officials and judges were at work doing for us for the next meeting. We really thank all of these hard working leaders for all the time and efforts to get this HSR brought to a halt and sent to another country. (The people in California are not in the least happy about the HSR in their state, and the tax increases they are now paying).

Folks, be very wary of what you hear on TV! The Texas Central wants you to believe that objecting to their project is useless and that it is a 'done deal'. IT IS NOT! Be encouraged as we all were when we left Austin. Let's keep showing up, standing behind each other and our hard working leaders. Being there in numbers is a force to be reckoned with and extremely helpful.

Our many thanks to Judge Ben Leman of Navasota, for fighting for the people of Grimes County and surrounding counties. We appreciate the group that arranged transportation to and from Navasota, and to the people that organized the meeting and furnished some nice meals for all of us! Our political leaders will keep us up on the progress and let us know when and where the next 'battle' will be. COME, all who can, it is worth it to our families for years to come!

**The information was highly researched and provided for us, was by Baruch Feigenbaum, assistant director of transportation policy at Reason Foundation, a non-profit think tank. Baruch has a diverse background researching and implementing transportation issues, including revenue and finance, public-private partnerships, highways, transit, high-speed rail, ports, intelligent transportation systems, land use and local policymaking. He is a member of the Transportation Research Board Bus Transit Systems and Intelligent Transportation Systems Committees, with many more acclamations.


Two Mining City entities are being recognized for their contributions to tourism and recreation advocacy in Montana.

Representatives for Butte.Elevated  a tourism campaign launched last spring by a coalition of public, non-profit and private organizations  accepted the Marketing Campaign of the Year Award Monday night in Helena during a ceremony for the 2017 Montana Tourism Awards. The awards are part of the Governors Conference on Tourism and Recreation.

Jocelyn Dodge, a recreation forester serving several jurisdictions in southwest Montana, including in Butte-Silver Bow, also won an award. She was named Tourism Ambassador for 2017.

Organized by the Butte Economic Development Coordinating Council, Butte.Elevated beat out nominees from the Bozeman, Missoula and West Yellowstone areas to clinch the award.

Cooper Fisher, marketing director for the Butte Local Development Corporation whos also serving as a brand manager for the campaign, said Butte.Elevated uses a number of social-media outlets to write a story about the Mining City that goes beyond tales of Superfund and the Berkeley Pit.

To me thats what this award is really about, said Fisher, noting that the campaign gives residents a collective voice. That Butte is an amazing place to live, work and play.

Front and center to the campaign is its Instagram account, which each week features a guest gramer who shares images of recreational and cultural activities in the Mining City, giving Montana and the world a snapshot of everyday life in Butte.

The campaign has Facebook and Twitter accounts as well, and all three outlets make use of the Butte.Elevated hashtag: #ButteElevated. Hastags #LiveElevated, #WorkElevated, and #PlayElevated are also used.

In an October interview with The Montana Standard, Maria Pochervina, director of Buttes Convention and Visitors Bureau, explained the message behind the campaign.

It was kind of a play on words, Pochervina said, We think our lifestyle is at a higher elevation.

And the message appears to be catching on.

Residents have independently taken up the hashtag, and a search for #butteelevated on social media yields a list of news, photos and posts related to the Mining City.

Meanwhile, the Butte Local Development Corporation said in a Tuesday news release that Butte.Elevated has been, and continues to be, an effort driven by the community as a whole, and not a small corporation or marketing firm.

Daniel Iverson, Communications Manager for the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development, said the judges selected Butte.Elevated because the campaign puts the marketing in the hands of stakeholders.

The judges just really liked that its community-driven, said Iverson, adding that Butte.Elevated has brought different stakeholders together under a single unified message.

Meanwhile, Iverson said Jocelyn Dodge was selected as 2017 Tourism Ambassador for her years of service in forestry.

Shes been such an advocate for recreation, said Iverson.

Dodge  who has served as a recreation forester for the U.S. Forest Service in the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest and the Butte-Jefferson Ranger Districts for nearly 27 years  said she was both surprised and honored by the award.

Holding a degree in recreation management from the University of Montana, Dodge previously held positions with the departments for parks and recreation in Missoula and Flathead Counties.

Dodge has also sat on many boards, including those for Buttes Civic Center and Mother Lode Theatre; the countys Parks and Recreation Department and Convention and Visitors Bureau; and the Montana Trails Recreation and Parks Association.

Similarly, Dodge is a member of the Restore Our Creek Coalition and Project Green, a citizen board that helped promote the development of the Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trails and the Greenway Authority District in the 1990s.

Dodge said what makes southwest Montana unique is the partnerships within the community.

In 2007 Dodge embarked on one partnership that eventually resulted in the revitalization of Thompson Park, a recreational area 10 miles southeast of Butte that had fallen into disrepair.

That year Butte-Silver Bow and the Forest Service spearheaded an effort to build new connector trails, parking areas and other amenities in the park. They enlisted the help of AmeriCorps, Boy Scouts, Montana Conservation Corps and other groups along the way in a process that took four years to complete.

Iverson said is its unusual for the award to be given to someone not directly involved in tourism.

(But Dodge) is someone who goes above and beyond, he said.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Butte District Court Judge Kurt Krueger granted a request filed by the defense to suppress evidence. Krueger has yet to rule on the request, and an unsigned draft order doing so was mistaken as a filed order. A hearing on the motion to suppress will be held on March 29 at 2 p.m.

The trial of a Butte mental health counselor charged with soliciting a client to plant meth and other drugs in the car of her ex-husband and his wife and mail meth to his lawyer has been delayed from March 20 to May 22.

Dana Trandahl, 52, pleaded not guilty on July 29, 2016, to felony counts of solicitation of criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal distribution of dangerous drugs.

According to court documents, the client secretly recorded Trandahl's request in May and brought the recording to law enforcement, claiming that as a convicted felon they wouldn't have believed her allegations without it.

Police then filed for and obtained a warrant for the client to record further conversations with Trandahl, which served as the basis for the criminal charges.

Trandahl filed on Feb. 16 for Judge Kurt Krueger to throw out the initial recording the client obtained before coming to law enforcement, as secret recordings are illegal in Montana, making it inadmissible as evidence. A hearing on the motion is set for March 27.

Trandahl filed in January for an entrapment defense, claiming her charges stem from the police coercing her into committing crimes. In a response to the suppression of the initial recordings, the Butte-Silver Bow County Attorney's Office claims the initial recording represents evidence the state did not conspire to setup Trandahl, as the client made the initial recording before contacting law enforcement.
Montana Dance Works and the Orphan Girl Children's Theatre are hosting their first Royal Princess Tea Party fundraiser at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Park and Idaho, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25.

"Wear your best party attire and join your favorite princess for an afternoon of singing, dancing, crafting, delicious appetizers and Princess Tea," said a news release from the Orphan Girl. Makeovers, hair, and nails can be done at the event and photos taken.

Tickets are $20 each. Each child must be accompanied by one adult. Tickets are non-refundable and must be purchased in advance at www.montanadanceworks.com.

Proceeds will benefit Montana Dance Works and the Orphan Girl Children's Theatre's Scholarship Fund for low-income families. Details: Jackie Freeman at 406-782-5657.
MISSOULA  Dr. John Osborn took a break from his day job at a Spokane emergency room to diagnose a much larger but little-known crisis  the Columbia River Treaty.

Were trying to get at what happens when you exchange one of the worlds richest salmon rivers for an integrated power system, the organizer of the Ethics and Treaty Project said during a Tuesday visit to Missoula. This community is located along two wonderful rivers  the Clark Fork and the Bitterroot  and theyre part of the basin of the Columbia River  one of the most remarkable rivers on the planet. But ever since Lewis and Clark walked over Lolo Pass, profound things have happened here.

In a nutshell, the United States and Canada agreed to leash the 1,200-mile Columbia with a series of dams and flood-control projects that affect 259,000 square miles of British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, Oregon, Utah and Nevada. The system has been governed by a treaty signed in 1964 that expires in 2024. Two years ago, the United States government agreed to start renegotiating a new treaty.

But this time, a few more people will be at the table. While just the two federal governments hammered out the original Columbia River Treaty, this time at least 15 American Indian and Canadian First Peoples nations have claimed seats in an exercise of their own treaty rights. And improved scientific understanding of how the river influences its landscape has raised a new issue to discuss  ecosystem functions.

So in addition to negotiating how to keep the electricity flowing to Seattle and how to keep Portland from flooding, the new treaty must also consider whats owed the thousands of people who had their homes, livelihoods and culture downed when the big dams went up. It must consider how to adapt to a changing climate that may overwhelm the water storage capacities of the reservoirs behind those dams.

This is an example of us being able to go back in time and look at the development of a treaty for multiple groups of people, said Natalie Dawson, director of the Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana, which invited Osborn to lecture. We need to look at what did we do right and what did we do wrong as we go forward.

Members of the Ethics and Treaty Project will meet in Revelstoke, British Columbia, in May to discuss participation in the international negotiation process. Osborn said another meeting may be planned for Missoula to raise involvement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and communities affected by Selis Ksanka Qlispe (Kerr), Kootenai and Hungry Horse dams.

Its important we dont kick the can down the road to 2024 and suddenly realize were staring into the headlights of potentially dramatic change, Osborn said. We can continue the present course, with an iceberg dead ahead, or we can sit down and work with the Canadians in good faith and come up with solutions, based on the ethics of stewardship and justice.
Grand marshals run in the family this year, as Ellen Crains cousin is one of two who will lead the Anaconda St. Patricks Day parade.

Hank Walsh joins Charlene Hagan, of Anaconda, as one of the honored marshals when the Anaconda parade kicks off at 2 p.m. Friday from the AOH Hall.

Were keeping it all in the family, said Walsh, a retired salesman who owns the Walsh ancestral palace at 711 Birch in Anaconda  the family home since 1895.

Im thrilled for him, said Crain when told the Ancient Order of Hibernians selected her cousin the same honor, but 24 miles away and two hours later than the Butte St. Patricks Day parade, which starts at noon.

If folks time it right, they can catch both parades like leprechauns hitting the Indy circuit.

They used to go from the parade in Butte, then dash out to Anaconda, said Crain, following in her father Kevin Shannons footsteps (Butte parade marshal once in the early 2000s).

Walsh splits his time between the family home in Anaconda and Ennis, where his wife, Pat Havens, is the USPS postmaster. They lived in Hamilton for 39 years, though, before he came back home  at least part-time.

I always make the joke that I went over there to take a job for six weeks, but came back in 39 years, he said.

He is the fourth in his family to serve as grand marshal, as sisters Lenore Manning and Ellen Tocher, plus their father, Hank, all took their turn. Another sister, Margaret Lubke, organized the St. Patrick's Day parade in Hamilton for a few decades.

Among those cheering him on the Anaconda parade route will be his sisters and sons Cory Walsh of Seattle and Andy Walsh of Maui, Hawaii.

Id like to congratulate Ellen  its quite an honor, Walsh added, wee hint of an Irish tease in his voice. I think its a bigger deal in Anaconda than in Butte.
HELENA - Adding blackjack to the list of approved gambling in Montana would be a negative change thats not worth the additional money it would bring in for the state.

Thats what opponents to a bill that would legalize live and video blackjack told a legislative committee Wednesday. House Bill 578 is carried by Rep. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale.

The Legislature has shot down legalizing blackjack before, including the notable 21 in 91 campaign in 1991 and another effort in 2011. Legal live games in Montana include poker, raffles, bingo, keno, panguingue and shake-a-day. The state also allows video line gambling machines. These are non-banking games, meaning players bet against and settle with each other as opposed to the house.

Galt told the House Taxation Committee, which took no action on the bill Wednesday, that blackjack would bring in money to help boost a state budget that has seen revenues drop amid a decline in the natural resource extraction industry.

The bill would charge $500 permit fees for tables, $200 licensing fees for dealers and a 5 percent tax on the gross income from blackjack tables. Money generated would go into the general fund for two years and then be divided among two special gambling accounts. The bet limit would be $200 and the maximum payout would be $800. There would be a three-table limit for establishments.

"This would be a Montana solution to some of the problems we have in our budget right now," Galt said. "It's a social game. There's all ages, every demographic plays this, because all you have to do is add up to 21."

No one spoke in support of the bill.

Attorney General Tim Foxs Department of Justice, which includes the state's Gambling Control Division, does not support the bill. Angela Nunn, the administrator of the division, said the amount of money generated by the bill wouldnt be enough for her employees to adequately implement rules to govern blackjack and monitor games once theyre up and running.

Nunn also said Fox was opposed to the expansion of gambling around the state because the risk of increasing the numbers and severity of problem gamblers.

Representatives of the Montana Tavern Association and gambling license holders who run poker games also spoke against the bill, saying it would require a large amount of additional staff such as multiple dealers and pit bosses to run games well.

It is our understanding as the ones who are in the business and who would deal with this is that blackjack is a very easy game to cheat on, both the players and the dealers, said Jim Johnson, a gambling license holder in Red Lodge and president of the Montana Tavern Association. We think that would open the door for all kinds of problems we as tavern owners really don't want to have to deal with.

None of the association's member he has spoken to would want to add gambling, Johnson added.

Brand Longcake, executive director of the Montana Council on Problem Gambling, said games like blackjack can create a frenzy and excitement.

Although it would generate additional revenue, it would also generate additional societal and economic costs. Expansion will increase the number of problem gamblers, especially in those communities that choose to add blackjack.
Shaking off a stereotyped culture in which smoking often seems the norm, the Butte Academy of Beauty Culture has gone totally smoke-free.

Owner Peggy Dallaserra, once a smoker, decided to make her property smoke-free on March 1, after Butte-Silver Bow prevention specialist Frank Rozan spoke about the dangers of smoking to her school of 40 students and four staffers.

Smoking just seems to be something that goes with beauty schools, said Dallaserra.

In 2005, the Montana Legislature passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, requiring all enclosed public places and work places to be smoke-free and to post smoke-free signs on public entrances.

But Dallaserra tired of seeing cigarette butts littering the outside property at the beauty school, 303 W. Park St.

Determined to change the culture, she first banned smoking in the tiny courtyard where students took their breaks. They moved to the narrow west exterior side of the building.

Eventually, the smokers hung out on the sidewalk, where passers-by and Butte Central High School students across the street could watch them out the window.

I got out of my car and the amount of cigarette butts was crazy, said Dallaserra. My students would flick their butts all over.

Besides the health hazards of first-hand and second-hand smoke, students were losing time off the clock. Rozan came in to help ease the transition to a smoke-free environment.

After 28 years, instructor Michelle Gordon, 46, quit smoking cold turkey on Feb. 27  even before the shop went smoke-free. For her, the new policy reinforces her new lease on life.

Im the only instructor that smoked and there were some things happening with me  some of my family has gone through cancer, said Gordon. So I decided to quit.

Its the kind of work place success Tobacco Use Prevention Coalition members like to see. Rozan, who leads the three-month-old group, freely shares data about the dangers of smoking.

There were signs from above to quit smoking, Gordon said. Its been a lot easier for me since weve gone no-smoking.

Dallaserra has stocked the shop with cinnamon candies, which help stave off tobacco cravings. But her students and staff still have an option.

If they want to, they have to go inside their car to smoke, she added.
Commissioners and Chief Executive Palmer,

With the discussion of the removal of the County Shops and removal of the Parrot Tailings before you, I am sending you this letter expressing my interest and thoughts on the issues. Please make my letter part of the official record. As mentioned in a conversation with Commissioner Perdue-Dolan, I am very concerned you are being required to make some important forever decisions without adequate information.

My recommendation to you is that Butte-Silver Bow should demand, through court action, to reopen the Record of Decision on Butte Priority Soils that includes Buttes Silver Bow Creek and demand Butte receives the proper cleanup and restoration the community deserves as required under Superfund Law and the Montana Constitution. Nothing less should ever be accepted! As with all Butte cleanup -- this is a forever decision and has forever consequences

As you know, Judge Brad Newman has ruled in the successful lawsuit filed by Silver bow Creek Headwaters Coalition that this portion of the Creek is a watercourse (creek) and is thus Waters of the State of Montana protected by the Article IX Section 3 of the Montana Constitution that states -- All waters within the boundaries of the State are the property of the State, held in trust, for the use of its people.

Governor Bullock has requested money from the Natural Resource Damage Restoration dollars to remove the Parrot Tailings near the Butte Civic Center. Governor Bullock has committed $18 million for the removal of the Parrot Tailings alone. His proposal does not include removing of any other tailings along the creek or to restoring the area to a useful and meaningful purpose. The money he is proposing consists of $10 million from the Butte Priority Soils Natural Resource Damage Settlement and $8 million committed from the Silver Bow Creek leftover Cleanup dollars.

I describe Governor Bullock proposal to remove the Parrot Tailings as a band aid proposal. I do not support the proposal without a commitment of Governor Bullock to make a total financial commitment as well as a commitment to remove all the tailings and responsibly clean and restore the creek. I believe, as do others, that it will cost between $60 million to $70 million to remove all of the tailings and to responsibly clean and restore Silver Bow Creek. It is estimated to cost $11 million alone to remove the Butte county shops that sit on top of the Parrot Tailings.

All of the monies proposed by Governor Bullock are Restoration dollars and not Remediation or cleanup dollars. The problem Butte faces is that the area has not been cleaned properly by the Environmental Protection Agency, the State and the Atlantic Richfield Company and I believe the agencies have absolutely no intension of requiring a proper cleanup of the area as required under Superfund law and the Montana Constitution. The purpose of Restoration dollars is to restore the cleaned Superfund sites to a responsible and meaningful purpose and to compensate residents of a Superfund area for the lost use of the natural resources caused over the years from the contamination of the Superfund site and not to clean the area.

To emphasize my point, the State actually wrote in a response letter to the Environmental Protection Agency on the problems with the Record of Decision on the Creek cleanup -- DEQ does not concur with the over-reaching decision to leave accessible, major sources of groundwater contamination in place. We refer specifically to the Parrot Tailings, Diggings East tailings and the North Side Tailings. Our concern is that leaving these wastes in place poses a significant and permanent threat to groundwater and to the long-term water quality of Silver Bow Creek.

I wish you well in your deliberations and I encourage you to follow through with a legal effort to reopen the Record of Decision on the cleanup of Buttes Silver Bow Creek. I encourage you to work closely with the Restore Our Creek Group, The Montana Standard and Silver Bow Creek Headwaters Coalition along with the literally hundreds of Butte residents who participated in public meetings in providing input and suggestions in completing a responsible cleanup and restoration of Butte and the removal of the County Shops that will make the residents proud!

The goal of Silver Bow Creek Headwaters and the Restore Our Creek was pretty simple -- We care, and we just wanted to make Butte a better and more environmentally safe place to live. We wanted to achieve that goal by recreating a quality clean and restored meandering Silver Bow Creek flowing through the middle of our town where the children could play and fish and the adults of the community could enjoy the amenities of the cleanup and restoration as well!

-- Fritz Daily, of Butte, a former state legislator, is a longtime watchdog of Superfund cleanup in Butte.
To Sen. Daines:

During your recent visit to Helena, you took the time to visit private, tuition-paid schools.

If you really support education for all children, a visit to a public school should have been included in your schedule.

Eighty percent of Montana students receive an education in public schools. All children need an excellent education, including the children of residents who voted for you.

Your next visit to Montana should include a public school.

These students and their parents would benefit from knowing that you care about their future as well.

 Judy Grebenc, Helena
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MUSCATINE  While it isnt often that something that is left unfinished is able to gain notoriety and praise, let alone see the light of day
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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A Form Four student is admitted in hospital after he was shot in the head in Nairobis Buru Buru estate.

The victim, a student at Don Bosco Secondary School in Embu, was shot by an unknown assailant on March 4.

Ms Esther Sakwa, a Buru Buru resident, told detectives that she was at her shop near SOS village when she heard a gunshot.

She went out to enquire and found him lying in a pool of blood. He had a bullet wound in the head, reads a police report.

The student was treated at Jamaa Hospital before being transferred to Nairobi West Hospital.

According to initial investigations, the student a victim of a gang attack over a deal gone sour.

Police are looking for suspects.
Sometimes, when art doesnt pay, and it rarely does in this country, Kenyan artists such as musicians and actors turn to politics.

The latest thespian to join the murky world of politics is popular Mother-in-Law actor Patrick Oketch, best known for his role as Charlie.

Mr Oketch has publicly made known his interest for a parliamentary seat in the August General Election.

Making the announcement on Facebook, Mr Oketch said after much deliberation and consultation with his people, he will vie for the Embakasi East parliamentary seat.

After long deliberation and consultation with my people. They have managed to convince me to run for office,

I will be contesting the Embakasi East parliamentary seat. I will be addressing the press soon. God bless you and God bless Emba, Charlie wrote.

Mr Oketch will be battling in the ballot box against controversial blogger Robert Alai and student leader Babu Owino have also shown interest for the Embakasi East parliamentary seat.
So what does the president have to gain by insulting Cord governors?

For 4 years, Uhuru has displayed restraint most of the time when answering opposition leaders. Once in awhile weve seen him switch to Kikuyu and call Raila Odinga names, but what weve seen in the last 2 weeks is quite different.

Raila is no longer his only target, and Uhuru is now comfortable abusing opponents in a language they understand.

Does he have a game plan?

It is obvious to a 5-year old that by abusing and mistreating Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, Uhuru is only creating a hero. Joho will gain new supporters and admirers as the governor who stood up to and commanded the attention of the President.

This will give the Mombasa governor great influence the kind needed to catapult him to be President or Deputy President in 2022.

So why is Uhuru doing it anyway?

Read: Mimi Sio Bibi Yako..Uhuru Tells Joho To Stop Following Him Around (VIDEO)

The most straightforward answer is that Uhuru has simply lost his cool and the plot with it. His father was quite good at calling his enemies names, including terms like nyangau. It is therefore likely that the apple did not fall far from the tree.

However, some people have a different view and believe that Uhuru is fattening the pig (Joho), for slaughter yet to be seen. For a guy who has been long rumoured to be a leading drug dealer, he must have lots of skeletons.

Hypothetically, if the US Drug Enforcement Agency came for Joho, the more influential he is, the bigger the victory for Jubilee.

It is good to note that so far no investigation against Joho has been announced by the US or Kenya in relation to drugs. However at the same time, neither party has denied conducting any investigations.

Away from that, another theory has been put forward regarding Uhurus current utterances.

Everyone with half a brain will tell you that the numerous corruption scandals, incompetence and other misdoings by the Jubilee government will not prevent their core supporters from voting back Uhuru.

In the same breath, Cord is also entering the race with numerous corruption scandals; past, recent and present, touching on Raila himself, Mudavadi, Wetangula, Orengo, Kidero etc. That too will not prevent their core supporters from voting for them.

What Im driving at is that anyone with half a brain will tell you that majority of Kenyans dont vote with their brains. If I were to put a number on it, I would say less than 3% of Kenyans vote based on issues, track record and integrity of the politicians.

With that out of the way, those complaining about Uhurus utterances against Nanok and Joho, are basically the same ones who had no intention of voting for him in the first place. Uhuru is probably resigned to this fact and knows trying to win them over is an exercise in futility.

On the flipside, these outbursts may be exactly what is needed to excite/galvanize his support base. Coming just days after he paid a visit to the professor of politics, and months after Americans proved that even the most advanced democracy can vote in a mad man, this theory may not be that far fetched.

One Facebook user, Mubea Murithi, put that into perspective with this post.

***************************************************

But have you considered that Uhuru is maybe very smart and he is playing perfectly to his gallery? This election is never going to be about issues or even decency so what does he gain by being a gentleman?

Most of those complaining about his recent belligerent attitude werent going to vote for him anyway and that belligerence has solidified his base, those who were getting apathetic in his silence but needed the thrill caused by this foolishness to remind them their man can still mud sling with the best of them.
A bus belonging to Homa Bay governor aspirant Sammy Wakiaga was on Monday attacked by rowdy youth at Aros trading centre in Karachuonyo.

The bus, branded in ODMs orange colours and bearing Wakiaga and ODM leader Raila Odingas portraits, has been touring the county with a section of youth leaders ahead of the April 19 party nominations.

During a stopover at the trading centre, hired youths pelted the bus with stones and injured three occupants.

Opuor Agot suffered a cut on the head while Lilian Achieng and Esther Adhiambo sustained minor bruises. They were taken to Homa Bay Referral Hospital for treatment.

For the past week we have been traversing various constituencies preaching peace especially to the youths who are the main culprits of violence during campaigns, said Kevin Ouma who leads the campaign team.

It is unfortunate that today we visited Karachuonyo West ward and we have been attacked, he added.

Mr Ouma accused rival politicians from the area for staging the attack.

We want to sent a strong warning to politicians who are fond of using youths to cause chaos during campaigns that this time round we (youths) will not accept, Ouma said.

County police commandant John Omusanga said investigations are ongoing.
Winter in Yosemite is a good time to gather around a fireplace or a communal dinner table, share stories, delicious food and fine wine, and thats just what Rush Creek Lodges Winter Winemaker Weekend is all about. Its also a great way to get to know the winemakers behind the fine wine and make new friends.

Wines from Tres Sabores and Lang & Reed Wine Company were featured at the recently opened lodges Winter Winemaker Weekend series that brings together people who love good food and wine with the people who create it.

Julie Johnson and husband Jon Engelskirger of Tres Sabores joined friends and fellow winemakers John and Tracey Skupny of Lang & Reed Wine Company for an intimate weekend March 3-5, that featured a Friday night reception with wines from both wineries paired with passed hors doeuvres, and a four-course dinner on Saturday, again with wines from both wineries paired with plates prepared by Chef Tony Lemens.

Lemens used in both the reception and the multi-course dinner ingredients from the St. Helena property where Johnson and Engelskirger live. Meyer lemon was used with oysters on Friday, for example. And the first course of Saturdays dinner featured pea shoots and fava leaves from Tres Sabores Ranch on top of confit pork belly, peas and romanesco that was matched with Lang & Reeds 2015 Chenin Blanc.

Its a beautiful wine, Johnson said raising her glass to the Skupnys, saying that the wine has a delicate fresh style.

John Skupny told diners that the wine was inspired by a dinner they had in the Loire Valley where chenin blanc is grown. Skupny fights to preserve, protect and promote varietals like chenin blanc and cabernet franc that live in the Napa Valley shadow of cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

He calls it the revival of the fittest and collaborated three or four years ago with his eldest son, Reed, to develop the chenin blanc because it is slipping away.

The next course featured Tres Sabores guinea hen ragout with strozzapreti, foraged Napa Valley mushrooms, lacinato kale and parmesan cheese, paired with two different vintages  2004 and 2013  of Tres Sabores zinfandel.

Its a restrained style of zin, Johnson said, and its elegance and gracefulness enhance flavors in food. Its beauty is the best explanation for people who question why she grows zinfandel in Rutherford, she said.

The third course, roast duck breast with Swiss chard, baby carrots and celeriac was made with two ingredients from the two different winemakers. It had some Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc and Tres Sabores pomegranate demi-glaze. It was paired with Lang & Reed 2013 Two-Fourteen Cabernet Franc. It is the seventh vintage of the wine named for Clone 214, a fairly rare clone that is grown in a southeastern corner of Napa, Skupny said.

Wine is a complement to food. It should never be bigger than the food or the company you keep, he said.

The final course was evident of more complements of wine to food, and continued compliments to the chef, Lemens and the winemakers by the guests.

The last thing we will celebrate tonight is petite sirah, Johnson said. There aint nothing like petite sirah  there aint nothing petite about petite sirah.

Her Tres Sabores 2013 Petite Sirah was paired with an espresso pot de creme with graham cracker and toasted meringue.

Most of the guests came from within a four- or five-hour drive of the lodge. A group of eight traveled from the Santa Rosa and Windsor area. And a group of four came from Sonora, which is about an hour away.

They found out about the event after a heat wave in the summer when they needed an escape and headed to Yosemite. Rush Creek Lodge, which is a sister property to nearby Evergreen Lodge, sent them an email about the Winemaker Weekend and they decided to check it out.

Well be back, and well invite friends, said Melisa Ramirez of Sonora. Her husband, Kip, is a former home winemaker who has entered and won at judging events such as at the Sacramento State Fair.
American Canyon will be the first community in Napa County to have its Pacific Gas & Electric Company transmission towers stripped of their lead-based paint and repainted with an acrylic-based substitute.

The work will be part of a large-scale project being undertaken by PG&E to remove lead-based paint from thousands of its towers spread across California.

Of PG&Es 46,000 towers located between Bakersfield and the Oregon border, 6,000 of them were once coated with lead-based paint, said Nicole Liebelt with PG&E corporate relations.

Napa County has 328 electric transmission towers, 39 of which were once coated in the toxic paint.

American Canyon has 11 towers with lead paint.

PG&E is dividing the work into two phases, with Phase I focusing on towers located near homes, schools, parks and daycare centers, according to Liebelt.

We are approaching the work in a methodical fashion, Liebelt said. We are focusing our first phase of work on people.

Six towers in American Canyon are slated for stripping and repainting beginning in the fall. Liebelt did not say where the six are located.

The other five towers will be addressed after Phase I is complete, which is expected to take 12-18 months.

PG&Es towers running diagonally through the city, standing above subdivisions like Vintage Ranch as well as shopping centers like Canyon Corners.

Some towers are located on private property, while others are on city or county property.

Liebelt said letters began going out last week to private and public customers that have towers on their land. Other community outreach will include phone calls and, if requested by owners, one-on-one meetings with PG&E representatives.

To remove the lead-based paint, crews will lay down polyethylene plastic sheeting underneath the towers and across a 10-foot radius around the towers, Liebelt said. Crews will remove peeling paint using a tool with an attached vacuum to ensure no paint chips or debris gets into the air. The work is expected to take 3-5 days per tower, she said.

We understand that this work can be impactful, said Liebelt, and we want to make it as least impactful as possible.

She added that it is PG&Es goal to leave the property as we found it, or better.

PG&E stopped using lead-based paint because lead can damage organs when absorbed into the body. It may also lead to behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and death, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Lead-based paint has been used by utility companies as an anti-corrosive measure since the early 20th century and is still used in industrial and commercial settings, Liebelt said. PG&E is taking action now because it wants to be a better company, she said.

Work on the towers is going to begin in April in Fresno. Liebelt said that, although there are towers in other places that might be closer to a school or a park, PG&E must also keep in mind the safety of its workers and their ability to get clearances.

We cant take a clearance (in Fresno) in the middle of August because theyre typically experiencing triple-digit weather, so we had to prioritize that based on the number of towers nearest people and operational work windows, Liebelt said.

Before starting work on a tower, many of which are on private property, surrounding vegetation may have to be trimmed back or cut and it cant be windy or rainy. The tower will also need to be de-energized while crews work, but Liebelt said that it wont affect service to any customers.

So why tell people now? Liebelt said the company wants to make sure people know whats going on and what the process is going to look like.

We want to be sure that were partnering with our customers, she said.

The tower maintenance wont affect service to customers or customers bills, Liebelt said.

PG&E is an environmental leader and an environmental steward that cares about the health and safety of their customers and employees, she said. We want to be a better company and use cleaner and safer materials on all of our facilities including our electric transmission towers.
Chef Cristian Borchi would put the Energizer Bunny to shame. In addition to being the maestro-chef and instructor for the guests of my Lets Go Cook Italian tours, he is the owner of Ristorante Locanda LAntica Porta Levante in Vicchio, Tuscany and the Passaguai Cibo 3 Vino wine and snack bar in nearby Borgo San Lorenzo.

He is also a caterer, a frequent TV guest chef in Italy, an active member of Slow Food-Tuscany, a lecturer on all things culinary in Italy, and a husband and father to two beautiful girls. Stilll, he is always looking for something new and exciting. I am convinced the man never sleeps.

In 2015 Cristian and his lovely wife, Alessandra, came to stay with me in the Napa Valley. His idea? What would it look like to open an authentic Tuscan restaurant in California?

We organized a plan to discover if his Tuscan home-cooking would be well received if he followed his new dream of opening a restaurant here in Napa.

How do you define Tuscan home cooking? To begin, its based on the Italian concept of cucina povera or poor cooking. Simple meals, inexpensive and easily made in large amounts. Hearty food with uncomplicated seasonings and natural flavors that come from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Extra-virgin olive oil reigns, butter is used only occasionally  no vegetable oil or nut oils. Soup is important; Tuscans love soup. Also, unsalted bread, cured meats and Pecorino cheese. Almost all meals end with cantucci, the dipping biscotti.

Cristian had brought along his trusted sous chef, Vangjel Berberi, and together they presented three cooking-class wine dinners at Cedar Gables Inn, where Ken and Susie Pope have offered outstanding visiting chef programs for many years. Each class would prepare four course plus breads. They were all booked within hours.

Janice Ilsley of Ilsley Vineyards provided the wines for dinner. A few years back shed enjoyed a private Lets Go Cook Italian group with family and friends; she and Cristian have been mutual fans ever since.

The guests got lessons in learning to flip savory Italian style crepes (crispelli), as well as Tuscan bread. In addition to traditional antipasti, the meal started with Coccoli servire con formaggio e salsiccia fresca  an Italian street food that was popular in the 1950s. You fry bread dough and serve it hot with Tuscan cheese and fresh sausage.

The next course (prima piatti) was Salato crespelle farcitec con salsa bechamel, the crepes the class had made, stuffed and served with a Bechamel sauce.

The secondi piatti was an ancient Tuscan recipe for chicken, with a long name: Medaglioni di pollo farciti alla Toscana con salsa di aglio e pesto alla Toscana contorno di patate allantica. Translated, its medallions of chicken stuffed with Tuscan garlic sauce served with a pesto potato side dish.

Dessert was a Tuscan-style pear cake with saffron.

One of my favorites comments from one of the classes came from Bob Cahn, a gentleman from Marin whose wife had brought him to the class. This is fun! he exclaimed as he kneaded bread and flipped crepes.

We also went to one of my favorite places in Napa, Frati Gelato Cafe, where the wonderful owner, Anthony LuPriori, served as Cristians assistant in preparing a four-course dinner of Pumpkin Sformato (a kind of Italian souffle), Ribollita, the hearty Tuscan soup; lasgagne; chicken cacciatore and fried lamb fillet with creamy polenta, fresh bread and extra virgin olive oil gelato. This dinner also sold out in one day, with a lengthy wait list. And if the standing ovation by the 35 locals who enjoyed dinner was any indication, Cristians dishes were a hit. The only question they had for him, When are you coming back?

Another sold-out event was a cooking class and dinner at Silverado Kitchen, organized in cooperation with Napa Slow Food. Its not often that you see local chefs and Italian restaurant owners openly taking a cooking class from another chef, but they did.

Cristians grand finale event was a seven-course (eight, if you count dessert) luncheon at Cline Cellars for a group of 40 VIPs including a contingency from their Italian wine brand group.

Shopping for each of these activities was quite an education for Cristian. The price of our meats is far less than what one would pay in Italy, but he was shocked by the cost of our produce, even at the chain stores. I know that when we cook together in Italy, the produce is stellar in quality, freshness and size  and roughly half the price of what we pay here. The prices at local specialty markets around town gave Cristian agida  Italian-American slang for heartburn. And what we pay for imported Italian cheeses made him roll his eyes and shake his head.

When he wasnt cooking, we were touring our local Italian and Italianesque dining establishments. Really, its important work. When youre thinking about opening a restaurant in a place as competitive as Napa Valley, one has to perform their due diligence. Cristian and Vangjel were on a sampling mission and it was fun to watch the faces of our servers when the guys would order several appetizers, several entrees and ask for them to all be served at once. Servers would glance at me, I would just nod and smile; the servers would shake their heads and then we just waited for the line of servers with plates heading for our table. It was equally fun to watch other diners try to slyly take photos of what was happening at our table. We never explained; we just enjoyed the looks of confusion.

What were their absolute favorite new things to eat in the U.S.? The French dip beef sandwich at Rutherford Grill and the fried oyster sandwich at Fremont Diner. They still talk about these discoveries. We tried other beef dip sandwiches during our time together, but none compared to the one they had at Rutherford Grill. I would not be surprised if Cristian has recreated this at home in Tuscany.

One question I got a lot was: Whats it like to have two Italian chefs as house guests for two weeks? Did I cook for them? Yes, I did; and Cristians favorite was chili and homemade cornbread, especially the cornbread.

And after cooking for hours, they liked to find the nearest pub and drink beer and listen to music. Downtown Joes became our after work haunt. Nobody slept much.

Was it a success and would a Cristian Borchi restaurant be successful in Napa Valley? Well, based on the reaction of guests at his dinners, I think the answer would be a resounding, yes. Ive lost count of the number of people whove asked me, When is he coming back?

In the meantime, you can still cook with Cristian or visit his restaurant in Tuscany as part of Lets Go Cook Italian this year. Wed love to share the kitchen with you. If you love truffles, I suggest you plan your visit for the fall group, when we take the group to his restaurant in Vicchio for our annual multi course truffle dinner.
Napa Police announced the arrest of a 25-year-old man in connection with the reported sexual assault of a woman Monday evening.

Officers were sent to Pine Street at 5:49 p.m. following reports of the attack and detained Lester Morris Ivy, a transient, according to a news release.

Detectives learned Ivy, who had been selling magazines door to door, entered the victim's home uninvited, sexually assaulted her and threatened her, police said. The woman was hospitalized and later released, according to the department.

Ivy was booked into the Napa County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail for investigation of sexual battery, burglary and making a criminal threat.

Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact police Detective Pat Wilson at 707-257-9388 or pwilson@cityofnapa.org.
Napa County supervisors and county leaders threw ideas by the dozens against the wall and now theyll see which ones stick.

Everything stuck initially, given that the leaders used sticky notes. They jotted down what they saw as the countys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats during Mondays opening session of a county government retreat.

Strengths? The agricultural preserve. A balanced budget. Good labor relations. Dedicated county employees. A collaborative culture.

Threats and weaknesses? State-imposed housing development numbers. Global warming. Napas economy being too dependent on wine. Pension and health care costs. Too many needs, too little money. Outdated equipment.

Opportunities? Using rail lines for transportation. Measure T transportation tax money kicking in during 2018. Self-driving vehicles. Use of technology, and lots more.

County Board of Supervisors Chairman Alfredo Pedroza started the retreat at 8:30 a.m. by addressing the countys leadership team of about 25 people in the Napa Valley College community room.

I think its important to note, were not doing this because the county is in a crisis, Pedroza said. We have a stable organization that has had balanced budgets and a strong local economy. I think its more about articulating our vision as the Board.

That still-developing vision could end up being expansive. The county oversees everything from rural land use to health and social services to criminal justice functions.

If you think about the pot of gold at the end of rainbow  thats the vision, consultant Gary Hochman told county leaders.

With that, county leaders went searching for gold. They unleashed a torrent of ideas, possible visions and governmental self-analysis, all mixed in with the occasional joke and bite of bagel.

How supervisors will turn what amounted to a brainstorming session into a coherent, written action plan remains to be seen. Follow-up sessions are scheduled for April 24 and May 22.

To hear this today really feels like a team, county Executive Officer Leanne Link said as the first session neared an end.

But several members of the public didnt feel like part of the team. They sat in the back of the room, mere observers for the four-hour effort.

The publics turn is coming. The HR Matrix consulting firm will hold five community sessions in coming weeks so residents can describe their visions for Napa County.

Well bring that input into here so that (it) will infuse our next session, Hochman said. Well have the publics voice in the room as well.

Public sessions will be held at:

 6:30 p.m. March 23 at McPherson Elementary School, 2670 Yajome St. in Napa;

10 a.m. March 25 at American Canyon High School cafeteria, 3000 Newell Dr. in American Canyon;

 6 p.m. March 28 at Calistoga Community Center, 1307 Washington St. in Calistoga;

 6 p.m. March 30 at Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School, 1316 Hillview Place in St. Helena

 6 p.m. April 3 at Yountville Elementary School, 6554 Yount St. in Yountville.

The Board of Supervisors last held a retreat in 2012. Goals resulting from that effort included renovating the Health and Human Services campus on Old Sonoma Road and the ongoing effort to build a new jail.

Subsequently, the board decided to move Health and Human Services to a new location in south Napa.

This story has been modified with a new date for the Yountville session.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said Tuesday that FBI Director James Comey promised to tell him Wednesday whether the FBI is investigating ties between Russia and the campaign of President Donald Trump.

The Rhode Island Democrat said that Comey made the promise in a March 2 meeting with him and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina.

According to Whitehouse, Comey assured them he would confirm if an investigation exists "and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to at that point say that there was one."

Whitehouse and Graham both asked the Justice Department last week to provide any evidence that would support Trump's claims that former President Barack Obama wiretapped Trump Tower. The two are leading one of three Congressional investigations into Russia's interference in the US elections.

The FBI has not responded to a CNN request for comment on whether Comey will respond by Wednesday.

Graham expressed frustration Tuesday that the Trump administration has not yet provided any evidence of wiretapping and said he plans go "tough" on the administration during Wednesday's hearing.

The White House has vacillated on Trump's claims in the last two days. Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Monday that Trump did not mean literally that Obama had him wiretapped. But on Tuesday, Spicer said Trump was "extremely confident" he would be vindicated by the evidence.

"I think there's significant reporting about surveillance techniques that existed throughout the 2016 election," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said, without providing any examples.

"He feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him," Spicer said.

Democrats from the Senate Intelligence Committee -- whose investigation is separate from the one Graham and Whitehouse are a part of with the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- said Tuesday they doubt Trump has evidence he was wiretapped, but the issue could easily be settled.

"It can all be put to bed with one phone call," said Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, before heading into a hearing of the group Tuesday afternoon. "I have seen absolutely no evidence of President Trump's claim about President Obama."

Warner said he expects the first public hearing from the Senate Intelligence Committee on Russia later this month. The Virginia Democrat said he wanted to hear from Roger Stone, a former Trump adviser whose contact with "Guccifer 2.0"-- the online persona who claims responsibility for hacking the Democratic National Committee -- also had Sen. John McCain wanting to question him.

"If we are investigating Russian interference, here is someone who has acknowledged that he has been in contact with the Russians," Warner said of Stone.

Stone has described his contact with Guccifer as limited to a "brief exchange with him on Twitter" and any suggestion otherwise, he told CNN, is "a fabrication."

The House Intelligence Committee scheduled its first hearing for Monday, and has invited a slate of current and former intelligence chiefs to testify.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr said Monday that he has asked the "appropriate people" for information about Trump's wiretap claims and said their answers have been "sufficient."

But Senate Democrats on the Intelligence Committee said they have not seen any evidence yet.

"I've heard nothing. But I'm strongly of the opinion there was no wiretapping," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a veteran member of the panel.

Warner also said he was not satisfied with the response to requests for information from the administration, saying, "I'm not sure why this is taking any time."

CNN's Gloria Borger contributed to this report.
Deloris Burgess, in her March 11 letter to the editor (Keep the Electoral College), defends the Electoral College because it suppresses the effect of liberal California voters. I admire her candor, since most defenses of the Electoral College claim non-partisan practical benefits to the whole nation, rather than benefits for one political party or ideology.

Ms. Burgesss defense of Electoral College limitations of the peoples will is a reasonable and traditional position. Rather a lot of people, though not many Americans, believe that democracy is dangerous, and that the One True Political Party is justified in scale-tipping elections against the dangerously wrong party.

Her defense of the Electoral College is also admirably benign, considering that some people around the world who want to thwart the will of the people simply kill opponents. ISIS, North Korea, Zimbabwe, etc., do not believe in one-person-one-vote, unless that one person is the infallible leader.

My own preference is for national elections to be decided by the popular vote, not the Electoral College. Why should four or five swing states have all the power? Both parties distort their campaigns to pander to those states, while ignoring uncontested states like California and Mississippi.

As Ms. Burgess herself says, The rest of the the USA would also like to have a voice in the election. Eliminating the Electoral College would accomplish that. Why shouldnt Republicans have to campaign in California, and Democrats have to campaign in Alabama? That would be more fun to watch than a candidates twentieth rally speech in Ohio. Votes should be earned, not suppressed.

All of the very finest dictatorships have successfully suppressed wrong-thinking citizens. And I am old enough to remember arguments in Georgia against the Voting Rights Act, arguments based on the fear that fully democratic elections were too dangerous because the people could not be trusted to vote right, no matter how much was spent on campaign ads.

Because Ms. Burgesss position is based on her concern for the welfare of the Republican Party, her support of the Electoral College would likely reverse if small states like Wyoming and Mississippi ever went liberal.

That change seems unlikely, but it could happen, given a few years of Donald Trump blunders and scandals, more broken campaign promises, the GOPs acknowledged abandonment of efforts to reduce the debt, a taxpayer- funded border wall, corporations' opposition to trade barriers, anger about Trumpcare, renewed Wall Street impunity, business anger at chaotic and impulsive executive orders, and some recent judicial setbacks to voter suppression and gerrymandering in red-state America.

Everyone who supports the suppression of liberalism can take comfort knowing that Californias citizens are already largely disenfranchised in the Senate. Six former Confederate states whose combined populations are less than Californias send 12 senators to Washington, compared to Californias two. That is a great system, if you prefer legacy Confederate thinking to contemporary California thinking.

Both national political parties seem reprehensible to me, but I am glad that Ms. Burgess and others are politically involved, as the parties should not be left to professionals. Perhaps the best way for Ms. Burgess to protect the GOP from liberals is to persuade more Californians that the Republicans flawed version of conservatism is better than the Democrats flawed version of liberalism. That might not be an easy task, without alternative facts and a big budget, but engaging with other-thinking voters seems to me to be a core civic responsibility.

When I moved to Napa, I was pleased to be told that voters paid little attention to local candidates party affiliations. I have since moved from Napa, but I still admire those Napa voters who care less about party affiliation than about officials ability to look beyond party and ideology when confronted with complex issues like development, jobs, housing, taxes, traffic, and the environment.

Stephan Sossaman

West Hollywood
Authorities identify man killed in Napa Police shooting

Authorities have identified the man who was shot and killed by Napa Police Monday evening after a reported knife-wielding outburst.

Noel Aaron Russell, a 23-year-old transient based in Napa, died in the confrontation with two police officers in a parking lot north of the Home Depot on Kansas Avenue, according to Lt. Jon Crawford of the Napa County Sheriffs Office.

An autopsy by the county Coroners Division was scheduled for Wednesday. In addition to the physical findings from the autopsy, a toxicology report could require as long as six weeks, Crawford said Tuesday afternoon.

Also on Tuesday, authorities said that Russell had been menacing drivers and pedestrians shortly before the fatal confrontation with officers.

Police were called to the scene at 6:21 p.m. after several callers reported a man outside the Home Depot, holding a knife and attacking shoppers in the South Napa Marketplace parking lot, police Capt. Jennifer Gonzales said in a news release.

Napa Police officers arrived to find Russell in a parking annex on the opposite, north side of Kansas Avenue, where they drew their service weapons and ordered him to get on the ground, according to Gonzales.

Russell did not drop down and instead turned his aggression toward the officers, who then shot him, she wrote. He received medical assistance but died at the scene.
The St. Helena City Council has appointed seven community members to the new committee that will review the citys water and wastewater rate study and possibly recommend changes to the approved rates.

On Tuesday the council appointed Doug Cutting, Christopher Dann, Joel Gott, Lester Hardy, Bonnie Long, Mark Smithers and Tom Vence to the Ad Hoc Utility Rate Committee. Tom Belt, Pat Dell, Seth Goldfarb, Paul Kass, Peter McCrea and Jack Stuart had also applied for the committee.

The groups first meeting hasnt been scheduled, and wont be held until the council meets on March 28 to discuss the committees task in more detail.

In other action

 The council had a moment of silence in memory of Juan Diaz, who died March 3 after 26 years of city employment, mostly in the water department.

 The council authorized staff to execute a contract of up to $45,665 with the nonprofit Bread of Life to organize retreats aimed at helping councilmembers work with one another and improve communication with the public.

Consultant Jean Holsten outlined a series of meetings over the next year with the council, city staff and the public. Mayor Alan Galbraith was skeptical that the process could comply with the Brown Act, the states open meetings law, but City Attorney Tom Brown said other councils have successfully conducted team-building exercises that are legal and open to the public.

 The council authorized staff to enter into a Reciprocal Services Agreement in which the cities of St. Helena and Calistoga could use each others building inspectors on an as-needed basis.

The agreement would allow each building inspector to fill in for their counterpart if the other is unavailable due to illness, personal leave or other short-term absence. The Calistoga City Council approved the plan in February.

St. Helenas last building inspector, Darrell Mayes, recently left St. Helena to work for Napa. Interwest Consulting Group is providing local building inspections while the city recruits a new full-time inspector.

 At the request of Councilmember Geoff Ellsworth, the council asked city staff to draft a letter to the county expressing general concern about the potential proliferation of heliports around Napa County, and to consider St. Helenas own heliport policies as part of an upcoming review of the citys zoning ordinances.

Ellsworth wanted the city to go on record as the county considers a request by Christian Palmaz to build a heliport on Mount George east of Napa. Councilmembers agreed to send a letter expressing general concern, but said they should gather more evidence before taking a strong position.
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The NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg will visit Copenhagen on Thursday, 16 and Friday, 17 March 2017.

Mr. Stoltenberg will have a private audience with Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II.

He will also meet with the Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Lars Lkke Rasmussen, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Anders Samuelsen, and the Minister of Defence, H.E. Mr. Claus Hjort Frederiksen.

Mr. Stoltenberg will also have a joint meeting with the Members of the Foreign Policy and Defence Committees of the Danish Parliament.

Media Advisory

Friday, 17 March

15:00 Secretary Generals joint press point with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark  Christiansborg Castle

The joint press point will be webstreamed live on www.stm.dk

Still and video imagery of the visit will be available from the NATO website after the events.

Follow us on Twitter (@NATOPress and @jensstoltenberg).
Saturday, March 11, 2017 by: Jayson Veley Tags: California , earthquake , natural disasters This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) Should Californians start preparing for a potentially massive earthquake thats looming on the horizon? Going by data presented in a recent study, it may be a good idea, if not now then at least some time in the not so distant future.

The study shows how a 7.4 tremblor could potentially rupture underneath Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties, producing an earthquake that would be 30 times more powerful than the 6.4 magnitude quake of 1933 in Long Beach, which claimed the lives of 120 people.

But reaching the status of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake would not necessarily be easy. Indeed, certain circumstances would have to be in place to bring about a natural disaster of such epic proportions. Besides rupturing the Newport-Inglewood fault in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the quake would also have to impact the Rose Canyon fault system. The fault system, which hasnt been ruptured since roughly 1650, runs entirely through downtown San Diego. (RELATED: What caused Oklahomas recent record-breaking earthquake?)

Valerie Sahakian, the lead author of the study, explained that these two fault zones are actually one continuous fault zone. Sahakian wrote the study while working towards her doctorate degree at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. She is now a research geophysicist working with the U.S. Geological Survey. (RELATED: Scientists warn that massive earthquakes may be right around the corner.)

While scientists in the past have reported that the gaps between the two faults reached as far as 3 miles apart, this new study indicates that the gaps are actually much closer at 1.25 miles apart. Sahakian explained that this is the reason the two faults are actually characterized as one continuous fault.

Caltech seismologist Egill Hauksson said that even though there was already an existing consensus that the two faults were actually one, we now have real evidence that this is the case.

Because of the geographic location of the faults on a map, it was very difficult to prove this to be true. So in the year 2013, Scripps researchers traveled out in boats and spent over 100 days collecting data. In the end, they were able to create a rather detailed map of the sea floor using technology that is similar to sonar used by submarines.

While the study serves as a horrifying reminder that San Diego and Orange County could one day be destroyed by a massive earthquake, the chances that it will happen anytime soon are slim. In our lifetime, the chances of a tremblor on the Newport-Inglewood/Rose Canyon fault are less than the chances of a tremblor on the southern San Andreas Fault.

So while Californians are safe from a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake for now, the information presented in this study is still worth taking into consideration.

Sources

LAtimes.com

OnlineLibrary.Wiley.com
Saturday, March 11, 2017 by: Jayson Veley Tags: cremation , India , Rachna Sisodia , Sharda hospital This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) When loved ones die, there are multiple ways that people choose to immortalize them. The most common way, of course, is to bury the deceased friend or relative inside of a coffin with a tombstone resting on the surface. Another unique process, which is relatively new, involves using the body as fertilizer to grow a tree, symbolizing rebirth and eternal life. More commonly, people choose to cremate their loved ones, often storing their ashes in an urn or some type of locket. (RELATED: You wont believe what this Washington group proposes we do with the dead.)

No one would ever expect the cremation process to go wrong; typically, its very smooth and peaceful. Unfortunately, for 24-year-old Rachna Sisodia, that may not have been the case.

Rachna Sisodia was a student who was declared dead on February 25 at Sharda hospital in northern India. She died as a result of a lung infection. (RELATED: Learn how to treat respiratory tract infections with everyday foods and spices.)

Sisodias husband, 23-year-old Devesh Chaudhary, drove her body to a funeral pyre two hours away to begin the cremation process. However, police quickly arrived on the scene and pulled Sisodias body out of the fire after it was revealed that she might have still been alive.

A post-mortem found that Rachna had ash in her respiratory tract, and a second post-mortem revealed that the cause of death was shock caused by being burnt alive. Clearly, a mistake was made at the hospital when Rachna was falsely pronounced dead.

A hospital spokesperson explained what had happened to the Hindustan Times. This happens when someone is burnt alive, the spokesperson said. The particles go inside with the breath. If a person is dead, such particles cannot reach the lungs and windpipe. So the doctors concluded that the woman was burnt alive on the pyre. Medics at Sharda hospital strongly disagreed with the explanation, insisting that Sisodia did in fact die at the hospital.

The doctor who conducted the post-mortem, Dr. Pankaj Mishra, told the Times of India that he couldnt be one hundred percent sure that the body itself was actually Sisodias, due to the fact that it was burnt to the point where it was nearly unidentifiable.

Devesh Chaudhary told the media that he thinks he is being framed for his wifes murder.

Even though the medics at Sharda hospital insist that the 24-year-old was officially dead at the hospital, and even though Dr. Mishra was unable to say for certain whether the body he performed the post-mortem on was Sisodias, the mere thought of a young woman being accidentally burnt alive is a terrifying one. Regardless of how she died, though, may her family find comfort and may she rest in peace.

Sources:

Telegraph.co.uk

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com
(Natural News) The new Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, Scott Pruitt, recently stated that he does not believe carbon dioxide plays a primary role in global warming. This belief, of course, lies in stark contrast with the EPAs public stance.

Pruitt, formally the Attorney General for the state of Oklahoma, has become known for his strident criticism of the EPA, which is what perhaps makes him the perfect leader for such an organization. During his tenure as Attorney General, Pruitt filed suit against the EPA several times, most notably for the agencys contentious climate control regulations on power plants and their water regulation efforts.

Fortunately, so far it seems that Pruitt will not be changing his tune just because hes in charge now.

In a recent interview with CNBCs Squawk Box, Pruitt stated, I think that measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do and theres tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact, so no, I would not agree that its a primary contributor to the global warming that we see.

But we dont know that yet. We need to continue the debate and continue the review and the analysis, he continued.

Pruitts statements do not align with the EPAs current public stance. The agencys webpage on climate change declares, Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent climate change.

Unsurprisingly, Pruitt has been heavily criticized for his beliefs. Hawaiis Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, co-chair of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, even went so far as to say that anyone who doesnt believe the so-called basic facts about climate change is unqualified to lead the EPA.

But yet, there are plenty of facts that show Pruitt is correct, and that carbon dioxide really isnt the driving force behind climate change at all.

Writing for The Federalist, Robert Tracinski explains that climate is a very complex system that has hundreds of variables at play, and that any assertion of cause and effect is nothing more than someones interpretation of data. And according to Tracinski, there is plenty of reason to be skeptical of the belief that carbon dioxide is the one greenhouse gas that causes climate change above all others. He notes that carbon dioxide is not, in fact, the most powerful greenhouse gas. Water vapor, for example, is far more capable of retaining heat and releasing it back into the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. This, Tracinski explains, is because water vapor is better at absorbing radiation from the infrared spectrum  which is then released as heat.

Thats why all of the climate theories that project runaway global warming use water vapor to juice up the relatively small impact of carbon dioxide itself, Tracinski writes. This feedback loop is used to display how carbon dioxide increases temperature, which then increases the atmospheric water vapor content and leads to further increase in temperature. To put it simply, models of carbon dioxides effects rely on other greenhouse gases to amplify its effects.

Additionally, there are many variables within such models that are simply unknown. For example, increased water vapor means more clouds. Clouds offer a reflective, cooling effect that can counteract warming, but how much counteraction they are capable of is essentially unknown. This presents a huge conundrum within a commonly accepted, yet poorly understood, belief about climate change  and climate science as a whole. Basically, there are no facts, only hypotheses based on individual data interpretation.

There are in fact many theories surrounding climate change, though only those that have been adopted by the mainstream get the privilege of being regaled as facts instead of hypotheses.

Recently, it even came to light that The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had published fake data on global warming, in an attempt to claim that the slowdown of global warming indicated by a U.N. report never existed. And in 2013, NASAs Langley Research Center compiled data that indicated carbon dioxide was actually helping to cool the atmosphere, rather than warming it up. The results of their data contradicted the NASA climatology divisions previous claims on the subject.

The field of climate science is actually rife with contradiction, and to put it simply, there are no basic facts on climate change  there are commonly accepted theories, which are often misconstrued as facts.

Sources:

CNBC.com

NaturalNews.com
This milestone marks the first international delivery of Lockheed Martin Canada's combat management system, CMS 330, product line, initially developed for Canada's Department of National Defence and then modified for the Royal New Zealand Navy with Canada's support.



CMS 330 and Lockheed Martin Canada's combat system integration capability are proving performance everyday on Canada's modernized HALIFAX class frigates and the record of success continues to generate international attention as an attractive solution for both new ships and mid-life upgrades.



Thanks to the expertise of its engineers, scientists and computer programmers, Lockheed Martin Canada was the only Canadian company to pre-qualify as a combat systems integrator for the upcoming Canadian Surface Combatant program. The company was also selected as the command and surveillance integrator for Canada's new fleet of Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships.
The first Type 035G of the PLAN was laid down at the Wuchang Shipyard in 1988 and commissioned two years later. 12 units were built, with six olded Type 035s that were retrofitted to the same level.



This variant is derived from the Soviet Project 633: It measures 76 meters long, 7.6 meters wide, and displaces slightly more than 2,000 tons while submerged. It is equipped with a French low frequency passive sonar DUUX-5 and coated with anechoic tiles to improve its acoustic characteristics. According to the Bangladesh Navy press release, these submarines can perform a number of other special tasks, like reconnaissance and special forces delivery, as well. Through induction of these two submarines, the capability of Bangladesh Navy to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the newly established sea area of the country will increase significantly.



It should be noted that the Bangladesh Navy is equipped with several ships manufactured in China. Apart from the second hand frigates - a Type 053H1 and two Type 053H2 - it also received two new C13B corvettes in 2015 that are derived from the Type 056 of the Chinese Navy.
MELBOURNE, Florida  Earlier today, members of the Brevard County Sheriffs Office, Economic Crimes Task Force arrested 32-year-old Christie Burkey Hunt at her residence located at 1382 Vestavia Circle in Melbourne, Florida.

Agents charged Hunt with crimes committed under the Florida Money Laundering Act. Hunt was taken to the Brevard County Jail where she is being held under $940,000 bond. The investigation was initiated in early April of this year after the Task Force received a complaint from Hunts former employer.



Investigators say that Hunt, while working as the office manager for a Medical Group operating in Titusville, Florida, allegedly embezzled over $650,000.00 over a two-year period. Investigators also say that evidence demonstrated that Hunt diverted funds from the business into shell corporations under her name, as well as opened and used credit cards and lines of credit without permission of the owners.





Hunt allegedly used the money to rent an upscale home, buy furnishings and electronics as well as the purchase of two 2014 Audi Q7 automobiles. At the time of Hunts arrest, members of the Economic Crimes Unit served a search warrant at her residence and seized property and vehicles from the home that are believed to have been the proceeds of her alleged illegal enterprise.

This Task Force concept is making an incredible difference in the way Brevard investigates Identity theft and fraud related cases, Sheriff Wayne Ivey stated. I cant thank the participating agencies enough for providing such valuable resources to combat this worldwide type of devastating crime.



The Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriffs Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department and a staff attorney from the State Attorneys Office. Leading this investigation for the Task Force was Detective Sara Kane of the Titusville Police Department.




TITUSVILLE, Florida  A 34-year-old Brevard County woman was convicted for embezzling over $500,000 from her employer.

Christie Burkey Hunt of Melbourne, Florida was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for grand theft by Circuit Court Judge Robin Lemonidis. The Court also ordered Hunt to serve two years on community control after release followed by thirteen years of probation. Hunt entered into a plea on November 17, 2016. Restitution in the amount of $100,000.00 was made at sentencing followed by an additional $300,000.00 court ordered payments of $1,700.00 a month by Hunt.

The investigation was initiated after the Sheriffs Economic Crimes Task Force received a complaint from Hunts former employer. The investigation revealed that Hunt, while working as the office manager for a medical group operating in Titusville, embezzled over $500,000 over a two-year period. Evidence demonstrated that Hunt diverted funds from the business into shell corporations under her name, as well as opened and used credit cards and lines of credit without permission of the owners.

Hunt used the money to rent an upscale home, buy furnishings and electronics as well as the purchase of two 2014 Audi Q7 automobiles. At the time of Hunts arrest, members of the Economic Crimes Unit served a search warrant at her residence and seized property and vehicles from the home purchased with the proceeds of her illegal enterprise.

I am very proud of everyone involved in this investigation, the Task Force was created for these types of crimes and the sentence by the Honorable Circuit Judge Robin Lemonidis sends a very strong message to those who prey on our citizens, said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

The Brevard County Sheriffs Office Economic Crimes Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Sheriffs Office, Titusville Police Department, Melbourne Police Department, Cocoa Police Department and the State Attorneys Office. The case agent for this investigation was Detective Sara Macskassy of the Titusville Police Department.
COCOA, Florida  A restructured contract for the city of Cocoas landscaping services is now being

used to help convicted felons rehabilitate and reenter society as productive, contributing individuals.

The City has partnered with Alternative Behavioral Services (ABS) managed by the Celebration Tabernacle Church in Cocoa to maintain City landscapes using the labor resources of convicted felons reentering society. The program, which began in February 2016, has so far helped nearly two dozen felony offenders successfully transition from prison back into the community.

Pastor Errol Beckford of Celebration Tabernacle Church calls it a powerful crime reduction program. One of the reasons men commit crime is lack of opportunity; lack of jobs, Beckford said. The reentry program provides that. It provides that without discriminating against what they do or what they did, they have a chance to come back and to give back to society in a practical way and get paid for it.

The idea originates back to the 2014 Crime Awareness and Prevention Summit held by Cocoa Mayor, Henry Parrish III. Members of the community and distinguished panel members discussed the impact prior offenders were having on the Cocoa community and the lack of opportunity to re-enter society. The discussion was continued at the community-based committee level during the development of the Citys five-year strategic plan. Born out of this process was a program that would support prior offenders basic needs to ensure a continued life of crime would not continue.

In addition to meaningful work and a purpose in community the offenders are also required to obtain their GED, attend financial literacy classes and attend church.

Among the success stories is Tommy Dixon, 54, a convicted felon released from prison in April, 2016 after serving time for felony traffic offenses. Dixon said he couldnt find a job anywhere until he heard about ABS.

It was hard, Dixon said. I kept applying places and they kept saying I was a felon. They dont take felons. But I heard about ABS and they helped me out a lot. They gave me a chance to prove myself and I did. Dixon worked in the program for about six months when he landed a better, higher paying job at a private sector company in Rockledge. Im proof this program works, he added. I feel like Im on top of the world. I feel much better, more productive to society now and I just feel great about myself.

Frank Mirabito is with the City of Cocoas Parks and Grounds Division. Mirabito is tasked with implementing the contract between the city and ABS. Instead of contracting with inmates from outside the county, were hiring people from within the community to take care of the community, Mirabito explained. This is a good opportunity for them to get some job training and experience to build a resume and to prove to future employers that they can stay out of trouble and not reoffend. Tommy Dixon is a perfect example of how this program works.

We all want the same thing, Pastor Beckford noted. We all want crime to go down because we cant lock our way out of it. This is one way crime will go down.

The Citys contract with ABS was renewed and expanded for this year and is funded through the Citys general revenue fund and dedicates $77,497 for the program. The funds pay for personnel for jobs that involve maintaining City-owned property and right-of-way locations throughout the city.

The City works with ABS to process applications, place candidates in available positions and provide logistical support for the landscaping operations.

We hope to see the program expand to include partnerships with additional local governments and continue to see this program feed into our local private sector companies, said Assistant City Manager Matt Fuhrer. It is going to take all of us collectively working together to make significant positive impacts in our community.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7TCUazgPwU]
Nitzan Gilady marked his feature film debut in 2015, and opened the door to his current role as filmmaker in residence at Emory Colleges Department of Film and Media Studies this semester. And, for the next two months, Emory Cinematheque will screen five of Giladys films, with the director on hand to introduce his work and answer questions after each showing.

I am a big believer of learning through both observation and practice, says Gilady, who has 18 years of experience as a senior lecturer at Israels Holon Institute of Technology.

I am interested in giving a voice to those who are silent and those who we don't hear, to expose the unknown, discover hidden affairs and let the camera face the people we don't normally see, he adds.

Gilady spent 16 years working as a documentary filmmaker  chronicling family, religion and politics in Israel  before writing and directing the film Wedding Doll.

Matthew Bernstein, chair of Emory's film and media studies department, saw the movie at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The department had just completed a residency with Israeli filmmaker Eran Riklis in 2015, during which Emory students collaborated with Riklis to shoot a short film, when the Israeli Institute of International Education approached him about hosting Gilady.

Wedding Doll was my favorite of the narrative fiction films at the 2016 AJFF, Bernstein says. Its subtle, quietly observant and deeply moving. Nitzans compassion shines through the film.

Gilady initially wanted to become an actor and trained at New Yorks Circle in the Square Theatre. His move to directing documentaries garnered attention for tackling complex social topics.

His residency exposes Emory students to a passionate advocate of untold stories. Students in his course, Designing the Reality in Israeli Documentary Film, examine Israeli films and must also create a short documentary as their final project.

My goal is to take them through the same experience I went through when I made my first film. I am trying to sharpen the way they look at reality, turning their eyes into a camera lens, Gilady says.

He also advises young filmmakers to indulge their nascent creative impulses and embrace the freedom that an educational setting provides.

This is the time to take risks, to explore, and more than anything, to remember to enjoy the process of creation, Gilady says.

Emory students and the Atlanta community can immerse themselves in Giladys award-winning work during the Emory Cinematheque weekly film series starting March 15.

The screenings begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. All screenings are in White Hall room 205, with the exception of Wedding Doll, which will be screened in White Hall room 208.

The schedule for the free events is as follows:

March 15: Wedding Doll

March 22: The Last Enemy

March 29: In Satmar Custody

April 5: Jerusalem Is Proud To Present

April 12: Family Time
Brent Strawn does not seem like a scholar of ancient texts. The professor of Old Testament at Emorys Candler School of Theology is firmly rooted in the present, moving between graduate courses in Hebrew exegesis, to guest lectures at local churches, to serving as resident religion expert for national news media.

Strawn speaks more than one religious language, but he came to realize that one particular language, the Bibles Old Testament, may be headed for extinction. His latest book, The Old Testament is Dying: A Diagnosis and Recommended Treatment, documents the decline of the Old Testament among Christians and other groups, the consequences of that and what might be done to counter it.

While some might not think of the Old Testament as a language, Strawn says that it functions like one. The Old Testament, like any other piece of literature or art  is, or at least can be, a way of constructing reality, a way of understanding the world, a way of perceiving all that is, including ourselves," he explains

Strawns thesis struck him while teaching a group of elderly Christians at a local church. When he asked what he thought was a fairly simple question about an Old Testament reference, the class admitted they didnt know the answer

You know a language is in peril and dying if only the elderly speak it, says Strawn. But when even the elderly cant speak it anymore, the language dies.

And if the Old Testament dies, the New Testament will not be far behind it, Strawn writes in the books first chapter. I believe that the data show that it is the language of scripture as a whole  not just that of the Old Testament  that is seriously threatened.

As part of his diagnosis, Strawn looked at data from the widely reported 2010 study on religious literacy in the U.S. by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The study revealed that large swaths of religious people  including Christians  are quite uninformed about even the most rudimentary details of their religion.

Strawn attributes at least some of this illiteracy not only to the failure of religious education of various sorts to inform the faithful, but also to deficient worship practices. He investigated sermon collections from the 20th century, mainline hymnals published since 1985 and the Revived Common Lectionary.

All reveal that the Old Testament is at a serious disadvantage, and is in fact in decline, or worse, he says

Atheists and 'happiologists'

With that in mind, its not surprising that Strawn finds that public discourse on the Bible also demonstrates its morbidity  from sources as diverse as New Atheist writers such as Richard Dawkins, to prosperity gospel gurus such as Joel Osteen.

The way the Old Testament is talked about among New Atheists is emblematic of its decline, says Strawn. He explains that among atheist writers such as Dawkins, Old Testament language has become pidginized, a phenomenon where two language groups come together. In order to facilitate communication between the two, speakers develop a greatly reduced language called a pidgin, as in pidgin English.

New Atheists speak a pidginized version of the Bible; they get some parts right, but what they lack is the full language, says Strawn. If one is more fluent in the Bible, however, these arguments are simplistic and lacking awareness, but if you dont know the full language, you cant respond.

People who disparage the Bible typically only know the parts they dislike. But its equally true that some people love the Bible inappropriately  they only know their favorite parts, says Strawn. He uses the term happiologists to describe prosperity gospel adherents who cling to some parts of scripture while ignoring others.

For happiologists such as Osteen, the issue is not pidginization, but creolization, says Strawn

Creolization is when a pidgin language grows up, mostly by acquiring native speakers, says Strawn. In the case of the happiologists, they get some parts of the Bible right, but they have expanded those bits and pieces to become the entire language  at the expense of all the other parts. The new version is a new language, related to the original, sure, but at least two steps removed from the original, he says

You begin with a reduction of selected parts of scripture, then create a whole new language around that, says Strawn. So, according to the happiologists, if you have faith or say this or do that, then automatically spiritual blessings have to happen.

This just isnt the case in the Bible at all, he says. All you have to know is the Book of Job to disprove virtually everything the happiologists promise.

Consequences and how to counter them

Strawn says the loss of scriptural fluency has three predictable results. Stunted language learners either:

leave faith behind altogether;

remain Christian, but look to other resources for how to live their lives; or

balkanize in communities that prefer to speak something akin to baby talk  a pidgin-like form of the Old Testament and Bible as a whole  or, worse still, some sort of creole.

But whichever option is chosen, Strawn says, the invariable end is that the language of scripture dies. And that has profound ramifications for Christian faith writ large.

Strawns most chilling example of the consequences of Old Testament decline can be found in 20th century Germany and the anti-Semitic ravings of Adolf Hitler.

The Nazis were able to enjoy success among German Christian groups in part because of widespread Old Testament illiteracy, he writes. Once the community of faith no longer sings the Old Testament, it is a short step to removing it altogether from pulpit, prayer and liturgy.

When that happens, the connection between the Jewish people and the Christian church is severed, he adds. It is no wonder, though at the same time simply unfathomable, that when the death squads came for the Jews, the German Christians looked the other way  and worse.

Can the Old Testaments decline be reversed? What a language needs to survive is a group of people who speak it regularly and fluently and teach it to their children, says Strawn.

The key insight for saving the language that is the Old Testament, and maybe the only hope for its continued existence, is regular and repeated use."

Strawn offers a few other concrete suggestions about how to save the Old Testament, illustrating several of these by looking at the book of Deuteronomy as a model for second language acquisition. The end result, Strawn hopes, will be religious people who are better versed in their sacred traditions and better equipped to engage in the complicated task of relating their faith to the real world and the public square.
National Jurist honor  Willie Lyles III, a third-year student at the Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, is one of National Jurist magazines 25 Law School Students of the Year for 2016-2017. (Photo by Steve Buhman)

Lyles named one of 25 Law School Students of the Year

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Willie Lyles III, a third-year student at the SIU School of Law, believes a primary purpose in his life is giving back to others in ways that help them attain their own success.

His work with The Carbondale Pipeline Working Group (CPWG) and with other organizations earned Lyles a spot as one of National Jurist magazines 25 Law School Students of the Year for 2016-2017.

Ive been taught that once you have made it, it is your obligation to reach back and help others make it as well, Lyles said. He will graduate in May, and said he has accepted a position as a civil defense attorney with the HeplerBroom law firms office in St. Louis.

Lyles learned of his selection last week. To be chosen as one of the law school students featured in the magazines spring 2017 issue is humbling, said Lyles, the son of Carolyn and Willie Lyles, Jr., of Blythewood, S.C.

It is overwhelming to have this kind of recognition for something that is a passion, he said.

Lyles is convener of CPWG, which encourages young people from minority communities to seek careers in the legal profession. The working group is comprised of community members, clergy, and university faculty, staff, students and alumni. One of the partnerships, between the law school and the Boys and Girls Club of Carbondale that began in spring 2016, gives law school students a chance to introduce young people to life skills and the wide range of careers within the legal profession.

Lyles is vice president of administrative affairs with the universitys Graduate and Professional Student Council; president of the Law School Democrats; and a member of the Black Law Student Association and International Law Society, all registered student organizations. He also held positions as student liaison with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and the law schools Student Bar Association.

Throughout his time in law school and before, Willie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in many ways. The work that Willie has done with the CPWG will provide a lasting legacy that will benefit the law school and the legal profession for years to come, Dean Cynthia L. Fountaine said.

It is wonderful to see Willie get this well-deserved recognition, she said. It is gratifying to see students like Willie not only make the most of their own educational experience, but also to create educational experiences to benefit future generations of law students as well.

Prior to coming to SIU Carbondale, Lyles served from 2008 to 2012 as a legislative assistant for U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., the assistant Democratic leader in the House. Lyles provided advice on education, agriculture and defense. In 2012, Lyles was sent to assist U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart, D-Bellville, in his election. Lyles worked for Enyart from 2013 to 2014 as deputy chief of staff and legislative director.

He thought of attending law school while growing up, but Lyles said it wasnt until he began working with attorneys fighting to protect minority contracting programs at the federal level that he seriously considered law school. Enyart, a 1979 law school alumnus, persuaded him to attend SIU, Lyles said.

Lyles graduated from Winthrop University with a bachelors degree in political science and is the first in his immediate family to attend law school. Lyles was executive director of The Freedom Center in Rock Hill, S.C., from 2006 to 2008, and worked as campaign manager for John R. King, a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives since 2009.

Clyburn impressed on Lyles the need to work with people who have different experiences and find a common ground based on those experiences and, Lyles said, that my words are one thing, but the actions I take to give meaning to those words are what is most important.

The August 2014 shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and subsequent related events were among factors that motivated Lyles to become more involved with youth, he said.

One of the things that was so frustrating was being two hours away from St. Louis where the activism was going on and feeling there wasnt a way for me to contribute to the movement for Black Lives, Lyles said. I decided to commit myself to this project to help change the face of the legal profession.

Lyles said it is important to recognize and work toward a better relationship between people of color and law enforcement along with a better view of the legal profession, and to also promote more diversity within the legal profession.

Lyles said his time at the SIU School of Law has been transformative.

Law school is not an easy pursuit. You find out how much you can take  in addition to life that happens outside of law school, he said. Ive made some lifelong friends here and hopefully Ive left this a better place.
Poll: Majority of voters disapprove of job being done by Rauner, Madigan

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Nearly two years into Illinois historic budget impasse, a majority of Illinois residents disapprove of the jobs being done by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, according to a new poll by Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. The poll asked whether respondents approved or disapproved of the job being done by the governor and the four legislative leaders.

The Simon Poll was conducted March 4-11. The sample included 1,000 registered voters and a margin for error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Sixty percent of the interviews were conducted on cell phones.

Both political leaders are underwater with voters statewide. Roughly six in 10 disapprove of the job being done by both Madigan (61 percent) and Rauner (58 percent). Last Octobers Simon Poll showed Madigans disapproval rating at 63 percent and Rauners at 55 percent.

Clearly, both political leaders are taking a beating with voters as the Statehouse stalemate nears the two-year mark, and the gap between the two is shrinking, Jak Tichenor, interim institute director, said. Its not good news at all for either man, both of whose political fortunes are at risk heading into next years elections.

Rauner is seeking his second term in 2018 and Madigan will defend his 67-seat Democratic majority in the 118-member House after losing a net four seats last November.

We have tested Gov. Rauners job approval four times since he took office, and two findings jump out at us, Charlie Leonard, a former visiting professor at the institute, and one of the designers of the poll, said. First is that the governors approval rating, since spring 2015, right after he assumed office, has remained relatively steady in the high 30s to low 40s, though at 36 percent its the lowest we have seen. Second is that his disapproval rating has grown consistently, from 31 disapproving in March 2015 to 58 percent today -- almost doubling.

Statewide, Rauners results show 36 percent somewhat approve or strongly approve of his performance, while 58 percent somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove. That compares with a 40 percent approval rating and 55 percent disapproval rating last October.

Rauner fares worst with voters in the City of Chicago, where 64 percent disapprove of his performance while 31 percent approve. Rauner edges closer to positive territory in downstate Illinois, where 38 percent approve of the job hes doing compared to 56 percent who disapprove. In the suburbs of Cook and the collar counties, he remains in negative territory with 58 percent disapproving and 37 approving.

Speaker Madigans disapproval ratings also remain in negative territory with 61 percent somewhat disapproving or strongly disapproving and 26 percent somewhat approving or strongly approving. Madigan scored 63 percent disapproving overall last year with 26 percent approving.

Madigans best job approval ratings came in the City of Chicago, where 28 percent approve and 60 percent disapprove. His suburban Cook and collar counties job approval ratings are 27 percent approve to 60 percent disapprove. Downstate voters were least generous in their assessment of Madigans tenure with 64 percent disapproving and 23 percent approving.

Voters do not appear to have picked heavy favorites or shown a strong dislike for the remaining three legislative leaders. In the case of Senate President John Cullerton, 39 percent somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove of his performance while 25 percent approve and 32 percent are not sure. Last fall, 41 percent disapproved, 26 percent approved, and 29 percent werent sure.

Voters were also less conclusive about the job performances of Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. Leader Radognos job approval stands at 27 percent statewide, compared with a disapproval rating of 26 percent. An overwhelming 45 percent were not sure. In the case of Leader Durkin, 31 percent approved, 36 percent disapproved, and 29 percent were unsure.

Poll results are available here.

For more information, contact Tichenor at 618/453-4009 or Leonard at 618/303-9099.

The margin of error for the entire sample of 1,000 voters is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. This means that if we conducted the survey 100 times, in 95 of those instances, the population proportion would be within plus or minus the reported margin of error for each subsample. For subsamples, the margin of error increases as the sample size goes down. The margin of error was not adjusted for design effects.

Live telephone interviews were conducted by Customer Research International of San Marcos, Texas using the random digit dialing method. The telephone sample was provided to Customer Research International by Scientific Telephone Samples. Potential interviewees were screened based on whether they were registered voters and quotas based on area code and sex (<60% female). The sample obtained 51% male and 49% female respondents. Interviewers asked to speak to the youngest registered voter at home at the time of the call. Cell phone interviews accounted for 60 percent of the sample. A Spanish language version of the questionnaire and a Spanish-speaking interviewer were made available.

Field work was conducted from March 4 through March 11. No auto-dial or robo polling is included. Customer Research International reports no Illinois political clients. The survey was paid for with non-tax dollars from the Institutes endowment fund. The data were not weighted in any way. Crosstabs for the referenced questions will be on the institutes polling website, http://paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/opinion-polls/index.php

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Researchs (AAPOR) Transparency Initiative. AAPOR works to encourage objective survey standards for practice and disclosure. Membership in the Transparency Initiative reflects a pledge to practice transparency in reporting survey-based findings.

Simon Institute polling data are archived by four academic institutions for use by scholars and the public. The four open source data repositories are: the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research (http://ropercenter.cornell.edu/polls/), the University of Michigans Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (http://home.isr.umich.edu/centers/icpsr/), the University of North Carolinas Odum Institute Dataverse Network (https://dataverse.unc.edu/), and the Simon Institute Collection at OpenSIUC (http://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/ppi/).

Note: The Simon Poll and the Southern Illinois Poll are the copyrighted trademarks of the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University. Use and publication of these polls is encouraged -- but only with credit to the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU Carbondale.
Is the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization?

The director of UFs Center for Global Islamic Studies explains that while the Muslim Brotherhood exists in the form of many local organizations as well as an international organization, research shows there isnt a cohesive Muslim Brotherhood ideology.

The Trump administration as well as Republican lawmakers are seeking to introduce legislation that would designate the Muslim Brotherhood a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Many are questioning this move. The fact is that the Muslim Brotherhood has not been directly involved in any violent terror attacks in recent decades.

I have been studying Islam and politics over many years, and have learned that this is a highly complex phenomenon. Given its informal character and the diffuse nature of its organization, labeling the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization is not as simple as it seems.

To understand the Muslim Brotherhood, we need to first know how it is structured, and what it represents ideologically.

The different groups

The Muslim Brotherhood exists both in the form of local organizations (in Egypt, Jordan and so on) and in the form of an international organization. The international Muslim Brotherhood has, however, little influence over any of the local organizations.

The point is that the term Muslim Brotherhood represents a broader ideological trend. There are numerous organizations and groups across the Muslim world that to a varying degree associate themselves with this current.

Some of them use the name of the Muslim Brotherhood, while others operate under different labels. One example is the National Islamic Front (NIF), that was established in the 1960 as the Sudanese Islamic Charter Front.

There are also a number of informal groups, such as the Ethiopian Intellectualist Movement, that rather selectively find inspiration from the Muslim Brotherhoods thinkers without appropriating the entirety of the Muslim Brotherhoods ideology.

None of these groups could be characterized as branches of one unified Muslim Brotherhood. There does not exist any worldwide hierarchical structure. Nor are there any formal links between any of these organizations.

Most of them have produced independent thinkers and developed ideological profiles that focus more on local issues. All this makes it difficult to speak about a coherent Muslim Brotherhood ideology.

The origins and spread of the Brotherhood

The original Muslim Brotherhood was established in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, an Egyptian schoolteacher. Its initial activities were concentrated in the town of Ismailiyah, in northeastern Egypt. However, due to al-Bannas charismatic personality and skills as a community organizer, the group grew rapidly into a mass organization throughout Egypt.

It is important to note that the Muslim Brotherhood was not a political movement in the beginning. Instead, it was devoted to education and social work. It was also focused on enhancing religious piety among Muslims and countering Western influences during the colonial period by building an Islamic identity.

Joining the opposition to the British colonizers, the Muslim Brotherhood leadership reluctantly decided to participate in Egypts parliamentary elections in the 1940s. Its anti-colonial attitudes also led the organization to support the coup in 1952 which eventually brought Gamal Abdel Nasser to power as president.

However, the Muslim Brotherhoods strong popular support soon led to an open conflict with Nasser, who responded by suppressing it. In addition to filling up Egyptian prisons, Nassers policy produced thousands of refugees who became instrumental in spreading the movements ideas across the Muslim world.

Ideological diversity

While the Muslim Brotherhoods initial political engagement was within a democratic framework, a more militant and anti-democratic substream gradually emerged within the movement.

The key figure here was Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian writer and thinker, who wrote the seminal book Milestones. He claimed that contemporary secular politics was reminiscent of the pre-Islamic Jahiliyyah (age of ignorance), and moreover, that Hakmiyyah (Gods sovereignty) could be restored only through armed struggle.

His teaching later inspired groups such as al-Qaida, and caused serious frictions within the Egyptian Brotherhood.

The main leadership made significant efforts to renounce the use of violence and to portray the Muslim Brotherhood as a moderate reformist movement. This was evident in the Muslim Brotherhoods struggle to participate in Egypts electoral politics. The authoritarian Egyptian regimes, however, blocked it from gaining much influence. Not until Mohamed Morsi became president of Egypt in 2012 did the Muslim Brotherhood ascend to power. That victory proved, however, to be short-lived.

Globally too the Muslim Brotherhood has been similarly ideologically diverse. For example, some local Muslim Brotherhood-associated organizations, such as those in Kuwait and Morocco, were initially influenced by Sayyid Qubts thinking. Later, however, they gradually abandoned such ideas. Others developed relatively pragmatic political programs.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, for example, did not challenge the local political authorities and developed rather cordial relationship with the Jordanian monarchy.

Islam and democracy

Ideologically, the Muslim Brotherhood as a current has commonly been categorized under the heading of Islamism. This ideology emphasizes control over the state as crucial for Islamization of state and society. There are different opinions, however, about what this means.

Various groups and individuals associated with the Muslim Brotherhood have over the last decades been engaged in elaborate discussions about their views on democracy and secularism.

However, there is still some ambiguity around certain issues. One part of this relates to the way the vast majority of Muslim Brotherhood organizations embrace Sharia, or the Islamic law, as foundational for political and constitutional frameworks.

This relates to tensions between the belief in Sharia as a divinely ordained authority and the acceptance of the popular will. Some tensions, for example, relate to the question whether Islamists would accept the outcome of a democratic election that does not necessarily correspond with their interpretation of Shari'a. Others are related to whether the Islamists would recognize the freedom of citizens to make individual choices in a state governed according to the Shari'a. Also, would they accommodate the rights of women and religious minorities?

The current situation

So what does this mean in assessing the current situation of the Muslim Brotherhood?

The Arab Spring, a 2011 democratic uprising that quickly spread in the Arab world, was viewed by many Muslim Brotherhood-associated groups as a moment to put their ideological programs into political action.

However, regional instability across the Middle East, political violence (in Libya and Syria) and the return of an authoritative regime in Egypt shattered such hopes. The political takeover by Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi as the new president of Egypt in 2014 and the subsequent banning of the Muslim Brotherhood seriously weakened the organization.

In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans increasingly authoritarian rule further blocked debates around Islam and politics. Developments in North Africa have added to the setbacks. The post-Islamist Tunisian Ennadha Party, for example, has been losing in national elections.

All this has exacerbated tensions over the future of the Muslim Brotherhood. These developments have created a space for the emergence of more militant groups such as the Islamic State, although one should be careful not to draw explicit causal links.

Indeed, designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization could have the effect of limiting the opportunities for those Muslims who are attracted by the Muslim Brotherhoods moderate agenda to engage in politics.

It could even accelerate recruitment to terrorist outfits  a possibility that the Trump administration might seek to take into account.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
University of Florida graduate schools rank high among nations top programs

University of Florida graduate schools rank among the nations top programs in a survey released today by U.S. News and World Report.

Among the areas that the U.S. News 2018 Best Graduate Schools guide evaluates are graduate schools for law, education, business, engineering, medicine and nursing, and specialties within these areas. In each discipline, all or nearly all UF graduate schools were ranked.

Bright spots for UF included big moves in Law, the part-time MBA program, civil engineering and computer engineering programs, and the elementary teacher education program. UF highlights of the rankings are:

UF Levin College of Law climbed seven spots, placing 41st overall. This rise is the largest year to year increase in over 20 years, and is the second largest improvement of any law school ranked in the top 50.

Additionally, the Graduate Tax Program held its spot as the No. 1 program among public law schools, and No. 3 overall.

Our new ranking is more than a number, said Dean Laura A. Rosenbury. Its a reflection of the talent of our student body, the intellect of our faculty, the dedication of our staff and the commitment of our alumni.

UF College of Education moved up one spot into a tie for 29th overall among private and public universities. The College of Education moved up one spot to No. 19 among public graduate education colleges, and remains No. 1 in the state of Florida and southeast U.S.

Two academic education programs remained in the top 10 in their specialty areas: Special Education at No. 5 and Counselor Education program tied for No. 8. The Elementary Education program rose five spots to a tie at No. 14. The UF College of Education remains the top-ranked education school in Florida, and the No. 1 ranked public college of education in the Southeastern United States. Recently, in January, U.S. News named the UF College of Education Americas Best Online Graduate Program in Education.

The College of Educations ability to thrive and be recognized with higher rankings during this period stems from the high quality of our students and our energetic faculty, and the generosity and dedication of our alumni, donors and the entire College of Education community, said Dean of UF College of Education Glenn E. Good.

UF MBA at the Hough Graduate School of Business at the Warrington College of Business was honored as a top-20 public full-time and part-time program. UF MBA is the only program in the state of Florida to rank in the top 50 for full-time or part-time rankings.

The part-time MBA program moved up eight spots to the No. 20 overall program, making it the No. 14 public program in the country.

Once again, the UF MBA program provides strong ROI for our students and alumni while serving as a thought leader in the state of Florida, said UF MBA Assistant Dean and Director John Gresley.

UF College of Medicine held firm its No. 40 ranking among 140 medical schools in the country, and is ranked No. 16 among medical schools at public universities. UF remained the highest-ranking medical school in Florida.

Our commitment to world-class research and education has been validated yet again by medical school leaders throughout the nation, said Michael L. Good, M.D., dean of the UF College of Medicine.

These college and program rankings are the results of a sustained dedication to excellence in both research and medical education, said David. S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president for health affairs at UF and president of UF Health. We are proud of this ongoing distinction. The company we keep among the best research medical schools in the nation could not have been accomplished without ambitions researchers and dedicated faculty in all of our health-related colleges. Ultimately, that benefits the many patients of UF Health.

UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering moved up to tie at No. 42 nationally. Civil engineering program moved up nine spots to tie at No. 25, and the computer engineering program moved up seven to tie at No. 29.

To learn more about the criteria used to calculate rankings, visit U.S. News Best Graduate Schools website, https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the militants were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attacks on armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

The military courts, in their two-year tenure, handed over a total of 161 death sentences of which 21 have been executed so far.

--IANS ahm/

( 84 Words)

2017-03-15-10:24:08 (IANS)
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that the one-China policy will remain as the foundation of Sino-US relations and discussions are on about a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's National Legislature, Li said that the two leaders had agreed to push forward China-US relations after Trump took office and his administration stated that it will follow the one-China policy. Li said "diplomatic authorities of the two countries are already engaged concerning a face-to-face meeting" between the two Presidents, reported Xinhua news agency. The China-US relationship is crucial not just to the two countries themselves, but also to regional and global peace, security and stability, said Li. "Though there are still differences between the two countries over issues such as jobs, the exchange rate, and security, it is important for both countries to uphold strategic interests, sit down to talk to each other, so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust," he said. Li also said that China does not want to see a trade war between the world's biggest and second biggest economies. "That would not make our trade fairer and it hurts us both," he said. If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt, Li said, citing an article written by an authoritative international think tank. Li also struck a confident tone in the country's financial stability, ruling out the possibility of systemic risks as "the country has plenty of policy options at its disposal". "China's financial system is generally safe," he said at the press conference. China's budget deficit to GDP ratio stands below three per cent, the capital adequacy ratio of commercial banks is 13 per cent and their provision coverage ratio is at 176 per cent, all above the international standards for financial security, Li cited a set of data to support his view. Acknowledging potential risks in the financial sector, Li said the government will take them seriously and adopt prompt and targeted measures to prevent them from spreading. China will "fasten the seat belt" and prevent any "acute outburst" of financial risks on the track for maintaining medium-high growth speed, Li said. --IANS soni/vt ( 394 Words) 2017-03-15-13:52:08 (IANS)
Spice Digital Limited, a subsidiary brand of Spice Connect Group has announced a record of four billion GMV in Fintech services, for the month of February, 2017. Despite demonetization, Spice Digital has had an outstanding monthly business growth of 100 percent. SDL is the market leader of Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS), mobile applications, Internet products and services, and fintech services. "Spice Digital is committed to serving the underserved rural population in the country," Spice Digital, Global CEO, Saket Agarwal said. Spice Money, the fintech wing of Spice, aims to make the banking process an easier and a hassle-free experience for all. SDL one of the few companies which have access to the maximum number of fintech service license like PPI, BBPS, AEPS, to name a few. With the entire nation progressing toward digitization, spice money services are committed to bringing the nation closer to basic banking rights of Individual adults. "Spice Digital's fintech services have seen a remarkable journey by enabling hassle-free payment methods. We have added over 20 percent transacting counters in a single month and have witnessed the phenomenal acquisition for AEPS products. So far, we have over 20,000 direct retail points and over 100,000 counters of alliance partners and these numbers are increasing," said Global CEO Spice Digital Limited, Saket Agarwal. "In the span of two months (Dec-Feb), we have jumped from 225 crore to 400 crore, which itself shows our growth rate," added Agarwal. So far, the company has launched numerous services like eKYC, AEPS, BBPS alongside Motor insurance and PAN card application. eKYC, which is a paperless Know Your Customer (KYC) process, where your identity and address are verified electronically. This process is secure, error proof and quick. Spice Money uses India Stack-based electronic Know-Your-Customer process (eKYC) to verify users' and onboard merchants/retailers credential. Whereas, AEPS service allows payments and cash out using Aadhaar and biometric authentication. AEPS is a unique service that allows an individual to carry out the financial transaction on a Mini-ATM provided by a banking correspondent. Another key service by Spice Money, is 'Bharat Bill Payment System' (BBPS), a RBI mandated system, which offers integrated and inter-operable bill payment services to customers across geographies with certainty, reliability, and safety of transactions. It's worth knowing that, Spice is one of the first operating units to commence BBPS operations. Operated by over 3500 agents, it is characterized by the presence of a large number of billers, that include BSES Rajdhani, Tata Power, Torrent Power, Reliance Energy, Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Delhi Jal Board, MTNL Mumbai etc. As far as the PAN card application is concerned, any applicant can come in and get Pan card form filled for enrollment. And those who are seeking motor Insurance, for them, Spice Money is offering best rate on insurance through EasyPolicy web aggregator. Fintech Services by SDL empowers the customer to use basic banking functionalities such as balance enquiries, cash withdrawals, cash deposits along side Aadhaar to Aadhaar funds transfers and remittances across banks (both intrabank and interbank). With an impressive product portfolio, Spice Digital Limited continues to cater to a diverse set of customer needs and build a strong customer relationship. (ANI)
Basking in glory of the success of her last releases, Taapsee Pannu now awaits her upcoming flick 'Naam Shabana' to hit the big screens. Speaking about nation's first ever spin-off, Taapsee told ANI, "We'll see a spin-off for the first time in India. It's not called a prequel because then Akshay would have played the central character. This film is a spin off as a central character is picked up from an ensemble cast, whose back story is explained then." "'Naam Shabana' is 'Baby's spin-off where the focus is on my character and how she becomes a spy," she said. The 29-year-old star also spoke about taking up martial arts lessons for portraying her character, "There's going to be different type of action in the film. Every action scene is different from the other. I learnt Kudo, MMA, Krav Maga for the film and everything has been utilized for the sequences." "I did a lot of preparation for the role. But what we have used is just 40 percent of that. Doing action is extremely exhausting. But since I was prepared for the worst, I didn't feel that exhausted," said the 'PINK' star. On a related note, produced by Friday Filmworks, the Shivam Nair-directorial also stars Akshay Kumar in a special appearance. "Akshay is extremely funny and his straight face humour is just out of the world. One thing I have learnt from him is that we should keep on working," she said, while sharing her working experience with 'Khiladi' Kumar. 'Naam Shabana' is set to release on March 31. (ANI)
Lewis, who has judged shows like "Dance India Dance" and "Nach Baliye", is one of the six members of the fest, which will be held March 15-18 in Rennes, France.

"It's an honour to be a part of the jury of this esteemed short film festival in Rennes! International cinema has always been close to my heart as it is thought provoking, intelligent and pregnant with meaning," Lewis said in a statement.

He added: "French cinema hits you at the gut and it's direction and artistry is real n unparalleled in the world."

The festival is in its fourth edition and is headed by a French film director Alain Guiraudie. The panel also includes other French directors like Rebecca Zlotowski and Kim Chapiron, film critic Clment Graminis and winner of the third edition Mathias Minne.

--IANS sug/rb/bg

( 174 Words)

2017-03-15-14:18:08 (IANS)
Commenting on the attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' sets in Kolhapur last night, Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde has advised the filmmaker to solve the rift cordially with people having varied opinions on the historic film. "This matter is related to law and order but the makers should make sure that their movies should be less of fiction and more close to reality. And if a movie is based on such matter, both the parties should first sit together and discuss," Tawde said. "Bhansali's films are based on history and the society is bound to have different opinions. Hence, people should solve the matter amicably," he added. For the unversed, months after the attack on the sets of 'Padmavati' in Jaipur, it has yet again been vandalised and set on fire in Kolhapur last night. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged. The movie has been under the radar ever since its announcement. After the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted the base to Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to resume the shooting. (ANI)
"Get Out" star Daniel Kaluuya has responded to criticism by actor Samuel L Jackson over the casting of black British actors in roles about US race relations, saying that he resented having "to prove that Im black". In an interview last week, Jackson questioned the casting of Kaluuya in "Get Out", a horror film centred on an interracial relationship between a black American man and his white partner. Kaluuya reacted to Jackson's comments in an interview with GQ magazine published on Tuesday, reports theguardian.com. "Big up Samuel L Jackson, because here's a guy who has broken down doors. He has done a lot so that we can do what we can do," Kaluuya said. "Here's the thing about that critique, though. I'm dark-skinned. When I'm around black people I'm made to feel other' because I'm dark-skinned. I've had to wrestle with that, with people going You're too black.' Then I come to America and they say, You're not black enough.'" According to theguardian.com, Kaluuya cited the treatment of black people in Brixton and Tottenham as evidence that black people in Britain had also experienced racism and segregation. But he said that because those experiences were not widely publicised, "people get an idea of what they might think the experience is". Jackson had previously claimed that Kaluuya "grew up in a country where they've been interracial dating for a hundred years". Kaluuya expressed his frustration that "in order to prove that I can play this role, I have to open up about the trauma that I've experienced as a black person. I have to show off my struggle so that people accept that I'm black. "I resent that I have to prove that I'm black. I don't know what that is. I'm still processing it." He added that he didn't want the controversy over Jackson's remarks to overshadow "the message of the film". "There's a black writer and director (Jordan Peele) that has written a film that is critically acclaimed, and now is commercially profitable. Yet we're trying to separate ourselves again? There's enough to deal with," he added. --IANS sug/rb/bg ( 362 Words) 2017-03-15-15:02:07 (IANS)
Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina will be visiting India on a State visit from April 07-10.She is visiting India at the invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will hold official talks in New Delhi on April 8. This visit comes 7 years after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's last visit to India in January 2010 and almost 2 years after Prime Minister Modi's visit to Bangladesh in June 2015.The upcoming visit is expected to further expand the cordial and cooperative relationship between India and Bangladesh and build on the strong ties of friendship and trust between the two sides. UNI MK SDR 0722 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1188750.Xml
A Chetak helicopter of the IAF today made an emergency landing after it developed technical snag near Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. The helicopter on a routine training sortie developed a technical failure. The aircraft toppled while pilots tried to land in an uneven field. Both pilots are safe, an IAF official told UNI.A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of accident, he said.UNI MK SV SB 0922 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-1188789.Xml
A five-day Yoga Orientation-cum-Training Camp, organised by Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyhan (RMSA) under Directorate of School Education for Physical Education Teachers under the district, began yesterday at Ura Academy Hall.According to an official statement today the teachers would be trained by Yoga instructor, Kelhouzosei Lawrence who was trained from Morarji Desai, National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) in Delhi. On debate on Yoga being a religious practice, RMSA Mission Director Limawapang Aier clarified that Yoga was only physical exercise which was beneficial for one's health. Mr Aier said, in the past, there has been a "politically motivated argument" in regard to Yoga being related to the practices and belief of Hindus. He said Yoga has nothing to do with any religion though it was mostly practices by the Hindus. The mission director advised the teachers to learn as best as they could and propagate the same to the students in their respective schools. Mr Aier was also doubtful whether teachers impart whatever has been taught to them to the students. He informed that training for the second batch has been approved which would be held very soon and expressed desired to continue the training in future. The Deputy Director (PE) T Lipok Jamir explained that yoga was not Hinduism propaganda as believed by many but a physical exercise for fitness. He urged the teachers to learn something and educate the students at their schools. The training programme for the first batch was attended by twenty-two physical education teachers and would conclude on March 18, it said. UNI AS RN 1108 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1188874.Xml
Terming the formation of a BJP government in Goa as nothing short of "murder of democracy", the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said it was a fraud on people's mandate. In an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana, it pointed out that even the majority support in the 40-member Goa assembly claimed by the BJP before forming the government appeared to be fixed. "The smaller parties gave letters of conditional consent to the Governor that they would support the BJP only if Manohar Parrikar became the Chief Minister... Though it would been difficult for the BJP to select a CM from among its 13 elected legislators," the Sena said. The sad part was that the parties which have extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party have been elected on an "anti-BJP plank" in the assembly election in which the BJP trailed the Congress. While admitting that people in Goa had selected the "unworthy" Congress, it said the party was "slow to react" and lost out in the numbers game to the BJP which acted quickly. On Parrikar, the Sena opined that either he had become a liability in the Modi government or he himself felt disillusioned by national politics and sought the comfort of his home state. "Even when Parrikar was the Defence Minister, he spent more time in his home state and would issue empty threats to Pakistan." The Sena asked Parrikar to remember that the BJP had been voted out by the people in the state and the latest developments were simply beyond the public expectations. "While the result of the vote of confidence on Thursday appears inevitable, all this can only be termed as a 'murder of democracy' in Goa." --IANS qn/mr ( 299 Words) 2017-03-15-13:56:08 (IANS)
Delhi Police is probing into the death of JNU scholar J Muthukrishnan and suitable action will be taken in this regard, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar told the Lok Sabha today. Mr Kumar was responding to the issue raised by AIADMK and Congress members in the House. Raising the issue soon after the Question Hour, AIADMK members held protest in the House over the alleged suicide of a 27-year-old Dalit M Phil scholar of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the National capital. They also demanded that HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar order a probe into the matter. The Members demanded that their adjournment motion on the issue be taken up but it was rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. Muthukrishnan who hailed from Tamil Nadu had allegedly committed suicide on Monday.UNI NY RSA 1350 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1189094.Xml
After his party's debacle in Punjab Assembly polls, Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal today alleged foul play in functioning of Electronic Voting Machines and said that 20-25 per cent of AAP's votes were transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance to benefit Congress."There is a speculation that 20-25 per cent votes of AAP was transferred through EVMs to BJP-SAD alliance in Punjab to benefit the Congress as they wanted us to lose any way. I demand that EC should count slips of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail and match it with figures of EVMs results if it matches people's trust will increase," the AAP convenor told a press conference this morning.On asking about Delhi and Bihar Assembly polls, Mr Kejriwal said, "People who tampered EVMs, should answer why they didn't do so in both the states. I think teir party (BJP) was over confident of winning Delhi and Bihar."Citing Developed countries had given up use of EVMs, Mr Kejriwal said, ''We should rethink on the issue. BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani had also said that EVMs can be tampered.''Accepting his party's debacle in Goa and Punjab in the Assembly polls, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "Results in both the states were very shocking for us. Being Convenor of the party, I take all the responsibility for AAP's poor performance."MORE UNI DS SB 1337 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0177-1189084.Xml
The manager of a private construction company was killed when he fell from a bridge under Dawoodnagar police station area in the district today.Police said here that the manager of private construction company Sanjay Kumar Singh (45), was supervising construction work on the bridge when he slipped and fell on rocks, leading to his instantaneous death. The bridge is being constructed for connecting Dawoodnagar with Nasriganj in Rohtas district, police added.The deceased was a native of Tutbari locality in Gaya. The body has been sent to Aurangabad Sadar Hospital for autopsy, police added.UNI XC DH RN 1330 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1189086.Xml
Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha today expressed concern over social discrimination against Dalit students in universities across the country and called on the government to address the issue. Raising the issue of the death of Muthukrishnan, a Dalit scholar in JNU , members of all Opposition parties alleged discrimination against Dalit students in universities. Speaking on the issue during Zero Hour, D Raja of the CPI said, ''A Dalit scholar studying in JNU took the extreme step. There should be a thorough probe into the matter. It should be investigated as to why he was forced to take such a step. I appeal to the government to undertake a thorough investigation.'' He said there should be a probe into why there was discrimination against Dalit students in central universities of the country. ''Why is there discrimination in our central universities? I appeal to the government to undertake a thorough probe. We have to look at long-term issues too, like the admission policy," he said. Associating with the issue, Tiruchi Siva of the DMK said, ''Hyderabad university scholar Rohith Vemula committed suicide. Muthukrishnan was found dead hanging from a ceiling fan. There was no suicide note and no reason for this untimely death."He said Dalit students face economic deprivation and social discrimination in universities across the country. Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwadi Party said ''in JNU, Dalit students were facing atrocities.''He said the HRD Minister should make a statement on the issue.Kanimozhi of the DMK also associated herself with the issue.Mr Sitaram Yechury of the CPI-M said the HRD Minister should make a statement. "Why are Dalit students committing suicide? Crimes against Dalits have increased under this government," he said.Responding to the members, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured the House that an FIR was being registered in this case . ''This is a very sensitive issue. I met with the father and the guardian of the boy. The Home Minister has asked me to assure the House that we have directed the police to file an FIR by 12 noon,'' she said. On the demand by members that FIR be filed under the SC/ST Act, she said,''Students and well-wishers asked us why the SC/ST Act could not be invoked. We asked the police why abetment to suicide has not been included. The police has said unless there is a doubtful statement, they won't be able to include it. We have asked them to invoke these sections without naming anybody."She said the government was committed to making universities better places for students. "I have reported to the Home Minister. We are committed to making universities better places for students,"she said. The deputy Chairman said that since the members have alleged discrimination against SC/ST students in universities, the government should also look into this aspect.The Minister said that she would convey the sentiments of the members to the Home Minister.UNI AR RSA 1344 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1189085.Xml
The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed multiple adjournments amid chaos over the Congress' allegations that the BJP "murdered democracy" by not honouring the people's mandate in Goa and Manipur assembly elections. The upper house was first adjourned soon after it assembled at 11 a.m. as Congress member Anand Sharma raised the issue, saying the BJP was "violating mandate of the people" in Goa and Manipur. "Congress has emerged as the single-largest party in these two states and in case of no clear majority, such party is invited to form the government," he said. Sharma alleged that the BJP was "stealing MLAs". Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abas Naqvi tried to intervene but the Congress members gathered in the well of the house and began shouting slogans against the BJP. Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, who kept on requesting the agitating members to return to their seats, then adjourned the house till 11.30 a.m. Similar scenes were again witnessed during the Question Hour at 12 noon. This time, Leader of Opposition in the house Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the matter and said "it was a murder of democracy" and the issue should be discussed in the house. "It's a question of India's democracy," he added. Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari requested him to take up the issue after lunch and "let the Question Hour proceed". Nobody paid any heed to his pleas and he adjourned the house for 15 minutes -- till 12.19 p.m. After two adjournments, the upper house was again in chaos as Congress members gathered in front of the Chair, shouting slogans against the government. The house was finally adjourned till 2.00 p.m. The house again witnessed similar scenes as it met after lunch with Azad saying that in Goa the mandate was totally against the BJP. He said the central government was trying to destabilise the Congress governments for the past one year. "Why is BJP so eager to form governments in states where it has no majority, no mandate," he asked, adding that the party was not doing anything to form governments in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand where it has got the majority. Responding to it, Leader of House Arun Jaitley said that there was no such precedent or a decision that single largest party has to be invited to form the government. "Governor can also invite a coalition that has majority," he opined. On this, Congress members again gathered in the well of the house and started shouting slogans against the BJP. The house was then adjourned till 3 p.m. --IANS sk/qd/vt ( 439 Words) 2017-03-15-15:06:07 (IANS)
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that India has raised the recent incidents of violence with Indian citizens in the US at the highest level and assured that the government will ensure safety of diaspora. The minister was making a statement in the Lok Sabha, where she made an appearance for the first time since her kidney transplant surgery. The minister assured the House that the government was giving highest priority to the safety of Indian diaspora. "Safety and security of Indian Diaspora abroad remains a top priority for this government. We are in a continuous dialogue with the US government. Close contacts with the local Indian community groups are being maintained through our embassy and consulates to address any emergent issues. "We will remain vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and do everything possible to safeguard their interests and welfare," Swaraj said. The minister's response came a week after the Lok Sabha members raised concern over hate crimes against Indians in the US. The members were voicing concern over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas on February 22 in an apparent hate crime, and of another Indian Harnish Patel a week later. A Sikh man, Deep Rai, who was an American citizen, was fired at in a racial attack last week, and is out of danger now. "In all three cases, the government, through its embassy and consulates, immediately reached out to the affected persons and their families for extending all possible help and support. I have personally spoken to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai," Swaraj said. "The Government has taken up this issue with the US Government at very high levels and conveyed our deep concerns. We have called for necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Indian diaspora and expeditious investigation into these incidents." The Foreign Secretary discussed this matter in his meetings with Cabinet Ministers and senior functionaries of the US Administration as well as with the Congressional leadership during his recent visit to the US, she said. "The US authorities have responded strongly and assured us that they were working with all concerned agencies to ensure speedy justice," Swaraj added. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar was in the US from February 28 to March 3. The minister said there had been widespread condemnation of these incidents by the US leadership. "President Donald Trump referred to the Kansas shooting in his address to a joint session of Congress on February 28 and said that the US stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms," the minister said. She also said Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan issued a statement expressing the House's condolences on the killing of Kuchibotla and the House also observed a moment of silence over the incident. Governor of Kansas Sam Brownback also offered his condolences and assured thorough investigation, the minister said, adding that in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Brownback praised the "ingenuity, hard work and determination" of the Indian diaspora as well as their contributions to the State of Kansas. He assured that Kansas will remain "a welcoming, hospitable place" for Indians. "Several Senators and Congressmen have also expressed their condolences and regret over the tragic incidents. They have been deeply appreciative of the contribution and role of the Indian community in the US," she said. "People-to-people contacts are the foundation on which the Indo-U.S strategic partnership has been built. The fact that broad sections of the American society have expressed their deep sorrow and regret over these incidents reassures us that despite these individual incidents, the American society values the people-to-people engagement between our two countries." Swaraj informed the House that the killing of Kuchibhotla was being investigated by the FBI as a hate crime. On the killing of Patel, the minister said according to the Sheriff and family, it may have been an incident of dacoity, but probe is on to ascertain if it was also a hate crime. On the attack on Rai, the minister said it had been reported that he was asked to leave the country, but added that agencies were probing if it is a hate crime. She asserted that these incidents did not reflect the sentiment of all Americans as the incidents had been widely condemned in the US. The minister, responding to queries raised by the MPs on March 9 on whether India would issue a travel advisory to its citizens against travelling to the US, said: "The government plans to issue an advisory for Indians travelling to or residing in the US. "I would say that prompt and clear response of the US political leadership and the law enforcement authorities to these incidents and the widespread messages of sympathy and support from all quarters in the US give us confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India." "This was demonstrated by the American national Ian Grillot, who suffered serious injury while helping the two Indians. I have saluted his heroism and am sure the House joins me in wishing him speedy recovery," she said. Since this was Sushma Swaraj's first appearance in the Lok Sabha after recovering from a kidney transplant surgery, as the minister walked into the lower House, members welcomed her with thumping of desk. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Congress Leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge and other members welcomed the minister and wished her long life and speedy recovery. --IANS ao/nir ( 938 Words) 2017-03-15-16:22:09 (IANS)
The INLD held demonstration in the national capital today over the SYL canal issue and gheraoed Parliament.The party submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to ensure early completion of the canal in view of the Supreme Court judgments in favour of Haryana in this regard."Our party believes that BJP governments at the Centre and in the state are not serious about construction of the SYL canal, which is the lifeline of our farmers," Leader of Opposition Abhay Singh Chautala told a newspaper yesterday."Despite the verdict of the Supreme Court in favour of Haryana on Presidential reference, no effort is being made by the Centre to start construction of the canal," he pointed out. "The BJP wants to create a chasm between people of Punjab and Haryana just as it has been doing in case of various castes in Haryana on the Jat reservation issue," he alleged.Over 50,000 workers of the INLD reached Jantar Mantar today. After holding a rally, they marched towards Parliament for the gherao, he added.Mr Chautala said the INLD would continue its fight over the issue till the canal was constructed and water started flowing in it.UNI SY ADG SHK 1619 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0093-1189270.Xml
The decision to field Mr Kunhalikutty in the Muslim dominated constituency was taken at a council and Parliamentary Board meet of the party held in Malappuram, IUML state President Hyderali Shihad Thangal told reporters today.

The UDF had cleared his name at its meeting held in Thiruvanthapuram yesterday.

Mr Kunhalikutty represents Vengara in the state assembly.

Communist Party of India (Marxist), heading the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), was yet to name its candidate for the prestigious seat.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of IUML National President and former Union Minister E Ahamed on February 1.

Ahamed had won the seat with a record 1,94,739 margin in 2014 Lok Sabha election.UNI PCH CS 1719

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The British High Commission, in association with the Chevening Alumni India, held two interactive lectures with students of two institutions in Guwahati, Assam's main city, today. Prof Ruchira Goswami, Chevening Alumni and Professor at NUJS, delivered a lecture on 'Women's Rights Mapping the national and international framework,' at Handique Women's College Guwahati. She discussed the national and international framework on women's human rights, giving a three-part presentation. She first explained the importance of establishing women's rights as human rights, in the second part she talked of the national legal framework and discussed the constitutional framework and criminal law provisions with focus on statutory laws. In the third segment, she discussed the international human rights law framework for women. Her lecture mapped the inter-linkages between the national and international legal framework within the law-society interface. In a separate interactive lecture with students of Assam Don Bosco University here, Prof Mallar Ray, Assistant Professor, SMSE, IIEST, Shibpur, delivered a lecture on 'Size matters: a journey to the Nano-world', in which he talked about fundamental aspects of nanomaterials and explained in detail why size rules properties at nanoscale. Prof Ray brought a lively tone to a very core scientific topic and weaved through the intricacies of nano technology which will play an ever increasing role in the future. Nano technology is seen to dominate the future and will find application from the smallest medicare use to intricate role in space exploration. Through these lectures, the Chevening Alumni India aims to further the Alumni engagement with this city and help build a bridge between the next generation in India and the United Kingdom, an official statement from Press and Public Affairs Office of the British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata, said here.UNI SG BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1189707.Xml
Ruling JD (U) bagged the first seat in the Bihar Legislative election today even as the counting of votes for remaining three seats in the upper house of the state legislature continued. JD (U) candidate from Kosi Teacher constituency Sanjeev Kumar Singh was declared successful as he defeated his nearest rival and BJP candidate Prof Jagdish Chandra by 6013 votes. Mr Singh retained his seat. While Mr Singh polled 8309 votes, BJP candidates had to contend with only 2296 seats. Sources at the state election office said BJP backed RLSP candidate from Gaya Teacher constituency was leading over his nearest rival LJP candidate D N Sinha by a margin of nearly 3000 votes. RJD candidate Dinesh Yadav was trailing behind on the third position. Similarly, Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Awadhesh Narain Singh was leading over his other rivals in the preliminary rounds of counting of votes from Gaya graduate constituency.. He is pitted against RJD candidate Dr Puneet Kumar Singh and Congress nominee Dr Ajay Kumar Singh in a three cornered contest. On the other hand, Hindustani Awam Morcha candidate Mahachandra Prasad Singh is in direct contest with JD (U) candidate Virendra Prasad Yadav. The counting of votes has not formally started so far and bundles of ballot papers were being made till the last report received in. Election to Gaya Graduate, Gaya Teacher, Saran Graduate and Kosi Teacher constituencies was held on March 9. The terms of Awadhesh Narayan Singh from Gaya Graduate constituency Sanjeev Shyam Singh from Gaya Teacher constituency and Sanjeev Kumar Singh would end on May 8. The election to Saran seat was necessitated after Mahachandra Prasad Singh who was elected to the upper house on JD (U) ticket lost his membership under the anti-defection law when he switched over to HAM. Altogether 48 candidates were in the fray for four seats which were at stake in the state legislative council election.UNI DH IS BM -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0214-1189723.Xml
A week after Qatar Airways announced its plan to set up an airline in India along with the Gulf nation's sovereign wealth fund, the government today said it is considering amending rules regarding 100 per cent ownership by foreign airlines. "There are various opinions on the matters related to 100 per cent FDI in airlines. We are considering what the Indian airlines through FIAs are saying. Off-course, the government policies are such we do welcome 100 per cent FDI. But we are working through exact registration process and all of the appropriate policies are around us. That is under evaluation," Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation said on the sidelines of SpiceJet's first batch of AME Convocation Ceremony here. On being asked about any proposal received from Qatar Airways, the minister added, "As of now, we have not received any formal application from any airline about 100 per cent FDI."Yesterday, a delegate of domestic airlines' grouping Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) met Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman and flagged concerns regarding allowing overseas players to establish carriers in the country. Expressing concern over the issue, leading airline carrier SpiceJet Chief Managing Director Ajay Singh said, "Do not support having 100 per cent FDI in aviation sector as it doesn't guarantee investments."Last year in June, the government had liberalised the rules for 100 per cent FDI in many sectors including civil aviation in Brownfield Airport projects in an attempt to 'modernise' the existing airports.On release of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) he said in few weeks it would be put in public domain. UNI ASH SHK 1923 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-1189826.Xml
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today met Minister for Health & Family Welfare J P Nadda here and said that works relating to five new medical colleges at Baripada, Koraput, Balasore, Bolangir and Puri were continuing.He informed that medical colleges at Baripada and Koraput would start their first batch admission fromthe ensuing 2017-18 session.He said Odisha had received only Rs 170 crore till date as against the committed central shareof Rs 567 crore for these colleges and urged the Health Minister to release the balance share of Rs 397crore at the earliest.Mr Patnaik also highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the state for strengthening cancer careincluding cancer chemotherapy programme at 15 district headquarter hospitals. He also impressed upon Mr Nadda to initiate necessary steps for early establishment of the RegionalInstitute of Paramedical Sciences at Bhubaneswar.Mr Nadda while appreciating Mr Patnaik's for his efforts to improve the health sector in the state and said that adequate provision had been kept in the budget for 2017-18 for new medical colleges and the balance Central share of Rs 397 crore will be released at the earliest. Mr Patnaik also said that the state has achieved the highest rate of decline in infant mortality rate, which had fallen from 96 per thousand live births in 2000 to 40 in the year 2015-16, and was better than the national average of 41. Moreover, Odisha had achieved a sharp increase in institutional deliveries to 85 per cent, up from 35 percent in the last survey, the Chief Minister added. The Health and Family Welfare Minister appreciated the Odisha government in improving various health indices and overall health of the people of the state and assured that the concerns raised by Mr Patnaik would be addressed on priority and that every effort would be made by the Centre tosupport and supplement the state's efforts in improving the critical health infrastructure andoutreach of health services in the state.The Central Government had already approved a State Level Cancer Care Centre at Cuttack at anestimated cost of Rs 120 crore adding that financial assistance for three other Tertiary Cancer Centres at the rate of Rs 45 crore per centre will be provided at the earliest at VSS Medical College & Hospital, Burla, MKCG Medical College & Hospital, Berhampur and District Headquarter Hospital, Kalahandi. UNI RBE SHK 1910 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-1189783.Xml
The government today gave its approval to permit Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to sell its 24 per cent equity in one of its Joint Venture Companies, Lubrizol India Private Limited (LIPL) to Lubrizol Corporation, USA (LC), the other Joint Venture Partner. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The sale will enable the company to have long term association with its joint venture partner and thus LIPL to have access to the latest global additive technologies developed by Lubrizol Corporation, USA. UNI ASH SHK 2016 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0388-1189967.Xml
From incredible sarees designed in lustrous tussar silk to kurtas woven from Kuchai, garments created from some of the best organic fabric of Jharkhand were on glorious display as internationally acclaimed designers showcased their work at the Amazon India Fashion Week today. Some of India's top fashion designers including Rina Dhaka, Shaina NC, Shruti Sancheti, Divya and Ambika Jain showcased their latest fashion collections designed from Jharkhand's rich fabrics and handloom at the grand fashion show put together by Jharcraft. Top models sashayed the ramp displaying the elegant collections with elan as the designers showcased their designs made of Tussar silk, Kuchai silk and other handloom fabrics of Jharkhand. Jharcraft (Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd) conceived the fashion event with an objective to put spotlight on to the exquisite and organic fabrics handcrafted by craftspeople of the state. Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani also paid a visit to the Jharcraft pavilion and took a close look at the handloom collection. She also discussed the initiatives being undertaken to help artisans from the state to achieve better market access and improve their livelihood. Tussar Silk, a special silk variety produced in eastern and central India, primarily in Jharkhand, was the special focus of the collection. India is the second largest producer of Tussar silk and the exclusive producer of Indian Tussar (also known as tropical tussar). In recent years, Jharkhand state has emerged as the largest producer of Tussar silk in the country. The artisans producing the silk are largely poor tribals from Jharkhand state. In its quest to improve sources of livelihood for these artisans, Jharcraft works to promote their work and take it to national and international platforms. "These silks are a deep manifestation of the tribal arts and crafts of the region and reflect the well-springs of creativity endowed with the ethnic communities of Jharkhand. Recognizing it as a source of income, the artisans of the state have in recent years further cultivated and enhanced their skills as well as variety of products. Jharkhand is today the leading producer of Tussar silk which is attracting much attention, especially among the discerning fabric lovers. By associating with such an event and showcasing Tussar silk and garments made of other handlooms of Jharkhand, our attempt is to take ours fabrics and handlooms to international markets," said K Ravi Kumar, Managing Director, Jharcraft. Tussar silk is made from silkworms. Some varieties produced in Jharkhand is also known as 'Ahimsa' silk because unlike the traditional process, this process allows silkworms to leave the cocoons before the cocoons are soaked in boiling water and reeled. The use of 100 percent natural dyes made from tree bark, vegetables, wild grasses and flowers ensure purely organic silk. (ANI)
A third round of Syrian peace talks got under way here without the participation of the armed opposition, who refused to travel after accusing Moscow and Damascus of breaking a ceasefire in force since December. "I would not put too much emphasis on the participation of the Syrian armed opposition. The most important are the consultations between the guarantor countries of the ceasefire (Russia, Iran and Turkey)," Kazakh Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Tuesday. However, a participant in the negotiations told Russian media that the meeting, scheduled for March 14-15, could be extended beyond Wednesday should the main opposition groups decide to join the Astana talks, Efe news reported. According to several sources cited by Russian media, the heads of the Syrian armed groups are planning to meet in Ankara later on Tuesday to decide if they will go to the Kazakh capital to participate in the plenary meeting scheduled for the following day. The spokesman for the rebel faction Suqour al-Sham Maamoun Haj Mousa told Efe on Monday that his group would not engage in any kind of dialogue, including the UN-backed Geneva talks, unless the Syria and Russia changed their tactics. The decision not to attend "was taken by all the factions", Mousa said. Meanwhile, Astana-3 has started with bilateral consultations between the delegations of Russia and Turkey on the one hand, and Russia and Iran on the other. --IANS vgu/ ( 245 Words) 2017-03-15-04:00:10 (IANS)
After his live Skype interview with BBC on the impeachment of South Korea's president was gatecrashed by his children in the cutest manner possible, American academic Robert Kelly, whose family has now become an internet sensation, said that his error has turned his family into "YouTube stars". Kelly was discussing the impeachment of South Korea's president on BBC World News, when his two children barged into his study in their apartment in Busan. "Everybody we know seems to think it's pretty hysterical. We understand why people find it enjoyable ... It's funny," Kelly told James Menendez, the BBC presenter who conducted the original interview, reports the Guardian. "We were worried actually that the BBC would never call us again. That was our first response - mortification that we had completely blown our relationship with you," Kelly added. Many people have been smitten by the amusingly brash manner by Marion, four, as she entered the room and marched up to her father's desk. Kelly said that his daughter was "in a hippity-hoppity mood" because of a school party she had earlier in the day. He said: "As soon as she opened the door I saw her image on my screen." However, Kelly valiantly attempted to guide Marion towards some toys, while hoping the broadcaster might narrow the camera angle or use some video of Park Geun-hye. However, the channel did not cut away and as Kelly responded to a question about inter-Korean relations, his eight-month-old son, James, sauntered through the open door in his baby walker on the polished wooden floor. The overwhelming response to the video, which soon went viral around the world, prompted the couple to turn off their smartphones and ignore social media for several days, unable to deal with the deluge of comments and requests to talk. However, they broke their silence on Tuesday by giving interviews about the infamous interview. (ANI)
Activists have raised concerns over the persecution of Christians in Pakistan saying the minority is facing social and economic deprivation in the country. "Pakistani Christians are not equal even under the law so therefore the persecution starts right there as far as the law is concerned. There is social discrimination, job discrimination, social violence and the law enforcement agencies cannot save them because generally it becomes a very Islamic question," Javaid Rahim Baksh, a Christian activist from Pakistan based n Canada, told ANI. Baksh added that they are trying to bring the issue of persecution of Christians on international forums such as the United Nations so that the global leaders can come to their aid. "If the issue of persecution of Christians is raised, (on international platform) may be there can be some negotiation with Pakistan. It would help the Christians be looked after, be legally protected which they can be if the law wants to do that. If they are declared persecuted the international community can come to their aid," he said. Another human rights activist from Pakistan, Naveed Walter, told ANI that minorities in Pakistan were particularly facing hardship and exploitation because of the strict blasphemy laws in the country. "Christians and other minorities in Pakistan are particularly suffering because of the blasphemy law in the country. If someone even as a personal conflict or business or social conflict, he can easily target the other person under the blasphemy law and often the accused under the law are sentenced to death or assassinated," said Walter. He added that other ways in which Christians face persecution in Pakistan is through forced conversions, forced marriages and abduction. "We have endlessly highlighted this question that why only girl aged 12-25 from minorities are converted. This is because they are abducted and converted forcefully. Even the courts there are under the pressure of religious clerics. Even in the Pakistan Constitution there are many articles that discriminate against minorities," he added. Activist James Luke echoed similar concerns over the misuse and expoitation of the blasphemy law in the country. "The blasphemy law which should otherwise be applied to all equally is being exploited and used for personal revenge. And even if the court lets people accused of blasphemy walk free, they are killed by extremists. There is an example in Punjab governor Salman Taseer case who only spoke in support of Asia Bibi and was killed," said Luke.(ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has warned the government against using the cybercrime law against political opponents. In a statement issued by the PTI on Tuesday, the party chief alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government was trying to intimidate its political opponents using the cybercrime law, as reported by the Dawn. The statement comes a day after the federal government decided to take action against the PTI chief under cybercrime and defamation laws for what it described as trying to influence the Supreme Court's judgement in the Panama Papers case and damage Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's reputation through vilified media campaigns. Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb and the ruling PML-N's MNA Daniyal Aziz, while addressing a joint press conference, said Khan had tried to damage the Prime Minister's reputation by levelling false allegations against him during his speeches and on the social media. The government had a right to proceed against him under the country's cybercrime and defamation laws, they added. "We will definitely take action against the PTI leadership," the minister said, adding that it should not be called political victimisation because the PTI's campaign against the Prime Minister fell within the purview of cybercrime laws. Reacting to the announcement, Khan alleged that the government was "trying to threaten him with the cybercrime law" and vowed that the PTI would not be deterred by such threats, adding that his party would oppose all efforts to undermine democracy and would sabotage attempts intended to establish "Sharif's Badshahat (kingdom) and dictatorship" in the country. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that India has raised the recent incidents of violence with Indian citizens in the U.S. at the highest level and assured that the government will ensure safety of diaspora. The minister was making a statement in the Lok Sabha, where she made an appearance for the first time since her kidney transplant surgery. The minister assured the House that the government was giving highest priority to the safety of Indian diaspora. "Safety and security of Indian diaspora abroad remains a top priority for this government. We are in a continuous dialogue with the U.S. government. Close contacts with the local Indian community groups are being maintained through our embassy and consulates to address any emergent issues. "We will remain vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and do everything possible to safeguard their interests and welfare," Swaraj said. The minister's response came a week after the Lok Sabha members raised concern over hate crimes against Indians in the U.S. The members were voicing concern over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas on February 22 in an apparent hate crime, and of another Indian Harnish Patel a week later. A Sikh man, Deep Rai, an American citizen, was fired at in a racial attack last week, and is out of danger now. "In all three cases, the government, through its embassy and consulates, immediately reached out to the affected persons and their families for extending all possible help and support. I have personally spoken to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai," Swaraj said. "The government has taken up this issue with the U.S. government at very high levels and conveyed our deep concerns. We have called for necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Indian diaspora and expeditious investigation into these incidents." The Foreign Secretary discussed this matter in his meetings with Cabinet ministers and senior functionaries of the US administration as well as with the Congressional leadership during his recent visit to the U.S., she said. "The US authorities have responded strongly and assured us that they are working with all concerned agencies to ensure speedy justice," Swaraj added. Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar was in the US from February 28 to March 3. The minister said there had been widespread condemnation of these incidents by the U.S. leadership. "President Donald Trump referred to the Kansas shooting in his address to a joint session of Congress on February 28 and said that the U.S. stands united in condemning hate in all its forms," the minister said. She also said Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan issued a statement expressing the House's condolences on the killing of Kuchibotla and the House also observed a moment of silence over the incident. Governor of Kansas Sam Brownback also offered his condolences and assured thorough investigation, the minister said, adding that in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Brownback praised the "ingenuity, hard work and determination" of the Indian diaspora as well as their contributions to the State of Kansas. He assured that Kansas would remain "a welcoming, hospitable place" for Indians. "Several Senators and Congressmen have also expressed their condolences and regrets over the tragic incidents. They have been deeply appreciative of the contribution and role of the Indian community in the US," she said. "People-to-people contacts are the foundation on which the Indo-U.S strategic partnership has been built. The fact that broad sections of the American society have expressed their deep sorrow and regret over these incidents reassures us that despite these individual incidents, the American society values the people-to-people engagement between our two countries." Swaraj informed the House that the killing of Kuchibhotla was being investigated by the FBI as a hate crime. On the killing of Patel, the minister said according to the Sheriff and family, it may have been an incident of dacoity, but probe is on to ascertain if it was also a hate crime. On the attack on Rai, the minister said it had been reported that he was asked to leave the country, but added that agencies were probing if it is a hate crime. She asserted that these incidents did not reflect the sentiment of all Americans as the incidents had been widely condemned in the US. The minister, responding to queries raised by the MPs on March 9 on whether India would issue a travel advisory to its citizens against travelling to the U.S., said: "The government plans to issue an advisory for Indians travelling to or residing in the U.S. "I would say that prompt and clear response of the U.S. political leadership and the law enforcement authorities to these incidents and the widespread messages of sympathy and support from all quarters in the U.S. give us confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India." This was demonstrated by the American national Ian Grillot, who suffered serious injury while helping the two Indians. "I saluted his heroism and am sure the House joins me in wishing him speedy recovery." Since this was Sushma Swaraj's first appearance in the Lok Sabha after recovering from a kidney transplant surgery, as the minister walked into the lower House, members welcomed her with thumping of desk. She was wearing a green sari, with matching jacket in her usual style. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Congress Leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge and other members welcomed the minister and wished her long life and speedy recovery. Mahajan welcomed the Minister on "behalf of everyone", and wished for her good health.A Kharge also wished the Minister a "long life" and "good health", before jumping to putting forth a question on the attacks on Indians in the U.S. Sushma thanked everyone, and said: "I want to thank the entire House for their good wishes. It is because of your blessings and my faith in Krishna that I have completely recovered and returned to be here." --IANS ao/nir ( 1021 Words) 2017-03-15-18:16:11 (IANS)
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed opportunities for new economic programs and investments between the two countries during a meeting on Tuesday, the White House said.During the meeting with Prince Mohammed, Trump said he would support development of a new US-Saudi program focused on energy, industry, infrastructure and technology that would provide potentially more than $200 billion in investments in the next four years, the White House said in a statement.The two leaders also agreed to continue consultations on energy to ensure global economic growth and to limit "supply disruption and volatility." REUTERS JW PM2122 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1190091.Xml
US President Donald Trump today attacked a music video in which rapper Snoop Dogg points a fake gun at a clown-like Trump figure."Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!," Trump wrote on his Twitter account.Snoop Dogg's satirical video for "Lavender" makes references to issues including immigration and the police killings of unarmed black men, and features characters dressed as clowns including one called Ronald Klump.Towards the end, the rapper points a fake handgun at the head of the Trump-like character and the replica weapon releases a flag saying "Bang."In an interview earlier this week with celebrity website TMZ, Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, called the video "totally disgraceful" and said the musician owed Trump an apology."There is absolutely nothing funny about an assassination attempt on a president," Cohen said. "I certainly would not have accepted it if it was President (Barack) Obama. I certainly don't accept it as President Trump, and in all fairness, it's not funny, it's not artistic."The video has also drawn criticism from U.S. Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.Rubio, who has spoken of being a fan of hip hop music, said that because of America's history of assassinations "anything like that is something people should be really careful about.""I think people can disagree on policy, but we've got to be careful about that kind of thing because the wrong person sees that and gets the wrong idea and you could have a real problem," Rubio told TMZ.California rapper Snoop Dogg, 45, told Billboard he saw Trump as a clown.The video, released on Sunday, was intended to address police violence, the incarceration of black people and Trump's bid to impose a temporary ban on people entering the United States from several Muslim-majority countries."I feel like it's a lot of people making cool records, having fun, partying, but nobody's dealing with the real issue with this .... clown as president," the musician said.REUTERS JW PM2121 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1190093.Xml
President Donald Trump's administration has been contacting US energy companies to ask them about their views on the U.N. global climate accord, according to two sources with knowledge of the effort, a sign Trump is reconsidering his 2016 campaign pledge to back out of the deal.The sources, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the subject, said many of the companies reached by the administration had said they would prefer the United States remain in the pact, but would also support reducing the U.S. commitments in the deal.The accord, agreed by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015, would limit planetary warming in part by slashing carbon dioxide and other emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. As part of the deal, the United States committed to reducing its emissions by between 26 and 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.The sources did not name the companies contacted.One of the sources said the companies were "publicly traded fossil fuel companies," and added the White House would consider their input in making a decision on the Paris accord shortly. The source said the White House has been leading the discussions with the fossil fuel companies and the State Department, which represents the United States in climate negotiations, had not taken part.A White House official declined to comment.Trump has called climate change a hoax and vowed during his campaign for the White House to pull the U.S. out of the Paris deal, claiming it would be too costly for the U.S. economy.Since being elected he has been mostly quiet on the issue. In a New York Times interview in November he said he would keep an open mind about the Paris deal. He and members of his family and inner circle also met with climate change advocate and former Vice President Al Gore in December.Officials for Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Peabody Energy Corp and others did not immediately comment when asked about whether they had been contacted by the White House about the Paris accord.But several, including Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips, have expressed public support for the pact.OIL COMPANY SUPPORTExxon Mobil Chief Executive Darren Woods recently called the pledges that came out of the Paris agreement an "effective framework" for dealing with emissions, and pointed to Exxon's own work to cut its carbon emissions.In comments on Exxon's website, Woods wrote: "I believe, and my company believes, that climate risks warrant action and it's going to take all of us business, governments and consumers to make meaningful progress."Rex Tillerson, Exxon's former CEO and now U.S. Secretary of State, also supported remaining a part of the climate change discussion during his confirmation hearing. He said he did not see climate change as an imminent national security threat but said the U.S. would be "better served by being at that table" and remaining a party to climate change negotiations.Conoco CEO Ryan Lance similarly said he favored the U.S. remaining in the Paris agreement during CERAWeek comments last week. The energy company has said it expects the push for lower-carbon energy sources to create opportunities for its natural gas operations, and its investments in carbon-capture and storage.J. Robinson West, former chairman of Magellan Petroleum Corp., and now a managing director at Boston Consulting Group, says President Trump's anti-Paris accord sentiments probably reflect his dealings with the CEOs of smaller oil companies that operate only in the U.S., not the major oil companies."There are two classes of companies the independents, which are much more influential with this administration, and the global oil companies. The independents are anti-climate change ... all this stuff costs them money. The global companies operate all over the world. They have to operate at one standard - the highest standard - wherever they operate."Global oil companies have spent heavily on environmental regulation compliance in recent years. Exxon Mobil, for example, logged $4.9 billion in environmental spending in 2016, about 2.24 percent of total revenue, according to its annual report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ConocoPhillips, meanwhile, spent $627 million, or 2.57 percent of revenue.REUTERS JW PM2122 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1190098.Xml
Two police officers were injured in a raid on a house in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh, where three people identified as militants were arrested today, police said.The suspected militants threw grenades at police after they surrounded the house and demanded that the occupants surrender, a senior police officer said.The three arrested included a woman with a child, who was wearing a suicide bomb on her belt, said Iftekhar Uddin, the officer in charge of the police station in Sitakunda, the area of Chittagong where the raid took place."The bomb squad of the Chittagong Metropolitan Police deactivated the bomb and arrested all militants, including the female militant," Uddin said.The militants rented the house in Sitakunda, about 264 kilometers (165 miles) south-east of Dhaka, earlier this month, police said. Using fake IDs, they introduced themselves to the house's owner as a family. He became suspicious and called police.Forty-eight people have been killed or seriously wounded by Islamist militants in Bangladesh since 2013. They included at least six online critics of religious militancy who were hacked to death. Among them was a U.S. citizen of Bangladeshi origin.On July 1, 2016, at least six militants stormed a restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic zone and killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, and two police officers. All the militants were killed as Bangladesh commandoes ended the 12-hour long siege. REUTERS JWVPM2309 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1190159.Xml
Russia's foreign ministry called on Ukraine today to end a transport blockade of rebel-held territory in the east of the country, saying that the situation risked turning into a "humanitarian catastrophe".The ministry said in a statement on its website that the Kiev government was responsible for a recent flare-up of tensions in eastern Ukraine.REUTERS JW PM2309 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0364-1190161.Xml
SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Astronomers at Curtin University in Western Australia and the International Center for Radio Astronomy Research have discovered a star with the closest orbit to a black hole ever seen in our galaxy.

Located in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae, 14,800 light years away from earth in the Milky Way, the system named X9 fluctuates in brightness every 28 minutes, suggesting to scientists a star orbits a stellar companion which is most likely a black hole.

Although the binary couple have been known for decades, it's now believed the large amount of oxygen in the system supports the theory that the star is a white dwarf orbiting a black hole at a distance just 2.5 times, the earth from the moon.

"We actually don't think it's that rare," co-author from Curtin University, Vlad Tudor told Xinhua on Tuesday.

"What we think is it's just hard to see them because they're very faint to observe, but with radio telescopes we've just got to the level of technology where it's possible to observe the jets from these systems."

A possible explanation as to why the star is so close is that a red giant and a black hole collided causing gas from the star to eject, creating a binary between the newly formed white dwarf star and the black hole.

This process would then shrink the orbit of the binary with gravitational waves emitted, causing the black hole to pull in material from the white dwarf.

"This white dwarf is so close to the black hole that material is being pulled away from the star and dumped onto a disk of matter around the black hole before falling in," first author from the University of Alberta in Canada and Michigan State University in the United States Arash Bahramian said.

"Luckily for this star, we don't think it will follow this path into oblivion - it should stay in orbit."
Photo taken on March 14, 2017 shows a hospital where the injured tourists of the air balloon accident receive treatment. A total of 49 tourists were wounded including 15 Chinese in the hot air balloon accident in Cappadocia of central Turkey early Tuesday. (Xinhua)

ANKARA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 49 tourists were wounded including 15 Chinese in the hot air balloon accident in Cappadocia of central Turkey early Tuesday.

According to officials of Chinese Embassy in Ankara, among the injured Chinese tourists, nine experienced fractures.

Three balloons, mostly carrying foreign tourists, made an emergency landing due to strong winds during descending in Goreme district, state-run Anadolu Agency said, adding the heavy landing caused 49 tourists injured.

Turkish officials of the Cultural and Tourism Ministry were dispatched to the local hospitals, and an investigation has been launched.

Last month, one Danish tourist died after falling off the balloon in Cappadocia.

About 2.5 million tourists visit the Cappadocia region each year, with some of the visitors opting to take balloon flights over the stunning landscape during their trip.
BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Ouyang Huiyu, a student at Tsinghua University in Beijing, scanned the QR code on a bicycle. Within seconds it was unlocked and he could cycle off across campus.

Tsinghua covers a vast 356 acres, which makes biking a crucial part of daily campus life.

"Bicycles are the easiest way to get about," said Ouyang, adding that most of his classmates at Tsinghua also make use of shared bikes.

THE LAST KILOMETER

Bicycle sharing kicked off in China with city government programs, but the bicycles had to be locked in designated racks, and the point-to-point system never really caught on.

Although China's public transportation system is now better than ever, coping with rush-hour has always proven difficult.

Bicycle-sharing services lighten this burden and have the added benefits of making the first or final kilometers of a commute a more pleasant experience and being good for the cyclists' health.

There are close to 400 million bicycles in China, according to Dai Wei, founder and CEO of ofo, one of the biggest bike-share providers.

"Whenever I was in need of a bicycle, I found all of the bikes around belonged to other people," Dai told Xinhua, so he began to think about how everybody could have a bicycle at a moment's notice.

Dai, a graduate of Peking University, deployed the first batch of ofo bikes on campus in September, 2015 and the idea was an instant hit.

"We now have 15 million users in 40 cities, with more than 200 million completed rides," said Dai. "We expect to have 20 million bicycles on the streets this year in at least 200 cities. We will make ends meet this year and become profitable next year."

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Last weekend, Zhao Li biked from Beijing's CBD to the Forbidden City with her friend.

"It's environmentally friendly and biking used to be an important part of life in Beijing. Shared bicycles are bringing it back into fashion," she said.

According to BigData-Research, 19 million people used shared bikes last year and that number is expected to rise to 50 million this year.

Ofo is the biggest provider with 800,000 distinctive yellow bicycles throughout China; in second place, Mobike's silver and orange bikes number 600,000. Most users are between the ages of 25 and 35.

The market is still growing. U-Bicycle, founded in July last year, occupies three cities in south China's Guangdong Province. U-Bicycle is working closely with Alibaba's Sesame Credit to reward proper usage. Good sharers increase their credit score at Sesame Credit and when if their score reaches a certain level, they can use the service without putting down a deposit.

Although vandalism, theft and generally antisocial behavior are occasionally reported, Dai said the concept is widely popular and supported, so misbehavior is tailing off.

"Supervising together means enjoying together," he said.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CYCLE

China's bicycle-sharing is heading overseas. Bluegogo became the first in January, according to Sun Ye, its COO.

"We are operating in San Francisco, where our customer base is steadily growing," said Sun.

Founded in November last year, Bluegogo now covers six Chinese cities with five million registered users.

Ofo is heading to Singapore, Silicon Valley and London.

"We hope to introduce dockless bicycle-sharing overseas. There is no reason why it should not be as popular in other countries too," said Tang Ke, deputy PR director with ofo.

At home, ofo moved off campus in November, but it is still working with over 200 colleges in China to provide bicycles for students.

TWO WHEELS GOOD, FOUR WHEELS ALSO GOOD

"Bicycle and car sharing are two of the most rapidly developing markets," Xu Guangjian, vice dean of Renmin University's School of Public Administration, told Xinhua.

A popular car sharing provider, EZZY, has a fleet of about 500 electric cars, including the BMW i3.

Rapid urbanization, ballooning internet use and huge numbers of comparatively new driving permit holders are a perfect storm for car sharing, said Fu Qiang, founder of EZZY.

While most shared cars have to be picked up and returned to designated stations, EZZY users can leave the cars in any parking lot in urban Beijing.

EZZY staff conduct maintenance overnight, charge the vehicle and clean it, Fu said. "EZZY hopes our cars brighten the scenery of Beijing's urban life."

EVCARD, an electric car sharing program launched by SAIC Motor Corporation Limited in 2013 has close to 400,000 registered users and 9,000 cars across China, 6,000 of them in Shanghai.

"Most of private car owners drive their cars for only two to three hours per day," said Chen Jing, marketing manager of EVCARD. "The government supports our program with parking lots and charging post subsidies."

"Shared bicycles are convenient for short trips and enable seamless connection between the people and public transportation," said Renmin University's Xu, adding that they also reduce traffic jams and help air quality.

As an emerging service industry, bicycle-sharing brings hope that the declining bicycle industry can find a better model, said Guo Xia of Neonatal Economics.

"There are various sharing demands awaiting entrepreneurs and companies to explore," Guo said.

EVCARD now has 2,600 parking spaces in Shanghai. "We plan to share our spaces and charging posts with other cars," Chen said. "This is what sharing is all about."
by Larry Neild

LONDON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Sid O'Neill voted along with 17 million-odd other Britons to leave the European Union (EU) on June 23, 2016.

Politicians, academics and experts are still slugging out the rights and wrongs of Brexit. But as British Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 to start an irreversible divorce from the EU, what do ordinary British people think?

In an interview with Xinhua, Sid O'Neill, a man from the industrial heartlands of northern England, discusses what Brexit will mean for him and his family.

Sid O'Neill, 52, lives with his wife Lisa, 48, and three of their four children in an industrial town on the outskirts of Liverpool.

O'Neill, who earns 24,500 U.S. dollars a year collecting discarded pharmaceuticals for disposal, said: "I voted leave and so did Lisa. She had no qualms about coming out of Europe, and was very keen to vote leave. I honestly thought it was the right thing to do. We are a working class family, traditional Labor voters. In some ways I think it was an emotional thing."

"I wouldn't say my final decision was a struggle, but in the campaigning before the referendum on June 23 as the debates went on, there were days when I couldn't make up my mind.

"I was influenced by Nigel Farage of UKIP. He spoke the same kind of language as many British people," O'Neill said, adding that were he to vote again now, he is not sure how he would vote, but that he didn't regret his decision.

Lisa O'Neill, a support worker in a hostel for abused wives, earning just under 30,000 U.S. dollars a year, said she would still vote leave.

"We still don't know how the EU will react to Brexit when the real negotiations start. We knew when we voted it would be a difficult journey for Britain," Sid O'Neill said.

"The EU will feel the need to show other member states the grim consequences of wanting out. The Germans and some of the other countries will not want to be seen giving us an easy ride," he said.

"My generation has not been frogmarched off to fight in the trenches of Europe, unlike the generations caught up in two world wars in the 20th century. In that sense the EU has helped peace and stability across Europe. Ultimately though, Brexit will be seen as bad for Europe."

"Britain leaving is like knocking down the first domino, so I hope there is no chain reaction. Leaving also shows signs of disunity for the EU in its current guise.

"France, like Britain, has a large working class population and they are seeing the impact of immigration. Brexit may lead to questions being raised among other member states about the benefits of being in the EU."

O'Neill said that though they were Labor voters, they were impressed with the fact Prime Minister May was sticking by the referendum results and the job she was doing around the exit procedures.

Both said they thought the result would affect their family in the future.

"I don't see us benefitting whether we had voted remain or leave. But I thought voting leave was worth the risk. There will be change after Brexit," O'Neill adds.
PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- "The European Union will not be let down by (U.S. President) Donald Trump," said Jean-Dominique Giuliani, president of the Robert Schuman Foundation, a French center on European issues.

In an interview with Xinhua, Giuliani said the European Union "will find the means to react because it is unanimous enough to be less dependent on U.S. citizens".

U.S. PROTECTIONISM

U.S. protectionism can have a "positive" impact on the Sino-European relationship, according to the expert who noted "discussions are underway between China and the European Union for a free trade agreement".

"The Sino-European relationship is good but the European Union wants the Chinese market to be more open to investors... Europeans are more open to Chinese products than U.S. citizens, but the EU is looking for a better reciprocity with China," he said.

"Politically, the two powers share the same points of view on major global issues such as governance, environment, conflict and a stable Asia is in the interest of Europe," said Giuliani.

"No one has any interest in a trade war, especially since the European Union remains the world's largest trading power. Europe remains for the United States as for China, the world's largest consumer market and that won't change all of a sudden, even without Britain," he added.

Giuliani noted that Brexit has little impact on the EU economy which reported the same growth rate as the United States in 2016, mainly due the European central bank policy and convergence of economic approach of the bloc's leading powers.

"It's not yet sufficient but there are important presidential election this year particularly in France, where the presidential election could bring the missing link to a more sustained recovery and a more respected and strengthened euro governance."

"The only major European economy that has not made major reforms is France whose economy is certainly growing but less than others, so we expect a political alternation that should be good news not just for France," he said.

POPULISM TREND IN EUROPE

However, the expert pointed out that rising populism was challenging the EU which he said "is struck by a feeling of retreat in reaction to globalization which has increased inequalities notably in terms of scientific advances, including digitization which changes the value chains and so jobs".

"The issue of immigration feed populism which uses it as a pretext for fuelling fear, rising demand for borders as what we see in the United States, Korea and Japan," said Giuliani.

According to him, Europe is more exposed "because of its proximity to the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Africa's population is expected to double by 2050, and conflicts in the Levant are far from being solved."

"Today, there is a considerable effort to be made in training, retraining and investment in future technologies. It's a much more vital issue for Europe because the unity of the European Union is incomplete.

"It's not a state and therefore it is more difficult to walk all at the same pace in order to have results that can reduce the tendencies, recourse to identity politics, populism and nationalism," he said.

Another major factor for Brexit is euro-skepticism, which is "the other pretext" on which the populists rely, Giuliani noted.

"There is currently a kind of fatigue of the 60-year-old European Union, and obviously it has to adapt too, because it is a two-level democracy, which raises problems of legitimacy, management and acceptance of regulatory constraints," he said.

ELECTION EFFECT

Speaking about the upcoming presidential election in France, Giuliani predicted "a high score for the far-right whose speech and ideas represent a dangerous mixture".

Moderate European right parties, notably in France, Germany and the Netherlands (countries where elections are scheduled for 2017), "develop themes close to those of far-right without crossing the red line, such as review of the Schengen agreement, strengthening of the European Union borders control," he added.

"There is an important right-wing influence on moderate right-wing politics in Europe and, in any case, all candidates for the French presidential elections speak about migration and security issues," he said.

Asked about European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's white paper on possible post-Brexit scenarios, Giuliani stressed the "European Union is a union of sovereign states that want to bring their peoples closer".

"The ball is in the states' court and it is likely that we will see the option chosen at the end of the year after this election year," he said.

According to Giuliani, the 27-member European bloc is "very divided", so it is up to some member states to set an example in terms of defense, security and governance in the euro area, which should be strengthened so that this doubt on its sustainability stops.

Furthermore, migration also tests European integrity as Eastern and Western European countries express different stances. "Much progress has been made to receive refugees following the wave of migrants coming from Syria," he said.

Fortifying the external borders of European Union member states and empowering Frontex is therefore "a good thing" but must "go further".

"There is a need to find true European solidarity in this matter," he said.
People wave flags during the second day of the nuclear security summit in Washington, DC on April 1, 2016. (Xinhua/ AFP PHOTO)

WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States is pursuing a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Monday.

"We want to be able to pursue a constructive discussion with China that enables us to get at problem areas and make progress on issues," said U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton at a briefing.

The upcoming visit to China by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will focus on "pursuing a results-oriented relationship with China," Thornton added.

"He (Tillerson) will be discussing with Chinese interlocutors all of the various challenges and also areas of cooperation that we are looking to continue to pursue and continue to discuss and make progress on," said Thornton.

According to a previous statement by the State Department, Tillerson will arrive in Beijing on March 18 after visiting Tokyo and Seoul.

"We're going to look for areas that we can expand our cooperation (between the United States and China)," said U.S. State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner on March 7 during the first State Department press briefing since U.S. President Donald Trump took office.
THE HAGUE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- There remained no clear winner in the final debate on Tuesday, a day before the Dutch elections, but far-right populist Geert Wilders, who played anti-Islam card in the debate, still ranks high in the final run-up to the election.

In the building of the House of Representatives, for which the voters choose the 150 seats on Wednesday, the leaders of the eight largest parties debated with each party bringing in one statement.

The one-member Party for Freedom PVV leader Geert Wilders, second behind the rightist liberal party VVD in the polls, played the anti-Islam card.

"Islam is the greatest threat to the Netherlands," was his statement. "This is the theme where it actually is about in the Netherlands and worldwide. The future of our country is at stake," said Wilders, who has vowed to shut down mosques in his campaign.

Labor party PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher, facing a possible dramatic fall in seats according to the latest polls, refuted Wilders with his statement "The Netherlands belongs to all of us."

Referring to a remark by Wilders in 2014 that he wanted fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands, Asscher said "Your message is less, less and less...With less you get fewer Netherlands. I will never accept that."

But Wilders, who started his campaign in mid-February by making the notorious "scum" comment about Moroccan migrants, reacted by saying that "The Netherlands does not belong to all of us."

"The Netherlands is for Dutch who have chosen one hundred percent for our country," he added.

According to the latest polls, Wilders' one-member party could garner 15.7 percent of the votes from the Netherlands' 12.7 million voters, making this smallest party the country's second largest party.

Wednesday's parliamentary election sees a total of 28 parties bidding for 150 seats in the lower house.
DUBLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A search operation for three missing Irish Coast Guard crew members continued overnight following a helicopter crash off the west coast of County Mayo early this morning.

The Dublin-based coast guard helicopter, R116, with four crew on board, went missing at about 1 a.m. local time (0100 GMT). Captain Dara Fitzpatrick died in Mayo University Hospital. She was transferred to the hospital after being found in a critical condition.

Fitzpatrick was a senior pilot with the Irish Coast Guard, which she has served for over 20 years.

Gerard O'Flynn, the search and rescue operations manager of the Irish Coast Guard, said the air search for the missing crew members were scaled back but the sea search continued overnight.

The three crew still missing have been named as Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.

The sea search for the other three members was being carried out around 10 km west of Blacksod, County Mayo. Small amounts of debris have been found on the sea surface. It is reported that a fuel tank from the missing helicopter may have been located.

Flynn said there was no prior warning before the helicopter went missing.

He said there has been no indication about what happened and that the air accident Investigation team will be conducting a full investigation into the incident.

"This was a shock, the helicopter just simply disappeared. Communications was lost. Once communications was lost, an emergency procedure was initiated, a search was immediately initiated," he added.

According to air accident investigators, recovering the missing helicopter's black box flight data recorders could be vital to solving what happened the aircraft.

But the black boxes have not yet been found.

Water in the area is between 30 and 50 meters deep. Currently, rescue personnel were searching through debris and fuel.

In another development, Irish Transport Minister Shane Ross pledged that no resources will be spared in the search for the remaining missing crew members.

However, Eugene Clonan, head of operations of the Irish Coast Guard, said he was "not holding out much hope" for the missing crew.

He said the last communication with Rescue 116 was at 12:45 a.m. local time when it said it was approaching Blacksod to refuel after providing support to another helicopter, Rescue 118, and that there was no indication of any problem.

In a press release, the Irish Coast Guard said a Sligo-based coast guard helicopter, R118, completed an early morning medical evacuation of a crewman requiring urgent medical attention from a Britain registered fishing vessel approximately 150 miles west of Eagle Island in County Mayo.

"Owing to the distance involved, safety and communication support, known as Top Cover, was provided by the second coast guard helicopter, the Dublin-based R116," the Irish Coast Guard said.

Clonan said Rescue 116, a Sikorsky S92, was a very new aircraft and had had regular maintenance checks.

The helicopter is one of four in regular operation by the Irish Coast Guard.

The Sikorsky S92, which replaced the old S61 models, is manufactured to allow for long range missions of up to 365 nautical miles and improved cruising speeds. It is also equipped with enhanced technologies. It can hover in strong crosswinds or tailwinds of up to 35 knots.

Clonan said this helicopter has all the safety equipment onboard, adding that the crew themselves have immersion suits, life jackets, helmets and have training for these types of emergencies.
CANBERRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a warning for travelers using battery-powered headphones, after a woman was severely burnt when a battery exploded on a recent flight from Beijing to Melbourne.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ATSB said officials had spoken to the woman, who was listening to music at the time of the explosion.

"On a recent flight from Beijing to Melbourne, a passenger was listening to music using a pair of her own battery-operated headphones," the ATSB said.

"About two hours into the flight while sleeping, the passenger heard a loud explosion."

The woman told the ATSB that she suffered burns and boils from the incident, but praised the aircraft's crew for the quick thinking.

"As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face," the unnamed woman said, "I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck.

"I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor. They were sparking and had small amounts of fire.

"As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane."

The ATSB reminded passengers using battery-powered devices that "devices should be kept in an approved stowage, unless in use."

"Spare batteries must be in your carry-on baggage NOT checked baggage," said the ATSB statement.

"(Passengers) should locate their devices before moving powered seats (and) if a passenger cannot locate their device, they should refrain from moving their seat and immediately contact a cabin crew member."

News of the headphone explosion comes after cellphone maker Samsung was forced to recall a number of its Galaxy Note phones because they were also found to explode. Many airlines have since banned the faulty phones from being brought on board.
CANBERRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- One of Australia's largest breweries, Coopers, has on Wednesday retracted its involvement in a video in which two government MPs discuss the case for and against same-sex marriage in Australia, following extensive consumer boycotts over the weekend.

The video was made by The Bible Society - to which Coopers often donates money - and was released on Friday, but following widespread backlash from consumers, pubs and hotels which stock Coopers' products, the company has apologized for "getting involved in politics."

In an apology video released late Tuesday, Coopers Brewery's director of corporate affairs, Melanie Cooper said the company was "deeply sorry" for involvement in the sensitive issue.

"Our company supports marriage equality," Cooper said, "Offence has been taken by our recent involvement, for which we are deeply sorry.

"We have listened to a range of community views, we acknowledge this feedback and respect everyone's individual opinions and beliefs.

"We will be taking steps to show further support for our community, including joining Marriage Equality Australia."

Also in the video, managing director Tim Cooper said Coopers has had a "longstanding" link with the community, and admitted it was a mistake to make a video which conflicted with the company's "core values."
SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The site of Victoria's new youth prison has been moved further west after community outrage over the proposed location.

Premier Daniel Andrews bowed to community pressure after residents and local councils in South Werribee protested the proposed 217-million U.S. dollar "supermax" prison, saying it would be too close to homes and tourist attractions.

The facility will instead be built in Cherry Creek, further west of Melbourne, with the change in location not expected to change the project's budget or timeline.

Jenny Mikakos, Victoria's Minister for Families and Children, said the new site had a 2-kilometer buffer from any homes in the area.

"I acknowledge there were people in the local community not happy with the original site," Mikakos told reporters on Wednesday.

"We have listened to this community and we think this is a win for the local community."

The government released the original plans for the new prison in Werribee South in February after a series of violent riots at existing facilities.

Thousands of angered residents protested against the proposal, threatening that if it went ahead then Treasurer and Member of Parliament (MP) for Werribee Tim Pallas would be voted out at the next election.

Opinion polls published after the announcement of the new prison showed that Pallas would receive just 26 percent of the vote, half of what he received at the last election.

Pallas said the facility would now be built on land acquired from Melbourne Water.

"We have worked closely with Wyndham Council to identify an alternative site that meets the needs of the community and also the detailed criteria for the site outlined in the business case," Pallas said.

Joe Garo, a Werribee South resident, said he was relieved that the government had listened to the people and had seen common sense.

"We were happy they were prepared to listen," Garo told News Limited on Wednesday.

"The first site was just ridiculous. It was the worst place in Wyndham."
The closing meeting of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)



BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, began its closing meeting Wednesday morning.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Australian scientists released a study on Wednesday, that suggests climate change may hinder plants' natural defence mechanisms against insect predators.

The study conducted by Western Sydney University, found that the silicon that is naturally produced by plants in order to make them resistant to insectoid herbivores, may be inhibited by increased levels of carbon in the atmosphere, increased levels which are caused by global warming.

Dr James Ryalls, author of the report, told Xinhua on Wednesday that this process the plants undertake is often "neglected," but it is crucial to resist herbivory, attacks by insect predators.

Ryalls maintained that while research in this field is somewhat in its infancy, the potential to use silicon as a natural form of pesticide is immense.

"It's applicable to field conditions and crops, and even things like slag that is being tilled into the soil," Ryalls said.

"It's something that should definitely be implemented more."

But the scientist pointed out that plants are able to naturally produce their own silicon protection, and that it is very possible that this naturally occurring phenomenon stops herbivory in plants by their insect attackers.

So, Nyalls warned that increased levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) caused by global warming are of concern, and said previous studies have shown that during the Miocene Period that ended 5 million years ago carbon was not readily available, so silicon levels increased.

Therefore, in the case of increased CO2 levels caused by climate change, Nyalls said that silicon will decrease, thus causing the plants to lose their natural protective barrier.

"This will make the plants more susceptible to herbivores that feed on the plants," Nyalls said.

"It will have a knock-on effect on their predators as well."

"As CO2 levels increased, we saw this trade-off, we saw this negative correlation between carbon and silicon, so as carbon dioxide increases, silicon accumulation decreases."

Nyalls suggested that in cases where plants have higher capability of producing silicon, the effects may become more pronounced.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chang Linglong has just returned from a trip to Shanghai that she describes as "a nightmare."

The 160-square-meter apartment she booked on a short-term rental website turned out to be just 70 square meters. And instead of the "quiet, exquisite" house described, she found it right on a busy street, and the noise kept her up all night.

"The promised coffee maker and hair dryer were also nowhere to be found. Isn't it a kind of fraud?" she asked.

Yang Li had an even worse time.

Landing at midnight in the southern city of Shenzhen, she and her friend were more than surprised to find they had nowhere to stay. Their booking had been canceled without notice.

"The owner said the website where we placed the order was temporarily unavailable, so it was rented out on another platform," Yang said.

She called the four service hotlines listed on the website. Three were nonexistent, and the other gave no convincing explanation but merely confirmed that her booking was invalid.

HORROR STORIES

Sharing is increasingly popular in China, with young people the biggest fans. Looking for more flexible and cost-effective travel experiences, people love online home-sharing.

Airbnb opened in China in 2012 and more than 2 million Chinese have used the service overseas. Domestic competitors quickly opened their doors and now over 800,000 properties are up for rent on tujia.com, mayi.com and xiaozhu.com.

A February report by online consulting firm iResearch calculated a market turnover of 8.8 billion yuan (around 1.3 billion U.S. dollars) last year, and that is expected to grow by around 50 percent this year.

However, a plethora of problems have emerged and it is not just the horror stories of dissatisfied travelers which is causing concern.

Someone in east China's Zhejiang Province lost 60,000-yuan worth of camera equipment , while a renter in Tianjin found his sofa and mattress ripped up by the tenant's two dogs. Neither got any compensation.

An Jinming from the Beijing tourism commission said complaints about shares were 20 percent higher than for traditional accommodation, perhaps due to a lack of unified standards and regulation.

SHARED LIES

Short-term rentals mostly involve private homes. Landlords can list their homes simply by providing an ID card, ownership certificate or lease contract and a few pictures. Checking the authenticity of this material is not a high priority for the websites.

A Mr. Hong "shares" two private houses in the tourist city of Lijiang in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

"It is easy to list on these websites. The pictures I posted have been deliberately edited and sometimes 'beautiful' pictures I upload are 'stolen' from other listings," Hong admitted.

With so many houses registered each day, the website owners claim it is impossible to check the quality of all the properties and owners.

"We only check the information submitted by landlords. We set no requirements for tenants," staff at a short-term renting website told Xinhua.

The picture is somewhat different overseas. Beijing resident Chen Yi, a firm advocate of online home-sharing, said that on most foreign platforms both renters and tenants undergo complicated authentication processes before using the service. After any stay, they review each other and get credits accordingly. Any misbehavior such as mess and noise may lead to a deduction in credits and these credits are an important reference.

"Scores are given based on these assessments. The more transparent the process, the more secure we feel," said Chen.

PLAYING CATCH-UP

According to Li Jinglong, head of the tourism department in Anhui University, China's credit system in the short-term rental market should be connected with banks, the police and third party payments in the name of better regulation.

Regulation of short-term rental services needs to include such areas as fire safety and the architectural quality of the building.

"The supervision lags far behind development, especially since professional renters and small start-ups joined in," said Liang Shanying, an official at a tourism supervision department in central China.

"It is hard for us to get a clear picture of the total number of short-term properties or renters," said Liang.

Liang wants legislation as soon as possible and a multi-layer credit-rating system to help development of the industry.
SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday notified former President Park Geun-hye of the date of her appearing in the prosecution office for questioning.

Park will be summoned at 9:30 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) on March 21, according to local media reports. Park's legal team has reportedly said she would actively cooperate with the prosecution office's investigation.

Park has stayed in her private home in a southern district of Seoul since she vacated the presidential Blue House on Sunday night.

The constitutional court unanimously upheld the motion to impeach Park on Friday, about three months after the motion was passed in the parliament by an overwhelming majority.

Park became the first South Korean leader to be removed from office through impeachment.

State prosecutors have taken over the probe into the corruption scandal embroiling Park from special prosecutors, which ended their 90-day investigation on Feb. 28.

Park has been identified by prosecutors as an accomplice to her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is now in custody for multiple charges including bribery and abuse of power.

Park is accused of conspiring with Choi to receive bribes in return for supporting the 2015 merger of two affiliates of Samsung Group, South Korea's biggest family-controlled conglomerate.

The merger was extremely crucial to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Samsung's heir apparent, to inherit the management control from his ailing father Lee Kun-hee who has been hospitalized for almost three years.

The former leader is also charged with colluding with Choi to extort tens of millions of U.S. dollars from business conglomerates to establish two nonprofit foundations Choi used for personal gains.

Park had denied all the charges, refusing to be investigated by both state and special prosecutors when she was the head of state.

As she is now a civilian, Park can forcibly be taken into custody if she refuses the summoning without any specific reason.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Wednesday passed the General Provisions of the Civil Law, the opening chapter of a civil code planned to be enacted in 2020.

The General Provisions were adopted at the closing meeting of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), with 2,782 of the 2,838 deputies present voting in favor. It takes effect on Oct. 1.

Compiling a civil code, a decision made by the central leadership in 2014, has been deemed as a "must-do" to promote the country's rule of law and modernize state governance, and as a crucial move in building China into a moderately prosperous society by 2020.

A two-step approach has been designed for developing the code. The adoption of the General Provisions, which lays down basic principles for regulating civil activities, marks the crucial first step.

The second step, the compiling of five individual books that deal with property, contract, tort liability, marriage and inheritance, started late last year. Work on the books will be stepped up.

"With the General Provisions, 1.3 billion Chinese will feel more secure and enjoy more equal opportunities and dignity," said Sun Xianzhong, a national lawmaker and deputy head of the China Civil Law Society.

"The birth of the General Provisions is not the finishing line. There is a long way ahead for such a huge project as compiling a civil code," said Sun, who has spent years pushing for a civil code in the country.
WASHINGTON, March. 14 (Xinhua) -- White House on Tuesday started releasing details of President Donald Trump's tax return ahead of media disclosure.
WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand law enforcement agencies have paid tribute to Chinese counterparts for their success in finding a new type of methamphetamine that is chemically altered to be undetectable.

A cargo consignment labelled as a shipment of dishwashing liquid imported from Hong Kong was found to actually contain about 160 liters of "t-boc methamphetamine," New Zealand Police and Customs said Wednesday.

The consignment arrived in New Zealand on Jan. 28 and resulted in Police and Customs officers raiding homes and commercial premises in six Auckland suburbs on Tuesday, said a statement from the two agencies.

Four men aged 59, 47, 38 and 54 were to appear in the Auckland District Court Wednesday as the investigation continued.

They were charged with a range of offences relating to the supply of methamphetamine and the possession of equipment with intent to manufacture a methamphetamine.

T-boc was a form of methamphetamine that was chemically masked to prevent it being detected, and it could be converted back into the drug through another chemical process.

It was believed to be the first time that this form of methamphetamine had been seized in New Zealand.

The liquid and equipment seized in the operation were believed to have the capability to make about 120 kilograms of methamphetamine, which would have caused "drug harm" with an estimated cost of 148 million NZ dollars (102.6 million U.S. dollars).

"The approach to disrupting the supply chain hinges on the strong networks we have built with our partners in the Chinese National Narcotics Control Commission, across government including the New Zealand Customs Service," Police Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch said in the statement.

"With these strong networks, Police and Customs are becoming increasingly successful at disrupting the supply of illicit drugs into this country and holding those who profit from importation to account," said Lynch.

"We believe this is the first time a consignment of t-boc methamphetamine has been intercepted in New Zealand, and we rely on our strong partnerships both at home and overseas to stay abreast of the changing trends in the illicit trade in drugs."

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said the success of the investigation showed that criminal syndicates would go to great lengths and were becoming more sophisticated in their methods of concealment.

"We will continue to work alongside Police and our overseas partners to target and stop drugs at the border, in order to prevent it from getting into and harming our communities," O'Brien said in the statement. \
CANBERRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tourists have helped drive up Australia's visitor expenditure figures, while the number of Chinese who visited Australia grew almost 20 percent to more than 1.1 million in 2016, according to figures released by the federal government on Wednesday.

The International Visitors Survey (IVS) showed foreign tourists spent a record 39.1 billion Australian dollars (29.6 billion U.S. dollars) throughout the year ending December 2016, a 7 percent rise on the previous year, with Chinese visitors accounting for almost a quarter of that figure.

Overall, the top five spenders in Australia were China, Britain, the United States, neighbor New Zealand, and Japan, contributing more than half (or 15.8 billion U.S. dollars) of the total visitor spend.

In a statement accompanying the IVS, Trade Minister Steven Ciobo said tourism was beginning to become one of Australian economy's most important assets, considering the rise of the middle class in Asian nations such as China.

"Spending by international visitors to Australia has now grown by more than 35 percent in the last three years - supporting Australian jobs and the broader Australian economy," Ciobo said on Wednesday.

Ciobo said visitor numbers and expenditure was up across the board, with "double digit growth" coming from 12 different nations, and added that the government would be doing more to harness an even greater share of the foreign tourist market in the future.

The number of backpackers visiting Australia grew by 8 percent during last year, Ciobo added.

"The Turnbull government is supporting further growth in the Australian tourism industry, including by: investing a record 485 million U.S. dollars in Tourism Australia to market Australia abroad; negotiating the world's best aviation access agreements; and introducing visitor visa improvements."
WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand is aiming to strengthen trade and tourism links with countries in Latin America, Africa and Europe with a bundle of new air services agreements.

The government had approved the signing of four new air services agreements with Kenya, Botswana, the Dominican Republic and Guyana and an amended agreement with Italy, Transport Minister Simon Bridges said Wednesday.

"These agreements will further enhance New Zealand's international air connectivity between Africa and the Americas, bringing both trade and tourism benefits," Bridges said in a statement.

The new agreements were negotiated at the International Civil Aviation Negotiation Conference in December 2016.

"Other successful negotiations to expand and enhance air services opportunities were conducted with Belize, Nicaragua and Spain," Bridges said.

New Zealand had also signed an air services agreement with Colombia, which enabled code-sharing between each nation's airlines.

Under the new arrangements, New Zealand and Colombian airlines could operate up to 14 passenger services per week, with no limits on the number of cargo services.

"Strengthening our air links with South America has been a priority since we created new air services opportunities with Argentina in December 2014," Bridges said.

"This signing means New Zealand now has air services agreements with Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay."

New Zealand's approach to liberalizing air services had allowed for an open, competitive market, facilitating increased air traffic, lower air fares and stronger international trade links, he said.

"I expect that further new air services opportunities will be announced during the course of this year," Bridges said.

International visitor arrivals hit a record 3.5 million last year, up 12 percent on 2015.

New Zealand now had 61 air service agreements with other countries and territories, he said.
SYDNEY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Immigration Department is preparing on Wednesday to deport a grandmother from Brisbane who has been living in Australia for the past 50 years, after denying her request to stay in the country.

The woman, Maryanne Caric, was initially from the Republic of Yugoslavia (now Croatia), and arrived in Australia when she was two years of age, never learning any other language than English.

In early March, the Australian government handed Caric deportation papers, as she was held in the Villawood Detention Center on the outskirts of Sydney.

Caric, who has a history of drug offences, was impacted by legislative changes that occurred in 2014, which resulted in anyone who has been imprisoned for longer than a year having their visa cancelled.

In his determination, the Federal Assistant Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke said that although he understands that Caric has been away from her country of birth for 50 years, and that the issues she would be required to face in Croatia would make it "extremely difficult for her to make the necessary adjustments to life there," she still must be deported.

"I find that the Australian community would expect non-citizens to obey Australian laws while in Australia." Hawke said.

The Brisbane grandmother was charged with offences as recently as 2015, when police pulled over her vehicle and discovered 2.4 grams of pure heroin, and four mobile telephones, leading them to conclude that she was engaged in the purchase and distribution of illegal drugs.

Although Hawke admitted in his determination that Caric was able to remain drug free in her recent stint in prison, he was unable to be sure she would no longer commit any crimes.

"She may again resort to drug use and criminal activities," Hawke said.

While awaiting her deportation in the detention facility, Caric intends to appeal the decision.
by Xinhua writer Qu Junya

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China will build on the forward momentum and continue its economic structural reforms in 2017, in an effort to provide more opportunities for global growth.

Deepening supply-side structural reforms, aimed at mid- and long-term stable growth, will remain at the center, according to this year's government work report, which sets the GDP growth target for 2017 at around 6.5 percent.

SUPPLY-SIDE STRUCTURAL REFORMS

China's supply-side reforms started in 2016. Among the efforts, capacity reduction will this year expand from coal and steel industries to sectors including coal-fired power, building materials and nonferrous metal, said the National Development and Reform Commission on March 6.

The government work report urges a decisive market role and an improved government role in resources distribution so as to secure progress in this area.

"Aiming to resolve bottlenecks blocking mid- and long-term growth, the supply-side reforms are timely and necessary for a sustainable growth in China," Selcuk Colakoglu, head of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization, said in a comment.

Former Indonesian vice foreign minister Dino Patti Djalal said,"The resulting economic upgrading will bring more opportunities to the global growth."

Changes are believed to be directly and soon felt in future prices on world markets, of the bulk commodity in particular, as China is the world's second largest economy, as well as the largest coal consumer and steel producer.

For example, China's supply-side reforms last year contributed to an aluminum price hike.

"That (the reform) brings all of us in the industry to a healthier situation, when we see the new levels of prices," Vladislav Soloviev, CEO of the world's leading aluminum producer RUSAL of Russia, told Xinhua during the World Economic Forum (WEF) held in January in Davos, Switzerland.

He attributed the price rise to an expanding demand in all markets especially China, and was confident about sharing a bright future of China's reforms.

"The market is growing, economic reform is happening, there are a lot of infrastructural reforms ...That's why we are quite optimistic about the demand of the future, also about joint ventures with Chinese companies," he said.

INNOVATION-FOCUSED UPGRADING OF ECONOMY

It is China's priority to transform and upgrade the real economy in order to release potentials for a sustainable growth. The government work report demands innovation take the lead, which is expected to see new concepts, management modes and technologies.

"Problems in the real economy have their roots in a lack of innovation," said Zhou Guohui, deputy of the 12th National People's Congress and head of the provincial science and technology department of Zhejiang in east China.

He believed innovation highlighted developing new and high tech industries so as to open up more growth spaces, as well as transforming traditional industries with the information technology.

The reforms were challenging for such a developing economy as China, as it was turning into a leading first-class digital economy and the world's manufacturing powerhouse, Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of German giant Siemens, has said.

Apart from new technologies, innovation involved labor force retraining, he said, noting that Germans would like to share the experience for a smooth transition they went through in 1950s and 1960s.

"We are very eager to bring modern manufacturing software to Chinese manufacturing so they are more efficient, high quality and high scale," the Siemens CEO added.

The world expects to see a successful economic upgrading in China, because it is vital to China's growth, and in turn to global growth amid uncertainties largely from a sluggish global economic recovery and a surge in anti-globalization and protectionism in western countries.

"The planned growth level will help keep China's contribution to the global growth at around 30 percent, and this will help avert an economic depression worldwide," said Mihail Delyagin, director of the Russian Institute for Globalization Problems.

Indonesia's economist Yudhoyono Firmanzah, a former presidential economic adviser, said that as Indonesia's biggest trade partner, each one percent of China's GDP growth would be translated into 0.3 percent of that in the southeast Asian country.

A GREEN ECONOMIC UPGRADING

The government work report also holds environmental protection as a key factor in China's economic upgrading, to meet people's urgent demand for better environment, especially cleaner air.

Moreover, this serves as a driving force, NPC deputy Zhou said.

For example, economic mode changes entail cutbacks in coal consumption while working to improve energy efficiency. Official data showed a continuous fall in coal use in the past three years in China, where energy use was however up 1.4 percent only for a 6.7 percent growth last year.

China plans this year to close down, halt and delay coal-fired power capacity of at least 50 million kw in total, while quitting coal production capacity in excess of 150 million tons.

In a larger sense, this means China will contribute more to the global fight against climate change.

Macharia Munene, a Nairobi-based foreign relations scholar, praised the latest Chinese move to meet environmental challenges.

As part of innovation efforts, China is taking measures including use of green technologies to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution, he told Xinhua recently.

China's economy is moving to "a lighter economy, a modern economy, and this is also reflected in the Chinese energy portfolio very much," Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, has said.

"I think some of the reforms, some of the steps China is making can also be an inspiration for other countries in the world, " he said, while noting a slowdown in energy demand growth as well as big and rapid leaps in the development of clean energies in China.
HANOI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese tuna exports to Japan have plunged sharply as the item has been levied with high import tax of 6.4-7.2 percent by Japan, according to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) on Wednesday.

In comparison, Thailand and the Philippines' tuna exports to Japan were exempted from import tax, local Vietnam Economic Times (VET) quoted VASEP as saying.

According to VASEP, the high import tax together with high input price left Vietnamese tuna products suffer from high output prices, making it difficult to compete with other countries' products in Japanese market.

For years, Japan had been Vietnam's third largest tuna consumers. In 2012, Vietnam earned 54 million U.S. dollars from exporting tuna to Japan. However, since 2013, Vietnam has seen continuous drop in tuna export revenue to Japan, hitting nearly 20 million U.S. dollars in 2016.

Last year, tuna export revenue to Japan accounted for merely 4 percent of Vietnam's total tuna export revenue, down nearly 7 percent compared to that of 2015, said VASEP, adding that Japan has fallen from the third to the sixth place among Vietnam's top tuna importers.

Currently, Vietnamese tuna accounted for a remarkably small proportion in Japanese market, with 0.5 percent of fresh and frozen tuna market share as well as 2 percent of canned tuna.

In order to help improve the situation, VASEP has urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade to bring Vietnamese tuna to a tariff removal list during the negotiation process of Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA), reported VET.
WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Former Prime Minister John Key, who resigned suddenly three months ago, is to leave Parliament next month.

Key said Wednesday he would give his valedictory speech as a lawmaker on March 22 and his resignation from Parliament would take effect on April 14.

Key was first elected to Parliament in 2002 and quickly rose to become leader of the center-right National Party.

He led the party to three successive election wins in 2008, 2011 and 2014, before suddenly announcing his resignation as prime minister in December last year.

At the time he cited family reasons for his resignation, saying the post had required great sacrifices "from those who are dearest to me."

The National Party under Key never wavered far below 50-percent in opinion polls and general election results.

However, it has not had an outright majority in Parliament and has had to govern with the support of three minority parties.

Much of the party's success has been attributed to Key's laid-back personal style and his unflappable demeanor when facing major crises, such as the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, which killed 185 people, or batting away questions on the government's occasional embarrassments.

Key issued a statement Wednesday thanking all those who had backed him.

"We got New Zealand back on its feet, got people into jobs, got back into surplus, and tackled natural disasters," said Key.

He is reported to be considering offers of directorships on major international companies.

Key was succeeded as prime minister by his deputy Bill English, who will lead the National Party into the next general election in September.
An anemone fish swims near sea anemones living on the coral reefs in the sea at Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia, Nov. 26, 2012. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

by Abu Hanifah

JAKARTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has set up a team tasked with assessing environmental damages and forms of compensation from British cruise ship Caledonian Sky, which recently crashed onto coral reefs in Indonesia's pristine coral sanctuary of Raja Ampat in the easternmost province of Papua.

Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya said that her ministry and office of Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs had set up the team shortly after received information about the mishap.

"We already got the information about the cruise ship and the agent that runs it. There will be Indonesian legal enforcer task force assigned to asses legal aspect over the incident and another team tasked to assess the environment damages. They would determine how bad the damage was as well its value," Nurbaya said on Monday.

The team is also assigned to look into extradition possibility should it needs to be conducted over the ship crews during legal proceeding over the case in Indonesia.

The team also involves military, police, general prosecutor office and Papua regional governments.

The minister said the team members had dived the waters around Kri island where the crash occurred, checking the severity of damages. Kri island is among isles in Raja Ampat.

According to the minister, Caledonian Sky cruise ship is now sailing in the Philippines waters.

An official at Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Arif Havas pointed out that the government would do all it takes to make Caledonian Sky responsible over the mishap that has destroyed one of world's most beautiful coral reef sites.

"We are ready to take steps considered necessary to assure the incident would not cost the public, recover the environmental damages caused by the incident," he said.

The mishap occurred on March 4 after the British cruise ship weighing 4,290 tons insisted to get out from Raja Ampat waters after landed 102 passengers in Waigeo to undertake bird watching tour session.

The cruise ship insisted to go when waters in Raja Ampat receded, leading to severe damage on coral reef canopy below the waters around the Kri island.

Head of Sea Resources Study Center at Papua University Ricardo Tapilatu who took part in the damage assessment process said that around 1,600 square meters of coral canopy was damaged due to the incident.

He added that the cruise ship is equipped with GPS and radar device. It was not known how the ship can be trapped in the shallow waters.

"The ship was then tugged out from the scene, something that should not be happening. They should wait until the sea water raise up again," he said.

Alexander Stubbs who documented the damaged coral related to the incident said recently that severity of the damages reaches 9 to 10 in a scale of 1 to 10.

Tapilatu said the firm that operates the cruise ship should pay compensation up to 1.92 million U.S. dollars for the damages.

"Should the firm refuses to pay, regional government may bring the case to the court," he said over the weekend.

The compensation funds should be used to finance efforts to recover the coral reef whose process may take a decade period of time and to procure buoys to prevent ships from entering waters during sea regress period.
WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday charged former U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless and eight other military personnel with corruption and other crimes in the "Fat Leonard" bribery case.

They are accused of taking bribes over an eight-year period from Singapore-based defense contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, nicknamed "Fat Leonard," and the former chief of Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

In exchange, they allegedly provided "Fat Leonard" with classified information he then used to gouge the Navy for servicing ships, said local media reports. Francis has already pleaded guilty to defrauding the U.S. Navy of tens of millions of U.S. dollars.

The bribes the defendants took include the services of prostitutes, lavish meals, watches worth 25,000 dollars, boxes of Cohiba cigars worth 2,000 dollars and bottles of cognac worth 2,000 dollars, according to the indictment unsealed in a federal court in San Diego.

In a party with prostitutes in the Presidential suite at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel in the Philippines in May 2008, "the conspirators drank all the Dom Perignon (Champagne) available," according to the indictment. The total expense exceeded 50,000 dollars.

"This is a fleecing and betrayal of the United States Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navy's highest-ranking officers," Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson said in a statement.

"The alleged conduct amounts to a staggering degree of corruption by the most prominent leaders of the Seventh Fleet -- the largest fleet in the U.S. Navy -- actively worked together as a team to trade secrets for sex, serving the interests of a greedy foreign defense contractor, and not those of their own country," said Robinson.

As of Tuesday, 25 people have been charged in connection with the corruption and fraud investigation, according to a USA Today report.

Among all the charged, 20 are current or former U.S. Navy officials and five are Glenn Defense executives, said the report.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday China will set up a special fund to pool together the country's finest scientists to find the "unique" causes of smog that frequently hovers over north China's winter skies.

China will fight and win the battle against smog but it takes time, Li told a press conference held after conclusion of the annual legislative session.

He said scientists told him during the session that they have not yet fully understood the causes of the winter smog in north China, which are quite unique in the world.
ISLAMABAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistani army said three hardcore terrorists were executed on Wednesday in a prison in the country's eastern Punjab province.

The terrorists were involved in committing "heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attacks on Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies," an army statement said.

"These convicts were tried by military courts," the statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said. They were hanged in a jail in Sahiwal, a main city in Punjab province.

All convicts had admitted their offences before the trial courts.

Convicts said Zaman Khan and Muhammad Zeeshan belonged to the banned Harkat ul Jehad-e-Islami group and were also associated with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Of total 161 awarded death sentence by military courts, 21 have been executed, the statement said.

It was the second executions of the terrorists in a week. Five hardcore terrorists were executed in a prison in the country's northwest on March 8.

The military courts were established for the speedy trial of the terrorists after the deadliest attack on an army public school in Peshawar in December 2014. Nearly 150 people, mostly students were killed in the Taliban claimed attack.

The two-year period of the courts expired in January this year and the government is now in the process to extend tenure of the courts. A bill has already been moved in the National Assembly (the lower house) to amend the constitution for this purpose.
by Chris Dalby

SANTIAGO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- As Chile hosts a summit that may lay out the future trade relations in the Asia-Pacific region, many eyes are focused on China's contributions at the High-Level Dialogue on Integration Initiatives in the Asia-Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities.

One leading expert believes "countries cannot simply remain with their arms crossed, especially if their interests to deepen economic cooperation happen to coincide."

"China, Chile and other countries of the Asia-Pacific region that share this vision must be ready to make all needed efforts to advance in this line," said Juan Esteban Matusalem, President of the Chile-China Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (CHICIT), in an interview with Xinhua.

For Matusalem, the benefits of free trade are very obvious in the relationship between China and Chile.

"The bilateral free-trade agreement has shown itself to be one of the great achievements between Chile and China. Furthermore, the constant efforts to deepen it reflect the opportunities to deepen business at all levels," said Matusalem.

For the business leader, the strong cooperation between Chile and China reflect the "pragmatism" of economic ties between China and Latin America overall.

According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), China replaced the European Union in 2014 as the region's second largest trading partner.

However, Matusalem pointed out that 70 percent of Latin America's export basket to China is focused on five kinds of products.

"Our challenge is to continue diversifying the quality of our exports, but also to move beyond raw materials toward value-added or other manufactured products. An important step for this is cooperation in science and technology, in fields ranging from astronomy to telecommunications," said Matusalem.

The CHICIT president noticed the evolution of Chile's trade balance with China since a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) came into force.

"Before the bilateral FTA, more than 90 percent of Chilean exports to China are consisted of copper and its derivatives. Since 2006, it has been overhauled. Currently, sectors such as fruits, wine, processed foods and forestry goods are growing in importance. In 2016, the largest growth was for agriculture, forestry and fishing, which grew 42 percent. Fruit exports grew 52 percent," he said.

Matusalem deemed it necessary for Chile to continue showing itself to be a country ready to cater to diverse Chinese customers.

"Professional services are an area where our country can succeed very well, especially given the major transformation of the structure of China's development. Then come the enormous opportunities in the tourism sector," he noted.

Matusalem said that the Pacific Alliance, including Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, has shown great interest in cooperation with China in various fields. "China is one of the main trading partners of each Pacific Alliance member," he added.

In order for the multilateral partnership to blossom, Matusalem recommended that the alliance should "consolidate a large-scale economic platform, allowing its countries to present a common front to Chinese investors."

"It will certainly facilitate the creation of global value chains between players in various economic sectors. It is the challenge lying before us," he added.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday urged the European Union (EU) to ease its high-tech export restrictions on China, responding to concerns over the bloc's trade deficit with the world's second largest economy.

"I believe that will make a big difference in our trade imbalance," Li said at a press conference following the conclusion of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing.

The EU is China's largest trading partner, while China is the EU's second largest after the United States.

"China has no intention to pursue trade surplus. In fact, China prefers trade balance, otherwise it won't be sustainable," the premier said, pointing out that European companies are situated at the higher end of industrial chain and already making a lot of money on the Chinese market.

China looks forward to a positive response from the EU on the ongoing Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) negotiations, Li said, while promising that, even without a BIT for now, China will further open up its market to European companies and treat them the same as domestic ones.

"We have got experience to properly handle our trade frictions," he added.

The premier also stressed that China will always support a united, prosperous and stable EU, a strong euro, and the European integration, which all benefit globalization, a multipolar world and cultural diversity.

"The future of the EU and China-EU relations looks bright to me," he said.
SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Three South Korean political parties, excluding the biggest opposition Minjoo Party, on Wednesday agreed to a national referendum on the constitutional amendment.

Floor leaders of the Liberty Korea Party, ousted President Park Geun-hye's party, and its splinter Righteous Party as well as the minor opposition People's Party met earlier in the day, agreeing to the referendum.

The three parties agreed to hold the referendum on the date of presidential election, which is forecast to be held on May 9.

Push for the constitutional revision is aimed at weakening the power of president, called imperial president here, as the three parties have little chance to win in the presidential race.

The draft amendment calls for the four-year, two-term presidency, while discussing the shortening of next leader's tenure to three years for the launch of the amended constitution. Currently, a president here serves a single, five-year term.

Public support for the Liberty Korea Party and the Righteous Party, composed of defectors from the Liberty Korea Party, has tumbled since the corruption scandal embroiling Park emerged in late October.

The support scores declined further after Park's impeachment motion was unanimously upheld on Friday by the constitutional court, dimming the outlook for the conservative parties to win back presidency.

A presidential election must be held within 60 days as the president is formally unseated.

Approval rating for the People's Party, which broke away from the main opposition Minjoo Party, also hovered at a low level even after Park's ouster by the court.

Three major presidential contenders of the Minjoo Party have gained about 60 percent of public support in total in recent opinion polls, with the party's approval scores soaring to almost 50 percent.

The winner in the primaries of the Minjoo Party is expected to become the next South Korean leader to succeed Park.

The bill on constitutional revision can be tabled in the 300-seat National Assembly if at least 150 lawmakers agree on it. It would be passed if over two-thirds of the parliament votes for it.

The Minjoo Party has 121 parliamentary seats. It was trailed by the Liberty Korea Party with 93 seats, the People's Party with 39 seats, the Righteous Party with 33 seats and the Justice Party with six seats.
SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports of information and communications technology (ICT) products posted a double-digit growth in February thanks to demand for locally-made semiconductors, a government report showed on Wednesday.

The ICT exports reached 14.06 billion U.S. dollars in February, up 22.8 percent from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. It was the first time the February figure topped 14 billion dollars.

Shipments of semiconductors led the February increase as chip exports surged 56.6 percent to the monthly high of 6.5 billion dollars last month.

Display panel exports expanded 15.5 percent over the year to 2.23 billion dollars in February. Those for computer and peripherals advanced 22.9 percent to 660 million dollars.

Handset shipments plunged 25.9 percent to 1.5 billion dollars amid fiercer global competition and the absence of new models.

Exports to China and the European Union jumped 34.1 percent and 37.9 percent each last month due to robust demand for semiconductors. Those to the United States tumbled 17 percent on weak demand for handsets.

Trade surplus in the ICT sector reached 6.77 billion dollars in February. Among the total, 4.82 billion dollars came from the Chinese mainland and China's Hong Kong.
QUITO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador's ruling party presidential candidate Lenin Moreno has now 15-point lead over rival Guillermo Lasso as the April 2 runoff is coming near, a poll showed on Tuesday.

According to pollster Perfiles de Opinion, some 51 percent of those surveyed said they favored Moreno, versus 36 percent for Lasso.

State news agency Andes hailed the poll results, reporting that "87 percent of the population has decided on which of the two tickets to vote for ... with a 15-point advantage for Moreno over Lasso."

Moreno won the first-round vote on Feb. 19, but fell just short of the 40 percent of the ballots needed to secure a win and avoid a runoff.

The runoff pits the popular and progressive Moreno, an leader for the rights of the disabled, who rose to serve as vice president before despite being confined to wheelchair after an armed assault, against an ex-banker with little charisma.

However, a spate of recent electoral wins by conservative pro-business politicians elsewhere in the Americas, including Brazil, Argentina, Peru and most recently the United States, is making it a closely-watched race.

The opposition is casting the elections as a choice between more of the same -- the continuity of the left-leaning government of President Rafael Correa, who has been in power for 10 years -- and changes.

A video by Argentine actors, activists and academics is making the rounds online, warning Ecuadorians about risks of the right-wing "false promises of change."

"This happened to us, they promised us change, for the worse!" actor Julio Di Santi said in the video.
XINING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Persistent snow is disrupting the lives of more than 2,200 farmers and nomads in northwest China's Qinghai Province, blocking traffic and starving livestock, local authorities said Wednesday.

Eight townships in three counties, including Xunhua county, have been worst hit by the snow lingering in the region since Friday, according to the provincial civil affairs department.

In Gangca township of Xunhua, 2,085 residents are facing difficulty in traffic, and more than 62,000 sheep and cattle cannot graze, as snow has covered roads, pasture and livestock folds.

Local government workers are cleaning roads and distributing relief goods such as fodder and warm clothes to affected residents.
SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's economy posted a trade surplus for 61 months through February due to robust export growth, customs data showed on Wednesday.

Revised figure for the February trade surplus reached 7.1 billion dollars, staying in the black since February 2012, according to the Korea Customs Service.

The longest surplus came as exports, which account for about half of the export-driven economy, jumped 20.2 percent over the year to 43.2 billion dollars. Imports advanced 23.9 percent to 36.1 billion dollars.

Semiconductor exports surged 56.7 percent in February from a year ago, leading last month's trade surplus.

Those for automobiles and oil products jumped 12.5 percent and 782.6 percent each, but ship exports tumbled 30.9 percent amid the ongoing restructuring in the shipbuilding industry.

Shipments of telecommunication devices, including smartphones, declined 26.9 percent amid lack of new models and the negative effect from Samsung Electronics' discontinuation of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.

Exports to China, South Korea's biggest trading partner, increased 28.8 percent on the back of demand for chips and oil products. Those to the European Union and Japan logged double-digit expansions, but shipments to the Middle East countries declined 10 percent.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China's national legislature on Wednesday passed the General Provisions of the Civil Law, the opening chapter of a civil code planned to be enacted in 2020.

The General Provisions were adopted at the closing meeting of the annual session of the National People's Congress (NPC), with 2,782 of the 2,838 deputies present voting in favor. It takes effect on Oct. 1 this year.

Compiling a civil code, a decision made by the central leadership in 2014, has been deemed as a "must-do" to promote the country's rule of law and modernize state governance, and as a crucial move in building China into a moderately prosperous society by 2020.

A two-step approach has been designed for developing the code. The adoption of the General Provisions, which lays down basic principles for regulating civil activities, marks the crucial first step.

The second step, the compiling of five individual books that deal with property, contract, tort liability, marriage and inheritance, started late last year. Work on the books will be stepped up.

"With the General Provisions, 1.3 billion Chinese will feel more secure and enjoy more equal opportunities and dignity," said Sun Xianzhong, a national lawmaker and deputy head of the China Civil Law Society.

"The birth of the General Provisions is not the finishing line. There is a long way ahead for such a huge project as compiling a civil code," said Sun, who has spent years pushing for the civil code.

PROTECTION NETWORK

The General Provisions are based on a 1986 version, also called the General Principles of Civil Law.

Though historically significant, the 1986 General Principles included some outdated provisions.

Furthermore, with the promulgation of many separate civil laws over past decades, judges might hand down different verdicts in the same case as they turn to different laws when making judgments.

To better handle new conditions arising in China's socio-economic development, lawmakers have revised a number of clauses in the 1986 version and added new ones to better protect individuals and organizations.

The General Provisions add an article for the protection of the interests of fetuses. Fetuses that require protection in the succession of estates and receipt of donations shall be deemed as having the capacity for civil rights.

Yao Jianlong, a law professor with Shanghai University of Political Science and Law, hailed the new provision as "great progress."

"If the law fails to properly recognize, respect and protect the rights of fetuses, problems could arise for protecting their rights after they are born," said Yao.

The General Provisions lower the statutory age limit for minors with limited capacity for civil conduct from 10 to eight years.

The move is primarily designed to raise minors' awareness of their rights and obligations, said Zhang Rongshun, vice chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.

The General Provisions stipulate that an adult with no or limited capacity for civil conduct shall be eligible for a guardian, meaning seniors unable to care for themselves will be placed under guardianship.

The 1986 General Principles prescribe guardians only for minors and mentally ill people with no or limited capacity for civil conduct.

In addition, the General Provisions grant the status of "special legal persons" to rural economic collectives and villagers' committees, among other organizations, which will facilitate their civil activities, such as entering into contracts, and better protect their members' rights and interests.

Zhang described the new legal document as "keeping with the times and also forward-looking," evident by the protection for personal information, online virtual assets and intellectual property rights.

The provisions also stipulate that civil subjects must be aware of the need to save resources and protect the environment in their civil activities.

The "green" principle reflects China's need to strike a balance between its population of 1.3 billion and the environment for a long time to come.

Many opinions and revisions have been taken on board during the process of making the general provisions.

Last year, the draft went through three readings at the bi-monthly sessions of the NPC Standing Committee. Public opinions were solicited multiple times and symposia held to gather suggestions. More than 70,000 opinions were collected.

Upon suggestions by lawmakers, a new provision was added during the just-concluded annual session to hold people accountable for damaging the reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs.

People who harm the name, portrait, reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs, thus hurting the public interest, shall bear civil liability, the provision states.

DREAM COMING TRUE

It has long been a dream of China to develop a civil code of its own.

Drafting of the General Provisions started in March 2015, following a decision by the Communist Party of China to compile a civil code at a key meeting in October 2014.

In 1954, 1962, 1979 and 2001 respectively, China made separate attempts to draft a civil law, all halted due to various reasons including political turmoil.

This time China is readier than ever to see the task through to completion.

Since 1979, a series of separate laws have been introduced, including the Property Law, Inheritance Law and Tort Liability Law, laying a good foundation for compilation of the civil code.

Lawmakers will make necessary revisions to the existing laws to integrate them into the code, said Zhang Rongshun with the NPC Standing Committee.

According to the legislative schedule, the civil code's individual books are expected to be submitted as a whole for a first reading at a bi-monthly session of the NPC Standing Committee in 2018. The NPC Standing Committee will then organize separate reviews of the books.

"We need a complete civil law system to adapt to the well-off society we are building," he said.
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil's Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot Tuesday asked the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to open 83 official inquiries against politicians accused of corruption.

The politicians were mentioned in the testimonies of 77 former executives of the construction company Odebrecht. The company was deeply involved in the major corruption scandal at state-run oil giant Petrobras and in numerous other corruption schemes in connection with governmental contracts.

The names of the politicians Janot requested to be investigated could not be disclosed, as so far the Odebrecht testimony and related investigations remain confidential. However, Janot required the court to lift the judicial secrecy on the case for the sake of transparency and the public interest.

The requirement was sent to the Supreme Court because, under Brazilian law, high-level politicians such as presidents, ministers, federal representatives and senators can be tried only in the Supreme Court.

Although the names of the politicians supposedly involved in the corruption schemes are still confidential, local TV station Globo said the list includes at least five ministers, six senators, several members of the previous federal administrations and ex-presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff.

According to Globo TV, even though Brazilian President Michel Temer has not been directly implicated in illicit party funding and has denied any wrongdoing in the corruption scandal, dozens of politicians reportedly named for taking kickbacks in the testimony by Odebrecht executives included senators in Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) and the allied Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB).

In addition, at least five ministers in Temer's government were in the crosshairs, including his recently appointed new foreign minister Aloysio Nunes, as well as the presidents of both houses of Congress.

Supreme Court Judge Edson Fachin will decide whether the court will take the cases and whether the confidentiality will be suspended. He is expected to start analyzing the several boxes of documents sent by Janot next week.
Top Communist Party of China and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attend the closing meeting of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, concluded its annual session Wednesday morning.

Among 2,838 NPC deputies present at the closing meeting, 2,812 voted in favor of the government work report; 2,793 for the work report of the NPC Standing Committee; 2,606 for the work report of the Supreme People's Court; and 2,606 for the work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Lawmakers also approved the General Provisions of the Civil Law, the decision on the quota and election of deputies to the 13th NPC, and the methods for electing deputies to the 13th NPC from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

Other documents approved by the lawmakers included the 2017 national economic and social development plan, and the 2017 central and local budgets.

The lawmakers also approved the resignation of NPC Standing Committee member Xu Xianming.

Leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli attended the closing meeting at the Great Hall of the People.

In his closing remarks, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, hailed the achievements made under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

President Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has attained great prestige among the Party, the military and people of all ethnic groups, and become the core of the CPC Central Committee and the entire Party, according to Zhang.

Zhang called for maintaining a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee with Xi as the core in thoughts, politics and actions, upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized and unified leadership, as well as faithfully implementing the Party's policies and the CPC Central Committee's decisions.

The General Provisions of the Civil Law, which take effect on Oct. 1, is the opening chapter of a long-awaited civil code.

The civil code will include individual books that deal with property, contracts, tort liability, marriage and inheritance, according to the legislative plan.

Zhang called for stepping up work on the books to ensure a civil code that has Chinese characteristics and reflects the spirit of the time and the will of the people be enacted in 2020.

Zhang also called on NPC deputies to always bear the people's wishes in mind, perform their duties effectively, and make new contributions in upholding, implementing and developing the people's congress system.

The people's congress system, a fundamental institutional arrangement that integrates the principles of upholding the Party's leadership, the people being the master of the country and the rule of law, demonstrates the characteristics and advantages of China's socialist democracy, said an editorial published by Xinhua Tuesday.

The editorial stressed better use of the system to ensure that the country is effectively governed under the Party's leadership, decisions by the CPC Central Committee are implemented and all sorts of work is pursued according to the law.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit China from March 18 to 19 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Wednesday.

According to spokesperson Hua Chunying, China and the United States will exchange views on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of common concern.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Beijing pledges to strengthen regulation of online catering platforms to ensure food safety, the municipal food and drug administration said.

Supervision over the platforms will include checking business licenses and health certificates and, more importantly, the quality of ingredients and health conditions of cooks of the restaurants on the platforms, the administration announced on Wednesday, World Consumer Rights Day, also known as "3.15" in China.

Thirty-four restaurants have recently been ordered to withdraw from waimai.meituan.com, one of the most popular such platforms in China, for selling cold dishes without a license, said Li Jiang, head of the food market regulation office of the administration.

The administration will launch spot checks on food safety of the restaurants and order them to post pictures of their kitchens and cooking process on the platforms, according to Li.

A restaurant rating system will be introduced on the platforms, so that customers can choose higher rated ones, Li added.

According to statistics, Beijing has five online food ordering and delivery services, including waimai.meituan and waimai.baidu, with altogether 67,000 restaurants on them.

China has adopted strict food safety regulations in recent years, but the proliferation of kitchens and restaurants riding the e-commerce boom has made supervision more difficult.

The food safety watchdog in Ningbo City in east China's Zhejiang Province said it will introduce a supervision system for the online catering sector using big data techniques that can collect information on more than 10,000 restaurants in an hour.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Cui Xinyu)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday the Chinese mainland's stance of opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is consistent and clear-cut.

Li made the remarks while addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature.

"No matter how the situation on the island may evolve, the fraternal bond between the mainland and Taiwan will not be severed, the history and the reality that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China will not be changed, and our resolve and sincerity in safeguarding the peaceful development of the cross-Strait relations will not waver," Li said.

He said the Chinese mainland will continue to uphold the 1992 Consensus, which acknowledges that the Chinese mainland and Taiwan belong to one China, as the political foundation for the cross-Strait relations.

While vowing resolute opposition against "Taiwan independence," Li said the well-being of the people across the Strait will be promoted.

More policies will be introduced to help Taiwan people find jobs, create businesses, work and live on the mainland, he said.

"We will continue to provide favorable policies so that Taiwan businesses and Taiwan compatriots can share opportunities of development with the mainland," he said. "Anyway, we are one family."




SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A nuclear-powered U.S. aircraft carrier arrived in the South Korean port city of Busan on Wednesday to join the ongoing springtime war games, according to local media reports.

The ongoing U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve and Foal Eagle, last from March 13 to March 24 and from early March to the end of April, respectively.

Seoul and Washington have claimed the annually-held war games are defensive in nature to protect from nuclear and missile threats of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), while the DPRK has denounced it as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and its attendant fleet are accompanied by 24 F/A-18 fighter jets, 10 aerial tankers, 10 S-3A anti-submarine airplanes, six SH-3H anti-submarine helicopters, four EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft and four E-2 airborne early warning aircraft.

The U.S. forces are reportedly set to mobilize other strategic assets during the joint drills, including F-35B stealth fighter jets that were deployed in the U.S. military base in Japan in January.
VLADIVOSTOK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian air defense troops will launch 500 anti-craft missiles in Siberian drills to shoot down improvised enemy planes, said Alexander Gordeev, head of the Russian Eastern Military District Wednesday.

"Air dense units will practice by detecting, tracking, identifying and destroying rapid small target missiles. Around 250 target missiles and two cruise missiles will be used to intimate improvised enemy planes, and some 500 anti-aircraft missiles will be used to destroy them," Gordeev said.

The exercise will use anti-aircraft missile defense systems such as S-400, S-300, Tor, Osa, Strela-10 and Pantsir-S, anti-aircraft guns including self-propelled Shilka and MANPADS like Igla, according to Gordeev.

A total of some 8,000 troops and over 1,000 pieces of military hardware are involved in the drills.

The large-scale drills are being held on the Telemba training range in the Republic of Buryatia.

The Eastern Military District is one of the four operational strategic commands of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Headquartered at Khabarovsk, it absorbed the territories of the former Far East Military District and part of the former Siberian Military District.
TRIPOLI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes erupted in the Libyan capital Tripoli since early Tuesday morning and lasted to Wednesday morning between rival militias, according to witnesses.

Heavy gunfire and explosions could be heard in the city, while roads in downtown Tripoli were closed, witnesses confirmed.

The fighting is between two militias loyal to the two rival governments in Tripoli: the UN-backed government of national accord and the deposed government of national salvation that is attempting to take over the city and get back to power.

Forces loyal to the UN-backed government issued a statement on Tuesday night warning "all fighting parties against continuing violence."

"Al-Bonian Al-Marsus forces call on all armed groups of all affiliations to stop the fighting, return to their headquarters, release all detainees, and open all blocked roads." The statement said.

According to witnesses, the clashes were sparked after two citizens were killed by an armed group in central Tripoli.

No official information was available regarding casualties. However, local media reports say the clashes killed and injured several people and caused considerable material damage.

"I call for immediate ceasefire in Tripoli. Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," Martin Kobler, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, tweeted on Tuesday.

"Repeated violence in Tripoli again demonstrates the need for united, professional security forces to protect the Libyan people."

Libya has been suffering escalating violence and chaos since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011. The country is plagued with insecurity and violence as well as political division.
Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2017 shows bags of contaminated soil at Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The operator of Japan's disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant on Tuesday failed again to retrieve vital information by sending a robot into one of its reactors.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. (TEPCO) was preparing Tuesday to send a self-propelled robot to explore the inside of the No. 1 reactor and capture, then send information about the melted nuclear fuel debris so that the utility can decide how to remove it.

The deposits of fuel are believed by TEPCO to have penetrated the reactor pressure vessel and melted through the containment vessel which holds the nuclear fuel.

But Tuesday's operation to launch the shape-shifting, camera-equipped robot into the reactor was cancelled, as camera images outside the containment vessel used to monitor the robot could not be seen on the control room's screen, the utility said.

TEPCO said it will investigate the latest failure and try to deploy the robot again later this week.

The latest mishap follows a similar failed attempt on Feb. 17 to retrieve data from inside the damaged No. 2 reactor at the same facility, due to the robot malfunctioning, possibly due to extremely high levels of radiation.

TEPCO sent the robot into the damaged reactor to gather information about highly radioactive residue from melted fuel inside the reactor, believing that the fuel melted through its core during the 2011 Fukushima disaster at the bottom of the plant's containment vessel.

Before the technical failure, TEPCO said the robot sent back data, revealing the level of radiation in air three meters from the entrance to the pressure vessel at a lethal 210 sieverts per hour.

The amount of radiation measured at that location is enough to kill a person, even after being exposed for just a brief period of time.

TEPCO added that the temperature measured at the same point was 16.5 degrees Celsius.

In an earlier survey, levels of radiation as high as 650 sieverts per hour were detected in the No. 2 reactor, much to the consternation of Japan's nuclear watchdog and the local and international public.

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2017 shows a warning sign at Okuma near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. (Xinhua/Hua Yi)

TEPCO planned to acquire data on the situation in the battered No. 2 reactor that is pertinent to the plant's eventual decommissioning, and is trying to determine if incredibly high radiation levels caused the self-propelled robot to malfunction.

The robot was supposed to travel to where a black mass, thought to be nuclear debris, had been detected previously underneath the pressure vessel.

The robot was also supposed to reveal further information about a 1-meter square hole on the grating of the vessel caused by melted nuclear fuel.

TEPCO gave up trying to retrieve the robot and opted to cut its remote control cables.

The failed operation by TEPCO to retrieve the necessary data on the high levels of radiation, the temperature, and the amount and locations of melted fuel and nuclear debris from the damaged reactor further complicated the decommissioning of the ravaged plant. Tuesday's failure has done little to help the embattled utility.

TEPCO was the owner and operator of the Daiichi facility in Fukushima Prefecture at the time of the nuclear disaster which has been unfolding since March 11, 2011.

The disaster involved a massive quake-triggered tsunami knocking out the plant's key cooling functions leading to multiple meltdowns of the facility's reactors.

The crisis has yet to be fully brought under control more than half a decade since the incident, with no precise timeline for the full decommissioning of the plant, or a clear blueprint for the technological processes necessary.

The Japanese government has said it will likely continue its effective state ownership of TEPCO, as the expected costs for the increasingly complicated decommissioning of the plant and paying compensation to the victims continue to escalate. As many as 40,000 people fled Fukushima after the meltdowns at the Daiichi plant and 123,168 remain displaced, according to the latest figures for the National Police Agency.

The ongoing disaster, the sixth anniversary of which was observed last Sunday, remains the world's worst nuclear crisis since the 1986 Chernobyl accident.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gives a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Hi, here's what you need to know about China:

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday that China and the United States are in communication on a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump.

Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature, Li said "diplomatic authorities of the two countries are already engaged concerning a face-to-face meeting" between the two presidents. xhne.ws/DZJnu

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BEIJING -- China will not devalue the yuan to boost its exports, Premier Li Keqiang said here Wednesday.

Last year, the international foreign exchange market experienced some volatility, and major currencies depreciated against the U.S. dollar, Li told a press conference after the close of the annual legislative session. xhne.ws/NygtN

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BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday it is China's consistent position to champion globalization and support free trade.

Li made the remarks at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the national legislature.

All countries have benefited from globalization, though there have been some problems in the process, such as issues with distribution, Li said. xhne.ws/BT0s1

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BEIJING-- Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday the Chinese mainland's stance of opposing "Taiwan independence" and promoting peaceful development of cross-Strait relations is consistent and clear-cut.

Li made the remarks while addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature. xhne.ws/06EuO

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WASHINGTON -- The United States is pursuing a constructive and results-oriented relationship with China, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Monday.

"We want to be able to pursue a constructive discussion with China that enables us to get at problem areas and make progress on issues," said U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton at a briefing. xhne.ws/m0VnU

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PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia's anti-drug chief Ke Kim Yan on Tuesday sought China's assistance to combat illicit drugs and treat drug addicts, the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD) said Tuesday.

NACD's chairman Ke Kim Yan, who is also a deputy prime minister, proposed to China during a meeting here with Zheng Baigang, director of the Bureau of Exit and Entry Administration of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, the NACD said in a press release. xhne.ws/zGiOM
ISLAMABAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Wednesday began the long-awaited population and house census across the country under tight security after 19 years, officials said. Last census was conducted in 1998.

The campaign will be completed in nearly two-and-half months and in phases, Chief Statistician Asif Bajwa told reporters after formally inaugurating the campaign in Attock, a main district in Punjab province.

The first phase of the process will continue until April 15 and the second phase will start on April 25 and conclude on May 25.

Army troops are providing protection to the census teams, the military spokesman, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor has said. He said that two hundred thousand personnel of Pakistan Army will assist the census process.

He said one solider will be deputed with each numerator to ensure smooth and transparent counting and for provision of security.

During the first phase, census process will be completed in 63 districts of the four provinces as well as Pakistan-administered Kashmir and northern areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, according to Bajwa.

In the second phase, census process will be conducted in 21 districts, including the Islamabad Capital Territory.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar ha said that control rooms have been established at federal, provincial, divisional and district levels to monitor and respond to any problem during the census operation.

He emphasized that services of the Armed Forces of Pakistan had been co-opted to work with the civil enumerators for ensuring a transparent and smooth census.

Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that 18.5 billion rupees have been allocated for the census while 118,918 enumerators, which are trained government employees, will perform duty during the census assisted by personnel of Pakistan army.
by Xinhua Writer Chen Shilei

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As some scapegoat globalization for their sluggish economy, others remain open and cooperative to explore business opportunities and reap win-win fruits.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud starts a state visit to China Wednesday, which is expected to be a main course of the 81-year-old king's one-month Asia tour.

Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia in January 2016, during which the two countries lift their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The China-Saudi Arabia ties can develop in a rapid and sound way because the Mideast country sees China's rise as an opportunity and appreciates China's proposals for regional and cross-continental development.

Saudi Arabia is one of the first countries that have responded positively to China's Belt and the Road Initiative, which was proposed by Xi in 2013 with an aim to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes by land and sea.

So far, Chinese businesses have helped build 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in 20 countries along the routes with a combined investment surpassing 18.5 billion U.S. dollars, generating nearly 1.1 billion dollars in tax revenue and 180,000 jobs in those countries.

Saudi Arabia, a hub connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, hopes to play a bigger role in the initiative and integrate it with the "Saudi Vision 2030," a growth strategy it launched last year to diversify its heavily oil-dependent economy.

The China-Saudi Arabia relationship can reach such a high level also thanks to the broad common interests nurtured by both.

In recent years, with great complementarity in their industrial structures, the two countries have furthered cooperation in such fields as energy, trade, investment and infrastructure construction.

China became Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner in 2015 and Saudi Arabia has been China's biggest crude oil supplier and largest trading partner in West Asia for years.

Enjoying such a close relationship, China and Saudi Arabia are expected to further consolidate the fruits.

During the king's stay, the two sides will discuss enhancing cooperation in areas such as culture, economy, trade, technology, security and defense. They are expected to sign several agreements and memoranda on education, investment, transfer of technology, industry and trade.

As Riyadh observes, China is ready to share development opportunities with the world. To take a close-door policy or a beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not make anyone a winner. Both China and Saudi Arabia know that.
JAKARTA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia registered 6.17 percent lower exports at 12.57 billion U.S. Dollars and trade surplus of 1.32 billion U.S. Dollars throughout February, a senior official at Indonesia's central statistics agency (BPS) said on Wednesday.

Speaking in a press conference held in his office here, Head of BPS Suhariyanto said the export figure in February this year was lower than 13.40 billion U.S. dollars a month earlier, but 11.16 percent higher than it was in corresponding period last year.

He added that non-oil and gas commodities took up most of Indonesia's export at 11.38 billion U.S. dollars throughout last month.

That figure was 6.21 percent lower than a month earlier, but 11.55 percent higher than it was in February last year.

Non-oil and gas export reductions were mostly seen in gems and jewelry products that dropped 105.2 percent.

"Indonesia's total exports in the first two months this year stood at 25.98 billion U.S. dollars, or 19.20 percent higher than in the same period last year," Suhariyanto said.

Particularly for non-oil and gas commodities, the total exports in the first two months this year reached 23.51 billion U.S. dollars, or grew 201.11 percent from it was in the corresponding period last year, he added.

The BPS head said that the largest receiver of Indonesian export was China that took up 1.36 billion U.S. dollars in February, followed by the United States, India and Europe Union countries.

In the first two months this year, most of Indonesia's imported products came from China at 4.87 billion U.S. dollars, followed by Japan and Thailand.
NEW DELHI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- India Wednesday said that it was closely monitoring the incidents of racial attacks on its nationals living in the U.S. and took up the issues with the Donald Trump administration.

"I have talked to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai (two Indian victims of hate crimes in the U.S.) I have also raised these issues with the highest authorities in the U.S.," Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in the Parliament.

She added: "The U.S. government has assured us that the attacks do not reflect the mindset of the Americans and safety of Indians living there are their top priority. The U.S. authorities, including President Donald Trump, have strongly condemned these incidents."

The FBI is investigating the recent killings, the Minister asserted.

Swaraj's remarks came in the wake of the Indian Parliament voicing its concern over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas on Feb. 22 in an apparent hate crime, and of another Indian Harnish Patel a week later.

A Sikh man, Deep Rai, who was an American citizen, was fired at in a racial attack last week, and is out of danger.

Last week, India's main opposition Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had said in the Parliament that the attacks on Indians started happening after Trump took over as the President of the U.S. and blamed the central government for being insensitive to such attacks.

"Indians in the U.S. are being killed, threatened, asked to leave the country while our government remains silent. This has started after (Donald) Trump became the President (of the US). The Indian government has failed to ensure the safety of its diaspora," he had said.
Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Omer Celik reacts during an interview with Reuters in Ankara, Turkey, March 14, 2017. Picture taken March 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

ANKARA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte had apologized by the phone over detention of Turkish charge d'affaires and Rotterdam consul general, Daily Sabah reported Wednesday.

During a televised interview with local channel late Tuesday, Yildirim said that Mr. Rutte had apologised in a phone conversation with him for the detention of Turkish Rotterdam consul general, Sadin Ayyildiz, and charge d'affaires in the Hague, Alper Yuksel.

"Mr. Rutte said that the detentions were carried out by mistake," Yildirim said.

"He stated that the Dutch officials also did not desire to increase tensions to such an extent," the Prime Minister said, adding Rutte even offered to have a dinner together with him.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced late Monday to impose political sanctions against Netherlands.

Turkish government will suspend high-level relations and all planned meetings with Netherlands. The Dutch ambassador to Ankara, who is out the country at the moment, will not be allowed to enter Turkey.

A permission given in December for diplomatic flights for Dutch officials is also cancelled.

Diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalated on the weekend after the Dutch authorities cancelled Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's flight permission to the Netherlands and then blocked Turkish Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam on Saturday.
SINGAPORE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Singapore sees increase in unemployment, layoffs and job searching time in 2016, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported in the Labour Market Advance Release 2016 on Wednesday.

MOM said unemployment for residents rose from 2.8 percent in 2015 to 3 percent in 2016, the highest since 2010. The annual average resident long-term unemployment rate was higher among those aged 50 and over as well as among degree holders.

Total employment, excluding foreign domestic workers, grew by 8,600 in 2016, lower than the increase of 23,300 in 2015, and significantly lower than the annual average of 120,000 between 2010 to 2014.

Local employment grew by 11,200 in 2016, rebounding from flat growth in 2015 due to growth in the professional services, financial and insurance services, and community, social and personal services sectors.

On the other hand, foreign employment contracted by 2,500 in 2016, continuing a downtrend since 2011 due to the decrease in Work Permit Holders in the manufacturing, marine and construction sectors.

In the meantime, redundancies rose to 19,170 in 2016, due mainly to business restructuring and reorganization.

The number of job vacancies dropped 47,600 in December 2016, the lowest since December 2012, said MOM.

Singapore's income however increased. The median monthly income from work including employer Central Provident Fund contributions of full-time employed Singaporeans increased by 0.7 percent over the year to 3,823 Singapore dollars (2,707 U.S. dollars) in June 2016.

Overall labor productivity rose by 1.4 percent in 2016, an improvement from the 1.0 percent in 2015.

In view of the weakened labor market, MOM has further enhanced the "Adapt and Grow" programs to help job-seekers overcome mismatches and missed matches in the labor market as the economy restructures.

MOM expects labor demand to remain modest in line with the Ministry of Trade and Industry forecast of modest GDP growth in 2017.
WELLINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- In what appears to be a world first, the New Zealand parliament on Wednesday passed a law establishing the legal personhood of a river.

The Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Bill was passed as part of the government's program to settle claims for historic injustices perpetrated against the indigenous Maori people.

The legislation would establish a new legal framework for the Whanganui River, known in Maori as Te Awa Tupua, which recognized the river as an indivisible and living whole from the mountains to the sea, said Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Christopher Finlayson.

Te Awa Tupua would have its own legal identity with all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person.

"The approach of granting legal personality to a river is unique," Finlayson said in a statement.

"It responds to the view of the iwi (Maori tribe) of the Whanganui River, which has long recognized Te Awa Tupua through its traditions, customs and practise," he said.

"This legislation recognises the deep spiritual connection between the Whanganui Iwi and its ancestral river and creates a strong platform for the future of Whanganui River."

The Whanganui Iwi had fought for recognition of its relationship with the Whanganui River since the 1870s.

"Today brings the longest running litigation in New Zealand's history to an end," said Finlayson.

The river, New Zealand's third longest, is 290 km long and flows from Mount Tongariro, in the central North Island, to the Tasman Sea.

The Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Maori chieftains and the British Crown in 1840 and guaranteed the Maori certain rights and customary privileges after New Zealand became a British colony.

But Maori were forced off their land in a series of later confiscations and wars that have since been recognized as violations of the treaty.

Over the last two decades the government has been settling claims with iwi around the country, but the Whanganui settlement was "innovative," said Finlayson.

Finlayson told Radio New Zealand that the new law would work like a charitable trust or an incorporated society, with trustees for the river legally required to act in its best interest.

"There some precedents for it overseas, there had been a lot of talk that this is actually a really good way of ensuring that the particular resource is able to have representative to address the kind of environmental degradation that so many natural resources suffer from," he said in the report.

The law also enacted compensation of 80 million NZ dollars (55.52 million U.S. dollars) for the iwi and a contribution of 1 million NZ dollars (694,000 U.S. dollars) towards "establishing a legal framework for the river."

The government would also give another 30 million NZ dollars (20.82 million U.S. dollars) to improve "the health and wellbeing of the Whanganui River."
Turkish police detain demonstrators on February 12, 2017 in Istanbul as demonstrators marked the 18th anniversary of the capture of Kurdish jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, founder of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and also gathered to support the "NO" campaign for the referendum on constitutional changes. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

ANKARA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 38 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) suspects have been detained on Tuesday during simultaneous operations in southeastern Turkey's Adana province, local media reported Wednesday.

Adana police forces conducted dawn raids operations against the homes of the PKK suspects.

Three pump rifles, weapons and documents belonging to the PKK organization were discovered and confiscated by the police.

Founded in 1978, the PKK has waged a decades-long bloody campaign against the Turkish state.

The PKK is officially designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU.

Throughout Turkey's counterterrorism operations, over 10,000 PKK terrorists have either been killed or detained since the group resumed its attacks in 2015.
COLOMBO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said here Wednesday that his country will expand economic cooperation with Sri Lanka from 300 million dollars to 500 million dollars over the next three years.

Yun, who arrived here earlier in the day, held bilateral discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera during which both sides agreed to further strengthen ties in several areas.

Samaraweera said that Yun's visit is historic and timely as he is the first South Korean top diplomat to visit Sri Lanka in 31 years.

While addressing the media after the meeting, Samaraweera said that the governments of the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka have agreed to further strengthen ties in trade and investment.

He expressed his government's deep appreciation at the announcement by the Republic of Korea to increase its economic cooperation with Sri Lanka from 300 million dollars to 500 million dollars within the next three years.

"I appreciate the financial assistance given to us by the Republic of Korea," Samaraweera said.

"I am confident that the visit by the minister will further enhance the relations between our two countries and pave the way for stronger ties in all spheres of cooperation," he added.

For his part, Yun said the South Korean government has agreed to facilitate Korean companies to engage in

infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka so that it would help Sri Lanka's national rebuilding efforts.

Yun said the two countries were planning to hold commemorative events to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year and facilitate the exchange of high-level visits.

He announced that his government will hand over a sum of 200,000 dollars to Sri Lanka as humanitarian aid for Sri Lanka's ongoing drought situation.

During his visit in Sri Lanka, Yun is also expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena.
MANILA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China and the Philippines signed on Wednesday purchase agreements that commit Chinese businessmen to buy 1.7 billion U.S. dollars worth of fruits and other agricultural products from the Philippines.

Zhao Jianhua, the Chinese ambassador to the Philippine, said the agreements signed on Wednesday "is an effort to balance the trade" between China and the Philippines.

He added that the signing of the purchasing agreements was the "advanced result" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's state visit to China in October last year.

The agreements will be the first of many as China also seeks to import more non-food goods such as chemicals and related products.

China has increased its fruit imports such as mangoes and pineapples from the Philippines after Duterte's visit to Beijing. During the last five months alone, statistics showed that the bilateral trade has reached 100 million U.S. dollars.

Philippine Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said discussions to further increase trade cooperations between Beijing and Manila and Chinese-funded infrastructure projects are underway and moving forward.

The signing of purchase agreements between Chinese and Philippine companies is a concrete example of the thriving trade relations between the two neighboring countries.

Philippine goods up for trading include organic coconut products, coco fiber, aqua marines products, ethanol, dried sorghum, garments, textiles, fatty alcohol, fruit, copper cathodes, potassium sulfate, among others, according to the agreements.

"The past year was a drastic development in our relationship with China. Now, there's no looking back. When we signed the 6-year JCETC we have agreed to further strengthen our relationship which will go beyond trading," Lopez said, referring to the Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation (JCETC) signed early March.

Last March 7, Lopez and Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan, who was in Manila for a visit, discussed ways to deepen trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Zhong's visit paved the way for the reconvening of the JCETC, the official bilateral mechanism for discussion of trade, investments and economic cooperation.

The JCETC was convened after a five-year hiatus and serves as a quick follow-through of Duterte's state visit to China last Oct. 2016.

Lopez and Zhong discussed the Six-Year Development Program for Economic and Trade Cooperation that will serve as the overall framework for economic relations from 2017-2022.

Both sides agreed on important initiatives geared towards improving overall levels of trade and investment between the two countries, the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry said in a statement last week.
MANAMA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Police patrol forces sustained damages during a Kalashnikov attack in Salmabad in the central Bahrain, tweeted the Interior Ministry on Wednesday.

The ministry highlighted no injuries were reported among the police team assigned to carry routine security work.

Police patrols which are deployed throughout Bahrain, especially in conflict areas with violence and rioting, have in recent years witnessed increased attacks against them via Molotov cocktails and homemade explosives.

Tens of police personnel lost their lives or sustained life-long injuries as a result of the attacks.

The ministry confirmed it has launched an investigation in order to identify and arrest the attackers.
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday that the man murdered in Malaysia last month had been confirmed as Kim Jong Nam based on the DNA sample obtained from his child.

It was the first time for the Malaysian government to hint at having contacted the next-of-kin of the deceased.

Zahid did not say when, how and from whom the DNA sample was obtained, but Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar, when announcing the identification of the dead man last week, refused to say how it was done due to safety concerns.

The DNA sample was tested following forensic procedures, Zahid told reporters when attending an event at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim was smeared with a lethal chemical weapon called VX nerve agent and died en route to hospital.

He also said formal talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) began on Monday to find a solution to bring back the nine Malaysian nationals whom were barred by the DPRK from leaving after a diplomatic spat between the two countries escalated following the investigation of Kim's death.
JALALABAD, Afghanistan, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Up to 17 insurgents loyal to the Islamic State (IS) have confirmed death after unmanned plane attacked the militants' hideouts in Achin and Mamandari districts of the eastern Nangarhar province early Wednesday, police said.
NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said on Wednesday that it will outlaw the manufacture and import of plastic bags from August for damaging the environment.

Environment and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu said in a gazette notice that all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging will be banned from Aug. 28.

"It is notified to the public that the cabinet secretary for environment and natural resource has with effect from six months from the date of this notice (Feb 28) banned the use, manufacture and importation of all plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging.

The ban will affect carrier which is constructed with handles and with or without gussets; and flat bag constructed without handles and with or without gussets

The ban is on bags up to 0.06 millimetres (60 microns) in thickness which winds often carry hundreds of kilometres from their source of origin.

The government has advised manufacturers of plastic bags in the East African nation to adopt new technologies of making biodegradable bags.

Non-biodegradable plastic bags have been cited as a top environmental nuisance across the region, but Kenya is adamant that a total ban will devastate its manufacturing base, with huge job losses expected. Nairobi alone handles 86,000 bags daily.

The country's first attempt in 2007 at cleaning up the country by banning the manufacture and import of bags of up to 0.03 millimetres (30 microns) did not succeed.

Of all five members of the East African Community -- Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda -- only Rwanda (since 2008) and Tanzania (in January) have so far successfully banned all plastic bags, and replaced them with paper bags.

In January, Tanzania followed Rwanda in effecting a total ban on plastic bags, which is also expected to hit Kenyan manufacturers hard, as the country has been a major export market.
NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is developing a new strategic framework to revitalize conservation of rhinos whose survival is at stake due to human and climatic threats, officials said on Tuesday evening.

KWS Director General Kitili Mbathi said that new rhino conservation measures hinge on technology adoption and robust community involvement.

"We are working on a raft of strategies that will be unveiled soon to strengthen conservation of rhinos in their habitat. The iconic mammals are still facing the threat of poaching due to their horn," Mbathi said during an event to green iconic statues of Black rhinos inside Nairobi National Park.

The Embassy of Ireland sponsored the greening of statues of two iconic rhinos, Kyela and Lankeu as part of global events to celebrate St Patricks Day.

Mbathi said the Kenyan wildlife agency has reached out to bilateral partners and private sector to raise awareness on the plight of rhinos whose numbers has shrunk due to poaching and illegal occupation of their habitat.

"As a country, we are lobbying the international community to oppose proposals in some quarters to legalize markets for rhino horns," said Mbathi, adding that massive public awareness in the source and destination markets for rhino horn is key to end their slaughter.

The population of rhinos in Kenya stood at 1,149 in 2016, down from 20,000 when the country attained independence from Britain in 1963.

According to the Deputy Director in Charge of Species at KWS, Patrick Omondi, Kenya has the third largest population of rhinos in the world after Namibia and South Africa.

Omondi noted that Kenya has managed to reverse loss of rhinos in the last two decades thanks to innovative conservation measures rolled out by the state and its bilateral partners.

"Plans are at an advanced stage to roll out the 2017-2020 recovery plan to increase the population of rhinos from the current figure of 1,149 to 2,000 in the next three years," said Omondi.
HARARE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- It is Tuesday afternoon and it's a hive of activity at one of the farms 60 km northwest of Harare as farm owner Paul Mattison prepares for the 2017 tobacco marketing season which begins this Wednesday.

Just a few hours before the selling season kicks off, Mattison and his managers are busy supervising the workers, some loading harvested tobacco leaves into a curing facility while others are busy grading the cured tobacco.

"I am expecting to produce 500 tonnes of tobacco this season and we have better quality crop when compared to last year. We are, however, down on yields this year due to too much rain and shortage of coal," said Mattison, one of the 195 farmers contracted by China's Tianze to grow tobacco in Zimbabwe.

Mattison has been growing tobacco under contract farming with Tianze for 10 years, and has no regrets for choosing to work with the Chinese firm.

"I love Tianze. They are absolutely brilliant. They have funded all the developments here including the tobacco barns and curing facilities," he said.

"I have done a lot of capital projects this season, spending about 220,000 U.S. dollars on buying new tractors and putting up a grading shade. This was all funded by Tianze," he added.

One of the few white farmers remaining in Zimbabwe after the land reform program, Mattison said he switched to Tianze after having worked with other companies due to Tianze's competitive financing and viable prices they offer for tobacco leaf, which is Zimbabwe's top export earner.

Tianze currently offers the best tobacco prices in Zimbabwe and its cheap money, lent at zero percent deposit, was the best ever deal for tobacco growers in the country, Mattison said.

He was lucky that just a small percentage of his crop, about five percent, was affected by hail storm this year.

He said he hopes to maintain the 170 ha of tobacco in 2018, and to further expand tobacco infrastructure at a farm that is covered under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) between Belgium and Zimbabwe.

He said his tobacco farming preparations were being affected by lack of storage space as all the tobacco had matured at the same time due to excessive rains, and hoped the beginning of the selling season would help alleviate the shortage of storage space at his farm.

He had already delivered 2,000 bales for sale to the contractor Tianze in Harare and hoped to pay back in full a 1.1 million U.S. dollars loan he borrowed from Tianze this season.

The 2017 tobacco auction sales begin on March 15 followed by contract sales on March 16.

Mattison's neighbor Kerry Ruzvidzo was not so lucky this season, as 60 percent of his 130 ha crop was damaged by hail storm and disease.

Tobacco output had therefore reduced by 25 percent from last year, he said.

"I am expecting 400 tonnes of tobacco, down from 500 tons last year. This is the worst year I have heard since I started growing tobacco under Tianze nine years ago," he said.

Excessive rains, hail storms and an incurable disease caused by the hail storm had seriously affected output and quality of the tobacco crop, he said.

He was also incurring extra costs hiring equipment to fix the road at his farm that had been damaged by excessive rains.

"I will not make any profit this year. I am just fighting to pay back the 1.2 million U.S. dollars I owe to Tianze and hopefully be able to get another contract with the firm next year," he said.

He said he was not expecting good prices for his spotty tobacco leaf due to its poor quality and added that he will reduce tobacco hectarage to 100 hectares next year due to poor returns this year.

Ruzvidzo said he wants to keep investing in technology in his tobacco farming venture so as to cut labor costs and improve viability.

Both Ruzvidzo and Mattison decried cash shortages in the economy, saying they had affected their ability to pay workers.

"We have resorted to paying them with plastic money but the challenge is that workers are now spending more time looking for money at the banks instead of being at work," said Mattison.

Tianze, a subsidiary of China Tobacco International, started tobacco contract farming in Zimbabwe in 2005 with the sole purpose of helping revive the country's tobacco output which had plummeted to a low of 48 million kg in 2008 following the implementation of the land reform program by government in the early 2000s.

Through its support over the years, Zimbabwe's tobacco output has rebounded and reached 217 million kg in 2014, slightly short of peak production of 231 million kg in 2001.

Tianze has managed to do this through provision of free interest loans, subsidized inputs and quality technical support, among other assistance.

Apart from contract farming, Tianze is involved in auction floor purchasing, processing, warehousing and exporting of tobacco to China. It also sources tobacco from other tobacco merchants in Zimbabwe and export it to China.

Every year, it buys and exports more than 50 percent of Zimbabwe's tobacco to China.

The number of farmers it supports in Zimbabwe has grown from one in 2005 to the current 305 with hectarage under contract rising from 20 ha to 8,720 ha.

Since inception, the company has injected 40 million dollars annually in interest free loans towards tobacco production, in addition to free technical support, training and other services to its contracted farmers.

Tobacco leaf accounts for 10 percent of Zimbabwe's Gross Domestic Product, underlining its significance to the country's economy.

The country is expecting slightly over 200 million kg of tobacco leaf in 2017 from 183 million kg worth 537 million dollars last year.
KHARTOUM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) on Wednesday urged the conflicting parties in Darfur to end hostilities and reach a lasting peace in the region.

In a statement, UNAMID welcomed the issuance on March 8 of a Presidential decree lifting death sentences from 66 members of Darfuri armed movements and pardoning 193 others.

"The Mission is heartened by this significant step forward which, it is hoped, will additionally reinforce the momentum of the ongoing peace process and national reconciliation," said UNAMID's Acting Joint Special Representative, Jeremiah N. Mamabolo, in the statement.

"All parties to the conflict should capitalize on this gesture with a view to end hostilities and bring about a permanent and lasting peace for the people of Darfur. UNAMID reiterates its commitment to do everything within its capacity to achieve this end," he noted.

Last Thursday, the Sudanese authorities released 259 convicts of rebel groups, some of whom were sentenced to death, just one day after a presidential pardon.

Earlier, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir issued pardons for 259 members of rebel movements "with the aim to enhance the spirit of national accord and prepare the climate for achieving sustainable peace in the country."
KHARTOUM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Sudan Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday the delayed visit to Khartoum of the Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, scheduled for Wednesday, due to security developments in Libya.

"Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour on Wednesday received a phone call from the Libyan Foreign Minister Mohamed Al-Tahir Siala who conveyed to him the current security developments in Libya since Tuesday," said the foreign ministry in a statement on Wednesday.

"The disturbing security developments prevented the delegation from leaving today, and the Libyan foreign minister stressed his country's willingness to embark upon the visit as soon as the current developments are overcome," it added.

According to the statement, Ghandour expressed his understanding and monitoring of the developments in Libya, reiterating the President's keenness on the Libyan prime minister's visit together with his concern regarding the developments in Libya and his confidence that those developments and their consequences will soon be overcome.

The foreign ministry further reiterated Khartoum's welcome of al-Sarraj's visit soon and the date will be agreed upon via both countries' foreign ministries.

The Libyan prime minister was scheduled to start a two-day visit to Sudan on Wednesday in order to meet Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Saleh to boost bilateral ties.
MALDIVES, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 51 people have been confirmed with the H1N1 Influenza virus in the Maldives within the past few weeks with one patient dying due to the flu, local media reports said on Wednesday.

The state owned Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has seen a rise in the number of flu patients within the past five days, prompting the state to open up a separate flu clinic inside a school.

On Tuesday alone 473 people were treated with flu symptoms while 1,098 have been treated over the past four days.

However the IGMH had not released the number of people who tested positive for the H1N1 virus following the sudden rise in the number of patients on Tuesday.

In order to prevent the numbers rising further, the Maldives Health sector has now opened up flu clinics in three major hospitals across Maldives and all necessary facilities are being put in place to treat patients.
SHANGHAI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- General Electric (GE) has signed a series of agreements with Chinese companies to boost bilateral cooperation and enhance global competitiveness, according to an announcement by the company.

GE will work with China Telecom to help its Internet technology enter the Chinese market and speed up China's industrial upgrades.

GE signed an agreement with Harbin Electric Corporation to establish a gas turbine manufacturing base, which will help China produce homegrown gas turbines and promote industrial upgrades of China's high-end manufacturing.

In the healthcare sector, GE will deliver a bio-pharmaceutical plant model to China's BeiGene to produce medicine. This will be the GE's third model plant worldwide.

GE also signed a deal with China Southern Airlines worth 3.48 billion U.S. dollars to provide aircraft engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the airline company.

Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, GE will work with Chinese partners to build three power plants in Pakistan to improve local energy infrastructure.

China is the world's second-largest economy and also the largest overseas market for GE, said GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt, who is on a visit to China,

Immelt added that the bilateral cooperation will not only help local firms grow but also enhance GE's business competitiveness.

China's industrial upgrading and economic restructuring have provided enormous development space for foreign enterprises, said Duan Xiaoying, president of GE China.
ATHENS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A year after the launch of an EU-Turkey deal to stem the migrant flow into Europe, Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) asked EU member states to change their approach to the crisis, pointing to the impact on the health of asylum seekers.

MSF psychologists in Lesvos island saw a two-and-a-half-fold increase in the percentage of patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a threefold increase in the percentage of patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, according to an e-mailed report on Wednesday.

"Symptoms of psychosis also increased, all of which coincides with our teams seeing more patients with severe trauma, and more cases of self-harm and suicide attempts," according to the NGO's document.

Through the nearly 300 mental health consultations MSF teams conducted in Samos island, they have seen a similar deterioration and an escalation in self-harm and suicide attempts in recent months.

In 2016, MSF medical teams in 20 locations across Greece carried out 72,740 health consultations.

The EU-Turkey agreement was signed on March 18, 2016, and came into effect two days later. The goal of the deal is to put an end to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants paying smugglers to cross from Turkey to Greece by returning the majority to Turkey.

A year later, according to official figures, arrivals to Greece have been dramatically reduced to a few dozen per day on average compared to the more than one million people who landed on the Greek shores in a year until the launch of the agreement.

However, the deal has a direct impact on the health of thousands of people stranded in Greece in poor living conditions after the closure of the Balkan route to central Europe, according to MSF.

"These people have fled extreme violence, torture and war and survived extremely dangerous journeys. Today, their anxiety and depression is aggravated by the lack of information on their legal status and their poor living conditions," explained Jayne Grimes, MSF psychologist in Samos island.

"They are losing any hope that they will find a safer, better future than the one they fled," Grimes added.

Since the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal, at least 140 people have lost their lives along the Balkan route, either by drowning in the Aegean Sea, freezing to death at the land borders of Serbia and Bulgaria, according to the MSF report.

In protest to the EU-Turkey deal, the NGO suspended all funds from the EU and its member states last year.

MSF calls for a "humane solution to end death and suffering at Europe' s borders, on both land and sea."
NAY PYI TAW, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw met with Emeritus Senior Minister of Singapore Goh Chok Tong here Wednesday and had talks on cooperation in boosting bilateral trade and investment, according to the President's Office.

Goh Chok Tong arrived on Tuesday on a three-day visit to Nay Pyi Taw.

Their talks also covered development of economy through tourism and through development of small and medium enterprises, electricity consumption, the key role of private sector, anti-corruption and impact by tax evasion.

The pair witnessed the signing of extending the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Singapore-Myanmar Vocational Training Institute which was opened during Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit in June last year.

The institute is located in Yangon and trains Myanmar students through courses designated by Singapore's Institute of Technical Education's Education Services.

Singapore stood as Myanmar's second largest investor after China with 16.649 billion U.S. dollars as of February this year since late 1988.

Myanmar-Singapore bilateral relations dated back to 1966 when the two countries established diplomatic ties.
Cai Chaolin (R), vice mayor of Guangzhou, unveils the nameplate of Guangzhou Liaison Office in Boston at the roadshow for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum held in Washington, the United States, on March 14, 2017. Undergoing a transformation into an international hub of innovation from a traditional trade port, the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is seeking out U.S. companies for investment during a roadshow for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum to be held in Guangzhou in early December. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Undergoing a transformation into an international hub of innovation from a traditional trade port, the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is seeking out U.S. companies for investment.

"We encourage U.S. multinational companies to invest in Guangzhou, which is a well-known business-friendly city," Cai Chaolin, vice mayor of Guangzhou, said Tuesday during a roadshow for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum to be held in Guangzhou in early December.

In an address to U.S. officials and business leaders in Washington D.C., Cai introduced Guangzhou's initiatives of developing a technology innovation hub, which is expected to bring new business opportunities for U.S. companies coming to the city.

As part of the efforts to enhance cooperation in technology innovation between Guangzhou and the United States, Cai also announced the set-up of Guangzhou's liaison offices in Boston and Silicon Valley, two famous innovation centers in the Eastern and Western coasts of the United States.

"We want to know what's happening in these innovation centers," Cai told Xinhua, adding that the two offices would help Guangzhou gather innovation resources and high-end talents around the world so as to establish its own innovation hub.

Nina Easton, co-chair of Fortune Global Forum and chair of Fortune Most Powerful Women International, said at the same event that Guangzhou, China's southern gateway to the world, is the ideal location for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum with the theme of "Openness and Innovation: Shaping the Global Economy" .

"As a center of international trade for many centuries, Guangzhou is both a renowned symbol and a modern manifestation of China's participation in global commerce," Easton said, noting that the city has become "highly attractive" to multinational companies due to initiatives launched by the municipal government to facilitate investment and trade, its strategic position on the Maritime Silk Road as well as its participation in the free trade zone of Guangdong Province.

"More than half of Fortune Global 500 companies have already made investments or set up operations in Guangzhou, with the potential to continue expansion," Easton said.

Henry Levine, senior advisor at leading U.S. consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group, said he was very impressed by the central role of South China in general, Guangzhou in particular, has played as a leader in openness, innovation, and creating a dynamic economy over the past 30 years.

Citing a recent business survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, Levine, who used to work at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said 80 percent of U.S. companies regarded the business climate in the region as "good" or "very good," and 60 percent of them chose to make their headquarters in Guangzhou.

As the first witness to the start of Sino-U.S. trade, Guangzhou also has important implications for today's China-U.S. trade relations.

In 1784, a merchant vessel named the Empress of China set off from New York Harbor, loaded with American Ginseng, leather and cotton, arrived in Guangzhou after a six-month journey, and took home tea, chinaware and silk, opening a brand new chapter in China-U.S. bilateral trade. Today, Guangzhou has trade relations with about 200 countries in the world.

"Guangzhou is a successful example in the world that has put resources together to bring jobs and economic opportunities," said Dan Glickman, a former U.S. Congressman and former agriculture secretary under Bill Clinton.

Glickman said the United States should not blame other countries for its trade concerns and jobs displacement, as technology, globalization, education and other factors are also related to changes in the U.S. job market.

He also noted that the United States has to work closely with China in tackling various issues, as the world's two largest economies have common interests ranging from security to the environment.

"The U.S.-China relationship is extremely important. Look back the U.S. presidents and Congress over the last 50 years...there has been a steady progress in the relationship with China," he said.

As Chinese policymakers have put forward an ambitious policy agenda with more openness and economic reforms, Levine believed implementation of those reforms would not only help stabilize China's economic growth, but also reduce the investment and trade frictions between the United States and China.

Tian Deyou, economic and commercial minister counselor at the Embassy of China in the United States, hoped the the two countries could continue keeping a healthy and stable economic relationship going forward.

The two sides should not resort to a trade war but seek the common objective of win-win cooperation, he added.
NEW DELHI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons have been injured after a fighter jet of the Indian Air Force crashed near an air base in the northern state of Rajasthan on Wednesday, a senior defense official said.

"The Sukhoi 30 (Su-30MKI) plane crashed in Devaniyon ki Dhani village near the Uttarlai Air Force Base in the state's Barmer district while it was on a routine sortie," he said.

"Though the two pilots managed to eject safely, three villagers sustained burn injuries as debris landed on their houses," he added.

The trio injured have been identified as Narayan Ram, his daughter-in-law Dalli and his grandson Hanuman.

The three have been admitted to a local hospital where all are said to be in stable conditions, a police official said.

According to the police official, nearly six houses have been destroyed by the crash and a buffalo was burnt alive after the debris of the fighter jet landed on the village.

"We are assessing the damage," he added.

The Indian Air Force has ordered investigation into the crash, the defense official said.

Su-30MKI is the mainstay and the most modern fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. India has contracted 272 Su-30MKIs from Russia of which over 230 have been inducted so far.

This is the seventh crash of a Su-30MKI aircraft since its induction in 1997.

The last crash of the fighter jet took place in May 2015 near Tezpur air base in the northeastern state of Assam.

Both pilots safely ejected in the crash which was caused by a technical defect.
STRASBOURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minsiter Paolo Gentiloni, addressing the European Parliament on Wednesday, categorically rejected the idea of a divided Europe and urged cooperation in the face of challenges threatening the European Union (EU).

"We cannot have a first-class and a second-class Europe, a Europe of the small countries and a Europe of the big countries, a Europe of the East and a Europe of the West," declared Gentiloni in his first address to the European Parliament as the Prime Minister of Italy.

Speaking as part of a debate on the future of Europe following last week's March European Council meeting, and 10 days before the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, Gentiloni responded to recent concerns about a "multi-speed" Europe, with some countries seeking deeper integration, while others follow a different timeline.

Published earlier this month as part of a European Commission White Paper on five possible scenarios for the future of the EU, the "multi-speed" Europe has stoked fears of a new division between Eastern and Western members of the bloc.

While acknowledging that enhanced cooperation was possible within the frameworks of existing treaties, and that member states retained degrees of choice about how to participate, Gentiloni warned against inaction.

"Europe cannot stand still. It has a duty vis a vis its own citizens to provide solutions to the challenges and problems that face us," the Italian PM insisted.

"It's only if we have more democratic legitimacy that we will be able to provide a response to the difficulties facing the European Union," Gentiloni said, asking Members of European Parliament (MEPs) not to underestimate the difficulties facing the continent.

The economic situation stood first on the Italian PM's list of priorities, with growth, investment and jobs under pressure. "If we don't emerge from the crisis, if we don't bring down levels of unemployment, youth unemployment in particular, which exist within our Union, in certain member states in particular, we can have no trust in the future of the Union," he argued.

On migration concerns, Gentiloni warned that leaving "frontline" countries alone would undermine confidence in the EU. Bowing to nationalism as well, he added, would have the same effect.

For the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which launched the European Economic Community that preceded the European Union, the Italian PM saw the occasion to celebrate the bloc's achievements.

"Peace, freedom, levels of social protection which, despite all of the difficulties, have been achieved, the single market - that's a success story that's defined the European Union as a calm super power - and finally the work that we have done on the cultural front, on our values, on sharing our common way of life," Gentiloni said.

"Recalling these achievements helps us to think about the future," he asserted, while sharing the Italian government's will to relaunch the European Union in the upcoming "Rome Declaration.".
NEW DELHI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- An Irish woman was found dead in the western Indian state of Goa, police said Wednesday, adding that one person has been arrested in connection with the "murder".

The body of the 28-year-old woman, identified as Danielle McLaughlin, was found Tuesday by the police in an isolated spot close to tourist resorts in Canacona of Goa.

"The body bore injury marks on the face and head. We are treating the death of the Irish woman as murder. One person has been arrested in connection with the incident. We are interrogating him along with 15 others," a senior police official said.

The woman had dual Irish and British citizenship, but she travelled to India using a British passport.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has said as the woman was using a British passport, the local British consulate were handling the matter. "The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling to Goa," a spokesperson told media.

The coastal state of Goa is popular among foreign tourists.
RAMALLAH, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said Wednesday that the second peace conference in Paris will be held before the end of 2017.

Malki said in a statement to the official Palestinian radio station (Voice of Palestine) that the states that took part in the first Paris conference will get back together during this year to deliberate on that has been achieved since the first conference.

He expressed hope that the French government elected next May would appreciate this obligation and follow up on it, stressing that the Palestinians are following up on the matter.

The foreign minister said that the Palestinian side is amplifying the outcomes of the Paris peace conference held last January, highlighting the French obligation toward it.

Palestinian Ambassador in Franc Salman Al-Herfi mentioned earlier that the French government will be initiating invitations just like it did the first time, in order to realize the resolutions about the Palestinian cause and statehood.

Al-Herfi called on world powers, including France, to recognize the Palestinian statehood, especially after the unanimous international condemnation of settlements and the international conviction that it is a hinder in the path of the two state solution.

On Jan. 15, a peace conference on the Middle East conflict was held in Paris for several hours, where leaders of 70 countries and representatives of five international agencies and organizations attended.

The conference called for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict that began in 1967 and stressed on the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state and manifest its sovereignty to live in peace and security side-by-side with the state of Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited France last month and met with French President Francois Hollande and top officials.
DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 people were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in the Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, state TV reported.
KABUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) outfit surfaced in mountainous areas of eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province along the border with Pakistan's tribal areas in early 2015 and since then have been fighting tooth and nail to expand foothold in the eastern region and beyond of the war-battered country.

The emergence of IS in the relatively troubled Nangarhar province has added to the burden of Afghan national security forces who have already been fighting a complex war against Taliban militants.

Although the Afghan security forces have the U.S. military's drone support in fighting back the IS insurgents, the terror group has yet to be eliminated.

In the latest drone strikes against IS fighters in the eastern Nangarhar province, 17 militants loyal to the extremist group have been confirmed dead.

Up to 17 insurgents loyal to the Islamic State (IS) were killed after unmanned planes attacked the militants' hideouts in Achin and Mamandari districts of the eastern Nangarhar province early Wednesday, provincial police spokesman Hazrat Hussain Mashriqwal told reporters.

The IS militants, according to media reports, have expanded its grip to Nangarhar's neighboring Nuristan and Kunar provinces.

According to local media reports, 15 militant groups including IS, al-Qaida and the radical Islamic group of Lashkar-e-Tayyeba have been operating in Kunar province and adjoining areas where the government's grip is frail.

The governor of eastern Kunar province Wahidullah Kalimzai, according to the leading Afghan private television channel Tolo, has confirmed the presence of "15 terrorist organizations including IS, al-Qaida and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba" in the mountainous Kunar province bordering Pakistan.

Earlier, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, according to local media reports, said 20 regional and international terrorist organizations fighting against Afghan security forces in Afghanistan to destabilize the country and the region.
CAIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Former Egyptian ambassador to China Mahmoud Allam said Wednesday that China and the U.S. have reached a kind of maturity through interlinked common interests and various mechanisms of dialogue.

"This is illustrated by the amount of U.S. investments in China and the U.S. treasury bonds owned by the Chinese government," said Mahmoud Allam when commenting on Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's remarks Wednesday at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.

It is natural for such two big powers to have differences, but the Chinese side in particular has succeeded to create a base of common interests with the United States that make it in favor of both sides to communicate, reach agreement and coexist, he added.

The common interests do not allow any confrontation that may harm these interests, as indicated in the remarks of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, he said.

Based on the policies adopted by Chinese President Xi Jinping, I believe that China will continue working on activating mechanisms of dialogue, he said.

Mahmoud Allam believed that the American side is aware that it is in their favor to maintain healthy relations with China and avoid confrontation.

Meanwhile, Egypt's former assistant foreign minister and vice-chairman of Egypt-China Friendship Association Ahmed Waly held that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's remarks on meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump are encouraging.

He said that any meeting between the two presidents of China and the United States will be very important and will help to improve the two countries' bilateral relations.

The meeting will be a frank gathering and direct communication between the two leaders that could contribute to resolving many disagreements between the two countries, he said.

"It will be in favor of both China and the United States, as it is a chance for closely understanding each others' views. It will also be in favor of world peace, because it will prevent possibilities of any conflicts or economic or military confrontations between the two big powers," he stressed.

As Premier Li said, the eruption of a trade war will not in favor of any of the two countries. There are American companies investing in China and likewise there are a lot of Chinese products in the United States, he noted.

Secretary-general of the Egyptian-Chinese Chamber Of Commerce Diaa Helmi said Wednesday that "holding a summit between the presidents of China and the United States will be very important, because it will provide a step forward toward mutual understanding."

Even if there are differences in views between the two countries, the non-communication would only widen the gap, he warned.

The first meeting between the two leaders is very important to avoid an impasse, especially at a time when the United States is now administered by new president Trump, he said, adding that he believes that Trump will eventually gives up his provocative policies economically and politically, he said.




ABUJA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Five people, including four female teenage suicide bombers, died in an early morning attack in a village near Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, local police confirmed on Wednesday.

The attackers, who targeted the local Usmanti village, killed a local chief and injured 16 local residents, according to Damian Chukwu, the Borno State police chief.

He said the villagers made effort to stop the attackers who quickly detonated the explosives wrapped around their bodies.

The National Emergency Management Agency said rescue operation, which was immediately conducted at the crime spot, had been completed.

Local security agents had cordoned off the area, with the police anti-bomb squad also rendering it safe.

Terror group Boko Haram, which is blamed for more than 20,000 deaths and displacement of 2.3 million people since 2009, is suspected to be responsible for the early morning attack.

Nigeria has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces operating in the restive region dislodging the Boko Haram fighters from the Sambisa Forest, the group's largest training camp in the country, last December.

The security forces are intensifying aerial and ground patrols in the country's northeast, extending their offensive mission around the Green Belt Region near Niger and Chad.
DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, state TV reported.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building at noon time on Wednesday.

He was in camouflaged uniform, holding a rifle and a hand grenade, said the report, adding that once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police, he was asked for further inspection, he thronged the checkpoint and entered the main hall of the Justice Palace, detonating a bomb vest he was wearing.

The report said the bombing was happened at the time of rush hour in the courthouse, causing the largest possible deaths.

The blast is the latest in a series of bombings that have sparked recently, following a long time of lull.

On Saturday, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front carried a suicide bombing in Damascus, killing 74 people, including Iraqi Shiite visitors, who were in Damascus on a pilgrim visit.
SHANGHAI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- HarperCollins Publishers will translate mathematics textbooks from Chinese schools and publish them in Britain, according to its agreement with Shanghai Century Publishing Group.

Under the agreement signed at the ongoing London Book Fair, some primary schools in Britain will use 36 books, including math textbooks, supplementary textbooks and teacher's textbooks from Shanghai primary schools starting in September, sources with the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission said Wednesday.

The textbooks will be translated from Chinese into English to deliver a complete math program for primary school students.

Apart from publishing textbooks, Britain will also spread the Shanghai Teaching for Mastery Programme in the country. It is a four-year program backed by 41 million British pounds in funding announced by the British Department for Education in July 2016.

"The collaboration can make a significant contribution to raising young people's mathematics performance -- which is essential to their future success in learning and in life," said Colin Hughes, Managing Director of Collins Learning.

Shanghai students achieved good performance in reading, math and sciences in the Programme for International Student Assessment in 2009 and 2012, drawing global attention to education in the Chinese city.

A Shanghai-England teacher exchange started in 2014. In September 2014, 73 teachers and educational administrators from 45 English primary schools and relevant departments visited schools in Shanghai. Between November 2014 and March 2015, 61 mathematics teachers and researchers from Shanghai visited 48 English primary schools and performed teaching demonstrations.

Communication between Chinese and British math teachers is conducive to sharing teaching experience and enhancing their teaching abilities, said Prof. Zhang Minxuan from Shanghai Normal University.

In July 2016, Britain announced it will continue the exchange project and urged 8,000 middle and primary schools in the country to learn from Shanghai's math education.
BUDAPEST, March 15 (Xinhua) -- While giving a speech marking the anniversary of Hungary's freedom fight against the Habsburg Empire 169 years ago, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Wednesday voiced his discontent with Brussels over issues including the migrants settlement.

We want to survive while means we have to fight, to stop Brussels, defend our borders, and halt efforts to force us to settle others here, Orban said, obliquely referring to the migrants attempting to move into Europe.

Brussels, he said, may not care about Hungary's past or future, Brussels and international capital may not care about security in Europe, but we care.

The Hungarian PM said we now have a chance to profoundly and peacefully alter Europe, but for that to happen Brussels need to halt its hypocrisy.

He said Hungarians had survived in Europe for a millennium and would continue to do so because of national unity.

Orban fired back at opposition demonstrators, who continuously interrupted his address with whistles, by calling them the destroyers of unity, destroyers of dreams, a reference to a petition drive that forced Hungary to withdraw its bid to host the 2024 Olympics, and destroyers of the country.

The EU planed to relocate 160,000 refugees from Greece and Italy, the bloc's main entry points for people fleeing war in Syria, by September 2017.

Hungary has not accepted a single refugee allocated under the scheme and instead joined Slovakia in filing a legal challenge against it last year.


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Far-right Party for Freedom (PVV) leader Geert Wilders arrives to cast ballot in the parliament elections at a polling station in The Hague, the Netherlands, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Ye Pingfan)

STRASBOURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As Dutch voters head to the polls for a general election on Wednesday, European leaders gathered here at the European Parliament backed the Netherlands in its growing political dispute with Turkey.

European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and leaders of several political groups all spoke on Wednesday in support of their Dutch colleagues.

The Netherlands has been involved in a dispute with Turkey since Dutch officials decided to bar a plane carrying Turkish Foreign Minister Melvut Cavusoglu from landing on Saturday, and so prevent him from attending a planned political rally in Rotterdam.

The rally, aimed at mobilizing Turkish voters living in the Netherlands on a presidential referendum that could give substantial new powers to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was deemed by Dutch officials as a risk of disruption just prior to a tense general election.

Later on Saturday, the Netherlands expelled Turkish Family Minister Fatma Kaya who had arrived in Rotterdam by car in order to attend the rally.

The moves triggered drastic reactions from Ankara, including barring Dutch diplomats from entering the country, and diplomatic relations frozen between the two countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that the Netherlands "will pay" for the insult, and accused the EU member state of terrorism. Erdogan also called Dutch authorities "Nazi remnants and fascists" and blamed the Netherlands for allowing the 1995 massacre of Srebrenica when Dutch UN peacekeepers failed to stop Bosnian Serb forces from killing 8,000 Bosnian Muslims.

Addressing the European Parliament Wednesday as part of a debate on the future of Europe, Juncker rejected Turkish claims.

"I was scandalized by what was said coming from Turkey regarding the Netherlands and Germany," Juncker asserted. "I will never accept the comparison between the Nazis and the current government in the Netherlands," he said.

Tusk also refuted Turkey's comparison between the Netherlands and Nazis, saying "And for sure Rotterdam. The city of Erasmus, brutally destroyed by the Nazis, which today has a Mayor born in Morocco."

Recalling that Dutch polls are open today, Tajani used the occasion to argue, "no one can offend a country going to the elections, offending the values we all recognize."

Throughout Europe, observers are on edge about the Dutch elections, as rising populist and nationalist sentiments have made ground in opinion polls. Many are predicting a strong result for Geert Wilders, founder and leader of the extreme right Party for Freedom, with fears that he could unseat current Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The row with Turkey, just days before the elections, is expected to translate into gains for Wilders, whose party has run an anti-Islamist platform, capitalizing on resentment that has grown since the start of the ongoing refugee crisis in 2015.

Related:

News Analysis: Netherlands heads towards broad coalition excluding far-right populist

by Jesse Wieten

THE HAGUE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- One day before the Dutch elections, the Netherlands seems on its way to complete a difficult formation of a broad government coalition excluding the right wing populist Party for Freedom (PVV), experts told Xinhua.

Wednesday's Dutch parliamentary election sees a total of 28 parties bidding for 150 seats in the lower house. Full story

Turkey declares political sanctions against Netherlands

ANKARA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkey will impose political sanctions against Netherlands for the moment, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said late Monday after the Dutch authorities barred Turkish politicians from holding rallies in Rotterdam for a referendum on constitutional amendments.
Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan (R) meets with Pham Hoai Nam, commander of the Vietnam People's Navy, in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Zhenhua)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese defense minister Chang Wanquan on Wednesday met with Pham Hoai Nam, commander of the Vietnam People's Navy, with the two sides vowing development of military-to-military relations.

Chang said the two countries share the same political system and have similar development paths. The two countries are in a strategic community with shared destiny.

Chang added the Chinese army is willing to work together with the Vietnamese army to implement the important consensus reached by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, and jointly safeguard bilateral friendly relations and regional peace and stability.

Pham Hoai Nam said the Vietnamese army, and especially its navy, is willing to work together with the Chinese army to consolidate bilateral friendly relations and make contributions to state-to-state and military-to-military relations.
MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Civil Guards on Wednesday detained a 43-year-old Moroccan man on charges of illegally financing the Islamic State (IS), the Spanish interior ministry confirmed.

The arrest of the man, whose initials were given as M.E.J, took place at his flat in Santa Coloma de Farners, close to Girona in the northeast of Spain.

Authorities confirm he is the brother of two others who were detained in July 2016 for their role in sending funds to jihadist fighters in the Syria-Iraq region through a "complex network of intermediaries."

The investigation began in 2016 after Spanish security forces discovered money was being sent to Syria, where another brother was in the combat zone.

Spanish police cooperated with Europol in the operation.

Wednesday's arrest brings the number of suspected jihadists arrested in Spain since the country was placed on a level 4 anti-terrorism alert in June 2015 to 194.
COPENHAGEN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen said on Wednesday that the alliance of NATO is essential and Denmark is a trustworthy ally to contribute when there is a need.

Rasumssen made the remarks ahead of his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, scheduled in Copenhagen on Friday.

"The threats against the West is growing, the fight against terrorism is long and demanding, and the conflicts are knocking on Europe's doorstep," the prime minister said in a press release.

"Our alliance is essential. Denmark is a trustworthy ally who always puts up when the need is there," Rasmussen said.

During the meeting, Rasmussen and Stoltenberg will discuss expectations for the upcoming NATO summit, counter-terrorism, Russia and the Danish military contribution to NATO operations, according to the press release.

"I am looking forward to meeting with NATO Secretary General to discuss how we ensure the future confidence of the alliance's members and create a more peaceful world," he added.
ANKARA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Dutch investments in Turkey are not at risk throughout the recent diplomatic row between both countries, Turkish Minister of European Union Affairs Omer Celik said on Wednesday.

Turkey called on businesses worldwide to communicate that Turkey is a safe country for investment including Dutch businessmen who invest and have businesses which create employment opportunities in Turkey, Celik told media.

Ankara's displeasure is with the Dutch government, however the private sector, business world, tourists and the people of the Netherlands are excluded from this crisis, he said.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on March 14 that Turkey could impose economic sanctions on the Netherlands amid ongoing tensions between The Hague and Ankara.

Earlier, the Turkish government launched several political sanctions against the Netherlands, including absent high-level relations and a flight ban for Dutch diplomats.

Diplomatic tensions between both countries escalated over the weekend after Dutch authorities canceled Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's flight permit to the Netherlands.

Furthermore, Dutch authorities then blocked Turkish Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam on Saturday.
SEOUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The X-band radar, a core element of the U.S. missile defense system dubbed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), will arrive in South Korea on March 16, a local broadcaster KBS reported on Wednesday.

The AN/TPY-2 radar and part of U.S. troops who will operate the THAAD battery are scheduled to make it to the Osan air base, some 60 km south of the capital city Seoul, on Thursday morning.

An unnamed government source was quoted as saying that other THAAD elements will arrive in South Korea one after another to respond to the advanced military threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The radar will be transported to an unknown base of the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) to wait the construction of the base in southeastern South Korea where the THAAD battery is set to be installed.

The new arrival would follow two mobile launchers and part of the THAAD equipments, which got to the air base on March 6. The first pieces were also moved to an unknown USFK base.

THAAD is composed of six mobile launchers, 48 interceptors, an X-band radar and the fire and control unit.

The hurried push for THAAD was aimed to make it more difficult to put back the deployment decision as an early presidential election is scheduled to be held here on May 9.

In July last year, Seoul and Washington agreed to install a THAAD battery by the end of this year. The schedule was advanced to sometime between June and August this year and now as early as next month.

Many observers said THAAD is not a defensive weapon against the DPRK's nuclear threats but a trigger to make South Korea a part of the U.S. missile defense networking in Northeast Asia to contain China and Russia.

China and Russia strongly oppose the U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea as it breaks regional strategic balance and damages security interests of the two countries.

THAAD's X-band radar can peer deep into the territories of the two countries.
CHENGDU, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A new direct air flight between Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province and Los Angeles began Wednesday.

The flight on Hainan Airlines by Boeing 787 is scheduled twice a week.

The Los Angeles-bound flight will leave from Chengdu at 9:15 p.m. (Beijing time) every Wednesday and Sunday and arrive in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. (local time).

The return flight will take off from Los Angeles at 00:45 a.m. (local time) every Monday and Thursday, and land in Chengdu at 6:40 a.m. (Beijing time) the following day.

This is the second non-stop service between Chengdu and the United States. The first linked with San Francisco in 2014.
HO CHI MINH CITY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- It is time to comprehensively reform rice production since the staple plays an irreplaceable role in Vietnam's agriculture, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Wednesday.

The prime minister chaired a conference in southern An Giang province to seek ways to develop the Vietnamese rice sector sustainably in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam's rice hub, Vietnam News Agency reported.

In the next one or two decades, Vietnamese rice should bring about the best added values by satisfying general nutritious and medicinal demand and standards, the prime minister said.

He asked for the rice sector to launch a comprehensive reform by breakthrough solutions in terms of policies and development models. He suggested expanding the land ceiling limit for each farming household in an appropriate manner.

Rice farming land must be kept, but the cropping calendar and intercropping must be considered, the government leader said. The rice sector also needs to pay more attention to the domestic market of nearly 100 million people to prevent the domination of imported rice, he added.

The conference targeted that profit for rice growers in commercial rice production areas must account for at least 30 percent of the total revenue. The area of certified rice varieties should make up over 75 percent by 2020 and 100 percent by 2030. Post-harvest loss must be reduced to under 8 percent and the greenhouse gas emissions must be cut down by 10-20 percent from at present.
VIENTIANE, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will work to strengthen cooperation to build capacity in bio-safety and bio-security for laboratory and hospital technicians, officials and experts agreed Wednesday.

The agreement was made at the ASEAN-Canada Global Partnership Program Forum in Lao capital Vientiane. The three-day meeting aims to enhance and improve laboratory technicians' and policymakers' understanding of bio-safety and bio-security issues and maximize the use of national resources employed to comply with internationally-mandated requirements.

It also aims to improve bio-safety and bio-security for laboratories and hospitals to protect both health workers and patients from occupational hazards associated with the handling of hazardous laboratory supply chemicals and to promote the sharing of experience among ASEAN member states for Lao implementation.

A total of 55 participants including representatives of ASEAN member states, Lao Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Forestry, Defense and related partners participated in the forum. The forum was supported by Global Partnership Canada, reported Lao state-run news agency KPL.

"In recent years, there have been a number of new and emerging deadly infectious disease outbreaks worldwide, such as Ebola in West Africa, MERS-CoV in Korea and the Zika virus. In Laos, the recent report of Zika virus transmissions and cases of the circulating vaccine-derived polio virus remind us that serious biological threats persist in this region as well," said Head of the Office of the Canada Embassy to Laos Lee Anne Hermann.

The forum on strengthening bio-safety and bio-security is part of Canada's commitment to the Global Health Security Agenda bio-safety and bio-security (Prevent-3) Action Package and efforts to mitigate biological threats in the ASEAN region.

The Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) is an effort by nations, international organizations, and civil society to accelerate progress toward a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats.

It also aims to promote global health security as an international priority; and to spur progress toward full implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) pathway, and other relevant global health security frameworks.

Action Package Prevent-3 (APP3) aims to promote national biosafety and biosecurity by providing tools and training for the development, implementation, and maintenance of national biosafety and biosecurity frameworks and oversight systems.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with Burundian Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation Alain Aime Nyamitwe, in Beijing, capital of China, March 15, 2017. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China and Burundi agreed to expand cooperation after talks between foreign ministers of the two countries in Beijing on Wednesday.

China supports Burundi's development path, and is ready to enhance cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, human resources development and other areas, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang also called on the two countries to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and conduct closer coordination on international and regional affairs.

Burundian Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation Alain Aime Nyamitwe said the Burundian government would work with the Chinese side to continue their mutual support for each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

Nyamitwe invited Chinese companies to invest in Burundi.

The two sides also signed an agreement on a consultation mechanism between foreign ministries.
HO CHI MINH CITY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) wants to become the largest investor in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring localities, Ambassador Bruno Angelet, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said here Wednesday.

The ambassador made the above remarks during a meeting with Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday.

According to the ambassador, the EU is currently one of the top three trade partners of Vietnam and the fifth largest investor in the country.

The EU is ready to assist Ho Chi Minh City in developing renewable and green energy, including the construction of green buildings and the effective use of energy, the ambassador stated.

Phong spoke highly of the EU's support to the city in the construction of metro line No.2, Soai Rap river dredging, agricultural and climate change response projects over the past years.
PHNOM PENH, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Sok An passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 66 due to illness, the government said in a statement.

"Samdech Vibol Panha Sok An, a member of parliament, deputy prime minister and minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, died at 6:32 pm on March 15, 2017 at a hospital in Beijing at the age of 66 due to illness," the statement said.

Sok An was one of the country's most prominent politicians. In the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), he was a standing committee member.

In the government, he had served as the minister in charge of the Council of Ministers since 1998; and he was promoted to the rank of a deputy prime minister in 2004.

Sok An, the father of five children, had battled health issues for months before his death. His son Sok Puthyvuth, president of the Cambodian Rice Federation, had been married to Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's youngest daughter Hun Maly.

CPP's spokesman Sok Eysan said that Sok An was a senior official who had spent his whole life to serve the nation and the people of Cambodia.

"It was a great loss for Cambodia since he was a senior official who had made countless achievements in settling major national issues," he told Xinhua.

Fresh News service provider reported late Wednesday that Sok An's body will be airlifted from Beijing to Phnom Penh, and it is expected to arrive in Phnom Penh early Thursday morning.

His death came just two days after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni bestowed on him with the honorific "Samdech," which translates roughly as "The Greatest."

In a royal decree on Monday, the king wrote that Sok An "is a leader who has helped lead Cambodia in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia in 1993, contributing to building national peace, unification, economy, and development in all fields."

The monarch added that Sok An "has loyalty to the throne, protect and worship Buddhism, and defend social justice for the sustainability of the monarchy in the Kingdom of Cambodia."
KABUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Afghan troops waged an anti-narcotics operation and destroyed a large amount of drugs in southern Helmand province, said the command of Afghan Special Forces on Wednesday.

"On Monday, Afghan Special Operation Forces conducted an operation in surrounding areas of Helmand province, destroying a big amount of drugs," it said in a statement.

The destroyed drugs have been estimated at over 3 million U.S. dollars, according to the statement.

The destruction of the drugs was a heavy blow for Taliban insurgents and anti-government militants as they have been using profits from the illegal drugs to fund insurgency, the statement noted.

Much of the world's opium poppy is cultivated in Afghanistan, particularly in western and southern sides of the country, where government security forces have little presence.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.
Students of University Practice Senior High School perform Chinese songs during the inauguration of Chinese Training Center in Cape Coast of Ghana on Feb. 16, 2017.(Xinhua/Shi Song)

by Alex Osei-Boateng

ACCRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The "Year Abroad" program introduced for Ghanaian students learning Chinese over the years has made them popular in job market after spending time in China and learning more about the Chinese culture, a senior official at the University of Ghana said on Friday.

Dr. Winnand Kofi Azanku, Coordinator of the University's Chinese Department, said students who embarked on the year-long program in China imbibed the Chinese language and culture better as everything and everyone they came across were all in the Chinese language.

He said the program had positive impacts on the students who had benefited from it over the years.

"Those who have already benefited from this program, most of them are already back in Ghana. Some of them are still itching to go. Those who have graduated, they got the opportunity to develop some kind of love for the Chinese people," he told Xinhua in an interview after he addressed members of the Chinese Students Association (CHISAG) at a seminar in Accra.

He advised students already learning Chinese and those who are yet to come to the university to choose the Chinese language.

"As I speak, there are some Chinese companies in Ghana who always call on me to look for Chinese scholars for them. Jobs are on offer for the taking. So I will advise students to study Chinese. For now the market is not choked yet, so those studying Chinese can easily get jobs," he said.

After reaching an intermediate-high level of language proficiency, typically after three years of study, students are eligible to attend the Chinese study abroad course in China.

Currently, about 49 students are in different provinces of China going through the exchange program. Some of the students who will be travelling for the one-year abroad program in various Chinese universities in August this year, are already psyched up for the course.

"We will be going to China in August and I intend to speak more fluently and bring more business opportunities to this country and also have links with the Chinese people," a student Kumah Michael told Xinhua.

Another student, Keith Cleland, said everybody who went and came back from the program, came out with a totally different experience.

Chinese teachers from Confucius Institute of Ghana University perform traditional dance on the Chinese Lanterns Festival clebrations ceremony in Accra of Ghana on Feb. 11, 2017. (Xinhua/Shi Song)

"Opportunities are endless for you because once you have the grasp of the language and a good in-depth knowledge of their culture, you are hot cake on the market of the Chinese people. So I am excited and I am looking forward to a different experience, a different culture and a different language altogether, over the next year," he said.

For Shevonna Sophie Ansah, a linguist student, the year abroad program looks very interesting and she hopes to learn a lot, develop her intonation more, and speak fluently like a native speaker.

"But Inasmuch as I am going to study Chinese more, I want to associate and know more about their culture because we don't have much exposure here," she said.

The president of CHISAG, Joseph Koba, appealed to the Chinese embassy, the Confucius Institute and other institutions to increase the number of scholarship opportunities available for Chinese students at the university.
Nigerian soldiers participate in an operation in Nigeria's northeastern state of Borno, March 16, 2016. Nigerian soldiers on Wednesday participated in an operation of destroying Boko Haram terrorists camps at Bulasari area of Borno State. Nigerian troops recovered armored carrier from the terrorists. (Xinhua/Wale Salau)

ABUJA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 455 hostages held by terror group Boko Haram in Nigeria's northeast region have been freed by government forces during recent anti-terrorism operations in the country, a spokesman for the army said on Tuesday.

The hostages were freed on Monday in Kala Balge district of the northern Borno State as troops engaged remnants of the terror group in that area in a heavy battle, Sani Usman, the army spokesman said in a statement.

The freed hostages have all been moved into a locally displaced persons' camp in the state, according to Usman.

Many terrorists were neutralized by the troops during the operations which cut across many villages in Kala Balge district, he said.

The successful military operations were a sequel to the rescuing of 211 civilians from the Boko Haram group last Saturday, Usman added.

The Boko Haram insurgency has been blamed for more than 20,000 deaths and displacement of 2.3 million people since 2009.

Nigeria has made a considerable gain on the Boko Haram front, with its security forces operating in the restive region dislodging the Boko Haram fighters from the Sambisa Forest, the group's largest training camp in the country, last December.

The security forces are intensifying aerial and ground patrols in the country's northeast, extending their offensive mission around the Green Belt Region near Niger and Chad.
AMMAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Five Syrians with links to the Islamic State (IS) group pleaded Wednesday not guilty to charges that they participated in the killing of Jordanian guards, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

The State Security Court charged the five Syrians with plotting to conduct terrorist attacks, participating in terrorist plots and using explosives that resulted in the death of several people.

They were also charged with attempting to smuggle explosives and weapons into Jordan.

The five were charged in taking part in an attack last year when a car drove at a high speed from a makeshift camp between Jordan and Syria in the no man's area and struck a military facility, killing several troops.

The news agency stated that those five were arrested by the security authority at the Syrian-Jordanian borders and the investigations revealed that they belonged to the IS, which claimed responsibility for the attack.

Jordan is part of the U.S.-led coalition to fight the IS in Syria and Iraq.
A mother and her two children sit under blanket in the outskirt of Mogadishu, Somalia, March 3, 2017. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal of 24.6 million U.S. dollars to help more than a million Somalis affected by drought.(Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A global aid agency, World Vision on Wednesday appealed for 92 million U.S. dollars to respond to the needs of 22 million people -- half of them children -- across East Africa facing hunger crisis.

The aid agency warned the humanitarian hunger crisis could result in the deaths of thousands of children if action is delayed.

"The window of opportunity to avert a hunger crisis is rapidly closing," Margaret Schuler, Vice President of World Vision in East Africa Region said in a statement released in Nairobi.

"We can make a difference if governments, international donors and humanitarian actors act swiftly to meet the needs of affected communities and keep children, women and their families alive," she added.

The appeal has been launched to address the rapidly deteriorating crisis that is a result of a deadly mix of drought, conflict, economic shocks and migration.

Famine is already gripping parts of South Sudan, while areas of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are on the brink of a catastrophe.

The aid agency said the situation for children and their families is alarming and urgent action by governments and humanitarian agencies is needed.

World Vision said its interventions will address the most acute needs in an attempt to save lives, with a particular focus on children.

"World Vision is already on the ground responding to the immediate needs of affected communities in all four countries. The needs are great and a slow reaction will likely see millions more affected by this crisis over the next six months," the agency said.

World Vision is providing emergency food rations and highly nutritious supplements for children with malnutrition; ensuring children have access to their most basic needs. "This is only possible in areas where we have the ability to reach communities safely," it said.

Many more affected communities are unreachable due to insecurity within some of our response areas.

In South Sudan, where famine has already hit hard, the numbers of those needing life-saving assistance is now at more than 50 percent of the population.

Many communities in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are facing the most devastating drought in more than a decade, with more than 15 million people in these countries without a consistent daily meal.
Hundreds of people attend a protest and march against U.S. President Donald Trump's global gag rule in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 8, 2017. In January, Trump signed an executive order -- the global gag rule, banning funding for American non-governmental organizations which support abortion initiatives worldwide. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

STRASBOURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Members of European Parliament (MEPs), meeting here for a plenary session on Tuesday, held a debate on the consequences of "global gag" rule reinstated by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 23 prohibiting U.S. financing of NGOs providing abortion or services such as counseling and training, even if they do so with their own money.

Trump's decision to reintroduce the ban has led to strong reactions around the globe. During the plenary debate, most MEPs criticized the U.S. decision, saying it could put women at risk as it might lead to more unsafe abortions.

Christos Stylianides, the European Commissioner responsible for humanitarian aid, said: "In the poorest countries of the world, this can put the lives of young women and girls at risk."

He added: "EU policies are driven by our own priorities and values, not by what others do or stop doing."

According to estimates from the World Health Organization, some 22 million unsafe abortions are carried out around the world every year, with a majority taking place in developing countries.

In 2008, 47,000 women are estimated to have died because of it. About five million women are admitted to the hospital every year as a result of unsafe abortions in developing countries and more than three million women who experience complications due to an unsafe abortion do not receive care.

"Cutting this funding does not mean fewer abortions. All the evidence from the last period when the gag was in place shows the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions increased when the global gag came in," said British MEP Linda McAvan, chair of the development committee.

Some MEPs were also concerned that NGOs and clinics providing services of reproductive health will be affected and that the reduction in funding could have an impact on the health care being offered. They urged the EU to increase funding.

"We must condemn the U.S. gag rule, take up the fight in international fora and commit more money," Swedish MEP Malin Bjork said.

"The agenda of so-called populist parties is not just about nationalism, anti-EU or national sovereignty. It's also very much about sexism and misogyny, against women's rights," said Dutch MEP Sophie in't Veld.

"The EU must not only not accept standards imposed by third countries, but set the standards and fill the funding gap," she added.

"We are not talking about being for or against abortion; we are talking about humanitarian law. Health safety, child protection and women's rights are human rights," said Swedish MEP Anna Maria Corazza Bildt.

Europe should step in and show leadership, she added.

In response to Trump's decision, representatives from 57 countries and private organizations met in Brussels on March 2 for a conference organized by Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden to find ways to help the organizations affected.

The conference raised 181 million euros (191.9 million U.S. dollars) for fundraising initiative She Decides. Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark are reported to have pledged 10 million euros, while Finland and Sweden committed to 20 million euros and Luxembourg to 2 million euros.

However, some MEPs argued that the rights of unborn children had to be protected and did not want the EU to fund these NGOs.

Slovak MEP Branislav Skripek called abortion "barbaric" with "no health care benefit," adding: "Resources should be redirected to provide real and maternal care to women."

French ENF member Marie-Christine Arnautu said there were people who tend to ignore national sovereignty.

"It's up to the U.S. government to decide on its own criteria when it comes to financing foreign NGOs," she said.

The "global gag" rule was first announced in 1984 in Mexico City during the UN International Conference on Population by then U.S. president Ronald Reagan who was in favor of "respect for human life at its most vulnerable -- human life still unborn".

Since its introduction, it has repeatedly been lifted by U.S. Democrats and reintroduced by Republicans.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China aims to build 136 new airports by 2025, government sources said on Wednesday.

The facilities could become a world-class airport complex of international and regional transport hubs, according to a plan by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

China began an airport construction boom in 2008 when the government began spending on infrastructure to offset the global financial crisis.

Service improved remarkably, but current airports are far from adequate and are unevenly located throughout the country.

By the end of 2015, China has 207 civil airports and is expected to have around 260 by 2020.

In 2015, China's airports handled 910 million passengers and are expected to deal with 1.5 billion passengers in 2020 and 2.2 billion in 2025.
SARAJEVO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A summit of prime ministers of the Western Balkans countries will be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)'s capital on Thursday, the press office of the BiH Council of Ministers announced on Wednesday.

The summit will be hosted by BiH Chairman of Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic and will be attended by the prime ministers of Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic's visit has been hailed by some as a positive development that could help rebuild relations between BiH and Serbia.

BiH submitted a request to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague last month for a review of the 2007 verdict which cleared Serbia of direct responsibility for genocide in BiH during the 1992 to 1995 war. However, the ICJ rejected the appeal request last week.
KIEV, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of casualties from an armed confrontation between government troops and pro-independence insurgents in eastern Ukraine has reached 33,395, the United Nations said Wednesday.

At least 9,940 people, including the government forces, civilians and members of armed groups, had died in the conflict-related violence, while 23,455 others were injured, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said in a report.

The number of civilian casualties is estimated at between 7,000 and 9,000, including more than 2,000 killed, the document said.

In the report, the UN called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure equal protection of civilians, who were injured or maimed in the hostilities, regardless of which party to the conflict that bears responsibility for the harm.

The conflict has been raging in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, when government troops launched offensives to regain control over insurgent-seized cities and towns.
GAZA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli army reconnaissance drone landed Wednesday into the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Islamic Hamas movement, Palestinian security officials said.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the drone landed into the coastal enclave, close to the fence of the borders between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, adding that Gaza militants seized the drone for checking it up.

Officials in the Hamas-run ministry of interior declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army said in an official statement that one of the Israeli army reconnaissance drones landed into the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli Public Radio, adding that the incident is under investigation, without elaboration.

It has frequently happened that Israeli army drones that scan the Gaza Strip from the air land in the Gaza Strip.

In September 2015, Hamas armed wing al-Qassam Brigades announced that they seized two Israeli army drones in two separate incidents.
SEONGJU, South Korea, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Residents living in Seongju and Gimchon in southeast South Korea, where the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is prepared to be deployed, rallied on Wednesday in different gatherings to protest against the deployment.

In Soseong-ri, a little mountain village in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang Province, just one hill away from the deployment site, over 200 residents gathered at about 2 p.m. local time to show their resolution to fight against THAAD deployment. Representatives from local society and religious groups gave speeches in front of protesters.

A Catholic priest said the South Korean government is not trust-worthy, only the people themselves can protect the peace and the life. He said he will be with the protesters and stay guarding the village until THAAD is retreated.

Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union vice chairman Park Hae-Chul said even a primary school student in Seongju County knew that THAAD is not capable of defending South Korea.

"It is an excuse made by the United States to monitor China and Russia. Park Geun-hye stepped down as president, but her decision is still followed by the government. We must protest until the end," he added.

After the speeches, the local residents marched towards the entrance of deployment site. Despite the heavy security measures by the police, the protesters held posters reading "We will fight until last moment without regret" and "No THAAD, just peace".

They reached the police blockade line at the entrance and were faced by more than 60 policemen. After shouting the anti-THAAD slogans, they left in peace.

At 7:30 p.m. local time, another protest was held in Gimchon, a city seven kilometers north of deployment site. The city has a population of 140,000, with its streets full of anti-THAAD banners.

It is the 207th candle vigil held in this city. Although the night is cold, over 100 people gathered in the city's train station square, including the old, women and students.

A 58-year-old market vendor said he came to protest because the THAAD will bring war threat to them and their peaceful life is gone. The radiation from the radar will also damage the environment and compromise the quality of local agriculture produce, he added.
CAPE TOWN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- South African police on Wednesday hailed hefty sentences imposed on 22 illegal miners, calling the move "a landmark moment" in the fight against illegal mining in the country.

This came after the Virginia High Court in Free State Province sentenced 22 convicted illegal miners to lengthy prison terms ranging from 20 to 22 years.

This is the first time in South Africa that illegal miners get lengthy prison terms.

"We hope that this precedent set by our courts will not only serve as a deterrent, but will also help us in our efforts to combat illegal mining even in other upcoming cases," Police Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza said in a statement.

The 22 miners were arrested in April 2014 for illegal mining operation that started in August 2012 at Masimong Mine in Welkom, Free State Province.

They were arrested during an operation conducted by a security company and the Hawks, a special anti-crime unit while the criminals illegally occupied a closed mine. Initially, all convicts were facing 843 charges. However, they were cleared on 266 charges and were found guilty on 577 charges on February 20, 2017.

South Africa's disused shafts are a draw card for gold diggers from neighboring Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

According to the South African Chamber of Mines, over six billion rand (about 460 million U.S. dollars) is lost through illegal mining annually in the country.

About 70 percent of illegal miners are illegal immigrants, and about 14,000 people are involved in illegal mining in South Africa, the chamber says.

Illegal mining is also blamed for human tragedies. In the most infamous case to date, 91 illegal miners perished after a fire broke out underground in a disused section of Harmony Gold Mining's Eland shaft in South Africa's Free State goldfields in June 2009.

The case attracted international attention and led to crackdown attempts by the South African government.
KIEV, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday decided to temporarily suspend railway and automobile cargo traffic to non-government controlled areas in eastern Ukraine, President Petro Poroshenko said.

"The decision will be in effect until the invaders return the seized Ukrainian enterprises to the jurisdiction of Ukraine," Poroshenko told a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.

The ban will touch only the movement of commercial goods, but will not affect the transportation of humanitarian aid to the conflict-torn region, Poroshenko added.

Commenting on the move, Denis Pushilin, the official envoy of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic to the Trilateral Contact Group on the Ukraine crisis, said the ban violates the Minsk peace agreement.

The suspension of the cargo traffic followed the escalation of tensions in eastern Ukraine, which erupted in the wake of the railway blockade in the region.

After a group of Ukrainian activists blocked the movements of trains transporting coal and other raw products from non-government controlled areas, pro-independence insurgents took over the Kiev-controlled businesses operating in the rebel-held territory.

The Minsk agreement, signed in February 2015, is designed to put an end to the almost three-year-old conflict in east Ukraine in which about 10,000 people have died.
ISTANBUL, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Despite divergencies and tension standing in the way of China-U.S. relations, common interests between the two powers "far outweigh" their differences, a Turkish analyst said on Wednesday.

"Both countries are economically interdependent. China is the biggest trade partner of the U.S.," remarked Ozlem Zerrin Keyvan, an advisor on Asia Pacific studies with the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies.

"Common interests between China and the U.S. far outweigh their differences and conflict areas," he told Xinhua. "It would become impossible for them ever to fight each other."

He referred to some move taken by U.S. President Donald Trump after he took office in January that was seen to antagonize China, as well as to the two countries' differences on trade, cyber security, the South China Sea and human rights.

"Needless to say, the year 2017 will be a testing time for China and U.S. relations," he added.

In the view of Mehmet Seyfettin Erol, head of the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies, China has no intention to be involved in a crisis with U.S., especially when it has been pursuing necessary reforms at home.

"China needs to secure a peaceful and stable environment, develop relations with neighbouring countries and shape the strategic environment in the Asia Pacific region," observed Keyvan.

"The rise of China has created a responsible actor in regional and even world affairs," he added.

The China-U.S. relationship is crucial not just to the two countries themselves, but also to regional and global peace, security and stability, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said earlier in the day at a press conference held after the conclusion of the annual session of China's national legislature.

Noting that China-U.S. ties have been going forward despite various twists and turns, Li said he feels optimistic about future China-U.S. relations, because "after several decades of growth of bilateral relations, the two countries now share a wide range of common interests."
SOFIA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The capital city of Bulgaria aims to establish itself as a leading center of the film industry in Europe, according to a 10-year strategy that was presented here on Wednesday.

The strategy would contribute to the development of the film industry in the city, expanding access to films, and raising cultural consumption, Todor Chobanov, deputy mayor of Sofia, said at the presentation.

The strategy, which has to be approved by the Sofia Municipal Council, includes the implementation of 17 activities such as the establishment of a municipal cinema fund, encouraging private investment and support for young filmmakers, Chobanov said.

Meanwhile, the municipality would establish a network of cinemas, and support film festivals in Sofia, he said.

Sofia Mayor Jordanka Fandakova, who also attended the presentation, recalled that in 2014, UNESCO declared Sofia a creative city of film.

Sofia ranks among the top 10 capitals in the European Union concerning the share of cultural and creative industries in the city's economy, Fandakova said.

In 2016, parts of 21 feature movies and TV series were filmed in Sofia, she said.

Furthermore, the Sofia-based private company Nu Boyana Film Studios hosted the production of 35 international and Bulgarian film productions, and over 80 short audio-visual forms such as commercials and music clips, Fandakova added.
DHAKA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- 11 people allegedly involved in ATM card forgery have been arrested in Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh's anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) made the arrests from different parts of the capital city during separate raids, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told journalists at a press briefing on Wednesday.

He said that the offenders used to fish huge amount of money by cloning cards.

Khan said a stash of hundreds of fake ATM cards and card making and related materials were seized from their possessions.

In February last year four people including a foreigner allegedly involved in an ATM skimming scam were arrested in Bangladesh.

The 2016 instances of ATM card fraud in Bangladesh forced almost all the country's 56 banks to take precautionary measures, including temporarily shutting down transactions through the national payment switch (NPS), to safeguard the interests of clients.

The Bangladesh Bank had then instructed all banks to install anti-skimming devices, monitor the surveillance footage, and disallow third parties from repairing the machines.
BRUSSELS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- More than 10,900 migrants illegally crossed into the European Union (EU) in February, less than a tenth of the number compared with the same month last year, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, said on Wednesday.

According to Frontex's press release, Italy continued to face high migratory pressure among the three main migratory routes, the Central Mediterranean, the Eastern Mediterranean, and the Western Balkans.

Nearly 9,000 migrants arrived in Italy last month, more than twice the number of a year ago.

Nationals of Guinea and Bangladesh were the top two nationalities among the migrants arriving in Italy in February.

The number of migrants arriving to the Greek islands fell to slightly more than 1,000 in February.

On the Western Balkans route, fewer than 1,000 detections of illegal border crossings were recorded, less than 3.0 percent of the figure from February 2016.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli soldiers shot dead Wednesday a Palestinian woman after she drove her car onto three Israelis and lightly wounded them in southern Bethlehem, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.

The Israeli media reported that a Palestinian woman, driving a car, ran over three Israelis standing at Gush Itzion settlement's crossroad south of Bethlehem in the southern West Bank.

The reports said Israeli soldiers stationed at the crossroad opened fire at the woman and critically wounded her. Three Israelis were lightly injured while the woman, identity unknown, died on the way to hospital.

Palestinian medical and security sources confirmed her death; however, the Palestinian health ministry hasn't officially confirmed it, the woman still in the hands of the Israeli side.

A wave of tension has been going on between Israel and the Palestinians since October 2015, with the latter frequently carrying out stabbing and cars run-over attacks.

Official figures said more than 350 Palestinians and one Jordanian in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as over 40 Israelis had been killed since then.
DHAKA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A police officer was injured Wednesday when militants hurled grenades at the law enforcers during a raid at a suspected hideout of a banned militant outfit in Bangladesh, a police official said.

The incident happened in Chittagong city, some 242 km southeast of capital Dhaka, when police raided the hideout of Neo JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh), an Islamic terrorist organization.

Nure Alam Mina, superintendent of police in Chittagong, told journalists that an inspector of Chittagong's Sitakunda Police Station sustained splinter injuries as militants hurled "four grenades" at the law enforcers.

Neo-JMB (an offshoot of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh) is blamed for last July's attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter in which 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, were killed.

Alam said a team of of Chittagong police cordoned off two buildings in Chittagong's Premtala area at around 3:00 p.m. local time suspecting presence of militants there.

He said a husband and wife along with a child were arrested from one of the buildings which have been sealed-off on information that they were used as hideouts by militants of the Neo JMB.

Since the cafe attack Bangladesh law enforcers apparently have gone tough against neo-JMB.

Tamim Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi-Canadian, and Sarwar Jahan, identified as Neo JMB chief who was killed during a raid on Oct. 8 last year, have been blamed as the mastermind of the brutal attack on the Spanish cafe. Chowdhury was also killed in a police raid in August last year.

JMB carried out a series of bombings in 63 out of the country's 64 districts, including capital Dhaka on Aug. 17, 2005, leaving two people dead and 150 others injured. Hundreds of JMB leaders and activists were rounded up while six top leaders of the group, including Shaikh Abdur Rahman, were hanged in 2007.
NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is in the process of adopting synthetic biology technologies research and its commercialization, a senior government official has disclosed.

A Principal Scientist at the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) Dr. Benson Kinyagia said on Wednesday that Kenya has seen the potential in investing in the area in helping harness its potential in the industrial development.

"We intend to develop a policy on synthetic biology to enable the country tackle disease, food and energy production, clean water and waste management challenges," Kinyagia said during a workshop on synthetic biology at a Nairobi hotel.

The field of synthetic biology aims to define a framework for accelerating the engineering of biological systems and cells for useful applications as well as furthering fundamental understanding of living systems.

It adopts an engineering approach for the systematic design and construction of new biological systems and cells at the genetic level and is inherently interdisciplinary bringing together biologists, engineers, computer scientists, social scientists, designers and artists.

Kenya will be the third country in Africa after South Africa and Egypt once the technology takes shape. Europe and Asia have already adopted the technology.

Kinyagia observed that synthetic biology technology is the route to realizing global development after the agricultural revolution, industrial revolution and technology.

"With the depletion of the natural ecosystem and biodiversity, there is need to develop synthetic biology research," he added.

The Director General of NACOSTI Dr. Moses Rugut said that Kenya and other east African countries are due to start exploring synthetic biology technology through academic scientists and student exchange in the United Kingdom.

"We intend to establish potential research collaboration focused on the identified application areas," he added.

He said that Kenya has identified 14 research programs where local researchers will engage with the British researchers.

Dr. Julia Kemp, head of research at the Department for International Development (DFID) hailed east African governments for realizing the importance of science and innovation.

She said that through the Newton-Utafiti Fund, the bilateral science relationship with the region will provide a platform to develop new knowledge partnerships in science, technology and innovation.
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of Americans worrying a "great deal" about the nation's race relations has risen by seven points from last year, hitting a record high, according to a Gallup poll released Wednesday.

Thirty-five percent said they worry a "great deal" about U.S. race relations, the third consecutive one showing a significant rise in worries about race relations, compared with 28 percent in 2015.

Meanwhile, 42 percent expressed that level of anxiety in the Gallup poll, the peak since the polling firm started measuring the topic 17 years ago.

The percentage of those worried a great deal about U.S. race relations decreased to its lowest point in 2010, when 13 percent voiced that concern under former President Barack Obama.

Gallup said that multiple shootings involving police and unarmed African-Americans last year may be behind the latest figures showing a continued rise in worry over U.S. race relations.

Gallup conducted its latest survey of 1,018 U.S. adults via landline and cellphones between March 1 and 5. It has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
by Julius Gale

JUBA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A two-day conference for legislators from regional bloc IGAD kicked off in South Sudan on Wednesday seeking to enhance regional peace, environmental protection and curb illegal migration in the East African region.

Delegates from the eight countries that make up the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) will also use the event to drum up humanitarian assistance for famine-hit South Sudan and other Eastern African nations affected by drought.

Mohamed Adam Mohamed Ismail, Secretary General of IPU-IGAD, said the main target of the meeting is to search for lasting solutions to address climate change, migration of people into Europe and peace in the Horn of Africa.

"The main agenda is to come up with solutions to the problems that we have. For example, in South Sudan and Ethiopia there is too much deforestation. Our people are dying in the Mediterranean (Sea) trying to cross to Europe," Ismail said.

Anthony Lino Makana, Speaker of South Sudan's Transitional Assembly and chair of the conference, called on the IGAD member states to extend humanitarian assistance to people affected by the conflict in South Sudan.

"While the government is doing its best to ameliorate the situation, I would nevertheless wish to take this opportunity to appeal to the international community to step up their already substantial support so as to adequately meet the dire needs of our people both at home and abroad," Makana said.
HANOI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam has been rocked by several child abuse cases reported across the country recently with local and social media networks abuzz with the distressing news.

In the country's southern Bia Ria-Vung Tau province, a 76-year-old man was accused of harassing seven children. However, he has yet to be charged over the cases in more than six months.

The delay has led to President Tran Dai Quang on Sunday giving orders personally to expedite the investigation.

In another case, police officers in Vietnam's southern Ho Chi Minh City's Thu Duc District held a press meeting on Monday afternoon to talk about the purported abuse of 7-year-old N.T.P.N.

After discovering a bloodstain near her genitals, N.'s mother took her to Tu Du Hospital for an examination. Based on the results, the doctors said that N. could have been abused, while the victim herself stated that she was molested by a man at school.

However, the Thu Duc Education Office later announced that the bleeding had resulted from N. tripping and falling in her classroom.

Officers said that the girl's statements were inconsistent, while her mother claimed that her daughter had told the truth.

On January 8, 2017, Nguyen, another victim's mother in Hanoi's Hoang Mai District, discovered her daughter had been sexually harassed. The young girl claimed that her abuser was C.V.H., who lived in a nearby rented house.

Two months after the mother reported the incident, Hoang Mai police concluded that there was not enough evidence for them to bring charges. It was not until an order by Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh on Monday morning that in the evening, the Hanoi Department of Police launched an investigation into the alleged molestation of the eight-year-old girl.

"If I had not insisted that justice be served and the culprit face his punishment, there would have been many other kids being sexually abused like my little daughter," said Nguyen.

Over the past two months, Nguyen has left all of her her jobs to take care of her tormented child and submit petitions to all relevant authorities.

Statistics from the Ministry of Public Security showed that more than 1,000 children across Vietnam are sexually abused on an annual basis, meaning that one child becomes a victim every eight hours.

Most of the victims are young girls aged 12-15. However, what worries local people most is the proportion of less than six year old infants and babies who are sexually abused, which is alarmingly at 13.2 percent of the total.

"The series of news reports hurt and worried mothers like us," Nguyen Thi Ha, 29, told Xinhua in Hanoi, adding that as a woman she knows how painful and life-altering it must be to be a victim of sexual abuse, and as a mother of a girl, fully understands how insecure the victims' mothers may feel.

In a survey carried out recently by local media on why child abuse cases are slowly handled, some 44.2 percent of the participants said it was because Vietnamese legal agencies pay inadequate attention to the issue.

Another 22.9 percent of those surveyed said Vietnam is lacking social organizations to protect children. As many as 16.3 percent said families and relatives of the victims want to hide their personal information. The remainder blamed the parents of the victims for not knowing how to raise their voices and the alarm.

As local relevant authorities have not proven their effectiveness in dealing with child abuse cases, local parents have had to find their own ways to protect their kids.

"To combat danger of sexual abuse in this society, I have always taught my kids about their inviolable bodies and I share this information to alert other parents," Ha said.

Tran Viet Lam, a 30-year-old mother, said in addition to trying not to get panicked, she had also increased her wariness over the safety of her four-year-old girl.

"I am providing more easy-to-absorb' sexual education lessons to my kid, monitoring her daily timetable and places that she travels to. I have also considered buying self-defense devices," said Lam.

On Vietnamese social media sites, posts on the suspects in the three cases, and ways to teach children about sexual abuse have been widely shared.

In reality, on Sunday, a network of 15 organizations working on gender and gender-based violence in Vietnam, raised their concerns over the sharp increase of child abuse cases in the country.

According to Nguyen Van Anh, director of the Center for Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender, Family, Women, and Adolescents (CSAGA), many cases of child abuse have not been investigated properly, meaning the culprits have not been appropriately punished.

In such cases, as authorities require proof of any violation, evidence of molestation is difficult to obtain, Anh said.

Meanwhile, the credibility of statements from young victims is often questioned, resulting in many inconclusive cases.

Echoing Anh, Dang Hoa Nam, head of the Department of Child Care and Protection under the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, said that regulations have not been laid out to aid the investigation of child abuse crimes.

Child abuse has become more serious in Vietnam and also more complicated as many offenses are committed by the victims' relatives, step dads, or even birth fathers, said the official, adding that these ongoing cases are just the tip of the iceberg.

"If I'd these men ever abused my daughter, I'd bring justice myself," Ha said, vehemently.
STRASRBOUG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The European Parliament on Wednesday once again called for unity, but an undercurrent of concern showed fears for the bloc's future as it faced upcoming Brexit negotiations, the ongoing migration crisis, and continued economic uncertainty.

The debate also centered on the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, which launched the European Economic Community, predecessor to the EU. At the 60th anniversary celebration, a solemn declaration is intended to be made and signed to indicate the "rebirth" of the EU.

"We cannot simply have a formal ceremony to recall the best 60 years of free Europe," said European Parliament President Antonio Tajani opening the debate on Wednesday.

"The anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome must first and foremost be an opportunity to bring Europe closer to its citizens," he asserted, addressing concerns that rising populism and distrust of Brussels has come from increased feeling of alienation for citizens from the bulk of European politics.

"We have to give specific responses to unemployment, youth unemployment in particular, terrorism and migration, by promoting our values in the world. Now more than ever what we need is unity in Europe," Tajani argued, before admitting, "We need to change the Union indeed, but we must not weaken it."

European Council President Donald Tusk gave an optimistic account of the March European Council meeting, calling the discussions between European leaders "constructive and open."

Still, Tusk confessed he understood why concerns around a "multi-speed" Europe, where some countries integrated more quickly and more deeply than others, needed to be discussed. He saw that the scenario, while controversial, would be sobering for people who want to weaken the EU.

"It is my hope that Rome will be a turning point in the reintegration of the Union. Not all politicians will be our allies, I am aware of that. But as paradoxical as it may sound, the majority of the citizens of the countries governed by the euroskeptics will be on our side," he added.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, for his part, was dismissive of the controversy, arguing, "This is not a white paper about a two-speed Europe. That's a misreading of it. And if Chancellor Angela Merkel hadn't mentioned it in her press conference before the Council meeting, no one else would have mentioned it either."

He went on to stress the European Commission's lack of interest in dictating policy, and his wish to leave behind the narrow view of the EU as simply an internal market in order to push for "a Europe of people."

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni saw the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome as an opportunity for the rebirth of the EU.

"I believe that first and foremost this should be an occasion to remind public opinion, to remind fellow citizens in Europe of what has been achieved over the last 60 years," he affirmed, "Recalling achievements helps us to think about the future," he insisted.

Gentiloni warned against underestimating the difficulties facing Europe, prioritizing solutions for ongoing economic trouble, the need for solidarity in the face of heavy migratory flows, and a unified front against populist nationalism.

"We cannot have a first-class and a second-class Europe, a Europe of the small countries and a Europe of the big countries, a Europe of the East and a Europe of the West," he said, confirming that the Union "cannot stand still." "It has a duty vis-a-vis its own citizens to provide solutions to the challenges and problems that face us."

Speaking on behalf of the Council of the EU presidency, Deputy Prime Minister of Malta Louis Grech argued that decisive action was needed in the current political climate, saying that the Rome Declaration should be followed up concretely.

Manfred Weber (Germany), leader of the European People's Party group, said: "We have to ensure that people in Europe regard Strasbourg and Brussels not as external forces that impose things on them while national politicians book common successes to the credit of the nation state. They need to accept responsibilities."

"Today, the problem of Europe is not the speed but the direction," said the Socialist leader Gianni Pitella (Italy). "We need a new direction for Europe that goes towards a strong social pillar and a powerful European investment strategy," he continued, before admitting that, "the more the EU is threatened, the more I believe in Europe."

Philippe Lamberts (Belgium), speaking on behalf of the Greens/EFA group, shared Pitella's view that the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome should be an opportunity for a "change of direction" for Europe. "We need Europe to use globalization to progress towards social convergence and strengthened democracy," Lamberts asserted.

"The ship is sinking and we should be asking ourselves why," said Raffaelle Fitto (Italy) on behalf of the European Conservatives and Reformers group, sharing his view that Europe had become too centralized and distant from ordinary citizens.
TIKRIT, Iraq, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed on Wednesday in a car bomb attack in central Tikrit, the capital of Saladin province, with 45 injured, said local police.
Blood stains the ground near a police line after a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, in central Damascus of Syria, March 15, 2017, leaving 43 people killed and 105 others wounded. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani)

DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The twin bombings that rocked the capital Damascus on Wednesday have killed 43 people and wounded 129 others, a well-informed security source told Xinhua.

The first explosion happened when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in central Damascus Wednesday afternoon, leaving 43 people killed and 105 others wounded, the source told Xinhua, on condition of anonymity.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building at noontime on Wednesday.

He was in camouflaged uniform, holding a rifle and a hand grenade. Once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police, he was asked for further inspection. He thronged the checkpoint and entered the main hall of the Justice Palace, detonating a bomb vest he was wearing.

The bombing happened at the time of rush hour in the courthouse, causing the largest possible deaths.

An hour later, crackles of gunshots were heard in the resort area of Rabweh, west of Damascus, in what later appeared to be the Syrian police haunting down a bomber with an explosive belt. The bomber entered a restaurant in that area, detonating it, and wounding 24 people.

At the restaurant, people were about to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends, but the party was turned upside down, due to the bombing.

The blasts are the latest in a series of bombings that have sparked recently, following a long time of lull.

On Saturday, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front carried out a suicide bombing in Damascus, killing 74 people, including Iraqi Shiite visitors, who were in Damascus on a pilgrim visit.
by Peter Mutai

NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on Wednesday commended Kenya for banning all production, use and import of plastic bags.

UNEP Executive Director Erik Solheim said the move that will take effect in August is expected to inspire others and help drive further commitments to the Clean Seas campaign.

"Plastic waste also causes immeasurable damage to fragile ecosystems on land and at sea and Kenya's decision is a major breakthrough in our global effort to turn the tide on plastic," Solheim said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Judi Wakhungu on Wednesday announced a ban on the use, manufacture and import of all plastic bags, to take effect in six months.

The announcement came just three weeks after the UNEP declared a war on plastic through its new Clean Seas initiative, which has secured commitments to address major plastic pollution from ten governments.

Some 100 million plastic bags are handed out every year in Kenya by supermarkets alone, posing a challenge to the country's urban waste disposal, particularly in the poorest communities where access to disposal systems and healthcare is limited.

Plastic bags have been identified as a major cause of environmental damage and health problems. They kill birds, fish and other animals that mistake them for food, damage agricultural land, pollute tourist sites and provide breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry malaria and dengue fever.

Kenya is the 11th country to take action in support of the UN Environment campaign. In Africa, Rwanda and Morocco have already banned plastic bags and other countries are set to announce measures in the coming weeks.
RIGA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A senior U.S. army officer on Wednesday reaffirmed U.S. commitment to transatlantic ties.

General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operation, made the remarks during an official visit to the Baltic region.

Scaparroti indicated that NATO would continue to rotate troops and military equipment to the Baltic states as part of ongoing Operation Atlantic Resolve to cement the allied relationship.

"Our presence and the training exercises are measured steps in order for deterrence and defense to be proportionate," Scaparroti said.

After a meeting with Scaparroti on Wednesday, Latvian Defense Minister Raimonds Bergmanis told reporters that Latvia valued its relationship with the United States.

Bergmanis also thanked the U.S. for its swift response to the Baltic states' concerns about their security following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2014 by starting a rotation of troops.
ATHENS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of Greeks who disclaimed inheritance of real estate property as they are unable to bear the burden of debts and relevant property taxes is on the rise during years of the debt crisis, according to data released on Wednesday.

According to Bank of Greece estimates, currently about half of the one million Greeks who have taken loans are struggling to pay their monthly installments.

Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis informed the parliament that in 2016, a total of 54,422 people refused their inheritance. According to the document submitted, in 2013 the number was 29,199, it rose to 41,388 in 2014, and 45,628 in 2015.

The fate of such properties is still unclear, as government auction programs are still very limited, said "Kathimerini" (Daily) newspaper.

Prolonged recession, high unemployment rates, tax hikes, and uncertainty over the taxation system and economic prospects, as well as the capital controls imposed in the summer of 2015 have dramatically reduced demand for real estate from Greeks since the start of the Greek debt crisis, according to a recent Bank of Greece report.

The average real estate price for residential and commercial properties in Greece has plunged by 41.3 percent since 2008, according to the report.

Currently at least 200,000 real estate properties in Greece remain unsold, representatives of the market told "Imerisia" (Quotidian) newspaper.

According to the Greek Statistics Authority ELSTAT, in 2016 barely 20,000 properties were sold. Before the debt crisis hit Greece in 2009, the average was 150,000 sales each year.

Against this backdrop, banking sector sources told "Kathimerini" that some 300,000 borrowers are at risk of having their assets seized after failing to respond to warnings of overdue debts.

Under the Greek bailout program, Greek lenders must settle one out of three bad loans by 2020, meaning non-performing loans should be reduced by some 30 billion euros (31.9 billion U.S. dollars) from the current 106.9 billion euros.
SOFIA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A joint airdrop exercise involving Bulgarian units and U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft kicked off on Wednesday near Plovdiv, some 150 km southeast of Bulgaria's capital city.

Daytime and nighttime training and combat parachute jumps are to be performed during the nine-day drill codenamed Thracian Spring 2017, the Bulgarian defense ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian and U.S. aircraft would perform tactical low altitude flights, transportation of troops and cargo, and delivery of humanitarian aid, the statement said.

This joint training would contribute to improving the operational capabilities of the participating units, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian troops would enhance their tactical skills and share experiences on the implementation of tasks, techniques, and procedures in order to improve their interoperability with NATO standards, it said.

The drill is carried out under the plan for the joint Bulgarian-American training and exercises in Bulgaria and abroad for 2017, the ministry added.

Bulgaria, a NATO member since 2004, signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States in 2006.
LUSAKA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's ruling party on Wednesday tried to diffuse reports of friction among senior officials, saying there was no confusion in the party.

Reports have emerged that some senior members of the Patriotic Front (PF) are calling for the dismissal of the secretary-general Davies Mwila while other senior party officials have publicly clashed in the media.

Mumbi Phiri, the party's deputy secretary-general, said the top leadership was united and that the confusion was just a matter of perception.

"The confusion the people are talking about we do not see it. I do not see it. I am at the secretariat everyday and people are in harmony," she told reporters during a press briefing.

The party, she said, was currently united, adding that all senior members were "standing together".

She further said the party's secretary-general had the support of all members and the top leadership.

The PF, formed by late President Michael Sata in 2001, has been in power in Zambia since 2011.
BAGHDAD, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on official visit for talks with Iraqi top officials ahead of the 28th Arab Summit, to be held in Amman on March 29.

Aboul-Gheit was received by the Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and the two officials discussed the development in the Arab arena and the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit, as well as the battles against Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Mosul.

"Iraq is very keen on its presence at the Arab League in a way that gives a new strength to the league," Jaafari said at a joint news conference after the meeting with the chief of the Arab league.

"Iraq will participate strongly in the next summit," Jaafari added.

Aboul-Gheit said "the Arab League entirely supports Iraq in its war against Daesh (IS terrorist group) which is about to be totally defeated," asserting "Arab League was not surprised by the ability of Iraqi forces to regain control of its IS-seized territories."

The Arab League chief also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. The two sides discussed the situation in the Arab world, and the war against terrorism, in addition to the preparations for the Arab Summit, said a statement by Abadi's office.

Abadi asserted the need to "unify the efforts of the Arab countries to fight terrorism, and wished that the coming summit will create a consensus in order to consolidate the joint Arab action," according to the statement.

Aboul-Gheit also met with Iraqi President Fuad Masoum, who expressed Iraq's "interest in boosting informational cooperation so as to ensure the elimination of terrorist groups and the reasons behind their existence," according to a statement by Masoum office.

Masoum also reiterated Iraq's rhetoric in finding "peaceful solutions to the armed conflicts, particularly in Libya, Yemen, Syria," it added.

Aboul-Gheit's visit to Iraq came as the Arab summit is scheduled to address tough security issues in the Arab region, including the fight against IS group as well as the crises in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.

His visit also came as the Iraqi security force backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from its last major stronghold in and around Mosul.
TEHRAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Iranian ambassador to Russia said Wednesday that Iran's trade exchange volume with Russia peaked in 2016, and will hopefully reach higher levels, Press TV reported.

The ambassador, Mohammad Sanai, was quoted as saying that he believes the trend will be maintained in the next two or three years and "bilateral trade volume will reach 10 billion U.S. dollars."

According to Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, trade turnover between Iran and Russia rose 80 percent to more than 2 billion dollars in 2016, with energy, agriculture and defense sales forming the bulk of the transactions.

The remarks by Iranian diplomat came days ahead of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Moscow.

Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi said on Tuesday that during Rouhani's visit to Moscow at the end of March, more than 11 documents will be signed by both sides.

Besides, Iran and Russia will consider a sketch of cooperation roadmap during Rouhani's upcoming visit.
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- An estimated 17 million people in Yemen are hungry, according to analysis released Wednesday by the United Nations and humanitarian partners, up more than 20 percent in the past nine months.

"Twenty of the country's 22 governorates are in 'emergency' or 'crisis' food insecurity phases and almost two-thirds of the population are now facing hunger and urgently require life and livelihood-saving assistance," the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said in a press release.

These numbers represent an increase of 21 percent since June 2016, according to information from the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, a partnership of FAO, UN World Food Program (WFP) and a number of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Given the number of people who are food insecure, "Yemen currently has one of the worst hunger crises in the world," FAO said.

The crisis was fuelled by the two-year long conflict, with almost 80 percent of households in Yemen report having a worse economic situation than before the fighting.

"The conflict has a devastating impact on agricultural livelihoods. Crop and livestock production fell significantly compared to pre-crisis levels," said Salah Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Yemen.

UN officials are calling not only for immediate food aid but also for agricultural assistance to save livelihoods, and for access to the people in need.

The food insecurity is causing malnutrition rates to spike. Of the 2.2 million children suffering from acute malnutrition, more than 460,000 are severely and acutely malnourished.
by Alex Osei-Boateng

ACCRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday announced the list of 54 nominees to serve as ministers of state and deputy ministers.

Speaker of Parliament Aaron Mike Oquaye, who announced the list on the floor of the House, referred the list of nominees to the House's Appointments Committee to conduct the vetting for approval.

So far, Akufo-Addo has appointed 36 substantive ministers, 10 regional ministers, four ministers of state, 50 deputy ministers and 10 deputy regional ministers.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Reports conflict about the fate of a Palestinian girl, who ran over and wounded three Israelis with her vehicle south of the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Wednesday.

Israeli soldiers shot and critically wounded earlier on Wednesday a 15-year-old Palestinian girl after her car-ramming attack, Israeli and Palestinian sources said.

The Israeli media reported that the Palestinian girl, driving a car, ran over three Israelis who were standing at Gush Itzion settlement's crossroad south of Bethlehem in southern West Bank.

The reports said Israeli soldiers stationed at the crossroad opened fire at the girl and critically wounded her. Three Israelis were lightly injured and the girl was taken to hospital.

The reports said that the girl was identified as Fatima Taqatqa, aged 15, from the village of Beit Fujar near Bethlehem, and her fate is still unknown whether dead or still alive, adding that she doesn't have a driving license.

Palestinian medical and security sources confirmed that the Palestinian girl was critically wounded. However, the Palestinian health ministry hasn't officially confirmed the girl's death. She is currently in the hands of the Israeli side.

A wave of tension has been going on between Israel and the Palestinians since October 2015, with the latter frequently carrying out stabbing and cars run-over attacks.

Official figures said more than 350 Palestinians and one Jordanian in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, as well as over 40 Israelis had been killed since then.
BISHKEK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan and Germany are interested in developing cooperation, in areas including energy and agriculture, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Mukhammetkaly Abulgaziev said here on Wednesday.

Addressing the Kyrgyz-German forum "Agriculture, Energy and Innovation," Abulgaziev said that this forum is being held for the second time and is of great importance for the development of bilateral Kyrgyz-German relations, the press service of the Kyrgyz government reported.

"This year we mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Germany. During this period of time, we managed to do a lot," he said, adding that a number of projects were implemented over the years of cooperation between the two countries, which both sides can be proud of.

The Kyrgyz official expressed gratitude for the humanitarian assistance from Germany in the fields of education, medicine, agriculture and energy. "The German side is rendering great assistance in the form of technical and grant assistance," he said.

Muhammetkaly Abulgaziev also said that Kyrgyzstan is ready to offer the German side a number of projects that can be implemented jointly with representatives of business circles of Germany taking into account Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Eurasian Economic Union with the common market, where about 180 million people live.

At the forum, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and other state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic discussed with the members of the German delegation headed by the state secretary of the Federal Ministry of Economy, Cooperation and Development Hans-Joachim Fuchtel the state and prospects of cooperation in the fields of energy, innovation and agriculture.
RABAT, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan authorities have arrested prominent Hezbollah-linked businessman Kassim Tajeddine, who has been blacklisted by the United States, local media reported on Wednesday.

Police of the Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca arrested the Lebanese businessman transiting from Conakry, Guinea, to Beirut, Lebanon, said the Moroccan news site Hespress.com, citing a security official.

The same source added that Tajeddine was detained as his name was on the list of people subjected to international arrest warrant.

The Lebanese businessman will be brought to justice to decide whether to extradite him to the United Sates or not, it added.
LUSAKA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's First Lady Esther Lungu said Wednesday that ending poverty in developing countries will depend on the attention to rural women.

The first lady said rural women were the primary agents of change in the fight against hunger and poverty in their communities hence the need to empower them.

"In the developing world, rural agriculture is the sustenance of the majority of people, in particular women," she said at a side meeting of the 61st Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) in New York.

"We all agree that extreme poverty manifests mostly in rural areas of developing countries where statistics indicate that on average, women comprise 43 percent of the agricultural labor force and contribute 70 percent of labor," she said.

According to a statement released by the Zambian Permanent Mission at the UN, the first lady expressed concern that climate change effects such as droughts and flooding were affecting women and destroying their only investment -- crops.

This, she said, forces the women to seek employment from emergent and large-scale farmers where they face exposure to chemicals, working long hours and unstable incomes.

She pledged to continue with her advocacy of tackling social-cultural norms, attitudes and behaviors that needed to be eliminated to tackle gender inequalities in rural areas.

The Commission on the Status of Women opened Monday at the UN headquarters and will run up to March 24.
SANTIAGO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The second day of an Asia-Pacific summit on free trade in Chile saw participants restate their broad commitment to free trade, but few fresh ideas seemed to be forthcoming.

Following President Donald Trump's death knell to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by removing the U.S. from the pact, a number of countries in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Chile's resort town of Vina del Mar to discuss the best way forward.

In a joint statement after two days of talks, representatives from the TPP countries "reiterated their firm commitment to collaborate in keeping markets open and to the free flow of goods, services and investment, advancing regional economic integration, and strengthening the rules-based international trading system, noting our concern with protectionism in many parts of the world."

The delegations recalled "the strategic and economic significance of the TPP...as a key driver for regional economic integration and promoter of economic growth, competition, innovation and productivity."

The commitment to free trade comes at a time when Latin American countries in the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru) stand at a crossroads. Chile and Peru have free-trade agreements (FTA) with China, Colombia began such talks in November and Mexico is anxious for Chinese investment, following a souring of relations with the U.S..

Different options have been mentioned, including Latin American nations participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) or the Free-Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

The Pacific Alliance is also keen to be seen as a true partner on the international stage, with Chile's deputy trade minister, Paulina Nazal, stating Tuesday that "we are interested above all for the Pacific Alliance to position itself as a mechanism of integration for the region and as an agent of this integration in the Asia-Pacific."
VILNIUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- One of Lithuania's largest dairy producers has sent the first product delivery to China amid fresh efforts to enter the Chinese market, the company announced on Wednesday.

Rokiskio Suris, Lithuanian dairy group with annual sales of around 200 million euros (212.7 million U.S. dollars), has sent the first testing cargo of lactose to business partners in China.

"It was signed a contract for a few hundred tons of the product," the company said. Further cooperation will be negotiated when the partners receive the product and make trials of it at their own facilities, said Rokiskio suris.

It is one of the first attempts by Lithuanian dairy companies to enter the Chinese dairy market. In August, 16 Lithuanian dairy producers were granted permission by Chinese authorities to export their products to China.

Earlier this year, dairy producer Vilkyskiu pienine was the first to enter Chinese market by exporting around 20 tons of mozzarella cheese.

The Lithuanian dairy industry was hard hit by Russia's embargo on food imports from the European Union in 2014. Russia was one of the main export markets to Lithuanian dairy producers. Since then, Lithuania has been pursuing efforts to enter new markets.
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday appealed to all parties to enhance ceasefire in Syria and end the country's six-year war through peace talks.

In a statement, Guterres called on all parties to make the most of the ceasefire established by guarantors of the Astana meetings, enhance it further and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach all those in need in Syria without any obstacles and impediments.

He also called on those with influence on parties to the Syrian conflict to overcome differences and work together to facilitate the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva for ending the conflict.

"Peace in Syria is a moral and political imperative both for the Syrian people and for the world -- an imperative that cannot wait," said Guterres.

The Syrian war started on March 15, 2011 and evolved into a full-fledged war that involves outside powers. As many as 320,000 people have been killed during the war, according to a monitor group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said among those being killed, there were 17,400 children and 11,000 women.

The UN refugee agency has reported that 13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid. Around 6.3 million people are internally displaced while hundreds of thousands have made perilous sea voyages to seek sanctuary elsewhere.
Participants of Syria peace talks attend a meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan March 15, 2017. (REUTERS PHOTO)

ASTANA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed here on Wednesday to strengthen the tripartite mechanism for monitoring the ceasefire violations in Syria.

The three countries will also continue to work on the determining the locations of the terrorists.

In a joint statement, Russia, Turkey and Iran reported their exchange of information on the ceasefire violations and their decision to reduce the level of violence through increasing the effectiveness of the tripartite monitoring mechanism.

Head of Russian delegation, Russian President's special representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev said that Russia, Turkey and Iran very carefully and effectively worked on improving the mechanism for monitoring violations, which is an extremely important issue and isn't not so simple.

"The issue of determination of the locations is very important and discussions on it continue for a long time," said Lavrentiev at a press briefing in Astana.

Astana-4 peace negotiations is scheduled for May 3-4.
TIKRIT, Iraq, March 15 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed on Wednesday in a car bomb attack in central Tikrit, the capital of Saladin province, with 43 injured, said local police.

A local police source told Xinhua that a car bomb exploded before sunset on the Doctors Street, central Tikrit, killing seven people. Another 43 injured included four women and several children.

More than 20 cars were destroyed and many buildings around the site were damaged.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for this attack.
CAIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Aramco Oil Company will resume exporting its products to Egypt after a five-month halt, Egypt's Petroleum Minister Tarek al-Molla said Wednesday.

A timeline is being drafted for the upcoming oil deliveries, al-Molla added.

The shipments will be exported under the previous contract concluded between the Saudi company and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) in 2016.

"The move comes after the negotiations held during the past period between the Saudi company and the EGPC to resume exporting oil supplies to Egypt," al-Molla said.

The minister explained that Aramco suspended oil shipments to Egypt due to changes in oil prices in the global market during the past period in addition to Saudi Arabia's decision to decrease oil production.

After shipment suspension, local Egyptian media reports claimed that Saudi Arabia ceased deliveries of fuel supplies to Egypt after the North African country backed a Russian resolution on Syria in the UN Security Council.

In April 2016, the Saudi company agreed with Egypt on a 22-billion-U.S. dollar loan with facilitated payments to finance Egypt's petroleum needs for five years.
by Christine Lagat

NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan security personnel on Wednesday launched a manhunt against cattle raiders responsible for fuelling inter-tribal skirmishes in the northern counties of Baringo and West Pokot.

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett said a major security operation was in top gear to quell retaliatory attacks linked to cattle rustling in the volatile region.

"The ongoing security operations in Baringo County have been intensified with a view to arrest culprits and recover stolen cattle," Boinett said in a statement.

Kenya's northern counties saw violent skirmishes linked to cattle rustling, competition for pasture and water escalate early this year amid biting drought.

Nomadic communities in Baringo, Laikipia and West Pokot counties have engaged in retaliatory attacks leading to loss of lives and property.

Baringo County in particular has been a flash point as bandits from rival communities steal cattle while killing innocent civilians.

On March 12, suspected raiders from Illchamus community in Baringo attacked villages inhabited by the Pokot tribe where they stole 30 head of cattle and killed two people.

The killing triggered a spate of retaliatory attacks from Pokot raiders on March 14, which led to deaths of ten people.

Boinett said patrols have been enhanced along the volatile West Pokot-Baringo border to deter cattle rustling and attacks on communities.

"The police are under firm instructions to deal firmly with any law breakers especially those staging renewed retaliatory attacks," he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta in his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday vowed to restore security in the three counties inhabited by farmers and herders.
ZAGREB, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Croatia supported Montenegro on its path of accession to EU and NATO, Croatian Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier said on Wednesday.

"It was in line with both Europe's geo-strategic and security interest," Stier said after meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart Srdjan Darmanovic.

Stier said he was optimistic that the process "would be completed soon". The Croatian parliament ratified the protocol on Montenegro's NATO accession in November 2016.

Darmanovic said that joining both NATO and the EU were the foundation stones of Montenegro's foreign policy, adding that he was confidence that the country would become the 29th member at the next NATO summit in May.

On Wednesday, Darmanovic also met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Parliament Speaker Bozo Petov separately, discussing bilateral relations and cooperation in infrastructure projects and tourism, Croatian News Agency HINA reported.
MOSUL, Iraq, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi government forces battling Islamic State (IS) militants retook control of a town west of Mosul, while the troops fought fierce clashes in the old city center of western Mosul, the Iraqi military said Wednesday.

The federal police and Rapid Response brigades, the elite Interior Ministry units, continued their slow advance amid fierce resistance by IS militants in the newly-freed Bab al-Toub neighborhood and adjacent areas, the Joint Operations Command (JOC) said in a statement.

The troops also carried out an operation to clear the adjacent freed areas from booby-trapped buildings and mines, the statement said, adding that the troops killed nine IS snipers and destroying five car bombs and three of the IS vehicles.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jawdat, the commander of the federal police forces, told reporters that the troops freed the foot of a bridge across Tigris, locally known as the Iron Bridge after fierce clashes with IS militants.

The bridge is the third of the city's five bridges that have been seized by the troops. The recapture of the bridge is crucial for Iraqi forces to bring in reinforcements and supplies directly from eastern Mosul.

All of Mosul's five bridges, spanning the Tigris River to the city's eastern bank, were destroyed by airstrikes last year.

The progress by Rapid Response units was slowed by heavy street-to-street battles at the southern edge of the old city center, as snipers of both side topped many buildings at the lines of clashes in Bab-al-Toub neighborhood and nearby areas, Jawdat added.

Also in the day, the commandos of the Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) pushed into the neighborhoods of Nablus, Yabsat, Risala and Wadi al-Ayn, locally known as the right bank of the Tigris River, which bisects Mosul, the JOC statement said.

The battles in the western part of Mosul brought the CTS troops closer to the western edge of Mosul's densely populated old city center, where hundreds of thousands of civilians are believed to still be trapped under IS rule.

Near Mosul, the army's 9th armored Division and the Shiite paramilitary Hashd Shaabi unit recaptured the town of Badush, some 10 km northwest of Mosul, and a nearby village after days of fierce clashes against IS militants, leaving many extremist militants killed and destroying three car bombs, according to the statement.

The presence of armored division and the Hashd Shaabi is aimed at surrounding Mosul from the west and northwest to cut off the escape route from Mosul and the neighboring Syria.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, announced the start of an offensive on Feb. 19 to drive extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul.

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 IS militants.

However, the western part of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces.

Mosul, 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions.
AMMAN, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday welcomed China's support worth 1.5 million U.S. dollars to help support Syrian refugees in Jordan.

The Chinese aid will help provide necessary food items for the vulnerable Syrian refugees in Azraq and Zaatari camps, which housed around 115,000 Syrian refugees, the WFP said in a statement.

The aid will also be used to provide healthy meals for Syrian children at school in Zaatari camp.

More than 12,000 Syrian students at the camp will benefit from the support project, implemented in cooperation with Ministry of Education in Jordan, said Majeed Yehya, the WFP regional director.

"We highly value China's support and contribution to the needy Syrians," he said, adding that they are seeking further cooperation with China in this regard.

Around 4,000 Syrian refugees moved from cities to refugee camps after being unable to afford living outside the camps, Yehya said.
STRASBOURG, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Nearly one year after the deadly terrorist attacks struck Brussels, the European Parliament held a debate on Wednesday to assess progress made in security and evaluate what still needs to be accomplished.

"Almost one year ago, we said that the only way to fight terrorism decisively is together," EU Commissioner in charge of migration, home affairs and citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said.

He went on to list achievements such as improved external border checks, improved information exchange, the establishment of a European Passenger Name Record (PNR) with airlines, criminalizing all aspects of terrorism, and the creation of counter-terrorism center with Europol.

Avramopoulos also said that strong collaboration with internet service providers had led to promising results in removing terrorist content online.

"The referral mechanism we set up with Europol last year resulted in almost 90 percent removal rate of the content we refer to the companies," he said, noting the need to not only take down terrorist propaganda, but support positive narratives to fight radicalization.

Julian King, EU Commissioner in charge of the Security Union, said: "These attacks across Europe display a common factor. Many aspects of their preparation and execution are transnational. That's why it's so important that we work together to ensure the most appropriate response, and increase our collective resilience."

"We'll not defeat terrorism with databases and legal frameworks alone. We'll also need to tackle radicalization online and in our communities, prevent hate mongers from inciting often young people to go down the route of violence," he added.

For his part, the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg on behalf of the Council of the EU presidency affirmed: "Putting in place measures to prevent and fight against terrorism, while maintaining a free and open society, is a delicate balance."

Borg noted promising figures, such as an increase of 34 percent in the content of Europol information system between 2016 and 2017, with an 11 percent increase of information on foreign fighters.

Borg also celebrated the new firearms directive, given the green light by the European Parliament on Tuesday, which will close loopholes on weapons that have been readily available and easy to convert into deadly forms, as well as strictly controlling access to automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

Despite progress, members of European Parliament (MEPs) called for continued and strengthened efforts, asserting that European citizens had the right to feel safe, regardless of their beliefs or opinions.

"One year from the horrifying terrorist attacks in Brussels, we will never forget those victims who lost their lives or were injured. Our grief and anger have translated into a determination to do everything we can to keep Europe safe," said Roberta Metsola (Malta) in a press release from the European People's Party group (EPP).

"We will not cease in our efforts until we secure a safer Europe," the EPP representative said, calling for improved EU cooperation on counter-terrorism operations, including the creation of a fully functional EU criminal records system.

The Socialists and Democrats group (S&D), however, called for the European Parliament to create a detailed report on combating terrorism and radicalization within the EU, while defending freedoms, the rule of law and democracy.

"Freedom and security cannot be played off against each other. Citizens have a right to both. We parliamentarians must contribute to that," said S&D spokesperson on foreign affairs Knut Fleckenstein.
VIENNA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkey should not become a member of the European Union but instead the two parties should have a neighborhood treaty, Austria's Minister for Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz said Wednesday.

He made the suggestion in a paper cited by the Austria Press Agency, which includes proposals for Austria's position as it prepares to take on the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the latter half of 2018.

Kurz said it is time that Europe "clarifies its relationship with Turkey", and unlike Western Balkans states, Turkey has for years been "moving away from the EU".

He also wrote of the "human rights, rule of law, and democracy" situation in Turkey. "The accession of this Turkey to the EU is therefore unthinkable," he added.

Kurz noted, however, that Turkey remains an important regional and economic player, and as such both it and the EU have an interest in the "closest possible and constructive relationship at eye level".

His proposal puts forth the idea of a European-Turkish neighborhood treaty, as opposed to a "stubborn adherence to an accession fiction".
MADRID, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The number of Spaniards who decided to live and work abroad rose by 4.4 percent during 2016, according to figures published by the Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) on Wednesday.

INE reported that 101,581 Spaniards left Spain, taking the total number of Spanish people living in foreign countries to 2,406,611 as of January 1, 2017

That is an increase of over a million since the start of the economic crisis in 2008, with 62.5 percent of those who have left Spain living in the North America or Latin America, 34.2 percent residing in other parts of Europe and 3.4 percent in the rest of the world.

2016 saw 48,612 Spaniards move to the Americas, while 46,479 went to live in other parts of Europe, although the biggest percentage increase (11.2 percent) was in Spanish national moving to live in Asia.

The figures could be slightly misleading, however, as the INE figures showed that only 33 percent of Spanish people now living abroad were actually born in Spain, with 59 percent born in the country they currently inhabit.

This implies that many moved to Spain and took on Spanish nationality when the economy was booming, but returned to their homeland with the growth of economic problems, something highlighted by the fact that 63 percent of those living abroad aged between 16-64 and 21.6 percent are 65 or older.

The study also showed despite the "Brexit", 2016 saw a 13 percent rise in the number of Spaniards living in Britain.
by Ray Ankomah

ACCRA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Information Minister Mustapha Hamid on Wednesday responded to criticism against the long list of ministerial nominees, saying they never made a promise of a lean government.

Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday nominated 54 deputy ministers for the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), swelling the size of the minister and deputy minister nominees to 110 and perhaps more.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the minority National Democratic Congress (NDC), criticized the move, saying Akufo-Addo had gone contrary to a pre-election promise of instituting a lean administration.

According to Nketia, the NPP has gone against the number of government appointees in the previous government led by John Dramani Mahama, describing the development as"unacceptable".

He said the large number of government appointees would lead to a huge amount of public funds or emoluments.

"Increasing the size of government will mean spending of too much money to run the country, NPP mentioned that they will cut down on government. Unfortunately, they are increasing the numbers," he indicated.

But presidential spokesperson Hamid said the NPP never promised a lean government during the 2016 electioneering campaign.

He told journalists at a press conference in Accra that in Ghana's history, there were smaller governments that landed the country in bigger debt and mess.

The minister said it was "better to have a large government with men of integrity who will be efficient on the job than a lean, corrupt government".
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted 86-12 to approve the confirmation of former Indiana senator Daniel Coats, picked by President Donald Trump, as the country's fifth national intelligence director.

Coats replaces James Clapper, who retired at the end of the Obama administration, and will oversee the U.S. intelligence community's 16 agencies as the top intelligence official in the Trump administration.

During the Senate hearing, Coats called cyber attacks top concern, pledging that he would push back against Trump if needed.

He also noted he had been reassured that he would be "welcome and needed" as part of the National Security Council's Principals Committee, reshuffled by Trump in his first month in White House.

"I have been reassured time and time and time again by the president and his advisers that I am welcome and needed and expected to be part of the Principals Committee," Coats said at his hearing.

Under the concerned executive order signed by Trump, the national intelligence chief doesn't have a permanent seat in Principals Committee and can only attend meetings when issues pertinent to his responsibilities are discussed.

Coats, born in May, 1943, served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 1989, then a U.S. Senator from 1989 to 1999 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005.

Following Moscow's March 2014 annexation of Crimea, Coats reportedly pressed the Obama administration to punish Russia harshly. For this stance, Coats and several other U.S. lawmakers were banned from travelling to Russia.

The post of National intelligence Director was created after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As the war in Syria enters the seventh year, top UN officials on Wednesday called upon the warring parties to overcome their differences and put an early end to what the United Nations sees as "the worst conflict of our time."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement issued on Wednesday which coincides with the sixth anniversary of the start of the Syria conflict, said for six years, the Syria people have been "victims of one of the worst conflicts of our time."

The UN chief said he issued two urgent appeals to all parties in Syria.

First, make the most of the Dec. 30 of 2016 ceasefire established by the guarantors of the Astana meetings, enhance it further, and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach all those in need in Syria without any obstacles and impediments, the statement said.

Second, all those with influence on the parties to the conflict must strive to overcome their differences and work together to put an end to the conflict, namely contributing to the success of the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva on the basis of the Geneva communique and relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2254 (2015), said the statement.

"Peace in Syria is a moral and political imperative both for the Syrian people and for the world -- an imperative that cannot wait," said the statement.

The political crisis and subsequent conflict in Syria, which broke out in March 2011, has reportedly killed hundreds of thousands, forced five million into neighboring countries and left 13.5 million in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

The Syrian crisis is stepping into its seventh year, with political and military efforts being exerted, but there has been no clear vision so far on a political solution. The United Nations and the international community insist on a political solution, rather than a military one, to end the longstanding Syrian conflict, according to the statement.

The Syria conflict is the "worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Wednesday, calling for an end to all tortures, executions and unfair trials, and at the very least, for the names and localities of people held in detention or information about where they are buried.

"Today, in a sense the entire country has become a torture-chamber: a place of savage horror and absolute injustice," Zeid said when he was speaking at a high-level panel discussion at the Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Syria.

The entire conflict is "this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity," Zeid said.

The UN human rights chief said that he had recently met with a group of Syrian women whose relatives had been detained or are simply missing. Their relatives are among the "countless people" in Syria to suffer arbitrary detention, torture, kidnapping, and enforced disappearance.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) has been refused access to the country, and no international human rights observers are admitted to check on sites where "very probably tens of thousands of people are currently held," he said.

Despite a limited access, OHCHR is working alongside the Commission of Inquiry to collect and analyze evidence, building up the basis for criminal proceedings against individual perpetrators.

Also on Wednesday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien said in a video statement that the toll taken on civilians in Syria after six years of conflict is inexcusable.

O'Brien, who is also the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, while almost five million people -- the majority of them women and children -- have fled the grotesque violence and deprivation and are now living as refugees. Another six million people are displaced within Syria.

"Even if a political agreement were to succeed tomorrow, millions of Syrians will still require critical humanitarian assistance for months and likely years to come," he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also said on Wednesday that over the past six years, access to health services for the civilian population in the country has seriously deteriorated.

More than half of public hospitals and primary health centers in Syria have either closed or are only partially functioning.

Almost two-thirds of health care workers have fled, the UN health agency said, adding that many health care facilities that are open lack clean water, electricity, and sufficient medical and surgical supplies.
DAMASCUS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The deadly bombings that rocked the capital Damascus on Wednesday and claimed the lives of 43 people show a sign that the country is still far from peace, particularly that it's part of several bombings rocking the country as the war entered its seventh year.

As the Syrian war was entering its seventh year on Wednesday, a deadly bombing rocked the Justice Palace in the heart of Damascus, killing 43 people and wounding 105 others, a well-informed security source told Xinhua.

The explosion happened when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in central Damascus.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building at noontime on Wednesday.

He was in camouflaged uniform, holding a rifle and a hand grenade. Once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police, he was asked for further inspection. He thronged the checkpoint and entered the main hall of the Justice Palace, detonating a bomb vest he was wearing.

The bombing happened at the time of rush hour in the courthouse, causing the largest possible deaths.

Altogether 25 lawyers were among the killed, a lawyer familiar with the situation told Xinhua.

An hour later, crackles of gunshots were heard in the resort area of Rabweh, west of Damascus, in what later appeared to be the Syrian police haunting down a bomber with an explosive belt. The bomber entered a restaurant in that area, detonating it, and wounding 24 people.

At the restaurant, people were about to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends, but the party was turned upside down, due to the bombing.

No party has claimed responsibility for the bombings, which are the latest in a series of bombings that have sparked recently, following a long time of lull.

On Saturday, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front carried out a suicide bombing in Damascus, killing 74 people, including Iraqi Shiite visitors, who were in Damascus on a pilgrim visit.

On Tuesday, an explosive device ripped through a passenger bus in the central city of Homs, killing one person and wounding seven others.

Last month, six suicide bombers detonated themselves in two security headquarters in Homs, killing at least 42 people, mostly security personnel.

At the time, the the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility of the series of the deadly bombings that rocked Homs.

Not only these explosions coincided with the sixth anniversary of the Syrian war, they also coincide with the currently ongoing meeting in Astana, where the Syrian government was set to meet with representatives of the rebels, but the rebels' delegation didn't show up.

True that no party has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's bombings, but all the previous ones that rocked the country recently were the doing of the Nusra Front, whose leader recently threatened more explosions across the country.

The military commander of the Nusra Front Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani said in a video message last month that the bombings that targeted the security centers in Homs "were only the beginning of more attacks with different means, including the suicide bombings."

Syria's Foreign Ministry said that the terrorist attacks that rocked Damascus on Wednesday aim to thwart the efforts to end the Syrian crisis, adding that it also aims to increase the suffering of the Syrian people.

The ministry said the groups that didn't take part in the Astana talks and their reluctance to shun themselves away from the terrorist group is a sign of their links to such terror groups.

Abdul-Bari Atwan, a UK-based Palestinian journalist, said that the bombings in Damascus will remind the Syrians of the tragical end their country has reached to, and the setback to their hopes in reaching safety soon.

He said the bombings send a message to the Syrians that security and stability are still far fetched, and that the bloodshed is ongoing.

For his part, Maher Ihsan, a Syrian journalist, told Xinhua that the bombings could have political messages, particularly amid the international efforts to resolve the crisis politically.

"Whenever there is hope for a political end to the crisis, we see a spark of terrorist bombings from the terror groups which don't want to see a political end to the crisis, as such solution will surely exclude such groups," he said.

Meanwhile, these bombings also give credits to the government priority of fighting the terror-designated groups.

Analysts believe that such incidents could push the Syrian army to unleash an offensive against the core of the ultra-radical groups like the Nusra and allied militants in the northern city of Idlib, the main stronghold for such militant groups.
People view the night scenery in Zhujiang New Town of Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Jan. 25, 2017. The city was decorated to greet the upcoming Spring Festival which falls on Jan. 28 this year. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Undergoing a transformation into an international hub of innovation from a traditional trade port, the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou is seeking out U.S. companies for investment.

"We encourage U.S. multinational companies to invest in Guangzhou, which is a well-known business-friendly city," Cai Chaolin, vice mayor of Guangzhou, said Tuesday during a roadshow for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum to be held in Guangzhou in early December.

Cai Chaolin (R), Guangzhou's vice mayor, unveils the plate of office in Boston Valley during a roadshow meeting of 2017 Fortune Global Forum in Washington D.C., the United States, March 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

In an address to U.S. officials and business leaders in Washington D.C., Cai introduced Guangzhou's initiatives of developing a technology innovation hub, which is expected to bring new business opportunities for U.S. companies coming to the city.

As part of the efforts to enhance cooperation in technology innovation between Guangzhou and the United States, Cai also announced the set-up of Guangzhou's liaison offices in Boston and Silicon Valley, two famous innovation centers in the Eastern and Western coasts of the United States.

"We want to know what's happening in these innovation centers," Cai told Xinhua, adding that the two offices would help Guangzhou gather innovation resources and high-end talents around the world so as to establish its own innovation hub.

Nina Easton, co-chair of Fortune Global Forum, speaks at a roadshow meeting of 2017 Fortune Global Forum in Washington D.C., the United States, March 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Nina Easton, co-chair of Fortune Global Forum and chair of Fortune Most Powerful Women International, said at the same event that Guangzhou, China's southern gateway to the world, is the ideal location for the 2017 Fortune Global Forum with the theme of "Openness and Innovation: Shaping the Global Economy" .

"As a center of international trade for many centuries, Guangzhou is both a renowned symbol and a modern manifestation of China's participation in global commerce," Easton said, noting that the city has become "highly attractive" to multinational companies due to initiatives launched by the municipal government to facilitate investment and trade, its strategic position on the Maritime Silk Road as well as its participation in the free trade zone of Guangdong Province.

"More than half of Fortune Global 500 companies have already made investments or set up operations in Guangzhou, with the potential to continue expansion," Easton said.

Henry Levine, senior advisor at leading U.S. consulting firm Albright Stonebridge Group, said he was very impressed by the central role of South China in general, Guangzhou in particular, has played as a leader in openness, innovation, and creating a dynamic economy over the past 30 years.

Citing a recent business survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China, Levine, who used to work at the U.S. Department of Commerce, said 80 percent of U.S. companies regarded the business climate in the region as "good" or "very good," and 60 percent of them chose to make their headquarters in Guangzhou.

As the first witness to the start of Sino-U.S. trade, Guangzhou also has important implications for today's China-U.S. trade relations.

In 1784, a merchant vessel named the Empress of China set off from New York Harbor, loaded with American Ginseng, leather and cotton, arrived in Guangzhou after a six-month journey, and took home tea, chinaware and silk, opening a brand new chapter in China-U.S. bilateral trade. Today, Guangzhou has trade relations with about 200 countries in the world.

"Guangzhou is a successful example in the world that has put resources together to bring jobs and economic opportunities," said Dan Glickman, a former U.S. Congressman and former agriculture secretary under Bill Clinton.

Glickman said the United States should not blame other countries for its trade concerns and jobs displacement, as technology, globalization, education and other factors are also related to changes in the U.S. job market.

He also noted that the United States has to work closely with China in tackling various issues, as the world's two largest economies have common interests ranging from security to the environment.

"The U.S.-China relationship is extremely important. Look back the U.S. presidents and Congress over the last 50 years...there has been a steady progress in the relationship with China," he said.

As Chinese policymakers have put forward an ambitious policy agenda with more openness and economic reforms, Levine believed implementation of those reforms would not only help stabilize China's economic growth, but also reduce the investment and trade frictions between the United States and China.

Tian Deyou, economic and commercial minister counselor at the Embassy of China in the United States, hoped the the two countries could continue keeping a healthy and stable economic relationship going forward.

The two sides should not resort to a trade war but seek the common objective of win-win cooperation, he added.
JERUSALEM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A rocket launched from the Gaza Strip hit southern Israel on Wednesday evening, causing no injuries, the army said.

"Earlier this evening, a projectile hit an open area in the Sdot Negev Regional Council," a military spokesman said in a statement.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The spokesman added that forces are searching the area to find the projectile.

Since Israel concluded a bloody 51-day military campaign in the Gaza Strip in 2014, Gaza militants occasionally fire rockets towards Israel, usually without causing injuries, and Israel retaliates with artillery and airstrikes.

"We have no intention to initiate a military action in Gaza but we have no intention to accept sporadic fire," Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Monday.

Hamas said Israel carried "full responsibility" for the recent "dangerous escalation."

Two weeks ago, Israeli tank and aircraft hit the Gaza Strip, minutes after militants fired gunshots towards an army vehicle near the fence.

Earlier in February, Israel struck Gaza with artillery and airstrikes that injured three Palestinians after a rocket was launched from the besieged Palestinian enclave, causing no injuries or damage.
Members of the Syrian civil defence, known as the White Helmets, remove a victim from the rubble of a destroyed building following a reported air strike in the northwestern city of Idlib on March 15, 2017.(Xinhua/AFP PHOTO)

UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As the war in Syria enters the seventh year, top UN officials on Wednesday called upon the warring parties to overcome their differences and put an early end to what the United Nations sees as "the worst conflict of our time."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a statement issued on Wednesday which coincides with the sixth anniversary of the start of the Syria conflict, said for six years, the Syria people have been "victims of one of the worst conflicts of our time."

The UN chief said he issued two urgent appeals to all parties in Syria.

First, make the most of the Dec. 30 of 2016 ceasefire established by the guarantors of the Astana meetings, enhance it further, and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach all those in need in Syria without any obstacles and impediments, the statement said.

Second, all those with influence on the parties to the conflict must strive to overcome their differences and work together to put an end to the conflict, namely contributing to the success of the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva on the basis of the Geneva communique and relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2254 (2015), said the statement.

"Peace in Syria is a moral and political imperative both for the Syrian people and for the world -- an imperative that cannot wait," said the statement.

The political crisis and subsequent conflict in Syria, which broke out in March 2011, has reportedly killed hundreds of thousands, forced five million into neighboring countries and left 13.5 million in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

The Syrian crisis is stepping into its seventh year, with political and military efforts being exerted, but there has been no clear vision so far on a political solution. The United Nations and the international community insist on a political solution, rather than a military one, to end the longstanding Syrian conflict, according to the statement.

The Syria conflict is the "worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said on Wednesday, calling for an end to all tortures, executions and unfair trials, and at the very least, for the names and localities of people held in detention or information about where they are buried.

"Today, in a sense the entire country has become a torture-chamber: a place of savage horror and absolute injustice," Zeid said when he was speaking at a high-level panel discussion at the Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Syria.

The entire conflict is "this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity," Zeid said.

The UN human rights chief said that he had recently met with a group of Syrian women whose relatives had been detained or are simply missing. Their relatives are among the "countless people" in Syria to suffer arbitrary detention, torture, kidnapping, and enforced disappearance.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) has been refused access to the country, and no international human rights observers are admitted to check on sites where "very probably tens of thousands of people are currently held," he said.

Despite a limited access, OHCHR is working alongside the Commission of Inquiry to collect and analyze evidence, building up the basis for criminal proceedings against individual perpetrators.

Also on Wednesday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien said in a video statement that the toll taken on civilians in Syria after six years of conflict is inexcusable.

O'Brien, who is also the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, while almost five million people -- the majority of them women and children -- have fled the grotesque violence and deprivation and are now living as refugees. Another six million people are displaced within Syria.

"Even if a political agreement were to succeed tomorrow, millions of Syrians will still require critical humanitarian assistance for months and likely years to come," he said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also said on Wednesday that over the past six years, access to health services for the civilian population in the country has seriously deteriorated.

More than half of public hospitals and primary health centers in Syria have either closed or are only partially functioning.

Almost two-thirds of health care workers have fled, the UN health agency said, adding that many health care facilities that are open lack clean water, electricity, and sufficient medical and surgical supplies.
by Ronald Ssekandi

KAMPALA, March 16 (Xinhua) -- China's aid to the education sector in Africa is helping boost teacher training, a key component in skilling the population to fast track development, a UN official has said.

Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office for Eastern Africa, in an interview recognized China's contribution to Africa's education sector over the years.

"We value the initiative in teacher training in Uganda and other countries in Africa. This will revitalize the teaching profession," she said.

China through UNESCO donated equipment to three teacher training institutions in Uganda on March 3. Figures from the Chinese embassy here show that 137 tutors were trained and 272 pieces of Information Communication and Technology and studio equipment were donated.

Ndong-Jatta said tutors were skilled on how to integrate technology with traditional methods of training.

China through UNESCO is funding an 8-million-U.S.-dollar project aimed at narrowing the educational quality gap on the continent.

The project "Enhancing Teacher Education for Bridging the Education Quality Gap in Africa" aims to accelerate progress towards the achievement of Education for All and the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is quality education.

The four-year project that started in 2012 focuses on providing a sufficient number of qualified teachers in Africa through training programs.

Eight African countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda are benefiting from the program.

Ndong-Jatta said besides cooperation in the primary education level, China has been cooperating with Africa to boost higher education.

China helped set up the Capacity Building Institute of Teacher Education in Ethiopia, and the regional director said some African countries also had student and teacher exchanges with China.

She said a conference has been scheduled in Djibouti to discuss how to boost further cooperation with China in the area of higher education.
RABAT, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire have called for sustainable and inclusive political solutions for crises facing Africa, a final statement issued following Morocco's King Mohammed visit to Cote d'Ivoire said.

The King and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara reiterated their will to see a more united and solidarity-based Africa, capable of fighting efficiently and victoriously against the new forms of criminality, namely terrorism, cybercrimes, sea piracy and drug trafficking, according to the statement carried by the official MAP news agency on Wednesday.

The two leaders also urged the international community to join hands in order to eradicate these scourges for good.

Ivorian president welcomed the return of Morocco to the African Union (AU) and underlined the Kingdom's decisive role in consolidating peace and security in the continent.

Late in January, Morocco rejoined AU after a 33-year absence from the pan-African organization.

They also welcomed the excellent cooperation between Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire, which have already signed 143 agreements, stressing the need for implementing these agreements to achieve the development of their countries and the well-being of their people.

Cote d'Ivoire was the final step in an African tour that led the Moroccan king to South Sudan, Zambia, Ghana and Guinea. The tour resulted in the signing of nearly 80 agreements between Morocco and the five countries.
HELSINKI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Finnish organizations have found out that the number of suicides among asylum seekers have probably been under reported, although the exact number remains unclear.

Outi Ruishalme, a director at the Finnish Mental Health Association, told broadcaster Yle on Wednesday that there have been successful attempts this year. The association said it obtained the information unofficially from interpreters working in asylum seeker centers.

Also patients attending therapy services have reported incidents, added Ruishalme.

The claim contradicted with earlier statistics given by Finnish immigration authority Migri, who said only one asylum seeker killed himself last year.

In response to the claim on Wednesday, Migri admitted that there have been 70 attempts in 2016 and 2017, and actually five killed themselves. Migri said that asylum centers may not have applied correct administrative forms in reporting to Migri.

Last week, an asylum seeker tried to hang himself at the Helsinki railroad square, where a demonstration had been under way for weeks. There was also an attempt at the Evitskog asylum seeker center near Helsinki, Yle reported.
KHARTOUM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Wednesday said the European Union (EU) has not fulfilled its commitments to supporting Sudan's efforts to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour has informed a visiting EU delegation of the failure.

"The foreign minister reiterated that the EU has not fulfilled its commitments made in Valletta Conference in Malta to support Sudan to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking via controlling its borders with neighboring countries," said Sudan's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

On Tuesday, a joint work session was held at the premises of Sudan's foreign ministry between Sudan and Africa's working group at the EU Commission which brings together representatives of member states, where the session was attended by EU Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, the EU Ambassador to Sudan, some ambassadors and representatives of the European embassies in Sudan.

According to the statement, the session reviewed issues of peace, dialogue in Sudan, refugees, combating human trafficking and illegal immigration and religious freedoms.

European countries had previously vowed to support Sudan in combating human trafficking after Khartoum asked for logistical air and maritime support to pursue the multi-national human smugglers.

Sudan has witnessed an increase in organized activities in the human trafficking and illegal immigration fields.

In October 2014, Sudan hosted an international conference on combating human trafficking and illegal immigration which included the participation of African and European countries.

Khartoum said it is maintaining high-level coordination with Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia from Africa as well as Italy, Spain, France and Britain to face the phenomenon.

Sudan is considered one of the thoroughfares for human trafficking and illegal immigration.
VIENNA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Austria will hold to its military engagements in the Western Balkans despite revelations on Wednesday that Turkey has been blocking NATO partner programs with Austrian involvement for several months.

Austria Press Agency reported Stefan Hirsch, spokesperson for Austrian Defense Minister Hans Peter Doskozil, as confirming that the blockade has existed for some time and could lead to long-term problems.

Hirsch said in the short-term, however, it has had no impact on Austria's missions. He said Austria's participation is appreciated by both NATO and the EU.

German daily Die Welt on earlier Wednesday brought to light Turkey's blocking of the NATO partner programs, specifically to target at Austria in response to its policy toward Turkey.
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China reduced its holding of U.S. Treasury securities in January after adding 9.1 billion U.S. dollars in the previous month, the latest data from the U.S. Treasury Department showed on Wednesday.

China shed its treasuries holding by 7.3 billion U.S. dollars in January, with the total holding down to 1.0511 trillion U.S. dollars.

China's central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan said recently that Chinese currency, the yuan, will stabilize this year amid a firming economy and global confidence in the country's growth prospects. He also reiterated that the fall in China's foreign exchange reserve is a normal phenomenon.

Japan, which overtakes China as the largest holder of U.S. treasuries in October, increased its holding by 11.7 billion dollars to 1.1025 trillion dollars in January.

By the end of January, overall foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury securities dropped to 5.9561 trillion U.S. dollars from December's 6.0039 trillion dollars.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry addresses a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, March 15, 2017. Francis Gurry on Wednesday lauded China's strong performance in international patent and trademark filing. The WIPO revealed that China filed 43,168 applications under the organization's patent cooperation treaty (PCT) in 2016, up from 29,839 two years ago. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

GENEVA, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Francis Gurry on Wednesday lauded China's strong performance in international patent and trademark filing.

"China's performance is quite extraordinary. In terms of international patent applications, the number of applications from China rose by 44 percent in one year," Gurry told the press.

WIPO revealed that China filed 43,168 applications under the organization's patent cooperation treaty (PCT) in 2016, up from 29,839 two years ago.

This compares to the 56,595 and 45,239 applications filed by the United States and Japan respectively.

China's trademark and industrial designs filings, which are handled by WIPO's Madrid and Hague systems, also showed strong growth last year, with China ranking fourth in terms of the number of global trademark applications made in 2016.

"China-based filers are behind much of the growth in international patent and trademark filings, making great strides in internationalizing their businesses as the country continues its journey from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China'," Gurry explained.

While the United States and Japan continue to lead the way in terms of the number of PCT applications, growth there has been sluggish, with the United States posting a 0.9 percent drop in the number of international patents filed last year.

China's growing clout is also reflected by the fact that two Chinese firms (ZTE Corporation and Huawei Technologies) topped the list of companies which filed the most PCT patent applications last year, ahead of U.S.-based Qualcomm Inc.

Overall, some 233,000 PCT applications were registered in 2016 (up 7.3 percent from 2015), with 52,550 Madrid applications filed across the globe (up 7.2 percent).

A further 18,716 (up 13.9 percent) design applications were documented by WIPO, meaning that all three of the Geneva-based organization's international patent filing systems posted growth in 2016.
BUENOS AIRES, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Argentina's President Mauricio Macri on Wednesday unveiled a plan to boost the automotive industry and generate jobs with a target goal of manufacturing one million cars a year by 2030.

Macri signed the "strategic agreement" with the different sectors of the automotive industry at a ceremony at the presidential headquarters.

"Today is a very special and historic day for the industry," said Macri, adding the so-called One Million Plan "has two fundamental goals ... to produce a million automobiles and to not only take care of the industry, but to make it grow with more than 30,000 jobs."

The plan calls for investing 5 billion U.S. dollars in the industry over the next two years to reach an output of 750,000 units by 2019, and doubling today's manufacturing capacity by 2023.

At least 35 percent of output is to be exported to countries outside the Mercosur trade bloc, which gathers Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela (currently suspended), as well as Argentina.

Macri touted the plan as "the second great agreement" of his administration, following an agreement with all segments of the energy industry to develop shale in the country's Vaca Muerta region in south-central Nequen province.

Last year, Argentina manufactured 472,776 vehicles, a 10.2-percent drop compared to 2015, according to the Association of Automotive Plants (ADEFA), which blamed lower demand from neighboring Brazil, Argentina's main trade partner.

Argentina's Ministry of Production said the agreement calls for "a series of governmental measures designed to spur the industry," including scrapping taxes on industrial exports, a five-year import-export accord with Brazil that provides the industry with a degree of predictability, and seeking new export markets to compensate for Brazil's lower demand.

The national automotive industry today provides more than 70,000 direct and 150,000 indirect jobs.
by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The Greek authorities confirmed on Wednesday evening that a package with explosives found at the German Finance Ministry earlier in the day was sent from Greece, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

According to German police, the package found at German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble's office building was designed to cause considerable injuries when being opened.

According to a Greek Public Order Ministry statement, the name and address of main opposition New Democracy party vice president Adonis Georgiadis were written on the package as "sender".

Greek Public Order Minister Nikos Toskas notified MP Georgiadis of the information Athens received from German authorities. The Greek deputy confirmed that the address mentioned is the address of his office in central Athens.

"This is not an amusing joke. I am constantly targeted by terrorists," Georgiadis tweeted, as Greek counter terrorism police launched an investigation to trace the post office the perpetrators used to mail the package and clarify how it passed airport controls.

Georgiadis has been targeted many times in recent years. On early Wednesday, the bookstore he owns in central Athens was damaged by the explosion of a makeshift device.

According to AMNA, Greek experts have also requested German authorities for more information regarding the explosive device discovered and any other clues that may help in locating the real senders.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the case.
MINSK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The OSCE's special representative in the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine Martin Sajdik on Wednesday expressed concern about the situation in eastern Ukraine, local media reported.

The current escalation of hostilities between the conflicting parties in Donbas in east Ukraine made a negative impact on the Minsk process, Sajdik said following the Trilateral Contact Group meeting in Minsk.

The Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine is a group of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that was formed to facilitate a diplomatic resolution to the war in the Donbas region.

Sajdik stressed that the recent events intensified tensions between the parties and had an unambiguously negative effect on the process of mutual rapprochement and economic cooperation.

Sajdik said that the security was among top issues during this meeting. The parties discussed the cease-fire regime, the implementation of the agreement on the removal of heavy weapons, protection of civilians and vital infrastructure facilities. The working group also discussed the blockade of railroads among the main issues.

In addition, the topic of the so-called external management of the Ukrainian enterprises of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics was considered, it is still unresolved, Sajdik added.

The next meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine will be held on March 29.
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The international community must step up efforts to combat human trafficking and slavery in regions of conflict, said a Chinese envoy here on Wednesday.

Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council debate on human trafficking.

Liu said international community should support countries concerned in combating such criminal activities by providing them with targeted assistance in law enforcement, border control and financial regulation.

"On the other hand, we need to enhance international cooperation with the focus on law enforcement and leverage the role of regional and sub-regional organizations, pool all resources available to investigate, disrupt and dismantle trafficking networks," he said.

Liu also said the international community should uphold unified counter-terrorism standard and take coordinated and concerted action to fight against crimes of human trafficking and enslavement.

"We need to take an integrated approach with political and economic means to stem the financial flow to terrorist organizations from human trafficking and enslavement so as to dismantle their criminal networks," he added.

In addition, Liu called for political settlement to regional conflict to eradicate the breeding ground to human trafficking and other criminal activities.

He said the international community should work harder on political solutions to hot-spot issues, advance their political process in line with principles in UN Charter, and settle disputes through dialogue and consultations.

Human trafficking thrives in regions where conflict prevails and the rule of law is weak. Extremist groups have been capturing and trading enslaved women and children to obtain funding for their terrorist activities.
PANAMA CITY, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Panama has the potential to serve as a regional hub, thanks to its central location, connectivity and infrastructure, with seven underground fiber optic cables running through the Central American country, Minister of Trade and Industry Augusto Arosemena said on Wednesday.

Earlier this year, Swiss food company Nestle took advantage of those features, plus the Panama Canal of course, to open a regional purchasing center in Panama, only the third such center the company operates worldwide, after one in Switzerland and another in Malaysia, according to the minister.

Speaking at a forum entitled "Panama Connecting the World," Arosemena told representatives of multinational firms that such a data hub could help cut costs and improve service.

Foreign direct investment in Panama amounted to 6 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, nearly 17 percent higher than in 2015, and 45 percent of all FDI in the Central American region, said the minister.

The United States and Colombia top the list of foreign investors, with 19 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

Some 130 multinationals have been drawn by Panamanian laws that offer incentives to set up headquarters there, including 27 U.S. firms.
QUITO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador on Wednesday denied entry into the country to a Venezuelan activist who admitted she intended to take part in political campaign despite having applied for a tourist visa.

Lilian Tintori, wife of jailed Venezuelan right-wing activist Leopoldo Lopez, was refused entry after landing at the airport shortly before 2 a.m. on a flight from Miami, Florida.

Tintori "was attended by a supervisor given the inconsistencies between her tourist visa and the political proselytizing she said she planned on doing," Deputy Minister of Domestic Security Diego Fuentes said at a press conference.

"Mrs. Tintori cannot carry out political proselytizing on a tourist visa," Fuentes said, adding that authorities coordinated with American Airlines to arrange her return on the next available flight, which was at 6:45 a.m.

Like most countries, Ecuador bars temporary visitors on tourist visas from participating in domestic political affairs.
Today is World Consumer Rights Day

Speaking on the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) which is being observed today, the Minister said the WCRD is an opportunity to reinforce the rights and responsibilities of consumers; highlighting market injustices which may seek to undermine these rights.

This year, Gopee- Scoon said in a press release, Consumers Internationals (CI) theme for World Consumer Rights Day is Building a Digital World Consumers Can Trust.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), through the Consumer Affairs Division (CAD), incorporates the topic Protecting Consumer Rights in the Digital World into its ongoing consumer outreach and education initiative.

This arm of the CADs education campaign focusses specifically on safeguarding consumer rights and interests in three (3) major areas relating to digital commerce while empowering the consumer to navigate the online arena carefully and responsibly.

Protecting Consumer Rights in the Digital World is a tripartite approach that seeks to educate on three key issues potentially faced by consumers who engage in online commerce and offers guidelines on mitigating risks related to these identified issues.

These three focus areas include: Access and Choice; Online Security, and Redress Access and Choice Purchasing goods from the comfort of ones home is certainly more convenient than driving to a store, while offering a virtually unlimited array of choices and the opportunity to compare prices. Such is the allure of online commerce.

However, there are various issues relating to this seemingly boundless plethora of goods. To address this focal area, the importance of making clear and informed purchasing choices, based on research and proper investigation, must be underscored. This includes the importance of checking online reviews and background information regarding merchants prior to purchase and thoroughly inspecting goods upon receipt; the need to examine and inquire about website purchasing, return and shipping policies, warranties, additional taxes and the use of this information in guiding consumer behaviour.

Online Security In respect of e-commerce and online use as a whole, security and privacy are paramount concerns. Measures to protect against identity theft, fraud and software corruption cannot be ignored.

The MTIs focus for WCRD seeks to address this issue through the reinforcement of safe internet practices and vigilance such as: Updating security software on all devices  particularly devices on which digital purchases are made; Avoiding the use of generic, singular passwords for all online accounts and profiles; Ensuring use of secure websites; and being proactive and consistently reviewing credit card statements and issuing queries, in a timely manner, if discrepancies are observed.

Redress The final focal area is that of redress. Often, consumers are faced with the anxiety of purchasing from foreign companies or the disappointment of not receiving the item as anticipated or in the desired condition. An informed, responsible and empowered consumer is a strong force with which to reckon. Knowledge of return and refund policies, prior to purchase, is important in order to refer to such policies when dialoguing with merchants.

In this very critical area, the Consumer Affairs Division (CAD) is seeking to improve on the available mechanisms for redress for consumers, including the digital consumer, through enhanced policy and legislation. A revised National Consumer Policy will address consumer well-being through enhanced consumer empowerment and protection.
Police demand more firepower in Enterprise

In the video released yesterday, members of Unruly Isis indicated that they were out for Rasta City members and had plenty bullets for them. The police officers are now said to be running scared as the gang war heats up in the Enterprise area.

One concerned senior officer asked: How can you have two young constables with pistols, not even heavy arms, stationed outside the house in Enterprise? In that environment anything can happen to these officers. Newsday was told that most of the officers on so far rotation are rookies and come from various police stations across the Central Division.

Police said the video was also a message to the law enforcement officers. Look at the behaviour of the gang leader and his men in this video, said the senior officer.

A number of persons have been killed and others wounded over the last few months in Enterprise. Since Saturday, the two officers have been stationed round the clock outside Patricks home which is located at the corner of John and School Trace, Enterprise following threats made on the lives of his family members.

Patrick, whose brother was shot and killed two years ago, was one of four people shot and wounded last Friday evening in Enterprise.

He died on the spot as a result of multiple gunshots to the left side of his hand, head and forearm. A second victim Christian Mohammed, succumbed to his injuries early Saturday morning at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. He was shot twice in the lower back. Labourer Daniel Tannis, 25, of Bagaloo Street, Enterprise sustained gunshot wounds to the buttocks and lower thigh while student Candice James, 26, of John and School Street, Enterprise was shot in the left leg. They have since been discharged from hospital. Three men, one of them a relative of late community activist Selwyn Robocop Alexis were subsequently detained.

In the video that shows blatant disregard for law and order, gang members openly declared war on their rivals boasting that they were outside and not afraid of anybody while warning their rivals not to cross the borders. It was reported that the Unruly Isis members took to Facebook following their release having secured bail for possession of a loaded Beretta pistol which according to reports was found in the vehicle in which they were travelling along Connection Drive, in Enterprise last week Wednesday.

Three men and one woman appeared before a magistrate in the Chaguanas Court and are expected to return to court next month.

Allyuh we out here, we out here we say, watch we real good, we eh fraid ah nobody said one of the men as they celebrated their release on Facebook live.

We have shooter out here, we global and worldwide I say. Another man displaying a bag around his neck, announced We not fraid all them Rasta City, namco (in obvious reference to bullets) tam, tam, plenty bullets and do not pass in Crown Trace, do not pass in Chrissy Trace, do not pass on Crown Trace Main Road, we hitting allyuh plenty bullet, because I on a bike. The man raised his bicycle for the camera.

Contacted yesterday for comment on the safety concerns of his officers, Head of Central Division Snr Supt McIntyre told Newsday that his men were only doing their duty by protecting citizens in need of protection. He said they were not protecting gang members.

I dont see it as protecting criminals, McIntyre said. I look at it as protecting people who are basically victims and need protection at this point in time. Questioned about the viral video, McIntyre said he had not seen it as yet.

He told Newsday: I was in a conference all morning and have not seen the video. I will take a look at it and whatever action needs to be taken, will be taken because I am not going to condone any kind of lawlessness. Once not dealt with, it will get worse.
My husband is no wife beater

After two stories were published last week about what relatives are calling a case of police brutality against Seemungal, Deo said several persons took to social media, mainly facebook, and made certain allegations against Seemungal.

One person said that it was good for him.

Another said they (police) should have buss his two eyes. A woman who was a back-seat passenger pushed out her head from a car this morning at Penal junction and shouted out: Only one eye they buss? Next time they supposed to buss the two, Deo said.

The passenger then suggested that next time Deo goes to make a report, Penal police should send her to the fire station.

Last Wednesday Seemungal suffered injuries to his left eye at his home at Ramlal Street, Penal, where police had gone following a report of domestic abuse at the house.

While at the location, relatives alleged that one of three officers who responded beat Seemungal who they believe may lose sight in his left eye.
$35,000 fines for gun possession

First to appear before Magistrate Margaret Alert was Xavier Lewis, 20, of La Romaine, who pleaded guilty to having a gun and three rounds of ammunition.

The magistrate heard that Lewis and another man were at Chapman Recreation ground along Dumfries Road, La Romaine, at about 9.30 pm on Thursday last, when he was arrested.

Attorney Chantal Paul mitigated on Lewis behalf and told the magistrate that his mother died when he was ten.

Recently, Lewis was shot at, so he secured a firearm to protect himself.

Magistrate Alert opined that perhaps it was fortunate Lewis was arrested before he had a chance to commit a more serious offence.

She fined Lewis $10,000 for possession of the gun and $5,000 for the ammunition. He must pay both fines within 90 days or serve 18 months in jail. Praveen Ramroop of Avocat Village, Fyzabad was next to appear before Magistrate Alert for having a Beretta pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition while in a car at South Park, Tarouba at about 3 am on Sunday. Attorney Subhas Panday who represented Ramroop, said his client is a bar owner who was robbed on two occasions.

lert fined Ramroop $10,000 for the gun and $10,000 for the ammunition, which he must pay within 90 days or serve 18 months in jail. Apply for a firearm, the magistrate told Ramroop, lest we degenerate deeper than the wild wild west.
TT tourism company signs deal with Tanzania

The signing which took place at the 2017 International Tourism Business (ITB) trade show in Berlin, Germany on March 9 demonstrates the possibility for TT companies to exploit global markets.

The success of TII demonstrates that not only big companies but small companies can achieve wins in the global market,according to Dr Auliana Poon, managing director of TII. It is not the energy in the ground, but the energy of our people that will generate true economic prosperity for our country, Poon said. This is why talent and the creative industries can be the greatest export opportunities for TT , she said in a media release.

TII is no stranger to the African market. The company developed the tourism policy and strategy for the new South Africa in 1996; developed strategies for trend-setting companies such as Conservation Corporation (Africa); invented the concept of Responsible Tourism to drive South Africa tourism growth; developed the concept of Compassionate Tourism for Malawi in 2004/2005 and crafted the tourism Marketing and Human resource development plans for Mozambique Tourism Intelligence International is equally respected for its ability to help clients implement innovative processes that optimise the potential of individual operations as well as entire sectors.

TII successfully implemented the large, complex and multi-disciplinary Eco Tourism Development Project in Dominica (2003-2006) and the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Development Project (2007-2009) and successfully implemented the National Export Strategies for Jamaica (2015) and Palestine (2015), the release said.

TII has also published many of its own research publications and reports focusing on best practices, current and future trends in the travel and tourism industry and on key source markets such as the American, British, German and Japanese markets
Winter storm cancels CAL flights

Passengers, a CAL press release stated, may make changes to their reservations, without penalty subject to special conditions. The flights in question are BW 550, from Trinidad to New York on Tuesday 14 March; BW 526, from Guyana to New York on Tuesday March 14; BW 528, Trinidad to New York on Tuesday 14 March; BW 011, Montego Bay to New York on Tuesday 14 March; BW 017, Kingston to New York, Tuesday 14 March; BW 016, New York to Kingston, Wednesday 15 March; BW 551, New York to Trinidad, Wednesday 15 March; BW 527, New York to Guyana, Wednesday 15 March and BW 010, New York to Montego Bay, Wednesday 15 March.

For further information, passengers may visit www.caribbeanairlines.

com, www.

facebook.com/caribbeanairlines or call the Caribbean Airlines Call Centre at 868-625-7200 (Trinidad & Tobago) / 1-800-920-4225 (Toll Free North America), and 1-800-744-2225 (Toll Free Caribbean)/ 1-888-359-2475 (Jamaica).
Kamla: Banks digging out peoples eyes with fees

Persad-Bissessar made the statements on Monday evening before a large crowd gathered in the hall of Preysal High School at the UNCs (United National Congress) first Monday Night Forum since the last local government election.

Referencing the Central Banks Financial Stability Report, Persad- Bissessar said the local banking sector earned $4.1 billion in profits before tax in 2015 and this was due in large part to increasing bank fees and charges. They (banks) not listening to (Attorney General) Faris (Al-Rawi) you know, said Persad-Bissessar.

Remember Faris said you dont have to make a profit in a business? They not listening to that. She listed the profits earned by major banks over the last two years and compared it to increases in bank fees and charges.

Referencing the report again, Persad-Bissessar said the billions in the sector were earned from, among other things, the introduction of new, and the increase of old, bank fees and charges.

That is what they call digging out your eyes, said the UNC leader.

More than advantage from the super structure, from the super elites with $1.2 billion in their pockets. This, she said, happens while banks keep customers outside in the hot sun and rain before they open only for customers to wait in long lines to be served.

Persad-Bissessar said she wrote to the Bankers Association on Monday and asked them to put country first.

Turning her attention to Finance Minister Colm Imbert, the opposition leader reminded him of his promise to look into regulating the banking sector through the Central Bank.

Persad-Bissessar said the government has since not acted on its promise and should look into invoking different sections of the Central Bank Act to regulate the sector, namely Sections 33:C and 33:D.

They need to look at a different section of the Central Bank Act if they want to deal with the bank charges and bank fees. Persad-Bissessar cited Jamaica as a regional example of a government seeking to regulate the banking sector.

She highlighted a Jamaica Observer article of March 10 which spoke of the Jamaican MP for Southern St Catherine, Fitz Jackson, bringing a Private Members Bill to parliament seeking governments regulation of bank fees and charges.
Moonilal: We know lobbyist, he likes goat roti

Moonilal was speaking at the United National Congress Monday Night Forum at the Preysal High School. He called for an independent inquiry into the goat roti man. Last week, Prime Minister Dr.

Keith Rowley confirmed that The Group DC, headed by Arthur Collins, was retained as a lobbyist.

Moonilal told the audience, We met the fella in Cunupia, right here. We went in somebody garage. All I could remember with this fella is he like dalphourie roti and goat. The fella eat dhalpourie and goat like hell. When he left, he take some home too. Moonilal said although Collins was a nice fella, his services were denied. We said this is nice, but we really dont have that kind of money, you know, for this thing.

And quite frankly we thought his services could be provided by local people. Moonilal said this country did not need lobbyists because it has embassies throughout the world since it gained independence in 1962. And because ministers are charged with the responsibility of advancing their mandate at home and abroad, lobbyists are even more unnecessary.

Theyre only needed, he said, to deal with specific problems.

Patrick Manning hired a lobbyist when we had a problem with the steel industry and our access to the US market, it was a single issue. Moonilal said the former government later discovered that Collins might be connected to the PNM and posed a series of questions to the prime minister.

Tonight we ask Keith Rowley, did Arthur Collins work for the PNM in the build-up to the general elections in 2015? Did he work for you? And when he work for you, did you pay him or did you promise him that if and when you got into power, you will pay him with a kickback contract as a lobbyist for T&T? Moonilal waved for the cheering crowd a paper he said was the contract for the goat roti man and made a call for an independent inquiry into the hiring of Collins.

This was needed, he said, because for general elections, political hustlers from all over the world approach governments to offer their help to win elections.

Now I not saying Arthur Collins is a hustler, eh.

I saying you have hustlers coming, and everybody come they want to help you win, they want to do something. But you think they doing it for free? They not doing nothing for free. Moonilal said it was a scandal of immense proportions that the government spent $18 million on a lobbyist while crime continues to spiral out of control and the construction of the Ramai Trace Hindu School is not yet completed.
Senators oppose Trial by Judge Bill

Claiming that the right to trial by jury is an absolute right in this country, Ramdeen said Al-Rawi must apologise to the Cabinet, the Parliament and the country for bringing such legislation to Parliament.

He added that after doing so, Al-Rawi must do the decent thing and resign.

Ramdeen listed several legal notables who opposed the abolition of trial by jury. As he looked through the legislation, Ramdeen remarked, There is no legitimate aim here. There is no proportionality either.

Recalling that Chief Justice Ivor Archie made certain observations about trial by jury, Ramdeen quoted what he said was correspondence from former Independent senator Dana Seetahal SC (deceased) about this same issue as it pertained to matters that she was involved in. Referring to those same matters, Ramdeen said under the Doctrine of the Separation of Powers, both the Executive and the Judiciary must know their respective places.

Noting there have been 100 murders so far for this year and 467 murders last year, Ramdeen scoffed that the statistics which Al-Rawi mentioned in his contribution, were irrelevant to to the debate. Independent Senator Sophia Chote SC said she could not support the bill. She did not see how overloading judges would reduce the backlog in the criminal justice system. Observing that Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard recently said he did not view trial by juries as attributing to the backlog, Chote said only nine places are allocated for judges in the Criminal Assizes. Saying this has been reduced to seven in recent times, Chote wondered how would the lucky seven be able to deal with the hundreds of cases coming their way.

She also argued that the average citizen discharges their civic and civil duty through jury service.

Chote admitted that while jury tampering is a real issue in TT, juries dont make a problem in the dispensation of justice.
Fair treatment for TDC workers

At last Thursdays post-Cabinet news conference at the Magdalena Grand Hotel in Tobago, Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe announced that Cabinet has agreed to dissolve the TDC and establish two entities, one to focus on tourism in Trinidad and another for Tobago.

Sometimes hard decisions have to be taken but we want to give the assurance that the workers of TDC will be treated fairly, Baptiste-Primus said. Reminding senators that the TDC was formed as a limited liability company in 2004, Baptiste-Primus said it had been challenged over the years to achieve its mandate.

She explained that mandate included, tourism marketing and promotion, product control and development and tourism investment promotion.

Baptiste-Primus was confident that TDC employees would be able to apply for the jobs that will emerge, from the new structure. The minister underscored Governments commitment to developing the tourism sector which is, critical to the achievement of economic growth in the country.
$600,000 a month in NIDCO rent

To this end, a firm has been hired by Government to do an assessment of employees so a decision can be made on exactly how much staff is needed.

Sinanan, a Government Senator, said when he was appointed Works and Transport Minister, he was told staff at NIDCO amounted to almost 200. Rental of office space amounted to $600,000 a month, he revealed. Staff occupies six floors in a building and after reviewing its operations, a decision was made to source another building in San Juan at a rental cost of $200,000 per month.

Sinanan said rental of vehicles cost such an exorbitant amount that he immediately put a stop to this and most of the rental vehicles under NIDCOs use were sent back to the leasing company while seven drivers were sent home late last year. According to Minister Sinanan, monies being brought in by NIDCO cannot cover the cost of keeping this entity afloat to pay staff and run internal affairs.

He said there are some very well paid employees and a manpower audit needs to be done so that, the fat can be cut as part of an urgently needed restructuring drive. He noted that due to the state of the economy, NIDCO does not need a staff complement of almost 200 and accordingly, jobs will be cut starting with contract workers.

The Minister said that when he assumed office, he discovered that persons were hired in NIDCO by their family and friends and there was no proper hiring practice in place. Some persons who were not even qualified for jobs in NIDCO, are on the payroll. This will now cease under my watch and those persons who are qualified and are needed will be retained, he vowed.

Sinanan said there are other entities within his Ministry where there is over and under staffing which will be dealt with in the coming months.

Several NIDCO contract workers described moves by the Minister to send them home as cruel adding that Sinanan ought to be more sympathetic as jobs are difficult to find at this time.

According to them, the possibility of unemployment is causing many sleepless nights and recalled Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, early in his governments tenure, assuring that despite the recession there would be no job losses in the Public Service.
Are 200,000 U.S. acres going to be returned to Mexico in border line mistake?

Everybody knows that mistakes happen  they are a part of life. Its not everyday, though, that a mistake is so big that it costs 200,000 acres of land.

According to Chihuahua Senator Patricio Martinez Garcia, a total of 214,381 acres of land owned by the United States since the 19th century actually belongs to Mexico. If this is the case, then the United States may one day be forced to return it in its entirety.

So far, the United States has not been compelled to address the issue because there is no concrete evidence of a geographical error. However, Senator Garcia is currently in the process of acquiring funds for topographic and satellite studies to get the proof that he needs.

If in fact the territory does belong to Mexico, the country will send a diplomatic note to the United States and claim it as their own.

The case would call for a legal review process conducted by both countries because according to Garcia, 99 percent of the land is unoccupied, inhabited only in Nogales and Arizona.

Unfortunately, this issue has come to fruition at a time when relations with Mexico are already on thin ice, primarily due to President Trumps immigration agenda. Trump has stated numerous times that in addition to deporting criminal illegal aliens our of the country, he will order the construction of a wall along the southern border and force Mexico to pay for it. Mexico President Enrique Neito, however, has declared that his country will not be paying. It is evident that we have some differences with the new government of the United States, like the topic of the wall, that Mexico of course will not pay, he said in January. (RELATED: Mexico opposes Trumps plan for a wall, but wants to build one of their own.)

In response, President Trump explained that Mexico will more than likely reimburse the United States after the wall is complete. I could wait about a year and a half until we finish our negotiations with Mexico, which will start immediately after we get to office, but I dont want to wait, then president-elect Trump said. (RELATED: You wont believe what the Pope said about Trumps plan to build a border wall.)

Just a few weeks later, President Neito cancelled a meeting that he and President Trump had scheduled over disagreements about who would pay for the wall along the southern border. His decision to cancel came just hours after Donald Trump warned Neito on Twitter to either agree to providing funds for the wall or stay home.

Mexico is one of the United States most important trade partners, and growing tension between the two countries will only make things worse for the citizens.

Sources:

Panampost.com

LAtimes.com

TheHill.com

Submit a correction >>
In an earlier column, I wrote about a question that comes up repeatedly on a few social book sites that I follow. That one concerned how a person can read more than one book at a time. On those book sites, people also like to debate about whether one actually reads an audiobook.
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Libyan forces aligned with renegade Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar Tuesday recaptured the two oil terminals lost to Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) earlier this month.

The East-based army known as the Libyan National Army (LNA), defying the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), lost Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil terminals on March 3 after BDB forces, considered as Islamists, ousted the oil facility guards.

The BDB reportedly confirmed the loss of the two terminals. The BDB told media that Haftar forces were pounding their positions with war planes fitted with advanced missiles.

LNA forces were moving towards the town of Jufra where the BDB forces are said to have retreated.

Haftar forces overrun Libyas oil crescent protected by GNA-aligned forces last September.

Western countries namely UK, US, France and Italy issued a joint statement condemning the escalation and fighting. They called for restraint and the protection of Libyas vital oil facilities, Libya Herald reports.

Oil infrastructure, production, export and revenues belong to the Libyan people and must remain under the exclusive control of the National Oil Corporation, they said.

The LNA lost 21 men in the retake move. Ageela Saleh, President of Libyas internationally recognised parliament, the House of Representatives (HoR) sent his condolences to the families of the killed soldiers and congratulated the LNA for the achievement.
Moroccos Consul General in Orly; a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France, has been reportedly recalled over alleged mistreatment of her housekeeper.

The housekeeper was shown in a video posted on social media calling out for police help for being abused by her employer Malika Alaoui. The housekeeper was threatening to commit suicide if the police did not show up.

Local media, citing Moroccan diplomatic sources, reported that the consul has been recalled under royal instructions after the video went viral on social media.

According to the diplomatic sources, French authorities also ordered the diplomat to leave the French territory. The Foreign Department declined to comment on the veracity of the press reports.

The video posted last week reportedly dates back to last year in Mai, le360.ma portal reports. Alaoui was seen trying to close the door of her apartment in front of two men, who showed up after hearing the house cleaners calls for help.

The diplomat was appointed to the position in October 2015.
The latest African tour made by King Mohammed VI has yielded impressive results. This successful tour took the Moroccan Sovereign to South Sudan, Ghana, Zambia, Guinea and Cote dIvoire.

King Mohammed VI embarked on this tour immediately after the North African Kingdom rejoined the African Union, a move, which will give a new momentum to South-South cooperation, based on win-win partnerships.

During this tour, Morocco sealed at least 75 cooperation agreements with these African countries covering a variety of sectors.

In South Sudan, the royal visit was crowned by the signing of several bilateral cooperation agreements in agriculture, energy, mining, hydrocarbons, industry, investment, tax avoidance, vocational training and partnership between the business communities.

Morocco also agreed to help South Sudan build a new capital city. Morocco pledged to pay $5.1 million for the technical and financial feasibility studies of this large-scale project, to cost nearly $10 billion.

In Ghana, the King and President Nana Akufo-Addo chaired the signing ceremony of 25 governmental and public-private partnership agreements on investment, industrial cooperation, electricity, insurance, banking, agriculture, renewable energy, mining, tourism, business and environment protection.

Likewise, the royal visit to Zambia was marked by the signing of 19 political and economic partnership agreements covering air services, investment promotion and protection, finance and banking, insurance, education, tourism, agriculture, technology, industry, and mining and renewable energy.

In Guinea-Conakry, the Moroccan Sovereign and President Alpha Conde chaired over the signing ceremony of eight bilateral agreements in agriculture, sanitation, fertilizers, and technical assistance. The two leaders visited a vocational training complex funded by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development; and undertook a number of measures to strengthen religious ties between the two countries.

In addition to donating 10,000 copies of the Quran to the Secretary General of Religious Affairs in Guinea, the King launched the construction of the Mohammed VI Mosque, and met with imams who were part of the first class of Guinean imams to receive training at the Mohammed VI Institute in Rabat.

In Cote dIvoire, last leg of this tour, the Monarch co-chaired with President Alassane Ouattara the signing ceremony of 14 economic agreements covering pharmaceuticals, public transportation and road security, women-managed small businesses, and the creation of a Technocenter in Abidjan.

During the visit, the two African leaders visited the Cocody Bay rehabilitation project wherein they were informed on the progress made in the upgrading of this Bay, called Abidjans jewel, which has suffered severe environmental degradation in recent years.

It is the Moroccan public company Marchica Med which is project managing the site and supervising this landmark ecological undertaking to cost around $450 million.

The decision to rehabilitate Cocody Bay was made during the Kings visit to Abidjan in February 2014, and the works were launched the following year during another royal visit to the West African country.

Morocco is the second largest African investor in the continent. Its trade and economic cooperation with Africa are booming thanks to the numerous dynamic private Moroccan companies operating across the continent.
Sound Energy confirmed gas discoveries while drilling its third TE-8 gas well in the Tendrara license area in eastern Morocco.

The news comes after the company announced recent success at the companys first two Tendrara wells (TE-6 and TE-7). The UK-based company said that gas has been discovered at a depth of 2,643 in the TE-8 well, which lies 12 km away from the second well TE-7.

These gas discoveries put Morocco on track to become a player in the gas market. The wells discovered by Sound Energy are expected to be pumping gas by 2019.

Earlier in August, Sound Energy, which is a member of Londons junior market, said in a statement that the TE-6 discovery took place in a 2,665 meter well. The second well, lying only 1.6km was also found to have abundant gas.

Last December, Sound Energy PLC won regulatory approval from Moroccan authorities to take control of 75% interest in the Sidi Mokhtar onshore licenses.

Sounds partners on Tendrara include the American oilfield services giant Schlumberger and Moroccos Oil & Gas Investment Fund. The explorer also has assets in Italy.
International think tanks and risk consultancies continue to draw bleak prospects for Algeria whose finances have been severely battered by low energy prices coupled with a decline in output and an increase in domestic consumption.

In a detailed report, Statfor, a US firm specialising in geopolitical risk analysis, warns of the unravelling of Algeria as the country continues to delay reforms to diversify its economy away from oil and gas.

The analysis blames Algerian authorities for squandering its mantra during the era of expensive oil, which came to a halt in 2014. When oil prices plunged in 2014 before levelling out below $40 per barrel, Algiers was forced to drain its coffers to keep paying for its imports, pushing its budget deficit to a record high of 16.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2015.

The report warns of the unsustainability of overreliance on a declining energy industry in light of rising domestic consumption and declining output, which further worsens the situation by cutting oil and gas available for export.

Since 2007, Algerias consumption of oil and natural gas has risen by more than 50 percent while its oil production has fallen by 25 percent. With less oil available for export, the governments revenues have been hit hard  as have the payouts and perks that the ruling elite dole out through Sonatrach to keep their supporters satisfied, Stratfor explains.

The government tries to trim exports and cut subsidies, but this may threaten Algerias fragile social peace. These solutions, notes Stratfor, tackle only the symptoms and do little to relieve Algeria from dependence on raw resources.

Algerian authorities have shown little enthusiasm for reforming regulatory laws relating to investment promotion, underscores Stratfor. The countrys infamous rule capping foreign ownership of any business operating in Algeria at 49 percent is still alive and well, calls to remove barriers to foreign investment are growing louder.

Yet, the vagueness of the legal measures taken by the government to attract and promote investment does not inspire confidence in Algerias ability to diversify its economy in light of vested interest by the regimes elites and rampant corruption.

The underdeveloped banking sector is another major impediment to economic reforms in Algeria, notes Stratfor, giving the example of the unpropitious conditions. Algerias entire banking sector is woefully out of touch with modern banking standards, and its central bank has a reputation for being one of the most opaque institutions of its kind in the world, writes Stratfor giving the example of the unpropitious conditions for the launch of Islamic finance.

The analysis concludes by shedding light on the entrenched patronage networks of high-ranking officials who are keen to continue benefiting from states wealth. They are only delaying the inevitable, notes Stratfor, which warns of an impending unravelling of Algeria if reforms are not undertaken to reform its economy.
Paul Ryan is a leading candidate. Photo: Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The Congressional Budget Offices estimate that 24 million people will lose health coverage by 2026 under the Republican health-care plan has kicked off a new phase in the effort to repeal and replace Obamacare: the hunt for a scapegoat. Vice-President Mike Pence and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price spent Tuesday on Capitol Hill trying to rally support for the health-care bill, but more and more Republicans are coming out against the current version of the legislation  and pointing fingers at each other.

The most obvious target is the man behind the bill, which fails to achieve the Republicans contradictory goals for the health-care system. Breitbarts escalating attacks on House Speaker Paul Ryan have added fuel to suspicions that chief strategist Steve Bannon hasnt given up on his goal of ending Ryans career.

But as the Washington Post notes, Breitbart is far from the only conservative outlet bashing Ryancare. Newsmax chief executive Christopher Ruddy even published a piece urging President Trump to abandon the current bill on Tuesday (though he went with the less catchy moniker Ryan Plan II).

Trump figures things out pretty quickly, and I think hes figuring out this situation, how the House Republicans did him a disservice, said Ruddy, a longtime friend of Trumps. President Trump is a big-picture, pragmatic Republican, and unfortunately the Ryan Republican plan doesnt capture his worldview.

Even Republicans who dont consider Ryan the enemy have expressed alarm about the American Health Care Act. The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that at least a dozen Senate Republicans, including some who had previously kept a low profile in the health debate, have expressed serious doubts about the legislation making its way through the House. The report poured cold water on the theory that passage in the House would build enough momentum to get the AHCA though the Senate. Republicans cant afford to lose more than two Senate votes.

Since the senators objections range from concerns about depriving millions of affordable health insurance to claims that the bills tax credits amount to a Republican welfare entitlement, it seems modifying the legislation would only alienate another GOP faction.

According to the Huffington Post, Republicans may already be giving up on getting AHCA passed in the Senate.

The focus of House leadership has been more about getting a bill out of the House that is unchanged and in keeping with the Better Way plan, instead of truly seeing to potential roadblocks that exist in the House and Senate, said a Republican House member.

The Trump administration is said to be considering moving the bill to the right to appease the Freedom Caucus. The thinking is that moderates may be willing to get on board if they think AHCA will fail in the Senate anyway. Their vote would be merely another declaration of their opposition to Obamacare, and the Senate would be accused of dropping the ball.

One senior House aide was already calling out senators who claim to oppose the AHCA from the right, saying theyre actually opposed to the bill because Obamacare worked in their states.

The question people should be looking at is whether Republican senators like Tom Cotton and Rand Paul are actually interested in repealing Obamacare, or whether theyre sabotaging this to preserve the Medicaid expansion in their states, said the aide. These senators masquerading with conservative objections are too afraid to admit they want to keep Obamacare.

Of course, as President Trump has stated several times, the Republicans preferred Plan B is to keep blaming Senate Democrats. As the Huffington Post notes, theres a major flaw in that strategy:

If Trump and some Republicans now think their best course of action is to do nothing and continue blaming problems with the health-care system on Democrats, then perhaps the best cover they can offer their members is to move a GOP bill out of the House, watch it die in the Senate, and then spend the next two years blaming Senate Democrats in states that Trump won.



In that scenario, voters fail to recognize that Republicans have the power to pass this bill without a single Democratic vote, and the ire over Obamacare doesnt dissipate even though voters have seen the GOP alternative.

Will voters remember that Trump promised an Obamacare replacement thats going to be better health care for more people at a lesser cost, then failed to put much energy into crafting that plan? Maybe, but blaming other people for his mistakes happens to be one of his strong suits.
James Comey. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

FBI director James Comey, who had plenty to say about Hillary Clintons emails during the election, infuriated the Senate Intelligence Committee in January when he refused to either confirm or deny the existence of any investigation into the Trump campaigns alleged ties to Russia. But thats all going to change on Wednesday, if Comey honors what one senator interpreted as a promise to release more information about the FBIs efforts by March 15.

Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Lindsey Graham, who lead the Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, have launched an investigation into Russias election meddling. During a private meeting with Comey on March 2, the senators asked Comey to confirm the existence of any Russia-related FBI probes. Whitehouse told CNN that Comey assured them he would confirm if an investigation exists and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to, at that point, say that there was one.



Politico shed some more light on the request. The meeting occurred on the same day that Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from any investigation related to the Trump campaign, so Whitehouse said it was unclear who Comey would go to for clearance to discuss the investigation.

So we said, Look, were going to go ahead with our hearing on the 15th, just let us know by then, Whitehouse said. So I think he implicitly confirmed that they are looking at this and he said hed get us a clearer explanation by tomorrow [March 15]. That was satisfactory to both of us.

What exactly Comey meant by that is subject to interpretation, and the FBI has not confirmed that the director will be weighing in tomorrow.

Whitehouse isnt the only lawmaker publicly pressuring Comey to comment on the Russia matter. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican, said on Tuesday he will hold up the confirmation of deputy attorney general nominee Rod Rosenstein until Comey briefs the committee on Trumps rumored ties to Russia.

After Michael Flynn resigned as national security adviser last month, Grassley and the committees ranking Democrat, Dianne Feinstein, formally requested a briefing on any related investigations, as well as transcripts of Flynns calls with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak. According to the Washington Post, Grassley complained last week that Comey told them he was still seeking clearance to brief the committee.

Comey has been meeting with members of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Gang of Eight, who receive briefings on classified intelligence matters. The House Intelligence Committee has invited current and former intelligence chiefs to its first hearing on Russia, which is scheduled for Monday. The FBI said Comey plans to testify, but its unclear if hell appear during the public hearing or during a closed-door session.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to hold its own Russia hearing by the end of the month. Comey may show up, but his testimony will likely be overshadowed by that of former Trump adviser Roger Stone.
Mellow harsher. Photo: Steve Helber/AP

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made no secret over the years of his distaste for wacky weed. Just last year, he said in a Senate hearing that good people dont smoke marijuana. And in 1986, his nomination to a federal judgeship was derailed in part by a joke he made about how he thought the KKK was pretty cool until he found out they smoked pot. Apparently that passed as comedy in early-80s Alabama.

Now that hes attorney general, the 70-year-olds stance on marijuana has not softened, as he made clear on Wednesday in a speech to a group of law-enforcement officials in Virginia. After citing CDC overdose statistics, Sessions denounced the suggestion that medical marijuana could help fight heroin addiction. That would amount to addicts one life-wrecking dependency for another thats only slightly less awful, he said.

Thats quite a statement, especially as heroin continues to ravage the country, with overdose deaths more than quadrupling since 2010. Sessionss comparison is particularly galling when you consider the evidence showing that medical marijuana reduces opiate-related overdoses. One 2014 study showed that states with legal weed have a lower rate of opioid overdoses than those without. In 2016, researchers found that doctors in those same states write fewer prescriptions for opiates, suggesting that the availability of marijuana to treat pain results in fewer opioid overdoses.

Despite his clearly boneheaded opinion on marijuana, Sessions is at least conceding that his DOJ will not upend the marijuana enforcement guidelines laid out by the Obama administration in 2013. These guidelines tell prosecutors what to focus on related to marijuana and show states how to legalize it without interference from the feds. On Wednesday, Sessions said he thinks much of the memo is valid.
There are no easy answers to right-wing populism  but left-wing populism may be the best weve got. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

All across the Western world, the left is losing ground to right-wing populism. Last summer, the British Labour Partys working-class strongholds bucked their leadership and backed a Brexit campaign led by xenophobic nationalists. Months later, the Democratic Partys onetime bastions of union support delivered the presidency to Donald J. Trump. Recent elections in Denmark and Germany produced a similar pattern; in both countries, some working-class areas that once voted with the Social Democrats or the center-left embraced far-right populists who promised to stem the tide of (nonwhite) immigration. As the Dutch head to the polls today, the far-right Freedom Party candidate, Geert Wilders, has an outside shot at becoming prime minister.

Some on the left see these developments as an indictment of economic centrism. By moderating on issues of corporate power  and, thus, failing to arrest the growth of inequality and the decline of middle-class stability  the Third Way Democrats and New Labour Party fertilized the soil from which right-wing nationalism grows: With their position on the economic ladder evermore insecure, white workers became more receptive to demagogues promising renewed prosperity  and/or to protect their pride of place on the racial hierarchy.

In other words: A Trump vote is the language of the unheard.

Thus, as Bernie Sanders argued shortly after Trumps victory, to regain power, the Democratic Party has got to stand with the working people of this country, feel their pain and take on the billionaire class, take on Wall Street, take on the drug companies.

Voxs Zack Beauchamp thinks otherwise. In an essay titled, No easy answers: why left-wing economics is not the answer to right-wing populism, Beauchamp amasses a wealth of evidence against Sanderss theory of politics. Heres a quick summary of the case against Sandersism or barbarism:

(1) Many nations in Western Europe are home to robust welfare states  and ascendent right-wing nationalist movements. In fact, some studies have found that the more generous a European countrys social safety net is, the more likely it is to have a strong, nativist political party.

(2) Jeremy Corbyn applied Sanderss prescription to the British Labour Party, and it failed. Corbyn has spent the past year advocating for a radical left-wing agenda, and his party has only diminished in popularity  while Britains far-right UKIP Party improved its standing in public polls.

(3) Far-right parties dont draw the bulk of their support from working-class voters, but, rather, from the petty bourgeoisie. Thus, the kind of voter whos attracted to the far right just doesnt care a whole lot about inequality and redistribution.

(4) In last Novembers senate races in the Midwest, populist Democratic candidates Russ Feingold and Ted Strickland both polled behind Clinton  while the economic centrists Evan Bayh and Jason Kander ran ahead of her.

(5) In the United States, the right has successfully linked redistributive economic policy with aid to undeserving minorities. Thus, moving left on economics could plausibly hurt the Democrats politically by reminding whites just how little they want their dollars to go to those people.

These are points that every left-wing Democrat should take seriously. One can reasonably object to Beauchamps narrow definition of left-wing economics  by focusing exclusively on the welfare state, its possible he misses the political efficacy of left-wing labor market policies. But, regardless, his essay makes a persuasive case that Medicare for All is no silver bullet against the racial resentment that fuels the modern right (as Bernie Sanders sometimes seems to suggest).

Still: Its hard to imagine what is. And Beauchamps piece offers little insight into that question. Heres the closest his essay ever comes to offering a (non-easy) answer to right-wing nationalism:

If Democrats really want to stop right-wing populists like Trump, they need a strategy that blunts the true drivers of their appeal  and that means focusing on more than economics.

Nothing in Beauchamps piece would give the reader any intuition of what, precisely, such a strategy would entail. In his account, the true drivers of right-wing populism are mass nonwhite immigration, white racial resentment, and, possibly, strong social safety nets that allow white voters to prioritize cultural concerns over economic ones.

But Beauchamp maintains that the left should not embrace restrictive immigration policies, for reasons both moral and political. It seems doubtful that he believes the left should try to destroy (what remains of) the American social safety net, so as to coerce more white voters into prioritizing their economic concerns. And there is no obvious campaign strategy for blunting white racial resentment.

But Beauchamps past writing on this subject suggests that he believes that some kind of direct confrontation with white racism is the proper political strategy for defeating right-wing populism.

In an essay published in January, Beauchamp celebrated Canadas relative openness to accepting refugees, and credited this openness to its governments promotion of multicultural values:



In 1982 it passed the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a major anti-discrimination law that enshrined multiculturalism as an essentially constitutional value. Ottawa now provides funding for communities and individuals to run citizenship and language classes for new immigrants, and sometimes even help them find housing. It eschewed the guest-worker programs used in much of Europe and emphasized to new immigrants that they would be a welcome and permanent part of the Canadian populace.



Canada also works to inculcate pluralistic values in its youngest citizens. By one estimate, public schools receive more than $1 billion a year to pay for teaching aids and videos with pro-immigrant messages.



These measures seem worthy of the lefts attention. And, perhaps, when Democrats regain power, they should develop an analogous set of policies for the American context  and not assume that redistributive measures are sufficient for stifling right-wing populism.

But Democrats cant go back in time and change the textbooks that Trump voters read in elementary school. So, its hard to see what implications Canadas example has for the Democratss electoral strategy in 2018 or 2020.

Still, in his January essay, Beauchamp suggests that progressives can emulate the spirit of Ottowa  and defeat right-wing populism by confronting its ideology, head on.

The forces of reaction, of ethno-racial supremacy, have been defeated in the past, and can be defeated again, Beauchamp wrote. The key to doing it is to refrain from surrendering on core values  to reaffirm Western societies basic commitment to tolerance and to craft policies that promote that commitment rather than back away from it.

In his new essay, Beauchamp writes, if social democrats see their future as a competition for votes with right-wing populists, then they have two choices: Lose the election, or lose their progressive identity.

Taken together, Beauchamps prescription for the Democratic Party appears to be: Make defending multiculturalism against Trumps bigotry the heart of your message; dont worry about winning over non-college-educated white Trump voters; and build a new majority by turning out nonwhites and appealing to moderate conservatives alienated by Trumpism.

Which is to say: Run the same campaign that Hillary Clinton just lost.

This isnt an unreasonable prescription. If it werent for James Comey, theres a good chance Clintons formula would have worked.

But its hard to see how this strategy is any more empirically proven than the one Beauchamp devotes his essay to rebutting. After all, this gambit did just fail to defeat the most unpopular major-party nominee in modern American history. And in 2020 the Electoral College is still going to inflate the influence of non-college-educated white voters.

Whats more, its hard to see how Beauchamps apparent prescription fits with with his own account of the problem. He cautions that calls for redistributive economic policies may backfire  because white voters associate such transfers with undeserving others. But then, he also seems to argue that Democrats should explicitly identify themselves with the interests of those others, by championing policies that promote tolerance and multiculturalism.

Surely, if talking about universal health care activates white racial animus, campaigning on the virtues of multiculturalism does the same.

One of last years most-celebrated works of political science, Democracy for Realists, speaks to this point. In their book, political scientists Larry Bartels and Christopher Achen argue that social identities drive voter behavior more than any other force: Outside of the intellectual elite, few voters have ideologically coherent political opinions and/or enough interest in politics to study which candidates positions are closest to their own. Thus, most cast their ballots for whomever they most identify with  which is to say, whomever seems to best represent people like them.

But voters possess myriad social identities  they may simultaneously identify with a religious group, a line of work, an ethnic heritage, a socioeconomic background, and a gender, to name just a few.

Thus, political campaigns often encourage voters to prioritize one of their identities over all others. Hillary Clinton made appeals to moderate Republican women  asking them to put their gender identity ahead of their partisan affiliation, and vote against her misogynist opponent. Trump, for his part, distanced himself from the Republican Party  and invited white, working-class Democrats in the Midwest to put their racial identity ahead of their partisan one.

The latter tactic seems to have been effective. And that shouldnt be surprising: A large body of social-science research suggests that when white Americans are primed to contemplate their nations growing diversity, their racial identity comes to the fore  and they become markedly more sympathetic to right-wing politics. Heres how Achen and Bartels summarize the research:

Being prompted to consider the prospect of demographic change produced more conservative views not only on plausibly relevant issues like immigration and affirmative action, but also on seemingly unrelated issues like defense spending and health care reform. The most natural interpretation of these effects, in our view, is that contemplating threats to the numerical dominance of white Americans triggered defensive reactions among some white people, heightening their sense of white identity and  crucially  associated (Republican) partisan attachments and (conservative) policy views.

Despite Steve Bannons best efforts, America will continue to become less white over the next four years  even as the electorate, particularly in critical Electoral College states, will remain overwhelmingly light-skinned.

It is difficult to see how emphasizing a defense of multiculturalism  to the exclusion of left-wing economic appeals  is the safe way for Democrats to compete on this terrain.

Perhaps, the party should reject calls for a dramatic left-wing turn on fiscal issues, in deference to its growing reliance on affluent voters. But one core premise of Sanderss political theory  that Democrats should identify themselves with working people, and, thus, encourage lower-income whites to identify on the basis of class rather than race  seems as sound a road map back to the White House as any other.

It is, after all, the one that Barack Obama followed in 2012: Obamas pitch to whites in the Midwest wasnt that America must reject Mitt Romneys bigotry  it was that Mitt Romney is the guy who fired all your dads.

This week, the Roosevelt Institute produced fresh evidence that this appeal still has promise for Democrats in Trumps America. The liberal think tank conducted a focus group with 35 Democrats and independents who voted for Trump in Macomb County, Michigan. Heres what they found, per Voxs Jeff Stein:

[O]ne potentially effective attack was simple: Trump is a Republican who is governing, in many ways, along lines that would please the Republican establishment.



In contrast with Trump, they believe Republicans have always been for the upper class, the report concludes. Told that half of the presidents middle class tax cuts would go to the 1 percent of richest Americans, the Trump voters were furious  and suddenly willing to believe that he may just be a typical politician who will tell you what you want to hear and then nothing changes, the report says.



These critiques successfully raised questions on whether Trump is a working class warrior, they write. It aligned him with the economic and cultural elite who wont bring the promised change.



When voters learned about the position of Trumps cabinet secretaries on Medicare and Social Security, alarm bells went off, the report says. They say a betrayal like this would be along the lines of what the banks did to them.

A recent survey of Obama-Trump swing voters  and traditional Democrats who stayed home on Election Day  by Priorities USA, turned up similar results:

These voters  swing voters and turnout targets alike  are deeply concerned about their economic situation. They cite, for instance, how their income is falling behind the cost of living. As they continue to struggle, they have serious questions about whether the establishment, including the Democratic Party, will do anything to improve their lives  But these voters are still not convinced Trump will make good on his promises to prioritize the working and middle class. They fear Trump and the Republicans will put the interests of wealthy Americans and corporate executives first.

Its true, as Beauchamp notes, that right-wing populists draw more support from the petty bourgeoisie than from the working class. But its also true that Trump performed 16 points better among voters making under $30,000 in 2016 than Mitt Romney had in 2012, according to exit polls.

This data point  along with the many Obama-Trump counties in the Midwest  suggest that working-class swing voters provided a significant portion of Trumps thin margins in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The fact that these voters arent the typical constituents for far-right populism only bolsters the notion that they may be persuadable.

But even if one writes off Trumps marginal voters, a case for beating back right-wing nationalism with appeals to left-wing economics remains: Turnout among working-class voters, of all races, has been trending down for decades, and fell substantially in 2016. It makes intuitive sense that a stronger appeal to economic uplift might get some of these voters off the sidelines  and Priorities USAs findings offer (limited) empirical support for that view.

Maybe Americas racial history makes it uniquely hostile to redistributive fiscal policy. But the Republican Partys brand of economic conservatism is also uniquely extreme, unpopular, and ill-equipped to meet the demands of our second Gilded Age  as the current fight over Obamacare repeal has amply illustrated. Put simply: The constituency for regressive tax cuts, reduced entitlement benefits, and Wall Street deregulation is vanishingly small.

Path to Trump's base?



Trump should NOT lower taxes on the wealthy 



College whites: 74%

Non-college whites: 69%https://t.co/wPGAFETKBM pic.twitter.com/FWbVGxldRt  Will Jordan (@williamjordann) March 8, 2017

Given the GOPs vulnerability on these issues, it seems reasonable to believe that left-wing economic populism  broadly defined  is at least part of the solution to the problem of right-wing nationalism. To be sure, such a populism is no surefire antidote to the growth of white reactionary politics in a rapidly diversifying nation that was founded on white supremacy. But nothing is.
Marines firing a howitzer. Photo: Lance Cpl. Zachery C. Laning/Marine Corps

The U.S. ground presence in Syria is likely to increase by 1,000 troops in the next month, as the Pentagon ramps up U.S. military presence in the country ahead of a planned offensive on the ISIS capital in Raqqa, the Washington Post reports.

The plan, which is expected to be approved by Defense Secretary James Mattis by the end of the month, calls for the troops to go to Syria to serve in support roles in the northern part of the country. Theyd be called on to assist the Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurds and Arabs fighting ISIS, with bomb disposal and air-defense coordination, among other things.

These thousand or so conventional troops would join nearly 1,000 members of Special Operations forces already on the ground in the country. While none of these soldiers are in Syria to fight, the Posts reporting suggests that that could soon change as military leaders consider plans to embed U.S. forces alongside Syrian Kurdish and Arab forces, potentially pushing U.S. soldiers and Marines into a direct combat role.

The plan to send the ground troops to Syria will coincide with the lifting of an Obama-era troop cap for the country. Currently, only 503 troops are allowed to be deployed in the country, with temporary deployments not counting against that cap. The White House is expected to get rid of the cap, the Post says, along with one that limits the number of troops in Iraq to around 5,000.
Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

About an hour before her show started on Tuesday night, Rachel Maddow revealed that she had a huge scoop: Shed obtained Donald Trumps tax returns from 2005.

Several minutes into Maddows interminable wind-up, the Daily Beast stepped on her big reveal: Trumps 1040 from 2005 shows that he paid $38 million in federal taxes on around $150 million in income. Thats an effective tax rate of 25.3 percent for that year.

On Maddow, Daily Beast contributor David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, said the two-page document appeared in his mailbox. He said he had no idea who leaked it, and speculated that it could even be the president himself. Its entirely possible Donald sent this to me, he said. With Donald, you never know.

Here's a photo of the Trump tax returns that @maddow just displayed.



There's a stamp that reads "Client Copy." pic.twitter.com/GxmHGQDmd0  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 15, 2017

In a statement released just before the start of Maddows show, the White House seemed to confirm that the figures in the illegally published return are real. (Maddow countered that the First Amendment gives journalists the right to publish unsolicited tax documents.)

WH offering early response to Maddow report on 2005 tax returns: pic.twitter.com/1L5gWj4JiB  Ali Vitali (@alivitali) March 15, 2017

Theres nothing earth-shattering in the new document, but it does shed some more light on Trumps finances. Last fall, the New York Times published portions of Trumps 1995 tax return, which revealed that he reported a loss of $916 million that year. That could have allowed him to legally avoid paying federal income taxes for up to 18 years. The new return shows Trump had a $103 million loss, which may have been carried over from the 90s, but that wasnt enough to eliminate his tax obligation completely in 2005.

Key point. There was speculation after NYT report that Trump didn't pay taxes for 18 years because of his 1995 loss. He did in '05 at least. https://t.co/6W3jJw44TP  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 15, 2017

The other key point is that, in 2005, Trump and his wife Melania paid about $5.3 million in regular federal income taxes and $31 million in alternative minimum tax, which is a supplemental tax designed to make sure that wealthy people cant use credits and deductions to completely avoid income tax. Trump is in favor of eliminating the alternative minimum tax, but without it he could have paid a rate of less than 4 percent. (As The Wall Street Journal notes, its hard to calculate an accurate effective tax rate due to the $103 million loss. Plus, the AMT can interact in complicated ways with depreciation deductions and net operating losses.)

Nevertheless, Donald Trump Jr. claimed on Twitter that the leaked return proves his father was very successful in business.

Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2017

Trump has broken with 40 years of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns. He claims that he cant make them public because hes been under audit for the past 12 years, though theres no law prohibiting that. As Ronald Klain, a former Obama administration aide, noted, the statement from the White House underscores that theres no legal reason the president cant release his tax returns.

If the White House can respond to one year if tax returns, then they can release them all. #FakeAuditExcuse  Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) March 15, 2017

This post has been updated throughout.
I just looked out the window to see how bad it was coming down still and I see two ponies, Staten Island resident Robert Stasio told the New York Post, I thought I was imagining things!



Nope. Two miniature ponies apparently escaped from a stable on Staten Island and took advantage of their freedom to frolic in the snowy (slushy) streets. Stasio told reporters that he hopped in his truck to tail them as they pranced along Richmond Avenue to Hylan Boulevard. Stasio got out of his vehicle and started racing after the ponies on foot, when he crossed paths with two police officers who helped round up the equine fugitives. Stasio described the chase to Gothamist:

They [the cops] didnt have a rope. Another fella came out the car, he had some kind of strap. The ponies were pulling me, they were dragging me in the snow, and then eventually I got them to stop and the guy came and put the rope around their neck and tied one to the pole and then we got the other one.

Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed that both of the ponies are safe and in great shape after being returned home, which is a relief.
The front-runners for governor, Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie, each have serious primary challengers. Photo: Ralph Northam/Facebook; J. Lawler Duggan/Washington Post/Getty Images

Special elections for vacated House seats in (so far) five states will get a lot of attention, especially if they produce upsets or party switches, and New Jersey will gets its share of buzz for its own off-year statewide contests. But the place that will most likely be described, accurately or not, as offering a referendum on the Trump presidency will be the Commonwealth of Virginia, which will elect a governor and other state constitutional officers, along with the lower house of its legislature, this November. That is partly because Virginia remains a relatively competitive state where the recent statewide Democratic advantage is small (and offset in Richmond by GOP majorities in both legislative chambers). But it is the proximity of the Washington Beltway political-media complex that guarantees the Old Dominion maximum coverage and quite possibly overemphasis.

Virginia also has a rich tradition of offering good news to the party that has most recently lost a presidential election. Until Democrat Terry McAuliffe broke the streak with a narrow win over Republican Ken Cuccinelli in 2013, no candidate of the presidential party had won a Virginia gubernatorial race since the Nixon administration. Another Virginia distinction is that it is the last of what was once a robust list of states prohibiting governors from serving a second consecutive term. Since every governors race cannot be, by definition, a referendum on an incumbent running for reelection, its easier to blame or credit national trends for the results.

Adding to the buzz Virginia will earn is the fact that the governors race will feature what look to be highly competitive primaries for both parties. Thats a bit of a surprise. Until recently, the contest to succeed McAuliffe looked to be a preordained showdown between T-Macs lieutenant governor, Ralph Northam, and former national and state GOP chairman Ed Gillespie. Northam was very much the candidate of McAuliffe and the state Democratic establishment (hes a veteran of the state senate), while Gillespie very nearly pulled off the upset of the cycle in 2014, coming within an eyelash of beating Senator Mark Warner.

After Donald Trumps victory, Gillespies grip on the GOP nomination got a little slippery. Corey Stewart, chairman of the Board of Supervisors in exurban Prince William County and the new presidents one-time Virginia campaign manager, got into the race, immediately posturing as a hellfire Trump-style populist. (Stewart was actually fired by the Trump campaign during October of 2016 after embarrassing it by conducting a protest at the RNC for writing off Virginia. That hasnt cooled his ardor for the Boss and his message, though.) Sensing an opening for a candidate from the Hampton Roads region, State Senator Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach also got into the race, followed by Charlottesville distillery-owner Denver Riggleman, another Trumpian populist and a political neophyte.

Virginia does not have a majority vote requirement for nominations, so Gillespie could well prevail with a plurality over divided opposition. The most recent poll, from Quinnipiac, taken in mid-February, unsurprisingly showed 59 percent undecided. Among the minority with a candidate preference, Gillespie led with 24 percent; Stewart had 7 percent, Wagner 5 percent, and Riggleman 2 percent.

On the Democratic side, Northams cakewalk to the gubernatorial nomination was interrupted by former one-term congressman and Obama administration foreign-policy official Tom Perriello of Charlottesville. Perriello, who won a largely rural House district in 2008 in a big upset, was once a classic economic populist/social conservative pol, who voted against coverage of abortions under Obamacare and won an NRA endorsement for his unsuccessful reelection bid. Now hes very much the seamless-web progressive, and looks likely to be a magnet for Bernie Sanders supporters and others disgruntled with McAuliffe and other elements of the centrist state party. Northam has already sought to draw attention to Perriellos past cultural heresies, but hes got some orthodoxy problems, too, now that hes admitted he voted twice for George W. Bush (albeit as an apolitical physician back in the day). So far Perriello seems inclined to make national anti-Trump themes central to his candidacy, while Northam is following the ancient Virginia tradition of focusing on state issues. In the white-hot atmosphere of early 2017, its hard to know which approach will work better in the June 13 primary. Perriello did corner one local issue by coming out against two controversial natural-gas pipeline projects that Northam (and McAuliffe) support. But in the meantime, the reproductive-rights group NARAL endorsed Northam.

Neither Northam nor Perriello is from the Democrat-rich regions of Northern Virginia or Richmond, so messaging, organization, and money are going to matter a lot. The mid-February Quinnipiac poll showed them tied at 19 percent, with 61 percent undecided.

Barring an upset win on the Republican side by Stewart or Riggleman, which would definitely make the general election a referendum on Trump, the ultimate contest should be a fairly standard-brand center-left Democrat versus conventionally conservative Republican match, with Trumps relative popularity being a wild card no matter what. McAuliffe is reasonably but not overwhelmingly popular. Democrats have definitely built a consistent if occasionally marginal statewide coalition, winning the last four U.S. Senate races and carrying the state in three consecutive presidential elections (impressive since Democrats had lost the Commonwealth in every presidential election from 1968 through 2004). Feeding the Democratic trend has been demographics, with major population growth occurring in Northern Virginia with its many immigrants, federal employees, and contractors, and transplants from outside the South. As of the 2016 elections (according to the exit polls), 30 percent of the electorate were minorities, and 54 percent had college degrees. In terms of the kind of smaller, off-year electorate we can expect in November, it is significant that Clinton nearly matched Trump among white college graduates, those most likely to show up in non-presidential elections, while Trump won the more marginally participating white non-college graduates by a massive 71/24 margin. If this kind of education gap occurs in the Virginia governors race, particularly if white working-class voters stay home in significant numbers, a GOP win will be very difficult to produce.

The closely divided (21 Republicans, 19 Democrats) Virginia Senate will not face the voters this year. The much bigger, gerrymander-aided GOP House majority (a 66-34 advantage over Democrats) will be on the ballot. Democratic gains may depend on whether the Donkey Party can stop leaving so many Republican incumbents (44 of 67 in 2015)  unopposed.

All in all, Virginia is less of a probable blue paradise in 2017 than its off-year counterpart in New Jersey, where Chris Christies deep unpopularity is even more of a problem than Trumps issues. But the odds are good for a Democratic sweep of the top offices in both states  especially if the president becomes a millstone rather than a hot-air balloon for his party.
Photo: Sheively Buisson

Haitian-born designer Azede Jean-Pierre may be an up-and-comer, but she already calls First Lady Michelle Obama and Solange Knowles fans of her structural and modern designs. Jean-Pierre is also known for using her roots as inspiration for her looks, and on a recent trip back to Haiti, she mentored local artisans about entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Clinton Foundation.

I had the most amazing and inspiring time in Haiti, Jean-Pierre told the Cut. Speaking to local female business owners and artisans about entrepreneurship was truly incredible, and seeing the creativity and diversity of their work was awe-inspiring. Its so important to me that they have an international outlet for their work.

Photo: Sheively Buisson

During her stay in Haiti, Jean-Pierre connected with Maryse Penette-Kedar, president of Royal Caribbean cruise lines and founder of Prodev, an organization that develops and supports schools in underserved communities. She also met with Josue Makandal Baziles, president of CEFADEC, an organization based in Jean-Pierres hometown of Pestel that builds agriculture development in local schools. When they all came together with the Artists for Peace and Justice, the initiative was clear: Students in underprivileged schools needed new uniforms.

Local artists will collaborate on the designs, which will be ready for students at 12 different schools by the fall 2017 school year. I am excited about the project, Jean-Pierre said. All education in Haiti is private, and I know firsthand how difficult it is for families to afford the tuition, let alone the additional necessities like books, transportation, and the uniforms. This project gives parents much-needed support, and its my hope that it will increase the efficiency of the traditional attire, as well as boost student self-esteem.
U.S. Naval Academy cadets. Photo: John Greim/LOOP IMAGES/Getty Images

Two of the major military academies in the U.S. have seen an increase in reports of sexual assault, the Associated Press reports. An anonymous survey conducted every two years has also shown that there has been a hike in sexual misconduct at three of the academies, according to the AP.

Sexual-assault reports rose at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, according to the AP. Pentagon and military officials reportedly view the hike as a positive trend, since it may mean that students are becoming more comfortable reporting assaults and may have more confidence that the system will help them. But in contrast, such reports actually dropped at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, which received 49 reports in 2015 and only 32 in 2016.

Yet, an anonymous survey obtained by the AP showed that more assaults and crimes are actually occurring on these campuses. The survey found that 12 percent of women and almost 2 percent of men experienced unwanted sexual conduct  an increase from 8 percent of women and 1 percent of men just two years ago. The largest increases, according to the AP, were also at the Navy and Army academies.

The AP notes that a vast majority of students participating in the survey said they didnt file a report on the assault theyd experienced because they didnt consider it serious enough. Women largely said they took steps to avoid the perpetrator after the assault, while over one-third of the male respondents said they confronted the assailants.

Officials are reportedly unsure of why sexual misconduct has increased at the academies, though some suggested to the AP that it may be because new student populations come in every four years, student leaders may be unwilling to emphasize and enforce assault prevention among their peers, and prevention messages could be lost amidst the many centering on social behavior (such as not drinking and driving). Nate Galbreath, deputy director of the Pentagons sexual-assault prevention office, told the AP that the Pentagon is encouraging academies to spend more time discussing how future leaders can inspire climates of respect.




Chrissy Teigen, Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat

: Maybe shes on a photo shoot in Zanzibar. Maybe shes making people laugh on TV. But all Chrissy Teigen really wants to do is talk about dinner. Or breakfast. Lunch gets some love, too.For years, shes been collecting, cooking, and Instagramming her favorite recipes, and here they are: from breakfast all day to Johns famous fried chicken with spicy honey butter to her moms Thai classics.Salty, spicy, saucy, and fun as sin (thats the food, but thats Chrissy, too), these dishes are for family, for date night at home, for party time, and for a few life-sucks moments (salads). Youll learn the importance of chili peppers, the secret to cheesy-cheeseless eggs, and life tips like how to use bacon as a home fragrance, the single best way to wake up in the morning, and how not to overthink men or Brussels sprouts. Because for Chrissy Teigen, cooking, eating, life, and love are one and the same.





Ina Garten, Cooking for Jeffrey

: Ina's most personal cookbook yet, Cooking for Jeffrey is filled with the recipes Jeffrey and their friends request most often as well as charming stories from Ina and Jeffrey's many years together. There are traditional dishes that she's updated, such as Brisket with Onions and Leeks, and Tsimmes, a vegetable stew with carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and prunes, and new favorites, like Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken and Roasted Salmon Tacos. You'll also find wonderful new salads, including Maple-Roasted Carrot Salad and Kale Salad with Pancetta and Pecorino. Desserts range from simple Apple Pie Bars to showstoppers like Vanilla Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel. For the first time, Ina has included a chapter devoted to bread and cheese, with recipes and tips for creating the perfect cheese course. With options like Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschettas and Challah with Saffron, there's something everyone will enjoy.From satisfying lunches to elegant dinners, here are the recipes Ina has tested over and over again, so you too can serve them with confidence to the people you love.





Sophie Dahl, Miss Dahls Voluptuous Delights

: Presents a collection of one hundred recipes for balanced dishes that celebrate the joys of cooking with simple ingredients, along with a narrative of the celebrity model's quest to find a healthy way of eating and enjoying food.





Stanley Tucci, The Tucci Cookbook

: The Tucci Family brings wine pairings, updated recipes, gorgeous photography, and family memories to a new generation of Italian food lovers.There is some truth to the old adage Most of the world eats to live, but Italians live to eat.What is it about a good Italian supper that feels like home, no matter where youre from? Heaping plates of steaming pasta...crisp fresh vegetables... simple hearty soups...sumptuous stuffed meats...all punctuated with luscious, warm confections.For acclaimed actor Stanley Tucci, teasing our taste buds in classic foodie films such as Big Night and Julie & Julia was a logical progression from a childhood filled with innovative homemade Italian meals: decadent Venetian Seafood Salad; rich and gratifying Lasagna Made with Polenta and Gorgonzola Cheese; spicy Spaghetti with Tomato and Tuna; delicate Pork Tenderloin with Fennel and Rosemary; fruity Roast Duck with Fresh Figs; flavorful Baked Whole Fish in an Aromatic Salt Crust; savory Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole with Potatoes; buttery Plum and Polenta Cake; and yes, of course, the legendary Timpano.Featuring nearly 200 irresistible recipes, perfectly paired with delicious wines, The Tucci Cookbook is brimming with robust flavors, beloved Italian traditions, mouthwatering photographs, and engaging, previously untold stories from the familys kitchen.Stanley Tucci also have another cook book called ''The Tucci Table''.





Padma Lakshmi, Tangy Tart Hot and Sweet: A World of Recipes for Every Day

: As host of Bravo's popular Top Chef, Padma reaches millions of viewers each week and returns to the page with recipes for sophisticated international cuisine that are easy to prepare. Inspired by her travels to some of the most secluded corners of the planet, Padma shares with cooks the origins of her latest exotic recipes. But you'll never have to feel as though you've just traveled the world in order to prepare them. Padma makes it simple to impress your guests with more than two hundred elegant and savory dishes such as Hot and Sour Fruit Chaat, Tangy Jicama Salad, Puree of Roasted Aubergine, Couscous with Merguez Sausage, South Indian Spinach and Lentil Soup, Red Snapper with Green Apple and Mint Chutney, Roasted Citrus Chicken, Barbecue Korean Short Ribs, and Honeycomb Ice Cream. From appetizers to entrees, soups to desserts--Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet is the perfect book for anyone who wants cooking to be easy, elegant, and unforgettable. food post 
I'll take what I can get I guess

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yeah, hopefully it'll piss them off if nothing else

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this really isn't anything

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stalling or nah? She seems to be dancing around anything

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she seems like she's building something up, hopefully it's good

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this is typical for her show, tbh

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good to know, I saw the comment below and feel better

I've only listened to her in the background

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typical of maddow right now.

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She always does a 20 minute opening

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Rachel is really good at setting up a story. A lot of what she's talking about right now is all stuff she's led her A blocks with previously. She's using her time right now to rehash because there will be a lot of new viewers tonight.

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No, she sets shit up for half her show, usually. When I can repress my ADD, it's great.

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i really really hope something good comes up but i just have this kinda gross feeling in my stomach that it's not going to really do much :/

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same, i'm not even watching because i can't manage anymore disappointment rn.

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IA

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yep, he's never held accountable for anything and idk if and when that would change :/

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My Twitter timeline isn't used to Maddow's 20 minute build ups, lol. She's gonna take a break before she actually tells us anything.

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dont leave ever again pls and thank you

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omg ur back

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do you even realize how much wank you managed to skip during your hiatus

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An ABBA icon? On my ONTD? Someone has REAL taste!

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rachel pls. we gonna see this at 9:58:59 aren't we

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she's gonna be on the 10pm show too so yeah

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please let this be good

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I hope I eat my words but this is going to turn out to be nothing.

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If it was something real and significant it wouldn't be on her show. We'd already know it by now.

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Lowkey same

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I feel like it won't be a smoking gun, it'll be something that'll only be significant if you've been paying attention and are able to connect the dots with all the other shit she's been reporting on. So Trump supporters and apolitical people who don't pay attention to her aren't going to GAF because it isn't going to be obvious.

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yeah im keeping my hopes down

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Mte. No one will care, nothing will happen. :/

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Yeah, I didn't expect anything earth-shattering, but it's more of the puzzle re: Russia ties. Of course Trumpenproles are trying to act like Donnie is playing 6D backgammon and dunking on Rachel by leaking these himself or some shit. Remember, Watergate wasn't one big smoking gun. It was a lot of little pieces.

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This post

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stay at this post. I commented on the view post that this is the post now.

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trump will prolly tweet somthing saying it's all fake news

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screaming this is so sad

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lmao this statement is so embarrasing

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This was their official statement? They don't even have all the commas in the right places. The CW puts out better response statements than this. :/

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This is a real statement from the WH???? They don't even know how to use a fucking comma.

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THIS TOOK TOO LONG TO FUCKING GET UP! GODDAMNIT.

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No one made a post for it until now.

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inkstainedlips said she got rejected because we couln't have a pregame.

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i submitted one but it was rejected and told to resubmit when there's actual news and celeb reaction.



idk

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I just hope this is the first of many leaks

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I'm certain it is. At the very least, the reporter who has the full tax return will most likely drop the rest of the tax return documents when the time is ideal.

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It's one of many leaks tbh. There's a big picture being put together here, and this piece further proves his sketchy ties to sketchy Russian oligarchs and the Cyprus bank.

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I can't believe we're supposed to dig out all of these receipts when this entire con administration has done nothing to hide their bullshit.

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I think so, I have not been optimistic once about Trump and the election in the past year, but I'm allowing myself a little glimmer of hope that we will take that fucker down.

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I'm Stephen rn

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I don't think he's cute.

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Do women like receiving nudes?

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Dicks are ugly tbh

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No they're not. They're works of Grecian art.

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I had a guy send me a vid of him jerking off. I couldn't watch. Too much secondhand embarrassment. I made my bff watch instead. Lol Next time I saw him, he asked me if I'd received it, and I told him something was wrong with my phone and I couldn't get vids. He didn't believe me...

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Only if we ask for them. Penises are only appealing when you want to see them.

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yes, from other women.

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My friend's ex boyfriend sent nude photos and an explicit letter to her mom once. He was in the military and was stationed in Korea.



He told her in the letter he wanted her to "sit on his face so bad."



My friend and I were probably 16 or 17 at the time and her mom was in her late 50s and kinda looked like Peggy Hill.



Peggy pretended to be mortified but I think she was kinda thrilled by it.

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Not unless I ask for them.

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No @ that younger photo of him in a nude post

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there is an emma watson leak? WHAT?

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Wow he does look like a sexy Squidward.

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lol

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@ the post, not the nudes leaking.

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Poor guy :/



There's been a lot of nudes leaking lately :S

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Does it really count as a leak if he posted it himself on his snap story?

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Speaking of leaked nudes: Last night, hacked photos of Amanda Seyfried, Emma Watson(!) and a few others leaked.



The Amanda ones are kind of funny, because in one of them she's standing in a shower with wet underwear on her head. There's also a photo of her blowing a guy (some believe it's Justin Long) ... on a canoe!



When I saw the Emma Watson ones, I literally screamed. Most of the photos are just her posing in various bikinis, but there are two videos of her in the bathtub.

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The video doesn't show her face. But the photos show her face and it's like her trying out bikinis and clothing. I think those are part of her stylist's iPhone or her phone (she seems to be sporting an iPhone).

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With some google fu, I found the ones that leaked yesterday videos and photos.



I wonder if this is another iCloud related hack. FFS PEOPLE!

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this is such a dudebro comment omg

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Not to be rude, but, was Justin Long's Justin... long?

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He's cute. Needs a different haircut, though.

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He's got a nice face, not getting the hate.

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he's fine but the dick is tiny. i need a yard or more.

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I don't think I wanna see someone's dick right after seeing them as a child.

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OPECs monthly report for February was released Tuesday morning, and total output appears to have fallen from 32.097 million bpd in January to 31.958 million bpd. Members which agreed to the production freeze and cuts were able to reduce production from 29.9 million to 29.7 million bpd, with Iraq and the UAE continuing to pump above agreed-upon levels, exceeding quotas by 63,000 and 51,000 bpd, respectively.

This is pretty good news, but in light of last weeks massive U.S. inventories and the subsequent decline in prices from $54 to $47, the report isnt enough to indicate a reversal in OPECs suddenly declining fortunes.

Secondary source verification indicated that Saudi production continued to fall, to 9.797 million bpd. According to direct communication, rather than continue its cuts, the country actually increased production between January and February, from 9.748 million to 10.011 million bpd.

While total Saudi output has fallen significantly since last year, by as much as 450,000 bpd, the monthly data would indicate that further deep cuts by OPECs leading producer are unlikely, at least until a new agreement is reached. Saudi Arabia has shouldered much of the burden of the OPEC cuts, but at last weeks CERAWeek 2017 conference, the national energy minister indicated that Saudi Arabia would be unwilling to continue cutting its own production just to give a boost to prices: it would take more concerted action by OPEC to achieve that goal.

American production also spiked after the deal was announced, rising above 9 million bpd, and the increases are likely to continue. The EIA estimates that U.S. shale drillers will increase production by 109,000 bpd in April, with the most significant rises coming from the Permian and Eagle Ford fields in Texas and New Mexico. Related: Keystone XL Does Not Make Sense Anymore

OPEC data suggests that world oil supply has fallen since November, from over 98 million bpd to 94.9 million bpd, with a decline of 200,000 bpd coming in February. This would indicate that the cuts by OPEC and non-OPEC producers have largely left their mark, that production will only rise from here, and that the immediate impact of the OPEC deal has been felt.

Now that the initial impact of Novembers agreement to freeze production seems to have worn off, speculation has begun regarding OPECs next move. The freeze and production cuts removed about 1.2 million bpd from markets and brought a tightening of supply, yet this was almost entirely offset by increases in production from certain OPEC members, including Iran, which were exempt from the freeze.

The sentiment that OPECs outward unity is starting to crack has contributed to the downward turn in price and the emerging bearishness surrounding oil futures. Breaks in OPECs show of unity include Iraqs continued desire to boost production to 4.5 million bpd. The February report indicated that it is pumping about 91,000 bpd above the intended quota, though this is still a reduction from its pre-November production level of 4.6 million bpd. Yet Iraq, rather than contribute as Saudi Arabia has done to the overall cuts, continues to contribute what Riyadh sees as the bare minimum. Related: How Likely Is An OPEC Deal Extension?

There are also the Russians to consider. Saudi Energy Minister Khalil Al-Falih expressed his irritation last week that Russia isnt doing its part, and that Saudi cuts would not make room for free riders who could profit from higher prices. Russian cuts contributed to non-OPEC production decline of 558,000 bpd, but the Russian company Rosneft has already expressed doubt that the cuts will last past the six month mark, as was originally intended. The Russian energy firm has indicated that it feels a real balance in the market will require action by consumers and regulators, not just producers, a tacit admission that the experiment to cut production and bring back high prices has failed, at least for the time being.

With U.S. shale production likely to boom, Russia on the fence and OPECs leader unwilling to shoulder more of the burden, the big question facing analysts is what will OPEC do next? While the settlement of the production agreement last year was a surprise, additional cuts or a decision to extend the existing cuts for another six months may be nothing short of miraculous: if prices stay low, and seem to stay that way for the immediate future, the temptation by OPEC members to ramp production back up and take back market share, trying for a second time to put U.S. shale out of business, will be a strong one.

By Gregory Brew for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
We believe that Gazprom's commitments will enable the free flow of gas in Central and Eastern Europe at competitive prices. They address our competition concerns and provide a forward-looking solution in line with EU rules. In fact, they help to better integrate gas markets in the region, European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in Brussels on March 13. The Russian energy giant, Gazprom, reached a provisional agreement to resolve a longstanding dispute with European antitrust regulators. (Reuters/Francois Lenoir)

Despite the tentative March 13 agreement between the European Commission and Gazprom on the liberalization of gas markets in Central and Eastern Europe, it is still premature to declare an end to the Russian energy giants dominance in the region. In its statement of promises, Gazprom pledges to remove destination clauses in its long-term contracts barring the re-exporting of excess gas imports, to renegotiate pricing to reflect spot hubs in Western Europe, and to drop its refusal to allow virtual gas transfers along the Gazprom-dominated transit pipelines. However, Gazproms behavior would depend on the political will of its clients to directly challenge it amid its allegedly receding market power in Europe amid greater competition, liquidity, and supply sources.

In anticipation of future competition, changing market dynamics in Europe, the limited success of Gazproms pivoting to China, and the phasing out of long-term contracts, Gazprom has followed through with a strategy of doubling down on Europe and securing its future market share by launching Nord Stream II and Turkish Stream. In doing so, the Russian gas giant is enacting a pincer strategy aimed at eliminating the need for the gas to transit through Ukraine. This would remove the transit risk based on political quarrels between Russia and Ukraine. Whats wrong with that you might ask? Well, there is more to Gazproms strategy than meets the eye. Related: EIA And OPEC Send Oil Prices Tumbling

Gazproms long-term strategy

Through Nord Stream II, Gazprom aims to consolidate its market share in Europe when faced with competition from LNG and a shrinking EU demand driven by improvements in energy efficiency and the advance of renewables. Gazprom will try to lock in its clients in Germany, Italy, France, and Central Europe in another ten-year contract where prices might no longer be oil-indexed, but the volumes sold potentially higher; a neat way of compensating a loss in revenue.

Expanding to Turkey actually makes commercial sense, at least when just one string of Turkish Stream is built. But this begs the question why Gazprom did not do so earlier instead of pushing the hopelessly uncommercial South Stream project for years on end. Despite Russian President Vladimir Putins rhetoric that Brussels was to blame, Moscow knew very well that South Stream would never pass the EU regulatory test. Then why push on? One explanation could be that Gazprom never intended to build South Stream and its primary objective instead was to dissuade governments in Southeast Europe from backing the Southern Gas corridor. In this aim, Gazprom has been successful. Most storage, LNG, and interconnection projects in the region have stalled, while the market remains almost fully closed as just 5 percent of the gas in the region is traded on spot-basis. Once it became clear that the EU would not allow South Stream, Gazprom simply pivoted back to Turkey.

It is worth noting that both Nord Stream and Turkish Stream complete a larger internal pipeline infrastructure plan that has already diverted lucrative Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) deals worth billions of US dollars to well-connected oligarchs close to the Kremlin. The throughput capacity of the Southern Corridor in Russia from the Pochinki Compressor Station (CS) to Russkaya CS on the Black Sea would be 63 bcm/yr when completed in 2017 and would cost between $4 billion and $17 billion. The overall investment in the Russian domestic gas pipeline system to enable Nord Stream and Turkish Stream is estimated at $70 billion. These costs could not be justified unless Gazprom completes gas connections to Europe.

Finally, Gazprom is pursuing Nord Stream II and Turkish Stream as they would strengthen Gazproms grip on its key market. Russias ambition to export gas to China seems to be a pipe dream for the moment. Although having signed a largely political agreement, Beijing has not committed to any concrete terms as it pressures Russia on accepting a much lower-than-requested export price. The Chinese understood perfectly at the time that Moscow needed them much more than vice-versa. After all, China has plenty of alternatives. By 2020, it wants to buy 65 bcm/yr from Turkmenistan and LNG exporters have been arm-wrestling each other for a slice of the Chinese market for years. Related: Keystone XL Does Not Make Sense Anymore

Embracing the shift in European gas markets

Despite the fact that 92 percent of all gas prices in Western and Northwestern Europe today are determined on spot-based hubs and that this share is approximately 50 percent in Central Europe, these changes in European gas markets are yet to structurally shift Russias gas policy in Europe. That said, Gazprom has realized that it can no longer cling to old pricing and contractual terms. To survive, it needs to adapt to EU regulations and the demands of a buyers market. In this context, Nord Stream II and Turkish Stream should thus be seen as the last convulsions of a centralized, supply-driven energy policy to capture market share. It is also a preparation for a brutal fight for a shrinking number of consumers that now have more options in the form of new suppliers entering the market.

The European Commissions efforts to integrate the EU internal market and diversify the gas supply away from a single supplier along the Central European model have started to pay off. Yet, risks lie ahead and it would be naive to think that Gazprom would not try to prevent liberalization. Gazproms attempts to price out potential, future suppliers show a nervous giant that can be used by the EU to step up its efforts in pushing through market integration projects. Pursuing this latter strategy in combination with the opening of markets would increase the bargaining power of Central and Eastern European countries vis-a-vis Russia, would bring down pricesand most importantlywould limit Russias ability to use its dominant position on gas markets to meddle in the domestic policies of EU countries.

By Martin Vladimirov and Sijbren De Jong

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The bill establishing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is 906 pages long. There are over 13,000 additional pages of regulation that accompanies the bill. Because Obamacare touched so many other areas of the law including taxation, licensing, and welfare estimates range up to 20,000 pages of additional regulations. The House bill repealing and replacing Obamacare is approximately 123 pages of which nearly sixty pages are devoted to repealing the various provisions of Obamacare. There is no estimate of how many pages of rules will accompany the final version because we dont yet know the final version. However, if President Donald Trump carries through on an earlier commitment, you can safely assume there will be twice as many old rules repealed than new rules adopted.

As it stands now, Republicans have more than enough votes to pass a bill and lay it on the desk of Mr. Trump for his signature. But there is division in the Republican Party over the contents of a replacement bill. A large part of that division is due to the preening, posturing and intra-party jealousies that, at times, seem to overwhelm the party. There are members like Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) who is still smarting after the people twice rejected him in his ambition to become president (once in the primary against President George W. Bush and once in the general against President Barack Obama.) In his defeats Mr. McCain shares the embarrassment with his friend, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton D-MY) who was similarly defeated first in the Democrat primary by Sen. Barack Obama  a virtual nobody from Illinois  and then in the general by Mr. Trump  a political neophyte.

There are others who claim to be the conscience of conservatives, like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)  who also lost his bid to be president to Mr. Trump  and Sens. Mike Lee and Rand Paul (R-KY). The latter two legitimately follow conservative principles while the former basically follows whatever is good for his political ambitions. They are joined by a group of Republican House members who also follow conservative principles. These conservatives biggest complaint is that the new Republican proposal continues entitlements for the poor for healthcare services.

Lets make sure that we are all on common ground here. Medicaid is the federal program for providing healthcare services to the poor. Obamacare expanded eligibility to people making less than 138% if the Federal Poverty Level. According to the Department of Health and Human Services the expansion of Medicaid accounted for approximately eighty percent of the total increase in healthcare coverage under Obamacare. It also reduced eligibility vetting and thereby increased the opportunity for Medicaid fraud. At the same time, additional regulations and reduced reimbursements drove many physicians to reject Medicaid patients. The result was that while more people had coverage, fewer physicians were available to them for their care. As the new Secretary of Health and Human Service Tom Price, MD has previously stated: People have coverage, but they dont have care.

Obamacare then buried the increased costs of the Medicaid expansion in a series of mandates for younger healthy adults (who bore the costs but did not need the services), increased taxes on the wealthy and reduced Social Security benefits for the elderly. All in all Obamacare decimated the healthcare market in order to hide the true costs of expanding Medicaid. It is this increase in the sheer number of people receiving subsidized healthcare coverage coupled with masking of the cost of providing these services that have driven critics of Obamacare into righteous anger.

That being said, and after reading summaries of various proposals by these same conservatives, it does not appear that they object so much to the concept of entitlements but rather to the breadth of those qualifying for such entitlements. Mr. Paul, for instance, would remove the requirement that pre-existing conditions be covered  a popular but costly feature of Obamacare  and he would shift Medicaid responsibility to the states backed by block grants from the federal government to the states. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) confirmed on Fox News Sunday that conservatives object to the subsidies not the tax credits.

In contrast, the current proposal backed by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) would preserve the pre-existing conditions coverage and utilize a refundable tax credit to pay for individual coverage including the poor. The refundable part of that tax credit proposal means that if the tax credit available exceeds the taxes to be paid, the individual will receive a voucher amount for the difference that will be applied to healthcare insurance. (I made a similar proposal in a January 2014 column entitled Fixing Obamacare). It is that refundable element of the tax credit to which conservatives like Mr. Jordan object as creating a new subsidy.

Look, I have been a conservative all of my adult life. I have embraced conservative principles enunciated by the likes of Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ), President Ronald Reagan, and the loquacious William F. Buckley. Like them, I do not believe that there is any constitutional obligation to provide welfare in any form. However, like them I recognize that advanced societies have a moral obligation to care for those who cannot care for themselves  I do not extend that sense of moral obligation to those who will not care for themselves. For the life of me I cannot understand how you can fulfill that moral obligation without creating an entitlement  every form of welfare creates an entitlement.

I suppose you could take the Darwinian approach and simply let the poor, the sick and the disabled die. (For those of you forced to endure a teachers union controlled Portland public school education Darwin argued that species survived and improved through natural selection  only the strong survived.) To some degree that philosophy was enshrined in Obamacare where bureaucrats decided whether specific treatments would be covered  the death panels as enunciated by former governor Sarah Palin (R-AK). But somewhere between Darwin and the welfare state are reasonable solutions. Let me suggest some guidelines.

1. Accept the notion that the poor, the sick and the disabled may require a subsidy to pay for healthcare coverage.

2. Utilize tax credits to pay for healthcare coverage for all. Utilizing tax credits will allow people to redirect a portion of their taxes to a program that benefits them specifically  inevitably a better choice than the stockpile of worthless, mismanaged and politically driven boondoggles that currently consume our taxes.

3. Utilize the refundable notion of the tax credit to pay for healthcare coverage for those whose income do not generate taxable income or do not generate taxes sufficient to be offset against the cost of healthcare coverage. Offset the increased costs of the refundable tax credit in part by tightening up the eligibility and enforcement provisions for those who can qualify for the subsidies by eliminating those in the country illegally welfare should never be an incentive to enter the country illegally. And limit the eligibility for those who can, but will not, work  for instance, to the same time period in which the unemployed are eligible for unemployment payments. The government should never be in the position to encourage sloth by the able bodied.

4. Shift responsibility for Medicaid administration to the states and fund the federal governments share with block grants and only minimal requirements. One of those minimal requirements should be to tighten eligibility requirements for those who can, but do not, work  those eligibility requirements should coincide with unemployment benefits in duration.

5. Shifting responsibility to the states will allow the state to craft a plan suited to their own demographics instead of using the one size fits all mentality of the federal government. Innovation by states could improve efficiency. State governments like Oregon that are steeped in the concepts of the welfare state may well want to expand eligibility and coverage while reducing vetting for eligibility and state taxpayers would be solely responsible for the increased costs. Others like Texas may want to take a more strict vetting process and impose a stronger work requirement.

6. Except the pre-existing conditions waiver but create a high risk pool at the federal government to cover excess costs. That provision is in the current plan being considered by the House. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) (federal bureaucrats all) chose to ignore this provision while scoring the current proposal, it actually will have a dramatic effect on reducing healthcare premium costs.

7. Eliminate the Obamacare mandatory healthcare coverage requirement. In doing so you can also eliminate the requirement for children remaining on their parents plan until age twenty-six. Without Obamacares mandates, such provisions are unnecessary. The CBO blamed the elimination of the mandate as the reason for the increase in the number of uninsured under the Republican plan. Young healthy people who do not think they need healthcare coverage do not want to pay for it. That is there choice, just make sure it is accompanied by the responsibility for making such a choice.

8. And finally where there are alternatives to specific requirements, always come down on the side of individual freedom and competitive alternatives. Of course, that will also require people to except the consequences of their decisions. For instance, if you decide not to acquire healthcare coverage and wind up needing care and treatment, you  not the taxpayers  will be responsible for the costs incurred. That is also true for virtually all aspects of the welfare system  if you make choices not to work when you can, if you choose to buy beer and cigarettes instead of food, or if you choose to gamble instead of pay your bills, the inevitable results of such poor judgement should be visited upon you alone  not the taxpayers.
From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As...
The mathematical (and other) thoughts of a (now retired) math teacher,
Canada's two biggest pension funds have agreed to partner with LOGOS, a real estate logistics operator, to invest in warehouses in Singapore and Indonesia, betting on demand from the rise of e-commerce and a burgeoning middle class in southeast Asia.



Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), the top pension fund of the country, said in a statement it will initially commit S$200 million ($142 million) for an about 48 percent stake in LOGOS Singapore Logistics Venture. It will also commit $100 million for a stake of about 48 percent in LOGOS Indonesia Logistics Venture.



CPPIB and Ivanhoe Cambridge, which is the real estate arm of Canada's second-largest pension fund manager Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, will be equal partners in both joint ventures, the statement said .



LOGOS, which operates in Australia, China, Indonesia and Singapore, will hold the remaining stake in the ventures.



CPPIB said the deals would pave the way for its first direct real estate investments in Singapore and Indonesia .



Private equity firms and institutional investors are pouring billions of dollars into warehousing and logistics investments in Asia in recent years betting on a boom in demand from e-commerce in the region .



Warburg Pincus, Blackstone Group LP and Hopu Investments were among bidders short-listed to present a potential offer for Singapore-listed Global Logistic Properties , sources told Reuters late last month.



And in January, Warburg Pincus-backed warehouse operator e-Shang Redwood agreed to buy an 80 percent indirect stake in the manager of Singapore-listed Cambridge Industrial Trust (CIT).

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) announced today that it has entered into two agreements to invest alongside Ivanhoe Cambridge with real estate logistics specialist LOGOS in the LOGOS Singapore Logistics Venture (LSLV) and LOGOS Indonesia Logistics Venture (LILV), which will focus on developing and acquiring modern logistics facilities in Singapore and Indonesia, respectively.



In Singapore, a key global logistics hub, CPPIB will initially commit S$200 million for an approximate 48% stake in the LSLV, which will be seeded by two fully-leased existing multi-storey logistics warehouse facilities as well as one development opportunity. All the seed assets are very well located in established industrial submarkets of Singapore .



Additionally, CPPIB will initially commit US$100 million in equity for an approximate 48% stake in LILV, which has an identified strong pipeline of development opportunities in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia. LILV will develop assets to meet the increasing demand for modern logistics facilities on the back of Indonesias compelling macroeconomic fundamentals, rapid e-commerce growth and a growing logistics sector .



The logistics sector in Southeast Asia continues to grow as a result of the burgeoning middle class and the rise of e-commerce, and presents an excellent opportunity for a long-term investor like CPPIB, said Jimmy Phua, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Investments  Asia, CPPIB. We are looking forward to making our first direct real estate investments in Singapore and Indonesia through well-established, like-minded partners like LOGOS and Ivanhoe Cambridge.



CPPIB and Ivanhoe Cambridge will be equal partners in both joint ventures, with LOGOS, as the operating partner, holding the remaining stake in the ventures .



Both Ivanhoe Cambridge and CPPIB are recognised as leading real estate investors around the world, and we are excited to expand our relationship with Ivanhoe Cambridge as well as attracting CPPIB into both our Singapore and Indonesia ventures, said Stephen Hawkins, Managing Director of LOGOS South East Asia .



Ivanhoe Cambridge welcomes CPPIB as our co-investment partner with LOGOS in Singapore and Indonesia, said Rita-Rose Gagne, President, Growth Markets, at Ivanhoe Cambridge. Increasing our allocation reaffirms our view of the growth potential in Southeast Asia and our confidence in LOGOS as a best-in-class logistics real estate specialist in Asia-Pacific.

For the Singapore venture, LOGOS will continue with its strategy of acquiring and developing high-quality, modern industrial and logistics properties in Singapore with over S$800M in investment capacity . To date LOGOS has acquired interests in three properties, consisting of two multi-storey logistics warehouse facilities and one development site, all of which are fully leased .



For the Indonesia venture, the strategy is to focus on developing and owning high quality, modern logistics properties in Greater Jakarta, Indonesia. The commitments will provide LOGOS with over US$400M in investment capacity. LOGOS has identified a strong pipeline of development opportunities to meet the increasing demand for modern logistics facilities on the back of Indonesias compelling macroeconomic fundamentals, rapid e-commerce growth and growing logistics sector .



Concurrent with the establishment of the Indonesia venture, LOGOS is pleased to announce the establishment of an office in Jakarta, expanding LOGOS offices to four countries (Australia, China, Indonesia, and Singapore).



"LOGOS has subsequently established ventures in Singapore and Indonesia which is testament to the growth being experienced in both of these markets and LOGOS ability to secure an attractive pipeline of opportunities, commented John Marsh, Joint Managing Director of LOGOS. We are also excited that LOGOS is increasingly able to offer its customers a high quality solution across Asia Pacific.



Stephen Hawkins, Managing Director of LOGOS South East Asia added, Expanding our relationship with Ivanhoe Cambridge as well as attracting CPPIB into both our Singapore and Indonesia ventures is very exciting. Both Ivanhoe Cambridge and CPPIB are recognised as leading real estate investors around the world.



"Ivanhoe Cambridge welcomes CPPIB as our co-investment partner with LOGOS in Singapore and Indonesia," said Rita-Rose Gagne, President, Growth Markets, for Ivanhoe Cambridge. Increasing our allocation reaffirms our view of the growth potential in Southeast Asia and our confidence in LOGOS as a best-in-class logistics real estate specialist in Asia-Pacific.



The logistics sector in Southeast Asia continues to grow as a result of the burgeoning middle class and the rise of e-commerce, and presents an excellent opportunity for a long-term investor like CPPIB, said Jimmy Phua, Managing Director & Head of Real Estate Investments  Asia. We are looking forward to making our first direct real estate investments in Singapore and Indonesia through well-established, like-minded partners like LOGOS and Ivanhoe Cambridge .



Macquarie Capital (Australia) Limited (together and through its affiliates, Macquarie Capital) acted as exclusive financial adviser to LOGOS for the transaction and as sole lead manager and arranger for both the LSLV and LILV capital raisings.



About LOGOS



LOGOS is an integrated investment and development logistics real estate specialist with operations in Australia, China, Indonesia and Singapore. LOGOS currently has approximately AUD$3.0 billion in assets under management including end values for projects under development. For further information: www.logosproperty.com

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Reuters reports, Canada pension funds to invest in Singapore, Indonesia warehouses CPPIB put out this press release to announce the deal:Ivanhoe Cambridge put out this press release on the deal:So what is this deal all about and why are Canada's pension giants teaming up with LOGOS to make investments in warehouses in Singapore and Indonesia?I think it's pretty self-explanatory. The Caisse and CPPIB are betting on the demand from the rise of e-commerce and a burgeoning middle class in southeast Asia. This is a long-term bet and if you've been paying attention to e-commerce trends in North America, you can bet the exact same thing will happen in Asia but with exponential growth.Canada's large pension funds are competing with large private equity firms for these logistic warehouses. They not only provide great growth potential, they are pretty much all leased up and will provide stable cash flows (rents) over a very long period.When I went over HOOPP's 2015 results last year, Jim Keohane told me that HOOPP isindustrial warehouses in the UK and Amazon will be one of its tenants. I asked Jim back then why Amazon wouldn't simply invest its own money to build these warehouses and he told me "because it can get a better return on investment elsewhere."Other large Canadian pensions (PSP, bcIMC, OTPP, etc.) have also been investing heavily in these industrial warehouses in North America, Europe and Asia typically alongside strategic partners.Remember, pensions are all about managing assets andliabilities. Real estate and infrastructure are. They do carry risks, like illiquidity, currency and political/ regulatory risk in the case of infrastructure, so they're not a perfect substitute for ultra long bonds, but they generally provide stable yields in between stocks and bonds over a very long period.And since pension funds are not in the business of flipping real estate and infrastructure assets and have a very long investment horizon, they can easily hold these assets on their books over an economic cycle and ride out any rough patch along the way.Are there short-term risks to investing in Asia? Of course, I'm worried the Fed might make a policy error and hike rates more often than what the market anticipates, fueling the 2017 US dollar crisis I warned of late last year. This can unleash another Asian financial crisis.In a CFA luncheon I attended last month, PSP Investment's President and CEO Andre Bourbonnais said PSP was "underweight emerging markets" and taking a more cautious stance in both public and private investments there. I agree with Mr. Bourbonnais's cautious stance on emerging markets.More locally, Singapore's growth shock is masking a duller economy and the government recently eased its property rules , diverging path from Hong Kong, a move that was applauded by businesses but shows that policymakers are still concerned about property bubbles there.Having said this, there are always macro and financial risks involved in these transactions but it's also important to note the secular trends behind the decision to invest in these industrial warehouses. Even if CPPIB and the Caisse take a short-term hit -- a real possibility -- over the long run these investments will prove to be very profitable and provide both these large pensions with stable cash flows. And like the Ivanhoe Cambridge press release states, all these warehouses are already fully leased, which shows you demand for these logistical warehouses is extremely strong.Below, Bloomberg's Mark Cranfield reports on why Singapore's growth might not last as oil and gas prices head south and a major trade war with the US looms large And CNBC's Jackie DeAngelis looks at the latest data from CNBC's exclusive Global CFO Council Survey to get a read on what an elite group of financial executives think about President Donald Trump's trade proposals. Nothing like a looming trade war to hamper global growth prospects.
With the Parallel App, available for Android, users can "clone" the messenger and use two different accounts on the same device; Check step by step Using two WhatsApp accounts on the same phone is something that can be done on Android devices . With different phone numbers, it is possible to use two applications for this: Dual Messenger, in the case of Samsung devices , or the Parallel...
Although the regions air has improved dramatically from the height of Pittsburghs industrial past, southwestern Pennsylvania remains home to factories and power plants that release millions of pounds of toxic chemicals into the air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data to track toxic chemicals released into the air, water and land from manufacturing plants, power plants and other facilities. This report focuses on air emissions.

The Toxic Release Inventory covers more than 650 chemicals ranging from benzene and formaldehyde to hydrochloric acid and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) all of which scientific evidence suggest may pose a threat to human health and the environment.

Some 180 of the toxic chemicals are known or suspected carcinogens. Toxic chemicals are also linked to other diseases and serious health conditions, including asthma, neurological disorders, chronic lung conditions, and skin and eye irritation.

Health risks associated with these chemical releases tend to be the greatest in communities nearest the source. The degree of risk is affected by a complex set of factors, including the amount emitted, weight of the particles, height of the smokestack, wind speed, humidity, proximity to the emission source, concentration of the pollutant and the duration of exposure.

The following is a list of the 10 facilities within the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area that released the greatest volume of toxic chemicals into the air in 2014 and 2015 as reported by the EPA Toxic Release Inventory. The rankings are based on 2015 data for total air toxics emissions.

The facilities range from power plants and steel mills to chemical manufacturers and a brick factory. Each is required to report the volume of chemicals it releases each year to the Toxic Release Inventory. Those volumes vary widelyfrom more than 1.1 million pounds to just over 61,000 pounds in 2015. The plants that emit them are found in five of the seven Pittsburgh MSA counties.

The EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have taken enforcement actions against six of the 10 facilities during the last five years for violating toxic chemicals regulations, resulting in fines ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars and orders to correct emission control problems.

1. Keystone Generating Station

Facility type: Coal-fired power plant

Location: Plumcreek Township, Armstrong County

Owner: PSEG

Population within 5 miles: 5,093

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 1,139,833 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 1,506,100 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Sulfuric acid, 1,080,260 pounds

Sulfuric acid emissions continue to be a problem at the Armstrong County power plant, the only facility in the Pittsburgh MSA that emitted more than 1 million pounds of toxic chemicals in 2015 as reported in the TRI.

Chronic exposure to sulfuric acid can irritate and inflame peoples airways and aggravate asthma. Sulfuric acid participates in the formation of acidic particulate air pollution, which is a major cause of air pollution health effects.

Although its still the regions largest emitter, the plant has dramatically cut the amount of EPA-designated air toxics since 2008, when it emitted almost 20.6 million pounds. Most of that reduction came through cutting its hydrochloric acid emissions from 16 million pounds then to 21,000 pounds in 2015.

PSEG did not respond to requests for comment.

2. U.S. Steel  Clairton plant

Facility type: Coke manufacturing

Location: Clairton, Allegheny County

Owner: U.S. Steel

Population within 5 miles: 100,150

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 968,549 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 1,177,371 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Ammonia, 269,100 pounds

U.S. Steels Clairton plant is the nations largest producer of metallurgical coke, the fuel used in steelmaking blast furnaces. In addition to air toxics emissions, the coke plant is a chief source of fine particulate pollution in Allegheny County.

During the past decade, the company invested in a new advanced coke battery, quench towers and other upgrades to help control air polluting emissions.

Despite improvement, the Clairton plant spent 11 of the last 12 quarters in violation of the Clean Air Act. State regulators levied nearly $1.6 million in fines for Clean Air Act violations during the last three years.

The plant also emitted 34,000 pounds of benzene in 2015, 45,000 pounds in 2014 and 54,000 pounds in 2013. Benzene is terrible, said Bernard Goldstein, M.D., former dean of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and an environmental toxicologist. It can cause leukemia and other blood cancers.

U.S. Steel declined to comment.

3. Bruce Mansfield Power Station

Facility type: Coal-fired power plant

Location: Shippingport, Beaver County

Owner: FirstEnergy

Population within 5 miles: 15,187

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 357,509 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 429,824 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Hydrochloric acid, 268,400 pounds

Hydrochloric acid accounts for more than half of the toxic chemicals released at the Bruce Mansfield plant. Like sulfuric acid, it can participate in the formation of acidic air particles that are harmful to health. Inhaling hydrochloric acid can irritate a persons nose, throat and larynx.

State environmental protection inspectors discovered 10 Clean Air Act violations at the plant in the past two years.

Bruce Mansfield generates more electricity than the Keystone Power Station, yet its air toxics emissions are significantly lower than emissions at the Keystone plant, which emits the greatest amount of toxic chemicals in the region. The Mansfield plant produced nearly 780,000 more watts of electricity than the Keystone plant in 2015. The 358,000 pounds of air toxics it released was less than one-third of Keystones toxic emissions.

More than one out of every three dollars spent to build the $1.4-billion Mansfield facility was spent on environmental protection, and one out of every three employees operates pollution-control equipment, according to FirstEnergy spokeswoman Stephanie Walton. The plant was recently updated to meet the requirements of the EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which were finalized in 2011 and took effect in 2015.

The EPA has been very aggressive. Its a living, breathing process that is constantly evolving, said David Flannery, an environmental lawyer with Steptoe & Johnson, who represents FirstEnergy. Nobody gets the luxury of saying, Im in compliance. I dont have to worry about it anymore. Its an ongoing process of compliance.

4. Calgon Carbon Corp.  Neville Island plant

Facility type: Activated carbon manufacturer

Location: Neville Island, Allegheny County

Owner: Calgon Carbon Corp.

Population within 5 miles: 170,841

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 182,202 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 187,506 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant: Ammonia, 181,820 pounds

Calgon Carbon is the worlds largest manufacturer of granular activated carbon, which is used to purify air and water, clean up toxic spills and capture volatile organic compounds.

Its Neville Island plant releases the fourth-largest amount of toxic chemicals in the Pittsburgh MSA, according to EPA data. But its total air toxics emissions in 2015 were significantly lower than those reported at the Keystone Generating Station, the Bruce Mansfield Power Plant and the Clairton coke plant, which had the three largest air toxic releases in the region. In the Calgon Carbon facilitys operating permit, the Allegheny County Health Department describes the plant as a minor source of air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants.

Ammonia comprised nearly all of the emissions.

Certain carbon products that are used in respirator and air filtering applications are impregnated with various materials to increase their effectiveness. Ammonia is used in two of these processes, one of which is idled, said Calgon Carbon spokeswoman Amanda Mushrush. The idled process must, by permit, emit less than 122.44 tons of ammonia a year; the second process is limited to 9.36 tons a year, she said.

Ammonia can cause chronic lung conditions such as asthma and respiratory tract irritation. Health risks of prolonged exposure include pulmonary fibrosis, a scarring of the lungs that can lead to a host of respiratory problems, according to the Center for Disease Control.

An ammonia scrubber is used and captures at least 95% of the airborne ammonia emissions, Mushrush said. Stack testing has demonstrated the scrubber to be effective and in compliance with our air permit requirements. Pollution control technologies are selected based on regulatory requirements, operational efficiency, economic and technical feasibility.

5. Cheswick Power Station

Facility type: Coal-fired power plant

Location: Springdale, Allegheny County

Owner: NRG

Population within 5 miles: 92,403

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 144,732 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 189,028 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Sulfuric acid, 126,429 pounds

The power plant began producing electricity in 1970. In 2015, air toxics emissions from the plant were heavy in sulfuric acid.

Like the other coal-fired plants on the list, air toxics emissions have fallen in recent years, EPA data suggest. The Cheswick Power Station emitted more than 3 million pounds of air toxics in 2007, which is nearly 25 times more than was released in 2015.

NRG has invested more than $400 million at Cheswick to install and operate advanced environmental control systems, spokesman David Gaier said. The company reported that since 2001, scrubbers and other systems cut sulfuric oxide emissions by 97 percent, particulate matter by 86 percent and mercury by 83 percent.

Generally speaking, these emissions are simply a function of combusting coal, Gaier said. Obviously, even with the most modern environmental controls, plants will produce larger emissions as their generating units run more frequently.

The Cheswick plant has had one Clean Air Act violation in the last three years. The source of the problem was identified as a scrubber malfunction, which caused the plant to exceed air standards for sulfur dioxide emissions, according to the EPA.

6. U.S. Steel  Irvin Plant

Facility type: Steel manufacturing

Location: West Mifflin, Allegheny County

Owner: U.S. Steel

Population within 5 miles: 179,682

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 75,049 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 149,049 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Hydrochloric acid, 42,012 pounds

The second U.S. Steel facility on the list, and the sixth-largest emitter of air toxics overall, is the Irvin plant, part of U.S. Steels Mon Valley Works integrated steel-making operation. The plant is located in an area that is more densely populated than any of the other largest emitters of air toxics in the region.

Hydrochloric acid is largest toxic air emission at the Irvin plant. The plant also emitted 33,000 pounds of ethylene in 2015, an ozone precursor which itself can cause respiratory tract irritation.

U.S. Steel declined to comment.

7. Redland Brick Inc.  Harmar Plant

Facility type: Brick manufacturer

Location: Harmar, Allegheny County

Owner: Redland Brick, Inc.

Population within 5 miles: 71,924

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 72,516 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 62,574 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Hydrochloric acid, 71,508 pounds

Hydrochloric acid represented more than 98 percent of the brick plants air toxic emissions in 2015. The plant also released just over 1,000 pounds of sulfuric acid into the air that year, according to the EPA.

The state Department of Environmental Protection fined the Maryland-based company $525 in 2012 for violating air toxics regulations, the only formal enforcement action taken against the facility in the last five years.

Redland Brick did not respond to requests for comment.

8. Flexsys America

Facility type: Tire additive manufacturer

Location: Monongahela, Washington County

Owner: Eastman Chemical Co.

Population within 5 miles: 39,984

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 66,686 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 62,475 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Carbon disulfide, 66,456 pounds

Carbon disulfide accounted for almost all of the toxic releases reported at the plant in 2015. At high levels, chronic exposure to carbon disulfide decreases fertility in men and women, causing sperm abnormalities and spontaneous abortions, according to the EPA. It can also affect a persons personality and has been associated with depression, anxiety, irritability, and hearing and memory loss.

The state Department of Environmental Protection fined the plant $5,000 for Clean Air Act violations in 2012. No fines have been levied since.

Eastman spokeswoman Amanda Allman said the companys internal standards exceed those of the EPA, state Department of Environmental Protection and Allegheny Health Department. We take our license to operate seriously. We focus on improving processes and protecting the environment in the communities where we operate, as well as understanding the environmental impact of our products. We set clear expectations and strive for a zero incident culture. We do this by ensuring our operations run responsibly. We not only work here, we live here, Allman said.

9. Indspec Chemical Co.

Facility type: Chemical manufacturer

Location: Petrolia, Butler County

Owner: Occidental Petroleum Corp.

Population within 5 miles: 5,956

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 61,470 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 43,612 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Phenol, 46,043 pounds

The facility accounts for about half the worldwide production of resorcinol, a chemical used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Phenol made up about three-quarters of the plants toxic emissions. The plant is also among the regions largest industrial emitters of benzene, a known carcinogen, releasing more than 5,500 pounds of the toxin into the atmosphere in 2015, according to EPA data. Indspec also emitted more than 1,200 pounds of formaldehyde.

The state cited the chemical company for violating air toxics regulations in every quarter from October 2015 through the end of 2016. In September of 2015, the company agreed to pay more than $153,000 in penalties and implement a three-year plan for additional emissions controls. The company denied liability in the settlement.

Indspec did not respond to requests for comment.

10. Eastman Chemical Resins

Facility type: Resin manufacturer

Location: West Elizabeth, Allegheny County

Owner: Eastman Chemical Co.

Population within 5 miles: 57,044

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2015: 61,251 pounds

Total Air Toxics emitted in 2014: 41,126 pounds

Top TRI Pollutant (2015): Toluene, 47,905 pounds

The plant manufactures adhesive resins used in tapes, labels, bookbinding and diapers, among other products.

Toluene is heavily represented in plant emissions. Depending on the degree of exposure, toluene can harm the central nervous system and worsen hearing damage, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fined the plant $70,850 for Clean Air Act violations in 2012. The plant has not been fined for violating air regulations since.
This cautiousness on the part of African-American donors does not extend to online giving. African Americans are four times as likely as donors from other racial or ethnic groups to use social media to raise funds and/or awareness for a cause. And high-net-worth African-American donors report a higher degree of satisfaction from giving than white donors (66.7 percent v. 42.3 percent). At the same time, African-American and white donors both report a high degree of satisfaction from volunteering, with rates above 60 percent among both groups. Where noticeable differences show up is in the kinds of organizations each group favors. African Americans were significantly more likely than their white peers to donate to faith-based causes (71 percent vs. 53.7 percent), so-called combination purposes (54 percent vs. 41.4 percent), and higher education (49 percent vs. 34.4 percent). There is also a tradition in the black church of tithing that has instilled a sense of grassroots philanthropy in the African-American community, with African Americans who attend church 25 percent more likely to make a charitable donation than their peers who don't attend church services.

At Bridge Philanthropic Consulting (BPC), the nation's largest full-service African American-owned fundraising firm, we have logged plenty of anecdotal evidence that supports the studys key finding  namely, that African Americans are very generous but also very careful when it comes to charitable giving. Among those surveyed for the study, 62.4 percent of African-American respondents rated themselves as "knowledgeable" or "expert" about charitable giving and philanthropy, compared to 54.8 percent of their white peers. African-American donors also are almost twice as likely as white donors to say that they carefully monitor their social investments (39.1 percent v. 21.7 percent).

As the demography of America changes, the face of philanthropy is changing along with it. While African Americans have a tradition of giving, the 2016 U.S. Trust Study of High Net Worth Philanthropy highlights new data on African-American donors that gives us a clearer picture of the future of philanthropy in the U.S. We have long known, for example, that African-American households tend to give more of their discretionary income  as much as 25 percent more  to charitable causes than white Americans, and the U.S. Trust study (114 pages, PDF) suggests that that figure increases as African Americans move into the ranks of the wealthy.

"Black philanthropy makes an enormous difference in the lives of our people and our nation," says Hugh B. Price, former president of the National Urban League and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution . "Our generosity runs the gamut, from tithing to our churches, sororities, fraternities, and civic clubs, to making major contributions to our collegiate alma maters, the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Black philanthropy provides the indispensable financial foundation that guarantees the survival of vitally important nonprofit institutions while also fueling their ascent to new heights of impact and excellence."

The findings of the U.S. Trust study further suggests that organizations seeking to fundraise in the African-American community should pay special attention to those with a family tradition of giving. Among African-American respondents to the survey, 30.7 percent said they have a family tradition of giving, compared with 18.3 percent of white respondents. Perhaps more significantly, African Americans are more likely, according to the study, to encourage their younger relatives to get involved in charitable causes and giving campaigns.

"I became involved in philanthropy through a family tradition that goes back to the church," notes Dwayne Ashley, who co-founded BPC and serves as its president. "My great-grandmother was a midwife. When families could not pay her, they often gave her portions of their land, which she in turn donated to create one of the first black schools in Heflin, Louisiana. Eventually, the school became a church, [which] generations of my family and neighbors attend to this day."

As African Americans become an increasingly important part of the philanthropic equation in the U.S., nonprofit organizations have reason to be optimistic. According to the U.S. Trust study, African Americans are almost twice as likely as whites to believe that large gifts can change the world or impact society for the better (25.5 percent vs. 14.2 percent). And of those surveyed, 41.8 percent of African American respondents said they planned to increase their charitable giving in the future, compared with 24.4 percent of white respondents.

"I am excited to see the hard data matching the generosity we have observed in the black community for many years," says Reggie Van Lee, a celebrated philanthropist, founding member of the Clinton Global Initiative, and a former member of President Obama's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

Even today, many fundraising professionals still associate "donor" with a wealthy white man or woman. A growing number, however, are learning that fundraising transcends color and that meaningful long-term relationships with donors are based on mutual affinity and shared interests. Thirty years ago, I asked the 100 Black Men of America organization to help underwrite a PBS program about Paul Robeson. I was shocked to learn the organization had never been approached to do anything like that. But I wasn't surprised when it stepped up with a generous gift. That was then, and today is today. If African Americans in the past weren't a fixture on nonprofits' donor rolls, maybe it's because no one thought to ask. Isn't it time we do something about that?
It has been just over a year since we last featured an update to our chart that correlates the change in atmospheric carbon dioxide with the relative health of the Earth's economy.

We haven't been holding back because we didn't want to share what we were seeing - we were holding back because large El Nino-related wildfires in Indonesia in 2015 flooded the Earth's atmosphere with extra carbon dioxide, which meant that we couldn't tell the difference between the additional contribution of CO2 from wildfires and that contributed by productive human activities in telling how much that each was influencing the atmospheric CO2 data.

But we're now coming up on when that extra CO2 will have fully dissipated from the atmosphere, leaving it clean enough to more clearly communicate how the global economy is faring. Speaking of which, here is what we see today when we measure the trailing twelve month average of year-over-year change in the parts per million of atmospheric carbon dioxide as measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory.

In this chart, we've begun to see the trailing year average in the rate at which the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's air is changing begin to decline, which will become more dramatic over the next several months once we get past the one-year anniversary of when the contribution of 2015's Indonesia wildfires to atmospheric CO 2 measured at Mauna Loa peaked in May 2016.

The next chart looks at the raw year-over-year change in atmospheric CO 2 , where we can confirm that those levels have dropped to levels that are consistent with the upper end of the range where they've been through much of the current century. [Note: The spike in the recorded data for January 2017 appears to be something of an anomaly.]

We think that is in part because the economies of both China and the U.S. have begun growing more strongly than they were a year ago, where China's economy in particular appears to be growing much faster.

That's significant because China's economy is, by a wide margin, the world's largest producer of emissions of carbon dioxide. If China's economy is truly growing, it shows up in the Earth's atmosphere in a big way.

Data Source

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Earth System Research Laboratory. Mauna Loa Observatory CO2 Data. [File Transfer Protocol Text File]. Updated 6 March 2017. Accessed 12 March 2017.


U.S. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on Wednesday announced she and two Republican House colleagues introduced a resolution urging the House to commit to working constructively, using our tradition of American ingenuity, innovation and exceptionalism to address climate change in ways that do not constrain the United States economy, especially in regards to global competitiveness.

There is increasing recognition that we can and must take meaningful and responsible action now to address this issues, the resolution states.

Reps. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla, and Rep. Ryan Costello, R-Pa., are the other principal sponsors.

There are 14 additional original co-sponsors, all Republicans.

New York Co-sponsors are: Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook; Rep. John Katko, R-Camilus; and Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning.

Seventeen environmental groups and climate change advocates endorsed the resolution, in the press release from Stefaniks office.

The Nature Conservancy strongly supports actions to address climate change. We appreciate the leadership of Reps. Stefanik, Curbelo and Costello and their fellow members of Congress in recognizing the consequences of a changing climate and calling for solutions to this challenge, said Lynn Scarlett, managing director of public policy for The Nature Conservancy.

Click here to read the resolution.
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, on March 8, voted in support of legislation that passed the House Education and Workforce Committee along party lines to allow small businesses to band together to form association health plans in order to achieve economy of scale for lower premiums.

Business organizations, including Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, have long advocated for small businesses to be able to form association health plans.

The legislation would place small businesses on equal footing with corporations and labor unions when negotiating rates with insurance companies, said Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich, an original co-sponsor.

The legislation passed the committee by a vote of 22-17, strictly along party lines.

Republican members of the committee said in a fact sheet that about 36 percent of businesses with fewer than 10 employees have discontinued employee health coverage since 2008.

Some might resume health coverage and those which offer it would be less likely to drop coverage if businesses could form association health plans, Republican members suggest.

Small businesses, as corporations and labor unions already are, would be exempt from state health insurance regulations, under the legislation, which dovetails with Republican efforts to repeal and replace President Obamas health care plan, the Republican fact sheet stated.

New York, for example, has stricter regulations than many other states, a factor health insurance companies say increases cost in New York.

Democratic members of the committee argued against exempting small business association health plans from state regulations.

The exemption from state regulations would enable small business associations to unfairly compete with other small groups and individual plans, and could result in premiums for traditional plans increasing when those plans are left with larger proportions of people with chronic health conditions, Democrats said.

Stefanik also voted against an amendment Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., introduced that would have prohibited the legislation from taking effect if it resulted in reductions in coverage for maternity care, womens preventative health services or direct access to obstetrical and gynecological care without referral.

The amendment failed.
Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership is holding three local small business workshops in coming weeks.

The workshops include tips on business planning and expansion tools and small- to mid-size business finance options. Attendees can meet with representatives from SCORE, USDA, National Grid, New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC), Empire State Development, plus local legal, finance, real estate professionals who can offer guidance. Each day will conclude with a one-on-one networking session between attendees and experts.

The first session will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16 in the South Glens Falls Village Office Meeting Room, 46 Saratoga Ave. in South Glens Falls.

Other sessions are set for:

March 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Mechanicville Elks Lodge, 300 Park Ave. in Mechanicville.

And, March 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Saratoga Town Hall, 12 Spring St, in Schuylerville.

To RSVP to one of the sessions call 518-871-1887.
QUEENSBURY  Three years ago, David Margison met the members of Boston Brass at a National Association for Music Education conference in Nashville. And the high school band director has been working ever since to bring the brass quintet to Queensbury High School.

Ive been working for over two years to make this happen, Margison said.

Boston Brass will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Queensbury High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Boston Brass, whose members are professional musicians and educators, performs classical arrangements, jazz standards and its own original songs.

The group has performed in 49 states and 30 countries and has conducted master classes around the world, including sessions and residencies at the Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, Royal Academy of Music in London, Yong Siew Toh Conservatory at the National University of Singapore and Mahidol University in Bangkok.

Its not just going to be a stiff, classical concert, Margison said, adding, They have a lot of fun on stage, and theyre great entertainers.

While visiting Queensbury, Boston Brass will hold a 1.5-hour master class at 9 a.m. for high school band students from schools including Queensbury, Corinth, Saratoga, Hadley-Luzerne and Averill Park. The quintet will speak about their backgrounds and will conduct a master class with a student antiphonal brass choir.

Margison said he hopes the master class will show students what they can do if they make a commitment to their music education. Anything is possible.

The performance is being underwritten by the Saratoga Warren Musicians Performance and Scholarship Fund, Jupiter Band Instruments and Queensbury High School.

Margison is hoping for a standing-room only crowd for the concert.
GLENS FALLS  Police seized a large quantity of cocaine and arrested two men Monday night following a traffic stop in Glens Falls, authorities said.

A car the men were in was stopped for failing to signal when making a turn on Glen Street, and when Glens Falls Police Officer Zack Tanner talked to the driver, he saw what appeared to be a packet containing drugs on the floor of the car, police said.

Officers seized two packages of cocaine, one of which had several individual pieces in separate bags and another that had a bigger chunk of the drug, Glens Falls Police Detective Lt. Peter Casertino said.

Charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance were Jerry Santisteban, 33, of Saratoga Avenue, and Carlin Alcide, 32, of Saratoga Avenue, police said.

Both men were arraigned and sent to Warren County Jail. No bail was set for Alcide because he has two prior felony convictions, including one for attempted robbery in New York City.
WILTON  Fire investigators returned early Wednesday to sift through debris at Adirondack Trust Co. on Maple Avenue following a fire that destroyed the bank building.

According to The Post-Stars newspartner WNYT-TV NewsChannel 13 the cause of the fire was linked to a failed electrical outlet.

On Wednesday morning, fire crews were concentrating on the rear of the structure near the drive-thru bank teller window, removing debris in the cold, snowy and windy conditions.

Some curious customers also came to see what was left of their bank, hoping safety deposit boxes remained intact.

Alexander Georgeadis of Wilton came with camera in tow to see what was left. Georgeadis said he and his family are longtime customers of the bank.

The family heirlooms of his late wife were kept in a safety deposit box at the bank, he said.

I hope they are safe. If it got too hot the gold probably melted. It is not so much the gold; it is the sentimental value, he said.

According to an Adirondack Trust Co. news release, the bank remains under 24-hour surveillance and bank officials expect to be given access to the building so they can carry safety deposit boxes to a secure location. Customers will then be contacted to check their boxes.

New York fire investigators were on the scene until late Tuesday when weather conditions deteriorated.

Firefighters from at least five departments responded to the scene after heat and smoke sensors triggered an alarm to the Greenfield Fire Department shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday.

A plow driver who was clearing snow at the scene noticed smoke coming from the building and also alerted the fire department.

The bank had closed at 1 p.m. because of the weather, according to a news release.

The bank intends to rebuild at the same location and advised customers, in the meantime, to use three other locations in the Wilton-Saratoga area.

Extended hours at the Exit 15 and Church Street branches went into effect on Wednesday until 6 p.m. and staffers have also been moved to other branches.
QUEENSBURY  The Hannaford supermarket in Queensbury is recalling packages of 80 percent lean ground beef purchased Tuesday at the store because of a concern that metal fragments could have gotten into the meat.

During cleanup of the work area on Tuesday, employees found metal fragments from grinding equipment.

There are no reports of material having been found in the product, but the store is notifying customers about the issue out of an "abundance of caution," according to a news release.

Four 1-pound packages are the items in the scope of the recall. The packages of concern have a freeze-by date of March 16.

They have been removed from the shelves, Hannaford officials said in the news release.

Customers who purchased the item on Tuesday are asked to return it to the Quaker Road store for a full refund.

Spokesman Eric Blom said the issue had to do with the way the grinding equipment at the store was reassembled after cleaning, which created wear.
A final ranking of the 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in Tuesday's midterms. Plus, a look at the polling averages for each of the races, 
In 2009, shortly after hed been named U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara was shown evidence that a donor to Sen. Chuck Schumer might have taken part in bank fraud.

Schumer was Bhararas former boss and the person who had put him forward for the U.S. attorneys job. But Bharara pressed ahead with an investigation into the donor, just as, for the next eight years, he would press ahead with multiple investigations into the rich and powerful and well-connected.

In just the last couple of years, Bharara has indicted and won convictions of both an Assembly speaker  Sheldon Silver, a Democrat  and a Senate majority leader  Dean Skelos, a Republican.

When he was fired this past weekend by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Bharara was in the midst of an investigation into the fundraising activities of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat. He was also in the middle of prosecuting corruption charges against former aides of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Bharara is a Democrat himself, but you cannot find a Democratic politician or power broker in New York who thinks he favors Democrats.

Bharara is a prosecutors prosecutor. He goes after bad guys, and hes good at it. If you want to root out corruption, you cannot do better than him.

Across New York, the firing of Bharara has been greeted by disappointment from all sides.

Defenders of the Trump administration point out that other presidents have dismissed U.S. attorneys held over from previous administrations, which is true. But Bhararas abrupt removal could have been made much less controversial if the Trump team had given him time to wrap up ongoing investigations or at least waited until a successor was approved to lessen turmoil in the prosecutors office.

And you have to look at Bhararas firing in the larger context of his nonpartisanship, his record of convictions and assurances he had received from Donald Trump that he would be able to stay in his job.

Bharara has prosecuted a dozen current and former state legislators and more than a dozen other political power brokers. He has prosecuted international terrorists, drug bosses and money launderers. He went after a Russian arms dealer and a Turkish gold trader. He has convicted hedge fund traders and other high-rollers in insider trading cases. He has wrung big fines out of banks, enriching the state.

When Cuomo set up the Moreland Commission to look into corrupt political practices, then disbanded it, Bharara stepped in to scoop up the unfinished investigations. He has been the conscience of New York.

President Trump made political corruption one of the selling points of his campaign, with his drain the swamp motto. But he just fired the best swamp-drainer in the country. This rash act was too bad for Bharara, who has talked about his passion for his job. But it was even worse for New York, which needs a strong advocate for justice to oppose the wealthy and corrupt characters who, too often, end up running our state.
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"We don't have any evidence that took place," Nunes said. "I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower."

The announcement came a week and a half after Trump tweeted, without presenting evidence, that Obama had Trump Tower's "wires tapped" during the presidential campaign.

The White House released a statement shortly afterward "requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016."

"Are you going to take the tweets literally? If you are, clearly the president is wrong," said Nunes, a Republican. He added, however, that he thought it was "very possible" that Trump or someone else in the White House may have been swept up in surveillance targeting foreign nationals on US soil.

The president does not have the unilateral authority to order a wiretap on suspected foreign spies operating inside the US, experts say. Doing so would be a federal crime that would implicate career civil servants and necessitate a huge cover-up. Rather, law enforcement and intelligence agencies wishing to monitor signal intelligence they deem relevant to an investigation  in this case, suspected Russian interference in the 2016 election  must obtain what is known as a FISA warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on Wednesday that he had "seen no evidence of illegality of any electronic surveillance" and that "there was no substance to the accusation that President Obama wiretapped Trump Tower."

Nunes said FBI Director James Comey had still not told the committee directly whether the bureau had sought and obtained a FISA warrant to surveil anyone who might have communicated with Trump associates during the campaign. Nunes said Comey had agreed to testify at a public House Intelligence Committee hearing next week about the FBI's investigation into Russia's suspected meddling in the 2016 election.

The FBI will also brief the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday afternoon, according to CNN.
Crowley filed documents with the Justice Department recently to register as a foreign agent. The document lists Crowley as rendering services to Victor Pinchuk, a Ukrainian businessman who has advocated for making compromises with Russia to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

The documents filed with the Justice Department say Crowley will be providing "outreach services" on behalf of Pinchuk, including "inviting government officials and other policy makers to attend conferences and meetings."

Crowley withdrew herself from consideration for a job on the National Security Council in January after Politico and CNN reported that she appeared to have plagiarized full sections of her doctoral dissertation in 2000 and her 2012 book, "What The (Bleep) Just Happened?"

She said in a statement that after "much reflection," she "decided to remain in New York to pursue other opportunities."

Crowley was a Fox News contributor until she was tapped by President Donald Trump to be the director of strategic communications for the NSC.

Michael Flynn, who was forced to resign as Trump's national security adviser amid controversy over his dealings with Russia, would have overseen Crowley at the NSC. He was also thought to have been involved with a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine.

Pinchuk was criticized by Ukrainian leaders after his Wall Street Journal column recommending compromising with Russia was published.

Crowley appears to have gotten work with Pinchuk through Doug Schoen, who's a Fox News contributor. He's listed on the Justice Department documents as the primary registrant.

Pinchuk has ties to Trump's former presidential rival Hillary Clinton as well  he donated to the Clinton Foundation and attended a dinner hosted by Clinton.
Graham, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, sent a letter to FBI Director James Comey and the acting deputy attorney general last week requesting any information they might have about wiretapping that targeted the Trump campaign before the election.

The letter came after Trump's explosive tweets that alleged, without evidence, that President Barack Obama had Trump Tower's "wires tapped" during the presidential campaign. The White House released a statement shortly thereafter "requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016."

The president does not have the unilateral authority to order a wiretap on suspected foreign spies operating inside the US, experts say. Doing so would be a federal crime that would implicate career civil servants and necessitate a huge cover-up. Rather, law enforcement and intelligence agencies wishing to monitor signal intelligence they deem relevant to an investigation  in this case, Russia's interference in the 2016 election  must obtain a warrant from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

While Trump called for the House and Senate intelligence committees to look into the matter, it is the Department of Justice's criminal division that obtains warrants for wiretaps  a division that is overseen by Graham's subcommittee.

Graham and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the subcommittee's Democratic ranking member, wrote earlier this month that while they "take any abuse of wiretapping authorities for political purposes very seriously," they were requesting that the Justice Department "provide us copies of any warrant applications and court orders ... related to wiretaps of President Trump, the Trump Campaign, or Trump Tower."

"We would be equally alarmed to learn that a court found enough evidence of criminal activity or contact with a foreign power to legally authorize a wiretap of President Trump, the Trump Campaign, or Trump Tower," the senators wrote.

Graham said on Tuesday that his subcommittee would hold a hearing on Wednesday examining "Russian efforts to undermine democracies." He told reporters that if the FBI did not respond to his letter before the hearing, he would "make an announcement and let the FBI know they are about to screw up big time  if they keep running to the intel committee and not answer that letter."

"We have jurisdiction over the FBI," Graham said. "I like Director Comey a lot. But ... all things legal come through the judiciary committee. If they don't honor this request and give us an answer then I would say that we need a joint select committee because the regular order is not working."

A joint select committee is made up of members of both the House and the Senate and is established to investigate broad, complex issues that touch upon several standing committees' jurisdictions.

Reached for comment, Graham's office said the senator has been "pushing for a Select Committee from the start to investigate all issues related to Russia."

"The Judiciary Committee generally has oversight of the FBI," said Graham's communications director, Kevin Bishop. "The Intel Committee does not. ... We sent a letter to the FBI with Sen. Whitehouse and are awaiting their response."
In December, Gates told CNBC that "there can be a very upbeat message" about a Trump administration.

But his message hasn't been as optimistic of late.

When asked his thoughts on the current state of the US in a recent Reddit AMA, or "ask me anything," Gates said that though he's positive about the future of the country  especially in the long run  there's one big thing that worries him.

"I am concerned in the short run that the huge benefits of how the US works with other countries may get lost," Gates said. "This includes the aid we give to Africa to help countries there get out of the poverty trap."

Gates has voiced similar sentiments before. In February, USA Today reported that the richest man in the world "expressed concern over the inward-looking nature of nationalist movements." Gates explained to the news outlet that the US government's $30 billion in monetary aid to poor countries is crucial to preventing deaths and helping organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation function effectively.

But both Gates and his wife Melinda believe that President Trump's policies might stand in the way of that continued aid.
Two other people, one Russian and one Canadian, were also charged in connection with the hacks, which are believed to be among the largest ever.

The DOJ named Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin as the two members of the Russian intelligence agency, the FSB, suspected of involvement in the hacks.

The Canadian who was charged in connection with the hacks, Karim Baratov, was arrested Tuesday, the DOJ said.

The DOJ said Dokuchaev and Sushchin paid the two other defendants to hack into the Yahoo accounts and obtain personal and financial information from users, including government officials and journalists.

The third Russian defendant, Alexsey Belan, has a history of online criminal activity, the DOJ said. He was named as one of the FBI's "Cyber's Most Wanted" criminals in 2013 and was indicted on separate charges in 2012. Belan escaped to Russia from Europe before he could be extradited, the DOJ said.

The US does not have an extradition treaty with Russia, so the three Russian defendants in this case can't be arrested unless Russian authorities decide to cooperate with the US.

The Russian embassy in the US did not immediately return a request for comment.

After Belan escaped to Russia, the DOJ said, Dokuchaev and Sushchin hired him to access Yahoo's network. They also provided Belan with intelligence that would help him evade detection, according to the DOJ. Dokuchaev and Sushchin also hired Baratov to hack into more than 80 other webmail accounts outside Yahoo using data gleaned from the Yahoo account hacks, the DOJ said. The indictment says that some Google accounts were compromised and that Google helped with the investigation.

In a statement, Yahoo's assistant general council Chris Masden said: "The indictment unequivocally shows the attacks on Yahoo were state-sponsored. We are deeply grateful to the FBI for investigating these crimes and the DOJ for bringing charges against those responsible."

Yahoo didn't disclose the 2014 cyberattacks until last year. Yahoo later disclosed another attack that happened in 2013 that affected about 1 billion users.

Yahoo's public disclosures about the attacks threatened to kill Verizon's offer to buy Yahoo. In the end, Verizon and Yahoo agreed to shave $350 million off the acquisition, lowering the cost to $4.48 billion. Verizon originally wanted to reduce the cost of the deal by $925 million, according to a filing by Yahoo. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.

The Yahoo hacks were billed as the largest in history, most likely affecting a majority of Yahoo accounts. An internal Yahoo investigation into the hacks found that Yahoo executives didn't "properly comprehend or investigate" the situation. Following the investigation, CEO Marissa Mayer gave up her 2016 bonus. Mayer also announced that she was voluntarily giving up her 2017 bonus and equity grants. Yahoo's top lawyer, Ronald S. Bell, resigned as a result of the investigation.

Here's the full announcement from the DOJ:

A grand jury in the Northern District of California has indicted four defendants, including two officers of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), for computer hacking, economic espionage and other criminal offenses in connection with a conspiracy, beginning in January 2014, to access Yahoos network and the contents of webmail accounts. The defendants are Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev, 33, a Russian national and resident; Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, 43, a Russian national and resident; Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, aka Magg, 29, a Russian national and resident; and Karim Baratov, aka Kay, Karim Taloverov and Karim Akehmet Tokbergenov, 22, a Canadian and Kazakh national and a resident of Canada.

The defendants used unauthorized access to Yahoos systems to steal information from about at least 500 million Yahoo accounts and then used some of that stolen information to obtain unauthorized access to the contents of accounts at Yahoo, Google and other webmail providers, including accounts of Russian journalists, U.S. and Russian government officials and private-sector employees of financial, transportation and other companies. One of the defendants also exploited his access to Yahoos network for his personal financial gain, by searching Yahoo user communications for credit card and gift card account numbers, redirecting a subset of Yahoo search engine web traffic so he could make commissions and enabling the theft of the contacts of at least 30 million Yahoo accounts to facilitate a spam campaign.

The charges were announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions of the U.S. Department of Justice, Director James Comey of the FBI, Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord of the National Security Division, U.S. Attorney Brian Stretch for the Northern District of California and Executive Assistant Director Paul Abbate of the FBIs Criminal, Cyber, Response and Services Branch.

Cyber crime poses a significant threat to our nations security and prosperity, and this is one of the largest data breaches in history, said Attorney General Sessions. But thanks to the tireless efforts of U.S. prosecutors and investigators, as well as our Canadian partners, today we have identified four individuals, including two Russian FSB officers, responsible for unauthorized access to millions of users accounts. The United States will vigorously investigate and prosecute the people behind such attacks to the fullest extent of the law.

Today we continue to pierce the veil of anonymity surrounding cyber crimes, said Director Comey. We are shrinking the world to ensure that cyber criminals think twice before targeting U.S. persons and interests.

The criminal conduct at issue, carried out and otherwise facilitated by officers from an FSB unit that serves as the FBIs point of contact in Moscow on cybercrime matters, is beyond the pale, said Acting Assistant Attorney General McCord. Once again, the Department and the FBI have demonstrated that hackers around the world can and will be exposed and held accountable. State actors may be using common criminals to access the data they want, but the indictment shows that our companies do not have to stand alone against this threat. We commend Yahoo and Google for their sustained and invaluable cooperation in the investigation aimed at obtaining justice for, and protecting the privacy of their users.

This is a highly complicated investigation of a very complex threat. It underscores the value of early, proactive engagement and cooperation between the private sector and the government, said Executive Assistant Director Abbate. The FBI will continue to work relentlessly with our private sector and international partners to identify those who conduct cyber-attacks against our citizens and our nation, expose them and hold them accountable under the law, no matter where they attempt to hide.

Silicon Valleys computer infrastructure provides the means by which people around the world communicate with each other in their business and personal lives. The privacy and security of those communications must be governed by the rule of law, not by the whim of criminal hackers and those who employ them. People rightly expect that their communications through Silicon Valley internet providers will remain private, unless lawful authority provides otherwise. We will not tolerate unauthorized and illegal intrusions into the Silicon Valley computer infrastructure upon which both private citizens and the global economy rely, said U.S. Attorney Stretch. Working closely with Yahoo and Google, Department of Justice lawyers and the FBI were able to identify and expose the hackers responsible for the conduct described today, without unduly intruding into the privacy of the accounts that were stolen. We commend Yahoo and Google for providing exemplary cooperation while zealously protecting their users privacy.

Summary of Allegations

According to the allegations of the Indictment:

The FSB officer defendants, Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the U.S. and elsewhere. In the present case, they worked with co-defendants Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov to obtain access to the email accounts of thousands of individuals.

Belan had been publicly indicted in September 2012 and June 2013 and was named one of FBIs Cyber Most Wanted criminals in November 2013. An Interpol Red Notice seeking his immediate detention has been lodged (including with Russia) since July 26, 2013. Belan was arrested in a European country on a request from the U.S. in June 2013, but he was able to escape to Russia before he could be extradited.

Instead of acting on the U.S. governments Red Notice and detaining Belan after his return, Dokuchaev and Sushchin subsequently used him to gain unauthorized access to Yahoos network. In or around November and December 2014, Belan stole a copy of at least a portion of Yahoos User Database (UDB), a Yahoo trade secret that contained, among other data, subscriber information including users names, recovery email accounts, phone numbers and certain information required to manually create, or mint, account authentication web browser cookies for more than 500 million Yahoo accounts.

Belan also obtained unauthorized access on behalf of the FSB conspirators to Yahoos Account Management Tool (AMT), which was a proprietary means by which Yahoo made and logged changes to user accounts. Belan, Dokuchaev and Sushchin then used the stolen UDB copy and AMT access to locate Yahoo email accounts of interest and to mint cookies for those accounts, enabling the co-conspirators to access at least 6,500 such accounts without authorization.

Some victim accounts were of predictable interest to the FSB, a foreign intelligence and law enforcement service, such as personal accounts belonging to Russian journalists; Russian and U.S. government officials; employees of a prominent Russian cybersecurity company; and numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit. However, other personal accounts belonged to employees of commercial entities, such as a Russian investment banking firm, a French transportation company, U.S. financial services and private equity firms, a Swiss bitcoin wallet and banking firm and a U.S. airline.During the conspiracy, the FSB officers facilitated Belans other criminal activities, by providing him with sensitive FSB law enforcement and intelligence information that would have helped him avoid detection by U.S. and other law enforcement agencies outside Russia, including information regarding FSB investigations of computer hacking and FSB techniques for identifying criminal hackers. Additionally, while working with his FSB conspirators to compromise Yahoos network and its users, Belan used his access to steal financial information such as gift card and credit card numbers from webmail accounts; to gain access to more than 30 million accounts whose contacts were then stolen to facilitate a spam campaign; and to earn commissions from fraudulently redirecting a subset of Yahoos search engine traffic.When Dokuchaev and Sushchin learned that a target of interest had accounts at webmail providers other than Yahoo, including through information obtained as part of the Yahoo intrusion, they tasked their co-conspirator, Baratov, a resident of Canada, with obtaining unauthorized access to more than 80 accounts in exchange for commissions. On March 7, the Department of Justice submitted a provisional arrest warrant to Canadian law enforcement authorities, requesting Baratovs arrest. On March 14, Baratov was arrested in Canada and the matter is now pending with the Canadian authorities.An indictment is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.The FBI, led by the San Francisco Field Office, conducted the investigation that resulted in the charges announced today. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California, with support from the Justice Departments Office of International Affairs.

Defendants: At all times relevant to the charges, the Indictment alleges as follows:

Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev, 33, was an officer in the FSB Center for Information Security, aka Center 18. Dokuchaev was a Russian national and resident.

Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, 43, was an FSB officer, a superior to Dokuchaev within the FSB, and a Russian national and resident. Sushchin was embedded as a purported employee and Head of Information Security at a Russian investment bank.

Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, aka Magg, 29, was born in Latvia and is a Russian national and resident. U.S. Federal grand juries have indicted Belan twice before, in 2012 and 2013, for computer fraud and abuse, access device fraud and aggravated identity theft involving three U.S.-based e-commerce companies and the FBI placed Belan on its Cyber Most Wanted list. Belan is currently the subject of a pending Red Notice requesting that Interpol member nations (including Russia) arrest him pending extradition. Belan was also one of two criminal hackers named by President Barack Obama on Dec. 29, 2016, pursuant to Executive Order 13694, as a Specially Designated National subject to sanctions.

Karim Baratov, aka Kay, Karim Taloverov and Karim Akehmet Tokbergenov, 22. He is a Canadian and Kazakh national and a resident of Canada.

Victims: Yahoo; more than 500 million Yahoo accounts for which account information about was stolen by the defendants; more than 30 million Yahoo accounts for which account contents were accessed without authorization to facilitate a spam campaign; and at least 18 additional users at other webmail providers whose accounts were accessed without authorization.
Investigators from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony states searched "sites belonging to Audi AG and seven other locations" on suspicion of "fraud and illegal advertising", Munich prosecutors said in a statement.

The investigation relates to some 80,000 vehicles fitted with Audi 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines sold in the United States between 2009 and 2015, prosecutors said.

"There is suspicion that devices were built into these vehicles to manipulate emissions readings and conform to US emissions limits, without the buyers being informed," they continued.

"Prosecutors from Munich and Stuttgart searched offices at our sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm," an Audi spokesman confirmed to AFP, adding that "we are cooperating fully with the authorities."

Audi parent Volkswagen admitted in late 2015 to installing so-called "defeat devices" into 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide, designed to reduce emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides when engines were undergoing regulatory tests.

Most of the affected cars fall under the VW brand, but vehicles made by the group's Audi, Skoda and Seat brands were also among those carrying the software.

With the searches, investigators hope to uncover "which people were involved in the application of the technology and possibly in providing incorrect information to third parties," the prosecutors' statement read.

Two top engineers at Audi stepped down in the space of a year over the scandal, most recently head of technical development Stefan Knirsch in September.

VW has so far set aside more than 22 billion euros ($23.4 billion) to cover fines and compensation related to the "dieselgate" affair, but experts estimate the final bill could be much higher.

Meanwhile, investigations in several countries are seeking to establish who at the group was responsible for the cheating.

Audi boss Rupert Stadler was accused of involvement by a former employee, but the luxury carmaker's board reiterated their conference in him in late February.
He was speaking at a Breakfast Business Meeting hosted by the Mauritius Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade in collaboration with the Board of Investment of Mauritius.

Dr Bawumia emphasized that the NPP governments determination to make the private sector a major player in Ghanas economy. He therefore, called on Mauritians and other businesses to take advantage of the pro-business policies announced in the budget to set up shops in Ghana.

READ ALSO: Here are the banks offering the cheapest car loans in Ghana

An industrialisation drive is our main agenda, the One-District One Factory is the programme to achieve this, and the 216 districts have raw materials and need push up to get value addition to the products he stated.

Ghana cannot do it alone, we are in the context of the global economy and need partners, that is why we cherish the South-South cooperation between Ghana and Mauritius so much."

We want to take advantage of the close relationship to make a major mark as far as our respective economies are concerned."

READ ALSO: Head of Ghana Airport Company resigns

The government has made a major commitment to build an economy based on production and not taxation. We have abolished a lot of taxes and levies and going to abolish all import duties on raw materials and machinery imported into Ghana Dr. Bawumia said.

Hon Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade commended Ghana for her commitment to business development, and expressed hope that Ghanaian businesses would also invest in his country.

Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Free Zones Board, who was part of a large Ghanaian business delegation at the meeting, was confident that the right building blocks had been put in place for rapid take off.

READ ALSO: Telco expert predicts collapse of Expresso

The Ghana government has introduced the appropriate legislation and we are optimistic that we will soon see several Mauritian businesses counted among those taking up the challenge of the One District, One Factory Programme. We at Free Zones Board are ready to partner them and make their businesses successful.

Vice President Bawumia was accompanied by Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration; Hon Ibrahim Awal, Minister for Business Development; Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister for Communications; Reginald Yoofi Grant, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) and other government officials.
According to him, the company can direct its investment into providing data while it looks for investors to upgrade its technology from CDMA to GSM.

In 2016, Sudan Telecom (Sudatel), owners of Expresso Ghana announced that 18 per cent of the company has been sold and duly transferred to an unidentified buyer for $5million.

READ ALSO: Head of Ghana Airport Company resigns

Speaking to an Accra-based Citi FM Mr Chalabi said the competition in the telecom industry is far advanced for Expresso to survive without investment.

With the competition and where they are and what is happening in the market, you have more than one operation using 4G. The majority of people in Ghana now prefer GSM so it will be hard for Expresso to really do anything unless they want to have a system by which they provide only data and incorporate other things so they establish their niche market.

He mentioned that technology has improved and it will continue improving. He said this changes the preference of consumers.

READ ALSO: Glo Launches Data Booster for Campuses in Ghana

Mr Chalabi suggested that the company can specialise in a market area of the industry to attract investors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyemi, 41, and Olatoyosi, 41, are standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and issuing of dud cheque.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Steven Molo, the duo committed the offences sometime in 2014, at No. 30, Rafiu Babatunde, Tinubu Road, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

Molo said that the accused obtained N17 million from the complainant, Mr Ifeanyi Enem, under the guise of selling him land.

The accused obtained the said money from Enem, through Matrix Legal, a law firm, he said.

Molo said that on Oct. 24, 2014, at House 2, 2nd Ave., Yusuf Akande Estate, at Delemo, Makoko, Lagos; one of the accused, Adeyemi, issued two GTB bank cheques to the tune of N4 million.

The cheques were issued on behalf of the complainant, but were dishonoured on presentation due to insufficient funds, he said.

The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 312, 319 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, employees of the Lagos State Government, however, pleaded not guilty to the offences brought against them.

In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs Abimbola Komolafe, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.

She said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused and must deposit N100, 000 with the assistant court registrar.
The nurses wore their uniforms and had red armbands and red cloths tied around their head.

They also carried their toothbrushes, blankets, hair brushes, toothpaste and other personal belongings say they will picket at the premises until their issues are resolved.

Some of the angry nurses said they are demanding to be posted immediately. We want to work. We brought our bed. We are not going anywhere, said one of the nurses.

Another also said We cant wait anymore! We want our posting, added another, asking why are we not part of Ghana?

We are hungrywhy? What wrong have we done to you?

READ ALSO: The real causes of suicides in Ghana revealed

Meanwhile the Director at the Ministry of Health, Dr Afisah Zakaria said they had told the nurses to channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters. She added that the ministry needs to verify if all the protesting nurses are actually nurses.

The Government of Ghana has suspended the recruitment of over eight thousand (8000) health workers into the various health facilities in the country.

A letter signed by the Minister of Health Kweku Agyeman-Manu gave this directive.
President Akufo-Addo nominated Catherine Ablema Afeku as the minister for Tourism and Creative Arts.

READ ALSO:What it takes to fly a drone

However, the race for who becomes her deputy became a matter of public debate and the likes of Socrate Sarfo and Kojo Antwi were all mentioned as possible names to be considered for the position.

Movie producer Socrate Safo had mentioned that he will accept to serve as deputy minister in Nana Akufo-Addos administration if the offer was made to him.

Members of the Creative Arts for Change were rooting for him to be named as Deputy Min. for Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts.

READ ALSO:Police administration sacks 105 officers

According to him, they were championing for him to be deputy minister of Tourism, Culture & Creative Arts because they wanted someone who understands their challenges.

People criticized Socrate sarfo, insisting he does not qualify for the position.

Ghanaian Musician, Wanluv da Kubolor stated that the Ghanaian movie producer, Socrate Sarfo is not deemed fit to be appointed the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Arts and Culture because of the negative effects of his movies on Ghanaians, especially children.

READ ALSO:Adwoa Sarfo appointed Minister in charge of Public procurement
He was addressing members of the Christian Council of Ghana when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Flagstaff House.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the project and called for support from clergy to ensure the project is successful.

It is a project that is very dear to my heart, and Im hoping that together we will be able to realise it. No matter how long it takes, I think at least we have to begin because I think it is a good idea and it inures to the ultimate benefit of all of us.

He further called on the members of the Council who will not be directly involved in working towards the realisation of the facility, to give their ultimate support to those who will be tasked to undertake the project.

You have to pick some, you cannot pick everyone but I know that those who will be selected to work on the project have the support of the rest who are not on it to receive their endorsement and help, he said.

President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday, March 6, 2017, cut the sword for the construction of a national cathedral of interdenominational worship in Accra.

The president did this before heading to the Independence Square for the national parade which was held on the same day.

He mentioned that many leading figures of faith in Ghana support this idea.

READ ALSO: Let armed forces deal with armed robbery

I am happy to announce that on my way to these grounds, Independence Square, I stopped to perform a very important duty. I have this morning cut the sod for the commencement of the building of a national cathedral of interdenominational worship in our capital, Accra, which is supported by many of our leading figures of faith.
READ ALSO: All you need to know about Samira Bawumia

A letter addressed to the speaker of Parliament on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, by the president urged parliament to approve the nominees.

The Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya was nominated as the Minister of State at the Office of the President in charge of Public Procurement.

READ ALSO: Nana Addo releases list of 50 deputy ministers

The fashion statement maker is a lawyer by profession and holds an LLM from George Washington University.

She also has LLB from the University of Ghana, Legon and a BL from the Ghana School of Law.
According to him, President Mahama has performed exceptionally well in the energy sector and must be commended by all Ghanaians.

He said "We did it. As of the time we were leaving office, there was no dumsor. Nana Addo said there would be no dumsor, the first 100 days contractors will be paid, and so on."

Asiedu Nketia added that the NPP accused John Mahama on the alleged privatisation of the Electricity Company Ghana, insisting that Mahama is not being honest in the deal.

But Asiedu Nketia in an interview on Accra-based Starr FM said, "They (NPP) said No way, it will not happen. NDC is selling ECG, and so on. Luckily the American government gave us over US$500million to take a certain decision to solve this problem once and for all. Because of the blame game and the opposition, the money kept sitting there to date. Let them take necessary action and fix the power sector."

Ghana has been battling crippling energy crisis for several years now. The country had to shed over 600 megawatts last year, the crisis normalized early this year after the President promised to fix the problem.
Drones come in a wide variety of sizes, the large ones are mostly used for military purposes such as the Predator drone, the smaller ones can be launched by hand, to other unmanned aircraft which require short runways. The aerial vehicle system has two parts, the drone itself and the control system.

READ ALSO: Head of Ghana Airport Company resigns

The nose of the aerial vehicle is where all the sensors and navigational systems are present. The rest of the body is a complete innovation, since there is no loss for space to accommodate humans and also light weight. The engineering materials used to build the drone are highly complex composites which can absorb vibration and decreases the noise produced.

The most obvious advantage of drones is that they greatly reduce putting military personnel in harms way or in combat during a war or attacks.

It also has more pinpoint accuracy from greater distances, thus reducing collateral damage to civilians and infrastructure.

READ ALSO: PPP ready for merger ahead of election 2020

The drone has become of great help to video editors, movie directors and some section of the media in general. It is able to get information from far and wide whiles the operator could be comfortably stationed at an appropriate location.

Even though the drone has brought many benefits to some people, there are obviously its setbacks.

One disadvantage of the drone is that they can be considered an invasion of privacy in the sense that they are constantly surveying.

Many people see drones flying over their homes as spying on them while they conduct their everyday lives.

READ ALSO: Why solar energy is the biggest renewable energy trend for 2017

The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) came up with standards and practices to regulate the operations of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) popularly referred to as drones, with effect from September 2017.

According to the Authority, this meant owners and users of drones, as well as those who wish to acquire them, needed to officially apply to the GCAA to secure approval before they can use or acquire them.

The Director-General of the GCAA, Mr Simon Allotey, made this known at a days workshop in Accra to explain the processes and procedures one had to go through before operating drones.

He mentioned that even though the operation of drones is now seen at most places in the country, the GCAA has no statistics on the number of the RPAS in the country currently.

According to Mr Allotey, there was the need for individuals and commercial operators to register with the authority for easy regulation.

He told Graphiconline that Per the new guidelines, a person will not be obliged to act as an RPA observer without having in his or her possession proof of RPA observer competency issued by a training organisation approved by the authority.

No person shall be allowed to operate or import drones into the country without our approval, he added.

Mr.Allotey added that, the registration would enable the authority to be able to compile the number of drones in the country, noting that plans were underway to put operators into an association in the long term.
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Indeed, the US's top spy agencies all credit Russia with hacking the Democratic National Convention's email servers, and subsequently leaking information that helped to sway the election.

But from the Russian point of view, the US cast the first stone, and Russia's attempts to influence the US and other countries amounts to little more than an active defense.

According to Dr. Ken Geers of cybersecurity firm Comodo, Russia has long been a powerhouse of information warfare, and it's

Russian news outlet Ria Novosti reported that State Duma deputy Vitaly Milon wrote a letter to culture minister Vladimir Medinsky urging that action be taken as the movie is a "blatant, shameless propaganda of sin and perverted sexual relationships," according to Time.

But the film "Beauty and the Beast" wasn't crafted by the US government as a piece of pro-LGBTQ propaganda.

It's just a Disney movie.

Geers said to look to France for examples of how the US's massive footprint in the information space makes waves that can irk even its closest allies.

"For years France has been quite annoyed with the US and also like other countries, fascinated," said Geers. "Think " McDonalds, Apple, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Google  all English words, all US companies, and all threaten France's cultural identity, according to Geers.

While McDonalds and Coca Cola promote themselves as good products and businesses, their purpose does not match a company like RT, a Russian state-run broadcasting agency purpose-built to counter Western media.

US brands promote capitalism and prosperity, which reflects well on the US. But the autocrats of Russia and China have long known their oppressive societies cannot survive direct comparison with the West, and so even McDonalds becomes a grave threat to regime preservation.

Even if the US started funding films and propaganda networks, free speech in the West means that this information would have to go toe-to-toe with more accurate, balanced, verifiable information in the media. Americans and Europeans can disagree with their governments and back whatever products, philosophies, or lifestyles they enjoy.

In this way, Russia's weaponized information has made a meal of the US's open, non-militarized information space, but Geers has a message for those who fear the sun is setting on the West: "Relax."

"You cannot equate the opinion of NATO to the opinion of the Kremlin," said Geers. "NATO is 28 functioning democracies. If you look at the map you see Bulgaria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Albania  they all joined NATO. Why? Because its the future. Its providing a secure space in which you can build culture and economy."

With just 145 million living in Russia, less than half the population of the US, Geers said the information war is "mathematical in nature." Countries on Russia's border who have seen the freedoms enjoyed by the West, like some current NATO states and Georgia, have all made "incredible efforts to prepare their country" for ascension into NATO, said Geers.

When a country wants to join NATO, "you start buying the right weapons and using the right uniforms and calling and enforcing democracy and civil rights," said Geers.

The slide towards the US's sphere of influence among some of Russia's neighbors has been nothing short of terrifying for Russia's autocrats, who don't hold power temporarily or democratically. Additionally, the US's second-to-none military and long streak of interventionism horrifies the Kremlin.
"You can't underscore how important this is to the speaker," said Republican strategist and president of the Potomac Strategy Group. "From a policy standpoint, it's becoming more closely identified as his rather than the president's."

Ryan's mission, however, will not be easy. His proposal has already faced a number of setbacks, from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Democrats remain staunchly opposed to repealing Obamacare, while some Republicans, like members of the House Freedom Caucus and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, don't think Ryan's legislation goes far enough to advocate for free-market solutions.

The plan, as has been laid out, consists of three "phases," the first of which is an initial budget reconciliation bill that requires 50 Senate votes if passed through the House. The GOP holds 52 seats, making every vote critical.

But the political forecast only seems to be growing darker for Ryan.

On Monday, a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the plan would lead to roughly 24 million fewer Americans being insured over the next decade.

And although Trump has backed the plan, reliably pro-Trump outlet Breitbart, which helped launch Steve Bannon into his role at the White House, has established itself as the bill's top critic on the right.

This week, the far-right website released a tape of Ryan telling House Republicans in October that he would not defend Trump after years-old audio of Trump making lewd comments about women was released. The comments from Ryan had been reported on at length in October, but audio had never been published.

Another Trump-ally, Chris Ruddy, the CEO of Newsmax, wrote online that Trump should instead focus on a proposal that expands Medicaid and Medicare, rather than the AHCA.

"I think the degree of difficulty in what they're trying to do is off the charts, given the constituencies, given the procedural challenges, and given the kind of state of play of the country politically," Mackowiak said.

added that this is a "big year" for Ryan and "a big part of why he was willing to be speaker."

"Look, Ryan didn't want to be speaker, he was very reluctant about doing this in the first place," . "He was able because he had a lot of leverage, to structure the position in a way where he could do the things he wanted to do and have other members do the things he didn't want to do."

The bill is a part of the three planks to which Ryan has dedicated much of his political career: healthcare, tax reform, and entitlement reform. As Mackowiak put it, he's been thinking about those items "seriously" for the better part of two decades.

"Now he has a chance, a real opportunity to have major achievements in those areas," explained. "So I do think he has a lot riding on this. I also think if this were to go down one way or the other, it would imperil his ability to have achievements on the other issues he cares about."

Kurt Bardella, formerly a senior adviser and spokesman for the Republican-led House Oversight Committee, told Business Insider in an email he thinks Ryan "has foolishly put himself in a lose-lose situation."

While Mackowiak said the criticisms of the bill are overblown, adding that all three phases need to be in place before the legislation can be truly judged, Bardella said if "TrumpCare" passes at Ryan's push, the speaker "will have shilled for one of the worst pieces of legislation EVER at the expense of his majority."

"If it fails, Bannon-Breitbart are already laying the groundwork [for Ryan] to be the fall guy, and his position as speaker will come under attack," said.

"Had Paul Ryan stood by his actual principles vs. becoming one of Trump's lapdogs, he would have at least retained his own moral high ground and had a platform to lead the GOP for many years to come. Instead, the minute Trump became president, he, like so many in the GOP, rolled over and are on the wrong side of 24 million Americans who are about to lose their health care coverage."

Another top Republican strategist said he thinks the biggest problem with the rollout so far has been the Ryan team's explaining of the legislative process, saying that they're "frustrated" by the current debate because it's been mostly discounted that the bill will in all likelihood face some major changes in the Senate if it arrives there.

"So the House and Speaker Ryan in turn are taking way more arrows than they need be right now," the strategist said. [This is] the first step of many. They need to start explaining that better to people. It's not a final bill."

If they don't explain that aspect better, the strategist said, House Republicans  and chiefly Ryan  will "get saddled with every negative outcome." But, even as Breitbart slams Ryan with persistence, the strategist said he didn't see a political threat to the speaker.

"There were some stumbles out of the gate," the person said. "The speaker has done a pretty admirable job pulling it together and making the best case. He's out there alone right now, but he can handle it."

And, for the GOP, it's not just Ryan who has a lot on the line.
The only conclusion you can draw when he walks away is he has no argument to be made, McCain said after Paul walked out abruptly, according to The Washington Examiner. "The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is staunchly opposed to Montengro's accession to NATO, which he views as a threat to Russian sovereignty.
A tweet from Maddow's account on Tuesday read, "BREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns." Daily Beast writer David Cay Johnston touted a pending story in a follow-up message.

The documents are described as the first two pages of Trump's 2005 federal income tax return, according to Daily Beast contributor David Cay Johnston.

The forms noted that Trump and his wife Melania paid more than $38 million in federal income taxes in 2005. Most of that was classified under the alternative minimum tax (AMT), which Trump has suggested should be eliminated.

In response to Maddow's earlier teasing of the reporting, a White House official told Business Insider that Trump paid $38 million in taxes on $150 million of income in 2005, while blasting the MSNBC report. You can download a copy of Trump's tax return here.

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," the official said.

Here's the income section of Trump's 2005 1040:

Here is the adjusted gross income:

And here is the tax payment section:

To date, a complete accounting of Trump's history has not been publicly released, breaking from decades of tradition in presidential politics. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump resisted calls to share his returns, citing an ongoing audit which he claimed prevented him from making the documents public.

Experts have refuted that claim, but Trump persisted, saying he would release the returns after the audit was completed, ostensibly after the election. Trump's campaign manager-turned-White-House counselor Kellyanne Conway said after the inauguration in January that Trump would not publish his tax returns, after all.

Trump largely scoffed at the necessity of revealing his tax documents, often claiming that voters would learn "very little" from them. Critics like 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton have suggested there may be a "bombshell" hidden in Trump's taxes.

Late in the election cycle, The New York Times published several pages from Trump's 1995 returns.

Read the White House officials full statement below:

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago.

Before being elected President, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.

That being said, Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that.
Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. started the hashtag #ThankYouMaddow in response to Rachel Maddow's much-hyped reveal of the tax return on MSNBC on Tuesday night. The tax return showed that Trump both earned more that year than his doubters thought and paid a higher income tax percentage than either President Barack Obama or former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

The tax return also debunked a theory that had been fueled by a New York Times report published last year that said Trump could have legally avoided paying federal income taxes for up to 18 years because he declared a $916 million loss on his 1995 income tax returns.

The 2005 return, however, shows that Trump paid the bulk of his income taxes because of the alternative minimum tax, which was introduced in 1970 to keep the wealthy from paying less income tax than Americans with lower incomes. Trump has said he wants to abolish the AMT.

Trump's son was not the only one reveling in Maddow's rollout of the story. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the right-wing Twitter personality Mike Cernovich, Fox News' Sean Hannity, the pro-Trump commentator Bill Mitchell, and the right-leaning Drudge Report were among those taking victory laps on Tuesday night.

Kayleigh McEnany, a Trump supporter and CNN commentator, also chimed in, writing on Twitter that "the haters who were speculating Trump paid 0 in income taxes were... Wrong! #38Million."

It's unclear if this was the kind of reaction that either Maddow or David Cay Johnston, the investigative reporter who says he received the tax return in his mailbox, anticipated. Neither returned a request for comment.

Johnston speculated on Tuesday night that Trump or someone close to him may have leaked the tax return  a theory that is gaining momentum among commentators and analysts who say the return offers a favorable glimpse into something Trump has, for unknown reasons, seemed determined to hide.

Images of the 1040 forms were also marked with a "Client Copy" stamp, which suggests the documents were not leaked by someone within the IRS.

"Think abt calculus of leaker if he/she is hostile to Trump," Noam Scheiber, a New York Times reporter, tweeted on Tuesday. "Im going to leak tax return showing he paid... $38m in 05? What's that do for u?"

Trump Jr. tweeted that the media "got what they wanted" in obtaining Trump's 2005 tax return. But it is Trump's tax returns from 2008 onward that would contain any clues about his business ties to Russia, which is what some have speculated Trump is trying to hide by not releasing the documents.

"Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets," Trump Jr. told a real-estate conference in 2008. "We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia."

In 2008, Trump Entertainment Resorts missed a $53.1 million bond interest payment and filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and Trump sold a Palm Beach property to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev for $95 million  more than twice what Trump had paid for it in 2004.

Maddow said Tuesday night that she thought the real story of the 2005 tax return was that it was leaked to a reporter at all, showing that Trump's tax returns are obtainable despite his assertions that they are under audit and therefore cannot be released.

"The only news out of this is that the White House CAN release the President's taxes, despite what campaign said," Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative, wrote on Twitter. "Which we all suspected."

The White House on Tuesday called the interest in Trump's taxes "desperate" and claimed that publishing the documents was illegal.
He's led tactical law enforcement teams. He's flown around the world many times as a federal air marshal. He's worked as a bodyguard for Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor. He's even argued a case before the Supreme Court.

Then, in 2011, he took the helm at CUI Global, when the publicly traded power and energy company was struggling.

Clough told Business Insider that his range of past experiences have influenced how he operates in his latest role.

"I deal with people a little differently than most purely business people do, because I've worked with people under very different, very trying circumstances, and sometimes in life-or-death situations," he told Business Insider.

Here are six lessons Clough learned across his varied career:

Stay flexible

As a child, Clough hoped to become an airline pilot like his father. He learned to fly young, earning his pilot's license before his driver's license.

"I focused my career on becoming a pilot," Clough said. "Went into the Coast Guard and spent time in the Coast Guard Reserve. I came out and was fully prepared to become a pilot."

However, his timing was off.

"At the same time, hundreds of other guys were coming out of Vietnam with thousands of hours of jet time, who also wanted to be pilots," he said. "And I didn't have that jet time."

Piloting was out of the question in such a competitive market, but Clough quickly came up with a backup option. During his time in the Coast Guard, he'd developed an affinity for law enforcement. Instead of clinging to his original plan, he tested at a number of different police departments and ended up getting hired by one in Northern California.

Hone your leadership skills

During his career in law enforcement, Clough worked on robbery, homicide, K9 squads, narcotics, and even joined one of the first SWAT teams in the country.

He said that working with "very elite, small units that were quite motivated and good at what they did" honed his leadership abilities.

"They're very structured, they're very enthusiastic, they're very driven to do well, and when you focus that in a way that's positive for everyone you can really make a difference," he said. "When you're in a tactical situation, I can't be worried you doing what you need to do. If I need to worry about you, I don't need you. I don't want you here because you will get both of us injured or killed."

He said that the same wisdom also applies to business.

"If I can't trust you to do what I need you to do, then I don't need you," he said. "Because then, what am I doing? What I'm doing is trying to do my own job and trying to do your job as well. And I can't do that."

Get your priorities straight

On June 14, 1985, terrorists from Hezbollah and the Islamic Jihad Organization hijacked TWA Flight 847. The incident helped spur US President Ronald Reagan to resurrect the largely defunct Federal Air Marshal Service.

Clough applied for the job, due to his tactical background. He was able to fly around the world, but the role came with a downside  the enormous amount of time spent away from his wife and young children.

"My wife said, 'Frankly, I didn't buy into this. You're traveling for six months, I don't know where you are, it's dangerous,'" he said. "And the long and the short of it was, I made a decision at that point to focus back on the family and change careers."

At that point, Clough decided that he wanted to pursue a legal career, and ended up enrolling in UC Hastings College of the Law.

Remain down-to-earth

To support himself and his family before he graduated from law school in 1990, Clough took on a rather unusual side gig: working as a bodyguard for actress Elizabeth Taylor.

He said he was struck by how polite and genuine she was. Clough recalled a time when assistants had hung several pictures of the actress around her dressing room. He saw that one featured in her role as Cleopatra, sitting in what looked like an ancient Egyptian-style chair.

"She literally walks up behind me and goes, ''It's a good picture, right? Interesting story. That was in the Egyptian wing of the National Museum, and they told us when we were touring that we could not touch any of the displays. I asked if I could get a picture on the chair and they said absolutely not, that's an old Egyptian artifact.' So she said, 'The whole party was turning away, so I grabbed the cameraman, ran over, sat on the chair and took the picture. And it ended up being one of the promo pictures for the film.'"

Another time, Clough was pushing Taylor in a wheelchair backstage at a fashion show.

"We were kind of rushing her through this backstage area in a wheelchair and I hear one of the fitters, one of the people putting clothes on the models, say, 'Oh my, isn't she beautiful?'" he said. "She stops us, she gets out of the wheelchair, she walks around the back to this fitter and says 'Thank you.' She thanks her. I was like, are you kidding me? This is the queen of Hollywood and she actually took the time. It was amazing. She was really a very sweet person."

Do your research

Clough said the highlight of his law career came about in 2005, when he helped argue the case Stewart v. Dutra Construction Company before the US Supreme Court. A dredge operator had been injured while dredging Boston Harbor, and it was unclear whether or not he was a Jones Act seaman  meaning that he would be granted certain protections afforded to maritime workers. Clough worked as second chair to a more senior attorney who argued that a dredge could be classified as a Jones Act vessel.

At one point during the proceedings, Clough said that Justice Antonin Scalia spoke up.

"He goes to my compatriot, 'Are you telling me that just because he's a crane operator on a dredge that he's a Jones Act seaman? Wouldn't that be like saying a croupier on a gambling boat is a Jones Act seaman just because he's a croupier?'"

While the lead attorney seemed stumped, Clough knew that Scalia had previously ruled that a croupier on a Mississippi River gambling boat was a Jones Act seaman.

"I stood up and said, 'Excuse me, Your Honor, could I add something? I believe Your Honor is quoting exactly the case that you decided.'"

The case ended up in an eight to none decision (Chief Justice William Rehnquist was out sick that day), with the court holding that a dredge was indeed a Jones Act vessel.

Clough said that having a legal background has been a boon to his current role in business.

"The more you law about the law, the better off you are," he said.

Pursue what you love

Becoming CEO of CUI Global was somewhat of a fluke for Clough. He had previously joined the company's board in 2006.

"I had a big investment in a company," Clough said. "I was getting ready to retire. I had made the investment with a friend. Then he came to me and said 'That investment we made together? We're going to lose that money.' But that wasn't part of my plan, losing that money."

Clough initially came in as general counsel for the struggling company, and then took over as CEO in 2011. He said that he enjoys his current role and that he's been able to implement some of the lessons on leadership he previously learned from his past jobs.
Tastemade is one of Snapchat's biggest publishers, and it was an early partner in the Discover section of the app. The Facebook-owned Instagram is actually its fastest-growing platform, however, cofounder Steven Kydd told Business Insider. It now has 4.1 million followers there and averages 1 million to 1.5 million views for its stories.

"In TV, you shoot once and give everyone the same" video, Kydd said. "We shoot once" in 4K, he continued, "and edit into multiple formats, then take all the data back" from the platform after it's published. The system is designed to be flexible to various platforms, and for good reason.

"People miss the rapid pace of change of the product side" of platforms like Facebook and Snapchat, Kydd said. Publishers must be able to adapt to the quirks of a company whose goals are not fully aligned with their own. And it is also unclear at any given time which platform will leapfrog the competition in its ability to deliver eyeballs or rise in the esteem of advertisers.

Back when Tastemade was founded in 2012 as a mobile video producer focused on food and travel, the online video landscape was a one-horse town: YouTube. That changed dramatically as Facebook and Snapchat became power players, and it will most likely continue to change as they battle over ad revenue  especially if TV ad money arrives on mobile.

In fact, a study by RBC Capital Markets and Ad Age published Wednesday found that marketers were seeing worse return on investment for Snapchat versus Google and Facebook, and one factor cited was increasing competition from Instagram.

But even though Tastemade isn't betting the farm on just Snapchat, Kydd did describe getting on Snapchat Discover as a seminal moment for the company. That's because it led Tastemade to create a daily edition, which now regularly gets over a million views.

"Discover is like cable but mobile and for millennials," Kydd said. That thinking echoes Snapchat's pitch to TV advertisers, though some, including me, have questioned the quality of programming on Discover.

But there's a big difference between Snapchat and cable that Kydd pointed to: Snapchat is instantly global. The various versions of Snapchat Discover have helped fuel Tastemade's global expansion to Santa Monica, California; London; Sao Paulo; Tokyo; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and so on. Tastemade's sales team has grown by 10 times in the past 18 months, according to Kydd.

As to when the TV advertising dollars will actually shift to mobile video  a move tech companies have promised investors for years  Kydd said it would catch the world by surprise. He thinks it will mimic the flow of consumption of mobile video.
You can read the announcement of the indictment here.

The breach involved more than 500 million stolen Yahoo accounts, representing one of the biggest hacks of all time.

So how did the hackers do it?

Essentially, the hackers managed to get hold of a secret directory that contained Yahoo usernames, encrypted passwords, and other information. They then used that data to trick Yahoo into thinking their web browsers were already logged into Yahoo's online service  a clever technique that meant they never needed to actually decrypt any passwords.

The stunt involved targeting specific accounts and creating fake web credentials to impersonate them. In the shady world of hacking, this is a fairly routine method of attack. But it got the job done.

Here's how it worked, according to the details provided in the Justice Department's announcement of the indictment, which was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI.

Yahoos Yellow Pages and fake cookies

The key step, says the department, is that the notorious hacker Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan got access and "stole a copy of at least a portion" of Yahoo's user database.

The real jackpot in the database turned out to be "information required to manually create, or 'mint,' account authentication web browser 'cookies,'" the indictment said.

What does it mean to mint a cookie?

When you visit a website, it leaves a tiny file behind on your computer called a cookie. That cookie contains certain information about you, including whether you're logged in and, if so, with which account.

When you revisit a website, the site checks to see if you have a valid cookie and whether the cookie has expired.

The hackers essentially got Yahoo's cookie recipe with the directory information they stole. This meant they could create fake cookies for any account they wanted. The fake cookies basically fooled websites like Yahoo Mail into thinking that a user was already logged in. The result was full access to that particular account, no password required.

Using this method, the hackers broke into 6,500 targeted accounts, including those of Russian journalists and politicians, the Justice Department said. The hackers also used access to 30 million accounts to "facilitate a spam campaign," the department said, presumably to make some extra cash off the heist.
New Telegraph reports that Adefioye who resides in the teenager's father's house at 32, Shittu Street, Dopemu, Agege, a suburb of the state, had lured the girl into his room several times and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her resulting in the pregnancy.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Clifford Ogu told the court that the offense was committed at the apartment of the accused whenever the girl went to watch films.

Inspector Ogu said that the victim told her parents the accused raped her several times and was responsible for her pregnancy.

According to the prosecutor, the offense contravened Section 259 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Punch reports that Eze who was paraded alongside two other child traffickers, one Ogochi Nwekei and Gladys Augustine at the Command headquarters in Ikeja, confessed to being a member of a syndicate that abducted abducting children from the state and selling them in Anambra State and other parts of the southeast.

It was gathered that Augustine who claimed to be Mary John, had connived with one Samuel to abduct the three-year-old girl, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, from her parents residence in the Alagbado area of Lagos.

Augustine, a 28-year-old indigene of Cross River State, according to the police, had enrolled for a beads-making apprenticeship at the girl's mothers shop in January 2017, only to abscond with the victim one week later.

She was said to have handed the girl over to Eze who in turn sold her to one Elizabeth through Nwekei for N500,000.

The victim was, however, recovered by the police after Augustine was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos on February 23.

In the course of investigations, the police discovered that Augustine had used the same trick to abduct other children when some parents from different parts of the state identified her as the abductor of their children.

Augustine who denied abducting the children said Samuel had lied to her that he was the father of Oluwasemilore but that her mother, Tobiloba, had denied him access to the girl.

She added that Samuel introduced Eze to her as his mother and promised her N50,000 if she could bring the girl to him.

I came to Lagos in 2010 and I worked as a housemaid. I used the money I got to open a shop. Eventually, I was sent away from the shop and I needed money to start another business.

I met Samuel at Mowo bus stop in Badagry in January. He said he impregnated a woman and the woman (Tobiloba) left him to marry another man.

He said he wanted to get back the child, but the woman refused. He asked me to work for the woman in order to snatch the child and he promised to give me N50,000.

On the day I snatched the girl, I took her to a bus stop and bought her a snack. When I took the girl to Samuel, he said I should take her to his mother, Mrs. Eze, in Anambra.

He said he would tell the girls mother that he was the one who took her. I later returned to Lagos, thinking he had told the woman. I was surprised when the police arrested me, Augustine said.

Eze on her part said she got only N40,000 from the proceed of the sale, gave Augustine N60,000 and sent the remaining sum to Samuel, adding that she used the money to pay the rent on her apartment.

I met Samuel in December 2016 at a party in Awka through a secondary school friend, who is an aunt to him.

He told me that he impregnated a woman in Lagos and that he would send the child to me to help take care of her. When Gladys (Augustine) brought the girl, Samuel told me to sell her for N500,000.

I informed Ogochi (Nwekei) and she said one of her friends, Elizabeth, wanted to buy a child. Elizabeth paid N500,000. Samuel told me to give Augustine N50,000 and another N10,000 for her transport back to Lagos, while I got N40,000.

I sent the remaining N400, 000 to Samuel. I used the money to pay my house rent. I have five children and grandchildren.
The President of the court, Mr Henric Agbaje, dissolved the marriage after the petitioner Taiwo told court that he could no longer tolerate his wifes behavior of staving him sexually.

Agbaje held that the court had to separate the couple on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

We have taken cognisance of the fact that Taiwo and Sherifat have chosen to part ways, despite all efforts to reconcile them.

Therefore, in the interest of peaceful co-existence, the union between the couple has ceased to be from henceforth.

Custody of the three year-old child produced by the union is hereby granted to Sherifat.

Taiwo shall pay a monthly feeding allowance of N3, 000 for the upkeep of the child and he will be responsible for his education and health matters, the court ruled.

Earlier, Taiwo, a trader had told court that his wife was constantly starving him of sex and threatening to kill him.

My lord, among all other terrible experiences I suffer in my union with Sherifat is the agony of sexual starvation.

I need to beg and beg her to allow me to have sexual intercourse with her and she only allows me when she wishes.

As if that is not enough, she sends me out of the house at will and she even expelled me from the apartment only two weeks ago.

That was not the first time she will be sending me away. During the last Muslim festival, she sent me parking with our baby before she came back to plead with me to return.

In fact, I have known no rest of mind since I got married to her because it is one day, one trouble.

Sherifat usually return home very late in the night and doesnt show me any care as a spouse, Taiwo lamented.

Sherifat, who is also a trader, told court that she also wanted divorce.

My lord, Taiwo knew the nature of my occupation before he married me.

He knows that I am always in the market buying and selling jewelries and there is nothing I can do about that.

Let me also state that the house in which we live belongs to me and he wants me to stop the work that is giving me money."

She described Taiwo as an irresponsible and a prodigal husband.

At three different occasions, I established lucrative businesses for him but he wrecked the business each time.

I also bought a luxurious car in his name which he is currently cruising around in. I am the familys bread winner as I cater for him and our baby and I am fed-up, she stated.
The Veuve Clicquot lounge on Polo Club grounds played host to personalities ranging from well-known entrepreneurs, eminent public figures to A-list celebrities such as Davido, Olamide, Kemi Adetiba, Peace Hyde, Keturah King, Mimi Onalaja, Elohor Aisien and more. These guests were treated to chilled flutes of Veuve Clicquot as well as branded souvenirs that are nothing short of collectors items.

Veuve Clicquot also played host to other activities at its lounge such as a pop nightclub on Friday 24 February in collaboration with Club 57 and a Fashion show in collaboration with Fashpa and the Style Concierge on Saturday 25 February.

These pop up events were well attended with celebrities such as Agbani Darego, Eku Edewor, Fade Ogunro in attendance.
The accused, whose address is unknown, is facing a charge of attempted murder.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Akpan Ikem, told the court that the accused had on Feb. 26 committed the offence at Itire Bus Stop, Ilogbo, Badagry.

He said the accused attempted to kill a man, Rasak Akande, by using dangerous weapons to injure him fatally.

For no reason, the accused saw the man at the bus stop and started attacking him with some dangerous weapons.

The man is still in the hospital where he is receiving treatment.

The offence contravened Section 228 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the section stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.

Counsel to the accused, Mr Jude Obonna, pleaded with the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.

The Magistrate, Mr Jimoh Adefioye, in his ruling, ordered that the accused should be remanded in Badagry Prison till the next adjournment date.
Despite warnings from her family that he should come and do the right thing, he refused to heed such warnings and now that Rose is dead, her family want him to marry her corpse.

Read his story here

"My name is Nsikak, a 38-year-old man from Akwa Ibom State. I am a very serious trouble at the moment and I do need advice from your readers so as to save my life.

The problem is that the parents of my late 'wife' want me to drink the water used in washing her corpse as well as marrying the body before she would be buried.

I met my late 'wife', Rose, 10 years ago and in the course of our relationship, she became pregnant for me. I was not ready for marriage then but I also did not want her to abort the baby, so the only reasonable thing was for her move in with me.

Before she gave birth, I went to see her parents to let them know that she was living with me and that I would soon come to carry out the marriage rites to make her my lawful wife.

It was not a full introduction but as our culture demands, I gave them some drinks while they gave me a list of items I should provide for what is called 'insult' in our part of the country.

When I came back to Lagos, I lost my job and with no money, I had to postpone the marriage rites. I called Rose's parents to inform them that I would come and do the right thing when things improved.

I must confess here that I never got around to fulfilling my promise to them because all through, I have been struggling to make ends meet. In the process, Rose bore me three more children while her family kept telling me to come and do the marriage rites.

I never knew I was playing with fire because in the middle of last year, Rose died from kidney disease complications and that was when my troubles started.

When I called her parents to inform them of her death, the head of the family told me that they do not recognize me as their in-law. He said I should come to their village to inform them properly.

When I went there, it was by the grace of God that I left alive because the youths almost lynched me.

Since then, they have been giving me so much trouble and the last straw was when they said I would have to drink the water used in washing Rose's corpse as well as marry her corpse before she is buried.

Some friends who are from the town have warned me never to go with the custom as that would result in my death but the corpse of my 'wife' has been lying in the mortuary for the past eight months and her people are not willing to budge.

I do not know what to do again.

Nsikak."

The teaser for the day was:

How Nigeria voted:

He should do what Rose's family want him so her could bury her - 6%

He should never attempt to go with Rose's family - 10%

He should be blamed for allowing things get this bad - 38%

Such custom should be scrapped with immediate effect - 56%
Caesarian Section is an operation in which a womans body is cut open to take a baby out.

Giving birth through CS is not a death sentence, and the earlier expectant mothers know this, the better for them.

They should know that before medical personnel decide to carry out CS on any pregnant woman, it is to save the life of either the mother or child, or both of them.

But when you want to remain adamant that you must give birth only through vaginal delivery, caution needs to be taken, Bello said.

The matron said she was moved to speak up on the scourge when mothers-to-be started praying against it during their ante-natal sessions.

I became surprised that it is now like a norm, because they (pregnant women) now pray against it during ante-natal.

What they say is that they want to deliver like the Hebrew woman, so, I know its a societal belief, which has to be erased.

That made me see it as a point of duty to educate them more, on the need for them to allow things take its due course, the matron said.
The charges, which are all in relation to the N3billion recovered from his house in Kaduna on February 3, 2017, are bordering on fraud and false declaration of assets against him.

In one of the charges filed against the former NNPC boss, the EFCC accused him of failing to declare the money when he filled his Declaration of Assets form at the EFCC in 2015.

The ex-NNPC boss, who was arrested by the EFCC in Kano State on February 8, 2017 and is currently been detained at a facility of the anti-graft agency in Abuja, will be arraigned on Thursday before Justice Ahmed Mohammed.

However, the ex-NNPC GMD has filed a N1billion suit against the EFCC admitting to owning the recovered funds and fighting for his human right.
The former Vice President`s Media Coordinator, Mr Paul Ibe, said this on Tuesday in Abuja,

Ibe was on a condolence visit on behalf of Atiku to the deceased family during the 8th Day Fidau prayer.

His Excellency, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked me to announce to the bereaved Adinoyi-Ojos family that he is setting up an Education Endowment Fund for his children.

The fund will serve the needs of providing education to the children of late Adinoyi-Ojo up to University level, Ibe said.

He said that sequel to the development; other notable friends of the deceased had set up a committee.

Ibe said that this was meant to obtain further support friends and well-wishers of the deceased would be willing to extend to the bereaved family.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adinoyi-Ojo died on March 6 on his way from former President Olusegun Obasanjos 80th birthday celebrations.

Adinoyi-Ojo, who died at the age of 57, associated with the former Vice President for over three decades and he left behind four children and a wife.

He was a former Managing Director of the Daily Times Nigeria Plc.

Atiku had earlier described the deceased, who was his former spokesman as a veteran Journalist, a playwright, a writer and an irreplaceable asset, who was loyal and reliable until the very last day.

Adinoyi-Ojo was in my house on Friday. He visited me before travelling out of Abuja.

I had no idea that it was the last time I would ever set eyes on him.
He made this known while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday.

The minister said that the office of the National Security Advisers would soon issue a statement reversing its earlier directive banning the helicopters from the NAIA.

He said On the helicopter issue, the National Security Adviser has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by Mr President to advise the President on National security matters.

Within his wisdom he had sent out letters banning the helicopters operation from the airport.

But the National Security Adviser has earlier this morning also that helicopters will of course continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever, then the procedure that they will use to approach the airport under landing spot will be advised accordingly before the end of today (Wednesday).

He revealed that Nigeria would provide alternative flights to London and other European countries if the British Airways and other foreign airlines continue to reject Kaduna airport during the six weeks closure of NAIA.

According to him, Nigerian officials are still in talks with the foreign airlines to patronise Kaduna International airport.

The minister said that everything needed for safety and reliability in Kaduna airport had been provided, adding that there is no need for any airline to refuse to do business in Kaduna.
The latest development is believed to be due to a meeting between Ali and Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, March 14.

President Muhammadu Buhari is also said to have intervened in the battle causing Ali to visit Saraki in a bid to seek peace, according to a Vanguard report.

Buhari also reportedly warned his appointees not to overheat the polity by creating avoidable friction between the Executive and the Legislature.

Ali has been involved in a war of words with lawmakers over his refusal to wear the agencys uniform.

No! I was not appointed Comptroller General of Customs to wear uniform. Does uniform work or the person behind the uniform? he said while speaking to TVC in a video published on March 10.

Am I doing my job or not? I think that should be what should worry the National Assembly, he added.

He also initially refused to appear before the Senate on Wednesday, March 15, saying that he had a meeting to attend.

I'm directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter no NASS/CS/8S/09/29 of 9th March 2017 on the above subject matter, a letter from Alis office to the Senate read.

I have been further directed to tell you that the date given to the comptroller-general of the Nigerian Customs Service Wednesday 15th March 2017 to brief the senate in plenary on the retrospective duty payment of vehicles in Nigeria has coincided with the fortnightly meeting of the NCS management, it added.

The Senate however warned him to either appear before it in uniform to resign his position.

The Customs boss explained that he was not required to wear the uniform because he had served as a soldier and could not be expected to wear two separate uniforms.
The state Coordinator of the programme, Dr Edwin Uche, who distributed the inputs in Owerri on Wednesday, said the exercise was the peak of the three-month training for rice farmers.

Uche, who is also an Executive Assistant on Poverty Alleviation to Gov. Rochas Okorocha, said no fewer than1,000 farmers would participate in the dry season rice cultivation.

He said that 2,800 farmers cooperative groups were trained in the first phase of the dry season rice cultivation while 1,000 farmers would benefit from the inputs.

The coordinator said the beneficiaries were drawn from five Local Government Areas of Okigwe, Ideato North, Oguta, Orlu and Nwangele.

We registered and trained over 2,800 farmers for dry season rice cultivation; their inputs are ready, but because of some limitations on the part of the Bank of Agriculture, the figure was significantly reduced.

The bank complained that it does not have enough manpower, vehicles, fund and other logistics to monitor the number of farmers earlier registered.

Uche said that each of the beneficiaries would receive one water pumping machine, agro-chemicals, fertilisers, and 25 kg bag of paddy rice for planting.

He used the occasion to commend Gov. Okorocha for his commitment in ensuring that necessary arrangements were made to ensure the take-off of the programme.

The coordinator advised the beneficiaries not to be deterred by the late commencement of the programme.

We have as well engaged competent experts to provide technical support to all farmers; if they can play by the rules, the sky will be their limit in this venture.

Uche said Okorochas target was for each farmer to record at least five tonnes of rice per hectare so that the state could join the league of states producing rice in commercial quantity in Nigeria.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Simeon Ogbu, expressed gratitude to God for making it possible for him to scale through the hurdle of the training up to the point of collecting the inputs.

Ogbu appealed to the state government to ensure the sustenance of the programme and also extend it to more agricultural windows.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Ehimegbe Rosemary, told the court that the accused on Feb. 25, physically assaulted, Lami Aruna, after the customer refused to pay for the food she bought.

According to the prosecutor, Aruna sustained mouth injury following several punches she received from Sefiat after an argument.

Rosemary said the offence contravened Section 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, which, on conviction, attracts three-year jail term.

Sefiat, a resident of Moricas Street, Agege in Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault.

Magistrate Mrs E. Kubeije granted the accused N50,000 bail with one surety in like sum.
Mr Clement Oladele, the Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ogun, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

We went to the scene and met the crash which involved a commercial bus, a car and a truck.

A Mazda bus with registration number SMK 800 XN and a Volkswagen car with registration number KTU 479 AS were travelling to Lagos before they rammed into the truck.

The accident was caused by speeding and it involved 15 males and eight females in which one male in the bus died and 21 others were injured.

Motorists should desist from speeding, especially at night because visibility is limited.

Broken down trucks should always use reflective signs so that oncoming drivers will be able to see them, he said.
Kwankwaso said this in Sabo area of Ile-Ife after meeting with members of the Hausa community inside a mosque.

The former Kano State governor, who was in company with Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and Sen. Babajide Omoworare (APC-Osun East), told journalists that he was in Osun to promote peace and the rule of law.

According to him, the Kwankwasiya Foundation will offer the victims of the crisis succour as from next week.

He urged members of the Hausa community to resist the temptation to take laws into their hands and further breach the peace gradually returning to the affected area.

Also speaking, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola stressed the significance of peaceful co-existence in spite of the activities of the hoodlums which led to the incident.

He said security agencies had arrested some suspects in connection with the crisis, adding that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law.

Aregbesola further said that the state government would help set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee with a view to finding a permanent solution to the crisis.

Receiving Kwankwaso on behalf of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Obalufe of Ife kingdom, Idowu Adediwura, recalled that Hausa had been living in Ife since 1894 without any fear of molestation.

He attributed the incident to the activities of miscreants, saying Ife had been generally peaceful .

The traditional ruler commended the efforts made by Kwankwanso toward resolving the crisis while appealing to security agents to handle the issue with fairness and objectivity.

We are creatures of Almighty God, hence we are all citizens of the world and we abhor bloodletting in all its ramifications,  he stated.
The upper legislative chamber reached the decision on Wednesday, March 15, after screening Magu

Ibrahim Magu's nomination and confirmation as Chairman @officialEFCC has been rejected by majority of Senators, the Senate Twitter handle said.

Magus confirmation suffered a setback due to a fresh letter sent on Tuesday, March 14, by the Department of State Services (DSS) questioning his integrity.

The letter from the DSS, which was read by Senator Dino Melaye, referred the Senate to a previous report sent on Magu in December 2016 in which he was accused of corruption.

The report had caused the Senate to reject Magu's nomination and refer same to President Muhammadu Buhari for further action.

Magu was screened on Wednesday after being renominated by Buhari in January 2017.
The lawmakers on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, passed a resolution mandating Ali to appear before it on Thursday, March 16, 2017.

According to Daily Trust, the NCS boss failed to honour the Senates summon on Wednesday.

Senators had summoned Ali to appear before it in uniform, following his agencys plan to seize vehicles over non-payment of duty.

The NCS boss however said he was not going to wear the Customs uniform, adding that he was not appointed for that purpose.

According to reports, Ali promised to suspend the planned seizure of vehicles on Tuesday, March 13, 2017, when he visited the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, the bench warrant against Turkish Airlines and two of its principal officers was ordered by the High Court judge after Ayci and Shobowale failed to appear before the court in a criminal suit filed against them by the Federal Government of Nigeria on the breach of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Act.

It was further reported that the bench warrant was issued by Justice Quadri on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in Abuja after which he ordered Ayci and Shobowale be brought before his court on April 17, 2017.

The Federal Government dragged the Turkish Airlines before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged criminal violation of the enabling law of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and for impunity.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed a three-count charge against the airline and the two principal officers for failing to produce relevant documents under Section 18 of the CPC Act, Cap C25, Laws of the Federation.

ALSO READ: Turkish airlines plane skids off runway
Wike gave the assurance on Tuesday at the beginning of a two-day stakeholders workshop on Home Grown School Feeding programme in Port Harcourt.

The programme was organised in collaboration with the Federal Government.

Represented by Mr Kenneth Kobani, the Secretary to the State Government, Wike also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for choosing Rivers for the programmes pilot scheme.

He said that the Home Grown School Feeding programme was beneficial to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable children.

You see, the most vulnerable children are those to benefit from the programme, the children of the poor, he said.

I commend the President for the programme because it will encourage parents, improve academic activities and school enrolment for children, Wike said.

Wike also urged stakeholders to ensure that the programme successfully alleviate what he called the suffering of children in primary schools.

He noted that the state government would support the programme in its entirety and ensure its success.

Earlier the federal government also pledged to support the Rivers Government to succeed in the Home Grown School Feeding programme.

The Home Grown School Feeding Programme is designed to feed pupils from Primary one to primary three in public schools in Nigeria.

An official of the Presidency, Mrs Abimbola Adesoke, who represented Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stated the federal governments position at the launch of the event.

She said the federal government chose Rivers as one of the 24 states for the pilot scheme because of the love and care it had for the vulnerable children.

He said that the programme was designed to eradicate poverty and enable parents and their indigent children to receive education.

The Vice President stated that the federal government would form a synergy with the state government to map out strategies on how the programme would be successful.

Osinbajo said that the workshop was also designed to educate and sensitise stakeholders on how to achieve the desired result from the Home Grown School Feeding programme.

He also called on all stakeholders to join forces with both the federal and the state government to ensure that the programme was successful.

In his response, the Rivers Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku commended both the federal and the state government for approving the programme.
From comedy to drama, check out five movies you should anticipate and see this month of March.

Here we go;

1. "Iron Fist"

In "Iron Fist," a young man is bestowed with incredible martial arts skills and a mystical force known as the Iron Fist.

The series stars Finn Jones as Danny Rand / Iron Fist, a martial arts expert with the ability to call upon the power of the Iron Fist.

It makes its debut on March 17.

2. "Okafor's Law"

Chuks (aka Terminator) is an ardent player with the ladies. He enjoys the attention of women, including girlfriends from the past. He believes that once a man has had a woman, he forever has access to her.

When challenged by his friends to see if he can prove the universality of that theory with three ex-girlfriends from his school days within 21 days, he accepts it.

Turning on his best charm he sets off to try and prove himself, but his quest brings him to three women, Ifeoma (Fifi), Kemi and Ejiro, whose situations in life have changed drastically since school days. This challenge of their various new statuses makes his quest to win the bet more and more insurmountable as he tries to prove the immutability of the age-old law, Okafor's Law.

The movie premieres on March 31, 2017.

3. "Ojukokoro"

"Ojukokoro" is a movie that unwraps an intriguing tale about a money-strapped manager of a shady Petrol Station who decides to rob his employers, but along the line, finds out in a sudden twist that he is not alone in his ambition and that a good reason isnt always a right one.

The movie will premiere on March 17, 2017.

4. "Beauty and the Beast"

The movie follows the journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman, who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle.

Despite her fears, she befriends the castles enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beasts hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

"Beauty and the Beast" debuts on March 17, 2017.

5. "Power Rangers"

A group of high-school kids, who are infused with unique superpowers, harness their abilities in order to save the world.
The APC senator representing Kano Central senatorial district and ex-Governor or Kano State said he has no intention of such and the tale should be seen as a mere rumour my disgruntled politicians.

Reacting through his former Commissioner for State Affairs, Aminu AbdulSalam Gwarzo, he claimed the defection tale was false.

He said: I have no intention of leaving APC. It is rumour by politicians whose ship is sinking; Politicians who have lost relevance and they want to be relevant by making reckless and baseless statements."
The time has come for him to take you to his mom and dad as the one, and now you are nervous, wondering what is expected of you

Do not fret; below are five helpful tips thatll leave your boos parents very impressed on your first contact with them.

1. How you dress

Of course, you can maintain your style and elegance  you cant afford to lose that.

The thing is, you need to keep things as modest as possible. Makeup, your outfit, nails, lashes everything.

Keep in mind that most African parents are conservative, regardless of their religion.

2.Go with a gift

It does not have to be something over the roof, just a little thoghtful gesture. Ask your boyfriend for help here

3. Know the kind of people they are

Yu should ask your guy what kind of people his parents are. Sure, he should be there to guide and make you feel comfortable, but ask ahead for the kind of things that impress his mom, and the ones that impress his dad.

Different strokes for different folks, so there have to be some things that will particularly impress your boos popsy and momsy.

4. Chores

You absolutely have to actually offer to assist with some chores around. The easiest and most reasonable thing to do is to offer to help with the dishes after the meal [if you had one with them.]

5. Watch your reaction with kids

Nigerian, and indeed parents everywhere will rate you poorly if you are bad or harsh with kids, if there are any around on the day you visit them.

Dont even put it past a Nigerian mum to intentionally have some grandkids around so as to watch you with them.

So, be as charming and lovable with kids as much as possible. Start learning if you dont know how to.

6. Be yourself

Overall, while you want to impress and leave a good mark on them; you also want to be sure you are not overdoing things.

You dont want to appear desperate, so just play it cool and be yourself.

Dont forget; you are a young, beautiful and gorgeous woman.
The accused identified as Simeon Omowole, 18; Randy Chukka, 17; Samuel Oyefara, 18; Peter Adeboyega, 17; Chuka Chukwu, 19; and Peace Nwakanma, 18 (a female), reportedly pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape, and sexual harassment, Premium Times reports.

The court heard that the offences were committed sometime in January at High-Rise, Unilag.

The prosecutor, Anthonia Osayande, alleged that the accused along with another accomplice who is still at large conspired and raped a 17-year-old fellow student whose name has been withheld.

Ms. Osayande disclosed that Ms. Nwakanma who is the only female among the accused persons was responsible for luring the victim to the place where she was raped.

The six students sexually harassed the girl with video clips in order to intimidate her.

They all had sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old without her consent, she said.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 137, 140, 260 (2), 264 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (revised).

The accused were granted bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties in like sum by the Chief Magistrate, A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu.

Premium Times reports that Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the second surety should be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14.

The Chief Magistrate also directed the sureties to provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The Dutroux case, which sparked huge street protests at the multiple failings of the authorities, still haunts Belgium more than a decade after the man dubbed "The Monster of Charleroi" was sentenced to life in prison in 2004.

The electrician confessed to the murder of four of the six girls he imprisoned.

Two died of starvation in 1996 in a basement cell in one of his homes while he was in prison for a separate kidnapping.

Rau said Dutroux has since become a bogeyman for Belgium children and during casting of the play he was surprised to discover the young actors "knew the case well.

"For them it's a myth, a fairytale, something very far away," the Swiss director told AFP.

Critics have so far praised the play -- which uses seven children aged between eight and 13 alongside adult actors -- for its sensitivity, with the Swiss newspaper the Tribune de Geneve saying Rau had favoured "intelligence over sensationalism".

But the director -- who previously staged Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik's speech from the dock -- admitted that "creating adult theatre with children could metaphorically be seen as an act of paedophilia."

Too shocking?

Asked whether the case was too shocking for children, Rau made clear that the play wasn't "about the horror in itself. It's about the big issues which lurk behind this... the decline of a country, national paranoia and the mourning and anger which followed the crimes."

The play is being staged in Flemish, with surtitles in French, at Nanterre near Paris this weekend as a part of a European tour taking in Britain, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

It was commissioned by the Campo arts centre in the Belgium city of Ghent, which is famous for its work with children.

"When they asked me to work on a series of child plays for adults I said to myself, 'Belgium plus children -- I am going to do something on Dutroux'," Rau said.

"The Dutroux case brings together all Belgium's big traumas: its dysfunctional elites, the end of the mining industry and the loss of its colonies.

"Dutroux's father was born in the Belgian Congo and lived there till he was six," he added, and the family also lived in Burundi.

The production begins with Congo's declaration of independence and ends with the funerals of Dutroux's victims, at which Belgian politicians were jeered.

Dutroux's lawyer revealed last year that the killer had planned to "kidnap many children" and keep them in an "underground city" in an abandoned mine shaft near his home in Charleroi, in the southwest of the country.

Outrage continues

Rau, 40, whose 2011 drama documentary "Hate Radio" about the Rwandan genocide was an international hit, said the play deals directly with the story of only one of the victims.

Sabine Dardenne was 12 when she was found alive in a cellar close to Charleroi days after Dutroux was finally arrested in August 1996.

She is played by nine-year-old Rachel Dedain in the drama.

Rather than a reconstruction of the case, Rau said he used its horrors to examine Belgium society, which was outraged by the official incompetence that dogged the case.

One of the child actors plays Dutroux's father, another the king of Belgium and others police officers investigating the disappearances of the girls.

Dutroux had already served prison sentences for multiple rapes when he became the prime suspect in the disappearance of two friends aged eight and nine in Liege in June 1995.

But he wasn't arrested for 14 months by which time four other girls had disappeared.

Both he and his wife Michelle Martin -- a former primary school teacher -- had previously been jailed for kidnapping children in the 1980s.

The fact that the case took the best part of a decade to be tried only increased public anger.

More than 300,000 people took to the streets of Brussels in the so-called "white march" after Dutroux's arrest to express their fury at the government and the justice system.

Many still believe he lay at the heart of a paedophile ring that encompassed politicians, judges and policemen.

Controversies about evidence being withheld only added to conspiracy theories.
Piles of documents had stood stacked for decades in the headquarters of a mining company formerly run by German Jewish entrepreneur Mauricio Hochschild.

In his time Hochschild was vilified as a ruthless tycoon, but when researchers started sorting through the paperwork decades later, they began to unravel the tale of how he helped Jews flee from persecution in the 1930s.

"He saved many souls from the Holocaust by bringing them to Bolivia and creating jobs for them,"Carola Campos, head of the Bolivian Mining Corporation's information unit, told AFP.

Jobs for fugitive Jews

Along with fellow magnates Victor Aramayo and Simon Patino, Hochschild had his mining company nationalized in 1952 by the Bolivian government. It accused them of plundering the nation by mining its tin reserves for their own profit.

But the documents revealed what else Hochschild had been up to.

They include work contracts drawn up for Jews from Europe by the mining firm in the 1930s, says the head of the corporation's archives, Edgar Ramirez.

There is a letter from a kindergarten housing Jewish children in La Paz asking for Hochschild's help to expand the facility "in view of the number of children who are here and others who want to come."

One letter was from French authorities, asking him to receive a thousand Jewish orphans.

There are letters sent at the time by the British embassy to Hochschild with blacklists of companies linked to the Axis powers, whom he was forbidden to do business with.

'Bolivian Schindler'

jpegMpeg4-1280x720Of the many Jews who fled from repression under Adolf Hitler in 1930s Germany, thousands came to Bolivia.

For many it was a stepping stone on to the United States, Brazil, Argentina or Israel.

"In 1938 Hochschild calculated that he had brought between 2,000 and 3,000 Jews over. But seven months later, in 1939, he calculated that he had brought 9,000," said historian Robert Brockmann.

That is several times more than the 1,000 or so that the German industrialist Oskar Schindler is estimated to have saved from deportation to a death camp, as recounted in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning 1993 film Schindler's List.

Ramirez and Udler echo the phrase used by the Bolivian media to refer to Hochschild: "the Bolivian Schindler."

Influence over president

Brockmann is writing a book about Hochschild and his friendship with German Busch, Bolivia's military president from 1937 to 1939.

He says Hochschild helped persuade Busch to open up the country to Jewish migrants in 1938.

Hochschild told Busch the measure would bring laborers to Bolivia to help its agricultural development.

But it also allowed Hochschild to save the lives of fugitive poets, writers and historians, Ramirez says.

Hochschild paid the Jews' passage to Bolivia and housed them to begin with after they arrived.

Refugees welcomed

In the 1940s there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Bolivia, says Ricardo Udler, president of the Bolivian Israelite Circle.

Some of them arrived with Hochschild's help, while others arrived in Bolivia by different means.

Many moved on to other countries, and today the number of Jews in the country has sunk to just 500, Udler says.

"We are very grateful to Bolivia. It was one of the few countries that opened its doors to refugees from the war," said Monica Blankitny, whose father Jacobo came to Bolivia after surviving internment at the Auschwitz concentration camp.

World memory

The Hochschild documents were certified in October by the United Nations' cultural heritage body UNESCO. It has listed them in its Memory of the World documentary preservation program, Campos said.

Bolivia's Mining Museum plans to publish them online in March.

Hochschild was born in Biblis in western Germany 1881 and migrated to Bolivia in 1921.
The blacklist is meant to be published every six months but has failed to appear since Temer took over the presidency in May 2016, following the suspension of his leftwing predecessor Dilma Rousseff.

And fingers are being pointed at Temer's government, whose backers include the agricultural industry.

"It's clear that the government is censoring the dirty list and that it has come under pressure from the construction or agribusiness sectors," said Leonardo Sakamoto who founded Reporter Brasil, an NGO investigating companies accused of abusing workers.

Nearly 46 million people around the world work in slave-like conditions, most of them in Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan and Uzbekistan, according the Walk Free Foundation, an Australia-based NGO.

Brazil, where slavery was abolished in 1888, is estimated to have 161,000 victims.

Most are young people from poor regions who are lured with false promises of good conditions to work on Brazil's extensive soy and sugarcane plantations, or its cattle ranches.

Once there they are poorly fed, made to work without pay and threatened if they try to leave, said Xavier Plassat, from the Catholic group Pastoral Land Commission in testimony to a regional rights body last year.

Blacklist halted

The blacklist was last published in 2014 under Rousseff's administration, but was halted in December of that year by the Supreme Court after a complaint by the construction industry association, which argued that companies listed had no way to defend their reputation.

In response, Rousseff's government made adjustments to the document and the Supreme Court lifted its ban from May 2016.

The next publication date was scheduled for June but by then Temer had taken over, and no blacklist has been published since.

In March, a court ordered its publication, but this has again been held up following an appeal by the government's lawyer, again arguing that companies rights were being harmed.

Following revisions made by a government commission and representatives of management and unions, the list is now scheduled to reappear in July.

The Brazilian labor rights watchdog has added its voice to criticism of the delays, saying the blacklist "is the most effective, efficient and rapid way to fight the evil of slave labor."

'Guaranteeing transparency'

Asked to comment, the labor ministry sent a statement to AFP quoting the minister, Ronaldo Nogueira, saying that the blacklist "is an important instrument for fighting slave labor."

But he added that modifications made under Rousseff failed to guarantee the right "to a proper defense by those who are accused."

The list was first created under leftwing president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and those named can be fined or have funds frozen.

"The importance of the dirty list is huge in guaranteeing transparency of policy toward slave labor and so that foreign companies can analyze the risk and be assured when it comes to buying certain products," Reporter Brasil said.
In 2016, Wells Fargo & Co. and its team members united to donate $9.1 million to Iowa nonprofits, schools and community organizations.

Wells Fargo, with banking locations across the Quad-City region, said the donation represented a $500,000, or 6 percent, increase over the previous year's giving in Iowa.

The 16,000 team members across the state also gave of their time, volunteering a total of 178,000 hours with nonprofits, schools and community organizations last year. Based on the $23.56 value of one volunteer hour  determined by the Independent Sector, a U.S. coalition of more than 550 philanthropic organizations  Wells Fargos volunteerism in Iowa was worth an additional $4.2 million.

Wells Fargo's giving combined with the volunteer hours represent a $13.3 million charitable impact in Iowa.

Across Illinois, Wells Fargo's corporate grants and its team member giving totaled $4.5 million in 2016. Illinois team members logged more than 22,000 volunteer hours, or $520,000 worth of time. The total charitable impact by Wells Fargo there was more than $5 million.

"Im so proud of what our company and our team members did last year to invest in improving the lives of others and helping our communities," said Don Pearson, region president for Wells Fargo in Iowa. "The 178,000 volunteer hours recorded was a 21.6 percent increase over the number of volunteer hours our Iowa team members recorded in 2015."

He said the Iowa team members donated the third-most volunteer hours among the company, behind California (204,500 hours) and North Carolina (188,000 hours). "Both have more than twice as many team members as Iowa."

The $9.1 million financial donation consisted of $5.7 million donated by Iowa team members and $3.4 million in corporate and foundation giving. In Illinois, Wells Fargo gave 400 grants totaling $2.8 million and Illinois team members donated $1.7 million to nonprofits for a $4.5 million donation.

"Wells Fargo is clearly committed to our customers and our communities throughout Iowa," Pearson said. "We dont just write checks, our team members roll up their sleeves and get to work, either by volunteering or serving on one of the more than 350 nonprofit boards of which our Iowa team members are a part."

Nationwide, Wells Fargo donated $281.3 million to 14,900 nonprofits, and team members contributed a total of $98.9 million to 30,000 nonprofits and schools and volunteered 1.73 million hours with 50,000 nonprofits and schools last year.
The Professor Mamlock has a pedigree thats almost as interesting as the story itself.

The screenplay got its start as a theater performance written by Friedrich Wolf in 1933. The central character is a Jewish physician named Hans Mamlock and his experiences after Hitlers regime takes over. Its one of the earliest works about Nazi anti-Semitism. (In his writings, Wolf says that he wrote the play for middle-class intellectuals, and that he blamed the Nazis ability to rise to power on the a-political apathy of so many.)

In 1938, the story was adapted to the screen and directed by Adolf Minkin and Herbert Rappaport and filmed in the Soviet Union, with Semyon Mezhinsky in the title role.

A radio play based on the original play first was broadcast in 1945. Then in 1961, the original author's son Konrad Wolf directed a second movie based on the play. In the early 1960s, an opera by the same name was written.

I found the background of the story interesting because it has been told in so many versions over the years. Thats probably because it has a timeless, multi-tiered message about politics, family and trust in authority.

The Jewish Dr. Mamlock (Mezhinsky) is the well-respected chief of staff at a university hospital in 1933.

Over and over, we hear the physician chide others, including his own son, for their interest and participation in politics. Mamlock prefers to concentrate on the well being of his patients and research that he can use in the future. He has no interest in the growing strength of the Nazi party, and presumes that nothing horrific will be allowed to occur in his cultured city.

When his son, Rolf (Oleg Zhakov), insists on joining the communist resistance against the Nazis, Mamlock throws the young man out of his house. Meanwhile, at the hospital, he pays no attention to the anti-Semitic views of his colleague Dr. Hellpach (Vladimir Chestnokov), even though its obvious that Mamlock is a focus of Hellpachs not-so-understated disrespect.

As time goes by, the Nazi grip on Mamlocks city becomes stronger, and anti-Jewish racial laws declare that Mamlock no longer can remain in his position as chief of staff.

Eventually, Mamlock, still hoping for the best despite the turmoil and terror around him, is led through the streets in humiliation and his German citizenship is revoked. But the worst is yet to come.

This is a well-written character study about taking a stand before its too late. The black-and-white cinematography is beautiful, the acting enjoyable and the characters memorable, especially Hellpach as the manipulative villain.
Q. Have you heard when the new Fresh Thyme grocery store on East Kimberly Road is going to open? The sign out front only says "Spring 2017." Do you know if there was TIF or other tax incentives issued on this project?  Adam

A. We contacted Fresh Thyme Farmer's Market Natural, Organic Grocery Store and the city of Davenport for more information. Fresh Thyme has not responded at this point. Susanne Knutsen, lead economic development coordinator for the city, said, "We do not have anything more definitive than spring."

Knutsen added that regarding TIF or other tax incentives, "The owner of the center, PEEB Davenport, has submitted an application for partial tax exemption through the Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption (URTE) program. Applications are due annually by February 1st and this years applications (61 of them) are on Council agenda ... I've attached a brochure that explains this program."

To view the brochure, visit qctimes.com/askthetimes.

Q. With the numerous fights inside NorthPark Mall and gunshots in the parking lot, why do they not have cameras in the parking lot as well as inside, especially in the food court area? It seems to me they should care about the safety of their customers and their vehicles.  Karen

A. Laura Crossman, manager, corporate marketing for Macerich, said, "Thank you for reaching out and sharing this comment with us. The safety of our guests and retailers is one of our top priorities, and we have a thorough security program in place including state-of-the art CCTV monitoring inside and outside the mall as well as a very strong working relationship with our local law enforcement agencies."

Q. Every public elementary school in both Davenport and Bettendorf relies simply on marked and signed crosswalks in front of each school, no matter how busy the traffic flow at their school's location. So why is it that Lourdes Grade School in Bettendorf at 15th and Mississippi is allowed to place a seemingly homemade stop sign all day on an extremely low-volume traffic street, making each auto come to a completely useless stop, when no children will cross the street until hours will pass? This crude sign should be removed, and the Lourdes school rely on their crossing guards, just like every public school currently does. As every motorist understands the meaning of a signed, marked crosswalk, placing a temporary stop sign on the street is a genuine aggravation, with no real benefit other than the satisfaction of the Lourde's School office.

A. Jennifer A. Alongi, principal of Lourdes Catholic School, Bettendorf, said, "The Bettendorf Police Department provides this stop sign to us for use during the school year between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m."
A roundup of legislative and Capitol news items of interest for Tuesday:

FARM NUISANCE SUIT PROTECTION: The Republican-led Iowa Senate voted 31-18 to approve legislation that supporters hope will beef up protections to fend off what they consider to be nuisance lawsuits challenging the location of large-scale livestock operations. Senate File 447 allows for an affirmative defense to be raised in certain cause of actions in which an animal feeding operation is alleged to be a public or private nuisance or to otherwise interfere with a persons comfortable use and enjoyment of life or property. Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, said the bill creates new legal protections for animal agriculture producers who are "prudent" and "reasonable but not those considered to be bad actors. He said the law is needed due to growing concern over new instability in the legal environment as nuisance lawsuits often brought with the backing of large, greedy out of state law firms and theyre targeting our producers. Ocheyedan independent Sen. David Johnson joined 17 minority Democrats in trying to make changes to protect rural residents from having large-scale livestock locate in close proximity in a way that infringes on their property rights and quality of life. Two Democrats voted for the bill. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, compared the Senate debate to a bad acid trip at a time when Iowa is faced with deteriorating water quality and a master matrix for siting livestock operations that is not achieving its intended purpose. Zumbach called criticism of the bill a verbal slaughter of a major industry that provides 160,000 jobs for Iowa.

HARD TO SWALLOW: The Attorney Generals Office has filed suit in Polk County claiming the makers of drinkable sunscreen failed to prove their product provides the advertised protection against cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The lawsuit against Osmosis LLC and Harmonized Water LLC, and their owner, Benjamin Taylor Johnson, MD, all of Evergreen, Colorado, alleges the defendants initially marketed their UV Neutralizer, proclaimed as the worlds first drinkable sunscreen, without any valid testing to prove its claims. The lawsuit also alleges the defendants later conducted seriously flawed testing that recklessly gave consumers hollow assurances that they were protected from known health hazards, according to Attorney General Tom Miller.

We allege that Johnson and his companies put consumers at considerable risk by claiming that spraying UV Neutralizer into their mouths will provide hours of sun protection, Miller said. These defendants admit that this products only ingredient is water, and we allege they cant support their highly questionable claims that they can specially treat ordinary water to take on a wide range of health-enhancing properties.

REGENT CONFIRMED: The Iowa Senate voted 49-0 to approve retired Des Moines physician Michael Richards as a member of the state Board of Regents  the panel that oversees three state universities and two special schools. Richards has served on the panel for nearly a year, having been appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad to replace Mary Andringa after she resigned in April 2016. Gubernatorial appointees must receive a two-thirds majority of the Iowa Senate, or at least 34 affirmative votes, to be confirmed to a state board or commission.

RIGHT TO TRY: The Iowa Senate voted 49-0 Tuesday to approve right-to-try legislation that would make it easier for terminally ill patients to get access to experimental drugs. Senate File 404 would permit manufacturers of investigative drugs, biological products or devices to make them available to eligible patients with terminal illnesses for use as a treatment so long as they provide written informed consent. This gives patients hope, said Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, floor manager for Senate File 404 which now goes to the Iowa House, which failed to approve the measure last session.

FOREIGN DIGNITARIES: The Iowa Capitol building will have an international flavor Wednesday with state officials hosting dignitaries from Canada. Today has been designated as Canada Day at the Capitol with Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Andrew Leslie, Canadas Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will meet Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowas legislative leaders during events in Des Moines to celebrate Iowas top trade partnership. During the visit, the Canadian delegation will present the state of Iowa with an official gift commemorating Canadas sesquicentennial.

Anne Rabbitte, a member of Irelands Fianna Fail Party in the Irish Parliament, was slated to address both chambers of the Iowa Legislature Wednesday and meet with the governor before traveling to Emmetsburg to participate in St. Patricks Day observances in the northwest Iowa community. She had to cancel her Capitol visit due to an East Coast snowstorm but she still planned to keep her Emmetsburg commitments.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Its flat-out dangerous to consumers to make them think without any proof that this water protects them from what we know is proven  potentially cancer-causing exposure to the sun. Attorney General Tom Miller talking about water products sold as drinkable sunscreen and mosquito repellent
DES MOINES  Opponents of legislation that would expand gun rights in Iowa made a last-stand show of political force Tuesday at the Statehouse in hopes of heading off or softening aspects of the bill expected to pass the Senate and land on Gov. Terry Branstads desk.

Backers of House File 517 told three members of a Senate Judiciary subcommittee the sweeping changes are needed to protect Iowans and their rights.

The right to fight for self preservation is the most basic of all human rights, said Richard Rogers of the Iowa Firearms Coalition.

The House-passed bill guarantees that Iowans will not be deprived of their fundamental rights and their best tools for defense in times of emergency, he added.

But Bernard Clayton of Cedar Rapids told subcommittee members Iowas current gun regulations work and he feared the new provisions would lead to more gun violence.

I will tell you that this bill is dangerous, he said. I know that we are really hellbent on doing this. Its very dangerous for our state.

House File 517 includes a stand-your-ground provision that allows the use of deadly force for self-defense anywhere a gun owner can lawfully carry. The bill does not require a person to retreat from a threat or call police before using deadly force to protect themselves, others or property.

Under the bill, new carry applicants would be allowed to complete online training courses to demonstrate knowledge of firearm safety.

This bill is a great bill for terrorists, said Chris Robinson, an African American resident of Des Moines. My terrorist is folks that look like you.

Des Moines resident Patty McKee expressed concern that stand-your-ground provisions have not been applied equally on racial grounds in states with the law now.

I think that this is unnecessary. People have the right to protect themselves now in their home and in their car. I think this leaves it wide open for abuse, she said.

If adopted, the bill would remove age requirements for minors handling handguns under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

Other provisions include removing a penalty for carrying a weapon while under the influence if someone is in his or her own home or business; keeps information on people who possess weapon permits confidential; allows carrying firearms on snowmobiles and ATVs on property that doesnt belong to the carrier; and legalizes short-barreled rifles and shotguns.
REDONDO BEACH, Calif.  John Thomas Howard, 81, passed away March 9, 2017, in Redondo Beach, after a short but noble battle with cancer. Born on May 18, 1935, in Ottumwa, Iowa, to Lyle and Genevieve (Rater) Howard, Tom graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, and then Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he received his doctor of dental surgery (DDS) in 1959. While in Milwaukee he met his wife, Marie Finn. Tom and Marie were married for 57 years and raised five children: Anne, (Redondo Beach), Tim, (Columbia, South Carolina), Beth, (Donnellson, Iowa), Michael, (Costa Mesa, California), and Patrick (Vickie), (Sammamish, Washington).

Tom practiced dentistry for 41 years, first in the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California, then in Ottumwa, Iowa, eventually relocating to Davenport. His career was a fitting one for someone who valued the power of a smile. He was passionate about his work and had a gift for healing others. He was always hungry for more knowledge, and as such continued his education, receiving additional advanced degrees in integrative medicine, gnathologic orthopedics and cranial osteopathy.

After retiring from dentistry in 2001, he and Marie moved to Southern California. An avid sailor, Tom joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Marina Del Rey and served 15 years with the organization, including as commander of his local flotilla.

Tom lived a full life, going on many adventures with his family, including winter trips to the Bahamas, motorcycle tours throughout California and Europe, and several safaris in Africa.

He is survived by his wife, five children and five grandchildren.

The USCG will honor his years of service with a burial at sea.
Rep. Steve King's rampant racism is an opportunity for Iowa Republicans and the party at large. Exorcise the nationalist bent before it's too late.

The House should make an example of King, and Iowa GOP should be actively seeking a candidate to oust him in next year's primary.

King's Sunday tweet, in support of a right-wing Dutch nationalist, Geert Wilders, laid bare that which has infected the party of Lincoln for far too long.

"Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies," King tweeted, a direct shot at Muslim refugees and their children.

King has made a career out of nibbling the edges of white supremacy. Such inflammatory speech is what gets him on national television talk shows. He's not serving Iowa's 4th Congressional District. And thanks to his lust for attention, King serves as a self-appointed representative for Iowa. It's through his actions that the nation sees us.

Many prominent Republicans rightly decried King's initial statement. They no doubt fumed as he went on CNN and doubled-down.

First of all, I do not agree with Congressman King's statement. We are a nation of immigrants, and diversity is the strength of any nation and any community, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement.

Kaufmann took an even harder swing at former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke, who was, unsurprisingly, overjoyed by King's declaration.

Regarding David Duke, his words and sentiments are absolute garbage. He is not welcome in our wonderful state, Kaufmann said.

Gov. Terry Branstad and governor-in-waiting Kim Reynolds correctly smacked King for his outright bigotry.

Strong words are welcome. But action is necessary. Unchecked, this strain of right-wing nationalism will consume the party. It's already threatening political orders throughout the West, the very civilization that King claims he wants to save. Austria, France, Greece and the U.K. are all combating racially fueled rightist political insurgencies. It's a base reaction to the greatest refugee crises in 75 years, a catastrophe that, ironically, was orchestrated by the West's own foreign policy. It's been fostered by years of politicians stoking a persecution complex among those who, by every objective measure, enjoy a disproportionate amount of society's benefits.

Like so many others, King is obviously emboldened by the rise of President Donald Trump. He's dropped the thin veil that had cloaked his prejudice. Trump might not like to admit it, but the go-to dog whistles that propelled his campaign spoke directly to the hard right's notion of racial purity and a civilization under siege from the others. That's why Duke and his ilk are suddenly relevant again. It's why Jews are suddenly under threat. It's why angry white men are walking into the local bar, yelling, "Get out of my country," and attacking fellow citizens for no other reason than the color of their skin.

This is not the rhetoric of your father's GOP, the party of reason and Reagan. It is, however, the same disgusting drivel that was thrown at Irish, Polish and Italian immigrants a century ago. It's fear and weakness masquerading as strength.

The GOP, neither in Iowa nor the U.S. at large, should stand for this. King's words are a direct challenge to its ideals. This is, in a very real sense, a tipping point for a party that dominates most of the country. The moral imperative is real. And the economic one  the GOP's stated sacred cow  is undeniable. These "babies" work in our businesses, schools, hospitals and universities. They're no less American than anyone else.

The verbal spankings from Kaufmann, Branstad and Reynolds were apt. But their party's actions will determine the real value of their words.

King should be censured in the House. His bigotry is protected speech. But the First Amendment does not shield him from professional consequences. And next year, King should face a strong opponent in the GOP primary, one with full backing of the state party.

King's breed of hate-filled nationalism is a threat to the GOP. But it's also an opportunity to rebuke such gutlessness in the strongest possible terms.
DES MOINES  Many significant changes would be made to Iowas gun laws if a bill working its way through the Iowa Legislature gains sufficient approval in coming weeks.

Those charged with keeping the peace and enforcing Iowas laws say they have serious concerns regarding some portions of the wide-ranging proposal.

Many of Iowas county sheriffs, city police chiefs and county attorneys say their deepest concerns lie with two particular provisions:

 One that would lessen an individuals burden to justify the use of lethal force in self-defense.

 One that would allow Iowans to sue local governments that prohibit the possession of guns in public buildings, such as county courthouses.

Multiple sheriffs, police chiefs and county attorneys interviewed for this story said they think much of the sweeping legislation would have little to no effect on their duties, and some pieces they supported.

But the so-called stand-your-ground provision and the notion of guns in courthouses and other public buildings give many law enforcement officials cause for concern.

Organizations representing the states peace officers, sheriffs and police all are registered as undecided on the bill. The organization representing the states county attorneys is registered in opposition to it.

Stand-your-ground laws have been debated passionately and nationally, particularly in the wake of a 2012 incident in Florida in which a black teen was shot to death and the shooter was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense under the states stand-your-ground law.

Iowa law enforcement officials, particularly county attorneys, said their concern is that a stand-your-ground provision could make it difficult to prosecute shooting deaths.

Unfortunately, at least in Davenport, we have the exchange of gun fire on a frequent basis, and unfortunately people get killed. And our fear is the unintended consequence of this bill is going to make those types of cases difficult to prosecute, even if an innocent bystander were to be killed, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton said. It builds in a defense, because both sides are going to be able to say they were standing their ground. ...

Certainly, its going to be difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who shot first. The law makes it difficult to prosecute. It builds in immunities.

Woodbury County Sheriff David Drew, like many others who have raised questions about the bill, said Iowa does not need a stand-your-ground provision because current state law already permits the use of lethal force in self-defense of ones home or vehicle. The proposal would expand that permission to anywhere.

I think stand-your-ground is a bad law. I agree with the attorneys, Drew said. I think what you can have is two people that are really of a criminal mindset say, I feared that guy, and he feared that guy, and were going back to the wild, Wild West.

Rep. Matt Windschitl is a Republican state legislator and gun shop owner from Missouri Valley and an advocate for reducing restrictions on gun ownership and use. He said stand-your-ground laws are designed to protect individuals from being prosecuted for acting in self-defense and such a protection should extend beyond the individuals home or vehicle.

Windschitl said the potential for more difficult prosecutions is outweighed by the expansion of protections for law-abiding gun owners.

May a sheriff or prosecuting attorney have to reach a new standard to prosecute? Under those rare instances when someone may claim stand-your-ground, yes, that may happen, Windschitl said. But I think the burden that may put on that prosecuting attorney far outweighs the burden upon an Iowan to have to try and run away from a very dangerous situation that endangers their life or safety or the life or safety of another. Were allowing Iowans the responsibility.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden and others said they also are worried a stand-your-ground law will lead to an increase in gun violence.

Floridas monthly homicide rate increased nearly 25 percent after implementation of its stand-your-ground law, according to a 2016 study conducted by a University of Oxford social policy professor published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

I believe the stand your ground law would embolden some to unnecessarily resort to deadly force and increase the likelihood of physical violence, Vander Sanden in an emailed statement.

Sheriffs and county attorneys said they also think any provision that makes it easier for individuals to bring guns into public places such as county courthouses is bad policy. They said emotions can run high in the courthouse and adding guns to that mix could be dangerous.

That would be a huge step backward for public safety, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said. Some of the most contentious occurrences happen in the courthouse.

Walton described prohibiting local governments from regulating firearms in courthouses as lunacy that puts the public and courthouse workers in danger.

People are facing bad consequences in the courthouse. They may be prosecuted for crimes, their family members, relatives may be prosecuted for crimes, there may be juvenile situations, domestic abuse, divorces. It just goes on and on, Walton said.

A courthouse is supposed to be a place where things are peaceably resolved. I think its a shame that the Legislature would put my staff and all the staff in the courthouse at risk with people with firearms. I dont know why they would do that.

The proposed legislation does not repeal any local ordinances that ban weapons in courthouses or other public buildings, and judges would retain authority to ban guns in the courtroom, Windschitl said.

Judges still have domain over their kingdom, Windschitl said. Theyre still the masters of their judicial branch.

The bill does permit individuals to petition the court if he or she feels adversely affected by a weapons ban. Creating that opening concerned many of those county law enforcement officials.

We have always been able to represent the courthouse as a safe place to victims and witnesses who are sometimes fearful about coming to testify in court, Vander Sanden said. If this legislation passed, it would subject counties across the state to lawsuits by those who believe they should have a right to bring firearms into county buildings.
PIERRE | South Dakota has settled two civil lawsuits for roughly $1.5 million with a private company that handled the state's investment-for-visa program.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard's office said Tuesday the lawsuits sought to enforce the state's contract with SDRC Inc. and to recover expenses the Board of Regents incurred from a California arbitration case.

The governor's office says SDRC must immediately pay nearly $550,000 to the state, and another $81,000 by September 2019.

The state has separately recovered nearly $900,000 in indemnification funds owed by SDRC. An attorney for the company didn't immediately return a telephone message requesting comment.

Joop Bollen, who once led South Dakota's participation in the EB-5 visa program, recently reached an agreement with prosecutors in a financial misconduct case.
Christopher Michael Fox, 43, admitted in a written statement that he asked two girls, ages 11 and 16, to take their clothes off while video chatting with them separately between May 2014 and December 2015. Fox said the incidents occurred multiple times while they were using a communications application called Skype. He also admitted to sending the girls nude photos of himself.
Well, its daylight saving time.

The alarm this morning  Sunday  forgot that. But no matter. Its set for Monday.

The Chamber of Commerce banquet is this weekend. It seems almost too close since as of when Im writing, it still seems like winter.

Anyway, I already have my tickets and the chambers director, Gary Wood, makes it sound like fun.

The following weekend, of course, is the Chutes for Charity annual fundraiser starting at 5:30 Saturday, March 25.

Chutes is pretty much a unique organization, both in how it started and how well its done since it began.

We dont write that sort of thing in a news story very much, because thats for the hard facts.

But I personally think its unique in the way that some area women who are connected in various ways to the Roundup saw a need for an emergency help fund.

Somebody may even have health insurance, but if theyre injured somewhere else, or taken somewhere else for emergency treatment, how does the family get there?

Thats just one instance, but one that already has happened and has seen Chutes come forward to help.

I did a little bit of computer search in some of my files and found a number of photos of people receiving "Chutes" checks at the Roundup, in front of the rough stock chutes, to help cover their own unexpected needs that otherwise fall through the cracks.

Actually the past week was more than working on those stories.

The Roundup Committee meeting news, writing up a story for the chamber annual meeting Saturday, doing a story on Chutes for Charity, even the fundraisers for Vern Ward, were huge and positive for the community.

BTW, theres an April 1 benefit auction for the Ward family at the Branding Iron. The Ward benefit pancake breakfast recently seemed to have a lot of the Ward girls friends involved

Even the fire Sam Silacci had a Black Hills Auto Care  scary to me given my own background  brought a bit of a mess for Sam, but a rapid response from police, fire and even the ambulance crew brought a thanks! from Sam for that response.

It looks like the Belle Fourche police department is getting things straightened around, one way or another. The open house a while ago was a good opportunity for folks to meet the new chief and his family.

There likely will be some changes, too, with the Teamsters Union handling negotiations with the city and new officers added to patrol schedules.

I headed to take photos of the Purple Pride 5K Sunday.

Left the house in a snowstorm.

Snow stopped by the time I got to Herrmann Park.

Nobody there.

Checked my phone for Purple Prides Facebook and Oops. The 5K already had been cancelled due to weather.

Ah, well. It got me to the store to pick up some things on the way home.

This newspaper this week, by the way, is March 15. The Romans called the date the Ides of March.

High school world history classes probably still note that Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March, but theres another much more interesting part to the date, now seen as simply March 15.

The oldest Roman calendar had March as the first month of the year.

That really makes sense because were turning from winter to spring and the rural and outdoor "new" working year is just beginning.

The Vernal equinox is March 20 this year, midway between the suns lowest path across the sky in winter and highest path across the sky in summer.

Thats the modern date for the first day of spring  oddly close to the Romans Ides of March that celebrated new beginnings.

Anyway

Funny thing about the changes in sunrise and sunset is that newspapers once carried local sunrise and sunset times. Now? I guess the clock counts more unless youre in a hunting season. The internet can tell you such stuff, too, and everybody pretty much has one, and can check if they care.

Still Sunday didnt seem much like spring. Today, Wednesday, should, according to the weather service in Rapid City.

We'll see.
A group of community leaders is throwing its efforts behind an idea to revolutionize how Rapid City provides services to its mentally ill and homeless populations, and the members are looking south to the Lone Star State for a nationally acclaimed program as the model.

The Texas program is called Haven for Hope, though the Rapid City version would probably get its own name. Based in San Antonio, Haven for Hope is a 22-acre campus that provides a wide range of social, health care, and rehabilitation services  including housing, case management and job training, all in one spot.

The Rapid City Collective Impact group organized a trip for 18 leaders in law enforcement, city government and social service to visit Haven for Hope on March 7. Having returned, they are now determined to replicate the model here in the Black Hills.

Built in 2010, Haven for Hope was credited last year for reducing homelessness in San Antonio by 80 percent. According to an article in The Boston Globe, since its creation, more than 3,000 men, women and children have been placed in permanent housing after participating in Haven for Hopes programs. The facility also offers sleeping space that can accommodate hundreds of people at a time.

I think that is within our reach, Rapid City Police Chief Karl Jegeris said Tuesday during a news conference at the former National American University building in Rapid City. Jegeris was part of the group that visited Haven For Hope.

We need to set that as our bar. We need to work collaboratively to reduce homelessness by 80 percent in Rapid City. And it can be done, he said.

Also on the Texas trip was Ruby Gibson, director of Freedom Lodge, a local nonprofit that provides historical trauma therapy primarily to members of Rapid Citys Native American community.

They work from a place of radical compassion, Gibson said. It requires a change of thinking, it requires a unification rather than a division of race, where we look at each other in a different way, where we all share the same community, and that one persons suffering, or one persons joy, is another persons joy.

Albert Linderman, director of Rapid City Collective Impact, said he was impressed with what he saw at Haven for Hope.

We were as a group in agreement that this was a powerful display of humanity and intelligence, Linderman said. The group of us got a vision for Rapid City.

The next step for realizing that vision, Linderman said, is for Rapid City Collective Impact and various community stakeholders to begin creating a strategic plan in the weeks ahead to hammer out potential costs and possible locations of facilities.

Linderman described three components of Haven for Hope that he thinks should be reproduced in Rapid City, one of which is in the process of being developed.

The Pennington County Health Facility being built in the former NAU building will fulfill what Linderman refers to as the restoration part of the Haven for Hope model. A $14 million project slated for completion next March, the County Health Facility will put the detoxification center, the Crisis Care Center, and Health and Human Services all under one roof.

Completing the Haven for Hope model will take a greater investment in permanent affordable housing, and to help individuals craft personalized plans for securing and maintaining a workable lifestyle with ready access to the services they need.

Jegeris said he thinks the Haven for Hope approach could save Rapid City hundreds of thousands of dollars.

(Haven for Hope) saved their community millions of dollars, Jegeris said, by taking on this type of approach, which is a more humanitarian approach, where youre actually taking care of people and addressing root causes rather than the current condition. What we use in Rapid City, which is primarily punitive, a criminal justice approach thats very expensive, ineffective, and does not result in longstanding change.

All the pieces havent fallen into place yet, but Linderman said he and Rapid City Collective Impact will continue to move the community conversation forward.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said Wednesday he'll subpoena information from the FBI over President Donald Trump's wiretapping allegations if bureau Director James Comey does not provide information about whether there is any validity to the President's claims.

Earlier this month, Trump alleged -- without providing evidence -- that Obama ordered his phones to be wiretapped at Trump Tower during the campaign. Graham and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, both asked the Justice Department last week to provide any evidence that would support Trump's claims.

"We wrote a letter -- Sen. Whitehouse and myself -- wanting to know if there's evidence of a warrant issued by the Trump campaign," the South Carolina Republican told CNN's Chris Cuomo on "New Day." "He hasn't answered that letter or confirmed if there's a real investigation of the Trump campaign."

"He needs to answer the letter and give the nation some information about what's going on here," he added.

If the FBI does not provide the information, Graham said he and other senators may subpoena it.

"I want to get to the bottom of it. The FBI would know if a warrant was issued. They would know if a warrant was applied for. I want to answer that question," he said. "If they do not provide the answer to that letter we wrote in a bipartisan fashion, there will be a bipartisan subpoena following the FBI."

"Congress is going to flex its muscles," Graham added.

Graham later told CNN's Kate Bolduan that he has "no idea" if he will receive a response and he was not given any assurances that he would get an answer by Wednesday.

Graham -- who, along with Whitehouse, is leading one of the three congressional investigations into Russia's interference in the US election -- said the lack of an answer from the FBI is causing him to become suspicious.

"I've seen no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. I've seen no evidence of a wiretap being requested by the Department of Justice, a warrant," he said. "But the longer it takes to answer my letter, the more concerned and suspicious I'm beginning to be."

The senator added that if the FBI does not respond to lawmakers' requests for information, some may be willing to block more appointments to the Trump administration.

"If there's not a criminal investigation of the Trump ties to Russia, I think the country needs to know it. Congress needs to know it, and he has never promised to answer that question," Graham said. "Chairman (Chuck) Grassley said something very important yesterday, that he would be willing to block the deputy attorney general's nomination until Director Comey gave us the information we sought regarding warrants and investigations."

The White House is beginning to walk back Trump's claim earlier this month that Obama had his "wires tapped" toward the end of the campaign. White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday the President wasn't referring to wiretapping when he tweeted about wiretapping.

"I think there's no question that the Obama administration, that there were actions about surveillance and other activities that occurred in the 2016 election," Spicer previously said. "The President used the word 'wiretaps' in quotes to mean, broadly, surveillance and other activities."
MEXICO CITY | Amazingly (color me facetious), Donald Trump and his anti-Mexico histrionics aren't on everybody's mind, every single minute of the day here.

The 8-plus million inhabitants of this city (almost that many more in the greater metro area) have to contend with all the pressing urban issues that consume city dwellers. For the most part, the local media devote most of their attention to parochial concerns, with the expected amount of limited op-ed attention paid to matters connected to relations with the U.S.

Not that there's any love lost between Mexican editorialists and President Trump. In its analysis of Trump's issues with the complications of repealing Obamacare, Mexican News Daily refers to Trump as "the Tangerine Tornado." The rest of today's edition has a piece about Mexican avocado growers "not sweating over NAFTA" because they sell $2.2 billion worth of fruit to the USA every year and will continue to do so, NAFTA or no NAFTA.

I shouldn't have been, but was, taken aback by a note in the piece about local environmentalists concerned that rapacious avocado growers are continuing to expand by destroying Monarch butterfly habitat in order to plant more trees. Another reaction in the piece noted that the trade issues with the U.S.A. could be an opportunity in disguise, as Mexicans will be forced to seek out other markets and develop trade ties with a broader array of countries if relations with the U.S. continue to sour.

That prospect has already emerged. A couple of weeks ago, a bill requiring Mexico to buy its corn from Brazil and Argentina instead of the United States was discussed in the Mexican senate. Meantime, the Chinese global news giant YIBADA reported last month that while U.S.-Mexican trade tensions are building, China "is taking the opportunity to strengthen ties with Mexico."

These are probably incremental baby steps at this stage of Trump administration's handling of the NAFTA relationship, but they are definitely going in the wrong direction from our local perspective. As I noted here last week, South Dakota's $400 billion a year in sales to Mexico (out of a total of $1.4 billion in exports) should be enough to keep us focused as our trade relationship evolves.

My sense is that Mexico  if not exactly defiant  is nevertheless developing its fallback options. It's a country with considerable comparative advantages, particularly in the way of natural resources and a cheap but increasingly skilled labor force. A revisit to NAFTA is probably way past due. A Mexit wouldn't do us much good and could be exceptionally bad for South Dakota.
The recently concluded session of the Wyoming Legislature left no one happy.

Members of the state Senate didnt get the deep cuts in education spending that they were looking for. Members of the House didnt get the more reasonable cuts-and-revenue approach to the schools funding crisis that they were looking for. Gov. Matt Mead didnt get the review of the tax structure that he says is critical to the states future health. And because the Legislature failed to take the needed action to solve the states systemic financial problems, Wyoming residents are certainly no better off.

All told, the Legislature cut $400 million in state spending, including about $250 million Mead recommended before the session. The final deal on education will cut $34 million on July 1 and trigger a review of the funding system. It also created a panel of lawmakers who will work the problem over the summer; they are empowered to draft bills for the next legislative session that include ways to raise revenue and cut funding to schools.

The clarion call for the session came from Mead, a Republican who is also a pragmatist. Mead said the state desperately needed to examine its tax structure to lessen its reliance on the fluctuating energy industry. He emphasized that without this change, no amount of economic diversification will improve Wyomings financial health  in fact, attracting businesses from which the state doesnt collect much revenue would be a step backward. And Mead wasnt alone: After the industry spent decades powering Wyomings spending, many of its backers supports the change.

But legislators failed to address the broken tax structure  in fact, they werent even able to raise the cigarette tax even a little. This is fundamentally dangerous thinking. Are they banking on a rebound in the volatile energy industry to boost the states fortunes and do the job that they could not? Anyone whos paying attention knows that coal is unlikely to ever reach its former heights. Its fate is not tied simply to burdensome federal regulations; we live in a global economy, where complex factors, such as green energy mandates, competition from low natural gas prices and demand from China, have impact far beyond the reach of the White House. Shackling the state to the ups and downs of the commodity market makes less sense every day.

To be clear, no one is advocating specifically for new taxes. But to oppose open discussion and consideration of changes to taxes, or tax structures, that generate the income that funds the services Wyoming people use, makes no sense and is not how representative government works. Nothing should be off the table because of promises made to special interest groups.

Without any consideration of adjustments to Wyomings tax structure, lawmakers were also unable to solve the states fundamental budget and education funding dilemmas. This money is running out, particularly for school construction, and the state has no alternative. Lawmakers failed to consider the big picture and what their cuts-only-dont-talk-about-taxes-no-matter-what focus might mean for future generations of Wyomingites, who will ultimately find themselves back in this situation  only worse, because there will be fewer places to cut.

Its noteworthy that in recent memory, Wyoming is the only state in the nation that tried to balance a budget deficit using a cuts-only approach. It didnt solve the problem. Will legislators learn from that?

Mead also spoke about the importance of fixing the state prison, which was on lockdown for 42 hours in December because of structural issues. Doors werent closing correctly, which affected security  something that should be a top priority at the state penitentiary. Mead had hoped to use bonds to repair or replace the building, but the Legislature, ignoring the obvious safety and security risks  as well as the financial implications of the lawsuits they could bring  opted to push the problem down the road without comment and create a savings account, a move that fails to deal with the very real and immediate problems.

All these failures to heed Meads recommendations happened under the watch of a Republican supermajority. Had they come up with a plan and coalesced behind it, they would have had little trouble passing it. But fractious infighting prevented that kind of success, with the most shortsighted legislators pushing against any tax changes at all.
RAPID CITY | Surrounded by her loving family, Delores "DeDe" Ghere, 79, passed away on March 8, 2017, at Hospice of the Hills.

DeDe was born on Nov. 14, 1937, in Deadwood to Arnold and Hazel Arnio, the third of 11 children. The family lived in Seattle, WA, before moving back to Lead, SD, when DeDe was in the fourth grade. She graduated from Lead High School in 1955.

During her teenage years in Grizzly Gulch, she learned to bake, cook, and can from her grandmother, Anna (Aiti). This started her lifelong love of baking and every time someone would come to her home, they could expect fresh bread, cookies, nissou pulla. She married the love of her life, Warner Ghere, on Jan. 23, 1957, in Rapid City, where they were blessed with 60 wonderful years together, three beautiful children, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

She spent her life helping her husband run Ghere Construction, and as a realtor at Conrad and Ham Realtors. She was very involved in her community. She served on the Rapid City Council, the Pennington County Board of Education, and the Pennington County Commission where she was the first woman to serve as commissioner. She was a member of the B.P.O. Does since 1968 and was president in 1970. She was a member of the Zonta Club of the Black Hills since 1969 and was president in 1978. She was a volunteer for the Pennington County Easter Seals for more than 10 years. She was the First Ambassador for South Dakota to President Reagan. She was also very involved with her church, Trinity Lutheran.

She was an open and caring woman who always had a kind word, listening ear, cup of coffee, and cookies for all. This led to a revolving string of guests at her home, with a friend or relative coming to her table nearly every day. She loved her family most of all and hosted many gatherings where everyone was welcome.

She is survived by her loving husband, Warner Ghere; her children, Valerie (Alan) Patton and Sue (Brian) Garofalo; grandchildren, Amanda (Jerry) Mercer, Aaron Patton, Aleaha Ghere and Ryan Ghere; great-grandchildren, Myranda (Greg) Stull, Jared and Kaitlyn Mercer, and Edith Ghere; great-great-grandchildren, Thomas and Nick Stull; siblings, Dolly Rizzy, Phyllis (John) Johnson, Kay (Bob) Zuhr, Arnie (Brigitte) Arnio, David (Kay) Arnio, Dr. Robert (Janice) Arnio, Dan (Linda) Arnio, Christy (Bill) Burleson, and Cindy (Boyce) Gillies; sisters-in-law, Sylvia Conrad and Carol Rae (Dave) Olson; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, Arnold and Hazel; her son, Gene Ghere; and her sister, Debbie Christensen.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Kirk Funeral Home.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 17, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be at Pine Lawn Memorial Park. A luncheon will follow for friends and family.

A memorial has been established. If anyone would like to contribute, they may make checks payable to Warner Ghere and he will distribute the funds to the charities and causes that have been dear to their hearts all these years.

Friends may sign her online guestbook at Kirk Funeral Homes website.
RAPID CITY | Walter John Bradsky Sr., 84, was welcomed into Eternal Life on Sunday, March 12, 2017.

"Walt" Bradsky, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, was born May 10, 1932, in Rapid City, SD, to Charles and Vilma (aka Wilma) Bradsky. He attended Cathedral High School. He then completed college (pre-law) at Marquette University in Milwaukee, with his fourth year also serving as his first year in Law School. He transferred to and graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School with the degree of Bachelor of Laws on June 4, 1956 and received his license to practice law from the Supreme Court of South Dakota on June 6, 1956. He later received a gaming license from the South Dakota Commission on Gaming on June 28, 2001. While receiving multiple awards and commendations over the years, Walt was especially proud of the Tom Didier Excellence in Family Business Award received in 2011.

While attending Marquette University in Milwaukee, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Martens. On August 20, 1955, he married Betty at Holy Family Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay, WI. To this union were born seven children: John, Thomas, David, Elizabeth, Richard, Paul, and Sandra.

Walt joined the United States Air Force in 1957 and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, MT, and served as a military attorney designated as a Judge Advocate. He served as trial counsel on many courts-martial, where it was said that his legal aptitude, personality, ethics, preparation, and appearance instilled great confidence in him. At the time, it was reported that his "was the best work accomplished by any Judge Advocate in the Fifteenth Air Force." He was honorably discharged as a Captain after serving for three years.

Walt then returned to Rapid City working with Attorney Jim Brennen in his private law practice. Seeking further opportunity, he applied for and was offered a job with Northrop as a Contract Administrator for the Minuteman Missile Silos  this, even though he had no contract experience and even though 26 other attorneys with contract experience applied for the job. For those who knew him, you can appreciate that his Air Force evaluations and efficiency ratings were that stellar! Always prepared, he studied complex manuals and negotiated huge multi-million dollar contracts. Since Northrop was the prime subcontractor for Martin Marietta (a major contractor for Air Force installations), Martin Marietta witnessed Walt's aptitude and work ethic first-hand, and hired Walt "on the spot" as soon as they received his job application. He and his wife, Betty, were off to Denver, CO. Northrop wanted him back and offered to let him "write his own ticket" as their head contract administrator. He would have had to move to India but God had other plans...

Walt and Betty wanted a family, and Walt wanted to be back in his hometown of Rapid City. He was hired by Bangs McCullen Law Firm and continued to work there for 18 years, eventually founding Bradsky Law Office. From there, Walt's entrepreneurial zeal inherited from his father really kicked in. He founded or was invested in over a dozen companies. Two of his five sons joined his law practice, which then became Bradsky, Bradsky & Bradsky, P.C. Two grandchildren have since joined the firm...so far! With his never-failing advice, support and financial assistance, the family now owns and operates nine hotels and two gaming operations in the Black Hills and Deadwood, with two additional hotels presently under construction.

Walt was all about his wife Betty and his family. He was our family patriarch  a wise, loving, intelligent man who left behind so many who loved him. He had a gentle smile and was blessed with tons of patience. In all those loved ones, he leaves behind a wonderful legacy for his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he cherished and loved so much. A legacy of love, faith, honesty, integrity, work ethic, persistence, vision, and the importance of family and community. While not a preacher by trade, he often preached to his family: "Just remember: be good, be honest, be holy, be true, and God will bless whatever you do." While his sudden passing leaves a big hole in our hearts, his memory will forever be with us, and his gentle smile will always brighten our days. We will miss you Dad! We will miss you Grandpa! We will miss you Great-Grandpa!

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; and his brother, Charles J. Bradsky Jr.

Walter is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth (Donnie) Patton and Sandra Bradsky, both of Rapid City; five sons, W. John Bradsky Jr. (Revelyn), Thomas (Nancy) Bradsky, David (Kristi) Bradsky, Paul (Kirsten) Bradsky, all of Rapid City, and Richard (Kimberly) Bradsky, of Chandler, AZ; 27 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings including Albina (Chuck) Kulpaca, Wilma Kurylas, and Florence (Don) Skinner, all of Rapid City; extended family including Nancy Bradsky of Rapid City, Shirley Martens of Port Washington, WI, and Nema Devera of Rapid City; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at 4 p.m., with a Christian Wake Service at 5 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

Christian Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with Fr. Brian Lane presiding. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, with military honors under the direction of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial be made to the Cornerstone Rescue Mission in Rapid City.

Friends may sign his online guest register at osheimschmidt.com.
Alleged Russian hacker stands before U.S. court after being extradited from Norway

MOSCOW, March 15 (RAPSI)  Mark Vartanyan, a Russian national who is charged with one count of computer fraud in the United States, was arraigned before a federal court for Northern District of Georgia following his successful extradition from Norway, U.S. Department of Justice announced on Tuesday.

Vartanyan, also known as Kolypto, is believed to be a hacker responsible for development and maintenance of infamous Citadel malware, which was used for fraudulent activities around the globe, including the U.S. state of Georgia.

The case against alleged hacker is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

According to U. S. Attorney John Horn, Vartanyan was actively involved in improvement and distribution of Citadel between August 2012 and January 2013 period when he resided in Ukraine. Later, he allegedly was engaged in criminal activity again between April 9, 2014 and June 2, 2014 when he was a resident of Norway. Alleged hacker was extradited from Norway in December 2016.

Vartanyan is not the first person tried by a U.S. court over Citadel fraud. On September 29, 2015, Russian programmer Dmitry Belorossov, who was extradited to the United States from Spain was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for online fraud. Back then Belorossov admitted that he is the creator of the Citadel.

According to the Department of Justice, Citadel is a specific malware toolkit designed to infect computers and steal financial account credentials from victim networks. Citadel is responsible for infiltrating 11 millions of computers worldwide causing damages estimating $500mln.
Russian court explains why recovery of $6,000 from RBC in favor of Rosneft was reversed

MOSCOW, March 15 (RAPSI)  The Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals has explained its motivation for revocation of a lower courts ruling ordering Russian news outlet RBC and several its journalists to pay Rosneft oil company 390,000 rubles (over $6,000) in libel damages, court documents read on Wednesday.

On March 1, the court overturned the December 2016 ruling by the Moscow Commercial Court ordering the defendants to pay the compensation.

The lawsuit was brought after an article about Rosneft privatization headlined 'Rosneft requests authorities to protect it from BP' had been published on the website of the newspaper on April 11, 2016. The corporation claimed that "information contained in the article published on RBC website is misleading." The corporation has filed a defamation lawsuit demanding 3.179 billion rubles (about $48.5 million) in damages from RBC and its journalists.

RBC journalists Timofey Dzyadko, Lyudmila Podobedova, and Maxim Tovkailo, Konstantin Bochkarev, alongside BusinessPress company (RBC newspaper publisher) and RBC-TV, were named co-defendants in the case.

The Court of Appeals noted that on July 17, 2012, the Supreme Commercial Court ruled that any judicial entity, which had its right to business reputation violated, has a right to demand compensation for reputation damages if defendant was found responsible for such damages. To confirm the damage caused to reputation of the plaintiff it is required to confirm existence of such reputation and loss of trust in this reputation, which may be measured by lowered number of clients and loss of competitiveness.

According to the court, confirming the fact of spread of information discrediting business reputation of the plaintiff is not enough to come to conclusions regarding amount of damage caused and payment of monetary compensation. The plaintiff is to present evidence of having a certain reputation and negative consequences because of spread of defaming information. The court ruled that Rosneft did not present such evidence and that reference to report made by the Center of Professional Evaluation is not valid because this report is dealing with probability but not facts.
Emmas House, the Bitterroot Childrens Advocacy Center for over 10 years, has a new development director, upcoming events and supportive friends.

Joni Lubke is the new development director for Emmas House, splitting her time as executive assistant for the Bitterroot National Forest.

Lubke officially started at Emmas House in early February after serving on the board.

My two years serving on the board made me have a big passion for what this little organization does so I wanted to help, Lubke said. I felt that my talents fit the needs here and Im excited to reach out to the community and figure out how we can get this done.

Lubke said that last year Emmas House purchased their current home.

Now our plan is to expand and basically build a mirror image of this house with a breezeway in between, she said. That new office space will provide us a conference room; more offices, more therapy rooms and we hope to add to our staffing. There is a need in the valley for more services and we need more space to get that done.

Kierstin Schmitt, prevention coordinator, said the staff at Emmas House is ecstatic to have Lubke join them.

She has been instrumental in developing our board, Schmidt said. Were excited to see what she can do for us, especially raising money for our new facility and Emmas House as a whole.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Emmas House has an event planned for April 20 and training opportunities in valley schools.

"We have purchased educational documentaries about Adverse Childhood Experiences and the ACE study and the effects on kids, Schmidt said. We work with the Bitterroot Cares for Kids and the plan is to take the trainings to the towns instead of making them come here.

Emmas House has two other events on the calendar - the Day of Giving for non-profits in Montana on May 4 and their annual fall fundraiser, Sept. 23.

The fall fundraiser has been so successful for us and weve already started planning for the event, Lubke said. The theme is A Night Among the Stars a Hollywood glitz and glam theme. Ill be contacting businesses this week asking for sponsors and donations for silent and live auction items.

Schmidt said the events are fundraising efforts to expand Emmas House and fill the gap of services in Ravalli County.

We want to fill the need for specific types of therapy that are not offered extensively here in the valley, she said. We want to be able to offer parents and caregivers the support they need. Wed also like to be able to offer services to more kids. We find there are a lot of parents that need more help than what we can provide.

Lubke said, The goal is to figure out how to stop the cycle so it doesnt keep happening.

Schmidt said that when parents get what they need there is more success with teaching the kids about how to stay safe.

The feedback we get from the kids is they feel safe here which is great but it is unfortunate that they dont have that same feeling at home or elsewhere in their community, Lubke said.

Home may feel safe but the rest of where they go is not necessarily protective, Schmidt said.

On Tuesday, Textile quilt artists Susan Wetzsteon and Sue Anne Iman were at Emmas House to make the financial donation from the raffle they held at their 10th Annual An Affair of the heART art quilt show and sale, in late February.

Quilt winner Martha Ilgenfritz was also there to donate.

We appreciate them coming forward and giving us this donation and it is specifically for the new building so well earmark it for that, Lubke said.

We really want to thank Susan and Sue Anne for their many years of support for Emmas House and for inspiring the events overall and inspiring the giving, Schmidt said.

Lubke said Emmas House appreciates them.

Not only do they invest their money but also their time to our cause, Lubke said.

Iman said Heidi Zielinski donated the past two quilts that were raffled.

The first one was done in memory and honor of Jamie Grant and Mickey Frissell, Heidis mother, Iman said.

Ilgenfritz will donate the green and pink art quilt, made by Wetzsteon, to Emmas House when the new house is built.

Schmidt added her thanks to Ilgenfritz for her donation of the quilt.

We are so excited to hang this up when we get the building built, Lubke said.

Watch for more details on the exciting things happening at Emmas House at emmashousecac.org.
Email me any time: farrorita@gmail.com Sewing + Thrift store shopping = Frankensewing. I love vintage linens, hanging my sheets out on the line to dry...and creating adventures for my two Grandchildren. Doing those very ordinary things -- and then BLOGGING about it -- is how I work things out.

King Arthur Popover Recipe

Preheat oven to 425 degrees... then preheat the Popover Pan...it needs to be screaming hot. Butter the sides generously -- right before you pour the batter.



4 eggs

1 1/3 c. milk

1 1/3 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

3 tbl melted butter



Whisk eggs into milk. Make sure everything is room temp. Whisk in the flour & salt, add the melted butter at the end.



Pour thin batter into Popover pan (2/3 full) and bake for 30 minutes. DON'T OPEN THE DOOR.



When the popovers are done -- get them out of the pan ASAP and prick the top with a sharp knife to prevent collapse.



Serve with REAL BUTTER...that's mandatory. Homemade jam is optional...




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The Daily Star, March 14, 2017

Last month, a professor of gender studies of the Department of Development Studies, Dr Md Reazul Haque, was suspended following allegations of showing aobscene materiala in one of his classes. Surely, a good thing, one would think, of suspending someone for immoral behaviour, that too in a place of learning.

But since then, the slides in question were uploaded on social media, and strangely, their content is not what seems amiss, but the decision taken by the university to suspend a teacher for highlighting some important perspectives about gender and sexual violence. That too in a gender studies class! So much for universities being places to question ones biases, unlearn assumptions, and engage in critical thinking.

The slides contain news pictures and illustrations which depict the way that public policy and perspectives are not gender sensitive. True, it shows a picture of an activist of a certain political party making a crude gesture towards women lawyers of the opposite party by trying to show his private parts. But according to definition, pornography is the depiction of activity or organ aintended to stimulate sexual excitement.a The picture does not explicitly show any private parts. By definition alone, the claim that the teacher was showing obscene material in class falls flat. Another slide depicts a woman with bruises on her shoulder after she had been domestically abused. Is violence against women a subject not fit to be discussed in a gender studies masters programme? Or for that matter, is it wrong to discuss LGBT issues in a gender studies class?

At this point, one must ask, what exactly the authorities think as being the role of universities? To create new knowledge and critically analyse ideas, even if they may be uncomfortable? Or is intellectual thought subservient to dominant ideologies or pressure? If questioning and engaging in debate about the politics of sexuality is considered taboo or obscene, then why even keep any of the liberal arts subjects in our universities? Any subject of the humanities, and even the sciences, should foster creative debates and question the norms. If regurgitating known and accepted information is education, why not just teach students enough to make a living, and dispense with these aobscenea subjects altogether?

Sadly, the suppression of everything that is beautiful about education in the name of ideologies is becoming more common. From the encroachment of Hefazat in the public education curriculum, to our history of censoring literature that might ainfluencea young minds, the examples are countless. We forget that when the text about the love between Kuber and Kopila of Padma Nodir Majhi is completely cut out from the textbook taught to students, they are only more titillated. They find a way to learn about what is not taught, except they learn it distorted; in a way which makes everything profane. At this rate, literature too might come under the radar: no more discussions on Lady Chatterleys Lover or Anna Karenina or Madame Bovary? Actually, literature has come under the radar as the recent omissions of essays and stories from the Bengali textbooks of the school level shows.

More than the actual banning of supposedly sensitive topics is the dread of self-censorship that this trend may encourage. Given the response of the university authorities in dealing with the matter, are teachers now to weigh the potential social outrage a topic might cause every time they discuss something in class? Compare the incident at hand with the number of sexual harassment cases against teachers of different departments. Without naming names, a quick search or conversation with students shows that many of the teachers are still working in the university without any repercussion or slight reprimands even after having been accused of harassing students.

Who knows how many incidents go unreported? One would think having a free and open conversation about these issues would be a good thing. Sensitising students as well as having safe spaces where issues of gender and harassment can be discussed should be the norm in ideal universities, not punished.

We arent the only ones promoting self-censorship. India has had recent battles with right-wingers in campuses about what constitutes dissent. Writers like Romila Thapar and Arundhati Roy have been harassed and called seditious recently because of their outspoken criticism against encroachment of certain ideologies. Yet there has been a debate. There have been voices speaking out against extremist Hindutva ideology for trying to redefine and rework Indias history to fit their views. On our part, except a few newspapers which blandly iterated that a teacher has been suspended for showing aobscene materiala and the few individuals who have spoken out, the incident has passed almost unnoticed.

Of course, Bangladesh has a past which hasnt been too troubled by censorship and cracking down on intellectual thought. Our writers have mostly been able to articulate and question norms and start debates. Except the recent instances of writers being killed for their writing, the intellectual policing that one reads of in the history of many countries have never been the norm. But that is not enough. It would not be amiss to ask ourselves now, what the role of university education and its teachers should be. It might be relevant to remember the words of Drew Gilpin Faust, president of Harvard University, in a speech before the Royal Irish Academy at Trinity College: aWhen we define higher educations role principally as driving economic development and solving societys most urgent problems, we risk losing sight of broader questions, of the kinds of inquiry that enable the critical stance, that build the humane perspective, that foster the restless scepticism and unbounded curiosity from which our profoundest understandings so often emerge. Too narrow a focus on the present can come at the expense of the past and future, of the long view that has always been higher learnings special concern.a

Our access to knowledge, books, and ideas today is unprecedented in human history. This should translate into more critical debates, engendering new ideas and appreciation of the impact these may have on making society a better place. We must not let our small instances of self-policing, weighing every thought before it is uttered, or politically expedient sacrifices of what we teach and allow to be taught, escalate into something that makes institutions of fostering critical thinking into places where one merely receives degrees for economic solvency.

The writer is a freelance contributor.
ALJAZEERA - 11 February 2017

As a Senate committee mulls Pakistans blasphemy laws, thousands visit shrine to Mumtaz Qadri, killer of Salman Taseer.

Two men pray at the grave of Mumtaz Qadri [Asad Hashim/Al Jazeera]

Islamabad, Pakistan - Two narrow minarets rise into the sky, flanking a deep green dome on top of a building nestled in rolling hills on the outskirts of Pakistans capital.

Inside, the walls are lined with inscriptions from the Quran and verses in praise of Islams Prophet Muhammad, whose mosque in the Saudi city of Medina the dome seeks to mimic. The ceiling is inlaid with an intricate mirror-work mosaic, a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes.

In the centre of the inner chamber lies a white marble grave. The stone around its edges is carved into a delicate latticework. The grave is covered with fresh roses, whose scent fill the room.

On the carpeted floor, visitors pay their respects. Some pray, others read from the Quran. In one corner, three young men quietly recite poems in praise of Prophet Muhammad.

The peaceful calm is eerily at odds with the act that brought them all here. For this is the grave of Mumtaz Qadri, a Pakistani police officer who, in 2011, fired 28 bullets into then-Punjab governor Salman Taseer over alleged blasphemy, killing him instantly.

From the people

Qadri was hanged last year after being found guilty of the murder. His funeral was attended by tens of thousands, and now his family has used donations in his name to build this ornate shrine, with an accompanying mosque and seminary to follow.

"This is all from the common people," says Aamir Qadri, Mumtazs older brother, gesturing to the still under-construction shrine. Aamir sits at a small plastic table at the entrance to the shrine, a well worn passbook for donations in front of him.

"We made this for him, it is his right as an aashiq-e-rasool [lover of the Prophet]," he says, adding that thousands of people visit each week.

The shrine honours Mumtaz Qadri, a Pakistani police officer who shot dead the Punjab governor Salman Taseer over alleged blasphemy [Asad Hashim/Al Jazeera]

So far construction has cost $67,000, all of it either donated by supporters or raised from the familys savings. When the mosque and seminary are completed, in around two years, the total cost will be about $955,000, Aamir says.

"We will build as much as we can a We have put bricks, the next person will put marble. And the next person after that might put gold, others silver."

Pakistans blasphemy laws have been on the books since before independence from the British in 1947, but they have seen increased use since the 1980s when they were strengthened by then-military dictator Zia-ul-Haqs "Islamisation" campaign.

Today, those convicted of insulting the Prophet Muhammad face a mandatory death sentence. Other offences carry punishments ranging from fines to life imprisonment.

Currently, about 40 people are on death row or serving life sentences for blasphemy in Pakistan, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Increasingly, however, right-wing vigilantes and mobs have taken the law into their own hands, killing at least 68 people over alleged blasphemy since 1990, according to an Al Jazeera tally.

Rights groups say blasphemy allegations have regularly been used to target minorities and to settle personal feuds or discredit people publicly.

Senate debate a sin

In late January, Pakistans Senate officially took up the issue of the laws potential misuse for the first time in 24 years.

"Blasphemy is a very controversial law in Pakistan because people feel very strongly about it, and we naturally respect the sentiments of all people," Nasreen Jalil, who heads the Senate Human Rights Committee, told Al Jazeera. "We should do something about the procedure a so that blasphemy allegations are not misused."

While making it clear that the Senate was not discussing repealing the law, Jalil said one of the recommendations being reviewed was to amend procedure so that a senior police officer must conduct an inquiry before any blasphemy case is filed to rule out personally motivated allegations.

"We hope that the debate will be able to open peoples minds and do something good for the people," she says.

Rights groups, however, suspect that such procedural changes would do little to lessen the number of cases of vigilante murder.

"I think its more a question of enforcement," says Zohra Yusuf, chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. "When people are accused, the police tend to panic, and a they often then give them away to be handled by the mob," she added, citing several cases where such violence resulted in the death of the accused before a legal case was ever filed.

"There is an urgent need for these laws to be amended. Its like a sword hanging over everyones head. If you disagree with some religious point of view, then its very easy to accuse someone of blasphemy."

Two men pray beside the grave of Mumtaz Qadri [Asad Hashim/Al Jazeera]

London-based rights group Amnesty International says procedural changes must be backed by a strong statement of will by the government to take on those killing in the name of religion.

"A public message also has to be sent by the Pakistani government that they unreservedly condemn acts of violence, threats and intimidation purportedly justified in the name of religion, and ensure that effective steps are taken to prevent their recurrence," Nadia Rahman Khan, Amnestys Pakistan campaigner, told Al Jazeera.

That political will, many say, has been lacking in recent years, particularly since Taseers murder. Two months after his killing, Shahbaz Bhatti, then federal minister for minority affairs and an ardent campaigner for reforming the blasphemy laws, was shot dead.

Sherry Rehman, a member of parliament who subsequently presented a bill to amend the laws that was abandoned by her party, continues to face blasphemy cases and threats in connection with her proposal.

"What happened [to Taseer and Bhatti] and the aftermath, the state shouldve set precedents and their failure to do so emboldened these actors," says Shehrbano Taseer, Salmans daughter. "There was a very palpable fear that spread in the country. People moved away. Everything changed overnight [and now] no one wants to touch the issue."

Pakistans right-wing, meanwhile, remains adamant that the laws cannot be touched, unless it is to make them even stricter.

"Our parliament should, keeping these issues in mind, make the law so strong that any person about to blaspheme is too scared to do so, since the law is so strong that it will get him," says Abdul Rasool, a leader of the Pakistan Sunni Tehreek party. Rasool says he believes Qadris act was justified, as police officers had refused to register a legal case against Taseer.

"There is no harm in debating [the law] to make it more effective. But to make it ineffective or to remove the death penalty, or to give room for any person who insults Islam, having that debate is a sin," he declares.

Why all the violence?

This is one of the issues at the centre of the debate surrounding the laws: that even questioning them is considered blasphemy.

Qadri proclaimed that he killed Taseer for declaring the blasphemy law "a black law" while he campaigned for the release of Aasiya Noreen, a Pakistani Christian sentenced to hang after being convicted of blasphemy. Others who have been killed by vigilantes include lawyers for those accused of blasphemy, judges adjudicating cases, and even family members of those accused.

For Arsalan Khan, a cultural anthropologist who studies Islamic revivalist movements, the reason there are such high levels of violence surrounding the debate on the laws in Pakistan is because of a fractured social contract between the state and its people.

"The states legitimacy for [someone like] Qadri is its link to Islam," he says. "The blasphemy law is crucial to this link between state sovereignty and Islam because it proscribes the defilement of the sacred symbols such as the Quran and the Prophet.

"It is precisely the link between Islam, law and state sovereignty that Qadri believes people like Salman Taseer are destroying a The elimination of Taseer and the fear that that would spread through other potential Taseers was conceived as a restorative act that re-links the Pakistani state with its Islamic roots."

That argument seems to ring true with visitors to Qadris shrine.

"Why did the government not take action themselves [against Taseer]?" rails Talha Shahbaz, a garment trader who travelled more than 400km to visit the shrine. "Because he was a member of the government. Why did Mumtaz Qadri have to take this action himself?"

Others point to the conflict between strict interpretations of divine law and laws codified by a representative democracy.

"According to our Muslim law, [what Qadri did] is completely correct," says Gul Zaman, 60, a visitor to the shrine. "It is obvious that shariah law supersedes a countrys law a This is our faith, that what our Prophet has taught us is the truth."

There also appears to be a perception, Arsalan argues, that in a country such as Pakistan - where economic inequality is high and formal judicial processes are often inefficient - the ruling elite is disconnected from the concerns of regular citizens, and enforcing the borders of the debate on blasphemy - sometimes on pain of death - is a way of citizens fighting back.

"The sense of alienation comes also from being economically marginal. The base of Sunni Islamic movements is overwhelmingly, though not uniformly, working to middle class people and petit bourgeois merchants. This also feeds the sense that the elite and state are corrupt," he says.

Or, as Shahbaz puts it: "Why were we forced to do this, why did the issue get to where it is a You can see how justice is done here. The rich always get away with it. Everyone knows it."

Meanwhile, a few metres away, an elderly woman ambles up to Aamer Qadris donation table to contribute Rs100 (about $1) for the cause.

"He is a lover of the Prophet," she said when asked why she donated. "Can there be anything better than this?"

Asad Hashim is aljazeera.coms correspondent in Pakistan. Follow him on Twitter: @AsadHashim

A bookseller sells portraits of Mumtaz Qadri and books written in his honour just outside the shrine [Asad Hashim/Al Jazeera]

Source: Al Jazeera News
Dozens of unruly Sahrawis staged a new protest march in the Tindouf camps, defying the military siege imposed on them by the Polisario and the Algerian army.

The armed militia sent to the scene of the protest were unable to disperse the demonstrators, who threw stones at them, as shown by the images taken at the site of the demonstration, near the Tindouf camps.

The images from Tindouf circulating on social networks show that the situation has become explosive, although the Algerian and pro-Polisario media keep silent on the turmoil in the camps.

The latest turmoil was sparked following the assassination in cold blood of a camel herder from the RGuibat Labaihatt tribe, earlier this March.

Mohamed Ould Khattry Ould El Wali was looking after his grazing camels in Wadi MHeya, at the outskirts of the camps, when he was shot down by Algerian soldiers.

This is not the first deadly blunder by the Algerian army and the Polisario. The Algerian army shot dead two other Sahrawis in the same circumstances, not far from the border with Mauritania, early February. No investigation was conducted to elucidate their death and as usual, the Polisario leaders and their mentors stifled the incident and muzzled local media.

Riots broke out in the Dakhla camp after the double assassination, but the demonstration was violently repressed by the Polisario militiamen with the backing of Algerian soldiers.

Having lost any hope to have a better future as promised by the Polisario leaders for decades, the Sahrawis seem more determined than ever to break the military siege imposed on them. They try through their recurrent uprisings to put an end to their dire living conditions, aggravated by corruption, large-scale diversion of humanitarian aid and daily violation of their basic human rights.
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It's always a pleasure to write a sentence about a film that the filmmaker himself would recoil from in disgust, but here it is anyway: Peter Jackson's 2005 King Kong remake is the best King Kong movie, surpassing the original.

I wrote this before seeing Jordan Vogt-Roberts' Kong: Skull Island this week, so this isn't intended as a knock on that movie, though as with most of the King Kong spinoffs (Son of Kong, King Kong Lives, Kong Kong vs. Godzilla), there's nothing in Skull Island's plot structure that allows it to come close to the weird, earned pathos of the original, or Jackson's remake. Which is a long way of saying: I like my Kong tragic, and Jackson's Kong, building on and enhancing Merian C. Cooper's original, is giant monkey tragedy par excellence.

It's hard to discuss Jackson's Kong without connecting it, at least tangentially, to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, for which the New Zealand filmmaker's Kong revision serves as both prologue and victory lap. Jackson, his partner Fran Walsh, and his production/design company Weta, were neck-deep in development for a King Kong remake for Universal before The Lord of the Rings was a gleam in their eye - though when that project was cancelled, they re-dedicated the same team and approach to what would become the industry-changing fantasy trilogy.

One sweep at the Oscars later, and it's hard to see King Kong as anything other than Jackson's victory lap: marshalling all that production capital, craftsperson expertise, and systemic goodwill to indulge the ultimate film fanboy dream scenario of remaking one's favourite movie of all time. It's like if I got tapped to make a Star Wars tomorrow. (Lucasfilm: call me.)

The resulting movie clones The Lord of the Rings' epic length precisely, running three hours for no particularly good reason other than that it can. Indeed, the first fifty minutes or so of King Kong are both interminable and unnecessary, setting up wafer-thin character conflicts (Carl Denham is recklessly ambitious! Ann Darrow has abandonment issues! Jack Driscoll's a writer this time!) in an attempt to create out of whole cloth a Fellowship for this movie whose deaths-by-Kong might be more emotionally resonant than, say, the lawyer getting chomped in Jurassic Park.

I suppose I ought to clarify this. I've called Jackson's Kong the best Kong (though realistically, that is only ever a two-film race) and yet I'll happily call the film's first hour aimless and, like pretty much the entirety of the project from inception to release, nerdishly self-indulgent.

Well yeah: that's why I like it.

We in the film blogosphere hold to a particular set of ideals that generally suggest that filmmakers are geniuses whose unalloyed potential is constantly being mucked with by the studios (the "suits") who give them their money to play with - that The Wolverine would be as good as Logan if Fox hadn't want it to feel more like the other X-Men movies, for example, or that the DCEU in general wouldn't suck so much if Warner Brothers could just get its head out of its ass and empower filmmakers like Rick Famuyiwa to make a really kickass Flash.

That entire idea is pretty much nonsense, but I recognize the appeal; directors make good figureheads for the wholesale collaborative machinery that is filmmaking, and studios make great bad guys. Once in a while, though, we get to see a version of the scenario where the balancing effect of the studio team is drained, as much as possible, out of the process, and the resulting movie gets to be as wild and wooly a portrait of the filmmakers' pure intent as one ever gets to see. Such a film is Peter Jackson's King Kong.

I know this because once the Venture arrives at Skull Island, King Kong becomes amaaaaaaazing.

Few movies throttle down quite as quickly and overwhelmingly as King Kong. From just about the moment Ann is kidnapped to serve as a sacrifice to the god-king Kong, King Kong leaps to a propulsive pace that doesn't let up for about another twenty minutes, when Kong finally drops Ann like a rag-doll in the heart of his mountaintop sanctuary. For a three-hour movie, King Kong is fast.

And for a movie not called Kong: Skull Island, King Kong is an amazing showcase for the island upon which it is set. Filmed entirely in constructed locations (because no real jungle, in New Zealand or elsewhere, would suffice), Kong shows Jackson and his team at their most judicious in playing with the tension between what is realistic and what is purely phantasmagoric. (The Hobbit trilogy's forests and jungles, many of them also manufactured, would tip the balance in the wrong direction.)

Like the 1933 film, Jackson's Kong spends its entire second act pivoting between the Ann/Kong set pieces and the Venture crew set pieces, as each group gets itself into a series of encounters with the things that make Skull Island a seriously terrible place to take a vacation. The central, movie-defining piece de resistance in all this, of course, is the extended sequence in which Kong faces down three T-Rexes, as if the film is proudly thumping its chest in its willingness and ability to outmatch the original film's measly one dinosaur.

The sequence as Jackson reimagines it bears all the hallmarks of a lifetime of imaginative play (the reconstruction of the Empire State Building finale will do the same). Where Kong '33 was still locked very much in a sense of the proscenium arch (both due to effects limitations and its overall place in the development of film technique), Kong '05 is more three-dimensional than most 3-D movies made since Avatar. The Kong/T-Rex throwdown is staged in X, Y, and Z-axis moves (a great quantity of it takes place as Kong and Ann tumble down a crevice) and uses the berserk topography of Skull Island (where the crevice in question can be Grand Canyon-deep) to hyperbolize ever action.

It also, of course, shows off the (at that time, new) advantages of having an actual actor performing your digital characters. If Gollum was Andy Serkis' (and motion capture's) breakout role, Kong is the graduate thesis. There's life in those eyes, and specificity in the acting choices, and it all comes to bear in tiny moments where we see Kong judge his own likelihood of defeating the T-Rexes and then deciding, yeah, he can do it.

The depth of the Kong performance drives the film's other supreme advantage: it takes the original film's suggestions of Kong's loneliness and the unfairness of his demise, and fully dramatizes them. Quiet moments between Kong and Ann - first, watching the sunset from Kong's home; later, playing like children on a frozen pond in Central Park - reach deep into the idea of Kong as a character, and imbue him with a lived history that is real, tangible, and heartbreaking.

Being a remake, Kong '05 has one more trick up its sleeve, one which qualifies as an unfair advantage: like Titanic 8 years prior, we know where King Kong is going. The Empire State Building, when it is revealed, is presented and perceived as the story's natural end point, an outsize boss villain that we already know Kong will not be able to defeat. (The near-silent reveal of the biplanes approaching, at the tail end of another shared moment of beauty between Kong and Ann, plays this inevitability like a fiddle.)

This allows Jackson to revel in the destruction of his playset, a slow-motion (both literally and figuratively) elegy for a cinematic event (the death of Kong) that made such an impression on him and so many other fantasy filmmakers in the 20th century. The third act of King Kong is loving and nostalgic without being mawkish or preening; it lands the gory uncaringness of man while making half its audience cry.

Three hours might seem like an insane length for a King Kong movie, but the result is both splendid cinematic spectacle in a theatre-of-attractions mode, and one of the few instances in film where the death of a CGI character feels wholly tragic and wholly earned. There's a reasonable argument that a remake of King Kong never needed to be made except as a once-in-a-generation studio quirk. It's also arguable that King Kong is Peter Jackson's masterpiece.



Destroy All Monsters is a weekly column on Hollywood and pop culture. Matt Brown is in Toronto and on Letterboxd.
 Split en banc Eleventh Circuit writes at length restricting habeas authority in ACCA case | Main | AG Sessions talks again about "the challenge of violent crime and drugs" and about support for law enforcement 

This recent Business Insider commentary authored by John Eason provides an important reminder of some economic realities integral to the modern American prison system. The piece is headlined "The prison business is booming in rural America and there's no end in sight," and here are excerpts:

While much has been written about mass incarceration, less is known about the prison building boom and the role it plays in slowing reform of the criminal justice system. As I explain in my book, "Big House on the Prairie," the number of prisons in the US swelled between 1970 and 2000, from 511 to nearly 1,663. Prisons constructed during that time cover nearly 600 square miles, an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island. More than 80 percent of these facilities are operated by states, approximately 10 percent are federal facilities and the rest are private.

The prison boom is a massive public works program that has taken place virtually unnoticed because roughly 70 percent of prisons were built in rural communities. Most of this prison building has occurred in conservative southern states like Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas. Much of how we think about prison building is clouded by the legacy of racism and economic exploitation endemic to the US criminal justice system. Many feel that prison building is the end product of racist policies and practices, but my research turned up a more complicated relationship.

People of color have undoubtedly suffered from the expansion of prisons, where they are disproportionately locked up, but they have also benefited. Blacks and Latinos are overrepresented among the nations 450,000 correctional officers. Prisons are also more likely to be built in towns with higher black and Latino populations. Many may be surprised to learn that residents of these often distressed rural communities view local prisons in a positive light....

Because rural communities have grown increasingly dependent on prisons, they will not be easily convinced to give them up. My research shows that for many struggling rural communities plagued by problems most associate with urban neighborhoods  poverty, crime, residential segregation, de-industrialization and failing schools  prisons offer a means of survival. Prisons provide a short-term boost to the local economy by increasing median family income and home value while reducing unemployment and poverty....

It doesnt look like the footprint of prisons will be shrinking any time soon. Given our current political climate, its more likely we will see more prisons built. Weaning rural communities off the prison economy will mean considering alternative investment strategies like green industries. If we do not provide creative alternatives to depressed rural communities, we stand little chance in reducing their over-reliance on prisons.
This well-established Blog is worth visiting on a regular basis for a wealth of information of interest to Armenian nationals and to the Armenian Diaspora world-wide. Although it has a particular role in promoting international recognition of the Genocide, the Blog encompasses much more and includes many articles of general appeal to all those concerned with Armenian affairs. Much of the content is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere and the long list of links provided gives easy access to a plethora of material on social, political, religious, educational and cultural matters, and many news items from around the world.




A driver who struck a cyclist near the Ferry Building then took off was arrested Tuesday, and was booked into San Francisco County Jail for the alleged hit-and-run.

Police say that the driver, a 32-year-old woman, "drove through" the intersection of Washington and Drumm Streets at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

According to the San Francisco Police Department, she then collided with a 33-year-old male cyclist, injuring him.

As opposed to remaining on the scene, police say that the woman "fled the scene." However, police were able to locate the woman, and arrested her shortly thereafter.

The cyclist was transported to San Francisco General Hospital for treatment of injuries caused by the collision. Police say that the wounds are not life-threatening, and he's expected to recover.
Almost-president Hillary Clinton will be arriving in the Bay Area the week after next to deliver a keynote address at the 28th annual Professional BusinessWomen of California (PBWC) conference at the Moscone Center West on March 28.

This is the first time Clinton will have passed through San Francisco since a pre-election appearance on October 13. She earlier had to skip a September fundraiser due to that infamous bout of pneumonia. And in case you missed it, AOL has a slideshow of her recent haircut.

As ABC 7 notes, the PBWC features "cutting-edge seminars by top thought-leaders, panels of industry experts, and networking opportunities with leading business executives," as well as a number of high-profile speakers, which this year will also include actress and Empire star Taraji P. Henson, and Rosario Dawson.

ABC 7 anchors Ama Daetz, Kristen Sze, and Cheryl Jennings will be serving as hosts at the event, and last year Jennings was honored with the "Game Changer Award."

Also, Jennifer Siebel Newsom will be leading a seminar, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf will be speaking as well.

The event was begun by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, and also features an expo marketplace for women-owned businesses and other women-serving businesses.

The conference is sold out, but for those with big bucks or expense budgets for such things, there are "a limited number of tickets available for friends of PBWC donors" and donor packages start at $5000.
The National AIDS Memorial Grove, nurtured by more than 175,000 volunteer hours and visited by countless people, is preparing for new growth, perhaps adding a museum to present the history of the crisis in a new, enduring way. That early-stage idea was recently revealed in the New York Times, and to learn more SFist spoke with the Memorial Grove's Executive Director, John Cunningham.

Since it became the country's only national AIDS memorial in 1996, the Grove, a serene patch of trees, rocks, and engravings in Golden Gate Park, has presented a bit of a duality. "Are we local? Are we national?" Cunningham asks rhetorically. "That's the unique thing," he says, presenting the memorial's mandate as both. "The grove was created by the citizens of San Francisco in the darkest days of the epidemic, and supported by the political leadership of San Francisco, to bring about a space that would not only memorialized those lost, but that would support and nurture those who survived." But as a national site, it can do more, too. Recently, Cunningham says he's helped to advise in the creation of other AIDS memorials such as one in West Hollywood.

A national AIDS Museum associated with the Memorial Grove would be in San Francisco, Cunningham affirms, but it would hope to encompass more than one city's experience of the crisis  though arguably the scale and density of the epidemic here was worse than anywhere in the country. "We want it to tell the entire story, not only as it relates to a disease, but by asking, what are the societal threads that must be remembered and shared? Yes, AIDS is a story of disease, but it's really a story of the best and the worst, the light and the dark, of society and humanity. How the city of San Francisco rose up and took action and cared for its citizens is just one example."





Despite its national status, the Grove has never accepted public funds since its inception. As for a museum, "at the present time we're not seeking any sort of public money," Cunningham says, although the Times reported that large private donors, particularly those in the LGBT community, have been approached to gauge interest in the project. "We do believe there is the will, and the capacity, for something of this magnitude, to be funded nationally," the director adds, specifying he would not seek local funding.

Cunningham points to other recent large-scale projects for examples on how to proceed. "When the Martin Luther King Memorial was being envisioned in DC, organizers held 'I Have a Dream' dinners all across the country that brought citizens together not just to get funding, but to gather the threads of the story together, to get more perspectives. I think the same holds true here," he suggests.

While the Grove ought to continue as it is, the key question, Cunningham asks, is "will it, 100 years from now, tell future generations about the tragedy  and even more importantly, the response, the community activism, about how people become galvanized?"

That relevance of that lesson at this particular political moment isn't lost on Cunningham. "The vision [for a museum] is a state-of-the-art center for individuals to come together, to speak of the social struggles in the time they're in using the AIDS crisis as a touchstone for future crises.... a touchstone of our national conscience. Where our nation is headed, or what the struggle is we're currently facing, that's brought this [project] to an even higher degree of necessity."

Previously: An AIDS Museum? National AIDS Memorial Grove Staff Explores Possibility


A sea lion swimming upstream like a salmon made its way all the way inland to Vacaville, California yesterday morning, surprising locals who spotted it in the canal along Leisure Town Road. According to local police, who bestowed the name "Leisure" on the wayward animal after a brief naming contest, the Marine Mammal Center from Sausalito arrived in town in the afternoon to rescue Leisure, who then appeared trapped by high concrete walls. While in the morning the sea lion was "basking in the cool waters of Ulatis Creek," per Vacaville PD, in the afternoon he'd "retreated to a drainage pipe" and either couldn't get out or refused to. Out of view and perhaps stuck, as of last night, "a number of rescue efforts were attempted but sadly none worked," and the Marine Mammal Center called off its operations until morning.

The closest body of water to the area is the Sacramento River, 50 miles north of Vacaville, and the Associated Press and CBS 5 report that experts are unsure how Leisure found his way to his odd destination. It's possible, they say, that the animal was traveling up the river and took a wrong turn, following a series of agricultural ditches and waterways to arrive at the canal.

Fortunately, the situation for Leisure wasn't dire. Although this is a rare location for a rescue call, this animal is in very good body condition and active, so we are hoping it just made a wrong turn, Dr. Cara Field, a staff veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Center, told the news outlets, adding that Leisure was likely a young male Our hope is that the animal makes his way back out of the pipe on his own so we can attempt another rescue.





This sea lion is a long way from home. He swam from the San Francisco Bay to this Vacaville creek . #ABC7now pic.twitter.com/QYKCLARHEB  Lonni Rivera (@lonnirivera) March 14, 2017



Vacaville Police Department via Facebook

After last night's failed attempts to coax the animal out of the pipe and send him on his way, Leisure poked his head out this morning, KCRA writes, and was headed back down the canal in the direction of open waters this morning.

At ease, Leisure  be free!

Related: For 39th Anniversary, Pier 39 Holds 39 Weeks Of Celebratory Events (Starting Today)
The teaser trailer for Disney-Pixar's latest animated feature, Coco, has just been released, and the film tells the tale of a 12-year-old, guitar-playing Mexican boy named Miguel who dreams of becoming a musician and, via a magical guitar and a set of supernatural circumstances, finds himself, along with his dog, in the Land of the Dead. He's then surrounded by some glorious Day of the Dead-style characters reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

And, "Along the way, he meets a charming trickster, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history," as the Pixar description goes.

Coco will be shown in 3D and arrive in theaters just in time for holiday season, but a few weeks late for Dia de los Muertos, on November 22.



Related: Video: How All Pixar Movies Are Connected
Dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts from the European Parliament, BBC North America, Duke University, and other institutions were briefly hacked to send out tweets with swastikas and hashtags like #Nazialmanya and #Nazihollanda  Turkish for Nazi Germany and Nazi Holland  according to USA Today. Some tweets make reference to a "little Ottoman slap and "See you on April 16," indicating the date of a Turkish referendum vote on extending more power to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

UNICEF USA was one Twitter user that confirmed to USA Today it was hacked. UNICEF said it was "deeply concerned that our social media platforms would be used to promote hate speech... The offensive tweet has been removed. We are investigating the matter and working to ensure it does not happen again."

But the hack wasn't to Twitter itself  instead it targeted a third-party analytics app used by many large Twitter accounts called Twitter Counter.

Hi everyone - we temporarily lost control of this account, but normal service has resumed. Thanks.  BBC North America (@BBCNorthAmerica) March 15, 2017

"We are aware of an issue affecting a number of account holders this morning," Twitter said in a statement shared with CNet and others. "Our teams are working at pace and taking direct action on this issue. We quickly located the source which was limited to a third party app. We removed its permissions immediately." This reaction from Twitter might prove that the company really does care about curtailing hate speech and Nazi references  if you're a non-personal account for a major entity with hundreds of thousands of followers.

We identified an issue affecting a small number of users. Source was a 3rd party app and it has been resolved. No action needed by users.  Twitter Support (@Support) March 15, 2017

Wired's interpretation of all this: "[The] Twitter Counter incident reminds that your online accounts are only as secure as their weakest app. All the hacked accounts did wrong in this case was put their trust in a third-party serviceone that has had security issues before."

We're aware that our service was hacked and have started an investigation into the matter.We've already taken measures to contain such abuse  TheCounter (@thecounter) March 15, 2017 One thing is important to note - we do not store users Twitter account credentials (passwords) nor credit card information.  TheCounter (@thecounter) March 15, 2017 Assuming this abuse is indeed done using our system, weve blocked all ability to post tweets and changed our Twitter app key.  TheCounter (@thecounter) March 15, 2017 The Twitter Counter application is blocked on Twitter. If this activity continues, then we strongly believe it's not just through us.  TheCounter (@thecounter) March 15, 2017 Our services have been temporarily disabled. The #twitterhack should be contained from our side. Report any other activity to #Twitter.  TheCounter (@thecounter) March 15, 2017

As Reuters explains, the hack apparently seeks to further sour Dutch-Turkish relations. Turkish diplomats in the Netherlands had been speaking at Dutch rallies for Turkish ex-patriots recently in support of the referendum, before Dutch officials prevented them from doing so. After Dutch police disrupted protesters waving Turkish flags, Turkish ministry sources stated that "the Turkish community and our citizens were subject to bad treatment, with inhumane and humiliating methods used in disproportionate intervention against people exercising their right to peaceful assembly."

Related: Activists Calling Twitter The 'Mouthpiece Of Fascism' To Protest Outside Company's HQ Thursday
Saturday, March 18

Rally for Peace, noon-1 p.m., Capitol and Teutonia; 43rd and National

There will be two rallies for peace held this Saturday. One on the North Side, on Capitol Drive and Teutonia Avenue, and another on the South Side at 43rd Street and National Avenue. The protests call directly for President Trump to lower military spending in an effort to move the money from war and militarism to a full employment green economy with zero poverty.

Wednesday, March 22

Youth Justice Milwaukee Summit, 1-7 p.m., Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum (2620 W. Center St.)

Youth Justice Milwaukee is hosting a summit on juvenile justice at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum. Guest speakers include Ruben Austria, founding executive director of Community Connections for Youth (CCFY) and Shaena Fazal, national policy director of the Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) and author of Beyond Bars: Keeping Young People Safe at Home and Out of Youth Prisons.

Refuel the Resistance, 5-8 p.m., Bounce Milwaukee (2801 S. 5th Court)

Every Wednesday, Bounce Milwaukee offers a space to organize, as well as a free drink to anyone who brings evidence of resistance in the past week, including protest signs, an email to an elected official or a selfie at the capital.

To submit to this column, please send a brief description of your action, including date and time, to savingourdemocracy@shepex.com. Together, we can fight to minimize the damage that this administration has planned for our great country.
U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, started a controversy Sunday when he tweeted that America "can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies." The tweet was in reference to developments in Europe, a continent where King has been routinely touting the positions of fellow conservative politicians like himself.

A bevy of state and national Republicans and Democratic officials on Monday chastised the Iowa 4th District congressman, who made his social media post Sunday in support of a Dutch politician who opposes immigration and has spoken against Islam. King tweeted that Geert Wilders "understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies."

King told the Journal last week that his Twitter use can vary, with some days off, then more of a heavy streak, depending upon which topics move him to type out observations.

King is amid a period of frequently using his Twitter account in recent months to weigh in on European officeholders and candidates. King is dialed in on elections and key political moves in that continent, and he continues to assert it is important that Western Civilization remains paramount. He has shared Twitter observations on such nations as Hungary, France, Sweden, Austria and Turkey over the last year.

By comparison, another Republican federal officeholder from Iowa, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, over the last 12 months has weighed in on national politics on her @joniernst Twitter account, but had no tweets about European lawmakers or politics. Republican U.S. Rep. David Young over the last six months shared hundreds of tweeted photos with Iowans from such places as Council Bluffs, Greenfield and Adair, but no tweets from the @RepDavidYoung account referenced European politics.

King has tweeted support for a variety of right-wing European politicians over the last year, such as a presidential candidate in Austria in December. His controversial tweet about Wilder came as the Dutch prepare for an election. Back in June 2016, Geerts also tweeted out a photo of King after their "excellent meeting."

King often includes photos where he is pictured with the European leaders he is tweeting about.

On Feb. 13, King tweeted about France, after meeting with conservative National Front party presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who a week before had launched her campaign with a speech attacking globalization.

He wrote, "US Congressmen King & Rohrabacher pay a visit to discuss Liberty & shared values w/(next president of France?) Marine Le Pen @MLP_officiel"

US Congressmen King & Rohrabacher pay a visit to discuss Liberty & shared values w/(next president of France?) Marine Le Pen @MLP_officiel pic.twitter.com/UZEp8vWPNz  Steve King (@SteveKingIA) February 13, 2017

On Jan. 18, King sent out a tweet where he was anticipating the inauguration of Republican President Donald Trump two days later. King tweeted a list of people in the picture, "Austrian Freedom Party leadership MP's here to celebrate Trump inauguration. Hofer, Strache, Karlsboeck w/King, Blackburn, Bachmann, etc."

King on Dec. 5, 2016, referenced the Austrian presidential contest, where his preferred candidate, nationalist Norbert Hofer, lost to Alexander Van der Bellen. A CNN report said "a win for Hofer would have made Austria the first nation with a far-right head of state in Western Europe since the end of World War II."

King tweeted, "Regrets to @norbertghofer for 2nd place finish in race for President of Austria. The cause of freedom & our friendship remain. Onward!"

The congressman on Oct. 15, 2016, referenced Hungary and news that the country led by Prime Minister Victor Orban opened an office specifically to address the persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Europe.

King tweeted, "#Hungary & PM Orban lead the way again-charting the right direction for Europe. Persecution of Christians must end!"

King has had many tweets where he praises the 2016 referendum decision by Great Britain to leave the European Union, also dubbed Brexit.

He tweeted on June 24, 2016, "Congratulations to UK, especially @Nigel_Farage & UKIP, for your noble & farsighted national decision to #BreExit. WesternCiv can be saved." Farage is a former Conservative Party member who for many years recently led the UK Independence Party in Britain.

Additionally, King continues to compare European culture to the fears he has for America. On Jan. 28, he retweeted the Voice of Sweden account, which shared a 60-second video, with the message, "Multicultural Sweden is an uncontrollable mess but this commercial says native Swedes have to integrate."

King then tweeted with that link, "This is where all Western Civilization is headed unless we reverse course."
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  In the aftermath of threats and vandalism against the Jewish community, an Overland Park victim of anti-Semitism is continuing her work in the area to connect with community members of all backgrounds to defuse hate-filled acts.

Its important we do hear their story so we understand where their ignorance and hate come from, said Mindy Corporon of Overland Park.

Corporon lost her son and father to anti-Semitism, after F. Glenn Miller Jr. targeted the Jewish community in a shooting spree on April 13, 2014.

A white supremacist murdered my family, she said, so I speak from experience that theres a group of people out there that want to kill Jews.

Bomb threats caused the evacuation of Jewish organizations in at least 12 different states on Monday, the latest in a rash of similar incidents over the last two months.

Corporon drew a parallel to the triple shooting in Olathe at Austins Bar & Grill, in which Adam Purinton allegedly shot to death Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was originally from India, and injured two others, after he reportedly told two men to get out his country. Purinton is charged with first-degree murder and the FBI is investigating the shooting as a hate crime.

It sounds like he wanted to kill brown people or those of a different color or nationality than him, Corporon said.

Reports of anti-Semitic threats were called into Jewish community centers and schools in states including New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Delaware, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Anti-Semitism of this nature should not and must not be allowed to endure in our communities, said the Jewish Community Center Association in response to Mondays threats. 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.

In Columbia, two University of Missouri students, Erich J. Eastman, 18, and Noah B. Rogers, 19, face harassment charges after allegedly sending anti-Semitic notes to a fellow Jewish student over a course of six months.

Corporon said white supremacists and other hate groups may be exploiting President Donald Trumps campaign slogan, Make America Great Again, to pursue their ignorant ideology.

It seems to me that different groups of people are interpreting (the slogan) their own way, and there is a faction of people who are angry and hateful and think that a whole faith should not exist, Corporon said.

Miller was found guilty of capital murder after he targeted Jewish people with a shotgun outside the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom care center in Overland Park. Miller killed three people, Corporons father and son  William Corporon, 69, and Reat Underwood, 14  and Terri LaManno, 53.

On Tuesday, Trump did denounce anti-Semitism and the recent threats against Jewish people, calling them painful reminders of lingering prejudice in America. The remarks, made at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, marked the first time he directly addressed increasing incidents of anti-Semitism.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, around 90 threats have been made so far this year to Jewish institutions across the country. ADL said there were at least 20 threats on Monday.

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, said ADL chief executive Jonathan A. Greenblatt.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City, based in Overland Park, released a statement about the threats faced by the Jewish community around the country.

Although we did not receive a threat here in Kansas City, our thoughts are with each of the organizations impacted by these latest threats, the release stated. We remain vigilant and will continue to work with local and national law enforcement agencies to ensure proper safety protocols are in place. The safety of our members and guests is always our top priority.

Following the loss of her son and father, Corporon helped found the Faith Always Wins Foundation and the Seven Days Ripple event, a weeklong series of activities to commemorate the victims of the 2014 shooting spree outside the Jewish Community Center and Village Shalom, and to promote understanding and acceptance among different groups.

The Seven Days activities, which will take place next month, begin with a Day of Love on April 18. A Christian minister, Muslim imam and Jewish rabbi will together speak about the similarities within their respective religions.

Were not born with hate, Corporon said. Were born needing to be loved and wanting to be loved and nurtured, and were taught hate by others.

Other activities planned for the SevenDays Ripple event include the Faith, Love & Song competition, which will reward a $5,000 scholarship to the winning songwriters who compose lyrics that encourage and inspire acceptance. Song winners will be announced during a special evening program April 20.

A Peace Walk will take place April 24, embarking from Union Station, and a youth interfaith workshop on April 24 will be held at Cleveland University in Overland Park.
On a recent Wednesday, I learned how to cook like they do at an Italian restaurant  rice balls, veal scaloppini with Chianti sauce and chocolate mousse.

The next Monday, I learned how to make bagels and their cousins, bialys. Two days later, I was learning to make a meal that consisted of beef and barley soup, grilled steak, roasted cauliflower and a cranberry cake with apple.

Who needs the Culinary Institute of America?

Cooking classes are a lot cheaper. A lot cheaper. Theyre much faster, just two to three hours.

And at the end of the class you get to eat what was cooked.

Though there is a fair share of culinary schools for serious students who want to become chefs, most local regions are home to more casual schools of cooking.

You choose a class that interests you  Southern recipes featuring pork, for instance  sign up and attend the one-evening class.

If you like it, try a different class. If you dont like it, try a different class and see if you like that one.

My week of cooking classes took me to three of the best-known cooking schools in St. Louis. Each one was stylistically different, although the goal (learn how to cook great food) was always the same.

Scott Drake, our instructor at Schnucks Cooks, is a natural showman. He emphasized that he wanted us to learn, to have fun and to be safe at all times.

Learning is a given in any sort of class, but the other two goals are shown perhaps less consideration by home cooks than they should be.

At Schnucks, the ingredients are all premeasured. We student cooks only had to add them to the pots and pans in the right order. Some stirring and sauteing was involved, and one student got to make perfect diamond-shaped grill marks on the steaks.

Why diamond-shaped marks? Drake said that it is because, when cooking a lot of meat on a rectangular grill, placing it on the diagonal is the most efficient use of grill space. Placing meat  and in our case, also portobello mushrooms  on a diagonal and moving it once results in perfect diamond cross-hatches.

Kim and John Powell were pleased with the class at Schnucks, which they attended as a kind of date night. They have attended a few others and are looking forward to more.

Its to expand on our cooking, using different flavors, different spices, different techniques. Plus, its something to do together, John Powell said.

The cooking class I went to at the Dierbergs in Ellisville, Mo., was more of a lecture. Gerard Germain, chef de cuisine at Tonys restaurant in St. Louis, cooked a complicated meal, explaining what he was doing as he went along.

When it was over, he served us the food he cooked. Only about half of us in the class took notes  and on this singular occasion the school did not provide recipes  which made me think that some of us were there just to eat a meal cooked by Gerard Germain.

You could do worse. And at $50 per person, the same general price of the other classes I took, it actually cost less than a similar meal at Tonys.

Germain cooked the way a chef would, which is to say he made all the dishes at the same time. This could be confusing at times for those of us who were trying to follow along, but eventually we could make sense of it all. Whenever he was cooking with rice, he was making the rice balls. When he was cooking veal or a sauce, he was making the veal with a Chianti sauce.

And Germain was full of helpful professional advice, such as this: You dont need Chianti to make the Chianti sauce. Any red wine would do, he said, even the stuff that costs three bucks a bottle.

For Phil Gann and Liz Haverman, the class at Dierbergs was their first  he gave her the class as a birthday gift. They will be going to more, they said.

I love to cook, I love to watch Food Network. I try to get new ideas, because you feel like you keep cooking the same things, Haverman said.

Shes really good at cooking, and Im really good at sampling, Gann said.

Perhaps the most hands-on of the classes I took was at Kitchen Conservatory, making bagels and bialys. Margi Kahn, the schools doyenne of dough, led the class through the ins and outs of making the traditionally Jewish delicacies.

No fan of bagels she calls as big as our heads, Kahn gave plenty of tips for making bagels that taste like bagels, instead of bread. For a fully developed flavor, she starts by making a sponge, which is a thin batter that begins to ferment before more flour is added.

And the flour she uses (for the bagels only) is different from the norm. Instead of using all bread flour, she adds a portion of whole wheat flour for a nuttier and deeper taste. And to create that slight bagel tang, she adds just a bit of vinegar.

The bialys did not have these enhancements to the flavor, but otherwise the onion-flavored rolls, which have a depression instead of a hole, are made in much the same way. The biggest difference between them and bagels is in the way they are cooked.

Bialys are baked; bagels are briefly boiled before baking  and when done professionally, the water has lye in it. To avoid any danger from the lye, we used baking soda, which created the same familiar chewy crust.

And for further enjoyment of our bagels and bialys, as if any were needed, we also mixed together a quick assortment of spreads to go with them.

For Helena Docherty, the class was the 40th she had attended, all at Kitchen Conservatory, in a year and a half. She has been trying a wide variety of cuisines (she enjoys French the most, because it is the foundation for all European cooking), and has been baking as well as cooking.

She likes the school, she said, because they are very professional, and the recipes are reproducible. I could actually make the recipes at home.

Her husband is a doctor in the Army Reserves, currently stationed in Germany. The last time he came home after a deployment, she tried out her recipes on him.

He really appreciated my newly gained knowledge, she said.
DES MOINES  A week after hearing a presentation on the states $426 million tax credit liability, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Grassley has introduced legislation to reduce the value of credits available to Iowa businesses, industries and individuals and eliminate tax credit refunds when there is no tax liability.

House Study Bill 187 would cap contingent liabilities tax credits at $400 million in the fiscal year beginning July, then lower them $10 million a year to $370 million. That cap is the most significant element of his plan, Grassley said, because it would let lawmakers as well as the Revenue Estimating Conference know the states liability rather than work off projections.

Its hard to build an estimate off an estimate, the New Hartford Republican said Tuesday. The state should really know what we are going to be on the hook for every year when it comes to tax credits.

Grassley, who submitted HSB 187 on Tuesday morning, already has received pushback, including from economic development interests. But he defended putting all tax credits on the table.

If you start removing those from the list, are you really taking a serious look at tax credits? In my mind, you wouldnt be, he said.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, agreed capping credits would help with planning.

Having that certainty would be a good idea, he said, but added he has not seen Grassleys bill. Schneider expects other proposals to limit tax credits or include them in overall tax reform.

Former House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Tom Sands, president of the business community-based Iowa Taxpayers Association, warned that tinkering with tax credits could make it harder for Iowa to attract and retain business and industry.

Iowa has the highest marginal corporate tax rate in the country and one of the highest marginal rates for individual filers, he said.

However, Sands did allow that Grassleys proposal may start a conversation about the need for income tax reform.

By doing income tax reform, we work with businesses across this great state so the private sector can create more jobs, be more competitive with our neighboring states and move this state forward, he said.

David Swenson, who teaches economics at Iowa State University, has questioned whether those tax credits accomplish what lawmakers intended. He called Grassleys proposal energetic and well-intentioned, but incomplete.

Overall, Id give it a B-, Swenson said. Better than average thinking coupled with an attempt at comprehensiveness, but not a lot of thought put in regarding the overall desirability of the many, many tax expenditure categories.
DES MOINES  A local leader with the League of Women Voters in Iowa is upset that a state lawmaker is using her written testimony to justify legislation that would make changes to the states election systems, including requiring an identification card to vote.

Rep. Ken Rizer, R-Marion, says a bill under consideration in the Iowa Legislature that would add safeguards to Iowas election systems, including the voter ID requirement, is necessary in part because many Iowans do not have confidence in clean, fair elections.

There has been no evidence of significant voter fraud in Iowa, which typically has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation.

To help justify the changes proposed in the legislation, Rizer has in multiple media interviews referenced written testimony submitted to state lawmakers by a member of the Iowa chapter of the League of Women Voters.

That testimony was submitted by Myrna Loehrlein, president of the Linn County chapter of the League of Women Voters, and reads in part, There is a deeply pervasive, gut-level intuition that voter impersonation occurs and may be rampant. This has repeatedly been demonstrated to be untrue, but the perception remains.

Rizer said that supports his argument that the legislation is needed to strengthen Iowans confidence in elections.

Loehrlein, however, said Rizers use of her testimony misconstrues the fact the league opposes both the bill and its voter ID requirement.

Loehrlein said she agrees there is concern among voters that elections are not clean and fair, but she disagrees that the solution is more safeguards. She said the rest of her written testimony says the league is opposed to any unnecessary barrier, including Voter ID, that gets between the voter and the ballot.

Hes only representing part of (the testimony), and hes misrepresenting the leagues position by only representing part of it, Loehrlein said. A lot of people are having these conversations (about clean, fair elections). We dont need to build another barrier. We need to clear up the misconception.

Rizer said this week that it was not his intention to suggest the league supports the bill or the voter ID requirement.
DES MOINES  Many significant changes would be made to Iowas gun laws if a bill working its way through the Iowa Legislature gains sufficient approval in the coming weeks.

Those charged with keeping the peace and enforcing Iowas laws say they have serious concerns regarding some portions of the wide-ranging proposal.

Many of Iowas county sheriffs, city police chiefs and county attorneys say their deepest concerns lie with two particular provisions:

-- One that would lessen an individuals burden to justify the use of lethal force in self-defense.

-- One that would allow Iowans to sue local governments that prohibit the possession of guns in public buildings, such as county courthouses.

Multiple sheriffs, police chiefs and county attorneys interviewed for this story said they think much of the sweeping legislation would have little to no effect on their duties, and some pieces they supported.

But the so-called stand-your-ground provision and the notion of guns in courthouses and other public buildings give many law enforcement officials cause for concern.

Organizations representing the states peace officers, sheriffs and police all are registered as undecided on the bill. The organization representing the states county attorneys is registered in opposition to it.

Stand-your-ground laws have been debated passionately and nationally, particularly in the wake of a 2012 incident in Florida in which a black teen was shot to death and the shooter was acquitted of murder after claiming self-defense under the states stand-your-ground law.

Iowa law enforcement officials, particularly county attorneys, said their concern is that a stand-your-ground provision could make it difficult to prosecute shooting deaths.

Unfortunately, at least in Davenport, we have the exchange of gun fire on a frequent basis, and unfortunately people get killed. And our fear is the unintended consequence of this bill is going to make those types of cases difficult to prosecute, even if an innocent bystander were to be killed, Scott County Attorney Mike Walton said. It builds in a defense, because both sides are going to be able to say they were standing their ground. ...

Certainly, its going to be difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt who shot first. The law makes it difficult to prosecute. It builds in immunities.

Woodbury County Sheriff David Drew, like many others who have raised questions about the bill, said Iowa does not need a stand-your-ground provision because current state law already permits the use of lethal force in self-defense of ones home or vehicle. The proposal would expand that permission to anywhere.

I think stand-your-ground is a bad law. I agree with the attorneys, Drew said. I think what you can have is two people that are really of a criminal mindset say, I feared that guy, and he feared that guy, and were going back to the wild, Wild West.

Rep. Matt Windschitl is a Republican state legislator and gun shop owner from Missouri Valley and an advocate for reducing restrictions on gun ownership and use. Windschitl, whose district includes portions of Woodbury County, said stand-your-ground laws are designed to protect individuals from being prosecuted for acting in self-defense and such a protection should extend beyond the individuals home or vehicle.

Windschitl said the potential for more difficult prosecutions is outweighed by the expansion of protections for law-abiding gun owners.

May a sheriff or prosecuting attorney have to reach a new standard to prosecute? Under those rare instances when someone may claim stand-your-ground, yes, that may happen, Windschitl said. But I think the burden that may put on that prosecuting attorney far outweighs the burden upon an Iowan to have to try and run away from a very dangerous situation that endangers their life or safety or the life or safety of another. Were allowing Iowans the responsibility.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden and others said they also are worried a stand-your-ground law will lead to an increase in gun violence.

Floridas monthly homicide rate increased nearly 25 percent after implementation of its stand-your-ground law, according to a 2016 study conducted by a University of Oxford social policy professor published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

I believe the stand your ground law would embolden some to unnecessarily resort to deadly force and increase the likelihood of physical violence, Vander Sanden in an emailed statement.

Sheriffs and county attorneys said they also think any provision that makes it easier for individuals to bring guns into public places such as county courthouses is bad policy. They said emotions can run high in the courthouse and adding guns to that mix could be dangerous.

That would be a huge step backward for public safety, Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner said. Some of the most contentious occurrences happen in the courthouse.

Walton described prohibiting local governments from regulating firearms in courthouses as lunacy that puts the public and courthouse workers in danger.

People are facing bad consequences in the courthouse. They may be prosecuted for crimes, their family members, relatives may be prosecuted for crimes, there may be juvenile situations, domestic abuse, divorces. It just goes on and on, Walton said. A courthouse is supposed to be a place where things are peaceably resolved. I think its a shame that the Legislature would put my staff and all the staff in the courthouse at risk with people with firearms. I dont know why they would do that.

The proposed legislation does not repeal any local ordinances that ban weapons in courthouses or other public buildings, and judges would retain authority to ban guns in the courtroom, Windschitl said.

Judges still have domain over their kingdom, Windschitl said. Theyre still the masters of their judicial branch.

The bill does permit individuals to petition the court if he or she feels adversely affected by a weapons ban. Creating that opening concerned many of those county law enforcement officials.

We have always been able to represent the courthouse as a safe place to victims and witnesses who are sometimes fearful about coming to testify in court, Vander Sanden said. If this legislation passed, it would subject counties across the state to lawsuits by those who believe they should have a right to bring firearms into county buildings.
SIOUX CITY | A Sioux City woman has pleaded not guilty to stabbing her boyfriend in the groin area.

Natasha Drappeaux, 39, entered her written plea Tuesday in Woodbury County District Court to willful injury and domestic abuse assault causing serious injury. Her trial was scheduled for June 6.

According to court documents, Drappeaux and her boyfriend, Salahadin Adem, were intoxicated and arguing over money at the Ida apartment building, 1901 Pierce St., on March 2.

During the quarrel, Drappeaux grabbed a knife and stabbed Adem in the groin area, left forearm and left upper arm, court documents said.

The groin wound caused Adem to lose a large amount of blood, and he had to undergo surgery at Mercy Medical Center. Police said the injuries were non-life-threatening.
Thank you for featuring Senator David Johnson in the March 12 Journal. I appreciate Senator Johnson's decision of switching parties from Republican to Independent after his former party backed Donald Trump. I only wish more members of Congress would have the same convictions.

If many of the Republicans holding elective office were less worried about their political futures and more concerned with the needs of their constituents, possibly our country wouldn't be heading down the destructive path I'm witnessing. I am grateful that Sen. Johnson voted "no" on the collective bargaining bill and continues to support educational and environmental issues. It is shameful that his former fellow Republicans have excluded him from committee involvement.

Possibly I am naive, but if this is how government works, no wonder the frightening things we see happening in our country are occurring. I appreciate Sen. Johnson and wish him future political success. - Julie Berens, Sioux City
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The Travelers Companies, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United states and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance. The Business Insurance segment offers workers' compensation, commercial automobile and property, general liability, commercial multi-peril, employers' liability, public and product liability, professional indemnity, marine, aviation, onshore and offshore energy, construction, terrorism, personal accident, and kidnap and ransom insurance products. This segment operates through select accounts, which serve small businesses; commercial accounts that serve mid-sized businesses; national accounts, which serve large companies; and national property and other that serve large and mid-sized customers, commercial trucking industry, and agricultural businesses, as well as markets and distributes its products through brokers, wholesale agents, and program managers. The Bond & Specialty Insurance segment provides surety, fidelity, management and professional liability, and other property and casualty coverages and related risk management services through independent agencies and brokers. The Personal Insurance segment offers property and casualty insurance covering personal risks, primarily automobile and homeowners insurance to individuals through independent agencies and brokers. The Travelers Companies, Inc. was founded in 1853 and is based in New York, New York.
USG Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells building materials worldwide. The company's Gypsum division manufactures and markets gypsum and related products to construct walls and ceilings of residential, nonresidential, and institutional buildings; and agricultural and industrial customers. This segment offers gypsum wallboards and compound portfolios, as well as corner beads, joint tapes, and plasters under the USG Sheetrock brand; glass mat sheathing portfolios under the Securock brand; construction plaster products under the Red Top, Imperial, Diamond, and Supremo brands; and lightweight gypsum panels under the USG Sheetrock brand, as well as ultralight panels, USG Sheetrock brand ecosmart panels, and industrial gypsum. Its Performance Materials division manufactures and markets products for interior and exterior building applications of residential and nonresidential buildings, as well as industrial applications. This segment provides cement boards, backer boards, shower systems, performance floorings, air barrier systems, roof board portfolios, and structural panels under the USG Durock, Fiberock, Levelrock, Securock, ExoAir, Securock, and USG brands. The company's Ceilings division manufactures and markets ceiling tiles under the Radar, Eclipse, Mars, and Halcyon brands; ceiling grids under the Donn, DX, Fineline, Centricitee, and Identitee DXI brands; specialty ceilings under the Curvatura, Compasso, Radians, Illusions, Multiples, Runways, Barz, Planx, Mirra, Corniche, Wallforms, and Parti brands; and acoustical drywall ceilings under the Ensemble brand. Its USG Boral Building Products division manufactures, distributes, and sells building products, mines raw gypsum, and sells natural and synthetic gypsum under the USG Boral Sheetrock, USG Boral NextGen, Elephant, Jayaboard, Durock, and Donn DX brands. The company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
We will recover al-Andalus, Allah willing. Oh dear Andalus! You thought we forgot about you. I swear by Allah we have never forgotten you. No Muslim can forget Cordoba, Toledo or Xativa. There are many faithful and sincere Muslims who swear they will return to al-Andalus.  Islamic State video, January 31, 2016Muslims are keenly aware that they once controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula, and that it took the Christians 700 years of war, the Reconquista, to recover, kingdom by kingdom, all of that territory.The final victory over the Muslims took place in 1492, when the Kingdom of Granada was won by the Christians. There are now many millions of Muslims all over Europe, in France, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia, always much in the news because of the disruptions that they cause, as they challenge the laws and customs of the Infidels, vacuum up every conceivable welfare-state benefit, repay their benefactors with skyrocketing rates of criminality, and commit acts of terrorism as a useful adjunct to the relentless demographic conquest and stealth jihad inflicted on their unhappy hosts. And Spain, though it does not as yet have as large a Muslim presence as that found elsewhere in Europe. remains quite special in Muslim hearts.For on the To-Do list of Muslims, the lands that were once part of Dar al-Islam are those that should be the first to be recovered for Muslim rule. As it says in the Quran 2:191, Expel them from wherever they have expelled you. And for several years, some Muslims in Spain have been conducting a campaign on social media in support of the Islamic State, while the Islamic State, for its part, has continually called for the return of Spain to Muslim rule, as in a video it produced in Spanish in which an IS spokesman says: I say to the entire world as a warning: We are living under the Islamic flag, the Islamic caliphate. We will die for it until we liberate those occupied lands, from Jakarta to Andalusia. And I declare:In 2014 Spain and Portugal offered a right of return, that is, a granting of citizenship, to the descendants of Sephardic Jews who had been expelled from the Iberian Peninsula. The two countries were attempting to offer both sorrowful recognition of, and a kind of recompense for, the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and from Portugal in 1497. At once Muslim groups demanded that descendants of those Muslims (Moors) expelled from Spain be granted Spanish citizenship. Spanish and Portuguese authorities rejected this demand which, had it been accepted, would no doubt have led to a flooding of Arabs into Spain and Portugal, by the millions, bringing Spain and Portugal much closer to becoming part of Dar al-Islam yet again. The Portuguese lawmaker who drafted the Portuguese law of return firmly replied that ]. Similar statements came from the Spanish, who reminded Muslims that it was they who had settled in and colonized Spain, and they were a military foe who, finally defeated only after 700 years of the Reconquista, were in a far different position than the inoffensive Jews who had lived in Iberia for centuries before Christianity arrived, but had never tried to conquer or colonize it.This distinction has infuriated the Muslim Arabs of today. They claim that the expulsion of the Muslims was identical to that of the Jews, refusing to recognize the fact that the Jews were never a colonial power, unlike the Muslim Arabs, and that they never posed a military threat to the Christians of Spain and Portugal, again unlike the Muslims. In fact, there was not one but several expulsions of the Muslims, or Moors. The Mudejars were those Muslims who remained in Spain after the Reconquista and who, in the early 16century, were forbidden the outward practice of Islam. Eventually those among them who converted to Catholicism, or seemed to, were called by another name  Moriscos  and were regarded with suspicion by the Spanish, who did not always trust the sincerity of their conversions, and worried about possible plots by the Moriscos to take Spain back from the Christians. To prevent any such reversal, between 1609 and 1614, in a series of expulsions, the Moriscos were forced out of Spain, with decrees covering the various regions being passed at different dates, and with varying degrees of success. Most of them went to Morocco.It is on this basis that Muslim Arabs are now demanding their own right of return to Spain and Portugal. The flavor of their fury can be tasted in an essay published in the Morocco-based Spanish-language newspaper Correo Diplomatico by the Morisco-Moroccan journalist Ahmed Bensalh, who wrote that the decision to grant Spanish citizenship to the grandchildren of the Hebrews in Spain in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, while ignoring the Moriscos, the grandsons of the Muslims, is without doubt, flagrant segregation and unquestionable discrimination, as both communities suffered equally in Spain at that time. The decision could also be considered by the international community to be an historic act of absolute immorality and injusticeThis decision is absolutely disgraceful and dishonorable.An act of absolute immorality and injustice? It was the Muslim Arabs who seized Spain from the Spanish, not the Jews. It was the Muslim Arabs who occupied the Iberian peninsula, and who fought the indigenous Christians tooth and nail to keep them defeated and down. What must the treatment of the Christians in Spain have been like to keep them fighting for 700 years? Certainly there was not that imaginaryin which Karen Armstrong and Maria de Menocal so devoutly believe. Ahmed Bensalh then made a threat to Spain of the or-else variety: Is Spain aware of what might be assumed when it makes peace with some and not with others? Is Spain aware of what this decision could cost? Has Spain considered that it could jeopardize the massive investments that Muslims have made on its territory? Does Spain have alternatives to the foreign investment from Muslims if they ever decide to move that capital to other destinations due to the discrimination against Muslim?Fortunately, neither the threat nor the preposterous claim by the descendants of the Muslim invaders of Spain that they have a moral right to receive Spanish citizenship, has changed Spanish minds. Because if they were to obtain such citizenship, Muslims would indeed stream into Spain.Al-Andalus remains on Muslim minds and on that To-Do List. Arab tourists flock to southern Spain, to see what they regard as the once-and-future Al-Andalus. At the Alhambra in Grenada, they can take triumphalist satisfaction in the mosque that was built nearby, on the highest ridge in the city, the first mosque to be built in Grenada in 500 years. And with its 45-foot minarets towering over a nunnery next door, the Spanish nuns complain of the call-to-prayer that wakes them too early, and keeps them up too late, and that disrupts the rest of their day, but it is the Muslims who have prevailed.The opening of this mosque was the object of deep interest among Muslim Arabs, who took it as a sign of the rebirth of Islam in Al-Andalus. Al-Jazeera even broadcast the opening of the mosque to all of Arabdom, as if celebrating the establishment of an Islamic beachhead  which, in a way, it was. The Spanish government had thought, like so many other European governments, to win Arab goodwill. It thus allowed, over the objections of many Spaniards, the building of this mosque, inadvertently colluding in the physical declaration of the Muslim claim to Grenada  and never mind about the complaints of the nuns next door.But instead of winning Arab gratitude, the Spanish government simply whetted Arab appetites for more. Claims to Al-Andalus have multiplied. Osama bin Laden himself referred frequently to Al-Andalus, and the need to again make it Muslim. And so too did members of ISIS, beginning in 2014 and repeated most recently this January, when the Islamic State issued a threat that it would . For Muslims, the Spanish are the invaders, and they the dispossessed but rightful possessors, who deserve to, and will, recover Al-Andalus. The Spanish dont need reminding that while they have so far suffered only one major terrorist attack, the simultaneous bombing of four train cars as they travelled between Alcala de Henares and the Atocha Subway Station back in 2004, that attack killed 191 people and remains the deadliest single terror attack in Europe.While at the moment ISISs dreams of glory seem to have been shattered in the its slow-motion defeat in Mosul and the certain surrender in coming months of ISISs last redoubt, in Raqqa, Muslims  not extremists but ordinary Muslims  still yearn for Al-Andalus. And one of the ways they can get to Al-Andalus is through two towns in North Africa, on the Moroccan littoral, that belong to Spain. Desperate Africans and Arabs try to get to those towns, Ceuta and Melilla, for once they set foot there, they have made it not just to Spain, but to the European Union , and cannot, by the foolish commitments European states have made in regard to refugees, be turned back.There is the Guardia Civil, the barbed wire that caps the fences, even moats. But still the migrants manage to come, by the thousands, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on everything from the weather, to the fickle behavior of the Moroccan government. The king of Morocco, like Khaddafy in Libya, can do a lot to prevent migrants from reaching Ceuta and Melilla, and does so if it suits him  that is, Spain offers a quid pro quo, with economic agreements deemed helpful to Morocco. And King Hassan can regulate the flow of migrants  increase or decrease it  depending on what he wants of Spain, and how much pressure he needs to apply to make the Spanish comply with his demands.Where do the migrants come from? From Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, and Somalia, in sub-Saharan Africa, and from Arab countries  from Morocco itself, and now from Syria, too. Most of these migrants are Muslims. And while the world has not been paying attention, the Muslim population of Spain rose by 800% between 2001 and 2014 Perhaps the Spanish need to rethink their African Tarbaby. When Morocco obtained its independence from France in 1956, Spain held onto the two towns of Ceuta and Melilla, the last bits of its once far-flung Spanish empire, mostly for reasons of historic memory and prestige. But there are no significant resources or other economic benefit to holding onto either town. They are not especially attractive to tourists. Close to 40% of the permanent population in those towns is Muslim, and that percentage keeps rising. For migrants, the easiest way to get from Africa to Spain, and thus to Europe, is through Ceuta and Melilla. Tens of thousands try every year to make it. Symbols of a past empire, these towns are a present drain on Spain, which has to pay for those now 10-meter high fences with barbed wire, for the sensors and cameras, for the helicopters and the speed boats, and for all those members of the Guardia Civil, now almost one thousand of them in Melilla alone, and to the cost of preventing most of the tens of thousands of making it to Ceuta and Melilla one must add the cost of processing those migrants who did manage to get through, and the grim cost, too, for tending to the unluckiest of all, that is, the corpses of the drowned that the Spanish have to pull from the sea and bury.Why not simply give Ceuta and Melillla to Morocco? The Moroccans will be ecstatic, will regard this as a triumph of the firmness of their diplomacy. Let them. But in fact it will be even more of a triumph for Spain, which will have unstuck itself from the Tarbaby of Ceuta and Melilla. The only people who will not be pleased with this will be those migrants from a half-dozen countries, all of them Muslim or mainly so, who had hoped to make it to one of Europes welfare states but now finding that managing to make it to Ceuta or Melilla is no longer the same thing as making it to Spain, and thus to the European Union. Now, if migrants reach Ceuta and Melilla, they will still be in Africa. And the Moroccans, as one can imagine, will allow themselves to use methods for discouraging migrants travelling to what are now their territories that the Spanish, doing their worst, could never have used.This headache can be cured. Dont make it easier, dont help swell the Muslim population of Spain or the European Union. Dont do anything more to a future Al-Andalus. Give up Ceuta, give up Melilla. Kutuzov defeated Napoleons Grande Armee not by fighting, but by strategic retreat. History teaches that sometimes, less is more.
The March 14 information session on drone courses being offered at the College of Southern Maryland this spring semester has been rescheduled to Tuesday April 4, 6-7:30 p.m., Leonardtown Campus, Building C, Room 114.Details will be shared about two courses: "Introduction to Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)" (AVN-5010), a 12-hour class that will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 18-27 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.; and Remote Pilot Test Prep (AVN-5020), a six-hour class on Tuesday and Thursday, May 2 and 4 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.The introductory course is designed to instruct both hobbyists and professionals how to fly drones safely and legally. The test prep course is designed help pilots prepare for the FAA certification test and learn about the broad range of industry applications. Students will come away from the AVN-5010 course with their own drone and the necessary software.The April 4 information session is free. To register for one or both of the courses, visit www.csmd.edu/drones . For additional assistance, email conedops@csmd.edu or call 301-539-4760.The Diversity Institute at the College of Southern Maryland presents the 2017 Unity in Our Community Diversity Forum, beginning at 8:30 a.m., April 1, at the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata Campus, as an opportunity to review and provide input on strategic plans drafted over the past several months by various major institutions within Charles County.CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried, who will be hosting the forum, explained that leaders from various entities, including county government, the sheriff's department, state's attorney's office, public libraries, CSM and public schools, have been working since the fall to develop strategic plans for their units that will promote a more diverse workforce, a positive working environment for all their employees, a provision of services that meets the needs of the community and feedback systems to ensure success.This year's forum will center on discussing these plans, with participants receiving draft copies of the plans and hearing from the leadership of each organization. They will be asked to provide input, and after the forum, the three-year plans will be updated and finalized.Gottfried described Charles County as one of few, if any, communities which has undertaken such an extensive planning process. "If the leaders of the community do not work together to craft a comprehensive plan, we will never create the kind of environment that we all hope for and need," he said.Charles County residents are encouraged to attend this free forum, which will be held in the Fine Arts (FA) Building on the La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. Coffee and pastries will be available beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the forum to start at 9 a.m. in the theater, FA-100. The forum will conclude by noon.For planning purposes, attendees are asked to RSVP online in advance at www.csmd.edu/community/institutes/diversity-institute/unity-in-our-community/ The College of Southern Maryland Cause Theatre, in its final presentation of this academic year, will present "9 Parts of Desire," a play by Heather Raffo. The play will be performed three times from March 16-18 at the La Plata Campus in the Fine Arts (FA) Center Theatre.This topical play examines the Iraqi mindset through the eyes of nine Iraqi women. "I intended to write a piece about the Iraqi psyche, something that would inform and enlighten the images we see on TV," Raffo said. "However, the play is equally about the American psyche. It is a dialogue between East and West ... The material I gathered came from hours of gaining the trust of Iraqi women."After getting to know these women, Raffo created composites of them to serve as the voices in her play. "I consider all the women in my play to be dramatized characters in a poetic story," she said.The CSM production is directed by Keith Hight, coordinator for theater and dance and associate professor at CSM. The cast includes Sabrina Martin of Waldorf as Layla, Reva Taylor of Waldorf as Umm Ghada, Vicki Powalsz of California as The American, Lynne O'Merra of Waldorf as Dr., Ciara Levins of Port Tobacco as Amal, Sarah Slack of Leonardtown as the girl, Maecy Richardson of Washington, D.C. as Mulaya, Emily Roell of Leonardtown as Nanna and Valarie Green of La Plata as Huda.CSM Cause Theatre productions are intended to provoke thought and discussion and challenge the audience to consider different perspectives. Due to mature content and subject matter, this production may not be suitable for all audiences. This CSM production is being produced by special arrangement with the playwright.Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., March 16; 8 p.m., March 17; and 2 p.m., March 18. Tickets are $5 per person. For more information on the arts at CSM, visit www.csmd.edu/Arts CSM's campuses are accessible to patrons with disabilities. Audio description for the visually impaired and sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired are available with a minimum two week advanced notice. If you are interested in these services, please contact the academic support/ADA coordinator at 301-934-7614.
College of Southern Maryland Art Professor Andrew Wodzianski has been awarded an artist fellowship grant for 2017 by the District of Columbia's Commission for the Arts and Humanities. (Photo: CSM)

LA PLATA, Md.

(March 15, 2017)A College of Southern Maryland art professor known for his affinity to superheroes, childhood nostalgia and science fiction has been honored with a fellowship grant.Professor Andrew Wodzianski has been awarded an artist fellowship grant for 2017 by the District of Columbia's Commission for the Arts and Humanities. "The grant is wildly important in part because it has no funding restriction. With no unallowable costs, I can choose how to best spend this award for my art practice," Wodzianski said. "A portion of the grant will certainly pay for expendable materials, but I'll also use the funds to travel and conduct research."The honor and the funding that comes along with the artist fellowship grant came at an opportune time for Wodzianski, who will be on sabbatical from CSM from June through January 2018. During that time, he plans to pursue his own art projects and hopes to be selected for a residency. He is also scheduled to curate two fine art shows. "These exhibits are an exciting balancing act between rose-colored nostalgia and newly transcendent images," he said. "The artists I've selected have one foot planted in their childhood, and another dangling over a pool of prophetic slime. That may sound horrifying to some, but I assure youit's a fun position to find yourself."Wodzianski has been at CSM as a full-time professor since 2005 and as adjunct faculty for a year and a half before that. "Professor Andrew Wodzianski is one of the more dynamic and active instructors in our Communication, Arts and Humanities Division," said Dr. Stephen Johnson, chair of the division. "His creativity is displayed in a variety of activities ranging from painting works that combine popular culture and traditional art to performance art and his busy schedule as a curator of special exhibits throughout the DC area."At CSM, Wodzianski is a studio arts professor who teaches Color Theory and Practice as well as all sections of painting at the college. Wodzianski says it is the perfect job. He is a classically trained painter who also always aimed to become an art educator. "I'm always trying to strike this balance," he said, between creating his own work and teaching others. His own work and projects make him a better teacher, he said, and teaching at CSM helps keep him sharp as an artist.Both Wodzianski and his art are quirky and memorable. The art he creates reflects pop culture, particularly pop culture from his childhood growing up in northwest Pennsylvania. He is a fan of film ephemera, and he incorporates that interest into his art. For instance, this summer he created a series of color theory exercises on blueprints of vehicles that were used in the television show "Star Trek." That series was juried into a group exhibit "Emulsion" that will take place in March at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington, D.C. His office at CSM reflects his interest in film, science fiction and horror as well. Students who visit his office are met with walls covered with posters from old horror movies, skulls placed amid the books and games on his shelves, and fantasy and superhero collectible figures studding the walls, shelves and ceiling.In 2011, the Tony Hungerford Memorial Art Gallery at CSM hosted an exhibit of Wodzianski's work, "Games We Play," that was inspired by board games and drawing toys from Wodzianski's childhood. In 2010, Wodzianski himself became art when he lived in a storefront window for two weeks on U Street NW in Washington, DC."I jokingly note on my website that I work in crocodile tears, puppy dog tails and magpie chatter. That can be seem dismissive, but I find it's subtly accurate," Wodzianski said. "In part, it references the nursery rhyme 'What are Little Boys Made Of?' It also refers to my silly transformations on stage and canvas. For better or worse, I have an incurable Peter Pan complex. I figure it's best to self-diagnose and keep my paint brushes swinging."For more information about art programs at CSM, visit www.csmd.edu/programs-courses/credit/academic-divisions/cah/ . For more on Wodzianski's work, visit wodzianski.com/.
Terry Windsor, 25, of Faulkner; Tirrell Simms, 27, of Pomfrey; Freddie Commodore, 52, of Port Republic; and Chelsea Hoofnagle, 30, of Lusby. (Booking photos)

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.

David Dziergowski, Jr., 25, of Lusby; Salvatore Gallodoro, 38, of Prince Frederick; and Jennifer Woomer, 34, Chesapeake Beach. (Booking photos)

(March 15, 2017)The Calvert County Sheriff's Office released the following incident and arrest reports.WEEKLY SUMMARY: During the week of March 6 through March 12, deputies responded to 1,420 calls for service throughout the community.CDS VIOLATION #17-12357: On March 8, at approximately 9:00pm, Deputy J. Denton conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle he observed being driven with a tail light out near the intersection of S. Solomons Island Road/St. Island Road. Dfc. Moran and his K-9 partner arrived on the scene as he made contact with the driver and the other occupants of the vehicle. The rear passenger,, refused to cooperate and kept his hand clenched. Deputy Denton opened Windsor's hand and observed a blue pill (Oxycodone) and an oval capsule (Alprazolam). The driver was issued a warning for the traffic violation and released on the scene. Windsor was arrested for CDS Possession of a Synthetic narcotic (Oxycodone) and for CDS Possession of a Dangerous nonnarcotic drug (Alprazolam).CDS VIOLATION #17-12113: On March 7, at approximately 4:00pm, Deputy K. Williamson received an alert that a passing vehicle was being driven with a suspended registration. He stopped the vehicle at the Rt. 2/4 Liquor store and made contact with the driver,, to inform him that he had a broken (rear) brake light globe and for the driving violation. While he obtained names of all the occupants, Trooper McCombs and his K9 partner, Plank, conducted a K9 sniff of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert. Deputy Williamson discovered 82 loose pills in the console (Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone). Simms was placed under arrest for CDS: Possession of a Synthetic Narcotic, Driving on a Suspended License, Driving with a Suspended Registration and received a warning for the broken brake light globe. As he was searched inside the Detention Center, C/O Lanier discovered a piece of folded paper with Marijuana residue. Simms received additional charges of Possession/Receive Contraband while confined (Marijuana) and Possession of Contraband in a Place of Confinement.CDS VIOLATION #17-12066: On March 7, at approximately 1:00pm, Deputy M. Trigg stopped a vehicle at the intersection of German Chapel Road/S. Solomon's Island Road. The occupants were searched and the front passenger,, was found to have two recently filled prescription bottles on his person which were almost empty. He was arrested for two counts of CDS Possession with Intent to Distribute (Oxycontin, Alprazolam) and Possession of Paraphernalia (bottles).CDS VIOLATION #17-11951: On March 6, Deputy G. Gott observed a vehicle travelling slowly and come to a complete stop in the middle of the road, blocking passage. He conducted a traffic stop at Barreda Boulevard/Dogwood Drive, making contact with the driver,. While speaking with Hoofnagle he observed a prescription bag on the passenger side seat containing buprenorphine packets, displaying two different serial numbers. Hoofnagle was placed under arrest for possession of Possession of a Synthetic Narcotic (Suboxone) and CDS Possession of Dangerous Nonnarcotic drugs (Alprazolam and Adderall). She was transported to the Detention Center and was also issued a warning for the traffic violation.CDS VIOLATION CASE #17-11779: On March 6, at approximately 7:30am, Deputy T. Mohler observed a vehicle traveling well above the posted speed limit and was able to initiate at traffic stop near Solomon's Island Road/Ball Road, in Saint Leonard. Upon contacting the driver,, he immediately detected the strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle and its' contents revealed a glass smoking device, a green colored rubber container containing THC (Dab), a metal rod with concentrated THC wax and an unopened Suboxone strip. Dziergowski was charged with Possession of a Synthetic Narcotic (Suboxone), CDS Possession of a Dangerous Nonnarcotic Drug (THC Wax) and Possession of Paraphernalia (glass pipe).DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #17-12608: On March 10, Deputy R. Shrawder was dispatched to Armory Road Self Storage, in Prince Frederick, for the report of property damage. Upon arrival he spoke with the suspect on the scene,, who admitted he couldn't get into his storage unit so he broke the door to gain entry. He was arrested for Destruction of Property Less than $1000.00 and transported to the Detention Center. He also received an eviction notice to remove all of his items from the storage facility.DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #17-11965: On March 6, Deputy A. Ostazeski responded to Senora Lane, in Lusby, for a report of damaged property. The victim explained they parked their car around 5:00pm and around 10:30pm that evening received an email from On-Star notifying them that two of their tires were low on air. After thoroughly inspecting the tires, they realized the tires were intentionally slashed. There are no suspects at this time.DAMAGED PROPERTY CASE #17-11827: On March 6, Deputy R. Shrawder responded to Stafford Road, in Prince Frederick, for the report of damaged property. When he arrived the complainant advised that sometime between 10:15am and 10:50 that day, someone intentionally scratched the rear passenger side door of their vehicle. There are no known suspects at this time.THEFT CASE #17-12918: On March 11, Deputy C. Idol responded to 5th Street, in North Beach, for the report of a theft. Upon arrival the victim advised he was moving items from his vehicle into his residence and had stepped away briefly; upon returning, discovered a black Taurus 99AF 9mm gun (with brown grip and in a black holster/case) was missing.THEFT CASE #17-12632: On March 10, Deputy S. Trotter assisted a victim who arrived at the Sheriff's Office to report a theft. The victim explained they had parked their vehicle at the Calvert Memorial Hospital on March 2nd and discovered their handicap placard was stolen. She was provided a case number and advised to contact the MVA to get a placard replacement.THEFT CASE #17-12428: On March 9, Deputy C. Johnson responded to the CVS Pharmacy, in Dunkirk, for the report of a shoplifting. The manager stated a light skin black male entered the store with a flat/empty duffle bag. Upon leaving, he did not stop to check out at the register, but rather left the store with the same bag appearing to be full and bulky. The manager checked the area where the shoplifter was last seen in the store and discovered sixteen bottles of body wash missing from the shelf.THEFT CASE #17-12294: On March 8, Deputy R. Spalding was dispatched to the Prince Frederick Walmart store for a check welfare call. A complainant had called to advise they had observed a white female "huffing" from a can near the south entrance to the store. Upon arrival Deputy Spalding observed a female, matching the description, (repeatedly) huffing from a can and appeared to be [getting] sick. He approached her to render aide and noticed her speech slurred and her movements slow and lethargic. At that time a lost prevention officer informed Deputy Spalding that a store video shows, stealing the industrial strength Duster cans, she was using, from their store shelves. She was transported to the Detention Center where she was charged with CDS: Inhale Harmful Substance and Theft Less Than $1,000.00.THEFT CASE #17-11905: On March 6, Deputy G. Gott responded to Appeal Lane, in Lusby, for the report of a mail theft. The victim explained her neighbor had called her on March 4th, around 1:00pm, to let her know she had a package delivered because she was away from home. Her neighbor called back on March 5th at 2:15pm and advised her that the package was no longer outside her door.THEFT CASE #17-11849: On March 6, Deputy C. Sloane was dispatched to Lilac Circle, in St. Leonard, for the report of a theft. The complainant advised they had two (2) tarps covering stacks of wood in their yarda 20x20 blur tarp and a 10x10 brown tarp. Sometime between Saturday March 5th around 7:00pm and March 6th, someone stole both of the tarps.
ANNAPOLIS (March 15, 2017)Gov. Larry Hogan is pleased with the passage of some items from his 2017 legislative agenda but, at a press conference Wednesday, offered scathing rebukes to some of his political opponents, whom he accused of playing politics at the expense of Marylanders.



Hogan commended the passage of several bills as examples of bipartisanship, including the Victims of Sex Trafficking Act, the Clean Water Commerce Act, and the More Jobs for Marylanders Act, which would provide a tax break to manufacturing companies in high-unemployment areas.



In contrast, he slammed Democrats in the legislature for pressing forward with a bill that expands paid sick leave after effectively defeating his bill on the same subject. Hogan said the Democrats' sick leave bill would be "dead on arrival" if passed and sent to his desk. He said Democrats were trying to manipulate the issue to "put points on the board" that could be used against him in the 2018 election.



In a written statement, Bryan Lesswing, senior communications adviser for the Maryland Democratic Party, told the University of Maryland's Capital News Service that "with Maryland working families in need of earned sick leave more than ever before, it's disappointing that Governor Larry Hogan continues to point fingers and shift blame rather than put an honest effort into working with Democrats across the aisle."



The Working Matters advocacy coalition, which consists of groups that support the Democrats' paid sick leave bill, said via Twitter that they are "disappointed" by Hogan's pledge to veto the legislation.



In January, Hogan said that repealing The Open Transportation and Investment Actwhich he disparagingly refers to as the "Roadkill Bill"was one of his primary goals during the 2017 legislative session.



He said he was pleased with a version of his repeal bill that arrived on the Senate floor Wednesday with amendments proposed by Senate President Thomas V. "Mike" Miller Jr., D-Calvert, Charles and Prince George's.



The revised bill keeps the project-ranking system of the original law, but delays the implementation of other aspects for two years. Hogan expressed confidence Wednesday that his administration would defeat the delayed parts of the law if they reemerge in the future. Hogan praised the amended bill as an effective compromise, saying that neither political party won, but that "the people of Maryland won."



However, Hogan later accused Miller in stark terms of holding up his nomination of Dennis Schrader as health secretary for "political reasons." Hogan said he would hold Miller personally responsible for any negative consequences that arise due to the absence of a confirmed secretary to lead the department of health.



Miller's office declined to comment.



The Commonsense Spending Act would essentially cap automatic spending increases below state revenue increases. That bill is moving through the legislature, but House Republicans on Wednesday tried to attach its provisions as amendments to the House budget bill; Democrats defeated those amendments.



Hogan has pushed for an increase in charter schools and the accessibility of private schools through a variety of initiatives.



One such program, called BOOST, would provide scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools.



The program has received bipartisan praise in the past, but the House Appropriations Committee has moved to cut its 2018 funding from the $7 million proposed by Hogan to just over $2 million. Hogan called the reductions "unusual" and "hypocritical," explaining that several Democrats who voted for the reductions did so despite supporting the program last year.



The governor has also pushed for redistricting reform that seeks to end the practice of gerrymandering, as well as ethics reforms that would make it more difficult for former public officials to become lobbyists and require the legislature to publish video and audio recordings of its floor proceedings.
Author and AIDS activist Larry Kramer spoke at Sunshine Cathedral in an interview format with editor/writer Kevin Sessums on Friday, March 10. Kramer was soft-spoken but fired up as he reflected on his career as a screenwriter, novelist and social activist.

The evenings conversation covered a range of topics from the government and AIDS, gay activism, fears about the Trump administration and Kramers latest new novel called The American People, Volume 1: Search for My Heart.

Before a packed house, Sessums introduced Kramer as an icon.

Larry Kramer is to the AIDS crisis what Martin Luther King Jr. is to the civil rights movement, he said. You cant tell the story of HIV/AIDS without highlighting Larry Kramer.

Now 81 years old and is declining health, Kramer is not as loud as he once was, but his passion remains as strong. Getting old is not for sissies, he mused.

Kramer reminisced about forming the Gay Mens Health Crisis (GMHC) in his New York City apartment in 1982. I never, ever thought Id be an activist, he admitted. We used to make fun of them. But as his friends started dying of a mysterious illness, he knew he had to do something.

Kramer grew frustrated that GMHC wouldnt fight harder to call attention to AIDS, and wanted to do more than the narrow focus of the organization.

In 1987, Kramer was the catalyst in the founding of the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), a direct action protect organization that targeted government agencies and corporations for their lack of treatment and funding for people with AIDS. But he laments the groups demise once HIV medications became widely available.

We didnt have an army, Kramer told the audience. For a little while, we had ACT UP. The minute the drugs were there, everybody disappeared and went back to their lives.

Kramer is frustrated that these days there isnt more of a fight for LGBT rights and AIDS advocacy. For most of our history, we have not been good fighters, Kramer lamented. Thats the saddest message Ive learned over the last year. Why arent we all fighting for the rights that were entitled to?

More than once, Kramer compared President Trump to former President Ronald Reagan. Theres a lot of evil inherit in this plague of how weve been treated, especially when it comes to HIV, he explained. Theres no doubt that AIDS was allowed to happen in terms of what we were told and what was allowed to happen. Reagan was the same as Trump, but Ronald Reagan smiled better.

He took that bleak outlook a bit further. Too many people want us dead, he explained. Too many people dont just dislike us  they hate us. When they are in power, we have to fight back in whatever way we can. Were being put to the test now.

Kramer says its hard not to be very depressed when it comes to Trump administration and LGBT rights. I am very frightened whats going to happen to us a gay people, he said. Im terrified. I hope we as a population can be angry and fight back. They are already starting to chip away at gay marriage. Its going to be Roe v. Wade.

As for his novel, The American People, Volume 1: Search for My Heart, it is a 600-plus opus of social, political and historical segments thrown together to shape the United States. It frames the Founding Fathers in a new light and introduces the AIDS virus decades earlier than originally thought. I guess somewhere along the line of so many people dying and being surrounded by it all the time  I wanted to find out the history of HIV, Kramer explained. We (gays) have been here since Jamestown. Nothing about homosexuality is in our history books. Gore Vidal told me about Lincoln, Hamilton and George Washington. You realize that most history books are written by straight people.

As for history a little closer to home, Kramers recent trip afforded him his first visit to the World AIDS Museum. I was knocked out when I saw it, he said. Its got to be put on the top of the list for gay people all over the world to come visit.

The evening was presented by the World AIDS Museum and Educational Center. It also featured a performance by the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida.
Check out the latest in lesbian and bisexual news!

Brianna Hildebrand on Lesbian Teen Drama and It Gets Better

(SFGN) Negasonic Teenage Warhead may be the best label for Brianna Hildebrande. The Texan actress whose first feature role was in Marvels Deadpool, took part in a video for the It Gets Better campaign, saying she knew early on that I liked both boys and girls, and that she struggled growing up in a religious home.

I am lucky to say now that it is not frightening for me living in LA to be gay. Even when I was in Texas, I wasnt afraid. I was kind of out in high school, she continues. I just could never decide on what label. I am glad that I am public about it and I think I should be.

Hildebrand met her girlfriend working in the art department of the upcoming drama First Girl I Loved, the Independent reports. Hildebrand plays Sasha, star of the high school softball team, who falls for Anne, the editor of the school yearbook.

Throughout my junior high and high school life, I was kind of in the same boat as Anne. I was a little confused. I hadnt seen a film that has shown queer kids during their confused times. Usually, queer cinema is sexualized or is about grown people who know who they are.

The message is one she shares in the It Gets Better video, Whether you are unsure and afraid or sure and proud of your sexuality, no matter what part of the journey to self-acceptance that you are at, its OK, and it really does get better! You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

First Girl I Loved will be released in the UK and Ireland on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Vimeo March 13.

Franks Oceans 'Chanel' a Bisexual Anthem

(SFGN) R&B artist and out bisexual, Frank ocean released Chanel Friday night on Spotify and Tidal as well as Apple Music. LGBTQ Nation reports that fans are hailing it as a bisexual anthem highlighting the lines I see both sides like Chanel interpreted as reference to Coco Chanels rumored bisexuality, as well as bits of verse like My boy pretty like a girl and I got one straight acting.

Ocean came out via Tumblr in 2012, and spoke out on anti-LGBT hatred under the guise of religion after the Pulse shooting in Orlando.

I read in the paper that my brothers are being thrown from rooftops blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs for violating sharia law. I heard the crowds stone these fallen men if they move after they hit the ground. I heard its in the name of God, Ocean wrote. I heard my pastor speak for God too, quoting scripture from his book. Words like abomination popped off my skin like hot grease as he went on to describe a lake of fire that God wanted me in.
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.




Standardbred breeder/owner William C. Kraner, 79, passed away on Thursday, March 9 at the William C. Kraner Heart Center, Grant Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.

He was born March 29, 1937, in Columbus to the late Fred and Marie Kraner. Kraner was a very generous and caring husband, father, papa, and friend. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis (Cropper) Kraner; daughter and son-in-law, Shannon and Abraham Godinez; granddaughters, Chloe Godinez and Courtney Godinez; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Sheryl L., Esq. and sister, Joann Griffith.

Kraner was a United States Navy veteran and trained as a journalist during his enlistment. He received a degree in International Business from Capital University and throughout his professional career developed 13 companies that he owned and operated. As an entrepreneur, Kraner started the first employer funded daycare at Ohio Plastics and served on the Board of Trustees for Miami University and Capital University. In 1993, he was named the Manufacturing Entrepreneur of the Year.

Kraner was co-founder of the Welsh Hills School in Granville.

Following the death of his daughter, he was instrumental in the creation of the Sheryl L. Kraner Behavioral Health Campus in Newark, Ohio, and became the driving force behind the creation of the State of Ohio license plate dedicated to Ovarian Cancer Awareness.

He enjoyed the serenity of nature, and over the years he developed a passion for photography, sculpting, and western art. He was an avid Ford car enthusiast and car collector. He was an accomplished pilot and enjoyed flying his Bell Ranger helicopter and Gulfstream airplane.

He also had a great love for horses, being an owner and breeder of Standardbreds, and later become a trustee of the Little Brown Jug.

His love of the outdoors was evidenced by many of his photographs and led to the funding of the William C. Kraner Nature Center.

He was in the middle of writing his memoirs upon his passing. He will be greatly missed.

Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday (March 15) at the Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. A funeral service celebrating his life will follow at 7 p.m. with Reverend Kevin Heckathorn officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Support Community Central Ohio, c/o Sheryl L. Kraner, Ovarian Cancer Fund, 1200 Old Henderson Rd., Columbus, OH 43220 or the Ohio Foundation William C. Kraner Heart Center, 180 E. Broad St., 31st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of William Kraner.

(USTA)
AUL Calls on U.S. Senate to Confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to U.S. Supreme Court

"Judge Neil Gorsuch's judicial opinions and legal writings are marked by scholarship, clear writing, and a scrupulous weighing of the legal precedent and factual evidence," said AUL's Clarke Forsythe, "He is committed to interpreting the Constitution as written and not legislating from the bench, a dangerous practice that leads to tragic decisions like Roe v. Wade."



Contact: Kristi Hamrick, 202-289-1478, press@aul.org



WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Americans United for Life's legal team delivered a letter to members of the U.S. Senate this week from AUL's Acting President Clarke Forsythe in support of the nomination Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Judge Gorsuch's judicial temperament makes him the right choice to replace the revered Justice Antonin Scalia," said Forsythe, who noted in his letter that "Judge Gorsuch has demonstrated a commitment to constitutional originalism, the separation of governmental powers, and principles of judicial restraint."

Forsythe observed: "When Roe v. Wade was arbitrarily decided by the Supreme Court, without medical evidence or a trial court record of thorough debate, abortion on demand was created out of thin air, based on judicial preferences. It was a sweeping act of judicial overreach and a premier example of what legislating from the bench looks like. A judiciary committed to interpreting  not creating law  is key for respecting the voice of the people through their elected officials."

To learn more about some of judicial principles that impact life in the law and that may be discussed during next week's hearings, check out AUL's SCOTUS101 project here.

MEDIA ADVISORY: AUL Staff attorney Deanna Wallace will be providing daily analysis of the issues discussed during the hearings. For interviews e-mail press@aul.org

Forsythe further emphasized statements made during Judge Gorsuch's 2006 Senate confirmation hearing where he affirmed, "Judges must allow the elected branches of government to flourish and citizens, through their elected representatives, to make laws appropriate to the facts and circumstances of the day. Judges must avoid the temptation to usurp the roles of the legislative and executive branches and must appreciate the advantages these democratic institutions have in crafting and adapting social policy as well as their special authority derived from the consent and mandate of the people, to do so." Judge Gorsuch was confirmed unanimously to the Tenth Circuit.

In the Senate letter, Forsythe also discusses a number of Judge Gorsuch's decisions, including his rationale for protecting First Amendment conscience rights in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius (later Burwell v. Hobby Lobby before the U.S. Supreme Court). To read the letter in its entirety, click here.

AUL at the Supreme Court.

Since 1972, AUL has been involved in more than 100 federal and state cases across the country and internationally, including every significant abortion-related case before the Supreme Court including Roe v. Wade. AUL has filed more amicus curiae (or "friend of the court") briefs than any other pro-life organization, further solidifying its position as the legal architect of the pro-life movement.

In 1980, Americans United for Life won an historic victory when we successfully defended the Hyde Amendment before the Supreme Court in Harris v. McRae. This important decision upheld federal and state prohibitions on public funding of abortion except to protect the life of the mother.

Our leadership on pro-life law and policy has been recognized four times by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee when AUL was asked to address pro-life concerns in confirmation hearings for Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

To book interviews on the issues addressed at SCOTUS101, in AUL's Senate letter, and during the hearings, e-mail press@aul.org.



Americans United for Life (AUL) is the legal architect of the pro-life movement. We are accumulating victories, building momentum, and advancing a culture of life in America. Our vision is a nation in which everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law. The first national pro-life organization in America, AUL has been committed to defending human life since 1971.
Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Records Relating to Tarmac Meeting Between Then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Former President Bill Clinton in June 2016

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Justice for records related to the meeting held between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in 2016 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-00421)).



Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit after the agency failed to respond to a June 29, 2016, FOIA request seeking:

All records and/or transcripts of a meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All records of communication sent to or from officials in the Office of the Attorney General regarding the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All records of communication sent to or from officials in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General regarding the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All references to the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton contained in day planners, calendars and schedules in the Office of the Attorney General.

Lynch met privately with former President Bill Clinton on board a parked plane. The meeting occurred during the then-ongoing investigation of Mrs. Clinton's email server, and only a few days before she was interview by the FBI. Lynch later admitted that the meeting with Bill Clinton "cast a cloud" over the Justice Department/FBI investigation. Not long afterward, FBI Director James Comey called Hillary Clinton's actions "extremely careless" but did not recommend charges.



"The infamous tarmac meeting between President Clinton and AG Lynch is a vivid example of why many Americans believe the Obama administration's criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton was rigged," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Now it will be up to Attorney General Sessions at the Trump Justice Department to finally shed some light on this subversion of justice."



Judicial Watch requested the Justice Inspector General investigate the tarmac meeting.



In October, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit seeking FBI "302" documents, which are reports of FBI investigation interviews, from the FBI's investigation into former Hillary Clinton's email practices, related communications, and records regarding the June 2016, meeting between Lynch and former President Clinton. Documents in response this lawsuit are being regularly posted on the FBI website here (vault.fbi.gov/hillary-r.-clinton).



MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-sues-doj-records-relating-tarmac-meeting-attorney-general-loretta-lynch-former-president-bill-clinton-june-2016
A Longview father pleaded guilty Tuesday to assaulting his infant twin children so badly that one of them was admitted to a Portland hospital with fractured ribs and injuries to his liver and pancreas.

Jeremy Allen Hochstetler, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree assault of a child (domestic violence) and will be sentenced June 5.

Hochstetler, who has no previous criminal history, will remain free on personal recognizance until his sentencing and will be allowed to see the twins, a boy and a girl now just shy of a year old, and his 2-year-old son. The visits must be professionally supervised.

The standard sentencing range for Hochstetler, which is based on prior criminal history and the offenses, is between three and eight months in jail with a year of probation. Both the state and the defense are asking for six months in jail with a years probation. Superior Court Judge Stephen Warning told Hochstetler Tuesday he could get an exceptional sentence.

This is one of those circumstances that any judge who wants to make some good headlines will just give you as much time as they possibly can, Warning said. Im saying all that not to throw the fear of God into you, but just to try and emphasize your conduct between now and that sentencing date has got to be absolutely exemplary.

According to court documents, sheriffs deputies were called in November to investigate when one of Hochstetlers twins, then 7 months old, was admitted to Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland with fractured ribs and injuries to his liver and pancreas. Hed been seen earlier at St. John Medical Center for vomiting blood and had been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. The boy also had bruised legs.

Hochstetlers wife had pictures on her cellphone documenting bruises on the boys lower abdomen, face, scalp and legs, and claimed the boy bruised easily, according to court records. X-rays at Doernbecher revealed rib fractures and trauma to the boys liver and pancreas.

So doctors also examined the boys twin sister. Hochstetlers wife had photo documentation of bruising on the twin sister as well. The girl had bruises above each eyebrow, and x-rays showed the girl had multiple rib fractures that were in the healing stage, according to court records. Hochstetler and his wife told doctors the bruising above the girls eyebrows may have been caused by their older son.

The girl had been seen at the St. John emergency department on three occasions. Child Protective Services had investigated Hochstetler at some point, but the investigation turned up nothing, defense lawyer Kevin Blondin told Judge Warning.

During an interview with investigators, Hochstetler said his twin daughters arm was broken when he lifted her in a blanket and she unraveled out of it and fell awkwardly. He acknowledged that many people have accused him of being rough with his children. He said he knew that when the twin boy began vomiting blood, it was because he had compressed the boys abdomen down to about 2 inches. He said he acted out of frustration from (the boy) crying and stress in his (Hochstetlers) personal life being at an all-time high, according to court records.

When investigators asked how the twins could have sustained broken ribs, Hochstetler said he throws them about 10 feet in the air and then catches them, according to court records. He also said at one point he squeezed the twin boys head with his hand out of anger, according to court records.

In seeking to retain his clients visitation rights, Blondin told Warning that Hochstetler has completed an anger management course and a separate parenting class. He also asked for a delayed sentencing date so Hochstetlers wife can finish nursing school in June and get a job before her husband goes to jail, which would put a financial burden on the family.

Blondin said he does not believe Hochstetler will reoffend, given his treatment and classes. This is a 29-year-old guy with no criminal history whatsoever, faithfully attends church, employment, all the boxes are checked in terms of someone that wouldnt re-offend, he said.

Warning said he understood the financial imperatives of the family waiting for sentencing in June, but doubted how much seven hours of anger management classes helped, considering the length and nature of the abuse.

I am really at a loss in several respects. ...Given the long-term nature of the conduct here ... thats not sufficient for me to have a good reason to believe the children are safe. The nature of the offense, the nature of conduct is not something easily corrected, Warning said. I think it would be nice if theres some reintegration of this family, but Im not sure how its going to happen.
In Lower Columbia Colleges library Learning Commons Tuesday, a buzz of excitement punctuated by Awwws and laughter filled the air.

Thats uncommon for finals week, where students are usually quiet or murmuring with one another as they swap information. But this was a special occasion with two unusual visitors: Ella and Cody, two certified therapy dogs from Columbia River Pet Partners, were the center of attention.

This was the first Stress Release Clinic with therapy dogs that Lower Columbia College has hosted. The last day of regular classes at the college were last week, so many students were in the thick of finals Tuesday afternoon, and stress levels were high.

This is the best therapy ever, said student Bryanna Stone. Stone said that as a working mom and a student, she had been feeling stressed as she studied for her anatomy and physiology exam.

Therapy dogs are different from service dogs or emotional support dogs. Therapy dogs usually provide therapeutic benefits to people during visits to hospitals, hospices, libraries and schools.

Ella, a 9-year-old standard poodle, stood patiently as students stopped to scratch her head and back. Her trainer, Teri Lewis, had Ella certified as a therapy dog back in June.

I actually retired from my job and wanted to do something with her, so thats now what we do, Lewis said. This was the first stress relief clinic that the two had attended, but Ella is a regular at Orchards Elementary School in Vancouver, where students get to read to her.

On the other side of the Learning Commons was Cody, a 5-year-old golden retriever. Cody primarily makes stress relieving college visits in Portland and Vancouver.

According to the handlers, therapy dogs must still be trained and have basic obedience skills, and they should be comfortable around larger groups of people. That wasnt a problem for Cody the Retriever.

In fact when I take him to the dog park, hes okay with the dogs, but he loves people, said Codys handler, Mary Grout. Hell run around and greet all the people and not really play with the dogs.

Although LCC has never had a program like this, hosting therapy sessions with dogs on college campuses is an increasingly common practice.

(The students) just love it so much and its a win win, because he loves it, too, Grout said. She said she was inspired to volunteer with Cody after her son, a student at the University of British Columbia, told her about the therapy dog visits there.

Melinda Harbaugh, dean of instruction and library director at LCC, said that she hopes to hold the event again, based on Tuesdays success. She got the idea over a year ago from the library director at Centralia College, who hosted a similar event on campus.

After filling a long-vacant tenure-track librarian position last year, Harbaugh finally had enough staffing to organize the event. The newest faculty librarian, Lindsay Keevy, and tutoring coordinator Heidi Carmody jumped on the idea and did most of the planning and coordinating with Columbia River Pet Partners.

Students seemed to be pretty stressed out this quarter. I think the snow days had something to do with it, Carmody said. When we were looking at this and realized Hey we can do this, we got really excited.

Harbaugh said that the learning commons hosts several study-related events during finals week, but stress relief is more uncharted territory.

We are trying to provide an inviting and supportive environment for all LCC students, and this event, during the stress of finals week, is one more way we can show support, Harbaugh said. We truly care about the success of our students, and supporting that success is at the core of everything we do.
tech2 News Staff

Aadhaar proved its usefulness again at cutting costs, plugging leakages, and decreasing corruption with a smooth transfer of Rs 671 crore of input subsidies to farmers in Karnataka. The direct benefit transfer (DBT) program was launched by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhan Saudha in Bengaluru. The subsidy was realised from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) according to a report in the Economic Times.

The disbursal of benefits to the farmers was realised through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB), which is popularly known as DBT. A total of Rs 44,967 crore has been distributed through the APB over the course of two years, which has seen a ten fold increase since May 2014, where the total value transferred through APB stood at around Rs 40 crore. APB allows the disbursal of benefits at scale, as demonstrated in Karnataka. The number and value of transactions seems poised to grow exponentially. The Government has said that deployment of Aadhaar earned Rs 36,144 crore in savings for the government, over the course of two years.

In a population of over 125 crore, 111 crore Aadhaar numbers exist. About 10 crore of these numbers are linked to bank accounts. A UN report on the World's Social Situation, 2016, recognises Aadhaar as having a "tremendous potential to foster inclusion by giving all people, including the poorest and most marginalised, an official identity." Aadhaar has proven time and again that it is effective at reducing hassles by providing a presenceless, paperless and cashless environment.

Other benefits ensured by Aadhaar

Aadhaar has found its way into the daily lives of people. Aadhaar is a prerequisite for the Joint Entrance Examination (Main). Pensioners can avoid filing documents yearly, and in person by availing the Jeevan Pramaan facility that is available with an Aadhaar identification. The required documents are submitted automatically and electronically. The eKYC facility allows users to sign up for new services quickly and easily. Mukesh Ambani, for example, has said that Aadhar helped Reliance Jio cross 100 million customers. The income tax department now issues PAN cards using the Aadhaar number. To prevent mass booking and nefarious activities by travel agents, the Indian Railways is in the process of making Aadhaar mandatory for electronic ticketing.

Aaadhaar plays a critical role now in many of the Government and State programs, and is most commonly used in Rajasthan, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Chandigarh. Welfare schemes, scholarships, subsidies to farmers, food subsidies, cultural activities, social outreach programs, LPG subsidies and financial support for women and children all have benefited from the rollout of Aadhaar and related platforms. The mid day meal program is tracked and disbursed through Aadhaar numbers. However, the government has made sure that those who do not have Aadhaar numbers, still continue to enjoy the benefits through other means of identification.

Aadhaar-based Payment mechanisms

There are a number of payment mechanisms associated with Aadhaar. Aadhaar Enabled Payment System allows for instant transfer of funds directly to the bank accounts of people, through an Aadhaar number. The payment system has been implemented in apps such as Bhim. Aadhaar Pay for merchants allows shoppers in remote and rural areas to authenticate transactions without the use of smartphones or plastic cards. Only the shopkeeper needs a fingerprint scanner and an application provided by his or her banker. The APB or Aadhaar Payment Bridge allows for the disbursal of benefits rapidly with assurance that the money actually reaches the intended beneficiaries.

Concerns with Aadhaar

While Aadhaar has clear ambitions to be a one stop shop for authenticating identifications, disbursal of benefits, and making payments, there are still concerns that remain. No developed economy has rolled out a biometric based authentication system at such a scale, but a less ambitious version of the Aadhaar program has been implemented in Brazil and Mexico. Recently, there were reports of a data breach in the Aadhaar system where multiple transactions were executed with a single fingerprint.

While the government has assured the people that the Aadhaar system is secured adequately, once biometric security is compromised, it stays compromised for life. While the source data by the government may be secured with the latest technologies, giving out your fingerprint to a shopkeeper is as good as handing over your banking password. Policy advocates and experts have suggested the use of smart cards, that can be replaced in case they are compromised. People cannot grow new eyes or fingers, once their biometric security is compromised.
IANS

In yet another disturbing news for online privacy advocates, a media report has claimed that Google's mobile messaging app Allo can reveal your search history to friends and those you message.

Allo lets users include Google Assistant in conversations. Google recently announced plans to make Assistant available on Android phones.

According to a Re/code report late on Tuesday, Allo "has been found to be capable of "sharing users' past Google searches with contacts, without being prompted to".

Described as a technical glitch, the report claimed that this Allo's behaviour could have big privacy implications.

The discovery was made by Re/code's Tess Townsend who was using Allo to chat to a friend.

"In the middle of our conversation, my friend directed Assistant to identify itself. Instead of offering a name or a pithy retort, it responded with a link from Harry Potter fan website Pottermore. The link led to an extract from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series," he wrote.

"But the response was not merely a non sequitur. It was a result related to previous searches my friend said he had done a few days earlier, Townsend further wrote.

"It didn't come from any of my search history, since I had not viewed any Harry Potter-related websites in the days before our conversation. We also did not mention Harry Potter in our text exchange until Assistant brought it up," the report added.

In a response, Google said, "We were notified about the Assistant in group chats not working as intended. We've fixed the issue and appreciate the report."

Allo has recently been criticised by privacy advocates because it does not use end-to-end encryption by default as WhatsApp does.

According to a report in The Independent, Google Assistant is supposed to request permission from a user before sharing personal information in an Allo chat, but the privacy feature doesn't appear to always work.

Whistleblower Edward Snowden had issued a warning about Allo after its launch.

"What is #Allo?" he tweeted. "A Google app that records every message you ever send and makes it available to police upon request."
tech2 News Staff

We saw Lenovo announcing the new Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus at the Mobile World Congress last month in Barcelona. The all new metal-clad smartphones seem to be a good refresh from the plastic predecessors. Today the Moto G5 Plus officially made its way to India as Lenovo is hosted a special event in New Delhi to announce the smartphone. The Moto G5 Plus has been launched in India with the 3GB RAM 16GB storage option at Rs 14,999 and the 4GB RAM, 32GB storage option at Rs 16,999.

The Moto G5 Plus features a 5.2-inch Full HD display and is powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor. The smartphone was announced in 2GB, 3GB and 4GB of RAM options and 32GB and 64GB of storage options at the MWC, but only the 3GB and 4GB RAM models made it to India.

The phone supports microSD cards up to 256GB in size. As for the camera, you get a 12 MP f/1.7 unit with dual-LED and supports 4K recording. The front camera is a 5 MP f/2.2 unit. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band support as well as Bluetooth 4.2 and microUSB v2.0. The battery is a 3,000 mAh unit.

The smartphone has been priced at Rs 14,999 and the price makes sense considering the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 offers very similar specifications. Speaking of which, the Moto G5 Plus will be a tough cookie for Xiaomi as it definitely looks like a promising device. The handset will be a Flipkart exclusive as usual and goes on sale tonight at 11:59PM.
Aditya Madanapalle

The Cassini spacecraft is nearing the end of its nearly two decade long mission, over twelve of which it spent in orbit around Saturn. The spacecraft is executing a series of ring grazing orbits, before a penultimate series of maneuvers that will take it between the rings and Saturn. Cassini will end its mission by crashing into Saturn, to prevent any potential contamination of the moons of Saturn.

Cassini has made its final close approach to Saturn's moon, Mimas. Cassini photographed the pockmarked moon from 41,230 kilometers away. Any further approaches to the moon will be from over twice the distance. Over the course of its mission, Cassini made only seven close approaches to Mimas. Cassini had imaged Mimas, which is intimately linked to the ring system and is in an orbit in one of the gaps in the rings known as the Cassini division, even before it started the ring grazing orbits.

The ring grazing orbits have been particularly successful for imaging the inner moons of Saturn. Daphnis has been photographed multiple times by Cassini, showing kilometers wide ripples that it causes on the ring system, an aspect of the moon that has earned it the moniker "The Wavemaker". Cassini has also imaged moving methane clouds on one of the larger moons that has an atmosphere, Titan. Cassini had also found evidence of a global sub surface ocean and water plumes on Enceladus, a finding that was recently confirmed by Hubble.

Nasa has released two images that are mosaic composites from the final close flyby. The first one shows the craters of Mimas highlighted by the light from Saturn, and the second mosaic enhances the dark side of the moon to boost the visibility of the surface features. There are a number of craters on the surface of Mimas, the largest of which is called the Herschel crater. Viewed from certain angles, the Herschel crater makes Mimas appears like the Death Star from the Star Wars films. The Cassini orbiter is a collaborative effort by Nasa, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency.
tech2 News Staff

Everyone's going big on artificial intelligence (AI) today. From Google to Microsoft to Apple and possibly Samsung, AI is almost the buzzword in the smartphone space as well. But as these systems get more powerful and begin to do more, there is a need to make sure that they are not used by authoritarian regimes and then target certain populations.

At the ongoing South by South West (SXSW) event in Texas, USA, Microsoft Research's Kate Crawford explained her point on view on the AI scene and how it makes for an ideal excuse to teach these humongous data systems the wrong ideas without any accountability.

The Guardian reported the researcher's take on artificial intelligence, hinting at the rise of ultra-nationalism, right-wing authoritarianism and fascism, thanks to the widespread use of these systems.

However, it is not the use of these systems, but the way in which human biases are encoded into them that leads to their misuse when they fall into the wrong hands.

The researcher who has founded AI Now, a research community that is focussed on the social impacts of AI, gave the simple example where authors from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China, claimed to have developed a system that could predict criminality based on someone's facial features. How did they do it? The machine was fed Chinese government ID photos to analyse the face patterns of criminals and non-criminals in order to predict criminality. Despite the method used, the researchers claimed that the system was free from bias.

We should always be suspicious when machine learning systems are described as 'free from bias' if its been trained on human-generated data, Crawford said. Our biases are built into that training data. she explained in her SXSW session titled Dark Days: AI and the Rise of Fascism.

Crawford also hinted that how social media websites have turned into open registries. She pointed out at how research from the Cambridge University has shown that it is possible to predict people's religions based on what they like on Facebook.

Researchers were able to correctly classify 82 percent of the cases when it came to identifying Christians and Muslims, and the same was also achieved when sifting through profiles for Democrats and Republicans. The study was not new, but conducted back in 2013. AI since then has taken giants leaps.
IANS

India's third International Internet Gateway (IIG) in Agartala through Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh was not being optimally exploited due to technical reasons, Tripura's Information Technology Minister Tapan Chakraborty said on Tuesday. "Due to technical deficiencies of the 10 gigabit bandwidth capacity IIG in Agartala through Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, only 6.1 gigabit bandwidth is being utilised," Chakraborty told the state assembly.

He said: "For optimal utilisation of the Agartala IIG, a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) has to be set up here at a cost of Rs 300 crore. Through the Agartala IIG, the international internet traffic is being transmitted. However, the domestic internet traffic, which is 60 per cent of the total, is being routed through the old Guwahati-Kolkata-Chennai internet route." The Minister said the Tripura government has urged the Centre to improve the internet connectivity of the northeastern states by optimally utilising the Agartala IIG.

"The GGSN machine must be set up here and transmit the domestic traffic along with the international traffic through the third IIG (in Agartala)." Quoting Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials, Chakraborty said the government-owned telecom service provider is yet to synchronise its mobile data service with the Agartala IIG. The Minister said the BSNL disinvestment plan was resulting in loss of customers in the country.

He said that of the total 27.56 lakh mobile phone customers in Tripura, only 433,540 subscribe to BSNL service and the remaining prefer private telecom operators. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, along with Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, on March 23 last year inaugurated the 3rd IIG through videoconferencing from their respective offices in New Delhi, Dhaka and Agartala.

The Agartala IIG is the third such internet gateway after Mumbai and Chennai. India has spent Rs 19.14 crore to create the infrastructure for the third IIG in Agartala to get access to the 10 gigabit bandwidth from Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL). For this, optical fibre cable link has been established between Akhaura (along Agartala) and Cox's Bazar in southeast Bangladesh.

India has to give around Rs 8 crore per year as rent to the BSCCL. According to the agreement signed between BSNL and BSCCL, if the demand increases, the BSNL can avail up to 40 gigabit bandwidth using the same infrastructure. Earlier, the northeastern states got internet connectivity through Mumbai and Chennai IIGs, but long distance created problems like very slow speed and drop of linkages. Meanwhile, a media report in Bangladesh said Bhutan too is keen to import internet bandwidth from Bangladesh.

"To export bandwidth to Bhutan, Bangladesh will have to use Indian territory; fibre optical cable will also need to be laid. State Minister for Post and Telecommunications Tarana Halim got a positive response from India when she discussed the issue with Indian authorities," the media report said. Bangladesh has a 200 gbps bandwidth connection with the submarine cable: South East Asia-Middle East-Western Europe 4, but the country uses only around 130 gbps now.
PTI

The Unique Identification Authority of India is procuring hardware to raise its authentication capacity to 10 crore transactions a day, Parliament was informed today.

"Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is in process of procurement of necessary hardware for enhancing its authentication capacity to 10 crore transactions a day," Minister of State for Electronics and IT P P Chaudhary told the Rajya Sabha.

The minister's written reply came in response to a question on how the authority plans to increase biometric authentication capacity of Aadhaar to push Aadhaar enabled payment system.

Multiple steps such as DigiDhan Mela, social media information campaigns and DigiShala TV Channel have been undertaken for awareness on Aadhaar enabled digital payments.

The government has recently approved 'Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan' for digital literacy in rural India, he stated.

Besides this, the government has implemented two schemes -- National Digital Literacy Mission and Digital Saksharta Abhiyan -- for providing digital literacy to the masses, with cumulative target of reaching 52.5 lakh people across the country.

The minister also informed that under India BPO Promotion Scheme, 70 companies have entered into preliminary agreement with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) so far to set up BPO/ITeS operations for 14,900 seats across 60 locations.

As many as 15 units have reported commencement of operations under the said scheme for a total of 1,850 seats.

Under another BPO promotion scheme, North East BPO Promotion Scheme, 10 companies have entered into preliminary agreement with STPI to set up operations for 1,460 seats across five states in the region.

The number of e-transactions through Common Services Centres on the 'Digital Seva Portal' jumped to 1,175 lakh in 2016 from 902 lakh in 2015. In January and February 2017, 101 lakh transactions were conducted through the CSCs on the portal, Chaudhary said.

To another question, the minister said that a total of 9,622 and 11,592 cyber crimes were registered during 2014 and 2015, respectively, reflecting a 20 per cent rise during the period, as per data by National Crime Records Bureau.

Responding to another query, he clarified that official websites of Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram International airports were not hacked, and that no official data of the websites were stolen.

"It has been reported that some private websites in the name of Kochi airport and Thiruvananthapuram airport were hacked in December 2016. These hacked websites are registered and hosted in USA," he said.
Saudi deputy crown prince, Trump meeting a `turning point` in ties: Saudi adviser

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defence Mohammed bin Salman meet at the White House in Washington on Tuesday.

AP, Washington :

Saudi Arabia hailed a "historical turning point" in US-Saudi relations after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders' shared view that Iran posed a regional security threat.

The meeting on Tuesday appeared to signal a meeting of the minds on many issues between Trump and Prince Mohammed, in a marked difference from Riyadh's often fraught relationship with the Obama administration, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

"This meeting is considered a historical turning point in relations between both countries and which had passed through a period of divergence of views on many issues," a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.

"But the meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues," the adviser said.

Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of US President Barack Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadh's alliance with Washington less important than negotiating the Iran nuclear deal.

Riyadh and other Gulf allies see in Trump a strong president who will shore up Washington's role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadh's adversary Iran in a region central to US security and energy interests, regional analysts said.

The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as "very dangerous", the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on "the danger of Iran's regional expansionist activities". The White House has said the deal was not in the best interest of the United States.

The meeting was the first since Trump's January 20 inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.

Under the plan, which seeks to promote the private sector and make state-owned companies more efficient, Riyadh plans to sell up to 5 per cent of state oil giant Saudi Aramco in what is expected to be the world's biggest initial public offering.

The two leaders, who discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office posing for a picture in front of journalists.

US Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present at the Oval Office meeting with Prince Mohammed.

The meeting also appeared to illustrate support for some of the most contentious issues that Trump has faced since taking office.

On a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as one that was aimed at "Muslim countries or Islam".

Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order on banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Libya from traveling to the US but removed Iraq from the list, after his controversial first attempt was blocked in the court. Trump's travel ban has come under criticism for targeting citizens of several mainly Muslim countries.
Obama spent records fund for lawsuits

US President Barack Obama holds his final news conference on Jan. 17at the White House in Washington, D.C..

AP, Washington :

The Obama administration in its final year in office spent a record $36.2 million on legal costs defending its refusal to turn over federal records under the Freedom of Information Act, according to an Associated Press analysis of new U.S. data that also showed poor performance in other categories measuring transparency in government.

For a second consecutive year, the Obama administration set a record for times federal employees told citizens, journalists and others that despite searching they couldn't find a single page of files that were requested.

And it set records for outright denial of access to files, refusing to quickly consider requests described as especially newsworthy, and forcing people to pay for records who had asked the government to waive search and copy fees.

The government acknowledged when challenged that it had been wrong to initially refuse to turn over all or parts of records in more than one-third of such cases, the highest rate in at least six years.

In courtrooms, the number of lawsuits filed by news organizations under the Freedom of Information Act surged during the past four years, led by the New York Times, Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press, according to a litigation study by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. The AP on Monday settled its 2015 lawsuit against the State Department for files about Hillary Clinton's time as secretary of state, at AP's request, and received $150,546 from the department to cover part of its legal fees.

The AP has pending lawsuits against the FBI for records about its decision to impersonate an AP journalist during a criminal investigation and about who helped the FBI hack into a mass shooting suspect's iPhone and how much the government paid to do it.

Of the $36.2 million in legal costs fighting such lawsuits last year, the Justice Department accounted for $12 million, the Homeland Security Department for $6.3 million and the Pentagon for $4.8 million. The three departments accounted for more than half the government's total records requests last year.

The figures reflect the final struggles of the Obama administration during the 2016 election to meet President Barack Obama's pledge that it was "the most transparent administration in history," despite wide recognition of serious problems coping with requests under the information law. It received a record 788,769 requests for files last year and spent a record $478 million answering them and employed 4,263 full-time FOIA employees across more than 100 federal departments and agencies.
Vienna ranked world's nicest city, Baghdad worst

Reuters, Vienna :

Vienna, Austria's grand capital on the Danube river, has topped consulting firm Mercer's list of cities offering the highest quality of life for the eighth year in a row, while Baghdad is again considered the worst place to live.

The survey of 231 cities helps companies and organisations determine compensation and hardship allowances for international staff. It uses dozens of criteria such as political stability, health care, education, crime, recreation and transport.

Global centres London, Paris, Tokyo and New York City did not even make the top 30, lagging behind most big German, Scandinavian, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian cities.
Trump envoy reaffirms US commitment to Israel`s security

AFP, Jerusalem :

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Jason Greenblatt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed ways to reach peace with the Palestinians as well as settlement construction, a statement said Tuesday.

The five-hour meeting, held in Netanyahu's Jerusalem office late Monday, came as Trump's administration begins to enter the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The two "reaffirmed the joint commitment of both Israel and the United States to advance a genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians that strengthens the security of Israel and enhances stability in the region," a joint statement from the premier's office and US embassy said.

They also "continued discussions relating to settlement construction in the hope of working out an approach that is consistent with the goal of advancing peace and security."

The international community considers continuing settlement growth in the West Bank a major obstacle to peace.

According to the statement, Greenblatt "reaffirmed President Trump's commitment to Israel's security and to the effort to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve a lasting peace through direct negotiations."

Greenblatt was due to meet Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.

The statement cited Netanyahu as telling Greenblatt he believed "it is possible to advance peace" while Trump is in the White House.

Greenblatt himself wrote on Twitter that he had a "very positive and productive meeting" with Netanyahu during which they discussed the "regional situation, how progress towards peace with Palestinians can be made & settlements."

At a White House meeting in February, Trump asked Netanyahu to "hold back on settlements for a little bit."

But Netanyahu has found himself caught between maintaining relations with Washington and holding together his right-wing governing coalition, with some pushing for immediate action.
Alhaj A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury, President, Chittagong City Awami League speaking at a view exchange meeting with owners of fish traders houses recently.
BN warship leaves for Malaysia to join maritime exercise

Chittagong Bureau :

Warship of Bangladesh Navy BNS Pratoya leaves Chittagong Naval base on Monday for Malsysia aimed at participating the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace exhibition LIMA-2017 .

The ship led by its captain M Moniruddin alongwith 12 officers, 14 trainees and 115 sailors left Chittagong BN base.

Ahead of the journey of the ship, Commander of Chittgong Naval zone Rear Admiral M Abu Ashraf and the senior naval officials of BNS Isha Khan Base gave farewell reception. According to release of BN , during five days long exercise, a number of countries including USA and Malaysia will join the exercise.


Mustafizur Rahman\'s appeal gets turned down on the 1st day of 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Colombo on Wednesday.
NATO, the Middle East and Eastern Europe

George Friedman :

Over the past week, American officials have attended meetings of NATO and the Munich Security Conference. The topic has been the future of NATO, with the US demanding once more that the Europeans carry out their obligation to maintain effective military forces in order to participate in the NATO military alliance. At the same time, many European countries raised the question of whether the United States is committed to NATO. The Europeans are charging that Americans may have military force but lack political commitment to Europe. The Americans are charging that the Europeans may be politically committed to NATO but lack the military force to give meaning to their commitment.

The real issue is that NATO has achieved its original mission, and no agreement exists on what its mission is now. NATO's original mission was to block a Soviet invasion of Western Europe. That was achieved in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed. Having achieved the mission, NATO could have dissolved, but the problem with multinational institutions is that they take on a life of their own, independent of the reason they were created. Disbanding NATO because it had achieved its goal was never an option. So it continued to exist, holding conferences, maintaining planning staff and acting as if there was political agreement on what it was supposed to do.

As the Soviet Union was collapsing, Iraq invaded Kuwait and the United States, as the only global power, created a coalition going far beyond NATO to repel the invasion. There was great satisfaction at the outcome, without a realisation that the Iraqi invasion was not a stand-alone event but the beginning of a massive restructuring of the Middle East that would include vast instability and terrorist attacks on the US and Europe. From 1945 until 1991, the fundamental global issue was the status of Europe in the wake of World War II. From 1991 until today, the fundamental issue for Europe and the United States has been the status of the Islamic world in the wake of the end of the Cold War, which had the effect of imposing a kind of stability in the region.

NATO was created to address post-World War II Europe. That is no longer the pivotal issue. NATO was not built to deal with what came after its success. There is consensus that chaos in the Islamic world is undesirable, but no consensus on three other points. First, there is no agreement that NATO as an institution has an obligation to take collective military action to pacify the region. Second, there is no consensus over what pacification would look like. Third, there is no consensus that a coordinated and collective effort to prevent terrorist attacks on NATO countries should be undertaken.

NATO's institutions were created with a crisply defined mission, an understanding of the consequences of failure and, therefore, an allocation of military resources appropriate to the mission and to member states' resources. There is no such agreement on the current conflict and, therefore, NATO does not have a unifying mission. The Cold War was seen as an existential threat to Europe. The Islamic conflict is seen in different ways by different countries at different times. No military strategy can exist based on this political base of sand. Therefore, interests within NATO diverge, particularly between the United States and many European countries. The US has fought a war for 15 years in the Muslim world designed to contain those forces the US perceived as a danger to its security and interests. Some European countries, such as the United Kingdom, have joined this war with major resources. Some have given what I can only call symbolic gestures, considering the resources they could have devoted. Others have been deeply sceptical and critical of US strategy.

Therefore, these countries cannot fully agree on the strategic problem NATO faces and, as a result, can't adopt a unified strategy. NATO members' view of the world and willingness to act decisively varies widely. Therefore, the reasonable question is what is the point of NATO? The general feeling is that while the US' 15-year war did not compel Europe to act as a matter of collective security, other interests bind members together.

The problem is defining what other issues require an organisation such as NATO, and whether, having defined the issue, the Europeans are prepared to devote the resources required to carry out the mission. It is vital to constantly point out that NATO is not a political framework where discussions take place but a military alliance that rests on military goals and resources. It is about soldiers and sailors, and if the issues being faced do not involve these, then NATO has no use. Some other sort of institution may be required to address these issues instead.

NATO is an alliance of habit. We used to need NATO and, therefore, surely we still need NATO. It is also an alliance of convenience. Rather than being committed to the military management of current problems, which is its mission, it has become selective in its engagements. The difference between NATO prior to 1991 and now is simple. Prior to 1991, it had a clear purpose and all members were committed to that purpose. It no longer has a clear purpose, and when some members, such as the United States, become involved in wars, participation is elective. To be more precise, participation can be broad but militarily insignificant. Europe's military force is rationally shaped to the risk it is prepared to take and not to the requirements of the conflict at hand. Participation in conflict is not automatic but optional. Therefore, NATO is no longer an alliance, as an alliance requires mutual interests and support. NATO members have no mutual interest.

In trying to find a reason for NATO to continue operating, the obvious solution is to once again address NATO's founding mission: deterring Russia. From 1991 until 2008 and the war in Georgia, NATO's assumption about Russia was that it was the crippled remnant of the Soviet Union, incapable of posing a military hazard and interested primarily in evolving into a variety of liberal democracy with a vibrant economy linked to Europe. It seemed a reasonable assumption, but it was defective. The Russians increasingly saw European and American help as undermining Russia's economic viability, and saw NATO expansion as designed to strangle Russia. Ukraine's Orange Revolution in 2004 was the breaking point, along with the admission of the Baltic states into NATO. The Russians saw the latter as a violation of the West's pledge not to expand NATO into the former Soviet Union, and the former as a desire to build anti-Russian regimes in areas of vital interest to the Russians.

Whatever the subjective intentions of the two sides, NATO's perception was that Russia was crippled and did not have to be taken into account in planning actions. Russia's perception was that NATO continued to fear Russia and would not be content until it did become crippled. That evolved into the current issue over Ukraine's future, as the Russians seem to be modernising their military force in anticipation of further pressure from the West. The West faces a Russia apparently returning to the patterns that made NATO necessary in the first place.

This issue is particularly important in what used to be called (and should be called again) Eastern Europe, which finds itself caught between two forces. One is the European Union, still functional but increasingly fragmented and unable to act in concert. The second force is Russia. It is increasingly insecure and seeks to stabilise its western frontier, which means the Baltics, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria are feeling the winds of a rising Russia.

From these countries' standpoint, the EU's fragmentation is replicated in NATO. Eastern European countries are aware that except for the United States, NATO lacks the will and the force to create a major blocking power. A few battalions are shuffled around but nothing that would actually have military significance if the Russians were able to mount an attack.

Russia is posturing as a great power, but its internal economic problems are enormous. Much of its military force is a shadow of what it was under the Soviets, and its modernisation program depends on finances, which are strained to near breaking point with declining oil prices. Still, Russia's military force is greater than Eastern Europe's, and NATO's ability (excluding the United States) to deploy militarily decisive forces is limited. This region, which is part of NATO, may be able to count on some countries in the alliance, but cannot count on NATO itself because it lacks effective military force.

In fact, Eastern Europe, with some help from the rest of Europe and the United States, is quite capable not only of defending itself militarily against the current Russian reality but also of protecting itself politically against Russian influence. If Eastern European countries were to work together, they would be a formidable force. But the Slovaks and Hungarians have little trust in NATO, and the Poles and the Hungarians are under constant attack from the EU because their people elected governments the EU disapproves of.

NATO's original mission was to contain Russia. But in this case, countries like Germany do not carry the primary burden. That burden falls on Eastern Europe. But the minimal support needed to secure the region - a few first-rate divisions and air wings - is not available. The US is recovering and perhaps preparing for another round of conflict in the Middle East, and the rest of Europe lacks the minimal capabilities needed for extended deployment a few hundred miles from home. Therefore, NATO's core strategy cannot be implemented. Something that is well within the brief of NATO, and ought to be well within the ability of countries like German, is undoable. NATO solidarity on protecting Eastern Europe isn't nearly as strong as it could be, and all the commitment in the world will not create anti-tank capabilities designed to make an unlikely Russian attack scenario impossible.

From a strategic point of view and regardless of internal politics, Poland and Hungary, as examples, are indispensable for deterring the Russians. While NATO's brief includes this deterrence, the EU retains the right to lecture and condemn both countries even in the face of the political disorder in the rest of Europe. In other words, Eastern European countries have one relationship with NATO and another relationship with the EU. So at a NATO meeting, the Germans speak one way, and at an EU meeting, they speak another way. And the coalition that would protect Germany from far-fetched events (in a time when the farfetched has become routine) can't take form.

The United States is a key member of NATO, and the US is trying to figure out NATO's usefulness. The answer is far from clear. In the one area where NATO can be helpful and can act within its mission, European members' behaviour is both contradictory and primarily theoretical. They simply have not built a military for a mission even clearly within NATO's purview. To the extent the Russians have the ability to increase their influence on their western frontier, their European adversaries are inadvertently providing the opening.

In the end, there is no NATO problem. There is a European problem. A European consensus on defence does not exist any more than a consensus on economics does. Being in an alliance so unstable is too complicated for the simple and unsophisticated Americans.

The sophisticated Europeans in the end are proving too much for the United States. US Secretary of Defence James Mattis has laid down the price members must pay for NATO protection. The Europeans will assume it is just talk and continue as they were. Having opted out of collective responsibility in the Middle East, the Europeans are also opting out of collective responsibility in Europe. US action in Europe will take place as needed, but it will not be constrained by the votes of those not incurring some of the risk. This is not an opinion on my part, but simply a rational analysis by the US. Why submit to an organisation that cannot share the risk?



(George Friedman is an internationally recognised geopolitical forecaster, New York Times best-selling author and the founder and chairman of Geopolitical Futures, a global analysis company).


Hate crimes rising in US for Trump's wrong policy

HATE crimes in nine US metropolitan areas rose more than 20 per cent last year, fuelled by inflamed passions during Donald Trump's presidential campaign and more willingness for victims to step forward, a leading hate crimes researcher said on Monday, as per a report of a local daily.



Bias crimes appeared to increase in some cities following the November 8 election of Donald Trump, a trend that has extended into this year with a wave of bomb threats and desecrations of Mosques and Islamic establishments as well as synagogues and Jewish cemeteries, according to California researcher Brian Levin. The White House could not be reached immediately for comment on the research.



The new numbers, collected from police departments, reverse a trend toward fewer hate crimes in many of the cities in recent years. Among US cities, New York reported the greatest number of hate crimes at 380, a 24 per cent increase from 2015, while Washington, D.C., had the largest percentage rise at 62 per cent to 107 incidents.



Overall, there were 1,037 incidents, a 23.3 per cent increase from the previous year in the nine areas researched: New York, Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Maryland, Columbus, Ohio, Seattle, Long Beach, California, and Cincinnati.



Trump in recent weeks has more forcefully denounced the anti-Semitic and other racially motivated incidents, notably at the start of his address to Congress on February 28. Trump has also expressed how he was personally affected, since his daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism and he has Jewish grandchildren.



While some Jewish leaders have suspected the bomb threats may be linked to a higher profile for white nationalists animated by the Trump's campaign, Levin did not draw that direct link. Bias crimes against Muslims and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people accounted for much of the growth in hate crimes that were reported. Experts say many hate crimes go unreported and caution against drawing conclusions from such data, which have small sample sizes.



By highlighting issues such as race, religion and national origin, the presidential election campaign could have influenced both the number of incidents and frequency of reporting them to police, Levin said. The rhetoric fueled campaign inspired white nationalists to think that America should become a homogenous country - thus leading to attacks against minorities. This has led ultra right leaders like Richard Spencer to say that Trump was in fact a member of the alt-right movement, the name for the far-right racist fringe movement that often subscribes to anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic and anti-feminist ideologies.



We must say all such far right nationalists and hate mongers must be opposed vehemently and resisted by the present administration to ensure that further crime rates don't go up in the near future. The administration must preserve the multi-racial character of the US society at all cost.
Security deal with India to be suicidal: BNP

Staff Reporter :

The BNP said on Wednesday that any security pact with India would be suicidal and a threat to the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should therefore think twice before signing the deal.

"Any security pact with India would be suicidal for Bangladesh. It will go against our independence and sovereignty," said BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi while addressing a press briefing in the party's Naya Paltan office.

Rizvi said, "If the national security depends on India and if our security policy is designed by the neighbouring country, then there would be no independence of Bangladesh."

The BNP leader said, security treaty is very sensitive issue. National security, independency and sovereignty are related with such pact. So, the nation is seriously worried about the matter.

"The people of our country will never accept any secret treaty. They will prevent that with all of their strength. All the political parties and organizations will reject such pact," he said.

Rizvi said, PM Sheikh Hasina suddenly took the anti-Indian stand. She alleged that Indian intelligent agency RAW was behind the BNP's victory in 2001general electon. Rizvi labeled it as mysterious.

People know who is RAW's toy. "The Indian agency always works to destroy the BNP," he said.

The PM's speech in Luxmipur district on Tuesday urging vote for ruling party's symbol boat was clear violation of electoral laws, because that might influence the upcoming Comilla City Corporation polls.

BNP central leader Habibul Islam, ABM Mosharraf Hossain and Munir Hossain, among others, were present.
Dhaka reiterates 'zero tolerance' to terrorism

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has reiterated Bangladesh government's 'zero tolerance' to terrorism.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has declared the stance of Bangladesh against any sort of terrorism and violent extremism," he told the 3rd Counter Terrorism Conference that ended in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari inaugurated the three-day conference organised by India Foundation at a local hotel, said a press release. Referring to some recent acts of terrorism in Bangladesh, the home minister said the situation was brought under control due to relentless efforts by the law enforcement agencies and active cooperation from the general mass. He said Bangladesh will never allow its soil to be used as the launching ground for any kind of terrorist activities against any part of the globe, let alone neighbours.

Asaduzzaman, however, regretted that despite stringent measures some homegrown groups have become radicalised. "Some in connivance with a few radical political affiliations are trying to destabilise the country to hinder the current rapid socioeconomic development by acts of terror." "We've also unveiled the unholy nexus between these groups and those who are against the trial of the anti- liberation war actors and perpetrators in the International Crimes Tribunal," he said. The home minister said Bangladesh has a comprehensive plan for countering terrorism. "Bangladesh follows a counterterrorism strategy based on four pillars: prevention, disruption, capacity-building and upholding respect to human rights," he said.

The conference was addressed also by ministers and officials from Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia and Afghanistan.
Two 'militant dens busted in Ctg

Woman, child, stranded in den, Inspector hurt

Staff Reporter :

Police busted two hideouts in Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong district on Wednesday afternoon.

The law enforcers cordoned off a two-storey building named 'Chhaya Neer', owned by one Suresh Biswas at Madhyam Mahadebpur village of the upazila, but a police officer was injured as bombs were thrown from the house.

Police also sealed off the dens to avoid the further attack on them by the militants from the hideouts, Police officials said.

Mahabubur Rahman, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mirsarai circle), said, "Acting on the confessional statements of two suspected militants-Hasan and Jasim, arrested from Chandina upazila in Comilla while hurling bombs at police, a team of Sitakunda police raided a house owned by Suresh Biswas around 3:00pm.

Sensing the presence of the law enforcers, the militants hurled explosive devices at the police, prompting them to take action, the police official said.

Later, the police team entered the house and took a man, a woman and a child into custody, he said. They also recovered a number of grenades, bombs and firearms from the house, according to him. Besides, the same team raided another house believed to be a militant hideout in Premtala area, in the upazila and surrounded it, said Additional Superintendent of Chittagong Police Mohiuddoula Reza.

They raided two separate houses, which, they suspect, were being used as hideouts for militants, the police official said. When police tried to enter, suspected militants hurled crude explosives at them on their arrival, he said.

Confirming the matter, Superintendent of Police (SP) Nure Alam Meena said, three persons including a woman and a child took shelter in another den. There were huge amount of arms, ammunitions, hand-grenades and explosives in the dens.

Mozammel Haque, inspector (investigation) of Sitakunda Police Station, sustained splinter injuries, the SP said.

Our Chittaong Bureau said, two suspected militants hired ground floor of Sadhan Kutir at Amirabad Lamabazar of Sitakkunda Upazila some days ago and they were caught red-handed by the owner of the house while exhibiting the NID to house owner. Later they were handed over to police. According to their confession, the police conducted raid in the afternoon. On Tuesday, when the wife of the owner demanded NID from them , two persons fled away from the house.


15000 BD workers passing hard days in Egypt

Reza Mahmud :

About 15000 illegal Bangladeshi workers are now in deep troubles in the Egypt as they have no work permit, sources said.

They are, therefore, passing days with panic of arrest and punitive action by the Egyptian authority at any time, moreover, for failure to obtain the work permit by this time.

"About 15000 Bangladeshi workers have been doing jobs in garments and other factories in the North African state for long. Last December, the Egyptian government asked the employers to legalise the status of the illegal workers. But that has not been done in most cases within the stipulated time, throwing the workers into a state of uncertainty.

As a result, the workers might be constrained to pay the price for the fault of their employers," said Abdullah, a Bangladeshi businessman in Cairo.

Sources said, there are more than 20 thousand Bangladeshi workers in Egypt. Many of them had gone there with tourist visa and they were employed in different factories, some of them are owned by Bangladeshi businessmen. The Egyptian government firstly did not gave any importance to the matter. But as large number of Bangladeshi men did not return home, even though they went there with tourist visa, Egyptian government has taken the issue seriously. As a first measure, the foreign ministry gave a chance to all the illegal workers to obtain visa and work permit. But most of the employers ignored the matter.

"The employers need 3250 Egyptian pounds (1 Egyptian pound = 4.44 Bangladeshi taka) to get visa for each worker. But the employers thought that the illegal workers would need maximum 150 to 300 Egyptian pounds to pay when they would return home and that is why they work permit and visa were not collected lawfully. It was completely wrong," said a Bangladeshi labour working illegally there.

Now it has been a gigantic burden for the workers to overcome the hurdles. They even could leave the country without counting huge amount of money as fines. The immigration police of the Egypt announced on February 22 the illegal workers would pay 2007 Egyptian pounds as fine per year at the airport. In these circumstances, the illegal workers know not what to do. If they want to stay in the country, they need visa and work permit and if they want to leave the country, they must pay a large amount of money as fines. In this situation, all of those workers are now passing their days with panic of arrests and fines.

The immigration police of the country has conducted drives in recent months to hunt illegal workers in the Awal Gama area where most of the Bangladeshi owners' garment factories are situated. The police arrested about 300 Bangladesh workers in that drive. All of them were sent to Dhaka.

To avoid police harassments and fine, the workers are trying to get help from Bangladeshi embassy in Cairo. They urged the officials to do something for them quickly. The embassy officials told the workers that they were trying to find way to overcome the situation and to contact with Egyptian foreign ministry in this regard.

Begum Shamsunnahar, the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, did not receive the phone calls.
Police swoop on left protesters

Bid to lay siege to ministry: Tear gas shells lobbed; rubber bullets fired; baton charged to disperse protesters: Nationwide demo today

Police swooped on three left- leaning parties in front of the Jatiya Press Club and lobbed tear gas shells, fired bullets and charged batons to disperse the protesters while they were proceeding towards the Secretariat demanding reduction of gas price (to

Staff Reporter :

At least 50 people were injured in a fierce clash between cops and activists of left leaning parties near Secretariat in the city on Wednesday noon.



Besides, at least 20 cops also received wounds during the clash.



According to police and witnesses, when the leaders and activists of three-left leaning parties- Communist Party of Bangladesh, Gono Songhati Andolon and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal started marching towards the Secretariat to lay siege to the Power Ministry protesting the recent gas price hike, police barred them.



Being barred, the protesters became furious and started launching attack with sticks on the cops and water cannon. They also pelted stones targeting the law enforcers.



At one stage when they started ransacking buses and other vehicles parked adjacent to the Jatiya Press Club, the agitation was turned into a battle field.



Police swooped on the protesters and started clubbing them indiscriminately.



Besides, the cops used water cannons, lobbed off tear gas canisters and fired rubber bullets to disperse the protesters leaving 50 injured on the spot.



The injured people have been admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.



Of the injured, some have been identified as Shariful Islam, Masud Rana, Sumayia Akter, Farzana Akter, Nusrat Huq, Rafiqul Islam, Rayhan Zaman and Aminesh, Abu Bakar Ripon, Belayet Sikder, Al Mostaqim, Nayeem Khan, Mohammad Hasib, Ashraful Huq Istiaq, Zahidul Alam and Riya Akter. Meanwhile, the three leftist political parties announced to stage demonstrations across the country today protesting the police attack.



"Police suddenly launched attack on us and beat up indiscriminately. Later the cops tried to run over us with armored car. At one stage, they started firing from the armored car. Our many activists including leaders received serious wounds in the police brutal action," Monir Uddin Pappu, member secretary of Gono Songhoti Andolon, told The New Nation.



He said that they would stage countrywide demonstration today to protest the Wednesday's police action.



Rahim Hossain Prince, a CPB central leader said at least 40 leaders and activists of the three left-leaning parties were injured.



"Police swooped on our rally while we were marching towards the secretariat to lay siege the power ministry," he said



Nafis Kamal, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Ramna Zone, said the protesters carried out an attack on the water canons and armored personnel carriers and vandalised several private vehicles during the clash.



Some 20 police personnel also received minor injuries, Nafis said adding that they have brought the situation under control.



Earlier in the morning, the leaders and activists of the three parties thronged in front of the Jatiya Press Club to take part in their pre-announced protest programme.



When contacted Abul Hasan, Officer-in-Charge, Shahbagh Police Station, said the activists hurled brickbats on the cops.



"Police obstructed the march and dispersed it with water cannons and tear gas," he added.



Bangladesh government's latest gas price hike, in two phases - in March and June - by 22 percent, drew widespread flak.



As per the new hike, households using double burners have to pay Tk 800 each from next month compared to Tk 650 now, while those using single burners have to pay Tk 750 each against Tk 600. The prices would be increased again on June 1 by another Tk 150 for each gas stove.
3 held over Dinajpur `Pir`, `daughter` murders

UNB, Dhaka :

Police arrested three people in connection with the killing of a so-called Pir of Dinajpur district and his adopted daughter from Kurigram and Dinajpur districts early Wednesday.

UNB Kurigram correspondent reports: Tipped off, a team of police raided

the house of Esahaq Ali, 57, a self-styled Pir of Pathordubi village in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram district, around 4:30 am and arrested him, said Menhajul Alam, additional superintendent of police of Kurigram. The arrestee was handed over to Bochaganj Police Station of Dinajpur, the ASP added. Two others --- Saidur Rahman, a khadem of Kadria Mohammadia Darbar Sharif, and his associate Samar Ali were arrested from Doula area in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur district at the dead of night, said Hamidul Alam, Dinajpur Superintendent of Police.

So-called Pir Farhad Hossain Chowdhury, 55, son of Aminul Islam Chowdhury of Doula village, and his adopted daughter Rupali Begum, 20, daughter of Hoser Ali of Madhabpur village, were shot to death and slaughtered by miscreants at a 'shrine' at Hatrampur in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur district on Monday evening. Slain Farhad was also former president of Setabganj municipality unit of BNP.
Louisiana's Democratic governor says he has "serious concern" with the GOP health plan because it would end the higher federal financing rate for Medicaid expansion in 2020.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is urging Congress to keep the Medicaid expansion program intact as they work to replace President Barack Obama's health care law.

Louisiana's Democratic governor sent a letter Tuesday to Republican and Democratic congressional leaders. In it, he says he has "serious concern" with the GOP health plan because it would end the higher federal financing rate for Medicaid expansion in 2020.

Edwards embraced the expansion, making Louisiana the 31st state to participate. More than 405,000 people have enrolled in the coverage.

In his letter, Edwards says more than 62,000 of the enrollees have had preventive health care treatments, with some getting diagnosed with  and treated for  cancer and diabetes.

He says Medicaid expansion has saved Louisiana money and boosted health jobs in the state.
After a newspaper reported that state police shelled out thousands of dollars in overtime and expenses for several troopers who drove to a conference in California with a state SUV, diverting to a Las Vegas casino resort and the Grand Canyon on the way

Louisiana's legislative auditor said Monday he will review years of taxpayer-funded travel by the state police, after concerns raised about thousands spent on a trip to a law enforcement conference in California.

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera said he'll look into the spending in response to a letter from Rep. Blake Miguez, R-Erath.

Miguez requested the audit after The Advocate newspaper reported the state police shelled out thousands of dollars in overtime and expenses for several troopers who drove to the October conference in San Diego with a state SUV, diverting to a Las Vegas casino resort and the Grand Canyon on the way.

Edmonson Louisiana State Police

"I welcome any review of this," said Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the state police. "The legislative auditor has always been extremely helpful."

Since the newspaper report, Gov. John Bel Edwards said his administration has an auditor digging into the travel spending and policies of the state police, saying information about the California trip "obviously concerns me."

But Miguez said he also wants an independent audit, since the governor hires the state police superintendent and oversees the agency. Miguez asked Purpera's office to review all out-of-state travel and associated expenses and overtime paid by the state for those trips from 2008 to 2017. He wants the review to look at who approved the travel and reimbursements.

That's the entire time Edmonson has been in charge, first tapped for the job by former Gov. Bobby Jindal and kept in place by Edwards.

Miguez said he was "not pointing any fingers at anyone," but wanted to have a nonpartisan review after he saw media reports about the questionable travel spending.

"Number one on my list when I got elected to office is protecting taxpayer dollars and making sure they're being used on public things," Miguez said in an interview. "This is about good government."

His letter to Purpera cited "alleged misuse of state taxpayer funding for trips taken by senior members of the Louisiana State Police, and the written approval by the LSP superintendent for taxpayer-funded reimbursement to LSP officials for what appears to be personal and recreational travel." He wrote that the legislative auditor's review would help determine "if this is a systemic problem within the LSP leadership and across the LSP."

Edmonson said he's ordered an internal investigation of the conference spending and has changed his agency's travel policy in response. He said when the review is over, "any hours that can't be documented as appropriate will have to be repaid."

Purpera said he'll learn about the investigations already underway, so he doesn't "duplicate other people's work." He said his aim will be to determine if policies need to be tightened to ensure proper spending in the agency.
Three judicial races, a trio of special elections for the Louisiana House of Representatives and a number of local-level contests on the ballot this month should produce an overall voter turnout thats below 20 percent.

Three judicial races, a trio of special elections for the Louisiana House of Representatives and a number of local-level contests on the ballot this month should produce an overall voter turnout thats below 20 percent, according to the secretary of states office.

Early voting got underway this past weekend for those elections and will run through Saturday, March 18.

There hasnt exactly been a spike in participation, though, which signals a depressed Election Day on March 25, officials say.

Theres just usually not a lot of interest for these local races and ballot initiatives, said Secretary of State spokeswoman Meg Casper Sunstrom.

There is one big change for early voters in the eastern portion of New Orleans, where a tornado brought devastation in February.

There are 13 precincts there that are being consolidated inside the states voting machine warehouse in the city.

State officials are working to make sure voters are aware of the temporary location.

Meanwhile, those satellite voting precincts that were used in Livingston Parish last election cycle due to the 2016 flooding event are no longer needed.

Everything is back in its original locations, Sunstrom said.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Foggy this morning followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High around 75F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 61F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
When we set off riding from Saigon to Hanoi (and on to Sapa) on motorbikes there was a few obscure stops along the way we wanted to make. Having your own transport gives you the complete freedom to stop off at the places others just breeze passed in their uncomfortable sleeper buses. Ganh Da Dia is one of those places you hear whispers of along the way, almost like a legendary myth, much like the more well known version in Ireland! Even many Vietnamese people along the way had no clue what we were talking about! But having completely missed it on our way up to Quy Nhon the guys in our hostel gave us the most amazing instructions to explore the Giants Causeway of Vietnam, ones which would take us on an adventure across a rather unstable looking wooden bridge and through some wonderful villages, to discover that the legend is in fact real!

What is Ganh Da Dia?

Just like the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland and a handful of other spots in random locations around the world, Ganh Da Dia is the result of a perfect storm of natural events which created this beautiful phenomenon. The basalt columns came about due to volcanic activity in the region millions of years ago, as the flow of lava reached the cooling waters of the sea it solidified and cracked into these rare polygonal formations! Over time many have been worn down by the beating of the sea and also twisted and deformed by the seismic activity after their formation, creating this beautiful and strange wonder we see today! The Giants Causeway of Vietnam!

An adventure motorbiking across wooden bridges and through tiny villages

One of the unexpected highlights of the day wasnt actually Ganh Da Dia itself! Of course, that was amazing but we only really set out to see that when we made these plans. But speaking to the members of staff at our hostel (John and Paul hostel, really great place) we were able to experience so much more, and save time too!

When we looked on the map and decided to cut back down south to see this amazing sight we had missed on the way up it didnt look at all that far away. It seemed totally doable in a day, less than 40 miles away, we had blitzed over 100 miles in a day on the bikes easy with all our baggage! That was until the phone calculated the route, this was now taking us at least 50 miles further than we expected and throwing this day trip into some doubt!







The guys at the hostel told us of this wooden bridge called Cau go O Cop that wasnt on any maps but was on the satellite view on google earth. I actually remembered us riding past the bridge on our way to Quy Nhon and thinking it was a pier for the fishermen! Paying the small toll we finally tentatively made our way across the rickety bridge, people were still actually knocking nails into some of the side barriers and planks as we crossed at a snails pace! Despite being mildly afraid of toppling off the side it was such a fun and unique experience that tested our handling of the bikes for sure!

After making it back onto terra firma it was time for another fun route, following dirt paths and tracks as they wound their way through rice paddies packed with old women carrying out this backbreaking work. Then through the heart of tiny villages where rice and corn filled almost every roadside being dried out after the harvest. People here would all shout hello, waving frantically and children running alongside us! They clearly dont get many tourist around here and almost made you feel like a celebrity! But seeing their wooden houses, the farms and simple way of life was a fascinating and humbling experience to add to what was an amazing day!

Just like Northern Irelandonly the weather was great and we were alone!

The formations at Ganh Da Dia are smaller in surface area than that of Northern Ireland, but are just as dramatic and in many ways so much more satisfying to visit. Now I am not saying it always rains in Ireland, but it didnt become the Emerald Isle for nothing! The weather in Vietnam can range from extremes, as we found out in the highlands and the very north of the country.

But generally speaking the costal region is blessed with hot sunny days the whole year round. When we visited The Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland is was wet and windy, of course, that all adds to the power and drama of the place, but honestly, I would rather be warm! When the sun illuminates the perfect blue waters and the spray off the rocks refreshes you rather than chilling you to the bone the whole experience is just than much more pleasant!!

Then there is also the crowds! The Giants Causeway is Northern Irelands most well known sight, many make the trip over to this tiny country just for this reason alone! Tours come flooding in at all hours in the day, from morning excursions from Belfast to afternoon day trippers from over in Dublin the flow feels endless.







To have this wonderful spot to yourself requires staying nearby, renting your own car (quite expensive in the uk) and getting up for sunrise. Even then there might be others who hatched the same plan! But here Genh Da Dia is firmly off the beaten track and it is common to have the place entirely to yourself even in the middle of the day. When we arrived the only others there were fishermen parking their coracles on the formations!

A stunning example of nature and a place to see local culture: The Giants Causeway of Vietnam

Made up over over 35,000 interlocking plates that form an undulating cliffside there is a lot more to explore than meets the eye. Each section of the unique formations offers a different view point. Climbing to the top of a stack and looking down over the dramatic scenery or scrambling down into one of the hidden crevices and staring up at this strange and wonderful place, looking in awe at the power of nature. There is something quite mesmerising just sitting back in the sun and watching the waves wash over the unbelievable beehive of rock! Literally the Giants Causeway of Vietnam!

One of the things we loved here was how these formations were used by the local people, its not a designated landmark, protected area or even anything other than everyday life to the fishermen here (though it did receive National Heritage status in 1998) . The fortuitous formations have instead become a useful location from which to launch their coracles, the tiny round boats they use to row out to their much larger ships they keep moored in the ocean. Instead of being surrounded by tourists and souvenir stalls, here instead are locals going about normal life and using this wonderful place as storage for their boats! The Giants Causeway of Vietnam really has that strange combination of looking like Ireland but being typically Vietnamese!

How to get to Ganh Da Dia/ How much is The Giants Causeway of Vietnam?

Tucked away off the main coastal road if you are travelling between Nha Trang and Hoi An then make sure to stop off. We were based in the city of Quy Nhon for a few days and made the 50km ride over easily in a day. If you want more time to explore the place fully then this is the best way. However the closest city is Tua Hoa, but Quy Nhon as a place does have more to offer visitors and it for us was like Nha Trang but without the tourists!

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From Quy Nhon or the north:

If you try searching for driving instructions using the usual methods then you will be redirected around a very long route requiring you to go quite far out of your way to get on to the peninsular on which Ganh Da Dia sits. Online maps dont recognise the wooden bridge (Cau go O Cop)! So here it takes a bit of observational skill. Keep an eye out for the bridge after around 38 miles. From here just follow the roads towards the coast, there should be sign posts and map.me/ google maps does work here!

From the south:

From here conventional GPS should work fine as getting on to the peninsular is on route from the main highway. However this way you will miss out on a great experience. If you are continuing North you could head back onto the highway via the wooden bridge (Cau go O Cop) rather than going back over what would now be a longer route. Once off the highway there should be the usual sign posts and map.me/ google maps does work here!

Price:

The bridge (Cau go O Cop) will cost you around 20,000 to cross. I feel like we were overcharged because we were foreigners so see if you can negotiate any cheaper. But this is less than 1 so we couldnt really be bothered!

Parking:

For one motorbike is 5,000 per bike

Entrance:

After being free for many year the local folks have cottoned on to some well informed visitors and began charging. The rate is only 20,000 which again is less than 1.

Have you ever visited one of the few areas like this around the world or Ganh Da Dia?

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Travelling and especially backpacking is a wild adventure, but make sure you are covered just incase something goes wrong, which if youre living it up to the fullest its always a possibility!

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Read about our visit to the Giants Causeway here:

Exploring the mystical GIANTS CAUSEWAY!

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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.
MURPHYSBORO  Local bee enthusiasts will soon be able to expand their horizons with a unique opportunity offered through the University of Illinois extension office in Murphysboro.

In partnership with the University of Missouri, the U of I Extension will offer the first in a series of master beekeeping classes March 25. The Introduction to Bees and Beekeeping course will serve as a primer for newcomers to beekeeping as well as a refresher for the more seasoned.

The five-year course was developed by Moneen Jones, an entomologist at the University of Missouri, and is designed to help keep freshmen beekeepers in the practice.

Whats been happening in the past two to three years is you have new beekeepers starting out and then they are not finding a mentor or they are not going to classes and  theyve been dropping out, Jones said. She said this curriculum, introduced first in Missouri last February, is aimed at helping connect mentors to newcomers.

In fact, mentorship is part of it. To continue through the course load of the five-year program, new beekeepers are required to join a local beekeeping association; locally, this would be the Southern Illinois Beekeepers Association. Scott Martin, a chartering member of the SIBA, said this push for mentorship lines up with part of the group's mission.

What we are trying to do in our area is develop all of our beekeepers so that they ultimately can become mentors to new people, Martin said. He added that the hands-on nature of the class is also going to be a big plus for newcomers and veteran beekeepers alike.

You can learn a lot of things from a book  theres also that hands-on part you cant get from a book, he said.

The end goal of the program is to certify participants as master beekeepers, a qualification that once would have required a trip to Texas or Florida and a considerable monetary investment. Jones said most masters classes would not even accept entrants who had fewer than one to three years beekeeping experience. Her course gets around this by the mentorship requirement.

Jones curriculum, which is taught by local bee experts, goes beyond casual enthusiasm for beekeeping and gets into the nitty-gritty of pest control and bee biology. While she encourages people to keep bees, she said they are a complicated animal, and keeping bees is not unlike farming.

Honey is a crop, it is a specialty crop, she said, adding there are a lot of ins and outs to being a successful beekeeper.

As participants move through the class, climbing the ladder toward certification, Jones said they not only learn the ins and outs of the science of bees and beekeeping, they also become ambassadors of bees through a public speaking requirement.

They will be able to discuss issues such as resistance and pesticide issues  and they will have the tools and the experience to talk to the general public, she said.

Jones said with last year's 40 percent loss in bee population nationwide last year, she encourages all to learn as much as they can about bees and pollinators. She said one in three bites of food require them.

We need people to be good stewards of honey bees to let people know what the value is, Jones said.
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Dear Bruce Rauner,

I'm breaking up with you. Because ours has been a committed relationship, you deserve to know why I'm breaking up with you. I have three reasons.

Our relationship has never been based on mutual respect.

From the beginning, ours was an arranged relationship  neither of us chose the other. We were thrown together in 2015. And although we come from similar backgrounds, I knew almost immediately that we were not well-suited. Not a week into your term, you were criticizing me and my co-workers publicly. For example, you told a group of business students at the University of Chicago that Illinois state workers were overpaid. And then you added, "there's a bunch of baloney going on." When you described me and all other state employees this way to a group of students and to the pressonly days into your term as governor  I became alarmed. Reducing me to a grifter  or to baloney  did not make me hopeful. Who wants to be in a relationship with someone who tells other people that you are not honest or worthy? Who wants to be in a relationship with someone who compares you to processed food?

We have never really communicated.

Most of the time I did not understand what you were talking about. You repeated the same words and phrases: "Frivolous lawsuits," "opportunity zones," "layers of bureaucracy," "structural reforms," "grow the economy," "attack on our hardworking taxpayers," "collectivist (collectivist?) economy," "business friendly," "baloney," "common sense reforms," etc. Either you didn't know what you were talking about, or you didn't want me to understand you. Either way, you sounded disingenuous. Not good for a relationship.

To try understanding you, I studied, I read, and I asked questions. When I learned that you have an entire policy institute  and ALEC  devoted to you and your ideas, I studied them as well. I watched every interview, read every article. I had more questions than answers. Some of them:

Do your ideas align with conventional political/economic philosophies I might recognize? Libertarian? Free market? Supply side? Trickle down? Chaos theory? String theory? Who influenced your world view? Ayn Rand? Arthur Laffer? The Bible? Your mom? Your dad? Ronald Reagan? Grover Norquist? A professor at Harvard? John Birch? John Wayne? Your roommate at Dartmouth? When you give interviews or talk publicly, you describe Illinois citizens almost exclusively as "taxpayers." My 6-year-old neighbor is a taxpayer when he buys a pack of gum at the grocery store in town. Is he the taxpayer you have in mind? What do you mean when you say "business-friendly?" Is my work at a public university "business-friendly?" Who are "job creators?" Am I a "job creator?" (This final cluster of questions reflects various rumors/opinions I read/heard. This should be easy  just answer "yes" or "no.")

Should we pay income and property taxes? Should the following be privatized: K-12 schools? Higher education? Prisons? Libraries? Parks and museums? Social services? Should regional universities be converted into trade schools? Do you know how to weld? Is government the problem and not the solution? Should it be drowned in the bathtub? Have you ever been a teacher? In a trade union? Too many questions? Oh never mind. Our values are too different.

Although I rarely know what you're saying, I know what you're thinking: "What about Michael Madigan? He's the reason you're leaving me!" No. Not true. Blaming Madigan is too easy, and brings out the petulant and petty in you. You're the reason I'm leaving you.

When I became a state employee in 1987, James Thompson was the governor of Illinois. I have had relationships with every governor since. Some took the job more seriously than others; some were more honest than others; some had better hair than others. As different as they were, they all shared one characteristic that affected me: they respected me. They did not portray state workers as villains. They did not blame us when things went wrong. Some of them disliked our unions, but they respected our rights. They had different styles, ideas, talents, goals, and names. Not one of them was named Michael Madigan.

You see where I'm going with this? Madigan and the legislators did not cause our breakup. I don't always like what they do, but they work hard, and they try to work together. Besides, the legislature changes every two years. You know this because you invested thousands of your own dollars in last year's election. That was the last straw for me. One February morning in 2016, I read two headlines: one, that you were donating big money to the campaigns of several candidates, and two, that to stay open through the end of the semester, EIU would be laying off 300 employees the following month.

We all get to donate money however we choose, and how we choose to spend money says a great deal about who we are. Your donations to candidates in 2016 suggested this about you: while state universities and social services were collapsing, you chose to devote resources to influence the state legislature to do things your way. This strategy might have looked like a smooth move for a smart venture capitalist. For a governor, it suggested ruthlessness, cynicism, and cowardice. My heart broke. I had always dreamed of staying in this job I love until someone carried me out in a box. As proud as I have been to serve as a state employee for 29 years, I had to quit you.

But let's still be friends. We can end our relationship with grace. Please visit me in Coleman Hall at EIU sometime this spring. I will be happy to provide lunch, no baloney. We can tour our great campus, or meet some of our remarkable students, or just sit and talk. We can chat about who makes too much money, and who pays too few taxes. You can talk about why collective bargaining sucks, and I can tell you about our wonderful Union at EIU. We can reminisce about growing up in the Chicago suburbs, or about our fathers, both of whom worked in the city. Let me know. I will be delighted to see you at my door.

With my best wishes for your good health and happiness,

Ann Boswell
U.S. Rep. John Shimkus is no stranger to controversial comments.

This past week, the Republican from Collinsville, who represents the states 15th Congressional District, was at it again. His comments during an exchange in a House panel debate about health care went viral.

What about men having to purchase prenatal care? Is that not correct? And should they? he said when questioned by Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania about what parts of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, Shimkus objected to.

Theres no such thing as a la carte insurance, Doyle responded.

Thats the point, thats the point, Shimkus said.

In an interview a few days later with The Southern, Shimkus added: People should be able to buy the health care package that they think they need. People should not be forced to buy parts of a policy that they will never use.

Well, Rep. Shimkus, thats just not how insurance works.

In his interview with the newspaper, Shimkus didnt back down, saying, Why would you buy a cabin in Montana that youre never going to use?

OK, sure, it would be silly to buy real estate one would never set foot inside, but the analogy has nothing to do with insurance. Shimkus statement is flat-out wrong.

Men are parents, too. When it comes to having children, men are a part of the process as well.

Now, men might not need prenatal care, as Shimkus put it, but we're sure that those men fathering children would want their babies born healthy. And there's no denying women can't get pregnant by themselves.

In that same interview, Shimkus said he understands insurance works by pooling risks across a broad range of people, some of whom will be higher users than others. He also said that requiring a one-size-fits all approach drives up costs and keeps many young, healthy people out of the insurance market.

In a perfect world, the idea of an a la carte insurance would be great. However, thats not the way it works. Even before the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans were not structured that way.

On Monday, an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office predicted that 24 million fewer people would have coverage a decade from now under the House Republicans proposal for the federal health care law.

According to the Washington Post, that means the number of Americans not covered would go from 10 percent to 19 percent by 2026.

In other words, it would reverse what the Affordable Care Act has done since 2010.

Is the Affordable Care Act perfect? No way.

But, people are signing up and getting covered  and isnt that the ultimate goal? Reforms are needed to confront rising costs, but the GOP bill would leave far too many Americans uninsured, and would remove too many requirements that keep insurance companies  which, at the end of the day, are primarily interested in profit  from shirking their duties to provide decent health coverage for all of their clients.

The same analysis also predicted that the GOP legislation would lower the federal deficit by $337 billion, mainly because it will lessen spending on Medicaid and government aid for those buying health plans on their own.

Now, we realize that these are just predictions, and we also realize that the plans arent final yet  they still could, and likely will, change.

But it paints a pretty grim picture.

When it comes down to it, is there a perfect plan out there? Probably not.

Would having insurance where you could pick what you actually wanted and would use work?

Can one know when or if theyre going to get cancer? Or when or if theyre going to be in an accident?

It sounds great, but in the real world, its not possible.

Shimkus comments are overly simplistic, not to mention sexist.

It seems the GOPs protests of the risk pool grow louder when it comes to women's health. Do Shimkus and his Republican colleagues object to health care plans that provide coverage for cancer treatment when they do not have cancer?

Doyle finished his exchange with Shimkus by saying, There isnt a single insurance company in the world that does that, John.  Youre talking about something that doesnt exist.

Its true, it doesnt. And, it never will.
Credit: Myrna SuarezPaul Simon will be hitting the road for a good cause in June.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has just announced a series of U.S. dates that, according to the website Mongabay, will raise money for the ecologically minded E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation.

The tour kicks off June 1 in St. Augustine, Florida, and is mapped out through a June 28 concert in Denver. Tickets for most of the shows will go on sale to the general public this Friday, March 17.

Earlier this month, Simon took part in an event called Biodiversity Days, a two-day conference sponsored by the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation that was held at North Carolina's Duke University. Paul is a friend of the organization's founder, respected biologist and conservationist Edward O. Wilson. Wilson's 2016 book Half-Earth: Our Planet's Fight for Life lays out a plan to help the Earth's ailing environment recover by protecting half of the planet's land and seas.

Simon, who last year revealed that he had been considering quitting the road, tells Mongabay that being able to help Wilson's foundation was a motivating factor in his deciding to tour again.

Paul explains, "I said, 'If I do a tour, I can keep singing, I can keep my skills up. I can keep my band together. And I can give all the profits to Ed."

He adds, "That will make me feel that I am making a greater contribution than putting more money in my pocket, which I don't need, or becoming more famous, which I really don't need.'"

Here are all of Simon's upcoming tour dates:

6/1 -- St. Augustine, FL, St. Augustine Amphitheatre

6/2 -- Atlanta, GA, Chastain Park Amphitheatre

6/4 -- Simpsonville, SC, Heritage Park Amphitheatre

6/6 -- Charlotte, NC, Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre

6/7 -- Cary, NC, Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park

6/10 -- Cincinnati, OH, PNC Pavilion

6/11 -- Toledo, OH, Zoo Amphitheater

6/13 -- Cleveland, OH, Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

6/14 -- Chicago, IL, Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

6/18 -- Sioux Falls, SD, Denny Sanford Premier Center

6/20 -- Billings, MT, MetraPark Arena

6/21 -- Missoula, MT, Ogren Park at Allegiance Field

6/23 -- Spokane, WA, Spokane Arena

6/24 -- Bend, OR, Les Schwab Amphitheatre

6/25 -- Lake Tahoe, NV, Havey's Outdoor Arena

6/28 -- Denver, CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Orangeburg County is seeking $71 million from the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank to improve roads and attract industries.

Our roads are desperately old. We have not maintained them, said Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman.

The transportation department doesnt have the resources to keep up and so our roads have deteriorated to a point that weve almost got to replace some of them, he said.

Orangeburg County is seeking the money for 11 road projects. They include:

 Joe Jeffords Highway (U.S. Highway 178/U.S. Highway 21 Bypass) -- $3.87 million

 Orangeburg Power Site Industrial Park roadway improvements -- $12.68 million

 Weatherford Road (S-1258) -- $6.6 million

 Canaan Road (S-1638) -- $6.21 million

 U.S. Highway 21 -- $5.55 million

 Southern Patio Parkway -- $3.51 million

 U.S. Highway 178 -- $8.81 million

 Gue Gressette Industrial Park roadway improvements -- $12.16 million

 Rofton (S-1540) and Chase streets (S-2029) -- $1.32 million

 Industrial Boulevard (S-1604) -- $730,000

 U.S. Highway 601/U.S. Highway 21 streetscape improvements -- $9.62 million

Orangeburg would be the first rural county to submit such a request to the S.C. Transportation Infrastructure Bank, Matthews said. We want Orangeburg to be the template for other rural counties.

The infrastructure bank was created roughly 20 years ago to handle large projects. The projects had to cost $100 million or more to receive funds.

Small counties just could not meet a $100 million threshold, Matthews said. The revenues were not there.

The Senate and House compromised to lower the threshold to $25 million to give smaller and rural counties a chance to improve their infrastructure, he said.

Matthews has garnered support from City Council, County Council and the County Transportation Committee to make the request.

They have all agreed to contribute to a 10 percent match for the money.

Were very impressed with our leadership to come up with that because its not easy to come up with that kind of money, Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson said.

Orangeburg County, the Orangeburg County Transportation Committee and the City of Orangeburg/Department of Public Utilities are proposing to pay $7.896 million match to the states investment.

With the match, the total cost of the projects would be $78.96 million.

If Orangeburg County receives the Transportation Infrastructure Bank help, the improvements can be made over a 5-year period instead of the planned 20 years, Robinson said.

We have infrastructure that is significant with water, sewer, gas and electricity, including broadband, but one of the biggest infrastructure pieces missing was roads, Robinson said.

He said the county is developing infrastructure for industry so the state of South Carolina can win on the next big projects.

Following the development of the Volvo plant in Berkeley County, Robinson believes South Carolinas next big industrial plant will leapfrog the Lowcountrys wetlands and locate on the next high ground: Orangeburg County.

Thats why were kind of positioning where we can solve some of the statewide limitations so that we dont lose to Georgia, so we dont lose to North Carolina and Tennessee, he said.

The money will be used for interchange improvements, roadway widening, lighting control and signage.

A big piece of the project is widening Joe Jeffords, County Engineer John McLauchlin said.

The bypass narrows from four lanes to two lanes near the junction with U.S. Highway 301. In order to make truck traffic more efficient, county officials want to continue the four lanes further down.

McLauchlin said there are a number of retail businesses and entities along the road that would benefit from the widening, including UTS Trucking and Orangeburg Christian Academy.

He said the school has been requesting a four-lane widening because of the traffic coming in and out of the school.

Luckily, DOT when they did improvements about eight years ago, they bought enough property to make that complete widening, McLauchlin said.

Matthews said manufacturers in this state are huddled around the railroads and the interstate.

County officials want to improve roads near Norfolk Southern railroad, which runs directly to the Charleston port.

The port is constantly looking for not only imports but exports, Robinson said. When were concentrating on areas that can win that next big project for exports, were in.

Matthews said, As soon as we dredge that port below 50 feet, youre going to see megaships coming to the port.

The large, post-Panamax cargo ships will be able to hold double the amount of smaller ships.

Robinson said that with the port preparing to handle the larger ships, Orangeburg solves a lot of the land-related issues.

All that traffic will flow through Orangeburg, Matthews added. Weve got a bright future here were looking at  but youve got to get your infrastructure in place.

He noted that one critical cost for manufacturers is the cost of getting their product to the market.

An efficient transportation system will help to reduce costs to manufacturing, Matthews said.

We want to be friendly to business but then we dont have the ability to support it on some of these rural roads, Robinson added. So part of this is getting prepared for the heavier loads over the road.

The application for the proposal will go before the State Infrastructure Bank on Sept. 1.

The great thing about this is a lot of work, a lot of money, a lot of time was put into this, McLauchlin said. Even if we dont get approved, weve got a working plan for the future.

Matthews said The opportunity is coming. Orangeburg County is in a unique position to take advantage of that future.
T&D Region residents are being warned of freezing temperatures less than a week ahead of the first day of spring.

A freeze warning is in place until about 10 a.m. today. After climbing to 49 degrees this afternoon, temperatures are forecast to plunge to 24 degrees tonight.

A lake wind advisory is in effect through 11 a.m. Gusty lake winds may cause small boats to capsize.

Thursdays high is expected to reach 54 before dropping back down to 29.

Freezing temperatures may kill sensitive plants left outdoors.

Farmers are also concerned about their peaches, blueberries and strawberries.

Many factors will affect the amount of damage, if any, sustained by the crops. Some of those variables include: stage of bloom, wind, moisture and the length of time the temperature stays below freezing.

Farmers will not be able to make an accurate assessment of any damage until the cold weather has moved through the area and temperatures rise.

For now, all we can do is wait, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said Tuesday. These specialty crops are very important to our farm economy and we are all saying a prayer for the farmers ahead of the potential freeze.

An unseasonably warm winter brought an early bloom for some varieties of peaches and blueberries.

Farmers will take preventative measures to help mitigate damage to their crops. Some may use frost blankets to cover susceptible plants, wind tunnels or water to create a barrier around the fruit.

South Carolina is the largest peach-producing state on the east coast and is second only to California nationally. The annual peach crop has a value of $90 million with a $300 million economic impact.

It will begin warming up again on Friday, with temperatures expected to rise to 65. The overnight low is forecast to be 46.

The first day of spring is Monday. It is forecast to be sunny with a high near 68.
Another year, another push by politicians in Columbia for higher taxes to fix our roads. This time its a 75 percent gas-tax hike and a host of other new fees, e.g., higher motor-fuel registration fees, a new infrastructure-maintenance fee, a new user fee on hybrid vehicles, etc. In all, they want to take an additional $800 million a year from your pockets and dump it into a system they know is broken but dont have the courage to fix.

Spending on South Carolinas roads has skyrocketed during my time in the Senate. When I first took office in 2009, we spent $1 billion a year; now, after steady increases, road spending is $2.2 billion. Yet despite this 120 percent increase, many of our states roads remain in bad condition. Which begs an obvious question: Why arent we getting the results the people deserve given the amount of their money we are spending?

Organizations across the political spectrum  ranging from the Coastal Conservation League on the left, the S.C. Chamber of Commerce in the center, and the S.C. Policy Council on the right  agree on the answer: the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, the agencies that decide how to spend the money we appropriate for roads, do a horrible job of addressing actual needs. Heres why:

By design, appointments to the governing boards of the SCDOT and the STIB are effectively controlled by the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the Senate. No other state in the nation gives two legislators such influence over its road expenditures, and the public-policy outcome is predictably skewed.

The first few years I served in the Senate, both the House speaker and the Senate president were from Charleston County. During that time, hundreds of millions of road dollars, more than anywhere else in the state, poured into that county. Now those two legislative leaders are from the adjacent Pee Dee counties of Florence and Darlington, and the road-spending firehose has moved counterclockwise about 90 degrees.

Before I became chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, all monies went to Greenville, Columbia and Charleston, Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence County said shortly after becoming the Senate president. No more. We are going to get our fair share and no longer be ignored. Get it? Your money isnt spent based on a rational assessment of statewide needs, but on raw political power.

A tale of two highways illustrates the point. About two years ago, the STIB put $100 million toward converting the two-lane Pamplico Highway in Florence County to five lanes, even though The State newspaper reported traffic was so light you could lie down in the middle of the highway during rush hour for about a minute before a vehicle appeared.

Around that same time, the late Sen. Clementa Pinckney was petitioning state officials for $54 million to widen a four-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 17 in Jasper County from two lanes to four. This heavily traveled route to Savannah is dangerous, with narrow lanes and hardly any shoulders because of abutting marshes. Pinckneys pleas, despite the obvious merits of the project, fell on deaf ears.

This third-world political-spoils system of road spending is the norm. And it is why, despite substantial increases in funding, our roads remain in poor and substandard condition, and why simply focusing on the revenue side of the equation will never be the answer. Unless and until true accountability is brought to the expenditures, our roads will never be in the condition you have the right to expect.

If a business in the private sector doesnt spend wisely, it will be undone by its competitors; thats the disciplining effect of markets. With a state agency, however, such discipline can only be attained by establishing a clear line of accountability for spending decisions to the governor  the chief executive elected by and representing all the people  so the people can then hold the governor accountable.

That means abolishing the SCDOT and the STIB and vesting their powers in a cabinet-level secretary of transportation, appointed by and directly accountable to the governor. This reform is supported by organizations on the right, center and left, and all points in between; moreover, in private at least, most legislators acknowledge its the right thing to do, even as fear of political retribution leads them in public to support the status quo.

This is the reform I will fight for in the Senate, this week, next week and for however long it takes to give the people of South Carolina that transportation system they deserve.
The legislative session began with lawmakers quietly  and some openly  stating that Nikki Haleys move to the United Nations would give them new opportunity to allocate money for fixing roads and bridges.

The General Assembly was unable to come to terms with Haley on recurring revenue for infrastructure, with the then-governor and some lawmakers insisting that any increase in the states gasoline tax be offset by cuts in income taxes. The ascension of Henry McMaster to the Governors Mansion was deemed a hopeful prospect for getting an agreement this year on revenue  including a phased-in increase in the states lowest-in-the-nation gas tax.

Prospects are looking more and more uncertain as the clock ticks on the legislative session. McMaster previously signaled a reluctance to go along with a tax increase. This past week, he was clear in stating opposition.

The governor said raising the 16.75-cents-per-gallon tax is not the answer to fixing road and bridges.

A plan approved by the House includes a 10-cent hike over five years. Another moving to the Senate floor includes a 12-cent increase over three years. Once fully phased in, the plans would respectively raise an additional $600-800 million annually.

The House plan specifies the S.C. Department of Transportation would keep all of the additional money the law would raise.

McMaster, who has asked the federal government for billions for road and bridges, indicated not enough of the present gas tax revenue is being used for repairs.

"Most citizens and taxpayers would be surprised to learn that less than half of the gas tax money, to date, actually goes to fixing roads and bridges," McMaster told The Associated Press and other media. "I think the people of South Carolina are taxed enough."

Citing data from the DOT, the AP reports that much of the required diversions actually do go toward roadwork.

The state uses 4 cents of its per-gallon tax to get matching federal highway dollars for roads and bridges, which on average cover 84 percent of the cost of resurfacing, widening, bridgework and other improvement projects. However, half of the state's 41,400 miles of roadway aren't eligible for federal aid.

Also, state law requires the DOT to distribute 2.7 cents to counties for local roads. One penny must go to the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank, the agency that borrows and doles out money for large highway projects.

Roughly 3 cents pays for materials and contracts for daily maintenance such as pothole patching, signal repairs and mowing, according to the DOT. More than a penny of the per-gallon tax is distributed to other agencies.

That leaves the 4 cents per gallon that go to the salaries and benefits of 3,000 highway maintenance workers  roughly $140 million, according to DOT.

McMaster has suggested paying those salaries out of other tax collections, though DOT says the money would pave just 2 percent of the roadways annually.

And shifting the salaries to the state general fund would mean finding new money there or making cuts elsewhere.

As much as McMaster is sounding every bit the Republican candidate for a full term as governor, at least at this point he is not vowing to veto a legislative plan that includes an increase in the gas tax. But he is afraid of being saddled with a tax-increase legacy, which could be particularly troublesome in the GOP primary battle.

Yet he is going against business and industry, which is united in support of the gas tax as a funding source. Leaders contend that without infrastructure improvement, South Carolinas development successes over the past decade are at risk.

In the end, McMaster can afford to be less than definitive because he may not have to make the final call. Legislative agreement is not certain. Though most representatives and senators favor the gas tax as the source for recurring money for roads and bridges, opposition in the Senate could mean no bill reaches McMaster this year.

What happens in the upper chamber this week could go a long way toward determining whether South Carolinians top priority of fixing roads and bridges will be addressed adequately.
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By Trend





A presentation of Azerbaijan. Rescue of gazelles documentary has been held in Baku.

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder and Head of IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva attend the ceremony.

Before the presentation, Leyla Aliyeva familiarized herself with a photo-stand featuring photos made by film director Igor Byshnyov during the shooting. Then the film was shown.

The film was shot in specially protected natural areas in Shirvan, Aghgol, Absheron, Kurchayly and Gobustan. With 40-minute timing, the film states that although formally gazelles inhabited the South Caucasus densely, sharp reduction was observed in their number last century. As a result of air-counting carried out in the republic in 1961, 131 gazelles were spotted on the republics territory.

To rescue this rare species, Bandana State Reserve was created in 1961, and Shirvan State Reserve in 1969, and in 20 years, the number of gazelles reached 3,000. In 2003, the Shirvan National Park was created on the territory. Looking at the results, one can assuredly say that gazelles in the South Caucasus have been rescued thanks to the works carried out in Azerbaijan.

The documentary also reflected the works carried out by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry of Azerbaijan in the framework of the Programme Protection, reintroduction and restoration of historical habitat of gazelles in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Thus, gazelles from the territory of the Shirvan National Park were settled to Ajynohur-Sarija and Mil plains, to the Bozdagh chain and Gobustan-Gangichay State Natural Reserve. Ever since its foundation, the IDEA Public Association has supported activities on restoration and protection of gazelles, and has made its contribution to this activity.

After the presentation of the documentary, film director Igor Byshnyov, thanking initiator of the project Azerbaijan. Rescue of Gazelles Leyla Aliyeva, shared his impressions of the shooting.

The documentary is the fourth film realized by IDEA, directed by Igor Byshnyov. The first three films are the documentaries Shirvan National Park, Bird Paradise  Aghgol National Park and Goygol National Park, which were made in the framework of a project entitled Miracles of Azerbaijan by IDEA Public Association.

The documentary Azerbaijan. Rescue of Gazelles will be shown at IDEAs initiative, in higher schools of the country, as well as at resource centers of the association in Baku and Ganja.

Moreover, it is expected that the film will be shown in other countries and within the framework of various international events.








President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the French Republic Francois Hollande in Paris.

A guard of honor was arranged for the head of state in front of the Elysee Palace, Azertac reported.

Francois Hollande greeted President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The heads of state posed together for photographs.

The presidents praised excellent ties between Azerbaijan and France. They noted the role of reciprocal visits in the development of bilateral relations. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in a variety of areas was emphasized, including in transportation, agriculture, infrastructure, space industry, tourism, renewable energy, environmental cooperation.

The heads of state also discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

A ceremony of signing documents between Azerbaijan and France was held with the participation of President Aliyev and President Hollande in Paris.

Hollande has hosted a dinner party for President Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

The presidents made speeches at the event.

Following the ceremony of signing documents, President Aliyev and President of the French Republic Francois Hollande have made press statements.












Azerbaijan and France maintain good relations in many fields, especially in political area, said President of France Francois Hollande in Paris.

We are aware of Azerbaijan`s role in talks with all partner countries in and beyond the region. Our only goal is peace. We are looking for peace against terrorism that we face today and that threatens not only the region, but the entire world, said the French President after talks with Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev.

He highlighted the development of relations in economic area. Francois Hollande pointed out that many French companies are operating in Azerbaijan. He hailed talks between the Azerbaijani President and MEDEF companies as productive. They spoke of the signing of many agreements, for example, with Thales International, he said.

The French President also stressed the importance of cooperation in the field of environment, and emphasized the necessity of exchanging expertise for implementing Paris Agreement.

Francois Hollande, speaking about the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressed that the status quo is unacceptable.

There are risks, and this was confirmed last April when the incident happened, said Hollande. As a co-chair of the Minsk Group, we want other co-chairs, the United States and Russia, to contribute to this process. We think that the parameters are known and it is possible to find a solution to this protracted conflict.

Hollande also touched upon the tension between Europe and Turkey. Our role is to clearly state what we accept and what not. We have to contribute to the stabilization of relations between Europe and Turkey, he added.
By Azernews





By Rashid Shirinov

The illegal economic activity of Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, its settlement policy and export of the goods manufactured through draining resources of the occupied territories must be prevented, said Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister.

He made the remarks addressing an international conference titled Islamic solidarity  call of the time in Baku on March 15.

Azerbaijan demands the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within its territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally-recognized borders, the deputy foreign minister said, adding that Armenians conducted ethnic cleansing and committed the Khojaly genocide in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

He noted that international organizations should take relevant steps on recognition of the Khojaly genocide.

Khalafov further expressed gratitude to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for giving political and legal assessment to the Khojaly tragedy.

Azerbaijan calls on other member countries to demonstrate solidarity in this issue, he added.

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.

The Khojaly Genocide 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.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.
By Azernews





By Kamila Aliyeva

Iran and Russia are expected to sign 11 documents during an upcoming visit of Irans President Hassan Rouhani to Moscow, said Mahmoud Vaezi, minister of ICT and head of the joint Iran-Russia economic committee.

The minister said the documents include 10 agreements in various fields and one general agreement on long-term cooperation, IRNA news agency reported on March 15.

Vaezi further mentioned that the sides seek to operationalize an energy agreement whereby Iran will export 100,000 bpd of oil to Russia within the oil for goods barter deal.

Earlier, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russia and Iran are considering realization of joint projects in the industry sector for a total of $10 billion.

Ahead of Rouhanis upcoming visit to Moscow, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on February 21 called for finalizing preparations for inking an agreement between the Islamic Republic and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which includes Russia as well, on the creation of a free-trade zone.

Presumably, a high-level meeting of the presidents of Russia and Iran will be held on March 28.

The trade turnover between Iran and Russia witnessed a surge by 60 percent in 2016, climbing to about $2 billion. However, observers believe that the surge in trade between the two countries, which came after the nuclear sanctions on Iran were removed, has not satisfied the expectations.
Etihad Rail, the developer of UAE's integrated railway network, showcased its virtual reality experience, planned network maps and an insight into future passenger operations at the Middle East Rail expo in Dubai.



Etihad Rail played a key role at the regions largest rail exhibition and conference being held at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.



Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, the chairman of Etihad Rail, and Faris Saif Al Mazrouei, chief executive of Etihad Rail, hosted a series of discussions with international rail delegates across the event, including Paul Maynard MP, UK Rail Minister, Philip Parham, UK Ambassador to the UAE, and Dr Rumaih al Rumaih, the president of Saudi Railways Organisation and the Public Transport Authority.



Speaking at the event, Al Marar said: "Middle East Rail presents a great opportunity for Etihad Rail to showcase this important mega project, and its progress, across the region."



We are particularly delighted with the successes we have achieved with Stage One operations over the past 18 months, reaching a historic milestone of over 10 million tonnes of sulphur transported and establishing the UAE as the largest exporter of sulphur in the world," he noted.



"We now look forward to prosperous years ahead as our rail network continues to grow, and this conference is a celebration of this exciting vision," he added.



Following the recent announcement that 10 million tonnes of sulphur has been transported by the fleet as of February 2017, Etihad Rail is present at MER to participate in the ongoing endeavours towards building the regions first rail network.



"As an official partner of the event, we are driven to play a critical part in making the regions expansive rail network a reality. Within this mission, Middle East Rail forms a crucial platform for the leading players of the global rail industry to discuss and collaborate in upcoming projects," stated Al Mazrouei.



Since its inaugural edition in 2007, MER has grown to become the most influential rail event in the region hosting over 400 exhibitors in the expo section and 200 speakers in the conference.-TradeArabia News Service
ZonesCorp, one of the largest operators of purpose-built economic zones in the UAE, has announced a strong start to 2017 with five investors building new facilities in the Industrial Cities in Abu Dhabi (ICAD).



Situated in ICADs I & III, the new facilities, which cover a total area of 230,779 sq m, will represent a combined investment of Dh160 million ($44 million), said a statement from ZonesCorp.



After finalising deals with ZonesCorp at the end of 2016 / beginning of 2017, the investors are due to start construction in the coming months and cover a range of sectors in some of ZonesCorps core markets, including warehousing and logistics, F&B, SMEs and Heavy Machinery, it stated.



Falah Al Ahbabi, the chairman of ZonesCorp, said: "I am delighted with the progress we have made already this year and we are working hard to develop, manage and promote world-class economic zones that spur the sustainable growth, economic development and industrial diversification across the emirate of Abu Dhabi."



Saeed Eisa Al Khyeli, the director general of ZonesCorp said: "We are positive about the coming year and early indications suggest that we will continue to see a steady flow of high quality investments on ZonesCorp acreage as 2017 progresses."



The companies building new facilities in the ICADs are:

*Innovida Warehouses Management - A major UAE-based company that provides high-end premises to serve companies operating in logistic and supply chain services

*Fibrex Construction Group - A major turnkey construction group handling projects in the Gulf and across the Middle East with various categories ranging from residential, commercial, leisure, private, governmental and educational categories.

*Petro Hub - An industrial investment company, subleasing warehousing units to SME industrial projects, showrooms, and exhibitions.

*Riviere Mineral Water Factory - A well-established mineral water company that is expanding into new facilities and Aertssen Group, a Belgian family business which is currently one of the leading earth moving, heavy lift and heavy transport contractors in Europe.



"These new investments underpin our position as the strategic partner of choice for industrial and manufacturing developments in the UAE. The ZonesCorp model is distinct from a free-zone allowing investors to easily access rapidly developing internal and external markets," noted Al Khyeli.



"We are very happy to see these projects move forward and are looking forward to continuously work together with the investors to help them fully realise their ambitions," he added.



Since its inception, ZonesCorp has played a key role in developing the industrial sector in the UAE.



Currently housing over 650 industrial facilities, ZonesCorp has attracted over Dh29 billion ($7.9 billion) worth of investments from local and international companies into its economic zones.-TradeArabia News Service
Suicide bombers killed dozens of people in the Syrian capital on Wednesday, the sixth anniversary of anti-government protests that devolved into one of the deadliest wars of the century.



Syrian state media said a first attacker detonated his payload outside the largest courthouse in Damascus, known as Justice Palace. Hours later, it reported that a second bomber attacked a restaurant in the citys Rabweh district, killing several people, reported Washingtion Post.



The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, put the death toll at 39, with more than 100 wounded.



Once the site of an Ottoman-era barracks, the Justice Palace is blocks from the labyrinthine Hamidiyeh Bazaar, where wildcat protests against Syrian President Bashar al Assads rule began in 2011, before a fierce government crackdown turned the uprising into all-out war.



Wednesdays bombings were the second attack to hit the capital in a week, stated the report.



On Saturday, scores of people, many thought to be Iraqi Shiite pilgrims, were killed in a double bombing claimed by an Al-Qaeda-linked rebel alliance known as Tahrir al-Sham.



The group also claimed coordinated attacks on security headquarters in the western city of Homs last month, killing at least 42 people.
Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL), a leading corporate immigration law firm, said it has officially opened its new regional head office in Dubai.



Bal previously announced that Hadi Allawi had been hired as managing director for Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region from the firm's London office.



Allawi now manages a UAE-based team of experienced professionals dedicated to immigration matters in Mena, and is responsible for the strategic positioning and growth of the firm in the region.



Allawi is a recognized Mena expert specializing in business strategy, intelligence and geopolitical risk analysis across multiple industries.



Prior to joining Bal, Allawi led the regional desk of a London-based specialist advisory firm assisting major multinational companies with operations in the region.



"Bal recognizes the importance of the Middle East to our clients, and it is an exciting time to be able to partner with them in a more direct manner," said its managing partner Jeremy Fudge.



"Dubai is the starting point for BAL's presence in the region and we expect to expand our footprint in line with demand."



"Clients always expect the highest level of service when working with BAL," remarked Allawi.



"I am delighted to open BAL's first office in the Middle East. As immigration challenges increase in the region, BAL will be optimally positioned to advise on mobility strategies and immigration issues," he noted.



Emily King, the managing director, Europe, said: "We recognize that the Middle East poses unique challenges best addressed by on-site experts. Hadi and his team understand the nuances of the region's immigration processes and will hone efficiencies and compliance."-TradeArabia News Service
Oman Air has unveiled plans to launch a new four times weekly flight from Muscat to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi later this month; the latest move in the airlines ambitious and dynamic programme of fleet and network expansion.



The service, which commences on March 27, will be operated by a Boeing 737-800 and will depart from Muscat on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, leaving at 1450 and arriving in Nairobi at 1855. From Nairobi, the flights will depart on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, leaving at 0045 and arriving in Muscat at 0650. At Nairobi there will be convenient connections to other points in Africa in cooperation with Kenyan Airways. In Muscat the guests can avail excellent connections offered by Oman Air to its destinations in the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, Europe and GCC countries.



Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, deputy CEO and executive vice president- commercial, said: This new Oman Air route to the Kenyan capital Nairobi is a significant development for both countries. Trade between Kenya and Oman has been growing steadily over the years and I hope this new flight will facilitate the increase in bilateral trade and investment opportunities. We are committed to ensuring that our guests have greater choice and the opportunity to discover new destinations with Oman Air and we are delighted to be offering thousands more business and leisure travellers the opportunity to travel between Oman and Kenya (and beyond).



For travellers to Nairobi, the capital is one of Kenyas most dynamic cities with a vibrant cultural life, fabulous places to eat and exciting avenues of adventures. Whether travelling for business or leisure, visitors should take the time to see the wildlife, its national park, climb the mountain of Kilimanjaro, the citys eclectic National Museum, and visit the beautiful beaches in Mombasa. From economy to five-star, there is a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.



The opening of Kenya route is part of Oman Airs ambitious and dynamic programme of fleet and network expansion. This has included the delivery of new aircraft, introduction of a range of exciting new destinations, new products and services which contribute to a seamless passenger experience. The airline continues to be recognised for its award winning on board experience; winning a raft of industry awards to add to its growing collection. - TradeArabia News Service
Gulf Air, Bahrains national carrier, was recently awarded Information Technology ISO certifications by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), in seven areas.



The recognition - which makes it the first airline in the world to achieve seven ISO certificates in Information Technology - was given in the areas of Quality Management, Environmental Management, Service Management, Business Continuity Management, Information Security Management, Energy Management and Asset Management.



The seven ISO certifications acknowledge Gulf Airs successful implementation of international standards and best practices as it strives to continuously improve the quality of the airlines Information Technology services as well as their impact on the environment. Receiving the seven ISO certifications, Gulf Air chief executive officer Maher Salman AlMusallam said: Im pleased to see the airlines IT team build upon their ISO certifications year after year. At Gulf Air we strive to provide safe and reliable air transportation with superior access to the region delivered with contemporary Arabian hospitality. We do so by delivering superior quality, service and security across the organization  including our IT offering.



The airlines IT department underwent comprehensive external audits conducted by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC), following which Gulf Air was recognised by Bureau Veritass chief executive officer, Zulfiqar Haider, who joined Gulf Air to present the certificates to the airlines chief executive officer and IT team.



Gulf Air first initiated the compliance and certifications exercise in 2013 and has continuously added more management systems in its governance framework to date. - TradeArabia News Service
Flydubai will commence direct flights between Dubai and Sylhet on March 15, making it the airlines third destination in Bangladesh after Chittagong and Dhaka.



The new service will see flydubai provide up to 27 flights a week to Bangladesh.



The service to Sylhet, also known as Jalalabad, will begin with four flights a week and is set to increase to six flights a week from May 16. The operation to Sylhet Osmani International Airport is in partnership with Bangladesh carrier Regent Airways.



Commenting on the new announcement, Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at flydubai, said: We are happy to be relaunching flights to Sylhet, an important cultural and trade centre in Bangladesh. We remain committed to strengthening air links between the UAE and underserved markets. We look forward to seeing more people choose our reliable and affordable service between Dubai and our growing network in Bangladesh.



Flydubai serves a wide network of destinations in the Subcontinent. This network covers eight points in India, five points in Pakistan, three points in Bangladesh, two points in Sri Lanka as well as the capital cities of Afghanistan and Nepal with flights to Kabul and Kathmandu respectively.



Since we began operations to Dhaka and Chittagong at the beginning of 2011, we have seen strong demand for flights to Bangladesh, said Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice president commercial for GCC, Subcontinent and Africa at flydubai. We are confident that our passengers from Sylhet will benefit from our direct flights to Dubai and beyond, via Dubais efficient aviation hub, especially on to our strong GCC network which is served by up to 650 weekly flights to 18 points.



Economy Class return fares from Dubai to Sylhet will start at Dh1,500 ($408.3) including 7kg hand baggage, while Business Class return fares will start at Dh2,700 ($734.9) and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.



Economy Class return fares from Sylhet to Dubai will start at $550 including 7kg hand baggage, while Business Class return fares will start at $900 and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.



With the announcement of the launch of flights to Batumi in Georgia, Qabala in Azerbaijan and Tivat in Montenegro, earlier in February, flydubais network has expanded to 93 destinations in 44 countries. This now sees the airline operate to 62 destinations that previously had no or very few direct air links from the UAE. - TradeArabia News Service
Iran Air has taken delivery of its first new A330-200.



The delivery of the aircraft is part of Iran Airs major fleet renewal plan, and is the first wide body from a firm order placed by the national carrier of Iran in December 2016 for 100 Airbus aircraft (46 single aisle and 54 wide-body jets) to renew and expand its fleet with new aircraft.



Iran Airs A330-200 features a two class cabin layout, seating 32 passengers in business and 206 in economy.



The delivery, which took place at the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse, marks yet another milestone for Iran Air, as it celebrates its 56th anniversary since establishment.



The A330 Family has now attracted more than 1,500 orders and over 1,100 A330 Family aircraft are flying with more than 100 operators worldwide. The A330 is one of the worlds most efficient aircraft with best in class operating economics, the manufacturer said in a statement. - TradeArabia News Service
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait has welcomed Chef Serkan Yelkenbasan as the new executive chef who will oversee the resorts seven restaurants.



The award-winning chef from Turkey brings with him comprehensive experience across kitchen operations, banqueting, and VIP events in both local and international hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the globe.



Trained under Michelin-star chefs, chef Serkan brings with him more than 15 years of culinary experience. His attention to details and perfectionism, along with his passion for flawless service distinguishes him the field. Having attended culinary school and graduated from Westminster University in London, his culinary talents have earned him positions in London with Hilton Paddington and Hilton Park Lane as executive sous chef. He also held the role of executive chef in Sheraton Skyline Hotel in which he was recognised for this culinary excellence with the highly-esteemed British AA Rosette Award.



Through his passionate journey he also had the honour of serving Prince Charles of England, and working as the private chef for the former Turkish Prime Ministers family. On the side, he contributed to volunteer work in Unicef and the International Humanitarian organisation committed to ending child hunger. Additionally, he served as a member of Craft Guild of Chefs in London and was a judge in the UKs largest and most prestigious chef competition at Hotelympia Salon Culinaire in the UK. - TradeArabia News Service
The Wyoming Symphony Orchestra celebrates spring in "Transfiguration." World-renowned violinist Stephanie Chase will perform the virtuosic Bruch G Minor concerto. Hailed as one of the violin greats of our era, Chase has performed with over 170 orchestras in 25 countries with many of the worlds leading conductors.
Montana resort communities asked legislators on Tuesday for authority to increase a resort tax on luxury purchases, such as gifts and restaurant meals.

Workers, business owners and community leaders from across the state traveled to Helena or wrote letters in support of Senate Bill 343. It would allow the states 10 recognized resort areas  such as Red Lodge, Big Sky and Whitefish  to increase their limited sales tax from 3 to 4 percent if approved by local voters. Revenues from the extra cent must be spent on specific affordable housing or community development projects approved by ballot initiative.

Affordable workforce housing is a critical need in many places in the state, nowhere more than our resort towns, Gallatin County Commissioner Joe Skinner said. Local government cannot solve the problem, but they can set the stage to alleviate and help some of these problems. Give our resort communities a choice, an opportunity, and a means to begin solving their own problems in their own community.

As tourism has grown in Montana and a record number of people visit national parks in the state, many resort communities have struggled to develop adequate and affordable housing for local residents, such as midlevel managers, business owners, teachers and police officers who are forced to live miles away or give up their jobs altogether. The resort tax was initially created as a way to collect taxes from the millions of tourists to Montana who strain water, sewer and road systems in the often small towns they visit, especially those that are not incorporated into cities and therefore do not have any other ways to collect revenue.

Sponsor Sen. Jeff Welborn, R-Dillon, said adding affordable housing to that list of goals for resort tax revenues seems to be a logical fit.

It places the control in the hands of people living in these communities, he said before handing committee members a binder with 140 support letters.

About two dozen people testified for SB 343, although not all were able to speak because of a time limit set by the committees chairman. Four people, all from Big Sky, spoke against the bill, saying that expanding the tax was not the correct way to solve the communitys housing shortage.

Current law already allows for funding affordable housing with resort tax dollars, Lisa Knorr said, saying the Resort Tax Advisory Board should focus more energy on correctly collecting the tax from businesses and noting a 2016 crackdown on three large community employers who had skipped payments for years.

Some argued that better prioritization of existing collections would free up enough money for affordable housing projects while trimming wasteful spending. Others noted that unincorporated communities like Big Sky simply need to form a city government, which would give them more tools and revenue to control growth and address development problems such as a housing shortage. Another opponent worried the bills language was too broad and would allow the expanded tax to be spent on development projects such as road and sewer rather than housing as intended.

The committee took no action on the bill Tuesday.
Casper, Wyoming

March 17, 1919March 5, 2017

Funeral services for Casper resident, educator, and philanthropist, Barbara Nell (Raymond) Scifers, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 17, on what would have been her 98th birthday, at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church by the Reverend Lynn Williamson. Interment will be in the Masonic area of Highland Cemetery, next to her husband, Leland Floyd Scifers.

She died Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living Center in Casper.

Born March 17, 1919, on the homestead of her maternal grandparents, she was the daughter of Charles Clifford and Edna Roselle (Smith) Raymond. I lived in the country during my elementary school years, and our main recreation was dancing on Saturday night in the one-room country schoolhouse, Barbara recalled of her early days. During this time, she played the guitar and sang solos, winning a competition for the county. She graduated in 1937 from high school in Malta, Montana, where she was in all the musical activities, plays, and went dancing someplace nearly every Saturday night.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a minor in education, physical education, and chemistry from the University of Montana in 1941. In 1955, she received a Masters of Education degree, from the University of Oregon in administration, guidance, and secondary education.

Barbara met Leland when she was maid of honor at his sisters wedding in Montana. Leland, who grew up 50 miles from Barbara, was working in Casper as an accountant for Texaco Refinery and came home for the wedding. On August 28, 1949, after a three-month courtship, she married Leland in Malta and moved to Casper from Oregon. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1999.

In Casper, Barbara began a long career with Natrona County School District #1 where she worked first as a girls physical education instructor and supervisor (1949-1953) and then moved into administration where she spent 30 years first as Dean of Girls at Natrona County High School (1953-1965), Dean of Girls and then Guidance Counselor at Kelly Walsh High School (1965-1972), Vice Principal at Kelly Walsh High School (1972-1978), and Ninth Grade Vice Principal at Dean Morgan Junior High School (1978-1983).

Barbaras time with Casper College was even longer as she was the choreographer for the musical Rio Rita during the 1949-50 school year. During the fall of 1950, she taught dance to a group of eighth-graders through the college, and from that point, taught dance continually as an adjunct at the college until the fall of 2000, a total of 51 years. Leland joined her as an adjunct dance instructor in 1953.

Barbara and Leland opened the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in 1953 changing the name to the Barbara-Lee School of Dance in 1955. During their many years, they taught dance nights and weekends in their studio, at the Elks Club, Casper Country Club, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shrine Club, Casper Petroleum Club, and for other small groups.

In 1994, the couple purchased the Barbara-Lee Mobile Home Park, which they later gave to the Casper College Foundation as part of the $1 million the couple donated to build a dance studio at the college. When explaining their donation, Barbara said, Dancing has continually been an important part of our lives, so has Casper College. It is an outstanding school, and we are happy to give our gift to help the school and community. We have had thousands of students in our classes at our studio and college as well as other places weve taught. Casper is our home!

As a couple, Barbara and Leland established the Fort Caspar DAR and Edna Raymond Nursing Scholarship at Casper College. Following the passing of Leland in March 2003, Barbara established scholarships at Casper College including the Leland Scifers Business Scholarship, the Leland and Barbara Scifers Music Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Physical Education Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Dance Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Female Doctoral Incentive Award, the Charles C. and C. Dwayne Raymond Agriculture Scholarship, and the Barbara Scifers Rodeo Scholarship. She also generously contributed to the Wyoming Fallen Heroes Scholarship and made a substantial donation to Casper Colleges fitness center for the purchase of new exercise equipment.

Other areas that Barbara donated to include the Casper Senior Center expansion, the Fort Caspar Museum expansion, the Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions expansion, the Nicolaysen Art Museum, the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum, the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming, and the National Historic Trails Center to name a few.

Barbara was a life member of the National Education Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Association of University Women, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and others.

She was a member of Beta Chapter  Delta Kappa Gamma; a 50-year member of the Business and Professional Womens Club; director of the Tamah Temple Egyptian Dancers; member of Kheta Court #59, Ladies of the Oriental Shrine; Zilah Club, Daughters of the Nile; and served on the boards of the Red Cross, Community Recreation, Community Concert Board, Casper Womens Clubhouse Management, and others.

Barbara received the Business and Professional Womens Outstanding Business Woman Award. In 2006, the Council for Resource Development named Barbara the Region VIII Benefactor of the Year for her contributions to the Casper College Foundation, and she was also honored that same year by Beta Chapter  Delta Kappa Gamma for her outstanding contributions to education in Casper. In 2012, she won the Woman of Distinction award in Casper.

She sang in the church choir of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a member and served as an elder. In later years, she sang for a time in the choir at Shepherd of the Hills.

Survivors include a stepson, Leland F. Scifers, Jr. and his wife, Betsy, of Kalispell, Montana, and two grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and a brother, Dwayne.

Memorials may be made to the Leland Scifers Business Scholarship, the Leland and Barbara Scifers Music Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Physical Education Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Dance Scholarship, the Barbara Scifers Female Doctoral Incentive Award, the Charles C. and C. Dwayne Raymond Agriculture Scholarship, the Fort Caspar DAR and Edna Raymond Nursing Scholarship, or the Barbara Scifers Rodeo Scholarship, all in care of the Casper College Foundation.

Bustards Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
A gas leak last spring and flooding discovered in late December have forced the Natrona County School District to change its timeline for removing asbestos at Midwest School, but officials say the work will be done this summer and will not delay the schools reopening.

The district had originally planned on removing some of the asbestos from the building, in a process known as abatement, last summer. But in late May, students and staff detected an odor in Midwest that forced an evacuation. Subsequent testing revealed high levels of carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and the school was closed indefinitely.

A state report released last year found that students and staff had headaches, sore throats and other symptoms prior to the schools closure. The report said those symptoms were likely caused by the gas leak.

After the schools closure, the asbestos removal project was postponed, said Dennis Bay, the Natrona County School Districts executive director of business services. The district had planned on removing asbestos first from Midwests kitchen and cafeteria. The removal of asbestos from the floor tiles in the high school wing of the building was likely to be done later, he said.

But after a pipe burst and caused about $250,000 in damage to the schools high school wing in December, the district discovered that it would have to replace tiles in that area of the building. So officials decided to remove the asbestos tiles, folding that project in with the kitchen and cafeteria abatement.

On Monday night, the districts school board approved a Cheyenne contractors bid to do the work. The removal process will cost more than $26,000 and will be paid through state funds, Bay said.

Currently, contractors are installing a radon-like mitigation system that will take air from beneath the school and pump it into the atmosphere over the building. The system should prevent future gas leaks, officials have said. After the system is installed, officials will test the air inside Midwest to ensure that it is safe.

The system is being paid for by FDL Energy, which operates the Salt Creek oilfield, which surrounds Midwest. Bay said the mitigation installation is going very well.

Should the tests show the air inside of Midwest is sufficiently clean, the asbestos removal will begin in early June and be completed in time for school to open next fall. Bay said custodians and faculty will be able to use parts of the building that are not part of the abatement process.

The abatement process involves the contractor using plastic to create a containment area, Bay said. Workers will don protective gear and begin removing the asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous substance that was often used in construction. However, asbestos can pose health risks to people who are exposed to it. For instance, it can cause mesothelioma. The use of asbestos has been banned in some cases and widely scaled back in most construction.

Bay said Midwest was constructed in the 1950s, and additional parts of the school have been built in the years since. Without consulting the districts file on Midwest, he couldnt say if there was asbestos in other parts of the building.
GREENBELT, Md. (AP)  Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii after hearing arguments that the executive order discriminates on the basis of nationality.

The ruling came as opponents renewed their legal challenges across the country, asking judges in three states to block the executive order that targets people from six predominantly Muslim countries.

More than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban, and federal courts in Maryland, Washington state and Hawaii heard arguments about whether it should be put into practice early Thursday.

U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson decision prevents the executive order from going into effect, at least for now. Hawaii had requested a temporary restraining order.

Hawaii also argued that the ban would prevent residents from receiving visits from relatives in the six countries covered by the order. The state says the ban would harm its tourism industry and the ability to recruit foreign students and workers.

In Maryland, attorneys told a federal judge that the measure still discriminates against Muslims.

Government attorneys argued that the ban was revised substantially to address legal concerns, including the removal of an exemption for religious minorities from the affected countries.

"It doesn't say anything about religion. It doesn't draw any religious distinctions," said Jeffrey Wall, who argued for the Justice Department.

Attorneys for the ACLU and other groups said that Trump's statements on the campaign trail and statements from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the ban is to ban Muslims. Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller has said the revised order was designed to have "the same basic policy outcome" as the first.

The new version of the ban details more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due-process rights of travelers.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program. It does not apply to travelers who already have visas.

"Generally, courts defer on national security to the government," said U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang. "Do I need to conclude that the national security purpose is a sham and false?"

In response, ACLU attorney Omar Jadwat pointed to Miller's statement and said the government had put out misleading and contradictory information about whether banning travel from six specific countries would make the nation safer.

The Maryland lawsuit also argues that it's against federal law for the Trump administration to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000. Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

In the Hawaii case, the federal government said there was no need to issue an emergency restraining order because Hawaii officials offered only "generalized allegations" of harm.

Jeffrey Wall of the Office of the Solicitor General challenged Hawaii's claim that the order violates due-process rights of Ismail Elshikh as a U.S. citizen who wants his mother-in-law to visit his family from Syria. He says courts have not extended due-process rights outside of a spousal relationship.

Neal Katyal, a Washington, D.C., attorney representing Hawaii, called the story of Elshiskh, an Egyptian immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, "the story of America."

Wall told the judge that if he is inclined to issue an injunction, it should be tailored specifically to Hawaii and not nationwide.

In Washington state, U.S. District Judge James Robart  who halted the original ban last month  heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which is making arguments similar to the ACLU's in the Maryland case.

Robart said he is most interested in two questions presented by the group's challenge to the ban: whether the ban violates federal immigration law, and whether the affected immigrants would be "irreparably harmed" should the ban go into effect.

He spent much of Wednesday afternoon's hearing grilling the lawyers about two seeming conflicting federal laws on immigration  one which gives the president the authority to keep "any class of aliens" out of the country, and another that forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of nationality when it comes to issuing immigrant visas.

Robart said he would issue a written order, but he did not say when. He is also overseeing the challenge brought by Washington state.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Washington and Hawaii say the order also violates the First Amendment, which bars the government from favoring or disfavoring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different than the old. The states' First Amendment claim has not been resolved.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the original ban but did not rule on the discrimination claim.
Three Wyomingites were killed Tuesday evening in a crash near Lander, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

An 18-year-old man from Lander, a 20-year-old man from Greybull and a 15-year-old girl from Hudson were all fatally injured during the crash, which occurred just after 8 p.m. on Wyoming Highway 789 about 2 miles north of Lander, a news release from the agency stated.

All three of the victims were traveling north on the highway in a 2003 Honda Pilot SUV, which failed to negotiate a curve and drifted east, according to the release. The vehicle then overcorrected, which sent it into a counterclockwise spin. As it spun, it entered the southbound lanes of the highway and collided with a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado.

Excessive speed and driver inattention are being examined as contributing factors in the crash, which marked the 16th, 17th and 18th highway deaths in the state this year, the highway patrol said.

Highway patrol officers did not release the names pending next-of-kin notification.
CHEYENNE  A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper has been arrested on suspicion of violating an order of protection by reportedly throwing rocks at a woman's house.

Cheyenne police arrested 31-year-old Robert King at about 11 p.m. Monday.

Police spokesman Kevin Malatesta said King was the focus of a felony vandalism investigation that began on Feb. 16. The patrol suspended him with pay the next day. Malatesta said officers have forwarded the results of the vandalism investigation to the Laramie County District Attorney's office for review and potential prosecution.

Malatesta wouldn't say why the woman obtained the protection order or whether it had anything to do with the February incident.

King was scheduled to make an initial appearance Wednesday in Laramie County Circuit Court. He has been a trooper since December 2008.
Canada

Visa-free entry brings

more Mexican visitors

TORONTO  Canada has seen a surge of visitors from Mexico since December, when it lifted a visa requirement that had been imposed in 2009.

The change was planned before the U.S. election, but it is widely viewed as a reflection of warmer relations between Canada and Mexico.

U.S. President Trump, meanwhile, is pushing for a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, has stepped up immigration enforcement and wants to renegotiate the North America Free Trade Agreement, the 1994 treaty that created a closer trading relationship among the three countries of North America.

I dont want to go to a country that does not accept the people from my country, plastic surgeon Rodrigo Munoz said recently after returning from a winter ski vacation in Canada.

Somalia

Ransom demanded

for oil tankers release

MOGADISHU  Armed men are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker they have seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late Tuesday.

An EU Naval Force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ships master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

Mondays hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012.

It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry because patrols by the navies of NATO countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years. But NATO ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

An official in Somalias semiautonomous state of Puntland said more than two dozen men boarded the ship off the countrys northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.

Turkey

Erdogan says Dutch have rotten character

ANKARA  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday directed fresh verbal attacks at the Netherlands amid their growing diplomatic spat, holding the country responsible for Europes worst mass killing since World War II.

In a televised speech, Erdogan referred to the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, in 1995, and blamed a Dutch battalion of United Nations peacekeepers who failed to halt the slaughter by Bosnian Serb forces.

Erdogan said: We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte condemned Erdogans comments, calling them a disgusting distortion of history.

Syria

Aid trucks permitted into 4 besieged areas

Trucks carrying food and other aid began entering four besieged areas in Syria on Tuesday for the first time in months, offering hope to tens of thousands of residents.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least two trucks carrying food baskets and baby formula entered the northwestern villages of Foua and Kfarya, which are besieged by insurgents, while other trucks entered the Damascus suburbs of Madaya and Zabadani, which are besieged by government forces and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters.

Dozens of trucks were supposed to enter the besieged areas, but it was not immediately clear if all would make it in.

Previous planned deliveries have been canceled at the last minute or halted because of fighting.
The Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra is pulling out the stops as it heads into the homestretch of the 2016-17 season.

In three performances this weekend, audiences will experience:

A veteran and celebrated saxophonist performing a significant work in the limited saxophone solo repertoire.

A young pianist who took top honors in the orchestras 2017 Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition play a movement of a major work.

A pair of solo vocalists and the orchestras chorus performing Faures Requiem that focuses on faith in the face of death.

A little Russian, a little French  and a little Tucson with the premiere of Tucson composer Richard Whites Fantasy on the Radetzky March, written to remember longtime SASO benefactor Irving J. Olson. Olson, who died in October at 102, once led SASO in a performance of the original Radetzky.

This weekend marks the fourth Tucson concert for Ashu, who has played three other concerts with Arizona Friends of Chamber Music back in the mid-2000s. A 2008 Friends concert included the world-premiere of Ellen Zwellicks Quintet for Saxophone and String Quartet, which Arizona Friends commissioned with Ashu in mind and which he and the Pacifica Quartet premiered.

Since that first performance, its has been played a number of times including in Chicago and Detroit.

Any time a composer writes you a piece or dedicates a piece for you its an honor and a thrill, Ashu said, speaking from his Chicago home last week. Her piece is very unique and very identifiable and shes a fantastic composer. Its been the perfect combination for this piece to take off as it has.

This weekend Ashu will perform Russian composer Alexander Glazunovs rarely played, fast-paced Saxophone Concerto, a piece Ashu described as one of the really great masterpieces and I think one of the best pieces for saxophone.

Its melancholy and often triumphant. I think its a fantastic work, said Ashu, who grew up in Texas and said he loves coming to Tucson. Its one of the first places I gave a recital and every time Ive come back, the audiences have been warm and welcoming. Its really a special place for me.

Pianist Nicholas Turner, 17, also will make his SASO debut as the winner of the 2017 Dorothy Vanek Youth Concerto Competition sponsored by the orchestra. In addition to the $1,000 cash prize, Nicholas, who is home-schooled and lives in Vail, will perform the first movement of Ravels Piano Concerto in G major, which he performed in the competition.
Violin virtuoso Angelo Xiang Yu plays a 300-year-old Stradivarius and if youre wondering what that might sound like, well, pretty incredible.

And whats the sensation of playing an instrument with so much history behind it?

Its almost like talking to somebody who is 300 years old, said the 27-year-old native of Inner Mongolia China who now lives in Boston. All the history of it and the color of it; it is almost unreal to play this on a daily basis.

Hes bringing that extraordinary instrument with him when he makes his Tucson Symphony Orchestra  and Arizona  debut this weekend. Yu will perform Prokofievs Violin Concerto No. 1 on Friday, March 17, and Sunday, March 19, at Tucson Music Hall. It will be the first time the TSO has ever played the Prokofiev.

Its a beautiful concerto but its not been played very often, Yu said, speaking from home in Boston on a windy Thursday afternoon. It does not have this flashy virtuoso ending. Every concerto you know, like Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Sibelius and all these famous concertos, they have a brilliant ending so everybody is like, Bravo! and standing. But this does have a lot of virtuosities in the second movement, the middle movement, and the audience will hear something theyve never heard before. Almost, you feel like youre not listening to a violin; youre listening to some trumpet or brass instruments playing this. Its very, very technically challenging, but the piece ends in a very dreamy, nostalgic feeling. Its almost like a Russian-French combination of impressionism.

Tucson is one of several orchestras hosting debuts with Yu, who spends a month a year in Shanghai, China, visiting his father. The rest of the year, Yu is hopscotching the country, guesting with big and small orchestras alike and performing a wide range of repertoire.

The Prokofiev is among his favorites, judging by the way he waxes poetic when he talks about the piece. When conductor David Lockington, who will lead the TSO this weekend, told him he wanted to bring the Prokofiev to Tucson, Yu jumped at the chance.

I personally love this concerto because it has a combination of sweetness and sadness at the same time so people get to enjoy all those colors in time as the piece unfolds, he said, adding that he believes the Prokofiev will once again find popular favor.

The chance to introduce the piece to Tucson on his prized violin is especially exciting, he said.

Ive played a number of instruments, some very old ones, but nothing like this, he said of the Strad, on loan to him for the past six years. When I play a different instrument, I have to make an effort to make something happen, and sometimes it never really happens because it has its limits. But this one is limitless. ... You can never own this instrument because this instrument is part of you; it controls your soul.
The Shanty, a bona fide Tucson institution and the states longest continually operating bar still run by the founding family, marks its 80th anniversary on Friday, March 17  St. Patricks Day.

The true anniversary is actually a couple days earlier, but the bar has always celebrated on St. Patricks Day.

And the thought did cross owner Bill Nugents mind to combine the landmark anniversary with the annual St. Patricks Day throwdown  The Shanty is known for its luck o the Irish bashes.

But 80 years is kind of a big deal, something you dont want to see overshadowed by the traditional booze fest that comes with St. Patricks.

So instead, The Shanty, where Nugent has spent the past 47 years, pretty much seven days a week, will fete itself throughout the year with events being cooked up by the staff, from promotional souvenir T-shirts to tastings with vintners and local producers.

Each one of the staff members is taking ownership in what they would like to do, which I kinda like, Nugent said Tuesday.

But you can expect on Friday to hear stories from longtime staffers, maybe Nugent himself, about The Shantys history and its place in Tucson. Nugent wasnt in the picture when his dad, Owen, opened the bar near the Ronstadt Center in 1937. They moved it to a spot on Fourth Avenue in 1943, and a few years later, when Nugent was a year old and his big sister was 8, Owen died. Mom Donna jumped in and kept the business and family going, changing locations for a third and final time in 1953.

Theyve stayed put since, making some changes to the building that dates back to 1905 and once served as a grocery store and later a church. Donna added a sprawling patio, and The Shanty, 401 E. Ninth St., just off North Fourth Avenue, became a Tucson destination.

Bill Nugent, who once flirted with a career in developmental psychology, has watched Tucson grow and contract from his North Fourth Avenue perch. The children and later grandchildren of his employees became customers. Community groups regularly hold meetings there. Tucsonans crossing generations add their stories to the narrative of a bar that has grown to be much more than a beer joint.

I just dont feel like its just another bar, Nugent, 71, said. It really has identity to people. We try to become sort of what bars and taverns used to be in the country 200 years ago, where they are kind of the community centers of their communities.

The Shantys St. Paddys Day party gets started at 2 p.m. Friday and runs through closing time. The Tucson Highlanders will be on hand to perform Irish jigs, and theyll be pouring Guinness, Jameson, Smithwicks, Magners, Baileys, Irish Car Bombs, Baby Guinnesses, Irish Cuddles and other Irish cocktails.

Details: facebook.com/theshantyon4th, where you can also find details about future anniversary celebrations.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some March 15 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.
In Hunter Frenchs 23 years as a pilot for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, hes never had a day like Sunday.

During two separate calls, his DPS Ranger helicopter was unable to land at either location and the crew had to perform technical rescues on six people, pulling each into the chopper by rope.

Busy season is right now, French said, adding that the six rope rescues were the most hes done in a single day. The weather is getting so nice that people want to get outside before it gets too hot.

Hikers in distress on Southern Arizonas trails are keeping other search and rescue crews busy, as well. Since last week, Pima County sheriffs crews, along with aid from other agencies, have responded to 10 calls in mountainous and recreational areas surrounding Tucson, said a sheriffs spokesman. Some hikers had fallen, hitting their heads or sustaining other injuries; others got lost or felt dizzy, sheriffs reports show.

On Monday, an Air and Marine UH-60 Blackhawk crew rescued a hiker from a rugged ravine in Pima Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. The man was lifted into the helicopter and received medical treatment before he was taken to a hospital.

A member of the Southern Arizona Rescue Association posted on his personal Facebook page: Its getting hard to keep track of just the air ops let alone the calls. Well keep answering the call as best we can. Stay safe in the beautiful Tucson Backcountry.

The SARA member also posted on his Facebook page that hikers should not engage in activity too extreme for their fitness level.

SARA crews, which are called in by the sheriff to aid in rescues, were out Monday in Sabino and Pima canyons, and Tuesday on a Butterfly Trail rescue in the Catalinas.

DPS experiences Sunday show what rescuers are up against.

On a shift that usually starts at 8 a.m., DPS paramedic Phil Castellano got the call about a Sycamore Canyon rescue shortly after 6:30 a.m. Sunday. He met French at the hangar, and by 7:30, the pair had figured out a rescue plan and were in the air.

Four hikers at Sycamore Canyon, located in the Coronado National Forest, contacted the Pima County Sheriffs Department Saturday night after one of the group members began feeling ill and was unable to hike out. Rescue volunteers spent the night with the group, hoping that rest and rehydration would allow the woman and the rest of the group to walk out the next morning.

I knew it would be a rope rescue when the Sheriffs Department told us they werent able to make the hike, French said.

Pilots always try to land the helicopter during rescues, but when thats not possible, they try to lower a rescue employee or paramedic to the victim.

In both of Sundays DPS rescues, neither option was possible.

While the Sycamore Canyon hikers weren't injured, rescuing two victims at Seven Falls proved even more complicated, as one of the men had fallen and lost consciousness.

Halfway through the Sycamore (Canyon) rescue, it became apparent it would probably be a busy day. I just didnt know it would be that busy, Castellano said.

Seven Falls, in the Sabino Canyon area near Tucson, is one of the hardest areas for crews to land the helicopter in due to crowding, and the idea never even crossed Frenchs mind on Sunday.

Ive never seen as many people as this weekend. There were hundreds, he said.

The area also presents its own unique challenge in finding a place to let the crew out, and Sunday was no different. The spot the hiker had fallen to proved too dangerous for rescuers to get to by helicopter.

A Pima County sheriffs deputy rappelled to the spot, loaded the victim into a Bauman Bag  a type of aerial backboard  and lifted him up to the helicopter.

The hikers friend, who was not injured, was hoisted up in a Screamer Suit, which allows the person to be secured in a seated position, French said.

Although the Seven Falls rescue involved a serious injury, a lot of hikers ended up needing rescues because of simple lack of preparation, Castellano said.

People think theyll be out hiking for an hour or two and it turns into six hours, and theyve only brought one bottle of water, he said, adding that at least a gallon per person is always a good idea.

The split between injury rescues and dehydration rescues is about 50-50. People should always plan for the unplannable, Castellano said.

In addition to bringing extra water, people should never hike alone and should always plan as if they will be out longer than they expect. Its always a good idea to know the trail and do a little research before heading out, and if something happens, groups or pairs of hikers should never split up, French said.

French and Castellano, who have already conducted numerous rescues in Phoenix this year, say its only going to get busier.

In 2016, the Ranger crew performed 471 rescues statewide.
A hiker was rescued Monday from a rugged ravine in Pima Canyon by a Blackhawk helicopter.

Shortly before 4 p.m., an Air and Marine UH60 Blackhawk crew responded to a report of a hiker in distress in Pima Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains, authorities said in a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release Tuesday.

Pima County Sheriff's deputies were on scene and requested an air evacuation. The man was found in a rugged ravine about a mile north of the Pima Canyon trail head, which made ground evacuation "extremely dangerous," authorities said.

The Blackhawk was equipped with a hoist device capable of lowering and lifting equipment and personnel from the helicopter, officials said.

The man was lifted into the helicopter and received medical treatment by the crew before he was transported to nearby medical personnel who took him to a hospital, said officials.
A vice principal and counselor at Roberts-Naylor K-8 School were arrested Tuesday, accused of failing to report a student's sexual offense, police said.

Vice Principal Bernadette Rosthenhausler, 45, and counselor Linda Archuleta, 60, were booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of failure to report a reportable offense, a felony, according to a Tucson Police Department Facebook post.

Roberts-Naylor K-8 School is within the Tucson Unified School District.

On March 1, officers received a report from a parent about a possible inappropriate sexual contact between a boy and girl at the school, 1701 S. Columbus Boulevard, police said.

When officers arrived at the school, they learned the incident took place in a classroom when the teacher left the classroom "for a moment".

During that time, a boy "made sexual contact" with a girl, said police. The student reported the incident to the teacher, and the teacher immediately reported it to Rosthenhausler, who began an internal investigation, police said.

Child-sexual-assault detectives learned that the incident was reported both to Rosthenhausler and Archuleta, but never was reported to police or the state Department of Child Safety as required by law.

TUSD is conducting "its own investigation into recent allegations involving mandatory reporting of an incident between students" at the school, said Stefanie Boe, a district spokeswoman.

Boe said the district is "fully cooperating" with the police investigation.

"Student safety is of the utmost importance and Tucson Unified School District is taking this matter seriously," Boe said. "Given the privacy rights of the students and staff involved we cannot comment further at this time."

Detectives said their investigation is continuing and police ask anyone with information to call 88-CRIME.
PHOENIX  State utility regulators voted Tuesday to quash a bid by one of their own to get Arizona Public Service to produce records he subpoenaed.

Officially, the vote of the Arizona Corporation Commission was to cut off the funds for the attorney it authorized Commissioner Bob Burns to hire.

That was when APS and Pinnacle West Capital Corp., its parent, asked a judge to block Burns subpoena.

Last week, however, the utility dropped its lawsuit, though it has not produced the additional records Burns contends he is entitled as a regulator to get.

These deal with the companys political involvement financially in the 2014 commission race, as well as what it spends on lobbyists and charities.

So Burns filed his own legal action to compel compliance.

But the panels 3-1 vote Tuesday cuts off further funds for William Richards, Burns attorney.

Chairman Tom Forese said the funding authorization was solely to defend Burns, not for a pursuit of the records.

Commission records show Richards has so far been paid close to $15,200.

APS has repeatedly refused to comment on whether it was the source of funds spent by two dark money groups to help Forese and Doug Little win the 2014 election.
mokee81/iStock/Thinkstock(ATLANTA) -- A small-aircraft pilot recently got to thank a team of air traffic controllers who helped her land safely last year when her plane's throttle broke, leaving her stranded in the air.



On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration released dramatic audio from the Feb. 14, 2016, incident.



In the nearly six minutes of edited audio, air traffic controller Mason Braddock and his team could be heard calmly explaining to pilot Cathy Lewan how to land her single-engine Cessna at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Georgia.



Lewan was alone in the plane and had been taking pictures.



"We're going to touch down and cut power immediately to the airplane," an air traffic controller says. "Whenever you're ready, we can set you up for that. Like I said, we'll have equipment standing by to help you on the runway."



Lewan, getting emotional, then asks for a favor.



"Would you call my husband for me?" she says. "If you could, ask him to put a prayer chain out to my church and ask the whole church to start praying, and everybody else that's listening. ... Tell him that I love him and call my mother. And I know I'm going to be fine 'cause you're helping me and the good Lord's helping me."



Braddock tells Lewan to give the team her husband's cellphone number.



"We'll make sure that he knows that you're coming in," he says. "We're gonna call him. ... It's just gonna be a normal landing. ... It's gonna be fine. ... There's no rush."



Lewan was able to land the plane safely. During a news conference Tuesday, Lewan met with Braddock as well as the rest of the air traffic controller team that helped her last year.



"They just really, really were there in every way for me," she said during the news conference. "What I got was my own personal SWAT team -- the super, wonderful Atlanta team."



Braddock and his team from the FAA facility in Peachtree City, including Clay Sutton, Nicole Surunis, Patrick Burrows and Keith Tyus, are expected to receive one of aviation's highest honors for lifesaving work at a ceremony next week in Las Vegas.





Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Help India!

New Delhi, (IANS): Congress Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar on Wednesday offered to quit the post following the partys rout in assembly polls.

I take the responsibility for the defeat in UP. Despite the energy and efforts invested by (Congress Vice President) Rahul Gandhi, I could not live up to the expectations, the actor-turned-politician told the media.

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Contesting in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, the Congress won only seven seats in the 403-member assembly. He accused the BJP of using money and muscle power to come to power in Goa and Manipur.
There was a story recently about members of a Muslim community who in Philadelphia, came together to help "clean up" a Jewish cemetery that was vandalised, as reported on CNN.

Fighting back

After all that goes on in international politics, the wars that are fought between different countries, sects and people, what happened at Mount Carmel was nothing short of outstanding. It is often the case that the hatred that is meant to exist between the different religions is overly spoken of or commented on. But what this incident illustrates is that there is still hope.

As anti-semitism and Racism in general continues to plague communities around the world, it is just a nice one that the pendulant goes the other way once in a while.

Standing together

After almost one hundred tombstones were toppled at the cemetery, Muslim activist Tarek El-Messidi "sprung to action". As of a couple of weeks ago, $155,000 were raised. Now although extremely impressive, it was the comments made by El-Massidi that will stay with me, who said that "I want to ask all Muslims to reach out to your Jewish brothers and sisters and stand together against this bigotry".

What this illustrates is that not all is lost in the Fight against racism. We can come together as a community, united by our love for one another and our desire to make the world a better place.
Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, has led calls for there to be a second referendum on independence from the United Kingdom. But as we dissect the subject matter, certain questions do need to be asked. First of all, why does the First Minister want another referendum? And secondly, why is Westminster opposed to such a measure?

Why another referendum?

Before we proceed, let us examine the circumstances. The Independent newspaper reported that Nicola Sturgeon announced plans for hold a second referendum as a result of Brexit. Ms Sturgeon claimed that the fact that Scotland was being "ignored on an issue as important as the EU" makes it clear that "our voice can be ignored at any time and on any issue".

It is in relation to this as to why those in power in Scotland do want a second vote. In responding to the first question, why, it seems to essentially boil down to control. Sturgeon reiterated this by stating that "it would be wrong for Scotland to be taken down a path that it has no control" over the consequences for "our economy, for our society, for our place in the world" and in addition for "our very sense of who we are as a country".

Why are the UK government against such a move?

One issue is that, with Brexit needing to happen, the country does not need "more uncertainty", as the Scotsman site reported. This viewpoint was reiterated by Prime Minister Theresa May, who stated that the referendum call "sets Scotland on a course for more uncertainty and division, creating huge uncertainty", as reported in the Independent newspaper.

There was also the point made to deal with today's problems instead of thinking too far ahead. May stated that "instead of playing politics with the future of our country" the Scottish Government "should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of Scotland". It is also worth mentioning the opinions of the general public in both England and Scotland.

With regards to the former, in a survey conducted in 2014 it found out that 59 percent said that they would like the Union to stay intact. Furthermore, even with regards to the latter, there were similar reservations. In January of this year the Panelbase survey found that 51 percent of voters were not supportive of a second independence referendum.

Is it not hypocritical?

Whilst there may be general opposition to another referendum, can it not be argued that there is an element of hypocrisy at the situation? One of the main reasons behind the public's decision to leave the European Union was the threat to their sovereignty. It was claimed that global organisations such as the EU "take control away from individual nations" as reported on the Forbes website. But is this not the same argument put forward by the Scottish government. They want to govern alone, to be their own country and to stop being told what to do by Westminster. Whilst it may not be the right time, it is the time however to give the Scottish people control and sovereignty too; just as the British people wanted from the EU.
Donald Trump has yet again taken to Twitter to rant at another celebrity, who was outspoken against him. Snoop Doggs recent music video has caused controversy after the rapper shoots Donald Trump with a plastic gun that has a bang flag pop out, during his recent music video. Naturally this could be inciting Violence against a public figure, except there has been many instances of this kind of imagery used in the past.

Irrespective of the rights and wrongs. Focusing on Donald Trump and remembering highly divisive presidential campaign where he mocked a disabled journalist, audio emerged of his ingrained sexism plus many more xenophobic and prejudice soundbites.

Trump fails with irony

The Trump team, particularly Donald Trump himself, seem to have short memory of what he has done throughout his campaign to become President of the United States (POTUS). The irony of the Tweet below is staggering and this has not gone unnoticed either.

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

Worrying trend of irony

The Trump campaign was full sexist, misogynistic, prejudice, xenophobic and racist remarks. But as clear anti-violent man, he would never approve of or use language that could cause harm onto those who are innocent?

Unfortunately, he is exactly that kind of person and on many occasions during his rallies, he actively encouraged violence from his supporters.

A campaign rally in Kansas City, a protester tried storm the stage and after Trump said he would have fought the person and after miming punching him multiple times he mouthed Ill beat the crap out of you. Demonstrators interrupted a rally in St Louis, Missouri but after security removed them he bemoaned the fact that people do not want to hurt each other anymore by saying You know, part of the problem and part of the reason it takes so long is nobody wants to hurt each other anymore, right?"

The trend continued throughout his campaign after several protests and his rallies, he used his platform to say that they dont get treated rough enough and after someone in his crowd did fight back, he stated "The audience hit back.

That's what we need a little bit more of." He has previously said that he would defend those who did hit back in court and after supporters attacked a Black Lives Matter protester, Trump said that he should have been roughed up and that he deserved it.

These are all examples of occasions that Trump has incited violence within the public, however, supporters could make the argument that it was never against a public figure.

Except this is not true in any sense of the word. If you cast your minds back to this statement If she [Hillary Clinton] gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the second amendment people, maybe there is, I dont know. But Ill tell you what, that will be a horrible day.

Trump is dangerous

Violence is never an answer and whilst Snoop Doggs video is not great, Donald Trump has been far worse in vocally supporting violence on his side. He has directly told people to be violent with scuffles and fights often breaking out at his rallies during the presidential campaign. Whilst he never directly said that his supporters should assassinate Hillary Clinton, he insinuated the idea which is far more dangerous.
Rape is a crime that has never been eradicated. Crimes like rape are often associated with a war zone. One can see the rapes under the aegis of the ISIS to realize the effect of war on women. But the surprising news is that there are some places notably like South Africa which is not in a war zone, yet crimes against women seem to go unchecked. The crime of rape in South Africa is like an epidemic.

In a bizarre incident, a mother aged 31, who was in mourning for the recent death of her husband was woken up by a gang. They broke open the door and at gunpoint searched the house for valuables.

After that, the 16-year-old teen girl was stripped and raped. The mother was covered with a bedsheet and had to listen to the screams of her daughter. The crime was committed in 2012, but the trial has only been concluded last month and confirmed now. The accused was sent to life in prison. News 18 has reported this

Rape in South Africa

After self-rule came the way of the black population from the white community, there has been a surge in the number of murders and other crimes like rape in the regions. While there has been some increase in the way murders are handled, rape cases languish for years and with many not convicted. The fact is that a rape culture seems to have developed. Sadder still is the fact that it is more prevalent among the poorer sections of the black people.,

Jacob Zuma

The current president, Jacob Zuma hails from Gauteng and KZN region.

This is the region where the greatest number of rapes have taken place. The president himself embroiled in a rape case from 2005. He was accused of raping a woman who later took refuge in Netherlands. She died in 2016 and was HIV+. The president was acquitted of the charge, but many felt it was a "fixed" trial.

Rape culture

This rape culture of South Africa is difficult to control.

Many women's organisations are demonstrating against this aspect of crime against women. Solving this problem is not easy. From figures, available in May 2016 that more than 3000 young girls some as raw as 12 years old were raped and impregnated in the region of Limpopo. The case is yet to be solved. in addition, it is reported that over 100,000 women get raped every year.
Customers who bought vibrators found out that their toys had more access to their activities that they bargained for. An app that accompanied the We-Vibe enabled users to customize the vibrator's features and operate it remotely. However, the app also collected and transmitted intimate details about how the sex toy was used. Too much information shared with the company with the users oblivious that this was happening. After discovering intimate details of the apparatus sent to the company's server, along with identifiable details, users filed a class action lawsuit.

Class action response

The lawsuit was filed in the North District of Illinois Eastern Division District Court against the parent company Standard Innovation, claiming that the We Connect app transmitted information that included vibration modes and patterns and email addresses without the customers' knowledge. The company must pay $4 million Canadian dollars under the terms of the settlement. The women whose information was transmitted when they used the app could receive as much as $10,000, while those who only purchased the device are eligible for up to $199. The women are reportedly happy to receive the pay-out and the company is happy to have settled the lawsuit fairly.

Improving Privacy

Standard Innovation claim that they do take customers' privacy seriously and said, We have enhanced our privacy notice, increased app security, provided customers more choice in the data they share, and we continue to work with leading privacy and security experts to enhance the app.

-- The company, based in Ontario, Canada, can now only collect information that is non-identifiable in aggregate form. They are needed to inform customers that they are collecting such information.

The need to be vigilant

It is a reality today that being connected comes with its own privacy concerns. One cyber security official warns that the more personal devices become connected, consumers must be more vigilant about their security. When using devices like sex toys, the expectation of privacy is much higher and users need to read the fine print and be more aware of what information can and cannot be transmitted.
One of the most talked about political issues over the weekend was whether or not National Security Advisor, retired Gen. Michael Flynn, spoke to Russian officials about sanctions while he was a private citizen. The White House has been limited in what they have said on the matter, which continued during a recent interview with Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway.

Conway on Flynn

After President Donald Trump pulled off the upset in a win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton last November, it was only a matter of time before he named who would surround him in the White House.

One name that generated controversy was Gen. Michael Flynn, who is known as a hard-line conservative, and war hawk who is not shy about his feelings when it comes to radical Islam. Since he was named as National Security Advisor, reports have circulated that Flynn attempted to negotiate a deal with Russia involving rolling back recent sanctions put on the country by then President Barack Obama. The offical line from the administration was that no wrong doing took place, but the issue was part of a heated decision during a February 13 segment on MSNBC with Kellyanne Conway.

Joining MSNBC host Steve Kornacki was former campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. As Kornacki pressed Conway on Flynn's status, she didn't appear willing to give up much information.

Conway went on to repeat herself in saying Flynn enjoys the "full confidence of the president." but didn't seem pleased with Kornacki's line of questioning. Reports have suggested that Flynn had upset Vice President Mike Pence, though the administration refused to elaborate, with the exception of confirming that the two had a discussion.

Kornacki continued to attempt to get additional information out of Conway, who became visibly frustrated. "Those are two different questions," she said, before adding, "You asked me, and I'll repeat the answer, Does he have the full confidence of the president?

Yes he does." Not stopping there, Conway continued, "Then you are asking me what did he talk about with people when I wasn't on the phone. So the only way for me to answer that is to tell you what he said, which was he can't recall."

Moving forward

In addition to the controversy surrounding Michael Flynn, Kellyanne Conway and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer have also been under fire, clashing with various members of the administration. It's only been three weeks since Donald Trump was sworn into office, but it appears that there is a growing tension with some key members of the team and that isn't a positive sign for the former host of "The Apprentice."
Over the last 72 hours, one of the biggest political stories to dominate the news cycle has been the aftermath of Nordstrom dropping the clothing line of Ivanka Trump. After President Donald Trump lashed out at the department store for their decision, Presidential Counsel Kellyanne Conway came under fire for publicly promoting the brand on national TV.

Ivanka on fire

During the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump made many new enemies, and with that came loss in popularity that negatively impacted his businesses. In addition, Ivanka Trump also took a hit as her clothing line saw a nearly 33 percent drop in sales during the election.

With the line under-performing, Nordstrom dropped the brand, with T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and others follow in their footsteps. When the issue was brought up with Kellyanne Conway earlier this week, the former campaign manager appeared to violate ethics rules by promoting the clothing line. As reported by Politico on February 12, Conway ran into big trouble when she was confronted by the First Daughter.

For Kellyanne Conway, the prize for loyalty is eventually landing a spot as chief of staff https://t.co/Fy1qTFMHSl  POLITICO Europe (@POLITICOEurope) February 12, 2017

After Kellyanne Conway made the aforementioned remarks, she was allegedly "counseled" by Donald Trump, according to White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.

The term "counseled" later became controversial, as the former host of "The Apprentice" was reportedly enraged by Spicer's use of the term, labeling it "terrible." While all appeared civil when it came to the president and Conway, Ivanka Trump was not pleased.

Ivanka Trump scolded Kellyanne Conway for dragging her brand into an ethics mess: report https://t.co/h0gd8Tbg0Y pic.twitter.com/igGdwAj9sF  Raw Story (@RawStory) February 13, 2017

According to the Politico report, "A source close to Trump said that his daughter scolded Conway for dragging her brand into an ethics mess and told her not to mention it again on TV." Politico also noted that Ivanka and her father spoke in detail about her business deals, with the First Daughter informing the president "about leaving her business out of the politics."

Chaos continues

In addition to the constant controversy surrounding Kellyanne Conway, Sean Spicer is also reportedly skating on thin ice.

The two top advisors have been the butt of many jokes in recent weeks on "Saturday Night Live," which Politico previously reported "rattled" the commander in chief to the point that he doesn't even want to speak about the show in public.
The debacle over President Trump's leaked tax return from 2005 continues to grow as claims arise that he leaked it himself.

Even though Trump called it 'fake news' on his Twitter account on Wednesday morning at 6.55 am, a theory emerged in the media that he may have leaked it himself, since it shows that he behaved in a financially honest way.

The journalist who had the leaked tax returns, #David Cay Johnston, said on Twitter that he thought Trump had leaked it too, and received death threats from Trump supporters, highlighting how the President has influenced the tone of public debate since he got in.

Johnston wrote: 'Trump fans call & harass my wife & 1 of my children after I break story White House confirmed. Sad! Let's have open debate, not threats'

The #tax return profiles how Trump paid $38 million in federal income taxes on a certified income of $152.7 million, which means he paid a tax rate of 24 percent  and not the 25 percent incorrectly reported by The New York Times. The forms were disclosed on Rachel Maddows MSNBC show, and detailed how the president avoided paying millions more dollars in taxes by claiming losses.

How the White House responded

The #White House responded before the show went to air, with a statement that seemed to corroborate the veracity of the forms whilst it criticized MSNBC for making the tax returns public.

Before being elected president, Mr Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world, with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required, the White House official statement said.

The #White House called the claimed losses a large-scale depreciation for construction, and didn't say anything else on the matter.

They also claimed that Trump paid tens of millions of dollars in other taxes, such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes, and this illegally published return proves just that.

Johnston responded to this with a Tweet that read: 'Trump WH confirms my report, but fakes numbers. Trump paid $36.5m income tax, not $38 & not $40m Don Jr.

claims. False WH statements. Sad!'

Refusal to release is not presidential

Trump's refusing to make his taxes public earlier in the election cycle earned him scorn from critics, since its customary for presidential candidates to do so. This has been one in a long chain of issues that has seen the new president not honoring the traditions of the Oval Office.

Trump's critics continued to demand his tax return, claiming it may help clarify his involvement with Russian business interests, which in turn would shed light on the supposed Russian interference in the election.

Nothing in the tax return aired on Tuesday night implied any possible ties with Russia. And neither did the leak give any new information on Trump's businesses.

This led many in the media and in Washington to think the President leaked it himself, something he has done many times before in his long and public career as a business man gracing the social pages.

The 'alternative minimum tax' that he wants to abolish

The main portion of the federal income taxes he paid in 2005, which was $31 million, was remunerated under something called the Alternative Minimum Tax, which Trump now wants to abolish. This tax item operates as a back up to the normal income tax and is meant to deter wealthy Americans from paying zero income tax. Without this, Trump would have paid only around the $5 million mark in regular taxes, and an additional $2 million in self-employment taxes, on a grand total of $153 million in income.
Politics USA reports that Speaker of the U.S. House Of Representatives Paul Ryan's Powerpoint Presentation on the Republican Party's plan to replace the Affordable Care Act was "laughingly bad," and that the speaker is being "mocked across the country." The publication offered that the PowerPoint presentation seemed aimed more at educating President Donald Trump, as well as House Republicans, about "how a bill gets passed using reconciliation." One Twitter user suggested that Ryan's presentation would make a "hilarious SNL skit."

In CNBC footage, Speaker Ryan can be seen speaking about a need for a "stable transition" to new coverage under the Trump presidency, and that no one have the rug pulled out from under them.

Ryan described protecting coverage for Americans with preexisting conditions as a "cornerstone" of the Republican healthcare platform. The conservative continued that new legislation would allow children to be covered by parents' plans until they reached 26 years of age.

Republicans want states to control Medicaid

Paul Ryan also described a problem with Medicaid being controlled too tightly by the federal government, not giving individual states the opportunity to tailor programs to what suits their population best. He asked, "What good is your coverage if you can't get a doctor?" after explaining the situation he sees under Obamacare, where many physicians are choosing to simply not accept Medicaid patients.

The speaker cited former President Ronald Reagan's view that states "should control Medicaid." He expressed the view that the Medicaid program needs to be "modernized," so that it "doesn't go bankrupt."

PowerPoint presentation: fodder for social media participants

Jason Easley, with Politics USA, offered the opinion that Speaker Ryan was attempting to portray himself as a "hip professor," but expressed the view that he had actually presented himself as a "used care salesman." Easley wrote that the speaker appears to hold a belief that insurance should be "for healthy people," as evidenced by his plan to group the sickest people into pools where benefits are capped, thereby restricting access to insurance for those who "need health insurance the most."

Many on social media called attention to Paul Ryan's scholarly appearance during his PowerPoint presentation.

"Professor Ryan! I have a question," one Twitter user satirized the conservative. Another wrote of Ryan's speaking tour, with dates at the University of Chicago and Harvard.

This is a good audition for @SpeakerRyan for his guest fellowship at Harvard or the University of Chicago after he resigns in frustration.  Josh Barro (@jbarro) March 9, 2017
Russia is in the news again. This time the issue is not what Trump may or may not have done there. It is what four Russians, two of them intelligence agents, did to yahoo in one of the largest data thefts ever. The crime took place in 2015 and five million accounts were involved. On the face of it, the case looks plausible. There were 47 criminal charges including aggravated identity theft.

Habeas corpus

The Russian security agency is called the FSB and two of its agents were charged, Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev, 33, and Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, 43.

The other two charged were Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, 29, a Russian, and Karim Baratov, 22, a Kazakh national who lives in Canada. Baratov is a Canadian citizen. The acting assistant attorney general, Mary B. McCord, called the cyber crime "beyond the pale." It is not clear what she meant, though she seems to be expressing confidence in the results of the US investigation.

Double injury

Yahoo was injured not only by the attack but by its lackadaisical response. The New York Times revealed the conclusion of an internal report which said Yahoo failed to properly comprehend or investigate." That report led to the resignation of the company's main lawyer and the loss of a bonus and stock compensation by Yahoo head Marissa Mayer.

The Times also noted an even bigger breach involving a billion Yahoo accounts. This theft took place in 2013. It was not reported by the company until three months ago. That cannot have increased confidence in an institution that has been perceived as trying to find its way for some time.

Russian Agents Behind Yahoo Breach, U.S. Says https://t.co/sHbz4rHQex  Stephen C. Rose (@stephencrose) March 15, 2017

Once near or at the top

Yahoo was at one point preeminent as a home and search giant on the booming new web.

It was passed by Google and Facebook and other makers of today's cyber world, and the company seemed to lose its way. A venture called Associated Content came and went. Subsequent efforts seemed more stabs in the dark than signs of a serious plan.

Now Verizon may be in the mix. Yahoo and Verizon have been dickering for some months about a sale.

At press time it was not clear whether a recent agreement on a price to enable the sale will be finalized. It seems likely because Verizon has been said to have an interest in feathering its own nest through association with a venerable enterprise.
What was Rachel Maddow thinking? That is the question that media watchers have been asking themselves and one another ever since she took to the airways to announce that she had Donald Trumps Tax returns with the same breathlessness as if she had the secret Nixon tapes. The returns, as it turned out, actually made the president look good as a man who made a lot of money and paid a lot of taxes. Despite her hyperactive musings about Russian oligarchs, that was all there was. Even the folks at Hot Air are scratching their heads.

One theory is that Maddow and the folks at MSNBC have become so consumed by their hatred of trump that they have become unhinged.

The far left network is one of the centers of the Trump as Manchurian Candidate for Putin. They saw something in the tax returns, therefore, that just wasnt there.

People have driven themselves nuts about presidents they dont like before. A number of people were pretty sure that President Barack Obama was a secret Muslim who was born in Kenya and was deliberately trying to destroy the United States. The difference is that none of these people worked for the mainstream media or, for the most part, the alternate conservative media. The nuts have taken over a major cable news network and have blown up what threadbare credibility it once had.

The question arises, have crazy conspiracy theories become mainstreamed because they are about a president much of the media detests?

If so, which will be more harmed, Trump or the media? Noting the presidents master of the press, one had better not bet against him.

The irony is that there exists much to criticize President Trump for. Some of his decisions, particularly the first version of the travel ban, have been newbie mistakes. He still has a tendency to take to Twitter and post alarming things.

But one can call him on such things and still not believe that Trump will turn all glassy eyed and suggestible if one tells him, Why dont you pass the time by playing a little solitaire? That is too bad. Every president, no matter how great or how venal, needs a credible media to keep him on his toes. Trump may be the first chief executive to lack that.
In a conversation on "CNN Tonight with Don Lemon" on Monday night, it was mentioned that the Department of Justice has exceeded its deadline and wants more time to investigate and provide more evidence to support President Donald Trump's claims that the Obama Administration wiretapped him during the Presidential Election of 2016.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was mentioned in the conversation on CNN between Don Lemon, Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post, Susan Hennessey of the Brookings Institution and Matthew Rojansky of the Kennan Institute.

Spicer was heard saying in a broadcast by CNN Live that "there's no question that the Obama Administration, that there were actions about surveillance and other activities that occurred in the 2016 election." He also noted that the alleged "wiretapping" was "widely reported activity that occurred back then."

The Trump wiretap

President Donald Trump has brought to attention an important debate. The matter at hand is no longer focusing on whether wiretapping or similar surveillance activities occurred. It is now a matter of finding out why would the FBI and the Obama Administration have a valid reason to even conduct investigations that would require wiretapping and/or other strenuous means of surveillance in the first place.

In a statement by Susan Hennessey, a portion of Americans would agree that the United States needs the "Congress and White House to come forward and explain whether or not the President was mistaken" or "whether or not Congress is going to have to have a report to produce results of that investigation."

President Donald Trump requested this surveillance investigation on his own without any substantiated evidence to support his claims in regards to any wiretapping being involved in pursuit of him from the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Obama Administration or any persons involved in the 2016 Presidential Election.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway on President Trump's wiretapping claim: "I'm not in the job of having evidence" https://t.co/iIs53HaeW7 pic.twitter.com/PzsLRVePIZ  CNN (@CNN) March 14, 2017

Wiretapping the Obama Administration

In a series of tweets, Donald Trump seems to vaguely suggest that former President Barack Obama engaged in acts that included wiretapping him and his overall distaste in regards to the matter.

In response to the wiretap claims, the White House says that the President doesn't think that Obama personally tapped his phone. Carl Bernstein has suggested in the conversation on Monday night that the whole situation is merely another addition to Trump's presidency being "encased in a body guard of lies."

Bernstein also begins to inform America that the wiretap claims are a result of the United States being "destabilized by the Russians." This information presented on CNN Tonight further provided a more in-depth perspective into Matthew Rojansky's claims of Russia having recent ties with Libya.

DOJ seeks the truth in wiretapping

Since the Justice Department has missed its Monday, January 13 deadline set by the House Intelligence Committee, there is currently no concrete or even abstract proof supporting the President's claims against former U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Department of Justice is now in the process of being granted more time to turn over any evidence that will be backing up President Donald Trump's unattested claims against the Obama Administration.

The DOJ has contacted the chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence requesting "additional time to review" as stated by Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores Monday evening. House Intelligence Committee Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CALIFORNIA) has responded by saying that the committee will look into this matter in congruence to a broader inquiry about Russia's role in the 2016 election.
In any modern Democracy there are traditions and procedures that are not written in any law or form part of any rule book, yet they are accepted as a fundamental part of that countrys political practices. In the United States one of these practices is for candidates to release their tax returns and in the last presidential campaign the winning candidate refused to do so. Tuesday gave us proof this issue is still not settled.

Win and loss

#Donald Trumps tax returns became a recurring theme of the campaign with his repeated incorrect reply that they were under audit and so were not as yet available.

The IRS then replied that there was no reason for him not to release the returns.

After the win the reply became that since he won the returns obviously had no importance to the public and therefore he would not release them. This reply of course ignores the fact that he lost the popular vote.

On Tuesday MSNBCs Rachel Maddow first announced that she had the documents and then revealed some of the details of the 2005 return. While the details provided were not sufficient to make a definitive opinion on the return the fact that in that year the then businessman was subject to the alternative minimum tax which he now intends abolishing raised more than a few eyebrows.

However, the issue must be seen in another light and not on the simple basis of political voyeurism as some consider the repeated requests that they be released.

Controversy

It would not be unreasonable to state that the Trump presidency began under controversy and many of the issues that raised these controversies could be resolved by the disclosure of the recalcitrant tax returns.

The allegations of Russian interference in the presidential campaign in favour of the winning candidate is now under investigation, yet these investigations too are subject to rumours that could be dispelled or confirmed by the returns.

Since virtually the beginning of his run for office Donald Trump was the subject of rumours of business dealings in Russia and even of debts with Russian banks. These rumours only damage the Oval Office and it would be in the best interest of the prestige of the position and also the reputation of the country that such rumours be dispelled completely and as quickly as possible.

So far this has not happened.

Transparency and legality

The matter of the missing returns is therefore one of transparency to remove the clouds under which the White House has been navigating since November 8th. The citizens have a right to know the real situation of their president and repeated reassurances are not a replacement for definitive proof.

The release of the return drew criticism for their dubious legality, but Rachel Maddow replied that the first Amendment protects her right as the matter is one of public interest.

This reply may not satisfy some within the Trump team but the White House, beginning with the man who now leads the country, must also understand that regulations governing his position are not the same as those for a private businessman.

From the moment he took the Oath of Office in January 8th he became answerable to the public. For this reason alone many journalists and politicians repeat their calls for the returns to be released.

Investigations and after

For the present time last nights scoop on MSNBC will not affect the political landscape, but this may well change in the future. The country is awaiting the results of the investigations into the Russian hacking of the election and these results may well force the Oval Office to make the returns public.

Would it not be better for The President to release them voluntarily and thus be able to control their impact, rather than find himself in a situation where he may no longer have control of proceedings? As always, the ball is now in his court
Chelsea Houska and Kailyn Lowry are upset with the way the editors of "Teen Mom 2" have portrayed things. This isn't an uncommon gripe, especially among this cast in the franchise. Every season someone is unhappy with the way they look and this time, it is Chelsea and Kailyn.

Kailyn Lowry is having to relive a part of her life she had difficulty with. Her separation and subsequent divorce from Javi Marroquin has caused a lot of pain. "Teen Mom 2" fans are watching as the two hash it out and Lowry is upset with the editing process. She believes they are making her look bad and according to the Hollywood Gossip, Lowry says she is in a good place with Marroquin.

This isn't exactly something many believe, especially with the shade they throw at each other on Twitter.

"Teen Mom 2" editing gripes

The girls are upset over two entirely different things. While Kailyn Lowry is worried about how she is portrayed going through the divorce and her interactions with Javi Marroquin, Chelsea Houska is upset they made things between her and her mom look too intense. She talked about how she knew her daughter was uncomfortable and that is why she shut the conversation about Adam Lind down.

Of course, Jenelle Evans and Leah Messer have had their own gripes about what the "Teen Mom 2" editors have done to them, but it is part of the business. Working on a reality show leaves you at the mercy of the editors and producers.

Several of the girls control what they do and do not film as this has been seen by fans several times. Kailyn Lowry has told them several times to stop filming and they have obliged. Chelsea Houska has kept a lot of her stuff private, including her wedding and the information about her recent pregnancy.

The men agree too

Aside from the girls who have issues with the "Teen Mom 2" editing team, the men do as well.

Jeremy Calvert has been very vocal about how he has been portrayed, especially this season when he made comments about Leah Messer wanting to go to Mexico. The "Teen Mom OG" men have also publicly made complaints. Tyler Baltierra and Taylor McKinney have both come out swinging against the editors.

In the world of reality television, editing is important. Living a picture-perfect life isn't going to do any good for ratings but something that is edgy and taken out of context will.
kim zolciak may not be a regular on the Bravo series "Real Housewives of Atlanta" anymore, but she sure knows how to stay in the headlines. The mother of six and her husband, Kroy Biermann, are now battling allegations that they failed to pay a $6,000 bill to Seasonal Designs, LLC for installing and maintaining interior and exterior decorations for their home" in Georgia, according to Radar Online.

Kim Zolciak accused of ignoring the invoice

Radar Online reports Kim and Kroy were sent an invoice at the end of December for the decorating services, but "refused to pay." Then, a lawyer for the company sent a letter stating action would be taken in February if the bill was still not paid.

It seems Zolciak still didn't budge as a formal lawsuit was filed at the beginning of March.

According to documents filed by the company's lawyer, both Kim and Seasonal Designs agreed the cost would be the same as previous years, which obviously implies that the 38-year-old reality star has done business with them before. Radar Online quotes the documents, proving Kim was well aware of the costs beforehand. "...the two parties confirmed that the price for the project would be the same as the previous year and authorization was given for my client to perform the services requested."

The Biermanns are 'stubborn'

Reports state that the Zolciak-Biermann family was very happy with the service as the holiday decorations were featured on social media and television shows.

However, things went south when the couple was given the bill. It's also noted that the decorator reduced the final price from $8,600 to $6,000, but to no avail.

The company's lawyer states Kim and Kroy are being stubborn and causing unnecessary legal trouble, according to Radar Online.

"[The Biermanns] have acted in bad faith, been stubbornly litigious and have caused the [company] unnecessary trouble and expense."

It's not the first time Kim refused to pay her bills

Kim was previously sued for failing to pay both a housekeeper and babysitter.

The court ruled in favor of the housekeeper, but the babysitter's case was dismissed after neither party showed up for court. Of course, "RHOA" fans shouldn't be surprised by Zolciak's current legal troubles as the bubbly blonde is known for her lavish spending habits and controversial decisionssuch as not paying her bills.
German life science company Bayer AG regards China as a crucial market and is positively seeking business opportunities in areas including healthcare and agriculture, said Celina Chew, president of Bayer Group in China.

Celina Chew, president of Bayer Group in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"China is the third-largest market for Bayer globally and an important driver for the growth of our business," Chew said.

"The main business opportunities for Bayer in China are in areas that contribute to the nation's healthcare, agricultural and better quality of life goals."

Chew noted that the Healthy China 2030 initiative, announced by President Xi Jinping in August, covered areas such as public health services, environmental management, the medical industry, food and drug safety and the better lifestyle industry.

"Our product portfolio and solutions across our pharmaceutical, consumer health, animal health and crop science businesses are well suited to contribute to a better quality of life in these focus areas," said Chew.

Chew said this year's Government Work Report indicated that China would accelerate the development of big data, cloud computing and digitalization in order to transform traditional industries and improve manufacturing capabilities.

"China's push for more innovation resonates well with us and we are working hard to bring our expertise and innovative capabilities to China," she said.

"This includes bringing advanced technology to our production sites in China."

Last year, Bayer invested 100 million euros ($106.4 million) to extend a pharmaceutical packaging plant in Beijing.
The signature of Declaration of Independence signer John Hancock on an envelope.

I was thinking about how difficult it has become to maintain good penmanship in the internet era.

When I was in grammar school, just about all our writing was cursive as opposed to block letters, and students would take pride in their signatures. There were required penmanship classes.

Now about the only time I write my name, with wildly fluctuating results, is when I'm signing a credit card receipt or check, and I write far fewer of those because of electronic payments.

I understand they face the same issue in China, where it's probably more dramatic because of the many strokes it can take to create a Chinese word.

At China Daily USA, we have the software that converts pinyin into Chinese characters, but users still do not have to make the strokes themselves; the keyboard does.

Four years ago, The Washington Post published this headline: "Cursive handwriting is disappearing from public schools."

Now, the United States is witnessing a movement to bring back penmanship, long the purview of persnickety teachers.

Alabama and Louisiana passed laws in 2016 mandating cursive proficiency in public schools, the latest of 14 states to require the connected, looping letters. And more are breaking out the figurative quill pen.

In Ohio, a bill would require school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The state's Legislative Service Commission said the bill aims "to ensure that students develop the ability to print letters and words legibly by third grade and to create readable documents using legible cursive handwriting by the end of fifth grade".

In Illinois, state Representative Chris Welch is sponsoring a measure that would ensure students receive at least one class in penmanship.

"I think we're losing a whole generation," Welch said. "You're having folks that are 18 and above that don't even know how to write in cursive."

In Delaware, state Representative Andria Bennett's bill would require cursive writing in public schools.

"You need to know cursive to sign checks and important documents," she said.

Last fall, the New York City public schools system, the US' largest, encouraged cursive's teaching.

Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina distributed a teacher handbook on the practice in September, The Associated Press reported. It cites research suggesting that fluent cursive helps students master spelling and sentence construction because they don't have to think as much about forming letters.

While some 78 percent of advanced placement and National Writing Project teachers surveyed in 2013 by the Pew Research Center in the US said digital tools such as the internet, social media and smartphones "encourage student creativity and personal expression", 68 percent said the devices make students more likely to take shortcuts and not put effort into their writing.

California is one of the 14 states that require cursive.

"Print writing yes, they need to learn their ABCs, but whether it's in block letters or cursive letters, I don't think it's absolutely necessary," Nisha Shah told ABC-TV's San Francisco affiliate.

The ABC Facebook page on the topic received more than 7,000 likes and 600 pro and con comments.

"It's (curvise) great for taking notes," Andria Shafer said.

"It's nice, but ultimately useless. Keyboard familiarity should be a requirement," De-Ante Glover said.

Teachers are divided too, with supporters saying it would be disappointing if a student could not read the original US Declaration of Independence in cursive.

Speaking of that 1776 document, the signature of one of its signers, John Hancock, was so spectacular that it became a part of the American vernacular: "I just need your John Hancock on the dotted line."

Still, we will continue to read all our text on digital devices and in print, in block letters. So the return of cursive could be somewhat sentimental.

It's the artistic beauty of cursive writing or calligraphy that inspires. And then of course there's old time's sake, with some parents wanting their children to learn it because they themselves had to, hence connecting the generations.

Contact the writer at williamhennelly@chinadailyusa.com.
The White House said on Monday that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping is in the works, but it declined to specify the timing and location of the meeting.

Early on Monday, US media reported on a tentative plan that said the two presidents would hold their first summit soon.

"Planning is ongoing for a visit between President Trump and President Xi at a date to be determined," the White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told a news briefing on Monday afternoon.

"We're not ready to confirm that, and we will have more details. Any meeting between the presidents of the United States and the People's Republic of China would necessarily cover a broad range of topics of mutual concern."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last week that China and the United States have fruitful communication on realizing exchanges between their presidents and at other levels, and expanding all areas of cooperation.

At a news conference during the two sessions, Wang said the China-US relationship is transitioning steadily and developing in a positive direction, due to the intense communication and joint efforts of both sides.

"There is no reason why China and the US could not become excellent partners, as long as we act on the consensus reached by our presidents, follow the principles of no-conflict, no-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said.

Spicer noted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be visiting China, and that "as we go forward we will have additional details on both the timing and the location of that when we go forward".

Tillerson will embark on his first trip to Asia on Wednesday, after taking the job as President Trump's top diplomat about a month ago.

The three-nation tour will bring him to China on March 18, after visiting Japan and South Korea.

Also on Monday, Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant Secretary of State of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Tillerson's trip will, to some extent, be "paving the way" for future high-level meetings between the two presidents.

"As you've seen from the communications between the two presidents themselves, there has been talk about their early meeting," she told the preview meeting.

Thornton said Tillerson will meet Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

She said she expected the discussion will cover the areas of cooperation that "we're looking to continue to pursue, to continue to discuss, and make progress on".

Tillerson will look to set out workplan for the bilateral relationship in the new administration, she said.
Emile Roemer of Socialist Party (SP) (3L), Geert Wilders of the Freedom Party (PVV) (2L), Marianne Thieme of the parliamentary party Partij voor de Dieren (PvdD) (4L), Dutch Green Party (Groen Links) leader Jesse Klaver (C), Netherland's Prime minister and People's Party for Freedom and Democracy leader Mark Rutte (4R), Lodewijk Asscher of Labour Party (PvdA) (2R), Sybrand Haersma Buma of the Christian Democrats (CDA) (R) pose for a photo after a televised debate between the eight top party leaders in The Hague on March 14, 2017, a day before the parliamentary elections. [Photo/VCG]

THE HAGUE - There remained no clear winner in the final debate on Tuesday, a day before the Dutch elections, but far-right populist Geert Wilders, who played anti-Islam card in the debate, still ranks high in the final run-up to the election.

In the building of the House of Representatives, for which the voters choose the 150 seats on Wednesday, the leaders of the eight largest parties debated with each party bringing in one statement.

The one-member Party for Freedom PVV leader Geert Wilders, second behind the rightist liberal party VVD in the polls, played the anti-Islam card.

"Islam is the greatest threat to the Netherlands," was his statement. "This is the theme where it actually is about in the Netherlands and worldwide. The future of our country is at stake," said Wilders, who has vowed to shut down mosques in his campaign.

Labor party PvdA leader Lodewijk Asscher, facing a possible dramatic fall in seats according to the latest polls, refuted Wilders with his statement "The Netherlands belongs to all of us."

Referring to a remark by Wilders in 2014 that he wanted fewer Moroccans in the Netherlands, Asscher said "Your message is less, less and less...With less you get fewer Netherlands. I will never accept that."

But Wilders, who started his campaign in mid-February by making the notorious "scum" comment about Moroccan migrants, reacted by saying that "The Netherlands does not belong to all of us."

"The Netherlands is for Dutch who have chosen one hundred percent for our country," he added.

According to the latest polls, Wilders' one-member party could garner 15.7 percent of the votes from the Netherlands' 12.7 million voters, making this smallest party the country's second largest party.

Wednesday's parliamentary election sees a total of 28 parties bidding for 150 seats in the lower house.
By Chen Weihua in Washington and Paul Welitzkin in New York | China Daily USA | Updated: 2017-03-15 09:59

An upcoming meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump will inject confidence into the bilateral relationship, according to US and Chinese officials and business leaders.

Nina Easton, co-chair of the Fortune Global Forum, said the summit underscores the important relationship between the United States and China now and for a productive and healthy future.

"This upcoming summit also confirms just how timely our plans are to host the next Fortune Global Forum in Guangzhou (Dec 6-8)," she told a meeting on Tuesday afternoon in Washington, where a Guangzhou delegation was putting on a road show for the upcoming forum in the capital city of South China's Guangdong province.

"I do know the fact that the Chinese leader's coming to the United States, that's a very positive note, particularly given President Trump's positions on China and other places," said Dan Glickman, a former US secretary of agriculture and a Democratic congressman. "I think that will be helpful."

While many in the US blame China and Mexico for job losses, Glickman stressed that changes in the job market were brought about by multiple factors such as technology and education.

Tian Deyou, economic and commercial minister counselor at the Chinese embassy, said that a trade war should not be an option. "Cooperation and win-win should be the goal that China and the United States strive for," he said.

Karan Bhatia, vice-president of global affairs for General Electric, also called the upcoming meeting between Xi and Trump "really, really important" for the trade relationship between the two countries.

At the delegation's road show in New York on Monday, FedEx CEO and Chairman Fred Smith expressed his disagreement with those who believe that global markets and trade have been bad for the US.

"Trade is an essential part of the US economic landscape," he said. "The US tried anti trade once with Smoot-Hawley (enacted in 1930 to raise tariffs to protect American business). Lots of scholars now think it may have led to the Great Depression."

Smith said that he is keenly aware of what the loss of manufacturing jobs in the US has done to communities.

"Manufacturing employment has been going down everywhere, and automation and technology took most of the jobs," he said.

FedEx, which has a huge facility in Guangzhou and operations in other parts of China, has been on the Chinese mainland for many years.

Guangzhou Vice-Mayor Cai Chaolin said that his city has been a beneficiary of

international commerce, noting that 288 of the Fortune 500 companies have investments in Guangzhou. "We keep an open mind, and we believe that action speaks louder than words," he said.

Cai said Guangzhou remains an important gateway to South China and "is a city of connectivity". The area's gross domestic product is about $290 billion, due in part to the region's modern transportation network of rail lines, airports and port operations.

Five times Guangzhou has topped the Forbes list of best cities for business in China, Cai said.

His words were backed up on Tuesday by Hank Levine, a senior adviser at the Albright Stonebridge Group and a former US deputy assistant secretary of commerce.

Levine, who also worked in China for many years as a US diplomat, touted Guangzhou as a leader in China's reform and opening-up drive in the early 1980s and early 1990s. "And it continues today," he said.

Levine cited the survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China that shows 80 percent of the US companies there said the investment and business climate was either good or very good. And 60 percent of the US companies there had chosen to make their headquarters in Guangzhou.

Bhatia also promoted the efficiency of Guangzhou, citing the example of a GE industrial facility there being completed in 18 months.

Guangzhou also unveiled its two representative offices in Boston and Silicon Valley.
ABC News(WASHINGTON) -- The top Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that there is no evidence that any wiretap took place at President Donald Trump's building in Manhattan, New York during the presidential campaign or transition.



Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said that there is "no basis" for Trump's accusations that President Obama illegally wiretapped Trump Tower "whatsoever."



Schiff said it "deeply concerns me that the president would make such an accusation without basis."



The committee's chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said, "I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower."



Trump had alleged in a series of tweets that former President Barack Obama had his phones tapped.



"The challenge here is that the President Obama wouldn't physically go over and wiretap and then you have to decide if you're going to take the tweets literally, and if you are, then clearly the president was wrong," Nunes said, referring to the multiple tweets that Trump sent on the morning of March 4 making accusations.



"But if you're not going to take the tweets literally and if there's a concern that the president has about other people, other surveillance activities looking at him or his associates, either appropriately or inappropriately, We want to find that out. It's all in the interpretation of what you believe," Nunes said.



White House press secretary Sean Spicer maintained that the president will be "vindicated" by evidence. On March 13, Spicer said that Trump was not talking literally or specifically when he accused Obama of "wiretapping" his campaign.



"If you look at the president's tweet, he said wiretapping in quotes. There's been substantial discussion in several reports," Spicer said.



"The president was very clear in his tweet, it was wiretapping. That spans a host of surveillance options," he said. "The House and the Senate Intelligence Committees will now look into that and provide a report back. I think there's been numerous reports from a variety of outlets over the last couple months that seem to indicate that there has been different types of surveillance that occurred during the 2016 election."



Nunes said that there will be a public hearing about the issue in the coming weeks.



"Certainly at the open hearing that we have... we'll be asking the director if he has seen any evidence that substantiates the president's claim," Schiff said.

Copyright  2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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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 ...

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HA NOI  Credit growth in the first two months of 2017 rose 1.23 per cent year-on-year, but credit institutions remain cautious over business targets while focusing on lending quality.

The growth seen in 2017 was higher than the 0.33 per cent growth rate noted in the first two months of 2016, according to a report from the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Industry insiders said the rise in the first months of the year would help credit growth spread more evenly across each quarter instead of only making an impact in the last quarter, as in previous years.

According to expert Nguyen Tri Hieu, based on the current condition of the global economy, optimistic forecasts of the countrys credit growth for this year can still be maintained.

However, he added, the rise for two months alone cannot say much, as there could be many fluctuations, especially in imports and exports, in the remaining months of the year. "If the world economy experiences a strong shake-up, this will surely affect Viet Nam," he said.

Credit institutions also appear cautious with their business goals as they have set lower credit growth targets this year than last year. Vietcombank, for example, has set a credit growth target of roughly 18 per cent this year, lower than the 18.9 per cent rise seen last year.

In discussing the caution being exercised by credit institutions, experts have said there are both domestic and international causes behind it.

According to experts, the global economy in 2017 is forecast to be challenging and will have an impact on Viet Nams economy, which is wide open and dependent on exports.

Now, even the US government is moving towards trade protectionism, bringing US manufacturers back to the US market. The USs economic relations with other nations are also under review. This will partly reduce foreign investment in Viet Nam, as investors tend to return to traditional markets when the global economy slows down.

Banks seem to have acknowledged this risk too, so they are being more cautious with their business goals, the experts forecast.

In the domestic market, the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has claimed it will continue to apply tight controls over lending in potentially risky areas, such as lending to large clients, real estate, and BOT and BT projects in the transport sector.

Under SBVs Circular 06/2016/TT-NHNN on asset-liability management and real estate loans, commercial banks have been allowed to use a maximum ratio of 50 per cent short-term funding for loans with terms extending beyond 12 months since the end of 2016, down from the previous 60 per cent. This ratio will be reduced to 40 per cent by the end of 2017.

Circular 06 also raised the risk weights for real estate loans to 200 per cent from the end of 2016, from the previous 150 per cent.

The rising risk weight means if commercial banks want to expand their real estate loans segment, they must increase their capital to have a capital adequacy ratio of at least 9 per cent. If they fail to increase their capital, the banks must limit their scale of lending. Meanwhile, it remains difficult to raise capital at this time.

Besides, many commercial banks have also prioritised the quality of lending instead of only focusing on credit growth as previously.

Pham Hong Hai, General Director of HSBC Vietnam, told Thoi bao ngan hang (Banking Times) that credit flows should focus on key areas of the economy, based on the effective measurement of capital flow. Hai also agreed with the central banks decision to tightly control the amount of capital pouring into potentially risky areas, such as real estate and securities.

According to Hai, if credit growth is too high, banks will face many difficulties in maintaining and ensuring the security of their capital in future.

Nghiem Xuan Thanh, chairman of Vietcombank, which was the first bank to successfully recover all bad debts sold to the Viet Nam Asset Management Company and currently has a bad debt ratio of less than 1.5 per cent, said his bank planned to actively promote lending to the governments five priority areas this year. Outstanding loans to these areas amounted to VND170 trillion (US$7.49 billion), accounting for 35 per cent of the banks total outstanding loans. The priority areas include agriculture and rural development, production for export, small and medium enterprises, support industry and hi-tech application.

Expert Hieu said the most important task for banks in using their capital effectively is to manage risk, adding that banks should only provide loans to well-scrutinised applicants. The governance of banks must also be changed to fit reality.

In addition, operating costs must be considered, the expert said.  VNS
HA NOI  The countrys import of vegetables and fruits saw strong growth in the first two months of 2017, especially from Thailand and China.

Viet Nam spent US$164 million on the import of vegetables and fruits in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 54.7 per cent, the General Department of Customs said.

Most imports were from Thailand, which accounted for 50 per cent or $82 million, and China, which stood at 19 per cent or $31 million, of the total vegetable and fruit imports.

Other major markets that Viet Nam has imported vegetables and fruits from are the US for a value of $13 million, New Zealand for $3.8 million and Australia for $2.5 million.

The import value of vegetables and fruits from Thailand in the first two months doubled compared to the same period in 2016, the general department said.

Since 2012, Viet Nams average import value of vegetable and fruit products has surged from $200 million per year to $1 billion.

According to the ministries of agriculture and rural development and of industry and trade, the country has been importing vegetable and fruit products mostly from Asia Pacific countries. The main items imported include cabbage, lettuce, potato, orange and apple from China; apple, orange and cherry from New Zealand and Australia; and mango, custard apple and tamarind from Thailand, dantri.com.vn has reported.

Recently, the General Department of Customs warned that many goods that are being produced locally have been imported, increasingly the trade deficit. This included vegetables and fruits from China, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.

The department pointed out that vegetable and fruit imports from Thailand have increased sharply in the past two years, and that many of these products are already produced at home.

Thai vegetables and fruit entered the local market via distribution channels of hypermarkets and modern retail shops after Thai retail groups bought two large hypermarkets, Big C and Metro, in 2015 and 2016. They have been promoting Thai products at the hypermarkets as well as retail sale systems in Viet Nam.

Also, since 2015, the country eliminated import tariffs on ordinary goods from Thailand.

Vu Vinh Phu, chairman of the Ha Noi Supermarket Association, said Viet Nam should only import vegetables and fruits that it did not produce locally, such as cherries. It was importing fruits that it grows, such as longan, mango, durian and dragon fruit, which has affected the Vietnamese vegetable and fruit producers, whose competitive ability in terms of quality and price is weak, reported vneconomy.vn.

Local enterprises should improve quality of products and increase production, Phu said, adding that they should be competitive in terms of not just price, but also quality and customer care.  VNS
A view of the Flower & Frog Homestay in Sa Dec Town, ong Thap Province.  Photo booking.com

HCM CITY  Home-stay services are becoming popular across the country, with many people turning their houses into tourist dwellings to welcome foreign visitors.

Tran Thanh Hung, 45, of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of ong Thap has spent VN800 million (US$36,000) to upgrade and expand his house.

Located in Sa ec flower village, his home is an ideal destination for foreign tourists looking for a home-stay experience, living alongside local people or biking around the flower village.

After the upgrade, his house can accommodate more than 30 tourists.

Local authorities have encouraged the development of this kind of tourism, and in fact gave him the chance to hire tourism consultancy companies.

This model has also been adopted in many northern provinces like Hoa Binh, Son La, Lai Chau, Yen Bai, Lao Cai, and Thai Nguyen.

Bui Viet Thuy Tien, director of Asian Trails Company Ltd, told Sai Gon Times newspaper that the home-stay model gives tourists a chance to live intimately with local people.

In the past tourists could not stay in these areas because of the poor living conditions, but not any more, he said.

Authorities in Quang Nam, Lam ong, Vinh Long, An Giang, ong Thap, and Soc Trang are calling on companies with experience in developing home-stay services to train and assist local people.

In the central province of Quang Nam, a home-stay service is set to begin in Cam Thanh District.

In a Lat city, while authorities are seeking to develop the service, it has already been adopted by locals and tour companies.

During the recent Lunar New Year it proved very popular though prices had jumped by 20 per cent.

More facilities needed

Tour operators say there is massive potential for home-stay services to develop because more and more tourists are seeking the experience.

But the facilities need to be improved and more packages to experience local life must be developed.

Duong Minh Binh, chairman of CBT Travel, said home-stay services developed thanks to support from local governments and international orgnisations.

They proved successful thanks to the attractive local culture and landscapes, he said.

But hosts should upgrade their houses to offer more facilities and a greater variety of food, ensure food hygiene and design more tours for tourists to experience local life more intimately.

"It is important to maintain service quality," he warned.

Other operators said it was necessary to preserve local cultural features.

Families that provide the home-stay services need to go on with their normal daily life, but have to be trained in serving visitors, according to the operators.

It is the locals daily life which is attractive to visitors.

The hosts also need to organise trips to nearby places of interest.

For instance, home-stay hosts in the northern province of Hoa Binh organise trips around villages and on rivers by raft.

Though authorities provide support, the hosts have difficulty in finding customers.

Since they lack knowledge about the market, they need middlemen, usually tour operators, or tourism websites to get customers and have to pay them 30 per cent of the price.

Binh said while most hosts had difficulty finding customers and had to depend on travel companies, customers would start coming after a while if they did it well.

"Many people in the north are now managing to get customers without depending on intermediaries," he said.

"The lives of many have improved as a result," he added. VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Finance has rejected a proposal from traditional taxi companies that the Government cut value added tax (VAT) for them from the current 10 per cent to 5 per cent.

The ministry said according to the reform strategy on tax system during 2011-20, VAT would stand at only one rate of 10 per cent for all kinds of businesses. VAT will be at 5 per cent only for essential goods and at 0 per cent for export goods.

Therefore, there was no basis to accept the HCM City Taxi Associations proposal on cutting VAT to 5 per cent as well as its complaint that traditional taxis were paying more kinds of taxes and fees against Grab and Uber cars, the ministry said.

According to statistics of tax offices in HCM City, the ministry said corporate income tax paid by taxi companies in the city accounted for only 0.01-0.06 per cent of their total revenue.

The association also proposed all turnover of Grab and Uber cars be taxable, but the ministry said the existing method of calculating tax incurred by Grab and Uber cars was appropriate.

The ministry said if 100 per cent of turnover from transporting customers of the app-based taxis was taxable income, it would be overlapping and unreasonable taxation. Uber only gets 20 per cent of turnover from transporting customers and the remaining 80 per cent would go to organisations and individuals that had business contracts or agreements with Uber.

According to an official letter sent by the ministry to the association, existing regulations on tax, including rate of tax, investment preferential conditions and tax exemption or reduction, are consistently applied for all kinds of enterprises.  VNS
HA NOI  The central highlands province of ak Lak has granted licences and signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with several companies this month for the development of solar projects worth US$3.3 billion.

US power group AES Corporation has signed an MOU to invest $750 million in a solar factory, which will have the capacity to generate 300 to 500 megawatts (MW).

Licences were also granted to two companies, a Vietnamese one and a foreign firm.

Viet Nams Xuan Thien Company Limited will invest $2.2 billion in a 2,000MW solar project in the region.

South Koreas SolarPark Company Limited has been given the licence to build a $45 million solar plant in the province. Last year, it had signed an MOU for a $600 million to $1 billion solar power plant project, to be built over 40 years, from 2016 to 2056. The project will be constructed at Ea Sup Thuong Lake in Ea Sup District and will have a production capacity of 300MW to 500 MW.

In addition, Viet Nams Long Thanh Infrastructure Development and Investment Company plans to invest $308 million in a 250MW solar installation in the country.

At present, Viet Nam relies mostly on coal-fired and hydropower plants to meet its demand for electricity, which is growing at a pace of 11 per cent per annum. The Government is looking to increase the use of renewable energy to address environmental issues and the rising scarcity of power resources.

Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam are seeking solutions to secure solar power and setting targets to stimulate green energy generation when global agreements to limit pollution come into effect.  VNS
HA NOI  Nghe An Province authorities have asked police to investigate Suoi Bac Tin Mining Enterprise, after a tailing pond breach allegedly resulted in the river pollution and mass fish death, an official said.

inh Viet Hong, vice chairman of Nghe An Provinces Peoples Committee, said on Tuesday at a meeting with the company representatives and Quy Hop District authorities that a comprehensive investigation on the enterprises activities will be conducted.

All violations will be assessed and responsibilities of relevant parties will be clarified, he said.

Also on Tuesday, an inspection team from the Ministry of Industry and Trade released its initial results after inspecting the scene.

To Xuan Bao, deputy head of Industrial Safety Techniques and Environment Agency under the MoIT, said the fact that company did not follow approved designs might have caused the break of tailing pond.

The flooding corridor of the tailing pond was built by soil instead of stone and concrete as designed, the inspections leader said at a press conference held on Tuesday with relevant agencies.

He added that the company has ignored environmental assessment report that must be certified by the provincial Peoples Committee after a project was finished.

The inspection team asked the company to stop the tin mining activities and build a new tailing pond to ensure the safety.

Vi Thanh Tuong, vice chairman of Quy Hop Districts Peoples Committee, said two hundred kilograms of fish have been killed and over 300 hectares of paddy field have been affected by the muddy water after the accident.

He asked the company to provide immediate support to affected households.

The incident took place on March 9 when 12 metres of wall of a tailing pond of the Suoi Bac Tin Mining Enterprise broke, releasing hundreds of cubic metres of mud and leach residue into the Nam Huong River.

The toxic residue flowed into some fish farming ponds in Chau Thanh Commune and natural streams in neighbouring communes.

The stream water was still murky five days after the leakage, and black residue could be seen along the banks of Nam Huong Stream on Tuesday.

Suoi Bac Tin Mining Enterprise is owned by Nghe Tinh Feerous Metal Company, which has been in operation for years.  VNS
A NANG  The consulate General of the US in HCM City will host a film screening of Jack of the Red Hearts, directed by Janet Grillo -- an award winning filmmaker and Emmy Award winning producer  in a Nang on Friday.

The film, part of the American Film Showcase in Viet Nam , features Jack  a teenage runaway on the lam from her parole officer.

The conniving kid impersonates a trained caregiver and forms a unique bond with an 11 year-old autistic girl named Glory. The childs mother Kay, also bonds with the imposter, as a surrogate daughter she can talk to. And the girls cute older brother Robert falls in love. When the deception is exposed and the cops descend, loving father Mark struggles to hold his family together.

The audience and young Vietnamese filmmakers will have the chance to share experience with the director  Janet Grillo  in an exchange in the central city on the day.

Janet is the mother of an adult son on the autism spectrum, and a former board member of cure autism.

The film and the director talk will be held at Le o Cinema, 46 Tran Phu Street, from 2pm to 5pm.  VNS
A group of diverse but like-minded individuals, the members of ARC have come together in their common desire to fight hatred, bigotry, intolerance and violence because of the harm these antisocial behaviors cause to our society. In that effort, we will not use or sanction the use of illegal actions (such as violence or intimidation) in pursuit of our desired aims and if we learn of anyone who does use these unethical methods we will report those individuals to the authorities. Instead, we will use the guarantees found in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that ensure freedom of legal speech and expression.
Doan Mau Diep, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, tells the Hai quan (Customs) Newspaper that the country plans to increase the quality of workers sent abroad

How good are the workers we are sending abroad?

I have to admit that Vietnamese guest workers abroad have several limitations, including weak foreign language skills, expertise and professionalism. Such weaknesses can be attributed to the insufficient, short-duration training at home before they leave the country.

And what is the situation with Vietnamese labour export firms?

Unhealthy competition between the labour export firms and foreign peers has led to the low quality of Vietnamese guest workers and the high costs they have to bear in order to win a contract to work abroad.

In addition to the above-mentioned reasons, loose management of the mother labour export companies has led quite a few affiliates to fail to follow the required procedures. So the workers are not properly trained for the jobs they have to do abroad.

However, the weakest point is that we have a large number of companies involved in labour exports, but their training capacity is limited, as is their understanding of Vietnamese regulations and that of the host nations. In particular, they lack on the spot legal specialists to help workers in need.

How do you respond to the complaints that small conditions have become a hurdle for many labour export companies in obtaining a licence?

Several companies have adopted good policies to support candidates to go to work abroad, like Enhause or Leesco. These two companies have offered workers scholarships to acquire skills and knowledge before going to work abroad. On the other hand, some companies deliberately ask candidates to pay extra money if they want the opportunity.

Local authorities play a very important role in the recruitment of workers to go to work abroad. But I am not sure if the labour export companies are supporting the local authorities.

In reality, not all candidates attending training courses will be able to work abroad. So some of them lose the money they paid before joining the courses.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) will surely protect the candidates legal interests, even if, for one reason or another, they are not able to work abroad. In a worst case scenario, the ministry will revoke the operating licence (of labour export firms).

Can you tell us a bit about Viet Nam plan to send high quality workers abroad?

The international labour market is diverse. It has different labour segments. If we want to send high quality workers abroad, we must train our workers very carefully.

We need to be able to make accurate market projections. Our representatives abroad have to regularly update information about the job market in the countries that they are posted. This information is a very important input for labour export companies, so that can help workers develop the needed skills and do a competent job.

The Prime Minister has instructed the ministry to develop a project to send Vietnamese workers who have attended vocational training courses to work abroad. But there has been no talk of projects to send Vietnamese university graduates to work abroad. Nowadays, many countries are facing high unemployment and there is an imbalance between the supply of university graduates and market demand for their services.

What is most important now is that many foreign labour management boards have not updated information about labour shortages in each segment or in a particular occupation. If such information is available, it will be a very good input for us to prepare training courses for potential guest workers.  VNS
The 14th National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) convened its eighth session yesterday with debates focusing on amendments to the draft Denunciation Law.  VNA/VNS Photo Phuong Hoa

HA NOI  The 14th National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) convened its eighth session yesterday with debates focusing on amendments to the draft Denunciation Law.

NA chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that during the six-working day meeting, the NASC would discuss revised versions of nine laws - Tourism, Railway, Technology Transfer, Planning, Foreign Trade Management, Aquaculture, Forest Protection and Development, Public Debt Management and Denunciation.

The committee also expected to approve resolutions on forms of legal documents and regulations relating to the work of NA deputies.

The committee members planned to discuss the draft resolution on co-operation among NASC, Government and Viet Nam Fatherland Front in supervision and social criticism.

They will also examine regulations on fines for violations relating to foreign affairs and international co-operation.

Anonymous denunciations

Government Chief Inspector, Phan Van Sau said at the meeting that the 2011 Law on Denunciation needs amendments because of its shortcomings, including those relating to jurisdiction, handling denunciations, procedures and reaching conclusions in denunciation cases.

The amendments also aim to realise new constitutional regulations on human rights and fundamental rights of citizens.

Draft law additions have helped the Party strengthen the effectiveness of denunciation settlement and in the fight against corruption.

Under the draft, controversial issues remain, especially those relating to anonymous denunciations and forms of denunciation.

Sau said that the Government preferred written denouncing forms and direct denunciations to identify responsibilities of denunciators to avoid misuses of denunciations and inaccurate denunciations.

Others wanted denunciations to also be announced by fax, email or phone so cases are addressed in a timely fashion.

The draft compilers suggested anonymous denunciations should not be accepted as if an inaccurate denunciation was sent, there would be no basis to punish the anonymous sender.

Sau also said State agencies solved just 87.4 per cent of onymous denunciations in the last few years and nearly 60 per cent of the solved cases featured inaccurate denunciations.

If anonymous denunciations are lawfully accepted, relevant agencies will face difficulties with their workload, Sau said.

Head of the NAs Legal Committee Nguyen Khac inh said after assessing the draft law, some members of the legal committee agreed that the regulation on anonymous denunciation needed more consideration and should not be added to the revised law now.

However, others said that anonymous denunciations enclosed with detailed documents, photos, sound or video recordings should be accepted and verified, inh said.

Head of NA Justice Committee Le Thi Nga said according to Viet Nam s Law on Anti-Corruption, agencies/organisations and individuals should create favourable conditions for citizens to directly denounce, submit written forms or report via phones or the internet.

Nga called for consistency between the two laws.

NA chairwoman Ngan agreed with Nga, adding that Viet Nam was developing e-Government with improved information technology.

Ngan said other forms of denunciations  email, fax, phones and SMS are accepted only when sent directly to authorised agencies.

She also noted that anonymous denunciations with detailed evidence should be considered, as at a minimum they are clues for agencies to investigate the accusations.

Tourism failure

The NASC members spent yesterday afternoon discussing draft revisions to the Law on Tourism.

NA Chairwoman Ngan said that from reading the document, she felt that the country had so far only paid attention to developing tourism in urban areas, and failed to link it with tourism in mountainous or rural areas, and the development of new-style rural areas.

Our country has many beautiful landscapes which can be compared to sleeping beauties that have not been awakened.

The recent Hollywood blockbuster Kong:Skull Island has just woken up part of the potential. There remain many other sleeping beauties, Ngan said.

She cited as an example the fact that visitors from all over the world go to Japan to enjoy the cherry blossom, while hardly anyone knows about the beautiful ban (mountain-ebony) flower forests in Viet Nams north-western region.

She said tourism should be closely intertwined with rural areas. Any changes to the Law on Tourism should consider attaching tourism development to new-style rural area development programmes and specialty products of each locality.

Residents can develop home-stay tourism as foreign tourists like to stay with locals while travelling, she noted.

Meanwhile, she said, the State would develop things at the macro level like building roads, planting flowers, ensuring environmental cleanliness and food safety.

Senior Lieutenant-General Vo Trong Viet, chairman of the NA Committee on National Defence and Security, said the tourism industry lacked synchronous solutions.

Viet mentioned the recent fuss on social media over the comment of Jordan Vogt-Roberts, director of Kong: Skull Island and recently-appointed Viet Nam Tourism Ambassador, that there is nowhere else that has landscapes as beautiful as Viet Nam.

That denotes a paradox. The world may have less beautiful landscapes but they know how to make them beautiful. On the other hand, we have beautiful ones, but we have either destroyed or concreted them.

Many foreigners say Viet Nam is attractive. But we have failed to exploit our strengths.

We need to create breakthroughs to develop our countrys tourism, he said.  VNS
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Security Nguyen Van Thanh (L) meets with David Daly, Director of Southeast Asian Affairs for the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels.  VNA/VNS Photo

BRUSSELS  The European Police Office (EUROPOL) is an important partner of the Ministry of Public Security in fighting crime, Deputy Minister Nguyen Van Thanh said on Monday.

Meeting with EUROPOL Deputy Director Oldrich Martin in The Hague, Netherlands, he spoke highly of EUROPOLs anti-crime co-ordination efforts, especially amidst complicated security developments in the world in general and EU member nations in particular.

He suggested the setting up of a bilateral co-operation mechanism to share information, appraise threats, investigate trans-national cases, and hunt offenders.

He also requested EUROPOL to assist Vietnamese public security forces through capacity building and training.

Oldrich Martin affirmed that EUROPOL always desired to work Viet Nams public security forces, particularly law enforcement agencies.

He spoke highly of joint work done by Viet Nam and EUROPOL members in fighting organised, transnational crimes including terrorism, drug and human trafficking, cyber crime and hunting fugitives.

He said that in the coming time, EUROPOL would enhance co-operation with the ASEAN National Police (ASEANAPOL), including the Vietnamese public security forces.

Martin hoped that Vietnamese public security forces would continue partnering with European Union police and EUROPOL.

Earlier, on Friday, Thanh held a working session with Raffaele Mauro Petriccione, Deputy Director General of the EU Directorate General of Trade and head of the team negotiating the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), in Brussels.

He expressed his belief that EVFTA would significantly boost Viet Nam-EU trade.

Viet Nam is ready to serve as a bridge for EU investors to access Southeast Asian markets, Thanh said.

He added that the Ministry of Public Security would actively link up with concerned EU authorities in preventing and controlling crime.

Mauro Petriccione also expressed his wish for the prompt signing and ratification of EVFTA, saying EU agencies and member states are keenly interested in the Vietnamese market.

He lauded Viet Nams achievements in economic development, human rights protection, and fighting crime, especially those involving the environment, which are of concern to the EU as it completes internal procedures signing and adopting the EVFTA.

During a working session with the Vietnamese delegation in Brussels the same day, David Daly, Director of Southeast Asian Affairs for the European External Action Service (EEAS), hailed Viet Nam a major EU partner in Southeast Asia. He expressed his wish to see bilateral ties lifted to new heights.

Thanh responded that the EU had become a significant partner for Viet Nam in socio-economic development, and had helped the country cope with rising non-traditional security challenges in Asia.

He also sought the EUs support for the signing of a memorandum of understanding on anti-crime co-operation with his ministry and the sharing of experiences in launching a plan to send Vietnamese public security officers to the United Nations peacekeeping mission.  VNS
Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Houaphan Province of Laos reached a consensus on co-operation and orientation in various fields for 2017 to 2020, during their talks yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu

HCM City  Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and Houaphan Province of Laos reached a consensus on co-operation and orientation in various fields for 2017 to 2020, during their talks yesterday.

Accordingly, the two sides will maintain the exchange of visits, aiming to nurture and promote the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties ad States in general and between HCM City and Houaphan in particular.

They agreed to make it easy for departments, sectors and enterprises of the two localities to increase investments in infrastructure development, agriculture and tourism, as well as calling for investments from a third country into HCM City and Houaphan province.

The leaders also consented to promote stronger ties in education, health, communications and tourism.

HCM City will consider providing the Lao locality with 10 higher-education scholarships a year and organising training courses for Houaphans public servants in the fields of foreign affairs, foreign investment management, and commercial administration. In return, Houaphan will grant two scholarships for Lao language training courses to HCM City every year.  VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am (third from right) welcomes Angolan Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technologies, Jose Carvalho da Rocha (third from left).  Photo chinhphu.vn

HA NOI  The Vietnamese Government welcomes stronger co-operation between IT firms in Viet Nam and Angola , Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am told visiting Angolan Minister of Telecommunication and Information Technologies, Jose Carvalho da Rocha.

During a meeting with the Angolan official in Ha Noi on Tuesday, Deputy PM am hailed the friendship between the two nations, which he said was supported by the effective co-operation in telecom, IT, information safety and human resources training.

The Vietnamese Government encourages businesses in both countries to seek co-operation opportunities in technology transfer, he said.

According to the Deputy PM, telecommunication and IT have become a spearhead technical-economic sector for Viet Nam, yielding estimated revenues of US$16 billion over the past two decades.

The country has built big telecom and IT enterprises, which are regionally competitive in capital, technology, human resources, and management experience. He added that Viet Nam is willing to share experience in opening markets, improving competitiveness and promoting rapid and sustainable development of its telecom and IT sector.

He called on the Angolan government to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises, including telecom and IT firms, to invest in the African country.

For his part, Jose Carvalho da Rocha assured his host that Angola values Vietnamese business investment , especially in telecom, IT and training of human resources. The guest also met with Minister of Information and Communications, Truong Minh Tuan, and visited leading telecom and IT enterprises and production plants.  VNS
HAI PHONG  Together with Ha Noi and HCM City, the northern port city of Hai Phong is implementing a campaign to return pavements to the pedestrians.

Leaders of wards peoples committees will bear responsibility if pavement encroachment reoccurs, the citys authorities have said.

Le Chan District is one of three districts in the city where there is almost no space left on pavements for pedestrians. Clearance of the pavements is, thus, one of the main points in the districts action plan.

Nguyen Trong ai, head of the district Urban Management Division, said this year all 15 wards in the district have prepared plans on ensuring traffic safety, pavement and road order and environmental protection.

District inspectors will patrol the areas and impose strict penalties on those people encroaching upon roads and pavements for personal purposes, trading or parking. The inspectors have been instructed to destroy illegal billboards and slogans.

Pham Van Tan, deputy chairman of the district Peoples Committee, said the district has assigned enough workers to check every house and warn lawbreakers.

Le Chan District is also considering installing cameras on several main streets. The video footage will provide actual evidence to the police and inspectors while deciding penalties to be imposed on violators.

Similar actions are being undertaken in the citys Hong Bang District since last week.

Duong inh On, deputy chairman of the district Peoples Committee, said earlier, the districts inspectors penalised people encroaching upon pavements, but the penalty was not severe enough, so people continue to repeat violations, especially in the Tam Bac River area.

Hong Bang Districts action period is on from March 10 until March 20.

Last month, the district informed residents about the action period, so that they could volunteer to destroy any construction that encroached upon pavements.

As many as 100 people, including district leaders, police and traffic inspectors, are participating in the action period.

Last week, Ha Noi launched a campaign that targets removing illegally parked cars, shops, extended canopies and other obstructions. HCM City began its campaign last month.  VNS
Gia Loc

HCM CITY  A 62-year-old woman, who had suffered from allergic rhinitis for 20 years, visited Thu uc District Hospitals traditional medicine ward several years ago, seeking relief after undergoing unsuccessful treatments at other health facilities.

Although she had used antibiotics, decongestants and steroid nasal sprays, her sneezing and runny nose had persisted.

At Thu uc Hospital, doctors performed thread embedding, a kind of acupuncture treatment popular in Viet Nam.

After seven treatments every two weeks, the womans symptoms began to reduce in intensity.

According to Dr Tran Minh Son, head of the ward, the treatment involves the use of short sections of catgut threads inserted into a needle embedded into acupuncture points of a patients face and other areas of the body.

He said "the embedded threads act as an allergen stimulating the patients body to create an antibody and change the way the immune system responds, leading to a reduction of allergic symptoms or to none at all.

The procedure helps reduce sores and increases resistance against inflammation in the nose caused by allergens.

Embedding thread into points also helps improve blood circulation, protein and nutrition, Son said. According to Oriental medicine, this keeps yin and yang balanced. When these are imbalanced, the body is not healthy.

Treatment for pain

Dr Nghiem Huu Thanh, former head of the National Hospital of Acupuncture, said that degenerative spinal conditions, backaches and headaches could be treated with thread embedding.

Embedding thread in acupuncture points stimulates blood circulation at the points and can improve muscle strength, according to Thanh.

It can also be used in conjunction with Western medicine, psychology and behavioural science for autism treatment at the hospital and HCM City Traditional Medical Institute, he said.

Thread embedding can help autistic children retain what they are taught and ease their anxiety as well, he added.

Nguyen Thi Lam Thao, head of the Binh Chanh District Hospitals traditional medicine ward, said the technique of thread embedding was used in the ward.

This is a difficult technique which requires professional training and highly qualified doctors, she said.

Son of Thu uc District Hospital said that doctors who perform the technique should take into account the possibility of thread allergy and infection occurring during the embedding procedure.

Thanh said the hospitals doctors had provided training to many doctors at general hospitals and traditional medicine institutes in the southern region.

A 45-year-old patient from Phu Nhuan District said she visited HCM City Traditional Medical Institute for successful treatment of a backache.

Thread embedding was first used in the country in 1960.

In 1975, Professor Nguyen Tai Thu, chairman of Viet Nam National Association of Acupuncture, conducted research and treatment of bronchial asthma with thread embedding.

Fifteen years later, Dr Le Thuy Oanh was invited as an expert to demonstrate the technique at health facilities in Hungary.

Thanh said that more and more patients were visiting traditional medicine institutes for thread embedding because they were interested in medical treatments without drugs.

This interest has led to a higher number of patient visits in the southern region, with a corresponding increase in revenue at traditional medicine institutes.

The HCM City Traditional Medical Institute, for instance, saw an increase in patients and revenue of 200 per cent in 2015 compared to the previous year, Thanh said. VNS
HCM CITY  The 2017 Robot Robotacon WRO, known as the Robot Talent Contest, yesterday opened for registration.

It is meant for students aged eight to 20 who are interested in Robot LEGO Education, which is based on science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M).

The winners will take part in the 2017 World Robot Olympiad (WRO) to be held in Costa Rica in November.

Some 300 teams from around the country are expected to take part in the contest organised by the HCM Citys Department of Education and Training in co-operation with Viet Tinh Anh Joint Stock Companys LEGO Education brand and HTV3 TV channel.

WRO, first held in 2004, has so far attracted more than 22,000 contestants from more than 60 countries. VNS
HA NOI  The regulation of adding iodine should not be applied to all food, the Viet Nam Dairy Association suggested in a dialogue with the Ministry of Health earlier this week.

Last week, the government issued decree 09/2016/ND-CP to introduce iodine, iron, zinc and vitamin A as compulsory elements that need to be included in Vietnamese food.

The decree on food fortification that will take effect from March 15 this year regulates that the four micronutrients should meet national technical standards and regulations on food safety.

Salt fortified with iodine, iron and zinc must be added to wheat flour, while vegetable oil that contains soybean oil, coconut oil, canola oil or peanut oil is required to have vitamin A  excluding vegetable oil used in industrial food processing, according to the decree.

Bad for business

In the meeting, which was attended by representatives for the Government Office, food processing businesses, the World Health Organisation  Viet Nam (WHO), UNICEF, and scientists, Tran Quang Trung, the associations president, raised his concerns about the regulation and said that the regulation on adding iodine to food would cause difficulties for milk production businesses.

Iodine is an oxidizable substance and is changeable during food processing. So it would change the colour and smell of milk products, said Trung.

This means that dairy businesses would suffer, he said.

Therefore, the Viet Nam Dairy Association recommended that the iodine supplement should be regulated to seasoning products only.

Meanwhile, president of the Viet Nam Association of Food Science and Technology, Phan Thi Kim, said many studies showed that each kind of food contains different levels of iodine, so different processing and preservation methods would change the iodine levels.

Iodine could change the colour and smell of foods, which is important to customers, Kim said.

We thought that the addition of iodine should be regulated for specific kinds of food. Businesses would face difficulties if the regulation was applied across the board, she said.

For example, salt for direct use must be fortified with iodine, but adding iodine to salt for food processing would need the Ministry of Healths detailed instructions, she said.

"Each individual has different iodine demands," Kim said.

Good for health

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health, WHO and UNICEF representatives affirmed the importance of iodine for peoples health, especially with the lack of micro-nutrition in Viet Nam.

Nguyen Huy Quang from the Ministry of Health, said the regulation on adding iodine to salt for food processing was necessary.

According to Quang, thanks to the implementation of the National Programme on Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control from 1994 to 2005, the rate of children aged 8 to 10 afflicted with basedow disease dropped dramatically, while the iodine level across all Vietnamese people reached WHO standards.

However, after the year 2005, when the use of iodine salt became optional, the rate of children with basedow disease increased to 9.8 per cent, Quang said.

This had become a concern and required intervention, as recommended by UNICEF, he told the meeting.

This was the reason behind the decree. The Ministry of Health had carried out several meetings to collect opinions from related businesses, he said.

Recently, the WHO recommended to supplement micro-nutrition in daily meals and food processing as an effective and economical measure which is used in more than 100 countries all over the world.

The WHO representative told the meeting that a recent study showed that the changes in colour and smell of food processed with iodised salt were negligible.

Dr. Friday Nwaigwe, UNICEF Viet Nams Head of Child Survival and Development affirmed the need of fortifying iodine in food in Viet Nam to ensure physical and mental health for Vietnamese children.

In many nations, using iodised salt in food processing faced obstacles like in Viet Nam, and the policy required the support from the business community, he said.

In the meeting, deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am asked the Ministry of Health to give detailed instructions to dairy and food processing businesses about using iodised salts. -- VNS
HA NOI  Over 100kg of suspected rhino horns were discovered in luggage arriving in Ha Noi from Africa on Tuesday, according to Hanoi Customs.

At around 2pm on Tuesday, customs and anti-smuggling officials at Noi Bai International Airport found two briefcases on flight KQ 870, which landed at the airport from Nairobi, capital of the East African country of Kenya, suspicious since neither bore any information on the recipients or the weight.

Upon checking the luggage, the joint forces found that the goods inside the two briefcases weighed 51.1kg and 60.84kg each, and suspected they were rhino horns.

Samples of the goods have been sent for further tests.

According to statistics, there are only 25,000 wild rhinos in the world at present, dropping by 95 per cent over the last 40 years.

South Africa is home to some 20,000 rhinos, or 80 per cent of the worlds total. Up to 1,175 rhinos were poached in the country in 2015, down slightly from the record of 1,215 in 2014. However, many experts believe that the real number of poached rhinos is much higher.

Poaching is attributed to the rising demand for rhino horns in some Asian countries, including Viet Nam, since many people in these nations believe rhino horns can cure illnesses, a claim not corroborated by science.

Conservationists warned that rhinos will become extinct within the next 10 years if poaching is not stopped.

The last Java rhino in Viet Nam was killed at the Cat Tien National Park in 2010.  VNS
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HCM CITY  The HCM City Peoples Court on Tuesday handed down jail terms to four people charged with irresponsibility causing losses to the Coastal Fisheries Development Corporation (Cofidec).

Nguyen Thanh Xuan, former acting director, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for violating the States regulations on economic management and taking advantage of his position.

Vo Hue Tran, former director, and Ngo Ngoc Son, former deputy head of the import-export division, were sentenced to three years and two years and five months, respectively, for violating the States regulations on economic management resulting in serious consequences.

ang Huu Thinh, head of the import-export division, was sentenced to 2.5 years probation on the same count.

According to the indictment presented at the start of the four-day trial, Cofidec was at the time engaged in processing and trading agricultural, forestry and seafood products. It also imported machines, equipment and material related to its work.

Since February 2004, importers from the United States had stopped buying shrimps from Viet Nam, but they still instructed their employees to draw up fake contracts with international partners.

Thinh and Son helped Xuan and Tran prepare the fake contracts and shipped a large quantity of frozen shrimps to the United States, causing the company losses of VN38.7 billion (US$2.4 million).

Investigative police found that all the signatures by directors of foreign companies on the contracts were actually signed by Son, under the instructions of Xuan, Tran anh Thinh.

Xuan, as an acting director, also paid travel expenses for the mechanics who installed imported machines, although it was not stipulated in the machine import contracts, causing losses of VN73 million ($3,200) for the company.  VNS
HCM CITY  A court in HCM City has handed jail terms and suspended sentences to 64 people who participated in an online gambling ring operating on www.dafabet.com.

The Peoples Court on Monday sentenced ring leader Wong Boon Leong, a Singaporean resident, to 14 months and 24 days in prison for organising gambling.

Wongs sentence is equal to the time he has already spent behind bars since he was arrested in December 2015, which means he is allowed to walk free following the verdict.

The other 63 defendants who joined Wong in Dafabets activities received sentences ranging from nine months probation to three years in prison on charges of gambling and organising gambling.

According to the indictment, after arriving in Viet Nam in December 2014, Wong colluded with a number of accomplices to open 43 accounts at local banks to receive and transfer money as part of the Dafabet websites transactions.

The Dafabet website is an online betting and gaming site which is based in the Philippines.

Over VN320 billion (US$14 million) was transacted by the gambling ring and Wong and his accomplices illegally earned hundreds of millions of Vietnamese ong through the transactions. In particular, Wong received nearly $30,000 between March 2015 and November 2015.  VNS
HA NOI  Ha Noi Peoples Procurate on Tuesday decided to prosecute a couple and an airport employee for attempting to smuggle gold worth VN2.8 billion (US$122.600) to South Korea.

Aware that the gold prices in South Korea were higher than Viet Nam, Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh, a former Vietnam Airlines airhostess, planned with her husband Nguyen Ngoc Sang to accumulate domestic gold and smuggle it to South Korea to earn profits.

The couple borrowed money from friends and pawned a car and some properties of their relatives to collect VN2.6 billion to buy 3.1kg of gold.

The purchased gold was then melted and reshaped into four blocks of 5cm x 10cm x 5cm each.

After booking airplane tickets to South Korea, the couple gave their seat numbers to Pham Duy Nhuan, Anhs old acquaintance from her time working with Vietnam Airlines. Nhuan at the time was an aircraft repair technician at Noi Bai International Airport and thus had easy access to airplanes.

Some four hours before the couples boarding time, Nhuan took the gold from Anh and hid the gold under her husbands seat cushion in Vietnam Airlines flight VN416 bound for South Korea on July 27.

Upon boarding the plane, Sang and his wife were caught red-handed while searching for the gold blocks under his seat.

The four seized gold blocks were near absolute purity, with gold content at 99.99 per cent, according to the police.

The couple said they would have earned some VN20 million if the smuggling operation had been successful, although the police believed the profits could be more than VN100 million.  VNS
The Ministry of Health has asked 122 hospitals to interlink their medical exam results with each other in an effort to eliminate redundant examinations.  Photo VGP

HA NOI  The Ministry of Health has asked 122 hospitals to interlink their medical exam results with each other in an effort to eliminate redundant examinations.

The ministry said that 38 central-level hospitals would implement the sharing system from July 1, while others would have the system operational as of January 1, 2018.

Luong Ngoc Khue, director general of the Medical Examination and Treatment Department said the move would not only save time and money for patients but also would help standardise examination quality among hospitals.

According to Khue, the number of medical examinations was reported to rise 10 per cent per year from 2011-16.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Viet Tien said that a hospital should only conduct a medical test if it is really necessary.

Doctors have recently found that the excess of medical tests occurred partly because doctors did not trust results from other hospitals, he said.

Another reason was that doctors often do not carefully consider patients medical files before asking them to undergo medical examinations, he said.

The situation must be fixed soon, he added.

In addition, medical equipment is often funded by socialisation sources. Investors want more examinations conducted so that more profits can be gained.

Tien said directors of hospitals must think carefully before selecting medical equipment with suitable prices from investors.

MoH to issue criteria for laboratories

Khue said that to prepare for the interlink system, the ministry plans to approve a draft regulation with criteria to assess the quality of hospital laboratories this month.

According to the draft, laboratories will be rated at five levels. A health clinic will be suspended from operation if rated at the lowest level and remain closed until it totally fixes its problems.

Statistics from the ministry show the country now has 38 central-level hospitals under the health ministry, 492 provincial-level hospitals, 629 district-level hospitals and over 30,000 private health clinics.  VNS




Tran Trong Kien

If a travel agent offered you a tour where you would pay him for picking up trash, youd be excused for thinking hed lost his marbles.

In fact, the mastermind behind such an offer was told by many that his idea was crazy.

Nguyen Van Long decided to give it a shot, anyway.

Thus it is that a tour has opened in the ancient town of Hoi An where you pay a nominal fee of US$10 for the privilege of rowing a kayak along the Thu Bon River and spending pretty much the whole morning or afternoon picking up trash that spoils the otherwise beautiful landscape.

The $10 fee is waived for Vietnamese visitors.

Long, 34, said the fee was reasonable because he would take care of getting the kayaks, maintaining them and buying trash bags.

Everybody said it was a crazy idea. So I was surprised when a lot of people, first foreign tourists, then domestic ones and even local residents, were excited about joining the trips, Long told VietnamNet.

Paul Lasenby, a cyclist from England, couldnt get enough of the remarkable scenery in Hoi An, but he was saddened to see people recklessly discarding garbage in the river, ruining its beauty.

I think the tour is great. And hopefully, it will educate the local people, fishermen and hotels in the area, he said.

Lauding the initiative as an interesting one that would help elevate public awareness, Nguyen Van Son, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An Peoples Committee, personally pledged to appeal to more people and the entire political apparatus to join the cause of protecting the environment in the little city and its surroundings.

The idea can be seen as a bit embarrassing for us. One would think that foreign tourists come to Viet Nam, expecting to enjoy the beautiful scenery and vibrant culture, or just lazily lounge on sandy beaches. Instead they have to pay to clean up the very places theyve come to enjoy, places that we, the hosts, are trashing.

But, as they say, it is the thought that counts. The thought of doing something different, inviting the participation of foreigners, has apparently worked wonders, rousing people in the area to take action, and making others feel uncomfortable about not doing anything.

Tran Thi Ha of Cam Chau Ward in Hoi An City, was forthright: Foreigners come here and pay money to participate in collecting trash. I am the towns citizen, how can I not join the activity and advocate for more people to join?

Hopefully, more and more citizens will be proselytised thus, creating a critical mass where droves of people take direct action across the nation instead of shrugging their shoulders and looking away, as many of us are wont to do. Even more hopefully, such public participation in collecting trash will produce nothing less than a tectonic shift, putting a stop to littering in the first place.

From this perspective, this initiative has the potential to result in far-reaching changes.

Skeptics abound

Others, while in favour of the idea, remain skeptical.

Vu Hoa, 23, of Ha Noi, said that it was a surprisingly educational and helpful initiative, given that the participation of foreigners would certainly push more people to join. However, aside from low public awareness, she felt authorities must shoulder some of the blame for the piling up of garbage in Hoi An.

Nguyen Thanh Phuong, 46, also from Ha Noi, appreciated the thought behind the initiative, but said she would not want to join the activity, I contribute my part by not littering. I cant imagine I would join such tours.

She maintained that the collection and treatment of trash is the responsibility of agencies like the environment department. I mean, thats their job, and the way I see it, they have not done their job properly. And they should look at this grassroots initiative to reflect upon the lacklustre performance of their responsibilities.

Phuongs comment called to mind the recent negative and obstinate reaction of local ward officials when a spotlight was trained on the pollution in their jurisdiction by a foreigner.

The actions of James Joseph Kendall, an American who personally stepped into the nastily black waters of severely polluted ditches in Ha Noi to clear accumulated trash, was looked at askance by ward authorities who saw it, rightly, as drawing attention to their incompetence.

Of late, Vietnamese leaders have been paying more attention to pollution and similar problems. Senior-most leaders have been prefacing policy pronouncements with comments that growth will not be pursued at the cost of the environment. But, at this advanced stage of degradation, this is easier said than done.

One long-time expat resident of Ha Noi, who did not want to be named, said the environmental fallout of unbridled industrialisation and moderisation could have been seen right at the time doi moi was launched and precautionary measures taken.

That it has taken 30 years and many major pollution disasters for this awareness to seep in does not inspire confidence that it will translate into actions that can make a difference that will count, he said.

Well, lets see. All the recent measures taken so far, like increasing environmental protection fees, imposing heavier penalties and launching name-and-shame campaigns, look good on paper. Their effectiveness remains to be seen, though.

At the end of February, a woman was fined a whopping VN 6 million ($263), by no means a small sum in a country with per capita GDP of $2,220, for littering. The public welcomed the news, but we need to look at the fine print in this situation.

The heavier fines for polluters are contained in Resolution No.155/2016 that took effect on the first of February, but it was at the end of the month that the case was reported. One case of littering in a month? Given that this is Viet Nam, not Singapore, this is sadly absurd. It showcases underwhelming implementation of rules, low priority given to environmental protection, shortage of staff, and negligence.

It is in this context that this curious out of the box idea deserves consideration and appreciation. Hopefully this will inspire more whacky ideas, change more hearts and minds, and prompt more direct action by individual citizens and communities as a whole.

And then, who knows, we can start imagining a day when all such clean-up businesses go out of business.  VNS
SEOUL  South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday ordered ousted president Park Geun-Hye to appear before them next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

Park, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court last Friday, will be required to attend a prosecutors office in Seoul next Tuesday, a spokesman said.

"We have sent the order... to Parks lawyer this morning. The summons date is 9:30 am on March 21," he said in a statement.

Park, a criminal suspect in the scandal, had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the countrys highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

Fridays final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

Parks lawyer said Wednesday she would "co-operate" with the probe.

She is set to become the fourth former South Korean leader to be questioned by prosecutors over corruption scandals.

Two former army-backed leaders who ruled in the 1980s and the early 1990s -- Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo -- both served jail terms for bribery after they retired.

Another ex-president, Roh Moo-hyun, killed himself by jumping off a cliff in 2009 after being questioned by prosecutors over suspected bribery.

The latest corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Parks close confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly US$70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-hee -- has been named as Chois accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park.

Park is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including nomination of top officials and diplomats.

Park voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed" through her spokesman after returning to her private home on Sunday.

The ouster of Park -- who had commanded a huge following among older, conservative South Koreans who benefited from the rapid growth under her fathers 1961-79 rule -- has sparked angry, sometimes violent protests by her supporters.  AFP
PARIS  More than 800 health workers have died in "acts of war crimes" in Syria since 2011, in hospital bombings, shootings, torture and executions perpetrated mainly by government-backed forces, researchers said Wednesday.

The Syrian government and its ally, Russia, have turned the violent withholding of healthcare into a weapon of war, according to an analysis published in The Lancet medical journal.

This "weaponisation" of healthcare, it said, "has translated into hundreds of health workers killed, hundreds more incarcerated or tortured and hundreds of health facilities deliberately and systematically attacked."

In the crosshairs, an estimated 15,000 doctors -- about half the pre-war number -- fled the country, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to basic care.

"The international community has left these violations of international humanitarian and human rights law largely unanswered," the authors of the report said.

It was compiled by experts from universities in Beirut, Britain and the United States, as well as the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) and Multi-Aid Programs, an NGO.

The data they gathered showed that 782 health workers were killed from March 2011 to September last year.

Of the total, 247 (32 per cent) were doctors, 176 (23 per cent) nurses and 146 (19 per cent) medics, according to Physicians for Human Rights, a nonprofit group.

The rest included pharmacists, medical students, ambulance workers and veterinarians who were added to the list because they were killed while treating people.

Shelling and bombing of hospitals and clinics accounted for 426 (55 per cent) of deaths, the report said.

Decimated region

Shootings of medical professionals followed with 180 deaths (23 per cent), torture with 101 (13 per cent) and executions with 61 (eight per cent).

Since September 2016, at least 32 more lost their lives, "which brings the total number of health workers killed in acts of war crimes over the six years of the conflict to 814," the study said.

This was probably a gross underestimate, it added.

The war in Syria has killed at least 320,000 people and displaced millions in six years.

The evidence suggested that the Syrian government targeted medics as a strategy, and to an extent never before seen in war, the researchers said.

The majority of the attacks on health facilities, 94 per cent, were the work of "the Syrian government and its allies, including Russia".

"With the military surge that began in late September 2015, when Russia joined Syrian government forces, 2016 marked the worst year of the conflict to date in terms of attacks on medical facilities," the study said.

The SAMS reported 194 verified attacks last year, an 89-per-cent increase from 2015.

Almost a third of Syrians now live in areas with no health workers whatsoever, and another third are in areas with insufficient care, the report said.

Nearly half of hospitals were reported to be damaged.

A case in point: the Kafr Zita Cave Hospital in Hama has been bombed 33 times since 2014, including six times so far this year. And M10, an underground hospital in Aleppo, was attacked 19 times in three years before it was razed in October 2016.

While the remaining doctors -- many of them students or juniors with little experience -- brave the storm, international leaders have taken "little action on bringing the perpetrators to justice", the authors said.

The Lancet, in an editorial, pointed to "grievous failings by the global health community and international governance."

It called on the World Health Organisation to raise funds to prop up the health infrastructure and health workers in Syria, and to mobilise international support to resolve the humanitarian crisis.

"An entire region and its people have been decimated while the world has watched," the journal said. "Health and development will take decades to catch up."  AFP
ELK POINT, S.D.  Beef Products Inc.s $1.9 billion defamation lawsuit against ABC should proceed to trial this summer in Union County, a judge has ruled.

Circuit Judge Cheryle Gering did dismiss former World News Tonight anchor Diane Sawyer from the case, leaving American Broadcasting Companies Inc., the parent of ABC News, and correspondent Jim Avila as defendants.

Sawyers dismissal has no impact on the claims BPI will present to the jury, said the companys attorney, Erik Connolly, of Chicago.

We are pleased with the courts ruling and look forward to presenting our case to the jury, Connolly said in an emailed statement.

The trial is scheduled to begin June 5 in Union County Circuit Court and could last up to eight weeks.

In her ruling, issued at a hearing last month, Gering said the case warranted a trial before a jury.

A jury could determine that there is clear and convincing evidence that ABC Broadcasting and Mr. Avila were reckless, that defendants had obvious reason to doubt the veracity of informants, and that they engaged in purposeful avoidance of the truth, Gering said during a hearing last month, according to a transcript obtained by Reuters.

Gering ruled Sawyers role as an anchor limited her involvement in doing research and was not enough to establish defamation, according to Reuters.

ABC, Sawyer and Avila had sought the suits dismissal in October.

In August, lawyers filed a stipulation to voluntarily dismiss ABC News, David Kerley, Gerald Zirnstein, Carl Custer and Kit Foshee as defendants in the lawsuit, putting BPIs focus on American Broadcasting Companies Inc., Sawyer and Avila.

BPI, based in Dakota Dunes, sued ABC, its correspondents, federal officials and a former employee in September 2012 and will attempt to prove a series of stories and broadcasts that began in early March 2012 defamed the companys Lean Finely Textured Beef. BPI alleges the prolonged disinformation campaign caused a backlash against the product, which critics repeatedly referred to as pink slime, and led to a loss of $400 million in business, forcing the family-owned business to close all but its South Sioux City plant and lay off more than 700 workers, including a plant in Waterloo.

BPI estimates the reports did $1.9 billion in actual damages to the company and is seeking a jury award in that amount. If BPI wins at trial, its claim could be tripled to $5.7 billion under provisions of South Dakotas Agricultural Food Product Disparagement Act.

Closely watched by national news media and First Amendment experts, the trial has gained national attention. Because of the number of lawyers, witnesses and observers expected at the trial, the county will convert a community room in the courthouse basement into a temporary courtroom because the regular courtroom is too small.
NASHUA  Arthur J. Junior Lindell, 80, of Sioux City, formerly of Nashua, died Wednesday, Jan. 18, at a hospital in Sioux City.

He was born Feb. 12, 1936, in Greene, son of Arthur F. and Olga P. Sandine Lindell. He married Marlene Kruse on Dec. 28, 1958, in Newton.

He graduated from Greene High School in 1954. He attended Wartburg College, Waverly, and then transferred to Iowa State University where he studied farm operations. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. Art took a job with Hydrotile Machinery Co., Nashua, and worked there for 27 years. The company was sold to McCracken Co. in Sioux City in 1991. Art then transferred to Sioux City and worked another 10 years, retiring in 2001.

Survived by: two daughters, Deborah OBrien of Waverly and Paula Saul of Mesa, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by: his parents; two brothers, Glenn and Arvid; a sister, Betty; and a son-in-law, Mark Saul.

Joint memorial services: 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 17, at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, with inurnment in Harlington Cemetery, both in Waverly. Visitation will be for an hour before services Friday at the funeral home.
ELDORA  The City Council on Tuesday night voted 3-2 to fire City Administrator Bruce Bierma, Mayor Bob Jeske said immediately following the meeting.

The council took the action following about a half-hour executive session conducted during the regular council meeting, which lasted about 90 minutes, Jeske said.

Biermas dismissal is effective immediately, Jeske said. He noted Bierma has a contract with the city that allowed him about three months severance pay.

After a meeting last week, the council voted to notify Bierma by certified mail his job performance would be discussed at Tuesdays council meeting.

Reasons for the dismissal were not disclosed. Bierma was present at the meeting and requested a closed session under provisions of the state open meetings law. However, the council was required to take any action resulting from that discussion in open session.

Jeske, not a voting member of the council, said some issues had arisen during Biermas administration but nothing that he felt was out of the ordinary with any person in such a position. The mayor said he had no problem working with him.

Bierma had been Eldora city administrator since December 2014 and had previously been city administrator in Madrid, Clarion and Cherokee and several communities in Wisconsin, according to a profile on the Iowa City Management Association website.
The Defense Ministry of Artsakh Republic told Armenpress the Azerbaijani forces made over 55 ceasefire violations firing from various caliber small arms across Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.

March 15, 2017, 09:23 Azerbaijani forces fire more than 1890 shots at Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact

STEPANAKERT, MARCH 15, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Ministry issued an announcement which says: On March 14 and overnight March 15 the Azerbaijani side violated the ceasefire regime over 55 times by firing more than 1890 shots from various caliber small arms at the Armenian positions in the Artsakh-Azerbaijan line of contact.
The searches were performed in a manner that complies with Iowa State Law and Iowa Supreme Court decisions, according to a letter sent to parents and students by DHS Principal Kim Sheppard and Associate Principal Adam Riley.

No person was or will be searched or sniffed by the drug dog. If the presence of illegal drugs is detected in any students locker during a search, high school administration and law enforcement officers will contact the student assigned to use the locker and the content of the students bag or purse will be searched. All searches will be conducted in a manner that respects students privacy and rights, in addition to following Iowa State Law, the letter stated.
DES MOINES -- Iowa doctors would be barred from performing abortions after the 20th week of a pregnancy or face criminal penalties under a bill that passed the Iowa Senate on a 32-17 vote Tuesday evening.

Senate File 471 would not penalize women who seek or get a later-term abortion, but rather would create a situation where doctors who perform the abortions could face a felony and up to 10 years in prison. Two Democrats and Ocheyedan independent Sen. David Johnson joined 29 Republicans in supporting the bill while 17 Democrats opposed it.

Sen. Mark Costello, R-Imogene, the bill's floor manager, said current Iowa law makes it illegal to terminate a pregnancy after the end of the second trimester, and the bill's provisions would move up that timeline to 20 weeks post-fertilization.

"I wish we could go even further, but tonight we have a wonderful bill that we can at least save many children from 20 weeks and on," said Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull.

The bill provided an exception for circumstances in which the mother's life was in danger or to avert a serious health risk or physical impairment, Costello added, as well as an exception for "fetal anomaly incompatible with life" up until 24 weeks of the pregnancy.

"I think that it's a decent bill that we need to go ahead and pass and send it to the House," Costello said.

Tuesday's debate opened with Sen. Jake Chapman, R-Adel, offering an amendment to strike the bill's language and replace it with the so-called personhood bill -- which would have established in code that life begin at conception and could have effectively banned abortions.

The amendment was ruled irrelevant to the bill, but Chapman requested the Senate suspend the rules to take up the issue that was the subject of a separate bill that failed to advance through committee. Senators voted 33-16 to not suspend the rules by which the amendment was ruled not germane.

Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, expressed disappointment the personhood amendment failed, saying "we had a chance tonight to do something very special and it went down."

GOP senators and Ocheyedan independent Sen. David Johnson turned back an amendment, 30-19, offered by Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, to base the criteria instead on viability on the basis of medical judgment.

"I have to tell you I think this is probably one of the most mean-spirited bills I've seen yet this year and we've seen a lot of mean-spirited bills," said Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines. "You are not doctors. We are politicians messing in an area which we have no business to be involved in."

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, and other critics called Senate File 471 "unnecessary" and unconstitutional, contending the medical decisions contemplated in the bill should be made by a woman, her family and her physician -- not politicians. Supporters urged Iowa to join 15 other states that already have placed restrictions on abortions performed after 22 weeks gestation or 20 weeks post-fertilization."

"The war on women continues," said Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines. "This is really unfortunate."

After a subcommittee meeting last month, Erin Davison-Rippey, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said legislative action during this year's session could well see court action if approved and signed into law.
DES MOINES -- The Republican-led Iowa Senate voted 31-18 to approve legislation that supporters hope will beef up protections to fend off what they consider to be nuisance lawsuits challenging the location of large-scale livestock operations.

Senate File 447 allows for an affirmative defense to be raised in certain cause of actions in which an animal feeding operation is alleged to be a public or private nuisance or to otherwise interfere with a persons comfortable use and enjoyment of life or property. Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, said the bill creates new legal protections for animal agriculture producers who are "prudent" and "reasonable but not those considered to be bad actors.

He said the law is needed due to growing concern over new instability in the legal environment as nuisance lawsuits often brought with the backing of large, greedy out of state law firms and theyre targeting our producers. Ocheyedan independent Sen. David Johnson joined 17 minority Democrats in trying to make changes to protect rural residents from having large-scale livestock locate in close proximity in a way that infringes on their property rights and quality of life.

Two Democrats voted for the bill. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, compared the Senate debate to a bad acid trip at a time when Iowa is faced with deteriorating water quality and a master matrix for siting livestock operations that is not achieving its intended purpose. Zumbach called criticism of the bill a verbal slaughter of a major industry that provides 160,000 jobs for Iowa.

Hard to swallow

The Attorney Generals Office has filed suit in Polk County claiming the makers of drinkable sunscreen failed to prove their product provides the advertised protection against cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays.

The lawsuit against Osmosis LLC and Harmonized Water LLC, and their owner, Benjamin Taylor Johnson, MD, all of Evergreen, Colo., alleges the defendants initially marketed their UV Neutralizer, proclaimed as the worlds first drinkable sunscreen, without any valid testing to prove its claims. The lawsuit also alleges the defendants later conducted seriously flawed testing that recklessly gave consumers hollow assurances that they were protected from known health hazards, according to Attorney General Tom Miller.

We allege that Johnson and his companies put consumers at considerable risk by claiming that spraying UV Neutralizer into their mouths will provide hours of sun protection, Miller said. These defendants admit that this products only ingredient is water, and we allege they cant support their highly questionable claims that they can specially treat ordinary water to take on a wide range of health-enhancing properties.

Regent confirmed

The Iowa Senate voted 49-0 to approve retired Des Moines physician Michael Richards as a member of the state Board of Regents  the panel that oversees three state universities and two special schools. Richards has served on the panel for nearly a year, having been appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad to replace Mary Andringa after she resigned in April 2016. Gubernatorial appointees must receive a two-thirds majority of the Iowa Senate, or at least 34 affirmative votes, to be confirmed to a state board or commission.

Right to try

The Iowa Senate voted 49-0 Tuesday to approve right-to-try legislation that would make it easier for terminally ill patients to get access to experimental drugs. Senate File 404 would permit manufacturers of investigative drugs, biological products or devices to make them available to eligible patients with terminal illnesses for use as a treatment so long as they provide written informed consent. This gives patients hope, said Sen. Rick Bertrand, R-Sioux City, floor manager for Senate File 404 which now goes to the Iowa House, which failed to approve the measure last session.

Foreign dignitaries

The Iowa Capitol building will have an international flavor Wednesday with state officials hosting dignitaries from Canada. Wednesday has been designated as Canada day at the Capitol with Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Andrew Leslie, Canadas Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, will meet Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowas legislative leaders during events in Des Moines to celebrate Iowas top trade partnership. During the visit, the Canadian delegation will present the state of Iowa with an official gift commemorating Canadas sesquicentennial.

Anne Rabbitte, a member of Irelands Fianna Fail Party in the Irish Parliament, was slated to address both chambers of the Iowa Legislature Wednesday and meet with the governor before traveling to Emmetsburg to participate in St. Patricks Day observances in the northwest Iowa community. She had to cancel her Capitol visit due to an East Coast snowstorm but she still planned to keep her Emmetsburg commitments.
WATERLOO  The city has scheduled its first public input meeting on the future of University Avenue.

City officials and consultants with the AECOM engineering firm will host the meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Schoitz Room at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, 225 Commercial St.

Mayor Quentin Hart said the informal event is the first of several meetings the city will hold as it prepares to reconstruct 2.83 miles of University from U.S. Highway 63 to the Cedar Falls city limits at Midway Drive.

The public was asking, When can we have some dialog, conversation to give input in to this process? Hart said. This is just the beginning.

Residents at council meetings and on social media have been debating whether the project should include roundabouts or be narrowed from six to four lanes even before last fall when the Iowa Department of Transportation transferred jurisdiction of the former state highway to the city.

The city is getting $28 million over three years from the state to help rebuild the crumbling roadway.

Neighboring Cedar Falls received $20 million from IDOT to take over its portion of University Avenue years earlier and is nearly halfway through its reconstruction process.

Waterloo City Engineer Eric Thorson said Tuesdays meeting will include a 6 p.m. presentation by AECOM to go over information collected during the IDOT-funded University Avenue study.

The city and consultants will take verbal comments, have comment sheets available and hope to have a web-based comment form in place soon.

Were getting all the basics out there so people know what were looking at, he said. We also wanted to get their comments in before we get too far along in the process.

Thorson said the city hopes to have a design in place and be ready to seek bids on the first phase of the project by January 2018.

Well probably be working out there for the next four years, he added.
Landlord group elects officers

WATERLOO  Sue Schauls was recently elected as president of Black Hawk Landlords.

Other officers include LaTonya Stokes as vice president; Stephanie Kruse, treasurer; and Karen Atwood, secretary.

Black Hawk Landlords hold monthly educational meeting at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Waterloo Elks Club. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. for $15 per person, and at 7 p.m. the educational program begins.

This month Waterloo rental inspector Barry Stratton will discuss Inspection Readiness for the program Thursday. There is no charge to attend just the program.

Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend with reservations to BlackHawkLandlord@gmail.com by the Monday before the meeting.

Sheriff to host town meeting

EVANSDALE  Sheriff Tony Thompson will host his 99th town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Evansdale City Hall, 123 N. Evans Road. Topics will include county law enforcement efforts, neighborhood watch and burglary prevention, range issues, gun laws, budget, the radio project and more. People are welcome to bring questions, comments and concerns.

UNI teacher ed convocation set

CEDAR FALLS  The University of Northern Iowa College of Education will host its bi-annual teacher education induction convocation at 4 p.m. March 22 at Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

About 250 students have satisfied requirements for admission into the UNI teacher education program and are invited to participate in the formal ceremony as an official induction into the field of study. Gaetane Jean-Marie, dean of the College of Education and professor, will deliver the convocation address.

Jim Wohlpart, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs and professor of English, will perform the official duties.

This ceremony marks the 53rd group of candidates inducted into the teacher education program since the formal ceremonies began in 1991. Parents and friends of the candidates and UNI faculty and administrators are invited to attend. A reception will follow the ceremony in the lobby of the Gallagher Bluedorn.
WATERLOO  The city of Waterloo invites individuals, groups and business to make a positive contribution and show their civic pride by participating in Citywide Waterloo Spring Cleanup Month throughout April.

Citizens are encouraged to organize teams of co-workers, club or church members, classmates, friends and family to collect litter and beautify areas of their choosing or a designated area assigned by the city.

Cleanup teams should register with the Waterloo Public Works Sanitation Department. Registered teams will receive reflective vests and trash bags for trash collection at designated locations. Cleanup activities may be scheduled anytime during April. Individuals seeking to participate also may register to be connected with participating teams.

The Waterloo Public Works-Sanitation Department along with the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau have identified high-visibility areas of the city frequented by visitors.

What people see when they drive through Waterloo may be the first and only chance we have to make a good impression. Some of our highest traffic areas are also prone to the most litter, said Aaron Buzza, director of Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau. Participating in spring cleanup is something everyone can do to make a positive impact and show community pride.

Organizers hope the monthlong focus will have a long-term impact by encouraging citizens to take ownership by monitoring and maintaining their neighborhoods and business districts throughout the year.

For more information or to register a team, contact Sam Barrett, operations supervisor, at 291-4445 or samuel.barrett@waterloo-ia.org.
DECORAH  The towns of Decorah, Ossian and Castalia are readying plans for the 45th Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) to come through in July.

Bikers will peddle through Decorah on July 28, during Nordic Fest, and continue to Ossian and Castalia before heading to Waukon.

Local officials said the selection of Decorah as a pass-through community was a result of many Decorah residents and business owners reaching out to RAGBRAI organizers to support the ride. RAGBRAI begins July 22 in Orange City and concludes July 29 in Lansing. Other overnight stops are Spencer, Algona, Clear Lake, Charles City, Cresco and Waukon.

We are very excited to find a compromise that allows RAGBRAI and Nordic Fest to overlap. The Fest will allow us to provide a unique and memorable experience for the riders, said Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristina Wiltgen.

Because of the excitement in the community over the new hotel, our local breweries and renewed focus on recreation and tourism, there is enthusiasm about this announcement. Having RAGBRAI come through central Winneshiek County will help showcase our area to a whole new group of people, added Decorah City Manager Chad Bird.

RAGBRAI was last in Decorah in 1999, when the city served as an overnight stop. Because RAGBRAI and Nordic Fest typically fall at the same time of July, it has been difficult to plan or host both events. The route for 2017 will bring riders through Decorah during the morning when the community will welcome them, leaving most of the day open to traditional Nordic Fest activities.

RAGBRAI leaves Decorah on County Road W-38 toward Ossian, a community thats been on the route two times before.

We have a small committee were bringing together to plan activities, said Ossian resident Clark Goltz.

Other Ossian residents serving on the planning committee include Terry Linderbaum, Pam Buddenberg and Joyce Bakewell.

Goltz said the organizations that will be involved in fundraising activities during RAGBRAI would share all the costs and then divide the proceeds. As the committee adds other representatives from the community, members will focus on different responsibilities, including food, decorations, traffic and cleanup.

Goltz said Ossians new educational and performance pavilion will be open the weekend of RAGBRAI and live music will be performed there as riders go through town. Goltz also said no other communities would have the bike-themed decorations Ossian is planning.

Castalia City Clerk Chris Bodensteiner said the community is just beginning to plan activities for RAGBRAI. The ride has never traveled through Castalia before.

Castalia residents Margaret Jones and Marlene Mengelson are the co-chairs of the RAGBRAI committee. Anyone with questions or who is interested in volunteering should contact them.
If you listen to the media narrative on climate change and clean energy, youd think the rest of the world has moved smartly and seamlessly toward 21st century green energy while the U.S. is the high-polluting laggard that just wont get with the program to save the planet.

Think again. The green energy revolution around the world has turned into a big green meltdown, with many nations sprinting away from renewable energy with the speed of Usain Bolt.

Here are a few of the latest news flashes from Europe and Asia. In Germany, the world leader in green energy, electricity prices have now reached a level triple those paid in the United States. Imagine the anger here if middle-class Americans saw a tripling of their utility bills each month.

In Britain, to comply with renewable energy requirements, power stations are burning hundreds of millions of pounds of wood pellets (pellets imported from the U.S.). Environmental experts confirm burning wood is much worse for the environment than burning natural gas or even coal.

Australia, another green energy leader, saw its electricity prices skyrocket this past winter. According to an analysis by the Institute for Energy Research, power costs surged unbelievably  from $100 per megawatt hour to $10,000 per megawatt hour. This was because of heavy dependence on an unreliable renewable energy program. The government had to reopen one of its shuttered natural-gas plants to keep prices from further exploding.

Sweden announced a decade ago it was all-in on green energy, and the government launched a wind-power program. Embarrassingly, Swedish politicians now have had to acknowledge the program has become so expensive and inefficient the government will phase out the subsidies lavished on the industry.

In each of these cases, the economies and local factories have taken a big hit. According to the Institute for Energy Research analysis of Australia: The government has found that its electric system that is heavily reliant on wind power (40 percent comes from intermittent renewable sources) cannot cope without reliable power from traditional generation sources. The fallout is that Australia is finding that its energy-intensive businesses are relocating to Asian countries that provide stable regulation and costs, lower taxes, cheaper wages and less red tape.

So, very quietly, Europe and other nations arent going so green anymore. The European Union spent an estimated $750 billion on green-energy handouts over the past decade, and all its bought them is a doubling of power costs. This has given American steel, auto manufacturers, light manufacturers, agriculture businesses and technology firms a big competitive edge in world markets.

Its no wonder European nations and Australia are desperate for the U.S. to move to the same dimwitted green energy policies they have adopted.

What would that mean for America? One study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimated if America were to adopt the same mandates for renewable energy, the total cost to American consumers would be more than $600 billion and our industries would pay out at least $30 billion more.

By the way, the U.S. already provides subsidies to wind and solar power. And according to a 2016 American Action forum study, these subsidies are five times greater per unit of energy produced than subsidies given to nuclear power and 20 times more generous than those given to fossil fuels. Yet despite all the money spent on them, wind and solar power still account for less than 5 percent of American energy output. Why not just eliminate all American energy subsidies and let the free market decide?

Thankfully, Donald Trump has made it known adopting more of the policy quackery of Europe  at a time when the U.S. has more recoverable shale oil and gas and more clean coal than any other nation on the planet  is no way to make America great again. Europe is running away from the fantasy of green energy, and this is one rare instance when America may want to follow their lead.
Around Midland and around the world, loving and leading all people to deeper life in Jesus Christ.
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 15, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: I will repeat once again, we dont want war, we want to solve this issue peacefully, with the help of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the President stressed.

Serzh Sargsyan reminded that during the last three years the Azerbaijani side often mentions that the status-quo is unacceptable. Actually the status-quo is unacceptable: we would also like for everything to change, and Azerbaijan to recognize the right for self determination of the people of Nagorno Karabakh, in that case the status quo will really change. Everything else derives from this. This is an indissoluble right. Todays world order hints this. If there was no self determination right, is there was no possibility to exercise it, then both Armenia and Azerbaijan would be a part of the Soviet Union. You cant become an independent state through self determination in one case, and then oppose another case. This is unacceptable. This way, is the Azerbaijani side really recognizes the right of the people of Nagorno Karabakh and it self determines, all other issues will be solved very quickly, he said.
Astros take World Series title over Phillies in six games
By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 14, 2017 | 11:27 AM | GRAVES COUNTY, KY

A Mayfield mother and son were arrested Monday on drug and stolen property charges.

According to Graves County Sheriff Dewayne Redmon, 34-year-old Justin Harrison had previously been arrested on drug and firearm charges recently and was in possession of a defaced firearm at the time of his arrest. Redmon said the results of an ATF trace was received Monday and it was determined that the firearm was stolen.

Harrison was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property-firearm and lodged in the Graves County Jail.

Later Monday afternoon, Redmon said Harrison's mother, 55-year-old Teresa Manning, was arrested at her home on KY 1710 after deputies responded to a disturbance call. During the investigation into the disturbance, a search of the home was conducted and officers reportedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Manning was arrested and charged with possession of meth. She was also lodged in the Graves County Jail.
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Bacon or  in Russian!

Not very available in the past, but as I have said many times, Russians are producing and producing everything now

129 rubles for 350 grams and I had to try it. This morning Boza and I had bacon wraps and they were oh so delicious

It is a lifes simple pleasures

If you actually stop and smell the roses once in awhile? Then you may find in that whiff of fragrance, an idea that life is only simple pleasures. Simple pleasures are wonderful, for they take no energy & strain to enjoy or love. Even magnanimous joys can be overpowering to the body and soul, not to speak of preponderances as they tear you down. So allow the simple pleasures to envelope you. They take nothing from you and give so much in return

Now if I can just find a decent Mexican food source!

WtR
MIPIM Day 2 has just started with innovation and architecture sessions at Innovation Forum of the event! Today's first talk focused on new urban planning models, discussing Barcelona and Luxembourg's new strategic regeneration plans.

Moderated by Peter Woodward, Facilitator-Quest Associates, the session featured Daniel Modol, Councillor for Architecture, Urban Landscape and Heritage

Barcelona City Council, Joseph Rull I Andreu, Minister of Territory and Sustainability, Government of Catalonia and Etienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy.

The session briefly asked how do smart cities develop into inclusive, sustainable and cohesive environments? How can a country address the challenges of the new industrial revolution? and Catalonia and Luxembourg's major decisions to be made for future generations.

Daniel Modol has made an impressive presentation about Barcelona and its heritage and showed that how their strategic urban decisions are transformed from ''classical urban planning'' into ''urban architecture'' by protecting urban legacy. Modol discussed strategic approaches of Barcelona architecture for urban regeneration.

''We are changing the tools and zooming in in the city's urban support,'' said Daniel Modol. ''Our urban planning the city has become known as the ''Barcelona Model.''

Left to right: Etienne Schneider, Peter Woodward, Daniel Modol and Joseph Rull I Andreu

In the second part of the talk, Etienne Schneider discussed the effective transformation models within the economy for Luxembourg. Particularly, Schneider urged upon i-city models, interconnectivity, mobility and smart buildings and insisted that how all these services are directly related to fully sustainable life, circulation of economy and interconnected city.

''Transportation problem is very important to our basic infrastructure and its improvement for the future developments. We need to bring all the basic facilities together and we should think what we should do next?,'' said Etienne Schneider.

Left to right: Joseph Rull I Andreu, Peter Woodward, Daniel Modol and Etienne Schneider

''We need smart buildings that are interconnected each other, or positive houses reducing energy in local areas,'' added Schneider. ''Mobility is the key service we need to provide and we fund all mobility services for our citizens.''

''We target digitalise the city for better interconnectivity for fully sustainable life and economy. While doing that, cyber security becomes important because all data is collected somewhere and you need to how it is protected.

Barcelona-Catalonia is one of the exhibiting cities at MIPIM with the basic themed-question ''Why Barcelona?'', creating the conditions for social and economic progress.

Barcelona-Catalonia is made up of a set of projects located in the metropolitan area to form a fairer, more efficient and more sustainable urban development model. A model that opts for redevelopment as a way of dealing with social inequalities and improving quality of life, and as a strategy to begin the energy transition to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and cut emissions of atmospheric pollutants.

All images  WAC
STEPANAKERT, MARCH 15, ARTSAKHPRESS:From the positions of the Defense Army of the Republic of Artsakh, the monitoring was conducted by Field Assistants to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO) Ghenadie Petrica (Moldova) and Khristo Khristov (Bulgaria), as well as staff member of the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO Peter Svedberg (Sweden).

From the opposite side of the Line of Contact, the monitoring was conducted by Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, his Field Assistant Irji Aberle (Czech Republic) and Personal Assistant Simon Tiller (Great Britain).

The monitoring passed in accordance with the agreed schedule. No violation of the ceasefire regime was registered.

From the Artsakh side, the monitoring mission was accompanied by representatives of the Republic of Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense.
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I would like to extend the hand of friendship to yourself and the people of Simbu on behalf of Noosa Council and its residents, Cr Wellington wrote.

He was responding formally to an invitation from Simbu Governor, Hon Noah Kool Yalba MP, to sanction the project at an official level.

Cr Wellington also advised that two of his six councillors expressed enthusiasm about participating personally in Projek Wantok (Project Friendship) and will do so.

NOOSA mayor Tony Wellington, just one year in the job, has strongly endorsed a project initiated by the Simbu provincial government to establish a relationship between the people of Simbu in Papua New Guinea and Noosa Shire in Australia.

I understand that our mutual friend Keith Jackson is taking the initiative of establishing a local committee and that he will be the convenor of the project from this end.



We have two Noosa councillors who are keen to participate in Projek Wantok, and Keith will make contact with them.

I appreciate that this opportunity will be a cultural exchange encouraging young people and community leaders to share information and interests, Cr Wellington (pictured outside the council chambers) said.

I also appreciate that the project will not require resourcing by Noosa Council, but will be a voluntary community effort with Council support. I enjoyed meeting the Papua New Guinean writers that visited our Shire last year.

Councillors Jess Glasgow and Dr Brian Stockwell will participate in the 12-month pilot scheme which will establish teams focussing on portfolio areas such as government, education, the environment, womens affairs, sport, tourism and the arts.

Team leaders will be appointed in both Simbu and Noosa who will define and manage projects in each specialist area.

Cr Glasgow (right), in his mid thirties, is easily the youngest Noosa councillor, is serving his first term and already emerging as a keen community builder.

Cr Stockwell (left) has been re-elected to Noosa Council after an absence of some years during which he completed a doctorate in environmental planning. He is a firm advocate for the regions indigenous population and, when being sworn in as a councillor, read part of his speech in the local Kabi Kabi language.
Mar 15, 2017 | By Julia

3D printing filament maker 3D-Fuel has teamed up with NatureWorks LLC in the launch of its newest filament: Advanced PLA+ (or APLA+). A new and improved version of 3D-Fuels original APLA filament, APLA+ is an advanced Ingeo PLA formulation that offers high heat and impact resistance.



For those new to 3D-Fuel, in the spring of last year we reported a large merger between filament producing companies 3Dom USA, 3Dom Europe, and 3D-Fuel. The resulting umbrella company was aptly labelled 3DomFuel, which continued to produce the 3D-Fuel brand following the unification. At the time, the recently merged 3DomFuel touted an increase in production and R&D capabilities, as well as a renewed focus on materials development. Now, the fruits of that labour have finally hit the 3D printing filament market with the release of APLA+.



APLA+ was designed with the high impact strength needed in industrial applications to meet the growing demand by companies for a material with the properties of ABS, but the printability of PLA, said 3D-Fuel representatives in an official press release.



The difference should be immediately noticeable to users. Whereas annealed APLA filament displays impact strength levels that almost double those of standard PLA filaments, the new APLA+ weighs in at a whopping 4.3 times stronger than that of PLA, according to company reps.

Both APLA+ and its predecessor APLA are annealing PLAs that exhibit high heat resistance.

Even before post-processing, APLA+ exhibits much higher impact strength than ABS, but following a post-print annealing process, the filaments are crystallized, providing additional heat and impact properties.





3D-Fuel also scores bragging rights that stretch back to the filaments original development concepts. Thats because APLA+ was created specifically for 3D printing, whereas many filament materials are formulated first for other industries then adapted for FDM filaments. The new filaments predecessor, APLA, was the first ever material formulated specifically for 3D printers.



Additionally, all of 3D-Fuels PLA materials (ranging from Ingeo PLA, to the aforementioned APLA and APLA+) are NatureWorks Ingeo certified. This special certification means all 3D-Fuel filaments have passed a defined set of tests to assure top product quality.



APLA+ is now available for purchase at 3DFuel.com. While the filament is currently only available in Natural, other colours are expected to be released soon. The filament is manufactured at 3D-Fuels own production facilities in either Fargo, North Dakota or Moville, Ireland, depending on customer location. Pricing is currently set at $49.99 per spool.

Posted in 3D Printing Materials

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Mar 15, 2017 | By Tess

Illinois-based construction corporation Caterpillar Inc. has announced a three-year partnership with German additive manufacturing company FIT AG. Through the partnership, the companies will work together to design and 3D print aluminum and titanium parts destined for Caterpillars large-scale construction machinery.

Caterpillar, which has dabbled with 3D printing technologies in the past (3D printing multi-material surgical heart models, launching a 3D printing accelerator at its Illinois HQ), seems to want to increase its stake in the technology. Through the new partnership with additive manufacturing solutions provider FIT AG, the construction company will seek to benefit further from 3D printing, specifically in the heavy manufacturing sector.

Similarly, FIT AG will gain insight through Caterpillars manufacturing and product expertise, expanding its own experience in the industrial equipment market. Carl Fruther, CEO of FIT AG, said of the partnership: We are thrilled to enter into a strategic alliance with Caterpillar. Caterpillar is a world leader in many markets, which will benefit greatly from additive manufacturing. However, this requires innovative technologies and new thinking combined with experience and deep know-how. Our companies complement each other with their respective strengths.

Based in Lupburg, Germany, FIT AG is one of Germanys leading providers of rapid prototyping services and additive manufacturing solutions. The company, which was founded in 1995, has grown to employ 250 people and has operations in its home of Lupburg, as well as Hamburg, Germany, and in Boston.

Stacey DelVecchio, Caterpillar Additive Manufacturing Project Manager stated: Caterpillar has a long history of creating innovative products designed to fit the needs of our customers and entering into a strategic alliance with a leader in additive manufacturing will help further that tradition. Not only will Caterpillar now have access to FIT AGs cutting-edge technologies in additive manufacturing but this alliance will also help accelerate our adoption of 3D printing.

As mentioned, the additive manufacturing partnership between FIT AG and Caterpillar was signed for a three-year term. Depending on the success of the partnership after that period, the alliance could very well be extended.

Caterpillar Inc. was founded in 1925 and has grown to become one of the most recognized and established construction companies in the U.S. Currently, the company is the subject of some significant controversy, as it is facing allegations of tax evasion.

FIT AG recently made headlines for investing $1.1 million into Polish 3D printer manufacturer Sinterit.

Posted in 3D Printer Company

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Mar 15, 2017 | By Benedict

Deutsche Bahn (DB), a German railway company that generates yearly revenue of almost 40 billion euros, used the Additive Manufacturing Forum Berlin 2017 to encourage suppliers to adopt additive manufacturing technology, which can reduce delivery times and inventory costs for spare parts.

Dont let its name and businesslike appearance fool you: the 2017 Additive Manufacturing Forum Berlin was for all intents and purposes a speed dating event. Bringing together a huge number of transport, aerospace, and automotive manufacturers, as well as a raft of 3D printing companies, the fair was a chance for additive manufacturing to bat its eyes at manufacturers yet to adopt 3D printing.

The Cupid in command of the whole affair? DB, which is actively encouraging its part suppliers to get on board with 3D printing in order to shorten delivery times and reduce inventory costs for spare parts. Last year, the giant railway company established Mobility Goes Additive, a group of transportation companies and additive manufacturing businesses who together are trying to accelerate the widespread adoption of 3D printing within the field.

The huge Additive Manufacturing Forum, which took place at the Estrel Congress & Messe Center in Berlin at the beginning of the month, was hosted by DB, aerospace company Airbus, and additive manufacturing company EOS. Airbus already has a huge number of 3D printing companies on speed dial, having worked with the likes of Autodesk, Arconic, and Renishaw, but the event was a chance for DB to push for the adoption of 3D printing technology all the way down its own supply chain.

If there was any doubt as to the motives of the host companies, the described theme of the Forum saw to that. It read: The use of 3D printing in industrial companies leads to a significant reduction in development and delivery times and a drastic reduction in inventories. In addition, a consistent implementation of the production concept of Mass Customization becomes possible. There are pioneers of 3D technology in the aviation and automotive industry, as well as in mechanical engineering and medical technology.

Additive Manufacturing Forum Berlin 2017

It is that increase in speed and drastic reduction in inventories that would help DB most significantly. At present, the company spends a staggering half a billion euros every year on its vehicles, and a large percentage of that figure goes into maintaining a huge inventory of spare parts. Ultimately, DB needs companies across its supply chain to start digitizing those spare parts and 3D printing them on demand, instead of manufacturing and storing large batches of them just in case they are needed.

The problem, of course, is how to convince those suppliers that a move to additive manufacturing with benefit them, and not just the big fish at the top of the supply chain like DB. If those suppliers make money from having unused DB parts lying around, they have little incentive to shake things up with new technologythough presumably DB wont tolerate such a stubborn attitude for long. However, if 3D printing can help reduce overheads for the suppliers, and consequently pass on some knock-on advantages to DB, everyone could be a winner.

Whether the Additive Manufacturing Forum managed to convince DB suppliers to get on board with 3D printing remains to be seen, but well be keeping a close eye on Germany to see if any happy new relationships are formed over the coming months.

Posted in 3D Printing Application

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Peter van der Zouwen wrote at 3/16/2017 7:35:53 AM:Hi. Liked the article, and loved the point about it not being in the n-tier supplier's interest to sell less parts. I was at the same conference, this was my take: https://blog.digifabster.com/am-supplier-development-in-berlin-7c0dfe081a5b#.z0wdp1cwh so basically I saw three more problems: the half a billion in spare parts is mainly consumption, so what is the "large percentage" that "goes into maintaining a huge inventory of spare parts"? Second problem was that the Deutsche Bahn team responsible for the conference is not in any way interested in the other possibilities of AM, like light-weighting, basically they want their suppliers to digitalize their current parts "as is" and print on demand. Third problem, closely conneted to the first: No pointers were given as to how produce spare parts in AM at a price level that would make it worthwhile for DB to consider to switch? If at the moment they consume 400.000.000 of the half a billion per year in spare parts and switch to AM everywhere, this sum would double, if not triple, where's the sense in that?




Mar 15, 2017 | By Tess

Over recent years, 3D printing chocolate has transformed from a gimmicky technology to a fully marketable manufacturing process for high-quality chocolates. And while Godiva might not be gift wrapping 3D printed edibles anytime soon, startups have popped up around the globe which are using 3D printing to make unique and mouth-watering chocolates.

The latest in chocolate 3D printing is coming out of the French Riviera, where three individuals, Thibaut, Olivier, and Edouard, co-founded Les 3Dandies, a gourmet 3D printed chocolate startup that was inspired by none other than Willy Wonka, the eccentric candy maker from Roald Dahls famous childrens book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Like Wonka, Les 3Dandies founders were determined to offer special chocolates, unlike any you can find at a standard shop.

Les 3Dandies, which launched in January, offers its clients customized, specially designed 3D printed chocolates made from quality, fair-trade, and organic chocolate. Whether youre looking for a chocolate bar or a box of chocolates, Les 3Dandies has lots to offer.

As the French startup explains on its website, it uses two complementary 3D printing technologies: traditional 3D printing to make custom molds in which they can make chocolates, and chocolate 3D printing which is used to make unique, more complex chocolate designs. Currently, however, the chocolate 3D printing technology is quite slow, taking about 40 minutes to make a 5 x 5 cm chocolate.

Through the startups website, customers can not only order 3D printed chocolates, but customize them in terms of design, chocolate type, and size. The customization feature could be very useful for special events such as weddings or corporate events. The marketing potential is also plain as day.

In addition to the customizable chocolates, Les 3Dandies has also featured a number of boxed chocolate collections, including a set inspired by atomic structures, and one called Partie de Plaisir. These are listed as costing 24.90 and 19.90, respectively.

Les 3Dandies is one of several startups that is using 3D printing to create unique and delectable chocolate treats. What sets the startup apart from many others, however, is the extent to which they are using the technology. Not only using it to make molds, they are also putting an emphasis on chocolate that has actually been printed.

Currently, the Les 3Dandies team consists of its founders, Thibaut, Olivier, and Edouard, as well as Marie, a chocolatier trained at Lenotre; and Florian, a product designer from ENSCI. Les 3Dandies is reportedly working on a special Easter collection of 3D printed chocolates, which we cant wait to see (and maybe even taste!).

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Mar 15, 2017 | By Benedict

Israel-based 3D printer company Micron3DP has completed the first internal installations of its unique glass 3D printer. The 3D printer reportedly uses an FDM-style process to deposit 1000C molten glass at layer thicknesses as fine as 100 microns.

Micron3DP's glass 3D printers

Regular readers may know a thing or two about Micron3DP, an Israel-based company that has garnered attention for its development of glass 3D printing technology. Nobody outside of Micron3DP has used one of the companys top-secret glass 3D printers, but the company has revealed that the printer uses an FDM-style process to heat up molten glass to 1000C before depositing it at surprisingly high resolution. Even without taking print quality into account, thats a pretty impressive featjust try using your FDM 3D printer at 1000C. (Dont.)

Luckily for us, widely available high-resolution glass 3D printing is now closer than ever, because Micron3DP has just announced the first internal installations of its glass 3D printers. These Alpha units will be used to 3D print complex glass parts at Micron3DPs Tel Aviv headquarters, and are currently capable of printing with two types of glass: soda lime and borosilicate. The 3D printing company is also exploring the possibility of introducing additional materials.

We are constantly improving our glass 3D printing technology and we are proud to operate our first Alpha printers at our facilities, proving the ability to print high-resolution complex glass parts with a layer thickness as low as 100 microns, said Eran Gal-Or, CTO at Micron3DP. The company is currently awaiting a patent for its glass additive manufacturing technology.

3D printed glass objects fabricated on a Micron3DP 3D printer

With a build volume of 200 x 200 x 300 mm, these Micron3DP glass 3D printers will resemble regular FDM 3D printers in many ways, materials aside. Their use, however, may be very different. The market for 3D printed glass doesnt really exist yet, but Micron3DP thinks that medical, architectural, and engineering firms could all be targeted as potential customers thanks to the chemical resistance, biocompatibility, and versatility of printed glass.

We are confident that there are many applications in these various markets which are waiting to be explored along the road, said Arik Bracha, CEO at Micron3DP. We are open for any ideas coming from engineers, designers, artists, and other professionals that will see the big potential of using this new technology.

It is quite clear that the future of the 3D printing / additive manufacturing industry mainly depends on materials, added Haim Levi, CBO at Micron3DP, in an email to 3Ders. We have seen the big move from polymers (and other types of plastics) to metals, and then on to composite materials and ceramics. We believe that by adding glass to the industry, Micron3DP will open up new applications and offer solutions to yet unmet needs.

Most of 2017 will be spent ironing out the kinks in Micron3DPs in-house Alpha 3D printers. By the end of the year, however, Beta units could be shipped out to select partners and customers, while a public demonstration of the 3D printer is scheduled to take place at November's formnext 2017 3D printing expo in Frankfurt, Germany.

For the sake of transparency, we hope the company keeps us up to date with its exciting developments!

Posted in 3D Printing Technology

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Your weekly dose of delicious.





August 1 Five Celebrates Holi

Holi, the festival of colors, is a Hindu celebration hailing from India and Nepal that celebrates the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil. August 1 Five, the new modern Indian restaurant on Van Ness, is celebrating with festive dishes. Chef Manish Tyagi will be serving up Dahi Bhalla, a colorful street food of fermented black lentils, tamarind chutney, green mint chutney, white yogurt, red chili powder, and purple beet dust, and a Kulfi falooda, a dense Indian ice cream made with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and fine vermicelli noodles, to help cool things down. // March 13thApril 13th (closed Sundays), 524 Van Ness (Civic Center)., august1five.com





Presidio Picnic Returns Sunday

Spring is here, which means more sunlight, asparagus at the farmers market, and of course, Presidio Picnic, hosted by The Presidio Trust and Off the Grid, returns this Sunday. New vendors this year include Arepa, Marla Bakery, Hookt Mini Dougnuts, and Senor Sesig; returning vendors include Del Popolo, DUM Truck, Nopalito, The Whole Beast, and Wing Wings, home of San Francisco's best fried chicken. // Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Main Parade Ground at The Presidio (Presidio), presidiopicnic.com









Cafe Opens in Benny Gold

Mission residents have a new place to get caffeinated. Benny Gold, San Francisco's favorite skater/designer, has opened up a cafe inside his eponymous brick-and-mortar retail storefront on Valencia. He has copper cauldrons brewing small batches of chai from Samovar tea lounge (there are hot and iced versions), as well as pour-overs with beans from Four Barrel. // Open daily, 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., 968 Valencia St (Mission), bennygold.com





Back Pocket Pasta at Barzotto

Back Pocket Pasta, the pasta book written by Colu Henry, is on a cross-country book tour. She's stopping at Barzotto next Tuesday and Barzotto will be cooking up a few dishes from the book to celebrate. Colu will be on hand to answer your pasta questions and sign books. // $50, Tuesday March 21, 7-9 p.m., 1270 Valencia St (Mission). Get tickets here.









California Artisan Cheese Festival

The California Artisan Cheese Festival is rapidly approaching. The non-profit celebration of all things cheese takes place from March 24-26 in Petaluma and this year is chock full of new offerings to help raise more money for local farmers and cheesemakers, including farm tours, two intimate cheesemaker dinners, and a champagne brunch hosted by The Cheese Twins, the Food Network's newest cheese-loving stars. // $20-$150, March 24-26, 745 Baywood Drive (Petaluma). Get tickets here.
Physicians should be proficient at managing symptoms as patients progress through the dying process. When possible, proactive regimens that prevent symptoms should be used, because it is generally easier to prevent than to treat an acute symptom. As swallowing function diminishes, medications are typically administered sublingually, transdermally, or via rectal suppository. Opiates are the medication of choice for the control of pain and dyspnea, which are common symptoms in the dying process. Delirium and agitation may be caused by reversible etiologies, which should be identified and treated when feasible. When medications are required, haloperidol and risperidone are effective options for delirium. Nausea and vomiting should be treated with medications targeting the etiology. Constipation may be caused by low oral intake or opiate use. Preventive regimens to avoid constipation should include a stimulant laxative with a stool softener. Oropharyngeal secretions may lead to noisy breathing, sometimes referred to as a death rattle, which is common at the end of life. Providing anticipatory guidance helps families and caregivers normalize this symptom. Anticholinergic medications can modestly help reduce these secretions. Effective symptom control in end-of-life care can allow patients to progress through the dying process in a safe, dignified, and comfortable manner.
Many studies show that people who have a good sex life are happier  theyre even more productive at work. And now researchers think they know why.

Yeah, yeah, we know what youre thinking  its because theyre having sex, duh. But no, says a new study, its not that simple.

Whats more important are the kisses, cuddles, hugs and affectionate touches that go on before, during and after sex, according to research published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.

In a series of studies, psychologists in Switzerland and Canada suggest that its the affection in a couples life, as well as the sex, that brings long-term happiness and satisfaction.

Sex is beneficial not just because it makes us feel good, wrote coauthor Anik Debrot, a researcher at the University of Lausannes Institute of Psychology in Switzerland, and her colleagues, but because it promotes a stronger and more positive connection with the partner.

The research involved four studies of couples in the U.S. and Switzerland. The first two involved surveys of American couples asking about their sexual frequency, how often they had affectionate touching (cuddling, hugging, kissing, caressing), how they rated their life satisfaction, and how often they experienced positive emotions.

A second pair of studies involved Swiss couples  a group of married couples with children and a group of university students  who were asked to keep a diary of their sexual activity and positive emotions.

What researchers found was that sex led to longer-lasting positive emotions when it was accompanied by affection. And dont think it was just women who wanted loving touches and hugs. Both men and women in the study said affection was important.

Granted, research based on surveys and self-reporting has its limits and doesnt prove causation  or even that cuddling is necessary for every couple. But the findings still underscore how for many couples, affection can deepen both the benefits of sex and the overall relationship.

And when sex isnt possible for a couple, for whatever reason, Debrot and her team said the results suggest that being affectionate in other ways could still be beneficial.
When a winter storm dumped 7 feet of snow in western New York more than two years ago, Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticized the National Weather Service and said the state needed more weather stations to better predict major storms.

The comments about the nation's lead weather agency drew criticism from meteorologists and Al Roker of NBC's "Today Show." Since then, he's avoided assessments of weather forecasts when responding to floods, snowstorms or windstorms.

Until now.

During a visit to hard-hit Oneida County Wednesday, Cuomo said the initial forecast called for the winter storm to hit New York, particularly downstate areas. Much of Long Island and New York City was under a blizzard warning based on the National Weather Service's forecast.

However, the storm shifted and the worst of the winter weather impacted upstate New York. In Binghamton, a 24-hour snowfall record was set. Three feet of snow was reported in parts of Oneida County. The Hudson Valley also was affected.

The National Weather Service acknowledged Tuesday that they didn't update their forecasted snowfall totals "out of extreme caution."

Cuomo, who spent part of Tuesday in New York City and on Long Island, said there was mostly sleet in downstate.

"It was clear that the storm was not as serious in that area," he said.

Before the storm moved into New York, the state deployed personnel and resources based on the weather forecast. State Department of Transportation workers and equipment, including several plows, were sent downstate.

When it was clear that other parts of the state were being hit much harder, Cuomo said the resources were redeployed to aid the areas  Broome County, for example  where there was the most snowfall.

The state began redeploying equipment Tuesday. More plows and National Guard troops are being sent to Broome and Oneida counties to assist local municipalities with the storm cleanup.

"We deploy pursuant to the forecast ... We can move thousands of pieces of equipment based on that forecast," Cuomo said. "The National Weather Service does the best they can do. Weather is unpredictable. The storm shifted and the prediction that it would hit New York City and Long Island primarily turned out not to be correct."
What county auditors want voters to know ahead of the midterm election
Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed flags on state government buildings to fly at half-staff Thursday in honor of New York State Trooper Brian Falb, who died Monday.

Falb, an 18-year veteran of the New York State Police, served with Troop B in northern New York. He was assigned to the agency's Traffic Incident Management team.

According to news reports, Falb was diagnosed with brain cancer last year. The illness has been attributed to his work at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks.

Falb, a Clinton County resident, is survived by his wife and four children.

"Trooper Falb served the people of New York with the valor and dedication that embodies the very best of the New York State Police," Cuomo said in a statement. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest condolences to Trooper Falb's family, friends, fellow troopers and members of the greater law enforcement community. We will lower flags on state government buildings Thursday in honor of Trooper Falb's memory and service."

Funeral arrangements for Falb have been finalized. Calling hours will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 19 at Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road in Peru.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 20 at Saint Peter's Church, 114 Cornelia St. in Plattsburgh.
Niche perfumes oppose the mass production of fragrances with cheap, synthetic ingredients.

London, United Kingdom  14 March, 2017  Original, luxurious, bold and always with only the best ingredients. Meet the new trend in the world of perfumes. The word niche means exceptional and unique. Niche perfumes are not really a trend for everyone. Its the true connoisseurs who appreciate them; they like to try unusual things and dont mind spending a little more on their perfume.

You will be rewarded, though, with an original composition of very delicate ingredients, such as ambergris, oud wood from Laos, silver frankincense, jasmine leaves picked at night, iris from Grasse in France, the rare Damask rose and often precious stones too. This will all be packaged in a luxury bottle. Of course, the perfume will last you a surprisingly long time.

With these unique perfumes, the boundary between typical mens and womens fragrances is often blurred. Perhaps that is why we find so many unisex fragrances amongst niche perfumes. We have selected three niche unisex perfumes that are certainly worth a try.

Creed Millesime Imperial

A dynamic, citrus fragrance blended with sea salt; thats the unisex perfume Creed Millesime Imperial. Its a luxury fragrance for men and women of high standing and prestige. After all, the Creed brand has been dedicated to creating exquisite fragrances for royal families and other special customers for over 250 years.

With Creed Millesime Imperial, youll feel as if you were on the coast of sunny Sicily. At first you will catch accords of fruit and sea salt, followed by Florentine iris, mandarin, Sicilian lemon and bergamot. The base notes have woody tones, musk and seawater. You can also get Creed aftershave balm or shower gel with the same original fragrance as the perfume that will accompany you throughout the day.

Comme Des Garcons Amazingreen

This dazzling fragrance in dark green awakens an unbridled joy in you that you will enjoy all day long. Amazingreen is a unisex perfume by Comme des Garcons that will be appreciated by all exceptional men and women. The perfume combines the scent of green pepper, coriander and green leaves with sea tones in a truly original way. The base tones will then reveal a combination of gunpowder, the aphrodisiac vetiver, seductive musk and mystical frankincense.

Bond No. 9 Downtown Bleecker Street

The very bottle for Bond No. 9 Downtown Bleecker Street suggests that it really is going to be something special. It comes in a star shape with threads of green and purple. Inside it hides an essential jewel, which mixes earthy and refreshing tones. Discover this amazing combination of blueberries, cinnamon, vanilla, suede and sweet caramel! The sensual combination of extravagant ingredients in Bond No. 9 Downtown Bleecker Street will really put a smile on your face.

If you are still hesitant about investing in such a unique perfume, why not try looking at some of the discount perfumes on sale?

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Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market By Application (Catalysts, Detergents), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Russia, Turkey, India, China, Qatar), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023.

Europe led the industry and was evaluated at more than $1.1 billion for 2015. Turkey and Russia contributed to the growth of the industry in Europe. Latin America, led by Brazil, can experience growth due to increasing water purification activities.

Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market size was evaluated at 1.88 million tons for 2015 and predicted to register 1.3% CAGR gain by end of forecast period. Rising detergents demand due to growing hygiene consciousness among customers and increasing demand for petroleum products may promote industry growth.

Low toxicity on exposure and minimized occupational risk is also predicted to drive the zeolite molecular sieve industry trend. Zeolite molecular sieves are used in detergents as ion exchange agents due to their chemical stability & high absorption capacity during production.But presence of substitutes like enzymes, metals and other chemicals can inhibit industry growth. Rising trend for environment friendly catalyst substances like enzymes and heavy penetration of chemical catalysts can affect the zeolite molecular sieve market trend. But, silver infused sieves are considered to develop new avenues to enhance industry growth.

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Growing absorbents demand and energy along with rising focus on green technologies are predicted to increase the demand of the product. Petroleum can be utilised as catalysts and prove to be a main compound required in synthesis of chemicals.

Zeolite molecular sieve market is segmented into two categories that include applications and geographical regions.

Detergent application dominated the industry by contributing more than $1.56 billion for 2015. Major features and less abrasiveness are predicted to promote the industry demand in producing detergents.

Chemical firms in China can favour industry growth and generate new avenues as detergent builder agents.

Catalyst application is predicted to experience 4.6% CAGR during forecast period in revenue terms. Growth of petroleum industries is predicted to propel the demand for this application due to increasing use by end users.

Europe led the industry and was evaluated at more than $1.1 billion for 2015. Turkey and Russia contributed to the growth of the industry in Europe.

Asia Pacific zeolite molecular sieve market, dominated by India and China, is predicted to surpass $1.47 billion in revenue terms by end of forecast timeframe. Increasing demand of catalysts from petrochemical sector to manufacture derivates items was the key factor driving the industry growth in the region. Further, growing environmental concerns has enhanced the demand for zeolite to cleanse water and gas streams. Expenditure on infrastructure in India and China can influence the production of lightweight construction materials and thus increase demand for the product.

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Latin America, led by Brazil, can experience growth due to increasing water purification activities. MEA zeolite molecular sieve market is also predicted to expand owing to LNG growth in Qatar which will create many business opportunities in the region.

Key industry players profiled in the report include Interra Global Corporation, Arkema Group, Dalian Haixin Chemical Industries, Zeox Corporation, UOP LLC, BASF SE, Zeochem AG, Tosoh Corporation, Grace Catalysts Technologists, Tricat Group, Anhui Mingmei MinChem Company Limited, KNT Group, Chemiewerk Bad Kostritz, Union Showa K.K. and Yingkou Zhongbao Molecular Sieve Company Limited.

Browse key industry insights spread across 160 pages with 54 market data tables & 19 figures & charts from the report, Zeolite Molecular Sieve Market By Application (Catalysts, Detergents), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Russia, Turkey, India, China, Qatar), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023 in detail along with the table of contents:

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Bulk Container Packaging Market By Product (Flexitanks, Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container [FIBC], Bulk Container Liners), By Application (Food & Beverage, Chemicals) 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

https://www.fractovia.org/news/industry-research-report/bulk-container-packaging-market

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Drilling Commences at Lake Percy Lithium Project

Sydney, Mar 15, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - White Cliff Minerals Limited ( ASX:WCN ) ("White Cliff" or the "Company"), advises that drilling has commenced at the Lake Percy Lithium Project.



White Cliff has a joint venture with Liontown Resources Limited ( ASX:LTR ) ("Liontown"), that allows Liontown to earn up to 70% of its Lake Percy Lithium Project, located approximately 430km east of Perth, Western Australia.



Liontown announced on 13th March 2017 that a maiden RC program comprising 7-10 holes for up to 2,500m drilling has commenced at the Lake Percy Lithium Project.



The program will test beneath lithium-in-soil anomalies which are coincident with large pegmatites with true thicknesses locally exceeding 100m.



The drilling program is expected to take approximately two weeks with assays due in mid-late April 2017.





About White Cliff Minerals Ltd





White Cliff Minerals Ltd is a Gold, Copper, Cobalt, Nickel resources and mining company listed in Australia (ASX:WCN). The Company is focused on developing low cost high value mineral deposits that have near term cash flow potential.

Major projects include the Aucu gold deposit that contains 484,000 ounces of gold (3mt at 5.1 g/t) starting at surface and Chanach copper deposit that contains 64,000 tonnes of copper (17.2Mt at 0.37% copper). Both projects have substantial blue sky potential with drilling covering only 5% of the known structures. In Australia the company is developing the Coronation Dam cobaltnickel deposit where a maiden resource will be announced in the late 2018.
Hair and Beauty Vertical Acquisition



Update on BIG Purchase of BHA Media Pty Ltd

Sydney, Mar 15, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Big Un Limited ( ASX:BIG ) (BIG or 'the Company') is pleased to announce that it has signed the Share Purchase Agreement to effect the acquisition of BHA Media Pty Limited (BHA), the beauty, hair and aesthetics subsidiary of The Intermedia Group. Completion will occur on 31st March 2017.



Share Purchase Details

$3m Advertising Revenue Anticipated from BHA



As previously announced on 30th November 2016, The Intermedia Group will be issued with 3.26m BIG Ordinary Shares at completion with a further 3.26m BIG Ordinary Shares to be issued subject to BHA achieving $3m in advertising revenue in the 12 months to 31 December 2017. All shares will be placed in escrow for 12 months from issue.



Advertising Opportunity

BIG Opportunity to Build Relationships with Current BHA Advertisers



The acquisition of BHA will provide BIG with close relationships with large brand advertisers in the hair and beauty vertical. These relationships are anticipated to be strengthened by the ability to incorporate video technology as a marketing solution to reach SME's. Existing global brand advertisers include:



1 Wella

2 Goldwell

3 PAYOT

4 Sothys Paris

5 De Lorenzo

6 Dermalogica



Access to SME Specialists in Hair & Beauty

Monetisation of Specialist SME database



In addition to advertising revenue, the acquisition will provide BIG with ownership of a database of 36,000 Australian SME subscribers who operate in the hair, beauty and aesthetics industries. This represents around 50% of the Australian hair and beauty market, making BIG a significant player.



BIG will now own leading Intermedia hair and beauty brands: Styleicons, Instyle, Professional Beauty and Spa and Clinic. The Company will offer existing print and digital subscribers access to video technology products.



Cost Saving Synergies

EBITA Multiple Reduction



The acquisition is structured at 4 x EBITA excluding synergies. However, combined cost savings result in approximately 2.5 x EBITA.



The acquisition of BHA provides aditional cost savings in comparison to BIG costs associated with the BIG/TIG joint venture agreement. The BHA team has strong relationships with advertisers and experience in digital advertising sales through it's digital publications including styleicons.com.au, professionalbeauty.com.au, and spaandclinic.com.au which will help raise BIG's profile with large advertisers and realise the revenue potential of the hair and beauty market in Australia.



Acquisition Strategy

Structured Growth with Revenue



BIG has already experienced a material uplift in revenue from the hair and beauty sector during the due diligence process. Further benefits to the Company as a result of the acquisition are as follows:



- Immediate additional advertising revenue of at least AU$3m per annum



- Established relationship with large advertising clients



- Acquisition includes ownership of a database of 36,000 Australian SME subscribers in addition to BIG's current membership base of over 23,000



- SME relationship dominance in the Australian hair and beauty vertical (which is particularly suited to video marketing)



- Expansion of current BIG SME membership pool



Management Structure

BHA Media Pty Ltd



Simon Grover, CEO of The Intermedia Group, will remain as a Director of the hair and beauty publishing arm and continue to provide valuable insights, experience and expertise. Richard Evertz CEO of BIG says: "Simon will continue to head the operations and day to day management of this vertical. The acquisition of BHA by BIG allows both parties to operate as one and fully monetize and grow the video technology and advertising opportunities in this market."





About Big Un Ltd





Big Un Ltd (ASX:BIG) is the parent company of Big Review TV Ltd. Big Review TV are innovative disruptors in the online video space delivering subscription based video technology products and services. The Company has operations across Australia and in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore and Vancouver and was listed on the ASX in December 2014.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal to reduce the visitation schedule at New York's 17 maximum security correctional facilities has been rejected by the state Legislature.

The one-house budget resolutions released by the Assembly Democrats and state Senate Republicans includes provisions to restore the proposed cut, which the Cuomo administration said would save the state $2.6 million.

The plan would reduce visitation at Auburn Correctional Facility and other maximum security prisons from 7 days a week to three. The policy would be similar to medium security facilities, which allow visitors on weekends and holidays.

Assemblyman Gary Finch confirmed in a phone interview Wednesday that the state Assembly's one-house budget includes the restoration of the visitation policy.

"The (Assembly) Corrections Committee got back and had an influence on that particular aspect of the budget," Finch, R-Springport, said.

The chairman of the committee, Assemblyman David Weprin, told The Citizen earlier this month that he was optimistic the existing visitation policy wouldn't be changed.

Weprin, D-Queens, said he had conversations with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie about the proposal. The Assembly Democratic Conference were against the plan.

"It seems to be almost unanimous from people we speak to that it's not a cut that makes a lot of sense," he said.

The state Senate Republicans weren't as vocal about the proposal, but they made their position clear in the one-house budget resolution, Like the Assembly Democrats, they restored the cut.

Slashing the visitation policy was the only cut in the governor's executive budget proposal for the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Reducing the schedule would allow the state to eliminate 39 positions through attrition.


Kidston Solar Project (Phase One 50MW) Update, Potential for up to $16.8M Revenue and $15.2M EBITDA

Sydney, Mar 15, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Following Financial Close of the Phase One 50MW Kidston Solar Project (KSP1 or Project), Genex Power Limited ( ASX:GNX ) (Genex or Company) is pleased to advise that the construction program is well underway and remains on track.



Key activities include:



Construction progress



- Site clearing commenced



- Detailed design 30% complete



- Construction camp operational with accommodation available for 84 personnel



- Kidston substation civil works 50% complete and on track for completion and handover to Ergon in April 2017



- Orders placed for major components including solar panel modules, tracking system frames and inverters



The Project remains on budget and on track for First Generation in Q4 2017 and Practical Completion in Q1 2018.



Project revenue and EBITDA outlook



The Australian wholesale electricity market continues to be impacted by escalating domestic gas prices and a changing generation mix, including intermittent renewable generation. Many industry participants anticipate more volatility and higher energy prices going forward.



Against this background, Genex recently conducted an extensive "back-test" modelling exercise to determine potential Project revenues and EBITDA.



The "back-test" model was based on actual historical half-hourly wholesale electricity prices in the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the course of the past 3 years and on the assumption that the Project had operated at its design capacity of approximately 145,000MWh over the course of the modelling timeframe.



Based on historical NEM pricing data, and on the assumption that the Project had been in operation over the full 36 month period to 28 February 2017, the following annual Project revenues and Project EBITDA figures would have been achieved:



Results are theoretical and based on anticipated generation and actual historical half-hour pricing data over the modelling period. These results are in no way an indication of future performance of the Project. EBITDA is at the Project level, and therefore before corporate overheads.



The development of low cost, efficient energy storage, using mature technology, remains the key focus for Genex. Genex remains focused on developing its Kidston Renewable Energy Hub, comprising a 250MW Pumped Storage Hydro Project and a co-located 270MW Solar Project (Phase Two). Genex is engaging with a number of key stakeholders in relation to the funding of its Energy Hub.



Commenting, Managing Director of Genex Power Michael Addison said, "The theoretical financial performance of the 50MW Kidston Solar Project (assuming it had been in operation historically) has the potential to provide a solid revenue and earnings platform for Genex, going forward. Genex remains focused on continuing the development of its Kidston Renewable Energy Hub initiative in the soonest possible time".



To view tables and figures, please visit:

http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/3XBH3EM9





About Genex Power Ltd





Genex Power Limited (ASX:GNX) is focused on developing a portfolio of renewable energy generation and storage projects across Australia. The Company's flagship Kidston Clean Energy Hub, located in north Queensland, will integrate large-scale solar generation with pumped storage hydro. The Kidston Clean Energy Hub is comprised of the operating 50MW stage 1 Solar Project (KS1) and the 250MW Kidston Pumped Storage Hydro Project (K2-Hydro) with potential for further multi-stage wind and solar projects. The 50MW Jemalong Solar Project (JSP) is located in NSW and provides geographical diversification to the Genex Power Limited portfolio. JSP was energised in early December 2020 and commissioning is now underway. Genex is further developing its energy storage portfolio via the early stage development of a 50MW/75MWh standalone battery energy storage system at Bouldercombe in Queensland. With over 400MW of renewable energy and storage projects in development, Genex is well placed as Australia's leading renewable energy and storage company.
The travel and tractor-trailer bans in effect for Interstate 84 have been lifted, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday evening.

The bans were lifted at 8 p.m. after the state determined vehicles could safely travel on the highway. A winter storm pummeled several regions of the state Tuesday. I-84 was one of the highways affected by the storm.

"The severe weather has begun to subside in the Mid-Hudson Valley region, allowing us to safely reopen I-84 to travelers," Cuomo said. "I urge New Yorkers to continue to exercise caution and head out only if necessary  many parts of the state remain under storm warnings and it is vital that our first responders and emergency crews can clear the roads effectively and efficiently."

A tractor-trailer ban remains in effect for the New York State Thruway, Interstate 81, I-86 and Route 17, I-87 from Albany to the Canadian border and I-88.

Counties, including Cayuga, have issued travel advisories or bans. In Seneca County, the sheriff has ordered all roads closed until further notice due to the winter storm.

Broome County in the Southern Tier has a travel ban in place. The county was one of the hardest hit in the state. After the storm tapers off, it's possible that three feet of snow will have fallen in the Binghamton area.
Gravity Gradiometry specialist Bell Geospace, has won another contract with RakGas to acquire just under 15,000 line kilometres of airborne survey data, which will see Bell Geospace fly FTG and Magnetics surveys in Zanzibar.





With its track record in high resolution gravity technology, Bell Geospace will bring a range of expert services to this new project. The outcome of the surveys will enable RakGas in its exploration efforts in this region and bring understanding of the complex sub-surface geology of these areas.



The contract with RakGas includes the acquisition of 3D Full Tensor Gradiometry (FTG) data as well as processing and interpretative services. Flights commence on 14 March 2017 from Abeid Karume International Airport in Zanzibar.



Bell Geospace will use a Basler BT-67 flying at low altitude to conduct the survey



John Macfarlane Executive Vice President of Bell Geospace comments: Our client relationship with RakGas is longstanding and this contract represents the next phase in our acquisition of data for the business. This is the first move into oil & gas exploration in Zanzibar and the results will be unique in developing an understanding of its indigenous resources.



The Technical Team at RAK Gas comments: RAK Gas has applied advanced technology such as FTG surveys to a high percentage of its portfolio and licenses. RAK Gas strategy is to establish a working geologic model and structural framework in the initial exploration phase. The FTG survey provides a very good launching point prior to 2D and 3D seismic acquisition. While the survey time is less than conventional seismic, the other advantages are greater coverage in areas where ground operations may be too sensitive, such as densely populated villages and town sites. The two methods complement each other to improve the geologic interpretation, thereby reducing the time needed to identify the primary drill sites, provide needed time for rig planning, long lead items and with the best of circumstances, improve the success rate.



Bell Geospace clients include oil & gas companies as well as mineral exploration companies. FTG data is used to plan cost-effective seismic programmes and model sub-surface geology to find natural resources. The business has been at the forefront of Gravity Gradiometry for over 20 years, with over 2,000,000 line km under its wings. Bell Geospace experts continue to find new and innovative techniques for acquiring, processing and interpreting Gravity Gradiometry data to allow its clients to minimise risk and maximise potential.
During the last three months, members of Air Education and Training Command have put their minds together with one goal in mind; innovation.

Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, challenged Airmen to take part in the Innovation Challenge, a contest designed to inspire improvement and change within the command.

The innovation competition consisted of five categories: Institutional Culture, Mission Accomplishment, AETC Big Rocks, Air Force Big Rocks, and the Adapt Award. The top two units in each category presented their successes at the AETC Senior Leader Conference held at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, March 6-10.

The winners are as follows:

The winner of the Institutional Culture Category was the 17th Training Wing, Goodfellow AFB, Texas. Members of the 17th TRW provided innovative ideas to include establishing a Total Force Development Mentoring Program, driving AETCs first Operational Medical Element, as well as maximizing $300 million in training production.



The winner of the Mission Accomplishment Category were members of the 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. Members of the 58th SOW pioneered the Air Forces only enlisted undergraduate flight training and opened career enlisted aviator cross flow, as well as reduced special missions aviator graduate training failures from 30% to 5%, alleviating an Air Force Specialty Code wide deficit by 60%.



The winner of the AETC Big Rocks Category was the 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Members of the 14th FTW initiated and executed developmental and operational testing for the Air Forces first GBU-58, a laser guided bomb, employment at Eglin AFB, Florida, and Nellis AFB, Nevada ranges, minimizing cost/burden on testing community.



The winner of the AF Big Rocks Category was the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB, Arizona. Members of the 56th FW submitted innovative ideas that included a comprehensive pilot production forecasting program that is integrated with a quantitative manning model that provides accurate decision aids for Air Force pilot manning challenges.



The winner of the Adapt Award Category was the 14th FTW. Members of the 14th FTW submitted innovative ideas that included locally made high-definition videos that received positive feedback for training and instruction that could be used with virtual reality goggles, providing real-time immersion for the viewer.



Winning units received a monetary award to be used for any operations and maintenance fund purchases.



Innovation really comes from our Airmen, said Roberson. It comes from the youngest folks in our Air Force because thats where the rubber meets the road, thats where the mission is getting done. So the best ideas, the most innovative ways to fix things are coming from our Airmen.
(This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series. These stories focus on individual Airmen, highlighting their Air Force story.)With childlike wonder she watched as her mother pulled on a pair of combat boots. She witnessed her mother forge forward, knocking down walls that once stood to stall female progression. In the wake of that advancement, there was a maneuverable route the young girl could use to reach her own future goals.Capt. Jamie LaRivee, a 21st Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot, saw her mother as a role model, and watched her excel in an Air Force career, making LaRivee certain she would follow in her mothers boot steps.She was in the first class of women at the Air Force Academy, said LaRivee. That was a big piece of her life that shaped her completely, but it was also a big piece of my life too.After LaRivee graduated high school, she mirrored her mother and attended the Air Force Academy where she majored in operations research and minored in German.Her mother was a rarity as a female cadet in 1976. Similarly, today LaRivees career field is manned with just over 5 percent women.Not every little girl grows up dreaming to be a pilot, LaRivee said. Its not a common perception for women to be in flying in general, let alone for women to be in the military.While at the academy, she had an opportunity to fly gliders. She recalled how she felt in control of her own exhilarating roller coaster ride. After that, she was committed to make it as an aviator.There are still biases out there, and sometimes there are people who make assumptions, LaRivee said. Theyre not so sure you can be as qualified as a male pilot, but that just makes you want to work even harder to show youre just as capable.In aviation, it doesnt matter if youre male or female- youre a flyer, said Barbara Brewer, the 21st AS unit program coordinator. Your gender doesnt change that ability.The world of 2017 has progressed socially far beyond the views of 1976.My mother faced a lot more challenges and a lot more barriers, LaRivee said. There were not as many women who had gone before her to pave the way to prove that women were just as capable as men if they worked hard at it.LaRivee views her gender as a proud part of her identity. She is aware of the obstacles that being a female military member presents, and accepts them as an opportunity to excel beyond expectations.You cant pretend that we are built the exact same way as men. But, there are so many ways that we can, if not overcome it, become better, LaRivee said.Trials arise throughout a military career that tests a persons confidence in their own ability. While flying a mission, LaRivee was part of a predominately female crew. She remembers a passenger looked inside the flight deck and was shocked that he had been unable to tell the difference in women flying the aircraft rather than men. This comment did not bring LaRivee to question her capacity as a woman, but rather solidified her confidence in her skill.If you face challenges, dont let them get you down, let them inspire you to do better, LaRivee said. There are so many women in aviation who have done amazing things, and there have always been people who doubted them.In a 1996 speech made by LaRivees mother, the message of femininity in the military rang out.One of the biggest challenges of being a woman in the military has and will continue to be balancing strength with sensitivity, confidence with humility, said retired Lt. Col. Marianne LaRivee, in a speech for the Senior Executives Symposium Spouses Program. We want to show that we can do our jobs well while also staying true to ourselves as women--daughters, sisters and mothers. That we can do what our country asks of us while also living up to the cultural expectations and responsibilities of our gender.The Air Force perseveres in its commitment for a brighter, more diverse future.Weve made a lot of progress in the last 40 years, said LaRivee. The social norms have improved so much in our favor as women in the military.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is urging the Internal Revenue Service commissioner to extend the tax filing deadline for small businesses in areas affected by Winter Storm Stella.

Schumer, D-N.Y., sent a letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen Tuesday requesting the filing extension for small businesses in central and western New York and the Southern Tier.

The deadline for small businesses that file as partnerships or S corporations is Wednesday.

While the winter storm was cited by Schumer, D-N.Y., in making his appeal to Koskinen, he also mentioned the windstorm that left more than 200,000 businesses and homes without power last year. The storm affected parts of western New York, especially Rochester and Monroe County.

"I have been contacted by my constituents who have brought to my attention that without power or the needed workers many businesses and CPA advisors in the region will be unable to transmit tax returns to the IRS by tomorrow," Schumer wrote. "Businesses in western, central and the Southern Tier New York should be given extra time to do their taxes as they recover from these storms."

Here is Schumer's full letter to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen:

Dear Commissioner Koskinen:

I write to request that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) grant a filing extension for businesses impacted by recent storms in Western, Central and Southern Tier New York who are required to submit their business income tax returns by tomorrow, March 15th. A string of inclement weather this past week has caused many New Yorkers to lose power and prevented many from traveling to work.

As the result of hurricane-force winds that toppled power lines from a wind storm on Wednesday, March 8th, over 200,000 homes and businesses in New York lost power. As of yesterday, some 6,000 still did not have power. Today, New York State is under a state of emergency as Winter Storm Stella blanketed the same region with additional snowfall causing hundreds, potentially thousands more to lose power, delaying restoration of power for others and preventing many from traveling to work. I have been contacted by my constituents who have brought to my attention that without power or the needed workers many businesses and CPA advisors in the region will be unable to transmit tax returns to the IRS by tomorrow. Businesses in Western, Central and the Southern Tier New York should be given extra time to do their taxes as they recover from these storms.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this request. Please contact my Tax Counsel, Anna Taylor, with any further questions.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator
Wednesday was day two of Winter Storm Stella. Lt. Michael Wellauer has his calendar marked.

"Spring's coming on Monday," he said.

As the road patrol division commander for the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, Wellauer is ready for the snow to end. The sheriff's office continued its winter weather travel advisory Wednesday, then upgrading it in the afternoon to include only essential travel. Motorists seemed to be heeding the advice.

Cayuga County 911 reported about 11 motor vehicle accidents between midnight and about 3 p.m. Wednesday. New York State Police out of Elbridge said they had between 11 and 14 minor accidents including disabled vehicles in the area. No major injuries were reported for any of the accidents.

American Red Cross, USDA offer snowstorm safety tips With Winter Storm Stella slamming the Northeast, several agencies have released safety tips 

"Right now accidents have been very low because people have stayed home and stayed off the roads," Wellauer said.

He cautioned that the low number of accidents should not encourage people to go out. The National Weather Service had the area under a winter storm warning until 8 p.m. Wednesday. The service has reported 19.6 inches of snow has fallen in Auburn between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. That's a new record for the day. It was also the second-highest amount of snow for any March day on record in Auburn. The highest total was 26.1 inches of snow that fell March 14, 1993.

Wellauer said roads were passable throughout the county, but with snow still falling and wind causing drifting, snow plow operators were having a difficult task of keeping them clear. He was not sure when the sheriff's office travel advisory would be lifted, but he said he hoped it would be sometime later Wednesday.

"We're still seeing road conditions that are still challenging," Wellauer said. "When you have such a long, drawn-out snow event like this, it certainly taxes the highway departments. The more people who stay home and staff off the roads, the better it is for everyone."
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. A mix of clouds and sun. High around 80F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 63F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
The Cayuga County Sheriff's Office will offer two boaters safety courses for anyone who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft.

The course is mandatory for any motorboat operators born after May 1, 1996 as well as anyone who operates a personal watercraft.

In a press release, Sheriff David Gould said the course is free and open to adults and children ages 10 and up. Those who successfully complete the course will receive a New York State Boater Safety Card issued by New York. There is a $10 NYS fee for adults over 18 years old.

Both courses will take place this summer. The first course will be held at the Ira Fire House on Saturday, June 10, while the second course will be at the Moravia Fire Department, Saturday, June 17. Each will last from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch will not be provided. The sheriff's office recommends participants bring a bag lunch.

To register, call Deputy Dudley at (315) 253-4905 or email gdudley@cayugacounty.us.
Iraqi Assyrian City Still in Ruins Long After Liberation

( Ryan Mauro/Clarion Project) The ancient Iraqi city of Qaraqosh [Baghdede in Assyrian], one of the country's largest Christian areas, remains unlivable months after it was liberated from the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL). Footage obtained by Professor Ryan Mauro, a national security analyst at the Clarion Project, shows the destruction in Qaraqosh sparing little, certainly not many of the once glorious churches and ancient monasteries that once adorned the city. "It's very hard to see your house [of 20 years] destroyed," an unnamed resident of a destroyed house in Qaraqosh told Mauro. The Assyrian Christian and Mauro talked as they walked through piles of rubble, stepping over all of his family belongings scattered on the ground, broken into pieces. "We see destruction all around us," notes Mauro as the resident gave him a tour of what is left of his home. "This home was taken by ISIS and subsequently hit by a U.S. airstrike." Assyrian Christians from Qaraqosh "emphasized that ISIS' urge to destroy Christian buildings was a sign of weakness and fear; insecurity about their own faith as if Islam, or at least ISIS' version of it," noted Mauro to Breitbart News. "On a few occasions, I heard the line, 'We don't worship a God of buildings. Our God is in here,' while pointing towards their hearts." Mauro is no stranger to the plight of Christians in the Middle East. He has also served as associate producer for a documentary on Christian persecution, titled Faithkeepers. Despite all the destruction to Christian regions and the genocide that they have endured at the hands ISIS, Mauro told Breitbart News, "I do see a future for the Christian community in Iraq, because they, after all they've been through, see a future." "The ones who I walked around Qaraqosh with were adamant that their faith is even stronger than it was before and vowed to reopen the burned church and fill it with an even bigger crowd than before," he continued. "To them, God will use this hell they've endured to perform a miracle." Qaraqosh's destruction stands as a reminder of the ongoing persecution of Christians in the Middle East, even as the U.S.-backed Iraqi forces and their allies are pushing the jihadist group out of its last major stronghold in Iraq, the city of Mosul. Footage obtained by Mauro shows that the ancient city of Qaraqosh, home to one of the oldest Christian communities in history, has been decimated, leveled to the ground where it still remains in the form of piles of rock and debris, months after it was liberated in November 2016. Various ethnoreligious minority groups in Iraq have complained that their home towns and cities remain unlivable with damage to infrastructure and other essential months after they are declare liberated. In the video, the viewer can easily hear the sound of Mauro and the Assyrian Christian walking over broken glass and other material, a testament to the ruins that have been left behind. "I don't know how I will be able to rebuild my house" and who will help me, proclaims the Assyrian Christian. "We don't have anything, We don't have any houses," he added. "How can we return to here?" Mauro explained that Christians do not want to relocated, they want to remain in their homeland with the hope that Christians, the U.S., and the international community will help them achieve that goal. That is a dilemma that various members of Iraq's ethnoreligious minorities face -- whether or not to return to their homeland, like the Yazidi-majority Sinjar in Iraq, that has been leveled to the ground by the war against ISIS. "At this moment there's no way Yezidis can go back to their homeland, although it's been liberated," Khalid Sulaiman Haider, a Yezidi activist originally from the Iraqi border district of Sinjar, told Breitbart News. Many Assyrians and the Christians no longer trust local forces, particularly the Kurdish Peshmerga troops, who some minority groups believe are keeping them from returning to their land so they can steal it. "I don't trust any military forces," the Assyrian told the Clarion Project's, Mauro. "Who can protect me?" Some minority groups feel betrayed by the Kurds when ISIS seized their lands in 2014 and the Kurds did nothing to protect them. The Assyrian Christian told Mauro he only trusts the Nineveh Protection Units (NPU), a Chrisitan militia that has received support from Bagdhad and the U.S. Some members of northern Iraq's minority groups, including the Assyrian Christians and Yazidis, have joined forces to urge Baghdad and the international community to allow them to establish their own semi-autonomous region in northwestern Iraq. The Kurds already have their an autonomous region in the same area -- the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Calls for Boycott of Turkish Film That Denies Assyrian, Greek, Armenian Genocide

CULVER CITY, Calif.--The American Hellenic Council (AHC) recently released a statement, urging the Greek American community and all descendants of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide, to boycott the new Turkish-produced film The Ottoman Lieutenant. "The film is a blatant attempt to repudiate the upcoming movie, The Promise, and mislead impressionable youth into believing the Genocide was a 'two-sided' event," reads a part of the statement.

We, the American Hellenic Council (AHC), in solidarity with the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Western United States, urge the Greek-American community, as well all descendants of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocide, to jointly boycott the recently released film, The Ottoman Lieutenant. The movie, which was produced by a Turkish production company, was released on March 10 and stars Michiel Huisman, Hera Hilmar, Josh Hartnett, and Ben Kingsley, is set in Ittihadist Turkey at the time of the Genocide. The film is a blatant attempt to repudiate the upcoming movie, The Promise, and mislead impressionable youth into believing the Genocide was a "two-sided" event. Although we at the AHC, acknowledge that Ottoman Turks were affected by the state of war throughout the Empire, like all Ottoman citizens, their suffering cannot be equated with a systematic campaign of extermination, which befell the native Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian peoples of Eastern Thrace and Anatolia. Therefore, we ask the Greek-American community to refrain from paying to watch this film in theaters or supporting it in any way. Those interested in joining an AYF-initiated letter writing campaign to local theaters to educate them about the purpose of this film should contact us at ioannis@americanhellenic.org. Sincerely,

Ioannis Fidanakis

Executive Director

American Hellenic Council

Signed by AHC Executive Director Ioannis Fidanakis, the statement also calls for the public to join an AYF-initiated letter writing campaign to local theaters to educate them about the purpose of this film. Following is the statement:
US-based Helicopter Express called upon Volga-Dnepr Airlines expertise to move an urgent delivery of helicopters to fight wildfires in the Chilean countryside.

One of the carriers An-124-100 freighters touched down at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport less than three hours after the helicopters themselves flew into the airport for 11-hour flight to Santiago. The aircraft was able to transport all three Bell 205 helicopters, a K-MAX 1200 helicopter and a flatbed truck and trailer on one flight.

Volgna-Dneprs experience means that it can transport most choppers complete, other than removing the rotor blades, allowing them to get to work almost immediately on arrival.

Volgna-Dneprs aerospace key account manager, Peter Baldauf, said: "This was a case of two companies that are experts in their fields of operations joining forces to provide a fast solution to help the Chilean government tackle the wildfires in central and southern Chile. Although we regularly carry helicopters, this was the first time we have had the pleasure of working with the team at Helicopter Express. We expect to be working together again in the future in support of their full range of heavy lifting, disaster relief and helicopter charter services."

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Denmark was the first international partner to take delivery of the fourth generation of the LITENING pod. With this award, the RDAF will expand the use of LITENING to additional aircraft in its fleet.





As a key member of NATO, Denmark supports a wide range of missions. LITENING gives the RDAF powerful capabilities to carry out these missions, whether they call for targeting or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), said Dr. Robert Fleming, vice president, programmes, Northrop Grumman.

The Northrop Grumman LITENING Advanced Targeting System, now in its fourth generation, gives aircrews superior situational awareness and targeting capabilities for strike and ISR missions. Technologies include digital, high definition video, 1K forward-looking infrared and charge-coupled device sensors, laser imaging sensors and advanced data links. These advances deliver more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges than previous targeting pod systems, while also reducing pilot workload.



The Royal Danish Air Force actually flies a fleet of 33 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. On June 2016, the Danish Defence Committee gave its green light for the purchase of 27 F-35A fighter jets, for a price tag of 3 billion.

LITENING has been integrated on the A-10, AV-8B, B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 and has achieved more than two million operating hour.
March 14, 2017

While Iranian conservatives are doing their best to form a coalition ahead of the upcoming May 19 presidential elections, parliament Speaker Ali Larijani has thrown his weight behind moderate President Hassan Rouhani, who is seeking re-election.

During recent months, conservatives have called on most of the prominent conservative figures and parties to put aside their differences and reach a consensus over a single candidate for the elections. Many conservatives say that the presence of more than one candidate will result in Rouhanis re-election, given that several conservative figures ran for office in the 2013 vote.

Larijani, as one of the conservative figures who has strongly supported Rouhani during his presidency, has gradually distanced himself from the conservative camp, which is now controlled by hard-liners, and he has joined the moderation camp as one of its prominent figures. While some expected Larijani to join the conservative coalition  the Popular Front of Revolutionary Forces, or JAMNA  formed late last year, he did not.

In a press conference March 13, when asked about his coalition with Rouhani, Larijani said, Im a comrade of Mr. Rouhani. He continued, However, I dont intend to have any role in the election.

In response to a question about his decision not to join the conservative coalition, Larijani said, The Principlists havent told me [anything about the coalition]. [However], I thank them because if they had asked [for my presence] I wouldnt have any time to go there. In this vein, Behrouz Nemati, a moderate parliament member close to Larijani, said March 12 that the parliament speaker has not joined the conservative coalition, as its members are the same hard-liners who threw shoes at him in Qom in February 2013. Nemati also stated that there is an unwritten coalition between Larijani and Rouhani.

Nevertheless, based on Larijanis statements, it seems like he has a full interest in seeing Rouhani re-elected in May. In this vein, his decision to refrain from joining the conservative coalition can be seen as tantamount to support for the moderate incumbent.

Of further note, Rouhani has been selected as the only candidate of the Reformists for the election by the Electoral Supreme Council of Reformists for Policymaking, headed by Mohammad-Reza Aref, who was the sole candidate of the Reformists in the 2013 presidential elections but in the final days ahead of that vote withdrew in favor of Rouhani.

Moreover, in reaction to the possible candidacy of conservative Ebrahim Raisi, Larijani said, There is no need for Mr. Raisi to resign from the custodianship of the holy shrine of Imam Reza,. I dont have any analysis about his nomination. It is good and will cause excitement [among voters].

Of note, Raisi is one of the possible candidates of the conservatives, as he obtained the majority of votes in the internal election held by JAMNA. He is believed to still be harboring doubts about his nomination, but his entering the field would probably bring fellow conservative candidates behind him.

In other comments, answering a question about the nuclear deal and US President Donald Trumps recent statements on it, Larijani said, [Reaching] the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] was a right decision and had some benefits for us. Moreover, in reaction to a question about Trumps regional policies, he stated, It is better if Trump and his colleagues dont repeat the past mistakes of [the United States] and be careful about how to behave in the region and take the defeat of their previous war-mongering into account. He added, To counter terrorists, they shouldnt step forward barefoot. Rather, they should adopt a correct and wise approach.
March 14, 2017

With the coming of spring, the political scene in Moscow appears to be flourishing, with a number of distinguished foreign guests visiting. Among others, these have included top-level Israeli politicians.

First came an official visit by Isaac Herzog, a leader of the parliamentary opposition and head of the Israeli Labor Party. The March 6-7 trip included meetings with representatives of both chambers of Russia's parliament and the Foreign Ministry, as well as personal negotiations with Mikhail Bogdanov, the deputy foreign minister and special envoy to the Middle East and Africa.

Accompanied by the Knesset speaker and the Israeli ambassador to Russia, Herzog also met with the leadership of the Russian Jewish community and visited two museums, where he endorsed Russian President Vladimir Putins role in the Middle East: I greatly respect  Putin. Today he has the special opportunity of being able to improve the situation in the Middle East.

No sooner had Herzog left Moscow than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to town March 9. Netanyahus visit lasted less than a day and included only one event  meeting with Putin. Evidently the importance of the issues discussed was worth the trips, though it is remarkable that Netanyahu and Herzog came to Moscow separately rather than as part of one delegation.

Netanyahu and Herzog had much the same agenda. Though the latter had a broader list of topics, such as different aspects of bilateral cooperation, Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolution, fighting anti-Semitism and other issues, both leaders mainly wanted to express Israel's position on the threat Iran poses to their country and the Middle East in general, through Hezbollah and other Shiite militias.

Herzog said that it comes to Israel's security, the nation is united: There is no opposition when Israeli security is at stake. Both Netanyahu and Herzog want to make sure that Russia, while fighting Sunni terror, doesn't in any way enable Shiite terror development, as Netanyahu has put it. So conveying this through the two channels perhaps was to make the message stronger and well-understood in Moscow.

The Israelis main idea is to limit  and ideally exclude  Irans participation in a future Syrian political process, or at least to ensure that Shiite militias aren't allowed to control those parts of the territory that border Israel. Israeli delegates made it clear they are not happy with Russian weaponry finding its way into Hezbollah's hands. Israelis take the problem seriously and have taken concrete measures, such as bombing arms caravans headed toward Hezbollah camps. Netanyahu and Herzog tried to persuade Moscow to exert more control over its arms deals with Iran and the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Russias thinking is that to maintain good working relations with Iran, Moscow can't pressure the ayatollahs regime to withdraw from Syria. Ensuring, however, that Hezbollah and other Shiite militia groups don't operate close to Israeli borders doesnt seem an impossible task for Moscow. Russia isn't particularly happy with the weapon transfer to Shiite militias and, at least until now, has turned a blind eye to Israel's bombing weapons caravans in Syria.

However, since Putin and Netanyahu were not willing to share specific outcomes of their personal meeting with the press, it is difficult to discern whether the two reached a concrete deal on any of the issues. Future developments involving Iran will have to show to what extent the visits were fruitful.

What would Russia expect from Israel for such favors? There are at least three possibilities:

Continued close cooperation and information sharing in and on Syria.

Israel's agreement to take part in potential direct talks with Palestinians in Moscow. This idea is still on the table, but it appears to be a tough task to get both sides to accept this offer from the Kremlin.

Tel Aviv's provision of a positive background for Russian gas companies participation in Israel's natural gas market. This one is a mixed bag. Its an easy promise for Netanyahu (and Herzog) to make, because Israeli politicians don't have a direct say in business issues  they can only voice opinions. But its difficult for exactly the same reason: Some people in the Israeli establishment fear Russian officials might be inclined to use the Russian natural gas giant Gazprom to exert pressure on their counterparts if political problems occur.

The timing of the two visits is important for two reasons. Geopolitically, Israel has noted Russias activity in Syria's political process. Though only initial steps have been taken and there is a long road ahead, Israelis want to ensure their voice is heard and their position is thoroughly considered when major decisions are being made on Syrias future. From the perspective of inner politics, Herzog is a political rival of Netanyahu and is among those pushing for him to step down. Herzog's move may be seen as an attempt to muscle in on Netanyahus turf, and in the most annoying manner possible: by visiting Moscow just a couple of days before Bibi. Of course there is always a possibility that it was mere coincidence  but that's difficult to believe.

Another coincidence was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow the day after Netanyahu's trip. Last summer, Turkey reconciled with Russia and Israel almost simultaneously, soon after one of the Israeli prime minister's visits to Moscow. The three countries have at least two joint interests: stabilizing Syria and developing eastern Mediterranean natural gas infrastructure. Given these circumstances, it's quite logical to assume Putin discussed these matters during his meetings with Israeli and Turkish leaders.

Finally, we can assume that Putin and Netanyahu discussed their countries' relations with the United States, as both had their difficulties with the administration of President Barrack Obama. If an effective way is found to resume cooperation, especially between Russia and the United States, all three countries are likely to benefit. And Syria could potentially serve as common ground for developing a new cooperation framework in which Israel could mediate between Russia and the United States.
March 14, 2017

Female Kurdish fighters, who represent less than 1% of the roughly 200,000 peshmerga forces, have become the bankable icon of the fight against the Islamic State. But beyond the illusions of a land that supports womens rights, the reality in Iraqi Kurdistan is much less glamorous.

According to nongovernmental organization Wadi, 57% of female Iraqi Kurds between 14 and 19 years old underwent an excision of the clitoris. Honor killings by male family members are still common in Kurdistan, and many other women face forced and underage marriage, domestic violence or polygamy issues. Worse still, since the early 1990s, several thousand Iraqi Kurds died of self-immolation. In 2015, the Kurdistan Regional Government listed 125 deaths by self-immolation. In most cases, deaths are concealed behind the excuse of a random home accident, but Bahar Munzir, a popular activist for the rights of Kurdish women, told Al-Monitor that 500 such deaths occur each year.

Sarab, 19, is a survivor. When she was 11 years old, her father died and she had to respect her mothers decision to marry a man who was 14 years older than her. In regard to the night that followed the wedding ceremony, she told Al-Monitor, "A girl should develop physically before uniting." Two years later, she gave birth to her first daughter. Her mother-in-law dictated her life, but Sarab never complained. "For fear of divorce," she said. Her husband became more and more violent, and desired another woman. Sarab thought about polygamy, which is illegal in Iraqi Kurdistan but still practiced. However, her husband preferred to divorce, remarry, and keep the child he had with Sarab. Barely 18 at the time but looking like she was 30, Sarab took refuge in her mother's house. One evening, after she found out that her child had been treated badly, she took a lighter, covered herself in oil and set fire to herself.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, a violent husband faces up to three years in prison and a fine of about $4,000. In 2011, the Kurdish parliament approved the so-called Law 8 that prohibits many of the abuses women face, such as forced marriage, forced divorce, shigar marriage (in which men exchange their daughters or sisters in marriage without paying a dowry) and genital mutilation. "Law 8 is the best in all of the Middle East," insisted Shokhan Hama Rashid Ahmad, a Kurdish consultant lawyer for the United Nations. For example, the law prohibits cutting a piece of the human body but does not deal specifically with excision.

Women represent less than 10% of the judges and are absent in the party offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of President Massoud Barzani, according to a study by NGO Peoples Development Organization. Since the beginning of the war against IS, NGOs defending womens rights face increasing difficulties as they are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of offenses.

Humanitarian workers focus on refugees and internally displaced persons," Diana Kako, the deputy director of Erbil-based NGO Al-Mesalla, told Al-Monitor.

Al-Mesalla currently supports Fatima, an Iraqi Kurdish woman who wears a niqab. Fatima talked to Al-Monitor about her situation and said that her husband, a taxi driver, asked her to wear the full-face veil until her skin is fixed. "I was a very beautiful woman. I wore the scarf because I wanted to," she said. But in April 2015, her husband expressed doubts about her loyalty, suspecting that she flirted with another man by intercepting text messages. Fatima sank into depression and immolated herself  37% of her body is burned.

Fatima, an oncology nurse, told her friends and acquaintances that it was a cooking accident. "They say that God wanted to punish me because I drove a car and wore golden jewelry. I was showing off in their opinion," she said in a tired voice. What if she told the truth? Shala Abdullah, a social worker with Al-Mesalla, told Al-Monitor, "In our culture, if you say that you are burned, we think that it's because you were not a respectful woman. We wonder what you did to want to kill yourself. Fatima gets up, feverish, and gives a long handshake. She went $9,000 in debt for her plastic surgery operation. "At the time, I didnt realize that I was either going to die or to suffer forever," she said.

In Sulaimaniyah, eastern Iraqi Kurdistan, a public hospital treats victims of immolation at no cost. During Al-Monitor's visit, cries of pain are heard when wounds are disinfected before being bandaged again. Patients suffer tremendously during the months that they spend healing. One patient who is in her 20s said she got married when she was 19 years old. To the question if she married out of love, she responded, "What do you think? That this is what happens in marriages?"

Sarab lies on an iron bed covered from her head to her thighs in bandages; her face has escaped the flames. Her brother, a peshmerga fighter, promised her, "I am going to issue a complaint against your ex-husband." Revived by such a hope, Sarab said, "I want to raise my daughters alone."
March 15, 2017

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who in September was advised by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, not to run in the May 19 presidential elections, has been writing letters and statements addressing US President Donald Trump and the Iranian government. In the face of opposition from the ruling establishment, Ahmadinejad is trying to maintain a presence on Iran's political scene by attracting the attention of the media and the public through the issuance of statements and by encouraging his former deputy, Hamid Baghaei, to run in the upcoming polls.

In a Feb. 26 letter to Trump, Ahmadinejad urged him to reform the political structure of the US, raising eyebrows in Iran and eliciting criticism from Reformist as well as moderate media outlets. The letter was rejected by the Swiss Embassy, which represents US interests in Iran. According to Iranian media reports, the embassy told the Iranian Foreign Ministry that it was not its responsibility to play postman.

In a rare indirect swipe at Ahmadinejad, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said March 14 that diplomatic etiquette and protocol should be observed. Foreign relations shouldnt be the subject of domestic political games, Zarif asserted.

In addition to writing to the US president, Ahmadinejad has been releasing various statements against the moderate government of President Hassan Rouhani. In one, Ahmadinejad slammed his successor for saying that the Iranian treasury had been empty when he took office in 2013. Ahmadinejad wrote March 4, It should be made clear why such claims were brought up prior to negotiations with foreigners. By negotiations with foreigners, Ahmadinejad meant the nuclear talks with the six world powers that resulted in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in July 2015.

Government Spokesman Mohammad Bagher Nobakht reacted to the former presidents statements on March 14, stating sarcastically, Ahmadinejad is good at writing letters to presidents and different officials. Nobakht also said that the Economic Affairs and Finance Ministry and other relevant institutions would respond to Ahmadinejads recent statements.

Since Baghaei announced his run for office on Feb. 20, reports about the former presidents intentions have occupied Iranian analysts and media. On March 15, Nameh News, which is close to Rouhanis justice minister, Mostafa Pourmohammadi, claimed that on the day for candidates to register, Baghaie will not show up at the Interior Ministry, and instead Ahmadinejad and his controversial adviser, Esfandar Rahim Mashaie, will appear to register.

If Ahmadinejad enters the fray, it will be in defiance of the supreme leader. Given this, if Ahmadinejad and Mashaie register themselves for the balloting, they will probably be disqualified by the Guardian Council, which is dominated by conservatives and tasked with vetting candidates based on a number of criteria, including their commitment to following the supreme leader.

In other news, Ezzatollah Zarghami, former head of the state broadcaster, officially announced his candidacy March 15. Zarghami is the latest conservative figure to enter the field. The conservatives are still divided over whom to select as a consensus candidate for the May 19 vote.
March 15, 2017

A massive influx of dust storms in recent weeks has once again paralyzed Irans southwestern province of Khuzestan. The province has been reeling from dust storms since the early 2000s, a problem which often leads to schools and government offices being closed, power, water and internet outages as well as residents being rushed to hospitals with respiratory complications.

According to a Feb. 18 assessment by the Khuzestan Environmental Protection Office, the concentration of dust particles in the provincial capital of Ahvaz was 1,841 micrograms per cubic meter  12 times higher than the maximum recommended. In previous years, one city in the province was even reported to have 66 times more dust particles in the air than the maximum.

The recent crisis in Khuzestan prompted protests not only on social media but also on the streets of Ahvaz. In an attempt to address the crisis, two provincial officials were dismissed while President Hassan Rouhani and two of his Cabinet ministers traveled to Khuzestan to examine the situation  or, in the words of Ahvazs deputy governor, to sympathize with the people ahead of the May 19 presidential elections. Just days before Rouhanis trip, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also criticized the management of the crisis, saying, If someone is concerned about the people, they cannot remain unmoved in the face of the difficult problems in Khuzestan.

Mohammad Darvish, the director-general of the Department of Environments Public Participation Office, told Al-Monitor, Due to its location next to natural deserts such as the Arabian Desert, the African Desert and the worlds dry belt, the Middle East has always grappled with sand and dust storms. However, the increasing dust seen in recent years in Irans southern regions, and especially Khuzestan, has many internal and external origins that have ultimately left us faced with the most unprecedented and destabilizing ecological phenomenon and placed the region in ecological debt.

Darvish said he believes the main origin of the dust is Mesopotamia, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that spans from Turkey and Syria all the way down to Iraq, Iran and Kuwait.

According to Darvish, the number of dust-producing centers in Mesopotamia has risen from six in the early 1980s to more than 320. He told Al-Monitor, This is due to the Turkish governments Great Anatolia project [one of the largest river basin development projects in the world] in the region, which is choking the Tigris and the Euphrates. By building large dams such as the Ataturk dam, Turkey has contained about 80 billion cubic meters of water that should be flowing toward Mesopotamia.

Darvish added that the implementation of the Turkish project had caused noticeable climatic change in the region and made agricultural lands in Syria and Iraq unusable, creating economic problems for local farmers.

In an effort to solve the dust crisis, Irans Foreign Ministry and Department of Environment have been holding talks with Iraqi officials over the past three years. However, Darvish said, These talks have not produced much result due to the insecurity created by the presence of Daesh [Islamic State] in parts of Iraq. We had this environmental diplomacy with the Turkish government as well. These pressures resulted in the United Nations acknowledging the phenomenon in Mesopotamia as dangerous, and a UN-led summit with the participation of regional countries is to be held in Tehran soon.

The desiccation of the Hoor al-Azim or Hoveizeh wetland, which lies between Iran and Iraq, is seen as another source of the dust. This has also been a point of conflict between Irans Department of Environment and environmental activists. According to Darvish, the dust sources in this wetland originated under former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein following the creation of the Fifth Stream in Iraq, also known as the Saddam Stream. The project changed the directions of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, leading to the gradual drying of the Iraqi portion of this wetland  a fate that the Iranian side of the Hoor al-Azim has also been grappling with in recent years. Protests by environmental activists have turned the revival of this wetland into a priority for Irans Department of Environment. Darvish told Al-Monitor that Irans dried wetlands, including Hoor al-Azim, are victims of the thinking that dominates water management in Iran.

Based on statistics provided by Department of Environment chief Masoumeh Ebtekar, this wetland has regained 70% of its water during the past three years, a point which Ebtekar highlighted as an environmental achievement by the administration of Rouhani. However, environmental activists in Khuzestan disagree with the declared revival.

Pointing to the drillings by the National Iranian Oil Company and the drying up of the internal part of this wetland since the Iranian year 1390 (2011-2012), Fereshteh Tabanian  a lawyer and environmental activist in Ahvaz  told Al-Monitor, A revival of this wetland would mean that fish and birds can live in it. But we dont see this here. The relay of this false information is a problem, and we pointed this out when Ebtekar and Rouhani visited the province.

Tabanian referred to domestic environmental issues, unrestrained dam construction and the inter-basin water transfer projects in Iran as other external sources behind the dust, and said these factors have caused some regions in Khuzestan and the western province of Ilam to become additional dust sources, causing a national crisis.

Dealing with environmental issues was among Rouhanis main campaign promises during the 2013 presidential elections. This is while Tabanian said the key demand of environmental activists in Khuzestan has been for the government to allocate a larger budget to resolve environmental problems  especially in terms of the dust.

Following the crisis created by the dust storms in Khuzestan and the increasing protests in response, the Iranian parliaments planning and budget commission on Feb. 25 approved a $100 million budget for combating dust storms in the coming Iranian calendar year, which begins March 21. Pointing to the oil and natural gas resources of Khuzestan, Tabanian said environmental activists hope their protests will bring more attention to budget hikes for the province. She told Al-Monitor, The air in Ahvaz is very polluted even without the dust. The World Health Organization ranked this city as the most polluted in the world in 2011. We had only 11 days of clean air in the first nine months of this Iranian year [ending March 20].

Meanwhile, Darvish says that with the determination of the Rouhani administration to resolve the crisis and with the wealth and resources of the fertile plain, he expects an exceptional spring for the province in the next five years. He told Al-Monitor, There is no region in the Middle East like Khuzestan, where about 30 to 40 billion cubic meters of water, or 33% of Irans total surface waters, are flowing. I believe that if our water rights are returned, the natural wetlands of Khuzestan will be revived again, the western part of Karkheh River will be biologically stabilized in Khuzestan and we will quickly witness climatic changes in this province.
Seneca County roads will reopen at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sheriff W. Timothy Luce said.

Luce had ordered the roads closed as a winter storm slammed central New York. Only emergency vehicles were permitted on county roads.

Once the order is lifted Wednesday morning, Luce said a no unnecessary travel advisory will remain in effect throughout the day. The advisory doesn't restrict travel, but it serves as a warning that hazardous driving conditions exist.

Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce ordered all roads in the county closed beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday until further notice.

Only emergency travel will be permitted as Seneca County deals with the effects of Winter Storm Stella.

Luce previously issued a travel advisory and advised residents against unnecessary travel.

Earlier report:

Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Luce has issued a travel advisory for Seneca County and advised residents against any unnecessary travel due to the winter storm slamming upstate New York.

Luce said the roads in Seneca County are covered in snow and slippery in some areas. Motorists should drive slowly and allow extra time for travel.

Luce's deputies are monitoring roads and checking for stranded motorists.
March 14, 2017

In the coming weeks, Hamas is due to unveil the draft of a revised charter that softens the movement's positions on the conflict with Israel. Talking to the London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, Hamas sources said that the salient changes to the document include recognition of the 1967 borders and replacement of the term Jews, described as enemies, with the term occupiers. The draft will probably also include an announcement about severing ties with the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas' original charter underscores the affinity between the movement and the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, known for its rejection of any diplomatic process with Israel. Nonetheless, the new charter, like the original document, will not include recognition of the State of Israel and will rule out any concession on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.

Should the charter's expected amendment, especially its recognition of the borders delineating Israel until the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, result in a shift in Israeli policies toward the organization? It depends on whom one asks.

Former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy, a proponent of dialogue with Hamas, said in May 2016 that the organizations leadership knows it has no chance of annihilating Israel. In his view, there is no reason to fear Irans influence on Hamas, because it has cut itself off from Tehran and aspires to establish contact with Israel. In September 2016, Halevy predicted that in any case, once a solid majority of Palestinians understand that their prospects of getting a state of their own have dissipated, and that negotiations between Israel and the current Palestinian leadership are nothing but a sham, their only recourse will be to adopt Hamas' way.

Nimrod Novick, a former adviser to Prime Minister Shimon Peres and currently a research fellow at the Israel Policy Forum, told Al-Monitor, Saying unequivocally that todays Hamas is the same Hamas of a few years ago and the same Hamas of 10 or 20 years from now is far-reaching and pretentious and ignores changes the organization has already undergone. Novick, also a board member of the Commanders for Israels Security, added that Hamas has made it quite clear that it would abide by the wishes of the people. According to Novicks sources, the new Hamas charter will reaffirm the movements commitment to back any arrangement between Israel and the Palestinian leadership  as long as it is put to a referendum and wins the support of the majority of Palestinians.

Novick bemoans that former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert refused to give Hamas an opportunity to prove its intentions after receiving verbal and written messages from the movement in 2009 about establishing a dialogue. The organization reportedly conveyed its willingness to open a dialogue with Israel, through a third party, regarding a long-term agreement on coexistence (not a peace agreement or an end to the conflict). At the time, the Israeli public paid little attention to the messages, even though it included an effort to achieve a settlement of the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, apart from the most volatile core issues, that is, Jerusalem and the Palestinian refugees. Novick noted that since that missed opportunity, Hamas has become less powerful and less united. He therefore advises that Israel beware of opening any channels of communication with the organization without making significant progress in negotiations with the current Palestinian leadership.

Mati Steinberg, a Jerusalem-based Middle East scholar who served as adviser on Palestinian affairs to Shin Bet chiefs, takes the opposite tack. He argues that not only is there no point in talking to Hamas, but such a move would inflict severe, long-term damage to Israels strategic interests. He believes the new Hamas charter will also include a temporary, or possibly even long-term, hudna (cease-fire or truce).

Hamas assumes that Israeli willingness to make do with a hudna with Hamas, replacing a permanent arrangement with the [current Palestinian leadership], would once and for all obliterate the paradigm of an agreement with the [current Palestinian leadership] on territorial division with Israel and install Hamas rule over the West Bank, Steinberg said. All those who prattle about a regional initiative on Israeli-Palestinian peace need to know that it is based on the Arab Peace Initiative, which Hamas has rejected out of hand.

Steinberg foresees that Hamas will continue to reject the Arab Peace Initiative. Therefore, opting for a partial and temporary arrangement with Hamas will weaken the Palestinians' position and render the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative redundant. Steinberg asserted, Absent an Arab initiative, there will be no regional context for resolving the conflict with the Palestinians.

Steinberg therefore proposes a comprehensive view of the Hamas problem in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and of the Palestinian issue and the regional context. Hamas, he said, will not dirty its hands with a diplomatic process, but will be forced to accept a regional arrangement to avoid isolation in the Arab and international arena. Such a regional scenario depends, to a large extent, on Israels willingness to reach a permanent arrangement that ends its occupation of the West Bank and eases its siege of Gaza, Steinberg said.

A senior Foreign Ministry official who dealt for years with policy planning believes that anyone who thinks negotiating with Hamas is possible is delusional for the simple reason that Hamas is unwilling to talk to Israel. They have not crossed that Rubicon, said the official, who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity.

If you ask me personally, if they want to talk to us directly about a diplomatic arrangement, as the Egyptians did at the time, theyre more than welcome. Nonetheless, he said, from a public diplomacy perspective, Israel would do well to present a positive approach while at the same time taking immediate steps to minimize the risks of violence and to stabilize long-term relations with Gaza. I, myself, am operating in that direction, he said.

On the political right, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, there is no perceptible interest in the changes underway in Hamas. The prevailing opinions on the right run the gamut from Theres no such thing as a Palestinian people to First, they have to recognize Israel as the state of the Jewish people. As noted, Hamas' draft charter makes no reference to recognition of the State of Israel much less recognition of the state of the Jewish people, which had been one of Netanyahus preconditions for relaunching talks with the Palestinians. What a relief. The children of Israel can continue to be frightened with the bogeymen out to wipe them off the face of the earth.
March 14, 2017

The invitation extended by US President Donald Trump to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took Israel by complete surprise. It was made March 10 during a phone call in the evening hours at Trump's initiative. According to a Palestinian source who spoke with Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Trump was courteous and attentive, sounding out Abbas on how he views the future of talks with Israel and whether he thinks an agreement can be reached. Abbas answered in the affirmative, and the two arranged to meet in the Oval Office, according to the source.

When the Palestinian president put down the phone at the end of the call, Team Trump breathed a sigh of relief. If all goes as planned and the meeting takes place in May, the tempestuous president will get to know Abbas personally and, to the extent possible, see through the diabolical image of him that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has painted over the years.

That does not mean that Abbas associates are sanguine. The attitude toward the new president is, as President Ronald Reagan said of the Soviets, trust but verify. But the restrained and calculated diplomacy (and some Palestinians would proudly add clever) adopted by the Palestinian Authority (PA) has yielded impressive results far beyond expectations. For example, Trump has already laid down the law to Netanyahu on Israeli settlements in the West Bank (asking Netanyahu not to build any new settlements), all thanks to the backstage diplomacy conducted by the Palestinians.

As reported first by Al-Monitor, the initiative to invite the Palestinian president to the White House was hatched in February at a meeting in PA headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah between Abbas and CIA Director Mike Pompeo. A solid personal relationship forged with Majid Faraj, the head of the Palestinian Security Services, was a contributing factor. The Pompeo-Abbas meeting was held at the same time as Trump and Netanyahu were sitting down to talk at the White House. The Palestinians understood that they must get Trump and Abbas together as soon as possible before the US president has time to formulate a misguided policy based on what he has heard from Netanyahu and from pro-Israel Trump administration figures.

Following the joint Feb. 15 Trump-Netanyahu White House press conference, the Palestinians set themselves three goals. The first, to reinforce the two-state principle as an inviolable condition without which no diplomatic process is possible; second, to debunk what they define as dissemination of incitement in the new administration by Netanyahu against Abbas and the Palestinians; and third, which has already been achieved, to open a communications channel with the White House after it had seemed for long weeks that Trump was oblivious to the Palestinians.

I dont know what worried us more, said the Palestinian source. Whether it was Trump talking offhandedly about one state and two states as if the issue wasnt a cardinal one, or the fact that he swallowed hook, line and sinker Netanyahus oft-repeated mantra that the PA incites against Israel and teaches its children to hate Israel from an early age.

The speed with which Pompeo arranged a White House invitation surprised the Palestinians. Trumps call came less than a month after Pompeos visit to PA headquarters and even before the March arrival in the region of presidential envoy (representative for international negotiations) Jason Greenblatt. The proffered invitation put Team Trump into overdrive to prepare the Palestinian president for a meeting that could rightly be defined as crucial.

The PAs top officials still dont know what to make of Greenblatt, who is tasked with getting a diplomatic process back on track. This is an observant, Orthodox Jew, who studied at the Har Etzion yeshiva in the settlement of Elon Shvut in the West Bank, and is considered a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements there. Is there a chance of his understanding the difficulties Abbas faces and the despair of the Palestinians? Will he be able to convey the facts to Trump in an objective manner without adopting a staunch, one-sided pro-Israel approach? These are substantive questions that the Palestinians have about many of those Trump has named to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

For now, the Palestinians have decided to treat Greenblatt as they do Trumps Jewish son-in-law, Jared Kushner. In other words, to set aside their concerns and focus on convincing the president that Abbas wishes to reach a fitting diplomatic arrangement with Israel.

The Palestinian source says that for now, Trump does not intend to present Abbas with any type of plan, only to discuss the principles and course for renewing negotiations with Israel  in other words, to get to know Abbas personally and hear his positions.

Everyone understands that Trump intends to bring other sides into the negotiations, especially Egypt and Jordan, and indirectly Saudi Arabia, too, the source said. As for Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Palestinians will seek to learn from Trump how he sees Russias role in a comprehensive regional move. The Palestinians are hoping that the White House meeting takes place before Abbas scheduled Kremlin meeting in May.

At this stage, Team Trump is recommending that Abbas insist on resuming negotiations with Israel where they left off in the past and not start from scratch. But given that Trump is intent on obliterating every vestige of the Obama administration, this might not be so simple.
March 14, 2017

BAGHDAD  Iraq's parliament is investigating allegations that corruption and fraud at border crossings involving "influential entities" have led to an influx of contaminated food supplies and expired or counterfeit medications into the country.

Spoiled medications and food supplies come into Iraq. Large quantities have been confiscated. This [scheme] is backed by influential entities," Noura al-Bajari, a member of the parliamentary Economy and Investment Committee, told the media Feb. 23. "This is the result of corruption in the Border Crossing Authority.

Lethal food supplies have come into Iraq through the Umm Qasr border crossing in the south," Abdel Salam al-Malki, a member of the same committee, told an Iraqi TV network Feb. 19.

Magued al-Gharawi, a member of the Security Committee, agreed, telling Al-Monitor, Widespread incidents of fraud and manipulation are taking place at border crossings as trade cartels and lobbies affiliated with influential politicians control the process of smuggling expired medications and food supplies that are not fit for human consumption in exchange for undisclosed commissions paid to officials at specialized checkpoints.

Shipments of medications and food supplies aren't subjected to in-depth oversight or quality control at the crossings. When inspections are done, they are "carried out in a superficial manner that aims at covering up the corruption, Gharawi said.

These goods find their way to the market quite easily, as the number of health and security oversight examinations at shops and storehouses is small and they are bypassed through commissions and bribes. The citizen who deals with such hazardous material is the victim, as most of the time they never find out about the health impacts," he added.

The danger to citizens' health compelled the Pharmacy Syndicate to accuse entities that attempt to control the drug market and resort to threats to impose their agenda of counterfeit drugs. However, the syndicate chose not to name these entities. The syndicate also stated that the efforts of the Ministry of Health to follow up on the medication and pharmacies sector are weak and that corruption, bribes and favoritism prevail in the ministry when it comes to pharmaceutical contracts.

The Ministry of Health immediately denied the accusations of dereliction and deficiency. Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Rodainy vowed before the local media that smuggling spoiled medications and food supplies into Iraq is related to the Border Crossing Authority and the Customs Authority. He added, The ministry is a long way off from this."

On Feb. 22, officials said they confiscated 23 nonrefrigerated containers carrying spoiled medications into Iraq under fictitious names. Also that day, Aliya Nasseef, a member of the State of Law Coalition, told local media, Thousands of tons of Chinese poisoned food were smuggled into Baghdad after a shipment was detained at Basra port for two months."

Officials also reported that a 17-year-old female student died after receiving expired flu shots. On Nov. 15, citizens in Babil province were poisoned by spoiled Indian rice. In 2016, the incumbent council of Karbala province accused the trade minister of importing and distributing spoiled rice.

The toll of corruption on citizens' health is so high that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered an investigation on Feb. 22 into spoiled substances being smuggled across borders and sold in markets.

Despite an apparent wealth of evidence of corruption, Hassan Khalaty, a member of parliaments Health and Environment Committee, told Al-Monitor that the media exaggerates the phenomenon."

Medications are subject to strict procedures of examination. Generally speaking, this is how the situation is. It is evident as hospitals, drug stores and food storehouses are full of food supplies and medications that are fit for use and come from good sources," he said.

Finding containers loaded with expired medications  that happens sometimes because of a mistake. Dereliction or corruption is very [unusual], especially since specialized technical and security committees examine imported medical and food substances."

He provided an example of how mistakes are interpreted as corruption. Medications are delayed in shipping and remain for long periods in storehouses in bad conditions, which, sometimes, lead to their damage," he said. There is good quality control at border crossings and inside the country. Certificates of origin and legal documents that confirm food and medications meet Iraqi standard specifications are common. Anything else is subject to legal accountability.
March 15, 2017

GAZIANTEP, Turkey  After the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cut off the last road that connects Raqqa to Deir ez-Zor city, stretching along 162 kilometers (100 miles) to the east, on March 5, all land supply routes leading to and from Raqqas center and constituting the main moving space for the Islamic State (IS) to connect the regions in northern Syria to its east were closed. The SDF controls the area, which is located on the administrative borders of Deir ez-Zor in east Syria, along 30 kilometers (19 miles) from al-Kubr village in the western Deir ez-Zor countryside to the northern bank of the Euphrates River.

The main road between Raqqa and Aleppo, stretching along 200 kilometers, was blocked after Syrian President Bashar al-Assads forces took control of al-Khafsa village in al-Bab, in Aleppos eastern countryside on the Euphrates west bank, March 8.

The main road between Raqqa and Damascus that stretches along 440 kilometers to the south was closed after the pro-regime forces, with Russian support, recaptured from IS control the historic city of Palmyra, 225 kilometers from Raqqa, on March 2.

The road leading from Raqqa to Hasakah and stretching along 190 kilometers to the northeast was closed Dec. 28, after the SDF took Tal Saman village and its power station located in Raqqas northern countryside, roughly 27 kilometers from the center of Raqqa.

Operation Wrath of the Euphrates, which is spearheaded by the SDF and its military wing, the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), enjoys air support from the US-led international coalition against IS. On Feb. 4, it began its third phase to besiege Raqqa and eradicate IS in one of its main strongholds in Syria.

Operation Wrath of the Euphrates spokeswoman Jihane Sheikh Ahmad said Raqqa is now isolated. She told Al-Monitor, Our forces have tightened the noose on Raqqa. We have advanced thanks to the increasing air support and military participation from the international alliance.

She added, Within a short period, we took complete control of Raqqas countryside and liberated hundreds of villages and strategic hills. We reached the Euphrates River from the east and the Euphrates Dam from the northwest.

Ahmad did not specify a timeline for the battle: The battle might take months, but definitely not years. We are sure we have enough power and the number of our men is increasing because we have the support of residents of the villages in the city and of the anti-IS coalition.

Independent Syrian military expert Abdul Nasser al-Ayed said that the supposed timeline of the Raqqa battle might be months. He told Al-Monitor, I think the battle will not last long, despite the propaganda saying that Raqqa is IS fortress. Its fall is imminent, and it will take everyone by surprise.

The SDF advanced in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, entering areas administratively annexed to the provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor.

IS lacks a supportive environment in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor; there are not many people affiliated with it and [Arab] tribes there do not want to interfere in the battle between IS and the Kurds, Ayed said.

Arab tribes see IS as an occupying force and a de facto power, while viewing the Kurds as foreign invaders because they are not local to the Sunni Arab area.

One year after IS announced its so-called Islamic caliphate in June 2014, its militants controlled half of Syrias area, estimated back then at about 90,000 square kilometers (35,000 square miles), out of the countrys total area of 185,180 square kilometers. IS was able to effectively do away with the border between the areas of Iraq and Syria that they managed to control.

Ahmed said, We managed to take control of the entire countryside of Raqqa, except for the city center, in addition to a part of Deir ez-Zor. We seek to eliminate the organization in its main stronghold. If we pull this off, we would liberate Syria and the entire world from the filth of IS.

Ahmed said the Arabs participating in the battles of Raqqa constitute 80% of the troops and military formations locked in the battles, which include the Syrian Elite Forces, the armed wing of Syrias Tomorrow Movement, the military council of Deir ez-Zor city, the SDF and Sunni tribal men.

Ayed said it is unlikely that IS will be completely rooted out. The Kurds and the SDF might be victorious in the military battles against IS but it is difficult to eradicate the religious and security ideology of the group, he said. He noted that IS is not a political party or a military institution, but a political social movement that emerged as a result of the feelings of oppression and inferiority experienced by nearly a century among large segments of Muslims. Even if IS is buried alive and militarily crushed, it would remain a specter that would emerge once again.

IS has lost one-third of the areas in Syria it had controlled in the past two years, Ayed said.

He said the militants morale is completely damaged, given the large number of military fronts against it in Syria and Iraq, not to mention the heavy losses it has incurred in the battle of Mosul.

Ayed said, IS has entered its last military phase and will soon turn to its secret hiding places and sleeper cells, which were earlier prepared [in case of military failure].

Now that the noose is being tightened on Raqqa, IS militants have become trapped in separate geographic areas. Raqqa is completely isolated now from three fronts (the west, north and east), and from the south on the Euphrates River. It is also besieged from the air due to airstrikes carried out by the international coalition. Meanwhile, the SDF surrounds Deir ez-Zor from the west and the north. The Assad regime has surrounded the countryside of Homs and Palmyra to the west and south, insulating the areas there from Raqqa.
March 14, 2017

On March 13, Blick, the third top-selling newspaper in Switzerland, came out with a giant headline in an unusual language: Turkish. Vote no to Erdogans dictatorship, the title read, appealing to the Turks living in this small country. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the paper argued, was seeking to establish dictatorship with the upcoming referendum on April 16. And Turks living in Switzerland, who enjoy the freedoms of this liberal nation, should say no to this menace.

Back in Turkey, however, this headline quickly turned into yet another reason to vote yes for Erdogan. Pro-government media ran immediate stories condemning the Swiss paper  in fact, Switzerland and all of Europe  for imperialist hubris. They also called on all Turks to give their patriotic response by rallying behind the great leader. On social media, pro-Erdogan users reiterated their standard line: Europes enmity was not just against Erdogan, but in fact against Turks and Islam. This, a pro-Erdogan journalist even declared, is the war of the Cross against the Crescent.

This is the narrative one can read and hear every single day in Turkeys pro-government media. It is a narrative that explains every single tension with Western nations  including the recent Tulip Crisis between Turkey and Holland, which could have been avoided if both sides acted more reasonably. It tells Turks the West is not really worried about Erdogans authoritarianism, which is only necessary for a nation under major threats. The West is rather worried that Turkey is becoming a powerful, independent, virtuous nation. Erdogan is just making Turkey great again, in other words, and that is why Turkeys quintessential enemy  the West  is all up in arms.

This very narrative itself is actually proof that Erdogan indeed is authoritarian, because it equates patriotism and Erdoganism and considers all Erdogan critics as enemies of the nation. The enmity against the West, in other words, helps intimidate all Western puppets within Turkey, which are basically all opposition circles.

One may wonder, however, why the West has so categorically become the main enemy for Erdogan and his supporters. Because when Erdogan first came to power in 2002, this was not the case at all. His Justice and Development Party (AKP), despite its Islamist roots, rather embarked on a mission to make Turkey a full member of the European Union. Erdogan was a frequent visitor to Western capitals at the time, and a sponsor of love fests between the East and West such as the Alliance of Civilizations.

This Western-friendly AKP was a product of two things. The first was soul-searching and self-reform among Turkeys Islamists. In a plenitude of meetings, panels, media forums and informal chats, Western concepts such as liberal democracy were discussed and accepted, whereas the anti-Westernism of the past  called the National View ideology  was abandoned.

But there was also a second and more burning reason for abandoning anti-Westernism: It was the only way to survive the wrath of Turkeys secular establishment. This establishment, upheld by a draconian military and judiciary, had overthrown the AKPs predecessors for trying to take Turkey away from Ataturks Westernized vision. It could do the same thing again. The safest way to overcome this threat was to outdo the secular establishment in Westernization. That is why the AKP hung on tightly to the European Union rope, which really saved itself from any possible coup attempt in the first decade of the 2000s.

However, this pragmatic reason to cozy up with the West ended in the early 2010s when Erdogan subdued the secular establishment and seized the state for himself. The EU soon even began to look like a drag on his feet. His notion of democracy was limited to the ballots, and as he began to crack down on free speech, the gap with Europe widened. From 2013 onward, Erdogan even began to believe in a giant Western conspiracy to topple him, to which he responded with furious anti-Westernism.

That is why todays AKP is a far cry from the AKP of the early 2000s. Those who have stayed loyal to the partys intellectual founding  including its grand names such as former President Abdullah Gul or longtime czar of the economy Ali Babacan  have all been sidelined. Erdogan rather created a new coalition of militant nationalists whose common call is to build a fully independent Turkey.

Islam  or, more precisely, a kind of Islamic nationalism  plays a great role in this latter-day AKP ideology. The West is depicted as not just the enemy of Muslims but also their very antithesis. Muslims are moral, honest, decent people, whereas the West is corrupt, degenerate and hypocritical. It is a typical case of Occidentalism, which  just like its mirror image, Orientalism  demonizes a whole civilization for the sake of its own biases and ambitions.

Notably, in this major anti-Western drive, which is likely to make Turkey a Muslim version of Vladimir Putins Russia, Erdogan has a major ally within the West itself: the Orientalists, especially Islamophobes. These are the people who, with their enmity against Muslims and their double standards over them, prove the Erdoganists right. One shining example is the far-right Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who led the Tulip Crisis on the Dutch side. Erdoganists are now busy sharing his anti-Islam remarks online, only to add: This is the real face of Europe.

If Europeans want to break this vicious cycle and the clash of civilizations it heralds, what they need to do is simple: Show that Wilders and his ilk, and the anti-Islamic ideology they represent, is not the real face of Europe. Show that liberal values are not lies and double standards, but true norms valid for everyone. Uphold freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly for all  including the defenders of Erdogan. Be principled, in short, about Europes own principles.
March 14, 2017

Turkeys deepening crisis with Europe has re-energized its desire to expand ties with Russia. Ankara clearly wants to show that it has powerful friends that can reduce its dependence on the United States and Europe. This also works to Moscows advantage, given its problems with the West and barely concealed desire to undermine NATO.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Moscow last week came at an opportune moment for Ankara in this regard. Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks within the context of the High-Level Cooperation Council established between the two countries in 2010, which was meeting for the sixth time.

Following their talks, Erdogan and Putin stressed their joint desire to attain and surpass the levels of economic cooperation that existed between the two countries before the downing of a Russian fighter jet by Turkey in November 2015 that sent economic and political ties plummeting overnight.

This was also the fourth time the two leaders had met since Erdogan apologized last summer for the jet incident, following which both sides agreed to let bygones be bygones.

The documents signed during Erdogans visit covered a three-year economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation program. There was also talk about increasing cooperation in the strategic field of energy, including speeding up the nuclear power plant project in Akkuyu, Turkey, contracted to the Russian company Rosatom.

In addition to this, increased cooperation in the military field was discussed, leading to rumors about the purchase of Russian S-400 long-range missile defense systems by Turkey. Given Turkeys continuing NATO membership, though, many believe this is not possible.

This, however, did not deter Erdogan from fueling the speculation. Flying back from Moscow, he told reporters that Turkey had not lost its independence because of NATO membership, and he stressed that if it could not secure these systems from the West, it had to seek them elsewhere.

We saw what happened in Syria. Unfortunately, we saw weapons from our NATO allies in the hands of terrorists.  Of course we will take our precautions because of this, Erdogan said, referring to Turkeys need for a missile defense system.

Erdogans words inadvertently underlined, however, differences between Turkey and Russia over Syria. Al-Monitors Maxim A. Suchkov has pointed out that if delivered, S-400 systems could potentially limit Moscows own maneuvers in Syria and those of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's air forces  something Russia should and does take into consideration for the long run.

Erdogans remark about NATO weapons going to terrorists in Syria, on the other hand, refers to the backing the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) is providing for the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which Turkey insists is a Kurdish terrorist group linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Erdogan has a serious dilemma. Russia does not accept the YPG or its mother organization, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), to be terrorist organizations either, and allows a PYD representation in Moscow.

Russias refusal, unlike the United States and much of Europe, to declare the PKK a terrorist organization compounds the dilemma. Erdogan brought up the matter diplomatically during the opening session of the High-Level Cooperation Council in Moscow.

As for the activity of Syrian groups affiliated with the PKK terrorist organization, such as the PYD and YPG, I believe it is necessary to completely put an end to their activity in Russia, he said.

He also brought up another highly touchy topic and mentioned Ankaras desire to see Russia restrict the activities of groups associated with Fethullah Gulen, the Islamic preacher accused of masterminding the failed coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016.

The fact remains, however, that while he blasts the United States and Europe liberally for supporting the PYD and the YPG, Erdogan is largely silent over Russias open support for the same groups. Despite the Astana process where the two countries, together with Iran, are sponsoring talks with a view to expediting the end of the Syrian crisis, Syria remains a problem area in Turkish-Russian ties.

This was also made apparent when Russia stopped the advance of Turkeys Operation Euphrates Shield in northern Syria, especially toward the town of Manbij (Ankara wanted to dislodge the YPG elements there).

Using its influence with the PYD, Moscow convinced the YPG to transfer territory south of the town to regime forces. Murat Yetkin, the editor-in-chief of Hurriyet Daily News, says Moscow made this move in order not to let the Kurdish card in Syria fall into American hands.

The Russian move also highlighted how Turkey is only able to forge on in Syria according to Moscows  not to mention Washingtons  desires, and in doing so is forced to come to terms with the unsavory possibility of cooperating with Assad.

Having vilified Assad for years, Erdogan supporters are coming around to accepting now that Assad may be the lesser of two evils when compared with the PYD and the YPG. Ibrahim Karagul, the editor-in-chief of the pro-government daily Yeni Safak, for example, argues that regime control is preferable to PYD control in Syria. Maybe some will be angry with me for saying so, but if necessary we have to sit at the table with Damascus, Karagul wrote in his column.

Suchkov, however, echoes Yetkins argument and cites Russian sources who maintain that dumping the Kurds would be counterintuitive for Moscow. If Moscow abandons the Kurds now, it will reinforce Americas position. They [the United States] have already secured some of northwest Syria with their own military infrastructure. It will also allow Turkey to seize further control of the Syrian territory, according to Suchkovs source.

Moscows playing host to a Kurdish conference last month  which was also attended by the PYD  and Russias draft constitution for Syria, which proposes a secular system and includes the possibility of Kurdish autonomy, have also been met with displeasure in Ankara.

Aware that both Russia and the United States are keen to have some form of political representation for the Kurds, Ankara is bracing itself for the new round of Syria negotiations in Geneva on March 23. One of the main topics discussed there will reportedly be the new Syrian Constitution.

Columnist Nuray Mert points to another problem area between Ankara and Moscow. The other issue that complicates the Turkey-Russia alliance is Turkeys desire to revive the Sunni alliance against Iran and to contribute to Donald Trumps new Mideast efforts to reconcile Israel and Sunni countries against the Iranian threat,' Mert argues.

Even Ankaras current crisis with the Netherlands demonstrates the limits of Turkeys reliance on Russia. Maintaining that international law is on its side, Ankara had hoped for Moscows backing in this crisis. It was disappointed, though, when Putins spokesman called on both sides to show restraint.

Turkeys EU Minister Omer Celik criticized NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after he made a similar call. Asking us to reduce the tension is not enough. They should establish the reasons behind this tension and do what is necessary, Celik said.

For the moment, Ankara and Moscow are not prepared to let differences, no matter how serious these may ultimately be, cloud the positive atmosphere they are projecting regarding their ties. This does not mean that the thorns in the side of their relationship will not result in new bruises that go on to fester.
Chickens

State officials say they may have found bird flu in three north Alabama chicken houses. This file image shows commercial chickens in their houses, and raising them is Alabama's No. 1 agricultural product. (Photo courtesy AL.com news partner WHNT News 19)

An investigation is ongoing into suspected cases of avian influenza in Alabama in three counties, which makes five separate, related instances in the Southeast over the past two weeks.

But state officials say the disease, also known as bird flu, poses little threat to humans and there are no signs it has entered the food supply.

Here's what we know:

State agriculture officials said one flock of chickens at a Lauderdale County commercial breeder operation was suspected for avian influenza, but "no significant mortality in the flock" was reported. A backyard flock in Madison County also showed signs.

Then, when the department began following routine surveillance as part of the state's HPAI Preparedness and Response Plan, USDA poultry technicians collected samples at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market in Scottsboro, in Jackson County on Sunday.

Samples from all locations have been sent to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. All of these cases were due to active monitoring.

Early evidence points to the chickens in Alabama having a low pathogenic variety of the virus, according to Reuters.

Alabama is currently under an stop movement order, meaning no poultry at poultry shows, swap meets, flea markets and poultry auctions.

What is bird flu?

Avian influenza is a catch-all phrase for respiratory viruses occurring naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide which can infect poultry and other bird and animal species, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The viruses do not normally infect humans and require contact. No chickens infected by the virus are known to have entered the U.S. food chain, authorities say.

Why the concern?

Chicken is big in Alabama. Poultry and egg production generate more than $15 billion a year in state, and more than 85,000 jobs statewide are tied to the poultry and egg business.

Last week, two different strains of avian influenza were reported in two Tennessee counties situated on the Alabama stateline. More than 90,000 chickens were killed in two different operations to prevent any possible spread.

Bird flu did lead to the destruction of about 50 million chickens in 2014 and 2015, many of them in the Midwest, as health agencies attempted to control the outbreak.

Neither strain reported in the U.S. this year is the same as the bird flu currently infecting China, where 161 people have died since October 2016. Those people were mostly exposed at outdoor poultry markets, according to the CDC.

What can be done to prevent the spread?

State agricultural officials say you can isolate poultry from other animals, wear clothing designated only for the poultry house and minimize access to people and unsanitized equipment.

In addition, properly dispose of bedding material and mortalities and avoid contact with migratory birds.

The Alabama Department of Agriculture has a list of other tips here.
film schools by state.jpg

ICX Media ranked the top film school in each state.

(ICXMedia.com)

Birmingham-Southern College started a film program in 2010.

Birmingham-Southern College has only had a film program since 2010, but it's getting some kudos in the industry.

Birmingham-Southern has been ranked No. 1 in Alabama by ICX Media in its first ranking of the top U.S. film schools in each state.

The college was featured in a Top 50 list along with such institutions as the University of Southern California, New York University, and Yale University. Schools were chosen based on their overall ratings, reputation, notable alumni, internship opportunities and faculty accomplishment.

"I am thrilled that our college has been recognized along with some of the country's premier film programs," said Dr. Teddy Champion, visiting assistant professor of media and film studies at BSC. "This is a great acknowledgement of our students' talent and creative work."

The college's Media and Film Studies major, launched in 2010, has 30 declared majors, most of whom are studying film production and film criticism.

The program is interdisciplinary to have a broader focus than just an education in film. The program's newest faculty members, Champion and Robert Corna, visiting instructor of media and film studies at BSC, have graduate degrees from Columbia University and the University of Southern California, respectively.

In January, professors take students to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where they get a backstage look at independent film production. Media and Film Studies students also attend and intern for Birmingham's annual Sidewalk Film Festival as well as production companies in Los Angeles and Europe.

ICX Media, started in 2016, is a Washington, D.C.-based digital video management and data analytics platform for media companies, brands, agencies, and creators.

Birmingham-Southern College is a four-year, private liberal arts school founded in 1856 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It enrolls about 1,300 students.
People are fascinated with abandoned sites. Sometimes its because they bring back memories of places they once loved. Or they are shocked by the waste of still-useful homes and buildings. Other times, its merely because they are so haunting and raise the questions: Who would leave such beautiful places to rot? And why?

See the last slide for links to more photos of abandoned sites in Alabama.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

By KELLY KAZEK

Here is a look at 21 of the most photographed abandoned sites in Alabama.

NOTE: These homes and buildings are located on private property. Trespassing is punishable by law. If you go, drive by only.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

1. The Norwood Community

Norwood, a community in Birmingham, is known among photographers and urban explorers for its crumbling abandoned mansions. The stately relics are located, oddly, on the outskirts of a neighborhood of beautifully restored turn-of-the-20th-century cottages, a beautifully restored 1925 elementary school, churches and a few businesses.

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Kelly Kazek

To visit Norwood, take exit 126B off Interstate 20/59, just north of downtown Birmingham. Remember, the majority of homes are occupied, private residences and those that are abandoned are marked "No Trespassing" and are a hazard. Click here to see more photos.

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(Source: Josh Box/Steel City Urbex)

2. Prattville Cotton Gin Mill

Prattville was founded by Daniel Pratt, a manufacturer of cotton gins. Several abandoned mill sites remain in the town, although historic groups hope to re-purpose some of the factories. See more on Steel City Urbex's Facebook page.

NOTE: This site is continually monitored with video surveillance. No trespassing.

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(Source: Josh Box/Steel City Urbex)

According to Prattvilleal.gov: Pratt's "love of beauty is evidenced in Prattville in his manufactories which feature graceful arches, soaring ceilings and vast open spaces, interesting brick and stonework and a picturesque site alongside Autauga Creek. Several of the brick structures that Pratt built are still used today for an industry manufacturing cotton gins. These buildings are the longest continuously occupied industrial buildings in the state."

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(Source: Josh Box)

Inside Prattville Cotton Gin Mill.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

3. Chalkville Training School for 'Incorrigible' Girls

For 75 years, the stone structures built by the Works Progress Administration in Chalkville sheltered girls labeled "incorrigible," "delinquent," or "wayward," although most arrived at the Alabama Training School for Girls because of behavioral and emotional problems and had committed no crimes, according to its superintendent in 1966.

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(Sources: Alabama Department of Youth Services, left; Kelly Kazek, right)

The training school, shown when it was in use at left, was abandoned after a tornado destroyed several buildings and a new facility was built in 2015. It is the property of the Department of Youth Services. This site was visited with permission. Trespassing is illegal.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

An old well house at the Chalkville Training School for Girls. Click here to see more photos.

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(Source: Jeff E. Newman)

4. Pratt City Church

This church on Avenue U in Pratt City has been empty since it was struck by a tornado. Jeff E. Newman of Steel City Urbex took photos.

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(Source: Jeff E. Newman)

Interior of the Pratt City church.

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(Source: Jeff E. Newman)

Interior of the Pratt City church.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

5. Jemison Center, former insane asylum for African Americans

The Jemison Center was built in the 1920s as part of Bryce Hospital, which opened in Tuscaloosa as the Alabama State Hospital for the Insane at the outset of the Civil War. The building was constructed in Northport on what was once called Cherokee Plantation, owned by Robert Jemison.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

After the Jemison Center was built, the hospitals were kept segregated. The able-bodied patients at Jemison worked on a hospital farm. After the main asylum became known as Bryce Hospital in 1900, the Jemison Center was often called "Old Bryce Hospital," despite the fact that Bryce was built first. The Jemison Center changed focus in the 1970s because of desegregation laws and closed in the 1980s. The property is still owned by the Department of Mental Health and is trespassing is illegal. This is one of the outbuildings at the site.

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(Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham)

Inside the Jemison Center.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

6. Dicksonia Plantation

Dicksonia Plantation in Lowndesboro had a reputation in its day as a stately mansion in picturesque surroundings. But, after burning twice in its 186-year history, the elegant mansion is more famous in its ruinous state than it ever was as a family home. The burned-out shell of the Dicksonia mansion was left after a 1964 fire because the damage to the foundation was too extensive for repairs.

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(Source: Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress)

Dicksonia ruins have been used to film an opening scene in the 2003 movie "Big Fish," was the site of a photo shoot by legendary celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, who photographed actress Natalie Portman for the May 1999 issue of Vanity Fair magazine, and is now a sought-after venue for artistic photography and weddings.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

the interior, seen here from the doorway, is closed to the public because it is unsafe. The grounds are maintained and the site is available to rent for photography and events from Dorothy Skipper Rental LLC. ADVANCE PERMISSION REQUIRED. For information, call 334-320-5330 or visit the Facebook page. Click here to see more photos.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

7. Robinson's Switch

Across from St. Clair's Bait & Tackle, Grocery and Hardware, a tiny catch-all store at the crossroads of Lowndes County Roads 29 and 40, is a narrow, shaded dirt lane that leads to one of Alabama's best-kept secrets. Railroad tracks run alongside the backs of the surviving buildings, parallel to the dirt lane called Robinson Switch Road.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

At least one of the buildings at Robinson's Switch has the shape of a depot and another long building appears to have been a railroad warehouse. A little farther to the east is a waterway known as Gun Island Chute that leads to the Alabama River. Click here to see Robinson Switch Road on Google Maps.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

Click here to see more photos of Robinson's Switch.

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(Source: Wil Elrick)

8. Old Shelby Hotel

Measured by other resorts built in Alabama in the 1800s, such as nearby Shelby Springs Hotel or Blount Springs Resort, the Dennemora Hotel offered a pared-down version of entertainment. It had no ballroom, no gold-leafed interior, no orchestra. What it did offer was good food, comfortable bedrooms, outdoor activities and, according to a history of Shelby Iron Works, the first accommodations with electricity and indoor plumbing in the state.

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(Source: Wil Elrick)

The first Dennemora Hotel was built at the height of the Civil War, in 1863, along what is now Shelby County Road 42, five miles southwest of Columbiana. The hotel's location next to the Shelby Iron Works, built in 1842 for access to a spring on the property, made it a popular weekend destination for the public but it was also used by employees of the Iron Works. The hotel closed in the 1970s. Click here to see more photos.

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AL.com File Photo/Frank Couch

9. Memorial Mound

When Memorial Mound opened on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer in 1993, it was billed as a new method of laying loved ones to rest. Coffins were stacked on racks like a storage facility. However, in the 2010s, no one was managing the site and vandals began tearing up the facility. The caskets were left neglected and families were angry. The remains were removed in 2015. This photo shows a casket on a top shelf that is rusted through the bottom.

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AL.com File Photo/Frank Couch

These display caskets left inside Memorial Mound still had price tags on them. The facility on Dartmouth Avenue in Bessemer was abandoned with bodies inside but they were removed in 2015.

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(Source: Wil Elrick)

10. Spectre Film Set

Spectre, Ala., is a fictional town built as a set for the 2003 movie "Big Fish." When filming was completed, the owners of the property on Jackson Lake Island near Millbrook told director Tim Burton to leave the sets rather than bulldoze them. The buildings, built only for filming exteriors, were not completed and not built to code. After a fire and years of deterioration, only a few buildings remain but it has become a popular destination for tourists and photographers. Click here for more photos.

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(Source: Wil Elrick)

Today, Jackson Lake Island is open to the public for camping and fishing. Owners Bobby and Lynn Bright are refurbishing the film set of Spectre because public interest remains high. Read about the Brights and the plans for the island by clicking here.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

11. Ward's Funeral Home

This abandoned funeral home in Opelika still has hearses and caskets inside its casket showcase room.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

A hearse can be seen inside the garage of the abandoned Wards Funeral Home in Opelika.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

12. Winter Place

Winter Place at 454 Goldthwaite Street is one of the most iconic properties in Montgomery and in the state, both because of its Second Empire-style beauty and its history, which includes acting as offices for the Confederate Army and, according to legend, being the place where F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre met, setting off one of the most fiery romances of the Jazz Age.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

Winter Place is actually a complex with two huge homes; the second is that both homes are in dire need of renovation. The property is for sale. For information, contact Craig Drescher, info@historicwinterplace.com

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

13. Gurley Hall Hotel

The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the Madison County town of Gurley. Click here to see more.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

Hall Hotel dates to 1895 and residents of Gurley hope to restore it.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

14. Mt. Vernon Hospital for the Colored Insane

In the small south Alabama town of Mount Vernon, one of the state's greatest historical treasures is slowly being consumed by kudzu, time and apathy. At the site of Mount Vernon Arsenal, founded in 1828, more than 30 historic buildings are rotting where they stand, including those that housed, at differing times, Geronimo, a Civil War militia, Dr. Walter Reed and African American mental patients when it was the Mount Vernon Asylum for the Colored Insane, later known as Searcy Hospital.

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(Source: Historic American Buildings Survey/Library of Congress)

Click here to see a five-part history of the Mt. Vernon/Searcy Hospital site, shown here in 1935, with photo galleries.

NOTE: This site was visited with permission and under supervision of the State Department of Mental Health. It is continually guarded and visitors are not allowed without prior approval.

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(Source: Matt Glasscock at left; Birmingham Public Library at right)

15. City Federal

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2016/09/amazing_photos_show_abandoned.html

Matt Glasscock, who took the photo at left, and members of Steel City Urbex were invited by the owner to tour some of the closed portions of the City Federal building in downtown Birmingham. Parts of the building have been renovated into living space but the penthouse, basement and old bank area remain abandoned and off-limits, awaiting restoration. At right, a historical photo of City Federal.

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(Source: Matt Glasscock)

Members of Steel City Urbex were allowed into the bank area and the basement that are being developed for a business such as a restaurant or wine cellar, he said. The penthouse is still up for sale, he said. We hope to get permission to go photograph it very soon.

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(Source: Josh Box/Steel City Urbex)

16. Empire Building

The Empire Building, one of four that make up the "Heaviest Corner on Earth" in downtown Birmingham, is a 16-story, 247-foot-tall Classical Revival-style skyscraper. It is located at 1928 First Avenue North. It was abandoned for years and is currently being refurbished.

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(Source: Josh Box/Steel City Urbex)

A staircase in the Empire building before renovations began. The Empire building was erected in 1909 on the site of the former Bank Saloon, according to Bham Wiki. "When it was built, it was the tallest building in Alabama."

(Source: Josh Box/SteelCityUrbex)

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(Source: Josh Box/Steel City Urbex)

Ceiling in the Empire building.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

17. Shelby Chemical Plant

This weathered concrete frame on Shelby County Road 42 was once part of Shelby Chemical Co., a plant owned by Shelby Iron Co. It is located across from Shelby Iron Works Park, which has been preserved as an educational site.

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(Source: ShelbyIronWorkds.typepad.com)

Shelby Iron Co. began operations in the 1840s. It produced plating for Civil War-era ironclad vessels, as well as pig iron for munitions and other wartime materials. It was destroyed by Union forces in 1865. It was rebuilt and operated until 1923. The chemical plant was built by the company in 1918 to make wood alcohol from charcoal for World War I. The war ended before the plant went into operation.

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(Source: HistoricTuscaloosa.org)

18. The State Capitol in Tuscaloosa

The ruins of the building that served as the Alabama Capitol from 1826-1846 have been preserved as Capitol Park in Tuscaloosa. The city was the capital after Huntsville was the temporary capital city in 1819 so a Constitutional Convention could be held to choose the first official capital, which was Cahawba.

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(Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History)

After the capital was moved to Montgomery, the Tuscaloosa building was used as the Alabama Central Female College. It burned in 1923, leaving only ruins. This photo of the Alabama Capitol in Tuscaloosa was taken in the 1890s or early 1900s.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

19. The Crocheron Mansion

This photo shows the Crocheron Columns, the only things remaining from a mansion built in Cahaba in 1843 by Richard Crocheron. The preserved ruins of Alabama's first permanent capital city can be toured at Old Cahawba Archaeological Site. For tour information and fees, visit the ghost town's website here.

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(Source: Alabama Department of Archives and History)

A photo of the Richard Crocheron mansion in the 1880s, when it was already an abandoned ruin. The city of Cahaba, or Cahawba, located where the Cahaba and Alabama rivers meet, was abandoned in 1825 after severe flooding.

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(Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham)

20. Colored Masonic Temple

Inside a seven-story, Renaissance Revival-style building in downtown Birmingham, framed photos of unknown people linger on desks that haven't been used in three decades. Nearby, a pair of eyeglasses gathers dust, as if the owner were suddenly interrupted in the middle of a workday and never returned. The neglected building is Birmingham's Masonic Temple, also once known as the Colored Masonic Lodge.

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(Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham)

Since it was erected in 1922, the Masonic building has a public library for black residents and home to offices for prominent black doctors and lawyers, as well as the local NAACP. In the era of segregation, it was central to the cultural life of black Birmingham residents. The building has been abandoned since the 1980s. Groups such as Main Street Birmingham, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation have attempted to find a use for it and funding to refurbish it.

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(Source: Namaan Fletcher/What's Left of Birmingham)

Inside the Masonic Lodge building.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

21. Mansion on Goldthwaite

The crumbling house on a hill at 103 Goldthwaite Street was obviously once a beauty. It is located on a street bordering Montgomery's quaint Cottage Hill district, which is filled with refurbished cottages.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

Detail of the abandoned mansion on Goldthwaite. Click here to see more from Cottage Hill.

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Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com

More photos of Abandoned Alabama

Inside Alabama's abandoned Ruffner Mountain mine, site of 1971 explosion

These abandoned Alabama bridges will make you wonder what's on the other side

Eerie abandoned campus of Alabama's girls reform school

Ghost boats: Abandoned Alabama watercraft

Inside the spooky skeleton of Bryce, Alabama's historic insane hospital

15 riveting ruins that recount Alabama's past

Crumbling Shelby Hotel gives spooky glimpse into Alabama's resort era

11 creepy abandoned hotels in Alabama
house of representatives feb 9 2016 julie bennett.JPG

(Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

The Alabama House of Representatives passed the General Fund budget tonight after about three and a half hours of debate mostly about whether to give state employees a pay bonus.

The House approved the bill 72-28, sending it to the Senate.

The final vote came after the rejection of three amendments that would have given state employees one-time pay bonuses.

All three were proposed by Montgomery area lawmakers and supported mostly by the Democratic minority.

Gov. Robert Bentley proposed a 4 percent cost of living increase for state employees, but that's not in the bill. The raise would have cost the General Fund $19 million next year.

House budget chairman Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, said the state needs to set aside $97 million in the General Fund as a hedge against possible changes coming from Congress and because next year's budget is propped up with one-time money from a BP settlement.

"I think it's the prudent thing to do for us to be cautious here," Clouse said.

Some lawmakers, mostly Democrats, supported amendments to the budget to provide a pay bonus for state employees, who have not received a cost of living increase since fiscal year 2009.

"I think it is very important that we help people to understand that they do have value," Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Livingston said.

Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, proposed an amendment to give state employees a one-time bonus of $1,600.

Knight said Clouse's plan to save $97 million in the budget would not survive the legislative process.

"If we send $97 million up to that Senate, they're going to spend it," Knight said.

At Clouse's request, the House voted to table Knight's amendment for a one-time bonus by a vote of 63-37.

The vote was mostly on party lines. Most Republicans voted in favor of tabling the amendment.

Rep. Dimitri Polizos, R-Montgomery, later offered an amendment to give state employees a one-time, 2 percent pay bonus that would be paid on Dec. 1.

It was also tabled by a vote of 61-39.

Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, followed with an amendment to give state employees earning less than $80,000 a year a one-time bonus. Those earning more than $80,000 would have gotten $500.

That proposal, too, was tabled by the House by a vote of 62-36.

Rep. Paul Beckman, R-Prattville, said lawmakers were treating state employees as a low priority and told his GOP colleagues they could pay a political price.

"When you did not recognize them, they will not recognize you when it comes election time and you've got an R by your name," Beckman said.

Clouse said state employees were not overlooked. The budget would boost state employees' insurance funding from the General Fund by $9.6 million, which Clouse said should help keep employees from paying more for their insurance.

Clouse said the state needs to have money on hand in case Congress, which is considering repeal of the Affordable Care Act, makes changes that could cost the state more for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

The budget, for the year that begins Oct. 1, would spend $1.84 billion from the General Fund, almost exactly the same as this year.

Most agencies would get about the same amount of money as they received this year.

The Alabama Medicaid Agency, which serves about 1 million people in the state and is the biggest spender from the General Fund, would receive $700 million from the General Fund plus a one-year supplement of $105 million from a BP oil spill settlement.

That $805 million total is $20 million more than Medicaid is receiving this year but $43 million less than the governor requested.

Overall, the budget passed by the House would spend $62 million less than what Bentley proposed.

Updated at 9:24 p.m. to say that House tabled Rep. John Knight's amendment for a state employees' pay bonus. Updated at 9:57 p.m. to say that two more amendments for state employee bonuses were tabled. Updated at 10:53 p.m. to say House passed the budget.


The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a scaled-back plan for the state to build prisons.

A new bill introduced by Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, would limit the state to building one prison and allow a bond issue of up to $350 million to build the prison and for renovations to existing prisons.

The committee, which Ward chairs, approved the bill on a voice vote today. It moves to the Senate.

Ward's bill would allow local authorities to issue bonds for prison construction and to lease those facilities to the state.

The bill would allow a total of up to three new prisons, with the local authorities building either two or three.

The prison-building plan, initiated by Gov. Robert Bentley and Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn, originally called for a bond issue of $800 million to build three new, regional prisons for men while closing most of the existing prisons. It would also have replaced Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.

The new bill would not replace Tutwiler. It would provide money for renovations to Tutwiler and other remaining prisons, a total of up to $125 million from the $350 million state bond issue, Ward said.

Sens. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, and Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, questioned why replacing Tutwiler is no longer part of the plan.

Coleman-Madison said she had toured the prison and said "the conditions are absolutely horrible."

"I want to know what we're going to do about Tutwiler other than patch it," Coleman-Madison said.

A key change in the new bill is that it would move much of the responsibility for building the prisons to local authorities.

Ward said the expectation is that counties and communities with prisons, especially those with multiple prisons, might take the initiative to build new prisons and lease them to the state because of the importance of the prison jobs.

The state could not proceed with the bond issue unless an agreement to lease at least two facilities from local authorities is in place.

Senators who represent Elmore and Escambia counties, which have multiple prisons, said Tuesday they believed their communities would be interested in establishing authorities to build prisons.

Some senators on the committee today said poorer communities that have prisons would not be able to borrow money to build a prison.

Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said he was concerned about prison jobs being "hijacked" from those communities.

With the initial plan, Dunn said the Department of Corrections could pay the bond debt with savings resulting from consolidating aging prisons into modern ones.

The bill also pledges a portion of a one-mill ad valorem tax and a portion of a tax on liquor and wine to secure the bonds.

Dunn said today that although the bill has changed he still believes its close enough to the original to accomplish the goals of the plan, which include replacing aging prisons, reducing overcrowding and facilitating rehabilitation programs intended to reduce recidivism.

Dunn said the key to making it work is to consolidate most of the 13 men's prisons into three regional prisons.

This is the second year the Legislature has considered the prison-building initiative. Dunn said he believes discussions have generally moved beyond why new prisons are needed to how it can be done.

"I think there is broad agreement that we have to do something," Dunn said.

Updated at 3:33 p.m. to add comment from Commissioner Jeff Dunn.
Hidden blood tests by hospitals put mothers at risk of arrest Alabama hospitals have less-than-clear intentions as drug tests lead to arrests of pregnant moms

Will Bishop has suffered no health effects from his mother's self medication of her epilepsy with marijuana while she carried him.

(Grant Blankenship)

Although states across the country have relaxed penalties for marijuana use - new moms in Alabama still face harsh punishment for lighting up, which is often detected in hospital drug tests after birth and passed along to police.

Dozens of women have been charged with felony chemical endangerment of a child since 2006 for using marijuana during pregnancy, according to a 2015 analysis of court data by Al.com and ProPublica. Marijuana was the most common drug mentioned in court records, accounting for 20 percent of the charges against new moms and pregnant women between 2006 and 2015.

And that makes Alabama relatively unique. Although Alabama isn't the only state with laws against drug use during pregnancy, its prosecutors have been the most zealous - bringing charges against hundreds of women, even those with low levels of THC and no criminal history.

State lawmakers crafted the chemical endangerment law in 2006 to protect children from exposure to chemicals and fumes from home-based meth-labs, which can cause irritation, corrosion and burns.

Prosecutors immediately began applying it to women who used drugs during pregnancy, a practice that increased after being upheld by the Alabama State Supreme Court in 2013.

Arrested

Katie Darovitz of Russell County used marijuana to treat epilepsy during pregnancy in 2014 and first shared her story with ProPublica in 2015. Less than two weeks after giving birth, she was arrested and held in jail for six days while her family scrambled to make bond. She was strip-searched and placed on suicide watch and suffered seizures that sent her to the hospital. Her mother-in-law took emergency custody of the baby.

While now legal in 29 states for medical use, marijuana remains a federally prohibited Schedule 1 drug, alongside heroin and LSD. And any use of marijuana remains illegal in Alabama.

Darovitz and her family chose to fight the charges, ultimately winning a dismissal after her attorney discovered a key clause on the hospital toxicology report barring its use for criminal prosecution.

Debi Word, Darovitz's mother-in-law, said the ordeal opened her eyes to injustice. They struggled to find an attorney who would fight the case. Most encouraged her daughter-in-law to take a plea deal into a costly diversion program, Word said.

"I know Russell County is aware this test is not admissible in court, yet they still prosecute these women and threaten these women with 10 years in prison," she wrote in an email. "These women are so ashamed they just want it all to go away in the most silent way."

"Their theory is this woman is facing a 10 years and a felony, diversion program will be the easy way and we won't even have to go to trial. Who cares if they have evidence to charge her or not?"

$100,000 bail

Bond amounts and punishment vary from county to county.

Prosecutors in DeKalb County in the hills of northeast Alabama never brought charges against women who used drugs during pregnancy until the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in 2013. However, in 2015, law enforcement cracked down on drug use during pregnancy. Three of the nine mothers arrested that year tested positive for marijuana, and all were held on $100,000 bonds.

In Morgan County, home to Decatur, bonds rarely exceed $7,500, but arrests for marijuana use during pregnancy are far more common, totaling more than more than two dozen since 2006. Hospitals in Morgan County test all newborns for drugs. State law requires hospital employees to report positive results to child welfare authorities, who then report them to the police.

Bob Johnston, an assistant district attorney for DeKalb and Cherokee Counties, said the judge might have imposed high bonds to ensure the women were admitted to drug treatment programs.

"This is a sanction-based intervention," Johnston said. "I don't view these women as subhuman. I view this as a way to get them clean and sober."

Increased use

Alabama's crack down on pregnant marijuana users occurred alongside an increase in use across the nation and among pregnant women. Almost 4 percent of pregnant women surveyed as part of a federal study in 2014 reported using pot during the past month, compared to 2.3 percent in 2002.

Even in states like Alabama with no legal marijuana, attitudes may be changing, and marijuana use is more likely to be viewed as harmless, even during pregnancy, researchers said.

Researchers have never conducted controlled studies comparing the outcomes of infants exposed to marijuana in the womb with those who haven't, said Marian Jarlenski, a health policy expert at the University of Pittsburgh. So they have limited knowledge about how marijuana use affects fetal development.

Pre-term birth and low birth weight tend to be more common among babies exposed to marijuana in the womb, Jarlenski said. In the long term, kids may struggle with executive functions such as staying focused and managing time.

"I don't want to alarm people - but there is some evidence that there is some significant risk," Jarlenski said.

Still, Jarlenski said substance use during pregnancy is best handled as a medical issue and not a criminal justice matter. In a study on marijuana use during pregnancy, she interviewed several women who used during pregnancy. She said most received no information from doctors about the effects of marijuana use during pregnancy.

At birth

Marijuana exposure is often not evident at birth. In one of the DeKalb County cases, a test of the baby's first bowel movement showed nine nanograms of marijuana. An assessment of the child by child welfare workers showed no obvious effects.

"Worker observed him to be alert and awake and appeared healthy," according to court records. "Nurses stated that the newborn is eating, sleeping and doing very well despite the mother consuming pot while pregnant with him."

Dr. Shannon Murphy, a Birmingham pediatrician affiliated with Smart Approaches to Marijuana, wrote that doctors should advise patients to abstain from using marijuana during pregnancy. Research points to links between exposure in the womb and problems later in life, she wrote.

"Issues typically become evident as the child enters preschool or elementary school and show persistence into the adolescent years with problems in what is known as higher executive functioning (attention, memory, processing of information, problem solving, and impulsivity.)," Murphy wrote.

Many of those problems also exist in children who grow up in poverty, and it can be hard to untangle the effects of the drug exposure from the effects of low socioeconomic status. Brian White, an attorney in Decatur, said he worries that funneling so many new moms into costly court programs could hurt their ability to provide for their children.

"These court fees are taking the food right out of the baby's mouth," he said.

Chemical endangerment prosecutions aren't limited to pregnant women and new moms either. In counties across the state, law enforcement officers and prosecutors have brought the same felony charge against adults accused of possessing or storing marijuana near children. In many cases, the presence of children automatically upgrades misdemeanor possession to a potential felony - even if the child never made contact with the drug.

In Florence, a woman who allegedly left her 10-year-old and 5-year-old alone while she went to the store picked up charges for child endangerment and chemical endangerment after authorities found a bag of pot in the home with the children. She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

In some chemical endangerment cases involving marijuana, the mother may lose custody of her child temporarily or permanently, sending the children into foster care or kinship care. But that doesn't always happen. Sometimes criminal cases persist long after child welfare authorities have closed their investigations.

Women may not be aware of the risks of prenatal exposure, but they are aware that drug use can lead to investigations by child welfare agencies, Jarlenski said.

"The women in our study are terrified that their children are going to be taken away from them," Jarlenski said. "They love their kids just as much as anyone does. You want people to be able to talk to their healthcare providers about marijuana without being scared of being arrested."
A Homewood man convicted of sexually molesting young boys was denied parole this morning.

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles said Charles Donald "Don" Corley must remain behind bars. An 8 a.m. hearing was held in Montgomery.

Three of Corley's victims spoke, as did Mike Anderton who prosecuted Corley in 1995, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, Homewood police Officer Chris Finley and Wanda Jones Miller on behalf of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

At least one of Corley's friends spoke on his behalf.

Corley, at one time a respected Boy Scout leader, Trinity United Methodist Church leader, white-collar worker, husband and father was convicted in 1995 of molesting three boys. Authorities said he left a trail of abuse over three decades - the 1970s, '80s and '90s - and estimate anywhere between a total of 40 to 120 victims.

Corley, now 66, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Several of his victims set up a website called "30 is 30" with the goal of ensuring Corley serves his full sentence. Two of his victims have previously spoken with AL.com about their hope that Corley will serve his full sentence.

In 2012, victim Jason Lee, then 41, spoke in depth about his decades-long struggle with the aftermath of Corley's abuse. He had spoken against Corley's release at his parole hearing in 2005, and had helped to launch 30 is 30 in 2012. Corley was denied parole both times.

Last month, Brandon Baginski, now 35, spoke out for the first time, chronicling his story that led to the high-profile investigation of Corley 23 years ago. Baginski, then 12 and the best friend of Corley's son, found himself the target of Corley's advances. He was raised by a single mother and lived just streets away from the well-respected Corley family.

"They (predators) look for boys who have needs, need a mentor, have dysfunction at home,'' he said. "I imagine he saw me at house all of the time thinking I didn't want to be at home, which was far from the truth. My mother is my rock. But he noticed I wasn't around a father a whole lot and he took on that father role. I wasn't a victim he noticed and sought out. I fell on his doorstep."

Corley gradually increased his attempts to get more physically intimate until, one night, he pulled down Baginski's pants. And that was the end. Baginski cut off all contact with Corley. A week or two later, Baginski was at a doctor's visit with his mother when she asked if he would be riding to church with Corley. When he said no, she asked if something was wrong. Baginski replied, "I hate when he touches me."

Homewood police then launched their investigation, and after only 2 1/2 weeks they charged Corley. Ultimately, three victims pressed charges and in 1995 Corley pled guilty to three counts of sex abuse and sodomy. He got the maximum sentence for each charge, to be served concurrently.

He reconnected with Jason Lee and 30 is 30, and went back and watched a jail interview with Corley that is on the website. "He got off the hook when only three people pressed charges,'' Baginski said. "I was reacquainted with the video recently and it was sickening, to be honest with you."

Prior to today's hearing, Baginski, Lee and others asked the community to write letters opposing Corley's parole. Letters opposing the parole were also submitted by Attorney General Jeff Session's Office, as well as Homewood Mayor Scott McBrayer and State Senator Jabo Waggoner. Michael Johnson, Director of Youth Protection for Boy Scouts of America was at today's hearing, along with other BSA officials.

With the accrual of "good time," behavior in prison, Corley's end of sentence is set for April 2020.

"I don't want the community to have to fear him," Baginski said.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals today ruled that Alabama Death Row inmate Vernon Madison can't be executed.

Last May the appeals court halted Madison's execution, hours before he was set to die, in order to consider his appeal of a state court's ruling that he was competent to be executed.

The 11th Circuit today ruled Madison is incompetent.

Madison is one of Alabama's longest-serving death row inmates. He was convicted in the April 1985 slaying of Mobile police Cpl. Julius Schulte.

He was convicted and sentenced to death in both 1985 and 1990, but both times an appellate court sent the case back, first for a violation involving race-based jury selection and then based on improper testimony from an expert witness for the prosecution.

A doctor hired by Madison's attorneys with the Equal Justice Initiative, Dr. John Goff, had testified at a state competency trial in 2016 that Madison does not understand why he is being executed or the act for which he is being punished, according to the 11th Circuit opinion.

Vernon Madison

"None of the evidence at the competency hearing belies Dr. Goff's testimony. We therefore conclude that Mr. Madison is incompetent to be executed," the 11th Circuit ruled today.

Madison has claimed that he is mentally incompetent to be executed.

Madison, 66, has suffered strokes resulting in significant cognitive and physical decline, according to the appeals court ruling.

At the competency hearing, Madison presented unrebutted testimony from Goff that his strokes caused major vascular disorder (also known as vascular dementia) and related memory impairments and that, as a result, he has no memory of committing the murder--"the very act that is the reason for his execution"--and does not believe he killed anyone, the appeals court stated in its order.

"The state (Attorney General's Office) presented expert testimony from Dr. Karl Kirkland," the appeals court stated. "Dr. Kirkland testified that Mr. Madison was able to accurately discuss his legal appeals and legal theories with his attorneys and--on pretty much this basis alone--concluded that Mr. Madison has 'a rational understanding of [his] sentence'," according to the appeals court.

"Accepting the testimony of Dr. Kirkland, the Alabama trial court decided that Mr. Madison is competent to be executed," the appeals court stated. "Mr. Madison argues that the trial court's decision relied on an unreasonable determination of the facts and involved an unreasonable application of the law. We agree."
The South by Southwest Conference offers events for everyone- from music, to films and seminars. One thing that most people probably don't think of the festival offering is conferences for dairy farmers.

Will Gilmer, who owns Gilmer Dairy Farm in Lamar County, spent the weekend at SXSW in Austin, Texas, after he was invited to talk to consumers about technology in the dairy field.

"I really enjoy when I have the opportunity to get out and meet new people, share what's happening on my farm and in the industry as a whole." Gilmer said.

The 38-year-old grew up on the family-owned farm and returned after graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in agriculture. Now, Gilmer owns the farm with with his father. Their milk is then distributed to several dairy companies, including Barber Dairy in Birmingham.

Gilmer's days begin at 3 a.m., when he and his father begin to milk around 200 cows. They tend to their approximately 600 acres, take care of the remaining 200 or so cows who are not currently being milked, and break for lunch. Then, Gilmer milks the cows again in the afternoon.

Gilmer Dairy Farm is part of a national network called Dairy Management Inc.- a company member farms pay into that manages dairy check offs at the national level. Dairy Management Inc. also uses its funds to do research, coordinate regional efforts, and promote the dairy industry as a whole. That company invited Gilmer, along with eight other farmers across the country, to attend SXSW. Each farmer invited was active in promoting their farm, either through social media like Gilmer or in another way, like farm tours.

"It gave us an opportunity to talk about how technology is being used on farms across the country. That's anywhere from helping farmers be more efficient to providing a better product," Gilmer said. "The people there were not expecting to run into dairy farmers! It was such a mash up of different types of people with different interests. Our audience was really wide open."

He enjoyed meeting different types of people from across the country, Gilmer said. "These weren't typical Lamar Countians walking around!"

Gilmer wants to break down what he says is the misconception that dairy farmers are "men in overalls with no shirt on," and meeting people outside of his hometown allows him to do that.

As for how technology is developing in the dairy industry, Gilmer gave an example of what he calls "Fit-bits for cows." The devices are attached to the animals via ear tags, bracelets, or collars and measures thinks like their movements, steps, and how many times they chew an hour. That data can be entered into a computer and the farmer can get a baseline for the average, healthy cow. That allows farmers to monitor their cows, and see if any deviate from the baseline. Small changes can show if the animal is sick, needing to mate, or close to having a calf.

Gilmer said larger technology developments involve a "trickle-down" process. Much of the technology is expensive and requires resources that only large farms have; once the technology becomes more common-place, it will be accessible to small and medium sized-farms like Gilmer Dairy.

An example of this is what one farmer, who spoke on a panel at SXSW is doing on her Midwest farm: She is working in partnership with a methane technology company to generate electricity from the waste on the farm and compress it into natural gas. All trucks that haul the farm's milk are powered completely off of that compressed natural gas.

Technology advancements are common in today's world, but Gilmer said people don't expect their milk to be affected. "It takes most people by surprise that that's something that we can do," he said.

Gilmer, who is active on social media, enjoys interacting with consumers and showing them what happens on a dairy farm. He said that it only takes a few seconds for him to post a Tweet or a photo on Instagram, but it can change someone's view of the dairy industry. "Fewer and fewer people growing up on a farm, so fewer people understand what's happening on a farm...If farmers are not telling their story, then people will listen to whoever is talking."

Gilmer currently has over 11,000 followers on Twitter.

"There are roughly 40 dairy farms still operating in Alabama, and approximately 5 million people in the state. What's the chance that all 5 million of those people are going to make it on a dairy farm?" he said.

"I want people to say, 'We might not be on your farm, but we know what's going on on your farm.'"

If invited, Gilmer said he would love to attend SXSW again next year, but he wants all farmers to have the experience of meeting consumers and other farmers across the nation. He said, "I don't want to hog all the opportunities!"
state house mug by julie.JPG

(Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

The Alabama Constitution calls for the state Senate to hold a trial if the House of Representatives votes to impeach the governor.

But that hasn't happened since the Constitution was approved in 1901, so no one is sure how a trial should work.

A Senate subcommittee is drafting rules for a trial ahead of possible impeachment of Gov. Robert Bentley.

This morning, the four senators on the subcommittee held their latest in a series of weekly meetings.

They reviewed legal research prepared for them, talked about procedures used in Illinois, which impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2009, and discussed but made no decisions on some key points.

Among those points is whether the rules of procedure and evidence that govern criminal trials would apply, the powers of the state Supreme Court chief justice, who would preside over a trial, and whether subpoenas could be enforced.

Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, said applying the rules of criminal procedure and evidence would make the process slower and more complicated, but would also be more fair and just.

Otherwise, he said, the process would be more political.

Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, who chairs the subcommittee, said the best way to resolve the subpoena question would be to pass legislation authorizing subpoena power.

A bill that would have given Senate committees subpoena power was proposed last year but did not pass.

Williams suggested a narrower bill could be proposed referring specifically to subpoena power for the Senate during impeachment.

Williams said the subcommittee would discuss the matter further.

The subcommittee also discussed whether decisions on admissibility of evidence would be up to the chief justice, whether those decisions would be final and whether senators, sitting as a jury, could ask questions during the proceedings.

In April 2016, 23 members in the 105-seat House signed a resolution to impeach Bentley for willful neglect of duty and corruption in office.

The resolution said there is credible evidence to create probable cause that the governor illegally misused state resources.

The resolution came after Bentley was accused of having an affair with former political adviser Rebekah Mason and complaints to the Ethics Commission related to that.

The governor admitted to inappropriate behavior with Mason but they denied having an affair and misusing state resources.

A special counsel hired by the House Judiciary Committee is investigating the impeachment charges.

Bentley says he has broken no laws and has not done anything to warrant impeachment.

The state attorney general's office is investigating the governor.

It would take a vote of 63 members in the House to consider a resolution to impeach the governor and then a vote of 53 members, a majority, to approve impeachment.

Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey would assume the duties of governor upon Bentley's impeachment by the House.

It would take a two-thirds vote in the 35-member Senate to convict Bentley in an impeachment trial.
As the search for an endangered teenager continues in Tennessee and Alabama, authorities have released new details today about the ex-teacher believed to be with the 15-year-old girl.

Elizabeth Thomas is believed to be in danger. This updated photo was released today.

Elizabeth Thomas, 15, is believed to be with Tad Cummins, a Maury County, Tennessee teacher who was fired after being accused of having sexual contact with the girl, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

An Amber Alert has been issued in Tennessee and Alabama. Thomas and Cummins may be in the Decatur area, according to authorities.

Thomas is white with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She is 5 feet 5 inches and weighs 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.

Tad Cummins is 50-year-old white male, with brown hair and eyes. He is 6 feet and weighs about 200 pounds.

Cummins, who is wanted on a warrant for sexual contact with a minor, is believed to be armed with two pistols and driving a silver Nissan Rogue. The vehicle may have Tennessee license plate 976-ZPT.

Lawmen said the incident for which Cummins now faces a charge is connected to an alleged sexual interaction between him and Thomas at the school where he taught and where she was a student.

Cummins was officially fired by the school system Tuesday, TBI said in a news release.

TBI has released surveillance video of Cummins filling up his vehicle at a gas station near a Shoney's in Columbia, Tennessee. Authorities believe he went to the gas station before Thomas went missing.

Since issuing the Amber Alert Tuesday evening around 6 p.m., Tennessee authorities say they have received "relatively few tips."

Of the approximately 80 leads TBI has followed, none have produced credible information about sightings or whereabouts of either Thomas or Cummings.

Thomas was last seen Monday morning around 8 a.m. at the Shoney's in Columbia, Tennessee, where she was dropped off by a friend, authorities said. Her parents reported her missing later in the day.

Investigators said they can place Thomas in Decatur, Alabama around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, though neither individual has a known connection to that area.

"Since then, efforts to identify their exact location have proven unsuccessful," investigators said in the news release.

Investigators said Cummins secured a $4,500 title loan for a personal vehicle several days before his disappearance.

"To that end, the TBI would like to hear from anyone who may have had an interaction with either individual prior to their disappearance," the Bureau said in a news release.

Anyone with information about Thomas or Cummins should call 1-800-TBI-FIND. If you spot the vehicle and can verify the license plate to be TN 976-ZPT, call 911.
Work on three railways in Southwest China's Yunnan province, which will serve the Belt and Road Initiative, began in 2016 as the province builds logistics channels to Southeast Asia.

Liu Baisheng, director of the Kunming Railway Bureau in Yunnan and a deputy to the National People's Congress, said the railways - the Yuxi-Mohan Railway, Dali-Lincang Railway and Dali-Ruili Railway - connect with Southeast Asian countries.

The three are among 13 railways under construction in the province this year - in total more than 2,385 kilometers at a cost of more than 244 billion yuan ($35.3 billion).

To integrate Yunnan into the initiative, the Kunming Railway Bureau also ran freight trains to other Asian countries and Europe in 2016, promoting sales of Yunnan's agricultural products overseas and bringing products back from Europe, he said.

He said the province will try to get support from local governments to build three cross-border logistics channels, including one to Europe and Central Asia, one to Vietnam and Southeast Asia and one to ports in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Guangdong province.

He also said a united transportation system of railways and highways has been established in western Yunnan to connect the provincial capital Kunming, Dali city and border ports.

This year, the Yunnan Railway Bureau will build 42 stations in industrial and logistic parks that can accept containers, he said.

Thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, freight volume through border ports in Yunnan has been on the rise. More than 80,000 metric tons of cargo were transported via the China-Vietnam meter-gage railway so far this year, the highest for the same period in 10 years, he told People's Daily.

"Neighboring Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam, Yunnan has always been an important Chinese 'port' for other countries. With a good location, the province has advantages integrating itself into the Belt and Road Initiative, and opening itself up is the means to make use of the advantages," he said.
The owners of Hunter's Dinerant on Genesee Street in Auburn say they've lost a great deal of business since the opening of new apartments right next door. And while it's not clear that the tenants or their guests are responsible for filling up the on-street parking on that block, the discussion raises a larger question of downtown parking in general and where the city goes from here.

The fact is that a city with plentiful, convenient parking is probably a city where there's not much going on. Downtown Auburn is growing  and that's a good thing. There are more apartments, more places to eat and more places to visit, and parking has become more scarce as a result.

There are spots downtown  along the streets, in metered public lots, and in the parking garage where Lincoln and William streets meet. In the case of the apartments neighboring Hunter's, the tenants have all been given spots in a nearby lot to encourage them to park away from the business district.

But owners of street-side businesses without parking lots will never have enough parking right outside their doors. And they need to be realistic about the fact that their customers have to be willing to walk a little bit to visit them.

An additional concern is the visitor center that will be built in a parking lot frequented by people visiting the YMCA, among other places. This project has the potential to create a two-fold problem because it will eliminate a number of parking spots while at the same time encouraging more people to visit the area.

Parking is part of the consideration with any new proposal, but as downtown development continues and convenient parking becomes harder to find, city planners need to carefully evaluate future growth to make sure downtown will have the best possible balance of attractiveness and accessibility.
Some on the US right believe that ex-White House officials are trying to undermine President Donald Trumps government.

They call it the shadow government or deep state: the idea that a parallel, hostile group of ex-White House officials and state actors are secretly undermining US President Donald Trumps government.

In the past, such theories would remain on conspiracy websites, conservative radio talk shows or pop up in tweets from questionable accounts. But with Trumps recent tweets accusing former president Barack Obama of spying on him during the election campaign, the theories have been given new life and to some, credibility.

Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my wires tapped in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism! Trump tweeted from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in the early hours of March 4. He later accused Obama of being a Bad (or sick) guy.

Obamas spokesman denied the charge but the wiretapping claim has triggered debate and a Congressional investigation.

On Friday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked point blank if he believes in the so-called deep state.

I dont think it should come as any surprise that there are people that burrowed into government during eight years of the last administration, and may have believed in that agenda and want to continue to seek it, he told reporters.

Clinton allies

Spicer was undoubtedly referring to people such as Mike Morrell, the former acting director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, the former defense secretary, and Eric Holder, the former US attorney general, who all served under Obama.

They made up a group of former high-ranking intelligence, military and White House officials who backed Hillary Clinton as the Democratic presidential nominee last year and would certainly have access to the massive federal bureaucracy that Trump has inherited.

One of the biggest proponents of the deep state theory is conservative radio show host Mark Levin. Less than two days before Trumps tweetstorm of accusations about Obama, Levin argued that rather than looking into the ongoing allegations of Russias influence over the Trump presidential campaign, the US government needed to pay attention to a much bigger scandal.

In that show he stated that Obama and supporters of Clinton were using the instrumentalities of the federal government, intelligence activities, to surveil members of the Trump campaign.

WATCH: The two faces of Donald Trump

In separate interviews, Levin has cited media reports on requests for wiretapping warrants by the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the CIA to look into ties the Trump campaign had with the Russian government.

One New York Times article, in particular, is the centrepiece of Levins argument.

On January 19, the paper reported on the investigation into a possible Russian connection. One official said intelligence reports based on some of the wiretapped communications had been provided to the White House, the article stated.





Ned Price worked for the National Security Council for the last three years of the Obama administration. As an official at the NSC, he says the only wiretapping information that would have been provided to them would have been anything related to US foreign policy. He wouldnt discuss whether any information related to the overall Russian investigation was given to them.

Prior to his NSC job, Price worked at the CIA for eight years. He calls any suggestion of a secret government delusional and an insult to the men and women who have devoted their lives to their country.

When he worked for the CIA, he says, he never knew if the person sitting next to me was a Republican or a Democrat. Instead, Price argues that the Trump administration is fuelling the deep state idea as a distraction away from the growing plume of smoke tying his White House to Russia. Anything they dont like, they label as fake or conspiratorial or a byproduct of a shadowy deep state, he adds.

Two miles from the White House

Still, there are people who believe the deep state is not only real but has a location.

Jack Burkman, Republican strategist and Trump backer, told Al Jazeera recently that the shadow government has set up two miles from the White House. He would not specify the exact location.

Some groups want the Trump administration to take action.

All politically motivated deep state shadow operatives must be rooted out of our government, exposed to public disgrace, and banned from ever entering the federal government again, Patrick Howley of the pro-Trump America First Project recently wrote on The Daily Caller.

Jesselyn Radack blew the whistle on human rights violations within the US justice department during the administration of George W Bush.

There are parts of the intelligence community that works in the shadows, she says. Its the nature of what they do. But any notion they are colluding together against Trump seems unlikely, she adds. Theres simply too much competition within the agencies themselves. The idea that there is this monolithic deep state is belied by their own infighting.

Radack also questions Trumps wiretapping claim. It would have operated in secrecy so Im not sure how Trump would be aware of it, she points out.

Spicer seemed to at least try to answer that question this week when he told reporters, I think that there has been numerous reports from a variety of outlets over the last couple months that seem to indicate that there has been different types of surveillance that occurred during the 2016 election.

Follow Chris Sheridan on Twitter: @ChrisSheridan34
Report breaks new ground on the UNs examination of the situation in occupied Palestine by using the word apartheid.

A new United Nations report accuses Israel of having established an apartheid regime that oppresses and dominates the Palestinian people as a whole.

The publication comes amid renewed debate about whether, through its settlement policy and rejection of Palestinian self-determination, the Israeli government is creating  or even has already created  a de facto one-state, which critics warn would constitute a form of apartheid.

It urged governments to support boycott, divestment and sanctions [BDS] activities and respond positively to calls for such initiatives.

The report  Israeli Practices towards the Palestinian People and the Question of Apartheid  was commissioned and published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and launched in Beirut.

John Reynolds, a lecturer in law at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, told Al Jazeera the report breaks new ground in the context of the UNs analysis of the situation in Palestine.

Israels UN envoy Danny Danon issued a statement condemning the report late on Wednesday.

The attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy is despicable and constitutes a blatant lie, he said.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, when asked about the report, said it was published without any prior consultations with the UN Secretariat and its views do not reflect those of the secretary-general.

READ MORE: Israels settlement law, Consolidating apartheid

The report was authored by two critics of Israeli state practice: Virginia Tilley, professor of political science at Southern Illinois University, and Richard Falk, former UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, and professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University.

Noting how the expert consensus [is] that the prohibition of apartheid is universally applicable and was not rendered moot by the collapse of apartheid in South Africa, the report argues that Israel is guilty of policies and practices that constitute the crime of apartheid, a crime against humanity under customary international law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

The report is a detailed analysis of Israeli legislation, policies and practices that highlights how Israel operates an apartheid regime, including through demographic engineering.

Palestinian citizens of Israel are described as subjected to oppression on the basis of not being Jewish, it said.

Palestinians in East Jerusalem similarly experience discrimination in access to education, healthcare, employment, residency and building rights, as well as expulsions and home demolitions.

Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are governed by military law alongside Jewish settlers governed by Israeli civil law, the report said.

Palestinian refugees and exiles are prohibited from returning to their homes in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory on the basis that they constitute a demographic threat and that their return would alter the demographic character of Israel.

As well as urging governments to back BDS, the report recommends that the UN and its member states should revive the Special Committee against Apartheid, and the United Nations Centre Against Apartheid (1976-1991), which would then report authoritatively on Israeli practices and policies relating to the crime of apartheid.

The report also suggests an advisory opinion be sought from the International Court of Justice as to whether the means used by Israel to maintain control over the Palestinian people amount to the crime of apartheid.

David Keane, associate professor in law at Middlesex University, said the new report differs from previous ones on the subject because it expressly attaches the apartheid label.

OPINION: Israeli Labor Party adopts the apartheid mantra

The report could contribute to an already deteriorating relationship between the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United Nations.

For Palestinians and their allies, the report will help to provide a solid basis for their work, Nadia Hijab, executive director of al-Shabaka  The Palestinian Policy Network  told Al Jazeera .

Citing the reputation and credibility of the authors, Hijab described the report as a clear, concise document whose recommendations are timely and much needed.
On sixth war anniversary, Syria headed towards perverted version of what has been happening in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Six years to the day since protesters poured into the streets of Daraa, Damascus and Aleppo in a day of rage against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, Syrias uprising turned global war is far from over.

Six years of violence have killed close to half a million people, according to the Syrian Centre for Policy Research, displaced half of the countrys prewar population, allowed the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) to seize huge swaths of territory, and created the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory.

International diplomatic efforts have repeatedly failed to bring the protracted conflict closer to an end and the growing role of outside actors has changed the nature and trajectory of the war.

READ MORE: Syrias Civil War Explained

The UN estimates the war has pushed close to five million people to flee the country, many of whom have risked their lives seeking sanctuary in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of others exist precariously in tents and tin shelters in Syrias neighbouring countries.

An entire generation of Syrian children has either been pushed out of school or forced to cope with interrupted curriculums, makeshift classrooms, or unqualified teachers. According to UNICEF, 2016 was the worst year yet for Syrian children. Nearly three million children  the UN estimated amount of Syrians born since the crisis began  know nothing but war.

The countrys healthcare system, particularly in places like Aleppo, is decimated. More than four-fifths of the country live in poverty.

Basic infrastructure, such as the electricity grid, water lines and roads, is in shambles. As of 2015, 83 percent of Syrias electric grid was out of service, according to a coalition of 130 non-governmental organisations.









On Monday, in an address to the UN Human Rights Council, UN human rights chief Zeid Raad al-Hussein described the war in Syria as the worst man-made disaster since World War II.

Zeid added that his office had been refused access to the country and that no international human rights observers had been admitted to places where very probably tens of thousands of people are currently held. They are places of torture.

Any form of solution is basically out of the hands of Syrians. by Samer Abboud, Arcadia University

Indeed, the entire conflict, this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity, began with torture, he said, citing as an example the torture of a group of children by security officials over anti-government graffiti in the southern city of Daraa six years ago. Today, in a sense, the entire country has become a torture chamber, a place of savage horror and absolute injustice, he said.

UN investigators have accused the government of extermination in its jails and detention centres.

Global watchdog Amnesty International said in a report last August that an estimated 17,700 people had died from torture or harsh conditions while in government custody since the beginning of the conflict. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) put the number at 60,000.

Many others have been executed, and far more have simply disappeared. Thousands more have died in prisons run by rebel groups and hardliners like ISIL and groups affiliated with al-Qaeda.

OPINION: Six must-read opinions on Syrias sixth war anniversary

Intervention by regional and global players into what started as an uprising of the people against a repressive government has transformed the conflict into a proxy war as international efforts repeatedly stall.

Russias October 2015 military intervention helped prop-up a gutted Syrian army and, with the assistance of thousands of Iranian-backed fighters, has helped put Damascus firmly back in control on the battlefield.

The Russian-backed push on the battlefield culminated in the government takeover of rebel-held east Aleppo late last year, dealing the opposition its biggest defeat of the conflict.

As pro-government forces steadily captured rebel territory over the past year, a series of local truces in areas crippled by years of government siege saw the transfer of thousands of fighters and civilians to Idlib, the last opposition-held province in the north. The UN has said the deals amount to forced displacement and are thus war crimes.

Earlier this week, increased bombing in the government-besieged district of al-Waer in Homs, the citys last rebel-held bastion, pushed rebels and their families to sign on to a similar evacuation deal.

Recently renewed diplomatic efforts to bring an end to war have all but stalled, as a nationwide ceasefire agreed upon by Russia and Turkey at the end of last year falls apart.

Since the start of the year, aid deliveries have slowed to a trickle for hundreds of thousands living under siege, according to a recent report by Physicians for Human Rights. Heavy fighting has increased in recent weeks in strategic areas near Damascus, as government forces push to slice off territories from the last rebel-held stronghold close to the capital.

Rebels boycotted a third round of Russian-led talks in Kazakh capital of Astana, ostensibly aimed at consolidating the shaky truce, over continued violence. And although Astana talks succeeded in paving the way for a fifth round of UN-led intra-Syrian talks late last year, little was agreed upon other than a basic format for future negotiations.

The internationalisation of the war in Syria has left it beholden to outside interests, according to associate professor of international studies at Arcadia University Samer Abboud. Any form of solution is basically out of the hands of Syrians, he told Al Jazeera.

Ultimately, whats on offer is some kind of containment of the violence, but no effort to really eliminate it, he said. But talk about a revolution or a political transition  its beyond that now.

READ MORE: Why Bashar al-Assad is still in power?

Key rebel backers like Turkey and the United States have narrowed their agendas in Syria over the past year, as government gains on the battlefield erase the prospect of regime change and domestic priorities take precedent.

Ankara, whose troops now occupy a large section of territory in Syrias northeast, has given up on removing Assad in favour of preventing an armed Kurdish autonomous region on its border.





The US, who ,along with Turkey and the Gulf states, was central to facilitating the armament of what started as a peaceful uprising, has remained a political voyeur since Donald Trumps administration came to power.

Instead, it has remained hyper-focused on making shortsighted, tactical gains against ISIL.

Just last week, the Pentagon deployed another 500 marines to Syria and spoke of the possibility of a long-term US presence in the country.

Infighting and a lack of international support have left rebel forces increasingly dependent on groups with hardline religious agendas. And as the government, Turkey and the US, along with their respective allied forces, race to push ISIL out of its self-declared capital in Raqqa, the international agenda in Syria is shifting the narrative of the conflict.

Syria is headed towards some sort of perverted version of what has been happening in Iraq or Afghanistan where reconstruction efforts will be forced to exist alongside low levels of violence, said Abboud.

The war economy is entrenched  and outside players are reserving their right to do exactly what they want in Syria under the appearance of international consensus.
Scots and Syrian refugees come together to share their cultures and experiences.

Glasgow and Isle of Bute, Scotland  For newly arrived Syrians in Scotland, Munir Emkideh is a man to know. He knows how to get things done. Whether delivering free furniture or filling out forms, the 52-year-old is always on call to help the refugees settle into their new homes.

In the last three years, he has become renowned for setting up a small network through which he distributes donated items to refugees and assists them with everyday tasks.

After arriving in Scotland in 2012, Emkideh, who is from the Syrian city of Deraa, received his refugee status and has been at the core of many community-based projects since.

When I first came here, I didnt know anything when I wanted to do simple day-to-day things, so that was the moment I decided to help others, he explains. Small things can make the biggest difference.

Last August, Scotland accepted its 1,000th refugee under the British governments Vulnerable Persons Relocation (VPR) scheme, which was set up in March 2014.

While former Prime Minister David Cameron had vowed to accept 20,000 Syrian refugees by 2020, so far fewer than 2,000 have been resettled in the UK and many of those went to Scotland. In the six-month period leading up to March 2016, up to 40 percent of Syrian arrivals were accepted by local authorities in Scotland under the scheme, according to the Scottish Refugee Council.

READ MORE: Syrian refugees welcomed on remote Scottish island

At the peak of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon launched a special task force to help accommodate refugees. But human rights organisations say more needs to be done.

Amnesty International has repeatedly criticised the UKs unwillingness to accept more of the worlds 4.8 million Syrian refugees and given the post-Brexit anti-immigration sentiment, it is unlikely that will change any time soon.

Although local authorities are providing Syrian families with essentials such as housing, health and social services, refugees still need help with socialising and integration.

Mixing cultures

Since 2013, Emkideh has been working with the Maryhill Integration Network (MIN), a charity that assists local authorities with settling refugees in Scotland. The organisation develops projects at a grassroots level to help create links between Syrian families and local communities through volunteers.

Remzije Sherifi, the director of MIN, believes introducing the refugees to Scottish culture is a key aspect of helping them adjust to their new homes. But, she says, in order to do so, local people have to be involved.

Syrian refugees have come from what I call the journey of death, Sherifi explains. People who witnessed the horrors of war or lost their loved ones are living with trauma and, more than anything, it is important that we express how welcome they are in Scotland. They need a safe place where they can feel like part of the community and know they belong to Scotland.

Last year, the charity launched Family Nest, a project aimed at bringing Syrian families together from across Scotland to help them get back on their feet again.

We try to promote creative writing and other opportunities to engage them. They come from well-educated backgrounds and we have to find out how we can help them use their skills, Sherifi says.

The project consists of weekly workshops aimed at mixing Scottish and Syrian cultures together through food, arts and dance. Most recently, MIN hosted a Burns Supper Night to commemorate the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns. A key element of the event was the trademark haggis dish, with a Syrian twist.

We had Syrian haggis, Algerian haggis and even Lebanese haggis and everyone loved the various versions of the dish, she says. All members of the community came together. Cooking is a huge part of Arab culture, so it was amazing to make that connection through cuisine.

Sherifi believes Scotland will always be more welcoming than elsewhere.

With all the negative things [US President Donald] Trump has been saying about Syrians, I must say, Scotland is more welcoming than any other place, she explains. Everyone connects organically and this also helps Scots better understand why refugees are here. Through our work, we want to open peoples hearts and minds about what is going on in Syria.

In conjunction with MIN, a group of Syrian refugees recently travelled to the small rural village of Comrie in the southern highlands to perform a traditional dance after the event organisers decided to bring the communities together through music.

As the performers proudly started their dabke routine, an Arab folk dance common in the Middle East, the largely Scottish audience was happy to experience a part of Syria.

We were keen as a community to show some friendship through dance, says Alan Caldwell, a Comrie volunteer who helped organise the event. Today is about showing each other we are as one no matter where we come from.

Remote refugees

Although negative responses towards refugees in Scotland have been minimal and communities have been largely supportive, a controversial article in the British tabloid the Daily Mail resulted in a backlash after the paper described Syrians living on the remote Isle of Bute as unhappy and complaining about their location.

READ MORE: 2016  The year the world stopped caring about refugees

The 17 families in the islands seaside town of Rothesay said they were left fearful of reprisals as a consequence of the article, and many refugees have been reluctant to speak of their experiences since.

Al Jazeera was able to get exclusive access to one family who had arrived in the seaside town over a year ago.

I was very upset with what the Daily Mail wrote because the journalist just made stuff up, says Ahmad Mahmoud, who came from the Syrian capital Damascus with his wife and two young children.

It was all incorrect and we were made out to be ungrateful. When Syrians arrived here, it wasnt easy to find halal food, but it was something that was made into a big deal, when that is not the case. We are grateful to the Scottish people. Whenever we go out, they always have smiles on their faces.

Mahmouds daughter, eight-year-old Hala, hovers in the background before proudly showing off the gifts she received from local well-wishers.

I miss Syria a lot, but I couldnt play outside much because of all the gunfire and fighting, she says while holding her toys. Here, Im making new friends and I love going to see them at school.

Emkideh, who is in regular contact with the family says refugees living in remote parts of Scotland simply want to rebuild their lives and heal from the trauma they experienced in Syria.

If the war stops, we would all love to go back and till we can, I would like to thank the Scottish people for their warm welcome and hospitality, he says. They are very nice people.
I get the first call at 4:28am on February 7. Ernesto Martinez, a 20-year veteran of the Sinaloa crime beat known affectionately as Pepis (peh-peace), tells me that there has been a gun battle in a residential neighbourhood not too far from where I am staying. I had been out with Pepis only a few hours before: at midnight the streets of Culiacan had seemed unnaturally calm and empty, as if under curfew. Pepis had dropped me off hoping to catch a few hours of sleep. He had been up the previous night reporting on numerous shootings and murders in and around the city, racing from one edge of town to the other.

It had been less than 24 hours since I had arrived in Culiacan, the capital of Mexicos Sinaloa state. Nearly six years ago I had spent time with Pepis, reporting on what life was like for Mexican journalists covering the crime beat. Now, videographer Gustavo Huerta Monroy and I had come back to see what  if anything  had changed in the city and what kinds of challenges reporters face there today.

I can barely make out what Pepis is saying  a helicopter is hovering right above his head. In a sleepy haze, I mistakenly think he says he will call back to confirm the details, so I fall back to sleep while waiting.

Where are you guys? It is 6:20am and Pepis is on the phone again. There was a gun battle with the marines here, six people are dead. This time, I leave the hotel within minutes.

What I didnt know at the time is that I had arrived in Culiacan at the beginning of an upsurge in violence following the extradition of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera, the former leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, to the United States on January 19. More than 120 people would be murdered in Sinaloa in February, compared with an official monthly average of 92 murders over the past six years.

Speculations about soap opera-like cartel infighting were rife in the days and weeks following my visit. According to the most repeated version, Guzmans former political operator, Damaso Lopez Nunez  himself both a former Sinaloa state police chief and former vice-director of the Puente Grande prison from which Guzman escaped in 2001  had betrayed his former boss and tried to kill two of Guzmans sons, setting off a cartel war.

It is often difficult to assess the veracity of such claims about the inner workings of Mexicos narco-trafficking organisations, particularly since murders are rarely investigated. What the surge in killings following Guzmans extradition does show is that while the demise of a kingpin as part of the war on drugs does little to stop the production, shipment, sale, or consumption of narcotics, it is remarkably successful at producing violent death.

If the authorities tell you that the narcos are in retreat, that theyve stopped operating, that theyve suffered losses, that their organisational structure has toppled or cracked, and that their finances or money-laundering activities have been impacted, and so on  it is a lie, says Javier Valdez. I spoke with the Sinaloan investigative reporter, cofounder of local news weekly Riodoce and author of The Taken: True Stories of the Sinaloa Drug War on the day of my arrival in Culiacan.

The strategy of decapitating criminal organisations is a failure, he continues. Of course, it is a failure. Thats why it is organised crime, because they have people inside the Mexican state  people inside the governmental apparatus  working for them, because the police form a part of the criminal structure, because they have an army of hired killers, because they have financial operatives and business people  whom no one bothers, by the way  also involved. And of course there is the criminal wing, the capos in the shadows, who are being sought by the government in a way that ensures they will not be found.

We havent seen any weakening of their activities worldwide, adds Ismael Bojorquez, the director of Riodoce, speaking of the Sinaloa-based drug traffickers. The drug shipments continue. No one has attacked their finances or the funds they operate in financial and banking networks, not only in Mexico, but in the United States and the [rest of the] world.

Like a war

At 6:50am Gustavo and I arrive at the Villas del Real neighbourhood where Pepis is waiting. A number of streets are closed off with yellow crime-scene tape and Mexican marines are standing guard. We find Pepis on the other side of the tape. Wait until I walk away, he says. And then, one by one, duck underneath the tape. We do as were told.

A few houses down the block, a black Acura MDX has crashed in reverse into a small, pink house. Two men died here: one is lying face-down on the ground  a pistol and an AK-47 assault rifle lying next to him  the other is still in the drivers seat. The cars airbags have deployed, its tyres have blown out and the windscreen is riddled with tightly packed bullet holes.

An armoured marine truck with a mounted machinegun is parked a few metres away. It also has what appear to be bullet marks on it. The houses and cars to the right of the black car are peppered haphazardly with bullet holes. Some of the bullets travelled through the frames of parked vehicles before hitting the houses. At one house, the gunfire has pierced the walls and windows and destroyed photographs and paintings hanging on opposite walls inside the home. But somehow no one was injured there.

Pepis tells us that there had been a shoot-out between marines and armed civilians in the neighbourhood  a working-class, residential area  sometime around 3:40am. Five civilians and one marine were killed. What happened exactly is unclear and it will probably remain that way  shootings such as these rarely receive a proper investigation. The aftermath leads one to guess that a surprise meeting of marine and civilian convoys led to an exchange of gunfire and pursuit  but no more than that.

Down the street, a group of women has formed. They had all been woken by a single extremely loud sound, one of them tells me. First it was: boom! Then: ta, ta, ta, ta, ta! It was all so loud, she says. I dont know anything about guns. I dont know what kind they were, but it was incredibly loud. I could hear windows shattering. I thought to myself: they are shooting at the house, and started crying. But it wasnt my house.

It was horrible, another woman standing in the group says. Like a war, says another. I didnt send my kids to school today, says yet another.

One woman in the group has apparently been up since the noise started. I cant wake up, I cant finish waking up. What can I do to wake up? she asks.

Their houses and cars shot up with high-calibre rifles, none of the local residents who I speak to has had any kind of explanation from the authorities. The on-site crime scene investigation lasts less than an hour: a state forensics team documents the positions of the vehicles, the dead bodies, guns and bullet casings. Then they take away the bodies and tow away the Acura. The marines set off in a convoy, leaving the neighbourhood unguarded.

The owners of the small pink house will have to clean up the blood on their driveway and pay for the structural repairs to their wall themselves.

A cycle of violence

Its not the first time that violence has surged in Sinaloa following a shift of power in the regions drug trade. A wave of violence between 2008 and 2011 largely corresponded to the split between two formerly allied forces. The biggest jolts [of recent violence] have come with the re-capture of El Chapo, then his escape, and then his second re-capture in Los Mochis, says Ismael. [These episodes] led to some movements inside the Sinaloa cartel which are now creating a significant increase in violence. Just recently some 20 people have been murdered: 12 between Saturday and Sunday, and another six this morning.

The current increase in violence is not so much due to the fall of a particularly heinous individual, however, but to the inevitable competitive restructuring of the executive level of the illicit drug trade.

It has been more than 45 years since US president Richard Nixon declared a war on drugs, more than 35 since Ronald Reagan used that war to wage terror in the US and across Latin America and 10 years since former Mexican president Felipe Calderon echoed the US war cry to devastating human consequences across Mexico. By now, a clear pattern has emerged: each major act of war against the illegal narcotics industry has led to the restructuring, strengthening and expansion of that industry. And the expansion of the illegal industry has, in turn, been used to justify the intensification of the war against it.

Theres a negative cycle of violence and it functions as a self-justificatory cycle for the escalating drug war, Everard Meade, the director of the University of San Diegos Trans-Border Institute, who has led peace-building seminars in Culiacan for several years, tells Al Jazeera over email.

He points out that in many cases, the structural nature of drug-related violence in Mexico overrides even the best intentions of the people who enforce the countrys drug policy. The people who become the actual agents in the system  the public officials and law enforcement officers who end up making war  often begin with a less cynical and sometimes highly idealistic outlook, he says. They come into office with high hopes of reversing the cycle of violence and not repeating the corruption and missteps of their predecessors, only to find the temptation to vengeance and short-sighted aggression irresistible.

When men with suitcases of cash arrive at their offices and armed vehicles show up outside of their kids school, one of their key advisers is kidnapped or killed, or they discover that half of the police force is on the payroll of organised crime, the temptation to take extreme measures is very difficult to resist, says Meade. They imagine themselves as taking emergency measures until they can get things under control and then the emergency becomes permanent.

Meanwhile, local journalists struggle to delve into these more structural dimensions to the drug trade: There is not much investigation into drug trafficking here. We are stuck in mediocre coverage, basically counting bodies, says Valdez. I think we need to be telling the stories of life in the midst of all this death. But reporters keep reproducing the official line.

After the marines have left, Pepis, Gustavo and I walk down another street that has been cordoned off. Here, one marine and several civilians were killed. Thick pools of blood mark the place where each died.

Around one of the pools of blood we find the debris of care: surgical gloves, hypodermic needles, gauze, medical packaging, and a lit candle  someone had tried to save that mans life and then mourned him when he died. This must have been the marine, Pepis says.

Residents tell me they heard the two men at the other end of the street screaming in pain, but no one had tried to save their lives. Another pool of blood lies just a few feet away behind a waist-high brick wall  possibly marking the place of death of the person who shot the marine. The location of another pool of blood around the corner tells a story of on-foot pursuit down a narrow passageway into a tiny private back patio followed by an execution against a wall.

The story of what happened this morning in Villas del Real is the story of what a high-level war on drugs looks like on the ground. Today six men were killed in a residential neighbourhood, authorities picked up the bodies, and towed away the dead mens car  and then left the people who live here to clean up the blood, repair their cars and homes and try to finish waking up.

Update: Javier Valdez was shot and killed in Culiacan, Sinaloa, on May 15, 2017.
As the war enters its seventh year, the prospect of achieving a peaceful solution is becoming increasingly difficult.

One year ago, Staffan de Mistura, the United Nations diplomat tasked with finding a peaceful solution to the war in Syria, described the subject of political transition as the mother of all issues in negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition.

Achieving political transition in the country has long been considered the most challenging part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war that started in 2011 as a peaceful uprising demanding Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, amid widespread uprisings in the Arab world.

It quickly turned into a civil war between government forces and armed opposition groups made up of army defectors and ordinary civilians, after Assads government responded to the protests with force.

READ MORE: The slow-motion slaughter of Syrian civilians

UN efforts have been hampered by the two sides lack of willingness to compromise on their position with regards to political transition. The Syrian government has systematically refused to entertain any prospect of a transition that entails the removal of Assad, while, for the opposition, this step remains the only option for peace.

Three weeks ago, de Mistura brought Syrias warring sides to the negotiating table in the Swiss city, Geneva, for the third time over the course of the war, to discuss ways of ending the ongoing cycle of bloodshed that has killed close to half a million people.

De Mistura promised another round of negotiations later this month to implement United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2254, which serves as a framework for a political transition in Syria.

But as Syria marks six years of war, the likelihood of achieving a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the war, rather than a military one, is becoming increasingly difficult.

Facts on the ground

Russias military intervention in late September 2015 drastically changed the balance of power on the ground, placing Assads forces firmly in control, with the help of Iran-backed fighters and the Lebanese Hezbollah armed group.

Last December, the armed opposition, trained and supplied by the United States, Turkey, and several Gulf states, was dealt its worst defeat of the war when it lost its stronghold of eastern Aleppo to government forces and Russian air bombardment.

The Syrian people did not lose militarily to the government. The Syrian people lost militarily to the second strongest army in the world  the Russian army, Zaki Lababidi, vice president of the Washington, DC-based Syrian-American Council, told Al Jazeera in Geneva, during the last round of talks.

Russia came in; they used their air force, they used their navy, ballistic missiles, and they put ground troops. This is how Aleppo was destroyed, said Lababidi, who was present in Geneva to advise the opposition delegation.





Fighting both the Syrian government, on one front, and hardline armed groups including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL, also known as ISIS) and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (JFS) on the other, the opposition has steadily lost significant territory and leverage in Syria, which analysts say minimises the chance for a peaceful solution.

The regime refused to discuss the prospect of a meaningful political transition even when it appeared to be losing ground militarily, so there is no prospect of it choosing to do so now that it has momentum. Nor will the opposition concede its demand for such a transition  including Assads departure  despite their weakening military hand, Noah Bonsey, Syria analyst for the Brussels-based International Crisis Group think-tank, told Al Jazeera.

What next?

Though aware of their shortcomings on the battlefield, the Syrian opposition, which consists of both political and military branches, believes that international law lies in their favour. For us, attending negotiations was never about the balance of power on the ground, but rather international agreements, Fares Bayoush, a Syrian armed opposition commander, told Al Jazeera.

In 2012, diplomats from the US, UK, Russia, China and France, among others, formulated the Geneva Communique under UN auspices, a plan for peace in Syria to include political transition. The document has since formed the basis for the corresponding resolutions passed by the UNSC, namely resolutions 2118, adopted in 2013, and 2254, adopted in 2015, both of which reiterate the need for political transition.

Resolution 2118, though focused mainly on the use of chemical weapons during the war, is particularly significant as it refers to Chapter VII of the UN charter, the foundational treaty of the UN, which all member states are bound to.

According to 2118, in the event of non-compliance with the resolution, the UNSC member states, which include five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the UK and the US, as well as 10 non-permanent members, can impose measures on the warring sides in accordance with Chapter VII.

READ MORE: Six years on  The price of saying no to Assad

There are mechanisms in UNSC resolution 2118 which cannot be activated unless the regime rejects this resolution [2118]. The regime always claims that it is looking for a political solution  it does not reject the resolutions, Mohamed Sabra, chief negotiator for the Syrian opposition during the last round of Geneva talks, told Al Jazeera.

Our participation in Geneva is to discuss real mechanisms, either to implement the resolutions, or to demand that the UN and the [UN]SC activate the mechanisms in the UN charter, which allow for forcing the regime to abide by its obligations under international law, said Sabra.

If proven to be in breach of resolution 2118, the Assad government could face an official international arms embargo, targeted sanctions, or other coercive measures under Chapter VII. This could isolate the Assad government within the international community, and possibly compel it to consider meaningful negotiations with the opposition.

For such measures to be introduced, the UNSC would need to pass another resolution on Syria declaring that resolution 2118 had been breached and authorising the use of force, but a Russian veto would block that from happening, as it has in the past.

Loopholes

Moscow has vetoed resolutions condemning Syrian government actions in the UNSC seven times in the past five years, most recently during a vote on a draft resolution threatening sanctions against parties using chemical weapons in Syria.

Though both Assads forces and the Syrian armed opposition groups have been complicit in committing war crimes, as was revealed in a recent UN investigation, neither are being pressured to stop.

The evidence of crimes against humanity and war crimes is overwhelming. The problem is that at the moment Syria is an accountability-free zone. All sides, but especially the government, continue to kill, bomb and even deploy chemical weapons against civilians with total impunity, Simon Adams, executive director of the New York-based Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, told Al Jazeera.

UNSC imposed sanctions would not only be legal, the fact that they havent been imposed already is a disgrace. Russias veto has created a cloak of impunity for Assad, said Adams, whose organisation works closely with the UNSC.

Thats why the failure of the UNSC to uphold its responsibility to protect is so devastating. Russias vetoes mean that more people will die, more cities will be destroyed, more refugees will flee, and the civil war will continue, he continued.

But the Syrian government claims it must battle terrorism before discussing any diplomatic solution. It has succeeded in adding counter-terrorism on the agenda for the planned talks later this month, which, some analysts describe as a distraction ploy to continue its military offensive against the armed opposition.

The governments claim that it is committed to international law and achieving a political solution is necessary for the silence of the international community, Mohammad Alahmad, a professor at Georgetown Universitys Center for Arab Studies in Washington DC, told Al Jazeera.

The Assad regime seeks the re-legitimisation of its rule through negotiations, while conducting military action in parallel, added Alahmad.

Besides the threat of Russian vetoes and the international communitys paralysis on the war in Syria, analysts say the absence of a consensus on what a political transition would look like is a major staller in the process.

The regimes obstruction is the same thing as rejecting transition, but the important point to keep in mind is the absence of consensus about what political transition is. I do not believe that Resolution 2118 can be triggered if the regime rejects the oppositions view of transition, Steven Heydemann, chair of Middle East studies at Smith College in the US state of Massachusetts, told Al Jazeera.

The issue of political transition in UN resolutions and the Geneva Communique is left purposefully vague, Noha Aboueldahab, a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Doha Center, told Al Jazeera.

The Geneva Communique, stipulates that a transitional governing body could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups and shall be formed on the basis of mutual consent. The fact that the document does not make any specific mention as to who exactly in the current government should stay on means that the question of Assads hold onto power remains a key sticking point, said Aboueldahab.

Alternative scenarios

Moving forward, the opposition can demonstrate that it has international law on its side  that its position is legally correct and that Assad may be violating international law, said Milena Sterio, professor of international law at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in the US state of Ohio.

At some point, leaders become too rogue and too isolated that it hurts them in the international community. The hope is to corner Assad, to isolate him politically and to get him to realise that if he wants any hope of participation in international relations and in the international community on behalf of Syria, he must negotiate with the opposition in good faith, Sterio told Al Jazeera.





But despite the presence of a ceasefire in place since December 30, Syrian government advances on opposition-held territory have not halted, leaving the opposition to believe that Assad favours a military solution to the war.

With wavering Turkish and US support for the armed opposition, some predict there will be a Somalisation of Syria, as UN and Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi predicted several years ago.

Saudi and Gulf support will ensure that an insurgency continues. This means that pockets of Syria will remain in the hands of the opposition while others will remain in the hands of the Syrian government, James Gelvin, a professor of the Middle East at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) said.

As in Somalia, there will be a government that has a permanent representative to the UN, that will issue passports, and that will print postage stamps. But, as in Somalia, that government will not have full control over the territory within its borders, Gelvin told Al Jazeera.
Although not unheard of, the latest winter storm that hit the eastern seaboard of the United States this week is a fairly rare occurrence in mid-March.

The storm was expected to dump as much as 50 centimetres of snow on New York City on Tuesday, but that number was readjusted early that morning as the track of the storm moved more inland than expected.

Central Park ended up receiving 19cm of snow; the Bronx 25cm.

The highest amount of snow was recorded in Bridgewater, a town in upstate New York: 104cm

Yet, one of the biggest impacts from the storm was felt by travellers  from Monday to Wednesday, more than 7,800 flights were cancelled.

Amtrak, the national passenger rail company, also cancelled many northeast legs of their routes.

In New York, meanwhile, all above ground subways were halted.

On Wednesday, the weather system moved northeast into the eastern Canadian provinces where winter storm warnings were still in effect.
Dutch governments are usually made up of several different parties, making compromise an important part of governing.

With 28 parties up for election, forming a government in the Netherlands is expected to be more complicated than ever following the 2017 elections.

Almost 13 million people can vote in landmark elections poised to boil down to a race between Prime Minister Mark Ruttes Liberals (VVD) and the far-right party Freedom Party (PVV) of MP Geert Wilders.

Despite Wilders projected gains, chances are he wont be part of any coalition, as most other parties refuse to govern with him due to his controversial rhetoric.

Top election issues include the economy, immigration and integration, and healthcare.

READ MORE: What can Dutch elections tell us about Europe?

Currently, the coalition consists of Ruttes VVD and the PvdA, a social democratic party that is projected to lose a significant amount of seats in the parliament.

Forming a new government after the election will be a challenge, since the Dutch electorate is split between several parties, which may lead to a coalition consisting of as many as four, or possibly even five, parties.
Coconino Countys first responders and healthcare leaders will host a free community forum to discuss mental health issues, along with crisis intervention and other services available in Flagstaff and the surrounding area. The forum will be held today from 5-7 p.m., at High Country Conference Center, 201 W. Butler Ave.

According to a press release, suicides are at a 30-year high nationally, and in Coconino County, suicide-related calls have more than doubled from 2008 to 2015. Substance use and addiction  especially to opioids  also are growing at an alarming rate both nationally and locally.

At the forum, local leaders will open dialogue with participants about existing and emerging mental health issues, explain the mental health communitys no wrong door policy and share the resources available as part of the areas coordinated system of care  from crisis intervention and a new 23-hour crisis stabilization unit to critical incident stress debriefings during traumatic events.

For more information, contact laura.zeiner@terros.org.

Learn how you can help Arizona's endangered species

Earths flora and fauna are in the midst of a sixth great mass extinction, according to a study published in Science Advances (June 2015). Current extinction rates are far above the background rate, the ongoing low-level extinction of individual species due to naturally occurring environmental or ecological factors. The study confirms an exceptionally rapid loss of biodiversity over the last few centuries, rivaling the event that killed the dinosaurs. Given the timing, speed of the losses and the known effects of habitat loss, human activity is responsible for our current mass extinction.

How did this happen? What causes species to become endangered? Why should we care? Join Lynne Nemeth, executive director of The Arboretum at Flagstaff at today's Northern Arizona Audubon Society meeting for a talk about endangered species in Arizona, and what you can do to help.

Nemeth has been executive director of The Arboretum at Flagstaff since February of 2013. Prior to moving to Flagstaff in 2006, she served as executive director of the Howard County Conservancy, a land trust and environmental education center in Maryland. She has an extensive background as a non-profit administrator, and has worked for environmental, health, human services and arts organizations.

She holds an M.M. in Music Performance, an M.A. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Endangered Species Policy and periodically teaches a freshman seminar about endangered species at Northern Arizona University. She lives in Doney Park with her husband, two horses, two cats, a dog and hundreds of prairie dogs.

The free meeting is at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Sanctuary beginning at 7 p.m. and the public is welcome to attend.
These are days of fear and loathing among the Washington foreign policy establishment. Its members, both Democrat and Republican, generally think of themselves as an elite.

And as elites, they are representatives not of a mere set of constituencies, but of a tradition which extends across decades, and which both derives from and defines a conception of the United States place in the world.

That conception arose in the aftermath of World War II, when the US found itself astride the world as a colossus. With the so-called free world prostrate, the US was the sole force able to confront Soviet-led global communism.

If the US were to effectively defend itself, the establishment believed, it would have to be engaged forcefully across the globe. Henceforth, it would see its interests in broad and not narrow terms.

Where others, particularly in the developing world, saw US neo-imperialism and hegemony, Americas foreign policy elite saw enlightened self-interest and altruism.

The attitude and the posture were perhaps best summed up by former Secretary of State Dean Rusk, when testifying before Congress in the 1960s: Other nations, he said, have interests; the United States has responsibilities.

That attitude, and the policies it inspired, survived the end of the Cold War, and indeed were arguably responsible for the US ill-fated nation-building efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Leading from behind





And if the rising wealth and power of Europe and East Asia, and the corresponding erosion of the US relative standing in the world were inexorably making Americas continuing pattern of post-World War II global commitments both anachronistic and economically untenable, it was not until the election of Barack Obama that a US administration began systematically to redress that imbalance.

Convinced by its hugely expensive, open-ended military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan and its unmet needs at home that America was on an unsustainable path, Obama resolved to bring US global commitments in line both with its core national interests and its material means.

He moved quickly to withdraw troops from Iraq, and, after a brief interlude to buy time for the Hamid Karzai government and placate his own generals, from Afghanistan as well.

And if the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS/ISIL) forced Obama to re-engage modestly in Syria and Iraq, he did so with palpable reluctance, a refusal to commit US ground troops in lieu of indigenous forces, and a growing insistence on increased engagement by allies.

Ever thoughtful, measured, and incremental in his approach, President Obama was not about to renounce American leadership in the world; but henceforth he resolved that, whenever possible, America should lead from behind.

Taking a hammer to policy norms

If Obama sought to modify the thrust of long-standing US foreign policy norms in light of new realities, presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened to take a hammer to them.

Where the traditional foreign policy elite saw the US far-flung interests being protected through a global web of long-standing formal and informal military alliances and evolving multilateral trade agreements, candidate Trump saw only a string of bad deals and supine American sacrifices to the interests of others.

In by 

hands, America First is likely to carry a focus on American self-interest as narrowly conceived and tactically viewed, but it is unlikely to be consistently applied where other instincts are in conflict.]

It was obvious from the beginning that Trump did not share the assumptions or instincts of the largely bi-coastal foreign policy establishment, which quickly struck out at him in signed public documents denouncing him as ignorant, unfit, and dangerously unsteady.

The establishment never thought it would actually confront a President Trump, but now that he is here, he has not forgotten their slights, and has systematically frozen them out.

He has rejected luminaries such as Elliott Abrams and Michele Flournoy as Deputy Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of Defense respectively, and many of the important lesser posts which would normally be filled by a collection of usual suspects from the traditional Republican foreign policy ranks have thus far remained unfilled.

Fear of the unknown

The greatest fear is that of the unknown, and while Trumps mantra of America First seems clear enough, the ways in which that doctrine might be translated into policy, with few exceptions, are anything but.





The fact is that thus far, the administration has been sending mixed signals: NATO is a collection of deadbeats and should be disbanded, but the US remains committed to it  for now.

Japan is an economic rival taking advantage of the US while benefiting from US military protection, but its prime minister is a capital fellow who must be supported.

Iran is being put on notice, and the nuclear agreement reached with it is the worst in human history, but there is no impetus to change it. Both within the US executive branch and in the wider world, confusion reigns.

Some have responded to Trumps nativism and evident lack of enthusiasm for foreign entanglements, both military and otherwise, by claiming he is an isolationist.



OPINION: Remaking the Republican Party  Populism a la Trump

Others have reacted to his belligerent talk of utterly destroying ISIL, his pledge to expand US military power and his evident enthusiasm for nuclear weapons as signs that he is a militarist.

In fact, Trump defies normal categorisation. What does seem clear is that he will be more guided by instinct and impulse than by doctrine.

In his hands, America First is likely to carry a focus on American self-interest as narrowly conceived and tactically viewed, but it is unlikely to be consistently applied where other instincts are in conflict.

A silver lining in the darkness

Trump, in sharp contrast to Obama, also seems utterly unmoved by traditional strains of morality in American foreign policy.

Realpolitik Trump-style could easily include tolerance for Russian domination of the near-abroad in return for concessions elsewhere.

After a decent interval, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could be embraced as an ally against ISIL. And strongmen such as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi would likely receive support without any unpleasantness regarding human rights.

OPINION  The Sheriff of Manbij: US makes debut in the Syrian War

the US will eventually emerge from the Trump presidency, and if there is a silver lining in the darkness it is likely to produce, it is this: Every unexamined assumption underlying the US traditional, internationalist foreign policy will have been thoroughly exposed and examined, and America will be far better placed to again move forward into a brighter, positive, sunlit upland.

Robert Grenier is a retired, 27-year veteran of the CIAs Clandestine Service and a former director of the CIAs Counter-Terrorism Center. In addition to his writing and lecturing, he currently chairs ERG Partners, a financial consultancy firm.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
If the US insists on supporting the YPG against Turkeys wishes, Syrias post-ISIL stability is going to be in peril.

Kadir Ustun is the Executive Director of the SETA Foundation in Washington, DC.

United States Senator John McCain has it right that the US has underestimated and, at times, disregarded Turkeys concern over its support for the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. The US rationale for helping the YPG was predicated on a flawed anti-ISIL strategy that shied away from a comprehensive approach.

Turkish discomfort with the US support for the YPG is not based on an opposition against Syrian Kurds. Despite their efforts to promote themselves as the representatives of Syrian Kurds, the YPG poses a direct national security threat to Turkey.

The group is the Syrian arm of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)  designated by Turkey, the US, and the European Union as a terrorist organisation  which has been fighting the Turkish government since 1984.

The two groups close ties have previously been acknowledged by US officials including the former US Defense Secretary Ash Carter in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.

The YPG draws much of its tactical and strategic direction as well as resources from the PKK and arms given to the YPG directly threaten Turkey, as they can be passed onto PKK fighters inside Turkey.

In other words, continued US support for the YPG lends legitimacy to the Syrian extension of a terror organisation threatening a NATO ally.

A misguided policy





The US appears set to move forward with arming and supporting the PKK-linked YPG in preparation for the Raqqa operation.

This is not only the continuation of a misguided policy left over from the Obama administration, but it also risks irreparable damage to US relations with Turkey, a critical ally in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

Turkey has been quite hopeful about a potential change in Syria policy under the Trump administration, but all indications are that the new US administrations Syria policy is also dominated by the fight against ISIL.

Under Donald Trump, the Pentagon is focused on achieving a victory against ISIL by working with local partners and limiting American boots on the ground. which is a continuation of the Obama administrations strategy.

This approach disregards Turkeys concerns and spells instability and unpredictability after dislodging ISIL from Raqqa and northern Syria.

OPINION: The Sheriff of Manbij  US makes debut in the Syrian War

The Obama administration invested in developing relations with the PKK-linked YPG fighters in Syria under the pretext that they were the only effective fighting force on the ground to fight ISIL.

This view ignored the political ambitions of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the political umbrella organisation of the Syrian Kurds, to create a de facto autonomous region in northern Syria and, perhaps inadvertently, emboldened the PKK against Turkey, as it sought international support and legitimacy.

It also failed to acknowledge the demographic engineering efforts or the human rights abuses of the PYD that sought to push out Arab populations from northern Syria.

While the YPG promoted itself as the only reliable, secular, effective fighting force in the region, the US chose to ignore that the YPG focused on establishing and consolidating their control in the region at the expense of Syrian Arabs and even other Kurdish groups.

Trumps strategy

The Obama administration was following an Iraq first strategy in their efforts to defeat ISIL by subcontracting the fight against the armed group to YPG in northern Syria.

But the Trump administration wants to achieve speedy results through bold action, so there are signs that the US fight against ISIL might proceed on both fronts  in Iraq and Syria  in the near future.

If the US wants to avoid being responsible for a nation building process in Syria, akin to its largely failed effort in Iraq, it will need to work with regional allies like Turkey. by

This makes sense given that as a result of Obama administrations reluctance to be involved in Syria, ISIL has had a lot of resources and breathing room in this country.

However, if not enough thought is given to post-ISIL stabilisation efforts in Raqqa and the rest of northern Syria, the military defeat of ISIL might be followed by instability and potential conflict between Turkey and the YPG.

Turkey has warned the US against such a scenario while providing plans to liberate and stabilise Raqqa without YPG involvement.

If the Pentagon and the Turkish military cannot come up with an agreement on this, the odd reality of supporting forces hostile to one another will likely persist and pit forces supported by the US and Turkey against each other on the ground.

OPINION: Operation Euphrates Shield  Progress and scope

The Trump administration has yet to make a final decision on directly arming the YPG and the consequences of that decision will be critical not only for the fight against ISIL, but for the broader dynamics of the US-Turkey relations.

If the administration decides to arm the YPG despite Turkish opposition, there may be backlash in the form of reduced cooperation at the least.

Long-lasting scars





Even if Turkey decides to seek other ways of cooperation instead of increasing tensions, the scars from this episode will last a long time.

The Trump administration needs to move away from tactical alliances with groups such as the YPG towards creating serious alliances among state actors in order to build a strong coalition against ISIL.

The prospect of rapidly winning tactical military battles on the ground will be difficult to resist, but winning the broader war against ISIL requires longer-term policies that ensure post-ISIL stabilisation.

Especially if the US wants to avoid being responsible for a nation building process in Syria, akin to its largely failed efforts in Iraq, it will need to work with regional allies like Turkey.

Enduring success against ISIL cannot be achieved without the support and coordination of a strong and active international coalition.

Turkey has been part of the anti-ISIL coalition and it is the only coalition member with troops on the ground. Alienating Turkey in the fight against ISIL has been one of the most regrettable aspects of US policy in the waning years of the Obama administration and the Trump administration risks falling into the same trap.

According to news reports, the Pentagon will have more operational decision-making authority on the ground, but this should be accompanied by serious coalition work at the diplomatic and political level, recognising that ISIL is a product and a symptom of a broader breakdown of the political compact in Iraq and Syria.

To address the threat politically, the US needs allies, including Turkey, whose national security will be at stake in the outcome of the upcoming fights in Raqqa and beyond.

Kadir Ustun is the Executive Director of the SETA Foundation in Washington, DC.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
On the day of the sixth anniversary of the civil war, here are the opinions that shed light on what happened in Syria.

The Assad conundrum, by John Bell



Some argued that without his rule, radical Islamists such as ISIL would take over Syria.

It's the deeper societal and cultural work, not the Assad conundrum, that's required to move Syria slowly, but surely, towards health. by

Click here to read the full article.

Aleppo: The guilt, the resentment, the indifference, by Riham Alkousaa



On the schizophrenia of celebrating and mourning Aleppo.

What is happening in Aleppo is truly historic, as Assad said the other day. It is the spectacular tearing apart of a once united nation, to the point that its people can no longer agree on basic principles of humanity. by

Click here to read the full article.

The Palestinisation of the Syrian people, by Robin Yassin-Kassab



Or how Aleppo and Syria were abandoned by the world.

Victory for Assad is also a victory for ISIL. by

Click here to read the full article.

And who are we to say the Syrian revolution is dead? by Malak Chabkoun



The spirit of the revolution in Syria persists, even as Assads forces advance.

Declaring the Syrian revolution dead reduces it - and all the sacrifices Syrians have made - to a military conflict, and once again plays directly into the narratives of despots and dictators in the Arab world who treated the Arab Spring as their personal invitation to further destroy their own peoples. by

Click here to read the full article.

What the Spanish civil war can reveal about Syria, by Ibrahim al-Marashi



The Spanish civil war spanned three years  why has the Syrian conflict endured so much longer?

Both civil wars involved fighting for two major urban centres, the capitals, Madrid and Damascus, and two rebellious urban centres, Barcelona and Aleppo. The Republicans, like the Syrian rebels, suffered from infighting that ultimately weakened its ranks. by

Click here to read the full article.

Inside Bashar al-Assads mind, by James Denselow



Syria is a conflict with no breaks and Assad himself is insulated in its cockpit.

Simply calling Assad evil and leaving it at that abrogates a responsibility to better investigate what powers and influence he does and doesn't hold and to reveal the political science that has kept his regime in power. by

Click here to read the full article.
Iraqi government forces battling ISIL for Mosul took control of a main bridge over the River Tigris on Wednesday and advanced towards the mosque where the groups leader declared a caliphate in 2014.

The seizure of the Iron Bridge, linking eastern Mosul with the ISIL-held Old City on the west side, means that the government holds three of the five bridges over the Tigris  and bolsters Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadis assertion that the battle is reaching its final stages.

The gains were made in heavy fighting in which troops fought street by street against an enemy using suicide car bombs, mortar and sniper fire and grenade-dropping drones to defend what was once their main stronghold.

Our troops are making a steady advance  and we are now less than 800 metres from the mosque, a federal police spokesman told Reuters news agency.

READ MORE: ISILs human shields

The military gains made against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have come at a human cost.

Nearly 100,000 Iraqis have fled western Mosul in the past three weeks as government forces backed by Shia militias advanced on territory held by ISIL, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Wednesday.

The Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration said that as many as 600,000 civilians remained trapped in neighbourhoods of west Mosul controlled by the armed group.





Iraqi forces and their allies have been making steady progress in the city, forcing ISIL (also known as ISIS) out of a series of neighbourhoods and retaking important sites such as the airport, Mosul museum, train station and provincial government headquarters.

But the battle for west Mosul  smaller and more densely populated than the eastern side, which Iraqi forces recaptured earlier this year  has forced a flood of people to flee their homes.

In recent days, residents have been streaming out of western neighbourhoods recaptured by the government, desperate and hungry and traumatised by living under ISILs harsh rule.

According to the IOM, between February 25 and March 15, more than 97,000 people were displaced, an increase of about 17,000 from the figure it released on Tuesday.

IOM said that the new figures, provided by the Iraqi government, showed that more than 116,000 people from the citys west had gone through a screening site south of Mosul.

Some families are still stuck, Hajj Ahmed, a 55-year-old who had recently fled Mosul, told AFP news agency.

They [ISIL] have been besieging people for seven days, he said, before praising Iraqs elite soldiers for saving them.

READ MORE: Exhausted, terrified, 4,000 flee Mosul daily

Federal police officers and a special forces unit advanced on the Nuri mosque, where in July 2014, ISILs leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed himself head of the Islamic State caliphate.

ISIL fighters have booby-trapped houses, and government forces have been forced to fight among civilians, ruling out the extensive use of air and artillery support.

ISIL seized Mosul in mid-2014 when the group swept through areas north and west of Baghdad, taking control of swaths of territory and declaring a cross-border caliphate in Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Backed by US-led air strikes and other international military support, Iraqi forces have since retaken much of the territory they lost.

Losing Mosul would be a major blow to ISIL, but the group is expected to pose a continuing threat, reverting to guerrilla-style tactics.
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Somalia as a worsening drought threatens millions of people with starvation in the Horn of Africa nation.

Johnson met President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Wednesday in the Villa Somalia presidential palace in central Mogadishu.

It is all so, such a shame that you are facing the problems that you are facing, particularly of course the drought and the risk of starvation, though I think that we are moving fast to try to tackle that, Johnson told Mohamed.

Somalia recently declared the drought a national disaster amid warnings of a full-blown famine. At least 360,000 Somali children are severely malnourished, meaning that they will die within weeks unless they receive food aid.

The country faced a similar crisis in 2011 that killed nearly 260,000 people.

Johnson said the United Kingdom would host a conference on Somalia on May 11 to help address underlying problems such as armed attacks and corruption.

WATCH: What can be done to save millions facing famine?

Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, blamed the drought in part on the armed group al-Shabab, which continues to control parts of the country.

This drought is really serious, and so far we have lost 60 percent of our livestock, the president said.

A statement from the Somali presidents office said Britain would give $134m for drought in some parts of Somalia.

National disaster





The current drought, which the United Nations says threatens half of Somalias population, or about six million people, is part of a four-nation humanitarian crisis that the UN has called the largest in the past 70 years.

Stephen OBrien, the UN humanitarian chief, said after his recent visit to Somalia that 2.9 million people required immediate help to save or sustain their lives.

He said close to one million children under the age of five would be acutely malnourished this year.

The window is short in which we can still avert a famine, Nigel Tricks, Oxfams Horn of Africa regional director, said on Wednesday.

The drought also affects millions of people in parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, where the government recently declared a national disaster for about half of its counties.

Famine has been declared in two counties of civil war-torn South Sudan.
As US network obtains part of presidents tax filings, White House says Trump paid $38m in taxes on $150m of income.

US President Donald Trump paid $38m in taxes on more than $150m of income in 2005, the White House has said, acknowledging key details it previously refused to release.

The revelation came as a response to an MSNBC report on Tuesday that the US broadcaster had obtained two pages of his returns.

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said she received the documents from investigative journalist David Cay Johnston, who said on her show that he received them in the mail.

READ MORE: Is there a deep state trying to undermine Trump?

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Johnston said the $38m figure released by the White House included payroll taxes. When these are not taken into account, Trumps total 2005 federal tax bill was $36.5m, the investigative journalist said.





According to the leaked pages of the tax return, Trump and his wife Melania paid $5.3m in regular federal income tax, and an additional $31m in the alternative minimum tax (AMT)  which the president wants to eliminate.

If the alternative minimum tax had not been in effect in 2005, Trump would have paid only $5m of tax on $183m of income  that tax rate is less than the tax rate paid by the poorest half of Americans, Johnston said from New York.

Trump, this very wealthy man  wants a tax system where he would pay the same rate of tax as people who make less than $33,000 a year in America.

That makes me smart

The returns showed Trump paid an effective federal tax rate of 25 percent in 2005 after writing off $100m in losses.

The White House said in a statement that Trump took into account large-scale depreciation for construction.

It said the former reality TV star, as head of the Trump Organization, had a responsibility to pay no more tax than legally required.

Trumps refusal to release his tax returns despite decades of precedent featured heavily in the 2016 presidential race. He said he could not release the filings as he was under audit.

Democrats hinted that by not releasing the documents, Trump may be trying to hide that he pays little to no tax, makes less money than he claims, or gives a negligible amount to charity.

In January, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said the White House would not release the documents.

Trump said his taxes are not of interest to the general public.

You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, he said during a news conference after his January 20 inauguration.





In the run-up to the November election, The New York Times published what it said were leaked tax filings from 1995 that revealed a deficit big enough for Trump not to pay federal income taxes for up to 18 years.

In the first presidential debate, when Trumps rival Hillary Clinton accused him of not having paid federal tax in years, he responded, That makes me smart.

Questions remain

Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Washington, DC, said that what many will be interested in is not Trumps 12-year-old tax return, but his potential conflicts of interest  specifically allegations that he has been receiving contributions from foreign governments that could influence policy.

But any money that hes been making from foreign governments is unlikely to be in his personal income tax return, because hes got so many different corporations, limited liability companies and so on, Rattansi noted.

He added that Tuesdays revelations could actually play out in Trumps favour.

The way MSNBC hyped it beforehand, and the skilful way the White House handled it, could bolster Trumps base, wholl say look, its more fake news, there was nothing to see here.

Incidentally, at least for a while, it took the focus away from the controversy over the plan to replace the Obamacare system that will leave millions of people without healthcare coverage.

The White House lashed out at MSNBC over the leaks.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, it said in a statement.
Crucial vote boils down to a race between Prime Minister Mark Ruttes Liberals and far-right party of MP Geert Wilders.

Millions of Dutch voters cast their ballots on Wednesday in a test of the patriotic revolution promised by far-right MP Geert Wilders, as Western Europe closely watched the election and braced itself for the outcome.

Following last years shock Brexit vote  and Donald Trumps victory in the United States  the Dutch vote is being seen as a litmus test of the strength of far-right and populist parties before key elections in France and Germany later this year.

The Dutch vote, which has been overshadowed by a diplomatic dispute between the Netherlands and Turkey, has essentially come down to a tight race between Prime Minister Mark Ruttes centre-right party and that of far-right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders.

In advance of the election, opinion polls showed Ruttes liberal VVD narrowly leading the race, and even if Wilders PVV emerges as the biggest party in parliament, it is unlikely to obtain the majority of the 150 seats enabling it to form a government.

Most parties have pledged not to govern with the PVV.

READ MORE: Dutch Muslims reflect on Geert Wilders before vote

As many as 13 million people were eligible to vote in Wednesdays election and 28 parties were competing for the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house of parliament.

Turnout was predicted at about 80 percent, 8 percent lower than the record of 88 percent achieved in 1977.

Polls close at 2000 GMT, with exit polls expected shortly after.

This is a crucial election for the Netherlands, Rutte said as he voted. This is a chance for a big democracy like the Netherlands to make a point  to stop this  the wrong sort of populism.

One Muslim voter told AFP news agency that Wilders fiery anti-Islam rhetoric had prompted her family to come out and vote.

My mother has never voted before, but now she has and encouraged the whole family to do so because the situation is serious.

European fight-back

Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee, reporting from The Hague, said the bumper turnout could see pro-European parties make significant gains.

The vast-majority of Dutch people want to remain in the European Union so theres a good reason to assume theyve come out to bolster it, rather than undermine it, which is what Wilders wants to do.

Whats really helped Rutte is that in the last few days, amid the diplomatic crisis with Turkey, hes displayed himself as a statesman, as he tried to de-escalate the situation. Hes been calm.

In contrast, hes portrayed Wilders as this frothing lunatic sitting on sofa tweeting that the Turkish ambassador must be thrown out and that Turks have to leave the country.

And that comparison with [US President Donald] Trump is very powerful because the Dutch  as a body politik  dont like Trump at all.

Wilders, 53, has vowed to shut mosques, ban the Quran and close the countrys borders. He also wants to pull the country out of the European Union , an institution that it helped found, in a so-called Nexit.

READ MORE: Who votes for Geert Wilders?

Speaking to reporters after he cast his ballot, Wilders said: Whatever the outcome of the election, the genie will not go back into the bottle. This patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay.

Rutte, seeking to lead the Netherlands for a third successive term, is a liberal free-marketeer championing this years election on a pledge of safety and stability.

Analysts said his uncharacteristically strong stance since the weekend in a diplomatic crisis with Turkey  when Dutch authorities expelled one Turkish minister while another was refused permission to fly into the country to attend a political rally  has boosted his image with voters.

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Litmus test

Final polls released late on Tuesday appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats.

Wilders was seen as slipping yet again and barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs. That would still be well up on the 12 MPs his party has in the outgoing parliament, however.

Closing in on Wilders were long-standing parties the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs. Both would be natural coalition partners for Rutte.

While traditional Labour has fallen sharply this year in the polls, the left-wing GroenLinks and its charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver are enjoying a huge boost.

The 30-year-old Klaver said it was time for a new leadership and called for the Netherlands to welcome more refugees .

He has boosted his party in the polls and may win 16 to 18 seats, which could place him in a powerful kingmaker role.

It reportedly takes an average of three months to form a coalition, but observers predict it may take longer with four or even five parties needed to reach the 76-seat majority.
Crucial vote boiled down to a race between Prime Minister Mark Ruttes Liberals and far-right party of MP Geert Wilders.

Dutch voters cast their ballots on Wednesday in a crucial legislative election, with pollsters predicting a close result and a fragmented parliament.

The vote, which has been overshadowed by a diplomatic dispute between the Netherlands and Turkey, has essentially come down to a tight race between Prime Minister Mark Ruttes centre-right party and that of far-right, anti-Islam populists Geert Wilders.

In advance of the vote, opinion polls showed Ruttes liberal VVD narrowly leading the race, and even if Wilders PVV emerges as the biggest party in parliament, it is unlikely to obtain the majority of the 150 seats enabling it to form a government. Most parties have pledged not to govern with the PVV.

READ MORE: Dutch Muslims reflect on Geert Wilders before vote

Most polls opened at 7:30am (06:30 GMT), while an initial exit poll was expected immediately after 9pm (20:00 GMT) when the last voting stations close.

Overall, some 13 million people are eligible to vote and 28 parties are competing for the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house of parliament.

Divisive campaign

Al Jazeeras Dominic Kane, reporting from a polling station at The Hague, said there was great enthusiasm among voters casting their ballots.

The city of Rotterdam has said that at least 10,000 people have voted in the first hour, Kane said.

We will get the verdict this evening after an election campaign that has been very divisive and has seen expressions from different party leaders concerning Islam, immigration and the economy.

Wilders has vowed to shut mosques, ban the Quran and close the countrys borders. He also wants to pull the country out of the European Union , an institution that it helped found, in a so-called Nexit.

Rutte, seeking to lead The Netherlands for a third successive term, is a liberal free-marketeer championing this years election on a pledge of safety and stability.

Analysts said his uncharacteristically strong stand since the weekend in a diplomatic crisis with Turkey  when Dutch authorities expelled one Turkish minister while another was refused permission to fly into the country to attend a political rally  has boosted his image with voters.

When people look for leadership, they look to me, Rutte told a final debate late on Tuesday.

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Litmus test

Final polls released late on Tuesday appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats.

Wilders was seen as slipping yet again and barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs. That would however still be well up on the 12 MPs his party has in the outgoing parliament.

The Dutch pride themselves on their consensus politics, and reportedly it takes an average of three months of hard bargaining to cobble together a coalition. Observers predict this time round, however, four or even five parties may be needed to reach the 76-seat majority.

READ MORE: Who votes for Geert Wilders?

While traditional Labour has fallen sharply this year in the polls, the left-wing GroenLinks and its charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver are enjoying a huge boost.

The 30-year-old Klaver said it was time for a new leadership and called for The Netherlands to welcome more refugees .

He has boosted his party in the polls and may win 16 to 18 seats, which could place him in a powerful kingmaker role.

Following last years shock Brexit vote, and Donald Trumps victory in the US presidential polls, the Dutch elections are being seen as a litmus test of the strength of far-right and populist parties before other polls in Europe this year, namely in France and Germany .
Murle bandits allegedly crossed into Ethiopias Gambella region and killed 28 people before fleeing with 43 children.

More than 1,000 gunmen from South Sudan have killed 28 people and kidnapped 43 children in neighbouring Ethiopia, according to a government official.

Chol Chany, a regional government spokesman, said on Wednesday the raids occurred on Sunday and Monday in Gambella regions Gog and Jor areas, which border South Sudans Boma region.

Murle bandits carried out the attack. They fled along with 43 children, Chany told Reuters news agency, using a term for a local ethnic group.

The [Ethiopian military] is pursuing them. The assailants havent crossed over to South Sudan yet.

According to AP news agency, Mawien Makol Arik, spokesman for South Sudans foreign ministry, was aware of fighting in Gambella.

He said Ethiopian troops have not crossed the border into South Sudan in pursuit of the accused attackers.

Al Jazeeras Catherine Soi, reporting from Kenyas Nairobi, said it was a challenge to get information from Gambella because it was a very remote area and telephone network was very patchy.

It is not really a surprise that we are hearing about the incident days later, she said.

She also said that such cross-border attacks were common, but the magnitude of the latest raids were raising concerns in Ethiopia.

READ MORE: South Sudan  A country captured by armed factions

The latest raids took place almost a year after similar attacks in the provinces Jikawo and Lare areas, which border South Sudans Upper Nile State.

Then, more than 200 people died and about 160 children were kidnapped.

About 100 children have managed to return to Ethiopia, but the rest remain in the kidnappers hands, Chany said.

Civil war

Oil-rich South Sudan has been mired in a civil war since President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, fired his deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, in December 2013.

The resulting conflict has split the country along largely ethnic lines and forced more than three million people to flee their homes.

More than one million of them have found refuge in neighbouring countries, especially Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

Gambella alone is currently hosting up to 300,000 South Sudanese refugees.

Regional governments have expressed fears that violence in South Sudan could spill over its borders into their own nations.
Highway blast targeting security forces kills two soldiers on a road linking the cities of Mardin and Diyarbakir.

At least two soldiers have been killed in an explosion on a highway in southeast Turkey, according to security sources.

The troops on Wednesday were carrying out operations to detect mines in the region when suspected fighters from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) detonated a previously planted mine, Turkeys private Dogan news agency reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which targeted a vehicle loaded with soldiers as it passed by a road linking the cities of Mardin and Diyarbakir.

Ambulances rushed to the scene following the blast.

PKK fighters have launched a series of violent attacks since 2015, when a fragile peace process with the government collapsed.

More than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict since the PKK took up arms in 1984.

Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider the PKK a terrorist group.
The following editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Friday, March 10:

Call it the American Health Care Act. Call it Republicare. Call it, as some conservative critics immediately did, Obamacare 2.0 or Obamacare Lite. Call it TrumpCare, though the White House, sensing disaster, would prefer that you not. Just dont call the health care plan unveiled by House Republican leaders last week an improvement on the Affordable Care Act of 2010.

There are so many things wrong with this plan that its hard to know where to begin.

Staunch conservatives such as the Koch Brothers, Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute are among its harshest critics. Health policy expert Avik Roy, an influential critic of the Affordable Care Act, tweeted, House GOPs Obamacare Replacement Will Make Coverage Unaffordable For Millions  Otherwise, Its Great.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., tweeted Thursday: House health-care bill cant pass Senate w/o major changes. To my friends in House: pause, start over. Get it right, dont get it fast. He was particularly irked by the lack of a price tag in the measure.

Hard-line conservatives hate the bill because it doesnt repeal Obamacare as promised. Instead, the GOP bill uses Obamacare as a platform on which to construct a replacement, thereby enshrining a government role in subsidizing health insurance and effectively acknowledging health care as a basic human right. That notion makes many conservatives seethe.

Liberals will hate the bill because, at its core, it pays for a tax break for the rich by taking Medicaid away from poor people, including Medicaid services for poor women provided by Planned Parenthood. It would turn Medicaid into a block grant by 2020, allowing states to triage among the poor people eligible for many programs. It eliminates all of the taxes that pay for Obamacare, including 0.9-cent higher payroll tax on income over $200,000 and a 3.8 percent surcharge on investment income in households earning more than $250,000. Over 10 years, its a $600 billion tax break for the wealthy.

That higher payroll tax on wealthier Americans goes to the Medicare Trust Fund, which reimburses hospitals for care given to senior citizens. The Brookings Institution says the Republican plan would fully deplete the Medicare Trust Fund by 2024, four years earlier than anticipated. Expect Democrats to make a major issue out of the threat to Medicare patients and to hospitals.

The president had very little to do with the bill, though hes promised to fight for it. On Tuesday, he warned House Republicans theyll face an electoral bloodbath if the measure doesnt pass. It utterly fails to meet Trumps promise to replace Obamacare with something terrific that provides insurance for everybody, with better coverage at lower prices. Indeed, if estimates are correct, those least able to afford this measures higher prices are key parts of Trumps constituency: older Americans and working-class families earning $35,000 or less.

On Tuesday, Trump took ownership, tweeting Our wonderful new Healthcare Bill is now out for review and negotiation.

As for review and negotiation, not so much. House GOP leaders, who complained relentlessly that Obamacare was jammed down our throats after a yearlong process, are fast-tracking their version after having kept it locked away. It hasnt even been reviewed by the Congressional Budget Office, which analyzes bills for their financial impact. Hearings are underway, but dont expect answers to these key questions: How much will it cost? How will costs be covered? How many people will be affected? What might be the downstream repercussions?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says hell skip hearings on the Senate side and bring the bill to the floor as soon as the House sends it over. Health care makes up 16 percent of the economy, and Republicans are hoping to have this massive overhaul wrapped up by Easter.

This is the opposite of responsible governance. This bill is a slapdash measure designed to fulfill the GOPs repeal-and-replace promise. If it passes  and thats far from certain given hostility on the right and left  Republicans will regret it.

For all the derision Republican leaders heaped on Obamacare, this measure keeps some of the Affordable Care Acts more popular provisions, including guarantees that people with pre-existing conditions can be insured, that young people can stay on their parents policies until age 26 and that insurers cant set lifetime limits on coverage.

The much-hated individual mandate, requiring people to buy insurance, is replaced with a 30 percent penalty if people who go uninsured for 63 days, then opt to get insurance. It is a mandate by another name. The bill drops the requirement that large companies provide health insurance for their employees.

The GOP bill doesnt pay for any of this. Obamacare required healthy people and wealthy people to subsidize costs for the sick and the poor. Thats why so many conservatives hated it, but this kind of risk-pooling is how all insurance works. The GOP plan offers tax credits that will, for millions of low-income working class Americans, fall far short of what is needed to buy decent insurance.

Health care policy, as President Trump recently discovered, is enormously complicated. Every part of it is intertwined with every other part. As much as they groused about Obamacare, Republicans have now proved they had nothing better. Now they own it.
The Netherlands main exit poll suggests Prime Minister Mark Rutte has won the Dutch elections, easily beating anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders.

For the two-time Prime Minister Rutte, the poll indicated an economic recovery and his hardline handling of a diplomatic dispute with Turkey over the past week had won him support.

The Ipsos polling company gave Ruttes party 31 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, compared with 19 seats for Wilders PVV.

Today was good day for democracy, to see all these lines of people voting. We havent seen that in a long time, Rutte said at a post-election party in the Hague.

It was a night where the Netherlands, after Brexit, after the American elections, said stop to the wrong kind of populism.

At 81 percent, turnout was the highest in 30 years

Wilders vowed to play a prominent role in Dutch politics in the future, despite the dismal exit poll results.

Thank you PVV Voters! We won seats!, Wilders said in a tweet. The first victory is in! And Rutte has not seen the last of me yet!!

READ MORE: What six Dutch voters have to say

The exit poll predicted 19 seats each for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and Democracy Party (D66).

It was conducted at 43 of the 9,300 polling stations across the country on Wednesday. It had a margin of error of two percentage points.

Rutte will now get the first chance at forming a new government, which will be challenging because of the high number of medium-sized parties.

As it stands now, a coalition consisting of fewer than four parties seems unlikely. Chances of Wilders joining any coalition are very slim, since most party leaders have said that they are not willing to work with Wilders. Wilders, however, has said he is open to talks.

READ MORE: Dutch Muslims reflect on Geert Wilders before vote

The Dutch vote, which has been overshadowed by a diplomatic dispute between the Netherlands and Turkey, has essentially come down to a tight race between Ruttes centre-right party and that of far-right, anti-Islam populist Wilders.

As many as 13 million people were eligible to vote in Wednesdays election and 28 parties were competing for the 150 seats in the Dutch lower house of parliament.

Matthijs Rooduijn, a political sociologist at Utrecht University, told Al Jazeera that Rutte projected himself as a strong nationalist and traditional leader, which is why voters may have chosen him over Wilders.

The refugee crisis, the Brexit referendum  they were all good news for Wilders, but with right-wing parties embracing a similar stance, they were able to lure Wilders supporters, said Rooduijn.

Wilders, 53, has vowed to shut mosques, ban the Quran and close the countrys borders. He also wants to pull the country out of the European Union , an institution that it helped found, in a so-called Nexit.

One Muslim voter told AFP news agency that Wilders fiery anti-Islam rhetoric had prompted her family to come out and vote.

My mother has never voted before, but now she has and encouraged the whole family to do so because the situation is serious.

Speaking to reporters after he cast his ballot at a school, Wilders said: Whatever the outcome of the election, the genie will not go back into the bottle. This patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay.

Rutte, seeking to lead the Netherlands for a third successive term, is a liberal free-marketeer championing this years election on a pledge of safety and stability.

Analysts said his uncharacteristically strong stance since the weekend in a diplomatic crisis with Turkey  when Dutch authorities expelled one Turkish minister while another was refused permission to fly into the country to attend a political rally  has boosted his image with voters.
Man killed at Kuala Lumpurs airport last month was estranged half-brother of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un.

DNA tests have confirmed that the man killed last month at Kuala Lumpurs airport was Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korea leader Kim Jong-un, Malayias deputy prime minister said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police confirmed that the identity of the body is Kim Jong-nam based on the sample taken from his child.

He did not say when and where the DNA sample was taken.





Kim Jong-nam  who was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol  was killed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

He was allegedly murdered by two women  an Indonesian and a Vietnamese  who reportedly smeared his face with VX, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.

VX is a fast-acting toxin that causes respiratory collapse and heart failure. Tiny amounts of the poison are enough to kill an adult, whether it is inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

The women told diplomats from their home countries that they thought they were participating in a prank for reality television.

Malaysian police have since identified seven other North Koreans wanted in connection with the killing. Four of them are believed to have left the country on the day Kim was killed.

Police say the other three, including a North Korean diplomat and an employee of Air Koryo, North Koreas state airline, are believed to be in the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Although Malaysia has never directly accused North Korea of being behind the attack, some analysts speculate that it orchestrated it. North Korea has fiercely denied that accusation.

Experts say the VX nerve agent used to kill Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, and North Korea is widely believed to possess large quantities of chemical weapons.

READ MORE: Who produced the VX poison that killed Kim Jong-nam?

Officials say that Kim Jong-nams body has been embalmed and that his relatives will be given two to three weeks to claim it.

The killing triggered a bitter diplomatic spat between Malaysia and North Korea, with each country expelling each others ambassadors and refusing to allow each others citizens to leave.

There are nine Malaysians in North Korea  three embassy staff members and their family members. About 315 North Koreans are in Malaysia.

The two countries have scrapped visa-free travel for each others citizens.

A leading regional security expert told the AFP news agency last month that it would not have been difficult to get VX into Malaysia in a diplomatic pouch, which would not be subject to regular customs checks.

North Korea has previously used the pouches to smuggle items including contraband and items that would be subjected to scrutiny if regular travel channels were used, said Rohan Gunaratna, the head of the Singapore-based International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.

Kim Jong-nam reportedly fell out of favour with his father, the late Kim Jong-il, in 2001 when he was caught trying to enter Japan on a false passport to visit Tokyo Disneyland.

READ MORE: Meet the Kims: Whos who in North Koreas first family

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 to his half-brother Kim Jong-un.

North Korea has blamed the United States and South Korea for the high-profile murder.

Kim In-ryong, North Koreas deputy UN ambassador, told reporters that from A to Z, this case is the product of reckless moves of the United States and South Korean authorities.

Washington and Seoul were trying to tarnish the Norths image and bring down its social system, Kim said on late Monday in New York.
Leni Robredo urges Filipinos to defy incursions on their rights as she denounces presidents bloody anti-drug war.

The Philippine vice president has raised an alarm about the countrys bloody crackdown on illegal drug use, saying it cant be solved with bullets alone and adding that Filipinos should defy brazen incursions on their rights.





Vice President Leni Robredos comments, some of her sharpest critiques so far of Rodrigo Dutertes anti-drug campaign, are likely to antagonise the brash-talking president.

In her speech, which will be shown at a UN-linked forum on extrajudicial killings on Thursday, she raised concerns about a lack of transparency and accountability in Dutertes crackdown, and the mounting number of killings, which she described as summary executions.

Since July last year, more than 7,000 people have been killed, Robredo said in the video.

We are now looking at some very grim statistics, she added.

INTERACTIVE: Whos liable for the mounting death toll?

Robredo, who belongs to the opposition Liberal Party, said she had received several complaints from residents who had been rounded up by police, and told they had no rights to demand search warrants as they were living illegally on land they didnt own.

She said Filipinos should demand greater transparency in the publicly funded campaign and ask why no one is being held accountable, citing what she said were hundreds of complaints filed with the Commission on Human Rights, which recommended that the Department of Justice file criminal complaints.

National police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said the allegations, if true, violated police policy and should have been reported to authorities so they could investigate.

If these are happening, or have happened, our request is for specifics because these are not sanctioned, Carlos said.

READ MORE: Children and Dutertes drug war  Lessons from the past

Robredo said she publicly asked Duterte to direct the nation towards respect for rule of law, instead of blatant disregard for it.

We ask him to uphold basic human rights enshrined in our constitution, instead of encouraging its abuse. We also ask the Filipino people to defy brazen incursions on their rights, she added.

Duterte and his national police chief have said they do not condone extrajudicial killings, but have repeatedly threatened drug suspects with death in public speeches.

Last month, rights group Amnesty International accused police of behaving like the criminal underworld they are supposed to be suppressing, systematically targeting the poor and defenceless, recruiting paid killers, stealing from the people they kill, and fabricating official incident reports.
Russian agents and two criminal hackers allegedly accessed at least 30 million user accounts through spam campaign.

Two agents of Russias FSB spy agency and two criminal hackers were indicted over a massive cyber-attack affecting 500 million Yahoo users, the US Justice Department said.

The indictment unveiled on Wednesday in Washington, DC, links Russias top spy agency to one of the largest online attacks in history, carried out in 2014. Officials said that it was launched for espionage and financial gain.

The US government alleged that the content of at least 30 million accounts was accessed as part of a spam campaign, and at least 18 people who used other internet service providers, such as Google, were also victimised.





Officials identified the agents as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, both of whom were part of the successor agency to Russias KGB.

The two officers protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere, Mary McCord, the acting assistant attorney general, told reporters.

They hired Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, described as criminal hackers, to carry out the attacks.

The defendants targeted Yahoo accounts of Russian and US government officials, including cyber-security, diplomatic and military personnel, McCord said.

They also targeted Russian journalists, numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit, and employees of financial services and other commercial entities.

Washington has not contacted Moscow over charges against the Russians, Russian news agencies reported on Wednesday, citing a highly placed source in Moscow.

The source was also quoted by TASS, RIA and Interfax as saying that the topic of Russian hackers was part of an internal political struggle in the United States.

McCord said Baratov was arrested this week on a US warrant in Canada. Information on the other suspects was not immediately available.

The attack on Yahoo, disclosed last year, was one of the largest ever data breaches and at the time was blamed on a nation-state attacker.





OPINION: Russias soft warfare

Al Jazeeras White House correspondent James Bays said there was no direct link between the Yahoo hack and the hacking of Democratic Party emails, which took place during the 2016 US presidential election.

US intelligence agencies have said that those were carried out by Russia in order to help the campaign of Republican President Donald Trump.

But the fact that [the US government is] charging two members of the FSB  the successor to the old Soviet KGB  shows the sort of cyber activities that the Russian government may be involved in, said Bays.

Clearly, there are still questions about the election campaign and what Russia was up to there, and whether there was any collusion with members of the Trump campaign, or anyone linked to him.

Yahoo said, when it announced the then-unprecedented breach last September, that it was working with law enforcement authorities and believed the attack was state-sponsored.

The company announced a still-larger breach in December that occurred in 2013 and affected one billion accounts.
Saudi says talks highlighted shared views on Iran, expresses satisfaction Trumps travel ban not aimed at Muslims.

Saudi Arabia has hailed a historic turning point in relations with the United States after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House.

The meeting on Tuesday was the first since Trumps January 20 inauguration with a prince who is leading the kingdoms efforts to revive state finances and is also its defence minister.

The meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues, a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.

The talks appeared to signal a marked difference from Riyadhs often fraught relationship with the previous administration of Barack Obama, especially following the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as very dangerous, the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on the danger of Irans regional expansionist activities.

The Trump White House has said the deal was not in the best interests of the US.

OPINION: What will Trump do with the Iran nuclear deal?

Referring to a US travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said that Prince Mohammed did not regard it as aimed at Muslim countries or Islam.

Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Libya from travelling to the US but removed Iraq from the list, after a first attempt was blocked in the courts.

The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam.





The two leaders also discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia.

OPINION: How Muslim Ban incites vigilante Islamophobic violence

Obama late last year suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air raids in Yemen.

US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co.

The US State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.

READ MORE: Key facts about the war in Yemen

Gregory Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said that while Saudi Arabia might find the atmospherics of its relations with Trump better than those with Obama, it might find less change than it hopes on key issues.

For example, he said, Trump is unlikely to mount a major, costly effort to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, or to launch a full-scale campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as Riyadh might wish.

I think theyre going to find rhetorically that the new administration says things and uses language they like more, said Gause. But I think on the ground, were not going to see an enormous difference.
Locals say pirate attacks will continue and blame the government in Puntland for granting foreigners fishing permits.

A volatile build-up of weapons and resentment along the northern Somali coast culminated in the hijack of an oil freighter this week, the first such seizure by Somali pirates since 2012, experts and locals say.

Gunmen hijacked the Aris 13, a small oil tanker, on Monday and are demanding a ransom to release the ship and its eight Sri Lankan crew, the European Union Naval Force that patrols the waters off Somalia said on Wednesday.

Now shipping companies are scrambling to find out whether the attack is a one-off, or whether pirates could once again threaten one of the worlds most important shipping lanes and cost the industry billions of dollars annually.

The other side of Somalias pirates

Somali forces have been sent to try to free the tanker.





But locals say the attacks will continue and blame their government in the semi-autonomous Puntland region for granting foreigners permits to fish in Somali waters.

Since the fish are drained by foreigners, my colleagues plan to go into the ocean to hijack other ships. We have no government to speak on our behalf, said fisherman Mohamed Ismail.

Although Somalia remains mired in violence and poverty, the Horn of Africa nation has shown some small signs of progress in recent years despite a civil war lasting more than a quarter of a century. A return to piracy could derail those fragile gains.

Mondays hijack followed a long hiatus in pirate attacks, with only four unsuccessful attempts in the past three years.

The lull encouraged foreign fishing vessels to return to Somali waters, locals told Reuters news agency, fuelling resentment.

If you look at the sea at night, there are so many lights out there [from fishing vessels]. It looks like New York, complained one former Somali official who asked not to be named.

Somali pirates hijack ship with Sri Lankan crew on board

The final straw, he said, was when seven Thai fishing vessels docked at Bosaso port last month. The ships paid the local government more than $672,000 for fishing licences, a government contract showed. The move infuriated locals who felt they would see neither fish nor the cash.

When I saw those ships come into Bosaso port in broad daylight, I knew there would be an attack, he said. The fishermen became desperate.

Only 14 foreign vessels are licensed to fish, including the seven Thai vessels, the Puntland government said. All others are illegal, said Ali Hirsi Salaad, director of Puntlands Ministry of Fishing.

Fisherman are right to complain, he said.

Weapons ashore

Matt Bryden, the head of Nairobi-based think-tank Sahan Research, said coastal communities were rearming amid widespread anger at the failure to crack down on foreign fishing vessels.

He displayed several photographs that he said were of a recent shipment of assault weapons, saying that so many were arriving that in one area the price of a PKM machinegun had fallen from $13,000 in October to about $8,500 last month.

The price is going down because so many are being imported, he said.

The same source sent him a photo of the seas horizon at night, he said. The lights of at least 23 vessels that the man said were fishing boats glowed on the horizon.

Coastal communities are angry at the foreign vessels and at the authorities who they believe have licensed some of them, he said.

A Bosaso-based weapons dealer said orders for rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns, and ammunition had increased.

Jonah Leff, a weapons tracing expert with Conflict Armament Research, said many pirates had turned to smuggling. They take boatloads of people to Yemen and return with weapons, he said.

Theres been an influx of weapons, he said.
Temporary restraining order from Hawaiian judge prevents new travel ban from going into effect on Thursday.

A federal judge in Hawaii has put President Donald Trumps revised travel ban on hold, issuing an emergency halt to the order just hours before it was set to go into effect.

The ruling by US District Judge Derrick Watson on Wednesday prevents the executive order from going into effect on Thursday.

Hawaii argued that the new order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students. Ismail Elshikh, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the ban would prevent his Syrian mother-in-law from visiting.

Watson concluded in his ruling that while the order did not mention Islam by name, a reasonable, objective observer  would conclude that the executive order was issued with a purpose to disfavour a particular religion.

Speaking at a rally in Nashville, Trump called his revised executive order a watered-down version of his first.

I think we ought to go back to the first one and go all the way, which is what I wanted to do in the first place, Trump said.

He called the judges block unprecedented judicial overreach and said he will take the case as far as it needs to go, including to the US Supreme Court.

The Hawaii case was one of several that were moving through US courts on Wednesday brought by states attorneys general and immigrant advocacy groups.

Refugee resettlement agencies suing the government asked a federal judge at a hearing in Maryland to block the ban, arguing it discriminates on the basis of religion and violates the US constitution.

EXPLAINED: How could Hawaii block Trumps travel ban?

The presidents executive order, which the administration says is necessary for national security, temporarily bars the entry of most refugees as well as travellers from six Muslim-majority countries.

It replaces a January 27 order that Trump abandoned after it was blocked in court last month.

Government attorneys argued that the replacement was revised substantially to address legal concerns, including the removal of an exemption for religious minorities from the affected countries.

It doesnt say anything about religion. It doesnt draw any religious distinctions, said Jeffrey Wall, who argued for the justice department.





Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups said that Trumps statements on the campaign trail and statements from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the ban is to ban Muslims.

Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller has said the revised order was designed to have the same basic policy outcome as the first.

The new version of the ban affects fewer people than the initial ban.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen. It does not apply to travellers who already have visas, or to green-card holders. Iraq, included in the first ban, was excluded.

The next step in the legal battle will be for the Trump administration to take the case to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which will either uphold or cancel the temporary restraining order.





Courts will look at the intent of the law, not only the words of the executive order, said Danielle McLaughlin, a constitutional law scholar.

Trumps campaign rhetoric was pivotal in the Hawaii courts decision, as it was in the earlier decisions halting his first travel ban, she told Al Jazeera.

During his campaign, Trump promised a ban on Muslims entering the country. This is discrimination on the basis of religion, which is unconstitutional.

Besides discriminating against Muslims, the Maryland lawsuit argues that it is against federal law for the government to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000.

Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

OPINION: How Muslim Ban incites vigilante Islamophobic violence

In Washington state, US District Judge James Robart  who halted the original ban last month  heard arguments in a lawsuit brought by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, which is making arguments similar to the American Civil Liberties Union in the Maryland case.

Robart is also overseeing the legal challenge brought by Washington state. Attorney General Bob Ferguson argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers.

California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Washington and Hawaii say the order also violates the First Amendment, which bars the government from favouring or disfavoring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different from the old.
The story of Abdul Hamid al-Sarraj who used fear and torture to turn 1950s Syria into a police state.

Filmmaker: Mohammad Jameel

Syria: The Roots Of Tyranny tells the story of Abdul Hamid al-Sarraj, a military intelligence chief who used fear and torture to turn 1950s Syria into a police state, a decade or so before the al-Assad regime rose to power.

When Syria gained independence from France in 1946, the countrys institutions were based on those of its former protectorate. It had an elected parliament, multi-party politics, freedom of the press and the right to protest, according to Radwan Ziadeh, executive director of the Syrian Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.

The 1950 constitution was one of the most advanced in the Arab world. There were three coups in 1949 but the states infrastructure, its democratic, pluralist and civil institutions didnt change, explains Ziadeh.

[Al-Sarraj by Walid

used torture, police rule, killing and nail extraction to oppress the Syrian people and officers. Syria became a terror school.]

Al-Sarraj rose to prominence in the military in the mid-1950s, and was put in charge of a section of Syrian military intelligence, le Deuxieme Bureau, meaning the Second Office.

The first challenge al-Sarraj faced  was when Adnan al-Maliki was assassinated [in 1955], explains journalist Kamal al-Taweel, who interviewed al-Sarraj later in life.

When Colonel Adnan al-Maliki, the deputy chief of staff of the Syrian army, was killed by a member of the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP), al-Sarraj swiftly rounded up SSNP members.

The assassination of al-Maliki fuelled hatred and resentment between the Syrian nationalists and Baathists. This unleashed al-Sarraj on Syrian intelligence, says former Lebanese Interior Minister Sami el-Khatib.

The crackdown after al-Malikis assassination consolidated al-Sarrajs relationship with the nationalist, populist and socialist Baath Party.

As its influence increased, so did the power of al-Sarraj and the Deuxieme Bureau. It closely monitored al-Sarrajs fellow army officers and put them under surveillance.

Syria wasnt a bloody country, despite all the coups, there was no torture, killing or revenge, says Walid Elsaka, a former Syrian army officer.

[Sarraj] used torture, police rule, killing and nail extraction to oppress the Syrian people and officers. Syria became a terror school.

Sarraj did not join any political party, but made sure he cooperated with whoever was in power. An ardent Arab nationalist, he actively supported Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nassers stand against Western colonialism and Israel, including the Suez War in 1956.

The United Arab Republic

When the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) between Egypt and Syria was declared in 1958, al-Sarraj was appointed interior minister of its northern province. Egypt was the republics southern province.

But the new republic did not bode well for the future of democracy, civil liberties or freedom of expression in Syria.

Nasser dissolved all political parties and the multi-party system, and limited press outlets. We entered a kind of a junta rule with a single party in charge, says Ziadeh.

Al-Sarraj became Nassers main man in the Syrian province.

In al-Sarraj, Nasser found a courageous personality, smart in strategic thinking. He gave him information about Syria and Syrian people, explains Elsaka.

More importantly, he gave him information about Syrian army officers.

However, his ruthless policing made him deeply unpopular.





Al-Sarraj was appointed minister of Social Affairs and then president of the Syrian Executive Council in 1960. At 35, he became the most powerful Syrian in the UAR. His influence even began to extend beyond Syrias border into Lebanon. He wanted to rid Lebanon of anti-UAR sentiment, including the pro-Western Lebanese President Camille Chamoun.

In an interview with journalist Kamal Al Taweel later in life, al-Sarraj said he believed Syria was in danger if it didnt have decision-making power in Lebanon. He said that while he never interfered internally in Lebanon, he simply wanted their intelligence services to be in line with his.

We didnt want our opponents to be influential partners in ruling Lebanon, he said. Camille Chamoun had to be eliminated by any means, he claimed. So we did.

Iraq also became a target for Nasser and al-Sarraj.

In July 1958, an Iraqi army officer, Abdul Karim Qasim, staged a coup in Iraq, in which the entire royal family was killed.

Nasser and al-Sarraj decided that Qasim had had the support of the Communist Party  and their opposition to the Communists and to Soviet influence had been one of the main reasons for founding the UAR. Nasser declared war against Abdul Karim Qasim and the Communist Party, accusing them of serving Soviet interests.

The Communist Party was outlawed in both the Syrian and Egyptian provinces of the UAR and a campaign was launched to arrest party members.

Farajallah el Helou affair

A popular, leading figure in the Syria-Lebanon Communist Party, Farajallah el-Helou, also suffered at the hands of al-Sarrajs machine, in a UAR jail.

I tried my best to ask about this. It was a sensitive subject for al-Sarraj, tells al-Taweel. After the usual physical violence, el-Helou collapsed because of the heart problem everyone knew he had. Then he died.

Al-Sarraj said theyd had el-Helou under surveillance because they thought he was trying to re-activate the Communist Party in Syria, but that his death was an accident.

Leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement  such as Russias Nikita Khrushchev, Yugolsavias Josip Broz Tito and Indonesias Sukarno  lobbied Nasser for el-Helous release, says Karim Murrawwah, a former member of the Lebanese Communist Party.

But we later discovered he died the same day he was arrested.

His body was first buried in a secret location, but fearing exposure of the crime, it was dissolved with sulphuric acid and disposed of in a Damascus sewer.

Al-Sarrajs fall from grace

Pressure was eventually exerted on Nasser to curb al-Sarrajs power.

In October 1959, Nasser gave his Egyptian Vice President Abdel Hakim Amer full power over the Syrian province, above al-Sarraj.

At the same time, Syrian army officers were increasingly unhappy with way the UAR province was run and felt marginalised. They objected to their treatment by Egyptian officers and of being transferred or retired if they complained.

Nasser heard about how the Syrian officers got tired of al-Sarrajs actions. So he asked al-Sarraj to ease his grip on the army officers and civilians, says Elsaka.

In August 1961, Nasser decided to appoint him vice president of Syria  but relocated him to Cairo, marking the beginning of the end for al-Sarraj.

A month later, Nasser merged the two branches of the National Union Party, depriving al-Sarraj of his position as leader of the Syrian branch; and when Egyptian Vice President Abdel Hakim Amer dismissed one of his closest associates, al-Sarraj submitted his resignation.

Jail and prison break

On September 28, 1961, there was a coup in Damascus by disaffected Syrian army officers.

It was led by Abdul Karim al-Nahlawi, the head of Abdel Hakim Amers office in Syria. They declared Syrian independence from the UAR and effectively dissolved the republic.

Al-Sarraj was arrested and jailed in the Mezzeh military prison in Damascus.

With the help of Lebanese and Jordanian intelligence, Nasser devised an escape plan to bring his former supporter, al-Sarraj, to Cairo via Beirut. It succeeded in May 1962 and al-Sarraj arrived in Egypt to make his peace with Nasser. But this was to be the end of his political career.

Al-Sarraj lived as a private citizen in Cairo for 50 years. He died in 2013, at 88.

When al-Sarraj died, Syria was two years into the civil war that had begun in 2011 with protests against Bashar al-Assads authoritarian regime  which had arguably remained in power using many of the tools of repression introduced by al-Sarraj nearly 60 years before.
The inside story of Mexicos drug war as seen through the work of two newspapers in Sinaloa state back in 2011.

The daily headlines in the Mexican media are filled with the litany of death and violence that is Mexico today.

The Deadliest Beat is the inside story of Mexicos drug war as seen through the work of two newspapers in Sinaloa, northwestern Mexico. As the journalists risk their lives to cover  and uncover  the story, the dangers of their work unfold.

Photojournalist Ernesto Martinez reflects on the personal cost to him and his family of his work, while he follows and films the grim fallout of drug wars. And the newsmen of the weekly paper Riodoce tackle the complex politics behind the war on drugs, chasing stories that more than hint at collusion and corruption in high places.

This film, originally made in 2011, tracks two local newspapers for two days and shows a grim outlook for those who are determined to report the truths of Mexicos bloody drugs war.

But how are these journalists coping now, six years on? REWIND returns to Culiacan to find out.

Update: Javier Valdez, featured in this film, was shot and killed in Culiacan, Sinaloa on May 15, 2017.
Two deaf, Latino drag queens who earned internet fame through YouTube will perform at UF today.

The 6 p.m. Deafies in Drag event is a part of Deaf Awareness Week, hosted by the UF student organization Signing Gators.

It is the first time a UF student organization has hosted a series of events dedicated to the deaf community.

Later events will include discussion panels and American Sign Language performances from students at universities across Florida, said Devon Mims, the president of Signing Gators.

Its important as a hearing person myself to realize that ASL is the language of the deaf community, Mims said.

Drag queens Casavina and Selena will perform at the free drag performance, which will be held inside the University Auditorium, Mims said. A discussion panel will follow.

Mims, a 20-year-old UF zoology junior, said teaching others about deaf culture makes communication more accessible to those in the community, such as increasing access to

transcripts or closed-captioned TV.

There are 40 UF students registered with the Disability Resource Center who have hearing impairments, wrote UF spokesperson Steve Orlando in an email.

Nathanael Herbert, the president of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Gainesville Area Program nonprofit, wrote in an email that as someone who is hard of hearing, hes happy that Signing Gators is bringing attention to the deaf community.

They will bring the awareness to others who dont know anything about the deaf community, he said.

DEAF AWARENESS WEEK EVENTS

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 Deafies in Drag show and panel today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at University Auditorium.

 The Role of Interpreters discussion panel hosted by local interpreter Melani Crosby on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in McCarty Hall B, Room G086.

 Intercollegiate ASL Idol Showcase on Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
A UF Transportation and Parking Services employee was arrested Monday for cashing $8,401.75 in fraudulent checks she had written to herself, Univeristy Police said.

Tiffany Nichole Robinson

Tiffany Nichole Robinson, 34, issued refunds for returned parking decals and disputed fines as part of her job, according to an arrest report. Between April 2016 and March 6, she issued 25 unauthorized checks to the name Nichole Robinson.

UF TAPS Director Scott Fox reported the theft to UPD on Monday after a supervisor discovered a suspicious check.

Police noticed Robinson wrote a drivers licence number and birth-date that was slightly different than her own, according to the report. She also issued the checks to an address associated with someone who co-signed Robinsons vehicle.

After her arrest, Robinson admitted to police she had made the checks and cashed them, according to the report.

Robinson was hired by UF in 2008 as a fiscal assistant, said Janine Sikes, a UF spokesperson. Robinson is on paid administrative leave.

Robinsons salary is $31,062.79, Sikes said.

Robinson was arrested on a charge of fraud. Authorities took her to Alachua County Jail where she remains, as of press time, in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

Contact Meryl Kornfield at mkornfield@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @MerylKornfield

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In the wake of the low voter turnout in Tuesdays local commission election, three commission candidates celebrated their victories as election officials began to look for ways to increase turnout.

Just under 10,500 votes were cast in the commission election, despite the nearly 89,000 voters registered in Alachua County.

We would have loved to see more voters go to the precincts, said Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim Barton, adding that there was an increase in early voting and mail-in voting.

She said she felt the cold weather hindered some participation.

Incumbent Helen K. Warren defeated Jenn Powell with 54.63 percent of the vote to hold on to the at large Gainesville City Commission seat while Democrats Harvey Ward Jr. and David Arreola took the District 2 and District 3 seats, respectively, with sizable majorities.

Ward Jr. clinched just over half of the 4,455 votes cast in District 2 over Perry Clawson and Sheryl Eddie while Arreola won 66.4 percent of the vote in District 3 over Craig Carter.

Warren, 63, who first won her commission seat in 2014, said she never took re-election for granted, and is looking forward to work- ing with housing, homeless issues and juvenile justice.

Theres just a lot of things that this community is ready to do, and I want to continue that momentum, Warren said at First Magnitude Brewing Company. She said she wants to stay in touch with her opponent, Powell, because more women are needed in politics.

Were going to hold her feet to the fire, Powell said of the loss. Well start Thursday. Ward Jr. and Arreola, the two other victors in Tuesdays election, gathered with about 50 supporters in a private room of Blue Gill Quality Foods, at 1310 SW 13th St., to watch the results.

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Ward attributed the win to the supporters and volunteers who helped his campaign. He said the members of the campaign knocked on 8,000 doors in District 2 and made 12,000 phone calls.

At 8:31 p.m., Arreola walked into the room, apologized to cheering supporters for being late and thanked them for their patience. At 26, Arreola will be the youngest person on the commission.

He said he had monitored the results with one of his interns at the democratic office. After, he went to Holy Faith Catholic Church to talk to his family on the phone and pray.

I am feeling very grateful and very humbled by what has taken place tonight, he said. I did believe that we could win but I did not expect this result.

As Arreola celebrated, his opponent Craig Carter choked back tears as he thanked supporters and apologized for not winning re-election.

God would open doors, and God would close doors, and, well, God has closed a door tonight, Carter said. And Im not sure the door Gods going to open, but hold on, cause its going to be a doozy.

He blamed his loss in part on his Republican affiliation. He plans on donating all extra campaign money to the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank and veteran support group Gainesville Fisher House Foundation.

Jeremiah Tattersall, a field director for American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, said there was a reaction from Democrats who felt unhappy with the results of the national election.

This was a push back, he said. This wasnt just a splash in the pan. Theyre going to keep voting.

Republican candidate Perry Clawson addressed supporters at the Warehouse Restaurant and Lounge after learning he lost the District 2 race. After he finished speaking, he unclipped his candidate pin from his jacket and quietly put it in his pocket.

It seems like you just cant win an election in this city unless you have a D after your last name, said Clawson, the only Republican candidate for District 2.

Just a half mile away at The Top restaurant, a shocked Sheryl Eddie sipped on a white pinot grigio as she realized she had lost her race.

I really thought we were going to win, but its fine, she said. At least I get to sleep in tomorrow.

Reflecting on her second consecutive run for commission office, Eddie said she might come out of retirement to get a part-time job and raise back the $6,000 she took out of her personal travel account for her campaign.

My life is not over, Eddie said.

Alligator writers Max Chesnes, Romy Ellenbogen, Meryl Korn eld, Jimena Tavel and Molly Vossler contributed to this report.

From left: Lisa Marshall congratulates David Arreola, 26, on his District 3 win Tuesday night at a results watch party at Blue Gills Quality Foods.
Smith Meyers' Key West arrest smeared UF's reputation and is grounds for resignation, a group of UF students argued during a Student Senate meeting on Tuesday.

During public debate, critics of the incoming UF Student Body president took turns calling for him to step down while his supporters, clad in "Stand with Smith" stickers, urged compassion.

Meyers was arrested last week for drunkenly knocking over two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, according to the Key West Police Department, and police footage released Sunday shows him appearing to punch a witness. The arrest has sparked contentious debates on social media regarding Meyers' future as a Student Government official.

He is scheduled to be sworn in as president in April.

A group of 11 students, all of whom are currently or were previously involved in SG, spoke of Meyers' accolades during his time as an SG official and his passion for public service.

Six others, one of whom was a former senator, spoke against Meyers, saying he should resign and that the incident painted UF in a negative light.

Meyers, who is no longer serving as Senate President after winning the Spring SG elections, was not present at the meeting.

In a statement sent to the Alligator on Sunday, Meyers apologized to the Student Body for "representing UF in such a negative light."

Senator Zachariah Chou (Independent, Infinity Hall) said most students who spoke during Senate had different opinions than senators who spoke.

Look whos been speaking; only senators have been speaking for Smith Meyers, he said. Were supposed to represent the people and their beliefs.

Austin Champoux, who served as Senate pro tempore when Meyers was Senate president from Fall 2016 to February, acknowledged Meyers made mistakes.

Champoux said he wanted to talk about good things his friend has done for UF. He said Meyers helped Newell Hall renovations, advocated for student artwork and served as former budget chair.

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I have not seen anyone put more hard work, sweat, tears into the Student Body than Smith Meyers, he said.

Andrew Cushen, a 21-year-old UF English and Spanish junior, said during public debate that he was disappointed by the lack of action following Meyers arrest.

Now incoming students and their families are familiar with William Smith Meyers mugshot, he said. This makes our university dismissable.

Janae Moodie (Impact, Liberal Arts) said Impact senators wore orange and blue in solidarity with Meyers. She said Meyers has admitted his mistake, and shouldnt be judged for a minor misdemeanor.

Is character admitting ones mistakes and accepting them, and apologizing as a leader and influential individual on this campus? she said. To me, thats character.

Casey Witte, who lost a senate election in Spring, recalled meeting a father of a prospective student who was hesitant of his daughter attending UF after reading about Meyers arrest.

Im asking you to think about the future of UF, and what impact (Meyers) has had on the future of our university, the 18-year-old UF finance freshman said.

Contact Paige Fry at pfry@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @paigexfry
If theres anything we have learned from the past few days, its that when theres a hot-button issue on campus, boy oh boy do people get contentious about it. But whats funny is what we consider a hot-button issue. Nazi on campus? Racial slurs and vandalism of UF buildings? A one-party monopolization of Student Government elections? The occasional defensive comments on a column or editorial, one or two letters to the editor, but nothing close to what weve been seeing.

In the past few days, our campus  much like our nation  is split. Those who oppose Greek life, the System, or Impact Party had all their reasons for opposition realized and rallied against Smith Meyers, who now serves as a figurehead for all the other side opposes. Those who stand for Smith Meyers  who wear their Impact shirts and letters with pride  are quick to defend him.

Its a division thats felt a lot of the time, though we do our best to play it off as nothing serious. But given a reason, the people will rally. If youve taken a gander at Facebook comments in the past week or so, and compare it to the comments from other weeks, the amount and the bitterness for this particular topic is noticeably greater.

Weve made it clear where we fall on this topic Monday. Some of our columnists agree; some have said otherwise. Some of our readers agree; some have said otherwise. Weve had more submissions of opinions on Smith Meyers than we can count. Some people denounce him. Some people defend him. Some people denounce him, but conditionally. Some people defend him, but conditionally. Were not going to argue one way or another right now; we did that earlier.

Were going to take a step back and ask: why?

Why has this  out of all the issues weve encountered this semester  been the one to cause the most ruckus?

For people against Impact, they see concrete, indisputable evidence of all the things theyve claimed Impact and its lackeys to be. To them, the lack of response from SG, the lack of response from the university, the humiliation of national media organizations highlighting the story and looking down on our school,culminate to form what is, in their minds, the perfect argument.

Look at the corruption, they cry. Look at the lack of professionalism. We must stop them! Weve tried for so long and finally theres a reason, but no one is listening.

For the people backing Meyers, they see this outrage as the other side latching onto one slip up, determined to topple them. And they have dominated this playground for so long, they are not about to let one mistake ruin them.

They are fighting back just as viciously  storming protests with counter protests, participating in those intense comment wars, making sure that people know they arent going to admit weakness.

People love to choose sides.

People love to be part of a team.

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Though we dont like to admit it, people are bound by mutual hatred of things  and the more specific the subject of our hatred is, the more united we are.

To this, dear reader, we remind you that a Student Body divided will never be a strong one. Its in our nature to cry for justice, to defend those we stand for, but we cannot swear off half the Student Body for disagreeing with us.

Do we have a clear-cut solution to this? No (and if anyone did, wed be asking them to use it on our country). But it is something important to keep in mind as we march on.
I wholeheartedly agree that we should not ruin Meyers career over these events, however, I disagree on some key details.

The matter is, we are not responsible for the ramifications this incident has on Meyers career and position. To blame the portion of the Student Body speaking out against his position as our primary representative and attempt to silence us by shaming us for holding him accountable for his actions is to promote the proliferation of excusing the unacceptable for the privileged elite.

The primary duty of our Student Body president is to represent our Student Body. He did so in a nationally published manner that has already impacted the reputation of UF and its standards; of its students, their caliber, ethics and professionalism; and, inevitably, of the degrees this university awards. You cannot write off multiple people speaking out against something that so extremely impacts them as mob mentality. Consider other protests and large groups speaking out against wrongful actions, and consider again the dangerous precedent youre beginning to establish with that claim.

You claim we should indisputably hold Meyers accountable for his actions. Calling for him to resign as Student Body president is what holding him accountable looks like. You claim that we should also remember how easily we could be in the same position and give him the same consideration we would want for ourselves.

Many of us could not easily be in the same position. Those who could easily do this should probably not accept positions that include being responsible for the representation of a Student Body of more than 52,000 students, a position that places you consistently under the public eye and contributes to the reputation of The Gator Nation as a whole.

I agree that Meyers deserves the same consideration I would hope for if I were in his position. Ignoring the ramifications of his actions is not consideration, however. Consideration is ensuring that bullying and ridicule  destructive comments and measures that are not for the cause of ensuring appropriate representation of the Student Body  do not occur. As I speak out against his position as incoming Student Body president, I commit myself to ensuring that my words and actions do not stoop to that level. Those two measures are not exclusive.

Keep in mind the fact that the Key West Police Department officer, who repeatedly attempted to offer Meyers the opportunity to explain, admit to or apologize for his actions to no avail, still chose to charge Meyers with the misdemeanor of criminal mischief rather than an alcohol-related charge is extensive consideration of his future aspirations.

I have enough compassion toward Meyers to support and admire this officers decision.

Asking me to allow him to remain in office, to excuse and overlook this unfair, disrespectful and extremely detrimental display, is not compassion  it is ignorance and obliviousness that I will take no part in.

Ashley Grabowski is a UF English and advertising junior.

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English News Centrafric: Child rape by French troops, How FRANCE deliberately trampled the investigation

Alwihda Info | Par Sandra Martin-White - 15 Mars 2017



Sandra Martin-White



LOS ANGELES [LNC]  When judges in Paris dismissed the case of allegations of rape, and several forms of sexual abuse committed against minors in CAR by French troops from the SANGARIS, if it is scandalous and unfair, it is none the less, just the reality of the will of FRANCE, since the beginning to bury this concern, and to put it behind her as quickly as possible. That why, as soon as French authorities were informed about this huge problem, they hastened to classify it as a top-secret defence matter.

Already known, during supposed investigations conducted by the provost (the French military police), investigators did not questioned any of the Sangaris suspects in the MPoko camp, or even talk with child victims and witnesses who have not yet been interviewed.



In fact, it was even worse than that. When they met the very few victims they had decided to talk with, that was an opportunity to threaten them to shut up.



About the collection of testimonies of victims and witnesses detained by UNICEF, the French Ministry of Defence at time, found it light, only filled with allegations vague and unfounded.



However, evidence that sexual violence and rapes occurred were found on childrens bodies, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said, and had provided detailed information and evidence, including several medical reports, to corroborate his claims; when reporting to the French police, 3 new cases of child rape in 2014.



No impunity?



When French President paid a lightning visit to CAR meeting Faustin Touadera the freshly new elected president, on Friday 13 May 2016, Hollande said that any French or UN soldiers in Centrafric found guilty of sexual abuse of minors would be held accountable.



If anyone is found responsible, there will be no impunity, he said.



When Hollande spoke while in Bangui about impunity, he already knew full well that substantial evidence of sexual assault committed by his soldiers in CAR existed. So, he clearly lied.



FRANCE DID NOT COOPERATE AND KEEP ON



Even when the French government became aware of the allegations and sought the cooperation of UN staff, its requests were met with resistance and became bogged down in formalities.



UN staff, it is said, became overly concerned with whether the allegations had been improperly leaked to French authorities and focused on protocols rather than action.



LAWYER MARIE GRIMAUD  INSIGHTS



French lawyer specialized defence of minors and child abuse, she represents the interests of the NGO called: Innocence en danger which is team-mate with another one Enfance en partage, and together asked judges in Paris, to review the case. By undertaking further inquiries, confrontations and expertises.



Interviewed by the radio France Culture in France, she has spoken out.



EXCERPTS



As soon as French authorities were informed about this disgusting affair, they immediately hurried to bury it.



Marie Grimaud: In 2015, next after the widely world revelation, unveiling that this case of minors rape by French soldiers in CAR had been classified as military secret, three judges were appointed to pursue the judicial inquiry.



Judges after investigation, found strong evidence, that would have convicted at least 10 soldiers guilty.



Marie Grimaud: After a year and a half of criminal procedure, we found extremely precise objective elements in the judicial record, able already to identify a group of around ten soldiers, and more particularly five from it, on who, all matched: the childrens descriptions, the testimonies; all enough to say that 5 of those men identified might be for sure, some of the perpetrators.



Judges voluntarily muddled up elements of the file, in the goal to completely empty the serious of its content.



Marie Grimaud: Confusion was organized, I would say, by both magistrates and investigators, to turn the work complex.



Discredit all testimonies of victims, the best way leading to dismissing.

Marie Grimaud: The word of a soldier must be protected compared with the word of the children, and, although a child can say, it was necessary to discredit it at all costs.



Judges determined what evidence could be admissible or not.



Marie Grimaud: Highly matched elements. Within telephone taps recorded in the case, we can hear a soldier telling to another one: Dont worry, I met the investigator, he told me not believing it, but an investigation has to be undertaken.



The French military hierarchy is in collusion and covers crimes of its soldiers.



Marie Grimaud: There is a real collusive arrangement between the soldiers guilty of child rape, with the support of their hierarchy.



Doing everything, by any means possible to save FRANCEs face, even by screwing investigation.



Marie Grimaud: With this inquiry, French judges and investigators are under the look of UN. So I think that they investigated in a extremely superficial way, in order to assuage their consciences, a sort of way to keep FRANCEs good image at the International.



Trouble-makers out of investigation.



Marie Grimaud: Lawyers were particularly kept out of things



HOW ABOUT THE CAR AUTHORITIES?



The only reaction of Faustin Touadera, who has been elected under very questionable conditions, and with help of FRANCE to rig the elections, has been this: Id counted on France to inform us about the investigation. But she never kept us posted on.



To be clear, State in Centrafrican republic is a virtuality, very weak and fragile, it is not strong enough to denounce the crimes of FRANCE on its own territory, as financially depending of it for surviving.



Even MINUSCA never spoke up and voice concerns about these horrendous and terrible crimes committed by French troops in the CAR.



 March 2017  LAMINE MEDIA



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Liberals always stake their claim to the moral high ground, or to put it another way, they believe they own the moral high ground. If this were true, and it most certainly is not, then they would have to believe in biblical morality and authority. The problem with liberalism is that its rooted entirely in moral relativism where moral authority resides in the individual. Another name for this might be designer morality, where a person basically customizes what he or she believes to be right and wrong. By logical extension if everyone owns their own morality then morality ceases to exist and a person can justify basically any bad behavior as good behavior. Dostoevsky was the first to recognize this, most notably in his novel Crime and Punishment, where the protagonist Raskolnikov wanted to test his conscience and conventional morality by murdering someone without getting caught. And it was Dostoevsky who also famously stated Without God all things are permissible. Nietzsche carried on where Dostoevsky left off by declaring God is Dead and that all that remains is the will to power. This is true not just in the realm of the political but social as well. All relationships in a way become power-centric, i.e., who has the upper hand in controlling the other. Morality not only becomes individualized but so does authority. One can easily see how this leads to the political and social chaos and conflict we see in the world today. Looking out further however, it can be envisioned where liberalism is headed -- to an end point where not only are morality and authority being customized by the individual, but the individual is literally customizing himself (or herself).

Recently a story came out about a man who paid $50,000 in order to become a genderless alien: Vinny Ohh, 22, from Los Angeles in California, has had over 110 procedures to transform into a 'genderless' extra-terrestrial. The make-up artist believes he's neither male nor female and so his extreme look is a way to mirror how he feels inside.

Another story from last year describes a man who transformed his face with tattoos and had his ears and nose removed in order to look like a dragon. Apparently he's a transgender that now goes by the name of Dragon Lady. These two stories represent nothing short of liberalism taken to its logical conclusion. Its always trying to take down the natural order of things through the elimination of limits and boundaries, destroying a foundation of universal morality and authority as originally outlined in the Bible. A simple equation shows how this works: moral relativism = designer morality = designer self.

This all dovetails with liberalisms modus operandi of normalizing the abnormal and the mainstreaming of deviancy, sometimes known as defining deviancy down. It was done with abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage, and marijuana -- and now its in the early stages of mainstreaming pedophilia and polygamy. Those who deny theres a slippery slope to all of this are seriously misguided or dishonest.

A glimmer of optimism about a change of direction for the future is discussed in a recent First Things article by Betsy VanDenBerghe, Generation Z: Desperate for Rules, that describes how the current youngest generation is looking for guidance to escape the social anarchy resulting from decades of relativism. Possibly this presages a moral revival:

"Abiding by moral rules, especially when they are explained meaningfully and mercifully, gives teenagers swimming in a sea of relativism and nihilism what David Brooks calls a 'moral vocabulary.' Sympathy for multiple generations of family breakdown wrought by moral anarchy isnt enough. People need norms, writes Brooks, 'basic codes and rules woven into daily life' that offer an alternative to the 'plague of nonjudgmentalism, which refuses to assert that one way of behaving is better than another.'"

Liberals either want to deny or to reject the fallen nature of man, i.e., that we all have a dark side,' an evil shadow self. Liberals believe that pleasure and feeling good are the highest values to live by and that man is ultimately perfectible. What they dont recognize is that there are clearly bad and unintended consequences to such a worldview. Conservatism recognizes the natural order of reality, that there are limits and boundaries to what a person can do in the pursuit of happiness and that we are all broken (and always will be) as the more constructive way to view reality and oneself. Liberalism's end point will be a grotesque distortion already personified by the genderless alien and dragon lady, of what it means to be a human. Perhaps that's the way it wants it all to come to an end in the cold and godless alienation of nihilism.
The media's daily outbursts about the danger to democracy posed by the current administration, while highly amusing, omit a key piece of information. The United States is not a democracy; the United States is a republic.

However, a common argument today claims that democracy as defined in modern times is not significantly different from republicanism as defined in the founding era. For example, the historian Ralph Ketcham argued, "The founders would not have been opposed to the modern connotations of the word 'democracy,' nor would they have used the word 'republic' to mark out a distinction from those connotations." But this is demonstrably incorrect. Moreover, the widespread acceptance of the word 'democracy' to describe America is not a trivial matter.

For the most part, the founding fathers were strongly opposed to both monarchy and democracy. A monarchy was defined as rule by a king while a democracy was defined as rule by the people, and the powers of a king or the people could either be limited or unlimited. Nevertheless, the interest of the majority, like the interest of a king, is not a legitimate standard for determining whether something is right or wrong. Rather, the legitimate standards for a government are the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence; in particular, the principle that governments are instituted to secure the unalienable rights of individuals.

The founding fathers were overwhelmingly in favor of a republic, defined as rule by representatives of the people. And the United States is a republic with a constitution that deliberately restrains democracy by limiting majority rule, on the national level, to a few areas where the federal government has been granted a small number of specific powers. In other words, the U.S. Constitution imposes severe limits on the power of both the people and the representatives of the people. The Constitution was designed to provide the federal government with only those powers necessary to ensure an effective union of the states, while simultaneously upholding the principles set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, the founding fathers, including George Washington, were adamant that -- regardless of public opinion -- the Constitution can be changed only with a constitutional amendment.

In contrast, the Progressive-liberal view of democracy -- in addition to its hostility to individual rights -- was illustrated perfectly by Woodrow Wilson over a century ago. He noted (approvingly) that "socialism and democracy are almost if not quite one and the same. They both rest at bottom upon the absolute right of the community to determine its own destiny and that of its members. Men as communities are supreme over men as individuals." Wilson complained, "Some citizens of this country have never got beyond the Declaration of Independence."

As president, Wilson openly embraced the idea of a "living constitution." Basically, Progressives and liberals (and some Republican "moderates") insist that the Constitution can be changed without a constitutional amendment simply by reinterpretation (i.e., by redefining its words and reading into its text new principles, such as new government powers).

Progressives and liberals have engaged in a relentless attack on America, pushing countless policies that incorporate leftist ideology and violate individual rights. On issue after issue, the federal government (with laws passed by Congress, executive orders issued by presidents, and opinions delivered by the Supreme Court) has disregarded the Constitution's limits on federal power and has imposed such policies on the entire nation. And this has been done in the name of democracy.

The founding fathers would have vehemently opposed both this abuse of power and the promotion of democracy (sometimes called representative democracy) to rationalize the abuse.

Yet for decades, people from across the political spectrum, including many good conservatives, have been referring to the United States as a democracy. For example, during the Cold War, conservatives regularly praised democracy while condemning dictatorship when comparing the political systems of the United States and the Soviet Union. Consequently, a false idea has been planted in the public consciousness, which has greatly benefitted the Progressive-liberal cause. Moreover, the strongest arguments against Progressive-liberal principles and policies can be made only if conservatives stop framing their own arguments on the same erroneous foundation (democracy) used by Progressives and liberals.

A prime example is the way the argument has been framed regarding the Affordable Care Act (i.e., Obamacare).

The Constitution lists the powers granted to the federal government and it does not list a health care power. Furthermore, the taxing clause and the commerce clause do not provide such a power when interpreted according to their original (and only legitimate) meaning, rather than a modern reinterpretation. In short, there is no federal power in this area; this kind of health care is a state issue. The will of the people (whether a majority or simply a minority of special interest groups) is relevant only if expressed first as a constitutional amendment that provides the federal government with a health care power. Likewise, the will of the representatives in Congress is irrelevant without a constitutional amendment.

However, many of the Affordable Care Act's opponents in Congress are not arguing to fully repeal the law. Instead, many are working to replace the law with one that would still have the federal government involved with this kind of health care. And health care, of course, is just one issue.

Notably, when he was leaving the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was reportedly asked by a lady about the form of government the United States would have. He was quoted as replying, "A republic, if you can keep it."

The Founding Fathers understood that democracy was a threat to the American republic and securing the unalienable rights of individuals. And democracy -- as defined then or now -- remains so today.

Paul Pauker is the author of Morality and Law in America. He also runs a site dedicated to advancing the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property.
With the onset of spring and the Iranian New Year, amid the economic hardship inside, and diasporic societies everywhere around the world, Iranian citizens celebrate with the hope of a forward perspective for the good year to come, the year of the end of mullahs.

Nowruz marks the first day of the Iranian calendar and coincides with the first day of the spring. People attend Nowruz celebrations, and the traditional Iranian festival of spring. This starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox. The Spring Equinox of 2017 in northern hemisphere will be at 11:28 a.m. on Monday, March 20.

A traditional Persian New Years dinner includes the creation of the Haft-Seen, The table is set with flowers, a bowl of goldfish, a mirror, candles, painted eggs, the Holy Quran, and seven foods that start with the letter S or the word "seen," in the Persian alphabet.

The seven traditional foods at ceremonial table are:

Sabzeh: wheat sprouts growing in a dish, symbolizing renewal and growth

Samanu: sweet pudding made from wheat, symbolizing prosperity

Senjed: dried fruit of the lotus tree, symbolizing love

Sir: garlic, symbolizing health

Sib: apples, symbolizing goodness.

Somaq: sumac berries, symbolizing sunrise.

Serkeh: vinegar, symbolizing tolerance.

The traditional spring bulb flowers at the table, by the way, are of Iranian, and regional origin.

Yet the people face a deteriorated economy, corruption and mismanagement in the new year, one local in Tehran said: "Our economy is like a person who has all kinds of cancer but no medicine available. In Iran, the only medicine is regime change. This year at the seven traditional (foods) ceremonial table, we have different foods beginning with the letter 'S,'" he added.

In Iran's case, he said that meant:

Sandstorm weather

Sophisticated missiles launch

State sponsored terrorism

Shortage and poverty

Severely exposed to contaminated water.

Sleeping in graveyards

Spend billions of dollars in Syria Yemen and Iraq

The people welcome Nowruz by house-cleaning, carpet-washing, painting walls, home repairing, buying new clothes, and listening to the Nowruz songs.

For Iranians, Nowruz is a celebration of renewal and rebirth, symbolized by the coming of spring, and an ancient holiday that was celebrated thousands of years ago. The word Nowruz is a compound word that blends together the Persian words now which means new, and roz which means day.

On the last Wednesday of the old year, the night of Chahar Shanbe Suri is celebrated in order to symbolically get rid of all the misfortunes and bad luck of the past year. People light small bonfires and jump over the flames,

But this year the regime banned all kinds of flames or firecrackers.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the Iranian Resistance, in a message to a meeting at the U.S. House of Representative for human rights and democracy in Iran, said:

With the arrival of spring, Iranians are preparing to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which marks the first day of the Iranian calendar year. Nowruz has been celebrated for decades and symbolizes change; change from the gray, gloomy days of winter to the promising green days of spring.

For Iranians, Nowruz has a simple but significant message:

The springtime of freedom is inevitable. It may be delayed, but it cannot be stopped. For the people of Iran, Nowruz brings a new hopeful prospect:

The certain end of religious dictatorship and rule of freedom and democracy. Our suppressed people deserve to live in a free and democratic society, which is key to peace and stability in the region. It is the only way of uprooting Islamic fundamentalism as a global threat. Events in Iran over the past year are signs of critical developments in the coming year. Conservative estimates show more than 3,000 executions during Hassan Rouhanis term and yet widespread crackdown on the rise.

Yet, the Iranian people have risen up in different cities to protest the regimes suppression The Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as the primary tool of domestic repression and export of terrorism in the region, should be designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. A strong, bipartisan demand should be made for those responsible for the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in 1988 in Iran to be identified and brought to justice.

I welcome the bipartisan measure demanding pressure on the Iranian regime to stop its destabilizing actions in support of terrorist groups, and its continued test-firing of ballistic missiles. I deeply appreciate the friendship and bipartisan support of the U.S. lawmakers for the oppressed people of my homeland and I am grateful for their strong solidarity with the PMOI members in Albania.
Pladis-owned Carrs Biscuits will create a statue to commemorate its cracker packers [women workers of the factory] over the last generation near to its factory in Carlisle.

The bronze sculpture, which is set to cost around 70,000 and will stand at 5ft 4ins, will portray two women working at the famous Caldewgate factory and will be built next to Paddys Market car park.

Hazel Reeves, a Sussex-based artist, has been commissioned to design the statue, which is due to be unveiled on International Womens Day next year (8 March 2018).

The majority of the funding will come from major retailer Sainsburys as part of the development of its Caldewgate superstore, with the McVities parent company, Pladis, also contributing. Hunter Davies, who wrote the book The Biscuit Girls, which tells the lives of women at the factory, will also contribute 5,000 to the cost.

Mike Heaney, factory general manager, said the company was proud that its factory was part of the fabric of the community.

This commission reflects and celebrates a key element of Carlisles distinctive social and industrial history, Heaney said.

This public art work will help honour those who have helped shape our towns history, and we cant wait for the unveiling next year.

The factory produces 80,000 tonnes of biscuits a year and employs around 600 people.
This is a complete news item from the free British newspaper Metro:

ONE in three terror suspects arrested in Britain last year were [sic] white, figures show. They totalled 91 out of 260 individuals -- 35 per cent -- of those held on terrorism-related offences, according to the Home Office. It was the only ethnic group to show a rise, up from 25 per cent in 2015. The sharpest fall was for those of Asian ethnic appearance, down 24 to 125. -- (Metro, paper edition, March 10th, 2017.)

Now, what conclusions do readers come to after reading the above? Give yourselves a minute before reading on...

As for what I think, the above is an example one of two possible things. 1) A piece of logical imbecility. Or 2) A piece of crude propaganda.

I wouldn't have commented on this until I saw the exact same thing in a few other newspapers. This lead me to conclude that it had been fed to the press either by the Home Office or directly by the police. Either way, it's still either a piece of logical inanity or an example of political Islamophilia.

To be more concrete: the piece above is meant to tell the British public that it has more to fear from white terrorism than it does from Asian (i.e., Islamic) terrorism. Sure, that message is between the lines; though it's still blatantly there.

So let's take these politically-correct and moronic figures apart.

Firstly, the piece tells us that ONE in three terror suspects arrested in Britain last year were [sic] white. Does that mean that we have a problem with white terrorism in the U.K.? Absolutely not! Whites make up 81.9% of the British population. That means that the one-in-three statistic (i.e., 33/34 white terror suspects out of a 100 suspects) tells us that the number of whites arrested for terrorist-related offences is extremely small relative to the total population of whites in the UK. If anything, it should be two-in-three arrests of white people. (Some of the Islamic terrorists might have been white too and some, the African converts from Christianity, were 'black' -- where is this accounted for in the statistics? It isn't.)

But let's put this same stat in a different way.

Two-in-three terror suspects were non-white despite being only 19% of the U.K. population. What's more, virtually all non-white terror suspects would have been Muslim; not Asian or black/brown.

So what's the percentage of the U.K. population which is Muslim? Officially, the U.K. is 4.5% Muslim. Two-in-three of terror suspects come from 4.5% of the U.K. population. That shows that stating these facts in terms of ratios (i.e., one-in-three or 1/3) is very unhelpful. What's more, a statistician will tell you that this was a deliberate ploy on the part of the writers of this drivel.

Since Muslims are only 4.5% of the British population, it's hard to take the stat that whites totalled 91 out of 260 individuals -- 35 per cent -- of those held on terrorism-related offences, according to the Home Office positively (from a multiculturalist point of view). As we've seen, whites should represent around 81.9% of terror suspects. Yet they only make up only 35%. In other words, whites are massively under-represented when it comes to terror arrests. (Isn't this what left-wingers and liberals have been saying for years?)

Thus, when Metro (care-of the Home Office or the police) tells us that whites were the only ethnic group to show a rise, up from 25 per cent in 2015, how are we supposed to take it? Well, from the way this piece and the stats therein are constructed, this is meant to instil a fear of white terrorism in the readers. Yet, on analysis, it should do the opposite!

There's one political (i.e., not statistical) conclusion we can make from the line that whites were the only ethnic group to show a rise. And that's that the police and/or the Home Office have obediently responded to Muslim and Leftist claims that too many Muslims were being arrested for terrorism-related offences (i.e., relative to the arrests of white Brits). Thus, because the Home Office and/or police couldn't make up the figures, they instead attempted to hoodwink people by using the fraction one-in-three instead of percentages. Indeed, as I've said, the entire piece is designed specifically to give the impression that the arrests of Muslims (or Asians) has fallen in parallel to the rise of white people being arrested. (Hence the sentence: The sharpest fall was for those of Asian ethnic appearance, down 24 to 125.) Yet, again, an actual analysis of the data shows the opposite.

Finally, if this is designed to appease Muslims and leftists, then perhaps we should also bear in mind how the Home Office and/or police define the word terrorism. If the figures are being manipulated to assuage the feelings of Muslims and left-wingers, then perhaps the police and/or Home Office have also started to play games with the definition of the word terrorism. In other words, is leaving a pig's head outside a mosque (or even just pieces of bacon) now considered an act of terrorism? Is pulling the hijab off a Muslim woman (which has very rarely happened) classed as terrorism? If that's the case, then leaving a pig's head outside of a mosque is seen as being equivalent to planning to bomb a building full of civilians.

What follows is the British government's own definition of the word terrorism:

Terrorism: interpretation. (1) In this Act terrorism means the use or threat of action where... (b) the use or threat is designed to influence the government [F1or an international governmental organisation] or to intimidate the public or a section of the public, and (c) the use or threat is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious [F2, racial] or ideological cause. (2) Action falls within this subsection if it -- (a) involves serious violence against a person, (b) involves serious damage to property, (c) endangers a persons life, other than that of the person committing the action, (d) creates a serious risk to the health or safety of the public or a section of the public, or (e) is designed seriously to interfere with or seriously to disrupt an electronic system... -- (Terrorism Act, 2000.)

What percentage of white terrorism falls under this definition? They dont say, and we dont know, which leaves us to draw our conclusions about whose agenda is being served.
Pharmaceutical companies have to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to test new drugs. Yet, we in America are permitting confused youth to be used as guinea pigs in medical procedures that mutilate the anatomy and flood the body with potentially damaging hormones.

The current rush to acceptance of transgenderism ignores a problem beyond the immediately obvious. Are we setting up hundreds of thousands for early deaths due to cancer?

Every cell in the human body has a sexual fingerprint in the sex chromosome (allosome) pairs. The born male has a XY pair. The born female an XX. These chromosomes do serve a function beyond mere reproduction. Without getting too complicated:

Most genes contain the information needed to make functional molecules called proteins. -- Genetics Home Reference

Essentially, the chromosomes, which carry those genes, are the control center of the cell, the central processing unit -- controlling processes above and apart from cell reproduction. Protein synthesis, so necessary for life, is controlled by these chromosomes. We would be foolish not to conjecture that Y chromosomes were not designed to act properly in cell floating in a bath of female hormones; neither an XX pair in cell floating under a bath of male hormones. Since these hormones might conceivably cause cells to go awry in protein production, as well as in cell reproduction, we should not be surprised to see unusual problems of transgenders with cancers. Add in that transgenders, even after surgery, will retain residue tissue unique to one gender, and noting that those specific tissues will be subjected to hormone levels they were not designed to process, and the possible outcomes become frightening.

The research is just starting ...

There is a dangerous paucity of data on transgender health issues, and little research, which is why the NIH launched a five-year study of trans youth last year. -- Newsweek

In September 2015, the Lancet editorialized:

Case reports and anecdotal evidence suggest that transgender people have a disproportionate cancer burden, but without high-level evidence, health-care providers are stifled in their ability to provide adequate guidance. -- The Lancet

Well, why would anyone expect anything else? Hormones are powerful chemicals. Yet, with complete disregard to possible future consequences, our society has endeavored to allow a dispensing of cocktails of these hormones to teens who seek to reorient themselves.

There is a body of evidence which suggests that abortions, which interrupt the hormonal cycles in expectant mothers, are behind the higher rates of breast cancers in such women. Apparently, the human body was not designed to be so abruptly turned on and off.

In 2013, Dr. Rebecca Johnson, a cancer specialist at Seattle Childrens Hospital, released results of a study that demonstrated that the number of advanced breast cancer cases has increased among younger women, aged 25-39 years. After an analysis of 34 years worth of data from many countries, Johnson and her colleagues found that induced abortion was likely a causal -- not correlational -- risk factor for the development of breast cancer. -- Breitbart

Or this, from the American Cancer Society:

In 2004, the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer, based out of Oxford University in England, put together the results of many studies that looked at abortion and breast cancer risk. It looked at both cohort and case-control studies. When the studies that gathered information retrospectively (case-control studies) were looked at together, there were about 39,000 women with breast cancer (the cases) that were compared to about 48,000 women who hadnt had breast cancer (the controls). They found about an 11% increased risk of breast cancer in women who reported having an induced abortion Some other retrospective studies published since then have also found an increased risk, including a case-control study of about 1,300 women from China (published in 2012) and a case-control study of 300 women in Iran (published in 2011). -- American Cancer Society

The implications are disputed by other studies -- which the American Cancer Society also lists. Some charge that politically correct pressure is being applied to squash the evidence. Even the American Cancer Society, which waffles on the implications, admits that more than scientific evidence is at play.

Induced abortion brings up many strong feelings in people, so it is often hard to study its long-term effects. -- American Cancer Society

What is clear is that no one is absolutely sure, and there seems to be a good possibility of an increase in cancer.

If merely interrupting the natural hormonal cycle of a pregnancy might be enough to cause cancer, what can we expect when the natural cycles in humans are not merely interrupted, but stopped altogether and replaced by the hormones of the opposite sex, introduced into a body where every cell is keyed in opposition to the new hormonal environment.

...Trans Mans Breast Cancer Nightmare Exemplifies The Problem With Transgender Health Care -- Huffington Post

Now, take this a step further, and what should we expect when mothers indulge (or possibly influence) their sons' wish to be female, such as Avery Jackson who appeared on the cover of National Geographic.

She [Avery's mother] has said Avery will take hormone blockers when she reaches puberty, and that if she wanted surgery in the future it would be something the family would consider. -- Daily Mail

Hormone blockers?! Male and female brains are different. All his life, Avery's brain has been male. Then suddenly, a switch will be turned off.

Or how about this mother, who gives her 14-year-old boy estrogen?

And what should society do when courts order a father to treat his daughter as a boy?

In the meantime, the judge ordered, P.K. will continue to get the hormone blockers. -- LifeSite News

Do these jurists understand that skeletal and brain development during puberty will be irreversible should the child later on change its mind?

Do they even realize that transgenders often try to kill themselves?

Hence, its of little surprise that, tragically, of those who put themselves through this imaginary transition, 41 percent will subsequently attempt suicide. -- Barbwire

Finally, the American College of Pediatricians -- not the more powerful American Academy of Pediatricians -- has condemned this indulgence of transgenderism as child abuse.

The treatment of [Gender Dysphoria] in childhood with hormones effectively amounts to mass experimentation on, and sterilization of, youth who are cognitively incapable of providing informed consent. There is a serious ethical problem with allowing irreversible, life-changing procedures to be performed on minors who are too young to give valid consent themselves; adolescents cannot understand the magnitude of such decisions. -- "Gender Dysphoria in Children," American College of Pediatricians

But if one jumps through all the hoops of common sense to still defend transgenderism, we are left with the yet not fully known prospect of cancer.

Among the health issues faced by transgender people, cancer has received little scientific attention. Until very recently, no long-term health-tracking studies have focused specifically on cancer in transgender individuals, and the few that are now under way will require years, even decades, to yield useful information. -- Dana Farber

However, we do have a good inkling of what is coming.

A July 2015 report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights distinct health risks for the worlds transgender community. Of particular note is the measurably higher risk of cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancer faced by transgender men who retain genitalia they were born with. -- Quartz

Or this:

For a transgender man, excessive testosterone can be converted into estrogen by the body, which leads to increased cancer risk. -- transgenderequality.wordpress.com

Or this:

We present the case of a transgender woman who developed rising testosterone and estradiol levels while on feminizing hormones. After months of uncertainty about the cause of her elevated hormone levels, her physician found a large testicular mass on examination. The patient was diagnosed with a rare virilizing form of testicular cancer. -- http://online.liebertpub.com

Apparently, the body does not take so kindly to reorientation, and evinces its displeasure.

How in the world could any of this slip by the medical community at large without a large number of doctors standing athwart this idiocy to say: stop!

Insanity at this level is not benign, but deliberate. The American Medical Association is delinquent in its duty for not opposing this. I cannot believe most American doctors are clueless; but I can believe they are cowed into silence. We are sacrificing a generation of confused children and adults to the Moloch of political correctness spawned by the rather small, but ferocious, LBGT community. Not merely will these confused children be neutered, but they may soon be victims of hitherto unknown hormonally-induced cancer epidemics.

Why is almost no one mentioning this?

Mike Konrad is the pen name of an American who wishes he had availed himself more fully of the opportunity to learn Spanish in high school, lo those many decades ago.
There have been a lot of bad ideas promoted by government over the years. Some doozies have been Carter's support for radical jihadists during the Russian-Afghanistan war; deficit spending; and, of course, Obamacare. All three of those decisions made by our leaders have risen up to bite us in the butt over the last decade or more.

But Michelle Obama's "healthy" school lunch program may have the virtue of being the dumbest idea, if not the most expensive. The proof is in the results. School districts, faced with mandatory menu changes that substituted unpalatable foods for what the government considers "unhealthy" fare, discovered a revolt on their hands from kids who refused to buy the swill and threw out record amounts of perfectly good food.

The program was a spectacular failure that now, mercifully, is probably coming to an ignoble end.

The lobbying group representing 54,000 school cafeteria workers sent a letter to the Trump White House asking the president to repeal most of the mandates in the former first lady's school lunch program, citing the loss of revenue and food waste.

Washington Examiner:

Feeling that they have an ally on their side in the Trump administration, their lobby group, the School Nutrition Association, plans to press for less-strict restrictions on ingredients that taste good. The reason is simple: Studies show that public school students aren't eating what cafeterias are serving, turning many operations into money-losers. While the school districts can opt out, doing so results in federal subsidy cuts for those programs. "Overly prescriptive regulations have resulted in unintended consequences, including reduced student lunch participation, higher costs and food waste. Federal nutrition standards should be modified to help school menu planners manage these challenges and prepare nutritious meals that appeal to diverse student tastes," a new policy paper from the association said. Salt's a biggie, and the Department of Agriculture under former President Barack Obama was pressing for even lower amounts, which the association wants to shelve. It warned that "naturally occurring sodium present in meat, milk and other low-fat dairy foods will force schools to take nutritious choices off the menu, including many soups, entree salads and low-fat deli sandwiches." Whole grains are a problem, too. The Obama administration pushed for expensive all-grain products to be used, forcing schools to spend more on the products kids won't buy. As a result, they want that regulation eased. "Students are eating more whole grain breads and rolls, but schools are struggling with limited availability of specialty whole grain items and meeting students' regional and cultural preferences for certain refined grains, such as white rice, pasta, grits, bagels or tortillas," said the policy paper.

The consequences may have been "unintended," but they were entirely predictable. Anyone who knows anything about children and what they like to eat could have told the bureaucrats that their "substitutions" would be avoided like the plague. Indeed, the concept of forcing kids to go hungry or eat what the government tells them to eat resulted in kids eating less and sneaking more unhealthy alternatives past the food police at school.

The answer isn't the government forcing "healthy" food on kids. The answer is education and choice. Teaching children about eating high-fat, high-calorie foods in moderation and making healthier food choices should be part of a school's curriculum. And giving kids the widest variety of food choices with a good mix of foods they like and foods they need will probably accomplish the same goals as Mrs. Obama's program's without government mandates.

Michelle Obama's healthy school lunch program has made the bad government hall of shame for its disregard of reality and heavy-handed government control of what kids eat.
Seriously, Democrat senator Jeanne Shaheen apparently wants to spend actual taxpayer money in search of an answer to the mighty mystery of whether RT News is...Russian.

According to the New Hampshire Democrat's website:

Senator Shaheen's Foreign Agents Registration Modernization and Enforcement Act gives the Department of Justice new authority to compel organizations like RT America to produce documentation on funding sources and foreign connections.

Do people like this really exist?

Apparently, the "R" in the RT News title wasn't sufficient enough of a clue for her. And paying a visit to the RT News network's website, going to the "About RT" page to see who they say owns them never occurred to her. And Googling to pay a visit to Wikipedia to find out who finances RT was simply a trip too far.

So millions and millions in taxpayer money will have to be shelled out to find out whether the former Russia Today, owned* by the holding company of RIA-Novosti Press Agency (remember them?) as an independent entity, might have something to do with...Russia. As the BBC is U.K. state-owned. As France24 is French state-owned. As Deutsche Welle is German state-owned. The truth is out there  Shaheen just knows it.

And like a good Democrat, her solution is to throw money at it. And you thought the Soviet central planners were inefficient? One can only wonder what the Russians must be thinking as they read of this from a pinhead like Shaheen.

Based on this item from RT News itself, the reaction apparently was "shoot me!"

*an emailer identifying himself as from the RT Press office states:
Obama's taken a "Parthian shot" at the notion of accountable governance. He rode out the door, his legacy concerns trumping the empty pledges of accountability and transparency.

The adoring crowd will turn their heads to these facts, for to notice and become aware is to also come to grips with having been deceived. That is a most uncomfortable exercise for the Obama supporter.

Do Obama backers feel betrayed by his pledge to be" the most transparent administration in history"? Not likely. Do they remember? Same answer.

The Associated Press reports:

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Obama administration in its final year in office spent a record $36.2 million on legal costs defending its refusal to turn over federal records under the Freedom of Information Act, according to an Associated Press analysis of new U.S. data that also showed poor performance in other categories measuring transparency in government. For a second consecutive year, the Obama administration set a record for times federal employees told citizens, journalists and others that despite searching they couldn't find a single page of files that were requested. And it set records for outright denial of access to files, refusing to quickly consider requests described as especially newsworthy, and forcing people to pay for records who had asked the government to waive search and copy fees. ... The figures reflect the final struggles of the Obama administration during the 2016 election to meet President Barack Obama's pledge that it was "the most transparent administration in history," despite wide recognition of serious problems coping with requests under the information law. It received a record 788,769 requests for files last year and spent a record $478 million answering them and employed 4,263 full-time FOIA employees across more than 100 federal departments and agencies. That was higher by 142 such employees the previous year. ... Under the records law, citizens and foreigners can compel the U.S. government to turn over copies of federal records for zero or little cost. Anyone who seeks information through the law is generally supposed to get it unless disclosure would hurt national security, violate personal privacy or expose business secrets or confidential decision-making in certain areas.

As to the final AP paragraph, apparently not. Transparency pledges get you elected. Transparency performance goes unnoticed by the sycophants.

So to all those who complain about the cost of investigations and the wasting of taxpayer money to conduct hearings and expose miscreants in our government, I ask, "What of this money spent"  this money to block and fog the disinfectant qualities of sunlight? And to the idea that everything has its price, it seems we have yet to find the price that must be extracted from the taxpayer to get the truth out of our government.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrote in a letter to nine nonprofit groups this week that the U.S. will leave the U.N. Human Rights Council unless the organization undertakes "considerable reform."

The UNHRC may be the silliest organization in the U.N. To allow countries like Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and China to sit in judgment on any country's human rights record is beyond absurd. Somehow, the UNHRC never gets around to examining the human rights record of most of those states and, instead, concentrates its fire on the U.S. and Israel  two of the most liberal, tolerant democracies in the world.

The Hill:

"While it may be the only such organization devoted to human rights, the Human Rights Council requires considerable reform in order for us to continue to participate," he wrote in a letter to nine nonprofit organizations this week, according to Foreign Policy. Tillerson told the U.N. advocates and human rights groups that the U.S. "continues to evaluate the effectiveness" of the council but is skeptical about being in a group with nations such as China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which have poor human rights records, Foreign Policy reported. Tillerson added that the U.S. would keep participating in the 47-member council's ongoing session while U.S. officials would "reiterate our strong principled objection to the Human Rights Council's biased agenda against Israel." Multiple State Department aides told Foreign Policy that U.S. withdrawal from the council is not imminent but remains a real possibility. "If they don't make these reforms, we're going to question the value of our membership," a senior aide to Tillerson said. "We're not taking withdrawal off the table. Our aim is to fix the organization." Foreign Policy noted Tillerson was responding to a Feb. 9 letter from the nine groups including the Better World Campaign and Freedom House, among others. The collection argued the U.S. could better help Israel by remaining on the council and added the organization has helped hold the world's worst human rights abusers accountable. "American leadership in the Council over the last seven years has helped shift that dynamic," they wrote, referencing the Obama administration's move to join the U.N. council in 2009.

It's not that many nations on the UNHRC do not live up to human rights standards established by the Western democracies. They don't even live up to standards written down in the U.N. charter! It's long past time for the U.S. to stand up to this bullying by human rights abusers who use their seats on the UNHRC to lecture their betters.

The Trump administration is looking at the entire U.S. contribution to the U.N. and will demand reforms across the board. Enough is enough. Finally, an administration in Washington is willing to stand up to the international thugs, the hypocrites, and the cynical manipulators at the U.N., who, as a matter of course, oppose U.S. policies.

Currently, the U.S. funds about 22% of the U.N.'s budget. What makes this so outrageous is that the financial contributions from larger nations is only a fraction of what the U.S. pays:

You will note that China pays about two thirds less than the U.S. despite it having a population three times our size. And the U.S. pays nearly seven times more than Russia, who is a constant irritant of the U.S. on the Security Council and twice our size in population.

Incredibly, India is ranked 24th in payments to the U.N. despite a population of more than a billion people.

Oil states flush with cash pay a pittance. Many U.N. member states are in arrears, not paying anything for years. Cutting a few billion dollars from the U.S. contribution only means that the U.N. will be forced to assess payments in a more equitable manner.

And if they don't? Leftists, one-world government supporters, and human rights groups will blame the U.S. for "stupid and cruel" cuts to a useless organization. But the White House doesn't answer to the rest of the world. It answers to the American taxpayer.

And it's about time someone stood up to the U.N. bullies on taxpayers' behalf.
The recent WikiLeaks release contains hacking tools for the CIA that are used to "avoid fingerprints implicating the CIA and the US government" in its hacking. Indeed, according to WikiLeaks' analysis, the UMBRAGE and related projects can "misdirect attribution by leaving behind the 'fingerprints' of the groups that the attack techniques were stolen from." Since the security company Crowdstrike, funded by the DNC, has identified "two separate Russian intelligence-affiliated adversaries present in the DNC network in May 2016," by the name of COZY BEAR and FANCY BEAR, and the Obama-led intelligence community (or "band of leakers") "confirmed" this in their report in the dying days of their administration, many have thought it was Russia behind the DNC attack. Since we can assume, based on the recent leak, that the CIA can replicate a Cozy Bear and Fancy Bear attack, the question we ought to ask is, would the CIA frame Russia and hack the DNC?

Certainly, the case can be made that the CIA, at least outwardly, has been pro-Obama and anti-Trump. Take into account the many leaks from the Trump administration, about which President Trump tweeted on Feb. 14, asking, "The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?" President Trump went farther and claimed that the CIA obtained the leak-worthy information through illegal monitoring when he tweeted on Mar. 4 that he "just found out that Obama had my 'wires tapped' in Trump Tower just before the victory." Mr. Trump also said in a Fox News interview, regarding the leaks, that "I think that President Obama's behind it because his people are certainly behind it."

The question remains: how can the CIA be so obviously against Trump yet potentially have helped him so much with the DNC leaks?

The answer is that there could be rogue pro-Trump individuals within the CIA agency doing the hacking behind the backs of their pro-Obama superiors. That would be the only way to explain the discrepancy, if it is true that the CIA framed Russia in the DNC attack. According to the WikiLeaks trove of CIA files, these cover-up tools are contained in the documents entitled "Development Tradecract Dos and Don'ts," use of encryption to hide CIA hacker and malware communication, describing targets and exfiltrated data as well as executing payloads and persisting in the target's machines over time. Since the CIA has this cover-up capability, does Russia have it, too?

According to John McAfee, the internationally renowned information security pioneer and founder of global computer security software company McAfee, any hacker capable of breaking into something is extraordinarily capable of hiding their tracks. If I was the Chinese and I wanted to make it look like the Russians did it, I would use Russian language within the code, I would use Russian techniques of breaking into organizations." He continued, "If it looks like the Russians did it, than I can guarantee you, it was not the Russians." The question is, why would the Russians leave its fingerprints in the hacking job, if it was they, since they could have deleted those tracks?

Either the Russians wanted everyone to know it was they when they hacked the DNC, or it wasn't they at all. It could also have been another country or group that replicated Russia's fingerprints, including rogue individuals in the CIA, or it really could have been a Romanian hacker utilizing Russian hacking tools (as Guccifer 2.0 has claimed he is Romanian) all along.

More needs to be done to find if there were any pro-Trump elements in the intelligence community in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, if Russia has in the past covered its tracks when it uses established hacking tools, and how easy it is for another country or group to replicate a Fancy Bear or Cozy Bear attack.
Prima Bakeries in Cornwall has created a flakey pasty inspired by a song a local man wrote about his love of pasties, with all proceeds going to Childrens Hospice South West.

The Steve Heller Flakey Pasty is on sale in Prima Bakeries across Cornwall, inspired by a song (and rap) that Heller wrote.

For each pasty sold between March and June, 20p will go to Childrens Hospice South West, which supports local children living with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

Heller, well-known locally for his love of all things Cornish, penned the song Pasties not Pies in honour of his love for Cornish pasties.

Mark Norton, MD of Prima Bakeries, said: We are delighted to be working with Steve to create one Heller-va Pasty and raise money for CHSW at the same time.

Heller said: "Having my own pasty is an honour, especially being proper Cornish and being a huge lover of them.

When I first met with Prima to discuss how we were going to sell the Steve Heller Flakey Pasty it only seemed right for it help raise money for Childrens Hospice South West, who do an amazing job helping children and families in our area.

We had great fun making the video advertising the pasty and it makes it all the better that we are able to give something back to the community.

Watch the video here. To donate to Childrens Hospice South West, go here.
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The Royal Anguilla Police on Thursday 9th March, 2017 arrested a thirty-two (32) year old male who was later charged for Indecent Assault. The male was taken before the Magistrates Court on Friday 10th March, 2017 and was granted bail in the sum of EC $45,000.00 with one surety. He is to reappear in Court on the 25th May 2017 to answer to the charge.

The bail conditions are that the alleged offender is to surrender all travel documents forthwith and not to leave Anguilla without the Courts permission. He is to report to The Valley Police Station every Monday and Friday between the hours of 6:00AM and 6:00PM commencing on Monday 13th March 2017. Furthermore, he is to refrain from knowingly going within 100ft of the virtual complainant and have no contact, whether directly or indirectly, by himself or by means of an agent with the virtual complainant.

REPORT 2

45 year old male arrested for Possession of Cocaine and Cannabis

The Royal Anguilla Police on Sunday 12th March, 2017 arrested forty-five (45) year old Verne OFlaharty of Stoney Ground who was later charged with Possession of Cocaine and Cannabis. The alleged offender who was taken before the Magistrates Court on Tuesday 14th March 2017, was granted bail in the sum of EC $50,000.00 with one surety. He is to reappear in Court on the 2nd April 2017 to answer to the charge.

The bail conditions are that the alleged offender has to surrender his travel documents and report to The Valley Police Station every Friday between 6:00AM and 6:00PM.

The RAPF would like to remind the public that (In each case):

a) The defendant is entitled to a fair trial;

b) There is a presumption of innocence until proven guilty;

c) Nothing would be stated or published which would prejudice a fair trial taking place; and

d) Section 115(g) of the Criminal Code applies and which provides for an offence in respect of any person who, while a judicial proceeding is pending, makes use of any speech or writing misrepresenting such proceeding or capable of prejudicing any person in favor of or against any parties to such proceeding, or calculated to lower the authority of any person before whom the proceeding is to be held.
Cities around Beibu Gulf off South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region are building a transportation network to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative.

"With construction of the railway from Nanning to Guiyang beginning at the end of last year, Nanning is expected to become a transportation junction connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road in the south," said Zhou Hongbo, mayor of Nanning, capital of Guangxi.

The State Council approved a development plan in January designating Nanning as the core of the cluster that includes cities in Guangdong and Hainan provinces, as well as Guangxi.

The plan aims to further open up the region to Southeast Asian countries and advance the region's role as a portal in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Zhou said that the Guangxi delegation to the National People's Congress submitted a motion during this year's two sessions suggesting a land route to Singapore.

"We are building a railway network, expressway network, airport network, waterway network and information network," said Huang Fangfang, director of the Guangxi Development and Reform Commission.

Huang said the expressway has reached Youyiguan (or the Friendship Gate), one of China's key border passes to Vietnam, and Dongxing, on the Chinese side of the border. A high-speed railway from Nanning to Pingxiang, which also borders Vietnam, will begin construction this year.

"We plan to build two expressways, two railways and three bridges to Vietnam. The projects on the Chinese side are almost complete," he said.

A waterway from Guangdong to Vietnam via Beibu Gulf is also in the plan, he said.

"The central government has approved Nanning to set up a China-ASEAN information hub, which serves as an efficient internet expressway for cooperation between the city cluster and Southeast Asian countries," Zhou said.

In preparation, Guangxi is reducing travel time between cities around the gulf to half an hour.

"The city cluster will benefit from the development of the region and the integration of land and sea in the Belt and Road Initiative, and is of significance to the region's further opening up," said Peng Qinghua, the Party chief of Guangxi.
BRIDGEPORT  A Nebraska man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a Colorado man and then hiding his body in a barrel.

A Morrill County judge on Monday sentenced Zachary Mueller to life in prison after a jury convicted him in January of first-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Pedro Adrian Dominguez, of Greeley, Colorado. Mueller also was sentenced to 20 to 40 years for using a firearm to commit a murder and 20 to 40 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Authorities say Mueller shot Dominguez in the back of the head while riding in a car in Bridgeport on Nov. 22, 2015. The body of Dominguez was discovered in a barrel on a Morrill County farm in December 2015.
(ANSA) - Rome, March 15 - Cairo police who surveilled Giulio Regeni from December 8 2015 to January 22 2016 gave false and reticent accounts of their activities, Rome prosecutors said Wednesday in explaining a fresh request for information from their Cairo counterparts, namely the testimony of five other agents involved in keeping tabs on the tortured and murdered Italian student. The Rome prosecutors have already obtained five pieces of testimony and have now filed a request for the other five, judicial sources said. Investigators said their probe had taken them to members of a "public apparatus" and in particular individuals who had a place where they could keep Regeni for at least a week - a safe place, certainly not a home, where they could torture him far from prying eyes.

Earlier Wednesday Rome prosecutors made another request for information from Cairo prosecutors. Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano raised the question of Regeni with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry during a meeting of European ministers on March 6. "I will tell him that as far as we are concerned the case can only be closed by the word 'truth'. There are no words that are subordinate to truth," Alfano said before the meeting.

After the working lunch with Shoukry, Alfano said his Egyptian counterpart had reiterated that Cairo would do its "all" to get at the truth about the Cambridge doctoral student from northeastern Italy. Egypt, Alfano said, "wants ties with Italy to be fully restored", referring to the current lack of an ambassador in Cairo, because of the case.

Alfano said Cairo was "prepared to retrieve the truth out of any drawer it might be in, giving a helping hand until the end to find those responsible for the murder".

Regeni, 28, went missing in the Egyptian capital on January 25, 2016, on the heavily policed fifth anniversary of the uprising that ousted former strongman and president Hosni Mubarak.

His severely tortured, mutilated body was found on February 3 in a ditch on the city's outskirts.

Egypt has denied speculation its security forces, who are frequently accused of brutally repressing opposition, were involved in the death of the Cambridge doctoral student.

Egyptian and Italian prosecutors have been working on the case but Rome has yet to send a new ambassador to Cairo in protest at the lack of progress.

At the end of January the deputy head of the Egyptian parliament's foreign affairs committee, Tarek El Khouly, repeated that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wants to find the people who tortured and murdered Regeni.

"I think there is an order from the Egyptian political leaders, from the president in person, to the general prosecutor to discover who killed Regeni, whoever that may be," El Khouly told ANSA.

"I think that, in any part of the world, mistakes are made by security apparatus. Perhaps it is a crime concerning an Egyptian security apparatus, perhaps not," said El Khouly, adding that the Regeni case had been politically "exploited" in both Egypt and Italy and urging a "separation" between Italy-Egypt ties and the case.

It recently emerged that the head of the Egyptian street sellers' trade union secretly filmed Regeni for the Cairo police in December 2015. The union official, Mohammed Abdallah, said he had agreed to do his patriotic duty because Regeni was a "spy".


(ANSA) - Rome, March 15 - A taxi driver and a private 'NCC' cabbie fought over a ride in Rome Tuesday night and both have been cited for public affray.

The fight started after the NCC driver picked up a woman tourist a few yards from a taxi rank in Largo Argentina.

To stop the private cabbie taking her away, a taxi driver jumped onto the NCC car's bonnet.

The cabbie drove away and carried off the taxi driver along a few streets in central Rome, causing him bruises. Italy's taxi drivers are unhappy over the business that is going to NCC and Uber drivers and are staging a series of strikes.


ATHENS - Two days of demonstration marches against racism, fascism and austerity are planned on the island of Lesvos, Greece this week in what is being dubbed a 'Global Day of Action against Racism, Fascism and Austerity'.



The organization 'Lesvos Coordination for Refugee Immigration', in cooperation with the Lesvos Doctors' Union is organizing the two demonstrations - the first one planned for Wednesday March 15 - which are intended to mark the one-year anniversary of the controversial EU-Turkey agreement which was aimed at stemming the massive influx of refugees into Europe via Greece.



"Enough is enough! Stop this crime! Solidarity beyond borders is our answer!", is the call to action by the organizers in a media statement about the events.



The scope and demands of the protestors, who accuse the Syriza-led government of generating poverty and misery with their policies, are far-reaching. They call for; "the closure of the refugee camp at Moria in Lesvos, to end all deportations, to open the border to refugees of war and poverty, to accommodate decently refugees into the residential fabric, repeal of the EU-Turkey agreement."

In related developments Greece's highest administrative court is expected to rule later this month on whether Turkey can be considered a safe country for refugees being returned under the deal with the EU.



The Council of State's plenary last Friday heard arguments based on the appeal of two Syrian nationals whose asylum applications were rejected by the Greek Asylum Committee. The Syrians' lawyers argued that the rejection is a violation of the UN Charter of Human Rights and the Geneva Convention as the committee based its decision solely on Turkey's assurances, without a proper assessment of conditions in the neighboring country.



If the plenary upholds the Syrians' appeal, this could undermine the deal signed between the European Union and Turkey a year ago for the latter to take back rejected asylum claimants in exchange for financial assistance.
ROME - Rome prosecutors probing the torture and murder of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni in Cairo last year have made another request for information from Cairo prosecutors, judicial sources said Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano raised the question of Regeni with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry during a meeting of European ministers on March 6. "I will tell him that as far as we are concerned the case can only be closed by the word 'truth'. There are no words that are subordinate to truth," Alfano said before the meeting.



After the working lunch with Shoukry, Alfano said his Egyptian counterpart had reiterated that Cairo would do its "all" to get at the truth about the Cambridge doctoral student from northeastern Italy. Egypt, Alfano said, "wants ties with Italy to be fully restored", referring to the current lack of an ambassador in Cairo, because of the case.



Alfano said Cairo was "prepared to retrieve the truth out of any drawer it might be in, giving a helping hand until the end to find those responsible for the murder".



Regeni, 28, went missing in the Egyptian capital on January 25, 2016, on the heavily policed fifth anniversary of the uprising that ousted former strongman and president Hosni Mubarak.



His severely tortured, mutilated body was found on February 3 in a ditch on the city's outskirts.



Egypt has denied speculation its security forces, who are frequently accused of brutally repressing opposition, were involved in the death of the Cambridge doctoral student.



Egyptian and Italian prosecutors have been working on the case but Rome has yet to send a new ambassador to Cairo in protest at the lack of progress.



At the end of January the deputy head of the Egyptian parliament's foreign affairs committee, Tarek El Khouly, repeated that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi wants to find the people who tortured and murdered Regeni.



"I think there is an order from the Egyptian political leaders, from the president in person, to the general prosecutor to discover who killed Regeni, whoever that may be," El Khouly told ANSA.



"I think that, in any part of the world, mistakes are made by security apparatus. Perhaps it is a crime concerning an Egyptian security apparatus, perhaps not," said El Khouly, adding that the Regeni case had been politically "exploited" in both Egypt and Italy and urging a "separation" between Italy-Egypt ties and the case.



It recently emerged that the head of the Egyptian street sellers' trade union secretly filmed Regeni for the Cairo police in December 2015. The union official, Mohammed Abdallah, said he had agreed to do his patriotic duty because Regeni was a "spy".
Netanyahu asks Italy to support Israel in UNESCO Alfano pledges commitment against antisemitism

(ANSAmed) - JERUSALEM, MARCH 15 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed to Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano during a meeting Wednesday for Italy to vote against any resolution similar to what he called the "absurd" one recently voted by UNESCO.



"It's Italy's commitment to defend the Jewish communities in Italy from cases of antisemitism," Alfano said.



Netanyahu and Alfano expressed "great satisfaction" on bilateral relations and intend to expand cooperation, according to a statement released by the Israeli prime minister's office.



In particular, the leaders discussed the possibility of increasing economic cooperation between Israel and Italy in Africa to help countries on the continent "to find solutions to problems with water, farming, and other areas", the statement said.



Netanyahu also reiterated the need for Palestinians to put an end to "incitements" against Israel.(ANSAmed).




Syrian opposition military delegation to join Astana talks

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MARCH 15 - The Syrian opposition will participate in peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan, but only with a technical-military delegation and not a political one, according to Syrian opposition sources cited by Al Jazeera.



(ANSAmed).




We involve many people in the community, and in particular, single mothers and young people who want to support their studies.

From the picturesque mountain town of San Jeronimo in Cusco, Peru, to the bustling city of Ha Noi in Viet Nam, small businesses are breathing life into the economies of communities around the Asia-Pacific. Nothing illustrates this more than the cases of entrepreneurs Thu Mai Hang and Varinia Teresa Gonzales Zuniga.

The stories of Hang and Varinia bring to life APECs agenda of modernizing small business in the region. With small and medium enterprises (SMEs) making up more than 95 per cent of businesses in the Asia-Pacific, providing opportunities for expansion and growth to SMEs will significantly move APEC toward its goals of inclusive and sustainable growth.

APECs outreach initiatives have brought stories such as these to lightstories that demonstrate how small businesses in the region are now embracing mobile technology and connectivity in order to trade and grow. Like their pursuits in Viet Nam and Peru, these businesses are growing their markets by engaging in activities like mobile banking and digital promotions, therefore expanding their access to an unprecedented number of potential clients and partners.

A Ha Noi Tire Company Steps on the Gas

Hang and her family run a tire shop in the Hoang Mai district of Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Founded 20 years ago, the business has been in the family for generations.

"We started to change the way we operated in 2007," said Hang. "Step by step, we moved our processes onto the internet, from marketing to payments. Then we installed online cameras so we can monitor our workshops remotely. This frees up time to focus on other areas of the business."

Establishing a mobile presence was a game-changer. According to Forbes, 36 per cent of Viet Nam's population now owns a smartphone. With usage soaring, Hang reports that clients can now quickly locate their business when they need tire repair and purchasing services.

"With the mobile internet, all transactions are quicker," said Hang. "I use mobile banking constantly, which means I don't have to arrange for money transfers physically. Also, cash flow has become easier: customers know our prices in advance, which makes transactions faster."

Within five years, Hang's family business has grown to become the largest tire-repair shop in the Hoang Mai District.

"Being connected on the go has so many benefits," said Hang. "From financial management to image promotion, our business is much more efficient, and we have lessened the physical burden of running a business. One of the unexpected but welcome results of this is that my family can spend quality time together beyond managing the shop."

From the Peruvian Highlands to the World

Varinia is from Cusco, Peru, where her family operates a fava beans export business. Renowned for its Inca heritage, Cusco is a major pull for 2.6 million people who visit Peru each year. But this remote Andean town is also extremely fertileit produces high-quality staple crops, including corn, potatoes, quinoa and beans.

According to Varinia, whose family has farmed the hills around San Jeronimo for generations, one of the biggest local crops is fava beans. "My mother believed that sourcing local fava beans and packing them for export would make a good business, she said.

Over the past five years, Varinia introduced a variety of internet technologies to help her business, AGP Inka, market and sell Cusco fava beans around the world. "Internet connectivity reduced the gap between our clients and us, said Varinia. We can contact our customers faster, market products easily and track deliveries more efficiently.

Her mother agrees. "We have clients who want to see our beans before placing an order," said Rosa Zuniga, who is also chief executive officer of AGP Inka. "So, we film our beans, our workers and our packing processes and email the videos to potential customers. Through these, we answer questions and solve problems before we accept and dispatch orders."

AGP Inka now provides livelihoods and a steady source of income to some 200 men and women in San Jeronimo. "We involve many people in the community, and in particular, single mothers and young people who want to support their studies," Varinia said.

According to APEC Executive Director Dr Alan Bollard, APEC will continue to push for the internationalization of SMEs.

"These are tangible examples of how APEC's work to promote sustainable and inclusive growth manifests in our communities," said Dr Bollard. "Part of this inclusiveness push is helping small businesses create more jobs by providing opportunities to grow and expand."

This year, APEC will continue to reach out to its stakeholders and to the public, to foster a deep and practical understanding of inclusiveness, growth and other issues that are important for, and which may well impact, every community and every family.
The addition of an A330F takes its Airbus freighter fleet to five, joining five Boeing 777 freighters that collectively serve 42 destinations worldwide.



The delivery follows 12 months of sustained growth for the carrier, which launched 10 new freighter routes and carried 602,026 tonnes of cargo  a moderate increase on 2015.



This growth was highlighted by James Hogan, Etihad Aviation Group President and Chief Executive Officer, as he delivered the welcome address on the opening day of the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. WCS runs until March 16.



Etihad Cargo is a US $1 billion business, which makes it one of the worlds most successful air cargo operations, he said, noting that it had become the fastest growing division of Etihad Airways since it was founded in 2004, a year after the airline itself."



Hogan acknowledged the uncertain global outlook as factors such as capacity outpacing demand and Chinas transition to a service industry continued to impact the industry. He said that Etihad Cargo was well positioned to maximise opportunities in 2017 thanks largely to the companys investment in partnerships.



The Etihad Aviation Groups seven equity partner airlines form the worlds sixth largest cargo group and wider partnerships are playing an increasing role in our business. We are working with Avianca to extend our reach in the important market of South America; with AirBridge Cargo in the US, Middle East and Moscow for the oil and gas industry; while our Preferred Handling Partner programme builds strong partnerships and ensures consistent quality and service across the Etihad Cargo network, said Hogan.
Upon arrival, a Flydubai i delegation led by Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice president commercial for GCC, Subcontinent and Africa, was met by H.E. Rashed Khan Menon, Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, along with local officials from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Civil Aviation Authority and local members of Parliament.

A traditional ceremony took place as the delegation disembarked the aircraft.

The flight marks the start of a four times weekly direct service between Dubai and Flydubais third destination in Bangladesh, which will increase to six flights a week from 16 May 2017. The operation to Sylhet Osmani International Airport is in partnership with Bangladesh carrier Regent Airways.

Since it began flights to Bangladesh, flydubai has carried more than 1.5 million passengers between the two countries. The new service will see flydubai provide up to 27 flights a week to Bangladesh.
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) will be the first airport to implement the new platform.



As an innovative airport, we constantly seek new technologies that enable us to provide quality, secure and affordable services to our airlines and passengers, said Scott Boyle, director of IT for Ottawa International Airport. The aviation industry is moving towards cloud-based services that offer a number of operational benefits. We selected ARINC cMUSE because it provides our airport with a platform that gives us the flexibility to accommodate our changing operational demands quickly and more efficiently.

The ARNIC cMUSE platform provides airports with a number of key benefits including simplified support, faster and more affordable deployment of updates and the flexibility to cost-effectively manage changing airport operations like accommodating seasonal airlines or adding more check-in desks due to irregular operations. In addition, ARINC cMUSE has been architected from the ground up to better address data security requirements, such as PCI-DSS, in common use environments.



Weve re-architected our CUPPS platform as cloud-native software to provide airports with a more effective use of resources, said Christopher Forrest, vice president, Airport Systems for Rockwell Collins. Through ARINC cMUSE, airports can now enable innovation by letting airlines develop and deploy latest applications and services. This solution provides significant benefits to airports, regardless of size or existing infrastructure.

ARINC cMUSE is a cloud-native platform that can be offered either as cloud or on-premise solution for airports that require their systems to be deployed locally. The on-premise deployment uses the same technology, simplified configuration and support tools as the cloud delivered option, providing airports with automation tools to efficiently install and manage systems. ARINC cMUSE also gives airlines the ability to deploy their latest applications and technologies to passengers independently from other airlines.



The introduction of ARINC cMUSE is a key milestone in our strategy to provide airports with cloud-based solutions  from check-in and bag drop to security and boarding, said Forrest. The entire ARINC airport systems portfolio, including our airport database, flight-information displays, resource and baggage-management solutions, and baggage messaging software are set to become cloud-native, delivering high-performance yet affordable computing power to airports.
YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. The first day of President Sargyans visit to the Russian Federation concluded with the meeting at the Embassy of Armenia in Russia with the doctors and students residing in Moscow. Present at the meeting was also His Eminence Ter Ezras Archbishop Nersissian, Primate of the New Nakhijevan and Russia Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The press service of the Presidents Office informed Armenpress that the President underscored in his welcoming remarks that during his foreign visits he pays special attention to the meetings with our compatriots as they present a strong base for Armenias cooperation with other countries. The President said that this is particularly true in case of Russia where the Armenian community is among the most powerful in the world.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that he was proud that the Armenian doctors of Moscow are true to their calling and continue to have a great input to the development of the area of health care and regardless of where they are at the moment, are always ready to unite for the benefit of Armenia. In that context the President recalled how last April, at the difficult for Armenia and Artsakh moment, the Armenian doctors of Moscow came to aid and stood by the young soldiers, providing medical and also moral support.

Serzh Sargsyan in his remarks spoke also of the formed and successfully developing Armenian-Russian cooperation in the area of health care. At the meeting, the participants presented their views on the works aimed at the strengthening of the Armenian-Russian cooperation, including in the area of health care and, at the Presidents suggestion, offered their views on the processes underway in Armenia.



In the evening, President Serzh Sargsyan met in the Armenian Embassy with the Russian state and political figure Sergei Stepashin. The President of Armenia awarded Sergei Stepashin with the Order of Honor for his contribution to the deepening of the allied cooperation between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, and for the strengthening and development of the Armenian-Russian friendship.
With the Midterm Elections less than one week away: What do you consider the top issues that you will be voting on to be corrected by your better representation?

Education Crime Big Government getting Bigger Biden /Democrat controlled Spike in Energy Cost Inflation created by Legislation of Majority in Power Gender Reassignment Corrupted Bureaucratic /Service (DOJ, FBI, etc.) Institutions Abortion Discredited Legacy Media Ending the Corruption of Dishonest Politicians Corruptive Influence of Social Media Wide Open Southern Border
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. President of France Francois Hollande is convinced the time has long come to achieve progress and find ways in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Hollande said during a dinner with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, who is in Paris on an official visit, APA reports.

Mentioning that the talks are resuming for already 23 years and the sides havent yet reached any result, Hollande said: There is nothing worse than the status quo. The clashes of 2016 April and a few weeks ago prove that this conflict never ended.

Hollande reminded how much effort his country makes in the direction of settling the issue with other Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group.

I said this to President Sargsyan who arrived in Paris few days ago, I will repeat it for you too. This conflict cannot be settled militarily. France will continue making tireless mediating efforts with Russia and the US. These efforts are based on the principles of territorial integrity and self determination principles, as well as avoiding military ways. France is ready to display any initiative in this circle, Hollande said.
YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan received Turkmenistan Energy Minister Charimirat Purchekov, who arrived in Armenia to participate in the 8th sitting of the Armenian-Turkmen intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation.

Welcoming the guest, the Prime Minister noted that Armenia is interested in the deepening of bilateral relations, adding that there is great potential for cooperation, especially in the economy and the energy sector.

In this context, the parties highlighted Prime Minister Karapetyans upcoming official visit to Turkmenistan, during which the sides will discuss issues of mutual interest, different joint projects and programs.

Karen Karapetyan and Charimirat Purchekov also touched upon trade and economic relations, energy corridors, legal framework, agriculture, air transport, science and education, cultural and humanitarian spheres.




YEREVAN, MARCH 15, ARMENPRESS. Murad Papazian and Ara Toranain  Co-Chairmen of the Coordination Council of the Armenian Organizations of France, published an article at Liberation newspaper.

Armenpress presents non-official translation of the article.

Azerbaijans President is hosted in France. A visit which cannot be justified given the militaristic policy of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev, who is famous for his militaristic stance over the Nagorno Karabakh conflict and anti-liberal activity in his country, was in France on an official visit on March 14. Even if the invitation was made for diplomatic purposes, in any case it cannot be justified both from the perspective of ethics and equality. A week ago hosting Armenias President, France, which is a mediator in the Karabakh conflict, undoubtedly tries to maintain equality between the conflicting sides, but equality is not always fair.

The Karabakh issue is vital issue for Armenia and an issue of national pride for Azerbaijan, Nobel Prize winner Andrei Sakharov said. Since the signing of ceasefire agreement between the sides 23 years ago, the provisions of this issue didnt change, they even deteriorated. Due to the proceeds received from sale of oil, Aliyev plunged his country into an arms race. In recent years Azerbaijans military budget approached to Armenias total GDP. Azerbaijans aim is to take under its control the Republic of Artsakh independent for 23 years, if necessary, by force. All this is being viewed in the context of Azerbaijans territorial integrity the borders of which were set by Stalin in 1921. By passing from words to action, the Azerbaijani army for years multiplies the ceasefire violations which results in numerous losses and destabilization of the entire region. In particular, the four-day war launched on April 2, 2016 resulted in hundreds of losses from both sides.

Aliyevs militaristic actions both from political and moral perspective are unforgivable since they first of all contradict to the first one of the Madrid principles, which is to refuse from use of force and threat of force. Such steps will not result in anything. Facing a wall, Armenia has no other option than to resist. For over 150 years being a target of genocidal ambitions of pan-Turkism and pan-Islamism, the presence of an Armenian in the region decreased to a degree that at this stage retreat will mean to lose the last barrier protecting from the danger of complete elimination.

Whatever some corrupt political figures say, Aliyevs Azerbaijan is not a country of tolerance as it is presented. It is first of all a dictatorial and racist state which is guilty for not only the elimination of civilians in Stepanakert, Maraga, Kirovabad, but also for the massacre of Armenians away from a battle field hundreds of kilometers, as in Sumgait, the Caspian Sea coast or Baku. Ilham Aliyev has never hidden his hysterical hatred towards Armenia, he repeatedly questioned Armenias existence, insisting that Armenia is an artificially created state within Azerbaijani territory. Guided by pan-Turkism he together with Erdogan announces that Azerbaijan and Turkey are two states of one nation. The same denial of the Armenian Genocide is propagated in Baku and Ankara.

By ignoring the right of his own people, Aliyev embodies a dynastic, clan, oligarchic and dictatorial power which occupied and exploits Azerbaijans natural resources over the past 25 years. By suppressing any opposition in its initial stage of formation, Aliyevs dictatorial regime is being regularly criticized by human rights organizations for its behavior, tortures.

According to the Reporters Without Borders, Azerbaijan is ranked 163rd among 180 countries in press freedom index. According to Transparency International, Azerbaijan is ranked 123rd out of 176 countries in the corruption index. The report published by the European Stability Initiative on December 17 reveals Azerbaijans attempts to bribe the lawmakers of the Council of Europe. Unsatisfied with spreading a fear only in the spheres of its influence, Aliyev regime tries to spread its network also at the international level. Thus, Aliyev regime reached to the point that Belarus extradited Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin to Baku which was arrested in the Minsk airport on December 17, 2016. The only guilt of this pro-liberal person were his pro-Armenian stances and the visits to the Artsakh Republic in 2011-2012 which were done without Azerbaijans permission, a country which has no authority over those territories for over the past two decades.

This is the responsible person for the abovementioned situation who will be hosted by France on March 14. This is the dictator whose voice will be heard in Paris, meanwhile he silences those voices in his country and the region. Peace for Nagorno Karabakh, democracy to Azerbaijan: this is the slogan of a rally we held on March 14 at 18:30, near the Human Rights Court, in Trocadero.
Add a few more twists to the decades-long quest to release The Other Side of the Wind, the unfinished final film of Orson Welles. Says Peter Bogdanovich, one of the films stars, I think it would amuse Orson to have the fans able to contribute to the completion of the film. As you know, he didnt like Hollywood very much.
Virginia Shore, the programmes acting director, told Town & Country magazine last year that the value of works on loan to the AIE has risen to a half a billion dollars in recent years, up from around $10m under President George W. Bush.
BRIGHT Futures Act seen by supporters as way to narrow gap between urban and rural communities

RALEIGH - Lawmakers are trying to make it easier for broadband providers to reach that last lonely house on that far-away dirt road.Supporters - a group of bipartisan lawmakers - are adamant such a system won't compete with private businesses.But critics are asking pointed questions.Is extending broadband lines the right solution for every neighborhood in the state, given that developing technologies could make such lines obsolete?Have supporters considered the idea not everyone is interested in a broadband connection? A study shows a slight downtick in homes connected to wired broadband while seeing an increase in wireless connections as people are increasingly using their smartphones to get internet access using 4G LTE networks.Sponsors say House Bill 68 primarily specifies that broadband expansion qualifies as a public-private partnership under state law and clarifies state laws to encourage sharing "dark fiber" cables - underused lines run by one company. The measure also allows the Rural Economic Development Division to use grants to expand broadband and requires extensive reporting on efforts to extend broadband.The bill is called the BRIGHT Futures Act - BRIGHT being an acronym for "Broadband, Retail online services, Internet of things, Grid power, Health care, and Training and education." The bill refers to targeted areas for broadband expansion as "BRIGHT markets."No money is connected to the bill, but sponsors hope the legislation could make it easier to obtain federal grants to subsidize broadband expansion. But what about costs? Even a primary sponsor says companies don't always see enough return on investment to justify the expense.Advocates of the measure, such as Rep. John Szok a, a primary sponsor, aren't wavering.said Szoka, R-Cumberland.Costs, he says, are the biggest reasons private providers haven't extended broadband to every household in the state.Sen. Wesley Meredith , R-Cumberland, introduced Senate Bill 65 , an identical measure.To promote his argument, Szoka uses as an example Vick Family Farms , which has a sweet potato sales operation near Wilson in Nash County.said Szoka.For the time being, the operation is using Greenlight , a municipal broadband service operated by the city of Wilson. Szoka says he fundamentally opposes a municipal broadband company extending its service and competing with private business, but it's necessary for the business to grow.Szoka said.Julie Tisdale, city and county policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation, questioned the wisdom of state government getting involved in efforts to connect all.People in rural areas have reasons for living outside cities.Tisdale said.Such efforts could stifle innovation, she says.Tisdale said.Szoka compared the broadband expansion effort to early 20th century efforts to build farm-to-market roads.Szoka said.Szoka cited other reasons to extend broadband. Many devices contain chips that can connect to the internet, such as home alarm systems and electronic devices.The "Internet of things," he calls it.Utilities need the internet to better manage their grids. Wearable devices can monitor hypertension and other bodily functions, alerting users of potential health issues. Wi-Fi thermostats can help reduce electrical loads during peak periods and shave costs for consumers. Kids need the internet to do research for their homework.Berin Szoka is president of TechFreedom, a Washington, D.C.- based organization promoting technological entrepreneurship and policies. He and John Szoka aren't related.Any taxpayer money spent as a result of such a bill, Berin Szoka says, should focus on stimulating private investment."You want the government to do the least that it needs to to stimulate private investment.The bill is well-intended yet problematic.Berin Szoka said.Tisdale emphasized the earlier point that providers and consumers are moving away from land-based broadband to wireless service. 2015 study by the Pew Research Center says.At the same time, we've seen an increase in "smartphone-only" adult users - people who own a smartphone they can use for internet access but don't have traditional broadband service at home, the study shows. "Smartphone-only" adult users increased from 8 percent to 13 percent over the same period.Berin Szoka, the TechFreedom president, said the future of broadband will require "a fiber backbone," but that doesn't mean fiber cables need to be connected to every house and business. A new 5G technology - faster the current 4G connections used by many cell phone companies - could provide service more efficiently, he said.Clifton Metcalf, a spokesman for AT&T, said the company is using money from the FCC's Connect America Fund to expand broadband service to rural areas.Metcalf said. He said a fiber-optic line is run to a cell tower, where an antenna is installed, sending out a wireless signal.Metcalf said. The technology provides 10MG per-second download and 1MG per-second upload speed. Metcalf said AT&T has tested the equipment and plans to activate the service this year. It will eventually go to 13,000 homes and businesses in North Carolina.John Szoka, the lawmaker, said he's trying to work with private industry providers in fine-tuning the bill.he said.
Despite being vastly outspent by the campaign and supporters of Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump won the 2016 election. Some are suggesting that the outcome has transformed the practice of American politics in fundamental ways - and that the television ad, in particular, has outlived its usefulness.That conclusion is premature. In fact, if you are getting ready to run for statewide or congressional office in 2018, your opponent wants you to think that TV ads aren't an important element of a successful campaign strategy.In many ways, the 2016 presidential election was an oddity. Both major-party nominees began the fall campaign with strong - and strongly negative - public impressions of them. Among other things, that drove more Americans to vote for minor-party candidates than at any time since the Ross Perot phenomenon of the 1990s.That effect, combined with the anomalous distribution of votes across key battleground states, meant that Trump secured an Electoral College majority with 45.9 percent of the nationwide vote. That was lower not only than Clinton's 48 percent but also than Mitt Romney's 47.3 percent of the vote in 2012.Did TV advertising matter? Clinton certainly did a lot more of it. According to a Wesleyan Media Project count, the Democratic candidate and groups supporting her spent nearly $190 million in broadcast TV and national cable ads during the fall campaign, while Trump and groups supporting him spent just over $100 million. Clinton also outspent Trump on local cable buys, although the estimates are fuzzier.But the sheer volume of ads isn't the whole story, as Erika Franklin Fowler of Wesleyan University, Travis Ridout of Washington State University, and Michael Franz of Bowdoin College point out in a new study published in a political science journal called The Forum . Their analysis of the 2016 advertising shows that Clinton's spots relied heavily on personal attacks (think of the ads depicting children who watched Trump cursing and fulminating) while Trump's spots tended to contrast his positions with Clinton's positions on substantive issues.the authors observe,Overall, 70 percent of pro-Trump ads were about policy, compared to only 25 percent of the pro-Clinton ads.Moreover, while Clinton overwhelmed Trump in sheer numbers, his ads turned out to be more skillfully placed in the homestretch. Indeed, during October the Trump campaign and supporters outspent the Democrats in local broadcast TV buys in Wisconsin and Michigan, and nearly matched them in Pennsylvania. It was in the final week of the campaign that Clinton swooped in and blanketed those states - too late, it turned out, to keep Trump from swiping them from her column.Fowler, Ridout, and Franz note that while the patterns of advertising in the presidential race were atypical, the campaigns for Senate, House, governor, and other offices looked more normal in 2016. Richard Burr's re-election in North Carolina was a good example of the traditional and successful use of TV ads.There is no question that the advent of social media, the proliferation of cable channels, and the return of door-to-door canvassing have transformed political campaigns in the 21st century. The 30-second spot placed on prime-time networks or local TV news isn't the workhorse it once was.But if you want to win a competitive election, you still need it in your stable. And when you bring it out, you better give it the right job. Democrats spent tens of millions of dollars telling voters what they already knew, and didn't like, about Trump - and in places such as Arizona where Clinton was unlikely to win. Meanwhile, Republicans put their smaller budget into key battlegrounds just as undecided voters were making up their minds, and often told them something about Clinton's positions that they didn't already know.In a fluky election, it helped clinch the win. North Carolina politicians should take note.
Singapore: Government proposes new cybercrime laws

The Singapore government will include four major amendments to the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act in view of growing cyber threats. Once the Bill is implemented, it will criminalize trading of personal information such as credit card details, medical information, and banking information, even if no hacking was involved to gain such information. Buying or selling of hacking tools and software with criminal intent will also be considered an offence. Overseas committed offences will also fall under the ambit of the amended Act. Any act that causes illness, injury or death, and disruptions to essential services, national security, and Singapores foreign relations will be considered an offence.

According to a new section in the bill, multiple unauthorized access to one computer for a period of 12 months or less will be treated as a single offence. Treating multiple unauthorized acts as a single offence will lead to a heavier penalty. The maximum penalty under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act varies from US$5,000 fine and two years imprisonment, to a US$100,000 fine and 20 years imprisonment depending on the crime. Last amended in 2013, the government plans to introduce a new Cybersecurity Act in the middle of 2017 after public consultations.

RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Malaysia: Policy changes for property purchased by foreigners

The Malaysian government is planning to revise its policy related to buying of property by foreigners. In view of the weakening Ringgit in the past few months, the government hopes to bring changes in the policy to help local residents. The Ministry of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government, responsible for city management and housing policies is contemplating two options based on their internal study. They are considering either to raise the minimum floor price to RM1 million per property or convert floor prices from Ringgit to US Dollars, for foreign buyers.

The federal government also highlighted that reduction of property prices for foreigners by state governments, will be considered as a breach of the federal housing policy. The Penang Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) had earlier proposed to reduce the limit to RM800, 000 and above for foreign buyers. The government believes that at the present currency exchange rate (RM4.45 to US$1), the RM1 million limit for foreigners is feasible.

Myanmar: Government to draft legislation to control import surpluses

Myanmars Ministry of Commerce plans to submit before Parliament the draft of a Safeguard Law along with anti-dumping and a countervailing duty laws to curb excessive imports and protect local businesses. With its recent entry into a free trade pact with neighboring Southeast Asian countries through the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community, Myanmar is concerned about import dumping from foreign businesses. To penetrate a market, foreign businesses export products at a much lower price than locally produced goods. Trade experts believe anti-dumping duty and countervailing duty will help curb excessive imports.

Last year, the central bank restricted import of luxury goods to reduce the trade deficit and control Myanmars falling currency in relation to the US Dollar. The Trade Promotion Department believes, the laws will assist small and medium-sized enterprises counter the import surpluses. Increasing the import taxes will provide a level-playing field for local businesses. With the implementation of the three laws, the government aims to reduce the growing trade deficit, which stood at US$ 4bn for the year 2016-17.



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.
WASHINGTON, NC Beaufort County Community College attracted emergency personnel from across the state to its second annual Public Safety Weekend. One hundred twenty fire, emergency medical and law enforcement personnel took advantage of the classes from March 3-5 to fulfill their annual training requirements.Each year, emergency personnel are required to attend 36 hours of training, of which 35% can be at a training facility. Before BCCC started hosting Public Safety Weekend, rescue workers, the majority of whom are volunteers, had to travel to other counties to fulfill their requirements. For some of the firefighters, it was their first exposure to different scenarios.Jenny Williams, a firefighter at Old Ford Volunteer Fire Department and a student in the fire academy at BCCC said,Firefighters practiced a mayday exercise in which non-toxic smoke was pumped into the pitch black fire training building and they had to make their way around it. Firefighters spent Saturday training as teams on firehoses to put out a propane or LP fire. A propane tanker truck arrived on Sunday to allow them to practice the scenario with live fire. The prevalence of LP as a heating fuel locally makes this training essential in Beaufort County.Medical personnel practiced basic lifesaving skills on mannequins, with one class focused on pediatric life support. Law enforcement personnel compete throughout the weekend to see who has the best aim, a competition called Top Shot, and for the second year in a row the NC State Highway Patrol won the competition.Sponsors like PotashCorp, Rhinehart Fire Services, Beaufort County Fire Association and Code 3 Insurance helped make the weekend a possibility by providing lunch and supplies. The college is in the process of expanding facilities to train emergency personnel. The new facilities will include a driving pad for emergency vehicle training as well as classrooms and storage space for props including emergency vehicles.
The films sets were reportedly vandalised on Tuesday night and animals were also said to be present on the sets.

Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali was forced to stop the shooting of his ambitious film 'Padmavati' in Jaipur and return to Mumbai few days back after he was assaulted on the sets.

However, his worries seem to be far from over as the highly anticipated and controversial films sets in Kolhapur were set on fire. The films sets were reportedly vandalised around 10:30 PM on March 14.

There are also rumours suggesting that there were animals present in the sets, while it was put ablaze. Police have reportedly also arrested a few from the 40-50 odd people who arrived on the sets armed with stones and lathis.

Earlier, members of the Rajput Karni Sena assaulted the ace-director over allegations of a lovemaking scene between Queen Padmini and Islamic invader Alauddin Khilji.

However, SLBs team had vehemently denied the rumours and clarified that there would be no such sequence in the film between actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who portray the two characters.

However the political unit reiterated that theyd not tolerate any form of historic distortion, though they arent against art.

But the Censor Boards refusal to take action against Bhansali, despite their strong request has irked the Karni Sena. The CBDC said that theyd not be in a position to take any action, since the film is yet to be finished and has not been submitted for a review yet.

The film stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, alongside Aditi Rao Hydari as Khilji's wife and Jim Sarbh in an unspecified role.
The film will be directed 'Jolly LLB 2' director and will be produced by Gulshan Kumar's wife Sudesh Kumari.

The poster of the film shared on Twitter.

Mumbai: After the success of 'Jolly LLB 2', Akshay Kumar still has three more films up for release this year and the superstar has signed another film.

Akshay is set to do a biopic on the founder of T-Series, Gulshan Kumar.

The film, titled Mogul will be produced by Gulshan Kumars wife Sudesh Kumari and will be a T-Series production, scheduled to release in 2018.

The film will be directed by Subhash Kapoor, who recently delivered a success with Akshay with Jolly LLB 2.

The superstar took to Twitter to make the announcement along with the poster and terming Kumar as the Emperor of Music, also spoke about his association with him right from his first film Saugandh.

Gulshans son Bhushan has taken over the company since the death of his father and his daughter Tulsi has rendered several hits over the years while their sister Khushali made her debut with a music video last year.

Gulshan Kumar had made immense contribution to the boom of the music industry in numerous film industries in the late 80s and 90s, before he was murdered in 1997.

He was said to be extremely close to Tulsi and hence the film has been announced on her birthday on Wednesday.
Malayalam actress Malavika will be making her international debut with Majid Majidis Beyond The clouds.

Malavika Mohanan, daughter of legendary cinematographer KU Mohanan has primarily acted in a handful of Malayalam ventures. She made her acting debut opposite Dulquer Salmaan in Pattam Pole and followed it up with a couple of other projects in Mollywood. She also forayed into Kannada with Naanu Mattu Varalakshmi, directed by Preetham Gubbi. While her Malayalam flick, The Great Father starring Mammootty, Arya and Sneha, the three-film actress has now managed to impress the maverick Iranian director Majid Majidi!

Malvika in a still from the film

The auteur announced that his dream project Beyond The Clouds is an international project that is set in India. The film made it to the headlines when Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone was called in for a look test  and later, her pictures from the sets went viral. Reportedly, this PR stunt didn't go down too well with the filmmaker, and was the reason he started looking for a replacement. Majid then spotted Malavika and called her in for a screen-test. Impressed by her performance, he roped her in as the leading lady in the film. A source in the know reveals, Mr Majidi found his leading lady in Malavika as he was looking for a face that could fit the character.

Deepika auditioning for the film earlier this year

Speaking to us, Malavika says, It is definitely a great opportunity to have bagged this project. At this point, I wouldnt be able to reveal anything about my character except that I was signed on for the role that Deepika initially auditioned for. I have already started shooting for the film in Mumbai.

An excited Malavika also adds, Im really excited as it'll be my first Hindi film. It'll also do the international circuit of film festivals, etc  and the exposure will be immense. As described by the makers, Beyond The Clouds is a heart-wrenching story that focuses on the relationship of a brother and sister. Interestingly, the film also marks the debut of Shahid Kapoors brother Ishaan Khatter. While Ishaan has been shooting for the flick for a month now, Malavika joined the team only a few days ago. Also, filmmaker Goutam Ghose will also be playing a significant role in the film produced by Zee Studios and Eyecandy Films. The music for the project will be composed by A.R. Rahman.
Several fans of the superstar in Austria clicked pictures with Salman and happily posted them on Instagram.

Mumbai: After his solo release 'Sultan' last year, Salman Khan will be seen in two films this year.

While the Bajrangi Bhaijaan star recently wrapped the shoot of Kabir Khans upcoming flick Tubelight, he has landed in Austria for Tiger Zinda Hai - the sequel of the 2012 super hit film Ek Tha Tiger.

And one thing that remains constant across all countries is Sallu Bhais mammoth fan following. The actors loyal fans were anxiously waiting for his arrival outside Austria airport. Salman, the humble superstar that he is, was seen happily posing with his fans.

Sporting a thick beard and dressed in a bomber jacket, Salman Khan looked every bit the superstar.

While Ek Tha Tiger was about the story of an Indian spy falling in love with his Pakistani counterpart, Tiger Zinda Hai is along the lines of political espionage. Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, the film brings together former lovers Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan.

After wrapping up the first schedule in Austria, the cast and crew of the film will move to equally breathtakingly beautiful locales.
The Akhila Hindu Mahasabha tore pictures of the star and submitted a memorandum to the district collector.

Kamal Haasan is currently working on the sequel of 'Vishwaroopam.'

Coimbatore: Activists of the Akhila Hindu Mahasabha here on Tuesday tore photographs of actor Kamal Haasan, protesting his reported remarks against political parties and politicians.

The organisation submitted a memorandum to the district collector, T N Hariharan seeking action against the actor for his alleged derogatory remarks against politicians and the state government, of late.

It claimed that Kamal Haasan was seeking dissolution of the Assembly and immediate election and dismissal of the government, without any reason.

He was also blaming politicians for problems he had to face with regard to the release of his film 'Vishwaroopam', Sabha president Jagadish alleged in the memorandum.
The leaders were flying down to Manipur to attend the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh as Manipur CM.

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu returned to Delhi earlier today and after their aircrafts engine experienced technical difficulties.

The leaders were flying down to Manipur to attend the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh as Manipur CM.

Naidu along with Shah and BJP leader Ram Lal had left for Imphal at 9:39 am from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The special chartered aircraft was carrying three more passengers besides the BJP leaders.

After taking off, the 'Falcon 200' business jet of AR Airways developed some problem in its engine prompting the pilot to return to the airport here at 10:17 am, airport sources said.

Singh is scheduled to take oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday.

Governor Najma Heptulla had invited Singh on Tuesday, who was unanimously elected the leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party on the same day, to form the government.

The invitation to Singh came after four members of the Naga People's Front, an NDA ally, met the Governor and declared their support to BJP for government formation.
BJPs UP unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi: Suspense continues in the BJP as who will lead its government in Uttar Pradesh where the party got a massive verdict in the recently concluded assembly elections. BJPs legislature party is likely to meet on March 16 in Lucknow to decide the chief ministers name. Union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu and national general secretary Bhupendra Yadav are partys central observers for the meeting.

The BJP stormed back to power in this politically crucial state after 15 years when it won 312 of the total 403 assembly seats. Together with its two allies  Apna Dal and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party, the alliance tally is at 325.

Also, with Mr Manohar Parrikar back in Goa politics as the chief minister and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley currently handling the additional charge of the Defence portfolio, earlier held by Mr Parrikar, speculation is rife that a reshuffle in the Union Cabinet could take place soon. Speculation is also rife that either Mr Jaitley could get the Defence porfolio with Finance being given to some other party leader or Mr Suresh Prabhu could be given the defence portfolio after the reshuffle.

Mr Prabhus current portfolio, Railways, could be given to Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari. Meanwhile, BJPs UP unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Maruya, an OBC, is one of probables for the top post in state. Other names doing the rounds are Lucknow mayor and partys Gujarat in-charge Dinesh Sharma (a Brahmin), Maharajpur MLA Satish Mahana, Shahjanpur MLA Suresh Khanna, Union ministers Manoj Sinha (a Bhumihar) and Mahesh Sharma (a Brahmin).

Both Mr Mahana and Mr Khanna are Khatris. Interstingly, the RSS cadre are pushing for Shivparakash and Sunil Bansals name for the post, the two key strategists in the UP elections.

While Mr Shivprakash is partys national joint general-secretary (organisation), Mr Bansal is state organisational secretary.
Governor to Highlight Stories of Several Invited Guests

Tom Bashore is the Chief of Police for the Town of Nashville and is working to combat the opioid crisis.

is the Chief of Police for the Town of Nashville and is working to combat the opioid crisis. Mackenzie Hinson is a twelve-year-old from Grantham in Wayne County who founded the "Make A Difference Food Pantry" and helped survivors of Hurricane Matthew.

is a twelve-year-old from Grantham in Wayne County who founded the "Make A Difference Food Pantry" and helped survivors of Hurricane Matthew. Jasmine Lauer teaches at Sanderson High School in Wake County and is one of many teachers who reaches into her own pocket to afford school supplies for her class.

teaches at Sanderson High School in Wake County and is one of many teachers who reaches into her own pocket to afford school supplies for her class. Sabrina Peacock is from Guilford County and entered the classroom as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Today, she teaches third grade at Oak Hill Elementary, a Title One school, working to ensure that every student has access to a quality education.

is from Guilford County and entered the classroom as a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. Today, she teaches third grade at Oak Hill Elementary, a Title One school, working to ensure that every student has access to a quality education. Wendell Tabb is a 30-year veteran teacher in Durham whose experience in the classroom is a benefit for his students, and other teachers.

is a 30-year veteran teacher in Durham whose experience in the classroom is a benefit for his students, and other teachers. Charlotte Vick manages Vick Family Farms in Wilson, NC. Vick Family Farms has expanded its sweet potato crops in recent years and is rapidly increasing production to meet global demand.

Contact: McCrory Communications

McCrory Communications govpress@nc.gov

RALEIGH: In his first State of the State address tonight, Governor Cooper plans to lay out his hopeful vision for North Carolina and emphasize areas of common ground to move North Carolina forward.Governor Cooper's goal is a state where North Carolinians are better educated, healthier, and have more money in their pockets. Job recruitment, raising teacher pay, fighting the opioid crisis, boosting infrastructure, and recovering from natural disasters that have damaged our communities are common ground areas where legislators and Governor Cooper can work together. Governor Cooper recently laid out an aggressive plan to make North Carolina a Top Ten Educated State by 2025 , a plan he will discuss tonight.In addition, the Governor invited six guests who represent the best of North Carolina and their communities:
A group of unidentified Naxals attacked Mandavi while he had gone to visit the fair along with his family, killing him on the spot.

Raipur: A CRPF jawan was on Tuesday killed by Naxals at a local village fair in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Bijapur district.

Assistant constable Phagu Ram Mandavi, 42, was axed to death with sharp-edged weapons by rebels at Bodli village 'mela' (fair) under Bangpal police station limits this evening, Bijapur Superintendent of Police KL Dhruv told PTI.

As per the preliminary information, a group of unidentified Naxals attacked Mandavi while he had gone to visit the fair along with his family, killing him on the spot, he said.

Soon after getting the news of the incident, a police team was rushed to the spot and the body was sent for post-mortem, he added.

A native of Mirtur police station area in Bijapur, Mandavi was posted with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp at Pinkonda village in Mirtur, he said.

A combing operation was launched in the region to nab the assailants, he added.
People familiar with the development said the Prime Ministers Office has taken cognisance of the developments in the case.

New Delhi: A controversy around an alleged fraud surrounding a deal over one of the most important ghats of Varanasi, Bhonsale Ghat, built by the Nagpur-based Bhonsale family of the Maratha rulers, took a fresh turn with a Varanasi court issuing summons to the descendant of the royal family from Nagpur.

The court issued summons on the basis of a chargesheet filed by the anti-corruption unit of the Uttar Pradesh police to a member of the royal family. It also issued summons to others of a particular hotel chain near the ghat. All the charged people have been asked to appear before the court on April 30.

People familiar with the development said the Prime Ministers Office has taken cognisance of the developments in the case.

Bhonsale Ghat is one of the most panoramic ghats  one of the 84 ghats that have existed for hundreds of years on the bank of the river Ganga, which are integral to the existence of the holy city.

Built by the Maratha ruling family of Nagpur, Bhonsale Ghat was repaired and renovated in 1795. It has three heritage temples  Lakshminarayan Temple, Yameshwar Temple and Yamaditya Temple.

While all the 84 ghats have their own stories to tell and are also important from an archaeological point of view, many of them are in poor shape and maintenance. The local land mafia is believed to be one of the main reasons for this.

In this case (No. 3256/17), however, a member of the royal family and nine others have been chargesheeted for allegedly backing off from a deal that was already finalised, and then getting into another deal while allegedly forging the registry documents.

The accused have been booked under Sections 406, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120B, 419 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

As per the chargesheet, a member of the royal family negotiated a deal to sell the property (CK 1/13, Patni Tola, Bhonsale Ghat) to Noida-based religious charity trust of astrology  Sixth Sense Astro Gurukul, whose chairman Arun Kumar Gupta is an astrologer. The agreement was signed on May 15, 2013, between the royal family member and Sixth Sense trust.

In furtherance of the agreement, Mr Gupta also paid Rs 1.08 crore to the owners and old tenants. The agreement was allegedly breached and the property was leased out to a hotel chain for Rs 30 lakh, and for a period of 250 years on June 25, 2014, unilaterally.

It was claimed that this was done although the agreement and possession of the property was legally with the Noida-based trust.

To cover up, they subsequently issued a notice of cancellation of the earlier agreement to Sixth Sense trust on June 26, 2014. According to the FIR, the breach of agreement amounted to fraud with the trust.

It came to light, however, that the member of the royal family had got a registry executed in favour of the hotel chain on June 25, 2014, itself.

Investigations by the anti-corruption unit also revealed that the accused had changed the date of the registry document by erasing the actual date and then inserting a new date  June 26, 2014  to justify the notice sent to the trust.

Arun Gupta said the hotel chain is adjacent to Bhonsale Ghat. Owners of this hotel have been trying to illegally encroach upon it for the past several years and their intention is to convert the ancient ghat into a hotel. Now, I am confident that it will not happen as the city is represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM has already made it clear that Kashi is not just a city; it is a symbol of humanity and his (Mr Modis) effort is to build an Uttam Kashi, he said.

He said he had been fighting a legal battle for over two years. My dream is to open a world-class astrological education and research centre at Bhonsale Ghat property, he said.

Mr Gupta alleged that he got threats during his legal battle, asking him to withdraw the case against the accused.

Initially, even the land mafia tried to obstruct police investigation. Senior officials of the local administration and police were also hand-in-gloves with the active land mafia in the area, including hotel owners, which delayed the probe, he alleged.

According to Mr Gupta, eventually, the case was transferred to the anti-corruption unit of the state police only after the intervention of the PMO and the governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik.

On the petition of the trust for the cancellation of fraudulently-obtained lease deed by the hotel owners, the civil court of Varanasi ordered to maintain a status quo.

I was under threat from certain UP police officers who wanted me to withdraw the case and leave the property. Fearing sabotage, I approached the high court. It was on the high courts direction that police filed the chargesheet in the case, Mr Gupta said. The chargesheet states that all the 10 accused were involved in wrongdoing, he said. I am still being threatened and need police protection, Mr Gupta said.
6 more Cong MLAs may be ready to defect.

Guwahati: Amid charges of horse-trading and speculation about a possible split in the Congress Party in the state, the first BJP-led government in Manipur will be sworn in on Wednesday when Nongthombam Biren Singh is administered the oath of office and secrecy by state governor Najma Heptulla in Imphal. Ms Heptulla on Tuesday invited Mr Singh, who was unanimously elected leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party on Monday, to form the government.

The BJP had won 21 seats in Manipur, seven less than the Congress, but the party got the support of the National Peoples Party and the Naga Peoples Front, both of which won four seats each, in the just-ended Assembly elections. The BJP also has the support of the Lok Janshakti Partys single MLA.

The BJPs strength rose to 33 in the 60-member state Assembly on Monday when a Congress MLA, Shyam Kumar from Andro, met the governor and lent support to the BJP-led alliance.

Earlier, after being elected leader by the 21-member BJP legislature party, Mr Singh staked claim to form a coalition government in the state. He also submitted a list of 33 MLAs to the governor. Manipur has a 60-member Assembly. Letters of support were given by late P.A. Sangmas party NPP (four MLAs), NPF (four), LJP (one), Independent Ashab Uddin and T. Robindro Singh, who won on a Trinamul ticket.

BJP sources in Imphal said at least six more Congress MLAs were ready to switch over to the saffron party, and claimed that there was visible resentment in the Congress against former chief minister Ibobi Singh, who continues to be in the forefront of party affairs in the state.

However, the Congress, as the single largest party, has also staked its claim to form the government. Outgoing Congress CM Okram Ibobi Singh, who submitted his resignation on Monday, urged governor Najma Heptulla to accept his claim to head the next government in Manipur on the basis of a letter of support from the four-member NPP.

I met the governor on Sunday night... we submitted the letter of support given by the NPP. As per democratic traditions, the single largest party should be first given the chance to form the government, he said.

Meanwhile, National Peoples Party leader Conrad Sangma denied that he had written or signed any letter supporting the Congress Party.
The militants, who were hiding in the slain girl's house, opened fire when security forces were sealing the area.

Srinagar: Three militants -- all believed to be Pakistani nationals -- were killed in a shootout with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs frontier district of Kupwara since Tuesday night.

A 10-year-old resident, identified as Kaneeza Tanveeza, also died whereas her brother Faisal was critically injured during the clash, officials said.

However, there are mixed reports on the cause of her death.While one report said that Tanveeza died of a massive cardiac arrest, another talked about her being hit by a stray bullet. She was the daughter of Muhammad Khushi Chaki, whose house was being used by the militants to hide. He was also shot dead by security forces during the encounter.

The police and Army officials said that the security forces laid siege to Kund Nar of Kupwaras Batapora, Haihama area on Tuesday evening to take on a group of militants hiding in a private house close to a gully surrounded by thick forest. The forces included the J&K Polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG), the Armys 41 Rashtriya Rifles and 98 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force.

In the ensuing encounter, all the three militants were killed and a SOG jawan was injured, the officials said. They added many AK 47 rifles with some ammunition were found with the slain men.

Officials also confirmed that one civilian was also killed after being hit by a stray bullet during the encounter.

On the other hand, hospital sources said that the policeman was in critical condition with a bullet wound on his chest, above the heart.

Furthermore, officials claimed that the cordon-and-search operation was launched in the area following a tip off about the presence of militants.

The militants had started to fire indiscriminately as security forces were sealing the area sparking the encounter.
Court refuses to stay oath-taking; Congress says BJP stole mandate.

Newly sworn-in Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar being greeted by BJP President Amit Shah and Union minister Nitin Gadkari after his oath at a ceremony in Panaji on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi/Panaji: Manohar Parrikar was on Tuesday sworn in as Goa chief minister for the fourth time after the Supreme Court gave its clearance, rejecting the Congress plea to stay the oath-taking. The Congress, on its part, breathed fire with its vice-president Rahul Gandhi accusing the BJP of stealing the peoples mandate and undermining democracy with the use of money power.

Mr Parrikar, who resigned as defence minister on Monday, will be heading a coalition government, three days after the BJP ended up second behind the Congress in a fractured mandate. He took the oath along with nine MLAs, including two BJP members, three of the Goa Forward Party, two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLAs and as many Independents. BJP president Amit Shah and Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and M. Venkaiah Naidu attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Mr Parrikar will seek a vote of confidence on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday, as directed by the Supreme Court earlier in the day. The decks for Mr Parrikars oath-taking were cleared after a bench headed by Chief Justice J.S. Khehar, while refusing to stay the swearing-in, directed that the Assembly session be called at 11 am on March 16 exclusively for holding of the floor test.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first to congratulate Mr Parrikar. Congratulations to @manoharparrikar and his team on being sworn in. My best wishes in taking Goa to new heights of progress, Mr Modi tweeted.

While giving its decision on Goa, the Supreme Court said all contentious issues raised by the Congress can be resolved by a simple direction of holding a floor test that has been ordered for March 16. The Congress, with 17 MLAs, emerged as the single largest party in the 40-member House, while the BJP has shown the support of 23 MLAs, including 13 of its own.

The constitutional convention of inviting the single largest party is subject to the numbers, it said, even as it found fault with the Congress for not raising the issue of the number

of MLAs supporting it before the governor, and also rushing to the court without the affidavits of the elected members of regional parties and Independents which it claimed are supporting the Congress.

As the Congress saw Goa slip out of its hands despite emerging as the single largest party, Mr Gandhi cried foul, alleging that the Goa governor had behaved in a partisan manner.

They are saying it is okay for them to misuse the office of governor... In two states where we won, democracy has been undermined by them (BJP) using financial power, money... That is what is happening. The mandate of the people of Goa and Manipur has been stolen by the BJP, Mr Gandhi said outside Parliament.

Our fight with the BJP is an ideological fight. What the BJP has done in Manipur and Goa is their ideology  and that is what we are fighting. It is a question of how much the BJP has thrown to steal the mandate of the people of Manipur and Goa.

That is the question. It is not about how soon they went, but how much money the BJP gave to steal the mandate in Goa and Manipur, Mr Gandhi said.

Congress leaders moved an adjournment motion on the issue in the Lok Sabha and staged two walkouts.Differences also erupted within the Congress on how the Goa issue had been handled. Many Congress leaders, including the partys Rajya Sabha chief whip Satyavrat Chaturvedi, criticised the delay in garnering support from other MLAs in Goa, where it lost out to the BJP in the race to form the government despite being the single largest party.

They also said accountability be fixed for not being able to form the government as the party squandered the opportunity to return to power in the coastal state.

The BJP, on its part, dismissed the accusation. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said the allegations that the BJP was stealing the mandate in Goa was a a bit too much as the governor could not have invited a minority of 17 Congress MLAs to form the government.

The Congress Party complains a bit too much. It accused the BJP of stealing the mandate in Goa. It also unsuccessfully petitioned before the Supreme Court. It attempted to raise issues in the Lok Sabha, he said in a Facebook post.
In 2016, security forces arrested 779 Naxals while 1,198 surrendered and 135 were eliminated.

New Delhi: Union home Minister Rajnath Singh said Tuesday said that unprecedented success by security forces led to uneasiness among Naxal groups. This was one of the reasons behind the attack on CRPF personnel in Sukma last week in which 12 of them were killed, security officials also said.

Mr Rajnath in a statement in Lok Sabha Tuesday gave a detailed account on the success of security forces against Naxals over the last few months, particularly in Chhattisgarh.

In 2016, security forces arrested 779 Naxals while 1,198 surrendered and 135 were eliminated. The number of violent incidents in Chhattisgarh dropped by 15 per cent from 466 in 2015 to 395 in 2016.

Mr Singh said the improved efficacy of the security forces is evident from the fact that the number of Leftwing extremist killed increased by 150 per cent in 2016. Similarly, surrenders and arrests registered a combined increase of 47 per cent over 2015.

The security forces lost three to Maoists in 2016 as against 15 in 2015. In 2016 there were 67 per cent encounters and exchange of fire that resulted in neutralisation of LWE cadres as against only 36 per cent in 2015.

Mr Singh said sustained operations by the security forces ensured that South Bastar districts saw a considerable fall in violence in 2016  252 incidents, as against 326 in 2015.
He said the Congress formed its government in Punjab and won the elections in Manipur and Goa.

New Delhi: After the drubbing at the hands of the BJP in the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Assembly elections, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi called for structural changes in the party. He broke his silence on Tuesday and stressed that the results were not bad though the party was a little down in Uttar Pradesh.

It was the grand old partys worst performance in UP where it could only manage seven out of the 403 Assembly seats even after a pre-poll tie-up with the ruling Samajwadi Party. Mr Gandhi alleged that the success of the BJP was largely due to polarisation of voters.

After questions were raised about his leadership after the poll debacle, he called for initiating changes within, and hailed the role of regional leaders who fought and emerged victorious. He said, As far as the Congress Party is concerned, we do need to make structural and organisational changes, and that is a fact.

He said the Congress formed its government in Punjab and won the elections in Manipur and Goa. That is not a bad result. It is true that we lost the election in UP and Uttarakhand, he said. There are ups and down for every party, Mr Gandhi said, adding, We had a little down in UP which is fine, we accept it. But we have an ideological fight with the BJP and we will continue to do that.

Several senior leaders of the Congress have already started demanding accountability to be fixed for the poll debacle. Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit said, It is high time that we fix accountability it happens after every election debacle that we talk about changes but nothing happens. He said that accountability should be fixed even for senior leaders.

Congress MP and general secretary in-charge of Odisha, B.K. Hariprasad, has resigned from all organisational posts after the local body election in Odisha where the party stood third.
This will be her first visit to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure.

New Delhi: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will undertake her much-awaited four-day visit to India from April 7, during which key issues such as Teesta river water sharing are likely to be discussed.

This will be her first visit to India during Prime Minister Narendra Modis tenure.

Her excellency Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, will be visiting India on a state visit from April 07-10, 2017, on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will hold official talks in New Delhi on April 8, the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

The visit comes seven years after Ms Hasinas last visit to India in January 2010 and almost two years after Mr Modis visit to Bangladesh in June 2015.

The upcoming visit is expected to further expand cooperative relationship between India and Bangladesh and build on strong ties of friendship and trust between the leaders, the statement said.

According to news agency reports earlier, the visit was first slated to happen last December, but the plan got postponed. In late January, Bangladeshi officials had indicated that her visit was likely to be delayed further.
SP leaders are now waiting for the leadership issues to be resolved before they raise the issue on the party forum.

Lucknow: The humiliating defeat of the SP and the Congress in the recently concluded elections may have left the party leadership stunned into silence but the blame game has just begun.

Even as SP president Akhilesh Yadav made it clear that his alliance with the Congress would continue irrespective of the results, his father Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the alliance with the Congress was responsible for SPs poor performance.

Mr Shivpal Yadav has earlier said that the alliance was not needed. Former SP minister Ravidas Mehrotra who lost his Lucknow central seta to the BJP, also blamed the Congress for his defeat. The rebel Congress candidates damaged us. Had we contested on our own, we would have won many more seats, he said.

Senior Congress leader and spokesman Satyadev Tripathi admitted, There is a general feeling among party cadres that we lost mainly due to the alliance.

Ajai Kumar Lallu, one of the two MLAs of the Congress to get re-elected, said that the strategy to focus on muslims by the alliance as well as BSP led to a sharp division in votes. We should have had an all inclusive campaign  we left the field clear for BJP as far as Hindu votes were concerned, he said.

While a large section in the SP wants the leadership to call off the alliance, the Congress leaders also feel that it would be better if they started preparing for Lok Sabha elections on their own. A senior Congress leader said, There is a sharp difference in the mindset of the SP and the Congress and while two leaders may sit together and forge the alliance, it is difficult for party workers to accept each other. The Congress has to learn to walk alone and must stick to its decision too  the latter being more important.

SP leaders are now waiting for the leadership issues to be resolved before they raise the issue on the party forum.

If the party reins are handed back to Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, the alliance will be called off on its own but if Mr Akhilesh Yadav continues in his post, we will try and convince him to snap ties with the Congress.
CM Biren Singh, in his first interaction with the media after taking the oath, claimed that more MLAs would soon join the ruling alliance.

Guwahati: BJP leader N. Biren Singh was sworn in as chief minister of Manipur in Imphal on Wednesday. The oath of office was administered by governor Najma Heptulla. Eight other ministers were also sworn in, taking the strength of the BJP-led government to nine.

Mr Yumnan Joykumar Singh of the National Peoples Party (NPP) was appointed deputy chief minister. Mr Joykumar, elected from Uripok Assembly seat, is a former director-general of police from the state.

Three other NPP MLAs also found a place in the ministry, that also included Losi Dikho from the Naga Peoples Front (NPF). He was elected from the Mao Assembly segment. Both the NPP and NPF have four MLAs each.

Mr Karan Shyam, the only MLA from the Lok Janshakti Party, was also sworn in as a minister. Among BJP MLAs, only T. Biswajit Singh, MLA from Thongu, was inducted into the Cabinet. Mr T. Shyamkumar, Congress MLA from Andro, who defected to the BJP, was also in the list of ministers.

Manipur governor Najma Heptulla, who administered the oath to the new ministers, told reporters that she was aware that the Congress had emerged as the single largest party but it was not incumbent on a governor to necessarily call the single largest party.

The responsibility of the governor is also to see who has a majority, who will be working for the interest of the state and have stability, she said at Raj Bhavan.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh, in his first interaction with the media soon after taking the oath, claimed that more MLAs would soon join the ruling alliance. He also promised to end the economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council within 48 hours after the government settles in after the floor test.
Beijing, Manila have huge potential for cooperation if disputes 'set aside'

China welcomes Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's move to allow Chinese research ships to enter waters close to the Philippines where Chinese survey ships were spotted last year, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday ahead of a senior official's trip to Manila.

China fully respects the Philippines' continental shelf rights over Benham Rise, and such rights have never been challenged by China, spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news conference.

Hua said that according to the basic norms of international laws, continental shelves and exclusive economic zones do not belong to territory. A coastal state's rights over a continental shelf should not affect other countries' freedom of navigation, as supported by international laws, she said.

"As President Duterte mentioned, China and the Philippines have already communicated on the relevant issues, exchanged views in a friendly manner, established the facts and handled the issue properly," she said.

Duterte told reporters on Monday that he had agreed to allow Chinese research ships to sail in Benham Rise waters. "Let us not fight about ownership or sovereignty at this time, because things are going great for my country," Duterte said.

"Some people are just blowing it up. We previously agreed. It is a research ship and we were advised of it way in advance," he said.

The Philippine president's remarks were in stark contrast to those of the country's defense secretary, Delfin Lorenzana, who said last week that he had "ordered the navy, if they see this service ship this year, to accost it and drive it away".

On March 10, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said that in 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf approved an application from the Philippines for a 200-nautical-mile outer continental shelf limit in Benham Rise.

Accordingly, the Philippines may exploit natural resources there, but it cannot regard it as its territory, Geng said.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang will visit the Philippines from Thursday to Sunday. He will meet with Duterte, attend the opening ceremony of the China-ASEAN Year of Tourism Cooperation and deliver a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the China-Philippine Economic and Trade Forum, Hua said.

Bilateral ties were undermined by an arbitration case against China in relation to the South China Sea that was unilaterally launched by former Philippine president Benigno Aquino III. However, relations between the two countries have improved since Duterte's visit last year.

Jin Yong, a professor of international relations at Communication University of China, said that China and the Philippines should set aside their maritime disputes, as the two sides have huge potential for cooperation in areas including infrastructure and trade.
Dr. Jay Golden

East Carolina University has selected Dr. Jay Golden as vice chancellor of research, economic development and engagement. His appointment, effective June 30, was approved by the Board of Trustees during a special meeting on March 8.Golden is the director of Duke University's Center for Sustainability and Commerce where he directs research and engagement activities on sustainability issues in partnership with global corporations. He is an associate professor in the Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and faculty chair of the Business and Environment Program at Duke. He previously served in the role of associate vice provost for research and corporate relations.As vice chancellor of ECU's Division of Research, Economic Development and Engagement, Golden will be responsible for directing the promotion of research and creative activity at the university.said Golden.ECU Provost Ron Mitchelson said Golden hassaid Chancellor Cecil Staton.Golden earned his doctoral degree in engineering at the University of Cambridge and his master's degree in environmental engineering and sustainable development through a joint program between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Cambridge. Additionally, he received a professional certification in Management and Leadership in Higher Education from Harvard University and holds a bachelor's degree in management.Along with his experience at Duke, Golden was an assistant professor at Arizona State University and a visiting assistant professor at the University of California.said Staton.
Captain Amarinder will be sworn in along with nine cabinet ministers at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Chandigarh: A host of senior Congress leaders, including party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Captain Amarinder Singh as the new chief minister of Punjab on Thursday morning.

Captain Amarinder will be sworn in along with nine cabinet ministers at the Punjab Raj Bhavan here at 10 am. Punjab governor V.P. Singh Badnore will administer the oath of office to all ten.

Besides Rahul and Dr Singh, former Union ministers Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Ashwani Kumar and Rajeev Shukla, Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder S. Hooda, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and AICC secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari are expected to attend the event.

The ceremony will be a simple and low-key affair, with Captain Amarinder deciding not to spend excessively on symbolism on account of the poor financial health of the state.

The chief minister designate has also appealed to all party MLAs and others not to indulge in excessive celebration, invite less people, and to keep the event austere so as not to further burden the debt-ridden state exchequer.
Rahul Gandhi became Congress vice-president in January 2013, after which the party won the Karnataka Assembly elections in May that year.

New Delhi: The much-anticipated elevation of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi as party chief is expected to be further delayed in the wake of the massive drubbing the party got in the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. With voices of dissent within the Congress gaining momentum, party insiders claim any possibility of Rahul Gandhi becoming Congress president now is a distant possibility, though this has been pending for quite some time.

Perhaps sensing the mood in the party, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar offered to quit taking responsibility for the poll debacle. Mr Babbar has said: I take moral responsibility for the partys defeat in Uttar Pradesh. I was given the responsibility but I could not fulfill it. I could not live up to the expectations. I will do what is required.

What makes the situation precarious for Rahul Gandhi is that he was actively involved in planning, execution and campaigning during the election. The results, specially in UP and Uttarakhand, have thus raised serious doubts about his leadership capabilities.

Interestingly, Congress MP and general secretary in charge of Odisha B.K. Hariprasad quit all party posts after the Congress came third in the local body polls in Odisha recently. But when Mr Hariprasad met Rahul Gandhi recently, he was asked to continue.

Mr Babbar too has strongly defended the Congress top leadership, saying: Our national leaders worked hard in five states which went to the polls, including UP. While we failed to win UP, you dont change party leaders for losses in one or two elections. What has surprised many is that in Rahul Gandhis own parliamentary constituency of Amethi, the party lost all Assembly segments. Some Congress leaders have already started admitting privately that introspection in the party needs to begin from the top. Strangely, in a first for the Congress, a petition on a web portal is doing the rounds that Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor be made the prime ministerial candidate of the Congress for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Even on Twitter, there are surveys being conducted over who should become the new Congress president, with four options, and Rahul Gandhi as one of them. Such discussions on the top post in the Congress has never before been conducted publicly. Rahul Gandhi became Congress vice-president in January 2013, after which the party won the Karnataka Assembly elections in May that year, after which it has lost all subsequent elections. While the Congress did win in Punjab this time, and by a massive margin, the credit for that is given almost entirely to Capt. Amarinder Singh. In these circumstances, Rahul Gandhis elevation to the top party post seems a very distant possibility.
The outgoing UP minister, who was absconding since Feb 17, was arrested from Lucknow on Wednesday.

Lucknow: Absconding rape-accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati, who was arrested on Wednesday morning by the Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with the case, has been sent to 14-day judicial remand.

Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, Manzil Saini told PTI that Prajapati was arrested from Aashiyana area of the city early this morning.

Six persons named in the FIR against the 49-year-old outgoing Uttar Pradesh minister have already been been picked up by the police.

Police had on Tuesday interrogated the Samajwadi Party leader's two sons and nephew to get some inputs regarding his whereabouts. Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and alleged attempt to rape her minor daughter.

The apex court had asked the UP Police to submit an action taken report regarding the incidents in eight weeks.

A Look Out notice was also issued against him as also a Non-Bailable Warrant. His passport too has been impounded. Airports across the country had been alerted about the possibility of Prajapati trying to flee the country.

In the just-concluded Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prajapati had lost to BJP from Amethi, the seat he held.

Reacting to the arrest of the SP leader, BJP leader Vijay Bahadur Pathak said the "State police was till now politicised. As soon as it has been freed from political pressures it has started performing resulting in the arrest".
The 49-year-old was booked on a Supreme Court directive, and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others.

Lucknow: Uttar Pradeshs outgoing minister Gayatri Prajapati, accused in a gangrape case, was arrested from Lucknow on Wednesday morning after being on the run for two weeks. He is also accused of trying to rape the womans minor daughter. A local court sent him to 14 days of judicial custody.

The arrest came a day after the police detained his son and nephew. Senior police officer Manzil Saini said that Mr Prajapati was in a city locality, preparing to surrender before a local court, but was arrested before he could do so.

He was brought to Lucknows Alambagh police station in his Toyota Fortuner as his supporters thronged the area, shouting slogans in his support. He told reporters that he was innocent, and demanded a narco analysis test to prove his claim.

He was later taken in his car for a medical examination and then to a court where his supporters clashed with lawyers.

A non-bailable warrant was issued for his arrest after caste his vote in Amethi and absconded. He lost the election. His passport was also impounded, and airports across the country were alerted about the possibility of his trying to fly out.

The 49-year-old was booked on a Supreme Court directive, and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gangraping a woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter.

He had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest, saying he was always available to be examined by the state police but the court rejected his plea. All other accused have already been arrested. They include the ministers close aides and a security guard. Three were arrested earlier and the rest were arrested on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court order in the middle of the crucial UP elections had put outgoing chief minister Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party on the backfoot with the BJP accusing him of shielding a rape accused.

In his first speech after the election results, in which the BJP won with an overwhelming majority, BJP chief Amit Shah had promised that Mr Prajapati would be traced and arrested soon.

In 2016, Gayatri Prajapati had been sacked by CM Yadav during the Samajwadi Partys family feud, but was later reinstated.
A night of Urdu poetry and ghazals, curated by Tom Alter, is part of a festival, which seeks to celebrate the richness of Indian history.

The actors collaboration with Uday and Zia is perhaps as nostalgic as his love for the language as he has worked extensively with both.

Padma Shri awardee Tom Alters love affair with Urdu dates all the way back to his childhood. Having grown up in a family where he was surrounded by the language, the actor has subsequently done a lot of theatre performances that involve the language. Pairing his love for Urdu, with his interest in Indian history, the actor has curated a theatre festival  Jashn-e-Maazi or The Play of History  spanning 17 days of theatre, dance and poetry performances. The essence of these performances can perhaps be encompassed in the third evening of the festival, Safar-e-Shayari, which is an evening of Urdu poetry, ghazals, nasms and dance, which finds Tom collaborating with fellow actor Uday Chandra and danseuse Zia Nath.

I grew up in a household where Urdu was very much a part of the repertoire. My father, who was a padri (a Christian priest), used to read his sermons and the Bible in Urdu. For the past 15 or so years, I have also translated this love for Urdu to the stage with performances in the language, recalls the actor.

However, Urdu is not just a language that has surrounded the actor alone. Tom explains that at the time of the Partition of India, 25 to 30 per cent of the population was Urdu speaking, and the vestiges of the language have always followed native languages, especially Hindi. Urdu is a language which surrounds all of us. We speak it without realising it. Every time you use words like tamasha or intezaar, you are speaking Urdu and not Hindi. The fact that, till even ten or 15 years ago, most Hindi movies had over 50 per cent Urdu dialogues may have something to do with its universal popularity, explains Tom, adding that many Urdu poets, like Shaquil Badayuni, also wrote dialogues for films.

The poetry-lover, who will be presenting ghazals, nasms and sher o shairis dating all the way back to the 1700s up to modern day poems, says that Urdu literature has evolved massively since its perception. The 34 poets whose poems I will be presenting, goes all the way back to Mirza Muhammad Rafi Sauda, who wrote during the 18th Century, to Parveen Shakir, who passed away in the 1990s. Poetry in Urdu has had its revolurionaries, right from Mir Taki Mir and Mirza Ghalib to Nida Fazli, who passed away last year. Take Shahryar, for instance; his poetry speaks about todays India instead of romance and love, Tom elaborates.

The Urdu connoisseur says that the language has in no way lost its popularity, even among the youth. I was just at Pune University a few days ago where there was a poetry contest and some of the students who wrote in Urdu had powerful, well-written poems. If you go to schools and colleges around the country, you will see amazing endeavours around Urdu literature happening all the time. We just dont know about it, he says, adding that this festival is his way of bringing the language and Indias history to the forefront.

The actors collaboration with Uday and Zia is perhaps as nostalgic as his love for the language as he has worked extensively with both. I have been working with Uday for over 20 years. I have also worked with Suresh Watwan, who will play the tabla with him, for over 15 years. Though my association with Zia is more recent, even that dates back to over five years and we have collaborated on various projects. I am really forward to sharing the stage with all of them for Safar-e-Shayari. I am also eager to see how the festival shapes up in its entirety, since it covers Indian history right from the Mahabharata to recent times, and I am in all 17 performances, he signs off.

On March 19, 6pm and 9pm onwards, at Y.B. Chavan Auditorium YCP Center, Gen. Jagannath Bhosale Marg, Foreshore road, Nariman Point
Arvind Kejriwal has expressed reservations about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and sought the use of ballot papers in the civic polls.

New Delhi: After its failure to open an account in Goa and to gain a majority in the Punjab state elections, all eyes are on debutant Aam Aadmi Party which will be facing a crucial test in the upcoming polls for 272 municipal wards in the national capital on April 22.

The civic polls will also be a referendum on the AAP governments performance after its electrifying victory, winning 67 of the 70 Assembly seats in 2015.

The partys major challenge will be the BJP which has been ruling the three municipal bodies for 10 consecutive years. The polls will also throw a challenge before the Congress which could not retain even a single Assembly seat even after ruling the city for 15 years.

Announcing the poll dates, State Election Commission chief Sanjay Srivastava said that the results will be announced on April 25. The nomination process will begin from March 27 and April 3 would be the last date for filing nominations.

The party welcomes the poll dates announced by the honourable election commission. The BJP and the Congress have turned Delhi into a garbage bin and a den of corruption. People of Delhi will exercise their franchise in the upcoming polls to wipe out the BJP and Congress  just the way they did in the Assembly polls two years ago, AAP Delhi convenor Dilip Pandey said. He reiterated his partys demand for the use of paper ballots in the upcoming civic polls.

Incidentally, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has expressed reservations about electronic voting machines (EVMs) and sought the use of ballot papers in the civic polls.

Asked to respond to Mr Keriwal seeking use of the traditional mode of exercising franchise, Mr Srivastava said, Voting through EVMs is very safe. And, if the polls are to be held through ballot then some of the rules have to be amended.

We started the preparations for the polls keeping in mind use of EVMs only. The dates have been assigned accordingly, the State Election Commissioner said.

The erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated in 2012 into North, South and East Municipal Corporation or NDMC, SDMC and EDMC, respectively. The BJP has been ruling the MCD since 2007. The last polls were held in 2012.

The much-awaited polls will decide the fate of 272 councillors. While the NDMC and SMDC have 104 seats each, the EDMC has 64 seats.

A total number of 1,32,10,206 are eligible to vote in the next months civic polls. It includes 73,15,915 men, 58,93,418 women and 793 voters in the other category, the state election commission said.

The expenditure limit for a candidate has been hiked from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5.75 lakh, the commission said.
'As major IT firms have their base in the state, there is greater possibility of visual arts students to get better placements.'

Kolkata: The West Bengal government will take initiatives to increase the employment potential of visual arts students in information technology sector in sync with contemporary demands, a state minister said on Tuesday.

"For greater employability of visual arts students, in sync with the present demand of market, my department will take initiative," Minister for IT and Electronics Bratya Basu said.

As major IT firms have their base in the state, there is greater possibility of visual arts students to get better placements," Basu said after inaugurating an exhibition of visual arts of Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) in Kolkata.

RBU Vice-Chancellor Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury said, "As the minister said, we are hopeful about campus interviews for visual arts students on the line of campus-in for engineering students."

"If there can be links between IT companies and our visual arts students, nothing could be better," he said.

Altogether 170 works of paintings, sculptures and graphics were on display at the exhibition which will continue till March 20.
The police recorded 4,531 instances of drunken driving and other vehicular irregularities including triple-seat and helmet-less riding.

Mumbai: The city police on Monday on the occasion of Holi booked 317 persons for alleged drunken driving. The police recorded 4,531 instances of drunken driving and other vehicular irregularities including triple-seat and helmet-less riding.

According to the police, when compared to corresponding 2016 Holi figures, there was a marginal decline this year. In 2016, the police on Holi day booked 474 persons for alleged drunken driving while 4,641 instances of violation of traffic rules were recorded. Sources said that the police had barricaded areas prone to notorious incidents and deployed people all over the city. Nearly 317 drivers of four-wheelers and riders of two-wheelers were booked for drunken driving.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Ashok Dudhe, DCP (Operations) and Mumbai police spokesperson said, Performance of Mumbai police in securing the city during Holi was very good as there were no major cases reported the whole day. All in all, I can say it was a good day with Mumbai police putting on a great show with respect to carrying out their duties.

Senior police inspectors of respective police stations constantly took rounds to ensure maintenance of peace and harmony in sensitive areas. Female police officers were also deployed at various locations to ensure womens safety in all areas, he added.

Sources said the police had also posted officials at beaches including Juhu, Girgaum, Dadar and Versova to control the public that came there after playing Holi.
The HC also asked the BMC to enumerate its policy on graveyards and submit details of ward wise graveyards in the city.

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has stayed the operations of the Metro-7 casting yard at Bandra Reclamation on grounds that it was built in an area reserved for a graveyard, and also since it was in violation of an earlier stay order of the court. The HC stayed the Metro-7 work after the petitioner complained that despite a reservation for a graveyard in the same area, the MMRDA had set up its casting yard as a result of which the reservation could not be implemented. The HC also asked the BMC to enumerate its policy on graveyards and submit details of ward wise graveyards in the city.

A division bench of chief justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice G.S. Kulkarni was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Mohammad Furqan Qureshi claiming that despite a 1.72-lakh Muslim population in Bandra and Khar (west) their dead had to be buried in already packed graveyards in Bandra (east) and Santacruz. Advocate Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh also informed the court that despite a reservation for a graveyard in Block A of Special Planning Authority (SPA), the BMC and state were dragging their feet in allotting it. The court had then stayed all development work and creation of third party rights on the said Block A.

However, as MMRDA started work on the casting yard for the Metro-7 project in January in Block A, the court impleaded MMRDA too. On Tuesday, the court stayed all work on the casting yard as well as labour camp after the MMRDA failed to satisfy the court as to how it started work despite a stay.

Dr Chellur also rapped the BMC counsel Joel Carlos when he said that the BMC would allot 20,000 sq ft plot for the graveyard and asked the civic corporation to submit details of the policy.
In an official statement, TVF denied the allegations against its founder.

Mumbai: The Viral Fever  or TVF  a trailblazer in the world of web series, found itself in the midst of a murky controversy on Monday.

An anonymous author with the blog name Indian Fowler, accused TVFs founder, Arunabh Kumar, of sexual harassment in a post that went viral on the Internet.

A supposed ex-employee, she accused Kumar of molestation on various occasions. Right from Pitchers to Tripling, I was molested. Be it in parties where Arunabh would try to lift me or would try and fall on me pretending he is drunk. One instance was the Ola deal. The Ola team was meeting him and we were taking notes. He walks out of the meeting with some excuse and calls me for some notes. I walk up. He says its time we do a quicky. I am stunned (sic), she wrote in a 700-word long post that went on to mention in detail her trauma as a TVF employee.

It went on to cause much outrage in the virtual space, with many viewers condemning the platform, and a few others calling the post a publicity stunt.

In an official statement, TVF denied the allegations against its founder. All the allegations made against TVF and its team in the article are categorically false, baseless and unverified.

Comedian Vipul Goyal, closely associated with the comedy collective, too, chose not to respond to our questions. Meanwhile, an alleged ex-employee, Aayushi Agarwal, came forward to testify against the channel. When contacted she said, I worked for TVF for a year and three months and I was harassed by another colleague; it wasnt Arunabh. Overall my experience was very bad as a woman. I hated working there and had to leave my job hurriedly. She added,

I reported it to everyone there could be. My case was handled with such stupidity and callousness; nobody paid any heed. And it is only after I threatened to lodge an FIR did they come forward and fired the guy in question.

As the post continued to be circulated, another young lady called Reema Sengupta, who has worked with TVF in the past came forward to support Indian Fowlers claims.

I was shooting with him (Arunabh) in the TVF office, for a web series I was directing last year. In the middle of the shoot, he touches my shoulder tattoo and tells me he finds it sexy. After every other shot, he would come over to the monitor to see how the shot looks, but at the same time graze his hand against my waist.

There are others, however, who dont want to jump to any conclusion. City stand-up comic Kunal Kamra said, I dont want to believe anything till the anonymous author doesnt reveal herself.
I know that many have been anxiously awaiting the next version of the Bobby Tony Dictionary series. Well here is another installment. Most people would start at the front of the alphabet. A and work towards Z, but since I'm dyslexic I'm going the other way.I have written about my childhood cowboy heroes.( Cowboys of the Fifties. )I think one of my first brushes with wiretapping was on Euclid Avenue in Little Five Points somewhere in the vicinity of 1955. I do not remember the exact date but I am pretty sure it was on a Saturday morning. There were two movie theaters in L5P. One played the westerns matinee, which was a sort of cowboy soap opera. We did not have a TV in 1955 so I did not know what a soap opera was then. The Saturday Morning Matinee featured, Red Ryder, Rocky Lane or Wild Bill Elliott, but the real draw was the Roy Rogers Riders Club. The club issued membership cards and had a set of rules. The other theater played the Adult Westerns of Randolph Scott and Joel McCrea. I no longer have my membership card but I found a copy on the internet and now have it framed in my Man Cave.The club also had a set of rules, which every member was expected to follow faithfully.Obviously, a quick review of the rules today shows the total naivety of the kids back then as well as their parents and the Hollywood movie stars. What a crock to expect kids to follow such an outlandish set of rules.I do not think that I saw my first instance of wiretapping in the Roy Rogers movies, but somewhere in the mix I am sure I saw a cowboy climb the telephone pole and tap into the Telegraph wires to either send or eavesdrop on the line. It really does not make any difference because as I understand it, that was before the Wild West became a part of the USA and there was no Bill of Rights in the Old West. Well, that is not exactly true, there was a right to own and carry a gun, rifle and that most dreaded of all weapons; a lasso.It was around that time that I also noticed the Lone Ranger's Partner, Tonto, (sidekick is probably not allowed but partner sounds modern now doesn't it?) could eavesdrop on the Injuns by intercepting their smoke signals.By the way the Lone Ranger also had a creed that today would be so unreasonable that it would be considered laughable. After careful review, I did not see any ban on Wiretapping or intercepting smoke signals, so I guess that was okay back then.Well, if we move forward quite a few years, I had several friends who went to work with the phone company. The installers and repairmen were issued a Rotary Phone Tester set. This allowed them to test the lines when they were on the pole or in the junction box.I am sure that this was not allowed but one of my friends would occasionally tap into the line of his girlfriend from the pole just down the street from her apartment. I am sure it was completely innocent and his intention was merely to check on the integrity of her phone line.He eventually moved to Wyoming because he really wanted to be a cowboy. He called me one day and while we were talking, I kept hearing noise in the background. It sounded like wind and traffic. I asked him where he was and he said, I am on a pole by the highway in a snow storm. We talked for relatively long time as I remember because the call was free or at least on someone else's dime.I don't know the current status of law but apparently it is no longer a bad thing to do even though it may be technically legal. Hell everybody is doing it now and some are even bragging about doing it. He was never caught or punished for his Felonious crime. That is of little comfort to me since he passed away in 2015. I repeated this story in my tribute to him in this post. Passing of Friends. Here is a link to that quaint old time of law and order circa 1986. Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 (ECPA), 18 U.S.C.  256-22.
Two of his aides already hold key positions in corporation committees.

Mumbai: Will Aaditya Thackeray have a major role in BMCs functioning? Close aides of Sena scion have been appointed in the Brihanmumbai municipal corporation (BMC) committees.

While two close aides of Mr Thackeray, Samadhan Sarvankar and Amey Ghole, are corporators, two new members who form the core committee of Yuva Sena  Rahul Kanal, a former Congress member, and Sainath Durge  were accommodated in the BMCs education committee. Insiders hint that many more shall be accommodated soon.

Even before the BMC elections set in, there has been a tussle within the Shiv Sena for accommodating the members of Yuva Sena and close aides of Aaditya Thackeray.

Two aides of Mr Thackeray, Mr Ghole and Mr Sarvankar were given tickets for the corporation, and they won too from Wadala and Dadar. However, via the nominated corporator, Mr Thackeray wanted to include few more, but then, senior party leaders who lost the elections are being accommodated via this route thus leaving the committee member posts.

Aaditya Thackeray wanted few nominated corporators seats to be given to his aides, but then the seats are being used for accommodating seniors who lost the elections. Hence, committee members posts are being distributed amongst Aadityas loyalist. This will enable him to have a major role to play in what is happening in BMC, said a senior leader.

It was the young Thackeray scion, who had coined Senas Did You Know tagline for the BMC election campaign. Mr Kanal, who has been given a seat in the education committee, said, I wasnt expecting anything but when asked I decided to work in the education committee, as I have been working in this field.

Mr Kanal, was with the Congress till the assembly elections. He joined the Yuva Sena, after the debacle of Congress in the assembly polls.

He was a close aide of Congress leader Baba Siddiqui, but off late became close to Thackeray and is spotted mostly with him. There are many more aspirants in the party, who are vying for the post in BMC and the Sena is in dilemma who should be given preference.
The CBSE has withdrawn these subjects due to low-enrolment issues.

Subjects like poultry, nutrition, physiology, management of dairy animals, health education, communication and confectionary have been removed from the vocational stream.

Mumbai: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to drop seven academic electives subjects and seven vocational subjects for the forthcoming examination of the year 2018. The option of 27 vocational subjects still remains with students if they have to opt for the standard 12 exam as per CBSEs latest circular to schools across the country.

Students pursuing these subjects currently in standard XI shall continue with them in standard XII in 2017-18 and appear for exams in the same subject. The CBSE has withdrawn these subjects due to low-enrolment issues.

Kalpana Dwivedi, principal of St Joseph school CBSE school, Panvel explained that previously, there were five mandatory subjects. Now, since the options have been reduced, it will be difficult for the students to choose. Students who are weak in main subjects will not benefit from this decision. But the decision is of CBSE so we have to accept it, she said.

Avnita Bir, principal of R.N. Podar School, Khar (west) said, The decision is good. Students who opted for these subjects in standard XI will be allowed to pursue them this year and appear for board examinations too.

Satwik Tripati, a standard XI CBSE student said, It has both positive and negatives. Basically, we are loosing the choice of choosing the subjects.

Subjects such as poultry, nutrition, physiology, management of dairy animals, health education, communication, confectionary, music aesthetics, office communication, first aid and emergency medical care, and integrated transport operations have been removed from the vocational stream. Daiwik Tadikanda, as standard XI student from R.N. Podar school said, Now I have only a limited options to choose from.
Trump and Prince Mohammed, who is also the kingdoms defence minister, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office.

The discussion was likely to touch on investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and efforts to stop the war in Syria. (Photo: AP)

Washington: President Donald Trump met with Saudi Arabias deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday for a discussion that was likely to touch on investment opportunities in the kingdom and efforts to stop the war in Syria.

Trump, who took office in January, and Prince Mohammed who is also the kingdoms defence minister, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office, where they posed for a picture in front of journalists and did not take questions.

US vice president Mike Pence, Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present.

The meeting was the first since Trumps inauguration with the powerful prince, who is leading the kingdoms efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.

After visiting in the Oval Office, Trump and his advisers joined the prince and the Saudi delegation for lunch in the White House state dining room.
Trump is expected to reveal his plans during an appearance Wednesday at the American Center for Mobility in Detroit.

Washington: Moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental rules, President Donald Trump is set to announce in Michigan plans to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks.

Trump is expected to reveal his plans during an appearance Wednesday at the American Center for Mobility in Detroit where he'll challenge the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) emissions targets that were a centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's strategy to combat global warming. The rollback underscores the Trump administration's rejection of mainstream climate science in an effort to boost economic growth.

The Detroit center was used to produce B-24 bombers during World War II and is now in the process of being converted into an automotive testing and product development center.

While visiting there the president is expected to meet with auto executives and workers and discuss "how his plans for rolling back federal red tape will lead to more American jobs and higher wages, specifically in the automobile sector," Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters.

The EPA under Obama's stewardship had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 54.5 mpg by 2025.

The president will travel later Wednesday to Nashville, Tennessee, where he'll lay a wreath at President Andrew Jackson's tomb to mark what would have been Jackson's 250th birthday, before holding a campaign-style rally in the city.

But the most significant move of the day will likely be the president's announcement on the CAFE emissions targets. The move will have no immediate effect. But it is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states like California that have adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

The president will target the Obama administration's January decision to end a review process before he left office. Back in 2012, the Obama set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025. The administration agreed to complete a midterm evaluation in 2018.

But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump will announce that he's putting that midterm review back on track, so that officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

While the administration has not said explicitly it wants to weaken the standards, a senior White House official said the Obama-era EPA had ignored reams of data cited by the automotive industry.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity at a White House briefing in order to outline the action, despite the president's criticism of the use of un-named sources.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents a dozen major car manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota, last month urged EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to relax the standards, saying they will drive up car costs, price customers out of the market and depress the industry. Obama's EPA had argued the costs to consumers were mitigated by gas savings and that the rules would decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

Environmentalists expect Trump to ease the gas mileage requirements, which translate to a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

"This change makes no sense. Mileage standards save consumers money at the gas pump, make Americans less dependent on oil, reduce carbon pollution and advance innovation," said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Once in Nashville, Trump will be given a private tour of Jackson's home, according to Howard Kittell, the President and CEO of the Hermitage mansion. He'll also lay a wreath at Jackson's tomb in honor of the seventh president's birthday and deliver remarks.

Jackson has enjoyed something of a resurgence thanks to Trump. During the campaign, some of Trump's aides took to comparing him to the former president - a fellow populist outsider who took on a member of the Washington establishment and ran a campaign railing against corrupt elites.

Trump mused during his first days in Washington that "there hasn't been anything like this since Andrew Jackson" and hung a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office after moving in.

Historians had been souring on the slave-owning president whose Indian Removal Act of 1830 commissioned the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands. More than 4,000 died during their journeys west.

Jackson's standing had fallen so much that that the U.S. Treasury opted to remove Jackson from the $20 bill.

But Kittell said that attendance at the museum has surged since the election.

"Jackson is probably getting more media attention now," Kittell said, 'than when he was president."
The US and India have been on the job since the Bush admin and the Obama admin could not get it done due to opposition from China.

President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue and make India a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). (Photo: AP)

Washington: The US on Wednesday said it is working with India and NSG members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in America's policy on the issue under the Trump administration.

"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership," a State Department spokesperson said.

The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on India's bid to be a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The United States and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best effort, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.

"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance Indias case for membership," the State Department official said, indicating that there has been no change in the US policy towards India's NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.

The key to India's membership now lies with China. However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself as was done by President George Bush.

Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month. In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an "outlier" on the NSG issue.
The tail rotor apparently fell off and the helicopter crashed and burst into flames.

The crew had found the womans body and was bringing back rescue workers when it hit an electrical power cable. (Photo: Representational Image/AP)

Mexico City: A police helicopter has crashed in northern Mexico, killing four people on a mission to recover the body of a hiker.

The government of the border state of Baja California says the state police helicopter crashed in the hills near the city of Mexicali. The state police pilot and co-pilot of the chopper were killed, as were two members of local rescue groups.

The government says the crew had found the womans body and was bringing back rescue workers when it hit an electrical power cable.

The tail rotor apparently fell off and the helicopter crashed and burst into flames.

The hiker had gone missing on Sunday. Local media say she had apparently fallen into a gorge.
Tillerson arrived in Tokyo late Wednesday at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour.

Tokyo: On his first trip to Asia as top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson wants to forge cooperation with Japan, South Korea and China against the nuclear threat from North Korea and demonstrate "America First" does not mean a U.S. diplomatic retreat from the volatile region.

Tillerson will find shared anxiety at North Korea's saber-rattling but less agreement about how to deal with it, and unresolved questions about how the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, can manage growing differences.

Japan and South Korea, which host American troops and are already within range of North Korean missiles, support U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on the North.

The three navies were also conducting missile defense information-sharing drills Wednesday in seas east of the divided Korean Peninsula and north of Japan to promote interoperability, the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said. But China remains conflicted about how to treat its traditional ally for fear of triggering its collapse.

Adding to the combustible mix of military tension and the region's historic rivalries is another factor - uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Tillerson, who arrived in Tokyo late Wednesday at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour, could provide some reassurance to nervous allies. He is to meet Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO has adopted a low profile during his six weeks as secretary of state. The State Department Correspondents' Association expressed disappointment Wednesday that Tillerson was traveling to Asia without a full contingent of the diplomatic press corps or even a pool reporter on his plane - although he is taking a reporter from the conservative-leaning website the Independent Journal Review.

President Donald Trump's rise to power has raised anxiety in Asian capitals. During last year's election campaign, Trump asked whether allies like Japan and South Korea contribute enough for their own defense or should get their own nuclear weapons. He also questioned the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China.

Trump has allayed some of those concerns since taking office. He hosted Abe at his Florida resort last month, and when Tillerson goes to Beijing on Saturday, he is expected to arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S.

"The U.S. allies, Japan and South Korea, want to know that the United States is going to continue to defend them but also is going to show a certain amount of finesse and diplomatic skills in dealing with China and with North Korea," said Robert Dujarric, director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University's campus in Tokyo.

North Korea will be a top priority on all Tillerson's stops. The State Department says Tillerson wants to discuss "fresh" approaches. Administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, but signs are that the U.S. for starters wants to see rigorous implementation of existing sanctions against the North.

There appears to be little desire for now to negotiate with North Korea, unless it commits to denuclearization, which it shows no sign of doing.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland - something Trump has vowed won't happen.

The U.S. is currently involved in annual military drills in South Korea that North Korea regards as a rehearsal for invasion. In a show of defiance, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the ocean off Japan last week. The next day, the U.S. began bringing in equipment for the long-planned deployment in South Korea of a missile defense system known by its acronym, THAAD.

That has raised tensions with China, which says the THAAD's radar could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear deterrent. The U.S. says the system is intended to be used only against North Korea.

After Tokyo, Tillerson visits South Korea, caught up in political upheaval after last week's ouster of its president, Park Geun-hye, over a corruption scandal.

Park had been in lockstep with Washington's efforts to isolate North Korea. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Korea's government.

Tillerson's final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing. China recently announced it was suspending for the rest of the year coal imports that are an important source of revenue for North Korea. That is to comply with U.N. sanctions aimed at restricting the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for all parties to return to talks. Aid-for-disarmament negotiations have been stalled for years. Last week China's foreign minister warned that the U.S., South Korea and North Korea could be heading for conflict.
The bill would also impose a 24-hour stay period if the man wanted to undergo a vasectomy or a colonoscopy.

Houston, Texas: A Texas lawmaker has proposed a bill that would slap a USD 100 fine on a man each time he masturbated.

According to a report by The Guardian, the bill would also impose a 24-hour stay period if the man wanted to undergo a vasectomy or a colonoscopy.

Proposed by Democrat Jessica Farrar from Houston, the bill aims to regulate masturbatory emissions as a response to anti-abortion measures promoted by Republican senators.

Titled Mans Right to Know Act, the bill suggests a fine for emissions outside of a womans vagina, or created outside of a health or medical facility, which will be considered an act against an unborn child, and failing to preserve the sanctity of life, the report said.

To make this bill more effective, it will also require the creation of a masturbatory assistance registry of NGOs and non-profit organisations and hospitals that will be able to provide fully-abstinent encouragement counseling, supervising physicians for masturbatory emissions, and storage for the semen.

An advocate of womens health, Farrar told CNN, Lets look at what Texas has done to women. What if men had to undergo the same intrusive procedures? she added.

However, Farrars move was widely criticised by her political opponents. I am embarrassed for Representative Farrar. Her attempt to compare to the abortion issue shows a lack of a basic understanding of human biology, said Tony Tinderholt, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo: Washington's top diplomat was to fly into Tokyo on Wednesday to begin the first tour of Asian capitals under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear posturing.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime as he talks to allies Japan and South Korea and to rival great power China.

The former oilman will also talk commerce after President Donald Trump's belligerent campaign rhetoric raised the spectre of a trade war between the United State and China.

But US officials confirmed North Korea's provocative behaviour would be "front and centre" as Tillerson meets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

After Tokyo, it will be on to Seoul, a city already within range of North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, for talks with the acting leader after a corruption scandal, saw President Park Geun-Hye ousted last week.

And then at the weekend, there will be his much anticipated trip to Beijing, amid reports that Tillerson will seek to finalise plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Trump in April.

Here, he might get a positive response. In a news conference after the annual National People's Congress parliament meeting on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said, "there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation."

He warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war, and argued: "I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions."

But Tillerson will also have to broach the topic of North Korea's progress towards building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would be able to threaten US mainland cities or bases in the Pacific.

"He's going to have an opportunity at every stop to talk about next steps or what we do now, with respect to North Korea," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

"I mean, it's obviously the looming challenge over our relations and, frankly, the security of the Korean Peninsula," he added in a news briefing before Tillerson left Washington.

China is perhaps the last country with significant leverage over North Korea, which has ignored several rounds of UN-backed sanctions targeting its banned nuclear weapons programme.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's attempts to build an arsenal of nuclear devices but has been much more measured in its reaction to the ballistic missile program.

Xi's government has been reluctant to back any moves that might destabilise Kim's regime and is publicly more concerned about Washington's decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence program in South Korea.

Washington insists THAAD is a defensive system deployed to protect the South and US bases from North Korean missiles, but China fears its advanced radar system undermines China's nuclear deterrent.
The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

Last Saturday, a twin bombing in the capital killed 74 people and was claimed by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. (Representational Image)

Damascus: A suicide bomber attacked a courthouse in the centre of the Syrian capital on Wednesday, killing at least 25 people and wounding others, state media reported.

"The preliminary toll in the terrorist suicide bombing at the old palace of justice building is 25 dead and a number of wounded," state news agency SANA reported, citing a Damascus police source.

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

The courthouse contains both an Islamic religious tribunal charged with personal matters, and a criminal court. "We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous," a lawyer in the building during the attack told AFP.

"We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor," the lawyer added, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It was a bloody scene."

A local prosecutor told state television: "The terrorist targeted civilians... during a crowded period. "The suicide bomber tried to enter and when police tried to prevent him, he rushed inside and blew himself up," the prosecutor added.

The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

Last Saturday, a twin bombing in the capital killed 74 people and was claimed by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
Call it a case of a good headline for the wrong column.A recent issue of Raleigh's News & Observer featured an opinion-page piece titled "Keep politics off the bench." It started with one of the silliest declarations one could find in an op-ed attempting to make a serious argument:Wait a minute. If the bill faced opposition from both parties, how did it "clear" the General Assembly? Because the facts did not fit the argument the author wanted to make.Yes, six Republicans in the N.C. House and one GOP senator voted against the bill . They were outvoted, 64-6 and 32-1, in their respective caucuses. Most opposition to the bill came from Democrats, making this much more of a partisan split than a case of "bipartisan opposition."(By the op-ed writer's logic, Democratic Rep. William Brisson's vote in favor of the original bill, and his colleague Rep. Billy Richardson's "yes" vote on the final version, gave the measure bipartisan support.)What followed the column's ill-advised opening sentence was an argument opposing House Bill 100, which would restore party labels for state District and Superior Court elections. The column also endorsed the return to taxpayer financing of judicial election campaigns.The latter point ignores the clear constitutional problems linked to taxpayer-financed elections. Meanwhile, opposition to party labels for judicial elections ignores what John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood has described as the " unworkable mess " of nonpartisan races.But all is not lost. The "Keep politics off the bench" headline still has a valid application.The need to keep politics out of judicial proceedings became clear during a hearing last week involving the ongoing power struggle between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-led General Assembly.Lawyers offered a three-judge panel both constitutional arguments and legal precedents explaining why either the governor or the legislature should prevail.Cooper's team cited Article I, Section 6, the state constitution's Declaration of Rights, which sets out that state government's executive, legislative, and judicial powers "shall be forever separate and distinct." Cooper's attorneys also relied heavily on the 2016 McCrory v. Berger case, which delivered Cooper's Republican predecessor a victory over lawmakers in an earlier tug of war involving the separation of powers.For their part, the General Assembly's lawyers cited longstanding court precedents and multiple sections of the constitution - including Article III's rules for appointments and administrative reorganization - to explain why recent laws to rein in the governor's powers fit squarely within the legislative branch's prerogative.The judges could have probed these contrasting constitutional interpretations. They could have asked why one constitutional provision would trump another when the two provisions generate inconsistencies. They could have asked how previous N.C. Supreme Court rulings have helped settle these matters.Instead the judges' questions focused more on political issues.They peppered the legislature's attorneys with queries about the timing of new laws that sparked the current court fight.said Judge Jesse Caldwell, a Gaston County-based Superior Court judge.Caldwell specifically asked why lawmakers approved the disputed laws in a special December session.he said.In addressing a dispute over state Senate confirmation of the governor's Cabinet appointments, Judge Todd Burke of Forsyth County labeled the General Assembly's "political grab of power" as an "elephant in the room."When the judges were not focusing on legislators' intent, they tackled another political, rather than judicial, question: How well will the disputed legislative changes work? Caldwell, in particular, latched onto the notion that the merger of state elections and ethics boards would create new conflict-of-interest problems.The legislature's attorney responded.said Noah Huffstetler.In other words, keep politics off the bench. That sounds like a good headline.
Western Australia: The craze of catching Pokemon is quite unstoppable, as an Australian man on Wednesday was fined by the cops for playing Pokemon GO while driving a car.

He was fined $400 by police for playing the popular game while driving his young son to school, Daily Mail reported.

The Mundijong Police pulled over the car in Byford to enquire why he was using his phone behind the wheel.

The man admitted to police that he had been playing Pokemon GO with his son who was sitting in the Kia Rondo's front passenger seat at the time.

Despite paying fine to the police, the man also lost three demerit points. As per the report, the WA police last year had registered at least 26 cases of inattention crash.
US media reported that US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Florida next month.

Li Keqiang said that China does not want to see any war trade between US and China. (Photo: AP)

Beijing: China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground.

"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament.

"Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction," he said.

"We may have different statistical methods, but I believe whatever differences we may have we can all sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions," Li said, adding that issues that cannot immediately be solved should be "shelved" for the time being.

US media has reported that US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Florida next month.

Trump has attacked China on issues ranging from trade to the South China Sea and what he perceives as China's lack of interest in reining in nuclear-armed North Korea.

Last month, Trump held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who outranks Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi.

Li also reiterated in his remarks that China-US relations are founded upon adherence to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.

The "one China" policy "has remained unshaken despite changing circumstances," he said, adding "this foundation cannot be undermined."

Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and saying the United States did not have to stick to the policy, vaguely suggesting that he may abandon the policy as part of negotiations for a better trade deal with China.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled, proudly democratic Taiwan.
Two Muslim employees were fired for refusing to remove their headscarf. According to the Court, employers may ban religious symbols.

Luxembourg (AsiaNews/Agencies)  The Church of England and Jewish groups have criticised a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling that allows employers to ban religious symbols from the workplace.

The issue was brought before the court by two Muslim women who were fired for refusing to remove their headscarf.

The two cases have reignited the debate over religious freedom, with Christians and Jews getting involved.

The Court was asked to rule on two cases, one from Belgium and the other from France. the plaintiffs are Samira Achbita, who worked at G4S Secure Solutions NV, and Asma Bougnaoui, who worked for IT consultancy firm Micropole SA.

According to the ECJ, there was no discrimination in the Belgian case because the employee was aware of the unwritten rule that required dress code neutrality for all employees.

The French case was different. Here the Court referred the final decision to national courts. It also noted that the ban might be discriminatory because it was due to complaints from a customer.

Under EU law, an employer can fire an employee who does not abide by company policies, but must have a valid reason and the decision must be proportionate.

According to the Court, the desire to maintain a neutral secular corporate image falls within the rules.

Some religious leaders strongly reacted to the rulings. Although they do not relate specifically to Islamic headscarf, their underlying principle can apply to all religious symbols.

The Anglican of England slammed the decision, saying that it would prevent Christians from exercising their religious freedom.

"This judgment, said the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, the Bishop of Leeds, once again raises vital questions about freedom of expression, not just freedom of religion, and shows that the denial of freedom of religion is not a neutral act, contrary to how it might be portrayed."

The president of the Conference of European Rabbis, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, agrees. "This decision sends a signal to all religious groups in Europe, namely that faith communities are not welcome.

In Europe, the debate on religious symbols is a complex one, and the law varies from place to place.

One example is the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a 2013 case in which a British Airways employee was fired for refusing to hide a gold cross around her neck.

According to the ECHR, the dismissal was unlawful because the airline company had allowed, at the same time, Muslim employees to cover their head.

Some NGOs also reacted. For the Open Society Justice Initiative, a branch of US-based Open Society Foundations, the ruling weakens the guarantee offered by the European Union's anti-discrimination laws.

"In many member states, national laws will still recognise that banning religious headscarves at work is discrimination," policy office Maryam Hmadoun said. "But in places where national law is weak, this ruling will exclude many Muslim women from the workplace."

Amnesty International welcomed the ruling on the French case that "employers are not at liberty to pander to the prejudices of their clients". But, it added that bans on religious symbols to show neutrality opens "a backdoor to precisely such prejudice".

At the national level within the European Union, many cases have come to the fore involving Christian crosses, Jewish skullcaps and Sikh turbans.
by C. T. Nilesh

Catholics won 17 seats out of 40, seven under the BJP banner. Nation-wide, Christians do not support the BJP because of its repressive policies vis-a-vis religious minorities. Change will happen only lawmakers assert their views.

Panaji (AsiaNews)  In recent state elections, the Hindu nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a landslide. In Goa, Catholics were elected in 17 seats, seven of them under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which holds power in Delhi. Unfortunately, these Catholic lawmakers are nothing but "stooges of the party, elected in heavily Catholic areas. An Indian political expert comments below.

Not since the first state elections in 1963 have Catholics won so many seats in the Goa Legislative Assembly: 17 out of 40 deputies. This constitutes 43 per cent of the total in a state where Christians, mostly Catholic, account for only 22 per cent of the population.

The Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which holds power in Delhi, won 13 seats, electing seven Catholic candidates. With the support of a smaller parties and a few independent, it has gone before the State Governor Mrdiula Sinha to claim the right to form a government.

At the national level, Christians do not support the BJP because of its anti-Christian policy in many states, such as not granting visas to missionaries. In some BJP-ruled states, like Orissa and Jharkhand Christians have suffered abuse and persecution. But in Goa, Christians lost faith in the Congress party and voted instead for the BJP.

The BJP has ruled in Goa for the past five years. On the 3 March election, it lost some support as is wont for parties in power. The environmental effects of its pro-industrialisation policies are one cause. Despite this, the Christian vote gives the Hindu nationalist party a chance to stay in office for another five years.

Still, many Christians think that the seven Catholic MLAs can do little or nothing in a party that is itself not very democratic but follows orders from the head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu militant organisation.

In Mumbai, some Catholics who decided to run under the BJP banner pulled out disgusted. The presence of Christian names is just window dressing to get the vote in heavily Catholic areas.

Local observers do not expect any change in policy towards Christians even though this will all depend on how elected Catholic lawmakers will assert their views, interests and Christian values.

"Even if Catholics are elected, they become stooges of the party. So really speaking there's nothing for Christians to cheer about, said Jamaluddin Sheikh, a Muslim journalist.

The BJP is considered more anti-Muslim than anti-Christian.
The countrys Bishops' Conference rejects the proposal to take part in President Dutertes anti-drug campaign. The Church supports Whatever strategy there is, for as long as theres no killing and it is devoid of any corrupt and unjust practice. Vice President Leni Robredo slums the drug war, which has left Filipinos feeling hopeless and helpless. Duterte retaliates against his adversaries.

Manila (AsiaNews)  The Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Bato dela Rosa reiterated his invitation to the Catholic Church to join the authorities in President Dutertes violent anti-drug campaign.

For months, Filipino bishops have put up a stiff opposition to the "culture of death" of such a policy, with law enforcement responsible for the death of more than 7,000 people in eight months.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) earlier rejected dela Rosas proposal for a PNP-Church partnership, saying priests need not join the rebranded police anti-illegal drug operations to support the drug fight.

Whatever strategy there is, for as long as theres no killing and it is devoid of any corrupt and unjust practice, the Church supports, said Fr Jerome Secillano, director of CBCPs public affairs committee.

The police chief has made it clear that his invitation is open to all religions. The bishops, who have already refused the generals invitation before, repeated their opposition.

Temporarily put on hold, the war on drug is now set to start again. Speaking about the invitation, Dela Rosa said on 10 March that it was designed so that clerics could see what really takes place on the ground. It could appease them. Its difficult if they only criticize.

He added the presence of churchmen could soften drug suspects to yield peacefully instead of putting up violent resistance. If they see churchmen with the police and barangay officials, I think they will surrender peacefully, Dela Rosa explained.

In defending the PNPs revamped campaign against illegal drugs, PNP spokesperson Dionardo Carlos said the war against drugs aimed at saving the lives of the countrys estimated 1.18 million drug addicts.

Since President Duterte took office at the end of June, police reported the death of nearly 2,500 killed in anti-drug operations, in most cases in self-defence by police.

Another 4,500 people have died in unexplained circumstances. The authorities attribute the deaths to gang rivalries.

Meanwhile, criticism continues to grow across the country against the administrations violent crackdown on drug trafficking.

Vice President Leni Robredo said today the presidents drug war has left Filipinos feeling hopeless and helpless, with trust in the police eroded by thousands of summary executions.

In a video message posted online before a United Nations meeting on extrajudicial killings, Ms Robredo said police were detaining innocent people in a scheme known as exchange heads. In this, if officers dont find a drug suspect, they detain one of his or her relatives instead.

Lastly, she called for greater international scrutiny of President Dutertes action.

Support for Dutertes policies, like the drug war and the death penalty, has become a litmus test for the president.

A majority in the House of Representatives removed from government commissions and agencies all those who opposed to the death penalty.

This follows threats by the Speaker of the House Pantaleon Alvarez, who had pledged to retaliate against those who opposed Dutertes policies.

On 6 March 6, Alvarez proposed to tax Catholic schools, a move analysts see as retaliation against the bishops for their criticism of the administration and capital punishment.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The NGO has lost the license because of allegations of forced conversions. 76% of beneficiaries were Hindu children. The American Association operated throughout India through 589 partners, mostly Christian communities. The Narendra Modi government has imposed stricter controls on NGOs receiving funds from abroad.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - After 48 years of service to Indias poor and abandoned children, today Compassion International is closing its doors because it has been accused of using funds from abroad to carry out conversions to Christianity.

Since its first office opened in 1968 to break the cycle of poverty among children, the American NGO, over the years has established itself as the largest donor among all the associations operating in the country. Every year it distributed $ 45 million to 589 local partners, mostly Christian communities, who took care of more than 147 thousand children.

Commenting on this to AsiaNews, Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christian (GCIC), said bitterly: " A sad day for India, when on , on suspicion of engaging in religious conversion. The Colorado-based Compassion International is one of India's biggest donors closes its operations is winding up its operations today, thus leaving the social, economic and educational situation in question".

In a statement on the association's website, it says that "this painful decision affects a total of 147,706 children and 589 local partners since the restrictions began last year. We are encouraging all of our local partners to continue ministering to children and their families in whatever ways they are able .

In 48 years of programs, the NGO has helped more than 280 thousand children. The association operates in 25 countries worldwide, relies on the support of 7 thousand local Christian communities and provides assistance to nearly two million children. India is by far the largest recipient of donations. The decision to close is part of the crackdown that the authorities in Delhi have imposed on NGOs receiving funds from abroad. Since he took office in 2014 the Modi government has suspended licenses to at least 11 thousand associations, accused of carrying out "activities harmful to the national interest".

The story of Compassion Interntional dates back to February 2016, when the Union Government included it among the category "prior approval" ( "consent") provided by the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 2010 (FCRA), the law that regulates the acceptance and the use of foreign funds. If an NGO is part of this list, it means that foreign donations cannot be paid directly into bank accounts of the organization, withou the approval of the Interior Ministry.

Members of the association have repeatedly stressed that the allegations of forced conversions are false and that 76% of the beneficiaries are Hindu children. Sajan K George says: "The Religious conversion is a Myth and the bogey of conversion, is to politicize religious sentiments. According to the 2011 released by the Census Registrar of India , Christians are 2.3 per cent of the total population, which is lower than the last census in 2001 was 2.33%; in 1991 2.34% and was 2.6% in 1971.
by Piero Gheddo

The "new evangelisation" calls for a new Christian consciousness, that of having to represent Jesus to the people Christians meet. It requires overcoming the barrier of secularism, whereby talking about religious topics is seen an inappropriate, almost a taboo that prevents many from expressing the religious feeling we all carry in our hearts.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Next Sunday, 19 March, is the third Sunday of Lent in the Roman rite, and we read the Gospel about Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman who had gone to the well to draw water. The episode is very beautiful and full of lessons today for us, who often find ourselves in the same predicament. There is a gulf between Jesus and the woman. Jesus was a young Jew and God, the Samaritan woman had sinned a lot, was far from God, but bore in her heart a thirst for God.

Many of us believers in Christ live Jesuss same experience. Perhaps in our family or among the people we know there are some who a distant from the faith. Today many young people, after their confirmation, are overwhelmed by the secularist wave of our society and no longer go to church. Those who believe must thank the good Lord who has kept their faith, but they have a responsibility to bear witness to it and communicate it to those who lost it. Pope Francis wants to reform the Church and he invites all believers to be missionaries.

The Gospel presents us this stage in the Messiahs life: Three moments, three passages of the missionary Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well:

1) Jesus was God, we are a people of sinners on the way to love and imitate Christ, living according to the Gospel. In 1964, at the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa in Calcutta, I saw a large crucifix with the words: "I thirst". I have thirst for love, thirst for souls. The Samaritan felt deep thirst for God; she was unable to emerge from a superficial life and the many daily emergencies. It took only an encounter with Jesus to bring this thirst for God to the surface. The encounter with Jesus changed the womans life.

Dear brothers and sisters, we too often meet Jesus in the Mass, the Communion, the prayers. But "how little prayer there is in our prayers," said Mother Teresa. Let us kindle in ourselves the desire to know and love Jesus. We think that we know him, but we do not know him, we do not contemplate him in his immense love for us. We do not yet deeply feel the desire to let everyone know how beautiful it is to love Jesus.

Dear friends who read me, we are all orphans of Christ. Lent is the appropriate time to convert, through prayer, mortification, generosity for works of charity. The more we detach ourselves from ourselves, the more we draw near Jesus and fall in love with Him. We all live a superficial life; the world overwhelms us with its information, distractions, worries. We have to give time to God, his love, give up something to explore the mystery of God, the merciful Father and Jesus Christ, Messiah and Saviour of mankind.

2) Jesus put himself on par with the Samaritan woman. He did not assert his superiority as a man, a Jew, nor did he reveal his divinity. Instead, he told her: "Give me a drink." He asks for a favour, arousing her interest. "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" Jesus saw deep into the human heart and knew about her disordered life, but he also saw in her a thirst for God, a desire for purity, forgiveness, of meeting with God. He asked her for a drink material water, then talked to her about the spiritual water that quenches the thirst forever, and she asked him to give it to her too. First, he got himself accepted, then he revealed to her that he was the Messiah.

In 1990 I was in Kandy, the sacred city of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. I asked a local priest if and how the Church explicitly preaches salvation in Christ. He replied: "In this city the proclamation of Christ comes after. First we must be accepted, show that we know and appreciate their artistic, moral and spiritual riches." This is the principle that Pope Francis applies in the "Dialogue with those who are far", launched by Pope Paul VI and the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Francis wants to convert the entire world to Christ; he never goes against atheists, the persecutors of the Church; he "goes with the sinners," as Jesus did. The prophet Ezekiel refers to the word of God (Ezek. 18, 23): " As I live, says the Lord, I do not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he turn back and live.

Pope Francis phoned to and spoke well of Marco Pannella. He spoke well about Dario Fo, Umberto Veronesi and Emma Bonino. He was interviewed by Eugenio Scalfari of La Repubblica* and has been criticised for it. He gave an example to all of us, on how to approach non-believers. This example is good for us as Christians. Think about how many people we approach, with whom we need to share their problems, suffering, praising their actions and their positive aspects.

Let me mention my own experience. Some years ago, Massimo Ages wrote to me. He is an atheist and Marxist lawyer in Rome, opposed to the Catholic Church. I replied to his letter, he asked me to discuss, via computer, the Catholic Church and Christianity (I believe about fifty letters each). We went on for about a year exchanging long letters with arguments and counterarguments, always respectfully, gradually developing some affection for each other. At that time, his wife was in the hospital for a difficult operation. I assured him of my prayers for her, telling him that God can do everything. This letter moved him; it was the first time that a priest prayed for him and his wife. At the end, he wrote to me that we had said everything there was to say, thanked me and said goodbye with affection. I too thanked him. We never met in person, but we became friends. Sincere dialogue is always useful, and taught me many things.

This is the outgoing Church" about which Francis often speaks. We are all called to be evangelisers; we can all put in a good word. As a priest, I often meditate on the words of Jesus to his disciples: "You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. You are the yeast that has to ferment the dough." Who knows how many people need God! Meeting me, a priest, can be the spark that leads them to God, or a bad example that distances them from God. As a priest, as a known Christian, I have a responsibility. Lord Jesus, make me a credible image of Yourself. The "new evangelisation" of the Italian people calls for this new Christian consciousness, that of having to represent Jesus to the people we meet.

3) The third step is to overcome the barrier of secularism, whereby talking about religious topics seems inappropriate, almost a taboo, one that prevents many from expressing religious feeling that we all carry in our hearts. Jesus needed only to speak about spiritual water to touch the heart of the Samaritan woman. We too can put in a good word, possibly discuss about issues of faith and Christian life, listen to what others say without chiding them. If Gods faith and love give us joy and serenity of life, if they help us carry our crosses, let's just say so. We live in a country of baptised people. It is easier than in a non-Christian country. With the help of the Holy Spirit, without imposing anything on anyone, we can do it.

* Marco Pannella was an Italian politician, journalist and activist. Dario Fo was an Italian actorplaywright, comedian, and political activist. Umberto Veronesi was an Italian oncologist and politician. Emma Bonino is a Italian and European Union politician. Eugenio Scalfari is a journalist, and co-founder of La Repubblica, which he edited from 1976 to 1996.
Trump Tweets At Snoop Dogg As Rachel Maddow Reveals His Tax Returns

Trending News: Trump Responds To Big Tax Reveal By... Tweeting About Snoop Dogg?

Long Story Short

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow made a big deal about getting her hands on two pages of Donald Trumps 2005 tax returns, which revealed that the then-businessman wrote off $100 million in losses  and significantly lowered his overall tax bill. In response, the president fired off an official statement from the White House, a tweet mocking the show and another denouncing Snoop Dogg, of all people.

Long Story

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow doesn't exactly have a reputation for being a cocktease, but she successfully gave an entire nation blue balls last night. After hyping up the fact that she had possession of President Trump's tax returns, the big reveal amounted to a wet fart: two pages from 2005 showing that Trump... pays taxes the way most rich people do, actually.

Thanks to the write-offs, Trump paid only $38 million in taxes on a $150 million reported income. Thats equivalent to a 25% tax rate, according to the forms displayed by Maddow. And while that may be shocking to some, its unlikely it will hurt the presidents public approval ratings much. After all, this is the guy who famously said he successfully dodged taxes and gamed the system for years because hes smart.

And while the Maddow story raises some serious concerns about Trumps personal finances, it was far from being a smoking gun revealing links to foreign countries or entities, as the Democrats are desperately hoping for. And Team Trump actually played this one pretty well, from a spin perspective.

Before being elected president, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world, with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required, the White House said in a statement released before the Maddow show aired. You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago.

Trump himself took to his favorite platform for his own personal take on the affair.

Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, "went to his mailbox" and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

The reporter he mentions isnt Maddow, its veteran investigative reporter David Cay Johnston, whom many people have, in fact, heard of. Johnston, who wrote a book about Trump, received the returns anonymously and shared them on Maddows show.

But then Trump did what he does best: he pulled a classic Trump see-what-I-did-there and changed the conversation. How? By tweeting about a celebrity who has nothing to do with the matter at hand.

Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

Trump is mad at Snoop (think about that for a second) because the West Coast rapper just released a video that shows him aiming a toy pop gun at him (actually a clown president named Ronald Klump). The videos the message is clearly satirical, but that didnt stop the President and his supporters from getting super upset at what they interpret as encouragement to shoot the White Houses current occupant. Because no Republican would ever do that, oh heavens no.

Check out the video and judge for yourself. Its pretty dope.

And heres a screenshot of the scene that has Donald Trump all mad.

Own The Conversation

Ask The Big Question

Were Trumps tax returns planted by Trump himself?

Drop This Fact

Snoops song is a remix of BADBADNOTGOOD and Kaytranada collaboration Lavender.
"The 'Marines United' website scandal is an absolute disgrace, and all perpetrators must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. After hearing from General Neller today, I have confidence that the Marine Corps will take swift and appropriate action to seek justice for those who have been victimized. It's important to stress that the reprehensible conduct of some is not a reflection of the vast majority of Marines who serve and defend our nation with honor and distinction."

Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. During today's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) questioned General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, about misconduct on the "Marines United" website. Senator Tillis also advocated for punishing the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Watch the video of Senator Tillis questioning General Neller about the "Marines United" website.After today's hearing, Senator Tillis issued the following statement:
CCA Managing Director steps down





Managing Director of Coca-Cola Amatil, Barry OConnell, will be stepping down from his role.

The news comes after CCA experienced a near 40 per cent drop in its full year net profit for 2016.

In a statement announcing the news, CCA said OConnell is stepping down so he can return to Europe. He will temporarily be replaced by Peter McLoughlin from within CCAs executive team, who is expected to soon be permanently given the job.

McLoughlin is originally from South Africa and has long-term experience within the beverage industry, including with Carlton United Breweries and SAB Miller.

OConnell was appointed Managing Director of CCA in July 2014 but has been in the Coca-Cola family for more than 20 years.

Prior to his Managing Director role, OConnell worked in positions in New Zealand and across Europe.

Alison Watkins, CCA Group Managing Director, said OConnell had built a strong foundation for its Australian beverage business

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Germanys Kaufland supermarket further explores entry into Australia





Germanys Kaufland supermarket chain has confirmed it is considering entering into Australia and is undertaking feasibility studies.

The hypermarket chain has established an Australian website it is using to ask property owners and real estate agents to reach out if they have any suitable property Kaufland could use.

Property requirements include minimum sizing for 10, 000m2 and 200-300 parking spaces.

Kaufland is also using the website to advertise jobs including Property Developer, Architectural Planning, Letting Manager and Administrative Assistant.

Explaining why it is considering entering Australia, Kaufland said it is a growth-oriented corporation continually assessing our expansion possibilities in existing and potential markets.

With this in mind we are currently conducting a feasibility study by analysing the Australian market, the supermarket stated.

About Kaufland

Kaufland is owned by the Schwarz Gruppe, a privately-operated German company which also owns discount German supermarket chain, Lidl.

The company is headquartered in Neckarsulm , Germany and the first Kaufland store was opened in Neckarsulm in 1984. It describes itself as the worlds fourth largest retailer and stocks up to 60, 000 product lines.

Kaufland currently has more than 1, 230 stores across Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia. It employs approximately 150, 000 employees.

What is a Kaufland hypermarket like?

Alongside the usual supermarket staples and alcohol, Kaufland also sells general goods such as electronics, describing itself as a hypermarket. It has been compared to Australian chains like Woolworths Big W and Wesfarmers K-mart.

Related articles
Snack Brands and Oporto partner for new product





Snack Brands Thins and Oporto Chicken have released a new chip flavour.

Working together, the two brands have created Thins Oporto Original Chilli Sauce chips.

Oportos Head of Marketing, Vanessa Rowed, said Oportos has been looking at fun and innovative ways to offer its customers the taste of its popular chilli sauce.

Last year we launched popcorn, seasoned with our Original Chilli Sauce and this month we are very excited to have partnered up with Snack Brands to spice up the Aussie favourite Thins chips, Rowed said.

This is an exciting partnership for our brand, extending our reach beyond our store footprint and introducing more Australians to the flavours that made this brand famous.

The chips are described as having a chilli hit balanced with zesty lemon and a hint of ginger and garlic.

Oportos chilli sauce is usually found on a number of Oporto menu items including its Portuguese Chicken and Bondi Burger.

The Oporto Thins are available from Oporto stores in 45g servings for AUD $2 and in 150g servings for AUD $3 from Coles.

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The risk of bribery and corruption for organizations is set to increase according to more than a third of respondents to a new survey.The poll of risk and compliance professionals by global risk mitigation firm Kroll and business ethics organization the Ethisphere Institute, reveals that 35 per cent expect a rise for 2017 while more than half are expecting levels similar to last year. Few respondents expect a decease.Respondents believe the top risks to their anti-bribery and corruption programs will come from third party violations (40 per cent), a complex global regulatory environment (14 per cent), and employees making improper payments (12 per cent).Around half of organizations are not sure that they have enough resources to support anti-corruption efforts."As compliance professionals, our respondents know the importance of monitoring when working with third parties. But this report highlights the need for an 'interval monitoring' approach to ongoing diligence, where the scope and frequency of monitoring efforts is determined based on risk," said Kroll Senior Managing Director Joseph Spinelli.Eighteen lawyers have been elected to the global partnership of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, including several in Asia Pacific.Kaori Yamada becomes a partner in the antitrust, competition and trade practice in Tokyo while Yan Cheng and Jason Xu make partner in Beijing. The bulk of the new partners are in the firms European offices.Rebecca Bernhard has been named firm-wide co-chair of diversity at international firm Dorsey & Whitney.The Minneapolis based employment partner will work with the other co-chair Leverette Moore to promote diversity and inclusion in its lawyers and staff around the world.Global law firm has been given a glowing report from graduates for its dedicated website focusing on its internship and graduate program in Australia, Hong Kong and the UK.Praise for dlagraduates.com included 90 per cent of law students who said the site made the firm more appealing to them, while words such as 'ambitious', 'global', 'friendly', 'dynamic' and 'professional' were used by respondents.The site was also said to make the application process straightforward.
Hello everyone.... we just received the 489 visa for SA. Will need help from this forum in the coming months for our move and looking forward to sharing my experience and help out anyone i can.



G'Day, Mate's



Chris
Hi!



I am planning to get my friend who have known for more than 5 years to come here in Oz(Sydney) to visit for 2 weeks, with a possibility of multiple entries(visa duration 3 months) My questions are:



1. Which visitor visa is best in our circumstances - would it be the Tourist Stream or Sponsored Family Stream(I dont know if I can apply on this one)?

2. Is there a bond required for such a short visit?

3. If I will show a bank statement to show that I could support them, about how much money do I need in the bank?

4. Approximately how much time does it take for visa to come?

5. Is there anything other than this that I will have to keep in mind before submitting the application?

6. What are the exact proofs required for my friend to show she would return back to home country(India)?





Here are the circumstances:

1. Most importantly - I'm on a 457 Visa and not a permanent resident. However, I have been in Australia since Nov'16 and the house I have rented is on my name solely - I can provide a Tenancy Agreement.

2. My friend is 24 yrs old and working in the IT Sector(Full time)

3. They don't own any property under their names. But have a rental tenancy agreement for a year till Nov'2017.

4. Friend's bank accounts dont show more than 1000 AUD, but I'm happy to sponsor - Air tickets, stay, food and all the other expenses here.





So far what I have found out:



1. Letter of invite has to be provided.

2. Evidence of funds in my AUD account.(How much?)



Looking forward to some awesome help on this. Thanks!



Regards,

ModBot
Hello. I was told to join this forum to get help for my application1. Can anyone advice me if it is possible to apply for contributory parent subclass 173 if my child is only 2 yrs old.2. If my child's father will sign the sponsorship, should I write his name as a partner in form 47PA?3. Is the details of other family members in form 47PA same with part H- members of the family unit?Sorry for asking too many questions. All advice are appreciated. Thank you
Hey all,



Currently in the process of attaching documents for the Partner visa application, However my partner is struggling to find information on how she can verify that she is indeed an eligible NZ Citizen, and able to sponsor me. Has anybody had any experience with this process? She moved from Auckland with her family to Perth back in 1999, so has no emails, and is struggling to find any documents that could really confirm when she first moved here.



Surely somebody else has been through this same situation?



cheers
Legislation Amending the Process of Reporting to NICS

Giving Voters More Information by Restoring Partisan Elections for Local Judicial Races

Legislation on Firearm Rights

Recognizing Captain Richard Etheridge

Contact: Bill Cook

Bill Cook bill.cook@ncleg.net

Senator Shirley Randleman and I filed Senate Bill 157 (Amend Laws Regarding Mental Commitment Bars) to address the issue of individuals who might have suffered from a major medical accident/event such as an aneurysm, major heart attack, stroke, car accident, and are not able to purchase a firearm upon their recovery. Currently, if one suffers a medical event and are not capable to making important medical decisions, that individual must be declared incompetent by the Clerk of Superior Court in the county in which the individual resides. Upon being declared incompetent, the individuals name is entered in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and a mental bar is placed on that individual, precluding them from purchasing a firearm. However, if the individual recovers from their medical event and retain their competency by the Clerk of Superior Court, there's no way for the Clerk to remove the mental bar and the individual is still unable to purchase a firearm. Thus, under this bill once an individual is judged competent again, they can submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court which will allow the individual's record to be updated and firearms rights are subsequently restored.Last week, the Senate passed legislation that would restore partisan elections for local judicial races, helping ensure North Carolina voters have more information about the candidates they elect. The bill would bring the election process for Superior and District Court judges into line with the process that is already in place for state Supreme Court and Court of Appeals justices, beginning with the 2018 election cycle. It would also return to the system that was in place for decades prior to the late 1990s and early 2000s, before previous legislatures changed it to prevent voters from using party affiliation to elect judges with a conservative, strict constructionist approach to the constitution. One of the easiest ways for voters to identify who shares their philosophies on the role of the judiciary is through partisan affiliation. This is a much better way for voters to select candidates in lower profile races than by relying on name ID and ballot order.Legislation that I have introduced with Senator Danny Britt and Senator Andrew Brock, Senate Bill 204 (Allow Concealed Carry on UNC & CC Campuses), would allow responsible gun owners to carry onto public college and university campuses. A survey conducted by criminologists from Florida State University estimates that Americans use firearms in self-defense roughly 2.2 to 2.5 million times a year, or every 13 seconds. Data clearly shows a link between concealed carry laws and declining crime rates. Based on statistics from the FBI's Annual Uniform Crime Report, right-to-carry states that widely allow concealed carry, have 22 percent lower total violent crime rates, 30 percent lower murder rates, 46 percent lower robbery rates, and 12 percent lower aggravated assault rates, as compared to the rest of the country. Recognizing the implications of this data, I believe we need to expand the number of places that a person with a concealed carry permit can carry firearms to protect themselves. North Carolina has very stringent concealed carry permit requirements, including paying an $80.00 fee, fingerprinting, completing a handgun safety course, a review of mental health, state and federal residence requirements, prior criminal conviction review, armed service honorable discharge requirement and be at least 21 years of age.Last week, in a letter to NCDOT Secretary Jim Trogdon, Representative Beverly Boswell and I announced our support for naming the soon to be completed Pea Island Bridge "The Captain Richard Etheridge Bridge." The half-mile long concrete bridge, which is expected to be completed this spring, will replace a temporary metal span that now crosses New Inlet. Captain Etheridge was born into slavery in Dare County in 1842. After being freed when the Union Army invaded Eastern North Carolina during the Civil War, he joined the Union Army and rose to the rank of sergeant. He returned home to Roanoke Island at the conclusion of the war, and later joined the Life-Saving Service. In 1880, Captain Etheridge was appointed keeper of the Pea Island Life-Saving Station, becoming the first African-American to command a Life-Saving Station. Captain Etheridge developed and taught many rigorous lifesaving drills to his crew and earned a reputation as being one of the best surf men on the coast of North Carolina and one of the most courageous and ingenious lifesavers in the service. Caption Etheridge and his crew were posthumously awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal by The United States Coast Guard in 1996. To see a copy of the letter click here.
Following the PSA and Opel deal, Volkswagen CEO Matthias Muller has said that he wouldn't rule out a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Muller has refused to rule out forging a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)  but says that no talks have taken place.

At the recent Geneva Motor Show, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne speculated that the Volkswagen Group would be hardest hit by the union of the PSA Group and GM Europe, as they will become Europes second largest carmaker. He suggested a partnership between FCA and the Volkswagen Group could help the latter maintain its dominant position in the market.

"You need to achieve scale or we will end up delivering an incredibly poor return and margins on this business. We need to fix this, said Marchionne, who has long advocated car industry mergers as a way to share the costs of making more environmentally friendly and technological cars.

However, Muller responded to Marchionne's comments at the Volkswagen Groups annual press conference to announce its profits, saying: There has been no contact at this point between Mr Marchionne and me, but I have never said I would exclude it.

We havent dealt with it. Since I assumed the helm here in 2015, there have been different problems to FCA for me to focus on.

"In my opinion, size does not matter. I have always said volume is not our sole goal. We want to be a successful manufacturer in every way."

Jim Holder
Maruti's hatchback for millennials, the Ignis, takes on Mahindra's young KUV100 and Hyundai's Grand i10 that looks youthful thanks to an update.

The last thing Maruti needed was another hatchback. But, lo and behold, its brought out the Ignis. Its a car that Maruti believes will strike a chord with young buyers looking for something out of the ordinary. To be successful the Ignis primarily has to do just that. It has to look, feel and drive distinct to the horde of other Marutis on our roads and also edge past the competition  that comes from the likes of the Mahindra KUV100 and Hyundai Grand i10  in the areas that matter. Mahindra may market the KUV as an SUV but at its core, this is a hatchback, with a monocoque body, front-wheel drive and all. Like the Ignis, the KUV also relies heavily on its design to distinguish it from the other hatchbacks on sale. The Grand i10 is the oldest car here but its fresh from an update and is all the better for it. That the Grand i10 is a constant entry in the list of Indias bestselling cars also makes it the model to beat.

For this comparison, weve considered diesel versions to include the updated 1.2-litre motor in the Grand i10. As always, all parameters will get due attention and weightage while deciding the final standings.

The shape of things

If you like your car to be conventional in shape and design, the Ignis and KUV100 might not catch your fancy. Both sport pseudo-crossover designs and invite the same love-it-or-hate-it reactions as the Hyundai Santro, the original tall boy, once did. The Ignis look is a clear break from the Maruti (or Suzuki) template and in a way, thats what also makes it special. This isnt your everyday family Maruti but one that makes a statement with the way it looks. Frontal styling is smart, and whats particularly nice is how this top-spec Alpha trim cars LED DRLs outline the headlights on the large grille. Adding to the cool quotient are this Alpha trim Ignis first-in-class LED headlights. They provide excellent illumination at night but also promise to be expensive bits to replace, if damaged. Wide wheel arches, blacked-out A-pillars and black alloy wheels give the Ignis some personality but its aft the B-pillar that opinions on the small Marutis look vary most. Some of us find the chunky C-pillar (replete with those Adidas stripes) to add muscle to the design, while others find it out of place on a car this small. Rear styling is more polarising still. The rake of the windscreen, upright tailgate, shape of the tail-lights and large slab of plastic cladding on the bumper make the Ignis behind look, well, different. Good different or bad different is a matter of personal opinion. However, the Ignis 175/65 R15 tyres appear narrow, especially when viewed from the tail.

The Ignis is a clear break from typical Suzuki design.

Youll have to use a bit of imagination with respect to the KUV100 pictured here. Mahindra categorically refused to provide us a car for this comparison (they possibly knew what the verdict of this test would be before we did!), so we had to make do with a base-spec version we managed to source from the market. In essence, top-spec KUV100s get more chrome detailing, body-coloured mirrors and door handles, some cladding on the doors and wheel arches and, of course, alloy wheels. Of late, Mahindra has upsized the alloy wheel size on the top K8 KUV from 14 to 15 inches and has also introduced dual-tone (basically black roof and pillars) paint schemes. Weve seen the car in question in the flesh and the larger wheels have helped the KUV100s looks to some extent. Still, styling is overdone with undue cuts and creases, and theres a visible lack of design harmony between the SUV-like front end and hatchback-like tail. It is eye-catching, just not necessarily for the right reasons. The KUV is the shortest car here in length but is the tallest and widest which only serves to emphasise its oddball proportions.In the company of the Ignis and KUV100, the Grand i10s design almost comes across as too safe. Its got the most conventional silhouette. But is that a bad thing? Not really. Theres a nice balance to the design and the restrained lines work well. Part of the recent facelift is a reshaped grille and L-shaped fog lamp surrounds on the front bumper that is not only home to the new LED DRLs but, as per Hyundais claims, also help improve aerodynamics. The smart alloy wheel design is new too, and completing the makeover is the revised rear bumper. While the latters black cladding and large round reflectors do look slightly out of sync with the rest of the cars styling, they wont be deal-breakers like certain visual elements on the Ignis and KUV.



Inside lines

Open these cars doors and youll find a) the Ignis is unique on the inside too b) the KUVs cabin is unexpectedly restrained in styling and c) theres more of the neat and clean look in the Grand i10. The Ignis cabin is chic and, again, looks unlike any other Marutis. The upright dash with its high-set floating touchscreen, the use of toggle switches for the distinctive climate control pod and the body-coloured panels on the base of the centre console and door handles, all come together really well. But even if it may not look it, this still feels like a Maruti cabin. Quality levels are good but not great, and existing Maruti owners are sure to notice familiar bits like the power window switches that have their roots in the first-gen Swift. Just wish the Ignis also borrowed the Balenos colour multi-info display in the instruments binnacle; the old-school dot-matrix display looks out of place in the otherwise modern-looking cabin. The front seats could have been a tad firmer too, but they are well contoured and hold occupants well.

While on the topic of front seats, theres a lot to talk about the KUV. You see, Mahindra sells the KUV in five- and six-seat versions  the former features two individual chairs up front, while the latter uses a front bench seat arrangement. Sure, its possible to sit three abreast on the bench seat, but middle passengers get limited legroom and theres the bigger concern about safety; would you want to be seated so close to the gear lever? Were it up to us, wed opt for the conventional five-seat layout whose shapelier front seats offer superior comfort too. Whatever be the seating configuration, you sit high up and get a good view out, though some might find the bowed dashboard that rises at the centre hampers visibility to some extent. The dash is smart in design and thankfully free from the overdone stylistic flourishes of the exteriors. What is unique is the positioning of the gear lever and handbrake on the centre console itself; done so to make space for the front middle seat. While the gear lever falls easily to hand and is really nice to use, the pull-type handbrake is cumbersome to operate and simply feels outdated. Also, not doing the KUV any favours is the small monochrome infotainment display. Quality levels are a mixed bag too. The textured finish on the dash top feels rich but the plastics lower down arent quite as nice.

KUV100 offers the unique option of a front bench seat.

If theres one area where the Grand i10 is clearly superior to the other two, it has to be in cabin quality. The Hyundai is easily the best put together and quality levels are at par with cars from a class or two above; feel-good bits, like the leather-wrapped steering, just enhance the ambience. As before, the Grand i10s dash is smart and well laid-out, while the new 7.0-inch touchscreen and auto climate control introduced with this facelift have done their bit to bring the cabin up to speed. However, the front seats arent as generous in size as the other cars and the fixed front headrests should have been more accommodating for taller occupants.

Shifting focus to the rear section of the cabins, all three cars offer surprisingly good legroom for their small footprints, and each gives rear occupants plenty of headroom too. Still, its only the KUV thats really wide enough to seat three adults in reasonable comfort. Further aiding middle passenger comfort is the Mahindras flat (but comfortable) rear seat and flat floor. The KUV is also the only car here with a rear centre armrest and the safety of adjustable headrests for each of the three rear seats. Unfortunately, while you do sit high up, outside visibility is hampered by the plastic panel beside the rear windows thats there to hide the mechanism for the Chevy Beat-like high-set external door release.

Tall passengers might have their own visibility-related issues from the Ignis rear seat as well. Those taller than 6ft will find that the top of the rear windows is below eye level, effectively forcing them to sit slightly crouched down to get a good view out. And that the rear seat backrest being quite upright doesnt help matters.

Rear passengers sit relatively low in the Grand i10 but the large windows offer good visibility. Other things to like include the nicely reclined backrest, the inclusion of a dedicated rear air con vent and the more than sufficient legroom which is second only to the KUVs. Sadly, though, the seat base isnt as supportive as it should be.

Theres lots of space in the Grand i10 but you sit low.

All cars offer plenty of in-cabin storage but its the KUV that goes one up on the others with a unique concealed recess thats built into the rear floor. The six-seat KUV also features a hidden tray under the co-passengers seat. Amongst the KUVs, its the five-seater that offers more space for smaller items thanks to its large central shelf between the front seats. In terms of space for larger luggage, its the Ignis and Grand i10 that are closely matched for space and convenience. The KUVs luggage bay is sizeable too but the loading lip is high and the sill is narrow. Folding rear seatbacks help increase luggage space in all three cars but only the Ignis seats split 60:40.

Feature proof

Before getting into the comfort features these cars come with, its essential to talk safety first. Maruti is commendably the most generous in this department with dual airbags, anti-lock brakes and ISOFIX child seat mounts offered as standard across the range. In comparison, all versions of the KUV100 get ABS, while only the top-spec K8 gets front airbags and ISOFIX seat mounts as standard. At least, Mahindra offers dual airbags as part of a Rs 22,000 + package on lower trims. Hyundai doesnt give similar flexibility to buyers. Base Grand i10s get a driver-side airbag and mid-spec Sportz trim upwards theres one for the front passenger too, but whats really disappointing is that ABS is reserved only for the top-spec Asta version of the car.

Of the other features of note, alloy wheels, daytime running lights, rear wiper and defogger, reverse sensors, tilt adjust for the steering and steering-mounted audio controls are common to the top-spec versions of all three cars. The KUV stands out by offering auto start-stop (aka Micro Hybrid tech) and selectable drive modes, but it is also the only one here without auto climate control, a reverse camera and a touchscreen infotainment system. The Ignis and Grand i10s touchscreen units handily come bundled with sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but where the Maruti screen is better in terms of readability, the Hyundais unit is more responsive to touch inputs. Also, as mentioned, the Grand i10 is the only car here with a rear air con vent.

Ignis dash looks contemporary and body-coloured panels help liven cabin.

Pot luck

See the spec sheets and youll know this is a competition of small cars with small diesel engines. Like all Marutis from the past decade, the Ignis too uses a Fiat-sourced, four-cylinder, 1.3 diesel, albeit in fixed geometry turbo form that makes 74hp and 190Nm. Mahindras indigenously developed mFalcon D75 diesel is the source of power in the KUV100. This three-cylinder, 1.2-litre engine makes 77hp and 190Nm. Sitting between the other two engines on the power scale is the Grand i10 with its 75hp and 190Nm. Interestingly, the Grand i10s power and torque figures are now up by 4hp and 30Nm, courtesy a revised (read enlarged) engine under the bonnet. Engine displacement has been increased from 1,120cc to 1,186cc but the real performance gains come from a remapped Engine Control Unit (ECU) whilst a new alternator management system claims an improvement in fuel efficiency. Also note, the Ignis is a good 100kg-plus lighter than the Grand i10 and about 160kg lighter than the KUV100. These are the specs on paper, but what are they like to drive?

Larger engine has done wonders for Grand i10s performance. Power is delivered in a very friendly, linear manner.

If youve driven one diesel Maruti, youve driven them all. The Ignis carries forward the key traits of the engine it hosts. That is to say, theres a distinct clatter at idle, noise levels are high through much of the rev range (its the loudest at max revs) and power only comes in earnest at about 2,000rpm when the turbo wakes up. There is a healthy dose of power between 2,000-4,000rpm but the engine doesnt provide the same top-end zing on the Ignis as it does on a Swift and Swift Dzire, and thats a bit of a downer. In the lower half of the rev range, youll also note the marked difference in performance on and off turbo boost. The numbers reflect the same. For instance, the Ignis is the quickest car from 20-80kph in third gear but, without sufficient assistance from the turbo, it is also the slowest from 30-50kph in third.

Diametrically opposite in character is the KUV100s engine. Theres minimal turbo lag and the engine pulls well from about 1,500rpm but theres also no step up in power at any point. This is not an engine that rewards you for revving it hard, rather its one that works best on small throttle inputs and early upshifts. In that sense, the KUV100 works well in urban settings. Adding to the experience is the joystick-like gear lever that offers slick and precise shifts. If only the clutch was a bit more progressive. Top-spec KUV diesels also get an efficiency-enhancing Eco driving mode. Performance takes a big hit but in rush-hour traffic where speeds are low, the Eco mode provides a clever way of saving fuel. Whatever mode you may be in, though, theres no escaping the thrummy three-cylinder engines relatively high noise levels. The KUV has the loudest idle (albeit its the quietest at max revs at a standstill) and is also the noisiest at 50kph in fourth gear and 80kph in fifth gear.

Its the Grand i10s engine that is the quietest in most scenarios but overall refinement has some low points too. The three-cylinder engine doesnt sound great, and, at idle, you can feel vibrations at the steering, pedals and gear lever. Things do smoothen out rather well as you get moving and its on the move youll experience how much of an improvement the new engine is over the older one, which is largely thanks to the remapping of the ECU. As before, theres no turbo lag to speak of and power delivery is linear as ever and real-world performance is vastly better than the old cars. Just have a look at the improvement in in-gear times  20-80kph in third gear takes 11.60sec compared to the earlier cars time of 14.24sec and 40-100kph in fourth gear is also down to 13.75sec (the quickest here) from the leisurely 17.23sec it took the older car. The powerband is wider than before too, but the best approach is to upshift early and make the most of the engines easy-going nature. The light clutch and smooth gearbox add greatly to the ease of use.

Hyundai claims the revised Grand i10 diesel is more fuel efficient too, and it is. The Grand i10 delivered 16.2kpl in town and 20.2kpl on the highway, up 0.8kpl and 0.6kpl on the old car, respectively. The Ignis 20.4kpl figure makes it marginally more efficient on the highway though in-town economy is a lower 15kpl  perhaps reflecting the need to work the gears more. In the same city and highway cycles, the relatively heavy KUV managed 13kpl and 17.3kpl.

Rock and roll

These cars stick to the proven front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion bar formula for their suspensions. The Ignis feels relatively stiffly sprung though and you can feel (and hear) the car go over surface imperfections at city speeds. However, thanks to the firm setup, the Ignis also feels fairly sure-footed at highway speeds and doesnt move around as much as its rivals. Just dont expect the Ignis to drive like a Swift. Its light steering feels inert with some slack around the straight-ahead position and, frankly, it doesnt feel as playful from behind the wheel as its looks and youthful persona would suggest.

That said, youd be best advised not to test the dynamic limits of the KUV100. Theres a lot of roll in the corners and the suspension feels noticeably soft at highway speeds. Theres plenty of up and down motion and you get moved around quite a bit more in the cabin. But its at lower city speeds that the KUV100 feels quite nice. Bump absorption is good and it rounds off the edges quite well. Note, our judgement is based on the low-spec version and its 14-inch wheels. The new top-spec KUV with larger 15-inchers should perform better on larger potholes. The KUVs steering isnt as light as the other two cars, but on the positive side, it adds some confidence when you do up the pace.

The Grand i10s steering was always light and easy to twirl but Hyundai has made changes that make it better on the highway too. Theres a greater feeling of control than before, and tweaks to the suspension have also helped reduce the Grand i10s high speed bobbing and pitching to a great extent. However, low-speed ride quality is easily the best here. The Grand i10s suspension soaks up the bumps really well and does so without protest or noise. The Hyundai really feels more grown-up than the other two on this front.

The final tally

If you have a large family and are comfortable with the idea of the front bench seat, the six-seat KUV100 should interest you. We arent fans of the way it looks, but theres no denying the Mahindra is a different take on the family hatchback. It also makes for a reasonably nice city car with decent performance in town and pleasant-enough ride quality. However, the KUV isnt as refined as it ought to be and also misses out on many features. The KUV100 does have the lowest asking price of Rs 7.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) but its lower fuel economy also points to higher running costs.

The Ignis, on the other hand, scores well on fuel economy like any Maruti should but is also uncharacteristically expensive. Sure, the top Ignis gets a lot of goodies and you get a superior buying experience at Marutis upscale Nexa dealerships which sell the car, but Rs 7.8 lakh is just too much money for it. What is also is a bit of a disappointment is that, despite its uniqueexteriors and interiors, the Ignis doesnt feel a world apart from the other Marutis on sale. A part of the blame goes to the loud and clattery 1.3 diesel that simply feels at odds with the otherwise modern Ignis.

And this leaves us with the Grand i10 that comes across as the most wholesome and sensible buy of this trio. With the recent update, Hyundai has built upon a good car and made it better still. Performance is greatly improved, ride quality is nicer and there are more features on offer as well. The Grand i10 isnt perfect, but for the justifiable Rs 7.36 lakh Hyundai wants for the top-spec diesel, you will readily overlook the few weaknesses for what the rest of the package gets you. Over 10,000 buyers have been putting their money down on the Grand i10 each month. And By the look of things, that number could go up.

Disclaimer: Mahindra KUV100 K2 used for exterior photography only.
Photo via Wikimedia/Ivan2010

The New York City Council has passed legislation requiring the city to give dedicated parking spaces to carsharing companies. This will be part of a two-year pilot study.

Sponsored by Council Member Mark Levine, the two-year program would provide a limited number of on-street parking spaces for carshare vehicles, according to the New York City Council.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) would report the results of the pilot program to the council, including its impact on driving and car-ownership of drivers, says the council. Participating carshare companies would need to share data with the DOT.

New York is home to more than a 1.4 million cars, and as anyone whos ever looked for a parking spot in Borough Park, Forest Hills, or anywhere in Manhattan knows all too well, it is a brutal and time consuming process, said Levine. Carsharing programs have extraordinary potential to solve this problem while increasing quality of life by reducing road congestion and growing the number of people who have access to cars. The quality of life, economic, and even environmental benefits of these programs are significant. The research is clear that for every one shared car put on a city street, between 5 and 10 less fuel efficient cars are taken off.

The pilot could start as early as this summer. It will provide 300 dedicated street parking spaces as well as another 300 spaces reserved in municipal lots.
Volvo is hell bent on its plans for a full-electric vehicle and could stir the market in the realms of pricing and, the most important, range. Despite producing a number of hybrids in the past, the Swedish automaker expects to release its yet unnamed Volvo EV by 2019 and it might just rain on Tesla Model 3's and the Chevrolet Bolt EV's parade. Let's see how this upcoming competitive EV stack up against the ones who are already making waves in the market.

During the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, Volvo Car USA CEO Lex Kerssemakers pointed out that they plan on bringing the full EV to US soil for an aggressive base price of $35,000 to $40,000 with at least 250 miles of range. "That's what I put in as the prerequisite for the United States," CEO Kerssemakers said. "If I want to make a point in the United States, if I want to make volumes, that's what I believe I need."

Volvo Cars named as one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies in 2017: https://t.co/NzoJ0b4nzv pic.twitter.com/IkfshjoQeK  Volvo Cars (@volvocarsglobal) March 13, 2017

Now, if this were the case, it would put the vehicle at the lower end of the Swedish company's price range, even despite it being battery-powered or not, according to Electrek. But it will indeed make for a worthy adversary for the Chevrolet Bolt and the highly anticipated Tesla Model 3.

Tesla Model 3 is expected to launch this year promising a range of 215 miles. The company claims that it combines real-world performance, spaciousness, and safety. With a base price of $35,000 before incentives, the Volvo does look at a bit more interesting, well base solely on the price and range.

Now, with the Chevrolet Bolt EV, Tesla's stiffest competition yet, could become the Volvo EV's. It is currently one of the most affordable EVs offering the best ranges in the market with around a 238-mile range. The Chevrolet Bolt EV has a price tag starts at $37,500, with fast charging at $38,250.

The introduction of Volvo of their own full-electric EV with a higher range and lower price could stir competition, namely, Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt EV. However, the catch right now is that the Swedish company has not officially confirmed which vehicle segment it plans to release the EV, as its CEO didn't offer hints.

Concepts 40.1 (SUV) and 40.2 (sedan) were the two concepts from Volvo that were unveiled in 2016. These could be those yet-unnamed EVs.

Now, Volvo is cutting it close if it plans to release the EVs by 2018, but the company notes that their new platforms would be the key to a rapid development timescale. Also, MotorTrend pointed out that the Volvo EV could ride on the company's CMA platform. The Swedish automaker plans to accumulate a global fleet of "up to 1 million electrified cars by 2025 globally."

The growing incentive offers from different states in the US paves the way for more affordable full-electric vehicles with a higher mile range. So, this will be an even more exciting market for both Tesla Model 3 and the Chevrolet Bolt EV if the upcoming Volvo EV adds to the picture, among other EVs already in the market. Stay tuned for more updates on Volvo's first full EV.
Since its introduction, Toyota Yaris GRMN has been the talk of the town because of improvements done by the Gazoo Racing Team. Toyota's racing team included a 1.8 liter supercharged engine making the car a worthy match for Ford Fiesta.

Gazoo Racing Team head Tetsuya Tada confirmed that this car will not be the first performance-based car from Toyota. He explained that they are on the verge of creating an improved Toyota 86, which could have a supercharger that is also evident on the new Yaris GRMN.

Tada explained that a supercharger is needed to have the necessary engine and throttle response they needed. He explained that they did not focus on creating a high-powered car, that's the reason why they opted for a supercharger.

According to CarsGuide, this is part of the Toyota Yaris GRMN's engine compartment limitation. Unlike a turbocharger, a supercharger does not require that much room.

Actually, this car is a micro-car that has 1.8 liter supercharged engine that has the ability to make it over 155kW. Compared to Ford Fiesta, the Toyota Yaris GRMN can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 6 seconds.

The car has a three-door form, 17-inch BBS multi-spoke alloy wheels and a black rear that can be found at the rear hatch. It also has similar features to Toyota GT 86 that has sport seats and leather steering wheel.

The supercharged Toyota Yaris GRMN looks like an adorable hoot. https://t.co/CoGxWbBHGg pic.twitter.com/cVW65IBvQo  Road & Track (@RoadandTrack) March 7, 2017

The Toyota Yaris GRMN was not just created by the Gazoo Racing Team. The local team created the car's chassis and braking system, while their European counterpart created the engines and interiors of the car.

The local and European teams were also able to create thicker front anti-roll bars with shorter springs. Aside from that, they managed to create better shock absorbers, reported Auto Express.

Currently, the Japanese, German and French markets were building 100 units each of Toyota Yaris GRMN. It can be remembered that this car was first introduced at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.
Honda is a known Japanese automobile manufacturer. It is the world's largest producer of motorcycle since the year 1959. And now, Honda introduced their brand new 2017 Honda NeuV Concept.

Honda unveiled the car last January 5, 2017, at a press conference at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show. The 2017 Honda NeuV Concept is a pure-electric concept car with a unique ownership proposition.

It comes with an emotion engine called HANA which stands for Honda Automated Network Assistant. The Cocoro SB Corporation is the one behind the development of HANA.

NueV stands for New Electric Urban Vehicle. It is part of the Honda's Cooperative Mobility Ecosystem theme at the Consumer Electronics Show. It highlights the company's goal of reducing traffic congestion to creating new modes of in-car connectivity.

A full touch-panel interface enables both the driver and the passenger to access into the NeuV's simple and convenient user experience. The car has a panoramic windscreen and a sloping belt line which makes driving simple and easy. The entry and exit from the vehicle were also made easy such as when the vehicle is parked on tight spaces. It is because of its side panel that opens out and then backward that creates a large opening.

The 2017 Honda NeuV Concept has two seats with a luggage space behind. It is also where the Kick 'n Go electric scooter concept is stored which is designed for last mile transit. Honda indicates an affordable electric mobile.

The scooter concept was adopted from the original scooter of Honda that way back in the year 1970's. The new design won't be powered by a chain mechanism but rather a detachable battery. It can be recharged through a connection on the 2017 Honda NeuV Concept's luggage space. Honda's plan is to develop electrified and efficient power solutions for all of its product areas which also include their motorcycles and power tools.
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I Digress Again...No the enemy in Vietnam did not respect the principles of the Geneva Convention. The Red Crosses on our ships were something to aim at. On any pickup, if the enemy were around, they did their best to kill all of us and all of our patients.

I was a Lunatic in Vietnam in 1965. If you want to know why I admit to having been a Lunatic so many years ago, read this posting.Back in August 2016, one of the other contributors toasked me how did we go about finding the wounded in Vietnam.I responded and he came back at me recommending I turn my response into a posting in. Aware that those who read this posting may draw the conclusion that I am a procrastinator, I am going to proceed with that recommended posting anyway. I've been busy!Before I get into my recollection about 1965 I would like to digress and make a comparison to modern day Medical Evacuation in Iraq and Afghanistan.There is a series called "Inside Combat Rescue" that runs on The National Geographic Channel that lies in stark contrast to our missions in Vietnam in 1965. What caught my eye was the amount of technology that they have available to them. They have Command Centers. They have latest Gee Whiz Technology. There about 8 Computer Monitors in front of the person manning the Command Center. The pilots take iPads along on their missions to do whatever it is that iPads are capable of doing for them on their missions. We had no Command Centers. We had no Gee Whiz Stuff. There were no Computer Monitors but we did have a Telephone, a Radio, a Blackboard, a Note Pad and several Pencils. Our pilots carried Paper Maps.To answer the question about how we found the wounded...That's the short answer. The late Paul Harvey just came up behind me and told me to tell you... Missions started when we would receive radio call or a phone call in our command shack. Once we knew the call was about a mission, there began a scramble to get off the ground as fast as possible. The command pilot would remain in the shack to get the info needed for our mission. The Other Pilot, Crew Chief and the Medic would already be on the way to the ship. By the time the Command Pilot got to the ship, the Other Pilot had the ship lit up and ready to lift off. We flew to the wounded using Map Coordinates that were given to us on the Radio/Phone Call. We flew day or night. Landing in the right place, even after we found the right place, could be problematic. Early on we would request smoke to mark the landing site and more than one smoke would come out. The extra smoke was the enemy trying to get us to land right in front of them so they could make us feel real unwelcome. We got smarter. We still asked for smoke but, when the smoke came out, we would identify the color and the troops on the ground would verified the color before we would go in. If the color identification was wrong or both smokes were the same color, we asked for more smoke and repeated the whole process all over again. We once landed to a Zippo Lighter at night. Probably was not too smart but there was only one Zippo Lighter waving at us (that we could see), so we took a chance. Smart or not, we got the wounded out of there. One way to land at a pickup site was to drop down to treetop level away from the site and come in at high speed. If the enemy were below us as we came by, the hope was we would be by them before they could get a good shot at us. I was never hit on such an approach and it was a very exciting ride because the trees were many times higher than we were. Another type of an approach was to drop the ship like a rock from 3,500 feet and pull it out at the bottom and drop it onto the ground (hopefully right next to the wounded). The reasoning for this was small arms fire could not reach above 3,500 feet. We wanted to get from 3,500 feet to the ground as quickly as possible and, therefore, be vulnerable as short a time as possible. Coming back out we did the opposite. We stayed at treetop level to gain airspeed and then pulled collective pitch (power) hard and rose up like an elevator. The Huey was a very powerful ship. Those rides up were surprising and thrilling the first time you rode one and thrilling every time after that. In heavy jungle we had to hover down through the trees with all 4 crew member looking 360 degrees around the ship so we could hover away from tree branches. Sometimes the troops on the ground had to blow away trees to make a big enough hole for us to hover into. Many times the holes were very small. Some of our guys made these hole pickups at night. I never had the opportunity to do this at night. On the way back up, we were again all looking for branches as we reversed the process. If we knew where the enemy was, we approached from the opposite direction. We did not want to be slowing down for a landing right over them. Again, if we knew where the enemy was, we landed with the back of the ship towards him. This was done for several reasons. We did not want to be loading patients with him looking and shooting right at the pilots. We wanted the back of the ship toward the incoming fire, hoping and praying that some of the fire might be adsorbed or redirected by the ship itself. Finally, we did not want to taking off low and slow right toward or over the enemy. Guys in the back...The pilots were, of course, vital to any Medical Evacuation Mission. We flew it in and out of harm's way (as the say in the movies). The Medic and the Crew Chief were as vital as any pilot. Often they were even more exposed to enemy fire than the pilots. There were times had to leave the ship to get the patients. There were even times when those already on the ground would not stand up to load the patients because of the fire being received. Our Medic and Crew Chief went and got, loaded and then cared for the patients as we flew back. It was amazing how many holes could be put into a Huey and it would still fly. Of course, any single one of those rounds in a vital place could destroy your ship.I am including in this posting an audio recording entitled, Click here to hear the recording.This recording was part of an address given by Joe Galloway at a Military Convocation many years after the mid November 1965 Battle of Ia Drang Valley. Joe was a civilian photographer attached to 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry of the 1st Air Calvary Division. He was a main character in the Mel Gibson movie and co-author of the book, We Were Soldiers Once... And Young Click here to read about the Battle of Ia Drang Valley I am very proud to have been a Life Saving Lunatic in 1965.Alex J OrtolanoIn case I gave the wrong impression, God's Own Lunatics was not intended to recognize only Medical Evacuation Crews. It was intended to sing the praises of all who flew Helicopter Missions in Vietnam.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the truly friendly character of Russias relations with Armenia and expressed confidence that they will grow even closer after holding talks with his visiting Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian on Wednesday.

Russia and Armenia are sincerely seeking to reinforce their mutually beneficial cooperation and comprehensive strategic partnership, he told reporters in the Kremlin.

We will be making joint efforts to further strengthen our strategic alliance, Sarkisian said for his part.

A separate joint communique released by Putin and Sarkisian said they will strive to realize the huge potential of Russian-Armenian relations in the political, economic and military areas.

Both leaders hailed a sizable rise in Russian-Armenian trade which was recorded last year despite economic recessions in both countries.

Russia is Armenias leading trading partner, Putin stressed. He also pointed to Russian investments in Armenias energy, mining and transport sectors.

While pledging to help boost Russian-Armenian commercial ties, the two leaders announced no concrete agreements to that effect. Putin said only that the two governments are now considering using each others national currency in bilateral trade.

Visiting Moscow in late January, Prime Minister Karen Karapetian called for the creation of a Russian-Armenian investment fund that would finance business projects in Armenia. He said afterwards that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev positively assessed the proposal. Neither Putin nor Sarkisian mentioned the matter in his statements to the press.

Predictably, the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was also on the agenda of Sarkisians latest official visit to Moscow. The joint statement said the two leaders agreed on the need to bolster the ceasefire regime in the conflict zone with concrete measures that were worked out at Armenian-Azerbaijani summits held last year.

Putin hosted one of those meetings in Saint-Petersburg in June 2016. Sarkisian and Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev signaled progress towards a peaceful settlement after those talks. However, the peace process stalled again in the following weeks.

Russia is continuing to render all kinds of support to the search for mutually acceptable solutions to the conflict both within the framework of the OSCE Mins Group and in direct contacts with Yerevan and Baku, Putin said on Wednesday. He gave no details of his Karabakh-related discussion with Sarkisian or signal plans to arrange fresh peace talks.

Putin also noted that Sarkisian is visiting Moscow in the run-up to Armenias parliamentary elections. He said the authorities in Yerevan are making every effort to ensure that the vote is democratic.

I would like to wish you success in this endeavor, Putin told the Armenian leader. Russia is sincerely interested in a stable, independent and dynamically developing Armenia.
Prime Minister Karen Karapetian again signaled Armenias desire to import natural gas from Turkmenistan when he met with the Central Asian states energy minister on Wednesday.

Charymyrat Purchekov arrived in Yerevan to attend a regular session of a Turkmen-Armenian intergovernmental commission of economic cooperation. He also held separate talks with Karapetian.

An Armenian government statement said Karapetian spoke of great potential for [Turkmen-Armenian] cooperation in the economy and especially the energy sector.

In the context of its realization, the parties stressed the importance of the Armenian prime ministers upcoming official visit to Turkmenistan, during which the sides will discuss issues, projects and programs of mutual interest, added the statement.

Karapetian met with Irans and Turkmenistans ambassadors to Armenia in January to discuss what his press office called trilateral cooperation in the field of energy and supply of energy resources. It was an apparent reference to possible deliveries of Turkmen natural gas to Armenia via Iran.

Hydrocarbon-rich Turkmenistan was Armenias principal supplier of natural gas in the 1990s, until the Armenian government signed a long-term deal with Russias Gazprom monopoly. The latter currently supplies more than 80 percent of gas used in Armenia for power generation, heating and other purposes.

The rest of Armenian gas imports come from Iran through a pipeline built in 2008. Visiting Yerevan in December 21, Irans President Hassan Rouhani said he and his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sarkisian agreed in principle to increase Iranian gas supplies to Armenia.

Rouhani also announced that his country is ready to serve as a transit route for Armenias gas imports from Turkmenistan. He did not go into details.

Those imports could be complicated by a financial dispute between Turkmenistan and Iran that led the Turkmen government to suspend gas exports to the Islamic Republic on January 1.
15 March 2017 18:13 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Armenia uses the Sarsang reservoir as a tool for political threats, said Gorkhmaz Huseynov, the Chairman of Azersu company.

He made the remark at an international scientific-practical conference titled Water resources, hydro-technical installations and environment in Baku on March 15.

Sarsang, Azerbaijans highest water reservoir, which is situated 726 meters above sea level, was built on top of the Tartar River during the Soviet times in 1976. Since 1992, the Sarsang reservoir has been under the control of the Armenian armed forces, and as a result, frontline regions have been deprived of water.

Azerbaijan joined many conventions on water, environment and ecology management, Huseynov said, adding that Azerbaijan is the only country in the Kura-Aras river basin that ratified the Helsinki Convention on transboundary waters.

Our country adopted the Paris Agreement of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Unfortunately, despite the activities undertaken by international organizations in the fields of ecology and environmental protection, Armenia flagrantly violates international law, Huseynov noted.

Huseynov said that the Sarsang dam is in desperate state because of the Armenian aggression and its resources are used as a tool for political threats.

Over 20 years of occupation, the technical facilities and equipment of the Sarsang reservoir have been driven into dire conditions due to a lack of maintenance and up keep. The probability of the destruction as a result of malfunction, natural disaster, or sabotage is extremely high and is now a real threat for Azerbaijan.

The official reminded that Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised this issue before international organizations and expressed its concern.

The resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of January 26, 2016, set out the requirements for Armenia  to stop using water resources as a tool of political influence and pressure, and to restore international control over the Sarsang and Madagiz dams, he said.

The same document emphasized that Armenia's actions create humanitarian and environmental problems for Azerbaijani citizens.

International organizations demanded from Armenia to immediately liberate the occupied territories of Azerbaijan and cease using the resources of the Sarsang reservoir as a tool of political pressure, he said, adding that however Armenia have not followed any of these demands.

Huseynov also added that the Metsamor nuclear power plant in Armenia, the operation period of which expired long ago, poses a serious threat to the ecological stability of the region.

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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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 March 2017 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

By Joseph S. Nye

A series of episodes in recent years  including Russias cyber interventions to skew the United States 2016 presidential election toward Donald Trump, the anonymous cyber-attacks that disrupted Ukraines electricity system in 2015, and the Stuxnet virus that destroyed a thousand Iranian centrifuges  has fueled growing concern about conflict in cyberspace. At last months Munich Security Conference, Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders announced the formation of a new non-governmental Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace to supplement the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE).

The GGEs reports in 2010, 2013, and 2015 helped to set the negotiating agenda for cybersecurity, and the most recent identified a set of norms that have been endorsed by the UN General Assembly. But, despite this initial success, the GGE has limitations. The participants are technically advisers to the UN Secretary-General rather than fully empowered national negotiators. Although the number of participants has increased from the original 15 to 25, most countries do not have a voice.

But there is a larger question lurking behind the GGE: Can norms really limit state behavior?

Most experts agree that a global cyberspace treaty currently would be politically impossible (though Russia and China have made such proposals at the UN). But, beyond formal treaties, normative constraints on states also include codes of conduct, conventional state practices, and widely shared expectations of proper behavior among a group (which create a common law). In scope, these constraints can vary from global, to plurilateral, to bilateral. So what can history tell us about the effectiveness of normative policy instruments?

In the decade after Hiroshima, tactical nuclear weapons were widely regarded as normal weapons, and the US military incorporated nuclear artillery, atomic land mines, and nuclear anti-aircraft weapons into its deployed forces. In 1954 and 1955, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told President Dwight Eisenhower that the defense of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam and of offshore islands near Taiwan would require the use of nuclear weapons (Eisenhower rejected the advice).

Over time, the development of an informal norm of non-use of nuclear weapons changed this. The Nobel laureate economist Thomas Schelling argued that the development of the norm of non-use of nuclear weapons was one of the most important aspects of arms control over the past 70 years, and it has had an inhibiting effect on decision-makers. But for new nuclear states like North Korea, one cannot be sure that the costs of violating the taboo would be perceived as outweighing the benefits.

Similarly, a taboo against using poisonous gases in warfare developed after World War I, and the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of chemical and biological weapons. Two treaties in the 1970s prohibited the production and stockpiling of such weapons, creating a cost not only for their use, but also for their very possession.

Verification provisions for the Biological Weapons Convention are weak (merely reporting to the UN Security Council), and such taboos did not prevent the Soviet Union from continuing to possess and develop biological weapons in the 1970s. Similarly, the Chemical Weapons Convention did not stop either Saddam Hussein or Bashar al-Assad from using chemical weapons against their own citizens.

Nonetheless, both treaties have shaped how others perceive such actions. Such perceptions contributed to the justification of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to the international dismantling of most Syrian weapons in 2014. With 173 countries having ratified the Biological Warfare Convention, states that wish to develop such weapons must do so secretly, and face widespread international condemnation if evidence of their activities becomes known.

Normative taboos may also become relevant in the cyber realm, though here the difference between a weapon and a non-weapon depends on intent, and it would be difficult to forbid  and impossible to prohibit reliably  the design, possession, or even implantation for espionage of particular computer programs. In that sense, efforts to prevent cyber conflict cannot be like the nuclear arms control that developed during the Cold War, which involved elaborate treaties and detailed verification protocols.

A more fruitful approach to normative controls on cyberwarfare may be to establish a taboo not against weapons but against targets. The US has promoted the view that the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC), which prohibit deliberate attacks on civilians, applies in cyberspace. Accordingly, the US has proposed that, rather than pledging no first use of cyber weapons, countries should pledge not to use cyber weapons against civilian facilities in peacetime.

This approach to norms has been adopted by the GGE. The taboo would be reinforced by confidence-building measures such as promises of forensic assistance and non-interference with the workings of Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs).

The GGE report of July 2015 focused on restraining attacks on certain civilian targets, rather than proscribing particular code. At the September 2015 summit between US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, the two leaders agreed to establish an expert commission to study the GGE proposal. Subsequently, the GGE report was endorsed by the leaders of the G20 and referred to the UN General Assembly.

The attack on the Ukrainian power system occurred in December 2015, shortly after the submission of the GGE report, and in 2016, Russia did not treat the US election process as protected civilian infrastructure. The development of normative controls on cyber weapons remains a slow  and, at this point, incomplete  process.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: A Normative Approach to Preventing Cyberwarfare

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15 March 2017 14:42 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan and Ukraine voiced their readiness to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade and economic sphere.

The two countries announced this decision during the meeting between President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Azerbaijans delegation headed by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev in Kiev on March 14.

The meeting covered issues of cooperation in shipbuilding, aircraft construction, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

The head of the Ukrainian state positively assessed the dynamics of relations between the two countries, which became possible thanks to the intensification of contacts between the heads of the two states.

Poroshenko called holding the 12th meeting of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation in Kiev in 2017 very important.

As part of the visit, Mustafayev also met with Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan, where the Ukrainian official said that Kiev is interested in expanding the presence of Azerbaijani road companies in Ukraine.

We have already had examples of successful work of Azerbaijani road companies in Ukraine. I am convinced that this year companies from Azerbaijan can participate in the implementation of projects that will be conducted with the funds of international financial organizations and in the future in the implementation of projects to be financed from the budget, he said.

He stressed that the development of transit through Ukraine in the direction of Europe-Asia is a priority.



"Azerbaijan is a key link in this line. We must establish our joint work so that the route to be convenient, reliable and cost competitive transportation," Omelyan added.

The Ukrainian minister also called on Azerbaijan to take part in the development of the port infrastructure in Ukraine.

Earlier within the framework of the visit Mustafayev met with Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Kutovyi, where he said that Azerbaijan considers it promising to partake in agriculture investment projects in Ukraine.

During the meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Vladimir Groysman, the parties agreed to expand interstate cooperation in various fields. Groysman and Mustafayev highlighted the opening of the Trade House in Kiev as one of the most promising areas of Ukrainian-Azerbaijani cooperation. That will stimulate trade between the two countries and increase the flow of Azerbaijani investments to Ukraine.

Azerbaijan is one of the main trade partners of Ukraine among the CIS countries. Trade turnover between he two countries amounted to $334.18 million in 2016, according to Azerbaijans State Customs Committee.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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Introduction follows news that the U.S. Embassy in Kabul has officially stopped scheduling interviews for applicants due to a lack of remaining Afghan Special Immigrant Visas

Contact: Daniel Keylin

Daniel Keylin daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John McCain (R-AZ), and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide 2,500 more visas for the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which allows Afghans, including interpreters, who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and face threats as a result of their service, to apply for refuge in the United States. The senators introduced their bill after the U.S. Embassy in Kabul officially stopped scheduling interviews for applicants seeking a visa through the Afghan SIV program. Last year, Senators Tillis, Shaheen, McCain, and Reed led efforts in the Senate to extend this vital national security program.said Senator Tillis.said Senator Shaheen.said Senator McCain.said Senator Reed.
15 March 2017 15:09 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

AZALJET, low-cost brand of Azerbaijan Airlines, has started regular flights from the Moscow Vnukovo Airport to Azerbaijani regions - Ganja and Gabala.

The Moscow-Ganja flights will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Moscow-Gabala flights - on Thursdays by Airbus A320 aircrafts.

A solemn event was held on the occasion of the first Moscow-Ganja flight with the participation of AZAL Vice-President Eldar Hajiyev and Director General of Vnukovo Airport Vasily Alexandrov on March 15.

Currently, Azerbaijan Airlines carries out regular flights to four Russian cities. In addition to Vnukovo, AZALJET carries out flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport, Saint Petersburg (Pulkovo), Kazan and Mineralnye Vody airports. Besides, a regular flight is carried out from Ganja to Saint Petersburg.

AZALJET airfare starts from 49 euro one way. Within the flights, the weight concept will be applied - the cost of baggage per kilo will be 2 euro. Air tickets can be booked on the website of the company www.azal.az, purchased at AZAL sales offices and official sales agencies.

Passengers can take advantage of AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program on these flights. Detailed information about AZAL Miles frequent-flyer program is available at: www.miles.azal.az. Online registration is available for those who are not a member of the program yet. Points for the flight may be credited automatically in case AZAL Miles member unique number will be entered in the appropriate filed while purchasing online.

Eldar Hajiyev, addressing the press conference in Moscow, said that AZALJET also plans to launch news flights on Lankaran-Moscow and Nakhchivan-Moscow routes in 2018.



Hajiyev noted that great interest is shown for Azerbaijan in terms of tourism. The number of foreigners arriving in Azerbaijan is growing. From this point of view, new flights will be opened in different directions, he said.

He went on to add that the number of passengers transported by AZAL increased by 10-11 percent in 2016 compared to 2015.

Hajiyev said that during this period, the Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport saw an increase in the passenger transportation by 12 percent, having rendered service to 3.25 million passengers.

AZALs vice-president noted that the first terminal of the airport can render service to six million passengers, the second terminal - to three million passengers.

We started 2017 also very successfully: in January-February this year AZALs passenger traffic increased by 28 percent compared to the same period in 2016, Hajiyev said. In general, for the first two months of this year, the number of passengers who were rendered service by Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport increased by 34 percent compared to the same period last year.

Vasily Alexandrov, in turn, noted that the passenger traffic to Azerbaijan from the Vnukovo Airport is constantly increasing.

He said that Russian tourists have not yet fully discovered the tourist potential of Azerbaijan, and it is necessary to work in this direction.

Anton Kuznetsov, the deputy director general at the Vnukovo airport, for his part, said that more than 70,000 passengers have been transported to Azerbaijan from the Vnukovo airport since 2015.

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15 March 2017 16:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Azerbaijan and Israel have discussed the prospects for future cooperation between two countries in various areas as Israeli ambassador to Azerbaijan Dan Stav visited the regions of Khachmaz, Shabran and Khizi.

The diplomat held meetings with the heads of the executive authorities of these regions and discussed the possibilities for developing cooperation in the spheres of economy, agriculture and tourism.

During the talks, the ambassador noted the important role of the Jewish community in Azerbaijan as a bridge between the two countries, and also stressed the existence of deep traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan.

Dan Stav also visited large factories operating in Khachmaz and Shabran, where he considered possibilities of Israeli investments in the regional projects.

Azerbaijan is one of the few Muslim countries, which maintains deep political, diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

Being a Muslim majority country, Azerbaijan is a home to a big Jewish community. The countrys north region of Guba is home to Azerbaijan's largest community of Mountain Jews, who live in Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Town).

The two countries cooperate not only in trade and economic sphere (Israel imports Azerbaijani oil through the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline), but also had broad interaction in military and military-technical spheres.

During the recent visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in mid-December, the two countries signed agreements on standardization, double taxation and agricultural cooperation.

In general, Israel is in the tenth place in terms of Azerbaijan's trade turnover with other countries. In the first 10 months of 2016, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $471,143 million.

Exports from Azerbaijan to Israel during the reporting period amounted to $457,799 million, or 6.36 percent of total exports. And imports to Azerbaijan amounted to $13,343 million, 0.19 percent of total imports into the country.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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15 March 2017 17:14 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

A final exhibition within the "Art expedition" project has opened in Art Tower gallery.

The exhibition was organized by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, the Administration of State Historical and Architectural Reserve Icherisheher, NGO Arts Council of Azerbaijan with support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Trend Life reported.

Addressing the event, Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) at US Embassy William Gil and the head of Arts Council Azerbaijan Dadash Mammadov noted that as part of the project, guests got acquainted with the achievements of Azerbaijan's fine arts, creative people and main exhibition venues in the city.

The project is aimed at showing visions of artists from different countries, traditions and culture of Azerbaijan, the exchange of artistic experience and the strengthening of international cultural cooperation.

American artists Jacob Marty and Shane Guffogg and Azerbaijani masters Eldar Babazadeh, Namig Ismayilzada Fidan Kim, Sala Mammadov, Ilgar Tahiri, Eldar Hasanov, Roya Hasanova worked together during a month to make the show a success.

Eldar Babazade, an artist, said that it was very interesting to work together. "It is not an obstacle even that I don't speak English. As Shane Guffogg said "we speak the language of art," he stressed.

At the end, he invited everyone to visit the Art Tower gallery and to see the creative process of creating pictures.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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15 March 2017 11:48 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The interview of Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan in the Russian newspaper Izvestia titled Security and sustainable democratic development should have been called War, military dictatorship and socio-economic stagnation, said Hikmat Hajiyev, the spokesman to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Hajiyev, commenting on the article, said that Armenia is in self-isolation and political, socio-economic and demographic crisis due to the policy and military adventure of the current Armenian authorities.

Unlike the Armenian leadership, the real statistical data and reports of international institutions clearly show the deplorable state of this country, the spokesman told Trend on March 14.

He noted that over the past eight years of Sargsyans presidency, Armenia's external debt increased by more than 300 percent and now accounts for over 50 percent of GDP.

The excess of external debt over real income of Armenia means approach of the country to a complete default. International financial institutions have repeatedly expressed their concern over this, Hajiyev noted.

The spokesman added that although Armenia says that the level of poverty is 32 percent, in fact this figure exceeds 50 percent. Moreover, despite the funds borrowed from abroad, there is no sustainable development in the country, while it lacks economic base and structure.

Hajiyev added that unlike the populist statements of the Armenian leadership, the real economic situation in this country does not inspire optimism.

In the same way the Armenian leadership distorts issues on the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the spokesperson said.

International documents and the international community say one thing about the conflict and the leadership of Armenia says another. The head of the state that carried out occupation, aggression and bloody ethnic cleansing has no political, legal and moral right to speak on behalf of the international community and the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Hajiyev stressed.

The spokesman added that if Armenia is really interested in resolving the conflict in accordance with the will of the international community, then it needs to provide immediate, unconditional and complete withdrawal of its troops from the occupied Azerbaijani territories, which is demanded in the UN Security Council resolutions.

However, Armenia does not allow substantive negotiations, continues military and political provocations, and by all means tries to maintain the status quo, which is based on occupation, he added.

Instead of deceiving the Armenian people and the international community, it would be better if the Armenian leadership has engaged in real settlement of the conflict and would demonstrate a constructive political will, Hajiyev concluded.

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.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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15 March 2017 10:47 (UTC+04:00)

The Azerbaijani Embassy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with support of the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted a commemorative event dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide at the OIC headquarters.

The event was attended by OIC Secretary-General Yusuf bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, four deputies of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Economy, Science and Technology, as well as Palestine, Directors-General and Directors of various departments of General Secretariat, Director General of the International Islamic News Agency, official representative of the Islamic Development Bank, Consuls General of a number of countries accredited in Jeddah, Permanent Representatives of Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to OIC, as well as members of the Azerbaijani diaspora, Azertac reported.

The event started with a presentation on the history of Karabakh, resettlement of Armenians to these lands, the consequences of Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, as well as resolutions adopted by various international organizations, especially the UN Security Council, in order to resolve the conflict.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Saudi Arabia and the Permanent Representative of the country to the OIC, Rasim Rzayev, thanked the Secretary General for the opportunity to hold the event within the OIC.

The envoy, informing the participants about the Khojaly genocide, noted that on the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian military units surrounding the Azerbaijani city of Khojaly subjected the local residents to mass extermination only for the fact that they were Azerbaijanis. It was noted that as a result of this aggression 613 people were killed, 63 of whom were children, 106 women, 70 elderly, 8 families were completely destroyed, 1275 Khojaly people were taken hostages.

Stressing that the peaceful population of the city of Khojaly was destroyed with incredible cruelty by Armenian armed forces, the Ambassador also noted that even after the Khojaly tragedy Armenian armed forces violated norms and principles of international law and occupied 20 percent of the lands of independent Azerbaijan. As a result more than 1 million Azerbaijanis became refugees and internally displaced persons.

The diplomat highlighted the initiative of the vice-president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Leyla Aliyeva, launched in 2008, the international information campaign "Justice for Khojaly", as a result of which a number of countries have already recognized the Khojaly massacre as genocide. He once again brought to the attention of the event participants the article 117 of the final statement of the 12th Summit of the Heads of Islamic States, held in 2013 in Cairo, where the Khojaly tragedy was assessed as an act of genocide and crime against humanity.

Further the OIC Secretary General on behalf of the Organization and the entire Islamic world expressed deep condolences to the Azerbaijani people in memory of the victims of the Khojaly tragedy. Yusuf Al-Othaimeen stressed that the decisions taken both within the framework of the summit and by the OIC Foreign Ministry Council strongly condemn Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan. He also noted that the position of the Organization in this conflict is unchanged and the OIC will always be on the side of the Azerbaijani people and state. The Secretary General called the Khojaly genocide a serious crime against humanity and expressed the hope that sooner or later the perpetrators of this crime will be punished at the international level.

The Permanent Representative of the Republic of Turkey to the OIC, who spoke later, Ambassador Saleh Mutlu Shen expressed his country's position on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Khojaly tragedy.

The information about the recognition of Armenian writer Zori Balayan about the atrocities committed by Armenians in Khojaly, as well as about the famous interview of British researcher Thomas De Waal with Serzh Sargsyan and the opinion expressed by the latter regarding the Khojaly tragedy was brought to the attention of the participants of the event.

Then the event participants were shown a 10-minute documentary "Khojaly Genocide", filmed by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Within the framework of the event they got acquainted with the exhibition of paintings "Khojaly through the eyes of children" and a photo exhibition of the events held within the framework of the "Justice for Khojaly" campaign.

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15 March 2017 14:40 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The problem of migration and refugees threatens international security, leads to violation of borders of other states and promotes formation of separatist regimes, Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said on March 15 in Baku at the PACE session on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons.

The solution to all these problems requires the implementation of joint actions, Khalafov stressed.

He noted that Azerbaijan also faced with problems of refugees and IDPs, and the country has been addressing these problems for more than twenty years.

Khalafov said Azerbaijan has prepared a program of the Great Return of refugees and IDPs after the liberation of Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia.

He underlined that the occupied territories of Azerbaijan are used for illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, as well as for human and weapon trafficking. Azerbaijan has appealed to the UN for assistance to prevent these phenomena.

He also noted that the international community applies double standards regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and this delays its resolution.

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.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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15 March 2017 16:53 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The illegal economic activity of Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, its settlement policy and export of the goods manufactured through draining resources of the occupied territories must be prevented, said Khalaf Khalafov, Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister.

He made the remarks addressing an international conference titled Islamic solidarity  call of the time in Baku on March 15.

Azerbaijan demands the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within its territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally-recognized borders, the deputy foreign minister said, adding that Armenians conducted ethnic cleansing and committed the Khojaly genocide in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

He noted that international organizations should take relevant steps on recognition of the Khojaly genocide.

Khalafov further expressed gratitude to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for giving political and legal assessment to the Khojaly tragedy.

Azerbaijan calls on other member countries to demonstrate solidarity in this issue, he added.

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.

The Khojaly Genocide 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.

Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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15 March 2017 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Russia continues to assist in the search of ways to resolve the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh, said Russian President Vladimir Putin following talks with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan in Moscow on March 15.

We paid a special attention to the topic of Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, Putin said. Russia continues to provide every assistance to the search for mutually acceptable solutions to the conflict both within the OSCE Minsk Group and through direct contacts with Yerevan and Baku.

Russia along with the U.S. and France is one of the co-chair countries of the OSCE Minsk Group established to broker a peace to the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims to Azerbaijan. 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 from the occupied lands of Azerbaijan, but they have not been enforced to this day.

While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign State with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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15 March 2017 10:10 (UTC+04:00)

A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on March 15.

The new edition includes articles about: Baku in Top 10 for family vacation during spring holidays, Dihaj reveals `Skeletons` for Eurovision 2017, OSCE MG mediators intensify efforts to resume Karabakh peace talks, Tax Ministry hopes to become partner of taxpayers, etc.



AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA).



The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az.
15 March 2017 09:47 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone in Paris, Azertac reported.

A guard of honor was lined up for the head of state in front of the National Assembly`s building.

President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone welcomed President Ilham Aliyev.

The chief of the guard of honor reported to President Ilham Aliyev.

The head of state and the President of the French National Assembly reviewed the guard of honor.

President Ilham Aliyev and President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone posed for photographs.

Claude Bartolone said he is pleased to see President Ilham Aliyev at the French National Assembly. He recalled that he met with Mehriban Aliyeva as chairperson of Azerbaijan-France inter-parliamentary friendship group at the National Assembly several years ago. Claude Bartolone hailed the development of cooperation between the two countries, adding that such visits contribute to bilateral relations.

Claude Bartolone emphasized good energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and France, saying French companies actively operate in Azerbaijan in various fields.

President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone said France tries to ensure a peaceful resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

President Ilham Aliyev hailed the activity of the friendship groups at the parliaments of the two countries, adding this contributes to the development of bilateral relations.

The head of state said significant documents will be signed as part of his official visit to France. President Ilham Aliyev said his meeting with members of MEDEF was very productive, adding that it featured fruitful discussions on cooperation in various fields, including transport, agriculture, infrastructure, and space industry.

The head of state pointed out French companies` productive relations with Azerbaijan, adding that Azerbaijan also maintains cooperation with France in a number of fields.

President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan makes every effort for implementing the Southern Gas Corridor project. The head of state highlighted close cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in the field of culture. President Ilham Aliyev noted that the French lyceum and university operate in Azerbaijan. The head of state said more than 10 Azerbaijani districts became sister regions with French districts.

President Ilham Aliyev provided detailed information about the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The head of state said that as a result of the conflict more than one million Azerbaijanis became refugees and IDPs. The President said efforts of the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group to solve the conflict have been fruitless for 25 years. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his confidence that as a co-chair of the Minsk Group France will be more active in the conflict resolution.

President Ilham Aliyev invited President of the French National Assembly Claude Bartolone to visit Azerbaijan.

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Tom Campbell

When Republicans were in the minority in North Carolina's political power structure they frequently complained that Democrats were like a broken record. Times are good? Spend more and expand. Times are bad? Spend more to prime the pump. Are Republicans now guilty of playing the same broken record? Times are bad? Cut spending and taxes. Times are good? Cut more spending and taxes.To be honest, when the GOP gained control of our legislature in 2011, North Carolina was struggling to recover from The Great Recession, there were large budget deficits and government had grown larger. They quickly cut spending to balance the state budget, later cutting taxes to put more money into the pockets of corporations and our citizens, in hopes the additional money would encourage spending and investments in jobs.North Carolina's economy, coupled with the national recovery, has improved to where we now have more than a billion dollars stored in reserves to ward off another downturn. State revenues will exceed spending by approximately a billion dollars and the state's economic picture is bright, according to Mike Walden, one of North Carolina's most respected economists. NC State just released the NCSU Index of North Carolina Leading Economic Indicators. The report predicted continued economic growth at the current pace for the near term.Governor Roy Cooper's State of the State address said that now was the time to invest in people and infrastructure. Was he correct? The answer is both yes and no. North Carolina is now in the best financial position we've experienced in two decades and Cooper's budget proposals would not raise taxes or rob from reserves. It contained some sound proposals to increase funding for education, healthcare and job creation.Cooper's address frequently spoke to finding common ground solutions and indicated a willingness to bring progress to our state, however Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger's rebuttal was disappointing. After elaborating on some of the positive accomplishments lawmakers have initiated since taking control in 2011, Berger then journeyed down the low road of partisan divisiveness, another broken record that took jabs at Democrats, the media and the narrow margin of victory by which Cooper won the governor's race. If one didn't know better it would be difficult to know that Republicans and the legislative branch clearly have the upper hand in power over Democrats and the executive branch. Berger wasted an opportunity to speak to a statewide audience and elaborate his and the legislature's vision.The writer of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes said,Just as the time was right to cut state spending to respond to the recession, that same axiom would dictate that now is the right time to make wise investments in our state. Perhaps Cooper's 5 percent spending increase may be a bit optimistic. On the other hand, the legislature's target of a 2 percent budget increase may be a bit timid.Citizens of North Carolina are tired of hearing broken records played by partisan political interests. It's time to hear tunes of harmony coming from elected officials playing together for the benefit of all.
15 March 2017 11:04 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Armenia shouldnt avoid negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press statement with French President Francois Hollande.



First of all, Mr. President, I would like to express my gratitude for your invitation, the hospitality extended to me and the delegation, Ilham Aliyev said to Francois Hollande. I am very glad to be back in France. You visited Azerbaijan twice. This is the indicator of the French-Azerbaijani ties.



The political dialogue developing between us has entered a very active stage, the Azerbaijani president said. We continue this dialogue today. We see that our positions coincide on many issues. Strong political relations, of course, have a positive impact on the ties developing in all spheres.



Ilham Aliyev noted that France, as the co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group, is making efforts to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.



We highly appreciate these efforts, Aliyev said. In particular, I would like to note the meeting I held with the president of Armenia at the end of 2014 on your initiative in the Elysee Palace. This was a very constructive and positive meeting. Unfortunately, certain stagnation was observed in the negotiation process after this meeting.



We want the soonest resolution of the issue on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, Ilham Aliyev said. Armenia has been long occupying the Azerbaijani lands recognized by the international community. Armenia has been holding the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the seven adjacent districts under occupation. All of the Azerbaijani population, hundreds of thousands of people were expelled from these regions. All the infrastructure and buildings were destroyed there.



The OSCE fact-finding missions twice visited the occupied lands and reflected it in their reports, the Azerbaijani president said. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions related to the [Nagorno-Karabakh] conflict, and these resolutions openly state that the Armenian Armed Forces must be immediately and unconditionally withdrawn from the occupied lands. These resolutions were adopted in the early 1990s. Armenia, as it seems, doesnt feel like implementing these resolutions.



Therefore, at the first stage, the negotiations should be resumed as soon as possible, he noted. As Mr. Hollande noted, the status quo is unacceptable. The presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries - France, Russia and the US - have repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable. We say the same thing, we want the status quo to change and the conflict to end as soon as possible, so that peace would be ensured in our region, and the Azerbaijani IDPs could return to their native lands.

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15 March 2017 15:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

A two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons commenced in Baku on March 15.

The meeting convened at the Milli Mejlis [parliament] with the participation of Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, Education Minister Mikail Jabbarov, Chairman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs Hijran Huseynova, Head of the State Migration Service Firudin Nabiyev, Head of the Council of Europe in Baku Dragana Filipovich, Head of the EU Delegation in Azerbaijan Malena Mard and the representative of the United Nations High Commissariat for Refugees Furio De Angelis, as well as the Chairman of the PACE committee, MP Sahib Gafarov and Head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE, MP Samad Seyidov.

Addressing the meeting Vice Parliamentary Speaker Valeh Aleskerov said the international community is considering the issue of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan through the prism of "double standards".

Azerbaijan faced the problem of refugees and IDPs immediately after gaining independence as Armenia, having occupied twenty percent of the territories of Azerbaijan, has put the country face to face with such a serious problem, he underlined.

Azerbaijan with the population of 10 million people has been engaged in overcoming refugee problems for over twenty years, while Europe, with its 500 million people, finds it difficult to solve the problem of about two million migrants, Aleskerov noted.

"We do not complain, but only call on international organizations to show a more constructive and resolute approach to the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict - this painful and complex problem of Azerbaijan," Aleskerov said.

Education Minister Mikayil Jabbarov stated that Armenians purposely choose Azerbaijani schoolchildren living near the frontline as targets.

Jabbarov informed that although the ceasefire regime was established in 1994, the Armenian side is constantly violating it and targets schoolchildren.

"We remember the killing of Fariz Badalov by an Armenian sniper, he said stressing, that children were also a target during the Armenian provocations committed last April.

Jabbarov also stressed that the occupation of 20 percent of Azerbaijani lands hurt the educational sector as more than 700 educational institutions have been destroyed in the occupied territories.

The Minister added that the problems of refugees and IDPs are in the center of attention in Azerbaijan. He said that the expenses for children's studies from families of refugees and IDPs are covered out of the state budget.

He further informed that they commenced the construction of a school building in the liberated from occupation village of Jojug Marjanly. The school is scheduled to be commissioned in September.

As a result of violation of the ceasefire by the Armenian armed forces on March 8, 2011, between five and six o'clock in the evening, a nine-year-old resident of the village of Orta Garvend Fariz Badalov was killed as a result of a sniper fire opened from the side of the village of Shikhlar, occupied by Armenia

Armenia broke out a lengthy war against Azerbaijan in early 1990s laying territorial claims on its South Caucasus neighbor. Armenian armed forces 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 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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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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15 March 2017 17:07 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan's State Migration Service identified as many as 1,767 foreigners, who violated residence legislation and rules of temporary or permanent stay in the country in February, 2017.

Residence of 223 people in the country was legalized, while 1,157 were given 48 hours to leave the country. As many as 368 citizens of other countries were expelled under an administrative order.

Lost documents of 19 foreigners for temporary or permanent residence were replaced with new ones.

The State Migration Service received 7,786 applications for extension of stay of foreigners and stateless persons, applications for permits for temporary and permanent residence, as well as acceptance, rejection, and restoration of citizenship, granting refugee status and citizenship, as well as granting permits for self-employment in the country or its extension.

About 39,464 applications by foreigners upon registration on place of stay were received during the last month.

In February, the State Migration Service held five public awareness events in various districts of the country.

Foreigners and stateless persons arriving in Azerbaijan for a period exceeding 10 days should register with the Migration Service, providing a copy of the person's ID to the Migration Service personally, or via email within 10 days.

This service is free and application forms are available at the Migration Service, regional offices of the Service, and at www.migration.gov.az. The registration is also possible through contacting by e-mail [email protected] .

The Migration Service will immediately register foreigners at the place of their stay and present written notification to the receiving party within one working day.

Foreigners can be registered for the period provided in their visas, or for 90 days under the visa-free regime.

After changing the place of residence, registration must be renewed. These easy steps can exempt visitors from penalties and deportation.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

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15 March 2017 18:15 (UTC+04:00)

By Amina Nazarli

Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Olga Golodets has said that she supports the nomination of Azerbaijani Ambassador to Russia Polad Bulbuloglu to the post of Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Polad Bulbuloglu is a wonderful person and a public figure. He distinguished by a deep understanding of world culture, excellent knowledge of the history of cultural development. And he subtly feels the value of every national culture, she noted.

Polad Bulbuloglu, Peoples Artist of Azerbaijan and countrys Ambassador to Russia, will vie for the post of Director-General of UNESCO, the UNs cultural and educational organization.

Azerbaijan has officially submitted his candidacy for consideration to the UNESCO Executive Board.

UNESCO's next chief will be chosen in autumn 2017.

Currently, Irina Bokova leads the organization. She became the first representing the Eastern-European group in this position. UNESCO rules do not allow the election of a senior official for more than two terms.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli



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15 March 2017 10:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Trend

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said there should be an apology from the Netherlands regarding the recent ban on Turkish ministers' rallies in the country, Anadoly reported.

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was refused permission to land in the Netherlands and Family and Social Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya was forced to leave the country under police escort after being blocked from entering Turkeys Consulate in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

"There should be an apology," said Yildirim.

When Turkish citizens in Rotterdam tried to protest, they were met by police using batons, dogs and water cannons, in what some analysts called a disproportionate use of force.

The incidents drew strong criticism from Ankara, including diplomatic notes sent to the Netherlands in protest.

"The rights of victims who were subjected to attacks by dogs and batons, those who were subjected to violence, should be [...] protected," Yildirim said.

He also gave details about his several phone calls early Sunday with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Yildirim said he told Rutte that what happened was wrong and should be corrected. He added that Rutte provided his own explanation.

"He raised his voice, and we raised ours too," Yildirim said.

He added that the Turkish ambassador to Netherlands is currently in Turkey and that his return was not a topical issue.

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15 March 2017 11:03 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

In Astana, the second day of negotiations on Syrian crisis has started with a bilateral meeting between the delegations of Iran and Russia in Rixos hotel, RIA Novosti reported.

The main topic of the second day of the Astana talks on Syria will become the separation of positions of terrorists and moderate opposition in the country, according to the head of governments delegation Bashar Jaafari, Sputnik reported.

When asked whether the maps with locations of positions of terrorists and moderate opposition were ready, Jaafari stated the topic is to be discussed on March 15.

We shall discuss it, this is the main issue for negotiations, Jaafari said.

The Syrian regime and key players gathered in Kazakh capital once again on March 14-15 to discuss the situation in Syria, however, the opposition's refusal to attend the meeting at first became a blow to any hope of progress in these talks.

The agenda of the third round of the talks in Astana presupposed that the delegations of the Syrian authorities and armed opposition as well as the international mediators - Russia, Turkey and Iran - would focus on the map of terrorists' presence in the war-torn state.

Meanwhile, Director of the Asia and Africa Department of the Kazakhstans Foreign Ministry Aydarbek Tumatov said that the third round of the Astana talks will be extended for one day in connection with the planned arrival of the delegation of the armed opposition of Syria.

Tumatov told the agency that a delegation of Syrian armed opposition from seven people representing the Northern and Southern fronts will arrive in Astana for talks on Wednesday evening.

"Tomorrow, on March 16, the negotiations will resume with the military component, which I think is of high importance, Tumatov said.

The first round of intra-Syrian Astana talks brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran took place on January 23-24 and gathered together representatives of the Syrian armed opposition and government for the first time. The parties agreed to create a trilateral mechanism to monitor the ceasefire in Syria, which was established on December 30.

The second round of Astana talks took place on February 15-16 and resulted in the agreement of the participants to set up a ceasefire monitoring group, encompassing Iran, Russia and Turkey, that would report to the United Nations.

The latest, fourth round of Geneva talks under the auspices of the United Nations concluded on March 3, with the parties agreeing on a number of separate "baskets" to be addressed during the next rounds, including the issues of governance, constitution, elections and counterterrorism.

Armed conflict continues in Syria since March 2011. Government troops are confronted by militants of different armed rebel groups. Russia has begun airstrikes on terrorist facilities in Syria since 30 September 2015. The Russian military involvement follows an official request from President Bashar Assad to President Vladimir Putin.

The UN has repeatedly tried and failed to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed 300,000 and displaced 11 million since it began five years ago.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 March 2017 15:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Turkey may apply economic sanctions against the Netherlands in the near future, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told CNN Turk a day after Ankara announced a series of high-level diplomatic sanctions.

The political sanctions - which include a ban on the Dutch ambassador and diplomatic flights from the Netherlands  were imposed after Dutch authorities prevented its ministers from speaking at rallies of expatriate Turks, deepening the row between the two NATO allies.

Kurtulmus further said that the Turkish Parliament may consider abolishing agreements on friendship between the two countries.

"We are doing exactly what they did to us. We are not allowing planes carrying Dutch diplomats or envoys from landing in Turkey or using our airspace," Kurtulmus told a news conference after a cabinet meeting. "Those creating this crisis are responsible for fixing it."

President Tayyip Erdogan has previously accused the Dutch government of acting like "Nazi remnants" for barring his ministers from addressing expatriate Turks to drum up votes. About 400,000 people with ties to Turkey live in the Netherlands, though it's not clear how many are eligible to vote.

Besides, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said there should be a formal apology from the Netherlands regarding the recent incident.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry sent protest notes to the Dutch side over the treatment of a Turkish minister who was prevented from entering a consulate in the Netherlands and escorted out of the country after trying to attend a political rally.

The ministry also objected to what it called a "disproportionate" use of force against demonstrators at a protest afterward.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 March 2017 17:28 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

Iran and Russia are expected to sign 11 documents during an upcoming visit of Irans President Hassan Rouhani to Moscow, said Mahmoud Vaezi, minister of ICT and head of the joint Iran-Russia economic committee.

The minister said the documents include 10 agreements in various fields and one general agreement on long-term cooperation, IRNA news agency reported on March 15.

Vaezi further mentioned that the sides seek to operationalize an energy agreement whereby Iran will export 100,000 bpd of oil to Russia within the oil for goods barter deal.

Earlier, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak stated that Russia and Iran are considering realization of joint projects in the industry sector for a total of $10 billion.

Ahead of Rouhanis upcoming visit to Moscow, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on February 21 called for finalizing preparations for inking an agreement between the Islamic Republic and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which includes Russia as well, on the creation of a free-trade zone.

Presumably, a high-level meeting of the presidents of Russia and Iran will be held on March 28.

The trade turnover between Iran and Russia witnessed a surge by 60 percent in 2016, climbing to about $2 billion. However, observers believe that the surge in trade between the two countries, which came after the nuclear sanctions on Iran were removed, has not satisfied the expectations.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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15 March 2017 16:27 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The International Ocean Institute (IOI), with the assistance of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry and the State Enterprise on the Caspian Sea issues under the President of Turkmenistan, continues the ten-day seminar "Caspian Sea - Sustainable Development and Management" in Avaza, which will end on March 16, the Turkmen government said.

Experts of related ministries and authorities of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, as well as international experts - scientific consultants of the IOI in the field of maritime economy, politics, management, ecology, maritime law and other disciplines are invited to the event.

The participants exchanged their views on drafting of the Convention on the Legal Status of the Caspian Sea as a basic document designed to regulate the relationship of coastal states and create a legal basis for a productive international partnership.

They also got acquainted with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, international legal norms on the use of national coastal and marine areas, exploration and exploitation of the Caspian Sea's oil and gas resources, regulation of navigation, and protection of the marine environment and fish stocks of the Caspian Sea, according to the report.

The Caspian states are currently working on draft agreements on cooperation in the field of transport, trade and economic spheres, as well as on two protocols that will complement the agreement on cooperation in the field of security in the Caspian Sea.

"These documents will create a legal basis for the interaction of the competent authorities of neighboring countries in such areas as combating the illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) and ensuring the safety of navigation," the report says.

The Caspian Sea is surrounded by the five coastal countries of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan. The Sea has a total surface area of 371,000 km, holding 78,200 cubic km of water.

The legal status of the Caspian Sea has remained unsolved during the past two decades, preventing development and exploitation of its disputable oil and gas fields and creating obstacles to the realization of major projects.

Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan hold to the principle of dividing into national sectors based on the median line principles since it is an international boundary lake, and leaving the sea surface for general use, i.e. they are for demarcation of mineral resources and the Caspian Sea shelf, but against dividing up its waters.

Iran seeks an equal division of the Caspian into 5 even sectors, mainly because most of the offshore energy resources are located away from the Iranian coastline. Turkmenistan also demands the division of the Sea into equal parts between the pre-Caspian countries so that each country has 20 percent of the sea.

The Caspian littoral states signed a Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea in November 2003.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
15 March 2017 17:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Kamila Aliyeva

The European Union is committed to the migration deal with Turkey and expects Ankara to comply as well, a spokesperson for the bloc's executive arm told Reuters on March 15.

"We remain committed to the application of the EU-Turkey (agreement)," the spokeswoman said. "This is a contract of mutual trust and delivery, we expect that both parts will comply with their commitments."

Previously, Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Omer Celik said that there is no reason to keep the migration agreement between Turkey and the EU in force.

Turkey has fulfilled all obligations under the agreement, while the EU has failed to keep any of its promises till this day, according to the minister.

Turkey can change the migration agreement at any time and in any format, Celik said adding that he believes the time had come for Turkey to reassess the migration deal.

The heads of countries and governments of the EU member states in mid-March 2016 agreed with Turkey on a joint plan to combat the migration crisis.

It provides, in particular, the return to Turkey of all illegal immigrants who arrived in Greece from the Turkish territory, and the EU's acceptance of legal migrants-Syrians from Turkey on the principle of "one for one."

Within the framework of these agreements, last May, the European Commission invited the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to lift visa restrictions for Turkish citizens if Ankara would have fulfilled the remaining conditions for the abolition of visas by the end of June.

According to the Turkish Office for the Prevention and Elimination of Consequences of Emergency (AFAD) there are currently 3.5 million Syrian refugees in the country. Turkey spent more than $10 billion on their maintenance.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
MISSOULA  Life gets real in a hurry when the fish youre trying to catch rips the reel off your rod.

Thats what happened to Missoula disc jockey Charene Herrera last Sunday just as she was about to head for shore on the Blackfoot River.

We were in the last 10 minutes of the float, after six hours on the boat, Herrera said. Id had enough, but I grabbed my fly rod one more time with an ever-effective San Juan worm. It was a monster of a fish  definitely as long as my leg. I think it weighed about 10 pounds.

Hererra was using a five-weight rod with 3x tippet, a rig ordinarily aimed at fish a tenth that size. She and her partner had each caught several brown and cutthroat trout on a cold, windy float below Johnsrud Fishing Access Site.

The bull trout tore the reel out of its metal brackets but somehow didnt snap the rod as it rolled several times and tried to swim under Herreras boat. She fought it for the next 20 minutes before both angler and angled were tuckered out.

When the reel broke, I had to use it as a natural drag so I didnt stress the fish out too much, Herrera said. Theyre a threatened species, so you dont get to see them much. Id never caught one before in my life.

Bull trout are considered the grizzly bears of the river food chain. Theyre protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and must be released if caught on almost all Montana waterways. Herrera took a quick picture of her prize before releasing it back in the Blackfoot.

Im still kind of in shock and awe since it happened, Herrera said. I dont know if I ever deserved a fish like that. The wind was whipping up the canyon and I was literally not going to grab my rod  just keep my hands in my mittens. Im never going to stop fishing the next time I go out.
Bakersfield, CA (93308)

Today

Showers this morning becoming a steady light rain during the afternoon hours. High 62F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low 51F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
Most wildlife documentaries are created to raise awareness of an issue: rhinoceros poaching in Africa, dwindling snow leopard numbers in Asia, the overfishing of tuna in the Pacific.

While no immediate threat looms for the thousands of Rocky Mountain elk featured in the newly released documentary Elk River, its creators hope to keep it that way.

I hope people feel a sense of wonder about those migrations and about Yellowstone and that it still has these amazing things to show us, said Arthur Middleton, the films producer, an assistant professor at University of California-Berkeley and a University of Wyoming graduate.

And I hope people feel inspired to know more about and participate in the conservation of migrations and of ecosystems and connectivity. I hope people think a little differently about Yellowstone that it is connected to the outside world.

The film was a collaborative project between Middleton, Joe Riis, a South Dakota-based photographer working primarily for National Geographic, filmmaker Jenny Nichols and artist James Prosek. It was the final piece of Riis and Middletons 2013 Camp Monaco Prize, an annual award given by the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Elk River is working its way through the film festival circuit where it won most inspiring adventure film at the Wild and Scenic Film Festival and the peoples choice award at the Les Bois Film Festival. In early March, National Geographic recently released the almost 30-minute film online to the public for free.

***

Riis and Middleton intended the film to help show viewers locally and around the world what the elk face as they migrate in and out of Yellowstone National Park each year. One of the themes of the movie  that Yellowstone is not a self-contained box  becomes clear as the viewer travels with Riis, Middleton and the Cody elk herd from ranches on the valley floor to the tops of 12,000-foot mountains.

The nine elk herds that migrate in and out of Yellowstone are the lifeblood of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, Middleton said.

The elk support not only a handful of apex predators such as bears and wolves but also countless people who ranch, outfit, hunt and hike in and around the mountains. Instead of glossing over the human relationship with the elk and focusing exclusively on the animals themselves, Riis and Middleton weave stories from locals who interact with the creatures the most.

Viewers meet ranch owners and managers and learn about some of the wonders and challenges of living with hundreds of head of elk. Hunting outfitters explain how their lives revolve around the creatures.

Showing those relationships was critical to telling the story of the migrations, Riis said. And the people who know the elk best were also critical to the success of the film.

It took Riis about two and a half years of filming to produce the shots of elk necessary for the documentary. Capturing wild elk streaming one by one over a snow-covered mountain pass, or forging a raging river is, in fact, as hard as it sounds.

Riis used six trail cameras to collect his footage. But before he could set the cameras, he needed to know where to go. Locals  everyone from outfitters to hikers  offered their intimate knowledge of the mountains and the elk movement.

From there, it was hundreds of miles and many months spent on foot and horseback.

Each motion-sensor camera was set to film for two minutes with every trigger. The end result was incredible up-close footage of the animals behaving in ways humans rarely, if ever, get to see. But it came with its own trials.

Bears are on a lot of the same elk trails, and they will mess with anything. They would walk up to my camera and usually smell it and then I have to go in and check it and reposition it so it is looking down the trail and not at the ground, Riis said.

That meant each time Riis checked a camera it would be like opening a present.

I didnt personally see the migration that often, but my cameras did, he added. Elk can sense people from a long ways away. If I was ever close by on the trail, they would run off. So the only time I would actually see migration is through the camera after I would go check it.

***

For Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation CEO David Allen the film is not only an inspiration but an educational tool.

It is fascinating to see how these elk truly are migrating and through what conditions and what terrain, he said. We all talk about it and preach it and believe it, but to actually witness it is incredible.

And while the film is finished, Middleton and Riis work with migrations in northwest Wyoming is far from over.

Because potential threats to the iconic migrations do exist. Habitat, particularly on private land at lower elevations, can be developed and divided. The age-old routes the wildlife follow could be altered.

The threats that they face are over decades and another century, where all the many things, the bites out of their winter range habitats, the invasive species that we introduce, the social tolerance levels getting low for having dense wildlife populations on private lands that we sometimes let get out of hand, Middleton said. If we dont figure out ways to prioritize some of the key threats like private land development and the key impacts, yes, we could lose some of those populations over decades.

But for now, for the 30 minutes it takes to watch Elk River, a viewer can marvel at the way countless generations of elk navigate Wyomings harshest country to form one of the most rugged North American migrations still in existence.
Working on cars is a puzzle for Seth Hawkins.

When it finally works, you win, the high school senior said Tuesday at the Career Center. If it doesnt work, youve got to keep figuring out the puzzle.

Its a more complicated puzzle than it used to be, both inside individual vehicles and for the workforce that fixes them. Auto work requires more training than ever, and with an aging workforce, industry leaders fear an impending labor shortage.

Its a similar story in many industrial trades: as schools have continued a long trend of focusing on four-year college, jobs often pigeonholed as dirty have garnered less interest.

The skills gap is often highlighted by industry and government officials as the confluence of workers needing more advanced skills to enter trades at the same time there are less people pursuing trades.

At Browns Auto on Broadwater Avenue, the average employee age is 54. The shop doesnt have trouble finding workers now, but general manager Gordon Tryan is looking down the road.

The biggest fear is, how do we replace them? he said.

'Adrenaline rush'

Kids like Hawkins arent looking at labor reports. They work on cars because they like it, and they had a family connection that got them interested.

Senior Craig Iversons dad raced stock cars, and Iverson grew up working on the vehicles.

Its like an adrenaline rush, he said. Its amazing what these engines can do, racing.

Iverson evolved into a puzzle guy, but not every kid with a passion for a revving engine does.

I get kids that like cars and kids that like to fix cars, said Career Center automotive teacher Joshua George. You need a kid that likes to figure things out.

They need to be comfortable working with computers that diagnose specific problems. They need to learn where to look next if that recommended fix doesnt work. And they need to keep up as cars evolve.

Les Smith has seen that evolution.

Somebody that learned stuff at home with their dad and stuff is not going to have that knowledge to work on a new car, he said at Browns, his workplace for the past 12 years. You can do brakes, you can do something simple  (but) its all electrical now.

You cant hire someone just to do one aspect of a vehicle anymore, Tryan said.

In school

School District 2 has focused more on career and technical education (CTE) in recent years. This year the district started funneling more freshmen and sophomores toward the Career Center, which was traditionally home to older students. SD2 championed a bill that increased CTE funding by $1 million in 2015, though Montana still lags far behind most states.

The district is spearheading another funding increase proposal this year. And it recently announced the search for a new administrative position that will help coordinate district education with employer needs.

That new salary is paid half by SD2, and half by a group of local businesses and foundations, including Browns. Tryan sees chipping in as hopefully benefiting Browns, but also as supporting an education he believes in.

The non-skilled jobs are going away, he said, citing increasing automation. People have to have some sort of skill.  You have to work with your hands, and I think thats an important part of the education process.

Senior Austin Hirsch has no problem working with his hands, but acknowledged that its not emphasized in society.

Automotive work is kind of a dirty job, but its an honest job, he said.

Each of the students agreed that school counselors emphasize a four-year degree, and said that they think the Career Center could have a higher profile. Thats similar to recommendations in a CTE report the district commissioned last school year, which also recommended hiring the new administrator.

It was drilled into me, you have to go to a four year school, Iverson said.

There have been logistical hurdles to getting more kids at the Career Center. The district needed to add several core courses, like math and English, but traditional classroom space is limited at the building.

George said hed like to see more apprenticeships that get students a taste of real jobs in several industrial trades. Iverson currently works at an auto dealership, but its a gig he found himself.

We need businesses to buy into the student, George said.

In his shop, George credited the 2105 CTE funding increase with helping him keep tools and resources up to date.

If that money goes away he trailed off.

Each of the three seniors knows that theyll need additional automotive education before getting jobs, likely through two-year college programs. If employers are concerned about the labor pool, the students see it as a positive.
Billings Gazette staffers regularly review public documents and attend public meetings to cover local and state news. Our readers have the same right to attend those meetings and read those documents, but busy people usually dont.

Thats why Gazette reporters are in court and at Billings City Council, Yellowstone County Commission and Billings school board. Our reporters research, listen and analyze. They tweet, write for print and online editions so Gazette readers can easily find out what their government is doing.

Gazette journalists are in Helena keeping track of legislation in the biennial session that will set a state budget for the next two years. Back in Billings, other Gazette staffers listen to committee hearings and floor debate on bills that could significantly impact the Billings region, Eastern Montana and the entire state.

Sometimes we make errors. Thats why we have a corrections box on page 2A every day. The facts that were correct one day, can later change. Thats why we present follow-up reports.

Journalists have a deep appreciation for freedom of information. Its part of our job to defend that freedom and to exercise it so that citizens can make well-informed decisions for themselves.

At The Gazette and other newspapers, we understand the difference between news and opinion." But the line has been blurred for many readers because many public officials have taken to calling any news they dislike fake news.

The number of letters to the editor complaining about news they dont like has increased in the past year. A few have complained that the opinion page shouldnt have opinions.

The Gazette opinion pages provide a forum for writers in our region of Montana and Wyoming to express their opinions on issues of public interest. On letters, we limit length so that we can print as many different writers as possible.

Since mid-January, The Gazette has received more letters than at any time other than the weeks before a general election. Opinion editors across the country report similar increases in letter volume. The Gazette welcomes this influx of comments and has been printing more letters, even full extra pages of letters.

The flood of opinions has meant that it may take more than a week to get a letter printed. Folks who plan to write in about time-sensitive issues, such as the May 2 school elections and May 25 special U.S. House election, should send their comments early.

Occasionally, readers ask why Gazette opinions are unsigned. The Gazette opinions dont carry a writers name because they represent the opinion of the newspaper. These editorials are reviewed prior to publication by members of the Gazette editorial board, led by Publisher Mike Gulledge. The opinions expressed in an editorial dont necessarily reflect the view of the writer or each editorial board member, but rather the prevailing view on the board.

The jobs of local journalists in Billings and around the country have become more challenging in recent years. Deadlines are no longer daily, but hourly. Theres more pressure to be first with news online and fewer reporters and editors to get the news to you.

So we try to work smarter, using technology to help gather the news and transmit it efficiently.

What hasnt changed is our dedication to the tenets of good journalism as stated in the Society of Professional Journalists guiding principles:

1. Seek the truth and report it as fully as possible.

2. Act independently.

3. Minimize harm.

This week, journalists across America are observing Sunshine Week. It reminds us to talk to our readers and viewers about why freedom of information and open government laws are important  not just to journalists, but to all Americans who value truth and freedom.
People must be able to get facts from their government to make smart decisions and hold public officials accountable. Politicians from both parties agreed on this long ago when they first passed federal, state and local open government laws.

But the things people build  be they bridges, roads or freedom of information laws  wear out without regular maintenance. Thats why Sunshine Week exists, to remind us that it takes effort to keep freedom working. The natural progress of things, Thomas Jefferson once wrote, is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.

Jefferson, our third president and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, still sounds right more than two centuries later. A timely piece of evidence is Forecasting Freedom of Information, a study of more than 300 of those who seek (or provide) public records, released Sunday by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Half of those surveyed said that access to public records has gotten worse during the past four years, and nearly 9 of 10 predicted that under our new national leader access will get even worse.

The previous presidential administration, while saying it would be more open, was considered by many freedom of information experts to be too secretive. The new presidential administration has started out by questioning core elements of the machinery of liberty  the courts, the media, and freedom of information itself.

What I hear from reporters in Washington and my students is that exemptions are being used in way too many cases and delays are still very long, said Leonard Downie, former Washington Post executive editor and current professor of journalism at Arizona State University. I hope the door doesnt get shut tighter.

Rising denials are particularly acute at the local level, where daily newspapers have cut some 20,000 journalists in the past 10 years. More than half of those surveyed  56 percent  predicted local and state information will be harder to get in the next four years.

What is going wrong? Survey subjects reported long delays, documents excessively censored, costly copy fees, out of date technology and, too often, public officials not knowing about or caring to follow their own freedom of information laws.

How can it be fixed? Expert advice ranged from use of digital tools that make it easier to request records to tougher laws that penalize violators. Other ideas are expanding efforts to show the value of open government.

Why should you care? Because no matter who you are and what you believe, you have the same right as everyone else to ask for and get public information. Whether you seek government efficiency or just the location of your properly line, you should have access to all the information the law allows.

This Sunshine Week, take a minute to learn more. The open records laws are listed by the Reporters Committeee for Freedom of the Press. State groups are listed at the National Freedom of Information Coalition. Visit the Sunshine Week web site sunshineweek.org. Want to file a records request? Try Muckrock. Take a minute to thank the American Society of News Editors and many other groups (from librarians to good government organizations) that make Sunshine Week possible.

Each spring Sunshine Week honors the March 16 birthday of James Madison, who wrote: I believe, there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations.

What our founders are saying seems clear: We must watch over freedom if we wish to keep it. The same idea applies to open government. Keeping freedom fresh is up to you, your friends and your neighbors. Lets face facts: Our right to vote isnt worth much if we dont know whats really going on.
A Colorado student and a charter mate went missing in the Pass-A-Grille Channel near St. Pete beach Tuesday night.

Two missing off Shell Key in Pinellas

Student and charter mate went missing Tuesday night

Crews still searching

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Marine Deputies and the Coast Guard are currently searching for Jie Lou, 21, from China and Andrew Dillman, 27, from New York.

Officials said fifteen students from Colorado State University were on a 71-foot charter boat off of Shell Key Tuesday night.

They said five students, including Lou, had gone swimming off the side of the boat while anchored, but only four were able to swim back to the vessel.

Officials said Dillman, a charter mate, jumped in to rescue Lou while the charter captain was assisting the four other swimmers.

Officials believe the two men were caught in the fast moving current and were not wearing personal flotation devices.

The two went missing around 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Coast Guard crews and partner agencies have conducted 22 searchers over 419 square miles so far, but say the wind and choppy water is making the search difficult.

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Andrew and Jie during this difficult time," said Lt. Jason Holstead, the command duty officer at Sector St. Petersburg. "We continue work closely with our partners to search for Andrew and Jie, all of us have them and their family in our thoughts and prayers."

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
BUTTE  Butte police are emptying as many jail cells as possible and refining their approaches to crowd control in anticipation of a St. Patricks Day they say could be the rowdiest in over a decade.

That rowdiness owes to this years celebration falling on a Friday, something that hasnt happened in 11 years and that Butte-Silver Bow County Undersheriff George Skuletich said tends to bring out the worst in revelers natures.

Friday nights and St. Patricks Day are already big nights in Butte for law enforcement on their own, and combining the two along with good weather and the last spring break weekend for Montana Tech doesnt help.

Skuletich said about 20 prisoners in the Butte jail arraigned or sentenced on state charges should be moved to detention centers in neighboring counties by the end of the week. Because those prisoners are under the purview of the Montana district court system, the jails Butte lends them to for the weekend are paid by the state to take care of them.

Patrol officers are also advised not to chase down misdemeanor warrants  common on slow days  in the days leading up to St. Patricks Day.

Additional prisoners with simple misdemeanor charges are also released right before the festivities, and police hope to have up to 30 beds open St. Pats, though theyd prefer not to use them.

Most folks we arrest on St. Patricks Day manage to bond out right away, Skuletich said, noting that they do end up with a few felony cases.

While chance has conspired against those hoping for a more modest celebration, police have refined their strategy of keeping the event as uneventful as possible through years of trial and error.

Most Uptown bars stop serving hours before the 2 a.m. cut off Saturday, a strategy that began years ago and keeps hammered crowds from spilling out into the streets and each other after last call.

Uptown Butte crowds are infamously packed shoulder to shoulder on St. Patricks Day, but Skuletich said the streets are not actually closed  something police find hard to convince revelers of at 2 a.m. when the outdoor open container laws kick in.

Police closed off some of Uptowns streets with fences one year, but they dont do that anymore.

It ended up looking like a cage fight, Skuletich said.

Skuletich said that 32 Butte police officers will be on the street in foot patrol teams of four or five from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., with another group of seven highway patrolmen. Arrestee transportation teams will be on call to ferry gratuitous revelers up to the jail, and regularly scheduled patrol cars will still be found around Butte to respond to crimes unrelated to the celebration of the Christianization of Ireland.

An extra 25 officers will be out on Thursday evening as well, and extras on Saturday too, Skuletich said.

Foot patrols first came about in 2006, the most recent Friday festival, and werent well received by the more indulgent merrymakers, according to Skuletich. Two police cruisers had their windows smashed with beer cans, which then-Sheriff John Walsh called a new thing in recent years.

Skuletich said 100 people were arrested in 24 hours, but that folks are now used to seeing uniforms in the crowd these days and he doesnt expect arrests at such volume this year.

Although Butte police wont be rolling out the paddy wagon, the Highway Patrol will likely bring in its mobile DUI processing van to prevent jail processors from being overwhelmed by the bureaucracy of multiple suspected drunk drivers.

Because St. Patricks Day is specifically on the calendar date of March 17 and not a changing day of the week like Easter Sunday, the holiday occasionally bucks the six-year trend, doubling law enforcements Friday reprieve as happened between 2006 and 2017. Butte will see its next Friday St. Patricks Day in 2023.
A Livingston man with a lengthy criminal record apologized for trafficking methamphetamine in the community and pledged to change his life as he was sentenced to prison Wednesday in federal court.

Matthew Keith Price, 33, said hes made mistakes and that he was not very proud of anything Ive done.

U.S. District Judge Susan Watters in Billings ordered Price to spend eight years and four months in prison for his conviction on conspiracy to possess meth for distribution and to conspiracy to launder money.

Watters said Price was in the middle of a conspiracy that brought meth and pills to Livingston from Las Vegas and that he sold the drug a number of times to an undercover agent and to a confidential source. The conspiracy ran from November 2014 until about January 2016.

The judge also said Price was in trouble as a juvenile and had a couple of felony convictions as an adult. His behavior demonstrated no respect for the law, she said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich recommended the eight-year term, which is what the judge imposed. He said Price and others brought a significant quantity of meth and pills into the community. He also recommended Price get treatment for drug and alcohol addictions.

Assistant Federal Defender Steve Babcock said a five-year term would be sufficient punishment.

Price, the prosecution said, was one of the suppliers lieutenants in Livingston. Price got meth shipments though FedEx and wired drug proceeds back to the source using MoneyGram and Western Union.

Prices co-defendant, Bobbi Mauck, 45, of Las Vegas, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. A third co-defendant, Timothy Todd Schoen, 49, a transient, has a trial set for May 22.
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A Liberty County constable who suffered a traumatic brain injury last month after he was struck by a truck is calling his recovery "miraculous."

Pct. 1 Constable Justin Johnston, who was critically injured on Feb. 15 when he was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic on Texas 146 south of Dayton, is now walking, talking, playing his guitar and completing exams that test his cognitive abilities.

"It literally was the prayers of God's people that saved my life," said Johnston, 39.

Johnston cannot recall much from the night he was hit. Only small snippets, he said.

"My memories are fuzzy. I remember certain things, certain sounds. I remember being on the helicopter when it took off and being scared. I remember being in the ambulance," he said.

Investigators previously said Samuel Leyva tried to avoid the backed-up traffic on Texas 146 and crashed through a traffic barricade, striking a Liberty County Sheriff's Office patrol car. The pickup then hit Johnston, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Johnston and Leyva, 39, and Leyva's 8-year-old daughter were flown by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.Leyva, of Cleveland, had serious injuries, according to the DPS. His daughter's injuries were described by officials as being minor.

Johnston's doctors at Memorial Hermann told him he could be released as early as the end of the month, as long as he continues to make progress in physical therapy.

Johnston said he's been "working my tail off."

"(Last week), my therapist walked with me to Starbucks. I got to have some coffee, which was cool."

Johnston must undergo one more surgery to replace a section of his skull that was removed immediately after the accident.

"You can tell the whole right side of my head is off," he said. "They took that section of my skull out. It's in the freezer somewhere at the hospital. About 90 days after the initial injury, they will put it back."

Johnston estimates returning to work in May.

"I won't be out kicking in doors and taking in bad guys just yet, but I'll get there slowly," he said.

Johnston said he's looking forward to seeing the people who saved his life.

"I have a lot of 'thank yous' to say and a lot of necks to hug," he said.

vbrashier@hcnonline.com
Ronnie Brown Jr., who raises cattle with his family in the Anahuac-Winnie area, wanted to help ranchers in the Panhandle who were struck by wildfires earlier this month and thought he'd be able to round up a 100 or so rolled bales of hay to take up.

"The phone hasn't quit ringing since Friday," Brown said as he prepared to depart early today for the 11-hour drive to the Panhandle.
A 33-year-old Louisiana man faces up to five years in prison after he admitted to sending threatening letters  some containing white powder implied to be toxic  to several federal building, including the governor.

Kyle Dore, of New Iberia, entered pleaded guilty today in a Lafayette federal courtroom to five counts of mailing threatening communications, as well as four counts of false information and hoaxes, according to information from the Western District of Louisiana's US Attorney's Office.



The court reports that nine letters were sent in December and January to post offices in Lake Charles, Abbeville, Delcambre, New Iberia; courthouses in Lafayette and Vermilion parishes; and to the State Capitol to the attention of Gov. John Edwards.



Four of the nine letters contained white powder that were implied to be toxic, the court also reports.

A sentencing date has been set for June 9. In addition to five years in prison, Dore could face three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
Major for-profit hospital operators saw lower share prices Tuesday morning after the Congressional Budget Office released a score for the Republican-proposed American Health Care Act, reports Reuters.

The CBO score released Monday projects the ACA replacement plan would reduce the federal deficit by roughly $337 billion over the next 10 years. It also projects 24 million fewer Americans would have insurance coverage by 2026.

After the score was released, Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Holdings saw its share price fall 1.8 percent, according to the report. Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems and Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health saw their stock prices dip, 4.6 percent, 2.8 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively, reports Reuters.

Major health insurers also saw lower share prices in early trading Tuesday. Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group saw its share price fall 0.2 percent, Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna's share price dipped 0.5 percent and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana's share price was down 0.1 percent, according to the report.

"While the CBO's estimate... is a negative headline for hospitals, we believe that in its current form, the bill's chances of passing are slim," Jefferies analyst Brian Tanquilut said in a research note, according to Reuters.

Mr. Tanquilut said in the report he thinks lawmakers "will eventually draft a more palatable, diluted version of 'repeal and replace' that would have a smaller impact on the number of uninsured."

Here is how the major for-profit hospital operators stacked up in early trading Wednesday morning compared to early trading Tuesday morning.

Community Health Systems (Franklin, Tenn.): $9.12 per share ( down 3.2 percent )

) HCA Holdings (Nashville, Tenn.): $84.32 per share (up 0.2 percent)

LifePoint Health (Brentwood, Tenn.): $62.30 per share ( up 0.4 percent )

) Tenet Healthcare (Dallas): $18.10 per share ( down 0.8 percent )

More articles on healthcare finance:

7 latest hospital credit downgrades

Moody's affirms 'Aa3' rating on Mercy Health's bonds

Fitch upgrades Karnes County Hospital District's rating, removes ratings watch evolving
The Association of American Medical Colleges reported an estimated national shortage of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians by 2030.

IHS Markit's life science decision conducted a physician supply and demand study for the AAMC.

Here are five key points:

1. The report projects a shortage of between 7,300 and 43,100 primary care physicians by 2030.

2. By 2030, the nation will likely lack between 33,500 and 61,800 specialists.

3. The numbers of new primary care physicians and medical specialists entering the field are not keeping up with demand.

4. The supply of surgical specialists is anticipated to maintain its level, while demand increases.

5. If all Americans accessed healthcare with no utilization obstacles, as the insured non-Hispanic white population does, America would have required up to 96,800 physicians in 2015.

The AAMC promotes various tactics to fend off the shortage:

 Boosting medical school class size

 Innovating care delivery and team-based care

 Leveraging technology

 Increasing federal support for an extra 3,000 new residency positions annually for five years

"Not only do these utilization equity data highlight the need for the nation to train more doctors, they also demonstrate the importance of a diverse health care workforce. Many of those who underutilize health care  despite their need  are from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds," said AAMC President and CEO Darrell G. Kirch, MD. "A diverse and culturally competent workforce will enable us to provide the care all Americans need and deserve."
New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery researchers studied the effect of using bone morphogenetic proteins in pediatric spinal fusion. The FDA has not approved BMP use in children, however, up to 17 percent of pediatric spinal fusions use BMP off-label.

Researchers pulled Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System data for New York. The study included 7,312 children and adolescents who underwent spinal fusion between 2004 and 2014.

Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics published the study. Researchers also presented the study at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting in San Diego on March 14, 2017.

Here are four insights:

1. Of the patients, 6.7 percent received BMP.

2. Researchers noted BMP use was greater in children who were older, white or of a higher socioeconomic status.

3. The study authors concluded BMP use did not improve pediatric spinal fusion revision rates.

4. Based on their study, researchers caution against using BMP in pediatric spinal fusion.
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The Mini plant in Cowley was one of two sites where Unite members staged demonstrations

Workers at car giant BMW have staged protests as part of a campaign against plans to close their final salary pension scheme.

Members of Unite held demonstrations at the Mini plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire, and the Hams Hall engine plant in the West Midlands.

The union said closure of the BMW occupational pension scheme could see some workers lose up to 160,000 in retirement income.

A ballot for industrial action is being held, with the result due at the end of the month.

A BMW statement said: " BMW Group has always prided itself in providing excellent pensions for all its staff and wants to act now to protect future pension provision.

"Discussions are ongoing and a further meeting with our employee representatives will take place later this month."

Unite national officer Tony Murphy said: "Workers will be protesting and encouraging their colleagues to back industrial action and send a clear message to BMW bosses that they will not tolerate the firm's pension robbery.

"The UK workforce has contributed massively to BMW Group's record sales and revenues and deserves better than BMW's broken pension promises and pleas of poverty.

"We would urge BMW to recognise the vital role the world-class UK workforce has played in the company's success and work with Unite to find a solution which safeguards car workers' pensions and works well for the business."
Forecourt retailer Applegreen won't rule out making an acquisition in the United States after committing to the market following three years of trialling its concept there, according to chief executive Bob Etchingham.

He said the group - which has five sites in Northern Ireland - is looking at a "number of potential opportunities" in the US, where Applegreen has extended its presence in Long Island and moved into Massachusetts.

He was speaking to analysts as Applegreen announced its maiden dividend, as strong food sales in Ireland helped to deliver an 18.6% rise to 21m (18.4m) in adjusted pre-tax profits for 2016. Revenue last year rose 8.2% to 1.17bn (1bn).

The company's small dividend to shareholders, which will amount to about 1m, is the first since it floated on the stockmarket in 2015.

Applegreen has six outlets in Long Island, and last year signed a deal to lease nine sites in Massachusetts from CrossAmerica Partners.
Plans for a new 26.5m office development with the potential for housing 1,500 workers at Titanic Quarter in Belfast have been unveiled.

Titanic Quarter Ltd and Belfast Harbour said the 148,000 sq ft office development will be located next to the Public Record Office and Belfast Metropolitan College.

Details of the project were announced this morning at international investment property event MIPIM, which is taking place in Cannes in the south of France.

The building is named Olympic House after Titanic Belfasts sister ship and will be made up of two blocks of six and seven storey offices.

Roy Adair, chief executive of Belfast Harbour, said: The continued development of Titanic Quarter is a major opportunity to expand Belfasts global reputation as a location characterised by some of the best designed Grade A office space in Europe.

Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd will co-develop Olympic House via a new joint venture. Its a partnership approach which marks the start of ambitious plans for the second phase of Titanic Quarters ongoing development.

Last year Belfast Harbour and Titanic Quarter Ltd resolved a legal row over which party was entitled to carry out further development in Titanic Quarter.
Professor Robert Kelly is interrupted by a child during an interview live on BBC News about South Korea (BBC News/PA)

The professor interrupted by his two mischievous children in a live TV interview said his first reaction was "mortification" and worry that the BBC would never call him again.

Professor Robert E Kelly was discussing the impeachment of South Korea's President Park Geun-hye on BBC World News on Friday when his two children gatecrashed the interview - which quickly became an internet sensation.

Speaking to the BBC again, Prof Kelly said: "We were worried actually that the BBC would never call us again.

"That was actually our first response, mortification that we had just sort of completely blown our relationship with you."
After a succession of severe-looking cardinals and bishops, Eamon Casey brought the swinging sixties with him to Ireland when he was appointed Bishop of Kerry in 1969.

He was pure showbusiness: fast cars, fine wines and that engaging smile that lit up Studio 1 when he became one of presenter Gay Byrne's favourite talk show guests.

But, as it later emerged, he had also engaged in a dangerous liaison with a striking-looking American divorcee in an episode that would bring disgrace on him and would also mark one of the defining moments in the crumbling power of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

But, when we first got to know him, Eamon Casey was ushering in a bright new era for the Church. It was one of confidence and good humour, where basic humanity would overcome the craw-thumping subservience of politicians and people to their priests and the ecclesiastical princes of the Roman Church.

Where his predecessors had been distant and austere, Eamon Casey had a wide smile, a quick wit and all the Kerry cuteness carefully hidden behind the facade of the laughing boy of the modern Church.

He moved easily and confidently among his people, but also among the media and social elites who had developed a taste for the new liberalism that was sweeping the free world. He wasn't just a media-savvy, trendy clergyman with a new message. In his pronouncements, 'Bishop Eamon' was thoroughly in tune with the line from the Vatican on contraception, abortion and other social issues, he just put a gloss on it, delivering the traditional teachings of the Church in an easier and less dogmatic style.

He used the microphone far more effectively than the pulpit, and he became the first senior churchman to reach a mass new audience created by the onset of television.

In this bright new world, Fr Michael Cleary was the 'singing priest', smoking incessantly and belting out a ballad at the drop of a hat.

Fr Brian D'Arcy was the 'showbiz priest', hanging out with stars and celebrities and writing a weekly column in the racy new Sunday World newspaper.

But Eamon Casey was not any old bishop; he was a man who had 'paid his dues', to use the trendy new parlance. For 10 years before his ordination as bishop, he had been chaplain to the Irish emigrant community in England. Based in Slough, he was national director of the Catholic Housing Aid Society and founder of Shelter, one of the first non-denominational agencies to help the homeless.

He got things done and that was important in the era of new media and mass communications.

As Bishop of Kerry in the early 1970s, he was a man in a hurry, his flashy car zipping between St Brendan's Cathedral in Killarney and Dublin, where he was networking on the social scene with public relations and media types.

He was as comfortable at glitzy occasions in city hotels as he was at the more mundane work of a busy diocese.

He didn't hold back when it came to denouncing US political involvement in the developing world, particularly South America, where the CIA had intervened to launch a series of revolutions and puppet states.

But Eamon Casey also had a dirty little secret. During his time in Kerry, not only did he have a "palace" in Killarney, he also had a secluded holiday home on the coast near the village of Annascaul on the Dingle peninsula. The hunting lodge, once owned by the Earl of Listowel, was where he brought Annie Murphy, the daughter of an American friend who came to Ireland for a little tender, loving care after a messy divorce.

Within a short time, she was accompanying Casey on social occasions and the two of them had become lovers.

In October 1973, she was pregnant, and their son, Peter, was born on July 31, 1974. Some months later, she left Ireland.

It would be almost two decades before Eamon Casey's carefully contrived world came crashing down.

In the meantime, he moved on to become Bishop of Galway (1976) and entertained the young people of Ireland along with Pope John Paul 11 at Galway Racecourse in 1982.

Although Annie Murphy left Ireland, she maintained contact with friends, and the Bishop's little secret sometimes became the subject of whispered conversations at the social occasions he attended. At least one well-known public relations executive - a woman - was aware of his son, but, like a lot of secrets of that era, it was well hidden, for the time being at least.

In his memoirs, RTE reporter Charlie Bird, who was sent to the Philippines where an Irish priest, Fr Niall O'Brien, was in prison charged with murder, gives a flavour of the omnipresence of the Bishop.

"Plenty of visitors came to see Niall O'Brien," wrote Bird. "In February 1984, Bishop Eamon Casey arrived. The Bishop of Galway was also patron of Trocaire, the Irish Catholic Church's aid agency for the developing world. He stayed at the local Archbishop's palace.

"I went up to the house to meet Casey. I can still recall him in the main reception room with all its wooden furniture. He was sitting in a white vest with his braces on. The perspiration was pouring out of him, but he was full of life and personality. He produced a bottle of whiskey and we shared a few glasses."

But in 1988 his past came back to haunt him. Annie Murphy's new partner, Arthur Pennell, arrived in Galway to negotiate a settlement with the Bishop for his son future education. Money was paid over and Mr Casey even went to New York in 1990, where he spent a night in a hotel with Annie Murphy.

On March 5, 1993, rumours of the child finally surfaced and Eamon Casey, who knew what was coming down the track, had already been to Rome and resigned his title of Bishop.

He now left for the US and, by way of parish work in Ecuador, eventually arrived in a convent in Mexico, to which he was tracked by best-selling author Gordon Thomas, who was working on a commission for the Sunday Independent.

On April 11, 1993, the story was published on the front page, leading to consternation and claims that an interview had been fabricated with quotes from tape recordings made from conversations between Mr Casey and a friend of Annie Murphy, Dympna Kilbane.

The 'disgrace' of the Bishop fathering a child soon paled almost to insignificance as the sex abuse scandals engulfed and discredited the Irish Church, almost from top to bottom, in the years that followed.

He wasn't the first or last priest to break the vow of celibacy, but it was the celebrity factor of Eamon Casey that made it all so much more dramatic and, in a way, damaging.

After serving out his time, Casey returned to live in England in retirement, and he later moved back to Galway, where he lived in a retirement home for many years.

He gave some interviews, particularly to reporter Veronica Guerin, around the time of the Gordon Thomas affair.

But he mostly kept his own counsel on the issues of Annie Murphy and his flight to South America.

And he also avoided the medium of television, which he had once used so effectively, in those early years, to deliver the message of a caring, compassionate but conservative Catholic Church.
You might need a sledge hammer to get through the front door, but Belfast's cheapest home could be yours for just 20,000.

For around the same cost as a new car, the east Belfast property is within walking distance of Connswater Shopping Centre and just a few steps from the popular Belmont Road with its eateries and shops.

It is also less than two miles from City Hall.

Based in the east Belfast suburb of Strandtown, the house at Parkgate Avenue is currently derelict with its windows and door bricked up - but could still be a good investment for a handy cash buyer.

In comparison, two other houses on the same street are currently being marketed for 50,000 and 88,000 respectively.

This end terrace property is in need of significant modernisation but could be an investment opportunity for those who have the right skills or good trade connections.

Jonathan Dickon, east Belfast branch manager at Simon Brien Estate Agents, said he expected there would be a lot of interest in the property. "The lack of supply on the housing market in east Belfast makes this a good opportunity for an investor; the area is very popular with buy-to-let developers and there has been a lot of regeneration nearby.

"In layman's terms it is a big job, but I think it will appeal to a lot of experienced developers, cash-rich and looking to renovate."

However, Co Down-born London property investor Andrew McKee said prospective buyers should approach with caution.

"While the asking price is likely to attract a good bit of interest, potential purchasers will be buying blind and will therefore need to budget for the worst and hope for the best," he said.

"It will likely need considerably more than a few windows and new tiles on the roof. That said, it's right on the doorstep of the Connswater Greenway regeneration project, so the area is benefiting from a new lease of life."

Due to the condition of the property the estate agent cannot offer internal inspection and those hoping to make an offer must have the cash at the ready, as only cash offers will be accepted.

Another of Northern Ireland's cheapest homes - a derelict three-bed terrace house off Ballymena's Cushendall Road - is currently on the market with a guide price of 25,000.

Across the border, prospective house-hunters can pick up the keys to a two-bedroom country cottage in Co Cavan for just 10,000 (8,739).

The house is located in what estate agents describe as "an angler's paradise" near Lakes Templeport and Bellaboy.

Economist John Simpson said the bargain comes as the housing market in Northern Ireland begins to slow.

He said: "Last year saw a gradually improving market, but at the moment, there are many reasons for uncertainty about where prices are going this year.

"It's likely real world incomes are going to fall for the sort of people who will be looking to buy a home, so that will have some impact.

"I don't think prices will fall, but there's a danger the housing market will stall, especially given the way the budget has gone."
A landmark church on the Ormeau Road in Belfast is set to be transformed into a new restaurant.

Northern Ireland hospitality group, Tullymore House Ltd, has confirmed plans which will effect the transformation from a place of worship through a 1m investment.

The group, which also owns the award-winning Galgorm Resort and Spa and Fratelli group of Italian restaurants, has acquired the former Holy Rosary church and surrounding land.

More than 1m will be invested improving and enhancing the site, which has been derelict since 1980, with plans to convert the church building.

More than 40 full and part time jobs will be created once the project is completed, with a further 30 jobs during the construction phase.

Project Manager Colin Johnston says the plans will add to the vibrancy of the area.

"We plan to regenerate this section of the Ormeau Road with a sympathetic redevelopment of the building, which has stood on the site since 1898.

"The Ormeau Road project is part of an ongoing investment programme in the hospitality sector by Tullymore House Ltd, including planned extensions to Fratelli restaurants in Galgorm in Ballymena and Belfast city centre."

Mr Johnston added: "As a major employer in Belfast and Ballymena, we are committed to the development and enhancement of Northern Ireland's hospitality offering, and this project is one of a number of expansion plans for 2017."

Tullymore House Ltd recently invested more than 11m in a redevelopment programme at Galgorm Resort and Spa. The company has also developed the successful Fratelli group, with one restaurant located in the four-star Galgorm Resort, and another on Belfast's Great Victoria Street.

The company has a significant investment programme planned for the Fratelli brand in 2017, totalling more than 1.5m and creating up to 60 jobs.
The scene at Lagan College in the Castlereigh hills. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

The scene at Lagan College in the Castlereigh hills. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

The scene at Lagan College in the Castlereigh hills. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

The scene at Lagan College in the Castlereigh hills. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

The scene at Lagan College in the Castlereigh hills Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye.com

An alert over white powder, found at Lagan College in the Manse Road area of Belfast, has ended.

Police said that the powder, found in an envelope received by the school, was non-hazardous.

Chief Inspector Lorraine Dobson said: "The powder has been tested and has been described as not-hazardous.

"I would like to thank the teachers and pupils at the school for their co-operation.

Students from Lagan College are now allowed to leave the premises after the school was in lock-down for most of the day. pic.twitter.com/eh9AA7bq8k  Catherine McCurry (@CateMcCurry) March 15, 2017

"I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Fire and Ambulance Service for their assistance."

Earlier the PSNI had closed access to the school as part of an investigation at the front of the premises. The alert began at about lunchtime.

A text message from the school to parents said all students and staff were safe.

Lagan College confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph that the school day continued as normal and that the incident was "only at the front of the school".

Pupils were later allowed to leave the school supervised by staff.
The Double Ditch Indian Village Historic Site has become a destination for tourists and researchers.

The earthlodge village was along the Missouri River and at one time was home to thousands of Mandan people. It was in its prime from about 1490 to 1785. The women raised corn and the village was a trading center for many tribes. Eventually, smallpox tore through the village and it was abandoned.

Double Ditch, after all these years, remains a valuable site for archaeologists studying native civilizations, explorers and traders, and how disease came into the area.

Elizabeth Fenn, a professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder and author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Encounters at the Heart of the World: A History of the Mandan People, calls it one of the most important historic sites in the American West." The state has owned the site since 1936.

Thats why steps need to be taken to preserve Double Ditch.

The site has been threatened over the years by increasing erosion brought about by flooding and the changing river. Because it was such a large village it contains burial grounds and these have been exposed by the crumbling riverbanks. Two years ago the Legislature approved a plan to protect Double Ditch.

The $3.5 million proposal involves stabilizing the bottom and placing pipe pilings along the side to stop the dirt from falling out. The project is just weeks away from bidding. The 2015 Legislature approved the $3.5 million with $250,000 from the general fund, $2 million from the state disaster relief fund and authorization for a $1.25 million loan from the Bank of North Dakota. However, the House approved a bill, HB1018, that no longer authorizes the loan. If the State Historical Society of North Dakota takes out a loan, the state wouldnt pay it back.

The Tribune Editorial Board understands the fiscal restraints the Legislature is facing. Legislators are trying to establish priorities and some people will be disappointed by the choices they make. The threat to Double Ditch wont go away and once the damage is done, it cant be replaced. Thats why a funding solution needs to be found.

While the site is owned by the state, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara have a big stake in Double Ditch. The Fort Berthold Indian Reservation should consider offering financial assistance. Rep. Jeff Delzer, R-Underwood, the House Appropriations Committee chairman, has suggested the historical society pursue private donations. Those involved in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests were able to raise a lot of money through GoFundMe accounts.

The Legislature and historical society should work to develop an alternative plan to save Double Ditch. It would be inexcusable if we allowed Double Ditch to slip away. Its a valuable historical site outside the capital city, perfect for tourists and researchers. Theres still time for an agreement.
The PSNI is believed to have received a report that a package containing white powder had been sent through the mail

Police have closed a Belfast school as part of an investigation into an envelope containing white powder.

It was received by Lagan College on Wednesday.

A PSNI statement said: " Police are attending an ongoing incident at Lagan College school in the Manse Road area of south-east Belfast."

It is thought officers received a report that a package containing white powder had been received through the mail.

Emergency services attended.

The school said students and staff were safe.

Chief Inspector Lorraine Dobson said: "The powder has been tested and has been described as not-hazardous. "I would like to thank the teachers and pupils at the school for their co-operation.

"I would also like to thank our colleagues in the Fire and Ambulance Service for their assistance."
A former UDA commander who died after being shot in broad daylight as part of a loyalist feud had been seen in the public gallery in a court just hours before he was gunned down.

George 'Geordie' Gilmore (44), who died in hospital yesterday, was in his car when he was hit in the neck, torso and leg after several shots were fired at point-blank range by an unmasked gunman.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the attack that happened around 2.15pm on Monday in Pinewood Avenue in Carrickfergus's Woodburn estate.

Eyewitnesses said a gunman fled the scene on foot, although two men may have been involved.

It also emerged that one of the bullets fired during the murder missed and went through the front door of a property.

Yesterday, the victim's son George Gilmore jnr hit out on Facebook at those behind his father's murder with a post that said: "RIP dad you'll never be forgot love you always!! Murdered by cowards."

Police were drafted in to provide a security presence at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday night as surgeons tried in vain to save Mr Gilmore.

Shortly before the shooting sources saw the victim in the public gallery at Belfast Magistrates Court as three men were remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted murder of a doorman at a Carrickfergus pub last Saturday.

The bouncer was seriously injured after being beaten with a fire extinguisher at the Royal Oak bar.

He remains in hospital with a blood clot to the brain and facial fractures following the incident, which has a suspected link to the feud.

There was a heavy police presence at the court and a PSNI helicopter hovered above the building during the lunchtime hearing amid fears of trouble between rival UDA factions.

Head of the PSNI's Serious Crime Branch, Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray, said a link to the south east Antrim faction of the UDA was a "very strong line of enquiry".

"It was a brutal murder, a reckless use of firearms in a built-up area," he said.

"At least one of the bullets that was fired at the victim missed and went through the front door of a house and could have hit an occupant. We are appealing to try and bring the behaviour to a close and to try and solve the murder."

The officer added that police believed there were potentially two gunmen involved in the murder. He said the men may have exited from an alleyway near Pinewood Avenue to carry out the attack, could have made off on foot and may have been wearing dark clothing.

He said that retaliation "is a possibility".

"However, the police are working hard to try and prevent that from happening," he added.

"At the moment a link to loyalist paramilitaries, particularly the south east Antrim element of the UDA, is a very strong line of enquiry."

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the feud involved two factions of the UDA terror group.

"One side, in broad daylight and unmasked, have taken the opportunity to try to kill one of the Gilmore family," he added.

Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs urged the factions involved to remain calm in the wake of the attack.

"Let this be a learning point - stop the paramilitarism, bring it to an end, because it is ruining our communities," the East Antrim representative said.

"I am fearful that others may wish to start a tit-for-tat war, but if that happens then everybody loses."

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson appealed for calm following Mr Gilmore's death and called on those behind the feud, which he said has been ongoing for months, to bring it to an end.

"My sympathy goes to the loved ones of the deceased," he said.

"There is now a fear in the community that there will be more violence.

"More gunmen on the street is the last thing the public wants, so I would appeal to those behind this feud to bring it to an end."

There has been a heavy police presence on the streets of Carrickfergus amid fears of reprisals after the shooting.

Just hours earlier the victim had posted on Facebook: "The days of the UDA putting people out of Carrick are over."
A mother has told of her disbelief after her son was put in isolation at a Northern Ireland grammar school because of his haircut.

Last Friday 14-year-old Henry Miskimmin was put in isolation at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School due to his haircut.

He came home from school and told his mum that the school had said the haircut "wasn't the image the school wanted to portray to the public".

Mum Sandra said she had approved of the haircut.

She told BBC Talkback: "They are taken from their school year, in a separate classroom. There were three other boys with Henry. They are sent their school work and there's a teacher there to supervise them. They can't communicate with their friends or have break or lunch time with them.

"When I saw the haircut when he came home and I said it's fine.

"He gets his hair cut shorter during school holidays but not for school because we respect the rules they enforce.

"In my opinion it was not disrespectful or inappropriate to be at school. He has it short back and sides.

"Now to be isolated for a hair style that doesn't look untidy - it's clean and neat. To be penalised for looking like how he wants to look like is wrong."

Sandra was meeting with the school on Wednesday to find out the details on their uniform and appearance policy.

On the school's website under its Uniform guidelines for boys it states "hair should be above the collar and hairstyles should be tidy and unobtrusive. Hair should not be conspicuously coloured or shaven to extreme i.e number one".

Henry had to spend Monday in isolation also before Sandra contacted them. He was supposed to be in isolation on Tuesday also but when he arrived at school they told him he was allowed back to normal classes.

"They are kept in isolation until deemed appropriate to get back into mainstream school."

Sandra said she is a "strict" parent and expects her children to abide by the rules but that he is "impeccable" when he goes out to school.

When contacted for comment the principal of the school Elizabeth Armstrong told the Belfast Telegraph was an "internal school matter".

She said: "This is an internal school matter and we are dealing with the parent concerned who contacted us this morning."

Before contacting the school Sandra posted the picture of her son on Facebook and asked fellow parents for their views.

It prompted hundreds of comments in response.
Northern Ireland has the lowest prison population rate in the UK, according to a major new study.

There were 1,690 prisoners here on September 1, 2015, latest figures published by the Council of Europe show. Of those, 164 were serving life sentences.

The report said that prisons in Northern Ireland - Maghaberry, Magilligan and Hydebank Wood - had a capacity of 1,841 on that date.

On the same day in 2014, there were 1,860 prisoners.

The latest figures for 2015 also show that there were 91.5 prisoners for every 100,000 people in Northern Ireland.

In 2014, the figure was 101.3.

The study also shows that the UK has the highest prison population in the European Union.

There were a total of 95,629 people behind bars in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as of September 2015.

Forty-five administrations were examined and only Russia and Turkey had more prisoners, with 642,470 and 173,522 respectively.

England and Wales had a prison population rate of 148.3 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, which was higher than the Europe-wide average of 134.7.

As of September 2015, there were 86,193 prisoners in England and Wales, while Northern Ireland and Scotland had 1,690 and 7,746 respectively. The combined total was the highest out of all the EU member states for which figures were available.

England and Wales had one of the highest numbers of prisoners serving life, the analysis found, with 7,439.

The Council of Europe report found that overall, the number of people held in jails around the continent fell by 6.8% from 2014 to 2015.

Council of Europe secretary general Thorbjorn Jagland said: "The drop in the overall number of people in prison in Europe is welcome."
Critics of plans for Northern Ireland's first green burial site have raised fears about possible pagan practices.

The proposed woodland site is close to the spot widely believed to be the resting place of St Patrick in Downpatrick, Co Down.

It is also near Slieve Patrick, where a large statue of the Patron Saint overlooks the place he is believed to have landed on his return to Ireland to convert the natives to Christianity.

A group called Down to Earth has developed the proposal at Lough Money, but it has met opposition from some residents.

Concerns have been raised about "pagan elements", potential contamination of the lough and upkeep of the site.

The group insists the plan is about reducing carbon footprint and getting back to nature.

Within the woodland graveyard there would be no headstones, and no ordinary coffins. Instead, thousands of trees and wildflowers would be planted to make a memorial nature reserve.

People wishing to be buried there would use cardboard or wicker coffins, and no embalming fluid would be permitted.

GPS technology would be used to ensure that people who want to be buried with family members can identify grave locations. It is estimated 750 burials could be accommodated in the first phase, with more later.

Down to Earth member Ciara Campbell Crawford said there was nothing pagan involved. "I think people are afraid of the unknown. Some are afraid to move away from the traditional church setting," she said.

"All we are trying to do is bring it back to nature. Many of us in the group are from different backgrounds. Some have faith, some don't.

The group is carrying out public consultations before submitting an application to planners.

However, SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said local people had raised a number of concerns.

"As it is not a traditional burial plot and is not Christian in a sense, there are real fears that there is some pagan element to it," he said.

"Some are worried that there could be contamination issues as the site is on a hill which slopes down into a lough. Another big concern is that, because it is a private company, what happens if it goes into liquidation? Who has responsibility then?"

Down to Earth will host a community consultation meeting at Paddy's Barn in Saul on March 25, 12.30-2.30pm.
An amendment to Senate Bill 2012, the bill that funds the North Dakota Department of Transportation, would give local governments the option of taking over eight NDDOT section shops that would otherwise close.

The state Senate already approved the bill. The bill is currently before the House Appropriation Committees Government Operations subcommittee, which is chaired by Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley.

The NDDOT plans to close eight of its 67 sections shops in Gackle, Courtenay, Litchville, Fessenden, Finley, New England, Mayville and Starkweather. Residents in Courtenay, Gackle and the other communities gathered signatures on petitions and testified at the first hearing on the bill before the Government Operations subcommittee on March 2-3.

Jamie Olson, NDDOT spokesperson, previously said closing the eight section shops will save the NDDOT $2.1 million.

Brandenburg said Monday the proposed amendment, which he brought before the subcommittee, authorizes the DOT to negotiate a lease with either the county, city or township where the section shop is located. Counties would have the first crack at leasing the DOT properties, then cities, then townships.

The amendment states that the DOT cannot get rid of the section shops during the 2017-19 biennium. If no lease agreement is in place on June 30, 2019, the DOT may dispose of the section shop properties after this date.

He said the leases would just cover the DOTs cost for insuring the building. As part of the lease, the county, city or township may get a snowplow truck from the DOT, but the truck must be one that the department (DOT) intends to dispose of as part of its equipment replacement schedule.

Stutsman County officials say the county wont be leasing the DOT section shop in Courtenay.

Casey Bradley, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, said the amendment would basically ask the county to take on additional costs and responsibilities without offering any more funds to cover those responsibilities.

Stutsman County Commissioner David Schwartz said Tuesday he heard about the amendment when it was mentioned at the Stutsman County Commission meeting last week.

Schwartz said what is proposed in the amendment is preposterous. He said it would be close to impossible for Stutsman County to follow through with leasing the NDDOT section shop in Courtenay.

Stutsman County currently has road workers in Medina, Woodworth, Montpelier and Streeter. Schwartz said there was a road maintenance worker and motor grader in Kensal, but the employee recently died. He said the road maintenance worker in Streeter will soon be retiring.

These are positions where you cant just plunk somebody in there and they are good to go, he said. They have to have experience running the machinery.

With the amendment the NDDOT would retain the use of salt buildings located on any leased property, have the right to park one vehicle inside the maintenance building during a major winter storm and use an electrical outlet to plug in different vehicles for wintertime loading of deicing materials.

Also under this amendment, if the county, city or township does lease a NDDOT maintenance building, it would be required to offer assistance in case of an emergency to clear roads in case the NDDOT is unable to respond.

Brandenburg described a situation involving a house fire north of Courtenay as an example. If the roads are blocked because of snow and the NDDOT cant get a snowplow to Courtenay in a reasonable amount of time, the county would be required to get the roads cleared to allow local fire departments to get to the scene.

Brandenburg said he thought the amendment was a good compromise as theNDDOT could close these section shops without ever bringing the matter to the state Legislature.

For the last two (legislative) sessions weve been dealing with this issue (NDDOT budget), he said. Weve been able to pull a rabbit out of a hat because we had money. Now, we dont have money, we have a budget crisis.

Dean Entzminger, chair of the Logan County Board of Commissioners, said his board hadnt even discussed the issue of the NDDOT section shop closing in Gackle. He said Logan County has two road maintenance workers, one is 66 the other is 68, and he doesnt think either is looking to take on snowplowing duties on state roads.

Well see what they (NDDOT) offer us, he said. Weve had some good service from the DOT.
Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has been slammed after she said Theresa May can stick the Irish border "where the sun don't shine" during a speech to the European Parliament.

Talking about a post-Brexit border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, Ms Anderson told MEPs: "No border hard or soft will be accepted by the people of Ireland."

Referring to the Prime Minister, she added: "Theresa, your notion of a border, hard and soft, stick it where the sun doesn't shine 'cos you're not putting it in Ireland."

Responding on BBC Talkback, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: "Martina Anderson was ranting like a fishwife. That was far more offensive than anything Arlene Foster said."

Mr Wilson was referring to the DUP leader comparing Sinn Fein to a crocodile before the election.

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson described Ms Anderson's comments as embarrassing and displaying a lack of respect.

"This wouldn't be the first time a Sinn Fein representative has embarrassed themselves at the European level and I am sure it won't be the last," he said. "I doubt the Prime Minister will have been paying close attention to Martina Anderson ranting and raving to an empty chamber in Strasbourg at 10.30pm.

"I hope whichever MEPs were present were able to see the true face of Sinn Fein, who all too often are incapable of practising what they preach on tolerance and respect."

Ms Anderson also posted a selfie on Twitter of herself and Sinn Fein colleague Matt Carthy with the caption: "Two tired faces still up and at it in Strasbourg re #BREXIT. No borders in Ireland. What armoured cars and tanks and guns couldn't do, EU won't do".

On Monday Sinn Fein Stormont leader Michelle O'Neill said there was an urgent need for a referendum on Irish unity as the British Government had "refused to listen" to the majority of people in the region over Brexit.

Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan said he was concerned that there is no power-sharing administration at Stormont to negotiate a good Brexit deal. "As the Government embarks on formal negotiations with the European Union it is a sad indictment of the last Northern Ireland Executive that there is currently no Executive in place to feed into the UK negotiating position," he said. "The final Brexit deal will have significant lasting consequences for our universities, farming and agri-food, the community and voluntary sector, and the business community, amongst others. It is crucial that Northern Ireland interests are represented, which I fear is not happening at the moment."

"No border hard or soft will be accepted by the people of Ireland. Theresa (May) ... stick (a border) where the sun don't shine because you're not putting it in Ireland."
Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has rejected any kind of border in Ireland after Brexit, telling Theresa May she can 'stick it where the sun doesn't shine'.

Addressing the European parliament on Monday Ms Anderson said: "Theresa, your notion of a border, hard and soft, stick it where the sun doesn't shine 'cos you're not putting it in Ireland."

The DUP's Sammy Wilson criticised Ms Anderson for her comments. Responding on BBC Talkback, Mr Wilson said: "Martina Anderson was ranting like a fishwife. That was far more offensive than anything Arlene Foster said."

Mr Wilson was referring to the DUP leader comparing Sinn Fein to a crocodile before the recent election.

Ms Anderson was unavailable to respond to Mr Wilson's comments.

On Monday, Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, said there was an urgent need for a referendum on Irish unity as the British government had "refused to listen" to the majority of people in the region over Brexit.

Parliament has passed the Brexit Bill, paving the way for the government to trigger Article 50 so the UK can leave the European Union.

Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan said he was concerned that there is no powersharing government at Stormont to negotiate a good Brexit deal.

"As the government embarks on formal negotiations with the European Union it is a sad indictment of the last Northern Ireland Executive that there is currently no Executive in place to feed into the UK negotiating position.

"The final Brexit deal will have significant lasting consequences for our universities, farming and agri-food, the community and voluntary sector, and the business community, amongst others.

Expand Close Sammy Wilson criticised Martina Anderson over comments she made in the European Parliament on Monday / Facebook

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Whatsapp Sammy Wilson criticised Martina Anderson over comments she made in the European Parliament on Monday

"It is crucial that Northern Ireland interests are represented, which I fear is not happening at the moment."
Some information from the Troubles can never enter the public domain because it would put lives at risk, the Northern Ireland Secretary has said.

National security is the primary responsibility of the Westminster Government, James Brokenshire added.

Sinn Fein accused him of hiding behind security issues and blocking the release of money for inquests into conflict killings.

Mr Brokenshire said: "National security remains the primary responsibility of the UK Government and (in) our actions we will certainly continue to have that at the forefront of our minds."

Sinn Fein and the British Government have been at loggerheads over the issue.

The dispute has hindered efforts to reach a deal on tackling the legacy of past violence and the release of money for inquests into Troubles deaths.

DUP leader Arlene Foster blocked a bid to request the extra money from the Government amid fears of an imbalance between the number of inquiries into state killings and those involving paramilitaries.

Victims held a protest at the delay at Stormont on Wednesday.

One group represents 10 people killed by soldiers in Ballymurphy in west Belfast in 1971 as the then government introduced internment - imprisonment without trial.

They urged politicians engaged in powersharing talks at Stormont not to enter government until there is agreement on addressing the legacy of the past.

Expand Close James Brokenshire says national security remains the primary responsibility of the UK Government / Facebook

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Whatsapp James Brokenshire says national security remains the primary responsibility of the UK Government

Sinn Fein leader at Stormont Michelle O'Neill said: "James Brokenshire and the British Government need to stop hiding behind the issue of national security.

"These families have the right to an inquest. It should not be subject to a political veto.

"The British Government needs to stop being a blocking mechanism. They need to deliver for these families."

Former Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers raised the issue with Mr Brokenshire in Parliament.

She said: "The Government and the police have disclosed unprecedented amounts of information about the Troubles, some of it extremely sensitive.

"But will the Secretary of State agree that there is some information that is so sensitive that it can never go out into the public domain, because it would put lives at risk if it did?"

Mr Brokenshire replied: "I do agree with her, and with all of her experience as a previous secretary of state she knows the sensitivity and importance of these issues of national security."

He said devolved government can return to Northern Ireland, and praised a "shared willingness" among the parties to re-establish the ministerial Executive after the collapse of powersharing at Stormont.

He added that "significant challenges" remained but progress had been made and needed to continu urgently to reach a positive outcome.
A man has confessed to raping Irish woman Danielle McLaughlin who was found dead at an Indian tourist spot, according to police.

Ms McLaughlin (28), from Buncrana, left on a backpacking adventure last month and had been celebrating the Holi festival in Canacona on Tuesday.

She was discovered with injuries to her head and face.

Her mother, Andrea Brannigan, has led tributes to her today saying she will be "sadly missed".

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters that her remains were sent to the Goa Medical College and hospital to establish if the victim was raped before the attack.

Police sources told the Times of India that a local farmer noticed the body of a young woman while he was on his way to the fields, in a woodland spot - 300m from a road.

According to IANS the victim had arrived in the Palolem beach area on Sunday evening to participate in Holi celebrations before being found dead on Tuesday.

Supt Tavares told reporters that they had arrested a suspect: "He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity."

"We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects, a police officer told IANS.

Six "suspects" have been questioned by police in relation to the killing and one man is due to be brought before a court today.

#Breaking Mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who was found dead in a Goa tourist resort, pays tribute to daughter who will be "sadly missed" pic.twitter.com/9yTdvBIrUJ  Press Association (@PA) March 15, 2017

Sources have told Independent.ie that Ms McLaughlin is originally from Buncrana, Co Donegal. She left Ireland in February to go "backpacking around the world".

Local councillor Rena Donaghey (FF) said: "The whole community and the town of Buncrana is in deep shock today. Everyone is very saddened by the news.

"She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end.

"She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

"On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead," said the Fianna Fail councillor.

Dozens of friends paid tribute on Facebook, with one writing; "It was a pleasure knowing u & spending 5 yrs in school with u.! Such a bubbly girl.! [sic]."

The popular woman grew up in Buncrana, attending the local Scoil Mhuire secondary school. She studied at university in Liverpool and reports say she held a British passport.

Buncrana parish priest Fr Francis Bradley told Independent.ie that he was looking after the family.

"Her family are understandably distraught at what has happened," Fr Bradley told BBC Radio Foyle.

"They are a family who have suffered a lot of loss over the last number of years, her mother in particular.

"The loss is immense and the circumstances of that death, the distance between where it happened and where the family are, adds to the difficulty that the family feel at this time."

Fr Bradley described Danielle McLaughlin as a "happy-go-lucky" girl who loved to travel.

"I met the young lady in question a few months ago at the time that her grandfather was gravely ill and she was very close to her grandfather, who subsequently died.

"She seemed a happy go-lucky, friendly, quiet girl.

"To find that there could be malice or something very sinister involved in the way in which someone died is particularly disturbing and has its own challenge that we as a community will have to face," he added.

Ms McLaughlin recently wrote on Facebook that she was travelling to India.

"Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure..."

A bar that she worked at in Liverpool posted a tribute to her on Facebook. The Pumphouse in Albert Dock wrote: "Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland."

In a statement Liverpool John Moores University said: "The university is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

"We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU."

A spokesman would not say what Miss McLaughlin studied at the university or when she left.

Suresh Velip, head constable at Goa Police, said a 24-year-old Indian man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Asked about details around the case, he told the Press Association: "It is still under investigation."

Mr Velip said Ms McLaughlin's body was found in a remote area near Deobagh Beach in Canacona on Tuesday morning.

The police man said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, but he declined to disclose any details of the findings.

The suspect is expected to appear in court in Canacona at some stage.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told Independent.ie: "The Irish embassy in Delhi is in contact with the Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance."

In 2008, a British teenager Scarlett Keeling (above) was raped and left to die at Anjuna beach in Goa.

Miss Keeling's mother said she her heart sank after hearing of the killing in Goa, saying "it just brings it all back".

Fiona MacKeown said: "It is horrific. My heart breaks for her family and friends. I know what they are going through.

"It really makes my heart sink. I just feel so sad for her mum, siblings and friends."

Ms MacKeown found that dealing with the Goan police and authorities while grieving over her daughter was "frustrating" and like "banging your head against a brick wall".

She hoped Ms McLaughlin's family would not have to face a similar trauma and added "it is a possibility, but it is early days yet in the investigation and I hope it works out well" for them.
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been on a tour of the US.

A comprehensive trade deal between the US and EU would be a win-win for both economies, Irish premier Enda Kenny has said on a visit to the US.

Addressing a gathering of business figures in Washington, the Taoiseach said he would continue to work to make a transatlantic trading agreement a reality.

Mr Kenny also said that Ireland was in a strong position to maximise any opportunities presented by Brexit.

As the only English speaking country remaining in the union, the Fine Gael leader insisted Ireland could be an important bridge between the United States and Europe.

His remarks came amid ongoing uncertainty over the fate of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the EU.

Negotiations on TTIP are on ice following the election of President Trump, who campaigned on a protectionist agenda and has been highly critical of TTIP.

"Ireland steadfastly supports an open, rules-based international trading system which promotes and delivers open, free and fair trade," Mr Kenny told the Economic Promotion Lunch at the United States Institute of Peace.

"We continue to believe that a comprehensive bilateral trade and investment deal between the EU and US would benefit both economies and most importantly, the workers and consumers of both blocs.

"So I am determined to work with the new US administration and as a committed member of the EU towards this end."

Mr Kenny will hold talks with President Trump in the White House on Thursday.

In regard to Brexit, the Taoiseach repeated his view that the UK's departure from the EU would be "bad for Britain, for Ireland and for Europe".

But he added: "Whilst there will be unique challenges facing Ireland, we are also in a strong position to maximise any opportunities for Ireland arising from Brexit.

"Ireland is an important bridge between the US and the EU. Post Brexit, Ireland will be the only English-speaking country in the EU, at the heart of the Single Market with unfettered access for companies, and in the Eurozone.

"Our people are well educated and are passionate about business, progress and creativity.

"We will continue to promote the strengths which make Ireland so attractive to FDI (foreign direct investment). And key to this is our strong commitment to international trade."
A sea search is under way off the Co Mayo coast (Irish Coast Guard/PA)

An intense search for the remaining crew of a missing Irish Coast Guard helicopter off the west of Ireland has been wound down for the night after its rescued pilot died.

Hopes faded for the survival of anyone on the Sikorsky S92 which lost radio contact without any warning at around 12:45 am on Tuesday morning.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, the first named victim of the suspected crash, was pulled from the Atlantic off the Co Mayo coast - around six miles (10km) west of Blacksod - deemed critically-ill, but later confirmed dead.

She was the mother of a three-year-old son.

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The ground-breaking pilot from Dublin, well known for her starring role in a fly-on-the-wall television show about the life-saving service, had more than two decades experience in search and rescue missions.

Her sister Niamh Fitzpatrick said the family was devastated.

"My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in #Rescue116 crash," she posted on Twitter.

"We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of three remaining crew."

In a statement to Today FM, her family added: "We are so proud of Dara's work and all she has done to save the lives of others over the years.

"We are completely heartbroken and we pray for the recovery of the other three crew."

The Dublin-based helicopter crew was providing cover for another Coast Guard helicopter involved in an early-morning evacuation of a crewman needing urgent medical attention on a UK-registered trawler, approximately 150 miles (240km) west of Eagle Island in Co Mayo.

It had flown directly to the scene from the Irish capital, travelled around 10 miles (16km) out to sea, then turned back towards land to refuel.

There was no indication of any danger moments before it vanished, with the crew's final transmission: "Shortly landing at Blacksod."

Visibility was described as not good at the time.

When the helicopter failed to arrive, a Mayday signal went out and Coast Guard helicopters from Sligo and Shannon along with the Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft Casa were tasked to the scene.

They were joined by lifeboats from Ballyglass and Achill, the Naval Service's LE Roisin ship and five local fishing vessels.

Officals from the Air Accident Investigation Unit are also at the scene carrying out a full investigation.

Jurgen Whyte, chief aeronautical officer with the unit, signalled the helicopter's black box could be crucial to learning what went wrong.

"These recorders are modern enough that we can actually - if we can recover the recorder and if it is functioning correctly - we can hopefully re-analyse the flight and actually get the aircraft to fly again digitally," he said.

"That will help investigators a lot to actually determine what was happening in the final moments of the flight."

Gerard O'Flynn, of the Irish Coast Guard, confirmed there was no indication the helicopter was in any trouble immediately before it vanished from the radar.

"This was a shock, the helicopter just simply disappeared," he said.

From early on, little hope was held out of any survivors.

Debris discovered on the surface of the water was brought ashore at a pier at Blacksod throughout the day, including what appeared to look like a door.

Eugene Clonan, acting director of the Irish Coast Guard, said the helicopter was one of best that can be used in search and rescue operations and had a "very good safety record".

President Michael D Higgins led tributes, saying it was a "dark day in the history of the Coast Guard".

"On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I pay tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died today," he said.

"We are all grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment to the aims of the Coast Guard that Captain Fitzpatrick and her colleagues have consistently displayed.

"My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment and also with the families of the missing crew."

Safety checks were carried out on the disappeared Sikorsky S92 helicopter and four others in January after its maker issued an alert.

No issues were found with any of the helicopters when precautionary inspections were ordered after an incident involving the same make and model on a North Sea platform late last year.

The aircraft are owned and operated by a private company called CHC, under contract with the Department of Transport for the Irish Coast Guard.

Mark Abbey, regional director for CHC, said: "We are devastated by this morning's tragic accident. Our thoughts are with Dara's family and friends, as well as those of the three crew who are still missing."

Ms Fitzpatrick was recognised with honours for her bravery and earned a place in the aviation history books.

Just three years ago, she was one of two female Coast Guard pilots who carried out the first all-woman mission for the service.

The pair flew a cardiac patient from west Co Cork to Cork University Hospital before transferring a critically-ill five-year-old child from the hospital to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.

She was known for her starring role in Rescue 117, a fly-on-the-wall documentary series on State broadcaster RTE, given behind the scenes access to the helicopter search and rescue service.

She had also spent a year long stint in Aberdeen flying onto oil rigs.

As well as her son, she is survived by three sisters, a brother and her parents.
A piece of debris is towed into harbour on Tuesday night

Family members of the crew arrive at Blacksod Lighthouse, Co Mayo

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who died after she was found in a critical condition by RNLI crew

Tributes have been paid to an Irish rescue helicopter pilot involved in dozens of lifesaving missions across Northern Ireland after her aircraft went down in the Atlantic.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (45) was found in a critical condition as rescuers searched for the Irish Coastguard helicopter off the west of Ireland, but later died.

She was one of four crew members on board the helicopter which went missing near Blacksod in Co Mayo.

The three crew still missing have been named as Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby.

Hopes faded for the survival of anyone on the Sikorsky S92, which lost radio contact without any warning at around 12.45am yesterday.

Captain Fitzpatrick, the mother of a three-year-old boy, was part of a crew that was regularly involved in search and recovery operations throughout Northern Ireland, particularly in the Mourne Mountains.

She and her team shared a close working relationship with members of the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team.

Martin McMullan, rescue coordinator of Mourne Mountain Rescue, paid tribute to Captain Fitzpatrick, saying she went "above and beyond" the call of duty.

"Dara and her team always did the utmost to save and rescue casualties," he said. These people are professionals and it's much more than a job to them."

He said the crew from the Rescue helicopter 116 worked alongside his team up to 30 times a year in search operations and training.

He added: "Dara would have been working with us quite regularly.

"If we were to request an air asset the Dublin helicopter would be our first point of call.

"Over the years we would have formed a very strong working relationship.

"In situations where it's time critical, the work of Dara and others make the difference between life and death. It can reduce not just the trauma for the casualty but also reduces the pressure on our team."

Just days ago her helicopter was part of a rescue operation after a walker was injured on Slieve Foy in the Cooley Mountains.

Captain Fitzpatrick was also at the centre of a major search operation for two men after their microlight plunged into the sea north of Glenarm in Co Antrim last year.

The pilot from Dublin helped oversee the air, land and sea search for the two Yorkshire men when their aircraft went missing after taking off from City of Derry Airport in June.

She further helped facilitate the rescue of Sam Cully from Portavogie, who was taken to hospital after his fishing boat capsized near Portaferry in 2013. The fisherman later thanked his rescuers who he said saved his life.

The Bangor RNLI paid tribute to the crew saying they were dedicated to saving others "while putting their own lives in peril".

The Facebook post added: "Our thoughts are with all who have been affected by this tragedy."

Foyle Search and Rescue also paid an online tribute: "Thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues in the Irish Coast Guard."

Ms Fitzpatrick was recognised with honours for her bravery and earned a place in the aviation history books.

Three years ago, she was one of two female Coast Guard pilots who carried out the first all-woman mission for the service.

The pair flew a cardiac patient from west Co Cork to Cork University Hospital before transferring a critically-ill child from the hospital to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin.

She was known for her starring role in Rescue 117, a fly-on-the-wall documentary series on State broadcaster RTE, given behind the scenes access to the helicopter search and rescue service.

She is survived by her son, three sisters, brother and parents.
Heather Ilott made an application under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 for ''reasonable financial provision'' from her mother's estate

A woman has been left "very disappointed" after seven Supreme Court justices dramatically reduced a figure of more than 160,000 awarded her by the Court of Appeal out of her estranged mother's will.

The ruling was welcomed by animal charities named in the will who said it confirmed the right of individuals "to choose who will inherit when we die".

Heather Ilott, an only child, was deliberately cut out of the will after she was rejected by her mother at the age of 17 after leaving home to live with her boyfriend in 1978.

Mother and daughter remained estranged for some 26 years right up to her mother's death, aged 70, in 2004.

Melita Jackson left the majority of her 486,000 estate to three animal charities - Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

She instructed her executors to defend any attempt by her daughter to contest her decision.

But Mrs Ilott, who married her boyfriend and has five children of her own, applied for a share of the will under inheritance laws which allow, in certain circumstances, those closely connected to the will maker to apply for maintenance if the will fails to make reasonable financial provision.

As a daughter Mrs Ilott, now in her 50s, from Great Munden, Hertfordshire, qualified for an award under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 because she and her husband, Nicholas, were living on a very restricted income, mostly benefits.

A district judge ruled in 2007 that she should receive 50,000, but appeal judges more than tripled the award to 160,000.

They ruled the district judge had made "identifiable errors of principle", and awarded Mrs Ilott 143,000 to buy, at a sitting tenant's discount, the housing association home where she and her family lived, plus an option to receive 20,000 more in one or more instalments.

But the Supreme Court, the UK's highest court, unanimously allowed an appeal by the animal charities.

The Supreme Court panel of justices - the president Lord Neuberger sitting with deputy president Lady Hale and Lords Hughes, Kerr, Clarke, Wilson and Sumption - agreed it was the appeal court that had fallen into error.

In the lead ruling, Lord Hughes said of the district judge's award: "It was in fact an award which met many of Mrs Ilott's needs for maintenance.

"There was nothing about it which was outside the generous ambit of judgment available to him. His order ought to be restored."

In a judgment providing guidance for future cases, he also observed: "Unlike some other systems, English law recognises the freedom of individuals to dispose of their assets by will after death in whatever manner they wish."

The animal charities were "the chosen beneficiaries of the deceased. They did not have to justify a claim on the basis of need under the 1975 Act, as Mrs Ilott necessarily had to do."

Later, the charities said in a joint statement: "We are pleased that the Supreme Court has given welcome reassurance that, save in limited and specific circumstances, the wishes recorded in a person's will must be respected.

"Blue Cross, RSPCA and RSPB and the charitable sector as a whole rely on generous gifts left in wills, without which much of their valuable work could not be done."

Martin Oliver, a partner at Wright Hassall Solicitors, said on Mrs Ilott's behalf: "Heather is naturally very disappointed with the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment.

"She is a hard-working mother who brought a claim to seek reasonable financial provision from her mother's estate under legislation which has been around for over 80 years.

"Some of the judges have found that the current law is unsatisfactory and this will no doubt raise broader questions in the future.

"Heather has never wanted to be in the limelight or to be at the centre of a legal debate which polarises public opinion.

"In the future, children in Heather's position may be able to bring a claim under this legislation but, as each case turns on its own facts, it does depend on the circumstances of the case."

The justices were told that the appeal had been brought by the charities "largely on principle" because of the possible impact on other cases.

They were told that an "arrangement" had been made with Mrs Ilott in the event of the appeal succeeding.

This would allow her family to remain in the house they had bought with the money awarded by the appeal court as long as they wished, with a suitable charge protecting the charities' interest over the property.
Theresa May will continue to resist growing public and Cabinet pressure to exclude foreign students from the Government's target to get net immigration down to the tens of thousands, Downing Street said.

Earlier, Liam Fox suggested he agreed with Cabinet colleagues that students should be left out of the figures and revealed there was an "ongoing argument" in Government over the issue.

The International Trade Secretary said he had made his own views "clear" to the Home Secretary, indicating he was on the same side of the debate as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Chancellor Philip Hammond.

But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said she would not relent to pressure to remove students from the immigration target.

He told a regular Westminster briefing: "No, and the Prime Minister has been clear over a long period of time that she believes that students should continue to be included in the official immigration statistics."

Asked if Dr Fox was speaking for the Government, the spokesman replied: "The Prime Minister's position is clear."

Mr Johnson's call for international students to be left out of the net migration figures as they were a "massive benefit" to the UK was rejected by the PM in December.

Mr Hammond has also indicated that he could be in favour of removing students from the target, suggesting in October that he did not believe people's main concerns around immigration were about students.

Dr Fox told the House of Lords International Relations Committee: "It's an ongoing argument inside Government and I've made my own views on that clear in private to the Home Secretary.

"I think there is a value for those who come and study in the United Kingdom.

"I 100% accept the point that they will be, in many cases, imbued by the values that they experience while they are here, many of them will go on to establish long-term relationships with the United Kingdom, understanding our institutions."

Dr Fox said there was also an opportunity for universities to generate cash and promote British educational standards and values by setting up satellite campuses abroad.

"It is one of the sectors in this country that shows the most appetite for being willing to do that and I think offers us huge opportunities to continue with that," he said.

"I don't see it as being one or the other (foreign students coming to the UK, or universities setting up campuses abroad), I see them as very complementary."

It comes after peers on Monday inflicted a crushing defeat on the Government over the issue.

A cross-party coalition in the Lords voted by a majority of 94 to end the widely criticised policy of including students in the Government's target.

Eight Tory rebels backed the winning amendment, including former universities minister Lord Willetts.
Research suggests there is a 'much higher' level of support for independence today than previously seen

Support for Scottish independence is higher than ever before but the "potentially divisive" issue of the European Union may make it difficult for nationalists to win a second referendum, according to a new report.

The latest ScotCen Scottish social attitudes survey suggested there is a "much higher" level of support for independence "than ever existed beforehand" - with this recorded at 46% in 2016, compared to 39% the previous year and 23% recorded in 2012, the year the previous referendum campaign began.

But the research also suggested Scots are now "more sceptical about the EU" than before the 2016 Brexit vote was held.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has declared she is to seek to hold a second referendum, accusing Prime Minister Theresa May of ignoring Scotland over Europe after 62% of people north of the border voted to remain last June.

The Scottish Government's "compromise" proposals, aimed at keeping Scotland in the single market and securing new powers for Holyrood, were met with a "brick wall of intransigence" from Westminster, the First Minister said.

But the ScotCen report stated: "The EU is potentially a divisive issue for the nationalist movement while the commitment of many voters in Scotland to remain in the EU does not appear to be especially strong."

Scotland "emerged from the EU referendum even more sceptical about the EU than it had been at the outset of the referendum campaign", according to the research, with 67% either wanting the UK to quit Europe and seek to reduce the amount of power Brussels holds.

"A referendum that is called on the basis that independence would enable Scotland to remain part of the EU may not necessarily provide the most propitious circumstances for nationalists to win a second referendum after all," it said.

Professor John Curtice, senior research fellow at ScotCen, said: "The nationalist movement in Scotland has never been stronger electorally.

"Meanwhile, from its perspective, the outcome of the EU referendum appeared to be a perfect illustration of their argument that for so long as it stays in the UK, Scotland is always at risk of having its 'democratic will' overturned by England.

"However, the commitment to the EU of many of those who voted to Remain does not appear to be strong enough that they are likely to be persuaded by the outcome of the EU referendum to change their preference for staying in the UK.

"Meanwhile, there is a risk that linking independence closely to the idea of staying in the EU could alienate some of those who currently back leaving the UK."

He made his comments after the ScotCen report said: "A ll in all, nationalism in Scotland has never seemed to be in finer fettle.

"To that extent, it would seem that the nationalist movement will enter any second referendum in a much stronger position than the one it enjoyed before the September 2014 independence referendum."

Looking at levels of support for leaving the UK among different age groups, the research - which questioned 1,237 people between July and December 2016 - said the age gap in support for independence "seems to have widened somewhat".

In 2012 just under one in five (19%) of those aged 45 and over wanted Scotland to leave the UK, compared to 28% of those under 45.

The 2016 survey found support for independence had increased by 14 points to 33% among those aged 45 and over, and had risen by 19 points in the under-45 age groups, taking it to 47%.

The report went on: " The gap is currently especially wide between those aged between 16 and 24, 72% of whom support independence, and those aged 65 and over, just 26% of whom do so."

Scottish External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: " These findings show that support for independence is now at its highest ever level in this series of surveys undertaken since 1999, with independence now the single most popular of all constitutional options.

"Support for independence is now at double the level it was in 2012, while only 8% of people do not want any kind of Scottish Parliament at all."

Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said the report showed there is "significant division already across Scotland on a range of constitutional matters".

He warned: "Sparking yet another referendum will only make this worse.

"The people of Scotland do not want another referendum and would prefer the SNP got on with dealing with the things that matter."

Scottish Labour Westminster spokesman Ian Murray said: "This impartial report underlines that our country is divided enough.

"We must not be divided again by the SNP's obsession for a second independence referendum.

"Nicola Sturgeon doesn't have answers on Europe and this report makes clear that Scotland's attitudes towards this is much more complex than the SNP would admit."
MI5 made "substantial contributions" to an investigation which has seen four people - including two members of the Russian security services - charged over one of the largest data breaches in US history.

The US Justice Department announced on Wednesday that charges have been brought in relation to the 2014 attack which targeted around 500 million Yahoo accounts.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said: "We're here for one of the largest data breaches in US history.

"Today we are announcing the indictment of four individuals responsible for the 2014 hacking... of Yahoo, the theft of information about at least 500 million Yahoo accounts, and use of that information to obtain the contents of accounts at Yahoo and other providers."

FBI executive assistant director Paul Abbate said: "We are extremely grateful as well to our international partners for their assistance and support leading up to these criminal charges today.

"Those partners include Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, as mentioned, the Toronto police service and their fugitive squad.

"As well, the United Kingdom's MI5 made substantial contributions to the advancement of this investigation also."

He added that the indictment details how Russian federal security service officers worked together with criminal hackers and "conspired to plan and carry out one of the largest cyber intrusions in US history".

The accounts and personal details of around 500 million Yahoo users were compromised in the breach, and millions of users' contacts were also stolen.

Mr Abbate said the aim of the alleged theft was to enable the alleged perpetrators to carry out fraud schemes for their own personal financial gain and enrichment.

Two of the arrested men are said to be Russian Federal Security Service officers, who allegedly "directed, facilitated and paid" the hackers.

"They worked with co-conspirators to hack the computers of American companies providing email and internet-related services," Ms McCord said.

Although the Justice Department has previously charged Russian hackers with cyber crime - as well as hackers sponsored by the Chinese and Iranian governments - this is the first criminal case brought against Russian government officials.

Yahoo only disclosed the 2014 breach last September when it began notifying the affected users that information such as their email addresses, birth dates, answers to security questions and other personal details may have been stolen.

Three months later, it revealed it had uncovered a separate hack in 2013.

In that attack about one billion accounts, including some that were also hit in 2014, were targeted.
Is this the name of his new party or a dodgy movie?

Ukip donor Arron Banks has claimed the party has suspended his membership, so it looks like hes now going to focus on a new political movement.

Luckily, he already has an inkling of what he might call this new party.

Banks, who funded the Leave.EU campaign, has been involved in a public spat with Ukips only MP Douglas Carswell and has been critical of the partys leader Paul Nuttall.

Banks said his membership had lapsed and when he tried to reapply he was told he was suspended until an appearance before the partys ruling national executive committee.

But Ukip dismissed the idea he could have been suspended as he was no longer a member of the party.

On Twitter, Banks claimed the reason for the supposed suspension of his membership is because of controversial things hes been saying about the leadership.

Banks said: Apparently, my comments about the party being run like a squash club committee and Mr Carswell have not gone down well.

I now realise I was being unfair to squash clubs all over the UK and I apologise to them. We will now be concentrating on our new movement.

Ah yes  the new movement: Ukip 2.0. It sounds a bit like a movie, doesnt it?

And not a very good one at that.

Air guitars at the ready for Ukip 2.0.

Not everyones sure its going to be a smash hit.

Others are coming up with some helpful alternatives for the new partys name.

Popcorn at the ready, folks.
It appears the US president paid $36.5 million in income taxes in 2005.

During the 2016 US election campaign, many called for Donald Trump to make his tax returns public, with more than a million people signing a White House petition urging him to release them.

Now, it appears the US presidents income taxes from 2005 may have been released in leaked documents.

The documents show Trump earned $153 million (123 million) and paid $36.5 million (31 million) in income taxes in 2005.

The forms were obtained by journalist David Cay Johnston, who runs a website called DCReport.org.

While Trump himself refrained from tweeting about MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show, where the news of the leaked documents was revealed, his son Donald Trump Jr was seen praising Maddow for her efforts:

So what else did the documents reveal?

They show the billionaire paid a rate that was effectively just under 25% thanks to a tax he has since sought to eliminate.

The pages from Trumps federal tax return show the then-property mogul also reported a business loss of $103 million (85 million) in 2005, although the documents do not provide details.

The forms show Trump paid an effective tax rate of 24.5%, a figure well above the roughly 10% the average American taxpayer hands over each year.

But it is below the 27.4% that taxpayers earning $1 million a year average, according to data from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

What about the other years?

Trumps hefty business loss appears to be a continued benefit from his use of a tax loophole in the 1990s, which allowed him to deduct previous losses in future years.

In 1995, he reported a loss of more than $900 million (740 million), largely as a result of financial turmoil at his casinos.

Tax records obtained by The New York Times last year showed the losses were so large they could have allowed Trump to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

But his 2005 filing shows another tax prevented him from realising the full benefit of those deductions.

So why was Trumps tax bill high in 2005?

The bulk of Trumps tax bill that year was due to the alternative minimum tax (AMT), a tax aimed at preventing high-income earners from paying minimal taxes.

The AMT requires many taxpayers to calculate their taxes twice  once under the rules for regular income tax and then again under the AMT  and then pay the higher amount.

Critics say the tax has ensnared more middle-class people than intended, increasing the amount they owe the government each year.

Were it not for the AMT, Trump would have avoided all but a few million dollars of his 2005 tax bill.

His campaign website called for the end of the AMT, which is expected to bring in more than $350 billion (288 billion) in revenues from 2016 to 2025.

Why didnt Trump release his tax returns in the first place?

As a candidate and as president, Trump has refused to release his tax returns, breaking a decades-long tradition.

Although he initially promised to do so, he later claimed he was under audit by the Internal Revenue Service and said his lawyers had advised against it.

The White House hit back even before the release of the documents on Tuesday night, saying that publishing the information was illegal.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, the White House said.

So are Maddow and Johnston breaking the law?

The unauthorised release or publishing of federal tax returns is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 (4,113) and up to five years in jail.

But Maddow argued that MSNBC was exercising its First Amendment right to publish information in the public interest.

Trump insists the American public is not interested in his returns and says little could be learned from them.

The issue was a major point of attack from his election rival Hillary Clinton, who suggested Trump had something to hide.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Somalia for talks with the country's new president as a worsening drought threatens millions of people in the Horn of Africa nation.

Mr Johnson told President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed."It is all so, such a shame that you are facing the problems that you are facing, particularly of course the drought and the risk of starvation, though I think that we are moving fast to try to tackle that this time 'round."

Somalia recently declared the drought a national disaster amid warnings of a full-blown famine. The country faced a similar crisis in 2011 that killed nearly 260,000 people.

The current drought, which the United Nations says threatens about half of Somalia's population, or roughly six million people, is part of a four-nation humanitarian crisis that the UN has called the largest since the world body was formed in 1945.

Britain on Wednesday announced it would match "pound for pound" the first 5 million donated by the public to the Disasters Emergency Committee's new East Africa Crisis Appeal. The committee is a collection of 13 British aid agencies.

Mr Johnson said Britain will host a conference on Somalia on May 11 to help address "underlying problems" like extremist attacks and corruption.

Mr Mohamed blamed the drought in part on homegrown extremist group al-Shabab, which continues to control parts of the country. "This drought is really serious, and so far we have lost 60% of our livestock," he said.

As Mr Johnson visited Somalia, Somali-born Olympian Mo Farah backed the new aid appeal for the region.

"As a father of four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now," he said in a statement.

"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation. I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."

After his recent visit to Somalia, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said 2.9 million people are at risk of famine and require immediate help "to save or sustain their lives". He has said close to one million children under the age of five will be acutely malnourished this year.

Current indicators mirror "the tragic picture of 2011 when Somalia last suffered a famine", Mr O'Brien said. But this time the UN's humanitarian partners have a larger footprint, better controls on resources and a stronger partnership with the new government, he said.

"To be clear, we can avert a famine," Mr O'Brien has said. "But we need those huge funds now."

Nigel Tricks, Oxfam's Horn of Africa regional director, said on Wednesday that "the window is short in which we can still avert a famine" in the regional crisis.

The drought also affects millions of people in parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, where the government recently declared a national disaster for about half of its counties. Famine has been declared in two counties of civil war-torn South Sudan.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Johnson arrived in Uganda, one of the regional countries that have contributed peacekeeping forces to help support and protect Somalia's government.

Don Wanyama, a spokesman for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, said Mr Johnson and Museveni would discuss issues of regional security.

Mr Johnson also is expected to visit Kenya and Ethiopia.

AP
Museum of New Mexico Press

Many people have observed that the best activities are easy to learn but difficult to masterthe bar for entry remains low, but achieving mastery comes at great effort. This measure seems to be particularly apt when it comes to the art of block printmakingan age-old egalitarian art form that boasts dramatic potential and has been innovated decade after decade. Block printmaking, in its purest sense is a relief image cut into a piece of wood (and more contemporarily, linoleum). The negative space gets carved out, so that everything that will be inked is left raised on the surface. The block is then slicked with ink and pressed by hand or with a machine onto paper. This particular craft has a rich history worldwide, but in an exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum and in a corresponding book, both titled The Carved Line, the unrepressed history of block printmaking in New Mexico is articulated across timelines, cultures and in thoughtful text penned by curator Josie Lopez, as well as a host of contemporary New Mexican artists working in the medium, who describe the work in their own words.

Gustave Baumann was famous for saying that he wanted to make beautiful things that were accessible and affordable, Lopez explained when we spoke over the phone as she cut a line north up I-25 from El Paso on her way back to Albuquerque. Baumann, figuring prominently in both the exhibition and the book, clearly valued the workaday roots and accessibility of block printmaking. This particular medium utilizes inexpensive tools, and is relatively straightforward in its practice, critically allowing artists to make multiples of a piece relatively easily. The democratization and making [the art] accessible is something that many block artists, and many printmakers for that matter, see as something elemental to that kind of art making, Lopez continued. A byproduct of that, of course, is that it makes owning art all the more attainable for an average person who doesn't have thousands to drop on an original painting, for example. That doesn't mean, however, that printmaking is a less valuable or exacting art expression.

The Carved Line, in both its iteration as an exhibition and in book form, does well to illuminate the extreme technical capacity of the artists featured. Particularly when you see them in person, you get a sense that [the artists] aren't just engaging with what they see visually, but what they feel tactilely and emotionally about these landscapes, Lopez elucidated. She also gushed with palpable respect for artists like Howard Cook, who when he expresses an adobe home he really takes geometric forms and creates heavy, static buildings, and uses line to bring it all to life  allowing there to be some kind of motion, like snow drifts in the alleyway. This particular example speaks to the ways in which New Mexico distinctly lends itself to the works featured. The visuality of the desert, the expansiveness that has always been iconic about New Mexico, and also the different groups of people  traversing those relationships between the different groups  in terms of both difficulties and the exchange of ideas, that makes a lot of the artwork interesting and unique, said Lopez.

Museum of New Mexico Press

The interplay between cultures is something crucial to what plays out across the vast rooms in the museum and in all 200 or so pages of the book. It doesn't shy away from the antagonism of history, Lopez said pointedly, and it also doesn't eradicate the fact that there were clearly relationships and friendships and the sharing of ideas. That is one example of how, through this one particular medium, it traverses both a larger dialogue around block printmaking in terms of the art historical narrative, as well as the New Mexico story. The Carved Line puts many lenses to that story, emphasizing the expression of Native American and Hispanic artists in the broader narrative, as well as the stories of women who've spent their lives carving and pressing images into paper. We didn't want it to be exclusive to a particular group or gender, but to talk about how all these stories intersected and continue to intersect and create the art historical narrative of New Mexico, Lopez explained.

For Lopez and others who worked on this exhibit, those stories prominently guided their selections. The canon is established, it has been for a long time, she continued. There were obvious selections and I did want to pay homage to those artists, but the interesting thing was then trying to figure out who else to include. I think it had to do with the quality of the art itself, in terms of the technical aspects of it, but also it had to do with interesting stories. And in the process of uncovering the many connections and underlying narratives, the main themes of the show revealed themselves to Lopez: place, time and movement, how [artists] are connecting with the past, as well as forging new ground into the future, as Lopez put it. There are multiple venues in which to intertwine your own story with the depictions of New Mexico in its block printsThe Carved Line will play out across the walls of the Albuquerque Museum's West Gallery until April 16 and will endure long after in the pages of the book of the same title, now available through Museum of New Mexico Press.
People cast their ballots as they vote in the Dutch general election (AP/Peter Dejong)

Jubilant Mark Rutte said his election victory over anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders stopped the "wrong sort of populism" in its tracks.

Addressing an election night gathering of supporters in the Hague, he said "the Netherlands said 'Whoa! Stop!' to the wrong kind of populism" after Britain voted to leave the EU and the US elected Donald Trump as president.

Mr Rutte, who is now poised for a third term as prime minister, said: "We want to stick to the course we have - safe and stable and prosperous."

The Netherlands' main exit poll suggests Mr Rutte's centre-right party won 31 seats in the 150-place legislature, 12 more than Mr Wilders' party, which shared second place with two other parties.

While the outcome of the parliamentary election was pretty straightforward, forming a government will be much more complicated.

Since the left-leaning Labour Party of finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem suffered historic losses, the coalition it had with Mr Rutte's VVD party will probably collapse.

The prime minister is likely to look to the right instead for a new coalition partner, and he has been resolute about not wanting to rule with Mr Wilders.

The pro-EU centre party D66 and the Christian Democrat CDA both won 19 seats, and weeks, if not months of coalition-building talks may be required before Mr Rutte reaches the required 75-seat threshold and a new government is installed.

"I am so proud at what has happened and happy that we have been given the trust again" by voters, said Tamara van Ark, campaign leader of the VVD party.

Mr Wilders had insisted that whatever the result of Wednesday's election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent are not going away.

"Rutte has not seen the back of me!!" Mr Wilders said in a Twitter reaction.

Under brilliant skies, the Dutch went to vote in huge numbers, with turnout estimated to have reached 82%.

In a subplot of the elections, the Ipsos exit poll had the Green Left party registering a historic victory, turning it into the largest party on the left wing of Dutch politics for the first time.

The Greens leapt from four seats to 16 in parliament after a strong campaign by charismatic leader Jesse Klaver, who invites comparisons to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to the exit poll.

"This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory," said Green Left chairwoman Marjolein Meijer.

The campaign's final days were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.

It erupted over the refusal of the Netherlands to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies about a referendum next month that could give Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.

AP
This year's political pilgrimage from Northern Ireland to the White House for the annual celebration of St Patrick will be one of the smallest in years.

Most Stormont parties have not received a presidential invite from Donald Trump this year - and no nationalist or republican from Northern Ireland is expected to meet with the outspoken leader.

The select few heading to America include the DUP MP Ian Paisley and Belfast Lord Mayor Brian Kingston, the UUP's Jeffrey Dudgeon and Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams.

They are due to attend a reception at Capitol Hill hosted by Mr Trump on Thursday.

But there's no seat on the plane for anyone from the SDLP, Alliance Party, Green Party, the TUV or People Before Profit.

Secretary of State James Brokenshire has already said he will not attend, as the talks to restore Stormont step up a gear.

While Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and the party's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald will attend the White House event, Mr Adams said there are no plans for him to meet President Trump - although the two men shook hands at a Sinn Fein fundraiser in New York in 1995.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has already announced he would not meet Mr Trump.

He said: "The story of this island and of the Irish people is one of travel and traversing the world, integrating and influencing communities across the globe. Our values are in distinct opposition to those displayed by Donald Trump.

"His methods of designed discrimination on the basis of religion are a throwback to sectarian division that should be opposed at every opportunity.

"That's why I took the decision not to meet with him following his election in November. I recognise that responsibility of office demands that some civic leaders meet President Trump. But those of us who can should take a stand for our common values of diversity, equality and respect for all people and traditions."

Also missing from the guest list is the Green Party. But Northern Ireland leader Steven Agnew said his focus was on the talks now, regardless of what was going on Stateside.

He said: "I look at an American visit in terms of the priority for Northern Ireland at present.

"The focus of all our newly elected MLAs should be on getting our institutions up and running and agreeing a budget, so we can protect jobs and curb spiralling hospital waiting lists.

"In principle, I oppose Donald Trump's overtly racist and misogynist rhetoric and policies," Mr Agnew added.

"However, I believe in maintaining dialogue across the political spectrum. Donald Trump is a democratically elected politician, so I would consider meeting him if an invite came through.

"But, let's get the Assembly and Executive up and running as the main priority."

A TUV spokesman said party leader Jim Allister would have "no issue" meeting the new US president - but no one had been invited.

An Alliance spokeswoman said she was not aware of anyone from the party being invited, adding the Assembly negotiations were the party's priority.

A spokeswoman for People Before Profit said no one from the party would "join in with the frivolities of shamrock exchanges" based on Mr Trump's actions since his inauguration.
An election will be held in May to choose a successor to ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-hye, who has caused anger by leaving her nine dogs in the presidential palace.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Friday to formally end her presidency over a huge political scandal involving her and a confidante.

By law, South Korea must hold a national vote to find her successor within two months of the ruling, and the interior m inistry said on Wednesday that May 9 has been chosen as the date for the election.

The scandal has made Ms Park hugely unpopular in South Korea, and the accusation of abandoning her dogs is likely to send her reputation even lower.

Her neighbours gave her a pair of Jindo dogs, a Korean breed of hunting dogs, when she left for the presidential Blue House in 2013.

The dogs recently gave birth to seven puppies, which are now considered too young to be separated from their mother, Kim Dong-jo, a Blue House spokesman, said on Wednesday.

She said the dogs would continue to stay at the presidential palace until they are ready to be sent to new owners. Ms Park told staff members to take good care of the dogs before vacating the Blue House on Sunday, Ms Kim said.

But Kim Ae Ra, who heads the Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the group filed a complaint on Monday with South Korea's Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission over the dogs.

The commission then asked the National Police Agency to look into it. Officials from the police agency could not immediately confirm how the case would be treated.

It is unclear whether Ms Park not taking the dogs with her qualifies as abandonment under the country's animal protection law.

It defines lost or abandoned animals as those "wandering without an owner in public places" or "left deserted in paper boxes or other containers".

Animal abandonment is punishable by a fine of up to 1 million won (718) in South Korea. People who fail to report an ownership change for pets within 30 days can also face fines of up to 500,000 won.

Ms Park's decision to leave the dogs behind has triggered a heated reaction from dog lovers, who flooded social media with angry remarks.

"It seems that Park Geun-hye is a person who entirely lacks empathy, whether it's for humans or for animals," Park Jeong-eon, a 38-year-old office worker who is unrelated to the ousted president, told The Associated Press.

Prosecutors accuse Ms Park of colluding with confidante Choi Soon-sil to extort money from businesses and allowed her to pull government strings from the shadows, and plan to question her next week.

Moon Jae-in, a liberal opposition leader who lost the 2012 presidential election to Ms Park, is the favourite to be the country's next leader according to opinion polls.

AP
A Donegal woman found dead on a beach in Goa has been described as having the "most beautiful soul" with reports of her murder having stunned the Buncrana community she grew up in.

Danielle McLaughlin (28) from Buncrana was on a backpacking holiday around the world. She had been living and working in Liverpool having attended the city's John Moores University before setting off in February.

The Times of India reported she was discovered in the popular tourist Canacona area in the south of the Indian state.

It is believed Ms McLaughlin arrived in the region on Sunday and attended a party on Palolem beach on Monday night before her body was found near Deobag Beach early on Tuesday morning.

Her body was unclothed and she had marks on her head and face, it has been reported.

Six people have been questioned by police in relation to the killing and one man charged and due to be brought before court on Wednesday.

Local police said a post-mortem examination is to be carried out which will determine if sexual assault charges are put to the suspect.

Supt Sammy Tavares told reporters that they had arrested a suspect: "He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity."

Residents of the community where Ms McLaughlins body was found are planning a vigil in her memory.

Divyam Sugeet, a local businessman said: I was at the crime scene, it was really horrible. The whole community is shaken up.

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A close friend set up a GoFundMe page to help assist with the repatriation and funeral expenses.

"Anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life," said the friend who set up the fund.

"She was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

#Breaking Mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who was found dead in a Goa tourist resort, pays tribute to daughter who will be "sadly missed" pic.twitter.com/9yTdvBIrUJ  Press Association (@PA) March 15, 2017

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better...keep on smiling, as Danielle would have wanted."

Within an hour over 6,000 euro was raised.

Ms McLaughlin was described as popular with her death causing shock in Buncrana.

Ahead of setting off on her adventures, alongside a picture of the Crana River in Buncrana she posted on Facebook: "Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure..."

Friends paid tribute to her on Facebook.

"Love you Danielle, you had the most beautiful soul," said one friend.

A school friend described her as a "bubbly girl" who was always smiling and laughing. "Can't believe what had happened," she said, "thinking of your family at this time."

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It is understood she grew up with her grandparents and had returned to Buncrana last year when her grandfather died.

Local parish priest Fr John Walsh said the woman's mother had suffered a number of bereavements.

"The absolute horror of this girl's murder has stunned the community," he said.

"We feel for her mother in particular and her siblings."

Donegal councillor Rena Donaghey added: "The whole community and the town of Buncrana is in deep shock today. Everyone is very saddened by the news.

"She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end.

"She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

"On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead," the Fianna Fail councillor told The Irish Independent.

The Pumphouse pub in Liverpool where Danielle worked also paid tribute.

Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland," it said on Facebook.

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In a statement Liverpool John Moores University said: "The university is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

"We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU."

A spokesman would not say what Miss McLaughlin studied at the university or when she left.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin had confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

"Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen," a spokesman said.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance."

The Department later said it was "following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa" who had been "using a British passport".

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities," the spokesman added.

"The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today."

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in Washington yesterday, will soon be standing down

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is in Washington this week to present President Trump with the now-traditional bowl of shamrock for the St Patrick's Day celebrations in the US. It is quite extraordinary how this island can command such disproportionate support and attention at the very heart of the greatest power in the modern world.

It is also Kenny's farewell tour as Taoiseach, as he has informed his Fine Gael party that he will retire from office shortly after his return to Dublin.

Who takes over as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach will be important, as he or she will be crucially involved in the Brexit negotiations between the EU and the UK.

In addition, given the ongoing and seemingly neverending crisis here in Northern Ireland, it will be important to have a head of government who is familiar with our politics.

The two front-runners are Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar.

Both are extremely able politicians, but without much experience of Northern politics.

Coveney, at least, has a credible track record of taking a serious interest in the peace process and has a more intimate understanding of our situation.

Who Fine Gael chooses to occupy that position will be of great importance in the way our short-term politics will be addressed.

Kenny was not in the mould of Bertie Ahern and was not as hands-on as him, or Tony Blair.

Nonetheless, his contribution was crucial in consolidating the progress made here and encouraging further development of good relations, north and south, east and west.

His relations with unionist politicians were businesslike, but also warm. His concern for Northern Ireland during his lifelong political career was genuine and deeply-felt.

But his main preoccupation was to steer the Republic through the greatest financial and economic crisis to hit the south since independence.

With his Irish Labour Party colleagues, he did an outstanding job of stabilising the situation and bringing back the Irish economy from meltdown to the current vibrant state that will boast a growth rate of 5% this coming financial year.

A lot of this was achieved through harsh fiscal and economic measures which were unpopular and hurt many working people in the Republic.

Perhaps things could have been done differently and with more regard and sensitivity for certain vulnerable sections within society, but in general terms, the direction of travel was correct and ultimately succeeded in restoring the fortunes of the country.

The election last year was expected to reward Kenny for his successful turnabout of the Irish economy. Instead, he and Fine Gael were punished for their efforts. A bit like Churchill and his unexpected electoral defeat in 1945 after the defeat of Nazi Germany. History may judge Kenny more kindly.

His retiring now is perhaps the best time both for him and his party.

The next Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach will have a huge task ahead of him or her in achieving a negotiated Brexit, which will be least damaging to the Republic's vulnerable economy and which will be most beneficial to the economic and political interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

Striking such a balance will be difficult, as the Republic will only be one of 27 countries negotiating on a wide range of issues with the UK Government. What happens in these negotiations will determine and shape our politics for the next generation.

We need to remember that our mutual membership of the EU brought great economic and political benefits to Ireland, north and south. In effect, what was achieved was a de facto united economic Ireland, in which the free movement of labour, capital and services was achieved between both jurisdictions.

This was achieved in a most under-played fashion and, inevitably, brought both parts of the island closer together without any fuss, bother or any obvious political grief. It also provided a secure context for the Good Friday Agreement.

During the 1970s, 1980s and early-1990s, the Provisional IRA, still wedded to its chauvinistic ideology, remained ignorant of the significance of European membership and, by continuing its campaign of violence, created its unique version of a "hard border".

Such was the pitiful state of Sinn Fein's political thinking that it regarded the EU as being hostile to the interests of the people of this island.

Ironically, it was only in the 2000s that Sinn Fein suddenly realised its huge mistake and gave European membership "critical" support. Up until this time Sinn Fein and the DUP comfortably shared a common opposition to the EU.

Strangely, given its complexity and unpredictability, Brexit could push north and south further apart, or, alternatively, bring both parts closer together.

Certainly, if Northern Ireland suffers economically as a result of Brexit, there will be a very compelling economic argument for Irish unity.
FARGO - The owner of a North Dakota off-track horse race wagering company is in line to receive from $16 million to $25 million from the state to make up for taxes the state improperly collected.

According to a court order filed in federal bankruptcy court last month, Susan Bala, owner of Racing Services Inc., is owed $13.5 million in taxes on racing bets that RSI paid to the state, plus interest that could range from $3 million to $12 million.

Bala said Tuesday that its in the states interest to pay the debt as soon as possible.

She said interest figured at 6.5 percent annually is more than $70,000 per month.

That is clocking as we sit here today, Bala said. Nobody has told me yet when the check will be in the mail.

The money was improperly taken from RSI and so never belonged to taxpayers, Bala said. Some of the repayment from the state would also go to RSIs creditors.

Its just giving back the company its own property, Bala said. Theyve (the state of North Dakota) had the use of it and theyve had the interest on it.

Documents filed with the bankruptcy court on Feb. 14, say PW Enterprises of Nevada, a major creditor acting on behalf of the bankruptcy estate of RSI, agrees with the state of North Dakota, the North Dakota Racing Commission, and state breeders, purse and promotions funds, that taxes paid by RSI for account wagering would be figured from Aug. 1, 2001, until RSI declared bankruptcy in 2004.

The state authorized RSIs form of wagering in 2001, but the law that specifically provides for taxing those bets wasnt created until 2007, a federal appeals court ruled two years ago. At the time, the taxes owed Bala and RSI was calculated at more than $5 million. But that was just for the year leading up to the bankruptcy filing.

The interest owed is still up in the air because a judge has to rule on when it began accruing. Bala said that date should be determined by the court in the next two months.

RSI, solely owned by Bala, established a simulcast off-track betting system for horse racing that operated at various sites in North Dakota throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The company was forced into receivership during the investigation of a criminal case accusing Bala and the firm of illegal betting and fraud.

Bala was convicted in July 2005 on 12 counts in the case and sentenced to serve two years and three months in a minimum-security prison in Illinois. Her convictions were later overturned by an appeals court, which said federal prosecutors had failed to interpret state law correctly. She was released from custody in March 2007 after serving about 17 months.

Bala later claimed her constitutional rights were violated when she was prosecuted and sent to prison, saying prosecutors built their case on fabricated evidence.

She sued state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and former U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley, two members of the Racing Commission and an RSI employee. U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland ruled that there was no valid claim in that case.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson, who presided over her trial, refused to issue Bala a certificate declaring her innocent. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Ericksons ruling, saying its decision to overturn Balas conviction was not based on her innocence.

On Tuesday, Wrigley defended his decision to prosecute Bala.

Wrigley said prosecutors had proven that RSI had taken in nearly $100 million in a gambling site that hadnt been reported, was unlicensed and run by unlicensed personnel.

It was an off books site.  And the kicker, they didnt even have a charity. Not a penny went to charity, Wrigley said. I stand firm on what that evidence was in that case.

The convictions were overturned by the appeals court because prosecutors had not proven that Bala and RSI never had an intention to select a charity or pay taxes, Wrigley said.

That was news to everyone in the case, said Wrigley, who said appeals can hinge on narrow legal definitions.

We did our jobs professionally, Wrigley said.

Liz Brocker, a spokeswoman for the attorney generals office, said that there would be no comment on the case as long as it was being litigated.

Bala said its been a long process.

And the process continues. And we take it a step at a time, she said.
Kashmiri children watch near the site of a gun battle between Indian forces and suspected militants in Pulwama district, March 9, 2017.

Security forces in Indian Kashmir gunned down three suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants in Kupwara district on Wednesday and a stray bullet killed an 8-year-old girl, police said.

The girl, Kaniza Fatima, was killed, and her brother, Faisal Ahmad, 6, was injured by gunfire near the site of the encounter close to the Line of Control (LoC), a de facto border dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, police said. A police officer also was wounded.

The slain suspects were identified as Pakistani nationals Abu Malla, Abu Mansoor and Ans Bahi, Senior Superintendent of Police Shamsher Hussain told BenarNews.

We launched a search operation in Kupwaras Jugtiyal village this morning after receiving information that militants were holed up in a house there. The militants opened fire and after an exchange of fire that lasted over six hours, we managed to eliminate them, Hussain said.

Kashmir, a Himalayan region claimed in its entirety by India and Pakistan, has been grappling with a separatist insurgency that has claimed more than 70,000 lives since the late 1980s.

This was the second time in a week that children lost their lives after being caught in crossfire between suspected militants and security forces.

Last Thursday, Amir Nazir, 15, died in a similar fashion during a shootout between government forces and suspected militants in south Kashmirs Pulwama district. Jalal-ud-Din, another civilian, also died the same day following a massive heart attack while trying to escape police action on anti-India protesters. Two suspected LeT members were killed in that encounter.

Since the beginning of 2016, nearly 100 encounters between militants and security forces have taken place in Indian Kashmir. About 150 suspected militants were killed and more than 75 arrested during these encounters. About 60 Indian security personnel lost their lives in these fire fights.

Protests erupted in several localities of Kupwara after news spread that a minor girl had been killed by police gunfire. However, no casualties were reported in the protests.

While blaming Indian security forces for using excessive force, Kupwara resident Mohammad Ashraf said the girls life could have been saved had police exercised a bit of restraint.

Surely, the operation to eliminate or arrest the suspects might have taken longer, but at least innocent lives can be saved if Indian forces calm down and practice restraint, Ashraf told BenarNews.
Police escort a convicted militant outside a court in Rangpur, Bangladesh, where he was sentenced to death for the 2015 murder of a Japanese citizen, Feb. 28, 2017.

Law enforcement officials from 15 countries agreed Tuesday to share counterterrorism information directly as they wrapped up what organizers said was the first-ever South Asian police conference on curbing violent extremism and transnational crimes.

The move to bypass cumbersome diplomatic channels in favor of one-to-one communication was one of 17 recommendations for enhanced cross-border cooperation contained in a 20-point Dhaka Declaration issued at the end of the meeting in Bangladeshs capital.

From now on, the police agencies of the countries will directly contact each other for arrest and extradition of militants, and exchange of information. The measures will lead to easy suppression of the militants, A.K.M. Shahidul Haque, the Inspector General of Bangladesh Police, told reporters.

He said the three-day conference also agreed to enhance cooperation among the forensic laboratories and training institutes of participating countries, and to set up an information technology network to suppress terrorism and transnational crimes.

Most of these serious crimes require instant, effective and professional cooperation among police agencies of different neighboring countries, the Dhaka Declaration read.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi police were pursuing leads in the hacking deaths Monday of a 72-year-old Sufi religious leader, Farhad Hossain Chowdhury, and a 22-year-old domestic servant, Rupali Begum, at his home in northwestern Dinajpur district.

Police had yet to identify the motive behind the killing, but it appeared to fit the pattern of deadly attacks on religious minorities, foreigners and secular intellectuals that has gripped Bangladesh since 2013. On March 2, a court sentenced five Islamist extremists to death for the October 2015 murder of a Japanese farmer in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh was also the scene of a terrorist attack that left 29 dead in an upscale Dhaka cafe in July 2016.

Facebook attends

Chiefs of police of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka and senior police delegates from Australia, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Maldives, Nepal, South Korea and Vietnam attended the conference , which was organized by Bangladesh police and the International Police Organization, or Interpol.

Representatives from Facebook, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Aseanapol, the Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Program and other international agencies were also present.

Bangladesh police are concerned about the spread of violent ideology on Facebook, which is the top social networking site in the South Asian country and has been used to convey death threats against writers and others.

Through a study on 700 militants, it was found that 82 percent of them motivated themselves through browsing the internet. Bangladesh will seek help from Facebook to solve this problem, Assistant Inspector General of Police Mohammad Moniruzzaman told BenarNews last week.

Bangladesh police asked Facebook to demand additional identification, including national identity numbers, from Bangladesh nationals who sign up to the social media platform, but the U.S. company declined the request, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

Authorities requested Facebook to inform the Bangladesh police if they find any content encouraging or supporting oppression of women and religious extremism, Haque told reporters Tuesday.

Bangladesh wanted to sign a contract with Facebook. But there is no provision in Facebook policy to sign any contract with any country, he said.

Debate

The conference also fueled a debate on the presence of the Islamic State in Bangladesh, which authorities have long denied despite claims by the Middle Eastern group that it carried out the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in July 2016.

In a talk at the police conference, Rohan Gunaratna, a terrorism expert at Singapores Nanyang Technological University, said Bangladeshs leaders did not tell the truth when it blamed the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) group for the attack.

Certainly the group called IS emerged in Bangladesh from JMB but they do not call themselves JMB anymore, he said.

They call themselves IS and they are influenced by the terrorist group in Iraq and in Syria and to call JMB a local group and a homegrown group is also wrong.

The ideology behind this and other attacks is foreign to Bangladesh and needs to be countered with special rehabilitation efforts, he said.

In fact, the best antidote for terrorism and extremism is the Bengali culture, which is a very rich culture.

Senior police officials refuted the claims.

We have arrested the attackers of every single militant attack. Some of them were killed in the police operation. None of the arrested militants and the relatives of the slain militants told us that they were IS members, the IGP told reporters.

But the local militants may have links with the foreign militants in the virtual world, he said.

In his concluding remarks, State Minister for Foreign Affairs ShahriarAlam said the government had no information on activities of the international militant groups in Bangladesh.

They are homegrown, said Alam, adding Bangladesh wanted to cooperate with other countries to free the country from the influence of the global terrorist outfits.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam (center) addresses the closing ceremony of the Chiefs of Police Conference in Dhaka, March 14, 2017. [Courtesy Bangladesh Police]
Philippine soldiers wounded in a clash with Abu Sayyaf Group militants, arrive at a military hospital in Jolo, Sulu province, March 3, 2017.

Security forces in the southern Philippines have killed an Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) leader who was wanted in nearby Malaysia for the murder of a Taiwanese man in 2013, Philippine military sources said.

ASG militant Buchoy Hassan (alias Black or Bocoi) was killed by joint security forces Tuesday in Tawi-Tawi, the sources said, according to Philippine media reports.

Buchoy was on Malaysias wanted list for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Taiwanese national Chang An Wei and the killing of her husband at the Pom Pom Island Resort in the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah four years ago.

A Malaysian security source who spoke to BenarNews on condition of anonymity, however, described Buchoy as a supplier rather than a militant involved in cross-border crime between Sabah and the nearby southern Philippines.

Blacks name appeared on a list of Filipinos allegedly involved in cross-border crimes  particularly kidnap-for-ransom activities  that was released in November by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM).

Malaysian officials have not received official notification about Blacks death, according to Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid, ESSCOMs director-general.

Officially no, but we received information through the media and a liaison, Wan Bari told BenarNews on Wednesday.

Smuggler of drugs, contraband

Buchoy was a smuggler who profited from distributing contraband as well as drugs while operating from his home base on the island of Sitangkai, Philippines, the anonymous source said.

Whether he was directly involved in the kidnap of Taiwanese national Chang An Wei at the Pom Pom Island resort in Sabah in 2013 is anyones guess, but he very likely supplied fuel to the escaping criminals, the source told BenarNews.

He added that Buchoy supplied diesel, one of the contraband items he traded in, to cross-border criminals from Tawi-Tawi who travelled to islands in Malaysian waters off Sabahs east-coast seeking kidnap-for-ransom victims.

Buchoy was killed by Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and police during a raid at his residence in Barangay village, Maj. Gen. Carlito G. Galvez Jr., commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western Mindanao, said according to Philippine media.

Recovered from his possession were an M-16 automatic rifle, five speed boats and various outboard motors, Galvez said, the Manila Bulletin reported.

We are continuously conducting support operations to assist police and other law enforcement agencies in expediting the arrest of notorious members of the kidnap for ransom group and in pre-empting kidnapping attempts in the province, Galvez said.

In announcing Buchoys death, Philippine officials mentioned his role in the killing and kidnapping.

Chang was holidaying with her husband, Lee Min Hsu, at the island resort on Nov. 15, 2013, when Abu Sayyaf-linked gunmen stormed their villa. The militants, who wore ski masks, shot and killed her husband before taking her by boat to the remote Philippine island of Jolo.

Taiwanese media had reported Chans family paid a ransom of 800,000 ringgit (U.S. $180,000) for her release. Philippine marines found her at a village near Talipao, a town in Jolo that serves as a base for ASG.

The militant group still is holding five Malaysian sailors kidnapped in July, although a deadline to pay a ransom of 2 million ringgit (U.S. $450,000) has passed.
North Dakota lawmakers heard testimony on legislation aimed at expanding gun rights in the state, prompting safety fears on behalf of opponents Tuesday.

The first of seven bills heard March 14 by the Senate Judiciary Committee would allow qualified North Dakota residents to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The state offers two classes of licenses with differing levels of requirements and reciprocity with other states, and the so-called constitutional carry bill would keep that in place, said its primary sponsor, Rep. Rick Becker, R-Bismarck.

Supporters said it promotes constitutional rights and improves peoples ability to defend themselves.

I think it reaffirms the state of North Dakota agrees with the Second Amendment, said Craig Roe, a firearms instructor from Kindred.

The bill easily passed the House last month in an 83-9 vote. The committee didnt take action on it or any other gun bill Tuesday.

The legislation faced opposition from Everytown for Gun Safety, a national group that released survey results this week showing 71 percent of North Dakotans polled opposed or strongly opposed removing the requirement to get a permit in order to carry concealed handguns in public, while only 23 percent supported or strongly supported the idea.

Opponents worried the change would loosen restrictions at the expense of public safety.

I have a lot of respect for firearms after serving in the Army, said Grady Thorsgard, a farmer from Northwood. We can fly a plane, we can drive a car or hunt deer, but they all require training and a license.

Describing herself as a pacifist, Kay Solberg-Link of Bismarck said shes an anomaly in a gun-friendly state. But she said North Dakota doesnt have to follow the lead of others that have passed similar legislation.

Lets not make it easier for people to hurt each other, Solberg-Link said.

House Bill 1169 says somebody who is not otherwise prevented from having a Class 2 license and has possessed an identification from the Department of Transportation for at least one year may carry a concealed firearm. Becker said the Class 2 permit doesnt require extensive training, but rather includes an open-book test.

That really doesnt confer us a sense of proficiency, he said.

Eleven states allow people to carry a concealed firearm in public without a permit, said Chris Kopacki, state liaison for the National Rifle Association of America.

Todd Kranda, lobbyist for Everytown for Gun Safety, said laws requiring concealed carry permits help ensure public safety standards are met.

Lawmakers should put the safety of their constituents first and reject permitless carry, Kranda said, pointing to the groups survey results. Becker, however, questioned the validity of the study.

Other bills

Other bills heard Tuesday included tweaking state law governing guns in churches and another allowing people to carry a concealed weapon on property owned or leased by the state if theyre authorized to do so by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, governor, speaker of the House or president pro tempore of the Senate.

Another bill creating a first armed responder in schools pilot program was a response to concerns from rural schools that face long law enforcement response times, said Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan. The bill lays out a number of requirements for that selected responder to carry a concealed firearm on school property, including gaining permission from the school board.

The bill allows the superintendent of public instruction to accept proposals from 10 schools to participate in the program during the 2017-19 biennium.

House Bill 1310, introduced by Rep. Dwight Kiefert, R-Valley City, was opposed by Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, who worried about arming non-law enforcement personnel in schools as well as liability issues.

John Moffatt of Missoula, Mont., recalled being shot by a student while working as a high school vice principal in that state more than 30 years ago. He said he wouldnt have been able to stop that incident had he been armed.

Guns dont belong in the places where our children play and learn -- especially at K-12 schools, Moffatt said in prepared remarks.
A bid from Pulte Homes to rezone and add 465 residences and possibly a school near Sandy Run Creek on Jedburg Road wasn't met with open arms at a Oct. 26 community meeting on the part of local homeowners seeking to preserve the area's rural characteristics. Read moreJedburg Road residents tell Pulte Homes: 'Keep it rural'
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem described the U.S. border with Mexico as a war zone last year when she sent dozens of state National Guard troops there. Noem said theyd be on the front lines of stopping drug smugglers and human traffickers. But newly released records from the National Guard show that in their two-month deployment, the South Dakota troops didnt seize any drugs and sometimes went days without encountering any migrants at all. Noem justified the deployment and a widely criticized private donation to fund as a state emergency because of drugs making their way across the southern border to South Dakota. But the records cast doubt on whether the deployment was effective in addressing that.


By Natasha Fly

BGSU student Kelly Largent will finish her student teaching in just a few short months, but the impact on her students will likely last for years to come.

Largent, a middle childhood education major, implemented an innovative service-learning project for fifth-grade students at Conneaut Elementary in Bowling Green that she hopes will instill lifelong desire to help others.

I think it is important to teach students from a young age to give back to the community because that is what keeps a community strong, supportive and caring, Largent said.

If students can begin to feel invested in service projects at a young age, they will continue to develop a desire to help others. I believe that teaching students to be gracious and kind to others is an essential role of a teacher.

The inspiration for the project came from the class reading of the historical fiction book A Family Apart, by Joan Lowery Nixon.

If students can begin to feel invested in service projects at a young age, they will continue to develop a desire to help others."In this book, a widowed mother of six children must make the sacrifice of sending her children west on the orphan trains in order to give them better lives, Largent said. My students were very moved by this book and felt sympathy for the characters.

As part of the service-learning project, Largent chose to make blankets so students could contribute and then donate the blankets to those facing similar hardships today.

I wanted to connect the concept of families in need in the 1860s with families in need today and give my students the opportunity to help children in similar situations to our characters in the book, she said.

In order to make the project a reality, Largent needed to raise funds. She sent a letter home to the students families explaining the purpose of the project and asked for a small donation.

Families responded promptly and generously, which made the service project possible, she said. Largent is also an Alumni Laureate Scholar and received donations from others in support.

The project began to snowball, and eventually children outside of Largents homeroom wanted to get involved. Largent began to collaborate with another student teacher to create an even larger project. In total, 45 fifth-grade students contributed by volunteering during their recess every day for one week to make the blankets.

By the end of the week, the students had completed 14 blankets that were all donated to Family House, a nonprofit group in Toledo that serves more than 250 families annually.

I chose Family House because it is one of few shelters that strives to keep families together in times of need, she said.

Largent recognizes the value of getting students involved at an early age to cultivate a pattern of service that will provide a greater sense of community among all members.

I love interacting with the students each day and knowing that each day I have the opportunity to make a positive impact on them, she said. It is so rewarding being able to guide them in their learning and help them develop as individuals. To me, the best part of being a teacher is forming a different connection with each individual student.

Largent has been student teaching alongside Paul Reinhart in his classroom since August, and she credits him with providing constant support and serving as a positive influence during her journey to become a teacher.

Paul is my classroom mentor teacher and has been a wonderful influence on me, Largent said. I have learned so much from observing how he interacts with the students, makes them laugh, and teaches them both academic and life skills. He provides me with constant support, encouragement and insight on how to becomes the best teacher I can be.

During her time teaching at Conneaut, Largent has taken on the numerous day-to-day tasks that teachers balance in the classroom.

As a student teacher, Kelly has nearly all the responsibilities that I have as her mentor teacher, Reinhart said. She plans, grades, assesses, helps, meets with parents and more. In my 24 years working as a teacher and with student teachers, Kelly is the best I have ever worked with. Her professionalism, dedication, reflection, planning and drive to be the best teacher she can be are unmatched. She has brought a quiet confidence to my room to be able to work with all students whether they struggle or need enrichment.

Throughout her journey at BGSU, Largent also has been able to rely on support from retired educator and university mentor Cheryl Windisch, who was very impressed by her idea for the service-learning project and saw the value it had to for both the students and the community.

People living in Bowling Green need to know that college students do productive work that benefit other people, Windisch said.

Largent is grateful for the positive influence Windisch has had on her methods and student teaching experience.

She is always very supportive and encouraging while still providing me with feedback of how to improve my teaching, Largent said. Her positivity and love for education is inspiring and contagious, so I am very grateful to have her as my university mentor.

In May, Largent will graduate with a degree in middle childhood education. Just one month later, she will marry her falcon flame and move to the Cleveland area soon after. She is currently in the application process for a teaching position and is looking forward to starting her career.
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The little man from the Bosporus

Von: PETER TIEDE UND HANS-JORG VEHLEWALD

Back when little Recep still went to school, his tough father once hung him upside down from the ceiling. The son had insulted a neighbour.

It doesnt seem to have helped. These days, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (63) is raging against half of Europe (Nazis, fascists, terrorists, banana republic).

Erdogans life  a battle. Bottom versus top. Black Turks (workers) versus white Turks (upper class), believers versus non-believers. His motto is to pick a fight with the big guys in order to appear bigger himself. Erdogan, the pseudo-giant, the little man from the Bosporus.

He grows up as the son of a pious sailor and a house-wife. Young Erdogan sells sesame rings in Istanbuls harbour quarter. As a street fighter, he boxes his way through several youth gangs. Via radical Turkish youths, he discovers the Islamic Welfare Party and his talent as a fervent speaker. His enemies are the established parties, the ruling clans, and the all-powerful military that vehemently prevents any religious influence on politics.

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An idea is growing inside Erdogan  a faithful Islamic state, a new Ottoman Empire.

Erdogan saving the Orient begins in Istanbul. In 1994, he becomes the mayor of his home town. He has brothels shut down, he restricts the sale of alcohol, he puts girls and boys in separate buses on their way to school. His wife Emine (61) is always at his side. She teaches her often rude husband how to behave. The pious, hard-working couple becomes popular in Istanbul.

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The decisive year is 1997. In a speech, Erdogan reads out a Muslim battle poem: Democracy is merely the train that we enter, it says. The minarets are our bayonets; the believers are our soldiers.

It is a direct attack on state founder, Kemal Ataturk, and his strict separation between state and religion. Erdogan has to go to prison for four months due to incitement of the people.

However, prison turns into a triumph for Erdogan. 50 000 people in Istanbul cheer him as a popular hero. His strategy is working  pick a fight with the big guys 

When his virtue party is banned in 2001, Erdogan starts a new party: AKP, the Justice and Development Party. In 2002, AKP wins the election. However, Erdogan is still banned from being politically active and becoming the head of government. His deputy, Abdullah Gul, takes over government.

It now becomes clear that Erdogan will remove anything that obstructs his path to power. He has his AKP change the constitution, lift his political ban, and annul an election. Consequently, Erdogan moves into parliament and becomes the Prime Minister in 2003.

Now HE is the big guy. He has no friends and only trusts his clan (family, consultants, intelligence service). He is paranoid of a coup (by the army or party), is suffering from being chronically overweight and from back pains.

As the new head of government, he enjoys the company of heads of state in the East and the West. He travels abroad 75 times in two years and even has former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder call him the European of the year (2004).

At this time, the West indeed thinks that Erdogan could build bridges between the Orient and Europe. Turkey goes through an enormous economic boom. Erdogan even settles the conflict with the Kurds  at least temporarily.

Disappointed by Europe, however, Erdogan turns away and becomes the pseudo-giant from the Bosporus. He has journalists and opposition members arrested; he leads a war against the Kurds again; he has inconvenient lawyers locked up. The negotiations over an EU membership finally come to an end.

Erdogan also increasingly becomes isolated in the Arabic world. The bridge builder between the Islamic world and the West has by now torn down both ends of the bridge.

The man the myth: In 2015 Erdogan supposedly stopped a man from committing suicide. In the picture he is shaking his hand

Erdogans only aim is HIS Ottoman Empire. HIS super power in the Middle East. HE is on top, as the patron of all Muslims. Erdogan is Erdo-maniac. Nobody knows whether he was ever serious about getting closer to Europe. Chancellor Merkel, for instance, has always been sceptical.

He has already erected the centre of his power. In 2014, on the occasion of his election as President, he moved into his 1000-room-palace at the edge of Ankara. Politically, he wants his Sultanate to be confirmed by a referendum (April 16).

The militarys attempted coup (July 2016) was as convenient for Erdogan as the recent bans in Europe. These events have only increased his proud supporters loyalty. The smaller he is being made abroad, the bigger he seems to them.

Europe is hesitant about breaking up the relationship with Turkey. They need Erdogan as a NATO partner and as a buffer between the refugees and Europe. If Erdogan gets away with this, the path is clear for him  he will be the biggest of all. In 2023, the Turkish state will be 100 years old. He intends his Islamic Republic of Turkey to be in place by then. Ruled solely by him.

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For Immediate Release, March 15, 2017 Contact: Jamie Pang, (858) 699-4153, jpang@biologicaldiversity.org Senators Daines, Tester Introduce Bill Weakening Protections for Endangered Species Another Attempt to Overrule Courts and Slow Landscape-level Protections for Species WASHINGTON A proposed bill in Congress would reverse a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision from 2015 that required agency re-consultation for federal management plans regarding endangered species. The bill was introduced Monday by Montana senators Steve Daines, a Republican, and Jon Tester, a Democrat, joined by Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.). The Litigation Relief for Forest Management Projects Act'' would exempt the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management from consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service over already approved land-management plans when new species are protected as endangered or new critical habitat is designated. Such consultations help ensure that newly protected species are not jeopardized by ongoing management. A study from 2015 showed that not a single industry project was halted as a result of Section 7 Consultation. This bill is just another cynical attack to weaken a key provision of the Endangered Species Act, said Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity. We're deeply disappointed to see Senator Tester and Representative Peterson once again joining Republican efforts to undermine the Endangered Species Act. Federal land-management agencies can  and should  make needed updates to plans when new species are protected. The 9th Circuit held in the 2015 Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. U.S. Forest Servicecase that the Forest Service had violated the Endangered Species Act when it failed to reinitiate consultation for a logging plan after critical habitat on federal lands was designated for the Canada lynx. The court also, however, held that mere procedural violations were no longer enough to show irreparable harm and warrant injunctive relief, meaning that such consultations are not a major impediment to completing projects with little harm to endangered species. The Forest Service has also already completed or is near completing consultations over the lynx, as required by the court, calling into question the need for this legislation. The Forest Service and BLM typically have years of notice before species or habitat receive protection and have become more proficient at working with the wildlife agencies to ensure that endangered wildlife aren't negatively impacted by logging, mining and other activities, said Suckling. There is just no need for this legislation." 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.
Media Advisory, March 15, 2017 Contact: Patrick Sullivan, (415) 517-9364, psullivan@biologicaldiversity.org 'Resist Trump's BLM' Rally at Salinas Hearing on Fracking on Public Land Federal Plan Could Auction Off 700,000 Acres in California to Oil Industry SALINAS, Calif. Dozens of people will stage a Resist Trump's BLM rally on Thursday afternoon outside a Salinas hearing on the federal Bureau of Land Management's plan to open hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in California to oil drilling and fracking. The hearing is part of BLM's effort to resume leasing public land in California to oil companies. The BLM has not held a single oil-lease sale in the state since 2013, when a federal judge ruled that the agency violated the law by issuing oil leases in Monterey County without considering the environmental risks of fracking. Now, under the Trump administration, the agency is considering auctioning off more than 700,000 acres of public land and mineral estate in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties. Four of these counties  Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Alameda  have banned fracking. We must resist the Trump administration's appalling plan to auction off some of California's most beautiful wild places for drilling and fracking, said Hollin Kretzmann, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. We can't let oil companies pollute our air and water. Turning this public land over to the oil industry would also harm our climate at a time when California must move away from dirty fossil fuels. What: Resist Trump's BLM rally at BLM public hearing When: Thursday, March 16. Rally starts at 3:30 p.m.; hearing starts at 4 p.m. Where: California State University Monterey Bay at Salinas City Center, 1 Main St., Salinas Media availability: Rally attendees will be available for interviews before and after the rally. Background

In 2013 a federal judge ruled that the BLM violated the National Environmental Policy Act by issuing oil leases in Monterey County without considering the environmental dangers of fracking. Following that ruling the BLM has refrained from holding any lease sales in the state. In September 2016 a U.S. district judge overturned a federal plan to open more than 1 million acres of public land and mineral estate in central California to drilling and fracking. Oil companies frack about 90 percent of wells on public lands nationwide. A 2015 California Council on Science and Technology report found that fracking in California commonly employs dangerously toxic chemicals at shallow depths near drinking-water aquifers. 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.
North Dakota senators voted down a bill that would have allowed retailers to open on Sunday mornings.

Current state law makes it a Class B misdemeanor to operate a business thats open to the public before noon on Sunday, but exceptions exist for restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other businesses. A repeal of most of that law failed in the Senate 22-25 Tuesday.

Proponents of the legislation, which included the Greater North Dakota Chamber, said it was a matter of giving business owners the right to choose when to open their doors. Opponents have argued workers need time to spend with families, with some standing against the repeal on religious grounds.

We need that day to rejuvenate our mind, our spirit and our body, said Sen. Robert Erbele, R-Lehr, who cited religious arguments against the bill. I look at this bill as being nothing more than just selfish consumerism.

In a wide-ranging speech against the repeal that touched on Christianity, Humanism, last years presidential election and the separation of church and state, Sen. Dick Dever, R-Bismarck, argued the value of Sunday morning is not in the profits that roll through the cash registers, but rather in the time spent with family and away from the hustle and the bustle.

Sen. Jessica Unruh, R-Beulah, pointed to the 39 exceptions to the Sunday sales prohibition in arguing there should be a level playing field for businesses. She said people can choose how to practice their religion.

This bill isnt about religious freedom, Unruh said. This is about freedom  that allows all businesses to make the decision whether or not to offer their services Sunday morning, not just a select few.

The repeal, introduced by Rep. Pamela Anderson, D-Fargo, was voted down in the House in late January before being reconsidered and passed by one vote a day later. The bill the Senate considered would have left in place a section of law preventing a retailer from being required to open on Sunday as part of a lease agreement.

Tuesdays vote came a week after Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill allowing liquor stores to open on Sunday, resolving a longstanding debate in that state. North Dakota became the last state to allow Sunday shopping in 1991, and lawmakers last session authorized restaurants to start selling alcohol at 11 a.m. instead of noon on Sundays.
For Immediate Release, March 15, 2017 Contact: Jaclyn Lopez, (727) 490-9190, jlopez@biologicaldiversity.org, Center for Biological Diversity

Dennis Mader, (863) 494-4687, protectpeaceriver@gmail.com, People for Protecting Peace River

Glenn Compton, (941) 966-6256, comptong@comcast.com, ManaSota-88

Justin Bloom, (941) 275-2922, bloomesq1@gmail.com, Suncoast Waterkeeper Lawsuit Protects Floridians, 50,000+ Acres From Phosphate Strip Mining ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Four conservation organizations sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Fish and Wildlife Service today for authorizing 50,000 acres of phosphate strip mining that would irreversibly destroy native plant and animal habitat in central Florida. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, aims to prevent mining that would threaten water quality and quantity by obliterating wetlands and habitat for animals already clinging to survival. Those include the eastern indigo snake, crested caracara and Florida panther. The project would also exacerbate Florida's growing phosphogypsum crisis. Florida has already lost so much to the phosphate industry  hundreds of thousands of acres of natural landscape and habitat, unadulterated freshwater and healthy biodiversity, said Jaclyn Lopez, Florida director at the Center for Biological Diversity. This newest proposal is the most foolhardy yet, calling for the utter destruction of an additional 50,000 acres of Florida habitat and creation of millions of tons of radioactive hazardous waste that will be stored in the state. Phosphate ore is removed from the earth via strip mining, whereby tens of thousands of acres are scraped away on a landscape scale, annihilating the natural habitat and soil to depths of up to 80 feet. Once the ore is separated from the clay and sand, it is sent to a nearby fertilizer plant where the application of sulfuric acid turns it into phosphoric acid. This process results in thousands of acres of forever-mutilated Florida habitat and millions of tons of phosphogypsum, the radioactive byproduct of making fertilizer. Florida is already home to the world's largest phosphate mine at 100,000 acres, and is the repository for more than 1 billion tons of radioactive phosphogypsum. The so-called gypstacks are prone to sinkholes and breaches; 215 million gallons of radioactive wastewater emptied into the Floridan aquifer last September, when a sinkhole opened in a phosphogypsum stack in Mulberry. There's simply no justification for sacrificing our sensitive Florida habitats to phosphate strip mining, said Brooks Armstrong, president of People for Protecting Peace River. Florida bears a disproportionate burden to provide fertilizer for worldwide industrialized agriculture. The phosphate industry is creating an economic and environmental burden for the taxpayers of Florida in the form of increased air pollution, destruction of rural communities, depletion and degradation of drinking water supplies, and increased health costs. said Glenn Compton, executive director of ManaSota-88. There is a clear case against expanding phosphate mining in Florida. For far too long, the phosphate industry has had its way with ineffective permitting and oversight, said Justin Bloom, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper. Local and state governments have consistently failed in their duty to protect Florida from this destructive industry, and the federal government has abdicated its duty to uphold our bedrock environmental laws. It's time to fight to force the feds to do their job. The lawsuit cites violations of the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act by the Army Corps and Fish and Wildlife Service for approving the project in a region of Florida known as Bone Valley. The conservation groups that filed today's lawsuit are the Center for Biological Diversity, ManaSota-88, People for Protecting Peace River and Suncoast Waterkeeper. Locations of four proposed new phosphate mines in central Florida. Map courtesy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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
A deal brokered with the health department guarantees free access to a new TB drug, but for how long?

Drugmaker, Otsuka Pharmaceutical wont charge South Africa for using its new tuberculosis (TB) drug in a pilot programme, but South Africas free deal is unlikely to last.

The drug, delamanid, is one of the first new TB medicines to be developed in 50 years. In unpublished research by international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) delamanid has been shown to cut drug-resistant TB treatment times by two-thirds when used in combination with existing remedies, says MSF advocacy and communications officer in Swaziland, Zanele Zwane.

Current treatments for drug-resistant TB can take up to two years and patients have to take handfuls of pills daily that put them at risk of deafness or psychosis. More than half of patients with the most extreme form of drug-resistant TB, also known as extensively drug-resistant TB, will die, according to University of Cape Town studies.

Otsuka communications director, Mark Destito has confirmed that a consignment of delamanid for 200 patients is on its way to South Africa. This shipment will kick off a health department programme to pilot the treatment among a small number of patients. The drug regulator, the Medicines Control Council, approved the pilot programme in January. The initiative will collect more data on the medicines safety and could lead to widespread use of delamanid.

Otsukas move comes after almost a year of negotiations between the health department and the Japanese firm. It may also pave the way for future discussions about the price of the drug, which currently sells for about R430,000 for a six-month course.

A similar pilot between 2012 and 2015 allowed South Africa to introduce the drug bedaquiline for drug-resistant TB.

Currently, delamanid is not approved for use and doctors wishing to prescribe it must apply to the council for permission to use it on a per-patient basis.

Norbert Ndjeka, the national health departments director of drug-resistant TB, says delamanid will be available to selected patients at eThekwinis King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex, Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital in Johannesburg and Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp in the North West. It will also be given to patients at Cape Towns Brooklyn Chest Hospital in collaboration with MSF. The international humanitarian organisation is also treating patients in Swaziland with delamanid.

MSF had previously demanded that Otsuka Pharmaceutical donate medicine for South Africas pilot project, which is also known as a clinical access programme. Although Destito has confirmed that his company will provide free drugs for the initiative, he maintains the pharmaceutical firm has a strict policy against donations.

He explained: Otsuka does not support the idea of donating medicine since this is an unsustainable solution.

If the drug is approved for use, the health department will have to negotiate a price for delamanid with Otsuka. Globally, 45 countries are using the medicine as part of national treatment programmes, says Destito.

International initiative to increase access off to a slow start

Globally, the drug remains expensive and few people are using it. According to Destito, a six-month course of delamanid retails for about R430,000 a patient. In October, MSF estimated that only 405 people globally were using delamanid; Otsuka says this number is closer to 2,100 patients.

To expand access to its product, Otsuka agreed in February to provide the medicine at a reduced price of about R22 000 a patient using a global drug-purchasing mechanism run by the international organisation, Stop TB Partnership.

As part of this agreement, countries that receive money from international health financing body the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria are eligible for the special price, which is about 95% less than delamanids original price.

Swazilands ministry of health has already procured delamanid for its national TB treatment programme through this agreement. The country diagnoses 200 cases of multidrug-resistant TB each year. Access to the drug is important for children with drug-resistant TB because other treatments can be especially toxic.

Destito says some countries with large TB epidemics have not yet applied for access. We are not seeing the expected trend in applications from countries where there is a large need for delamanid. Theres been large uptake in Kazakhstan, but it seems other countries where the burden is high are still assessing their next move.
The traditional cigarette business will generate smouldering profits for British American Tobacco (BAT) for the foreseeable future, but next-generation products are set to light up the bottom line in the longer term.

Rommel Canlas via 123RF

Writing in BAT's annual report, which was released on Monday, CE Nicandro Durante said the company made significant progress in 2016 with its differentiated strategy of developing and marketing a range of next-generation products and nicotine products. Next-generation products are mainly vapour products (battery-powered electronic devices that heat a solution to create a vapour, which is inhaled) and tobacco-heating products (devices with cartridges that contain tobacco).

BAT's annual report conceded that next-generation products were still a nascent market, but noted that the vapour products category was the largest of the two types and was growing at a significant rate. A 2015 estimate placed a value of $8bn on the global market, with about 29-million people vaping around the world.

Durante said BAT's vapour products business continued to perform very well. "Following the geographic expansion of Vype in 2016, we are now present in 10 markets and have the largest vapour business in the world outside of the US."

Durante said BAT's category retail share in the UK had reached nearly 40% through the growth of Vype and the acquisition of Ten Motives. BAT had an estimated market share of 50% in Poland, category retail share of over 7% in Germany, more than 4% in France and over 2% in Italy.

"We launched a vaping concept in Europe called the Vype Pebble, which we believe will enhance the overall category and raise consumer penetration," Durante said.

In 2016, BAT launched a new tobacco-heating product called "glo" in Sendai, Japan. He said glo gained 5.4% volume share in a leading convenience store chain in Sendai after only 10 weeks. He said a further roll-out and product upgrades were scheduled for 2017 and beyond.

In the traditional combustible business, BAT's cigarette volume for the full financial year was up 0.2% to 665-billion. Durante said a 0.8% decline on an organic basis was considerably better than the industry, which the company estimated to be down 3%.

BAT reckoned there were still 1-billion adult smokers around the world, with the global tobacco market value estimated at $770bn.

Source: Business Day
Some of the most significant contributors to soaring healthcare costs are fraud, waste and abuse. These are difficult to detect, monitor and prevent because the perpetrators are at every level of the delivery chain from healthcare providers at the top to policy holders at the bottom with many abusive acts playing out under the radar, for months, even years.

It is estimated that healthcare fraud costs the sector between 5% and 15% of total pay-outs, says Lynette Swanepoel, healthcare and insurance forensic specialist at the SA Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS).

Fraud is definitely a serious element, but on top of that the healthcare industry also has to contend with waste and abuse of benefits, she says. One example of healthcare fraud is collusion between the policy holders and healthcare service providers such as doctors and pharmacists, where some doctors or pharmacists will supply non-covered items such as toiletries and baby products, falsely claiming these as medicine from the healthcare insurers.

ATM scams

Then theres what we call ATM scams. A patient will approach a healthcare service provider with a sad story to extract cash based on sympathy. The provider will claim this as services rendered. What worsens this scenario is that the monetary value is usually escalated, she adds. The healthcare service provider, for example, may dole out R500 and then claim for services valued at R1,500.

In addition, once a healthcare provider has a patients medical aid number they could continue to submit fictitious claims on an ongoing basis, sometimes without the knowledge of the policy holder.

Hospital cash plans

Swanepoel says many incidents of abuse of hospital cash plan products have been detected and investigated in recent years. Policy holders who perpetrate such abuse would typically coerce a healthcare service provider to admit them to hospital with a fictitious ailment so that the policy holder may benefit from the cash plan pay-out. The healthcare service provider would also benefit from such unethical behaviour.

The fundamental problem with this is that not only is the insurer of the cash plan losing funds, but the medical schemes are losing far more when claims for such events are settled.

Dental fraud

Another example of fraudulent practice is when dental practitioners provide policy holders with gold inlays, for which the medical schemes do not provide benefits. To cover the cost of these inlays, the services are claimed under the guise of multiple fillings.

Fortunately, most healthcare insurers have very good managed care systems in place to prevent and detect such practices.

The same names pop up all the time

Fraud, waste and abuse is opportunistic behaviour. Many fraudsters know the rules, and they know where they are able to take chances. Then its greed that perpetuates the behaviour. There are many repeat offenders and those who have worked in healthcare forensics for a long time, will see the same names showing up for scrutiny.

For many of the perpetrators, remaining undetected or being dealt with too leniently, the misappropriated wealth has become a lifestyle which they need to maintain. It is therefore often obvious that one cannot rehabilitate such individuals.

It is important to note that when it comes to fraud, waste and abuse, the perpetrators in the medical fraternity are in the minority. The majority of healthcare service providers are reputable and would also like to see such unethical behaviour dealt with, Swanepoel says.

Although some of the major insurers and administrators are now utilising sophisticated tools which can perform upfront scoring of claims, many still pay claims at face value. However, if a healthcare insurer receives a tip off it can and will institute a retrospective analysis of claims, where unusual patterns and anomalies are easily detected.

Penalties and sanctions

Swanepoel says penalties and sanctions should take the form of a multi-pronged approach. The Health Professions Council of South Africa sometimes imposes fines on reported healthcare professionals and others are permitted to pay admission of guilt fines.

The problem with this system is that healthcare insurers still do not recoup their losses and for this reason may opt to employ the services of the criminal justice system and the asset forfeiture unit, which is a costly process.

She believes that regulatory bodies could act more vigorously regarding fraud, waste and abuse, which causes healthcare insurers to be reluctant to report the incidents to these bodies. In South Africa we are bound by Section 34 [1] [b] of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 and are obliged to report cases of fraud in excess of R100,000 to the authorities.

Collaboration

One such crucial measure would be collaboration across all silos and boundaries in healthcare. The healthcare industry should finally stand united in the fight against fraud, waste and abuse.

The SAFPS is encouraging all the role players to come aboard its new initiative, which comprises a listings database where details of reported and investigated cases can be captured to enable all members of the initiative to mitigate their risk with the sharing of information on irregular activities.

Another important aspect of this initiative is the coordination of collaboration among healthcare insurers, where knowledge, skills, operating structures and many other important aspects can be shared.

We are urging all our healthcare colleagues to send out the right message to the perpetrators, that we are just as smart and adaptable to ever changing circumstances and environments to combat fraud, waste and abuse effectively and that we will stand united as an industry, she says.
The Parmalat Phuma Phambili programme, initiated in 2015, aims to work with emerging fast food and retail businesses as a business enabler, giving these township startups a much-needed competitive advantage. It has honoured five township entrepreneurs for their outstanding efforts in successfully growing their retail and fast food businesses and as a direct result, creating more jobs for members of their local communities, at an event held at Moyo, Melrose Arch.

Luyanda Kunene (on behalf of Betty Ndawonde), Doris Matatanya, Paul Verhaak, Busi Dladla, Mrs Babie (on behalf of Pule Babie) and Maryjane Ngwenya.

In 2016, businesses participating in the programme were assessed against a combination of the following elements:

 Business growth as a direct result of stocking and selling Parmalat Cheese Slices;

 Job creation as a direct result of selling its cheese slices and growing the employee base accordingly;

 Use of cheese slices branding and items (such as signage and fridges) in growing the business in a positive way through increased turnover and visibility

The winners

The winners of the second annual Parmalat Phuma Phambili programme are:

 Betty Ndawonde of Zakhele Fast Food in Dobsonville, Gauteng

 Busi Dladla of Zikhiphani Fast Food in Senaoane, Gauteng

 Pule Babie of Pules Fast Food in Naledi, Gauteng

 Doris Matatanya of PKP Kitchen in Limpopo

 Maryjane Ngwenya of Kota Land Fast Food in Mpumalanga

These entrepreneurs recorded phenomenal results in 2016, with sales increases ranging from 55% at Pules Fast Food to 317% in the case of Zakhele Fast Food. Significant employment opportunities were created because of these increases, including the hiring of 12 new staff at Zakhele, eight additional staff at Zikhiphani and five full-time staff and two part-time staff members at PKP Kitchen.

Full support

Not only was Parmalats goal to become the preferred, pre-packaged and branded single slice cheese used in township Kotas but the company also strived to support and promote entrepreneurs and small businesses in South Africas informal market.

Parmalat Phuma Phambili isnt a handout. Its our salute to these entrepreneurs with forward-thinking attitudes and our commitment to supporting them to get ahead and thrive both in business and in life, says Parmalat CEO, Paul Verhaak.

The programme involves informal fast food and retail outlets in selected provinces that make and sell Kotas (township version of a bunny chow). These businesses have to register for the programme; buy and use Parmalat Cheese Slices in their Kotas, and then monitor and track their sales as a result of using the cheese slice in their meals.

The incentive for businesses to use Parmalat Cheese Slices is the opportunity to gain access to invaluable outlet support from Parmalat, to help them grow their businesses. This is in the form of access to improved equipment and branding; enhanced marketing collateral; and more efficient production to help entrepreneurs achieve better margins. Programme participants also receive items such as TVs, fridges and Chromadek signage boards to help give their businesses a more competitive edge.

Were inspired by dreams and ambitions of these entrepreneurs and people who do great things with limited resources, as so many of our programme participants do. That is why we are passionate about supporting and collaborating with small businesses in the informal market. We want to motivate and help fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. Because ultimately, small businesses are the economic heartbeat of South Africa and they need all the help they can get in not just surviving, but thriving, says Andre Mahoney, Parmalat marketing executive.

Based on the success of the programme to date, the company will increase its investment and commitment to the campaign and expand the programme into KwaZulu-Natal in 2017 and plans are also underway to incorporate the Eastern Cape later on in the year.
It is only when we look beyond the numbers, to initiatives that will eliminate any perceived negative experiences while creating an environment in which all young professionals are provided with opportunities to promote their retention in the firms, that we will see real transformation, said Bernard Agulhas, CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA).

He was speaking at the parliamentary public hearings on transformation of the financial services sector, outlining the IRBAs concerns around the slow pace of transformation in the profession.

Moving beyond the numbers

He explained that transformation must move beyond numbers and begin to truly empower black accountants and black-owned auditing firms, which includes providing equal opportunities to access the audit market.

Previously, the lack of progression of young black professionals to the highest level in audit firms has been explained by the assumption that many young black accountants complete their traineeship and leave auditing for more lucrative roles in government, the corporate sector or to explore entrepreneurial opportunities. This is frequently cited as a challenge for the sector in its transformation initiatives.

The reality is, of the 4,283 registered auditors in South Africa, 74.8% are white and only 10.5% are black African. It is not just about increasing the number of black trainee accountants; it is about giving black accountants and auditors long-term prospects in the profession equivalent to that of their counterparts. It requires a cultural shift and a more inclusive approach which will provide black accountants with a positive experience at the firms and result in higher retention, Agulhas said.

Building a more diverse profession

High on the IRBA agenda is a desire to capacitate mid-tier and home-grown audit firms and build a more diverse profession with increased opportunities. Currently, exposure of black-owned firms to the auditing of JSE-listed companies is minimal, with up to 94% of the market capitalisation of the JSE being audited by the Big Four audit firms comprising Deloitte, KPMG, EY and PwC.

It is critical that our black-owned firms be given access to the same opportunities. We need to see them growing in scale and capability. This cannot happen unless we create the opportunity for them to have equal access to the markets. Of the 367 JSE-accredited auditors that sign off on around 300-odd JSE-listed companies financial statements, as few as nine black auditors have had the opportunity to do so, according to our research.

Training and education

The IRBA had been receiving feedback from trainees with regards to their firm experience. Trainees had been raising concerns relating to unfair discrimination in areas of performance appraisals and job allocation, and lack of cultural diversity within the firms, according to Robert Zwane, IRBA director: education and transformation.

These concerns had and still continue to have an impact on the number of trainees being retained in the auditing profession and therefore on the numbers of trainees that may enter the IRBAs audit development programme (ADP), and eventually qualify as RAs.

Still room for improvement

Consequently, in 2015, the IRBA commissioned research amongst trainees and recently qualified CAs, to attempt to quantify the factors driving and limiting professional advancement in auditing, which could inform the boards strategic objective for addressing diversity in the field.

A largely consistent experience and set of attitudes was reported by trainees and qualified professionals alike, across the diversity of the segment. So, no matter race, geography, or size of firm, the experience of trainees and recently qualified CAs was consistent with the view that race and gender transformation has been underway but that it still has room for improvement in the future.

Racial transformation is seen to be reasonable while studying with seven out of 10 respondents noting equal opportunities. However, black professionals perceive less equality during traineeship and beyond, he said

With regard to perceptions of racial equality amongst the trainees, 90% of the African respondents felt that firms should do more to promote racial equality and 36% of the same respondents reported that they had experienced some racism from management.

Workshops

The IRBA will produce a detailed report and intends to explore the results in a series of workshops with audit firms before the end of this year. These will be facilitated with audit partners and audit managers respectively to attempt to reach some working resolution as to how best to balance the expectations of partners and young professionals, with a view to increasing retention of talent, and particularly advancing black talent, within the firms and the profession.
South Africa's first doctorate for studies in biltong goes to Maxine Jones, who likes hers "moist and fatty".

Meditations via pixabay

"Biltong isn't such a simple matter as we may think - there's science behind it," Jones told News24. "I like it moist and fatty," she said.

Jones, 27, has been on a year-long mission to develop a scientifically-proven recipe for making consistently delicious biltong. On Tuesday, she will achieve a first that is distinctly South African, when she receives her doctorate in Food Science from Stellenbosch University (SU).

Jones said her master's thesis focussed on the addition of rooibos tea extract to game droewors to extend its shelf-life.

Standardised procedures

"It became evident to me, the lack of research that has been done on biltong, and this piqued my interest," she said. "I also became more aware of biltong's increasing popularity all over the world and, therefore, research on the topic would not only be interesting to academics, but also the industry."

Her research project focussed on the different aspects of biltong processing, such as the use of standardised drying procedures. She investigated the presence of different yeasts, mould, and even bacteria that often occur on biltong, and that affect its shelf life.

"I wouldn't describe it as the perfect recipe. We used a combination of research on other dried meat products and what is commonly used in the industry and developed a recipe."

No guidelines

Jones said her research suggests that producers control the parameters in the biltong-making to be able to pinpoint weaknesses or strengths in their production process. "A standard for biltong will allow for more consistency in quality, which will ultimately lead to a happier consumer," she said.

Jones, currently a quality and food safety manager at a biltong factory, said biltong should be trademarked as uniquely South African.

"Processing guidelines should be implemented which include water activity and salt content limitations, as this will help with necessary documentation needed for exporting to some major international markets," she said. "There are currently no processing guidelines for biltong production in South Africa, and this leads to vast differences in the end product."

Jones said she wanted to do research and development while travelling to look into the development of food products across the world.

"With the increased popularity of biltong the research opportunities are vast, and this research is just the beginning of things to come," she said.

Source: News24

Read this report on News24Wire.com.
In today's socioeconomic environment, with high unemployment rates and a massive skills shortage afflicting South Africa and other Southern African countries, companies in the construction industry who do not adequately focus on succession planning could find themselves without the required skills to take their companies forward.

Tommy Strydom, CEO, Inyatsi Construction Group Holdings

The considerable skills shortage  which is plaguing the industry at every level  means that its vital for companies to have skills training and skills transfer strategies to ensure their employees have the expertise to take on new challenges higher up in the organisation, with people ready to step into their shoes to carry on with tasks at the lower level.

Succession planning has always been a key focus at Inyatsi. We recently found ourselves in an interesting situation that has necessitated accelerating the implementation of our succession plan.

Meeting growth demands

While the Inyatsi Group has grown steadily over the past 12 years, increasing revenues from R100m in 2004 to R1.3bn in 2016, we now find ourselves in a situation where our business is growing exponentially  we expect our turnover to over double within the next three years. This has necessitated a close look at the skills set in our company to ensure we have the resources and expertise in place to meet the demands of this growth head-on.

Our succession planning strategy has always been to promote from within. In the past few months weve advanced several young managers, whove shown incredible business acumen, to the groups management committee to prepare for our expansion. Where weve identified gaps in our skills set, we have brought in outside resources to ensure we are ready to take on any challenges that may come our way.

Culture of succession

We have instilled a culture of succession planning at every level of our organisation. If an employee wants to get promoted and move up the ranks, they must train someone else to fill their position. We believe this is one way companies can remain sustainable and contribute to skills development in the industry.

In Africa, succession planning in the construction industry must go hand in hand with transformation. Serious transformation is needed in the construction sector. We therefore welcomed the October 2016 announcement that six of the large construction companies in South Africa had agreed to contribute R1.25bn to a transformation fund.

We believe the transformation fund is a step in the right direction. It will accelerate opportunities for black-owned construction companies, small businesses and young entrepreneurs who have struggled to gain access.

Opening up opportunities

Transformation is not only about opening up opportunities for black people to lead and contribute to the growth of the construction industry and the economy, but also about socio-economic development and the uplifting of communities around which construction projects take place.

For too long, construction companies with large projects in Africa have imported the expertise they need to complete these projects, and then departed, leaving nothing behind to improve the socio-economic conditions of the communities that they have impacted  sometimes negatively.

At Inyatsi, we have always done things differently. It is our fundamental objective to identify, employ, develop and train local sub-contractors, engineers and local people in the Southern African countries where most of our projects are located.

We have learnt through working in new markets in Africa that to succeed and have long-term sustainability in those markets, we need to grow the local skills base. In that way, when expats leave, we have created a sustainable industry where locals can run our operations and have the skills, training and know-how to get involved in infrastructure projects that build their country and improve their socioeconomic conditions.

Training and skills development

Training and skills development are the keys to a successful future for the construction industry. It is no good identifying up-and-coming local contractors and fast-tracking them without giving them the proper training. You are setting them up to fail. Its also imperative to find ways to attract youngsters to the industry to address the skills shortage. Wed like to see more women coming into the industry. Those who have joined the industry have had highly successful careers.

Employee diversity at all levels in a company is imperative for its success and should be top of mind when planning for succession. It is particularly beneficial to companies operating in different African markets. Each country presents its own challenges and having people in ones organisation that understand the nuances of the local culture and business etiquette helps enormously to gain access and succeed.
BERLIN, Germany: Volkswagen chief Matthias Mueller on Tuesday denied rumours that the German auto giant was in talks with rival Fiat Chrysler.

"At present, there is no contact between me and Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne," Mueller said at the company's annual press conference in Wolfsburg, north Germany.

Marchionne had said at the Geneva car show last week that he was expecting Volkswagen to reach out, as more firms are thinking of cost-cutting tie-ups in the vein of France's Peugeot and German carmaker Opel.

In response, Mueller said he "had other problems" since VW's 2015 admission that it installed software to cheat regulatory emissions tests in 11 million vehicles worldwide.

Tie-up not altogether ruled out

He nevertheless added that "I've never said a tie-up with any other partner is altogether ruled out."

VW clawed its way back to profit in 2016 and pulled ahead of Toyota to become the world's biggest car maker by unit sales, shipping 10.3 million vehicles over the year.

Mueller on Tuesday confirmed the group's forecast of "moderate" growth in sales in 2017.

Final bill for the scandal impossible to predict

But the firm is far from turning the page, as it continues to refit cars equipped with the cheating software and faces legal action from customers and investors in numerous countries.

The final bill for the scandal is impossible to predict, Mueller acknowledged. "All we know is that this question will keep us busy for a long time, several years," he said.

Source: AFP
The ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey, released yesterday 14 March 2017, indicates that while South African employers report cautiously optimistic hiring intentions for Q2 2017, Gauteng is the least optimistic and Western Cape the most.

Opportunities for job seekers are expected to be strongest in the transport, storage and communications sector and weakest within the mining and quarrying sector. Of the 751 employers who participated in the survey, 12% expect to increase staffing levels, 5% forecast a decrease and 81% anticipate no change. Once the data has been seasonally adjusted, the resulting net employment outlook is +7%. Hiring prospects are unchanged quarter-over-quarter and improve by 2% year-over-year.

Lyndy van den Barselaar, MD of Manpower SA, provides insights, As global economic uncertainty continues, many businesses will be more cautious about increasing staffing levels. The majority of local employers said they anticipated no change in their staffing levels for the upcoming quarter, which is a reflection of this economic uncertainty translating into the local employment market.

Regional comparisons

Workforce gains are anticipated in all five regions during 2Q 2017. The strongest labour market is forecast in Western Cape, where employers report a net employment outlook of +14%. Elsewhere, employers report cautiously optimistic outlooks of +9% in both Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, while outlooks stand at +6% and +4% in Eastern Cape and Gauteng, respectively.

The Western Capes economy is dominated by the City of Cape Town, which is a popular tourist destination for local and international holiday makers. There is a strong push for development in the tourism sector. This is seen in governments R100-million investment in the Plettenberg Bay Airport road, the proposed completion of the N1 into Cape Town, the R832 million expansion at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the building of the new Zeiss Museum of Contemporary Arts Africa at the V&A Waterfront and expansion and refurbishments of various new hotels in the city. The tourism sector is the largest employer in the region, employing more than 4 000 people, with the prospects of more jobs created as the sector continues to grow. This could definitely be a contributing factor to the positive employment outlook in the region.

While Gauteng remains the economic hub of South Africa, employers in the province have registered a conservative outlook of +4% for the second consecutive quarter. Initiatives around economic transformation by the Gauteng provincial government are aimed at stimulating key aspects of the market, which will create opportunities for further employment in the province in the coming quarters. These initiatives are focused on encouraging local manufacturing of goods, support for black-owned firms and unlocking employment opportunities for all people across the province; as reported in the State of the Province address last month.

Quarter-over-quarter, hiring intentions are 4% stronger in KwaZulu-Natal and improve by 2% in Free State. Elsewhere, hiring prospects remain relatively stable in Eastern Cape and Western Cape, while Gauteng employers report no change.

Hiring plans improve by 9% in Free State and Western Cape when compared with the second quarter of 2016, while a slight increase of 2% is reported in KwaZulu-Natal. However, Gauteng employers report a year-over-year decline of 2%.

Sector comparisons see transport, storage, communication increase

Employers in all 10 industry sectors forecast an increase in payrolls during the upcoming quarter. Transport, storage and communication sector employers report the strongest hiring intentions with a net employment outlook of +15%, while outlooks stand at +11% in both the agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing sector and the finance, insurance, real estate and business services sector. Employers in the wholesale and retail trade sector report cautiously optimistic hiring plans with an outlook of +10%, while outlooks of +9% are reported in both the electricity, gas and water supply sector and the restaurants and hotels sector. Meanwhile, the most cautious outlook of +1% is reported by mining and quarrying sector employers.

The current push for investment into improving existing and the building of new infrastructure, especially roads, is a contributing factor to the expected growth in hiring in the transport, storage and communication sector. Another possible contributing factor is the increase in service providers providing last mile fibre to the home (FTTH) and fibre to the business (FTTB), to support the growth of South Africas digital transformation and economy at large, concludes van den Barselaar.

 Pablo Scapinachis Armstrong  123RF.com

Hiring prospects improve in six of the 10 industry sectors when compared with the previous quarter. Transport, storage and communication sector employers report the most noteworthy increase of 10%, while outlooks are 6 and 5% stronger for the construction sector and the wholesale and retail trade sector, respectively. However, hiring plans weaken in four sectors, including the restaurants and hotels sector with a decrease of 5% and the electricity, gas and water supply sector, where employers report a decline of 4%.

Year-over-year, outlooks strengthen in five of the 10 industry sectors, most notably by 13% in the agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing sector. Elsewhere, increases of 12 and 9% are reported in the transport, storage and communication sector and the wholesale and retail trade sector, respectively. Meanwhile, hiring prospects weaken in three sectors, including the construction sector and the mining and quarrying sector, where employers report decreases of 4%.

Organisation size comparisons

Participating employers are categorised into one of four organisation sizes: micro businesses have less than 10 employees; small businesses have 10-49 employees; medium businesses have 50-249 employees; and large businesses have 250 or more employees.

Staffing levels are expected to grow in all four organisation size categories during 2Q 2017. Large employers report upbeat hiring prospects with a net employment outlook of +18%, while outlooks stand at +8% and +6% for medium- and micro-size employers, respectively. The most cautious outlook of +3% is reported by small employers.

Quarter-over-quarter, micro employers report an improvement of 5%, but the outlook for small firms is 3% weaker. Elsewhere, large employers report no change and the outlook for medium employers remains relatively stable.

When compared with this time a year ago, outlooks improve by 6% for micro employers and by 5% for large employers, while medium employers report an increase of 2%. Meanwhile, small employers report relatively stable hiring plans.

Global results

Globally, second-quarter hiring confidence is strongest in Taiwan, Japan, Slovenia and India. The weakest forecasts are reported in Brazil, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. Hiring plans improve in 17 of 43 countries and territories when compared quarter-over-quarter, decline in 15 and are unchanged in 11. The year-over-year trend reveals a more pronounced uptick with outlooks strengthening in 25 countries and territories, weakening in 14, and remaining unchanged in three.

The next ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey will be released on 13 June 2017 to report hiring expectations for the third quarter of 2017. For more information, go to www.manpowergroup.com/investors/alerts.cfm.
As we move into the 21st century, accessibility to e-learning is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. Yet South Africa's disadvantaged youth face more problems than merely inadequate educational facilities, a lack of textbooks and absent teachers. Violence in schools is still a very real and serious issue, negatively impacting learners' lives in ways many of us don't realise. So how dow we start to combat these hurdles facing our youth today?

I caught up with UCT Upstarts entrepreneurs to find out more about their innovative startup, PlugEd, and how it aims to kill these two birds with one stone.

Who are the brains behind PlugEd?

PlugEd was founded by three young entrepreneurs: 2nd year BBusSci Analytics student Orinea Tshivhenga (20), 3rd year electrical engineering student Lindokuhle Shongwe (21) and Honours in tax student, Lebo de Jaar (22).

Tell us about your startup and the inspiration behind it?

PlugEd was started from a simple challenge posed by UCT Upstarts. Re-educate education. Enthusiastic and excited as we were, we took on the challenge and first thing were the many assumptions about problems within the education sector of South Africa. It was only when we decided to go visit a local high school when we realised there are deeper problems than the general assumptions. We found true that most students dont have adequate resources to supplement their learning, schools are under-resourced and that their teachers are not always present, but to our surprise we found that safety is a serious concern for students. This was after we witnessed a student get stabbed from a gang-related fight. We also learned from another student that they prefer to carry two to three text books out of the recommended seven, so that they can easily run home to safety after school.

Our experience sparked a key question that lead to the birth of PlugEd: why not take learning home?

PlugEd is a startup whose heart is to bridge the gap between online educational content and high school learners that need it the most. Our current prototype involves the use of a Raspberry Pi and Khan Academy Lite. The student can take the device home, plug it into their TV and voila, they can learn in the comfort and safety of their home. Students can do this in groups or individually.

Where do you plan on taking it from here?

Looking into the future, we are working to make PlugEd the company to rely on for flexible access to resources to every learner in south Africa, both on a software levels (site that has brings educational resources to one place) and hardware level (devices for students to access educational online resources). We are currently piloting at a high school in Khayelitsha - we have given a student a raspberry pi and we are learning from the feedback. We are currently looking to testing our model by providing access to more students at the school through different methods such as USBs, DVDs etc. With the feedback from the testing, we are also looking into building the software side of our company.

What do you feel is the importance of innovation at an educational level?

We feel innovation is what shapes the future, it helps us build the world we idealise. Which is the similar to what education aims to do. It aims to prepare us for the future, therefore innovation and education cannot be separate; actually education must teach, if not just spark the ability for students to innovate. Only an innovative education can create innovative students, thus education should be innovative in itself. With the current yet old education system, it is only innovation that can bring it up to the times. Innovation within education allows for the discovery of convenient, fun and efficient ways of learning.

How necessary are initiatives like the UCT Upstarts Idea Auction to the development of entrepreneurship in South Africa?

It is not questionable whether there are entrepreneurial minds in south Africa, drawing from our own experience it seems that there are people with resources and are willing to help. Initiatives like UCT idea Auction remove the friction between the entrepreneurs and the resources. Such initiatives are vital to the development of entrepreneurship in South Africa as there is a lot of difficulty for the average young entrepreneur to find their way to the relevant resources and mentorship.

What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs who are just starting out themselves?

The hardest part about entrepreneurship is not the planning and drafting of business plans but rather shipping out your product /service. Young entrepreneurs get stuck in trying to perfect it before it goes out. It is more productive to work from feedback than perfecting something that could still be rejected. Basically focusing on the customer more than the idea is the way to win.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is holding two exhibitions, a colloquium, as well as associated workshops and walkabouts focusing on artists' books.

Between March and May 2017, the UJ Art Gallery and FADA Gallery will respectively display a selection of artists books from the collection of Jack Ginsberg, as well as a diverse range of recent book arts and book objects from South African artists, designers and students, which encompass traditional, experimental and digital responses to the book as an artwork.

David Paton, senior lecturer at the Department of Visual Art (Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture) and organiser/curator of 'Booknessess', says, It is important to gather the broad book arts community in South Africa to share and discuss diverse topics that relate to the book arts. They can also share their skills, knowledge and experiences of making, collecting and theorising the artists book in South Africa. It is imperative to introduce South African artists, designers and students to international experts and keynote speakers in the field, so as to make meaningful global connections.

Prof Jane Taylor, at the UJ Theatre, will moderate a public conversation between Jack Ginsberg and William Kentridge on the theme of Making and Collecting on 26 March 2017.

The programme includes:

Booknesses: Artists Books from the Jack Ginsberg Collection will be held at the UJ Art Gallery, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg, opening Saturday, 25 March and running until 5 May 2017. This exhibition is curated by David Paton assisted by Annali Dempsey, Rosalind Cleaver and Jack Ginsberg and is accompanied by an extensive full-colour catalogue of the 258 book objects, historical and contemporary from both South African and international artists represented in one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions of artists books ever to have been held internationally. The catalogue contains essays by David Paton, Keith Dietrich, Pippa Skotnes, Robbin Ami Silverberg and Kim Berman in conversation with Jack Ginsberg, is edited by Robyn Sassen and will add extensive new knowledge to the book arts in South Africa. This much-anticipated exhibition and its catalogue highlight a small aspect of the remarkable Jack Ginsberg Collection of Artists Books which is internationally acknowledged respected and is unique on the African continent.

will be held at the UJ Art Gallery, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Campus, Johannesburg, opening Saturday, 25 March and running until 5 May 2017. This exhibition is curated by David Paton assisted by Annali Dempsey, Rosalind Cleaver and Jack Ginsberg and is accompanied by an extensive full-colour catalogue of the 258 book objects, historical and contemporary from both South African and international artists represented in one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions of artists books ever to have been held internationally. The catalogue contains essays by David Paton, Keith Dietrich, Pippa Skotnes, Robbin Ami Silverberg and Kim Berman in conversation with Jack Ginsberg, is edited by Robyn Sassen and will add extensive new knowledge to the book arts in South Africa. This much-anticipated exhibition and its catalogue highlight a small aspect of the remarkable Jack Ginsberg Collection of Artists Books which is internationally acknowledged respected and is unique on the African continent. Booknesses: South African Artists Books will be held at the FADA Gallery, University of Johannesburg, Bunting Road Campus, Johannesburg, opening Friday, 24 March and running until 5 May 2017. Curated by David Paton, Eugene Hon, Gordon Froud and Rosalind Cleaver, the exhibition of over 100 works will be accompanied by an online catalogue.

will be held at the FADA Gallery, University of Johannesburg, Bunting Road Campus, Johannesburg, opening Friday, 24 March and running until 5 May 2017. Curated by David Paton, Eugene Hon, Gordon Froud and Rosalind Cleaver, the exhibition of over 100 works will be accompanied by an online catalogue. An international colloquium, Booknesses: Taking Stock of the Book Arts in South Africa will be held at the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, Bunting Road Campus, University of Johannesburg from Friday, 24 to Sunday, 26 March 2017. It includes presentations in the form of practical demonstrations of work and papers presented by local and international book artists and those working with the book as an artwork. Papers and roundtable discussions will be presented within the following fields of the book arts. Keynote speakers include: Sarah Bodman, Senior Research Fellow for Artists' Books at the Centre for Fine Print Research (CFPR), University of the West of England, Bristol, UK; Robbin Ami Silverberg, an artist and founding director of Dobbin Mill, a hand-papermaking studio; and Dobbin Books, a collaborative artist book studio in New York.

For more information, visit uj.ac.za/arts.
LOS ANGELES - Internet streaming service Netflix said on Tuesday it would fund the completion and restoration of iconic filmmaker Orson Welles's last movie, the unfinished The Other Side of the Wind.

Netflix started streaming TV in the United States nearly a decade ago and has launched in almost every country, ending 2016 with almost 94 million subscribers ( AFP Photo/John Macdougall

Shot by Welles between 1970 and 1976 from a screenplay he co-wrote with his lover Oja Kodar, it stars the actress alongside legendary actor-director Peter Bogdanovich, John Huston and Dennis Hopper.

Veteran producer Frank Marshall, who was Steven Spielberg's right-hand man on many of his biggest movies, worked on the original production and has been at the forefront of efforts to complete it for more than 40 years.

He will lead the project for Netflix in consultation with 77-year-old Bogdanovich, who has numerous acting credits but is best known as the director of drama The Last Picture Show and screwball comedy What's Up, Doc? in the early 1970s and Mask in 1985.

The Other Side of the Wind, a satire of Hollywood, tells of the last days of a legendary director named Jake Hannaford (Huston) as he struggles to forge his last great comeback as a major filmmaker.

Welles, who died in 1985, is considered a giant of 20th century cinema thanks to his writing and directing on numerous classics including Citizen Kane and Touch of Evil, as well as his acting in The Third Man.

"I can't quite believe it, but after 40 years of trying, I am so very grateful for the passion and perseverance from Netflix that has enabled us to, at long last, finally get into the cutting room to finish Orson's last picture," Marshall said in a statement.

Netflix started streaming TV in the United States nearly a decade ago and has launched in almost every country, ending 2016 with almost 94 million subscribers.
The winners of the first Africa Innovation Challenge at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, launched by Johnson & Johnson, have been announced. The initiative, which received nearly 500 submissions from innovators and entrepreneurs across the continent, sought the best ideas for new, sustainable health solutions that will benefit African communities.

Jim Vallee via 123RF

The Johnson & Johnson family of companies comprises the worlds largest healthcare business and its presence in Africa dates back to 1930, including business operations, public health programs and corporate citizenship. The Africa Innovation Challenge is part of the companys comprehensive approach to collaborate with and support Africas vibrant innovation, education and health systems institutions.

In addition to the Africa Innovation Challenge winners, the company also announced today that it is a major partner of Women in Innovation and the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa - programs that seek to substantially increase the number of women on the continent working in the sciences.

These announcements follow the prior weeks opening of two new Johnson & Johnson regional offices in Ghana and Kenya, which along with its South Africa-based global public health headquarters, will support health system strengthening and public health programs.

Africa is one of the fastest growing regions of the world, and Johnson & Johnson is proud to support this growth through strong collaborations that encourage innovation and accelerate advancements in the continents health systems, said Paul Stoffels, chief scientific officer, Johnson & Johnson. We are seeing a surge of activity among entrepreneurs and health system leaders to develop important solutions that overcome longstanding health and societal challenges.

By working together, we hope to bring meaningful solutions to patients and consumers more rapidly, to help cultivate the next generation of scientists, and to support Africas entrepreneurial base.

Africa innovation challenge

The Africa Innovation Challenge, launched in November 2016, solicited novel ideas with a focus on three critical health areas: promoting early child development and maternal health; empowering young women; and improving family well-being. The three winning concepts embraced these themes as well as the goal of creating ongoing, sustainable businesses:

Project Agateka, Burundi. The development of a sustainable solution to support girls who are unable to afford menstrual pads and underwear is an important need for young women. Project Agateka will provide a direct health solution as well as the opportunity for women and girls to generate income in Burundi. With the inclusion of health information, the initiative also provides health education to support improved sexual and reproductive health.

The development of a sustainable solution to support girls who are unable to afford menstrual pads and underwear is an important need for young women. Project Agateka will provide a direct health solution as well as the opportunity for women and girls to generate income in Burundi. With the inclusion of health information, the initiative also provides health education to support improved sexual and reproductive health. Project Kernel Fresh, Liberia. Project Kernel Fresh sources natural palm kernels from smallholder women farmers, increasing their income. The entrepreneur cold presses the palm kernel oil to be used in organic cosmetics. The project will also create jobs for young women by training them to sell the products throughout Liberia.

Project Kernel Fresh sources natural palm kernels from smallholder women farmers, increasing their income. The entrepreneur cold presses the palm kernel oil to be used in organic cosmetics. The project will also create jobs for young women by training them to sell the products throughout Liberia. Project Pedal Tap, Uganda. Seeking to prevent disease transmission, and a reduction of water use, Project Pedal Tap will develop hands-free solutions for hand water taps in Uganda. The entrepreneurs will create manufacturing capabilities, using mostly recycled materials, which will lead to an ongoing business.

This was an extremely difficult competition to judge as there were many terrific ideas, said Josh Ghaim, chief technology officer, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. The three winning projects demonstrated a strong benefit to local communities and the ability to empower young women, and they also have the potential to deliver ongoing economic support. We look forward to working with these entrepreneurs over the course of the next year to help them build sustainable operations.

Each of the three winning recipients will receive funding as well as mentorship from scientists, engineers, and operations members from the Johnson & Johnson Consumer Research & Development organisation and other areas of the company.

Globally there is significant gender inequality in the sciences. To help address this, Johnson & Johnson has made a strong commitment to increase the number of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design (WISTEM2D) careers. Last year, the company entered into 10 partnerships with institutions around the world to accelerate the development of WISTEM2D careers and supported other STEM initiatives globally.

African millennials and entrepreneurs represent some of the best talent in the world. Our presence at the Global Entrepreneurs Congress here in Johannesburg and other Africa based conferences like the Next Einstein Forum, programs like the Africa Innovation Challenge, and partnerships with organisations like Women in Innovation and the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, reflect our confidence in Africas women and men and their potential to change the world through innovation, said Seema Kumar, vice president, innovation, global health, and policy communication, Johnson & Johnson.
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The North Dakota senators have asked the president to keep the current U.S. attorney in his role through the new administration.

Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., asked President Donald Trump on Feb. 27 to allow Chris Myers to continue serving as the U.S. attorney for the district of North Dakota.

Myers has been in the role since Obama-appointed U.S. Attorney Tim Purdon resigned in February 2015 and handed off the job. He was officially appointed a year later by Ralph Erickson, chief judge for the district, due to the continued vacancy.

"Seldom in my years of serving North Dakota have I had the privilege of working with a more capable, tenacious and focused individual," said Heitkamp, who also hired Myers as a Bureau of Criminal Investigations agent early in his career, in a statement. "Chris Myers is the right person at the right time for this critical position."

Hoeven said in an interview Tuesday that he recommended Myers, a nonpartisan career prosecutor, due to his strong background, experience and recent work.

"The biggest thing is he believes in law and order," Hoeven said.

Hoeven said Myers has also been responsive to requests from the congressional delegation for assistance with such issues as bringing FBI agents to Williston, fighting the growing influx of opioids and ensuring background checks for adults living in foster care homes for Native American children.

Myers has a professional background in prosecuting organized drug crime. As U.S. attorney, he has positioned himself publicly as a leader in the fight against heroin and synthetic opioids in the state by way of prosecution and community outreach. His office has prosecuted dealers whose drugs led to overdose deaths, and Myers hosted forums in Bismarck and Fargo last year to alert people about the growing problem.

"It has been an honor to serve the citizens of North Dakota for the past 15 years in the U.S. Attorney's office," Myers said in a statement. "I am humbled by the recommendation and look forward to working with the Congressional delegation and the White House as the process moves forward."

Purdon, Myers' predecessor, lauded the senators choice of Myers to continue in the post. He said Myers' strength is in prosecuting large-scale drug trafficking organizations, including ones with ties to Canada and Mexico.

"His reputation is such that hes well liked by cops and prosecutors and feared by drug kingpins across the country," Purdon said.

Purdon said he believes Myers has come to understand the public safety issues in Indian Country, including domestic violence and sex assault.

"I'm hopeful hell continue to make that a top priority of the office," Purdon said.

Rep. Kevin Cramer is also supporting the recommendation.

If Trump continues Myers' position, he will not need to be confirmed by the Senate, Hoeven said. By avoiding an official appointment, Myers could stay with the office as a prosecutor during a future administration or presidential appointment.

Myers joined the U.S. attorney's office in 2002, according to his official biography. Before becoming the top prosecutor, he was the lead Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force prosecutor for 10 years. Prior to that, he was a prosecutor in Clay and Cass counties and a special agent with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

A North Dakota native, Myers is a graduate of Fargo North High School and has a law degree from Drake University.
PLEASE NOTE!

Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!

All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!

(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
2016 Jackson County Industrial Trade show photo.JPG

Brad Bradford of Mississippi Power Company and former Board of Supervisors President Melton Harris are seen with 2016 Gold and Silver Sponsors ribbon cutting during the 27th annual Jackson County Industrial Trade Show last year at the B.E. "Mac" McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula. (Tyler Carter/tcarter@al.com)

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Businesses in the industrial supply or manufacturing field are invited to attend the 28th Annual Jackson County Industrial Trade Show on Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at the B.E. "Mac" McGinty Civic Center in Pascagoula from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The ribbon cutting will be held at 9:00 a.m. that morning in the Fair Hall next to the Civic Center, and the Keynote Speaker will be Anthony L. Wilson, Chairman, President and CEO of Mississippi Power Company. The Chairwoman of this year's event is Trudi Dixon of Chevron Pascagoula Refinery.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies looking to be featured at this event. Indoor and outdoor booth spaces are also available to companies with reduced rates for members of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. Those looking to join the Chamber between January and March can receive a free outdoor booth with their membership.

Businesses are encouraged to put aside time on this day and allow their employees working in procurement, management, engineering and other industrial fields to attend the event. Participants are also encouraged to invite their business network to attend this show--regionally, nationwide and worldwide.

At last year's trade show, businesses spanning from St. Louis to Atlanta to Mobile were present to allow their brands to be incorporated with the trade show as well as to foster relationships that may lead to potential future business.

The show allows businesses of all sizes and many classifications to promote their products and services to other local businesses in one location. The trade show provides the environment of face to face interaction where attendees learn about new and existing products and opportunities.

Chairman, President and CEO of Mississippi Power Company. Wilson will also serve as the keynote speaker for the 28th annual Jackson County Industrial Trade Show. (Chamber of Commerce)

This year's Keynote, Anthony L. Wilson, is President and CEO of Mississippi Power Company in addition to the role of the company's Chairman as of August 4th, 2016. Wilson began his career with the company in Biloxi in 1984, as an engineering cooperative education student as a native of D'Iberville, Miss. He furthered his career through a variety of leadership roles before moving to Georgia Power in 2002.

Wilson is a member of the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Energy Institute, Mississippi State University Foundation and Mississippi Economic Council. He also is the Vice Chair of the Gulf Coast Business Council.

Wilson attended Mississippi State University and earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in addition to a MBA from The University of Southern Mississippi and graduating from the Oxford University Advanced Management Program.

The show is one of many examples of economic and community support in the area throughout the year. Additionally, the Jackson County Industrial Suppliers Association (ISA) meets every other month at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

The ISA is sponsored by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber's Small Business Issue Manager Group. Programs are designed to provide ideas and information that give businessmen additional resource knowledge and new business opportunities.

Sponsorships, booths and wall space advertising are now available through the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.

For information on attending or being featured at an ISA meeting, participating in the Jackson County Industrial Trade Show or for general Chamber membership information, contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 228-762-3391 or JohnsonL@jcchamber.com

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce is located at 720 Krebs Avenue in Pascagoula. More information can be found online at www.jcchamber.com.
Dr. Heejo Lee 2016 Asia-Pacific ISLA Showcased Honoree (Information Security Educator) and Community Service Star Awardee with David Shearer (ISC) CEO

It is a great honor to be the first showcased honoree of an ISLA award for educators and get the very prestigious recognition as the community service star at 2016. After receiving this award, our IoTcube project is getting a lot more attention and we will continue to develop internationally collaborative programs for better and safer IoT world.

Over the past 25 years, Dr. Heejo Lee has consistently contributed to the advancement of security technologies for academia, private industries, and the national government through education, research, and industrial-academic cooperation projects in the field of cybersecurity.

One of the missions for his showcased project is to train undergraduate and graduate students via project participation and provide an automatic platform called IoTcube, which is available freely at https://iotcube.net. The IoTcube platform is to enable non-security professionals and novice engineers to analyze vulnerabilities in all kinds of IoT devices professionally. Dr. Lee and his team have developed the technology for black-box testing, white-box testing, and network testing to develop an automatic platform to analyze security vulnerabilities in IoT devices. The project was first being launched by the ICT R&D program of MSIP/IITP at 2015, along with the establishment of the Center for Software Security and Assurance (http://cssa.korea.ac.kr). The team has also coordinated with a global research team with Korea University, Carnegie Mellon University, Oxford University, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) in order to build a global IoT security community and put scattered security technologies into one location to be shared by anyone in the world. Dr. Lee believes that the project has been a great experience that faculty members can work together with young students, and share the results with everyone in the world through the IoTcube platform.

Dr. Lee has taught undergraduate computer science major courses on computer security since 2004. Open to both computer science majors and non-computer science majors, his courses have been attended by roughly 70 students each year. His classes are regarded as must take before you graduate courses among seniors.

In terms of international community outreach, he has provided cybersecurity consultation services to countries outside of Korea. As one of Korea ICTs cooperation projects in Korea Information Society Development Institute, consultation on cybersecurity in developing countries has been conducted from 2006. The security experts from various fields including government, academia, and industry forms a consulting team and provide consultation for one country in a year with tight cooperation. Dr. Lee has served as a lead consultant for six countries: the Philippines, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Costa Rica, and Cambodia. The consulting team shares the experiences from Korea and suggests policy recommendations for the country, after examining the current status of ICT environments and security threats of the country.

To nominate someone outstanding in the industry in Asia-Pacific, dont miss the call for nomination for 2017 (ISC) 11th Annual Asia-Pacific ISLA nominations. For more information, please go to https://www.isc2.org/isla/default.aspx . For nomination, please go to https://www.omnicontests4.com/Default.aspx?comp_id=6097E6FC-ACAC-442B-8D24-E7A0FBD1BC28 and create a nominator account to nominate. If you need any assistance, please contact kchung@isc2.org
PR Newswire

BOSTON, March 15, 2017

BOSTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry, announced that Ms. Cheung Yan, Chairlady of Nine Dragons Paper has been named Asian CEO of the year for 2017. The award will be presented to Ms. Cheung at RISI's 18th annual Asian Conference at the Langham Shenzhen Hotel in Shenzhen, May 22-24, 2017.

RISI's Asian CEO of the Year Award is nominated by a group of investment analysts, industry consultants and commentators covering the Asian and global pulp and paper industry. This year marks the second time Ms. Cheung has been selected for the Asian CEO of the Year award, due to her continued leadership, vision and strategic expansion.

At the conference, Ms. Cheung will speak about the Group's consistent success and her anticipations for the future.

Ms. Cheung is a founder of Nine Dragons Paper. After 20 years of fast and steady development, Nine Dragons Paper Group is now the world's largest recycled-based paper manufacturing group with modern and environmentally friendly management. In 2016, the ND Paper Group recorded sales of RMB 34.9 billion. Its annual production capacity now exceeds 13 million tonnes, with production bases covering the main manufacturing centers in China and parts of Vietnam within the "Belt and Road" region.

The ND Paper Group has built a large and efficient production and sales platform in the Chinese packaging board industry. With economies of scale as well as innovative and efficient internal management, the Group has achieved healthier, more orderly operations and development. Market condition improvements in the Chinese packaging board industry to a certain extent has also contributed to the increase in Nine Dragons' profit margin. Nine Dragons has recently announced that PM2 at its Vietnam base will commence production by the end of June; and by the end of 2018 new containerboard machines will be added at its four existing production bases in China, namely Quanzhou, Chongqing, Hebei Yongxin and Shenyang.

For more information on RISI's Asian Conference, click here.

About Nine Dragons (www.ndpaper.com)Nine Dragons is China's largest packaging paperboard producer as well as Asia's largest producer of containerboard, with a total annual capacity of over 13 million metric tonnes at nine mills. The papermaker has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 2006. In 2016, the group achieved a revenue of RMB 38.9 billion, representing an increase of approximately 13.6% as compared with 2015.

The major contributor of the Group's revenue is its packaging paper business, including linerboard, high performance corrugating medium and coated duplex board, as well as recycled printing and writing paper and high value specialty paper products. The company employs around 16,000people.

About RISI (www.risi.com)

RISI is the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The company works with clients in the pulp and paper, packaging, wood products, timber, biomass, tissue and nonwovens industries to help them make better decisions.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, RISI operates additional offices throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

For Press Enquiries, please contact: Kimberly Rizzitano Marketing Manager, Events O: 781-734-8996 E: [email protected]

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cheung-yan-chairlady-of-nine-dragons-paper-selected-as-this-years-asia-ceo-of-the-year-300424513.html

SOURCE RISI
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Purim is undoubtedly one of the most boisterous, cheerful and joyous festivals in the Jewish calendar. It takes place in early spring on 14th of Adar which this year starts at sundown on March 11th. Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jews of Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus. The moving and dramatic story of Esther and her uncle Mordecai is told in the Book of Esther, known in Hebrew as Megilat Ester (Scroll of Esther).



Exotic animals in an illustrated Esther Scroll. Holland, c. 1630 or 1640 (BL Or.1047)

The Book of Esther belongs to Ketuvim (Writings), which is the third division of the Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible). Haman, the conniving chief minister at Ahasuerus court, decreed to kill all the Jews in the King's vast empire that stretched from India to Ethiopia and included 127 provinces. Lots (in Hebrew purim) were cast to determine the date when the Jews would be exterminated, hence the festivals appellation. Esther, the King's Jewish consort, was warned in time by Mordecai, and they both managed to thwart the annihilation of their people. The King punished Haman and rewarded Mordecai who sent letters throughout the kingdom, urging Jews to observe Purim every year with merrymaking and gift offerings.

The historic origin of the Book of Esther and its authenticity have been the subject of much debate and conjecture over the years. There have been chronological difficulties with King Ahasuerus, even though some researchers have claimed that he was in fact the Persian king Xerxes I, who ruled 485 - 465 BCE. The Septuagint (Greek version of the Hebrew Bible) and Josephus (Jewish scholar and historian who lived 37-100 CE), maintained that the king in the story was actually Artaxerxes I (465-424 BCE).

According to recent research the Book of Esther was written in the middle of the 4th century BCE during the reign of Artaxerxes III (359-338 BCE), however the absence in Persian sources of any references to a king that had a Jewish consort created a new problem. Some scholars have contended that given the striking resemblance between the names Esther and Mordecai to the Babylonian deities Marduk and Ishtar, the story was rooted in Babylonian worship practices, which the Jews would have adapted and transformed into the story of Esther. The well-known German Jewish historian Heinrich Graetz (1817-1891) for example, argued that the Book of Esther was written at the time of the Maccabean struggle (167-160 BCE) against Antiochus IV Epiphanes, in order to boost the spirit of the Jews at that critical time, and to show that God does not abandon its people.



Esther Scroll with floral decorations. Europe, 16th century (BL Egerton MS 67A)

As a matter of interest, the Book of Esther does not feature among the Dead Sea Scrolls (spanning 150 BCE  70 CE) and references to Purim do not feature in the Jewish literature before the 1st century CE. What can be said with some certainty is that since the Talmudic period (c. 500 CE) the Book of Esther has been customarily written on parchment in the form of a scroll, and that the festival had long been established by the 2nd century CE as evidenced in the tractate Megilah of the Mishnah (corpus of the oral tradition of Jewish law). The tractate contains details on the festivals observance and the rules governing the reading of the Scroll of Esther.

As Gods name is not explicitly mentioned in the Book of Esther, it was considered permissible to illustrate it. Scrolls of Esther read in the synagogue during the festival services had to be plain, however, scrolls intended for personal use could be illustrated with scenes from the narrative or ornamented with other motifs.

Esther Scroll decoration flourished particularly in the 17th, and especially in the 18th century, in Italy, Holland and to a lesser extent in Germany. The tradition of decorating and illustrating the Scroll of Esther continued in the centuries that followed, with fine specimens being produced in Europe as well as the Middle East and North Africa. In Italy, especially, Esther Scrolls were lavishly decorated. In fact, the earliest surviving embellished Esther Scrolls were created in the second half of 16th century Italy.

The Marelli Scroll held in the British Librarys Hebrew manuscript collection, is a beautiful and rare example of Esther Scroll ornamentation from that period. Its decoration consists of eight different types of copperplate engraved borders that frame the handwritten text of the Book of Esther. The borders bear no relation whatsoever to the story, featuring instead a lavish array of putti, grotesque telamons and pagan goddesses holding heraldic shields, and real and fabulous animals hand-coloured in bright hues. The creator of those impressive borders was Andrea Marelli, a book illustrator and printmaker who was active in Rome and Sienna around 1567-1572.





Segment of The Marelli Scroll, Italy c. 1573 (BL Or.13028)

Finely engraved specimens from 17th and 18th century Holland have also survived. Some of these have grand arched portals encasing the text. The portals are supported by columns on high pedestals between which stand the principal characters of the Esther tale: Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Esther and Haman. Episodes of the Esther narrative are confined to the lower borders, whereas the upper borders are populated by female figures bearing palm leaves. These specific pictorial schemes typify scrolls created by Salom dItalia (1619-1655). A native of Italy as suggested by his name, he most probably acquired his drawing and engraving skills from his uncle, the Mantuan printer Eliezer dItalia. In 1641 Salom moved to Amsterdam and worked there until about 1648, creating some exquisite pieces among them portraits of prominent figures and Esther Scrolls.



Esther Scroll with engraved borders by Salom dItalia, Holland, 17th century (BL Or.4786)

Often, embellished special cylindrical containers in silver, gold or ivory, were made to hold and protect the scrolls. We do not know exactly when special cases were first used, however, a brief mention to a case can be found in Bernard Picarts Ceremonies and Religious Customs (Amsterdam, 1723). That might not be the earliest reference to a Scroll of Esther case, yet it is the only one I have managed to find.



Esther Scroll enclosed in an ivory case with an ivory puller. Europe, 17th century (BL Add MS 11831)



Minute Esther Scroll (50 x 94 mm) written on a single strip of vellum wound on a silver-plated roller. Europe, 18th century (BL Or.4670)

Throughout the generations, the story of Esther has been cherished by Jews everywhere for its message of bravery, resolve and faith. The eventful and theatrical narrative which is reminiscent of an Arabian Nights story, and the exuberance and merriment associated with the Purim celebrations, have lent themselves to an outburst of literary activity. The carnival spirit of the festival and the Book of Esthers striking protagonists have been captured and immortalised in drama, poetry and prose, with virtually hundreds of surviving works in English, Hebrew, Yiddish and other Jewish languages, spanning many centuries. The British Librarys Hebrew collection abounds in printed material dedicated exclusively to the festival. This is just a small cluster of some noteworthy pieces:



Left: Shir naeh ba-hadurim. A Purim poem in Judeo-Italian. Mantua, 1619 (BL 1979.d.36)

Right: Akta Ester mit Ahashverosh. A Purim play in Yiddish. Prague, 1774. (BL 1980.c.39)





Left: Pizmonim. Purim songs in Judeo-Greek according to the custom of the Jews of Yanina. Salonica, 1875 (BL 1977.bb.27(2)) Right: Cantares y elevasiyones para alavar ah el Diyo en la festividad de Purim. Poems for Purim in Judeo-Spanish [Ladino].

[Leghorn?], 1850 (BL 1979.d.8)





Esterace pustaka=Megilat Ester. The Scroll of Esther in Hebrew and Marathi. Mumbai, 1886. (BL 1946.d.45)




English author Julian Barnes (Flauberts Parrot, Arthur & George) finds his Man Booker Prize-winning novel The Sense of an Ending on the receiving end of a dutiful cinematic adaptation courtesy of Indian-born filmmaker Ritesh Batra (2013s The Lunchbox). It features some subtle performances and an intrigue-filled setup, but squanders much of its potential with a too-teasing narrative and an inability to pay off properly in the end.

Jim Broadbent (Topsy-Turvy, Bridget Joness Diary, Gangs of New York, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) stars as Tony Webster, a happily divorced semi-retiree dutifully waking up to the alarm clock every morning, eating his toast and and puttering around his tiny vintage camera repair shop in London. Hes got a politely friendly relationship going with his ex-wife (Harriet Walter from Downton Abbey, Atonement and Sense and Sensibility). And he checks in often enough with his middle-aged, pregnant daughter (Michelle Dockery, off Downton Abbey as well) that the relationship doesnt count as estranged. But theres something distant about old Tony. He goes about his life with a sort of casual disinterest. Perhaps its that hes too nostalgic. Or maybe hes just a self-absorbed jerk. Tonys introductory voice-over talks about how, as young people, we seek out passionate emotionsthe kind we see in movies. But as we get older, we seek simpler emotionsthe sort that comfort us or reinforce what we already know and feel.

Tonys passionate past catches up with him one fateful day when he receives a letter from his old college girlfriends mother. This causes him to flash back to those bygone days of the early 1960s when he was a callow youth. Fresh out of sixth form (high school, basically) young Tony (played in these earlier sequences by relative newcomer Billy Howle) bumps into fetching, freckled strawberry blonde Veronica (Freya Mavor from the TV series Skins) at a party. The two begin the usual, tentative teenage relationship. At one point, Tony goes to meet Veronicas parents, including her mother (played by Emily Mortimer of Lovely & Amazing, Bright Young Things and Match Point). Beyond that single awkward weekend, Tony never had any contact with Veronicas parents. Andas is the case with passionate young loveTony and Veronica broke up not terribly long after that. So when sixtysomething Tony gets a letter stating that Veronicas mother has passed away and left something for him in her will, hes suitably intrigued.

His intrigue turns to confusion, however, when he meets with a solicitor and finds out that the woman has bequeathed him a diary belonging to a long-gone college chum. Things get even more emotionally tangled when it turns out Veronica has possession of the diary and is unwilling to give it up. Tangled up in memories of his late teens/early twenties, Tony is unable to let it go. He hunts down his old squeeze, Veronica (played in present day by the legendary Charlotte Rampling), but she blows him off like a practiced ice queen. What caused the rift between these two one-time lovers? Tony spends the rest of the film trying to figure out whats going on, reflecting on the various paths he and his old friends have taken over the years and coming to grips with his long-buried past.

The Sense of an Ending boasts an impressive cast of English actors. Its hard to imagine Barnes novel getting a more tony treatment. Whereas the book had the literary luxury of ruminating in the first-person on everything from aging to the way in which we recall our past to what we choose to regret in life, however, the film finds itself less confident of its voice. History is written by the victors, points out one of our philosophical young students, highlighting the problem of trusting historyand by extension, memory. Its clear that the way in which Tony has chosen to remember the past is probably at odds with what actually happened.

The film tries to build a sense of mystery around the diary and what really happened between Tony and Veronica all those decades ago. But at the end of the day, the secrets hidden inside The Sense of an Ending are strictly small potatoes. The diary, which never actually shows up, is something of a McGuffin. And Tony isnt actually suppressing his past in some sort of crisis-induced amnesia. Hes just avoiding thinking about it. By the time he gets around to showing us the correct flashback, the impact is rather blunted. Barnes patient, self-assured novel was separated into two distinct sections. The first was told entirely from the viewpoint of young Tony. The second is a reflection by the older, if not entirely wiser, Tony. This enhanced the differences between the two stories. Batras film versionbased on a screenplay by first-timer Nick Paynesticks with a much more traditional structure, interlacing the past and present and taking away a lot of the philosophical qualities of the original. In hiding (or at least delaying for 70 minutes or so) the truth about Tonys past, the film creates too much importance around the big reveal. The facts in this case arent all that important. Or particularly shocking. The interplay between what really happened in the past and how we choose to remember it is the real point of Barnes story.

The Sense of an Ending is an incredibly modestperhaps deceptively sofilm. There are a lot of minute details here that, if paid close attention to, will deliver some worthy emotional rewards. Stripped of Barnes meticulous prose, however, the story itself is mighty thin. In the end Tony confronts the not-so-big secretmost of which he pretty much already knewand is  slightly nicer to his mailman. Yeah, thats it. It aint exactly transformative. Sometimes, it turns out, the past isnt as interesting as we remember.
School choice bills, including vouchers, are making their way through the Tennessee legislature as President Donald Trump heads Wednesday to a Nashville rally where he may address the issue at the top of his education agenda.



School choice has been a dominant theme in Tennessee where the expansion of charter schools has been a major issue in local elections and voucher attempts have stalled in recent years, according to The Tennessean . Because of that, some supporters believe that Trumps support of vouchers may push this years legislation forward.

A bill to launch a pilot voucher program in Memphis has already passed key House and Senate committees. A committee vote on the House version of the bill was postponed Tuesday until next week.

Up to 5,000 students could receive vouchers to pay for private schools with first priority going to low-income children who are zoned in schools in the bottom 5 percent on state rankings. See an overview of the program in Chalkbeat Tennessee.

Another larger voucher bill , which would extend to low-income children in bottom-ranking schools statewide, is scheduled to go before a committee on Wednesday. But similar attempts have failed in Tennessee before.

State Rep. Harry Brooks, the Republican sponsor of the Memphis voucher bill, said he believes the smaller nature of his proposal, as well as oversight and the limited five-year pilot, make it more likely to pass this year.

Were trying to create another option, Brooks told Education Week. The public, by and large, is interested in some kind of voucher program.

The sponsor of the Senate version of the Memphis bill told The Tennessean that he hopes Trump mentions vouchers during his visit to Nashville.

Hes been a big supporter of school choice and has really pushed this as part of the Republican agenda to reach out to minority voters, and I think thats really important, state Sen. Brian Kelsey, a Republican, told The Tennessean about Trump .

In addition to the voucher proposals, another bill would expand education savings accounts to all public school students, not just those with severe disabilities, according to the Associated Press. At about $7,000 per student per year, the program could cost $71 million for approved education expenses, such as tuition, field trips and tutoring. The bill also is scheduled to be heard in a committee on Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the country, other school choice plans are under discussion:

Texas: A proposal to create education savings accounts has garnered support in the state Senate and from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. But the House Public Education Chairman Dan Huberty, a Republican, has called the plan dead, according to the Houston Chronicle . U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has taken the rare step of writing a letter to all Republican state lawmakers to urge them to support school choice legislation, according to the Texas Tribune .

Nevada: Both Gov. Brian Sandoval and Sen. Scott Hammond, a Republican, are drafting separate bills related to the states Education Savings Account program, while the now Democratic-led legislature may seek a rollback of the program. Hammond could introduce a bill as early as this week, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal .

Read Education Weeks story about the Nevada program and other state bills to watch this year.

For a primer on the different forms of private school choice, watch reporter Arianna Protheros helpful explainer.

President Donald Trump, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., left, and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos hold cards received from the children in a 4th-grade class during a tour of St. Andrew Catholic School on March 3, in Orlando, Fla. Trumps daughter, Ivanka, and her husband, senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, are at rear.

--Alex Brandon/AP

Contact Sarah Tully at stully@epe.org .
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative will build a world-class engineering team to support advances in personalized learning, according to a post on the groups Facebook page .

CZI is the philanthropic and investment arm of pediatrician Priscilla Chan and her husband Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of social media giant Facebook. The couple announced the creation of the initiative in 2015, saying they will eventually give 99 percent of their Facebook sharesworth an estimated $45 billion at the timeto a variety of causes, including education and health science.

The CZI engineering teams first education project will be to take over development work on the Summit Learning Platform, a digital-learning software application created in tandem by the Summit Public Schools charter network and a dedicated team of Facebook engineers.

Today, 130 schools, 1,100 teachers and 20,000 students are using the Summit Learning Platform, according to the CZI post.

We could not be more excited by the platforms potential. We look forward to getting to work on this tool, and continuing our ongoing support for Summits broader efforts to help each student reach her full potential.

In addition to directly operating 12 schools, Calif.-based Summit network also provides software and training to schools across the country as part of its Basecamp program. In 2014, Chan and Zuckerberg donated $3.5 million to the network. CZI declined to provide an updated figure.

The new announcement further clarifies a central tenet of CZIs emerging strategy: bringing engineering talent to bear on big issues.

In September, the initiative invested $600 million in BioHub , a project bringing together scientists and engineers to better understand and treat disease.

CZI is actively recruiting engineers to work across a variety of projects, according to a spokeswoman for the initiative.

The new education-engineering teams work with Summit Public Schools means that the networks long-standing partnership with Facebook itself will be phased out, likely by the end of 2017.

Per the terms of their contract, Facebook will retain intellectual property rights to the code base behind the Summit Learning Platform. The company will retain the right to use that code as it sees fit, so long as the platform is offered for free to U.S. K-12 schools and any related product offerings to higher education institutions are not co-branded with Summit.

Summit will retain licensing rights to continue using and improving the software.

Mondays announcement marks CZIs second significant investment in personalized-learning in as many months. Education Week reported in February that the group is a contributor to a new statewide personalized-learning initiative in Rhode Island.

Photo: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg speaks at an event in 2016 in Barcelona, Spain. --Manu Fernadez/AP-File

See also:






NEW DELHI (PTI): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday promised continuity in policy as he assumed additional charge of the Defence Ministry after Manohar Parrikar's return to Goa as Chief Minister.



Jaitley, who held the additional charge of Defence Ministry from May to November 2014, was again entrusted with the responsibility as Parrikar stepped down on Sunday.



"Defence Ministry has a distinct responsibility regarding country's security and armed forces, procurement for security equipment for the country. Today, I have taken a reporting of the situation," he said.



He said he will take forward the work from where Parrikar had left.



"We have a continuous government and I will take it up from where Parrikar has left it," he told reporters in New Delhi.



Parrikar's tenure as Defence Minister saw clearance of a raft of arms deals besides simplification of the acquisition process. He had also pushed for a number of stalled acquisition projects.



A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique had on Monday said that as advised by the Prime Minister, the President has directed that Jaitley shall be assigned the charge of the Defence Ministry in addition to his existing portfolios.



It is not clear for how long Jaitley will keep the two key portfolios.



The deals finalised during Parrikar's tenure included purchase of 21 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers from American aviation giant Boeing and the US government.



Last year, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Parrikar had approved the much delayed purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers worth about Rs 5,000 crore from the US and also bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the first acquisition of such a weapon system by the Indian Army in three decades since the Bofors scandal.



In March last year, Parrikar had come out with a new defence procurement policy to ensure transparency in defence deals, fast-track the acquisition process and indigenisation of defence procurement.



In September last year, India had inked a Euro 7.87 billion (approx. Rs 59,000 crore) deal with France for purchasing 36 Rafale fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear weapons and equipped with latest missiles.



It was under Parrikar, known for taking a hard line on the issue of countering cross-border terrorism, that the Army had launched the surgical strike in PoK in September last year.



On Sunday, the Goa BJP had passed a resolution requesting the central leadership to make Parrikar the Chief Minister. BJP's prospective allies had also made Parrikar's return a pre-condition for their support.



Parrikar, an IIT (Bombay) alumni, had said some time ago he had still not "settled" in the national capital as he can never be a "Delhi politician", indicating his fondness for Goa. On Tuesday, he was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Goa for the fourth time.


Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon University is honoured to partner with Westman Immigrant Services and the Brandon Islamic Centre to host Walking Forward with Muslims on March 24.

The event will provide an introduction and exploration of Islamic culture and Muslims in Brandon, featuring a panel discussion regarding current challenges, a film presentation by Brandon filmmaker Meghan Cronkrite and traditional foods, tea and music.

Islam is a tremendously rich and diverse religion, said Faiz Ahmad, president of the Brandon Islamic Centre and a biology professor at BU.

File Faiz Ahmad joins other local Muslims during prayers at the Brandon Islamic Centre recently. Ahmad, who is a biology professor at Brandon University, says the upcoming Walking Forward with Muslims event provides an opportunity to sit down and have a healthy conversation about Islam and Muslims in the community.

The Islamic Centre has received considerable support from Brandonites, but there is also a great deal of misinformation that continues to be spread. This event gives us an opportunity to sit down and have a healthy conversation about Islam and Muslims in the community.

The panel discussion will be chaired by Emma Varley, an associate professor of anthropology at BU. Varleys research focuses on Muslim community life, religious beliefs and practices, and womens health and well-being in Pakistan. The panel will include faculty members from BU and Assiniboine Community College, as well as students and community members.

We need to turn the conversation around because the image of Islam that is too often portrayed to us is far from reality, Varley said. In truth, Muslims have a vibrant and long-standing history in Canada, and share with non-Muslims in a common experience of Canadian society and culture.

For individuals less aware of this reality, the panel provides a venue to engage in productive and peaceable discussion concerning the beliefs and concerns shared by Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians alike. This is also an opportunity to dispel those myths or misconceptions that present a barrier to intercultural and interfaith understanding.

Alison Marshall, a professor of religion at BU, has traced the history of Muslims in Manitoba to the early 1900s.

At the time there were less than 1,000 Muslims in Canada. While Canadas Islamic community has grown greatly since then, Cronkrite fears that recent world events are creating a chasm that needs to be bridged.

She raised the idea of holding an event at BU after helping to organize a similar event earlier this year at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Cronkrites short film Keep Walking Forward will be screened at BU along with Letter to a Terrorist, by Winnipeg filmmaker Ayat Mneina.

Letter to a Terrorist was produced by Mneina in response to November 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, as well as Lebanon and Turkey.

The reaction to these films has been very positive, said Cronkrite, who has also held a public screening for Keep Walking Forward at Westman Immigrant Services.

I feel it is very important for people to see the effects that terrorism has on Muslims as well. By sharing their perspective, we can find a way to walk forward together.

The free event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Harvest Hall and is open to the public.

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Tetiana Melnichenko wants to attend university so she can eventually work as an accountant. Zhen Li has a dream of opening a restaurant with her husband.

But none of this will be possible if they cant achieve certain English efficiency benchmarks.

I want to keep study(ing), Li said. I just really hope the government can resolve the problem, so I can continue to study the high level.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Tetiana Melnichenko, right, takes part in language classes at the UFCW Language Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Both Li and Melnichenko work at Maple Leaf Foods, and are currently enrolled in the English classes offered through their union, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832. These classes will be significantly impacted by the federal governments plan to slash funding.

It is very important for me and for our family to study English to improve our English, and I was shocked in a bad way, Melnichenko said. But (Im) still hoping that the problem will be solved and we will have a chance to continue our lessons.

For the past 13 years, UFCW has been offering these classes to the foreign workers at Maple Leaf Foods, plus their family members. Annually, 200 people go through the English classes, and since it began, 1,500 people have graduated from the program.

The program is funded through the union, the federal government and Maple Leaf Foods.

Were going to do everything we can, with or without government funding  its just a question of how much we can do, said union president Jeff Traeger.

Currently, UFCW offers Canadian Language Benchmark levels 1-7 in Brandon. The funding cuts would mean only levels 1-4 would be available. Funding for family members will be completely cut. Grade 12 cannot be achieved with Level 4. To become a health-care aide, a Level 6 is required.

Right now, the majority of our members are actually at Level 4 or higher that are taking our classes, Traeger said.

Claudia Colocho credits the classes offered through UFCW for helping her reach her goals. When she arrived in Brandon from El Salvador back in 2005, she barely knew any English.

I had awesome teachers, and plus they accommodated all the English classes to our schedule, Colocho said.

She has achieved Level 8 and recently started working as a union representative.

Now Im able to file a grievance and represent my fellow immigrant community and all the members, she said. By far my English is not perfect, but I am very thankful with the union because of those first years of English training that I had here.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Zhen Li takes part in an ESL class at the United Food and Commercial Workers Language Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Colocho is worried about the local impact of the funding cuts.

It just makes me sad to think that other people wont have the same opportunity that I had, she said. Its sad and its bad for the whole community, because you cannot think of a proper settlement without English instruction. You cant settle in the community without speaking the language.

Colocho is just one of many success stories that came out of the unions English classes over the past 13 years, Traeger said.

He points out many people have gone on to start businesses in the community, contributing to the local economy.

Folks  have gone on to become millwrights and other trades, he said. Maple Leaf is a good job, but its hard work, so there are some folks that want to do something different, like own a restaurant or go to university so  we hope to be able to continue to help those folks do that as much as we can.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
Detroits K-12 leaders are planning to file a lawsuit to prevent the state of Michigan from closing any of its struggling schools.

The citys board of education voted Tuesday to sue the state School Reform Office, the state of Michigan, and the states school reform officer. The suit could be filed as soon as this week , the Detroit Free press reports.

At least two other Michigan school systemsthe Kalamazoo and Saginaw districtshave already filed suit against the state to stop schools from being shut down and others are considering legal action.

In January, the states school reform office identified 38 schools statewide for potential closure because they have ranked in the bottom 5 percent academically for three straight years.

Of the 38 schools, 25 are located in Detroit, including eight in Michigans Education Achievement Authority, a state-run district that operates the worst of Michigans lowest-performing schools.

The state education department has offered a deal to districts that have schools on that closure list: team up with the state to turn the schools around. In return, the school reform office would delay any closure decisions.

Districts that refuse to accept the deal could see the targeted schools close as soon as June.

In February, Members of Michigans congressional delegation sent a letter to Gov. Rick Snyder, asking him to abandon plans to shut down the schools. The letter cited the negative impact the school closings could have on surrounding neighborhoods and families who would face much longer commutes to school. Under the states plan, another 35 schools could face closure at the end of the 2017-18 school year, the Free Press reports.

A review of state data by MLive.com found that, if the schools shut down, parents in Detroit looking to send their children to better-performing schools would have few options.

Heres a look at the letter from the Michigan delegation .

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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From gummy bear osmosis to an in-depth look at the Zika virus, students from across Southwestern Manitoba brought their intellectual A game to the Western Manitoba Science Fair.

A total of 560 students from 28 schools set up experiments and science projects in the Manitoba Room in the Keystone Centre on Tuesday  some eagerly anticipating their projects fate in the hands of the judges while others expanded their social circles by signing each others shirts and throwing paper airplanes.

Valleyview students Ethan McMullan, 10, and his science partner Colton Dodds, 10, were aiming for nothing less than gold  proudly displaying the bicycle they connected to a battery that can power enough energy to turn on a lamp.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Troy Lok listens to a homemade microphone he made during the 48th annual Western Manitoba Science Fair at the Keystone Centres Manitoba Room on Tuesday.

We said if we (win) then were going to build a tree fort and then get some Fitbits, Dodds said. Im pretty sure (the judges) put in a good word for us.

The project only took a day to come up with and plan, but getting the desired outcome took longer than expected, McMullan said.

We were just brainstorming ideas and I thought it would be cool. Turns out its more complicated than cool, McMullan said.

We did learn that we can get electricity a different way than just turning on a light switch, so that was cool, Dodds added.

Older students in grades 7 to 12 have the opportunity to advance to the 2017 Canada Wide Science Fair in Regina in May. There are 500 students accepted from across Canada, but only the top three students are accepted from the WMSF.

Grade 12 student Christopher Vauzelle from Ecole La Source in Shilo was hoping to end off his high school career with a fourth visit to the Canada Wide Science Fair with a wind turbine made from recycled materials that generates electricity.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Emily May reacts to static electricity during the Western Manitoba Science Fair on Tuesday afternoon. Five hundred and sixty students from across the region came together in the annual event.

In previous years, I did projects about the environment and did projects surrounding plants and soil, this year I totally went out of my (comfort zone) and went electrical, Vauzelle said. There have been more and more environmental catastrophes, and what happens in these catastrophes are power outages  so I wondered if it would be possible to create a system from recycled materials and generate energy from that.

Using materials he found on his farm as well as a second-hand alternator, Vauzelle managed to build a prototype that he tested both mechanically and in the high winds of the recent blizzard that hit the area.

If he makes it to the Canada Wide Science Fair, he has plans to add a generator and make the turbine more aerodynamic, he said.

But Vauzelles experience is more than just winning.

All the projects that Ive done are really going to help me in the future  my dream is to be self-sufficient, Vauzelle said. I live on an organic farm, so respecting nature and being close to it has always been important to me  Im proud that I could make this. Here its a project, but later on in my life Id like to make it bigger, better and stronger.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Children react as a small drone aircraft hovers overhead during the Western Manitoba Science Fair at the Keystone Centres Manitoba Room.

 edebooy@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @erindebooy
Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From the citys Age-Friendly Committee to Child and Family Services, a wide range of local organizations were represented at a workshop hosted by the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council on Tuesday.

The council has been working with a consulting team from Eko Nomos, an Ontario-based firm, to map indigenous peoples progress toward a sustainable livelihood.

Really what this project has helped us do was create an inventory of services and programs that are servicing indigenous peoples in our community of Brandon, said Jason Gobeil, aboriginal community co-ordinator with BUAPC. From that, were going to be able to identify whats working, whats not working, where the successes are, and where the gaps are.

Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Jason Gobeil, co-ordinator with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples Council, takes part in a group discussion with Lorraine Pompana on Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesdays event, held at the Keystone Centre, brought out approximately 20 people. Other groups in attendance included Brandon Police Service, Brandon Friendship Centre, Career and Employment Youth Services and the citys poverty committee, to name a few. It was the community consultation portion of the project. Final results will be presented in April.

The people who are represented here, they represent  a really broad section of sectors within the community, so being able to work with them, well be able to make sure that weve got the right information, said Mary Ferguson, researcher and community facilitator with Eko Nomos. Then well present the results so it can be used for planning purposes.

The consulting team has been working on the project for the past four months, looking at Statistics Canada data as well as secondary source information.

According to their findings, the indigenous population of Brandon grew 23.1 per cent between 2006 and 2011. The indigenous population (5,360 people in 2011) makes up 10.3 per cent of the overall Brandon population.

BUAPC is interested in being able to come up with strategies that can make a difference to indigenous people, Ferguson said. While its still early days in their research, she added it appears there are already some gaps identified in services for seniors and youth.

Gobeil said he is proud of the work BUAPC has done over the past few years, and a crucial step has been bringing the community together to work as a team.

More and more now were starting to collaborate and work away from the silos and truly working for the citizens of our community, he said. When we always say were working for our indigenous community, were really working for our entire community to come together and learn from each other.

Brock McEwing, a member of the citys poverty committee, said its all about inclusion rather than exclusion.

Everybody here has a sightly different view on whats going on and when you put all the pieces together  you get a bigger, broader scope of the picture, rather than just one view here or there, he said. Were getting a good basis for what people in different workplace situations are, different committees, different groups, and so were really putting all that together today.

 jaustin@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @jillianaustin
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 15/03/2017 (2063 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Paper tiger  (noun): a person, group, nation or thing that has the appearance of strength or power but is actually weak or ineffectual.

 Dictionary.com

Manitobas newly revamped balanced-budget bill  the proposed Fiscal Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act  is a piece of primo partisan legislation that isnt worth the paper its printed upon.

In fact, were rather surprised that Brian Pallisters Progressive Conservative government even bothered to waste their time  and ours  by proposing a bill that has even fewer paper teeth than Gary Filmons Taxpayer Protection Act of 1995.

As per this revamped legislation, which replaces the previously defanged Filmon act that was scrapped by Pallisters government earlier this year, the government would only have to run slightly lower deficits every year to escape any cuts to cabinet minister salaries. Filmons legislation, by contrast, demanded that the salaries of cabinet ministers would be cut by thousands of dollars each and every time that the government ran a deficit.

The new legislation, as reported by The Canadian Press, also contains no timeline for balancing the budget. Theoretically, the government could post a deficit reduction of a few bucks every year to count as progress toward a balanced budget, and suffer no financial penalty as a result.

The Pallister government has already stated that it will take at least two terms eight years  to balance Manitobas fiscal books. Perhaps government ministers believed they needed more breathing room than most of a decade. Who knows?

The bill also leaves out the mounting debt of Manitoba Hydro from any budget calculations and allows a government to take money from its so-called rainy-day fund and have it counted as revenue.

The decision to remove Manitoba Hydro from the equation takes a page directly out of the NDPs playbook. Back in June 2015, then-premier Greg Selinger moved to change the balanced-budget law so it didnt include the results of Crown corporations. The challenges facing Hydro  the corporations debt is expected to nearly double to $25 billion over the next three years  have proven to be a huge problem in government attempts to bring the province back into the black.

And having that albatross around the Tories necks come budget time would no doubt put efforts to slowly reduce the annual deficit in great jeopardy  and thus leave cabinet ministers with smaller paycheques under Pallisters new bill.

In comments made to the Winnipeg Free Press following Selingers announcement, then-opposition leader Brian Pallister said changing how the budget is reported made the governments financial situation look better than it is.

Why the deception? Pallister asked. This is a classic symptom of a last-stage government. Accountability? This government is where accountability goes to die.

Truly.

The Tories have also kept the most contentious  and politically useful  tools in this new balanced budget legislation, namely a requirement for a referendum on proposed increases to income taxes, the PST or the payroll tax. The notable exception here is the lack of any mention of a carbon tax, which means we can probably expect one from the Pallister government.

When the NDP decided to raise the sales tax to eight per cent from seven back in 2013, the Selinger government temporarily suspended the provision for a required referendum. Finance Minister Cameron Friesen took great pains to state that the referendum would not be binding on any future government. But as he well knows, no legislation is binding.

Its worth repeating, as we have several times in this space in the last few years  sitting governments cannot legally tie the hands of future governments by enacting legislation. The whole point of having balanced budget legislation in the first place is for Progressive Conservatives to use it as a political weapon  when in the opposition seats  to attack a sitting government should the powers that be decide to raise taxes.

The creation of this balanced budget legislation is an unnecessary piece of partisan hackery that has wasted government time and money. Can we move on with the job of governance now, Mr. Pallister?
We may have gotten along with leaving the teaching of right and wrong, cause and effect, action and consequence to families and religious teaching but we can no longer rest comfortably in that belief. Working adults are raising todays children and less time spent around the dinner table discussing the events of the day. Fewer families are affiliated with religious organizations. Although many identify themselves with a religious group, less are attending church and a growing number are identifying as unaffiliated (PewForum.org ). At the same time that this is true, the growing question in our nation and the world about ethics and the need for truth and moral behavior is growing.

There are many ways in which educators, and all citizens, can step up and be politically active. Demonstrations, letters, attending forums, speaking to representatives in Congress, encouraging others to become active...these are all ways individuals can act. But, as educators, we need to wrestle with our public responsibility as children learn and grow with us. Schools are a major place where children see ethical behavior; they acquire awareness and practice it.

Right and Wrong

Schools teach right and wrong through Codes of Conduct that encourage some behaviors and limit or prohibit others. When students cross the line, they know there will be consequences. Whether those consequences are disciplinary or are punishment lies in the amount of counsel given and the lesson learned.

Digital Ethics, an Example

Where do the legal and ethical issues surrounding privacy belong in the work done in schools? How do schools decide to teach about privacy? Often raised with regard to social media use, students are taught the permanence of photos and how posts threaten future job acquisition and guarantee embarrassment now or later. Students learn from mistakes that words can hurt and once shared in social media they cannot be removed or denied. The focus often is the dont do it message. It takes time but the lesson about ethical consequences to ones self and others requires information, dialogue, and care.

Leadership

We focus our writing on leadership. No matter the topic, we hope to share our knowledge, experience, questions, and vision in the hopes that we may open minds or provoke thought and discussion. Yet, in this current time in our country, we feel compelled use our voices to call on all educators to pay special attention, not only to the issues that you may think affect education directly, but to issues that are and will affect the way we do business in this country and can be addressed in schools. We watch the horizon and try to be canaries in the mines when we can. Advances in science and technology are bringing us to before unimagined issues. The field of bioethics expands to direct that pursuit and application. But, inevitably, those advances will impact workplaces and lives and yes, schools.

What Does H.R. 1313 Have To Do With Schools?

There is a bill that has been introduced in the house, H.R. 1313 Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act. The bill, as introduced, it allows employers with wellness programs to require genetic testing of their employees and receive the results. Those results, and the employees willingness to share them, can be considered in what the employer may charge for health insurance contributions.

Most educators will not pay attention to this bill and amidst the other demands of their jobs and the general health care turmoil. But this does have to do with all of us in one particular way. The lid to Pandoras Box has been opened. Privacy is being redefined. Once science began unraveling DNA and the information it holds, good things began happening. Diagnoses and cures were research targets. It was at the beginning of the last century when Earnest Rutherford s questions about the atom quickly informed others and led to new understandings. New uses of radiation and the development of the Geiger counter are just two of those new ideas that came out of that Pandoras Box. Not much later, Einsteins work informed the Manhattan Project. Robert Oppenheim wrote in the New York Times , Late in his life, in connection with his despair over weapons and wars, Einstein said that if he had to live it over again he would be a plumber. This use of his work was not Einsteins intention.

How Can Educators Make a Difference?

Educators in todays classrooms were born after, much after Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet, North Korea makes the news fresh again. It is difficult to wrap heads and hearts around the idea that the United States of America used a radioactive bomb (the only country to have done so to date) to murder over 100,000 Japanese civilians. No, it wasnt just in response to Pearl Harbor where 2400 military and civilians were killed and ships lost. It was to accelerate the end of the war and arguably reduce further loss of life. This may be an extreme example but it is not only our scientists who need to make ethical decisions. It is every one of us to some degree or another. All of our students will benefit from a district wide open and ongoing discussion about how ethical behavior will be taught. The questions answered by Earnest Rutherford and then Albert Einstein, good, honest, scientific inquiry and findings, led to uses not intended.

The young geniuses who sit in todays classrooms are filled with questions and waiting to discover answers. They need others to join them and create the ethical boundaries of their discoveries. It is not only our young scientists about whom we must be concerned. It is the young politicians, reporters, doctors, CEOs, and CFOs, those who will hold influence and all who vote.

Our young people need help in developing foresight, vision, and ethical behavior. That begins in todays classrooms. If not, will we arrive at a place where Kindergarteners will be swabbed and from some awesome DNA discovery be tracked based on a belief about their potential. We need a population raised with ethical decision making, ethical models, ethical behaviors developed and engendered. Science is propelling forward. We cannot leave ethics behind.

Ann Myers and Jill Berkowicz are the authors of The STEM Shift (2015, Corwin) a book about leading the shift into 21st century schools. Connect with Ann and Jill on Twitter or Email .

I llustration by Newpaddy courtesy of Pixabay
Can I Still Become a Teacher With a Criminal Record?

You want to give back to the community and make sure children get a great education. Teachers don't go into the profession for money or glamour, and generally have an interest in doing good. But can doing something bad in your past keep you from ever getting a teaching job?

A criminal record can be an impediment to any profession, and teachers are more carefully screened than most professionals. So here's how a criminal record may affect getting a teaching job.

On the Record

Generally speaking, it is not whether a past criminal offense will prohibit you from getting a teaching job, but which criminal offenses might stand in your way. Generally speaking, teacher hiring is done by local school districts, which adhere to state regulations on teacher certification. Thus the guidelines for which crimes will prevent you from becoming a teacher can vary from state to state, and sometimes from county to county. Usually, minor citations or misdemeanors won't be automatic barriers to employment as a teacher. But serious felonies and certain other crimes can be "showstoppers," as they say:

First- or Second-Degree Felonies: These are serious crimes for a reason, and school boards take them seriously;

Sexually-Related Offenses: Student safety is the primary concern for schools, so any offense that relates to sexual misconduct (even if it doesn't involve children) will disqualify a teaching candidate;

Endangerment Offenses: To that same end, crimes that involve endangering the safety or lives of others will also generally keep you from a teaching job;

Drug Offenses: Schools are drug-free zones, so even though some states may be relaxing their marijuana laws, that doesn't mean you can toke up and teach.

Off the Record

But just because you have a criminal record doesn't mean you'll never teach. There are ways to get a job with a criminal record, and there are ways to get your criminal record expunged. To find out if your criminal conviction might keep you from becoming a teacher, consult local school board policy or an experienced criminal attorney.

Related Resources:
Minister for Financial Services, eGov and Procurement, Eoghan Murphy has warned against a lowering of financial regulatory standards across EU financial hubs as they compete to attract companies fleeing London as the UK leaves that EU.

"Other cities in Europe are being very aggressive in trying to win business," Eoghan Murphy told Reuters.
UK Ministers have been accused of "driving towards a cliff-edge with a blindfold on", after Brexit Secretary David Davis admitted they have made no assessment of the economic implications of failure to secure a deal with the rest of the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May has declared her readiness to walk away from Brexit negotiations without agreement, insisting that "no deal is better than a bad deal". And Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a TV interview at the weekend it would be "perfectly OK" to crash out of the EU on World Trade Organisation terms.

European Council president Donald Tusk said the signals coming from the UK Government just weeks ahead of the start of negotiations amounted to "threats", but insisted Brussels would not be "intimidated".

Failure to reach agreement on a future UK-EU relationship would be worse for Britain than for the remaining 27 states, he told the European Parliament.

Mr Davis tried to ease tensions with Brussels, urging colleagues to ensure future comments about the upcoming negotiations are "as calm as possible and as amicable as possible".

He issued a barely-veiled swipe at Mr Johnson, telling MPs on the Commons Exiting the EU Committee that he was preparing his strategy on the basis of "facts ... not throwaway lines in interviews".

But he was unable to provide the committee with an estimate of the cost of "no deal", and said it might be a year before he could offer any figures.

Mr Davis confirmed that leaving under WTO rules would mean tariffs of 30-40% on agricultural exports and 10% on cars, the loss of EHIC health insurance cards for travellers and passporting rights for financial sector firms, as well as departure from the EU-US Open Skies arrangements for air transport.

But he said it will be possible to devise mitigating action in response to these issues.

"Any forecast you make depends on the mitigation you make, and therefore it would be rather otiose to do that forecast before we have concluded what mitigation is possible," said the Brexit Secretary.

Mrs May's "no deal is better than a bad deal" mantra was coined "in the emotional aftermath of the referendum (when) there were lots of threats of punishment deals", said Mr Davis.

"We had to be clear that we could actually manage this in such a way as to be better than a bad deal, and that is true.

"I can't quantify it for you yet. I may well be able to do so in a year's time. It's not as frightening as some people think, but it's not as simple as some people think."

Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer accused the Government of "recklessly talking up the idea of crashing out of the EU with no deal" while making no assessment of its potential cost.

"What's clear, from the CBI and others, is that there is no result that would be worse for the British economy than leaving with no deal; no deal would be the worst possible deal," said Sir Keir.

"The Government should rule out this dangerous and counter-productive threat before Article 50 is triggered."

Liberal Democrat Brexit committee member Alistair Carmichael said the Government's approach was "the equivalent of driving towards a cliff-edge with a blindfold on".

Mr Davis insisted a good Brexit deal was "eminently achievable" and said his impression from speaking to ministers from the remaining 27 member states was that "there is a growing determination to get a constructive outcome".

No deal would be "not as good an outcome as a free trade, friction-free, open agreement", he said.

On the potential stumbling block of a "divorce bill" of up to 60 billion euro (52 billion) expected to be presented to the UK by Brussels, Mr Davis said that the UK had so far received no demand but was "a law-abiding nation" which would meet its obligations, while also insisting on its rights.

Mr Tusk told the European Parliament he wanted "a smooth divorce and a good framework for the future".

But he added: "I want to be clear that a 'no-deal scenario' would be bad for everyone, but above all for the UK, because it would leave a number of issues unresolved.

"We will not be intimidated by threats, and I can assure you they simply will not work."

PA
Ryanair is launching its first flights to war-torn Ukraine.

The no-frills airline will operate routes from London Stansted, Manchester, Stockholm and Eindhoven to Kiev from October.

It will also serve Lviv from seven airports, including Stansted.

More than 9,800 people have been killed in an ongoing conflict sparked in 2014 when Russia annexed southern Ukraine's Crimea peninsula.

Pro-Russian fighters also launched an insurgency in the east of the country.

Travel advice issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that although the situation outside eastern Ukraine is "generally calm", there are regular public demonstrations in Kiev which are mostly peaceful but "can flare up and turn violent with little warning".

Ukraine's infrastructure minister, Volodymyr Omelyan, said the launch of Ryanair flights will be a "remarkable event" for the country.

He went on: "I am convinced that Ryanair will be another bridge that connects the infrastructure of Ukraine with Europe and it will be a good signal for the world's major investors."

Ryanair's chief commercial officer, David O'Brien, said: "Ryanair is pleased to announce that low fares have finally arrived in Ukraine, our 34th country of operation.

"Ukrainian consumers and visitors can fly on Ryanair's low fares this winter and we urge all customers who wish to book their flights to do so now on the Ryanair.com website or mobile app, where they can avail of the lowest fare air travel to and from Ukraine."

The Dublin-based carrier expects around 510,000 passengers to travel to Kiev and Lviv on its flights each year.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has today launched a new portal as part of his St. Patricks Day visit to the United States.

The new site is an initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme which places culture and creativity at the centre of our public policy.

Ireland.ie is the gateway to discovery about Ireland and Irish people at home and abroad. It promotes Ireland as a great place, to live, to visit, to study and to invest.

"Ireland.ie is a gateway to discovery of who we are, what we believe and what we do," the Taoiseach said in Washington today.

"Our culture speaks to the essence of who we are, a culture of storytelling and learning, of artistic endeavour, pride in heritage, and a never satisfied curiosity about the world around us.

"We are now a global nation, ever alert to the challenges that confront us all. All of this marks out a distinct contribution we can make to the world.

"Through the Creative Ireland Programme we will nurture and invest in the creativity and imagination of our people, strengthen and empower our communities and create the space for ideas and innovation to flourish and grow.

"Ireland.ie states confidently and proudly that Ireland is a great place to live, to work, to invest in, do business with, and to study."

Minister Heather Humphreys said that that Ireland is "a home of possibility."

"Ireland is uniquely positioned to promote and showcase the unique and exceptional creative talent of our people and communities, and the expert skills and enthusiasm which have become the calling card of Irish people, at home and abroad," she said.

"Now more than ever, it is important that we use every opportunity to reinforce the message that Ireland is a home of possibility, where ideas and imagination are not just encouraged but enabled and where the warmth and welcome of our communities, across the island of Ireland, is why so many companies, businesses and inspiring individuals call it home."

"Ireland's culture and creativity gives us our edge, and Creative Ireland seeks to promote and encourage that both at home and abroad."
Since releasing his latest album as singles, Ed Sheeran's music is all you hear these days so it makes a refreshing change to listen to this Ed Sheeran/Steve Earle/Mundy mash-up of Galway Girl.

Musician John Gaughan took the red-head's Galway Girl single and recrafted it to include the lyrics and melody of the classic Galway Girl song that we all know and love.
Vaginal Sling Cases Revived

Just six short months ago, U.S. District Judge Clay Land blasted plaintiffs' attorneys in vaginal mesh lawsuits for, as he put it, filing cases "that probably should never have been brought in the first place." Land specifically called out lawyers piggybacking on litigation against Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary Mentor Corporation, makers of ObTape, and filing claims late: "Similarly, if you did not file the action until eight years after your client's doctor excised the Obtape and informed your client that it was causing her problems, you may face a serious challenge showing cause as to why sanctions should not be imposed."

Judge Land will probably not be too pleased with a recent 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, which just revived injury claims by 12 Minnesota women against Mentor that a lower court had thrown out for being filed past the statute of limitations.

Time to File Flies

All injury lawsuits have some time limit before which they must be filed. These statutes of limitations laws can vary by state and depending on the type of claim. Under Minnesota's statute of limitations, negligence lawsuits must be brought within four years and claims based on strict liability (like for defective products) must be filed within six years. The biggest issue with the statute of limitations is when the clock starts ticking.

As the 11th Circuit pointed out in this case, courts have found two elements that must be satisfied before the statute of limitations clock starts in cases involving injuries caused by a defective product:

A "cognizable physical manifestation of the disease or injury," and "[E]vidence of a causal connection between the injury or disease and the defendant's product, act, or omission."

Making a Connection

The 11th Circuit found that while the women knew there were problems with the ObTape and it had to be removed, they might not have made the causal connections between their injuries and the faulty vaginal sling. For instance, one woman said her doctor warned her that her diabetes may cause complications with the ObTape. So when the implant came apart through her vaginal wall and she suffered from infections, she claims she attributed the problems to her diabetes. It wasn't until much later she learned the implant could have been defective and decided to file a lawsuit.

While Mentor claims the statute of limitations should start accruing when the implant was removed, plaintiffs say it shouldn't be until they knew specifically that the implant was defective. The lower court sided with Mentor and dismissed the claims, but the 11th Circuit ruled the question was one of fact, and therefore would need to be resolved by a jury.

Judge Land might not be too pleased, especially if the cases fall into his jurisdiction. But for the women injured by defective ObTape implants, the ruling is welcome news.

Related Resources:
The British Government has ruled out introducing Irish border posts after leaving the EU.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said the UK would adopt technology to cover the movement of goods between the North and the Republic.

He gave evidence to his Westminster scrutiny committee about the future of the UK's only land frontier with an EU state.

He said: "It is not going to be easy, it is going to cost us money, a lot of work on technology, to put border controls in but without having border posts - but that is what we intend to do."

Businesses north and south are unanimously opposed to a hard border following Brexit, with long queues for paperwork checks envisaged akin to the 1980s when the Northern Ireland conflict still simmered.

Tour operators, hoteliers, business leaders and members of the agriculture industry are among those concerned about the implications if no special deal is struck between the UK and Ireland.

Mr Davis said: "I am confident that actually the two nations and the (European) Commission between them will be able to solve this because we really want to, because the technology is better than it was 20 years ago and because we all understand the value of it."

He added: "We are not going to do anything which jeopardises the peace process."

The Brexit Secretary noted excise duty differences on goods moving between north and south were already dealt with in a subtle fashion.

He said the same system for sending goods between Belfast and Dublin could also control trade between the UK and a city like Rotterdam in Holland.

Freedom of movement between the UK and Ireland is covered by separate arrangements.

Under the UK's 1949 Ireland Act Irish citizens living in the UK are treated as "non-foreign".

That may have to be reviewed post-Brexit, given that the Republic would still be in the EU.

Mr Davis added: "What we will aim to do is pretty much identical to the 1949 Act, which gives effectively citizenship rights to the citizens of each country."
A Dublin-born statistician and a biochemist come entrepreneur from Dundalk have been awarded St Patrick's Day medals by the Taoiseach to recognise their contribution to science.

Professor Adrian Raftery and Dr Pearse Lyons were honoured by Enda Kenny in a ceremony in Washington.

The Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) awards, now in their fourth year, mark the achievements of experts living and working in the US who have strong links to Ireland.

Mr Raftery, who works at the University of Washington, is regarded as one of the most eminent statisticians in the world, having developed new statistical methods in the fields of social, environmental and health sciences.

His research in quantifying statistical uncertainty in demographic projections has been credited with changing approaches to population forecasting.

Dr Lyons founded scientific research company Alltech in 1980 with the aim of improving the health and performance of people, animals and plants.

Alltech is now a multi-billion dollar business that trades in 128 countries worldwide, employing thousands of people.

At a ceremony at the United States Institute of Peace, Mr Kenny said: "I am delighted to present the SFI St Patrick's Day Science Medal on behalf of Science Foundation Ireland, to these two exceptional leaders.

"Dr Lyons and Prof Raftery have both had a huge impact in their own areas of expertise and played pivotal roles in the development of researchers in Ireland.

"They have demonstrated how academic and industry based scientific research can create jobs, tackle global problems and impact positively on people and society. These distinguished medal recipients are driving globally significant innovation in the areas of agriculture, food production, health, and population and weather forecasting, to name just a few."

Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland, Dr. T. Pearse Lyons, Professor Adrian E. Raftery and Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who were awarded St Patrick's Day medals by the Taoiseach to recognise their contribution to science.

Dr Lyons said he was "so proud" to accept the medal.

"While my business is global, my passion for biochemistry and entrepreneurship started at home in Ireland.

"As a company, we still have very close links to Ireland with one of our three biosciences research centres based in Dunboyne, Co Meath. Science and technology play a very important part in my company's success and all of the Alltech team work to innovate every day.

"We strive to put scientific research at the core of our business and to use that research to drive our success at home and abroad."

Prof Raftery said: "I developed my passion for statistics during my time at St Conleth's College in Dublin and at Trinity College Dublin. Statistics is vital to science, including the social sciences, and it is progressing rapidly with the current growth in big data and data science.

"I am very honoured to receive the SFI St Patrick's Day Science Medal."
The Taoiseach has admitted for the first time that Ireland will "miss" having Britain as an ally at the EU.

Enda Kenny has told an audience of American investors in Washington that Brexit is "bad for Ireland".
Update 7.20pm: Siptu representatives have criticised an attempt by the management of Bus Eireann to force through an inequitable wage cuts at the company which overwhelmingly focus on the earnings of bus drivers and other staff while ignoring senior management.

"It is critically important that any overall proposals are fair and equitable among all categories. Siptu did not break down the recent discussions," said Siptu sector organiser, Willie Noone in a letter sent to the management of Bus Eireann today.

"The company wanted immediate savings which would have involved immediate cuts to the pay of some employees and breaches of collectively bargained agreements. This was not acceptable. Senior management for example were not asked to make any contribution and this clearly was not equitable or fair."

During the talks process Willie Noone states that "a number of inefficiencies" at the company were "acknowledged and accepted" by all sides.

"Siptu is committed to eradicating inefficiencies as this is a mechanism to secure good employment terms for our members into the future," Willie Noone said.

The letter continues, "the Siptu position is that an agreement on this is achievabl" and that "Siptu members and representatives want it noted that they do not want a dispute and are committed to the survival of Bus Eireann, its presence on the maximum number of routes and the maximum number of decent jobs."

Update - 5pm; The NBRU has reiterated that it is prepared to look at alternative payroll structures at Bus Eireann and to address inefficiencies that have developed in some paygrades.

It is after management at the company called on unions earlier to set out their position, in order to determine if talks could be re-established.

The NBRU says while it is concerned at the request issued outside of the Industrial Relations framework, it's decided to set out its position in the hopes talks can reconvene.

However the union says that any proposed resolution will have to contain a commitment from Bus Eireann to resolve the Expressway crisis.

Update - 1.10pm: Management at Bus Eireann says it may be willing to engage in further talks with the unions at the company.

The company's board agreed at a meeting today, to discuss cost-saving measures, that it should seek clarification from unions on their position.

It says depending on the unions' response there may be an opportunity to re-engage in "time-limited talks".

However, the board says it will meet again to approve the implementation of cost-saving measures, which it says are necessary to avoid the risk of insolvency.

The full statement from Bus Eireann's Board read: "Due to the perilous state of the Companys finances and the failure to reach agreement with unions at the Workplace Relations Committee (WRC) last Monday, the Board of Bus Eireann convened this morning to hear management outline a number of further cost-saving options which could be urgently implemented.

"Before implementing these options, the Board have now sought written clarification from unions in relation to their position. Subject to this clarification, which is expected today, there may be an opportunity to re-engage in time-limited talks.

"The Board will re-convene again to approve the implementation of cost saving measures, which must be taken to avoid the risk of insolvency."

Earlier: Bus Eireann board members will discuss their next move this morning after talks about cost-cutting ended without agreement.

An all-out strike had been deferred to allow for the discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission.

The company accused unions of "inflexibility" after negotiations adjourned late on Monday night, but worker representatives accused management of "intransigence".

It has raised concerns that users of the bus network could be facing delays due to industrial action in the coming weeks.
Latest: The mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who has been found dead in a Goa tourist resort, has paid tribute to her daughter saying she will be "sadly missed".

What we know so far:

Update - 4.45pm: The mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who has been found dead in a Goa tourist resort, has paid tribute to her daughter saying she will be "sadly missed".

Ms McLaughlin, 28, was discovered in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of the Indian state.

In a written statement issued by a close friend on behalf of the family in Buncrana, Co Donegal, Andrea Brannigan said: "The family would like to express our thanks to all who have got in touch since receiving this awful news.

"As you can expect we are finding it very difficult at this trying time.

"We want to thank the Irish and British consulates, along with Colin from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and many friends who have assisted at this time. Danielle will be sadly missed by us all."

Update - 4pm: Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

"There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated," he said.

"There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better."

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

"The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves," he said.

Update - 3.42pm: Suresh Velip, head constable at Goa Police, said a 24-year-old Indian man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Asked about details around the case, he told the Press Association: "It is still under investigation."

Mr Velip said Ms McLaughlin's body was found in a remote area near Deobagh Beach in Canacona on Tuesday morning.

The police man said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, but he declined to disclose any details of the findings.

The suspect is expected to appear in court in Canacona at some stage.

Update - 3.30pm: The mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling who was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach in 2008 said she her heart sank after hearing of the killing.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.

Fiona MacKeown said: "It is horrific. My heart breaks for her family and friends. I know what they are going through.

"It really makes my heart sink. I just feel so sad for her mum, siblings and friends."

"It just brings it all back".

Ms MacKeown found that dealing with the Goan police and authorities while grieving over her daughter was "frustrating" and like "banging your head against a brick wall".

She hoped Ms McLaughlin's family would not have to face a similar trauma and added "it is a possibility, but it is early days yet in the investigation and I hope it works out well" for them.

A statement from Liverpool John Moores University said: "The university is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

"We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU."

A spokesman would not say what Miss McLaughlin studied at the university or when she left.

Update - 2.05pm: Rena Donaghey, a Buncrana councillor who knows Ms McLaughlin's mother and family, described their grief as unthinkable.

"This has come as a great shock," she said.

"A young girl, an independent woman, heading off to do what young girls and fellas do these days.

"It is unthinkable what happened to her.

"And for her mother, being so far away from home, it makes it all the more difficult.

"All our thoughts and prayers are with the family, that they can get through this difficult time."

Ms Donaghey said Ms McLaughlin, who was 28, had been studying and living in Liverpool before travelling for a time in Australia.

Danielle McLaughlin (centre) in 2014. Pic via Facebook

She was in her home town of Buncrana before setting off to India last month.

On her own Facebook page, dated February 22, Ms McLaughlin posted: "Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure... "

Dozens of people posted tributes on the social media website.

One said: "Sleep peacefully Danielle, my thoughts are with your family and loved ones. The horrors you have suffered are over x x x"

Another wrote: "Love you Danielle, you had the most beautiful soul."

Update - 11.55am: Police in India are reported to have got a confession from a man saying he raped an Irish woman found dead at a coastal resort in the country.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters thay have a suspect who has confessed.

Supt Tavares said: "He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity."

"We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects, another police officer said.

Police have questioned six people in connection with her death and one man is due before court today.

Update - 11.05am: The suspected murder of an Irish woman at a coastal resort in Goa has horrified her home town in Ireland, the local parish priest has said.

The victim, named locally as Danielle McLaughlin, who was aged in her 20s, was discovered dead in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of the Indian state.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out. It will reportedly determine what charges are put to the suspect.

Ms McLaughlin grew up in Buncrana, Co Donegal, but reports suggest she had been living in Liverpool.

It is understood she grew up with her grandparents and had returned to Buncrana last year when her grandfather died.

Fr John Walsh, parish priest, said the woman's mother had suffered a number of bereavements.

"The absolute horror of this girl's murder has stunned the community," he said.

"We feel for her mother in particular and her siblings."

Update - 10.15am: An Irish woman believed to have been murdered after being found dead near a beach in Goa was travelling under a British passport.

Local media said her body was unclothed and she had marks on her head and face.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin had confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

The Department later said it was "following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa" who had been "using a British passport".

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities," the spokesman added.

"The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today."

Update - 9.05am: A murder investigation has been launched after an Irish woman was found dead near a beach in Goa.

A number of people have been questioned and one man was arrested.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out which will reportedly determine if sexual assault charges are put to the suspect.

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

"Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen," a spokesman said.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance."

Earlier: There are reports that an Irish woman has been found dead in India.

Local media reports the body of the woman was found near Deobagh beach in the Canacona area in the south of the state.

Police said the woman, who is understood to be in her late 20s, had bruising to her body and facial injuries.

They also believe she had been holidaying in the area, and the Times of India has reported that the woman was murdered.

It also reported that a man has been arrested.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said the Irish embassy in New Delhi is in contact with authorities in India in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen, and is ready to provide consular assistance.
European leaders have work to do to convince President Donald Trump of the worth of the EU project, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Mr Kenny will become the first leader from the 27 EU states to remain in the union post-Brexit to meet Mr Trump this week in Washington.

Mr Trump's scheduled meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday was postponed until Friday due to snowstorms in the US.

The president has been critical of the EU, suggesting other nations may follow the UK's lead and exit the union.

The Taoiseach, who will meet the president and other senior Republicans on Thursday as part of a St Patrick's Day tradition, said he would highlight the potential mutual benefits of enhanced relations between the US and EU.

"I see Ireland as representative of what it is the European Union can actually contribute to the global development of job opportunities, trade, commerce and development of economies, in the sense that the European Union is not unfriendly to the United States," he said.

"And I accept that we have some work to do in explaining to this administration what it is that the European Union actually stands for, what it is that the European Union does, the opportunities that present themselves by having the four freedoms (movement of goods, people, services and capital between EU states) ... of the European Union which are of enormous potential for the future."

He added: "The potential for further expansion on either side of the Atlantic is enormous between the European Union and the United States."

Mr Kenny will hold bilateral talks with the president in the Oval Office in a day of engagements on Thursday. He will also meet vice president Mike Pence and attend speaker Paul Ryan's annual St Patrick's lunch.

"This is a new administration, it's been a democratic decision by the American people to elect a new president and a new administration, and my responsibility as Taoiseach and leader of our government and in working with my colleagues at a European level is to work with this administration and to make that work in the interests of millions of people on either side of the Atlantic.

"European leaders need to be over here talking to Republicans and Democrats and the administration about what membership of the European Union means and the relationship that it can have with as powerful an entity as the United States.

"It's important that the full story be given here and that it not be just one-sided, so people have a full view of what it is that we stand for - and Ireland is a microcosm of that from a European perspective."

Mr Kenny is also due to raise the issue of securing enhanced rights for the 50,000 Irish "undocumented" who live and work in the US without the required legal permissions.
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Somalia for talks with the country's new president as a worsening drought threatens millions of people in the Horn of Africa nation.

Mr Johnson told President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed."It is all so, such a shame that you are facing the problems that you are facing, particularly of course the drought and the risk of starvation, though I think that we are moving fast to try to tackle that this time 'round."

Somalia recently declared the drought a national disaster amid warnings of a full-blown famine. The country faced a similar crisis in 2011 that killed nearly 260,000 people.

The current drought, which the United Nations says threatens about half of Somalia's population, or roughly six million people, is part of a four-nation humanitarian crisis that the UN has called the largest since the world body was formed in 1945.

Britain on Wednesday announced it would match "pound for pound" the first 5 million donated by the public to the Disasters Emergency Committee's new East Africa Crisis Appeal. The committee is a collection of 13 British aid agencies.

Mr Johnson said Britain will host a conference on Somalia on May 11 to help address "underlying problems" like extremist attacks and corruption.

Mr Mohamed blamed the drought in part on homegrown extremist group al-Shabab, which continues to control parts of the country. "This drought is really serious, and so far we have lost 60% of our livestock," he said.

As Mr Johnson visited Somalia, Somali-born Olympian Mo Farah backed the new aid appeal for the region.

"As a father of four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now," he said in a statement.

"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation. I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."

After his recent visit to Somalia, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said 2.9 million people are at risk of famine and require immediate help "to save or sustain their lives". He has said close to one million children under the age of five will be acutely malnourished this year.

Current indicators mirror "the tragic picture of 2011 when Somalia last suffered a famine", Mr O'Brien said. But this time the UN's humanitarian partners have a larger footprint, better controls on resources and a stronger partnership with the new government, he said.

"To be clear, we can avert a famine," Mr O'Brien has said. "But we need those huge funds now."

Nigel Tricks, Oxfam's Horn of Africa regional director, said on Wednesday that "the window is short in which we can still avert a famine" in the regional crisis.

The drought also affects millions of people in parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, where the government recently declared a national disaster for about half of its counties. Famine has been declared in two counties of civil war-torn South Sudan.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Johnson arrived in Uganda, one of the regional countries that have contributed peacekeeping forces to help support and protect Somalia's government.

Don Wanyama, a spokesman for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, said Mr Johnson and Museveni would discuss issues of regional security.

Mr Johnson also is expected to visit Kenya and Ethiopia.

AP
A popular over-the-counter painkiller can heighten the chances of suffering a potentially fatal cardiac arrest, a study has shown.

Researchers in Denmark found that taking ibuprofen was associated with a 31% increased risk of the emergency condition, which occurs when the heart suddenly stops pumping blood.

Other medicines, such as diclofenac, from the same family of painkillers, known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), posed a similar danger, according to the findings.

Heart expert Professor Gunnar Gislason, who led the study, called for tighter controls on NSAIDs.

He said: "Allowing these drugs to be purchased without a prescription, and without any advice or restrictions, sends a message to the public that they must be safe.

"The findings are a stark reminder that NSAIDs are not harmless.

"Diclofenac and ibuprofen, both commonly used drugs, were associated with significantly increased risk of cardiac arrest.

"NSAIDs should be used with caution and for a valid indication. They should probably be avoided in patients with cardiovascular disease or many cardiovascular risk factors.

"I don't think these drugs should be sold in supermarkets or petrol stations where there is no professional advice on how to use them.

"Over-the-counter NSAIDs should only be available at pharmacies, in limited quantities and in low doses."

"The current message being sent to the public about NSAIDs is wrong.

"If you can buy these drugs in a convenience store then you probably think 'they must be safe for me'.

"Our study adds to the evidence about the adverse cardiovascular effects of NSAIDs and confirms that they should be taken seriously and used only after consulting a healthcare professional."

The most common cause of a cardiac arrest is a life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF).

It causes electrical activity in the heart to become so chaotic that the organ ceases to pump rhythmically and quivers or "fibrillates" instead. Without immediate treatment to keep the circulation going, death occurs in minutes.

The Danish investigators studied data on all patients who had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the country between 2001 and 2010.

Information on NSAID prescriptions since 1995 was obtained from pharmacies. Over-the-counter purchases of ibuprofen, the only NSAID available in Denmark without prescription, could not be included in the analysis.

For every patient, use of NSAIDs during the month before a cardiac arrest was compared with use in the 30 days leading up to that point.

Comparing the two periods for each individual eliminated the chances of chronic conditions swaying the end result.

In the 10-year period, 28,947 patients had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Of these, 3,376 had been treated with an NSAID up to a month beforehand.

Use of any NSAID raised the likelihood of cardiac arrest by 31%, the scientists reported in the European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy.

Ibuprofen and diclofenac, the two most commonly used NSAIDs, were associated with an increased risk of 31% and 50% respectively.

Three other NSAIDs, naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib, produced no statistically significant increase in risk, possibly because of a low sample size.

The drugs exert numerous effects on the cardiovascular system, such as influencing platelet aggregation and the formation of blood clots, that could help explain the findings, said the researchers.

The drugs may also cause arteries to constrict, increase fluid retention and raise blood pressure.

Prof Gislason, from Copenhagen University Hospital, warned people not to take more than 1,200 mg of ibuprofen in one day.

He added: "Diclofenac is the riskiest NSAID and should be avoided by patients with cardiovascular disease and the general population.

"Safer drugs are available that have similar painkilling effects so there is no reason to use diclofenac."
Update 1.50pm: At least 30 people have been killed, state media said.

Earlier: A suicide bomber has detonated an explosive vest inside the main judicial building in the Syrian capital, killing at least 25 people and wounding many others, state media said.

The bombing inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market in Damascus, was the latest in a spate of explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital.

It came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the country's bitter civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others.

The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war. The chaos allowed al Qaida and later the Islamic State group to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

According to Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail, the attacker struck in the early afternoon - at 1.20pm local time. A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the palace, the police chief told state TV.

The guards stopped the man, took away his arms and asked to search him. At that point, the man hurled himself inside the building and detonated his explosives, the chief said.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, confirmed that account to state TV, saying that when the security guards tried to arrest the man, he threw himself inside the palace and blew himself up.

"This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent," he said, noting that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer casualties to hospital.

The blast followed twin attacks on Saturday that killed at least 40 people in Damascus, an attack claimed by the Syria's al Qaida branch, formerly known as the Nusra Front.

There was no immediate claim for Wednesday's bombing, which came during a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Syria's armed opposition boycotted those talks due to what they say are ongoing government military offensives across the country.

Syria's UN ambassador said on Wednesday he was concluding his participation in the latest round of talks in Astana after two days of meetings without rebels.

Bashar Jaafari said discussions were "constructive" but only one official paper was produced -about de-mining Palmyra, the historic Syrian town that pro-government forces recaptured from the Islamic State group two weeks ago.

Syrian rebels did not send any delegates to this, third round in Astana, accusing the government and Russia - one of Damascus' main backers - of breaking ceasefire pledges and obligations to distribute humanitarian aid.

The Astana talks, brokered by Russia and Turkey, are centred on reaching a ceasefire in Syria and getting humanitarian relief to millions of suffering civilians. They run parallel to the UN-mediated political talks in Geneva aimed at ending Syria's civil war.

Meanwhile, taking stock of six years of Syria's civil war, the UN health agency said in Geneva on Wednesday that over half of all hospitals and public health centres in the country have closed or are partially functioning, and nearly two-thirds of health-care workers have fled.

The head of the World Health Organisation's emergencies program, Peter Salama, said resources to help the health care system are "stretched to the limit," citing security threats to health care workers and a lack of access to medicines and medical equipment.

Mr Salama called for "systematic and unhindered access" for life-saving materials like vaccines and medical supplies "on this sad anniversary of the start of war in Syria and before more lives are lost".

AP
Three N.Y. Parents Get 'Tri-Custody' of Child

Courts have long adhered to a child's best interests when making custody decisions. Generally, that means parents sharing custody so that the child can maintain positive relationships with each parent. But what if there are more than two parents?

In what could be a landmark ruling, a judge in New York granted custody of a 10-year-old child to three parents: a divorced man and woman and the female neighbor with whom they had a threesome.

Three to Two

Not all amorous relationships fit a binary model. And while statutes and courts may cling to more conventional models of the family unit, the families themselves may have moved on to other arrangements. Such is the case of Dawn and Michael Marano and their former downstairs neighbor, Audria Garcia. The three "began to engage in intimate relations," as the judge wrote, and also decided they wanted a child.

Dawn Marano was infertile, so Michael agreed to father the child with Garcia. The boy was born in 2007, but the extramarital bliss did not last long. Just 18 months later, Garcia and Dawn Marano decided they wanted to make the threesome a twosome and moved out. When Michael sued for custody of the boy, Dawn responded with a divorce suit.

"Mommy With the Orange Truck" and "Mommy With the Gray Truck"

All that was left to figure out was custody of the trio's son. During the pregnancy, both women attended doctor appointments together, and after the birth the two took turns waking to feed the baby. But Dawn felt left out by the initial custody agreement, which was split between the child's biological parents. And because she had not adopted the boy, Dawn was left with no automatic legal rights to custody.

But Suffolk County Supreme Court Judge Patrick Leis III sided with Dawn, and fashioned a custody order granting her custody on Wednesday nights, one week of vacation during the school year, and two weeks in the summer, while Garcia retains residential custody and Michael gets the boy on the weekends. Judge Leis cited other court rulings granted custody to non-biological parents to gain custody if they had a prior relationship with the child.

While California allows children to have more than two parents, Leis's ruling is believed to be the first to grant "tri-custody" to three parents in New York. Our guess is that, as romantic relationships continue to evolve, so will the child custody orders coming from courts.

Related Resources:
Update 1.50pm: Families of the Sri Lankan crew members held captive on an oil tanker are appealing to Somali pirates to release the men unharmed.

The hijacking on Monday was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012.

It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as international patrols had suppressed pirate hijackings for several years.

The European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late on Tuesday that the armed men are holding the crew captive and demanding a ransom for the ship's release.

Namali Makalandawa, the sister of the tanker's chief officer Premnath Ruwan Sampath, said on Wednesday that families have tried to contact the shipping company's office in Dubai but their calls were not answered.

Ms Makalandawa said they fear for their relatives' lives.

Earlier: Armed men are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the EU anti-piracy operation in the region said.

An EU Naval Force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

Monday's hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012.

It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as patrols by the navies of Nato countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years.

However, the United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks".

One expert said some in the region had let down their guard as the situation calmed.

Nato ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Bile Hussein told The Associated Press that the armed men have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines.

"Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," he said.

The Aris 13, manned by eight Sri Lankan sailors, was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs, said John Steed, the director of Oceans Beyond Piracy.

The EU statement said the ship's master issued a mayday alert.

Forces have been sent to free a hijacked ship, "We are determined to rescue the ship & its crew. Our forces set off to Alula. officials says pic.twitter.com/D3YSzXV6Ng  Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) March 15, 2017

An official in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland said over two dozen men boarded the ship off the country's northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.

The ship was anchored off the town of Alula, said Salad Nur, a local elder.

"The ship is on the coast now and more armed men boarded the ship," he told the AP by phone.

The EU Naval Force said it had passed the information from its contact with the ship's master to the oil tanker's owners and an investigation was under way.

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said in a statement it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information to help ensure the crew's "safety and welfare".

A UN shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed in care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.

Calls and emails to Aurora went unanswered.

Australian government records from 2014 list the ship's owner as Flair Shipping Trading FZE in the UAE.

An address listed for Flair Shipping in Dubai was for a company called Flair Oil Trading DMCC.

A woman there told an AP reporter the firm was not connected to the ship and directed him to another office.

When no one answered there, the reporter returned to find Argyrios Karagiannis, the managing director of Flair Shipping, entering the first office.

"We will not be releasing any information," Mr Karagiannis said before shutting the door.

The incident involving the Aris 13 represents the first commercial pirate attack off Somalia since 2012, Mr Steed of Oceans Beyond Piracy said.

"The pirates never went away, they were just doing other forms of crime and if any of the measures reduce (which they have, or ships take risks) the pirates are poised to exploit the weakness," he said in an email.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom.

They do not normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry.

It has lessened in recent years after an international effort to patrol near the country, whose weak central government has been trying to assert itself after a quarter-century of conflict.

In that time, concerns about piracy off Africa's coast have largely shifted to the Gulf of Guinea.

But frustrations have been rising among local fishermen, including former pirates, at what they say are foreign fishermen illegally fishing in local waters.

Nur, the local elder, told AP that young fishermen including former pirates have hijacked the ship.

"They have been sailing through the ocean in search for a foreign ship to hijack since yesterday morning and found this ship and boarded it," he said on Tuesday.

"Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing."

AP
Parents who try to turn their children against an ex-partner or spouse following a break-up should be punished in the courts, British ministers have been told.

Simon Danczuk urged the UK Government to recognise parental alienation as a form of emotional abuse as he suggested he had been a victim of such tactics as a child.

Mr Danczuk warned that children can be "maliciously used as a weapon" as adults seek revenge after a divorce.

The independent MP for Rochdale also said he had to "work to avoid" being negative in front of his own youngest children following the breakdown of his marriage to his second wife Karen.

"I believe that government and the courts need to recognise parental alienation as a form of emotional abuse and as such they need to step up efforts to prevent it occurring and in some circumstances punish the perpetrators," he said.

Mr Danczuk told the Commons he came to the issue not as an expert "but certainly as someone who has experience" of parental alienation.

"My mother could be accused of such a thing," he said.

"When my parents separated when I was five my mother portrayed my father perhaps on occasion faithfully in a very poor light.

"In contrast my father would refuse to say anything bad about my mother."

Mr Danczuk (pictured above) said manipulation of children can take a "very nasty form" with some parents working to "poison the child's mind with biased accounts of why the marriage failed" or by giving "unpleasant" details of the divorce.

They could also seek to restrict access to the child so that a proper relationship cannot be maintained with the other parent, he said.

"Their children are maliciously used as a weapon in this battle," he said.

"For the target parent the sense of loss and pain can be unimaginable.

"For the children who are innocent bystanders the effects in the present and the long term can only be negative."

He also touched on the breakdown of his second marriage as he said:

"I must say that I have had to work to avoid being negative in conversation with my two youngest children since my second marriage broke down.

"Thankfully my second wife Karen and I, for all our differences, work really hard at putting our children's emotions first.

"This is down to good and regular communication."

Justice minister Sir Oliver Heald, replying for the Government, said the law takes parental alienation "seriously" with procedures in place to "robustly" address it when it features in child arrangement cases in the family court.

He also said: "The Government doesn't have plans immediately to depart from the current law, which puts children's welfare first and foremost when family court considers matters affecting their lives and futures.

"But we are giving consideration to what further changes may be needed to the family justice system and we'll be seeking views on our proposals in due course later this year."
Almost half of Scots do not want a second independence referendum to be held before the UK quits the European Union (EU), an opinion poll has suggested.

New research by Survation for the Scottish Daily Mail found 46% would oppose a fresh ballot on independence taking place before Brexit.

But two-fifths (41%) said they would support a second independence referendum ahead of the UK's EU departure. Almost one in 10 (9%) backed neither option while 4% said they did not know.

Survation questioned 1,019 people in Scotland between March 8 and March 13 - the day First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made the surprise announcement that she will seek to stage a ballot on leaving the UK.

Just over a third (36%) said Theresa May should refuse to give Holyrood the power to stage another independence ballot, although 31% said the British Prime Minister should agree to this.

Almost a fifth (18%) said Mrs May should consent to a second referendum being held, but on the condition that it does not take place until after the UK exits the EU in 2019, while 14% said they did not know what the British Prime Minister should do.

The poll also found that 48% would vote No again if there was another referendum. Support for independence was 43% while 9% said they were undecided.

When "don't knows" were removed from the poll, if gave a majority of 53% for the Union, with 47% backing independence.

But a YouGov poll for The Times showed a larger majority in favour on Scotland staying part of Britain.

It found 57% backed staying inside the UK and 43% wanted independence, once "don't knows" and those not prepared to vote were excluded.

The research, carried out between March 9 and March 14, questioned 1,028 people.
Scotland will leave the European Union whether or not it becomes an independent country, Theresa May has said.

The UK Prime Minister seized on comments from the European Commission on Monday which indicated that an independent Scotland would have to apply to join the EU, rather than automatically being a member.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte and anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders have defined the Dutch parliamentary election as a litmus test for populism in Europe.

As voters cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections, the latest polls showed two-term premier Mr Rutte's right-wing VVD party leading, with the Party for Freedom's Geert Wilders placing a close second.

Mr Rutte hopes to slow the momentum of what he called the "wrong sort of populism" after Britain's vote to leave the European Union and the election of US president Donald Trump.

"This is a chance for a big democracy like the Netherlands to make a point to stop this toppling over of the domino stones of the wrong sort of populism," Mr Rutte said after voting.

Despite promising poll results in recent days, Mr Rutte remained wary.

"There is still a risk that we wake up on Thursday morning and seeing that Geert Wilders is leading the biggest party," he said.

Mr Wilders also sought to dampen expectations, but insisted that whatever the result of Wednesday's election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent are not going away.

"The genie will not go back into the bottle. People feel misrepresented," he said, predicting the feeling would surface in the French and Germany elections.

Mr Rutte has framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery and casting Mr Wilders as a far-right radical who was unprepared to make tough decisions.

The chance of Mr Wilders becoming prime minister in the Netherlands, where a proportional representation voting system all but guarantees coalition governments, is remote. All mainstream parties, including Mr Rutte's VVD, have ruled out working with Mr Wilders and his Party for Freedom.

Mr Wilders's one-page election manifesto includes pledges to close borders to immigrants from Muslim nations, shutter mosques and ban the Quran, as well as to take the Netherlands out of the European Union.

The campaign's final days were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.

It erupted over the refusal of the Netherlands to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies about a referendum next month that could give Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.

The crisis nevertheless gave Mr Rutte an opportunity to refuse to bow to foreign pressure, a stance with widespread backing in the nation.

"It is my task to keep the nation safe and stable and deal with these kinds of people," Mr Rutte said.

The 12.9 million Dutch voters can cast their ballots until 9pm (2000 GMT). They have plenty of options; there are 28 parties fielding candidates in the splintered political landscape.

The sunny weather appeared to bring out the voters. Ipsos, which was conducting an exit poll, said that by mid-afternoon 43% of the electorate had voted, well above the 37% who had voted by that point in the day in 2012.

Mr Rutte has driven through unpopular austerity measures over the last four years, but the Dutch economic recovery has gathered pace and unemployment has fallen fast.

Mr Wilders, meanwhile, is tapping into discontent among voters who say they are not benefiting from economic recovery.

AP
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a young child was found dead at a home in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, UK Police said.

Police were called to an address at Bromsgrove Cottages, where the child was found dead at the scene.
The Australian National University is offering online consent training to students living in residential colleges in a bid to stamp out sexual harassment and sexist behaviour.

Some colleges, including John XXIII, where four students were suspended during Orientation Week for sexist chanting, have made the Consent Matters program compulsory. More than 1000 students have completed the hour-long module.

A screengrab from the Consent Matters online module.

"There's more to consent than a simple yes or no," an introductory video tells students. "This course will show you what consent looks and sounds like."
He has proven himself yet again to be Canberra's spider man.

Perhaps he has an eye for it, but citizen scientist Stuart Harris has made his fourth peacock spider species discovery - this one while working in the vines at Mount Majura winery.

Saratus hesperus spider discovered in Canberra by Stuart Harris

The Belconnen native was instantly captured by the vibrantly coloured jumping spider.

"I always carry a little plastic tube in my pocket, just in case another spider turns up," he said.
A serious incident occurred at Bimberi Youth Justice Centre in which two youths and an 18-year-old allegedly assaulted a staff member.

The Canberra Times has obtained information about the violent incident on May 6 last year, which ended with three employees being taken to Canberra Hospital.

The ACT government has been grilled over boxing classes held inside the Bimberi youth detention centre in the lead up to an attack last year. Credit:Elesa Lee

It's understood four employees were stood down pending an investigation, which continues 10 months later, and that no charges have been laid.

The centre's independent official visitor Narelle Hargreaves confirmed the alleged assault when approached on Wednesday.
Investment bank Credit Suisse has copped a $170,000 fine from the market watchdog after its clients were able to place almost 10,000 orders in the options market without the appropriate limits on prices in place.

The problem came to light in April last year when a series of orders were mistakenly placed by a Credit Suisse client.

ASIC noted that "underlying deficiencies had existed for an unacceptable period of time". Credit:Jim Rice

"As a result, a number of transactions took place at prices that were 96 per cent below the extreme trade range reference price for those products. The orders were cancelled soon after entry.

Those transactions were cancelled by the ASX within 45 minutes but the Markets Disciplinary Panel infringement notice noted the absence of appropriate filters that led the orders being place has "the potential to interfere with the efficiency and integrity of the market".
The federal government has put its weight behind pursuing gas market reforms aimed at boosting market transparency and supplies as it continues to publicly pressure states such as Victoria to lift exploration bans blocking potential supplies.

Key figures in the gas supply industry met Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Wednesday to discuss measures aimed at heading off supply shortages and surging prices resulting from the start-up of a series of gas export projects in Queensland. The government called the meeting following a spike in the domestic gas price and rising complaints that large gas users are unable to obtain gas supply contracts and a lack of gas supplies for a power station in South Australia that triggered a recent blackout.

The suppliers will guarantee to meet peak demand periods for gas, such as during heatwaves and bringing more gas to market as quickly as possible. And the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and economist Dr Mike Vertigan are to advise the government and the industry on options to help lift transparency and trading within the domestic market.

There was also discussion of a potential monitoring role for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, although nothing definite was decided at the meeting.
Plans by the South Australian government to promote battery storage systems and new power stations could be made redundant by plans to boost connections between the state and the national grid, analysts have warned.

Additionally, the implementation of the proposals may be delayed due to the need for legislation.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said on Wednesday he was seeking expressions of interest from parties to build the proposed 100-megawatt battery farm, which would store electricity for use during times of high demand or when supplies are interrupted, with the government providing $150 million in public funds to support this portion of its energy plan, which was outlined on Tuesday.

Other components of the plan include spending $360 million of taxpayer funds on a gas-fired power station, and auctioning off the supply of three-quarters of the government's electricity supplies to a new entrant to the power generation sector in South Australia, with the remaining 25 per cent to be auctioned to renewable energy providers.
Employers are now treating white-collar workers, including receptionists in doctors' surgeries, like independent contractors to avoid paying them their entitlements, a Senate inquiry has heard.

In a submission to the Senate inquiry on the ways businesses are sidestepping fair work laws, the Legal Aid Commission of NSW claimed sham contracting is "rife" in low-skilled and low-paid industries including cleaning and construction.

White-collar workers are a new breed of exploited workers. Credit:Louise Kennerley

But it was also now starting to see low-paid white-collar workers missing out on their entitlements because employers had treated them like independent contractors.

"We are now seeing low-paid white-collar workers like receptionists in doctors' surgeries who have been told to acquire an Australian Business Number (ABN) and invoice their employer," the submission said.
Without quite realising, it approved the creation of what an AGL executive later described as a "giant vacuum cleaner for the east coast gas market, hoovering up all the gas it can get its hands on".

The Gillard government was relaxed, boastful even. It ruled out introducing a gas reservation policy along the lines of the one in Western Australia that stipulates that a certain percentage of local gas has to be retained for local consumption .

They signed cast-iron contracts to sell the gas to Japan, which was hungry for energy in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster; contracts they needed in order to justify the enormous expense.

Theres serious talk of setting up a floating terminal and importing gas back at what for users would be a cheaper price

Two months ago something extraordinary happened. The Moomba to Sydney pipeline, which for its entire 40-year life had only run in one direction (hence its name) reversed course. Gas was sent from Sydney to Moomba and then north to Gladstone to feed the LNG export trains. Sydney got the gas from Melbourne and, ultimately, Bass Strait. The sucking sound was gas that would have once cheaply warmed Australians being sent an extraordinary 4300 kilometres north across three state borders to be frozen and shipped to Japan.

KAGOME Australia is our largest tomato processor. Based at Echuca on the River Murray it exports in competition with Californian processors and is powerless to increase its prices. Gas accounts for 5 per cent of its costs. It has just been told the price will double. Worse still, it and other business are being offered only short-term contracts at "take it or leave it" prices for gas they fear isn't there.

Retooling to use another fuel is prohibitively expensive. They installed gas because of an implicit promise that it would always be there. Rod Sims, an energy expert who heads the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, said this week that manufacturers hit by the sudden shortage and price hikes were more likely to close than re-equip. The owner of South Australia's emergency gas "peaking" power plant closed half of it some years back because it couldn't afford the gas.

An (incorrect) way to describe what's happened is to say Australians are at last paying the international price for gas after being shielded from it for so long. But the international price is low. There's a glut. Australians are paying far more than the international price (more than Japan is paying for Australian gas) in order to allow the big three at Gladstone to fulfil watertight contracts.
Maverick Nationals MP George Christensen's ardour for a rebranded LNP has cooled, but he's warned One Nation's West Australian "speed bump" doesn't mean they won't still have impact.

Last month, the Dawson MP suggested the LNP, which is one merged party in his home state of Queensland, would be better off re-branding itself as a country party in regional and rural areas, to better differentiate it from its Liberal spouse.

But Mr Christensen, who resigned as the Nationals' chief party whip last month, given his penchant for regularly speaking his mind often found him at odds with party policy, now says that can wait.

"I think the reality is that we are about to face a state election here in Queensland in the next 12 months or less and all focus needs to be on that and quite frankly there is no great need for separating the LNP at the state level," he said.
The Rakhine Youth Conference is tentatively scheduled for December, organizers said at a March 12 press conference revealing the initiative.

The current, 12-member organizing committee includes youth representatives from nine of the states 17 townships, as well as representatives from Yangon. The youth leaders told the press they hope the upcoming conference will be as inclusive as possible, and said they will invite participants from all ethnic groups in the state.

A conference which all Rakhine State youth can attend will take place in December in Taunggok Town, said Ko Tun Tun, a youth leader and a member of the organizing committee representing Mrauk-U Township.

He added that the conference has three objectives: to boost youths cooperation and engagement on activities for the improvement of Rakhine State; to establish areas of common interest and agreement for future collaboration and to encourage youth to become involved in the states push for self-determination.

We will hold the conference to empower an independent and strong group of Rakhine young people who are interested in cooperating in different sectors for the benefit of the Rakhine and other ethnic groups, Ko Aung Naing, another youth leader said at the March 12 press event.

Translated by Aong Jaeneh

Edited by Laignee Barron for BNI
Lou Kenny is one of Australia's most in-demand models. At 179cm tall, she has piercing blue eyes and wears a size 10 dress.

And she also happens to have grey hair and be 58 years old.

Model Lou Kenny appeared to rapturous applause in Wednesday night's show. Credit:Lucas Dawson Photography

On Wednesday night, Kenny stole the spotlight in the Premium Runway 1 at the Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Appearing in an Albus Lumen top and skirt, Kenny received rapturous applause as she took to the runway.
When we talk about the oppression and subjugation of women, we do so in terms of "discrimination," "subjugation," and "marginalisation." Rarely, if ever, do we apply the term "persecution." It seems very few of us question why that is.

Given Mojgan opted to enter detention rather than return to Iran, it is apparent she is genuinely and legitimately fearful of being persecuted there. Unfortunately for Mojgan, she is a member of that particular group who, despite their global oppression, is not recognised by the Convention as a "persecuted" group.

It is true that much of the oppression meted out to women is not at the hands of the state, but by private citizens, and even more narrowly - as in Mojgan's case - their own families. Nonetheless, this can and should be considered a form of persecution.

Political science professor and refugee advocate Joseph Carens reminds us that when we are talking about safety and right to life, "what should matter the most is the seriousness of the danger and the extent of the risk, not the source of the threat or the motivation behind it."

Women across the globe are at serious risk for no reason other than the fact they are women. From the child-brides of Guatemala and Yemen, to the women and girls at risk of FGM in Africa, to the "honour crime" victims of India and Pakistan, to those at risk of domestic violence in Every Single Country where men and women are found, women across the globe face dire violence inflicted against their bodies because they are women.

That this violence is often culturally-sanctioned, or at the least culturally tolerated, does not make this risk any less real or any more acceptable.

In any case, even when culturally-imposed, in many cases patriarchal violence is not only permitted by the state (cough, Russia, cough), but it is often precipitated by it. In Mojgan's country of Iran, for instance, morality laws targeting women's dress, behaviour, and sexual practices that were introduced after the 1979 "Islamic" Revolution are both directly and indirectly responsible for much of that country's persecution of women.
Photographer Glenn Sloggett's latest series Down in the Dumps looks at the banal detritus of modern living.

"Glenn's large scale photographs of the broken and banal find beauty, humour and hope where others mightn't. This is our fifth solo exhibition of Glenn Sloggett's work. The first was in 2002, with an exhibition called Abandon," Bronwyn Rennex, curator at Stills Gallery said.

Whale from Down in the Dumps. Credit:Glenn Sloggett

Sloggett uses an old square format twin lens reflex camera, documenting his work on film. Down in the Dumps focuses on isolated scenes from urban environments, and champions the "un-celebrated", according to Rennex.

"Glenn has been so singular and focused with his work over that time that it's almost as if it has been one long series, exhibited over 15 years. It's lovely to be able to celebrate this work that champions the un-celebrated," Rennex said.
Public service bosses cannot obtain medical reports on their workers without their knowledge or consent, the Commonwealth workplace authority has ruled.

Not even "extremely difficult and challenging" employees can be subjected to "secret medicals," says the the federal government's Merit Protection Commissioner in a decision that will be watched closely across the 150,000-strong bureaucracy.

What if your doctors search through your Facebook, blog or Twitter feeds revealed aspects about your lifestyle you didnt tell your doctor directly? Credit:iStock

The commissioner's office says the giant Department of Human Services breached its legal obligations when it handed a medical file on one of its public servants to a doctor asking for an assessment but without telling its employee his mental health was being examined.

Compulsory medical examinations in the Australian Public Service, often for mental health reasons, have been bitterly contested in the past, but it is well-established that departmental bosses have the right to force unwilling public servants to go for medicals.
"Mum, I think my teddy's watching me." "No honey, it's just listening. You're thinking of the TV."

So, after the Wikileaks dump earlier this month of a portion of the CIA playbook for cracking digital comms, it turns out that agencies like the CIA and MI5 do, in fact, conduct spying, and that they will use pervasive technology such as smart phones and internet-connected smart devices to achieve their ends.

Hacking protection 101: the aluminium hat. Credit:Syndication International (Mirror)

The reaction to this has been varied, from aluminium-hatted horror to a resigned shrug.

Misleading suggestions that end-to-end encrypted messaging apps had been bypassed  there is no evidence that they have been in the leaked documents  went alongside attempts to lay the blame for the Democratic National Congress hack on the CIA.
More details of the violence in the Gargasoulas family in the months before the Bourke Street tragedy have emerged in court.

The details were aired as Angelo Gargasoulas, the brother of accused Bourke Street killer Dimitrious Gargasoulas, pleaded guilty to more charges but was spared further time in jail.

An image of Henry Dow and taxi driver Lou caring for a victim of the Bourke Street attack. Credit:Seven News Melbourne

Melbourne Magistrates Court was told that on December 19, Angelo, 26, smashed plates and glassware during an argument with his mother over her cat. He had been granted bail the day before.

Four months earlier, he held a knife in a threatening manner and shook his fist at his boyfriend as the pair argued, the court heard.
A Melbourne father has been praised by firefighters after rescuing his son in a dramatic house fire overnight.

The Spotswood home became engulfed in flames about 3.30am on Thursday when a fire broke out in the air-conditioning unit in the roof of the property.

The blaze started in the Hudsons Road home's second storey, where two children were sleeping.

According to MFB North Laverton station officer Rod O'Sullivan, the mother was woken by sounds of the fire. When she investigated the second floor, she found it engulfed in flames.
A mother accused of murdering her 14-month-old daughter was told by a Fijian imam that the toddler was possessed by an "evil spirit", police say.

Sofina Nikat, 23, was struggling to care for her daughter, Sanaya Sahib, who had become particularly irritable and constantly demanding months before her death, a police summary released by the court on Wednesday said.

Ms Nikat  who had previously separated from Sanaya's father  asked her parents in Fiji for guidance, and they told her an imam they had consulted had "determined [Sanaya] had negative energy and was possessed by an evil spirit", it said.

Ms Nikat received lockets and prayers that she was told she and Sanaya should wear to try to remove this spirit.
Almost two years out from the state election, Matthew Guy is already drilling his Liberal MPs and their electorate officers in American-style campaign tactics.

The compulsory attendance of electorate officers  who are not meant to work on party political matters  has raised eyebrows, given Labor has been accused of misusing electorate officers for campaign purposes at the 2014 election.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy Credit:Paul Jeffers

Mr Guy's office dismissed concerns about electorate officers attending, saying the conference had been approved by parliamentary services.

The two-day conference at Caulfield racecourse, which began on Wednesday, was organised by Mr Guy's office, and is being attended by Liberal MPs and the team from Liberal Party state headquarters.
The incident happened at Nam Moi Ahkhue, a Burmese military checkpoint, the source told Shan Herald on condition of anonymity because of his fears of retribution. The victim has been identified as Sai Yi, a Mong Noong villager, who was passing through the checkpoint when the soldier on patrol, identified as Lieutenant Sithu, stopped him. Apparently, because he could not understand the lieutenants language  Burmese  the soldier beat him.

Sai Yi was taken to the hospital in Mong Khark, the source said.

Consisting of no more than 200 households, Mong Noong is located 20 miles west of Mong Khark Township, which is in Kengtung District.

The Burmese armed forces set up two checkpoints between Mong Noong and Mong Kar village, which lie just 12 miles from each other, said Nang Ai Keng Kham, a resident in Mong Khark. People have to pay them money to pass through the checkpoint. For a motorbike, we have to pay 1,000 kyat (US$0.75) and for a car we must pay 5,000 kyat.

If people do not speak nicely with them, they get beaten up, she said. Its very difficult to travel in this area. Sometimes, we are too afraid to pass there.

People in this area are farmers. We only rely on local crops, she added. Right now, there is a temple festival in Mong Noong, and villagers go there to sell their wares. But the Burmese soldiers at the checkpoint always ask for money. It distresses us.

There are regular reports of human rights violations against civilians perpetuated by Burmese troops across Shan State. On December 7, Shan Herald reported that three villagers from Mong Yen in Lashio Township were beaten and another was shot by Burmese soldiers for no reason.

Many incidents are either not reported or the soldiers involved are invariably not brought to justice.

Members of the [Burmese] security forces continued to violate human rights with near-total impunity. Investigations into human rights violations by the security forces were rare, and when they did occur they lacked transparency and independence, said a 2015-16 Amnesty International annual report.
How did you go with today's Mystery Melbourne?

This location is stop 63 on route 86, at the corner of Plenty Road and Greenwood Drive in Bundoora. It is actually the tram stop that is the furthest from a myki retailer of any tram stop in the state. If you get to this stop and realise you've lost your myki, the nearest myki outlet is 1.5 kilometres away.

I put in some stealth hints to the answer in the blog today in the references to my myki dead zones story.

The first with the answer via email was Rachel M and on Twitter it was @PaineLaurie.
Bali: Sara Connor's defence team will recommend the Australian woman appeal her sentence over the death of a Bali police officer despite legal experts warning it would be "highly ill-advised" for her to do so.

One of her lawyers, Erwin Siregar, who will make a statement after visiting Connor at Kerobokan jail on Thursday, told Fairfax Media that she was not guilty and therefore should appeal.

"But ultimately it is up to Sara to decide. We can only recommend, it is not up to us."

Connor, who insists she is innocent, was jailed for four years in the Denpasar District Court on Monday over the fatal group assault of officer Wayan Sudarsa at Legian beach on August 17 last year.
Washington: Donald Trump has a credibility problem  with some of his fellow Republicans in Congress and in his cabinet - because of his habit of throwing things out there and leaving it for them to clean up his mess.

A case in point is his claim, tweeted on March 4, that former President Barack Obama had ordered wiretaps on Trump Tower during last year's election  which some in the media have taken to describing as an "evidence-free" allegation.

Trump was positively jaunty in defending his claims, in a Wednesday TV interview. But in a stinging rebuke to a sitting president, the chairman of the house intelligence committee, Republican Devin Nunes, told reporters he had seen nothing to make him believe there had been such a surveillance operation.

As blunt as he was unambiguous, Nunes said: "We don't have any evidence that that took place."
Amsterdam: Dutch anti-Islam, anti-EU firebrand candidate Geert Wilders conceded defeat in parliamentary elections on Wednesday, congratulating Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on his victory, but promising not to go away.

The right-wing populist promised firm opposition if he does not end up, as is likely, in the ruling coalition.

"I would rather have been the largest party," the leader of the Party for Freedom told reporters after exit polls showed Rutte's centre-right VVD Party to win 31 of parliament's 150 seats, down from 41 in 2012 but ahead of Wilders' party, which tied in second place with two other parties at 19 each.

"[But] we gained seats. That's a result to be proud of," Wilders said adding his party's influence on Dutch politics had been enormous.
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It hasnt even been a full week since Bristols newest takeaway opened its doors and its already won an award.

Matter Fastfoods, which opened on Fishponds Road on Saturday, is not your average take away. It has become the UKs first completely vegan fish and chip shop, so naturally, its gained quite a lot of attention.

People travelled for hours to sample its tofish and chips on launch night, and they werent disappointed.

But Jon Freeman, who is behind Matter Fastfoods, is well versed in providing, healthy, tasty vegan food, already running Matter Wholefoods in Easton.

The successful launch on Saturday has now been made all the sweeter with the take away receiving its first award, just four days after opening to the public.

Matter Fastfoods has been awarded the Proggy Award from PETA, which recognises animal-friendly achievements in commerce and culture.

"As more and more diners are seeking plant-based meals, Matter Fastfoods' hearty tofish and chips has arrived right on time", said PETA Director Elisa Allen. "PETA hopes this vegan chippy will be the first of many across the UK."

The menu at Matter Fastfoods features more than just tofish and chips. Youll also find a selection of Chinese stir-fry vegetables, salads, pea fritters and falafel, and they plan to add more to their menu as the store grows.

Jon told the Bristol Post: It's about giving people food that is good for them and will nurture their bodies, as well as helping the environment.

Matter Fastfoods is a stepping stone for people to take into veganism. Of course people won't want to be eating chips every night, but we have plenty of salads and healthy stir-frys, and we just want to show people that there are options out there if you want to live a healthier lifestyle."
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A child rapist who was serving an 18 year prison sentence for a string of assaults on young girls died in jail after contracting a chest infection, an inquest heard.

Geoffrey Tift, who was a serving prisoner at Ashfield Prison, Pucklechurch, at the time of his death, was jailed in August 2010 for a series of rapes and sex assaults on girls aged from five to 15 over four decades.

His crimes were committed across the UK and described as nothing short of evil by the judge handing down sentence.

Bristol Crown Court was told Mr Tift, previously of Badenham Grove, Lawrence Weston, met the youngsters as he travelled around the country, starting off in Kent before moving to North Wales, Somerset, Devon and finally Bristol.

Tift denied nine rapes, 10 indecent assaults, four charges of sexual activity with a child and five charges of indecency with a child.

The Recorder of Bristol, His Honour Judge Neil Ford QC, directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts on one rape charge and two charges of indecency with a child.

The jury of six men and five women convicted Tift of all 25 remaining charges at the end of a trial which lasted more than a month.

The inquest at Flax Bourton Coroners Court heard how Mr Tift, 68, had had been unwell in prison for two weeks after contracting a chest infection.

(Image: Bristol Post)

He had been given a seven day course of antibiotics by prison medics but his condition continued to deteriorate.

Wheelchair bound Mr Tift, who had suffered from lymphoma in the past, was admitted to Southmead Hospital on August 31 with a respiratory infection.

The inquest heard how Mr Tift had suffered with numerous respiratory infections and a condition called bronchiectasis over the years which affected his lungs and breathing.

On admission to accident and emergency Mr Tift had low blood pressure, a fast heart rate and was tachycardic.

He was given intravenous fluids and antibiotics and medication to slow his heartbeat. He was seen again by doctors later that evening where he refused any invasive treatment.

Mr Tifts condition continued to deteriorate overnight and he died the next morning.

A post mortem examination was carried out and the cause of death given as a respiratory tract infection, severe bronchiectasis and congestive cardiac failure.

A clinical review into his death was carried out by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman which ruled that the overall healthcare given to Mr Tift in prison was equivalent to that of NHS primary care.

Assistant coroner for Avon Dr Peter Harrowing recorded a verdict that Mr Tift died from natural causes.
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Family and friends said a heart-felt farewell to a much loved son and brother.

Kyle Clarke, 27, from South Gloucestershire, died under the wheels of a car following a collision in Bristol in January.

Some 60 people gathered at St Stephen's Church in Southmead to pay their respects to Kyle at a funeral service, before a cremation at Canford Crematorium.

The scene was bathed in glorious sunshine as a gleaming white hearse arrived with Kyles flower emblazoned Nasa-themed coffin.

Kyle, a mechanic who loved cars, had enjoyed a trip to Nasa and some of his family and friends donned grey Nasa T-shirts for the occasion.

Westlifes Flying Without Wings filled the spacious church before the Rev Tanya Lord read tributes penned for Kyle by his sisters Amy and Molly, and brothers Josh and Sam.

They said how they cherished their beloved brother and vowed to meet him one day in heaven.

Rev Lord read a poem by Kyles mum Helen Stockford in which she wrote: I love you and miss you so very much Kyle, but for now my darling boy sleep peaceful.

Prayers and reflection then followed, as well as a touching rendition of Robbie Williams Angels by Kyles friend Nathan.

Images of Kyle projected on the white wall charted his too short a life, from baby to boy and on to a young man with a free spirit.

The gathering heard it had been his dream to go to Australia with his family next month, to start a new life.

Instead his final journey proved to be from Southmead to Canford, shrouded in floral tributes including one from his parents which read: To our darling son Kyle, forever in our hearts, love always Mum and Dad xxx.

Kyle died after a collision involving a silver Ford Fiesta near the Esso Garage on Roman Farm Road.

Around 15 bystanders tried to lift the car off his body at the junction of Airport Road and Creswicke Road some 600 metres from the garage.

Kyle's mum Helen gave up her right to anonymity after she was the victim of a horrific rape to campaign for sex attack victims.

The attack, which happened in 2009, may have continued if Kyle - then 19 - had not returned home.

Kyle proved a hero to his mum when he unwittingly disturbed her being brutally raped in her own home by a killer in March 2009.

Mark Shirley attacked Helen, who was living in Stanton Road, Southmead, after breaking in one morning, while she was doing the cleaning.

Pulling a knife on her, he attempted to recreate the ritualised murder of Mary Wainwright, a 67-year-old widow he had murdered 22 years earlier, when he was a teenager.

The mum-of-five was sexually brutalised on her own kitchen table for more than five hours until Kyle came home and disturbed the attack.

Not realising what had happened, Kyle shook the hand of family friend Shirley as he left.

After two long trials Shirley was convicted of a series of offences, including rape and false imprisonment, at Bristol Crown Court and was handed six life sentences, with a nine-year minimum tariff.

Helen, now 47, bravely waivered her anonymity and has gone on to be an advocate for victims of sexual attacks and has written a book about the ordeal.

* Shakrum Islam, 31, from Chipping Sodbury faces a manslaughter charge and has been remanded in custody.

He is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court on Friday (March 17) for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
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

When the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) finally releases its broker remuneration review, Mark Vilo, Suncorps head of bank intermediaries, encouraged brokers to make the most out of the consultation period that would follow.The view from where I sit is whatever lands, theres going to be an opportunity for consultation. The first stage will be if there are any recommendations which brokers or aggregators arent comfortable with, dont be shy about putting your voice forward.Its probably one of the things that other industries have done as well which is there tends to be a degree of apathy. So if you feel strongly about something, I think its important that you raise it and communicate it either yourself or through your aggregator.Brokers should use the vocal support of aggregators and mortgage associations instead of sitting back and thinking everything will turn out fine, Vilo said at the MPA Non-Major Banks Roundtable held in Sydney yesterday (15 March).Damian Percy, general manager of third party lending of Adelaide Bank , was confident that ASICs recommendations would be sensible especially since the fundamentals about broker commissions were leading to positive outcomes.Although I think they will probably knock off some of the elements around soft commissions and improve disclosures  and I think thats a welcome thing.As for how the banks would react to the review, he was hopeful that there wouldnt be any systemic and material changes.Adrienne Smith, general manager of third party distribution at Bank of Queensland , said a big part of her discussions with brokers, regardless of the results of the ASIC review, would lie around aspects such as building solid client retention practices.If youre going to build a model, whatever changes are going to come, you better make sure youve got strong client retention practices.A focus for Bank of Queensland would be to assist brokers and ensure they can do something about the changes when or if they arrive, she said.Transparency was an important issue going forwards regardless of whether the final recommendations of the report altered the commission structure or not, Lino Pelaccia, general manager of broker sales at ME, said.Fee for service I think is going to be a debate. It will be an ongoing debate and were seeing that play out throughout the financial planning industry. Going forward  and I think the industry agrees  that as long as were being transparent about what were paying brokers and what the fee for service actually provides for brokers and their customers, then well be able to go forwards with that.Finally, Glenn Gibson , head of sales at AMP, noted that the industry had become adept at evolving to change, having gone through it year after year.As a whole, the industry will find out what actually happens, deciding what we want to do, change it, and go forward, he said.
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

Small business lender Prospa and national insurer NRMA have partnered together to meet the lending and insurance needs of SME consumers.The pilot partnership is targeted at customers of NRMA Business Insurance with Prospa offering fast, simple business loans of between $5,000 and $250,000 online.NRMA customers can access Prospas lending services through the companys website alongside other benefits such as free online tax and legal advice.Although the pilot partnership is only available direct to insurance customers, brokers can still benefit, an NRMA spokesperson told Australian Broker.Brokers can play an important role in working closely with small business customers to identify opportunities to better serve customer needs, like access to cash flow and business advice and respond to changes in the market. Beau Bertoli , joint CEO for Prospa said that the partnership gave customers an innovative way to access finance.The key to Prospas future growth is investing in strong partnerships with trusted brands like NRMA Business Insurance. They have longstanding relationships with Australian small business and like us, they care about their customers.There are over two million small business owners in Australia, and research repeatedly shows that accessing the funds to manage cash flow or grow is a major challenger. Prospa is driving a fundamental change in the way small businesses do this.Delivering more than $250m to thousands of Australian SME customers, demand for this type of lending is escalating, Greg Moshal , co-founder and joint CEO of Prospa told Australian Broker.As a result, distribution is a key focus for Prospa. We place a strong emphasis on growing value through strategic partners who share our vision of supporting innovation within small business.We chose to partner with NRMA Business Insurance as they are a trusted reputable company that shares our value of putting the customer first.The lender has also developed strategic partnerships with AFG Finsure and Reckon over the last 18 months, he said.We would like our product to be available in any ecosystem where small business customers are operating, and we want to make financial support available to them when they decide to grow and innovate their businesses.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Reel World Womens Pictures The 3rd Thursday event at Albuquerque Museum salutes Women in Film as part of the museums new Hollywood Southwest: New Mexico in Film and Television exhibit. Foley artist Lara Dale will be on hand at 7pm this Thursday, March 16, to talk about her careerwhich has included work on Conan the Barbarian, The Expendables 1 through 3 and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. Dale will give a hands-on demonstration using props to show how she creates background sounds for major motion pictures. There will be live music and performances, hands-on kids activities and a Women in Film scavenger hunt in the gallery. Admission is free from 5 to 8:30pm. For more info go to albuquerquemuseum. org.

Act Up The New Mexico Film Foundation brings back the popular New Mexico Actors Showcase this Friday, March 17, from 6:30 to 9:30pm at the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway SE). The top 25 finalists in this years contest will appear on stage, directed by film director/ producer/ writer Jocelyn Jansons. Each will perform live monologues to show off their acting skills. Judging will be conducted by local casting directors. Directors, producers, fellow actors and members of the general public are invited to check out this showcase of talent. Tickets are $8, general admission. You can pick them up by going to southbroadwaytickets. com.

Islands on the Screen The DynaTheater in the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science is opening a new educational film this Saturday, March 18. Galapagos: Natures Wonderland 3D is a 40-minute documentary written by renowned naturalist David Attenborough. Naturally, it explores the Galapagos archipelago with its unique selection of plants and animalsfilmed for the first time in 4K 3D using state-of-the-art digital filmmaking technology. The film will play through Sept. 2. Go to nmnaturalhistory.org to check out the screening times. Admission to the Lockheed Martin DynaTheater is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for kids 12 and under.
Under Burmas Energy Master Plan, over 50 planned dams, mostly on the Salween and Irrawaddy rivers and their tributaries, will massively increase hydropower production from 3,000 to 46,000 megawatts by 2030, reads the statement. Three-quarters of which will be exported to neighbouring countries.

The statement was released to coincide with the International Day of Action for Rivers, an annual event on March 14, when protestors around the globe gather to voice opposition against governments and investors who push through plans to construct hydro-dams in controversial areas.

On January 27, 2017, Shan Herald reported that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group which finances private sector initiatives in many developing countries including Burma, conducted workshops to promote hydropower projects in the country.

Foreign investors should not be building dams in Burmas conflict zones, said Mi Ah Chai, coordinator of Burma Rivers Network. The dams are fuelling conflict, human rights abuses and displacement, and destroying local environmental resources, she said in the joint statement.

Nang Moe Thauk Pan of Save the Salween Network and a joint spokesperson for todays statement told Shan Herald that the hydropower projects will affect the peace process  at a point when negotiations are being tabled to bring together the Burmese government, the military and ethnic armed groups. Known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference, or 21CPC, the peace talks are being led by Burmas State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

Nang Mao Thauk Pan said, Fighting continues in Shan and Karen states, but the government perseveres in trying to build dams. Clearly, it is going to impact the peace process.

The statement went on to say that no dams should be built until Burma becomes a federal union, and that only the people living in those areas should have the right to decide what should be done with their natural resources.

Environmentalist Nang Moe Thauk Pan said that she stands by this statement and that people who live along the rivers also stand by the statement.

We dont need any dams on the rivers, she said. We want to live peacefully. We love our nature and our rivers. Our rivers are our lives.

Events in support of imposing a ban or suspension on hydroelectric dams were held today in Mon State capital Mawlamyine; the Kachin State town of Chipwi; Mudraw in Karen State; Kunhing Township in Shan State; and in Karenni State.
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They are playing tribute.

The National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica will celebrate its 55th birthday with a pair of shows this weekend at the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. The performances on March 18 and 19 will showcase the groups history as one of the leading cultural institutions in the Caribbean, and its role in fusing traditional folklore with current events, said one of the shows choreographers.

We are essentially celebrating our Caribbean-ness, and how thats retained in the body with movement is an exciting expression of who we are, said Walker. Its political as well as comedic, as well as contemporary. Its almost like were having fun at same time that we deal with serious issues  thats what dance is.

For the show, Walker choreographed a piece titled Mountain Climbing, as a tribute to the companys founder, Rex Nettleford, incorporating many dance moves that Nettleford originated. Performed by a solo female performer, the piece is about women who do whatever is necessary, just as the founder of the company did.

After Professor Nettlefords passing I processed a lot of that with my family. In creating this tribute to him Im processing my own response, and I wanted to bring that forward with women climbing mountain to advance the family, advancing the culture, and doing what it takes to get it done, said Walker.

Other debuts at the show include Into the Blue, led by the companys rising young star Renee McDonald, and Hommage aDambala from choreographer Kevin Moore, which blends Jamaican and Haitian elements, said Walker.

 Homage aDambala pulls the rhythmic percussion instrument from Haitian music and Yanvalou  a traditional Haitian dance, he said. Its full of live music and Kevin is exploring that cross-section, and I know that New York will love that work.

The show will also include the historic dance Gerrehbenta, created by Nettleford in the early 80s. The name is a portmanteau of gerreh, a celebratory dance performed after funerals, and benta, a stringed instrument made form bamboo. People love to see the dance in action, said Walker.

Its certainly a favorite and the children love it too, he said. The costumes are exciting, the movements are exciting, and the singing takes you on journey. People just want to get up and dance and its an exciting thing to see.

The company is based in Jamaica, but all aspects of Caribbean and black culture are included in the show, said Walker, with dances inspired by folk traditions from Jamaica, Haiti, and Brazil.

We like to think of the company as African Diasporic  not only do we create work elevating the vocabulary of other countries, but we have choreography from different countries and regions in our work, he said. This entire program is diverse and exciting.

National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts [2900 Ave. H at Nostrand Avenue in Midwood, (718) 9514500, www.brook lynce nter.org ]. March 18 at 7 pm, $40$75. March 19 at 3 pm, $36$45.
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84th Precinct

Brooklyn HeightsDUMBOBoerum HillDowntown

A nasty pizza work

Two brutes put a man in the hospital because they thought hed served them a cold pie at a Lawrence Street pizzeria on March 6.

The male and female duo accused the victim of giving them icy slices inside the store between Willoughby and Fulton street at around 7 pm, according to a report  but things got heated when the man punched the victim in the face and the woman smashed a chair over his head.

Paramedics came to treat the injured pie guys head at the scene, then took him to Methodist Hospital.

Hamburglars

Four fiends sneakily swiped a straphangers wallet while distracting her at the Clark Street 2 and 3 station on March 4  then tried to use her credit card to buy burgers.

The victim told cops that the quartet first approached her while she was waiting on the Midwood-bound platform at around 5 pm, standing extremely close to her and talking so as to divert her attention.

The woman is 100 percent sure her Michael Kors wallet was in her bag at the time, but after she boarded the red bullet, she reached inside and found the wallet  plus the two credit cards and identification cards it contained  had vanished, according to a police report.

Someone later tried to use one of her cards to buy $18 worth of greasy grub at a fast-food chain, but the charge was declined, police said.

Rack attack

Police arrested a guy for allegedly trying to whack an officer with a wrench on Warren Street on March 8, after the cop says he busted the man trying to use it to steal a bike.

The officer reported seeing the suspect trying to remove a two-wheeler locked on a rack on the sidewalk at Smith Street at around 1:20 pm.

When the guy realized hed been caught wrench-handed, he allegedly swung the tool at the cop and tried to run off  but the patrolman instead caught his arms and slapped cuffs on them, according to a report.

Bad workout

Some scoundrel stole a gym-goers clothes and wallet from his locker at a Livingston Street health club on March 9.

The 32-year-old victim told authorities that he started working up a sweat at the fitness hub between Elm Street and Bond Place at 10 pm. But when the gym bunny returned to the locker room at 11:45 pm, he discovered he had nothing to change into  the lock on his storage space was gone and his coat, shirt, and jeans had vanished from inside, along with a wallet containing $13, a debit card, and a Long Island Railroad ticket.

No fare

Two louts beat a taxi driver and swiped his phone instead of paying their fare on Lawrence Street on March 7.

One of the villains hailed the green cab at Fulton Street at around 6 pm, and told the driver to head to Fulton and Jay streets to pick up his buddy, police said.

But when the second scoundrel got into the car, the two bad guys punched the driver before taking his iPhone 5S and charger, and running off down Jay Street towards Willoughby Street, cops said.

Paint misbehaving

Someone pilfered a painters pricey industrial equipment from a Jay Street construction site sometime between Feb. 15 and March 9.

The victim told cops he chained up his Titan 840 airless paint-sprayer and Specseal A5205 firestop spray at the worksite between Tillary and Johnson streets at 3 pm on Feb. 15, but when he returned at 6:30 am on March 9, the chain had been cut and the gear was gone.

 Ruth Brown
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62nd Precinct

BensonhurstBath Beach

Crazy ex-girlfriend

Cops cuffed a woman who they say violated a restraining order and stabbed a man in the thigh on Bay 29th Street on March 5.

The man told police that he has an order of protection against his ex-girlfriend, who contacted him. The pair had a brief conversation over the phone where the victim told the woman to leave him alone and stay away, according to a police report.

But the woman had a key to the mans apartment between Benson and Bath avenues and entered just after midnight, officials said. The man and woman began arguing and the dispute quickly turned physical when the woman scratched at her ex-boyfriend and finally stabbed him in the left thigh before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

Yet, the man told police, he does not want to press charges, according to a police report.

Thrilling chase

Police responding to a burglary in progress caught the alleged would-be bandit on 61st Street on March 2.

An officer responded to a radio call of a burglary in progress at an apartment between 21st Avenue and Bay Parkway at 1 am, said police. Upon arrival, the officer saw the man jump over a closed gate and bust a lock to enter a residence, police said.

The officer ran after the man and caught him clutching a red headlamp, according to a police report.

Day dream gone wrong

Police arrested two men for mugging a woman on a D train at the Bay Parkway station on March 5.

The woman told police that she was dozing off looking out the window on the train at noon when she snapped out of it and realized a man was riffling through her bag. When the woman tried to stop the man, a second man held her down while the first swiped $300 and a cellphone from her purse, authorities said.

The pair fled the train and booked it down the subway platform, but officers caught up with them, police said.

Family feud

Officers nabbed a man who they say slashed his relative in the head with a screwdriver on Bay Ridge Parkway on March 5.

The victim told police that the disturbed 28-year-old man attacked the woman between 15th and 16th avenues at 10 pm. The man fled the scene but police searched the area and arrested him, officials said.

Copper caper

A thief made off with armfuls of copper pipes from a Bay 16th Street construction site on March 1.

A construction worker told police that the bandit cut the chain to the work site between 84th and 81st streets at 6 pm. The prowler crept into the building area and fled with as many copper pipes as he could carry, authorities said.

 Caroline Spivack
Election Day 2022: What you need to know to vote in Bucks County
Donald Trump's 2005 tax returns have made it into journalists' hands. "They came in the mail, over the transom," reports David Cay Johnston. "It's entirely possible that Trump himself sent them to me," he added, noting that "Donald has a long history of leaking material on himself when it's in his interest."

Rachel Maddow tweeted Tuesday evening, just before her MSNBC show aired, that the evening's episode would focus on his 2005 returns.

David Cay Johnston was her source, and he posted his report here.

Shortly after, Daily Beast published their link to Johnston's investigation.

The White House pre-empted Maddow's big on-air reveal by a few minutes, with statements that effectively confirmed her reporting which had not yet aired.

"It is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns," the White House statement said. "The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans."

His son tweeted:

Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes  Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) March 15, 2017

From the Daily Beast:

Donald Trump earned more than $150 million in the year 2005and paid just a small percentage of that in regular federal income taxes. Daily Beast contributor David Cay Johnston has obtained what appear to be the first two pages of Trump's 2005 federal income tax return, and published an analysis of those pages on his website, DCReport.org. The Daily Beast could not independently verify these documents. The documents show Trump and his wife Melania paying $5.3 million in regular federal income taxa rate of less than 4% However, the Trumps paid an additional $31 million in the so-called "alternative minimum tax," or AMT. Trump has previously called for the elimination of this tax. "Before being elected President, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required," the White House said in a statement. "That being said, Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that."

Trump's 2005 return also shows that he'd continued to benefit from the roughly $916 million loss he reported in his 1995 returnpublished last year by The New York Times. Using a loophole Congress closed in 1996, Trump converted that loss into a tax credit for the same amount he could offset against income. 2005 was the year that Trump, a newly minted reality star, made his last big score as a real-life real estate developer, when he sold two properties, one on Manhattan's west side and one in San Francisco, to Hong Kong investors, accounting for the lion's share of his income that year.

Trump: You will never see my Taxes Rachel Maddow: pic.twitter.com/FWnmeVowXQ  Gaeri Rothschild (@GaeriRothschild) March 15, 2017

What we've got is from 2005 the President's 1040 form details to come tonight 9PM ET, MSNBC.  Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) March 15, 2017

BREAKING: We've got Trump tax returns. Tonight, 9pm ET. MSNBC. (Seriously).  Rachel Maddow MSNBC (@maddow) March 14, 2017

On @maddow I'll break a big story about Trump and his taxes  9PM eastern via @DCReportMedia Ill be on @lawrence, too.  David Cay Johnston (@DavidCayJ) March 15, 2017

Media: Release your taxes.

Trump: I can't, under audit.

Maddow: I have Trump's 2005 taxes.

Trump (moments later): HERE ARE THE 2005 RETURNS!  Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) March 15, 2017

14-Mar-2017 08:29:23 PM  WHITE HOUSE SAYS IN RESPONSE TO MSNBC THAT TRUMP PAID $38 MILLION IN TAXES ON INCOME OF $150 MILLION  Jennifer Ablan (@jennablan) March 15, 2017

14-Mar-2017 08:30:24 PM  WHITE HOUSE SAYS TRUMP HAD A RESPONSIBILITY "TO PAY NO MORE TAX THAN LEGALLY REQUIRED"  Jennifer Ablan (@jennablan) March 15, 2017

The White House Just Released Some Details On Trump's Tax Returns From 2005 https://t.co/zH2F2M2ctk via @salhernandez  Jim Dalrymple II (@JimDalrympleII) March 15, 2017

NY Times had Trump's 1995 returns, Maddow has 2005, so he pays taxes every 10 years, like the census!  Marcus Gilmer (@marcusgilmer) March 15, 2017

.@maddow @DavidCayJ scoop pushed White House into releasing some details on Trump's taxes  something every other POTUS has done for decades pic.twitter.com/TRsPPSifBa  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 15, 2017

me: okay i gotta close twitter and get some work done

rachel maddow: i have trump's taxes

me: pic.twitter.com/HwlDC8jtjm  joe malunda (@maloonds) March 15, 2017

Watching @Maddow ??? Save time and read what the @nytimes had so far on #Trump taxes right here: https://t.co/oQXEifAtAD  David Beard (@dabeard) March 15, 2017

President Trump wrote off $100 million in business losses to reduce his federal taxes in 2005, according to forms https://t.co/zSaqOhehso  The New York Times (@nytimes) March 15, 2017

Screenshot of Trump's taxes Maddow put up has "client copy" stamped on it. Doesn't mean he leaked, but means someone in his world def did.  Yashar (@yashar) March 15, 2017

When you're Trump and you leak your own 2005 taxes because it's the only year you paid them pic.twitter.com/anAsJHFVpU  Ira Madison III (@ira) March 15, 2017

If only reporters care about Trump's taxes, then why did this bar shut off the music, turn on TV, and go silent to watch Maddow?  Matt Mullin (@mrmullin) March 15, 2017

This is a very important point. Trump's complete taxes are much more likely to be revealed through a political process than a leaker https://t.co/xkW1R6nTNa  Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) March 15, 2017

Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump sits during a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Intel Brian Krzanich in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Feb., 2017.
U.S. Senators gathered on Capitol Hill today seeking answers on Trump's relationship with Russia, and Trump's obviously bogus claim that U.S. President Barack Obama spied on his presidential campaign.

South Carolina's Lindsey Graham said he's close to demanding a for joint select committee on the Russia/Trump connections.

At hearing, @LindseyGrahamSC says FBI has still not told him if it's investigating Trump-Russia ties. He says an answer is needed.  David Corn (@DavidCornDC) March 15, 2017

Ides of March: today Senators spotted with knives: 0 Keeping a close lookout though  Tim Mak (@timkmak) March 15, 2017

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) vows that Congress would "flex its muscle" for answers on Russia-Trump ties https://t.co/TEkuAAgAPL pic.twitter.com/AqtX5FVwbL  NBC News (@NBCNews) March 15, 2017

Chairing a 2:30 pm hearing on Tools Russia/Autocracies Use to Undermine Democracies Throughout the World. WATCH: https://t.co/Wds7pyLqyn  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 15, 2017

Lindsey Graham is holding a hearing tomorrow "to examine the tools Russia uses to undermine democracies across the globe." pic.twitter.com/yW6YWs0Jo4  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 14, 2017

I feel like we're underselling a very important point: the current president accused the former president of a crime: illegal wiretapping.  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 15, 2017

And not just a lie  a slanderous lie. Against a man whom Trump has been slandering for years, claiming he was sneaked into the country.  Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 15, 2017



And in related news, from the New York Times:

In a striking repudiation of President Trump, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, a Republican, said on Wednesday that he had seen no indication of Mr. Trump's claim on Twitter that former President Barack Obama wiretapped his phones in Trump Tower during the 2016 presidential campaign. "We don't have any evidence that that took place,'' Representative Devin Nunes, Republican of California and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said at a news conference on Capitol Hill. "In fact, I don't believe  in the last week of time, people we've talked to, I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower." If Mr. Trump's Twitter claim is to be taken literally, Mr. Nunes said, "then clearly the president is wrong."

How convenient that cable news' coverage of the Senate's Russia inquiry was interrupted by a carefully-timed Trump speech.  Xeni Jardin (@xeni) March 15, 2017

.@LindseyGrahamSC: FBI "about to screw up big time" if it doesn't honor request to provide evidence of Trump's unsubstantiated wiretap claim pic.twitter.com/gPIcpBGIeU  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 14, 2017
Andrew Bullard has joined builders merchant, Collier & Catchpole, bringing with him nearly 30 years timber experience.

With Collier & Catchpoles newly constructed warehouse and the capacity to store a greater variety and much larger stock at the Wherstead Road site, Mr Bullards role will be primarily business development and raising awareness of the companys capability to supply timber across Essex and Suffolk, sourced from a range of suppliers known for their sustainability and quality.

With his knowledge of both supply and retail, Mr Bullard is able to advise customers and colleagues on the most suitable specification and materials, which includes fencing, sheet materials, cladding, mouldings and high grade soft and hard woods.

In welcoming Mr Bullard to the family-run business, Tim Rowbottom, managing director of Collier & Catchpole, said: We continue to recruit with an eye to the future and believe that specialist product knowledge is important to our customers and key in differentiating Colliers from our competition. With significant on-going investment, particularly to the Ipswich yard, it is a great time for Andrew to join us.

Commenting on his new role, Mr Bullard said: It feels good to be back working with a product with which I am so familiar but with the added challenge of selling for, rather than to, the builders merchant sector. I was attracted to the solid integrity of the Collier & Catchpole brand and look forward to making sure that the building trade know what great timber products we have to offer.
Ibstock has achieved ISO 14001 accreditation for its environmental management system at its Ibstock-Kevington factory in Sharpthrone  meaning all Ibstocks UK production sites now hold the standard.

ISO 14001 is the internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system, ensuring businesses improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.

The accreditation at the Ibstock-Kevington factory means it joins all Ibstocks UK companies in having ISO 14001 in place, with Ibstock Brick being the first to achieve certification to ISO 14001 in 2001.

Darren Bowkett, Ibstock technical director, said: Achieving this internationally-recognised standard across all our sites is testimony to the hard work of our entire workforce, and the importance Ibstock places upon minimising our impact on the environment and focusing on sustainability. Our culture of continuous improvement is designed to ensure we effectively and efficiently deliver our sustainability commitments, and this accreditation provides recognition for that.

While we have achieved this certification, our focus still remains on driving sustainability further throughout our operations, and the opening of our new 54m state-of-the-art brickworks at Ibstock, Leicestershire will further strengthen this, setting new standards for energy efficiency, water and waste recovery.
Exact figures on abortion are hard to track. Here's why it matters

When tracking access becomes pivotal, how does the U.S. look to keep a pulse on one of the most divisive subjects of health care this election cycle?
Brianna Rennix wants to know why the major current in "space utopianism" is right wing  Elon Musk floating a "creepy private colony on Mars for ultra-rich survivalists who can shell out $200,000 for their spot" and punched Nazi Richard Spencer bloviating, "We weren't put on this earth to be nice to minorities, or to be a multiculti fun nation. Why are we not exploring Jupiter at this moment? Why are we trying to equalize black and white test scores? I think our destiny is in the stars. Why aren't we trying for the stars?"



Even though there are plenty of counter-examples in literature  Iain Banks's Culture novels, Ken Macleod, Charlie Stross's Neptune's Brood and so on  she's put her finger on something, and I believe it's the same something that Leigh Phillips captured so well in Austerity Ecology & the Collapse-Porn Addicts: A Defence Of Growth, Progress, Industry And Stuff: the death of the "Promethean left," which believed in Engels' maxim that "progress is as unlimited and at least as rapid as that of population," and that we could use technology and revolution to elevate peasants to the lifestyles of kings  not just drag kings down to the living conditions of peasants.

Star Trek's future had no lawyers, no money, no politics to speak of  but the benighted worlds that Starfleet visited were horroshows of trial-by-combat, political corruption, and cronyism. The Starfleet vision is one step away from Fully Automated Leisure Communism, a Postcapitalist world of abundance, one of the four futures that we can use to dissect the policies we're crafting today: communism, rentism, socialism, or exterminism.

I've been obsessed with this idea, which so many of us are circling from different directions. I don't know what it will be when it has fully coalesced, but I can feel it emerging.



Fictional narratives are a huge factor in shaping our expectations of what is possible. However, as discussed earlier, utopias are hard to write. You have to forfeit a lot of the cheap tricks that writers use to generate dramatic momentum. After all, it's always easy to create tension when all your characters are self-serving, back-stabbing bastards; less so when your characters mostly get along. (The writers of Star Trek: TNG famously tore their hair out over creator Gene Roddenberry's insistence that all the main cast had to be friends.) Constructing plots that are based primarily around problem-solving takes a lot of intricate planning. But we've seen a thousand narrative iterations of societal collapse: why not write some narratives about societal construction? What would a better world look like, at different stages of its realizationat its inception? Weathering early internal crises? When facing an existential threat? We should put more imagination into thinking about what this could look like, and how to generate emotional investment in the outcome. Aspirational fiction seems especially important at this moment in our national history, when a significant number of Americans cast a ballot for a candidate they disliked, or were even disturbed by, simply because they wanted something different. There's always been a gambling madness in the human spirit, a kind of perverse, instinctive itchiness that suddenly makes us willing to court disaster, simply on the off-chance of altering the mundane or miserable parameters of our daily lives. If we could transform some of that madness into a madness of optimism and creativity, rather than boredom, rage, and despair, that could only be a good thing.



THE REGRETTABLE DECLINE OF SPACE UTOPIAS

[Brianna Rennix/Current Affairs]

(via Naked Capitalism)
Household brands in China are bracing for the governments version of public-service journalism  the annual programme on state-run TV that uses hidden cameras to highlight what the network calls companies unfair practices against consumers.
Defending itself against the criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), has defended the sale of five Boeing 777-200 LR planes to Etihad, saying it was the best option to check loss and reduce debt.
In a surprising turn of events, co-founder of homestay aggregator Stayzilla, Yogendra Vasupal, alleged that he was arrested under mysterious circumstances. He also rubbished the cheating charges levelled against him over unpaid dues.
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The Delhi High Court on Wednesday reserved its judgment on Japanese telecom major NTT DoCoMos plea to enforce the $1.18 billion arbitration award in line with its settlement agreement with Tata Sons.
said it has $230 million for new investments, and ongoing expenses in India. The money was part of its recently concluded public offering and private placement to the tune of $500 million.



India-born Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa's Fairfax investment in Indian operations has reached around $5 billion, including $2.9 billion from its own account.


Tata Sons Ginger Hotels, a hospitality company catering to budget travellers, plans to have more managed or leased properties than those owned at the end of the next financial year.
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
has is reported to partner with Google to manufacture a low-cost 4G VoLTE smartphone that will work only on the Reliance telecom network. The phone will be launched by the year-end, reports The Hindu Business Line.
is stopping its Airbus A380 service to Mumbai from July 1.



While sources say the A380 service is being withdrawn from Mumbai route owing to low demand for premium service in the market, the airline said A380 aircraft is being withdrawn temporarily from Mumbai route as part of its seasonal adjustments.
Manufacturer of instant fruit-based concentrates, Rasna, has entered the sweet snacks segment with the launch of Vitos. The company also said it is looking to launch ethnic products specifically for European and US markets to boost exports.

Piruz Khambatta, Chairman & MD, Pvt Ltd, said that the company is looking to launch ethnic products specifically for European and US markets as part of its export push. These products include jal jeera and a variety of pickles catering to local tastes. The company, which claims an 80 per cent market share in powdered soft drinks, now exports to 53 countries in five continents.
Shapoorji Pallonji and the Ajay Piramal group, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Boards (CPPIBs) two joint-venture (JV) partners in India, have formed similar alliances or are in the process of forming them with new partners.
Indias start-up leaders, including Flipkart founder Sachin Bansal, rallied behind Yogendra Vasupal, the founder of who was arrested by the Chennai police on charges of fraud, seeking intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and local leaders in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Yogendra Vasupal, co-founder of homestay aggregator StayZilla, which recently shut shop, has been arrested by the Chennai police after an advertising agency filed a cheating case against him over unpaid dues, his lawyer said.
Fourteen-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal and Swiss maestro Roger Federer will once again grab people's attention when they meet each other in the fourth round of the ATP Tour's Indian on Wednesday.

Despite defeating the Spaniard in Melbourne to claim his 18th Grand Slam title, Federer has admitted that their quarter-final clash will have something of a different flavour.

The Swiss maestro had defeated Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena in the final match that lasted for more than two-and-a-half hours to win his fifth Australian Open crown.

"It will feel different," Sport24 quoted Federer as saying after he defeated American Steve Johnson 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) to book the epic clash, which will be the 36th career meeting between the two.

"It's going to be more difficult for both of us just to rip winners into the corner.

"If you play at the early matches, you see usually the top guys not chase the lines so much. You give yourself some margins for error. So I think the match will be played a bit different," he added.

The last time the duo met this early in a draw was their very first encounter back in 2004, in the third round of the Miami Masters, when Nadal, who was 17-year-old then introduced his matador's mentality to top-ranked Federer in the form of a 6-3, 6-3 upset.

"It was a long time ago," said Nadal, who progressed through to the last eight with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Fernando Verdasco.

"I went on court, nothing to lose. A lot of motivation to play against, I think, number one already."

"For me to play with Roger, doesn't matter if it was in that early round, I didn't feel it was unlucky for me. It was a beautiful match, and I tried to go out on court and enjoy it and fight for it," he added.

Meanwhile, World No 2 Novak Djokovic defeated Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 to reach the fourth round.

Djokovic will next face Australian Nick Kyrgios, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Russian Alexander Zverev.

Meanwhile, in women's singles, seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams battled hard to beat Chinese qualifier Peng Shuai 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.

Venus will next play Russia's Elena Vesnina, who shocked Germany's Angelique Kerber.

In other contest, righth-seeded Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia sped past Caroline Garcia 6-1, 6-4 to lead the way into the quarters.

Third-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova booked her quarter-final berth with an abbreviated appearance under the hot desert sun.

She was leading Timea Bacsinszky 5-1 when the Swiss player retired with a left wrist injury.

Pliskova will next face either seventh-seeded French Open champion Garbine Muguruza or 10th-seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) is planning to attract more foreign nationals as its faculty, targeting a total of 100 foreign faculty in the institute in three years. The institute, which has received an increased fund of Rs 750 crore in the budget for the year, is also looking at increasing its industry-institute collaboration and more funds from the industry in future, said the senior officials from IITM.
A Dalit research scholar at JNU, who was at the forefront of a students' movement following Rohith Vemula's suicide, was found dead at a friend's residence with his family demanding a CBI probe into his death.

28-year-old Muthu Krishnan, an M Phil student at JNU's Centre for Historical studies, hanged himself on Monday from a ceiling fan at his friend's residence in South Delhi's Munirka area, police said. However, his family from Tamil Nadu was not ready to accept police's version that he committed suicide.

In a Facebook post on March 10, Krishnan, who was also known as Rajini Krish, had severely criticised the JNU's amended admission policy for PhD and MPhil courses.

Krishnan, who hails from Tamil Nadu's Salem district, studied at the Hyderabad University, before joining the and was known to a close friend of Rohit Vemula whose suicide in January last year had triggered a nationwide students unrest.

In his Facebook post which has gone viral, Krishnan had slammed the recent prohibitory order by authorities banning protests at the administration block and was severely critical of JNU's new admission policy.

"There is no equality in MPhil/PhD admissions, there is no equality in viva-voce, there is only denial of equality, denying Prof Sukhadeo Thorat recommendation, denying students protest places in Ad-block, denying education to the marginals. When Equality is denied everything is denied," he had written.

His body was taken for postmortem to AIIMS yesterday and the premier hospital has constituted a five-member board to conduct the autopsy and issued direction for videography of the procedure which will be carried out tomorrow.

The decision by AIIMS to form the board came after the student's family members along with some politicians from Congress, AIADMK and DMK and a few students visited the hospital demanding transparency in the autopsy.

"My son cannot commit suicide. He was very strong and confident. We want a CBI probe to be conducted and actual reason behind his death be revealed," said Jeevanandam, Krishnan's father.

He also demanded registration of an FIR under the SC/ST Act.

Police probing the case claimed Krishnan was not associated with any of the politically active groups in JNU and that there is no prima facie evidence indicating the university administration's role in the issue.

The JNU Students Union (JNUSU) alleged that Krishnan was "targeted" for his association with the movement seeking justice for Vemula and that depression had made him take the extreme step. It, however, did not clarify who had targeted him.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 3 lakh to Krishnan's family.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that the Indian authorities have taken the matter of on Indians in the US with the highest authorities there.

"I talked to the families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai and also raised these issues with the highest authorities in the US," Swaraj told the Lok Sabha.

She added that the US authorities including President Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incidents, adding she has been assured about the safety of Indians from the authorities there.

Quoting from a letter written by the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, Sunayana Dumala, to Indian Ambassador to the US, she said, "All help extended to me in time is deeply appreciated."

Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla hailing from Hyderabad was shot dead while another Indian Alok Madasani was injured last month in an apparent hate crime by a US navy veteran identified as Adam Purinton.

It was reported that before shooting the two Indian engineers in a Kansas bar, the shooter held a brief conversation with them inquiring about their visas.

In a brief telephonic interview to the New York Times, Madasani described the remarks made by Purinton, who was sitting near them at the restaurant.

"He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally," Madasani said. (Both men were educated in the United States and were working there legally.)

"We didn't react. People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level," said Madasani.

Other customers present at the time of incident said that Purinton was tossing ethnic slurs at the two men and suggesting they did not belong to the United States.

Purinton, 51, was later held and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder.
Corrine Miller was Michigan's director of epidemiology at the state Department of Health and Human Services and oversaw the mass-poisoning of the largely black population of Flint, Michigan; as punishment for her admitted role in the deaths and lifelong suffering caused by her negligence, she will have to write and publish an apology to the victims of her malfeasance.



The apology is part of a plea-bargain through which Miller has agreed to participate in the prosecution of higher-ranking officials. However, there has been little to no public movement on the prosecution of these "bigger fish."

Flint is not an anomaly: at least 33 other US cities are cheating on their water-quality tests, and there are 1.2 million miles of deteriorating pipes in America's cities that need at least $1 trillion worth of remediation. The rich people of Flint  and the factories they headed  were supplied with bottled water at taxpayer expense even as the state insisted that the water was safe for the poor people of Flint to drink.



After pleading no contest to a charge of neglect, Miller also got a year's probation and 300 hours of community service  essentially a slap on the wrist. She is cooperating with special prosecutors pursuing cases against several former employees of the health department and the state's Department of Environmental Quality for their role in Flint's water crisis. Twelve Flint residents were confirmed to have died in 2014 and 2015 from Legionnaires' disease, an extreme type of pneumonia. But in January, statistics released by Genesee County, where Flint is located, appeared to confirm public health experts' suspicions that the city's water in fact caused additional pneumonia deaths.

Flint Official Escapes Imprisonment, Only Has to Write Apology Letter

[Yves Smith and Nikhil Swaminathan/Naked Capitalism]

(Image: Sorry, Butupa, CC-BY)
The US on Wednesday said it is working with India and members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in America's policy on the issue under the Trump administration.

"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for membership," a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on India's bid to be a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The United States and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best effort, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.

"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the Participating Governments to help advance India's case for membership," the State Department official said, indicating that there has been no change in the US policy towards India's NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.

The key to India's membership now lies with China.

However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself as was done by President George Bush.

Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month.

In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an "outlier" on the NSG issue.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Councils approval to key Bills on Thursday will play a crucial role for their passage in the current session of Parliament. This would also set the stage for tabling of the state (SGST) Bills in the respective state Assemblies, but the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly will need to pass even central (CGST) and integrated (IGST) Bills as well.
With agriculture contributing over 27 per cent to Uttar Pradeshs net state domestic product, the incoming Bharatiya Janata Party governments promise to waive loans taken by small and marginal farmers, an assurance Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeated several times during his campaign, looks impressive on paper and could go a long way in reducing farm indebtedness. But experts feel a waiver of crop loans can have a negative impact on credit quality in farming.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah turned populist in his last Budget, ahead of the Assembly elections next year. He announced infrastructure projects for Bengaluru, announced Namma Canteens for urban workers and announced a Rs 6,000-crore grant to other backward communities (OBCs), Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is set to come up with second round of discovered small and marginal fields auction in 2017-18.

"We have decided to come up with round two of discovered smalland marginal fields (DSF) in 2017-18," said Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the sidelines of a Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) summit in Delhi today. This comes at a time when India had a soft launch of the open acreage licensing policy for oil and gas exploration, allowing bidders to carve out areas where they want to drill as the energy-hungry country looks at greater foreign investment to boost output. Pradhan also added that the government is set to come up with a policy on Enhanced Oil Recovery (EoR) soon
Railway Minister on Wednesday pitched for rail connectivity with neighbouring countries to boost trade and eliminate poverty in the region.

Highlighting the need for physical connectivity with neighbours for trade growth, he advocated work on rail link from Kathmandu to Delhi and Kolkata shortly.

"Asia is going to be the next futre growth centre of the world. Asia being the large continent, it is going to be very interesting to see how all countries of the region participate in the growth," Prabhu said while inaugurating the global conference on transcontinental rail connectivity here.

Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Railways Ministry, the conference aims at taking forward the proposed railway transport connectivity in South and South-West Asia.

Considered to be a major boost for trade and economic development of the Asia Pacific region, a trans-container goods train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is being considered by Indian Railways along with neighbouring countries.

However, Prabhu said there is also a need to have political understanding for achieving physical connectivity for economic growth.

"It is a very interesting idea to bring rail connectivity in South and South West Asia... And to have this, proper political understanding is a prerequisite," he said.

Even if we work on this idea, it will ensure benefit of the region, he added.

The two-day conference will explore the way forward to establish rail connectivity from Dhaka to Istanbul.

"We already have rail connectivity with Dhaka. We will have an international agreement for this to go up to Istanbul," he said.

Prabhu said, "Connectivity and integration of trade bring about huge economy growth. Integration of market can happen through trade policy and other means like investment. But unless you bring in physical connectivity trade potential cannot be realised."



On Indian Railways' plan, he said, "We want to start with our neighbouring countries first, like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan. We have decided to connect all our neighbours. We already have some and wherever there is a need we will work it out."



On Nepal, he said, "We must ensure there is a connectivity between Kathmandu and New Delhi and Kathmandu and Kolkata."



Prabhu said GDP will grow through expansion of rail network.

"We are also working in a big way in Sri Lanka in the rail sector. This will pave the way for connecting the entire world through railways. It will benefit the country in eliminating poverty. Development will pick up."



On Pakistan, he said, "With Pakistan, we already have rail connectivity. We are working very actively in Bangladesh.

"In Myanmar, we are already working. That will ensure the important missing link between South-East Asia and India. It will happen through Myanmar.
The low bid received for the Rewa in Madhya Pradesh has jolted the market in many ways. While most states are rethinking their tenders, many have gone slow on buying solar power contracted at higher rates.
Before today's anticipated announcement by the Justice Department, more details are already leaking out about who they're after: "two Russian spies, and two criminal hackers."

The case involves the much-reported 2014 breach of some 500 million Yahoo user accounts. The Washington Post reports that this will be "the first U.S. criminal cyber charges ever against Russian government officials."

Two men who worked for the 'cyber investigations' branch of Russia's FSB intel agency, and two hackers hired by the Russians, are named in the indictments. Charges against them include "hacking, wire fraud, trade secret theft and economic espionage," according to reports citing anonymous U.S. officials. This is the largest hacking case ever brought by the United States.

More on the 4 men indicted:

The indicted FSB officers are Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, his superior. Particularly galling to U.S. officials is that the men worked for the cyber investigative arm of the FSB  a rough equivalent of the FBI's Cyber Division. That the agency that is supposed to investigate computer intrusions Russia is engaged in hacking is "pretty sad," one official said. Dokuchaev, whose hacker alias was "Forb," was arrested in December in Moscow, according to the news agency Interfax, on charges of state treason for passing information to the CIA. He had reportedly agreed to work for the FSB to avoid prosecution for bank card fraud. Another man indicted in the case is Alexsey Belan, who is on the most-wanted cyber list and has been charged twice before, in connection with intrusions into three major tech firms in Nevada and California in 2012 and 2013. He was in custody in Greece for a time, but made his way back to Russia, where he is being protected by authorities, officials said. The other hacker-for-hire is Karim Baratov, who was born in Kazakhstan but has Canadian citizenship. He was arrested in Canada on Tuesday. The indictments grew out of a nearly two-year investigation by the San Francisco FBI with the aid of international law enforcement, officials said. Sanctions and criminal charges are two tools that the Obama administration began using to punish and deter nation state hackers.

More in Ellen Nakashima's report.
National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) plans to float its payments bank by May this year, and the depository has already asked for the final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the same, said NSDL's MD and CEO G V Nageswara Rao.
Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy visits India

Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy along with a four member Russian Navy delegation is on an official visit to India from 15 to 18 March 2017. The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Russia, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation. During his visit, the Commander-in-Chief of Russian Navy held bilateral discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other senior officials of the Indian Navy. The Admiral is also scheduled to meet the Honble Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Air Staff, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Defence Secretary as part of his official engagements in New Delhi. India is the largest importer of defence equipment from Russia and majority of the armament inventory in Indian Armed Forces is of Soviet/ Russian origin.

The Indian Navy cooperates with the Russian Federation Navy on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation, information technology and exchange of Subject Matter Experts in various fields through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks. In addition, the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise INDRA NAVY, since 2003. Eight editions have been held so far, the last being held off Visakhapatnam in December 2016. In addition to New Delhi, the Admiral is also scheduled to proceed to Mumbai where he will hold discussions with the Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command as well as visit an indigenously built destroyer INS Mysore, Naval Dockyard and M/s Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Limited. DKS/AC
Cabinet approves of MoU between India and Bangladesh on Aids to Navigation (AtoNs)

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) between the Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping, Government of India and the Department of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh.The MoU envisages cooperation between Bangladesh and India:a. To extend advice on lighthouses and beacons;b. To extend advice on Vessel Traffic Service and chain of Automatic Identification System (AIS); andc. To impart training as per International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) training module to AtoN Managers and Technicians for Bangladesh.The MoU will enable both the countries to collaborate in the following areas:a. To provide advice on AtoNs;b. Provide academic interaction by imparting training to AtoN personnel; andc. Provide necessary cooperation in organizing workshops/conferences for enhancement of skills in AtoN field.The MoU will also help in greater cooperation in capacity building in the field of AtoN training in the South Asian region. This will give a boost to imparting training on the management of marine aids to navigation based on IALA Model Course E-141/1 and accordingly facilitate the delivery of a professional training course as per the IALA guidelines.India and Bangladesh are two important developing nations in the South Asian region.

Both countries maintain a long tradition of friendly and cordial relations which has been manifested in the several bilateral visits of dignitaries from both sides during recent years. Background: As per International Maritime Organisations (IMOs) requirement, authorities in various countries, provide appropriate Aids to Navigation in their waters as per international recommendations and guidelines. Marine aids to navigation such as lighthouses, beacons, DGPS, navigational and mooring buoys are operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of vessels and/or vessel traffic. Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in India, for safe navigation in Indian waters. DGLL having expertise in lighthouse engineering maintains large inventory of Aids to navigation which includes 193 lighthouses, 64 Racons, 22 Deep Sea lighted buoys, 23 DGPS stations, 01 Lightship, 04 tender vessels, National AlS Network, Vessel Traffic Service in Gulf of Kutch. IALA is the international body coordinating and harmonizing the use of all Aids to Navigation. India represented through DGLL, is a member of IALA Council. As a step towards regional cooperation, India and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on AtoN. As per the MoU, the DGLL on behalf of Ministry of Shipping, Government of India shall advise its counterpart Department of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Bangladesh on AtoNs including Vessel Traffic Service, Chain of Automatic Identification System. In order to train AtoN personnel of Bangladesh, DGLL shall organize training as per IALA training module to AtoN Managers and Technicians, organize Workshops/Conferences. This will help in capacity building of Bangladesh AtoN Personnel.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for development of the six laning of Handia-Varanasi section of NH-2 in Uttar Pradesh. .

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This work will be under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-V. The approval is in Hybrid Annuity Mode. .

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The cost is estimated to be Rs.2,147.33 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road will be approximately 73 kms. .

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The project will lead tothe improvement of infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh and reduce the time and cost of travel for traffic, particularly heavy traffic, plying on this stretch.The development of this stretch will also help in uplifting the socio-economic condition of the concerned regions of the State and would also increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities. It has been estimated that a total number of 4,076 mandays are required for construction of one kilometre of highways. As such, employment potential of 3,00,000 (approx.) mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of the project. .

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The project is covered in the region of Handia and Varanasi. .

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The cost of treatment of Cancer depends on various factors including, inter alia, the stage of diagnosis, type and site of cancer, type of treatment etc. .

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The treatment of Cancer in many of State and Centre Government institutions is free for BPL patients and subsidized for others. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer. Some of the steps taken by Central Government are as follows: .

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(i) Implementation of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) upto district hospital level. Further, the guidelines for population level screening of common cancer viz. Cervix, Breast and Oral have been released to the State Governments for implementation. .

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(ii) To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre Scheme to support the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. 13 TCCCs and 11 SCIs are approved till date. .

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(iii) Supporting Cancer care under new AIIMS and State Government Medical Colleges being upgraded under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). .

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(iv) Setting up of 2nd campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata and setting up of National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar as part of second campus of AIIMS, New Delhi has been approved. .

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(v) The Government is providing financial assistance to patients living below poverty line for life threatening diseases under the schemes such as Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), Health Ministers Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF), State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF) and Health Ministers Discretionary Grant (HMDG). .

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(vi) Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) outlets have been opened at 41 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic drugs at affordable prices. .

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(vii) The list of medicines specified in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) which are included in the First Schedule of Drug Pricing Control Order (DPCO), 2013 also contain drugs used for the treatment of Cancer for which ceiling prices have been fixed. .

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The Minister of State (Health and Family Welfare), Smt Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today. .

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The Ministry of Tourism has a programme in place, namely Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT), to impart tourism and hospitality specific skills to young persons aspiring to join the tourism sector. Under another programme called Skill Testing & Certification, the Ministry tests and certifies the skills of the existing service providers already employed/engaged in the sector. .

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Under the HSRT programme, courses are offered in hospitality and trades namely Food Production, Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping Utility and Bakery & Patisserie. The persons who are minimum 8th pass and in the age group of 18 to 28 years are eligible to undertake the courses. The programme is delivered by Ministry of Tourism (MoT) sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management, Food Craft Institutes, State Tourism Development Corporations amongst others. .

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In December, 2014, the scope of HSRT programme was expanded to allow the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) /National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)/Government approved private hospitality Institutes as also the industrial units, industry associations and skill imparting bodies with proven credentials for its implementation. .

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Presently training courses are also in place for Event Facilitators, Security Guards, Skin & Spa Therapist, Tour Assistants, Transfer Assistants and Office Assistants. The programme is fully funded by the Ministry of Tourism. .

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Under the skill testing and certification programme, the existing service providers are oriented for 5 days and on the 6th day their skills are tested and certified. The programme is delivered by the Ministry of Tourism sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes. .

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Besides, the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) also conducts training programmes to bring up guides..

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The Common Norms on Skill Development notified by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship have been adopted in totality for the skill development courses being run by this Ministry under the Hunar Se Rozgar Tak programme. A total of 2,66,291 persons have been trained under the Hunar Se Rozgar Tak" programme and the skills of 1,03,944 service providers certified under the Skill Testing & Certification" programme till 31/01/2017 since the inception of these programmes in the year 2009-10. .

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This information was given by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture (Independent Charge) in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today..

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India Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA)

Indo-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA), 1974 provides for exchange of enclaves between the two countries and it necessitated development and integration of Bangladeshi enclaves in India and addressing issues of rehabilitation of returnees from Indian enclaves in Bangladesh. Government of India sanctioned Rs. 1005.99 crore on 02.12.2015 for rehabilitation and up-gradation of infrastructure, out of which Rs. 898.50 crore is for creation and up-gradation of infrastructure and an amount of Rs. 107.49 crore is for rehabilitation and construction of pucca houses for Indian returnees. The package sanctioned to State Government of West Bengal by Government of India is for a period of five years from 2015-16 to 2019-2020.

The scheme fully funded by Government of India is implemented by the State Government of West Bengal. Government of India has sanctioned barbed wire fencing to the extent of 3326.14 km along the Indo-Bangladesh border. Out of this, fencing to the extent of 2731 km has been completed. This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in written reply to a question by Shri Vivek Gupta in the Rajya Sabha today.
Minister of State (IC) for Labour & Employment Shri Bandaru Dattatreya today inaugurated three days International Vision Zero Conference on Occupational Safety and Health in New Delhi. It is organized by Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment and German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Germany in association with International Social Security Association - Manufacturing, Construction and Mining. .

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Speaking on the occasion Shri Bandaru Dattatreya Said that it has always been the priority of the Ministry of Labour & Employment to continuously improve the Occupational Safety, Health and Working conditions of the workforce of our country. He said that keeping in tune with the changing socio-economic scenario in the country and technological changes globally: the Government of India is making serious efforts to bring about labour reforms to achieve higher level of labour standards. The Minister said that the Government is determined to boost the manufacturing sector in the country by pursuing its global agenda on Make in India campaign. The Labour laws are being reformed by bringing in more transparency through the application of information technology in the administration of these laws. This rationalization process will improve the working condition of workers as well as encourage the investors to invest in the country. .

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Addressing the Conference Smt. M. Sathiyavathy, Secretary, Labour & Employment said that as per the information collected by DGFASLI there has been a successive reduction in the incidence of fatal accidents in the factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948. The number of fatal accidents during the year 2014 was 1211, during the year 2013 was 1417, during the year 2012 was 1383 and during the year 2011 was 1433. This falling trend in the number of accidents is despite the increase in the number of factories during the same period, i.e., 325209 in 2011, 353684 in 2012, 340226 in 2013 and 361994 in 2014. She said that Governments intentions and commitment towards occupational safety and health (OSH) of the workers employed in all economic sectors have been augmented by the adoption of the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace in the year 2009. .

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An exhibition on OSH INOSH EXPO 2017 is also being organised during the conference to show-case new trends in Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), Occupational Health Promotion, High-risk Management, Environmental Protection Technologies, all under one roof. The exhibition provides the most efficient platform to support technological communication and business trade. About 100 leading manufacturers /suppliers from India and Europe are participating in the INOSH Expo. .

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The Ministry of Home Affairs had requested RBI Banks to integrate FCRA accounts with Public Financial Management System (PFMS). This will enable the Ministry to monitor the receipt and utilization of foreign contribution credited in such Bank accounts.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in written reply to a question by Shri Husain Dalwai in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has organized a National conference on sediment management in Indian rivers on March 17, 2017 at New Delhi. Many experts including Dr. M. A. Chitale, Expert Member, NGRBA, Professor Vinod Tare, IIT, Kanpur, Professor A. K. Gosain, IIT Delhi, Dr. M. K. Sinha, Director, CWPRS, Pune will be attending the daylong conference. The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti. .

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It may be recalled that Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti had expressed the view that urgent steps may be taken to formulate a comprehensive policy on sediment management in Indian rivers. The Ministry is of the view that such a comprehensive policy can be developed only with extensive consultations with stakeholders. .

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The issue of sediment management in rivers including siltation and dredging has been engaging attention of the public for quite some time. The need for formulating a comprehensive policy on sediment management in rivers cannot be overstated on account of its serious implications on flooding, environment, river health and navigation. .

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Samir/JKD/jk
An unidentified woman flying from Beijing to Melbourne was sleeping on the plane, listening to music on her headphones, when she heard a loud explosion. Then her face began to burn, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

About two hours into the flight while sleeping, the passenger heard a loud explosion. "As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face," she said. "I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck. "I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor. They were sparking and had small amounts of fire. "As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane." The battery and cover were both melted and stuck to the floor of the aircraft.

The burning headphones  and their toxic fumes and smoke  had passengers coughing throughout the rest of the flight. They left the woman with burns and blisters.

And the cause of the explosion? Batteries of course  nothing new these days. Click here for the full story.
So far an amount of Rs.49.98 crore has been disbursed under different components of the Scheme. .

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Government has brought out a National Capital Goods Policy. The Policy envisages increase in production to about Rs.7,50,000 crore, direct employment to 5 million by the year 2025. The Policy also envisages increase in the share of capital goods contribution from present 12% to 20% by the year 2025. Detailed National Capital Goods Policy is available in the website of the Department of Heavy industry (dhi.nic.in). .

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Under the Capital Goods Scheme, so far 14 proposals have been approved. Out of these four pertains to Centre of Excellence for technology development by eminent Institutions like Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Scientific and Industrial Testing and Research Centre (SiTarc), Coimbatore. Four proposals have been approved for Common Engineering Facility Centre which includes two Training Centres at HMT Machine Tools at Bangalore and at HEC Limited, Ranchi and two common engineering facilities in Chakan, Maharashtra and Bardoli, Gujrat. Further a Project for setting up an Integrated Machine Tool Park at Tumkur has been approved. Apart from the above, five projects have been approved under Technology Acquisition Fund Programme component of the Scheme. .

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In addition to the above, the projects pertaining to Capital Goods Industry under Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana and Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) Schemes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development are also being supported partly by the Department of Heavy Industry. .

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This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today. .

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Shri J P Nadda addresses WHO Regional Health Ministers Meeting on TB; highlights the achievements of India in containing TB We are committed to the high-impact actions required for eliminating TB by 2025: J P Nadda

My government has committed itself to the high-impact actions required for eliminating TB by 2025 and will be reinforcing the implementation of our national efforts so that we succeed. This was stated by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare at the WHO Regional Health Ministers Meeting on TB, here today. The Health Minister reaffirmed Indias commitment in the global collective efforts towards combating TB and stated that India will be remembered for suggesting new breakthroughs aimed at ending TB in the eleven countries of WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) through renewed political and financial commitment and enhanced regional cooperation.

Also present were Health Ministers from WHO South East Asia Region and Western Pacific Region countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, South Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and TimorLeste. Shri J P Nadda pointed out that the WHO South-East Asia Region is disproportionately affected by the problem of Tuberculosis. The Drug Resistant TB is as larger problem affecting our populations and significantly contributing to the morbidity and mortality. Each country in the region is having unique and diverse challenges. We, in the region can share our experiences, success stories and strategies to effectively counter the menace of Tuberculosis, ShriNadda added.

Highlighting the gains made by India, ShriNadda said that the Government has called for meeting End TB target by 2025 and has accelerated action in this regard. The Health Minister informed that India has made case notification mandatory. A high proportion, almost 92%, of TB patients with HIV has been put on antiretroviral therapy.

He also added that more than 500 CBNAAT machines have been rolled out in one year, offering rapid quality diagnostics, linking at least one such machine for each district. These steps have led to 35% rise in the Drug Resistant TB case notification in 2016. New anti-TB drug Bedaquiline has been introduced under Conditional Access Programme (CAP) to improve outcomes of drug resistant TB treatment. I am happy to state that progress in TB has been significant in recent times, ShriNadda said.

Appreciating WHOs role in regional learning and innovation and promoting south to south collaboration in fighting the disease together, the Union Health Minister urged WHO to include Tuberculosis in its Global priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to guide research, discovery, and development of new antibiotics.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr PoonamKhetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, stated that TB is the leading cause of death in the region and 15-49 years age group is most affected. She further said that TB and HIV affect people in their most productive years causing severe economic loss and endurable suffering. She further stated that there is an urgent need to position TB as a key national health and development issue. This will also require tackling poverty and deprivation and corresponding investment in next ten years.

Also present on this occasion were distinguished delegates from WHO South-East Asia Region (SEAR) countries, representatives of NGOs and development partners and other senior officers of the Health Ministry.
Special assistance measure for Andhra Pradesh by way of special dispensation in funding of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) and funding of irrigation component of Polavaram project

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for the Special assistance measure for the Successor State of Andhra Pradesh by way of special dispensation in funding of Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) and funding of irrigation component of Polavaram project.The modalities for implementation of the announcements for providing central assistance to the State of Andhra Pradesh are as follows:i. The Central Government will provide special assistance measure to Government of Andhra Pradesh, which would make up for the additional Central share the State might have received during 2015-16 to 2019-20, if the funding of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) would have been shared at the ratio of 90:10 between the Centre and the State. The special assistance will be provided by way of repayment of loan and interest for the Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) signed and disbursed during 2015-2016 to 2019-20 by the State.ii. Funding of 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component only of the Polavaram project for the period starting from 1.4.2014, to the extent of the cost of the irrigation component on that date. Andhra Pradesh Government will execute the project on behalf of Government of India.

However, the overall coordination, quality control, design issues, monitoring, clearances related issues etc. are to be dealt by the Polavaram Project Authority of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. The Polavaram Project Authority will also assess out the cost of the irrigation component as on 01.04.2014 in consultation with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. This support for capital expenditure by way of repayment of EAP loans would help and assist the newly formed state of Andhra Pradesh to put the State's finances on a firmer footing and promote economic growth. Further, the central funding of the irrigation component of the Polavaram Irrigation Project and its execution by the State Government shall expedite completion of the project and the increase irrigation prospects in the State benefitting the people at large. Background: The Government of India, while fulfilling its commitments under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, has already provided "Special Assistance" of Rs.1,976.50 crore to the state during 2016-17. The amount includes Rs.1176.50 for Resource Gap, Rs.350 crore for the development of 7 backward districts covering Rayalaseema & North Coastal region and Rs.450 crore as assistance to the capital city. Apart from this the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation has also provided Rs.2081.54 crore for the Polavaram Irrigation Project during the current financial year. Thus the Central Government, after the enactment of the Reorganisation Act, has provided central assistance of Rs.10,461.04 crore to the state of Andhra Pradesh which includes Rs.4403 crore released during 2014-15, Rs.2000 crore released during 2015-16 and Rs. 4058.04 in released in 2016-17.
Strength of Scientists and Engineers in ISRO

At present, a total of 7062 Scientists/ Engineers are in position in ISRO.

The demand for space based services in the country is increasing resulting in increased launch frequency and applications of space technology in emerging areas. To meet the work load arising due to these demands, a proposal for suitably augmenting the manpower, mostly in scientist/engineer category, has been prepared. The proposal has been reviewed and recommended by the Space Commission and the same is submitted to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, for their recommendations, before placing the same for the approval of the Union Cabinet. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Third Generation Nuclear Reactors

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has designed Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) for utilisation of Thorium. This reactor has several passive safety systems and runs on coolant flow by natural circulation. It meets all the post Fukushima requirements and can withstand severe accidents without exposing radiation in the environment.

It meets all the safety features of 3rd generation reactors. AHWR design has been reviewed by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has accorded pre-licensing approval. Government of India has given in principle approval for constructing AHWR in Tarapur, Maharashtra.
Chinas Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis has asserted that is real, and a threat to American interests abroad and the Pentagon's assets everywhere, a position that appears at odds with the views of the president who appointed him and many in the administration in which he serves.
Opec's compliance with output cuts remained high even though the group's monthly report indicated a rise in global crude stocks and a production jump from Saudi Arabia, Goldman Sachs said on Tuesday.

Goldman said in a research note that market rebalancing is still progressing, and it saw demand for oil finally exceeding supply in the second quarter aided by production cuts, despite an expected rise in US shale output.

on Tuesday reported a rise in oil inventories and raised its forecast for production in 2017 from outside the group. It said its biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, increased output in February by 263,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 10 million bpd.

That news sent US crude on Tuesday to its lowest settlement since Nov. 29, which was the day before Saudi Arabia led the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut supplies. Brent settled at its lowest since Nov. 30. [O/R]

"Our expectations that inventories will draw through 2017 therefore leads us to expect that Brent timespreads will continue to strengthen with the forward curve in backwardation by 3Q17," Goldman said in its research note.

Goldman said it was not in Opec's interest to extend output cuts beyond six months as the group's goal was to normalize inventories, and not to support prices.

The bank reiterated its base case that production cuts will be followed by new production highs.

"Combined to the shale ramp-up and greater visibility on the majors shifting focus to future growth, we see potential for long-dated oil prices to continue to decline below our $50 per barrel long-term price forecast."
A retired Navy admiral was among nine high-ranking military officers arrested across the country in a burgeoning bribery scandal involving a Malaysian defense contractor nicknamed "Fat Leonard".

The indictment unsealed in federal court in San Diego alleged that retired Adm. Bruce Loveless and the other officers accepted the services of prostitutes, lavish meals and fancy trips from Leonard Francis in exchange for classified information that helped his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

It was the latest indictment in the three-year-old case that has charged more than 20 former or current Navy officials so far and marks one of the Navy's worst corruption scandals in history. Loveless is the second admiral charged in the case. It is extremely rare for an admiral to face criminal proceedings.

Prosecutors say Francis, whose nickname comes from his wide girth, bilked the Navy out of nearly $35 million largely by overcharging for his company's services supplying Navy ships in the Pacific with food, water, fuel and other necessities.

Navy officers provided classified information to Francis that helped him beat out the competition and in some instances commanders steered ships to ports in the Pacific where his company could charge fake tariffs and fees, prosecutors said.

The new indictment also charged a former Marine colonel.

The defendants were arrested on Tuesday in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Virginia. Loveless was arrested at his home in Coronado across the bay from San Diego. None of the defendants or their defense attorneys could be immediately reached for comment.

"This is a fleecing and betrayal of the United States Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navy's highest-ranking officers," said Acting US Attorney Alana W. Robinson.

She added that "the alleged conduct amounts to a staggering degree of corruption by the most prominent leaders of the Seventh Fleet - the largest fleet in the actively worked together as a team to trade secrets for sex, serving the interests of a greedy foreign defense contractor, and not those of their own country."

Francis has pleaded guilty to fraud and is awaiting sentencing.
Japan's crisis-racked Corp has offered shares in its memory chip unit to creditors as collateral to secure debt refinancing, people briefed on the matter said on Wednesday.

The offer comes one day after the industrial conglomerate missed submitting audited third-quarter earnings for a second time and said it would 'actively consider' selling a majority stake in the Westinghouse nuclear unit at the centre of its troubles.

At a meeting with creditors on Wednesday, also offered to put up stakes in other group firms such as Tec Corp, a cash register company, as well as real estate as collateral, said the people, who declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

Creditors have been asked to respond by March 24.

In addition, it asked for its third one-month extension of a waiver for a violation of a covenant in a syndicated loan, the sources said.

Its main banks - Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp, Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank - said they would give Toshiba their full support, the sources said. Representatives for the banks were not available for comment outside of regular business hours.

But some regional bank officials attending the near two-hour meeting expressed frustration, saying Toshiba should sell the stakes and pay back the money instead of offering them as collateral, one of the sources said.

A Toshiba spokesman said the company is considering various options to secure funds but that there was nothing to announce right now.

The TVs-to-construction conglomerate is putting up most or even all of its prized memory chip business for sale to cope with an upcoming $6.3 billion writedown for Westinghouse and to create a buffer for potential losses down the road.

A Japanese state-backed fund, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), may invest in its memory chip business as a minority partner - a move that would help the government prevent a sale to bidders it deems risky to national security, separate sources familiar with the matter said.

Discussions on a potential investment are, however, at a very early stage and may not develop further as some people within the government are concerned it could be seen as a publicly funded bailout, one of the sources said.

Delisting risk

Shares in Toshiba tumbled to end down 12 per cent on Wednesday, hurt by growing fears of a delisting and a lack of clarity on whether Toshiba would proceed with a Chapter 11 filing for Westinghouse - a move that could stem losses.

The company now has a market value of just $7 billion, less than half of what it was worth in December.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange placed the stock on its supervision list on Tuesday - an automatic move that follows Toshiba's failure to clear up concerns about its internal controls a year and a half after a 2015 accounting scandal.

Market participants said the bourse's action meant that the shares were now "untouchable" for institutional investors who cannot invest due to compliance reasons.

Toshiba would be delisted if the bourse is not satisfied with a report on internal controls that Toshiba submitted on Wednesday. The report, required since the 2015 accounting scandal, must also address internal control lapses since then.

"Crucial details about Westinghouse won't be there. Toshiba is already in trouble for delaying the filing of its quarterly earnings twice, and without the complete report, the exchange is unlikely to find its report satisfactory," said Fumio Matsumoto, a senior fund manager at Dalton Capital Japan.

Westinghouse has been plagued by huge cost overruns at two US projects in Georgia and South Carolina.

Toshiba has also expanded a probe into the US nuclear unit after finding that certain managers exerted 'inappropriate pressure' in the accounting for the acquisition of the US nuclear power plant construction company that handles the two projects.
A terrible war is going on in the ghost world. Two opposing sides  the Muslim spirits and the Hindu spirits  face each other in a horrific combat. Suddenly, a gigantic fire-spitting demon with three eyes and a snake dangling from his neck appears on the frontline. The terrible creature reinforces the Hindu side and the Muslim ghosts need to retreat.

Thus begins The Wharf of Death (Maut ke Ghat), a ghost story published in the Karachi, Pakistan-based Dar Digests January 2015 issue. Such digests have a long history in Pakistans print media, and these little booklets are widely sold in markets and at train or bus stations, often for about 50 rupees (less than a euro).

Each digest is devoted to a particular genre, from detective or science-fiction to love and horror stories. Charmingly idiosyncratic and often ending with deus ex machina figures, their colloquial style entertains a wide Urdu audience, and print runs number from 10,000 to 30,000 copies per month.

One particularly intriguing sub-branch of this genre features tales of horror published in magazines such as Dar Digest (The Fear Compendium), which often combine classical gothic motifs with South Asian mythology. Scenes of dissatisfied jinns (spirits) terrorising their kin, evil snake-demons pretending to be innocent virgins, or haunted house situations (out of which many dear protagonists do not emerge alive) all feature.

Horror and the other

What makes these stories intriguing is their ability to disseminate ideology: the fantastic and the uncanny constitute a smooth canvas for the projection of stereotypes and simplifications.

Free from the fetters of common natural laws, horror stories represent a societys fears and prejudices. The transgression of the everyday links itself to notions of good and evil and promises creative ways of engaging with what cultural theory calls the other. Horror stories are one way of representing evil in a society and the heroes capable of countering these threatening influences.

Hostility (Dushmani), a story from the May 2014 Dar Digest, offers this example:

Stop, Dr. Shankar! A deep manly voice appeared. Dr Shankar, Nirmala and Mohan turned around. An old man with a radiant face and a white beard stood at the laboratorys entrance door. He was wearing a long white dress and had prayer beads in his hand.

These Urdu tales, composed by freelance authors living all over Pakistan, commonly portray both Hindus and Muslims, frequently revealing a straightforward division between good and evil.

Evil Hindus may plan world domination, sacrifice young virgins for gaining immortality, or simply terrorise for no obvious reason; their Muslim counterparts, meanwhile, emerge as noble saviours and wise father figures who righteously guard their religious community and the rest of the world from the claws of Hindu spiritual imperialism.

Such reoccurring stereotypes reflect a certain view of South Asian history. The Islamic Republics central founding myth, the two-nation theory, claims that Muslims and Hindus are two distinct nations that can only thrive when separate.

The movement for Pakistan, however, was not the straightforward development that it is often portrayed as today. While the events that led to the partition of India have many layers of complexity, the simplified notion of an incompatible Hindu and Muslim population continues to be widely promoted in both Pakistan and India. This has often served as a retroactive explanation for the division of the subcontinent.

Ideologys material existence

We know from Louis Althusser that ideology has a tangible and material existence. Studying ideology, thus, we must begin with institutions, organisations, and media outlets, which are crucial distributing ideological content.

Ideology in this context does not pertain to right or false consciousness, but rather implies how we perceive the world around us, a process that can be either inconspicuous or blatant.

Discussing cultural identities, sociologist Stuart Hall emphasised how a nations story needs to be continuously narrated to its members.

A variety of platforms  such as schoolbooks, TV programmes, and literature  recount a nations history and position among other nations and future development. Such forms of media not only describe nations, but also prescribe what it means to be part of them.

Considering Pakistans history, the fact that stereotypical depictions of Hindus should resurface in Urdu pulp fiction is unsurprising. In the aforementioned Maut ke Ghat, the spirit world features a variety of constantly warring ghost tribes.

The Hindu ghosts, also described as immoral Satan-worshipping spirits, are notorious for their aggression; they attempt to convert every ghost in the netherworld to Hinduism. The storys foundation is an unavoidable struggle in the spirit world, which renders Hindu-Muslim conflicts as metaphysical truth.

To wit, this excerpt from the tale Kala Mandir (Dar Digest, September 2012):

Look son, without becoming Muslim you wont be able to do anything  Lilavati has nine more days to live. You need to act as soon as possible, Babaji explained. Mahindra thought for a bit and then said, Ok. I am ready to become Muslim. Mashallah! You have taken the right decision. May God help you, Babaji said.

Julia Kristeva meticulously analysed the role of the ambivalent and its relation to the uncanny in her 1982 essay Powers of Horror. Exploring the work of Freud, Lacan, and Mary Douglas, Kristeva develops a distinctive approach to the genre by developing the concept of the abject.

Her complex theory is best illustrated by the image of the corpse: it was at one point a living organism, a living character with a certain place in society. But with death this organism becomes a removed object, thwarting its former characteristics. The corpse symbolises a sudden emergence of uncanniness, which, familiar as it might have been in an opaque and forgotten life, now harries me as radically separate, loathsome.

In my interpretation of Kristeva, the abject is not understood only as a psychoanalytical category, but also as an historical development: it implies a process in which formerly close elements are rejected to solidify ones own identity.

As such, the abject position of the evil Hindu surfacing in Pakistans pulp fiction can be seen as representative of previous relationships within pre-partition India that have today been rejected by many parts of society.

Particularly within the context of Pakistans nationalist ideologies (which claim Islam as the raison detre for the Islamic Republic), the Hindu takes on an abject position which is an ambivalent and thus frightening role.

Hindus are, on one hand, a threatening enemy across the border; and on the other, they are the defining and constitutive foundation of the Islamic Republic: a nation allegedly built on the concept of not being Hindu, rather than on simply being Muslim.

Jurgen Schaflechner, Assistant professor, University of Heidelberg

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) landslide victory in the key state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) is likely to intensify the government's war against black money / cash, suggests the latest Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BofA-ML) equity strategy report co-authored by Sanjay Mookim and Anand Kumar.

The crackdown, the report suggests, could entail more transaction disclosure, increased tax on cash, restrict cash holdings (remaining un-implemented proposal of SIT on black money).
Insurance Company, a joint venture between State Bank of India (SBI) and BNP Paribas Cardif, will decide on stake dilution by the end of the first quarter of FY18, a senior official said on Wednesday.
The sustained money flowing into the mutual fund (MF) sector in the past two years by way of systematic investment plans (SIPs) has propelled the assets of several equity schemes into the Rs 10,000-crore club.
Activists have raised concerns over the persecution of Christians in Pakistan saying the minority is facing social and economic deprivation in the country.

"Pakistani Christians are not equal even under the law so therefore the persecution starts right there as far as the law is concerned. There is social discrimination, job discrimination, social violence and the law enforcement agencies cannot save them because generally it becomes a very Islamic question," Javaid Rahim Baksh, a Christian activist from Pakistan based n Canada, told ANI.

Baksh added that they are trying to bring the issue of persecution of Christians on international forums such as the United Nations so that the global leaders can come to their aid.

"If the issue of persecution of Christians is raised, (on international platform) may be there can be some negotiation with Pakistan. It would help the Christians be looked after, be legally protected which they can be if the law wants to do that. If they are declared persecuted the international community can come to their aid," he said.

Another human rights activist from Pakistan, Naveed Walter, told ANI that minorities in Pakistan were particularly facing hardship and exploitation because of the strict blasphemy laws in the country.

"Christians and other minorities in Pakistan are particularly suffering because of the blasphemy law in the country. If someone even as a personal conflict or business or social conflict, he can easily target the other person under the blasphemy law and often the accused under the law are sentenced to death or assassinated," said Walter.

He added that other ways in which Christians face persecution in Pakistan is through forced conversions, forced marriages and abduction.

"We have endlessly highlighted this question that why only girl aged 12-25 from minorities are converted. This is because they are abducted and converted forcefully. Even the courts there are under the pressure of religious clerics. Even in the Pakistan Constitution there are many articles that discriminate against minorities," he added.

Activist James Luke echoed similar concerns over the misuse and expoitation of the blasphemy law in the country.

"The blasphemy law which should otherwise be applied to all equally is being exploited and used for personal revenge. And even if the court lets people accused of blasphemy walk free, they are killed by extremists. There is an example in Punjab governor Salman Taseer case who only spoke in support of Asia Bibi and was killed," said Luke.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Slamming Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's for putting the onus on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday told ANI that the use of ballot paper is time-consuming and outdated.

"World is progressing at a fast rate and here we are discussing of going back in time to ballot papers. An entire world is using EVMs and it is a better option than ballot voting," Hazare asserted.

Explaining his statement he added, "First of all, the voters either sign or give fingerprints on the ballot paper which is a time taking process. Secondly, the voter folds the ballot paper and puts is inside the box then, at last, comes the counting process which is again time-consuming."

He further said that through EVMs comparatively less time is consumed but advised to use totaliser machines that would ensure no mistakes in counting of the votes.

"We have written to the Election Commission for a number of times and the Commission has also asked the government to buy the totaliser machines but no initiative has been taken," he added.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener today alleged that the EVMs were tampered during the recently conducted assembly polls in the five states that ultimately resulted in his party's dismal show especially in Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal suggested that the Election Commission needs to relook at the use of EVMs in the electoral process until faith is restored in it.

"Many said that there is anger against the Akalis and AAP is sweeping polls, still AAP got 25 percent votes and SAD got 31 percent votes.

How is it possible? Even in Malwa, we got thrashed and Congress won there. How is it possible?" Kejriwal asked.

He further said is it possible through the EVMs that 20-25 percent vote share meant for the AAP was transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance.

Kejriwal further asked the Election Commission to count slips of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT and match it with the figures of EVM results.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati had earlier also put the onus on the EVMs for her loss in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying the machine accepted votes only in favour of the BJP.
The Bhopal Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) on Wednsday handed over the case diary and other related documents to the Investigating Agency (NIA) in connection with the Bhopal-Ujjain train blast.

The police have not yet been able to establish any connection of the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast with the ISIS.

"No connections have yet been established with the ISIS," Bhopal IG (Law and Order) Makrand Devaskar said.

Earlier, Daljeet Chaudhary, the UP Additional Director General (ADG) of Police also said they had no evidence of any ISIS link, regarding the Lucknow terror stand-off, in which security forces gunned down a terrorist in an operation that lasted for nearly 10 hours in the thickly-populated Thakurganj area of Lucknow.

Devaskar also said they cannot establish a linkage between the two incidents as far as the current probe is concerned, however, two of the accused of the train blast were residents of Uttar Pradesh.

At least nine people were injured after the explosion took place in the train on Tuesday. The police arrested the three terrorists named mastermind Atif Muzaffar and Md. Danish - both residents of Kanpur, UP - and Syed Meer Hussain.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Congress leader Renuka Chaudhary on Wednesday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over government formation in Goa despite not having majority and said this is heart burn as the people voted for the grand old party in the coastal state.

"We have a great working democracy. There is heart burn. My people will feel let down. The MLAs are frustrated. The people of Goa are upset because they have actually voted for the Congress. I don't know what the ground facts are and there was a slip between the cup and lip. So, this kind of heart burn is bound to happen," Chaudhary told ANI.

"But what happened at the ground level, this question only Digvijaya Singh can answer. Accountability will be called for and should be given," she added.

Further attacking the BJP, she said, "The BJP is trying to force Mr Parrikar down the throat and at some point the people will stand up and answer them."

The Congress, which won 17 seats in the Goa Assembly polls, has accused the BJP of using "money power" to form the government.

In the 40-member Goa Assembly, the BJP won only 13 seats but managed to form the government following support from the other parties.

Parrikar has claimed the support of 13 MLAs of the BJP, three MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), three MLAs of Goa Forward Party (GFP) and two independent MLAs, thus having a total of 21 MLAs in the 40-member Goa Assembly.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal played a calm and composed knock of 86* to help Sri Lanka reach 238-7 on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh at the P Sara Oval here on Wednesday.

After being asked to bowl first, Bangladesh, playing their 100th Test, did not disappoint, keeping Sri Lanka in check and dominating throughout the day.

The day was called off six overs earlier when rain started to pour in. At Stumps, skipper Rangana Herath was there at the crease at 18 alongside Chandimal, who has so far faced 210 balls and has scored only four boundaries.

On a pitch that did not have much for the bowlers, all the Bangladeshi bowlers bowled with good line and length and never allowed the hosts to score freely.

Mustafizur Rahman and Mehedi Hasan picked two-two wickets each while Shakib Al Hasan, Taijul Islam and Subashis Roy scalped one-one wicket.

Apart from Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk) and Dhananjaya de Silva were the other notable contributors with the bat, each scoring 34 runs.

Bangladesh had lost the first Test by a huge margin of 259 runs.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Leading process services provider Conduent Incorporated on Wednesday announced appointment of Lokesh Prasad as Chief Executive Officer, Conduent India.

Conduent launched earlier this year following a separation from Xerox Corporation. In his role, Prasad will be responsible for further developing the USD 6.5 billion company's presence in India and growing the 10,000 employee workforce across six cities, including Bangalore, Kochi, Gurgaon, Noida, Indore and Chennai. Prasad will be based in Gurgaon.

"Lokesh's background as a high-tech developer will help Conduent India push the envelope of tech-led services and expand its already impressive workforce," said CEO Conduent, Ashok Vemuri.

"Under his direction, Conduent India will bring even more focused expertise around automation, analytics and innovative technologies to help clients progress their own digital transformation agenda," added Ashok Vemuri.

Conduent India harnesses a global network of specialized skills, technology and research. Focused on streamlining business processes with technical solutions for human resources, total outsourcing, litigation, transportation, workers' compensation and more, Conduent India will play a critical role in strengthening the company's R&D and technology operating model.

These efforts also include the Conduent Labs India facility established in 2009 as a legacy Xerox research center that focuses on developing the latest technology for mobile and IoT, human computer interaction, machine learning, text and multimedia analytics. A select group of scientists 30 percent of whom are women work to overcome challenges in specific industries including transportation, public safety, healthcare, human resources and customer care.

As the CEO of Conduent India, Prasad will be responsible for driving India-specific strategy, creating and executing new internal policies, and streamlining the organization through centralization of functions. In his previous roles, Prasad served as Head of Emerging Markets for UnitedHealth Group in Gurgaon, India, and was responsible for managing profit and loss (P&L) for India and the Middle East. He was instrumental in creating a global sourcing and delivery strategy for UnitedHealth Group, and setting up their IT and BPO business in the US and Asia. Prasad also spent a decade at Infosys Technologies Limited, based out of Boston, where he was responsible for managing and growing their strategic healthcare relationships.

"The already impressive expertise of Conduent's leadership, employees and scientists really drew me to the company," said Prasad. "Conduent India isn't just a regular BPO - it's a technology hub for the entire business and builds wide-ranging solutions from transaction processing for healthcare and insurance, to cloud transformations for all kinds of business assets.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Delhi court on Wednesday deferred it's order for tomorrow on Indian Lok Dal (INLD) leader Ajay Singh Chautala's plea seeking transfer of a disproportionate assets case against him to another court.

Chautala, who is serving a 10-year jail term in a teachers' recruitment scam case, claimed that he would not get a fair trial if his case is continued to be tried in the court presided by a special CBI judge, raising questions about the conduct of the presiding officer.

The Delhi High Court on February 8 reserved its order on plea for parole sought by Chautala.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had ordered the release of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala on parole for four weeks.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, his MLA son Ajay, and three other officials were sentenced to ten years in prison in 2013 by a special CBI court on charges of illegally recruiting over 3,000 teachers in the state by using forged documents. The scam was widely known as the JBT Scam since it involved the recruitment of junior basic teachers.

The Haryana Government's former director of primary education, Sanjeev Kumar, a 1989 batch IAS officer, had filed a writ in the Supreme Court alleging that the then Om Prakash Chautala Government had resorted to corrupt practices while recruiting 3208 Junior Basic Trained (JBT) teachers in 2000.

The apex court had refused to entertain their appeals against their conviction for committing irregularities in the recruitment of 3,032 junior basic trained (JBT) teachers.

They filed review petitions following this. The petitions were slated for a decision on January 20, but this was deferred at their instance. They have pleaded for permission to file revised review petitions.

On January 22, 2013, a trial court here had sentenced 55 accused in the case. Among those convicted were 82-year-old Chautala's then political adviser Sher Singh Badshami, the then Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Vidya Dhar, IAS, and then Primary Education Director Sanjiv Kumar, besides 50 others.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Commenting on the attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' sets in Kolhapur last night, Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde has advised the filmmaker to solve the rift cordially with people having varied opinions on the historic film.

"This matter is related to law and order but the makers should make sure that their movies should be less of fiction and more close to reality. And if a movie is based on such matter, both the parties should first sit together and discuss," Tawde said.

"Bhansali's films are based on history and the society is bound to have different opinions. Hence, people should solve the matter amicably," he added.

For the unversed, months after the attack on the sets of 'Padmavati' in Jaipur, it has yet again been vandalised and set on fire in Kolhapur last night. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged.

The movie has been under the radar ever since its announcement. After the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted the base to Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to resume the shooting.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday mocked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for accusing the saffron outfit of stealing the mandate in Goa and said that the Gandhi scion has meager knowledge of the Indian Constitution and advised the latter to read the document before making a noise about it.

In a sardonic attack, Swamy said the Congress vice president is making comments against the BJP without attaining full knowledge of the Indian Constitution.

"I don't know which Constitution he is consulting, some Italian Constitution or what? Because the Indian one is very clear. Article 164 (1) says that the Governor can appoint anyone as a chief minister. I would like to ask, what wrong has the Governor done? I would like to ask where in the constitution it is written that the single largest party should be invited," Swamy told ANI.

"These people without studying the constitution come up with such remarks. And of course Rahul Gandhi does not have much education, so he doesn't know the Constitution. Before making noise he should read the Constitution and tell which article has been violated," he added.

Rahul Gandhi yesterday attacked the BJP for polarizing voters and using money power in the recently concluded assembly elections across five states.

"The BJP won elections in UP, I'd like to congratulate them. Why they won, there are multiple reasons, one being polarisation. Democracy is being undermined by them using financial power and money," Gandhi said.

In a major setback to the Congress Party, the Supreme Court today refused to put stay on former defence minister Manohar Parrikar's swearing-in ceremony in Goa and ordered a floor test for the BJP to prove majority in the state assembly.

The apex court said that the BJP has shown the support of 21 out of the 40 newly elected MLAs and ordered conducting of the floor test on Thursday.

It directed that all pre-requisites for holding the floor test be completed by Wednesday, including the formalities required by the Election Commission and putting in place the senior most member in the Assembly as the protem speaker. The apex court said, all the issues raised in the petition by Goa Congress Legislative Party leader Chandrakant Kavlekar can be resolved by a simple direction of holding a floor test.

The BJP has won 13 seats and the Congress has 17 in the house. Goa Forward won 3, MGP has 3 and three were independents. NCP has one seat.
Ivanka Trump's fine jewelry line has hit the skids, as the brand is now set to turn its focus on costume jewelry, which comes with an increased accessibility factor.

Abigail Klem, president of the first daughter's brand of companies, confirmed to The New York Times Monday that Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry is being discontinued, reports CNN.

Klem further said that the brand is now committed to "offering solution-oriented products at accessible price points."

On the high end of the fine jewelry line, is a woven diamond necklace for $19,500, and the lower side, a simple rose gold ring with a price tag of $940. Ivanka herself is often seen wearing the $2,900 "Patras" studs

In February, President Donald Trump's senior counselor Kellyanne Conway said during a live interview that people should go out and buy Ivanka Trump's clothing, which had recently been dropped by Nordstrom.

Ivanka's sales reportedly went up dramatically, however, Conway's move also came under the radar of the Office of Government Ethics.

Ivanka had announced in January she has stepped away from leadership of her corporate roles, both at her brand and her job in the Trump Organization, saying that she has turned her focus to building a new life for her family in Washington and serving as informal adviser to her father.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asked the Delhi police to register an FIR under the SC/ST Act and start the probe in the suspected death of Jawaharlal Nehru (JNU) PhD student Muthukrishnan Jeevanantham.

"I have given an instruction to the Delhi Police to register an FIR under the SC/ST Act by this afternoon and then let the post-mortem happen," Sitharaman said.

She further said that to not delay any further which is the demand of the students and also asked to register all the statements.

Earlier, the JNU students during Sitharaman's visit to the campus asked her as to why the Delhi Police had not yet registered any FIR or initiated any tangible action in this regard.

A PhD scholar of the JNU allegedly committed suicide in the Munirka Vihar area here late on Monday evening.

According to the Delhi Police, Jeevanantham was depressed over personal issues, though no suicide note was found near his body.

There was no evidence that he killed himself due to any issues at the university.

Reportedly, Jeevanantham had come to his friends' house to have food.

He later said that he wanted to sleep and locked himself inside a room.

The PhD student, however, in his Facebook post on March 10 mentioned about discrimination against Dalits.

"There is no Equality in M.Phil/PhD Admission, there is no equality in Viva-voce, there is only denial of equality. When equality is denied everything is denied," the post said.

He was active in the 'Justice for Rohit Vemula' movement last year and was a part of the Ambedkar Students' Association (ASA) at the University of Hyderabad.

PhD student Rohith Vemula had killed himself at the University of Hyderabad after alleged caste-based discrimination, inciting protests across the country.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
LG creates a 'Guinness World Records' feat for its #KarSalaam initiative launched at the start of this year. The initiative involved the whole nation to come forward and send in their good wishes to the Indian Armed Forces for their undying spirit of bravery.

With this campaign, LG breaks the Guinness World Records by getting more than 114741 handwritten messages from the Indian citizens.

Through this initiative, LG salutes the soldiers' spirit of generous contribution and service towards the nation. The company aims to stand in gratitude for the Indian Armed Forces for assuring that we lead a fearless and safe life in this country while they protect our borders.

"A million thanks to the people of India for showing their gratitude towards the Indian soldiers. The initiative has been a massive success that can be validated by the overwhelming response that we have received from the people in the form of messages for the soldiers. It is also a very proud moment for us at LG and immensely gratifying to break the Guinness Book of World Records by getting more than 114741 wishes," said MD LG Electronics India, Kim Ki Wan.

"We are humbled by the astounding response that we have received from our fellow Indian citizens for our soldiers and are now more determined to spearhead other initiatives that extend LG's core philosophy of Life's Good to other realms," said Head - Corporate Marketing LG Electronics India, Amit Gujral.

"We are happy to announce the entry of LG Electronics India Ltd. as a record beaker for the 'Longest Line of Sticky Notes' messages from the Indian citizens. It is an honour for us to be a medium through which we can partner in wishing the Armed Forces for their immense contribution in ensuring the safety of the citizens. This initiative of LG Electronics India is unique and we hope that they take up many similar initiatives in the near future," said Adjudicator Guinness World Records, Swapnil Dangarikar.

LG rolled out this campaign through radio, digital, outdoor and mall activities to capture the messages and wishes of the citizens of India for our soldiers. The company also engaged the people through social media platforms and encouraged them to share their wishes on www.karsalaam.in.

The #KarSalaam initiative also included a donation of Rs. one crore. LG India's MD Kim Ki Wan handed over the cheque to the Home Minister Rajnath Singh for 'CRPF Welfare Fund' which is dedicated to the welfare of the soldiers.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
As the first phase population census began today in Pakistan, the Interior Ministry has given the army judicial powers to hand down on-the-spot verdicts against those who refuse to cooperate or give false information.

"The ministry has approved a summary to give judicial powers to the military personnel supervising the national headcount exercise," the Express Tribune quoted an official of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the body responsible for holding the census, as saying on Tuesday.

According to the PBS Census and Survey Member Habibullah Khan, the bureau had sought these powers for its enumerators to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

"The law already provides for giving punishment but the PBS wanted that the judgments should be given on spot to compel the people to cooperate and remain truthful," he added.

According to the law, those who refuse to participate in the national headcount or give false information will be liable to a 50,000-rupee fine and a six-month jail term.

The Pakistan Army is providing security for the census through its 200,000-strong force. About 42,000 personnel will perform the role of enumerators while the rest will provide security.

The exercise is taking place after a delay of nine years, as the last population census was conducted in 1998. The data obtained from the census will be used for distribution of the National Assembly seats and division of financial resources. The population is also the base for distribution of civil service jobs among the provinces.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Show Up! Go Home and Mull This Over Walk off the cramps, get to a show! Wendy Johnson It's a luscious mix of words and tricks/ That let us bet when you know we should fold/ On rocks I dreamt of where we'd stepped/ And the whole mess of roads we're now on/ Hold your glass up, hold it in/ Never betray the way you've always known it is ... Caring is Creepy, written by James Mercer and performed by The Shins. Wow. Just wow. After last weekends supercharged, soulfully sublime Alibi Best of Burque Music Showcase, you may be plumb afeared that the entirety of the local scene has finished expressing itselfand so may be wont to shine with the same hep-toned resignation favored by Mercer and the gang over at Shins Central. Well, the song may rock, but I gotta change up its downtrodden expression here with some kinda bright optimism, a kind of new slang if you will: The scene doesnt stop. Practically every night and especially on the weekends, the creative forces behind our local music community have a bevy of big sounds and ecstatic encounters available to keep you up and interestedso brighten up and be there while the squawking birds quit and the cold weather recedes into spring.

Thursday Via Facebook Launchpad (618 Central SW). The event features some notably noisy woman-lead and woman-based rocanrol ensembles from around these here parts. Phantom Lake, an instrumental, lo-fi surf rigand one of the many mucho-talented vehicles that Jessica Billey uses to traipse terrifically around townis playing. Add to that salty nuance a performance by rising no-wave phenoms Tear Pressure, and youve got a real, uh, pressure-cooker of rock. With the further addition of the gluey-detuned guitar energy of of Cecilia McKinnons project Star Canyon as well as performances by Cat Teeth, Emma Crane, Katrina Benally and Kateri Lopez, this is bound to be a boundless and badass show meant for those 21+ who have a Lincoln to spare and a couple of decent ears to listen with besides. The concert begins at 8pm. The poster for this Thursdays Show Up!-chosen concert features a combination of chaos and beauty to tell the story of female rockers here in Dirt City. Thursday Night Girl Fight is a thing, and its happening on Thursday, March 16, at(618 Central SW). The event features some notably noisy woman-lead and woman-based rocanrol ensembles from around these here parts., an instrumental, lo-fi surf rigand one of the many mucho-talented vehicles that Jessica Billey uses to traipse terrifically around townis playing. Add to that salty nuance a performance by rising no-wave phenoms, and youve got a real, uh, pressure-cooker of rock. With the further addition of the gluey-detuned guitar energy of of Cecilia McKinnons projectas well as performances byandthis is bound to be a boundless and badass show meant for those 21+ who have a Lincoln to spare and a couple of decent ears to listen with besides. The concert begins at 8pm. View in Alibi calendar

Friday Kate Burns Photography Cactus Tractoris also a professor of theory and composition in the music department at UNM. Dude is responsible for publications like Lifting the Foot: The Neural Underpinnings of the Pathological Response to Music. Hes also responsible for one of the most elusively enjoyable, genre-bending, ecstasy-seeking sound units here in the Duke City. With fellow tractor drivers Christy Cook, Stephanie Graner, Samuel Sullivan, Brandon Baca, Jordan Fredrick, Michael Olivola and Fernando Garavito, Bashwiner makes music that is sly, sunshiny, complex and urges a type of Dionysian abandon thats both palatable and pulsating. You can check all that out for yourself, dear reader, when Cactus Tractor erupts from the desert and plows the ground at Hotel Andaluz (125 Second Street NW) on Friday, March 17, beginning at 7pm. Its a free performance, meant for those 21 years old or older who have a demonstrated interest in the progressive art-folk made by hippie punk-rockers with degrees. David Bashwinerpart of the brain trust behind intensely quirky and terrifically toothsome Bohemian pop folk disco ensembleris also a professor of theory and composition in the music department at UNM. Dude is responsible for publications like Lifting the Foot: The Neural Underpinnings of the Pathological Response to Music. Hes also responsible for one of the most elusively enjoyable, genre-bending, ecstasy-seeking sound units here in the Duke City. With fellow tractor drivers Christy Cook, Stephanie Graner, Samuel Sullivan, Brandon Baca, Jordan Fredrick, Michael Olivola and Fernando Garavito, Bashwiner makes music that is sly, sunshiny, complex and urges a type of Dionysian abandon thats both palatable and pulsating. You can check all that out for yourself, dear reader, when Cactus Tractor erupts from the desert and plows the ground at(125 Second Street NW) on Friday, March 17, beginning at 7pm. Its a free performance, meant for those 21 years old or older who have a demonstrated interest in the progressive art-folk made by hippie punk-rockers with degrees. View in Alibi calendar

Saturday Courtesy of the artist Burts Tiki Lounge (515 Central NW) will give the distinct impression that they are caught up and cognizant of a citys favorite bands when they host a concert featuring two of last weeks big Best of Burque Music winnersReviva! and The Big Spankalong with other bands whose sonic emanations demonstrate trends towards the revitalization of American music that weve been telling you about for nigh on a year now. While Reviva! has got the musica Latina via American folk tendencies thingy down to a fine art, The Big Spank brings local motion to the notion of reggae with their delightfully danceable oeuvre. Theyll be supported in their efforts by Marujah, a post-Latin group of whiskey drinking, desmadre-making ska addicts, Cali electro-surf rockers Tesuque Revolt and folk fanatics the Gershom Brothers. Like many other awesome events at Burts, this ones free for 21+ music lovers. The funky hoe-down gets going at 6pm with libations to Jah to be offered simultaneously. On Saturday night, March 18,(515 Central NW) will give the distinct impression that they are caught up and cognizant of a citys favorite bands when they host a concert featuring two of last weeks big Best of Burque Music winnersandalong with other bands whose sonic emanations demonstrate trends towards the revitalization of American music that weve been telling you about for nigh on a year now. While Reviva! has got thevia American folk tendencies thingy down to a fine art, The Big Spank brings local motion to the notion of reggae with their delightfully danceable oeuvre. Theyll be supported in their efforts by, a post-Latin group of whiskey drinking, desmadre-making ska addicts, Cali electro-surf rockersand folk fanatics the. Like many other awesome events at Burts, this ones free for 21+ music lovers. The funky hoe-down gets going at 6pm with libations to Jah to be offered simultaneously. View in Alibi calendar
The State Bank of India (SBI) and the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) on Wednesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly conduct various initiatives towards the development of the Real Estate Sector for a period of three years.

SBI and CREDAI have a common objective of providing housing for all.

Each of them will leverage their individual strengths and collaborate in areas which will be beneficial to the sector and the consumers at large.

The MOU was exchanged between Rajnish Kumar, Managing Director SBI and Geetambar Anand, President CREDAI at the CREDAI National Conclave held in Delhi on March 6 and March 7.

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu was also present for the occasion.

SBI will be a national partner for all CREDAI activities.

SBI and CREDAI will jointly work together for various marketing activities like conclaves, seminars, exhibitions, campaigns and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities as well.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajnish Kumar, MD (NBG), SBI said, "CREDAI is the largest Real Estate association in the country with over 11,500 members. We at SBI are extremely glad to collaborate with them and carry out joint activities. We see a lot of synergies in working with CREDAI. Both of us have a common objective of making every Indian own a Home of their own. "

"The CREDAI SBI MOU is meant to mobilize the credibility of CREDAI members and the reach of the largest bank in India to cater to both home loans and construction finance requirements of the real estate sector. We believe that availability of finance at lower rates would help fulfill CREDAI's objective of making housing more affordable," added Geetambar Anand, President CREDAI.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A second blast has hit Damascus following the court attack.

At least 25 persons were killed in a suicide bombing at a courthouse in Damascus, the Guardian quoted the state media as saying.

The attack targeted the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, not far from the old city and the famous Hamidiyeh market.

The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

No terror group has yet claimed responsibility of this blast.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Top Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has warned that if FBI Director James Comey does not provide evidence over the validity of President Donald Trump's wiretapping allegations, then he will subpoena the information from the bureau if needed.

Earlier this month, Trump alleged that former president Barack Obama ordered his phones to be wiretapped at Trump Tower during the campaign.

Last week, Graham and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse asked the Justice Department last week to provide any evidence that would support Trump's claims.

"We wrote a letter -- Sen. Whitehouse and myself -- wanting to know if there's evidence of a warrant issued by the Trump campaign. He hasn't answered that letter or confirmed if there's a real investigation of the Trump campaign. He needs to answer the letter and give the nation some information about what's going on here," the South Carolina Republican told CNN.

If the FBI does not provide the information, Graham said he and other senators may subpoena it.

"I want to get to the bottom of it. The FBI would know if a warrant was issued. They would know if a warrant was applied for. I want to answer that question. If they do not provide the answer to that letter we wrote in a bipartisan fashion, there will be a bipartisan subpoena following the FBI," he said.

Graham, who is leading one of the three congressional investigations into Russia's interference in the US election, has clearly stated that the lack of an answer from the FBI is causing him to become suspicious.

"I've seen no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. I've seen no evidence of a wiretap being requested by the Department of Justice, a warrant. But the longer it takes to answer my letter, the more concerned and suspicious I'm beginning to be," he said.

The senator added that if the FBI does not respond to lawmakers' requests for information, some may be willing to block more appointments to the Trump administration.

"If there's not a criminal investigation of the Trump ties to Russia, I think the country needs to know it. Congress needs to know it, and he has never promised to answer that question. Chairman (Chuck) Grassley said something very important yesterday, that he would be willing to block the deputy attorney general's nomination until Director Comey gave us the information we sought regarding warrants and investigations," Graham said.

However, the White House is on the backfoot regarding Trump's claim earlier this month that Obama had his "wires tapped" toward the end of the campaign, as press secretary Sean Spicer said Monday the President wasn't referring to wiretapping when he tweeted about wiretapping.

"I think there's no question that the Obama administration, that there were actions about surveillance and other activities that occurred in the 2016 election.The President used the word 'wiretaps' in quotes to mean, broadly, surveillance and other activities," Spicer had said.

Meanwhile, top Republicans in Congress have expressed their dissatisfaction about getting answers from the FBI, as lawmakers trying to investigate Russia's meddling in the US election say they've continued to see no evidence of President Donald Trump's claim that he was wiretapped by his predecessor.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on Wednesday said the Congress Party will sit in the opposition and play the role of a constructive opposition of the coalition government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the interest of the people of Manipur.

"We thought that we will get justice because we are the single largest party. Our game is over. Our Party has decided that we will sit in the opposition and play the role of a constructive opposition for the interest of the people of Manipur," Ibobi Singh told ANI here.

Responding to newly elected Congress MLA Shyam Kumar, who declared that he wanted to join the BJP, Ibobi said it is a mockery of the Indian democracy and is very shameful.

"It's a mockery of the Indian democracy and it is very shameful. How he switched over for vested interests. Only for power they are taking these kind o people," he added.

The BJP expansion in the northeast got another boost on Wednesday with the swearing-in of the state's first saffron party-led coalition under the leadership of N. Biren Singh.

Governor Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to Biren, a former Congress minister who switched over to the BJP last year, and eight other cabinet ministers, at the Raj Bhawan.

BJP chief Amit Shah and several union ministers, who were scheduled to attend the oath ceremony, returned to Delhi after their flight developed a technical snag.

The BJP is forming government in Manipur in alliance with small regional parties and is expected to reward them for their support with Cabinet posts.

The BJP, which has won 21 seats, has claimed it has the support of 33 legislators in the 60-member Manipur assembly. It needs 31 for a majority.

The Congress, which won the most seats, 28, could not gather the support of three more legislators to make the 31-seat majority mark. It has accused the BJP of using "money power" to form government in Goa and Manipur.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Days after a group of the Congress' Goa legislators blamed the central leadership for failure to form the government in the state, despite being the single largest party after the Assembly polls, party MLA Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday said that he, along with five to six other MLAs, would quit the party if vice-president Rahul Gandhi does not respond adequately to a letter written to him by them.

Rane and his group of legislators wrote a letter to Rahul Gandhi complaining about the senior Congress leadership. In the letter, he said the senior leaders were responsible for the party losing out on the opportunity to form the government in the state.

Rane asserted that it was shocking how despite having people's mandate in the form of 17 seats in the Assembly, the whole situation was mismanaged by people in charge of affairs in Goa.

"They are experienced people, but still do not know what steps to take to form a government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) started discussions swiftly and Manohar Parriakar came from Delhi and formed a majority of 21 members," he told ANI.

"We did not get support from governor house, but we should have taken steps immediately. If they keep on mismanaging, then the party will be destroyed soon," he added.

He further said he would meet Rahul Gandhi and try to draw out a conclusion.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rane held indecisiveness and breakdown of decision making process on part of the grand old party's central leadership for the present situation regarding government formation in the coastal state.

Rane further said Governor Mridula Sinha should have invited the Congress first to form government and prove majority in the assembly.

Parrikar has claimed the support of 13 MLAs of the BJP, three MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), three MLAs of Goa Forward Party (GFP) and two independent MLAs, thus having a total of 21 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly.

The Congress won 17 seats with the BJP finishing second in the state with 13 seats.

Meanwhile, Parrikar, who stepped down as Union Defence Minister, took charge as Goa Chief Minister on Wednesday morning, ahead of the floor test scheduled to be held on March 16 at 11 a.m.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
At least 25 persons were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-strapped vest in the old Justice Palace building in Damascus on Wednesday, the state-news agency reported.

Government authorities ordered an evacuation of the area over fears of further attacks.

A Damascus Police source told SANA news agency that the initial toll is said to be 25, with many others injured.

The attack comes on the sixth anniversary of the protests which paved the way for the Syrian conflict and is the second bombing in the Syrian capital in five days.

Twin bomb attacks killed at least 40 in Damascus last week.

--IANS

soni/vt

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The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday ruled out any foul play in the death of a 28-year-old Dalit student of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who allegedly hanged himself in his friend's room here on March 13.

A five-member medical board, constituted to conduct the autopsy, in its preliminary report said the death was due to hanging and that no injury mark was found on the body.

A senior Forensic Department official said the death was due to asphyxia.

JNU student J. Muthukrishnan, an M.Phil student, was on March 13 found hanging from the ceiling fan in his friend's room in Munirka Vihar. His family suspected foul play and demanded a probe.

The viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis.

--IANS

rup/tsb/vt

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government is working on a mission mode to connect all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country through high-speed internet by 2018, the Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"Till date, we have been able to connect over 80,000 panchayats," Minister of State for Communications Manoj Sinha said during Question Hour.

The Minister said the Bharat Net Project aims to create infrastructure for providing broadband connectivity of 100 mbps to 2.5 lakh panchayats.

He said the scheme to provide mobile connectivity in areas affected by Left Wing Extremists is under implementation through the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.

--IANS

bns/tsb/dg

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Adolescents in the US may be using less drugs because they are constantly stimulated and entertained by their computers and smartphones, experts say.

"There is a possibility that smartphones are contributing to a decline in drug use among teenagers," Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse -- a part of National Institutes of Health -- in Maryland, US was quoted as saying to nytimes.com.

According to a survey, 'Monitoring the Future -- an annual US government-funded report measuring drug use by teenagers', the use of illicit drugs in 2016 other than marijuana was at the lowest level in the 40-year history of the project for 8th, 10th and 12th graders.

"This period was also notable because declining use patterns were cutting across groups -- boys and girls, public and private school, not driven by one particular demographic," Volkow said.

However, the correlation does not mean that one phenomenon is causing the other, but the interactive media may play similar impulses as drug experimentation, including sensation-seeking and the desire for independence.

Or it might be that the gadgets simply absorb a lot of time that could be used for other pursuits, including partying, the survey said.

Thus Volkow described the interactive media as "an alternative reinforcer" to drugs, adding that "teens can get literally high when playing these games".

The findings of the survey showed that the use of marijuana is down over the past decade for eighth and 10th graders even as social acceptability is up.

Although marijuana use has risen among 12th graders, the use of cocaine, hallucinogens, ecstasy and crack are all down, too, while LSD use has remained steady.

Even as heroin use has become an epidemic among adults in some communities, it has fallen among high schoolers over the past decade.

--IANS

rt/lok/dg

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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that the bad loans of banks remain a challenge, with "very large" corporates at the core of the problem.

"To deal with the Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) or bad loans of the banks is a challenging task even though they have shown declining trend in the last quarter of the current financial year," Jaitley said at the first meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting was addressing the issue of NPAs of banks.

Jaitley said that the core problem of NPAs was with "very large corporates", predominantly in the steel, power, infrastructure and textile sectors.

The Finance Minister added that the steel sector was on its path of recovery, while many decisions have been taken in the infrastructure, power and textile sectors to resolve their problems.

He said that the corporates had expanded their capacity during the boom period (2003-08), but could not cope with the onslaught of global financial crisis and consequent slow-down thereafter.

"The government is taking sectoral specific measures to deal with the problem of NPAs specifically in the resolution of large debts," he added.

The Finance Minister said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had formed an Oversight Committee to look into process of the cases referred to it by the banks.

After seeing the response and its performance, Jaitley said that the government was considering multiplication of such committees.

On the issue of setting up a "bad bank", he said that several possible alternatives were already there and the issue was being debated on public platforms.

At the meeting, some members suggested that the government must go ahead to establish Public Sector Asset Rehabilitation Agency (PARA) and it should only consider those NPAs where sector specific reforms do not work.

The suggestion included that a Special Bank be created where NPAs of all the public sector banks could be transferred.

There was also a need to restore the confidence of the officers of the banks which had been adversely affected due to increasing NPAs, the meeting pointed out.

"Measures be taken to comfort these officials and to enable them to take commercially viable and rational decisions. They suggested creating a Special Performance Vehicle (SPV) committee outside the banking system to guide commercial decisions," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Jaitley said that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India has already been set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

To deal with the problem of NPAs in the steel sector, a Minimum Import Price (MIP) was introduced in December 2016 on import of specific steel products.

In the road sector, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had approved premium recast of 14-15 distressed projects.

The RBI has made formation of Joint Lenders' Forum (JLF) mandatory when aggregate exposure is more than Rs 100 crore.

--IANS

mm/nir/vt

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Deepak V. Kesarkar said filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali had declined night security for the "Padmavati" film set in Kolhapur which was torched by some unidentified persons in the early hours of Wednesday.

He said earlier the local police had deployed one officer and five constables for day security, but now it has been upgraded to one officer and 12 constables who will guard the unit round-the-clock.

Kesarkar said top police officials have met and requested Bhansali to lodge a formal complaint with the local police.

The minister's comments came in the wake of the torching of "Padmavati" outdoor film set by a group of around two dozen unidentified persons, almost reducing it to ashes in the picturesque Masaipathar area.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. at the locale on Masaipathar plateau, around 15 km on the outskirts of Panhala town in Kolhapur district. The set was for Bhansali to shoot a war scene.

Since the fire brigade could not reach the disaster site quickly, nearby villagers helped douse the flames and moved the people and animals on the sets, mostly horses, to safety, avoiding casualties, locals said.

"The set is spread across nearly 50,000 square feet and a group of unidentified persons set it on fire around 1 a.m. today," an investigating official told IANS from the site.

A large team of police from Panhala and other nearby police stations are at the film site probing the matter. So far there have been no arrests, he said.

"Padmavati" tells the story of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati. Actors Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor star in the film.

This is the second time that Bhansali has faced the ire of certain groups over the film's shooting. On January 27, Bhansali was slapped, roughed up and his film set vandalised by Karni Sena activists in Jaipur's Jaigarh Fort for alleged distortions in the film's script.

Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde on Wednesday urged filmmakers to exercise restraint while tackling sensitive issues in movies.

"Bhansali's films are based on historical topics which can attract varied opinions from the society. Both sides could sit and discuss the issues and sort out the controversies," Tawde told the media.

Though it is not clear when the shooting will resume, the film is slated for a mid-November release this year.

--IANS

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the National Health Policy, official sources said.

They said that the nod was given at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Health Minister J.P. Nadda is likely to make a statement in both Houses of Parliament on Thursday about the main features of the policy, the sources said.

The government has said that it is committed to providing "affordable and quality healthcare" to all people of the country.

--IANS

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved the six-laning of approximately 73-km Handia-Varanasi section of National Highway-2 in Uttar Pradesh.

The work will be carried out under the National Highways Development Project Phase-V.

"The approval is in Hybrid Annuity Mode at an estimated cost of Rs 2,147.33 crore, including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities," an official statement said.

The project will reduce time and cost on travel and traffic density on this stretch.

It will help in the socio-economic uplift of people living in certain regions of the state and increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities.

As many as 4,076 mandays are required for construction of one km of highway.

--IANS

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved special assistance for Andhra Pradesh, which was announced last year in lieu of the promised special category status.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the special assistance in funding of externally-aided projects and irrigation component of Polavaram project.

The central government will provide special assistance to Andhra Pradesh, which will make up for additional central share the state might have received during 2015-16 to 2019-20, if the funding of the centrally sponsored schemes would have been shared in 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the state, said an official release.

The special assistance will be provided by way of repayment of loan and interest for the externally aided projects signed and disbursed from 2015-16 to 2019-20 by the state.

The Centre will fund 100 per cent of the cost of irrigation component of the Polavaram project from April 1, 2014.

The Andhra Pradesh government will execute the project on behalf of the Centre.

However, the overall coordination, quality control, design issues, monitoring, clearances related issues etc. are to be dealt by the Polavaram Project Authority of Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

The Polavaram Project Authority will also assess the cost of the irrigation component as on April 1, 2014 in consultation with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y.S. Chowdary hailed the Cabinet approval as victory of Andhra Pradesh people. He said it was the culmination of efforts by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He said this was proof of the high priority the NDA government is giving to fulfilling its promises and commitments.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in September last year announced special assistance measures while ruling out special category status announced by the Centre in Parliament in 2014 at the time of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

Though the BJP had also promised special status, it could not fulfil it in view of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

--IANS

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The Union Cabinet on Wednesday accorded its approval to the revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Mode of Operation (MoO) between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats along the border.

The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The Border Haats aim at promoting the well-being of the people dwelling in remote areas across the borders of two countries, by promoting traditional system of marketing the local produce through local markets.

"These measures help to improve economic well-being of marginalised sections of society," reads a release.

At present, four Border Haats are operational -- two each in Meghalaya and Tripura. Those were established and operationalised under the MoU and MoO for Border Haats signed between the two countries in October 2010.

--IANS

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Two top executives of a West Bengal-based group of companies have been arrested in connection with ongoing investigation into a chit fund case, a CBI official said on Wednesday.

"On the basis of a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the then Chief Managing Director Basudeb Bagchi and Managing Director Avik Bagchi of Prayag group of companies have been arrested for illegally collecting money from investors by fraudulently promising very high returns," a CBI spokesperson said.

According to the CBI, investigation has revealed that both accused allegedly collected approximately Rs 2,862 Crore from poor investors without permission from regulatory bodies and cheated them by not ensuring promised returns.

"Both accused will be produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate at Bidhan Nagar court on Thursday," the official said.

--IANS

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China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang on Wednesday said countries of the Asia-Pacific should not feel compelled to choose between China and the US in the region's sovereignty disputes.

"China does not want to see any party feeling compelled to choose sides under the influence of a Cold War mentality," Li said at a press conference.

China believes the sovereignty disputes between countries in the region should be resolved individually and through talks, he said.

"We hope to see continuing peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," the Prime Minister said at the close of the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's legislature.

Li urged all countries to work together to achieve that objective and stressed there are ample opportunities in the region for bilateral cooperation between China and the US, Efe news reported.

The Prime Minister also hoped for expanded cooperation between the two countries, which could provide more opportunities to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Li's remarks come a week after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned US President Donald Trump's administration against interfering in the South China Sea disputes.

During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month, Trump had reaffirmed his country's commitment to defend Japan, adding that the alliance also includes the defence of the Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands, a source of tension between Tokyo and Beijing as both consider them to be a part of their territory.

--IANS

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday said the country will set up a special fund to pool together the finest scientists to find the causes of smog that frequently hovers over north China, media reported.

China will fight and win the battle against smog but it takes time, Li told media after the conclusion of the annual legislative session, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said scientists told him during the session that they have not yet fully understood the causes of the winter smog in north China, which is quite unique in the world.

--IANS

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday urged the European Union (EU) to ease its high-tech export restrictions on China, in response to concerns over the bloc's trade deficit with the country, a media report said.

"I believe that will make a big difference in China-EU trade imbalance," Li told media following the conclusion of the annual parliamentary session here, Xinhua news agency reported.

"China has no intention to pursue trade surplus. In fact, China prefers trade balance, otherwise it won't be sustainable," the premier added.

--IANS

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Nothing much could be rescued from trunks full of detailed costumes and accessories for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama "Padmavati", an outdoor set of which was torched in Kolhapur early on Wednesday, rues the designer who spent months of hard work on it all.

"It is very unfortunate that this is happening to such a creative person like Mr Bhansali," Rimple of designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula, told IANS over phone.

A majority of the costumes, she said, were for junior artistes who were to shoot a pivotal scene showcasing an army in the movie, which is a historical costume drama based on the legendary Rani Padmini of Chittor in modern day Rajasthan.

The incident occurred at the picturesque Masaipathar area, around 15 km on the outskirts of Panhala town in Kolhapur district, an investigating officer told IANS. The damage is being ascertained as of now.

"I have spoken to the makers, and they are saying the movie set is totally damaged, and things have been burnt to ashes. Nothing much could be rescued because perhaps the fire brigade didn't reach in time.

"There were plenty of costumes, especially for junior artistes. These must be costumes for around 50 people who were to shoot a scene involving an army," Rimple said, and added how these were stored in assorted trunks and labelled for each person.

For the designers, "Padmavati" marks their foray into Bollywood. It has been a challenging project for them, given that Bhansali is known to go into the minutest of details while orchestrating the visuals. Like Harpreet had earlier told IANS, Bhansali "does not want mere clothes but clothes that speak a language".

So, Rimple rues how over and above the man hours that went into the production of these clothes, it's the "emotions attached with their making" that matter a lot.

"There's no measure for hard work, and it has all been burnt. The loss has not been accounted yet, but we will have to start from scratch. These were not easy costumes -- there was a lot of detailing and were made according to sizing and measurement," she said.

This is the second time Bhansali has faced the ire of certain groups over the filming of his next magnum opus "Padmavati", which stars Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

On January 27, Bhansali was slapped, roughed up and his film set vandalised by Karni Sena activists in a Jaipur fort for alleged distortions in the film script.

The film is scheduled for a mid-November release this year.

--IANS

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A woman detained on the charge of abducting a newborn from a government-run hospital here was arrested along with her husband on Wednesday, police said. The couple has been remanded in police custody for 10 days.

"Chinmoyee Beij and her husband Prasanta Beij who were detained on Tuesday night from Bagmari region in Kolkata's Maniktala have been arrested and charged with trafficking and criminal conspiracy," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vishal Gurg said.

The couple will remain in police custody till March 24 for interrogation.

According to police, while the woman was directly involved in abducting the child, her husband was arrested for abetting and hiding the kid.

The baby boy of Saraswati Naskar, who was admitted in the maternity ward in Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, was taken away by a woman clad in a green sari on the pretext of a check-up around 12.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Within hours, police released a closed-circuit television footage of the suspect carrying a baby inside a Metro station. The footage was repeatedly aired on television channels and shared on the social media.

Around 9 p.m., Bagmari area residents found that a woman living in the locality resembled the suspect and recovered the baby from her house.

When the baby was taken to the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, Naskar and her husband identified him as their offspring.

--IANS

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As traffic to e-wallet platforms grows, there has been a significant increase in cyber attacks on online payment gateways to steal data than to disrupt operations, a new report said on Wednesday.

According to the data provided by global leader in content delivery network (CDN) services Akamai Technologies, hits to web pages on e-wallet companies grew from 512,115,015 per day in September to 1,264,470,283 per day in February in the country.

Akamai in India analysed the growth in traffic volume to India's e-wallet sites on the Akamai Intelligent Platform, three months before and three months after the demonetisation announcement.

"Nearly 94 per cent of attack attempts on mobile wallet companies were on the application layer (XSS and RFI attacks) with intent to steal business critical data," the report added.

Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks were insignificant in comparison to the overall number of attacks observed, the report noted.

DDoS attempts on these wallets constituted less than 1 per cent of the total number of attempts in this time period, emphasising the fact that attacks were intended to steal data and not necessarily disrupt operations of mobile wallet firms.

According to Akamai's recent "State of The Internet Security" report for Q4 2016, India is second in the list of countries in Asia Pacific that sourced the most web application attack traffic with nearly 86,38,666 attacks attributed as originating from the country, after China.

India also ranks fourth in the list of target countries for web application attacks globally, the report said.

--IANS

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At least 39 persons were killed when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-strapped vest inside the old Justice Palace building in Syrian capital of Damascus on Wednesday, according to a British war monitor.

The Syrian Observatory on Human Rights said that among the fatalities were at least 24 civilians, seven guards and police officers, with the identity of the rest still unknown, reported Efe news.

Soon after, the Syrian state media reported a second suicide bomber detonated a device at a restaurant in Rabweh, in western Damascus. No more details were given by the state media about the toll in the second blast.

The head of the capital's police department, Lt. Gen. Mohamed Kheir Ismail, told Efe that the bomber in the first attack was dressed in a military uniform and was carrying a machine gun and a grenade.

When the attacker was stopped at the checkpoint by the entrance of the courthouse, he ran, entered the lobby and detonated himself, Ismail said.

The police official said that the blast happened during rush hour in the courthouse and at least 120 persons were injured.

The attacks come on the sixth anniversary of the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Wednesday's attacks follow twin suicide bombings in the capital last week, which killed at least 74 persons.

--IANS

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The twin bombings that rocked the capital city of Damascus have killed 43 persons and wounded 129 others, media reports said.

The first explosion happened when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in central Damascus on Wednesday afternoon, leaving 43 people killed and 105 others wounded, the source told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building.

He was in camouflaged uniform, holding a rifle and a hand grenade. Once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police, he was asked for further inspection. He thronged the checkpoint and entered the main hall of the Justice Palace, detonating a bomb vest he was wearing.

The bombing happened at the time of rush hour in the courthouse, causing the largest possible deaths.

An hour later, crackles of gunshots were heard in the resort area of Rabweh, in what later appeared to be the Syrian police hunting down a bomber with an explosive belt. The bomber entered a restaurant in that area, detonated the bomb, which wounded 24 persons.

On Saturday, the Al Qaida-linked Nusra Front carried out a suicide bombing in Damascus, killing 74 people, including Iraqi Shiite visitors, who were in Damascus on a pilgrim visit.

--IANS

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Paris Jackson, daughter of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, says that out of all her siblings, she was her father's favourite.

Paris, who has brothers Prince and Blanket, says she was treated like a princess, reports dailymail.co.uk.

"When I was a kid, I was with my dad and my two brothers. Growing up, I was treated as the favourite because I was the only girl. I was the princess, I was perfect in my dad's eyes," Paris told Harper's Bazaar magazine.

Michael passed away in 2009 at the age of 50, when Paris was just 11 years old.

"Plenty of times I've thought about not doing anything in the public eye and having my own private life. Then I started seeing how everything in the world is going.

"And I feel like each year it's getting worse? I know there are a lot of people who would feel very blessed to be in my position, so I want to use it for important things," she said.

--IANS

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A 27-year-old man from Delhi was shot dead in Gurugram, police said on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Rahul, a resident of Delhi's Alipur area.

Police said that Rahul had a criminal record and came to Gurugram with his friends.

"Rahul was shot dead by one of his friends in Sector 23 area of Gurugram near Bijwasan border after a drink party late on Tuesday night," said a Haryana Police senior officer.

No one has been arrested as yet, the officer said.

--IANS

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In order to move towards a pensioned society, India will require a systemic approach for designing a coherent pension system, a Ficci-KPMG white paper said on Wednesday.

The 2011 Census showed that only 12 per cent of the Indian working population (i.e. approximately 58 million) are covered under any pension plan.

"This translates into the challenge of only a small portion of the Indian working population being protected against old-age income insecurity. A combination of aging population and low pension penetration makes it imperative for policymakers to pay urgent attention to the challenge of providing income security after retirement," the paper said.

The white paper has been produced jointly by industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and consultancy firm KPMG.

The population projections suggest that the elderly residents (aged 60 and above) will triple from 2010 to 2050, taking the number of elderly to 331 million in India by 2050.

For the white paper, the KPMG in India again conducted an Employer Pension Plans Survey this year to have an overview of the pension plans from company representatives from diverse sectors, including industrial markets, IT/BPO, automotive, healthcare, financial services and consumer markets, among others. In all, 167 business entities responded to the survey.

The survey highlights that a majority of the employers are of the view that more emphasis needs to be given towards employees' retirement planning. The survey responses indicate that tax benefits are considered as the primary reason to opt for the National Pension Scheme (NPS) of the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Authority (PFRDA).

"Given the large gap in pension coverage, both regulators, EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and PFRDA, along with the government and industry need to collaborate and build a comprehensive and sustainable pension system in India," Parizad Sirwalla, Partner and Head, Global Mobility Services - Tax, KPMG, said.

"Significant efforts are required for building sufficient institutional capacity for implementing pension reforms in India," Sirwalla added.

--IANS

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German President-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who will be visiting this country from Sunday, has an Indian connection -- not political but an intellectual one!

He enjoys an intense literary relationship with Indian-origin poet, Rajvinder Singh, who has been living in Berlin since January 1981, and has repeatedly quoted from his oeuvre in his speeches the world over.

Steinmeier has now dedicated a chapter to Rajvinder Singh's essay "Seeing with Six Eyes" in his recently published memoires in German titled "Flugschreiber" (Aero-writer), a pun on his many air journeys that provide him time to write.

Steinmeier, 61, assumes office on March 19. He has twice served as the Foreign Minister for a total of eight years.

"Gone are the days when the moment one thought of Germany, Nazi names like Hitler, Goebbels or Himmler and their awful inhuman deeds would instantly appear in our minds. Today, Germany is a world leader in economy, technology, democracy, human rights, diplomacy, literature and philosophy," Rajvinder Singh told IANS in an interview while on a visit here.

This three-time German poet laureate, whose writings are known to contain delightfully philosophical and intellectually motivating ideas, believes literature crosses boundaries of culture and language.

"Of all the books published around the world every year, about a tenth are essays, and we ask ourselves whether these intellectual assertions against an increasingly hostile atmosphere are also read. Steinmeier's example is living proof that they are read and quoted, even by busy politicians who are open to the world," he said.

Though free from any constraints of leading the reader towards a specific moral path, Rajvinder Singh's occasional essays showcase his intellectualism, prudence and courage as he ventures into new vistas. Be it "Culture is: Self-Culture", "Trans-Cultural Identities", "Dialogue of Cultures" or his recent essay "Seeing with Six Eyes", the one Steinmeier quoted from.

These essays tend to offer solutions to the predicaments faced by a free mind in enjoying the rightful freedom of being, of faith, of thought and of speech. They urge readers to know the world as it truly is, and help them promote in their actions a sense of accountability and reconciliation.

Rajvinder Singh, who was born in Punjab's Kapurthala town and spent his initial years in Chandigarh and in Jammu, occupies a pretty prominent place in German literary circles.

His poems are inscribed in stone and are displayed at four public places, which include the city park and three senior schools in Trier, the oldest German city where Karl Marx was born and brought up.

He was twice invited by Steinmeier, as the Foreign Minister during 2005-09 and 2013-17, to join him on his official visit to India and he did accompany him.

Acknowledging the contribution of Rajvinder Singh to German literature and culture, Steinmeier had remarked in his opening speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair: "I have already mentioned Rajvinder Singh as an example of someone who enriches and refines our German culture through his writings."

Reciprocating the camaraderie, Rajvinder Singh believes: "Steinmeier wants to turn to the youth in direct communication as he believes that for the preservation of the democratic foundation, a different and more intensive approach would be helpful to the younger generation."

For this goal, he definitely has an intellectual partner in this poet, who had launched a "Nobel for India 2013" campaign and was declared the poet laureate of Trier in 2007, besides 1997 in Rheinsberg and 2004 in Remscheid.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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After failing to act quickly to form a government in Goa, the Congress now stares at a revolt as a senior legislator said he and other "like-minded lawmakers will be forced to re-think our remaining with the Congress in future".

Senior Congress leader and legislator Vishwajit Rane sought party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's intervention and action against those he claimed "mishandled" the government-formation fiasco.

"Two days were taken to choose a Congress Legislature Party leader. Those in charge indulged in mismanagement. The Supreme Court also said so. They are experienced people, but they did not know what to do, what step to take to form the government. Parrikar came from Delhi and swiftly spoke to everyone concerned, got the numbers and formed the government," the Congress legislator from Valpoi told the media here.

Top Congress leaders have been accused of delaying the process of staking claim to form the government through Saturday and Sunday, after the party with 17 lawmakers emerged the largest single party in the 40-member Goa assembly.

The BJP had 13 legislators, but acted quicker in forming an alliance with three elected members each from the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independent legislators.

"The Congress handled the situation in such a way that it feels they did not want a party government in Goa. I will meet Rahul-ji and eventually decide on my future in the Congress after the meeting," Rane said.

"If Rahul Gandhi does not respond within two days, I will feel I am not the right fit in the party. I will have to decide along with my fellow legislators and people about the next step. I hope Rahul Gandhi will reply. Let us see what happens in two days," he said.

--IANS

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National Award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghose, who just couldnt say "no" to Iranian director Majid Majidi for a small but significant role in the auteurs India-set project "Beyond the Clouds", says he had to "alienate and estrange" himself from the craft of filmmaking to focus on interpreting the character.

Having directed critically-acclaimed films such as "Paar", "Padma Nadir Majhi", "Patang" and "Shankhachil", the Kolkata-based Ghose considers acting offers only on special requests. Ghose has previously appeared in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Grihajuddha" and Srijit Mukherjee's movies "Baishe Srabon" and "Chotushkone".

Ghose had to grapple with a "contradiction" when he stepped in front of the camera and into an actor's shoes for Majidi, celebrated for films like the Oscar-nominated "Children of Heaven" and "Baran".

He couldn't help analyse the elements of a shoot as a filmmaker.

"When a request comes from a good filmmaker to another filmmaker, you just can't say no. Once I agree to act in somebody's film, the most difficult part for me is the internal tension. I direct films and whenever I go to the set I say, 'Oh! My God! I look at the light.' I look at the composition and other things. So, initially that was my contradiction, but I tried to control myself. This happens a lot," Ghose told IANS.

"The analytical part comes naturally to me. But then I have to remind myself that 'no, no it's not my job. I am here as an interpreter of a character'. You have to alienate yourself, estrange yourself and concentrate on your own character, your job and whatever the director wants. Who am I to interfere," he posed.

For Majidi's project, Ghose shot in Mumbai for two weeks and has two days more to go in April. He appreciated the fact that Majidi looked at all the crucial aspects during the shoot.

"It's quite an enriching experience, he (Majidi) is a very serious filmmaker and a perfectionist. I appreciate that, because in cinema everything happens inside a frame and inside the frame there are many elements... not only acting, its nature, the set, the light and he was concerned about all of these. So I really appreciated that. It's not only the performance of the actor but also the particular light, etc. He was quite a perfectionist," Ghose said.

Incidentally, Ghose appeared for a "look test" for Majidi and he fitted the bill.

"It's a costume test primarily. My look was somehow tallying with the character. When I find a face, I know this face can be transformed into the character. It kind of happens, it's an instinct of the director. From the first look you can understand how good this person can be in the character and I think it happened like that," he elaborated.

"I was doing a recce for my next film in Europe. I didn't have much time to prepare but I did some preparation. I lost a little weight and before the shoot began I didn't sleep much. I was reading books till midnight and putting an alarm at 4 am because (in that way) you get a haggard look. That did work," Ghose explained.

"I did my homework very seriously for other films. I insist that actors do intensive homework and do it very seriously. That is very important," he added.

Did he have any trouble with the language barrier?

"He (Majidi) was speaking in Persian and a little bit in English but I didn't feel that. It was as if he was speaking in my own language... the language of cinema. It is very, very important," said Ghose, who also acquiesced to Majidi's request for more than one take for some scenes.

The film also marks the debut of Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan Khatter.

"Beyond The Clouds" is being described by the makers as a story centred around a brother-sister relationship.

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)

--IANS

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday met the bereaved family members of Sunil Pandey who died at a private city hospital earlier this week.

She promised a government job to one of the family members of the deceased.

Pandey, who was admitted to the Medica Superspecialty Hospital in Kolkata's southern outskirts due to cardiac problems, died on Monday morning allegedly due to "wrong treatment and negligence".

"As my husband was the sole earning member of the family, Didi (elder sister as Banerjee is affectionately called) said she would also provide a government job to one of our family members if we want," the wife of the deceased said.

According to Pandey's wife, the Chief Minister also assured to look into the issue of negligence herself and take necessary action if the allegations are true.

"The Chief Minister met us and said she would look into the issue herself and take necessary steps so that such incidents do not recur.

"She also asked about the family's situation and about my son in particular," said the widow, who earlier lodged a police complaint against the hospital at East Jadavpur police station.

"I have faith in her. I believe that she would take necessary action so that such incidents do not happen again," she added.

Pandey was admitted to the Medica Superspecialty Hospital with chest pain, on March 6 and underwent multiple surgeries, including a leg amputation in the last few days. On Monday morning, doctors at the hospital declared him dead.

Pandey's wife and his close friends claimed he had no major illness earlier and accused the hospital of "finishing him by wrong treatment".

--IANS

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Attracting foreign nationals as faculty members, increasing the industry-institute research partnerships and donations from Indians and alumni, nurturing entrepreneurial skills among its students and drawing top corporates to its campus for job placements are some of the goals the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras (IIT-M) is pursuing, said a top official.

The institute has got a sanction of Rs 750 crore as its budget for the next fiscal from the central government and first tranche is expected to soon, officials said.

"IIT-M plans to have around 100 foreign nationals as its faculty over the next three years. To start with, the institute plans to hire around 25 foreign nationals as faculty members," Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Governing Board of IIT-M and Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., told reporters here on Wednesday.

Queried about the value addition that foreign faculty members are expected to bring in, IIT-M Director Bhaskar Ramamurthi said: "They would bring in diverse ideas. Not all nationalities think alike."

The institute is also studying the enabling factors that attract faculty to it and the disenabling factors that make the faculty reject the institute.

Agreeing that there is much scope to increase the industry-funded research projects at IIT-M, Goenka said: "Nearly 75 per cent of funds for research projects is from government and the balance by the industry. This ratio has to be reversed."

Goenka said the central government's Make-in-India programme will be an empty slogan if there is no research and development (R&D) in India.

He said for most Indian companies, licensing an existing technology is easier than developing one.

He said M&M has invested around Rs 500 crore on the development of an efficient electric vehicle and that is the big bet the company is taking.

According to Goenka, the gap between the institute's basic research and the industry's focus on applied research has to be bridged so that there is an active industry-institute interaction.

Ramamurthi said the pace of industry-funded research projects at IIT-M is increasing but slowly.

According to Ramamurthi, a lot of patents owned by IIT-M are licensed to start-ups.

Both the officials agreed that the revenue from transfer of technology for IIT-M has to increase.

The number of companies incubated by IIT-M s 112, Goenka said.

Queried about Indian businessmen donating huge sums to foreign universities, Ramamurthi said the IITs are changing now to accept donations from industrialists.

"Donations to foreign universities are of two kinds. One, where the donor expects a facility to be named as per his wish. The other kind of donation is to prestigious institutes out which many new products emerge. The donor company/individual would benefit out of the brand equity that the product/technology that emerges out of that facility," Ramamurthi said.

According to Ramamurthi, the alumni donation corpus is around Rs 200 crore and the target is to increase it to Rs 500 crore.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India's exports revived for the sixth straight month, as the country's merchandise shipments overseas reported a double-digit growth during February, official data showed on Wednesday.

According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the exports grew by 17.48 per cent to $24.49 billion from $20.84 billion worth of merchandise shipped out during February 2016.

However, the country's imports during the month under review increased by 21.76 per cent to $33.38 billion from $27.41 billion worth of merchandise which were shipped out in during the corresponding month of last year.

Consequently, the trade deficit during February reduced to $8.89 billion from $9.84 billion reported for the month before. On a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the trade deficit stood at $6.57 billion during same month of 2016.

"The growth in exports is positive for USA (5.61 per cent), EU(1.68 per cent) and Japan(10.87 per cent) but China has exhibited negative growth of (-6.20 per cent) for December 2016 over the corresponding period of previous year as per latest WTO statistics," said a Commerce Ministry release here.

Cumulatively for the April-February period, exports rose marginally by 2.52 per cent in dollar terms at $245.4 billion, as against exports of $239.3 billion over the same period last year.

"Non-petroleum and non Gems and Jewellery exports in February 2017 were valued at $18.01 billion against $14.99 billion in February 2016, an increase of 20.15 per cent," a statement here said.

Cumulative imports for April-February were worth at $340.7 billion, which was a 3.67 per cent fall from $353.7 billion worth imports recorded for the same period of the previous fiscal.

India's oil imports during February were valued at $7.68 billion, which was a massive 60.02 per cent jump over oil imports valued at $4.8 billion in the corresponding month of 2016.

Non-oil imports in February were up by 13.65 per cent, to $25.70 billion, from $22.61 billion in the same month of last year.

The merchandise trade deficit cumulatively for April-February, however, declined by 16.65 per cent to $95.28 billion, as against $114.3 billion in the same period of 2015-16.

As per Reserve Bank of India data on Wednesday, services exports during January 2017 were valued at $13.57 billion, while imports stood at $8.4 billion, resulting in a positive trade balance of $5.16 billion.

Taking merchandise and services together, overall trade deficit for April-February is estimated at $41.8 billion, which is 24 per cent fall from the level of $55.02 billion during the same period last year.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian-American Seema Verma has been sworn-in as the head of a key healthcare agency in the Donald Trump administration.

Verma was sworn in on Tuesday by US Vice President Mike Pence as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which are part of the Department of Health and Human Services, PBS NewsHour reported.

The $1 trillion agency oversees health insurance programmes for everyone from nursing home residents to newborns.

"President Donald Trump has chosen one of the leading experts in America on state-based healthcare solutions to lead this important agency," Vice President Pence said at the swearing-in ceremony at the White House.

"The President has asked you to bring your expertise to DC," Pence said, adding: "We're confident that you'll help restore healthcare decision making to the states, and in the process help make the best healthcare system in the world even better."

Verma is the second Indian-American to be inducted into the Trump administration.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was the first cabinet rank official from the community to serve in any presidential administration.

"Today, our healthcare stands at a crossroads, and we have no choice but to reform it," she said.

The Senate confirmed her nomination on Monday by a vote of 55-43, largely along party lines.

Verma is taking over the agency as a Republican healthcare bill moving through the House has reopened the debate over the government's role in healthcare.

Verma is an Indiana healthcare consultant and protege of Pence, who is a former Indiana governor.

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) which represents more than 60,000 physicians, welcomed Verma's appointment, reported New India Times newspaper.

Ajay Lodha, President of AAPI, lauded Verma's accomplishments in Indiana, and said he hoped that the problems faced by patients under the Medicare drug plan would be resolved under her leadership.

"Drug coverage has gone down and for patients under Medicare who are all above 65, and not healthy and needed medications -- I hope she can do something for them." Lodha said.

When Trump announced in November that he was appointing Verma for the post, he said that she would be part of "the dream team that will transform our healthcare system for the benefit of all Americans".

Her role will extend beyond the insurance programmes -- Medicare for senior citizens and Medicaid for the poor -- to helping craft and implement the Republican healthcare reform plan to replace Obamacare.

"She has decades of experience advising on Medicare and Medicaid policy and helping states navigate our complicated systems," Trump had said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israel President Reuven Rivlin met with the US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt to push for an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis, media reports said.

According to a statement issued by Rivlin's office on Wednesday, Rivlin and Greenblatt reviewed how Israelis and Palestinians could live in peace and security and discussed the ongoing efforts to end the conflict, Efe news reported.

Rivlin expressed his willingness to support the peace process and wished the US envoy "success on his complex mission".

Greenblatt also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to discuss how to combat the instigation of violence and prepare for the Palestinian leader's visit to the White House, whose date has not been finalised yet.

Abbas said that a "historic" peace agreement is possible under Trump's leadership and this deal will enhance security throughout the region.

The Palestinian president insisted on defending the two-state solution as a strategic choice.

Greenblatt pointed out that the meeting was positive and productive on the current situation, noting that they talked about how to move towards peace and strengthen the capacity of the Palestinian security forces.

The US diplomat also had a five-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley justified, in a blogpost, the BJP's move to stake claim to form the government in Goa, the Congress on Wednesday said the minister should get his facts right.

"I would like to ask Mr. Jaitley as to why people were shouting slogans at Parrikar's oath taking that he is not their Chief Minister? Why oath-taking was under tight police security? It is clear signal they are afraid of the fact that the mandate of the people is not with them," Congress MP from Silchar Sushmita Dey said.

She said that the story being spread by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that it staked claim to form the government after the Congress did not do so was incorrect.

"I would like to put it on record that our party tried to meet Governor Mridula Sinha on March 12, but she did not meet. Instead, she invited Manohar Parrikar to form the government," Dey said.

She dismissed the three precedents cited by Jaitley where Governors had not invited the single largest party to form the government.

In a blogpost on Tuesday, Jaitley wrote: "There was a hung assembly (in Goa). Obviously, post-poll alliances will be formed in a hung assembly. The BJP managed to form an alliance, presenting 21 out of 40 MLAs to the Governor."

"It was only natural for the Governor to invite the BJP to form the government," he said, adding that such a development was not unprecedented.

"When the BJP won 30 of 81 seats in Jharkhand in 2005, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren, who had the support of 17 MLAs and a few others, was invited to form the government. Similarly, while the National Conference had 28 MLAs in 2002, the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir invited the PDP-Congress alliance of 15+21 MLAs.

"Closer still, in 2013, the BJP won 31 seats in Delhi but had to give way to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which had 28 MLAs and the support of Congress legislators," he wrote.

Countering this, Dey said that the examples cited by Jaitley were not valid.

"In 2013 Delhi elections, the BJP won 31 seats. But it refused to form the government after being invited. In 2002 J&K polls, the National Conference (NC) had 28 MLAs. Farooq Abdullah had not contested, and Omar Abdullah lost the election from his seat. In those circumstances, the NC said they were not staking claim," Dey said.

"In Jharkhand in 2005, Shibu Soren was invited to form the government but democracy prevailed as he did not succeed in the floor test," she added.

She said that constitutional experts are clear that there is an order of priority after the mandate is out.

"It is good constitutional convention to invite the single-largest party.

"Jaitley should get his facts right," she said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that EVMs may have been tampered with in Punjab, resulting in 20-25 per cent of AAP votes getting transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance and thus propping up the Congress to power.

The Aam Aadmi Party leader told the media here that there were numerous booths where his party got only "two, three or four" votes when though the number of its own activists and family members were in dozens.

He said there was widespread suspicion that "20 to 25 per cent of votes polled in favour of the AAP had been transferred to the Akali Dal-BJP alliance" by tampering the Electronic Voting Machines.

The Congress won the Punjab election with 38.4 per cent vote share, the defeated Akali Dal-BJP alliance got 30.5 per cent of votes while the AAP, now the main opposition party, got only 23.5 per cent of votes.

"There was anger against the ruling Akali-BJP alliance and people were saying the AAP will sweep the polls with Akali-BJP getting only 5-6 per cent votes," Kejriwal said.

"But in the end, AAP got barely 25 per cent votes and the SAD got almost 31 per cent. How is it possible?"

AAP "volunteers and their families... are all ready to swear on affidavit that they voted for us" in areas where the party got only two to four votes, he said.

Kejriwal said there were no two views about the AAP sweep in the Malwa region in Punjab and yet all seats there went to the Congress.

Pointing out the vulnerability of EVMs, Kejriwal said the Election Commission cannot shirk away from its responsibility of restoring people's faith in the electoral process.

He said similar doubts had also been raised about the EVMs following the Maharashtra civic polls and the just concluded assembly election in Uttar Pradesh.

"Many countries have stopped using EVMs. Even the BJP in the past including (L.K.) Advaniji had said they can be tampered with. The Supreme Court too has said EVMs can be tampered with."

Kejriwal said that in 32 of the 117 constituencies in Punjab, Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system was installed.

"We demand the (poll panel) to match the details of the VVPAT with EVMs. We strongly suspect that around 20-25 per cent of our votes were transferred to the SAD-BJP through tampering of EVMs.

"The EC should count the VVPAT slips where they were used and match them with the EVM result. If the results match, people's trust in EVMs will increase."

Kejriwal said the Punjab election process cannot be countermanded but underlined he did not want what happened in Punjab to take place anywhere else.

"If EVMs can actually be tampered with, then there is no point in holding elections," Kejriwal said.

The AAP, which was confident of winning in Punjab, finished a distant second with 20 seats (an ally won two seats) while the Congress secured nearly two-thirds majority. The Akali Dal-BJP alliance got 18 seats.

The BJP accused Kejriwal of "damaging the credibility" of the Election Commission and the electoral process.

Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari said Kejriwal was unable to accept his defeat in Punjab and Goa.

He accused Kejriwal of creating a controversy about the EVMs to use during the civic polls in Delhi to be held on April 22 where he said the AAP will face defeat.

--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.)
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Wednesday that the man assassinated in Malaysia last month has been confirmed as Kim Jong-nam based on the DNA sample obtained from his son.

"I again confirm that it is Kim Jong-nam... This is based on a sample taken from his child," Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Malaysian Interior Minister, told reporters here.

The authorities officially revealed the identity of Kim Jong-nam on Friday but did not specify whether it was confirmed through a DNA match or some other procedure, reported Xinhua news agency.

On February 13, Kim Jong-nam -- who was travelling with a diplomatic passport under the name of Kim Chol -- was assassinated at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, from where he was due to board a flight to Macau.

According to police investigations, two Asian women -- an Indonesian and a Vietnamese -- put highly toxic, banned VX nerve agent on Kim's face and he died on the way to the hospital less than half an hour later.

Both women were arrested and charged with murder.

The police are also looking for seven North Koreans -- three whom they believe are hiding in North Korea's embassy in Kuala Lumpur and four others who allegedly hired the women and left the country the same day the murder took place.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's interior minister also said that formal talks with North Korea began to find a solution to bring back the nine Malaysian nationals who were barred by Pyongyang from leaving after diplomatic spat between the two countries escalated following the investigation into Kim's killing.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a bid to curb rash driving, Kolkata Police was putting in place special security measures at the city flyovers to avert road accidents, a top cop said here on Wednesday.

"We lose a number of lives in Kolkata as well as in other parts of the state (West Bengal) due to rash driving. What we have seen is that some people indulge in speeding on new flyovers," city Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar said after a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the state secretariat Nabanna.

"We have posted people who would come to know the speed of the cars while going through those lanes. We are also installing CCTVs and monitors on both sides of the flyovers to monitor the cars that are overspeeding," Kumar said.

The officer said the speed limit violators would face immediate prosecution and punishment.

"Apart from the punishment if we can ensure the assurance of punishment then those instances or reckless driving would reduce," he added.

Addressing the state assembly earlier this month, the Chief Minister had expressed concern over the loss of lives due to the bike racing and promised a new law to stop the menace.

Banerjee had ordered the administration to snatch the vehicles of the bike racers.

"Innocent lives are lost due to the bike races. I will tell the administration to take away the bikes of these bike racers. The way they speed... they drive so recklessly. We will have to bring in a strong law. There is a law but that is not enough," she had said.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The agitating Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven political parties, on Tuesday night withdrew its support extended to the Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'-led government on expiry of its seven-day ultimatum, a Morcha leader said on Wednesday.

The deadline of the ultimatum to government ended on Tuesday midnight.

The Madhesi Morcha has now decided to sit in the opposition and said it would be announcing a series of protests.

The Morcha leaders have already written to Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti, saying they were no more part of the ruling coalition, so they be allowed seats in the opposition row.

"We have withdrawn our support extended to the government, so allot us chairs in the opposition row," Morcha leader Mahendra Raya Yadav said in Parliament on Wednesday.

The Madhesi parties have 39 votes in Parliament, but their withdrawal will not have any immediate bearing on the coalition, as Prachanda still enjoys comfortable majority in the House.

Ahead of the installation of the Prachanda-led government in August 2016, the Morcha had extended support to the government after reaching a three-point agreement, including amendment in the Constitution to make it Madhes friendly and compensation to the victims of the Madhes uprising.

But the government, according to the Morcha leaders, failed to address the demands and understandings reached with Madhesi parties, forcing them to roll back their support.

A formal decision to withdraw support was expected to be taken by the Morcha later in the day.

After Morcha's ultimatum, Prime Minister Prachanda inducted the fourth largest party -- Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) -- into the government to ensure the local polls slated for May 14 pass of without any hitches.

The Madhes-based parties have already announced a boycott of the local polls.

The Morcha felt betrayed by the current establishment after Prachanda proposed to amend the Constitution only after the local polls, citing the shortcoming of required two-third votes, according to the agitators.

Newly-inducted Deputy Prime Minister and RPP Chairman Kamal Thapa said on Tuesday that he joined the government after the Prime Minister assured that there would be no Constitution amendment.

Thapa is against the amendment and holds that if the amendment is put to voting in House, his party would vote against it and withdraw its ministers from the Cabinet.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The emphatic victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly polls has brought the partys relationship with its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), back in focus.

One key question for which an answer has been sought ever since Narendra Modi led the BJP to power in 2014 is whether it is Modi who dominates the RSS or vice-versa?

Some political observers have been predicting that Modi will now dominate the RSS. Others feel that with the Prime Minister and his protege Amit Shah being in full command of the BJP and leading it to one victory after the other, it is the beginning of the end of the RSS' influence on the BJP.

This is patently untrue.

The answers to these questions lie to some extent in the organisational structure of the BJP and the RSS. But before we go into this, it would be pertinent to point out that those who are raising such questions are starting this narrative on the premise that Modi and the RSS are at loggerheads with each other. The fact is that Modi and RSS have been on the same page, especially since the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

The RSS' learning from its experience during Atal Behari Vajpayee's earlier BJP regime has ensured that it does not get involved in the micro-management of either the party or the government. The top RSS brass and the Modi-Shah duo have been communicating with each other almost every day, discussing crucial policy and organisational issues. The RSS has largely given a free hand to Modi and Shah and they have responded well by appointing people with strong RSS backgrounds in key positions within the government and the BJP.

An important example of the RSS and Modi being on the same page is the priority given to the north-east by the Prime Minister.

For the RSS, expanding its footprint and strengthening its influence in the north-east is top of its agenda. It feels that conversion of Hindus into Christianity has changed the demographics of this region, resulting in a threat to India's territorial integrity and this trend needs to be reversed. More than 4,000 RSS pracharaks (full-time workers) have been deployed in the region alone.

Modi's first official domestic visit outside Delhi as Prime Minister was to the north-east. No other Prime Minister has visited north-eastern states so many times in such a short span after assuming office as Modi has. In most of the central government ministries, projects in north-eastern states are being pushed vigorously.

Organisationally, Ram Madhav, an RSS Pracharak, has been given charge of the north-east. The results are visible. The BJP has made strong inroads into the region. It has formed governments in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam -- and now in Manipur. The party is hopeful of wresting other states in the near future.

Now, if one looks at the organisational structure of the BJP, one would realise how intrinsically the RSS and BJP are linked. Both at the national level and the state level, the second-most important post in BJP units, after the President's, is that of an "Organising Secretary".

These posts are manned exclusively by RSS Pracharaks. The Organising Secretary has the last word when it comes to organisational issues. He would sit in all crucial meetings and is part of the decision-making process at every level. In bigger state units like Uttar Pradesh, as well as at the national level, the Organising Secretary is assisted by several deputies. All of them are RSS full-timers. They generally look after the BJP affairs in states allocated to them.

To make this clearer, let us look at the case of Sunil Bansal, the Organising Secretary of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit. Bansal played a key role in the 2014 victory of the BJP in the state. He was the Man Friday of BJP President Amit Shah. At that time he was "Assistant Organising Secretary (Sah Sangathan Mantri)". He was elevated to the post of Organising Secretary after his stellar role in the BJP's performance in 2014. In 2017, he played a key role in delivering the state to the BJP.

In Uttarakhand, a similar role has been played by another RSS full-timer, Shiv Prakash, who is an Assistant Organising Secretary at the national level. He assists the BJP Organising Secretary Ram Lal, who is also an RSS Pracharak.

If one looks at the Modi's ministers, almost three-fourths have been committed RSS cadres. Before being drafting to the BJP, senior ministers like J.P. Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Narendra Singh Tomar, Manohar Parrikar, Nitin Gadkari and Prakash Javadekar have been part of the RSS. They were all handpicked by Modi.

The Chief Ministers picked by Modi such as Devendra Fadnavis (Maharashtra), M.L. Khattar (Haryana) and Raghubar Das (Jharkhand) have all been committed RSS workers.

Thus there is not going to be any shift in the balance of power within the Sangh Parivar as the Modi-Shah duo and the RSS top brass are not competing with each other -- they are rather complementing each other. The recent poll results are the outcome of this synergy -- and Modi, Shah and the RSS realise it well.

(The writer is the author of the book, "Know About RSS". He can be reached at epatrakar@gmail.com)

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The National Conference and the Congress announced on Wednesday they will fight the by-elections to the Lok Sabha from Srinagar and Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir as allies.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah will contest from Srinagar while state Congress leader G.A. Mir will be the candidate at Anantnag, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the media.

"We have had exhaustive deliberations within the NC and so has the Congress to work out a joint strategy to give a fight to the ruling PDP in Srinagar and Anantnag," the National Conference leader said here.

"After exhaustive exercise, it has been decided the National Conference and the Congress would fight the by-elections jointly.

"The Congress has assured us that all its workers and well-wishers will ensure a landslide victory for Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar while our rank and file in Anantnag will work for the victory of Mir Sahab," he told the media.

Asked how confident he was of winning, Omar Abdullah said: "Nobody can go into elections with 100 per cent surety but we are pretty sure of winning both these seats."

The Peoples Democratic Party has announced that Tasaduq Hussain Sayeed, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, would contest from Anantnag and Nazir Ahmad Khan, who defected from the Congress, from Srinagar.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday categorically rejected reports about deployment of Pakistani army personnel in Saudi Arabia to assist the kingdom in the ongoing Saudi-Yemen conflict.

"No military personnel have been sent to Saudi Arabia in connection with the Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict," the minister was quoted as saying by Dawn news.

He was speaking in the National Assembly in response to a point of order raised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Shafqat Mahmood.

Mahmood was referring to some reports and posts on social media which suggested that a Pakistan Army brigade was sent to Saudi Arabia.

Asif said: "It is our policy not to get involved in Saudi Arabia-Yemen conflict. If any decision had to be taken, it will flow through parliament."

As discussed in this house and approved, he stressed: "It would be our endeavour that our role is not partisan rather we would play a conciliatory role."

Saudi Arabia and its mostly Gulf Arab allies intervened in Yemen's civil war in March 2015 after Houthi rebels deposed the administration of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, which then went into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The coalition has since launched thousands of air attacks on the Houthis and their allies in Yemen's army but paused the strikes on Sanaa in March after reaching an informal agreement with the Houthis to cool combat on the Yemeni-Saudi border.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The central government has not received any application from to start a domestic passenger carrier through the 100 per cent FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) route, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said on Wednesday.

The minister gave the information in reply to a question raised about Qatar Airways' plan to start a fully owned domestic passenger carrier in partnership with an institutional investor on the sidelines of an industry event here.

Earlier, Qatar Airways had said that its plan to set up an airline in India along with Qatar's sovereign wealth fund.

Under the current rules a foreign airline can only invest up to 49 per cent in domestic airline. However, in partnership with an institutional investor, the foreign airline can invest and set up a 100 per cent owned domestic passenger carrier.

The minister elaborated that the government was considering stakeholders' views before framing any policy that allows for 100 per cent FDI into domestic airlines.

"There are various opinions on this matter of 100 per cent FDI. We are considering what the Indian airlines through FIA (Federation of Indian Airlines) are saying," Sinha told reporters.

"Of course, the government's policies are such that we do welcome 100 per cent FDI but we are working through the exact registration process and all of the appropriate policies around that," Sinha added.

Besides, the minister clarified government's stand on the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) report which pointed out that national passenger carrier Air India ran a standalone operating loss of Rs 321.4 crore in 2015-16, though the company claimed an operating profit of Rs 105 crore.

Sinha said that it was possible for Air India to post operating profit under the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

The minister was speaking at an event organised by budget passenger carrier SpiceJet to launch its apprentice programme for engineering and maintenance workforce.
Even as N. Biren Singh was sworn in as Manipur's new Chief Minister on Wednesday, the threat of BJP ally National People's Party (NPP) to pull out in case portfolios of its choice are not given loomed large.

The NPP is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in Manipur and has four members in the 60-member assembly.

NPP President Thangmilien Kipgen wrote to the BJP national leadership on Tuesday that the party will pull out if the agreement between the two parties is not honoured.

A meeting between NPP and BJP leaders was held in Imphal on March 12, wherein it was agreed that all four NPP MLAs will be made cabinet ministers.

The NPP is demanding the Home Department for Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar, Health and Family Welfare Department for L. Jayentakumar, Public Works Department for N. Kysii and Rural Development and Panchayats Department for L. Haokip. All four were sworn in on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister has been unable to decide on portfolios since many other ministers too are demanding the same.

BJP leaders in charge of Manipur had reportedly assured the allocation of these portfolios to the Naga People's Front, which too has four MLAs.

Informed sources said the lone independent MLA Asabuddin was now in the company of Congress leaders in Assam.

He arrived in Imphal but was not allowed to come out of the international airport here but whisked away to Guwahati.

Though the BJP-led government claims his support, he was absent at Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In what could be a violation of animal protection laws, ousted South Korean leader Park Geun-hye faces accusations of abandoning her nine dogs when she left the presidential palace.

The row comes as Park was called for questioning and named as a suspect in the wide-ranging corruption scandal that eventually led to her downfall, reported BBC on Wednesday.

She was dismissed from her post last week when the constitutional court upheld her impeachment.

The government announced that it will hold the presidential election on May 9 to find a replacement for the ousted leader.

Park is the country's first democratically-elected leader to be ousted.

Over the weekendk, Park left the presidential palace and moved into her house in an affluent district of Seoul.

Her nine Jindo dogs were not among the entourage that accompanied her, according to the report.

The Busan Korea Alliance for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Busan Kapca) said she could have violated animal protection laws by leaving the dogs behind.

The group, along with the Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (Care), claimed she had abandoned her pets, and both organisations offered to find new homes for the dogs.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Less than 24 hours after an Irish woman was found murdered in south Goa, police on Wednesday claimed to have cracked the case with the arrest of a history-sheeter, Vikas Bhagat.

"We have arrested Bhagat. He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity," Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters here.

According to the police, the 25-year-old deceased had come with a friend and had participated in Holi celebrations in coastal Canacona village, known for its popular beaches, before being found dead on Tuesday.

Police, suspecting rape, have sent the body to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for post-mortem.

"The body was lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries on the head and face," Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said.

Bhagat has been booked for murder.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An unannounced protest rally by a few hundred persons from Haryana made Delhi Police to put up barricades and resort to lathicharge to disperse them outside Parliament House complex on Wednesday.

The demands of the protesters, who included women, were not yet clear.

Parliament's Budget session resumed on March 9 after a month-long break. The first part of the session started on January 31 and ended on February 9 after the presentation of the Union Budget.

The protesters waving green flags approached the Parliament House Annexe building gate around 1.45 p.m., prompting the Delhi Police personnel on security duty to put up barricades right outside the gate. As protesters tried to push through, the police lathicharged them.

A few women protesters who managed to go past the barricades were allegedly manhandled by male policemen.

A water canon was brought in but not used and personnel of the paramilitry forces were asked to push the protesters back.

Parliament House's gates were shut and nobody allowed entry till the protesters dispersed.

The Delhi Police quickly threw a security ring around Parliament House and restricted traffic and pedestrian movement in the vicinity.

Senior police officials were not available to comment as to how hundreds of protesters reached the Parliament House Annexe's gate.

--IANS

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A day after the BJPs thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, a little-known progressive Kannada writer became the victim of an ink attack in Davangere town by a group of suspected right-wing activists. In gross defiance of the law and freedom of expression, his face was smeared with black ink in broad daylight. An isolated incident or the new order?

Yogesh Master, who is said to have hurt the sentiments of Hindus by depicting Lord Ganesha in poor light in his novel "Dhundi", is only the latest addition to a long list of writers -- Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasrin, Tarek Fateh, Perumal Murugan, Ramachandra Guha and Romila Thapar, among others -- who have been target of fundamentalist elements.

While the fear of book bans continues to prevail, protests, ink attacks and trolls have now emerged as weapons of choice against writers and intellectuals.

In the past, it was primarily politicians who were victims of ink attacks, but authors and rational thinkers too live in similar fear now. How did things go upside down?

One defining moment was the ink attack on Observer Research Foundation's Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising the launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove" in 2015.

The Delhi launch of the book went undisturbed, attended by high-profile dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but both Kulkarni and Kasuri were repeatedly warned to cancel the event in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena. And when they refused to bow down to pressure, Kulkarni became the victim of an ink attack by Sena members ahead of the launch in Mumbai on October 12, 2015.

This incident, carried out by a leading political party, to a large extent boosted the morale of the fundamentalist elements, who saw it as a weapon to counter those they disagree with.

If ink attacks on writers are disturbing, imagine the impact of death threats and actual killings of writers on those who write on similar themes.

Welcome to the curious case of Tamil author Perumal Murugan. In January 2015, he announced he was giving up writing after he came under attack from Hindutva supporters, who claimed that his novel "Madhurobhagan" was blasphemous. The novel explored the problems of caste divisions in the context of a childless marriage and alludes to real-life places and communities such that actual communities were considered to be slurred.

"Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone," he announced before deciding to quit writing.

Almost two years later, the Madras High Court dismissed the plea that called for the prosecution of the author and ban of his "offensive" book. Murugan said although he was considering reissuing his earlier books, he would do so only after careful reviews and revision. It was a sad twist in the tale of a courageous writer -- readers expected the return of a triumphant Murugan, but two years of oppression had taken its toll on him.

But should a writer actually be scared of death threats in a vibrant democracy like ours?

Why not, if you look at the killings of scholar M.M. Kalburgi and rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare between August 2013 and August 2015. This had led to a massive campaign of returning the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards by headline authors in 2015 but seems to have brought little relief even two years later as death threats against writers continue to surface.

And then there is always the fear of protests for "hurting sentiments". Although this isn't something new, the trend has caught on since the rise of literature festivals. The likes of Taslima Nasrin, Ashis Nandy and Tarak Fateh have been at the centre of several controversies at literature festivals.

The primary argument of the protesters has little to do with what a writer actually speaks at the venue, but with the general perception of the writer and the kind of media coverage that such protests gain.

Last but not the least is the disgraceful trolling that several writers have to withstand on social media. From outright abuse to disgusting memes, liberal writers have seen them all. What is worse is the fact that many of them, like Amartya Sen, are not even active on the social media but there is no escape for them.

The online trolls are actually ahead of their times. If you thought it was only limited to social media, you may want to check the pages of authors like Ramachandra Guha, Amartya Sen and Romila Thapar on bookselling e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart, or even Goodreads. Scores of negative reviews and disturbing comments are posted against them even before the actual release of their books.

These lethal weapons are silently causing havoc to the literary fraternity and are not limited to or targeted at only writers from one particular point of view. Any writer who seems to disagree with a fundamentalist outfit -- we have so many of them -- is at the receiving end.

(Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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On Tuesday, as Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi described the poll outcome in Uttar Pradesh as "a little down", he yet again seemed completely unaware of the reality on the ground, where the Grand Old Party finds itself in an existential crisis.

Forget the days of its supremacy in the state, where it ruled for over three decades, even winning 300-plus seats, like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of today. The Congress now finds itself in a situation where there are not even supporters to hold its flag in most parts of the state.

Having yielded space to alliance partner Samajwadi Party (SP) in 298 of the 403 seats and settling for a paltry 105, "any recovery for the Congress is not just a tall order, but an almost impossible task", feel party workers.

The last time the party did well in the state was in 1985, when it won 269 seats. Since then, the march to the bottom has been relentless.

Between 1985 and 1989, the party nosedived to 94 seats. It slipped again in 1991, with just 46 seats, and further to 28 seats in 1993. In 1996, it bagged 33 seats, won 25 in 2002 and 22 in 2007, when the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) led by Mayawati romped home with 204 seats.

Despite its best efforts, the Congress failed to emerge out of the shadows of the regional parties like the SP and BSP and its tally only marginally increased to 28 when the BSP was voted out and Akhilesh Yadav embraced by the electorate in 2012.

And now it has just seven seats.

Party leaders at the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) blame the central and well as the state leadership for the steady decline of the party's fortunes.

A diehard supporter, who has worked hard for the Congress, told IANS that there was no "seriousness" in its approach for India's most populous and politically crucial state.

"This time, some serious work was done when Rahul started the Kisan Yatra from Deoria to Delhi and interspersed it with the Khaat Sabhas; but it all went phutt when some wise minds suggested joining forces with the SP," he rued, while pointing out how the dismal results had shred the strategy to pieces.

A Muslim party leader is equally cut up. "When elections are managed not by leaders but by hired, so-called strategists and professionals, the results are a foregone conclusion," he said, directly blaming "master strategist" Prashant Kishor for the disastrous show.

Kishor, who masterminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful 2014 Lok Sabha campaign and helped Nitish Kumar make a stunning return as Chief Minister of Bihar, was roped in by the Congress to revive its fortunes in Uttar Pradesh.

"The party in Uttar Pradesh cannot be remote-controlled by people sitting in Delhi. The need of the hour is to cultivate sincere, local leadership in Lucknow," said another ageing leader, who served as a minister in a Congress government.

Worried state leaders now say that Tuesday's appraisal by the 46-year-old Gandhi scion, making light of the drubbing handed out by the BJP, was at odds with ground realities.

"He still seems to be living in a make-belief world that we will rise from the ashes without a sound strategy and serious introspection. Sadly, it is not going to be that easy," said a restless office bearer of the Congress, who has been managing its office at Mall Avenue.

Party leaders also concede that piggybacking on SP, especially Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, proved too costly. The initial flutter -- the 'UP ko ye saath pasand hai' credo wherein two young leaders, Rahul and Akhilesh, were projected as the future of the state -- died down in the face of an aggressive campaign by 66-year-old Modi.

"There was strong anti-incumbency against the ruling SP and its Chief Minister had also failed to manage his own party well enough to give our alliance a head start," averred a senior UPCC leader not wishing to be named. He added that the internal family and party bickerings in the SP also had a negative effect on the prospects of the alliance.

Congress workers in Uttar Pradesh are in favour of the party doing some introspection and a major rejig of the organisation, as also distancing itself from the regional parties.

Akhilesh Yadav has said that his alliance with the Congress, despite the rout, was very much on. There has been no word from the Congress leadership so far. Party workers are waiting to see how and when the much-awaited introspection will start.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)

--IANS

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Congress Uttar Pradesh chief Raj Babbar on Wednesday offered to quit the post following the partys rout in assembly polls.

"I take the responsibility for the defeat in UP. Despite the energy and efforts invested by (Congress Vice President) Rahul Gandhi, I could not live up to the expectations," the actor-turned-politician told the media.

Contesting in alliance with the Samajwadi Party, the Congress won only seven seats in the 403-member assembly. He accused the BJP of using money and muscle power to come to power in Goa and Manipur.

--IANS

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The central government on Wednesday assured Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of looking into resuming cross-LoC trade disrupted due to shelling on the border.

Mehbooba Mufti took up the issue of Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Chakan da Bagh with the minister following shelling three days ago, an official statement said.

"The Home Minister assured her of looking into the matter and directing agencies concerned accordingly."

The Chief Minister said the livelihood of a large number of traders was dependent on business activities at the TFC.

The cross-border trade and bus service across LoC were stopped due to Pakistani shelling in Poonch district.

--IANS

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Mining minister in the outgoing Samajwadi Party (SP) government Gayatri Prajapati, accused in a gang rape case, was arrested in Lucknow on Wednesday, police said.

Absconding since February 27, the minister apparently came under pressure after two of his sons were detained by the Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday. The minister was very close to SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

He unsuccessfully contested the state assembly elections in 2017 from Amethi, a seat he won from in 2012. Six other accused in the same case have already been held.

In February the Supreme Court had ordered the state police to lodge an FIR against the minister.

The gang rape victim had accused the minister's henchmen of terrorising her and her daughter in a Delhi hospital. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Javeed Ahmad said, Gayatri was being tracked for some time and that he was constantly changing location.

--IANS

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Admiral Vladimir Korolev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, is visiting India heading a four-member delegation that ends on March 18.

The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations between India and Russia and explore new avenues for naval cooperation, an official statement said.

On Wednesday, Admiral Korolev held discussions with Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff and other officials of the Indian Navy.

The Admiral is scheduled to meet Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Army chief General Bipin Rawat and the Defence Secretary.

India is the largest importer of defence equipment from Russia and a majority of the armament inventory in the Indian armed forces are of Russian origin.

The Indian and Russian navies cooperate "on many fronts, which include operational interactions, training, hydrographic cooperation, IT and exchange of subject matter experts in various fields," said an official statement.

In addition, they have been conducting bilateral Maritime Exercise 'Indra Navy' since 2003. Eight editions have been held.

The Admiral will also visit Mumbai where he will meet the Commander-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, and visit an indigenously built destroyer INS Mysore.

--IANS

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A massive search operation continued in and around the Pathankot airbase for the second day on Wednesday following intelligence inputs about suspected anti-national elements in the area, police said.

Security agencies, including the Punjab Police, Indian Air Force Garuda commandos, Army personnel, Himachal Pradesh Police and para-military forces, had launched the search operation around the airbase on Tuesday.

The IAF also carried out air surveillance over the area to assist the ground troops. The area near the frontier airbase was sealed during the search operation.

Shops and some other establishments near the Pathankot airbase, 250 km from here, remained shut.

Pathankot district police chief Nilambari Vijayjagdale said the search operation was continuing but nothing suspicious had been found so far.

The Pathankot airbase was attacked by suspected Pakistani terrorists on January 2 last year.

The airbase is a frontier facility of the IAF with fighter and transport squardons based here.

Pakistani terrorists had targetted Dinanagar town in neighbouring Gurdaspur district in July 2015.

--IANS

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A century after Rabindranath Tagores visit to Seattle in 1916, a South Asian Arts Organisation based in the Washington State area of the US, is bringing one of Tagores finest compositions to the public.

Pratidhwani, a non-profit driven to create and promote performing opportunities for arts and artists of South Asia, has just announced its 10th flagship dance show, "Chitrangada". It's the story of a warrior princess from the ancient Hindu epic "Mahabharata" that Tagore retold as a dance drama in 1892.

Tagore is India's first Nobel Laureate as well as the first non-European to win the prize in Literature. "Chitrangada," one of his finest compositions, is a lyrical saga of one woman's quest for love, courage, and the true meaning of beauty. This tribute to the myriad facets of femininity make it as relevant today as it was centuries ago.

Comprising of a group of professionals who have full-time careers and dedicate their late evenings to creating art, Pratidhwani is committed to bringing South Asian performing arts and artists to audiences in the greater Seattle area since 2001.

The lyrical saga has been directed by Moumita Bhattacharya and produced by Nitya Gupta.

"Chitrangada is a lyrical expression on gender stereotypes. And yet, it is a story of love. Of the ability of love to transform and the fact that love needs to embrace and support a person's raison d'etre. This piece of art is a showcase of multiple music genres, dance forms, and costume styles of the Indian subcontinent," said Bhattacharya.

It will be performed in The Allen Theatre at ACT, 700 Union Street, in downtown Seattle. The production opens on April 28 and runs through May 20.

--IANS

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There is no uncertainty about former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's plan to join the BJP and the move has only been postponed following his younger sister's death here on Tuesday night, a party leader said on Wednesday.

"Though Krishna flew to Delhi on Tuesday to meet our party President Amit Shah on Wednesday and join the party this week, he rushed back after coming to know of his sister Sunitha's death," the Bharatiya Janata Party official told IANS.

The 84-year-old former Chief Minister, who quit the Congress on January 29, also could not meet Shah in Delhi, as the latter was on way to Imphal to attend the swearing-in of the BJP-led coalition government in Manipur on Wednesday.

"There is no uncertainty about Krishna joining the BJP. It has been put off due to bereavement in his family and unavoidable circumstances, as the party leaders are busy with the formation of the governments in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand," asserted the official on the condition of anonymity.

After joining the BJP formally, Krishna was to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi along with the party's state unit President B.S. Yeddyurappa and Union Ministers from the state -- D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Anantha Kumar.

"We will inform the media when will Krishna join the BJP after we finalise the date in consultation with him and our national leaders in Delhi," added the official.

Since leaving the Congress after nearly five decades of association after he was "sidelined by its leadership", Krishna was bidding time to join the BJP but was told to wait, as Shah and Modi were busy with the assembly elections in the five states, especially Uttar Pradesh, and their results.

Yeddyurappa invited Krishna to join the party at the latter's house here on March 6.

With the BJP securing thumping majority in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarkhand and forming governments in Goa and Manipur, Krishna thought it was the right time to join the BJP and strengthen the party in Karnataka, where the assembly elections are due in April 2018.

--IANS

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Swedish cosmetic brand FACE Stockholm has forayed into the Indian market through an e-commerce website.

FACE Stockholm was introduced for the first time in India on online platform Zapyle on Wednesday, read a statement.

Created by Gun Nowak in the 1980s, FACE Stockholm is available in over 100 countries worldwide and is used by celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna and Britney Spears.

Rashi Menda, Zapyle CEO and Founder, said: "Although, we are aware of the fact that the Indian market is very price sensitive and online cosmetics and beauty products platforms are already offering them regular beauty products at the highest price range of Rs 1400, we are coming up with premium international brands that will be available between the price range of Rs 1200 to Rs 2500."

--IANS

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Thousands of accounts, including high-profile ones belonging to Forbes, Amnesty International and the BBCs North American service, were compromised on Wednesday, resulting in them tweeting propaganda related to Turkeys escalating diplomatic conflict with Germany and the Netherlands.

The hijacked accounts have all posted the same Turkish-language tweets with a Nazi swastika followed by the hashtags #Nazialmanya and #Nazihollanda (#NaziGermany and #NaziHolland).

The text after the hashtags reads: "This gives you a little #OttomanSlap," and makes reference to April 16th  the day Turkey will hold a referendum on constitutional changes that would consolidate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's power and potentially allow him to remain in office through 2029.

The tweets also include a link to a pro-Erdogan video on YouTube.

The attackers also changed profile pictures and header images for some targets, changing the main image to a Turkish flag and the profile picture to a Turkish-style coat of arms, reported the Guardian.

Several users noted that all hijacked tweets appear to have been linked to Counter, a Netherlands-based analytics application.

Counter was previously targeted in a November 2016 attack that caused some high-profile accounts to spread spam. At the time, the company said it has over 2 million users.

The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands, after the Dutch government barred two Turkish ministers from speaking to expatriates in the Netherlands ahead of the referendum.

In response, Erdogan accused the Dutch government of acting like "Nazi remnants", and Turkey suspended high-level diplomatic relations with the Netherlands on Tuesday. Erdogan also accused Germany of behaving "like Nazis" after the government banned Turkish rallies ahead of the referendum.

Forbes, Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure, the UK Department of Health, Reuters Japan, BBC North America, Duke University and Amnesty International were all affected among several other charities and universities.

BBC North America confirmed that it had been caught up on the hack, tweeting: "Hi everyone - we temporarily lost control of this account, but normal service has resumed. Thanks."

In a statement, Twitter said that it was "aware of an issue affecting a number of account holders this morning. Our teams are working at pace and taking direct action on this issue. We quickly located the source which was limited to a third party app. We removed its permissions immediately. No additional accounts are impacted."
A Sukhoi aircraft and a Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in separate incidents on Wednesday in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh respectively.

The Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft was on a routine training sortie and was to land at the Uttarlai Air Force base near Barmer when it crashed at Devaniyon ki Dhan village near Barmer, about 550 km from Jaipur.

Both pilots ejected out of the aircraft safely, however, the fuselage landed on a hut, injuring three persons.

"Three persons sustained minor injuries in the incident, which happened in the afternoon. Parts of the crashed aircraft fell on three 'kuccha' or temporary houses," a police officer told IANS.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje in a tweet said: "News of Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft crash in Barmer is extremely unfortunate. Prayers for speedy recovery of injured. Glad the pilots are safe."

The air force has ordered an inquiry into the crash.

Also on Wednesday, a Chetak helicopter crash landed near Allahabad, after taking off from Bamrauli near the city.

The chopper toppled as the pilots tried to land it on an uneven field. Both pilots are safe, and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered.

Last May, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said since April 1, 2014, the twin-engine Sukhois have been forced to land on a single engine on 34 occasions after facing engine problems mid-air.

This is the seventh accident involving a Made in India Sukhoi fighter.

On May 19, 2015 a Su-30 MKI fighter, flying from Tezpur's Salanibari Air Force station on a routine sortie, lost contact with the radar at the air force station at around 12.30 p.m. and crashed. The aircraft had developed a technical snag and the pilot was forced to abandon the aircraft.

On October 14, 2014, a Su-30 MKI on a training mission crashed 20 km off Pune Lohegaon Air Force Station. Wing Commander Sidharth V. Munje and his co-pilot Flying Officer Anup Kumar ejected safely.

In 2013, during the rehearsals for Iron Fist, a fire power demonstration of the Indian Air Force, a Su-30 MKI crashed at the Pokhran range.

On December 13, 2011, a Su-30 MKI crashed after taking off from the Lohegaon Indian Air Force Base near Pune, crashing at Wade-Bholai village, 20 kilometres from Pune. Both pilots ejected safely.

In 2009, two Su-30 MKIs crashed. On November 30, 2009, a Su-30 MKI crashed in Jathegaon, about 40 km from Jaisalmer after a fire warning. Both pilots ejected safely.

In another crash in the same year, a Su-30 MKI crashed on April 30 in the Pokhran region of Rajasthan, at Rajmathai village, around 170 km from Jaisalmer, after departing from Pune for a routine sortie, killing one of its two pilots.

--IANS

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The Public Prosecutor in Tripura quit on Wednesday after the opposition parties demanded action against him for not opposing the bail plea of 12 persons convicted of murdering a Congress legislator.

The ongoing Budget Session of the Tripura Assembly was disrupted for several days over the issue after President of the Congress's Tripura unit Birajit Sinha raised the matter in the house for the first time last month.

Congress MLA Ratan Lal Nath on Tuesday and Wednesday raised the issue once again saying that during a hearing, prosecutor Abhijit Ghosh told the Tripura High Court that he has no objection if the appellants were granted bail.

However, the high court rejected the convicts' bail petitions later.

"Ghosh, in another case also in the high court, did not oppose the bail plea of a senior civil service officer accused in a rape case," Nath told the house.

State Law and Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty told the house on Wednesday that Ghosh has submitted resignation letter to the government.

Speaker Ramendra Chandra Debnath told the agitated opposition members that as the prosecutor has quit his post, the issue should not be discussed further.

A district court in Tripura in April last year sentenced 12 persons, said to be the members and supporters of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), to life imprisonment for murdering a Congress legislator Parimal Saha and his associate Jitendra Saha on April 7, 1983.

All the 12 convicts submitted a bail petition in the Tripura High Court against the lower court judgement.

Initially, 25 people were charge sheeted but seven of them have since died while one absconded and five were acquitted.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump hosted Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia for lunch in the Oval Office of the White House on Tuesday.

This was the first meeting of Trump at the White House with a high-ranking official from the Arab and Islamic world after assuming the presidency on Januay 20.

The lunch on Tuesday was an early effort by the US President to engage with Prince Mohammed, the defence minister of Saudi Arabia, the New York Times reported.

Hopes are high in Riyadh for improved relations with the US after strained diplomacy between the Obama administration and the Saudis, particularly over the nuclear deal with Iran.

Their talks focused on a number of key issues, apart from further bolstering the strategic bilateral relations between the two countries. The talks showed the identical views of both the nations towards the major global and regional issues.

Trump and Prince Mohammad also underscored the need for intensifying efforts to combat terror. The leaders vowed to build a new strategic partnership and bring about qualitative leap in fighting terror funding and combat terror ideologies, Saudi Gazette reported.

They shared identical views with regard to Iran. Trump lauded the measures that have been taken by the Kingdom to counter the intervention of Iran in the internal affairs of the nations in the region.

The leaders also pledged their support to Bahrain, Egypt and Sudan in confronting the challenges faced by them. Prince Mohammad is the fifth world leader who had an official meeting with Trump at the White House since his inauguration.

During the historic meeting, the Trump administration reiterated its keenness on further strengthening the Kingdom's potential in security and defence fields with a pledge of commitment to support it in this area.

The talks also figured the economic strategic partnership between the two countries and further enhancing it with exploring new avenues and opportunities.

Trump expressed hope that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies will be helpful across a range of issues, from creating safe zones in Syria to solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump paid $38 million in taxes on more than his $150 million income in 2005, the White House said in a statement.

The White House on Tuesday released some details of Donald Trump's tax return hours ahead of an anticipated news report, as the American cable and satellite television network MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said she has obtained part of Trump's 2005 tax forms and prepared to discuss the document, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Before being elected President, Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required," the White House said.

"Trump paid $38 million even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that," the White House added.

The 2005 tax rate for top earners in the US was 35 per cent, and the $38 million taxes paid by Trump made up about 25.3 per cent.

Responding to the MSNBC host's announcement, the White House slapped that "it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns".

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," said the White House.

On the 2016 presidential campaign trial, the New York billionaire promised to release his tax returns after audit.

--IANS

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US President Donald Trump's tax affairs were back in the spotlight after leaked 2005 returns showed he wrote off more than $100 million in "business losses" to reduce his federal taxes burden.

The President paid $38 million in federal income tax on reported income of $150 million, an effective tax rate of 25 per cent, according to documents from Trump's 2005 tax returns disclosed on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show late Tuesday.

By claiming losses, Trump apparently saved millions of dollars in taxes that he would otherwise have owed, reports said.

The White House responded without even waiting for the show to air, issuing a statement that seemed to confirm the authenticity of the forms as it defended Trump and assailed MSNBC for publicising them.

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," a White House official said in a statement.

"The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans," the official said.

The White House described Trump's business losses as a "large-scale depreciation for construction", but did not elaborate, reported the New York Times.

In addition to the federal income taxes in 2005, the statement said, he paid "tens of millions of dollars in other taxes, such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes, and this illegally published return proves just that".

Democrats pounced on the report, arguing that the White House's decision to release details of Trump's 2005 taxes before Maddow's show undercut his past refusal to release any such information.

"If they can release some of the information, they can release all of the information," said Zac Petkanas, a senior adviser to the Democratic National Committee.

"The only reason not to release his returns is to hide what's in them, such as financial connections with Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin."

The tax forms were sent to journalist David Cay Johnston, who has written a book on Trump.

Appearing with Maddow on the MSNBC show, Johnston said he had received the forms "over the transom" at his home and did not know who had sent them.

He suggested that they might even have been sent by Trump himself. Because he did not solicit the forms. Johnston said it was not illegal to receive them, reported the newspaper.

The forms showed that Trump made $67 million in real estate royalties, $42 million in business income, $32 million in capital gains, $9 million in taxable interest and $998,599 in salary in 2005, for a total of nearly $153 million.

After writing off $103 million, he reported adjusted gross income of nearly $49 million. In the end, he had to write a check for $2,450,597, including penalties and interest for late payment, said the report.

--IANS

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A nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier arrived in the South Korean port city of Busan on Wednesday to join the ongoing springtime war games, according to local media reports.

The ongoing US-South Korean joint military exercises, codenamed 'Key Resolve' and 'Foal Eagle', last from March 13 to March 24 and from early March to the end of April, respectively, Xinhua news agency reported.

Seoul and Washington have claimed the annually-held war games are defensive in nature to protect from nuclear and missile threats of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), while the DPRK has denounced it as a dress rehearsal for northward invasion.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier and its attendant fleet are accompanied by 24 F/A-18 fighter jets, 10 aerial tankers, 10 S-3A anti-submarine airplanes, six SH-3H anti-submarine helicopters, four EA-6B electronic warfare aircraft and four E-2 airborne early warning aircraft.

The US forces are reportedly set to mobilise other strategic assets during the joint drills, including F-35B stealth fighter jets that were deployed in the US military base in Japan in January.

--IANS

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With the CBI taking the SNC-Lavalin case to the high court, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has roped in one of the country's most expensive lawyers, Harish Salve, to defend him.

Salve will show up in the Kerala High Court on Friday, when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) brings in former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai as a witness in the case.

In the SNC-Lavalin case, in which Vijayan was an accused, he got a huge relief when the local CBI court in the state capital exonerated him and all others in the case. But the CBI then approached the Kerala High Court against the exoneration and the hearing in the case began early this month.

On Friday, Salve is expected to defend Vijayan. The CBI has presented strong arguments which could play spoilsport for Vijayan.

The case pertains to an agreement with Canadian company SNC-Lavalin in 1997, when Vijayan was the state Power Minister, to repair three generators, which allegedly caused a loss of Rs 266 crore to the exchequer.

Vijayan was arraigned by the CBI as the seventh accused in the case, leading to a political furore.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist leadership, however, came to his defence then and said there was no reason for him to step down as the Secretary of the CPI(M)'s Kerala State Committee, as it was not a constitutional post. But now, Vijayan holds the post of Chief Minister.

Former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Vijayan had sparred in the open over this case when the former was the Chief Minister (2006-11) and on account of it, both were suspended from the party's politburo.

While Vijayan was reinstated later, Achuthanandan was not.

--IANS

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The first challenge for the new government in will be the board examinations for class 10th and 12th that begins this week. Scandals around exams is endemic for the labour surplus states of the Hindi heartland but it has become even more so in this state with a business turnover estimated at Rs 5,000 crore. Given its potential to embarrass the state administration big time even before the new BJP chief minister has been selected, all district magistrates have been asked to ensure there is no repetition of last year when 57 students and 14 teachers were booked for cheating in some schools of Mathura district that made headlines across the nation.
I work as a graphics designer for a few US-based companies. The payment is not regular. How do I pay tax on my income? Also, how do I know if the payment is being done after deducting taxes in the US? If it is, do I still have to pay tax in India?
Two senior Congress leaders, Kamal Nath and Amarinder Singh, the Punjab Chief Minister-designate, have said it is time is formally anointed Congress President.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) is the Vice President functioning as President. I don't see why he shouldn't be elevated as President," Kamal Nath said in an interview with Times Now channel aired on Tuesday.

Although Nath conceded that the Gandhi scion was no match for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in terms of political experience, he said Rahul was "smart enough and shrewd enough" to understand the changing dynamics of India's .

" is smart enough, he is intelligent, he is shrewd enough to reflect on what is happening," he added.

Amarinder Singh, who on Tuesday met here, told reporters after the meeting: "Now is the right time to elevate Rahul Gandhi as party President. I have been maintaining this for the past one year."

Amarinder made the remark after he called on Rahul Gandhi at the Congress Vice President's residence in New Delhi to congratulate him on the Congress victory in the February 4 Punjab assembly polls, where it bagged 77 of the 117 seats.

Kamal Nath, speaking on Rahul Gandhi's political experience vis-a-vis Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said: "Of course, Narendra Modi being Prime Minister is better connected now... he has been in for 40-45 years. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi has been running the party for just one and a half years."

He said that although Rahul has been an MP for more than 10 years now but "being an MP does not necessarily mean you are running a party".

Defending Rahul in the wake of the Congress drubbing in the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly elections, Nath said that "keeping aside Uttar Pradesh", the Congress has done reasonably well.

"If you keep aside Uttar Pradesh, we have emerged number one party in Punjab, in Goa and in Manipur," he said.

Nath, a nine-time Lok Sabha MP from Chindwara in Madhya Pradesh, said that the management of electoral has "undergone a great change" and that the Congress must realise this fact.

"The management of electoral politics has undergone a serious change, a great change. You will have to accept it. First accept it and then work accordingly...adapt to this change and move ahead," he said.

On the question of Prashant Kishor  considered the master strategist for the Congress for the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections  Nath said he was just an advisor.

"Prashant Kishor was just an advisor; he was not executive... He was not a party insider. He had a lot of ideas but not all of his ideas were necessarily accepted," he told the news channel.
A chartered aircraft carrying Bharatiya Janata Party President and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu to Imphal on Wednesday suffered an engine problem mid-air, prompting the pilot to return to the airport in New Delhi.

Following the engine snag, the two BJP leaders shelved their plans to travel to Imphal for the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh as Manipur Chief Minister, sources said.

Naidu along with Shah and BJP leader Ram Lal had left for Imphal at 9.39 am from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The special chartered aircraft was carrying three more passengers besides the BJP leaders.

After taking off, the 'Falcon 200' business jet of AR Airways developed some problem in its engine prompting the pilot to return to the airport at 10.17 am, airport sources said.

Singh took oath as the new chief minister of Manipur on Wednesday.

Governor Najma Heptulla had on Tuesday invited Singh, who was unanimously elected the leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party, to form the government.

The invitation to Singh came after four members of the Naga People's Front, an NDA ally, met the Governor and declared their support to BJP for government formation.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has said its deputy general secretary T T V Dinakaran, a relative of general secretary V K Sasikala, will contest the by-election in Dr Radhakrishnan Nagar for the assembly seat which fell vacant after the death of the sitting MLA and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. The R K Nagar by-election will held on April 12.

The decision to field Dinakaran was taken at a meeting of AIADMK leaders and has Sasikala's consent, said an announcement by the party. Sasikala, along with two of her relatives are in prison in Bengaluru, following a Supreme Court order that convicted them in a disproposrtionate assets case.
At least 12 people were killed and nearly two dozen kidnapped in western Ethiopia, in an attack blamed on cattle herders who crossed the border from South Sudan, the government in Addis Ababa said today.

"Twelve were killed and 22 were kidnapped," government spokesman Zadig Abrha said.

While Abrha said the attack in the Gambella region near South Sudan had occurred this week, he did not specify when exactly it had taken place.

"We're in hot pursuit of the perpetrators," he said.

Abrha blamed the incursion on nomadic cattle herders from the Murle ethnic group who wanted to force children to work as labourers.

"What they do is abduct children and use them as shepherds for their cattle," he said, adding that the military has captured, killed and injured several of the attackers.

In a similar assault in April last year, attackers from South Sudan crossed into Ethiopia, killing at least 216 people and abducting more than a hundred children, most of whom have since been freed.

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, spiralled into war in 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his rival Riek Machar of plotting a coup.

The ensuing fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, forced nearly 1.5 million to flee the country and disrupted agriculture so severely that the government last month declared a famine in part of the country.

Ethiopia has taken in more than 342,000 refugees from the violence, according to the United Nations, but has not entirely been spared from the violence across its border.

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Two Turkish soldiers were killed today in a roadside bomb attack in the southeast blamed on Kurdish militants from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), local media reported.

The attack took place when security forces were scanning mines on a highway between Mardin and Diyarbakir provinces, the private Dogan agency reported.

The explosives had been placed by PKK militants who blew them up when a vehicle loaded with soldiers passed by, Dogan said.

The PKK is proscribed by Ankara, the United States and the European Union as a terror group.

The group has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 during which over 40,000 people have been killed.

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As many as 22 fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force have crashed since 2013-14 and human error and technical defects were the main reasons for the accidents, government has informed Rajya Sabha.

The details were given by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre in a written reply yesterday. Meanwhile, a Sukhoi aircraft of the IAF crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district today, leaving three villagers injured. Both the pilots ejected safely.

A Chetak helicopter of the IAF too crash landed in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh today minutes after it took off from an airbase on outskirts of Allahabad.

The Minister, in his reply to a query in the Upper House, said in the current year, five fighter jets have crashed against four in 2015-16.

He said seven jets had crashed in 2014-15 while the number was six in 2013-14.

"Main reasons for these accidents were human error and technical defect," the Minister said.

Bhamre said every accident is throughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain cause of the accident and recommendations of the CoI are implemented.

To a separate question, he identified operational hazards, weather conditions, human error and technical defects for accidents of Cheetah helicopters.

Since 2013-14, there have been four accidents involving Cheetah helicopters in which there were seven fatalities.

In reply to another query, Bhamre said the contract for 12 VVIP helicopters with Agusta Westland International Ltd, signed in 2010, was terminated with effect from January 1, 2014.

Asked about the alleged irregularities in purchase of 197 Light Utility Helicopters, he said the CBI has instituted a regular case in January, 2014 in the matter.

"As per decision of the Defence Acquisition Council on August 29, 2014, the RFP (request for proposal) for 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters has been retracted," he said.

Replying to another query, he said US defence major Lockheed Martin has shown interest in setting up manufacturing facilities for F-16 jets in India under the 'Make in India' initiative. However, he said, no concrete proposal has been received from the company.

The Minister said Boeing and Sweden's Saab have also shown interest in setting up manufacturing facilities for fighter aircraft in India.

Responding to a query on terrorist attacks against Army in Jammu and Kashmir, he said there were 31 army casualties in nine such incidents in 2016. The number of terrorists killed was 10.

In the current year so far, he said there have been three army casualties in two militant attacks.

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Cameroon said its troops had rescued 5,000 civilian "hostages" held by Boko Haram Islamists in a cross-border operation that left scores of jihadists dead.

Cameroonian troops carried out "a vast operation all along the Cameroon-Nigeria border and in Nigeria" from February 27 to March 7, government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement seen by AFP Wednesday.

The operation, dubbed Thunder 2, "led to the liberation of more than 5,000 people taken hostage by the terrorists", he said, referring to Boko Haram.

"The freed hostages -- most of them women, children and elderly people -- were taken to a camp for displaced people in Banki, Nigeria," he added.

"More than 60 terrorists" were killed, he said, adding that "21 suspects were arrested".

Boko Haram, which wants to establish a caliphate in northern Nigeria, has been waging an insurgency since 2009.

Though it was born in Nigeria, the Islamic State-affiliated group has also carried out frequent attacks on "soft" targets in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting them to form a regional force to fight back.

Some 200,000 Cameroonians from the Far North region near Nigeria have fled their villages in fear of the violence carried out by Boko Haram militants.

The UN Security Council earlier this month vowed to turn the spotlight on a "neglected crisis" affecting 21 million people in the Lake Chad region that straddles Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

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Five persons, including a woman municipal councillor, were arrested today at Anekal in connection with the murder of BJP leader Srinivas Prasad.

"Five persons including a woman councillor Sorajamma have been arrested in the case," Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Vinit Singh told PTI here.

Investigation was going on to get some leads to trace son of Sorajamma, also allegedly involved in the murder, Singh said.

"Once we get him, we will get to know who was the prime accused, who hatched and executed the murder," he said.

45-year old Prasad, also known as Kithaganahalli Vasu), was hacked to death in Anekal yesterday by unidentified assailants, sparking off protests by BJP activists who alleged it was politically-motivated.

Home Minister G Parameshwara ruled out politics being the motive. "Congress and JDS workers have also been murdered.Similarly, BJP workers also have been murdered. So, we do not look at it from a political angle.

RSS has demanded strong steps to stop politically-motivated killings.

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Five people were killed and eight injured today while several others are feared trapped after a gas leak at a cold storage in Shivrajpur area here caused an explosion in which parts of the structure collapsed.

According to SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar, the gas leak started at the Katiyar Cold Storage in the afternoon. In the resulting explosion, the roof of the structure collapsed.

Several people are feared trapped in the debris, and fire brigade personnel along with NDRF and Army teams are carrying out rescue and relief operations, Kumar said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Ramayan Prasad said the five seriously injured labourers, who were rescued between 4 PM and 6 PM, were declared brought dead by doctors of the medical college-cum-hospital here.

Eleven labourers have been rescued and those with minor injuries have been released for the hospital after treatment, he said.

Doctors at the hospital have been put on alert as the number of those injured is expected to rise, Prasad said.

Kanpur District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said around two dozen labourers were having their lunch when the incident happened.

More labourers could be still trapped under the debris, district administration officials said.

The DM said rescue workers have been given protective gear, including masks. The district administration will also check if the cold storage had a license.

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As many as 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails, the Lok Sabha was told today.

In a written reply, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said due to the strict provisions of privacy laws, the US, Canada, Australia and many countries in Europe do not share information about Indian nationals in their prisons.

"However, as per information available, 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails.... Various articles seized from them include VOIP set along with SIM cards, fake passports, narcotic drugs, fake currency, boats, GPS, stimulating tablets, foreign currency and gold," he said.

Steps taken by Indian missions include requesting local authorities for speedy trials, seeking remission of sentence, providing advice and guidance in legal and other matters, ensuring fair and humane treatment in foreign jails, issuing of emergency certificates and repatriation to India of those who are released, the minister noted.

Singh also added that in some countries, the mission also requests the local government for grant of amnesty to the arrested Indians and if any mercy petition for remission of sentences is received from the family members of the Indian prisoners, the Mission forwards them to the local authorities for consideration.

India has signed Treaties for Transfer of Sentenced Persons with 42 countries, under which Indian prisoners have been brought back from some of these countries.

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Days after CAG concluded that incurred an operational loss in the previous year, the government on Wednesday said "it is possible to declare the operational profit" according to generally accepted accounting principles.

While acknowledging that there is a grey area associated with depreciation charge that CAG has brought up, Union Minister Jayant Sinha said, "We think from an accounting perspective the number we have put through is quite reasonable".

On March 10, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had said that "actually incurred" an operating loss of Rs 321.4 crore in 2015-16.

The airline, which is staying afloat on taxpayers' funds, had reported an operating profit of Rs 105 crore in the previous financial year  the first time it turned operationally profitable in a decade.

"We have full respect for CAG's opinions and we went through their recommendations and inputs very carefully and we did it thoroughly.

"Our view, based on what our accountants have told us about following Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), (is that) indeed it is possible to declare the operational profit that we did," Sinha said.

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event organised by SpiceJet.

"In accounting, there are some grey areas and you can either stay on one side of it or on the other side of it. Both interpretations are plausible but again following GAAP the manner in which we have dealt with the challenges is entirely appropriate," he said.

While making it clear that there was no fudging of numbers, officials at the CAG on March 10 had said figures reported by the airline are "actually under-reporting of loss".

On March 10, Air India had said the "operating profit of Rs 105 crore is as per the generally accepted accounting standards" and was calculated on the basis of reducing total expenditure excluding only the financing costs from total revenue.

"It is, therefore, the equivalent of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) and includes a provision of Rs 1,867.78 crore of depreciation.

"Had depreciation been excluded from the expenditure, the operating profit would have significantly increased," the airline had said.

About the On Time Performance (OTP) numbers of Air India, Sinha today said it is tracked very carefully by the Ministry to ensure that the carrier provides best possible customer services.

"We have a very robust reforms agenda that we are taking forward," Sinha said in response to a query on whether the government would go for further liberalisation of FDI norms.
: Cutting across party lines, members of the Kerala assembly today heaped praise on former Finance Minister K M Mani, who completed 50 consecutive years as member of the house, a distinction unparallelled in the country.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 83-year-old Mani's record has no parallel either in the assembly or even in the Lok Sabha.

"Governments came and went, but Mani was always there in the assembly', Vijayan said.

Mani also holds the distinction of being the longest serving minister,who has presented 13 budgets in the assembly.

Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan wished the Kerala Congress(M) supremo for completing half a century as member of the house.

Mani also has the distinction of presenting the maximum number of budgets, he said, adding younger MLAs have a lot to learn from him.

Describing him as a phenomena, Former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Mani surprised everyone with his efficiency and calibre, while Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the occasion was that of 'pride' and 'happiness'.

He had represented Pala in Kottayam district since its formation in 1965.

Mani's illustrious legislative career was marred by allegations in 2015 when a section of bar owners alleged that he had demanded bribe for reopening closed pubs.

Mani resigned from the UDF ministry following the bar bribery charges.

The assembly had witnessed unprecedented violence in March 2015 when he tried to present the 13th budget when then opposition CPI(m)-led LDF tried to prevent him, demanding his resignation.

KC(M), a former partner in the Congress led UDF, had severed its 30-year-old ties in 2016 following differences with the lead partner Congress.

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After steering the Congress to a stupendous victory in Punjab, Amarinder Singh will take oath as Chief Minister here tomorrow, a ceremony which will be attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi.

Amarinder, who turned 75 on March 11 when assembly results were declared, will be sworn in as the state's 26th chief minister along with nine cabinet ministers.

The ceremony will take place at Punjab Raj Bhavan at 10 am and the oath will be administered by Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore.

The state can have a maximum of 18 ministers. The Congress has 77 MLAs in the assembly.

Singh and members of his cabinet will be administered oath by Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore at the Raj Bhawan here tomorrow morning.

"Besides Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will attend the swearing-in," a Congress release said here.

Former Union Ministers P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Ashwani Kumar, Rajeev Shukla, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh will also be present.

AICC general secretaries Ahmed Patel and Ambika Soni, besides secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari are also expected to attend the event.

The ceremony will be a simple and low-key affair, with Amarinder deciding not to spend excessively on symbolism "on account of the poor financial health of the state", it said.

The Chief Minister-designate has also appealed to all party MLAs and others not to indulge in excessive celebration and to keep the event austere so as not to further burden the "debt-ridden state exchequer".

Singh said his government's priority would be to bring the state's economy, "which has been completely devastated under the SAD-BJP regime, back on the rails through every possible measure and innovative, out-of-the-box initiatives".

"We do not want to celebrate when the people of Punjab are suffering due to severe financial and other problems," Singh said, adding that there will be time enough to celebrate once his government has brought the state back on the path of growth and development.

Several newly elected MLAs including Navjot Singh Sidhu, Manpreet Singh Badal, Brahm Mohindra, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana Gurjit Singh, Pargat Singh, Razia Sultana, O P Soni are in the race for becoming ministers, party sources said.

Having tasted electoral victory in Punjab after a gap

of 10 years, Congress would like to give representation to various sections and also accommodate experienced leaders and youth in the cabinet.

It remains to be seen who among the contenders for ministerial positions will be inducted tomorrow.

Riding on strong anti-incumbency, Congress stormed to power in Punjab after a gap of 10 years by winning 77 seats in the 117-assembly seats of the Vidhan Sabha.

Ruling SAD-BJP won 18, AAP fighting its maiden assembly polls in Punjab won 20 while 2 seats went to newly floated outfit and AAP ally Lok Insaaf Party.

This is the second time that Amarinder Singh would be taking the oath as chief minister having served in that capacity in 2002-2007.
The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly today passed the Budget for 2017-18 by voice vote after two-day discussions by the members from both ruling and opposition parties.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who also holds the Finance portfolio, had presented the first Budget of the BJP government in the house on March 10 last.

Participating in the budget discussion, Chief Minister Pema Khandu reiterated his government's commitment to treat all constituencies equally rising above political consideration while giving additional thrust on agri-horti sectors.

He informed that an event on organic mission would be conducted in the state on April next which would be attended by Union minister.

Lauding the suggestions of the members, Khandu assured to incorporate in the budget which implementation would begin from April next.

"The budget reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of a new India," Khandu said adding, the state government would create phase-wise infrastructure in the state to reduce the gap.

Urging the members to work with 'Team Arunachal' spirit to root out corruption, Khandu said that prioritising of IT sector would reduce corruption in the government level through paper less administration.

Referring to the innovative Chief Minister Dashboard proposal in the budget, Khandu said that the dash board would be ready soon where all the schemes including flagship programmes would be uploaded for effective monitoring to achieve the goal of sab ka saath sab ka vikas.

Stating that the state had vast land but no progress could be achieved, the chief minister informed that law would be enacted soon for land reforms to woo private investment.

Informing that six Advance Landing Grounds (ALGs) have been upgraded in the state, the chief minister said that Itanagar Airport would be developing soon while the state would have its own aircrafts.

Calling for developing work culture right from babus to chief secretary to achieve developmental agendas of the government, Khandu assured to focus on revenue generation and employment generation through skill and entrepreneurial development.

The assembly later passed the budget before Speaker T Norbu Thongdok adjourned the House sine die.

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The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has issued a warning letter to Badrivishal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals for violating current good manufacturing practice norms at its plant near Pune.

In the letter to the company's Chief Executive Officer Deepak Rawat, the USFDA said inspectors during inspection from August 16 to 19, 2016, found "significant deviations" from current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at the plant.

Elaborating on the violations at the plant, the USFDA noted that the company failed to validate and monitor the water purification system to ensure that water is of appropriate quality and suitable for its intended use.

"During the inspection, our investigators found that your water purification system was not adequately monitored and controlled. Because you use water as a drug component and for cleaning your facility and equipment, these failures pose significant risk to the safety of your drugs," it added.

The other violations include the firm's failure to prepare, review, and approve documents related to the manufacturing of APIs.

"Our investigators found a large number of trash bags behind a building on your property. The trash bags contained torn original laboratory and production records, such as analytical test reports, water testing reports, and sample notebooks," the US health regulator said.

The information on these discarded, torn documents did not match the official records, it added.

"Your quality unit did not investigate these discrepancies," the USFDA noted.

Besides, the inspectors identified failure on the part of the company to verify the suitability of analytical methods. Also, the firm failed to adequately investigate critical deviations, it said.

Until the company corrects all violations and deviations completely and the USFDA confirms its compliance with CGMP, it may withhold approval of any new applications, the regulator said.

Failure to correct these deviations may also result in FDA continuing to refuse admission of articles manufactured at the plant into the US, it added.

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Bangladesh today reminded India of its commitment over Teesta water sharing agreement ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to New Delhi, saying Dhaka awaits a draft deal on the matter signed six years ago to be turned into an agreement.

"On the issue of Teesta, two subsequent Indian Prime Ministers (Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi) said the draft of the proposed deal on Teesta will be turned into an agreement. And they made this commitment not in private conversation but in public statements," Water Resources Minister Anisul Islam Mahmud said on the sidelines of a water conference here.

He declined to speculate over possibilities during Hasina's visit to India from April 7 to 10, saying "I cannot give you any timeframe, but I can tell you that the central government in India is sincere and they are working on it".

Islam said there are "internal political perspective of every country over such issues, and you are well aware of this (in the case of Teesta). But we definitely want the justified share of Teesta waters not only for our agriculture, but also for saving the river... The flow drastically declined two years ago".

Bangladesh has long been insisting on signing of a water sharing agreement, which so far failed to yield the much expected treaty.

India and Bangladesh were set to ink the deal during Singh's 2011 Dhaka visit, but West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to endorse the deal citing scarcity of water in her state.

The Teesta river, which has its origin in Sikkim, flows through the northern part of West Bengal before entering Bangladesh and joining the Brahmaputra river.

Its flow is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1,000 cusec from 5,000 cusec.

Bangladesh and India have an outstanding issue of sharing waters in the common Teesta river with West Bengal having a major stake in the process.

During her February 2015 Dhaka visit, Banarjee promised to play a "positive role" in resolving the outstanding issue, protecting interests of both Bangladesh and West Bengal as she called on Hasina. In 2015, Banerjee visited Bangladesh with Modi.

Bangladesh is criss-crossed by over 200 rivers, which largely contribute to its economy and agriculture. It shares flows in 54 common streams with the Teesta being a major one.

The Teesta water-sharing agreement has been in talks since the Hasina-led Awami League government returned to power in 2009. Hasina had earlier criticised Banarjee for her "unfortunate" stance against the water sharing deal.

The two countries earlier had signed a landmark 30-year agreement on sharing of water in the Ganges, removing a protracted irk in bilateral ties during Hasina's previous tenure as prime minister in 1997 when Deve Gowda was her Indian counterpart and Jyoti Basu was the West Bengal chief minister.

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European authorities say that an influx of Bangladeshis coming from Libya has contributed to a near-doubling of migrants arriving in Italy last month.

The European Union's Frontex border patrol agency said Wednesday that there were 10,900 detections of illegal border crossings into the European Union at the three main border crossings some 9,000 from the central Mediterranean route, with the rest from the Greek islands and the western Balkans.

That's less than a 10th of the figure from the same period last year, but 46 percent higher than in January because of the unusually busy Libya-Italy route.

Frontex said Guinean and Bangladeshis were the top nationalities reaching Italy last month, with Bangladeshis often flying to Tripoli on work visas and then paying smugglers to get to Europe.

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The All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and other groups today called off their indefinite hunger strike demanding a separate Bodoland after the Assam Home and Political Department assured them of holding tripartite talks on the issue.

On March 10, ABSU members, accompanied by NDFB(P) and the Peoples Joint Action Committee for Bodoland Movement (PJACBM), started an indefinite hunger strike at the Kokrajhar Government High School premises demanding Bodoland.

They broke their hunger strike on the sixth day in the presence of Kokrajhar district Deputy Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police and Vice-Chancellor of Bodoland University.

A letter from the state Home and Political Department was sent to the agitators through the Kokrajhar DC with an assurance of initiating tripartite talks at the political level before April 14 next, sources said.

The letter said the state government had taken up the issue with the union government of tripartite talks at the political level with the central and Assam governments, and the ABSU and PJACBM.

ABSU president Pramod Boro said, "We express our gratitude to the government for the letter, but everything will depend on its sincerity. The government should not take the talks as a game. We are determined and there will be no compromise on our demand. We will not tolerate any conspiracy.

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A 28-year-old British woman tourist was found dead near a beach in south Goa, following which a man was arrested today for his alleged role in the crime.

The disrobed body of the woman, who had a British passport, was found yesterday at an isolated spot near a beach in south Goa's Devbag village, located about 80 km from here, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Canacona, Sammy Tavares said.

He said the woman had arrived in Goa on February 23 this year and since then she was holidaying in south Goa.

"Hours before her corpse was found, she was seen playing Holi with locals in Canacona," the officer said.

The woman's face was smashed with a blunt object. It is a case of murder, Tavares said.

The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to ascertain the exact cause of the death.

Vikas Bhagat, a history-sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devbag, was arrested today in this connection, the official said.

"Bhagat was arrested by police within 24 hours of the woman's body being found at an isolated spot in Devbag village, located between the beaches of Canacona and Agonda," Tavares said.

"Bhagat was earlier arrested several times in connection with cases of theft and other petty offences," he said.

Meanwhile, police have requested the Dean of GMCH to form a panel of doctors to conduct the postmortem of the British woman. They are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain if she was raped before being killed.

"Only after it is medically proved that she was raped, we will add the (relevant) sections," Tavares said.

"Prima facie it looks like a case of rape," he said.

Meanwhile, police produced Bhagat before a local court, which remanded him to seven-day judicial custody.

"We are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder," they said.

The incident has brought back memories of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling's death in the coastal state. The 15-year-old's bruised, semi-nude corpse was found on Goa's famous Anjuna beach in February 2008.

Two men were arrested in connection with the case, but they were acquitted by Goa Children's Court last year.

The CBI, which investigated the case, had moved the Bombay High Court in February this year challenging the verdict.

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A 28-year-old British woman was found dead on a beach in South Goa following which one person has been arrested, police said today.

The disrobed body of the woman was found yesterday at an isolated spot on a beach in South Goa's Devbag village, 80 kms from here, Canacona Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sammy Tavares said.

According to police, she was last seen playing Holi with the locals in the village.

Vikas Bhagat, a history sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devabag, was arrested today in this connection and is being interrogated, the official said.

Tavares said police was probing the murder angle and also trying to establish whether the victim was raped before her death.

"Earlier, we had rounded up some suspects. We are also trying to establish whether the victim was raped or not" he said.

The body has been sent for postmortem at Goa Medical College and Hospital to ascertain the exact cause of the death, police added.

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The four-day long budget session of the Sikkim Assembly commenced today with the customary address by Governor Shriniwas Patil.

He said that during the fiscal 2017-18, the state government is committed to focus on roads and housing projects.

"Besides roads, my Government is also committed to making Sikkim a Kutcha House free state by building more than 3000 more houses during the year. My Government has declared 2017 as the year of development," he stated.

Speaking on the reservation of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, the Governor said that the state government has been vigorously pursuing with the Government of India, the demand for provision of seats in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the Limboo-Tamang communities which has been pending for more than 14 years.

He also put on record that the state government has been able to convince the Government of India for permitting His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa to come to Sikkim.

Earlier, the Governor began his address by conveying condolence on behalf of the House and the people of Sikkim on the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Late J.Jayalalithaa, former member, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Late Dilli Ram Basnet, and former Governor of Sikkim, Late P Shiv Shankar.

After the Governor's address, Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling who is also the leader of the House, moved the motion of thanks on the Governor's address.

The Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ugen T. Gyatso seconded the motion of thanks on the Governor's address.

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The Centre today approved financial assistance for bifurcated Andhra Pradesh by way of special dispensation in funding of externally aided projects (EAPs) and also the irrigation component of Polavaram project.

The special assistance approved by the Cabinet will be provided to the state towards repayment of loan and interest for EAPs signed and disbursed during 2015-16 to 2019-20, an official release said.

The Centre will also fund 100 per cent of the irrigation component of the Polavaram project starting from April 1, 2014, it said further.

"This support for capital expenditure by way of repayment of EAP loans would help and assist the newly formed state of Andhra Pradesh to put the State's finances on a firmer footing and promote economic growth," it said.

The Centre while fulfilling its commitments under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014, has already provided 'Special Assistance' of Rs 1,976.50 crore to the state during 2016-17.

Besides, the Ministry of Water Resources has also provided Rs 2,081.54 crore for the Polavaram Irrigation Project during the current financial year.

"Thus the Central Government, after the enactment of the Reorganisation Act, has provided central assistance of Rs 10,461.04 crore to the state of Andhra Pradesh which includes Rs 4,403 crore released during 2014-15, Rs 2,000 crore released during 2015-16 and Rs 4,058.04 crore in 2016-17.

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Natural measures to manage flooding from rivers can play a valuable role in flood prevention, but a lack of monitoring means their true potential remains unclear, researchers say.

Such measures, including river restoration and tree planting, aim to restore processes that have been affected by human activities such as farming, land management and house-building.

Natural flood management is an area of increasing interest for policy makers, but its implementation can present a complex balancing act between the needs of different groups, including the public, farmers and land owners. Mixed messages about the efficacy and scalability of natural flood management measures add to the uncertainty surrounding their benefits.

Now a team of experts, led by Dr Simon Dadson of the University of Oxford, and including Professor Paul Bates from the University of Bristols School of Geographical Sciences, has compiled the evidence on natural flood management, in order to better inform policy decisions and show where crucial gaps in knowledge lie.

Published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, the restatement clarifies the scientific evidence available from a variety of sources, ranging from field data to model projections and expert opinion.

Dr Dadson said: "Flooding is an extremely costly natural hazard in the UK, and we expect it to increase in the future as climate change leads to more extremes in our weather. The period between 1960 and 1990 was relatively flood-poor compared with what weve seen since and with what we are likely to see in the future.

"What weve found is that when it comes to natural flood management, there are some interventions for which there is very strong evidence, but these tend to be in small-scale river catchments. One of the main problems decision-makers face is that differences between catchments make it difficult to transfer evidence from one location to the other  and we dont yet know whether the effects in small catchments can be extrapolated to larger ones."

The authors say natural measures have proved useful at preventing flooding after minor rainstorms, and can be a worthwhile component of a larger package of flood prevention measures. For measures such as tree planting that aim to change the way rainfall runs off the land, the evidence of the impact on flooding is mixed. Meanwhile, measures to restore natural floodplains by making room for the river, for example by removing flood walls and other obstacles, have been shown to reduce flood water levels.

Dr Dadson added: "There are always going to be some extreme floods, like we saw after Storm Desmond, that are simply overwhelming.

"Natural flood management can help if implemented well in carefully chosen locations, and it can bring important benefits to landscapes and wildlife, but its not a silver bullet for the problem of flooding.

The restatement calls for increased monitoring and measurement of flood management impacts, with evidence gathered within a comprehensive framework.

Dr Dadson added: "Our message to Defra and the Environment Agency is that they need to establish more systematic large-scale surveys and monitoring programmes, and feed natural flood management into planning at the catchment scale.

"Its also really important that catchment-based schemes that have been instigated by communities and local wildlife or river trusts are monitored and evaluated so that the right lessons can be learned for the future."

Professor Paul Bates commented: "Whilst natural catchment management seems a very attractive option for managing flood risk, robust evidence for its effectiveness for anything other than small floods in small catchments is not yet there."
The government today approved signing of an agreement with Bangladesh for greater cooperation with regard to marine aids to navigation that includes advice on lighthouses and beacons besides vessel traffic service.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) between the Directorate General of Lighthouses & Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping, Government of India and the Department of Shipping, Government of Bangladesh," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.

The MoU envisages cooperation between Bangladesh and India for extending advice on lighthouses and beacons besides on vessel traffic service and chain of automatic identification system.

The pact will also cover training as per International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) training module to AtoN Managers and Technicians for Bangladesh.

The MoU will enable both the countries to collaborate in the areas that include providing advice on AtoNs, academic interaction by imparting training to AtoN personnel, and provide necessary cooperation in organising workshops/ conferences for enhancement of skills in AtoN field.

"The MoU will also help in greater cooperation in capacity building in the field of AtoN training in the South Asian region. This will give a boost to imparting training on the management of marine aids to navigation based on IALA Model Course E-141/1 and accordingly facilitate the delivery of a professional training course as per the IALA guidelines," the statement said.

India and Bangladesh are two important developing nations in the South Asian region. Both the countries maintain a long tradition of friendly and cordial relation which has been manifested in the several bilateral visits of dignitaries from both sides during recent years.

As per International Maritime Organisation's (IMO's) requirement, authorities in various countries, provide appropriate Aids to Navigation in their waters as per international recommendations and guidelines.

"Marine aids to navigation such as lighthouses, beacons, DGPS, navigational and mooring buoys are operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of vessels and/or vessel traffic," the statement said.

DGLL establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in India, for safe navigation in Indian waters.

DGLL having expertise in lighthouse engineering and maintains large inventory of Aids to navigation which includes 193 lighthouses, 64 Racons, 22 Deep Sea lighted buoys, 23 DGPS stations, 01 Lightship, 04 tender vessels, National AlS Network, Vessel Traffic Service in Gulf of Kutch.

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A car bomb ripped through a busy street in the Iraqi city of Tikrit today, killing at least seven people, police and a doctor said.

The bombing hit Al-Ataba Street, which is home to medical clinics as well as shops, also wounding dozens of people, the sources said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State jihadist group carries out frequent bombings targeting civilians in Iraq.

Tikrit, located north of Baghdad, was the first Iraqi city to be recaptured from IS, which overran large areas north and west of the capital in 2014.

Iraqi forces retook Tikrit in 2015, and while some of it was heavily damaged, civilians have since returned to the city.

Baghdad's forces went on to recapture the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah, and are now battling to retake the western side of second city Mosul, after seizing its east from the jihadists earlier this year.

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A girl was killed when a car mowed down 9 people in Seemapuri area of Shahdara on Holi, police said today.

Following the incident, locals in the area managed to catch three out of the five occupants of the car while the rest managed to flee, they added.

The locals allegedly started vandalising the car and in the chaos, the three persons who had been caught by them also managed to escape from the spot.

Police said that Sarita Devi, along with her husband, sister-in-law and four children had come to her aunt Urmila's house to celebrate Holi, police said.

Sarita's brother's three-and-a-half year old daughter Anshika had also accompanied her to Urmila's house.

When the group was standing outside Urmila's house, she came out to greet them.

While they were talking, an overspeeding car came and hit everyone, apart from Sarita's husband who got saved.

All the injured persons were rushed to the hospital where Anshika was declared brought dead while the others are undergoing treatment.

The accused driver, Saif Ali alias Chintu (22), was arrested yesterday, police said.

While locals alleged that Saif and his four other friends who were covered in colours were drunk, the accused claimed that his friends were tipsy but he was 'sober'.

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The CBDT will hold a high-level meeting later this week to review the progress in collections under the black money window of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna (PMGKY), that will close on March 31.

Officials said the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), the policy-making body of the Income Tax Department, will hold the meeting with all the regional heads of the department on March 17.

They said the meeting will be chaired by CBDT Chairman Sushil Chandra along with other Members of the board and all Chief Commissioners of the tax department have been asked to attend the meeting that will be held via a video conferencing facility.

"The meeting will also review the tax collection work as the current financial year comes to an end on March 31," a senior official said.

The last cycle of advance tax collections has got over today and the meeting will review the overall progress to achieve the target of Rs 8.47 lakh crore in the 2016-17 fiscal.

After last year's demonetisation, the government came out with PMGKY under which people holding unaccounted cash can deposit them in bank accounts till March 31 by paying 50 per cent tax plus penalty.

A quarter of the total sum will have to be parked in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years.

The PMGKY commenced on December 17 and will remain open for declarations and deposits up to March 31.

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Country's central universities are "losing" their autonomy and they have to fight a battle to defend it, a Rajya Sabha member today said.

Member of Parliament Tapan Kumar Sen levelled the allegation days after the JNU vice-chancellor had praised the victory of BJP in the Assembly elections.

"Universities are becoming a seminal centre of assertions and currently, country's universities are the main target. They are losing the autonomy they have enjoyed.

"When you have the vice-chancellor of the JNU going on Twitter and blog to express his joy on the results of Assembly elections, we need to think," he said.

JNU Vice Chancellor Jagadesh Kumar was at the centre of trolls on social media on March 11 over his tweet crediting BJP's victory in Uttar Pradesh to "development" and "inclusivity".

Kumar who was associated with Vijana Bharti, an RSS wing involved with Swadeshi Science Movement, before he took over as JNU VC, has often been accused of acting on directions of BJP and for his affiliation with the Sangh.

"People of India have once again demonstrated overwhelmingly that we stand for development and inclusivity," he had tweeted.

Kumar, also sent the same tweet to few journalists drawing sharp reactions.

Sen was speaking at a seminar on rights of working journalists, organised jointly by the Press Club Of India and Kerala Union of Working Journalists at the club's premises here, in the wake of recent retrenchment at few media houses.

Noted sociologist Shiv Vishvanathan had earlier proposed that journalists must collaborate with universities, scholars and professionals to set up a "new constituent assembly" towards creating a more vibrant democracy,



"Journalists must realise that mere trade union activism won't do when it comes to addressing the issue of working journalists rights.

"They must collaborate with universities, experts, scholars and professionals from other fields to build a new kind of wider solidarity, set up a new constituent assembly towards working on rights of journalists in the industry," he said.

Sen said, not just universities, everyone concerned must join hands to fight against attack on media and the freedom of the press.

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British-Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has announced that she would be donating the costumes and script of her latest film "The Viceroy's House" to the new Partition museum in Amritsar.

The movie, currently in UK cinemas, is set in the final days of Indian independence in August 1947 and traces the lead up to the Partition of the country.

It will be released in India in August this year to coincide with the 70th anniversary of India's independence.

"On my travels around Britain, it has been heart-warming to see how the film has been very cathartic for many people.

"The museum is also a befitting tribute to all who suffered in 1947 and are still haunted by the tragedy of Partition," said Chadha at an event organised by the Partition Museum in the UK Parliament complex on Tuesday.

The museum is an initiative of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust and is located at the Town Hall in Amritsar, which forms part of the historic street which runs between the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh.

"This is a people's museum, being set up entirely through generous donations. Already most of the Partition survivors are in their 80s and 90s and the museum team is working hard to collect their memories swiftly," said Kishwar Desai, chair of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Trust.

"We urge all Partition survivors and eyewitnesses and their families to come forward to join this movement of educating the world about a terrible tragedy that has gone unrecognised all these years," she added.

The museum has been conceived to chronicle the history of colonial rule in India, along with oral histories, objects dating back to Partition and will also include a "Gallery of Hope".

It was inaugurated through a curtain raiser exhibition in October 2016 and will be completed later this year.

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Road congestion in Chennai and Puducherry will come down significantly after a pact between Chennai port and the Puducherry government for handling of export-import cargo, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari today said.

"Road congestion will reduce substantially due to the pact for handling exim cargo as almost 300 trucks will go off the road. Around 5-10 lakh tonnes of cargo is expected to be handled once this arrangement becomes operational," Gadkari, who holds shipping, road transport and highways portfolio, said.

After the signing of the pact between the Chennai Port Trust, one of the 12 major ports in the country, and the government of Puducherry here for handling the exim cargo, Gadkari said the move will also bring down pollution significantly.

The MoU envisages that the Chennai Port Trust will assist Puducherry Port in handling its export cargo.

The cargo originating from Puducherry Port hinterland will be transported through sea mode to the Chennai port for shipping to overseas destinations through mainline and feeder vessels.

"Similarly, the import cargo destined to Puducherry hinterland will be unloaded at the Chennai port and will be moved in small coastal vessels to the Puducherry port, thus reducing total logistics costs, besides easing road congestion," a statement from the shipping ministry said.

The pact was inked in presence of Gadkari, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayansamy and Minister of State for Shipping Mansukh Lal Mandaviya.

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China has been a "substantial currency manipulator" in the past which has led to loss of jobs in America, President Donald Trump's nominee to be the US Trade Representative has alleged.

"In the past, it is my judgement that China was a substantial currency manipulator. And I think we've lost a lot of jobs in the United States because of it. And by the way, it's not just China, there are other countries that have done it," Robert Lighthizer told members of the Senate Finance Committee during a confirmation hearing for the position of US Trade Representative (USTR).

"Whether China is manipulating the currency right now to weaken it is another question," he said, adding that this is for the US Treasury Secretary to decide.

He was responding to a question from Senator Debbie Stabenow who wanted to know why President Trump has not declared China a currency manipulator even as he said in his election campaign that he would do so on day one of his presidency.

"The President said one day he would label China the currency manipulator. You've made very strong comments in the past, China engages in currency manipulation; China is by far our biggest trade problem," she said.

"We've seen the president say that the grand champion of currency manipulation is China. But then we see on February 24, Secretary Mnuchin signals the White House is not sure what they're going to do on currency manipulation," Stabenow said.

She also pointed out that China has granted preliminary approval for 38 new Trump trademarks, paving the way for Trump and his family to potentially develop a host of branded businesses from hotels to insurance to bodyguard and escort services.

Stabenow was joined by a few other lawmakers on this issue.

"I believe that if your concern is that the President would somehow not defend America against China because of trademarks, I want to let you be assured that that is not the case and I would also say that I'll bet you and I will sit down in your office between now and the time I leave and you will say, "Bob, you were right. He really is going to change the paradigm on China, the USTR nominee said.

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Businessmen from China agreed to buy USD 1.7 billion in Philippine products this year, the Chinese embassy said today, in a one-off arrangement reflecting warming ties under firebrand President Rodrigo Duterte.

Since coming to power last year Duterte has sought greater trade as well as billions of dollars in investment and aid from the world's second largest economy, as the Philippines seeks to modernise its crumbling infrastructure.

Under the agreement signed by businessmen from both countries, China will import Philippine goods such as fruits, fisheries, chemicals and mineral products, the Chinese embassy said in a statement.

These will be new imports and on top of existing Philippine shipments to China, the embassy added.

The accord is one of the results of Duterte's landmark visit to China in October, the statement said.

On his visit, Duterte declared he was distancing himself from the Philippines' longtime ally the United States and seeking closer ties with Beijing.

To that end, he controversially set aside Manila's festering territorial conflict with its more powerful Asian neighbour over parts of the South China Sea, a vital sea lane and fishing ground that is believed to hold vast mineral resources.

"Let us not fight about ownership or sovereignty at this time because things are going great for my country," Duterte said on Monday in reference to China.

Even before Duterte's overtures, China was already the second largest trading partner of the Philippines, accounting for 13.6 percent of its total trade in 2015, government figures showed.

The Philippines exported USD 6.175 billion worth of goods to China while importing USD 11.47 billion worth in 2015.

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China today called on the US, South Korea and North Korea to return to talks to avoid conflict in the Korean Peninsula that could wreak havoc in the region.

Premier Li Keqiang said in his annual press conference here that his country was committed to denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. He asked all parties to de-escalate tensions through dialogue and consultation.

"Tensions may lead to conflicts, which will bring harm to all parties involved...It is just a common sense that no one wants to see chaos at his doorstep," Li said at the end of China's annual parliament season.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had proposed a "double suspension", asking NorthKoreato suspend its nuclear programme while demanding the US and South Koreato stop military exercises to kick start a new round of talks.

The issue is expected to come up during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month.

Both countries said the preparations are underway for the summit.

The US wants China to use its influence over its close ally North Korea to halt its provocative nuclear and missile programmes.

Situation in the Korean Peninsula and even broader Northeast Asia has recently become tense after recent missile tests by North Korea as well as the assassination of the Kim Jong Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-nam was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport, using the deadly VX nerve agent, a chemical on a UN list of weapons of mass destruction. North Korea is suspected to be behind the murder.

Li said China hopes all parties make concerted efforts to de-escalate tensions and get back to the track of dialogue in order to find proper solutions.

Apparently referring to recent move by Beijing to halt coal imports from North Korea, Li said Beijing has fully complied with UN resolutions on the denuclearisation imposing a number of sanctions against Pyongyang for continuing to pursue the nuclear weapons programme.

"China is a staunch supporter of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," Li said.

Crisis escalated inKoreanPeninsula as North Korea stepped the development of nuclear programme as well as the development of long range missile which can reach US despite UN sanctions.

Wang had also hit out at the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptor missiles in South Korea, saying it is obviously a "wrong choiceharms China's security.

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Dateline: England

A family in Colchester told the Daily Gazette they were shocked and emotionally distraught after an elderly man in a wedding dress emerged from the bushes and informed them the park they were strolling through was an outdoor sex hotspot. The mother, who asked to remain anonymous, was with her four children, aged between 4 and 18, in Hilly Fields, Colchester, when an elderly man of about 70 or 80 came out from the underbrush wearing a huge white wedding dress. According to the woman, He told us he was there seeking sexual encounters in the woodlands. I am absolutely shocked by this blatant and disgusting behavior. We would never have expected such lewd sexual behavior in a park in Colchester. The man allegedly informed the woman that the 80-acre nature reserve was listed online as the best cruising area in East Anglia and the Essex area for safety and the availability of talents. The woman told the newspaper she and her children were so upset we headed home.

Dateline: Florida

A defense lawyer was arguing a case in court earlier this month when his pants literally caught on fire. Although it cannot be determined whether Miami attorney Stephen Gutierrez was lying at the time, it is ironic that he was arguing the defense in an arson case. According to the Miami Herald, the 28-year-old Gutierrez had begun closing arguments in the case, insisting that his clients car spontaneously combusted and was not intentionally set on fire, when witnesses say smoke began billowing out of the lawyers right pocket. Gutierrez rushed out of the courtroom, leaving spectators stunned. Jurors were ushered out of the room, and Gutierrez later returned with a singed pocket. The lawyer insists it was not a stunt to distract jurors and blamed the incident on a faulty battery for an e-cigarette. Shortly after beginning my argument, I noticed that my pocket began to feel hot, Gutierrez told The Huffington Post. When I checked my pocket, I noticed that the heat was coming from a small e-cigarette battery I had in my pocket. There were two or three in my pocket at the time. Despiteor perhaps because of the symbolic interruption Gutierrez client, 48-year-old Claudy Charles, was found guilty of second-degree arson.

Dateline: New York

According to dnainfo.com, a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on New Yorks Upper East Side had a bottle smashed over his head by a patron who was upset about a crooked painting. The suspect approached the guard inside the Met at 6:15pm on March 3 and told him a painting on the wall was hanging crooked. The response [from the security guard] wasnt to his liking, a police spokesman said, so the suspect hit him over the head with a bottle. The victim was taken to the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition with a cut to his head. The suspect, a 20-to-25-year-old male with a long beard, was captured on surveillance video fleeing the scene. He has not been identified or arrested.

Dateline: Iowa

An Iowa state senator was forced to change his resume on a political website after it was revealed that his business degree was actually a training certificate from the chain restaurant Sizzler. Mark Chelgren, a Republican representing the Iowa Senates 41st District, told the Associated Press he didnt mean to mislead anyone. I know theyve changed that, because apparently a degree and a certificate are different, Chelgren was quoted as saying. NBC News had reported earlier this month that Chelgrens biography on iowasenaterepublicans. com had changed, removing information about the degree. According to an image posted by the network, the website previously indicated that Chelgren had a degree in business management from Forbco Management School. After failing to find the school listed among accredited institutions at the National Center for Education Statistics, NBC reported that the only Forbco Management is a company that used to operate a Sizzler Steakhouse in Torrance, California. After the NBC expose, Chelgren admitted to the Associated Press that he worked at the Southern California Sizzler in the 1980s, when he was about 19, and didnt see a difference between a management degree and a training certificate. Chelgren told the Des Moines Register that NBCs report was just arguing semantics.
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has completed an oxygen production and supply project for its troops stationed in the high-altitude Qinghai-Tibet plateau and Pamir plateau regions.

In the project, 800-plus troop units have been equipped with 165 oxygen generation stations, eight hyperbaric oxygen chambers, 12 plateau oxygen trucks, 4,807 small oxygen generators and 6,830 oxygen cylinders, PLA Daily reported.

The oxygen production-supply integrated support will be incorporated into the joint operation system of PLA's plateau troops.

Oxygen supply facilities are available by the bedside of individual soldiers, and the mobile and base support of oxygen supply are available for troops in training.

The full-process oxygen supply mode in wartime is on a trial basis now, the China military online reported.

"A total of 12 joint maintenance points have been set up with technical staff coming from both military and civilian units," said an official of the Health Bureau under the CMC's Logistics Support Department.

Tibet, regarded as he roof of the world, has an average elevation of4,500 meters.

The Logistics Support Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC)has made a plan to ensure effective and good management and maintenance of the oxygen production instalments.

According to the plan, an integrated military-civilian maintenance network and spare parts supply channels will be set up, the report said.

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today warned the US against any trade war, saying American firms would be the first to "bear the brunt" if such a war breaks out.

His comments came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's key summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has labelled China a currency manipulator and threatened to slap hefty tariffs on its imports.

"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament.

Last year, the United States' deficit in trade in goods with China reached USD 347 million and Trump has promised to close that gap, which he has also attributed to what he calls China's rigged currency exchange policies.

Li said that a trade war of tit-for-tat protectionist measures would ultimately damage the American economy.

"If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt," he said, citing an article written by an international think-tank.

Li's comments came as officials of both the countries said the first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida. Trump plans to host Xi for a summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Li said the diplomats of both the countries are preparing for the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.

"No matter what bumps the China-US relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in the positive direction," Li said.

He said China believes the people of both countries have the wisdom to properly manage their differences, adding that "there is a need and there are also conditions for us to continue to expand our common interests."



About differences between the two countries, he said. "Whatever differences we may have we can sit-down and talk to each other to find solution. For those differences which cannot be resolved for the time being and anytime soon we can shelve them to continue to focus on expanding our common interests which I believe is the right choice".

In the process, the percentage of differences overall China US relations will continue to come down, he said.

Chinese Premier also spoke about the Taiwan issue.

Li, the second ranking official of the ruling Communist



Party of China (CPC), said both Trump and Xi have spoken to each other over phone during which the US President had "explicitly" said that US will continue to follow the 'One China' policy.

"This policy constitutes the political foundation of the China-US relations which has remained unshaken in-spite of the changing circumstances and nor this foundation is undermined," he said.

"With that foundation in place, we believe there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation," he said.

Trump had earlier riled China by saying he would negotiate with Beijing on its 'One China' policy.

Xi spoke to Trump only after he agreed to abide by the policy followed by all the US administrations in recent years on Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a rebel province and wants reunification of the island with the mainland.
: Congress today ruled out supporting the ruling AIADMK in the April 12 RK Nagar bypoll.

AIADMK Deputy General Secretary T T V Dinakaran, also the party's candidate in the hustings scheduled next month, had earlier in the day welcomed the support of opposition parties, including DMK and Congress to defeat DMK.

TNCC President S Thirunavukkarasar ruled out any such possibility and recalled his party's support to the DMK in the bypoll.

"Chances of Congress supporting a party politically are very very miniscule. There is no possibility. Also, we have already made our stand (of supporting DMK) clear," he told reporters here.

Dinakaran had earlier in the day insisted that DMK was AIADMK's main rival and welcomed the support of other parties.

"DMK is our rival and that is the policy of (party founder the late) MG Ramachandran and Amma. I am contesting from RK Nagar to prevent a DMK win and therefore will accept the support of others, whether it be MDMK, DMDK, BJP or even Congress," he had said.

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Nissan's affordable segment car brand is seeking to leverage on its popularity in the cab aggregator segment in India to woo potential customers for individual mobility there.

The Japanese auto major has a partnership with Indian start-up Ola. is among the popular brands in ride hailing segment in the market.

"We appreciate the validation by aggregators that this (Datsun) is a relivable affordable car, which we are proud to use. Ola selects us. We are extremely happy that they recognise us as a trustworthy cost efficient partner," Global Head Vincent Cobee said at sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show.

He said the aggregator model gives potential customers access mobility first and then gradually could lead them to upgrade to owning their own vehicle.

"They (aggregators) are not competing with us. They are giving our target customers the understanding that individual mobility is possible. Aggregators like Ola, Uber will be a first step, then they (customers) will move to owning their own car," Cobee said.

Unlike other car maker like Hyundai, which has decided to distinguish aggregator segment with that of personal usage by launching the Prime range, Datsun isn't changing track.

"I am quite happy to see this, specially, Ola a genuine India-born, India-made, India-developed, extremely successful aggregator trusts us and is promoting our products, which is a good step to individual mobility," he added.

When pointed out that in India customers tend to stay away from models which are widely used in fleet segment, Cobee said: "That's true for taxi fleet...But aggregators and taxis are different."

Aggregators are much more modern and technology based, he said, adding Ola is an Indian start-up employing people to move them around.

"So we made a conscious decision that this association was quite good," Cobee said.

Datsun, which made a global comeback in 2014 after nearly 30 years with the launch of hatchback Go in India, has not met with the success as it has been able to do in Indonesia.
A three-member Indian delegation of MPs today met Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq who said greater interaction and dialogue between the two sides can play a pivotal role in strengthening ties.

The delegation headed by Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor included Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi and Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta.

Sadiq told the Indian MPs that dialogue and interaction between both the countries must be directed towards peace between the two countries as well as in the region, according to a statement by the National Assembly Secretariat.

He urged for regular interaction between parliamentarians of Pakistan and India.

"He stressed for exploring possibilities of joint collaboration between NA (National Assembly) and Lok Sabha in legislative drafting, rules of business and other parliamentary practices," according to the statement.

Apprising the delegation about formation of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the National Assembly, Sadiq said 90 parliamentary friendship groups are functioning very effectively in the National Assembly of Pakistan and playing role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy and parliamentary relations.

Speaking on the occasion, Tharoor said that parliamentary diplomacy will certainly play an important role in bringing the two nations more closer as they are already tied in common bonds of culture and history.

The Indian delegation is in Pakistan to attend the conference of Asian Parliament Assembly.

The conference, attended by 23 Asian countries and scheduled to conclude on March 17, is being held to discuss closer cooperation and creation of Asian Parliament on the pattern of European Union.

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The Maharashtra unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today held a rally here to protest against the assault on a resident doctor allegedly by relatives of a patient in Dhule government hospital on Sunday.

"The IMA held a rally at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai against the persistent injustice meted out to the doctors' community, as uncivilised mob is taking law into its hands frequently," the IMA's Maharashtra youth wing chairman Dr Sagar Mundada said.

He said as per the national health profile of 2015, there is only one doctor for every 11,528 patients in the government-run hospitals across the country.

"This is a far cry from the World Health Organisation's prescribed (standard of) one doctor for every 1,000 patients," Dr Mundada said, adding that medicos working in such hospitals are overworked, "but government fails to provide them enough security."



Dr Rohan Mhamunkar, attached to the Hirey Medical College in Dhule, was allegedly bashed by the relatives of the patient, a accident victim, over the course of treatment.

Police had arrested one Pradeep Vetal and eight others in connection with the incident.

Vetal allegedly hanged himself in the toilet of police lock-up in Dhule yesterday.

Condemning the attack, the members of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) yesterday wore black ribbons on their arms.

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Drought was the major factor for the decline ofgrowth rate of industry and service sectors in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today said.

In his post-budget media briefing, he said the trend was not limitedonly to Karnataka, but also to the entire country.

The growth rate of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) had been brought down from 7.3 per cent during 2015-16 to 6.9 per cent during the closing fiscal 2016-17, he said.

"This is a trend in the entire country, it is not only in Karnataka. It is the same trend going on in the entire country," he said citing all-India figures for 2015-17. Siddaramaiah said the industry sector was expected to grow at 2.2 per cent compared to 4.9 per cent during the previous year, while the service sector expected to register a growth of 8.5 per cent during the current year as compared to 10.4 per cent the previous year.

The agriculture sector is expected to grow by 1.5 per cent this year.

Siddaramaiah said the budget has a fiscal deficit of Rs 33,359 crore, 2.61 per cent of GSDP, as mandated by Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act.

With Rs 37,092 crore loan on government's head, the total liabilities of the state has increased to Rs 2,42,420 crore by the end of 2017-18, which is 18.93 per cent of the GSDP, well within the 25 per cent cut off mandated by the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, Siddaramaiah said.

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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appears to have defeated a strong challenge by his far-right rival Geert Wilders in the key election, exit polls have predicted.

Rutte's Liberal VVD would scoop up 31 seats in the new parliament making it the largest party, with Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) sharing second place on 19 seats with two other parties, the public broadcaster NOS said.

Millions of Dutch had flocked to the polls yesterday in a near record turnout, with stakes high in an election pitting Rutte against his far-right anti-Islam rival.

Following last year's shock Brexit referendum and Donald Trump's victory in the US, the Dutch vote is being watched as a gauge of the strength of populism on the continent ahead of key elections in France and Germany.

If the results are confirmed, Rutte will likely get the chance to form the next coalition and could possibly turn to the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and the Democracy party D66, which both matched Wilders with a predicted 19 seats.

Wilders had pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Koran and leave the EU, if he was elected the largest party in the parliament.

"Whatever the outcome of the election today, the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay," Wilders said, voting earlier.

He has however increased the showing of his party which had 12 MPs in the outgoing parliament.

Trumpeting the country's economic growth and stability, Rutte is bidding for a third term as premier of the country -- one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding member of the European Union.

"This is a crucial election for The Netherlands," said Rutte, the leader of the Liberal VVD party, as he voted.

"This is a chance for a big democracy like The Netherlands to make a point... To stop this... Domino effect of the wrong sort of populism."



Queues began early at polling stations on a warm spring day and turnout reached 81 percent, just below the record of 88 percent set in 1977.

Amid the tussle between Rutte and Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters had been wavering between the record 28 parties running.

In a rare move, polling stations in Rotterdam and The Hague were allowed to stay open beyond the 2000 GMT closing time in order to allow all those in line to cast their ballots.

In The Hague's city centre where many residents are from Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese backgrounds, a steady flow of voters -- many of them women wearing headscarfs -- came and went at polling stations.

One Muslim voter told AFP she was afraid of Wilders' fiery anti-Islam rhetoric.

"If you have one person who criticises, it's OK. But every time another person comes and then another one... Then it's really hard to defend yourself," student Khadiga Kallouh, 22 said.

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Millions of Dutch voters went to the polls today in an election overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders.

Following last year's shock Brexit referendum, and Donald Trump's victory in the US, the Dutch vote is being closely watched to gauge support for populism in Europe ahead of other elections this year.

Wilders voted in a primary school in The Hague, mobbed by television cameras, just after final opinion polls showed he was slipping behind the Liberal VVD party of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

"Whatever the outcome of the election today the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay," Wilders said, dismissing media comparisons with Trump.

"I see this rightwing populist making gains and I will not live in such a world," said Esther Zand, 52, who voted in the same school for Labour and against Wilders.

"He's a rather irritating gentleman," she added.

Amid the tussle between Rutte and Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running.

"When people look for leadership, they look to me," Rutte told the final debate yesterday watched by a record 3.3 million people according to broadcaster NOS.

Rutte is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17 million people -- one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

Final polls appeared to show Rutte consolidating a lead over Wilders, crediting the VVD with 24 to 28 seats -- well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament.

After months leading the polls, Wilders has slipped recently and was seen barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs -- well up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before.

Wilders has pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques, ban sales of the Koran and leave the EU.

Snapping at his heels are long-standing parties the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs. Both parties would be natural coalition partners for Rutte.

"I am hoping for a strong centre" coalition, said Alexander van der Hooft, voting in a school where Rutte was expected later.

"But I'm afraid it's going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government," he told AFP.

Seeking to highlight his differences with the fiery, Twitter-loving Wilders, Rutte has been highlighting the country's economic growth and stability during his six years at the helm.

Complicating the political landscape, Turkey has gatecrashed the scene with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashing a string of invective at the Dutch for barring his ministers from addressing a pro-Ankara rally in Rotterdam.

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After nearly 15 years, two separatist leaders from Kashmir including the pro-Pakistan Syed Ali Shah Geelani have been summoned by Enforcement Directorate for alleged forex violations in the early 2000s.

The Enforcement Directorate issued summons to 87-year-old Geelani, heading hardline separatist conglomerate of Hurriyat Conference, asking him to appear at its office in Srinagar on April 3 for recording of his statement under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), sources said.

The case pertains to the recovery of USD 10,000 from his Hyderpora residence on the outskirts of Srinagar city in June 2002 during a raid by Income Tax sleuths.

Geelani's properties were assessed by the Income Tax department and a penalty of Rs 1.73 crore was raised against him. The matter is pending for adjudication.

The other separatist leader summoned is JKLF chief Yasin Malik in connection with a case of recovery of USD 0.1 million in March 2002 from a couple at Kud, a place which is middle point on Jammu and Srinagar national highway.

Mushtaq Ahmed Dar and his fiancee Shazia were arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police after the amount equivalent to Rs 48 lakh at that time was found hidden in the clothes of the woman.

Malik was arrested under the now-defunct Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by police after the couple claimed that the money was brought through hawala channel to be disbursed to him. He is at present out on bail in this case.

The Enforcement Directorate had registered a case under FEMA against Malik and asked him to appear before its officials on March 28 in Srinagar, the sources said.

Both the separatist leaders have been asked to bring in all the papers including Income Tax returns, if any, on the day they appear before the officials, they said.

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An Ethiopian official says 28 people were killed and 43 children kidnapped by armed members of a South Sudanese tribe between March 10 and 12.

Spokesman Chol Chany for Ethiopia's Gambella region said today that over 1,000 Murle tribespeople carried out the attack. A similar incident in April 2016 saw 208 people killed and 125 children kidnapped.

Spokesman Mawien Makol Arik for South Sudan's foreign ministry says he is aware of fighting in Gambella. He says Ethiopian troops have not crossed the border into South Sudan in pursuit of the accused attackers.

Over the years Ethiopian and South Sudanese tribes have raided each other, often to steal cattle and abduct children to be used as herders.

Gambella is currently hosting close to 300,000 refugees from South Sudan's civil war.

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An upcoming festival celebrating the diversity of Francophone communities across the world, will seek to promote French culture through discussions, music, theatre and art shows.

The week-long Francophonie Festival, set to begin from March 16 at Alliance Francaise here, is aimed at marking the coming together of around 63 governments of countries where the French language is spoken.

"The term Francophonie was first coined in 1880 by the French geographer Onesime Reclus. It encompassed all efforts to promote the language and the values it conveyed, and till date is used to link the Francophonie Community from all across the world.

"The event aims at bringing together different and diverse cultures from all over the world by the use of a single language - French - thus creating a bond between people from different countries," organisers said.

Embassies of six countries will come together at the festival to present their respective cultures and shed light on their rich traditions and culinary specialities.

Participating countries will include Switzerland, Canada, Madagascar, Belgium, and Luxembourg, apart from France.

Other attractions will include a performance of Alfred de Musset's French classic 'Les caprices de Marianne' by students of a French school here, an exhibition of celebrated French artist Vincent Gagliardi's selected engravings as well as mixed media works, along with 'The Franchophonie Mela' that will host games, dance and musical performances.

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Aiming to empower women, the



FICCI Ladies Organisation today launched its Kolkata Chapter for a pan-India initiative 'Flo Advocacy and Legal Cell'.

The cell will equip its members and other women with political and legal tools to influence gender disclosure, use creative means to change social perceptions of women, create a platform for progressive thought and knowledge sharing.

It will also encourage members to spread legal awareness on women's rights.

People can share their queries to an email id which will be guided by a team of special panelists and experts in the field.

Flo chairperson, Kolkata Chapter, Anupama Sureka leading the expert panel of Flo Advocacy and Legal Cell in Kolkata would provide guidance on women's rights, policy recommendations, laws affecting women, schemes and exceptions for women and many other social aspects that they should be aware of.

"We must focus on women's legal problems and concerns and it requires more than just our knowledge of the law or our experience in the courtroom. They need honest answers, thoughtful guidance and knowledge about their rights to stand independent in life," FICCI FLO Kolkata Chapter chairperson Anupama Sureka said.

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A French woman who runs a school for poor and orphans in Gaya today met Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and sought assistance for expanding the educational project.

Jeanne Pere, Director of Mummy jee educational charitable trust, accompanied by some senior officials of her organisation met the Chief Minister and narrated to him in details the educational project they are running in Bodh Gaya.

Pere alias Mummy jee, who has settled in Bodh Gaya since 2000, told PTI after meeting the CM that they told him in detail about the project the group is running for poor and orphan children.

The CM was kind enough and promised assistance for the novel work, she said.

She said Kumar promised he would pay a visit to the school during his future trip to Bodh Gaya.

Pere has started two orphanages with 200 children each and boarding school in Bihar.

In recognition of her dedicated service to poor, she has been bestowed with several awards including Mother Teresa Sadbhavna Award, Glory of India award.

"Our educational project is intended for very poor children who are begging in the streets, who have either no family or families with no financial means," Pere said.

The boarding school is placed in Bagha, a rural village under Bodh Gaya where 150 children are enrolled presently, she added.

"We wish to expand our capacity and many more children are waiting in line," she said.

After primary school, Mummy jee's trust also support students to study further, Pere said.

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UCO Bank will sell general insurance policies of Future Generali India Insurance Company Ltd (FGII) across its 3,050 branches.

In a corporate agency tie-up between FGII and state-owned UCO Bank, customers can buy health, motor, travel, home as well as rural insurance products from bank branches.

The tie-up agreement was exchanged between FGII MD&CEO K G Krishnamoorthy Rao and UCO Bank MD&CEO Ravi Krishan Takkar today.

"Bancassurnace is a key medium to reach out to the masses. We aim to offer insurance products to bank's customers and enter new markets," Krishnamoorthy said.

He said the tie-up with Kolkata-headquartered public sector bank will help it widen customer outreach in eastern India.

"Through this association, we expect to cover 26 million customers of the bank and abide by our aim of offering the best products to the customers," Anurag Sinha, Senior Vice President, Bancassurance and Zonal Manager-West, FGII said.

* * * * *



Haryana invites applications for good governace programme * The Haryana Government has invited applications for the second batch of its good governance programme starting June 15, wherein associates from across the country would be selected to work closely with the government.

The government in collaboration with the Ashoka University aims at introducing youth to the intricacies of governance and administration through its Chief Minister's Good Governance Associates (CMGGA) programme.

The university would facilitate the process of training, recruitment and mentoring, among others.

The programme was started last year and the associates work with the Deputy Commissioners and other district officials to expedite various government schemes and bring transformational changes within their districts.

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Finance ministers from the world's top nations gather in Germany on Friday as fears grow that US President Donald Trump could upend the global economic order with his America First policy.

Within two months of moving into the White House, Trump has already torn up the trans-Pacific free trade pact, threatened punitive tariffs against multinationals with factories outside the United States and attacked "currency manipulation" by export giant China.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin makes his first official foreign foray when he joins the G20 gathering of finance ministers and central bankers from Friday in the western German spa town of Baden-Baden.

The former Goldman Sachs banker faces scrutiny by Washington's key trading partners for clues on whether the world's biggest economy fully intends to abandon its long- standing support of open markets and free trade.

Germany adopted a conciliatory tone ahead of the meeting, shrugging off Trump's attacks against Berlin over its massive trade surplus.

"There is no reason to be pessimistic about the world economy, and there is no reason to be pessimistic about the relationship with the US," said a German finance ministry official.

"There are topics that require discussion that are known to all, such as in the area of taxes. We think that these discussions will run constructively and lead to a good understanding," added the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official did not specify which tax issue, but among protectionist measures threatened by Trump is a 35-percent levy against BMW if the German car giant pushes on with building a factory in Mexico.

The issue is also expected to come up when Chancellor Angela Merkel meets Trump for the first time in Washington on Friday.

A European colleague was less ambivalent about his concerns, asking: "Will the US continue to believe in the G20?"



And IMF chief Christine Lagarde urged the G20 to "collectively avoid self-inflicted injuries".

"This requires steering clear of policies that would seriously undermine trade, migration, capital flows, and the sharing of technologies across borders," she wrote in a message that appeared targeted primarily at Trump.

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A German court today sentenced members of a neo-Nazi group to up to five years in prison for forming a "terror organisation" that planned to attack a home for asylum seekers.

The four - three men and a 24-year-old woman identified as Denise Vanessa G - were arrested in May 2015, two days before they planned to strike at the migrant shelter in the eastern state of Saxony.

Known as the "Old School Society", their choice of weapon was modified "pyrotechnic explosives, particularly in the form of fire and nail bombs", which they were planning to hurl into a refugee home, the prosecutor had said.

The group had therefore "accepted that people could be killed," chief prosecutor Joern Hauschild had told the court.

The ringleader Andreas H, 58, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison while his second-in-command Marcus W, 41, got five years.

The group's "spokesman" Olaf G, 31, was given three years while the only woman obtained three years and 10 months.

The sentences were however more lenient than the four and a half to seven years sought by the prosecutor.

The four met on the internet in 2014.

In preparation for the attacks, they bought large quantities of banned fireworks from the Czech Republic and subsequently decided to cover the explosives with a layer of nails to make them more lethal.

Hauschild described their plan for the Saxony attack as very concrete, adding that the authorities had learned the details from chat logs and phone intercepts.

Media websites show group emblems popular in the neo-Nazi scene, such as bloody hatchets and skulls with the slogan: "One bullet is not enough."



Amateur videos posted on YouTube and attributed to the group also use racist and xenophobic slurs in appeals for new recruits.

A record influx of asylum seekers to Germany has fuelled a sharp rise in the number of far-right attacks, with Saxony state gaining special notoriety for such violence.

In 2016, there were about 3,500 attacks against refugees and asylum seekers in Germany - 10 each day, on average - injuring 560 people including 43 children, interior ministry data show.

Saxony, with just five per cent of the German population, was the scene of 437 attacks last year, according to the RAA, a victims' assistance organisation, after 477 in 2015.

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NATO must retain Turkey as a member despite soaring tensions over Ankara's campaign for a controversial referendum, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said today.

Beyond Turkey's strategic importance, von der Leyen warned that rupturing ties could give the democratic Turkish opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the sense the West was leaving it in the lurch.

"Turkey is not making it easy for us within NATO. But no one should believe that a Turkey outside NATO would listen better to us or would be easier to deal with than a Turkey in NATO," she told AFP.

Von der Leyen, who has served as Chancellor Angela Merkel's defence chief since 2013, said that NATO provided a platform for the West to "discuss - sometimes heatedly - our convictions about democracy and open society".

She warned that allowing the current tensions with Ankara to lead to a permanent rupture would have a negative impact on Turkish society.

"We must not abandon the many Turks who don't want an expansion of the president's powers with the upcoming referendum," she said.

Ankara is locked in a dispute with several European countries which have sought to stop Turkish ministers from holding rallies on their soil ahead of the April referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers, leading the Turkish leader to rail against "Nazi practices".

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere yesterday said Ankara was playing the victim with its broadsides against NATO allies to galvanise support ahead of the referendum.

Amid the tension, Florian Hahn, a politician from Merkel's Bavarian allies the CSU, called on Berlin to withdraw its troops stationed at Turkey's Incirlik air base.

Von der Leyen rejected the call, saying the soldiers were not in Incirlik to protect Turkey but as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group "which is entering a decisive phase in Raqa and Mosul".

"It would weaken us and would not be a smart decision".

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The Goa Human Rights Commission today directed state government to conduct a thorough probe into allegations of scam in supply of "substandard" food to on duty police personnel during the BRICS summit here last year.

The two-member commission, headed by retired district court judge A D Salkar, asked the state Chief Secretary to also fix a responsibility on the officers concerned in this regard.

"Going through the reply filed by the state chief secretary, it is apparent that he has not conducted any independent inquiry.

"We therefore direct the chief secretary to conduct a thorough investigation independently and fix responsibility on the defaulting officers," the GHRC stated in a order.

The order was passed in response to a complaint filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues.

He had alleged that a sum of Rs 51,60,000 was given to a private contractorfor supply of food to police personnel, but the contract was sub-let to another contractor who secretly prepared food in an open place owned by the police department, next to the Verna church cemetery.

Directing the Chief Secretary to submit his detailed reportwithin 30 days, the GHRC has adjourned the hearing to April 18.

In his complaint, the activist alleged that roadside labourers were engaged in for cooking the substandard food in most unhygienic conditions.

Rodrigues claimed that insects and cockroaches found their way in the food served to the policemen, as the place where the food was cooked was surrounded by thick bushes and grass.

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The government has directed the Delhi Police to urgently file an FIR in the suicide of JNU scholar Muthu Krishnan, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Rajya Sabha today after several opposition members raised the issue of discrimination on campuses.

Sitharaman also said she had met family members and friends of the deceased student today and the government was also considering his father's request for a job to his sisters.

During the Zero Hour, CPI leader D Raja raised the matter saying a Dalit student from Tamil Nadu had died in pathetic and "mysterious" circumstances and asked what was happening in the central universities of the country, he said.

Referring to the suicide of another scholar Rohith Vemula on the Hyderabad University campus earlier, Raja said that incident too had led to considerable outrage and alleged discrimination against the students of the weaker sections.

Several other members including DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva, Kanimozhi, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, JD(U)'s Ali Anwar Ansari expressed their anguish over the incident.

After many opposition members raised questions, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she had gone to the mortuary and met the father of the deceased student as well as his close friends, following which she met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to apprise him of the situation.

Admitting that an FIR had not been filed in the matter, Sitharaman said the government had directed the police to register a case by noon and provide a copy to the family members.

She added that the government had suggested to the police to include provisions related to prevention of atrocities against SC, ST students and abetment to suicide as well.

The students had asked why the provisions relating to prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs were not being invoked but the police was insisting that there was no specific complaint against someone who had committed such an offence, the minister told the House.

The government has recommended to the police that under the amended act, attempt should be made to invoke the provision, Sitharaman added.

Police officials had also mentioned about difficulty in



invoking the abetment to suicide clause, but as only an enquiry would establish the facts, it has been suggested that these clauses too should be included, Sitharaman said.

She assured the members that government would ensure justice in the matter.

The minister said that father of Krishnan, who was an only son, had expressed a wish regarding jobs for his sisters.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured that the father's demand would considered, Sitharaman told Rajya Sabha members.

Earlier, members of various parties had raised the matter of the JNU student's suicide while also referring to the incident related to Vemula's death last year.

Deputy Speaker P J Kurien also told the minister that the members' statements seemed to suggest that there was a feeling of discrimination and insecurity among the Dalit students and the government should look at these aspects.

Earlier, after CPI's Raja had raised the matter related to the situation facing "Dalit, Tribal, Minority and OBC" students, Siva (DMK) had said while students of weaker sections got into the institutions through the reservation system, they faced problems like economic deprivation and societal attitude.

Ram Gopal Yadav of SP demanded the presence of HRD minister Prakash Javadekar to answer the questions, while Ali Anwar Ansari of JD(U) said this was not the first such instance as there have been cases of disrimination in JNU, BHU, DU and other central varsities too. Attempt was being made to suppress the matter, he alleged.

Before Raja raised the issue, Congress members were in the Well of the House, protesting what they claimed was "murder of democracy" in Manipur and Goa. However, they too suspended their protest in some time with Raja raised the issue.

(Reopens PAR11)



During the Zero Hour, P L Punia (Cong) raised the issue of government doing away with SC and Tribal sub-plans in the Budget for 2017-18.

He said the sub-plans were introduced by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1980 to make budgetary allocation in proportion of the SC/ST/tribal population.

But in the 2017-18, the concept of sub-plans has been done away with, he said, adding that budgetary allocation should be 16.6 per cent for SC and 8.6 per cent for ST.

Stating that the sub-plan allocations were non-lapsable and could not be diverted to other schemes, he asked the government when the allocations will be restored.

He also stated that the allocations to centrally sponsored schemes and central sector schemes have been cut in the Budget.
All FCRA accounts of the NGOs will soon be connected with an online banking system for easy access and monitoring by the government, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the Home Ministry had requested the Reserve Bank of India to integrate FCRA accounts with Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

This will enable the Ministry to monitor the receipt and utilisation of foreign contribution credited in such bank accounts, he said in a written reply.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The government is doing "detailed review" of the snags faced by Pratt & Whitney engines that power Airbus 320 neo planes operated by IndiGo and GoAir.

Against the backdrop of recent incidents of these engines facing technical snags that also resulted in some emergency landings, aviation regulator DGCA has asked P&W to address the issues within a "specified time".

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha today said the priority is to ensure that airlines are operating as safely as possible.

"We are doing detailed reviews of the situation associated with P&W engine. DGCA has taken very thorough steps in that regard. Right now, we are very confident that steps taken are sufficient to address the problem," Sinha said.

Currently, there are 21 A320 neo planes of IndiGo and GoAir that are powered by P&W engines that have been frequently facing technical snags.

"We obviously want to make sure that our passengers and our airlines are operating as safely as possible. That is in fact the priority," the Minister told reporters here.

Last month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had directed IndiGo and GoAir to carry out inspections of the engines once they complete 1,000 hours of flying, instead of 1,500 hours as recommended by P&W.

Besides, the watchdog has called for repeat inspections every 500 hours thereafter.

On March 9, in separate statements, P&W and Airbus said they are working closely with the Indian civil aviation authorities.

Last month, two A320 neo planes of budget carrier GoAir made emergency landings due to the engine issues. In January, an IndiGo flight aborted take off at the last minute at Mumbai airport after one of its engines developed a fault during taxiing.

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The government is in discussions with plane manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to set up a "finishing school" to train aircraft maintenance engineering mechanics.

The Civil Aviation Ministry's move is a part of efforts to address the skilled manpower crunch in the domestic aviation sector, which has been growing at over 20 per cent for the last two years.

"In the form of a partnership with Airbus and Boeing, we will be launching a finishing school. Here, we will have a one-year long course where diploma holders can seek an entrance, get training and enhance their employability," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said today.

Along with Airbus and Boeing, the ministry expects to open 7-8 such centres across the country, which he said would help plug the gaps in the skill development chain.

"We expect several airlines to be a part of this, which will guarantee these students an employment after completing a structured apprenticeship programme," Sinha said.

In due course, such a system would also help in increasing the demand for Indian Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) globally, he added.

While the domestic aviation sector has been registering double digit growth, airlines are grappling with talent crunch, especially in terms of pilots and skilled mechanics.

The domestic aviation sector would grow three times its current level in the next 15 years and it is "very essential to focus on skill development as human resource is a bottle neck", the minister said.

Speaking at an event on SpiceJet's AME apprenticeship programme here, he also said that the long term growth rate for domestic volume in the aviation sector has been around 12-13 per cent.

SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said the Indian aviation sector has witnessed the fastest growth globally at the rate of around 25 per cent.

"Airlines have placed an order for hundreds of planes. So, there is a massive employment opportunity in the aviation sector. This programme will benefit SpiceJet but this is also a national asset," he said.

Minister of State Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who was also present at the event, offered to support SpiceJet's apprenticeship programme under the National Apprenticeship Scheme.

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Union Minister Jayant Sinha on Wednesday said the government is working on "appropriate policies" related to 100 per cent in airlines, amid local carriers opposing the move.

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation also said the Ministry has not yet received any formal application from any airline with respect to 100 per cent .

His remarks come against the backdrop of Qatar Airways recently announcing its plans to set up an airline in India after the Indian government allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the airlines segment last year.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA)  comprising Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir  have been vociferous about their opposition to foreign entities being allowed to invest in local carriers.

"There are various opinion on this matter of 100 per cent . We are considering what the Indian airlines through FIA are saying.

"Of course, the government's policies are such that we do welcome 100 per cent FDI but we are working through the exact registration process and all of the appropriate policies around that. That is under evaluation," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told reporters here.

Noting that the policy to allow 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines is "probably not appropriate", SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said that such kind of policies must be allowed on a reciprocal basis.

"If an airline of a particular country wants 100 per cent FDI in our country then they must also be prepared to give 100 per cent FDI in their own countries... If that is not allowed then it is an unfair situation and it is not a level playing field," he said.

He also noted that there is a huge shortage of airport infrastructure and foreign airlines entering the Indian market would add to that burden.

There is a need to develop Indian metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad into international hubs but with foreign carriers coming in "they will shift traffic to their hubs and develop those hubs and that is not in the long-term interest of this country", Singh said.

FIA has already raised its concern with the government over the move.

"We have conveyed to them that we are opposed to 100 per cent FDI... We have given our views and it is for them to take appropriate steps," Singh said.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Baker Al-Baker, on March 8, announced in Berlin plans to establish an airline in India.

"We are joining hands with the investment arm of State of Qatar to start a domestic airline in India with a 100 per cent investment," Al Baker had said.

On whether the Civil Aviation Ministry has received any application from Qatar Airways, Sinha said, "as of now, we have not received any formal application from any airline about 100 per cent FDI".
The is likely to endorse on Wednesday supplementary legislations needed for implementation of the goods and service tax (GST) regime.

The Council, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising representatives of all states, may also take up capping the cess to be levied on demerit goods like luxury cars and tobacco products for creation of a corpus that will be used for compensating states for any loss of revenue from GST implementation in the first five years.

The panel, which had at its last meeting approved the final draft of central GST (C-GST) and integrated GST (I-GST) laws, will from Thursday take up for approval the state GST and Union Territory GST (UT-GST) laws, official sources said.

Once approved, the supporting legislations together with a GST Compensation Law, will go to the Cabinet for a formal nod before they are presented in Parliament in the ongoing Budget session that ends on April 12.

The government is hoping the C-GST, the I-GST, the UT-GST and the GST Compensation laws will be approved in the current session of Parliament and the S-GST by each of the state legislatures soon to help roll out the new indirect tax regime from July 1.

The Council may also be given an update on technology preparedness and migration of assessees to the new regime.

Migration of all the 85 lakh central and state taxpayers is planned to be completed by March 31.

So far, over 51 lakh have migrated to the new system.

Sources said the Council has already finalised a four- tier tax structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, but the model GST law has kept the peak rate at 40 per cent (20 per cent to be levied by the Centre and an equal amount by states) to obviate the need for approaching Parliament for any change in rates in future.

On similar lines, the Council is also likely to decide on a cap rate for cess to be levied at the peak rate of tax to create the compensation corpus.

Sources said any law approved by Parliament cannot have open-ended tax rates and therefore a cap or peak rate will have to be mentioned.

For the levy of GST, the peak rate has been put at 40 per cent and a similar cap will also have to be approved for the cess.

While the C-GST will give powers to the Centre to levy GST on goods and services after Union levies like excise and service tax are subsumed, the I-GST is to be levied on inter-state supplies.

The S-GST, which will allow states to levy the tax after VAT and other state levies are subsumed in the GST, will have to be passed by each state Assembly. The UT-GST will also go to Parliament for approval.

Sources said the model GST Law will have a clause to enable levy of up to 40 per cent tax, but the effective tax rates will be kept at the previously approved levels.

This will also help in a scenario where the cess on demerit goods being proposed to compensate states for loss of revenue from GST is to be merged with the tax rate itself.
Gujarat government today announced an action plan to make the state malaria-free by 2022, which includes a helpline for reporting the disease.

Health Minister Shankar Chaudhary said in the Assembly today that the BJP government was committed to make Gujarat a malaria-free state in the next five years.

"...We have made an action plan and started its implementation from this year....It is necessary to find out and cure each and every patient. Since fever is a very common symptom (for several diseases), we need to find out cases of malaria through an effective mechanism," said Chaudhary.

"Health department will soon launch '104' fever helpline, where people from any corner of the state can call (to report cases of suspected malaria). Our officials will go to the spot and provide all help," the minister said.

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The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on Japanese telecom major NTT Docomo's plea to enforce the USD 1.17 billion damages awarded to it for breach of contract by Tata Sons with regard to their joint venture TTSL.

Justice S Muralidhar in his judgement will also decide whether the intervention application of the RBI, opposing the award as well as the settlement arrived at between Tata and Docomo, was maintainable.

The court as well as Tata and Docomo were of the view that only those who were party to an arbitration can object to the award.

The court questioned the maintainability of the RBI's plea to intervene in the matter when it was not a party to the arbitration between Tata and Docomo.

Docomo and Tata had gone for arbitration as the Indian company was not able to find a buyer for the Japanese telecom major's 26.5 per cent stake in their joint venture, Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL), when it exited from it.

Under the shareholding agreement between them, on Docomo's exit from the venture within five years, Tata was to find a buyer who would purchase the Japanese company's stake at minimum 50 per cent of the acquisition price, which came to around Rs 58.45 per share.

The other option was Tata purchasing the shares at fair market value, which was Rs 23.44. However, this was not acceptable to Docomo and it had opted for arbitration.

Thereafter, the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) in June 2016 had awarded damages of USD 1.17 billion in favour of Docomo for Tata's inability to find a buyer as per the shareholding agreement.

Docomo had moved the Delhi High Court for enforcement of the award after Tata cited refusal of permission by the RBI to make the payment.

The RBI, during today's arguments, contended once it denied permission for transferring the money overseas, the issue had attained finality. It said that till date its decision has not been challenged.

During the arguments, Docomo's lawyers said that the



amount being sent overseas was in lieu of the damages and not for transfer of shares by way of sale.

Tata's lawyers argued that earlier the RBI was not opposed to grant of special permission for transfer of the money and it was only now the bank was saying that award was inconsistent with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) Regulations.

Tata said that allowing Docomo to take back 50 per cent of their investment would send a good signal to other foreign companies to invest in India.

The RBI, in its intervention application, had contended that the shareholding agreement was illegal and has objected to the award of damages. It has said that Docomo's shares in TTSL be purchased only at the fair market value.

The central bank had later also opposed the settlement arrived at between Tata and Docomo.

Under the settlement agreement between the two companies, Tata and Docomo have decided to settle their two-year-old dispute regarding TTSL with the Indian company withdrawing its objections to the enforcement of the award. Tata has already deposited USD 1.17 billion with the high court.

The Japanese company in turn has said it will "suspend its related enforcement proceedings in the United Kingdom and the United States" for a period of six months.
The Board of HCL Technologies will meet next week to consider stock buyback, joining the growing roster of IT companies that have opted for the route to make use of huge piles of cash lying idle with them.

The sector's leader Tata Consultancy Services and US-based Cognizant had last month announced mega buyback offers to return surplus cash to shareholders.

"A meeting of the Board of Directors of the company will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 to consider a proposal for buyback of the equity shares of the company," HCL Technologies said in a filing to the BSE.

IT companies have been under increasing pressure from investors to utilise the huge cash pile on books either through share buyback or generous dividend.

TCS had Rs 43,169 crore in cash reserves, while Infosys had liquid assets, including cash and cash equivalents and investments worth Rs 35,697 crore (about USD 5.25 billion) at the end of December 2016.

HCL Tech had USD 326 million or Rs 2,214.5 crore in cash and cash equivalents on its books in December, 2016.

Last month, Cognizant had announced USD 3.4 billion share buy back, bowing to pressure from activist investor Elliott Management Corp.

TCS followed suit with a Rs 16,000 crore buyback offer, largest in Indian corporate history.

Infosys too has been under pressure to make a similar offer. While it is yet to make any announcements, Infosys has sought shareholders approval to change the company's Articles of Association that includes a provision for buyback.

Share buybacks typically improve earnings per share and return surplus cash to shareholders while also supporting share price during periods of sluggish market condition.

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Craving for chocolates? Imagining a walk in a forest or on a beach may help you cut down the desire for your favourite treats, scientists say.

The research indicates that people can use self-awareness to fight back and even erase chocoholic thoughts which lead to craving for chocolate and hamper a healthy lifestyle.

"If we tackle the issue when it first pops up in your mind - particularly if you are not hungry - then it's much easier than waiting for those cravings to gather force," said Sophie Schumacher, PhD candidate at Flinders University in Australia.

"Learn to nip off these cravings at the bud - by giving yourself a constructive distraction such as imaging a walk in a forest - can help to lower the intrusiveness of the thoughts and vividness of the imagery," said Schumacher.

"We found it was important to target the initial craving thoughts before they become full-blown cravings," she said.

With practice, it could be as easy as creating an automatic distraction for yourself the moment those niggly chocolate cravings start occurring, she added.

With chocolate recognised as one of the top cravings in western society, cravings occur in two distinct stages - the initial intrusive thought (caused by environmental cues, like pictures) and the subsequent elaboration (where vivid imagery of the craving becomes persistent), researchers said.

Researchers tested a theory called elaborate-intrusion theory and whether two techniques known as cognitive defusion and guided imagery can reduce chocolate cravings.

Two test groups of young women were involved - one a general sample and the other a group who wished to cut down on their chocolate cravings.

Cognitive defusion targets the first stage of the craving, or when the thought of chocolate first crops up, and taking the initiative to quickly distance yourself from this craving thought - and see it as something which doesn't necessarily have to be followed by action.

The guided imagery technique targets the second stage of the craving, when we start to imagine having chocolate and what it looks, smells and tastes like - and replacing that with another image, for example, a cool, serene place such as a forest or lonely beach.

"We found that cognitive defusion lowered the intrusiveness of thoughts, vividness of imagery before, and craving intensity for both the general test group, and for those who craved chocolate and wished to eat less chocolate," Schumacher said.

"Becoming more aware of how your thoughts influence your behaviour is a good first step. Bear in mind that thoughts like 'need chocolate' may not be true, and may not need to be acted upon," researchers said.

"When imagining an alternative scene, like a walk in a forest or on a beach, be sure to use different senses - imagine sights, sounds and smells. This can help counter your craving-related imagery," they said.

The study was published in the journal Appetite.

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India has "vigorously" flagged its concerns over tightening of the visa regime in the US which has impacted the movement of professionals particularly in the IT sector, Parliament was informed today.

"India is articulating visa concerns vigorously with new administration in US," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The issue was also taken up by the minister recently with the visiting Congressional delegation led by Bob Goodlatte and during the visits of the commerce and foreign secretaries to the US, she said.

In a separate reply, she said no new executive order relating to H-1B visa/travel policy has been released yet by the US administration, though various bills to this effect have been tabled in America.

"India has time and again, highlighted the discriminatory nature of recent bills/laws tabled by members of the US Congress," she added.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialised fields. Indian technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year for their US operations.

The proposed overhaul of popular H-1B visa regime by US President Donald Trump has raised concerns among Indian IT firms, as any changes in the visa regime may result in higher operational costs and shortage of skilled workers for the USD 110-billion Indian outsourcing industry. Around 60 per cent of its revenues come from the US market.

Indian IT sector, which contributes 9.3% to the country's GDP, is one of the largest private sector employers with 3.7 million people.

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News / Press Release

by PDP

Parliament is again conducting public hearings on the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission Bill which is another show of insincerity by ZANUPF.The people of Zimbabwe rejected the shameless NPRC bill of 2015 forcing the ZANUPF government to withdraw it in May 2016 an act which was misinterpreted as progressive when in actual fact ZANUPF remains unrepentant.ZANUPF comes back with a new bill with the same shortcomings in different words, conducting yet another round of public hearings on tax payers' money.In our rejection of the previous bill we stated that the bill subjected the Commission to a Minister making it an executive commission rather than an independent one as dictated by the national constitution.In the current bill ZANUPF removed the direct diction to that effect replacing it with the words "In consultation with the Minister" essentially meaning that the Minister remains in charge of all decision making processes of the commission.The bill also protects the perpetrator instead of the victim; the Minister in charge of National Security is also given veto power to stop any investigation which is a direct violation of the supreme law which states that the commission is not subject to anyone.We further content that ZANUPF conduct is a calculated, deliberate ploy to frustrate the establishment of the commission considering that the commission has a ten year life span of which four years of the same have already lapsed.As we mention in the Agenda for Restoration and Rehabilitation of Electoral Sustainability (ARREST) reconciliation is an important step to peace and stability.We propose that the National Transitional Authority establish a mechanism for transitional justice that includes the following: Truth and Reconciliation Commission, compensation of victims and reintegration of victims.We further suggest establishment of National Peace Committees under the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission comprised of the church and political parties which will perform the role and functions of the previous JOMIC.The framework would promote an open policy against perpetrators of violence and the naming and shaming of perpetrators of political violence.We also suggest the promotion of national dialogue as an instrument of dispute resolution as opposed to political violence.ZANUPF insincerity is just but stifling the strengthening of independent institutions that protect the security of the person and the rule of law.Beyond the NPRC we need to strengthen the judiciary, the NPA, the Human Rights Commission, Anti  Corruption Commission, Gender Commission, Media Commission and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
The Indian government is "reluctant" to send its 24 witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements in the Mumbai terror attack case, the prosecution told an anti-terrorism court conducting the trial.

The anti-terrorism court held the hearing in the case at Adiyala Jail Rawalpindi after a "break" of over four months.

"The prosecution told the court that the Indian government is reluctant to send 24 Indian witnesses to Pakistan to record their statements in the case," a court official told PTI after the hearing.

The court was also informed that the Indian government had not only refused to send the witnesses but also demanded re-investigation of the case.

Prosecution said the Indian witnesses statements are needed to conclude the Mumbai case which has been pending for the last seven years.

"The case may not be concluded till the Indian witnesses appear in the trial court," the prosecution said.

The court adjourned the hearing till March 22.

In a reply to Pakistan's letter regarding sending 24 Indian witnesses here to record their statements in the Mumbai attack case, New Delhi has asked Islamabad to re-investigate the case and also demanded trial of Jammat-ud-Dawah chief Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba operation commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of evidence it (India) had provided to it.

An interior ministry official had told PTI that Pakistan had no issue to try any suspect of Mumbai case provided it had evidence against him.

"If India provides some strong evidence against Saeed in Mumbai case we will try him. Lakhvi was released on bail because of lack of solid evidence against him," the official said.

Saeed, who carries a reward of USD 10 million, was also put under house arrest after Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008 but he was freed by court in 2009.

The Punjab government on January 30 had put Saeed and four other leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF)under house arrest for a period of 90 days in exercise of powers under section 11-EEE(1) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

Mumbai attack mastermind Lakhvi, Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum have been facing charges of abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning and executing the Mumbai attack since 2009.

Lakhvi got his freedom some 22 months ago after he secured bail in the case. He has been living in undisclosed location since then. The other six suspects are in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.

Ten LeT militants killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught.

Kasab was executed after a court found him guilty and handed down deathsentence.

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India's contribution to the rose 55 per cent to Rs 244 crore in 2015-16 compared with the previous financial year, the government said on Wednesday.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj informed the Lok Sabha that the government had also made voluntary contributions to the tune of Rs 22 crore to international organisations, including UN agencies, in the last financial year.

The country contributed Rs 244 crore to the UN in last financial year compared with Rs 157 crore in 2014-15.

"For the period 2016-18, India's Scale of Assessment for the UN's Regular and Peacekeeping budgets has been fixed at 0.737 per cent and 0.1474 per cent, respectively," Swaraj said in reply to questions.

Each UN member is required to contribute to the organisation's Regular and Peacekeeping budgets. These obligatory contributions are calculated based on a member's relative 'capacity to pay', she said.

This is defined through a scale of assessment that takes into account the member country's Gross Income relative to the Global Gross Income, adjusted further for the level of its external debt and low per capita income, she added.

For Peacekeeping budget, Swaraj said, "since all permanent members of the Security Council bear special responsibilities for the maintenance of international peace and security, they must contribute additional amounts".

The government does not have details on which projects the UN spends the contributions made by India, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said during Question Hour.

UN officials are exempt from taxation on the salaries and emoluments paid to them.

"Since income tax is not levied on the salaries of the UN officials in India, data of income tax exemption extended by India for the UN officials working in India does not exist," Swaraj said.
A 51-year-old Indian-origin nurse has been handed a noise abatement order after residents in north-east England complained about her playing loud dance music.

Sarina Saiger, from Ireshopeburn village in County Durham was served the order by Durham County Council after the neighbours complained.

She had fought the order, but her case was dismissed at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court this week, leaving her with an estimated 8,000-pound legal bill.

She now plans to appeal the decision further.

"I am unable to comment on matters which will be the subject of an appeal before the crown court," she said.

Saiger, who started as a nurse and then studied for a degree and PhD in nursing to become a nursing director at the UK's state-funded National Health Service (NHS), denied that she was responsible for the music, claiming she was not present on several occasions when it was played.

But the court did not agree with her argument and ordered her to pay legal costs.

"We are pleased that the court agreed we were right to serve the abatement notice. We don't want to stop anyone enjoying themselves in their own home but no-one should have to live with excessively loud music from their neighbours," Joanne Waller, head of environment, health and consumer protection at the council said after the hearing.

"Residents can be assured we will continue to investigate all complaints of noise disturbance and that we will take appropriate action where we find a nuisance," Waller said.

According to the 'Northern Echo', eight witnesses, including the environmental health officers, nearby residents and occupants of a caravan park, gave evidence against and three witnesses, including two of neighbours, gave evidence on behalf of Saiger.

The court also played recordings of the music and heard it had mainly been played at the weekend.

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A baby boy was born in Pakistan with his heart outside his body, which doctors say is a rare congenital disorder.

The infant's family members and officials have said that the baby's heart is outside his chest.

The baby, born yesterday in Multan city, was brought to the Lahore Children Complex as facilities there were not good.

His heart is functioning properly but he will require a surgery to place it inside his body. The baby will undergo an operation and if all goes well, the child will live healthy, doctors were quoted as saying by Geo .

The rare disorder is called ectopia cordis in medical terms where the heart is located either partially or totally outside the thorax. It occurs in 5.5-7.9 per million live births.

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The market regulator Sebi today expressed concern over the liquidity management by a few mutual fund houses which have started giving the investors the option of instant withdrawal from their liquid fund schemes.

Quite a few fund houses have started offering retail investors an option to withdraw upto Rs 2 lakh in a day. Investors who opt for this facility get the money in their bank accounts via the IMPS (immediate payment service) route.

Expressing apprehension over liquidity issues with this facility, Sebi's whole-time member G Mahalingam said, "I am talking about instant redemption, which looks convincing. But suppose if an investor clicks and money gets credited to his bank account, how much of liquidity demand can we manage?"



"These are the things we need to think. I am not closing out anything at all, I would request all of you to put your minds together and think on how can we take this concept forward without attracting any problems of financial stability and the industry stability," the newly-appointed Sebi official said here today after a launching a multimedia campaign by the industry body Amfi to increase investor awareness about MFs.

At present, fund houses like Reliance, ICICI Prudential, DSP BlackRock are offering instant redemption facility in their liquid funds.

Whereas Birla Sun Life launched an instant redemption facility under Cash Plus Fund a couple of weeks ago. Reliance Mutual Fund launched the facility last July. Around 1 lakh instant redemptions have been processed at Reliance MF with value Rs 200 crore, the company said.

However, the fund houses feel that there is no need for any such concern on the topic.

"There is no need for concern, we have discussed this issue in MF advisory committee also and had discussions at Sebi too in past," Amfi chairman and chief executive of Birla SunLife MF A Balasubramanian said.

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Jet Airways and app-based cab aggregator Uber have joined hands to provide first and last mile connectivity to air travellers.

The cab booking feature will be available to all passengers in the cities where Uber currently operates in India while booking their travel itinerary with the airline on the Jet Airways app, the airline said.

"This path-breaking initiative from the airline will help guests by offering a seamless solution from doorstep to doorstep," it added.

"Through this partnership, Jet Airways guests across 29 cities will be able to request their Uber when they book their flight," said Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer, Uber India and Emerging markets.

"The partnership with Uber reflects our ambition to leverage technology for enhancing our guest experience," according to Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.

Guests booking their flights on the app and using Uber for the first time will also be offered a discount of Rs 150 for their first three rides.

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked Home Minister Rajnath Singh to ensure early resumption of cross-LoC trading activity, which was disrupted due to cross-border shelling.

Mufti, who is in the national capital, spoke to the Home Minister over phone and took up the issue of disruption of trading activity at trade facilitation centre at Chakkan da Bagh following cross LoC shelling three days ago.

The Chief Minister urged early resumption of the trading activity at the centre as the livelihood of a large number of local traders is dependent on the business activities at the centre, a state government statement said.

The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister that he would look into the matter and the concerned agencies would be directed accordingly, it said.

Cross LoC travel between Poonch-Rawalakote was suspended on Monday following heavy firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops in Poonch, particularly on Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) in Chakan Da Bagh, which suffered damage in the shelling by Pakistan troops.

Over 20 trucks from each side are allowed to cross the LoC every day as part of the trade which takes place between the two sides on barter system for four days a week between Tuesday-Friday.

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The National Green Tribunal has directed the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to submit proof of the permission taken for cutting trees in the ecologically sensitive southern ridge area after a plea alleged unauthorised construction in the area.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, which had earlier issued notices to Environment Ministry, JNU, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi government and others, directed them to file their replies within two weeks.

"The JNU shall show complete compliance," the bench said while posting the matter for next hearing on April 26.

The order came on the NGO CHETNA's plea against JNU, National Intelligence Grid and CRPF for constructing illegal buildings in reserve forest area without environmental clearance.

However, the NGO confined its plea to illegal construction in JNU and said it would file separate petitions for other violations.

The NGO contended that JNU comes under the South Central Ridge (Reserve Forest) category and any type of construction is prohibited in it.

It claimed that seven buildings were erected on the fragile eco-zone on the JNU campus without taking prior permission from Ridge Management Board threatening the area's ecology.

The buildings include 24 type-III flats for staff at Paschimabad, sewage treatment plant in Saraswatipuram, new hostel building near Shipra hostel, Trans-Disciplinary academic building, Yamuna hostel warden flats and dining hall.

The NGO had also alleged that dumping of debris was being carried out in reserved forest areas of Vasant Kunj and Ghitorni. The debris, spread over 100 sq metres in 2013, is now over a kilometre long, and 15 feet deep, the plea claimed.

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A Jordanian court today opened the trial of five Syrians charged with planning a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic State group near the Syrian border last year, a judicial source said.

"The five accused, all Syrian and aged 20 to 26, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty," the source said.

The suicide bombing on June 21, 2016 killed seven soldiers in a no-man's-land near the Rukban crossing with Syria.

Soon after the attack, the army declared Jordan's desert regions that stretch northeast to Syria and east to Iraq "closed military zones", stranding thousands of Syrian refugees in the area.

The charge sheet said the five suspects all lived in the Rukban camp, which is home to around 60,000 Syrian refugees.

One of them, an alleged IS member, arrived in the camp in February last year and recruited the others to plan the attack, it said.

Jordan is part of the US-led coalition fighting IS.

The UN refugee agency says it has registered more than 650,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan since Syria's war broke out in 2011. Amman says it hosts 1.3 million Syrian refugees.

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A local court has cancelled the anticipatory bail of Bollywood film producer Karim Morani, who was booked for allegedly raping a Delhi-based woman.

The Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court at L B Nagar in the city yesterday cancelled Morani's bail and directed him to surrender before the Hayathnagar police here on or before March 22.

The woman, aged around 25, who is a friend of Morani's daughter, had lodged a complaint with Hayathnagar Police in January this year alleging that he had raped her on different occasions in Mumbai and at a film studio in Hyderabad in 2015.

She had also alleged that Morani made a false promise of marrying her, police said based on the complaint.

Based on the complaint, a case was filed under IPC sections 417 (cheating), 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), 493 (cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage) and others.

Later, Morani had obtained anticipatory bail from a local court on January 30.

However, the police then filed a petition in court seeking cancellation of his anticipatory bail.

"After the court granted him anticipatory bail, we opposed and filed bail cancellation application and produced evidence in the court," Inspector, Hayathnagar police station, J Narender Goud said.

"The court, while upholding the arguments of the prosecution, cancelled Morani's anticipatory bail and directed him to surrender before police on or before March 22," Goud said.

Morani produced movies like "Yodha" and "Dum".

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Opinion / Letters

Mr editor I hope you will find this worth publishing. My home village is 20 km past Nkayi growth point and this takes a whooping 3hours to cover the 20 km using a small car and thanks to being in Matabeleland.From Bulawayo is the famous Nkayi road that went under construction in 1999 and they still have not done 50km to date , thanks to being in Matabeleland. Mr editor I am not secessionist but some times the things which these guys say gets you to think, are we really Zimbabwean.We shall wait and see if Joram Gumbo will assign a dollar to the roads in Matabeleland in his 20 000 000USD rehabilitation for roads, seeing that the allocation is for Dineo, we are still gropping with effects of cyclone Eline and cyclone marginalisation .The obvious will be said, Nkankezi brigde on your way to Maswingo is priority because people are affected as compared to Ndebeles of Nkayi.To get to Nkayi fast, one has to go to Gokwe via Gweru. At least we have an alternative hey, we shouldn't complain, only those going to Maswingo shouldn't get there via Chibi or Chivu what ever comes first, so theirs will be a priority.
: A maximum ceiling of Rs 200 in admission fee at cinema theatres in Karnataka, including multiplexes, was today proposed in the state budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the assembly today.

It also proposed to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Kannada and regional cinema during the prime time.

The proposals in the 2017-18 budget follow recommendations by the 14-member committee, headed byfilmmaker and Chairman of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy S V Rajendra Singh Babu, s constituted to draft apolicy for promotion of Kannada cinema.

"It is proposed to implement uniform admission fee policy in all cinema theatres, including multiplexes in the State, by prescribing Rs 200 as maximum admission fee," Siddaramaiah said in his budget speech in the Assembly.

"Exhibiting Kannada and regional language films in one screen of multiplex cinemas of the state in prime time between 1.30 PM to 7.30 PM will be made compulsory," he added.

There were demands from various stakeholders of thefilm industry to the government, urging it to cap multiplexentry fee at Rs 120 on the lines of neighbouring Tamil Nadu.

The Chief Minister also proposed that the amount given tocharitable fund established for medical benefits to workers,technicians and artistes of the film industry be enhanced fromRs one crore to Rs 10 crore.

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Electronic voting machine (EVM) tampering may have led to Aam Aadmi Party's poor showing in Punjab, Delhi Chief Minister on Wednesday said, alleging it could be part of a conspiracy to keep the party out of power in the state.

The AAP chief, whose party won 20 seats in the 117-member Assembly with a vote share of 24.9 per cent, claimed that around 20 to 25 per cent of its votes may have been "transferred" to the SAD-BJP coalition.

The poll result is "beyond understanding" and raises a "big question mark" on the reliability of EVMs as political pundits across the spectrum had "predicted a landslide" for AAP, he told a press conference.

His allegations came on a day BSP supremo Mayawati, who had made similar claims after her party was decimated in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, said she will move court against the alleged tampering of EVMs and accused BJP of "murdering" democracy.

Kejriwal claimed that tampering with EVMs could have been done "selectively" in significant states like Punjab, where plans were to "keep AAP out of power". At the same time, the AAP supremo said he takes the "whole responsibility" of party's performance in the state.

He, however, did not refer to Goa where the party drew a blank.

Kejriwal demanded that the votes registered in EVMs be compared with the Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in around 32 places in Punjab and all other four states where the the paper audit system was used.

He claimed that in some of the booths, the number of votes AAP got was even less than its volunteers deployed there, adding that it has raised suspicion of foul play.

The Delhi Chief Minister said if there is "any mismatch" between the votes polled for parties and the VVPAT then there is a need to look at another "option" to conduct polls.

"Such a move is necessary to maintain the credibility of the EVMs and people's trust on electoral processes. You cannot brush it under the carpet. There will be no democracy if people lose trust in elections," Kejriwal said.

"How did the Akalis get 30 per cent vote share when an AAP sweep was a foregone conclusion? No one said Congress will perform so well and it got a two-third majority. We suspect that 20-25 per cent of AAP votes may have been transferred to SAD-BJP through EVM tampering," he said.

He said similar suspicions have been raised after the civic polls in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where the BJP fared exceedingly well.

Kejriwal said that before BJP's 2014 Lok Sabha victory, even some BJP leaders like LK Advani and Subramanian Swamy were not in favour of EVMs.

"Several technologically advanced countries like the US, the Netherlands and Germany have done away with the EVMs as they suspect that these machine are prone to tampering. Even the Supreme Court is of the same opinion," he said.

It was Kejriwal's first media interaction after March 11, the day the Assembly poll results were declared in five states.

Yesterday, he had written to the Delhi chief secretary directing him to approach the state election commission with the request to hold the upcoming municipal polls in Delhi using ballot papers.

"It is about the credibility of the Election Commission and the faith of people in the electoral system. We have strong prima facie evidence of foul play," he said.

Asked what explains AAP's stunning victory in 2015 polls in Delhi, Kejriwal said that it may have got to do with BJP's "over-confidence" that it would clinch a victory.

"So they may not have indulged in tampering. The same would explain the victory of JD(U)-RJD in Bihar. Even then BJP was very sure of winning the state," he said.

"Even if the EVMs can be tampered, they are doing it selectively in some states like Uttarakhand, UP and Punjab.

"If Akali and BJP would have won in Punjab, then it would have become very obvious. Their only motive was to stop the AAP and keep it out of power," he said

He also listed out some booths which had dedicated AAP volunteers, but could not even get votes that equalled their number.

"In Sujanpur Assembly constituency in Akhwana village's booth no 73, we have got only three votes, but we have seven volunteers who have been undertaking door-to-door campaigning for the past six months. These seven volunteers have 17 family members. They are now saying where have our votes gone.

"On booth no 103 in the same constituency in Gosaipur village, the party got only two votes, but has five volunteers. The 27 family members of these five volunteers are even ready to give an affidavit that they voted for AAP," he said.
An Australian woman kidnapped in Afghanistan last year has been released, officials said today.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the woman was an aid worker abducted in November last year in the Afghan capital Kabul, reportedly at gunpoint.

"An Australian woman kidnapped in Afghanistan has been released," the department of foreign affairs said in a statement, thanking authorities in Afghanistan for their support and assistance.

"Her family welcomes her safe return and asks that the media respect their privacy at this time."



Australia warns its nationals not to travel to Afghanistan, saying in its latest advisory last month that "aid workers, journalists, and employees of foreign companies could be kidnap targets".

"Do not travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation and the very high threat of terrorist attack," it added.

Last August, an Australian aid worker, Katherine Jane Wilson, was rescued by Afghan special forces.

She had been abducted by unidentified masked gunmen from Jalalabad near the border with Pakistan four months earlier.

At least one other Australian remains hostage, Timothy Weekes, a professor at the American University of Afghanistan, who was seized last August along with an American colleague.

They both appeared in a Taliban hostage video in January, the first apparent proof that they were still alive.

Kabul is plagued by organised criminal gangs who stage kidnappings for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy locals, and sometimes handing them over to insurgent groups.

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Forces loyal to Libya's UN-backed unity government overran the headquarters of a rival militia today as artillery exchanges rocked the capital for a third day, a security source said.

Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the NATO-backed ouster of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.

Militia loyal to former prime minister Khalifa Ghweil, whose administration was replaced by the UN-backed Government of National Accord last year, have stepped up a campaign of defiance against its authority.

But overnight, government forces launched an assault on the militia's headquarters in the Guest Palace, a complex of luxury villas in the city centre, and overran it after heavy fighting.

"It's over. Ghweil's forces have pulled out and GNA forces have taken control of the area," a witness told AFP.

A security source confirmed the militia's withdrawal. He had no immediate word on any casualties.

It was the third straight day of fighting between government forces and the militia, who are mainly drawn from Ghweil's hometown, third city Misrata.

The sound of gunfire and explosions was heard from multiple neighbourhoods of the capital.

A rocket hit the Al-Khadhra Hospital without causing any casualties, a medic said.

Overnight, gunmen stormed the headquarters of Al-Nabaa television, a privately owned channel known for its Islamist leanings, witnesses said.

The channel remained off the air on Wednesday.

The fighting brought life in the capital to a standstill with schools and shops closed.

It came despite an appeal from UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler yesterday for an "immediate ceasefire".

"Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," Kobler said on Twitter.

The clashes erupted in the neighbourhoods of Hay al-Andalus and Gargaresh on Monday evening, prompting the government to deploy tanks.

They came as heavy fighting rocked the east of Libya where forces loyal to military strongman Khalifa Haftar announced their recapture of two key oil ports on Tuesday.

Haftar's forces, which do not recognise the UN-backed government, mounted a day-long assault by land, sea and air to retake the ports of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra, after they were seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.

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N Biren Singh, who was today sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur, said his government's top priority would be to solve the four-month-long economic blockade that has caused immense hardship to the people.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration of the first-ever BJP government in the state, Singh said, "We need to solve the crisis as soon as possible."



Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh also said lifting of the economic blockade would top the government's agenda.

Former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who attended the swearing-in ceremony, said his party would play a constructive role as Opposition in the Assembly.

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An alliance of Madhes-based political parties has withdrawn its support to Prime Minister Prachanda-led Nepal government after it failed meet a seven-day ultimatum to fulfil their demands that included endorsement for the revised Constitution amendment bill.

The United Democratic Madhesi Front withdrew support to the government as it failed to address its concern within the seven-day ultimatum that expired yesterday.

The Front has been demanding government's endorsement for revised Constitution amendment bill and withdrawal of the decision to conduct local polls in May.

"Our support to the government automatically expired on Tuesday," said Keshav Jha, General Secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party.

"The government did not discuss with the Front leaders their concerns after they served the ultimatum," he said.

The Front had said that it could not support the government as it had been preparing to hold local level polls without addressing the issues raised by them.

Even after the withdrawal of support by the Madhesi Front, the ruling coalition has the backing of more than 320 members in the 601-member Constituent Assembly.

The incumbent government led by CPN-Maoist Centre has got the support from Nepali Congress, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and other fringe parties.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had launched a six-month-long agitation against the implementation of the Constitution without amending its provisions that would address the demands for more representation and re-demarcation of state boundaries.

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At a time when Opposition parties are stalling proceedings of Maharashtra legislature demanding complete loan waiver for farmers, an option of restructuring their existing loans has come forward.

"If the state government restructures the outstanding loans of farmers, it will make them eligible for availing fresh loans in forthcoming kharif season. Moreover, as the total amount (for restructuring) will be not more than Rs 3000 crore, it is logical and financially viable also as there will be no need for the state to beg to the Centre for financial assistance.

"The restructuring of the farmers' debt will make them eligible for fresh loans, as it will provide an ease to repay the loan to the banks," a senior Cabinet minister of the BJP said today.

He said if loans are restructured, "only those farmers would commit suicide who are unable to repay loans and are bound to be non-eligible for fresh loans due to existing debt."



The minister said as such farmers are more in distress, the intensity of their stress should be controlled and relief in the form of restructuring should be issued.

When asked about likely advantages of loan restructuring, the BJP leader said, "We have identified some 22 types of crops and agriculture products, where state's intervention would increase farmers' income.

"For instance, the state government is purchasing split red gram (tur or arhar) at certain higher rates. It has not only offered farmers an assured returns but some wholesale traders are purchasing tur at higher rates from farmers. In such situation, farmers are in a win-win situation," he said.

The minister said despite the state government's readiness to purchase cotton, farmers are selling it to private traders because of the same reasons that private buyers are offering better rates.

"Such market intervention, if done in remaining 20 agricultural products, including vegetables grown by most of the small and marginal farmers, they will be able to earn better and farmers will repay their loan in easy instalments," according to the minister.

He said the government was already developing infrastructural facilities for the benefit of farmers.

The Congress and NCP have been stridently demanding complete loan waiver for farmers in Maharashtra and are also being joined by the members of Shiv Sena.

Citing the BJP's electoral promise in Uttar Pradesh of waiving off the farmers' loans, the opposition is asking for the same relief in the BJP-ruled Maharashtra.

The issue has paralysed the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council during ongoing Budget session.

When asked about the reasons behind not accepting the



loan waiver demand, the minister said, "It would require at least Rs 30,000 crore and without Centre's help, the state alone cannot waive it off.

"It would also take a lot of time followed by Centre's committee visiting various areas of Maharashtra. Even if we waive the loan off, the farmers will have to avail loans from next monsoon and same circle would continue."



He said there was no provision of increasing farmers' income in the loan waiver demand being raised by the opposition parties.

"Whereas, as per our plans, once farmers' income is increased with effective state intervention, the repayment of loan would not become a major issue. Most of the farmers can repay their loan," the minister added.
A 32-year-old engineer has been arrested for allegedly killing his mother after she refused to give money for drugs, police said today.

The accused, Animesh Jha, was planning to flee to Nepal but was arrested from Patna railway station yesterday, police said.

"He had completed his graduation in Computer Engineering from Malaysian University. He was also working at Norton, Pune. Four days before the murder he was released by the Nepal Police who had arrested him in a drugs case," DCP (Southwest) Surender Kumar said.

Animesh allegedly killed his mother Meeta Jha on February 24 since she refused to give him money for purchasing drugs.

He was also worried that his mother might sell their Dwarka flat and not give him the money she will get.

Meeta was woken up by Animesh around 3.30 AM who asked her for money.

He told her that he would not be able to survive without drugs and urgently needed money. When she refused, he allegedly banged her head against the wall and then strangled her with a rope.

Four days later, Animesh's sister, who lives in London, called police.

She told police that neither her mother nor her brother were answering their phones. She suspected that her brother might have harmed their mother.

When police team reached the location, Meeta's body was found on February 28.

As per the CCTV cameras installed in the areas and at their residence, Animesh was seen leaving his residence around 6.30 AM on the day of the incident.

He went to the Mahavir Enclave market and withdrew Rs 10,000 from an ATM and immediately left for the Kashmiri Gate bus stand.

Jha hopped from one city to another to evade arrest.

He visited 13 cities in seven states including Rishikesh, Patna, Haridwar and Mumbai in 17 days after allegedly killing his mother.

He first went to Rishikesh then Haridwar then Mumbai, where he created an account on a social media website to contact his friends and avoid technical surveillance.

"The police traced his location to Mumbai but before they could reach he changed his location from Chembur (Mumbai) to Andheri (Mumbai) and from there he fled to Patna," said the officer.

He was trying to contact one of his friends through the social media website and wanted to escape to Nepal by road as he had drug peddlers as his contacts there, police said.

Being technically sound, he was aware that cops could trace him through his phone location. He was therefore not using his mobile phone, instead was using the STD booths to make phone calls.

Animesh had worked with an anti-virus software company in Pune.

His father was a senior manager at TISCO and passed away in 2013 due to health issues and his sister is a doctor based in United Kingdom.

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Ahead of the by-polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today raked up the issue of revocation of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some areas and "see the impact".

Mufti, who has taken a strong position against militants, pitched for revocation of AFSPA, saying she required a "window of peace" for ensuring good governance to "shrink the space" occupied by militants.

She said PDP and BJP had come together on an Agenda of Alliance which included revocation of AFSPA.

"We should not shy away from revocation of AFSPA. When things improve, why not?" she said.

"We don't shy away when situation goes bad. We don't shy away from calling more forces...We ask army to be more proactive, but when the situation improves, we should not shy away from the fact we need to start revocation of AFSPA from some places and see what is the impact," she said while addressing a seminar on counter terrorism here.

The conference is being organised by India Foundation, a think tank run by Shaurya Doval, the son of National Security Advisor A K Doval. Four Union Ministers and BJP leaders, including party general secretary Ram Madhav, are on its board.

She also said when the situation improves, there was a need for shifting security camps "away from public".

Referring to her brother Tassaduq, who has been declared PDP candidate for Anantnag Lok Sabha seat vacated by her, Mufti said her brother "wants to see our kids chasing birds and butterflies rather than have stones in their hands".

Tassaduq is a cinematographer and has been part of Bollywood hits like 'Omkara'.

Mufti appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating talks with "all stakeholders" for a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem.

"We need to have dialogue as was done by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I am sure our present Prime Minister, who has the moral authority, will take steps at the earliest. We have a bold leadership at this point of time," she said.

"We have used pellet guns, guns, hand grenades, teargas. We can't continue with that. They (the protesters) are part of India. Kashmir is the jewel in India's crown," she said.

Appealing for a "window of peace", she said, "Good governance helps in shrinking the space of terrorists. Please give me that."



By-polls for Anantnag parliamentary and Srinagar assembly seats are slated for April 12 and 9 respectively.

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The Competition Commission has ordered a detailed probe into a fresh complaint against biotech major Monsanto.

After concluding that the latest allegations are similar to the previous ones, the watchdog has decided to club the case with the ongoing probe.

In little over a year, this is the fourth time that CCI is ordering a probe against the company.

The latest complaint was filed by Andhra Pradesh-based Sri Rama Agri Genetics (India) against Mahyco Monsanto Biotech India, Monsanto Holdings, Monsanto Company, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company and Monsanto Technology LLC.

Among others, it was alleged that these entities abused the dominant position by imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions in the agreements through which Bt technology is sub-licensed to seed manufacturing companies in India.

In a four-page order, dated March 14, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it has decided to club the matter with ongoing investigation after "considering the substantial similarity of the core allegations in the instant information and scope of directions given in the earlier cases".

Last October, CCI had ordered a probe against Monsanto by its investigation arm Director General (DG).

In June 2016 also, a detailed investigation was directed into three complaints against Monsanto by clubbing them with an ongoing investigation.

Back in February 2016, CCI had ordered detailed probe against Monsanto on the basis of two complaints.

At that time, the regulator had prima-facie found that the company violated competition norms under Section 3 and 4 of the Competition Act.

Section 3 of the Competition Act deals with anti- competitive agreements while Section 4 is about abuse of dominant position.

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Opinion / Letters

Dear Editor,May you allow me space in your paper as I would like to give my opinion on leadership problems facing our country Zimbabwe.Many people think that the President is the biggest problem but I beg to differ. I blame the whole responsibility on all those who support him by advising him wrongly hence make the majority of Zimbabweans suffer as we experience never ending crisis in the country. If Robert Mugabe drops dead today - this does not, in any where, end our problems. The same people will continue supporting who ever becomes his successor and our problems continue.During his term of office, for almost 37 years now, Zimbabwe is now an economic basket with a repeated record of human right abuses coupled with a contempt for democracy. This has been possible and is going to continue ever after if and only if the same people, who are still ill advising the president are still in office.ZANU-PF party supporters say they will not never give up power and rival factions - jockeying for position to take after the dictator's death. How can ZANU-PF continue supporting a leader who struggles to walk, sleeps most of his time at important international meetings and even his public speeches have become meandering and repetitive and as if this is not enough he's the sole presidential candidate for 2018 at his age now 93.I really wonder as he frequently travels to Singapore for medical checks - does this mean that his close advisers have failed to influence a proper infrastructure set up in Zimbabwe where proper medical facilities can be put in place for the President and in addition for the benefit of Zimbabwean citizens at large.The President is not in anywhere on the ground monitoring all the country's mishaps. Globe trotting has become a norm of his routine.Look at what the police is doing at road blocks demanding bribes instead of curbing corruption - they are found to be on the forefront promoting it.Surely the president is surrounded by imperfect advisers influenced by the ambitious, manipulative spirit common around them and interest for the majority of Zimbabwean citizens is far fetched.Best solution to this is a complete overhaul of the current ruling system - ZANU-PF and everything to do with this party.Yours SincerelyPythias Makonese
The Shiv Sena today attacked the BJP for going ahead with government formation in Goa in alliance with smaller parties, terming it as a "murder of democracy".

The Sena, in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana', said though the Congress could not form government in Goa, it does not mean that the BJP-led government and the recent developments in the state can be called "moralistic."



Manohar Parrikar yesterday took oath as the Chief Minister of Goa after the Supreme Court cleared the decks for his swearing-in by refusing a plea of Congress to stay the ceremony.The apex court also ordered a floor test tomorrow.

"The result of floor test in Goa may be the final deciding factor of this government but the present situation is nothing less than a murder of democracy," it said.

"One cannot deny BJP's win in UP and Uttarakhand. But there were elections in three other states also, the results of which were opposite. But no political pundit is ready to talk about it," said the Sena, which is the ruling alliance partner in Maharashtra and at the Centre.

"Though these states are smaller than UP, the results show the sentiments of the people," it further said.

The Sena said it is not the least saddened by the win of Congress in Goa.

People have voted for the Congress despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hard campaigning in the state, it pointed out.

"The people of Goa, who voted against the BJP and other parties, will not accept that the BJP joins hands with those whom it criticised in the run-up to the polls," said the editorial.

"All of these parties which came together to form the government have gone against the wishes of people," it said.

The Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 17 out of the total 40 seats in the coastal state in the recent Assembly elections.

The BJP stood second by winning 13 seats. It formed the government after showing the support of 21 out of the 40 newly-elected MLAs.

In the elections, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward party won three seats each, and three other seats were bagged by independents. Besides, the NCP bagged one seat.

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A Delhi court today said it will decide on March 20 whether nine JNU students can be asked by Delhi Police to give their consent for lie detector test in a case relating to the varsity's missing student Najeeb Ahmed.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sumit Dass reserved the order after the counsel appearing for the students submitted that the "lie detector test is unconstitutional and illegal unless it is voluntary".

The nine students, who are suspects in the case, have approached the court through their counsel Viswa Bhushan Arya challenging the notice sent to them by the Crime Branch of Delhi Police seeking their presence before the magistrate for recording of their statement that whether they were willing to undergo the lie detector test.

In its notice issued on January 23, the probe agency had claimed that their lie detector test was required to get information about Najeeb's whereabouts.

The notice was sent after the Delhi High Court had asked the police to explore other avenues of probe, like a polygraph test of persons connected to Najeeb, as all other leads had not yielded any result.

27-year-old Najeeb has been missing since October 14-15 last year after a scuffle at his JNU hostel allegedly with ABVP activists the previous night. The RSS students' wing has denied any involvement in his disappearance.

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Describing naxalism and terrorism as two sides of the same coin, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said only "good governance" can eliminate the menace.

Singh observed these views while addressing a conference on "Terrorism in Indian Ocean Region" held at New Delhi via video-conferencing from his official residence here.

The function was organised by the India Foundation.

"Naxalism and terrorism are two sides of the same coin. The main target of naxalites is to weaken the administrative system based on democratic aspirations and loot the society by spreading terror," an official statement quoted the CM as saying while addressing the conference.

"The mask on the faces of (so called) 'messiahs of the poor' (referring to Maoists) had been unveiled and their true faces had been exposed. The Left-Wing terrorists had destroyed education, health, roads and communications links in the far-flung regions of Bastar," he said.

Singh further added that "effective and good governance can only eliminate the menace of naxalism and terrorism."



Underling his government policies to root out naxalism particularly in Bastar division, he said, the state government had been implementing social welfare schemes and development works while simultaneously the focus is also on the law and order front.

"The Left-Wing extremism had been brought to an end in Surguja division. The authorities are working on the socio-economic front in Bastar division and the results will be known soon," Singh asserted.

Pointing that the Centre had been co-operating in all its endeavours, Singh said, the network of roads, rail, communications and electricity are being expanded at a brisk pace in LWE areas of the state, besides education, health and skills' up-gradation facilities had been provided to the citizens there.

The Chief Minister added that new chapters of development are being written with the people's participation in the development parameters in the state.

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Salaries of sanitation workers and nurses in the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) have been paid till January, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Union Minister of Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said this in response to a question on disbursement of salaries to the employees of the three municipal corporations in the city.

"The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has informed that there is no pendency of disbursement of salary to its employees.

"The NDMC has informed that there has been only one strike by the staff in the year 2015-16 due to non-payment of salary on time.

"The NDMC has further informed that the salaries of all the employees have been disbursed up to December 2016 and the Group D (including swachhta karmacharis), Group C and Group B (nurses) employees have also been paid salary for the month of January 2017," he said.

"The salary of EDMC employees other than sanitation staff are reportedly pending for January and February 2017," he said.

Ahir told the House that the NDMC and EDMC have said that the reason for delay in disbursement of salaries is due to "shortage of funds".

In response to another question, he said the three corporations have pending liabilities -- NDMC (Rs 2385.45 crore), SDMC (Rs 907.24 crore) and EDMC (Rs 1589.08 crore) -- apart from those on account of employees, which includes the contractor's liability and outstanding loan from Delhi government.

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Nearly 100,000 people have poured out of west Mosul in less than three weeks as Iraqi forces fought to retake the area from jihadists, the International Organisation for Migration said today.

Iraqi security forces launched a major push last month to recapture west Mosul, which is the most populated urban area still held by the Islamic State group, with an estimated 750,000 residents when the battle began.

Iraqi special forces units and police have made steady progress in the area, forcing IS out of a series of neighbourhoods and retaking important sites such as the airport, Mosul museum, train station and provincial government headquarters.

But the battle for west Mosul - which is smaller but more densely populated than the eastern side which Iraqi forces recaptured earlier this year - has pushed a flood of people to flee their homes.

Between February 25 and March 15, more than 97,000 people have been displaced from west Mosul, the IOM said on its official Twitter account.

It marks an increase of around 17,000 from the displacement figure the IOM released the previous day, though this does not necessarily indicate that all of those additional people fled in the past 24 hours.

The IOM also said that Iraqi government figures indicated a total of more than 116,000 people from west Mosul had gone through a screening site south of the city.

Men, women and children carrying their possessions sometimes walk for hours before arriving at a security forces checkpoint.

From there they can take buses or pickup trucks to camps after the men go through initial screening aimed at identifying those with IS ties.

Hajj Ahmed, a 55-year-old wearing a dark coat over a traditional robe who had recently fled Mosul, said that people were living under IS siege.

"They have been besieging people for seven days," Hajj Ahmed said, praising Iraq's elite Counter-Terrorism Service for saving them.

"All the buildings have been destroyed over our heads by the car bombs. Some families are still stuck there," he said.

On the military front, CTS forces hunted for bombs left by IS in areas that have recently been recaptured.

CTS is conducting an "operation to clear and search for bombs and explosives-rigged cars," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi, one of the top commanders in the unit, told AFP.

"There is not any operation to advance and attack new neighbourhoods in west Mosul during this day," Saadi said.

Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi, another CTS commander, also confirmed that the focus on Wednesday was on searching and clearing areas that had already been retaken.

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The police will use the new law to deal with people vandalising government property, city police commissioner Rajeev Kumar today said.

Referring to vandalism at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital by a mob allegedly belonging to the family of the stolen baby, Kumar said that the police would deal with such situations "very seriously".

"There are people who indulge in vandalism. We will handle them very seriously. Even yesterday at the Medical college if somebody has done something wrong we will ensure that he is prosecuted under the new law which has been passed," Kumar said.

The state government recently introduced an amendment to the West Bengal Prevention of Defacement of Property Act to stop rampant damage of government property. The amended bill would deter vandals, rioters and arsonists who could face imprisonment up to a maximum of seven years for damaging property.

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The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi government to apprise it about population of indigenous breeds of cow in the national capital.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar expressed concern over decreasing population of indigenous breeds of cattle in the country and directed the Delhi environment secretary to file a compliance report within two weeks with complete details.

"Let the environment secretary file a compliance report within two weeks... Rejoinder, if any, be filed within two weeks thereafter," the bench said and posted the matter for next hearing to April 25.

The order came while hearing a plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar who had moved the tribunal against the "looming threat of extinction of indigenous breeds of cattle" in the country and sought directions to the Centre to ensure that cattle are not slaughtered.

The tribunal had earlier issued a notice to Agriculture Ministry on the plea also seeking a nationwide ban on the slaughter of indigenous breeds of cattle.

Kumar had claimed a steep decline in the indigenous cow population and said that Indian cattle were being replaced across the country by exotic and cross-bred cows imported from Europe, Australia and the US.

"Even developed countries are taking steps to preserve diversity in livestock and taking substantial steps to preserve and conserve their domestic livestock species," the plea had said.

Kumar had blamed government authorities at the national, state and local levels for being a silent spectator to this extinction.

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The NIA has taken over the investigations into the activities of an alleged 'self- radicalised' ISIS inspired module, a suspected member of which was killed an encounter in Lucknow earlier this month.

"We have handed over the documents related to the ISIS module to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as directed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh," IG Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun said today.

Till now, the state police was handling the case and had procured a 10-day police remand of five accused persons arrested in UP, he said.

The custody of the accused will be handed to the NIA sleuths, and if required they could seek further remand from the court, Arun said.

According to the UP police, Saifullah, who was killed in an encounter on March 8, was suspected to be linked with the blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain train in Madhya Pradesh and belonged to a self-proclaimed group of ISIS supporters.

"Details extracted from arrested members of the group will also be shared with the NIA officials," the IG ATS said.

Besides these five arrests, three others were held in Madhya Pradesh by the police of that state, taking the total number of arrests to eight.

Officials feel that with the NIA taking over the case, the probe will now gather pace.

Alleged terrorist Saifullah, suspected to be a member of this self radicalised group, was killed on the outskirts of Lucknow after a 12-hour police operation in the wake of the Ujjain-Bhopal train blast.

His body was found with weapons lying next to him, the UPA ATS had claimed.

After the operation, police claimed to have recovered eight pistols, 630 live cartridges, Rs 1.5 lakh, three mobiles phone, four sim cards, two wireless sets and some foreign currency from the place where Saifullah lived.

The Home Minister told Parliament that due to the prompt action taken by the police of UP and MP, "a possible threat to national security was successfully averted".

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Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today emphasised linking beneficiaries of all kinds of government assistance with Aadhaar card for which the state is making continuous efforts.

Kumar informed the state Legislative Council that after completion of Aadhaar seeding, all anomalies in list of beneficiaries would be removed.

The state government is making continuous efforts to prepare Aadhaar card for every citizen and for this several centres have been opened.

The CM exhorted public representatives to help in publicity for this purpose.

Earlier, in reply to a question of BJP's Mangal Pandey, Food and Civil Supplies minister Madan Sahni said that the state government is installing Electronic Point of Sale (EPS) machines in 59 Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets in Noorsarai block in Nalanda district as part of a pilot project.

Later, this facility would be extended in all PDS outlets across Bihar, he said.

The Food minister said that as per 2011 census, a total number of 55,312 PDS outlets are needed in Bihar out of which 41,725 are functioning at present.

The process is on for opening rest of the outlets, he added.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today submitted before the high court that there was no illegality in the hydroelectric project contract signed with a Canadian firm when he was power minister two decades ago.

In response to details sought by the high court about the controversial project involving the Canadian firm SNC-Lavalin, Vijayan said no offer was made in the contract.

Last week, the high court had directed the CBI and the accused in the graft case to furnish details of the controversial hydroelectric project.

In a statement filed before the high court through his counsel M K Damodaran, Vijayan claimed that SNC-Lavalin did not offer to provide funds to set up a cancer centre.

There was no mention about providing aid to set up the cancer centre, Vijayan claimed.

The court had sought several clarifications, including whether the alleged offer made by SNC Lavalin to provide funds for setting up the cancer centre was actually part of the MoU or the first contract.

Vijayan claimed that there was no specific evidence or document against him to implicate him in the case.

Justice P Ubaid had sought the clarification while considering the revision petition filed by CBI against the November 2013 Thiruvananthapuram CBI special court order.

The order had discharged Vijayan and six others from the case relating to alleged loss of Rs 374.50 crore caused by them to the state exchequer in awarding the contract to the Canadian firm to renovate three hydel projects in the state.

The state exchequer suffered no loss on account of the contract, Vijayan said in the statement.

He also said that the agreement was executed as per the decision of the Cabinet and the renovation work as per agreement has also been completed.

Vijayan alleged that he has been made an accused by CBI citing that he had visited Canada during his tenure as state power minister.

He pointed out that his predecessor G Karthikeyan had also visited Canada during his stint as power minister.

The court posted the case for Friday for next hearing.

Senior Supreme Court lawyer Harish Salve will appear for Vijayan in the case.

The previous Congress-led UDF government had alleged it was Vijayan who had finalised the deal with the Canadian firm.

In February 2016, the high court had rejected a plea by the then UDF government for early hearing of CBIs revision petition, challenging the acquittal of Vijayan.

The CPI(M) had come out publicly against the then UDF government, alleging that it wanted an early hearing in the matter to build a case against the party and and its leader Vijayan for political reasons.

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India and Pakistan have not held any bilateral trade meeting since 2014 and there is no progress on the agreed road map, the government informed Parliament today.

The commerce ministers of India and Pakistan had met in January 2014 on the sidelines of the 5th SAARC Business Leaders Conclave here.

At that meeting, both the ministers reaffirmed the commitment to expeditiously establish normal trading relations and provide Non-Discriminatory Market Access (NDMA) on a reciprocal basis in this context.

"No bilateral trade meeting between India and Pakistan has taken place since then, and there is no progress on the agreed road map," Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Both the sides have also decided to intensify and accelerate the process of trade normalisation, liberalisation and facilitation.

She also said Pakistan is yet to transition fully to the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status for India.

It maintains a negative list of 1,209 products which are not allowed to be imported from India.

In addition, Pakistan also permits only 137 products to be imported from India through Wagah-Attari border land route.

The bilateral trade between the countries stood at USD 2.61 billion in 2015-16 compared to USD 2.35 billion in the previous fiscal.

To a separate question, she said meat exports during April-January 2016-17 aggregated Rs 22,074 crore as against Rs 27,610 crore in 2015-16.

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The Central Vigilance Commission has not received information about murder of any RTI activist during last three years, Government today informed the Lok Sabha.

Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said there are media reports that some persons have been assaulted or were missing or killed in the last three years "allegedly due to their RTI activism".

"The Central Vigilance Commission has informed that there is no such case of murder of any Whistleblower/RTI activists, which has come to their notice during the last three years and the current year under the Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution, 2004," he said.

Responding to a written question, the Minister said under the PIDPI resolution, 2004, the CVC and the Chief Vigilance Officers of the ministries and departments of the central government have been authorised to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office and recommend appropriate action.

"The CVC, after receipt of representation(s) about threats to life of whistle blowers, takes up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal agency, to undertake the responsibility of providing security cover to genuine Whistle Blowers," the Minister said.

The Home Ministry, in turn, asks the state governments concerned to examine the threat and provide security cover, if needed.

"On the advice of Ministry of Home Affairs, state governments have appointed Nodal Officers in the respective states to whom such matters are referred," he said.

He said Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which seeks to introduce clauses of safeguarding against disclosures affecting sovereignty and integrity of India, security of State is presently pending in the Rajya Sabha.

The UPA Government had enacted the Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2011 on May 9, 2014 but since the bill was taken up on the last day of last session of the 15th Lok Sabha, the amendments could not be moved, he said.

The Amendment Bill was introduced which has been passed in the Lok Sabha on May 11, 2015 and is pending before the Rajya Sabha, he said.

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Nepal has told India that the proposal for open skies cannot be accepted now as the Himalayan nation is in the process of upgrading its airport infrastructure.

Open skies policy allows countries to operate unlimited number of flights to each other's cities.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha has informed the Rajya Sabha that in the recently concluded bilateral civil aviation talks, Nepal welcomed the Indian proposal for open skies.

"However, they informed that they are in the process of upgrading existing international airport and constructing new international airports infrastructure and their civil aviation policy is also being revised.

"Hence, they are not ready to accept the open skies proposal at this stage," Sinha said in a written reply yesterday.

To a query on whether the government plans to install full body scanners at airports in the country, the Minister said no such decision has been taken.

"A trial of full body scanner was conducted at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi on 10,054 passengers from December 5 to 19, 2016 to collect data to determine the criteria for body scanning technology requirement for passenger screening," he said in a separate written reply.

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Raising doubt on whether Shiv Sena is supporting the BJP-led government, the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde today asked the ruling dispensation to prove majority in legislature.

After the House assembled today to debate the motion of thanks on Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao's address to legislature on the first day of budget session on March 6, Munde said if Sena was not supporting the government and demanding a loan waiver for farmers, then the Governor's address remains unconstitutional.

"Both the alliance partners are fighting and accusing each other in worst possible terms. Sena too is supportive of the opposition demand for loan waiver for farmers.

"(In view of this), the BJP government should prove its majority in the House. Unless it does so, the Governor's address will remain unconstitutional," Munde said.

Congress MLC Narayan Rane said the government was in "minority".

It should prove majority as Sena is not supporting the government, he said.

However, the Deputy Chairman Manikrao Thakare said Sena was very much part of the government.

"Until Sena announces its withdrawal from government, it is very much part of the government," he said.

As the Opposition continued to create uproar, the Chair adjourned the proceedings for half an hour.

After the House reassembled, Munde told the Deputy Chairman that Sena MLC Ravindra Phatak was supporting the Opposition's demand for loan waiver.

As the noisy scenes continued, Thakre again adjourned the proceedings till the question hour.

In the run-up to the civic and local bodies polls in February, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray had announced to go solo at the hustings without any tie-up with the BJP. However, he remained non-committal on pulling out from the government.

Sena is the junior partner of the BJP in the Central and state governments.

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Opposition members in the Lok Sabha today sought a probe into the suspected suicide of a Dalit research scholar at the JNU and alleged "caste discrimination" there.

Responding to the members' concerns, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar assured the House of "suitable action" and said the entire House shared the grief over the death of Muthu Krishnan, an M Phil student at JNU's Centre for Historical Studies.

"It is very shocking. He had written a Facebook post criticising the Dalit policy of the JNU. He had recorded incidents of discrimination. His father has sought a CBI enquiry. It is a very serious incident," K Suresh (Congress) said.

An AIADMK member alleged caste discrimination and bias against students from south India and sought a HRD ministry probe.

These members recalled the suspected suicide of another Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula in the University of Hyderabad last year. The HRD ministry had faced a lot of flak for its handling of that matter.

Muthu Krishnan knew Vemula and had joined the protests following his death.

Observing that the entire House shared the grief, the Minister said "the JNU authorities rushed to provide all assistance to his family. Post-mortem is still on and the Delhi Police is probing (death). Suitable action will be taken."



28-year-old Muthu Krishnan allegedly hung himself from a ceiling fan at his friend's residence in South Delhi's Munirka locality on Monday.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said resistance by some people against the GAIL gas pipeline project will not prevent the state from going ahead with its implementation as it was the need of the nation.

"Laying of Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangalore natural gas pipeline network of GAIL is the need of the nation. The project is also necessary for taking up environment friendly development projects in Kerala," he said while replying to a submission in this regard in the Assembly.

The Chief Minister said activists of SDPI, a political wing of the Popular Front of India should stop their stir in Palakkad district against the pipe laying and cooperate with the government to complete it.

On police registering cases against agitators who prevented construction work, Vijayan said the police had only done its duty.

He also referred to the Kerala High Court order for police protection for workers



"They are consciously opposing the project," Vijayan said.

"Police will take steps as required," he said to the submission of Congress leader V T Balram who accused the police of foisting false cases against locals and threatening them.

Vijayan pointed out that the pipeline passing through Kerala would also enable the state avail natural gas at a very low price and connect the network with the national grid.

GAIL's 900-km gas pipeline project passing through Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has run into trouble due to land issues.

Balaram said government should create awareness among people on the need for the project and also should remove fears about it.

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The 105th session of Indian Science Congress, a gathering of scientific luminaries from countries across the world, will be held at the city-based Osmania University (OU) from January 3 to 7 next year.

OU Vice-Chancellor Prof S Ramachandram today received a communication from the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) General President Achyuta Samanta in this regard.

In the communication, the association informed the university about its selection to host the 105th conference of the Indian Science Congress, an OU release said here.

The VC thanked the association for giving the varsity an opportunity to host the prestigious event. "The faculty, staff and students would work wholeheartedly for the successful conduct of the session," Ramachandram said.

The university had hosted the 85th session of the event in 1998.

The 104th session of the event was held at the Sri Venkateswara University in Tiruapti in January this year. The five-day conference was attended by half a dozen Nobel Prize winners from different countries and 14,000 scientists and scholars from India and abroad.

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The set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Padmavati" was vandalised by unidentified persons at Mhasai Pathar in Kolhapur district in the wee hours on Wednesday.

The miscreants also torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there for the horses featuring in the period drama, said the police.

Following the incident, the film's crew has been provided police protection, Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said.

The shooting of the Deepika Padukone-starer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, a rocky plateau in the western Maharashtra district, when a group of around 20 people came to the set between 1 am and 2 am on Wednesday, the police said.

The miscreants set on fire the costumes of the film and also burnt the fodder kept for the horses, said Senior Police Inspector Dhanya Kumar Godse of Panhala police station.

The film's crew members caught hold of two of the vandals, whose accomplices attacked the film crew and fled the scene after getting them freed, said Godse.

The vandals also tried to set ablaze the vehicles of the crew members parked near the set.

The reason behind the protest was not yet known, the police said.

Godse said no formal complaint has been lodged so far in connection with the incident.

The film's producers were not available for comments.

MoS (Home) Kesarkar, meanwhile, said in Mumbai that the film's producers have been asked to file a complaint with the police regarding the incident.

Once the complaint is filed, the incident would be probed into by the state Home Department, he said.

"The police officials, including the inspector general of police of Kolhapur range and the district SP have met Bhansali and his team.

"The shooting was going on at Mhasai plateau, some six km away from the iconic Panhala fort in Kolhapur district. After the incident, the state Home department has given them protection and deployed an officer and 12 other policemen," he told reporters outside Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

"The shooting of film "Padmavati" was going on since March 6 and was scheduled to be over by March 20," Kesarkar said.

"The Tuesday night fire damaged two pandals, including the one where the horses were kept while the other one was the costume store room," he said.

"Prima facie, the pandals were set on fire by some 20-25 people. We want to know whether the perpetrators were local people or they came from some distant locations," said the MoS (Home).

Deepika plays the role of Rani in the film, which also stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.

It is the second such incident for the film. In January this year, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in "Padmavati".

Following the incident, the film's team had cancelled its shooting in Jaipur and Bhansali's production house had to release a statement clarifying the "misconception" about the film's story.
In the second such incident since January, the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Padmavati" was vandalised last midnight, following which the film crew was provided police protection.

Around 20 unidentified people torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there for the horses featuring in the period drama, the police said.

Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home Deepak Kesarkar said the team shooting here has been provided police protection.

Shobha Sant, the CEO of Bhansali Productions, thanked the Maharashtra Police for its "quick and efficient support".

"ThankU #MaharashtraPolice for the quick intervention on the vandalized shoot of #Padmavati... No loss of life, no one seriously hurt on vandalized shoot of #Padmavati," she wrote.

She said a complaint has been filed against the miscreants.

"ThankU everyone for the support. Again. We are all ok. #Padmavati Filed a complaint against miscreants who vandalized our costume & jewelry and set it on fire #Padmavati #SanjayLeelaBhansali (sic)," Shobha posted on Twitter.

The shooting of the Ranveer Singh-Deepika Padukone starrer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, when a group of around 20 people came to the set between 1 AM and 2 AM, the police said.

The miscreants set on fire the costumes of the film and also burnt the fodder kept for the horses, said Senior Police Inspector Dhanya Kumar Godse of Panhala police station.

They also tried to set ablaze the vehicles of the crew members parked near the set.

The reason behind the protest was not yet known, the police said.

"The shooting was going on at Mhasai plateau, some six km away from the iconic Panhala fort in Kolhapur district. After the incident, the state Home department has given them protection and deployed an officer and 12 other policemen," Kesarkar told reporters outside Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

"The shooting of film 'Padmavati' was going on since March 6 and was scheduled to be over by March 20," Kesarkar said.

"The Tuesday night fire damaged two pandals, including the one where the horses were kept while the other one was the costume store room," he said.

"Prima facie, the pandals were set on fire by some 20-25 people. We want to know whether the perpetrators were local people or they came from some distant locations," said the MoS (Home).

Deepika plays the role of Rani Padmavati in the film, which also stars Ranveer as Alauddin Khilji and Shahid Kapoor as Raja Ratan Singh.

This is the second such incident. In January, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in "Padmavati".

Following the incident, the film's team had cancelled its shooting in Jaipur and Bhansali's production house had to release a statement clarifying the "misconception" about the film's story.

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Pakistan today launched a countrywide census, the first in nearly two decades, amidst security fears and concerns about the political fallout of the massive exercise.

Chief Statistician Asif Bajwa inaugurated the process of 6th census from Attock district in Pakistan's largest province of Punjab.

Some 119,000 officials including 84,000 enumerators are taking part in the census with 200,000 troops providing security and monitoring the process to ensure authenticity.

The first phase of housing and population census will continue till April 15, followed by a 10-day break and then the second phase will begin from April 25 and continue till May 25.

Bajwa said that in the first phase the census will be completed in 63 districts of the country, including 16 in Punjab, 8 in Sindh, 13 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, one in tribal region, 15 districts in Balochistan and 5 each in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

In the second phase, census will be conducted in 21 each districts of Punjab and in Sindh, 18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 17 in Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, and five each in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Bajwa urged the people to enthusiastically participate in the census process and cooperate with the officials.

Under the constitution, census should be held every 10 years to determine the exact population and allocation of resources among provinces on the basis number of people, but it had been delayed due to security concerns and political wrangling.

It has become political issue as Punjab province, the country's largest, fears that its share in the national resources may diminish as population of other provinces might have increased.

The smallest province of Balochistan fears that local Baloch may become a minority due to the presence of Afghan refugees who are believed to have got citizenship in droves through fraud.

The final outcome of the census would be known by July and it may lead to demarcation of constituencies ahead of general elections next year.

Pakistan, with about 200 million people is the sixth largest country in the world.

The census will show the exact number of people living in Muslim-majority Pakistan.

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- T. S. Eliot

Thoughts After Lambeth

"The World is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time: so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and save the World from suicide."
Pakistan today executed three hardcore Islamic militants convicted by the controversial special military courts for committing heinous terror offences.

The "three hardcore terrorists" were executed at High Security Prison in Sahiwal district of Punjab province, army said in a statement.

"These terrorists were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attacks on Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies," it said.

The militants were associated with the Pakistani Taliban and a second extremist group named Harkat-ul-Jihad e-Islami, it said.

The convicts identified as Said Zaman Khan, Shawaleh and Muhammad Zeeshan were tried and convicted by special military courts.

These courts were set up for two years in January 2015 and became dysfunctional from January 7, 2017. The courts were set up 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.

However, the government has introduced an amendment in the parliament to change the constitution to revive these courts for another two years.

The military court awarded death sentence to 161 militants and so far only 21 have been executed.

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An Israeli military court sentenced a Palestinian to life today for the murder of a rabbi in the occupied West Bank, the military said.

Mohammed El-Amaira, a member of the Palestinian Authority security services, was convicted of planning and carrying out a July 2016 attack during which gunmen opened fire on a car near the city of Hebron, an army statement said.

The car crashed and rabbi Michael Mark, who led a religious school in the Israeli settlement of Otniel, was killed, while his wife and two young children were injured.

Amaira was convicted of driving the car used by the attackers, the army said.

He also received a second life sentence for preparing armed attacks that did not ultimately take place, it added.

He was ordered to pay a fine of 250,000 shekels (USD 67,500, 64,000 euros).

In August, the Israeli army destroyed Amaira's house in the Palestinian village of Dura in the West Bank.

Mohamed Fakih, another Palestinian accused over the attack, was killed in July 2016 during clashes with soldiers.

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Palm oil imports rose by 19 per cent to 7,36,207 tonnes for the first time in February, after three consecutive months of fall, on higher shipments, industry body Solvent Extractors Association (SEA) said today.

India, the world's leading vegetable oil buyer, had imported 5,95,032 tonnes palm oil in February 2016.

The country's total vegetable oil imports rose by 17 per cent to 12.70 lakh tonnes in February this year from 10.82 lakh tonnes in the year-ago period.

The share of palm oil is 63 per cent of the country's total vegetable oil imports.

As per the SEA data, import of RBD palmolein increased to 2,33,313 tonnes in February this year from 1,77,806 tonnes in the year-ago period.

Among other palm oil products, the shipment of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) increased to 4,98,404 tonnes as against 4,08,228 tonnes, while the import of crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) dropped to 4,490 tonnes, from 8,998 tonnes in the said period.

Among soft oils, import of sunflower oil increased sharply to 2,09,422 tonnes in February this year, from 87,028 tonnes in the year-ago period.

The shipment of rapeseed mustard oil also increased to 36,886 tonnes from 17,336 tonnes, but import of soyabean oil fell to 2,51,740 tonnes from 3,66,121 tonnes in the period under review.

As on March 1, the stock of edible oils at various ports was estimated to be at 19.65 lakh tonnes, which is equal to 36 days requirements. India's monthly requirement is about 16.5 lakh tonnes, SEA said.

India imports palm oil, mainly from Indonesia and Malaysia, and a small quantity of crude soft oils, including soyabean oil from Latin America. Sunflower oil is imported from Ukraine and Russia.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 57-year-old 'Pir' was arrested today for allegedly killing a Sufi spiritual leader and his daughter in Bangladesh, amid a series of systematic assaults targeting minorities, Sufis and bloggers in the Muslim-majority nation.

Eshaq Ali, who is also a Pir or a Sufi spiritual leader, was arrested from his home in Bhurungamari Upazila, said Kurhigram Additional Superintendent of Police Menhazul Alam.

The motive behind the murders was not immediately known, police said.

Farhad Hossain Chowdhury, 72, and his adopted daughter Rupali Begum, 22, were found murdered on Monday in a Khanqah -- a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood -- close to the man's home in Dinajpur's Bochaganj upazila, about 350 kilometres north of Dhaka, police said.

"Both of them had bullet marks on their bodies and the young woman's neck was slit with a sharp weapon," Dhaka Tribune reported.

Police said there was a power cut in the area when the incident took place.

Farhad, a Pir or Sufi spiritual leader, was also the former president of Setabganj municipality unit of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which is headed by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

Bochaganj police station Officer-in-Charge Habibul Haque said the case was under investigation.

Haque said that there had been no immediate clues to the means and motives of the murder.

There have been systematic assaults in Bangladesh in recent years specially targeting minorities, secular bloggers, intellectuals and foreigners.

Over a dozen Sufi Muslims have been found with their throats slit in Bangladesh since 2013. The authorities blamed homegrown Islamist extremists for the killings.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A court in Poland has issued an arrest warrant for a Minnesota man sought in a Nazi massacre, opening the way for Poland to seek his extradition from the United States on war crimes charges.

The Associated Press had previously identified the man as 98-year-old Michael Karkoc, an ex-commander in an SS-led unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians in World War II.

Earlier this week, prosecutors from the state Institute of National Remembrance said evidence shows that American citizen Michael K. Was a commander of a unit in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion that raided eastern Poland's village of Chlaniow in July 1944, killing 44 people, including women and children.

They sought an arrest warrant for him from a court in eastern Poland, a step toward extradition. Poland's justice officials haven't released the suspect's last name, in line with Poland's privacy laws.

Judge Dariusz Abramowicz told the AP yesterday that the regional court in Lublin issued a warrant, based on 13 volumes of evidence, including documents from the US, Germany and Ukraine and from Poland's archives. He said that the evidence was strong enough for an arrest to be sought.

"In the court's assessment the evidence presented by the Institute of National Remembrance indicates a high probability that the suspect committed the crimes," Abramowicz said.

Prosecutor in Lublin, Jacek Nowakowski said on local TVP 3 station that among various pieces of evidence that helped identify the man were his signatures from Nazi times and his application for the US visa.

A 92-year-old resident of Chlaniow, Honorata Banach, whose house was burned in the raid, told the AP that everyone was surprised at the of the arrest warrant.

"People say: 'he's still alive!' But what can they do to him at his age, with death at his side?" she said over the phone. Her family fled the attack.

The decision comes four years after the AP published a story establishing that Michael Karkoc commanded the unit, based on wartime documents, testimony from other members of the unit and Karkoc's own Ukrainian-language memoir.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
has cheated for over 25 years on pollution tests for diesel and petrol engines with the knowledge of top management, according to a report by French fraud investigators obtained today.

"The entire chain of management" up to the French car maker's chief executive Carlos Ghosn was implicated in the "fraudulent strategies", said the report, which led prosecutors to open a probe into in January.

swiftly denied the accusations.

"Renault doesn't cheat," Thierry Bollore, the French car maker's second-in-command told AFP by telephone, saying all its cars complied with legal standards.

The report said there was no evidence of Ghosn having charged anybody else with approving the company's emissions control decisions, which therefore ultimately came under "his responsibility".

Police suspect the automobile maker of putting in place the strategies "with the objective of creating false results for antipollution tests", and so to be seen to be complying with European regulations.

Renault shares plunged on the Paris stock exchange, closing 3.7 per cent lower, after the Liberation daily first revealed the existence of the report earlier Wednesday.

The document concentrates on recent car models, but the fraud investigators -- helped by statements by a former Renault employee -- estimate that questionable practices have been in place since 1990.

Several Renault models were fitted with electronic devices which detected test conditions and then triggered a temporary reduction in harmful emissions for long enough to fool the testing equipment, the former employee claimed.

The first generation Renault Clio, which came out in 1990, is believed to be one of the models involved.

The alleged fraudulent practice recalls the "dieselgate" scandal involving Germany's Volkswagen which admitted in late 2015 to installing so-called "defeat devices" into 11 million diesel vehicles worldwide, designed to reduce emissions of harmful nitrogen oxides while the engines were undergoing regulatory tests.

The German automaker last week pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the United States that it committed fraud by installing the devices and paid $4.3 billion in civil fines.

The guilty plea and fines were in addition to $17.5 billion that the company had already agreed to pay in settlements with car owners, dealers and for environmental cleanup.

Earlier Wednesday, state prosecutors in southern Germany said they had searched offices belonging to carmaker Audi over parent company Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal.

Investigators from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony states searched "sites belonging to Audi AG and seven other locations" on suspicion of "fraud and illegal advertising", Munich prosecutors said in a statement.
The has developed and upgraded military systems, products and technologies worth over Rs 2.5 lakh crore for the armed forces.

The figure does not include the strategic systems the premier defence research organisation developed, Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre said, replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He said the has spent a total of Rs 15,538 crore on various projects since 2013-14.

The Minister said over the past five decades the has developed large number of military systems, technologies and products and put their value at Rs 2.50 lakh crore.

Replying to a separate question, Bhamre said 92 contracts involving Rs 83,544 crore were signed with Indian vendors for procurement of various military systems including helicopters and missiles.

A total of 55 contracts for procurement of defence equipment and weapons were signed with foreign vendors during the period.

Bhamre said the expenditure on capital acquisition in 2015-16 was Rs 61,761 crore against the revised budgetary allocation of Rs 65,400 crore.

In the current financial year the expenditure on capital acquisition was Rs 65,838 crore till February against revised estimate of Rs 71,700 crore.

To a question on one-rank-one-pension, the Minister said the number of eligible person for the benefit was 20,75,165 and a sum of Rs 12,456 crore has been allocated for the year 2016-17.

The Minister said the first installment and lump sum amount has been paid to 19,93,815 beneficiaries for which Rs 4,076 crore were spent.

The number of beneficiaries paid the second instalment was 15,57,950 for which an amount of Rs 2,298 crore has been disbursed.

To another question, Bhamre said based on operational requirement of army, construction/improvement of 530 roads have been included in the Long Term Roll on Works Plan of Border Roads Organisation.
Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were washed out today as the Congress protested against the formation of BJP governments in Goa and Manipur, even as the ruling party asserted that the democratic norms were followed.

Raising the issue as soon as the House met for the day, the Congress members created ruckus and forced repeated adjournments by demanding sacking of the Governors in the two states and installing of Congress governments there.

In view of the continuing protests and uproar, the House was adjourned prematurely for the day at around 3.10 pm.

While raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party in Goa and Manipur but the BJP installed its governments through their Governors.

"The BJP has formed its governments in both Goa and Manipur after violating the Constitution and the Supreme Court judgment. We oppose it. Status quo should be maintained.

"We demand that the Governors of Goa and Manipur be removed and Congress chief ministers in both the states should be allowed to take oath," Azad said.

Asserting that the Congress party will not accept the BJP governments in these two states, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha demanded that the House adopt a resolution against the role of the two Governors.

Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, however, maintained that the governments in Goa and Manipur are being formed as per the democratic norms.

He said after the assembly polls gave a hung verdict in these two states, the BJP formed the governments after firming up coalitions.

He said there are only two options before the Governor - that of inviting the single-largest party or the alternative coalition.

Rejecting any wrong doing by the BJP, Jaitley cited the example of Jharkhand where his party, despite getting 30 seats in the 81-member Assembly some years back, was not invited to form the government and instead JMM with 17 seats formed the government along with some other parties.

Jaitley also said that in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was formed, the then President of India had also spelt out the option of an alternative coalition to be taken into account in government formation.

"The argument given by Mr Azad has been given yesterday (by the Congress) before the Supreme Court which has rejected it and instead said that the Congress should prove its numbers when the floor test is held....

"When the alternative coalition has a clear majority and they have written to and presented themselves before the Governor, there is no scope of inviting a minority in a democracy. The principle of democracy is to have a government of a majority and not a minority," Jaitley said.

He also said that the Congress had not even staked its claim of forming a government in Goa and had past midnight only thrown a letter into the Raj Bhawan premises to seek time from the Governor.

Jaitley said it is clear that Goa and Manipur had hung



assemblies and it is understood that when no party gets a majority, the government will be formed from amongst those elected.

"The Governor had two options - to either invite the single largest party or to invite an alternative coalition. There are many precedents in the past," the minister said.

While citing examples, he said, "In 1998, when the Vajpayee government came to power, the President of India at the time cited both the options of that were required to be examined - to either invite the single largest party and also examine the alternative coalition formed.

"The argument given by Mr Azad here have already been presented before the Supreme Court yesterday, which has rejected it. The Supreme Court told the Congress it will take only two minutes to show the 20 MLAs it has," he said.

Azad earlier alleged that even though the BJP has a thumping majority in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it has not even elected its leaders (of legislature party) there whereas in Goa and Manipur, despite being the second-largest party, it displayed haste in forming its governments.

"In Goa, seven powerful ministers and the sitting Chief Minister lost. It was a massive mandate against the BJP. There can't be a bigger mandate against the government.

"Similarly in Manipur, the Congress government was destabilised by the government of India which adopted all kinds of means. Despite all that, the Congress got 28 seats," he said.

The Congress members, repeatedly stormed the Well of the House, raising slogans like "Loktantra ki hatya band karo, band karo (stop the killing of democracy)".

The opposition party, which forced four adjournments before the final one for the day, accused the BJP of "stealing mandate" in Manipur and Goa where it was not invited to form government despite being the single largest party.

The Congress members cited rulings by the Constitution benches of the Supreme Court to state that the Governor was bound to invite the party with the largest number of MLAs to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House.

They alleged that the Governors in the two states were "acting at the behest" of the Centre.

After washout of the Zero Hour and the Question Hour,



Deputy Chairman P J Kurien wanted to take up a discussion on the Budget but the continuous uproar did not allow it.

The BJP members also raised slogans to counter the shouting Congress members but they were not audible.

Just before adjourning the House for the day, Kurien tried to pacify the agitating Congress members but failed.
State Bank chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya today blamed the governance at public sector banks for poor investor appetite for them and their resultant inability to raise cheaper funds from markets.

"State-run banks cannot have a default fall-back on the government for capital...If you are looking to raise capital...The one thing that investors always talk about is the board governance," Bhattacharya told reporters on the sidelines of a CII event.

Noting that the government has been providing capital to public sector banks whenever they required, she said, "I think it's time PSBs get out of this. But now government is very clear that it will give money only if the banks are actually efficient in all they do."



Out of the Rs 25,000 crore that the government has earmarked for recapitalising its banks this financial year, SBI alone has got over Rs 7,000 crore so far. Last year also it had received a similar amount.

Ruing the fact that many banks and organisations consider compliance of corporate governance regulations as a secondary activity, she said, "I must say it is very short-sighted way. In fact the activities that you consider as your priority are not your priority, regulations and compliance are your priority because when you fall short of regulations and compliance, your main activity will also be sorely impacted."



Talking about the boards, she said, "The role of the board and management and how they intersect is very important for organisations to future-proof themselves from regulatory and market changes.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
5 Legal Ways to Profit Off Your Body

How to Make Bank by (Legally!) Selling Your Body

Find yourself strapped for cash a little more often than you would like? Contemplating taking on a part-time job to make ends meet? Sure, you could do that  but at what price? Yes, youd be paying the bills, but youll probably be cutting into your social life, too. Maybe you should consider making some extra money another way: by selling your body.

RELATED: How to Make Money on the Side

Now, were not talking prostitution here. What we are talking about is making bank off your blood, your baby-making juice, and everything in between. Whether youre looking to rake in $100 a week donating plasma or up to $1,500 a month for ejaculting into a cup, selling your bodys precious byproducts can prove to be a lucrative side hustle.

Here are five ways to nab extra cash if you find yourself in a pinch:

Sell Your Sperm

With more and more prospective parents relying on artificial insemination to start a family, the U.S. sperm market is booming. While some countries such as Canada and Australia prohibit men from selling their seed, here in the good ol U.S. of A., compensation depends on which sperm bank you go to and the quality of your little soldiers.

Some places will tell you straight up what they pay for each sample  Seattle Sperm Bank, for example, compensates donors $70 for each approved donation  while others, like Manhattan Cryobank and Northwest Cryobank (which has three locations in Washington State), say you can only earn up to $1,500 per month. If you break it down, though, that equates to three donations per week at a rate of $125 each. Whether you consider that a lot or a little, its extra money for something you likely (read: definitely) do anyway.

Not every guy can make a quick buck with his babymakers, however, as sperm banks tend to be pretty choosy. Donors at California Cryobank, for instance, which has four locations nationwide and claims to be the worlds No. 1 physician-recommended sperm bank, must be at least 5 feet, 8 inches tall, between the ages of 19 and 38, a current two- or four-year college student or graduate and in good physical health (as established by a physical exam, multiple screenings for infectious diseases, a genetic screening, and an evaluation of family history).

California Cryobank is extremely selective in the donor selection process and only accepts about 1 percent of the 20,000-plus donor applicants each year, says Scott Brown, the companys communications VP.

Once you get past the rigmarole, how often and when you donate throughout the month is up to you; one to two times per week is fairly standard, adds Brown.

So, whats the catch? Well, besides the fact that youll likely need to refrain from ejaculating (whether via sex or masturbation) for at least two days prior to making a donation, theres also the whole business of fathering children that you may never meet, or who, at some point in the future, might want to reach out to you. Though some still do, not all sperm banks offer the option to make an anonymous donation anymore. California Cryobank, for one, stopped accepting anonymous donors in 2015. For those interested, Sperm Bank Directory is a great place to check out to help find the right sperm bank for you.

Sell Your Blood

Plasma, the clear liquid portion of your blood, is used to create products that can help people with blood clotting disorders and other diseases. As with sperm, you can get paid for donating yours. Though the process, which involves getting your blood drawn, your plasma separated, and then having the blood returned to your body, is a tad extensive, you can make up to $400 a month, according to CSL Plasma, a self-described leader in plasma collection with numerous centers scattered across the U.S.

The good news here is that there arent nearly as many criteria to meet as with donating sperm. Generally speaking, you need to be at least 18 years of age (but no older than 65) and weigh at least 110 pounds. When you go to donate for the first time, the donation center will put you through a screening process that involves taking an initial blood test, have you fill out a questionnaire, and subject you to a physical exam. Make it past this relatively low threshold and youre golden.

While there is minimal risk and few to no side effects involved in selling your plasma, some donors may experience slight bruising where the needle was inserted in their arm. According to Octapharma Plasma, a U.S.-based company that runs more than 80 collection centers, its also possible you might feel dizzy or lightheaded after donating. Because plasma is made mostly of water and proteins and takes up to 48 hours to replenish, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration dictates that donors can give up to only twice a week.

This plasma site will help you find find a certified donation center near you. And similar to plasma, there is money to be made from selling your platelets  tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. These little buggers help millions of Americans survive and fight cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Typically, selling platelets will earn you about as much as you would for selling plasma, and the donation process is practically identical.

Sell Your Hair

Tired of that big ol man bun youve been rocking since 2015? It could be the perfect time to chop it off for some cash. If your mane is at least six inches long, an inch or more thick, and has never been dyed, bleached, colored, or otherwise chemically treated, you may literally have some dollar bills growing out of your head.

Ad listings on Just Sell My Hair, a U.S.-based site that acts as a middle man for buyers and sellers, run anywhere from $50 up to $10,000 (though dont expect to find many buyers at that price point). Another fairly popular option, Hair Sellon, out of the U.K., is also worth checking out.

Both sites come equipped with hair price calculators to help you figure out what your luscious locks are worth, but the selling price is completely up to you. There can also be certain fees involved in placing an ad on sites such as these  HairSellon.coms $14.50 fee for a three-month listing, for instance  so be on the lookout for that.

Enter Clinical Trials

If you dont mind being used as a human guinea pig, taking part in clinical research might prove to be a lucrative side hustle. Clinical research involving human volunteers is intended to add to general medical knowledge, and if youre interested, there are two ways to get your foot in the door: clinical trials or observational studies.

While some of these studies involve you being poked and prodded, others allow you to walk away a couple thousand dollars richer just for allowing researchers to watch you sleep. You can find plenty of paid clinical trials at this website here. Another idea would be to check out what your local universitys research department is up to.

Before deciding to become a test subject, though, it might be a good idea to first seek advice from your regular doctor as well  you know, just to make sure youre not putting yourself in harms way.

Sell Your Poop (No, Really!)

Yes, this is a real thing, as well as a serious help to the thousands of Americans who contract an infection known as Clostridium difficile each year. According to the folks over at the Microbiome Health Research Institute, a nonprofit organization based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, that does business as OpenBiome, half a million Americans contract C. diff annually and one in five patients will see the infection come back even after taking antibiotics.

Enter fecal microbiota transplantation  FMT for short  a treatment that has proven effective in curing 85 percent of patients after the first try. During FMT, a fecal preparation from a carefully screened, healthy stool donor is transplanted into the colon of the patient, it says on OpenBiomes site. There are multiple routes of administration (e.g. via colonoscopy, naso-enteric tube, capsules), each of which has unique risks and benefits.

While there are procedural risks that come with receiving an FMT, donors arent exactly putting much at stake in selling their stool. Other places may do things a little differently, but at OpenBiome, would-be donors fill out an extensive questionnaire, attend an in-person interview, and go through at least two rounds of rigorous screenings for known infectious agents, including blood and stool tests. If your crap makes the cut (literally), you are then required to drop off donations (worth $40 each) several days a week for at least 60 days.

Oh, whats that? Nothing, just the sound of your bank account increasing. Ka-Ching.

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The Pathankot airbase station continued to remain on high alert as the search operation initiated in the area after an intelligence input about the presence of "suspicious men" continued into its second day today.

The joint operation of the Punjab Police, Army, Air Force and Himachal Pradesh Police was launched yesterday in villages and other areas near the airbase which had witnessed a terror attack last year, Pathankot SSP Nilambari Vijayjagdale said.

The operation is still on as a precautionary measure and more than 500 security personnel are engaged in it, she said.

"Nothing suspicious has been sighted as yet. However, the search operation is still on," Vijayjagdale told PTI.

The SSP said air surveillance is also being conducted using helicopters.

Besides patrolling by security personnel, Quick Response Teams have also been deployed to check any suspicious activity, police said.

Last year, terrorists had sneaked in from across the border and attacked the Pathankot airbase on the intervening night of January 1 and 2. The attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel, while four terrorists were killed.

Dinanagar in Gurdaspur was targeted by terrorists on July 27 in 2015. Three heavily-armed terrorists wearing army fatigues had stormed a police station, killing seven persons, including a Superintendent of Police, before they were gunned down during a day-long operation.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NDA ally Shiv Sena today appeared to be critical of the government's decision to merge Railway Budget with the General Budget.

Participating in a debate on Demand for Grants for the Railway Ministry, Shiv Sena member Shrirang Appa Barne said Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had promised to present report card every year.

"But with the merger, I fail to understand how the government would be able to present report card," Shiv Sena member Shrirang Appa Barne said.

He also wanted the government to revive the train at Matheran which is a hill station in Maharashtra.

Matheran Hill Railway is a 2-feet narrow gauge heritage railway in Maharashtra which is non-functional.

Later, his party colleague Arvind Sawant, while participating in a debate on Demand for Grants on Agriculture, said the government should bring a debt waiver scheme for farmers in Maharashtra who are facing vagaries of the Monsoon leading to suicides.

He also suggested that government should look into the issue of GST with regard to farm produce.

Appreciating the the fact the government has announced many schemes for agriculture sector, Sawant said, "the irony is not every farmer has got the Soil Health Card. He said he himself is yet to get the card.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump's national security team was finally completed today when former senator Dan Coats gained final approval in Congress as director of national intelligence.

The Senate formally endorsed Coats, a moderate Republican who represented Indiana in the body until the beginning of January, by a vote of 85 to 12.

The White House has struggled to build a team for national security and military policy. Trump's first choice for his essential national security advisor, Mike Flynn, was forced to resign after allegedly misrepresenting the content of December phone calls with the Russian ambassador.

Coats was nominated on January 7, but was placed near the bottom of a list of cabinet-level officials requiring Senate approval.

As director of national intelligence, he will be in charge of coordinating 17 bodies in the national security sphere, including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, the Defense intelligence agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Coats, 73, served as a Republican senator from Indiana from 1989 to 1999, and then from 2011 to the end of his term on January 3.

He was US ambassador to Germany from 2001 to 2005 under the George W. Bush administration.

He was one of six US legislators and three White House aides blacklisted by Moscow in 2014 in reprisal for US sanctions placed on the country for its seizure of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine.

A strong advocate for sanctions against Moscow, Coats called the ban an honor.

But in his confirmation hearing at the Senate intelligence committee on February 28, his former colleagues warned he might be "too nice" for a job in a White House where some cabinet officials are already at odds with Trump advisors over policies and staffing.

"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.
Shiv Sena MLA Sunil Prabhu today said the party is firm on its demand for a loan waiver for farmers in Maharashtra.

"There has been no assurance from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis (on farm loan waiver). Hence, we are firm on our demand. If UP farmers can get assurance for loan waiver, why not farmers in Maharashtra?" he said while talking to reporters outside Vidhan Bhavan in south Mumbai.

"Sena MLAs and other leaders will apprise our party chief Uddhav Thackeray about our stand. We will discuss the issue with him and seek further guidance," Prabhu said.

If the BJP-led government does not announce loan waiver before the state budget on March 18, the proceedings in the assembly and council will remain paralysed, Prabhu said.

The Sena is part of the BJP-led government, but it has joined opposition parties in seeking agricultural debt waiver.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A local court today sentenced six people, including three brothers, to life imprisonment for murdering a woman and her daughter over a land dispute.

Additional District and Sessions Judge DC Singh also imposed a fine of Rs 30,000 on each of the brothers Naresh, Suresh and Ramniwas, and on Desh Pal, Kala and Sonu.

They were held guilty under section 302 (murder) of IPC and the court also directed them to pay Rs 1 lakh to the family of the victims, government lawyer Jitender Tyagi said.

Raghviri Devi and her daughter, Rajesh Devi, were crushed to death under a tractor by themover a land disputein Shamli district's Kitana village in October 20, 2010, he said.

Raghviri's son-in-law had lodged a complaint at the Kandha Police Station, the lawyer said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Armed men are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker they have seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late today.

An EU Naval Force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

Monday's hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012.

It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as patrols by the navies of NATO countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years.

However, the United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks." One expert said some in the region had let down their guard as the situation calmed. NATO ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Bile Hussein told The Associated Press that the armed men have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines.

"Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," he said.

The Aris 13, manned by eight Sri Lankan sailors, was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs, said John Steed, the director of Oceans Beyond Piracy. The EU statement said the ship's master issued a mayday alert.

An official in Somalia's semiautonomous state of Puntland said over two dozen men boarded the ship off the country's northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.

The ship was anchored yesterday off the town of Alula, said Salad Nur, a local elder. "The ship is on the coast now and more armed men boarded the ship," he told the AP by phone.

The EU Naval Force said it had passed the information from its contact with the ship's master to the oil tanker's owners and an investigation was underway.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information to help ensure the crew's "safety and welfare.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Struggling to push his small fishing boat out to sea, Hassan Yasin grumbles over what he and other coastal Somalis call a threat to their way of life: harassment by illegal fishermen and attacks by large foreign trawlers.

"They will either shoot us on sight or destroy our boats," the skinny 27-year-old said, yanking on a rope to start the engine groaning. Along the seashore are sand-filled boats that fishermen say belong to colleagues who abandoned the work because of the dangers involved.

Monday's hijacking of an oil tanker off Somalia's northern coast surprised the international shipping community after several years without a pirate attack on a large commercial vessel there. Naval patrols by NATO members and other countries like China had calmed the crucial global trade route that once saw hundreds of attacks.

But people in this sleepy village saw something like this coming.

Some are former pirates themselves who quit in recent years as the international pressure grew and armed guards appeared on cargo ships. They turned to fishing but now say they're the ones being targeted at sea.

In recent years, local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers was destroying the livelihoods of coastal communities, stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. They have blamed Yemeni, Chinese, Indian, Iranian and Djibouti-flagged fishing boats and trawlers.

"The illegal fishing is a very serious problem. Fishing has declined, equipment was confiscated and they destroyed our livelihoods and properties," said Aisha Ahmed, a fish dealer. The chairman of the fishermen's association, Mohamed Saeed, said frustrations are growing. "They have no choice now but to fight," he said.

The hijacked oil tanker was anchored yesterday off the town of Alula, local elder Salad Nur told The Associated Press. He said young fishermen, including former pirates, had gone searching for a foreign ship to seize out of frustration.

"Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing," he said.

The armed men were demanding a ransom for the ship's release and were holding the crew captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation off Somalia said late yesterday after making contact with the ship's master.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Starbucks today introduced an app across the country, offering customers the option of paying through mobile phones for in-store purchases.

The Starbucks India mobile app also helps customers earn loyalty programme points using the mobile device, Starbucks said in a statement here.

The app is available for download on iPhone and Android devices. In addition to mobile payment, the app allows customers to register for the My Starbucks Rewards program.

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LinEngage expands presence in Delhi



LinEngage, the activation and experiential marketing agency of MullenLowe Lintas Group, today said it has expanded its presence in Delhi to cater to clients in North India.

It has appointed Gagan Pal Singh Nagi as VP and Business Head - North. He would head the Gurgaon office and report to Sriharsh Grandhe, Executive VP, who runs LinEngage in India, the company said.

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PropUrban sets up offices in London, Dubai, Chennai, Hyderabad



Online-to-offline (O2O) platform PropUrban today said it has set up offices in cities like London, Dubai, Chennai and Hyderabad to support the growth of its domestic and overseas businesses.

"With offices in Chennai and Hyderabad, we aim to promote our channel partners' properties locally as well as in the global markets. On the other hand, we are targeting NRIs and other investors who are looking at cross-border investments through our Dubai and London offices," its Founder and CEO Mir Jaffer Ali said in a statement here.

The global advisory firm will also assist clients and sell UK inventory to Indian clients which will yield higher return on investment.

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Panchshil introduces prefabricated bath pods for Pune project



To reduce construction timelines, Panchshil Realty has started off-site manufacturing of prefabricated bath pods for its residential project 'Panchshil Towers' at Kharadi in Pune.

"With the bath pods, we are looking at transforming the scale of construction of bathrooms and washrooms for medium and large-scale premium projects.

"This technique will significantly reduce construction timelines for all developers," Panchshil Realty Chairman Atul Chordia said in a statement here.

He said bathroom pods are prefabricated entirely off-site in a separate facility, and then transported to and fitted into the designated area.

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Future Generali ties up with UCO Bank



Future Generali India Insurance (FGII) has entered into a corporate agency tie-up for its products with UCO Bank.

Through the tie-up, Future Generali will offer its health and personal accident, motor, travel, home and rural insurance products across 3,050 branches of the state-owned lender, a company statement said.

"We aim to offer insurance products to the bank's customers and enter new markets. The bank is headquartered in Kolkata and through this tie-up we aim to widen our customer outreach to eastern India," KG Krishnamoorthy Rao, MD and CEO of FGII, said.

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Royal Sundaram launches 2-wheeler long-term package policy



Royal Sundaram General Insurance, a private sector general insurance company, today said it has launched a two- wheeler long-term package policy.

The product offers extended protection for a period of 2 or 3 years upon payment of a single premium unaffected by the annual rate hike.

The policy will cover the accidental loss or damage to the two-wheeler and also covers liability to third parties and personal accidental cover, the company said.
The Co-Founder of travel-based startup Stayzilla Yogendra Vasupal was arrested in a case of alleged non-payment of dues filed by a city based advertisement agency.

Vasupal was arrested here late last night on charges of non-payment of dues to the advertisement agency, sources said.

He was produced before a local magistrate and is currently lodged in the Puzhal jail near the city, they said.

According to a mail shared by Sanchit Singhi, one of the Co-founders of the startup,- Yogendra who is fondly called Yogi, had gone missing since yesterday



"We need help. Yogi is missing. Last we think, we know is that he is at the station of Commissioner of Police, Egmore", he said.

In the mail, Singhi claimed that the advertising agency harrassed him and Yogendra through telephone calls stating Stayzilla did not pay the dues.

Two cops from Mylapore Police station in Chennai met Yogi in Bengaluru, he said.

"He (Yogendra) asked them to leave stating that it is a civil matter and as they have no warrant, he cannot meet them", Singhi said.

Responding to the issue, TiE Chennai, representing the start ups in city, said the StartUp ecosystem in Tamil Nadu has taken a hit.

"The arrest of Yogesh, Founder of Stayzilla, perfectly shows the stiff resistance that the eco-system is displaying..", TiE Chennai, President, R Narayanan said in a statement.

The matter is clearly a civil matter but it has been presented as a 'criminal offence'. "We do not know the basis on which this has been categorised as a criminal offence", he said.

Commenting on the incident, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge said he has taken the issue with his counterpart in Tamil Nadu.

"Spoke to Dr Manikandan, IT Minister (of Tamil Nadu) for his intervention in @stayzilla case, I am sure he will help if @YogiVasupal is on right side of law", Kharge said in a tweet.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rallying behind Stayzilla founder Yogendra Vasupal who was arrested for alleged non-payment of dues, entrepreneurs said laws need to be followed but any action "beyond the provisions of law would raise insecurity for startup founders".

"Any actions that go beyond the provisions of the law and create undue fear and harassment would raise the insecurity for start up founders and raise the cost of failure in an unacceptable way," IT industry body Nasscom said.

It added that it has sought support from senior state government officials and the ministry to resolve the issue.

Vasupal, co-founder of travel-based startup Stayzilla, was arrested last night in a case of alleged non-payment of dues to a Chennai-based advertisement agency.

He was produced before a local magistrate today and is currently lodged in the Puzhal jail near Chennai, according to sources.

Last month, Stayzilla had announced shutting down of its operations.

Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal also expressed his support for Vasupal and tweeted: "Let the law take its course, but intimidation of #stayzilla founders crosses a line. It's unhealthy for entrepreneurship in India".

"We stand together with entrepreneurs. @PMOIndia, #StartupIndia needs your support!," he added.

Naveen Tewari, founder of InMobi, tweeted, "Entrepreneur bachao, Desh bachao" @InMobi provides full support to @stayzilla Founder!," he wrote.

Indian Angel Network, which was one of the early investors in Stayzilla, said the episode has shocked the entire startup community.

"There are challenges in every business and startups have more than their fair share. It is imperative that the legal and regulatory framework supports and encourages new ventures to emerge and scale," it said.

IAN added that "unlawful treatment" in such situations will trigger a sense of fear in young minds and put the brakes on the Prime Minister's Startup India dream.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: Set to face the Assembly polls in a year, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today unveiled in the state budget proposals to set up subsidised food canteens, provide seven kg free food grains per poor person and 100 per cent preference for Kannadigas in certain private sector jobs.

Taking the cue from the popular "Amma canteens" in Tamil Nadu, introduced by former Chief Minister late J Jayalalithaa, Siddaramaiah, who holds the Finance portfolio,said he proposed to launch "Namma Canteens" in Bengaluru, where breakfast would be provided at Rs five and lunch and dinner at Rs 10.

This is the last "full term" budget presented by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government before going to polls in early 2018, in which it is expected to face a fierce bid from BJP to stage a comeback to power that it lost in 2013.

It was also Siddaramaiah's 12th budget as Finance Minister and fifth as Chief Minister.

He had earlier served as Finance Minister under the ministries headed by H D Deve Gowda and late J H Patel.

The 2017-18 budget presented in the Assembly does not propose any major changes in the rate structure in tax proposals, keeping in view the expected roll out of GST from July 1 this year.

"Namma Canteen, a novel programme will be started to supply breakfast, lunch and dinner to the common man at affordable prices," Siddaramaiah said.

He said one canteen in each of the 198 wards of Greater Bengaluru limits would be opened, where breakfast would be available at Rs five and lunch and dinner at Rs 10 and allotted Rs 100 crore for the scheme.

"On demand from people,food grains being distributed under Annabhagya scheme will be increased from five kg to seven kg per person," he said.

He said 20 lakh poor families have already been brought under 'Annabhagya' scheme through Public Distribution System which was announced by Siddaramaiah after assuming power with an intention to free the state from hunger.

To encourage higher education, the government proposed that free laptops will be supplied to students getting admission in 2017-18 to Engineering,Medical, Polytechnic and First Grade Colleges.

Around 1.5 lakh students will be benefited fromthis.

In a move considered as "linguistic appeasement", the budget states that government will take steps to ensure 100 per cent preference in employment of Group C & D jobs to Kannadigas and five per cent for differently abled in the private sector.

Amidst growing demand for and expectations of crop loan



waiver as the state is reeling under consecutive years of drought, Siddaramaiah did not make any announcement on this.

Instead,he decided to continue the scheme of disbursing short-term agriculture loans upto Rs three lakh at zeroper cent interest rate and medium term and long termagriculture loans upto Rs 10 lakh at three per cent interest rate.

A target has been fixed to disburse Rs 13,500 crore of agriculture loans to 25 lakh farmers.

Siddaramaiah flayed the Modi government's demonetisation move, saying it had caused "great" distress to people and hit the state's revenues from stamps and registration, causing a shortfall of Rs 1,350 crore during 2016-17.

Questioning the very need for demonetisation, he said the government had not yet disclosed the outcome of its step.

The banks were simply not geared up for this major decision and the manner of implementation exposed the union government's lack of preparedness, he said.

(REOPEN MES6)



Pointing out that there are 17 declared slabs of Additional Excise Duty, Siddaramaiah said that as a measure of rationalisation, it is proposed to increase AdditionalExcise Duty on two slabs by six per cent and on the remaining 15 slabs by 10 per cent and 16 per cent.

He said in view of these changes, VAT on liquor,including beer, fenny, liqueur and wine will be removed with effect from April 1, 2017.

Noting that there was a demand by government employees for pay revision, Siddaramaiah announced that a pay commission would be formed to examine it.

Considering the geographical and administrative necessities, the government proposed creation of 49 new taluks during the year to fulfil the long pending demands, he said.

A project "E-Vidhana Mandala" to bring in paperless legislative proceedings at a cost of Rs 60.84 crore is proposed and Rs 20 crore will be provided in 2017-18 towards initial activities.

Siddaramaiah said that with an intention to reduce air and noise pollution in Bengaluru, it is proposed to ban two stroke autorickshaws with effect from April 1, 2018 and replace them with 10,000 four stroke LPG auto rickshaws, for which Rs 30 crore would be provided as subsidy at Rs 30,000 per vehicle.

State government proposed to add 3975 MW capacityduring 2017-18, including 1600 MW from Yaramaras project, 1000 MW from Solar Energy Park of Pavagada and 1375 MW from renewable energy sources.

Under Bhagya Jyothi Scheme, electricity being given free of cost will be increased from 18 to 40units, the chief Minister said, adding that five villages in each MLA constituency will be converted into Model Electricity Villages by taking steps for the efficient usage of electricity.

(KTK ONLY)



Siddaramaiah announced extension of"Krishi Bhagya" to all talukas of coastal and Malnad areas (excluding command areas) and said Rs 600 crore grant will beprovided for this purpose.

Stating that action would be initiated to establish Primary Agricultural Co-Operative Societies in every Grama Panchayat where it is financially viable, he also said loans at four per cent rate of interest being disbursed through co-operative societies to the women Self Help Groups will be provided at zero per cent rate of interest from this year.

In the wake of incidents of sexual assaults on minorsin schools and various issues concerning private educational institutions, he said Karnataka School Education Policy and objective, transparent and unobtrusive regulations covering infrastructure norms, fee, teaching resources and safety and security of students in all schools to achieve the policy goal will be formulated.

The budget also proposes five Super SpecialityHospitals in Davanagere, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Vijayapura and Kolar at a cost of Rs 25 crore to treat patients suffering from Cancer, Heart diseases and other lifestyle diseases.

It also said that at a total cost of Rs 15 crore, 150 Health Extension Dispensaries having one doctor, one nurse andone pharmacist will be established each at a cost of Rs 10lakh in villages, where the distance from the Primary HealthCentre is more than 10 km.

One ambulance service will be provided for a radius of 10 to 15 km for population of every 35,000 by integrating 711 ambulance working under GVK EMRI and 827 ambulance working under State health department.

Siddaramaiah said to meet the nutrition needs, it is proposed to extend "Matru Poorna" scheme to all 30 districts of the State where hot cooked meals are provided to pregnant andlactating mothers from coming July, for which Rs 302 crore will be provided.

He also said all children in Anganwadis would be given eggs for two days in a week from coming June. An amount of Rs 47 crore will be spent for this and milk currently being distributed for three days in a week under "Ksheera Bhagya" scheme will be distributed for five days from coming July.

Noting that Rs 148.74 crore has been provided to KarnatakaWomen's Development Corporation for implementing variousprogeammes,the Chief Minister said "Saviruchi" mobile canteens will be established in all 30 districts through "Zilla Stree Shakti Okkutas".

The Social Welfare department has been provided Rs 6,363 crore in the budget in which various programmes have been announced.

They include 30 Morarji Residential Schools to be upgraded to PUC level with science and mathematics subjects, at a cost of Rs one crore to each district.

Noting that seven lakh houses will be sanctioned under different schemes, the Chief Minister said that out of this, six lakh houses in rural areas and one lakh houses in Bengaluruwould be constructed.
Suicide bombers today hit the main judicial building and a restaurant in Damascus, killing at least 30 people, according to state media, spreading fear across Syria's capital as the country's civil war enters its seventh year.

The first attacker struck inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market.

The explosion left bodies lying amid pools of blood and shattered glass in the building's main hall, adorned with a picture of President Bashar Assad hanging on one of the walls.

The official agency, SANA, said another suicide explosion struck a restaurant in Rabweh district of Damascus, leading to multiple casualties, mostly women and children.

The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he ran into a restaurant and detonated his explosives' vest there.

The bombings were the latest in a spate of deadly explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, but other, similar attacks in recent weeks were claimed by al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria.

The attacks came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the country's bitter civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others.

The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against Assad's rule but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war. The chaos allowed al-Qaeda and later the Islamic State group to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by al-Qaeda-linked militants to try and counter recent military advances by Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

According to Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail, the Justice Palace attacker struck in the early afternoon. A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the palace, the police chief told state TV.

The guards stopped the man, took away his arms and tried to search him. At that point, the man hurled himself inside the building and detonated his explosives, the chief said.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, who was in the building just a few meters away from the explosion, confirmed that account to state TV, saying that when the security guards tried to arrest the man, he threw himself inside the palace and blew himself up. He said 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded.

"This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent," he said, noting that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

In the second attack, in Rabweh district, SANA said a suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant, killing several people.

Today's bombings followed twin attacks on Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in Damascus that killed at least 40 people. The attacks also came during a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Members in the Lok Sabha, cutting across party lines, today extended a warm welcome to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj when she came to the House after a long absence due to health reasons.

As soon as she was spotted stepping into her front row seat after the Question Hour, members began thumping their desks and it continued for some time as she took her seat.

Greeting 65-year-old Swaraj, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan wished her a long and healthy life.

A smiling Swaraj, appearing a little wan, accepted wishes from her and other members.

Union ministers Uma Bharti and Sadananda Gowda as also Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia then went to her to wish her.

Leader of Congress in the House Mallikarjun Kharge welcomed her from his seat and wished her a long and healthy life in serving the nation.

Swaraj, in turn, expressed her happiness upon returning to the House and thanked members for their wishes.

She later made a statement on the cases of attacks, including hate crimes, on Indians in the US.

After that, members came to her in large numbers to greet her.

Swaraj underwent a kidney transplant on December 10 at the AIIMS and has since been away from the public glare.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The man arrested on suspicion of involvement in sabotage of trains in the country today admitted doing recce to derail trains in January this year, police said.

The arrested man, Shivam Soni, did some recce at Dalsinghsarai station under Samastipur division of East Central Railway, but abandoned the plan for some reason, Begusarai Superintendent of Police Ranjit Kumar Mishra said.

Soni, who was remanded to 14 days' judicial custody by a local court, also provided other information which were being authenticated, officials said.

The accused was being interrogated by state police, ATS, Special Branch, Intelligence Bureau of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and GRP interrogated him to elicit details of plan to cause derailment of trains on behalf of Pakistan's ISI.

Details of the SIM cards of his mobile phones were being perused to gather more information, officials said.

Soni, who was carrying railway map and four mobile phones, was arrested yesterday from Manjhaul Bazar locality under Cheriabariarpur police station of Begusarai



District.

Originally a resident of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh, he was living in Cheriabariarpur police station area after marrying a local girl.

His wife told security personnel that he used to regularly converse with two persons. She, however, could not give details of conversion or name of the two persons.

Recent arrest of three persons having links with ISI operative Shamsul Hoda brought to light the sabotage angle of train accidents including the one involving Indore Patna Express in November last year in which 150 passengers were killed.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Suspense continued today over who will be the new Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, four days after the BJP's resounding triumph in the key Hindi heartland state, where the party won 325 seats with its allies.

While the BJP scrambled to form its governments in Goa and Manipur, where it was not even the single largest party, hurriedly cobbling together post-poll alliances, amid the charge of "stealing" the mandate, the party leadership is taking its own sweet time to decide the Chief Minister of the country's most populous and politically significant state.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, the tallest party leader from Uttar Pradesh and a former Chief Minister to boot, is said to be among the frontrunners for the coveted job, but he was dismissive about the possibility.

"Kya faltu baat kar rahe hain (what nonsensical talk are you doing)," he retorted when asked by reporters outside Parliament House whether he was a contender. He described the speculation about his return to state politics "unnecessary and futile".

Singh has vast administrative experience, including as UP Chief Minister in 2000-02.

As speculation swirled about the possibility of a BJP legislature party meeting tomorrow, the party's state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The picture will be clear in the next two to four days."



When asked whether all 312 newly elected BJP MLAs will meet here tomorrow as reported in the media, Maurya, a Lok Sabha MP and himself in the running for the top job, said, "No such meeting has been convened in the first place. So, there is no question of holding or putting it off."



He said the meeting will take place whenever the party leadership decides.

However, at the daily media briefing of the Home Department, IG (Special Task Force) Ram Kumar, while responding to a question said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Lucknow on March 17.

"Prime Minister Modi may visit Lucknow on March 17. Preparations are going on (in anticipation). IG (Lucknow Zone) is monitoring all the preparations," he said. He, however, maintained he had no knowledge of whether it was in connection with the swearing-in of the new government.

The names of a host of leaders, including some sitting MPs are doing the rounds in political circles.

Among them is that of Manoj Sinha, an upper caste Bhumihar from the 'Poorvanchal' belt where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi is also located.

Sinha, MP from Ghazipur, is serving his third term in the Lok Sabha and was given independent charge of Communication Ministry by Modi last year after he impressed him with his performance as Minister of State for Railways.

While Singh and Sinha are upper caste Thakur and Bhumihar respectively, Maurya has emerged as the OBC face of the party. His elevation as state BJP chief, many feel, helped rally non-Yadav backward castes around the party.

Given the sheer sweep of BJP's victory which extended beyond geographical and caste boundaries, the party can have the luxury of nominating a person for the top job who can deliver on Modi's development agenda and the promise of putting down alleged lawlessness in the state under Samajwadi Party.

Rajnath Singh, a senior leader said, fits the bill because of his stature and administrative experience. He was also capable of bridging caste faultlines.

Top party sources told PTI in the national capital that barring Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who have been holding consultations over government formation, hardly anybody had any real clue as to what was happening behind the scene.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of INLD supporters from Haryana today flooded the Parliament Street in the heart of the national capital to protest over the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, prompting police to resort to lathicharge.

According to police, the protesters were initially at Jantar Mantar and suddenly poured onto the Parliament Street mid-afternoon, barely a few metres shy of the perimeter of the Parliament House.

"The protesters, including farmers from Haryana were trying to march towards Parliament to press for their demands on SYL issue. Some Jat quota agitators had also slipped into the crowd," a police official said.

The Parliament Street is a very high-security zone and therefore police and paramilitary forces on duty were sent into a tizzy as the agitators sought to march towards the Parliament complex.

As the protesters ran through the one-way traffic on the street, security personnel resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. A water cannon was also kept on standby. Traffic in the area was disrupted for quite some time.

"Some of them were detained and taken to the Parliament Street Police Station. Protesters are generally cordoned off around Patel Chowk roundabout area but these agitators suddenly spilled onto the street from other routes," the official said.

Punjab and Haryana have been at loggerheads over the SYL canal issue. The Supreme Court in a verdict last November had held as unconstitutional the 2004 law passed by Punjab to terminate the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal water sharing agreement with neighbouring states.

An INLD spokesperson, when contacted said, "The party's demand from the Centre is that the work on the canal be completed," while alleging that "even the BJP government in Haryana was not pursuing the matter seriously enough with the Centre."



He also claimed that several INLD supporters, including the party's Haryana unit president Ashok Arora, were injured in the incident.

On February 23, several INLD leaders of Haryana, including Abhay Chautala, were stopped from marching into Punjab from Haryana side, when they had tried to undertake the digging of the SYL canal. They were arrested for breaching the prohibitory orders.

(REOPENS DES 23)



A case of rioting has been registered against unknown persons, a senior police officer said.

"We were informed by them that it would be a peaceful protest but today around 1,500-2,000 persons came and were violent. They broke barricades and we had to use mild force to control the crowd," he said.

Some policemen and protesters, are being treated for injuries, the officer said, but denied that women protesters were manhandled during the protests.
The Telangana government is taking steps to see that stents are available to heart patients on time and that hospitals do not indulge in any malpractices in the matter, state Health Minister C Laxma Reddy said here today.

Responding to concerns expressed by members during Question Hour in Legislative Assembly over availability of quality stents to patients, Reddy said the national pharmaceutical pricing authority determined the prices for stents.

The state government gave orders to the state-run as well as private hospitals to follow the pricing policy accordingly, he said.

The government also spoke to some firms, who sought to withdraw from market following the government's tough stance, to see that stents are available to patients, the minister said.

To another query, he said the government has initiated steps to take care of pregnant women by providing them nutritious food, health check ups, deliveries in government hospitals among others.

After delivery, a kit named 'KCR Kit', is planned to be distributed to women. The kit would contain items like baby mattress, mosquito net, baby towels, shampoo, baby soaps, besides items useful to mother, including a soap and two sarees, he added.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Group's jewellery division Tanishq today launched a new sub-brand 'Rivaah' targeting the Indian wedding buyers.

"With the launch of its second sub-brand, Tanishq makes available a wide range of stunning handcrafted wedding jewellery for brides from across India, designed and conceptualised by the design team in Bangalore," Titan said in a statement.

Tanishq, which is part of Titan Company Ltd, launched its first sub-brand 'Mia' for working women in 2011.

"Over the years, we have seen the potential for this category grow and we feel that now is the best time to carve our wedding jewellery offering into an identity of its own. With Rivaah, we will initially cater to 13 bridal communities across India and celebrate their culture," Titan Company Jewellery Division Senior Vice President, Retail and marketing Sandeep Kulhalli said.

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Tata Housing to launch home festival on Mar 17-19 * Realty firm Tata Housing today said its arm Tata Value Homes will launch home festival during March 17-19 offering price protection and easy payment plans for the prospective home buyers.

The initiative coincides with Tata Founder's Month, celebrated in commemoration of the birth anniversary of Tata Group founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, the company said in a statement.

The apartments in a price range of Rs 16-80 lakhs are being offered in this festival at its projects in Boisar, Talegaon, Bengaluru, Chennai, NCR and Ahmedabad.

Tata Value Homes has introduced a price protection plan for its consumers during the three-day 'National Home Owning Day' under which home buyer would get a refund if the company reduces the price of the apartment.

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Kalpataru Power Transmission approves Rs 100 cr debt issue * Kalpataru Power Transmission today said that its board has approve issuance of Rs 100 crore unsecured non-convertible debentures on private placement basis.

"The Executive Committee of Board of Directors at its meeting held today has approved issuance of Listed Rated Unsecured Redeemable Taxable Non-Convertible Debentures of Rs 100 crore on private placement basis," the company said in a BSE filing today.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra School Education Minister Vinod Tawde today said the junior college teachers had agreed to cooperate for checking of std 12th board exam answer-sheets.

Tawde issued a statement today after meeting a delegation of Maharashtra Junior College Teachers' Federation.

The Federation had earlier said its members would not check the std 12th answer-sheets until certain demands were met.

Among other things it had demanded permanent appointment for the temporary teachers who are working in government-aided colleges since 2012.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In an obvious reference to Pakistan, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi today said a particular country in South Asia has accepted terrorism as an instrument of its state policy and is not playing the role of a responsible nation.

"One thing that strikes us about South Asia is that the incidents of terrorism here are perhaps higher than any other parts in the world, next only to Syria and Iraq. It is of course a deep cause of worry - something we should think about," he said at the 'Counter Terrorism Conference 2017' here.

Without naming Pakistan, Mehrishi said a country sees terrorism as an instrument of its state policy or politics.

"Unfortunately, we have a situation where one state in South Asia in particular has not been a very responsible state in that sense, and therefore we have seen a lot of terrorism that emanates from that country as almost a routine and part of its politics, geopolitics in international relations," he said.

Mehrishi said in 20th century it was the war which was seen as a continuation of the politics and now there was a situation in South Asia where obviously some state players see terrorism as an instrument of state policy or politics.

"That itself is a bit of worry and needs to be taken account of," he said.

The Union Home Secretary said the states must be responsible players and should not allow terrorism on their soil or give shelter to individuals or organisations that sponsor terrorism within the country and across the borders.

"There has been no winner in terrorism, ever. There are no winners in this war. No terrorist group has ever achieved a political aim," he said.

Mehrishi said those who support terrorism end up as loser as the economic growth is affected, the families and societies get affected and there is heightened sense of insecurity among the citizens.

Referring to Bangladesh, he said the country was sitting on a "powder-cake" even though it is not talked about much and is sort of underplayed.

"We have seen the recent incidents in Bangladesh which are equally horrifying," he said.

(Reopens DEL 52)



The Union Home Secretary said if terrorism has to stop, it has to be at the level of beat constables and not by the specialised anti-terror organisations like NSG.

He said the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai were an example of how the state machinery has failed and what was wrong with the system.

Referring to the explosion in a train in Madhya Pradesh recently, Mehrishi said the incident did not draw as many eyeballs as it was not one with the magnitude of Mumbai attacks or the attack on a school in Peshawar.

He said there was a need to work together to disrupt financing of terror.

"It is an issue of concern as to how we will tackle this situation which has been created. The world has encouragingly taken steps for this," he said.

Mehrishi said minimising the effect of radicalisation on religious grounds was a tough battle to fight as it is the "battle of minds and battle of heart" and it is something everyone need to worry about.

"How we are going to stop the radicalisation of young who are being led by a selective sort of propaganda, the consequences of which we perhaps don't understand," he asked.

He said to "take on terrorism we have to improve the administrative, criminal justice systems".

"In that sense South Asian countries are not acquainting themselves very well. Perhaps if we study one would see the change or improvement in the criminal justice system has been slow or almost negligible and it contributes to encouraging acts of terror," Mehrishi said.

About India, he said it actually has lost focus on some of the major issues of governance.

"In education and health, I think the Indian state has not delivered the kind of services to the people. Even more is the issue of law and order. If we can't provide security to our citizens, peace of mind or congenial atmosphere for economic activities, then really we are failing," he said.

Mehrishi said since the last half a century or so, the



focus of governance has shifted from its core duties of law and order, health, education to announcing populist schemes which only benefits parts of the population.

"This hurts the poor the most," he said.

Director General International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Yuan Zhibing said there is a need to join hands to build a united front against terrorism.

"There are no good or bad terrorists. Double standard not be used in counter terrorism practices. China has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," he said, adding "we have to get to the root cause of the problem to end the menace".

He said China and India need to consolidate on terrorism.

About Indo-Pak relations, Yuan said China's position is clear that both the countries should cooperate and solve their core issues in a reasonable manner.

Answering a question about China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said it is only a developmental initiative and not a strategic project as viewed by some countries.

"China believes it is an initiative, while other countries think it is strategic," he said.

Yuan said China's progress depends upon the well being of its neighbours.

"China will also suffer if our neighbours are not well. China will ensure economic development of neighbouring countries," he said.
A controversial proposed city planning document, gender equality pay and timely rape kit processing were the key topics at the March 6 regular Albuquerque City Council meeting. A packed house of concerned citizens spent their two cents catching up on the comprehensive plan, equality requirements and forensics as the five hour plus meeting proceeded.

A New Plan

After more than a couple hours of public comments on the proposed Albuquerque/ Bernalillo Comprehensive Plan, City Councilors postponed a decision until the March 20 meeting to allow for more discussion. The plan, called the ABC to Z project, has been in the works for a couple of years. Several historic, ethnically diverse neighborhood association representatives have said there was not enough outreach and inclusion during the planning process. City planner Mikaela Renz-Whitmore said that, among other ways of getting the word out, more than 100 public meetings were held, thereby assuring the Council that adequate public review was held. City planners have said the citys current comprehensive plan is out of date and the proposed plan will give protection and a fair voice to every neighborhood. About half the folks taking the podium asked for a postponement of at least a year to give adequate time for the historic neighborhoods time to understand and make suggestions to the hefty document.

Equal is Equal

Councilors unanimously approved an amendment to the citys purchasing ordinance that requires companies who want to qualify for a city-sponsored vendor preference designation to reduce their male/female wage gap to 7 percent. Currently companies can qualify by showing they pay women within 10 percent of what they pay men for comparable jobs. City contractors must turn in pay equity reports to meet the standard. The Equal Pay Act of 1963 should have taken care of the matter but women today still make about 21 percent less than men in similar jobs. In 2015, Albuquerque was the first city in the nation to pass the Gender Pay Equity Ordinance. Councilor Diane Gibson said this is a good incentive for those doing business with the city to pay their employees equal and fair wages. According Mayor Berry, who approves of this measure, about 59 city vendors have qualifiedwith a gender pay gap of less than 10 percentbut he thinks they can do better.

Timed Priority

Councilors approved a resolution that sets a timeline of three months to process new incoming sexual assault kits. Here is a glitch: The policy will not go into effect until the police departments crime lab has at least 10 full-time analysts, or by October 2018, whichever comes first. The Albuquerque area has an accumulation of more than 3,900 unprocessed rape kits going back decades. City leaders are trying to piece together funding from federal and state sources to handle the backlog, while keeping up with current cases. The city says there are currently six full-time analysts and a seventh poised to be hired. They hope to fill an additional three positions after the upcoming July 1 budget kicks in. Connie Monahan, from the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs said she understands that this is reality but she is disappointed that current victims could still wait a year or more for results.

Sidewalk Shade

Councilor Pat Davis tried to get Nob Hill sidewalks widenedas supposedly promised by the administration as part of the ART projectby offering to throw in $500,000 of his districts discretionary funds. Davis said the areas businesses and neighborhood associations thought they were going to get wide sidewalks along the Albuquerque Rapid Transit route. Chief Operations Officer Michael Riordan said the wide sidewalks were not promised along all the areas of the routeonly where it was feasible. Riordan added that it would not be safe to widen sidewalks more than 8 feet in some areas due to lack of right of way. He added that other neighborhoods are jealous of Nob Hills sidewalks. Councilor Don Harris chimed in and agreed that he gets a little green-eyed over Councilor Davis sidewalks. Councilor Dan Lewis moved for a two-week deferral, the Council agreed; it looks like it's time for Davis, Riordan and area merchants to come up with a compromise.

Quick Hits

Five folks were appointed to various city boards and commissions. Lydia Riley went to the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council; David Ferrance was named to the Cable Franchise and Hearing Board; Dara Ambriz is now part of the ABQ Volunteers Advisory Board; Joanne Fine and Rev. David Ring have been appointed to the Police Oversight Board.

The Council approved the intent to form a Tax Increment Development District near the lower Petroglyphs on the citys West Mesa. This will be done to help finance a future hospital on the far West Side. A couple of councilors pointed out that TIDDs are risky and can fail, pointing to the still mostly vacant Mesa Del Sol development south of the Burque. A public hearing on the TIDD formation will be held at a future City Council meeting.

The Council amended and then approved a state funded project with CSI Aviation, Inc., to build a new airport hangar and office building. Councilor Pat Davis amended the approval, saying that since this company contracts with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement to transport illegal immigrants he wants to make sure no direct city funds will be used to identify or apprehend immigrant status for the Feds.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will visit China this week, the Chinese foreign ministry said today as both countries prepared for the first summit between President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Donald Trump next month.

Tillerson will visit from March 18 to 19 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

Both the officials will exchange views on bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of common concern, she was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua agency.

It will be Tillerson's first visit to Beijing after he took over the office.

The first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida, state-run 'Global Times' reported.

The meeting is expected to set the course for the world's most important diplomatic relationship for the next four years.

"Obviously, both countries agree that a summit between the two leaders needs to be arranged as soon as possible, and whether or not it happens next month, the summit will be a significant step for the Sino-US relationship in the next four years," said Ni Feng, deputy director of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

Trump's previous remarks on Taiwan, the South China Sea and trade led to concern over the future of the Sino-US relationship, Ni said.

"So the release of information about the summit in April is absolutely good and even a surprise for observers who care about Sino-US relations," the Times report said.

This means the course of Sino-US relations over the next four years will be charted sooner than expected by the two leaders without too many difficulties or frictions, Ni added.

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Washington's top diplomat was to fly into Tokyo today to begin a first tour of Asian capitals under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear posturing.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime as he talks to allies Japan and South Korea and to rival great power China.

The former oilman will also talk commerce, after President Donald Trump's belligerent campaign rhetoric raised the spectre of a trade war between the United State and China.

But US officials confirmed North Korea's provocative behaviour would be "front and centre" as Tillerson meets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

After Tokyo, it will be on to Seoul, a city already within range of North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, for talks with the acting leader after a corruption scandal saw President Park Geun-Hye ousted last week.

And then at the weekend, there will be his much anticipated trip to Beijing, amid reports that Tillerson will seek to finalise plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Trump in April.

Here, he might get a positive response. In a conference after the annual National People's Congress parliament meeting on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said "there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation."



He warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war, and argued: "I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions."



But Tillerson will also have to broach the topic of North Korea's progress towards building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would be able to threaten US mainland cities or bases in the Pacific.

"He's going to have an opportunity at every stop to talk about next steps or what we do now, with respect to North Korea," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

"I mean, it's obviously the looming challenge over our relations and, frankly, the security of the Korean Peninsula," he added in a briefing before Tillerson left Washington.

China is perhaps the last country with significant leverage over North Korea, which has ignored several rounds of UN-backed sanctions targeting its banned nuclear weapons programme.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's attempts to build an arsenal of nuclear devices, but has been much more measured in its reaction to the ballistic missile program.

Xi's government has been reluctant to back any moves that might destabilise Kim's regime, and is publicly more concerned about Washington's decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence program in South Korea.

Washington insists THAAD is a defensive system deployed to protect the South and US bases from North Korean missiles, but China fears its advanced radar system undermines China's nuclear deterrent.

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The Anti-Corruption Bureau today caught two forest department officers while allegedly accepting bribe.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (ACB) Roshan Yadav said that the complainant, a contractor, had submitted a bill of Rs 11.46 lakh to the forest department for completed works.

Range Forest Officer, Katol division, Kashiram Makde demanded Rs three lakh for clearing the payment, the complainant said.

Similarly, Branch Engineer, Nagpur circle, Anil Padole demanded Rs 20,000 for certain formalities, he told ACB.

ACB sleuths today caught the two officers red-handed while taking bribe in separate traps, DySP Yadav said.

Makde was caught accepting Rs three lakh at a restaurant in the city, while Padole was arrested in his office.

The two would be produced in a court tomorrow.

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Two Maoists wanted in half a dozen cases today surrendered before the East Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Anoop T Mathew in Ghatshila sub-division, police said.

Mohan alias Jara Murmu and Sunder Soren, both residents of Bikrampur village bordering Gorabandha block, surrendered before the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police at the Vikas Mela organised by the district administration at Gorabandha, said Superintendent of Police (Rural), Shailendra Prasad Burnwal.

Burnwal said both the naxals were wanted in about half dozen naxal related incident including the 2015 Bikrampur encounter, he said.

The surrendered naxals were members of Kanhu Munda-led squad.

Earlier, Munda, the secretary of



Jharkhand-Bengal-Odisha Border Regional Committee, had surrendered with six members of his squad recently.

A massive anti-naxal operation launched by the district police during the past few months had paid desirable dividend as a top Maoist and the bodyguard of slained top Maoist leader Kisenji alias Koteshwar Rao, Supai Tudu, who was carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakh, was gunned down in an encounter on January 2 last while his wife Sonali had been arrested.

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Two agents of Russia's FSB spy agency and two "criminal hackers" were indicted on Wednesday over a massive cyber attack affecting 500 million users, the US Justice Department announced.

The indictment unveiled in Washington links Russia's top spy agency to one of the largest cyberattacks in history, carried out in 2014, and which officials said was used for espionage and financial gain.

Officials identified the agents as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, both of whom were part of the successor agency to Russia's KGB.

The two officers "protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere," acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord told reporters.

They hired Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, described as "criminal hackers," to carry out the attacks.

"The defendants targeted accounts of Russian and US government officials, including cyber security, diplomatic and military personnel," McCord said.

"They also targeted Russian journalists; numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit; and employees of financial services and other commercial entities."



McCord said Baratov was arrested this week on a US warrant in Canada. Information on the other suspects was not immediately available.

The attack on Yahoo, disclosed last year, was one of the largest ever data breaches ever and at the time was blamed on a "nation-state" attacker.
British Sikhs today voiced concern over a European court allowing companies to ban staff from wearing religious symbols like the Muslim headscarf and said the ruling puts nearly 300,000 community members in Europe at risk.

"We are less worried about this decision in a UK context. In the UK, we are open-minded and appreciate and accept differences... Our main worry is the situation in mainland Europe," Sikh Federation UK said in a statement.

They said the ruling puts nearly 300,000 Sikhs in European countries at risk of being denied their right to wear turbans or carry religious symbols.

"There are probably 250,000 to 300,000 Sikhs in countries across mainland Europe, in countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany who are already vulnerable to widespread discrimination, especially when it comes to employment.

"The challenge with Sikh articles of faith is people often think of the turban, which can be worn by Sikh men and women but we have also had cases concerning the iron bracelet, the Kara. The Kirpan, a small sword worn by practising Sikhs is sometimes mentioned, but laws exist in the UK that recognise the Kirpan is not an offensive weapon and this has in general allowed the Kirpan to be successfully worn at work," it said.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) yesterday ruled that a headscarf ban does not constitute "direct discrimination" if it is based on internal company rules that apply to everyone and require all employees to "dress neutrally".

The judgement was delivered in cases brought by two employees, one in Belgium and one in France, who were dismissed for refusing to remove headscarves.

British companies have already been warned that the ruling would not apply in Britain as companies would face discrimination claims under the UK law.

"This ruling strikes at the heart of practising the Sikh faith. History has shown Sikhs have been prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend the right to keep their uncut hair and associated turban," said Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of Sikh Federation the UK.

The ECJ ruled that such a headscarf ban was only indirect discrimination and therefore potentially justifiable. The Islamic Human Rights Commission has said the ruling set an "alarming precedent".

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A London court today reduced the conviction of a British soldier found guilty of killing an injured Taliban fighter to manslaughter from murder, in a high-profile case that has divided the country.

Alexander Blackman is currently in jail for shooting the fighter at close range in Afghanistan's Helmand Province on September 15, 2011, after the Afghan was seriously injured by fire from an Apache helicopter.

"There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil... It's nothing you wouldn't do to us," Blackman was heard saying, paraphrasing Shakespeare "Hamlet", in footage captured by a camera on a soldier's helmet.

"Obviously this doesn't go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention," he said to his fellow Royal Marines, a reference to international laws governing the treatment of prisoners of war.

Blackman was convicted by a court martial in 2013 and sentenced to life in prison with a 10-year minimum.

The sentence was later reduced to eight years to take into account the fact that he was suffering from combat stress disorder - the same reason given by the judges today for downgrading his conviction.

A further hearing, whose date has not been set, will decide what sentence he still has to serve.

His wife, Claire, who has spearheaded a public campaign involving best-selling author Frederick Forsyth and many veterans, said she was "delighted" by the ruling.

"This is a crucial decision and one which better reflects the circumstances my husband found himself in during that terrible tour in Afghanistan," she told reporters outside the court. She said she hoped for "a significant reduction" in Blackman's sentence.

The case marked the first time since World War II that a British soldier was convicted of a murder carried out on the battlefield.

"You treated that Afghan man with contempt and murdered him in cold blood," judge Jeff Blackett told Blackman at his court martial in 2013.

"By doing so you have betrayed your corps and all British service personnel who have served in Afghanistan, and you have tarnished their reputation," Blackett said.

The conviction was supported by Britain's chief of the defence staff at the time, Nicholas Houghton, who said: "Murder is murder, this is a heinous crime.

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Britain's charities watchdog has opened a statutory inquiry into the workings of Bhaarat Welfare Trust citing a number of "serious regulatory concerns" about the financial management of the Hindu charity.

The Charity Commission said it had identified a "number of serious regulatory concerns" about the financial management of the Trust, which is based in Leicester.

This included an alleged inability to account for funds transferred to India between April 2010 and March 2015.

"The Commission conducted a books and records inspection at the charity in May 2015, and identified a number of serious regulatory concerns about the financial management of the charity.

"In particular the Commission had concerns about the ability of the trustees to account for funds transferred to India between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2015, the basis on which donations for a specific project were held, unmanaged conflicts of interests and whether Gift Aid (tax exemption) had been validly claimed by the charity," the commission said in a statement yesterday.

The Commission, however, stressed that opening an inquiry is "not in itself a finding of wrong doing".

"The charity has objects to promote the Hindu culture and religion, to advance education and to relieve poverty. It carries these out by making grants, primarily overseas. The Commission has been engaging with the charity since 2013, but found serious issues when it visited the charity in 2015," the statement added.

The trust is yet to comment on the investigation.

According to the Commission's website, Bhaarat Welfare Trust had an income of 1.2 million pounds and spent 1.3 million pounds in the previous year until March 2016.

The trust is run by four Indian-origin trustees, including founder Kantilal P Unnadkat, Diptiben Bharat Mistry, Narayan Sharma and Jesbir Kaur Uppal.

The inquiry will examine whether the trustees acted prudently in relation to the financial administration and management of the charity and whether they have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustees under charity law.

The Commission said it also had serious concerns about legal action taken by the charity in relation to an ongoing dispute with another Hindu charity, calledShanti Dham, over a funds dispute and whether use of charitable funds on this action is justifiable.

In August 2015 the UK's charity regulator issued an action plan for the trustees to address these concerns.

However, it said that the charity's response provided in November 2015 was "lacking".

Bhaarat Welfare Trust, which characterises itself as "BWT India Aid" on its website, says it has a partnership with over 180 NGOs across India and has been instrumental in educating thousands of children and sponsoring millions of mid-day meals for schools in the country.

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Two Russian intelligence agents and a duo of hackers were indicted today over a data breach that compromised 500 million Yahoo accounts in one of the largest cyberattacks in history.

The indictment announced by the US Justice Department links Russia's top spy agency, the FSB, to the massive hacking operation which began in 2014 with the twin goals of espionage and financial gain. It comes amid a high-stakes investigation into Russian cyber-meddling in the US election, potentially aimed at boosting the campaign of President Donald Trump.

The Russian agents were identified as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, both members of the successor agency to Russia's KGB. Dokuchaev was an officer in the FSB Center for Information Security, known as "Center 18," which is tasked with investigating hacking and is the FBI's point of contact in Moscow for cyber crimes.

The 33-year-old Dokuchaev was reported to have been arrested in Moscow earlier this year on treason charges. He is accused of directing the Yahoo hack along with his superior, the 43-year-old Sushchin.

The two officers "protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere," acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord told reporters.

Targets of the Yahoo breach included both Russian and US government officials, including cyber security, diplomatic and military personnel, according to McCord, who said it aimed to gather information "clearly some of which has intelligence value."



She added that "the criminal hackers used this to line their own pockets for private financial gain," seeking to cash in on the breach by accessing stolen credit or gift card numbers, and through a series of spam marketing schemes.

The US indictment includes 47 criminal charges including conspiracy, computer fraud, economic espionage, theft of trade secrets and identity theft.

Asked if there were any links between the Yahoo hack and the wider question of Russian interference, McCord said, "We don't have anything that suggests... Any relationship," but added that the election case "is an ongoing investigation."



The US statement said some targets were "of predictable interest" to the Russian spy agency including Russian and US government officials and employees of a prominent Russian cybersecurity company.

The Yahoo breach, McCord said, "also targeted Russian journalists; numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit; and employees of financial services and other commercial entities."



FBI executive assistant director Paul Abbate said the agency has asked Moscow for assistance in apprehending the suspects but noted that "we have had limited cooperation with that element of the Russian government."



In Russia a high-level official quoted by Russian agencies said that "Washington did not communicate with Moscow about this issue through the available channels set up to address issues related to cybersecurity."



The attack on Yahoo, disclosed last year, was one of the largest ever data breaches and at the time was blamed on a "nation-state" attacker.

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In a move to take the transport sector to real time digital mode, in the age of navigational mobile apps, the West Bengal government today introduced 'Pathadisha' App and fare smart card in state-run buses.

Launching the 'Pathadisha' mobile app, West Bengal Transport Minister Subhendu Adhikary said the launch was part of the initiative of the Vision 2016 of Transport department to provide smart, transparent and simple way of commuting.

Like Ola and Uber app-based cab service, where a commuter can verify the position of an approaching vehicle, 'pathadisha' will from now on enable a commuter to see location of a bus, it's next destination, the availability of seats, how much crowded it is inside - in short everything, the minister said.

The project, having World Bank and a Korean Green Growth fund as development partners, will also be extended from West Bengal Transport Corporation-run buses in city to two other state undertakings in next six months and will cover the entire state, the minister said.

To the announcement of World Bank representative that several private bus operators were also being given mobiles with this application on a pilot project under Pathadisha, Adhikary said, "We hope the private operators will realise how much helpful the navigational apps will be in future.

"We request them to have the same facility in their vehicles which would help improving passenger amenities, safety of private buses and raise their earnings. We will issue advisories for private buses based on their response."



Coming to smart card, Adhikary said the pre-paid electronic transport card will be introduced in 700 buses now and another 300 buses in few months' time.

This will stop pilferage in expenses in state transport undertakings, save passengers and bus employees from small change crisis and bring more transparency in the transport system, he said.

He said the smart card facility and 'Pathadisha' app will also be extended to the waterways with World Bank as the development partner.

The minister further said with the guidance of IIT-Kharagpur drivers of state undertaking will be trained to fulfil the CM's safe drive, save life campaign.

Principal Secretary, state Transport department, Alapan Bandyopadhyay said the move was aimed at giving 'real time-24x7 service' to the common man through Pathadisha app and smart card upto Rs 1000 for boarding government buses.

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Designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula are in a state of shock after the costumes of their upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed "Padmavati", on which they worked on for months, were torched on the sets of the movie in Kolhapur.

The shooting of the Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh starrer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, when a group of around 15-20 people came to the set in the wee hours today and torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there.

Calling the incident "unfortunate", Rimple says both she and Harpreet are heart-broken as they could never imagine something like this could happen.

"Something so unfortunate has happened because of illiteracy in our country. There is so much hard work that was put into making the clothes. We will work day and night and make up for the damages, but morally we are are very low. We are broken sentimentally. For creative people like me, Harpreet and Mr Bhansali, it is very shocking," Rimple told PTI.

It is second such incident for the film. In January this year, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in "Padmavati".

Rimple says she fails to understand why people are vandalising the sets despite the assurance by the makers that the film is not distorting history.

"The CEO and Mr Bhansali have released so mnay statements saying that there is nothing in the film which is distorting history. But still some sections don't understand."



The designer says she is constantly in touch with Shobha Sant, who is the CEO of Bhansali films, and they are trying to gauge the damage. Rimple says as far as her knowledge the costumes for the junior actors have been burned to ashes.

"There has been a huge monetary loss. Almost all the junior actors' costumes have been burned to ashes. As far as seniors are concerned, I am yet to get a check on that. I am unable to contact too many people because the network is bad in Kolhapur."



Rimple says she has deliberately not spoken to Bhansali about the incident as he is going through a lot emotionally.

"Mr Bhansali was recuperating from the Jaipur incident and then this happened. He held himself strong and continued this shoot. He never anticipated something like this to happen," she says.

The designer says because of such incidents and huge monetary loss, there will be a substantial delay in the film's shooting.

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The government today said that WestingHouse has expressed willingness to continue with the Kovadda nuclear plant.

The statement came amid reports claiming that Japanese conglomerate Toshiba Corp, which had stake in WestingHouse (WEC), is planning to withdraw from its lead role in building nuclear plants in India and Britain.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said discussion on the techno-commercial offer between the state- owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and WestingHouse Electric Company are on.

The Department of Atomic Energy comes under the PMO.

"NPCIL is in discussions with WEC, which has expressed willingness to continue with the proposed project in India," Singh said.

WEC is to build six AP-1000 reactors with a capacity of 1208 MW at Kovadda in Andhra Pradesh. Toshiba Corp is reportedly planning to withdraw from its lead role in projects to build nuclear plants in Britain and India.

Toshiba had become one of the nuclear sector's biggest players with the purchase of WestingHouse in 2006.

In response to another question, Singh said the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has designed Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) for utilisation of thorium and the government has accorded in-principle approval for constructing the AHWR in Tarapur in Maharashtra.

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The Telangana Government would not hesitate to "fight" with the Centre, if necessary, for the implementation of its proposed Muslims quota act, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today.

The state government proposes to pass two bills for providing reservations to Muslims and STs and then urge the Centre to include the matter in the 9th Schedule of Constitution as done in the case of Tamil Nadu, the CM said in the Legislative Council.

Rao said his government would see if an Act needs to be passed in the case of STs or a decision in state Cabinet would serve the purpose, he said.

The state government proposes inclusion of the quotas for Muslims and STs in the 9th Schedule in view of the present cap on reservations.

"But, Muslims, we will have to pass an Act...We will make an Act, start implementation and go there (Delhi). If they don't do it, we will fight out with Centre. We will not go back," Rao said.

The quota is proposed to be provided to Muslims on the basis of their socio-economic backwardness and as per the Backward Classes Commission's report, and not on religious basis, he said.

Noting that the reservation system cannot go on based on circumstances in 1948, the CM said his government would move "heaven and earth" to get the quota implemented.

Provision of 12 per cent reservation each to minorities (from the present four per cent) and and STs was an electoral promise of Rao's party, TRS.

Reservation for Muslims is necessitated in the view of the high population of the community in Telangana, he said.

The present day Telangana was under Muslim rule for 700 years, Rao added.

On the need for providing quotas, he underlined that 90 per cent of population in Telangana belonged to weaker sections including Muslims.

The state government would "go to any extent" to get the reservation implemented, including all MLAs and other public representatives taking up a 'dharna' at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

The Acts for providing quota to Muslims would be introduced in the ongoing budget session.

With the BJP and other opposition parties claiming that Rao planned to go for an early poll to the Legislative Assembly ahead of schedule in 2019, the Chief Minister said there is no such idea.

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The woman, who abducted the three-day-old baby from the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, had acted as a pregnant woman for three months inspired by Vidya Balan's 'Kahaani', according to an initial probe by the police.

The arrested woman, Chinmayee Bej, residing with her daughter and husband in the same Bagmari area where the baby's family resided, claimed that it was her baby whom she had given birth to yesterday, a Kolkata Police officer said.

Later, she admitted that she had stolen the baby boy on the pretext of giving him vaccination.

The police officer said, "The woman admitted to the crime. During grilling she said she had a miscarriage earlier after which she struck upon the idea of acting as a pregnant woman because she was deperate to have a boy."



The police said it was not ruling out the angle of enmity between the two families either.

Besides investigating whether Chinmayee got the help of a relative working at the hospital, the police is also looking into if the husband-wife duo had any connection with a child trafficking racket.

Meanwhile, a local court today sent the couple to nine days' police custody.

(REOPEN CES7)



Though the police were not ruling out possible enmity between the two families, there could be other reasons too for the crime.

City Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar said it was being investigated whether there was any 'foul play' in the theft of the baby.

Asked who would get get the Rs one lakh award the police announced last night for information on the theft, Kumar said, "The reward will go to the people who helped in tracing the baby. But if any foul play is found then of course the reward will not be paid.

"The reward is for giving information. We have to understand that the accused did not stay very far away from the locality where the victim stays," Kumar said.

The woman with the baby was found from a spot which is only a few metres away from the complainant's residence in Bagmari area of north Kolkata.

On whether the entire matter was a scripted one, he said,"I cannot comment on that because the investigation is still ongoing."



According to an official, police were looking into the angle of "an understanding that went wrong" between the accused and the family of the baby.

There could be a monetary transaction too between the two families regarding exchange the baby, he said.

"The accused woman was desperate for a boy and she may have contacted this Naskar family. It's still not clear. We are questioning the accused, her husband as well as members of the baby's family," the official said.

The arrested woman has an eight-year-old daughter but was desperate to have a son after a miscarriage around three months ago.

It seemed that when she found that Saraswati gave birth to a boy she planned of stealing it, he said.
Bangladesh today said some "home-grown" groups have become radicalized in the country but it will never allow its soil to be used for committing acts of terror in neighbouring countries.

Speaking at a conference here, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan stressed that Dhaka has "zero-tolerance" against terrorism and it has a "comprehensive plan" for countering the menace.

He said that in some cases, a few radical political affiliations, are "trying to de-stabilize the country and thus hindering the current rapid socio-economic development by acts of terror."



He was speaking at the 3rd Counter Terrorism Conference that concluded here today.

He said Bangladesh will never allow its soil to be used as the launching ground for any kind of terrorist activities against any part of the globe, let alone its neighbors, said a statement by the Bangladesh High Commission.

Speaking at the event, former Prime Minister of Nepal Baburam Bhattarai identified the country's "highly sensitive geo-political positioning", between India and China, as a major factor behind the transition of the Maoists from "bullet to ballot".

"A prolonged armed conflict could have a spill over effect in the neighbourhood leading to serious conflagration in the region," he said.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Scientists have discovered 1.6 billion-year-old fossils of red algae in central India, which may be the oldest evidence of plant-like life found on the Earth.

The finding in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh by researchers from the Swedish Museum of Natural History indicate that advanced multicellular life evolved much earlier than previously thought.

The earliest traces of life on Earth are at least 3.5 billion years old. These single-celled organisms, unlike eukaryotes, lack nuclei and other organelles.

Large multicellular eukaryotic organisms became common much later, about 600 million years ago, near the transition to the Phanerozoic Era, the "time of visible life."



Discoveries of early multicellular eukaryotes have been sporadic and difficult to interpret, challenging scientists trying to reconstruct and date the tree of life.

The oldest known red algae before the present discovery are 1.2 billion years old. The Indian fossils, 400 million years older and by far the oldest plant-like fossils ever found, suggest that the early branches of the tree of life need to be recalibrated.

The scientists found two kinds of fossils resembling red algae in uniquely well-preserved sedimentary rocks at Chitrakoot.

One type is thread-like, the other one consists of fleshy colonies. The scientists were able to see distinct inner cell structures and so-called cell fountains, the bundles of packed and splaying filaments that form the body of the fleshy forms and are characteristic of red algae.

"You cannot be a hundred per cent sure about material this ancient, as there is no DNA remaining, but the characters agree quite well with the morphology and structure of red algae," said Stefan Bengtson, Professor at the Swedish Museum of Natural History.

"The 'time of visible life' seems to have begun much earlier than we thought," said Bengtson.

The presumed red algae lie embedded in fossil mats of cyanobacteria, called stromatolites, in 1.6 billion-year-old Indian phosphorite.

The thread-like forms were discovered first, and when researchers investigated the stromatolites they found the more complex, fleshy structures.

The research group was able to look inside the algae with the help of synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy.

Among other things, they have seen regularly recurring platelets in each cell, which they believe are parts of chloroplasts, the organelles within plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.

They have also seen distinct and regular structures at the centre of each cell wall, typical of red algae.

The research was published in the journal PLOS Biology.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The West Bengal Youth Congress today staged a protest rally outside the Raj Bhawan here against BJP's "unconstitutional" government formation in Manipur and Goa, despite Congress emerging as the single largest party.

"The unconstitutional government formation in Manipur and Goa reflects the actual face of BJP government, endorsed and gifted by Modi and RSS-BJP combine. We strongly condemn the deliberate, political, and biased decisions of Governors of Goa and Manipur," West Bengal Youth Congress general secretary Preetom Karmakar said.

The youth Congress activists waved black flags and burnt effigies of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah outside Raj Bhawan in Kolkata.

N Biren Singh was today sworn in as the Chief Minister of the first-ever BJP-led government in Manipur after the Assembly election threw up a hung house.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Self-driven car rental start-up Zoomcar today said it will ramp up it's fleet with marketplace model branded as ZAP and plans to hive-off its own existing cars over the next 6-12 months.

"We have around 2000 company owned cars out of a fleet size of 3000 vehicles across 17 cities in India. With ZAP model, we aim to increase the cars under marketplace model to 80 per cent by December 2017," Zoomcar CEO Greg Moran said today.

The company had aimed to increase its fleet to 10,000.

Moran said over the next six to 12 months it will hive-off its existing company owned cars.

The startup launched the ZAP model in the city today. ZAP asks people to buy a new car and instead of keeping their car idle when not driving, it encourages them to put their car on Zoomcar to earn from renting to ease their EMI payment.

Zoomcar does not offer any direct financial support to buy the car and neither gives any minimum guranteed return.

"We'll be profitable at company level by this calender year," Moran said.

Zoomcar will expand to 30 cities by next quarter from 17 now.

Moran said the company is adequately funded with total USD 50 million it had already raised from Ford Smart Mobility LLC, Sequoia Capital, Nokia Growth Partners and Cyber Carrier.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Patricia Weiss and Claire Ruckin

FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) - Two private equity consortia vying for control of German generic drugmaker Stada have lined up funding to back their rival takeover offers each worth 4.7 billion euros ($5.0 billion) including debt.

The takeover struggle pits a combination of Advent and Permira against Bain and Cinven, both of which have now made binding takeover offers, according to people familiar with the matter.

has also reported that China's Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical is looking into entering the bidding tussle.

Securing financing packages was a precondition set by Stada before more business data could be provided to the bidders, the sources added.

The supervisory board of Stada - a supplier of generic drugs, consumer care products, diagnostics kits and e-cigarettes for vaping - was due to meet on Wednesday to consider the offers, they said.

The offers are pitched at 58 euros per share and Stada traded at 57.27 euros at 1400 GMT.

Banks are lining up around 2.4 billion-2.6 billion euros of debt financing to back each of the bids, equating to around 6.0-6.5 times Stada's approximate 400 million euros EBITDA, banking sources said.

Barclays, Citigroup, Nomura and UBS are among a group of banks backing Bain and Cinven's bid, while Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and UniCredit are among banks supporting Advent and Permira, the banking sources said.

Deutsche Bank is advising Stada, the banking sources added.

The debt is likely to be denominated in euros and the large size of the financing means that it could be split between leveraged loans and high-yield bonds, the banking sources said.

The financing will be sold down in a syndication process to investors, expected to launch in May, if one of the private equity consortia is successful, the banking sources said.

Permira, Advent and Cinven declined to comment on the financing. Bain was not immediately available to comment.

As part of the confirmed offers, worth 58 euros per share as before, shareholders stand to receive the full dividend of 0.72 euros per share for 2016, a payout level that was proposed by Stada's management two weeks ago. ($1 = 0.9401 euros)

(Additional reporting by Alexander Huebner in Frankfurt; Writing by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Keith Weir)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Takashi Umekawa and Michael Nienaber

TOKYO/BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will press G20 members to sign off on a set of principles including free trade at this week's meeting of the group's financial leaders, in what the Trump administration may perceive as a challenge to its more protectionist stance.

In an unusual move, Germany, the host of the meeting, will stress the importance of global free trade in a document separate from the group's main communique, G20 sources said.

The move underscores Germany's desire to rebuff any explicit U.S. demands to water down the group's commitment to free trade, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel prepares for her first meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday.

Attaching a separate document also would allow Germany to clarify its priorities and avoid them being overshadowed by what could be a more heated debate on protectionism and currency policy.

It is rare for a G20 chair country to issue a document separate from the main communique, especially one that differs on the tone and priorities.

Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann outlined Germany's priorities on Wednesday, challenging the new U.S. administration's more protectionist stance on the eve of the meeting in Baden-Baden on Friday and Saturday.

It will be the first G20 finance chiefs' meeting attended by representatives of Trump's administration.

Calling a rejection of protectionism one of the greatest achievements of the G20, Weidmann asked fianance chiefs to reaffims this commitment, protecting what he argued was a key pillar of economic prosperity.

But a draft of the main G20 communique seen by appeared to accommodate Trump's views on trade by dropping a phrase resisting "all forms of protectionism".

But any attempts to dilute the commitment to free trade will likely face resistance from emerging economies reliant on global exports, including China, putting the onus on Germany to seek a compromise.

FREE TRADE

It is unclear if Trump and his team, which has espoused fair trade more than free trade and has discussed a border tax on imports, would sign the document.

The document, which is currently being circulated among G20 members, lays out a list of about 10 principles on how a "well performing economy" should act on areas of fiscal, monetary and trade policies, the sources said.

It highlights areas Germany places importance on, such as the need for countries to make their financial system resilient to shocks and to refrain from excessive fiscal loosening through "prudent management of public finances", the sources said.

"Among the most important issues from Germany's point of view, regarding the world's economy, is the issue of resilience. That's our top priority," one of the sources said.

Meeting in Hangzhou, China, last fall, G20 leaders repeated their opposition to protectionism in "all its forms", even expressing concern about slowing global trade, suggesting that Germany is keen to resist U.S. efforts to water down commitments, even at the risk to failing to achieve consensus.

Germany often argues that economies should not rely too much on short-term stimulus and take steps to strengthen fundamentals so that their economies are resilient against shocks.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorities to speak to the media.

Germany hopes to have G20 members sign off on the document in Baden-Baden, though some government officials concede not all countries would back it this week.

"Let's see if we'll get everyone on board in Baden-Baden or only after at the summit of leaders (in July)," one official said.

Merkel underscored the importance of free trade in a speech to business leaders in Munich this week. Her talks with Trump in Washington are expected to touch on a range of issues, including defence spending.

Causes of friction between Berlin and Washington also include an accusation by senior Trump adviser Peter Navarro that Germany profits unfairly from a weak euro and a threat to impose 35 percent tariffs on imported vehicles.

(Writing by Leika Kihara; Additional reporting by Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Kim Coghill and Alison Williams)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's foreign trade deficit narrowed to $8.9 billion in February from a provisional $9.84 billion a month ago, government data showed on Wednesday.

Merchandise exports grew 17.48 percent year-on-year to $24.49 billion last month, while imports rose 21.76 percent to $33.39 billion, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

(Reporting by Manoj Kumar; Editing by Malini Menon)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Suncor Energy has sold a cargo of offshore Canadian crude from its Hibernia field to Indian Oil Corp , a Suncor spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Suncor spokeswoman Sneh Seetal declined to say how big the cargo was or when it would load, but confirmed Canada's biggest oil company had won an Indian Oil Corp tender.

"We do market our offshore crude production globally on an opportunistic basis," Seetal added.

of the Suncor cargo comes after market sources this week said two other vessels carrying Atlantic Canadian crude are on their way to China.

The Stena Suede and the Jag Lalit, both Suezmaxes, loaded at Whiffen Head terminal, Newfoundland, according to ship tracking data. At least was one sold by Husky Energy and the buyer is PetroChina, two sources said.

Husky said in February it sold its first one-million-barrel cargo of offshore Atlantic Canada crude bound for China. It came from the company's White Rose field.

At the time a Husky spokesman said low shipping rates helped make the transaction worthwhile.

(Reporting by Nia Williams; Editing by Leslie Adler and Sandra Maler)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Joe Bavier and Ange Aboa

ABIDJAN (Reuters) - The world's cocoa sector may be facing a structural surplus that risks depressing global prices and dealing a blow to producer country and farm revenues in the coming years, a senior official with International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) said on Wednesday.

After rising steadily for several years, cocoa futures have tumbled since September with New York cocoa falling to its lowest level in nearly a decade earlier this month on the back of bumper crops around the world.

Global production is set to climb by almost 15 percent in 2016/17, according to the ICCO. Demand is failing to keep pace, resulting in a projected global surplus of 264,000 tonnes.

"Our fear is that the world cocoa sector has entered a period of structural surplus that is likely to last for some time to come," ICCO Executive Director Jean-Marc Anga told during an interview in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Expectations of rising global chocolate consumption coupled with ageing farmers and plantations in top producing countries in West Africa has long raised concern over the potential for a structural cocoa deficit.

"I would like to see the person who would stand tall and say that theory still holds. Our view over the past five to ten years has never been that of a structural deficit," Anga said.

Ivory Coast, the world's top producer, has been the hardest hit by the rapid drop in prices over the past six months.

A wave of export contract defaults along with higher than expected production there have caused a glut of beans at ports and in upcountry warehouses, leaving farmers struggling to sell their crops and fuelling social unrest.

"From where I'm sitting, all the noises I am getting from producer countries are of serious concern because the current global price is affecting revenue at the government level," Anga said.

ICCO officials will meet with its members, which include both producer and consumer countries, in April to seek solutions that will help reverse the slide in prices.

The International Cocoa Agreement, the body's founding document, contains a provision that allows producer countries to discuss and coordinate their production policies, and Anga said he expected them to take advantage of it.

"I don't really see the logic of continuing to increase production when we see the effects this has on countries," he said. "I think they are all aware of the need to have a more rational approach to their production policies."

The ICCO will also discuss ways to increase consumption.

With traditional markets in Western Europe and North America close to saturation, Anga said it was weighing strategies for penetrating markets in the developing world and discussing bringing China and Indian into the ICCO as members.

(Editing by Mark Potter)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
is adapting to increasing consumer alarm over carbonated drinks by betting big on one of its flagship brands in India. Maaza, the brand that the company bought from Ramesh Chauhan owned
We can learn a lot about things by studying how they move through the world and interact with the environment.
While the Congress is accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "subverting democracy" and "nullifying people's mandate" by staking claim to form new governments in Manipur and Goa before it could do so as the single-largest party, many, within and outside the Congress, are questioning its own failure to seize the opportunity.

Despite winning the most number of seats in both the states -- 28 in 60-member Manipur Assembly and 17 in 40-member Goa Assembly -- the Congress failed to form government in any of the states.

In Goa, the Congress was outsmarted by the BJP, which won only 13 seats but managed to cobble a majority by garnering the support of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) with three lawmakers each and two of the three elected Independent MLAs.

In the meanwhile, the leaders of the Congress were busy squabbling over the choice of it's legislative party leader.

The Congress leaders, including party General Secretary Digvijaya Singh and top state politicians, camped at the iconic Mandovi hotel in Panaji, where for five hours they wrangled over the choice of the CLP leader, apart from waiting for Vijai Sardesai of the GFP and other Independents.

The Congress' state unit President Luizinho Faleiro, former Chief Ministers Digambar Kamat and Pratapsingh Rane, were potential candidates for the post, but each camp and their proxies rejected each other, wasting precious time.

There was even a secret ballot to select the CLP leader -- an exercise results of which were incidentally kept a secret from the media and the party's junior MLAs.

By the evening, frustrated Congress leaders stepped out of the hotel, with Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate even blaming the party's "Delhi leaders" for losing the opportunity to select a CLP leader and forge a ruling coalition.

Vishwajit P. Rane, the Congress MLA from Valpoi and son of Pratapsingh Rane, had also announced that he was quitting the party. He blamed the party leaders for not moving fast and scuttling the Congress' chances of forming the government in Goa.

He asked: "Nitin Gadkari could take the decision, why not our seniors?"

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh had in the morning tweeted: We have been requesting Governor of Goa (Mridula Sinha) for appointment since March 12 night but were not given. Today (Tuesday) we sought appointment for 10:30 a.m., but she has given us time for 1.30 p.m."

"She didn't even meet the single-largest party elected by the people of Goa before calling Parrikar to take oath. Is it justice? Is it Constitutional? Doesn't it violate the Sarkaria Commission guidelines? Is it Moral," asked Singh.

Refusing to interfere with the Goa Governor's decision to appoint Manohar Parrikar as the new Chief Minister, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that a floor test be held in the assembly on Thursday to determine if Parrikar enjoyed the majority support.

Parrikar was sworn in as the Goa Chief Minister for the fourth time on Tuesday by the Governor Mridula Sinha in state capital Panji. Nine ministers were also sworn in.

The Congress had accused Mridula of acting unilaterally and inviting the BJP to form a government in Goa, without even meeting the 17 elected leaders of the Congress.

Meanwhile, in Manipur, where the Congress ruled for three consecutive terms, despite winning 28 seats, just three seats short of the majority mark in the 60-member assembly, the party failed to form a government.

"Governor's new role, first certify the majority of party who appoints them, later invite their leader to form government. Democracy Subverted," Congress General Secretary in-charge of Manipur CP Joshi had tweeted.

"An MLA was abducted from the airport. The government is using all the machinery. We will fight the anti-democratic action of the government," Joshi said on Monday.

The BJP, which won 21 seats, staked claim for form government with the support of four MLAs each of the Naga People's Front (NPF) and the National People's Party (NPP), one MLA each of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and one Independent.

Nongthombam Biren will be sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday morning, according to Raj Bhavan sources.

He will be sworn-in at Raj Bhavan at 10.30 am, the sources said. Biren and one or two elected members may take oath.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who tendered his resignation on Monday night, said: "We had staked our claim to form the next ministry."

However, that hope is fading away as all other members of the non-Congress parties and the lone Independent MLA have extended support to the BJP.

Ibobi Singh had pinned his hope on the NPP, which has four MLAs. However, the NPP General Secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said, "We have extended support to the BJP and it is final."

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singvi said: "Unfortunately the BJP is now becoming an expert in creating governments through Governors whereas government creation is the work of the people who vote.

"Government creation is neither for the Governor, nor for the Party to whom the Governor earlier belongs and still appears to be acting for. Therefore, this is a clear attempt to nullify peoples' mandate," he added.
After PM Narendra Modi took a dig at Harvard University alumni during his election campaign, the university has responded with an insightful critique of demonetisation by looking at it in the context of the BJPs resounding electoral victory in the recently concluded state elections. The article, titled Early Lessons from Indias Demonetization Experiment, authored by Bhaskar Chakravorti, was published in Harvard Business Review on March 14. Chakravorti, a public policy professor at Tufts University, was one of the first critics of demonetisation. In a paper published on December 14, 2016, in Harvard Business Review, Chakravorti had called demonetisation a case study in poor policy and even poorer execution. Unfortunately, it is also the poor that bear the greatest burden.



In his latest paper, Chakravorti says: Four months passed. The country emerged with few obvious scars. Although the impact on corruption remains to be seen, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government was rewarded with victory in mid-term state-level elections, seen as a referendum on its unprecedented action. Short of any singing, dancing, and costume changes, this sequence could have been taken from Bollywood, a movie industry widely known for its fantastical flights of fancy.



To his merit, Chakravorti hasnt just commented on BJPs electoral victories but also sought to analyse how demonetisation played out on the minds of the Indian voter who gave an overwhelming majority to a party led by Modi. After all, another Harvard luminary Amartya Sen had described Modis move as a complex manifestation of authoritarianism that declared all Indians as crooks.

Chakravorti makes a point that demonetisation hasnt really helped curb corruption that was one of the prime objectives of declaring 86 per cent of all Indian currency invalid. The article states that Indians with black money found ingenious ways of putting back their money into banks, irrespective of whether it was illegitimate or not. His argument is as follows: Corrupt people dont generally hold their wealth in cash.

Only 6 per cent of the money detected in tax raids in 2015-16 was cash. Most corrupt people invest in stocks, business, real estate, assets bought in someone elses name (benami) and jewellery. He concludes, Public policy for rooting out corruption calls for a systemic approach, with carrots and sticks to motivate cultural, institutional, and behavioural change in the long term. Silver bullets, such as drastic demonetisation, dont work.



Income tax raids and seizures in India have yielded little over the years. There is little reason to believe that tax investigators aided by demonetisation could boost their illegal cash haul. The department is also ill-equipped to detect illegal wealth parked in benami assets and stocks, which not just involve navigating labyrinthine transnational holding structures but also global coordination with other governments which depends on signing and effectively implementing tax data-sharing treaties. The Modi government found this out after demonetisation. It was only in 2017, a few months after demonetisation, that the government approved increasing the strength of the income-tax department by 73 per cent by 2018. The number of customs and excise employees is to be increased by 81 per cent by 2018. In addition, police forces for the first time in years are also to be increased by almost 100,000 in the same period. All these three departments are extremely crucial if the real targets of demonetisation have to be smoked out. Given the lengthy government hiring processes, this increase in staff strength would invariably take longer than envisaged.

This is where Chakravortis argument on the effectiveness of demonetisation assumes significance. His analysis also questions the reliability of economic data in India. His argument is as follows: The Central Statistics Office (CSO) estimated Indias GDP growth at 7 per cent for the quarter ended December 2016. This seemed to suggest that demonetisation had no impact on Indias GDP growth. But CSO arrived at these estimates by relying on models extrapolated using past data. When an event like demonetisation that sucks out cash from Indias huge informal economy occurs, such models become less reliable. So, Indias GDP growth story is not what is being projected. Besides, the informal sector in India produces 45 per cent of the output by employing 94 per cent of its workforce. It is hard to get reliable data about the largely cash-driven informal sector in India.

Chakravorti states, India does not have reliable national retail sales data, so statisticians have to use production figures to estimate consumer spending. To compound the estimation challenges, these production figures include data only for listed companies, thereby underrepresenting the unregistered companies and informal manufacturing producers  the ones that are directly affected by the cash ban.



In this Modi-Harvard war of words, one thing stands out for sure. The economists who rely on data to study the impact of demonetisation could certainly run into counter-currents that seem to defy the laws of economics.

Chakravorti catches the dilemma of an economist trying to decipher the impact of demonetisation quite vividly. He states: On March 11, Uttar Pradesh gave the prime ministers party a landslide election victory. While we celebrate the age of big data, it may be big narrative that drives the most-profound decisions: Weve witnessed it in the UK, in the US, and now in India. When people feel that youre fighting for them, it seems even the most concrete evidence, be it data or history, wields less and less influence. Ultimately, the victory of narrative over data may be the takeaway from Indias demonetisation saga. And that may qualify as a plot for a Bollywood blockbuster after all.
The historic victory in Uttar Pradesh, wherein the BJP won more than 320 assembly seats, has inspired political leaders and entrepreneurs pan-India who wish to take up the mantle and learn from the heroes of this win. India's E-commerce giant Flipkart's executive chairman Sachin Bansal too sees a lesson for entrepreneurs in BJP's performance in the recent assembly elections. Crediting PM for the party's strong performance in the elections, Bansal tweeted, "Election results show how deeply Prime Minister understands India. Lesson for entrepreneurs: be fanatic about understanding your audiences".
March 15, Blessed.

Source: Catholicsaints.info

THE SAINT NURSE OF THE PATAGONIA

Roman Martyrology: Born in Boretto, emigrated to Argentina, settling in Bahia Blanca. Devoted himself entirely to the life of the hospital, and eventually became deputy director.

He spent his entire life working for those most in need and died of cancer in 1951 at the age of 70.

Beatification Date: 14 April 2002 by Pope John Paul II.

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Artemides Zatti, one of three sons, was born in Boretto, in the province of Reggio Emilia, on the 12th October 1880, to Louis Zatti and Albina Vecchi, a farming family. Since he was a small child he was accustomed to work and sacrifice, by the time he was nine, he had to drop out of school and started earning money as a hired hand for a wealthy neighbor. In 1897 the Zatti family, forced by poverty, emigrated to Argentina to establish life anew at Bahia Blanca. Here Artemides began to attend the parish run by the Salesians and became a helper to the parish priest, Fr Carlo Cavalli, with whom he often shared work and prayer. He felt a desire to become a Salesian, and was accepted as an aspirant by Bishop Cagliero and, by the time he was twenty, went to the Community at Bernal.

He began studying in earnest to make up for lost time. Providence entrusted him with assisting a young priest who was ill with tuberculosis, and who then died in 1902. The day when Artemides was to receive his clerical habit, he too contracted the disease. When he got back to the community, Fr Cavalli sent him to the mission hospital in Viedma. Fr Evarisio Garrone, with wide experience in the task, was in charge of the hospital. Artemides, along with him, asked and obtained from Mary Help of Christians the grace of recovery, promising to dedicate his entire life to looking after the sick.

He recovered and kept his promise. At first he began to look after the pharmacy attached to the hospital, where he learned how Fr Garrone worked: only those who could need pay. When Fr Garrone died, he took on the entire resposibility. In 1908 he made his perpetual profession. He was completely dedicated to the sick. People sought him out and admired him. For the personnel at the hospital he was not only an excellent director, but an excellent Christian above all.

This is how his day was spent: "At 4.30 he was already up. Meditation and Mass. Visit to all the sick. Then on his bike he would head out to visit the sick around the city. After lunch he would play an enthusiastic game of bocce with those who were recovering. From 2 pm till 6 pm he would visit those in the hospital again as well as those outside. Then until 8 pm he would work in the pharmacy. Then back to the hospital again. Until 11 pm he would study medicine, and finally, some spiritual reading. Then he would rest but was always available for anyone who called for help".

He gained his diploma as a nurse. In 1913 he led the construction of the new hospital then, much to his displeasure, it was demolished. Without being discouraged he started out afresh. Like Don Bosco, Providence was his first and certain entry in any of the accounting he had to do. Mary Help of Christians never abandoned him. When Don Bosco was dreaming of his Salesian Brothers, he certainly wanted them to be holy like Artemides. In 1950, he fell on the stairs and was confined to bed. After some months, signs of cancer showed up. He breathed his last on the 15th March 1951.

His remains rest in the atrium of the parochial church of San Juan Bosco (Saint John

Bosco) in Viedma, expecting the Resurrection.

Immediately after his death people started calling him "the saint nurse of the Patagonia"

and "the kinsman of the poor". At present the local hospital of Viedma as well as one of the main streets in town are called after him, Artemides Zatti. At the front corner of the hospital there is a monument, which witnesses the love of the people.
Congress Vice President on Tuesday said the party needs structural and organisational changes following its debacle in the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly polls even as party leaders said there was need for tough decisions in the party.

Congress leaders spoke in varied voices following the election verdict in five states, with some hinting at deep introspection and "decision" by about his role, and others talking of fixing responsibility at the level of senior leaders.

In his interaction with reporters, Gandhi sought to put up a brave front over the election results that saw the Congress losing badly in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Congress won Punjab decisively, largely due to senior party leader Amarinder Singh's popularity and leadership, and emerged as the single largest party in Goa and Manipur but the BJP moved fast to rally support of smaller parties in the two states.

Gandhi said the results were not bad for the party.

"We are in the opposition, you have ups and downs. We had a little down in Uttar Pradesh, that's fine we accept it. We had five elections, we formed the government in Punjab and won in Manipur and Goa. That is not a bad result. It is true that we lost in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand," Gandhi said.

"But as far Congress is concerned we do need to make structural, organisational changes," he said, adding that Congress had an ideological fight with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

As Gandhi spoke, there were voices within the Congress over the party failing to make any drastic changes to its organisational set up despite a series of electoral reverses since its poor showing in the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

Congress MP Satyavrat Chaturvedi told CNN News 18 news channel that had the party gone for "cardiac surgery" after the 2014 election, the situation would have been different and the BJP would have been on the back foot.

Chaturvedi gave meaningful responses to questions concerning Gandhi and said he had to take the decision about his role in the party.

Asked about suggestions that Gandhi was not the leader the Congress was looking for, Chaturvedi said: "I have to observe some constraints and restraints."

Asked if Congress should move beyond Gandhi, Chaturvedi said: "I think in larger interest of the party, Rahul himself has to take a decision."

Former Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit did not pull his punches and told the news channel that the party cannot run on patronage and feudal leadership and one had to bring in people who deliver.

"Everybody must introspect or share with the party what went wrong."

He also said senior leaders should not display love for "positions of power, Rajya Sabha membership or (post of) general secretary".

Asked if Gandhi needs time to mature, Dikshit said "there is no time left for us".

"I don't think there is time for anybody to mature. They all know that you have to work hard. I hope they know how to work hard," he said.

Former Law Minister H.R. Bhardwaj said that was being made a scapegoat and suggested that members of Congress Working Committee and general secretaries should take responsibility for the debacles and resign.

Congress leader Kamal Nath, who is into his ninth term in Lok Sabha, told Times Now news channel that politics had changed over the past five years and Congress had to adapt to the changes. He said Gandhi should be elevated as party chief.

Party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said Gandhi had never shirked his responsibility when the party suffered a loss.

He said Gandhi had a simple personality and speaks what is in his heart.

Rahul Gandhi and his mother Sonia Gandhi had offered to quit the leadership of Congress after the party's massive defeat in the last Lok Sabha polls but it was rejected by the party.

Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh had said last year that the party needs "major surgery" following its reverses in the assembly polls.
Asia's largest healthcare provider Parkway Pantai, which forayed into India in 2015 with the acquisition of Hyderabad-based Continental Hospitals and tertiary care chain Global Hospitals, has integrated part of its Indian operations with its global brand Gleneagles.

While the erstwhile Global Hospitals, with units in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru, has been rebranded under Gleneagles, the company has chosen to retain the identity of Continental Hospitals for the time being. As of now, India is the third home market of Parkway Pantai Group, after Singapore and Malaysia, following the two big acquisitions. The company has a network of 10 hospitals in Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, Ramesh Krishnan, chief executive, India Operation, Parkway Pantai, told Business Today.

Parkway Pantai is part of Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare, the world's second largest healthcare group by market capitalisation. IHH operates more than 10,000 beds across 52 hospitals in 10 countries.

In March 2015, Parkway bought 51 per cent in Continental Hospitals for over Rs 300 crore and in August that year, it acquired 74 per cent stake in Global Hospitals for Rs 1,800 crore.

"While we have 1,100 beds as part of Global Hospitals' alliance, 300 beds are operational from the Continental Hospitals' 650-bed capacity. We have 700 beds in Kolkata and altogether 2,100 beds are now operational. We may add another 1,000 beds, including suitable forays into the North Indian markets like the NCR region in future," Krishnan said.

The major change post the acquisition of Global Hospitals was the rationalisation of systems and clinical programmes in tune with Parkway standards. About Rs 280 crore was infused to clear debts and HDFC Bank is the sole lender now. About Rs 100 crore was spent on select hospitals to create latest medical equipment infrastructure.

Parkway was a strategic investor in Apollo Hospitals for a long time, with a joint-venture hospital in Kolkata. India's Fortis Healthcare made an unsuccessful attempt to take over Parkway a few years ago.
The poll debacle in UP and Punjab may have prompted Arvind Kejriwal and Mayawati to blame EVMs tampering for their loss, but the Election Commission of India has lent its expertise to various other countries in conducting free and fair polls.

On the counting day, when it became clear that the BJP will get more than 300 seats in UP elections, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati held a press conference and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of tampering with the EVMs.

"Either the EVMs did not accept votes other than BJP, or the votes of other parties have gone to BJP in the EVMs," Mayawati said at the press conference.

In the UP elections, BSP won a mere 19 seats, way below the figure being projected by exit polls in the 404-strong assembly. However, BSP managed a 22.2 per cent vote share to emerge the second largest party in terms of the number of votes polled.

On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed that AAP's vote share in Punjab had been transferred to rival parties through tampered EVMs.

"20-25 per cent of AAP's vote was transferred to SAD, which is why Congress won the election. Akali's victory would've made it too obvious. They wanted AAP to lose in any which way," the Delhi chief minister alleged.

Moreover, the elections in Punjab where BJP and its ally Akali Dal was decimated by the Congress party puncture Mayawati's unfounded claims.

Election Commission of India is a constitutional body which has been applauded by the United Nations in election management, particularly for supporting elections and democratic process in other countries.

Election Commission of India has trained personnel and lent its expertise in improve electoral systems of several countries. It has helped conduct free and fair elections in countries such as Nepal, Kenya, Jordan, etc.

In 2011, on a request made by the Pakistani Election Commission, Election Commission of India had agreed to send a technical team to Pakistan to demonstrate the Indian Electronic Voting machine

In 2014, the Namibian government purchased 3,400 India-made electronic voting machines (EVMs) which have already been used by other countries in Asia to conduct smooth and fair polls.

In 2011, on the request of the Nepalese Commission, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had gifted about 700 EVM to Nepal for use in some constituencies.

Kejriwal's unfounded claims that EVMs were tampered seem bogus as the voting machines are checked by party representatives while sealing and unsealing, before and after polling, before and after counting.

In an interview to The Hindu, former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said, " all political parties have raised doubts over the EVMs at one time or another but kept quiet when they won instead of eating their words. It's the voter who needs to be conveyed the facts," he said.
The allegations of Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal over the possibility of Electoronic Voting Machines being tampered in the assembly elections has led to a debate on the functioning of these machines.

On the day elections results were out, Mayawati alleged that the BJP had tampered the voting machines as the party had surprisingly won seats in Muslim-dominated areas.

Now, even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken a cue from BSP supremo and expressed reservations about electronic voting machines and sought the use of ballot papers in the upcoming civic body polls in the national capital.

"It is because of EVM tampering that 20 to 25 percent vote share for AAP was transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance," Kejriwal alleged. "Election Commission should count slips of VVPAT (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail) and match it with figures from EVM results," he said.

Both Mayawati and Kejriwal could just be bitter losers as the Election Comission has a detailed explanation on the merits of EVMs. Here's what it says:



Booth-capturing threats are lesser with EVMs than ballot paper:

Election Commission of India or ECI says that the EVMs are programmed in such a way that the machines will record only five votes in a minute. As recording of votes has necessarily to be through Control Unit and Balloting Unit, whatever be the number of miscreants they can record vote only at the rate of 5 per minute. In the case of ballot papers, the miscreants can distribute all the 1000 odd ballot papers assigned to a polling station, among themselves, stamp them, stuff them into the ballot boxes and run away before the police reinforcements reach. In half-an-hour, the miscreants can record only a maximum of 150 votes by which time, chances are the police reinforcement would have arrived. Further, the presiding Officer or one of the Polling Officers can always press the "close" button as soon as they see some intruders inside the polling station. It will not be possible to record any vote when once the 'close' button is pressed and this will frustrate the efforts of the booth-capturers.



No possibility of recording votes after close of the poll and before the counting:

ECI explains that as soon as the last voter casts vote, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit presses the 'Close' Button. Thereafter, the EVM does not accept any vote. Further, after the close of poll, the Balloting Unit is disconnected from the Control Unit and kept separately. Votes can be recorded only through the Balloting Unit. Again the Presiding officer, at the close of the poll, hands over to each polling agent present an account of votes recorded. At the time of counting of votes, the total votes are tallied with this account.



Favor to any particular candidate not possible:

Election Commission writes that the microchip used in EVMs is sealed at the time of import. It cannot be opened and any rewriting of program can be done by anyone without damaging the chip. There is, therefore, absolutely no chance of programming the EVMs in a particular way to select any particular candidate or political party.



EVMs are easy to use for illiterate voters:

Voting by EVMs is simpler compared to the conventional system, where one has to put the voting mark on or near the symbol of the candidate of his choice, fold it first vertically and then horizontally and thereafter put it into the ballot box. In EVMs, the voter has to simply press the blue button against the candidate and symbol of his choice and the vote is recorded. Rural and illiterate people had no difficulty in recording their votes and, in fact they have welcomed the use of EVMs.



EVMs are quick and cost efficient:

Election Commission says that the printing of millions of ballot papers can be dispensed with, as only one ballot paper is required for fixing on the Balloting Unit at each polling station instead of one ballot paper for each individual elector. This results in huge savings by way of cost of paper, printing, transportation, storage and distribution. Secondly, counting is very quick and the result can be declared within 2 to 3 hours as compared to 30-40 hours, on an average, under the conventional system.



No invalid votes under EVMs:

ECI says that there are no invalid votes under the system of voting under EVMs. It also says that in every General Election, the number of invalid votes is more than the winning margin between the winning candidate and the second candidate, in a number of constituencies. To this extent, the choice of the electorate will be more correctly reflected when EVMs are used.



Easy to transport:

ECI says that it is easier to transport the EVMs compared to ballot boxes as EVMs are lighter, portable and come with polypropylene carrying cases.
Tata Motors will offer voluntary retirement scheme to trim staff costs as part of restructuring although the number of employees that will be offered the option is still being worked out.

Tata Motors confirms that as part of the on-going organisation effectiveness project, where we have already finalised the top two levels (L1-L2) of our management structure, a proposal on VRS package has been presented and approved by the board, a Tata Motors Spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

While it has been speculated that the number of employees to be offered VRS could be around 500, the spokesperson declined to confirm saying it is still in discussion stage. Since the exercise for selecting L3-L5 (levels) is still underway, it is premature for us to comment on any other specifics at this point of time, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said: As part of the restructuring, we have also identified roles, which are best located in a central, common service structure, providing service across the company through optimised and efficient processes. To facilitate this, number of roles distributed currently across the company are being relocated in the GDC (Global Delivery Centre).

Earlier this month, Tata Motors said that it is in talks with the world's largest auto maker Volkswagen for a possible partnership.

The company is exploring various opportunities, including partnership in its new advanced modular platform (AMP) development, possibilities of a joint venture or a contract manufacturing with the German auto major, in its bid to scale up.

Explaining the rationale behind such a move, Tata Motors CEO & MD Guenter Butschek said although the company has set sights on becoming among the top three passenger vehicle makers in India by 2019, it might not be enough to get the scale up effects.
Most Indian cities are way below international standards in the quality of living and a reputed annual survey has just corroborated the fact. So, it is hardly a surprise that our big cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad find themselves close to the bottom of the rankings in the Mercer 2017 Quality of Living Index

The national capital New Delhi performed badly for second year in a row with a global ranking of 161st, while Hyderabad, the best among Indian cities, ranked low globally with 144th rank.

Last year, Hyderabad was on 139th spot in the survey.



Headquartered in New York, Mercer is the world's largest human resources consulting firm.

"The survey highlights that Indian cities that have been part of the survey haven't made much progress on the quality of living scale since last year," according to Ruchika Pal, Principal and India Practice Leader, Global Mobility, Mercer.

Pune and Bengaluru also slipped one spot to 145 and 146 respectively in this year's ranking.

Meanwhile, with a constant score, New Delhi continued to rank lowest. The capital got 161st spot.

According to the report, Mumbai ranked at 154th spot followed by Kolkata (149) and Pune (151).



Vienna claimed the top spot in eighth year in a row.



Singapore topped the city infrastructure ranking, followed by Frankfurt and Munich both in 2nd place. Baghdad (230) and Port au Prince (231) were at the bottom in city infrastructure, the report said.



Meanwhile, among Indian cities, Bangalore ranked 177, in terms of city infrastructure.

Mercer's authoritative survey is one of the world's most comprehensive and is conducted annually to enable multinational companies and other organisations to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments. In addition to valuable data, Mercer's Quality of Living surveys provide hardship premium recommendations for over 450 cities throughout the world; this year's ranking includes 231 of these cities.




In a remarkable feat for a class X student, three students from jaipur have received funding of Rs 3 crore for their start-up 'Infusion Beverages', The Times of India reported.

Chetanya Golechha, Mrigank Gujjar and Utsav Jain of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur first pitched the idea, then found an investor and saw their product turn a reality in less than a year.

The students' startup plan is to make preservative-less flavoured water without sugar and soda.

The students had done most of their research on Google before seeking their parents' permission to go ahead with the plan.

ALSO READ: Travel startup Stayzilla CEO Yogendra Vasupal arrested over cheating charges



"We carried out intense research on Google to prepare a healthy drink without sugar and soda. But soon we realized that turning an idea into reality is not easy when you are a minor," Gujjar, who is one of the students involved in the start up, told the Times of India.

The students also faced legal hurdles as documents are needed to begin a start up and as kids they did not have any.

"Procuring the licence, necessary permissions from the food department and approval from FSSAI, are a herculean task. As we were minors our parents sought the permission on our behalf," Gujjar said.

By January, the trio had sold 8,000 bottles of flavoured water-kewra, rose and bel flavours through business to business mode.
Budget carrier IndiGo on Tuesday added Sharjah as its sixth international destination with daily non-stop flights from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.

The Sharjah-Kozhikode flight service will start from March 20 and the Sharjah-Thiruvananthapuram service will be effective from April 8, the airline said in a statement.

"With rising business and tourism stemming from the Gulf market, IndiGo (6E) is determined to provide the best travel experience to all those who wish to fly to these destinations.

We are looking at providing affordable fares on these new routes for 6E travellers," Sanjay Kumar, Chief Commercial Officer, IndiGo told reporters in Sharjah.

With its fleet of 126 Airbus A320 family aircraft, the airline now operates 884 daily flights connecting 44 destinations.

The international destinations of the budget carrier include Bangkok, Dubai, Kathmandu, Muscat, Sharjah and Singapore.
"We are addressing the queries and working with partners to resolve the issues," says Palash Roy Chowdhury, managing director (India) for Pratt & Whitney (P&W) dismissing the criticism around its controversial PW1100G engine that's powering some Airbus A320neo aircraft of IndiGo and GoAir.

There are billions of dollars at stake for P&W, the US-based aerospace engine maker, after its engine - PW1100G - based on geared turbofan (GTF) technology started developing snags one after the other. "Indian carriers have been early adopters of this technology," says Chowdhury.

A series of incidents over the past two months has raised doubts on the safety of P&W engines. According to reports, there are six incidents involving A320neos using P&W engines which have developed glitches, including a fire on the tail of a GoAir flight. Following which, the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered boroscopic inspection of 21 Airbus A320neos (IndiGo's 16 and GoAir's 5).

The boroscopic inspection is expected to be completed in four days (by March 19). Sources say that the problems have cropped up due to harsh environment conditions in the country.

P&W's Chowdhury says that the typical lifecycle of such a programme (read: GFT technology) is about 30 years, and the technology has just finished its first year. "It's a new technology. The engine was commercially launched January last year with Lufthansa. The GTF technology is being delivered to 13 customers, and powering over 100 engines currently. There's a continuous improvement process for our programmes," he adds.

Currently, there are two major concerns with the engine - distress in a carbon-air seal for No. 3 bearing and degradation of combustion chambers. "The bearing problem will be addressed in a few weeks whereas the combustion chambers issue will be fixed in the next round of upgrade by September this year. As we implement solutions, the problems will go away," says Chowdhury.

In the meantime, P&W has arranged for spare engines in order to avoid inconvenience to its customers. Nearly half of the fleet equipped with PW1100G engines are operating in India at the moment.

Developed over the past 10 years with a total cost of $10 billion, the GTF engine was supposed to benefit airlines enormously. The engine has lower noise footprint (75 per cent less), consumes 16 per cent less fuel and reduces regulated emissions by 50 per cent. The parts of the engine is manufactured across different parts of the world and assembled in three locations - Connecticut, Florida and Germany. P&W has about 8,000 pending orders for engines based on GTF technology.

In the aviation history, engine-related snags are rare. However, airlines in India have faced engineering and equipment-related issues in the past. Boieng 787 Dreamliner, flown by Air India, had encountered 44 major engineering faults between 2012 and 2014, as per DGCA reports. Recently, Vijay Mallya, the head of now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines has blamed P&W's group firm IAE for supplying defective engines which led to the fall of the airline.
I am a Cat Woman. My self-appointed mission in life is to save the feline world! To accomplish this mission, I get cats fixed. Perhaps my mission might be slightly delusional. This blog is a mishmash of wishful thinking, rants, experiences as I remember them and of course, cat stories and cat photos. I have a nonprofit now, to help keep the cats here cared for and to fix community cats. Happy Cat Club formed in 2015. Currently, we are on a mission to fix 10,000 cats.
The <a href=http://bearrivergyc.blogspot.com/>Bear River Governing Youth Council</a> (GYC) will take to the streets on Thursday, March 16, with a Chalk the Walk activity in support of national <a href=https://www.kickbuttsday.org/>Kick Butts Day</a>. The event takes place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the <a href=http://www.brhd.org/>Bear River Health Departments</a> Cache County office, located at 655 E. 1300 N. in Logan.

BreeAnn Silcox, a BRHD health educator who advises the GYC, said the activity is an opportunity for Cache and Box Elder county students to speak up against big tobacco marketing practices that target youth. Using sidewalk chalk as their medium, members of the council will share messages promoting prevention and cessation.

Kick Butts Day (officially March 15) is an annual day of activism and awareness sponsored by the <a href=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/>Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids</a>. On Kick Butts Day, kids stand up to the tobacco industry, and our nations leaders must stand with them, said the organizations president, Matthew Myers, in a statement released by the campaign. Elected officials at all levels should support proven strategies that prevent youth tobacco use, including higher tobacco taxes, strong smoke-free laws, funding prevention programs and raising the tobacco age to 21.

According to Kick Butts Day coordinators, tobacco use in Utah claims 1,300 lives each year and costs $542 million in preventable healthcare expenses. Currently, 4.4 percent of Utahs high school students smoke, and many more are vulnerable given the tobacco industrys increased marketing of e-cigarettes and cigars flavored like gummy bears, cotton candy and fruit punch.

Weve made great strides in reducing youth smoking, said Myers, but candy-flavored products threaten this progress. We need strong FDA regulation to protect kids from these sweet-flavored products.

Reflecting the theme Speaking Truth for the Unspoken, the Bear River GYCs efforts will draw attention to the impacts tobacco use and tobacco industry marketing have on individuals and families. Adviser Annie Parker said the GYC plans to emphasize positive messages that facilitate community empowerment.

You know, adults often make choices for young people, she said, and this is an opportunity for the youth to take the issues that they see in their schools and their communities, the things theyre seeing firsthand, and its an opportunity for them to share their voice and their message.

More information about national Kick Butts Day is available at <a href=http://www.kickbuttsday.org/>www.kickbuttsday.org</a> and <a href=http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/>www.tobaccofreekids.org</a>.

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jennifer@cvradio.com
Dutch elections: The rift at the heart of Europe

Published on March 15, 2017

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Today the Dutch people will vote for their new leaders. Both the campaign and its outcome will have important consequences at both the national and European level; creating divisions and elicitng a huge political shake-up. [OPINION]

The history of the Netherlands is built on divisions. Its society has been built on contrasting pillars; be they Protestant, Catholic, or liberal. But today, these pillars which have held up the Dutch people for years don't feel quite so solid: the country is largely secular, and the country has seen the arrival of a foreign population that (in the eyes of many) has failed to properly integrate.

These divisions are echoed in Hollands political parties: there are no less than 28 parties battling it out in the parliamentary elections. They include one defending animals, and another defending over-50s. And this political dissolution has brought about another phenomenon, seen in several countries across Europe: the weakening of traditional parties. Like the ruling People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), whose dwindling power has kickstarted huge shifts in the Dutch political landscape.

The other big shift in the Netherlands - as in the rest of Europe - is the rise of extreme, populist parties; incarnated here by Geert Wilders. The leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) has carried his party to second place in the polls almost single-handedly. His rhetoric, equal parts nationalist, xenophobic and Eurosceptic, has landed him in hot water with Dutch judges; notably for his comments against Moroccan nationals living in Holland.

But these elections are being played out not just on a national level but a continental one, a symptom of a much larger division. The redefinition of the political spectrum has brought to light a clear rift among the Dutch electorat; between Wilders' PVV, which promises to try and leave the European Union - a 'Nexit', if you will - and fiercely pro-EU parties like the green party GroenLinks or the more centrist Liberals. The Netherlands is splitting in two - one half determined to save itself from drowing in European bureaucracy, the other half wanting to open itself to the rest of the world.

The rise of the extreme right in Holland can't be explained by economic factors. The Netherlands was hit hard by the 2008 economic crisis, but recovered faster and stronger than most - now it boasts an unemployment rate of less than 6% and and almost 2% growth. What's happening is a profound interrogation of Dutch identity and culture, particularly regarding the country's place in Europe. But while these questions are being posed out loud today, they've been on people's minds for several years. We mustn't forget that the Netherlands refused to ratify a treaty on a European constitution in 2005, as well as an agreement on trade with Ukraine.

Today, as well as choosing their new members of Parliament, the Dutch people must decide what future they want for Europe: stick to the status quo that they've known for decades, or go with Geert Wilders and reject the established order entirely.

Story by Marie Tanche

Translated from Pays-Bas : la division au coeur de l'Europe
The Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences Wind Ensemble, under the direction of David Butler, has been selected for a huge honor.

The ensemble will head to New York this weekend to join just six other bands from across the country for the annual Symphonic Series at Carnegie on Monday.



This makes it one of the only high school bands from the state of Tennessee to ever perform in Carnegie Hall.



A preview concert will be held on Thursday, at 5 p.m. in Creed Bates Auditorium at CSAS.



This concert is free and open to the public.



Music to be performed will include works by Dello Joio, Dukas, Goto, Sousa, and Verdi.


Dr. Bill Seymour, president of Cleveland State Community College, will lead a team of college colleagues in a presentation at 2017s first quarterly Food for Thought membership luncheon on Thursday, March 23, at noon at the Chamber of Commerce.



The Cleveland State team will talk about the 50th anniversary of the community college and plans for the next 50 years.



The Chambers Small Business Committee offers the Food for Thought programs to provide a menu of diverse topics of interest to the community. Influential individuals, and local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, supported the campaign to establish a site in Cleveland in the early 60s once the state decided to establish three community colleges in Tennessee.



"Following a successful campaign, Cleveland State became a major force in the community in a short time. Enrollment increased steadily, and new course offerings and degree programs were added continually to meet the needs of both students and area business and industry. Skilled and community-oriented instructors were drawn to the challenges of a new concept in education as well as the opportunity of working in an attractive area," officials said.



Dr. Seymour, who became Cleveland State president in 2014, will lead the discussion about the 50th anniversary of the college, along with recent developments and future plans to increase its viability in the community.



A strong proponent of community colleges, Dr. Seymour believes in their mission. I think community colleges are fulfilling a need that is essential to our society and economy, he said. I like the idea that we provide an opportunity for everybody. Being an open door college is both a challenge and a blessing that is exciting. We can give every student an opportunity for an education and a future. Not all schools can say that.



The first-quarter Food for Thought Dutch-treat luncheon will take place at the Chamber of Commerce, with reservations required to facilitate room setup and food. Call the Chamber at 423-472-6587 to make your reservation, or visit the events calendar on the Chambers website, www.clevelandchamber.com, by Tuesday, March 21.



Members who have paid their 2017 membership investment and would like to use some of their admission credits to attend, should call the Chamber office to register.
Vincent Ndumu, Government Delegate Bamenda City Council Wilson MUSA

The Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council, Vincent NDUMU NJI, has urged traders in Bamenda major markets nit to respect ghost town days but to go about their usual activities.

He made the call Tuesday March 14, 2017 at the City Council hall during a crisis meeting held to discuss way forward after a fire incident ravaged close to 60 shops in the market.

According to Vincent NDUMU, ghost town is helping to paralyze activities of traders who are supposed to be preoccupied on how to expand their businesses. He also urged all traders to send their children to school and forget about school boycott because they are putting the education of their children on the balance.

The Bamenda Government Delegate during the meeting reiterated that the fire incident was perpetrated by those people who do not want children to go back to school. His suspicion is based on tracks which are said to have been circulated Monday warning traders who continue to boycott ghost town days.

To Vincent NDUMU people should not be obeying leaders they cannot see. He said if the Government had succeeded to take Bakassi from Nigeria, defeat Boko Haram, then it would be able to track down perpetrators of the act.

During the enlarged meeting with victims of the fire incident and market Masters of some major markets, Vincent NDUMU NJI promised that the burnt shops will be reconstructed within three months and that the new ones will be modernized.

The fire incident occurred early Tuesday ravaging about 60 shops, it was only contained by army rescue unit and even police who used water Canons to quench the inferno.

By Wilson MUSA
| BY Lynchy |

Last night George Patterson celebrated 75 years since first opening its doors on Remembrance Day, 1934. The venue was the Establishment which was actually the companys first premises. Here are a few pics from the evening.
| BY Lynchy |

C B Exclusive  McCann today announced the promotion of Australias John Mescall to the new role of global executive creative director.

Mescall is currently executive creative director of McCann Australia, a position he has held since October 2011. Mescall will relocate to New York in the coming months and join recently announced Global ECDs James Dawson-Hollis and Bill Wright as part of McCann Worldgroup Global Creative Chairman Rob Reillys initiative to strengthen the agencys creative leadership.

Johns all talent and no ego and he has helped lead McCann Australia to become one of the best agencies in the world. John now has the opportunity to magnify what he does on a global stage. I am certain that Johns reputation for delivering stellar work will be a magnet for recruiting the best and brightest to McCann, said Reilly.

Under Mescalls leadership, McCann Australia has quickly become one of Australias most dynamic and most awarded agencies. Prior to joining McCann, Mescall was partner and executive creative director of SMART (which was acquired by McCann Worldgroup in 2011), one of the most successful and progressive independent agencies in Australia.

A writer and creative director, Mescall has won more than 30 Cannes Lions, including 5 Grand Prix for Metro Trains Dumb Ways to Die and in 2014 1 Grand Prix for Creative Effectiveness for V/Line. His other awards include: Black and Yellow Pencils at D&AD, Best of Show at The One Show, and multiple Clio and Webby awards. Mescalls work has also been featured in TEDs Ads Worth Spreading initiative, the only Australian work to ever be selected.

Its a seriously exciting time at McCann, said Mescall. The opportunity to work closely with Rob was just too big not to take, and were very aligned on the kind of work we seek to do. He has a very ambitious agenda for the network and wants creativity to permeate everything we do. The move allows me to leverage my experience, and I look forward to playing a bigger role in our collective future.

Said Ben Lilley, chairman and CEO of McCann Australia; We are ecstatic for John  and equally so for Pat and Dejan  and the fantastic opportunities this move creates for all three.

Its a wonderful endorsement of the world-class creative output our entire Australian operation has been producing over the past two years. In Pat and Dejan we now have two of Australias most awarded ECDs leading our creative output. And I am incredibly excited for what they will be able to achieve together and working with John in his global role.

McCann Australia has quickly become one of Australias most dynamic and awarded agencies under the creative leadership of Mescall and Baron and with the recent addition of Rasic. The agency was most awarded in the world in 2013 with more than 200 trophies across 15 globally recognised campaigns, including Dumb Ways To Die for Metro Trains, Impossible Orchestra for the federal government, Guilt Trips for V/Line and the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundations 100-Day Challenge. Prior to joining McCann, Mescall was partner and executive creative director of SMART (which was acquired by McCann Worldgroup in 2011), one of the most successful and progressive independent agencies in Australia.
| BY Ricki Green |

Experience is something to be valued; thats the message from DDB Group Melbourne in a new brand platform for Apia.

The new brand platform, Because we know you know centres around Apias understanding of its customers wisdom and is currently being rolled out across Australia. The platform supports a TV campaign, a Facebook campaign, multiple press, outdoor, digital display and radio executions, plus over 60 dynamically created YouTube bumpers. The bumpers utilise Googles Vogon platform and feature brand messages targeted to users video search preferences.

The TV campaign playfully sends up the inexperience of youth. Each spot features a musical band of 50-somethings quietly observing scenes that display a distinct lack of wisdom. Throughout each spot the band sing a cover of Ooh-la-la by The Faces, a track whose chorus is, I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger and it acts as a mnemonic for the campaign. Other channels are used to deliver pearls of wisdom that relate to Apias product offering.

Says Jim Ritchie, CD, DDB Group, Melbourne: The over-fifties market is not only one of the broadest, its also perhaps the most misrepresented. We were keen to move the advertising away from a staid category offering, reliant on holding a mirror to its audience, to brand capable of existing within culture  and wisdom provides the perfect platform to do just that. To use the old adage, we didnt want to teach our audience to suck eggs; rather celebrate their wisdom in a light-hearted and memorable way.

The campaign stems directly from Apias rewarding experience philosophy.

Says Travis Hughes, manager, Apia Marketing: At Apia we know whilst everyone is different, the one thing over 50s have in common is the experience of life, which deserves to be recognised and valued. This new brand platform is an opportunity for Apia to tip its hat to the wisdom and experience of our customers and demonstrate why were exclusively for over 50s in a creatively engaging way.

The new brand campaign is currently in the middle of its roll out, and will evolve into an always on strategy over the coming months.

Agency  DDB Group, Melbourne

Group Creative Director  Jim Ritchie

Creative Director  Andrew Fish Fisher

Art Director  Becky Morris

Copywriter  Anna Yates

Copywriter  Locki Choi

Head of Onscreen  Tuesday Picken

Senior Producer  Jo Alach / Sophie Simmons (Post Production)

Managing Director, Track  Tess Doughty

Senior Client Lead  Angela Bishop

Executive Planning Director  Ian Forth

Senior Planner  Rob Martyn-Wilde

Account Manager  Stuart Smith

Managing Director, Mango  Rebecca Ahern

Head of PR  Amanda Sheat

Head of Social  Penelope Lipsham

Senior Social Media Manager  Stephanie Grapsas

Account Executive  Sian Salmon

Production Company  Goodoil Films

Director  Abe Forsythe

Executive Producer  Simon Thomas

Producer  Jodi Matterson / Llew Griffiths

DOP  Lachlan Milne

Editor  Drew Thompson, Arc Edit

Grade  Martin Greer, The Refinery

Online Edit  Chris Reynolds, The Refinery

Music Supervision  Karl Richter, Level 2 Music

Composition  Electric Dreams Studio

Casting  Stevie Ray, McGregor Casting

Sound Mixing  Phil Kenihan @ Front of House

Tim Hernadi  Head of Brand Marketing, Suncorp

Travis Hughes  Manager, Apia Marketing

Nick Coombe  Marketing Manager, Customer Sales

Jade Thomas  Marketing Specialist
| BY Lynchy |

CB Exclusive  Campaign Brief can reveal that McCann Melbournes Pat Baron has been named national chief creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup Australia, a role that has remained unfilled since John Mescalls move to become Global Executive Creative Director at McCann Worldgroup in New York in June 2014.

Speaking of the move from New York, Rob Reilly, Global Creative Chairman at McCann Worldgroup said: In my three years at McCann, Ive loved seeing the steady stream of world-class work coming out of Australia. Its because I have a world-class creative boss there: Pat. I trust Pat to always do the right thing. And that is what I value most. McCann Australias success is due in a huge part to his hard work and dedication to making McCann a special place.

Also from New York, Mescall added: This is great news for McCann. Pat is one of our very best: an intuitive, intelligent and exceptionally passionate creative leader who genuinely and deeply cares about the quality of the work and just as importantly, the success of our clients. Having been lucky enough to have worked closely with Pat for several years, I know McCann Australias creative fortunes are in great hands. Well done, Pat.

Since Barons return to McCann Melbourne in 2012, McCann has made Australian history as the worlds most awarded agency in the The Gunn Report, Won Report and AdAgeAwards Report, for campaigns including V/Line Guilt Trips, the Australian Governments Impossible Orchestra and Dumb Ways to Die. The most awarded campaign in history, Dumb Ways to Die featured in both the AdAge Top 15 Ad Campaigns and Gunn Report 20 Best Commercials of the 21st Century. Barons Lion-winning work has since included campaigns for Tigerair, Melbourne International Film Festival and even the creation a new English word  Phubbing  for Macquarie Dictionary. During his tenure, McCann Melbourne has also been named Agency of The Year by Campaign Brief, D&AD, London International, Spikes Asia, Campaign Asia and AWARD. And top Australian agency in the World Advertising Research Centre, APAC Effies, Asian Marketing Effectiveness & Strategy and Australian Creative Effectiveness Awards.

Talking exclusively to CB, McCanns Ben Lilley  pictured above left with Baron at the 2016 Cannes Lions  said: Pats creative record speaks for itself. In his new role, hell help ensure the ongoing excellence and effectiveness of our creative product nationally across each McCann Worldgroup Australia entity. Today this includes McCann, McCann Health, SMART, MRM and The Red Republic, headed by a brilliant team of creative leaders including Matt Lawson in Melbourne, Jerker Fagerstrom and June Laffey in Sydney and Ben Davis in Queensland, so I couldnt be more excited by our national creative line-up. In my regional role as McCann Worldgroup APAC Creative Leadership Chair, Pat has also been a great support and will continue to help us craft and elevate our creative product across the Asia Pacific region.

Baron added: Ben, Rob, John and [McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific President] Charles [Cadell] have all been incredibly supportive and Im thrilled to be part of their creative vision for the future. Ive been fortunate enough to work with the dynamic-duo of Adrian Mills and Matt Lawson in Melbourne. Now having admired Jerker, Ben D, June and their teams for a long time, its an honour to work with them during this exciting time of growth at McCann.

Pat and I first worked together just on 20 years ago as a writer/art-director team, at McCann Melbourne no less, Lilley added. We produced some great work as a creative team then. And have now enjoyed another 5 great years as a leadership team since we each returned to McCann. Over this time, weve seen both the Melbourne office and our national network double in size and collect countless creative accolades. This is due in no small part to Pats creative output, which has seen him awarded at every major international award show over the past 5 years. I couldnt be more pleased for Pat.

In 2014 Baron was named ANZ Creative Of The Year Australia by Campaign Asia Pacific. And in 2015 he was the first ever recipient of the Creative Of The Year award at the Australian Creative & Effectiveness Awards. In 2016 Baron ranked as one of Gunns top 50 CCOs in the world. He has also actively supported the industry on award juries for CANNES (Film), the ONE SHOW (Film) the New York Festivals (Film), SPIKES Asia (Film, Print, Outdoor, Radio and Print Craft), AWARD (Promotion and Experiential, PR and Media), Sirens, is an AWARD School judge and an Australian Creative & Effectiveness Awards ADMA AC&E jury president.

Under Reilly, McCann globally has seen a creative resurgence, ranking as the Gunn Reports second most awarded creative network in the world in 2016. This was the second straight year in which McCanns global Gunn ranking jumped significantly, with the network rising from No. 9 in 2014 to No. 5 worldwide in 2015. McCanns move up the Gunn rankings followed its similar rise to the number 2 position in Ad Ages 2017 Agency A-List. The Gunn Report also saw McCann retain its global position as the number 2 most awarded network in digital creativity, with McCann New Yorks Field Trip to Mars virtual reality campaign for Lockheed Martin registering as the third most awarded individual digital campaign in the world. Additionally, McCann Londons live event Survival Billboard for Microsoft Xboxs Tomb Raider video game was recognized as 2016s single most awarded print/ out of home campaign in the world. The Xbox and Lockheed Martin creative work both scored among the Top 10 campaigns overall, and four McCann Worldgroup agencies were ranked in the Top 50.
| BY Ricki Green |

Heineken has announced details of an Australian-first innovative media activation, designed to connect with consumers in the lead up to the 2017 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. This will be the first local event to mark Heinekens new major strategic global partnership with Formula 1.

Heineken and JCDecaux have partnered to create specially designed, live streaming interactive billboards that utilise innovative real-time video technology, enabling Heineken to provide an immersive and truly connected experience for consumers. The billboards will be positioned in strategic high-footfall CBD locations in Perth (Murray Street), Brisbane (Reddacliff Place) and Sydney (Martin Place) and will communicate with passers-by in real time, offering them the chance to win the ultimate Heineken Saturday VIP experience. In Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) consumers will have the chance to instantly win tickets to Heineken Saturday.

A Heineken hostess will interact with consumers, who will have to prove their worth to win a VIP Heineken Saturday experience at the 2017 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. To help drive awareness and interaction with the campaign, Heineken has appointed Olena Khamula, former The Bachelor star and model to lead the search to find a select group of consumers who have what it takes to get onto Heinekens VIP guest list.

Says Nada Steel, marketing manager, Heineken Lion Australia: This exciting and innovative media launch was the result of a collaborative process, working together to bring Heinekens progressive brand values to life. We wanted to create an idea that would excite our audience and deliver an innovative and memorable experience for consumers.

By bringing an Australian-first interactive live video stream media panel activation to the Australian public, we are confident of creating a high level of excitement worthy of launching our Heineken Formula 1 partnership.

Heineken is supporting the More Than A Race campaign with a significant brand investment. The through-the-line campaign includes TV, out of home advertising, innovative outdoor billboards, digital support, on and off premise activity and experiential brand activations. Heinekens experiential activity includes a consumer activation cube at Fatto Bar & Cantina in Melbourne and the much-anticipated debut of Heineken Saturday, headlined by award winning UK super group Rudimental and local artist Hayden James.

Zenith Opti: Media

JCDecaux: OOH Supplier

Momentum: Creative & Experiential
| BY Kim Shaw |

Ad Stars is inviting agencies, creatives, production companies, students and advertising enthusiasts from all over the world to submit their entries to the 10th Ad Stars Awards before 15th June 2017.

With more than 20,000 entries anticipated in 2017 from over 70 countries, Ad Stars is the biggest advertising awards show in Asia and the only festival with a US$10,000 cash prize for Grand Prix of the Year winners.

Established in 2008, Ad Stars will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Busan, South Korea, from 24th to 26th August. With the theme Creativity +-xTechnology, Ad Stars 2017 will commemorate this 10th birthday milestone with no less than five separate conferences and events coming together at Bexco (Busan Exhibition and Conference Centre).

Ad Stars has partnered with AFAA (Asian Federation of Advertising Associations), and will host the AFAA Forum as part of this years festival. The AFAA forum will delve into Asian advertising industry trends and issues and bring AdAsia and DigiAsia  two biannual AFAA events  to South Korea. During Ad Stars 2017, delegates from the AFAA will meet to discuss the future development strategy of the Asian advertising industry.

The Ad Stars 10th anniversary program will also explore trends in advertising and digital marketing related to the fourth industrial revolution, which has become a hot topic globally over the past year, while in Bexcos public exhibition area, Ad Stars will celebrate the history of the festival over the past decade.

Says Eui Ja Lee, co-chair of the Ad Stars executive committee: One of the big differences at Ad Stars is its openness. We welcome entries 365 days a year, online and offline, and it is free to enter Ad Stars  these are the two secrets to the festivals growth. We continue to evolve, and our 10th anniversary program will be our biggest and bravest yet.

Ad Stars has also unveiled a bold new identity  a bright, colourful star, which represents the vibrancy of the global creative and technology sectors, and was designed by award-winning design agency Oricom in Seoul.

Says Hwan Jin Choi, co-chairs, Ad Stars executive committee: When Ad Stars launched in 2008, it was our vision was to create a truly democratic festival where everyone with an interesting creative idea can win  even non-professionals. This model has proven to be a huge success, and AD STARS is one of the fastest growing creative festivals in the world. We would like to thank Oricom for designing an identity that reflects the vibrancy of our 10th anniversary program.

To enter Ad Stars 2017, click here.
photo by Evan Thibold photo by Evan Thibold photo by Evan Thibold Monica Zappa photo by Evan Thibold Monica Zappa photo by Evan Thibold photo by Evan Thibold photo by Evan Thibold Previous Next

In a weird twist of fate, I happened to meet and snag some photos of a Chattanooga sponsored Iditarod team.

After a business trip 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska during a winter festival called Fur Rendezvous. I decided this is a unique opportunity worth taking a few vacation days to experience and explore Alaska.

Next thing I know, I am renting a car to go dog sledding in Talkeetna and driving six more hours through the Denali National Park under the northern lights. After a soak in Chena Hot Springs and a night on the town in Fairbanks with a friend from five years ago, I bolted back to Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race and for the Running of The Reindeer.

I grabbed my camera and headed downtown from the hostel to the sound of barking dogs. While being the complete tourist I am, I walked right to where the action was without regard to the crowds or security. And, because I was happy to see so many dogs, I wasnt paying attention. So there I am surrounded by over a thousand dogs in the main street of Anchorage taking as many photos as possible.

Teams from all over the world travel to Alaska to get a chance to compete in The Worlds Last Great Race where one musher and his/her 16 best dogs traverse across Alaskas treacherous conditions for 1,000 miles. A musher usually trains anywhere from 30-60 dogs in order to pick the 16 with the ideal personalities to take the journey. Once in Anchorage, you can feel the energy and anticipation. You can also hear it because the dogs will not stop barking until the second they are turned loose to run.

I took notice to one team in particular for two reasons. First was obvious, you couldnt miss her. Monica Zappa of Team 58 is sporting the flashiest sled and snow suit of all the teams. Watching her and her helpers prepare for their start time was entertaining because they were so happy to be there to share the experience with everyone. The second reason was also obvious, the eyes of one of the lead dogs. While this blue-eyed leader was waiting for his team to be strung behind him I had a chance to grab some photos. Turns out, his name is Blue Steel, fitting for a tough dog to have in the lead.

Not every dog is a lead dog. Mushers must decide which dogs to bring based on their age, muscle build, and personalities. For example, if you put a non-lead dog in the front of the line, it will simply sit there no matter how many other dogs in the back try to run. Another example of working with a dogs unique personality is the tendency for some dogs to run towards one direction. If one dog likes to run slightly to one direction he may hug the snow drifts and could add speed to the team, but this might not be a good thing if you are in Siberia where the snow blows a different direction from the sea. In addition, if the lead dog wants to run faster than the ideal pace, this could end disastrously in a long distance race where endurance is key. The ideal pace is 9 mph and, if the team is not prepared, any additional speed positive or negative could mean you end up not finishing. The goal is all about the team and knowing the limits of each of the members.

Meeting Monica and her dogs was a quick and nice experience. I snagged a few photos and soon realized I was the only person not wearing a special armband. The entire morning I had been photographing and meeting mushers while being the only person without a special handlers or press pass with access to the teams. It appears like I knew what I was doing because no one said anything to me and Monica herself happened to get out a sign and pose for some photos with Blue Steel.

Later that night, I boarded my flight back home to Chattanooga and posted a few photos to Facebook. My little cousins class in New York happens to be following the race. I told him I would post pictures of my favorite team. When I went to find out how Team 58 was doing in the race I could not believe my eyes. An article from the Chattanoogan about Team 58 and Team Headrick was the first thing to pop up in the search. Two local doctors from Chattanooga had decided to sponsor Monica and her dogs for the 2017 Iditarod.

It is a small world we live in and great opportunities will find you if you seek them. Dr. Headrick and Dr. Portera decided Monica and her team were ready for a great challenge just like the challenges they face every day practicing medicine. I was lucky enough to have a chance to meet the team in a serendipitous encounter. Good luck to Team 58 and Team Headrick for representing Chattanooga. Remember Monica, if you look like a winner, you are a winner.





-Evan Thibaud

ertzq8@mst.edu





http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/1/24/340396/Dr.-Rob-Headrick-Announces-Sponsorship.aspx
"We've got the Commonwealth and NSW in our backyard so we need to make sure we're up to date with at least those jurisdictions, without necessarily over-egging it or overdoing it, we don't really want to be the leader in the pack but we do want to be competitive."
Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State students, Isabel Huisman and Emily Thomas, each received a $3,000 scholarship at the ACE Mentor Program Awards banquet. The Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program mentors high school students and inspires them to pursue careers in design, construction, and engineering. It is the construction industrys fastest-growing high school mentoring program reaching more than 8,000 students. ACE scholarship recipients must show creative and critical thinking skills, demonstrate leadership qualities, and display a positive attitude and initiative.

Emily is currently on track to graduate from Collegiate High at Chattanooga State with an A.A.S. in Digital Media Design, with a concentration in Web Design. She plans to use the ACE scholarship from DBS Corporation to help complete her bachelors degree in Computer Engineering at UTC this fall. I will be entering college with experience that many students dont have, thanks to the ACE mentor program, says Emily. DBS Corporation is a Tennessee-based general contractor specializing in commercial and retail construction throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic United States.

Collegiate High helped Isabel Huisman to graduate from high school a semester early in December 2016 with a 3.9 GPA. She also was able to gain some college credits in her core classes to put her ahead. Isabel plans on using her ACE scholarship from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to help pay for her bachelors degree in Interior Design. My passion is to create the best environments for any purpose to help people produce their best work and feel their best. she says. AIA Chattanooga is the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects, a national professional organization with more than 90,000 members.
Atlantic Link will be built close to the University of Ulster in Coleraine and is the first carrier-neutral enterprise zone and data centre in Northern Ireland. Atlantic Link will be built at a site close to the University of Ulster.

Enterprise zones offer hi-tech businesses tax incentives and simplified planning procedures. For this part of Northern Ireland Atlantic Link presents a significant economic opportunity. It will be built adjacent to where the Project Kelvin transatlantic fibre, which connects the US and UK, comes ashore.

This will be a challenging opportunity for the local council to capitalise on  given that the area is more used to developing the local specialities of tourism and agriculture.

The investor and anchor tenant is 5Nines, a global data centre builder and operator which is preparing to start work on the sight shortly.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey said: This is the crucial next step for what we call the Digital Causeway, attracting new industries and jobs to the region and giving Causeway Coast and Glens a competitive edge which no other site in Northern Ireland can currently offer. I am delighted that the determination and support of Councillors has made this ambition a reality and we look forward to the growth it will bring to the local economy. Council will now embark on the process to develop, market and promote Atlantic Link in establishing a Digital and Creative Causeway.

Coleraine Councillor Trevor Clarke said: The scheme is worth well in excess of 20m and will create employment at both construction and operational stages. More importantly, it means the North Coast can at last take advantage of Kelvin, the ultra-secure high-speed trans-Atlantic data cable linking Coleraine and Northern Ireland to New York and mainland Europe.
Zain Saudi Arabia signs LTE roaming agreement with Telenor https://t.co/eBz7tLnMR7 @capacitymedia #CapacityMiddleEast pic.twitter.com/5HBYKmZr7H  Telenor Global (@Telenor_TGS) March 14, 2017

By partnering with Telenor, Zain can now reach more than 420 LTE mobile networks, including Telenors 13 mobile operators around the world. Zain customers 4G experience will continue while traveling abroad.

Providing an integrated experience is one of the main pillars of our transformation strategies. As part of that, we are working alongside the biggest operators globally to provide industry-leading 4G roaming and international voice services to our subscribers, said Saad Al-Sadhan, wholesale senior director at Zain Saudi Arabia.

With their experience and ability to rapidly deploy high-quality services, Telenor is one of our key partners, and we are looking forward to furthering our cooperation.

Wansit Jeremy Saiyawan, chief sales officer of global wholesale in Telenor, added: The partnership with Zain allows all subscribers of both companies and our direct peering partners to roam in each others networks with superior quality. They are now able to access the same high speed services abroad when roaming as they do at home. We are delighted to have strengthened the partnership with Zain Saudi Arabia. Our focus areas going forward are VoLTE and Wifi Calling. We are looking forward to explore these services potential together with Zain.

The news comes after Zain Groups newly elected board appointed Mohannad Al-Kharafi as chairman and Bader Al-Kharafi as vice chairman and CEO of Zain Group.

Zain Bahrain and Rapid Telecom recently signed a strategic partnership agreement which will enable the operators to provide innovative international connectivity solutions particularly to the under-tapped enterprise segment and enhance the international connectivity of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The deal will see FirstLights fibre bandwidth infrastructure in north eastern United States combined with Sovernets high-capacity network transport, broadband Internet, data centre and voice services in Vermont and New York.

Oak Hill acquired FirstLight in September of last year, and has since bought a number of US carriers, including Oxford Networks and Finger Lakes Technologies Group.

This latest acquisition will add around 3,300 fibre route miles in New York, 1,300 miles through Vermont, and Sovernets tier III data centre in the same state.

The successful acquisition of Sovernet, which includes its New York ION network, substantially increases our fiber density and reach allowing us to better serve our existing customers while expanding into new markets as well, said Kurt Van Wagenen, president and CEO of FirstLight.

We expect this to be a seamless integration in which our customers will quickly reap the benefits of our enhanced operating platform and capabilities.

Once all of the acquisitions are completely integrated, FirstLight will own a regional network of around 12,000 route fibre miles across six states and Canada. That will include more than 7,000 on-net locations and 12 data centres across its footprint.

Oak Hill claimed the spate of acquisitions are strategically significant for FirstLight and demonstrate Oak Hills vision of creating the most extensive fibre-based communications services provider operating in the Northeast.

The US has seen a number of tie-ups recently across its fibre providers. CenturyLink is set to merge with Level 3 Communications in a $34 billion deal expected to close in Q3 of this year. Windstream has also merged with EarthLink in an all stock deal valued at $1.1 billion.

Cross River also announced a partnership with ZenFi at the recent Metro Connect event in Miami.
Puckett EMS, Tennessees division headquartered in Chattanooga, was awarded the 2016 Southeastern Emergency Medical Service Directors Associations (SEEMSDA) Emergency Medical Service of the Year Award, on March 9, 2017 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo. This is the third time that Puckett EMS has earned a prestigious award like this within the past 10 years. Puckett EMS is the 911 ambulance provider in Marion, Sequatchie and Hamilton counties.

The SEEMSDA Emergency Medical Service of the Year Award is given annually to a licensed Tennessee emergency medical service, which exemplifies outstanding professionalism on the local, regional, and state level, as well as exceptional service to the community it serves.



"Puckett EMS is truly honored to have received this award, said Steve Puckett, the president and CEO of Puckett EMS. The men and women of Puckett EMS are passionate about caring for the communities that we serve. They are the ones that have earned this award. I am so proud of them. I must also recognize all of our public safety partners and hospital staff that we work with each and every day. Without their professionalism and support, we would not be able to do what we do. This award would not be possible if it wasnt for them."

The selection committee chose Puckett EMS from a number of nominations that represented some of the best and well known emergency services from across the area.

We have some amazing EMS agencies in our area that are doing some great things, said Amy Maxwell, the public information officer for the Southeastern Emergency Medical Service Directions Association. There were three key reasons why the selection committee chose Puckett EMS this year; evidence of exceptional patient and clinical care, industry leading training and technology and an extraordinary community investment. Puckett EMS is doing it right.

Puckett EMS has always been committed to clinical skill advancement of its employees as well as community training, but this past year they took an even bigger step by opening the doors to a new training facility. This facility not only provides a place for employees to advance their skills, but also serves as conduit to provide community and church leaders valuable first aid


The Hixson Kiwanis will host their Ham and Chicken Dinner on Sunday, April 2 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Hixson Middle School Cafeteria, 5681 Old Hixson Pike.

Lunches are $10 per adult. Children six and under are free.

Contact Geoff Holden at 423-710-3933 for more information.
The Chattanooga community is invited to attend a ceremony to commemorate the life of Ed Johnson, to remember the events surrounding his death, and to encourage racial healing and reconciliation. The ceremony, organized by the Ed Johnson Project, will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the south end of the Walnut Street Bridge. The commemoration will include remarks, readings, interpretive dance, and laying a wreath at the site of the lynching.

"Few events in Chattanooga have changed the course American history more than the death of an innocent man, lynched from the Walnut Street Bridge on March 19, 1906.

Even today, the life and death of Ed Johnson, the efforts of his courageous attorneys, and the subsequent United States Supreme Court ruling continue to impact civil rights in our country," organizers said.The case around the Ed Johnson incident would go to be one of the most vital and important chapters in United States history, said Eric Atkins, a leading member of the Project. The court case provides protection under the law and affords all citizens rights, such as due process.Preserving our past is securing our future, said LaFrederick Thirkill, co-chair of the Ed Johnson Project. It is our responsibility to always honor the life of Ed Johnson.
People Arrested In Chicago Will Have Access To Free Attorneys At Police Stations

By Stephen Gossett in News on Mar 15, 2017 3:47PM



Getty Images / Photo: Scott Olsen / Chicago, 2015

A new program will allow people arrested in Chicago to have free access to attorneys at police stations, a Cook County Judge announced on Tuesday.

As it stands, most people arrested in Chicago remain without legal representation until their bond hearing, according to the Circuit Court of Cook County. In the eyes of the law, everybody is innocent until proven guilty," Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said in a statement. "Everybody deserves access to justice. They should always have the opportunity to speak with an attorney before talking to anybody else."

Under the new order, people arrested in the city can access assistant public defenders on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and volunteer attorneys from First Defense Legal Aidwhich helped uncover the substantially low rates at which arrestees receive lawyer visits at police stationswill be available during the remaining off hours. Signs will also go up in CPD stations with contact information for the public defender and FDLA.

As far as funding, FDLA is counting on a combination of volunteers and additional funding partners to step forward, according to Eliza Solowiej, Executive Director of the legal aid organization. "We believe the legal community is going to step up and help," Solowiej told Chicagoist. "We do this because we have to." The organization will also recruit a third party evaluator to study how the program can be implemented on an even broader scale, beyond Cook County.

Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx, whose office recently made inroads toward some bond reform, threw her support behind the measure. The legitimacy of the justice system depends on protecting the constitutional rights of people who come in contact with it," she said in a statement. "Todays announcement affirms the commitment of all the stakeholders in the justice system to ensuring that no one is denied their constitutional right to counsel.
The Enterprise is in direct line of descent from The Falmouth Local, which was established in a shoe store on Main Street by Lewis Foster Clark in 1886. The Local started out in a building on the shore of Shivericks Pond and eventually moved to the building that is currently occupied by Caline for Kids. Charles Sumner Burgess bought the Local in 1895, renamed it The Falmouth Enterprise and published it for the next 30 years.

In 1925 Harry Albro bought the Enterprise. His name can be found on the veterans memorial at the head of Memorial Lane in front of the Falmouth Public Library.

Four years later, George A. Hough Jr. bought the paper. It was announced on May 2, 1929.

George Hough Jr. was the grandson of a Martha's Vineyard whaling captain. His father was for 40 years editor and managing editor of the New Bedford Evening Standard. He was a graduate of the Pulitzer School of Journalism at Columbia. When he bought The Enterprise he had been for several years city editor of The Evening Standard.

Co-publisher of The Enterprise was his wife, Clara Sharpe Hough, who also attended the Pulitzer School.

It was the first time The Enterprise was published by trained professionals.

"The Enterprise," the new publisher wrote in a Page One message, "has no entangling alliances. Its ownership is personal. It is hampered by no financial responsibility to any outside business or selfish interests. There will be no absentee control here."

The Enterprise looks quite different than the seven-column broadsheet of 1929. And the third generation of the Hough family now publishes the paper. Its offices are on Depot Avenue, where they were moved in 1931. The Enterprise today publishes four newspapers, having added editions in Bourne, Sandwich and Mashpee.

But George Hough's message is as true today as it was in 1929. The Enterprise is a family-owned newspaper fully committed to the communities it serves.
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Updated: Lincoln Square's Chicago Brauhaus To Close Its Doors

By Anthony Todd in Food on Mar 15, 2017 2:44PM



The Chicago Brauhaus. Photo via Facebook.

Update 2:00 p.m.:

The owners of Chicago Brauhaus plan to close the restaurant and retire, the listing's real estate agent, Peter Graham, confirmed to Chicagoist. The two brothers who own the building and restaurant, Harry and Guenter Kempf, "don't know when the last day is," Graham told Chicagoist, but the search for a new tenant is already underway.

Update 9:00 a.m. Thursday, March 16:

The owners somewhat contradicted their broker in an interview with the Trib, saying nothing is set regarding closing until they decide. Harry Kempf told the Tribune that they have sold the building housing the Brauhaus, but continue to pay rent and aren't ready to shut down just yet.

That said, this isn't really inconsistent with their broker's statement that they will be closing and a search for a new tenant is underway. Rather, it sounds somewhat like a restaurant owner who isn't quite sure of the timeline for changes. But ultimately, it sounds like the iconic restaurant is still headed for closing.

Original:

For 40 years, the Chicago Brauhaus has been a destination for fun and German-ness in Lincoln Square. With a huge collection of beer steins, loud polka music, plenty of wursts and an old-world atmosphere, it's one of those iconic Chicago restaurants. But based on some real estate listings, the Brauhaus might be looking to close up.

A tipster sent us this listing from CBRE, the real estate company.

At first, it appears to show a generic rendering of a facade, but when you look a bit closer, you notice a few things. First, it's the same address (4732 N. Lincoln Ave.) as the Brauhaus. The description ("The building is located across from the Lincoln Square fountain and is a rare availability in the center of the neighborhood") matches the Brauhaus. And, if you click through to the flyer (embedded below), there's actually a picture of the Brauhausbingo.

Now, it's possible that the owners are just shopping around, though there have been rumors floating around regarding a possible closure for a while now. The availability date on the basement space is listed as February 2017, and the Brauhaus is, as of March 2017, still open for business, so it seems like it hasn't been gobbled up yet. A request for comment to the Brauhaus went unanswered, so we can't confirm anything. Despite the lack of confirmation, we'd suggest making reservations sooner, rather than later, if you're a big fan of the Brauhaus.

If this business did close, it would be another loss for the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Much of the German character of the neighborhood has disappeared, with businesses like fitness studio Orange Theory replacing older, independent businesses as rent rises. It would also be a loss for some of the neighborhood's community events, as the Brauhaus was always a focus for the local community concerts and German festivals.

Brauhaus by artodd1 on Scribd
Keeper Liu Jiang feeds Shu Lan at a zoo in the northwestern city of Lanzhou. The 23-year-old giant panda, who is 70 in human terms, is to be returned to her hometown in Sichuan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

A 23-year-old panda living in a zoo in the northwestern city of Lanzhou is to return to its hometown in southwest China's Sichuan Province due to its age, zoo authorities said yesterday.

Shu Lan was born in Chengdu, Sichuan's capital, and moved to Lanzhou in 1996.

In 1999, she went back to Sichuan to live in Chengdu and two giant panda centers in the city of Ya'an for research and breeding.

The panda returned to Lanzhou in April last year, but her health aroused public concern after photographs of her with an injured back and foaming at the mouth went viral.

The China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda sent three experts to Lanzhou earlier this month to evaluate her health and the living conditions at Lanzhou Zoo.

They found that Shu Lan's health was normal and determined that the foaming at the mouth was caused mainly by chewing and playing with her tongue. But they also pointed out that her weight had dropped from 103 kilograms to 92kg since she had returned to the city, though that was still in the normal range.

However, they also concluded that Shu Lan was showing symptoms of aging.

Giant pandas live mainly in the mountains of northern Sichuan as well as the southern parts of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.

According to the latest nationwide survey, there are 132 giant pandas in the wild in southern Gansu.

But Lanzhou, in the middle of the province, has a different environment and climate compared with wild panda habitats.

Heating, air conditioning and a humidifier have been installed in Shu Lan's living area in the zoo. But the panda habitat was built in 1976 and is now deemed too antiquated for her.

The bamboo she was fed was not fresh enough as it was transported from central China's Henan Province. In addition, the zoo lacks experience in taking care of old pandas.

Experts suggested sending Shu Lan to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan to help maintain her health.

That suggestion has been approved by the zoo, though a specific schedule has not yet been released.

The decision was confirmed by Zhang Jianlong, head of the State Forestry Administration.

"We will try our best to improve the condition of the zoo," said Lei Qinghai, its director, adding that the city is planning to move the zoo to a new site for future development.

A national survey released in February 2015 showed that by the end of 2013, China had 1,864 wild pandas and 375 others living in captivity.
Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

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You are our people. You Care. We Care2.
Saudi monarch King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud is paying an historic visit to China this week as part of efforts to diversify and deepen ties with leading Asian countries. Before reaching China, he visited Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan where he signed numerous agreements to improve economic cooperation.

Saudi Arabia is passing through a critical stage in history. The changes in the region and global realignments have created a quest for fresh relationships. Hence, a kind of scramble to secure interests has begun. The process started when the global powers led by the United States signed a deal to end the nuclear impasse with Iran.

The agreement allowed Iran to rid itself of international sanctions and play a more robust regional role. As a sign of this, it has stolen a march in Syria and helped the incumbent leader Bashar al-Assad become stronger after six years of internal fighting.

It means that Saudi policy to throw him out through the power of the gun has failed. Iran, along with Russia, played the leading role in overturning the long-existent power chess board in Syria.

The Saudi dilemma has increased since the election of President Donald Trump, who has not given clear indications how his administration will behave in the regions. After initial hesitation, he has pledged to provide more resources to annihilate Islamic State - a welcome step for Saudi Arabia.

However, Trump is not clear on Iran and it is highly likely that his policy towards traditional ally Saudi Arabia may not follow the old guidelines.

Saudi Arabia's worry is both strategic and economic. That is why aging King Salman wants to have a group of new friends to fall back on in any hour of crisis. His unprecedented long trip, which is also a logistical nightmare for some, is based on well-timed calculations.

China has the resources and perhaps the inclination to help Saudi Arabia. The good part of the equation is that both countries seem ready to take ties to a higher level. The process started when President Xi Jinping visited Saudi Arabia in January 2016.

Later, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammad bin Salman, the king's son, visited China in August and discussed defense ties, resulting in joint military exercises in October. Now, King Salman wants to go further.

However, let us remember that China's focus is the entire Middle East and not just the Kingdom. It is also trying to build ties with Israel, Oman, UAE and other GCC nations. China would also take into consideration its warm ties with Iran in any dealings with Saudi Arabia.

Traditionally, Saudi Arabia has been in the U.S. camp and China played only negligible role in the affairs of the Middle East. Iran not only has maintained its ties with China and Russia but it is strategically better poised to use its location. It can help China directly in Afghanistan and Central Asia. It can also be beneficiary and partner in the Belt and Road (B&R) process due to a long border with Pakistan.

China's choice should be to have independent relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Another level of interaction should be strong relations with all GCC nations. But it would be diplomatic feat to balance things. Saudis are prone to expect preferential treatment, and this may be a problem due to Iran factor.

One difficulty is that, in the Far East, King Salman wants to build ties with Japan side by side with China. In fact, in his own tour, he has taken a leaf out of President Xi's book, who visited both Saudi Arabia and Iran.

The Kingdom has one important advantage in the form of oil of which China needs vast supplies to continue its phenomenal economic rise. A good proposition could be for Saudi Arabia and Iran to become part of the B&R through Gwadar port in Pakistan.

It would be the real win-win situation for all. Saudi oil and Iranian gas would have unhindered flow to the mainland through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in return of investments and exports from China.

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.
The Department of Training and Technical Education (DTTE), Delhi has released an official notification the Delhi Common Entrance Test (CET) 2017 on its website.

According to the notification released, the registration process begins on March 20, 2017.

The eligible candidates can opt for any of the five tests available which are conducted for different programs respectively.

Each test is conducted for a different course and candidate must make sure that they apply for the right test.

Why is CET conducted?

CET is conducted for admission to various full-time Diploma Courses in engineering and non-engineering disciplines offered at AICTE approved Government Polytechnics, Privately Managed Polytechnics and Government Aided Institutions affiliated to the Board of Technical Education, Delhi.

How to apply for the CET:

All the candidates need to follow the below-mentioned steps:

Log on to the official website.

Click on the relevant link.

Apply to one of the five tests available.

Enter all the required details in the prescribed format.

Click to submit.

Take a print out of the same for future reference.

Details of the CET:

Test 1 is conducted for admission to Engineering/Technology based Diploma courses and occupational courses.

Test 2 is conducted for candidates applying for Modern Office Practice (English) course.

Test 3 is conducted for candidates applying for Modern Office Practice (Hindi) course.

Test 4 is conducted for candidates applying for Diploma courses in pharmacy.

Test 5 is conducted for candidates applying for Lateral entry in Diploma courses.

CET Important dates:

The application process begins March 20, 2017.

Last date to apply: April 20, 2017.

Date of examination: May 27 and 28, 2017.

Declaration of the result: June 16, 2017.

About DTTE:

Directorate of Training and Technical Education is entrusted with the responsibility of providing trained technical manpower for the technological up gradation of industrial production, services, productivity, and innovation, contributing to the planned growth of the country's economy.

UPSC Issues Notification For Indian Civil Services Exam 2017
Anna University, Chennai has released admit cards for the Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) 2017. Interested candidates can download the admit cards from the official website.

The exam is conducted by Anna University, Chennai and is a gateway for admission to all government approved educational institutes in Tamil Nadu.

Steps to download the TANCET admit card:

Go to the official website.

Click on the link, 'Download TANCET Admit Cards'.

Enter the necessary details.

Submit the same. The admit cards will be released on the screen.

Note: The candidates must carry the admit cards to the examination center, failing to which, the candidates will not be allowed to sit for the exam.

About the TANCET exam:

TANCET is conducted for admission to the following programs:

Master of Business Administering

Master of Computer Application

Master of Technology

Master of Planning

Selection procedure for the TANCET:

All the candidates will be selected on the basis of marks obtained in the written examination.

Important dates to remember:

Online Application Process ends February 28, 2017.

Entrance exam for MCA and MBA: March 25, 2017.

Entrance exam for ME/ Mtech/ March/ MPlan: March 26, 2017.

For any query, the candidates can visit the official website.
Chinas Anbang Insurance Group said it is not investing in a flagship Manhattan office tower owned by the family of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser.

Anbang Insurance Group was named in a Bloomberg report on Monday as a possible investor in a $4 billion deal to buy the 41-floor building located at 666 Fifth Avenue, according to a copy of the agreement that was being circulated to attract additional investors.

The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal, a spokesman for Anbang said in a statement on Tuesday.

The property was purchased by Kushner Cos in 2006 for $1.8 billion, which at the time was the highest price paid for a single building in Manhattan.

Kushner Companies is in active discussions around 666 5th Avenue, and nothing has been finalized, a spokesperson for the company said on Tuesday.

The New York Times had reported in January that Anbang Chairman Wu Xiaohui and Jared Kushner were nearing agreement on a joint venture to redevelop the building.

The aging property occupies a full block that fronts Fifth Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Street  prime real estate for retailers that is just steps from Rockefeller Center and St. Patricks Cathedral, and a few blocks south of Trump Tower.

Anbang, established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of Chinas most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets.

Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($240 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, although a handful did not make it across the finish line.

The Chinese insurer abruptly pulled out of a $14 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc last year, and its attempt to buy U.S. annuities and life insurer Fidelity & Guaranty Life is facing regulatory hurdles.

In 2014, the insurer bought New Yorks landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc for $1.95 billion. The company reportedly plans to convert as many as 1,100 of the hotels 1,413 rooms into condominiums.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said 666 Fifth Avenue was 20 percent vacant as of July 2016, and valued the property at $982.1 million. Kroll called some $1.1 billion in debt on the building a loan of concern.

Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners of Class A office and high-end retail space in Manhattan, gained a 49.5 percent interest as part of a $1.215 billion recapitalization of the building in 2011.

Vornado did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ($1 = 6.9140 Chinese yuan renminbi)
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier on March 3 (XINHUA)

Both during his campaign and after the election, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he wants new policy ideas and new policy faces on his team. He also said he wants good relations with major powers. Because these are still the early stages of his administration, it is reasonable to believe that developing an effective new national strategy, and a new foreign policy to go along with it, will take some time. Trump may or may not follow the Obama line. If he does not, then will he call for a new direction, and for cooperation between the major powers?

Meanwhile, the reported informal summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in early April, hosted by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, offers a golden opportunity. The two leaders will have the chance to exchange views in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. A good start to fashioning a constructive relationship can be made for the next four years of U.S.-China relations under the Trump administration.

President Xi already proposed a new type of major power relations in June 2013, during an informal summit with former U.S. President Obama at Sunnylands, California. The U.S. side, however, never followed up effectively. Nonetheless, the proposal is not only constructive, but essential for managing differences, stabilizing relations, and promoting international peace and development.

While Trump has clearly signaled a desire for a new foreign policy, there are many domestic obstacles. The unprecedented hysteria in Washington against Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, has destabilized major power relations. Similar posturing against China by many politicians, not to mention influential think tanks, has also had negative effects.

The pivot policy in the Pacific is part of a bipartisan establishment consensus developed just before the 2008 election. This decade old consensus was the basis of the Obama administration's national strategy and foreign policy. From a geographic standpoint, the pivot policy is one part of the strategy to contain the Eurasian landmass. A second part of the policy focuses on Russia. The policy as implemented by the Obama administration escalated tensions in Europe and in the Pacific.

Evolution of containment concept

On the Pacific side, the containment concept involves several elements. One of these is the strengthening of the Cold War alliance with Japan as the primary U.S. ally. This relationship is similar to the old Anglo-Japan alliance (1902-23). The pivot also gave rise to Shinzo Abe's U.S.-approved "strategic diamond" concept which involved Japan, the U.S., India, and Australia. Another element to the pivot involves some old geopolitical ideas about what are referred to as "island chains" in the western Pacific. These include the Japanese islands and the Ryukyu Islands, and impact on the East China Sea and South China Sea. Interest in these island chains dates back over a century old to the time just after the Spanish-American War of 1898.

Following Washington's burst of Pacific imperialism, German and Japanese strategists began to reflect on the various clusters of islands and their relevance to naval warfare. Just before World War I, U.S. military strategists reflected on the island chains and developed the famous "War Plan Orange"--a series of plans formed by the U.S. military in the early 20th century for potential conflict with Japan--which correctly foresaw Japanese imperialism triggering a future war.

During World War II, the U.S. naturally dusted off old war plans relating to the Pacific and updated them to focus on the Japanese enemy even more acutely. After the war, in 1948, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff again updated the island chain concept with significant input from the greatly revered General Douglas MacArthur. This time, the concept was put to Cold War use and directed against the Soviet Union in a bid of containment.

The Obama administration's pivot policy brought this century old island chain concept back to prominence. In the context of U.S. global intervention, the U.S. Army had been favored in the Middle East. The navy and air force thus saw the benefit of promoting emphasis on the Pacific where they would be assured of a larger share of the defense budget for new weapons systems and far flung deployments.

The Obama administration launched a China policy review when it first took office in 2009. This complex review process always takes time and involves extensive inter-agency coordination to arrive at a conclusion. By late 2010 the pivot had finally emerged and it was put into motion in 2011. The tensions, first in the East China Sea and next in the South China Sea, developed from the implementation of the Obama's pivot, along with the cooperation of Japan. During this period, the South China Sea was often in the spotlight. As usual, the lawyers on all sides of the various issues squabble endlessly. But a peaceful solution can only arise through extended diplomatic dialogue and negotiation over time. The alternative, which few want to see, is conflict.

Shipping and navigation issues

According to the World Shipping Council, China is the largest exporter of containerized cargo in the world. It exports three times the containerized cargo of the U.S. and six times what South Korea and Japan each export in this category. Looking at the registered tonnage of merchant marine fleets as of 2012, according to British sources, Hong Kong ranked number four, Singapore five, Chinese mainland nine, Japan 13, and down the list we find the U.S. at 21. Hong Kong had about nine times the registered tonnage of the U.S., while the mainland had about four times the registered tonnage. Together, Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland had about 40 percent more registered tonnage than Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. combined. From the data, it would appear generally that China, including Hong Kong, has the most to lose from disruptions in merchant shipping and navigation.

Washington must rethink its national strategy and foreign policy in light of changing international circumstances. Century old zero-sum geopolitical strategies to carve up and contain Asia are obsolete. Looking at the Pacific, positive cooperation between the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan is essential to stability, peace, and development. The upcoming informal summit between Xi and Trump can open the door for a better future for not only China and the United States, but also for the international community as a whole.

The author is an op-ed contributor to Beijing Review and former senior professional staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
An onslaught of new Audi and RS-badged models are set to launch in the coming two years, according to company chief executive Rupert Stadler.



Stadler revealed at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show that there will be no less than eight new Audi models launching by the end of 2018 as well as six new RS derivatives, Motoring reports. All this will be done to ensure the brand has a contender in most high-end segments.

By the end of 2018, Audi will launch the new A6 and A7 sedan models, a new Q3, updated A1, the e-tron quattro SUV, production-spec Q8, and the A6 Avant/Allroad variants. Further down the road, Audi is expected to launch Q1 and Q4 models to complete its SUV lineup.

In terms of Audi Sport models, Stephan Winkelmann confirmed that the new RS3 sedan and Sportback models are among them, as is the all-new RS5. While he failed to confirm what the other models will be, they are predicted to include a new RS4, RS6, RS7 and RS Q5.

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Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying [Photo/ fmprc.gov.cn]

China and the United States are maintaining close contact on exchanges between their presidents and at other levels, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday.

Spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a daily press briefing in response to media reports that U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the near future.

"Both China and the United States attach great importance to exchanges at the high-level and various other levels," said Hua at the press briefing.

She said the two sides are keeping in close contact on exchanges between their presidents and at other levels.

"Should we have any further information, we will announce it immediately," she said.

As for a visit to China by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Hua said the Foreign Ministry will release information soon.
Stories about Big Brother watching over us make us cringe. We dont want some government bureaucrat or corporate lackey knowing where we are and what were doing at all times. But what if that Big Brother were, say, Christian von Koenigsegg?



That might be another story, because who among us wouldnt want the man behind some of the worlds most amazing supercars as their own older sibling  or guardian angel, as the case may be?

As it turns out, Koenigsegg does play a bit of that role with his customers, thanks to a unique app to which apparently only he has access.

Speaking with CarBuzz at the Geneva Motor Show last week, CvK revealed that he has a unique app on his phone that allows him to see where all the cars his company has built are located at any given time. (Or at least, those cars that are equipped with GPS trackers, at any rate.)

Its technically possible to place a camera inside the vehicles, said Christian, and I could see the drivers, but thatd be creepy. As it is, though, the vehicle locator ought to help the company assist its elite cadre of owners with things like race track settings, arranging service, or (wed imagine) even finding their multi-million-dollar car if they somehow forgot (or somehow had moved it from) where theyd parked it.

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Porsche 911s keep getting more expensive, but even that has its limits. While you can certainly ratchet up a lot of costly options, the top of the line peaks just over $200k. So what makes this old Elfen worth $286,000  or nearly the combined prices of a new 911 Turbo S Cabriolet plus a base Carrera?



In a word: Sportomatic. Never heard of it? That was what Porsche called its first automated transmission, long before the dual-clutch PDK or even the Tiptronic.

Closer to a sequential transmission than a full automatic, Porsches Sportomatic gearbox was essentially a manual with a torque converter and a single-disc vacuum-operated dry clutch. With no clutch pedal to actuate, the driver used a lever to go through the four gears  later actually reduced (if you can believe it) to three.

It had a park position but no fully automatic mode, making the Sportomatic something of a quirky stopgap. And while it wasnt exactly what you might call rare, at $2,380 (on a $6,300 base price), it wasnt a hugely popular option, either. 1969 (the year after its introduction) was one of its most successful, but out of the 12,000 examples of the 911 sold that year, barely more than 1,000 were so equipped. Add to that the number that have since been converted to manuals (due to maintenance cost and desirability) and coming across a 911 with a functioning Sportomatic today is anything but a common event.

Of course it didnt hurt that this particular example is in pristine condition, described as what may be the most original 1968 Porsche 911 coupe in the world, let alone the finest equipped with the intriguing Sportomatic semi-auto transmission. It was built at the beginning of the transmission options first year and sold to a customer in Los Angeles, painted in a single-stage metallic silver with no clearcoat, a black vinyl interior with dealer-installed air conditioning, and later fitted with a Blaupunkt radio.

It has since traded hands only a few times, and has racked up less than 23,000 miles in nearly 50 years. Presented in immaculate condition, it sold for $286,000 this past Saturday at the Amelia Island Concours dElegance  where it wasnt anywhere near the top lot of the auction, but a high price for a model whose values have been escalating steadily among collectors. Check it out in the images below by Erik Fuller for RM Sothebys.

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Photo: Dustin Godfrey

A day of curling has led to over $3,000 being donated to the Okanagan chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The Tug's Tournament for Heart and Stroke at the Penticton Curling Club had its inaugural year in February, with 18 teams and 72 curlers participating, including both experienced and first-time curlers.

Money was raised through a $40-50 entry, depending on the meal each participant ate, and raffle and 50/50 draws during the evening event at Tug's Tap House following the curling.

"We want to thank everybody, all our sponsors, that made this thing a success. And it will definitely be going again next year," said organizer Shane Conniff, who added that the date hasn't yet been set, though it will take place during February for Heart Month.

A total of $3,110 was raised, presented to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at Tug's Tap House on Tuesday. Conniff says nearly two-thirds of that was donated by the Days Inn in Penticton, amounting to $2,000.

The original goal, according to Conniff was about $700.

"It was a huge success; everybody had fun," he said.

Ayeana Mills received the check on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Okanagan chapter and says that money will go toward research and awareness.

"This will go a very long way to help us get closer to our goal," Mills said, noting that the goal for the region is to raise $1 million by the end of the year.
Photo: Darren Handschuh

A North Okanagan man found guilty of neglecting horses in his care has been given a nine month sentence to be served in the community.

Gary Roberts is also not allowed to own animals for the next 20 years. He will be under house arrest for four months and will have to report in for the remaining five months.

Last December, Justice Mark Takahashi found Roberts guilty of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to an animal and failing to provide necessities of life for an animal.

While Crown counsel Alexandra Janse asked for a jail sentence of six to nine months, defence lawyer Julian van der Walle asked Takahashi for six months.

There was also a debate on how long Roberts should be banned from caring for animals.

Janse said a lifetime ban would be appropriate given the state of the horses that were seized in December, 2014 and what she said was Roberts' lack of remorse.

Van der Walle argued the 72 year old should be allowed to have some animals in his care.

But Takahashi said several of the horses seized were in dire need of food and medical attention so he imposed the 20-year ban.

Takahashi said the horses relied on Roberts for their food and shelter and he did not meet the needs of the more than 100 animals in his care.

Numerous animals suffered over an extended period, Takahashi said. Mr. Roberts did nothing to alleviate their suffering.

Following the sentencing, Roberts remained defiant saying the sentence was not fair and that eventually the truth is going to come out about all of this."

Throughout the proceedings, Roberts had been highly critical of the SPCA, their handling of the situation and over their knowledge of animals.

Roberts said he is no longer in care of any of the horses. Some are still on his property, but he is living with a friend on a different property.

Roberts contends his charter rights were violated because the case took so long to get to trial and he plans to appeal on those grounds.

As he said during the trial, Roberts said he knew the animals in his care needed help and he was doing the best he could to look after them.
Photo: The Canadian Press

While Canadians are split on President Donald Trump's assertion that all NATO countries, including Canada, should spend two per cent of their GDP on defence, only 40 per cent think Canada should spend the extra $20 billion to meet that mark.

A recent Angus Reid poll surveyed 1,515 Canadian adults and found 52 per cent think Trump is right to want all NATO members to spend the recommended two per cent of their GDP.

While the roughly even split was seen across most provinces in Canada, a large majority of 73 per cent of people in Alberta think NATO nations should spend the two per cent on defence.

In the same poll, 53 per cent of respondents think Canada should continue its current spending on defence, which falls about $20 billion short of two per cent of GDP, while seven per cent said Canada should spend less on defence.

While a slight majority agreed with Trump's statement on NATO nations paying their fair share, 68 per cent of respondents found his statement about the U.S. possibly not defending it's NATO allies, depending on their defence spending, mostly inappropriate, or totally inappropriate.

Only 10 per cent of people said the statement was totally appropriate.

The U.S. spent 3.6 per cent of their GDP on defence in 2016. Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Poland are the only other NATO nations that spent two per cent or more of their GDP on defence last year while Canada spent one per cent.
Photo: Contributed

A pair of events in the South Okanagan are set to bring the grave to life in a cafe-style setting.

Death Cafes are a worldwide phenomenon intended to help people talk about a subject that's often avoided. Following events in Kelowna and West Kelowna over the past two weeks and one heading to Peachland on Thursday, Summerland is set to host one next week, followed by one in Penticton the week after.

"These are our first try at the Death Cafes in the Okanagan," said Ingrid Tourigny, one of the facilitators for the events. "We're just trying to introduce them here to bring some conversation about death that normally people don't want to talk about, or (are) afraid to talk about."

Tourigny hasn't been to the Death Cafes in the Kelowna area, but she says her co-facilitators have reported a successful start to the series of events.

The talks can be an emotional rollercoaster, according to Tourigny, who says attendees can laugh and cry in the same meet-up.

"As facilitators, we're there to get people to just open up and talk about it, so it could be whatever's on people's minds," Tourigny said. "We don't have a structure.... We're helping people to have open-ended questions ... but we're not there to guide them in a certain way.

"So they can talk about anything from, people might have questions about green burials, for example, or hospice or dying at home versus somewhere else."

That's part of the guidelines for being an official Death Cafe  the facilitators aren't there to talk about themselves unless asked, or to promote themselves. With that said, those who are putting on the events do have experience dealing with death.

"I've worked with people who are chronically and terminally ill," Tourigny said.

"The other gals have different backgrounds, so we're hoping with the three of us, we can help facilitate people to talk about different kinds of things that maybe they never thought of."

The events will be hosted at the Beanery Cafe in Summerland from 3-5 p.m. on Mar. 23, and at the same time on Mar. 30 at the Nest and Nectar in Penticton.
Photo: City of Armstrong.

Armstrong residents can expect a hike in property taxes this year. There will also be an increase in fees for water and garbage.

And city council must create a new property tax levy in order to start paying for RCMP services.

Property taxes could climb by 3.75 per cent according to the proposed 2017-21 budget plan unveiled to city council on Monday.

That sounds fairly large, but it works out to about $28 per year for the average property costing $325,000, said Mayor Chris Pieper.

Water rates will jump 10 per cent to make up for last year's shortfall, adding another $12 to the average yearly bill.

The City of Armstrong's proposed $8.68 million budget includes an ambitious plan for major capital projects, including upgrades to Patterson Avenue and Willowdale Drive.

There will be new road, water, sewer and sidewalks  everything, Pieper said. These projects have been on our books for quite a while, so we are definitely going ahead.

The biggest challenge for the city is the cost of the RCMP.

Data from the 2016 census showed the number of people living in Armstrong climbed over the 5,000 residents threshold, which meant the city now has to pay for the police.

Policing is a separate line and there will be a substantial increase, said Pieper. We've been aware of this for a long time and we have a reserve fund to lessen the impact but there will be an impact.

Residents currently pay about $110 per household for police services and that could double, although that is not confirmed, said Pieper.

Meanwhile contract talks with the RCMP continue.
Photo: Contributed

The Okanagan Skaha School District will spend up to $100,000 on an extensive technology audit of their systems in the coming months.

Trustees signed off on the decision at Monday night's meeting, as a part of year-one priorities for the district's strategic plan. While the audit takes place, there will be a district-wide moratorium of electronic purchases, unless approved by the secretary treasurer.

Over the past ten or more years, there have been pockets of decisions being made by principals to go ahead and buy some devices without going through the board office procedure, said secretary treasurer, Bonnie Roller-Routley, adding that those purchases have now become about 15 per cent of their inventory.

She says the audit will aim to get a handle on that, and examine what best practices should be moving forward.

Superintendent Wendy Hyer said its been general practice in schools for parent advisory groups to use PAC money to buy something like an Ipad for a class when requested.

What happens, is that when something happens with those devices that havent been purchased through our central location, our district staff may or may not know how to repair it, or they may not have the time.

Hyer said they have over 3,000 computers in the schools and four tech staff.
Photo: Contributed

Legal maneuvering in a court case over Kin Race Track has led to adjournment of the trial to a later date.

Lawyers for the Okanagan Equestrian Society and the City of Vernon squared off Monday in a New Westminster courtroom in the battle for land.

At issue was an amended statement of claim from the society asking the city to pay for damages caused by the 2014 arson fire as well as to the fence and the barns.

"We were told the defendants did not have enough time to prepare so it was a case of giving up the amendments or we had to adjourn," said Maria Besso, a member of the society.

"It's disappointing but our lawyer was phenomenal and he fought very hard. We will have our day in court."

The ten day trial had been planned for some time.

Efforts are being made to find another courtroom with enough time to hear the case, likely Vancouver, sometime in June or October.
 Flash

Danish Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen visited China from the 11th to the 13th of March.

State Councilor Yang Jiechi (R) meets with Denmark's Minister for Foreign Affairs Anders Samuelsen in Beijing on March 13.

During his visit, the Minister met with his Chinese counterparts on foreign affairs and commerce; unveiled official Danish Pavilions on Alibaba's Tmall Global and Fliggy platforms; and witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting Chinese tourism to Denmark.

The launch of the two "Danish Pavilions" in Hangzhou on Alibaba's B2C platform Tmall Global and its travel service platform Fliggy allows 21 Danish brands to offer authentic consumer goods of Danish lifestyle and food as well as getting to Denmark.

"More and more retail sale is today happening online and in China more than anywhere  it is thereforeimportant that the Danish Foreign Ministry can also help Danish companies success in this particulararea. With the opening of an official Danish pavilion on China's leading e-commerce marketplace Tmall Global, we hope to draw attention to Danish products," said Danish Foreign Minister AndersSamuelsen.

In another event, the Minister witnessed the signing of the MoU between the Royal Danish Embassyand China's biggest online review service Meituan-Dianping.

The MoU is the latest move in a series of promotions to attract more Chinese tourists to Denmark inthe China-Denmark Tourism Year 2017. According to the MoU, recommended places of interestacross Denmark will be listed on the website and mobile App platforms of Meituan-Dianping.

"To better help Chinese tourists enjoy Denmark, we are looking at the consumer habits in China, and itis very important to be on the digital platforms that Chinese citizens use. Therefore, we have signedthis agreement with Meituan-Dianping," said the Minister.

"We will deliver better content about Denmark as well as Danish places of interests, including restaurants, museums and hotels to Chinese consumers on these platforms."

Foreign Minister Samuelsen had several meetings with high-level officials in China. The Minister metwith Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and showed great interests in the "Belt and Road Initiative",and China's reform agenda after the "Two Sessions" in March and before the 19th Party Congress in autumn this year.

In a meeting hosted by his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the two sides exchanged their opinions on a broad variety of topics from the Sino-Danish Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the Sino-Danish Joint Work Program, and on further bilateral cooperation over regional affairs including EU-China relations and DPRK nuclear resolution.

Minister Samuelsen also had a formal meeting with Fu Ziying, Vice Minister of Commerce, on the Sino-Danish Joint Economic Committee, in which topics including maritime, bilateral investments and intellectual property rights protection were discussed.
It is the final day to enter Castanet Pentictons Wicked Winter Windfall contest.

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Visit our homepage to win or check the contests' page.
Photo: Syncrude

Syncrude says most of its workforce has returned to an oilsands site in northern Alberta after an explosion and fire Tuesday.

But company spokesman Will Gibson couldn't say whether production has resumed after a fire erupted at the Mildred Lake upgrader.

One worker was injured and taken to hospital in nearby Fort McMurray in serious but stable condition.

Syncrude says firefighting crews had the blaze under control by Tuesday evening.

Another fire at the Mildred Lake site in August 2015 slashed output at the facility by about 80 per cent.

It returned to normal production the following October.
Photo: The Canadian Press Attorney General Jeff Sessions

The Justice Department will encourage cities to revive violent crime-fighting strategies of the 1990s that focused on sending certain gun crimes to federal court, where they carry longer sentences in far-away prisons, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Wednesday.

Sessions continued to push his tough-on-crime agenda to law enforcement officials in Richmond, where one such effort had its origins.

Sessions credited that program, known as Project Exile, for slowing the murder rate through aggressive prosecution of gun offences under federal laws, instead of the weaker state statutes. Conviction on a federal gun charge carries a minimum, mandatory prison sentence of five years, bond is less available and defendants are sent out of state to serve their sentences.

"I will promote that nationwide," he said, calling the effort "a very discreet effective policy against violent crime."

The comments further underscored Sessions' repeated promise to make fighting street violence a top mission of the Justice Department. That is a radical departure for a department that has focused more on prevention of cyberattacks from foreign criminals, counterterrorism and the threat of homegrown violent extremism.

Still, in his first month in office, Sessions has spoken more frequently about the need for federal involvement in ordinary crime-fighting, citing the need for harsh sentences for the most violent criminals. Last week, he urged the nation's federal prosecutors to devote more resources to prosecuting the worst offenders, lamenting a rise in murders as federal prosecutions declined.

Law enforcement officials, including FBI Director James Comey, credit Project Exile for a drop in murders in Richmond. But critics have said the program that began in the 1990s was racially biased and point to other reasons for declines in crime. Federal judges at the time expressed concerns about the wisdom of having federal agencies take over functions historically reserved for state and local law enforcement.

On racial disparities, Sessions said law enforcement has "to be so sensitive to those issues," but added, "When you fight crime you have to fight it where it is. You may have at some point an impact of a racial nature that you hate to see, but if ... it's focused fairly and objectively on dangerous criminals, then you're doing the right thing."
Photo: The Canadian Press Snoop Dogg

President Donald Trump is firing back at Snoop Dogg days after the release of a music video in which the rapper points a toy gun at a clown dressed like Trump and pulls the trigger.

Trump tweeted Wednesday morning: "Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!"

The video is for a remixed version of the song "Lavender," by Canadian group BADBADNOTGOOD featuring Snoop Dogg. In it, Snoop Dogg shoots the Trump clown with a gun that releases a flag with the word "bang."

The rapper was also criticized over the video by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who lost to Trump in last year's Republican presidential primary campaign.
In a Castanet article dated February 18, 2017, Kelownas Waldorf School came under the light when a mass exodus occurred resulting in the departure of almost 1/3 of the students. Thats a BIG hit.

The parents voices were not heard. This became evident with the follow-up response from Waldorfs, Rick Salsa, the current president of the board of trustees.

Saying that he couldn't begin to answer why a third of the students left last semester, Id suggest to Mr. Salsa that he go back and read the feedback from parents again. In the meantime, Id like to answer Castanets call to Send us a letter. Got an opinion on this story?. Yes I do.

February 27 (possibly 25) 1861, a bull-headed Austrian by the name of Johann(es) and his feisty wife, Franziska brought into this world a son who would be named Rudolf.

Young Rudolfs life would step out to a rocky start through the temper and convictions of his father. The former gamekeeper in the service of Count Hoyos took one of the Counts housemaids in a marriage void of the Counts permission. After re-establishing themselves in another region of Austria, the young couple brought Rudolf into the world.

Rudolf was home schooled for a short spell after a conflict between the school and Rudolfs father, Johann. It seems to me that a combination of his home life and the system under which he started his education lead Rudolf to escaping into his mind at a young age.

By age 15, Rudolf believed that he understood the full concept of time, and furthered his thinking into what he later would term as Spiritual Science. His education took him from the teachings of an herb gatherer, to years of science related courses mixed with spiritual endeavours to shape what would become his firm belief system. Anthroposophy was born of this blending of spirituality and science. Anthroposophy would later become the foundation of bigger things for Rudolf.

At the turn of the 1900s, Dr. Karl Kellner who was a manufacturer from Vienna, paired up with Dr. Franz Hertmann, a German theosophist, and founded a secret Occult lodge they named OTO (Ordo Templi Orientis. Not long after the formation of this secret lodge a man with many connections to other such lodges joined the Order (OTO). Soon after joining, this man, Theodore Reuss brought Rudolf Steiner into the fold, making Steiner a member of this secret lodge.

Reuss, named Brother Merlin under the Occultist lodge, made contact with Aleister Crowley in 1912, inviting him to become a member of the lodge. Crowley took the name, Brother Baphomet. Baphomet is the symbol of the satanic goat. The body of a human with the head of a goat.

The O.T.O. focused on the inner kernel of sexual magic. The O.T.O. developed its sexual rites under Reuss but later expanded them under Crowley. Crowley soon after took over the leadership of the lodge. Like many secret lodges and Satanic cults, the O.T. O. used ceremonies, sacrifices and rituals to garner strength and foundation in their members. Like other secret lodges, members may not speak of their secret knowledge.

Originally intended to be modelled after and associated with European Freemasonry, such as Masonic Templar organizations, the O.T.O. was reorganized around the Law of Thelema as its central religious principle under the leadership of Aleister Crowley,. This Law, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" was promoted in 1904 with the writing of The Book of the Law. It was such laws that became evident in associated thinking of other members of this secret Occult lodge. One such member that seemed to carry within many of the same beliefs as Crowley was in fact Rudolf Steiner.

Steiner would later go on to form what is now The Waldorf Schools. Waldorf education, often referred to as Steiner Education is based on the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. Its teachings emphasize the role of imagination in learning, trying to integrate the intellectual, practical, and artistic development of pupils in a holistic manner. Although in principal, these methods may sound inviting if not attractive, one must take the time to look deeper. Waldorf schools do not adopt the same rules or disciplines regarding bullying in their education system. Relying heavily on artistic expression, spiritual connections, racial profiling and offering liberal helpings of freedom of expression, bullied children are often seen to have little to no protection from their offenders.

I mention racial profiling on account of Steiners very well pronounced belief that different races stand at different levels, and each has its proper place on the Earth. He believed that humanity would have to go through racial Armageddon before we could proceed to the next stage of evolution. Steiner goes on to state what each colour stood for, putting the Whites at the top, leading the way to the future with nothing less than a painful and violent demise for those born with more melanin.

The Waldorf Teachers Survival Guide is a 67 page pamphlet written by Eugene Schwartz in 1992. At the time, Eugene was the head of the Waldorf teaching program at Sunbridge College in N.Y.. In this guide, on page 54: "Most of that which contributes to our work as teachers, preparation work, artistic work, even meditative work, is under the guardianship of Lucifer. We can become great teachers under his supervision, for he is responsible for much that has blossomed in the unfolding of civilization and culture in the past."

It is worth noting that since 2005 Eugene Schwartz has been tied up in legal battles surrounding allegations of child pornography being found on his home computer. Although to date, no charges have been laid regarding the claims, there was evidently a trove of child pornography found along with a stockpile of photos of his female students in bathing suits as well as at least one photo of a student described as inappropriate in nature. Schwartz is said to have admitted to being attracted to young girls and child pornography. These admissions to having a problem came to light in 2014, when two other teachers at the same facility that Schwartz taught at were identified in an investigation into pervasive past sexual misconduct at the school.

In Anthroposophical doctrine, Lucifer is the god of light. His antagonist is Ahriman, the god of darkness. To balance these two opposing forces, Christ comes to earth as a sun god. This pairing of Jesus and Lucifer as the father and son, are bound to create discomfort in most believers in Christianity. It can certainly create a level of discomfort even to those considered Atheist or Agnostic.

Danny Aguirre, access line director at the Spiritual Counterfeits Project in Berkeley, California stated, "I think that it's a curriculum that attempts to be palatable for public consumption, but there's a strategy to subtly influence the children toward Anthroposophy." This was stated in reply to questions raised regarding whether or not Waldorf Teaching is intended to indoctrinate children in an occult religion.

Waldorf Teaching is based entirely on the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner, a man closely associated with Aleister Crowley among other high level Occultists, Satanists and Secret Lodge members. Rudolfs brainchild (Waldorf Schools) went on to be lead and further modelled under the similar influences of such degenerates as Eugene Schwartz. Its past due time for the public to be aware of the real story behind the mass exodus that recently took place in our local Kelowna Waldorf School. Its fair to say there is more on the minds of some parents than the inner workings and petty politics of this local school.

Perhaps this article sheds light where light was not meant to shine. If nothing else, I hope it brings awareness to the topic that inspires open conversations and some insight into why Waldorf schools carries with them so much controversy around their methods of educating as well as the funding that keeps their doors open.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius. Crack the blinds.

David Hicks
On March 14 there was a letter published with this title. I wholeheartedly agree that voters should take some important items into consideration.

First, anyone who thinks that this province will be debt free by 2020 has not looked at the governments own documents. I use Google for my search engine and I searched for what is the bc provincial debt. Try that and look at what you get. For one, there is a hit that is a pdf from the government, Fiscal and Debt Summary. In that one you will see that the government is expecting the debt to be over $77 billion by 2020. But then that does not include the BC Hydro debt that the government is also responsible for. Ive read before that BC Hydro is on the brink of pushing this province into a lower debt rating.

Then, look at the debt clock hit. When I looked today it had the current debt at over $66 billion and said your share is almost $14,000 (when I looked at it).

Now look at the Fraser Institute hit. The last sentence says, Beyond 2017, sustainability will require restraint in program spending to generate not only balanced operating budgets, but also some years of substantial surpluses in the operating budget. Does that sound like the Liberal election promises to give back money starting with the MSP promise starting in 2018?

The most detailed one is the hit from COMMONSENSECANADIAN. Perhaps this one will start me down the road to finding out why electricity rates are so high in this province. It claims that BC Hydro is $76 billion in debt. Add that to the government reported debt of $66 billion and think about how we can be debt free by 2020. When governments talk about a balanced budget, they are talking about operations only and do not include capital spending. This organization, COMMONSENSECANADIAN, also claims that BC Hydro paid $672 million more than market value to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in 2015 and claims that these companies are generous donors to the Liberal Party. They include a graph showing that true debt has skyrocketed under the Liberal governments. (They have a lot more, but youll have to go read that for yourself.)

Is this what you want to leave your kids? Can all these organizations be wrong?

I am fairly new to this province and I am doing my due diligence in digging out the truthful facts and they can all be verified. I have also registered to vote because I always vote, even if I have to write in a party that may not be present (and destroy my ballot because there are no reasonable alternatives). I have never belonged to any political party and at one time or another I have voted for all three major parties.

Jerrilynn DeCock
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Gulf of Oman turns green twice a year, when an algae bloom the size of Mexico spreads across the Arabian Sea all the way to India.

Scientists who study the algae say the microscopic organisms are thriving in new conditions brought about by climate change, and displacing the zooplankton that underpin the local food chain, threatening the entire marine ecosystem.

Khalid al-Hashmi, a marine biologist at the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, wrinkles his nose as the research vessel nears the bloom. "Sea stench," he says, referring to the algae's ammonia secretions. "It's here, you can smell it."

He signals the boat to stop as it speeds beneath a gigantic rock arch off the coast of Muscat, the capital of Oman, an arid sultanate on the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. The captain kills the engine and drops anchor into a slick of bright green muck surrounded by crystal-clear blue water.

The swarms of microscopic creatures beneath the surface of the Gulf of Oman were all but invisible 30 years ago  now they form giant, murky shapes that can be seen from satellites.

Across the planet, blooms have wrecked local ecosystems. Algae can paralyze fish, clog their gills, and absorb enough oxygen to suffocate them. Whales, turtles, dolphins and manatees have died, poisoned by algal toxins, in the Atlantic and Pacific. These toxins have infiltrated whole marine food chains and have, in rare cases, killed people, according to the U.N. science agency.

Scientists based at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University trace Oman's blooms to melting ice in the Himalayas. Less ice has raised temperatures in South Asia and strengthened the Indian Ocean's southwest monsoon. As this weather front moves across the Arabian Sea every year, it churned up oxygen-poor water thick with nutrients that have fueled the rise of a 1.2-billion-year old algae called noctiluca scintillans.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Angelina Jolie is set to teach a master's course at the prestigious London School of Economics this fall as a visiting professor.

The London Evening Standard reports the 41-year-old actress and filmmaker gave a preview of her class Tuesday with a lecture at the school's Centre for Women, Peace and Security. She told the newspaper before the lecture that she was "a little nervous," but she hoped to do well because the talk was "very important" to her.

The Standard reports that Jolie will be lecturing in an unpaid post in September as part of a master's program on women, peace and security.

Jolie's humanitarian work is well-known. She serves as a special envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
I can appreciate the parents' concern over the quality of the lunches that their girl is getting. However, I would like to know why the parents don't send their daughter to school with a lunch that they feel is appropriate? The school is providing a service, but if they don't like the service, they don't have to participate in it. At the same time, yes, I do believe that the school should provide healthy lunches, so keep the discussion going until all the parents are satisfied.

Bruno Rossi

A big point of this article, and the father's statements, is the fact that the lunch is subscribed to optionally.

Although he did mention that they could bring their own food if they chose to, if both parents are diabetic and are concerned about the nutrition and fruit and vegetable option, why do they not take the time to pack their daughter extra nutritious snacks to bring for the day or unsubscribe altogether?

As a former SD23 parent who paid for hot lunches for numerous years, I understand that hearty meals should be provided (in my case all meals came from fast food restaurants... try that for no nutrition), however, perhaps the $37.50 should be saved (although in their case it is subsidized), and put towards meals that the family sees fit and has full control over.

The people who run this program work their best to provide for the students and should be commended, not questioned in the media. Kudos to the family, however, for assuring their daughter eats properly as many do not, but maybe getting an article written to scrutinize the program was not the best option.

Brent Stevenson

First of all, I look at the photos provided and I don't personally see a problem. My daughter attended Chief Tomat and we always found the lunches to be sufficient and correctly portion controlled for children. Your photo's show juice, an apple, salad, etc. If your family personally does not like the lunches served then send your child with her own lunch from home.

As well, you mentioned youre subsidized and the lunches provided to your family are free. So why are you complaining? Your lack of respect for this arrangement is appalling. It's not the schools job to feed your child. It's your job as a parent to provide food for your children. And for someone else to be taking that responsibility, free of charge, off your hands means you should be quiet and be grateful. You should be thanking the school instead of criticizing. Shame on you! If you don't like the lunches provided then step up your parenting game and be responsible enough to feed your own child.

Bethany Wright
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Austria Press Agency says four mountain climbers have been killed in an avalanche in the Austrian Alps.

The report, citing police, says the climbers were part of an eight-person ski touring group when the avalanche hit at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Four people in the group were able to free themselves from the snow on their own and alerted rescue crews.

The avalanche came on the 2,450-metre Jochgrubenkopf mountain, southeast of Innsbruck, and measured about 700 metres long with the snow depth reaching 12 metres.
 Flash

South Korea's home affairs ministry said Wednesday that a presidential election date was set on May 9, which will be designated as a temporary holiday.

Hong Yoon-shik, the minister of government administration and home affairs, announced it after attending the cabinet meeting.

A presidential election must be held within 60 days as the president is formally unseated. Former President Park Geun-hye was ousted on March 10 as the constitutional court unanimously upheld her impeachment motion.

Public officials who want to run for president are required to withdraw from public office until April 9, a date 30 days before the election which will last from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is serving as acting president, said during the cabinet meeting that he will not run for president as he needs to manage the presidential race fairly and handle state affairs.

Hwang has been seen as the best hope in the conservative camp as public support for Park and conservative politicians tumbled with the corruption scandal embroiling the ousted leader.

He has gained the highest approval scores in recent opinion polls despite a big difference compared with Moon Jae-in, frontrunner and former head of the biggest opposition Minjoo Party.

Hwang urged related ministries to make best efforts to enable the upcoming election to get clearer and fairer than ever.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Scientists have found the world's first large-scale area of acidified water in the open ocean in the seas of the western Arctic.

"In other (oceans), you may have a small part with low pH, but the Arctic Ocean is the first one we have observed with a larger scale acidification," said Wei-Jun Cai of the University of Delaware, co-author of a paper recently published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

Ocean acidification is related to increasing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Waters grow more acidic as they absorb gas from the air.

Previous research has suggested the Arctic Ocean is acidifying faster than any other ocean on Earth. Cai and his colleagues were able to map the rate of that change in the water of the Canada Basin by comparing data from the mid-1990s with that up to 2010.

The say the area of acidified water in the basin has expanded northwards as far as 85 degrees latitude. That's about 500 kilometres further north. The pool is also deeper. It's now found as low at 250 metres, an increase of 100 metres.

"That surprised everyone," said co-author Richard Feely of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "But this builds up very, very quickly over time."

Feely said acidity in the area has increased twice as fast any other body of water that's been measured. The acidity is now six times what it was 20 years ago.

The scientists say the buildup is related to the disappearance of summer sea ice. The less ice cover, the longer water is exposed to the CO2-rich atmosphere and the more time there is to absorb the acidifying gas.

"During the summer melt time, the CO2 directly goes to sea water," Cai said.

The melt water sinks and picks up CO2 generated from organisms living adjacent to the continental shelf.

Currents in the atmosphere are also driving more water from the Pacific into the Canada Basin. The Pacific is generally more acidic than the Arctic, because it's more exposed to the atmosphere and CO2 generated by plants living in it.
The three victims of the 9-N participatory process, Artur Mas, Joana Ortega and Irene Rigau, are the best way of demonstrating what is happening in Spain, according to the Catalan government. Based on their own experience they can tell the world in first person how fragile democracy is in Spain. The government is relying on the former president, former vice president and former minister for education to educate Europe regarding the Spanish judicial persecution of Catalan independence and Catalans' desire to exercise their right to self-determination.

Carles Puigdemont's executive has not yet defined any specific action for the three ambassadors of the process to follow. In fact, the former president's international role was first announced when he stepped aside in favour of Puigdemont, but until now he has mostly been limited to trips to the United Kingdom and the United States to give lectures at Oxford and Harvard, respectively.

Government spokesperson Neus Munte yesterday said that the ruling barring Mas from office for two years legally, but not politically does not affect his duties as former president, his being addressed as right honourable, or his contribution to the Eugeni Xammar International Programme of Communication and Public Relations, as part of which he made the two visits to the aforementioned universities. And Puigdemont's cabinet now wants to use the victims' experience and fluency in languages to explain what it sees as a gross injustice.

At the end of yesterday's executive board meeting, Munte described the sentence by the Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) as malicious and noted that there is nothing benevolent or generous about imposing a penalty of two years' disqualification.
Good to see Italian sailors going for a new F18 design. Past years another custom F18 was born there designed & built by Luca Filippi, the Banga . Banga looks great and had good performance and travelled to St Barts also. But Luca is now busy building the Nr 1 racing Kitefoil , named Banga too.

This new F18 , named Bullet from Pescara , Italy, was published by the Croatian F18 Assoc , announcing they will attend the third edition of the Murter Challenge , sailed in a great local venue.

Will get more info on this new Bullet project soon which has a Wildcat looks with its bow rails and similar bow cut., Great news having another F18 out there.

For the 2017 Worlds 115 entries so far, and surely more coming, updated preview next weeks as more top guns have registered.

Denmark 2017 F18 Worlds official at www.f18worlds2017.dk
As a fifth generation farmer living in Marquette County, I know firsthand the importance of having strong, vibrant rural communities when it comes to Wisconsins future. When speaking with farmers, business owners and consumers across rural Wisconsin, I consistently hear the need to address the same issues: broadband, education, transportation and water quality.

Governor Walkers budget makes it clear that he heard that message as well. Gov. Walkers recently introduced budget is good for Wisconsins farm families, our rural communities and our future.

Unfortunately, farmers do not all have internet access, or even if they have internet, it may not be fast enough or dependable enough to complete farm business. Our rural communities need broadband. Farms and businesses need to be able to advertise and sell products online. Students need internet to complete homework and seek information. Gov. Walkers budget will expand broadband funding, an increase of $34.5 million over the biennium. This is good for all of us.

In Wisconsin, our students success today is fundamental to our states future growth. Gov. Walkers budget increases Sparsity Aid by $20 million and provides 100 percent reimbursement for rural school districts in the High-Cost Transportation Aid program, increasing this support by $10.4 million. His budget allows school districts to enter into agreements to share or jointly provide services or specialists in areas such as attendance officers or lifesaving skill instruction, reducing the burdens on rural schools.

Farms and businesses depend on a solid transportation system to market its products across the region, state and country. Gov. Walkers budget also makes key investments when it comes to transportation in rural areas. His budget contains the most funding ever provided to local governments for local road aids.

Local governments will receive a total increase of $76,966,700 in state aid and assistance over the 2015-17 biennium from the combined increases in general transportation aids, local road improvement program payments and state funded local bridge improvement assistance program payments.

Water quality is essential for the long-term success of agriculture and Wisconsins rural communities. Farmers care deeply about the land they work and rely upon to make a living. Gov. Walkers budget emphasizes his commitment to Wisconsin farmers. It includes a number of initiatives to address land and water resource management, including $7 million in cost sharing grants for farmers implementing conservation practices with the assistance of county land conservation departments. We continue to support county land and conservation staffing as we always have.

Gov. Walkers budget also includes a 24 percent increase, an additional $825,000 each fiscal year (or $1.65 million over the biennium) in funding for nutrient management planning, which helps farmers determine when to apply manure and other nutrients at the proper rate and location. Continuation of the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grants program in the budget will help farmers work together to develop solutions to prevent runoff. These producer-led efforts maintain or improve water quality through improved or new approaches to farming practices.

After a thorough review of the fees and surcharges on farmers and businesses that are used to manage the agriculture chemical program and the Agriculture Chemical Cleanup Program, Gov. Walker included in his budget proposal a reduction of fees to farmers and businesses of $2 million per year. His proposal will still fully fund the cleanup efforts managed by the DATCP as well as oversight of product uses and regulations.

I am optimistic for the future of Wisconsins rural communities. I believe Gov. Walkers budget makes a strong investment in our rural communities and Wisconsins future. It is clear the governor is investing in our states priorities and moving Wisconsin forward.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have long been plagued by divorce rumors since the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got married in 2011. A recent report suggests that the couple may be close to reaching the final straw of their relationship, as the 34-year-old prince was spotted flirting with an Australian model.

Prince William and Kate Middleton divorce rumors are once again heating up online after the Duke of Cambridge was reportedly spotted with Australian model, Sophie Taylor. According to Gossip Cop, a report from RadarOnline suggests that Prince William intentionally skipped the Commonwealth Day services and left his wife to spend time with the model in Switzerland.

The publication notes that the said report lacks a couple of important details, including the fact that Prince William and Taylor were not spending time alone. The publication notes that Prince William and Taylor were out together with a group of friends.

While the latest Kate Middleton and Prince William divorce rumor may not be true, the Duke of Cambridge remains under fire for skipping out an important event. As MailOnline reports, the Commonwealth may be the "most treasured organisation" for Queen Elizabeth and it does not look good to see Prince William skip out an important event to spend time with his friends.

Taylor's mother, Joni, told The Daily Telegraph in an interview that her daughter was shocked to hear about the scandal she and Prince William were involved in. Joni insisted that Sophie has nothing to do with the Duke of Cambridge and would not do anything to "put him in an awkward position."

The publication further notes that this is a critical time for the British royal family to unite shortly after Brexit. Several spectators also expressed disappointment towards the Duke of Cambridge's decision to party over attending an important event.


Myanmar: Mandalay plants ordered to install emissions monitoring equipment

15 March 2017

Mandalay's region government has ordered the cement factories in Kyaukse and Thazi townships to install air-testing devices.

The Environmental Conservation Department conducted an investigation on cement factories emissions in February and instructed the plants to install two devices, gas and ambient analysers.



"I've reported the cement factories in Kyaukse to the government after the investigations. The Mandalay region minister for natural resources, forestry and environmental conservation also announced that the owners had to install air-testing devices by the end of this month [March 2017]," said Ko Ko Lay, director of the Environmental Conservation Department.





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Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Records Relating to Tarmac Meeting Between Then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Former President Bill Clinton in June 2016 Contact: Brandon Cockerham, Judicial Watch , 202-646-5172 WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch announced today that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Justice for records related to the meeting held between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in 2016 (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:17-cv-00421)).



Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit after the agency failed to respond to a June 29, 2016, FOIA request seeking: All records and/or transcripts of a meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All records of communication sent to or from officials in the Office of the Attorney General regarding the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All records of communication sent to or from officials in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General regarding the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton in June 2016.



All references to the meeting held between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton contained in day planners, calendars and schedules in the Office of the Attorney General. Lynch met privately with former President Bill Clinton on board a parked plane. The meeting occurred during the then-ongoing investigation of Mrs. Clinton's email server, and only a few days before she was interview by the FBI. Lynch later admitted that the meeting with Bill Clinton "cast a cloud" over the Justice Department/FBI investigation. Not long afterward, FBI Director James Comey called Hillary Clinton's actions "extremely careless" but did not recommend charges.



"The infamous tarmac meeting between President Clinton and AG Lynch is a vivid example of why many Americans believe the Obama administration's criminal investigation into Hillary Clinton was rigged," said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. "Now it will be up to Attorney General Sessions at the Trump Justice Department to finally shed some light on this subversion of justice."



Judicial Watch requested the Justice Inspector General investigate the tarmac meeting.



In October, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit seeking FBI "302" documents, which are reports of FBI investigation interviews, from the FBI's investigation into former Hillary Clinton's email practices, related communications, and records regarding the June 2016, meeting between Lynch and former President Clinton. Documents in response this lawsuit are being regularly posted on the FBI website here (vault.fbi.gov/hillary-r.-clinton).



MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-sues-doj-records-relating-tarmac-meeting-attorney-general-loretta-lynch-former-president-bill-clinton-june-2016

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"Judge Neil Gorsuch's judicial opinions and legal writings are marked by scholarship, clear writing, and a scrupulous weighing of the legal precedent and factual evidence," said AUL's Clarke Forsythe, "He is committed to interpreting the Constitution as written and not legislating from the bench, a dangerous practice that leads to tragic decisions like Roe v. Wade."



Contact: Kristi Hamrick, 202-289-1478, press@aul.org



WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans United for Life's legal team delivered a letter to members of the U.S. Senate this week from AUL's Acting President Clarke Forsythe in support of the nomination Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. "Judge Gorsuch's judicial temperament makes him the right choice to replace the revered Justice Antonin Scalia," said Forsythe, who noted in his letter that "Judge Gorsuch has demonstrated a commitment to constitutional originalism, the separation of governmental powers, and principles of judicial restraint."

Forsythe observed: "When Roe v. Wade was arbitrarily decided by the Supreme Court, without medical evidence or a trial court record of thorough debate, abortion on demand was created out of thin air, based on judicial preferences. It was a sweeping act of judicial overreach and a premier example of what legislating from the bench looks like. A judiciary committed to interpreting  not creating law  is key for respecting the voice of the people through their elected officials."

To learn more about some of judicial principles that impact life in the law and that may be discussed during next week's hearings, check out AUL's SCOTUS101 project here.

MEDIA ADVISORY: AUL Staff attorney Deanna Wallace will be providing daily analysis of the issues discussed during the hearings. For interviews e-mail press@aul.org

Forsythe further emphasized statements made during Judge Gorsuch's 2006 Senate confirmation hearing where he affirmed, "Judges must allow the elected branches of government to flourish and citizens, through their elected representatives, to make laws appropriate to the facts and circumstances of the day. Judges must avoid the temptation to usurp the roles of the legislative and executive branches and must appreciate the advantages these democratic institutions have in crafting and adapting social policy as well as their special authority derived from the consent and mandate of the people, to do so." Judge Gorsuch was confirmed unanimously to the Tenth Circuit.

In the Senate letter, Forsythe also discusses a number of Judge Gorsuch's decisions, including his rationale for protecting First Amendment conscience rights in Hobby Lobby v. Sebelius (later Burwell v. Hobby Lobby before the U.S. Supreme Court). To read the letter in its entirety, click here.

AUL at the Supreme Court.

Since 1972, AUL has been involved in more than 100 federal and state cases across the country and internationally, including every significant abortion-related case before the Supreme Court including Roe v. Wade. AUL has filed more amicus curiae (or "friend of the court") briefs than any other pro-life organization, further solidifying its position as the legal architect of the pro-life movement.

In 1980, Americans United for Life won an historic victory when we successfully defended the Hyde Amendment before the Supreme Court in Harris v. McRae. This important decision upheld federal and state prohibitions on public funding of abortion except to protect the life of the mother.

Our leadership on pro-life law and policy has been recognized four times by members of the Senate Judiciary Committee when AUL was asked to address pro-life concerns in confirmation hearings for Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.

To book interviews on the issues addressed at SCOTUS101, in AUL's Senate letter, and during the hearings, e-mail press@aul.org.



Americans United for Life (AUL) is the legal architect of the pro-life movement. We are accumulating victories, building momentum, and advancing a culture of life in America. Our vision is a nation in which everyone is welcomed in life and protected in law. The first national pro-life organization in America, AUL has been committed to defending human life since 1971.
In 2016, Bombay Tobak, the company best known for its MBombay line introduced a new brand in its portfolio known as Gaaja. Gaaja was a project that Bombay Tobak owner Mel Shah had been working on for about three years. Not only would it be the compamys first box-pressed offering, but its blend would incorporate tobacco from Paraguay  a country not known for producing premium cigar tobaccos. The Gaaja would make its debut prior to the IPCPR Trade Show and would prove to be a huge hit for Shah and Bombay Tobak. In fact, it would finish as the #5 Cigar Coop Cigar of the Year for 2016. Fast forward to the IPCPR Trade Show and a new blend was showcased under the Gaaja brand known as the Gaaja Maduro. As the name indicates this cigar offers a maduro version of the Gaaja blend. Recently Ive had an opportunity to smoke the Gaaja Maduro in the Torpedo size. The Gaaja Maduro lives up to the high level set up the original Gaaja as this cigar is a home run for Bombay Tobak.

Gaaja (pronounced : Gaa-ya) is a name that traces back to the Sanskrit name Gaja (pronounced guy) which means elephant. As mentioned Gaaja was a project that worked on for three years and the connection with the name elephant represents the slower and patient pace by which Shah brought this brand to market.

Without further ado, lets break down the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo and see what this cigar brings to the table.

Blend Profile

The Gaaja Maduro is a five country multi-national blend. The wrapper used is a Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper. According to Shah, this wrapper has played a very important factor in the flavor, complexity and the body to the cigar. While the Gaaja Maduro uses the same binder and filler as the original Gaaja, the proportions were adjusted to accommodate the new wrapper.

The Paraguayan tobacco is a part of the filler which also includes Ecuadorian, Dominican, and Peruvian tobaccos. Peruvian tobacco is a tobacco that is a common denominator across the entire Bombay Tobak portfolio for both MBombay and Gaaja.

Wrapper : Brazilian Mata Fina

Binder : Ecuador HVA Seca Mejorada

Filler :

 Seco: Peru Hybrid Habano

 Viso: Ecuador criollo 98, Paraguay Hybrid Habano 2000, Dominican criollo 98.

 Ligero: Dominican HVA Mejorado

Country of Origin: Costa Rica (Tabacos de Costa Rica SA)

Vitolas Available

The Gaaja Maduro is available in two box-pressed sizes. Each size is available in ten count cedar boxes.

Toro: 6 x 54

Torpedo: 6 1/2 x 54

As with the Gaaja Maduro, the Torpedo size is also the Gaaja Natural line.

Appearance

The Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper of the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo has medium roast coffee bean color. Depending on how the light shines on it, it may exhibit a colorado red tint. The surface of the wrapper has some subtle marbling to it. There is also a coating of oil on the surface. This was a smooth wrapper that was mostly void of veins and only had some very thin visible wrapper seams. The box-press of the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo is firm. The torpedo tip is short with moderate tapering.

The band on the Gaaja Maduro is the same that is found on the Gaaja Natural. This band was designed by Shahs wife (who designed the other MBombay bands). With the Gaaja band, it is a departure from the Indian mosaic style band found on the MBombay lines. The band features colors to represent the four elements: Red (Fire), Gold (Earth), Green/Blue (Water), Dark Blue Swirls (Wind). The left and right side of the band is gold with blue trim. On the left side of the band is the text Bombay Tobak in red cursive font. The right side has the text GAAJA: in red print font.

Preparation for the Cigar Experience

As I do with torpedoes, I went with a straight cut to remove the tip of the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo. For this cigar, I used my Credo Special T cutter with the 36 ring gauge hole to get an ideal cut. This allowed me to get a smaller ring gauge cut an to take advantage of the tapering of this cigar. After clipping the tip, I commenced with the pre-light draw. The dry draw delivered a mix of mocha (what I consider to be a combination of chocolate and coffee components) and citrus. Overall I considered this to be a satisfactory pre-light draw. At this point I was ready to light up the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo and see what the smoking phase would have in store.

Flavor Profile

The Gaaja Maduro Torpedo started out with notes of mocha, cedar, herbal spice, and white pepper. It didnt take long for the mocha notes to move into the forefront. As the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo moved through the first third, the chocolate component of the mocha was the main flavor. This chocolate component had a smooth and creamy texture to it. Meanwhile the cedar, herbal, and white pepper notes in the background provided some nice balance against the chocolate. At the same time, there was a combination of cedar and herbal notes on the retro-hale.

During the second third, the coffee component of the mocha began to increase and join the creamy chocolate component. Meanwhile, the cedar remained grounded in the background. At the same time, I did notice the white pepper notes started to increase while the herbal notes started to decrease.

Toward the latter part of the second third, the coffee flavor became the main component of the mocha notes in the forefront. While the pepper continued to increase, I now also noticed an increase in cedar. From time to time, there was a slight citrus sweet note that surfaced. The herbal notes remained more distant.

By the last third of the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo the cedar and pepper notes joined the coffee notes in the forefront. I didnt find much in the way of chocolate notes left. There was still a touch of citrus and herb in the background. This is the way the cigar experience came to a close. The resulting nub was firm to the touch and cool in temperature.

Burn and Draw

In terms of burn, the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo, I did find was a slight amount of meandering from time to time and this did require a few more touch-ups than I prefer. At times there was a slight amount of jaggedness on the burn line. The resulting ash had a silver-gray color with some dark spots. This ash wasnt overly firm, but at the same time this was not a loose flakey ash either. The burn rate and burn temperature were ideal.

I found the draw for this box-press to also perform very well. This box-press had the right amount of resistance. I didnt find the draw to be too open and this resulted in a low maintenance cigar to derive flavors from.

Strength and Body

In terms of strength and body, the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo started out right in the middle of the spectrum. This cigar delivers a medium strength, medium-bodied smoke right out of the gate. There is a gradual increase in both strength and body and by the second half, both attributes cross the threshold into medium to full territory. The strength and body continue to gradually build right to the end, but the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo holds medium to full right until the end.

Both the strength and body balanced each other very nicely with neither attribute overshadowing the other. In addition I found the strength and body to be at the right level for the flavors delivered from the Gaaja Maduro Torpedo.

Final Thoughts

When Shah released Gaaja Natural last year, he knocked it out of the ballpark. Now with the Gaaja Maduro, Shah hits another home run. Given Gaaja Natural was such an outstanding cigar, I was a little skeptical of what changing the Naturals Ecuadorian Desflorado wrapper to a Brazilian Mata Fina would do. The end result is it created another stellar cigar and a great complement to the original Gaaja. Flavor-wise, this is one of the finest Brazilian Mata Fina box-pressed cigars I have smoked.

In terms of the Paraguayan tobacco in the blend, I felt it played less of a role with this blend. Ill infer the Brazilian Mata Fina wrapper had a stronger presence on the Maduro than the Desflorado wrapper had on the Natural. Still its not a negative here  and if the original Gaaja Natural wasnt in your wheelhouse, Id still encourage you to try the maduro.

Overall, this is a cigar I would easily recommend to a seasoned cigar enthusiast. Its also a cigar I would not hesitate recommending to a novice looking to graduate to something in the medium plus range. As for myself, this is a cigar Id easily smoke again, pick up a box, and fight Chuck Norris for them.

Summary

Key Flavors: Mocha, Cedar, White Pepper, and Herbal Notes

Burn: Very Good

Draw: Excellent

Complexity: Medium to High

Strength: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)

Body: Medium (1st Half), Medium to Full (2nd Half)

Finish: Excellent

Rating

Assessment: 4.5-Fight Chuck Norris For Them

Score: 94

References

News: Bombay Tobak Releases Gaaja Torpedo and Gaaja Maduro

Price: $15.50

Source: Bombay Tobak

Brand Reference: Bombay Tobak
Back when the cloud was first getting started, there were plenty of people who thought it was stupid to the point of derangement to take a company's valuable proprietary information and put it out on what amounted to an adjunct of the Web. It was begging to be stolen, some noted, with a grim sort of horror that was commonly reserved for someone walking blindfolded toward a cliff edge. However, the growth of cloud security has shown us all what the cloud can reallyand safelydo, and Actiance is doing its part by connecting its Actiance Vantage system to Microsoft (News - Alert) Azure.

With the new connection, reports note, users can now host Vantage on Azure, a move that will allow Actiance customers to stay compliant with applicable regulations regarding cloud security. Plus, users can take advantage of the full range of solutions presented by the Azure cloud platform. This allows for a properly secured solution that can deliver a range of values thanks to access to systems like SharePoint, One Drive for Business, and several others.

Plus, users can also engage in deploying private cloud systems, which helps offer extra control of data movement. That can further serve as a protective measure, as it can help prevent data from going into sources and locations it shouldn't. Since Vantage is now available as part of Azure, Vantage users can maintain a current on-premises implementation, or instead deploy Vantage to Azure directly. Users can control as many as 80 separate communications channels with the system, giving it the ability to work well in most any situation.

Actiance's senior vice president for business development Barry Ruditsky noted, As customers move to the cloud, they need all the security and compliance features Vantage, a certified Skype (News - Alert) for Business solution, provides. The availability of Actiance Vantage on Microsoft Azure helps accelerate cloud initiatives for our joint customers, and gives them a simplified way to ensure compliant communications across the Microsoft cloud.

Since Azure is a rapidly-growing component of everyday operations, being able to add a protective measure to its work is important to make sure that the information that goes on or through the cloud is only seen by those who should see it. Actiance's systems provide a lot of extra help on this front, and thus make the cloud more viable for overall use.

With the cloud itself increasingly popular, and Azure proving a valuable tool to have on hand, Vantage's addition only makes a good thing better. That will be welcome news to Azure users, and prove a valuable feather in Actiance's cap as well.

Edited by Alicia Young
As announced in November 2016, BASF is investing more than 200 million globally to increase its production network for plastic additives. An important step is an investment to build a new plastic additives plant at its Caojing site in Shanghai, China. This world-scale plant, with an annual capacity of 42,000 tons, will produce antioxidants and associated forms and blends. It is expected to be completed in 2019, with commercial production to start by early 2020.

Asia, and particularly the Chinese market, offer significant growth opportunities, driven by diverse applications including packaging, construction, consumer goods, automotive and many more, said Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President of BASFs Performance Chemicals unit in Asia Pacific. The plant will be built to reach high environmental standards and have one of the most efficient production processes. Located within the Caojing complex, it will also benefit from its proximity to our regional application center in Shanghai that provides technical support to polymer producers and to the converting industry within the region.
A modified fatty acid synthase (illustrated schematically in the blue box on the basis of its synthetic properties) can induce short-chain fatty acid production in a yeast cell. Synthesis can be compared with a multistep industrial process. By means of targeted modifications to the natural synthesis, individual processes are accelerated or slowed down (green and red arrows) in order to trigger premature release of short-chain fatty acids.

Short-chain fatty acids are high-value constituents of cosmetics, active pharmaceutical ingredients, antimicrobial substances, aromas or soap. To date, it has only been possible to extract them from crude oil by chemical means or from certain plants, such as coconut, using a complex process. Research groups led by Professor Martin Grininger and Professor Eckhard Boles at Goethe University Frankfurt have now succeeded in producing such fatty acids in large quantities from sugar or waste containing sugar with the help of yeasts. The process is simple and similar to that of beer brewing.

As the researchers report the short-chain fatty acids are also much sought after as a pre-product for fuels. "The new technology can be a key step to finding an alternative approach, using yeasts, to innovative types of biofuels whose properties almost equate to those of fossil fuels", explains Eckhard Boles from the Institute of Molecular Biosciences.

The fatty acids produced by plants and animals are to a large extent made up of chains of eighteen carbon atoms. That means they are longer than the short-chain compounds required. In living cells, large protein complexes - fatty acid synthases - produce fatty acids by joining nine building blocks of two carbon atoms in an eight-cycle process. Martin Grininger, Lichtenberg Professor of the Volkswagen Foundation at Goethe University Frankfurt and research group leader at the Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (BMLS), was involved in solving the three-dimensional structure of the fatty acid synthases. His extensive know-how in this field allowed him to intervene in their mode of action.

"First we examined how the fatty acid synthase counts cycles in order to decide when the chain is finished. We found a type of ruler which measures the length of the fatty acid", explains Martin Grininger. "We modified this ruler in such a way that the fatty acid synthase measures incorrectly and releases shorter chains. All this took place first of all on the computer and in the test tube."

Together with Eckhard Boles, who is conducting research on yeast metabolism at the neighbouring biocentre, the idea evolved to use Grininger's modified fatty acid synthases in yeasts. "These yeasts all at once started to secrete short-chain fatty acids in remarkable quantities", reports Boles. "Like in beer brewing, we can use these now to produce - instead of alcohol - high-quality short-chain fatty acids." Grininger and Boles add: "This development is just the start. We want now, through similar modifications on other large enzyme complexes, that is, polyketide synthases, to synthesize other new types of molecule for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry which are not readily available otherwise."

Goethe University Frankfurt has protected these developments by filing two European and international patents and is now looking for licensees for commercial applications. Grininger and Boles are currently developing their technology further and in different directions. The aim of the "Chassy" project funded by the European Commission is to scale up the technology for industrial use. In addition, the LOEWE project "MegaSyn" financed by the Federal State of Hesse focuses on the production of further chemical compounds through the modification of polyketide synthases. And in the "Alk2Bio" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture yeasts are being enhanced in such a way that they produce octanol and heptane biofuels from short-chain fatty acids.
In the 1980s, Joi Ito traded in library tables at the University of Chicago for turntables at Chicago's Smart Bar. But his attempt to evade academia wouldn't stick.

The two-time college dropout became director of the MIT Media Lab in 2011, making the 50-year-old an academic administrator at one of the most renowned universities in the world. Before that, he was an entrepreneur who started a number of his own companies and invested in the likes of Flickr, Twitter and Kickstarter.

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A proud supporter of "responsible disobedience"  the lab is awarding its first $250,000 Disobedience Award this July  Ito is in Chicago Wednesday as a Chicago Ideas speaker. He will appear with IDEO Chicago Executive Portfolio Director Neil Stevenson at an event to discuss Chicago's role in "embracing culture, art and experimentation."

Blue Sky talked to Ito  whose interdisciplinary media lab focuses on the creative use of digital technology, sciences, arts and design  about the disobedience mindset.

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Q: The MIT Media Lab has hundreds of projects happening at once. How do you manage all of them?

A: The good thing is I don't have to. My job is mainly to try to create a culture where people do creative things and disobedient things, but do them in a responsible way. They don't have to ask permission, so I don't have to manage them.

I manage the resources, accounting, fundraising and the 85 or so companies that support us. The projects, I set the general trajectory and I might approve large initiatives, but it's really a community where everyone can do whatever they want.

Q: Tell me about the media lab's Disobedience Award. What was the inspiration for the award and what do you hope to accomplish with it?

A: We announced the award last year in July. This was before the election, so being disobedient wasn't nearly as fashionable as it is today. I think that it doesn't come naturally to organizations, but whether you're a university or a democracy, some level of dissent and disobedience is a necessary function for evolution and growth.

We wouldn't have had the civil rights movement if it weren't for some disobedient people. India wouldn't have been independent without disobedience. But, we also wanted to use this award to try to highlight what we think is responsible disobedience, with values like non-violence and taking responsibility for your actions  not being disobedient just for the sake of disobedience, but for the sake of social benefit without harming others.

If you look at the history of law and policy and technology, they're always sort of bumping into each other. Laws are things that should reflect the norms of society, and you always need to make sure that they're appropriate, and sometimes you need to push on them.

Q: Do applications for the award have to involve tech in some way?

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A: No, they can be anything. They can be artists. They can be about human rights. They can be about freedom of speech. We're looking for creative impactful responsible disobedience.

Q: Do you feel that disobedience is an important part of tech and innovation and science?

A: I think so, whether that authority is Newton's laws of physics or whether that authority is the common sense of the day. Back in Galileo and Copernicus' day, that could be deadly.

Today, the equivalent is losing your funding or tenure. You know you're risking a lot in order to question, but without that questioning, you wouldn't have any advancement in technology or in science.

Q: Tell me about your decision to drop out of the University of Chicago, and your involvement in the music scene.

A: I was at University of Chicago studying physics and lived in this little bubble that was in the middle of Hyde Park. I was spending a lot of time with people a little bit outside of the bubble, and later, I discovered the North Side of Chicago.

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Back then, that was when AIDS was still a big problem, and in the nightclub I was at, the head DJ had AIDS. There was a real sense of community support through the process of dealing with the AIDS crisis. For me, that sense of community support and authenticity was so different from what I felt, school-wise.

I remember telling my mother, I'm learning more about real life working at a nightclub right now than at university. I will say, those years working in a nightclub gave me the understanding of community, which I have used to manage the media lab and all of the businesses I've been involved in.

Q: What was the tech scene like when you were in Chicago, and how do you think it's changed?

A: I don't remember tech scene too much when I was there in the '80s. There were really no famous companies and doing startups wasn't really a "thing." I think what's happened is Groupon. They really put Chicago on the map for the rest of the world, and I think the momentum from that has really brought a lot of energy and innovation to the city.

Q: In your opinion, what role does Chicago play in the current tech and innovation landscape?

A: I think Chicago has a "style" about working hard, rocking hard  somewhat industrial. I think "industrial internet" (which is the intersection of complex hardware and software) is really important.

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I think there is a practical, down-to-earth Midwest mentality in Chicago that I love, and the kind of tech and companies that get produced reflect that and are much needed.

Q-and-A's are edited for length and clarity.

jbartz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @juliet_bartz
In this Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 file photo, a driver displaying Lyft and Uber stickers on his front windshield. (Richard Vogel / AP)

Uber's recent stumbles could be giving Lyft a chance to gain ground in the ride-hailing market as customers shift allegiance, new market data suggest.

The study comes as Uber has been dealing with a run of bad news.

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Lyft's customer base has grown by 7 percent just since Jan. 29, when Lyft attempted to capitalize on controversy over the Trump administration's executive order temporarily halting immigration from certain countries, according to 1010data, a New York City-based market research firm.

1010data says the shift in customer allegiance coincides with a decision by Lyft to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) over four years to fight the travel ban. The ACLU has vowed to fight Trump's travel ban affecting immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries and refugees.

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About the same time, as the order went into effect, Uber was seen as trying to undermine a protest against the same executive order by New York City cabdrivers - a charge the San Francisco-based company denied.

In fact, it didn't seem to matter that Uber later said it had turned off surge pricing near the site of the protest to avoid profiting from it. It didn't help that Uber co-founder and chief executive Travis Kalanick was among Trump's business advisers, even though Lyft has ties to investor Peter Thiel, another Trump ally.

It's not clear whether this is just a temporary blip. The data analytics company notes that although Lyft is growing at a faster rate, Uber remains the ride-hailing giant by having arranged about 86 percent of all app-based rides since 2014.

Still, the firm's data put numbers on the power of politics to influence a sales pitch - or show, at least, that the company knows who its audience is.

1010data said in a statement that its data are sifted from "a number of sources of consumer spending data representing millions of consumers" in online and offline retail markets.

Gabrielle Jasinski, a spokeswoman for 1010data, says the study was not commissioned by either ride-hailing company and that 1010data has no affiliation with either company.
After three months of delays, Chicago's ordinance imposing stricter regulations on Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms could soon go into full effect.

Implementation of some rules within the ordinance, approved last summer, has been held up in federal court since December. On Tuesday, a judge denied a motion seeking to temporarily block the regulations.

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A spokesman for the city's Law Department said Chicago is preparing to implement the new rules.

"We are pleased with the judge's ruling, and the city will begin taking steps to enforce all aspects of its home-sharing ordinance," spokesman Bill McCaffrey wrote in an email.

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The ordinance has proved controversial, sparking two lawsuits and leading to tweaks to some of the rules from City Hall. The legislation calls for an extra tax on home-sharing hosts and a limit on the number of units in a building that can be rented out on home-sharing sites, among other regulations.

Keep Chicago Livable, a nonprofit organization made up of homeowners who oppose the city's regulations, filed suit Nov. 4 in U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleging that parts of the new law are unconstitutional.

The city agreed in December to hold off until February on implementing some of the rules, including one that would have required hosts to keep registration records, including names, addresses and signatures of all guests, on file for three years and make them available for inspection upon request from the city.

Since then, the court has delayed the full rollout of the ordinance multiple times.

Late last month, aldermen approved a change to the rules that would require city inspectors to have a search warrant or subpoena to access lists of guest information. They also agreed to remove a requirement that a host sign an attestation that he or she understands the ordinance. Instead, hosts must review a summary of the ordinance and acknowledge that shared-housing units are subject to those requirements.

The ordinance was originally set to go into effect in mid-December.

Keep Chicago Livable was not the only group of homeowners to take issue with the regulations. Another group sued the city in November, also asking for a temporary reprieve. That request was rendered unnecessary after the City Council's tweak to the guest records rule and a promise from the city not to conduct inspections of hosts' homes until it establishes guidelines.

Shorge Sato, an attorney for Keep Chicago Livable, said the fight to block the ordinance isn't over.

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"We are working on a motion directed at the court to reconsider," he said. "(And) we intend on appealing the decision."

There are about 6,500 Airbnb hosts in Chicago, according to the San Francisco-based company. Airbnb is not involved in either suit.

Airbnb remains committed to partnering with the city as the ordinance goes into effect, said Airbnb spokesman Ben Breit.

"We have made significant investments to engineer a groundbreaking host registration system, which we believe will be a model for other cities," he said in an email.

amarotti@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @AllyMarotti
Lexie Bollweg, standing, is surrounded by, from left to right, Maria Bollweg, 4, James Bollweg, 3, and Teddy Bollweg, 2, all of Arlington Heights, as they view the Kennicott family portraits at the Interpretive Center at The Grove earlier this month. The Grove celebrated Arrival Day on March 12. (Gina Grillo / Pioneer Press)

The Grove Arrival Day was celebrated March 12 at the Glenview Public Library with a lecture and celebration of the 181st anniversary of arrival of the Kennicott family at The Grove.

In 1836, John Kennicott came with his family up the Mississippi to settle in Illinois as part of the westward expansion, according to Kris VanVoorhis, Grove program supervisor.

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For 20 years, the Kennicotts and their children lived in a log cabin at The Grove.

"Dr. John Kennicott was a horticulturist and the first and only physician in Northfield Township," VanVoorhis said. "His son Robert would go on to become the first naturalist in Illinois and the founder of the Chicago Academy of Sciences."

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Organizers say that the Grove Heritage Association has retained 145 of the original approximately 250 acres owned by the Kennicotts. This living museum functions as a protected ecosystem, with sandstone trails and an ecohabitat of predominantly burr oak trees providing sanctuary for birds, butterflies and other species. A restored house originally built for the family in 1856 still stands today, and other buildings have been added to the property over the years.

Today, the GHA works to bring the history of the Kennicott family to life.

The Grove offers a number of classes and activities for visitors to learn about the daily activities of a pioneer family. Schoolchildren can visit the Kennicott house to learn to cook on a wood-burning stove, churn butter, weave on a loom or to make candles, and adults can take a blacksmithing class or attend interactive evening dinners featuring Kennicott family recipes.

The Arrival Day event included Korean translation.

Tom Miller and Joan Murphy of Glenview attended the event.

"My daughter was married at The Grove," Murphy said. "We are also birdwatchers and we like to walk the trails, so it has been important to see this protected environment evolve over time."

Gina Grillo is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
When Walgreens opened its 14th "flagship" superstore inside the Wrigley Building Wednesday, much attention was focused toward its made-on-site sushi bar. Finally, a place to buy Robitussin, condoms and crunchy tempura rolls under one roof.

This is the fourth Chicago Walgreens with sushi in-store, after its State Street Loop, Bucktown and Clark and Diversey locations. Before you recoil with mock disdain, think of this not as "Walgreens sushi," but rather "outside sushi vendor inside Walgreens." Officially, the company is AFC Franchise Corp., a Southern California company that brands itself as the "largest supplier of fresh sushi to supermarkets nationwide" and serving more than 3,500 grocers.

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On one hand, adjust your expectations to supermarket sushi, which is to say, Jiro won't be dreaming of this much. On the other hand, the quality of supermarket sushi has only grown more reliable and ambitious over the last decade. Walk into a Whole Foods and watch a cadre of chefs craft maki rolls from dawn to dusk. You'll find this at Walgreens too  someone is actually there laying out rice on nori. They're able to customize your sushi as well.

As for the sushi itself, the packages available in the cooler are mostly a base of California rolls (using imitation crab sticks) then topped with sheaths of avocados, salmon or spicy mayo. That's where the innovation lies, the Taco Bell tactic of mixing and matching the same 15 ingredients to create some monster combination: Witness the Ultimate Chili Roll, with imitation crab salad mix, avocado and cucumber on the inside, with tuna, salmon, tilapia, shrimp and jalapenos on the outside. You won't find Spanish mackerel or raw conch here; the most adventurous it gets is cooked unagi eel, blueberries and tapioca paper. I even found the soy-glazed baby octopus on sale here, alongside seaweed salad and gyozas.

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For sushi purists, there's nigiri as well  the single slice of fish atop rice clump  although the tuna and salmon I sampled were fairly lean, with little striations of marbling. The surest way to judge sushi, however, is in the rice. There are certain universal criteria: Is the rice sticky or dry? Is the rice used actually short grain? Is it cool to the touch? Is there a good balance of sweet and sour? Is it loose or tightly packed? The sushi rice at Walgreens is better-than-passable, dare I say, decent, perhaps on par with your average neighborhood yuppie sushi counter. There is the barest hint of rice vinegar, but it's there, and the rice granules are toothsome.

In the end, it's about the lens you view this sushi through. As sushi, it's neither unsatisfactory nor earth-shattering. As takeout supermarket sushi, it's pretty good. Perhaps that says more about sushi entering mainstream status. It no longer bears the whiff of the "ethnic" food label, but with that comes a new standard of what passes as sushi in 2014. Hamburgers at one point enjoyed gourmet status, until fast food chains made them inexpensive and ubiquitous. We've come far along as a society where we can now say "I bought sushi from Walgreens" without batting an eye. In 10 years: Walgreens schwarma, just you see.

kpang@tribune.com

Twitter @pang
The daughters of pop music royalty, siblings Carnie and Wendy Wilson and their childhood pal Chynna Phillips hit pay dirt as the trio Wilson Phillips in the 1990s with a handful of soaring singles. Today the vocal group still performs but not at the breakneck pace of its hit-song heyday.

"We're on tour every year, but we just do one to two shows a month," says Carnie Wilson, calling from her Los Angeles home. "That's all we can do in terms of travel because we've got nine children between us. We do wish we could do more, but that's a good pace for us."

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Wilson Phillips appears at Thalia Hall on Sunday.

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It has been 27 years since the release of Wilson Phillips' self-titled debut, an album that yielded the No. 1 Billboard hits "Hold On," "Release Me" and "You're in Love." Their success allowed the three to step out of the long shadows cast by their famous parents. Carnie and Wendy are the daughters of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson and Marilyn Rovell of the Honeys. Chynna is the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas.

The trio took a 10-year hiatus before reuniting in 2004. Through the years Phillips released a solo album and appeared as a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars." The Wilson sisters recorded with their father and also made a Christmas album. All three starred in the reality show "Wilson Phillips: Still Holding On" on the TV Guide Network.

The trio's brand continues to pack a nostalgic wallop for a generation that came of age to the group's glistening pop harmonies. The trio turned in a memorable cameo singing "Hold On" in the 2011 comedy "Bridesmaids."

We recently caught up with Carnie Wilson to talk about life in the world of Wilson Phillips. This is an edited transcript.

Q: What are your first memories of the three of you together?

A: I'm a year and a half older than Wendy. Chynna is a few months older than me. We met when I was born, so we have literally been lifelong friends. My first memories are from around 4 years old. We were playing in the backyard and in my sister's room. We would go to the living room and play our favorite music by Fleetwood Mac and the Carpenters. We'd lip-sync with hairbrushes and brooms. We charged everyone a nickel to come to the show.

Q: Is performing with Wendy and Chynna second nature to you at this point?

A: Oh yeah. It comes naturally. Wendy is my sister and Chynna is like a sister. When we get on stage everything else washes away  all the stresses of children, all the mommy stuff. We go into our own little world of harmonies. It's very comforting.

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Q: When you look back to the debut of Wilson Phillips in 1990, how does that time live in your memory?

A: It's sacred. It's really special to me. The record business has changed. It's entirely different now. Back then, it was a whirlwind because we were really overworked. We were traveling to four or five cities a day for long stretches of time. It really wore us out. The great news was that we got to make an impression with radio stations and fans. We got a real introduction to the music industry. Luckily, everyone loved the song "Hold On" and we wound up at No. 1 for a couple weeks. Then we had a string of hits. We're so grateful for all of it.

Q: How do you feel about the material when you sing it today?

A: Every song is special in its own way. With "Hold On," the movie "Bridesmaids" really brought it back. The meaning of that song circles around again  just take it one day at a time. If you hang in there, it will usually work out OK . That's really important to people. It's inspirational and very personal. You can apply it to anything in your life, which is why it had such a universal message. Everyone can relate to having some pain in their life. Chynna, (songwriter and producer) Glen Ballard and I wrote that song. It's about finding the strength within you.

Q: How old were you when you first performed in public?

A: I remember going on stage at 6 years old for a huge Beach Boys concert in San Diego. There had to be 50,000 people there. I have pictures of it with my sister and cousin. The crowd was roaring. I loved the feeling. I liked it up there. I loved to sing. I wanted to be the person they were yelling for.

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Q: Besides Wilson Phillips, what other projects are you involved in?

A: I was just on an episode of "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." It's a whole big amazing episode about my baking company that launches this summer called Love Bites by Carnie. I originally met ("Housewives" star) Kyle Richards when we were both on "The New Celebrity Apprentice." She invited me to come to her house. Kyle is a real sweetheart. We get along really well. All we do is laugh and talk about our kids and husbands. We've got businesses and we're working mothers. We always put too much on our plates. It's like therapy when we see each other. We go to the laughter.

Q: What is your audience like today?

A: When people come to see us in concert, it's more the mothers getting away from their families for a night out. They can have a couple drinks, let loose and relive their teenage years. It's great. It's beautiful. We have been a part of these people's lives for a long time. It really is a celebration.

Chrissie Dickinson is a freelance writer.

onthetown@chicagotribune.com

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When: 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.

Tickets: $36-$98 (all ages); (312) 526-3851 or www.thaliahallchicago.com

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A new exhibit at the Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features the work of outsider artist Henry Darger. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The world of Henry Darger, the solitary Chicago janitor who became an icon of outsider art after his death, is already a deep and many-chambered rabbit hole.

Chicago's Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outside Art is trying to make it even more so this year with a focus on Darger's works and meanings that rivals the single-mindedness the artist himself brought to his painting and writing.

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In the year marking the 125th anniversary of Darger's birth, the small Milwaukee Avenue museum is mounting a series of exhibitions and talks. And if, along the way, the exploration of one of Chicago's most famous art-makers helps Intuit itself become a little less of an outsider, a little more prominent in the mindscape of the city's art showplaces, so much the better.

"A light bulb went off that it was his 125th anniversary, and we could do a Year of Darger," says Debra Kerr, who was brought in as Intuit's CEO two years ago to "raise its profile" and "professionalize" its offerings, she says. "I felt really strongly that Darger is arguably Chicago's most famous artist, but many Chicagoans don't know about him."

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He's not easy to get to know, even down to the continuing disagreement over the pronunciation of his last name, whether the "g" is hard or soft. Darger spent most of his adult life in a one-room apartment in Lincoln Park, a neighborhood much less tony in his time. When he died in 1973, his landlords and neighbors, who were virtually his only friends, discovered in the apartment a riot of creative output.

They found balls of Darger-wound twine, too, and broken rubber bands that had been repaired with tape. They found year after year of weather journals focused on catching out those who made public forecasts.

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But luckily for Darger's reputation, his landlords were the photographer Nathan Lerner and his wife, Kiyoko, a musician, and they recognized the extraordinary in other items in the room. There was the 15,000-plus-page novel, typewritten and titled "The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What Is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion."

It melds elements of fantasy fiction with Civil War tropes and many, many bloody battles: There are flying lizards with fantastical names; seven young Catholic girls, princesses of a sort, as the titular heroines; and a Capt. Henry Darger as one of their champions. When you get to the end of it, apparently, you get two possible conclusions, one brighter, one darker. So add experimental fiction to the novel's qualities.

The room also contained the works for which Darger is most celebrated, his sprawling watercolor landscapes, mostly extensions of or improvisations on the world he depicts in the novel.

The artwork turns some people off. There is a kind of obsession with naked young girls  and the gore and violence soldiers commit against these rebellious child slaves is not modestly rendered. Defenders find in this obsession not pedophilia but a reflection of Darger's own wrenching childhood: With his mother dead and father in poverty, the boy was put into the turn-of-the-century foster care system.

Whatever your take on the content, it is difficult to challenge the notion that Darger's work displays the kind of solitary, self-taught vision that defines the category of outsider art or naive art or folk art, whatever term you prefer. Not confident in his skills as a draftsman, Darger appropriated most of his figures, often by tracing them, from published sources, which gives the figures an almost eerie connection to contemporary culture. A girl may be in the midst of disembowelment, but her face peers at you with the optimism of a magazine advertisement. Darger's sense of color is entrancing, as is the blaze of activity across his often 10-foot-wide, double-sided paper canvases.

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Available on YouTube, Jessica Yu's 2004 film "In the Realms of the Unreal" brings Darger's work to life with remarkable insight and creativity. Dakota Fanning is one of the narrators, a young girl's voice bringing just the right touch. Darger has seeped into popular culture in other ways, as well: The Vivian Girls were a well-regarded Brooklyn band, for instance.

But the outsider art museums are doing the yeoman's work on behalf of his reputation.

"All of Darger's work, writing or painting, can stand alone as a stunning success with plenty of mystery; however, all of Darger's work, together in entirety, is a masterpiece of unequaled brilliance," said a 2010 report recommending a collections policy for the Henry Darger Study Center at New York's American Folk Art Museum, the largest holder of Darger materials, including the "Vivian Girls" manuscript.

Intuit is the other major Darger study source. It has the Henry Darger Room, a sort of interpretive re-creation of the space in which Darger worked, on permanent exhibit. Not all of the details are exact, but some, like the mantelpiece, strive to be, and the objects are his.

To amplify that, Intuit is currently showing in its front gallery "Unreal Realms," which contextualizes Darger paintings amid those of other artists who portrayed alternate realities (and is co-curated by Tribune designer and editor David Syrek).

"It's an introductory show for the whole year," says Jan Petry, the other co-curator and a member of the Intuit staff. That exhibition ends March 26.

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Ongoing in the back of Intuit's loftlike space is "Henry Darger: Author/Artist," which curator Michael Bonesteel says is the first exhibit to try to emphasize correlations between Darger's writing and his art.

Many people assume the art illustrates the novel, but that is rarely the case, Bonesteel says. Places that are prominent in the artwork, such as the location Jennie Richee, are bit players in the novel. "His art was an extension of, and an improvisation on, his writing," Bonesteel writes.

"He began as a writer," the curator says, and his exhibition tries to push the writing to the fore. It lets people see what Darger's typewritten pages look like. "Facets of his personality  from silly moments of whimsical humor to passionate rants against the villains in his saga  are found in his writing," Bonesteel writes.

Intuit is hosting a talk at 2 p.m. Saturday by the critic and author Edward M. Gomez, who will talk about "Unreal Realms" and "what is meant by an artist's 'vision.'"

Upcoming exhibitions in the Year of Darger series are "Betwixt-and-Between: Henry Darger's Vivian Girls," opening April 12, and "Henry Darger's Orphans and the Construction of Race," which opens July 14.

"It's turned into a really viable concept," says museum director Kerr. "It reinforces that we are ground zero for Henry Darger."

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sajohnson@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @stevenkjohnson

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"Jeopardy!" fans discuss their excitement about auditioning for the quiz game show March 14, 2017, at the Westin Hotel in Chicago. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune) (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Two thousand miles from where "Jeopardy" tapes in Culver City, Calif., a group of 17 men and women met Tuesday morning at a Michigan Avenue hotel to try to score a coveted spot on the quiz show.

The two-hour audition  one of six scheduled this week at the Westin hotel  drew Chicago-area residents and visitors from Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. Some were veterans of pub trivia, while many told tales of lifelong fandom of "Jeopardy."

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All of them were there because they passed an online test, the first hurdle to becoming a contestant. At the Westin, the hopefuls took a 13-minute written quiz and participated in a mock "Jeopardy" game before bantering with senior contestant coordinator Glenn Kagan in a simulation of the interviews host Alex Trebek conducts with contestants on each episode.

"What we're looking for primarily is well-rounded people for the show," Kagan said.

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Ryan Keller, "Jeopardy!" game show contestant coordinator explains rules to about 20 people March 14, 2017 at the Westin Hotel. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

The mix of contestants Tuesday included an Albany Park resident who developed board games, a University of Chicago student who plays the trombone and a suburban stay-at-home mom who brought a Lego figurine of Trebek to the audition.

Emily Ayshford, who lives on the Near North Side, said being on the show "would be a lifelong dream fulfilled. I wouldn't even care if I won. It would be a dream to play."

The Northwestern University communications director said she studied the periodic table of elements and gods and goddesses, among other topics, to prep for the tryout.

She nailed half the clues she answered in the mock game and chatted with Kagan about her visits to New Zealand and South Africa, where she rode an ostrich.

Emily Ayshford of Chicago auditioned for the television game show "Jeopardy!" which held auditions Tuesday March 14, 2017 at the Westin Hotel for Chicago area people who want to appear on the famous show, but not before trying out. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

"It's the closest I'll ever get to riding a velociraptor," she said.

Though the contestants' backgrounds and occupations varied, all of them seem to be well-traveled with a fondness for hobbies such as rock collecting, playing in a bluegrass band and raising three cats, including one with an affinity for Trebek's voice.

Kagan said there is not a precise formula to determine who makes a great "Jeopardy" contestant like former Chicago trader Alex Jacob, who won the 2015 Tournament of Champions, but he's looking for the type of people viewers will root for.

He said he evaluates energy level and ability to follow directions, including waiting for clues to be read completely before buzzing in with answers. Contestants' success on the show is often determined by the clue categories they face, Kagan said.

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"I really can't guess (who will win). I'm just happy for anyone who does well on this show," he said.

Kagan said he and contestant coordinator Ryan Keller took copious notes during the Tuesday morning audition, which will be used in determining which applicants will be added to the potential contestant pool.

The television game show "Jeopardy!" held auditions March 14, 2017 at the Westin Hotel for Chicago area people who want to appear on the famous show, but not before trying out. Senior coordinator Glenn Kagan, sitting left, preps the hopefuls. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

Those who perform well remain in the pool for 18 months after their audition date. Some applicants may be called immediately, while others may not be contacted for months. Some hopefuls end up applying multiple times before landing a spot on the show, Kagan said.

About 400 people compete on each season of "Jeopardy." Those who are tapped to be contestants are given "several weeks'" notice to get to Culver City on their own dime. Shows are taped on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, usually from August to May.

Kagan and other contestant coordinators hit the road during taping breaks to hold these auditions. Kagan said Chicago is visited about once a year. The Westin auditions are scheduled to wrap up Thursday.

Perrie Cronin-Cole said he drove more than three hours during Monday's snowstorm from Madison, Wis., for the tryout Tuesday.

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He said he has been watching "Jeopardy" since he was a young boy and now he watches with his kids.

During their interview, Kagan reminded Cronin-Cole that "Jeopardy" has held kids competitions.

"He would get a kick out of it," Cronin-Cole said about his son, who turns 2 years old this year. "He's got a story to tell already."

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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)
Nineteen years ago my wife, our 14-year-old daughter Cate and I set out from the little principality of Andorra in the Pyrenees mountains and headed west on the long-distance Spanish hiking route called GR 11. With optimism born of ignorance, I had bought a dozen detailed trail maps - enough to get us 200 miles closer to the Atlantic. At the end of our allotted 19 days, we had used six of the maps and covered 86 miles - kind of like Lewis and Clark getting as far as Nebraska. I wrote about that bare-bones excursion in The Washington Post's Travel section.

A lot happens in 19 years. Not, obviously, to the Pyrenees; they endure. But how about us humans? Creakier, to say the least. "Hey, how old are you, anyway?" a younger man - well, who the hell isn't younger - asked as he breezed by us this past summer on our way up to Collata Anisclo, an 8,000-plus-foot pass in the heart of the High Pyrenees along the northern tip of Spain's Aragon region.

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Daughter Cate is long gone from the nest, but this past August my wife, Margaret, and I set off on the GR 11 from the same Spanish village where we ended the trip 19 years ago. In addition to finally using those surplus maps, the two of us were going to find out to what extent we had endured.

In truth, there was another, more powerful force pulling us back. The Pyrenees, that massive chain of soaring peaks separating Spain and France, offer the walker a constantly changing mix of visual pleasures. Nineteenth-century explorer Henry Russell was downright lyrical on the subject: "It is to the Pyrenees that the smiles of the artist and the heart of the poet will always turn." I'm neither artist nor poet, just an old newspaper hack, but in those intervening 19 years I often daydreamed about taking up where we had left off.

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Almost daily, the High Pyrenees trekker makes his or her way through a valley village of small stone houses, up green pastures punctuated by patches of blue wolfsbane and streaks of cascading streams, and then up more steeply across the gray scree to a notch in a wall usually of limestone or granite but always with a top-of-the-world view. The distant peaks may be a glistening white if the sun is shining or dark, even forbidding if it is not. The whining of the wind, the whistle of a marmot and an occasional bleat from sheep somewhere in the distance are the only sounds.

It is a magnificent experience, but a challenging one. Not as tall as the better known - and more heavily visited - Alps to the north, the Pyrenees nevertheless are plenty steep and rugged, especially for someone with crying knees. Mine were absolutely bawling as we inched up the almost impossible Anisclo incline - almost impossible for us but not for Franco, the speedy Italian who inquired about our age as he zipped by.

Maybe it was our less-than-rapid pace - indeed, the use here of "pace" is debatable - that informed his question; no doubt Margaret's white hair and the scarcity of mine contributed. The answer, which we gladly shared with our new and fast-disappearing acquaintance, was that I was at the tail end of my 73rd year and Margaret was early in her 72nd.

The Pyrenees stretch a little over 250 miles from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. But the GR 11 covers twice that distance as it twists and turns to find gaps and avoid summits. It's part of Europe's GR network of long-distance footpaths, GR for Grande Randonnee in French, Gran Recorrido in Spanish, meaning great excursion or tour.

Except for one brief skip across the French border and a short section in semi-independent Andorra, the GR 11 is entirely in Spain, running from near the resort city of San Sebastian on the Atlantic to the Mediterranean shore of Catalonia at Cap de Creus, mainland Spain's easternmost point. The High Pyrenees, where we were, cover the trail's 235-mile middle section. Peaks there top 9,000 feet, and hikers cross a 7,000-plus-foot pass almost daily.

Not to confuse things, there is also a GR along the Pyrenees' French side - GR 10. It's a bit longer than the Spanish version but not as rough, according to Brian Johnson, author of guidebooks on both for the British publisher Cicerone. Johnson makes two other comparisons of interest to anyone weighing the options: GR 11 is generally sunnier and drier, and spends more time above the tree line. Neither requires technical climbing know-how or equipment - just some stamina and, every now and then, free hands. On particularly steep ups and downs, I needed all four extremities and would have welcomed a fifth. Hiking poles were definitely a must.

We started last summer's trip - and ended our previous one - in Benasque, an attractive tourist village not far from Aneto and Posets, the Pyrenees' two highest peaks. The bus ride there was itself an adventure. The first leg from Barcelona to Barbastro was uneventful. But the second into the mountains was on a narrow, sharply curving road, and as we were going up, one large, heavily loaded truck after another was coming down. That our driver and his co-pilot managed to get past each without a scratch seemed a small miracle, and that they did it in continuing good humor a large one. It definitely took both of them, one inside slowly turning the wheel, the other outside negotiating with the oncoming trucker and measuring inches between vehicles.

We picked up the GR 11 just north of Benasque, and had an easy walk up to the Refugio d'Estos, one of the route's numerous backcountry hostels offering meals and overnight accommodations. Like the refuges scattered through the Alps, these are informal, lively establishments but on the spartan side, which is to say you can expect to be packed away for the night on a wooden platform in a tightly spaced dormitory - a little too cozy for us claustrophobics. One fellow sufferer, a Dutch backpacker, showed me his coping strategy: Bose headphones that numbed him through the night with musical meditations.

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We carried a tent and used it five of our 10 nights out, our other accommodations ranging from a small hotel to a fancy parador. But when a storm threatens, as it did that first afternoon, a refuge - no matter how sardine-like - is a welcome sight. Given that we arrived at the facility in prime vacation season without reservations, we were lucky to get in for the night.

Thankfully, the storm turned out to be merely raindrops, and the next morning the sun was out in force as we headed up to our first pass, the Puerto de Chistau at 8,438 feet. As throughout the GR system, the GR 11 is blazed with red and white stripes painted on rocks and trees. Where there are no such surfaces - only loose dirt and stones, as on the approach to Chistau - there are cairns to show the way. We had serious trouble divining the trail at only one spot: a high pasture where a herd of summering cows had obliterated the waymarks.

Conquering Chistau boosted our confidence, which was promptly shaken by the descent. As with a number of passes, the terrain was rockier and steeper on the downside. But I don't want to overemphasize the physical difficulties. We spent much of the trip tramping contentedly along forested valley paths and shaded farm tracks. Cruising down the gently sloping pasture above the deep Ordesa Canyon in the soft, late afternoon sunlight was bliss itself. The next day, we would descend to the canyon floor and into the throng of tourists attracted by this spectacular chasm. But up here, on top of the canyon walls, it was just the two of us - and sheep, literally hundreds of them.

Our end-of-trip stats won't knock you over: In 10 days we covered 77 miles. But, as they say, who's counting? We had learned 19 years earlier about expectations and this time had none, at least not for distance. The only requirement was to end up somewhere with enough time to get back to Barcelona for our flight home. That turned out to be a resort complex five miles north of Panticosa, a mountain village with bus connections south to the major city of Huesca.

Rather than mileage, our main goal was internal: to find out if we had endured sufficiently to complete a Pyrenees trek, whatever the length. Simply put, could we do it? The answer, we concluded the final night at a celebratory dinner in our hotel above Panticosa, was a resounding yes. To experience the High Pyrenees and emerge exhausted but whole - that is the very definition of success.

Brown is a writer based in Arlington, Virginia.

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What to know before taking on the GR 11

When to go

The GR 11 guidebook published by Cicerone ("The GR11 Trail - La Senda: Through the Spanish Pyrenees," $19.15) warns that snow can be a problem in the passes until late June and says the best months are July, August and September, though even then snow is not impossible at high elevations. We had no snow, but our August mornings were cold, and I was glad for gloves, a warm hat and lots of layers. The Cicerone guide - the bible for GR 11 trekkers judging by the number carrying it - includes helpful information on trip timing and logistics.

Getting there

We flew to Barcelona, which has bus service to a number of villages in the High Pyrenees near the GR 11. The bus we took - part of the Alosa/Avanza system - departed from the city's Diagonal terminal (next to the train station). Advance tickets are advisable in the busy vacation months and can be purchased online (alosa.avanzabus.com/index.jsp).

What direction to take

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Guidebook author Brian Johnson recommends doing the GR 11 west to east, in part to put the prevailing weather at your back, but also because he says the most difficult descents are encountered east to west. We ran across others like us who were walking a portion of the route on an east-west course. But the few end-to-enders we met were eastbound.

Accommodations

Overnight facilities along the GR 11 vary widely in creature comforts and price. Our stay at the basic Refugio de Estos, including dinner, breakfast and snacks, cost about $104 for the two of us. At the luxurious Parador de Bielsa, the charge was around $245 including a light supper, breakfast and two bagged lunches. Most facilities, including refuges, take advance reservations online, though with one exception we just showed up and were able to get in. The exception was Parador de Bielsa; we called a day ahead to reserve a room there. Most places also took credit cards but not all; the small hotel in Parzan was cash only. We carried a backpacking stove and cooking pot but found them largely unnecessary given the general availability of stores, restaurants and refuges.

Camping

Theoretically, you can spend every night on the GR 11 under some kind of roof. (In addition to refuges, hostels and hotels, there are primitive huts along the way that hikers can use in a pinch.) But that assumes a strength and speed we knew we didn't have so we carried a tent - and were glad we did. It gave us flexibility and ease of mind. Once, for example, when our legs and the afternoon both gave out halfway up a pass, we camped on a stamp-size piece of flat near a spring. Our bedroom view that night was a glorious panorama that included Mount Perdido, the third-highest peak in the range. In addition to those posed by topography, there are some limitations on where you can pitch a tent; we passed through two national parks - Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park and Posets-Maladeta Nature Reserve - with camping restrictions.

What else to bring

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Even if you don't camp, a sleeping bag and pad are useful in refuges. Some kind of water purification device is also advisable; there are too many sheep and cows around to trust even the most seemingly pristine water source. The guidebook includes maps and elevation charts, but we also carried large-scale walking maps from the Spanish publisher Editorial Alpina.

Safety

Thunderstorms are the big concern in summer, especially above the tree line. Margaret, whose respect for the danger of lightning is robust, insisted we cut short one day and camp in the woods instead of pressing on into open country. That storm did not materialize, but one did the day before - a doozy that went on for hours; luckily, we were near a refuge when it started. The folks who run the refuges are helpful with weather predictions. We also consulted online forecasts when WiFi was available.
Chicago police cross under crime scene tape as they investigate the scene where a man was shot and killed by police on June 16, 2013, in the 1600 block of South Springfield Avenue in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)

Politicians don't like to talk about poverty.

It's not the kind of topic that allows them to walk away looking good. If anything, it makes them look like self-serving demagogues who have no idea what it means to be a public servant.

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In this polarized political climate, there could never be another president to step up like Lyndon B. Johnson did in 1964 and declare an "unconditional war" on poverty. The only thing we can expect out of Washington the next four years is a guarantee that more people will fall through the cracks. Responsibility for the nation's poor will rest on the shoulders of city and state officials.

In Illinois, we are past due for a serious discussion about poverty. And in Chicago, where escalating violence threatens to decimate entire neighborhoods, the subject of poverty needs to be front and center.

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We already knew that the violence in Chicago is concentrated in communities where people lack basic resources. But a new report from the Chicago-based Heartland Alliance, for the first time, gives us a definitive look at how poverty, violence and trauma are interrelated. The report, "Cycle of Risk: The Intersection of Poverty, Violence, and Trauma," argues that the surge of violence in Chicago cannot be stopped without first understanding its root cause, which first and foremost, is poverty.

More than a third of Illinois residents and nearly half of Chicagoans are considered low-income or living in poverty, according to the report released this week by the anti-poverty group. The number of poor people living in neighborhoods with extreme poverty  the ones most likely to have conditions that foster violence  grew 384 percent from 2000 to 2015.

Consider that for a moment. It's conceivable how someone in Illinois earning less than $6,041 a year  the federal threshold for a single person in extreme poverty  might see selling drugs as a more viable option. I'm not saying they are right, but it certainly could be tempting.

Whether a young man decides to sell drugs or not, the lack of money in his pocket certainly can lead to anger, anxiety, frustration, hopelessness and desperation. Those are the things that often cause young men to pull out a gun and shoot somebody.

It should come as no surprise that the majority of shootings and homicides occur in poor, predominantly African-American neighborhoods.

Statistics show that people of color are disproportionately affected by violence. The study used data from 2015, showing that black men ages 15 to 44 made up more than half of the homicide victims in Illinois, though they accounted for just 3 percent of the population.

But here's the tricky thing about poverty and the violence that hangs onto its coattails. It doesn't just stay in one place. A growing percentage of poor people in the region live in the suburbs, according to the Heartland report. Suburban poverty rose from 34 percent in 2000 to 49 percent in 2015.

It is clear, researchers said, that any effective anti-violence strategy must include a long-term commitment to eliminating inequity and paving a pathway to opportunity.

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So what can our elected officials in Illinois do about that? For starters, Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Michael Madigan can stop bickering over partisan ideology and agree on a state budget. Then they should get to work on a jobs bill and push it through our do-nothing General Assembly.

People in Illinois need work, particularly African-Americans. Illinois has the nation's highest black unemployment rate 11.3 percent, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The poor and uneducated also need job training. And neighborhoods that have long been neglected need access to the same services available to residents who live in more affluent neighborhoods.

In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel needs to pay closer attention to communities that are crumbling both structurally and economically. Aldermen need to make reinvestment in those communities their top priority.

The Heartland Alliance offered some specific strategies for addressing poverty and subsequent violence. The report suggested reforming the criminal justice system so that it does not disproportionally penalize people of color. Illinois needs more investment in its schools, not a reduction in funding. Residents needs more affordable housing.

In order to do this, Illinois has to pass a responsible budget that includes funding for after-school programs, domestic violence programming, re-entry programs for those who have long been out of the workforce, housing and homelessness programs, as well as anti-violence programs.

These are commonsense policies. As residents of this city and state, we have a right to expect our elected officials to act like public servants and deliver the services we need.

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dglanton@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @dahleeng
Elvira Arellano, 42, is scheduled for an annual check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago on March 15, 2017, the third such appointment since she returned to the U.S. in 2014. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Elvira Arellano returned to the U.S. from Mexico knowing the risks. But she also knew her family was in danger and her American-born son needed to come home.

Now Arellano, the twice-deported immigration activist whose year living inside a Humboldt Park church about a decade ago made her a lightning rod in the nation's immigration debate, awaits her fate as she prepares to meet with federal authorities.

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On Wednesday, Arellano, 42, is scheduled for an annual check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago, the third such appointment since she returned to the U.S. in 2014. There, she and her lawyer plan to tell immigration authorities that she's still waiting for a hearing on her petition for political asylum, which she filed three years ago. She hopes authorities will allow her to remain.

The routine appointments  part of a parole system for people living in the U.S. illegally  have become dicey for some immigrants since President Donald Trump's administration stepped up enforcement and expanded the pool of immigrants who are targeted for removal.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 39 Elvira Arellano and her sons Saul Arellano, 18, and Emiliano Mejia, 3, walk with her lawyer Chris Bergin, left, and supporters toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices to update her and her youngest son's asylum paroled permit with ICE on March 15, 2017, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

In Phoenix, a single father of three U.S.-born children reported to a regular meeting to discuss his request for asylum and was deported the next day. In Denver, a mother of four fearful of that same fate skipped her meeting and sought sanctuary in a church like Arellano did a decade ago. Meanwhile, other immigrants have gone to their check-ins and been allowed to stay in the U.S.

Arellano plans to check in as planned. Her son Saul, 18, will accompany his mother and 3-year-old Mexican-born brother Emiliano. Forced to say goodbye to his mother surrounded by armed federal agents 10 years ago, Saul Arellano hopes it won't come to that again.

"Our families made the struggle coming here and sacrificing their lives," he said. "It's now our time to fight for them because they have rights as human beings. It's time for the youth to rise up and fight for our parents  We're not going back any more. We're going forward."

Supporters of Trump's efforts to increase deportations have said people like Arellano exemplify the arrogance of immigrants who are here illegally but believe they have a right to stay. Arellano broke laws, including coming to the U.S. more than once without legal documentation, and shouldn't be allowed to remain, they say.

Arellano's journey as an activist began in the late 1990s when the economy collapsed in her Mexican home state, Michoacan. Like many women, Arellano went to work in a maquiladora, a factory on the U.S. border, making only $5.60 a week. After crossing the border once unsuccessfully, she tried again in 1997 and headed for Yakima, Wash., to join family.

She worked as a baby-sitter and had Saul. In 2000, she moved to Chicago, where she joined other family members and took a job vacuuming planes at O'Hare International Airport.

Months after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, federal agents came to her house in Chicago at dawn as part of Operation Tarmac, a nationwide sweep of airport employees living in the U.S. illegally. In addition to re-entering the country illegally after a prior deportation, Arellano had been working with a fake Social Security number. A federal defender convinced her to plead guilty to a felony and removal proceedings began, said her attorney Chris Bergin.

Arellano, a shy but fierce mother, fought every turn of her case. She was granted at least three stays of deportation. But in August 2006 she was told to report to the Department of Homeland Security for removal. Instead of showing up on the morning of her appointment, she stepped up to the pulpit of Adalberto United Methodist Church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, vowing to stay in the church indefinitely with her then-7-year-old son, a U.S. citizen.

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Arellano became the face of the new sanctuary movement, a political strategy in the U.S. that first unfolded in the 1980s. Drawing from sacred texts that teach loving thy neighbor and welcoming the stranger, churches and synagogues committed acts of civil disobedience by housing immigrants fleeing civil wars in Central America.

Though churches can't guarantee protection, they are generally off limits to law enforcement raids. In fact, a 2011 memo from the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement further instructed federal agents to avoid "sensitive locations" including hospitals, schools and houses of worship unless there is an imminent risk.

Arellano stayed in the Humboldt Park church for a year. She was arrested in Los Angeles where she had traveled for an immigration reform rally and was deported that same day. Saul joined her a month later.

"Ten years since I took sanctuary, time has proved to us that what we did was correct," she said in a recent interview through a translator. "It's necessary to protect families. It's a place where families and children can go to wage that resistance."

Arellano's activism continued in Mexico, where she fought for better treatment of Central Americans traveling through to the U.S. to seek asylum. She dodged gunfire at rallies, received death threats and locked the doors of her home in Michocoan to prevent kidnappers from taking Saul. In 2014, she led a group of asylum seekers to the U.S. border and encouraged them to cross. She called Saul and suggested he join her in doing the same. He did and they were detained.

A U.S. citizen, Saul was quickly released. Elvira and then-5-month-old Emiliano stayed in detention for two days before they were released to petition for asylum. U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who has championed Arellano's case for the past decade, admits he was stunned.

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"I was surprised. But Elvira's case is different now," he said. "She's been very outspoken in her criticism of the Mexican government. That puts you in a pretty delicate situation."

Bergin said Arellano met the "credible fear test," which qualified her to seek asylum. She was granted parole to await a hearing, he said. Last year, he asked ICE to extend that parole for a year while she continued to wait. He will ask for another extension on Wednesday.

"She's actually in good shape because she filed for political asylum and they still have not dealt with that," he said. "There's nothing they can do to her because that's all pending."

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Still, Bergin concedes that because the rules are changing, nothing is guaranteed. Arellano is not worried. Previous check-ins have gone smoothly, she said. After every check-in, she has been able to renew her work permit and continue building a life in the U.S.

Right now, Arellano, who has a legal work permit, holds down two jobs  one preparing food at a Puerto Rican restaurant and another delivering the Chicago Tribune at dawn. Emiliano's father and Saul, who is set to graduate from high school in June, also work several jobs to help make ends meet. Only English is spoken at home with Emiliano, and so she is slowly learning the language herself.

But on a recent Sunday, Arellano stepped to the pulpit of Lincoln United Methodist Church in Pilsen and delivered a stirring rallying cry in Spanish. She urged Mexican nationals in the pews to vote in that country's 2018 election to affect change.

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"Right now in (Mexico) there's also a political change," she said. "Now we're given the opportunity here as Mexicans to vote outside our country to elect the new president in 2018."

"The fight is here right now," she said.

mbrachear@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @TribSeeker
Elvira Arellano, an immigration activist whose year living inside a Humboldt Park church about a decade ago made her a lightning rod in the nation's immigration debate, was granted a reprieve Wednesday by federal authorities, who ruled that she can remain in the U.S. for another year.



"I want to send a message to the community so they can all fight together and not stay home and watch how all of the executive orders are affecting us," Arellano said Wednesday through a translator after meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Chicago. "It could be the fighting that we could convince Donald Trump to do something for us."



On Wednesday morning, Arellano, 42, and her lawyer attended an annual ICE check-in, the third such appointment since she returned to the U.S. from Mexico in 2014 after being deported.



Authorities extended her parole for one more year. She is awaiting a hearing on her petition for political asylum, which she filed three years ago.



The routine ICE check-ins  part of a parole system for people living in the U.S. illegally  have put the immigrant community on edge since President Donald Trump's administration stepped up enforcement and expanded the pool of immigrants who are targeted for removal.



In Phoenix, a single father of three U.S.-born children reported to a regular meeting to discuss his request for asylum and was deported the next day. In Denver, a mother of four fearful of that same fate skipped her meeting and sought sanctuary in a church like Arellano did a decade ago. Meanwhile, other immigrants have gone to their check-ins and been allowed to stay in the U.S.

Elvira Arellano, 42, is scheduled for an annual check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago on March 15, 2017, the third such appointment since she returned to the U.S. in 2014. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

Her attorney Chris Bergin had said Arellano  who dodged gunfire at rallies and received death threats in Mexico, where she fought for better treatment of Central Americans traveling through the nation to the U.S. to escape violence  met the "credible fear test," qualifying her to seek asylum. Last year, he asked ICE to extend her parole for a year while she continued to wait for a hearing. She was granted the same year-long extension Wednesday.



"It's a very strong case if we can get it front of an asylum officer," Bergin said.



Arellano checked in with her son Saul, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen, and her 3-year-old Mexican-born son, Emiliano.



Supporters of Trump's efforts to increase deportations have said people like Arellano exemplify the arrogance of immigrants who are here illegally but believe they have a right to stay. Arellano broke laws, including coming to the U.S. more than once without legal documentation, and shouldn't be allowed to remain, they say.



"There has been a growing segment of Americans who think all undocumented immigrants, no matter who they are or what they've done, or what charge is leveled against them or not, simply should not be there," said Helen Marrow, associate professor of sociology and Latin American studies at Tufts University, who has researched immigration issues.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 39 Elvira Arellano and her sons Saul Arellano, 18, and Emiliano Mejia, 3, walk with her lawyer Chris Bergin, left, and supporters toward Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices to update her and her youngest son's asylum paroled permit with ICE on March 15, 2017, in Chicago. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)

Marrow noted that some of this sentiment comes from an inaccurate assumption that many Americans understandably make: that simply being in the country without permission is a crime. In fact, it is a civil infraction, she said. There's a sentiment among some that all immigrants should be deported either for being here without status, or for committing crimes that in the past were not defined or treated so severely.



"The language we use in the public increasingly makes it seem like they're all lawbreakers," Marrow said.



As his mother exited the ICE office holding a small, rectangular card with the official blue stamp granting her more time, Saul Arellano argued that he and other children of immigrants in the U.S. illegally are not detracting from the country's greatness. With tears streaming down his face, he said he grew up to be a strong man because of his mother's example.



"I've learned how to live with it and keep fighting," he said, adding that it is now his generation's turn to advocate for citizens without legal standing to be in the country. "Our parents fought for us and now it's time for us to fight for them."



Arellano's journey as an activist began in the late 1990s when the economy collapsed in her Mexican home state and she went to work in a factory on the U.S. border, making only $5.60 a week. She crossed the border in 1997 and headed for Yakima, Wash., to join family. She worked as a baby-sitter and had Saul, a U.S. citizen. In 2000, she moved to Chicago, where she joined other family members and took a job vacuuming planes at O'Hare International Airport.



In 2006, four years after being arrested as part of a post-9/11 sweep of immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally and working at airports, she took refuge with her 7-year-old son inside Adalberto United Methodist Church in Humboldt Park instead of showing up for her scheduled deportation.



Arellano became the face of the new sanctuary movement, a political strategy in the U.S. that first unfolded in the 1980s, in which churches and synagogues house immigrants. Though churches can't guarantee protection, they are generally off limits to law enforcement raids. She stayed in the Humboldt Park church for a year, but was arrested in Los Angeles where she had traveled for an immigration reform rally. She was deported that same day.



"Ten years since I took sanctuary, time has proved to us that what we did was correct," she said in a recent interview through a translator. "It's necessary to protect families. It's a place where families and children can go to wage that resistance."

Arellano's activism continued in Mexico. In 2014, she led a group of asylum seekers to the U.S. border and encouraged them to cross. She called Saul and suggested he join her in doing the same. He did and they were detained. A U.S. citizen, Saul was quickly released. Elvira and then-5-month-old son Emiliano stayed in detention for two days before they were released to petition for asylum.



Now, Arellano, who has a legal work permit, holds down two jobs  one preparing food at a Puerto Rican restaurant and another delivering the Chicago Tribune at dawn.



Saul Arellano said he was glad his mother will now be able to attend his high school graduation  a milestone he couldn't have reached without her.



"She went against a whole government to be with her son," he said.



Manya Brachear Pashman contributed.

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vortiz@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @@vikkiortiz


A 5-year-old boy was critically injured Wednesday morning when he and a man were hit by a pickup truck as they crossed a South Side street in the McKinley Park neighborhood, Chicago police said.

The boy was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition following the collision just before 8:10 a.m. in the 3700 block of South Ashland Avenue, according to police.

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The boy and the 24-year-old man were crossing Ashland Avenue near 37th Street when the truck, which was headed east on 37th and turning south onto Ashland, hit them, according to police.

The man suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment.

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The pickup driver, a 41-year-old man, stayed at the scene and was being questioned by police. Police News Affairs had no information about citations issued to the driver. The police Major Accidents unit was investigating.
Attempting to assuage fears that Chicago police will slow reform efforts under the Trump administration, Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Tuesday released a "road map" of proposed changes to training, supervision and discipline.

While providing limited details and setting few specific deadlines, the 27-page document  titled "Next Steps for Reform"  lays out a few concrete moves to come. But it largely expands on previously announced plans and promises panels or departmental units dedicated to studying areas in which the police force has been found deficient.

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Johnson released the document during a late-afternoon news conference at a moment of uncertainty for the department as pressure from federal authorities for further change appears to have diminished. That has stoked doubts among reform advocates that the scandal-plagued department will follow through on substantive changes despite some early overhauls.

"Make no mistake about it, we're not just saying we're going to reform  we're showing that we're reforming," Johnson told reporters at police headquarters.

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The document pledges, among other things, to improve community policing, revamp training at the academy as well as for veteran cops, bulk up supervision and institute a departmental unit to review patterns in officers' use of force and make recommendations.

The document ranges from broad philosophical commitments to more prosaic vows, such as a pledge to put out an annual report for the first time since 2010.

Calls for change in the department intensified 16 months ago after Mayor Rahm Emanuel was forced to release the video of a white police officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times.

Activists had hoped that a U.S. Department of Justice investigation sparked by fallout over the video would lead to reform. Indeed, the federal agency's report, released in January, ripped the Police Department as a broken agency in which badly trained officers have used excessive force with few consequences.

But the election of President Donald Trump changed the dynamic. Despite the damning report, new Attorney General Jeff Sessions has signaled he is unlikely to seek court-ordered changes, potentially leaving Emanuel in almost complete control of the department's future.

The political climate in Chicago has also changed in recent months, as major protests over police abuse have largely died down while gun violence remains stubbornly high. Last year, the city exceeded 760 killings and 4,300 people shot, huge jumps over 2015. The violence has continued at a similar pace this year.

Just last week, Johnson ratcheted back on more restrictive rules limiting officers' use of force  a major proposed policy change he floated months before that drew the ire of officers.

The mayor is looking to boost department morale as he seeks to expand the force to some 13,500 sworn officers by the end of 2018. With retirements and departures, the department may need to hire more than 2,000 new officers to hit that goal.

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The Tribune reported Tuesday that Emanuel is pushing waves of new recruits through an academy that graduates almost every trainee, raising questions about the rigor and selectivity of the city's system for inducting new cops. Department records from the last four years showed the academy graduated about 97 percent of recruits; in Los Angeles, the rate was about 74 percent, that city's records show. A national study of police academies from 2011 to 2013 found 86 percent graduated.

Those figures back up the Justice Department report, which found that the academy fails to screen out subpar recruits while providing sloppy, outdated training. The report also determined that the department has systematically abused citizens and frequently used excessive force, particularly against African-Americans and Latinos.

The Police Department document released Tuesday pledged the agency would create an internal unit to assess uses of force and make recommendations to the brass about "systemic issues that may affect the use of force."

The department, according to the document, will also revise its use of force form to "require officers to complete a narrative that describes with particularity the force used and the circumstances necessitating the level of force." The department also plans to develop a system by which supervisors will conduct more in-depth reviews of uses of force.

The document also said the agency would overhaul recruit training, but few details were given. A departmental panel continues to study the matter, even as large classes have started through the academy. The department also laid out a plan for academy instructors to teach lieutenants and sergeants to conduct in-service training sessions with the officers they supervise.

One element of the promised new training would cover proper foot pursuits. An unprecedented analysis last year by the Chicago Tribune of every police shooting from 2010 through 2015 found that foot chases played a role in more than a third of the 235 cases that ended with someone wounded or killed.

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The document also vowed that the department's hiring surge would be used to decrease the number of patrol officers supervised by each sergeant, "allowing for more hands-on supervision."

The department is also promising repairs to a mechanism that has long caused consternation in the rank-and-file  merit promotions, which elevate officers outside the department's testing system and have stoked concerns about cronyism. The document gives few specifics but said the department will "increase internal transparency" and train command staff on the process.

The document also vows to improve police discipline. Past Tribune investigations showed that the city's main police oversight agency, the Independent Police Review Authority, conducted shoddy investigations that nearly always cleared cops, even when compelling evidence suggested wrongdoing.

Emanuel is in the process of replacing IPRA with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which is to have more staff and funding. But it has yet to begin operations.

The document released Tuesday calls for changes to the department's own disciplinary investigations unit, the Bureau of Internal Affairs. The document promises that the BIA will change its procedures to ensure the preservation of video and said it will add one additional lieutenant and 10 more sergeants.

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Johnson was flanked at the news conference by Lori Lightfoot, who heads the Chicago Police Board and also led the Police Accountability Task Force, the group Emanuel handpicked at the start of the McDonald scandal to recommend reforms.

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Lightfoot  who also once ran the Office of Professional Standards, IPRA's predecessor that was widely derided as ineffective  said she thinks the document sets "appropriate targets for the department to meet."

She acknowledged, however, that "the proof is in the pudding."

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With a "good, strong cry," a baby girl made her way into the world on a snowy Lake Shore Drive during rush hour traffic Tuesday morning, officials said.

Paramedics were dispatched after the father made a frantic 911 call as he was driving near 63rd Street about 7:30 a.m., according to Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.

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He and his expectant wife were headed to Mount Sinai Hospital, but little Renetta had other plans.

"She knew things were getting close,'' Langford said of the mom. "So they decided to pull over, which was a smart move because by the time Truck 16 and Ambulance 38 got there, it was imminent."

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The paramedics and firefighters "did what they've been trained to do, saw there was no time and they just proceeded to let it happen,'' Langford said.

Baby and mom were taken to University of Chicago Medicine.

"The baby had a good, strong cry and seemed to be doing well,'' Langford said.
Calling gun violence a "crisis," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said Wednesday her office has launched a unit targeting gun crimes in Chicago's historically two most violent police districts on the South and West sides.

"We have a lot of work to do. These are times of crisis," she said in a City Club of Chicago speech touting her first 100 days in office. "The national conversation about Chicago I know rocks us all to the core. As a born and bred Chicagoan, it hurts my heart and my stomach that the caricature of who we are on the national stage continues to be resonating."

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In a later interview with the Chicago Tribune, Foxx, who promised the move after her election in November, said three prosecutors from her office have teamed up with three federal prosecutors as well as Chicago police officers and federal agents in the Englewood and Harrison districts to build gun cases from the ground up.

She said it was a priority to have the unit up and running well before the start of the summer, traditionally the city's most deadly months.

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"We need all hands on deck in those two districts that are driving the most violence," Foxx said. "My hope is we're going to see results this year."

Foxx touted her speech as a review of her first 100 days in office. The protege of County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, who introduced her at Wednesday's event, handily defeated two-term incumbent State's Attorney Anita Alvarez in a three-way primary last spring after public outrage over delays in releasing a 2014 video showing a white Chicago police officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald16 times.

Foxx then cruised to victory in November over a meagerly funded Republican opponent.

On Wednesday, Foxx said her office is shifting away from prosecuting low-level crimes to targeting individuals most responsible for the city's violence.

Since taking office, Foxx has announced she would no longer oppose the release of some nonviolent detainees who can't post $1,000 bail and doubled the minimum amount to $1,000 for retail theft to be charged as a felony.

"The sad reality is that we spend a lot of our resources on cases that might better be served in diversion programs," she said.

Too many people with mental health or drug problems remain locked up for minor crimes, Foxx said.

"The jail is not the place to deal with mental health," she said, drawing applause from the audience. "This is not what it was built for."

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Foxx said later that the University of Chicago Crime Lab has lent her office two analysts to help build a system they hope will identify the worst of the violent offenders so they can be targeted through not just criminal investigations but also on civil, traffic or child support issues.

Foxx also told the audience that an important part of reducing violence is rebuilding the community's trust in the criminal justice system and her office. To help in that regard, she vowed to move more quickly in investigations of criminal wrongdoing by police officers.

She cited the speed with which her office brought first-degree murder charges against an off-duty Chicago police officer and an on-duty Amtrak officer for separate incidents.

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"It proves that you can do these cases if you have the will," Foxx said. "It is difficult to prosecute police officers ... (but) it doesn't lessen our obligation. ...It does diminish our credibility with the public when we slow-walk those cases for fear of repercussions."

Foxx told the Tribune the state's attorney's office had historically allowed police cases to sit for months or even years while the city's police oversight agency conducted its separate investigation. But now, Foxx said, prosecutors don't hold off, instead moving expeditiously with their own "thorough, meticulous and fair" investigation just as they would if a police officer weren't involved.

In talking to reporters after her speech, Foxx also noted that her office passed last month on charging another Chicago police officer who fatally shot an innocent bystander and a 19-year-old wielding a baseball bat. She recused herself from the case because of her past ties to the law firm representing the bystander.

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The shooting deaths of the teen, Quintonio LeGrier, and his neighbor Bettie Jones, 55, on the day after Christmas 2015 came amid the deepening scandal over the release of the McDonald shooting video and highlighted the Police Department's failures in dealing with mentally disturbed individuals.

But Foxx's office didn't charge Officer Robert Rialmo, saying it could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer didn't believe he or his partner were in "imminent danger" of great bodily harm from LeGrier.

sschmadeke@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveSchmadeke
Organizers of a Chicago event designed to pressure President Donald Trump to release more of his tax returns think bigger is better.

After reaching their initial fundraising goal to bring a 16-foot inflatable rooster intended to resemble Trump's hair and hand gestures to a march scheduled for next month near Grant Park, organizers are now aiming for an even bigger balloon.

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"Donald Trump is too chicken to release his tax returns and Tax March Chicago needs a 30-foot-tall inflatable rooster to show the world just how big of a chicken our President is," the GoFundMe campaign said. https://www.gofundme.com/ChicagoChicken

The balloon is a replica of a cartoonish sculpture in China to commemorate the Year of the Rooster.

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More than $2,200 was raised since the campaign launched Thursday, surpassing the original fundraising goal of $1,250. Initially, the campaign was for a 10-foot inflatable balloon but was upgraded to a 16-foot-tall balloon and again expanded to 30 feet after the fundraising effort was featured Tuesday night on MSNBC during Rachel Maddow's show, which aired information on Trump's 2005 taxes.

Two pages of Trump's 2005 IRS Form 1040 showed Trump paid about $38 million in income taxes on more than $150 million in income in 2005.

"We're trying to make Chicken Don the central symbol to the protest," said Taran Singh Brar, organizer of the Chicago tax march and fundraising campaign. He called the two pages from 2005 a "joke," adding he wanted to see more recent tax returns with schedule forms to allow for a deeper dive into Trump's financials.

The GoFundMe campaign reached its $1,250 goal Tuesday, and Brar upped the fundraising benchmark to $4,000 to help pay for additional costs associated with the Chicago march. In addition to the 30-foot balloon, organizers hope to have a 10-foot and put any extra funds toward the march.

A separate fundraising campaign launched last month has secured more than $2,000 in donations to go toward logistics and expenses for the Trump Tax March Chicago, including permitting, city services, insurance, legal, production, publicity and marketing costs but recently had lost momentum, he said. https://www.gofundme.com/taxmarchchi

Other cities like Houston, San Jose, San Bernardino, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have created GoFundMe campaigns to bring their own inflatable roosters to their respective marches.

Chicago's tax march is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. April 15  three days before the filing deadline of April 18  at Michigan Avenue and Congress Parkway, said Brar, who is working with city officials on the permitting process and march route. More than 9,000 people have indicated they will attend the Chicago march, part of a national movement with events planned in Washington and other cities across the country to pressure the president to make his tax returns public.

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Ordering the rooster balloon from China was an idea hatched by organizers for the protests in Chicago, San Francisco and other cities to keep the focus on Trump's reluctance to release his tax returns, Brar said.

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"We're trying to say if every president in modern American history has released their tax returns, what are you hiding?" he said.

While Trump has avoided paying federal income taxes for some years, a point raised during a presidential debate, Brar said, "ordinary Americans are getting socked, are getting taxed and having to make up for budget shortfalls."

In January, Trump said he had no plans to release his tax returns to provide transparency about his finances, a practice started by Richard Nixon and followed by every subsequent president except Gerald R. Ford. "The only ones that care about my tax returns are the reporters," Trump said. As for voters, he said: "I won. No, I don't think they care at all."

Results of a Washington Post-ABC News poll in January showed 74 percent of Americans believe Trump should make the documents public. More than a million people signed the WhiteHouse.gov online petition urging the immediate release of the tax returns.

lvivanco@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @lvivanco
SPRINGFIELD  A proposal that would make it easier for transgender people to change their birth certificates to reflect their gender identity cleared an initial hurdle Wednesday, as supporters said the existing process in Illinois often can make life unnecessarily difficult.

A longtime Illinois law says transgender people can only change the sex listed on their birth certificates if a doctor says they've had transition surgery. Under a new plan approved by a House committee, a birth certificate could be changed if a medical or mental health provider confirms someone has received "clinically appropriate" treatment. A range of practices including hormone therapy would be covered, using a similar standard that applies to U.S. passports.

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Supporters say doing away with the surgery requirement would relieve a burden put on transgender men and women and reflects scientific findings that operations are not a necessary medical treatment. Grayson Alexander, a high school senior in Springfield, said he can't change his birth certificate in Illinois because he can't afford surgery without jeopardizing his plans to attend college.

Advocates said people can be denied coverage for preventive care like pap smears and prostate exams if their birth certificates and identities don't match.

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"It's also a symbolic thing to be recognized by the state as the gender that you identify as," Alexander said. "That is immensely important. It's very validating."

Ralph Rivera of the conservative Illinois Family Institute told lawmakers at Wednesday's hearing the legislation is too lax and would not limit how often people can change their sex designations. He also contended the proposal could allow some people to prey on children or further traumatize sexual assault victims in restrooms.

"We need to have compassion for those women, those girls," Rivera said

Rep. Kelly Cassidy , D-Chicago, criticized Rivera's allegations in a later news conference, saying attempts to link the issue to predators is "beyond reprehensible and really beneath humanity."

The legislation cleared a House committee by a 7-4 vote, with Democrats voting for it and Republicans against. Now, the full House can consider it.

The debate in Springfield comes amid a larger push to expand gay, lesbian and transgender rights in Illinois following the election of President Donald Trump and his decision to roll back federal protections for transgender students. A recent executive order he signed eliminated guidelines issued under President Barack Obama that transgender students can use public school restrooms that correspond with their gender identity.

Another proposal before state lawmakers would prohibit male students from using a restroom or changing room designated for females, and vice versa. To accommodate transgender students, schools could  but would not be required to  establish separate, single-occupancy bathrooms and changing rooms.

Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, said he views his plan as a compromise on a controversial issue. He said students shouldn't have to change in front of someone with different anatomy, but he said it's important to also "compassionately and reasonably" address the needs of transgender students.

"We can do that in a way that does not disrupt or take away from the privacy rights of the other students," Morrison said.

Equality Illinois CEO Brian Johnson called this practice unfair and said students should be able to use restrooms that align with their gender identity.

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"We want to make sure that all transgender kids  in fact, all kids  are able to live honestly and openly and authentically in schools and in their public life," he said.

Democrats who control the Illinois House haven't scheduled a debate on Morrison's plan.

His district covers part of Township High School District 211, which has been embroiled in conflict over transgender students' access to bathrooms and locker rooms. A group of parents and students sued the district and federal government after a fight with federal officials led the district to grant a transgender student full access to a girls' high school locker room. The group argues the policy violates students' privacy and says gender identity shouldn't be included under Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on sex. The suit is ongoing.

While the Trump administration has heightened concerns among advocates for gay and transgender rights, they also say there was more work to be done in Illinois even before he took office. To that end, Democrats are pushing other efforts to broaden protections in Illinois.

A measure sponsored by Sen. Daniel Biss , D-Evanston, would prohibit people accused of second-degree murder from claiming they were provoked by the victim's sexual orientation.

Democrats are also floating legislation that prohibits juries from excluding someone based on sexual orientation, race, gender and more. Another bill would give applicants to boards and commissions under the governor's office the option of disclosing their sexual orientation. Johnson said data collected through that system would allow advocates to ensure the LGBTQ community is represented in state boards.

hbemiller@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @haleybemiller
Commercial truck drivers using loading zones just north of Millennium Park will have to pay for the privilege starting Wednesday under a change Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes will bring the city millions of dollars.

For now, the switch to pay-as-you-go loading and unloading will start in a sliver of downtown. Drivers will have to pay $14 an hour to leave their trucks in loading zones east of Michigan Avenue to the lake and north of Randolph Street to the river, according to the city.

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The new system will replace one where businesses pay $500 annually to convert a 20-foot parking space into a loading zone downtown, plus $50 for each additional foot. City Chief Financial Officer Carole Brown said that policy led businesses to sometimes treat the zones like personal parking spots for trucks out front.

"They never purchased the street for personal use, but we did have instances where the businesses were using the loading zones that way, leaving trucks parked there," Brown said. "The hope is we get away from that by charging by the hour, and see more turnover and less congestion, trucks having to double park to load and unload."

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The Emanuel administration plans to expand the new system through the spring and summer to much of downtown.

As part of his 2017 budget, Emanuel estimated the downtown paid loading zones program would bring in $13 million to $18 million a year once it was fully in place. Brown said they will likely come in "slightly below that" this year as the city moves slowly in rolling out the new rules to make sure truck drivers and businesses understand them.

The change will only affect people driving commercial trucks.

Standing zones for passengers to get in and out of private vehicles and cabs are different from loading zones. And the city plans to exempt loading zones near hospitals, schools and day care centers, as well as nursing homes, government buildings, houses of worship, private residences and hotels.

Private cars still won't be allowed to park in the loading zones, and truck drivers will be able to pay the higher rate for using the zones at the parking meter boxes already installed in those areas. The city's phone parking app will also be set up to handle the loading zone payments.

Emanuel has taken steps in recent years to wring more money out of downtown parking garages and metered parking spots near Wrigley Field, along with other tax and fee increases on things like water bills and telephone 911 fees. Those kinds of changes have caused critics to accuse him of nickel and diming residents. While Brown said the city wants to "accurately capture the value" of downtown street parking, she also sought to frame the changes to the loading zone rules as a bid to unclog congested downtown streets and improve traffic flow.

Businesses that paid for loading zones for this year will get back part of the money once their zone is changed over to an hourly rate.

If this year's change works as hoped, Brown said the administration could go back to aldermen in upcoming years to seek to expand it to other neighborhoods.

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jebyrne@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @_johnbyrne
On weekdays, drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman sits in a small, windowless cell for 23 hours a day. The light is always on. The air conditioning makes him shiver. His meals get slipped through a slot in the door.

His one remaining hour can be spent alone in an exercise room consisting of one treadmill and one stationary bike. On weekends, all 24 hours get spent alone in his cell in a wing known as 10 South in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Lower Manhattan. Guzman could distinguish day from night only by a clock he bought from the commissary - until guards one day took that away.

That is the picture that Guzman's defense attorneys painted of the prison conditions facing the former leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, a man regarded as the world's most notorious drug trafficker. His attorneys filed documents on Monday asking Judge Brian Cogan to take Guzman out of solitary confinement and to allow him visits with his wife, Emma Coronel. Because of these austere conditions and his isolation from anyone but his appointed lawyers, the defense argued, Guzman's "physical and mental health have deteriorated further since his arrival in the United States."

"He has difficulty breathing and suffers from a sore throat and headaches. He has recently been experiencing auditory hallucinations, complaining of hearing music in his cell even when his radio is turned off," the defense team said.

Guzman has a long and storied criminal history in Mexico leading one of the country's most powerful drug trafficking organizations and supplying narcotics across the United States. He has escaped from federal prison twice - the last time fleeing through a mile-long tunnel that led to the shower stall inside his prison cell. Guzman was extradited to the Eastern District of New York on Jan. 19, the last full day of President Barack Obama's administration, in a move that some Mexican officials described as a going-away present for Obama.

Guzman has pleaded not guilty to 17 counts relating to drug trafficking charges and running a criminal enterprise.

He has been kept in the Manhattan prison under tight rules known as "special administrative measures." His lawyers say he has had no contact with his wife, family or Mexican legal team. He has not been allowed a single phone call, even to his attorneys, they said.

The defense is arguing that the prison restrictions he lives under have violated constitutional rights by preventing him from hiring private lawyers and developing his defense, as well as his right to the free exercise of religion and free speech by being blocked from talking to the media.

"Our goal is to somehow ameliorate the conditions that he's under now," said one of his defense lawyers, Michael Schneider. "I don't think it's tenable for him to live that way for the year or more it will take to try this case. We run a real risk of him going crazy."

Judge Cogan could ask government prosecutors to respond before deciding whether to grant the motion. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York declined to comment about the motion.

Guzman's relatives and Mexican legal team also complained of his prison conditions while he was being held last year in an 80-square-foot cell at a federal prison on the outskirts of Ciudad Juarez, near the border with Texas. One of his lawyers at the time, Jose Refugio Rodriguez, described the situation as "practically torture."

Mexican officials disputed that characterization and noted that Guzman had access to relatives, fresh air, books, chess and television, and they said he could wear an eye mask for sleeping.
WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has withdrawn retired senior diplomat Anne Patterson as his choice for undersecretary for policy after the White House indicated unwillingness to fight what it said would be a battle for Senate confirmation.

U.S. officials said that two members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, were strongly opposed to Patterson's nomination because she served as U.S. ambassador to Egypt from 2011 to 2013, a time when the Obama administration supported an elected government with ties to the Muslim Brotherhood that was ultimately overthrown by the Egyptian military.

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The withdrawal leaves Mattis with a still-empty bench of Trump-appointed senior officials, a situation that stretches across the administration as Cabinet secretaries have not chosen, or the White House has not approved, nominees. Although Obama administration holdovers remain in a few jobs, after eight weeks in office, President Donald Trump has not nominated a single high official under Cabinet rank in the Defense or State departments.

The White House plans this week - perhaps as early as Tuesday - to announce a handful of approved nominees proposed by Mattis for senior Defense Department positions, but Patterson will not be among them, according to officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity about internal decision-making.

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Mattis' acquiescence to her withdrawal came after he fought and won a major battle with the White House to remove Iraq from the list of Muslim-majority countries whose citizens are barred from U.S. entry under Trump's executive order on immigration.

Although he reportedly insisted he be able to select his own team when he accepted Trump's offer to head the department, Mattis has skirmished repeatedly with the White House over appointments. His initial choice for deputy secretary, Michele Flournoy, withdrew from consideration after meetings with White House officials. Flournoy served as the department's undersecretary under former president Barack Obama.

The current defense deputy, Robert Work, is an Obama holdover who has agreed to remain in office until his successor is in place. The deputy slot remains vacant at the State Department, where Secretary Rex Tillerson's reported choice, Elliott Abrams, was rejected by the White House because of comments he made during the campaign that were perceived to oppose Trump.

Patterson retired from the State Department in December as assistant secretary for Near East affairs, the top official on the Middle East, with the highest rank of career diplomat. She also served as ambassador to Pakistan, Colombia and El Salvador.

But it was primarily her service in Egypt, as the public face of Obama's support for the Muslim Brotherhood-backed government of then-President Mohamed Morsi, that led to her rejection by the White House, officials said.

Morsi was ousted by the Egyptian military in 2013, leading to strained relations between the Obama administration and Egypt under the installed president, Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi.

Although Patterson was said to be supported by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., and was seen as likely to have garnered a majority of votes from both Republicans and Democrats, the Trump administration has voiced strong support for Sissi as a strong counterterrorism ally and largely dismissed criticism of his repression of human and civil rights.

While the administration has denounced the Muslim Brotherhood, its plans to issue an executive order designating it as a terrorist organization appear to have fallen at least temporarily by the wayside as a number of Middle East experts and U.S. allies in the region have warned against it.

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A Sunni Islam organization founded in Egypt early last century, the Brotherhood is now a widespread, loosely organized religious and social movement across the Arab world. While current governments in some countries, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, consider its adherents terrorists, its chapters operate openly, in some cases holding elected office, in countries such as Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan.

The Brotherhood has been a longtime target of the far right. Cruz recently reintroduced legislation calling on the State Department to consider a terrorist designation and saying that the Brotherhood espouses "a violent Islamist ideology with a mission of destroying the West."

Cotton, who has compared the Brotherhood to the Islamic State and al-Qaida, has said that it opposes Western civilization and "wants to launch terrorist attacks against us."

A number of Muslim groups, however, have said the real target of the proposed legislation is to allow the U.S. government to target American Muslims.

Cotton's office did not respond and the Defense Department declined to comment on the withdrawal of Patterson. A White House spokesman said, "Typically, we do not comment on personnel matters."
FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2014, file photo, Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa speaks in Des Moines. King in a tweet Sunday, March 12, 2017, paid tribute to Geert Wilders, a veteran member of the Dutch Parliament who founded the Party of Freedom. (Charlie Neibergall / AP)

WASHINGTON  The White House on Tuesday distanced itself from Republican Rep. Steve King's inflammatory comments about immigrants, as Democrats pressed House GOP leaders to punish the Iowa lawmaker by stripping him of a chairmanship.

King said this weekend that America can't restore "our civilization with somebody else's babies" and warned of a liberal effort to destroy Western civilization through immigration. Questioned about the comments, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said President Donald Trump "believes that this is not a point of view that he shares."

"He believes he's the president for all Americans, and so I'll leave it at that," Spicer told reporters at his daily briefing.

King was a strong supporter of Trump in the 2016 campaign and backed the candidate's tough stand on immigration.

In a statement Tuesday, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Speaker Paul Ryan and other GOP leaders should immediately take the chairmanship of a House Judiciary subcommittee from King.

"Where are Speaker Ryan and the GOP leadership?" asked Pelosi, D-Calif. "Does their silence mean Congressman Steve King's vile racism is acceptable? House Republicans think they can keep quiet, but their contempt for the great diversity of our nation is being heard loud and clear."

Several Republicans and Democrats criticized King for his comments, with Ryan saying he disagreed with the remarks.

"We're a melting pot. My family's here because the potatoes stopped growing in Ireland," he told Fox News Monday night. "The American idea is this beautiful idea which is there for everyone, which is that the condition of your birth doesn't determine your outcome in life."

Ryan said he hadn't spoken with King. "I'd like to think he misspoke and it wasn't really meant the way it sounds and hopefully he's clarified that," said the Wisconsin Republican.

King stood by his comments in a Monday CNN interview in which he also said, "If you go down the road a few generations or maybe centuries with the intermarriage, I'd like to see an America that (is) so homogenous that we look a lot the same from that perspective."

King's initial comments on Twitter were part of a tribute to Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician who opposes immigration and has spoken against Islam. It came as the Dutch prepared for an election for prime minister.

King is known for making racially charged commentary. Last year, at the Republican National Convention, King questioned contributions to civilization by nonwhites. In 2013, he described children in the country illegally as having "calves the size of cantaloupes because they've been hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert."

Later Monday, in an interview with Iowa radio host Jan Mickelson on 1040 WHO, King said blacks and Hispanics will be battling each other before whites become the minority in the United States.

King was responding to Univision's Jorge Ramos' comments about changes in the U.S. demographic in the next decades.
Irene Friedman re-immersed herself in painting after her husband died in 1979. (Family photo)

Irene Friedman's life of more than 100 years was one of several acts, each informed, and in some way, driven, by her love for art.

Early on, she was an immigrant child of a widowed mother in the Bronx. She grew to become a devotee of culture and fashion before settling down to raise a family and moving west to Chicago. Later in life, she returned to art and continued to develop her painting skills into her 90s.

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Friedman, 101, died of natural causes Feb. 26 at the memory care center at Arden Courts of Northbrook, said her daughter, Andrea Ishikawa.

Born Irene Hochfelder on April 26, 1915, in an area of the Austro-Hungarian Empire that would become Czechoslovakia, Friedman was the only daughter of Fannie and Armin Hochfelder.

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Friedman never met her father, who was killed in World War I.

Troubled by anti-Semitic sentiment in Europe following the war, Fannie Hochfelder and her daughter moved to the United States when Friedman was 5.

Once in the U.S., they pooled resources with extended family, sharing a home on Fox Street in the Bronx in New York City, said Friedman's cousin Lillian Pike, who also lived there at the time. They stayed in the Bronx until around Friedman's 13th birthday, when her mother remarried and the family settled in Perth Amboy, N.J.

As a young girl, Friedman enjoyed drawing and watercolors. "She was always interested in art," Pike said. "She was always drawing and sketching."

Friedman was an avid consumer of the arts and culture in New York City, and she introduced her family to some of the city's cultural institutions.

"She was the one member of the family who kept us connected culturally. I went to see my first Broadway play with her; I went to see museums with her," Pike said. "She knew all of the cultural and sophisticated things."

In 1941, Friedman earned a diploma from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, specializing in fashion design, her daughter said, and then set out to find a job.

"I remember her coming to the city with this big portfolio that was larger than she was," Pike said. "She headed to the fashion houses" looking for work, but it was the Depression era, and companies were not hiring.

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"What strikes me about her early life," said Paul Bettendorf, a friend of Friedman's, "was that she studied fine and formal art  but then she had to make a living."

Friedman found various jobs during the 1940s: doing underglaze painting for the Gort China Co., working for the Defense Department during the war, and eventually, taking a job as a dental assistant in Perth Amboy, her daughter said.

In 1947, she returned to Czechoslovakia to meet George Friedman, an acquaintance of her cousin's. They were married there June 28, 1947, and returned to the United States shortly thereafter.

George Friedman's family had been in the lumber business in Czechoslovakia, and he returned to the trade in the U.S. The business moved the couple to Memphis, Tenn., and then, in 1951, to Chicago. By then, their daughter, Andrea, had been born, and in 1956, the family moved to Wilmette.

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Around age 45, Friedman earned her certification as an occupational therapy assistant and she got a job at the Presence Maryhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glenview. She became the activities director, where she helped residents and patients with arts and crafts; she would continue working at Maryhaven until she retired at age 80, her daughter said.

When Friedman's husband died in 1979, Friedman re-immersed herself into painting after a decadeslong hiatus.

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She attended an intensive course on watercolors at an elder hostel near Lake Geneva, Wis. She also studied at art studios on the North Shore. In her painting, she had a skill for "taking something ordinary and elevating it into something beautiful," Ishikawa said. Friedman continued painting until age 91.

"A lot of people looked at her and said, that's what I'd like  I don't want to just get to 70 or 80 and sit in a chair and say, 'I'm done,' " Bettendorf said. "I want to continue to live life and do things that I enjoy."

Friedman is survived by her daughter.

A private memorial service is planned.

Marshall Dole is a freelance reporter.
Immigrants wait to become American citizens ahead of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on May 17, 2013, in New York City. (John Moore / Getty Images)

During Cold War debates about the merits of capitalism and communism, Americans offered a simple gauge: the movement of people. "You have the Berlin Wall," the argument went. "We have the Statue of Liberty. If communism is a blessing, why do people flee Cuba for America, not the other way around?"

Ronald Reagan, the hero of modern Republicans, knew that immigrants were not a threat to our way of life but a reinforcement of it. He welcomed them as allies, self-selected for their attraction to democratic ideals. They came here not because they wanted to change America but because they admired it as it was.

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"I have always believed there was some divine providence that placed this great land here between the two great oceans," he said in 1986, "to be found by a special kind of people from every corner of the world who had a special love for freedom and a special courage that enabled them to leave their own land, leave their friends and their countrymen, and come to this new and strange land to build a new world of peace and freedom and hope."

Imagine what Reagan would think of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, who abhors foreigners like a deadly virus. On Sunday, King tweeted, "We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies." Last year, he declared, "Cultural suicide by demographic transformation must end." This week, King insisted that immigrants are "importing a different culture, a different civilization, and that culture and civilization, the imported one, rejects the host's culture."

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King was talking about Middle Easterners, but his suspicions extend to immigrants living here illegally, most of whom come from Latin America. He claims they are "refusing to assimilate into the American culture and civilization."

Among the alleged sins of Latino immigrants are that they drag down wages and give birth at public expense. But if there's anything worse than poor foreigners, it's rich ones. Steve Bannon, Donald Trump's chief White House strategist, has complained (inaccurately) that "two-thirds or three-quarters of the CEOs in Silicon Valley are from South Asia or from Asia."

He sees their numbers as trouble because, he says, "a country is more than an economy. (It's) a civic society."

Yes, it is. And Silicon Valley is a proud product of ours, showcasing the wonders that intellectual and economic freedom can create. It's absurd to think immigration undermines our civic life. Immigration has always been inseparable from our civic life. What is it about high-achieving Asian-Americans that Bannon finds threatening to our way of life  aside, that is, from their race?

From the start, immigrants have elicited groundless panic. Bannon, a Catholic, forgets that Catholic immigrants were once seen as fundamentally hostile to democratic principles. The eminent 19th-century Presbyterian minister Lyman Beecher warned that "the subjects of the pope" would "subvert our free institutions." Beecher would be surprised that subjects of the pope now dominate that free institution called the Supreme Court.

The court also has three Jewish justices, which would offend supporters of the Immigration Act of 1924. It was designed to keep out Jews, among others, who were seen as genetically inferior and politically radical. Jews, however, confounded anti-Semites by succeeding and integrating into American society just as every previous immigrant group had.

There is no reason to think newcomers from Latin America or the Middle East will be any different. King and others believe Islam is irredeemably violent and hostile to freedom and democracy  hence his opinion that admitting Muslim refugees amounts to "cultural suicide."

But he underestimates the power of American culture. A 2011 Gallup poll found that 89 percent of American Muslims say there is never a justification for an individual or group to target and kill civilians  compared with only 71 percent of Protestants and Catholics. American Muslims are also more favorable to same-sex marriage than evangelical Christians are.

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The fear that foreigners will poison our culture or destroy our government has no basis in experience. "Basic indicators of assimilation, from naturalization to English ability, are if anything stronger now than they were a century ago," University of Washington scholar Jacob Vigdor has written about Hispanics. "Muslim immigrants in the U.S. are highly assimilated, presenting a strong contrast with Muslims in most European countries," he told me.

The vast majority of today's immigrants, it's clear, can be expected to uphold our best political ideals and cultural traditions. King and Bannon? Not so much.

Steve Chapman, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/chapman.

Download "Recalculating: Steve Chapman on a New Century" in the free Printers Row app at www.printersrowapp.com.

schapman@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @SteveChapman13

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Rep. Steve King shows it's time to deport certain white men

Donald Trump's populism is dying
President Donald Trump shows an executive order entitled, "Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch," after signing it beside members of his Cabinet in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13, 2017, in Washington, D.C. (Michael Reynolds, Pool / Getty Images)

"Don't normalize Trump." That's been a mantra for his critics since he won the Republican nomination. Everyone in Washington recognizes that President Donald Trump is not "normal." Some of the ways he's not normal are good: He has open contempt for "the swamp" of D.C., its corruption, its polite fictions, its arrogant denizens and their disdain for the choices of ordinary citizens. But he is also a walking rejection of older, more important virtues: separation of powers, the rule of law, the value of truth, the virtue of learned expertise and education, modesty, even simple decency towards one's fellow men and women. He's a very big bull in a very big china shop, and some of the china is worth saving.

We shouldn't pretend that some of the stranger things Trump does are normal. But he's not going away anytime soon, and the more normal we can encourage him to be, the better off we all are. Republicans and Democrats alike should try to make this happen.

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Trump's address to a joint session of Congress proved that he can be normal when he puts his mind to it. His tone was widely viewed as "presidential," and much of the speech could easily have been delivered by Barack Obama or George W. Bush with only modest alterations. Yet Trump reverted to abnormal form on Twitter four days later. First, he tweeted about being wiretapped by President Obama, apparently with no basis other than things he read on the Internet. He followed that up by taking a swipe at Arnold Schwarzenegger's tenure as host of "The Apprentice." That should not have surprised us. At age 70, after four decades in the public eye, Trump is unlikely to change who he is; there's no pivot on the horizon. But the more Trump is encouraged to be "State of the Union Trump," and discouraged from kicking up unnecessary panics and controversies, the better.

Trump inner-circle radicals like White House chief strategist Steve Bannon may see a political advantage in provoking endless, draining controversy. Democrats may calculate that the same dynamic helps them. They might both be right; both Obama and Bill Clinton, after all, capitalized on conflicts that helped the other party capture Congress while painting themselves as their party's only hope. But Trump is still the commander in chief, and encouraging his worst instincts while paralyzing the government is bad for the country.

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One way to encourage normalcy is to fully staff the administration. Trump is way behind on hiring staff (no sane White House goes a month without a communications director), and the Senate can prioritize confirming those people who get nominated, especially national security and foreign policy appointees. A full bureaucracy will give Trump more briefings, more orders to sign, more decisions to make, and leave him with less time and energy for kicking the beehive.

To clear the air, Senate Republicans and Democrats can also press forward with the Intelligence Committee investigation of Russian involvement in the 2016 election, and ensure a full public report. Public confidence in our democratic system demands a full accounting that defuses conspiracy theories. The endless back-and-forth of anonymous leaks and wild speculation only poisons the climate even further, emboldens the worst instincts and elements on all sides, and breeds mistrust between policymakers and the intelligence community they need to inform them.

Democrats, for their part, should try tamping down the "resistance" rhetoric and the lazy Hitler comparisons and try to avoid public panics over every Tweet. Trump thrives on attention, positive or negative; the more his craziest Tweets grab headlines and dominate the conversation, the more he'll turn to his phone for the quick fix of instant public controversy.

The media has a role to play, too. By all means, call out the specific examples of insanity and dishonesty when Trump forces his spokespeople to defend the indefensible, but don't let it swallow coverage of the things the White House is actually doing, many of which are far more important. Get Sean Spicer, the press secretary, talking about things he can explain without "alternative facts" and that official Washington can debate in ordinary fashion. Remind people that government actually does things and isn't just a reality show.

In encouraging Trump to be normal, Washington need not abandon its usual fault lines. Republicans don't have to give up their big ambitions of using this moment to tame the administrative state. Democrats don't have to stop opposing ordinary Republican priorities they disagree with, like tax cuts. Trump's die-hard fans don't have to abandon hope of Trump breaking with bipartisan conventional wisdom on trade, immigration and foreign policy. Those policy debates can and will continue. Trump's voters wanted change, and some changes are in order, while others may be half-baked ideas worth stopping.

But the atmosphere of constant crisis and hyperbole is bad for the mental health of the nation and could lead us places we find it hard to return from. Let's make America normal again.

Dan McLaughlin is an attorney in New York and a contributing columnist to National Review Online.

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Under Trumpcare, even you might be without health insurance

Paul Ryan no longer a conservative darling

How Trump will wriggle out of 'wiretap' embarrassment

Donald Trump's populism is dying
WASHINGTON  What we learned from the latest "score" by the Congressional Budget Office of Obamacare and the Trump administration's "repeal and replace" plan is what we should have known all along.

To wit:

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If people have health insurance, they will use more health services more visits to doctors' offices, more tests, procedures and drugs  and health spending will rise.

If spending rises too much, insurance premiums will follow, and more Americans will find private insurance unaffordable.

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If the poor and others can't afford health insurance, they won't be covered unless someone subsidizes their insurance.

If the subsidies are cut, more people will go without insurance and the demand for health services will slow.

In a nutshell, that's the story of moving from Obamacare to what some call "Trumpcare." Obamacare vastly increased insurance subsidies for the poor and near-poor; it paid for the expansion mainly through a series of new taxes. Insurance coverage expanded. By contrast, Trumpcare would repeal most tax increases and curtail subsidies. Insurance coverage, by the CBO's reckoning, will fall. The CBO estimates that in 2026, 52 million Americans will be uninsured, an increase of 24 million over the 28 million who would lack insurance under Obamacare.

The main action is with Medicaid, the joint federal-state insurance program for the poor. Obamacare liberalized Medicaid's eligibility requirements and accompanied the expansion with larger subsidies for states that accepted the broader requirements. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia did so. Trumpcare would reduce Obamacare's generous subsidies substantially, causing some states, the CBO says, to tighten eligibility requirements or cut other Medicaid benefits. Of the 24 million drop in the insured in 2026, 14 million reflects fewer people receiving Medicaid.

The CBO also predicts 7 million Americans would lose insurance provided by their employers, mainly because Trumpcare would effectively eliminate the requirement that large firms provide insurance to workers. About another 2 million Americans would drop  or lose  insurance from so-called exchanges, either because premiums would be too high or Trumpcare would effectively drop the individual "mandate" that all adults have insurance.

Just what happens now is unclear. One possibility is that Republicans will sweeten their proposals. According to the CBO, the net effect of eliminating both Obamacare's subsidies and tax increases is a $337 billion surplus from 2017 to 2026 (that is, spending drops about $1.2 trillion and almost $900 billion of tax increases are cut). These funds could be applied to Medicaid or to the refundable tax credits that are Trumpcare's main form of subsidy. These would reduce the uninsured somewhat.

Another possibility is to tough it out  to proceed with the current proposal while denouncing the CBO's estimates as inaccurate and biased. There were signs of this in the administration's initial reaction. "We disagree strenuously with the report that was put out," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price. Or the Republicans could go back to the drawing board and start anew.

But anything they do is fraught with political and policy obstacles. Some conservatives already think the existing proposal is too generous; moderates and liberals think it is too stingy. What's clear is that Trump and his supporters have the "repeal" part down but not the "replace."

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Washington Post Writers Group

Robert Samuelson is a Washington Post columnist.

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How Missouri added insult to the pain of my abortion
If House Republicans enact their health care bill, they're screwed. They'll have lost the critical initial dialogue and left opponents salivating. If they fail to pass it, they're screwed, too, having broken a commitment of the past four elections.

The Trumpcare debacle confirms the wisdom of the late Republican pollster Bob Teeter, who predicted a couple of decades ago that health care would be a loser for whichever political party owns it.

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There's another lesson in the Republicans' angst, but this one's for both parties: It's almost impossible for Congress to succeed in something big on a partisan basis. President Barack Obama was rebuffed by Republicans on the Affordable Care Act eight years ago and paid a heavy price; now House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and his colleagues are the ones likely to bear the political cost.

It's hard to reverse the terms of debate set in the early stages of a big legislative battle. Remember, in 2009, the charges that Obamacare would set up death panels to decide whether grandmothers should live or die? It was false, but it resonated.

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Now Ryan and the White House are on the defensive after an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that their plan would result in the loss of health insurance coverage by 24 million Americans over the coming decade.

Democrats are drawing blood with charges that the plan cuts care for the poor to finance big tax cuts for the wealthy. Conservatives are complaining that proposed tax credits to help people buy insurance amount to too much government. Moderate Republican governors are saying it's bad for their states because it cuts back on Medicaid financing that added millions of people to the insurance rolls.

Think of those arguments as raw material for an anti-Trumpcare ad campaign reminiscent of the "Harry and Louise" commercials that helped dash President Bill Clinton's hopes for comprehensive health-care reform in 1994.

In those 30-second spots, a fictional American couple invented by insurance-industry lobbyists fretted at a suburban kitchen table about losing trusted doctors and control of their medical destinies. (That was before they re-emerged briefly in 2009 in support of Obamacare.)

Imagine some of today's Harrys and Louises: a 62-year-old man echoing complaints of the AARP that he would have to pay more while younger, healthier people pay less; a cancer patient who worries that she'll lose access to treatments that were covered under Obamacare; a struggling lower-income couple who would be threatened with losing Medicaid coverage; perhaps a handful of working-class citizens griping around a coffee table about how rich people were spending the tax cuts paid for by their vanished insurance subsidies.

Another lesson to be learned is the danger of hyperbole or careless language. Republicans, more than six years after the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, still were reprising Obama's broken promise, "If you like your health care plan, you can keep it."

They, then, should be cognizant of the danger lurking in the campaign promise of their current leader, the man now in the White House, when he declared, "I'm not going to cut Medicare or Medicaid." In truth, Trumpcare reduces federal Medicaid spending by $880 billion over a decade. To Ryan, that may be reform; to the poor or those with disabilities, it's just less health care.

Then there's Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who suggested that the GOP plan might encourage lower-income Americans to make necessary choices between health insurance and "getting that new iPhone." And Rep. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., who said that a cancer patient didn't really need Obamacare coverage subsidies because even without insurance she could "show up to the emergency room."

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Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who gave Hillary Clinton a scare from the Democrats' left flank during the presidential primary season, got a good reception this week when he took an anti-Trumpcare case to the heart of Trump country, West Virginia. Along with Kentucky and Arkansas, it is one of the three states with the sharpest reductions in uninsured rates over the past three years, largely as a result of Obamacare. These culturally conservative states voted overwhelmingly for Trump last November. The beneficiaries of expanding health-insurance coverage in these states aren't primarily immigrants or people of color; they are white, working-class voters, Trump supporters who bought into his campaign rhetoric.

But if passage of their Obamacare replacement plan would expose Republicans to political peril, failure to pass it would be as bad, maybe worse. In 2010, 2012, 2014 and last fall, the vast majority of Republican congressional candidates promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. It was a promise they weren't expected to keep as long as they lacked both a congressional majority and the White House. Now that they have both, there are no excuses.

Trump, who probably cares little and knows less about the specifics of his party's legislation, has said if it fails to pass then Republicans can blame the health-care mess on Obama and Obamacare. He may have forgotten that he promised voters he would produce a plan that would "cover everybody" and be "much better." Voters may overlook some of his reckless vows, but they won't forget this one.

Bloomberg View

Albert R. Hunt is a Bloomberg View columnist. He was the executive editor of Bloomberg News, before which he was a reporter, bureau chief and executive Washington editor at the Wall Street Journal.

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Under Trumpcare, even you might be without health insurance

Paul Ryan no longer a conservative darling

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Paul Ryan can't refute CBO's warning on Obamacare replacement
If you like Cold War-style thrillers and don't mind getting the bejeebers scared out of you, we recommend an article by arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis titled "North Korea is Practicing for Nuclear War." On the edge of your seat already, right?

North Korea is America's strangest adversary: isolated, paranoid, belligerent and  here's the worst part  armed to the teeth. Earlier this month the regime of Kim Jong Un simultaneously test-fired four missiles in the direction of Japan on an arc leading directly toward the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station at Iwakuni, Japan. Removing any doubt, North Korea announced that it was testing its capacity "to strike the bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor forces in Japan."

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Lewis said that calling this provocation a "missile test" underplays the threat. North Korea has a proven ability to fire missiles that could reach Japan and South Korea. It also has nuclear weapons and is developing the ability to put them on warheads. "These aren't missile tests, they are military exercises," Lewis wrote in Foreign Policy. "North Korea knows the missiles work. What the military units are doing now is practicing  practicing for a nuclear war."

His thesis is that North Korea, the U.S. and its South Korean ally are embarked on a dangerous course of gaming out first-strike capacities. Currently the U.S. and South Korea are conducting annual joint military exercises that appear to be dress rehearsals for a pre-emptive strike against North Korea, which would come in response to a threat. The practice efforts include taking out Kim and assaulting his nuclear and missile facilities, according to Lewis.

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North Korea hates these exercises and responded with its multiple-missile test. The significance of firing four rockets is that firing a quartet would increase the chances of eluding a sophisticated U.S. anti-missile defense system known as THAAD. This system, Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, can shoot down an incoming short- or medium-range missile while it's still high in the atmosphere. With Kim acting tough, the U.S. Army says it's moving "as quickly as possible" to deploy THAAD in South Korea.

What disturbs Lewis is the idea that in the event of a crisis, Kim might decide to use his nukes before the U.S. and South Korea can find and destroy his missile units. "He has to go first, if he is to go at all," Lewis wrote. Gulp.

His point is that too much attention is paid to North Korea's obsession with developing ICBMs capable of striking the United States. That threat is likely years away, but the North soon may be able to launch a nuclear attack on U.S. installations in Japan or South Korea that gets past THAAD "before President Donald Trump has time to tweet about it."

Instead of counting on THAAD (or Trump's tweets) to save humanity, we have another idea for the president: Game out scenarios in which the U.S, South Korea, Japan, China and Russia acknowledge the North Korean threat and cooperate to exert pressure on Kim to come to the table to discuss security guarantees in exchange for economic benefits. This group of countries has worked together previously to negotiate with North Korea, so there is precedent.

The obvious counterargument is that previous talks have produced no resolution. But this time the stakes are higher as Kim's weapons programs move forward. Everyone at the table would be more nervous than ever. Consider the Chinese position: They fear THAAD because the system's powerful radar can peer beyond North Korea into China, theoretically identifying Chinese missiles and scoping out troop movements. Thus it could upset the balance of power with the U.S., setting off an increased arms race. So the Chinese would enter talks knowing that if they don't want THAAD in the neighborhood, they have to help restrain North Korea.

This week Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will be in Beijing, ahead of an expected meeting in the U.S. next month between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. North Korea certainly will be on the agenda, but don't expect immediate breakthroughs: China is North Korea's only powerful friend and has interests other than shooing away THAAD. For one, China doesn't root for a North Korean collapse because it would send millions of refugees over the border into China. For another, there is China's audacious moves to control the South China Sea.

But China mistrusts Kim. Remember last month's strange assassination of Kim's half-brother in Malaysia? He had been living under Chinese protection in Macau. In apparent reaction, the Chinese made a show of shutting down coal deliveries from North Korea.

Here's what's also true: China has no more interest than anyone else in waiting for North Korea to set off World War III in Asia. So amid the scary stories of North Korean brinkmanship, there is an opportunity for the Trump administration to work with whoever is willing to find a better ending to this chilling prospect.
An Aurora police police officer injured in this crash near Normantown and Montgomery Road is recovering after surgery. (Kirk Musselman / Handout)

An Aurora police officer seriously injured in a crash Friday is recovering after surgery to repair a leg injury, police said.

Aurora traffic investigators continue working on the crash that injured the officer, who was a passenger in the squad car involved. Police said they have yet to determine who may be at fault for the crash.

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A recruit officer hired by the department in 2016 was driving the squad car with a second officer, who has been with the department since 2001, as a passenger, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said.

The second officer, who was extricated from the car, sustained a leg injury which required surgery, Ferrelli said.

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The crash happened at 7:50 p.m. Friday, at Normantown and Montgomery roads, Aurora police Sgt. Tom NcNamara told the Chicago Tribune that night.

Two ambulances were called to the scene and the roads around the area, including the area around the nearby railroad crossing, were temporarily shut down while police investigated, the Tribune reported.

The crash involved a police vehicle and a citizen's vehicle, and a third vehicle may have been struck by debris from the crash, McNamara said.

Two officers were inside the police vehicle and one was taken to the hospital, McNamara said. The other car "possibly had a juvenile involved," McNamara said, but no one from that car was reportedly taken to the hospital.

Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt contributed.

hleone@tribpub.com

Twitter @hannahmleone
Participants take part in a 2016 program on backyard chickens at Garfield Farm Museum. This museum will hold another session of the program Sunday. (Jon Langham / The Courier-News)

Garfield Farm Museum in La Fox will host a session on raising a small flock of backyard chickens at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The workshop will serve as a basic introduction to starting a flock, according to a press release from the farm museum.

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Special Projects Manager and director of the chicken breeding program Dave Bauer and museum volunteer Samira Bamberger will provide instruction. During the workshop attendees will learn about chicken care, breed selection, incubation choices, and more, according to the release. The lecture will also cover a brief history of chickens, egg collection, and hands-on participation to learn how to handle birds.

There is an $8 donation for the class. Reservations are preferred and can be made by contacting the museum at 630-584-8485 or info@garfieldfarm.org.

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The museum established a conservation flock for the Black Java chicken in 1996 and has been partnering with the Museum of Science and Industry of Chicago to help preserve the chicken. It is the second oldest breed of American chicken with its origin going back to the 1830s, according to the release.

Participants should dress for the weather and wear appropriate footgear for winter conditions, farm museum officials said.

Garfield Farm Museum is located five miles west of Geneva off of Route 38 on Garfield Road.
Richard Guzman, left, and Richard Irvin, Aurora's mayoral candidates, traded a few barbs Tuesday night on the Paramount Theatre stage. Terry Michels, vice chairman of Aurora Downtown, which sponsored the mayoral forum, moderated the event. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News)

With the Aurora mayoral race down to two candidates, the first forum since the primary saw Richard Irvin and Richard Guzman take the gloves off a bit before a crowd of about 300 at the Paramount Theatre downtown.

The evening started with Guzman joking about the candidates being at podiums in front of the set for "Sweeney Todd," the Paramount's current Broadway Series show, and hoping the night wouldn't get that violent.

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And while the bloodletting was not quite as intense as what theatergoers see in the show, the two candidates did jab at each other about their respective experience, history in town and leadership ability.

Perhaps the tensest moment came after Irvin touted his experience as an Aurora community prosecutor in answer to a question about crime in the city, particularly the three murders that have happened in town this year.

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Irvin has made it a familiar theme in his campaign, saying how his work as a prosecutor, along with community-oriented policing, neighborhood groups and use of federal programs, helped clean up some of Aurora's toughest neighborhoods.

But Guzman called Irvin's claims about his prosecutorial experience "a bit of a disconnect," saying it has been a long time since he was prosecutor, and that in the meantime, Irvin has been working as a defense attorney for some of the people Aurora police are arresting.

"When our police are working to get people off the streets, he's plea bargaining them to a lesser sentence," Guzman said. "That's a bit of a disconnect."

Irvin countered that "we have this thing called the Constitution," and that whether working as a prosecutor or a defense attorney, he was working to defend the tenets of that document.

He even invoked Abraham Lincoln, pointing out he was a defense attorney before becoming president, and using the same logic, "I might be one of the greatest mayors ever."

Irvin continued espousing another theme of his campaign, that he has a better perspective on what Aurora needs because he was born and raised in town. He took jabs at Guzman for having grown up in Naperville, and working only the past five years in Aurora.

At one point, he inferred Guzman was a "Johnny-come-lately" who did not endure some of the city's tough times, and said he was recruited by former Mayor Tom Weisner to work for the city "to bring in more low-income housing."

"The difference between me and Mr. Guzman is that I was here through the good and the bad, and I chose to stay," Irvin said.

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Guzman said that while he was raised in Naperville, his family attended church in Aurora as he was growing up, and that he chose to live in Aurora.

"You don't choose where you're born and raised, but you do choose where you raise your family," Guzman said.

He added that when he and his wife started their non-profit organization, Emmanuel House, which helps people become first-time homeowners, they targeted Aurora's East Side.

Guzman inferred that while Irvin has been an alderman for 10 years, there are other aldermen who work harder at getting things done. He chided Irvin for not coming up with particular initiatives or programs.

"This is the eighth forum we've been at together, and I can't remember a single initiative Alderman Irvin has come up with," he said.

Irvin shot back that he has been elected alderman at large  which means he is elected citywide  three times, and that many things done during his time as aldermen were his ideas, espoused in his earlier campaigns for mayor and alderman.

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"You've only been here for five years," he said. "I had many of these ideas years ago."

The forum was sponsored by Aurora Downtown, an organization of downtown business and property owners. Many of the questions centered around downtown redevelopment, the future of the Riverwalk, whether or not the FoxWalk Overlay district is too restrictive on businesses and historic preservation.

In those areas, Guzman and Irvin generally agree, although they sometimes differ in the style of how they would get those things done.

One question was asked about parking, particularly about the future of parking on Broadway through town. Broadway is state highway Route 25, so it is a way people get through town, but it is also a main business street. Parking is needed for business there, but the tightness of the parking to the roadway, and the speed at which people drive has cause sideswipe accidents and vehicles getting mirrors knocked off.

Guzman said he would consider looking at possibly limiting parking on Broadway during rush hour times, but keeping the parking there during business hours, using illuminated, no-parking signs for the rush hour, similar to what Naperville does with Washington Street through its downtown.

"We could look at some of the things surrounding communities have done," he said.

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Irvin said he could not see banning parking on Broadway "for any time," because the businesses need it.

slord@tribpub.com
Sugar Grove Township Assessor Laura Ross is being challenged by candidate Curt Kara in the April 4 election. They both spoke at the Sugar Grove candidates forum Tuesday night. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News)

The Sugar Grove Village Board race was in the spotlight during a Meet the Candidates Night event in the village.

Candidates for Sugar Grove Village Board and also Sugar Grove Township assessor in the April election met with voters at the event at Sugar Grove Public Library Tuesday night.

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Five candidates are vying for three open seats on the Village Board, while two others are seeking the post of assessor.

Current Sugar Grove Trustees Rick Montalto, Sean Herron and Ted Koch are seeking re-election. The challengers are Alison Squires and Karen McCannon.

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Montalto, who retired with 39 years in law enforcement, is seeking his third term on the Village Board.

"This town has grown for the better, we have done a lot of great things and I want to keep us moving forward," Montalto said.

Herron, a U.S. Army veteran, previously worked as an account manager for a global manufacturer and is now a second-grade teacher in the Kaneland School District. He is seeking his second term in office.

"We need to continue to diversify our tax base by bringing more businesses to town," he said.

Montalto said the current board has worked hard to keep taxes down.

"We are working diligently to bring in new businesses, retail and industry to the town that doesn't impact the schools," Montalto said.

Koch, a business banker, was appointed in July 2015 to serve the unexpired term of the late Bob Bohler on the board.

"I know what to look out for when the board is approached with proposals for new developments. I know how the other side works. I am often times the banker for the other side," Koch said.

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Squires, a mathematics tutor, said "business development" is her motivation to run for office.

"My parents own a small business. I would like to see more incentives for local small businesses so we can retain the uniqueness of our community," Squires said.

Squires said the village's economic incentives have been focused on attracting big box retailers.

"We have tax increment financing districts where we publicly subsidize private business. I disagree with this," Squires said. "I wanted to join the board so that we have different and innovative ideas besides the same old conventional wisdom. We need to be cautious about what types of businesses we attract. We don't need to attract a lot of big box retailers that could potentially leave empty spaces in our community. You don't have to travel far to see them in other communities. I think small, independent businesses are better and would help keep our community unique."

McCannon, a 50-year resident of Sugar Grove, said she would bring "the voice of seniors" to the Village Board. McCannon said she is also handicapped and would bring that perspective to the board.

McCannon suggested increasing the number of community events, such as having movie nights for families, to bring the community together.

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The candidates were also asked about the village's recent efforts to look at building a new municipal building that would free up space for the police department.

Squires said she would like the issue placed before the voters in a referendum.

"Most residents in the community would want to protect their police services," she said.

Koch said, "I cannot believe what little space the police department has to work in - it was truly shocking. Police Chief Pat Rollins is an outstanding leader and we are lucky to have him, but he's dealing with (space) restraints that are incredible."

"We have run out of space," he said. "However, we are not going to build any new buildings until we know exactly how we are going to pay for them."

McCannon said ideally the police department could occupy the municipal building if a new village hall is built, but funding is an obstacle.

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"Ted is right, we can't spend dollars we don't have," McCannon said.

Herron said he, too, agrees the police department needs to expand.

"We would have space (in the municipal building) once we find the revenue source to build a new facility. We have already acquired the property but we are not going to move forward without a revenue source," Herron said.

Montalto said when he first came on the board there were plans to build a new police facility around the time when the economic downturn began about 10 years ago.

"We didn't think it was fiscally responsible for the time," Montalto said. "We not only need a police department, we need a village hall and a place for community development that is out in the industrial park."

The event also featured the two candidates for Sugar Grove Township assessor.

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The current Assessor Laura Ross is being challenged by Curt Karas. Ross began working in the office in 1998, was certified and became a deputy assessor and then was elected township assessor in 2005.

Karas said he began an accounting practice in Sugar Grove 24 years ago and is a certified assessment officer. He suggested using his contacts through the Illinois CPA Society to inform seniors through tax preparers about the senior citizen homestead exemption and senior citizen assessment freeze homestead exemption.

"I work with returns and see where seniors could qualify," he said. Karas said he would host workshops for seniors as well.

Ross said she supports having the local township assessor's office handle the applications for senior exemptions rather than having residents file at the Kane County Government Center in Geneva. Ross said she is supportive of two legislative bills that would increase the threshold for both exemptions.

"We are pushing residents out of the state. We need to start working for the people," Ross said.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
The older we become, the more years we've had to think about the unthinkable. So it would seem we should not be all that shocked when horrific crimes occur so close to our backyards.

And yet, how do we ever become immune to headlines that involve parents killing their own children?

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We've had more than our share of those screamy headlines in the Fox Valley in recent memory, going back 18 years ago this month to when Marilyn Lemak used peanut butter to drug her three small children, Nicholas, Emily and Thomas, before smothering them to death in the bedroom of her tony Naperville home.

A couple years later, in July of 2002, authorities say John Scherer, after fatally stabbing ex-wife Sheri in their Naperville home and snatching 6-year-old daughter Rachel, deliberately slammed his SUV into a semitrailer truck on a rural Iowa highway, taking the girl's life along with his own.

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Six months later  on Christmas morning, no less  Sungnam Lisowski shot and killed her husband John while he was sitting at the computer, then wounded their two young daughters, one seriously, in their Stonebridge home in Aurora.

One I shall never forget  perhaps because of the tearful conversations I had with the ex-wife left behind  occurred in 2005, when Anthony Mangiamele of Gilberts created a makeshift bed for his 2-year-old son Riley in the back seat of the family SUV, then started the truck's engine with the garage door closed, killing himself and his son with carbon monoxide fumes.

Two years later, Oswego dad Christopher Vaughn also ended the lives of his three children, Abigail, Cassandra and Blake, in the back of their SUV  only his weapon of choice was a handgun, and he used it while they slept on what the family thought was an early-morning trip to a water park.

In 2012, Elzbieta Plackowska, after making the children get on their knees and pray, is accused of fatally stabbing her 7-year-old son Justin over 100 times in their Naperville home and using that same knife to murder little Olivia Dworakowski, the 5-year-old she was babysitting.

Also in 2012, right before Halloween, Joseph Schmitt dressed his 4-year-old son Wyland in pajamas and killed him, again through carbon monoxide poisoning inside the family's Yorkville garage.

And now this past weekend, police say 46-year-old IT manager Randall Coffland shot and killed his twin 16-year-old daughters Brittany and Tiffany in their St. Charles home before injuring their mother and then committing suicide with the same gun.

Just as Coffland is accused of doing, Mangiamele, Schmitt and Scherer ended their own lives after murdering their children. Lemak drugged herself, as well as her kids, but survived and is in prison for life. Lisowski shot herself in the chest after firing at her husband and two daughters but she also survived and was sentenced to 45 years.

And the cold and calculating Vaughn  arguably the most despicable and in prison for life -- deliberately wounded himself after killing his entire family so he could try and pin a murder-suicide on wife Kimberly, who he'd also shot to death.

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No matter how many times we hear, read or write about it, we can never fully understand how the unthinkable becomes something we are forced to think about. Yes, marital problems always seem to be at the bottom of it. Scherer had been through a divorce, although there were no indications he could turn violent. Mangiamele, on the other hand, who had taken and processed a roll of film entitled "Riley's last weekend" before killing his son, had been awarded visitation rights by a Kane County judge despite the father's repeated threats to harm his child.

Lemak and her husband were going through a divorce when she killed her kids, as was Schmitt and his wife when their little boy died inside the Yorkville garage. Lisowski thought her husband was having an affair, according to sources close to that Aurora investigation. And Plackowska, estranged from her husband when she is accusing of stabbing their son in Naperville, "wanted to make her husband hurt as he had made her hurt in the relationship," according to DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin.

That statement eerily mirrored this most recent case. According to the 911 call recording released by St. Charles police, Coffland on Friday can be heard saying, apparently to his estranged wife, "I want you to live and suffer like I did."

Although these horrific stories possess similarities, each has a unique and tragic element that can't help but haunt us long past the initial shock begins to wane. Images of sleeping little ones, innocent and trusting, of tiny mutilated bodies stabbed countless times, of a Christmas morning bloodbath inside an upscale suburban home.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 14 Police identified 16-year-old twins Tiffany Coffland, left, and Brittany Coffland as the teens who were killed March 10, 2017, in the Milestone Row condominium complex in St. Charles. (Oswego High School yearbook)

And now this: two beautiful teenagers on the cusp of womanhood. Twin girls who came into this world together  likely welcomed by a joyful mommy and daddy -- and who left this world together.

I'd like to think that, over the years I've not grown numb to these unthinkable acts. But it's my second son who is struggling the hardest to understand this most recent incident  no doubt because he's now a father himself. to twins. no less.

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"My main job in life now is to protect our children," he said. "It's about taking a bullet for them, not giving one"

As functioning humans, "we have to come to the realization that these things happen," he added, clearly distraught as the news from St. Charles unfolded. "But how do you do that?"

Experts I've talked to in past stories always stress that, almost everyone can get to a point where they feel as if they could physically hurt someone else. Most don't act on it and it certainly may not involve a gun or a knife or a car running inside a closed garage. But when you get to that breaking point, they insist, bad things can happen.

And yes, that includes in our own communities, our own neighborhoods, even in our own families among those we thought we knew.

Dcrosby@tribpub.com
Chicago author Alby Lee Lewis will give a free presentation about growing up with dyslexia at 3 p.m. Saturday at Saint Xavier University. (Alby Lee Lewis photo)

At age 6, Alby Lee Lewis was out shining shoes. A few years later, he sold newspapers in taverns and delivered groceries on Chicago's Gold Coast.

"I did whatever I could to make money to eat," Lewis said.

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One of seven siblings, he seemed born with the kind of work ethic that typifies the city's mid-century working poor, but there was one thing he couldn't do, no matter how hard he tried  he couldn't read.

"I had zero literacy. My mother always just said I was a little different," he said, "but nobody talked about it. Nobody talked about that I couldn't read."

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In first grade, Lewis said he was sent to a school for "kids with reading problems and behavior issues." He said it was ungraded, a holding tank for students that the system had given up on.

"They didn't know what to do with (us) kids then," Lewis said. "I had a reading disorder, but they didn't know what it was."

Lewis is dyslexic, but no one diagnosed or discovered his disorder until decades later. He went through a whole lifetime  childhood, youth, marriage, a successful career as a precision grinder, child rearing  without ever learning how to read at even the most basic level.

Lewis said his wife, Bonnie, filled out job applications and forms for him. For years, she and Lewis' mother were the only people who knew that he couldn't read.

"I was ashamed of it. I knew I couldn't do it, so I just accepted it, but I never came out about it because I was so embarrassed," Lewis said.

When their daughter, Jaclyn Murawska, realized her father was illiterate, she urged him  at age 55  to learn how to read.

"I'll never forget when I found out. I was 19. I was a sophomore in college, and I was home on break," Murawska said. "We were in the kitchen and he had a microwave dinner he was going to cook. He asked me to read the instructions, but my hands were messy so I asked him to read it. He said, 'No no, you read it.' And I said, 'No, I can't. You go ahead.' Then he took off his glasses, and he told me."

Murawska said her first thought was of disbelief, but then the clues started to come together. Little moments, habits, and tells flooded in, and she realized that her father didn't even have a basic understanding of simple phonics. He was completely illiterate.

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"I thought, 'I'm going to help him. I'm a future educator.' I went back to school and got trained in teaching adult learners to read," Murawska said. "I came back home armed with my training, but I failed. We didn't realize yet that he was dyslexic."

Murawska, who now holds a doctoral degree in mathematics and is an assistant professor at Saint Xavier University, connected her father with an adult literacy program at College of DuPage, and that's when things changed.

At CoD, Lewis said he underwent extensive testing that led to a diagnosis of dyslexia, and that was the key to his literacy. Lewis studied for eight years, moving from one reading level to the next until he was finally functionally literate.

"I don't have words for how proud I felt walking down (CoD's) halls," Lewis said. "It's opened up a whole new world for me."

Now 76, Lewis devotes much of his time to sharing his story in hope of helping others who struggle with dyslexia. He has spoken at colleges and universities, telling his story of life with an undiagnosed reading disorder to rooms full of future teachers. Murawska said her father appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show three times. On his last appearance, he read aloud on national television.

Lewis has now penned an autobiography titled "Life With No Words." The book was published in October 2016. He'll be speaking alongside Meg Carroll, professor of education, and Tara Joyce, associate professor of education, about his experience with dyslexia from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday in Warde Academic Center's Butler Reception Room at Saint Xavier University, 3700 West 103rd Street, Chicago. Lewis will read excerpts from his book and sign copies as well. The event is free and open to the public.

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Angela Denk is a freelance writer for The Daily Southtown.
As more local police departments decide to help people who have heroin addictions rather than arrest them, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said he wants to establish some legal parameters.

Glasgow appeared before the Will County board's legislative committee Tuesday to seek support for proposed state legislation allowing a person seeking help of local police to dispose of a controlled substance, counterfeit or look alike substance and not be charged if the drug is less than 10 grams of heroin, three grams of cocaine or morphine and 40 grams of peyote, barbiturates or amphetamines.

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The plan also would require drug counseling or treatment from a licensed professional.

State Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, is sponsoring a bill for the plan, Glasgow said.

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Currently, police departments in Lockport, Mokena and New Lenox offer amnesty programs, which allow heroin users to come to the police station to seek help without fear of being arrested if they agree to a treatment program, according to Glasgow's spokesman Chuck Pelkie. The police departments also try to find treatment centers or counseling services to help individuals as part of their programs.

But Glasgow said Tuesday, as more police departments offer leniency programs, they should be regulated statewide.

His also wants local police departments to inventory the drug, and obtain a court order to destroy it, and any treatment assistance they offer must be to a licensed chemical dependency professional.

Nick Palmer, chief of staff for County Executive Larry Walsh, was concerned that the bill would prohibit volunteer counselors from participating, and suggested that Glasgow seek input from local police departments who have this amnesty program.

"No one asked my opinion when local law enforcement did this. I am trying to cover their backside," Glasgow said. "I know this law is necessary. Heroin is floating out there and no one is in charge of it."

Volunteers are not licensed, bonded and insured, and that could create liability issues for local police departments, Glasgow said.

While the law would limit immunity to those who go to a police station and turn themselves in, prosecutors would have the discretion to help someone "who genuinely wants help," he said.

"Heroin is a poison, not a drug. We have to do something drastic," Glasgow said. "We've been chasing our tail for years."

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In 2016, 77 people died of a heroin-related overdose, and so far this year, 10 have died, according to the Will County's coroner's website.

The heroin epidemic is due in part to doctors who are overprescribing drugs because they make money on prescriptions, he said, suggesting that Congress do something to stop the overproduction of such drugs.

"There is big money to be had by prescribing these drugs. We know we have a big battle here," he said.

The drug also is readily available.

"Heroin is everywhere. The heroin highway to Chicago is wide open. There is no wall around Will County," Glasgow said, adding that one only has to go 45 minutes "to get as much as they want."

Will County has been at the forefront in fighting the heroin epidemic and will host its annual educational forum April 21 in Romeoville.

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This year, it received a five-year state grant that will provide $122,500 per year, and make Will County the lead agency in the state to train first responders in the use of Naloxone, an opiate antidote, and to increase its educational programs in local schools.

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Glasgow also operates a drug court, allowing those arrested to enter a treatment program instead of going to jail, and it has a 95 percent success rate, he said.

Users have to be arrested to get into that program, he said, but with this proposed law, users can turn themselves in and seek treatment.

Glasgow said he also wants to get canine units into schools to sniff out drugs, and get kids into treatment programs.

"Instead of incarcerating them, we want to save their lives," he said.

Currently, there is a "Good Samaritan" law that allows a person to seek help for someone who has overdosed without fear of being arrested if they possess three grams of heroin or less, he said.

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slafferty@tribpub.com

Twitter @SusanLaff
Snow plows came out of storage to hit the roads early Tuesday morning as a late-season snowstorm doubled the morning commute travel times and caused a few minor accidents in the Southland, officials said.

The worst of the storm hit during the morning rush hour, said Amy Seeley of the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

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But overall, the south suburbs lucked out, as much of the lake-effect snow fell in the northern suburbs, with as much as 9 inches recorded in Buffalo Grove compared with 3.5 inches in New Lenox, and was expected to continue through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service website.

Accumulations could vary significantly, from 5 to 10 inches, said Seeley.

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Midway Airport had 4.4 inches in this last snowfall for a total of 7.9 inches, according to the weather service website.

It was the "unpredictability" of lake-effect snow that caused Flossmoor's Infant Jesus of Prague School to close Tuesday and send students home at 12:30 p.m. in Bloom Township High School District 206, according the schools' websites.

A March snowfall is not at all unusual, Seeley said, adding that the Chicago area typically averages 4 to 7 inches of snow in March.

Tuesday afternoon, Illinois State Police said there have been 55 reported crashes on the Chicago area expressways since midnight.

Several occupants of vehicles involved in the crashes were transported to local hospitals, but Master Sergeant Jason Bradley said he did not have a specific number of people injured. There were no fatalities.

Many incidents were single-vehicle crashes, involving vehicles in ditches and drivers losing control and striking the wall.

For the latest on road conditions, visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com.

While responding to an armed robbery in Homer Glen at 5:20 a.m. Tuesday, a Will County sheriff's deputy slid into a 2003 Chevy pickup truck on 151st Street near Parker Road, said spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer.

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The driver of the truck, a 34-year-old male, had stopped and pulled over for the squad, which had its emergency lights on, she said. The driver complained of back pain and was taken to the hospital as a precaution, she said.

Both vehicles had minor damage, Hoffmeyer said.

"We got lucky," she said of the snowstorm. "We were on the outskirts of it."

A few buses were slightly delayed in Lincoln-Way High School District 210, "as usual in this weather," according to spokeswoman Taryn Atwell, but classes ran as scheduled.

There were two minor accidents in which school buses were rear-ended Tuesday morning, but no one was injured, she said.

A driver rear-ended an empty Lincoln-Way Special Education Coop District 843 bus at Schoolhouse Road and U.S. 30. The second incident occurred near the corner of Auburn and Chestnut in Frankfort Square, involving a bus that was serving Summit Hill District 161, Atwell said.

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In high school District 218, spokesman Bob McParland reported that a couple of buses at Richards High School were "a few minutes late."

Will County's director of transportation Jeff Ronaldson said county plows were out on the street by 4:30 a.m. in an effort to get ahead of and keep up with the snow.

Conditions were the worst in Monee Township, where he sent additional resources, he said.

After a winter without snow, the drivers "were ready to be out," and the roads were in "good shape," Ronaldson said.

One driver slid into a snowplow  which is "nothing out of ordinary," Ronaldson said.

At the Illinois State Police District 5 in Joliet, conditions were "not too bad," said Sgt. Scott Angus.

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"We did not get the same amount of lake effect snow that the others did."

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Similarly, officials at south suburban municipalities reported that all was well.

Orland Park had its "entire fleet out in force" and had also pre-treated all of the streets with a de-icer before the storm hit, spokesman Joe LaMargo said.

He also reminded residents to move cars off the road, to allow plows to get through, not to shovel snow into streets, which creates a safety hazard, and check on their neighbors, especially the elderly.

Both O'Hare and Midway Airports canceled flights Tuesday morning, and Metra trains were running late on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train, but not on those lines serving the south and southwest suburbs, the Tribune reported.

Sunny skies were predicted for Wednesday and most of Thursday with rain on the horizon later in the week, according to the National Weather Service.

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slafferty@tribpub.com

Twitter @SusanLaff
RadioShack is closing in the Frankfort Crossing plaza at U.S. 30 and LaGrange Road in Frankfort. (Bob Bong / Daily Southtown)

Troubled electronics retailer RadioShack has been holding a store closing sale at its Frankfort location in the Frankfort Crossing plaza at U.S. 30 and LaGrange Road.

The Frankfort location is one of nine stores in Illinois being closed and the only one in the south suburbs. Other locations are in Willowbrook and LaGrange.

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Liquidation sales at the stores are expected to be completed by March 28.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last week, its second such filing in two years. The company is looking to close at least a third of its remaining locations and possibly turn over some to Sprint.

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 17 In this Nov. 25, 2016, file photo, customers shop in a Toys R Us store on Black Friday in Miami. The toy chain has filed for bankruptcy protection, but plans on keeping its stores open. (Alan Diaz / AP)

As many as 365 locations could be transferred to Sprint, which operates stores inside some RadioShack stores, the company said in court filings. Among that second group are stores in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhoods.

RadioShack said it is still considering its options for the retailer's remaining 1,000 stores.

Ross opens in Homewood

Ross Dress for Less, the nation's largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain with more than 1,100 stores, expanded its presence in the Chicago area with the grand opening last week of three new stores in the south suburban area.

New stores opened at 17910 S. Halsted St. in Homewood, at 1101 Fifth Avenue in North Hammond, Ind., and 1470 N. Larkin in Joliet. The retailer opened 20 new stores nationwide on March 4.

The new stores bring the total number of Ross Dress for Less locations to more than 40 in the Chicago area. The California-based chain only arrived in the area a few years ago with the opening of its first Illinois store in Orland Park.

Hours at the new stores are 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

Burger King reopens in Orland Park

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The Burger King restaurant at 14601 S. LaGrange Road in Orland Park reopened last month after undergoing an extensive remodeling.

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The eatery has a drive-through lane and dining room, which are both open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday to Friday and from 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Chipotle opens in Mokena

A Chipotle restaurant opened last month in a new retail development at 19130 S. Lagrange Road in Mokena.

The Chipotle opened Feb. 15 and has a drive-through lane as well as a liquor license.

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

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Also coming soon to the development is a Starbucks coffee shop, which will be adjacent to the Chipotle.

Bob Bong is a freelancer.
Two outdoor markets are coming to Highland Park this spring and summer and stirring optimism that visitors will stick around to patronize other businesses and eateries.

Starting in May, a commuter parking lot in the central business district will be transformed into an open-air market most Saturdays with vendors selling fresh produce, flowers and craft items. The Highland Park City Council Monday gave the go-ahead for Bensidoun USA to operate a French Market on Saturdays from May through October. Vendors will set up their tents in the parking lot immediately north of the Veterans' Memorial at Central and St. John avenues.

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On Thursdays starting June 1, Bensidoun will operate its first Food Truck Market in the Ravinia Business District on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns avenues. About 15 food truck vendors will sell a variety of food and beverages from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. each Thursday from June through Sept. 14.

"We have been talking with Highland Park for the last few years and both Highland Park and Bensidoun have thought it would be a great partnership," said Leslie Cahill, director of Midwest operations for Bensidoun. The company also operates French Markets in Chicago and 10 suburbs, including Wilmette, Wheaton, Geneva, Vernon Hills, Western Springs and Lisle.

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"We were really excited that when we went back to Highland Park this year, we were able to come up with agreements and secure really great locations," Cahill said.

The French Markets in the downtown district will open at 8 a.m. and close at 1 p.m. with the expectation the area will be cleared by 2 p.m. The markets will not operate on June 24 or Aug. 26, the two Saturdays that coincide with the Festival of Fine Art and the Port Clinton Art Festival.

Cahill said vendors will sell fresh produce and bread similar to a farmers market, but that Bensidoun also brings in artisanal crafters.

"There may be lavender from France, or tablecloths from France and artisanal goods that aren't necessarily hand-crafted but are things you wouldn't ordinarily find," Cahill said.

In the Ravinia district, Bensidoun is launching its flagship Food Truck Market by reaching out to known vendors who don't directly compete with established Ravinia businesses. "We have wanted to do a food truck market concept for awhile, but you need to find the right location," Cahill said.

She noted that many downtown areas have established restaurants that feel food trucks will take away business. In conjunction with the Food Truck Market in the Ravinia district, area restaurants will sell food and other items from open-air tents in the adjacent Jens Jensen Park pending park district approval. "We're working with the Ravinia district to make it a fun evening event where visitors can sit and listen to music and enjoy some unusual food al fresca," said City Manager Ghida Neukirch.

The Food Truck Market is replacing the Ravinia Artisan Markets that were held on Thursdays last summer as well as the Harvest and Harmony Festival held in the fall of 2015 and 2016. Both of those events were financed by commercial property owners in the Ravinia Business District through a separate line item on the property tax bill.

While property owners agreed last fall to extend the Special Service Area for three more years, they recently decided to discontinue the artisan markets and fall festival due to the costs of operating the events, according to the city.

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Bensidoun is producing the Food Truck Markets at no cost to the city or the Ravinia property owners.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @KarenABerkowitz
When a seat on the Highland Park City Council opened up with the election of Paul Frank to the Lake County Board in November, three residents active in local government seized the opportunity to file as candidates in the April 4 election.

Competing for the single two-year term are Laura Saret, a retired community college instructor; Davis Schneiderman, a faculty member and dean at Lake Forest College and Adam Stolberg, president and CEO of a property management firm.

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The Highland Park News asked the candidates to address three issues that impact the city's long-term financial health: Public safety pensions, Tax Increment Financing districts and how to promote economic development and downtown vitality.

With pension obligations mounting and funding ratios slipping, the city of Highland Park opted in late 2016 to pump $2.1 million more than required by law into the police and fire pension funds to address a widening shortfall the city is legally obligated to close over the next two decades. To boost its contributions, the city used some of its state income tax revenue to supplement property taxes.

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The candidates were asked if they support raising the portion of the tax levy that goes to the police and fire pension funds. Though all three candidates expressed a strong reluctance to raise property taxes, they also wanted to avoid the dire consequences of shortchanging the funds now.

"If we do not contribute more now, we will need to contribute exponentially more money down the road," Stolberg said. "By exceeding the mandated obligation today, we are reducing the obligations due in the long-term and avoiding the pitfalls so many communities often fall into  that of kicking the can down the road."

Schneiderman said he would support raising the pension portion of the levy, but only if the city continues to contribute additional funds from other revenue sources to keep tax increases as small as possible.

"The city must recognize the difficulties any increased levy has on our most economically vulnerable," Schneiderman said. "Spending too much on pensions in effect takes money away from current residents, and there are real questions as to the viability of the 2040 deadline," he said. "It is likely that state political forces will amend or extend the obligation as we move closer to a funding deadline.

"The city should engage in a public advocacy campaign to ask state legislators to intervene for sensible pension reform," Schneiderman said.

Saret, who also views raising taxes as a last resort, noted that Illinois has more than 650 pension plans financed by employee and municipal contributions.

"All are struggling with funding requirements due to a history of underfunding, an increase in the number of retirees, and benefits that have grown over time," Saret said.

She advocates consolidating with other pension funds to create a larger investment pool, which would open access to a greater array of investment opportunities and reduce management fees.

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The candidates also were asked if they might support creating one or more additional Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts to spark redevelopment. In a TIF district, property values are frozen for the purpose of distributing taxes to the schools and other governments, and all new revenue is available to finance improvements for a period of 23 years.

All three candidates placed conditions on their support for new TIF districts.

"I support the creation of a TIF if all other avenues for revitalization of a business district have been explored, and the TIF can be created in a way that will not adversely impact schools' funding," Stolberg said. He said a TIF is not a substitute for local property owners maintaining their buildings or the city investing in its public infrastructure.

Schneiderman said he could support creating TIF districts that fully involve the school districts and other governments that will bear the burden of reduced revenue, and include input from residents and businesses in the long-range development plan.

"Residents must be actively involved in the entire process," Schneiderman said. "After all, it's their tax dollar that is effectively being reapportioned."

Saret said she would want to carefully evaluate whether a TIF is the most appropriate economic development tool for the area. "The future property tax revenue generated as a result of the TIF project is money we wouldn't have had if the project had not been done," Saret said.

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But she cautioned there could be some financial risk for the city if the development does not generate the projected tax revenue and the city must cover debt issued for the project.

A third question focused on what other approaches the city should consider to promote economic development and downtown vibrancy.

Saret, who serves on the city's housing commission, offered a number of ideas for making the downtown more family friendly by adding playgrounds, restrooms and seating areas for mingling and eating carry-out food purchased from restaurants.

She said Highland Park commercial properties are owned and managed by very few people and the lack of competition keeps rents high. "We need to develop incentives to keep storefronts occupied," said Saret, suggesting some form of tax relief for owners who keep their retail stores occupied and producing sales tax revenue.

Stolberg said the city must continue to reexamine policies that were put in place years ago when the economy and retail environment were very different than today. He said the downtown zoning changes adopted while he was chair of the Plan Commission were the result of 10 years of community input and planning.

"These changes will result in more residential density near our treasured pedestrian shopping districts, put more feet on the street and ultimately add to the vibrancy of our downtown business community," Stolberg said.

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Schneiderman said the city needs to further streamline its permitting and approval processes, which can serve as a disincentive for new business investment.

He sees room to improve how business information, such as a list of available properties, is presented on the city's website by adding the length of the time the property has been available and enlarging the type so the list is readable on a mobile device.

Schneiderman, a member of the Reconfiguration 2.0 steering committee for North Shore School District 112, said the city must consider the impact school closures will have on business behaviors and cooperate jointly with the school district, park district, residents and businesses to best plan for the impact and opportunities.

kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @KarenABerkowitz
News spread quickly at Hinsdale Middle School and Clarendon Hills Middle School after the District 181 Board Monday approved moving back the start of the school day by 30 minutes, beginning with the 2017-18 school year.

Middle school students will begin the day at 8:25 a.m. and be dismissed at 3:15 p.m. This year they start school at 7:55 a.m. and are finished at 2:45 p.m. There will be no change for the district's seven elementary schools, which are in session from 8:40 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.

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"Everyone is really excited about it," HMS seventh-grader Reese Edgewater said Tuesday. "One of our teachers told us about it, and everybody has been talking about it."

Reese said the change will enable her "to sleep in and eat a decent breakfast."

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Jennifer Dolan, an HMS mom who has two seventh-graders at the school, also was likes the later start time.

"I think it's great because I struggle to get them up in the morning," she said.

Marina Verven, a mom who has a sixth-grader at CHMS and a Monroe School fifth-grader who will attend CHMS in the fall, said she is thrilled.

"The biggest problem I have in the morning is getting the up; they tell me they're tired," Verven said. "I think that extra half hour of sleep will make a big difference."

CHMS eighth-grader Mia Butterbach also believes the additional time for sleep will have a positive impact.

"Kids will have more energy in the morning," she said. "I wish they had done this while I was still here."

CHMS sixth-grader Jack Hagen said he is happy knowing he will get to sleep in longer..

"I know we have to stay later, too, but I don't care what time school ends," he said.

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The impetus for the change is research that has shown a later starting time works better with the body clocks of adolescents and allows them to get more needed sleep, said superintendent Don White.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that in most districts, middle and high schools should aim for a starting time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m.

cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @chuckwriting
Waukegan was hit hard by lake-effect snowfall on Tuesday, March 14, that added to totals from the day before, topping out at 14 inches in some locations. (Mark Kodiak Ukena / Lake County News-Sun)

Sandy Bolton was kicked out of a relative's house, where she'd been living, after the two got into an argument in October, she said.

Since then, she's been homeless and a client at the PADS Lake County shelter system headquartered in Waukegan. And though the weather was unusually kind to Bolton, 52, in January and February after a cold December, winter came back with a vengeance over the past few days.

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Snow storms, including a band of lake-effect snow that began Monday night, dumped more than 14 inches on Waukegan in the 48-hour period ending Tuesday morning, the most in the Chicago area, according to the National Weather Service.

The snow makes things "awful," said Bolton, who recently began a job as a food service worker at the nearby Naval Station Great Lakes. On weekends, a shuttle normally picks up Bolton and other PADS clients at the churches where they sleep and drops them off at Home Depot or Walmart, she said.

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"There's no sidewalks in Waukegan," Bolton said. "So you have to walk down the main roads and carry your whole life on your back. We're people that are fighting for our lives."

Many of Bolton's fellow clients are ill or have disabilities, she said, making it harder for them to get around the city when winter weather strikes.

Joel Williams  executive director at PADS, which stands for Providing Advocacy, Dignity & Shelter  said the organization has been "fortunate" for the warm and snow-free January and February months this year, while days like Monday and Tuesday make things more "challenging."

"It certainly affects people who spend a significant amount of time outside," Williams said. But he added Tuesday that PADS was projecting it would be able to provide enough shelter space that night to serve all who requested a bed.

Snow continued to fall in Waukegan, North Chicago and other Lake County communities into Tuesday afternoon. The difference could be stark between communities that are only a few miles apart. At one point Tuesday afternoon, visibility on Route 41 in Lake Bluff, North Chicago and Waukegan was low, with steady snow falling. But in nearby Gurnee, the sun was shining and the roads were clear.

That's because Lake County was hit with a relatively rare batch of lake-effect snow, said Eric Priest, a meteorologist with 45 years of experience who teaches at the College of Lake County. Bands of lake-effect snow tend to be narrow and can thus be dumping snow on one town while the skies are clear in another, according to Priest.

"It's very hard to predict a snow amount for one specific area," Priest said.

Communities on the eastern shores of the Great Lakes are more likely to get lake-effect snow, Priest said, because typically winds are blowing from the west. But a shift that caused winds to blow from the northeast along the length of Lake Michigan spelled snow for cities like Waukegan.

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"The band looked to have stretched just from Waukegan down to the south-central part of Lake County," Priest said.

At the CLC campus in Grayslake, Priest said, only about three inches fell.

"We were just on the edge of the band," he said.

For some, the bad weather provided a business opportunity. At Quonset Pizza in Waukegan, the restaurant was dead on Monday night. But delivery drivers were still taking out orders.

"The delivery drivers are always busy on snow nights," said Mina Maravelas, a manager at Quonset. She added that customers tend to stay home during the bad weather, leaving the delivery drivers to brave the snow instead.

Waukegan School District 60 and Warren Township High School District 121 were the only public school districts to have late starts due to the snow, according to the Chicagoland Emergency Closing Center website. Both delayed school by two hours.

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While Waukegan school officials "almost always try" to make these types of decisions the night before to give parents as much notice as possible, they didn't make the call until about 4:15 a.m. Tuesday, district spokesman Nick Alajakis said.

"The decisions to cancel school vary," he said. "As you know, lake-effect snow is difficult to predict. We were looking at the forecast, and we were fairly confident that the roads would be clear and passable. That's what made us comfortable to go with that late start."

With snow continuing into the afternoon, the 17,000-student district also decided to cancel after-school activities, Alajakis said.

The district posted news of the late start to its website and social media, sent out emails and text messages, and then conducted robocalls from around 6:15 to 6:30 a.m., Alajakis said. The robocall was delayed slightly because the program defaulted to the North American Central Time Zone, which switches between Daylight Savings Time at a different time than Central Standard Time.

This was the first time this winter the district has either started late or canceled school due to the weather, Alajakis said.

Waukegan School District 60 also canceled its board meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday night because of the weather.

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Amy Seeley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Chicago-area office, said Tuesday afternoon that she expected the evening commute in Lake County would be "better" than the one that morning, though she noted that the area still had "light bands (of snow) going through right now."

News-Sun reporter Emily K. Coleman contributed to this report.

lhammill@tribpub.com

Twitter @lucashammill
Lake County Partners, a publicly and privately funded economic development nonprofit, named Kevin Considine as its president and chief executive last week after Michael Stevens, who served in that role for five years, accepted a position as chief innovation officer in his hometown, Columbus, Ohio.

Considine was previously a managing director at Lake County Partners, focusing on business development and strategic planning, according to a news release from the nonprofit. He joined the organization in October of 2014.

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"Based on his contributions to Lake County Partners and strong relationships with stakeholders throughout the county, Considine was a natural choice to lead the organization into the future as president and CEO," Joseph Luna, Lake County Partners chairman, said in the news release.

"He has made significant contributions to job growth in Lake County and collaborated with partners throughout the region to drive economic growth, build our talent pipeline and position Lake County as a premier destination for business."

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Considine was "instrumental," according to the news release, in creating the Lake County Workforce Ecosystem, creating "groundbreaking partnerships" with the Lake County Workforce Development Department and the College of Lake County, among others.

The efforts helped fill more than 600 new jobs, the release stated, added that he also helped develop Lake County Partners' business outreach program, which identifies and addresses "critical marketplace needs in Lake County."

"I'm excited about the opportunity to build on the work Lake County Partners is doing to advance the region," Considine said in the release. "As a resident of Lake County, it's personally rewarding to lead an organization that is making an impact locally.

"I know first-hand the quality of life here in Lake County and look forward to working with businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and other organizations to maintain our first-rate communities and drive our future growth."

Considine, a "lifelong Chicagoan," previously worked for Rapt Technologies and Cars.com. He holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and master's degrees from Loyola University Chicago and the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Florida.

During a recent interview, Considine said the "primary reason" he works at Lake County Partners has to do with making the county a more equitable place to live. He made the comment in the context of discussing a recent county event focused on improving health outcomes across Lake County, which noted that economic and educational opportunities are linked with health outcomes and that residents of communities like Waukegan and North Chicago face more limited opportunities than the county's wealthier areas.

lhammill@tribpub.com

Twitter @lucashammill
President Trump has proposed spending $1 trillion of the federal treasury on rebuilding the nation's infrastructure. He can start in Lake County.

The foot or so of snow we received the other day and night may have covered our infrastructure for the time being, but our roads and bridges need work. Lots of it.

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Lake Countians have been driving for decades on roads paved first in the 1950s, becoming obsolete in the 1980s as populations in cities, villages and unincorporated areas grew unabated. Anyone remember the no-growth County Board members and Forest District commissioners of yore who believed they could stop growth by buying cornfields and calling them forest preserves?

As we inch toward a million residents, gridlock is found in every corner of Lake County. Officials may tout mass transit, car and van pooling; walking and biking to work. We remain auto-centric citizens.

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Sure, a few county and state roads here in this keystone county of Illinois have been widened; most have been kept roadworthy for your SUVs by state, county, township, city and village highway crews. They patch every spring and repave as catch as catch can. Roads take a beating in our freeze-thaw cycle.

Hate to start a civil war over road funds, but when the president writes the checks, Northern states should get the bulk of the highway and bridge funds because of our cold weather factor. I admit Florida may have traffic disrupted through sink holes or heat-related buckled pavement, but once this week's snow melts, watch a new crop of potholes germinate.

While the devil remains in the detail  like much of the plans so far offered by the Trump administration  the president wants to use a combination of public and private capital to fund work on U.S. highways, bridges, dams, airports and mass transit. Trump's allies say the federal funding will be the most since the Obama administration stimulus of 2009 during the early depths of the economic disaster. If Lake County received any of that nearly $1 trillion for roadwork, I missed it.

A trillion dollars may sound like a lot, but consider that the cost for building a road is at minimum $1 million a mile. Lake County's harried motorists know where to spend most of that cash.

Lake County News Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Let the haggling begin over who gets what, because both political parties like infrastructure. Companies make money; construction jobs will be plentiful and high-paying.

It turns out that $1 trillion is the proverbial drop in the bucket to bring the nation's infrastructure up to code. That's according to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the folks who plan and supervise road, bridge and dam construction.

The engineers suggest we should be spending $4.59 trillion so our roads are Autobahn smooth, our bridges don't have rusty rebar poking out from their decks, levees in New Orleans don't crumble in another wicked hurricane and dams in northern California don't give way, flooding thousands below in watery disasters.

Until Trump asks Congress for the spending authority, we can idle in our vehicles in rush hour firm in the knowledge that if they build them, widen them, repave them, we will drive on them.

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Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.

sellenews@gmail.com

Twitter: @sellenews
Federal officials are investigating what caused a freight train carrying hazardous material to derail early Wednesday in north suburban Lake Forest.

No injuries were reported when the 11 tank cars  nine of which were carrying molten sulfur  went off the tracks about 3:10 a.m., officials said. Federal officials have found the type of tank car involved in Wednesday's derailment to be unsafe, and by law they must be phased out in the coming years.

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Hazardous material teams from Lake and McHenry counties were called in, but no hazardous material was found leaking from any of the cars, Lake Forest police Cmdr. Craig Lepkowski said.

A release from the Lake Forest police and fire departments stated there was no health or fire hazard, but fire officials continued to monitor air quality.

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Officials stand next to a derailed freight car near U.S. Highway 41 and Deerpath Road in Lake Forest on March 15, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

The 96-car train on the Union Pacific line was headed to the west suburban Proviso rail yard from Butler, Wis., according to a statement from Union Pacific.

"There were no injuries to the crew or to the public, no releases and no impacted motorist grade crossings," the railroad said in the statement, which added that Union Pacific officials are working with hazmat responders and local authorities.

Despite the lack of injuries or leaks, those who have pushed for heightened safety measures for freight trains say the derailment underscores their point.

"Thank God it wasn't leaking hazmat and nobody was injured, but it is one of those scenarios that we absolutely fear in villages and cities," said Karen Darch, Barrington village president and co-chair of TRAC, a coalition of suburban officials who have raised concerns about the trains and tank cars. "These cars are really very thin  soda can thin, in my mind  and we worry that it's a pretty long time frame to get them off the tracks."

The toppled cars remained where they derailed near U.S. Highway 41 and Deerpath Road as of Wednesday afternoon.

"We're still figuring out how to move those safely," UP spokeswoman Calli Hite said.

The investigation by the Federal Railroad Administration can take several months to complete, though the railroad must file a probable cause with the agency by April 30, an administration spokeswoman said. Molten sulfur is considered a hazardous material and should be properly packaged and shipped according to the Federal Railroad Administration's regulations, she added. Exposure to sulfur can cause burning and irritation; in molten form sulfur can be flammable and can release toxic gases.

The derailment comes on the heels of an accident Friday in rural northwest Iowa that involved the same type of tanker cars. The train in Iowa was hauling ethanol, and the accident ignited a fire that burned for more than 30 hours. No one was injured, but the incident renewed calls by some for retrofitting or replacing the aging models.

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The National Transportation Safety Board emphasized the shortcomings of the old cars in its 2017-18 Most Wanted List of rail transportation safety improvements, writing that agency officials have "investigated several train derailments and have identified a number of crashworthiness vulnerabilities" related to the old tank cars. They "must be replaced as quickly as possible," officials wrote.

Supporters of the newer tank car design argue its stronger shell and protective shield would dramatically reduce the likelihood of a release in an accident, said Jessica Kahanek, spokeswoman for the Association of American Railroads.

The timeline for phasing out the old tank cars varies based on design and cargo and is determined by the U .S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, officials said.

While the deadline for replacing some cars is 2018, others aren't due for replacement until 2025 and 2029.

deldeib@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @deldeib
Modern-day superheroes are the words Marika Lindholm uses to describe single moms, or, as she prefers to call them: "solo moms."

"Day in and day out, a solo mom has to be there for the kids," said Lindholm, who is the founder of ESME (Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere), a website that offers support, resources, and connections to single moms. "You don't get a day off. You don't get a break. You're juggling work and family and trying to raise your kids with passion and with the best care you know how."

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According to Lindholm, a former Northwestern professor who in 2002 became a solo mom of two after her divorce, there are 23 million American kids being raised by single parents.

Lindholm defines a solo mom as someone who parents alone, either all the time or sometimes. That includes those who are solo moms by choice, those who are divorced or widowed, those whose spouse is deployed or incarcerated, or even those whose spouse lives in a different city.

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"When I got divorced it was very very hard," said Lindholm, who has since remarried and now has three more children with her husband. "I was working full-time, the logistics were incredibly difficult, and I was financially struggling. I also got sick and was diagnosed with a blood disorder, which I truly believe was caused by stress."

In honor of National Single Parent Day, which is March 21, here are Lindholm's tips for single parents:

1. Take care of yourself. Self-care is so important! Too many single parents are dealing with exhaustion and the consequences of their hard work and no breaks. It's hard to be the parent you want to be when you are overworked and exhausted.

2. Forgive yourself when you're not the best parent you can be. Every parent gets pushed and feels tired and has a bad day. Let go of the guilt when that happens to you.

3. Have gratitude. Even though it's a hard time, appreciating your kids will always make the day easier. Focus on what's going well in your life, not what you don't have.

4. Don't try to be perfect. It's OK if the house is a little messy or if the kids don't have the perfect gadgets and clothes. Love is more important than perfection.

5. Appreciate nature. There is a lot of research that shows if you get outside and enjoy nature, it reduces anxiety. To see something beautiful reduces stress. (Marika actually lives on a farm in upstate New York now, so she is practicing what she is preaching!)

6. Ask for help. Single parents feel very independent and often feel they might be judged for asking for help. Don't ever feel embarrassed to reach out if you need a hand. Married people do it all the time. It's necessary and healthy to ask friends, family and neighbors to help you when you need it!

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7. Build a support network. When people go from being married to being a single parent, their friendship circle often falls apart. Just when they need their friends the most, some friends seem to disappear. Try meeting new parents and extending your circle. Find other solo parents. They could end up being some of your best friends.

8. Laugh. See humor in situations. Laughing is very healthy physically and emotionally. And doesn't it just feel good to laugh?

9. Make sure you get enough sleep. Lack of sleep makes parenting even harder than it is in the first place. Even if you have to get a babysitter or ask for help or explain to your kids that you are having quiet time, you need your rest. A rested parent is a much better parent.

10. Remember how awesome you are!

Of course I have to chime in on these tips, as I have been a solo mom for almost a decade. I want to point out that there are so many positives that come with this role. First, you are providing a peaceful, happy and healthy environment for the kids versus exposing them to the toxicity of a bad marriage. Secondly, single parents get to raise their kids on their terms. Although, I would advise any single parent to ask for and heed parenting advice from trusted friends and family members.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of being a single parent is that after you've done it for awhile, you acquire a sense of empowerment and independence you never knew you had. You realize your courage and strength and you take pride in these things. You treasure your unexpected gift of looking in the mirror and realizing, "I've got this!"

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Jackie Pilossoph is a freelance columnist for Chicago Tribune Media Group. She is also the creator of her divorce support website, Divorced Girl Smiling. Pilossoph lives in Chicago with her two children.
Naperville voters will have eight candidates  four incumbents and four newcomers  to choose from to fill four city council seats up for grabs in the April 4 election.

Candidates responded to a questionnaire provided by the Naperville Sun. Here's what they had to say about why they're seeking election.

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Newcomer Mike Isaac is CEO/CFO of Third Party Pet, has lived in Naperville for 13 years and is on the city's financial advisory board. Isaac is running because he wants to ensure Naperville is "financially sound, as economically vibrant, as welcoming in terms of jobs, housing and transportation, and as environmentally sustainable" for his two children in 20 to 30 years.

"I am a long-range thinker and I believe we need to make decisions today that will positively affect the community down the road," Isaac said. "I want to help guide the decisions we make to make the community even more efficient, affordable and more livable in the future, and I believe I have the insights and financial acumen to do that."

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Incumbent Kevin Coyne is an attorney with Momkus McCluskey Roberts and was first elected to the city council in 2015. He has lived in Naperville for 17 years, and said Naperville's East Ogden Avenue and southern portion need more businesses and attention.

"In my next term, I will work toward seeing our financial principles through (reduce debt, increase cash reserves, stay balanced)," Coyne said. "I am also committed to finding new ways to partner with other government entities to share costs with the end goal being to reduce real estate taxes."

Incumbent John Krummen, a 14-year resident of Naperville, was elected to the council in 2015. Krummen is the director of program management for VERITAS steel. Krummen wants to promote available senior housing, successfully move the water and electric utilities forward while holding cost down and hold the line on spending  something Krummen says is one of the most critical and difficult functions of the city council.

"Providing superior city services with fiscal responsible budgets is not an easy task," Krummen said. "As an adjunct professor of both economics and finance, I am comfortable working with financial statements and working with the city's professional financial department."

Benny White, a current Indian Prairie District 204 board member and retired Army officer/senior instructor Army JROTC at Joliet West High School, is running for a seat on city council for the first time. White, who has lived in Naperville for 11 years, is also appointed to the Naperville Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

White said he brought his passion for serving others with him when he moved to Naperville in 2005 by volunteering in schools and getting appointed and then elected to the District 204 board. "My service and experience as a commissioner on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners has given me a keen insight into the service of our public safety officials," he said. "I am ready to take all of my experience and help Naperville continue to grow into the city our children will be proud of."

Newcomer Julie Berkowicz is a sales professional at Soft Surroundings. Serving as the vice president of Knoch Knolls Homeowners Association Board for 16 years, Berkowicz said she has experience representing 450 homeowners and often works with city staff on homeowners' concerns. She has lived in Naperville for 22 years.

"I feel strongly about representing residents of Naperville who wish to live in a thriving community, have a safe and affordable place to raise their family, and live among their friends," Berkowicz said. "I will be a voice for the residents and they will always have the opportunity to share their comments and concerns with me."

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Mike Strick, CEO of a Naperville Oil Zone and a 24-year Naperville resident, was unsuccessful in his 2016 run for a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives. He said Naperville has provided him, as a business owner and a resident, with an "exceptional education" for his children and lifelong friends, he said. "It is time that I give back to our great community and serve," Strick said.

"As the buildable acreage diminishes, the construction boom will end and squeeze our finances," Strick said. "I want to guide Naperville through this potential crisis by being a fiscal watchdog and controlling our spending."

Incumbent Judy Brodhead is an associate professor of English and coordinator of cultural events at North Central College, and has lived in Naperville for 31 years. She was first elected to the city council in 2009. Planning for and providing housing for empty nest seniors who are choosing to stay in Naperville and millennials with children at an affordable price is one of Brodhead's priorities.

Brodhead hopes to move Naperville along in its role as a 21st century city. "I've often spoken about Naperville as a "boomburb"  a suburb that grew by double digits for at least a decade and reached a population of more than 100,000," Brodhead said. "We're close to 150,000 in population, and although we're the fifth-largest city in the state, among other stellar accomplishments, we produce more sales revenue than any other city in Illinois than the city of Chicago."

Incumbent Kevin Gallaher is an attorney and 28-year resident of Naperville. Gallaher served on the city council from 1995 to 2002 and again starting in 2015. As a lifelong resident of the area, Gallaher said he's seen Naperville transform from a small community to one of the largest cities in Illinois.

The city council balances the concerns and interests of business owners with the city's rules and regulations and addresses any concerns with Naperville's zoning ordinance that promotes balance and separation of residential and commercial uses, he said. "I understand the dynamic that exists at the intersection of innovative ideas and government," Gallaher said.

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ehegarty@tribpub.com
Former Northbrook resident and Hollywood screenwriter and director Scott Lew, shown here in 2005, died last month after a battle with ALS. (Courtesy Lew family / HANDOUT)

Scott Lew, who grew up in suburban Northbrook and went on to write and direct movies while battling ALS, died in California late last month at the age of 48.

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a degenerative disease that leads to progressive muscular weakness and eventual paralysis. Mr. Lew was diagnosed with ALS in 2003, according to his family. Nevertheless, he was able, even in recent years, to write scripts for movies by using devices including those that tracked mouth twitches and retinal focus, his father, Michael Lew, said.

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"He was still one of the funniest people I ever knew, even with ALS," said Annabel Lew, who married him about two years before he was diagnosed.

In 2006, Mr. Lew directed, from a wheelchair, "Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas," a college comedy he had written. It was screened for hundreds of local friends and former Glenbrook North High School classmates at the Sheely Center for the Performing Arts, the auditorium at the Northbrook school where he graduated in 1986. Also showing was "Living with Lew," a movie about how he lived and made the movie while managing ALS.

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Mr. Lew had been confident that day in Northbrook, 10 years ago.

"I'm pretty lucky," he said, stopping every few words to breathe oxygen, according to a Pioneer Press story at the time.

"Ninety percent who are diagnosed with this disease die within five years. I'm still here, and I don't plan on going anywhere," he said.

At the time, his family said, they believed he could not have had much longer to work in his chosen field.

"We thought it was his swan song," said Michael Lew. "But then there was 'Evil Sexy Genius.'"

The dark comedy, completed in 2012, starred Katee Sackhoff, William Baldwin and Seth Green. About the same time, a second, short documentary was made about Mr. Lew's career, "Jujitsu-ing Reality."

Michael Lew, a Northbrook lawyer and accountant, remembered his son, who was born in Chicago, as a modest youth who blossomed while at Glenbrook North.

"He was kind of a shy, quiet kid, and then in his junior year, he just kind of bloomed, and all of a sudden it was his time," Michael Lew said. "He was in dramas at the school, and even did some tap dancing, got into taekwondo."

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His dad said his teenage son worked at Northbrook's Little Louie's Red Hots, and then delivering pizzas at the nearby Lou Malnati's.

Mr. Lew earned a master's degree from the Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California, after majoring in creative writing at the University of Michigan, his father said.

Glenbrook North "was so rigorous it really challenged you to use your mind," Mr. Lew recalled in 2007.

Michael Lew said his son had been generous before the disease took hold in helping others in the film business, and many returned the favor afterward. He included Chris Weitz, credited as a producer on "Bickford," for acting as the backup that allowed the production company to have confidence in his son's direction.

Bickford was played by Patrick Fugit, opposite Olivia Wilde.

Mr. Lew's family said they believe his passion for working may have helped him live so long with ALS  but they said his good insurance helped.

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"The Writers Guild had excellent insurance, and he was a member of the Writers Guild long before the disease commenced," Michael Lew said. He kept working, "so his family was covered until the end of his life."

After he required a tracheotomy, suction had to be applied by a home nurse every 15 minutes, Michael Lew said. He said his son's wife and nurses watched on cameras to see when he needed maintenance.

Michael Lew said that for someone who took on a difficult career path in Hollywood, fighting off a terminal disease was one more leap of faith.

"He was a very optimistic person," he said of his son.

His family said Mr. Lew sold scripts throughout his life to USA, ABC, Sony, 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate and the TV series, "The Dead Zone."

Even as his health further deteriorated, he completed another script early this year, according to the family.

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He and Annabel are the parents of 7-year-old twin boys. His wife said it was clear ALS would claim Scott Lew's life eventually, but they chose to make the most of the experience.

"It was like living next to an active volcano," Annabel Lew said. "I knew at some point it would just be the three of us."

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stephen Wise School, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90077. Lew is survived by his mother, Tamara, and brother, Daniel, in addition to his father, wife and sons.

ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @Irv Leavitt
I just want to bang the drums all day.

Todd Rundgren sang that in "Bang the Drum All Day" way back in 1982. It's not clear whether the same sentiment would apply to the very special set up drums  made entirely of concrete  that comprises artist Scott Carter's outdoor public art installation "Choke," opening March 19 in Oak Park. But why not?

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It's a drum set. You can bang it. It makes sounds (though not necessarily the sounds you're accustomed to drums making). Which means anyone can play it, regardless of expertise, redefining the whole idea of musical performance. That's one of the things Carter likes to explore with his sculptures and installations, which tend to explore the role of music and musical instruments in our cultureas well as other mass-produced objects in our culture.

"It will be fully functional, but it won't function the way you'd expect a drum set to perform," said "Choke" curator Kate Pollasch, noting that the piece was still under construction at the time of the interview. "Yet it will be an object we want people to engage with and play with. There will be drumsticks and a chair and we expect people to sit there and bang away.

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"It's an interactive, performative sculpture, intended to invert the normal perception people have of what it might be like to play a musical instrument publicly."

"Choke" is the second installation Pollasch has curated for the Terrain-HATCH Public Art Residency in its inaugural year. The series of exhibits is collaboration between Sabina Ott's Oak Park-based Terrain Exhibitions and the Chicago Artists Coalition's HATCH Project, which is designed to showcase developing Chicago artists and curators. Pollasch was a curatorial resident for the Chicago Artists Coalition's 2015-16 HATCH project.

Pollasch said she encountered two major differences when she was asked to participate the Terrain-HATCH project. The first is that Terrain specializes in outdoor exhibits, using its space on the front lawn of a residential neighborhood in Oak Park  while HATCH shows typically appeared indoors in galleries. The other is that the Chicago Artists Coalition provided a pool of artists to draw from, while Terrain-HATCH required her to choose artists on her own.

The first change in conditions required considerable thought, since it meant she had to take things into account like Chicago weather and the sensibility of the community where the space is located  directly across from Longfellow Elementary School.

"The community loves the space and the work that goes there," Pollasch said. "So we had to think about the message we wanted to send and how it would engage with a general audience seeing it on a daily basis."

The second  selecting an artist  required much less thought. Pollasch had followed Carter's work for years and had been waiting for an appropriate project for him. And, as it turned out, the timing for this project was particularly good. Carter had been awarded a three-month Arts/Industry residency at the Kohler Company in Wisconsin, where he had access to industrial tools and materials (such as molds and concrete) to create new works. In addition to "Choke," Carter created many works there currently on display in his "Velocity" one-man show at Linda Warren Projects in Chicago.

Already an admirer of Carter's artwork, Pollasch said she's particularly intrigued by the possibilities of "Choke."

"It's going to be a stunning visual display as well as a collaborative opportunity for people to engage with it," she said. "I think that's going to be very freeing, because the normal success-or-failure binary of a performance is wiped away immediately. It won't matter if people are skilled or unskilled. They can use the drums to make sound, the way anything you tap on creates sound, but without the burden of expectation. It should be fascinating to hear what is produced from this object and how people connect with it."

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Scott Carter's 'Choke'

When: March 19 to April 23; an opening reception (adults only) takes place 2-5 p.m. March 19

Where: Terrain Exhibitions, 704 Highland Ave., Oak Park

Information: 312-491-8888; www.terrainexhibitions.com
Oak Park officials are hoping a consulting contract recently awarded by trustees will help spur small business development for some of its merchants.

During the March 6 village board meeting, trustees unanimously passed a $70,000 agreement with the National Development Council, which officials said will assist the village with underwriting, monitoring and oversight services related to a $3 million grant received last year.

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The Community Block Grant, which was received last November, will help the village create a $3 million business loan fund, officials said. According to a village memo, those funds will be used by the village to support business expansion and improvement, create and/or retain jobs, assist low/moderate-income households and deliver positive economic benefits for the village and its residents. The fund works by allowing the village to take on financing that it secured by future Community Development Block Grant entitlement grants, which it receives every year from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The village will use the financing to make loans to local businesses, primarily for the purposes of developing or upgrading commercial spaces. The village, in turn, will use the proceeds from these loans to service its debt to HUD. For every $35,000 financed, the loan recipient will need to make one job available to low- or moderate income persons.

"We've been looking at ways to try and support small business development here in the village," Trustee Glenn Brewer said. "That organization is going to help us administer our HUD Section 108 program, which gives us $3 million to support small business development in Oak Park."

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While the item was approved under the consent agenda, Brewer felt it was important to point out its importance prior to the adjournment of the meeting.

"The staff did a great job in filling out the application," Brewer said. "We'll find other ways and other items to talk about what having that $3 million does for us and the business development here in the village. I'm glad that happened."

The National Development Council will provide services to monitor those loans, but each loan application will be reviewed by village staff. The village board will then vote on each loan.

According to a village memo, the consultant will be paid using 2016 Community Development Block Grant funds, and the contract will have no impact on other projects already funded using program year 2016 funds.

sschering@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @steveschering
An elderly Park Ridge couple who believed they were helping a grandson with his legal troubles lost $46,000 in what is commonly known as a "grandparents scam," police said

The man and woman, both 87 years old, reported receiving a phone call on Feb. 27 from a man who said he was their grandson and told them he needed $4,000 in bond money because he had been arrested in Chicago on a drug charge, Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen said.

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The caller, whom the couple believed to be their grandson, then put another person on the phone who identified himself as a law enforcement official and dictated instructions for how they could pay their grandson's bond, Jogmen said.

But instead of telling the couple to bring cash to the police headquarters where their grandson would have been in custody, the caller directed them to load the $4,000 onto two specific types of gift cards, Jogmen said. The couple did so and, later that day, they reportedly received a call where they were instructed to provide the gift card account numbers to the caller.

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Over the next four days, the couple reported receiving additional calls from their "grandson," who was seeking more money to address his legal issues. In the end, they bought 23 gift cards and handed over $46,000, Jogmen said.

"When they maxed out their credit card, they went to the bank to get more money, where an alert bank teller cautioned that they might be the victims of a scam and told them to call police," the deputy chief said.

Park Ridge police advise citizens who receive similar calls from people who claim to be relatives in trouble seeking money to contact their local police, who can verify if the request is legitimate, Jogmen said. But he added that no police department will request gift cards in order for a family member to pay a bond.

"There's a very structured system in place to handle cash bonds if someone has been arrested," Jogmen said.

The FBI also advises potential victims of a grandparents scam to contact their local police departments, but to also contact their grandchild or another family member directly to determine whether the call they received is legitimate. The FBI advises against sending any money based on an email or phone request.

jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
A snow plow thunders south on Southmoor Avenue in the Meadows subdivision in Highland early Tuesday. (Joe Puchek / Post-Tribune)

After being roused Monday, winter regained its form Tuesday with a lake-effect storm that was expected to dump 8 inches or more of snow in some parts of the area by Wednesday morning.

Several schools, most of which were in northern Lake County, which got hit harder earlier in the day than the southern portion, closed early, and limited visibility slowed traffic in the late morning.

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Around noon, vehicles were moving at speeds of about 40 mph on Interstate 80/94 and Interstate 65. Westbound traffic on I-80/94 was at a standstill, causing traffic to back up on the I-65 ramp to past the Ridge Road exit. Highway signs warned of a 95-minute trip from Hobart to the state line on the westbound Borman Expressway.

The snows slowed in the afternoon but were expected to kick back up again later in the evening.

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Amy Seeley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, Ill., said Porter County should get the brunt of the storm through the night, beginning around 9 p.m. and lasting until Wednesday morning.

She said Porter and Lake counties should see about 4 to 8 inches of snow accumulation on top of Monday's snowfall.

"Your time is coming," Seeley warned Tuesday. "The storm is just making its way into Indiana."

Seeley said lake-effect snow is caused when a cold air mass moves over a warmer lake, picking up moisture from the lake.

"Northwest Indiana gets deposits from the moisture picked up from the lake  in this case, snow  when the winds are from the northwest," Seeley said.

In Illinois, which was harder hit early Tuesday, the winds need to come from the northeast for lake effect snow, she said.

Lake County Highway Superintendent Marcus Malczewski said the county roads were in good shape as of Tuesday afternoon.

"Everything is wet," Malczewski said, noting that the ground is still warm from the unusually warm winter this year, in which there was no snow in either January or February.

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He said while the snows were coming in waves from Lake Michigan, they were expected to clear out of Lake County by 8 p.m.

He said the heavier snow in Lake County took place in the northern portion, which his crews do not maintain.

Of the schools that reported early closings, many were in Gary, Hammond and East Chicago, including Ivy Tech's Gary campus. River Forest schools in Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago, Lake Ridge schools and some charter schools in Gary, New Vistas High School in Portage, St. John the Baptist School in Whiting, St. Casimir School in Hammond and East Chicago's The Crossing School campus also closed early.

As a landlord in Griffith, Mike Guvo, of Center Township, has his own snow plow to tend to his property. Snow in March isn't a new thing, though. Guvo remembers the storm of 1998 that paralyzed Gary for days.

"The people that lived there couldn't get out," he said.

By early afternoon Tuesday, with the exception of the occasional flurry, Porter County, the usual lake-effect target, had been largely spared from the heavy snows.

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But with the lake-effect snow warning with the National Weather Service taking place from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 9 a.m. Wednesday, the county's plows were ready.

Mike Guvo, of Center Township, has his own snow plow to tend to property he owns in Griffith. (Michelle L. Quinn / Post-Tribune)

"Especially when it's at odd hours, when we don't know when it's going to come, we make sure the trucks are loaded up and ready to run," said Andy McKay, the county's highway superintendent.

That saves time when the trucks are called out, he said, adding lake-effect snow is unpredictable.

"We'll be prepared. But I'm hoping we don't have to go out," he said. "We'll see what happens."

In Hobart, police Sgt. James Gonzales said there were no traffic accidents to report and Public Works Superintendent John Dubach said the city had no more than an inch of snow as of 2 p.m.

While the snowstorm is moving slower than anticipated, Dubach believed it wasn't done with Hobart yet.

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"It will make its way around again," Dubach said. "They keep saying this storm will end up in Michigan City and LaPorte, which means it needs to go through us first.

"I've been here too many years to think that it won't," he said.

Dubach said his crews already salted the streets once and were ready for the next blast, if and when it would occur.

Michelle Quinn contributed.

Karen Caffarini and Amy Lavalley are freelance reporters for the Post-Tribune.
The Merrillville Town Council voted to lower the town's contribution to the South Shore Railroad West Lake expansion project by nearly two-thirds, a move that U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky believes will ultimately be overturned in court.

The council voted 6-0 Tuesday to rescind the original agreement, saying the 30-year contract was too long and the amount too high. Councilman Shawn Pettit, D-6th, abstained.

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"We have to live within our means. This is not living within the town of Merrillville's means," said Councilwoman Chrissy Barron, D-5th, who made the motion to rescind the original agreement that called for Merrillville to pay 22 percent of its CEDIT (county option income tax) money over 30 years. The panel voted to pay 8 percent to the project.

The action came despite Merrillville Democrat Visclosky's contention that the original agreement is a binding contract and cannot be changed legally. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which runs the South Shore Line, is seeking a Federal Transit Administration grant to pay for half of the project's $603 million estimated cost. Plans call for the extension to run from Hammond into Munster and Dyer.

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Visclosky, who has vigorously lobbied for the expansion and the local communities' financial participation in its costs, said all communities in Northwest Indiana face financial challenges.

"These challenges have occurred primarily because we have lost 10 percent of our population since 1970, including the loss of 74,120 school-aged children. If we do not now make transformational investments, we will continue to lose young talent, new businesses and new tax revenue," Visclosky said. "It is my belief that Merrillville's decision will ultimately be overturned in court."

"It also is unfortunate that the board acted in a fashion that disallowed the ability of the public, regardless of their opinion, to have their voices heard," Visclosky said.

Merrillville Clerk-Treasurer Eugene Guernsey said the town would pay about $179,368 a year for 30 years at 22 percent of the CEDIT money, compared to $65,225 a year at 8 percent.

He said Lake County officials took out almost $15,000 of the town's CEDIT money in January for the expansion and it owes nothing for February and March. He said the town owes $153,640 toward the expansion project from 2015 and $92,122 from 2016.

"We're trying to be careful with our spending," said Guernsey.

The town has been hit financially from tax appeals filed and won by big box stores like Meijer's and Lowe's located there.

Visclosky flew from Washington, D.C., last month to attend a Merrillville Town Council meeting when he learned that the council was going to reduce its contribution. The council tabled the matter at the time and told Visclosky members would meet with him at a time convenient to him.

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A meeting is scheduled for April.

"We still will meet with him," Councilman Richard Hardaway, D-2nd, said.

Hardaway said Town Attorney John Bushemi assured the council it was within its rights to reduce the contribution.

"We wouldn't have done this if counsel told us we couldn't," Hardaway said.

He said he understands that the CEDIT money can only be used for economic development purposes.

Bushemi last month called the contract the town signed "a broken one."

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He said Merrillville officials relied on pledge amounts listed from other local communities when it signed the agreement in January 2015.

"Since then, four of those pledges were reduced and three communities have pledged nothing," Bushemi said.

"That action by seven other (municipalities) allows the agreement to either be terminated or permits Merrillville to limit its amount," Bushemi said last month.

Councilwoman Marge Uzelac, D-4th, said that the original agreement was made when three of its current members weren't on the council.

"This also has to do with entering into a 30-year contract. I don't think we should enter into a contract beyond our terms," Barron said.

Visclosky said he remains committed to working in an open and transparent manner to bring communities together to support the expansion.

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He said more than $300 million in federal taxes will be used to help advance the expansion, which he called a "transformational investment that will retain and attract talent and create jobs.

"It will grow the economy of Merrillville, Schneider, New Chicago and all of Northwest Indiana. In turn, it will generate an exponential growth of financial resources for all our local communities," he said.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
For all but a few hermits and those absorbed for the moment in quiet vigils going on in hospice centers of one kind or another, politics has become inescapable. I vowed to give up politics for Lent this year, or at least to forgo obsessing or commenting on it, as a spiritual exercise in dethroning a tyrannical force in my life.

With these paragraphs, however, I abandon that pledge. Our national debates concerning health care, immigration and homeland security involve matters so central to our humanity and our communities that we cannot shut them out any more than we can fast from air or water.

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The recent Christmas season signaled "No escape." Until now, I had never read a Christmas card or an accompanying family-update letter laced with politics. This year, everyone who wrote more than "Merry Christmas" alluded to the tension around us.

A few got explicit, as did a pious old family friend. Among the year's mercies for which she gave thanks, she waxed most eloquent when reflecting on the marvelous blessing God has bestowed in our newly elected president, a man who will surely lead the nation back to God, from whom we have lately strayed so egregiously. My kind-hearted wife responded, so our friend received a gracious missive, not a retort that questioned the judgment of anyone who could see in this president a faithful prophet, much less a messiah.

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To what deity does the current administration and legislative majority in Washington seek to return us? At what altar shall we sacrifice and give thanks? Whose commandments shall we heed?

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Many Americans deem the United States a Christian nation, although any random collection of citizens vigorously would debate what that means. A few would insist the Constitution precludes establishment of any official religion. Those who study how religions work and who listen carefully to our political rhetoric long have concluded that the deity our nation acknowledges and trusts most fully goes by the name Free Market Economy. Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? Fear not. The Market will save us. Thou shalt not flaunt the eternal laws of supply and demand.

Certain major players in the battle over health care legislation zealously heed the Market's hallowed statutes, as they read them anyway, and their uncompromising devotion will imperil passage of a plan that will satisfy anyone but themselves.

Other gods vie for the Market's exalted throne. One has no agreed upon name, but its single, sacred dictum says, "My own thriving is all that matters." This god provides blinders for the faithful so they needn't consider the plight of others, unless they're better off than I am, in which case something might have gone awry.

Both of these gods authorize what some have called trickle-down economics, a world view built on the conviction that everyone has what he or she deserves, and so long as we care more than anything for the well-being of the wealthiest among us, everyone else must be all right too.

For various reasons, theologians of these civil religions work hard to make their gods seem Christian. In truth, Christianity contains no explicit political or economic theory. It teaches instead that social and economic problems make demands on everyone's efforts, regardless of religious loyalties, and those who would find and respond to God in the midst of it all must look first into the faces of the poor, the weak and the outcast.

Not everyone seeks to sanctify public policy, but those who do owe us the favor of accurately identifying the deity their legislation would honor.

Fred Niedner is senior research professor in theology at Valparaiso University.
What's Quickly? It's where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

Just because someone disagrees with your opinion does not make them wrong, or Un-American. Please keep in mind this country was founded on people who didn't agree with the leadership. This is for you Mr. True Blue American.

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What exactly is a "Right To Work created job"? Read this slowly so you understand. A non-union shop is not a Right To Work created job. The only Right To Work person is someone who works in a union shop but does not pay dues for representation, but merely reaps the benefits, i.e., a freeloader. If you do not work in a union shop, it is not a Right To Work "created" job. So stop distorting things you do not understand.

I think it is very unpatriotic for the Democrats to want to allow these terrorists to come into the country just because President Trump wants to keep them out. It is their typical party over country agenda that made them lose so badly in November.

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There was a saying out there "Welcome to Indiana turn your clocks back 200 years." That has been expanded to "Welcome to the United States of America turn your clocks back 240 years."

To Donald Trump: In case nobody has told you, many of your supporters are Medicaid recipients. Yes, white people.

Apparently the threat level at the White House is now "orange." Of course it is.

These uneducated liberals who bash the President daily by saying he is all about corporate welfare and eliminating the middle class are the same buffoons who said GWB was going to throw the elderly out of their wheelchairs. Perhaps you can still use your Obamacare while it lasts to get medication for Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Oklahoma Sen. James "Big Oil" Inhofe called the idea of climate change "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people." Now, Scott Pruitt, the new head of the EPA and another hostage to the oil industry, is loading up staff positions with former Inhofe aides.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Pence, Pruitt, and Tillerson have email scandals. Trump's staff is using private servers. Trump's using an insecure Android. And nobody cares.

Here we go again. Trump's nominee to head the Food and Drug Administration, a man with deep ties to the drug industry, is just one more example of the fox being put in charge of the hen house.

After reading the fine details, Trumpcare is Obamacare-lite. Trumpcare eliminates some waste, but the big waste areas like lawyer and insurance company profits stay as they were. A big fallacy of both programs is that everyone is expected to sign up and pay their fair share, but healthy young people are not going to sign up.

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Have you noticed that Republicans always have money for walls, wars and jails, but never for veterans, health care and education?

Does anyone think that Trump and Bannon didn't orchestrate the CIA leaks to WikiLeaks?

A collaboration between Stephen King and John Grisham couldn't make up something like what is playing out between Washington and Russia.

Read more at www.post-trib.com/quickly
Western Springs officials say they will continue to monitor Illinois Tollway plans for a possible widening of Interstate 294 before deciding whether to publicly condemn the project.

Some Western Springs residents spoke out about the tollway plans during Monday's Village Board meeting, addressing some concerns they have about how the renovation project may impact the village and questioning why the village hasn't been as vocal as Hinsdale.

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Village President Bill Rodeghier said while there has been discussion among tollway officials about widening the highway, also known as the Tri-State, no formal plan has been approved by the Illinois Tollway board, and much of what has been discussed is purely speculation.

"Until the tollway board approves formal conceptual plans, there really is not a lot for us to go on right now," Rodeghier said. "There has been a lot of misinformation out there, as people will say and do things to serve their interests. We are concerned about it, and once we know more about the project, we will weigh in on it to protect the interest of the village."

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He said for the village to go out and "rattle sabers and say 'you can't do this,'" as the village of Hinsdale has publicly done, is not beneficial.

While Hinsdale officials have already spoken out strongly against any plans for the toll road that may impact their community, Western Springs village manager Patrick Higgins said the issue has been at the forefront for Hinsdale because of a contested village president race.

Village Trustee Edward Tymick said the village will keep residents up to date through the website and providing more visibility to residents on what is going on behind the scenes in regards to this plan. The village has launched a I-294 Corridor Planning section to the village website to inform residents on what is know about the project, and will update it as new information becomes available.

While some of the discussion has been about adding two additional lanes, and the possibility of land being taken from Western Springs to allow for that expansion, Rodeghier said he does not think any significant land will be taken through eminent domain as part of any tollway improvements.

"That would be a very expensive process that I don't think even the tollway has the money to do," Rodeghier said.

Some of the discussion about the tollway expansion has indicated the possible removal of the Hinsdale Oasis, which Rodeghier said Western Springs residents have complained about for years, calling it an eyesore that brings noise and truck parking.

Rodeghier read a statement from tollway officials that said they are developing a master plan to determine improvements, cost and funding options for the Tri-State Tollway from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue, the only remaining area of the original tollway system, constructed in the 1950's, that has not been improved or modernized to meet current and future transportation needs.

The statement indicated that the conceptual plans will go before the tollway authority within the coming months, and once those concept plans are approved, they will work with communities to address concerns about the project. Western Springs officials have said no formal timeline has been proposed at this point in the process as to when that process will begin.

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David Heitz is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
2022 election guide: Here are Pueblo County's top races, ballot issues

Here's what you need to know about the local candidates and ballot questions in the 2022 election, as well as how to vote in Pueblo, Colorado.
Apply for Honors Institute

Applications are now being accepted for the Central Honors Institute, an academic camp for Nebraska youth that will be held July 9-13 at Central Community College-Columbus.

The five-day residential camp is open to students beginning the seventh or eighth grade in the fall of 2017 and have demonstrated accomplishments in academics, leadership and maturity. Camp participants attend class during the day, enjoy social activities in the evening and stay overnight in the colleges residence hall.

Students are placed on one of five tracks based on their interest and aptitude. The tracks include CHI Creativity (language arts), CHI Stream Team (biology), CHI TechExplorers (computers), CSI at CHI (math) and FLY CHI (physics).

Applications and recommendation forms must be received by May 1. The cost is $395 through June 15 and $425 after that date.

For more information or to request an application, contact Betsy Rall at (402) 562-1458; toll-free in Nebraska at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1458; or by email at elizabethrall@cccneb.edu.

Detailed information and the required forms also can be found at www.cccneb.edu/CHI.

Scholarship for Juniors, Seniors

Juniors and seniors who attend high school within Central Community Colleges 25-county service area can apply for up to $150 in scholarship assistance to take classes from CCC this summer.

April 15 is the deadline to apply for the program but early planning is recommended. Students must include Accuplacer, ACT, COMPASS or ASSET scores to apply for the scholarship.

An application review process will be used to select scholarship recipients.

Applications for this award are available from high school counselors as well as the admissions offices at the Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings campuses; from all learning center locations; and on the college website at www.cccneb.edu/Summer$.

Campus Visit Day April 3

Prospective students who want to see Central Community College are invited to attend Campus Visit Day from 9 a.m. to noon on April 3 at its campuses in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings.

Attendees will have a chance to tour the campus, meet faculty, and learn about financial aid and scholarships.

For more information or to register for Campus Visit Day, contact the appropriate admissions office:

Columbus: Erica Leffler at (402) 562-1257; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1257; or by email at eleffler@cccneb.edu.

Grand Island: Brittney Zetocka at (308) 398-7383; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 7383; or by email at brittneyzetocka@cccneb.edu.

Hastings: Ashley McCarter at (402) 461-2480; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 2480; or by email at ashleymccarter@cccneb.edu.

To register online, go to www.cccneb.edu/CampusVisits.

Individual campus visits also are available by appointment Monday through Friday.

Medication Aide course

Registration is open for a medication aide course will begin in April at Central Community College-Columbus.

The class is offered in a lecture/lab format. Students must attend orientation from noon to 1 p.m. on April 14 and nine mandatory class sessions from noon to 5 p.m. on April 17, 19, 24, 26 and 28 and May 1, 3, 8 and 10.

The class is limited to the first 12 students who register and pay for a space. The cost is $360, which includes in-state tuition, textbook and supplies.

For more information or to register, contact CCC Extended Learning Services at (402) 562-1225; toll-free at 1-877-222-0780, ext. 1225: or by email at brendasmejkal@cccneb.edu.
Storm spotter training today

COLUMBUS -- The National Weather Service and Columbus/Platte County Emergency Management Agency will hold their annual storm spotter training at 7 p.m. today in the Platte County Courthouse community room.

Those attending are asked to use the west sheriffs entrance.

This training is provided to spotter groups, fire departments, industry, retail, education and other individuals interested in the process of becoming a trained spotter as required by the National Weather Service.

The public is invited to attend, especially those in rural areas.

Severe Weather Awareness Week will be held March 27-31, with the mock tornado warning at approximately 10:30 a.m. March 29.

For more information, call 402-564-1206 or email tim.hofbauer@plattene.us.

Barkin Bargains sale scheduled

COLUMBUS -- The Platte Valley Humane Society will host its annual Barkin Bargains Garage Sale from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. April 8 indoors at Platte County Agricultural Park.

Anyone interested in selling items can rent a booth for $25-$35 before Thursday or $35-50 after Thursday. Sellers keep proceeds from their sales.

Admission for buyers will be $3 at the door. Proceeds from booth rental and admission will go to Paws and Claws Adoption Center.

For more information, call Jan Berry at 402-276-4283 or Paws and Claws at 402-562-5683.

Jiggs Dinner set for Sunday

GENOA -- The 91st annual Jiggs Dinner will be held 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at St. Rose of Lima Community Center on East Willard Avenue in Genoa.

The meal will include corned beef and cabbage and roast beef. Cost is $9 for adults, $5 for kids ages 4-11, and free for children ages 3 and younger.

The event will also include a quilt raffle and more than 30 prizes. Meal and raffle tickets will be sold at the door.

Mr. Shamrock contest Sunday

COLUMBUS -- The annual Mr. Shamrock contest will be held 7 p.m. Sunday in Memorial Hall at Scotus Central Catholic.

Senior boys will compete for the crown with their talent, humor and runway attire.

Admission is two food items or $2. Food items will be donated to the Simon House food pantry.

This event is sponsored by the Scotus Student Council.

Women's lunch set March 22

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Christian Womens Connection invites all area women to a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. March 22 at the VFW Club, 2720 23rd St.

Cost is $10, with reservations due by Tuesday.

Mickey Leptak of Columbus will bring ideas to turn old items into a new purpose. Phyllis Vos of Ankeny, Iowa, will discuss how to "balance all the hats" people are called to wear in their lives. Those attending are encouraged to wear a hat.

For more information, reservations or cancellations, call 402-564-2965 or 402-564-4036. Those who are unable to keep their reservations must call in their cancellations.
On December 30, 2016, a court in Chinas southwestern province of Guizhou ruled that a worker, known as Mr. Chen, was wrongfully dismissed for dressing as a man. The ruling represents a new landmark for LGBTQ+ rights in China. Although the decision did not address the transgender identity of Mr. Chen, who was born female but identifies as a male, the court deemed that the dismissal was unlawful.

The ruling follows a series of recent lawsuits regarding LGBTQ+ rights in China, including a male couple who unsuccessfully lobbied for marriage rights, a clinic that was punished for using shock therapy to make a man heterosexual, and a university student suing over textbooks describing homosexuality as abnormal behavior.

As awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in China rises, employers are facing newfound scrutiny over their treatment of sexual minorities. Employers have the opportunity to establish safe work environments for LGBTQ+ employees, and become leaders in Chinas changing social climate. Doing so can boost office morale, increase work efficiency, and, most importantly, give opportunities to those too often suffering from discrimination.

Legal protection for sexual minorities

Legal workplace protection for LGBTQ+ members in China is vague and insufficient. Homosexuality was a crime in China until 1997, under the offense of hooliganism, and classified as a mental disorder up to 2001. Since then, there has been little progress in developing legal protection to sexual minorities.

While Chinese Labor Law specifically offers protection against ethnic, religious, and gender discrimination, there are no provisions for discrimination based on sexuality or gender identity. Similarly, the Employment Promotion Law bans discriminatory recruitment and employment practices, but does not expressly mention sexuality or gender identity.

Further, the enforcement of such laws is inconsistent in practice. Lack of clarity over what the laws cover, and the absence of specific penalties and remedies for infractions hamper their utility.

LGBTQ+ in the workplace

While there are no concrete data on the size of Chinas LGBTQ+ demographics, some estimate it at about 3-5 percent of the total population, while others measure it at closer to 5-10 percent. That means that there is anywhere from about 40 to 135 million LGBTQ+ Chinese nationals.

While even the low end of this range is a considerable number, many employers in China do not realize that they are likely employing at least one LGBTQ+ employee, if not many. A survey on the community conducted by the United Nations in 2016  the largest ever in China  found that only 5.4 percent made their orientation public in the workplace. In the US, the figure is closer to 50 percent.

An earlier survey conducted by grassroots organizations in 2013 cited several reasons why LGBTQ+ employees conceal their identity: 60.9 percent fear being marginalized, 51.7 percent feel it may prevent them from being promoted, and 22.5 percent worry about getting fired. These career concerns are borne out by facts, as another survey found that about a quarter of those who had their sexuality revealed were fired or compelled to quit their job.

Human resources implications

Studies have shown that fostering an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees has tangible effects on productivity, and can allay many of their professional challenges.

A survey by the LGBT rights NGO Aibai found that 87 percent of LGBT employees think that a more inclusive work environment would bring closer and better working relationships with their coworkers. 45 percent waste enormous amounts of energy trying to conceal their sexual orientation, and 13 percent suffer a drop in productivity as a result of a discriminatory work environment. Further, 21 percent have considered leaving or have left their job due to such an environment.

Creating an inclusive work environment is therefore vital to safeguard employees mental  and sometimes physical  health, as well as to retain talent and optimize efficiency.

Steps to take

Many multinational corporations have inclusivity programs in their home countries to address these concerns, but they are rarely carried over to overseas operations in emerging markets. However, given the unique challenges members of the LGBTQ+ community face in China, as well as the countrys particular social and cultural situation, it is not always advisable to simply transplant a program originally designed for another context.

Given that sexuality and gender identity can be a taboo or misunderstood topic in many parts of China, a program that is too ambitious may have the unintended effect of making both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ employees uncomfortable. Encouraging employees to participate and give input to programs needs to be done with care and discretion so they are not singled out in front of coworkers.

Having a clear and explicit non-discrimination policy is an important element of establishing an inclusive company culture. This policy should be consistent and across the board, such as in employee handbooks, employee onboarding, and periodic inclusivity seminars. Systems can also be put in place for HR to work with employees looking to access mental health and other support services.

Further, participating in local events  such as the Annual China LGBT Talent Job Fair, which was held in 2016 for the second time  demonstrates visible support for the community and further solidifies company culture and expectations. This event was attended by such multinationals as Ford, PwC, Starbucks, and Morgan Stanley, among others. Our own firm, Dezan Shira & Associates, is an LGBTQ+-friendly employer and has worked with numerous staff in same-sex marriages.

However, it is not just foreign companies getting into the act. In 2016, Chinese tech giant Alibaba and gay dating app Blued sent seven same-sex couples to get married in the US. This marketing exercise highlights the emergence of Chinas LGBTQ+ community as a sizable consumer market in its own right. Indeed, establishing a reputation as an LGBTQ+-friendly company has the added benefit of being the best possible way to gain the confidence of an enormous and underserved market, in addition to the ethical and productivity considerations of an inclusive work environment.
Vietnam's catfish exports have experienced a "hot growth" of 24.2 percent-88.7 percent in the past five years, official statistics showed on Tuesday.

In 2016, the country exported 304.7 million U.S. dollars worth of catfish to Chinese market, up 4.17 times over five years ago, reported local Vietnam Economic Times (VET) on Tuesday.

The fact that Vietnam's catfish export revenue to China in 2016 almost doubled that of 2015 signals an opportunity and a good compensation as local firms are countering obstacles in other markets like the United States and the European Union (EU).

The demand of catfish consumption in restaurants, hotels, schools, companies in China is hiking, said VET.

China is seen as a potential alternative market for Vietnamese catfish exporters in the coming years, said local analysts. At the same time, local firms also said Chinese market possesses a plenty of potentials and opportunities. Catfish prices in Chinese market stood higher than those in the EU sometimes.

Accordingly, the National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department under Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will grant certificates for export batches.

"It is obvious that huge consumption in China's market is opening up more opportunities for Vietnamese catfish exporting companies and makes up a gap resulting from difficulties in other markets," said Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.
Last night we were proud to once again honor agriculture at the annual Rural Recognition Banquet.

The chambers Agribusiness Committee was proud to honor four more outstanding ag professionals at the banquet:

 Preferred Genetics was honored as Agribusiness Pioneer.

 Jerry Gleeson was the Outstanding Senior Farmer.

 Tracey Hagerbaumer is Outstanding Woman in Agriculture.

 Terry Beller is Outstanding Area Farmer.

Also at the banquet, the Platte County 4-H program thanked their outstanding youth and adult volunteers. We congratulate Lori Micek and Sandy Wegener, named the Friends of 4-H award-winners and the 4-H Meritorious Award recipient Holly Schultz. Weve really enjoyed sharing the banquet with the 4-H program for several years, and once again they had some great youth and adults to honor last night.

The chamber also congratulates the Central Community College-Columbus students who were awarded scholarships last night. They include Logan Fleming, Donelle Karpisek, Blake Moody, Cole Nickels and Lyle Oppliger. These scholarships are provided by the sponsors of the Rural Recognition Banquet. We thank all of them, including Pinnacle Bank, Northwestern Mutual, Bank of the Valley and The Columbus Telegram, who were the presenting sponsors.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening to honor the impact of agriculture on our region.

Also this week, the leadership team of the chamber will come together to plan the next fiscal year for your chamber at the annual Planning Session. Steve Line will take on the role of board chairman starting April 1, and he will have a full agenda for the coming year. That is a good thing, as that means there are impactful ways for our organization to represent the interests of our members and our community.
A Beijing court has ordered eLong.com, a digital service company, to pay 105,660 yuan (15,278 U.S. dollars) to a customer who booked fake five-star hotels via the site.

Beijing Chaoyang District People's Court upheld its first instance judgement to order the Internet firm to pay three times the customer's booking fee.

The customer, who has only been identified by his surname Li, filed the lawsuit after he found the three hotels that he booked via eLong.com in January 2016 were not five-star hotels as advertized by the site.

Previously, eLong.com had refused to pay a fine of 150,000 yuan issued by the city's industry and commerce department in June 2016 for misleading advertising.

There are 700 million Internet users in China, more than half the population. Travel sites are among the most popular services. China Internet Network Information Center said the online booking business has problems ranging from low price competition, non-standard operation and lack of supervision.
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The number of rural migrant workers in China hits 282 million at the end of 2016. [File photo]

The number of rural migrant workers in China hit 282 million at the end of 2016, an increase of 4.24 million from a year before, according the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) Tuesday.

The country has made remarkable progress in protecting migrant workers' rights and interests, Qiu Xiaoping, MHRSS's vice minister.

The ministry has helped retrieve 35 billion yuan (about 5 billion U.S. dollars) of back pay for migrant workers, and back-pay complaints have fallen, Qiu said.

Some 58.2 million workers are covered by pension insurance and 48.2 million covered by medical insurance. 46.6 million have access to unemployment insurance and 75.1 million are protected by work injury insurance.

Qiu said the ministry will continue to help rural migrant workers settle in cities and start their own businesses. Efforts will be made to help them enjoy equal social welfare with urban residents.

Due to the household registration system that ties people's access to social welfare to their residential status, they have previously not enjoyed the same benefits in healthcare, pensions and other social benefits as city residents.

To bridge the gap, government is gradually removing the distinction between urban and rural residents.
SHI YU/CHINA DAILY

During a recent closed-door seminar endorsed by Washington-based Hudson Institute and New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation, scholars from both countries said cooperation between India, the United States and Japan is necessary to "face the Chinese assertiveness" in the strategic Indian Ocean and Pacific regions.

Such insinuations are nothing new, except the emphasis that China has taken "an increasingly hard-line stance" on its territorial disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In the name of "strengthening mutual confidence and inter-operability", the three countries conducted the "Malabar" joint military exercise in Japan last year.

That Washington has started seeking closer defence ties with New Delhi and Tokyo does not justify their contain-China "mission". The previous US administration under Barack Obama embarked on the "rebalancing to Asia" strategy not long after China became the world's second-largest economy seven years ago. In doing so, Obama accelerated negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement that excludes Beijing, beefed up the US-Japan military alliance, and sent warships near China's islands in the South China Sea in the guise of "freedom of navigation".

Yet new US President Donald Trump has withdrawn from the TPP agreement in the wake of China and the Philippines deciding to shelve their maritime disputes in the South China Sea. Now that the Philippines cannot be provoked against China, it is not surprising that the US and Japan are looking to India. Tokyo has even encouraged New Delhi to compete with China in the African market.

New Delhi does have concerns over Beijing's increasing influence in the Indian Ocean region. It is worried that the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road), consisting of the construction of the China-Pakistan and Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridors, might chip away at its regional leadership. And India's strategic anxiety offers it a welcome reason to build a trilateral alliance with the US and Japan.

But the three-country mission, if designed to contain China, is not likely to work. As a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement founded in Belgrade in 1961, India attaches great importance to independent, non-aligned diplomacy and hence does not want to become a chess piece of any geopolitical game.

India is also a BRICS member that shares extensive interests with China in areas of global governance and globalization. Compared with Washington and Tokyo, New Delhi is not at the same level of development and does not necessarily share their common stance on Beijing.

As far as China-US relations are concerned, both countries should be motivated to cooperate rather than clash given their economic interdependence and shared interest in defusing the volatile Korean Peninsula situation. And Japan, like China, also faces mounting pressures from the possible adjustments in the US' fiscal and trade policy.

The truth is, China is not a security threat to regional stability. India's real concern is that China might challenge its dominance in the Indian Ocean region, while Japan is bothered more about its disputes with China in the East China Sea. What drives Washington to keep the two allies closer is its false perception that Beijing may weaken its alliances across the Indian and Pacific oceans.

There are multiple cooperative mechanisms that Beijing can use to help alleviate the three countries' concerns, and more importantly, avoid head-to-head confrontations. They share extensive interests, not direct territorial disputes, in safeguarding freedom of navigation and stability in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. In the long run, China could consider establishing a maritime cooperative organization with regional players including Russia, India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and invite the US to join when the time is ripe.

The author is a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, and a senior researcher at The Charhar Institute.
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Photo taken on March 14, 2017 shows the "Big Ben" in central London, Britain. [Photo/Xinhua]

British Prime Minister Theresa May gave her first reaction Tuesday to the passing of the Brexit bill, saying it marked a defining moment for the country.

"This will be a defining moment for our whole country as we begin to forge a new relationship with Europe and a new role for ourselves in the world," she said while addressing members of parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons.

Brexit, said May, would work for the whole of Britain. "We will be a strong, self-governing global Britain with control once again over our borders and our laws," she said.

The decisions of both Houses of Parliament to agree to the crucial bill opens the door for May to officially start the process of Britain leaving the European Union.

May gave no precise indication of when she will trigger Article 50, the mechanism to start the exit process.

Instead she said it would be by the end if this month, adding Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth would be given in the next few days.

During her speech, May referred to the announcement Monday by Scotland's First Minister, Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) leader Nicola Sturgeon, who called for a second Scottish independence referendum.

May urged the SNP not to play politics or create uncertainty or division, saying people voted in 2014 in a "once in a generation" referendum to remain part of Britain.

"This is not a moment to play politics and create uncertainty. It's a moment to bring our country together, to honor the will of the British people and shape for them a better Britain," May said.

May said Brexit remains on track with the timetable she set out 6 months ago, telling MPs she will return to the Commons before the end of the month to notify when she has formally triggered Article 50 and begun the process through which Britain will leave the EU.

Article 50 refers to the formal procedure by which an EU member state notifies the European Council that it intends to leave the block.

In the speech, May also welcomed the recent completion of a free trade agreement between the EU and Canada, saying such agreements will lay the foundation for Britain's continuing trading relationships after leaving the EU.

"At the same time we will also seize the opportunity to forge our own new trade deals and to reach out beyond the borders of Europe to build relationships with old friends and new allies alike."

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, responding to May's statement warned her "that if the wrong decisions are made, we'll pay the price for decades to come".

"Now more than ever we need an inclusive government that listens and acts accordingly. All the signs are that we have a complacent government," Corbyn added.
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On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Rome Treaty which formed the European Economic Community that preceded the European Union (EU), leaders are scheduled to debate the future of the bloc on Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Maltese Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech will join Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to debate the outcomes of the 9-10 March European Council meeting, and discuss the "Rome Declaration".

For many observers, the discussion will be a debate on the future of the European Union, following a similar discussion that European Council meeting earlier this month, as well as the publishing of a European Commission White Paper outlining five possible scenarios for Europe after the conclusion of Brexit negotiations.

With the British House of Lords passing the Brexit bill late on Monday evening and paving the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to formally launch the divorce negotiations, European unity has been under exceptional pressure.

In his first address to the European Council summit as President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani had underlined the need for union.

"Today more than ever we can see how important European unity is," he told fellow leaders on March 9.

On Wednesday's debate with MEPs, though, EU leaders are likely to be faced with difficult questions as parliamentarians representing all 28 current member states -- including Britain -- and the full spectrum of political parties are likely to want more detailed assurances on the future of the bloc.
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A strong late winter storm lashed the Northeast United States with snow on Tuesday, grounding more than 6,000 flights and knocking out power to over 180,000 customers.

People walk at Times Square in New York, the United States, on March 14, 2017. Winter storm stella brought heavy snow and sleet Tuesday to the northeastern United States, where thousands of flights were canceled and most of schools closed. [Photo/Xinhua]

New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania have declared states of emergency.

Seven inches of snow fell in New York City while the city's northwest suburbs have seen over 1 foot. At least 20 inches of snow was observed in parts of eastern Pennsylvania.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has instructed non-essential state employees to stay home. In Massachusetts, where the forecast called for 12 to 18 inches of snow, Governor Charlie Baker encouraged motorists to stay off the roads and to take public transit only if absolutely necessary, saying the fast snowfall rates would make driving hazardous.

Schools in New York, Philadelphia, Boston and elsewhere closed.

The airports with the most cancellations are: Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey; LaGuardia Airport in New York City; JFK International Airport in New York City; Logan International Airport in Boston; Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland.

At least 817 flights have been canceled for Wednesday, according to FlightAware.com.

Hundreds of passengers were stranded at Kennedy Airport due to flight cancellations in New York City. The above-ground portions of the New York subway system were shut down.

Massive power outages occurred in Massachusetts. More than 60,000 electric customers lost power during the storm in Massachusetts, the state's emergency management agency said.

In New York, 6,300 customers had no electricity, Governor Cuomo's office said. In Connecticut, 1,800 customers lost power, Governor Dan Malloy said.
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At least 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the Justice Palace, or the Courthouse, in Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday, state TV reported.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building at noon time on Wednesday.

He was in camouflaged uniform, holding a rifle and a hand grenade, said the report, adding that once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police, he was asked for further inspection, he thronged the checkpoint and entered the main hall of the Justice Palace, detonating a bomb vest he was wearing.

The report said the bombing was happened at the time of rush hour in the courthouse, causing the largest possible deaths.

The blast is the latest in a series of bombings that have sparked recently, following a long time of lull.

On Saturday, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front carried a suicide bombing in Damascus, killing 74 people, including Iraqi Shiite visitors, who were in Damascus on a pilgrim visit.
China Aviation Daily | Mar. 15, 2017

EAP Shared Services, part of Etihad Aviation Group, has opened a new global Shared Services centre, in Belgrade.

The EAP Shared Services centre was officially opened today, Monday March 13, by Aleksandar Vucic, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; James Hogan, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Aviation Group, and Sinisa Mali, Mayor of Belgrade.

The new facility, located near Serbia's capital city centre will perform contact centre and loyalty operations in Europe for Etihad Airways, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional, expanding in time to include Alitalia and Air Berlin, as well as their respective loyalty programmes.

Initially over 200 Serbian nationals will be employed at the centre, which is planned to increase to approximately 685 people by 2020. The workforce is set to handle more than 4.4 million calls by 2020.

Speaking to guests and media at the opening, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, said: "The EAP Shared Services Centre is another example of successful foreign investment in Serbia. The fact that this centre is being established right here in Belgrade demonstrates the confidence that renowned international companies such as Etihad have in our country and workforce. The EAP Shared Services team is multi-lingual and trained to provide world-class customer service which is a true reflection of the modern Serbia."

James Hogan, said: "We are delighted to open this latest EAP Shared Services centre which brings many EAP airlines, and their loyalty programs, under one roof. This Centre of Excellence will provide a wealth of efficiencies for each airline and allow them to compete effectively in an increasingly complex and competitive global marketplace."

The EAP Shared Services centre is located in the Airport City business park in New Belgrade and adds to the global portfolio of service centres operated by partner airlines. Today, Etihad Airways operates three contact centres in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and one in Manchester.

Initially, the workforce will manage reservation and ticketing services, including sales, itinerary changes and special service requests. In regards to loyalty operations, EAP Shared Services staff will be able to provide programme information, account servicing, as well as miles management.

Contributed by Etihad Airways
Two women business owners exchange contact details at a party for entrepreneurs to celebrate the International Women's Day on March 8, in Fuyang, Anhui province. [Photo/China Daily]

New measure shows country encourages women to pursue new business opportunities

Believe it or not, nearly 31 percent of business owners in China are women, which gives the country eighth rank globally, according to the inaugural Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs.

China made it to the top 10 on the back of a highly energized and vibrant local entrepreneurship environment where it is easy to discern and pursue business opportunities, and receive recognition and respect as a successful entrepreneur, the survey findings indicated.

The overall index of women entrepreneurs, which takes into consideration the proportion of female business owners as a percentage of total business owners, gives China a score of 61.3 and a global ranking of 31.

The index aims to better understand and track women's progress and achievements in the business world. It uses 12 indicators and 25 sub-indicators to look at how 54 economies, representing 78.6 percent of the world's female labor force, differ in terms of the level of women's advancement outcomes, knowledge assets and financial access, and supporting entrepreneurial factors.

In a report released on March 3, Mastercard Inc said women in China are making solid inroads into knowledge assets and financial assets. Not only are they as educated as their male counterparts in both secondary and tertiary education but just as inspired and motivated to pursue new business opportunities.

The index showed that 60.1 percent of female business owners in China are pursuing opportunity-driven entrepreneurship, compared with 39.9 percent for necessity-driven entrepreneurship due to the lack of employment opportunities.

Many of China's women entrepreneurs attribute their success to hard work and sheer drive. Specifically, their pursuit of success and independence, and their desire for recognition, are driven and supported by the strong cultural acceptance of women entrepreneurs in the country and a high level of financial inclusion, the report said.

However, it noted that China's support system for small and medium-sized enterprises is less established and advantageous for women entrepreneurs. Although both genders have equal access to financial services by law or custom, the availability of outreach financial programs for women, affordability of financial services, and access to business loans are poor.

A 2014 Goldman Sachs report also pointed to restricted access to business capital as one of the primary barriers for women entrepreneurs in China, which is intensified by the lack of business development opportunities including training and mentoring for women entrepreneurs.

Knowing that women are constrained by the lack of business mentoring opportunities, Mastercard announced a strategic partnership with the China Women's Development Foundation on Oct 20, 2016. They will collaborate on the development of various strategic opportunities for the benefit of members of the foundation, specifically in providing financial support for women-run startups, entrepreneurship training, and financial literacy programs.

As part of the partnership, the Mastercard Women's Entrepreneurship Fund will be established. It is an exclusive fund in China that seeks to advance financial inclusion and women's entrepreneurship.

Qin Guoying, vice-chairman and secretary-general of the CWDF, said: "We are thrilled to partner with Mastercard to help equip more women with key financial literacy and business skills, as well as support women-run startups. We believe that by empowering women with practical skills and knowledge, we can create sustainable change and, in turn, bring about profound societal change, whether by poverty alleviation or by helping build the next generation of women entrepreneurs."

Dennis Chang, division president of Mastercard China, said: "As China underpins its economic reforms on promoting sustainable development, it becomes critical for public-private sector to enable access to financial tools in order to foster entrepreneurship and innovation."
Detention Center

The inmate count at the Platte County Detention Facility Tuesday was 51, with 39 from Platte County and 12 from out of county.

Police

Jan. 29

12:36 p.m.-3:32 p.m.  At 1118 Eighth St., Zachary Prokupek, 670 11th Ave., was cited for shoplifting.

Feb. 18

9:35 p.m.  At 818 E. 23rd St., Jayden Novacek, 18, 272 14th Ave., was cited for shoplifting and minor in possession of alcohol.

Feb. 23

3:23 p.m.  At 2508 13th St., Scott Plummer, 37, Omaha, was cited for shoplifting.

March 4

8:39 p.m.  In the 2900 block of 23rd Street, Sandeep Jamlpur-Kasinath, 26, Omaha, was cited for a learners permit violation.

March 6

8:26 a.m.  In the 2800 block of 18th Street, a vehicle driven by William Moran-Villatoro, 15, Carriage House Estates, No. 27, struck a parked vehicle owned by Kent Zimmerer, 2953 31st Ave.

March 7

8:45 a.m.  In the 3400 block of Discoverer Drive, traffic accident. Drivers were Garrett Krumland, 17, 110 W. Parkway, and Kade Nelson, 16, 5216 33rd St.

12:16 p.m.  In the 1500 block of 18th Avenue, a vehicle driven by Shirley Christiansen, 74, 2716 Cheyenne St., struck a parked vehicle driven by Mary Hall, 58, 133 S. Calle Colombo.

4:29 p.m.  In the 800 block of 33rd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Shania Borchers, 17, 1115 Second St., and Lucas Schaecher, 16, 725 Apache St.

March 8

7:45 a.m.  In the Columbus High School parking lot, traffic accident. Drivers were Mikala Brehm, 17, 965 22nd Ave., and Evelyn Adame, 17, 3166 29th Ave.

12:05 p.m.  In the 2700 block of 33rd Avenue, traffic accident. Drivers were Dylan Rhoads, 18, 3365 36th Ave., and Dawn Davis, 57, 3303 Brunken St., No. 1.

7:30 p.m.  At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 17th Street, Eric Stone, 31, Lindsay, was cited for an illegal U-turn.

March 9

8:10 p.m.  In the 1800 block of 26th Avnue, Luis Lamas-Pinedo, 18, 2704 Cheyenne St., was cited for speeding, 42 mph in a 30 mph zone, and no operators license.

March 10

6:03 p.m.  At the intersection of 23rd Avenue and 23rd Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Douglas Rieger, 66, 3660 Brookfield Place, and Jerry Clausen, 64, 4204 16th St.

6:56 p.m.  At the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 14th Street, traffic accident. Drivers were Donald Vyhidal, 34, Pierce, and Amanda Zywiec, 25, 755 18th Ave.

March 11

10:13 p.m.  Theft at 818 E. 23rd St., books were stolen from a vehicle, $12.83 loss.

March 13

11:21 a.m.  Criminal mischief at Ramada, 265 33rd Ave., window broken in vehicle, $500 loss.

Sheriff

March 11

9:32 p.m. - In the 3900 block of East 21st Avenue, domestic dispute. Herber E. Tellez-Hernandez of Columbus jailed for strangulation, third degree domestic assault and criminal mischief.

11:15 p.m. - South of 197th Street and 370th Avenue, Jordan L. Boruch of Osceola jailed for DUI, open container and speeding.
Consumers learn ways to identify fake liquor in Fuyang, Anhui province, on March 11, 2017. [Photo/China Daily]

The State Administration for Industry and Commerce announced on Tuesday that the National Internet Platform of Consumer Dispute Resolution will go into operation on Wednesday, in a move to cater to consumers' growing need to complain.

The online platform marks a new era in Internet Plus governance, with the improved quality and efficiency of government services.

Tang Jun, deputy director of the SAIC, said with the thriving e-commerce sector, cross-border shopping and other new consumption patterns, there is a strong need for transformation of the traditional consumer complaint hotline 12315.

"The online platform and the traditional 12315 hotline will play different roles, providing convenient services for consumers.

"We will also use the big data to target changes in the market and then strengthen market supervision accordingly, creating a market environment featuring fairness and good faith."

The new platform allows consumers to complain or report to local regulatory authorities once they complete the required registration via PC or an app. With the support of the platform, local authorities can directly be informed and then deal with consumers' requests.

According to a report by the SAIC, industry and commerce authorities across the country handled more than 8 million consumer complaints and requests last year, growing 3.9 percent from 2015. Among the requests, more than 1.6 million cases were consumers' complaints, with a significant year-on-year increase of 29.1 percent.

Chen Yinjiang, deputy secretary-general of the China Consumer Protection Law Society, said it is important to use new methods and big data to supervise the market.

"The booming internet economy created new business patterns, such as the sharing economy and internet finance," Chen said.

"Thus there is a lack of regulation in those new areas. To enhance the protection of consumers' rights, we now need to include those new patterns into regulatory systems."

"Enterprises should not regard economic growth as the only priority, or they will lose a bigger market share in the long run."

According to the SAIC, the platform will add more functions to settle inter-regional and cross-border consumer disputes by the end of 2017.
Zhang Haihan (left) and her club members at a mom-kid dancing rehearsal on March 7 in Shenyang, Liaoning province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It was another busy day for Zhang Haihan, the founder of Shenyang Lama (Hot Mom) Net that provides psychological guidance, fitness services and parent-child activities for new mothers who need help. By the end of last year, she and her team gave support to more than 50,000 families and their revenue reached 150,000 yuan ($21,698.25).

Zhang said: "Every new life brings us happiness and hope. But mothers are often troubled by the physical and psychological changes. We aim to help them rebalance lives, learn new skills and gain in confidence. Where there is a happy mom, there is a happy family."

Statistics from Shenyang Health and Family Planning Commission show that the birth rate has kept increasing since 2015 when China launched the second-child policy.

Most baby-centered businesses focus on products such as milk powder, baby carriages and baby clothes, and mothers are usually ignored. New mothers born after the 1980s, mostly tech-savvy and internet-aware, are China's first generation with affluent environment, and therefore a major driving force of consumption.

A survey conducted by the China Women's Development Foundation found that in 2015 about 53 per cent of new mothers suffered postnatal depression but rarely could obtain professional service.

Zhang said: "At the very beginning, I met with a group of friends to lose baby weight. But I found many new mothers suffered from anxiety and irritability. Some didn't have a social life, possibly due to body changes and some of them even committed suicide."

Thirty days after her daughter's birth, Zhang organized the first parent-child activity and then a mom's New Year party.

"For many new mothers, they never get to wear beautiful dresses and dance. I'll never forget their beaming faces shining with happiness and satisfaction. And it was at that moment that I made up my mind. Helping new moms would be my lifelong dream career."

According to Alibaba's Jack Ma, happiness and health are major business opportunities. Zhang thus chose dance training and parent-child activities as the services her business would provide. And this proved to be a smart move. The past five years have seen an average 30 per cent increase, according to Zhang.

Mao Donghui from the School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, said: "Female entrepreneurs must play multiple roles, including mother, wife and daughter. They need special abilities to balance the pressure of entrepreneurship and family. But if they can overcome this challenge, they may win big."

Zhang said: "The mother is the best teacher of the kids. We can only help them if we ourselves become excellent."

Zou Yumeng contributed to this story.
A leading petrochemical industry executive has called for the tightening of large scale refinery project approvals in Chinain addition to a slowdown in the issuing of fuel-oil import licenses to private companiesin an attempt to alleviate the country's refining overcapacity.

Sinopec Tianjin Petrochemicals General Manager Li Yonglin said China should slow down its refining capacity in accordance with the market demand, in a bid to avoid waste and a passive position due to unplanned expansion and development.

"China should further strengthen its supervision of private refiners that are granted import licensesand suspend all refining projects without government approval," said Li, who is attending the ongoing annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing.

Li also suggested companies import crude in accordance with the fluctuations in domestic demand to avoid waste.

The Ministry of Commerce said 32 private companies had been given fuel-oil import licenses for the first time since 2015, marking a significant step toward breaking the monopoly of State-owned oil companies such as China National Petroleum Corp and China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, to import crude directly.

Li said China's teapot refinersindependently run firms with relatively small capacities, ranging from 20,000 barrels per day to 100,000 barrels per dayhave used more than 70 million metric tons of imported crude oil so far.

With increasing refining capacity from State-owned as well as private companies and alternative energy sources, including new energy vehicles, the competition in China was only to get worse, he said.

Oil refining has joined steel and coal in suffering from overcapacity in China, with its capacity growth continuously outpacing demand growth in the country.

The gross margins of the global refining sector in 2017 is expected to be far below that of 2016, and Asian countries will see a worsening situation as the region is seeing a large number of projects, according to the CNPC Research Institute of Economics and Technology.

China's two biggest refiners, CNPC and Sinopec, which account for three quarters of the country's refining capacity, have cut output since 2016.

Li said the government should further carry out supervision on taxation, security, environmental protection and oil standards, to better regulate the private refiners.

With the country's refining sector entering into a crucial phase of upgrading, China should resort to optimizing its structure and technology innovation instead of extensive development of expanding capacity and investment, one analyst said.

Li Li, director of energy research at Independent Chemical Information Service China, said the refining sector could see further structural optimization to boost its competitiveness.

"Enthusiasm in building new refining projects are not in accordance with demand and some unplanned investment in local regions only end up with a glut and cut throat competition," she said.

"State-owned enterprises and local refiners should be treated as equal in the market whether in taxation, security standards or environmental requirements."
Andrew Guthrie, president of Syngenta China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Q. What do you think of China's economic growth target of about 6.5 percent this year, amid the sluggish global recovery? What business opportunities do you see coming from sectors that will be opened to wider foreign investment, such as services, manufacturing and mining?

A: We believe 6.5 percent is a prudent growth target. It shows that the government has a long-term strategy to further improve domestic demand-driven growth while continuing to be a major global exporter. The government has clearly laid out its plans for further economic reform, and these plans will help to ensure that China will make consistent progress and have a stable platform for long-term economic growth.

Last year, China's GDP growth was 6.7 percent, outpacing most other economies. China contributed about 30 percent of the world's economic growth last year, which was an outstanding achievement.

Q. How do you assess the role of the Chinese market in your global business strategy and layout? What are your views on China's efforts and extended preferential policies to further attract foreign investment? Do you plan to increase investment or expand your presence in the Chinese market this year?

A2 China is one of Syngenta's most important markets. So far, we have invested more than $360 million in our business here, and have nearly 2,000 employees. We have established a world-class research and innovation center in China and we have a number of very important global manufacturing facilities located in the country.

China is a great opportunity for Syngenta, and we have been committed to the Chinese market for many years. When it occurs, I expect the successful completion of the ChemChina transaction (China National Chemical Corp has offered $43 billion to acquire Syngenta) will help to create new opportunities for growth in China and around the world.

Q. What business opportunities do you expect to see as China promotes the Belt and Road Initiative? Have you participated in, or do you plan to participate in any projects linked with the initiative? How do you think infrastructure investment can contribute to global growth?

A: We joined the World Day to Combat Desertification Global Observance and the Belt and Road Initiative Joint Action High-Level Dialogue in Beijing last year. The event aimed to demonstrate how land degradation neutrality can be a critical element in achieving a number of sustainable development goals, especially the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The initiative provides further potential for Syngenta to extend partnerships with our strong global presence.

Q. This year, China will continue to implement supply-side reform. What does the reform mean for your business, and how will you adjust your business strategy in China to deal with it?

A: Supply-side reform in the agricultural sector is a key element of the 2017 Central No 1 Document (a blueprint for agricultural sector reform). It is the 14th consecutive year that the No 1 document has focused on agriculture.

The aim of supply-side reform is to achieve higher efficiency and better production quality, as well as helping farmers to earn stable, higher incomes. This requires innovation and technology, which is also highlighted in the No 1 document. This is where we, as a world-leading agricultural technology company, can contribute.

Syngenta shares the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Chinese people through supporting the safe and responsible production of food.

Q. What is your opinion of China's efforts to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities and promote innovation? Will China's innovation-driven campaign spur the vitality and competitiveness of the economy?

A: I believe the government's approach to promote higher standards in manufacturing is appropriate and necessary.

We lead the industry in our commitment to R&D. We believe innovation is the key to addressing the global challenge of ensuring food security and, here in China, to help speed up the transition to a modern and sustainable agricultural sector.

It is worth repeating what Premier Li Keqiang said in the Work Report: "Having reached the current stage of development, China can now advance only through reform and innovation."
Two female managers discuss business development strategy at an office in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Women now hold almost a third of management roles in companies in Asia, with China particularly standing out due to its booming economic development, according to a recent report by specialist recruitment group Hays.

The survey of more than 3,000 employers across Japan, the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, found women held 31 percent of management roles in Asia, compared to 29 percent reported last year.

The Chinese mainland and Malaysia fared well, with the highest percent of management roles held by women in the region, both at 35 percent. China has increased the number by 3 percent, while the figure in Malaysia fell by 2 percent from last year.

The report also noted that Hong Kong ranked third with 33 percent of women in managerial positions with a 5 percent rise from last year, which reported the largest increase in the region. Singapore followed with 31 percent, and Japan fared worst with only 22 percent of management positions filled by women.

Christine Wright, Managing Director of Hays in Asia, said: "It's worth noticing that China has led Asia for the number of management roles held by women consistently in the past five years. This reflects both the rapid pace of economic growth and the skills shortages in China's fast-growing service industries. Employers who are firmly focused on finding the right talent to support their business growth are more likely to offer management opportunities to female candidates based on their abilities."

According to Hays, employers should encourage female employees' career aspirations and implement gender diversity policies.

Wright said employers should recognize the benefits of a gender diverse workforce and maintain clear development plans to keep and promote their top female talent.

She said: "From a talent management perspective, working in more diverse teams can broaden employees experience, expose them to international markets and management practices, facilitate innovation and develop a culture that is based on merit."

She added that addressing gender equality needs to be more than just a box-ticking exercise.

In a separate survey conducted by global accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, more than half of 3,934 women with recent experiences of the jobs market from 70 countries said they will value the active diversity progress when deciding whether or not to accept a job offer.

The report found that it was not enough to simply include diversity as part of the corporate brand; and enterprises should strive to implement diversity polices and help female talents to overcome difficulties they confronted.

PwC Global Diversity Leader Sharmila Karve, said: "In today's highly competitive job market, it is incumbent on every organization to make sure they are meeting the needs of the modern workforce, in particular the woman of today who is truly a trailblazer. Women today are looking for much more from their careers than previous generations. Organizations need to keep up if they are to secure the talent they need to grow their business."

The report also noted that 78 percent of large organizations in the globe were actively seeking to recruit more women, especially for more experienced and senior positions. And it said the competition for female talents would rise to a whole new level in the future.
Gillian Tans, CEO of Booking.com. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Q. What do you think of China's economic growth target of about 6.5 percent this year, amid the sluggish global recovery? What business opportunities do you see coming from sectors that will be opened to wider foreign investment, such as services, manufacturing and mining?

A: China is undergoing structural reform to pursue quality and sustainable growth. Even with moderate economic growth, China contributed more than 30 percent of global growth last year. This year, China has set a growth target of about 6.5 percent amid global economic uncertainty, which should continue to stabilize the world economy and give confidence to the markets. Chinese consumer spending continues to rise, with a growing desire for diverse and quality technology-driven travel services.

Q. How do you assess the role of the Chinese market in your global business strategy and layout? What are your views on China's efforts and extended preferential policies to further attract foreign investment? Do you plan to increase investment or expand your presence in the Chinese market this year?

A: China has long been an important international market for Booking.com, and it is playing a key role in our global business strategy for continued growth. Since entering China in 2010, we have experienced fast growth by bridging Chinese consumers and accommodations with the world. Last year, China's outbound market posted strong growth, with more than 120 million Chinese traveling overseas. We are optimistic about recent efforts to open-up and ease the tax burden on multinationals to create a fair and favourable trading environment. This allows companies to continue to invest with confidence in technology, people and service upgrades.

Q. What business opportunities do you expect to see as China promotes the Belt and Road Initiative? Have you participated in, or do you plan to participate in any projects linked with the initiative? How do you think infrastructure investment can contribute to global growth?

A: The Belt and Road Initiative is driving regional connectivity at an unprecedented scale through infrastructure development. Intraregional travel will grow and cross-Asia travel will be more attractive to global tourists as transportation barriers are taken down. As an online travel platform connecting people with their ideal places to stay, we are well-positioned to capture this round of travel trend and help build a strong regional travel market. With more than 1.1 million diverse accommodations resources, Booking.com is continually looking to make accommodations more accessible throughout Asia. Our 24/7 service in 43 languages will also make communication easier for travelers in the region.

Q. This year, China will continue to implement supply-side reform. What does the reform mean for your business, and how will you adjust your business strategy in China to deal with it?

A: Supply-side reform is driving a profound change by urging all businesses and companies to improve competitiveness and develop in line with the market and consumer demand. Our philosophy is to focus on innovations to meet and exceed consumers' needs for high-quality products and services. This defines our market strategy in line with China's developing needs, driven by the reforms. Behind every product and service we offer in the China market, we innovate, experiment and improve to capture the mobilized tendency.

Q. What is your opinion of China's efforts to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities and promote innovation? Will China's innovation-driven campaign spur the vitality and competitiveness of the economy?

A: China's innovation drive is turning consumers into supporters of innovation. Indulged by customized new products and services, Chinese consumers are now seeking and valuing innovative ideas and the companies behind them, presenting great opportunities for technology companies. We're excited to see the Chinese consumer market becoming one in which innovation and pioneering new technologies can drive business success. Our continuous efforts to innovate and customize products are a response to the demand for innovation, and they have contributed to our business success in China.
BEIJING - The number of rural migrant workers in China hit 282 million at the end of 2016, an increase of 4.24 million from a year before, according the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) Tuesday.

The country has made remarkable progress in protecting migrant workers' rights and interests, Qiu Xiaoping, MHRSS's vice minister.

The ministry has helped retrieve 35 billion yuan ($5 billion) of back pay for migrant workers, and back-pay complaints have fallen, Qiu said.

Some 58.2 million workers are covered by pension insurance and 48.2 million covered by medical insurance. About 46.6 million have access to unemployment insurance and 75.1 million are protected by work injury insurance.

Qiu said the ministry will continue to help rural migrant workers settle in cities and start their own businesses. Efforts will be made to help them enjoy equal social welfare with urban residents.

Due to the household registration system that ties people's access to social welfare to their residential status, they have previously not enjoyed the same benefits in healthcare, pensions and other social benefits as city residents.

To bridge the gap, government is gradually removing the distinction between urban and rural residents.
BEIJING  China will not see nor allow massive unemployment of particular groups this year as the government is capable of ensuring job creation, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session, Li voiced confidence that China would be able to create jobs through opportunities offered by new growth impetus, entrepreneurship and innovation activities.

He admitted that the country, which has successfully created over 13 million new urban jobs annually for four consecutive years, does face significant pressure from job creation this year, and underscored that ensuring employment was of paramount significance to a country of 1.3 billion population.

The government has set a higher employment target of 11 million new urban jobs this year, one million more than last year's target.

Li said that some 7.95 million students will graduate from Chinese universities and collages and some 5 million from secondary vocational schools.

He drew particular attention to laid-off workers resulting from efforts to address overcapacity, which could near 1 million this year, as the process moves from the sectors of coal and steel to thermal power.

The premier encouraged workers who lose their jobs due to overcapacity cuts to explore the opportunities in emerging sectors.

The government helped some 720,000 laid-off workers find new jobs last year, he said.

"The government's job is to create a good environment and the necessary conditions for people to use their own wisdom and hard work to generate golden opportunities for themselves," he said.

He also promised government assistance to help meet the basic needs of those struggling to find work.

A total of 100 billion yuan (about $14.5 billion) of special funds have been allocated from the central fiscal to assist the resettlement of those laid-off workers, according to Li.
Li Yuzhen, 105, works in a vintage photo studio in the town of Lianhua, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.[Photo/Official Weibo account of Guilin Evening News]

Li Yuzhen loves photography, way before the skill was reduced to mere selfies and food snaps.

In fact, Li might as well be one of the most experienced photographers in the world. After 64 years of holding the camera, she refuses to put it down  even as she turns 105 years of age.

Li still works in a vintage-style photo studio in the town of Lianhua, in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, freezing time through her beautiful pictures.

In her 30s, Li met her husband Rong Songting, who used to run a photo studio in Guangzhou. She learned photography from him after the two tied the knot in 1953. She later landed a job of managing a shop and received countless gigs as she was experienced in the whole process of manipulating an old camera, from installing film to film developing.

Back in the day, she was one of a handful of photographers who could use a very old twin-lens reflex camera under the time-honored brand Seagull Camera.

It wasn't until her 60s that Li handed over the business into her daughter, Rong Ciping, who in 1984 borrowed 200 yuan (30 US dollars) and opened the only photography shop in the town.

But time passes and technology progresses. However, Li still managed to adapt to the disruptive technology, grasping how to work more advanced cameras.

Taking photos of her family is what Li enjoys the most, and it seems that her eye for good visuals runs in the family. When Li's great granddaughter shows her photos on a smartphone, Li is still able to teach her a thing or two from her experience. "do this and it will look even better!" she would repeatedly say.

So far five from Li's family have set a career in photography.
The central government should use more favorable policies to boost manufacturing in Shaanxi province, a key hub for the Belt and Road Initiative, national legislators from the province have suggested.

The Belt and Road Initiative, a development strategy proposed by the Chinese government in 2013, refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt, which will link China with Europe through Central and Western Asia, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which stretches from southern China to Southeast Asia, and even to Africa. The ambitious plan is estimated to benefit about 4.4 billion people in 65 nations, the government said.

"Shaanxi is the engine of the economy in China's western regions, but it is now highly dependent on the mining and energy industries. Most industrial products made in Shaanxi have a low level of technology. The province's exports make up a small proportion of its GDP," said Wang Xilin, vice-president of the Shaanxi Federation of Industry and Commerce and a deputy to the 12th National People's Congress, who submitted the suggestion to the 12th National People's Congress on behalf of several deputies from Shaanxi.

Wang said national legislators from Shaanxi hope that the central government can help the province strengthen its manufacturing sectors, including chemicals, automobiles, aviation, space, environmental protection equipment and intelligent devices. They also hope the government could encourage manufacturing companies to relocate laboratories and plants to Shaanxi instead of overseas.

The government also could accelerate its Western Regions Development Program, which has been carried out since 2000, and could encourage financial institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Silk Road Fund to engage in projects in the province, according to Wang.

Fang Weifeng, director of the Shaanxi Provincial Commission of Development and Reform and an NPC deputy, said the province plans to focus on manufacturing industries and will take advantage of international cooperation opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative to foster its high-end industrial sectors.

The Shaanxi government will also propose to the central government that a reserve fuel base be built in the provincial capital of Xi'an to serve countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt, according to Fang.
The Ministry of Agriculture has published a five-year plan to improve the quality of agricultural products, including measures to ensure that products such as apples, tea and pork can be traced back to their producers.

According to the ministry's plan, which was made public on Monday, more than 97 percent of major agricultural products involved in routine monitoring will pass quality tests in the next five years.

In 2015, 96.1 percent of vegetables, 99.4 percent of poultry and livestock, and 95.5 percent of aquatic products passed routine quality tests, the ministry said.

The ministry will also speed up the development of a platform that can trace agricultural products to their origin, according to the plan.

The tracing platform will first be implemented in more developed areas, and for products such as raw milk and turbot, it added.

The government will also encourage nongovernmental organizations to supervise the quality of agricultural products, with a mechanism that encourages whistleblowing set to be established.

Chen Xiaohua, vice-minister of agriculture, told a news conference in December that the platform that traces agricultural products to their origin has already been in test operation in some areas.

He added that the top legislature is now mulling a revision to the Law on Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, which is expected to include items on ensuring that agricultural products can be traceable.

The ministry said there are still issues involving pesticide residue and environmental pollution in the places of origin of agricultural products.

"The public's demand for agricultural products has also shifted from merely filling stomachs to a need for good, safe and nutritious products," it said.

Han Changfu, minister of agriculture, said on the sidelines of the two sessions - the annual gatherings of the nation's top legislature and its top political advisory body - in Beijing on March 8 that the country will launch a campaign to curb diseases at livestock and poultry farms to fight pollution in rural areas.

The excessive use of fertilizers in horticultural sectors, such as the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, will also be targeted as the authority tries to increase the use of organic fertilizers, Han added.

In the past five years, the ministry has already set 4,140 standards for pesticide residue in relation to agricultural products, and another 1,584 standards for veterinary drug residue in relation to livestock and poultry products.

The total number of standards for residue levels for the two categories will reach 10,000 in five years, according to the plan.
Should the northeastern province of Liaoning immediately deprive State-owned enterprises of their social functions?

Every deputy to the National People's Congress I asked from the Liaoning delegation gave an absolute "yes".

It is not difficult to understand the reason for their unanimous answers.

Liaoning was once a titan of China's heavy industry, reaching a peak in the 1970s when it was among the top three industrial centers, along with Shanghai and Tianjin. But its status declined rapidly over the next decade, as it struggled to adapt to the structural reforms of the new market economy.

As a result, many cities in Liaoning have been hit by factory closures and suffered unemployment as heavy as its main industries: steel and machinery.

I'm a native of Liaoning, and I once asked my hometown friends why they have fought so hard to stay in big cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou and Xiamen since graduating from university.

The answers were all similar - the salary offered by SOEs in our hometown are not attractive, and the administrative style of management there is too bureaucratic.

One of the major issues that wrecked the economic growth in Liaoning, and the whole northeastern region, is the powerful function of their giant SOEs.

These enormous companies, such as Shenyang Aircraft Corp, which is part of the Aviation Industry Corp of China, and Ansteel Group, have the power to manage their own hospitals, schools, commercial properties and even police stations.

Huang Taiyan, an NPC deputy and a professor from Liaoning, told me such self-management and benefit systems have made locals believe that getting a job at one of these SOEs means having a "iron rice bowl" - a job for life.

They never expected that one day these companies would struggle with cash flow.

"Locals just want to secure a job at these SOEs. Many of them lack the nerve to establish their own business," he said.

"The majority of supporting businesses, including after-sales and transportation services, and supplies of parts and materials, have been taken over by private companies from Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces as well as from Germany and the Netherlands."

To my relief, many NPC deputies raised their voices to speak out about their concerns on this matter during the annual sessions this year. They argued that the SOE reform should stress "quality and efficiency".

Eager to enhance the province's earning ability, the central government has said pushing supply-side structural reform and making more efforts to upgrade the industrial structure and establish competitive industries are key to revitalizing Liaoning's economy.
Can China do it? This is the crucial question for the world's biggest and boldest economic, political and social experiment. At the core of understanding the country's prospects is the governance philosophy of its leader, Xi Jinping.

Xi is leading more than 1.3 billion people on a march toward the Chinese Dreambringing an end to poverty and rejuvenating a nation that has already made astonishing progress in creating prosperity.

The 63-year-old reformer has brought his own thinking to bear on problems down the road, especially after a year of tumultuous global events.

With the needs of the people his first and foremost concern, Xi's experience, commitment, determination and ability to govern and lead have become something of a rarity on the global political stage.

This year, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will elect new leaders for a five-year term, covering a crunch period for Xi's vision of a well-off nation by the Party's centenary in 2021.

China's GDP is forecast to exceed 90 trillion yuan ($13 trillion) by 2020, when the nation is expected to have a middle-class population of about 400 million.

The goal is fast approaching and will only be met if officials at all levels align their thinking with that of the central leadership and act according to Xi's "Four Comprehensives"the cornerstones of prosperity, reform, rule of law and strict Party governance. The strategy aims to lead the country to modernization and standing at the center of the world stage.

This is China's own story, one neither copied from nor imposed on any other country.

New thoughts, actions

At this year's sessions of the State legislature and political advisory body, Xi expressed his confidence: "As long as we gather the wisdom and strength of more than 1.3 billion Chinese people, there can be no limit to the success of our cause."

From being the youthful head of a poor village in northwestern China to Party chief of the nation's advanced eastern regions to leader of the nation, Xi has shown a deep understanding of governance, evident in economic and social reform, foreign affairs and military transformation.

He has led China to achieve remarkable economic growth, even though other major economies are faltering. The country contributes more than 30 percent of global economic growth.

Xi calls the current phase the new normal, from which an economy is emerging that is more sustainable and inclusive. To ensure this rebalancing succeeds, he has put forward supply-side structural reform.

Fundamentally different from the supply-side economics of the West, Xi's policy takes a harsh stance against inefficient industries and replaces them with new, innovative systems of work and production that will neither destroy the environment nor succumb if another global financial crisis hits.

China hopes to increase GDP by about 6.5 percent this year. At this rate, the nation will generate more output than it did during the days of double-digit growth.

Xi is at the wheel of a reform juggernaut, revitalizing almost every aspect of the economy and society, from the financial sector to healthcare. Changing the lives of hundreds of millions of people means the abandonment of what is no longer relevant, including the one-child policy and "re-education through labor", a method of dealing with minor offenders introduced more than 50 years ago.

He emphasizes the rule of law and checks on power, as seen in his decision to create a national supervision commission. Lawmakers are also compiling a civil code to better protect people's rights.

Xi's campaign against corruptionhe has warned that graft could destroy the Party and cause the downfall of the Statehas gained "crushing momentum". Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, at least 240 senior officials and more than 1 million lower-level officials have been investigated.

As Chinese businesspeople, tourists and students reach almost every corner of the globe, Xi sees China as not only a beneficiary of globalization, but a contributor to it. He has visited about 50 countries as head of state, pursuing his mission to build "a community of shared future".

His strong defense of free trade and warnings against protectionism have surprised and delighted observers.

China's trade relationship with the United States "supports roughly 2.6 million jobs in the US across a range of industries", according to a report in January by the US-China Business Council based in Washington.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by Xi in 2013 is expected to connect Asia with Europe and Africa. In three years, Chinese businesses have helped build 56 economic and trade cooperation zones in 20 countries along the Belt and Road routes, with total investment exceeding $18 billion. They have helped generate more than $1 billion in tax revenue and create more than 160,000 jobs.

China's commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change is also comforting and unshakable.

Code of success

Making a great country requires strong and competent leadership devoted to the fundamental interests of the people.

"China's most important successes rest on strategic planning and decision-making by the central leadership," said Zhang Weiwei, director of Fudan University's Institute of China Studies.

Unlike Western democracies, which seem increasingly obsessed with showmanship and short-term elections, China's leadership has a long-term target and is more inclined to plan for the next generation and beyond. Once the Chinese leadership makes a blueprint, it sees it through.

Poverty relief is one such example. It has been included in the work plans of the Chinese leadership for generations.

Fundamental to a well-off society, poverty alleviation efforts have helped 55 million Chinese people enjoy better lives between 2013 and 2016. The government has pledged to eradicate poverty by 2020.

Poverty alleviation is not the only matter at hand, and speed and efficiency are of the essence. When working in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province, Xi reminded officials of their duty to "take immediate action"the working style he wants to see across the country.

China's system of governance remains resilient and robust because of how it selects and mobilizes officials. A cadre is promoted only after he or she has served at various grassroots posts and acquired enough experience.

How many jobs has an official created? Where are the tangible results regarding economic and social development? Is the environment cleaner or more polluted? These key factors are considered for any promotion. Those found to be ineffective are demoted and, in some cases, penalized.

The 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) has made local officials accountable for the environmental damage they cause, even if it is discovered after they have left office.

China stresses the unity of Party leadership, people being the masters of the country and the rule of law. The approach has shown its advantage over the so-called Western model, according to Zhang at Fudan University.

Making history

The two sessions, among China's most important political events, are poised to support the next round of reform. Thousands of lawmakers and political advisers have raised suggestions on development. Crucially, the sessions have gathered a national consensus to unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee, with Xi as the core.

"Xi's core status came through his leadership in advancing the Party's great cause," said Dai Yanjun, a professor with the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

The largest modernization movement in human history has a political party with 88 million members united around a core leader. This common dream not only benefits China, but also the whole world.

The real test, however, lies ahead. Xi and his colleagues are facing a number of challenges. Few developing countries, for example, have avoided the so-called middle-income trap.

Daunting as the difficulties may be, in Xi's opinion, "History is created by the brave."
Jiao Wenyu. [Photo/Xinhua]

From losing her job as a young woman and sleeping on the street, Jiao Wenyu has come a long way to be one of China's national legislators.

In 1999, 23-year-old Jiao was laid-off and was forced to return to her home and do farm work.

Not having expected such a setback, Jiao felt humiliated and abandoned by society.

Later, Jiao read an article about housekeeping services in a newspaper and saw the opportunities. Believing this trade had a large market demand, she decided to start her own household service business.

After founding her company in Dezhou, Shandong province, she and three employees had no money to pay for accommodation and, sometimes, they slept on the street. To find potential customers, she visited a host of residential communities in the city, but after six months, the fledgling business had not secured any deals.

Jiao and her employees had to do cleaning jobs on a construction site to make ends meet. To meet the deadline, the four slept on the construction site and ate steamed buns with pickles and drank tap water.

"The hardest job is to clean the skirting board. Squatting is tiresome. When our legs were numb, we knelt on the ground to keep cleaning. After a long time, the knees were broken and we wrapped them up with plastic bag to keep working," Jiao recalled.

In return for such hardship, Jiao earned merely a few hundred yuan from the construction site - not enough to pay the salary of her workers. Seeing no future, some employees quit.

In 2001, Jiao's company was hired to clean the exterior of a building. With no employees daring to work high above the ground, she tied the rope to her body and started cleaning the wall.

"I was very scared, but that's my job," Jiao said.

The company made a small fortune from the work and established a name in the market, with more and more customers coming to them.

In 2002, Jiao's company broke into the market of commercial building cleaning. At the time, many employees complained that cleaning toilets was shameful and were reluctant to do it.

To persuade her workers, Jiao said to them: "There is no shame in making money with our own hands. We can only become rich by putting our pride aside. We women can have personal independence only after being independent economically."

She took the lead in cleaning the toilets, and gradually some employees who were initially reluctant followed.
Snow affects over 2,000 residents in NW China

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-03-15 14:29

XINING -- Persistent snow is disrupting the lives of more than 2,200 farmers and nomads in northwest China's Qinghai Province, blocking traffic and starving livestock, local authorities said Wednesday.



Eight townships in three counties, including Xunhua county, have been worst hit by the snow lingering in the region since Friday, according to the provincial civil affairs department.



In Gangca township of Xunhua, 2,085 residents are facing difficulty in traffic, and more than 62,000 sheep and cattle cannot graze, as snow has covered roads, pasture and livestock folds.



Local government workers are cleaning roads and distributing relief goods such as fodder and warm clothes to affected residents.


Beijing to strengthen regulation of online catering

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-03-15 15:41

BEIJING - Beijing pledges to strengthen regulation of online catering platforms to ensure food safety, the municipal food and drug administration said.



Supervision over the platforms will include checking business licenses and health certificates and, more importantly, the quality of ingredients and health conditions of cooks of the restaurants on the platforms, the administration announced on Wednesday, World Consumer Rights Day, also known as "3.15" in China.



Thirty-four restaurants have recently been ordered to withdraw from waimai.meituan.com, one of the most popular such platforms in China, for selling cold dishes without a license, said Li Jiang, head of the food market regulation office of the administration.



The administration will launch spot checks on food safety of the restaurants and order them to post pictures of their kitchens and cooking process on the platforms, according to Li.



A restaurant rating system will be introduced on the platforms, so that customers can choose higher rated ones, Li added.



According to statistics, Beijing has five online food ordering and delivery services, including waimai.meituan and waimai.baidu, with altogether 67,000 restaurants on them.



China has adopted strict food safety regulations in recent years, but the proliferation of kitchens and restaurants riding the e-commerce boom has made supervision more difficult.



The food safety watchdog in Ningbo City in east China's Zhejiang Province said it will introduce a supervision system for the online catering sector using big data techniques that can collect information on more than 10,000 restaurants in an hour.
Product quality inspectors destroy substandard imported goods earlier this month in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province. [Photo by WANG JIANMIN/FOR CHINA DAILY]

Quality supervision to be improved in bid to protect consumers' rights

More than 40 percent of consumer goods exported to China last year through e-commerce platforms fell short of standards, China's top quality watchdog said on Wednesday, World Consumer Rights Day.

Last year, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine conducted random quality inspections on 1,013 batches of such products, including consumer goods such as toys, paper diapers, clothing and kitchenware, with 415 found to be substandard, accounting for 40.9 percent of all sampled products, according to Han Yunping, spokesman for the administration.

In addition to meeting quality standards, imported products must be correctly labeled in Chinese, according to national regulations.

The quality of consumer goods imported through channels other than e-commerce proved to be higher, with only 29 percent falling short of standards, according to figures released by the administration.

It organized two large-scale inspections last year, involving more than 5,300 batches of imported consumer goods, such as air purifiers, car brake blocks, household electrical appliances and clothes, with more than 1,500 found to be substandard, Han said.

Last year, quality supervision authorities across China handled 36,000 cases relating to violations of laws on quality standards, involving 2.3 billion yuan's ($333 million) worth of goods, Han said.

"Quality supervision authorities at all levels must intensify quality supervision and keep cracking down on law violations to improve the quality of products and protect consumers' rights," said Mei Kebao, deputy head of the administration.

China's import and export volume through e-commerce platforms reached 4.8 trillion yuan in 2015, a 28 percent year-on-year increase, according to a report released by AliResearch, a Beijing-based e-commerce research institute. China's foreign trade volume through e-commerce channels is expected to reach 12 trillion yuan by 2020, accounting for more than one-third of the country's total foreign trade, the report said.

With online shopping booming in China, the quality of products is a top concern among consumers, according to media reports.

"Emerging industries, like shopping through overseas e-commerce channels, developed rapidly in recent years, leaving legislation and regulations lagging behind," said Li Jun, a law professor who specializes in product quality and safety at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

More supervision is needed to regulate shopping through overseas e-commerce platforms to ensure product quality and protect consumers' rights, such as setting higher thresholds for products that can be exported to China through e-commerce channels, Li said.

The e-commerce law, the draft of which is under discussion, will play an important role in regulating e-commerce development in China after it is approved, Li said.

Quality supervision authorities in China maintain supervision of cross-border e-commerce and issue risk warnings so consumers take precautions when buying products online, Zhi Shuping, head of the administration, said on Tuesday, adding that the administration is researching how to implement better supervision of the sector.
Volunteers proudly display their blood donation certificates. The China RH Union is looking for more donors to help the small number of people with rhesus negative blood in China. [Photos provided to China Daily]

Only a small number of people in China have rhesus negative blood, and a lack of supplies can be potentially life-threatening if they need an urgent transfusion. Zhou Wenting reports from Shanghai.

Xie Yingfeng recently quit his job to devote himself to an NGO that helps people with a rare blood type find donors who could potentially save their lives.

There are four human blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Each has a rhesus factor, either positive or negative. Generally, people with rhesus negative blood can only receive transfusions of their own type, while rhesus positive carriers can receive blood from both positive and negative donors.

Only three in every 1,000 Chinese has rhesus negative blood, so in the words of an old phrase they are "as rare as a panda", which has led to it being known as "panda blood". Moreover, many people have no idea whether their blood type is rhesus negative or positive until they need a transfusion.

The small number of people with rhesus negative blood means there is an equally small number of donors, which poses serious problems for people who require urgent transfusions, especially women who have postpartum hemorrhages.

Volunteers

Xie, 38, is the Shanghai regional head of the China RH Union, an NGO founded by volunteers in Beijing, most of whom have rhesus negative blood. Nationally the organization has about 4,000 members.

Every year, the Shanghai branch assists about 40 people who approach it in search of blood donations. For each case, Xie may receive as many as 200 phone calls from the patient's family, volunteers, friends and even strangers who have read online posts for donors.

"It's hard for me to do 9-to-5 office work because my phone is likely to ring constantly," said the former construction materials salesman, who is currently living on his savings, but is considering selling delicacies from his hometown of Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, to earn more money.

On a typical day, he spends hours confirming patients' requests, rushing to the hospital or calling their physicians, and accompanying volunteers when they donate blood.

"The aim behind the union is that when people of the same kind are in trouble, we can stand up for each other," said Xie, who is rhesus negative himself. In the 12 years since it was founded, the union has helped more than 3,000 people nationwide.

Having spent 12 years helping other people, Xie has become less interested in material wealth, which is another reason he quit his job.

The union was founded in 2005 by Beijing resident Wang Yong, who was deeply touched by media coverage of a rhesus negative leukemia patient who had been forced to abandon medical treatment because of a shortage of suitable donors.

Although Wang has a positive blood type, he began researching the condition and discovered that millions of people across the country are carriers: "I was an IT engineer, so I set up an online platform to make it less difficult to obtain blood for this small group."

At first, the unionwhich has branches in 26 provinces and municipalitiesreceived just one or two calls a week, but it now fields as many as 20 a day. The regional heads, who never turn off their cellphones in case they are called for help, collect information about patients, verify their medical information, post messages to volunteers via an online chat group and search for donors.

A precious resource

According to the union's rules, six months must elapse between each donation, while people recovering from a cold or who have taken medicine have to wait a week after the all-clear before they are allowed to give blood. Women who are menstruating or breastfeeding are not allowed to donate. "Most of us don't visit centers to donate blood regularly. Our resource is fairly precious, so we must make every drop count," Xie said.

According to Wang, the largest amount donated by a single volunteer was 20,000 cubic centimeters, roughly five times the volume of blood in the average adult body, which required at least 50 separate donations.

"Some volunteers have stopped smoking or drinking alcohol and going to bed late to ensure they are healthy enough to make an urgent blood donation. Some slender women have even attempted to gain weight to meet the requirement that donors must weigh at least 45 kilograms," he said.

The regional heads usually look for candidates within their home province or municipality, but sometimes volunteers rush to distant locations to donate blood.

In February, the union's branch in Anhui province was looking for donors with B negative blood for a 60-something woman who was awaiting surgery. No one could be found within the immediate locality, but Kang Huiming, a primary school teacher in Lianshui county, Jiangsu province, volunteered to help. That night she asked a friend to drive her to the hospital, six hours from her home.

"It's not about showing your benevolenceit's about saving a life," Kang said.

Although the number of members has grown gradually, some quit the union after a couple of years.

"When they first join, some people feel like they are superman and can help anybody. But if their help fails to save a life, it's hard to drag them out of the low mood," Wang said.

Xie, in Shanghai, recalled an unsuccessful attempt to save the life of a 7-year-old girl with leukemia. Having received a phone call from the girl's mother, he immediately started looking for donors. Eventually, he contacted a suitable volunteer, but the man was on a business trip to Henan province in Central China. Desperate to help, the volunteer concluded his trip, flew back to Shanghai and rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, the girl died just as he arrived.

"Many of the volunteers were sleepless that night. The volunteer who flew back even blamed himself for taking the trip," Xie said.

Others have been lured away by money. Trading in blood is illegal under Chinese law, but "black" collection and supply agencies still exist. According to Xie, 400 cc of rhesus negative blood can fetch more than 20,000 yuan ($2,900) on the black market.

Decisions and pressure

The biggest pressure Xie faces comes when he has to decide whether to ask volunteers to donate blood to someone with a minimal chance of survival.

In May, he was approached by the father of a 2-year-old boy who had double kidney failure and was about to have a transplant. The man was hoping to obtain 3,000 cc of rhesus negative blood.

"The hospital said the transplant stood very little chance of success. To provide 3,000 cc, we would have needed eight donors, but their blood might save eight other patients who have a better chance of survival," he said. Reluctantly, Xie declined the father's request. He later discovered that the parents had bought blood from illegal dealers, but the boy died during surgery.

"In such cases, I shoulder overwhelming pressure from the volunteers, the patient's family and my friends, but after all these years, I've become more rational. The truth is that we can't always provide assistance in time or help people endlessly," he said.

Wang has considered leaving the union on several occasions, but hasn't been able to bring himself to abandon the cause.

"The simple act of disseminating a message can sometimes save the life of someone who may have no other way out," he said.
Courts handling 'a boom' of Belt and Road cases

Services improved to ensure equal protection to all, senior judge says

Courts across the country are handling a rising number of foreign-related lawsuits as the Belt and Road Initiative rapidly progresses, and market players will be equally protected to ensure a fair and just environment, a vice-president from the top court said.

The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, covers the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, with the aim of creating a trade and infrastructure network to connect Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

"The initiative has brought a boom of foreign-related disputes, as well as challenges for us in case hearings," He Rong, vice-president of the Supreme People's Court, said in an exclusive interview with China Daily.

When top court President Zhou Qiang delivered his annual work report to the National People's Congress on Sunday, he asked grassroots courts to provide better legal services for the initiative by improving case hearings while handling foreign-related lawsuits this year, especially maritime and commercial cases.

Statistics from the top court provided to China Daily show that Chinese courts at all levels concluded 25,916 foreign-related cases of all types last year, up by 9.38 percent year-on-year.

"Of the total, the initiative-related disputes have increased rapidly," said He.

Since last year, more foreign-related cases have involved Asian, Middle Eastern and European countries, including Singapore, India, Malaysia, Russia and Kazakhstan, and many have focused on cross-border contract projects and international logistics, she said.

"The changes can be attributed to the further infrastructure connections, prosperous trade and more investments among the countries along the Belt and Road routes," she said.

The number of new maritime cases rose by 25.33 percent and new intellectual property cases by 49.22 percent as the initiative progressed, according to the statistics.

As the presiding judge, He Rong ordered a Greek company to pay a Chinese transportation authority 6.59 million yuan ($953,000) for breaching a salvage agreement on July 6 last year.

She overturned the original ruling by the Guangdong Provincial High People's Court, saying that the payment should be based on whether the authority provided services for the company in line with the agreement, not on whether the salvage was successful.

Zhang Wenguang, an associate researcher specializing in international law at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, applauded the case, saying He's verdict would help grassroots courts to handle similar cases.

Litigants at home and abroad can better understand Chinese courts' principles in such cases, and it is also good to improve the country's justice image, Zhang said.

Since 2013, the top court has taken various measures to improve services as the initiative is implemented.

He Rong said a series of new judicial interpretations will be on the top court's agenda this year.

"Also, we'll keep an eye on new types of cases concerning the building of the Eurasian Land Bridge, the overland rail link between East Asia and Europe, as well as disputes about free trade zones, internet finance and cross-border financing," she said.

"What we want is to provide strong legal guarantee and better legal services while our country is improving the initiative," she added.
Watchdog prowls online markets

Zhi Shuping, minister of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, speaks to reporters at the conclusion of a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday about efforts to ensure consumers receive high-quality products when they make purchases. The conference was held during the annual session of the 12th National People's Congress.[Photo by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

Quality inspectors step up search for substandard, fake goods on internet

More than 30 percent of goods sold over the internet in China were found to be substandard last year, three times the proportion of products sold offline, Zhi Shuping, head of the country's top quality watchdog, said on Tuesday.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine examined nearly 7,000 sample groups of goods sold online and more than 2,100 failed quality standards and were ordered to be removed from sale, Zhi said during a news conference on the sidelines of the annual two sessions.

In brick-and-mortar stores, more than 90 percent of goods have passed inspection for the past three years, he said.

One of the top priorities of the watchdog in recent years has been the quality of goods sold online, in part because such vendors often don't have storefronts and can be virtually anywhere. That circumstance can be exploited by some merchants to sell fake or low-quality products.

It's also because the number of online shoppers is surging, Zhi said. Their ranks had swelled to 374 million in mid-2015, according to the latest figures from the China Internet Network Information Center.

"Since last year, we've allowed seven major e-commerce players, including Alibaba's Taobao and JD.com, to have access to our database of products that have obtained a China Compulsory Certification," Zhi said. That allows them to check whether products required to have the certification before sale actually have it, he said.

Such products include home electrical appliances, home decoration materials, personal care products and kitchen appliances.

Taobao said they began a thorough screening in June, starting with child safety seats for use in vehicles. "Hundreds of thousands of products without the compulsory certification were removed from our platform," Alibaba said in a written statement.

In August, the screening expanded to all 34 product categories that need the certification.

"Nearly 200,000 products that hadn't obtained certification were intercepted before entering our online market every day," Alibaba said.

Taobao also forwarded information on those products and their sellers to the quality watchdog, officials said.

Jack Ma, Alibaba founder and chairman, suggested cracking down on the manufacturing and sale of fake products in the same way drunken driving is punished.

"I believe tremendous changes will be witnessed in intellectual property protection and food and drug safety in our country if those who sell a fake product are detained for seven days and those who manufacture such a product receive criminal punishment," he wrote on his Sina Weibo account on March 7.

Zhi said the quality watchdog has also noticed that an increasing number of Chinese are buying from overseas merchants. The agency is mulling the best way to ensure the quality of those products, too.

"Currently, we treat them as articles for personal use and conduct tests only to detect harmful organisms and prevent epidemics," Zhi said.

"If the market continues to grow, we may expand our reach into the cargo management area, which includes checking the qualifications for market access and quality supervision," he said.
Fujian takes up historic role in trade

Editor's Note: During the ongoing two sessions, China Daily talked with some of the local legislators to see how their regions are connected with the Belt and Road Initiative

Province was a base for ancient connections to overseas markets

It was from the coastal province of Fujian that many ancient Chinese started maritime expeditions, and today people from Fujian are seeking a bigger role in global trade by following the footprints of their ancestors.

Zhang Zhinan, executive vice-governor of Fujian, said the province is now connecting with the global economy under the guidance of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

The initiative, which consists of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the Silk Road Economic Belt, was proposed by China in 2013 to create a trade and infrastructure network from Asia to Europe and Africa.

Zhang said that Fujian has an inherent advantage in going global from its historical bond with overseas markets.

"In ancient times, many Fujian people traveled overseas to do business and then settled down. There are 15.8 million overseas Chinese of Fujian origin, of whom about 12 million are in Southeast Asia," he said. "Meanwhile, many expats travel to Fujian to do business. In Quanzhou city alone, there are about 50,000 people of Arab descent."

Zhang said that the ancient bond will make it easier for Fujian to connect with the countries and regions along the Belt and the Road Initiative.

Last year, Fujian province invested $2.23 billion in 96 projects in countries and regions along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

On March 2, a train from Xiamen carrying 38 containers of liquid crystal displays, worth 31 million yuan ($4.5 million), left for Lodz, Poland. It is the first Chinese train to Europe on the EU-China Smart and Secure Trade Lane, a pilot project between the EU and Asia that allows traders to quicken customs clearance with enhanced logistics, and consumers to track goods.

Xiamen is also among the 12 Chinese cities that have opened railway services to Europe and Central Asia. Since the China-EU railway route opened in Xiamen in August 2015, more than 6,000 containers of goods have been exported.

Zhang adds that Fujian has a dynamic economy and its industries complement those of many countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, so there is huge potential for economic cooperation.

Cai Jin'an, chairman of Panpan Food Group, said that the Belt and Road Initiative offers a great opportunity for Chinese companies to expand overseas markets.
China 'centerpiece' of Nielsen's global growth strategy

Yan Xuan, president of Nielsen Greater China [Photo provided to China Daily]

Q: What do you think of China's economic growth target of about 6.5 percent this year, amid the sluggish global recovery? What business opportunities do you see coming from sectors that will be opened to wider foreign investment, such as services, manufacturing and mining?

A: Though China's GDP growth has been decelerating, the basic growth driver remains powerful; consumer confidence is high, employment is healthy, income growth and the emergence of the middle class are on track and consumption keeps rising as people pursue better lives.

Consumers are opening their wallets for things that fit their stylethey are going for consumption upgrades, they want to be entertained, they have to be connected with their friends, family and colleagues 24/7. Companies riding these trends will benefit and be richly rewarded.

Q: How do you assess the role of the Chinese market in your global business strategy and layout? What are your views on China's efforts and extended preferential policies to further attract foreign investment? Do you plan to increase investment or expand your presence in the Chinese market this year?

A: China will always be the centerpiece of Nielsen's global growth strategy. In the first two decades of Nielsen's presence here, we enabled investments by multinational companies in the retail and consumption sector. Twenty years later, more Chinese companies are relying on Nielsen's insights and information for their growth and expansion.

Q: What business opportunities do you expect to see as China promotes the Belt and Road Initiative? Have you participated in, or do you plan to participate in, any projects linked with the initiative? How do you think infrastructure investment can contribute to global growth?

A: The Belt and Road Initiative will accelerate the global expansion of Chinese companies, providing a wider footprint and bigger success. It won't just be an abundance of consumer goods manufactured in China that will flow more easily to other markets and benefit more global consumers, the infrastructure required to transport these goods will be funded and built, creating a new growth engine for the world.

Q: This year, China will continue to implement supply-side reform. What does the reform mean for your business, and how will you adjust your business strategy in China to deal with it?

A: The supply-side structural reform is hugely meaningful to the Chinese consumer goods industry and consumers. Suppliers need to shift their focus from quantity to quality, and from meeting basic consumer needs to satisfying the desire and demand for the better things in life. The Made in China strategy has served the country's initial growth and development well. The Innovated and Made in China programs will ensure the country will continue to leapfrog the rest of the world.

Q: What is your opinion of China's efforts to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities and promote innovation? Will China's innovation-driven campaign spur the vitality and competitiveness of the economy?

A: Industrial Manufacturing 4.0 is the natural next phase of China's manufacturing economy, because the country has successfully built many basic capabilities. China's auto industry, the world's biggest, stands ready to meet the needs of billions of people domestically and overseas. Chinese automakers are making enormous strides in electric vehicles, hybrids and connected mobility, leveraging global and Chinese innovations. Huawei and OPPO phones are winning consumer's hearts not just because of their slick designs and precision craftsmanship, but also owing to their innovation and their own intellectual property rights.
One-China policy bedrock of US relations, Premier says

Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that the one-China policy constitutes the political foundation of China-US relations which has remained unshaken in spite of changing circumstances, nor can this relationship be undermined.

"With that foundation in place, we believe that there are broad prospects for China-US cooperation," he told an annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of National People's Congress.

China and the US are already engaged, the Premier said, in arranging a meeting between the top leaders of the two countries.

"I believe it is important for both countries to uphold strategic interests, sit down to talk to each other so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust," he said, "although it is true that there are some differences over issues like the exchange rate."

He said bilateral investment and trade had created nearly one million jobs for the US, and that the two nations should look and move forward despite challenges in the ties.
Premier urges resumption of talks over Korean Peninsula

Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday reiterated China's steadfast position to safeguarding peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and urged parties involved to de-escalate tensions and return to talks. He said China doesn't want to see "chaos at its doorstep".

Li said China, a resolute champion of the international non-proliferation system, has been implementing related UN resolutions comprehensively and strictly, and has been sticking to solving the peninsula issue through talks and achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula.

Tensions on the peninsula, even in Northeast Asia, have the potential to spark conflict and harm all parties involved, he emphasized.
Cold-War mentality is outdated approach to regional affairs, Premier says

China does not want to see any party in the Asia-Pacific region feel compelled to choose sides under the influence of a Cold-War mentality, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

The Asia-Pacific is the common home of all countries in the region, Li said, adding China believes regional affairs should be decided and handled on the merits of each case.

He said he hoped cooperation between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific region would bring opportunities to ASEAN countries, instead of trouble.

"China and the US have been cooperating for a long time in the region, for example many US multi-national firms choose to place their Asia-Pacific headquarters in China," he told a media conference at the end of the annual meeting of National People's Congress.

"We will continue to support ASEAN's community building efforts and its centrality in regional cooperation," he added.

The Premier also said China hopes that the Asia-Pacific region will be one that enjoys order and stability, a region that is able to work out issues through consensus-building consultation, properly manage differences through dialogue and has the wisdom to resolve differences.
Laid-off workers a priority as China cuts overcapacity, Premier says

Helping laid-off workers find new jobs is the most important issue for China as it works to reduce industrial overcapacity, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

"Last year, the central government set up a 100 billion yuan ($14.4 billion) fund to help workers and also asked local governments to set up similar funds," he told reporters after the close of this year's National People's Congress session. "Assistance has already been provided to 720,000 laid-off workers."

The premier said efforts to cut overcapacity will be extended this year to coal-fired power generation.

Together with the people who are still to be re-employed from 2016, he said China will need to help about 1 million workers this year.

"The key is to continue generating jobs," Li said. "Thanks to the initiative of massive entrepreneurship and innovation, many jobs have been created, while traditional drivers of growth have been upgraded, which is also generating job opportunities."

He pledged that China will continue to make effective use of central government funds and push local governments and companies to fulfill their social responsibilities.
Premier Li: Fund to boost battle against smog

A new fund will be set up to bring together top scientists to tackle air pollution, Premier Li Keqiang announced Wednesday.

"Blue skies will not be, and should not be, a luxury," he told a news conference.

He added that China will take firm steps to address coal consumption, vehicle exhaust emissions and dust.

During the two sessions, which ended on Wednesday, scientists pointed out the authorities do not yet fully understand the causes of smog. The reasons behind the air pollution in large areas of northern China in winter, for example, are unique and need more research, they said.

The fund will allow experts to tackle smog more effectively, Li said.

In this year's Government Work Report, the premier laid out five key measures and promised to win the battle against smog. However, he added that it will be a long process.
Li: Peaceful growth to bring more opportunities for Taiwan

Premier Li Keqiang reiterated that the mainland will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus as the political foundation to oppose Taiwan independence resolutely and uphold peace across the Taiwan Straits.

Li made the remarks at the news conference on Wednesday.

"Our policy towards Taiwan has been consistent and clear-cut, that is we will continue to adhere to the 1992 Consensus, which embodies one China principle, as the political foundation, oppose resolutely Taiwan independence, uphold peace across Taiwan Straits, uphold peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and safeguard the well-being of people on both sides," Li said.

Li also said that peaceful development in cross-Straits relations has brought and will continue to bring new opportunities for compatriots in Taiwan. Each year, people in Taiwan made 5 million visits across the Straits.

He reiterated that the mainland will continue to provide preferential policies to Taiwan people for them to enjoy greater convenience to live, study and work in the mainland.

"We hope people on both sides will be able to share the country's development opportunities. After all, we are family," he said.
Li upbeat about China-Russia business ties

Trade between China and Russia witnessed "a big surge" in the first two months of this year, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks at a media conference held after the closing of the National People's Congress annual session.

China's trade with Russia has been affected in recent years due to sluggish global economic recovery and the decline in international energy prices, Li said.

"I recall that last year, on the same occasion, I expressed the hope that our business relations will be able to turn the corner and achieve strong growth. Thanks to our joint efforts, this has been achieved.

The truth is that in the first two months of this year, there was actually a big surge in China-Russia trade," he said.

The Premier said this shows there is tremendous untapped potential in bilateral trade ties.

"I have confidence that the goals we set for our two-way trade can be achieved," he said.




1. U.S. acceptance of coexistence as the only alternative to atomic war.

2. U.S. willingness to capitulate in preference to engaging in atomic war.

3. Develop the illusion that total disarmament of the United States would be a demonstration of moral strength.

4. Permit free trade between all nations regardless of Communist affiliation and regardless of whether or not items could be used for war.

5. Extension of long-term loans to Russia and Soviet satellites.

6. Provide American aid to all nations regardless of Communist domination.

7. Grant recognition of Red China. Admission of Red China to the U.N.

8. Set up East and West Germany as separate states in spite of Khrushchev's promise in 1955 to settle the German question by free elections under supervision of the U.N.

9. Prolong the conferences to ban atomic tests because the United States has agreed to suspend tests as long as negotiations are in progress.

10. Allow all Soviet satellites individual representation in the U.N.

11. Promote the U.N. as the only hope for mankind. If its charter is rewritten, demand that it be set up as a one-world government with its own independent armed forces. (Some Communist leaders believe the world can be taken over as easily by the U.N. as by Moscow. Sometimes these two centers compete with each other as they are now doing in the Congo.)

12. Resist any attempt to outlaw the Communist Party.

13. Do away with all loyalty oaths.

14. Continue giving Russia access to the U.S. Patent Office.

15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States.

16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.

17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.

18. Gain control of all student newspapers.

19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.

20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.

21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.

22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."

23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."

24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.

25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.

26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."

27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a "religious crutch."

28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."

29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.

30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.

33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.

34. Eliminate the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

35. Discredit and eventually dismantle the FBI.

36. Infiltrate and gain control of more unions.

37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand.

39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.

42. Create the impression that violence and insurrection are legitimate aspects of the American tradition; that students and special-interest groups should rise up and use united force to solve economic, political or social problems.

43. Overthrow all colonial governments before native populations are ready for self-government.

44. Internationalize the Panama Canal.

45. Repeal the Connally reservation so the United States cannot prevent the World Court from seizing jurisdiction over nations and individuals alike.
NPC deputy focuses on salary problems of migrant workers

A plasterer from East China's Shandong province has focused on timely payment of wages to migrant workers since her election as an NPC deputy three years ago.

"Ensure the law fully functions as the protector of the rights and interests of anyone in employment," Chen Xueping, 49, copied this line from the Government Work Report into her notebook to inspire her to do justice to her work and to those whose causes are close to her heart.

Chen started helping laborers before she even became the deputy. In fact, as early as 2012 when she was awarded the Labor Day Medal, she was contacted by some migrant workers seeking her help in safeguarding their legal rights. More began coming to her since she became an NPC deputy and made her telephone number public.

But last year there was a drop in people seeking her help. "Most people who sought my help got their wages back. And now many workers are aware of their rights. We are seeing signing of more labor contracts and instances of employers holding back salaries have come down."

This year, she submitted a six-page suggestion based on her experiences and field research in the past three years. "I have listed the main problems and elaborated on the root causes and suggested countermeasures," said Chen.

During her field research, she found that the causes were very complex. One of the main reasons for wage arrears is the shortage of money. So she suggested, "Effective supervision should be conducted to ensure that funding for project is in place. Projects that do not have enough funding should be halted during bidding process."

She also suggested that individual income tax threshold should be raised to 5,000 yuan ($723) to ensure migrant workers can enjoy better living standard as costs are rising.

When asked how she rated her work as an NPC deputy, she replied: "In the first year, I was very nervous to speak my mind. Now I'm much more comfortable with my role and think I should learn more to perform my duties better."
China must accelerate reforms to contribute more to global growth, says economist

China will continue to contribute to global growth amid its increased efforts to speed up economic reforms, but the further potential of the US should not be underestimated as it is still an important global economic engine, although it has been performing under par, according to a leading European economist.

"China's contribution to global growth remains strong in spite of a slowdown in growth in past years," said Fredrik Erixon, director of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy during an interview with China Daily.

He said: "China can certainly continue to grow at current rates but for sustained growth it needs to accelerate reforms and the economic transition."

Statistics from the International Monetary Fund show that in 2011-2016, China's contributed roughly 25-30 percent of global economic growth.

Last year, China's economy achieved 6.7 percent year-on-year growth while Premier Li Keqiang has announced this year's growth target will be approximately 6.5 percent, leaving enough room to fulfill structural reforms.

Erixon said since 2012 China had been radically implementing a structural shift in growth sources, moving away from investment and export-led growth to new growth driven by services and consumption.

Fredrik Erixon, director of the Brussels-based European Centre for International Political Economy. [Photo provided to China Daily]

He said part of that was the reform portfolio, aiming to unleash China's domestic economic potential by opening up more competition.

Erixon added that productivity and innovation were also key aspects of China's reform program, but the government saw the issue in terms of 'input', improving skills and education, for example.

Compared with China, Erixon said the US was an important engine for global growth, but it is performing below expectations.

He said: "The US economy is surrounded by exceptional uncertainty about the future conditions for doing business in the country."

Though the US is still the biggest economy in the world, its growth rate has been unsatisfactory in recent years and its contribution to global growth remains low.

As to the cooperation between China and EU, Erixon maintained that it was now vital to speed up the negotiations over a bilateral investment treaty.

He said: "That will unlock many other opportunities."
From overseas media: Li's press conference

Foreign media paid close attention to comments of Premier Li Keqiang when he held a news conference at the end of the two sessions in Beijing on Wednesday. His response to questions on China-US ties, Korean Peninsula and economic growth made headlines in overseas press.

China-US relations

The Chinese premier said his country's leadership now felt optimistic that the future of US-China relations was "bright".

--The Guardian

China's premier, Li Keqiang, presented an optimistic picture of relations with the Trump administration on Wednesday, arguing that the two sides would be able to overcome their smoldering tensions over trade imbalances, currency policy and geopolitical disputes across Asia.

--New York Times

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the need for healthy Sino-US relations and reiterated his country's stability across various sectors, including the economy, financial markets and foreign policy, at a Wednesday news conference.

Li said that Beijing and Washington should strengthen dialogue to resolve differences and achieve common ground on trade relations. "China doesn't want to see a trade war with the US," Li said.

In a potential reference to Trump's controversial stance on free trade, Li said Beijing supported globalization and is committed to opening up its economy.

--CNBC

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Chinese leaders "don't wish to see a trade war" with Washington and promised Wednesday to open its state-dominated economy wider to foreign investment and trade.

The two giant economies should "uphold strategic interests," said Premier Li at a news conference held following the close of the annual legislative meeting.

"We don't wish to see a trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldn't make our trade fairer," said Li.

--Associated Press

Free trade agreements

China has championed free trade and globalization, and while there have been issues with the process, the country is ready to work with other nations to improve the international governance system, Li said.

--Bloomberg News

Asked about China's role in global free trade, as the US retreated from agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Li said China would continue to open its economy and welcomed progress in regional trading arrangements.

--The Sydney Morning Herald

Korean Peninsula issue

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Wednesday for all parties to return to talks amid rising tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

He acknowledged the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia in general, saying any conflict would be disastrous for all sides.

"So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to deescalate the situation, get issues back on the track of dialogue and work together to find proper solutions," Li said at his annual news conference held on the final day of the annual legislative session.

--Associated Press

Economic growth

This year's work report, presented on March 5, set the nation's 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) target at 6.5 percent, below 2016's year goal of between 6.5 and 7 percent.

Li defended the 2017 target on Wednesday, saying the figure was not low and will not be easy to meet amid domestic and external risks. But the country still has plenty of policy tools at its disposal and will push ahead with reforms, he added. "It's time to stop talking about a China economic hard landing."

--CNBC
Top legislature adopts key documents, ends session

NPC deputies cast their votes at the closing of their annual plenary session in the Great Hall of the People on Wednesday. Liu Zhen / China News Service

China's top legislature concluded its 11-day annual plenary session on Wednesday after adopting a number of key documents, paving the way for the country's development in the coming year.

Of the 2,838 deputies to the National People's Congress who attended the closing ceremony, the overwhelming majority voted in favor of these documents, including the Government Work Report, the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, the work reports of the top court and top procuratorate and the General Provisions of the Civil Law.

Other documents approved by the lawmakers included the 2017 national economic and social development plan and the 2017 central and local budgets.

The decision on the quota and election of deputies to the 13th NPC, and the methods for electing deputies to the 13th NPC from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, were also passed with high support.

During this year's legislative session, national lawmakers filed 514 motions: 492 on legislation, 16 on NPC supervision and six on other issues, according to the NPC.

In his closing remarks, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, hailed the achievements made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Xi Jinping as the core since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012.

Zhang called for maintaining a high degree of consistency with the CPC Central Committee in thoughts, politics and actions, upholding the authority of the CPC Central Committee and its centralized and unified leadership, and faithfully implementing the Party's policies and the CPC Central Committee's decisions.

The people's congress system, a fundamental institutional arrangement that integrates the principles of upholding the Party's leadership, people as the master of the country, and the rule of law, demonstrates the characteristics and advantages of China's socialist democracy, according to an editorial published by Xinhua on Tuesday.

China Daily  Xinhua
Beijing, Manila have huge potential for cooperation if disputes 'set aside'

China welcomes Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's move to allow Chinese research ships to enter waters close to the Philippines where Chinese survey ships were spotted last year, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Tuesday ahead of a senior official's trip to Manila.

China fully respects the Philippines' continental shelf rights over Benham Rise, and such rights have never been challenged by China, spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news conference.
Graduates of the University of Auckland attend their graduation ceremony in May 2012 in Auckland. [Photo/VCG]

Two New Zealand universities will host new government-funded research institutes to bolster understanding of the Asia-Pacific region, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

The Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence at the University of Auckland and Wellington's Victoria University will specialize in the languages, cultures, politics and economics of countries or groups of countries in the region, says Goldsmith.

Auckland will lead a group of universities in the North Asia center, covering China, Japan and South Korea, while Victoria will lead two centers, one focusing on Southeast Asia and one on Latin America.

"They are an important and strategic investment in New Zealand's future. So much of our trade, tourism and migration is focused on the Asia-Pacific region. It makes sense to deepen our understanding of it," Goldsmith says in a statement.

As well as teaching about and researching the countries, each institute will be mandated to help learners, exporters, and government agencies improve their understanding of the countries and their languages.

"The new CAPEs will provide initiatives and programs of use to small and medium enterprises wanting to grow their understanding of the Asian and Latin American markets," says Goldsmith.

"The centers will also help individuals better prepare to do business and connect with the Asia-Pacific region."

The government allocated the CAPE program NZ$34.5 million ($23.83 million) over four years in last year's budget.

The North Asia and Southeast Asia institutes will use the expertise of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, which welcomed the announcement, saying too many New Zealanders lacked confidence in engaging with Asia.

"For example, we've seen the number of secondary students learning Asian languages drop by a third in the past decade," foundation executive director Simon Draper says in a statement.

"If we are to succeed in Asia, we need to move beyond our current transactional approach, and invest time and resources in understanding what makes Asian countries tick. We need to build sustainable relationships based on an understanding of each other's cultures, histories and economies."

The University of Auckland's existing North Asian centers and institutes include the Confucius Institute, jointly established by the University of Auckland, Fudan University in Shanghai and the Office of Chinese Language Council International, based in Beijing; and the New Zealand Centre at Beijing's Peking University, which was launched in 2007 as a joint initiative of the two universities.
[Photo provided to China Daily]

A group of young Chinese artists, who are children of traditional Chinese art masters, are following in their families' footstepssometimes differentlyas they try to make names for themselves.

Qiu Jirong has a famous grandfather, who passed away before he was born.

His grandfather, Qiu Shengrong (1915-71), was one of the best known Peking Opera artists, who has a performance style named after him.

Qiu Jirong's father, Qiu Shaorong, who died of lung cancer at 39, was also a major Peking Opera performer.

But such a lineage can also be a burden as Qiu Jirong, 32, says: "It's a double-edged sword to be an artist with a family in the same business, especially when the earlier generations achieved so much success.

"People have expectations of you. And what you achieve is often ignored or compared with your more famous family members."

At 9, Qiu Jirong was enrolled at a professional Peking Opera school in Beijing and after graduation from the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts, he joined the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing, playing many leading roles and winning awards.

As a child, he once cried because his father painted the Peking Opera mask on his face, which may look scary to children.

To stand out among his peers, he used to kick his legs hundreds of times and jump as high as he could.

However, he is still best known as the grandson of Qiu Shengrong.
Types 2017 exhibition runs until March 25. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Types 2017, a touring exhibition which showcases the beauty of and creativity involved in type design, is now underway at the Advertising Museum of China at Beijing's Communication University of China.

The exhibition comprises four sections. One focuses on the evolution of kaishu (the regular script) by showing stone rubbings of the calligraphy of old masters such as Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing and Ouyang Xun, and prints and tools that illustrate the use of kaishu in everyday life; it also features a selection of Chinese character types developed by fonts developer Founder, which has organized the exhibition.

The second section is the TDC 62 Traveling Exhibition showcasing the works of more than 300 type design winners from the New York Type Directors Club's 62th annual competition. Founded in 1946, TDC promotes typography.

The third section features dozens of international posters and the fourth has documents from the collection of Berlin-based researcher and designer Jan Middendorp that show the variety of Latin types.

The exhibition was opened on March 11 together with the launch of Founder's new type designs. Meanwhile, the company has launched its ninth type design competition.

The exhibition, which is on until March 25, will travel to other cities including Shanghai, Nanjing and Xi'an.

Related:

Paintings reveal progress of 3 artists in new show

Seal engraving conveys Chinese characters' beauty
Women play full role at two sessions

By Zhao Xiao (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-03-13

Female delegates exchange views during a panel discussion in Beijing on Mar 8. [Photo/people.cn]

Female delegates from Inner Mongolia put forward proposals for policies and laws during the NPC and CPPCC meetings held in Beijing.

In recent years, more female delegates have engaged in legislative and political advisory sessions, with the purpose of representing local people by raising proposals and helping build a better society.

Regional officials and female delegates mark International Womens Day on Mar 8. [Photo/people.cn]
Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), presides over the second plenary meeting of the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, capital of China, March 12, 2017. The first and second plenary meetings of the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th National Committee of the CPPCC were held in Beijing on March 10 and March 12, respectively. [Photo/Xinhua]

The annual sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body this year have drawn much international attention.

The world seems to be looking to China for answers to many of the problems beyond its borders, and of the more than 3,000 registered journalists covering the two sessions, nearly 1,300 have been from overseas.

The hopes that China can play a more active role in global governance are well-founded. While protectionism, populism and anti-globalization are leading to confusion and adding concerns amid the slow recovery of the world economy, China has stood firm for free trade and globalization. Which bodes well for the global economy, as it contributed more than 30 percent of the global growth last year.

As the curtain falls on the fifth plenary session of the 12th National People's Congress on Wednesday, the meeting of the country's top legislature has conveyed ample reasons for the world to have confidence in China.

In the Government Work Report delivered at the opening of the session on March 5, Premier Li Keqiang reaffirmed China's commitment to advancing a new round of opening-up to embrace the international market. He also promised the country will continue to open more service sectors to foreign capital and level the playing field for domestic and foreign companies to compete on fair terms. "China's opening door will not close again," as President Xi Jinping said at a panel discussion hosted by the NPC Shanghai delegation that day.

The opening door has also allowed Chinese companies to go abroad, bringing with them capital and technologies and creating local jobs.

China invested $14.53 billion last year in more than 53 countries along the routes of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which Xi proposed in 2013 to bolster trade and infrastructure connectivity with countries mainly in Asia, Africa and Europe.

It is no surprise that many nations view the Belt and Road Initiative as a new form of globalization which is more inclusive, fairer and mutually beneficial.

The new thoughts and actions of Xi's governance philosophy are revitalizing and renewing China's economy and rejuvenating the nation, a common dream of 1.3 billion Chinese people whose realization will not only benefit themselves but also the whole world.

As Xi has said, all countries are a closely knit community of shared destiny. China is now willing and has the capability to share with the world the benefits of its development.
The top scorer in 2015 national college entrance exam in Chongqing. [Photo/IC]

MINISTER OF EDUCATION Chen Baosheng said during a news conference on Sunday that China needs great masters like Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison as well as talents like Lu Ban, a famous carpenter about 2,000 years ago. Legal Evening News commented on Tuesday:

Before the national college entrance exams, the public's attention is concentrated on the exams. After the results of the exams are released, the focus shifts to the top graduates. And after the graduation season, the employment rate of the college graduates is the issue that attracts attention. Missing from this spotlight on higher education is vocational education.

However, statistics show the achievements in the field of vocational training are quite outstanding: more than 95 percent of vocational trainees at the secondary school level find their jobs immediately after graduation, and more than 90 percent of trainees at higher vocational schools find jobs on graduation.

Some may argue that universities should be the soil for nurturing Einsteins and employment shouldn't be their aim. But the difficulty for universities nowadays, as East China Normal University professor Gao Shu has said, is the mediocre performance and a lack of accomplishment after graduation of many college students, for whom a better choice would have been going to a vocational school.

In this regard, over the years, the shortage of young people with high skills and practical abilities has become obvious in the labor market. It has even affected China's progressing from a manufacturing country to a manufacturing power.

Highly skilled talents do not have to be graduates with doctorial degrees, but graduates from a variety of specialized schools and higher vocational and technical schools.

There is a lot of space for these schools to develop.
Flowers blossom at Sangke Grassland in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Gansu, on July 16, 2016. [Photo/IC]

IN ORDER TO BETTER PROTECT its important ecological areas, China introduced a list of national key ecological functional zones in 2013. By September last year, the number of zones on the list was 676. However, many of the national key ecological functional zones are in poorer counties that need more financial assistance to manage and protect the zones. Beijing News on Tuesday commented:

The national list of key ecological functional zones shows the central government's firm determination to protect key ecological areas.

However, it should also be noted that even after their inclusion on the list some counties have not received any additional funds to protect and manage these areas. Some of these counties are quite poor, and without additional funding and support from the higher authorities it is rather difficult for them to manage and protect the ecological functional zones as they are supposed to.

Therefore, although a county has to meet higher standards of ecological protection when put on the list, in reality, the higher standards are illusory because many counties lack the necessary financial capabilities to meet the standards.

In order to solve that, higher authorities must better coordinate and increase the funds provided to the counties for the protection of key ecological functional zones.

More important, provincial-level governments need to make more detailed plans for the lower levels of government and mobilize the resources needed for them to meet the standards.

At the State level, various ministries must recognize that maintaining the health of the ecological functional zones is not the job of the Ministry of Environmental Protection alone. Merely listing counties with ecologically important areas is not enough. What is needed is money and other resources.

All these call for the co-working of multiple ministries instead of one. Only with the efforts of all will the list of national key ecological functional zones be more than just a list of places.
Premier Li Keqiang called for the construction of more sponge cities to solve urban flooding in the Government Work Report he delivered to the nation's top legislature on March 5 during its annual session.

It is the first time that sponge cities have been included in the central government's work report.

A sponge city is an environment-friendly concept in city planning that attaches great significance to the underground pipe network design and construction so that rainwater can be collected and recycled for multiple uses. Urban flooding has occurred in 180 cities in China each year on average from 2014 to 2016.

Although the central authority proposed to build sponge cities in 2015 and set an ambitious goal of 80 percent of China's urban area being a "sponge" by 2030the overall investment is estimated at 1.6 trillion yuan ($232 billion) and progress has been bitterly slow, with only 30 cities earmarked and supported by the central government as pilot cities to try the idea in practice.

But the report says the government will construct underground pipe networks of more than 2,000 kilometers this year and initiate a three-year plan to prevent flooding and eradicate waterlogging in urban areas.

Analysts said writing the sponge city into the Government Work Report means the central authorities will set aside more funds to support this endeavor and encourage investors to help fund the upgrading and expansion of underground pipe networks.

Huge amounts of investment are required. If carried out nationwide, sponge cities will become a robust engine for growth and promote the development of relevant industries.
Tourists ride camels on the Mingsha Sand Dunes during a visit to Crescent Moon Spring on the outskirts of Dunhuang county of northwest China's Gansu province. [Photo/China Daily]

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will pay a state visit to China from March 15 to 18.

Why is this visit so important? It is necessary to indicate that the timing of the visit of King Salman to Beijing constitutes the most important output for both sides.

The visit follows the swearing-in of United States President Donald Trump and the establishment of a new US administration with trends different from those prevailing in Washington for a long time, notably in handling international issues. China and Saudi Arabia decided to cooperate directly in serving their common interests and meeting their mutual needs. Consequently, the opportunity has been made available for further cooperation and joint action. The upcoming period is expected to witness more significant cooperation and deeper partnership between Riyadh and Beijing.

Another reason for the importance of the visit is the state of certainty with respect to the strategic crossways between the two sides. Such strategic interaction may serve as a starting point for bolstering relations between Riyadh and Beijing.

The diversity of Saudi Arabia's future economic landscape may render the partnership between the two countries more viable and more sustainable. Riyadh does not want to build an oil-focused relationship with China. Rather, it wishes to see Beijing as a partner at multiple levels, including nuclear energy, technology and military industries. Oil may no longer continue to constitute the core of Saudi-Chinese economic relationship in view of the drop in its prices and also as Russia became the top oil supplier for China in 2016, thereby exceeding Saudi Arabia's supply.

The third point pertains to the security cooperation being extended from cooperation in counter-terrorism to cooperation in the field of defence. Beside the conclusion of an agreement for setting up a mechanism for consultation on issues related to counter-terrorism, the Saudi and Chinese special armed forces also held a joint exercise called "Exploration 2016" in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, last year.

Furthermore, Beijing voiced the desire to bolster its military ties with Saudi Arabia and take them to higher levels. The desire was expressed by the Chinese defence minister who appeared last September joining hands with Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a gesture of cohesion between the two sides.

Challenges may appear but they may be overcome by both sides' desire to take their relations to a level more appropriate with the international situations. The two countries are capable of making such a shift by means of an unprecedented cultural openness between them. They are both qualified for such a role because they belong to the East with its embodied values and common principles. It is true that each country has its own unique characteristics but such particularity shall in no way create a state of alienation.

At the Davos conference in January, President Xi Jinping called for taking advantage of economic globalization/globalized economy.

The opportunity for China is to make the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) the icon for globalized interaction among peoples and move forward toward open-mindedness.

Saudi Arabia has announced its ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which aims to reduce the Saudi economys dependence on oil. In this regard, the Belt and Road Initiative can be highly complementary to Vision 2030, especially because 2030 is the year, according to World Bank data, when China will lead the global economy.

The author is a former editorial writer at Alriyadh Newspaper.
President Xi Jinping takes the podium on the first day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan 172017. [Photo/Agencies]

At a time when US and European leaders are losing confidence in the future, China's President Xi Jinping has boldly embraced it. This paradox, however, is the natural outgrowth of decades of successful economic policies in China contrasted with increasingly discredited and failed ones in the West.

Xi's comments to address the necessity of continuing opening-up during the annual sessions of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, the country's top political advisory body, are of the greatest importance. They show China remains committed to peace and the expansion of global trade and investment.

The contrast with the unpredictable policies of the Donald Trump administration in the United States and the uncertainty sweeping the major countries in Western Europe could not be greater.

Britain, traditionally the US' closest partner in Western Europe rocked the entire European Union last year with "Brexit", demanding full withdrawal from the bloc. And since the outcomes of the elections in France and Germany are unpredictable, the two major EU economies look at an uncertain future.

Uncertainty has also roiled other major countries in Northeast Asia. The Republic of Korea's political stability has been rocked by the impeachment and removal of Park Geun-hye as president. In Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe continues to encourage potentially reckless nationalist and rearmament policies.

China cannot ignore the potential fallout from such political storms and possible momentous policy changes in other major countries and economies around the world. However, Xi continues to make clear that his priority goals remain to raise the standards of living of the Chinese people through sensible and constructive free market policies. And those policies are still working. China's projected 6.5 percent growth rate this year, though lower than its extraordinary rates in the recent past, remains unattainable and dearly envied by Japan and the US alike.

Xi's pledge to continue opening-up is not just a recommitment to past policies of stability and growth that have worked so well for so long; it also signals China's growing role as the locomotive of the world economy and its growing leadership role across Asia.

These remarkable developments are now inevitable: They are the natural outgrowth of China's economic and social policies consistently pursued now for close to four decades.

As I documented in my 2012 book That Should Still be Us, there is no substitute for the consistent encouragement and expansion of a country's primary industrial and manufacturing base. High-tech, so-called clean and intellectually prestigious sectors like the Silicon Valley are obviously of very great importance, but they cannot substitute for primary production and industrial capacity.

US leaders over the past two generations forgot this most elementary truth taught across the centuries in economic history. China's leaders took those lessons to heart and continue to apply them well.

China's policies continue to bring enormous benefits not only to its own people but also to hundreds of millions of people in other continents. China's continued economic growth is already the prime force driving economic growth and rising prosperity across sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asian countries. It is rapidly becoming comparatively important across Latin America as well.

China's current stability and continued commitment to international cooperation, peace and economic growth is therefore rooted in decades of successful domestic policies focused on raising the standards of living of her own people. The contrast between the positive results of these policies and the setbacks and instability in other countries should be evident.

The author is a senior fellow at the Global Policy Institute in Washington.
People gather to protest the land swap contract between the military and Lotte Group in Seoul, South Korea, Feb 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG]

The unprecedented ruling of the Republic of Korea's constitutional court on Friday made Park Geun-hye the first president to be removed from office after impeachment. The ROK has to complete a presidential by-election within 60 days, and the next president faces the formidable task of righting the wrongs of the Park administration.

From a geopolitical perspective, the decision to deploy a US missile defense system tops the series of mistakes committed by Park during her four years in office. The move caused China-ROK relations to plummet to the lowest level since the establishment of diplomatic ties between them.

The ROK's retail giant Lotte Group agreed to a land swap deal with the government on Feb 28 paving the way for the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system in the country. In fact, a part of the THAAD battery and other related equipment have already reached the ROKon March 6, to be precise.

With the ROK expediting the process of deploying the US missile shield under the pretext of guarding against the military threat from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, its ties with China have soured further. As China was forced to take necessary countermeasures, more and more consumers have shunned retail stores operated by Lotte in China.

By jumping on the ROK government's bandwagon to help deploy THAAD, Lotte has crossed the bottom line of business operations and ethics. Therefore, it is only natural that its businesses in China have suffered a heavy blow.

Yet the severe consequences of THAAD's deployment go far beyond the economic and trade fields, for it poses a threat to the security of countries in the region, including China. One country's security apparatus should not threaten, let alone sabotage, those of other countries. This is the overriding principle defining international relations. And history warns us that even one misstep in this regard could push friendly countries to the brink of crisis.

The excuse used by the ROK to deploy THAAD does not hold water. Even ROK citizens know the US anti-missile system can only intensify tensions with the DPRK and thus make the country more insecure.

The developments on the Korean Peninsula in recent months show that responding to an arms threat with a counter-threat will not ease the long-standing hostility between the two neighbors. In fact, it could only break the established strategic equilibrium in the region.

Although both Washington and Seoul refuse to concede that the deployment of THAAD poses a severe threat to China's security interests, there is no denying that it could be used to spy on Chinese territory.

The anti-missile system can detect the launch of a single or a few missiles as far as 3,000 kilometers away, George Nelson Lewis, a physicist and expert on missile defense at Cornell University's Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, was quoted last week by the London-based Financial Times as saying.

If that were even half true, it would mean a large part of Chinese territory would be under THAAD's surveillance. No country will tolerate such an act of blatant infringement on its national security. As such, the next ROK president will have to face other countries' backlash against Park's THAAD policy, which has already thwarted the healthy development of Beijing-Seoul ties.

A sensible approach for Seoul would be to mitigate the THAAD security threat to China by canceling the wrong decision or at least postponing its deployment permanently. The ousting of Park has created an opportunity to change the THAAD policy, and the next ROK president should seize this opportunity so that its ties with China can be repaired, because amiable Beijing-Seoul relations will benefit both countries.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily.

wanghui@chinadaily.com.cn
China and the United States are maintaining close communication on bringing about exchanges between their presidents and at other levels, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

Media reports on Monday said the two presidents would hold their first summit next month.

"Both sides highly value enhancing high-level and other levels of exchanges between the two countries," she said at a daily news conference in Beijing. "We will release further information in a timely manner," Hua said.

The White House said on Monday that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping was in the works.

"Planning is ongoing for a visit between President Trump and President Xi at a date to be determined," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told a news briefing on Monday afternoon.

"We're not ready to confirm that, and we will have more details," he added.

"Any meeting between the presidents of the United States and the People's Republic of China would necessarily cover a broad range of topics of mutual concern."

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a news conference last week that the China-US relationship is transitioning steadily and developing in a positive direction, due to the intense communication and joint efforts of both sides.

"There is no reason why China and the US could not become excellent partners, as long as we act on the consensus reached by our presidents, follow the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his first trip to Asia on Wednesday since becoming Trump's top diplomat about a month ago. The three-nation tour will bring him to China on March 18, after visiting Japan and South Korea.

Also on Monday, Susan Thornton, acting US assistant secretary of state of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Tillerson's trip will, to some extent, be "paving the way" for high-level meetings between the two presidents.

"As you've seen from the communications between the two presidents themselves, there has been talk about their early meeting," she said.

Thornton said Tillerson will meet with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang. He will also hold talks with State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang.

She said the discussion will likely cover the areas of cooperation that "we're looking to continue to pursue, to continue to discuss and make progress on".

Tillerson will try to set out a work plan for the bilateral relationship in the new administration, she said.

Contact the writer at mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
A demonstrator wears a European Union themed T-shirt during a protest in favour of amendments to the Brexit Bill outside the Houses of Parliament, in London, Britain, March 13, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

STRASBOURG - On the eve of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Rome Treaty which formed the European Economic Community that preceded the European Union (EU), leaders are scheduled to debate the future of the bloc on Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Maltese Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech will join Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to debate the outcomes of the 9-10 March European Council meeting, and discuss the "Rome Declaration".

For many observers, the discussion will be a debate on the future of the European Union, following a similar discussion that European Council meeting earlier this month, as well as the publishing of a European Commission White Paper outlining five possible scenarios for Europe after the conclusion of Brexit negotiations.

With the British House of Lords passing the Brexit bill late on Monday evening and paving the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to formally launch the divorce negotiations, European unity has been under exceptional pressure.

In his first address to the European Council summit as President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani had underlined the need for union.

"Today more than ever we can see how important European unity is," he told fellow leaders on March 9.

On Wednesday's debate with MEPs, though, EU leaders are likely to be faced with difficult questions as parliamentarians representing all 28 current member states -- including Britain -- and the full spectrum of political parties are likely to want more detailed assurances on the future of the bloc.
US President Donald Trump looks up during a meeting about healthcare at the White House in Washington, US, March 13, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

WASHINGTON  The White House says President Donald Trump made more than $150 million in income in 2005 and paid $38 million in income taxes that year.

The acknowledgement came as MSNBC host Rachel Maddow said she has obtained part of Trump's 2005 tax forms, and prepared to discuss the document on her Tuesday night show.

The records have become highly sought-after because Trump refused to release his returns during the campaign, breaking a decades-long tradition. He claimed he was under audit.

The White House pushed back pre-emptively Tuesday night, saying that publishing those returns would be illegal.

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," the White House said in a statement.

Trump long insisted the American public wasn't interested in his returns and said little could be learned from them. But Trump's full returns would contain key details about things like his charitable giving and how much he made each year.

The issue a major point of attack from his rival Hillary Clinton, who suggested Trump had something to hide.

The White House has not said whether or not the president plans to release his returns while he's in office.

AP
After nearly five rocky years as CEO of Yahoo, Marissa Mayer will be leaving her post with something of a tarnished image.

As Yahoo continued to struggle under her tenure, so did Mayer's reputation as someone who could run a top-tier company. And that is likely to affect the jobs she'll look at taking on next.

"I think she'll end up on the boards of directors of several companies, but probably will not receive an offer to head up a top company anytime soon," said Dan Olds, an analyst with OrionX. "Her tenure at Yahoo has tarnished her brand, and it will need to be rehabilitated a bit before she gets another shot at the top slot in another tech firm."

News broke early Monday that once Yahoo sells its core Internet assets, Mayer will vacate her CEO position with the remaining holding company. She will leave the company with a $23 million severance package. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mayers severance package is dependent on a successful transition during the sale and as long as she is not terminated with cause.

The SEC filing on Friday reported that after the sale is complete, Thomas J. McInerney, 52, will take over as CEO of the new holding company, to be renamed Altaba. He has been a member of Yahoo's board since April 2012. The company reported in January that Mayer would resign from the company board once the deal closed.

Yahoo announced the deal with Verizon last July. The sale is expected to close in the second quarter. Its also not clear whether Mayer will have a spot with the part of the company that is being sold to Verizon.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

Expectations were high when Mayer, who had been a top-line executive at Google, first took over as Yahoo's CEO in the summer of 2012.

Even as she was stepping into her new role, industry analysts were clear that Mayer had a tough job ahead of her. She was the company's third CEO in less than a year.

Despite the challenge, Mayer, who had often been the public face of Google, inspired confidence that Yahoo could be turned around and once again live up to its beginnings as an Internet pioneer.

For a while, it seemed Mayer was making headway at Yahoo, and there were predictions that she might pull off an "epic turnaround."

But Yahoo didn't rise up to a level where it competed head-to-head with the likes of Facebook and Google.

Jeff Kagan, an independent industry analyst, said Yahoo had been in a tumultuous state before Mayer arrived, and it was in too much trouble to save.

"She was not a success at Yahoo but I'm not sure anyone could have been," he said. "It's impossible to say what would have worked since so many CEOs have tried so many different strategies and nothing worked."

Rob Enderle, an analyst with the Enderle Group, had a different, and less flattering, take on Mayer's tenure.

"She was poorly matched to the job from day one," Enderle said. "It wasn't that she didn't work hard. She just lacked the needed skills to execute a turnaround, and the Yahoo board was no apparent help, either."

Mayer did have some missteps In early 2013  less than a year after she had taken over at Yahoo  Mayer was criticized for issuing a memo that called the company's telecommuters back into the office.

An even bigger problem was that Mayer was unable to stabilize the company's financials and a stream of acquisitions were made that didn't boost the company as expected.

"Mayer joined Yahoo with a lot of positive press and momentum, which faded over time," Olds said. "During her tenure, she bought 53 companies for more than $2.3 billion, the vast majority of which have had their personnel absorbed into Yahoo while their products have been killed. Thus, it's hard to point to anything positive that has come from her tenure at Yahoo. For example, its $1.1 billion acquisition of Tumblr was eventually written down by more than $700 million, adding little to Yahoo."

Talk of a reorganization or splitting up the company began to swirl later in 2015.

Enderle noted that the company was lucky that Yahoo made the deal with Verizon before news of its major 2014 security breach came to light last fall.

Kagan agreed.

"Fortunately, Verizon wanted Yahoo for its users not for its technology," he said. "She was fortunate to get the Verizon acquisition done in the middle of all the chaos and security problems I think her performance would have been judged better had there not been so many security problems at the end."

Clarification: This story has been updated since it was originally posted to add conditions for Mayer to receive her severance package and that it's unclear what if any role she will have in the portion of Yahoo that's being acquired by Verizon.
SEOUL - South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday notified former President Park Geun-hye of the date of her appearing in the prosecution office for questioning.

Park will be summoned at 9:30 am local time (0030 GMT) on March 21, according to local media reports. Park's legal team has reportedly said she would actively cooperate with the prosecution office's investigation.

Park has stayed in her private home in a southern district of Seoul since she vacated the presidential Blue House on Sunday night.

The constitutional court unanimously upheld the motion to impeach Park on Friday, about three months after the motion was passed in the parliament by an overwhelming majority.

Park became the first South Korean leader to be removed from office through impeachment.

State prosecutors have taken over the probe into the corruption scandal embroiling Park from special prosecutors, which ended their 90-day investigation on Feb. 28.

Park has been identified by prosecutors as an accomplice to her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil, who is now in custody for multiple charges including bribery and abuse of power.

Park is accused of conspiring with Choi to receive bribes in return for supporting the 2015 merger of two affiliates of Samsung Group, South Korea's biggest family-controlled conglomerate.

The merger was extremely crucial to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Samsung's heir apparent, to inherit the management control from his ailing father Lee Kun-hee who has been hospitalized for almost three years.

The former leader is also charged with colluding with Choi to extort tens of millions of U.S. dollars from business conglomerates to establish two nonprofit foundations Choi used for personal gains.

Park had denied all the charges, refusing to be investigated by both state and special prosecutors when she was the head of state.

As she is now a civilian, Park can forcibly be taken into custody if she refuses the summoning without any specific reason.
Pakistan's military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor (left) and Pakistani ambassador to China Masood Khalid attend a news conference at Pakistani embassy in Beijing on Tuesday. [Photo by Wang Qingyun/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Pakistani military will provide whatever support is required to ensure the security of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a Pakistani officer said on Tuesday.

Pakistan's military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor said in a news conference in the Pakistan embassy in Beijing that the Pakistani army has constructed nearly 900 kilometers of road, "which is one of the basic prerequisites to activate the CPEC."

The economic corridor, the planning of which started in 2013, links Kashgar in China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Baluchistan region.

An important part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, the corridor is seeing the construction of a number of projects such as highways, railways and energy facilities.

According to a speech published on the website of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, Ambassador Sun Weidong said that 18 "early harvest projects" of CPEC are under construction, and have created more than 13,000 jobs for the local people.

Sun also said some energy projects will be completed to help further address Pakistan's energy shortage.

Masood Khalid, Pakistani Ambassador to China, told reporters on Tuesday that the Pakistani government "has done everything" to ensure the safety about 19,000 Chinese working on different projects in Pakistan.

Pakistan has deployed more than 15,000 troops to protect the CPEC, and the country's navy has raised a contingent for the protection of Gwadar Port, said Khalid.
Malaysia confirms Kim's identity through child's DNA sample

Xinhua | Updated: 2017-03-15 17:52

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday that the man murdered in Malaysia last month had been confirmed as Kim Jong Nam based on the DNA sample obtained from his child.



It was the first time for the Malaysian government to hint at having contacted the next-of-kin of the deceased.



Zahid did not say when, how and from whom the DNA sample was obtained, but Malaysian police chief Khalid Abu Bakar, when announcing the identification of the dead man last week, refused to say how it was done due to safety concerns.



The DNA sample was tested following forensic procedures, Zahid told reporters when attending an event at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, where Kim was smeared with a lethal chemical weapon called VX nerve agent and died en route to hospital.



He also said formal talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) began on Monday to find a solution to bring back the nine Malaysian nationals whom were barred by the DPRK from leaving after a diplomatic spat between the two countries escalated following the investigation of Kim's death.
Premier Li Keqiang speaks to reporters at the conclusion of a news conference after the closing session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. Xu Jingxing / China Daily

He warns against trade war, calls for steady ties, stable region

China expects that cooperation with the United States in the Asia-Pacific region will bring opportunities to ASEAN countries instead of trouble, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

Beijing does not want to see any party in the region feel compelled to choose sides under the influence of a Cold War mentality, he said at a news conference at the end of the annual plenary session of the National People's Congress.

He said China and the US have been cooperating for a long time in the region and noted that many US multinational companies have chosen China for their Asia-Pacific headquarters.

"China believes regional affairs should be decided and handled on the merits of each case," Li said.

The premier also said China hopes that the Asia-Pacific region will enjoy order and stability, be able to work out issues through consensus-building consultation, properly manage differences through dialogue and have the wisdom to resolve differences.

Li made the remarks in response to a question by a reporter from Thailand who said Southeast Asian countries are watching the administration of US President Donald Trump make its Asia policies and do not want to see conflicts between China and the US in the region.

When asked about Beijing's relations with Washington, Li warned the US about starting a trade war while expressing optimism that the world's two largest economies could keep relations steady.

"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldn't make our trade more fair," Li said.

During his election campaign, Trump had threatened to label China a currency manipulator and impose hefty tariffs on imports from China.

Li cited a report that he said indicated that if a trade war occurred, "foreign-invested companies, in particular US firms, would bear the brunt of it".

He said statistics show that bilateral investment and trade created nearly 1 million jobs for the US in the past year.

The premier stressed that the one-China policy constitutes the political foundation of the relations.

"With that foundation in place, we believe that there are broad prospects for China-US cooperation."

China and the US are currently working to arrange a meeting between the top leaders of the two countries, the premier said.

Ruan Zongze, executive vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies, said the premier's remarks on China-US ties sent a signal of confidence.

Ruan said that, based on Li's tone when answering questions about diplomacy, it seems China will "seek advancement while maintaining stability" in its diplomatic efforts this year.

Li Haidong, a professor of US studies at China Foreign Affairs University, said the question from the Thai reporter reflected widespread concerns of countries in the Asia-Pacific region about interaction between China and the US in the region.

The professor said the concerns are due to a Cold War mentality of some countries that is disturbing the region. "China does not welcome such a mentality. The premier stressed today that our security view highlights inclusiveness and stability."

Contact the writers at lixiao-kun@chinadaily.com.cn
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, second left, arrives during his first trip to Asia as Secretary, at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday, kicking off his first Asian trip that will also take him to the Republic of Korea and China.

Tillerson is scheduled to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday. They are expected to discuss Japan's plans to step up missile defense and the possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, as well as President Donald Trump's concerns about the US trade imbalance with Japan, Reuters reported.

During his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, US Trade Representative-designate Robert Lighthizer indicated that the US will push Japan to further open its agriculture sector, according to the Kyodo News.

"I would list, of course, Japan as being a primary target for a place where increased access for agriculture is important," Lighthizer said.

Lighthizer made the remarks after the Trump administration accused Japan last week of maintaining nontariff barriers for its automobile market and imposing high import tariffs for foreign farm products.

The US may also demand a further opening of Japan's farm market during high-level economic talks the two governments are planning to start in mid-April, when US Vice-President Mike Pence visits Japan.

In Seoul on Friday, Tillerson is scheduled to meet ROK Prime Minister and interim president Hwang Kyoahn and Foreign Minister Yun Byungse, with no schedule for meetings with opposition figures. That raises questions about the durability of any agreements, Reuters said.

On the eve of Tillerson's Asia trip, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton said in Washington on Monday that former president Barack Obama's "pivot to the Pacific" effort is officially dead, and the Trump administration has its own plan for the region, even if that plan has yet to take shape.
(Photo : YouTube) US deployed its Gray Eagle attack drone to South Korea.

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China gave a stern warning to the United States after the US military deployed its new Gray Eagle attack drone in South Korea.



"Concern countries that truly want peace and stability in the region should hit the brakes and try to put out the fire," Hua Chunying, Beijing's deputy director of the Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday.



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"At present the situation on the Korean peninsula is very complicated and sensitive. Even for China, the situation is too complex," the Chinese official noted.



Hua also said that the current situation is not a perfect time to add fuel to the fire, referring to the recent Gray Eagle attack drone deployment. He further reminded that it is the common responsibility of each country to maintain the peace and stability in the Korean peninsula. Each country should then help not to aggravate the tensions already forming in the peninsula, according to UPI.



The Gray Eagle attack drone will be permanently stationed at the Kunsan Air Base in Seoul. The drone aims to enhance strike capabilities against ground targets in North Korea and strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability of both American and South Korean forces, the US military in South Korean said.



The drone deployment comes a week after Pyongyang conducted a test salvo of four missiles that landed on the coast of Japan, as well as on a day before US Secretary Rex Tillerson started on a tour of region dubbed as the world's most dangerous corner, The Guardian noted.



The MQ-1C Gray Eagle, which is the enhanced version of the Predator drone, is a medium-altitude long-endurance manned aircraft system that is capable of non-stop flying at a maximum speed of 170 mph for 30 hours. It could also carry out a 24-hour flight and surveillance across the Korean peninsula.







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(Photo : Getty Images. ) Trier, the German home town of revolutionary thinker Karl Marx, has officially agreed to accept the statute of the famous socialist thinker from China.

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The German home town of Karl Marx has officially agreed to accept the statute of the famous socialist thinker from China amid widespread public protests. The statute will be given as a gift from China to mark the revolutionary thinker's 200th birth anniversary next year.



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The Trier's city council on Monday voted in favour to accept the 21-foot bronze statue of Karl Marx from China, which today is one of the few communist countries in the world. The decision was reached following months of intense deliberation, after China announced its decision to the gift the statute.



But the decision has attracted sharp criticisms from large numbers of local citizens and politicians. The protestors claim that China's controversial track record on human rights make acceptance of this gift unethical.



"We could draw up a long list of human rights violations," Tobias Schneider, said a politician for the Free Democratic Party in Trier. "Do we want to allow such a rogue regime to set up a statue of Karl Marx in the heart of our city?"



There have been similar such protests from other high profile local politicians, who have either written to the council or voiced their protest publicly over Karl Marx statute fiasco. There has been even reportedly murmur of protests among local citizens over the issue.



But Trier's Mayor Mr. Wolfram Leibe has shrugged off these protests by saying that there is no question of glorifying or overlooking China's actions. "Those times are over," he added. The head of Trier's town planning department, Andreas Ludwig, also came out in support of Wolfram's stance.



"That the largest country on Earth has thought about the small town of Trier is great. 150,000 Chinese tourists come every year to Trier - and that could rise even more," he said.



Karl MARX was born on May 5, 1818 in Germany's small town of Trier. He lived in this small town until age of 17, after which he moved to university of Bonn to pursue higher studies. Although very little is known about Marx's childhood life in Trier, but his early childhood influences in this small town are believed to be among huge influencing factors in shaping his communist ideology.



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(Photo : Getty Images) An MQ-9 Reaper takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.

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China is likely developing a new stealth long-range drone that will "drastically increase" the capabilities of the People's Liberation Army in the Pacific, Vasily Kashin, a defense analyst from Russia, told Sputnik.



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According to Kashin, the new stealthy long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will likely be more complex, although China already possesses the technological base needed to produce them. China even released the Lijian, its first stealth combat drone, which resembles like Lockheed Martin's RQ-170 Sentinel.



He further explained that a stealthy reconnaissance drone could help the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during combat activities in the Pacific, and a reliable target assignment is the key challenge for these systems.



He also said that China tried to use a space system for maritime reconnaissance, although such systems are vulnerable and have limitations. "A stealthy long-range drone could be an ideal solution," he said. Such drones could also be used to track naval groups while remaining undetected by planes.



Wei Yiyin, deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), said that the company aims to produce a drone that China Daily described as "a long-endurance stealth drone and near-space drone." CASIC has been known for its WJ series unmanned aerial vehicles, which Kashin described as a "reusable cruise missiles outfitted with reconnaissance equipment instead of warheads."



With the drastic changes in the military tech, Wei said that drones have become an "indispensable weapon in modern warfare." Drones could be useful for high-resolution reconnaissance, long-distance precision strikes, anti-submarine operations, and aerial combats



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) Chinas insurance giant Anbang Insurance Group has rejected reports that it is investing in a flagship Manhattan tower owned by son in law of Donald Trump.

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China's insurance giant Anbang Insurance Group has flatly dismissed the reports that it is investing in a flagship Manhattan tower owned by the family of Jared Kushner, the son in law of US President Donald Trump.



The report about this high profile deal began circulating in the American media after Anbang Insurance was listed in the Bloomberg report as a possible investor in the multi-billion dollar deal to acquire the 41-floor building located at 666 Fifth Avenue.



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"The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal," a spokesman for Anbang said in a statement on Tuesday.



The property was bought by Kushner Cos, a real estate company owned by Kushner family, in 2006 for approximately $1.8 billion. The final price was a record amount given that it was a highest price being paid for a single building at that time in the Manhattan city.



If Anbang does invest in this high profile Manhattan property, then it would have been the most high profile Chinese deal on the American soil since Trump assumed the office in January. But more importantly, the deal would have led to glaring conflict of interest, a reason why this possible deal has drawn a sharp reactions in the American press.



Jared Kushner sits on the panel of Trump's foreign policy advisory panel, a position that necessities Mr. Kushner do not have any major business interests with any country. Kushner's any business interest with China would come in more sharp focus given that Trump administration is widely seen as anti-Chinese on all the major issues.



There is also the shadow of an impending trade war looming large on the Sino-U.S bilateral relationship. Since the campaigning days, Trump has been voicing his criticism over China's alleged controversial trade practices, labelling the Asian giant as 'currency manipulator' and 'job thief.'



There are wide spread concerns that the Trump administration may put a break on Chinese companies acquisition spree, which is already been hard pressed by the tough American regulator. Last year, Anbang abruptly pulled out of a $14 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts reportedly after the U.S. regulators raised serious concerns over the deal.



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(Photo : Getty Images) Speaking at a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Lighthizer said that President Trump may use a "multi-faceted approach" to reprimand Beijing for its alleged trade practices.

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President Donald Trump's pick as U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, has vowed to go tough on China's alleged unfair trade practices as calls to launch a trade war against the world's second largest economy intensifies within the Republican administration.



Speaking at a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Lighthizer said that President Trump might use a "multi-faceted approach" to reprimand Beijing for its alleged trade practices. "I believe [Mr. Trump] is going to change the paradigm on China and, if you look at our problems, China is right up there," he told U.S. senators.



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Lighthizer stressed that there is a need to look beyond the World Trade Organization (WTO) WHICH he called on to "create some new tools" to deal with the China problem. He claimed that it is beyond the capacities of the WTO to cope with the aggressive industrial policies pursued by Beijing.



Asked if China is engaged in manipulating its currency, the trade representative claimed that as per his personal judgment, the Asian giant was a rampant currency manipulator in the past. "Whether China is manipulating the currency right now is another question. That's up to the Treasury secretary," he said.



Meanwhile, the Chinese leadership is apparently making efforts to convince the U.S. that a trade war is not in the interest of both economies. China's Premier Li Keqiang unequivocally said on Wednesday that his country does not want to see any trade war breaking out with the U.S. as he urged both countries to hold talks to find common ground.



Li's comment was preceded by a warning last week by China's Commerce Minister Zhong Shan that a trade war will prove painful for both economies. He warned that U.S. exporters would stand to lose more in the event of a trade war with Beijing.



Talks about a trade war with China have been gaining momentum since Trump won the U.S. presidential election last year. The outspoken Republican leader fired several salvos against China's controversial trade practices, labeling the second largest economy as a "currency manipulator" and questioned the Asian giant's "steel overproduction."



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(Photo : Getty Images. ) China's share in patent application continues to grow at a impressive pace. The latest data by WIPO shows that Chinas patent applications in 2016 zoomed by whooping 45 percent.

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China's patent applications in 2016 zoomed by whooping 45 percent, according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), putting the Asian giant well on the course to surpass Japan and U.S. to emerge as largest user of the international patent system within the span of two years.



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Leading China's charge for filing patents were ZTE and Huawei, two of China's leading telecom manufacturers, as they once again topped the 2016 list for cooperate patenting compiled by the Geneva based U.N. agency.



"China-based filers are behind much of the growth in international patent and trademark filings . . . as the country continues its journey from 'Made in China' to 'Created in China'," said Francis Gurry, Wipo director-general.



Statistically speaking, Chinese companies filed 43,000 international applications last year, far less than 1 million domestic applications filed at the China's patent office. This trend was clearly spotted even in last year's patent finding, forcing many experts to doubt that whether Chinese patent applications are as innovative as they claim to be.



Nonetheless, there seems to be consensuses among substantial number of experts that surge in patent applications are truly indicative about growing innovativeness among the Chinese companies.



China's regional economic rivals Japan and South Korea have also increased their international applications, though not at the same rapid pace. A good showing by the Asian countries meant that their total share in patent application in 2016 stood at impressive 47.4 per cent, tad less than nearly 50.9 percent clocked jointly by North American and European companies.



The one positive factor about Japan, whose patent applications have been falling over the years, is that its international application continues to grow very strongly. "There is a clear strategy in Japan to concentrate on patenting and exploiting the best inventions as widely as possible," said Mr. Gurry.



Meanwhile, WIPO's latest data shows that the traditional powerhouse U.S. continues to loss crucial share in the global patent activity. Mr. Gurry said that he is less hopeful about Donald Trump's election will have any positive impact on U.S. patent activities.



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Tagschina, China and U.S., Wipo, China Patent Application, World Intellectual Property Organisation
Popular anchor Suma Kanakala was announced as the brand ambassador (South) of BRP Pipes & Fittings at a function.

Speaking on occasion Prakash Patawari CMD BRP Pipes & Fittings said, We are on a rapid expansion spree, and Suma Kanakala as the brand ambassador of South India will take our product deep in the minds of people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Suma who is very excited expressed her happiness for associating with BRP Pipes and fittings. She said that company had launched Indias first online store of Bropshppe.com in 2014 and hoped that the company would emerge no 1 in the country in coming days.
Last year, voters in Canada approved a Medical Aid in Dying law. The legislation allows physicians to help gravely ill patients end their lives. Advocates of these sorts of laws justify it by using words such as compassion, and death with dignityand many Canadian doctors agreed, saying theyd be glad to participate in physician-assisted suicide.

But a funny thing happened on the way to Canadas brave new world of state-sponsored killing. Dozens of physicians who signed up, including many who actually provided lethal medications to patients, now want their names removed from the list. According to Canadas National Post, in Ontario, one of the few provinces that actually tracks this kind of data, 24 physicians have been removed permanently from a voluntary referral list of those willing to assist people who want to end their lives. Another 30 have put their names on temporary hold. Not even the Canadian Medical Association can say how many are having second thoughtsbut their decisions are reverberating through the system.

Were seeing individuals, or groups of physicians, who are participating and really feel like theyre alleviating pain, alleviating suffering, says the CMAs Jeff Blackmer. And then were seeing doctors who go through one experience and its just overwhelming, its too difficult, and those are the ones who say, take my name off the list. I cant do any more.

That kind of reaction isnt surprising, given the Hippocratic Oath every doctor takes, vowing to do no harm to patients. These doctors started out philosophically supportive of euthanasia  and then reality set in. The human conscienceand the law of God written on our heartsare powerful things indeed.

But there are also the complications created by verbal ambiguities in the law. In Canada, euthanasia and assisted suicide are permitted for those with a grievous and irremediable condition and who face enduring suffering, but only if their death is deemed reasonably foreseeable.

According to Dr. James Downar, a critical- and palliative-care doctor with Torontos University Health Network, grievous and irremediable means serious and incurable. The problem, Downar says, is that the standard could apply to most chronic conditions. And when it comes to cancer, he says, many people may have a remote chance of a cure, or disease stability. If its one, two or five per cent, is that curable?

Meanwhile, as Vancouver Island family physician Jonathan Reggler says, that reasonably foreseeable standard will not appear in any medical textbook.

So some physicians in Canada fear running afoul of the Medical Aid in Dying law. Reggler notes that, If the doctor doesnt carry out the medically assisted death according to the law, that doctor is at risk of being prosecuted for murder.

An analysis of the actual results of Canadas law is also more than a little troubling. The commission overseeing Quebecs euthanasia law, the first of its kind in the country, reported 262 euthanasia deaths in the laws first nine monthsalmost three times the expected number. and of those, 21almost 10%, were found to be outside the legal regulations.

Physicians are hoping that voluntary participation in euthanasia doesnt become a duty to participate, though that has been suggested by some in the medical community. Thank God, so far, attempts have not been made to force the several Canadian hospitals not participating because of religious convictions to offer this so-called service.

Weve spent a lot of time on BreakPoint and on our podcast denouncing assisted suicide, providing you with arguments and reasons to protect life, as well as clarifying the inevitable consequences of doctor-assisted death. And yet, death with dignity laws continue. Its a hot topic in DC right now, in fact.

So please, educate yourself, mobilize your church, and warn your legislators. We have resources for you at BreakPoint.org.

BreakPoint is a Christian worldview ministry that seeks to build and resource a movement of Christians committed to living and defending Christian worldview in all areas of life. Begun by Chuck Colson in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on todays news and trends via radio, interactive media, and print. Today BreakPoint commentaries, co-hosted by Eric Metaxas and John Stonestreet, air daily on more than 1,200 outlets with an estimated weekly listening audience of eight million people. Feel free to contact us at BreakPoint.org where you can read and search answers to common questions.

John Stonestreet, the host of The Point, a daily national radio program, provides thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.

Publication date: March 15, 2017
It sounds like the start of a bad sitcom: a Democrat and a Republican rent a car and spend twenty-four hours driving through a snowstorm to Washington. Except it really happened.

Democrat Beto ORourke and Republican Will Hurd, both US congressmen from Texas, couldnt fly back to the capital for todays votes because the winter storm gripping the Northeast canceled their flights. So they decided yesterday morning to rent a car and spend the next day roadtripping to DC.

The two livestreamed what they called the Bipartisan Roadtrip. They took questions along the way. Their trip garnered national attention, not least because its the first time in recent memory that a Democrat and a Republican cooperated on anything.

The political divide in our country seems to be growing. Of Americas 3,113 counties (or county equivalents), only 303 were decided by single-digit percentage points in the last presidential election. By contrast, 1,096 counties were that close in the 1992 election. During the same period, the number of landslide counties (votes decided by margins exceeding 50 percentage points) exploded from 93 to 1,196.

Now theres division even within the parties. According to The Hill, twelve House Republicans are opposed to the Republican plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare. Assuming all Democrats vote against the plan, if nine more Republicans reject the legislation it will not pass the House, much less the Senate.

We should not be surprised by such divisiveness. The Pew Research Center reports that in 1994, only 16 percent of Democrats and 17 percent of Republicans viewed the other party as a threat to the nations well-being. In the years since, this percentage has more than doubled for Democrats and nearly tripled for Republicans. Meanwhile, the number of Americans who express consistently conservative or liberal opinions has doubled over the past two decades.

What explains such extreme partisanship in our time?

Our culture has replaced absolute truth with subjective opinion. But in a world without objective truth theres no way to prove my opinion right or yours wrong. Nor is there a way to find an objective compromise. So I fight for my beliefs while you fight for yours. In this zero-sum game, if I win you must lose. And our elected leaders must champion our opinions or we will elect someone else who will.

When tolerance replaces truth, its not long before we tolerate only those with whom we agree.

Heres where Jesus followers come in. We are commanded to defend our beliefs with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15) by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The greater our opposition, the greater our opportunity. If the country takes note of a Democrat and a Republican who get along well enough to drive to Washington, what will it think of Christians who love our enemies and pray for them even when they persecute us (Matthew 5:44)?

G. K. Chesterton: To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. If our culture saw millions of Christians expressing such love, forgiveness, faith, and hope, would spiritual awakening be far behind?

John F. Kennedy asked, If not us, who? If not now, when?

Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com

Publication date: March 15, 2017

For more from the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, please visit www.denisonforum.org.

Do you want to live a life in whole-hearted pursuit of loving God and others?

Read today's First15 at www.first15.org.
Americas Hispanic churches feel the impact of President Donald Trumps immigration initiatives in their pews each week.

Theyve seen a drop in attendance as some immigrants stay home rather than risk getting arrested on the way to Sunday services. Pastors find themselves preaching about fear to mixed-status Latino families who are already preparing for the worst: explaining to their kids what happens if Mom or Dad have to leave and packing up their belongings to stay with relatives if they get detained.

Pastorear en Tiempos de Trump es mas dificil y duro de lo que imagine. Orando, sirviendo, y trabajando por nuestras familias, tweeted Felix Cabrera, pastor of Iglesia Bautista Central in Oklahoma City and a leader of the Hispanic Baptist Pastors Alliance (HBPA). (Pastoring in the time of Trump is more difficult and harder than I could have imagined. Praying, serving, and working for our families.)

Trumps immigration ...

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Christianity on the rise in Bangladesh as tens of thousands of Muslims are turning away from Allah to embrace Jesus

Christianity is making such significant gains in one Muslim-majority nation in South Asia that local evangelists are now envisioning the day when their country would become a Christian nation.

The country is Bangladesh, the fourth largest Muslim nation in the world with a population of 164.8 million people, only 866,000 of whom are Christian, according to Open Doors USA.

Christian Freedom International (CFI) says official figures claim that 89.1 percent of the country's population are Muslim, 10 percent Hindi, and less than 1 percent Christian.

However, the numbers are deceiving. CFI says official reports on religious composition only count "traditional Christians," or Bangladeshis who are born into the Christian faith and attend government approved churches. The surveys and reports do not include former Muslims who converted to Christianity.

The consensus among believers in Bangladesh is that Christians now make up at least 10 percent of the country's population and is growing more every day. If the 10 percent figure is correct, then this Muslim-dominated nation is now the home of at least 15.6 million Christians, CFI says.

In fact, one local pastor says Christianity is growing so fast that it has become "a real problem" for the country's Muslim leaders.

"In the last 12 months, more than 20,000 Muslims have converted to Christianity, and this is becoming a real problem for the Muslims," says Pastor Khaleque, a former Muslim who is now a Christian street pastor.

The rise of Christianity has also resulted in the increased persecution of believers and crackdown on underground Christian churches as Muslim leaders try to stamp out the threat to their religion.

Pastor Rafiqul is one of the new believers who have suffered from persecution. After he turned to Christ in 2007, his rickshaw shop and tea business were taken away from him. He was also disowned by his family.

When two imams caught him preaching in the market, Muslim radicals beat him nearly to death, took all his possessions, and left him to die.

Pastor Rafiqul survived and he now works as an evangelist, risking his life each day.

"More people are converting every day. Although persecuted, we are preaching the Good News," he tells CFI.

Open Doors USA ranks Bangladesh as the 26th worst country for Christians in its latest World Watch list of top Christian-persecuting countries.

Although the constitution of Bangladesh includes freedom of religion, its government is known to give in to pressures exerted by radical Islamic groups, local religious leaders and Muslim families, according to Open Doors.
'God is great', cry Islamist extremists as they shoot dead a Christian mum and son, wound husband

Islamic extremists have shot dead a Christian woman and her son and seriously wounded her husband in Somalia, sources told Morning Star News.

The family was asleep at home near the capital Mogadishu a gang of armed men from the Islamist group Al Shabaab opened fire, shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is great), and, 'We cannot allow the defiling of our religion with a foreign, Western religion.'

The survivor, aged 38, had converted secretly from Islam to Christianity.

Suleiman Abdiwahab, head of the family, told Morning Star News: 'The gunmen fired several shots, then destroyed the door with a big metallic object and then were able enter into the house. They randomly shot at everyone.'

His wife Faduma Osman, aged 35, and their son Ahmed, aged 11, were killed.

Their two daughters and another son fled through a back door and the bodies of the dead and injured were found by neighbours.

Al Shabaab rebels have been fighting for 10 years, repeatedly targeting Mogadishu and surround farmland.

Peacekeepers from the African Union Mission in Somalia have had some success however in countering the rebels.

Somalia is second to North Korea on the Open Doors' 2017 World Watch List of countries ranked according to which is worst for Christian persecution.
Lost for words: Syria, six years on

Is it five or six or seven years now? As the years roll on in the Syrian conflict, dates and anniversaries grow vaguer. We're losing count of just how many years it's lasted. It just starts to feel like a long, long war that's been going on for a long, long time and is never going to come to an end. What's the point in even counting the years any more?

And yet, here we are six years on, still despairing at a country torn apart by a civil war playing out on our TVs, laptops and iPads. At times we can feel like a passive audience watching a Shakespearean tragedy, as the scenes unfold, death and destruction pile up; and all we can do is helplessly look on.

I feel I barely have words left. I've written articles, signed petitions, marched against the UK bombing of Syria and hosted prayer vigils. I've read what feels like hundreds of stories of those on the run, displaced and forced to live in temporary camps across the Middle East and Europe. I've met Syrian refugees at the camp in Calais desperately searching for a life free of fear and conflict. I don't think I can write much beyond what has already been said about the pain and horror; I probably can't move you more than you have already been moved.

Maybe we are beyond words.

The opening of Pete Greig's significant and popular book on suffering, God on Mute always powerfully struck me. In it he describes the pain he and his family endured when his wife was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He writes about praying like a man falling downstairs; when the only words he could get out were, 'Oh, God'. It reminded me that all those times when I've cried myself to sleep over heartbreak or watched a news report that has left me speechless or screamed out to God, 'Why?' Those 'Oh, God' prayers were just possibly the deepest and most honest kind I could have uttered.

Perhaps in the same way that the Spirit intercedes, now is the time for groans not words: 'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans' (Romans 8:26).

'Wordless groans' seem like an apt way to respond to the seemingly endless nightmare continuing to evolve in Syria.

Beyond words, images may help us grieve, lament and hope in a country which could well be hell on earth. And yet, however dark and overwhelming the situation is, surely we can cling to this powerful image: 'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it' (John 1). If ever there was a verse for these times, could this be it?

Can we look for the dimmest, flickering light in a country cast into blackout, where millions have no access to even the most basic necessities like food and electricity? The light, we are told, can never be put out. Never. Not even after six years of a bloody war, leaving 13.5 million in desperate need in their own country and five million refugees searching for sanctuary around the world; where children are being forced to man checkpoints, trained to use weapons or trafficked out of refugee camps and into exploitation? Do we have the courage to look into the abyss for long enough to see the light?

It's not easy; and we'll have to dig deep for different images and stories from what we see and hear rolling out on the news channels every day. But just in the last few months I've heard of churches on the ground in Aleppo, in spite of the dangers, distributing food to the most vulnerable, of young Syrian peacemakers being trained to help bring long-term reconciliation in their communities and the generous love, welcome and compassion shown to refugees living in Lebanon through local Christians. The Church is rising up and responding with profound acts of mercy: that surely is a reason to give thanks.

'The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.' It might feel like a dim light, a pathetic one even  but it does shine and I chose to look for where God is working in Syria. Today, six years on, I refuse to believe all hope is lost.

Katherine Maxwell-Rose is a writer, speaker and activist campaigning on issues of social justice and transformation.
Now Manchester University dragged into Holocaust denial row over David Irving books

Manchester University has come under fire for displaying books by the convicted Holocaust-denier David Irving on 'open access' in its main library after an eminent Jewish academic discovered the material.

Dr Irene Lancaster, who was the first Teaching Fellow in Jewish history at Manchester University, found yesterday that a copy of Hitler's War by Irving was shelved under 'Medieval and Modern History' in the university's John Rylands library. Dr Lancaster said that other books by Irving are also available in the library accessible by anyone with a university membership card.

Manchester University said in a statement to Christian Today that it was true that the books were openly available and said they were there to aid Holocaust studies.

The discovery comes amid a growing row over antisemitism in British universities and after the Minister for Higher Education, Jo Johnson, urged institutions to tackle 'intimidation and violence' against Jewish students.

Johnson last month wrote to the chief executives of the representative bodies for higher education institutions, reminding them of their responsibility to ensure students do not suffer 'discrimination, harassment or victimisation'.

Manchester's involvement in the row comes after Christian Today revealed earlier this month that Churchill College, Cambridge has moved a biography of Winston Churchill by Irving from open access to available on request after pressure from Dr Lancaster.

Last week, Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and the Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge wrote to Johnson expressing concern about the presence of Holocaust-denying material on open display at university libraries.

A source at the Department for Education confirmed today that the minister had received the letter and stressed that universities must make their own rules.

In his letter, Dr Williams acknowledges this point but suggests that the government should hold a position on the subject, and points to the 'Prevent' legislation as being a possible tool for tackling the issue.

Dr Williams said that Holocaust-denying material should be labelled and available on request and not indiscriminately, and compares it to jihadi material.

In its statement to Christian Today, a spokesperson for Manchester University said: 'It is true that David Irving's books are available from the University Library. We have considered the matter carefully and have consulted with the University Librarian, and with senior colleagues across the University, including one of our leading authorities on the Holocaust.

'The University's position is that it is important that students should be able to read Irving when they write their essays about Holocaust denial. Their availability is not antisemitic: it shows that our students are discerning persons, and that we trust them. The books are also necessary to teach our students how to fight Holocaust denial  which they are very keen on learning about. We consider it important that these books remain available to students.

'The Library's approach is to classify its books according to likely levels of use. Many works in academic libraries could be deemed to be controversial in one way or another. Where there are legal reasons to restrict access, or the books in question are at risk of damage, we would remove them to a Special Collections location where they may be consulted by any reader on request.'

The response follows appeals from the Labour MP for Blackley and Broughton, Graham Stringer, who has written to the President and Vice Chancellor of Manchester University, Dame Nancy Rothwell.

Further, the Anglican chaplain at Manchester University, Ben Edson wrote to the Head of Diversity at Manchester University, Patrick Johnson, saying: 'Dr Lancaster is a passionate campaigner and she will continue fighting for this cause. I stand with her  Holocaust denial is heinous and anything that suggest otherwise needs challenging.'

In an email seen by Christian Today, Manchester University's Holocaust academic Dr Jean-Marc Dreyfus told Edson: 'I was confronted to a similar problem a few years ago in our University library: I realised that the book The Hoax of the 20th Century, a 'classic' in Holocaust denial, was available in our library on shelf. I discussed the matter with one of our librarians and we decided to leave it in open access but to move it from the History division of our library to the "questions in historiography"'.

Dr Lancaster, who has engaged in extensive research on the Holocaust and has worked with the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial centre in Jerusalem, said: 'I am absolutely appalled at the stance taken by Manchester University towards the request by a number of people, including their own Anglican Chaplain and the local MP, Graham Stringer, as well as myself.

'We have asked that the Irving collection be removed from open access on the shelves of the University to closed storage, where they should be labelled as Holocaust-denying material and be available by prior request only to accredited scholars in the field.

'This is a matter of actual and deliberate distortion of fact, not simply expressing unpleasant or unacceptable opinions. With Holocaust denial, there is solid legal judgment to back up the exclusion of these works from history shelves and unrestricted access.

'Greater Manchester is home to the fastest-growing observant Jewish community in Europe and yet time and time again the University simply acts as if we do not exist.

'I had to tell the mother of a school friend of 50 years standing that David Irving was clearly on view and being taught at the local university, open to all and parading as real history, even though everyone knows that he was condemned as a racist and liar in a court case, has been imprisoned and is barred from certain European countries. This survivor  now aged 92  simply did not have the words to react. I regard Manchester University as a disgrace in every way. We Jews are simply not welcome at Manchester University.'
Pakistani Christian asylum seekers face pressure to leave Thailand

The Thai government is planning to cancel bail for all of Bangkok's male asylum seekers  many of them Christians  forcing them to move to overcrowded detention centres immediately.

An estimated 11,500 Pakistani Christians could be subject to detention, according to World Watch Monitor.

The move would not affect women, children or those with official refugee status. It would reportedly also see those with serious medical conditions exempt.

Thailand has faced international criticism for its treatment and alleged persecution of Christian refugees, who are fleeing radical Islamists in Pakistan. These asylum seekers are registered by the UN, but many face little chance of ever being processed and welcomed into Thailand.

In 2016 it was reported that resettlement of refugees through the UNHCR was taking as long as five years, when it had previously only taken one year.

The cancelation of bail for Bangkok's asylum seekers could overwhelm Bangkok's detention centres, which reportedly already suffer from the presence of tuberculosis, hepatitis and scabies.

Some see the move as a bid to force the asylum seekers to return to Pakistan. Last year several Pakistan Christians said that the UNHCR was unsympathetic to their plight and was deliberately delaying their applications for resettlement.
Religious groups slam EU court ruling allowing companies to ban displays of faith

The Church of England is among a host of religious groups criticising a 'troubling' court judgment that allows companies to ban workers from wearing religious clothing.

The European Court of Justice ruled employees can be prevented from the 'visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign' including Islamic headscarves. Any such ban must be based on a general company rule to 'dress neutrally' not on religious stereotypes or prejudices, the judges said.

The ruling involved two cases, one from Samira Achbita who was fired as a receptionist by the security company G4S in Belgium for wearing a hijab. She claimed she was being discriminated against but the court ruled the company was simply enforcing its policy preventing employees 'from wearing any visible signs of their political, philosophical or religious beliefs and/or from engaging in any observance of such beliefs'.

The other case was from Asma Bougnaoui who was fired from an IT consultancy firm, Micropole, after a customer complained his staff had been 'embarrassed' by her headscarf.

The court ruled with the employer in the Achbita case but with the employee in the Bougnaoui case, saying the later dismissal was based on discrimination.

It said: 'The court of justice finds that G4S's internal rule refers to the wearing of visible signs of political, philosophical or religious beliefs and therefore covers any manifestation of such beliefs without distinction.

'The rule thus treats all employees to the undertaking in the same way, notably by requiring them, generally and without any differentiation, to dress neutrally.'

But it added in relation to the Bougnaoui case: 'However, in the absence of such a rule, the willingness of an employer to take account of the wishes of a customer no longer to have the employer's services provided by a worker wearing an Islamic headscarf cannot be considered an occupational requirement that could rule out discrimination.'

But a CofE spokesman said the Achbita case raised 'significant questions about freedom of religion and its free expression'.

The spokesman added: 'In preferencing "freedom to conduct a business" above the free expression of faith the ruling potentially places corporate interest above those of the individual.

'Equally troubling is the assumption of "neutrality" within the ruling. The imposition of blanket bans  whilst often seeking honourable outcomes  may represent a worldview based on dogmatic or ideological assumptions which may unjustly limit individual rights.'

The Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines, said the judgment must be studied closely but warned it raised 'vital' questions around free speech.

'The denial of freedom of religion is not a neutral act, contrary to how it might be portrayed. There is no neutral space. Furthermore, it illustrates how far we have to go as a secular society in working out what freedom of expression actually means.'

The Church's unusual intervention comes after the Muslim Council of Britain statement said it was a 'sad day for justice and equality'.

A spokesman said: ''At a time when populism and bigotry are at an all-time high, we fear that this ruling will serve as a green light to those wishing to normalise discrimination against faith communities.

'Many will be worried that this action will prevent Muslim women who choose to wear the scarf from securing jobs. And it sends a message that we cannot accept a plural society that recognises and celebrates religious differences.

'This is a backward step which people of all faiths and none should speak out against.'

Chief Rabbi Goldschmidt, president of the Conference of European Rabbis, said the ruling sent a signal to all religious groups they 'are no longer welcome'.

In a statement he added: 'Political leaders need to act to ensure that Europe does not isolate religious minorities and remains a diverse and open continent.'

But despite the widespread condemnation, legal expert and blogger on Law and Religion Frank Cranmer told Christian Today the two judgments should be taken together and said: 'Cases like this are always very difficult and depend heavily on the facts, but it seems to me that the court has got the balance about right.'
Should Christians adopt 'The Benedict Option' and withdraw from civic society?

Questions over whether western, and specifically American Christians are persecuted and should withdraw from mainstream society have been raised by the publication yesterday of The Benedict Option, a book by the conservative writer Rod Dreher.

Dreher, the senior editor at The American Conservative, argues that the 'culture war as we knew it is over' and that social and religious conservatives 'have been defeated and are being swept to the political margins'.

To those who might argue that the election of Donald Trump undermines this case, Dreher anticipates the criticism and writes: 'The idea that someone as robustly vulgar, fiercely combative, and morally compromised as Trump will be an avatar for the restoration of Christian morality and social unity is beyond delusional.'

The answer, says Dreher, is to follow the example of the Benedictine order of Catholic monks and set up local Christian communities. The image on the book's cover is of a fortified island monastery in France, Mont Saint-Michel. Dreher suggests that conservative Christians should take their children out of public and 'mediocre Christian' schools, and ignore politics.

In an essay adapted from his book on the Fox website, Dreher writes: 'One of the most important pieces of the Benedict Option movement is the spread of classical Christian schools. Rather than letting their children spend 40 hours a week learning "facts" with a few hours of world-view education slapped on top, parents need to pull them from public schools and provide them with an education that is rightly ordered  that is, one based on the premise that there is a God-given, unified structure to reality and that it is discoverable. They need to teach them Scripture and history.

'Building schools that can educate properly will require churches, parents, peer groups, and fellow traveller Christians to work together. It will be costly, but it will be worth it.'

Of course, the idea of 'faith schools' is not a new one, and a debate rumbles on in the UK about their merits. But the section on education is part of a wider argument based on the premise that Christians in the US have been defeated and should withdraw from civic society.

Another area this applies to, for Dreher, is the workplace, on which a chapter forwards the persecution claim. Yet Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and no liberal despite conventional wisdom, has said that it is wrong to say that western Christians are persecuted, and that those who say they are should 'grow up'.

Earlier this month, I argued on this website that 'there is a hint not just of defeatism but also of a dereliction of duty for Christians to withdraw from the world'.

In response to this, Rev Andrew Symes, the respected executive secretary of Anglican Mainstream, defends Dreher's concept. He says that 'suggesting that Christians should create spiritual strongholds, the Benedictine Option, is not advocating a withdrawal from the world'. Symes adds: 'Far from it  the monastic orders were in the front line of healing and education and the arts, as well as courageously evangelising and planting churches, sometimes in the face of violent pagan opposition.

'What they withdrew from I guess was trying to curry favour with the ruling establishments, and compromising on their principles in the process. Their strategy was to create centres of faith and worship uncontaminated as much as possible by wrong ideas, and from there go out, work and do mission, demonstrating and proclaiming the love of Christ.'

This, surely, goes to the very heart of the question of what it is to be truly evangelistic.

There is little sign that Dreher himself envisages Christians proceeding 'out' to do work and mission.

On the other hand, Symes is surely right about the positive role of monastic orders in society. As he is about the futility  at best  of Christians compromising  or 'trying to curry favour'  with the ruling establishments. It is certainly true that in the UK, an alliance of Church and state has apparently done little to encourage the a flourishing Church, while their separation in the US may have contributed to what remains, despite Dreher's dire warnings, a thriving Christian country.

Many Christians feel it is there duty to take the world as it is and work in it. Opus Dei (Work of God), no less, a Catholic group seen by many as the height of secrecy and conspiracy, contains a majority of lay members who do ordinary jobs alongside people of all faiths  and none.

And Jesus himself came down from Heaven into a broken world, to heal it. Yes, he rejected the ruling elites of the day. But the Church was born to grow, not to close itself off into an enclave. According to some traditions, the Jerusalem cross symbolically shows four strands representing the four Gospels, spreading out to all four corners of the earth.

The conversion of the world  and even of the US and certainly the UK  may be far off, perhaps further away than the nightmare scenario Dreher envisions of police rounding up Christians in their homes. It may be a losing battle. But surely it must remain in the sights of all Christians with a conscience about the world around them.
Tragedy and transformation: Nate Saint's grandson Jamie now calls the tribe who killed his grandfather 'family'

Jamie Saint's life has been shaped by tragedy and radical transformation. His famous missionary grandfather was murdered by the tribe he was trying to reach out to in 1956. Through years of hard work, the tribe and family have reconciled, and their story has inspired Jamie's missionary work across the world today.

Nate Saint joined the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in the late 1940s, where he piloted small planes serving missionaries in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, South America. In 1955 Saint located an Indian tribe he had been searching for: the Waodani people.

Nate, with the help of four other missionaries including Jim Elliot, initiated contact with the tribe through 13 weeks of gift-giving via 'bucket drops' from his aircraft. The gift-giving was reciprocated by the tribe and so the missionaries decided to make personal contact. There was one successful day of drinking lemonade with tribe members on the beach, but two days later, the missionaries arrived on the beach and were speared to death by the Waodani tribe.

The story of this group  known as Operation Auca  is famous among missionary chronicles. It was a brutal tragedy that saw the missionaries become modern martyrs. But this tragedy was also the beginning of a story of hope.

When I discuss his grandfather's story with Jamie Saint, he offers a startling analysis: 'God did not allow those killings to take place. He actually orchestrated them.'

Saint points to complex tribal politics, only understood years after the fact, that led to the murder of his grandfather. The missionaries unwittingly became involved in a bloody family vendetta that had been taking place at the time of their arrival. Such killings were not unusual in the Waodani tribe, where there was a 60 per cent homicide rate.

However, Saint highlights the unique, precise circumstances of the killings that have led him to conclude that God directly orchestrated the events.

As he explains: 'Without those killings, the next chapter of the story wouldn't have been written.

'Through a series of events, the warrior who speared my grandfather, ended up adopting my Dad.'

The story of adoption and family reconciliation was possible because Jim Elliot's wife Elizabeth and Nate Saint's sister Rachel returned to the tribe. Through years of hard work and communication they brought many of them to Christ. The missionaries developed a written language for the Waodani and a translation of the New Testament.

Soon the Waodani invited the westerners to stay with them and teach them useful skills for meeting the needs of the people.

'You teaching us, together will teach everyone,' they said.

This sharing of knowledge, so that it could be passed on again and again, was the beginning of the Indigenous People's Technology and Education Centre (I-TEC) founded by Jamie's father Steve, with which Jamie now works today.

Jamie says: 'We train Christ followers around the world on how to meet their own people's physical needs, as a door for the gospel.'

I-TEC travel around the world teaching skills of film, storytelling, mechanics, medicine, dentistry. These skills give indigenous people the capacity to meet people's 'felt needs' which calms hostility and gives them credibility for the gospel message they have to share. Jamie says that through I-TEC's ministry, hundreds of thousands, possibly even millions have been affected.

'We have been given this vision by the tribe, and believe this is a biblically correct, culturally sensitive approach to mission,' he says.

Saint sees I-TECs work as part of an emerging approach to mission across the world: 'There's a major push to focus on training and equipping, to empower people rather than going and doing. Not creating dependency, empowering the indigenous Church to be self-sustaining, self-propagating and self-governing.'

This helps keep the focus on serving the people in need, not simply the 'experiences' of those who make the trips. He says: 'When the focus is on what you're gonna get rather than what you're gonna give, then mission goes backwards.'

Does Jamie struggle with the weight of his family's legacy? He refers to a 'big shadow' hanging over him from his father and grandfather.

'I'm referred to as the grandson of Nate Saint or the son of Steve Saint. But God never told me to be Nate Saint or Steve Saint and I can't be those guys...what God wants from me is to write my story in the way that he wants to write it, and use me in the way that he's gifted me.'

The interest in 'God's story' is one that now guide's Jamie's life.

'God has a story to write with each of our lives, while he doesn't promise that every chapters going to be easy, he promises to make sense of even the difficult chapters.

'Years ago, I said, Lord, you write my story...just show me enough so that I can be obedient.'

He says the story of his grandfather has now 'come full circle', as I-TEC still regularly partners with MAF in its work. The relationship with the Waodani tribe  who Saint describes as 'family'  continues, with several visits a year. There are very few killings now, he says, and the Waodani 'take care of us'.

The Waodani people, in contrast to white developed-world westerners, Saint says, have a unique, profound understanding of 'relationship'.

He says: 'In the developed world in the west, we're so scheduled and busy with life. In the jungle if they have food and shelter, that's all there is to life. They spend a lot of time just being together, telling stories  its relational.'

Saint holds no grudges for the killings that took place in 1956.

'They didn't know any better. This is not a story that my grandpa wrote, it's a story that God wrote. If I was to harbour resentment, I'd really be harbouring resentment to the story that God wrote. I've found that's not a good idea.'

You can follow @JosephHartropp on Twitter
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Rapper and Houston native Travis Scott opened up with GQ about his developing album "AstroWorld" and his love for the Space City.

"I feel like Houston is one of the leading things in music culture," he tells GQ UK. "Everyone loves the Houston culture." True.

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H-Town loves its natives representing, but during the discussion, Scott expressed his desire for a monument to be built for musical artists like himself and Beyonce.

"It [Houston] needs to have its own monument, its own moment for artists like me, artists like Beyonce who set it off. Beyonce is like the highest level. We all reach for that level," Scott told GQ UK.

Wait, a monument for Travis Scott and Beyonce?

A Beyonce monument could very well happen because of her involvement in the Houston community through the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments in downtown, which she launched after Hurricane Katrina in 2007 and has given over $7 million over the years to the cause. She has also started the international #BeyGood campaign that stands for various causes throughout the world. And furthermore, Beyonce has been a star in the music industry for nearly two decades, both individually and with her former group Destiny's Child.

GIVING CELEBS: Beyonce among the celebs who give generously to Houston charities

A Travis Scott monument might not be as likely.

courtesy photo

Travis Scott is eleven years younger than Beyonce, but he began his journey in 2012 after signing a record deal with Epic Records. Since then, he has produced five albums and "AstroWorld" will be his sixth. From our research, we couldn't find any charitable causes supported by Scott.

But who knows what the future holds for Scott and his music, and hopefully charitable causes. Maybe the future monument could be a life-sized version of his $150 action figure.

Expect the Houston native to continue to represent the Bayou City throughout his "AstroWrold" album, specifically how the city took away Houston's theme park in 2005.

"They tore down 'AstroWorld' to build more apartment space," Scott told GQ UK. "That's what it's [the AstroWorld album] going to sound like, like taking an amusement park away from kids. We want it back. We want the building back. That's why I'm doing it. It took the fun out of the city."

LOOK BACK: AstroWorld took Houston on the ride of a lifetime
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Demi Lovato's Tuesday performance was her third trip around RodeoHouston. But in many ways, it felt like her first time.

She performed alongside Jonas Brothers in 2010 and with San Antonio's Austin Mahone in 2013. But this was her first solo headlining slot.

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She seemed truly taken aback by the cheers and the size of the crowd, which numbered 66,740.

"There's a lot of people here. And the stage moves. This is kinda new for me," she said.

"This is amazing. "I don't know what else to say so I'll just sing the next song."

But when the Dallas native mentioned her hometown, it was met with a wave of boos that surprised her.

"Hey, y'all, don't boo. Texas is Texas," she said with a nervous laugh.

Some folks cheered. Others yelled," "No, it's not!"

She took the stage in flowing white, sporting a shorter new haircut. She frequently flashed a wide smile and strutted down the multiple runways in powder blue heels.

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Lovato replaced the previously announced Meghan Trainor, who pulled out under doctor's orders to rest her voice.

She charged through pop anthems "Confident" and "Heart Attack," the thrashing rock of "Got Dynamite" and the Kelly Clarkson-esque "For You." Slinky single "Body Say" was a standout.

Lovato has an astonishingly powerful, criminally underappreciated voice. It pierced through the aisles and soared past the venue's top levels.

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She made brave song choices, forgoing past hits and obvious covers, except for "Natural Woman," for a number of deep album cuts ("Old Ways," "Fix a Heart," "Warrior") that made the most of her vocals.

The crowd roared throughout "Nightingale" and "Stone Cold," a pair of mournful ballads she filled with impressive runs and visceral emotion. That's no small feat in such a cavernous setting.

Lovato's most recognizable tunes -- "Skyscraper," "Neon Lights," "Give Your Heart a Break," "Cool for the Summer" -- came at the end of her set. But even without the hits, there were already plenty of rewards.

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Officer Jake couldn't wait to get back to work even after he was shot during a robbery investigation last month.

"He was crying to get back to work," his partner, Houston police officer Brian Schmidt said Wednesday. "He was basically bouncing off the walls."

You just can't keep a good dog down.

Houston police officials feared Jake might have to hang up his badge when he was wounded on Feb. 22 after biting another HPD officer during the pursuit of a pair of juvenile robbery suspects.

But Officer Schmidt, his human partner for about five years, said Jake's wounds have cleared up and he has bounced back.

"That's just the way he is. He's really, really energetic," Schmidt said.

(Story continues below ... )

The incident that led to the dog's injuries began shortly after noon that day when HPD officers spotted a car in a Greenspoint area apartment that had been grabbed during an armed robbery.

Police said two people in the car - later identified as juveniles, one male and one female - fled, leading officers on a short pursuit that ended when they crashed into an HPD patrol car along the 1500 block of Gears Road. The female juvenile was quickly arrested and was carrying a pistol, HPD officials said.

The male juvenile ran toward a nearby wooded area. Jake and HPD Officer L. Castillo were among those who chased after the carjacking suspect.

At some point during the foot chase, Jake bit Castillo. The officer fired his weapon twice, striking the police K-9.

The dog was hit twice, a grazing wound to the neck and another that struck near his mouth.

"That was the (injury) that was bleeding the most," Schmidt said.

Another law enforcement officer at the scene was aware of a veterinary clinic in the general area.

"They cleaned everything up and stitched the wound in the lip," Schmidt said.

Jake was later transferred to the BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Spring for more extensive medical attention - including blood work and a drain tube. He was kept under observation at the animal hospital for 24 hours and was later released to his two-legged police partner.

"We went back five days later. They took the drain tube out and said everything was looking good," Schmidt said.

The stitches have been removed and on Monday, Jake was cleared to again hit the streets.

Schmidt said he was relieved that Jake's recovery has been so complete.

"We don't have to retire him," he said.

Jake has been on the force for more than nine years and is among the oldest HPD K-9 partners. Schmidt believes his four-legged partner and friend will probably "Protect and Serve" the people of Houston for at least another year before he finally joins the ranks of retired HPD officers.

Before being cleared for duty, Jake had to go through an evaluation process - including being in the vicinity of gunfire.

"He had no problems," Schmidt said. "There is no difference in his work ethic at all."
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A Sugar Land woman has been chosen from among more than 24,000 job applications to be a Utah couple's traveling nanny.

Derek and M'Kenzie Tillotson, a Park City, Utah couple, made headlines last year when they launched a search for a person who would travel the world with the family and help care for and homeschool their two young children. They dubbed their project "Five Take Flight" and kicked off a months-long candidate search, focusing on people with education experience.

Alaire Moore, who studies special education and works at a treatment center for autistic teen boys, was chosen from the wait-list. The couple had narrowed it down to 50 candidates before sifting through the 7,000-application roster, where they found Moore.

"To know that I was chosen out of over 24,000 applicants is very humbling," Moor said. "It has helped me see that my flaws can be strengths and that someone else sees my personality as an added asset!"

ANOTHER DREAM JOB: Royal Caribbean wants to pay an intern to travel the world this summer

In addition to travel and living expenses, the Tillotsons will be paying Moore roughly $1,200 to $1,500 per month. Although the work schedule isn't set, the couple explained the nanny would have ample personal time.

"It's hard to define your exact hours because you will be living with us, but you will have time to yourself every day for sure, and one to two times a week you'll be able to go off on your own and have your own adventures," M'Kenzie Tillotson said in a video promoting the unique job opportunity.

Moore reportedly spent the weekend with the family and will begin traveling with them soon.

Above is the video the couple made to launch their travel nanny search.
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Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center

5601 S. Braeswood, erjcchouston.org

HARMONIA: A poignant metaphor to the struggle between the rival sibling religions that inhabit Jerusalem. 5 p.m. Thursday

THE SETTLERS: An intimate look at life inside the Jewish settlements in the West Bank. 7:30 p.m. Thursday

VICE VERSA: Yohai is a Yeshiva student rabbi charged with counseling Ayelet, an 18-year-old dying of cancer. The two enter into a relationship unsanctioned by the Yeshiva and Ayelet's family. 6:30 p.m. Saturday

A GRAIN OF TRUTH: A big shot prosecutor is called in to investigate a mysterious murder case, while the investigation continues he realizes the murders are connected to alleged historical Jewish ritual killings. 8:40 p.m. Saturday

WEINER: An examination of disgraced New York Congressman Anthony Weiner's mayoral campaign and today's political landscape. 1 p.m. Sunday

LIFE, ANIMATED: A coming of age story about a boy who couldn't speak and how his family helped him by turning Disney animated movies into a language to express love, loss, kinship and brotherhood. 4 p.m. Sunday (Emery/Weiner School, 9825 Stella Link)

MR. PREDICTABLE: After being misdiagnosed with terminal cancer, Adi meets an uninhibited dog walker named Natalia. While an inauspicious beginning for a relationship, Adi sees the world through her eyes and chooses a new direction for his life. 7:30 p.m. Sunday

River Oaks Theatre

2009 W. Gray; landmarktheatres.com

LET THE RIGHT ONE IN: Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl. Midnight Friday and Saturday

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

1001 Bissonnet; mfah.org

HARRY BENSON: SHOOT FIRST: The illustrious career of Harry Benson, a photographer who initially rose to fame alongside The Beatles, having been assigned to cover their inaugural trip to the United States in 1964. 7 p.m. Saturday

THE DUMB GIRL OF PORTICI: Fenella, a poor Italian girl, falls in love with a Spanish nobleman, but their affair triggers a revolution. 7 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Sunday

14 Pews

800 Aurora; 14pews.org

LOVE & TAXES: A riveting comic tale of seven years of tax avoidance. 7 p.m. Saturday

Houston Museum of Natural Science

5555 Hermann Park Drive; hmns.org

WILD AFRICA 3-D: A contrast of stunning deserts beside wild oceans and coral reefs. Multiple screenings daily

DREAM BIG 3-D: Learn how today's engineers are shaping the world of tomorrow. Multiple screenings daily

EXTREME WEATHER: Discover the complex forces influencing our weather. Multiple screenings daily

Rice Cinema

6100 Main, film.rice.edu

TOSUNI - BIRTH OF HAPPINESS: Tosun learns to fend for herself and enjoys her new found sense of independence after moving out of her family's home. 7 p.m. Tuesday

WATERMARK: A documentary on how water shapes humanity. 6 p.m. Wednesday

Italian Cultural Center

1101 Milford, iccchouston.com

SUBURRA: A gangster known as "Samurai" wants to turn the waterfront of Rome into a new Las Vegas. All the local mob bosses have agreed for this common goal, but peace does not last long. 7 p.m. Wednesday
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Two Houston chefs  Hugo Ortega of Hugo's and Jianyun Ye of Mala Sichuan Bistro  are finalists in the Best Chef Southwest category for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards. The nominees were announced Wednesday in Los Angeles.

It is Ortega's sixth nomination in the category recognizing the best chefs in the region. It is the first nomination for Ye, chef at the Chinese restaurant specializing in Sichuan cuisine. A second location of the Chinatown foodie favorite opened in Montrose in 2015.

Ortega and Ye were the only Houston names to make the short list for the 2017 James Beard Foundation chef and restaurant awards, considered the Oscars of the food world. Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata, Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, and Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan of The Pass & Provisions were semifinalists.

Cori Xiong, the owner of Mala Sichuan, was surprised to learn that the chef at her original Bellaire Boulevard location made the cut. She said Ye, who like Xiong is from Chengdu in the Sichuan province of China, has been the restaurant's chef for two years. He does not speak English, Xiong added.

REVIEW: Read what Alison Cook had to say about Mala Sichuan back in 2012

When the Chronicle spoke with Xiong Wednesday shortly after the announcement, she said Ye was not yet aware of the accolade.

"It doesn't seem real to me," Xiong said, adding that she didn't think Ye had a shot from the semi-final list because Mala Sichuan's food is not fine dining.

"Our food is ethnic food to the American people, but to Chinese people it's traditional cooking and true to its origin," Xiong said.



For his part, Ortega said his sixth nomination still felt thrilling.

"It means the world to all of us, and as Houstonians to represent this wonderful city," he said. "I couldn't be more excited to be a finalist again."

He praised the staff at his restaurants  Hugo's, Backstreet Cafe, Caracol and the new Xochi  which he owns with his wife and business partner Tracy Vaught of H Town Restaurant Group (Vaught was on the semi-finals list for Outstanding Restaurateur). He also thanked Houston.

TOP 100: See how Hugo's and Mala Sichuan ranked on Alison Cook's annual list

"For the city to accept the culture, the food and the flavors of another country is an incredible feeling," he said.

Ortega is planning to attend the awards ceremony, to be held May 1 in Chicago. But not just as a traditional black-tie nominee. He's been invited to be among the country's superstar chefs cooking for the awards dinner.

"Now I have to figure out the logistics for bringing 1,200 bites of food," he said.



With Ortega and Ye as Best Chef Southwest finalists, Houston has a shot at bringing home another Beard award. Last year Oxheart's Justin Yu was named Best Chef Southwest on his third consecutive nomination. Two years prior, in 2014, Chris Shepherd snagged the gold medal for his work at Underbelly.

The other chefs nominated in the Best Chef Southwest category are Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in Austin, Steve McHugh of Cured in San Antonio, Martin Rios of Restaurant Martin in Santa Fe and Steve Redzikowski of Acorn restaurant in Denver.

>>>Scroll through the gallery to see James Beard Award nominees from Texas
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My 25th birthday present to myself was a one-way ticket to New York.

The following year, after landing my then-dream job at "Vogue" (back when being a market stylist and event freelancer was a lucrative gig, y'all), I was eager to celebrate my first big girl paychecks the only way we fashion-types know how: shopping.

One Friday, a co-worker tipped me off that Loehmann's, a now-shuttered discount designer warehouse, would be closing its Tribeca outpost within 24 hours. Translation: I'd have to move fast if I wanted to properly pillage the multi-level retail space.

Would there be any merchandise worth splurging? Would the "good stuff" be picked over? Would it be a full-blown stampede of professional shopaholics? Would I experience lifelong FOMO if I passed on the Holy Grail of bargain hunting?

Obviously, that last one represented a risk I wasn't willing to take.

At the crack of dawn, prepared to sacrifice both my sanity and my Saturday, I carefully put on the retail assassins' uniform: minimal layers (easy to shed in dressing rooms), ballet flats (the most efficient footwear for trying on other shoes), and a cross-body bag (full range of motion is mission critical).

But my target destination was empty. Very empty.

Less than two dozen of us weekend warriors flipped through the sad, lonely racks. Floor after floor, bare clothing hangers clung to skeletal rails and depressed-looking mannequins. Their melancholy rubbed off on us, too. We had collectively missed the boat.

I veered toward the couture salon, just to pay my respects, when I caught a glimpse of something chartreuse and sparkly. Bull's eye. The item in question was comprised of two pieces: a bright, silky slip dress and an entirely embellished lace armor of sorts. (I'm not being dramatic; the latter weighed a solid five pounds.) The ankle-length frock was an intricate rainbow of fuchsia, lavender, lime, and turquoise beading and sequins stitched together by wisps of metallic thread.

I was ready to pull the trigger even before locking eyes on the label (Missoni) or price tag ($6,000 marked down to $600); but's let just say the reconnaissance mission escalated to a 007-level operation pretty quickly.

There was no time for trying on. There was no room for second guessing.

Instead, I sprinted to the nearest cash register, pausing only to collect a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars in my size next to the checkout line. Then I waited. Then I negotiated. It was, after all, Loehmann's last day in business  like, ever. My sales associate happily offered to knock off an additional 20 percent  pending manager approval, of course  with a little not-so-gentle prodding.

And that's how yours truly scored a Missoni evening gown and some Converse for half-of-a-grand.

While I celebrated my 26th birthday dripping in embroidered, Italian finery at the West Village's quasi-hidden eatery, Hudson Clearwater, that's certainly not the norm. Most of the time, my eleventh-hour Loehmann's find remains buried in my wardrobe, wrapped lovingly in tissue paper or a zippered garment bag, as treasured articles should.

It emerges once, maybe twice, a year for last-minute gala invitations and photo shoots where one is expected to turn heads with minimal effort. Ensembles of this magnitude are best suited for artfully "undone" styling, anyway. No updos or flashy costume jewels need apply. I've thrown it on for an impromptu glamour shot in the snow, my friend Natalie Bond Bloomingdale's black-tie wedding, the Houston Zoo Ball, and more.

So, when Suzanne Court, my former boss and co-chair of the 2017 Texas Film Awards in Austin, extended an invite for me to join the festivities on short notice, how could I refuse?

I had the perfect dress in my arensal; it packs like a pro, doesn't wrinkle, show stains, or require alterations. Plus, I prefer to wear it backwards, which makes for an excellent conversation starter.

Close friends are all too aware that the gown's official moniker is the "emergency Missoni" though truthfully, it's the birthday gift that keeps on giving.
Submitted

Houston Hospice is thrilled to welcome Gail Caldwell to her home state to speak at the 16th Annual Butterfly Luncheon on March 30, 2017.

Caldwell was born and raised in Amarillo, and although she's lived on the East Coast since 1981, the high plains of Texas serve as the backdrop for much of her writing. Caldwell moved east in the 1980s to teach feature writing at Boston University and eventually became the chief book critic for The Boston Globe where she was awarded the 2001 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.
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Sam Houston IV adored Texas history, a characteristic that befitted his bloodline tie to one of the state's most celebrated figures.

Houston IV, the great grandson of Sam Houston, the general who in 1836 led the Texian Army to victory in the Battle of San Jacinto to win the Texas Revolution, carried that love for history until the end of his life, family members said. Houston IV died on March 10 in Katy, his longtime residence. He was 85 years old.

"He didn't really have interests besides for Texas history. That was his interest," said Houston IV's son, Steven Houston. "He was your typical father; very family-oriented. A lot of the time he spent was with family or (history) organizations."

Houston IV honored Texas history through various roles.

He frequently spoke at the annual San Jacinto Day celebration in La Porte.

He was the president general for the Sons of the Republic of Texas from 1990 to 1992. He also served as the president of the San Jacinto Chapter No. 1 and as knight commander of the Knights of San Jacinto.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in 2010 commissioned Houston IV as the commanding general of The Texas Army, a ceremonial and re-enactment group. In 2016, he was named president emeritus of the Sam Houston Chapter.

Houston IV received several heritage and service awards, including being one of eight men in the 100-year history of the SRT to receive a lifetime achievement award.

His greatest interest, however, was teaching Texas history - particularly that of the Texas Revolution - to schoolchildren across the state.

"He talked to hundreds of schools," his wife Virginia Rose said. "He started with fourth graders, and then he did personal invitations all over the state. That took up a lot of his days."

Houston IV was born in Claremore, Oklahoma in 1931. He grew up mostly attending private schools, including the Schreiner Institute, Allen Military Academy and St. Michael's College in New Mexico. He also earned a history degree from the University of Houston.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and stayed with the Army Reserves for 16 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Houston IV also held a career in the steel industry for years. He and Rose, a native Houstonian, moved to Katy about 36 years ago. They picked the west Houston suburb, Rose said, because of its then-small size. For years, Houston IV enjoyed goose hunting on the Katy Prairie. He also liked to fish.

In recent years, Houston IV battled a number of health issues such as diabetes that untimely lead to his death, according to Nancy Burch, a member of the Harris County Historical Commission and cousin of Houston IV.

Burch said Houston IV took great pride in being a descendant of Sam Houston.

"We all talked about it of course," she said. "It's obviously a big part of the family history. We were all aware and proud of being connected to that history."

Houston IV was proceeded in death by his parents Sam and Ruth Houston and three sisters  Laura, Margaret and Eleanor Houston.

He is survived by Rose and their children, Vicky Allen and husband Bill, Steven Houston and Kevin Houston, as well as his brother, Temple Houston and grandchildren Sherry, Bridget and Scott and great grandchildren Jessica, Chelsea, Patrick, Mackenzie, Nicole, Sophia and Dylan.

The Schmidt Funeral Home in Katy hosted a memorial service for Houston IV on March 15.
The start of the 85th Texas Legislative Session is an exciting and busy time for not only elected officials, but also the many advocates and leaders from across the state.

As Fort Bend ISD student leaders visited Austin recently, the halls of the State Capitol were filled with people, rushing from one meeting to another. The priorities and goals set here will affect the lives of millions of Texans for the next two years. This was one of the theme of the day for students in the Board's Student Leadership program, to see what they have learned in their classrooms and seen on television in real life.

For the first part of the day, the students, Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre and several trustees  President Kristin Tassin, Vice President Jason Burdine and Trustee KP George  met with several lawmakers representing Fort Bend County in the Texas House. District 28 state Rep. John Zerwas and District 85 state Rep. Phil Stephenson shared how they became interested in politics and how what they do in their professional lives influences their work in government. For Zerwas, a physician, the primary priorities are health care, public safety and education.

"I congratulate you for participating in this leadership course," he said to the students. "Texas is highly invested in making sure you get a good education. I believe that is how we define what the future of Texas looks like."

Wroe Jackson, chief of staff for District 17 Sen. Joan Huffman met next with the students and shared with them about his work as a legislator staffer. As an attorney, Jackson works mainly on issues of criminal justice, voting rights and elections for the senator.

He also helps to meet with constituents and visitors to her office. He, along with the other staff members, work to make sure that the senator is prepared for business when bills have to be debated and votes have to be taken.

"She has to find a way to get the information that she needs to be an informed decision maker, and that's where staff comes in," he said.

Jackson informed the students they soon could be working with legislators, encouraging them to look into internships when they begin college. He explained these internships can help the students further their growth in leadership and give them an insight into politics, if they choose to go in that direction.

During lunch, students heard from Dupre, Tassin and District 131 state Rep. Alma Allen about what they can do now, as student leaders, to prepare for their adult lives as engaged citizens.

Tassin shared what school boards do, and how they function like municipal and state government bodies, setting the priorities and policies for school districts. She and Allen encouraged the students to think about what they can do now, as students in high school, to get involved in the democratic process.

"I want you to think about in what way can you give back because everything that you do is going to matter," said Tassin. "There are a lot of ways to advocate."

As leaders from the district and from the state government spoke to the students, they all shared how what they do at various levels of public service affects the lives of the students, their families and all the residents of Fort Bend County. And as the day concluded, Dupre made sure to let the students know that they could be speaking to students one day as elected officials and leaders.

"It takes you to make a difference in the world, and you need to be well-prepared as voting citizens," he said. "It's never too early to begin."
The widow of Houston fire Capt. William "Iron Bill" Dowling spoke quietly to the hundreds of people gathered Wednesday for the memorial service celebrating the life of her fallen husband.

Jacki Dowling spoke of their life and the shock of the day he was injured.

"Some firefighters ... brought his duffle bag," she said. "I began to go through his things and that's when I really lost it. ... Our life was normal then, and everything in my life, I knew, would never be the same."

Dowling's former crew at Station 68 in Houston also spoke to the gathering, noting that he "fought and fought and fought." And the International Association of Fire Fighters presented Jacki Dowling with the organization's Medal of Honor, it's highest honor.

Dowling's firetruck-red casket sat just to the side, with his gear.

Hundreds of firefighters, dignitaries and first responders filled the Houston Baptist University auditorium Wednesday for the memorial service, arriving after a short walk escorted by hundreds of firetrucks along the Southwest Freeway and Fondren. The two-hour service ended just after noon.

Dowling died March 7 from complications of injuries he sustained in a 2013 blaze that killed four other firefighters and wounded 14 others.

TOASTING TO FALLEN FIREFIGHTER: Family, friends mourn the death of 'Iron Bill'

At Station 68 - where Dowling worked - other firefighters stepped in to cover the shift so the regular crews could attend the service. Memorials to Dowling popped up across the area, from a small mural commemorating those who died to signs acknowledging "Iron Bill."

Nearly 200 firefighters from outside Houston used personal time to help man the city's fire stations so local firefighters could attend the service.

Dowling was among the firefighters who raced into a blaze that consumed an Indian restaurant and the Southwest Inn motel on May 31, 2013.

The roof, which had been weakened by a smoldering pocket of fire, collapsed on the men, and Dowling's legs were pinned beneath the rubble. His legs had to be amputated, and he suffered brain injuries that left him unable to speak.

His death on March 7 in Colorado came after a bout of pneumonia and cellulitis.

At Station 68, firefighters watched the service together in-between calls for service amid a dozen reminders of the tragedy.

The TV in the common area was surrounded by framed fire axes memorializing the two first responders from the station who died that day.

Near the donated doughnuts sitting on the long wooden table, a plaque on the wall listed every Station 68 crew member who responded to the Southwest Motel fire.

The procession began about 8:50 a.m. on a chill and sunlit morning.

Hundreds of firefighters fell silently into line at the front of the campus' Belin Tower below its cursive enscription: "He is the image of the invisible God."

Lieutenants and their captains, battalion and fire chiefs marched in rows of four. The chiefs identifiable by their crisp white caps.

The Houston Fire Department's Pipes & Drums bagpipers rang out a melancholy tune amidst the thrum of helicopters overhead and passing traffic on Southwest Freeway. An honor guard stood at attention beside Dowling's casket, as it sat, draped in an American flag, on the bed of a firetruck at the head of the procession.

Bystanders came out along the procession path to watch. American Red Cross Disaster Relief personnel dotted the feeder road to the freeway, and staffers from Memorial Hermann Hospital watched solmenly.

Dressed in black, Erica Henderson and her seven-year-old son Gavin stood along the intersection of the Southwest Freeway and Fondren.

They are familiar with the life of a firefighter. Her husband, a firefighter for nearly 13 years, works at Station 33 and is studying to be a captain. She and Gavin came out to watch him march in the procession.

"Four years ago, the Southwest Inn fire, we lost those four firefighters --captains too-- that was huge."

The four deaths rocked the fire department community in indescribable ways, Henderson said.

"Because it's far-reaching, families of firefighters are such a huge community, that when one loses, we all lose," Henderson said.

Although her son is preparing for his 8th birthday in two days, Henderson wanted him to be present for the march and watch his father pay tribute to Capt. Dowling.

Wearing a formal black suit with a red ribbon pinned to the breast, Gavin waved to passing firefighters.
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Two liquor store robberies in two weeks have left Ford Bend police on the hunt for help.

Now, more than a month after the heists carried out just blocks apart, Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to arrests.

In the first case, a woman and two men got together to rob Luso Liquor Store in the 8600 block of Highway 6 South. On Feb. 11 around 7 p.m., the woman went in to inquire about a specific type of liquor. She left but came back later with a man. Together, they went up to the clerk to buy the liquor in question, but a bandana-wearing man busted in and demanded money at gunpoint.

Afterward, all three suspects fled the scene in a white four-door sedan.

Nine days later, robbers struck again just a half-mile away. Around 7 p.m., a man and woman held up the New Village Liquor Store in the 9200 block of Highway 6 South, in the Houston portion of Fort Bend County.

The woman, again, entered to ask for a specific type of liquor. She left and returned five minutes later to ask another question, before a man came in brandishing a gun, demanding that the clerk open the register and get on the floor.

The suspect grabbed cash from behind the counter before fleeing the scene with his accomplice.

The woman is described as 5-foot-4 and heavy-set with a shaved haircut on each side and long hair in the back.

The first man is 6 feet tall with a slim but muscular build and tattoos covering both arms.

The second male suspect is 5-foot-5 and about 140 pounds.

The woman and the second man fit suspect descriptions for both crimes, and authorities believe the same people were responsible for both robberies.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-TIPS.
Lee Cantos, RN, and Ranjeetha Reddy, RN, were named Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital's DAISY Award winners, a national honor that recognizes the contributions of extraordinary nurses.

Cantos was nominated by a number of patients, who praised her kindness and willingness to provide compassionate care. One patient wrote that she was scared during her first night in the hospital, but Cantos went out of her way to make her feel secure.

"I was worried about being left alone because my family was unable to spend the night," the patient wrote on her nomination form. "Lee quickly calmed my fears. She kneeled down at the side of my bed and explained everything about the unit. She was kind and considerate. She listened and answered all the questions that my daughters and I had. By the time she finished, I knew I was in good hands and my daughters felt better having to leave me alone. Throughout that night she kept her promise. She was there constantly monitoring my heart rate and blood pressure. She took great care of me. My family and I thank her for being a nurse committed to excellent patient care."

Reddy was also nominated by several of her patients, who commented on her comforting and gentle nature. One patient in particular spoke of her recent diagnosis of acute leukemia, and the struggles she faced in dealing with the reality of both the illness and the treatment.

"Ranjeetha is amazingly comforting as she cares for you," the patient wrote. "Her care and concern for every detail is extraordinary. She has taken the time to get to know me and how I respond to things. She anticipates my anxiousness and heads it off with encouragement I can trust. I feel so confident when she cares for me, and it allows me to remain positive with my treatments. My doctor is so pleased with my response to the chemotherapy, and I owe that to her. I wouldn't have made it this far without her."

In honor of the DAISY Award selection, Cantos and Reddy received a certificate of appreciation, a DAISY Award pin, a sculpture titled "A Healer's Touch," hand-carved by artists of the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe and a reserved parking spot.

The DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died in 1999 from an autoimmune disease. The care the Barnes family received from nurses inspired this unique award as a way of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Today, more than 1,300 hospitals across the United States participate in the program.

"We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in the DAISY Award program," said Janet Leatherwood, chief nursing officer. "Nurses like Lee and Ranjeetha are everyday heroes who demonstrate excellence through clinical expertise and compassionate care, and we are excited to be able to recognize them  and our future winners  as outstanding role models for the nursing profession."
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A Florida man has been sentenced to 90 days in the Harris County Jail and fined $1,000 for bringing his 6-year-old daughter with him when he went to a Harris County hotel for sex.

Jean Rolex Fleurine, 32, of North Miami, Florida, thought he was going to meet a prostitute on July 21, but the woman turned out to be an undercover Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy, according to law enforcement records.

PIMP DAD: Baytown dad sentenced for forcing daughter into prostitution

Fleurine was convicted and sentenced Wednesday of prostitution after a two-day trial in a case prosecuted by the Harris County District Attorney's Office Sex Crimes Division.

Fleurine got involved in the case after responding to an advertisement on a website known for sex solicitation, prosecutors said. He contacted the deputy with a text message and agreed to meet her at the hotel and pay for sex.

In the text, Fleurine told the deputy he was bringing his daughter and asked if that would be ok. "She won't know what's going on," he said.

Undercover surveillance video showed that when he arrived, Fleurine told his daughter to sit on the hotel room's queen-sized bed and turned up the TV, playing the show "Family Feud." He went into the bathroom with the deputy, expecting to have sex, but was arrested.

TEXT TROUBLE: Baylor fires football staffer for inappropriate text messages

During his trial, Fleurine maintained that he was conducting research on the sex industry, noting that in 2014, he wrote a college paper on the dangers of prostitution, the district attorney's office said.

Countering his defense, prosecutor Kimberly Ikegbunam read portions of Fleurine's paper aloud for jurors, including this passage: "Prostitution will always be a problem in America because kinky men will always be willing to pay for sex."
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A Houston-area man allegedly claiming to be a U.S. Marine veteran has been arrested after being confronted by his employer.

David Roberson, 23, whose address is listed as Pasadena, was arrested Friday in Brazos County and remained Wednesday in the Brazos County Jail, according to online law enforcement records.
A Texas congresswoman from Dallas is pitching a unique solution to the state's growing rape kit problem, the Texas Tribune reports.

Rep. Victoria Neave, D-Dallas, says crowdfunding could help test thousands of rape kits that have been languishing in Texas' forensic labs.

CONGRESSMAN GETS REAL: Rep. Joe Barton tells attendee to 'shut up'

According to the bill, every person would be given an option to donate at least $1 when they apply for or renew their driver's license.

The Tribune reports state lawmakers appear to be a little slow in procuring extra funding to help address the backlog of rape kits. Neave's office said in 2013, the state legislature appropriated around $11 million to help put a dent in the rape kits generated between 1996 to 2011.

In July 2016, Houston District Attorney Kim Ogg suggested using drug forfeiture money to eliminate the backlog of rape kits.
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In journalism, it's called "burying the lede."

And Rachel Maddow gave a master class in just that on her MSNBC show Tuesday night.

With huge numbers of viewers tuned in because of her earlier tweet that she had obtained President Donald Trump's tax returns, she talked ... and talked ... and talked. For an eternity - or close to 20 minutes, which certainly felt like an eternity - viewers heard about everything except the actual news. We got Russian oligarchs, Cypriot banks, the firing of former national security adviser Michael Flynn and much more.

"Haven't seen this much windup since El Duque," quipped Maggie Haberman, a New York Times reporter, referring on Twitter to former Yankee Orlando Hernandez's pitching style.

In journalism, it's called "burying the lede."

About 10 minutes in, I started wondering what would have happened if Maddow, rather than David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post, had been sent the "Access Hollywood" video? How long, how long, would we have waited to find out what a really famous guy can grab 'em by?

Some old-timers were even recalling TV host Geraldo Rivera's overhyped 1986 exploration of Al Capone's vault.

TRUMP IN ON IT? Did President Trump leak his own tax returns?

Maddow's reveal, when it finally came, was interesting if underwhelming: Trump paid $38 million taxes in 2005 at about a 25 percent rate and took a huge write-down. (Donald Trump Jr. tweeted his sarcastic thanks to Maddow for showing his father's business success; and indeed, these figures were not damaging to Trump in the way that a New York Times report last fall on his leaked 1995 taxes were.)

In the nearly 90 minutes between Maddow's initial tweet and the actual news being pronounced on her show by her star guest, investigative reporter David Cay Johnston, the White House itself had gone on the offensive to release the numbers, and the Daily Beast, where Johnston writes a column, had published a story on the same.

And by then, talk on Twitter had already turned to whether Trump himself had released the returns, possibly as a shiny-object distraction from the Republican health-care bill.

The smart money says no: Much more likely, they emanated from the unsuccessful and ill-advised 2006 lawsuit that Trump filed against former New York Times reporter and Trump biographer Timothy O'Brien in which the same returns - 2005 - were provided in discovery.

Maddow's slow reveal had its defenders, like viewer Karen Charmatz, who tweeted: "I like the way she explains things. Sometimes it's proper to contextualize an issue. This is one of those times."

But mostly, it had its critics, including Jason Del Rey of Recode: "Maddow just convinced millions more to cut the cable cord."

And, happily, the show provided educational material beyond how to bury the lede. Dictionary.com said its top request for word definition was for "transom," after Johnston described how he received the documents "over the transom," meaning that they arrived unrequested and in this case, in the old-fashioned U.S. mail - the second time Trump tax returns have come to a reporter that way in recent months.

And the cable-cutting generation under 35 who scrambled to stream the Maddow show or watch from a bar or a parent's home seemed to learn something, too: That the world of cable-TV has its own language and its own inexplicable mores.

Maddows's approach was in keeping with how she conducts her highly rated show every night. This is not a woman who believes in cutting to the chase.

As she told Michael Grynbaum of The Times in a recent interview, Maddow never assumes that her viewers have all the information and context they need: "There's new people here every night. I definitely feel like, hey, if you're new, let me meet you where you are."

In the end, a scoop is a scoop, and Maddow certainly milked it for all it was worth. To her credit, she also put the crucial subject of Trump's finances squarely back in the national conversation.

The president's Tuesday night complaint that Maddow must be "desperate for ratings" - and that the publication of the return was illegal - doesn't hold up.The publication of newsworthy material is not against the law; the president's tax returns, long denied to the public, certainly meet that test.

In addition to Maddow's not-so-short course in burying the lede, and the new understanding of how "over the transom" works, we all learned something else: just how fast Trump can move to release his tax returns when he wants to.

The transom awaits.
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.
Mumbai, March 15 (IANS) Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha, who will be donning the judge's hat once again for the eight season of dance reality show "Nach Baliye", says this time she is going to have a different experience."I have judged children for a singing reality show. I really get along with children so it was easy. Here it will be a different experience for me and for the contestants as well. I am going to judge a dance reality show for the first time," Sonakshi told reporters here on Tuesday.



About judging the performances, the "Akira" star said, "I will look how well they do as a pair and the coordination between them. To see the equations between the couples would be beautiful."On the work front, the actress said she is excited for her forthcoming movie "Noor". "I am very excited and looking forward to promoting the movie. 'Noor' is a very special film for me."



Directed by Sunhil Sippy, "Noor" features Sonakshi Sinha in the titular role. The film is based on Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz's novel "Karachi, You're Killing Me!" and follows a journalist-writer Noor's mis-adventures and love life in Mumbai.The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on 21 April
Chennai, March 15 (IANS) Actor Raj Tarun's cameo in upcoming Tamil-Telugu horror-thriller "Balloon" will be very significant from the story's perspective and won't be a blink-and-you-miss kind of role, says director Sinish.



"The film will have a simultaneous release in Telugu. For the Tamil version, we have enough familiar faces in the cast. However, we needed someone for Telugu audiences to root for. Hence, we went with Raj Tarun," Sinish told IANS.



The film will mark Raj Tarun's Tamil film debut.Talking about his character, Sinish said: "It's a very significant role. Even though it's a cameo, he will appear in a very important sequence. He plays a role on par with the film's lead cast. Tarun will be part of the film's Tamil as well Telugu version."



On working with the "Uyyala Jampala" actor, Sinish said that he was very "sweet" and "cooperative".The film, which has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, also stars Jai, Anjali and Janani Iyer.
MaCon Adds Vi Technology's PI Series to Line Card in Argentina Published: 15 March 2017 by Mike Buetow by Mike Buetow

Saint-Egreve, France, March 2017  Vi TECHNOLOGY, the leading provider of 3D inspection solutions for PCB assembly, is pleased to announce its expanded relationship with MaCon Maquinas y Consumibles.

MaCon has been successful with the sales of Vi TECHNOLOGYs AOI systems in Argentina, and is adding the award-winning PI Series to its line card. MaCon is becoming the sole distributor of the complete 3D Solutions in Argentina, including 3D SPI, 3D AOI and Sigma Link.

The PI Series has been recognized by the industry as the most innovative SPI product since the introduction of Moire systems. Outstanding accuracy and repeatability, auto-programming and unprecedented review are the key differentiating features. Since its introduction, the PI Series has been installed largely to become the new worldwide best seller for Solder Paste Inspection.

The team at Maquinas y Consumibles SRL has more than 35 years of experience in the electronics market. MaCons team of highly trained professionals, dedicated to each specialty, are committed to providing excellent support before and after sales. With headquarters in the City of Buenos Aires, and branches in Rio Grande and Ushuaia, the company is able to provide immediate support for its customers.

I have known Juan and Emiliano for more than 15 years, and I am convinced that MaCons professionalism along with our complete 3D solution will offer our customers in Argentina new horizons in process control, said Jean-Marc Peallat, VP Global Sales for Vi TECHNOLOGY.

For more information about MaCons products and services, visit www.maconnet.com.

For more information about Vi TECHNOLOGY, visit www.vitechnology.com.
Fundatia de Binefacere Caritas Moldova solicita oferte de pret de la companii cu privire la productia de materiale de vizibilitate
In the 2002 movie Live from Baghdad, Michael Keaton plays a seasoned CNN producer who travels to Iraq to cover the first Gulf War. Checking into his hotel, Keatons character overhears a woman helping translate for another guest. Without skipping a beat he introduces himself and offers her a job working for CNN.

But Im not a translator, Im an Egyptian student, the woman protests.

Really? Keaton says, as if hes had this sort of conversation countless times. He whips out some cash and hands it over to her. Howd you like to be a translator? 100 bucks a day.

She readily agrees, and CNN goes off to produce coverage that stuns the world.

When I first saw this movie, I had little experience working abroad as a journalist. Looking back on it now, however, I find the scene hilariously absurd. Why would a network that sent an entire team to cover a war not have sorted out a translator beforehand? Why wouldnt Keaton have tested her translation skills? Also, she said she was from Egypt. Even though Arabic is the official language in both countries, wouldnt it be wiser to hire an Iraqi? I could go on.

But then I realized how the sceneperhaps without meaning togot so many things right about the fraught and informal relationship between the international media and fixers, as pretty much anyone hired to help journalists, even if they themselves are journalists, are called.

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In recent years more journalists are asking questions about how fixers are treated, who is benefiting more from the arrangement, whether credit from the work is shared enough, and what can be done to level the playing field. Its a necessary conversation. Fortunately, many of these questions are addressed in a timely new series from Roads & Kingdoms, a website that has described itself as foreign correspondence through food, music, and culture.

Launched late last year, the new series is called Unbylined and features Q&A-style interviews with fixers from all over the world. They have published pieces from the Philippines, Iraq, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Belarus, Mexico, and China. More are coming.

The editors and reporters at R&K, which is now based in Brooklyn but grew out of a Tumblr in Myanmar, have developed a knack for this sort of thing. (Full disclosure: In 2015, I contributed two posts to the site from Myanmar and Bangladesh, respectively.)

They and their contributors approach well-trodden territory through a secret side door. Pakistan, for instance, appears frequently in the mainstream news, mostly for reasons related to violent developments in the South Asian country. There is almost nothing on what its like to live there. That leaves space for pieces such as The KFC Chicken Sandwich that Ate Pakistan, an essay by Saba Imtiaz about the unusual way KFCs Zinger burger has embedded itself in the taste buds of the nation. In Karachi, Imtiaz explains, the Zinger is a symbol of urban aspirations and dreams, a burger that sustains a city constantly in flux. Its not just a burger. Its Karachis burger. Imtiaz describes its origin from KFC product to byword for a fried-chicken patty sold at any number of restaurants. It has melded so deeply into local food culture that it is possible to get Zinger Biryani, which Imtiaz dubbed a work of art.

Unbylined has a similar effect on readers by inviting them back into the kitchen of international journalism.

In general, the goal of the series is both to recognize the vital work these people do and to help inform readers about where their news comes from. Thats why we call it Unbylined, emphasizing the fact that you can tell from the interviews how much reporting and even framing theyre doing on a story, but they largely dont receive credit, says R&K Executive Editor Cara Parks in an email. This series combines two themes near and dear to our hearts at R&K: pulling back the curtain on international reporting and providing a platform for voices that are too often marginalized or ignored by the media. In that sense, this column is a real sweet spot for us.

I asked her what has been most surprising or revealing about the answers.

Each of them have been revealing in their own ways, but in general, its been a good reminder that every repressive government is repressive in its own way. In Belarus, Dzmitry Halko described the hamfisted theatrics of that Stalinist regime, while in China, Christine Wei emphasized the issue of self-censorship over official interventions, she says. Its been a refreshing reminder of the nuanced approach required to create informative foreign reporting, as well as how often thats not what actually ends up on the page.

Reading through the interviews, I also picked up on how journalists come to a country with a very fixed notion of the story they want to do, however outlandish the idea may be.

Jorge Armando Nieto, a Mexican reporter who fixes for international news outlets, described how a visiting journalist wanted to approach a member of a cartel to get access to a drug tunnel for a story. I had to explain to him, Look, brother, this is not how it works.

R&Ks Unbylined series has yet to cover Myanmar, where I am based, so I took an informal survey from two friends, both local journalists and fixers with whom I have worked. They both said they wished journalists placed more trust in them as sources of information. They also said there was a lack of patience when it comes to Myanmars culture, even its bureaucratic culture. This is a place where permissions and forms are needed to travel to certain places. But not all visiting journalists understand how long or tedious a process that can be.

Fixers do feel like they get screwed over more than journalists feel they screw them over. Theres clearly a difference of opinion.

As it happens, Unbylined is part of a bigger conversation about fixing that is just getting started.

The Vancouver-based Global Reporting Centre has just finished the largest survey of journalists and fixers ever conducted. Distributed mostly via word of mouth last year, the organization received hundreds of responses and has compiled preliminary data ahead of doing follow-up interviews. The answers revealed, or rather confirmed, the different ways foreign correspondents and fixers view aspects of their relationship.

Mostly, it put numbers on the gut assumption. Even that I find to be quite valuable because sometimes your gut assumptions on these things can be totally off, says journalist and GRC Executive Director Peter Klein in an interview.

Klein shared some of those numbers with CJR.

According to the survey, 67 percent of those who identified as fixers said they never or rarely get credit on a story. Meanwhile, journalists said they relied on fixers often and always 46 percent of the time, whereas fixers believe they are relied upon 83 percent of the time.

Survey questions also dealt with payment problems, trust, security, and editorial judgment.

Fixers do feel like they get screwed over more than journalists feel they screw them over, Klein says. Theres clearly a difference of opinion.

Klein says the GRC is going to present its research in full later this year, and afterwards, possibly look at creating a best-practices guide.

Until then, Unbylined remains a good place to start.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Joe Freeman is a journalist who lives in Yangon and has reported from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Follow him on Twitter @joefree215.
Floods a year ago took everything from Vivian resident Gwen Smith.

I lost my home completely, she said.

Before the flood hit on March 9, 2016, Smith had lived most of her adult life in the mobile home. For two weeks, she lived with a close friend. Then, for two months, she lived on a houseboat loaned to her by a neighbor.

Finally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, granted her a brand new home.

In early March, standing between her new white double-wide trailer and the houseboat where she watched the waters recede during months filled with anxiety and trepidation, Smith said shes blessed. She even chose to get baptized in the same water that sourced the floods.

Im glad everything is the way it is now. I hope I never have to see another flood, but Im in a lot better place now, Smith said. Its brought me closer to God.

Others havent been so lucky.

Times interviews, particularly with those from low-income areas or who didnt have flood insurance, showed many are still reeling from the March 2016 floods repercussions almost a year later.

Brittany Herring and her husband James Moore, who live with their four young children in Oil City, helped dozens of people when Ferry Lake School Road flooded.

Herring said many in her area have still not recovered from the floods or have not been reimbursed by FEMA.

Its made me think of how you can lose everything in the blink of an eye, Herring said. These people are older, people who have worked their whole lives, and they go from having everything to having nothing.

Herring said she is starting a GoFundMe account for former Shreveport city employee David Rogers and his wife because black mold has made their former home uninhabitable. The couple has been living in a camper since the floods, Herring said.

Rogers, a retired mechanic, said FEMA reimbursed $14,000  nowhere near enough.

He said he and his wife are living in the camper out of necessity.

We dont have near the amenities we had, and half the things dont work, Rogers said. But we live on fixed income, and we dont have the money to move.

Rogers said he also cant afford flood insurance because rates have risen since the March floods. He said the community came together to a point during the floods but that hes largely been left on his own.

Asked how he found the strength to face his current situation, Rogers shrugged.

You only have one of two choices, he said. You either lay down and die or keep kicking.

Family portraits of her two smiling children and quotes about family and faith line the walls in the mobile home where Lori Hightower Grogan and her young daughter live in Pecan Valley Estates, in Bossier City.

Im living with black mold and sinkholes. Im still fighting with FEMA, Grogan said. A year later, and Im still in the same place and looking for another place to live.

But the floods also swept away the sense of security Grogan had tried to build for herself and her daughter.

I had been in an abusive relationship. I had bought us a house no one could take away, and a year later, the flood took it from us, she said.

Grogan said shes tried to kill the black mold pockmarking the crevices and walls of the mobile home and coming into the trailer through her vents, to no avail.

This stuff doesnt want to die, she said, gesturing at a foot-long stain.

Grogan said FEMA did provide some funds for damage. But she estimated she lost at least $8,000 in damages that FEMA didnt cover and her health suffered from living with the black mold.

She didnt want to leave the mobile home during the floods  she said she was one of the last in the mobile home park to evacuate  but now she is desperate to find a safe place to live.

Demetrius Christaw, also a resident of Pecan Valley Estates, said he and his family are still repairing flood damage.

Christaw said the family spent hundreds of dollars and at least six months of work to replace their air conditioner, battle encroaching black mold and redo insulation and carpet.

Christaw said being together in the struggle against the floods repercussions has given him and his family the strength to get through the situation and a new appreciation for the present moment.

Its a strong family tie. In a time like this, everyone comes together, Christaw.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
PRESS RELEASE

STARMUS IV NEW SPEAKER'S ANNOUNCMENT

THE NEW LINEUP INCLUDES STEPHEN HAWKING WITH 10 NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS, BUZZ ALDRIN AND OLIVER STONE

Starmus IV, hosted by NTNU, runs from 18th June to 23rd June in Trondheim, Norway, tickets available from www.starmus.com

-Professor Stephen Hawking

New Starmus participants consist of a combination of Nobel Laureates, astronauts, a filmmaker, sociologists and scientists of all stripes: Buzz Aldrin, Oliver Stone, Larry King, Brian Cox, Jaan Tallinn, Sir Chris Pissarides, Paul D.N. Hebert, Eugene Kaspersky, Alexandra Witze, Jeffrey Sachs, Christer Fuglesang, Nancy Knowlton, Nick Lane, Sir Anthony Giddens, Sue Bailey, Torsten Wiesel, John Delaney, Sergey Volkov, and Alexander Volkov.

PRESS RELEASE

The legendary Buzz Aldrin will be joining fellow moonwalkers, Charlie Duke and Harrison Schmitt; the trio will come together, for the first time, in front of an audience to take part in a thrilling hour-long debate, titled To The Moon And Beyond. The moonwalkers will explore their incredible landings decades later and will share their different views on future missions to Mars.

It has been my privilege to have attended two previous Starmus Conferences. I have never attended a conference with a more distinguished group of speakers. From Nobel Laureates to space voyagers to top scientists.The lectures were all informative, thought provoking and entertaining. I look forward to participating in Starmus IV, especially the panel discussion with my fellow moonwalkers. -Charlie Duke

Critically acclaimed Filmmaker Oliver Stone and award winning television host, Larry King will participate in a lively debate on our existing global problems.

Starmus IV will celebrate outstanding contributions from women to the world of science and astronomy. Biologist, Nancy Knowlton, psychiatrist, Dame Sue Bailey and science journalist, Alexandra Witze, will join the incredibly high profile list of women speakers already on the programme, in sharing groundbreaking discoveries made in their field. A core aim of Starmus is to encourage and inspire more women to take an interest in science by presenting role models who are changing the world.

Technology will also be a more significant part of the programme this year with innovative ideas shared by leaders who have changed the way we communicate, such as Skype co-founder Jaan Tallinn who will explore artificial intelligence.

New for 2017, Kaspersky Lab will install a major cybersecurity education hub, from which daily education sessions will be delivered by experts in the fields of both cybersecurity and science. During the festival, Eugene Kaspersky will be joined by other experts for a panel discussion about 'Industry 4.0', discussing the relationship between science, modern industry and cybersecurity.

Starmus IV will also introduce sociology and economics to the programme for the first time with 2004 Nobel Prize-winning economist, Finn Kydland, sociology professor, Lord Anthony Giddens and economics professor, Jeff Sachs and Regius Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, Chris Pissarides, discussing important global issues, including climate change, Brexit, Trump, and what impact they might have on politics and economics.

The Starmus board includes Stephen Hawking, Brian May, Peter Gabriel, Richard Dawkins, Alexei Leonov, and the festival's founder, Garik Israelian - these great minds have recruited the most intelligent, creative and artistic beings on the planet and devised an incredible programme.

Speakers are available for interview upon request

PRESS RELEASE

Starmus and its scientific and musical legacy:

Starmus Festival was born in 2011, the brainchild of astrophysicist Garik Israelian. His aim was to make the most universal science and art accessible to the public and that he achieved with three festivals that reached full capacity with participation from the world's most influentialscientists and astronomists along with superstar musicians. The magic of Starmus is not confined to science - music is also an essential component of the festival. One of the most prominent members of the Advisory Board, the great Peter Gabriel, former leader of UK band Genesis, highlights the close ties between astronomy and music: "Musicians explore and define what exists inside us, astronomers explore and define what exists outside of us. That's precisely what I love about Starmus: the combination of the two worlds".

With an unbeatable panel of great minds, the countdown shall begin to the next Starmus, in June 2017, amid considerable international expectation. Over the coming months, the organisation will unveil new features and surprises in connection with the world's most ambitious science event, which will in turn raise Trondheim's status as a city of culture, science and technology.

The music side to the festival shall be announced shortly.

About Trondheim and NTNU:

Trondheim is a renowned location for students and academics. It has been ranked several times as Norway's most impressive student city and has long standing traditions in education with a Cathedral School that has been in existence since 1152. The roots of today's university go all the way back to 1760, with the establishment of the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters (DKNVS). The city has a population of more than 188,000, with 33,000 students attending and nearly 7000 employees working at the university, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The University contributes an incredibly high level of science, education and innovation. The university and its spin-offs is one of the main reasons why the city is referred to as the science and technology capital of Norway.

Trondheim also has a vibrant cultural life. The city hosts festivals in genres including jazz, blues, chamber music, world music, rock and pop all year round with a peak during the summer when the light almost never leaves. During the Starmus festival in Trondheim in June 2017, the sun will go down at midnight and rises at 3am.

Situated just above 63 degrees north, the coastal city which was founded more than a thousand years ago (997), with its strong academic traditions combined with a culture-loving population is the perfect location for a festival such as Starmus, which brings out the best of both worlds.

For further information please contact Nicole Ettinger Ettinger PR E. nicole@ettinger

pr.com T. +44 751 5394107
"It's everything for me," Kurt Danysh, of Tomorrow's Neighbors, said of winning the Nonprofit of the Year award. "It's recognizing what we're doing, the value of what we're doing, in the community."
President Donald Trump speaks on the phone with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Oval Office of the White House, January 28, 2017 in Washington, DC.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping should be able to forge a personal connection that will benefit broader ties between their two nations if they do meet next month, observers say.

Although tensions between the two sides were likely to continue, both leaders project strong personalities, which could provide the basis for a lasting bond, they said.

According to US media reports, Trump will host Xi at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida on April 6 and 7.

More from the South China Morning Post:

Trump to host Xi Jinping for two-day summit in Florida next month, report says

Xi-Trump summit 'set for April at Florida resort'

Merkel's US trip: 'The trip is cancelled. That is not a joke'

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Monday the administration was preparing for a meeting between the two leaders but was not ready to announce a date. "Planning is ongoing for a visit between President Trump and President Xi at a date to be determined," Spicer said.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the two sides had been in close communication over the possibility of a summit and information would be released in a timely manner.
The second page of the documents obtained by Johnston are stamped "Client Copy," leading to speculation on Twitter that they may be Trump's own copy.

"By the way, let me point out that it's entirely possible that Donald Trump sent this to me. Donald Trump has, over the years, leaked all sorts of things," said Johnston, founder of DCReport.org. Johnston won his Pulitzer in 2001 for his stories on the inequality of the tax code while he was with The New York Times.

Johnston said he obtained the document by mail. He subsequently shared those findings exclusively with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump may have leaked his own 2005 tax return, according to the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter David Cay Johnston.

On Wednesday morning, Johnston told CNN that the stamp suggests that the version of the documents he received didn't come from the Internal Revenue Service. He said he doesn't know for sure who sent him the documents.

The documents came from someone who had access to them, either through an accounting firm who prepared the documents or in litigation or a regulatory proceeding, Johnston told CNN. He said the firm had no comment on the documents.

It has been reported that Trump posed as his own publicist under the names John Miller and John Barron. The real estate mogul has denied this, despite recordings that reveal the two had remarkably similar voices.

Johnston said Tuesday evening that Trump has a "long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it's in his interests." While that is a possibility, he told CNN Wednesday morning that "the anger with which the White House responded suggests" it isn't likely Trump leaked his own tax document.

The tax documents aired on MSNBC match figures given by the White House in a statement Tuesday, which said Trump had paid $38 million in taxes on income of more than $150 million for 2005.

The documents indicate that Trump paid an effective tax rate of about 24 or 25 percent. But Trump could have paid a lot less, if not for the alternative minimum tax, something he has said he'd eliminate.

Trump paid "no more tax than legally required," a spokesperson for the White House said in response to MSNBC's report. The full statement is below:

"Before being elected President, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required. That being said, Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that. Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans."

 MSNBC contributed reporting.

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of MSNBC and CNBC.
"It's what we in economics call loss aversion: It's not what they stand to gain from any sort of government policies but what they stand to lose if things go the wrong way."

Wednesday's Dutch election is an important one, widely dubbed by Europe-watchers as a litmus test for rising nationalist sentiment in Europe. But unlike the U.K. and the U.S., whose votes were partially fuelled by economic discontent, the Netherlands will be voting to preserve its economic fortunes, a Rabobank economist has told CNBC.

The Dutch economy has been growing fairly steadily in recent years, and, despite a slight dip towards the end of last year, looks set to achieve gross domestic product growth of approximately 2.1 percent in 2017, according to CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.

This is ahead of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's projections for the U.K. (1.6 percent), France (1.4 percent) Germany (1.8 percent), all of which are also managing recent and upcoming political votes.

Current polls suggest that incumbent Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is ahead in the polls, indicating that voters may seek to retain the status quo with regards to economic policies. However, the rise of Geert Wilders' far-right Freedom Party also points to clear national identity concerns in the country, which are likely to play a significant role in the future government.

Drowning in milk and cheese

Despite these concerns, Groenewegen said the Netherlands would be unlikely to follow the U.K. in holding a referendum on its membership of the European Union, saying that such a vote would be detrimental to Dutch economic interest.

"Nexit could be very detrimental to the Dutch economy because the Dutch economy is a very open economy," said Groenewegen.

"It's the fifth largest exporter in the world. It's the second largest agriculture exporter in the world. One could say we would be drowning in milk and cheese if we weren't able to export our goods outside of our own borders."

He added that a lack of trade deal with the U.K. would also be detrimental to the Netherlands, which currently exports 8 percent of its goods to Britain.



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There's a new flash point emerging in the debate over rewriting the nation's tax code: corporate interest deduction. That's the tax break that companies get on the cost of borrowing money  sort of like the deduction that homeowners get for mortgage interest. Businesses count on it to reduce their corporate tax burden, and it's primarily benefited industries that rely heavily on debt, such as real estate, property development and energy. The Republican blueprint for tax reform would eliminate the deduction, a move the conservative Tax Foundation estimates would boost federal revenues by $1.2 trillion over a decade. That makes it the biggest single corporate pay-for in the GOP proposal  bigger even than the hotly debated border adjustment tax, which would raise $1.1 trillion over the same period.

A pedestrian walks towards the U.S. Capitol during a nor'easter that blanketed the area with snow and sleet on Tuesday March 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Matt McClain | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Now, businesses are banding together to save the deduction. A newly formed coalition of companies and trade groups spanning the real estate, telecom and finance industries are meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week to warn about the potential consequences of eliminating the tax break. They're calling themselves BUILD, or Business United for Interest and Loan Deductibility. "Our view is the elimination of interest deductibility is detrimental to our industry," said Bob DeWitt, a coalition member and chief executive of Boston-based GID, a multifamily housing developer. "The conclusion is that ultimately it will end up reducing the amount of supply that we can add. It will increase the costs of doing business, and as a consequence, it's going to increase rents." Getting rid of the deduction essentially makes debt more expensive, the group argues. And the higher the cost of erecting an apartment building, the more developers will have to charge the people who live in them. The impact on housing affordability is one of the main messages the BUILD Coalition is making on the Hill. Among their stops: members of the powerful House Ways and Means committee  which is responsible for writing tax law  members of the banking and finance committees in the Senate, and leadership from both chambers of Congress.

Would their industry be better off if the deduction was preserved? Sure. But they aren't coming away empty-handed from this tax bill, and other sectors need the break more than they do. Alan Cole economist, Tax Foundation
The Justice Department said Wednesday that two Russian intelligence agents and two other people have been indicted on charges stemming from the hacking of at least half a billion Yahoo accounts.

The defendants, including Russian Federal Security Service agents Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, were able to gain information about "millions of subscribers" at Yahoo, Google, and other webmail providers as late as late last year, the Justice Department said.

Dokuchaev and Sushchin paid co-conspirators Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov to access email accounts, the Justice Department said.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary McCord said that Belan is a "notorious" criminal hacker  one of the FBI's most wanted  known for hacking U.S. e-commerce companies. Belan used the Yahoo attacks to launch spam campaigns, searched user communications for credit card and gift card numbers, and other schemes to "line his own pockets with money," McCord said.

The FSB, an intelligence and law enforcement agency and a successor to the Soviet KGB  used Belan to break into Yahoo's network instead of detaining him, McCord said.

Baratov, a Canadian, was arrested on Tuesday, the DOJ said. The three others may be in Russia, which doesn't have an extradition treaty with the United States.

Belan was arrested in a European country on a request from the U.S. in June 2013, but he was able to escape to Russia before he could be extradited, the Justice Department said.

Yahoo disclosed two separate data breaches last year, among the biggest in history. A 2013 attack revealed in December affected more than 1 billion user accounts. In a separate 2014 attack, disclosed in September, information was stolen from at least 500 million user accounts.

The Justice Department said the indictments by a federal grand jury in Northern California concerned at least 500 million Yahoo accounts for which account information was stolen, and at least 30 million Yahoo accounts for which account contents. Eighteen accounts with other providers, such as Google, were affected.

Targets included Russian journalists, U.S. and Russian government officials and private-sector employees of financial, transportation and other companies, according to the Justice Department.

"We are deeply grateful to the FBI for investigating these crimes and the DOJ for bringing charges against those responsible," Yahoo said in a statement.
A J-20 stealth fighter of China flies at the 11th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 1, 2016. Xinhua | Li Gang | Getty Images

China is taking a page from the Pentagon's playbook under the Obama administration: it's partnering with tech companies to develop more cutting-edge weapons. But China's innovation-focused strategy could elevate the espionage risk to the U.S. Ironically, this new threat emerges as the Trump administration is expected to slow its outreach to the tech firms. Over the weekend, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an address to the country's national legislature where he urged the People's Liberation Army "to speed up" the application of advanced technologies, according to the Chinese military's official web portal. Jinping sees "integrated military and civilian development" as one of the drivers of science-tech innovation and key to upgrading China's military capabilities.

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"If you were to look at reports like Chinese military power over time, it's obvious that China is closing the gap more quickly than, for example, we probably would have estimated five or three years ago," said Anthony Cordesman, a national security expert and Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, D.C. The communist nation's military has made major technology strides in the past decade in missile, laser weapon, advanced sensor and stealth aircraft development with the help of Chinese firms in the civilian sector. Its rapidly developing missile technology is seen by some as a potential threat to the West. Other major strides have been made in stealth aircraft design and follow what's believed to be state-sponsored cyber and industrial espionage. "China's overall effort toward civil-military integration will provide great benefits to China's already very aggressive espionage programs," said Richard Fisher, a senior fellow on Asian military affairs at the International Assessment and Strategy Center in Alexandria, Virginia. According to Fisher, the close ties between military development and the civilian side of China's economy "is one of the highest policies" of the central government in Beijing. As an example, China's president was named earlier this year to chair a new central commission to promote this effort.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Premier Li Keqiang attend the third plenary session of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 12, 2017. Nicolas Asfouri | AFP | Getty Images

There are "vast new incentives as well as requirements for the actors in the civilian economy to come up with ways to examine anything innovative that they come up with that can be applied to the military," Fisher said. A year ago, a Chinese national identified as "a businessman in the aviation and aerospace fields" pleaded guilty in the U.S. to participating in a conspiracy to hack into computer networks of major American defense contractors to steal military and export-controlled data. Court documents show the conspiracy group's targets included the Boeing C-17 military cargo aircraft as well as Lockheed Martin's F-22 and F-35 fighters. "It's fairly obvious from patterns of industrial espionage that it isn't always the government which has been, for example, seeking data on defense activities in the United States and Europe," said Cordesman. He added that in some cases it appears "to be people with some kind of private sector or industrial ties." Experts say the espionage organs in China set the priorities and come up with lists of targets. If a civilian company offers possible linkages to military companies, then the espionage leadership is likely to pursue those leads.

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Markets have priced in a lot of upside potential for the U.S. but not yet for Europe, BlackRock's vice chairman told CNBC on Wednesday.

"U.S. markets are more richly priced than European markets.there is also the risk around trade policy The cycle has been going on longer in the U.S. - the U.S. was the leader, Europe is kicking in later in this reflation cycle," posited Philipp Hildebrand, speaking at the IIF G20 summit in Frankfurt.

"I think there is a global reflation dynamic. It has synchronicity as a central feature  Japan, Europe and the U.S. - and when that happens we tend to underestimate the momentum. So I think there is great potential for Europe provided the politics remain centered," he further explained.

While acknowledging the threat that European political dynamics could derail his outlook given the upcoming spate of elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany this year, Hildebrand maintained that there was a "good chance" centrist parties would retain the balance of power.

Indeed, he believes that a victory for frontrunner French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron could see the critically important rebuilding of the country's relationship with Germany.

"One of the critical weaknesses in my mind is the weakness of France as a reliable partner to Germany in all issues pertaining to the euro and European policies," Hildebrand opined.

"Europe cannot function in my mind in the long-term unless you have a really strong relationship at the centre between France and Germany," he added.
Wondering who is visiting the White House? The web-based search has gone dark. Curious about climate change? Some government sites have been softened or taken down. Worried about racial discrimination in housing? Laws have been introduced to bar federal mapping of such disparities. Federal rules protecting whistleblowers? At least one has been put on hold.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has made a series of moves that have alarmed groups with a stake in public access to information  historians, librarians, journalists, climate scientists, internet activists, to name a few. Some are so concerned they have thrown themselves into data rescue sessions nationwide, where they spend their weekends downloading and archiving federal databases they fear could soon be taken down or obscured.

Previous presidential transitions have triggered fears about access to government data, but not on this scope.

What is unprecedented is the scale of networking and connectivity of groups working on this, and the degree it is being driven by librarians and scientists and professors, said Alex Howard, deputy director of the Sunlight Foundation, a group that tracks transparency in government.

The White House declined to comment, but Trumps supporters say the administrations detractors are overreacting. Trump is committed to open government, said Ben Marchi, a Trump supporter and Republican operative. In a recent interview with McClatchy, Marchi noted how, prior to announcing the selection of Neil Gorsuch to serve on the Supreme Court, the White House released a list of 21 candidates under consideration.

Yet moves by the Trump administration have helped stoke the fears. In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture removed animal cruelty data from its website, prompting protests from animal welfare advocates, including the Humane Society, which has filed a lawsuit against the USDA. Some Democrats in Congress also have protested.

Also in February, the Trump administration suspended an Obama regulation aimed at protecting whistleblowers who work for Department of Energy contractors. The regulation would have permitted civil penalties against contractors that retaliate against whistleblowers. Supporters of the rule say that its rescission will make it harder for contract workers, including those working at the federal governments nuclear facilities, to come forward with complaints of waste, abuse and safety concerns.

Is this reaction overblown? asked Howard, in response to a question about the pushback by open government groups.

Trump, he said, has made clear he will seek to prosecute leakers and labeled the media an enemy of the people. Hes dismissed climate change science and raised questions about the use of vaccines.

The reaction we are seeing is driven by concerns unique to this administration, he said. Its because of the antipathy this president has shown toward government statistics and scientific knowledge.

During his eight years in office, President Barack Obama was hardly a darling of open government advocates. His Justice Department prosecuted nine cases against whistleblowers and leakers, compared to three by all other previous administrations. In one of those investigations, the government secretly seized records for telephone lines and switchboards that more than 100 reporters for The Associated Press used in their Washington bureau and elsewhere.

But Obama also took some steps to increase transparency, including establishing a web-based log of visitors to the White House. That log allowed journalists and others to track lobbying at the White House, including links between the Obama administration and the pharmaceutical industry.

But easy access to the log disappeared after Trump was sworn in and the National Archives and Records Administration stopped paying a contractor to maintain an embedded web application for the Obama-era visitation records. They are still available at the Obama White House archive, but only on zip files that are difficult to download and analyze.

As of last week, the Trump administration had not built a web page with information about recent visitors to the White House, although it has said it will post such records on an ongoing basis, once they become available.

Other information of interest has also disappeared. The phone book for employees at the U.S. Department of Energy has been removed from DOEs website. Several federal websites have been altered to eliminate or tone down evidence linking human activities to global climate change, according to the Environmental Data and Governance Initiative, a group that has been tracking changes in federal and state websites.

One of these websites is Energy Kids, which the Energy Information Administration launched nearly 20 years ago to help teach school children about the sources of energy. Since Trump took office, the educational website has been altered, including the removal of two pie charts reporting the link between coal and greenhouse gas emissions, according to ProPublica, which based its report on tracking by the data and governance initiative.

All incoming administrations put their ideological stamp on federal websites and accessibility of government data. When George W. Bush was president, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency attempted to close several of its public research libraries, triggering a blowback from environmental groups and Congress.

Yet Trumps election, like no other, has set off alarm bells for those who want to keep public information public. Fearing that federal data could soon be rendered inaccessible, librarians, scientists and other professionals started networking on how to salvage what they could.

We started thinking, how could we organize a bucket brigade that could draw attention to the ways that data is vulnerable? said Bethany Wiggin, founding director of the environmental humanities program at the University of Pennsylvania.

Wiggin and others started organizing dozens of data rescue sessions nationwide, in which net activists were invited to bring their laptops and ideas for federal data sets deemed vulnerable. Over the last two weeks of February, organizers held data rescues in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Minnesota, Connecticut, Texas and Wisconsin. Two more were scheduled this weekend in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Even before these coalitions started organizing, scientists threw themselves into the task of archiving data of professional interest.

For several decades, Dr. Garen Wintemute has been preparing reports on gun violence and the workings of the gun industry. An emergency room doctor, he grew interested in gun violence prevention in the early 1980s, when he treated gunshot victims at a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand.

On the day Trump was inaugurated, Wintemute got a call from a colleague, who reported that the White House had removed a climate change page from its website. Fearing that federal data on gun violence might soon similarly vanish under a president with close ties to the National Rifle Association, Wintemute called together his partners at the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program. He then ticked off the records he wanted to archive.

Within minutes, the team was downloading a crime victimization survey from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. They scoured the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, gathering data on retail gun sales. They preserved mortality records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which includes a field for deaths caused by firearms.

Wintemute said he could imagine a scenario in which either Congress or the White House ordered that data stricken.

I dont think the CDC would do that of their own volition, but they might be directed to, said Wintemute, whose team in a single day archived all the key federal records they deemed vulnerable. They are now stored on a secure server at UC Davis.

Access to existing federal records is one concern of data rescuers. The other is whether a Trump-led federal government will continue to collect information as the government has in the past.

Earlier this year, a group of Republicans that included U.S. Sen Mike Lee of Utah, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona introduced legislation to undo a 2015 Obama regulation aimed at reducing past patterns of housing segregation. The Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2017 includes a provision that bars federal funding to design, build, maintain, utilize, or provide access to a federal database of geospatial information on community racial disparities or disparities in access to affordable housing.

Open government groups see this bill as a blatant effort to limit federal research and a precursor of things to come. Rubio, however, said the legislation is squarely aimed at stopping the federal government from dictating zoning decisions to local governments.

Top-down, one-size-fits-all regulations by Washington bureaucrats wont help make affordable housing more accessible to those who need it, Rubio said in a statement to McClatchy.

How Trump may approach access to federal data is not entirely known, but one upcoming appointment will provide a signal. In coming weeks, the administration will appoint a director to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. The office is a powerful but little-known agency. Part of the Office of Management and Budget, it is charged with guiding federal policy on information technology, information policy, privacy and statistics.

At a recent data rescue event in Washington, D.C., a Georgetown University professor urged those in attendance to pay attention to Trumps appointment.

That is going to be a key position in the federal collection of data going forward, said Raphael Calel, an assistant professor in Georgetowns McCourt School of Public Policy. If you have congressmen to call, senators to call, that is one to keep an eye on.
Tens of millions of retirement savers will soon face noticeable changes to investment services available to them under the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule, which becomes effective in a little more than a month.

The rule basically requires financial advisors to put their clients' best interests ahead of their own profits. The rule is set to become effective on April 10, but the department has proposed a delay in the rule's implementation for a two month comment period.

Financial services firms that serve these clients have been working diligently to comply with this highly complex rule by its original deadline, notwithstanding the industry's well documented concerns about its negative consequences for investors.

The Trump Administration has asked the Department of Labor to conduct a new study of the rule to better understand how it might impact investors' choice and opportunities, increase costs and increase unnecessary litigation risk.

In response to the President's request, the Department has stated that the rule could undergo major changes and further has proposed a delay of the rule's applicability date. They should approve the delay immediately.

We are at a critical juncture. In order to be compliant with the rule, financial services firms must provide notice to their clients in millions of households, of the various changes that will be made to their services agreements and accounts as required by the rule. This notice will be sent before changes are made.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham  frustrated by the lack of answers from the FBI and White House  vowed Wednesday that Congress would "flex its muscle" to determine whether a warrant was ever ordered by the Obama administration to wiretap the Trump campaign.

FBI Director James Comey was asked by Graham and Judiciary Committee colleague Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse to confirm by Wednesday whether an active probe exists into alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Moscow.

More from NBC News:

Comey talks Russian meddling, Trump Tower with lawmakers

Trump supporters say leaked tax document vindicates the president

GOP skeptics harden opposition to health plan after CBO report

A bipartisan hearing is also being held Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee's crime-and-terrorism subcommittee to start an inquiry into whether Russia meddled in last November's election.

"I think the country wants to know if there's something there there," Graham told TODAY.

The South Carolina senator said it's imperative he knows about any potential criminal investigation by the FBI because he wants Congress to move forward with its own investigation.

Meanwhile, Graham also wants Comey and Justice Department officials to confirm whether a warrant was ever issued by the feds to wiretap Donald Trump's Trump Tower residence in New York prior to the election.

Trump alleged in an explosive tweet on March 4 that the Obama administration had ordered such a move. He offered no evidence, and instead challenged Congress to get to the bottom of his claim.

Kevin Lewis, a spokesman for former President Barack Obama, has said he "nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any U.S. citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false."

Graham said subpoenas would be issued and the nomination of the deputy attorney general would be held up if his request for information continues to be met with silence.

"I really don't know. If it's not true, just tell me it's not true. Why is it taking so long to get an answer?" Graham asked about getting a response from Comey.

When asked whether he believes a warrant was ever ordered, he added: "I'm suspicious of it."
The Trump administration is rushing to repeal and replace Obamcare, with an urgency they say is needed due to the imminent collapse of the individual health insurance market under the current health-care law.

But financial results from one of the nation's largest Obamacare health plan providers suggest the tide is beginning to turn for insurers just as the rules are poised to change.

Health Care Services Corp.'s improved results for 2016 may be a sign that health insurers are starting to get a better handle on pricing plans for exchange enrollees. This comes as Congress debates a plan the Congressional Budget Office estimates could result in millions becoming uninsured.

"Health Care Services Corp. had big losses, and it seems the amount of losses they're making is much less in the individual segment," said Deep Banerjee, an S&P Global director and health insurance analyst. "Overall, their net income has also improved year over year."

Health Care Services' so-called medical loss ratio was 96 percent for 2016 on its Affordable Care Act exchange plans, the company reported in a regulatory filing. This means the not-for-profit health insurer paid out 4 percent less on medical claims than it collected in premiums.

The previous year, the nonprofit Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurer, which covers 15 million people in five states, reported paying out 18 percent more in medical costs than it had collected on ACA premiums.

"Some of our plans say they've had success in starting to manage the health care of this population. They really were feeling they were getting onto a much better path with their individual business," said Ceci Connolly, president and CEO of the Alliance of Community Health Plans, a trade group that represents some the nation's largest not-for-profit insurers.

"That's a little bit of the irony of this: Three years into (Obamacare) they were getting the hang of the pricing" and now Congress is poised to change rules, she said.

GOP plan 'nonstarter' for insurers

Insurers have praised some of the regulatory changes that the Trump administration has instituted to try to stabilize the individual market, such as tightening special enrollment rules. The industry has been more cautious about the House GOP health bill known as the American Health Care Act.

Now, the nonpartisan CBO estimates that 14 million more people would be uninsured next year if the law is passed, in part because the repeal of the Obamacare requirement for individuals to buy insurance.

"The Congressional Budget Office is estimating that premiums are likely to go up 15-20 percent simply because of the repeal of the individual mandate, and the expectation that fewer healthy people will sign up," said Sabrina Corlette, a research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University.

Longer term, industry consultants say insurers are particularly worried about how the AHCA's reduced tax credits for lower income people could erode enrollment.
Top members of the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday they have seen no evidence to support President Donald Trump's claim that Trump Tower was wiretapped ahead of the 2016 election.



"We don't have any evidence. ... I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," the chairman, Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of California, told reporters.

Ranking member Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., also said he had not seen information to support that accusation against former President Barack Obama, which Trump made without citing evidence. Schiff said lawmakers will ask FBI Director James Comey about the issue during a public hearing Monday on the investigation into Russian influence on the U.S. election.

Nunes and Schiff initially gave the Justice Department a Monday deadline to turn over any evidence backing the allegation, but it has asked for more time. Schiff said lawmakers still want the Justice Department to respond to their letter asking for information.

The White House previously asked Congress to add Trump's wiretapping claims to its ongoing probes into the extent of Russian influence on the 2016 U.S. election. The American intelligence community concluded that Moscow meddled, first aiming to harm then-candidate Hillary Clinton and then developing a preference for Trump.

The White House said earlier this week that the evidence would vindicate Trump for his claim made in a tweet earlier this month, though it has so far not provided any. Press secretary Sean Spicer appeared to say that Trump's "wiretapping" accusation could have meant broader surveillance activities that are not limited to a physical wiretap at Trump Tower.

Trump tweet: Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my "wires tapped" in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!

In an excerpt from a Fox News interview released later Wednesday, Trump contended that the word wiretap "covers a lot of different things." He said "some very interesting thing" may surface in the coming weeks, without specifying what those would be.

Separately on Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions told reporters he did not give Trump a reason to believe he was wiretapped. Sessions said he could not comment further because he recused himself from investigations related to the Trump campaign, following revelations that he met twice with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. while serving as a senator and Trump campaign advisor.

Nunes said Wednesday that Trump's wiretapping claim, if taken literally, is wrong. But he added that he still wants to figure out if other surveillance took place, saying he wants more information on intercepted communications related to people associated with the Trump campaign, including ousted National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns about the contacts between people associated with the Trump campaign and Russia, but Trump has called any suggestion of ties a politically charged witch hunt.



Nunes said National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers also will attend Monday's hearing.
The billion-dollar tech corporation, which dates back to 1969, has managed to get its numbers up faster than its younger peers. It has succeeded not by forcing its hiring managers into diversity training sessions or by employing anti-bias apps, but, instead, by offering cold hard cash.

According to a cover story in The Atlantic by Liza Mundy , while tech giants like Google and Facebook struggle to overcome bias and bring more people of color and women into overwhelmingly white, male offices, Intel may have figured out a way to make hiring more fair without sacrificing quality.

Intel, the company that invented the silicon chip for which Silicon Valley is named, has surpassed its competition in one key respect: increasing the diversity of its staff.

Hirers are now rewarded for bringing on candidates who are not white men. According to The Atlantic:

Since it began linking bonuses to diversity hiring, Intel has met or exceeded its goals. In 2015, 43 percent of new hires were women and underrepresented minorities, three percentage points above its target. Last year, it upped its goal to 45 percent of new hires, and met it. These changes weren't just happening at the entry level: 40 percent of new vice presidents were women and underrepresented minorities. Intel's U.S. workforce in 2014 was just 23.5 percent female. By the middle of last year, the percentage had risen two points, to 25.4 percent.

By contrast, Google and Facebook are moving more slowly, Mundy reports, albeit in the right direction.

In 2016, Google reported incremental improvements: 31 percent of its overall workforce is now female, up one percentage point over the previous year. Nineteen percent of technical roles are held by women, also up a percentage point. At Facebook, women's overall representation went up from 32 percent to 33 percent. In technical roles, women's representation also increased a single percentage point, from 16 percent to 17 percent.

Intel made news on Monday for its ambitious investment in driverless-car technology. It is clearly focused on the future, and employees tell Mundy that they appreciate the company's commitment to making sure that future is at least somewhat female.

Still, much work remains to be done in tech overall. Although in the past couple of years, companies have "pledged to spend hundreds of millions of dollars changing their work climates, altering the composition of their leadership, and refining their hiring practices," Mundy writes, "the transformation hasn't yet materialized: The industry's diversity numbers have barely budged, and many women say that while sexism has become somewhat less overt, it's just as pernicious as ever."

Intel's strategy of paying for the results it wants has been effective but it hasn't yet gone viral. And even its efforts have not changed the overall situation of women and minorities. Joelle Emerson, founder and CEO of the San Francisco firm Paradigm, consults with top employers such as Slack, Airbnb and Pinterest on issues related to diversity. "At Emerson's talk on unconscious bias last summer, someone in the audience asked her which Silicon Valley companies are managing bias well," Mundy writes. Emerson's answer: "No one."




Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach of Ireland  the country's equivalent of a prime minister  touts Ireland's static 12.5 percent corporate tax rate, easy access to the European market and large talent pool as reasons for other countries to continue to invest in the country.

Kenny told CNBC on Wednesday, Ireland has increased its foreign investment, reduced its budget deficit and now leads Europe in economic growth after coming through a "difficult period of recession."

In the joint interview, Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said that the country's economic prosperity has brought over 80,000 jobs to the U.S.

"What isn't so well-known is the impact of Irish companies in [the U.S.] marketplace," Sinnamon said.

Kenny said he expects Apple to continue growing its business, despite the technology company's large unpaid tax bill in Ireland. Last year, the European Union Competition Commission said Apple needs to repay 13 billion euros in "illegal tax benefits" because the company paid a lower effective tax rate to Ireland in 2014.

Ireland has appealed the EU decision.

Kenny said the Irish government disagrees "very vehemently with the European commission" and denies any favoritism for Apple.

"If the allegation was true that the Irish state was doing sweetheart deals with any company, any of the others could say, 'What about me?'" Kenny said.
"But when U.K. leaves, Ireland will be the only country with a land border internal to the European Union. It brought with it sectarian violence and troubles. We don't want to go back there and we are not going back there," he said.

"We have a great relationship with the United Kingdom, trade of [1.2 billion euros or $1.3 billion] across the Irish Sea every week," the prime minister said on " Squawk on the Street ."

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny told CNBC on Wednesday that the process of the United Kingdom leaving the EU is likely "the most difficult economic issue of the last 50 years."

Kenny's comments came after British Prime Minister Theresa May cleared the final hurdle standing between her and the start of Brexit negotiations after Parliament passed legislation giving her the power to start the EU exit process.

"We are now on the threshold of the most important negotiation for our country in a generation," David Davis, the U.K. minister responsible for Brexit negotiation, said in a statement

On Thursday, Kenny will meet with President Donald Trump as part of a tradition between the two countries during the week of St. Patrick's Day.

The trip has caused some controversy in Ireland, with many in the media and broader public claiming that it should have been canceled in defiant response to Trump's temporary ban on travelers from six majority-Muslim countries.

The prime minister, who has called Trump's language "dangerous and racist," said Wednesday the meeting is not about "me or the president."



"This is a tradition that's gone back very many years enhanced by Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan many years ago," he said. "It's about symbolic contribution that the Irish made to America over 250 years and we'll continue to make."

 Reuters contributed to this report.
Speaking candidly at a college town hall event streamed via Facebook Live, Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg said that the birth of his one-year-old daughter changed the way he runs his business.

"Having kids does change how you think about the world in a pretty dramatic way," Zuckerberg told students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on Monday.

Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, a pediatrician and philanthropist, welcomed their first child, Maxima, a little over a year ago. The couple recently announced that they are expecting their second.

"I used to have meetings that ran really late," Zuckerberg said. "But now, I make sure that three times a week, I'm home to give [Maxima] a bath."

The anecdote takes on added meaning coming from a male CEO at the helm of a $400 billion company, particularly as professionals across industries are working more than 50 hours a week and foregoing vacation time.
With opponents like this, who needs Democrats to defeat repeal of Obamacare?

Nearly 60 Republican members of Congress have serious concerns with the leading plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, despite the fact that the bill is being pushed by GOP leadership, a new report reveals.

That high number of potential opponents  20 senators and 36 members of the House of Representatives  could present GOP leaders with a mathematically impossible task of getting their American Health Care Act in front of President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The Republican caucus currently has 237 member in the House and Democrats have 193 members, giving the GOP fewer than two dozen votes to lose.



And Republicans can afford to lose just two votes of their 52 seats in the Senate, the Washington Post noted in a story about the number of concerned GOP lawmakers.

Democrats in both chambers of Congress are strongly against the GOP bill, and are unlikely to see any significant defections during a vote.

The Post, which is keeping a running tally of worried Republicans, said there are three senators and 13 House members who either oppose the GOP bill, or who are "leaning no."

Another 17 senators and 23 House members have "serious concerns about the bill," according to the newspaper.

Complicating the problem for GOP leaders is the fact that the potential Republican "no" votes on the bill are based on a range of concerns  some of which conflict with each other.

Some Republicans want a more aggressive repeal, which would lead to sharper reductions in federal aid for people getting health coverage.

Other lawmakers are worried that millions of people, including many who would have tended to vote for Trump as president, will lose private insurance or Medicaid coverage as a result of those funding reductions and other changes.

A number of GOP conservatives, including Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, immediately opposed the AHCA when it was introduced in the House last week, saying the bill does not go far enough in repealing Obamacare.

Another Republican senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, told the Post in recent days, "I can tell you a number, if not a majority, of Republican senators think that this process has been too breakneck, too slapdash, and they do not see a good solution for the American people coming out of the House bill as drafted."

Worries among the GOP caucus have grown since Monday when the Congressional Budget Office estimated that 14 million more people would become uninsured next year than would be under Obamacare if the Republican bill becomes law. The CBO said that by 2026, there would be a total of 24 million more uninsured under that scenario.

A spokesman for Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the CBO estimates "gives Rep. Meehan pause." The spokesman noted that while there "are important reforms in this bill ... there are problems with it too."
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Here are Todays News Headlines by GK Today for November 6, 2022 ContentsINDIAECONOMY & CORPORATEWORLDSPORTS INDIA  Guyana President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali to be chief guest at 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Indore (MP) on Jan 8-10  Maritime Partnership Exercise held between Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy in Bay of Bengal ..

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WTWs Global Gender Wealth Equity Report 2022 was released recently. ContentsAbout Global Gender Wealth Equity ReportWhat are the key findings of the report? About Global Gender Wealth Equity Report Global Gender Wealth Equity Report was jointly developed by WTW and the World Economic Forum (WEF). It explores gender-based wealth differences across five regions in the ..

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The worlds longest passenger train was operationalized in Switzerland during the 175th anniversary of Swiss Railways. ContentsAbout the longest passenger trainHistory of Switzerlands train servicesBernina/Albula Railway Line About the longest passenger train The passenger train is 1.9 km-long, having 100 coaches. It travelled 15.5 miles from the Albula Tunnel in Preda to the Landwasser Viaduct, at the ..

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The report titled The Adaptation Gap Report 2022: Too Little, Too Slow  Climate adaptation failure puts world at risk was released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). ContentsAbout the Adaptation Gap ReportWhat is adaptation?What are the key findings of the AGR 2022?What are the reports recommendations? About the Adaptation Gap Report The Adaptation ..

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The Union Education Ministry released the detailed report on Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2021-22 on school education of India. ContentsAbout UDISEAbout UDISE+UDISE+ 2020-21 report dataUDISE+ 2021-22 report data About UDISE Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) was initiated in 2012-13. It is one of the largest Management Information Systems on ..

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The U.K. may need to wait until June before it begins discussing its exit from the European Union, giving it less time to strike a deal.

Prime Minister Theresa May is set to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty  which officially informs its European partners that the U.K. is ready to negotiate Brexit  by the end of this month. It is up to European capitals to take the next step and it could take until June to kick off negotiations.

A European official who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the process explained that once Article 50 is triggered, the 27 leaders will convene at a summit to jointly adopt their guidelines for the negotiations.

Bearing in mind that it takes up to four weeks to prepare a summit, the meeting could happen in late April or even at the start of May.

The third step of the process involves the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, which has to prepare the document outlining what the EU wants and doesn't want from this process. The European Commission has said that this should be quick, happening "immediately" after the summit.

Lastly, foreign ministers gather to decide and announce that the negotiations are open from the European side too.

At the moment, foreign ministers are scheduled to meet on May 16th and June 20th.

The first date could be tight if the U.K. delays notification, which makes June 20th a more likely date for the start of the talks. Foreign ministers could alternatively agree to have an extraordinary meeting before June 20th to begin negotiations with London.

The main problem is that once the U.K. triggers Article 50, a race against time begins. EU law states that there is a two-year deadline to agree on how a member state wants to leave the Union and that clock begins as soon as Prime Minister May notifies Europe.

Given the complexity of the process of leaving the EU, if London and Brussels only begin addressing it in June, the chances that they will reach an agreement by March 2019 are slim.
The Sedco 714 oil platform, operated by Transocean, stands in the Port of Cromarty Firth in Cromarty, United Kingdom, on February 16, 2016.

Demand growth for oil is expected to drop from 1.6 million barrels a day last year to 1.4 million barrels a day in 2017, the International Energy Agency said in a report on Wednesday, raising further problems for producers as they try to ramp up prices.

"Early indicators of 1Q17 (first quarter of 2017) demand support this, with slowdowns seen in January in Japan, Germany, Korea and India," the IEA said.

In terms of output, the IEA noted that member countries of the OPEC oil-producing cartel cut their production for the second month in a row. At the end of last year, they agreed to reduce production to ensure prices would go up. But non-OPEC countries, some of which have also signed the output freeze deal, could undermine the deal.

"In 2017 non-OPEC output is set to rise 0.4 million barrels a day to 58.1 million barrels a day," the IEA said.

On Wednesday, oil prices were trading higher, after hitting a three-month low earlier in the week. Data showed on Tuesday that oil inventories had risen despite the deal to cut supply.

OPEC said in its monthly report on Tuesday that its biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, had raised its output in February by 263,000 barrels per day to 10 million barrels per day.

The Saudi Arabian government was quick in reacting to the OPEC statement. Its energy ministry reiterated the country's commitment to "stabilizing the global oil market".

At the time of writing, Brent was trading 1.5 percent higher at $51.73 a barrel and WTI was up by 1.8 percent at $48.59 a barrel.

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OPEC wants oil inventories back at normalized levels, and that is not happening, the director of research at ClipperData told CNBC on Wednesday.

Matt Smith said two factors are contributing to OPEC's problems. In the U.S., production is returning and inventories are at record highs. Then there is recent data from the Energy Information Administration and OPEC.

"So prices have just kind thrown in the towel in the last week," Smith said on "Squawk Box."



On Wednesday, oil prices were trading higher, after hitting a three-month low earlier in the week. Data on Tuesday showed that oil inventories had risen despite the deal to cut supply.

Brent crude was trading 1.85 percent higher on Wednesday morning at $51.86 a barrel, while WTI was up by 2 percent at $48.71 a barrel.

OPEC said in its monthly report that its biggest producer, Saudi Arabia, had raised its output in February by 263,000 barrels per day to 10 million barrels per day.

In an effort to dispel market concerns, the Saudi energy ministry said the "difference between what the market observes as production, and the actual supply levels in any given month, is due to operational factors that are influenced by storage adjustments and other month-to-month variables."

"I think we'll get a bounce here in the short term today," Smith said. "We're seeing lower imports and a draw coming through. We're bouncing from key support now. It'll depend over the next couple of months whether OPEC implements those cuts."

Reuters contributed to this report.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a technique that uses solar power to produce clean hydrogen from biomass.



In a news release on Tuesday the university said that up until now lignocellulose  the main component of plant biomass  had only been converted into hydrogen via a gasification process that uses high temperatures to "decompose it fully."

The university said that the new technique involved the addition of catalytic nanoparticles to alkaline water containing biomass.



The solution is put in front of a lab based light mimicking solar light, and was described as being "ideal" for absorbing the light and turning the biomass into gaseous hydrogen.

"There's a lot of chemical energy stored in raw biomass, but it's unrefined, so you can't expect it to work in complicated machinery, such as a car engine," David Wakerley, from the University of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry, said in a statement.



"Our system is able to convert the long, messy structures that make up biomass into hydrogen gas, which is much more useful," Wakerley added.



"We have specifically designed a combination of catalyst and solution that allows this transformation to occur using sunlight as a source of energy. With this in place we can simply add organic matter to the system and then, provided it's a sunny day, produce hydrogen fuel."



Different types of biomass, including wood and leaves, were used, and did not need to be processed prior to the experiments, the university said.



"Our sunlight-powered technology is exciting as it enables the production of clean hydrogen from unprocessed biomass under ambient conditions," Erwin Reisner, head of the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Sustainable SynGas Chemistry, where the technology was developed, said.



"We see it as a new and viable alternative to high temperature gasification and other renewable means of hydrogen production," Reisner added, before going on to say that a range of potential commercial options were being explored.
Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection submits report

Published: March 15, 2017

The Madhukar Gupta Committee on border protection has submitted its report to the Union Government to strengthen border protection and address vulnerabilities in fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border.

It was announced by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha.

Key Facts

The committee has given broad recommendations on the issues of Threats and Border Protection, assessment of force level, deployment on the border, infrastructure and technology issues for protection of border and administrative issues.

The Union Government has decided to initiate action in light of the recommendations of the Committee in consultation with the stakeholders.

Background

The Committee was constituted under chairmanship of former Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta in April 2016. It was tasked give recommendations for strengthening border protection and addressing the issue of gaps and vulnerability in border fencing along India-Pakistan Border. It was constituted three months after the terror attack on Pathankot IAF base in January 2016 by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists from Pakistan. These terrorists had infiltrated into India by beaching the India-Pakistan border (through porous border) in Punjab especially from the riverine stretch.

Note: Four Indian states share 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan. Of this, 1,225 km falls in Jammu and Kashmir (including Line of Control), 1,037 km in Rajasthan, 553 km in Punjab and 508 km in Gujarat.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2017

Topics: Border Protection  Committees  India- Pakistan  Madhukar Gupta Committee  National

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"What programmatic advertising does, what individualized data and remarketing does, is cut the value of context and the value of placement. But that doesn't mean you should cut out the value of quality and the value of trust. And we've got to figure out in the advertising industry how we do that," he said.

Jeff Jarvis, a professor at the CUNY (The City University of New York) graduate school of journalism, told an audience at the Guardian's Changing Media Summit in London today: "[Advertisers] have to cut off the air supply to fake news. They need to understand the signals of distrust and learn that they don't want their brand over 'digital urinals'. They've got to understand that quality matters.

A media professor has called on advertisers and the broader ad industry to move away from trying to reach mass audiences via digital automated ad placement that may support fake news sites.

Jarvis said that the media, platforms such as Facebook and Google, the ad industry, PR practitioners and the public have a responsibility to tackle fake news, and he also urged advertisers to have a more personal relationship with consumers.

"The ad industry too has to reinvent itself and reinvent advertising. It has to move past reach to relationships. You have to understand how to have quality relationships with people, to know communities and to know and serve their needs and not just treat them as a mass to whom we are blasting messages."

Jarvis said that platforms such as Facebook must do better at showing the sources of information appearing in people's news feeds, citing the blue bar that appears on Guardian stories.

Facebook on fake news

Jarvis also interviewed Facebook's EMEA director of media partnerships, Patrick Walker, at the event, asking him how the social network is tackling fake news.

"We take it very seriously. It's a much bigger issue: there are a number of different parts of society that have a role to play and I appreciate that people's reliance on Facebook for news as well as other information has increased dramatically.

"We appreciate that there are concerns about the spread of false information We are focused on pure fraud and things that are intended to deceive, or for financial gain," Walker said.

Facebook has created tools for users to report news they suspect is fake, and is also working with fact checking organizations in North America, France and the Netherlands to have people assess the accuracy of stories.

"We as an organization are not in a position, nor should we be, where we are the arbiters of what is true and what is not true. You have all these different shades as well for parity, opinion et cetera and so news organizations such as Le Monde and AFP [Agence France-Presse] take a look at what is coming through this [reporting] tool and assess whether or not it is fake, and if they did see it as fake, it would then be marked within Facebook as disputed," he added.

People are then informed and can still choose whether to share something disputed, Walker said. "By informing people, even if they want to share it, they have a right to read it, they should know that there are alternative points of view."

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said this week that the platform is against fake news, telling an audience at North Carolina A&T State University on Monday: "There have been some accusations that say that we actually want this kind of content on our service because it's more content and people click on it, but that's crap.

"No-one in our community wants fake information. We are also victims of this and we do not want it on our service. We don't want any of it."
Dutch voters head to the polls Wednesday to elect their new government.

The electoral race has been the tightest in the country's recent history, marred by political turmoil and rising nationalist sentiment.

Current polls suggest that incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte is marginally ahead, buoyed by recent support following a diplomatic row with Turkey.

However, with forecasts suggesting that Rutte's Liberal Party could win 26 of a total 150 parliamentary seats  short of the necessary 76 for a majority  a coalition government is highly likely. Analysts suggest this could require four to six parties - and weeks of negotiations.

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party, has slipped from favor in recent days despite gaining significant support for his anti-immigration policies. Polls place him in second position, with 21 seats, but it is considered unlikely that he will gain a place in a new coalition government, given that most other parties have ruled out working with him.
The reveal of President Donald Trump's 2005 taxes turned out to be a win for the White House, former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor told CNBC on Wednesday.

But Cantor, who served seven terms as a Republican congressman from Virginia, argued that Trump should stop resisting and release all of his tax information, like every other president since Richard Nixon. Cantor is currently vice chairman and managing director at investment bank Moelis & Co.

"Transparency" has been the best standard, he said, adding that releasing Trump's returns would put an end of "conspiracy theories" about what they may show.

The White House said Tuesday evening that Trump paid $38 million in taxes on income of more than $150 million for 2005. The statement pre-empted MSNBC's Rachel Maddow's promised reveal of the information obtained by Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Cay Johnston.



Johnston said the material showed up in his mail. He speculated it could have been Trump who sent it due to his "long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it's in his interests."

Disclosure: NBCUniversal is the parent company of MSNBC and CNBC.
While the public campaign finance of today is generally considered inadequate to meet the financing needs of a modern election, the idea of freeing candidates from fundraising and political interest groups has historically received support from both sides of the aisle.

It was Republican President Theodore Roosevelt who first proposed a public financing fund, in his 1907 State of the Union speech.

"The need for collecting large campaign funds would vanish if Congress provided an appropriation for the proper and legitimate expenses of each of the great national parties," he said. "An appropriation ample enough to meet the necessity for thorough organization and machinery, which requires a large expenditure of money."

John F. Kennedy raised the idea again in 1960, but his proposal was blocked by Congress. Lyndon Johnson instituted the Presidential Election Campaign Act in 1966, which was deactivated by Democratic senators and then revived again by Democrats in 1973. The modern system was set up in 1974 after Watergate.

Recently, Republicans have pushed back on the fund, pointing out that its restrictions make it nearly irrelevant. Jeb Bush called public finance "welfare for politicians" and campaigned against it, despite supporting it on his taxes at least once. In the last election, only Martin O'Malley and Jill Stein took public funds, leaving the majority of the money untouched.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
President Donald Trump (C) hosts Republican Congressional leaders (2nd L-R) Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA); Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) and others during a working lunch in the Roosevelt Room at the White House March 1, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Conservative media figures loyal to President Donald Trump are launching a wave of attacks to press him to abandon his support for the Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

House Republicans and Trump have aimed to rally support for the plan, called the American Health Care Act, amid opposition from pockets of the party.



The proposal faces a tough task in clearing the Senate without changes, especially after a Congressional Budget Office score estimated millions more people would be uninsured under the plan and that older, poorer Americans would suffer the most from it.

Some staunch Trump supporters in the media sense a political calamity for the president, who previously said he sought a plan that would achieve health care for all Americans at lower costs. They are urging him to distance himself from the current bill  which they associate with House Speaker Paul Ryan  and seek an alternative as he faces potential backlash due to coverage losses.

"Donald Trump staked out the high moral ground by calling for a feasible system of universal health care to replace Obamacare. He shouldn't retreat from that no matter how much the establishment GOP dislikes it," Christopher Ruddy, Trump's friend and CEO of right-leaning news site Newsmax, wrote on Tuesday.

The criticism comes at a critical time for efforts to pass the bill. Ryan and the GOP House leadership may well need Trump's support to persuade skeptical lawmakers to back it.

Ruddy described the Republican plan, which he called "Ryan Care," as a "political death wish" because of the possible sharp rise in the number of people uninsured and the rollback of Medicaid expansion. He urged Trump to "ditch" the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which has opposed the bill, and seek out a plan that could potentially get bipartisan support in Congress.

Fox News commentator Eric Bolling, who called himself a Trump supporter from "the very beginning," also wrote on Tuesday that Trump should "scrap" the bill. He urged him to "send Paul Ryan and (Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price) back to the drawing board" to come up with a "free market solution."

Right-wing site Breitbart, which often covers Trump positively, also fired a salvo this week, publishing audio from October in which Ryan said he would no longer defend Trump. In its report, Breitbart wrote that "the new audio file raises questions as to how loyal Ryan is to Trump politically  and is asking the new president to use precious political capital to push through legislation that seems arithmetically destined for congressional failure."

The White House has publicly maintained that Trump still supports the bill. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said Trump is working with lawmakers on a compromise and insisted the current plan is the best chance Republicans will get to repeal the ACA, better known as Obamacare.

Still, Trump has kept himself at a distance from GOP lawmakers in recent comments.

"The Republicans, frankly, are putting themselves in a very bad position  I tell this to [Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price] all the time  by repealing Obamacare," Trump said Monday. He argued that the system would eventually implode if the GOP did nothing, and said letting it do so is "certainly an option," though not one he likes.

On Wednesday morning, Ryan said in a Fox Business interview that the House wrote the bill with input from Trump and Senate committees.
The U.K.'s finance minister was forced on Wednesday to backtrack on his intention to raise national insurance contributions, which go to help pay for the country's health and welfare state, from self-employed workers after facing significant vocal opposition.

Chancellor Philip Hammond wrote a letter to U.K. lawmakers on Wednesday to undo the changes proposed just a week ago in the U.K. government's annual Spring Budget, after a torrent of protesters argued that the hike would fly in the face of a core manifesto commitment.

"In light of the debate over the last few days, it is clear that compliance with the 'legislative' test of the manifesto commitment is not adequate," he wrote, in a move described by commentators as one of the most rapid and momentous reversals of a Spring Budget proposal in history.

The now-abandoned proposal would have seen approximately two and a half million self-employed workers face an average 240 ($293) annual rise in contributions.

The Chancellor had faced challenges to the proposal on several fronts, including from parliamentarians from within his own ruling Conservative party in addition to opposition politicians and the general public.

The U.K. government is awaiting the publication of a report later in 2017 which takes a broader look at the situation of self-employed workers within the U.K.

Prime minister Theresa May confirmed on Wednesday during a lunchtime parliamentary session that her government would review the findings of that research prior to proposing any further changes to the treatment of the self-employed.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y.  Confidential Planning, an independent Syracusebased financial-services firm, announced it has promoted Dario J. Vacco to CEO, effective March 1.

Confidential Planning is wholly owned by Pinnacle Holding Co., LLC  parent company of Pinnacle Investments, LLC.

Vacco has 10 years of industry experience and has been with Pinnacle since 2007, after graduating from SUNY Geneseo. He has been with Confidential Planning since its formation in 2008 and his team has been an integral part of the companys rapid growth and success, according to a company news release.

Confidential Plannings SmartChoice 403(b) retirement program is designed specifically for New York State teachers, administrators, and hospitals and will be Vaccos primary focus in his new role.

Confidential Planning says it formed in 2008 to capitalize on the Department of Labors changing regulations on 403(b) plans that went into effect in January 2009.

This company was formed with the goal of offering single low-cost, mutual-fund-based programs, much like a 401(k), to a world dominated by confusing and expensive annuity based options, Vacco said in the release.

Pinnacle Holding Company is a Syracusebased financial-services firm with businesses in brokerage, money management, employer-sponsored retirement plans, and insurance. It has more than $1.2 billion in assets under management.

Contact The Business Journal News Network at news@cnybj.com
It isnt common, but rhodium is on a major tear

The spot price of the precious metal rhodium, which is tied to the gas-fueled automobile market, has been surging in recent months.

Investors are loving rhodium.

The rare precious metal, typically used in automobile exhaust systems to make emissions more clean, has a surging spot price.

According to Kitco, the unsung metals monthly average price in March 2017 ($834.44) is 16.6 percent higher than December 2016s average ($715.45), and 40 percent higher than the August 2016 average ($597.52).

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During the same time frame, gold has actually fallen, from a monthly average spot price of $1,341.09 in August 2016 to a $1,217.98 average in March 2017. The same is true for silver, with a monthly average that has gone from $19.64 in August 2016, to $17.59 in March 2017.

So why the sudden spike in demand for rhodium?

Well, look no further than China.

Bloomberg reports that last year, Chinese consumers purchased more automobiles than the previous three years. And the Chinese automibile market still favors gas-fueled vehicles that need the rhodium-based exhaust cleaning systems.

Jonathan Butler, a precious metals strategist at Mitsubishi Corp., told Bloomberg there are signs that Chinese car ownership levels could match U.S. levels in the future.

Oh, and theres also President Donald Trumps desire to lower fuel-economy standards, which could give a boost to gas-fueled vehicle production in the United States, too.

Is coin jewelry a form of self-expression or mutilation?: Inside Coin World: Jewelry made from coins can be found for sale all over the Internet, and even at major coin shows. Is it numismatic art or numismatic crime?

Bloomberg reports, This years advance compares with a 13 percent gain for palladium and a 7.8 percent increase for platinum, which is also used to curb car emissions. All three metals are mined together, mainly in South Africa.

With Chinas gas-fueled car market still on the rise, one can bet that rhodium will continue to be in demand. However, the Bloomberg report explains, because its the smallest precious metal market, its price is subject to volatile rises and falls.

That might be why its price rose by a factor of 23 between 2003 and 2008, ultimately reaching the $10,100 mark.
This March, Missouri lost one of the most effective state senators I've seen, and one of the most complex, fascinating and dedicated.

He was John Schneider, a St. Louis County Democrat who died on March 2 at the age of 80.

Until voter-approved term limits kicked him out of office, he had served in Missouri's Senate nearly one third of a century -- from 1971 until 2002.

He came to his height in the Senate as the chamber's leader for the majority Democrats from 1977 until 1980.

At first, I found his leadership chaotic. The Senate's annual session would come to the final days with no clear organized plan.

As a result, I judged him as ineffective.

I soon learned how wrong I was. In contrast to my initial impression, he became one of the more effective Senate leaders I've covered.

Realize that at the time he was the Senate's majority leader, Senate Democrats were deeply divided. There was an arch-conservative wing that opposed the agenda of more moderate Democrats like Schneider.

The chaos I first saw in Schneider's leadership I came to realize was a master gamesman putting together the conflicting agendas of his colleagues. His schemes, negotiations and strategies all came together in those closing days of the session.

It may have looked like chaos to me and his colleagues, but there was a game plan that worked.

I've often wondered if Schneider's approach arose from his skills in chess. He seemed to handle competing senators like chess pieces, moving them around the board for an eventual win.

My memory may be faulty, but I remember a two-level chess board in his office.

There was something about John Schneider that did aggravate some of his colleagues. He was judgmental and strongly pushed the issues in which he believed, like child protection, rights for workers, support for private education, abortion restrictions, stronger regulation of utilities and campaign finance restrictions.

But what I think put off some of his colleagues was an attitude that he did not suffer fools lightly.

I must confess, I initially was intimidated by Schneider when I started covering Missouri's statehouse.

But dealing with Schneider when I started covering the statehouse and he was beginning his Senate career, I learned one of my most important lessons in being a public policy reporter -- to have the confidence to stand up and ask questions about subjects that you may not fully understand.

When I did that with John Schneider, I found one of the more helpful and friendly sources I've had in the legislature. Schneider, I think, simply was looking for seriousness of purpose in people. And that's what I think made him so special and effective in Missouri's Senate.

John Schneider's passing has reminded me how much Missouri has lost from the departure of these past Senate lions -- some still alive, some not.

They had enough years in the legislature to learn the process and to develop friendships across party lines that forged the votes for success.

They had dedicated a significant portion of their adult lives to serve Missouri -- some for decades.

For most, I never found an indication they were seeking financial benefit. Many were financially independent. Schneider, for example, was a successful trial attorney.

At least some felt deeply wounded by term limits as I learned when a few invited me into a private session to reminisce about their last year in office.

There was an undercurrent of frustration that legislative newbies did not appreciate the knowledge and perspective these term-limited Senate lions could have provided.

That frustration emerged the last time I saw John Schneider when, several years out of office, he came to the statehouse to warn Senate Democrats of deep cuts Republicans were proposing in a bill on Workers' Compensation that provides medical coverage for workers injured on the job.

Nobody paid him much attention.

"I don't belong here anymore," a despondent John Schneider told me as we talked in a window alcove just outside the Senate chamber.

How wrong I think he was.

Like so many of these Senate lions, I miss John Schneider.
West County High School Principal Eric Moyers recently announced, on behalf of the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals (MOASSP), that one of his students, senior Syr Charles Lyons, has been selected for the 2017 Missouri Scholars 100, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouris top academic students who will graduate with their class in 2017.

Students who are selected to this program have taken a rigorous course of study and have maintained the highest academic standards, said Phil Lewis, executive director of the principals association. The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals wants to celebrate the achievement and success of these students and their schools.

Sponsored by MOASSP, Missouri Scholars 100 invites schools across the state to nominate candidates for this state-wide recognition. The selection is based primarily on a formula using the students grade point average and ACT or SAT test score. In addition, each nominated student has to meet criteria of an Academic Decathlon, which includes 10 events designed to assure the academic strength of the student. To meet the decathlon requirements, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.75, a minimum ACT score of 29 or a minimum SAT score of 2,400, be ranked in the upper 10 percent of his or her class and have taken upper level courses in mathematics, science, English and foreign language. The student must also have an excellent attendance record, be an exemplary school citizen and be involved in the schools extracurricular activities program.

Lyons was also recently selected to be a National Merit Scholar, a distinction he shares with only two other West County students within the past 30 years. He has plans to attend the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), formerly the University of Missouri  Rolla, to study aerospace engineering. After earning his degree, he has his eye on a position with the Boeing Company in St. Louis or a similar organization. Boeing provides products and services in the fields of commercial airlines, air traffic management and integrated defense systems.

Attending Missouri S&T will provide Lyons with a leg-up in terms of eventual employment with Boeing since the universitys aerospace engineering program is closely tied with Boeing, which offers internships to many S & T students.

Lyons said that although Missouri S&Ts aerospace engineering program can be completed in four years, it tends to be more rigorous than some other engineering programs.

In order to build planes you have to have a background in physics, he said during a recent interview, and a mechanical engineering background to understand how to build the machine itself and then in certain cases, you have to understand the electrical engineering and the software engineering to make all the programs run together. Aerospace engineering takes from a lot of different fields.

In addition to his academic excellence, Lyons finds time to explore other interests and is a member of his school band, the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) student group and has danced with the Young People's Performing Arts Theatres annual Nutcracker performances at the Centene Center in Farmington.

This years Missouri Scholars will be recognized at a luncheon at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia on April 23. For questions or more information about the program, contact MOASSP at 573-445-5071.
Christian Fellowship students fill shoeboxes with Christmas gifts

"After they get it, we can be friends," Lucy said.
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Chairperson Harmon, Spokesperson Nybo, and honorable members of the committee: thank you for the opportunity to submit written testimony in support of Senate Bill 1933, Automatic Voter Registration.

We are submitting this testimony on behalf of Just Democracy Illinois, a broad-based and diverse coalition of 19 organizations that works to protect and promote the value of every single vote, no matter the geographic, racial, ethnic or party affiliation of the voter. Our steering committee includes Asian Americans Advancing Justice  Chicago, CHANGE Illinois, Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Chicago Votes, Common Cause Illinois, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, and Illinois Public Interest Research Group, and our campaign for Automatic Voter Registration has been endorsed by a diverse collection of over 65 organizations from around Illinois.

Just Democracy Illinois strongly supports Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). Every American  Republican, Democrat, or Independent  has a fundamental right to vote and have their voted counted. Our democracy works best when everybody makes his or her voice heard on Election Day. Unfortunately, not everybody does, due, in part, to an outdated system of voter registration. For example, during the 2012 presidential election, over a million eligible voters in this state tried to vote, but were unable to do so because of voter registration problems. Sadly, Illinois lags behind the nation and region in voter participation.

Voting is the most basic way to participate in our democracy and serves as a building block to more active involvement in public life. We should make every effort to increase voter participation by making voter registration and the act of voting as simple and accessible to all eligible voters as possible.

Under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, also known as Motor Voter, when an individual applies for a drivers license or state ID, Drivers Services is required to provide the individual with the opportunity to register to vote. The NVRA requires the same of certain state agencies that provide social services.

In current practice, individuals must opt in to registering, i.e. they must affirmatively take action to fill out a voter registration application at the agency, even if the agency already has the necessary information for a completed application. AVR changes this process from opt-in to opt-out. That is, when an eligible citizen interacts with Drivers Services or another NVRA state agency, the agency will use existing information that they already have to complete a voter registration application, unless the individual affirmatively declines to register.

AVR is new in the United States, but variations of this practice exist in most developed democracies. AVR was first passed by Oregon two years ago, and in its first year of implementation has seen great success. In the first three months of implementation, Oregon registered over 34,000 voters through Motor Voter, while before they averaged 2,000 people a month. In just the last two years, seven states  Alaska, California, Colorado Connecticut, Oregon, Vermont and West Virginia  and the District of Columbia have enacted AVR. Last year, AVR passed both Chambers with broad bipartisan support.

There are many reasons to support Automatic Voter Registration. First, AVR will strengthen our democracy. AVR promises to add many more eligible Illinois voters to the rolls, making it more likely they will participate in elections. Last year, a national study estimated that AVR would add 1.13 million eligible Illinois voters to the rolls.

Second, AVR will make our voter rolls more accurate and secure. Our outdated system of registering voters has led to 1 in 8 registrations in America being either invalid or containing significant errors. AVR will make our voter rolls more accurate by eliminating much of the human error that comes with paper forms, by more frequently updating records when people move, and by eliminating duplicate records. SB1933 has multiple mechanisms to ensure that individuals who are not eligible to vote are not registered. By making our voter lists more accurate, this proposal will reduce the chance that anyone will be able to take advantage of gaps in our system.

Third, for many of the same reasons AVR is more accurate, it is also more efficient and,over time, will save taxpayers money. Of the 29 states that tracked cost savings of electronic and online registration, there was unanimity that electronic and online registration reduces costs. Illinois is almost done implementing one of the key pieces of AVR already  the secure electronic transfer or records from state agencies to elections officials.

Finally, AVR will improve election administration for elections officials. Local elections officials often deal with a surge at voter registration deadlines. AVR will smooth out voter registration, saving time and resources in the busy election season. It will also reduce the number of voters who use Election Day Registration. In the March 2016 primaries, Cook County found that 75% of election day registrants used an ID with an address that matched the address at which they were registering to vote. These voters would be on the voter list and out of the election day registration line with AVR.

Based on our conversations and negotiations with the Office of the Governor, this years legislation has one key policy change  moving the opt out from a back end process to a front end process. That is, every applicant will have the opportunity to affirmatively opt out while interacting with the state agency. Based on this policy change, the legislation is restructured and is largely the same as the Republican legislation introduced in the fall Veto Session and reintroduced this session by Representative Fortner (HB626). Representatives from our coalition will be happy to detail those differences with the committee or any member of the committee.

Just Democracy Illinois has had ongoing conversations with legislators from both chambers and parties, the Office of the Governor, national experts, local elections officials and state agencies to provide input on how best to implement AVR in Illinois. We look forward to passing legislation that creates a more modern, accurate, and secure voter registration system for Illinois.

Again, thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony today. We will be happy to answer any questions members of the committee may have.
SB 96 and SB 97 pass the NM House Floor!

The NM Senate today concurred with the House of Representatives on two bills sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth to update the NM election code.

One will require greater transparency from large independent donors and the other will require accountability from candidates using the states public financing system.

SB 97 and SB 96 are now headed to the Governor for her signature.

This is truly a great day for New Mexico, said Viki Harrison, executive director of Common Cause New Mexico, which has been promoting the disclosure bill for over six years. Both of these measures are exactly what New Mexico voters have been clamoring for since the horrible decisions by the Supreme Court in Citizens United and Arizona Free Enterprise.

SB 96, sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth (D-Santa Fe) and Rep. Jim Smith (R-Tijeras), has passed the Senate four times with bipartisan support. It had passed many House committees over the past four years, but never cleared the floor. The bill is narrowly tailored. It is aimed at dark money coming from non-profit organizations that pretend to be non-political but which in reality spend millions of dollars in negative ads on TV.

During the past few election cycles its been increasingly difficult for the public to follow the moneyespecially the big money that comes into New Mexico campaigns from out of state, Sen. Wirth said. Yet an informed electorate is the basis of democracy. This bill will help, and it builds on the one value that is supported across the board: transparency.

There are lots of holes in our code, especially when it comes to the coordination of spending between independent groups and candidates, said Rep. Jim Smith. Co-ordination is a no-no according to Citizens United yet we had no definition of coordination in state law. Now we have the opportunity to correct this and assure our citizens that no one is taking advantage of this loophole, which allowed spending in excess of state contribution limits.

SB 97 on public financing of state court and PRC elections was sponsored by Sen. Peter Wirth, as well. The state set up a public financing system for the Public Regulation Commission in 2003 and for higher state courts in 2007. Wirths measure passed the Senate 33-7 and the House 68-0 back in 2013 before Governor Martinez vetoed it  citing concerns about its constitutionality, which have been addressed in this version.

Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed satisfaction with the voluntary public financing system, which allow Supreme Court, Appeals judges and PRC commissioners to run for office without raising large sums of money, sometimes from the very people who appear before them. However, the system was not without its flaws. Wirths bill corrects them  prohibiting candidates who run unopposed from receiving more than 20% of the public funding available to them, using campaign funds for living expenses or compensation to the candidate or candidates family.

Public financing of elections was upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2011 in the Arizona Free Enterprise v. Bennett decision. SB 97 neither expands the program nor does it cost the state more money  in fact, with a provision included around unopposed candidates, the state could actually save money.

This is a fix that will serve taxpayers as well as voters who would rather see candidates out talking about the issues than collecting money from special interests, said Wirth.

Harrison said that the NM legislature is now on board with 90% of NM voters who support disclosures from large independent spenders and the 76% who want to curtail public funding for unopposed candidates. Common Cause New Mexico polls registered voters every January with the help Research and Polling.

Needless to say, we encourage the Governor to sign the bills, Harrison said.

HB 73 Public Officials as Lobbyists, sponsored by Rep. Jim Dines, Rep. Joanne Ferrary and Rep. Nathan Small, was amended with changes that were requested by the committee last Friday along with a few surprise amendments from Senators during our hearing on Monday. This bill was amended to require legislators to wait 1 year before registering to lobby at our state legislature in New Mexico (instead of the 2-year waiting period in the initial bill) along with other small changes to the language. Next however, senators then amended the bill to essentially grandfather in lawmakers current occupations to allow legislators currently employed to lobby for issues connected to their day jobs as long as theyd had the job for at least two years  even if their jobs currently fall under the definition of lobbying.

Common Cause New Mexico does not support these special carve-outs for specific legislators employments which could be as an unspecified consultant, contractor, or Executive Director for an intergovernmental agency because these exemptions are far too broad and make this bill far less effective at rebuilding the public trust which feels negated by the relationships and influence of recently retired legislators already.

This bill is now awaiting scheduling in Senate Judiciary.

Please check in for an update from the Common Cause New Mexico team tomorrow so see what other bills may be added to committee calendars on the Democracy Wire page of our website!

Follow us on Twitter @commoncausenm & like us on Facebook for mid-day updates and remember to CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS!
Google's latest upgrade to the Chrome browser began what will be a series of moves over the next several years to reduce the browser's power consumption by limiting activity in background tabs.

"Starting in version 57, Chrome will throttle individual background tabs by limiting the timer fire rate for background tabs using excessive power," Alexander Timin, a software engineer on the Chrome team, said in a Tuesday post to a company blog.

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Chrome 57 debuted on Thursday, March 9. Some users, however, may not have yet received the upgrade.

Throttling background tabs isn't new: All browsers do it to some extent, primarily by instructing them to check for a refresh to the pertinent page or app just once each second rather than more-or-less continuously.

With Chrome 57, Google got even more aggressive. According to Timin, the browser will further delay those timers to limit the average processor load to just 1% of a single-core CPU. Tabs that play audio -- such as one aimed at spotify.com -- and those that must maintain real-time connections, including those for video conferencing, will not be affected.

Timin claimed that the new throttling generated "25% fewer busy background tabs," although he did not express that in a battery-savings format that, if not more precise, would be clearer to users.

Google has also outlined a longer-term program whose goal is to "suspend background tabs completely." By the end of June, for example, the Mountain View, Calif. company wants to suspend all tasks in mobile Chrome's background tabs; at some point next year, desktop Chrome should by default fully pause a background tab after N minutes, but still give web developers the option to keep their apps active when they're not the front-most tab.

Although browsers once fought it out on speed, as performance equalized makers looked for other ways to trumpet their wares. Power usage, because of notebooks and smartphones as primary surfing tools, became a more important metric. Increasingly, browser developers have expended resources on reducing power consumption, applying tricks ranging from putting background tabs into cryosleep to barring Adobe's Flash Player from running without explicit approval.

Microsoft, for instance, has been insistent that Edge, the native browser in Windows 10, is more power efficient than Chrome or Mozilla's Firefox. After one such boast last year, Google shot back with counter claim.

Chrome 57 can be downloaded for Windows, macOS and Li
Twitter seemed to temporarily be overtaken by tweets featuring swastikas, Turkish flags and Nazi references after third-party analytics app Twitter Counter was hacked.

Its unclear how many Twitter accounts were affected  hundreds or thousands  considering Twitter Counter claims to have more than two million users who linked their Twitter accounts to its service for the purpose of providing statistics and tracking responses to tweets.

Infosec journalist Graham Cluley apologized for the Nazi spam after his account was hijacked. There was a rush of people scrubbing their accounts as Amnesty International, Duke University, Forbes, Reuters Japan, BBC North America, UNICEF USA, the UK Department of Health, the CEO of Sprint, bitcoin wallet Blockchain, the Atlanta Police Department, Starbucks Argentina, the European Parliament, Nike Spain, sports stars, celebrities and many others were compromised and also spewed Nazi spam.

We're aware that our service was hacked and have started an investigation into the matter. We've already taken measures to contain such abuse, Twitter Counter tweeted. Assuming this abuse is indeed done using our system, weve blocked all ability to post tweets and changed our Twitter app key, it added.

An hour later, the company tweeted, The Twitter Counter application is blocked on Twitter. If this activity continues, then we strongly believe it's not just through us.

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Although Twitter Counter attempted to reassure users, saying that it does not store Twitter account credentials or credit card information, Twitter also issued a statement, confirming that it had removed permissions for the third-party app and advised users to follow Twitter security tips.

This was not the first time Twitter Counter was hacked; in November 2016, the hack resulted in Twitter accounts belonging to @PlayStation, @Viacom, @XboxSupport, @NTSB, @TheNewYorker, @TheNextWeb, the Red Cross (@ICRC) and @Money aggressively tweeting ways to help you obtain more followers for free. At the time, the company promised, As of now, the hackers CANNOT post on our users' behalf anymore.

Twitter Counter CEO Omer Ginor told Bloomberg that the company had a 95 percent certainty that it had fixed the problem after the November hack. But after the latest hack, it was unsure if a hacker was still lurking in the shadows, just waiting for the opportunity.

Ginor told Reuters, Both attacks (had) similar effects and seemingly (the) same country of origin, as the November attackers were indeed operating from Turkey and the actions taken were benefiting Turkish properties and people.

The tweets, according to Bloomberg, included a swastika and described the attack as a little Ottoman slap. See you on April 16, they read, referring to the date of Turkeys referendum to grant more powers to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and finish with: What did I write? Learn Turkish. A four-minute video attached to the tweets begins with an Erdogan speech in which he says: If were going to die, lets die like men. It then features scenes from various Erdogan speeches.

FireEye senior intelligence analyst Jens Monrad said, On the 11th of March, shortly after the Dutch authorities prevented [Turkish] foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from flying to Rotterdam, we observed disruption attacks carried out against Rotterdam The Hauge Airport's website. The DDoS attack was most likely carried out by a Turkish hacktivist group that appears to be motivated by Turkish nationalism.

After the Twitter Counter hack, Michael Patterson, CEO of Plixer International said, Given the political nature of the tweets, its not unreasonable to assume this was a state sponsored hack. The message delivered through this hack has received global attention that would likely not have been possible through any other method. This massive exposure becomes an incentive for others to use cyber-attacks as a means of gaining global attention to their cause.

This highlights the expanded threat surface created when third party applications are granted access to social media platforms and the applications we use every day, Patterson added. It is common for consumer applications to request access to social media platforms, and most people will allow that access. Every time you link another application to your social media platforms, you are providing hackers with another possible point of entry.
Advanced computing experts at the National Security Agency and the Department of Energy are warning that China is "extremely likely" to take leadership in supercomputing as early as 2020, unless the U.S. acts quickly to increase spending.

China's supercomputing advances are not only putting national security at risk, but also U.S. leadership in high-tech manufacturing. If China succeeds, it may "undermine profitable parts of the U.S. economy," according to a report titled U.S. Leadership in High Performance Computing by HPC technical experts at the NSA, the DOE, the National Science Foundation and other agencies.

"To maintain U.S. leadership in HPC," the report says, "a surge" of U.S. "investment and action is needed to address HPC priorities."

Concern about China's technical advances have been raised before by U.S. scientists and industry groups, but never in such striking terms -- or by representatives of a spy agency.

The report stems from a workshop held in September that was attended by 60 people, many scientists, 40 of whom work in government, with the balance representing industry and academia. The report, which summarizes that meeting, was just posted online.

The threat from China is so acute that "absent aggressive action by the U.S. -- the U.S. will lose leadership and not control its own future in HPC," the report states.

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Indeed, the report says that "assuming status quo conditions, the meeting participants believe that a change in HPC leadership was extremely likely, with only minor disagreement on the timescale; many suggested that China would be leading the U.S. as early as 2020."

China supercomputing systems have been leading the Top 500 list, the global ranking of supercomputers, for several years. But that's not a measure of supercomputing leadership alone.

One workshop attendee, Paul Messina, a computer scientist and distinguished fellow at Argonne National Labs and the head of its Exascale Computing Project, sketched out the HPC leadership criteria: It means leadership in producing and using systems, as well as "first mover advantage." It also means staying in the lead at all times. The U.S. needs to control its HPC destiny and "can't depend on other countries to sell us what we need," he said in an email.

Something to keep in mind is that this report was written at a time when many assumed that supercomputing funding was not under threat. The report calls for more spending while the Trump administration, along with the Republican-controlled Congress, is planning major cuts in the federal budget.

"National security requires the best computing available, and loss of leadership in HPC will severely compromise our national security," the report says. "Loss of leadership in HPC could significantly reduce the U.S. nuclear deterrence and the sophistication of our future weapons systems."

Among those at the meeting was Barry Bolding, a senior vice president and chief strategy officer at supercomputer company Cray. "I will say from Cray's view, [the report] accurately reflects the discussion of the workshop and mostly accurately reflects some of our primary concerns regarding HPC competitiveness."

Steve Conway, an HPC analyst and research vice president at Hyperion Research, said the meeting "and report are important for alerting the U.S. HPC community, especially government officials, to the dangers of taking U.S. HPC leadership for granted when other nations, particularly China, are intent on seizing global leadership of the market for supercomputers."

The report makes three overarching observations about China's Sunway TaihuLight system, which at 93 petaflops, is ranked first on the Top500 list of supercomputers.

The TaihuLight supercomputer is "homegrown," and includes processors that were designed and fabricated in China. The Chinese chip design "includes architectural innovations," and was designed using "a true co-design approach" where the applications are tuned to take advantage of the chip design, the report said.

The machine "is not a stunt," the report notes, meaning China didn't develop this system for bragging rights. The machine "is being used for cutting edge research," and three of the six finalists for the Gordon Bell Prize, the top research award in HPC, were the result of Chinese efforts.

The report offers something particularly insightful about China's motivations.

"Meeting participants, especially those from industry, noted that it can be easy for Americans to draw the wrong conclusions about what HPC investments by China mean  without considering China's motivations," the report states.

"These participants stressed that their personal interactions with Chinese researchers and at supercomputing centers showed a mindset where computing is first and foremost a strategic capability for improving the country; for pulling a billion people out of poverty; for supporting companies that are looking to build better products, or bridges, or rail networks; for transitioning away from a role as a low-cost manufacturer for the world; for enabling the economy to move from 'Made in China' to 'Made by China,' " the report states.

But it also pointed out that the computer codes developed for industry, "are good proxies for the tools needed to design many different weapons systems."
After last months rather brief Patch Tuesday from Microsoft, we see the largest ever release of updates for Windows and Microsoft Office -- and of course another critical update for Adobe Flash Player.

For this March update, we see an unusually large number of critical updates -- nine patches rated as critical and the remaining nine rated by Microsoft as important. In addition to this large cohort of patches, we also get a security advisory with KB3123479.

We have added both browser patches (MS17-006 and MS17-007) and the Adobe Flash Player update (MS17-023) to our "Patch Now" list. In addition, the core XML Services patch (MS17-022), though only rated as important by Microsoft, attempts to resolve a publicly disclosed zero-day flaw. MS17-022 was therefore also added to our "Patch Now" list.

Recently, there have been a few significant changes to how Microsoft releases updates for its Windows platforms. Last October we saw the patch roll-up approach employed for Windows 10 rolled back to include both Windows 8.x and Windows 7 systems. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that it would be splitting out IE updates due to customer feedback regarding the large size of patch downloads. Chris Goettl from Ivanti (was Shavlik) commented, "This was a welcomed change for companies. Breaking IE out from the Security Only Bundles will allow more flexibility for companies to avoid supportability issues in web apps or have to not deploy any updates for the OS as well."

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There was speculation that last month's Patch Tuesday release problems were due to infrastructure changes required to support this patch release change. That said, we have not seen this change to the release cycle yet, and may not for the next few months. In addition to these changes, Microsoft has added a new component to Upgrade Analytics with the introduction of a Patch Compliance feature. Sandeep Deo from Microsoft explains that, "Microsoft has launched a new Windows Analytics based solution called Update Compliance that allows IT pros to get a holistic view of OS compliance including Patch Tuesday, update deployment progress and failure troubleshooting for all Windows 10 systems." You can read more about this cloud based patch compliance service here.

MS17-006 - Critical

The first (of many) updates for this March Patch Tuesday is MS17-006, which attempts to address 12 serious security issues in Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE). Using a specially crafted web page, an attacker could use the most severe of these vulnerabilities to execute code on a targeted machine. Most of these errors fall into the more common categories of script and memory handling issues that have plagued IE for the past many years.

This update is rated critical by Microsoft for all currently supported desktop platforms, but only moderate for Windows Server platforms. Unfortunately, one of these vulnerabilities has been reported to Microsoft as publicly exploited, which makes this IE update a "Patch Now" fix from Microsoft.

MS17-007 -- Critical

Remember the good old days when IE had more reported vulnerabilities than Microsoft Edge? Well, with MS17-007, Microsoft Edge has a reported 32 vulnerabilities, most relating to memory and scripting issues with an additional lower risk issue reported against the built-in Microsoft PDF component. Microsoft Edge at present, does not have a publicly reported vulnerability, but given the related issues to Adobe Flash and the PDF component, this update should be included in your "Patch Now" release cycle. Note that the changes and contents of the update MS17-009 are included in this Microsoft Edge patch.

MS17-008 -- Critical

MS17-008 attempts to address lower risk security vulnerabilities in Microsoft Hyper-V that, if left unpatched, could lead to a remote code execution scenario. Though Hyper-V can be installed on older systems (Windows 8 and 7) and enabled on Windows 10, it is primarily used on Microsoft server platforms (Server 2012 and 2016). Add this update to your standard patch deployment effort, noting that this update will require a server restart and will be included in this month's Security Only Quality Update roll-up for March.

MS17-009 -- Critical

MS17-009 addresses a single, lower risk vulnerability in the Microsoft PDF component which affects all currently supported Microsoft Platforms (server and desktop). The changes included in this patch are also included in the Microsoft Edge update MS17-007.

MS17-010 -- Critical

MS17-010 is the "super" SMB vulnerability that we have been waiting for Microsoft to resolve since early February of this year. This vulnerability (and subsequent update) applies to all currently supported Microsoft platforms (desktop and server) and if left unpatched could lead to a remote code execution scenario through six highly likely exploitation routes. What are you waiting for? Add this update to your "Patch Now" update list.

MS17-011 -- Critical

MS17-011 attempts to address a whopping 29 vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Uniscribe component. Uniscribe is a set of API's that are used by Microsoft to process fin typography or glyphs. My suspicion is that these series of vulnerabilities are related to the PDF issues resolved by the PDF update MS17-009.

MS17-012 -- Critical

MS17-012 addresses six medium risk vulnerabilities on both Windows desktop and server platforms that could lead to a remote code execution scenario. These security issues are more likely to result in a denial-of-service or security feature bypass attack and this patch will require a restart. Add this update to your standard patch deployment schedule.

MS17-013 -- Critical

MS17-013 attempts to address 12 high to medium risk security issues in the core Windows graphics component. In addition, this update is rated critical for all currently supported versions of Office, Skype for Business and Silverlight. This patch covers both a publicly disclosed and a zero-day exploit. One vulnerability actually employs the preview pane of infected files to compromise a target machine. Add this update to your "Patch Now" release cycle.

MS17-023 -- Critical

MS17-023 addresses seven serious security vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash Player that could lead to an attacker taking complete control over a compromised machine. You can read more about the Adobe patch APSB17-07 on the Adobe website. This is a "Patch Now" update from Microsoft/Adobe. Please update your systems and consider removing Flash.

MS17-014 -- Important

MS17-014 attempts to address 12 reported (11 privately reported, one publicly) but not yet exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office. This series of updates affects all versions of currently supported Office. Add this update to your standard patch release cycle.

MS17-015 -- Important

MS17-015 addresses a single privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange Server (2013 and 2106). It will require a reboot, so add this update to your standard server patch cycle.

MS17-016 -- Important

MS17-016 resolves a single, privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft IIS Server, that left unpatched could lead to an elevation of privilege scenario. Add to your standard server patch deployment effort.

MS17-017 -- Important

MS17-017 addresses four vulnerabilities in the Windows kernel (three reported privately, and one publicly) relating to how API calls are handled by this core Windows component. This update is a bit of a tricky one. The patch is an update to previous kernel patches from last January and December, which in themselves are cascading kernel updates. This patch may require core application testing in isolation before inclusion in the roll-up patch deployment.

MS17-018 -- Important

MS17-018 addresses eight privately reported higher-risk vulnerabilities in the Windows Kernel-Mode drivers that could result in an elevation of privilege scenario. These attacks require a user to login to an unpatched system and run a specially crafted application (EXE). Add this update to your standard patch cycle.

MS17-019 -- Important

MS17-019 addresses a single, privately reported, difficult to exploit vulnerability in Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) that could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information. Add this update to your standard server update cycle. There are no reported workarounds or mitigating factors, and this update will require a server restart.

MS17-020 -- Important

MS17-020 resolves a single, privately reported low-risk vulnerability in the Windows DVD Make feature. Add this update to your standard deployment effort.

MS17-021--Important

MS17-021 is another low-risk single issue update to a lesser used Windows feature. This time the DirectShow graphic API's gets an update to prevent unintended information disclosure. Add this update to your standard patch effort.

MS17-022 -- Important

Microsoft does this a lot. The patch team tries to sneak a "stinker" in as the second to last patch of the month (the final patch for this month, MS17-023, is listed above as it has been rated as critical). MS17-022 attempts to resolve a single publicly reported zero-day vulnerability in Microsoft core XML Services (MSXML). MSXML is a key component for many systems, and more importantly a key piece of middle-ware for most enterprises. The challenge is not updating this version of MSXML, but keeping it updated. Older applications may include an older and unpatched version and attempt to overwrite the latest secure version. Or deployment systems may deploy key middle-ware systems like this in separate application packages, causing unintended reversions to older, less secure versions. Whenever I see updates to key dependencies like this one, deployments are never straightforward. Test your core applications with this latest MSXML component before general deployment.
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A new and innovative technology company may be an employees dream destination, but the youth that fuels these companies also makes them vulnerable to unique challenges. While the average age of American workers is 42, most tech employees are 30 or younger. This younger workforce is politically aware, active on social media and unafraid to jump ship should a better opportunity come along. Few of them have worked in traditional corporate environments, and their managers often have little if any training on how to supervise employees, much less handle stickier human relations matters. Tech companies should therefore focus on these 10 tech commandments:

1. Provide basic training to employees. Employers should assume that their employees are new to an office environment. All employees need training concerning office etiquette, appropriate attire and workplace policies regarding respect for others, anti-harassment, anti-retaliation, and anti-discrimination. With a young workforce, employers risk facing claims of age discrimination in particular, so special attention must be paid to training management and employees on this topic. Similarly, employees and managers must be educated on creating an environment free of sexual harassment and discrimination in light of the high-profile gender claims against companies such as Uber. Additionally, given the tech worlds culture of transparency, tech employees must be trained on company policies concerning political expression both inside and outside the workplace, whether such policies apply to social media use, water cooler conversation or interactions with clients.

2. Train your managers regarding human resources policies. Much employment-related litigation could be prevented if the relevant manager were aware of the employers policies or trained on how to handle employee issues. Employers should hold mandatory trainings and refresher courses for managers to address policies, applicable laws and managers obligations under the laws, use of the HR function, and performance appraisals. (See #9). Such trainings can help avoid or mitigate claims of retaliation, harassment or discrimination and create a more positive and productive work environment.

3. Determine what social media policy is right for you. While social media policies are all the rage among employers who seek to prevent leaks of confidential information and reputational damage, employers must ensure that, given the tense political climate and the millennial activist mentality of many young tech employees, their social media policies are carefully crafted. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board are scrutinizing such policies and employment actions taken under such policies. Employers should ensure that any actions taken also comply with state laws concerning political speech.

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4. Revise your policies and ensure compliance with new and changing laws. Many tech companies begin as startups and thus never put together a thorough handbook containing necessary policies. A robust handbook is important because employees consult the handbook, and in litigation it is assumed that the policies are correct reflections of an employers practices. It is especially important that your handbook fully complies with any local paid sick leave laws. In New York City, the enforcement agency has aggressively pursued penalties against small employers for noncompliant handbooks, even when employees received the full benefits of the law.

5. Update your confidentiality agreements to obtain the full benefit of the new law. It is always advisable to revisit confidentiality agreements to ensure coverage of recent company innovations. The passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) in 2016 also gave employers a new reason to revise these agreements. The DTSA addressed a long-felt need for uniformity in trade-secret law by establishing a national trade-secret protection standard. Recognized by many as the largest expansion in federal law in intellectual property since the Lanham Act in 1946, the DTSA creates a new federal civil cause of action for trade-secret misappropriation. In addition to remedies for compensatory damages, pursuant to the DTSA employers may seek exemplary damages (double damages) and attorneys fees. However, such damages are only available when the confidentiality agreement with the employee provides an immunity notice in accordance with the statute. This notice must appear in confidentiality agreements executed on or after May 12, 2016.

6. Analyze whether restrictive covenants are right for you. Many tech employers have never considered requiring employees to sign agreements not to compete or not to solicit clients or employees, while others have never considered going without. Employers should assess whether (a) they should have a restrictive covenant agreement, (b) their current restrictive covenant agreement is enforceable, (c) their practices are within industry norms, and (d) all or some of their employees should be bound by a restrictive covenant. The ability to restrict employees future competitive activities depends on applicable state law and jurisprudence.

7. Review your pre-hire forms and processes. Tech companies often grow rapidly, which necessitates the constant updating of on-boarding forms and processes. Laws and jurisprudence concerning background checks and confidentiality of personnel data are also continuously changing. Review these forms and processes and ensure that they comply with local and federal law.

8. Ensure that your employees are properly classified. As companies grow, the shortcuts of hiring independent contractors or classifying everyone as exempt become problematic. Federal and state laws provide more limited bases upon which an independent contractor may be utilized than most employers realize. And while an employer may have intended that a role be exempt (and not eligible for overtime pay), in practice the role may lack the characteristics that confer exempt status. Conducting an audit of employees and contractors can be a time-consuming process, but it is worth the investment to avoid the significant expense associated with misclassification, particularly given the long statutes of limitations and the availability of punitive damages in some states.

9. Assess your employee performance assessments. Although tech companies tend to be more informal, a formal review process is still essential to employee development and protecting employers from potential claims. Train your managers to write specific, constructive and honest reviews of employees, which help to both ensure employees receive feedback and document poor performance, and to deliver these reviews in a timely, thoughtful and clear manner.

10. Determine the advisability of compelling arbitration of employment matters and review your standard arbitration provision. Arbitration is attractive to tech employers, as it is often a faster and less expensive method for litigating an employment claim. Additionally, arbitration is a confidential proceeding, which can protect tech companies from unwanted publicity. The forum you select for arbitration is important in determining the expense and speed with which a matter will be arbitrated. If an employer has an existing arbitration provision, it should be reviewed to ensure the inclusion of statutory discrimination claims, and a class action waiver should be considered.

Katrina Baker and Eliza Kaiser are New York-based employment lawyers at law firm Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP.
The Department of Justice on Wednesday charged four people, including two Russian state intelligence agents, for their involvement in a massive hack of Yahoo that affected half a billion accounts.

In September, Yahoo said hackers had managed to steal personal data on more than 500 million users during an attack in late 2014. The stolen data included names, email addresses, telephone numbers and hashed passwords. Blame for the attack was put on a "state-sponsored" group.

The FBI said that group was the Russian Federal Security Service, the FSB, and it identified agents Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin as leaders of the attack.

[ For more, see Hacking the Election: Myths and Realities ]

The Russian agents paid two criminal hackers, Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, to break into the Yahoo accounts and then steal information that could be used to further compromise other accounts, the DOJ said in an announcement.

The hackers specifically targeted the Yahoo accounts of Russian and U.S. government officials, including those involved with cybersecurity, Russian journalists and financial services companies, the DOJ said.

But they also attacked the accounts of regular users, looking for things like credit card numbers and gift cards that they could cash in.

"The FSB used hackers to gain information, some of which had intelligence value, but in doing so the criminal hackers used this opportunity to line their own pockets for financial gain," said Mary McCord, acting assistant attorney general, during a Washington, D.C., press conference.

Three of those named are at large but one, Baratov, was arrested in Canada on Tuesday on a U.S. warrant. The other alleged criminal hacker, Belan, has been charged twice before in the U.S.

The U.S. has requested that Interpol issue red notices for those at large, but unless the Russian government decides to cooperate they could easily remain beyond the arm of international law.

However, the U.S. government has a number of tools at its disposal including diplomatic and trade sanctions that could be used to pressure or punish Russia.

The hack was one of two massive data breaches suffered by Yahoo. A second, disclosed in December, was even bigger, affecting a billion accounts. It included much of the same information but also birth dates. The passwords stolen in this hack were obfuscated in MD5, an old algorithm that can be hacked. Yahoo blamed the larger breach on an "unauthorized third party."

Russian state security has been blamed for a series of hacks including the high profile attack on the Democratic National Committee during the recent U.S. election. McCord said Wednesday's indictment does not allege any links between the Yahoo hack and the DNC hacks.
Without robots, there would be no safe way to clean up the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The problem is that recently, some of the robots being used in the most dangerous and critical part of the cleanup of the 2011 nuclear plant disaster failed. The robots succumbed to massive amounts of radiation or got stuck in rubble.

On March 11, 2011, hydrogen explosions ripped through the plant when a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. The power plant suffered catastrophic meltdowns in three of its six nuclear reactors.

Six years later, the environment inside the facilities remains too dangerous for people, and even for some robots.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

The cleanup and decommissioning of the Fukushima power plant, which is expected to take 30 to 40 years and cost tens of billions of dollars, depends on robots of various sizes and shapes. There are robots that are snake-like, others shaped more like a scorpion, some that are tiny and others that weigh 500 pounds. Machines from around the world have been sent to aid in the cleanup.

"I don't think they can do it without robots," said Taskin Padir, an associate professor at Northeastern University's Robotics and Intelligent Vehicles Research Laboratory. "We'll never be able to send humans into the reactor. The levels of radiation are unheard of. Contamination and radiation are huge. There's no way people are going in."

During the disaster, nuclear fuel rods were displaced, broken and melted. Removal of this radioactive debris is the most critical part of the cleanup and decommissioning operation.

Some of these robots are doing significant work. Theyre taking measurements, assessing damage and recording images and video, among other jobs.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. An image captured by a robot inside the reactor 1 pressure vessel at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Robots have assisted in other cleanup efforts after nuclear accidents. They were used after the 1979 accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in Pennsylvania, and the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

The entire cleanup of the station's basement at Three Mile Island, which had hundreds of thousands of gallons of contaminated water and debris, was handled robotically.

There have been decades of advances in robotics since the machines were called on to clean up after Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Scientists have developed autonomous humanoid robots, for example, but those arent the machines being used at Fukushima.

Workers involved in the cleanup are relying on old-school, remotely operated robots, instead of autonomous machines. These tried-and-true machines move much like the robots used in the late 1970s and 1980s. Whats different are the advanced sensors and cameras on the robots going into Fukushima, along with improved human and robot interaction.

We are playing it safe, Padir said. "In this nuclear robotics community, since these apps are really critical, rather than relying on autonomy, were relying on human control We use proven technology. Say, you have a robot running autonomous code and your collision avoidance algorithms break and [the robot] starts crashing into structures inside the reactor. That could cause more damage."

While the nuclear industry needs to play it safe with the robots being sent into Fukushima, it still needs to get the most radiation-resistant and toughest robots available.

Companies and organizations including Toshiba, Endeavor Robotics, Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy and Japan's Chiba Institute of Technology have contributed robots to the efforts at Fukushima.

And many of the robots sent to Fukushima have worked well.

The International Research Institute for Nuclear Decommissioning, or IRID, in 2014 reported that a swimming robot and a crawling robot, both developed by Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy, were able to perform checks using cameras and sensors inside five penetration points in one damaged reactor.

Endeavor Robotics, formerly the Defense & Security unit at iRobot Corp., began delivering robotic systems to the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or Tepco, which owns the Fukushima plant, just 19 days after the 2011 accident.

Since then the Massachusetts-based company has delivered 20 robots, including its 65-pound PackBot system, as well as its Kobra robot. Both machines are equipped with cameras and manipulative arms.

Endeavor Robotics An Endeavor PackBot robot makes its way downstairs.

The Endeavor robots mainly have been used inside reactor buildings to open doors, perform inspections and check for leaks. The Kobra, which can have a saw attached to one of its two arms, also has been used to move debris.

However, not all of the robots working at Fukushima have been as successful.

The problem here is that many of the robots that have worked well at Fukushima were bigger than earlier robots and were used in and around the buildings. Three robots that recently failed, however, had been sent into the bowels of the reactors.

This is the most critical work  getting into the tight, highly radioactive areas where the fuel needs to be assessed and cleaned up  and the robots needed for that are failing.

Now that the buildings themselves are more under control, they need to go into the reactors and assess and then remove the fuel, Padir said. "They need to collect all of that radioactive fuel. Since this is a full shutdown, they need to remove all the fuel in there. They went in and progressed a little bit but were they successfully able to complete the entire mission? No."

Tepco reported last month that a Scorpion robot, developed by Toshiba and the IRID, was on a mission to investigate temperatures and radiation levels in a damaged reactor when it got stuck. The connection cable to the robot was cut and it was abandoned.

Earlier this month, Tepco reported that one robot got stuck in a grating ditch while on its way to performing an inspection.

A lesson learned from that incident, the company said that a laser will be installed on future robots to improve their spatial ability, as well as to enable the machines to check for obstacles and openings while moving. Another robot was lost because radiation caused its camera screen to fail, Tepco said.

A snake-like robot built by Hitachi-GE was lost in 2015 when it was sent in to inspect a nuclear containment vessel, according to a report from the International Business Times. It's unclear why the robot stopped responding but it, too, was abandoned.

These failures are concerning because they are happening at the most critical part of the cleanup.

"Those robots were going into the most damaged reactors, Padir said. "From a broader perspective, those robots are the most critical. Theyre trying to go to an environment where no other robot or no other person could go. There is no way to test your systems in advance. You just have to go in and see what happens. You wont know how it will perform or what will happen until you send the robot in."

Scientists have already been working on robots that can aid in disaster situations. The 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge demonstrated two-legged humanoid robots that could climb stairs, walk over piles of rubble, use drills, climb ladders and drive cars, among other tasks. But more research needs to be done before these robots will be ready to aid in such disasters.

Jacopo Buongiorno, a professor of nuclear science and engineering at MIT, said scientists have learned a great deal from the robotics work being done at Fukushima.

MIT researchers are talking with Tepco about a project to develop advanced robots that would overcome the issues their predecessors have had at the power plant site.

Ideas range from robots that use legs instead of tracks, robots that combine walking with swimming, and robots with higher levels of radiation protection.

Padir noted that that scientists are also learning what components on the robots are durable to radiation.

"What will die first? The computer? The camera? How much shielding do you need? he asked. "We claim that we know how to shield things, but the radiation levels are so high that no one knows, until we put a robot in that situation, how it will do.

One idea coming out of this work is the possibility of building modular robots, Padir said. If a robot has a six-piece body, for instance, and one piece gets stuck in the rubble, the stuck component could detach itself while the rest of the robot moves ahead with the mission.

Scientists have also learned of a greater need for operator training. The environment that the robots enter at Fukushima is unknown. It could be a tight space, full of rubble and the potential to get stuck or damaged at every turn. This is a major challenge for the robots operator, who is working under heavy stress to direct the robot, guided only by what the machines sensors and cameras see.

"Youve got to train these guys as if youre training F16 pilots because they need to be ready for those unexpected circumstances, said Padir, who is working on a robotics project with the U.S. Department of Energy.

"This is all generating a lot of new knowledge, he added. "Every failure is something learned for the robotics community. Everything we learn is going to make the next robot better and greater to take on these challenging tasks."
New non-flammable, quick-charging batteries being demonstrated by private startup ZapGo Ltd. could begin showing up in popular smartphones in the next two years.

ZapGo's carbon-ion batteries promise to be a safe replacement for the billions of lithium-ion batteries already used in smartphones, electric scooters, vehicles and industrial devices. Lithium-ion batteries in several products, including the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone, have been banned on many airline flights because they can overheat, catch fire and explode.

ZapGo, based in Oxford UK, showed off its Zap&Go Carbon-Ion cell at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The company has been successfully testing the battery technology to power autonomous shuttles used to transport passengers at Heathrow Airport, said ZapGo CEO Stephen Voller in an interview on Wednesday.

In addition, ZapGo showed at CES smaller versions of its batteries used to power an 18-volt handheld drill, a Razor E300 scooter and a cordless cleaner.

Voller said the first iterations of its carbon-ion battery cells will be ready to be used in the iPhone 10 or the Samsung Galaxy S10, expected in about two years. He said various smartphone makers he would not name have shown interest in using carbon-ion instead of lithium-ion, primarily for safety reasons.

[ To comment on this story, visit Computerworld's Facebook page. ]

"There's no fire risk at all" with carbon-ion, Voller said. "There's nothing flammable. Our mantra is [we're] safer and faster-charging because the batteries are not lithium-based and have nothing inside that will burn."

Lithium-ion batteries rely on an organic electrolyte that easily catches fire when there's an electrical short of some kind, he explained. ZapGo instead uses nano-carbon materials, including graphene, as well an ionic electrolyte in its cells. The technology, which is patented in the U.S. and other countries, is described in a company white paper (PDF).

The original intellectual property behind the carbon-ion technology began with the work of researchers at Oxford University about six years ago. ZapGo, started in 2013, further developed the technology and has batteries being produced at three manufacturing facilities at undisclosed locations. The company now has about 25 workers.

The battery is currently in its third generation, and has been applied to some industrial products like cordless power tools. The carbon-ion batteries used for the Heathrow shuttles are about the size of a paint can, Voller said, and are used to recharge the onboard lithium-ion batteries.

With the shuttle and consumer products, a feature of carbon-ion cells is that they can quickly be recharged, sometimes in only a minute or two.

In the case of the Heathrow Shuttle, the carbon-ion batteries can be recharged in 35 seconds, as compared to the hours it takes with the lithium-ion batteries. It takes 60 seconds to charge the power drill's battery. It takes about five minutes to charge the scooter, for a charge lasting more than 15 minutes, depending on the weight of the rider.

The speed of the recharge is governed by the charging mechanism, which ZapGo doesn't produce.

Carbon-ion technology also traditionally quickly discharges its power, something that ZapGo is hoping to improve. The Heathrow shuttle carbon-ion battery usually discharges after one four-minute trip, while the power drill discharges in about five minutes, Voller said. In both cases, carbon-ion still had enough life to accomplish the task.

ZapGo's white paper says that engineers are currently working on nano-carbons and ionic electrolytes for a high-voltage battery to create "charging rates and cycle life that outstrip lithium-ion batteries in a form that can be safely transported around the globe." Cycle life is a measure of the number of times a battery can be recharged, put at 100,000 cycles for a carbon-ion cell, compared to 1,000 for a lithium-ion cell.

The white paper doesnt specify the discharge rate of either type battery, merely noting lithium-ion discharges at slow rate compared to a fast rate for carbon-ion. Voller said that Zapgos cells "are designed . . . to charge quickly like supercapacitators, but to hold their charge like a lithium-ion battery. Our goal is a cell phone that will charge in five minutes or less, but last all day . . . and wont catch fire.

However, many smartphone makers advertise large batteries, some up to 3,000 mAh, that can last with a day of use on a single charge, so the question of carbon-ion battery discharge rate is expected to be a key concern of smartphone makers.

Despite such concerns, Voller said, the "main thing people care about is safety, with the increasing concern with the Samsung Note7 and laptop recalls." After recalling its Note7s last year, Samsung instituted an 8-point battery safety check process and appointed an expert safety advisory panel.

In addition to being safer, carbon-ion batteries could ultimately cost less than lithium-ion batteries, partly because they eliminate the expensive lithium ion component, Voller said. Also lithium-ion relies on installing charging circuits and charging chips, which have become scarce and more costly, he noted.

In addition, carbon-ion batteries are recyclable, Voller said. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have been especially concerned with lithium-ion batteries because they are not usually recycled and might not be disposed of safely. Greenpeace staged a protest at a Samsung event at Mobile World Congress over lithium-ion battery disposal concerns; in response, Samsung said it would "ensure responsible disposal" of the 4.3 million recalled Note7s.

Voller said several other companies are working on fast-charging batteries based on lithium, but added, "we don't know of anybody doing carbon-ion cells like we are."
Two Indian-American authors shortlisted for 30,000 Wellcome Book Prize 2017

Two Indian-American authors have been shortlisted for the 30,000 Wellcome Book Prize 2017, which celebrates fiction and non-fiction works engaged with the topics of health and medicine.

Siddhartha Mukherjee is on the list of the annual prize for his study of genetics and mental health in his book 'The Gene'. He is joined by fellow Indian-American author Paul Kalanithi, who could become the first posthumous winner of the prize for his reflective work on facing mortality, 'When Breath Becomes Air'.

When Breath Becomes Air is the memoir of Kalanithi, who discovered he had inoperable lung cancer, and his transformation from a medical student into a neurosurgeon and finally into a patient and a new father as he struggles with the ramifications of his illness. Kalanithi died while working on the book, which is the first-ever posthumous entry for the prize.

Siddhartha Mukherjee promoting his Pulitzer-winning book 'The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer'. Photo courtesy: Poptech

Mukherjees The Gene is a cross between the development of the concept of genetics and the story of Mukherjees own family and its recurring pattern of mental illness. Mukherjee, an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University, has won a Pulitzer for his 2011 book: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer, which was also nominated for this prize in 2011.

The Wellcome Book Prize is an annual award, open to new works of fiction or non-fiction. To be eligible for entry, a book should have a central theme that engages with some aspect of medicine, health or illness.

There are two fiction contenders on the 2017 shortlist  The Tidal Zone by Sarah Moss and Mend the Living by Maylis de Kerangal.

Kirty Topiwala, Publisher at Wellcome Collection and Wellcome Book Prize Manager, said, With so many new books now being published in this area, the quality of this selection is necessarily high, and we are immensely proud of this years superb shortlist. Each of these books offers the reader something different, but they all capture the acute pleasures and pains of being human.

Writer Val McDermid commented on behalf of the judging panel, Together they form a mosaic that illuminates our relationship with health and medicine. It spans our origins, our deaths and much that lies between, from activism to acts of human kindness.

The full 2017 Wellcome Book Prize shortlist is:

How to Survive a Plague by David France

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Mend the Living by Maylis de Kerangal

The Tidal Zone by Sarah Moss

The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong

The winner will be announced on April 24 at Wellcome Collection, London.
Brexit 1) Downing Street wrestling over level of detail in trigger letter

Downing Street is wrestling over the letter to European leaders that will trigger Article 50 amid internal disagreement over how much detail to reveal of Britains Brexit wishlist. Theresa May will send the notification that Britain wants to begin the two-year exit process before the end of this month, accompanied by a statement to the Commons A government source said that two versions of the Article 50 letter were circulating among senior figures. Allies of the prime minister were examining whether to go beyond what she said in her speech at Lancaster House in January or whether to hold back those details for later. Downing Street said it did not recognise this account.  The Times ()

What the letter should avoid  Agata Gostynska-Jakubowska, Guardian

>Today: ToryDiary: The Article 50 letter: keep it short and simple

>Yesterday: James Fraynes column: James Frayne: After Article 50 is moved, fasten your seat-belts

Brexit 2) Tom Harris: May has delayed triggering because of Sturgeon

It will be a temptation for Theresa May to insist today that the announcement by her spokesperson last night that she will not trigger Article 50 this week was the plan all along. Despite getting what she demanded and needed  a clean and unamended Act giving her the maximum amount of wriggle room as she enters negotiations with our EU partners  she will wait until the last week of this month before firing the starting gun on the UKs exit.  Daily Telegraph

EU could delay start of talks until June  Independent

Government is being blown off course on Brexit by Sturgeon  Nigel Farage, Daily Telegraph

Brexit 3) Immigration minister describes bespoke system not based on points

Migrants from the EU may face different rules depending on which sector of the economy they are coming to work in, the immigration minister suggested yesterday. Robert Goodwill said that the UK would need a bespoke immigration system after it leaves the European Union as part of the effort to increase control over the numbers coming in. He stressed, however, that the government was not looking at an Australian-style points-based system or to imitate the US green card scheme, and ruled out allowing regions of the UK to adopt their own immigration systems.  The Times ()

More Brexit

May tells MPs not to call it a divorce  FT

And that she knows UK doesnt have to pay EU after leaving  Daily Express

Fox backs campaign for trade yacht Britannia  Daily Telegraph

ECJ headscarf ruling doesnt automatically apply in UK  The Times ()

The erosion of confidence in Mays Government  Raphael Behr, Guardian

Scotland 1) Mundell signals that May will delay independence referendum until after Brexit

David Mundell has given the clearest signal yet that Theresa May will refuse to facilitate a second independence referendum before a Brexit deal is done, warning that Nicola Sturgeons desired timeframe means a second poll would not be legal, fair and decisive as the 2014 vote was. And the Scottish Secretary, in an exclusive interview with The Herald, made clear that Scotland would be leaving the European Union alongside the rest of the UK, dismissing as absurd the notion that another independence poll could prevent this.  The Herald

Scotland 2) Timothy and Hill are off to Holyrood

Theresa Mays two closest aides travel to Scotland tomorrow as the prime minister considers a tour of the UKs four nations before she triggers Article 50. The prime ministers joint chiefs of staff, Fiona Hill and Nick Timothy, are expected to meet members of the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh to discuss how Mrs May should respond to next Wednesdays Holyrood vote on a second independence referendum. Ms Hill, who was brought up in Greenock, and was a journalist on the Daily Record and The Scotsman, is Mrs Mays closest adviser on the question.  The Times ()

SNPs Robertson says theres still time for Prime Minister to make a deal  Guardian

Sturgeon says May wasnt elected by anyone  Independent

Comment:

Prime Minister risks alienation in Scotland  Alex Neil, Daily Telegraph

Its May versus Sturgeon  Cathy Newman, Daily Telegraph

Mays attempt at a conscious uncoupling  John Crace, Guardian

Editorial:

Nationalist view shifting on EU  Daily Telegraph

May should be cautious  The Times ()

Majority of Scots know independence would be catastrophe- The Sun

Scotland 3) Poll shows 57-43 in favour of remaining in UK

Scottish voters are opposed to independence, with support for staying in the United Kingdom at its strongest for two and a half years, a poll for The Times reveals. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, would have to close a 14-point gap to win a referendum, according to the YouGov survey. It found that 57 per cent of voters backed staying inside the UK and 43 per cent wanted independence, once dont knows and those not prepared to vote were excluded. YouGov last recorded a 14-point lead in favour of Scotland staying in the Union in a poll in August 2014, a month before the first independence referendum.  Daily Telegraph

This is a record high for independence  FT

Tory MP says Sturgeon is treating Scots like lemmings  The Sun

The dilemma for Sturgeon  Guardian

The view from Wales  Wales Online

Comment:

Why Scotland should vote for independence  George Monbiot, Guardian

Scotland 4) Sturgeon abandons SNP policy on EU and turns towards EFTA

Nicola Sturgeons referendum plans were rapidly unravelling tonight as it emerged she is to abandon the SNPs policy of rejoining the EU immediately amid record Euroscepticism in Scotland. Just a day after the Scottish First Minister demanded a second vote on independence, senior Nationalist sources told The Daily Telegraph that Ms Sturgeon would instead try to join the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), whose members include Norway and Iceland. Ms Sturgeon fears that the SNPs long-standing policy of an independent Scotland joining the EU would put off the 400,000 voters who backed independence in 2014 and also voted Leave in last years EU referendum.  Daily Telegraph

Scottish Euroscepticism at record high  The Sun

Sturgeon preparing to drop EU dreams  Daily Mail

Scottish Government planning talks about seeking Norway-style membership  The Times ()

Green MSPs have power to give Sturgeon necessary majority  Daily Telegraph

Former SNP minister says referendum should wait until 2019  Daily Telegraph

Comment:

Sturgeon is an effective politician  Mure Dickie, FT

Conservative MP interviewed under caution over election expenses

Tory tensions over a police investigation into election expenses boiled over last night as MPs accused the party leadership of covering their own backsides. Craig Mackinlay, the MP at the centre of the most serious allegations of over-spending during the 2015 general election, was interviewed under police caution for six hours, Tory party sources said. Mr Mackinlay has denied any wrongdoing. Kent police are investigating allegations that items of expenditure incurred in South Thanet, the seat contested by Nigel Farage, were missing from the victorious Conservatives declarations on his constituency spending.  The Times ()

He was questioned for six hours  Daily Mail

More Government

May turns down Sinn Fein call for poll on unification  Belfast News Letter

Tyrie welcomes Bank of England deputy governors resignation  Daily Telegraph

Fabricant: we need to consider arming police in light of terror threat  Daily Telegraph

Banks leaves Ukip to set up 2.0

Arron Banks, one of Ukips biggest donors, has left the party in order to build a new political movement which he is calling Ukip 2.0. The insurance tycoon said on social media that a row had broken out over his membership of the party, which is led by Paul Nuttall. He said of his new venture: Ukip 2.0, the force awakens. Support for Ukip has fallen to 9 per cent, a YouGov poll for The Times has found.  The Times ()

His new anti-establishment political force  Daily Express

Comment:

Populist cults never end well  Daniel Finkelstein, The Times ()

>Yesterday: Ukipwatch: UKIP rebuffs Bankss demand to take over

Tim Stanley: Dutch election teaches us of need to stop mass migration

Why is the long-haired nationalist Geert Wilders poised to poll top in the Dutch elections? The Netherlands is a liberal country. The economy is strong. Crime is so low that the government has been renting out prison cells. The answer has to be that the Dutch dont like mass migration. So if Europe wants to stop Wilders, Le Pen and their far-Right gang, Europe is going to have to stop mass migration. It actually makes perfect sense that all of this should come to a head in the hippie Netherlands: thats where the far-Right journey began.  Daily Telegraph

Erdogan attacks Netherlands over Srebrenica  Independent

The diplomatic row between Netherlands and Turkey is good for Erdogan  Ece Temelkuran, Guardian

Trumps 2005 tax return has been leaked

Donald Trumps leaked tax return reveals that the businessman had to pay tens of millions of dollars in a single year because of a tax rule that he has specifically promised to abolish as president. A two-page section of Trumps tax return for 2005, which was published by MSNBC late on Tuesday, revealed that the president paid $38m in federal taxes on more than $150m in income in 2005. But the documents also showed that about 82% of the total paid to the Internal Revenue Service that year by Trump and his wife, Melania, was incurred due to a tax that Trump has said should be abolished.  Guardian

Was Trump behind the leak? Independent

More Trump

He proposes to cut US UN payments by over 50 per cent  Daily Telegraph

Home Office staff told not to criticise him on Twitter  Daily Telegraph

News in Brief
Judy Terry is a marketing professional and a former local councillor in Suffolk.

Unlike its neighbouring counties (Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Essex), Suffolk doesnt have a city and the only town with a cathedral is Bury St Edmunds. This has sparked another debate about whether County Town status should transfer from Labour-run Ipswich to Conservative-run Bury. Whereas the latter is a thriving metropolis, drawing both private and public investment, creating quality new jobs, and is home to award-winning West Suffolk College, Ipswich is still stuck in a time-warp, lacking real vision from the councils leadership.

However, with its long Saxon and maritime heritage, as well as being the birthplace of Cardinal Wolsey, whose local legacy is the gateway to his planned school, and a modern sculpture close to what was his fathers butchers shop, Ipswich is rebutting the suggestion.

The only county in the region without a university until 2007, Ipswich has lost most of its industry, apart from Ransomes, but remains an important port, and is the countrys largest grain exporter. LV, Direct Line, Willis, and Axa all have operations based in the town and BT has a major centre on the outskirts. Rail connections to London are improving, but still far from ideal, inhibiting its attractiveness to commuters, despite low cost housing, which is a reflection of the low wage economy.

Its greatest assets, however, are cultural. Yet little is done by the public and tourism sectors to promote them beyond the town.

The Red Rose Chain and Eastern Angles are two of the most talented and innovative theatre groups in the country, and the New Wolsey Theatre attracts a range of productions, whilst The Regent is a major contributor to the local economy, bringing comedy and music, including ballet, opera and musicals, which attract audiences from across the region.

The unsung heroes, however, are the museums, and their fine collections are of international quality. Christchurch Mansion, in a popular historic park, houses a variety of art, antique furniture and porcelain, offering good facilities for an enjoyable day out. A second, small, museum in a secondary residential location is largely unknown beyond the cognoscenti, with visitor numbers dropping. Despite its fine Egyptian collection and mammoth, it is outdated, dark and not what families expect as a destination, being inconvenient to access and without parking. A big minus is its poor disabled access.

A failed Heritage Lottery Fund bid, lacking any real credibility and focus, seems to have removed any vestige of the Labour leaderships half-hearted enthusiasm for these vital assets. So, fine artworks, furniture, antique clothing, archaeology and other artefacts are sentenced to rotting, unloved, in inadequate storage. In particular, a collection of Chinese porcelain has never escaped from storage because theres nowhere to display it and it is so valuable, it might be stolen!

Labours failure is hardly surprising. Until 2004, when the Conservatives regained control for too short a period and partially remedied the neglect, the two museums had rooms closed and the buildings in desperate need of restoration and refurbishment. Placed at the heart of a cultural strategy, Labour subsequently cancelled the programme, much of which had already been delivered, including a burgeoning relationship with the Saatchi Gallery, which had shown some works in the town  the first time outside London.

The people of Ipswich, and the County, deserve better, since these collections belong to them and they have a right to enjoy them and benefit from their tourism and educational potential.

There is, however, a solution to the impasse, which would remove any challenge to Ipswichs County Town status.

Several years ago, Ipswich Council paid 11m for a 130 acre redundant industrial site at Great Blakenham, outside the borough, in the hope that it could overturn the planning authoritys employment designation to allow its development for (council) housing. The bid was unsuccessful so Ipswich commissioned a consultants report which came back with an underwhelming 1980s style proposal for a business park with some car showrooms; this was adopted and the council will shortly invest yet more public money in infrastructure without having any idea of what will actually be required by any business.

This is a wasted opportunity when the Government recently published its Industrial Strategy, inviting local authorities to bid for Centres of Excellence status to create high quality jobs.

A Cultural & Educational Centre as part of the University, celebrating the towns history, including its industrial past, could tick all the boxes by creating a purpose-built museum and art gallery to display the collections, with secure temperature-controlled storage alongside restoration and conservation facilities and labs, providing related specialist skills, academic research and management training.

There would also be scope to revive the famous Ipswich Arts School, which fostered some of the best local and national luminaries, including Maggi Hambling. Suffolk has an amazing range of artists, past and present, working in all mediums, and a local potter is a challenger in the BBCs The Great Pottery Throw Down. Art can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages and ethnicities, abilities and disabilities, and is wonderfully therapeutic in the event of depression or other mental health issues. It should be encouraged and supported.

With the UK leading the world in special effects design for filmmaking, skills development could potentially be part of the Arts School remit, working with experts at the London Film School, Elstree and BT.

The County has already committed itself to building a new Heritage Centre/Record Office, which could form part of the project, rather than being located in the town centre. There would also be room to transfer the Transport Museum, currently crammed into a former warehouse without adequate room for properly displaying and restoring the historic vehicles, or for visitors. The Maritime Museum could also move from its current shopfront by the river.

Few people realise that Mrs. Wallis Simpson divorced her second husband in Ipswich, before her marriage to Edward VIII after his abdication; the former courtroom is believed to be in storage and could be restored as part of the Heritage Centre.

Strategically, it is an opportunity for great architecture, something which Ipswich hasnt seen since Norman Foster designed the Willis offices in the 1970s; now Listed Grade I, it is an iconic reminder of what can be achieved, and why beautiful buildings contribute so much to the environment.

As Cambridge and the University of East Anglia in Norwich continue to expand their Science base, and enjoy renown for the Fitzwilliam Museum and Sainsbury Centre, respectively, the University of Suffolk in Ipswich is still finding its feet and deserves the reputational enhancement which such a centre would provide. It would also encourage the University to develop a strong relationship with its namesake, the University of Suffolk in Boston, Massachusetts, with complementary departments focused on the arts and sciences, the urban environment, digital media, and business, as well as offering overseas education, with a base in Madrid. Maybe it would like to invest in a University of Suffolk Arts Institute in England?

Some of the costs would come from disposing of existing sites, reducing the need for storage, as well as allocating space for guest exhibitions, for which visitors could be charged, through partnerships with museums and galleries across the country and the world.

There could also be an argument for rationalising the collections and disposing of some items, either through sale, or swapping with other collections, but this would require a full audit. In addition to the Arts Council, and HLF, there are private trusts devoted to the arts, which could be approached for funding. The Local Enterprise Partnership and Government would undoubtedly support the proposal because of its broad educational and economic rewards. It is quite likely that a hotel chain, like Premier Inn, would want to share the site, as would coffee shops, restaurants (an opportunity for the local college and its catering school) and small retailers.

Its time for Ipswich to regain its reputation as a vital centre of historical and artistic excellence, celebrating the Universitys 10th Anniversary with a vision for the next decade and beyond. But will the Labour-led council respond to an exciting revolutionary idea, or will it prefer to stick with some car showrooms?
There is, according to The Times, some difference of opinion in government about the content of the Prime Ministers Article 50 letter:

A government source said that two versions of the Article 50 letter were circulating among senior figures. Allies of the prime minister were examining whether to go beyond what she said in her speech at Lancaster House in January or whether to hold back those details for later. Downing Street said it did not recognise this account.

Its easy to see how the debate arises. Should the letter be a diplomatic tool in the negotiation process or a simple formality?

The Prime Minister should of course be polite and friendly when giving notification. But there seems very little to gain by trying to expand on her goals or motivations in the missive.

If she did, it would make little positive difference to the talks themselves. What will matter on that front is what happens in the negotiating room and on the prime ministerial hotlines between the EUs capital cities. The initial letter is unlikely to hold much sway.

At the same time, a longer letter carries various political risks  not least because its two audiences have very different interests. Writing a letter which pleases the EU institutions and the British electorate at the same time would be very difficult  anything likely to give the former a warm feeling would be likely to rile a significant proportion of the latter, and vice versa.

The ever excellent Daily Mash is of course joking when it reports May to send Article 50 letter strapped to a bulldog in a Spitfire, but the awkward truth is that theres a sector the electorate and of Fleet Street which would definitely cheer if she did. Equally, even simple expressions of hope that the EU will prosper after Brexit have already produced inexplicable negativity from the Labour Party, who have never seen a national interest they dont want to undermine, and from the more hardcore end of the Eurosceptic spectrum, who still fear being sold out.

The conflicting interests and priorities of the British electorate and the Brussels establishment are one reason why we voted Leave. They also make the writing of this letter ever more precarious the longer it gets.

Why enter a minefield when you can walk round it? The letter should be short and clear, and not much more. Its sweetness to this Leavers eyes wont be diminished for that.
MALLORYTOWN, Ontario  A major accident on Tuesday, March 14 on Highway 401 west of Mallorytown has left one person dead, dozens injured and has closed the highway for more than 20 hours.

The collision occurred at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon and involved nearly 30 vehicles. One of the drivers from one of the tractor trailers involved in the collision died of injuries he sustained.

The man who died was identified Wednesday afternoon by Ontario Provincial Police as 45-year-old Ian Melville of Hamilton, Ontario.

One of the trailers was carrying fluorosilicic acid, an irritant that can cause respiratory

irritation, as well as irritation to eyes, nose that throat.

More than 30 individuals involved in the accident were sent to the Kingston General Hospital. The Hospital went into Code Orange Tuesday afternoon to deal with the incoming chemical spill patients.

As of Wednesday morning, the accident and spill were both contained, but Highway 401 Eastbound and Westbound will remain closed all day as crews deal with the fatal collision and cleanup the spill.
Does the "D" stand for "Dickhead"?

The LSDelivery Boy wanted to enlist Nassim and his friends in the acid-selling business, which Nassim claims he politely declined. But the LSDelivery Boy had gotten ahold of Nassim's PO box address, and sent the tablets to him and some of his friends anyway. Nassim and company failed to pay for their unsolicited drug packages, so the LSDelivery Boy informed the police. The authorities intercepted the mail, then called their intended recipients to come on down to the station and see what they'd won. Nassim sent his regrets, as he was unable to attend. "I panicked," he says. "I left my parents' house, I went to live with a friend. I was out for eight days to get the THC out of my system."

Porao/Wiki Commons

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Weird. We normally go to a friend's to get some THC into our system.

One day, he made the mistake of heading back to his parents' house to do laundry and stuff. "I walk in at like , I have a quick shower ... I remember eating lentils back then. I'm just sitting on my computer ... and the door knocks. And the last thing on my mind would be that there are the cops." Nassim's parents lived in a neighborhood with a large Shia population, and their sundry militias handled most of the law enforcement. "Usually if there's a lot of Shia in your area, they don't let the cops in."So imagine Nassim's surprise when he opened the door to find cops, and not the fun stripper variety. They promptly arrested Nassim and threw him in the back of a white government van.
With the onrush of connected internet of things (IoT) devices, distributed denial-of-service attacks are becoming a dangerous trend. Similar to what happened to DNS service provider Dyn last fall, anyone and everyone is in the crosshairs. The idea of using unprotected IoT devices as a way to bombard networks is gaining momentum.

The advent of DDoS-for-hire services means that even the least tech-savvy individual can exact revenge on some website. Step on up to the counter and purchase a stresser that can systemically take down a company.

According to Neustar, almost three quarters of all global brands, organizations and companies have been victims of a DDoS attack. And more than 3,700 DDoS attacks occur each day.

Chase Cunningham, director of cyber operations at A10 Networks, said to find IoT-enabled devices, all you have to do is go on an underground site and ask around for the Mirai scanner code. Once you have that you can scan for anything talking to the internet that can be used for that type of attack.

Or you can go to a site like Shodan and craft a couple of simple queries to look for device specific requests. Once you get that information you just go to your DDoS for hire tool and change the configuration to point at the right target and use the right type of traffic emulator and bingo, nuke whatever you like, he said.

Basically everything is for sale," he added. "You can buy a 'stresser', which is just a simple botnet type offering that will allow anyone who knows how to click the start button access to a functional DDoS botnet.

Once you get that information you just go to your DDoS for hire tool and change the configuration to point at the right target and use the right type of traffic emulator and bingo, nuke whatever you like.

Chase Cunningham, A10 director of cyber operations

Cybersecurity vendor Imperva says for just a few dozen dollars, users can quickly get an attack up and running. The company writes on its website that these kits contain the bot payload and the CnC (command and control) files. Using these, aspiring bot masters (a.k.a. herders) can start distributing malware, infecting devices through a use of spam email, vulnerability scanners, brute force attacks and more.

Most stressers and booters have embraced a commonplace SaaS (software as a service) business model, based on subscriptions. As the Incapsula Q2 2015 DDoS report has shown, the average one hour/month DDoS package will cost $38 (with $19.99 at the lower end of the scale).

Stresser and booter services are just a byproduct of a new reality, where services that can bring down businesses and organizations are allowed to operate in a dubious grey area, Imperva wrote.

While cost varies, attacks can run businesses anywhere from $14,000 to $2.35 million per incident. And once a business is attacked, theres an 82 percent chance theyll be attacked again.

DDoS of Things (DoT) use IoT devices to build botnets that create large DDoS attacks. The DoT attacks have leveraged hundreds of thousands of IoT devices to attack anything from large service providers to enterprises.

Most of the reputable DDoS sellers have changeable configurations for their tool sets so you can easily set the type of attack you want to take place. I havent seen many yet that specifically include the option to purchase an IoT-specific traffic emulator but Im sure its coming. If it were me running the service I would definitely have that as an option, Cunningham said.

According to an IDG News Service story, building a DDoS-for-service can also be easy. Often the hackers will rent six to 12 servers, and use them to push out internet traffic to whatever target. In late October, HackForums.net shut down its "Server Stress Testing" section, amid concerns that hackers were peddling DDoS-for-hire services through the site for as little as $10 a month.

Also in December, law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Europe arrested 34 suspects involved in DDoS-for-hire services.

If it is so easy to do so, why dont these attacks happen more often?

Cunningham said that these attacks do happen all the time, in fact they happen every second of the day. You just dont hear about it because a lot of these are more nuisance attacks than big time bring down the house DDoS type events, he said.

Also a lot of the attack platforms being sold only take systems down for an hour or a bit longer. Usually an hour-long attack on a site will cost anywhere from $15 to $50. It depends, though, sometimes for better attack platforms it can hundreds of dollars an hour, he said.

The solution to cutting down on these attacks involves users resetting factory preset passwords on anything connected to the internet. Change the default password settings and disable things that you really dont need.

More on DDoS attacks:
President Trump has drawn a bullseye on Beijing, threatening to slap tariffs on U.S. imports and label China a currency manipulator, all in an effort to improve our trade imbalance and bring manufacturing jobs back to America. He may be targeting the right country but waging the wrong war.

China may be the worlds technology manufacturer, but Beijing has its sights set much higher than that. China aims to be the worlds technology innovator, as well.

No longer content to simply assemble high-tech products, China now wants to create them. It wants to imagine them, design them, make their building blocks and own their intellectual property. Even if Trump wins his trade war, the U.S. may very well lose something far more critical: its entrepreneurial leadership in technology.

Related: China Is a Problem, But Higher Tariffs Are Not the Solution

All tech-heavy products are made in four basic steps: Prototypes are developed. Software code is written. Production units are designed, components and subsystems are specified. Finally, the finished product is assembled and tested.

Most of todays tech companies own the first three steps. Thats where the innovation, the entrepreneurial risk and the value is. While some design is outsourced, American companies still retain the intellectual property rights. They carry the startup and venture capital risk, and they own the brand of the finished product.

Until recently, Chinese companies were limited to the final step: assembly and test. Not any longer, and the change is happening at lightning speed. Over the past decade or so, China has incubated thousands of startups and launched dozens of government-backed venture capital firms with funds rivaling the size of those on Silicon Valleys famed Sand Hill Road. Chinese companies are innovating in electric vehicles, drones, smart devices, fintech and ecommerce.

Related: How Your Small Business Can Sell in China Today

While more than half of the worlds unicorns -- venture-backed companies valued at $1 billion or more -- are American companies, nearly a quarter of them are now from China, including four of the top seven by valuation, according to research firm CB Insights.

Western nations may think theyre clean-tech pioneers, but more electric cars are actually made and sold by local companies in China than the rest of the world combined.

Last August, Uber gave up on the China ride-hailing market, selling its local unit to archrival Didi Chuxing, which is backed by Chinas three internet giants: Alibaba, Tencent and Baidu.

Alibaba, whose 2014 IPO was the biggest in history, moves far more merchandise than Amazon.

Samsung and Apple may be the two biggest global smartphone makers, but rounding out the top five are Huawei, Oppo and Xiaomi, which together share almost 20 percent of the market. Theyre all based in China.

Semiconductors have long been Chinas Achilles heel, but a January report by the Obama administration highlighted a $160 billion program by Beijing to acquire advanced chip technology, subsidize domestic production and make China a global leader in semiconductors by 2030.

Most astonishing to those who spend time in the sprawling technology hubs of Beijing and Shenzhen is the attitude of the locals. Chinas entrepreneurial culture is more aggressive and competitive than ours. Its people are hungrier and work harder than their western counterparts. Its startups scale much faster than ours do. China has a rapidly expanding, upwardly mobile middle class thats hungry to consume a virtually unlimited supply of hot new products designed and made by local companies.

Dont get me wrong. The Trump administration is right to be concerned with trade deficits, manufacturing jobs, currency manipulation and intellectual property theft. Those are big issues that we should deal with sooner rather than later, but make no mistake -- Chinas intentions go way beyond its current role as the worlds biggest manufacturer and consumer of technology goods and services.

Beijing aims to own the core technology, the design, the chips, the hardware, the software and the brands of the final products. It wants the intellectual capital. It wants the value. It wants to displace Silicon Valley as the entrepreneurial capital of the world. In time, it just may succeed.

Related: Trump Won't Destroy Silicon Valley

As The Great One, Wayne Gretzky learned from his father, you want to skate to where the puck is going, not to where it has been. Thats exactly what China is doing. By focusing on where Chinas been, instead of where its going, Donald Trump may win his trade war but end up losing something far more precious: Americas dominance in technology.

Related:

What Trump Doesn't Understand About China's Entrepreneurial Culture

Claves para que tu empresa haga negocios con China

Tech Innovation No Longer US' Brainchild; Check Out World's Top #10 Hubs



Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
As the CEOs of two local federally qualified health centers, both of which have a mission of treating every patient who comes to us regardless of ability to pay, we have grave concerns regarding Governor Malloys plans to dramatically scale back coverage under the states HUSKY plan in this years budget proposal.

For those not familiar with HUSKY, it is a health plan for low-income people that includes dental, medical and behavioral health care with no copayment. HUSKY was designed this way to remove as many barriers as possible between Connecticut families and health care, which encourages visits to the doctor and dentist. This way, residents can catch small problems before they turn into expensive emergencies. Today more than 750,000 Connecticut residents are enrolled in HUSKY.

The budget proposes to impose a $1,000 dental coverage cap, subject to medical necessity; however, much more clarification is needed for how dentists will prove services are medically necessary. For example, a lost tooth may seem non-essential; however, what appears initially to be a cosmetic issue can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies and very serious medical issues. Without a streamlined approval and appeal process or clarification on who deems a procedure necessary, the cap threatens the ability to provide necessary and effective dental care.

Additionally, Governor Malloy has proposed reducing the income limits for parents to enroll in HUSKY from 155 percent to 138 percent of the poverty level, or from an annual income of $31,139 a year down to $27,725 for a family of three. Unfortunately, this would cause approximately 9,500 individuals to lose HUSKY eligibility. Think about it that is almost 10,000 of your friends and neighbors who struggle every month to keep their family fed, stay healthy and make ends meet. These individuals will be forced to either forgo medical care entirely, or register for qualified health plans through Access Health CT, which have high monthly premiums, significant deductibles, copayments and no dental coverage at all.

This proposed reduction would deepen our states economic problems because in order to pay for the meager health insurance they could afford on Access Health CT, families would have less to spend on the things they need for their family, such as food. According to Feeding America, 16.2 percent of residents in Fairfield County alone are already food insecure, meaning they are not able to get enough high-quality nutrients to keep their body developing well. For children, this means developmental and social problems that can hold them back in their education; for adults and the elderly, it often means rapidly declining health. While this proposal concerns health care, its important to see how closely these symptoms of poverty are related to health care expenses.

As we learned from 2015s eligibility limit reductions, the effects of these reductions will not fix the states debt problem, and will only cause further economic instability in the state. Instead of finding a lasting solution to affordable health care for the state and its citizens, were stepping on the hands of already struggling citizens of Connecticut living in poverty as a temporary solution to a lasting problem.

At both Optimus Health Care and Norwalk Community Health Center, we see first-hand the need to provide high-quality health care to those who need it, even while we walk the tightrope of financial viability. The added strain this proposal would contribute to our service puts all the good we do for the community at risk. We need the state of Connecticut to continue fighting for the citizens who need it most, as do 9,500 of your friends and neighbors who depend on this program to help them through the most trying times of their lives.

Craig Glover is CEO of Norwalk Community Health Center in Norwalk. Ludwig Spinelli is CEO of Optimus Health Care in Bridgeport.
Dahn Yoga, also known as Body & Brain

Lincoln TanThe New Zealand HeraldJanuary 28, 2017A yoga movement which has been mired in controversy overseas has set up base in New Zealand, creating an "Earth Village" in Northland.Dahn Yoga, also known as Body & Brain, combines yoga, tai chi, meditation and self healing and promises members the transformative power of energy.But its techniques have come under fire and led to two law suits in the US that were later dismissed by the courts.The movement is founded by Ilchi Lee, described as "a global educator, mentor and innovator devoted to teaching energy principles and developing the full capability of the human brain."According to Lee's website, the Korean-born "grandmaster" visited New Zealand in 2014 and was "amazed by the purity ... and the peacefulness".Lee had decided to make an area near Kerikeri the site of his Earth Village and had also purchased property to build a retreat centre.The website also claimed Lee has been running meditation retreats and that he had set up Dahn Taekwondo - a brain education version of the martial art - at an unnamed local school.Body & Brain operates a yoga studio in Paul Matthews Rd in Albany, Auckland, and has more than 200 practitioners.Training includes brain wave vibration, a form of moving meditation or head shaking, and brain education.Professor Peter Lineham, a Massey University religious historian, described the movement as a "curious combination of religious zeal and bodily practices"."I am most puzzled about its use of the term 'yoga'. In certain respects it is not yoga at all in the sense that it has any links with South Asian practices."In 2010, CNN broadcast a report with interviews of former Dahn yoga members alleging severe physical, mental and financial abuse by the organisation's personnel and staff.The Arizona District Court in the United States dismissed the allegations in August that year.That came after an earlier lawsuit, which levelled allegations of "breaking wage and immigration laws, evading taxes and sexually abusing female disciples". That case was dismissed in 2008.Continued below.Related ContentWatch: Controversial yoga practiceA former practitioner, who spoke to the Weekend Herald on the condition of anonymity, said she left after a short stint because she felt "something wasn't right".Ilchi Lee's website says he was amazed by NZ's purity. Photo / Supplied"I've been involved with all sorts of yoga, and this surely didn't feel like yoga," she said."I questioned the trainers, but I was instead asked to sign up and pay for private sessions to understand the philosophies better."But another practitioner, Regan Harvey, said he had felt "fitter and healthier" after just a few months and plans to continue the practice.Dahn Yoga changed its name to Body & Brain in late 2005.A Body & Brain spokeswoman said she was aware that "detractors" had labelled the organisation a cult."It's totally understandable that people should be suspicious of something they don't understand and it's easy to fall into the trap of labelling it as a cult," she said."The fact is, it's not a cult and the organisation has very few of the typical characteristics of a cult." The spokeswoman said practitioners come from diverse backgrounds.Dahn yoga has been the subject of critical reports overseas, including by Forbes and Rolling Stone magazines.The New Zealand spokeswoman said overseas media reports were based on "frivolous claims" of disgruntled former employees and their attorney, as were the lawsuits."Our business activities are not only legal, but there is also considerable scientific and anecdotal support for the effectiveness of our yoga," she added.Jane Lowe, from Yoga Connection, said she was aware of Dahn Yoga but that it was not included in national studio listings.http://m.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11790246
Somerset County voters' main issue: Making sure their advanced voting will be counted

In Somerset County, there are 31,489 residents registered as Republicans and 12,435 as Democrat for a total of 48,846.
Blog Hinangai

While there is much discussion in Guam about the economic benefits of increasing the islands military presence, the damages/dangers that they represent are rarely mentioned. This blog, a supplement to the Peace and Justice for Guam Petition, is meant to counter that by providing information about the US military in Guam, with the hopes of steering policy away from a dangerous unilateralist course to more sustainable notions of regional development and a strengthening international solidarity.
As Prince Workshy and Duchess Do Little, aka William and Kate, head for Paris on Friday will the Brussels-supporting French politicos they meet manage to conceal their displeasure over our retreat from the EU?

There is a fear that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be booed or heckled in Paris on Friday

The possibility of them being booed, or heckled, on their walkabouts, or finding some barbed comments in the welcoming speeches, is a cause for concern, says a royal source.

What's the point of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson trumpeting his support for a new royal yacht if the Government wont pay for it?

Shouldnt the newly rehabilitated retailer Sir Philip Green, formerly Sir Shifty, be appointed Royal Yacht Tsar, charged with finding ways in which a new HMY Britannia can become a money-maker, as well as a flag carrier for our thrusting, post-Brexit exporters?

Famous for his books about Hitler, Churchill and Napoleon, historian Andrew Roberts, 54, is also an admired member of society salons in London and New York.

Is this why his less well-known uncle, actor Christian Roberts, 72, is issuing a memoir sourly entitled Thank God Im Not Famous?

Christian Roberts (left in To Sir With Love) mentions the family's fortune was secured by his brother Simon, who met Colonel Sanders (right) and acquired 50 franchises

Uncle Christian, who played a school bully in the 1967 film To Sir With Love, mentions a rather down-to-earth detail  that the familys fortune was secured by his brother (and Andrews father) Simon, who met the late Colonel Sanders in the 1960s and acquired the franchises here for 50 Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets.

Scots First Minister Nicola Sturgeon does have a sense of humour, despite appearances to the contrary.

Scots First Minister Nicola Sturgeon does have a sense of humour, as shown by her impish response to a tweet

When a critic sneered on Twitter that shell demand a rematch of last weekends England v Scotland rugby game, which the Scots lost 61-21, she responded impishly: Who leaked this?

Former ITV weathercaster Sian Lloyds dislike of Tony Blair is undying.

She said during the unveiling of the Iraq and Afghan war memorial by the Queen: Sickening & insulting. Blair is a liar = Bliar! There was Bliar, bold as brass. The man STILL doesnt get it.

Former ITV weathercaster Sian Lloyds dislike of Tony Blair is undying. She said he was a 'liar' during the unveiling of the Iraq and Afghan war memorial by the Queen

Ms Lloyd was married to to motor racing entrepreneur Jonathan Ashman but they separated in 2015

The background: Ms Lloyd, 58, was married to motor racing entrepreneur Jonathan Ashman. His daughter, Suzanne, married Blairs son, Euan, in 2013.

Sian was banned from this event, perhaps in part because of her criticism of Blair. Two years later, she and Ashman parted.

Having reported on the US presidential election as a special correspondent, then on the French political scene in February, retired Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie, 65, surfaces again on the Today show discussing the SNPs referendum demand. He also has his own show about books on Radio 4.

Its like the Eagles song Hotel California, Jim checked out but hell never leave Radio 4, says an admirer.

Broadcaster and ex-Tory MP Gyles Brandreth, 69, met David Cameron the other day and asked if the former PM slept at night now, adding: He replied immediately, Yes, I sleep like a baby. Every hour I wake up crying Mummy!
There are two opposing genes at work in members of the modern Royal Family. One is a very self-indulgent and rather selfish gene that has bedevilled a number of royals.

Those who possess it think their God-given right is to enjoy themselves come what may. Edward VII had this characteristic, as did his grandson Edward VIII, who chose to give up his throne in 1936 to marry the divorced Wallis Simpson.

The other gene is altruistic, and puts duty before pleasure. It was present in George V and his son George VI, father of our present Queen. Perhaps more than any monarch in our history, Her Majesty epitomises duty, service and self-sacrifice.

The 24-year-old is pictured on the beach as she takes part in a topless shoot she volunteered for. Sophie is currently working in hospitality in Verbier for the winter season, where she met the prince

Which gene, I wonder, is uppermost in her grandson, Prince William? The question arises because he has just been gallivanting with some old chums and a couple of blondes in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier not long before the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family attended a service at Westminster Abbey to mark Commonwealth Day.

I must say I marvel at the tolerance of Prince Williams wife, Kate, in allowing her husband to take a short holiday with his pals while she remained at home with their two young children. I dont think many young wives would be so accommodating.

It is obvious that his fleeting association with the blondes (one of them an Australian model) was entirely innocent, though Kate may not entirely approve of his being in a nightclub with his mates on Sunday evening.

But that is all between the two of them, and we shouldnt intrude. What is not a private matter, however, is Prince Williams apparent dereliction of duty in missing a very important ceremony which he had thought fit to attend in the two previous years.

Ms Taylor (left and right) works at the Farinet nightclub, the popular apres-ski hangout in which William and his friends were spotting drinking and dancing until the early hours

In the first place, the Commonwealth is probably the most treasured organisation in the world in the mind of the Queen, who is its head. If nothing else, it would have been a courtesy to her to turn up rather than fritter away his hours with some scallywags and a couple of young women he may never see again.

Moreover, it is probable that when Prince William accedes to the throne  which could be many, or a few, years hence  he will be asked to be head of the family of nations that is the Commonwealth. Attendance on Monday would have been a mark of respect for that institution.

This year there was a further reason for going to the service. Following Brexit, the Commonwealth has become much more than a club of largely English-speaking nations united by ties of history and experience.

As Boris Johnson remarked on Sunday, the combined Gross Domestic Product of 50 Commonwealth countries is growing very fast, and will soon eclipse that of the sclerotic European Union.

A global Britain looking beyond Europe needs to burnish its economic links with members of this increasingly powerful group. It is, in fact, a piece of extraordinary good fortune that we should be a leading  one might say the founding  member, and that our Queen should be its head.

Party time: Rosie Peate, pictured left, who was revealed as the other blonde pictured having a boozy lunch with Prince William, is firm friends with Sophie Taylor

For all these reasons, Prince William should have turned up on Monday. If he had been attending to some other official duty, or was occupied with his work as a part-time air ambulance pilot, everyone would have understood. But frolicking on the slopes? It does not look good.

Approaching his 35th birthday, the Prince should have finished sowing his wild oats with the likes of nightclub owner Guy Pelly, who is reckoned to have been a less than steadying influence on William and his brother, Harry, when they were younger.

I dont want to be a killjoy, and if Prince William feels the need of an occasional few days away with old friends, few would wish to stop him. But couldnt he have chosen another weekend? Or, if he were set on this one, mightnt he have returned early on Monday morning so he could be present at the service?

So I return to my original question. Does the Prince take after those self-centred members of the Royal Family who think primarily of their own enjoyment? Or does he have any qualities of self-denial and duty evinced by the best of them?

There are reasons for fearing that he may have at least one foot in the first camp. Last year, the Queen, who is 90, and the Duke of Edinburgh, who is 95, had more official engagements than their grandson. The Queen undertook 332, the Duke 219 and Prince William a mere 188.

Footage shows William 'raising the roof' to the hit song 'I Got 5 On It' by American hip hop duo Luniz, before he was seen getting down to some electronic dance music

His defenders point out that he has a part-time job, which he is shortly giving up so that he can return from Norfolk to base himself in London with his family. Perhaps he couldnt find the time. If that is the case, when he no longer has another job, he should be able to surpass his tireless grandparents in industry. Will he?

Its true the Foreign Office has asked William and Kate to fly the flag in Europe as part of our Brexit diplomacy, which is a good thing. The couple are due to visit Paris on Friday.

There is, nonetheless, a sense of entitlement that doesnt sit well with one so young who has not yet won his spurs. Is it right during a period of austerity that 4.5 million of taxpayers money should have been spent in refurbishing an apartment for William and Kate in Kensington Palace which has 22 rooms and two kitchens? I dont think so.

The chief problem is that there is almost no one in the life of Prince William and his wife to advise them properly and, if need be, to stand up to them. His father, Prince Charles, is either reluctant to intervene or, if he does so, is liable to be ignored.

William and Kate have a private secretary and a Press secretary, both of whom are young and rather unworldly. If either had been worth his salt, the headstrong Prince would have been told in no uncertain terms that his absence from the Commonwealth service would be interpreted as a serious lapse.

Friends forever: Model Sophie Taylor, left and her close friend Rosie Peate, right, a trained beautician from Blackpool, enjoyed an al fresco lunch with Prince William in the upmarket ski resort of Verbier

As for newspapers, the chances of William listening to constructive advice are zero since he loathes them, believing that paparazzi hounded his mother, Diana. He should heed the late Enoch Powell, who justly observed that politicians who complain about the Press are like sailors who complain about the sea.

Harry, too, can exude a truculent and self-righteous air. He evidently thinks the Press has no right to report his sometimes unprincely activities, and that his relationship with the actress Meghan Markle is a wholly private matter.

Both Princes seem to believe they can be royals on their own terms, enjoying all the privileges and benefits, and picking and choosing such duties as meet their fancy.

This is a potentially fatal attitude which, unless addressed, could lead to the public eventually turning against the monarchy. Prince Harrys wild antics may be tolerated a little longer, but Prince William should grow up. The time has come for him to behave like a future king.
For most people, bringing back presents from an overseas holiday is always met with delight.

But Emma McClean's friends loved the children's clothes she had made for them in Bali so much that Emma saw a business opportunity.

Speaking to FEMAIL, the 34-year-old mum-of-two said the idea came to her after her second pregnancy.

'We go to Indonesia a lot and the last time I came back, I had some baby clothes made for some friends,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'They loved them so much that I just started having them made on the side while working.'

Emma McClean, founder of Children of the Tribe, (pictured with her two children) says her creativity peaked during her second pregnancy, leading her to create her clothing label

The label launches a new range every six-to-seven weeks and showcases them with lookbooks online. Pictured is the SWIM range

With a seven year background in sales and marketing, Emma found herself selling her clothing at The Village Markets in Byron Bay and gaining a loyal customer base which helped her build her own brand, Children of the Tribe.

She sells children's clothes for babies and young children, which are produced in Indonesia, China and India.

'Having a loyal following and living in such an encouraging community in Byron Bay has really helped us grow our company,' Emma said.

'That, and having such a huge response on Instagram! I'm all about visual imagery and style, so Instagram has really helped get our name out there.'

'Our shoots are all about telling a story and I think because I have a wild vision, that's really helped to mark a spot for our brand.'

The label's new line is SLOW LIVIN which Emma says is how she tries to live her life

Another shot from the SWIM range for Children of the Tribe shows a little girl sat astride a white horse on a beach

Children of the Tribe also sell homeware items.

With her knowledge of technology and online sales, Emma soon found herself launching a website and since 2013 the business has become her passion and income.

'We have 10 employees and 100 stockists all over the world and another one opening here in Byron in a fortnight,' she said.

Emma said the success of Children of the Tribe is somewhat due to the fact she has stayed true to her roots.

'It's about the lifestyle we live here in Byron, which is outdoors and barefoot,' she said.

Emma's two daughters, Willow and Coco, (pictured) regularly feature in the photoshoots

Another shot from the SLOW LIVIN range with a few baby clothes from the line

The brand sells children's clothes for babies and young children, and also homeware items

'Kids are meant to get dirty when they're playing, so we created clothes that were fun but could get dirty and it wasn't the end of the world. I mean, I love to dress my two girls up but it's okay if they get dirty while they're outside playing.'

The business has grown so much so that Emma's partner, who was an oil rig worker, now also helps pack the children's clothes for shipping.

'It's changed our whole life. He was used to working 12 hours a day with men and now he works the back end of the business packing the boxes,' she said.

Emma (left) said the brand represents the lifestyle of her family: fun, outdoors and barefoot

'It's about the lifestyle we live here in Byron, which is outdoors and barefoot,' Emma said of the brand

Emma's brother-in-law is also the operations manager for the business.

Children of the Tribe have also given back to the Indonesian community that helped them start their business, supporting the Bumi Sehat Childbirth Centre by providing new mothers with baby onesies and wraps when they leave the centre.

Emma said she wants to show that they are 'more than just selling, we're also giving back'.

The label also has the benefit of having some celebrity fans as listed on its website, such as actress Teresa Palmer, and actor Eric Olsen.
The Australian outback is the last place you would go to find swimwear.

But for one mum, the unforgiving land in Western Queensland is where her swimwear brand was born.

Julie Brown, 46, started Coola Cozzies on her family sheep station in 2013, but had been thinking about the idea since 2006, even though she wasn't sure if it would take off.

'I thought, who in their right mind would start a swimwear brand in outback Queensland?' the mum-of-two admitted to Daily Mail Australia.

Julie Brown and her husband and two children, Xavier, 9, and Bronte, 6, on their property in outback Queensland, where Julie started her swimwear label Coola Cozzies

'My family are quite fair-skinned and I thought, what a good Christmas present to get some fun rashies and board shorts?'.

Despite looking in her local shops and online, Julie, who ran her family farm alongside her husband, as well as homeschooling her two children, couldn't find any rash-vests and board shorts that were sun safe and comfortable.

'I walked the shops for hours and still couldn't find what I was after, being bright coloured rashies and matching board shorts,' she said.

'I couldn't find anything above a size 16 in ladies and I wondered if other people were having the same problems finding them as I was.'

The community really got behind the brand as well, with Julie's neighbours helping to model the swimwear in the middle of dry paddocks

'Lovely and sun-safe swimwear should be available for everyone - including the blokes!'

Julie's swimwear line is colourful and sun-safe and suits people of all ages, sizes and skin types

The business owner and mum-of-two poured all of her savings into the business, after a particularly difficult drought in 2013 nearly cost the family their farming station.

Julie's family had to begin de-stocking their farm due to the drought and were completely de-stocked by April 2014.

'It was really daunting because that's your income gone,' she said.

Julie started planning her swimwear label soon after and began researching different brands and materials.

'I was taking one step forward and two steps but eventually we got there,' she said.

'I launched the Facebook page on the first of December 2014 and woke up the next morning to find out we had no phone, no internet, no mobile, nothing!'

Since featuring in an ABC story, Coola Cozzies have sold 300 items in the past week and hope to continue that rate

'We want people of all ages, sizes and skin types to be able to enjoy the benefits of water with confidence'

For the first 21 days after officially launching her brand, Julie had no power to get her brand's name on the market or gather support because of a faulty telephone line that affected many families in the region.

'I thought if this is a sign, I'm screwed,' she said.

Julie would drive an hour into town everyday to try and get Coola Cozzies up and running, getting her stock delivered and trying to get Facebook support.

The family were finally able to bring some stock back onto their farm last year, but the the conditions in outback Queensland remain challenging.

Julie and her two children, Xavier, nine, and Bronte, six, have moved into town while her husband and family run the farm, so Julie can run the swimwear business.

Despite thinking the idea was crazy, Julie's outback swimwear has taken off and she is now shipping her products globally

'It was a really tough decision to make but there was no way I could keep running the business from home, with internet speeds and being so far out from the post office. We do go home to the property on the weekends,' Julie said.

On the 15th of December 2014, Coola Cozzies launched their website and as Julie said 'we've been growing and learning ever since'.

Coola Cozzies would usually sell 30 orders per week, but since featuring in an ABC Landline segment, they've sold 300 swimwear items in the last week.

Julie has sold her swimwear in every state of Australia and has recently gone global.

'I was so excited when I packed that first box to Tasmania, and even more excited when we had two order to the U.K., two to the U.S and two to New Zealand!' she said.

'I'm just hoping we can grow and sustain those markets.'

'We want people of all ages, sizes and skin types to be able to enjoy the benefits of water with confidence.'

Julie has sold her swimwear in every state of Australia and has recently gone global

Australia has the highest rate of melanoma in the world which helped inspire Julie to design sun-safe swimwear that was fun

The community really got behind the brand as well, with Julie's neighbours helping to model the swimwear in the middle of dry paddocks.

With 80 percent of Queensland still in drought, the company has pledged to donate five percent of all Coola Cozzies profits to the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.

Australia has the highest rate of Melanoma in the world and Julie said if her swimwear can help someone get back into the sun and down to the beach, she will feel accomplished.

'Lovely and sun-safe swimwear should be available for everyone - including the blokes!,' she said.
They congregate on a closed Facebook group, where they swap news of the latest items to drop, how they've styled them, or even 'hacked' them so that they look completely different to how they were when they were first bought.

But they're not women cooing over the latest designer pieces from the catwalks. Instead, they are the self-described 'Kmart mums'; and there are over 100,000 of them logging on to Facebook on a daily basis.

FEMAIL spoke to the founder of Facebook group,'Kmart mums Australia', Larnie Lawrence, to find out just why the discount department store holds such a draw.

We also reveal some of the top Kmart 'hacks' shared on the Internet. Pens at the ready!

Kmart has become increasingly popular in Australia in recent years (pictured: a Kmart home); so much so that a Facebook group exists called 'Kmart mums Australia'

The group boasts 100,000-plus members and is run by the Brisbane-based mother-of-five, Larnie Lawrence - she spoke to FEMAIL (pictured: a kitchen featuring Kmart items)

FEMAIL also takes a look at some of the top styling tips and tricks shared on the group (pictured: a Kmart living area)

According to Ms Lawrence, what Kmart gets right is that they offer high-end-looking products on a low-end budget (pictured: one mum's fully Kmart kids' bedroom)

According to Ms Lawrence, what Kmart gets right that so many other stores don't is that they offer high-end-looking products on a low-end budget:

What's not to love when when their things are so on-trend and affordable?

'Things look the same as the other expensive department stores, but they cost a fraction of the price,' Ms Lawrence told Daily Mail Australia.

'I'm a mum of five and I've been shopping at Kmart for years now. I think I first of all started buying their kids' clothes. Since then, I've learned just how good the homewares are.

'My house is filled with Kmart cushions, candles and furniture. What's not to love when when their things are so on-trend and affordable?'.

Ms Lawrence confessed she has been shopping at Kmart for years - while she began by buying the kids' clothes, she ended up cottoning on to the homewares (pictured: a Kmart re-vamp)

'Things look the same as the other expensive department stores, but they cost a fraction of the price,' Ms Lawrence told Daily Mail Australia (pictured: Kmart interiors)

A lot of the mothers on the group 'hack' items they have bought - such as this candle holder, which was painted by one creative mum (pictured)

'My house is filled with Kmart cushions, candles and furniture. What's not to love when when their things are so on-trend and affordable?,' Ms Lawrence said

WHY IS KMART SO SUCCESSFUL? * Kmart came to Australia from the US in the 1960s. * One of the reasons for the store's success is its use of social media. Hashtags such as #kmartstyling and #kmartlove are big on Instagram, while Facebook groups such as Kmart mums Australia all help to promote the store. * Kmart re-invented the brand in the late 2000s, ditching hundreds of unnecessary products and re-vamping their stores. * Kmart boasted a revenue growth of 8.9 per cent in its recent half year evaluations. * Kmart is lauded for knowings its target market - usually mothers and families - incredibly well. * The store has celebrity fans, including Rebecca Judd, who loves their AUD $2 bowls. Advertisement

Ms Lawrence started talking about Kmart with her friends a couple of years ago, and when she realised that others were as into the shop as she was, she launched a Facebook group to gather everyone together.

'The group is about a year old and was set up for women who wanted to share the new-in Kmart products they'd seen in different stores, as well as their styling tips and tricks,' Ms Lawrence said.

Currently, the group has over 100,000 members - which Ms Lawrence described as somewhat 'incredible'.

'It's grown a lot in the past six months - so much so that if someone posts a new-in item on the group, you've got to be super quick in getting down to the store.

'I'm lucky because I live close by to one of the big, good stores. I'm able to pop in several times a week to scour the rails.'

She added that the group has become somewhat of a community. If women can't get their hands on what they want from their local Kmart store, they beg others to check theirs and post the items.

One mother on the Facebook group recently 'hacked' this simple chest of drawers to look metallic for her child's bedroom (pictured)

Others are even more creative, such as one mum who came up with this dog feeding station complete with dog bowl on the bottom floor and food on the top (pictured)

One mother recently posted a picture of a Kmart AUD $6 fruit bowl which she was using as a lampshade on her ceiling (pictured)

'The group is about a year old and was set up for women who wanted to share the new-in Kmart products they'd seen in stores, as well as their styling tips and tricks,' Ms Lawrence said

'It's grown a lot in the past six months - so much so that if someone posts a new-in item on the group, you've got to be super quick in getting down to the store,' she added (pictured: a Kmart 'hack')

Ms Lawrence said she is lucky because she lives near one of the big Kmart stores; she said she pops in several times a week (stock image)

What the Kmart mums Australia group has become known for is ideas and 'hacks' for adapting something from Kmart so that it suits someone's home.

One mother recently posted a picture of a Kmart AUD $6 fruit bowl which she was using as a lampshade on her ceiling.

Another created a feeding station for her dog with a Kmart cabinet and a bowl on the bottom floor and the dog food in the top.

Other popular hacks include baskets screwed onto the side of baby change tables filled with nappies, feature walls created from three sets of shelves attached together and plants placed inside a fire pit.

'All of the mothers buy stuff, and paint it so that it goes with things in their existing home,' Ms Lawrence said.

'But the furniture is all really good quality - everything I've bought from Kmart has lasted.'

To visit Kmart Australia, click here.
If you're tired of snapping up a new outfit from H&M only to realise that everyone in your office owns it too, then it might be time to tap into the secret siblings of your favourite shops.

Indeed, the likes of Zara, Amazon and Uniqlo have under-the-radar sister brands with even cooler clothes that will set you apart from everyone else.

There's a growing number of women looking for something new and unique - and luckily for these ladies, there's an army of secret sibling brands up to accommodate their needs without breaking the bank.

ZARA'S COOLER BIG SISTER

With its uncanny catwalk copies, Zara currently reigns as the queen of the high street.

But as more and more people catch onto its trend-driven range, the Spanish high street retailer is becoming a little generic.

Uterque is being dubbed 'Zara's cooler big sister' thanks to its trendy garments that are refreshed twice a week (culottes with contrasting top stitching, 95)

So, for ladies who are fed up of walking into a bar and seeing ten other women wearing the same black dress, let us introduce you to Zara's secret big sister.

Uterque is owned by the same company as Zara and has arguably better pieces on offer. The Spanish brand, which doesn't yet have any shops in the UK, has long been a fashion editor favourite thanks to its sleek silhouettes and sharp tailoring.

Aimed at women aged from 25-50 who are 'middle class, urban, educated, cosmopolitan and independent', the brand hails itself 'sophisticated and smart, attentive to detail, self-confident and independent.'

Much like Zara, the garments are renewed twice a week to reflect latest trends.

The price point is slightly higher than Zara - with dresses costing around 80 and leather totes at 110 - but its high quality materials make it worth it.

Aimed at women aged 25-50 who are 'middle class, urban, educated, cosmopolitan and independent' the brand hails itself 'sophisticated and smart' (fringed jeans are 65)

ONEPIECE'S NEW COLLECTION

It was the brand that gave us the onesie in 2007 - and it went on to become a cult piece worn by everyone from Gigi Hadid to Beyonce.

And now Onepiece has unveiled a streetwear range of outerwear inspired by the beach and outdoors.

There's laminated boiler suit style jumpsuits and a selection of distinctive high neck tracksuits, as well as bomber jackets.

Onepiece has unveiled a streetwear range of outerwear inspired by the beach and outdoors (pictured is the Bay Jumpsuit, 79, from Onepiece.com)

ZARA'S LINGERIE LINE

Oysho is owned by the same group but focuses solely on lingerie and swimwear.

Created in 2001, Oysho's lingerie, beach and swimwear lines channel a trend-led philosophy that's young, fun and feminine.

Asos, who sell the line, say shoppers will fall in love with its lingerie sets, laid-back loungewear and sugar-sweet swimwear.

ZARA'S YOUNGER LINE

Stradivarius is also part of the same group but is targetted at women younger than 35.

In their mission statement on their website, they say: 'We are fully aware that what makes our customers happy today may not be what they want tomorrow, which is why we are constantly hunting down the latest trends to come up with the perfect looks for every occasion.'

Stradivarius is also part of the same group but is targetted at younger ladies (pictured: top 15.99, stradivarius.com)

AMAZON'S INTERIORS SISTER SITE

Canopy is much like a Pinterest board packed to the rafters with interiors inspiration.

The catch? Every single product on the site links back to Amazon.

The site allows you to create your own Pinterest style profile and collections based on your tastes so you can compare them before buying.

Canopy is much like a Pinterest board with interiors inspiration and every single item is from Amazon

UNIQLO'S FRENCH SISTER

Comptoir des Cotonniers is the sister of Uniqlo.

Founded in 1995, Comptoir des Cotonniers is the go-to brand for the French; and who doesn't want to take style notes from our friends from across the pond?

The brand offers affordable luxury and a full wardrobe for women of all generations.

Comptoir offers a mix-and-match of trendy and iconic pieces inspired by the French city girl.

'Our woman is simultaneously spontaneous and smart, upright and feminine, stylish and cheeky, urban and genuine, natural and sensual,' say the brand.

Think work-appropriate jackets, sleek trousers and the most flattering of coats.

THE OUTNET'S PRIVATE LABEL

Iris & Ink, the Outnet.com's private label, is the go-to destination for soft feminine shapes and more directional, tailored pieces.

The brand loves to experiment with texture: think luxurious cashmere knits, silk blouses, suede skirts and butter-soft leather dresses.

Ideal for women who prefer to take a pared-back approach to dressing, the palette focuses on neutrals and the kind of classic wardrobe staples that really will never go out of fashion.
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When Leanne, 32, and Bronson Ross, 31, met on Tinder in 2014, they would never have thought that they'd be eloping together just over one year later.

Mrs Ross, who lived in Ireland, met Mr Ross, from New Zealand, while he was playing rugby professionally in Belfast.

'We went on a date and it was super casual - I wasn't planning for the future at that stage because I had a child at home and Bronson could have left for rugby anytime,' Mrs Ross told Daily Mail Australia.

Happy couple: When Leanne, 32, and Bronson Ross, 31, met on Tinder in 2014, they would never have thought that they'd be eloping together (pictured) just over one year later

Surprise! Mrs Ross made the post of their engagement public after the wedding (left) and announced their wedding day on Facebook to her friends (right)

But within months, the pair realised how much love they had for each other and each time they were apart, missed each other greatly.

'We realised we would really have to commit I was going to take my son around the world to eventually live with him in New Zealand,' Mrs Ross said.

'And a year after meeting, Bronson took me away for an overnight trip in Northern Ireland where he proposed to me at the top of a castle.'

Adoring couple: Mrs Ross said they while they were both filled with joy at the engagement they started to talk seriously about all the planning that would go into a wedding involving family on opposite sides of the world

No regrets: 'I always said I didn't want a traditional white wedding because I was a single mum and I wasn't traditional - I met a man who lived half way around the world,' she said

Mrs Ross, a digital PR consultant and digital marketer, said they while they were both filled with joy at the engagement they started to talk seriously about all the planning that would go into a wedding involving family on opposite sides of the world.

We didn't have to put on a show and the romance and magic were so real.

'We were talking about money and how we would fly all of these people to a centre point and realised how unrealistic it was,' she said.

'Bronson had very small amounts of time available between training and he was like "Why don't we just go and do it?".

'I always said I didn't want a traditional white wedding because I was a single mum and I wasn't traditional - I met a man who lived half way around the world.'

Beautiful: The couple decided to keep their engagement secret and plan a romantic four day elopement in Croatia for June - just three months later

The couple decided to keep their engagement secret and plan a romantic four day elopement in Croatia for June - just three months later.

Keeping it simple yet romantic, the loved up pair chose to elope to Dubrovnik and marry atop an old castle turret that looked out over the Adriatic.

To ensure their plans all came together perfectly, Mrs Ross also hired a wedding planner who organised the booking, styling, transport, flowers, photographer, registrar and island boat transfers.

They also took a minimalist approach with their outfits, with Ms Reilly choosing to wear a 58 (AU $93) waffle lipsy dress from Michelle Keegan which made her feel both 'sexy' and 'ladylike'.

Thinking it through: To ensure their plans all came together perfectly, Mrs Ross also hired a wedding planner who organised the booking, styling, transport, flowers, photographer, registrar and island boat transfers

Stunning: They also took a minimalist approach with their outfits, with Ms Reilly choosing to wear a 58 (AU $93) waffle lipsy dress from Michelle Keegan which made her feel both 'sexy' and 'ladylike'

'I have never been into the whole traditional white wedding dress thing - my dress was perfect for the day,' she said.

Mr Ross kept it classy yet casual in a linen shirt, navy shorts and a pair of Marvel superhero flip flips which represented Mrs Ross' six-year-old son who was at home with his grandparents.

Mrs Ross' beautiful yellow flowers were from a Dubrovnik supplier and no stationery was required as there was nobody to invite.

After the wedding, which was witnessed by just the registrar and their photographer, the couple took a boat to an island where they spent the afternoon eating and celebrating before heading back to their five star hotel which served as a honeymoon.

Candid: Mr Ross kept it classy yet casual in a linen shirt, navy shorts and a pair of Marvel superhero flip flips which represented Mrs Ross' six-year-old son who was at home with his grandparents

Thrifty: 'The wedding itself was probably only around 2,500 (AU $4,000) and I've seen big white traditional weddings held by friends cost 20,000 (AU $32,000) or more so it was a very big saving in terms of money,' she said

'We added it all up and it was around 4,000 (AU $6,400) for the whole trip including the rings, the wedding itself, the paperwork, which we filled out once we were home, the accommodation, activities like scuba diving and everything else involved,' Mrs Ross said.

'The wedding itself was probably only around 2,500 (AU $4,000) and I've seen big white traditional weddings held by friends cost 20,000 (AU $32,000) or more so it was a very big saving in terms of money.'

Mrs Ross said the day itself was perfect.

'We didn't have to put on a show and the romance was so real,' she said. 'It was magic.'

Overjoyed: After the wedding, which was witnessed by just the registrar and their photographer, the couple took a boat to an island where they spent the afternoon eating and celebrating

'There is often so much pressure with weddings and couples are always so stressed about everyone else having a good time. I am so glad we didn't do that. We spent the whole day together and it was so exciting.

'It was a truly romantic day that we will never forget and I almost wish we could do it again.'

Many couples who elope are nervous about breaking the news to their families and friends - and it was no different for Mrs and Mr Ross, whose families had no clue about their secret plans.

'It was so nerve wracking. That evening we phoned our families - we called mine first in Belfast and then his family in New Zealand. I briefly started questioning what we had done and was worried they would never forgive us,' Ms Reilly said.

'It was so nerve wracking': That evening we phoned our families - we called mine first in Belfast and then his family in New Zealand. I briefly started questioning what we had done and was worried they would never forgive us,' Ms Reilly said

Boat to the island: 'When we told them they screamed and dropped things and to this day they really think it was just so romantic and wonderful,' she said

'Our families aren't religious but my family from Ireland is used to big traditional weddings so we were not sure how they would react. But we didn't need to be.

'It was so exciting. When we told them they screamed and dropped things and to this day they really think it was just so romantic and wonderful. They understand that we would have wait a long time otherwise and planning something that big would have been almost impossible and people would have been left out.'

To tell their friends, the pair both coordinated a Facebook post.

'We asked the planner to take one photo of us so we could post one online and we really thought we were going to break the Internet... everyone was thrilled,' Mrs Ross said.

'We asked the planner to take one photo of us so we could post one online': To tell their friends, the pair both coordinated a Facebook post

'None of our friends openly admitted they were upset but a few close ones probably were. But then they realised if we weren't telling our families and parents then we weren't going to tell them.'

Mrs Ross has become a huge advocate for eloping and urges other couples to do it too.

'It's hard for us to judge but it was so romantic and exciting and zero stress was involved,' Mrs Ross said.

'Other than having my son it was truly the best decision I have ever made. Don't listen to your doubts because you will have them. You get worried about what people will think and what you will miss out on like a first dance or speeches.

'But what you exchange for that is so worth it. If you can't make yourself happy on your wedding day, then when can you?'
Senior federal Labor MP Kate Ellis is pregnant with her second child.

The news broke this morning after her husband David Penberthy told listeners on FiveAA talk back radio.

'We had the final, everything's good to go test yesterday,' he said.

Ms Ellis announced her resignation from politics at the next election because she didn't want to 'spend 20 weeks of the year away from her child.'

Ms Ellis has made the decision to spend more time in Adelaide with her young son Sam (she is pictured with her son in 2015)

Social media was quick to make a connection between the Labor frontbencher's two most recent statements saying: 'It all makes sense now.'

But Ms Ellis has not said her latest pregnancy weighed in on her decision to quit politics.

A spokesman for Adelaide's Labor frontbencher confirmed her shock decision on Thursday and said she had explained her intentions in a letter to constituents.

Federal Labor MP for Adelaide Kate Ellis speaks at a media event in Adelaide on Thursday

Senior federal Labor MP Kate Ellis is to quit federal politics at the next election, telling voters she wants to spend more time with her family, particularly her young son (Ms Ellis pictured with her son in 2015)

Ms Ellis, 39, was elected the member for Adelaide in 2004 and has held the inner-city marginal seat since then

'The simple truth is that I just cannot bear the thought of spending at least 20 weeks of every year in Canberra away from him and the rest of my family,' Ms Ellis said on Thursday.

'Whilst my son could travel with me as a baby, during the next term of parliament he will start school and needs to stay in Adelaide.

'When I think about having to regularly miss things like his first day at school, his presentations at school assembly, a first sporting match or even just being there for him when he is sick and wants his mum, I know that it would make me absolutely miserable.

'It's really hard. I'm really sad about it because I know how lucky I am to have a job that I love and I'm so grateful for the faith that the community has put in me.'

Ms Ellis, 39, was elected the member for Adelaide in 2004 and has held the inner-city marginal seat since then.

She served as a minister in previous Labor governments and is now Labor's early childhood and development spokeswoman.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would be sad to see Ms Ellis go.

'We know how hard she works and we admire her strengths as a policy thinker, as a campaigner and as a trailblazer,' he said in a statement.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he would be sad to see Ms Ellis (pictured) go

Senior federal Labor MP Kate Ellis is to quit federal politics at the next election

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten (right) said he would be sad to see Ms Ellis (left) go

'But we also know Kate wants the chance to spend precious time with her son Sam. We respect her decision.'

Mr Shorten described the member for Adelaide as a 'trusted adviser and a true friend'.

'As a person and a representative, she is someone for whom I have the highest respect,' he said.

'Kate has a rare gift for being at home in any situation. A natural with people, she is just as comfortable reading stories in a primary school classroom as she is talking jobs and apprenticeships on a factory floor.

'Wherever she goes, she radiates an honest charm and a genuine interest in the lives of the Australians she serves.'
It's no secret that exercise has a direct impact on our mood and overall happiness.

And Instagram star Emily Marni, 18, felt the effects of this first hand when she severed a tendon in her ankle six weeks ago.

Forced to wear a 'moon boot', or ankle brace, the Mornington Peninsula local couldn't participate in her usual rigorous exercise regime.

Emily Marni, 18, found her mental illness 'thoughts' returning when she couldn't exercise with her moon boot on

The Instagram blogger severed a tendon in her ankle that has kept her away from the gym for over six weeks now

The student has instead only been able to do 'some light weights and walking' for the past month, she told Daily Australia.

'I use exercise as a way of relieving stress and being productive so when that's taken away it makes me a lot more irritable,' she said.

Miss Marni posted a photo of her moon boot and explained to her followers that it had brought back some of her previous issues tackling mental illness.

Walking tall... and hiding her ankle: 'Well, today marks the last day with old moon boot here and four more weeks on crutches partial weight bearing'

The 18-year-old, who is a student following a vegan diet, has gained a lot of muscle definition since recovering from her eating disorder

'Well, today marks the last day with old moon boot here and four more weeks on crutches partial weight bearing.

'Silly me was hoping to go straight back to it but I've still got four weeks of intensive rehab ahead of me,' she wrote.

By 'getting back into it' Miss Marni is referring to her gym-based workouts which she regularly talks about on her social media account.

'My insomnia has come back and, because f**k the stigma around mental illness, my depression and anxiety have returned,' she wrote

The Victorian vegan shares her diet and exercise tips on Instagram to her 9.5k followers

'I'd be lying if I said the past six weeks have been a breeze. In all honesty I've had a sh*t time. I haven't been able to go out with my friends, exercise, explore, work or get my driving [hours] up.

It was at this point her post talked about previous experiences with mental illness and the way these 'thoughts' were returning because of her inability to do the normal things, like exercise, she enjoyed doing.

'My insomnia has come back and, because f**k the stigma around mental illness, my depression and anxiety have returned, as well as unhealthy, disordered eating thought patterns.

Miss Marni has posted physical transformation pictures in the past of her time with an eating disorder and continues to move in and out of recovery

Miss Marni is extremely honest to her followers about her continued struggle with mental illness

'I have absolutely no doubt that I can get through this tough patch, and I'm reaffirming to myself that everything happens for a reason and this challenge was necessary for my growth.

'I'm determined to devote myself fully to my rehab; the sooner I'm back to normal (and back at the squat rack) the better!' she concluded.

Miss Marni has posted physical transformation pictures in the past of her time with an eating disorder and continues to move in and out of recovery.

'Exercise and being active is important to me physically but also mentally,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

But for the most part she credits her vegan and healthy lifestyle to keeping negative thoughts at bay.

But for the most part she credits her vegan and healthy lifestyle to keeping negative thoughts at bay.

'Exercise and being active is important to me physically but also mentally.

'I enjoy posting about my good and bad days on social media because people seem to identify with them and realise they're not alone,' she said.
It was on her honeymoon in Thailand that Laurie Marie Johnston began seeing the kind of lines one used to find on an old analogue television through her right eye.

The 39-year-old from the Gold Coast had, at the time, just remarried.

She was celebrating the happy occasion with her new husband and three children when her life suddenly changed forever.

Two weeks after she said 'I do', Laurie was blind in one eye and she had received devastating news. She had Multiple Sclerosis.

Laurie, a nurse from the Gold Coast, was starting a new chapter in her life after remarrying

'It was sort of like a bad dream,' Laurie told Daily Mail Australia as she recalled the moment she received the official diagnosis in September 2015.

'I thought that I was going to wake up at any moment, that it wasn't going to be happening. It was just some sort of horrific nightmare.'

Laurie Marie Johnston pictured on her wedding day in August 2015, weeks before she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

But the nurse said the nightmare had only just begun. Only weeks after she was given a diagnosis, symptoms of the chronic degenerative disease began to accelerate.

'It all happened too quickly,' Laurie said. 'I was so fit and healthy and it sort of just hit me out of the blue.'

What started as a weakness in her left leg has spread to both, and Laurie must now use a walking stick daily - and a wheelie walker for long distances.

There are balance issues, heat sensitivity, and chronic neurological pain that can feel like an ache in her bones or stabs of soreness in her head and all over her body.

The inability to exercise caused Laurie to gain 30 kilos, going from a size 8 to 18 in less than two years and leaving her 'unrecognisable' in photos, she said.

Although she worked as a nurse, Laurie had to switch to clerical work because she was in a constant state of fatigue.

She was on her honeymoon with her husband and three daughters when she suddenly went blind in her right eye, the first sign that something was amiss

Her husband now has to do all the cooking at home because it's difficult for Laurie to stay on her feet for long periods of time.

'Every day is a struggle to keep working, and also to try and manage the house, the kids and parenting, while trying to maintain my quality of life,' Laurie said.

'It's like a different life. I don't have a choice about what I do anymore, MS chooses for me.'

Laurie has tried everything from tablets to injections and transfusions, all of which gave her terrible side effects.

'I felt so awfully sick on them,' she said. 'Bloating, cramping, pain, the worst nausea.'

The mother-of-three still tried to give them a 'good go', but found that they were doing nothing to slow the disease's rapid development.

Just two weeks after saying 'I do', Laurie was officially diagnosed with MS. The symptoms of the chronic degenerative disease began to accelerate rapidly

Once an active mum (pictured here with her daughters at an NRL game in 2015), Laurie was quickly crippled by debilitating leg and neurological pain that radiated throughout her body

WHAT IS HSCT? HSCT (Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation) attempts to reboot the immune system, which is responsible for damaging the brain and spinal cord in MS. In HSCT for MS, hematopoietic (blood cell-producing) stem cells - which are derived from a persons own bone marrow or blood - are collected and stored, and the rest of the individuals immune cells are depleted by chemotherapy. The goal of HSCT is to reset the immune system and stop the inflammation that contributes to active relapsing MS. Source: National MS Society.org Advertisement

As Laurie begun to feel like she had exhausted every option in Australia, she heard about a treatment called Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

HSCT, which has also been used for cancer treatment, is a controversial treatment which involves transplanting stem cells - usually harvested from the patient - after they've undergone chemotherapy.

Or, as Laurie has described it to her nine-year-old, it is 'mum having a computer reboot'.

HSCT is available in a number of places around the world, including the United States and Mexico, but is still being evaluated through clinical trials in Australia.

Thus Laurie is flying to Russia for a month to undergo the treatment, hoping it will help her stop MS in its tracks before it forces her into a wheelchair.

'I'm hoping that my body will have a chance to heal and go into recovery mode,' she said.

Laurie (pictured here shortly after her MS diagnosis) tried everything from tablets to injections and transfusions, all of which gave her terrible side effects

As Laurie (pictured here resting from her symptoms) begun to feel like she had exhausted every option, she heard about a treatment called Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

'I worry because it's been just 18 months. I really have to act now.'

Laurie said that 40 per cent of people who have undergone the HSCT treatment around the world have found an improvement in their abilities.

And she hopes that, after leaving her family for a month and shelling out $73,000, she will be able to join their ranks.

'The only thing I'm really worried about is being away from my family,' she said.

'But, being a nurse, I know they're going to take great care of me. I've met a few people that had really great results.'

Laurie will head to Russia in May, and is raising funds for the treatment through a GoFundMe campaign.

Now the mum-of-three, who said she has gained 30 kilos since her diagnosis, plans to travel to Russia for a month to receive the HSCT treatment - which is not available in Australia

She is hoping the treatment will bring back her energy, reduce her pain, and that she won't need any mobility help to walk around.

'To be strong enough to walk unaided, that would be amazing gift,' she said.

As much as MS has already taken away from her, Laurie said it has also made her stronger and more appreciative when it comes to life.

'But now, I want to reclaim my life,' she added. 'I want to take it back, make those choices, I have a lot more I want to try and achieve.'

'I feel, so much in my heart, that this is the right thing to do for me. That I'm doing everything in my power to fight MS.'

'At least I can look back at this year and say, well I've given it everything I could - and I've given it my best shot.'
These two pictures illustrate the extraordinary way that women's bodies have changed in the last 60 years.

In 1957, the average-sized British woman was 5ft 2ins tall, weighed 9st 10lbs, had size 3 feet and was a dress size 12.

She had a petite figure, with a slim waist of 28 inches and 34B breasts. Miss Average was expected to live 73 years and earned just 10 a week.

But flash forward 60 years and the shape of the typical British woman has changed dramatically - most strikingly in her waist and breasts.

These two pictures illustrate the extraordinary way that women's bodies have changed in the last 60 years. Left: In 1957, the average-sized British woman was 5ft 2ins tall, weighed 9st 10lbs, had size 3 feet and was a dress size 12. Right: In 2017 she is 5ft 5in, weighs 11st, wears a dress size 16 and has a shoe size of 6

The 2017 version of Miss Average is 5ft 5in, weighs 11st, wears a dress size 16 and has a shoe size of 6.

Her bust has shot up more than any other part of her anatomy to a more shapely 36DD and her waistline has increased by six inches to 34 inches.

Her life expectancy has shot up, too, by 10 years to 83 years and she is earning an average 530 a week.

The graphics showing the difference in today's Miss Average with the 1957 version were put together by the lingerie brand Bluebella, which researched data on changing body shapes from government statistics.

Hollywood beauty Natalie Wood - one of the biggest stars of 1957 having just appeared in iconic movies Rebel Without a Cause and The Searchers - had the same 34B bust size and body shape of the average woman 60 years ago.

Meanwhile reality TV star Kim Kardashian's surgically enhanced 36DD bust is the same size as the average 2017 woman.

THE 1957 WOMAN 5ft 2ins tall Weighed 9st 10lbs Size 3 feet Dress size 12 Slim waist of 28 inches 34B breasts Expected to live 73 years Earned just 10 a week Advertisement

THE 2017 WOMAN 5ft 5in tall Weighs 11st Wears a dress size 16 Shoe size of 6 Waist of 34 inches 36DD breasts Expected to live 83 years Earns 530 a week Advertisement

The 1957 woman had a petite figure, with a slim waist of 28 inches and 34B breasts. Miss Average was expected to live 73 years and earned just 10 a week

Bluebella chief executive Emily Bendell said that 2017's Miss Average was far more body conscious that her 1957 equivalent.

She said: 'She is likely to exercise at least twice a week - consuming 2,300 calories a day compared to 1,800 calories back then.

'She is much healthier than her Fifties counterpart and devotes around 30% more of her income to her wardrobe.

'This is reflected in the size of her lingerie collection which is twice the size of 1950s woman. She now has an average of 12 bras compared to just six in the 1950s.'

Bendell said the fashion industry has had to adapt fast to the changing shape of Miss Average.

The woman of today has a shapely 36DD chest and her waistline has increased by six inches to 34 inches

'It is extraordinary how much Miss Average has changed over the last 60 years,' she said.

'She has changed from being quite petite with what would be considered quite small breasts by today's standards to a much more fuller figured silhouette.

'That has presented real challenges for designers and lingerie brands. At Bluebella we are creating lingerie and nightwear collections to reflect this changing body shape from stylishly chic everyday pieces to show-stopping provocative pieces designed to inspire and empower.

'Today's women see lingerie and nightwear as fashion crossover pieces, a trend not seen back in the 1950s.'

HOW WE LIVED IN 1957 Just 33% of households had a washing machine Only 10% of homes had a telephone Average wage was 10 a week Life expectancy was just 68 years for men and 71 for women Biggest female movie star in the world was Marilyn Monroe Advertisement
His brother is currently living the high life in Verbier but back on British soil Prince Harry is getting his hands dirty as he takes part in a conservation project.

The 32-year-old royal joined local school children in Epping Forest on Wednesday to view the Wood Pasture Restoration Project.

Never one to watch from the side lines Harry could be seen plunging his efforts into the project this morning.

Prince Harry proved that he's not afraid to get his hands dirty as he helped plant a tree in Epping Forest on Wednesday

The royal impressed onlookers as he grabbed a spade and helped to plant a tree in honour of his visit.

Harry ditched his formal wear today opting for a more casual ensemble of khaki chinos and dessert boots in order to get stuck in.

The friendly prince had no trouble making new friends and could be seen entertaining school children who had taken a trip to the forest in honour of his visit.

The Prince joined local school children to view the Wood Pasture Restoration Project

During his visit he helped to plant a tree and unveiled a commemorative plaque in honour of the day

The ever-charming prince could be seen making the school children laugh during his dayout

The prince took a walk with the school children before posing for a commemorative photo.

Harry was also introduced to former paratrooper Sam Hobbs, 21, who could be seen showing the royal his prosthetic foot.

Sam lost his foot while serving with the parachute regiment when on patrol in the Falklands.

It wasn't just human acquaintances that Harry met with today as the royal greeted some of the forest's animal residents.

Harry was also introduced to former paratrooper Sam Hobbs, 21, who could be seen showing the royal his prosthetic foot

It wasn't just human acquaintances that Harry met with today as he was introduced to a Longhorn cow named Lucky

The prince seemed especially keen on the cow who lives within Epping Forest

Harry seemed extremely taken with Lucky the Longhorn cow who lives within the Wood Pasture Restoration Project.

The project is part of The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) which was launched in 2015 aiming to create a global network of indigenous forests to benefit communities and wildlife, now, and into the future.

The forestry sites dedicated to the QCC will be preserved in perpetuity to mark Her Majesty's lifetime of service to the Commonwealth.

The prince went to oversee a young school girl who was enjoying a spot of pond dipping

Harry donned a fleece and boots to visit Epping Forest to learn about the project to keep a centuries-old woodland management tradition alive

Before departing Harry found enough time to pose for a commemorative picture with the school children

Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge has sparked media backlash after he reportedly spent Monday in the Swiss resort of Verbier while the Queen was leading the Commonwealth Day celebrations with senior royal figures at an annual service in London.

Footage on the American gossip website TMZ appears to show the 34-year-old Duke partying.

Wearing a blue shirt with the sleeves turned up at the forearm, he jigs from side to side and executes a dance move commonly known as "raising the roof".

Since the start of the year, William has carried out royal duties on 13 days, according to listings in the Court Circular, while his brother spent his 18th working day touring Epping Forest.
SCIO  The Linn County Road Department will oversee restoration of the Gilkey Covered Bridge this summer, according to County Engineer Chuck Knoll.

This will be the fourth covered bridge restoration project Linn County has completed in the last five years, he said. We plan to advertise this project for bid in the next few weeks.

Renovation is expected to run from June to late October, and the estimated cost is $1- to $1.5-million, to be funded through the Oregon Department of Transporations local bridge program. (The Shimanek Covered Bridge is in line for restoration in 2019.)

According to Knoll, the Gilkey carries Goar Road over Thomas Creek and is located in an area of the county known as Gilkey station, established in 1880. Knoll said the area was a center for shipment of farm products.

The bridge was built based on an Oregon State Highway Commission design, although there's some confusion about what year it was actually constructed. A plaque on the structure indicates 1939, but Knoll said a 1936 Albany Democrat-Herald article noted it was constructed that year.

Linn County has about 320 bridges that we inspect and maintain," he said. "Through the years since 1936 I have a hunch that the Linn County Engineer before me and the Roadmaster before Darrin Lane had a lot of work to do and did not have time to correct any published sources that got the date wrong or right. We might consider placing a new sign on the covered bridge that indicates the bridge was constructed in 1936 as part of this project.

However, he added, a sign with an incorrect date of 1939 might, to some, have a little historical significance.

Kevin Groom, who designed the renovation project, said the open trussed style allowed more light and visibility while reducing wind resistance on the house.

The partially exposed trusses also dry out faster than enclosed designs, Knoll said.

The bridge uses 120-foot Howe trusses on each side of the roadway. In 1995, the county replaced decaying bottom timber chord sections on both trusses. Repairs three years later included replacing more decaying chord members, as well as steel hanger rods, bearing plates, floor beams and cross-bracing; a new deck installation; chemical fumigation of trusses; and paint.

A 2008 truck accident forced further repairs: replacing a damaged upper cross brace and damaged timber diagonals; and repairing damaged steel hanger rods, siding and broken roof collar ties.

Groom noted the renovation project is designed to bring the structural capacity of the bridge up to 40 tons, which will support the crossing of trucks. Its current capacity is six tons.

The project will include installing new pressure-treated timber bottom truss chords; making epoxy repairs to damaged existing top timber chords; adding steel side plates on existing top timber chords to increase strength; installing a new timber roof truss, structural members and cedar shingle roofing; installing a new timber deck and historic timber guard rail; new timber siding; new paint; and new bridge approach spans.

In addition to the extensive work on the main span, the project will also replace all of the existing timber and concrete substructure with new reinforced concrete and steel piling abutments and piers, Groom said in a report about the bridge status. This will address constant maintenance issues associated with decaying timber and scour damage from Thomas Creek that have occurred in the past during large storms.

Knoll said the Linn County Road Department is fortunate to have Groom on staff.

Kevin has many years experience in the structural design of timber covered bridges, Knoll said. Kevin provided the design for the restoration of the bridge, with support from Andrew Potts, Daineal Malone and myself, as well as input from our bridge maintenance crew.

Knoll said projects of this magnitude work best if tackled as a team effort.

Its best to get input from everyone who has a working knowledge of a covered bridge, Knoll said.

Linn County Road Department is responsible for the maintenance of six covered bridges in addition to Gilkey: the Hannah, Larwood, Short, Shimanek and Hoffman covered bridges. Hannah, Larwood, Short and Hoffman have been restored over the past five years with engineering design, contract administration and construction inspection completed by the Linn County Engineering staff.
Sophie Wessex may only be three days into her tour of Malawi, but the countess is so far showing off the brightest colours in her wardrobe.

After donning a pretty pink ensemble last night at the British High Commissioner's residence in Lilongwe, today she opted for a colourful Mary Katrantzou checked dress.

The 52-year-old royal posed in the 1,300 frock, teamed with patent taupe heels, alongside smartly dressed schoolchildren from the Mchesi Primary School before heading to an eye unit to learn about how smartphones are helping to diagnose vision conditions.

Smartly dressed: Sophie, wearing a 1,300 Mary Katrantzou dress embraces a young student, wearing a red uniform, at the Mchesi Primary School

The royal gets a warm round of applause from the children of Mchesi Primary School as she arrives to see the work being carried out by The Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium

Sophie offers a cheery double-handed wave as she is greeted by the smartly uniformed pupils

The wife of Prince Edward is visiting the southeast African country in her role as Vice Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust to see the work being done to end avoidable blindness and champion youth leadership.

She enjoyed a warm welcome from local schoolchildren, all dressed in a dark red uniform, as she arrived at the Mchesi school to learn more about the invaluable work being carried out in the country by The Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium.

After enjoying a tour of the school, she met with the youngsters and posed for photos, receiving a pretty bouquet of flowers.

Primary colours! Sophie wore the designer frock with a pair of patent taupe heels and a large white leather pouch purse

The countess, who wore her blonde hair loosely clipped back, holds a smartphone as she prepares to take an image of a pupil's eye. Right, a cute sausage dog clip with diamante studs holds her long her back

The Consortium is developing new technology including Peek, the Portable Eye Examination Kit, which makes it possible to screen patients for eye conditions using a smartphone in any rural or urban setting - Sophie tries out the technology above

After leaving the primary schoolchildren, Sophie made her way across Lilongwe to the Lions Sight First Eye Unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital, where she helped carry out tests on patients using a smartphone.

Sophie listened to experts from the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium, which links specialist teams across the Commonwealth to strengthen services in developing countries.

Because of the work being carried out, Malawi will meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria where the eye condition trachoma is no longer a public health problem early, two years ahead of the target of 2020.

After leaving the primary school, Sophie travelled to the Lions Sight First Eye Unit at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe where she helped carry out tests on patients using a smartphone

The simple to use technology could revolutionise the way eye conditions are diagnosed in developing countries

The royal peruses scans to learn more about how specialists across the Commonwealth are helping the African country

The technology tried out by Sophie this morning was Peek, a Portable Eye Examination Kit, which makes it possible to screen patients for eye conditions using a smartphone in any rural or urban setting.

Last night, the Countess looked radiant in a long-sleeved rose-pink dress which she teamed with pale pink kitten heels.

The Countess was attending a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence in Lilongwe, Malawi last night and went for candy floss pink

She looked radiant in a pretty pink dress which she teamed with pale pink kitten heels

The countess looked radiant as she chatted with dignitaries at the event

Earlier today, she showed off her maternal side as she bonded with young local children.

Sophie looked business-like in a black floral dress and cardigan, even wearing flesh coloured tights despite the 25 degree heat.

However, she did roll up her coat and carried it in her handbag after touching down at Lilongwe airport.

She was greeted by children waving Union Jack flags at the High Commissioner's residence in Lumbadzi and crouched down for a chat with her young admirers.

The Countess of Wessex looked chic in a black floral dress as she arrived in Malawi

Sophie was greeted by young royal fans at the High Commissioner's residence

And she bonded with an adorable baby girl in a floral dress, who cheekily reached out to pat the royal on the face.

Sophie became patron of the The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust on her 50th birthday.

Speaking ahead of the royal's visit, the British High Commissioner to Malawi, Holly Tett said: 'We are delighted to have Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex arriving in Malawi on Commonwealth Day to witness how two Commonwealth partners are working together to tackle global issues including fighting diseases like Trachoma.

The Countess of Wessex bonding with a youngster who reached out to stroke the royal's face

The Countess meeting with the High Commissioner in Lumbadzi, Malawi on a visit to the country during Commonwealth week

'Malawi is on track to eliminate the disease by 2020 which is an incredible achievement and one that we should be proud of.'

The charity says that she's offered 'invaluable support' when it comes to ending avoidable blindness.

She is also Patron of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight and is Global Ambassador for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

It's a cause close to her heart as her daughter Lady Louise was born prematurely in November 2003 and was left with sight problems as a result.

She suffered from esotropia - a condition which means both eyes do not look in the same direction. If left untreated it can cause serious vision problems.

In 2014, she had surgery to correct the condition, which her mother described as a severe squint.

It's understood that the procedure was a follow-up to surgery she'd had as a toddler.
An Indiana-based sorority is making history by becoming one of the firsts to open its doors to transgender pledges nationwide.

Alpha Chi Omega, based in Indianapolis, announced the change last month in a video statement by President Angela Costley Harris, who said it was time for the 132-year-old organization to evolve.

Some local Greek chapters have already opened their doors to transgender members, but those who have updated their policies across the US are much more scarce.

Scroll down for video

Ushering change: Alpha Chi Omega (file picture) has announced it would become one of the first sororities in the United States to welcome transgender pledges nationwide

The change came after a year during which Alpha Chi Omega, which was founded in 1885 in Indianapolis, was challenged to 'reexamine the concepts of sisterhood and sorority', Harris said in the video statement.

Members from all around the country previously reached out to the sorority's headquarters, asking for 'guidance' after transgender women said they would like to join their Alpha Chi Omega chapters.

'To stay relevant in today's world, Alpha Chi must be inclusive of all who live and identify as women regardless of their gender assigned at birth,' Harris added.

The president urged other members to support the decision and embrace their sorority's new policy.

'We recognize that for some of our sisters, embracing this position means adopting a new mindset, and as our understanding of gender identity evolves, so must Alpha Chi Omega,' she said.

Notable alumnae of the sorority include ER actress Laura Innes and former US Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice.

Time to grow: President Angela Costley Harris (pictured) said the 132-year-old sorority had to evolve as it reexamined its understanding of gender identity

Rare bird: Alpha Chi Omega (file picture) is one of only a handful of Greek organizations who have opened their doors to transgender members across the country

The decision to welcome transgender pledges was met with enthusiasm from members who thought it was time for the Greek world to start recognizing all gender identities.

A transgender woman is just as much of a woman as I am,' Alpha Chi Omega sister Melissa Medved told the Minnesota Daily.

She believes the current political climate prompted the sorority to show it is 'really inclusive and empowering to our women'.

An LGBTQ member of Alpha Chi Omega recounted the moment she found out about the policy change in an emotional Teen Vogue essay, saying how touched she was to see her organization embrace women of all backgrounds.

The woman, who testified anonymously, had previously thought about leaving the Greek life because she didn't feel that she belonged.

'Living a double life and denying my feelings publicly for anyone other than men weighed on me heavily,' she wrote.

'I thought about resigning from membership seriously because I didnt think that Alpha Chi was a space for me, a woman of color who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Now that Alpha Chi Omega has come out in support of all women, that feeling has changed completely.'

Only a handful of Greek organizations have officially updated their policies to include transgender students, partly due to the fact that Title IX regulations, which prohibit gender-based discrimination, do not apply to sororities and fraternities.

Delta Gamma, based in Columbus, Ohio, is openly welcoming of 'women and transgender persons who identify themselves as women'.

The sorority world also includes Gamma Rho Lambda, a multicultural, social sorority created for women of all gender identities and orientations, as well as races and cultures.

Fraternity-wise, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Upsilon and Delta Tau Delta are known to accept and recruit transgender members.
A group of Reddit users have revealed how they have been metaphorically 'stabbed in the back' by their closest friends in honor of the Ides of March.

Roman emperor Julius Caesar was stabbed to death on March 15 in the year 44 B.C. by his own senators, including his dear friend Marcus Brutus, leaving the day to be forever associated with betrayal.

In celebration of this year's Ides of March, people are recalling their own experiences with treachery, and while these friendship horror stories don't end in murder, many of the Redditors admitted that they are still emotionally scarred.

Treachery: Reddit users are recalling how they were betrayed by their friends in honor of the Ides of March (Stock Image Used)

One user known as Zacoftheaxes explained that his friend went out of his way to ruin his reputation by trying to convince his girlfriend that he was 'secretly a rapist and a pedophile'.

The person said the former pal even went as far as holding an 'intervention' for his girlfriend and refusing to let her leave until she agreed to 'do something' about him.

'Luckily, my girlfriend decided to talk to me, realized it was all bulls**t, and is still by my side today.'

Another woman known as Inorai had a similar experience, explaining that her best friend of many years attempted to break her and her boyfriend up by 'fabricating evidence' that he was cheating on her.

Despicible: One user known as Zacoftheaxes explained that his friend went out of his way to ruin his reputation

How could you? Another woman said her best friend of many years attempted to break her and her boyfriend up by 'fabricating evidence' that he was cheating on her

Life-changing: This Reddit user recalled her college pal using her password to ruin her life

Double the heartbreak: Parallax92 recalled having his ex cheat with the people closest to him

'Never figured out if it was her being possessive of me or if she wanted to date him,' she wrote. However, the plan backfired, and the two have since gotten engaged.

Meanwhile, fireflyclass03K64 said her roommate and good friend knew her email/school password and used it against her because of the guy she was seeing.

'She didn't like the guy I was dating and that I ignored her criticisms of him (I literally never brought him to our room while her beau used to stay overnight),' she explained.

'So she dropped classes off my schedule and deleted emails about my study abroad and financial aid,' she added. '[It] caused hours of headaches and I didn't catch her until like halfway through the semester.'

Harsh words: One person recalled helping a depressed friend who wouldn't return the favor

Horrible: This man said his friend married his ex a year after they had broken up

Unbelievable: One Reddit user said her friend Brian stole money from her dying mother

Dangerous: This person was jumped by his former friend and literally stabbed in the back

Unsurprisingly, she and the friend are no longer on speaking terms  but she is engaged to the guy.

MWS313 said he was literally stabbed by a former friend from work a few years after he had to force him out of his apartment.

The Reddit user explained that the person convinced him to let him live in his grandparents' apartment with him for six months rent-free, and he had to 'really force his hand' to get him to leave.

The pals continued to hang out and chat at work for a year or two after they lived together, but one night when he opened the door to his home, he got jumped by five guys, including his former friend.

'In the struggle I got stabbed in the back not just metaphorically but literally and also slashed on face and arm,' the person said.

Unforgivable: After his grandmother died, this guy said his friend broke into their apartment while they were at the funeral

Thieves: One person recalled being kicked out of his band in high school

They were liars: Girllock detailed how her friends spread rumors that she was sleeping with their male and female peers  and was also pregnant.

Not quite: This Reddit user recalled being literally stabbed by her littler sister

Meanwhile, others recalled the emotional scars they got after they were betrayed by their friends in high school.

'I was in a band with some friends in high school. I wrote all the songs we played. They kicked me out and said they didn't like my music anymore and wanted to go another direction,' Pun-Chi said.

IDES OF MARCH 'Ides' is a Roman term to mark the middle day of each month. The Ides of March refers to March 15 and the 44 BC assassination of Julius Caesar. He was warned by a soothsayer to beware and was later stabbed 23 times by around 60 people who conspired against him. The Ides of March are referenced in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar. Advertisement

'I later found out they had booked a show and played my songs they said they hated. I felt pretty crummy after hearing that.'

And girllock detailed how her friends spread rumors that she, a self-proclaimed 'awkward nerdy girl' was sleeping with their male and female peers  and was also pregnant.

Even though her pals swore they would defend her and find out who was telling the lies, she later overheard them talking about what a 'slut' she was.

'I switched schools halfway through that year and never looked back,' she said.
You look very frail, the oncologist told my mother, Marian. It was hardly surprising: having endured an operation to cut a tumour from her colon, Mum had been told that the cancerous cells had returned and were now unstoppable.

How long have I got to live? she asked, tentatively. Most patients dont survive more than six months after their operation, said the doctor. Youre in your seventh month, so youre doing well.

Mum looked stricken. Are you saying I should be dead by now?

Mark Carrington aged five with his mum Marian aged 33 at home in Ealing. Mark has written a book about caring for his late mother Marian who died from colon cancer in 2015

The doctor sighed heavily, ignoring Mums question. Well discharge you. The palliative team will take responsibility for you now, she said, crisply.

And that was that. It was as if my brave, uncomplaining 80-year-old mum was being discarded like a piece of litter. She seemed visibly to crumple. All hope was stripped away in that awful April moment two years ago.

Over dinner the following Sunday, Mum asked me to bring in her shopping bag from the hallway. I handed it to her and she took from her purse a wad of notes.

Heres 250, she said. It took me a year to save it and its for you. This was all the money my dear mum had in the world. I just managed to hold back my tears.

Traditionally, its daughters who step up to care for elderly family members. These middle-aged women make up the sandwich generation, caring for both their parents and their children. But while there are still more female than male carers  57 to 43 per cent  increasing numbers are men like me.

As an only child, it never occurred to me that I wouldnt care for my mum. As Im single, on my own, I had no wider family to support me.

When he was growing up, Mark and his mother lived on a crime-ridden estate in South-West London. Marion worked long hours for a debt recovery agency

To understand the closeness of the bond I shared with my darling mum, you need to know that she raised me, her only child, as a single parent.

She never spoke about my father, and I neither met him nor sought to find him, knowing that it would hurt her feelings.

Im 53 and, when I was born, many lone mums from impoverished homes would have given an illegitimate child up for adoption. But Mum was fiercely determined to keep me, to be my provider and protector.

We lived on a crime-ridden estate in South-West London and she worked long hours for a debt recovery agency. But by the time I was 27, working as a clerk and studying for my first masters degree, Id scraped together enough money to buy a share in a house in Hammersmith, West London.

Later, Mum moved in with me. We still lived there when, three years ago, she became ill. It quickly became apparent that, without me as advocate and carer, she would sink without trace; overlooked by an under-resourced NHS and neglected by a council care service stretched to breaking point.

This is the awful dilemma our elderly face: unless their loved ones rally to fill gaps in care  or unless they are very wealthy or very lucky  they often die premature, lonely and sometimes painful deaths.

Marion (pictured on holiday in Portugal aged 43) raised Mark as a single parent. Her decline began in May 2014, with a loss of appetite, stomach trouble and vomiting. She was stoic and uncomplaining and would have endured her symptoms without seeing a GP, had I not forced her to go

When you are a male carer, there are subtle differences, for you and those around you. While I did not consider it a burden to care for Mum  in fact, I counted it a privilege  friends and family regarded me as heroic, praising me for doing what a daughter would have accepted as routine.

As someone who is physically strong, it also made me realise how hard it must be for many women to cope with all the lifting that caring involves.

There were also times I suspected that my demands were taken more seriously by those in the medical profession than they would have been if I were a woman.

Mums decline began in May 2014, with a loss of appetite, stomach trouble and vomiting. She was stoic and uncomplaining and would have endured her symptoms without seeing a GP, had I not forced her to go.

In fact, it emerged that she hadnt consulted a doctor in 35 years.

The GP referred her for tests, but Mum wanted to cause no trouble. Had I not urged her, she would doubtless have postponed her appointment with an oncologist indefinitely.

Meanwhile, she was deteriorating rapidly: breathless, lethargic and frail, her weight seemed to be slipping away.

As an only child, it never occurred to Mark that he wouldnt care for his mother. Without him as an advocate and carer, he said: 'she would sink without trace; overlooked by an under-resourced NHS and neglected by a council care service stretched to breaking point'

The oncologist revealed the worst: she had advanced colon cancer and a large tumour needed to be swiftly excised. For the first time, I saw my mum cry.

For the first time, too, I hugged her  neither Mum nor I were tactile  and I began to learn what perhaps comes more intuitively to women: that empathy demands an occasional cuddle.

Mum become malnourished and anaemic and would need an urgent blood transfusion. A further hospital admission was swiftly arranged. Unaccountably, however, Mum was referred to A&E.

We waited six hours: it was 10.30pm when Mum was finally settled and 4am by the time I stumbled into bed. The enormity of her condition had only just struck me. I started to cry: my beloved mum was dying.

Next day, I pulled myself together. After a lifetime only having to think about my own needs, it was my time to look after Mum. I vowed to fight her corner and to make sure she suffered as little pain as possible.

It would be my overriding task to ensure that she lived the rest of her days in dignity.

After five days, she came home, with surgery to remove her tumour set for three weeks time.

But the procedure did not go to plan. Mum suffered a severe allergic reaction in the operating theatre, and her surgery was deferred for another six weeks. By now, she was so thin and weak, the chance of her surviving surgery was only around 5 per cent.

But I would fight for Mum with my last breath. After all, who did she have but me?

I arrived unannounced at a senior consultants office and  although I had no appointment  he agreed to see me. I told him Mum needed to stay in hospital and be fed intravenously, so she was strong enough to endure her operation.

To my delight, my argument prevailed. That same day, the nurses hooked Mum up to a feeding drip. Within five days, her weight increased by nine pounds. I visited every day, morning and afternoon, until the day of her operation. This time, the tumour was removed successfully and, after five-and-a-half weeks on a ward, Mum was to be discharged.

Although she was delighted, I was appalled that she could be sent home with no plan in place for her care.

Mark said: 'I did not mind taking on this housekeeping role  I knew how much it meant to Mum that the house was tidy, and I wanted to do all I could to make her feel comfortable'

Id been promised her discharge would be carefully co-ordinated, but the doctor dismissed my concerns. Shes medically fit, she said. She has to go. A pharmacist arrived with Mums medication: an anticoagulant to be injected each night. Wholl do that? I asked. You, of course, replied the pharmacist, tersely.

I told her I had no idea how to administer an injection and she said it wasnt her problem. Only when I objected to the matron was it arranged for a district nurse to call each day.

Next came the dispute over Mums walking frame.

You cant take that away. It belongs to the NHS, said a nurse, as mum tottered out of the hospital on her Zimmer.

But she cant walk without it, I objected.

Mum, mortified that shed created a fuss, wanted to give it back. The nurse shrugged and walked off.

I have never taken no for an answer, but I wonder, too, if medical staff took me more seriously because Im male.

Back at home, I moved Mums bed to a sunny spot in the sitting room and placed flowers in a vase beside it. I cooked for her  wholesome, hearty meals  and her weight went up from an emaciated 6 st when she left hospital in September 2014, to 8 st 4 lb in six months.

I did not mind taking on this housekeeping role  I knew how much it meant to Mum that the house was tidy, and I wanted to do all I could to make her feel comfortable.

Carers came in three times a day, and I was able to return to work for three days a week.

But by January 2015, she was deteriorating. The cancer had returned.

Mums decline was sharp; her needs insistent. Each night, she vomited into a bucket by her bed and shook uncontrollably as I tried to comfort her.

And every night, I lay in bed, my door ajar, waiting for the sounds of her retching, rushing to her, and worrying that I wouldnt get to her in time and she would choke. By now, I realised she needed round-the-clock care.

Mark is grateful to have been accorded those last precious years to look after his mother and fight for her right to die with dignity

Thankfully, Id saved enough to enable me to give up my part-time job to look after her full-time and all I wanted was for her pain to vanish.

Im physically strong, which was a bonus and, emotionally, I have always been resilient.

There were, however, some aspects of Mums care that were more awkward for me than they might have been for a daughter. I never undertook more intimate tasks: for both of us, preserving her dignity was paramount. When, in the later stages of her illness, she could not manage without help, carers stepped in.

And by April 2015, I knew  brave and stoic though she was  that she had simply endured enough.

One awful day, she vomited almost continually and, an hour after Id tucked her into bed, at 8pm, I heard a thud. Shed fallen onto the floor, completely disoriented, and was lying in a pool of vomit and faeces.

Gently, I lifted her onto the sofa, cleaned her, consoled her and disinfected the room.

At a loss for a better plan, I called an ambulance. Two hours passed. I rang again.

Finally, a paramedic arrived at 12.30am, four hours after my first call. He was terse and surly. We dont like to take this sort of case to A&E. It skews our targets, he said. You should have called the out-of-hours doctor.

I looked at him in disbelief. Poor Mum, loathe to trouble anyone, insisted she was fine. But she was weak, trembling  and close to death.

All I could do was insist we went to hospital. In the early hours, we arrived at A&E. There, Mum was wheeled into a tiny, freezing cubicle, where I swaddled her in my coat and we waited a further four hours to see a doctor.

By 5am, Mum was imploring me to go home and rest. Wrapping her in two blankets supplied by nurses, I settled her on her trolley and went home to grab a couple of hours of fitful sleep.

Arriving back at the hospital later in the day, I asked the receptionist which ward Mum was on. Theres no record of your mother at all, she said, consulting her computer.

No one should be left to die in a place so ill-equipped to deal with the needs of the dying, and so conspicuously unable to offer dignity and compassion. And yet, more than half of those who die each year do so in hospital wards, few of which were designed to meet their needs.

I was aghast. You cant have lost her! I cried.

It was, unbelievably, two hours before Mum was located  in the same cold cubicle where Id left her. Mark, please dont complain, she implored.

No one should be left to die in a place so ill-equipped to deal with the needs of the dying, and so conspicuously unable to offer dignity and compassion. And yet, more than half of those who die each year do so in hospital wards, few of which were designed to meet their needs.

In the bed next to Mums, a 20-year-old played her radio, singing along to Cyndi Laupers Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. It was grotesquely inappropriate. I will always be thankful I fought for Mum to leave that ward, so she could pass away peacefully.

After a couple of days in hospital, she was transferred, at my insistence, to a hospice a couple of miles from our home. There, she died precisely two weeks later, in June 2015.

In her final days, I held her hand, wiped her tears and sang her lullabies. As I had once been to her, she was now as dependent as a little child.

Her nurses were gentle, compassionate and kind, and the aura of calm pervasive.

The night Mum died, I kissed her on the forehead every hour and told her I loved her and what a wonderful Mum she had been to me. At 9pm, when she drew her last breath, she looked utterly at peace.

Today, we rely so much on the care of our loved ones to plug the gaps left in provision by the NHS and in social care.

So I am grateful I was accorded those last precious years to look after my mum and fight for her to die, as she deserved, with dignity.

n Peaceful Breeze, by Mark Carrington, is published by Clink Street Publishing and is available on Amazon and from selected bookstores
A family has been reunited for the first time in 19 years after a quick Google search enabled a mother to track down her son.

Jibril Hardy, 19, was born in North Carolina and raised in Texas after his mother Amanda Borland, then 17, made the difficult decision to give him up for adoption.

Amanda, who had been searching for her son for a year after losing contact with his adoptive family, was shocked when she found him by Googling his name with a different spelling and the word 'Texas'.

Connected: Jibril Hardy, 19, pictured third from left, was reunited with his birth family for first time after he was tracked down by his birth mother, pictured to his left, using Google

Surprising: His birth mother Amanda Borland was shocked when she found Jibril, pictured with his birth family, by Googling him

Her daughter Taianna was then able to find him on Twitter where she sent him a message and soon after the family were speaking on FaceTime.

His birth mother, who personally gave Jibril to his adoptive parents Gene and Kerry Hardy said she burst into tears when she first saw his face.

'I was in shock,' she told InsideEdition.com. 'I showed my husband my phone and I just started crying.'

Jibril said his adoptive parents were delighted for him when he told them that he had been contacted by his birth family.

Reunited: Her daughter Taianna was then able to find him on Twitter where she sent him a message and soon after the family were speaking on FaceTime, pictured left

Emotional: His half-sister Jazmin Towe , pictured with Jibril, said it has been an 'overwhelming' and positive experience for the family

Just two weeks after reconnecting Jibril visited his birth family in North Carolina.

'I was just talking about finding them the week before they contacted me,' he said.

'I found out I was adopted at 17. The only thing I knew about them were my parent's first names. I didn't know where they were.'

For years she sent him cards and the families stayed in touch but they lost contact when one of them moved house.

His half-sister Jazmin Towe said it has been an 'overwhelming' and positive experience for the family.

She told Daily Mail Online: 'It's been really emotional for everyone, but we're all very happy. The past few days have been overwhelming. We never expected it to get this big.'
She is one of most fashion-conscious European royals around.

But Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked to be regretting her latest choice of footwear this week as she attempted to navigate the snow-covered pavements of Washington DC in a pair of vertiginous heels.

The Argentine-born royal, who is married to King Willem-Alexander, almost lost her balance as she exited her chauffeured car in the rather impractical stilletos from Gianvito Rossi.

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The royal donned a pair of towering Gianvito Rossi heels as she visited the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington DC this week

While passersby were wrapped up against the chilly winds in puffer jackets and thick layers, Maxima, 45, put on a leggy display as she arrived at the Inter-American Development Bank.

She did, however, throw on a furry teal coat and mustard coloured scarf in the city which has been hit this week by Storm Stella.

The mother-of-three is currently on a three-day whistlestop tour of New York and Washington, as part of her work as a special advocate of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for inclusive finance for development.

On Monday, she met with a group of UN ambassadors from around 37 countries who are actively working to improve global access to financial services to enable the development of low-income groups.

Fashion victim: While passersby were wrapped up against the chilly winds in puffer jackets and thick layers, Maxima, put on a leggy display as she arrived at the bank in Washington DC

Helping hand: The Argentine-born royal, who is married to King Willem-Alexander, almost lost her balance as she exited her car in the rather impractical stilletos from Gianvito Rossi

She has also attended various meetings at the United Nations and a number FinTech companies.

Maxima, who is mother to Princesses Catharina-Amalia, 13, Alexia, 11 and Ariane, nine was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville in 1999.

Despite reportedly having no idea that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became Queen consort when her husband was crowned in April 2013.

The royal is escorted out of her chauffeured vehicle as she attempts to navigate the snow-covered pavements of Washington DC in a pair of vertiginous heels

Maxima threw on a furry teal coat and mustard coloured scarf in the city which has been hit this week by a flurry of snow courtesy of Storm Stella
There might not be any such thing as a free lunch - but a free coffee is certainly on the cards this month.

Every day for the next eight days, Starbucks is offering customers a free latte.

It sounds too good to be true, and there is one small catch: the offer is only available at 15 secret stores.

Starbucks drinks cost anywhere between 1.50 and upwards of 3 but every day until March 23, you can claim a free tall latte between 1pm and 2pm in the UK at 15 secret stores

Where you can claim a free latte today (March 15) Birmingham - Colmore Row Bristol - Horsefair Edinburgh - Royal Mile Glasgow - The Fort London - Whitechapel Road London - 91 Clarence St London - 99 Kingsway London - Chelsea & Westminster Hospital London - Golders Green London - Sun Street London - Hammersmith Broadway Centre London - High Street, Clapham London - Horseferry Road London - Paternoster St Advertisement

The stores taking part in the deal change everyday, but a list of them is available on the Starbucks website.

Today, stores in Edinburgh, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Orpington, as well as several in London, are offering free lattes.

You can claim your free drink, which normally costs in the region of 2.40, between 1pm and 2pm until the offer stops on March 23.

You don't need a voucher code or secret message - just walk up to the counter and ask for a free latte if your local store is on the daily list of shops taking part.

The offer is available today until March 23 but you can only order a latte in the tall size. Starbucks also offers daily deals for its Rewards customers through its loyalty scheme

You can only receive a latte in the smallest 'tall' size, however.

Unfortunately if you're not a latte fan, you can't request another drink instead.

But you can pimp your drink by asking for it to be decaffeinated, made with non-dairy milk and with a free shot of syrup - which normally costs 50p.

The new deal is not the only way you can save money at the coffee giant.

You can also get a free refill if you order a 1.55 filter coffee. Once you've finished it, you can then ask your barista for a free refill in the 'tall' size.

And if you bring in your own mug, you get 25p off your drink.

You can find an updated list every day of which Starbucks stores offer a free coffee between 1pm and 2pm until March 23 at: starbucks.co.uk/promo/popupparty.
Jo Malone can identify cancer by smelling subtle changes in chemicals way beyond most humans capability

As the founder of a multimillion-pound perfume empire, Jo Malone definitely has a nose for business.

But now the fragrance entrepreneur has discovered that her smelling ability may be capable of much more than creating the latest scent.

For she has had her scent detection ranked on a par with highly skilled dogs trained to identify illnesses such as cancer.

After undergoing tests at the Medical Detection Dogs centre, Miss Malone  who battled with breast cancer herself in 2003  discovered she could identify disease by smelling subtle changes in chemicals way beyond most humans capability.

Speaking at the Festival of Literature in Dubai, she said: I passed the test so that made me see my sense of smell in a completely different way. It literally changed my world. It is the most amazing place.

During the tests, Miss Malone, 53, was given five pots and asked to identify the one containing tiny doses of amyl acetate, which was diluted in mineral oil.

She was able to spot when the chemical, which is used as a control, was present in one part in 100,000 and even when it was present in one part in one million.

According to the centre, most humans are unable to identify the chemical when it is present in one part in 1,000.

Claire Guest, co-founder of the charity, said the businesswoman had performed better than any other human who had taken the test. She said: I knew she would do better than the average because she has got a very highly tuned sense of smell but we were still amazed at how well she did. I have never seen that with humans before.

The discovery was made when she underwent tests at the Medical Detection Dogs centre

However, the perfumer has some way to go until she can beat the best dogs at the centre  who can spot one part per trillion, equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Having grown up in a council house in Kent, Miss Malone, who is dyslexic, left school at 13 to care for her mother who had suffered a stroke.

She founded her eponymous firm, Jo Malone London, in 1983, and in 1999, she sold it to Estee Lauder for undisclosed millions. The brand of perfumes, candles and bath oils are now sold in department stores around the world.

Miss Malones success may owe a lot to the fact she has synaesthesia, a neurological condition in which the senses overlap, meaning she interprets sound and colour as smell.

When I see white and purple, for example, I smell eucalyptus and blackcurrant, she said. I will listen to jazz and interpret it through smell. I am not physically smelling it but through my imagination.

But, while she was undergoing chemotherapy for her breast cancer, the mother-of-one lost her sense of smell. Luckily, her nose has since recovered, to the extent that she has claimed she could tell that her husband was ill, simply because he smelt different.

She founded her eponymous firm, Jo Malone London, in 1983, and in 1999, she sold it to Estee Lauder for undisclosed millions

She has previously said she kept sniffing his neck, explaining: There was a strip of skin on the right side that just seemed different. I just could not put my finger on it.

But Miss Malone said she had not realised just how refined her skills were until she visited the centre in January.

The organisation, based in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, also trains medical alert assistance dogs, which help people with life-threatening conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy and heart problems. Some are trained to recognise Addisons disease, the same adrenal gland condition Miss Malones husband suffered from, which could explain why she was able to spot changes in his odour.

Scientists at the centre are now trying to work out how reliably dogs can detect the likes of breast, lung and prostate cancers.

The researchers are working with Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a three-year clinical trial to discover whether prostate cancer can be detected from urine samples.

And scientists at Edinburgh University have previously tested a woman called Joy Milne from Perth, Scotland, who was found to have an incredible ability to sniff out Parkinsons disease.
These are the heartbreaking pictures of a 'mermaid baby' whose legs are bound together.

Jermkwan Krathumnat, 10 months old, is also blind in the right eye and has a deformed face.

Doctors are unable to determine its gender due to the rare form of Sirenomelia - frequently referred to as 'Mermaid's syndrome' in which limbs are fused together.

Jermkwan Krathumnat, 10 months old, suffers from a rare form of Sirenomelia - frequently referred to as 'Mermaid's syndrome' in which limbs are fused together

Better known as 'Kwan', her parents, of Kananchaburi, in Thailand, were also told she had a severe cleft palate.

Her case was brought to peoples attention on social media by the man previously known as 'Supermonk'.

But he has now left the monkhood and is known simply Mr Bhin.

He said: 'Kwans father is mentally challenged and her mom was very, very young when Kwan was born.

Better known as 'Kwan', her parents, of Kananchaburi, in Thailand, were also told she had a severe cleft palate

'Its not known if this combination caused the babys problems but, with only the grandmother working, the family find it hard to get the proper medical treatment.'

Doctors will aim to correct Kwan's cleft palate before they operate on her limbs when she grows older.

WHAT IS MERMAID SYNDROME? Sirenomelia, also known as 'Mermaid syndrome' is a life-threatening illness, marked by the rotation and fusion of a sufferer's legs. The rare congenital deformity causes what looks like a single limb, resembling a fish tail, in the womb. Medical historian Lindsey Fitzharris, who has a PhD from Oxford University, told MailOnline the condition occurs from a failure of the normal vascular supply, when the umbilical cord fails to form two arteries. As a result there is not sufficient blood supply reaching the foetus, she said. The single artery 'steals' the blood and nutrition from the lower body, diverting it back up into the placenta. Suffering malnutrition, the foetus fails to develop two separate limbs. The condition is extremely rare, affecting one in 100,000 babies, but is 100 times more likely to occur in identical twins. Babies born with the condition rarely live beyond a few days with more than half of cases resulting in stillbirth. Advertisement

Currently, she is being treated at Srirat Hospital in Bangkok, meaning her family often have to travel 75 miles just to see her.

Mr Bhin made a donation of 30,000 Thai baht (700) to help pay for their living costs during the ordeal. A local TV company also donated 10,000 baht (230) to assist.

Mr Bhin added: 'This will help the family in the short term but they will need more help as Kwans treatment will take a very long time  maybe the people seeing this can also help.'

Medical historian Dr Lindsey Fitzharris previously told the MailOnline that the condition occurs when the umbilical cord fails to form two arteries.

As a result there is not a sufficient blood supply reaching the foetus. This leads to malnutrition, causing the developing child to not be born with two separate limbs.

This comes after a baby astonished doctors in India when it was born with the same condition last May.

Tragically the newborn, from Sahranpur, in Uttar Pradesh, only lived for about ten minutes.

Dr Vandana Arya, 35, a gynaecologist at the hospital who delivered the baby, said at the time: I have never seen a case like this before.

'The baby was born in a fish-like body, and had its hands spread like fins, which made this case even more unique.'
Taking prescription painkillers with sleeping pills could lead to an overdose, scientists warn.

Combining opiods with benzodiazepines was linked to more hospital visits for the potentially fatal complication, a study found.

Researchers now say opioids should be prescribed cautiously among patients who are also taking benzodiazepines.

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Opioids can increase the risk of an overdose when taken at the same time as some pills used to treat insomnia or anxiety, experts warn

They also called for education programmes that warn doctors and patients about the risks of taking both medications at the same time.

In many countries, the increased use of prescription painkillers and the resulting potential for addiction and overdose represent a growing public health concern.

Nearly 30 per cent of fatal 'opioid' overdoses in the US also involve benzodiazepines.

That raises the possibility that some of the increase in opioid related deaths might be caused by simultaneous use of benzodiazepines.

Stanford University researchers set out to identify trends in concurrent use of a benzodiazepine and an opioid.

They wanted to identify the impact of the trends on admissions to hospital and emergency room visits for opioid overdose.

Combining opiods with benzodiazepines was linked to more hospital visits for the potentially fatal complication, a study found

The study involved more than 300,000 people aged 18 to 64 who were prescribed the form of painkiller between 2001 and 2013.

They found that nine per cent of users also had a prescription for a benzodiazepine in 2001. This increased to 17 per cent in 2013.

Several factors that could have affected the results - such as age, sex and presence of other disorders - were then taken into account.

OVERDOSE SIGNS Medication overdoses are the most common type of poisoning in the UK. An overdose causes different symptoms from each type of medication. PARACETAMOL  Yellowing of the skin  Loss of co-ordination  Low blood sugar ASPIRIN  Sweating  Rapid breathing  Ringing in the ears  Temporary hearing loss ANTIDEPRESSANTS  Excitability  Dry mouth  Large pupils  Rapid heartbeat Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

Compared with opioid users who didn't take benzodiazepines, concurrent use of both drugs was associated with a substantially higher risk of a hospital visit for opioid overdose.

The researchers said it was an observational study, so no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect.

Stopping the use of benzodiazepines and opioids at the same time could reduce the population risk of an emergency room visit or inpatient admission by 15 per cent, lead author Dr Eric Sun claimed.

But the researchers warned that while concern about concurrent use of painkillers and benzodiazepines has led to warnings and guidelines, they are unlikely to change clinical behaviour, at least not quickly.

They point out that, unless systems are set up to push information to providers, 'busy clinicians will struggle to keep up with their patients' use of different prescriptions.'

Dr Sun said: 'A multi-pronged effort from both regulators and experts writing clinical guidelines, along with extensive expansion in warnings about the hazards of drug-drug interactions, are essential to reduce low value, potentially dangerous care.'

The research comes after it was found taking some common painkillers increases the risk of a heart attack by up to 50 per cent.

Scientists from Copehagen University Hospital said the painkiller diclofenac was so dangerous, it shouldn't be taken at all.
SALEM  Oregon has better places to spend $20 million than recording grand jury proceedings in all 36 counties, according to Linn County District Attorney Doug Marteeny.

The issue  which has been debated for decades  has again been brought before the Legislature as Senate Bill 1550. Proponents say recordings would provide defense attorneys with valuable information about the states case and offer a check on prosecutors.

The bill would require that all grand jury proceedings be recorded either digitally or via certified court reporter. Attorneys or defendants would be allowed to access the recordings 10 days after a defendant is arraigned by indictment.

Marteeny sits on the board of the Oregon District Attorneys Association, which opposes the measure on two points: It would not protect crime victims and it would be expensive.

In 2014, we had 510 hours of grand jury testimony from 1,271 witnesses, Marteeny said. Defense attorneys and prosecutors would now have 510 hours to review at no small cost to taxpayers.

According to a position paper compiled by the Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance, in 2014 the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office operated 6,168 hours of grand jury proceedings over 13 terms dealing with 5,136 cases and 4,399 defendants. Some 9,331 witnesses appeared and nearly 4,000 indictments issued.

Marteeny added that recording the grand juries is a more extensive process than simply placing a digital recorder on a table and turning on a switch. It would require a professional court staff member to operate the equipment and ensure credibility.

He said that creating another recording session for a child who is a crime victim would add to his or her trauma.

And, we would all need transcriptions of any recorded events, Marteeny said. Once something gets recorded, people litigate about what statements do or dont come into a trial. This would increase costs immensely.

Marteeny said the purpose of a grand jury is to decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a jury trial.

That is the purpose, not to allow an opportunity for defense attorneys to get deposed statements from all of the witnesses, he said. In a grand jury setting, there is a prosecutor and grand jurors and once the evidence has been received, the prosecutors are no longer allowed. Thats by design.

Marteeny said that even though a case may not proceed to jury trial, considerable information may be presented before a grand jury and sometimes that information is injurious to a person's reputation.

A lot of dirt is bandied about, he said. If proceedings are recorded, that dirt could get out. Once you have a recording, there are more opportunities for access to it.

The current system allows witnesses to speak freely, without fear of retaliation, Marteeny said.

Senate Bill 1550 is supported by the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the American Civil Liberties Union.
It's considered good, traditional fun - and simple exercise, too.

But the renewed craze for trampolining seems to be less beneficial for the NHS, according to a new report.

A&E departments dealt with 315 injuries from around 30 different venues over the course of one year.

And broken arms, legs and spinal damage are among the most common injuries, research shows.

Hidden dangers: Since the first UK trampoline park arrived in May 2014, a total of 144 had opened by March, this year (file photo)

An investigation by the BBC assessed the reported incidents from 13 ambulance trusts between April 2015 and 2016.

The data, sourced by Freedom of Information requests, comes after it was claimed the NHS spends 1.5 million treating roughly 13,000 trampoline injuries, each year.

Detailed on BBC 5 live's Daily programme show, the data showed that a broken arm or leg was the most common injury, totalling 14 of the 65 call outs.

Damage to the spine, head, back and foot was the second most common complaint.

In terms of venue and location, Stoke's Flip Out - which opened in December 2015 - incurred the most ambulance visits with paramedics attending seventeen times in 109 days.

Following suit, Southampton's Oxygen Freejumping had thirteen A&E calls in just 114 days. The equivalent to one every nine days.

Previous research showed that Air Hop in Guildford, which has about 300,000 jumpers annually, had 39 call outs - an average of one every nine days (assuming it was open for 365 days).

In the same year a trampoline park in Dalkeith, near Edinburgh, was temporarily closed after more than 100 people were injured in its first three weeks of business.

However, Londonderry's Jump Lanes had a blemish-free record with no call-outs for the year.

Expensive: The data, sourced by Freedom of Information requests, comes shortly after it was claimed these cost the NHS 1.5 million each year

The rise in incidents correlates with the surging popularity of the past-time.

Since the first UK trampoline park arrived in May 2014, a total of 144 had opened by March 2017. That's expected to surpass 150 by the end of April.

Popular with adults and children alike, they typically include up to 200 trampolines in a single warehouse, plus ninja warrior and dodge ball courts, and cost up to 10 an hour.

TIPS TO STAY SAFE Advertisement

- Only allow one child at a time on them

- Have padded mats to cover the springs

- Jump in the centre of the trampoline - stick your own centre marker on with tape if it doesn't come with one

- Get a safety skirt around the bottom of the trampoline so children can't climb underneath it

- Rectangular shaped trampolines are safer than circular ones

- Set them up in areas surrounded by soft ground

- Don't use them when it's wet

- Supervise children when bouncing

- Consider getting your children lessons so they can learn how to do moves like somersaults properly before trying them at home

But the centres are unregulated and force visitors to sign a waiver prior to their bouncing session - ensuring they are not liable for any injuries which may occur.

In the most serious case, university student George Magraw, 21, needed surgery at a specialist centre after smashing a vertebrae when he jumped from a 13ft high tower into a foam pit at Flip Out, which is billed as the worlds largest trampolining centre, in Chester, Cheshire.

On the same night another young adult, Lily Lewis, 18, was also admitted to hospital with two spinal fractures and damaged discs after an almost identical accident at the same place.

While a third girl, aged 20, who didnt want to be named, feared she would be paralysed after undergoing surgery for a fractured spine following an accident at Flip Out four days earlier. She needed pins and rods inserted into her back and is now learning to walk again.

In November, 13 organisations, including the International Association of Trampoline Parks and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), drew up draft guidelines for trampoline parks in a bid to try and bring some self-regulation into the industry.

Rules suggested by the group include lighting all the rooms well so that there is clear visibility and padding any wall or similar obstacle that is within 5ft of an area where trampolines may be dismounted.
It's one of life's annoying ironies - we seem to wake up as soon as we climb into bed.

But, according to sleep experts, the phenomenon is actually a learned disorder based on how the brain perceives our sleeping environments.

Called conditioned arousal, it's a vicious circle: meaning the more nights we spend tossing and turning, the more likely we are to associate our bed with staying awake.

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Brain training: Ironically, sleepless nights teach us to be awake when he hit the sack

Philip Gehrman, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, toldTime magazine: 'If someone is a good sleeper, then each night they probably get in bed and fall asleep.

'So when they get into bed it triggers this auto response of sleepiness.

'But, if you spend night after night tossing and turning not being able to fall asleep, then your body associates that with your bed instead.'

Thankfully, there are a few ways to remedy this negative loop.

The most effective way to treat it is through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which works by changing the thoughts and behaviours which affect sleep.

Other more general tips include avoiding caffeine and alcohol, turning down the lights before bed and keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature.

Using a laptop in bed can also disrupt your sleep patterns, so should be avoided.

Unfortunately, it's not so simple for others. Some people have naturally later body clocks than other people, according to Dr Gehrman.

The most effective way to treat it is through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

Switch it off! The blue light given out by computers and phone screens suppresses the production of melatonin which helps you to sleep

To adjust your body clock, he recommends avoiding bright lights in the hour before bed, especially the blue light given out by computers and phone screens. This suppresses the production of melatonin, which helps you to sleep.

He also suggests waking up at the same time every day so your body gets used to the new rhythm.

The news comes just weeks after research found that too much sleep - or too little - increases the chances of being obese.

Scientists from the University of Glasgow assessed the effects of sleep in more than 120,000 participants.

Long sleepers with a risk of obesity were around 9lbs (4kg) heavier, the study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found.

While short sleepers weighed around 4.4lbs (2kg) more than those who had frequently had a healthy night's rest.
Yoga can do more than just cure your back pain, it can also cure your depression.

A new study has found that those with depression reduced their symptoms through the workout.

Previous studies have shown that yoga increases the production of serotonin - a mood stabilizer in the brain - and its emphasis in breathing, concentration and smooth movement helps reduce symptoms.

Scientists say that this study underlines exactly why many doctors suggest yoga could even be a replacement for antidepressant drugs.

Taking two to three yoga classes a week can help lessen depressive symptoms, a new study reveals

The study, conducted between Harvard University in Massachusetts and Columbia University in New York, held a 12-week integrative health intervention for 30 people, practicing yoga and breathing exercises.

Specifically, they practiced coherent breathing, where you take just five breaths per minute.

The participants took classes in Iyengar yoga, which focuses on detail, precision and alignment in posture and breath control.

Subjects were split into two groups: one taking three classes a week and one taking two classes a week.

All of them were diagnosed with major depressive disorder and were either on no antidepressant medications or on a stable dose of antidepressants for 3 months or less.

Researchers used a Depression Inventory measure to assess depressive symptoms in the 30 participants, at the beginning of the study and throughout the 12-week intervention.

They found that although symptoms declined considerably in both groups, those who took three yoga classes a week were more likely to achieve lower depression scores after 12 weeks than subjects who took two classes.

Depression affects more than 15 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the US population.

WHY HEALTHY ADULTS SHOULDN'T TAKE ANTIDEPRESSANTS Healthy people who take antidepressants are twice as likely to become suicidal and violent, researchers claimed last year. The first ever review of trials of antidepressants taken by healthy adults, who have no signs of a mental disorder, concluded the pills doubled harms related to suicide and violence. The analysis, published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in October 2016, examined 13 previous trials of antidepressant drugs, involving 612 patients. The researchers, from the Nordic Cochrane Centre and the University of Copenhagen, claimed the original papers underestimated the risk of suicide and other harms. Advertisement

The most common psychological disorder in the Western world, around ten times more people are diagnosed with depression now than 70 years ago.

Emotionally crippling, it can require years of expensive and time-consuming therapy, and often medication to control it.

Approximately 188 million prescriptions a year are written in the US for anti-depressants.

The researchers claim that up to 50 percent of individuals treated with antidepressant medications for depression do not achieve full remission.

They say that the current treatments for depression are not effective in reducing the associated morbidity or mortality.

'This provides preliminary support for the use of yoga-based interventions as an adjunct to pharmacologic treatment for depression,' the authors wrote.

'This intervention has the advantages of avoiding additional drug side effects and drugdrug interactions.'

One recent study compared levels of the amino acid GABA in those who regularly practiced yoga and those who do an equivalent amount in walking.

This amino acid is vital for a well-functioning brain and central nervous system and helps promote feelings of calm inside the body.

Scientists found that levels were significantly higher in those who did yoga - low GABA levels are associated with depression and anxiety.

A study published in January, University of Auckland in New Zealand, revealed that also having good posture by sitting upright can help you feel less depressed.

'Compared to sitting in a slumped position, sitting upright can make you feel more proud after a success, increase your persistence at an unsolvable task, and make you feel more confident in your thoughts,' said lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Broadbent.

'Research also suggests that sitting upright can make you feel more alert and enthusiastic, feel less fearful, and have higher self-esteem after a stressful task.'
On a hot summer day in 2014, Syed Bashir Bukhari set himself on fire in the main square of his Kasmiri village and died the next day in a hospital.

According to his wife, Safeena Bashir, the former fighter from the western village of Kreeri had faced problems after giving up the rebellion against Indian rule.

His family was denied Indian citizenship after returning from the Pakistan-controlled side of the disputed Himalayan territory. His teenage son was refused school admission, and his Pakistan-Kashmiri wife and five daughters felt ostracised.

Pakistan-Kashmiri Safeena Bashir, second right, wife of former Kashmiri militant Syed Bashir Bukhari who committed suicide, sits along with her daughters Saba, right and Beenish, and her granddaughter Mehak at her residence in Kreeri, 35 km north of Srinagar (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

After two years of struggle, he'd had enough.

'We were cheated,' Safeena said about the family's decision to accept an Indian deal promising citizenship and reintegration in exchange for giving up the fight against Indian rule.

Though her son, now 21, is supporting the family as a coppersmith and her daughters are now in school, Safeena wants to return to the Pakistani side where she felt welcome. 'This is no life here,' she said.

The family is part of the latest generation caught up in a violent conflict that has dominated Kashmiri life since 1947, when India and Pakistan gained independence from the British Empire and almost immediately began fighting over rival claims to this mountain territory.

Alisha, daughter of former Kashmiri militant Syed Bashir Bukhari who committed suicide, poses with a photograph of her father (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

The two countries have fought two wars over their claims to Kashmir since, and each now administers a part of it - separated by a militarised Line of Control that snakes through valleys and across mountains.

Bukhari was among tens of thousands of young Kashmiris who in 1989 rose up against Indian rule and launched a bloody rebellion, demanding Kashmir's independence or its merger with Pakistan.

Many crossed over to the Pakistan-controlled side, training in guerrilla tactics and launching cross-border attacks. Thousands of the militants were killed in clashes with Indian troops or in the Indian crackdown, or were arrested during raids.

In 2010, after the rebellion had largely been crushed, India rolled out a rehabilitation program inviting former fighters home, provided they renounce militancy.

Beenish, daughter of Syed Bashir Bukhari, engraves motifs on copper vessel as her mother Safeena Bashir, right, and her sister Bismah watch (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Some 377 men did, bringing another 864 family members with them, according to state records.

But the former fighters were never granted any promised benefits and their families were denied Indian citizenship. They cannot get travel documents or hold government jobs.

Admission to school is not guaranteed, as it is for documented Kashmiris.

They can't open a bank account or legally apply for a cooking gas connection and buying property is out of the question.

Qazi Barat, a former Kashmiri militant works inside his bakery in Delina, 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

The one document they can get without a problem is an ID that allows them to vote in Indian elections.

'For us, everything here happens by "jugaad," said former fighter Shabir Ahmed Dar, using the colloquial Indian term for a cheap and improvised fix.

He spoke to The Associated Press at the hardware shop where he helps with the bookkeeping, doing work that must be paid in cash, in the region's main city of Srinagar.

His daughter had been in the first year of medical school in the Pakistani city of Karachi but was barred from continuing her studies on the Indian side after the family returned.

Sonaullah Dar, a former Kashmiri militant, shows citizenship certificates of his family issued by authorities in Pakistan administered Kashmir at his residence in Delina (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

The Indian government says the former fighters forfeited their rights by re-entering the country through Nepal or Bangladesh - and not through three designated points along the India-Pakistan border or through the international airport in New Delhi.

Officials would not explain why they needed the returnees to go through one of the four border points.

Some former militants said Indian soldiers had blocked them at those designated border points. Others said that because Pakistan was never on board with the rehabilitation deal, the Pakistanis did not facilitate crossings.

They now accuse India of being dishonest.

Sonaullah Dar, left, a former Kashmiri militant watches as her daughters Malaika and Emaan along with their mother Imrana Mehar eat lunch a

'This is plain cheating,' Ahmed Dar said. 'If we came back via non-approved routes, why didn't they stop us or repatriate us' back to Pakistan?

Authorities acknowledge their hardship, but say their hands are tied.

'There are issues, but we can only execute the government orders,' said SP Vaid, Kashmir's director-general of police.

The region's highest elected official also reaffirmed that the former fighters can't be fully rehabilitated because they came back the wrong way.

An Indian paramilitary solider stands guard inside a mobile bunker in central Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir where violent conflict has dominated life since 1947 (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

'Since these youth have not returned via approved routes, they are not entitled to any benefit available under the policy of 2010,' Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said earlier this year while speaking in the state assembly.

Mufti has asked India's home minister to include the Nepal route, which most former fighters had used, on the list of formal entry points.

Former fighters who have returned are also under constant police surveillance, adding to their stress, according to 10 former rebels interviewed by the AP.

Some within the local Indian Kashmiri society view them as traitors, or deserters from the cause of Kashmir's struggle against Indian rule.

Former Kashmiri militant Ahsan-ul-Haq, right, drinks tea as his friend Dawood Ahmed looks on as they sit Inside their shop in Srinagar (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

The cold reception they've received, both from civilians and from authorities, has discouraged many other fighters from returning.

'We were lured to return to abject humiliation and deprivation,' said former fighter Sonaullah Dar, now living in a single room with his Pakistani wife and two daughters since returning in 2013.

He keeps their Pakistani birth certificates carefully wrapped in a plastic bag. Four years later, he is still spending his days running between government offices hoping to one day secure legitimate papers for India.

Some former fighters say they regret bringing wives to live in poverty, unable to see their families or where they grew up.

Tariq Ahmed Khan said he made a mistake going to Pakistan for the rebellion. But 'returning was a graver mistake and robbed our children of a better future.'

Some have even tried going back to the Pakistani side.

A year after Syed Munir-ul Hassan Qadri brought his wife and three children to the Indian side, he attempted to take them and four other families back over the highly militarized Line of Control to the Pakistani side of Kashmir in 2013. But they were detained by Indian soldiers near the de facto border.

He became an advocate for the dignity and rights of former rebels. He was in the hospital at the bedside of one dying Pakistani woman named Saira Bano who, distraught at not being able to visit her family in Pakistan, had set herself on fire in 2014, a year after arriving with her ex-fighter husband and two daughters.

'I vividly remember her last words,' Qadri said. ''Take me back. I can't live here.''
The majority of British drivers are oblivious to the fact that car tax is changing from April 1.

As of next month, almost all new cars will be subject to annual tax band price revisions, escalating as high as 2,000 in the first year of ownership for the most polluting models.

This will hit 17-plate cars bought from April and greener cars that are not zero CO2-emissions electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles will bear the brunt of the new rules.

They will see all other cars pay a standard tax rate of 140 a year - but with a 310 premium rate surcharge added for cars costing more than 40,000 for five years after the first one of ownership.

Car tax is taxing: Just 11 per cent of drivers understand the VED car tax changes coming into play next month

Only buyers of lower and mid-range pure electric and hydrogen models that emit no CO2 from their tailpipes will not feel the impact of the changes, with these vehicles remaining free to tax as they are under current laws.

But for all other cars, there's going to be a change - and there's a greater chance of it becoming more expensive than cheaper for motorists.

Meanwhile, those buying more expensive cars will find that they get hit, even if they are pure electric. Cars with a price tag above 40,000 will pay an extra 310 premium surcharge for five years after the first year.

Drivers have to get their skates on if they want to beat the new rules which come into play in 17 days' time.

We've recently told you which popular 17-plate models are available with the biggest discounts and which ones can be had on zero per cent finance to help you get a deal over the line before the March 31 cut off.

But this latest study has discovered that many drivers are none the wiser about the forthcoming changes.

According to research by insurer Confused.com, 61 per cent of motorists are unaware of the new car tax laws taking place in a fortnight's time.

Even more concerning is that just 11 per cent of the 2,000 drivers surveyed said they fully understand the new rules, meaning almost nine in 10 aren't alert to a potential tax burden they could be hit with next time they want to buy a new car or a used model registered after April 1 2017.

According to the study, not enough has been done to raise awareness about the issue.

That's what 79 per cent of people quizzed said, claiming the switch to new rates hasn't been well publicised.

Research by consumer site HonestJohn earlier this year estimated that seven out of ten new car buyers will pay more tax from April, with the revised bands adding more than 500 to the long-term running costs of Britains most-popular and eco-friendly new models.

With the changes to Vehicle and Excise Duty now just around the corner, some are going to be surprised by the amount of tax they have to pay when they buy a car in the future.

Based on Confused.com's calculations, the average UK driver currently spends 102 on car tax each year - that's 38 less than the standard rate owners of vehicles emitting 1g/km CO2 or more will soon have to fork out, which is the annual figure paid each year from the second year of ownership onwards.

Add to that the steeper first-year rates many will have to factor in - even buyers of low-emissions petrol, diesel and hybrid models - and a five-year premium rate of 310 on top of the standard rate for cars worth more than 40,000 and the annual cost escalates to uncharted - expensive - territory.

As a result of car tax becoming costlier, the insurer said it expects to see a shift in mindset of people buying from new-car showrooms.

In fact, 40 per cent of the people it asked said the VED rules would put them off buying a 17-plate model.

Asked if they would feel more inclined to search the second-hand market for their next motor, 57 per cent said they would be - something that could spark used prices to rise.

Manheim auctions said it had seen an increase in used values in the months leading to the VED changeover, with the average auction price in February being 4.8 per cent higher than it was a year previous.

VED BANDS & RATES FOR CARS FIRST REGISTERED ON OR AFTER APRIL 1 2017 Emissions (g/CO2/km) First-year rate

(Known as showroom tax) Standard rate 0 0 0* 1-50 10 140* 51-75 25 140* 76-90 100 140* 91-100 120 140* 101-110 140 140* 111-130 160 140* 131-150 200 140* 151-170 500 140* 171-190 800 140* 191-225 1,200 140* 226-255 1,700 140* over 255 2,000 140* * cars over 40,000 (listed as Premium) pay an annual 310 supplement for the first 5 years at the standard rate (excluding the first year rate)

Vehicles built and purchased before 1 April 2017 will not be affected by these rates.

Amanda Stretton, motoring editor at Confused.com, said the new tax laws were 'very complex' as she showed sympathy with the nine in ten divers who didn't understand what was just around the corner.

'If you are looking to buy a new car, its definitely worth considering a purchase before April 1st, as your decision will affect the amount of tax you pay for years to come,' she said.

That said, it will be very difficult to secure a new car and register it in time for the deadline if you're ordering today. That said, if you buy a vehicle from existing stock at dealers, you could still dip across the line before the VED changes apply.

'If you are still planning to buy after April 1st, wed recommend researching the car tax rates you can expect to pay for your new vehicle,' Stretton added.

According to the research, Confused.com identified that the cost of tax and car emissions are two 'major' considerations when consumers choose a new car - over half (53 per cent) take into account the cost of tax when purchasing a new vehicle, while two fifths (43 per cent) consider the cars CO2 output.

And how do they feel about the new rules? 'Disillusioned', the insurer said.

Some 55 per cent believe they've been introduced just to make the government money, and three in ten (30 per cent) believe its a move to encourage people to buy electric cars.

More than half (57 per cent) said the tax band changes are nothing other than another measure to unnecessarily increase costs for drivers.

Some 53 per cent of consumers said the cost of tax was a 'major' consideration for them when buying a new car

RAC roads policy spokesman Nick Lyes said the new rules are counter-intuitive to the governments plan to reduce vehicle emissions in the UK.

'Aside from the complexity of the new Vehicle Excise Duty bands, the simple truth is this  from a vehicle tax perspective, drivers who opt for a car that has very low emissions including hybrids will be worse off under the new system than before,' he said.

'This surely runs counter to the Governments aim which is to encourage more of us to switch to newer, lower emission vehicles.

'We are concerned that the VED changes actually discourage drivers from purchasing some of the cleanest vehicles. Only new pure electric cars with a list price of under 40,000 will continue to enjoy being totally exempt from VED.

'However, the problem is that there is still no great consumer shift towards pure electric vehicles, with only two per cent of motorists telling us that is what they will opt for as their next car. This may reflect concerns about battery range, charging complexities and higher initial purchase costs.

'We strongly encourage the Government to either look again at the new VED rates as soon as possible, or provide extra support for those motorists who wish to switch to lower-emission vehicles.'
After filling in an online survey, I was offered some free anti-wrinkle cream. All I had to pay was delivery, so I accepted on behalf of my wife.

Creams then started arriving erratically. I tried to stop these even before the cost became apparent - I discovered that nearly 1,000 had been taken from my current account.

I have no idea how the firm accessed my Nationwide account and I, a 70-year-old pensioner, certainly did not sign up for a regular supply of overpriced creams.

It claims to have sent 11 sets, but I received only eight, three of which arrived damaged.

Creaming off profits: A common scam involves conning people into handing over their credit card details to cover 'postage costs' for supposedly free wrinkle cream

I contacted Nationwide, which refunded the money while it investigated. It then decided that I had entered into a contract and the withdrawals were in order.

I am very computer-savvy and did not see any long-term commitment or the exorbitant cost of these creams laid out.

J. D., by email.

I fear both my laptop and I would spend the night on the sofa if I presented Mrs H with anti-wrinkle cream  free or not!

You have, I'm afraid, fallen victim to an all-too-common scam where a supposedly 'free' offer binds you to regular payments in obscure small print.

You wondered where the firm got your account details. Well, I'm assuming you gave your debit card number to pay for the postage on your 'offer'.

An astonishing 12 payments of 89.95 were taken from your account in two months, between October 8 and December 3 last year.

You contacted Nationwide on December 10 and it raised a chargeback, re-crediting you with 1,079.40.

But the merchant then provided evidence that you had agreed to the payments, so Nationwide debited the amount again on January 27.

Nationwide should have examined this more closely. Would anyone willingly sign-up to allow 12 sporadic payments of almost 90 to be taken from their account in just two months unless they had been deliberately misled?

The building society should have smelled a rat and looked at the website. After a nudge from me it listened to your call again and decided it should have considered misrepresentation.

This would have forced the merchant to provide details on the nature of the sale and prove that the contract was agreed.

Nationwide says it can't raise a second chargeback, so the dodgy firm will get to keep the money. But because Nationwide has won similar claims in the past, it will refund your 1,079.40 and has added 100 compensation.

There's a lesson here for those caught by similar freebie scams: make sure your chargeback application is made on the grounds of misrepresentation.

YOU HAVE YOUR SAY Every week, Money Mail receives hundreds of your letters and emails about our stories. Here are some of the best from our report on which insurance policies you should avoid like the plague: The default position is always that the claim is not covered. Then comes the long uphill battle to challenge and reverse the decision, argue the reimbursement and finally get the cheque. Then your premium shoots up because youve made a claim. Absolute rip-off. F. L., Brighton. We should all write to our MPs. The more people who do this, the more likely the Government will legislate against insurance industry bad practice. We cant just sit back and do nothing. A. R., London . I agree with almost everything in the article except boiler insurance  you can now get good deals. Ive had to call on mine a couple of times and Ive saved myself a lot of money. S. E., Nottingham. I work in insurance and can tell you that a large percentage of cheap travel insurance policies will cover your luggage if you lose it on the way out but not on the way back. Always read the small print. A. N., London Last year my house got zapped by a voltage surge caused by a lightning strike. It wiped out a high-end home cinema and music system. The insurance company was brilliant  I was up and running within a month and every item was replaced. On my current premium, which didnt alter afterwards, it would take the firm 55 years to get its money back. T. C., Ipswich My friends son works for an insurance company. He is on 100,000 a year plus bonuses, and his sole job is to find ways of not paying out on claims. So the chances of you getting a hassle-free pay out are remote. C. B., Canterbury

I lost my 0% balance transfer deal, but had no statements

I transferred my credit card balance to AA. Due to a late payment I have now been moved off the 0 per cent rate and on to the standard rate of interest.

While I accept this is usual practice I do feel it is unfair as I hadn't received any statements so was reliant on my memory for the payment due dates.

M. R., London.

You provided plenty more detail in your letter but the crux of this issue is that you missed the payment date on several occasions.

AA Financial Services went into your complaint in some detail with Bank of Ireland, which administers the credit card.

In the summer, your statements were wrongly addressed. As a result, you missed a payment and a late payment charge was applied.

However, this charge was later refunded and AA confirmed that your address was correct.

At this stage, the 0 per cent promotional rate was continued.

All was well until September, when correspondence was again returned as undeliverable. For security reasons, a block was then put on your account.

Several attempts were made to contact you and you eventually got in touch in October.

You missed that month's payment, but previous payments had been made. However, as per the terms and conditions, you were taken off the 0 pc rate.

In January you settled in full and closed your account.

I'm not sure why the letters were returned and payments missed but, unfortunately, you did break the terms of the promotional rate and, therefore, Bank of Ireland and AA were within their rights to cancel it.

Can I suggest that when taking out any promotional rate, or for that matter setting up a credit card, it makes sense to pay by direct debit.

Then you can be sure that even if a statement is lost in the post, at least the minimum payment will go through each month.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT When I switched away from Scottish Power last November, I gave a final meter reading and was refunded a small credit. Now the firm claims I owe 246.90. When I complain, no one ever calls back. H. D., London. Scottish Power was trying to bill you for another flat in your building. It has now apologised for this and given you 75 to apologise for the trouble caused. You should receive no further bills. *** I heard that if you have a faulty Whirlpool tumble dryer you can get a new machine at a discount. How do I do this? A. C., by email. Call 0800 151 0905 and register your appliance for repair. Youll be given the option of upgrading your dryer. If youve already registered, details of how to upgrade will be included in any letters or emails sent out to you. You can also register online at safety.hotpoint.eu or safety.indesit.eu. *** How can I check if a 50-year-old Premium Bond is a winner? Ive just found one. M. C., Netherlands. If you have the internet, visit nsandi.com/prize-checker and enter the serial number on the bond. Or you can write to National Savings & Investments at NS&I, Glasgow G58 1SB. Remember to include your name, address and Premium Bonds holders number. Or you can call  as you live abroad, phone +44 1253 832007. From the UK, the number is 08085 007 007. *** If I give shares to my wife, will I have to pay capital gains tax? A. H., London. You can transfer them to her name without incurring any tax charge if you use so-called Crest forms. Another option is to sell and buy back the shares under her name. If the value of the shares has grown by less than 11,100  your annual capital gains tax (CGT) allowance  there is no tax to pay. And that means when you next sell the shares, the growth will be calculated from the date your wife bought them  which will help keep future CGT bills down, too.

I can't get my excess back after being hit by a bus

On May 12 last year, my car was hit by a bus. The driver was trying to turn round after missing a turn and reversed into my vehicle.

The bus company accepted full responsibility but I had to pay a 200 excess to the nominated repairers. This was on June 24 last year.

Since then I have been chasing my insurer, More Than, for this money without success.

S. P., Leicestershire.

More Than says that when there is an uninsured loss, such as your excess, it will attempt to recover it from the third party's insurer. This can take some time.

It seems the bus company's insurer made a clerical error on the payment, making it extremely time-consuming for More Than to locate it.

The good news is that you now have your 200.
Controversial investment bank Macquarie has sold Thames Water after a decade in which it piled on debt, sucked out profits and paid virtually no tax.

The lender is thought to have raised around 1.3billion from the sale of its final 26 per cent stake to the Canadian pension fund OMERS and the Kuwait Investment Authority.

It follows years of criticism for the Australian business, which was dubbed the vampire kangaroo for its asset-stripping ways.

Macquarie bought Thames from RWE in December 2006 but has since sold most of its stake to other investors.

Macquaire is thought to have raised around 1.3bn from the sale of its final 26 per cent stake to the Canadian pension fund OMERS and the Kuwait Investment Authority

The bank has withdrawn around 1.2billion in dividends during that time, while driving up Thames's debt from 1.6billion to 10billion.

This cash has been used to fund a 1billion-a-year spending spree on treatment plants and tunnels, as well as a drive to reduce leakage.

It has also allowed Thames to pay just 100,000 in corporation tax since 2006. At the same time, the pension deficit has ballooned to 260million, though the firm has pledged to plug this black hole by 2025.

Martin Blaiklock, a former utilities director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and a persistent critic of the company, said: 'I think customers have been stuffed. They've ripped customers off and they've got away with it. It's a shocker.'

Thames has a chequered history on customer service and was fined twice in the year to the end of March 2016. It was also fined 1million in January for repeated sewage pollution in the Grand Union Canal in Hertfordshire.

Labour MP Frank Field, who chairs the Work and Pensions Select Committee, urged the Prime Minister 'to teach these rip-off companies that they're not running one-armed bandits where they always win', adding: 'They have huge responsibilities to their pension funds, their employees and their shareholders.'

The GMB union's national officer Stuart Fegan said: 'This deal doesn't tackle the complex web of companies with a grip over our water industry or the ever-increasing levels of debt repayments shelled out to foreign based investors - this deal is more a case of 'pass the parcel'.'

'If this Government is serious about tackling offshore investments and structures potentially designed to minimise their tax responsibilities in the UK, then it could start by ensuring long-term decisions about our water supply are taken in the best interests of customers and the workforce.'

Despite its record, Macquarie's infrastructure head Martin Stanley said his company had been a responsible owner.

'We feel privileged to have been associated with Thames Water for such a long period of time and are pleased to have significantly increased investment levels and improved operational performance.

Today, Thames Water is undoubtedly a better, stronger and more customer-focused business than that which we invested in back in 2006.'

Macquarie owns a string of infrastructure assets across the world and is leading a consortium which is the preferred bidder for National Grid's gas division.

It also wants to buy the Government-owned Green Investment Bank. But deals have been heavily criticised by campaigners who fear the Australian lender will suck out profits rather than acting in customers' best interests.
Bank chiefs are secretly discussing how to strengthen trade ties between the US and UK after Brexit.

A group of financiers led by Barclays chairman John McFarlane have been examining how the transatlantic partnership can thrive when Britain quits the European Union.

Before Brexit, doom-mongers warned bankers would flee London for the Continent  but the trade talks suggests the City is already seeking new opportunities.

A group of financiers led by Barclays chairman John McFarlane have been examining how the transatlantic partnership can thrive when Britain quits the European Union

Pro-Brexit president, Donald Trump, has already backed a trade deal between the two countries and heaped criticism on the EU.

David Buik of stockbroker Panmure Gordon said: 'It appears there are going to be greater ties between the US and the UK, which would make sense.'

The banking talks are being over seen by TheCityUK, a lobby group for financial services chaired by McFarlane. Barclays' American-born chief executive Jes Staley is leading a US sub-committee on trading ties.

Wall Street giant JP Morgan's European chairman Mark Gavin is reportedly running a UK sub-committee.

One source at a leading law firm said they were seeking to do the bare minimum to keep access to the EU.

Since the referendum, only HSBC and UBS have unveiled their plans to move jobs abroad, with each saying 1,000 roles would go.

However, one former regulator claimed even this was likely to be an over-exaggeration for bargaining purposes.

'The banks will go to most financial centres and get the promise of concessions in exchange for relocation,' he said.

'Then they will come back to London and say to the Prime Minister, 'We really would like to be in London but we've been offered all these inducements, so what can you offer us?'.'
Gatemore Capital has called for French Connection to be split up

A row over the future of French Connection has intensified with investors calling for the fashion brand to be broken up.

Gatemore Capital  which owns an 8 per cent stake  had been pushing for a shake-up which would include French Connection boss Stephen Marks relinquishing his joint role of chief executive and chairman.

But after it posted a fifth consecutive year of losses, Gatemore lost patience and called for it to be split up completely.

Liad Meidar, chief investment officer at Gatemore, accused the board of making a 'mockery' of modern corporate governance after Marks refused to split his roles.

But Marks said the firm was moving in the 'right direction'.

Overall revenue fell 6.7 per cent to 153.2million, but like-for-like sales jumped 4.4 per cent.
A change of leadership breathed life into struggling SIG. It's been a difficult few months for the building materials supplier, which plunged to a loss last year.

Hargreaves Lansdown said 'too much time spent looking inwards and not enough focus on the end client had made for a pretty unpleasant year' at the business.

But a new chief executive and a renewed focus on sales sent shares soaring yesterday.

Interim group chief executive Mel Ewell is to revert back to being non-executive director, while Meinie Oldersma will take the helm.

Revival: A new chief executive at SIG and a renewed focus on sales sent shares soaring yesterday

Oldersma, 57, had only joined Brammer as chief executive last summer and was previously non-executive director at Bunzl.

But with 30 years of experience in the industry, he has a reputation for turning around troubled businesses.

The announcement came as SIG revealed in its full year results that the firm had made a pre-tax loss of 106.3million, down from a 51.3million profit the year before. That's despite revenue rising from 2.6billion to 2.8billion.

STOCK WATCH - SURGICAL INNOVATIONS Surgical Innovations Group soared as it confirmed it was in the black for the year. The firm  which designs and makes devices for minimally invasive surgery  reported a pre-tax profit of 280,000 for 2016, up from a loss of 2.1million the year before. It said results had been ahead of expectations with exports driving revenue growth up 11 per cent to 6.1million. The group had also restored its margin to its target level, up from 14 per cent to 33.8 per cent. Shares surged 8.1 per cent, or 0.3p, to 4p.

SIG promised to refocus on customers and sales growth and said reducing leverage was a key short-term priority.

It said trading in the first two months of the year had been in line with expectations. Shares surged 7.2 per cent, or 7.7p, to 114.9p.

The FTSE 100 finished down 0.13 per cent, or 9.23 points, to 7357.85. Bank stocks suffered after the announcement that a deputy governor of the Bank of England had resigned.

RBS slipped 2.5 per cent, or 6.1p, to 235.2p while Barclays dipped 1.6 per cent, or 3.6p, to 226.6p.

AIM-listed tech investor Touchstone Innovations participated in a 2.9million funding round by the parent company of Resolver.

The website, which was set up in 2014, helps consumers make complaints or raise issues with brands and companies including banking, flight delays and telecoms.

There are around 665,000 registered users, and it receives some 700,000 visits each month, with around 3,000 cases raised each day. About 65pc of these are resolved.

Touchstone, which invests in tech companies, put 1.1million into the business, giving it an 8.1 per cent stake in the private company.

It said the funding would help Resolver expand its team and invest in new technologies. Touchstone shares leapt 8 per cent, or 27.75p, to 360.1p.

Blancco Technology plunged as acquisition costs weighed on profits. The firm, which provides diagnostic and data services for businesses, reported a loss of 400,000 in the six months to December 31, down from a 200,000 profit in the same period the previous year.

Losses made on the disposal of its digital care mobile insurance business in September also had an impact on performance.

Debt had risen to 5.9million from a cash position of 1million a year ago. Blancco also announced director and chairman of the board Matthew Peacock has resigned.

Rob Woodward, who has been on the board since 2013, will take over as chairman. He is currently chief executive at STV Group.

He took the opportunity to snap up 6,035 shares in the business at 252.5p each, spending a total of 15,238. Shares plummeted 21.4 per cent, or 66p, to 242p.

Hayward Tyler advanced as it announced client orders. The engineer makes and services motors and pumps for the energy sector.

The business has won orders worth around 6.8million from Korea Hydro Nuclear Power, an electricity supplier to the South Korean energy market. Shares leapt 7.6 per cent, or 2.75p, to 38.75p.
A Lebanon man was arrested Tuesday with a bit of a hand from technology, according to a Linn County Sheriff's Office press release.

The office received a report of a white 2004 Chevrolet pickup stolen from the Lacomb Grocery at around 9:36 a.m. The truck's owner first contacted OnStar, a system offering subscription-based communications and security for vehicles, which then transferred the call to the Sheriff's Office.

The pickup was known to be traveling east from the store, and OnStar tracked its progress until a deputy found it on Highway 20, east of Sweet Home. Deputies then followed the truck into the city, where it pulled into a parking lot. Its driver, 19-year-old Austin Alan Ross, sped away when deputies attempted to contact him and went through a residential neighborhood before returning to Highway 20, traveling east at speeds over 100 mph.

Deputies continued to pursue Ross up the highway to Quartzville Road, where he lost control of the pickup and crashed. He then fled down a steep embankment but was apprehended shortly.

Ross was transported to the Linn County Jail on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, elude by vehicle, elude by foot and reckless driving.

The case remains under investigation.
Big banks are under pressure to throw interest-only borrowers a lifeline after a small lender launched a loan you can take into retirement.

We can reveal that Shawbrook will become the first bank to launch a retirement mortgage for interest-only customers who cannot clear their debts at the end of their deal.

These borrowers are only paying the interest on their mortgages and may be turfed out of home unless they stump up thousands of pounds when their term expires.

The mortgage from Shawbrook Bank will be available to interest-only borrowers aged between 55 and 75.

Lifeline: Shawbrook will become the first bank to launch a retirement mortgage for interest-only customers who cannot clear their debts at the end of their deal

Customers will be able to borrow up to half their property's value  150,000 on a 300,000 house, for instance  for another 15 years or until they reach age 85, whichever comes sooner.

There are no penalties for repaying early. So, if the borrower wants to downsize or comes into an inheritance, they can clear the debt at any time.

However, the new loans will be expensive. Shawbrook will charge 6 per cent on a five-year fix, or 750 a month for a 150,000 loan. Santander charges 1.89 per cent on a five-year deal, or 236 a month.

But crucially, Shawbrook will accept customers who say they will eventually repay the loan by selling their house.

Most major lenders won't accept this alone as a plan to clear the debt, making it tough to get an extension or a new deal.

Other lenders are insisting interest-only customers also start repaying some of the capital.

Around half of Britain's 2.6 million interest-only borrowers will struggle to clear their debts, according to the City watchdog.

In 2013, the Financial Conduct Authority found they will fall 71,850 short on average. Banks have begun threatening borrowers with legal action if they can't pay on time.

Banking chiefs told Money Mail that Shawbrook's mortgage would put pressure on bigger lenders to offer better deals.

Nationwide has already confirmed it is working on a retirement loan  but would not say when it will be available.

Baroness Ros Altmann, the former pensions minister, says: 'It's terrible that people can be kicked out on to the streets because they are considered too old to borrow.

'It's great that at last a company is willing to offer these people an option. It could mean thousands of people get to stay in their homes.'

Terms: Borrowers aged between 55 and 75 will be able to borrow up to half their property's value for another 15 years or until they reach age 85, whichever comes sooner

The interest-only mortgage boom that ended in tears

Interest-only loans boomed in the 80s and 90s, at one point accounting for more than eight in ten new mortgages.

They were flogged as a cheaper way of getting on to the housing ladder than a standard mortgage.

In the early days, banks forced customers to pay into an investment that would clear the debt when the loan ended.

But these so-called endowments often performed abysmally, leaving borrowers facing shortfalls. By the 90s, banks rarely asked customers to pay into an investment.

After the financial crisis, it became difficult for borrowers to extend their loan into old age.

Some lenders have allowed customers to stay on interest-only mortgages until age 75, but others have stopped offering the deals altogether.

Colin Hall, a mortgage broker, and his wife fear they will have to sell their four-bed detached home.

They took out a 217,000 interest-only loan on their house, now worth 360,000, with Mortgages Plc in 2005 with the intention of paying down the debt.

But Colin, 71, could only afford the interest as his brokerage struggled in the financial crisis.

The loan matured two years ago and they have been given until Friday to repay the money  or their home will repossessed.

Colin says: 'We're devastated. We should have paid off our mortgage, but we've lived in this house for 27 years and want to stay.' Mortgages Plc declined to comment.

Gillian and Ramsis Boulos, in their 60s, were 34,000 short of the 138,000 they needed to clear their mortgage when it ended last month. They had been told their endowment would easily pay off the debt  but it didn't.

Gillian, who works as an assistant to a retired diplomat, says: 'I have some jewellery I can sell, but we are going to need to take out a bank loan for the rest.'

The endowment was sold by Allied Dunbar, now owned by Zurich, which is carrying out a 'thorough review' of the case.

Shawbrook's deal is one of two that give struggling older borrowers more time to repay.

The other, from tiny pension firm Hodge Lifetime, lets you borrow up to 60 per cent of the property value and is only available through mortgage brokers. It also has early repayment fees.

Some borrowers have downsized or taken out equity release plans, where the interest rolls up and doubles in size every 11 to 12 years. The costly loans are repaid when you die or are taken into care.

p.thomas@dailymail.co.uk
Glaxosmithkline's boss is poised to become the best-paid woman in the FTSE 100.

Emma Walmsley, 47, who replaces Sir Andrew Witty as chief executive of the drugs firm in April, will take home up to 8.7million.

The mother-of-four will receive a basic salary of just over 1million  less than Witty, who was paid 1.1million in 2016.

But including bonuses, pension benefits and performance-related incentives, Walmsley's maximum earnings could reach 8.7million.

With good performance, she could be the highest-paid woman on the FTSE, ousting Whitbread's Alison Brittain, whose pay could reach more than 6million with performance-related incentives, and Imperial Brand's Alison Cooper, who was paid 5.5million in 2016.

None of them come close to Bet365 chief executive Denise Coates, 49, who took home 117.5million last year.

However, she runs a privately-owned company so is not part of the elite blue-chip index.

Glaxo, which faced pressure from shareholders to curb Walmsley's pay earlier this month, said Walmsley's maximum earnings are still around 25 per cent lower than Witty's and her pay package is more likely to fall to around the 3million mark.

Witty, who received 6.8million in 2016, had been entitled to a maximum pay package of up to 11.6million.

He is one of the most respected bosses in the FTSE 100 and has been chief executive since 2008.

Earlier this month it was reported that Urs Rohner, chair of Glaxo's remuneration committee, had suggested a package to grant Walmsley a base salary of just under 1m to reflect her experience level.

A spokesman for GSK said: 'We have been in active consultations with shareholders on these matters and have been over several months.

'Following feedback from shareholders we have adjusted the remuneration policy.'

Walmsley, who was unveiled as Witty's successor last September, is the first female boss of Glaxo, the third biggest company on the FTSE with a global workforce of more than 100,000.

Although she grew up in Kent, Walmsley was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, into a naval family, and is the daughter of Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Walmsley, former chief of defence procurement at the Ministry of Defence.

She was educated at the 30,000-a-year St Swithun's boarding school in Winchester before studying classics and modern languages at Christ Church, Oxford. Joining Glaxo in 2010, she has run its consumer products unit.

Before taking the top job, Walmsley said she asked herself: 'How could a mum and a wife take on something so big?'

But she accepted after her husband David told her she would manage just fine. The couple live with their three sons and daughter in a 3.7million house in south-west London.
Small investors in Euro Disney have accused its bosses of working with Walt Disney to force out minority shareholders.

Activist hedge fund CIAM is leading a group which claims the US company has crippled the theme park with grossly inflated license and royalty fees.

Last month Walt Disney bought a 9 per cent stake in the Disneyland Paris park from Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed at 2 a share  taking its holding to 85.7 per cent.

Taking the Mickey: Activist hedge fund CIAM is leading a group which claims Walt Disney has crippled Euro Disney with grossly inflated license and royalty fees

It offered the same amount to the remainder of Disney shareholders  a 67 per cent premium on the closing price on February 9.

But CIAM says Walt Disney has siphoned off cash to force Euro Disney into a loss every year for the last 15 years.

CIAM warned individual board members that if the management of Euro Disney did not behave in the interests of the park, they could be liable.

It accused managers of serving the financial interests of the parent company to the detriment of minority shareholders.

Walt Disney defended the share offer. Euro Disney said the allegations from CIAM were 'false and unfounded'.
A reward of $50,000 is being offered in the search for suspects in the gruesome beating and torture of a pet cat in Utah.

The six-year-old cat named Sage, who was tortured with hot glue, belonged to the Cassel family from Clearfield, which is north of Salt Lake City.

Sage went missing March 5, was found Wednesday and died Thursday.

The Humane Society of Northern Utah president Debbie Barnes said in a statement: 'They broke his ribs, his little toes, beat his face, glued his eyes shut, tried to glue his penis and anus shut, burned him with hot glue, and put silicone on him.

'This is the worst abuse case I have ever seen.'

Horrifying: A cat named Sage was tortured with hot glue, the Humane Society says

Tortured: The six-year-old cat named Sage belonged to the Cassel family from Clearfield, which is north of Salt Lake City

Brutal: Sage went missing March 5, was found Wednesday and died Thursday

China Cassel posted horrific images of the cat on Facebook March 8, writing: 'This is Sage. He is our family Cat. He is 6 years old.

'He is a outdoor guy, as well as a indoor loving cat. This morning as 630 we found him. And what we saw broke our hearts.

'He was beaten, and he was totured. His whiskers were cut. His fur was shaved.'

She wrote: 'He came home with a black collar on that didn't belong to us. How he made it home, will never make sense.

'But the fact that he found his way home to us, indicates how strong Sage is. He is a fighter. Our hearts are broken because there is so little we can do.

'Our minds and hearts are sick as to how someone can do this to any animal.'

The Humane Society of Northern Utah president Debbie Barnes said: 'This is the worst abuse case I have ever seen'

Barnes said: 'They broke his ribs, his little toes, beat his face, glued his eyes shut, tried to glue his penis and anus shut, burned him with hot glue, and put silicone on him'

China Cassel posted images of Sage on Facebook, writing: 'Our minds and hearts are sick as to how someone can do this to any animal'

Cassel wrote on Facebook March 9 that the cat 'didn't make it,' and commented 'Rip baby boy.'

A vigil was held on Sunday which over 150 people showed up for, Fox 13 reports.

Deann Shepherd, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Utah, says the community 'is saddened and angry at the same time'.

It said in a news release: 'According to the Utah State Criminal Code, it is a third-degree felony for a person to intentionally or knowingly torture a companion animal.'

The organization is asking people with information to contact it or Davis County Animal Services.

China Cassel (pictured) wrote on Facebook March 9 that the cat 'didn't make it,' and commented 'Rip baby boy'

Victim: Sage is shown in poor condition in this Facebook photograph

The Humane Society of Utah said on Facebook Saturday: 'The reward is now up to $50,011 thanks to all of YOU!

'We have had so many generous, compassionate people want to do something to help find justice for Sage.'

The organization said: 'If the reward is not claimed, the tax-deductible donations given to The Humane Society of Utah and The Humane Society of Northern Utah will be put to good use helping other animals in need and offering future rewards to advocate on behalf of other victims if needed.'
Children's author Mem Fox has vowed to never return to the United States after she was 'interrogated' by immigration officials at Los Angeles Airport because she was travelling with the 'wrong visa' after customs officials found out she was 'getting paid to give a speech in the States'.

On ABC's Q&A on Monday night, Mrs Fox, 71, revealed she had been interrogated by customs officers for two hours on February 9th. She said she felt so threatened she was left 'sobbing like a baby' after the ordeal and claimed customs officers had been given 'turbocharged power' by President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration.

While the Australian best-selling children's author opened up about her 'humiliating' experience with U.S. officials, she has remained tight-lipped about her husband's dark past.

Husband Malcolm Fox was convicted in 2011 for a number of child sex crimes he committed in the 1980s. Mr Fox was found guilty of having an unlawful sexual relationship in 1984 with a teenage student while he was a drama teacher in Adelaide.

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Author Mem Fox has vowed to never return to the United States after she was 'interrogated' by immigration officials last month



The court heard the boy made sexual advances towards Mr Fox and performed oral sex on him.

Mr Fox denied the allegations, and his wife Mem stood by him every step of the way.

AGE OF CONSENT? The age of consent in South Australia was 17, but 18 if one of the parties was found to be in a position of power or authority. Advertisement

There is no suggestion her husband's child sex conviction had anything to do with the author's grilling by U.S. immigration authorities.

Mr Fox always maintained their only sexual encounters were instigated by the 17-year-old boy - and left him feeling 'embarrassed'.

'I was embarrassed really, it was very awkward,' Mr Fox told the court.

Judge Gordon Barrett found it unbelievable Mr Fox wasn't to blame.

Mem Fox's (left) husband, Malcolm Fox (right), was found guilty in 2011 of child sex crimes he committed in the 1980s

Mem Fox's famous children's book

'I find it unlikely in the extreme that the complainant, who was 17 at the time and had been the accused's student for several years, would suddenly make so confronting a sexual advance,' The Australian reported.

The offences took place at the school, Mr Fox's bed, which he shared with his wife, and at the student's home, the ABC reported in 2011.

Mem Fox accompanied her husband of more than four decades to every court hearing. She sat with her hand across her heart as he was sentenced to four years with a non-parole period of two years.

The court heard the student made sexual advances towards Mr Fox (pictured with wife Mem Fox) and performed oral sex on him

The sentence was ultimately suspended, and Mr Fox was ordered to serve a three-year good behaviour bond, avoiding serving any time in jail.

Mr and Mrs Fox walked arm-in-arm from the courtroom, the ABC reported.

Malcolm Fox is a former drama teacher at Marion High School in Adelaide.

His offending reportedly happened as his wife was celebrating the success of her famed children's book Possum Magic.

Mr Fox's conviction was widely publicised, partly due to his wife's popularity and success.

Mr and Mrs Fox (pictured) walked arm-in-arm from the courtroom, the ABC reported

Mrs Fox is the author of several best-selling children's books including Possum Magic, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Wombat Divine and Where is the Green Sheep?

While now semi-retired and living in Adelaide, Mrs Fox travels the world to give speeches on children's books and literacy issues.

She has maintained a high-standing reputation in the community.

Mr Fox' offending reportedly happened as his wife Mem Fox was celebrating the success of her famed children's book Possum Magic

Appearing on ABC's Q&A on Monday night, the Australian best-selling author opened up about the ordeal where she was left feeling 'humiliated' after being 'badly treated' last month

After her experiences at Los Angeles Airport, Mrs Fox received an apology after lodging complaints with the Australian embassy in Washington and the United States embassy in Canberra.

'I felt like I had been physically assaulted which is why, when I got to my hotel room, I completely collapsed and sobbed like a baby. And I'm 70 years old,' she told the ABC.

'I have never in my life been spoken to with such insolence, treated with such disdain, with so many insults and with so much gratuitous impoliteness,' she said, vowing to never travel to the U.S. again.

She had been travelling to Milwaukee for a conference on February 9 when she was led into an airport holding room - and accused of having the wrong visa.
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Six years ago, a rebellious but apolitical teenager scrawled a message on the wall of his school in southern Syria.

With the so-called Arab Spring unfolding - ousting authoritarian leaders Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt - giggling 14-year-old schoolboy Naief Abazid wrote: 'It's your turn, Doctor Bashar al-Assad'.

Little did he know that by carrying out this small act of rebellion outside his school in the town of Daraa, he was lighting a fuse which would see his country burn for the next six years.

The government's response to the graffiti was swift and brutal. Abazid and 22 other boys were arrested by security forces and tortured.

At the height of the Arab Spring, schoolboy Naief Abazid, then 14 years old, wrote 'It's your turn, Doctor Bashar al-Assad' on the wall of his school, in an act of teenage rebellion which would change his country forever

Hundreds of protesters took to Daraa's streets in outrage at the boys' arrests, only to be gunned down in scenes that would be relayed around the world, and spark an uprising involving hundreds of thousands of people across Syria.

Six years later, the war continues - with a fractured opposition seeing political reformists pitted against jihadists.

Shocking new figures released to mark six years since the start of the conflict reveal that an estimated 55,000 children have been killed in that time - the equivalent of one child every hour since the civil war broke out.

In a war which has now lasted longer than the Second World War, more than 400,000 people of all ages have been killed, and tens of thousands of children have lost one or both parents.

'It's your turn, doctor': The anti-Assad graffiti scrawled on a school wall in Daara that angered authorities so much that 23 schoolboys were rounded up and tortured in a move which sparked protests across Syria. The graffiti was referring to fall of dictators in the Middle East that was occurring as part of the Arab Spring uprisings

Five years later: An aerial view of the buildings destroyed by the Assad Regime forces and Russian Army in the Tariq al-Bab neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria on October 2016

A wounded Syrian child cries after the war-crafts belonging to the Russian army bombed the opposition controlled Firdevs neighborhood in Aleppo, Syria on October 11, 2016

The horror of war: In the past six years, charity War Child estimates that 55,000 children have been killed in the conflict which has engulfed Syria, and nearly half a million people have died

At least 13.5 million people have needed humanitarian aid, and more than five million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries.

One of the first child casualties of the civil war was a 13-year-old boy, Hamza al-Khateeb, who was protesting with his family in April 2011 in Daraa

More than two million Syrian children are currently living in refugee camps, with no hope of returning home until the war ends.

Reflecting on the act of rebellion which was to spark the outrage and lead the country to war, Anazid, now 19 and living as a refugee in Austria, told Mark MacKinnon of The Globe and Mail: 'On one hand I regret it, because of all the people who have been killed and sent to prison and all the people who are homeless or who have become refugees.

'But on the other hand this was God's will, and I'm proud of it. Something had to happen in Syria. Something had to change.'

The regime showed its brutality in the treatment Anazid received. The 14-year-old was whipped 40 times with thick cables, before being folded into a tyre and rolled into a wall.

He recounted: 'I kept saying "I don't understand". They just said "Don't worry, you will."'

One of the first child casualties of the civil war was a 13-year-old boy, Hamza al-Khateeb, who was protesting with his family in April 2011 in Daraa.

His brutal death would shock the world. He suffered gunshot wounds, his jaw and kneecaps had been smashed, his genitals cut off and he had been whipped with a cable.

His death was branded a turning point by then-US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said it showed 'the total collapse of any effort by the Syrian government to work with and listen to their own people'.

THE FACE OF WAR: ONE CHILD KILLED EVERY HOUR IN THE LAST SIX YEARS More than 400,000 people have been killed

Of these, 55,000 are believed to have been children

At least 13.5 million people have needed humanitarian aid in the past six years

More than five million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries

More than two million children are currently living in refugee camps

Last year, according to UNICEF, 255 children were killed in or near a school.

More than 850 children were recruited to fight in the conflict in 2016, more than double the number recruited in 2015

There were at least 338 attacks against hospitals and medical personnel last year, UNICEF has revealed Advertisement

A report published today by charity War Child paints a bleak picture of the situation in Syria. It states: 'Until the war ends, the refugee crisis will continue unabated.

'This brutal civil war has seen civilians repeatedly targeted, hospitals destroyed, towns and villages besieged, chemical weapons deployed, as well as consistent blocking of humanitarian aid from those that need it.

'The Syrian regime and its allies are primarily responsible for the horror that people face daily, whilst armed opposition and extremist groups are also responsible for brutal acts.'

The charity blasted the Russian and Chinese government for vetoing a resolution against the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The report continued: 'The Syrian regime and the militias it sponsors have shot, detained, tortured and sexually abused children.

'Opposition and jihadist forces also stand charged with recruiting child soldiers, and failing to properly protect children when engaging in hostilities in civilian areas.'

War Child chief executive Rob Williams said: 'No child has ever started a war, yet Syrias children are the innocent victims in this conflict, caught up in violence that has engulfed their lives for six years now.

'The war in Syria is a war on children  schools and hospitals are being targeted, boys and girls are being killed by the hour, while the international community just watches.

'While the UK has played an important role as a generous donor to the region, it is complicit in the international communitys failure to bring the war to an end.

'The sheer scale of this tragedy and the lack of action on behalf of the international community is a betrayal of Syrias children.

'Enough is enough  the international community must work together to immediately stop attacks on children and end this horrific conflict.'

A Syrian woman carries the body of her infant after he was retrieved from under the rubble of a building following a reported airstrike on September 23, 2016, on the al-Muasalat area in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo

The haunting image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh with a bloodied face sitting in an ambulance, after an airstrike, in Aleppo was shared around the world

An injured woman reacts at a site hit by airstrikes in the rebel held area of Old Aleppo, Syria, April 28, 2016

U.N. satellite images identified more than 33,500 damaged residential buildings in Aleppo, with the most recent photos taken in mid-September 2016. The red zones in this heat map show 100 per cent destruction of residential buildings in Aleppo. Orange is 40 per cent destruction and yellow is 20 per cent downwards.

A wounded girl flashing the 'V' for victory sign in the city of Qusayr, nine miles from Homs, on July 18, 2012. Syrian troops were locked in fighting with armed rebels in parts of Damascus and the second city Aleppo, monitors said, as Arab nations offered President Bashar al-Assad a 'safe exit' if he gave up power

A man carries a wounded girl who survived what activists say was an air strike by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo's al-Ansari al-Sharqi neighborhood, December 9, 2013

A man walks with children at a site hit by what activists said were barrel bombs dropped by government forces in Aleppo's Dahret Awwad neighbourhood on January 29, 2014

Actress Carey Mulligan, a global ambassador for War Child UK, said: 'Throughout this horrendous war children have suffered on an astronomical scale and continue to do so.

'They are dying in Syria and being neglected by the world in refugee camps. Its time to say enough is enough.

These children have done nothing to deserve their situation, and are innocent victims in a war they did nothing to cause Carey Mulligan

'These children have done nothing to deserve their situation, and are innocent victims in a war they did nothing to cause. Its time for the rest of the world to step up and do everything they can to stop the fighting and help Syrias children build a better future.'

Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said: 'The depth of suffering is unprecedented.

'Millions of children in Syria come under attack on a daily basis, their lives turned upside down. Each and every child is scarred for life with horrific consequences on their health, well-being and future.'

THE ACT OF REBELLION THAT SPARKED CONFLICT WHICH HAS LASTED SIX YEARS IN SYRIA A defaced poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is seen near garbage containers in Aleppo on July 24, 2012. The words on the poster read, 'We coming, duck ass' In March 2011, Syrians took to the streets in the southern city of Deraa to protest at the arrest of 23 boys who were tortured for having scrawled graffiti on the walls of a school. These protests were met with a vicious response from the government, and scenes of demonstrators being shot dead drew hundreds of thousands of Syrians onto the streets, demanding Assad's resignation. In the months that followed, a rebel group named the Free Syrian Army, comprising of military defectors, was formed, and fighting began to spread across the country. By 2012, the war had engulfed capital Damascus and second city of Aleppo. Despite the common opposition to Assad, rival factions within the opposition movement have battled for supremacy, leading to what experts have described as a 'war within a war'. In June 2014 ISIS declared a 'caliphate' in Syria, battling against other rebel groups and fellow jihadists, such as the Nusra Front, closely linked with al-Qaeda. A US-led coalition launched strikes targetting ISIS in September of that year, aiming to destroy the terror group. In 2015, Russia began an air campaign aimed at 'terrorists'. Advertisement

Female members of the "Mother Aisha" battalion sit together along a street in Aleppo's Salaheddine district, September 19, 2013

Syrian Zakia Abdullah sits on the rubble of her house in the Tariq al-Bab district of the northern city of Aleppo on February 23, 2013

Earlier this week, Assad branded US forces in Syria 'invaders' because they were there without government permission.

The Syrian regime refers to all opposition factions as terrorists, including rebels backed by the US and its allies.

Assad said President Donald Trump's campaign pledge to prioritise the defeat of Islamic State had been 'a promising approach' but added: 'We haven't seen anything concrete yet regarding this rhetoric.'

Assad dismissed the US-backed military campaign against Islamic State in Syria as 'only a few raids' he said had been conducted locally. 'We have hopes that this administration ... is going to implement what we have heard,' he added.

Asked about a deployment of US forces near the northern city of Manbij, Assad said: 'Any foreign troops coming to Syria without our invitation... are invaders.'

'We don't think this is going to help.'

Flames and smoke raise from burning cars after two bombs exploded, at Qazaz neighborhood in Damascus, Syria

A Syrian woman carries children following airstrikes on a rebel area of the war-torn northern city of Aleppo in Syria on December 15, 2013

A man carries a young girl who was injured in a reported barrel-bomb attack by government forces in Kallaseh district in the northern city of Aleppo, Syria on June 3, 2014

In August last year, five-year-old Omran Daqneesh became a symbol of the horror and tragedy in Syria when a haunting image of him with blood and dust covering his face shocked the world.

The tiny boy sat dazed and confused when he was loaded into an ambulance after being pulled from the rubble of his home in Aleppo which was decimated in an air strike.

A nurse who treated the brave boy said Omran did not shed a single a tear until he laid eyes on his mother and father who joined him at the hospital a short time after his arrival.

The young boy, from the war-torn city of Aleppo, was caught up in an air strike which claimed the lives of eight people, including five children.

The suffering of children has outraged the world, including shocking images of a three-year-old boy, Alan Kurdi, whose body was washed up on a Turkish beach in September 2015.

The pictures, taken in Bodrum, focused attention on the scale of the refugee crisis. Alan died alongside his five-year-old brother, Galip, while making the crossing over the Mediterranean into Europe.

Their father Abdullah said: 'My kids were the most beautiful children in the world, wonderful. Now all I want to do is sit next to the grave of my wife and children.'

Shocking pictures of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi's lifeless body being carried by a paramilitary police officer on a Turkish beach focused world attention on the Syrian refugee crisis

A boy stands on rubble as people try to put out a fire after what activists said were airstrikes followed by shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the Douma neighborhood of Damascus, February 9, 2015

A man holds the body of a dead child as a civil defence member reacts after airstrikes by pro-Syrian government forces in the rebel held al-Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria, February 14, 2016

A White Helmets volunteer carrying a child victim in Aleppo, Syria. The group consists of over three thousand local volunteers spread across areas of conflict around Syria

Jameel Mustafa Habboush, 13, stares in terror as he is found buried in rubble in Aleppo. A member of the civil defence volunteers, known as the white helmets, rescues him from under the rubble of a building following Russian air strikes on the rebel-held Fardous neighbourhood of Aleppo on October 11, 2016
More than 250 skulls have been found in what appears to be a Mexican drug cartel's mass burial ground on the outskirts of the city of Veracruz.

Veracruz state's top prosecutor, Jorge Winckler, said the pits appeared to contain remains of cartel victims and could not rule out thousands more could still be underground and undiscovered.

Of the 253 known victims found in the 125 pits, only two have been identified - police detective Pedro Huesca and his assistant.

A bus at a field on the burial ground where police prevented access as officers conducted searches

Members of the Solecito search group carry the coffin of Pedro Huesca, a police detective who disappeared in 2013 and was recently found in a mass grave

Winckler, in the first official recognition, seemed to say the burials occurred before the new state administration took office in December.

'For many years, the drug cartels made people disappear and the authorities were complacent,' he said In an interview with the Televisa network, in apparent reference to the administration of fugitive former Governor Javier Duarte and his predecessors.

Duarte resigned as governor two months before his term ended last year and disappeared.

He faces charges that include money laundering and organized crime and officials have accused him thoroughly looting state coffers.

Winckler said that resources needed for DNA tests in criminal investigation had vanished, leaving officials to depend on help from the federal government and groups such as the Red Cross.

Veracruz state top prosecutor Jorge Winckler

The prosecutor said excavation teams have covered a third of the lot where the skulls were found, meaning more remains may yet be unearthed.

'I cannot imagine how many more people are illegally buried there,' Winckler said, noting the state has reports of about 2,400 people who are still missing.

'Veracruz is an enormous mass grave,' he said.

Tons of Class-A narcotics, mostly cocaine, make their way into Mexico from nearby countries sparking bloodbaths between rival drugs gangs.

Mass graves have been unearthed in the country for years.

The news came as no surprise to Lucia Diaz, one of the mothers of people who have disappeared whose group is known as Colectivo Solecito.

The mothers pushed authorities to investigate the fields where the skulls were found because they suspected more than a year ago that the wooded area known as Colinas de Santa Fe was a secret burial ground.

In the face of official inaction, the activists themselves went to the fields starting in August 2016, sinking rods into the ground to detect the telltale odor of decomposition, and then digging.

When they find what they believe are burial pits, they alert authorities, who carry out the final excavations.

"We dig holes, but we try not to touch the remains," Diaz said, because DNA may be the only hope of identifying the dead and touching the bones might contaminate them.

Some remains had been found in the area even before the group started its work.

Lucia Diaz, one of the mothers of people who have disappeared in Mexico

Members of the Solecito search group carry the coffin of Pedro Huesca, a police detective who disappeared in 2013 and was recently found in a mass grave, as they walk to the cemetery in Palmas de Abajo, Veracruz, Mexico

So far, Diaz said, searchers have found about 125 pits that contain about 253 bodies. Nobody knows when the burials began, but Diaz said some were quite recent.

'Some of the bodies had a lot of connective tissue.

'You could see an ear, or recognize part of a face,' she said.

Diaz also said 'it is impossible to say' how many people are buried, and isn't sure the burial ground wasn't used recently.

'We don't know when it stopped, or if it stopped.'

She said searchers found eight bodies just 10 days ago.

Federal policemen take part in an anti-narcotics operation in the Venustiano Carranza district in Mexico City

The 3.1 tons of cocaine that was on its way to Mexico where drug feuds still reign supreme

Her group has criticized state authorities both past and present for doing little to try to find or identify the state's missing people, many of whom were kidnapped and never heard from again.

The state had long been dominated by the ferocious Zetas cartel.

But the Jalisco New Generation cartel began moving in around 2011, sparking bloody turf battles.

Narcotic policemen organize 3.1 tons of cocaine seized in the port of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. Police sources say the drug belongs to a cartel of the north of the valley and was headed for market in the Mexico

Drug cartels in other parts of Mexico have deposited victims' bodies in mass graves before.

In the northern state of Durango, authorities found more than 300 bodies in a clandestine mass grave in the state capital in excavations starting in April 2011.

Those burial pits were excavated in part with the use of backhoes.

More than 250 bodies were discovered in April 2011 in burial pits in the town of San Fernando, in Tamaulipas state, close to the US border.

Drug gangs in some places in Mexico have taken to burning or dissolving their victims' bodies in corrosive substances in order to avoid discovery.

Diaz joined the effort after her own son, Guillermo Lagunes Diaz, was kidnapped from his home in 2013.

No trace of him was ever found.

'He was kidnapped. Beyond that I know nothing,' Diaz said.

Despite pleading with state officials, they were slow to investigate the case and didn't bother even to track his phone, which might have helped locate him.

But she and other mothers and volunteers in Colectivo Solecito have never flagged in the search, at least for the bodies of their loved ones.

'We mothers say they are still alive, until we find out otherwise,' Diaz said.

Mass graves of the victims of the Mexican drug cartels have been unearthed as far back as 1999, as a Mexican army soldier ties yellow crime tape to a fence at the Tiro del Norte Ranch outside Ciudad Juarez nearly 20 years ago

But she suspects that corrupt police may have been involved in the disappearances - several groups of police in the state have been arrested for kidnapping people and turning them over to the drug gangs.

'It is either the criminals, or police, or both' that dumped the bodies in Colinas de Santa Fe, she said.

'In Veracruz, it's kind of hard to tell the difference.'
80-year-old Fowler Agenbroad was found unresponsive and suffering from head trauma at his home on August 5, 2016

A 13-year-old boy has been charged as a juvenile with murder in the death of his elderly grandfather.

Mount Healthy police say that 80-year-old Fowler Agenbroad was found unresponsive and suffering from head trauma at his home on August 5, 2016.

Prosecutors believe Agenbroad's troubled grandson may have put his head through a wall in their home in suburban Cincinnati.

The 13-year-old was in his grandfather's care after his mother and father both died of drug overdoses.

Residents in their neighborhood said that the two fought constantly.

They believe that the child fell victim to the system and that authorities did little to help their situation, despite being called to the home numerous times on reports of a missing juvenile, domestic assault and juvenile problems.

Residents believe that the child fell victim to the system and that authorities did little to help their situation, despite being called to the home numerous times on reports of a missing juvenile, domestic assault and juvenile problems

Neighbor Kim Hart told WLWT: 'Everything the child did, the grandfather would blame his son, the child's father -- 'You're going to be like him,' she said.

'I don't know what happened in that house, but I want people to know there's fault on both sides of the fence,'

'They failed the grandfather. They failed the child,' she said of the system.

Agenbroad's grandson cannot be named or pictured because he is a juvenile

Agenbroad was reportedly a deacon and avid visitor of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, and frequently brought the boy for Sunday School and Sunday morning services.

Agenbroad's grandson cannot be named or pictured because he is a juvenile.

Officials say Agenbroad's grandson denied charges of murder and reckless homicide at a hearing on Tuesday in Hamilton County Juvenile Court.

The boy is being held at the county's youth detention center until his next court appearance on March 24.
A man has been arrested outside a swimming pool after allegedly arranging to meet a 14-year-old girl he had been grooming online.

The 39-year-old man was arrested by police about 4.30pm on Tuesday while waiting outside a public pool in Parramatta in Sydney's west.

Detectives from child exploitation internet unit Strike Force Trawler, who posed as the girl online, arrested the man after he allegedly made numerous sexually explicit comments to the child and planned to see her.

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A man was arrested by police outside a public swimming pool in Parramatta on Wednesday

The man had allegedly made plans to meet with a 14-year-old girl

The 39-year-old male had allegedly made numerous sexually explicit comments to a 14-year-old girl

He was charged with child procurement and drug possession offences

Electronic devices, a mobile telephone, cannabis and prescription drugs were seized by police from a home at Top Ryde shortly after the man was arrested.

Police carried out another search at a home in Dubbo, in the New South Wales central west, and seized a computer, tablet and electronic storage devices.

The man was charged with use carriage service to procure persons under 16, possess prohibited drug and possess prescribed restricted substance.

He was refused bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.

Police took the man to Parramatta Police Station after his arrest
Hundreds of Australian travellers have been left stranded after Qantas was forced to cancel a departing flight from the US as monster snowstorm Stella strikes.

The severe blizzard has grounded over 6,000 flights from dozens of airlines as American cities brace for record snow and powerful winds.

Australian tourists catching Qantas flight 12 on Tuesday night were left stranded at John F Kennedy, while American Airlines cancelled all flights into JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports.

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Snowstorm Stella: The blizzard has seen major snowfall and strong winds batter the Northeast

Snowfall reaching 60cm has halted traffic while blizzard conditions grounded flights out of the US

Qantas was forced to ground its regular flight 12 on Tuesday night after blizzard conditions worsened

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia were all declared as states of emergency, but New York appeared to settle soon after with the storm turning into rain, hail and sleet.

Flight Centre Australia warned travellers leaving the US that snowstorm Stella was grounding flights and leaving airports crowded with stranded holidaymakers.

It said: 'Bizzards are wreaking havoc on travel plans in the Midwest and Northeast United States, with hundreds of flights cancelled today.

'Winter storm Stella has prompted blizzard warnings in eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, south-east New York, Connecticut, northern Rhode Island, western/central Massachusetts, south-east New Hampshire and southern Maine.'

Winter wonderland: The monster snowstorm has forced New York residents indoors

A worker uses a snow thrower to clear a sidewalk during snowstorm Stella in Worcester, Massachusetts

Standing tall: The iconic statue of a little girl facing the Wall Street charging bull was covered in snow

Storm warnings were also put in place for other parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast including Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.

Storm warnings are also in place across other parts of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, including Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC.

The icy storm caused a snowfall of 60cm and strong winds were recorded at 80km per hour.

Snowstorm Stella will continue to blow snow through much of the Northeast for the rest of the week, according to the country's National Weather Service.

Operations update for Winter Storm #Stella includes no operations at JFK & LGA on 3/14. Find out more at: https://t.co/kNkPUilgez pic.twitter.com/jDb6RxwbRC  American Airlines (@AmericanAir) March 13, 2017

Shoppers leave Walgreens in Kingston, New York in the middle of snowstorm Stella

People walk beneath snow-covered trees on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall during the winter storm in Boston

With temperatures far below normal for this time of year, the fierce winter storm has already claimed lives in Milwaukee after two elderly men on different sides of the city collapsed while shovelling snow on Monday.

A teenage girl also died in GIiford, New Hampshire when she crashed into a tree Tuesday morning, state police said.

The girl crashed around 7am at the intersection of Rocky Road and Cherry Valley Road, as her identity has not been publicly released.

Blizzard warnings were issued in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Connecticut
A Lebanon woman was arrested Monday afternoon for driving under the influence of intoxicants, after Linn County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a serious-injury, single-vehicle crash on Upper Berlin Road near the intersection of Berlin Ridge Road, 15 miles east of Lebanon.

Sandra Dee Chaffin, 53, was transported to the Lebanon Community Hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and released. Her passenger, James Fuller Plymell III, 42, also from Lebanon, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis with serious injuries. He remains in the hospital.

After an investigation, deputies learned Chaffin was traveling west on Upper Berlin Road when she began to negotiate a gradual corner. She then drove onto the shoulder and hit the culvert at the intersection of Berlin Ridge Road. The vehicle, a red Ford Focus, was catapulted into the air, and then rolled one time before coming to rest. The crash was not witnessed by anyone and was found moments after by a passerby.

All of the airbags were deployed in the vehicle, and Chaffin was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. It is unclear if Plymell was wearing a seat belt.

Chaffin was arrested and taken to the Linn County Jail on the charges of Assault III and DUII.

Linn County Deputies were assisted by members of the Lebanon Fire Department. The investigation is continuing.
Nine current and former military officers accused of having a raging $50,000 party with prostitutes as part of a massive bribery scandal refereed to themselves as 'the Cool Kids' and 'the Wolfpack'.

The Justice Department said the alleged lewd behavior is part of huge bribery case known as 'Fat Leonard', where tens of millions of dollars was swindled from the US military.

The officials involved, including: Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless, Captain Donald Hornbeck, Captain David Lausman, Marine Colonel Enrico de Guzman, warrant officer Robert Gorsuch, Captain James Dolan, and Commander Stephen Shedd, referred to themselves as the Lion King's Harem, the Wolfpack, the Cool Kids and the Brotherhood.

They are also accused of scouting for those who might also accept sex, trips and other lavish perks from Leonard Glenn Francis - nicknamed 'Fat Leonard' - a Singapore-based defense contractor who pleaded guilty to using the knowledge to defraud the military out of millions.

It is alleged they took bribes in the form of expensive gifts, prostitutes and ritzy hotel stays from 2006 to 2014, according to indictment documents unsealed in San Diego.

In one instance, some of the men allegedly had a $50,000 'multi-day party with a rotating carousel of prostitutes', emptying out the hotel's supply of Dom Perignon. In another, they had an orgy using General Douglas MacArthur's memorabilia in sexual acts.

The Justice Department accused eight Navy officers - including Admiral Bruce Loveless (left) - of taking part in a massive bribery scandal known as 'Fat Leonard' (right), which swindled millions of dollars from the US military, it was revealed on Tuesday

Another allegation in the unsealed court documents outlines an alleged a meal that took place during a 2006 port visit to Hong Kong cost $20,435.

The papers claim another dinner during a port call to Singapore that same year featured foie gras, oxtail soup, cognac that cost about $2,000 a bottle and cigars at $2,000 a box.

A third luxury dinner was alleged in the documents, with this one taking place in Hong Kong in January 2008.

The eight-course meal was held at Petrus Restaurant featured osetra caviar, pan-seared duck liver with pear and sunchoke, black truffle soup, rock lobster salad, Dover sole, grilled Wagyu beef tenderloin, cheeses and baked Alaska for dessert, according to the court documents.

Once wine and champagne was factored in, the total bill reached $18,371.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Navy's top officer promised to repair the damage caused by the scandal.

'This behavior is inconsistent with our standards and the expectations the nation has for us as military professionals,' Admiral John Richardson said.

'It damages the trust that the nation places in us, and is an embarrassment to the Navy.'

San Diego's acting US attorney, Alana W. Robinson, also blasted the officials named in the allegations.

'This is a fleecing and betrayal of the United States Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navy's highest-ranking officers,' Robinson said.

The officials partook in bribes in the form of expensive gifts, prostitutes and ritzy hotel stays from 2006 to 2014. They are accused of accepting a bribe in the form of an orgy at a luxury hotel suite of the famed General MacArthur (pictured) using his memorabilia in sexual acts

Including Loveless, the other Navy men who were recently indicted were Capt. David Newland (left) and Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shedd (right)

Loveless, 53, made no substantive comments during a brief hearing hours after his arrest at his Coronado home near San Diego.

Magistrate Judge Mitchell Dembin entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and ordered him released without bail. He did not yet have an attorney.

The judge also entered a not guilty plea on behalf of de Guzman, and allowed him to remain free. His attorney didn't respond to a request for comment.

Five other defendants were arrested Tuesday in Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Virginia. None had attorneys listed in court documents.

The indictment, which was first reported by the Washington Post, accuses the Navy officers of partaking in the bribes while based in Japan and on the Navy's 7th Fleet.

Another allegation contained in the documents claims that in May 2008, Francis covered the cost for several of the officers, including Loveless, Hornbeck, Dolan, Lausman and Shedd, to stay at the Shangri-La Hotel in the Presidential Suite and the men had a 'raging multi-day party, with a rotating carousel of prostitutes'.

Captain David Lausman is accused of going to a $50,000 'multi-day party with a rotating carousel of prostitutes', emptying out the hotel's supply of Dom Perignon

Capt. James R. Dolan (left) and Capt. Donald Hornbeck (right) were also indicted in the scandal. The military men would take the gifts and then give Francis classified military information

They reportedly drank every bottle of the hotel's Dom Perignon champagne, and racked up a bill of $50,000, not including prostitute fees.

In the following days, the men emailed Francis to thank him for their wild time, mentioning how much they enjoyed themselves, according to the documents.

In February 2007, the men engaged in an orgy where 'historical memorabilia related to General Douglas MacArthur were used by the participants in sexual acts' in the party in the MacArthur Suite of the Manila hotel, the documents continued.

Francis also doled out cash for the men's family travel expenses, as some Navy officials brought their wives on the lavish trips across Asia.

The indictment, 78 pages in total, list a series of offenses brought against the nine men over the course of eight years.

They are accused of taking the extravagant gifts such as Cuban cigars and fine wine that Francis gave them, and in turn giving him fleet schedules, so that he could use the knowledge to defraud the military.

In the bribe case, the men are said to have stayed at the MacArthur (pictured) suite at the Manila Hotel, where the general stayed as a military advisor to the Philippines, and used his memorabilia in sexual acts

The men had a $50,000 party at the Presidential Suite at the Shangri-La Hotel (pictured)

The eight Navy men and one Marine official were the latest indictments in the bribery scandal that now has seen 27 people charged, and around 200 under investigation.

Twenty of the defendants are current or former Navy officials and five are company executives of the Singapore-based company.

Francis pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges in January 2015 but the investigation has steadily escalated into the biggest fraud case in the Navy's history.

The 51-year-old Malaysian man infiltrated the Naval ranks so deeply his company had no fear of getting caught and were given rafts of leaked confidential contracting information.

They even gave him active law enforcement investigations about his own company.

Following his arrest, four Navy officers, an enlisted sailor and a senior agent with the Naval Criminal Investigation Service have pleaded guilty to federal crimes.

To date, 13 defendants have pleaded guilty, including another admiral who was sentenced in June and is believed to be the first active-duty Naval flag officer charged in federal court.

Other cases are pending.
A senior peer sparked anger last night after complaining that the 300-a-day tax-free allowance is inadequate for many in the House of Lords.

Lord Hope, the convenor of the crossbench peers, suggested the amount was simply not enough to attract applicants from Scotland and Wales.

He admitted members of the Lords received 300 for every day they turn up, plus travel allowances but added: Thats all they get out of it for their time and effort.

Lord Hope (pictured) is a former judge who has also argued against an elected Upper House

This is despite the fact that if a peer turns up for every day the Lords sit, they will earn almost 45,000 a year  nearly twice the national average salary.

Lord Hope, a former judge, also argued against an elected House of Lords  saying retired generals, legal experts and top surgeons were too busy to stand for election.

It came as MPs on a Commons select committee launched an attack on the unelected Upper House, describing its current set-up as indefensible.

Labour MP Paul Flynn lambasted peers for ermine-clad antics and for dressing like playing cards.

And he attacked party leaders such as David Cameron for packing the red leather benches with wealthy party donors, cronies and political aides.

Earlier this week, former Lords Speaker Baroness dSouza admitted she abandoned a probe into peers clocking on to collect their allowance  because it would lead to them being named and shamed.

Lord Hope of Craighead leads the crossbench peers  those who are not a member of a political party in the Lords. He is a former deputy president of the Supreme Court.

Lord Hope criticised party leaders such as David Cameron and Tony Blair for packing the red leather benches with wealthy party donors, cronies and political aides

He made his controversial remarks during an appearance before the Commons public administration committee. Lord Hope said one reason why there may not be enough peers from Scotland and Wales could be because of payments.

He said: Im very much in favour of something which would increase the representation from elsewhere than London.

I come from Scotland and I travel down every week from Scotland. Im dependent on my 300 to pay my accommodation. Thats all we get apart from travelling costs.

The question is  are people from Scotland or Wales and the remoter parts of England prepared to contribute to the work of the House when thats all they get out of it from the point of view of covering their costs and the time and effort it takes to travel between the two places?

We are short of representation from Scotland and we are short of representation from Wales.

Im not sure how you are going to solve the problem of regional representation without having some greater effort in persuading people to take part in the institution. Labour MP John Mann said Lord Hope should consider his position.

He should retire, he said. I can get a thousand immediate applications for this cosy number from my constituencies. If he wont go then we should retire him compulsory.

Lord Hope also rejected calls for an elected House of Lords, saying it would deprive Parliament of expertise.

Most of them, not all, would never dream of standing for election, partly because they dont have the time to do that, said the peer, who has been in the House for 22 years.

A total of 804 peers are crammed into the House of Lords, making it second biggest chamber in the world after Chinas Peoples Congress.

Mr Flynn said: The position of the Lords is one that is indefensible in so many ways  the number of peers, the fact it is possible to buy a place in the Lords if you contribute enough to any of the three main parties, it over-represents London and under-represents Scotland; all the problems that arise, all the illogical things that come from it.
William's 'workshy' criticism comes as Queen and Prince Harry complete more days of royal duties so far in 2017

Prince William has undertaken just 13 days of official duties so far this year, it has been revealed.

The royal faces accusations of being workshy as by contrast, the Queen, 91 next month, has managed 24 days of engagements in addition to the red boxes of official papers she works through every day.

The future king, 34, was back with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge and their children at Anmer Hall in Norfolk yesterday after missing a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey attended by the rest of the Royal Family on Monday to continue a boys-only weekend in Verbier.

He was also due back on shift at East Anglian Air Ambulance, where he works as a part-time pilot, in advance of an official trip to Paris later this week.

The criticism he is likely to face after he was pictured downing shots with two attractive blonde bar workers during the five-day jolly with a group of his closest friends, is unlikely to be helped by the emergence of a video showing the prince dancing in Verbiers Farinet nightclub in the early hours of Monday.

The footage of him waving his arms rave-style was first published by US celebrity news website TMZ and quickly spread around the world, being picked up in many Commonwealth countries. The prince was accompanied by at least two taxpayer-funded Scotland Yard officers, who can be seen in the video.

On Sunday William was photographed downing drinks on the slopes with two cocktail bar hostesses he and his group had met in the club the previous night.

He was seen high-fiving Sophie Taylor, a 24-year-old would-be model from Australia. The second girl he was pictured with was Blackpool-born Rosie Peate, a trained beautician who divides her time between the party island of Ibiza and the Swiss ski slopes. She refused to comment on the photographs yesterday but her uncle Roger Peate confirmed that the family had been gossiping about her royal encounter.

William, who returned home on Monday night, has repeatedly dismissed accusations that he is workshy but so far this year has undertaken just 18 engagements according to the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements. His part-time job as a pilot for East Anglia Air Ambulance requires him to work around 80 hours a month.

He took the position in order to move his young family to Norfolk, away from the public gaze.

But the situation has led to repeated criticism that he is failing to pull his weight in either role.

Last year both the Queen and Prince Philip, 95, conducted more engagements than their grandson, who undertook 188. The Queen packed 332 visits and meetings into her diary, and Philip 219.

William announced in January that he will leave his pilots job in the summer to become a full-time working royal. He will spend more time in London with his family, and says he and Kate plan to increase their official duties and their charity work.

Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaigners Republic, said: William clearly isnt that interested in taking his role seriously, and I wonder if he really wants to be king. The taxpayer has stumped up millions of pounds. If hes not interested in fulfilling his side of the bargain we should kick him out of Kensington Palace and insist he pays his own way.

But royal biographer Ingrid Seward defended William, saying: He does a huge amount of work, he attends a lot of events and is very dedicated. Hes allowed a bit of time off.

Kensington Palace would not confirm whether William was excused from the Commonwealth Day ceremony, but said he had attended the celebrations previously and would do so again in the future.
Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May were locked in an extraordinary war of words last night over the SNPs bid for a second referendum on Scottish independence.

In an astonishing jibe, Scotlands First Minister questioned Mrs Mays mandate to govern, saying she had not yet been elected by anyone following her coronation as Tory leader last year. Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson said Miss Sturgeon had gone the full Donald Trump by launching a crude Twitter attack on the Prime Minister.

And the Prime Minister hit back in the Commons, accusing Miss Sturgeon of constitutional game-playing with the future of the United Kingdom.

Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May were locked in an extraordinary war of words last night over the SNPs bid for a second referendum on Scottish independence

Miss Sturgeon caught Downing Street by surprise on Monday by announcing plans for a second referendum on Scottish independence in the period from autumn 2018 to spring 2019.

Government sources suggested that Mrs May would not sanction a poll during the run-up to Britains expected exit from the EU.

Scotland Office minister Lord Dunlop yesterday spelled out the Governments objection to Miss Sturgeons timetable.

During an emergency debate in the House of Lords, he said: I can think of nothing more calculated to undermine the achievement of a good deal than holding a divisive, disruptive referendum during the last six months of the most important peacetime negotiations this country has ever known.

The Prime Minister hit back in the Commons, accusing Miss Sturgeon of constitutional game-playing with the future of the United Kingdom

Miss Sturgeon yesterday warned Downing Street against any blocking mechanisms.

After a meeting of her senior ministerial team, Miss Sturgeon said: The referendum must be for Scotlands national legislature to shape. It should be up to the Scottish Parliament to determine the referendums timing, franchise and the question.

Under the terms of the 1998 devolution deal, a binding referendum on Scottish independence can only be held with the approval of the Westminster parliament. Miss Sturgeon was angered by reports that Downing Street could ask her to secure a new mandate for a poll at the 2021 Holyrood elections.

Although the SNP stood on a manifesto threatening a second referendum if circumstances changed, the party lost its overall majority. But, with the Greens also backing independence, the referendum is almost certain to win the backing of the Scottish parliament when it is debated next Wednesday.

Miss Sturgeon contrasted her own mandate with that of the Prime Minister in a series of messages on Twitter. Her bid to break up Britain comes less than three years after Scots decisively rejected independence by a margin of 55:45. The SNP leader claims Scotland deserves a real choice over whether to leave the EU after the majority of voters north of the border backed Remain last year.

In the Commons, Mrs May made it clear that she aims to negotiate a deal for the whole UK. She said: This is not a moment to play politics or create uncertainty.

Mrs May also mocked former SNP leader Alex Salmond over his claim that the 2014 referendum was a once in a generation opportunity.
Up to five members of staff in every jail are corrupt, fuelling the smuggling of mobile phones and drugs for inmates, it was claimed yesterday.

This would equate to around 600 of the 33,000 people who work in prisons in England and Wales.

Last year 20,000 mobiles and Sim cards were discovered in jails, while there were 10,000 separate drugs finds.

The vast majority of prison officers in England and Wales are incorruptible but a small minority are vulnerable to bribery or blackmail STOCK PHOTO

Some of the contraband is thrown over prison walls, smuggled in by visitors, or flown in by drones.

But John Podmore, who spent 25 years in the prison service, including a stint as head of the anti-corruption unit, said corruption of prison officers was also part of the problem.

Theres a lot of talk about drones. Drones are a convenient distraction, its corruption thats the inconvenient truth. Theres not much getting in with drones, in my opinion, he told BBC Radio 4s Today Programme.

He said low pay, a lack of training, and a reduction in staff numbers are to blame for the problem.

There is a working assumption in the prison service that between three and five staff in every jail are corrupt, a source told the BBC.

Mr Podmore added: At the moment with the reduction in staffing levels and the general sort of lack of regime in prisons, the problem is getting worse.

At the moment its difficult for a prison governor to have enough staff to unlock prisoners to go the gym or to go to education. He hasnt got the resources to investigate staff corruption.

Most governors will have some suspicions about their staff, theyll have a security department who will be looking out for corrupt staff, but in order to investigate and prosecute you need considerable resources to do that.

I suspect there is a level of corruption in all prisons. And corruption comes in many guises.

A former prison worker who was jailed after being caught sneaking in mobiles for inmates was never searched during his six months of employment, he revealed yesterday.

Pentonville prison in Islington, north London (pictured) is one of many jails where corrupt staff are a small but dangerous minority STOCK PHOTO

James Almond, 33, escorted builders renovating HMP Stocken in Rutland, where he claims he was coerced into bringing in the phones. He said he had daily contact with prisoners despite not having had any training.

He said he felt vulnerable in the role, adding: At the time I was suffering heavily with depression after my father passed away - and that is the kind of thing these prisoners pick up on quite easily.

Almond said he was asked every day to bring in mobile phones by a prisoner who became aggressive.

The inmate left him feeling scared after making threats about his family, This gentleman was in prison for armed robbery. I didnt know what he was capable of, he told the BBC.

Eventually, Almond agreed to bring in a mobile phone and continued to do so for several months before being caught.

He said he was offered 500 for each parcel he took in, doubling his weekly take-home pay. He said he was never searched during his six months working at the prison.

It was a calculated risk that wasnt the day they decided ... to do a staff search, he said.

Mr Podmore said that like Almond, most staff were conditioned, intimidated, and manipulated into corruption. But he added that there was a minority who joined the prison service for a criminal intent.

There will be those who will join the prison service because smuggling drugs you can make an awful lot of money John Podmore

He said: There will be those who will join the prison service because smuggling drugs you can make an awful lot of money.

He cited the case of an asylum seeker who was for jailed for a string of thefts  and later got a job as a prison officer.

The appalling security blunder was only discovered after he was caught smuggling in huge amounts of cannabis and vodka in soft drinks bottles and mobile phones.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: The vast majority of our prison staff are hard-working and honest, but we remain vigilant to the threat posed by corruption.

We take swift action against the small minority who involve themselves in corruption, and those who put fellow members of prison staff in harms way will face the full force of the law.

We have set out a range of measures in the recent Prison Safety and Reform White Paper to bolster our response to tackling this issue.

These include closer working with the police, investing 3million in a new intelligence unit and developing a new corruption strategy this year.

We are also considering options for the creation of a prison-specific offence of corruption.
A paranoid schizophrenic who shot dead a father and drowned his baby in a sink in 1987 sang 'Jesus Loves Me' as he was executed in Texas.

James Bigby, 61, was put to death by lethal injection for killing Michael Trekell and his infant son Jason in a Christmas Eve killing spree 30 years ago.

He was pronounced dead just after 6pm in Huntsville in Texas on Tuesday, becoming the fourth inmate to die in the state this year.

Texas Department of Corrections officials said he struggled to stop sobbing before he was taken into the death chamber, as he expressed sorrow for his crimes.

As the lethal injection set in, he prayed, sang 'Jesus Loves Me' said 'I promise, I'm sorry' several times.

He made sure there were no last-minute appeals delaying his punishment.

In his last statement, he offered apologies to the families. 'Im sorry. Im sorry. I hope that my death will bring you peace and closure,' he was quoted as saying by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Bigby was found guilty of capital murder in 1991 for killing Trekell, 26, and his baby. They were watching TV at Trekell's home in Arlington on the evening of December 2 3 when he shot him.

James Bigby, 61, (left recently and right in his 1987 mug shot) was killed by lethal injection on Tuesday evening in Huntsville, Texas

He tried to kill baby Jason first by suffocating him with cellophane then drowned him in the sink.

Bigby then went on to shoot dead two other friends, Calvin Crane and Frank Johnson, that night but was never tried for their murders.

He was eventually arrested in a motel on Christmas Eve after a stand-off with police.

Bigby, who was a mechanic at the time, believed the men were conspiring against him on behalf of his former employer, Frito Inc, which he had just filed a lawsuit against, The Texas Star Tribune reports.

The baby's mother, who knew him, said he'd earlier told how he wanted to die in a 'blaze of glory'.

During his 1991 trial, Bigby boldly grabbed a loaded gun from behind the judge's bench during a recess and stormed into his chambers with it.

Bigby was put to death at the Huntsville Unit in Texas (above) anytime after 6pm on Tuesday

He was given the lethal injection (file image of a death chamber, above). His attorney said he wanted to get it 'over with'

A jury rejected his insanity defense and sentenced him to death.

The sentence was upheld in 2005 when he was given a new sentencing trial to reflect changes in the law which meant jurors could take mental illness into account when reaching a decision on whether to give inmates the lethal injection or life without parole.

They stuck with Bigby's death sentence despite his earlier claim that he'd only been out of an asylum for 10 days when he committed the murders.

He told The Associated Press in 2001 that he had received shock treatment for his condition.

John Trickell, Bigby's attorney, said he was ready to die on Monday.

'I believe that [Bigby] is resigned to the fact that he's going to be executed, and I think he wants it over with,' he said.
Pauline Hanson wants to 'shut down' Islam in Australia by changing the constitution.

The One Nation leader said Muslims were preaching extremist views because the government was powerless to ban religions and wants a referendum to change this.

'I really do believe they are a political ideology that wants sharia law in this country and they're using that as a guise,' she told Andrew Bolt on Sky News on Tuesday.

'We need to know what they stand for. What do they intend to do in the country?'

Scroll down for video

Pauline Hanson wants the constitution changed so Islam can be 'shut down' in Australia

She singled out pro-sharia law group Hizb ut-Tahrir as she called for Islam to be banned in Australia.

'Let's expose it for what it is and if it is really a political ideology like Hizb ut-Tahrir and these other organisations then shut it down,' she said.

Senator Hanson argues Islam is an ideology and not a religion and wants a royal commission to determine this.

Her party also wants a referendum to be held on scrapping section 116 of the constitution, which stops the government from banning a religion.

For a referendum to pass, the yes vote has to surpass 50 per cent in a majority of states and be supported by a majority Australian voters.

Since Federation in 1901, only eight out of 19 referendums have passed

A referendum to ban communism failed in 1951.

Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir has posted a video joking about Muslims taking over Australia

Her comments on Hizb ut-Tahrir were made as the group posted a video mocking Senator Hanson's suggestion Muslims would take over Australia, unless Muslim migration was banned.

'The Muslim takeover of Australia is well underway,' spokesman Hamzah Qureshi joked.

The bearded man in the video claimed it would take 653 years for Muslims to reach 35 per cent of the Australian population.

'So we can guess why Hanson and the right-wing are already alarmed screaming and pulling their hair out,' he said.

'So if everything goes according to plan, Muslims will reach the 35 per cent mark by the year 2670. '

Pauline Hanson opposes Muslim migration to Australia and says extremists groups are exploiting the constitution

However, a closer look at the numbers shows Islam is a fast-growing faith in Australia.

Australian Bureau of Statistics Census data shows the number of Muslims grew by 70 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

Their numbers jumped from 281,578 to 476,300 during that 10-year period, with their proportion of the Australian population growing from 1.5 per cent to 2.2 per cent.

Data from the 2016 Census is likely to show another increase in Australia's Muslim population when the figures are released later this year.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott in 2014 called for a ban on Hizb ut-Tahrir, which wants a global Muslim caliphate.

Its overseas arms support suicide bombings in Israel and advocate the killing of homosexuals.

The number of Muslims in Australia jumped by 70 per cent between 2001 and 2011. (Lakemba mosque in Sydney's south-west pictured)

'There is no doubt they are an organisation that campaigns against Australian values, that campaigns against Australian interests. They are a thoroughly objectionable organisation,' Mr Abbott had said.

Hizb ut-Tahrir operates in more than 40 countries and is banned in Muslim-majority nations including Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan.

However, it continues to operate in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Media outlets, including Guardian Australia, have previously published opinion pieces arguing that Hizb ut-Tahrir should not be banned and in 2015 it also gave the group's spokesman Uthman Badar space for an opinion piece.
A man who attempted to break into a woman's Melbourne home before stealing her underwear and fleeing on a push bike is being investigated by police.

Police said the man rode a bicycle to the Viewbank home on February 24 and attempted to break in via multiple windows and doors.

After failing to enter, the man stole the woman's underwear and several other items of clothing from a clothes rack on the house's rear deck.

Police are investigating an attempted burglary and theft after a man attempted to break into a woman's Melbourne home before stealing her underwear

Police said the man rode a bicycle to the Viewbank home on February 24 and attempted to break in via multiple windows and doors

He then fled the scene at around 2.20am on a push bike he left on the driveway.

CCTV images have been released of a man who may be able to help police investigate the attempted burglary and theft.

Police described the man as aged in his 30s, Caucasian in appearance and with a solid build.

At the time of the offence the man was wearing a flannelette shirt, jeans and Nike shoes.
A father who described himself as an Anglo Saxon has lost a High Court appeal to prevent his ten-year-old son from attending an Islamic school.

It led to a barrister warning that similar cases will be increasingly common in family courts.

The man, who says he follows no particular faith, said his Muslim ex-wife had chosen the private boys school because it was Islamic. He called the institution a school inside a mosque.

The marketing director, who cannot be named for legal reasons, added he was worried he would be marginalised if his son attended the school. Instead, he wanted the boy to go to a secular school.

A High Court judge rejected a father's attempt to appeal a family court ruling that means his son may attend an Islamic school

However, a High Court judge yesterday rejected the fathers attempt to appeal a family court ruling.

Mr Justice Baker said the couple, who are both in their 40s, had divorced more than three years ago after a nine-year marriage.

The man had converted to Islam after marriage and his son had been brought up Muslim  but he had rejected the faith after the separation. Mr Justice Baker said the boy lived with his mother, who worked in planning, and spent time at his fathers home.

A family court judge had previously concluded that the boy would be disappointed if he could not go to the Islamic school.

Barrister Zimran Samuel, who represented the father at the appeal, told Mr Justice Baker that the family court judge had been wrong and that the boys Muslim faith would be catered for at a secular school in London.

Mr Samuel said the man did not feel that he would be able to participate in the Islamic school.

The father's lawyer, Zimran Samuel (pictured) said: 'The mother and father have different world views'

The mother and father have different world views, he said. He is an Anglo Saxon white man who has no particular faith.

Mr Samuel added: He describes it as a school inside a mosque. Its not really a school within a mosque but thats how he describes it.

He said the man thought school should be a neutral space for the boy, adding: We have a father who in this modern day and age tries to tell (his son) that it is okay for parents to disagree.

He has absolutely made it very clear that he feels marginalised.

Mr Justice Baker said the family court judge had reached a conclusion he was entitled to reach.

The judge heard that the boy had been offered a place at the Islamic school and was due to start in September.

Mr Samuel told Mr Justice Baker: This sort of issue will crop up more and more before the courts.

There are more than 150 dedicated Muslim schools in the UK and most of them are privately funded.

Controversy has surrounded some schools after the Trojan horse scandal revealed a plot to impose an Islamist regime in a number of Birmingham schools.
Stress therapy sessions are to be held for shoppers in Marks & Spencer stores in an effort to boost mental health.

The sessions, which are designed for anyone feeling weighed down by modern life, will take place after hours in store restaurants.

They will take place under the banner Frazzled Cafe and will be hosted by trained volunteers.

Stress therapy sessions are to be held for shoppers in Marks & Spencer stores

They are the result of a partnership with Ruby Wax, the bestselling author, comedian and mental health campaigner.

The move by M&S is part of a wider campaign to remove the stigma around admitting to depression and other mental health issues.

These efforts have seen schools starting to develop lessons in mindfulness to help youngsters cope with pressures from social media or to meet high academic expectations.

M&S said people who are feeling frazzled will be able to meet, talk and share their personal stories in a safe, anonymous and non-judgmental environment.

A spokesman said: Frazzled Cafe meetings are designed not just for the one-in-four Britons who will suffer a mental illness at some point, but for the four-in-four who are feeling frazzled and overwhelmed by the stresses of modern life.

Frazzled Cafe was successfully trialled in M&S offices and stores last year with the support of the retailer as part of its Plan A eco and ethical initiative.

It stressed the meetings are not what would be classed as a form of medical therapy. It said: Their purpose is to provide a space where people can talk openly with others who understand how they are feeling  a place where its ok to not be ok.

Ruby Wax, who created Frazzled Cafe, said the concept was about 'people coming together to share stories'

Ruby Wax, who announced the launch at London Book Fair, said: We live in a time where to have a life crammed to the hilt is considered a success story. But with all this pressure, so many of us have nowhere to go to meet and talk about it.

Frazzled Cafe is about people coming together to share their stories, calmly sitting together, stating their case and feeling validated as a result. Feeling heard, to me, has always been half the cure.

She added: Its special to get a company like M&S on-board. Im grateful for the set-up support theyve given us and access to their cafe network is a huge boost.

Eleven M&S stores will be hosting Frazzled Cafe meetings over the next few months

Retail director at M&S, Sacha Berendji, said: Rubys Frazzled Cafe is a simple, pressure-free way of tackling what can be a taboo subject  feeling stressed.

We hope that by providing free and calm venues after the cafe has closed, we can help any members of the community who simply need to talk about things and whats happening in their lives.

Frazzled Cafe is a not for profit organisation, which is soon to be registered charity, created by Ruby Wax and run by Elizabeth Morrison and Anna DOnofrio.

Its name is inspired by Rubys number one bestselling book A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled.

Eleven M&S stores will be hosting Frazzled Cafe meetings over the next few months  with three in London alongside Brighton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Canterbury and Norwich. More locations are set to be added throughout the year.

Details of how to take part are available on the organisations website www.frazzledcafe.org.
Dec. 13, 1925  Feb. 19, 2017

J Lowell Young, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at home in Corvallis attended by loved ones.

Lowell was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Perry, Utah, to Isaac Albert Young and Mary Elzada (Nelson) Young.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Ann (Jones) Young; son Gordon Young and wife Jeanne Young; daughters LoAnn Baker and husband Karl Baker, and Kathryn Arnold; husband Mike Arnold; son-in-law Thomas McCormack (Colene Young); 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brothers Grant and Moylen Young.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Colene Young on Nov. 13, 2015; sisters Mary Stokes, Florence White, Dorothy Souter and Janet Johnston; Dean Young; and parents Isaac and Mary Elzada.

Lowell served in the United States Army Air Corps as a flight officer (navigator) between 1944 and 1946. After completing his church mission in New Zealand from 1947 to 1949, Lowell attended BYU where he met and fell in love with Ruth Ann. They married in Logan, Utah, on Sept. 15, 1950. Lowell received his bachelor of science degree from BYU in 1953 and continued his education at the Ohio State University, graduating only three years later with a Ph.D.

He spent his career in academia beginning as a research assistant post-graduate at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station, Columbus, 1953-1956 then as a postdoctoral fellow, 1956-1957. He moved with his family to Corvallis to become a chemist for the United States Department of Agricultures, Agricultural Research Service, 1957-1964, and a research chemist, 1964-1978. He was an assistant professor at Oregon State University, 1957-1963, associate professor, 1963-1978, professor of soil science, 1978-1988 retiring in 1988. During his career he authored over 70 publications and was associate editor for the Soil Science Society of America between 1975 and 1980. Lowell was honored in 2007 by Oregon State University as a Diamond Pioneer, an award recognizing accomplishments in agriculture and related fields.

Lowell was an avid lifelong student, teacher and leader pleading for the responsible stewardship of spaceship Earths resilient yet fragile bio-systems, including our life-sustaining soils, air and water. He contributed, via fundamental research, to knowledge about micro-size mineral, organic, and biological components of soils; about their composition and union into colloidal and micro-aggregate particulates; and about their interfaces, interaction and transformations with consequent overwhelming importance to soil stability, fertility and plant productivity. He led in the early recognition of nutrient and soil losses from erosion in Willamette Valley croplands. These efforts started studies in non-point or diffuse pollution of water in agricultural watersheds.

He cared deeply about our world and environment and in addition to his research and teaching was a long-time member, donor, and advocate to many environmental, progressive, social, and educational organizations including Nature Conservancy, Greenbelt Land Trust, Southern Poverty Legal Center, and both his alma maters.

Lowell will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will no doubt always remember and cherish his sharp wit, indomitable skepticism, and insatiable intellectual curiosity.

A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Corvallis. A celebration of life is planned for July 2017.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Benton Hospice Service.

Please leave your memories and condolences for the family at www.mchenryfuneralhome.com.
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Flights are taking off once more at New York City's JFK airport and New Jersey's Newark Liberty airport despite the pounding that the East Coast is taking from dangerous Northeast blizzard Stella tonight.

With five inches of snow having fallen in the neighboring cities over Tuesday by the downgraded nor'easter, both were able to resume the schedules with one flight to Minnesota departing JFK at 5pm, and another from Salt Lake City landing at Newark at 6pm. Regional services at both have resumed.

Other airports in the hard-hit region also began to tentatively resume operations, but that was little comfort to those on the 8,000 flights that have been canceled since Sunday.

Airports in Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia were among the hardest hit, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Majority of flights were canceled at Boston's Logan International Airport on Tuesday as the nor'easter Stella crippled the country's air travel

Airlines cancelled more than 6000 flights on Tuesday given it promised to be the worst travel day across the Northeast for the late winter storm, according to flight tracking website FlightAware

Nearly all flights at New York City's three airports had been canceled on Tuesday, with similar issues at Boston and Baltimore. Most flights were cancelled before the day even began, with some 6,000 having been scratched before sunup on Tuesday.

That number grew over the day as cancellations poured in not just for Tuesday but also into Wednesday and Thursday as well. By 8pm Tuesday, a total of 10,871 flights had been cancelled between Sunday and Thursday.

There was hope for other airports hit by the blizzard, too.

Washington Dulles airport had normalized its operations by Tuesday afternoon, as did nearby Reagan National Airport, also near DC.

Philadelphia had limited Delta, United, Spirit and American Airlines operations scheduled for Tuesday evening. Bradley International Airport in New England was also scheduling inbound traffic for the evening.

But delays persisted at New York's LaGuardia, Chicago O'Hare, Chicago Midway, Boston Logan and Baltimore/Washington's BWI Airport.

FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS: 6,477 flights were cancelled as of Tuesday morning, with 3,319 delays. Airports with the most cancellations are Newark in New Jersey, LaGuardia in New York and Boston Logan International Airport. More than 909 flights have already been cancelled for Wednesday. 2,344 flights were cancelled on Monday. Source: Flight Aware Advertisement

Authorities had earlier advised the 50 million people from New York City to Boston to prepare for what could be the worst storm this winter season.

The region was expected to be hit with up to 24 inches of snow bringing along with it blizzard-like conditions and 60mph winds. Officials even declared a state of emergency in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.

But forecasters significantly downgraded their predictions on Tuesday morning around 9am as Stella arrived in the Big Apple.

Airline officials had started preparing for the storm by cancelling flights ahead of time, with more than 2,000 flights cancelled for Monday.

More than 1,000 flights have already been cancelled for Wednesday, and a further 16 for Thursday.

Amtrak also canceled and modified service up and down the Northeast Corridor. In New York City, the above-ground portions of the subway system were shut down on Tuesday morning.

PATH trains tweeted on Tuesday at noon saying they were now operating normal weekday services on all lines.

Yvonne Mouskourie, of Tom's River, New Jersey was stranded at Newark Liberty International Airport on Tuesday after her morning flight to Florida was canceled

Workers shoveled snow outside Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Tuesday as majority of flights were cancelled

Logan International Airport in Boston was practically deserted on Tuesday morning with airlines cancelling the majority of flights on Monday

Getting ready: In preparing for the huge winter storm, airline officials have already begun cancelling flights ahead of time. Above a United Airlines plane departs at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago on Monday during the snowstorm

Winter Storm Stella has already brought snow to Chicago on Monday. Above commuters wait for the train as the snow continues falling

With temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal for this time of year, the harsh winter weather has already claimed lives in Milwaukee after two elderly men on different sides of the city collapsed while shoveling snow on Monday. Above a New York City Sanitation truck plows snow shortly after winter weather moved into the New York City

Tuesday's cancellations includes roughly hundreds of flights on Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and American Airlines.

More cancellations were expected, with Southwest planning to stop almost all of its Northeast flights Tuesday. Other airlines were considering similar moves.

Major US airlines will allow ticketed travelers affected by the storm to change their flights without an additional fee.

Officials are asking those with travel plans early this week to check with airlines ahead of time to see about possible cancellations or delays.

A state of emergency was issued in four states across the northeast as Winter Storm Stella is set to slam the area up until early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm Stella is hitting the Northeast region of the country with a mix of snow and sleet as temperatures are in the high 20s and low 30s in several states

Tuesday night's outlook see more clear skies for parts of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, as upstate New York will still be getting dumped with snow

The snow is expected to continue sweeping across the country Wednesday, and airports were reporting continued delays and cancellations

The blizzard warning that was issued in New York City is no longer in effect as the weather pattern has changed. Forecasters now issued a winter storm watch for New York City as the blizzard warning is for upstate New York and parts of Connecticut

Boston is now predicted to get 5 to 8 inches of snow as Philadelphia won't likely even see an inch

Warning: Forecasters said there was more snow to come throughout Tuesday especially in upstate New York and neighboring states

Powerful: Winds of up to 60mph were expected to lash the Northeast with the storm expected to last most of Tuesday

State of emergencies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland have all taken effect as of midnight on Monday and 50 million residents are being urged to prepare for the 'life-threatening' storm.

The harsh winter weather has already claimed lives in Milwaukee after two elderly men on different sides of the city collapsed while shoveling snow on Monday.

Officials have warned of unsafe driving conditions caused by the snow, which have spurred statewide travel bans in Connecticut and modified public transportation services in several other states.

Also in Milwaukee, a 17-car pileup involving 12 cars and five tractor trailers crashed just before noon on Monday on the northbound lanes of I-43. Three people suffered minor injuries but there were no deaths. Several crashes were also reported in Michigan due to the snowy weather.

A woman uses an umbrella as she crosses a snow-covered street as the winter storm swept through Philadelphia in Pennsylvania overnight

Defiance: A man ignores the freezing conditions as he salts a sidewalk in Jersey City, New Jersey this morning before daylight

A state of emergency has been issued in several states across the northeast as Winter Storm Stella is set to slam the area with up to two feet of snow on Tuesday. Rescue crews are pictured at the scene of a crash involving a semi trailer under the Cooper Street bridge of Interstate 94 westbound in Jackson, Michigan as the storm swept in yesterday

HOW MUCH SNOW? New York City: 8-12 inches Boston: 12 - 18 inches Philadelphia: Up to 12 inches Baltimore: 8 to 12 inches Washington D.C.: 6 - 8 inches Chicago: 3 - 6 inches Detroit: 2 to 3 inches Advertisement

The city previously issued a snow alert for Monday night into Tuesday, expecting snowfall rates of up to 2 to 4 inches per hour Tuesday morning and afternoon, with gusts of up to 50 mph.

'This would certainly be the biggest snowstorm of the 2017 winter season in New York City,' said Faye Barthold, a weather service meteorologist based on Long Island.

President Trump tweeted urging 'everyone be safe' as he met with local authorities in D.C. to discuss preparations there, where the region is experiencing a winter weather warning, alongside mid-Atlantic and Northeast cities including Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore.

Blizzard warnings have been issues for areas in eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, southeast New York, Connecticut, northern Rhode Island, western/central Massachusetts, southeast New Hampshire and southern Maine.

Authorities are warning residents across all affected areas to prepare for the possibility of widespread power outages, road closures and flight disruptions.

WINTER STORM STELLA TIMELINE Forecasters predict that Tuesday's commute will be dangerous as blizzard conditions will make roads and highways impassible. With winds of up to 50mph predicted, whiteout conditions will likely be created for many commuters along the Northeast. Winter Storm Stella is expected to dump up to two feet of snow in New York City, according to National Weather Service forecasters. Below is an hour by hour timeline of what to expect for this winter storm in New York City, according to weather forecasters: TUESDAY: Beginning after midnight snow will begin to fall in the city

Temperatures will drop to around 31 degrees overnight and stay there roughly throughout the morning

National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Dispigna said around that 'the period of intense snow will probably start around 6am'

About 2 to 4 inches of snow per hour will fall along with winds gusting up to 50mph creating 'whiteout conditions'

At 10:20am, forecasters predict 2 to 3 feet of flooding in coastal areas which is around the time of high tide

In the late morning to early afternoon, snow may be interrupted with some precipitation during this period

By sundown around 7pm, the storm is expected to be roughly finished, though some snow flurries may continue through the evening into the night

Forecasters say winds will continue through the night with temperatures dropping to around 20 degrees WEDNESDAY: Forecasters say that temperatures will rise up to roughly 32 degrees as the winds will continue to blow around 20mph

Snow showers will happened occasionally throughout the day and into the afternoon THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: Forecasters say the sun should come out and temperatures will begin to rise, which will help to melt the snow

Thursday it is expected to be around 36 degrees in the day and on Friday it will be around 41 degrees Advertisement

The brunt of those cancellations took place at Chicago O'Hare International airport, where the city is anticipating its first snow of 2017, which is rare for the exceptionally cold city.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was installing hundreds of pieces of snow equipment at the three New York area airports.

Thousands of tons of salt and sand were prepared for airport roads, parking lots, bridges and tunnels.

'Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency,' the weather service said.

Dan Zionce refills the milk section for the third time since the morning at Gerrity's Supermarket in Luzerne, Pennsylvania on Monday. The store was bustling with shoppers buying milk, bread and other groceries in preparations for the storm

Gloria Ann Rinus, of Shavertown, places a half gallon of milk in her shopping cart at Gerrity's Supermarket, in Luzerne on Monday ahead of the storm

States of emergency in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland have all taken effect as of midnight on Monday and 50 million residents are being urged to prepare for the 'life-threatening' storm. Emergency crews are pictured removing wreckage after a crash in Jackson, Michigan yesterday

A Wisconsin Sate Patrol officer checks on a person involved in a crash on Interstate 41 southbound Monday while heavy snow falls during the winter storm that's heading east

Mayor Bill de Blasio warned New Yorkers that 'besides the snow, it will be cold,' while officials recommended that people avoid driving and use mass transit when possible.

Blowing snow and strong winds could lead to whiteout conditions with visibility as poor as a quarter mile, the service said.

Sub-freezing temperatures were forecast in the upper 20s Fahrenheit.

New Yorkers began stocking up on groceries, salt and emergency supplies over the weekend through Monday as they prepared for a snow day inside.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced that all public schools in both cities will be closed Tuesday due to the storm.




The parents of a teenager who was murdered by his sister's ex in a crazed attempt to win her back have begged authorities to keep him locked behind bars.

Doug and Sherrie Meyer, from Queensland, warn that Damon Calanca 'will kill again' if he is allowed to walk free after he applied for parole last week.

Calanca killed Gabriel Meyer, 17, with a poisoned protein shake in 1993 after Gabe's older sister Fawn broke up with him and moved to Miami to study.

Gabriel Meyer, 17 (left), was killed in 1993 by his sister's ex-boyfriend Damon Calanca, then 26 (right), who gave him a protein shake laced with cold and flu tablets

Gabe's parents Doug and Sherrie (pictured in 1993) are fighting to keep Calanca behind bars after he applied for parole this week, saying: 'He will kill again'

In a final phone call between the two, Fawn told Calanca she wouldn't come home 'unless something happens to my family'.

Days later Gabe went missing, and was ultimately found dead - rolled up in a carpet close to Calanca's home.

Calanca was jailed for life, but has since applied for parole four times.

Speaking to Channel Nine show Murder Calls, Mr Meyer said: 'Each time we plead with the parole board and try to point out what we know, which is that he will kill again on release. It's just a matter of time.'

Gabe's case, one of the most notorious murders in Queensland history, began in January 1993 when sister Fawn, 19, met Calanca at a local gym.

The pair began dating, though Doug and Sherrie remember being unhappy about the relationship, describing 26-year-old Calanca as 'intense'.

When Fawn moved to Miami to study three weeks later, he began trying to pressure her into coming back, harassing her with phone calls and letters.

Eventually Sherrie and Doug convinced her to break things off for good, and she called Calanca to tell him it was over and she wasn't coming back.

The only reason she would return to Australia, she said, was if something happened to her family. Days later, Gabe went missing after going for a workout with Calanca.

After waiting all night in vain for their son to come home, Sherrie and Doug went to Calanca's home to confront him.

He admitted seeing Gabe at the gym, but said the teen had gone swimming afterward. Suspicious, Sherrie and Doug filed a police report.

Calanca murdered Gabe (centre) after his older sister Fawn (left) broke up with him after moving to Miami, saying she wouldn't return 'unless something happened to my family'

Police suspected Calanca of Gabe's murder because he previously stabbed his ex-girlfriend's new partner in the back (pictured, a re-enactment of Calanca's questioning)

Officers immediately suspected Calanca, who had been charged with attempted murder back in 1991 after stabbing his ex-girlfriend's new partner in the back during a confrontation, then trying to run him over with his car.

Despite their suspicions, officers could not find Gabe's body, and knew they would struggle to prove a murder charge without it.

A friend of Calanca's even led investigators to a spot where he had dug a series of shallow graves, but Gabe's remains were nowhere in sight.

But two weeks after he vanished, Calanca's neighbour reported a rancid smell near the home, and Gabe's body was found rolled up in a blanket.

It later emerged that Gabe had been killed with a protein shake laced with cold and flu tablets which Calanca had bought the day after Fawn broke up with him.

Sherrie said: 'It was like a switch was flipped. When that relationship was denied him he became angry and full of rage and started to plan Gabe's death.'

Calanca was charged with murder and ultimately found guilty. He was sentenced to life in prison, though offered the possibility of parole.

Speaking to Cairns Post this week, Sherrie added: 'This man has committed a heinous murder against a 17-year-old and tried to kill another.

'I feel a real family threat and I feel a real threat to the community by this man. I will continue to fight his release as long as I can.'

Doug and Sherrie now run the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group, providing support to the families and loved ones of murder victims.

Murder Calls airs on Nine at 8.40pm AEST on Wednesday
Environment Minister George Eustice

Online shoppers could soon demand British groceries with just a click of a button.

Environment Minister George Eustice was urged to introduce a button to press while food shopping online so that you can just choose from British produce.

The comments came during a Westminster Hall debate where Mr Eustice also said ministers were looking at using trademark laws to improve the labelling of Angus beef.

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow said: Often if one wants to shop online one doesnt know whether its British food or not.

'Would there be a way that we could consider having a button to press when you do your online shop so that you can just choose from British produce?

Julian Sturdy MP, who led the debate, said: I applaud that and I think its an excellent idea, and I hope the minister certainly takes that point on board.

At the end of the debate, Mr Eustice said: I can say that we are discussing this with the NFU [National Farmers Union].

Rural affairs select committee chairman Neil Parish raised the issue of Angus beef.

Tory MP Rebecca Pow urged Mr Eustice to introduce a button to press while food shopping online 'so that you can choose British produce'

He said: There is a very big chain in this city and others which sell Angus beef. I suspect that beef is not Aberdeen Angus from either Scotland or the rest of the United Kingdom but from South America.

But because they label it as Angus beef, a lot of people eating it I suspect think its home-grown Angus beef.

MPs also raised concerns about supermarkets setting up fictitious brands that imply products are from UK farms but are actually sourced from overseas.
FBI director James Comey is set to officially reveal if the bureau is investigating Donald Trump and his administration's ties to Russia during the presidential election.

Since Trump's inauguration in late January, Congress intelligence committees, in both the House and Senate, have announced investigations into Trump's link to Russia.

The FBI has continually skirted around the question if the bureau was also looking into the matter, but the matter will be made public after Comey speaks with two senators on Wednesday.

Scroll down for video

FBI director James Comey is set to officially make public on Wednesday if the bureau is investigating Donald Trump and his administration's ties to Russia during the presidential election, it was revealed on Tuesday

According to CNN, the FBI director told senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Lindsey Graham he would answer the question, when they spoke in a private meeting.

Graham also asked Comey for evidence in regards to Trump's claims that Obama had wiretapped his phones during the election, reported the news outlet.

The South Carolina senator continued that if he didn't receive an answer by Wednesday, he would make the judicial hearing very difficult for Comey.

Both of the senators had sent a letter to Comey and the deputy attorney general on March 8, asking for evidence of Trump's claims.

The FBI director told Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (left) and Lindsey Graham (right) of the news in a private meeting on Tuesday. Both had previously requested Comey to provide evidence of Trump's wiretapping claims

An excerpt of the request said: 'We request that the Department of Justice provide us copies of any warrant applications and court orders  redacted as necessary to protect intelligence sources and methods that may be compromised by disclosure, and to protect any ongoing investigations  related to wiretaps of President Trump, the Trump Campaign, or Trump Tower.'

'We would take any abuse of wiretapping authorities for political purposes very seriously. We would be equally alarmed to learn that a court found enough evidence of criminal activity or contact with a foreign power to legally authorize a wiretap of President Trump, the Trump Campaign, or Trump Tower.

Graham previously said in an interview with CNN: 'All I can say is that the country needs an answer to this. The current President has accused the former President of basically wiretapping his campaign.'
Gesture politics: A youth mocks former Prime Minister David Cameron STOCK PHOTO

David Camerons 1.5billion flagship programme for teenagers has faced scathing criticism from MPs over its spiralling costs.

The National Citizen Service was launched by Mr Cameron in 2010, shortly after he became prime minister as part of his Big Society idea.

He said it would provide a kind of non- military national service.

But a parliamentary report yesterday warned that NCS may no longer be justifiable unless bosses can prove it is value for money.

The Commons public accounts committee warned the programme needs radical thinking if it is to convince MPs of its worth.

The NCS Trust, which runs the scheme, has been handed 600million of public money since 2011, and is due to get another 900million over the next two years.

Each participant was expected to cost around 1,562, but NCS spent around 1,863 per head last year, watchdog the National Audit Office said after a separate inquiry.

The report said it was not at all clear why this was much higher than the 550 cost of creating a four-year place for a child in the Scouts.

Ex-PM's bright ideas Big Society Network This was launched by David Cameron with the aim of encouraging community work and volunteering. The charity said it would attract a million members in a year to one project, but despite an 830,000 lottery grant, just 64 signed up. Troubled Families Launched following the 2011 riots, the 1.3billion Troubled Families programme was meant to combat antisocial behaviour. But a report found that many of the 120,000 families targeted did not really have significant issues. One researcher said: It wasnt payment by results. It was make up the results as you go along and cash the cheques. Kids Company Mr Cameron was accused of being mesmerised by Kids Company boss Camila Batmanghelidjh. Ministers handed the now-defunct charity 46million over 13 years, despite warnings of mismanagement. Advertisement

It also revealed NCS spends just over 100 per participant covering sales, marketing, public relations and its contact centre.

When he launched the project Mr Cameron, who is now chairman of its patrons, suggested it would become a rite of passage for teenagers.

Since 2011, more than 300,000 15- to 17-year-olds have taken part, usually on four-week summer programmes involving outdoor activities and community projects.

But MPs on the committee said officials could not justify the high cost, and it was unclear whether the NCS Trusts management had the necessary skills and experience to oversee planned growth.

The committee criticised the Trust for failing to recover 10million from course providers for places which were not filled in 2016. It also complained that the Trust was reluctant to disclose how much its directors were paid.

The report follows a damning assessment of another Big Society initiative, the Troubled Families programme. Last year, a leading think-tank concluded that the 1.3billion scheme, designed to curb antisocial behaviour, had no significant impact.

On the future of NCS, Labour MP Meg Hillier, chairman of the public accounts committee, said: The Government intends to push on with plans to grow participation, citing evidence that NCS has had a positive impact on young people who have taken part.

David Cameron with Sir Michael Caine at the launch of the National Citizen Service as a policy idea, only weeks before the 2010 General Election. But it has been a huge failure

However, this does not in itself justify the level of public spending on the programme, nor demonstrate that NCS in its current form will deliver the proposed benefits to wider society.

She said the Trust lacked discipline in recovering overpayments of taxpayers money, while running a programme for which there is still no clear evaluation plan.

NCS Trust chief executive Michael Lynas said: Achieving value for taxpayers money is of central concern to NCS Trust and independent research shows between 2.20 and 4.15 of benefits are returned to society for every 1 invested.

The vast majority of NCS funding goes to more than 200 local charities and community groups and helps them to...attract young people to NCS and deliver life-changing programmes.
A one-year-old boy has formed a remarkable friendship with a pig after visiting it at his family's hobby farm.

Adorable photos show Walter Kenyon riding Fran the pig on her back, clearly enjoying his new companion at a property in Monbulk, Victoria.

His father Ryan Kenyon, 32, shared the images and said his son has now become obsessed with the large farmyard pig.

Walter (pictured) formed an immediate bond with Fran the pig who sits still as he rides her

The brave one-year-old sits piggy back on Fran and has become 'obsessed' with his new friend

Mr Kenyon told Daily Mail Australia he has 'no idea' why his son loves Fran so much, as his big sister - who is two years old - is scared of the pig.

The gentle pig appears unconcerned as the one-year-old enjoys riding her piggy back-style.

'We were out feeding her about two weeks ago and he was standing next to her patting her saying "Fran" again and again, so I thought, "I wonder what would happen if I put him on her", so I did,' Mr Kenyon told 9news.com.au.

'Walter began laughing and carrying on (but) she didnt really seem to notice he was on her.'

Fran the pig was adopted by Mr Kenyon's father and lives on the family's farm in Monbulk.

Mr Kenyon said the pig's previous owners had raised Fran as a house pig, but were forced to give her up only after moving to the inner suburbs.
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Britain enjoyed the hottest day of the year so far today as temperatures hit almost 19C in the South East - with one skinny dipper choosing to cool off in the River Thames in full view of passers-by.

The top temperature of 2017 of 18.8C (66F) was recorded this afternoon at Kew Gardens in South West London, beating the previous UK high this year of 18.3C (65F) which was observed in the same place on February 20.

The hotter conditions led one anonymous gentleman to frolic the murky water of the Thames, just a few feet from those on the embankment.

But the mild weather is not expected to last as parts of Britain will be hit by gale force winds up to 50mph and see temperatures plunge to 9C (48F) tomorrow as Storm Stella works its way across the Atlantic.

The Met Office warned that the UK would be hit by the 'remnants' of the winter storm tomorrow, and that it would remain an 'energetic' system, bringing a dramatic change in the milder temperatures enjoyed this week.

The chap could be seen getting undressed a few feet away from passers-by as they made their way through the capital

The anonymous gentleman seemed happy to frolic in the murky water of the Thames in full view of those on the embankment

Hotting up: Southend-on-Sea looked more like Los Angeles this afternoon as the Essex seaside town enjoyed the sunshine

People relax in the warm sunshine at lunchtime at St James's Park in Central London on a bright March day this afternoon

Joggers go for a run while other people sit on the bench and look out over the River Thames as Southend enjoys mild weather

People take to the beach in Brighton in East Sussex today as the hottest day of the year hits the south coast seaside resort

A woman enjoys sunbathing in the mild weather at Kensington Gardens in West London today, but temperatures are set to fall

Families enjoy the sunshine and warm weather next to the Serpentine at Hyde Park in London this afternoon

Forecasters said they could issue wind warnings in the North West, but overall it will be far weaker than what hit the US - which brought misery to British travellers heading to America - and within normal parameters for winter.

Stella dumped more than 2ft of snow with 70mph winds on the North East coast as it claimed at least two lives. More than 8,000 flights were cancelled including dozens from the UK to New York, Washington and Boston.

But following the mild temperatures in Britain today, Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey said March is typically a changeable month and that warmer weather or snow are both not unusual for this time of year.

She said: 'The hottest March temperature recorded was 25.6C in 1968 in Cambridgeshire,' she added. 'The lowest was minus 22.8C on March 14 in Aberdeenshire in 1958.

'In March we quite often get these extremes - it's more likely to snow in March than in December.'

Looking ahead to later this week,Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples said: 'There is a massive amount of ocean in the way of the storm so it will be a very different system.

'It will bring quite a change to the weather and will end the relatively benign conditions and end the sunshine and warmth enjoyed by much of Britain.

'It will be cooler and windier from Thursday into Friday and the rest of the week. Mostly it will be rain as the storm picks up warm moisture over the Atlantic, though there will be some snow on the Scottish hills.'

The Met Office has issued this forecast graphic for Britain this afternoon, with mild temperatures expected in the South East

Over the next few days the jet stream will slip south (left, tomorrow), bringing rain and stronger winds by Friday (right)

Your browser does not support the <code>iframe</code> HTML tag. Try viewing this in a modern browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer 9 or later.

Temperatures will be much lower by the end of the week with 6C in Glasgow as the mild weather disappears from Britain

Miss Sharples said that there would be 2in (5cm) to 2.4in (6cm) of rain between Friday and Saturday and the wind would strengthen to gale force in the North Western coast.

Some areas of the UK have been enjoying temperatures around 17C but that could go down to 9C, especially in Scotland in places such as Aberdeen. The South will see the mercury drop to around 11C (52F).

Miss Sharples said that overall the effect of Stella would be within the boundaries of what should be expected this time of year and the Met Office did not expect to give it a name, which it does for serious storms.

In America Stella hammered sleet, snow and blizzard like conditions on the 16 million people in its path. Six states were put under a state of emergency including New York, where people were banned from traveling on the roads.

Among those caught up in the chaos were newlyweds Laura and Matt Balderstone, in their 30s, from West Yorkshire, who got stuck at Newark Airport in New Jersey on their way to Florida for their honeymoon.

Brighton beach was a busy sight this afternoon as people made the most of the warmest day of the year so far

The Shard and London Eye can be seen in the background as people play ball games in the sunshine at Hyde Park today

Two men make their way through Kensington Gardens in West London on roller skis on a mild day in the capital

A woman walks through Kensington Garden in the sunshine today with her pram - but conditions are set to turn later this week

A woman makes the most of the sunshine at Kensington Gardens today as the country enjoyed the warmest day of the year

A man cycles while others walk towards Queensway in West London through Kensington Gardens today

As they sat looking glum, Mrs Balderstone told the BBC: 'We're stuck here on our way to Orlando and can't get a flight out to Orlando. We're hoping to get a hotel room but at the moment there aren't any.'

A resigned looking Mr Balderstone added: 'I supposed there's nothing that can be helped with snow, it's better safe than sorry. It's a shame there isn't another way round it. It's just the way it is, unfortunately'.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was due to meet President Donald Trump in Washington yesterday, postponed the trip until Friday.

In Milwaukee two elderly men died after shovelling snow, millions of school children were told to stay at home and drivers were told to stay off the roads.

The morning sky lights up as the sun begins to rise behind Huntcliff in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, in Redcar and Cleveland today

An eerie scene as thin clouds filter the rising sun this morning over Northumberland

A small fishing boat sails beneath a colourful sky at sunrise in Cullercoats, North Tyneside, this morning

A birdwatcher observes the flight of seabirds at first light this morning at the Bathing House on the Northumberland coast

Initial forecasts had said that New York would get at least 2ft (60cm) of snow but by 9am the blizzard warning had been lifted and predictions were revised down to four to eight inches.

Instead Stella moved to the West and dumped 30 inches of snow on towns in the Hudson Valley, the worst affected area.

New York state governor Andrew Cuomo said: 'Mother nature is an unpredictable lady sometimes. She was unpredictable once again today'.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: 'What we saw was very different from what was projected... we were spared some of the worst of it'.

A woman pulls her child on a sled across a snow-covered street in Brooklyn, New York City, after Stella hit the US

The winter storm that moved to the US East Coast yesterday dumped roughly 9in of snow in Milwaukee

Despite being a milder storm than anticipated, Stella still dumped at least 7in of snow in some parts of New York City

A downed tree fell on a parked car in Baltimore, Maryland, during the winter storm that was expected to be a blizzard

According to Flightaware.com 43 flights were canceled out of Heathrow and British Airways cancelled 46 planes around the world.

Virgin Atlantic said that it cancelled seven flights headed to the US from Britain and seven that were bound for the UK.

American Airlines cancelled 1,675 flights inside and outside the US including all trips into New York's three airports - Newark, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Central Park received 4in (10cm) of snow by early morning as the strong winds blasting sleet into people's faces that one TV forecaster likened to 'being stung by 10,000 bees'.

In Milwaukee three people were hurt in a 17-car pileup and in Chicago 34 cars were involved in another pileup.
Ali Qazimaj was jailed for life today for the 'callous' murder of a retired couple in Suffolk

An Albanian convicted of the unspeakable murder of two pensioners may finally be stripped of his British citizenship after living in the UK under a stolen identity for 17 years.

Vital Dapi, 43, was yesterday jailed for at least 35 years for the unprovoked, senseless, vicious and terrible attack on grandparents Peter and Sylvia Stuart in their remote Suffolk cottage last year.

He was sentenced under his false name Ali Qazimaj, which he used to gain asylum as a Kosovan refugee in the UK after smuggling himself into the country on a truck in 1999.

But Mr Justice Stuart-Smith said it was clear the ruthless and accomplished killer was only allowed to stay and later granted citizenship in 2005 after lying to authorities about his true identity and had been living the lie ever since.

He told Dapi he would refer the case to the Home Secretary for her to consider whether these convictions have any implications for the continuing of your naturalised citizenship.

A litany of immigration blunders allowed the killer to live in the UK under a false identity unchallenged for nearly two decades.

He was arrested three times in Britain before the murders, and after gaining UK citizenship he regularly returned to Albania, where he kept an ID card and passport in his real name updated.

Peter Stuart, 75, was stabbed nine times. The body of his wife, Sylvia, has never been found

Mr Stuart's body was found in a ditch not far from the couple's home in Suffolk

Even after his convictions at Ipswich Crown Court, Dapi continued to insist that he was innocent, and maintained he had never been to Britain despite his fingerprints and DNA being found at crime scenes following the attacks in May 2015.

Dapi, who was a carer to the father-in-law of the Stuarts daughter, had huge gambling debts and is believed to have attacked the elderly couple because he believed them to be millionaires, the court heard.

The body of Mr Stuart, 75, was found hidden in tarpaulin in a ditch close to their cottage in Weybread, near Eye in Suffolk.

The remains of his 69-year-old wife have never been found, but her grey hairs were found in Dapis abandoned car after he fled abroad following the killings.

The judge said the crimes had been devastating on the Stuarts daughter, Christy Paxman, who wept in court during the sentencing.

And he told Dapi that his crime had been greatly aggravated by his refusal to reveal where her mothers body is and allow her to bury her.

Grey hairs belonging to Mrs Stuart were found in the boot of Qazimaj's car

If there is any humanity in your bones, you will one day at least grant the family some relief by telling them what you have done to her, he said.

The judge added: These were exceptional and terrible crimes against an elderly couple who had earned the right to live the rest of their lives in peace and tranquillity. You took all of that away.

Both victims were vulnerable because of their age and the remote location in which they lived.

They remained fit and active, but would have been no match for you in your deadly attacks on them.

In a victim impact statement, Mrs Paxman said: Ive had to explain to my daughter that her granddad was stabbed to death and we dont know where my mummy is. This evil person has deprived my daughter of her grandparents.

Ali Qazimaj at the port of Dover was spotted at the Port of Dover as he fled the country

The couple are said to have been targeted for their money after a relative said they were rich

She said that through the course of the trial she had to listen to the defendant blatantly lie and not show a flicker of remorse.

After murdering the pensioners, Dapi fled to Luxembourg, where he brazenly tried to claim asylum for a second time, this time using his birth name.

But at his trial, he denied ever having been to Britain before, and insisted the discovery of his fingerprints and DNA at crime scenes was because he was being stitched up.

He compared his case to Barry George, who was convicted but later cleared of the Jill Dando murder.

In a statement read to the court before his sentencing, he said: When I took the oath before the jury, I did so before the Koran and before my precious God. I did not lie to protect myself.

I have told the truth. I have never been in this country before. Im a just man who could never kill a fly, let alone two people.
Margot James downplayed the significance of last weeks announcement, the centrepiece of the Budget

A business minister last night raised hopes of a U-turn over plans for a controversial 2billion rise in National Insurance for the self-employed after declaring the policy was under review.

Margot James downplayed the significance of last weeks announcement, the centrepiece of the Budget, saying the increase had simply been mooted by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

While a review into the benefits of the self-employed is due to report later in the year, the ministers comments are the first sign the tax hike itself could be reversed.

They came as former Conservative pensions minister, Baroness Altmann, launched a scathing assault on a string of Budget tax rises.

She described a hike in probate fees of up to 20,000 as a stealth death tax and condemned the rise in NI and cuts to tax relief on dividends, urging Mr Hammond to re-think.

The 2p rise in Class 4 contributions, which are paid by the self-employed, will cost 2.4million people an average of 240 a year.

It sparked a backlash from furious Tory MPs, who warned it would hit striving workers.

Mr Hammond also came under fire for breaking a commitment not to raise the tax, which was repeated four times in the Tory manifesto.

In the House of Commons, Labour MPs accused the Government of launching a tax grab. In response, Miss James insisted that 60 per cent of the self-employed would benefit from changes to NI in the Chancellors Budget.

She later added that the increase in taxes was under review.

Responding to the Budget in the House of Lords, Lady Altmann said the most surprising part of the Chancellors announcement was the rise in NI. She said: These are the very people who will keep our economy going and growing. They have no maternity pay, no holiday, no sick pay and no one else to fund a pension for them.

I must admit I fail to understand the urgency of rising Class 4 NI contributions.

The manifesto commitment not to raise NI was clear. I would not have expected an increase in rates at this time, hitting the self-employed directly.

I dont quite understand how this is making those with the broadest shoulders carry the biggest burden. This measure fails that test.

She further criticised the reduction in tax-free dividend payouts from 5,000 to 2,000, saying it was another tax on risk-taking that would hit small investors and those trying to start a business.

Lady Altmann also commented that the Budget represented another missed opportunity on how to pay for social care in future.

While a review into the benefits of the self-employed is due to report later in the year, the ministers comments are the first sign that Hammond's tax hike itself could be reversed

She pointed out that Mr Hammond specifically ruled out a so-called death tax to pay for social care.

Lady Altmann said: But at the same time the Government is going to introduce precisely such a death tax.

However this one is what we might call a stealth death tax. It comes in the form of the massive rise in probate fees.

They will rise to 300 on estates of between 50,000 to 300,000, while those who inherit more than 2million will have to fork out 20,000 in fees to execute the deceaseds wishes.

Lady Altmann told peers: Many families might prefer to have a death tax to pay for social care rather than to help the Ministry of Justice.

Labour peer Lord Livermore also accused the Government of producing a Budget of broken promises that would damage the economy. Last week ministers attempted to head off criticism of the NI tax hike and signalled a delay in necessary legislation until the autumn.

A review run by Matthew Taylor, a former adviser to Tony Blair, is expected to report later this year, and propose changes to benefits for the self-employed such as maternity pay.

Downing Street played down Miss Jamess comments, pointing out that Theresa May has already delayed legislation so that the changes can be looked at in the round.

The PMs spokesman said: We said we would publish a paper in the summer which included what the Prime Minister and Chancellor agreed to include in the Budget.

No10 added that it would also consider ideas raised by the Taylor review about new rights for self-employed workers ahead of any potential legislation in the autumn.
Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen (pictured) has scoffed that Theresa May is 'good at getting it wrong'

Far-right French politician Marine Le Pen has scoffed that Theresa May is 'good at getting it wrong' after the Prime Minister met her rivals in Westminster.

Ms Le Pen hit out at Mrs May after inviting her main rival Emmanuel Macron for talks at Downing Street, describing him as 'the opposite of what Brexit stands for'.

The highly controversial National Front leader, who has been forced to deny her party is racist, made the comments during an interview with Nigel Farage on his LBC Radio show.

Ms Le Pen then said she will 'have to meet' Mrs May if she wins the spring presidential election.

Mr Farage, who embarrassed the PM by becoming the first UK politician to meet United States president Donald Trump after his election, then replied: 'Well, that's true and actually with Donald Trump, Number 10 wanted nothing to do with Donald Trump whatsoever because they thought he would lose and when you win, if you win then that would certainly change.'

Ms Le Pen replied: 'She is good at getting it wrong but this is rather reassuring!'

She also said Mr Macron supports mass immigration and open borders and so she found it 'difficult to understand' Mrs May's apparent support for him.

The liberal, independent Mr Macron met Mrs May for talks last month and afterwards accused Ms Le Pen of trying to 'push France into the 19th century' and said her plan to leave the EU would 'kill' the economy and harm middle-class interests.

Ms Le Pen said: 'I find it difficult to understand the consistency of the ideas and convictions in this approach of hers because Mr Macron is of course, the key salesperson of globalisation.

'He is for everything; deregulation of everything, opening up of borders, mass immigration.

Ms Le Pen hit out at Mrs May (right) after inviting her main rival Emmanuel Macron (left) for talks at Downing Street, describing him as 'the opposite of what Brexit stands for'

'He went to Algeria and he explained it was necessary to build a bridge, as it were, between Europe and Algeria for even more immigration which is the opposite of what Brexit stands for and the choice made by the British people.

'So I do not understand this discrepancy, this contradiction between what Theresa May stands for because she has decided to be the woman who will implement Brexit, and her meeting with Emmanuel Macron.'

However, the French presidential candidate reserved some praise for Mrs May and the majority of MPs for 'sticking to the will of the people' to deliver Brexit.

Ms Le Pen praised the Government and Parliament for their 'remarkable and honourable' acceptance of June's referendum vote to leave the European Union.

But the Prime Minister may not welcome the support from Ms Le Pen, given the long-standing UK Government policy not to engage with her

The full interview with Marine Le Pen will be broadcast this evening from 7pm on The Nigel Farage Show on LBC.




Lynn E. Abraham, 89, of Philomath died at his home on Monday, March 13, 2017. A celebration-of-life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at College United Methodist Church in Philomath. McHenry Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Peggy Tudor, 75, of Albany died March 4 at the Mennonite Home. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Riverside Baptist Church. Fisher Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Gearlyn Sue Wands, 70, of Lebanon, formerly of Sweet Home, died Friday. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Final burial will be Lewis Cemetery. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.
Before the split: Michelle and Gary Lineker in 2004

When sanctimonious BBC presenter Gary Lineker started to use the tax avoidance scheme run by accountancy firm Ingenious, his then wife, Michelle Cockayne, was also signed up as an investor.

Now, however, she has been saddled with a huge tax bill after the Government cracked down on such dubious organisations, which have been branded scams for scumbags.

Michelle, 50, who divorced the former England striker in 2006 after 20 years of marriage, has lost a 188,000 legal battle with the taxman. She will now have to repay the huge sum to Her Majestys Revenue & Customs.

Michelle shares a holiday home in Barbados with Lineker, 56, the father of her four sons.

She divorced him on the grounds of his unreasonable behaviour, with documents submitted to the court claiming that his actions in their marriage had caused her stress and anxiety.

In 2005, she joined the scheme marketed by Ingenious, which was set up to allow wealthy individuals to exploit tax breaks intended to encourage investment in UK films.

The scheme allowed investors to defer paying tax on their sheltered income for up to 15 years by agreeing to invest in films.

Court documents say Michelle was told that her share of losses from the scheme amounted to 470,442.

Because she chose to carry over the losses, she became entitled to a tax repayment, and was repaid 188,176.80.

Revenue and Customs investigated Ingeniouss scheme and issued Michelle with a notice to repay the money in 2014.

She declined to pay up at the time, arguing the tax notice was invalid and should be cancelled.

She appealed to the Administrative Court in London, seeking permission for a judicial review of the notice.

Revenue and Customs argued that her claim was brought too late and permission should be refused.

Mr Justice Dove agreed and threw out her claim, saying it was out of time, and that her claim was not arguable. Although his judgment was made in November, it has only just been published.

Lineker, by the way, was himself a member of five Ingenious schemes.

And although he never ceases from sharing his right-on thoughts on social media, he refused to comment yesterday.

Maths whizz Rachel's racy little number

Rachel Riley at an awards ceremony in London

Perky Countdown presenter Rachel Riley knows how to grab attention.

The 31-year-old startled guests at an awards ceremony in London by arriving in a pale blue lace dress which appeared to reveal her slip underneath.

In fact, the figure-hugging white undergarment was intentionally visible.

The Oxford-educated blonde, who attended the party without her boyfriend, Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev, completed the look with nude stilettos and a clutch.

When I started on Countdown, I made lots of fashion mistakes and got criticism for what I wore, she said. Especially the frumpy jumpers and baggy clothes that made me look older and bigger than I am. No risk of that this time.

At least privileged Hollywood star Emma Watson knows how to treat her family.

She arranged a private screening at Cineworld in Northampton of her film Beauty And The Beast for her grandparents, who couldnt make the London premiere.

A courier delivered the film and extra security was hired to prevent piracy.

Did Hogg make a pig's ear of exams?

The failure of Charlotte Hogg to declare her brothers job at a bank which she oversaw as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England isnt the first time her forgetfulness damaged her prospects.

Her contemporaries claim that when she was at Oxford, studying History and Economics, she forgot how many questions she had to answer for her finals, and answered just three questions on a paper requiring four answers. Despite having been predicted a first, she could only be awarded a 2:1 because she didnt fulfil the rubric of answering all the questions.

This apparently made her the first in her family not to get a first at Oxford.

How Obama aide pilfered from Palace

As if President Obama removing a bust of Winston Churchill from the White House wasnt enough of a blow to the special relationship, now his former deputy chief of staff confesses to purloining from Buckingham Palace.

In her memoir Who Thought This Was A Good Idea, Alyssa Mastromonaco says she swiped a copy of Tatler during Obamas State visit.

She writes: He [President Obama] looked me up and down again. What is that? It was the issue of Tatler magazine that I had accidentally stolen from Buckingham Palace.

Rather than return it, as protocol would have demanded, Mastromonaco writes: That issue of Tatler is in a box somewhere in Manhattan Mini Storage.

Dame Judi: I like to think I'm a 6ft blonde

While 5ft 3in Dame Helen Mirren relies on stripper shoes to make her taller, Dame Judi Dench insists she feels no such insecurity when it comes to her diminutive 5ft frame.

I dont really worry about my height. I like to close my eyes and imagine Im a beautiful 6ft blonde, but Ive known for some time now that thats not the case, Dame Judi, 82, tells me. I cant wear high heels any more.

I have a broken toe and I snapped my Achilles tendon rehearsing for Cats many years ago.

So if its a high-heeled part, I cant play it. Not that there are many of those going for women my age.

Star baker Mary's latest trend

Queen of baking Mary Berry has proved herself to be a style icon, now that her taste in astral attire is being emulated by glamorous BBC news presenter Sophie Raworth.

Berry, 81, right, first wore the 180 WYSE navy jumper with pink stars in November for a cookery demo in Birmingham with former Bake Off co-host Paul Hollywood.

Sophie, 48, left, modelled the same knit at a private view in Mayfair this week.

As a child, I wasnt interested in fashion, says Raworth. I didnt think seriously about the clothes I was buying until I got into TV.

Sophie Raworth, left, is emulating Mary Berry's taste in astral attire, right

Mark Damazer, the Master of St Peters College, Oxford and former Radio 4 controller, did not put his name to a pompous Brexit-whinge group letter signed by 41 Oxford college principals.

The missive moaned that EU nationals in Britain should be given long-term residency rights.

I am on the BBC Trust until April 3 and a member of its editorial committee, says Damazer. I thus need to be impartial  in keeping with a primary BBC editorial value. Thereafter I will be able to take positions on any number of issues . . .

Sir Philip Green, no longer Sir Shifty after stumping up 363 million to settle the pension schemes of 19,000 BhS staff, is 65 today.

However unlike past extravaganzas  such as his 5 million-plus 50th birthday, when he flew 200 guests to Cyprus for a three-day toga party  the tycoon will be having a low-key celebration with family and friends.

Will he have a cake? Who knows, he tells me. If Ive got enough energy to blow out the candles. Cheer up!
A Ford Mustang driver's decision to have his friend film him drifting out of a Texas Lamborghini dealership proved to have dire consequences.

The unnamed driver is seen pulling out of a spot in the Houston dealership's parking lot as his friend, A.J. Sinclair, films him from behind in his vehicle.

The friend had asked for his 'cool drift' to be filmed, the Houston Chronicle reported.

A Ford Mustang driver asked his friend A.J. Sinclair to film him performing a 'cool drift' in his Mustang car

The unnamed man hoped to drift following his exit from a Houston, Texas Lamborghini dealership parking lot

Video uploaded to YouTube shows the 2013 V6 Mustang driver attempt to drift, or over-steer while increasing maneuverability by shifting gears in a certain way.

The driver fails on the rain-soaked, slippery road and swerves too much to the right, losing control.

Off-camera, the Mustang slams into the dealership's fence.

Sinclair told the Chronicle: 'He didn't realize it was that bad (rainy) and the traction didn't pick up, I guess.'

The driver was not injured and the Mustang survived with a small crack on its bumper.

The friend apologized to the dealership, whose employees understood it was an accident.

Instead, the rain-soaked, slippery road proved too much for the man and the Mustang, which went crashing into the dealership's fence

Costs of the damage to the fence are not yet known.

The pair was at the dealership to attend the 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante.

Sinclair's YouTube channel is stuffed with videos of luxury cars.

The video has been viewed nearly 250,000 times.
Tobacco mogul Travers 'Candyman' Beynon is being sued by his former general manager, who claims he was unfairly sacked from his role as the Gold Coast personality's right hand man.

Mr Beynon, 45, and his entourage appeared in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Wednesday to fight the unfair dismissal claim filed by Andrew Whelan.

Parnia Porsche, who shot to fame as the first 'goddess' at Mr Beynon's mansion, was seen linking arms with Mr Whelan's wife, Tracy Whelan, as she accompanied the couple to court.

Tobacco mogul Travers 'Candyman' Beynon (pictured heading to court on Wednesday) is being sued by his former general manager

Mr Whelan claims he was unfairly sacked from his role as the Gold Coast personality's (pictured with his 'angels') right hand man

Mr Beynon fired Mr Whelan from Freechoice tobacco company via email on August 24, 2015, the court heard.

Eric White, Mr Whelan's lawyer, told the court this week his client was told he was dismissed because of 'gross misconduct and breach of confidentiality,' according to The Courier Mail.

Mr Whelan was accused of emailing a promotional article that was set to be printed in Zoo magazine to a model without Mr Beynon's consent.

Mr Beynon, 45, (pictured) and his entourage appeared in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Wednesday to fight the unfair dismissal claim

The 45-year-old was accompanied to court by his assistants Amelia Coppus (left) and Amanda Brosnan (right)

Parnia Porsche (left), who shot to fame as the first 'goddess' at Mr Beynon's mansion, was seen with Mr Whelan's (right) wife Tracy Whelan (centre) as she accompanied the couple to court

Ms Porsche linked arms with Mrs Whelan as they headed to court for the hearing

Mr Whelan (right) said he was told he was fired because he sent a promotional article for a magazine to a model before it could be printed

Mr Whelan argued Mr Beynon (pictured) actually fired him because the general manager complained because he didn't receive a bonus in 2015

Mr White told the court Mr Beynon had given Mr Whelan permission to send the article and claimed Mr Whelan was fired because he had complained about not receiving a bonus that year.

Mr Beynon's company Freechoice has denied the claims.

The 45-year-old was accompanied to court by his assistants Amelia Coppus and Amanda Brosnan.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Beynon for comment.
Richard Simmons' older brother has said the fitness star is doing 'great' as a podcast investigates the fitness guru's three-year disappearance.

Following an interview with the 'Missing Richard Simmons' host Dan Taberski, Lenny Simmons said that he and his brother talk every Sunday and urged fans to not be concerned about his well-being.

He maintained that his brother 'deserves a vacation' after spending decades in the limelight parading his famously exuberant personality.

Simmons has not been seen by the public since 2014.

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Richard Simmons is pictured with his brother Lenny, left, who says that the fitness guru is 'doing great' and simply needs a vacation from the limelight

Following an interview with the 'Missing Richard Simmons' host Dan Taberski, Lenny Simmons said that he and his brother talk every Sunday, and that he is not concerned about his well-being - the two are pictured together here as children

Lenny told ET: 'I talked to him on Sunday, he was doing great. He was asking about our renovations to our home. And we had just gone to see the Broadway musical, Beautiful.'

Lenny says that although he doesn't see his brother very often, because he lives in New Orleans, he still spends every Christmas with Richard as a family.

In fact, he said he visited him in December 2016, but that his brother didn't leave the house because he was feeling under the weather.

Simmons was forced to speak publicly over the phone to reporters in 2016 in response to claims that he was a victim of elder abuse at the hands of his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles.

Lenny, however, maintains that the two have a good relationship.

Rumors have circulated wildly about the possible reason for his absence from the public eye, including that his housekeeper, pictured left, was holding him hostage

In this photo taken in late February, Richard Simmons' housekeeper Teresa Reveles is seen emerging from his house to collect a newspaper. She has been accused of abusing him

'Teresa is a very lovely lady. She has been a good friend of my brother for over 20 some odd years,' he said.

'It stresses me to hear that people think that she is holding him hostage or that she is mean. She isn't. She is a very nice person.'

Simmons' friend and former Daily Show producer Dan Taberski is hunting for more answers with his podcast in which he investigates the star's disappearance, and interviews those who knew him.

Throwback: Simmons is seen in this 2013 photo. he has not been seen in public for three years

Friend of Richard Simmons and former Daily Show producer Dan Taberski is seeking answers with a new podcast in which he investigates the star's disappearance, and interviews those who knew him well

In 2014 Simmons completely dropped off the map - he stopped returning phone calls, closed his fitness studio, and became a recluse.

The podcast, which is being compared to Serial, aims to humanize the eccentric icon, and shed light on what he's been doing behind the closed curtain all these years.

The first episode 'Where's Richard?' discusses Taberski's budding relationship with the fitness fanatic, after he attended many of Simmons' exercise classes at his one-room studio in Beverly Hills, Slimmons, where he taught for 40 years.

He tells of how he immediately became obsessed with the classes because of Simmons' uniquely outlandish personality for which he is famed.

This makes his retreat from the public eye even more markedly out of character.

Taberski just hopes to give some peace of mind to his fellow friends and devoted supporters.

'This is about hopefully recontextualizing him a bit,' he said.

'People laugh at him now, they've lost perspective on who he is. I want to make him three-dimensional again.'

In the second episode Taberski goes to Simmons' home to see if he can find him but there is no sign of him.

Rumors have circulated wildly about the possible reason for his reclusiveness. Some have speculated that he is transitioning into a woman, depressed over the death of his prized dalmatian, or marred by knee injuries, Chron reported.

After elder abuse was reported by an anonymous friend of Simmons last year, Los Angeles Police visited his home and reportedly were satisfied with his condition - but friends remain unsure.

His housekeeper Reveles is the only person that's been seen emerging from Simmons house in recent years.

His former assistant Mauro Oliveira, told Daily Mail Online last year that Simmons' housekeeper was controlling him with black magic - and it was Simmons himself who confided to his friend that he was under her thumb.

'Yes, that's what he told me [about Teresa],' said Oliveira.

'He told me last time we spoke. I asked him, does she control your life? He said 'Yes.'

Oliveira expressed concern that the way Simmons spoke during his last interview - where he assured reporters he was OK - didn't sound 'right'.

He thinks that Reveles believes she is Simmons' unofficial 'wife', and doesn't want any other people around to compete for his affection.

Lenny, however, disagrees - saying that his brother simply needs some alone time.

He said: 'I would just hope people [can] be a little bit more respectful and realize that he's worked hard and he still loves people -- but he needs some time for himself.'
A no-nonsense judge told the wife of teacher who is accused of having sexual relations with a student, that she should get a divorce as he was being arraigned.

Napolean Joseph, 37, stood before Judge Mindy Glazer on Tuesday, accused of receiving oral sex twice from a 17-year-old Miami Edison High School student.

Upon hearing that his wife was in the courtroom, Glazer expressed her shock that she was still with her husband and offered to get divorce papers for her.

She turned to the woman and said: 'Youre still his wife with these charges? You want the paper for divorce court? Ill give it to you.'

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Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer (left) told the wife of Napolean Joseph, a high school teacher accused of receiving oral sex from a 17-year-old, that she should get a divorce from her husband on Tuesday

She later handed Joseph's wife a form for family court, if she decided that she wanted to get a divorce, reported CBS Miami.

Joseph was arrested on Monday after an 18-year-old student told police she was involved with the teacher when she was still a minor. She said she also sent Joseph naked pictures.

Glazer set Joseph's bond at $7,500 and told him to stay away from the victim and the school.

This is not the first time Glazer has made headlines for her interactions with people in her courtroom.

The tough judge shot to fame when she recognized an inmate in her courtroom as a former classmate in 2015.

She recognized the man as Arthur Booth, a playmate from Nautilus Middle School where they both attended.

Joseph, 37, is accused of having sexual relations with a minor at Miami Edison High School and was arrested on Monday. Glazer said to his wife: 'You want the paper for divorce court? Ill give it to you'

He instantly perked up and seemed to recognize Glazer but then remembering the circumstances of their reunion, Booth immediately broke down and repeatedly wailed, 'Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness!'

The old classmates met once again after Booth was released from jail after serving 10 months, on a court program in April 2016.

Video of the heartwarming moment shows Booth smiling from ear-to-ear as he first hugged his family members, and then moved on to give Glazer a huge hug.

'Take care of your family. Try to get a job. Stay clean,' Glazer told Booth. 'You're going to do something good for somebody else.'
A Muslim woman says she is a regular victim of racism and receives violent threats from strangers on the street.

Nada Kalam, 27, claims to have been chased down the street by a man who accused her of hiding a bomb under her hijab and threatened to kill her.

The Melbourne-born engineer and business consultant joined Greens leader Richard Di Natale at the National Press Club, where she delivered a speech on Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Kalam said she was a regular victim of racism, 'on public transport, in the supermarket, walking down the street'.

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Nada Kalam, an engineer and business consultant, said she regularly experiences racism and violent threats from strangers in the streets

Ms Kalam joined Greens leader Richard Di Natale at the National Press Club, where she delivered a speech on Wednesday afternoon

'It hurts no less each time,' Ms Kalam told the National Press Club in Canberra.

'As a young Muslim woman in this country, my right to simply exist is constantly under fire and occasionally under threat.

'I not only receive snide remarks in public places but have also received more violent threats.

'I have been chased down the CBD streets by a man screaming that he wanted to kill me because of the apparent bomb under my hijab,' she said.

'As a young Muslim woman in this country, my right to simply exist is constantly under fire and occasionally under threat,' Ms Kalam said

But she said this was not the Australia she grew up in, and together we need to get the country back on the right path.

'We are each responsible for what is happening down the street, beneath the earth's surface or across the seas,' she said.

'As a community, we have become so focused on defining our differences that we have forgotten about the power we have if we work as a collective.

'We Australians have a lot to be proud of. And it is time we capitalise on our strengths, truly understand one another and create a more inclusive, innovative and relevant future for generations to come.

'I have been chased down the CBD streets by a man screaming that he wanted to kill me because of the apparent bomb under my hijab,' she said

Ms Kalam also said young people were being ignored in public debate

'So, I ask today that you take the time to hear and understand others, to bring people together and to give us hope for our future.'

Ms Kalam also said young people were being ignored in public debate.

'There are many young people like me who are trying to create a nation that acknowledges our history, celebrates diversity and thrives on equality,' she said.

'But every time we take a step forward, there are forces of misinformation that push us miles back.'

On Facebook, Mr Di Natale shared another video of Ms Kalam speaking on similar issues.

In that video, Ms Kalam said people often assumed she was forced to wear the hijab.

'That whole, you know: "You poor thing, you must be oppressed. You must be completely disadvantaged. You parents must have forced you to wear it".'

In his Facebook post, Mr Di Natale said it was time Australians started listening to young people like her.

Mr Di Natale told the National Press Club about his plan for a four-day working week, with shorter working hours

'There are many young people like me who are trying to create a nation that acknowledges our history, celebrates diversity and thrives on equality,' she said

'I genuinely believe in the decency of people to rise above hate. That's why, today at the National Press Club, I invited Nada to share her story with us,' Mr Di Natale wrote.

Mr Di Natale told the National Press Club about his plan for a four-day working week, with shorter working hours.

The discussion should also include the idea of a guaranteed adequate income, he said.

'The very people who created the dog eat dog society - that so many of us now resent - will tell us these things are pipe dreams.

'Don't believe them.'

Previewing his speech, the senator told ABC TV there are worldwide examples of ways to encourage productivity and allow people to spend more time with their families and not do unpaid overtime.

'We've got in Australia people here doing more hours than any other developed nation on earth, an average of 44 hours a week,' he said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Di Natale's office for comment.
Ten years after a toddler went missing from his family home in Brisbane's south, the police have launched a fresh appeal for information to help solve the case.

Baden Bond was in the care of his parents when he disappeared from his home in Woodridge on March 27, 2007.

He was just 22 months old at the time, but would be 12 years old if he was still alive today.

Although Baden was last seen in 2007, his family never reported him missing.

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Baden Bond (pictured) was just 22-months-old when he was last seen, but would be 12-years-old if he was still alive today

His disappearance was only discovered nine years later in January 2016 after a NSW magistrate demanded to know where he was.

His parents told the magistrate he went to live with relatives, but repeated attempts by the police failed to find the boy.

While police have no evidence, they announced on Wednesday it was likely a murder case.

Homicide Squad detectives leading the investigation failed to find any evidence of the toddler since March 2007.

Although Baden Bond (pictured) was last seen in 2007, his family never reported him missing

'We do know that he was alive on that date,' Detective Inspector Damien Hansen said.

'We've failed to find any evidence of Baden existing since.'

Inspector Hansen said there was no sign of the toddler enrolled in schools or any records of him attending medical appointments.

He asked anyone with information about Baden, or his demise, to phone the police.

'Someone out there must know what happened to a 22-month-old child.'

Homicide investigators searched the family home at 23 Wagawn Street, Woodridge in Queensland in 2016 where he was last seen

Inspector Hansen said there was no sign of the toddler enrolled in schools or any records of him attending medical appointments

Homicide investigators searched the family home at 23 Wagawn Street, Woodridge in Queensland in 2016 where he was last seen.

Bone fragments were discovered in the backyard, but they were later found to be those of a dog.

In August 2007, six months after Baden was last seen, his family moved from Queensland to New South Wales.

Police have appealed anyone with any information 'regardless of how relevant you think it might be' to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The Northeast is facing a new headache as plunging temperatures following winter storm Stella are causing icy conditions on roads and sidewalks after the region was plastered with sleet and snow.

Tuesday's powerful nor'easter paralyzed much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor, but fell short of the predicted snowfall totals in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

The storm, which followed a stretch of unusually mild winter weather, dumped 1 to 2 feet in many places, grounded more than 6,000 flights and knocked out power to nearly a quarter-million customers from Virginia northward.

Regional flights have resumed at New York's JFK airport and New Jersey's Newark Liberty airport as of yesterday night.

Snowmageddon: Mariah Cunningham-Kanaus walks home after digging her car out in a parking area on the eastern promenade in Portland, Maine

Slippery mess: Passengers enter and exit the Hunts Point subway station in the Bronx Borough March 14, 2017 in New York. Winter Storm Stella dumped snow and sleet

A woman in Maine digs her car out the morning after a powerful nor'easter buffeted much of the Northeast with blizzard conditions

Here comes the ice: A resident clears snow from a car in Weehawken, New Jersey, after the storm

Airports in Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia were among the hardest hit, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

By the time the snow reached Massachusetts, it had turned into a blizzard, with near hurricane-force winds gusting to over 70 mph along the coast. Boston ended up with 6.6 inches of snow, far less than what was predicted.

Plunging overnight temperatures threatened to turn the snow, sleet and sloppy mix into a slippery mess, raising fears of black ice for motorists and slick sidewalks for pedestrians.

Boston canceled school for a second day as cleanup efforts continued. Mayor Marty Walsh said he made the call out of 'an abundance of caution.'

The storm was easily the biggest in an otherwise merciful winter that had mostly spared the region. Many, like retired gumball machine technician Don Zimmerman, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, weren't happy.

'It's horrible,' Zimmerman said, using a snowblower to clear the sidewalk along his block. 'I thought winter was out of here. ... It's a real kick in the rear.'

While most people heeded the warnings to stay off the roads, police said a 16-year-old girl was killed when she lost control of her car on a snowy road and crashed into a tree in Gilford, New Hampshire.

A passenger looks at screens displaying flight status, mostly cancelled, at LaGuardia airport on Wednesday. Some regional flights have resumed at New York's JFK airport and New Jersey's Newark Liberty airport

Canceled flights: People look at screens displaying flight status after the storm caused thousands of flight cancellations

Late-season storm: People struggle to walk in the blowing snow in Boston during a winter storm Tuesday, March 14

In East Hartford, Connecticut, an elderly man died after being struck by a snow plow truck.

The storm closed schools in cities big and small, Amtrak suspended service and the post office halted mail delivery.

The number flight cancellations reached more than 3,000 in the New York City area alone, stranding hundreds of passengers.

The storm was on track to be one of the biggest on record for Burlington, Vermont. The National Weather Service says it got 25.6 inches of snow as of Wednesday morning, with another 2 to 5 inches due by the end of the day. Jay, led the way in Vermont with 34 inches.

Philadelphia and New York City got anywhere from a few inches of snow to around half a foot before it switched over to sleet. Forecasters had predicted a foot or more. In New Jersey, which saw rain or just a little snow, Governor Chris Christie called the storm an 'underperformer.' But officials still warned of dangerous ice.

Inland areas, meanwhile, got hit hard. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Worcester, Massachusetts, received a foot or more of snow. The Binghamton, New York, area got over 2 feet, while Vernon, New Jersey, had at least 19 inches.

The storm came just days after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s, and less than a week before the official start of spring.

In the nation's capital, non-essential federal employees were given the option of reporting three hours late, taking the day off or working from home. The city got less than 2 inches of snow.

The storm followed a streak of unseasonably warm days, but has left behind frigid temperatures. Pictured: A man salts a sidewalk during a snowstorm, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Jersey City, New Jersey

A person stands in the wind-driven snow during a winter storm in Boston. The city canceled school for a second day on Wednesday as cleanup efforts continue

WINTER STORM STELLA TIMELINE Forecasters predict that Tuesday's commute will be dangerous as blizzard conditions will make roads and highways impassible. With winds of up to 50mph predicted, whiteout conditions will likely be created for many commuters along the Northeast. Winter Storm Stella is expected to dump up to two feet of snow in New York City, according to National Weather Service forecasters. Below is an hour by hour timeline of what to expect for this winter storm in New York City, according to weather forecasters: TUESDAY: Beginning after midnight snow will begin to fall in the city

Temperatures will drop to around 31 degrees overnight and stay there roughly throughout the morning

National Weather Service meteorologist Melissa Dispigna said around that 'the period of intense snow will probably start around 6am'

About 2 to 4 inches of snow per hour will fall along with winds gusting up to 50mph creating 'whiteout conditions'

At 10:20am, forecasters predict 2 to 3 feet of flooding in coastal areas which is around the time of high tide

In the late morning to early afternoon, snow may be interrupted with some precipitation during this period

By sundown around 7pm, the storm is expected to be roughly finished, though some snow flurries may continue through the evening into the night

Forecasters say winds will continue through the night with temperatures dropping to around 20 degrees WEDNESDAY: Forecasters say that temperatures will rise up to roughly 32 degrees as the winds will continue to blow around 20mph

Snow showers will happened occasionally throughout the day and into the afternoon THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: Forecasters say the sun should come out and temperatures will begin to rise, which will help to melt the snow

Thursday it is expected to be around 36 degrees in the day and on Friday it will be around 41 degrees Advertisement

The storm paralyzed much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor, but fell short of the predicted snowfall totals in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. The snow later moved westward

Snow showers are expected occasionally throughout the day and into the afternoon on Wednesday

Winter storm Stella followed a week of unseasonably mild weather across the Northeast, but is now leaving behind frigid temperatures threatening to turn snow into sleet and black ice

Temperatures will rise up to roughly 32 degrees in the Northeast but winds are expected to blow at 20mph

A few days ago, workers on Washington's National Mall were making plans to turn on the fountains.

'Obviously all that has to come to an abrupt stop until we get all the snow cleared,' said Jeff Gowen, the acting facility manager for the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

'The cherry blossoms, they're right on the cusp of going into bloom here. I had a feeling this was going to happen.'

As the storm closed in, the National Weather Service used terms like 'life-threatening' and urged people to 'shelter in place,' language that has come to be associated with mass shootings.

In the end, the line between snow and rain shifted slightly to the west, sparing some of the Northeast's big cities.

Government meteorologists realized by late Monday afternoon that there was a good chance the storm wasn't going to produce the giant big-city snow totals predicted.

But they didn't change their forecast for fear people would mistakenly think the storm was no longer dangerous, said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the Weather Prediction Center.

In Pennsylvania, snowplows and state troopers escorted a 23-month-old child in need of a heart transplant 80 miles between hospitals. Gov. Tom Wolf said the youngster made the trip safely.

In Narragansett, Rhode Island, high winds buckled a state-owned wind turbine. In New York City, two homes under construction collapsed near the waterfront in Far Rockaway. No injuries were reported.

In Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a town public works employee was killed after the snow plow he was driving was hit by an Amtrak plow train clearing the tracks.

And two ponies broke out of their stables and roamed the snowy streets of Staten Island until an off-duty police officer wrangled them with straps normally used to tow cars and tied them to a lamppost. They were taken back to the stables.

The storm coincided with New Hampshire's Town Meeting Day, a Yankee tradition in which voters in more than 100 communities elect local politicians and set budgets.

Some towns postponed the meetings because of the snow. But in Hopkinton, a steady stream of voters braved the blustery conditions.

'You know, they're hardy New Englanders, and they're coming to vote,' said Debbie Norris, a candidate for the Hopkinton Budget Committee.
Lisa Marie Presley will be forced to pay a portion of her estranged husband Michael Lockwood's legal expenses as she divorces him, a court ordered.

She must pay him $10,000 a month for five months, starting on Wednesday, March 15, The Wrap reported.

Presley, 49, does not need to pay spousal support to Lockwood, 55.

A point of contention in the case will be how the court interprets the couple's 2007 post-nuptial agreement.

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Michael Lockwood and Lisa Marie Presley are currently locked in ugly divorce proceedings. A court ordered that Presley must pay $10,000 a month, for five months, of Lockwood's legal fees. Pictured: The former couple in 2013

Presley, 49, may need to fork over more money to Lockwood, 55, depending on how the court interprets the couple's 2007 post-nuptial agreement

In January, Lockwood was demanding that a post-nuptial agreement that the two had signed in 2007 should be torn up.

That document said neither party should have a claim on the assets of the other in the event of the marriage breaking down.

Presley stated in February that Lockwood 'was discovered to have hundreds of inappropriate photos of children and is facing allegations of sexual abuse and neglect.'

Their eight-year-old twin girls, Finley and Harper Lockwood, were taken into the care of the Department of Children following the mid-February allegation.

Presley - the only child of Elvis Presley - said in the papers that Beverly Hills Police Department found 80 of Lockwood's devices during a raid on her home. She added the cops still have them and they have not been fully analyzed.

Presley also announced that Tennessee officers were investigating the incident.

But a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman denied the bureau had ever opened an investigation.

Presley stated in February that Lockwood 'was discovered to have hundreds of inappropriate photos of children and is facing allegations of sexual abuse and neglect'

Presley, who claims nearly all of her $300 million fortune is gone, said that she has to pay for two nannies to go along as monitors when her husband visits the children.

Lockwood had demanded $40,000 a month spousal support and $100,000 toward his legal costs, saying he was coerced into signing the post-nuptial document.

In the new papers, filed in Los Angeles earlier this February, Presley says she should not pay him a dime.

Presley and Lockwood were married in January 2006 and Presley filed for divorce from him in June 2016.
An ABC documentary series hosted by Olympian Ian Thorpe has been slammed for identifying victims of bullying and using hidden cameras to expose schoolyard taunts.

Prominent child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said the program Bullied violated the rights of children, even though it was legal to film people in Queensland with a hidden camera.

'They went into that school without the permission of the school. The kids that were photographed, they were pixelated, but they were all filmed without permission, they didn't know that they were being filmed,' he told Melbourne radio station 3AW on Wednesday.

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Queensland teenage schoolboy Kelsey is identified on the ABC documentary series Bullied

Child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said the ABC documentary was wrong to identify victims of bullying

'These kids' rights were violated, I feel very strongly that the kids who are featured in the program are now exposed to further victimisation.

'The kid who is bullied is clearly identified.'

In the first episode, which aired on Tuesday night, hidden cameras exposed how year nine Queensland schoolboy Kelsey had been bullied since year three.

The ABC aired footage of other boys saying 'hey shemale' and threatening him with violence.

'I will f****** knock you out,' a bully is recorded saying.

In the documentary, Kelsey shows his classmates the hidden camera footage and explains to them his fear of going to school after being physically attacked.

In the presence of Olympian Ian Thorpe, a Queensland schoolboy detailed his bullying ordeal to classmates

Hidden camera footage captured Kelsey being threatened with violence at school

He does so in the presence of Thorpe, a swimming gold medalist, who has recently talked about his earlier struggles with being gay.

'Since early primary school, I've been picked on and after a while you just grow tired of it,' Kelsey said.

'I don't know why people feel they have the right to touch others.'

Dr Carr-Gregg said the ABC had copied a 2014 Dutch program which was sued by an affected school.

He added that teenage boy had stopped going to school in 2017 as the program was due to air.

'I feel very strongly that the kids who are featured in the program are now exposed to further victimisation ,' he told 3AW interviewer Neil Mitchell.
A husband and wife have been charged with manslaughter after a six-year-old boy died following a 'slapping therapy workshop'.

Geoff Fenton, 56, and wife Lily, 41, from Sydney, were arrested on Wednesday two years after the boy was found unconscious in April 2015.

Police say the couple took the child to a self-healing conference in Hurstville, New South Wales, between April 22 and 28 in 2015.

Geoff Fenton, 56 (right), and wife Lily, 41 (left), have been charged with manslaughter following the death of a six-year-old boy back in 2015

The six-year-old boy died following a 'slapping therapy workshop' in April 2015

Just before 10pm on April 28, emergency services were called to a nearby hotel after reports the boy had been found unconscious.

Paramedics attended and performed CPR, but the child died shortly afterwards.

Officers attached to St George Local Area Command established a crime scene and launched an investigation.

Following two years of investigations, police attended a home in Prospect, a suburb of Sydney, on Wednesday and arrested the couple.

Fenton and his wife (pictured) took the boy to a 'slapping therapy workshop' shortly before he was found unconscious and died

Both were taken to Blacktown Police Station where they were charged with manslaughter.

Lily Fenton who was granted conditional bail is due to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Wednesday.

Geoff Fenton was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday May 12, 2017.

Slapping therapy, or paida lajin, is a Chinese alternative medicine which claims to be able to cure patients by repeatedly hitting them, leaving them covered in bruises.

The slapping and stretching of muscles clears meridians in the body allowing Qi, or life force, to flow more easily.

According to practitioners, this can cure a range of ailments including cancer and hypertension.

Inquiries into the incident are continuing and police are still looking to speak to a number of people.
A man has been fined $400 by police after being caught playing Pokemon Go while driving his primary-aged son to school.

Mundijong Police pulled over the Byford man on Wednesday morning while has was driving on Doley Road in the city's south-eastern suburbs, WA Today reported.

His young son was sitting in the Kia Rondo's front passenger seat at the time.

A man has been fined $400 by police after being caught playing Pokemon Go while driver his primary-aged son to school in Perth (stock image)

When police asked why he was using his phone behind the wheel, the man admitted he had been playing the popular virtual reality game with his son.

As well as being fined $400, he also lost three demerit points.

Last year, WA Police recorded that inattention contributed to more than 26 crashes on Western Australian roads last year.
British nationals have been warned to be extra vigilant when visiting popular Australian outback city Alice Springs.

The British Government has told its citizens to take extreme care when touring the city following a series of violent attacks, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'There have been some serious sexual assaults against British nationals in Australia. Take care in the town centre of Alice Springs at night,' the government's latest travel warning for Australia reads.

The British Government has warned its citizens to take care when visiting the Australian outback town of Alice Springs, in their travel advice for Australia

The British Government says there has been a serious sexual assaults against British nationals in Alice Springs

'There have been a number of incidents of harassment, robberies and attacks [including sexual assault] on foreign tourists.

'Alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment.'

Germany, Canada and Italy are among other countries which warn their citizens to be careful when visiting Alice Springs.

In November, a French tourist was stabbed to death in front of his wife at a remote truck stop about 100 kilometres north of Alice Springs.

Damien Ryan, the Mayor of Alice Springs (pictured) said the outback city was a safe place to visit

The city's Mayor, Damien Ryan, defended the reputation of Alice Springs, saying it was a 'safe place to visit'.

'There are naturally some dangers in visiting remote national parks and communities, so, as with travelling anywhere, it's important to take reasonable precautions,' Mr Ryan said.

'But I welcome visitors to Alice Springs, and I think that they can feel safe here.'
Retailer Forever 21 pulled a line of T-shirts from the shelves after two women pointed out that there were 'Nazi tags' on them.

Stella Lopez and Amie Alton were shopping in the Forever 21 in Modesto, California when they came across a white T-shirt called 'Famous Graphic Tee' that has blue, orange and black symbols, two of which the women felt looked like Nazi tags.

The number 88 is repeated all over the T-shirt, 88 being a known white supremacist tag for HH or Heil Hitler, 'H' being the eighth letter of the alphabet.

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Forever 21 said it pulled the 'Famous Graphic Tee' (above) from its US site after two customers complained that the '88' and the lightning bolt on the tee were Nazi tags

The women also thought that lightening bolt was reminiscent of the double lightening bolt symbol 'SS' used by the Nazi party.

'I've seen that tagged on stuff growing up, and know what that is,' Alton told Fox 40. 'It stands for HH, ''Heil Hitler.'' And the lightning bolt stands for the SS from the Third Reich.'

'SS' stood for Schutzstaffel, or 'Protection Squadron,' the feared military organization under Hitler.

'Those are huge symbols of hate,' Lopez said.

Forever 21 released a statement saying 'We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the product'

The pair took the shirt to a staffer and explained the symbols, which the staffer said he was unaware of.

'I just took the stack of shirts and told the guy about it that was working at the store, and gave him a little background history which he did not know about. And he set them behind the counter,' she told the outlet.

Later, when the women came back to the store with a reporter, the T-shirts were gone, but there was a man's hoodie with the same design.

Stella Lopez (left) and Amie Alton discovered the shirts in the Forever 21 store and were disturbed with what they perceive as Nazi symbols on them

After the story reached BuzzFeed, a company spokesman responded that the shirts had been removed from the website.

It's unclear if the shirt was only removed from US website, as it was still found on the site for India.

The shirt also says 'Do it with passion.'

'Forever 21 takes feedback and product concerns very seriously. With regards to the T-shirt in question, upon receiving feedback from our customers, we took immediate action to have the product removed from our website. We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by the product.'

In August 2016, the store was accused of selling Nazi symbol earrings when a photo began circulating online showing the purported earrings. The store denied ever selling them and the Anti-Defamation League proclaimed it was a hoax.
Donald Trump Jr led the charge on Twitter Tuesday night after Rachel Maddow's much-hyped reveal of Donald Trump's tax documents proved underwhelming to many.

The MSNBC host had been given documents by an investigative journalist, who had himself received them from an anonymous source.

But over the course of an hour, and despite much speculation about Trump taking money from Turkey, Russia and organized crime, the documents revealed little that was terribly exciting.

Donald Trump Jr immediately took to Twitter, crowing 'Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid 40mm in taxes.'

In fact, his dad paid $38 million. But that was by the by as a cavalcade of mockery rolled Maddow's way, courtesy of Twitter pranksters.

Rachel Maddow promised exciting revelations about Donald Trump's tax returns, but the results disappointed many, who poked fun at her online

After the show Donald Trump Jr said that Maddow was 'proving' that his father is 'successful'. Maddow later argued the point was to question how Trump got his money, and from whom

Donald Jr kept mocking Maddow over the 'scandal'. Documents showed Trump made $253m, wrote off $103m as losses and paid $31.3m in income tax, plus another $5.7m in payroll taxes

The loyal son kept up his Twitter barrage through the night, and was soon followed by many other Trump supporters

This user thought Maddow's 'revelations' were a big joke. There was speculation that he may have leaked the documents himself to distract from massive Medicaid cuts

Maddow was likened to a lot of unfortunate characters on Twitter - including doomed and bullied psychic teenager Carrie

Many users likened Maddow's hour-long show to Geraldo Rivera's 1986 two-hour special The Mystery of Al Capone's Vaults.

He spent most of the two hours speculating what might be inside a concreted-over vault, with forensic experts on hand in case bodies were found, only to break it open and find it empty but for a few bottles.

Maddow tried to spin the two pages of documents as raising questions about where Trump got his money from.

And there were some notable details - such as the fact that most of the $38 million he paid was due to a form of tax he actually wants to ban.

Without that he would have an income tax rate of just 3.5 per cent.

But the disappointment was palpable online, among both Republicans and Democrats - the latter including Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani, though he later commended her 'bada** reporting.

Even some Trump critics joined in, such as Democrat voter Silicon Valley stay Kumail Nanjiani - although he later tweeted that Maddow was 'bada**' for her reporting

This Twitter user said Maddow had 'jumped the shark' - ie. peaked in her career - by putting her head on The Fonz from the famously awful Happy Days episode that the phrase emerged from

Another user coined the term 'Trumped' to describe Maddow's humiliation online - and borrowed an old Batman and Robin meme to do so

Was Vladimir Putin connected to Trump? Maddow said the two pages of documents that she had didn't prove anything - leading to this Twitter user's hopeful X-Files reference

Many users likened Maddow to Geraldo Rivera, who in 1986 hosted a two-hour special that promised to open up Al Capone's secret vault - only to find it virtually empty

Geraldo even started trending for a period, along with Al Capone, as Maddow parodies rolled in online

Commentators on other channels were critical of the MSNBC report, which they said lacked substance, had been rushed out for ratings and distracted from other issues

Another user - referring to Maddow as 'Madcow' - took the phrase 'eating crow' rather literally. She argued on TV that the documents raised questions about where he got the cash from

Responding to Donald Jr's first tweet on The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell - the show that followed her own on MSNBC's schedules - Maddow said the point of the tax returns was not about how much Trump made.

Rather, she said, it was important to know how he made it, and whether he might have compromised America in doing so.

Some Democrats had also speculated that the disappointing documents were leaked by Trump himself, in order to distract from his Medicaid just.

Later on Tuesday, during MSNBC's 11th Hour With Brian Williams, it was noted that the documents came from a lucrative year for Trump that would portray his business acumen in a strong light - and did not show where the money came from.

Earlier, in Maddow's show, Johnston had speculated that Trump might have leaked the documents himself, saying he had leaked information many times before 'when it was in his interest'.

Some of the antics even spread to other journalists, as this person joked about White House correspondent April D Ryan apparently thinking Trump's income was the same as his net worth

And this user noted how Brian Fallon, former press secretary for Hillary Clinton, had switched tack from thinking the revelations were 'the holy grail' to saying they were a distraction

Even before the episode finished, Twitter users were mocking the slow pacing of the show, which saw Maddow spinning out the contents of the documents for a full hour

Michael Rosenberg joked that it would take an entire year for Maddow to actually 'reveal' anything about the tax return
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Incredible photos have emerged of an underwater 'Northern Lights' with beaches turning into a stunning shade of blue.

Photographer Brett Chatwin captured the amazing bioluminescence event on Preservation Bay in Tasmania on Saturday evening.

The neon blue water bloomed across the state's north-west coast with dazzled beachgoers sharing their own images of the rare sight online.

Incredible images of a spectacular neon-blue light seen on Tasmanian beaches known as bioluminescence have surfaced online

Sightings of the blue phenomena that dazzled beaches with its blue glow were seen along the state's north-east coast incuding Rocky Cape

Photographer Brett Chatwin captured the bioluminescent event at Preservation Bay in Tasmania on Saturday

The curious sight is caused when billions of single-celled algae or plant plankton - colloquially known as sea sparkle - are disturbed by waves or currents.

When this happens, the cells illuminate creating a bright blue glow in the water around them.

Posting the photos to Facebook, Mr Chatwin said it was the first time he witnessed such an event in the area.

'It's the first time I can recall it being on the North West coast of Tasmania', he wrote in a Facebook post.

The unique event is caused when bilions of single-celled algae or plankton are disturbed by waves or currents

When the cells are disturbed they illuminate, creating the electric blue glow seen in the water around them

Speaking to the Advocate, Mr Chatwin talked about the precise timing needed to take the stunning photos.

'It was very interesting watching this iridescent aquamarine colour light up the waves as they crashed,' Mr Chatwin said.

'It was as good as shooting the Aurora Australis, but a bit easier.'

The sight has been compared to Australia's own underwater version of Norway's Northern Lights

Beachgoers along the north-west coast of Tasmania captured their own images of the electric blue beach

While it is difficult to determine when the crystal blue lights will return, experts say that it could turn into a small tourist industry for Tasmania.

Professor in aquatic botany at the University of Tasmania, Gustaaf Hallegraeff, says that as the bioluminscence event has traversed greatly since its first reported sighting in Sydney Harbour in 1860.

'In the 2000s we saw it really move southwards and now it's here permanently in Tasmania,' he told ABC News.

'We have some evidence that ocean currents and the warming of the oceans have contributed to it  it's definitely a species that is showing a spectacular range expansion in the last 20 years.'
A 57-year-old musher has become the oldest and fasted winner of the legendary Iditarod dog race after beating his own son to the title.

Mitch Seavey won the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in year marred by an abnormally high number of dog deaths.

He set a record time of eight days, 3 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, shaving several hours off the record his son set last year of eight days, 11 hours, 20 minutes and 16 seconds.

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Iditarod champion Mitch Seavey of Sterling, Alaska, poses with his lead dogs Pilot, left, and Crisp under the Burled Arch after winning the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in Nome, Alaska

Veteran musher Scott Smith and his race team travel along the frozen Kouwegok River out of Unalakleet, Alaska, toward the Shaktoolik checkpoint Monday, March 13, 2017

Seavey brought his team from Fairbanks in Alaska to the famed burled arch on Front Street in Nome where he greeted each of his dogs and thanked them with a frozen snack.

He later posed with his two lead dogs, Pilot and Crisp.

'They get frustrated when they go too slow, so I just let them roll, which was scary because I've never gone that fast, that far ever, but that's what they wanted to do,' he said.

Seavey, who broke his own record for being the oldest musher set four years ago, said the dogs know only one thing - to run at 10 mph.

'They hit their peak, they hit their speed, and that's what they do,' Seavey said at the finish line.

'They trusted me to stop them when they needed to stop and feed them, and I did that, and they gave me all they could.'

Mitch Seavey, of Sterling, Alaska, runs towards the finish line under the Burled Arch, winning the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in Nome

Seavey's push for Nome was marred by news of the fourth death of a dog associated with the Iditarod among the 2,000 that started the race on March 6.

While not all deaths were on the trail, they prompted a call from an animal rights group to permanently end the Iditarod.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Vice President Colleen O'Brien said: 'They deserve far better than a lifetime of isolation, cruelty, suffering, and death training for and running in the Iditarod.

'PETA is calling for a permanent end to this dangerous race.'

A spokesman for the Iditarod Trail Committee said more than 40 veterinarians volunteer during the race and dogs are evaluated at each checkpoint.

'Any musher found guilty of inhumane treatment would be disqualified and banned from competition in future Iditarods,' according to an Iditarod Trail Committee statement on Tuesday.

Mitch Seavey, left, and Dallas Seavey speak to fans after the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nome, Alaska

Two dogs died on the trail.

Another was hit by a car in Anchorage, and one dropped dog likely died of hyperthermia while being flown back to Anchorage.

The latter prompted race officials to change policies how dogs are transported, including not wearing coats in transport planes and making sure there is proper ventilation.

PETA said there have been at least 28 dog deaths since 2004, exacerbated by making them run 100 miles a day in treacherous conditions.

Iditarod Chief Operating Officer Chas St George said: 'We have to go back and perform our due diligence, and that's what we're doing,' he said.

The race started March 6 in Fairbanks, with 71 teams.
A former Married At First Sight contestant has appeared in court accused of choking his ex-girlfriend in front of her two-year-old daughter.

Lachlan Rofe was ordered not to approach Kasey Williams within 12 hours of drinking or taking drugs, 9News reported.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday.

Lachlan Rofe (pictured right) was ordered not to approach Kasey Williams within 12 hours of drinking or taking drugs

Rofe, 38, is accused of assaulting Ms Williams (pictured leaving court) on his farm in Cawdor on the outskirts of Sydney late last year

Rofe, 38, is accused of assaulting Ms Williams on his farm in Cawdor on the outskirts of Sydney late last year.

The court heard he drank an entire case of beer throughout the day and then screamed at his girlfriend, chased her through the house and grabbed her by the throat.

When she told him, "stop it, you're scaring me," he reportedly replied: "Get stuffed... I'm doing it for love."

The prosecution alleges Rofe was abusive towards Ms Williams for several months.

Rofe went by Lachlan McAleer on the first season on Married At First Sight. Above, with Clare Tamas, the woman he was matched with on the show

His lawyers deny the claims, and say she was jealous that he received romantic messages from fans online.

Police have now taken out an apprehended violence order against him on Ms Williams' behalf.

Rofe went by Lachlan McAleer on the first season on Married At First Sight and also appeared on the most recent season of Farmer Wants A Wife.

He dated Ms Williams after his stints on both shows.
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A growing US presence off the Korean Peninsula is reportedly part of a plan aimed at 'incapacitating' Kim Jong-Un's despotic regime in Pyongyang should conflict break out.

A nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for joint military exercises in the latest show of force against the North.

The USS Carl Vinson arrived at the southern port of Busan as US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson began a tour of the region, where tensions have escalated in recent weeks with missile launches from the nuclear-armed North and the assassination of Kim Jong-Un's estranged half-brother in Malaysia.

More than 80 aircraft, including the fighter aircraft F/A-18F Super Hornet, the E-2C Hawkeye and the carrier-based EA-18G Growler are on board the supercarrier.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency claims the heightened military presence is part of a plan to decapitate North Korean leadership.

They claim a military official, who wished to remain anonymous, told them: 'A bigger number of and more diverse U.S. special operation forces will take part in this year's Foal Eagle and Key Resolve exercises to practice missions to infiltrate into the North, remove the North's war command and demolition of its key military facilities.'

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More than 80 aircraft, including the fighter aircraft F/A-18F Super Hornet (at the front of the carrier), the E-2C Hawkeye and the carrier-based EA-18G Growler (in the middle) are on board the super carrier

The USS Carl Vinson approaches Busan port in South Korea to join the annual joint military exercise called Foal Eagle

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is taking part in South Korea-U.S. joint military maneuvers carried out in the largest scale yet, with North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats in focus

F/A18 Super Hornet Built by: Boeing First flown: 1995 Used by: US Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Cost per plane: $98million (79m) Maximum take-off weight: 66,000 lb (29,937 kg) Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,370 miles per hour) Armaments: One M61 Vulcan rotary cannon; air-to-air, air-to-surface and air-to-ship missiles Advertisement

The aircraft carrier and a US destroyer will conduct naval drills including an anti-submarine manoeuvre with South Koreans in waters off the Korean peninsula as part of the annual Foal Eagle exercise.

Washington insist they are purely defensive in nature.

Rear Admiral James Kilby, commander of USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group 1, said: 'The importance of the exercise is to continue to build our alliance and our relationship and strengthen that working relationship between our ships.'

Yonhap news agency said the navy drills will begin next week.

The US has also started to deploy 'Gray Eagle' attack drones to South Korea, a military spokesman revealed on Monday.

South Korean and U.S. troops began the large-scale joint drills on March 1.

The exercise last year involved about 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. This year's exercise is expected to be of a similar scale.

E-2C Hawkeye Built by: Northrop-Grumman First flown: 1960 Used by: US Navy, Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force Cost per plane: $176million (143m) Maximum take-off weight: 57,500 lb (26,083 kg) Speed: 402 miles per hour (648 km/h) Armaments: None Advertisement

The spike in tensions has concerned Beijing, with China's Foreign Ministry calling on all sides to end 'a vicious cycle that could spiral out of control.'

North Korea, which has alarmed its neighbours with two nuclear tests and a string of missile launches since last year, said the arrival of the US strike group was part of a 'reckless scheme' to attack it.

The North Korea's state KCNA news agency said: 'If they infringe on the DPRK's sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater.

'On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army,' KCNA said.

Last week, North Korea fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan in response to annual U.S.-South Korea military drills, which the North sees as preparation for war.

The murder in Malaysia last month of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half-brother has added to the sense of urgency to efforts to get a grip on North Korea.

EA-18G Growler Built by: Boeing First flown: 2006 Used by: US Navy, Royal Australian Air Force Cost per plane: $68million (55m) Maximum take-off weight: 66,000 lb (29,937 kg) Speed: Mach 1.8 (1,370 miles per hour) Armaments: AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for self-protection (air-to-air) and AGM-88 HARM air-to-surface missiles Advertisement

Visiting the headquarters of an army unit early this month, Kim praised his troops for their 'vigilance against the US and South Korean enemy forces that are making frantic efforts for invasion', according to the North's official KCNA news agency.

Kim also ordered the troops to 'set up thorough countermeasures of a merciless strike against the enemy's sudden air assault', it said.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to make his first visit to South Korea on Friday.

The threat represented by North Korea's growing nuclear and missile arsenal is the main reason for his trip to the region.

Tillerson arrives in Tokyo on Wednesday, moves on Friday to Seoul, which is in the grip of a political crisis, and then travels the next day to Beijing to hold talks with President Xi Jinping and other officials.

Last week, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said President Donald Trump's administration was re-evaluating its North Korea strategy and 'all options are on the table'.

An F/A Super Hornet fighter jet takes off from the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier

F/A Super Hornets and other fighter jets await takeoff aboard the nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier

A U.S. F18 fighter jet lands on the deck of U.S. aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during the annual joint military exercise

A U.S. Navy crew member works on a U.S. F18 fighter jet on the deck of USS Carl Vinson

A F18 fighter jet prepares for take off as part of the annual military drills in South Korea that the North regards as rehearsal for invasion

South Korean and U.S. troops began the large-scale joint drills, which are billed as defensive in nature, on March 1

US Navy crew members look at an F/A-18 fighter from the deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

US Navy crew members run next to an E-2C Hawkeye as it lands on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson

The all-weather E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and battle management aircraft has served as the 'eyes' of the U.S. Navy fleet for more than 30 years

PLANES ON THE USS CARL VINSON The aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1982, is the centerpiece of the 7,500-sailor strike group. The 100,000-ton ship measures 333 meters in length and 77 meters in width. The Carl Vinson has been involved in a number of notable events including Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship also received huge attention in 2011 when the body of Osama bin Laden was buried at sea from its deck. More than 80 aircraft, including the fighter aircraft F/A-18F Super Hornet, the E-2C Hawkeye and the carrier-based EA-18G Growler are on board the supercarrier. The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is the U.S. Navy's primary strike and air superiority aircraft. The E-2C Hawkeye is the U.S. Navy's primary carrier-based airborne early warning and command and control aircraft. The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy's newest electronic attack aircraft intended to replace ageing EA-6B Prowlers in the service's fleet. As part of his plans to bolster the military, President Trump has vowed to expand the number of carriers the US fields from 10 to 12. And he promised to bring down the cost of building three 'super-carriers,' which has ballooned by a third over the last decade from $27 to $36 billion. Advertisement

US Navy crew members stand by an EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft on the deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

The Carl Vinson Strike Group is participating in the annual joint Foal Eagle exercise between South Korea and the US

The joint exercises involve tens of thousands of troops, as well as strategic US naval vessels and air force assets
The husband of a sergeant accused of having an 18-month affair with a fellow officer today blamed her for the 'dreadful' situation and claimed this is the third time she has been unfaithful with married policemen.

Nick Porter, 46, who says he is getting cancer treatment, has revealed he has split up with his wife Sarah Porter, 41, and claims she allegedly met Chief Inspector Rob Leet in lay-bys and police stations for trysts.

Chief Inspector Leet has denied the allegations and is still with his wife of 22 years, Sarah, but both Sussex Police officers have been served with misconduct papers by their force after the allegation of their affair was made.

Mr Porter, himself a former police officer from Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, claims he first found out more than a year ago but his wife vowed to end the relationship.

He said: 'It would not surprise me if Sarah had lured Rob into this as it is not the first time this has happened - to my knowledge this is the third time she had had an affair with a married man.

'The impact of this has been massive. I am absolutely devastated by this. Sarah and I have a young child and this is having a huge impact on the whole family.'

Heartbroken: Nick Porter, 46, has revealed he has split up with his wife Sarah Porter, 41, (pictured together centre) and claims she allegedly met Chief Inspector Rob Leet in lay-bys and police stations for trysts

Chief Inspector Rob Leet and Sergeant Sarah Porter are being investigated over alleged 'on-duty sexual activity' - CI Leet denies the claims and Mrs Porter, who has split with her husband, has not commented

He added: 'I think it is unfortunate for Rob and his family that Sarah has put him in this dreadful position.'

He said the pair would meet in cars and police stations where they would 'engage in sexual activity.'

He said: 'She admitted meeting Rob in a lay-by and in a police station while on duty and kissing. She has only admitted kissing to me but I fear it went beyond kissing.

'But she later told me the relationship had stopped. We started to rebuild our marriage.

'I'm divorcing Sarah, she is no longer living with me. I am absolutely devastated. I had complete faith in her.

'We have a young child and this is having a huge impact. And it's when I'm undergoing treatment for cancer.'

MailOnline has contacted Sarah Porter by phone and text to comment on her estranged husband's allegations.

Last night a source close to Sgt Porter's family said the officers had been having an affair for more than 18 months since they first met at work, and she has left her family home three weeks ago.

He said: 'They met at work in April 2015 and began a relationship that August. They did meet clandestinely in police cars which they would drive to lay-bys and in police stations and they did have sexual activity.'

CI Leet said yesterday that he and his wife Sarah, who married in 1995, were very much still together and the allegation he had sex with Sgt Porter was 'unfounded'

CI Leet said that he and his wife Sarah, who married in 1995, were very much still together and the allegation he had sex with Sgt Porter was 'unfounded'.

Claims they had an 18-month relationship were 'completely untrue,' he said.

He said: 'I've been hung out to dry. The effect this has had on me, my family, the children, on work - it's absolutely devastating.

'And yet the Federation has made it quite clear there is no case of gross misconduct here and that was evident fairly early on.

'It's damaging family-wise, every single one of my friends knows, career-wise - that's my reputation now.'

Neighbours also backed CI Leet, with one saying: 'Rob and Sarah do everything together. I can't believe it, it must be lies. They are totally dedicated to each other and to their boys.'

Another neighbour added: 'It can't be true. Someone is making up a pack of lies about him. They are totally committed and love each other like no other family I know. It's just rubbish.'

Bosses will examine allegations two police officers engaged in 'on-duty sexual activity' and whether, if they did, it amounted to gross misconduct.

Both of the officers remain in their posts and a local member of the body which represents police officers has stated that the serving of papers is not an admission of any inappropriate behaviour.

Matt Webb, chairman of the Sussex Police Federation, told the Brighton Argus: 'From what I understand from the investigating officers, the current evidence is now indicating low level misconduct and not as per the original allegation.

'This would mean there may have been minor breaches of the expected standards and these would be dealt with internally.'

The force is in the early stages of a misconduct investigation into 'on-duty sexual activity'

A Sussex Police spokesman said: 'Sussex Police Professional Standards Department is in the early stages of a gross misconduct investigation following an allegation of on duty sexual activity between two serving officers.

'Neither of the officers have been suspended.'

Chief Inspector Leet became district commander for the Lewes area of Sussex in 2014 and held the role until recently, when he became the head of local policing for the county.

Sgt Sarah Porter has been in the police for more than 15 years, serving in Hastings, Rother and Bexhill.

The investigation comes just months after another officer in the force, PC Daniel Moss, was sacked for selling threesomes online while he was on sick leave.

PC Moss was found to have 'discredited the police service' by offering sexual services on an escorts website while on leave due to stress.
A controversial and landmark ruling allowing employers to ban staff from wearing headscarves at work will not automatically apply in the UK.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it was 'a sad day for justice and equality' as judges yesterday concluded that asking all employees to dress neutrally does not break religious discrimination rules.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that prohibiting the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination.

However experts have warned the stringent ban will not be as simple to implement in the UK and employers would have to go through Europe - which would not be possible before the country leaves the EU.

Employers are entitled to ban workers from the 'visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign', including headscarves, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled

THE EU RULING The court hearing was prompted by security giant G4Ss dismissal in 2006 of receptionist Samira Achbita, who was accused of wearing a headscarf that flaunted workplace rules banning the display of political and religious displays. Miss Achbita, from Belgium, complained that the decision was a breach of her right to express her religious beliefs freely. But the European Court of Justice said the ban implemented by G4S did not distinguish between religious symbols so could not be deemed discriminatory. In a departure from previous rulings, the European Court of Justice also said it was legitimate for companies to indirectly discriminate if such measures helped them to project an image of neutrality for business purposes. It warned that such moves needed to be appropriate and necessary in order to meet company policy or they could still breach equality rules. Judges also said an employee could not simply be dismissed simply because a customer took offence at seeing a headscarf. Advertisement

The controversial ruling follows a wave of debate about Muslim integration in society that has seen Islamic garments such as the face-covering burka being outlawed in public in several European countries.

But Phil Pepper, employment law partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said the ban would not apply overnight in the UK.

He said: 'This is an interesting decision by the ECJ, but it will not mean that UK businesses will be able to ban religious clothing in the workplace overnight.

'It will not be that simple.

'A blanket ban on headscarves is not the answer and creates significant grey areas for many employers.

'Implementing dress neutrality policies is extremely difficult and in most cases, not realistic in the modern workplace.

'Any organisation that wants to adopt such a policy must give serious thought to how it would be implemented and received by employees.

'Get it wrong, and employers could easily end up on the wrong side of a discrimination case.

'It is likely that we may see a trend towards some leniency on dress policies in future, following this ruling.'

The chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, Maria Miller, called for an urgent statement from the Government on the ruling, which she said could particularly penalise Muslim women at work.

Experts have warned the stringent ban will not be as simple to implement in the UK

Ms Miller told BBC Radio 4's World at One: 'I think it's clear that what a woman wears is her choice and it should never be the choice of a court either here in the UK or the European Court of Justice.

'The Government really does need to make sure it is absolutely clear to employers that it is not legitimate to simply say on a whim that people are not allowed to wear outward signs of religious belief - whether it's a headscarf or a cross - that there is a need for any such policies to be legitimate and to be clear on what grounds they would be found to be legitimate.

'Given the level of discrimination that particularly Muslim women face, I do think the Government should make a statement on this urgently.'

In a statement, the MCB said: 'At a time when populism and bigotry are at an all-time high, we fear that this ruling will serve as a green light to those wishing to normalise discrimination against faith communities.

'Many will be worried that this action will prevent Muslim women who choose to wear the scarf from securing jobs. And it sends a message that we cannot accept a plural society that recognises and celebrates religious differences.

'This is a backward step which people of all faiths and none should speak out against.'

And the Church of England (CofE) said the case could have implications for all faiths.

The chair of the Commons Women and Equalities Committee, Maria Miller, called for an urgent statement from the Government on the ruling

A spokesman said: 'This ruling raises significant questions about freedom of religion and its free expression. Whether it be Sikhism and the wearing of turbans and kara through to the wearing of a cross.

'In preferencing 'freedom to conduct a business' above the free expression of faith, the ruling potentially places corporate interest above those of the individual.'

Professor Alan Neal, of the University of Warwick, said: 'It's extremely dangerous to treat one group as different to any other. General rules should be generally applied.'

And the Rt Revd Nicholas Baines, the Bishop of Leeds, added: 'Inevitably, this judgment once again raises vital questions about freedom of expression (not just freedom of religion), and shows that the denial of freedom of religion is not a neutral act, contrary to how it might be portrayed.

'There is clearly more work to be done in relation to religious literacy.'
The South Korean politics expert whose BBC interview was gatecrashed by his two adorable children today spoke out to tell trolls that his wife had not used too much force in dragging them away - and addressed 'racist' assumptions she was his nanny.

Prof Kelly and his family captured the imagination of the world when his four-year-old daughter Marion, son James and wife Jung-a appeared like a 'comedy of errors' as he held forth on camera about the crisis in South Korea.

Today he said he wanted to 'clear up rumours' sparked by the hilarious clip, telling a press conference: 'My wife Jung-a did not use too much force in removing the children from the room. People asked this.'

The South Korean politics expert whose BBC interview was gatecrashed by his two adorable children today spoke out to tell trolls that his wife had not used too much force in dragging them away - and addressed 'racist' assumptions she was his nanny

Today Prof Kelly said he wanted to 'clear up rumours' sparked by the hilarious clip, telling a press conference: 'My wife Jung-a did not use too much force in removing the children from the room. People asked this.'

Prof Kelly and his family captured the imagination of the world when his four-year-old daughter Marion, son James and wife Jung-a appeared like a 'comedy of errors' as he held forth on camera about the crisis in South Korea.

'Our children were not hurt... we normally do not treat our children the way you saw in the clip.'

He added: 'We would like to clear up some of the rumours and controversies around the video. Yes, the woman in the video is my wife, not my nanny.'

Prof Kelly, 44, also revealed he was so anxious after the 'disaster' that he had apologised to the BBC and thought his career as an interviewer was over.

The hilarious footage went viral on Friday after Professor Robert Kelly, questioned about South Korea's president, Park Geun-hye, being ousted from power was eclipsed by Marion, aged four, who performed a comical dance in the background.

She was followed by little brother James, aged just nine months, who swept in to the study in a fast-moving baby walker. Moments later a stressed-out Jung-a skidded into the room and grappled the children out of shot.

Sitting alongside his wife and two children today, with Marion sucking a lolly and James munching on a rusk, Prof Kelly was keen to defend his wife against mean-spirited comments. He said:'It is quite apparent in the video that she is frantically trying to salvage the professionalism of the interview.

'When Marian our daughter speaks in the clip she says in Korean 'Why mum' because she was responding surprise because we do not usually treat out children the way you saw in the clip.'

Prof Kelly (left, with their son James) said the video was 'terribly cute' in hindsight. His wife Jung-a (right, with their daughter Marion) said: 'It happens all the time'

Prof Kelly's daughter Marion burst into the room in a bright yellow top and performed a hilarious dance behind him

He added: 'In the same vein, no, I was not shoving Marion out of the way. When I tried to move her behind the chair. I was trying to slide Marion behind the chair because we have toys and books in the room.

'My hope was that she would play with the books for a few moments until the interview ended.'

He said they had initially been overwhelmed by the 'blooper' but were now able to laugh at it.

'My wife and I did not fight after the blooper, we did not punish our children. In fact, we thought that no television network would ever call us again.'

'We thought it was just a disaster,' said Kelly.

'I communicated with the BBC immediately afterward and I apologised to them. I said that if they never called us back or never asked me to be on television again, I would understand.

'My wife and I did not fight after the blooper, we did not punish our children. In fact, we thought that no television network would ever call us again'

'I communicated with the BBC immediately afterward and I apologised to them. I said that if they never called us back or never asked me to be on television again, I would understand'

Both parties tried to keep their cool despite the hilarious interruption from his children

His mortification doubled as his baby son excitedly made his way into the room in a stroller

'I had assumed this would end any television appearances, that would people see this and assume this was wildly unprofessional, no one would ever call me again, I'd never speak on television again'

'And I had assumed this would end any television appearances, that would people see this and assume this was wildly unprofessional, no one would ever call me again, I'd never speak on television again.'

Asked about becoming a 'poster child' for working fathers trying to balance office commitments with family life, he said: 'You have to be flexible. For example, this was my home office space and normally I hope that my children don't come in; I can get more work done.

'But we want our children to feel comfortable coming into the room and being able to approach their father. And that means you can't keep that strict boundary where some rooms are off limits.'

Addressing rumours he didn't stand up because he was wearing pajamas or pantsm he said: 'Yes, I was wearing pants! Someone at lunch recognised me today and asked me if I was wearing pants.

Prof Kelly and his wife Jung-a have seen the funny side of it since the story went viral but at the time they were both horrified with embarrassment

Prof Kelly said he was 'uncomfortable' with the fact that many people jumped to the conclusion she was his nanny, rather than his wife, but she said people should 'stop arguing' about it

'Strangers ask me if I was wearing pants. I chose not to stand, this is why people were asking me if I was wearing pants because I did not stand. I chose not to stand because I was trying to save the interview.'

Asked if he worries that the 'blooper' would have any impact on his credibility as a 'scholar', he said: 'I am a little bit wary of the fallout for my academic credentials. We didn't want this. I guess this is now the first line of my obituary right? I'm BBC dad for a while now I suppose. I would hope that people would read my work.'

'But I mean I think there's just a general sense it just sort of happened, right? So I guess not. If we were still talking about this in 6 months, I guess I would be genuinely uncomfortable. I'm surprised, actually, that this is still rolling along. It's day five and we still can't answer our phone.'

Prof Kelly also spiked rumours on the Internet that he had not been wearing trousers during the interview

'Finally, we have no serious comment about the many social analyses about the video. We see this simply as a very public family blooper, we don not see this in some political or social way or as a metaphor for anything. We have no real comment on that sort of stuff.'

He had earlier told the Wall Street Journal: 'As soon as she opened the door I saw her image on my screen. She was in a hippity-hoppity mood that day because of the school party.'

Prof Kelly, 44, said he gamely tried to continue with the interview but then nine-month-old James tottered into the room. 'Then I knew it was over,' he said.

To complete the farce, his wife Jung-a Kim then came skidding through the door.

She grabbed the two youngsters and attempted to drag them out of the door, but one of them could be heard wailing and the baby's walker got stuck in the door.

The video has been viewed 84 million times on the BBC's Facebook page, the hashtag #BBCDad was trending on Twitter and the story has been covered by media from Uruguay to Australia.

Prof Kelly, who is from Cleveland Ohio, focused entirely on the camera as he attempted to blindly hand off his daughter, who was clearly curious about who he was talking to.

His mortification soon doubled as baby James excitedly made his way into the room under his own power in a walker.

Eventually, she managed to get them both out, and the interview continued.

More formal pose: Robert Kelly and his wife Jung-a and daughter Marion - who started the interruption which created a viral sensation.

Possibly the most hilarious moment in the farce was when his wife came skidding through the door to take the children off camera

Prof Kelly could be seen squirming in his chair as his wife grabbed the youngsters and attempted to drag them out of the door, with one of them wailing and the baby's walker stuck in the door

BBC correspondent Rajini Vaidyanathan revels in the return of the #BBCDad and his family

When the interview finished, broadcaster James Menendez told him: 'There's a first time for everything. I think you've got some children who need you!'

Prof Kelly admitted today he was mortified at the time but in hindsight he could see the funny side.

He said his feelings about the incident had gone from 'surprise and embarrassment' to 'amusement' and finally 'love and affection'.

'It was terribly cute. I saw the video like everybody else and it's really funny,' said Prof Kelly.

He said the reaction on social media had been astonishing - and mostly positive - and he had been forced to switch off Twitter and Facebook alerts and put his phone on airplane mode.

'I'm not even going near YouTube or Reddit or whatever those other sites are,' said Prof Kelly.

His wife Jung-a told the Wall Street Journal: 'It happens all the time but not like this. This was the first time it happened during an interview.'

In the immediate aftermath of the video going viral many people on social media assumed she was his nanny or maid, rather than his wife.

The incident, trending as #BBCDad, led to a spate of memes and parodies

And after the segment had finished, the presenter admitted on Twitter that he had struggled to keep it together during the episode

Some people accused those who assumed she was the nanny of being racist, leading to some fairly aggressive Twitter fights.

In an interview with the BBC today Prof Kelly said: 'We were pretty uncomfortable with it.'

But Jung-a played it down and said: 'People should just enjoy it, not argue over these things. I hope they stop arguing.'

Prof Kelly was also asked to nail another myth which had prospered on the Internet.

Menendez asked him today: 'Were you wearing pyjamas at the time? Some people said the reason you didn't get up at all was that either you were in your pyjamas or maybe you didn't have any trousers on?'

But he confirmed he was wearing trousers at the time.

Prof Kelly moved to Korea in 2008, and married Jung-a Kim, a former yoga teacher who is now a stay-at-home mother to their two children, Marion, four, and James, nine-months.

The hilarious footage was first tweeted by BBC producer Julia MacFarlane, who promptly deleted it 20 minutes later.

She wrote: 'When the kids interrupt you in the middle of live TV...A lovely moment and masterfully handled by our guest this morning on South Korea'.

A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: 'We're really grateful to Professor Kelly for his professionalism. This just goes to show that live broadcasting isn't always child's play.'

A highly respected expert on South Korean politics, Prof Kelly has written for outlets including Foreign Affairs, The European Journal Of International Relations and The Economist.

He earned his bachelors degree in political science from the University of Miami and completed his PhD at Ohio State.

No sooner had the interview been broadcast that people were clamouring to share the clip online and Prof Kelly soon realised it was about to go viral

The stuff of memes: The internet was quick to react to the hilarious clip with Twitter users uploading and sharing memes

Another meme captured the exact moment despairing Professor Kelly realised his daughter was in the room and tried to nudge her out of shot

Only a tiny minority on social media did not see the funny side

Kelly's mother Ellen told DailyMail.com the clip was 'hilarious' and she had spoken to her son just as it started to become an internet sensation.

'First my sister called and then we spoke to Robert, who was a little disturbed - probably just embarrassed,' she said.

Mrs Kelly said she thought it was 'fantastic' and 'the best part' was when his wife came skidding into shot.

Ellen Kelly, 72, with her husband, Joseph, spoke to DailyMail.com and said she could be the reason behind the gaffe. She said that she regularly Skypes with the children and that 'the kids probably heard voices coming from the computer and assumed it was grandma'

Mrs Kelly, from University Heights, just outside Cleveland, told DailyMail.com she was exceptionally proud of her son and all of his accomplishments, and said he was a 'wonderful' and committed father.

She and her husband Joseph often Skype him, his wife and the two children.

She said: 'Robert usually Skypes with us from his home office, which is where he did the interview.

'The kids probably heard voices coming from the computer and assumed it was us,' she said laughing. 'It was just hilarious'.

Mrs Kelly, 72, said her son, who is an expert on South Korean politics, has done a number of interviews on network television for other outlets, including CNN, as well as CNBC, Sky News, and ITN.

She said: 'I just hope that he gains recognition for his expertise rather than for this - as great as it all is.'

'Life happens,' she said, laughing. 'The lesson is to lock the door!'

After the segment finished on Friday Menendez admitted on Twitter he had struggled to keep it together.

He posted a link to the video, with the words: 'Hard to keep a straight face.'

Afterwards, he added: 'It was the desperate reach for the door at the end that nearly did it for me.'
The search for three missing Coast Guard crew whose helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of Mayo resumed this morning after being scaled back last night.

After what has been described as the 'darkest day' for Ireland's emergency services, families of the three missing crew are anxiously waiting on news of their loved ones.

The body of one crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered yesterday.

Missing: (From left) Pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby were on board the Sikorsky helicopter involved in the mystery accident off the coast of Ireland yesterday

The body of one crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, was recovered yesterday. Such was the suddenness of the disaster, the crew didn't even have time to issue a distress call

Pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby along with Captain Fitzpatrick, were on board the Sikorsky helicopter involved in the mystery accident.

Such was the suddenness of the disaster, the crew didn't even have time to issue a distress call.

The four-strong crew were en route to provide communications and safety support for another Coast Guard helicopter.

After a 9.40pm Monday night request for help, the Coast Guard's Sikorsky S-92 R118 from Sligo had been dispatched to airlift a fisherman with what is believed to have been an injured thumb off a British-registered trawler about 240km west of Blacksod, Co. Mayo.

The Coast Guard had asked the Air Corps for what is known as 'top cover' support but as no aircraft was ready, the R116 was dispatched from Dublin.

But moments after what appears to have been an aborted attempt to land to refuel at Blacksod, after their trip from Dublin, about two hours later, the R116 vanished from radar and crashed into the sea off the coast of Mayo.

Salvaged parts from the helicopter are carried on to Blacksod Pier in Belmullet, County Mayo after the aircraft crashed with four people on board

Fishermen take wreckage onto shore as the search continues for the Coast Guard helicopter

The helicopter went missing off the west coast of Ireland in the early hours of the morning

The R116 had flown past Blackrock Lighthouse before turning back around in an arching movement towards the refuelling area at Blacksod, telling Malin Head they needed fuel before going out to assist.

They said they were about to land 'shortly' when all communications suddenly ceased.

Malin Head-based co-ordinating staff frantically tried to contact R116 and when they couldn't, they issued a Mayday and a huge search and rescue operation was then launched.

Their fuel tank was later recovered with fuel in it, indicating they had not run out of fuel when they crashed.

The first helicopter to get to the scene was the Sligo-based R118 and its crew described seeing wreckage on the surface of the water about 2km south east of Blackrock Lighthouse, about 10km from Blacksod.

Coast Guard members searching for the missing helicopter are seen at Blacksod Lighthouse

Shortly after Captain Fitzpatrick's body was recovered yesterday, regional director of CHC  which operates the helicopters  Mark Abbey said: 'We are devastated by this tragic accident.

'Our thoughts are with Dara's family and friends, as well as those of the three crew who are still missing. The extensive search and rescue mission is ongoing.'

Jurgen Whyte, chief aeronautical of Air Accidents Investigations unit, said his investigators will now be trying to find out what happened. He said: 'We need to recover the flight recorders.'

Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky has offered to send officials from the US to help with the ongoing investigation into yesterday's disaster.

Families of the missing crew said they were 'numb' and in a 'twilight zone' of disbelief. They said they were not mourning and retained hope of finding their loved ones alive.

Captain Dara, a proud and tough pilot who lived her dream

The first victim of the helicopter crash tragedy was confirmed yesterday as pilot Dara Fitzpatrick.

Captain Fitzpatrick, 45, was recovered from the sea at daybreak yesterday, hours after Rescue 116 first disappeared.

She was rushed to Mayo University Hospital in a critical condition, where she was later pronounced dead.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was one of few civilian women pilots in the world, and featured in the RTE series Rescue 117, where cameras followed her and her crew as they fought to save lives

The search continues for three crew members after the Dublin-based Sikorsky S92 vanished during an early morning rescue operation off the west of Ireland yesterday

Captain Fitzpatrick, from Kiltiernan, Dublin, was a mother of one, and her family led the tributes to her last night.

Missing winchman helped rescue 17 from a burning ship PAUL ORMSBY: Previous heroics Missing winchman Paul Ormsby was part of a team that rescued 17 Spanish and Portuguese crew from a Spanish flagship off the west coast of Shannon in January 2000. The crew members of the Milford Eagle, a British-registered Spanish craft, were forced to abandon ship when a fire broke out on board, some 240km west of Shannon. All 17 were airlifted to shore by two crews from the Irish Coast Guard. The rescue was completed under the command of pilot Gordon Baird, with co-pilot Hayden Lewis and winch operator Steve Dodd. The search for Mr Ormsby and fellow Coast Guard members Mark Duffy and Ciaran Smith were continuing last night following the crash of R116 which resulted in the death of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick. Back in 2014, Mr Ormsby was pictured alongside Ms Fitzpatrick and the then Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar at the launch of a new aircraft. The crew members were joined by Captain Ed Sullivan and winchman Dermot Molloy at Weston Airport for the launch of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the east coast region. Advertisement

An emotional statement given to Today FM said: 'We are so proud of Dara's work and all she has done to save the lives of others over the years.

'We are completely heartbroken and pray for the recovery of the other three crew.

'She is survived by her three-year-old son, her three sisters, brother and her parents.'

Her sister, Olympic psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick, also took to Twitter to praise her lost sister and pray for her missing crewmates. She wrote: 'My brave sister Captain Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in #Rescue 116 crash. We are devastated. Please pray for the recovery of three missing crew.'

Councillor Jim Griffin, who flew rescue missions with Captain Fitzpatrick during her years in Waterford as part of Rescue 117, said the entire community was stunned by the tragedy. He said: 'She was a real down-to-earth lady with her arms open to everyone, that's how I'll remember her. I knew Dara a long number of years, she flew with Rescue 117 for years before returning to Dublin to join Rescue 116.

'She was the first female Coast Guard pilot and I worked with her on several missions.'

He added: 'She was tough, she was assertive, she ran a great base as base captain and she was very, very polite, she was so well mannered.

'She welcomed so many people from different backgrounds into the base, schoolchildren, disabled groups, political people when 117 was under threat of being closed, everyone was welcome to come in and see the base and the chopper.

'She loved the craic and socialising, I socialised with her many times, and she loved hiking, she completed a seven-peaks challenge with the crew, they went to Wales, Scotland and Carrauntoohil.

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

A member of the Garda water unit is seen in Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' on it is towed in across the water yesterday

'We knew about her death from early in the morning and my phone hasn't stopped all day with messages from people who just can't believe she's gone.'

Captain Fitzpatrick made history when she flew the first all-female mission for the Coast Guard in 2014, bringing a critically ill five-year-old from Cork University Hospital to Dublin's Temple Street.

Father of three a true gent with a passion for charity CIARAN SMITH: An 'absolute gent' Neighbours and friends of missing crew member Ciaran Smith are in 'disarray' as the search to find the Coast Guard hero described as an 'absolute gent' continued last night. The 39-year-old from Swords, Co. Dublin, was last night one of three Coast Guard rescue workers still lost at sea since the early hours of yesterday after the horrific R116 helicopter disaster. The father of three, who served as a winchman, lived in Oldtown in Dublin, 20 minutes from the Coast Guard airport base, for more than a decade. Mr Smith, a keen cyclist, has raised thousands of euro for charities over the years by participating in various events. In 2013, he took part in the augural Race Around Ireland 1,100, raising funds for the SOS (Suicide Or Survive) charity. A year later he participated again, in aid of LauraLynn Children's Hospice. 'He is a great guy, 100% dedicated to his family,' local councillor David O'Connor said last night. 'We are in complete disarray here,' he said. 'Ciaran is a lovely, lovely man. He is an absolute gent, someone who put his life on the line on a daily basis. We are all just devastated.' Mr O'Connor, from Ballyboughal, said locals' thoughts were with Mr Smith's wife Martina and their three young daughters. Advertisement

And just last Wednesday many around Ireland tweeted her photo in honour of International Women's Day.

A pilot with more than 20 years of experience, she had initially planned a career in business, but after her first trip in a helicopter was 'hooked'.

She told the Munster Express in 2009: 'If someone had told me when I was quite young that I'd be doing this for a living, I'd have thought they were nuts.

'I first went up in a helicopter when I was about 18 and was immediately sold on it  I thought it was the business. And that, pretty much, was it.

'I got my own licence and I was working for a businessman for a year, year and a half when the Coast Guard advertised for co-pilots.

'That was at a time when Shannon was the only Coast Guard helicopter base was in the country so I applied for it and got it.'

Captain Fitzpatrick was one of few civilian women pilots in the world, and featured in the RTE documentary series Rescue 117, where cameras followed her and her crew as they fought to save lives.

She was a popular figure in her adopted hometown of Waterford, but friends said she eventually moved back to Dublin because she wanted to raise a family.

The brave pilot spoke out about the challenges she faced in her job every day.

Speaking in a video entitled Find A Balance Dare To Dream, filmed in 2008 by the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, she said: 'You probably don't think so much about the casualties, because you can't.

'You can't afford to... When that flight is over, you've got to turn the page and move on. And you can't really think about it too much.'

Today, Captain Fitzpatrick's sister, Niamh Fitzpatrick, said her family is heartbroken but added 'we have no regrets where Dara is concerned'.

'She lived her life to the full and did what she wanted to... she has a beautiful son,' she told RTE radio. 'They say it takes a village to raise a child and he has a village around him now who will raise him on her behalf.'

The Commissioner of Irish Lights ship, the Granuaile, is en route to the scene to join the flotilla of vessels involved in the operation, which has also been joined by a second Naval Service patrol ship, the LE Eithne.

Heroic father thrilled students at old school by landing on grounds MARK DUFFY: In his late 40s and a father Missing pilot Mark Duffy was yesterday hailed for his dedication. As the search off the coast of Mayo for Mr Duffy, who is in his late 40s and is a father of two from Blackrock, Dundalk, Co. Louth, and two of his Coast Guard colleagues was to continue this morning, the community of Blackrock was in shock as they awaited news of the popular family man. Friends and neighbours rallied around Mr Duffy's wife Hermione and their two children  Esme, who is in sixth class, and Fionn, who is in second year. Parish priest of Blackrock-Haggardstown, Fr Padraig Keenan, said: 'The parish is in shock and our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The local community are supporting the family in any way we can. We trust in the safe rescue of the three people lost at sea.' Curate Fr Brian White was with the Duffy family while the major sea search was ongoing, after the Coast Guard helicopter with four crew on board lost contact around 1am yesterday. Mr Duffy joined the Coast Guard Service in 2001. He trained in the United States where he worked with the Californian Coast Guard for seven years. Mr Duffy and his Irish Coast Guard colleague Garrett Collins  who are both former pupils of St Mary's College in Dundalk  flew the Irish Coast Guard helicopter to the secondary school in 2008. The school came to a standstill as the helicopter landed in the playing fields to the delight of waiting students. The duo had been invited to talk to the school's Transition Year students. Gerry Lambe, deputy principal at St Mary's, told the Mail: 'Mark was an excellent student while attending the Marist College here in Dundalk. He had a great application to his work, always treated staff with the highest respect and was extremely popular with fellow students. 'It comes as no surprise his career involved helping others as he was a great fundraiser for charities whilst in the college.' 'Mark comes from a very fine, respectable business family and our thoughts and prayers are with them.' Meanwhile, businessman Declan Ganley revealed last night that Mr Duffy used to work for him as a pilot. He tweeted: 'Pilot Mark Duffy is one of the missing crew. We have been praying for him and all the crew. Mark is a friend. 'Mark was my full-time helicopter pilot for a couple of years before he went on to the Irish Coast Guard. A brilliant pilot, an absolute pro. I was so proud when Mark told me he wanted to leave flying for me to go to the #IrishCoastGuard. A hero to all of us.' Advertisement

'We will search as long as we can': Devastated locals help search for the missing

'It dropped like a stone,' one of the Coast Guard members at Blacksod Bay said of the missing Rescue 116 helicopter that crashed yesterday.

He, like the rest of the team along the Mayo coastline, was stunned and in a state of disbelief at the tragic events that unfolded earlier that morning.

Lifeboats from neighbouring villages Achill and Ballyglass, Coast Guard ships and naval vessels Le Roisin and Le Eithne were assisted in the search and rescue mission by trawlermen from the fishing village of Blacksod.

Debris is dragged ashore as the search continues for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

Family members are escorted by An Garda at the scene in Co Mayo after yesterday's tragedy

A piece of debris with the word 'coastguard' written on it is towed in as the search continues

From the early hours of yesterday until long after the sun had set, the men volunteered their time and resources, putting forth every effort to help bring the four passengers of the missing Rescue 116 helicopter to shore.

Final words of the pilot Recordings of Rescue 116's pilot Mark Duffy's words, as he took off from Dublin Airport, reveal him sounding calm and telling air traffic control: 'Just to confirm the departure of R116. We are quite heavy with fuel.' He repeated that they were 'heavy with fuel' a few more times and said they would be travelling at about 3,000 feet. There is nothing unusual with an aircraft being heavy with fuel on such a long flight. It could indicate a plan to go straight to the scene. Later, en route to the scene yesterday morning, Mr Duffy asked ATC to contact Rescue 118. When there was no reply from Rescue 118, a controller asked a passing Lufthansa cargo flight to relay a message. The Lufthansa crew was asked to try to contact Rescue 118 and ascertain their position and their estimated time of arrival at the fishing vessel they were going to meet. Despite several attempts to contact Rescue 118, there was no reply. This message was relayed to the crew of Rescue 116. At the time, Rescue 116 was travelling to the search area to assist Rescue 118 by providing communications and safety top cover. Shortly after 12.30am, Rescue 116 contacted air traffic controllers to confirm they were descending from 4,000ft and heading to Blacksod to refuel. R116: 'Shannon, Rescue 116.' ATC: 'Rescue 116 Shannon, go.' R116: 'Passing 4,000ft and making our way into Blacksod for refuelling, Rescue 116.' ATC: 'Okay, that's copied. You can report airborne again.' There was no further communication between them. Shortly after 1am, air traffic control called Rescue 116 three times but received no response. Controllers made several further attempts to reach the helicopter. Controllers also asked the crew of Rescue 118 whether they had any communications with Rescue 116 but the crew confirmed they had not. Advertisement

Throughout the day, boats came in and out of the Blacksod pier, bringing with them scraps of debris from the doomed aircraft.

The largest of which was a helicopter door still intact.

Fewer than 500 people populate the town of Blacksod, one of whom is Hannah Quigley, who runs the local B&B.

Like many, Ms Quigley woke up to the news yesterday that a Coast Guard helicopter had disappeared at around 1am. The B&B she owns with her husband overlooks the helicopter pad where the Rescue 116 chopper was due to refuel before it went off the radar.

For the majority of the day she was busy preparing rooms for the crew that had been working tirelessly through the night to try to recover the crashed helicopter and its four passengers.

Mary Rabbitte, who owns the pub next door, chipped in to help her neighbour to prepare beds for the impending guests.

Agatha Hurst from the Ballyglass lifeboat rescue team also stopped by to lend a hand. She was one of the first people to get word that a helicopter had gone missing in the early hours. Members of her team immediately descended on the scene across four lifeboats.

'My pager went off this morning at around 1.10 and I was half asleep. It's awful to hear, a nightmare,' she said.

On the wearying search that continued yesterday, she said: 'They've rotated. Some of the lads had been out since one o'clock in the morning. They changed at around 10am and we've had a rotation.

'I met a fisherman, he couldn't get his boat out but he'd gone out on a shore search. We'll keep searching as long as we can.'

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was the first Rescue 116 crew member recovered yesterday morning. The senior pilot  who had more than 20 years' experience  was in a critical condition when found and was pronounced dead by yesterday afternoon. In a clip from an RTE documentary, Captain Fitz- patrick spoke about her vocation to the service, saying: 'There's no way in the world we would do anything else with our life.'

The mother of one joined the service when she was just 18.

The rest of her team were still missing last night after an arduous day of searching.

But through the shock and sadness, the residents of Ballysod rallied together valiantly  many bringing sandwiches, crisps and other refreshments to workers on the pier in the evening time.

Gardai approach the Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for the aircraft

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling yesterday

Hopes are fading for finding the three missing crew members, according to the Coast Guard

In the heritage centre down the road, a soup and sandwich station was set up to allow the tired search parties out at sea to eat when they came ashore.

The heartbreak among the community was palpable but each person did what they could to contribute to finding the rescuers who would normally be taking on such a despairing task.

Ms Quigley's eyes filled with tears when discussing the day's events. 'I found out when I turned on my laptop this morning... It was a total shock, right here on our doorstep.'

Summing up the sombre mood that could be felt throughout the west Mayo region, she said: 'It has just been all doom and gloom here. Even the birds didn't sing this morning. It's been so quiet.

A sea search is ongoing six miles west of Blacksod as the three crew members remain missing

Captain Fitzpatrick was located and plucked from the water at around 7am yesterday

The crew member found in the water yesterday had been fighting for her life but later died

'There's been helicopters, all of the fishermen have gone out.

'Everybody is just trying to see how they can help. They're the people that are normally out doing the saving. Now the shoe is on the other foot. It's terrible for their colleagues, it's so sad.

'It's always terrible and very sad but when it's the guys that do the rescuing that are in need of help, it's particularly heartbreaking.

'Today the rescuers are the ones that need rescuing.'

Ms Quigley described Ballysod as 'a genuine fishing village'.

Members of the Garda Water unit prepare to join the search for an Irish Coast Guard helicopter

A Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, for refuelling during the search

'Our fishermen catch lobster and crab here off Blacksod Bay. It's a lovely little town.'

Local GP and senator Dr Keith Swanick visited the scene at the pier yesterday evening. 'We live in a very isolated spot here in northwest Mayo,' he said.

He said the tragedy wasn't far from anyone's mind: 'I would have seen a lot of patients today and the first topic of conversation was about the tragic loss of life of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.'

Last night, the search for the three other heroes of R116 continued as the shocked locals of Ballysod gave their blood, sweat and tears to the task ahead.

R116 helicopter rescued father and son two days before crash R116 helped to rescue a father and son from a helicopter crash near Carlingford, Co. Louth, less than two days before it crashed off the coast of Mayo. A crew aboard the same helicopter were one of the first teams on the scene after businessman Donal 'Donie' Marron and his son Dustin crashed in the Cooley Mountains. The 71-year-old property developer suffered serious head injuries when the helicopter they were in crash-landed into the back garden of a holiday home on Sunday. Scene: R116 helps to rescue a father and son from a crash near Carlingford on Sunday It is across from the landing strip they had been attempting to land on, at a house  believed to be Mr Marron's  a few hundred yards away. Donie Marron was airlifted by the crew of R116 to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital after the crash and is expected to recover from his injuries. Dustin did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Donie's brother Kevin was killed in the so-called Beaujolais disaster over Eastbourne in England in November 1984. Based out of Dublin Airport, R116 completed 148 missions in 2015. Advertisement

Disaster is another horrifying blow for our heroic rescuers

Yesterday's helicopter disaster was the second tragedy to hit the Irish Coast Guard in less than six months.

Last September Caitriona Lucas became the first volunteer member of the service to lose her life on duty when she was killed during a search mission.

The mother-of-two was a librarian with Clare County Council and, alongside her husband, Bernard, was an active member of Doolin Coast Guard since 2006.

Dedicated: Caitriona Lucas rescuing a dog in 2002. Last year she became the first volunteer member of the service to lose her life on duty when she was killed during a search mission

The 41-year-old, from Liscannor, Co. Clare, and her husband were two of the first people to volunteer when the call went out to take part in the search for school inspector David McMahon, who went missing last September.

Rigorous training for pilots Coast Guard pilots must complete rigorous training before flying in rescue operations. Captain Dara Fitzpatrick had over 20 years' flying experience and had been chief pilot in Waterford since 2002. Pilots must do a certain number of flying hours before being considered for being involved in rescue operations (file picture) Mark McDermott, a colleague of Ms Fitzpatrick, said pilots must do a certain number of flying hours before being considered for the job. 'We only recruit pilots with reasonably significant previous flying experience, measured in flight hours. 'Pilots who come here have to do a conversion course followed by a search-and-rescue course,' he told TheJournal.ie last year. 'Then they need a minimum of three years as a co-pilot before you can take a command course. You're talking eight to ten years' experience before coming here and then another five before a possible command upgrade.' Advertisement

Mattie Shannon, the officer in charge of the Doolin unit at the time, said Caitriona was the first person to volunteer online, and said: 'She was there to be picked up at 9.30 on Monday morning.'

Ms Lucas, the mother to Ben, 20, and Emma, 18, died after her rescue boat capsized, throwing the three people on board into the sea off Kilkee on September 12.

The team were travelling in a rigid inflatable boat which was caught by a wave near the area's Pollock Holes.

Crewmate Jenny Caraway, 51, was plucked from the sea with minor injuries and James Lucas, 49, was rescued from a cliff cave by an abseil team, but Ms Lucas lost her life. Mr Shannon said they were lucky her husband wasn't also in the boat.

Mr Shannon told the Irish Times: 'They enjoyed their time with the unit and worked well together and always travelled together. He could very well have been on the boat. Anywhere you saw one, the other was there. There was no end to their ability or energy.'

Thousands attended her funeral in St Brigid's church in Liscannor, where her son Ben gave an emotional tribute to his 'inspirational' mother. He said: 'Goodbye to our wonderful mother. Love always. You are my hero.' And he urged the crowd of assembled mourners to seize the day, telling them: 'Life is short and time is very precious.'

Ms Lucas's coffin was draped in the Tricolour and the national flag was flown at half mast in honour of her sacrifice.

The 41-year-old was highly experienced in sea and cliff rescue and was qualified in first aid, emergency response, navigation, coxswain and climbing. Three investigations were launched her death, which was officially deemed a workplace accident.

Time of 'great grief and uncertainty', says President

President Michael D Higgins voiced his own distress after learning of the Rescue 116 tragedy yesterday, and praised the victims' fellow rescuers who continued to search for them at 'a time of great grief and uncertainty'.

He said the Irish people were grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and her colleagues.

He acknowledged the efforts of the Coast Guard and commended the other emergency services and local people who 'responded so valiantly, and in great solidarity' to the helicopter crash of the Co. Mayo coast.

Grief: President Michael D Higgins praised the victims' fellow rescuers who continued to search for them at 'a time of great grief and uncertainty'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny paid his respects from the United States where he is on his annual St Patrick's Day visit.

Chopper was giving 'top cover' on rescue mission When Coast Guard helicopters operate far from shore, they usually do so with the help of another aircraft providing what is known as 'top cover'  to keep communications with the base open. This is because, when working so far from land, there is too great a risk of communications dropping between the aircraft involved in the rescue and the personnel back at the rescue co-ordination centre. In such situations, the aircraft providing the cover flies over the one directly involved in a rescue mission and relays messages back to base. It also serves as a safety cover in case the rescue aircraft has to ditch into the water and its own crew need rescuing or other support. Until quite recently, top cover used to be provided by the Royal Air Force but that role was then passed to the Air Corps, which operates two CASA CN-235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Although they are normally used for off-shore maritime patrol duties, they routinely provide top cover. On the Defence Forces website last night, one of their roles was listed as 'search and rescue top cover'. Other Irish Coast Guard helicopters are used, as happened on Monday night. Back in 2011, when the Casas were undergoing maintenance, the government Learjet was deployed in a top cover role for the first time. At the time, it was sent to assist the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter in a medical evacuation mission off the Co. Clare coast. A crew member on a 40-year-old Dutch ship took ill about 135 nautical miles west of Loop Head in Co. Clare with suspected appendicitis. Advertisement

He offered the deepest sympathy of the Government and added: 'The Coast Guard has been exceptionally professional and competent in their work over many years. Last year alone over 2,500 incidents were directed by the Irish Coast Guard.'

Mr Kenny said he knew well 'the area off the coast of Blacksod' where the Sikorsky helicopter was lost well. And he added that he had spoken to the Transport Minister Shane Ross, and offered his condolences to Defence Forces Chief of Staff Mark Mellett.

The Taoiseach said: 'Clearly, in the analysis and investigation into this we want to uncover what exactly happened in respect of the lack of communications and loss of contact with Rescue Helicopter 116.

'Today marks a dark day in the history of the Coast Guard/Garda Costa na hEireann, with a member of this important service losing her life while providing assistance to others.'

Speaking outside Government Buildings yesterday, Transport Minister Shane Ross and Health Minister Simon Harris said they had spoken to the Taoiseach about the tragedy.

Mr Ross said: 'Luckily, there are rare individuals among us who dedicate their lives to the service of others, some even do so at enormous risk to their very lives.

'Today is one of the darkest days suffered by our brave and committed emergency services. The news this morning that contact was lost with one of our Coast Guard helicopters, carrying four crew, is shocking.'

Mr Harris said that it was 'striking that on such a bright spring day such dark could hangs over Ireland'.

The Health Minister added: 'The crew of Rescue 116 represent all that is good about our country, they epitomise courage, bravery, selflessness and dedication to the care and welfare of others.

'These traits were all on display again overnight off the west coast of Ireland.

'This crew had joined with their colleagues, in an effort to help fishing vessel crewman to get access to urgent medical care.'

The helicopter that has been dogged by controversy over gearbox oil leaks

BY GERRY BYRNE

The first time I flew as a passenger in a helicopter brought home to me how my life depended on the single vertical spinning metal bar above my head which drove the machine's rotor blades. Were that bar to fail the entire machine would fall from the sky without the luxury of wings to at least attempt a forced landing.

Helicopters can do wonderful things no other type of aircraft can manage but when something goes wrong, it can easily end in disaster.

Running out of fuel, pilot error, and mechanical failure are the three main causes of helicopter disasters and the latter is one most feared by helicopter pilots because there is often no hope of escape.

The Sikorsky S92 is one of the best helicopters that can be used in search and rescue operations and had a 'very good safety record', it has been claimed (file picture)

An Irish Coast Guard helicopter returns to Blacksod, Co Mayo, during the search yesterday

Debris was found on the surface of the water yesterday, south east of Blacksod Lighthouse

It is hard to believe that pilot error might have caused yesterday's crash of a Coast Guard helicopter into the sea off Co. Mayo. These are among the most skilled and experienced of all helicopter pilots and practise and rehearse their procedures almost on a daily basis. Safety is their gospel.

A stark reminder of Coast Guard heroism We are all familiar with the selfless work carried out by the Coast Guard. We know its members are there round the clock and in all weathers, assisting those who find themselves in peril. We know that the work carried out by those who dedicate their lives to Coast Guard service is dangerous. In our own comfortable lives we simply take that as a given. But we don't really think about that extraordinary risk. Not really. Until tragedy strikes. And then the dedication and sacrifice of these individuals is brought into extremely sharp focus. For all of us. Last September it was Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas who lost her life in a rescue mission off the coast of Clare. Now it is Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and three of her colleagues who have tragically perished. The shock and sadness among their families and within their local communities must seem today like a grief that is too hard to bear. How can they be gone, these four courageous souls who went out into the dark, into the wind and the rain on Monday night, to assist others by simply doing their job? It is imperative, in the days and weeks ahead, therefore, that we establish the reason for this tragedy. We need to know precisely what happened, and why, to helicopter R116. For the loved ones of those who have been lost, such answers are fundamental. And as we strive to get to the bottom of this tragedy, we must, as a nation, fully recognise and acknowledge the gallantry and heroism of those who risk their own lives so that others might be saved. And we must vow that we will never take such courage and altruism for granted again. Advertisement

Similarly it is hard to believe they might carelessly allow their aircraft to run out of fuel. And if fuel was about to run out the crew would have been trained to ditch on the sea in a controlled landing and attempt an escape into the water. They would also probably have had the time to snap off a quick Mayday to summon help.

The lack of a Mayday distress call suggests something sudden and catastrophic occurred aboard R116 in the air off the coast of Mayo early yesterday.

Mechanical failure of a key component is a strong likelihood.

If one engine aboard an airliner should fail, it can safely get home on the remaining one.

But the failure of a key helicopter component like the rotor and rotor shaft, the main gearbox or the tail rotor components can be terminal. Helicopters are unique in having so much stress placed on single components.

Airliners tend to have two of everything so that if one critical system fails, another can take over. Helicopters like the Sikorsky that crashed yesterday are different.

All of the power from its two large engines is directed to the main rotor through just one gearbox and one rotor drive shaft. When a key component on an airliner fails it can often continue to fly safely: there is no such safety valve in a helicopter.

Giving the amount of power passing through them and the enormous stresses placed on them, gearbox failures are not unusual in large helicopters and Sikorsky's experience has been no exception.

It was launched in 1998 and proved to be a very safe machine until a gearbox problem forced the emergency landing of an Australian S-92 in 2008. The gearbox was damaged after all the lubricant oil leaked away but everybody on board survived unhurt. Then 17 died in a 2009 crash when a S-92 plunged into the sea en route to a Newfoundland oil platform. A gearbox problem was also blamed.

Some S-92 helicopters operating in the North Sea were later found to have cracked gearbox mounts but Sikorsky said it was not a critical issue as the aircraft could safely fly with three out of four mounts intact.

The Garda Water unit are involved in the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter today

The Coast Guard chief said contact was last heard from the missing aircraft at about 12.45am

An Irish naval vessel and other boats join the search for the Irish Coast Guard helicopter

The naval ship is searching for the helicopter which went missing off the west coast of Ireland

Then, in January, an official UK air-safety report revealed how a worn tail rotor bearing almost caused a serious accident on an S-92 landing on a North Sea oil rig.

All 200 S-92s, including the aircraft which tragically crashed yesterday morning, were grounded until their operators made an emergency inspection of the bearing in question.

Sonar used to find the missing crew members The search operation is using sonar equipment to try to locate the missing crew members while air and shore searches are ongoing. A hydrophone is also being employed to try pick up the radio frequency of the black box recorder. The black box transmits a signal underwater for 30 days. Declan Geoghegan, of the Irish Coast Guard, said he was confident the main bulk of the missing helicopter will be located. 'The main frame, the engine and gearbox is still in the water. We should be able to find it, it is in just 40 metres of water,' he said. 'With the luck of God, they might be trapped in it.' Advertisement

But the leaking gearbox oil issue continues to cause controversy. Safety advocates question why the US Federal Aviation Administration allows the helicopter to operate without proving that it can fly safely for a limited time without transmission lubricant.

When it first approved the US-built helicopter, the FAA said that such a loss of oil was so unlikely as to be safely discounted. They have been proved wrong yet the FAA has still to instruct Sikorsky to improve the gearbox and its oil system.

Meanwhile the Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit will continue its search for the missing aircraft's black boxes: the flight data recorder, and the cockpit voice recorder.

But the flight data recorder may only say what the aircraft was doing when it crashed, not necessarily why it crashed.

Crash investigators will also need to recover as much wreckage as possible from the seabed which they will painstakingly examine for clues. If the gearbox is in good condition it will prompt investigators to search elsewhere for clues. If it is mangled they will want to know why.

Sometimes the pilots' last words on the cockpit voice recorder describe a flight problem which they cannot solve. A change in engine tone and unusual noises in the background often provide useful clues that have helped solved air crash mysteries.

But we may have to wait upwards of a year before the final report into the accident is published.
Piers Morgan clashed with Saira Khan in an extraordinary TV row as he accused her of supporting 'double standards' over the new EU ban on headscarves.

Loose Women host Saira Khan appeared on GMB this morning where she told Mr Morgan in a heated debate that she agreed companies should be able to ban headscarves in the workplace.

The European Court of Justice ruled yesterday that employers will be able to stop 'the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign' in the workplace.

Piers Morgan (right) has become embroiled in a row with Saira Khan (left) over the new EU ban on headscarves, accusing her of 'double standards'

Presenter and Apprentice runner up Saira Khan appeared on GMB this morning where she told Mr Morgan that she agreed with banning headscarves in the workplace

But Mr Morgan accused Ms Khan - a British Muslim - of 'double standards', because he said headscarves represent more than religion and that employers should not dictate what women wear to work.

He said: 'As male feminist I am perplexed by the double standards here.

'It's not just for religion. It can be for modesty reasons, cultural reasons. Who are we to say to women "you must be less modest at work, sorry".'

Ms Khan, a former Celebrity Big Brother contestant, told him: 'If a company decides it does not want political or religious embellishments at work... This is across the board. It affects everybody: Jewish people, Sikh, Christian. The ruling applies to everyone.

'(With this ruling), if I know a company won't accept things I'm really proud of, I just won't apply to that company. '

Mr Morgan then asked her: 'How would you feel if I said to you, before you go on air, "I don't like your jacket"?'

Ms Khan, 46, replied: 'This isn't about you saying to me, it's about a company that has policies. It's not about feeling, this is about a ruling. You cannot single out a person for wearing a religious outfit.'

At one, Mr Morgan (left) was so enraged that he told Ms Khan (right): 'Its not your show Saira! If you wouldn't mind letting me finish my sentence'

Mr Morgan, 51, then asked what would happen if a white woman wanted to wear a headscarf at work.

Ms Khan said: 'The rule still applies,' to which Morgan replied: 'It doesn't' and Khan insisted: 'It does'.

When Ms Karn said employers should then 'take a common sense approach', Mr Morgan replied: 'Your idea of common sense appears to be: If you are a Muslim woman wearing it for whatever reason, you're not allowed to wear one.

'But if you're an English white woman, you're allowed to wear one because it's not religious.'

At one point, he was so enraged that he said: 'It's not your show Saira. If you wouldn't mind letting me finish my sentence?'

Viewers had mixed opinions on the debate, with some people praising Mr Morgan for his interview

Ms Khan was invited on the show to debate with journalist Hanna Yusuf, who wears a headscarf and was arguing against the ruling.

She said: 'The ruling alienates people because it legitimises intolerant views and gives employers the chance to discriminate.'

She said the headscarf was 'reconciliation' of her Muslim background and European culture, but some people wore it for 'modesty or for spiritual thing.'

Mr Morgan said no one could 'ever find it offensive' that Ms Yusuf was wearing a headscarf.

He also added that women had been 'enraged' last month over employers forcing staff to wear heels in the workplace - but did not seem to carry the same views when it came to headscarves.

Viewers appeared to take Mr Morgan's side, taking to Twitter to praise his comments.

Eve Ginever-Parkin wrote: 'Don't often agree with @piersmorgan (if ever) but he's just put @iamsairakahn back in her box!'

Following yesterday's ruling, The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it was 'a sad day for justice and equality' as judges concluded that asking all employees to dress neutrally does not break religious discrimination rules.
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A British tourist who was murdered in the Indian holiday resort of Palolem beach in Goa had left a heartbreaking final post on Facebook just days before her death.

Danielle McLaughlin, 28, was found naked in a pool of blood yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in southern Goa. Her killer sexually assaulted her and 'disfigured' her face with a beer bottle.

A local man, named as Vikat Bhagat, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

On February 22 Ms McLaughlin, who lived in Liverpool, revealed she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa.

She wrote: 'Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know... Off on another adventure.'

Under the same post today, which included a sunset landscape picture, a friend wrote: 'Beautiful sunset for a beautiful soul'.

Her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said her daughter would be 'sadly missed' as 200 locals and foreign nationals gathered in Goa to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin.

The backpacker, who arrived in Goa on February 23, had been at Agonda beach and Patnem beach with friends during her first fortnight in the state.

On Monday night she celebrated the Holi festival at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists.

Her badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head.

Police have arrested Bhagat, a convicted criminal, and he has reportedly confessed, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her with a beer bottle so people would not be able to identify her.

Ms McLaughlin (left), who is thought to have lived in Liverpool, had just arrived from the north of the state and had been seen out and about at a party on Monday night at nearby Palolem beach, popular with Western tourists. A local man named as Vikat Bhagat (right) has been arrested

About 200 mourners attended a vigil on Wednesday night to mourn McLaughlin, as her mother, Andrea Brannigan, said she would be 'sadly missed'

At the vigil on Wednesday night, 200 local and foreign nationals gathered with flowers to pay tribute to Ms McLaughlin in Goa

Ms McLaughlin's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Deobag Beach about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face and head

Superintendent of Police Uttam Raut Dessai, from Sanguem Police Station, and is helping the investigation, said: 'This is a murder case that was registered at Cancona Police Station yesterday.

'We received information from our sources that there was a boy named Vikas Bhagat, 23, a rowdy and a boy known to police in Goa was spotted with her in the afternoon and evening.

'He was then brought in and interrogated. He has today confessed to sexually assaulting her and killing her with a beer bottle.

Bhagat, 23, confessed to the killing, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin before disfiguring her face with a beer bottle

'The girl arrived at one restaurants with Vikas on a scooter. He has confessed to the crime but is now trying to involve others.

'We do not believe there were more involved in the crime but our investigation will make sure of this.

'We believe he took her clothes so that the body was not recognized by anyone.

'And in order to hide her identity, he tried to destroy her face with a beer bottle because people had seen him with Danielle.

'He was trying to conceal his crime but ultimately a murder is a murder.'

He added the post mortem will take place once the police get permission from the embassy.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession.

Sammy Tavares, Deputy Superintendent of Police had earlier revealed that the body was found 'lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries to the head and face'.

Bhagat was arrested in March 2014 for targeting foreigners in a string of burglaries in the area.

One British holidaymaker revealed a thief had sneaked into their holiday villa through a balcony and taken a laptop, two mobile phones and a portable hard drive worth around 1,620.

Ms McLaughlin was been found dead near a beach in the Indian holiday resort of Goa amid fears she was raped and murdered. Police descended on the scene of the murder (pictured) on Tuesday morning a

A 28-year-old, named by police as Danielle McLaughlin (pictured), was found naked in a pool of blood in a field yesterday morning after attending Holi celebrations in the Canacona area of southern Goa, India

The victim had been partying at popular Palolem beach (file picture) before she was found dead yesterday morning

Police said this morning that they had arrested a suspect named as Vikat Bhagat (pictured) who they said was a petty thief. He is said to have made a confession, saying he sexually assaulted Ms McLaughlin and disfigured her face with a beer bottle

Another told how he had taken a laptop, camera, mobile phone and CDs worth more than 1,100

Following the reported crimes, police watched the flats and caught Bhagat who had been found guilty of seven previous offences.

A worker at the Dreamcatcher resort where Danielle had reportedly visited the day before her murder said he knew of the arrested man and that he was 'the biggest thief of the area.'

'He steals from foreigners only - break into their rooms and loot everything. He scares outsiders who have set up their business here. He is a powerful person, by powerful I mean he scares people using weapon. He is a nuisance for the society.'

The 28-year-old's body was discovered by a farmer about four miles away from Palolem beach on Tuesday morning

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares said that officers had arrested Vikat Bhagat (pictured) and that 'he has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity'

Ms McLaughlin's Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University and was from Buncrana in Ireland. She is pictured, centre, with some children during one trip abroad

Detectives said they had questioned up to 15 people over the killing of Ms McLaughlin, who was travelling under a British passport.

Police Inspector Filomeno Costa told reporters: 'A local named Prashant Komarpant alerted us after he noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields around 7am on Tuesday morning.

'The body had bruises and her face was badly smashed. Looking at the injuries we concluded that that it was a case of murder.

'We sent her body to Goa Medical College for autopsy and awaiting report to ascertain if she was sexually assaulted.

'We are also speaking with the hotels where she had stayed to find out if she was with her friends or holidaying alone.'

He later added that although police suspect sexual assault in the case, they have yet not pressed rape charges pending the results of a postmortem report is awaited.

According to Goacom, a friend working in the accommodation business at nearby Agonda said Ms McLaughlin had arrived in the area from Arambol on Sunday and stayed with another friend.

Heartbroken friends of the 28-year-old backpacker (above in a Facebook picture) say she 'added happiness' to the world

It is thought Ms McLaughlin (pictured) who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but may have been born in Ireland

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE LEAD UP TO VIKAS BHAGAT'S ARREST At 8.20am on Tuesday, police received information from Prashand Komarpant in Palolem, Canacona, about a body for a foreign female in an open field in Devabag, about 150m from a road leading from Canacona to Agonda. The woman had injuries on her face and head when her body was discovered. The body was identified as Danielle Mclaughlin by foreigners. She had arrived in Goa on February 23 and was staying in Arambol, but she had travelled to Festival Valley with a British friend on March 12 to stay with other foreigner friends over night. At about 1pm on March 13, Ms McLaughlin left Festival Valley and went to Palolem, where she was seen with 23-year-old Vikat Bhagat in Waddo Canacona. The pair were seen together on CCTV near a restaurant in Ourem. Miss McLaughlin was last seen with Bhagat at about 9.30pm on March 13, and was found dead the next day. Bhagat was arrested on March 14 at 3.10pm. His scooter allegedly had blood stains on it, as did his clothes. During a medical examination, officials found Bhagat had nail wounds. Bhagat has since confessed to killing Ms McLaughlin, saying he sexually assaulted her and disfigured her face with a beer bottle. Advertisement

He said she then told the friend she was going to meet some people she had met on a previous trip to the country who were going to help her find accommodation at Palolem.

The friend said she had left at 2pm on Monday and was seen at a hotel in Palolem dancing with her Indian friends during Holi celebrations.

Police are studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams.

While the police found the deceased's clothes, they are yet to locate the murder weapon.

The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for a post mortem.

It is thought Ms McLaughlin, who had a tattoo saying 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery', lived in Liverpool, but was from Buncrana in County Donegal.

Her Facebook profile says she had studied at Liverpool John Moores University. A spokesman today: 'The University is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

'We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU.'

In early February Ms McLaughlin posted a thank you to her friends for wishing her a happy birthday.

Police said this morning that they had arrested a man called Vikat Bhagat and that he had made a confession. Ms McLaughlin is pictured left with a friend

The victim's badly beaten body was discovered by a farmer at Devbag Beach (pictured) about four miles away on Tuesday morning. She had suffered extensive injuries to her face.

In a heartbreaking post on Facebook written just days ago on February 22, Ms McLaughlin revealed how she was 'off on another adventure' to Goa

Ms McLaughlin had just arrived with a friend from the north of the state so they could celebrate Holi (file picture), a spring festival famous for crowds of people throwing paint - and held to celebrate the triumph of good over evil

'Thanks for all the birthday love. It was filled with dancing, dinners and family time. Very grateful for all the beautiful pals I have accumulated in life,' she wrote.

Christy Duffy, a close friend of Ms McLaughlin's from Buncrana, has already raised several thousand euro on a fundraising website to help pay for the funeral and repatriation costs.

'There's not really much anyone can say at the moment as I know we are all completely devastated,' he said.

'There is nothing I need to say about Danielle as anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

'They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better.'

Mr Duffy said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

'The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves,' he said.

Another Friend Candice Faulkner, who grew up with Danielle in the small town of Buncrana said on Facebook: 'We are in shock. Danielle was an amazing person with so much adventure in front of her. Our small town is devastated.'

MYSTERIOUS DEATHS HAVE BLIGHTED BEACH HAVEN British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found dead in Anjuna in mysterious circumstances in 2008 It is one of India's top tourism destinations with millions drawn by the promise of palm tree-fringed beaches and hedonistic parties. But the murder of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin is the latest case to blight picturesque Goa and its reputation as a holiday haven. In 2008, the body of British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was found bruised and semi-naked in shallow water in Anjuna, 70 miles from the spot where Ms McLaughlin was killed. The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered. Goan police initially said her death was the result of an accidental drowning before two men went on trial for assaulting and killing her. But in September, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho were cleared in an Indian court. Mackeown said today that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder. The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit. 'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area. 'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation. Two years after Scarlett's death, in 2010, another mysterious death took place. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later. An Indian post mortem result put her cause of death down to a drugs overdose and said the evidence pointed to it being an accidental death. But in 2012, an inquest in Derby heard that there were no drugs in the mother of two's system. There were 20 unexplained marks on her body. The tests in the UK showed that she had in fact died from a head injury. The family campaigned for a new investigation in India. But detectives from India's Central Bureau of Investigation later dropped the probe, insisting there was no evidence of violence. Her sister Maureen said afterwards that she still believed Denyse had been murdered. According to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, between 2010 and 2014, 58 British nationals died in Goa in what are described as 'unknown' circumstances. Edinburgh-born Denyse Sweeney (pictured) was 34 when she collapsed outside a bar in Anjuna. She was declared dead at hospital less than an hour later Advertisement

And another friend of the family, Ruth Taylor said: 'My brain won't let it register!! Our poor Danielle, it's such a shock, I'm heartbroken!'

Danielle had been travelling the world, meeting up with friends as she travelled. It is believed she had been in Goa with a pal.

She had lived in Liverpool for many years, and had worked in the PumpHouse Bar on the Albert Dock before going travelling.

The firm said on Facebook: 'Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland.'

The Irish Independent quotes Rena Donaghey, a councillor in the Buncrana area as saying the death had left the whole community 'in deep shock'

'Everyone is very saddened by the news. She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end. She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

'On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead.'

Police are also studying the CCTV footage of all the shacks the victim visited on Monday night, and are working with teams of sniffer dogs and forensic teams (file picture)

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin earlier confirmed it was talking to its embassy in India about the reports.

The Irish embassy said: 'Ireland's Embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance.'

But the Department later said it was 'following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa' who had been 'using a British passport'.

'It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate have the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities,' the spokesman added.

'The Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today.'

An FCO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa, India. Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time. Indian police are conducting an investigation and we are in close contact with them.'

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling (left) was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach. Her mother, Fiona Mackeown (right) said today that she was not surprised by Danielle's murder

In 2008, British teenager Scarlett Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach.

The 15-year-old drowned after allegedly being plied with drugs - though her mother Fiona MacKeown has long insisted she was murdered.

Two men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were cleared of raping and killing her by an Indian court last year.

Mackeown said today she was not surprised by Danielle's murder.

The mother from Bideford, North Devon said: 'This story reinforces my belief that Goa is a dangerous place to visit.

'Scarlett's murder was covered up and I hope this one isn't. People are already comparing the two cases. It should put more pressure on the government to clean up the area.

'If they don't do something, tourists will not feel safe to come to Goa. In my case, the court revealed they did not do a proper investigation.

'I would think knowing what they know now they will not make same mistakes. The police seem to have acted quickly and picked up someone - they did the opposite with Scarlett.

'Goa will not be safe until there is stiffer punishment for rapists and a change in attitude from men.'
President Donald Trump might have leaked his own tax returns because they were stamped 'Client Copy', according to the journalist who received the document anonymously.

Pulitzer Prize-winning writer David Cay Johnston told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow that it's 'entirely possible' Trump sent out the documents from 2005, since they appeared to paint the President in a favorable light.

'By the way, let me point out that it's entirely possible that Donald Trump sent this to me. Donald Trump has, over the years, leaked all sorts of things,' the DCReport.org founder, who received the document by mail, said last night.

A stamp reading 'Client Copy' is visible on one of the two pages of the 1040 document sent to Johnston.

Speculation online suggested that Trump may have leaked the documents himself to distract from the continuing investigation into his Russian ties and the GOP's swingeing Medicare cuts.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston claims that that President Donald Trump may have leaked his own tax returns because he has a 'long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it's in his interests'

Johnston appeared on MSNBC on Tuesday to discuss Trump's tax documents with Rachel Maddow. He says he received the document unsolicited by mail through an anonymous sender

Johnston claimed that Trump has a 'long history of leaking material about himself when he thinks it's in his interests'.

While it has been reported that Trump previously posed as his own publicist under the names 'John Miller' and 'John Barron', the President has denied such doings.

The document released on Tuesday showed that Trump earned $253million that year but wrote off $103million as losses, which lowered the amount of tax he had to pay dramatically. He paid $38million in income taxes that year.

Trump refused to release his returns during his presidential campaign, breaking a decades-long tradition, after it was claimed that he didn't pay taxes for 18 years.

The hefty business revealed in the documents on Tuesday appears to be a continued benefit from his use of a tax loophole in the 1990s, which allowed him to deduct previous losses in future years.

In 1995, he reported a loss of more than $900million, largely as a result of financial turmoil at his casinos.

Tax records obtained by The New York Times last year showed the losses were so large they could have allowed Mr Trump to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years.

But his 2005 filing shows another tax prevented him from realizing the full benefit of those deductions.

In response to the tax documents, an indignant White House told CNN: 'You know you are desperate for ratings when you're prepared to violate the law to push a story about tax returns from over a decade ago.'

In her MSNBC show, Maddow revealed that Trump earned $253million that year but wrote off $103million as losses, which lowered the amount of tax he had to pay dramatically

The documents show that Trump paid most of his tax through 'alternative minimum tax,' which he has said he wants to abolish, and that he used a loss registered in 1995 to lower his taxes

The release concludes that 'it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns,' and fired off a parting shot about the 'dishonest media.'

Johnston told Maddow that as he had not solicited the documents, neither he nor Maddow had done anything illegal.

Maddow added that the First Amendment protected her right to report on the documents, which were the first two pages of his 2005 1040 form.

The White House claimed in its statement that Trump paid $38million on an income of $150million that year, in addition to sales and excise taxes and employment taxes.

Johnston said that they had fudged the numbers to make it look like he had paid more income tax than he really did.

Trump made a total income of $253million in 2005, but wrote off $103million in losses, according to the document.

Money came from the sale of two New York properties to the Chinese as well as a salary from The Apprentice, which had premiered the previous year.

The documents show Trump and wife Melania paid $5.3million in regular federal income tax, at a very low rate of less than 3.5 per cent.

Trump also paid $31million in the 'alternative minimum tax,' which is something that the president has previously said he wanted to abolish.

That's an effective federal tax rate of 24.2 per cent in 2005, compared with 13.5 per cent paid by Bernie Sanders in 2014 and 14.1 per cent by Mitt Romney in 2011, according to statements they have released during their presidential campaigns.

The DNC said that if the White House could confirm Trump's 2005 taxes, it could release his other documents, and suggested that illegal ties to foreign powers was holding them back

The first page of Donald Trump's tax return, which was leaked to David Cay Johnston

The second and final page of the leak, which was confirmed as real by the White House. The page is stamped 'client copy' leading to speculation that Trump leaked it himself

The additional money used by the White House to round it up to $38million 'includes his self-employment payroll tax, most of which is Medicare, not income tax,' Johnston said.

'If we didn't have the alternative minimum tax,' Johnston said, 'he would have paid tax at a lower tax rate than the poorest people in this country.'

The documents also show that Trump was continuing to benefit in 2005 from the $916million loss he reported in 1995, a trick that was closed by Congress in 1996.

In the run-up to the presidential election, Trump became the first presidential candidate since Richard Nixon's era to refuse to disclose his tax returns.

He claimed at the time that his tax returns could not be released because he was under audit, although the IRS said there was no legal restriction on releasing taxes while under audit.

In response to the White House's announcement about Trump's taxes, the DNC said on Tuesday night that their 'willingness to release some tax information when it suits them proves Donald Trump's audit excuse is a sham.

'If they can release some of the information, they can release all of the information.

'The only reason not to release his returns is to hide what's in them such as financial connections with Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin.'

After the show Donald Trump Jr said that Maddow was 'proving' that his father is 'successful'. Maddow said the point was to question how Trump got his money, and from whom

Donald Jr continued to Tweet, saying that it didn't fit CNN's 'narrative'. There had been speculation that Trump had no paid taxes after reporting massive losses in 1995

Donald Jr went on to repeat his father's claim that news stations critical about his administration are 'fake news'

Donald Jr continued to mock Maddow, ignoring her concerns about Trump's alleged dodgy dealings with foreign powers and instead focusing on the fact that his father made money

Johnston continued his appearance on the show by explaining that the Trumps made $418,000 a day while paying the equivalent tax of a middle-class American couple, having received a 20 per cent 'discount' on their taxes.

Johnston also said the document only describes the types of income, not their sources, and asked who had paid him.

Tweeting after the show, Donald Trump Jr wrote: 'Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes! #Taxes.'

He then tweeted several more times on the same theme, adding 'Now @CNN is upset that the returns that they have been dying to get their hands on for 18 months are out but it doesn't fit their narrative!'

'Watching the media aka #fakenews implode on tv now because they got what they wanted is simply awesome. #thankyoumaddow #TrumpTaxReturns'

'BREAKING NEWS: 12 years ago @realDonaldTrump made a lot of money and paid a lot in taxes #scandal #thankyouMaddow'

Responding to Donald Jr's first tweet on The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donnell - the show that followed her own on MSNBC's schedules - Maddow said the point of the tax returns was not about how much Trump made.

Rather, she said, it was important to know how he made it, and whether he might have compromised America in doing so.

Maddow suggested at the top of the show that the tax returns might shed light on Trump's own dealings, many of which have been opaque until now.
Dutch leader Mark Rutte has won the country's general election and said Geert Wilders' defeat meant 'after Brexit and Trump' the country's voters had rejected the 'wrong kind of populism'.

Mr Rutte, who has won a historic third term as prime minister, has also refused to work with far-right leader Wilders despite his PVV party coming second.

Speaking last night a jubilant Rutte, who leads the liberal VVD party, said: 'The Netherlands, after Brexit and Trump, said "Whoa!" to the wrong kind of populism.'

In response Mr Wilders called his comments 'very worrying, as if populists are semi-Nazis'.

He added: 'Rutte has not seen the back of me.'

Defeat: Far-right MP Geert Wilders (pictured last night) has lost Holland's General Election to a delighted Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who said the country had rejected the 'wrong kind of populism'

Response: Mr Wilders, pictured after the election results came in, called his comments 'very worrying, as if populists are semi-Nazis'

With most votes counted for the 150-seat legislature early Thursday, Rutte's VVD has 33 seats, eight fewer than in 2012. The far-right populist Party for Freedom of Wilders is second with 20 seats, five more than the last time but still a stinging setback.

The loss represented a decrease of nine seats for Rutte and an increase of seven seats for Wilders.

The anti-Islam politician has previously promised to deliver a Nexit, a Dutch version of Brexit, and a 'patriotic revolution' to the Dutch people.

Mr Wilders campaigned on radical pledges to close borders to migrants from Muslim nations, close mosques, ban the Koran and take the Netherlands out of the EU.

Disappointed: Mr Wilders said he had hoped to be Dutch PM but added: 'Rutte has not seen the back of me'

Wilders has remained upbeat about the future of the PVV.

He tweeted: 'We won seats! The first victory is in! And Rutte hasn't seen the last of me!'

He later said: 'I'd preferred to have been the winner of the elections, but the VVD have lost 10 seats and we're among the winners in second.

'If all the losers like the VVD form a government, we need to have a strong opposition of winners like the PVV.'

His Party For Freedom had won 15 seats on the previous general election in 2012, with support reaching its peak in 2015, but his seats dwindled to just 12 before Wednesday's vote.

Speaking as he cast his vote today, he said: 'Whatever the outcome of the election today, the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay.'

Rutte's junior partner in the outgoing coalition, Labour, suffered its worst ever result at the election, winning just nine seats, down from 38 last time.

Pictured: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte celebrates the results of exit polls showing his party had won the country's General Election

Rutte said his victory was a sign the Netherlands had said: 'That's enough of the wrong sort of populism'. Comments Wilders said treated his supporters like 'semi-Nazis'

Rutte - who has vowed never to work alongside Wilders - will now attempt to form a coalition government and could possibly turn to the CDA and the D66.

A coalition could take weeks or even months, with at least three other parties needed to reach a majority in parliament.

The PM said: 'It seems like for third time in a row the VVD is the Netherlands biggest party.

'Our message to the Netherlands - that we will hold our course, and keep this country safe and stable - got though.'

WHO WILL FORM THE COALITION? It could take months for the parties to form a coalition government, so the exact outcome of the election will not be known for some time yet. As the leader of the party with the greatest share of the votes - a predicted 33 seats - the VVD's Mark Rutte will be invited to form a government first. That means Rutte, who has already served two terms as Prime Minister, must bring together enough other parties to meet the 76-seat majority But his long-time coalition partners the Labour Party - affiliated with the center-left British Labour party - won't be much use this time around. They have gone from 38 seats in the last election to just nine this time around. That means he'll likely need to get at least three more parties in line to collect the seats needed to form a majority government. The liberal/conservative party leader will walk straight past anti-Islam and anti-EU firebrand Geert Wilders and the 20 seats his PVV party scored, having denounced his politics as 'the wrong sort of populism'. Wilders has said that he would be happy to enter negotiations, but all of the major parties have refused to deal with him. Instead Rutte is most likely to make a beeline for the next two biggest parties - the moderate Christian Democratic Appeal and progressive direct-democracy campaigners Democracy 66, both of whom are expected to have 19 seats. That will only take him up to 71 seats, however. So he may look to GreenLeft, the 25-year-old party that has had a phenomenal rise in popularity this election under the control of 30-year-old Jesse Klavier. The progressive group - formed from a merger of Communist, pacifist, socialist and Christian parties - has gone from four to 16 seats this year. With some of the biggest rallies of the campaign, and celebrated TV debates - including much-publicised clashes with Wilders - he could make a sensible popular left choice for Rutte. Advertisement

Officials in France and Germany - both of whom have elections to fight against resurgent right-wing opposition later in the year - rushed to praise the result as a victory for middle-ground parties.

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is set to make France's presidential election run-off in May, while the Eurosceptic, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany is likely to enter the German federal parliament for the first time in a September election.

French President Francois Hollande welcomed Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's election victory over anti-Islam, anti-EU leader Geert Wilders, as did the man who hopes to beat far-right leader Marine Le Pen and take Hollande's place in a vote next May.

Hollande, near the end of his five-year term, on Thursday congratulated Rutte on the centre-right premier's unexpectedly sizeable score and lead over Wilders in a Dutch election closely watched by Europe ahead of France's presidential ballot.

'The President warmly congratulates Mark Rutte for his clear victory against extremism,' Socialist politician Hollande said in a statement.

Centrist Emmanuel Macron, tipped by most polls to end up in a second-round runoff against Le Pen, who leads France's anti-immigrant and anti-EU National Front party, offered congratulations on social network Twitter.

'The Netherlands is showing us that a breakthrough for the extreme right is not a foregone conclusion and that progressives are gaining momentum,' said the 39-year-old presidential contender, who pledges to modernise French politics and transcend traditional left-versus-right divisions.

Rutte's victory may hearten mainstream political leaders in a battle with Le Pen, who wants to ditch the euro and restore France's franc currency.

Opinion polls show Le Pen winning the first round of the election in April, but then losing a decisive second round vote in May to whichever of Macron or conservative candidate Francois Fillon makes it to the May 7 runoff. Polls now show Macron far more likely to get to the runoff than Fillon.

This year's elections saw the highest turnout in the past 31 years, with 82 per cent of people going out to vote, according to Ipsos.

Pictured: The results of the General Election compared to seats won in 2012

It is believed the Rutte took lead because of his tough stance during the Dutch government's recent row with Turkey.

The PM got a last-minute boost from the diplomatic dispute, which allowed him to take a well-timed tough line on a majority Muslim country during an election campaign in which immigration and integration have been key issues.

The spat did not hurt the chances of Denk, a party supported by Dutch Turks, which looked set to win three seats, becoming the first ever ethnic minority party, in a possible sign of deepening ethnic division.

But while Rutte averted what in the early stages of the campaign looked like a possible victory for Wilders, years of austerity pushed down his share of the vote.

Margaritis Schinas, spokesperson for the EU commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said he had spoken to Rutte and congratulated him on his victory.

Mr Juncker added that it was a: 'A vote for Europe, a vote against extremists.'

The defeat for Wilders has also been welcomed by German chancellor Angela Merkel.

A spokesman tweeted a message on her behalf to the Dutch PM saying: 'I look forward to working with you as friends, neighbours and Europeans.'

GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD): 32 seats - the liberal/ conservative party of PM Mark Rutte Party For Freedom (PVV): 19 - Geert Wilders' anti-immigrant, anti Muslim party Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA): 19 - moderate pro-religion party Democracy Party (D66): 19 - liberals who want direct democracy Green Left (GL): 15 - mixture of far-left and Greens Socialist Party (SP): 14 - further to the left of Labour Labour Party (PvdA): 9 - social democratic party, sister party of British Labour Christian Union: 6 - conservative religious party Party for the Animals (PvdD): 5 - animal rights and welfare party Reformed Political Party (SGP): 3 - Protestant party, oldest in Netherlands Denk: 3 - anti-racist Labour offshoot formed by two Turkish-Dutch politicians Forum for Democracy (FvD): 2 - fights against political system status quo Advertisement

Merkel's chief of staff, Peter Altmaier, also posted his delight at the prediction that Wilders would lose.

He tweeted in Dutch: 'Netherlands you are a champion! Congratulations on this great result!

Germany faces parliamentary elections in September, in which the anti-immigration, eurosceptic Alternative for Germany party, allied with Wilders, is hoping to enter the Berlin federal parliament for the first time.

The results have been welcomed by former president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, who tweeted: 'We must continue to fight for an open and free Europe.'

Mabel Berezin, professor of sociology at Cornell University in the United States, said defeat for Wilders, who has been in parliament for nearly two decades, should not be considered a sign that European populism is waning.

'He does not represent a populist wave. Rather, he is part of the political landscape and how his party fares does not tell us much about European populism,' she said.

'The real bellwether election will be Marine Le Pen's quest for the French presidency, starting April 23 that is where the populist action is and that is what we should be focusing upon.'

In a subplot of the elections, the Green Left party were set to register a historic victory, turning it into the largest party on the left wing of Dutch politics for the first time.

DUTCH ELECTIONS: WHO'S WHO VVD (People's Party for Freedom)  liberal/conservative, led by PM Mark Rutte. PVV (Party for Freedom)  anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, led by Geert Wilders PvdA (Labour Party)  social democratic party, sister party of British Labour Party SP (Socialist Party)  further to the left of Labour CDA (Christian Democrats) - moderate, pro-religion D66 (Democrats 66)  liberals, support direct democracy, founded in 1966 GL (Green Left)  upcoming alliance of far-Left and Greens, led by Jesse Klaver Advertisement

The Greens leapt from four seats to 15 in parliament after a strong campaign by charismatic leader Jesse Klaver, who invites comparisons to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

'This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory,' Green Left chairwoman Marjolein Meijer said.

Europe Votes  What Comes Next? French President election: April 23 and May 7 German parliamentary election: September 24 Advertisement

It remains to be seen if the 30-year-old Klaver will take his party into the next ruling coalition, which looks likely to be dominated by Rutte's VVD and other right-leaning parties.

Because of the result, it also looked unlikely that Labour leader Dijsselbloem would be able to hang on to his post of leading the 19-nation Eurogroup, which manages the currency of the European Union nations that use the euro.

Queues began swelling early at the polls today and the research institute IPSOS said turnout was already 'a lot' higher than at the same point in 2012 when final participation was 74 per cent.

Amid the tussle between Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters had been wavering between the 28 parties running.

'Netherlands does not belong to all. Do you hear me? The Netherlands belongs to the Dutch,' Wilders said in Tuesday's debate.

In the same debate, Rutte said: 'When people look for leadership, they look to me.'

As he voted today, he said: 'This is a crucial election for The Netherlands.

'This is a chance for a big democracy like The Netherlands to make a point... to stop this... domino effect of the wrong sort of populism.'

Rutte - who has vowed never to work alongside Wilders - will now attempt to form a coalition government and could possibly turn to the CDA and the D66

Before the election, Wilders vowed: 'This patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay'

WHO IS GEERT WILDERS? Geert Wilders founded the right-wing Party For Freedom in 2006 and rallied against what he saw as the 'Islamification' of the Netherlands. Wilders, who has led his party in four elections, has vowed to confiscate Korans, close mosques and Islamic schools, shut Dutch borders and ban migrants from Islamic countries among a raft of other anti-Islamic moves. His policies have seen him receive a barrage of death threats and reportedly leaving him forced to wear a bullet proof vest around the clock. After working in health insurance, he ventured into politics and first took public office at Utrecht City Council in 1997 for the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy. However, he left the VVD - now led by current Dutch PM Mark Rutte - in 2004, after it supported Turkey's accession to the European Union. Wilders was temporarily banned from visiting the UK by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown in 2009, after he released a offensive film linking the Koran to terrorism. In December last year, he was found guilty of discrimination against Moroccans after comments he made during an election rally in 2014. Wilders found himself at the centre of controversy again in 2015, after he attended a 'draw the prophet Muhammad' contest in Dallas, US, and it was attacked by two gunmen. The politician was a guest speaker at the event, attended by 150 people, when the shooters opened fire. They were later shot dead by police. Advertisement

Wilders' one-page election manifesto included pledges to close borders to immigrants from Muslim nations, shuttering mosques and banning the Koran

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery

Following the vote in the Netherlands (above), the French go to the polls next month with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen currently in second place behind centrist Emmanuel Macron
Tara Waterfield was disturbed by the texts

A mobile phone shop worker sent a 17-year-old girl 'creepy' text messages after finding her number in the store's customer database.

Tara Waterfield visited the Three store in Plymouth's Drake Circus shopping mall with her mother last month to get an upgrade.

And 20 minutes after leaving the shop, she received a message saying: 'This is so naughty of me.

'I just had to say you are absolutely (sic) f*****g gorgeous, legs for days girl mmm mmmm mmm yes.

'From the guy in the store who couldn't stop looking. Free for a drink any time I'm so already at the bar waiting for you!'

The teenager, who has now turned 18, said she noticed a 'creepy' shop worker who 'wouldn't stop staring' at her.

He appears to have got her personal details from the shop's database.

Tara's father Brian, 71, complained to the company who offered them 150 and launched an inquiry.

Tara, from Plymouth, said: 'From the minute I walked in I noticed a guy staring at me. Every time I looked around he was staring and smiling at me.

'At first I smiled back just to be friendly but after a while it was getting creepy.

'The while time he was staring at me he would be serving customers - it was really uncomfortable.'

The pupil at Devonport High School For Girls, told the Plymouth Herald: 'I was actually talking to my friend about how uncomfortable the situation was with the guy and then I got a text from a number I didn't recognise.

'I stood looking at my friend and thought "what do I say to this" and I stood looking at it for ages. It's a bit inappropriate. I text my mum the message straight away and she didn't really know what to say.

'I was a little bit mortified. I always get my phones from that store. When it first happened I couldn't walk past.

'I was a bit worried he would turn up outside my house or come and find me somewhere.'

Twenty minutes after she left the shop, she received the text message from the older man asking for a date

Tara Waterfield visited the Three store in Plymouth's Drake Circus shopping mall (pictured) with her mother last month to get an upgrade

Her father added said: 'It was very inappropriate.'

A Three spokesman revealed that the staff member was suspended after an investigation.

He said: 'We have apologised to the customer for the inappropriate behaviour and made an offer of compensation.

'The member of staff has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.'
Harry Mosley, 25, denies two counts of fraud

A wine broker allegedly cheated elderly and vulnerable investors out of almost half a million pounds to fund his own lavish lifestyle, a court heard.

Customers cold-called by Harry Mosley and his team lost entire portfolios or vast amounts of money having signed up to his company Optimum Fine Wine.

They were promised financial profit in return for buying, swapping or selling wine through the firm initially bankrolled by his parents.

He is standing trial for fraud at Maidstone Crown Court alongside two of his alleged cold-calling team, his 'right-hand man' Bradley Deadman, 23, and Lewis Hearson, 22, both from Tonbridge, Kent.

A jury was told the clients, many of whom were in their 80s, received little or no money from sales of their own wine collections, and that wine they purchased or swapped simply never materialised.

At least two died while waiting for a trial to start and others were said to have little or no memory of their dealings with the brokers by reason of their age.

Company director Mosley is alleged to have 'cut and run', spending their investments living the high life.

The court heard he lavished 100,000 at bars, restaurants and hotels, as well as on buying luxury goods and designer clothes.

He also gambled just over 57,300 with a spread betting company, had a holiday in Dubai and gave his then girlfriend 23,320.

There was also evidence in his bank account of paying himself 112,000 and selling a Bentley car.

Bradley Deadman, 23, and Lewis Hearson, 22, pictured outside Maidstone Crown Court

Also standing trial for fraud at Maidstone Crown Court are Lewis Hearson, 22 (left) and Mosley's 'right-hand man' Bradley Deadman, 23, (right) both from Tonbridge, Kent

But Maidstone Crown Court in Kent heard yesterday that 25-year-old Mosley's good fortune was at the expense of his customers.

Some lost entire wine portfolios after they were simply sold on by Optimum Fine Wine to wholesalers.

One gentleman aged 84 handed over 205,460 for wine to be purchased and then held in warehouse storage at London City Bond. However, no wine was ever bought and no money refunded.

Another who agreed to swap his collection with others through Optimum Fine Wine transferred more than 56,000 in wine, only to have just two cases delivered to his account and leaving him with a loss of just over 49,000.

It is alleged that 15 customers were duped by Mosley's company between September 2012 and May 2014, losing a total of 458,922.

Company director Mosley (pictured outside court) is alleged to have 'cut and run', spending their investments living the high life

Prosecutor Dale Sullivan said: 'This case doesn't involve ill-advice that led to poor investment. It is based solely on engaging the trust of customers to invest and then cutting and running from them.'

The investor who lost almost a quarter of a million pounds was described as the 'starkest example' of the alleged fraud.

'Optimum Fine Wine took his money without attempting to purchase the wine for him,' said Mr Sullivan.

Those who became suspicious or tried to complain ended up 'with the trail going cold,' the court was told, and so alerted police.

The youngest alleged victim was 52 and the oldest was 85. However, the prosecutor said the majority were in their 80s.

Peter Whiteley, 84, who lost 205,460, was said at the start of the trial to have little recollection of his transactions with Optimum Fine Wine.

He was first contacted in February 2014 and despite his investment, no wine was ever purchased on his behalf and no storage account set up at LCB.

He said he had initially invested with a company called Bordeaux Wines and was then contacted by Optimum Fine Wine.

Mr Whiteley told officers he dealt with a man called either Harry Mosley or Harry Worsley on the phone, but was also contacted by a Henry Croft.

Mosley, Deadman (right) and Hearson (left) were all said to have used false names when dealing with clients

Deadman tweeted this picture with the caption, 'Partner in wine #MrMosley #MrDeadman'

It is alleged this was an alias used by Deadman. Mr Whiteley said Mosley referred to him as 'Crafty Crofty'.

The pensioner was unsure as to when he invested but said he believed it was around Christmas and before the Chinese New Year because Mosley told him that was a good time for investment.

Mr Whiteley said he had an arrangement with Mosley to sell some of his wine and believed he may have received one cheque for 1,300.

But he told police: 'What I was after was getting something more like 10,000 off him so I told him my annual rent on the care home was due.

'Subsequently, I have heard nothing from Harry. He has never phoned me. I left the message to remind him on a voicebox (sic). I used to ring his phone number and left messages. I still never heard anything.'

He wrote numerous cheques including ones for 50,000, 32,200 and 21,000.

When told how greatly he had allegedly been defrauded, he branded it disgusting.

The widower, who lives in supported accommodation in Suffolk, said: 'I thought I was wisely investing the money I got from the sale of my flat in Southwold.

'Any other time I couldn't have done it but I'd just had that and got the money in the bank. Had my wife been around she certainly wouldn't have let me continue.

'I don't know what she would have done to stop me apart from killing me.'

Bradley Deadman at Maidstone Crown Court

Brian Snipe, 83, was one of the customers who has since died. The court heard in June 2013 he was sent a brochure and agreed to sell his portfolio of wine held at the London City Bond to Optimum Fine Wine for 33,987.

Mr Snipe also agreed to purchase wine from them for 19,740. However, the prosecutor said no wine was ever received by Mr Snipe, nor a payment for the difference between what he sold and bought.

Alan Acott was also an alleged victim although the court was told he never actually lost any money.

Mr Sullivan said he had agreed in February 2013 to purchase a case of wine for 3,500 but got 'cold feet' before he invested.

'He went through all the patter and got to the point of signing his cheque when he took advice from a third party and was told not to do it.'

It is alleged Deadman, again using the alias Henry Croft, later contacted Mr Acott to question his change of heart.

Harold Copeland, 75, had also died since he was allegedly defrauded. He invested just over 1,000 and was told by Optimum Fine Wine his wine had 'performed well' and been sold. However, he later received a cheque for just 727.

As well as buying, selling and swapping wine, the fraud also involved allegedly duping customers into buying 'collectors' cases' at over-inflated prices running into several thousands.

Deadman, who denies fraud by false representation, shared pictures of himself sitting in an office

The court heard Optimum Fine Wine was set up in September 2012 by a then 20-year-old Mosley aided by a loan of 61,000 from his parents.

It first had offices in Croydon, Surrey, before moving to Tunbridge Wells in Kent, but was listed with Companies House at an address in New Bond Street in London.

Mr Sullivan said this gave it an 'air of prestige and legitimacy' as it purported to be a successful company.

It also had its own storage account at London City Bond, the warehouse facility where wine purchased or swapped by customers was to be kept.

Many of the alleged fraud victims already had their own accounts with LCB by virtue of their pre-existing portfolios by the time they were cold-called, said Mr Sullivan.

Mosley, Deadman and Hearson were all said to have used false names when dealing with clients.

When police searched Mosley's home in January 2015, among marketing lists and details of scripted sales responses, they found he had written 'My name is Oliver Thompson' in a notebook.

'It was in quotation marks as a reminder to him that when speaking to people on the telephone his name was Oliver Thompson, not Harry Mosley,' said Mr Sullivan.

Mosley was arrested and interviewed by police on three occasions, each time making no comment and on one occasion even refusing to confirm his own name.

By the time police were called in, Optimum Fine Wine's own wine storage account with LCB was empty.

When police searched Mosley's home in January 2015, they found he had written 'My name is Oliver Thompson' in a notebook, the court heard

'The prosecution say Mosley used money obtained from investors to fund his own lavish lifestyle. This was in place of purchasing and swapping wine on behalf of customers,' said Mr Sullivan.

Deadman and Hearson were arrested in July 2015 and also made no comment.

Sales scripts, names, addresses, occupations and financial details of investors were at Deadman's home, and he was paid about 30,000 in 'irregular and infrequent' amounts by Optimum Fine Wine between September 2012 and September 2013.

Hearson received payments totalling a little under 10,000 between October 2012 and October 2013.

However, Mr Sullivan said this did not include any possible cash payments, and his social media accounts spoke of holidays to New York and Amsterdam, and festival trips in Sweden and Czechoslovakia.

'He also tweeted about not being able to wait for a particular pay cheque, and that life was good,' said Mr Sullivan.

Mosley from Sevenoaks, Kent, denies two offences of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

He has admitted two other fraud conspiracy charges but on what was described as a 'limited basis'.

Deadman and Hearson deny all four offences of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The trial, which is expected to last three weeks, continues.
To find trees in the desert, we often have to go up in the mountains. I grew up in the Midwest, so every once in awhile I get a yearning to ...
A young Frenchwoman with Down's syndrome has presented the weather on television after a charity stepped in to help her fulfill her lifelong ambition.

More than 200,000 people supported a Facebook campaign calling for Melanie Segard, 21, to deliver the forecast.

As a result of the campaign, Melanie was given the chance to host a slot on the national public channel France 2 on Tuesday evening.

The campaign, 'Melanie peut le faire', or Melanie can do it, was set up by a French charity in to promote awareness and inclusion.

Melanie Segard, 21, who has Down's syndrome, fulfilled her ambition to deliver the forecast

'I'm different, but I'd like to show everyone that I can do a lot of things,' she said.

'It's work! But it's okay. My dream was to show people the weather. And this can open doors to other people with disabilities.'

Melanie received four days of training from the weather team at France 2, who gave her tips for presenting in front of the green wall, where weather graphics are digitally projected.

She was accompanied by her 27-year-old brother Cyril, who told her to just enjoy the experience.

More than 200,000 people supported a Facebook campaign calling for Melanie to host a segment presenting the weather

The campaign, 'Melanie peut le faire', or Melanie can do it, was set up by a French charity

'Imagine you're alone at home doing the weather. Have fun', he said.

Melanie's story has been covered extensively by the French media and shared widely on social media.

'Melanie cannot read or write. The goal is to make her feel integrated,' Nathalie Rihouet, head of the weather service of France Televisions, told the French newspaper Le Parisien.

Melanie told the newspaper, that as well as the offer from France 2, she was also offered the chance to present the weather by news channel BFMTV.

Melanie received four days of training from the weather team at France 2, who gave her tips for presenting in front of the green wall

Melanie's story has been covered extensively by the French media and has been shared widely on social media

Melanie, who lives with lives with her parents and enjoys going out to parties and restaurants with her brother and friends, works for a packaging making company.

She underwent therapy to help improve her motor skills and speech when she was younger, and has been employed in her current role at the packaging firm since September.

However, Melanie says that presenting the weather was not her only ambition, and she ultimately dreams of becoming a makeup artist.

The campaign to get Melanie on air was set up by charity Unapei, which works with people with disabilities.

The campaign to get Melanie on air was set up by charity Unapei, which works with people with disabilities

The Facebook page reached its goal of 100,000 likes in just 36 hours, and the campaign continued to receive support on social media

Some 200,000 people benefit from the charity's services.

Launched on 26 February, the Facebook page reached its goal of 100,000 likes in just 36 hours, and the campaign continued to receive support on social media.

'Symbolically, it's very strong that a young woman with an intellectual disability can come before millions of French people to do something that is close to her heart.

'This shows that these people have abilities,' Unapei's president Luc Gateau told La Croix newspaper.
Two people had to scramble to safety after their truck fell through a sheet of ice it was being driven across.

The vehicle had been traversing the frozen Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, on Tuesday when the surface gave way beneath them.

Footage of the incident was then uploaded to Facebook by Ko'ona Cochrane.

As the clip starts, Ms Cochrane can be heard joking about how they are going to cross the lake.

She ominously declares, 'oh it looks frightening' before asking, 'why are you slowing down?'

It is at that moment that the ice gives way and the truck plunges into the waters below.

Her male companion, believed to be her husband, immediately shouts: 'Bail! Bail!'

Ms Cochrane tells him to take something she describes as 'her life', but it is not clear what the object is.

Ko'ona Cochran and her husband had been traversing the frozen Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, on Tuesday

She ominously declares, 'oh it looks frightening' before asking, 'why are you slowing down?' It is at that moment that the ice gives way and the truck plunges into the waters below

The footage then becomes a series of exasperations, with only the inside of one of her pockets visible.

Global News reported that the two occupants of the vehicle were uninjured and refused emergency medical services.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned people to stay off the ice in this area, as a rapid current running under the frozen water makes it unsafe for crossing.

The truck was not salvageable and is currently submerged under the ice, with Ms Cochrane posting on Facebook: 'Good bye truck but at least we alive.'

Ms Cochrane tells him to take something she describes as 'her life', but it is not clear what the object is

And the video seemed to alarm many of her friends, who were just happy to see her alive.

One person said: 'Hugs my beautiful friend. That was the scariest thing I've ever seen. Next time you're "almost" to the west coast come visit me'

Another added: 'Trucks can be replaced.....glad you are both ok !!!!'
President Donald Trump is expanding his jobs push  which has included alternately leaning on and heralding U.S. auto giants  to include top foreign car makers who produce autos in the U.S.

Trump met with auto executives outside Detroit on Wednesday, in a confab that included top American executives of top Japanese, German, and Korean auto company executives.

'You have to build plants here. I know I gave you a hard time but you have to build them here,' Trump told Jim Lentz, the CEO of Toyota North America, during a roundtable discussion.

'I understand,' Lentz responded. 'I understand.'

'Its like the full monte,' one auto industry official told DailyMail.com. 'We rip each others throats out on a daily basis and were actually united on one issue: jobs in the United States.'

A roundtable discussion with the president included David Geanacopoulos, Sr. of Volkswagen, Lex Kerssemakers of Volvo, James "Jim" Lentz of Toyota Motor North America, Jose Munoz of Nissan, and Rick Schostek of Honda North America, Inc., Michael Sprague of Kia Motors America, W. Gerald "Jerry" Flannery of Hyundai, andDietmar Exler of Mercedes-Benz USA.

Top U.S. car company execs also were there.

Trump plans to tour an auto testing facility that used to be part of the Willow Run plant. Ford designed the plant during World War II, when its mile-long assembly line ultimately was able to crank out B-24 Liberator bombers at the stunning rate of a bomber-per-hour. GM ultimately took over the plant until assembly ceased in 1992.

President Donald Trump arrives aboard Air Force One at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Detroit. He is set to announce a review of Obama-era fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks

Trump is taking a step toward rolling back another Obama-era regulation, this time instituting a review of fuel efficiency standards meant to squeeze more miles out of the U.S. fleet and slow global warming.

The review follows an appeal from the industry, which wants a relaxation of the standards and more flexibility in how to meet them.

Auto companies agreed to the tighter standards in 2011 that would nearly double the fleet's efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon.

In the final days of the Obama administration, regulators got rid of the scheduled review in 2018. With the review back on, the industry is 'asking for different flexibilities' to allow for meeting the standards in different ways, said the industry official.

For example, a car might get efficiency gains by becoming more streamlined or installing technology to make its engine stop at red lights.

'Were gonna wind up at the same [efficiency] number is my guess, but were gonna have some flexibility,' said the official.

Trump is visiting the former Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where some classic planes had to be moved for the event. The plant made B-24 Liberator bombers during World War II

Trump was greeted by protesters calling for him to release his tax returns

The 2018 Honda Motor Co. Odyssey minivan vehicle sits on display during the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Trump is meeting with Japanese, Korean, and German auto execs, as well as execs of American companies

President Donald Trump greets CEO of Ford Motor Company Mark Fields as CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sergio Marchionne (R) and Senior Advisor Jared Kushner (2R) look on during a meeting with auto industry leaders in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 24, 2017 in Washington

MOTOR CITY: President Donald Trump gets into his vehicle after arriving at Detroit Metro Airport, Wednesday

During the review, the administration will examine whether 2022-2025 standards are feasible.

The Obama administration said at the time that the regs would save Americans a collective $1.7 trillion in fuel costs over the life of their cars and trucks, the Detroit News reported.

Trump will not call for withdrawing California's special authority to set its own vehicle rules, a White House official said late on Tuesday, according to administration officials.

Trump plans to meet with executives from U.S. automakers Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, as well as top U.S. execs from Toyota and Daimler during his visit.

He also plans to meet with union representatives.

President Donald Trump met with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office on Tuesday. On Wednesday he plans to announce a review of Obama-era fuel efficiency standards

Trump tweeted about his trip to Detroit on Wednesday

Trump vowed on Twitter to 'slash unnecessary regulations,' as he prepared to announce a review of fuel standards agreed to by the auto industry in 2011

President Donald Trump meets with CEO of General Motors Mary Barra (L), CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Sergio Marchionne (3rd R) and Fiat Chrysler Head of External Affairs Shane Karr (2nd R) in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on January 24, 2017

Protesters lined the entrance to the old Willow Run plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Trump tweeted about slashing regulations Wednesday morning.

'CEO's most optimistic since 2009. It will only get better as we continue to slash unnecessary regulations and when we begin our big tax cut!' he wrote.

'Will be going to Detroit, Michigan (love), today for a big meeting on bringing back car production to State & U.S. Already happening!' he wrote.

Moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental rules, Trump is announcing plans to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks.

Trump is announcing his plans at the American Center for Mobility in Detroit where he'll challenge the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) emissions targets that were a centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's strategy to combat global warming. The rollback underscores the Trump administration's rejection of mainstream climate science in an effort to boost economic growth.

Trump is targeting an Obama administration decision in January to end a review before he left office, the Associated Press reported. Obama set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025, with a plan for a midterm review in 2018. A week before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it put in place.

Trump has been facing industry pressure to pare back efficiency standards. He meets with top executives from General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler on Wednesday, as well as with auto workers

Trump is bringing the review back, through there is no guarantee at this point where it will lead.

A group of car manufacturers have urged EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to relax the standards.

A group of 18 execs signed onto one letter, a sign of how the Obama administration's action rallied the industry.

'This change makes no sense. Mileage standards save consumers money at the gas pump, make Americans less dependent on oil, reduce carbon pollution and advance innovation,' said Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, the AP reported.
Dozens of high profile Twitter accounts have been hacked, with swastikas and messages in support of Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan.

The escalating diplomatic spat between Turkey and the Netherlands spread online with a large number of Twitter accounts, many with no apparent connection to the dispute, were hijacked and replaced with anti-Nazi messages in Turkish.

The attacks, which appeared to be simply a form of political vandalism, used the hashtags #Nazialmanya or #Nazihollanda, took over accounts of high-profile CEOs, publishers, government agencies and also some regular Twitter users.

The verified Twitter account for Forbes.com was among those hacked. Its profile pictures were changed to the Turkish flag and a symbol of the Ottoman Empire

Several non-profit agencies including Amnesty International and UNICEF USA were also targeted by hackers. Messages were posted in Turkish on their accounts

The Twitter hack also changed dozens of profile pictures to a symbol of the Ottoman Empire

President Erdogan has suspended high-level diplomatic ties with the Netherlands and branded the country's citizens 'Nazi remnants' for preventing his ministers at the weekend from addressing rallies of Turks living there.

Hijacked accounts featured tweets with Nazi symbols, a variety of hashtags and the phrase 'See you on April 16', an apparent reference to the date of Turkey's planned referendum to grant Erdogan more powers.

The tweets described the attack as a 'little Ottoman slap', and finished with: 'What did I write? Learn Turkish.'

The Twitter hack also changed dozens of profile pictures to a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.

Hijacked accounts featured tweets with Nazi symbols, a variety of hashtags, and messages written in Turkish

The attack appears to have come through a vulnerability in Twitter Counter, a third party app

The Twitter profile of BBC North America later posted a message saying it had regained control of the account

The attack appears to have come through a vulnerability in a third party app used by the accounts, called Twitter Counter.

The Twitter accounts hijacked included those of the European Parliament and the personal profile of French politician Alain Juppe.

The messages and swastikas appeared on the verified Twitter accounts of German newspaper Die Welt, Forbes Magazine, and Reuters Japan, and several non-profit agencies including Amnesty International and UNICEF USA as well as Duke University.

They also included the UK Department of Health and BBC North America, both of which subsequently appear to have recovered, along with the profile of Marcelo Claure, the chief executive of U.S. telecoms operator Sprint Corp, which remains hijacked.

The Twitter profile of BBC North America later posted a message saying: 'Hi everyone - we temporarily lost control of this account, but normal service has resumed'.
Wanda Holbrook was killed in July 2015 while she was working at a factory in Michigan

The widower of factory worker who was killed by a rogue robot is suing the manufacturers over her death.

Grandmother Wanda Holbrook, 57, from Grand Rapids in Michigan, was crushed to death in July 2015 when she became trapped by a piece of machinery that should not have entered into the area in which she was working.

Now, William Holbrook has filed a wrongful death complaint against five robotic firms responsible for installing and testing the machinery that killed his wife.

He claims all five companies - Lincoln Electric, Flex-N-Gate, Prodomax, FANUC and Nachi - played a roll in his wife's death.

Mr Holbrook argues the accident occurred due to negligence by those who designed, built, tested and monitored the robots.

Having spent nearly two years chasing answers, he wants to ensure nobody else has to go through the torture he and his family have endured.

Ventra Ionia Main plant in Michigan where Wanda Holbrook was killed by a rogue robot

'I want to make sure nothing like this happens to another family,' he told the Free Press.

'We would feel terrible if we didn't do anything and then another family had to go through something similar to this. If it's an accident, it's an accident. If it's preventable, I want it to be prevented.'

The incident happened at Ventra Ionia Main - a factory in Michigan manufacturing car parts.

Wanda was working on the production line when a robotic arm took her by surprise by entering the section in which she was stationed.

The arm hit and crushed her head against a hitch assembly it was working on, the lawsuit states.

It also stated a failure of one or more of the safety systems or devices had caused Wanda's death.

She had worked at the plant for 12 years, and her husband said she loved her job and told the Free Press she felt God meant for her to work at the factory.

The robot entered into the area in which Wanda Holbrook was working at the plant (pictured) and crushed her head

The family is being represented by Matthew Wikander, an attorney from Grand Rapids.

He said the company has not allowed him access to Wanda's place of work and that the Holbrooks have been denied benefits while a compensation claim is in dispute.

Wikander told the Free Press: 'There may be other players involved. I think there's a lot more to this story.

We don't believe Wanda did anything wrong. Wanda was a very experienced professional.

'It's a catastrophic loss for the family.'
The British traveller found wandering around naked in a popular tourist spot in Bangkok said on Wednesday that she was 'just doing her own thing' and had taken off her clothes because she was 'hot'.

Leonie Graves, 35, sparked panic after being seen without any clothes near the city's popular backpacker party district Khao San Road - and leading police on a 1km chase.

In fresh video that emerged on Wednesday, she is seen running naked down a busy road in front of stunned bus passengers.

Officers caught up with her in the middle of a junction and gave her a sarong before she was taken to a hospital to be evaluated.

British tourist Leonie Graves, 35, sparked panic after being seen without any clothes near the city's popular backpacker party district Khao San Road - and leading police on a 1km chase

In fresh video that emerged on Wednesday, she is seen running naked down a busy road in front of stunned bus passengers

Officers caught up with her in the middle of a junction (pictured above) and gave her a sarong before she was taken to a hospital to be evaluated. Speaking by phone at 1.30am local time on Wednesday, Graves said she was 'fine' and 'just doing my own thing'

Graves tried to flee for a second time but was returned to her hotel next to Khao San Road where the police spent several hours checking on her.

When Graves's parents saw their daughter's photos on MailOnline on Tuesday, her mother flew to Thailand in hopes of being reunited with her.

Speaking by phone at 1.30am local time on Wednesday, Graves said: 'I'm fine, if you speak to my family let them know, but I'm fine. I'm just doing my own thing.'

'Thank you for calling, but I'm fine,' she added. 'Yeah, I don't really want to speak to anybody. I didn't want to stay in that house any more. I just needed a break.'

Graves arrived in Thailand from Bali on March 6 after having a fall out with her mother, whom she lives with on the island.

She had not been in touch with her friends and family, sparking fears she was missing for several days.

When asked why she was running naked in the street, Graves said: 'No, it's OK, don't worry, I was just hot. I'm fine.'

Graves, pictured above after being found by police, arrived in Thailand from Bali on March 6 after having a fall out with her mother, whom she lives with on the island. She had not been in touch with her friends and family, sparking fears she was missing for several days

When Graves's parents saw their daughter's photos on MailOnline on Tuesday, her mother flew to Thailand in hopes of being reunited with her

Officers said Graves told them she had taken off her clothes off because she was hot and apologised for causing offence.

Police took her back to her hotel, and checked on her amid concerns she had suffered a breakdown before driving her to hospital at around midnight.

But doctors turned her away because 'it was not urgent'' and she was returned to the Chana Songkhram police station next to her hotel.

After staying with her overnight, police returned her to the Somdet Chaopraya Hospital for psychiatry this morning where she was waiting to meet British Embassy officials.

Graves's family - who recognised her from pictures published on MailOnline on Tuesday - have contacted Embassy officials and are on their way to Bangkok to try and patch things up with her.

Thai police captain Wiroht Kunchai said they hoped Graves would stay at the hospital to meet her family.

He said: 'Leonie said she was hot and she apologised for causing problems.

Officers said Graves told them she had taken off her clothes off because she was hot and apologised for causing offence

After staying with her overnight, police returned her to the Somdet Chaopraya Hospital for psychiatry this morning where she was waiting to meet British Embassy officials

'We took her to hospital at midnight but they would not take her in because it was not urgent and they said come back in the morning. She is feeling much better now.

'We stayed with her all night to make sure she didn't run away again. She was friendly and said she is fine, she is a very nice person and was very friendly, but she might have some mental problem right now.

'We have taken her to hospital again for them to asses her. She told them she is OK, but she is staying there and waiting for the British embassy to come and see her.''

Rescue worker Jakchai Banyensakul, who took pictures and video as Graves was being chased by police on Tuesday, said: 'The woman was found in Khao San Road.

'It was very hot, and there are a lot of tourists there. It's mainly foreign backpackers here so we think she is on a travelling trip.

'She wasn't making any sense. She will not say what happened to her and she refused to answer any questions in English and Thai.'

The woman was found at around 2.30pm local time and was taken in a van to the local Chana Songkhram police station.

Thai police captain Wiroht Kunchai said they hoped Graves would stay at the hospital to meet her family

Graves's family have contacted Embassy officials and are on their way to Bangkok to try and patch things up with her

Police said that when they first caught up with her, they couldn't understand what she was saying.

A police spokesman said: 'The woman was found without any clothes. She was uncooperative and has not said anything.

'She has been checked by nurses and there is no suspicion of any attack on her. She not complain about anything. We still don't know who she is and why she was running away from us.

'We will wait for her to settle down. We will have to wait for a couple of days and find out what is wrong with her.

'But as she has not done anything wrong she could be released shortly.'

The area near where Graves was found, Khao San Road, is a short street in central Bangkok that has become a popular party spot for tourists.

The street is surrounded by a number of bars, restaurants and pubs that have become hotspots for tourists.
Maureen Toogood has revealed that David Lytton never recovered from the death of their unborn child after she suffered a miscarriage while five months pregnant

The former partner of the pensioner who died on Saddleworth Moor had no idea he spent a decade in Pakistan before taking his own life.

David Lytton's body was discovered on a remote track above Dovestone Reservoir on December 12, 2015.

The 67-year-old's death prompted a huge police investigation that took detectives across the world in a hunt for clues as to his identity, which remained unknown for 13 months.

But yesterday an open verdict was recorded by Simon Nelson, senior coroner for Greater Manchester North, who said a series of 'fundamental questions remain unanswered' over Mr Lytton's death.

Now, his former partner Maureen Toogood, has revealed that Mr Lytton never recovered from the death of their unborn child after she suffered a miscarriage while five months pregnant.

The couple split after five years together but remained friends until October 2006, when he visited her for the last time.

She struggles to articulate the utter bafflement she felt when she learned that he had returned to Britain only to die a lonely death on a desolate moor two days later.

'Why didn't he pick up the phone?' she asks. 'Why didn't he just say: 'Hi'? Why did he travel up North? He didn't know anyone up there. Why on the moors?'

The day before he was found dead on the moor, Mr Lytton had travelled by train from London to Manchester Piccadilly (pictured)

Speaking on Wednesday from her home in Blackheath, south east London, she said she had no idea he had moved to Pakistan.

She said: 'We were in touch up until 2006. His neighbour phoned me up, and said "Was I aware that David had sold his house, and he was moving to California the next day?"

'And I replied, "No I didn't know". And, quite honestly, it hurt.'

That was to be the last she heard of David - until the police got in touch a few weeks ago, and Detective Sergeant John Coleman, in charge of the case, visited her.

She said: 'I was shocked. Because for one thing, I thought he was in California. That was a big shock to swallow, really.'

Asked if there were any clues he was in Pakistan, she said: 'No. I tried getting in touch with David through the American Embassy, because that is where I thought he was.'

In the early 1970s, Maureen fell pregnant and was due to give birth to a girl, but tragically she had a miscarriage five months into the pregnancy.

Describing David's reaction, she said: 'David was upset. It didn't make him ill. It was an ordinary response to anyone losing a child.

Speaking to The Sun, the retired nurse, 69, added: 'If we hadn't lost the baby I think that we would still be together now. Things would be very different.

'David was beside himself. It was hard for both of us.'

Today, she revealed how they met. She told MailOnline:'I met him in 1968, in Finchley. I was going for a walk and to buy a hi-fi equipment. I shouldn't have gone out, I was ill, and I collapsed in the street. And he came hurtling over to pick me up.

'He picked me up, and I decided that I could walk home.'

They started a relationship, and he would visit her at her home in Finchley, north London every day. At the time, he rented a room in a house in Finchley while working as a croupier at a Mayfair casino.

Reflecting on what he was like, Ms Toogood said: 'He was a gentleman. He was just attentive, caring, everything a gentleman possesses.'

He was eventually made redundant and over the following years he held jobs as a baker, a taxi controller, and a tube driver on the Northern line.

Ms Toogood said: 'He didn't last long as a baker. That is why is am surprised he went to Pakistan, because he cannot stand the heat.'

She said he loved working as a tube driver, adding: 'He was very happy there, he really was.'

With his redundancy money from the croupier job, he bought a two-bedroom house in Streatham, south London.

Ms Toogood moved to south east London, eventually settling in Blackheath, and later married another man, John, in 1976, who died in 2005.

Despite being married for the next 29 years, the relationship with David continued. 'I never lived with David but we were boyfriend and girlfriend. If he had stayed in England, we still would have been.'

Explaining their relationship Maureen said: 'I stayed in touch with him. I saw him a couple of times a week. We would go to the cinema, and do what all couples do.

'He was very quiet. He would like a laugh and a joke, but he was basically quiet. He taught himself to swim, and was very proud. He would go walking, he liked reading.'

But he only had one close friend, a bus driver called Salim, she said.

Mr Lytton, who walked out of the family home as a teenager, had a brother, Jeremy, but 'he didn't see him very often', Maureen added.

CCTV images of a man matching the description of Mr Lytton had revealed his movements from Ealing Broadway station in London on the morning of December 11

She continued: 'He walked out on the family when he was 16, 17. It was just a family argument. They were from Finchley.

'When I knew him he was David Lautenberg. And the family changed their name some years later, and he changed his name in 1969.'

At Mr Lytton's inquest, the court was told that 'on the balance of probability' the strychnine was the cause of death.

An open verdict was recorded by Simon Nelson, senior coroner for Greater Manchester North, who said a series of 'fundamental questions remain unanswered' over his death.

The inquest heard he was found fully clothed on a remote track near Indian's Head, the summit above Dovestone Reservoir.

The Londoner, who lived in Pakistan for around 10 years, had no obvious connections to the Oldham or Saddleworth areas and police appealed to the public for help in identifying him.

Detectives carried out painstaking enquiries over almost 12 months to uncover his identity.

According to reports, which emerged last month, Mr Lytton was originally called David Lautenberg but changed his surname to Lytton some time ago after a family feud.

It's believed he worked as a tube driver on the London Underground. He was found fully clothed lying prone on the ground by a cyclist on a track near to the remote reservoir.

Inquiries established that Mr Lytton flew from Lahore to London Heathrow two days before he boarded a train from Euston railway station to Manchester Piccadilly railway station.

He then went into The Clarence pub in Greenfield, Saddleworth, and asked the landlord the way to 'the top of the mountain'.

Cyclist Stuart Crowther discovered Mr Lytton's body at around 8.30am on December 12, 2015.

He called 999 and was asked to stay with the body and check his pockets for identification but found none.

He said the body was 'pale and still' and the man was lying with his head towards the peak of the hill.

Mr Lytton went into The Clarence pub in Greenfield, Saddleworth, and asked the landlord the way to 'the top of the mountain'

DS John Coleman, of Oldham CID, led the investigation from day one and told the inquest that Mr Lytton's body was discovered high up on the Chew track, above Dovestones reservoir in a remote location.

He says the track is difficult to walk particularly for an older man.

He said Dovestone had been hit by one of the worst storms he could remember in the Oldham area.

'The rain was lashing in the wind was blowing down on the valley. Rain was coming in sideways almost as if there was no gravity. It was extremely cold, not a location I would like to spend time overnight.'

When he was discovered, Mr Lytton was wearing a pair of flat slip on shoes, Choudhury pants, a jumper and a coat, and all of the clothing was soaking wet.

CHILLING DEATHS ON SADDLEWORTH MOOR Saddleworth Moor, which is situated in the South Pennines, became infamous in the 1960s as the burial site of four victims of Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. The pair lured children and teenagers to their deaths, with their victims sexually tortured before being buried on the moor in Greater Manchester. In 1965, the bodies of Lesley Ann Downey and John Kilbride were discovered at the remote hillside, having been buried there during the previous two years. Saddleworth Moor was also the site of a 1949 plane crash. The twin-engined British European Airways Douglas Dakota plane crashed into the hillside after taking off from Belfast, killing 24. Advertisement

DS Coleman added: 'We searched the body and there was no driving licence, bank cards or letters.'

He added that there were no injuries or marks on his body.

He had three train tickets dated December 11 which were valid between London and Ealing Broadway and a return ticket to Manchester Piccadilly.

All three tickets were purchased with cash. Mr Lytton also had 130 in cash in 10 notes.

DS Coleman said: 'We attempted to trace the notes to see if they had been recovered from a bank but they were none sequential notes.'

He also had a small empty bottle with a cardboard container with the body.

DS Coleman said there were no other identifying items recovered from the deceased.

There was no evidence of anything untoward at that location or signs of third party involvement.

'It looked as though he had sat down and just lay backwards,' he said.

The detective said at that time it was thought Mr Lytton may have suffered a heart attack or another medical episode and had 'succumbed to the weather conditions' on the hill.

The body was taken to the mortuary at Oldham Royal Hospital where swabs and fingerprints were taken and checked against a national database. No match was identified.

He said: 'It began to dawn that this was a more unusual case which appeared to be taking us to the Ealing area of London.'

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch, or see www.samaritans.org for details.
To the untrained eye, this looks just like any of the millions of cash machines people use every day to access their money.

But a tiny, pinhead-sized hole in the plastic casing hides a chilling secret which shows just how advanced identity fraudsters have now become.

Police investigating cashpoint tampering discovered the hole meant a tiny camera, which was hidden inside a false cover to the cash dispensing slot, could record the victim putting in their pin number.

This picture of a London cash machine may look unremarkable, but it hides a chilling secret

A pinprick-sized hole in the case allows a tiny camera to record the user putting in their pin

This is the cover which was placed over the cash slot, with the recording device hidden inside

A photo of the panel after it was torn from the machine shows the camera and recording equipment that was carefully hidden inside.

The device was uncovered at a cashpoint in St Paul's Churchyard, central London last month, one of a series of similar discoveries in the area in recent weeks.

On March 7, a similar camera was found in another cash machine in the area. This time, the recording hole was placed in a piece of plastic above the keypad.

When the fake plastic panel was pulled away, mini recording devices were found inside so that customers' pin numbers could be recorded.

Police are now publishing the photos to show the public just how subtle and well-disguised such devices have become.

A similar scam at another cash machine shows a similar, nearly-invisible, hole in the cashpoint

Police have released images to show just how subtle cash machines fraudsters have become

The false casing fixed to the machine by fraudsters was pulled away to reveal the camera

This device was placed on a machine not far from that which had the other tiny camera

Police found the devices in the space of less than a month near St Paul's Cathedral, London

On March 2 and March 8, police seized other device believed to have been attached to cash machines in the City by fraudsters.

It is just the latest development in cash machine fraud which is leading police to warn people to be on the look out for any signs the machine had been tampered with.

PC Matt Clarke, from the City of London Police Crime Squad, said: Take care and stay vigilant when using cash machines in the City of London, and London as a whole.

'If you spot anything unusual about a cash machine, or if there are signs of tampering, dont use it. If in doubt, try and use a machine inside a branch.

Other subtle devices have been attached to cashpoints in the area, although other parts of the UK have seen similar scams

The problem is not only confined to London. Just 10 days ago, Lancashire police warned those in Preston, Leyland and Bamber Bridge that so-called 'skimming devices' had been found on machines in the towns.

Those machines prevented cards from being ejected, while similar cameras to those found in London recorded the users' pin.

Following those discoveries, police advised: 'Before using the machine, check if there are any loose parts on or around it - the card slot, keypad and anything above the keypad area.

'If in doubt, please contact bank staff and consider using a different machine. '
Amanda 'Mandi' Mangas asked police to find her son Winston moments before she died after being shot in the chest

A young mother died after being shot in the chest by an abusive ex boyfriend a day after she announced she had started a new relationship, it is alleged.

Amanda Mangas, known as Mandi, identified former partner James Ramey as her killer moments before she died, investigators have revealed.

He had allegedly threatened to kill her if she left him, and is accused of aggravated murder after bursting into her home in Delta, Ohio, and opening fire on Tuesday morning.

Ramey is then believed to have abducted his son, 10-month-old Winston, who he was forbidden from seeing.

Mangas, in her last words before her death, asked police to find her son.

The heartbreaking exchange led officers to the child and his father. Mangas, 23, asked a sergeant who rushed to the crime scene: 'Where's Winston?'

A month ago Ramey, 27, was charged with aggravated menacing after allegedly threatening to kill her if she left him. He had allegedly held a knife to her neck last year, 13abc reports.

The day before she was shot, Mangas - who had a protective order against Ramey - announced on Facebook that she was in a new relationship.

After his mother was shot, Winston was abducted. He was later found safe in a car being driven by his father, James Ramey, 27

Accused: James Ramey has been charged with the aggravated murder of his former partner, and is likely to face further charges

Ramey allegedly forced his way into her home, shortly after 5am on Tuesday, shooting Mangas once in the chest.

Following a police appeal he was located 150 miles away.

Ramey was arrested five hours after the shooting following a traffic stop in Fulton County, Indiana. He faces a charge of aggravated murder, and authorities say further charges are likely to be added.

Video courtesy of 13abc.com

The murder victim's stepmother, Debra Mangas, was in the car, police revealed, and it is believed she was being held against her will. The child was unharmed.

It is thought Ramey was heading for Chicago, where he has family.

Three days before the killing, Ramey posted on his Facebook page: 'I don't LOVE her like I used to, so to get back at me she know she gotta use you... but what she don't know is this s*** gonna bruise you too...'

In recent weeks he has also posted a photo of his son, who he described as 'my world'.

The mother he will never know: Baby Winston with Mangas, who died after being shot in the chest

It is thought Ramey was heading for Chicago, where he has family, when he was stopped by police

Delta Police Chief Nathan Hartsock told reporters, WTOL reports, that the victim had asked for her child when police got to the scene.

He said: 'Her first thought was of her 10-month-old child, which led us to believe the child was not there.

'We did search the house, and she did give us the name of Mr Ramey.'

Mangas was taken to hospital, but died from her injuries after the shooting, which happened shortly after 5am on Tuesday.

Tributes have been paid to the former nursing student, with cousin Tara Korney Wagner writing: 'My cousin was beautiful inside and out'

Her father, Mike Mangas, paid tribute to his daughter, describing her as a good daughter and stating that he was proud her last thoughts were with her young son.

Tributes were paid to the former nursing student on Facebook.

Amanda Stillwell wrote: 'We all had the same reaction when our phones went off. Never thought it would hit so close to home or your heart. God gained a Beautiful Angel today way faster than she should of been. Your heart and smile will always be shining up in heaven. Praying for your family and your son.'

Cousin Tara Korney Wagner posted: 'She loved her son so much .... my cousin was beautiful inside and out... she would do anything for anyone.... she was a amazing person.... xoxo miss you so much'
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British soldier Alexander Blackman - better known as Marine A - was today sensationally cleared of murdering a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan and could be a free man by next week.

His wife Claire grinned and there were loud gasps and then cheers from his family, ex-Marines and other supporters as five top Court of Appeal judges quashed the conviction and reduced it to manslaughter.

Sergeant Blackman, who has already been in prison for three years, will face a new sentencing hearing in the next week but his legal team will argue he should be freed because of time served.

The judges, led by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, agreed that rather than being a 'cold-blooded execution' the 'exemplary' soldier who served his country for 15 years was under 'exceptional' stress when he shot the Taliban fighter already wounded after he had attacked British troops in September 2011.

On the steps of the court a 'delighted' Mrs Blackman, who was branded a 'heroine' by her husband's QC, thanked the tens of thousands of people who have supported their fight.

She added: 'This is a crucial decision and one which better reflects the circumstances my husband found himself in during that terrible tour in Afghanistan. We now hope to get a significant reduction in his sentence'.

Campaigner and author Frederick Forsyth says they must now get 'Big Al' Blackman released as soon as possible and then pursue the 'villains' who put him in jail - a reference to military top brass and the judiciary.

Theresa May told MPs today that the Government respects the court's decision the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will examine the judgment 'very closely', although military chiefs said it would be 'inappropriate to comment further'.

Family: Claire Blackman, wife of Sergeant Alexander Blackman, has fought for her husband to be released from prison and was cheered wildly as his murder conviction was quashed

Support: Claire Blackman, wife of Sergeant Alexander Blackman, (centre) on the steps of The Royal Courts of Justice with her legal team and friends including Frederick Forsyth (centre right) and Jonathan Goldberg QC (far right)

Mrs Blackman emerged on to the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice to applause from a crowd of veterans - including three cheers for her - and the honking of taxi horns.

She said: 'We must now hope to secure a significant reduction in the sentence.'

She thanked her husband's 'fantastic' legal team and the 'tens of thousands of supporters, especially from the Royal Marine family, who have stood behind us throughout and played such an important role in getting us to this point'.

One of Marine A's biggest supporters, author and journalist Frederick Forsyth said the 'fight is not over yet'.

Marine A's 'heroine' wife's message for her husband and his supporters An emotional Claire Blackman on justice for her husband Claire Blackman was cheered wildly outside court today as she reacted to her husband's victory. Taxi drivers passing the Royal Courts of Justice also stopped and blared their horns during wild celebrations. Jonathan Goldberg QC called her 'the heroine of this occasion'. She said: 'We are delighted at the judges' decision to substitute manslaughter by diminished responsibility. 'This is a crucial decision and one that much better reflects the circumstances that my husband found himself in during that terrible tour of Afghanistan. 'We must now wait for the sentencing hearing and hope to secure a significant reduction in Al's sentence. 'We would like to thank our fantastic legal team of Jonathan Goldberg QC, Jeffrey Israel and Senghin Kong for their excellent work to date. 'We would also like to thank the tens of thousands of supporters, especially from the Royal Marines' family, who have stood behind us throughout and who have played such an important role in getting us to this point.' Advertisement

He said: 'We must free a man who has been put in jail who should never have been there'.

He added: 'Then we must go after those people who wrongly and villainously put him there.

'There are things that have to be said about what was done to Sgt Blackman and how these people put him there and how they have got away with it, so far.

'The people behind this should retire immediately', he said, and when asked who he meant he said the senior figures in the military and judiciary who dealt with the original court martial and his trial.

Blackman's counsel, Jonathan Goldberg QC, introduced Mrs Blackman and author Frederick Forsyth to the crowd as 'the hero and the heroine of this occasion'.

'The hero is my old friend Frederick Forsyth, who did not know Blackman and did not know Claire but who knew a miscarriage of justice when he smelt one.

'He brought me in last summer and, when I read these papers, I was staggered at what I read.

'The heroine, of course, is Claire Blackman.

'Without her indefatigable efforts to keep the flame alive on behalf of her husband and to get that debate in Parliament, which sparked the interest of the public and the Daily Mail, and which led directly to today's victory, none of this would have happened.'

Those who prosecuted Marine A face serious questions today, although the judges made it clear they saw 'no basis for any criticism' of the conduct of the court martial by the Judge Advocate General.

Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Theresa May said: 'Of course we respect the court's decision.

'The Ministry of Defence will be looking very closely at the judgment but I can assure the House that the Ministry of Defence has cooperated fully at each stage of Sergeant Blackman's case and they will continue to provide support to the family, as they have done since the charges were first brought.

'What I would just say on the general point is that our Royal Marines have a worldwide reputation as one of the world's elite fighting forces.

'They make an incredible contribution to our country and we should pay tribute to them all for that.'

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow had asked Mrs May to join her in welcoming the court's decision over Blackman.

She said: 'This is fantastic news for his wife Claire, who lives in my constituency of Taunton Deane and who has campaigned so unstintingly on this.'

Former Royal Marine officer and Lib Dem peer Lord Burnett said from his Devon base that Blackman should be released from jail and said: 'I hope he will be out next week.'

He said Blackman did six tours in five years in Afghanistan which was 'too many'.

He added: 'After days and days, weeks and weeks, months and months of extreme stress, people are going to suffer from that.'

Former Army officer and Plymouth Tory MP Johnny Mercer said: 'We must always be fair, however unpalatable for some, this process was not.'

Ukip MEP Mike Hookem, a former Royal Engineer, called for a change in the court martial system to ensure psychological issues are considered.

'The reduction in the severity of the charge against Al Blackman proves he should never have been jailed in the first place due to medical problems he was suffering from at the time of the incident,' he said.

In Taunton, Somerset, where Blackman was based with 40 Commando, the majority of local people questioned welcomed the decision to reduce his conviction to manslaughter.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: 'We have fully co-operated with each stage of Sergeant Blackman's case, which has now involved a criminal investigation, a court martial and the appeal process, and will continue to provide personal support to the family, as we have done since charges were first brought.

'We respect the court's decision and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on it.'

Celebrations: There were three cheers for Mrs Blackman who smiled as the large crowd clapped after she spoke about her husband's legal victory

Team: Sgt Blackman has been supported by senior lawyers but also a huge number of former marines left furious about the decision to prosecute him for murder

Winners: Blackman's counsel, Jonathan Goldberg QC, introduced Mrs Blackman as the 'heroine' of the story while Frederick Forsyth says they must pursue the 'villains' who put him in jail

The momentous declaration at the Royal Courts of Justice in London followed fresh evidence he was suffering from combat stress when he shot a wounded Taliban fighter in Afghanistan.

The 'adjustment disorder'  a recognised mental illness  muddled his mind at the point he pulled the trigger, said three top psychiatrists who diagnosed him.

The judges formally quashed the veteran commando's murder conviction, and commuted it to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Sergeant Blackman, 42, known as Marine A when he was sentenced to life for murder in 2013, will now be re-sentenced.

Happy day: Mrs Blackman reaches out a hand to a supporter as the judge's decision to quash her husband's decision was revealed

A further hearing, likely in about a week, will be set to determine the new sentence, and he will remain behind bars for the time being.

He has already served more than three years in prison. Under his murder conviction, he was serving a minimum of eight years.

Manslaughter usually carries a lower prison term. If the judges re-sentence him to six years or less, it would mean he could be freed immediately on the basis of having already served half his time.

At a hearing in February the judges were urged to overturn Blackman's 'unsafe' murder conviction on the basis of 'uncontradicted' evidence from three psychiatrists that he was suffering from a mental illness - an adjustment disorder - at the time of the killing.

They heard that at the time of the 2011 incident, he was serving with Plymouth-based 42 Commando in Helmand province in 'ghastly' conditions which were a 'breeding ground' for mental health problems.

In Wednesday's ruling, the judges said Blackman had been 'an exemplary soldier before his deployment to Afghanistan in March 2011'.

They ruled: 'The appellant suffered from quite exceptional stressors ... during the time of that deployment which increasingly impacted on him the longer he was in command at CP Omar.'

The judges said it was 'clear that a consequence was that he had developed a hatred for the Taliban and a desire for revenge'.

At the time of the killing 'the patrol remained under threat from other insurgents'.

The judges said: 'Given his prior exemplary conduct, we have concluded that it was the combination of the stressors, the other matters to which we have referred and his adjustment disorder that substantially impaired his ability to form a rational judgment.

'There can be little doubt that on 15 September 2011, the appellant was angry and vengeful and had a considerable degree of hatred for the wounded insurgent.

'On prior deployments, similar emotions had been controlled by him. The appellant's decision to kill was probably impulsive and the adjustment disorder had led to an abnormality of mental functioning that substantially impaired his ability to exercise self-control.

'In our judgement the adjustment disorder from which he was suffering at the time also impaired his ability to exercise self-control.'

Backing: Sgt Blackman's case has been backed by people from all over the world who agreed he was wrongly convicted

How judges agreed that Taliban killing was not 'cold-blooded' murder Sergeant Alexander Blackman appears via video link at the Royal Courts of Justice in London last month with the five judges who cleared him today The Court Martial Appeal Court judges said in their ruling they had considered 'what led the appellant to kill the insurgent at a time when he was incapacitated'. They agreed that Sgt Blackman was suffering from an 'abnormality of mental functioning' at the time of the killing The 'key issue' was whether it was a 'cold-blooded execution' as the court martial board concluded on the evidence before them, or whether it was the result of 'a substantial impairment of his ability to form a rational judgement or exercise self-control arising from his adjustment disorder'. Finding that the latter was the case, the court said that 'a person with such a disorder can appear to act rationally'. They said: 'In this case, examples include moving the body out of the sight of the camera, waiting for the helicopter to move away, stating that he was not be shot in the head and other similar comments ...' The panel of five judges, headed by Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, said: 'However, that type of planning is quite distinct from the effect of an adjustment disorder which can affect the ability to form a rational judgement about the need to adhere to standards and the moral compass set by HM Armed Forces and putting together the consequences to himself and others of the individual actions he is about to take. 'In our view, the adjustment disorder had put the appellant in the state of mind to kill, but the fact that he acted with apparent careful thought as to how to set about the killing had to be seen within the overarching framework of the disorder which had substantially impaired his ability to form a rational judgement. 'There can be little doubt that on 15 September 2011, the appellant was angry and vengeful and had a considerable degree of hatred for the wounded insurgent. 'On prior deployments, similar emotions had been controlled by him. The appellant's decision to kill was probably impulsive and the adjustment disorder had led to an abnormality of mental functioning that substantially impaired his ability to exercise self-control. 'In our judgement the adjustment disorder from which he was suffering at the time also impaired his ability to exercise self-control.' Advertisement

The devastating Apache helicopter attack in the moments before Marine A shot a wounded Taliban insurgent dead is released by MoD

Video extracts from the Marine A incident were released for the first time last month.

They show a patrol of Marines watching a British Apache helicopter gunship hovering in the sky as it unleashes a barrage of fire at a Taliban fighter.

The clattering from the gunship's fearsome 30mm cannon can be heard clearly.

It is the opening scene of what became the most controversial episode in the Afghanistan war  culminating in the jailing of Sergeant Alexander Blackman, known as Marine A.

The Ministry of Defence released the video in February following a court application by the BBC, The Guardian and other media organisations.

The Ministry of Defence released footage of the moments leading up to the incident where Marine A killed the Taliban fighter

The footage, pictured, was filmed on a helmet-mounted video camera worn by one of the junior Marines in the patrol, Corporal Christopher Watson

The newly-released video clips do not show the shooting incident itself, but shots can be heard in the background as the Marine patrol searches for the insurgents

MARINE A COMRADE: 'I'M GLAD AL DID WHAT HE DID' Royal Marines who were on patrol with Sergeant Alexander Blackman when he shot an Afghan insurgent have spoken of their respect for him. Anthropologist and filmmaker Chris Terrill was embedded with Blackman's unit and has tracked down some of the men who were with Blackman on the day he killed the Taliban fighter while on patrol in Afghanistan on September 15 2011. The programme examines pressures faced by the Royal Marines there on tour. Interviewees featured on the programme include Blackman's comrades, speaking for the first time about the six month tour that preceded the killing. Rob Driscoll, who fought alongside Blackman in Afghanistan, said: 'Were we feral? I don't really know what we were at the end, I think we were just shell-shocked if anything. 'I don't think feral is the right word it almost implies a disregard for authority, and there was no disregard for authority. 'We respected our HQ to a degree, as much as any other soldier would on a front line. After that repetitive exposure to violence and different cultures, I'd changed.' Speaking about the killing, he said: 'Everyone wanted that guy to be dead. I'm glad Al did what he did, because all my guys went home. 'And maybe just maybe if he hadn't of done that I'd have been going to a few more funerals or laying some more flowers on people's graves, for someone I have absolutely zilch respect for because he was trying to kill my friends and me.' Sam Deen, one of Blackman's junior comrades, said: 'I said I'd put one in his head. 'Few of the other lads said that as well, I do think he took the responsibility for the younger lads ... he just took it on his shoulders; he just thought it was his responsibility to do it. 'He didn't do it in cold blood - he did it so we could draw a line in the sand.' Louis Nethercott, a machine gunner working with Blackman that day, added: 'It was a bloody tough tour for every individual man and there is a point at which he has had too much or seen too much or is too tired or is too stressed and that's a fact for everybody. 'Just another day in Afghan - that's the way it goes out there. None of us got hurt so it was a successful day as far as I'm concerned.' Marine A: The Inside Story is on BBC One at 10.45pm on Wednesday. Advertisement

The dramatic footage comes from a helmet-mounted video camera worn by one of the junior Marines in Sgt Blackman's patrol.

The video was used to convict Sgt Blackman at his court martial in 2013 but has never been seen by the public, as it was ruled too inflammatory and a potential 'propaganda gift to terrorists'.

In a ruling the High Court did not agree to release the full video - but permitted its partial release, allowing the opening scenes of the episode to be viewed by the public for the first time.

The video clips do not show the shooting incident itself, only some of the events leading up to it.

The footage begins in a grassy field shortly after two insurgents had been spotted creeping up on a remote British outpost in Helmand Province.

An Apache was summoned from Camp Bastion to counter their stealth attack, and Sgt Blackman's patrol was sent out too.

The aircrew spotted one of the gunmen in a cornfield.

As the Marines watch, several bursts of loud gunfire can be heard as the Apache unleashes 139 rounds from its 30mm cannon.

The Marines, positioned some distance away, can be heard shouting 'Come on!' and 'I think he's dead'.

As might be expected of young troops in a dangerous battlefield, their language is coarse as they are heard discussing the Apache crew's aim.

A voice says: 'They've missed him. They've f***ing missed the cheeser.'

The Marines accuse the Apache crew of 'error after error after error' and suggest they should have fired a Hellfire rocket instead.

The next clip from the blisteringly hot afternoon in September 2011 shows Sgt Blackman and Jack Hammond, known as Marine C, walking over to examine the wounded man.

They found an AK47, spare ammunition and a hand grenade lying by his blood-soaked body in the 50C heat. The insurgent cannot be seen.

The rest of the episode including the shooting will not be shown publicly, but the story of what happened next is well known.

Sgt Blackman shot the insurgent, famously quoting from Hamlet as he said: 'Shuffle off this mortal coil.'

Other footage shows the patrol moving through a field and holding their positions as they search for the Taliban fighters

Sgt Blackman led his patrol into the cornfield where they found an AK47, spare ammunition and a hand grenade by the insurgent's 'blood-soaked' body

The clips were released following a High Court application from media organisations including the BBC

After Sgt Blackman's court martial, three judges ruled that the video of the shooting incident should not be made public.

At the time, government terrorism experts had advised the judges that Sgt Blackman and his family could be at risk from Islamic extremists.

Paul Mott, the deputy head of the government's Research Information and Communications Unit, said at the time that the video was 'a gift in propaganda terms'.

The court martial's Judge Advocate General, Jeff Blackett, ruled that the release of the video would 'generate significant feelings of anger and revenge among certain people and will incite attacks on British service personnel at home and abroad'.

The application for the video to be partially released was made on behalf of the BBC, Sky News, ITN, and The Guardian and Times Newspapers.

They wanted to use it to illustrate reports of Sgt Blackman's successful appeal today.

Timeline: The path to justice for British soldier Marine A Support: Ever since Alexander Blackman was convicted tens of thousands of servicemen and women as well as the public have fought to see his murder convicted overturned Sergeant Alexander Blackman - known as Marine A - became the first British serviceman convicted of murder on a foreign battlefield since the Second World War. Here is a timeline of events in the case: 2011 March - Sgt Blackman deploys to Helmand province with 42 Commando as part of Op Herrick XIV. His unit is sent to Nad-e Ali, where it sees heavy fighting. Several marines are killed, including Sgt Blackman's troop commander, and others are maimed. September 15 - Taliban insurgents attack a small British patrol base. The attack is repelled with the aid of a British Apache helicopter gunship. Sgt Blackman and his marines are on patrol and sent to look for the fleeing attackers. They find one, lying gravely wounded, in the middle of a field. Sgt Blackman shoots him in the chest with his pistol. The killing is captured on helmet camera by one of the patrol. 2012 September - The video of the incident is found on a Royal Marine's laptop during an investigation by civilian police into another alleged crime. A police investigation begins. October 11 - Seven unnamed Royal Marines are arrested on suspicion of murder. 2013 October 23 - Sgt Blackman and two others go on trial at the Court Martial Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, accused of murder. He is only identified as Marine A and his comrades as Marines B and C. They give evidence from behind screens. All three plead not guilty. November 8 - Sgt Blackman is found guilty of murder. The two other marines are acquitted. December 5 - A court rules Sgt Blackman, still only known to the world as Marine A, should be stripped of his anonymity. December 6 - Sgt Blackman, from Taunton, Somerset, is given a life sentence and told he must serve a minimum of 10 years in a civilian prison. 2014 May 22 - Sgt Blackman loses a Court of Appeal bid to overturn his life sentence. His minimum term is cut from 10 years to eight. 2015 September - A high-profile campaign begins to have Sgt Blackman freed, led by his wife Claire. December 16 - 1,100 pages of new evidence are handed into the Criminal Cases Review Commission in an attempt to have the conviction sent back to the Court of Appeal. 2016 December - The CCRC concludes there is a 'real possibility' of overturning the conviction, and grants an appeal. Later the same month, the Lord Chief Justice refuses a bid to grant bail, after prosecutors challenge new psychiatric evidence about his mental state at the time of the killing. December 21 - Sgt Blackman loses a bid to be released on bail in time for Christmas ahead of his appeal hearing. 2017 February 7 - Five judges, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, Sir Brian Leveson, Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Openshaw and Mr Justice Sweeney, begin hearing an appeal brought by Sgt Blackman to overturn his murder conviction at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London. March 13 - The Court Martial Appeal Court announces the appeal ruling will be given on March 15. March 15 - Sgt Blackman has his murder conviction replaced with manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility by the Court. A new sentence will be set at a later date. Advertisement

Squalid conditions. Blistering heat. Flimsy defences. And constant terror. Revealed: The pictures that portray the truth about Sgt Blackman's CAMP HELL

High summer in Nad-e-Ali district and a small corner of 'the most dangerous square mile on Earth' is broiling in the heat.

Little moves, save for when a breath of wind sends dust devils spinning across the flat, parched landscape beyond the fortifications. Shade is welcome but the benefit is relative. In any case, there is nowhere here that one can truly relax.

This is Checkpoint Omar, home in 2011 to 16 soldiers from J Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines. 'Home', but not at all homely.

The thermometer is touching 120F, but that is only one of the many 'hellish'  and in some cases avoidable  factors which will drive the senior soldier at CP Omar to the brink of mental illness and beyond. Only those who were there can properly understand the impact of the depredations of such an environment.

Unlike many British patrol bases, which were founded inside or around the thick mud walls and roofed buildings of a typical Afghan farm compound, Omar was built from scratch as a rudimentary bastion by the Royal Engineers

Checkpoint Omar was home to 16 soldiers from J Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines in 2011, including Sgt Blackman

It was the task of the Court of Appeal to try to do so. Over two days Lord Chief Justice Thomas and his four colleagues heard of the 'austere and hostile' conditions endured bySgt Alexander Blackman and his men at Omar.

These pictures were mostly taken on Sgt Blackman's camera during his tour of duty. They offer a startling insight into the privations he and his men suffered day after day.

Not long into their six-month tour, the commandos were already feeling 'marginalised, unsupported, under-resourced and peripheral', the court heard.

The extreme stresses would culminate in Sgt Blackman developing an 'adjustment disorder' and shooting dead a Taliban insurgent who had already been mortally wounded by helicopter cannon fire while attacking another British base.

The appeal court has now decided that Sgt Blackman's subsequent and highly controversial conviction for murder in December 2013 was unsafe. Blackman's new legal team, headed by Jonathan Goldberg QC and funded by readers of this newspaper, made a very powerful case.

What was it that could have driven a 'superb' soldier like Sgt Blackman to commit such an act?

Nearing 120F: There's no roof or running water or toilets. It's too hot in the shipping containers but the makeshift tents, left, are vulnerable to grenades being tossed in

The base was next to 'Route Cornwall' (shown), the road that ran towards 42 Commando's HQ at Forward Operating Base Shahzad, a few kilometres south-west of Omar

To answer that question, you need to try to understand conditions at Checkpoint Omar, which was an ill-conceived base from the very start.

Though not as remote as some other bases  it was next to 'Route Cornwall', the road that ran towards 42 Commando's HQ at Forward Operating Base Shahzad, a few kilometres south-west of Omar  it was desperately lacking in several respects.

Unlike many British patrol bases, which were founded inside or around the thick mud walls and roofed buildings of a typical Afghan farm compound, Omar was built from scratch as a rudimentary bastion by the Royal Engineers.

The four walls were constructed of HESCO barriers  wire mesh, fabric lined boxes which were filled with earth. They normally provide good protection against direct fire from outside, but at Omar the walls were simply not high enough.

Blackman recalled that when he and his marines first arrived they could see that any Afghan who drove past on a tractor could look down into their base. This was absurd and a clear security risk. Only after prolonged lobbying at HQ was this remedied and the walls raised (the photos you see here are Omar after the improvement).

On patrol: Every step taken by a soldier (left) could see them ending up maimed and disfigured by an IED (pictured right)

Life inside Omar was difficult. But they were as nothing compared with the problems that the marines faced when they stepped out of the main gate on patrol

Omar's back gate was another source of concern to the marines. The original gate was simply a flimsy barrier of wire and padding. Following complaints, a purposebuilt gate was installed  and fell down the next night. There was no lock to secure it after dark. The marines feared that insurgents could have slipped into the camp and 'slit our throats as we slept'. A padlock was eventually supplied.

The only sturdy, roofed cover inside the checkpoint was provided by shipping containers. Being metal, they were unbearably hot to sleep in and were used mainly for storage. One was turned into the base control room, which was where the unit's radio set was kept.

The soldiers slept in tents which were pitched along one of the HESCO walls. This made them acutely vulnerable to grenades lobbed from outside.

These pictures, never seen before, were mostly taken on the camera of Sgt Blackman (pictured) during his tour of duty. They offer a startling insight into the privations he and his men suffered day after day

Omar had no running water or mains electricity. Power was supplied by a generator, and the fuel for this and the marines' bottled drinking water  they each drank gallons every day  had to be trucked along the hazardous road from Shahzad.

As there was no working fridge in the camp the drinking water, stacked in the open, was at best tepid and often hot. Each marine was supposed to drink 10 to 15 litres a day.

The soldiers lived off MRE  'meals ready to eat'  ration packs. They had to defecate into bags which were collected and burnt by one of the marines at the end of each day. Flies plagued the camp.

Little wonder that cases of diarrhoea and vomiting were common.

Such were the difficulties of life inside Omar. But they were as nothing compared with the problems that the marines faced when they stepped out of the main gate on patrol.

Omar was 'in the heart of hostile territory', the Court of Appeal heard. 'The local populace whose 'hearts and minds' they were supposed to win over, were often duplicitous. A friend by day became an enemy by night.' But these were marines, among the finest fighting soldiers in the world. The problem was there was simply not enough of them - Omar was hopelessly undermanned.

While a patrol base that size should have held a whole troop  equivalent to an army platoon  of men, Blackman's had been split in two in order to man two such bases. The other base was commanded by Blackman's troop leader Lieutenant Ollie Augustin.

Because of illness, injury and home leave, the numbers inside Omar sometimes fell to as few as a dozen. This was utterly inadequate to patrol such a hostile place  but the patrols still had to take place or the Taliban would dominate at will.

The court heard that because of under-manning some marines would be out on the ground for as long as ten hours a day, conducting both morning and evening patrols. They carried up to 50kg of equipment in soaring temperatures. As casualties mounted, Blackman began to send only unmarried marines with no children on the riskiest patrols, which he almost always led.

While firefights were common, the main danger and psychological pressure came from Improvised Explosive Devices  IEDs  which littered their area. It was estimated that an IED exploded  whether by a controlled detonation or the detonation of a land-mine  every 16 hours throughout their unit's six-month tour.

Trying to anticipate these horrific weapons demanded constant alertness and was exhausting. Each step could be your last and the 'signature' injury from Helmand was a loss of legs and genitalia from an IED blast. Mrs Blackman noticed that her husband still carefully searched the ground ahead of him when he returned home to Somerset. The fear was ingrained.

Sleeping arrangements: Conditions are shown to be incredibly tough - with soldiers needing to be ready for action at all times

A photograph taken from the base's sangar - a fortified observation tower - from which marines would keep a daily lookout

It was inevitable perhaps that Sgt Blackman's troop would take casualties. In May 2011, Lieutenant Augustin was leading his half-troop of marines on an operation when an IED was triggered.

Augustin, whom the experienced Blackman had mentored, was killed instantly, along with Marine Sam Alexander, a hugely popular soldier who had won a Military Cross on a previous tour, and their interpreter. Two other marines suffered life-changing injuries, while others were hurt or suffered psychological wounds.

This was the 'tipping point' of the tour. As the surviving marines slogged back to their temporary base (not Omar), they were confronted by the sight of the legs of a comrade hanging in a tree. It is believed the limbs belonged to a teenage marine from another company who had been killed by an IED earlier in the tour.

The body parts had been recovered and displayed in the tree as a 'trophy' by the Taliban.

The IED blast and the atrocity had an enormous impact on those present. 'I never again want to see guys in the state they were in that evening,' said one of the NCOs. 'My guys completely lost it.'

Sentry duty: Are there enemy creeping nearer? A soldier, his faced muzzed, inside the gun position at the top of the camp

Blackman was not present that day but felt deeply affected if not responsible for the death of the young lieutenant.

He and his men would later take part in the hunt for a young Scottish soldier who had gone AWOL from his base. The 20-year-old was eventually found dead, having been horribly tortured and murdered by the insurgents.

The thought of what happened to the Highlander stayed with the marines and no doubt further skewed their view of their mission and the local Afghan population.

Good leadership would have helped prevent Blackman's descent into the recognised psychological problems that the Ministry of Defence now accepts that he suffered. But his commanding officer Lt-Colonel Ewen Murchison visited Omar only twice  at most  during the entire tour. Such neglect allowed problems caused by enormous battlefield stresses to fester.

In the end, Sgt Blackman, a 'loner' in one of the loneliest and most dangerous jobs in the world and responsible for bringing the 16 men in Omar back home alive, simply lost the ability to cope.

Omar had no running water or electricity. The latter was supplied by a generator, and the fuel for this and the marines' bottled drinking water

How 'Big Al' Blackman served his country with distinction for 15 years before his bosses 'devastated' his life and dismissed him in disgrace

Sergeant Alexander Blackman (pictured on his wedding day with wife Claire in 2009) was jailed for life and dismissed in disgrace from the Royal Marines after serving with distinction for 15 years

Sergeant Alexander Blackman was jailed for life and dismissed in disgrace from the Royal Marines after serving with distinction for 15 years.

The 42-year-old, from Taunton, Somerset, has now won an appeal against his murder conviction at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London.

Five judges reduced his conviction for shooting an injured Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011 to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Blackman, who is 6ft 3in tall, is known as Big Al and Al to his family, friends and colleagues.

According to the website Justice for Marine A, Blackman grew up in Brighton with his parents, two sisters and a brother.

The keen sportsman worked on a dairy farm after leaving school before joining the Royal Marines in 1998, aged 23.

After completing his Junior Command Course, he joined Delta Company as a corporal and was deployed to the Gulf War on Operation Telic 1 in 2003.

He was deployed back to Iraq on Operation Telic 5 before completing further training, including his senior command course.

Blackman returned to 40 Commando as a sergeant and was deployed to Operation Telic 7, and served in Afghanistan with Alpha Company on Operation Herrick 7.

On his return, he joined the Central Training Team at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, for two years.

In 2009, he married Claire in Somerset.

He was drafted to 42 Commando (J Company) for deployment to Afghanistan on Herrick 14 and promoted to Acting Colour Sergeant.

During his trial, in which he was known only as Marine A, Blackman said the start of the tour in March 2011 was quiet but stress began to build.

He described to Bulford Court Martial in Wiltshire the effects of the deaths of his troop commander and a fellow marine in a bomb blast on the tour.

Two others also suffered life-changing injuries.

He said the body parts of the victims were found in trees around the area.

'It's not a nice thing for the lads,' Blackman told the court martial. 'Close friends they have lived with have been killed and parts of their bodies are displayed as a kind of trophy for the world to see.'

Footage captured on a head camera of another marine on patrol with Blackman showed him killing the Taliban insurgent in September 2011.

After shooting the insurgent, Blackman told him: 'There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil you c***. It's nothing you wouldn't do to us.'

He then turned to comrades and said: 'Obviously this doesn't go anywhere fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention.'

Joy: His wife and his legal team celebrate as five judges reduced his conviction for shooting an injured Taliban insurgent in Afghanistan in 2011 to manslaughter by diminished responsibility

Following the tour, Blackman worked on an operation training and advisory group preparing troops for deployment to Afghanistan, the Justice for Marine A website says.

In October 2012, he was arrested on suspicion of murder after the video footage was found on a Royal Marine's laptop during an unrelated investigation by civilian police.

His trial began in October 2013 and he was convicted of murder on November 8.

Blackman was jailed for life with a minimum term of 10 years in prison, which was later cut to eight.

In a statement issued through his solicitor after he was sentenced, Blackman said he was 'devastated'. He added that he had proudly served the Royal Marines for 15 years and was 'very sorry' for any damage caused.




A-mother-of-three claims she almost died after suffering an allergic reaction to latex balloons released at Adele's Adelaide concert.

Pooja Newman was at the concert on Monday night when hundreds of giant balloons were dropped into the crowd.

The balloons were covered with latex powder which sent Ms Newman into anaphylactic shock, she told 7 News.

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The balloons were covered with latex powder which sent Ms Newman into anaphylactic shock

Pooja Newman was at the concert on Monday night when hundreds of giant balloons were dropped into the crowd

A-mother-of-three claims she almost died after suffering an allergic reaction to latex balloons released at Adele's Adelaide concert.

'I felt my lips swelling and couldn't breathe, I knew I was in trouble,' she said.

Ms Newman was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital. She is still recovering in ICU.

Her family said she had to wait over half an hour for an ambulance.

'It took forever and we could have lost her,' her sister said.

The family have requested the gig promoter would re-think the use of latex for future events

Adele played to more than 70,000 fans in Adelaide on Monday night on her Australian tour

Adelaide Oval on Wednesday released a statement which said the incident was handled in 'exemplary fashion.'

The family have requested the gig promoter would re-think the use of latex for future events.

Adele played to more than 70,000 fans in Adelaide on Monday night on her Australian tour.
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These incredible pictures, taken by a construction worker, show the creation of the now infamous Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the years before the world's worst nuclear disaster took place at the site.

Labourer Aleksandr Shubovskiy captured the rare images, which show his colleagues working on the site with very little safety gear between 1979 and 1980.

The Chernobyl Plant near Pripyat, in what was then part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the Soviet Union (USSR), was plunged into disaster on 26 April 1986 when a severely flawed reactor and human error led to a sudden surge of power during a reactor systems test, destroying Unit 4 and releasing massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment.

Photographer Aleksandr Shubovskiy poses at the top of one of the towers, which he helped to construct, documenting the work in his previously unseen photo project

Against all health and safety rules: A worker stands at dizzying height with a cigarette dangling from one of his hands but without any safety gear keeping preventing him from falling

One of the workers grabs a woman believed to be his girlfriend as the pair stand above a reactor

Two builders stand at the edge of the tower. At the rear the dark buildings of Power Units 2 and 1, can be seen, and further in the distance, a water body, which is a cooling pond

The same two builders stand at the top of a tower. A crane hook blocks the view of a juvenile Pripyat in the distance

Members of a combined crew. All are equipped with safety harnesses, chains and hooks for working at heights. One of the workers holds a walky-talky for communication with a crane operator

The men were building Ventilation Stacks VT-2 for the third and fourth Chernobyl NPP Units, and Shubovskiy took the pictures as their work was coming to an end.

Shubovskiy was part of a combined installation crew working for a company named Spetsenergomontazhi, and the amateur photographer arranged a photo shoot starring his colleagues, who were happy to pose for their pictures.

He processed the film and put it on top of a wardrobe, with the intention of printing the photographs when he had time.

Although the film stayed in his flat near Pripyat, Shubovskiy never got round to developing it, but travelled around, and hit the road for a different site in Yakutia in February 1986.

Two members of the combined crew stand at the base of one of the towers, left, while an unidentified worker looks quite the hipster in stylish glasses and on a Tula motor scooter, right

Lunch was hoisted up to the top of the tower with workers drinking soup from pannikins for starters, followed by a second course, pasties, and milk taken from a metal thermos

Just one of the photographs is in colour, showing one of the men enjoying a rest and a spot of lunch

In this image one of the construction workers is seen welding at height, with only the most basic safety equipment to protect him and secure him

A crew member operates a mobile boatswain's chair, used for works outside the main site. The device used to suspend a person from a rope to perform work aloft

The men eat lunch at a height of more than 500ft, or as high as a 40-storey building. Lunch was lifted by a crane directly onto the roof so that the workers did not have to march up and down the stairs to a canteen and back

Two months later, on April 26, 1986, a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in the number four light water graphite moderated reactor at Chernobyl.

The accident, the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel, saw a steam explosion and fires releasing at least 5 per cent of the radioactive reactor core into the atmosphere.

Two Chernobyl plant workers died on the night of the accident, and a further 28 people died within a few weeks as a result of acute radiation poisoning.

The plant operators' town of Pripyat was evacuated of its 45,000 residents on April 27, and by May 14, some 116,000 people that had been living within an 18-mile radius had also relocated.

This remarkable photograph shows Power Unit 3, with a shed standing in the place where the notorious fourth reactor would later be constructed. To the right is an unfinished Turbine Hall, common for all four ChNPP Units

The Stack was constructed section by section. In total, more than 500ft were lifted by hand over a period of two months

High riggers pose at the top of the tower. At the rear, the photo captures a view of a hoisting drum located opposite to Power Unit 2, and fuel being discharged into a container car

A worker is pictured welding at height, his feet precariously balanced, with the nuclear site sprawling hundreds of feet beneath him

A welder is pictured cutting metal at the top of one of the towers - with no protective equipment to shield his face from any flying sparks

Lifting by a ladder to VT-2. Workers hoisted goods up more than 500ft using ropes and pulleys

A year later, when Shubovskiy managed to get into flat in the evacuated Pripyat, he discovered it had been looted, but he found an untouched package containing the films.

He brought them home and forgot about them for almost 40 years, meaning the historic printed photographs were not seen until this day.

The amazing images show the lack of health and safety for workers constructing the plant, with men at the top of the ventilation towers wearing no helmets or proper harnesses.

One picture shows a worker hanging from a beam, with no helmet on his head, and a cigarette dangling from his hand.

Other pictures show workers using ropes and pulleys to hoist materials hundreds of feet into the air, or welding metal with no protection to cover their faces.

Some images show the men at ease, casually posing together at the top of the tower, or enjoying a lunch break at a table in the sky.

Builders pose for the camera in front of a view of the sprawling nuclear site, which lies beneath them

Four riggers, colleagues of Shubovskiy, were happy to pose for pictures as he documented the construction of the towers

The men were building Ventilation Stacks VT-2 for the third and fourth Chernobyl NPP Units. The fourth unit was the site of the now infamous nuclear accident

Wearing a hard hat, Aleksandr Shubovskiy, the photographer behind the project, poses at the top of one of the towers

Ventilation Stack (VT-2) dwafs the two men sitting atop it. The photo captures the view of a workmen's shelter situated on the roof of Power Unit 3

The workers take a break for lunch, feasting on the rations that were lifted up to their base in the sky

The disaster released at least 100 times more radiation than the atom bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, and much of the fallout was deposited close to Chernobyl, in parts of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia.

In the years following the accident, a further 220,000 people were resettled into less contaminated areas, and the initial exclusion zone was modified and extended to cover 46,300 square feet.

Contamination is still a problem, and disputes continue as to how many will eventually die as a result of the world's worst nuclear accident.

Studies in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus based on national registers have shown that more than one million people were possibly affected by radiation.

By 2000, about 4000 cases of thyroid cancer had been diagnosed in exposed children, which have been linked to the nuclear disaster, and an extra 9,000 cancer deaths are expected by the UN-led Chernobyl Forum.

One of the men ladles soup into a bowl from a large metal container. Construction of the towers was thirsty work

Aleksandr Shubovskiy took the pictures between 1979 and 1980, but never developed them, leaving the films on top of a wardrobe in his flat near the nuclear base

When Shubovskiy managed to get into flat in the evacuated Pripyat, he discovered it had been looted, but he found an untouched package containing the films of the construction workers

Members of a combined crew, all equipped with safety harnesses, chains and hooks for working at heights, pose at the top of one of the towers

Another picture shows the same workman disregarding health and safety as he equips himself with a cigarette - but no hard hat or other protective gear

The pictures were taken when the building of Ventilation Stack VT-2, which was used for both the third and fourth Chernobyl NPP Units, was coming to the end

After the accident, materials were carried on the wind, with traces of radioactive deposits were found in nearly every country in the northern hemisphere.

Rainfall also helped to spread the nuclear deposits, and Scandinavia was badly affected, while even in some areas of the UK there are farms that face post-Chernobyl controls.

Despite the lasting contamination of the area, scientists have been surprised by the way that wildlife in the area has recovered.

Wild horse, boar and wolf populations are thriving, birds have nested in the reactor building and lynx have returned to the area.

However, the animals themselves have become radioactive after feasting on contaminated plants in the area.

Aleksandr Shubovskiy was working within a combined installation crew for a company named Spetsenergomontazhi

Chernobyl NPP Units. The site in the former USSR has now become synonymous with nuclear disaster

The accident was the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel

A steam explosion and fires in the fourth reactor released at least 5 per cent of the radioactive core into the atmosphere

Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated, and Shubovskiy was unable to return to his flat to retrieve the films until a year later
A heroic security guard has been caught on camera shooting a bank robber dead after the criminal threatened customers and tellers with a gun.

Serial armed robber Laurence Turner, 34, walked into Alpine Bank in Rockford, Illinois, armed with a gun and wearing a ski mask.

As he pointed his pistol at staff behind the counter, Brian Harrison whipped out his gun and shot the criminal dead - all of which was caught on security footage.

Laurence Turner, 34, is pictured entering the bank firing his gun at the ceiling wearing a blue ski mask

As two tellers cower behind the counter, Brian Harrison draws his gun and shoots the robber

Harrison fires the gun as the robber scrambles for the door. Staff are seen hiding behind the counters

Laurence Turner was shot dead inside a bank

The incident occurred on January 20, and the hero security guard had been sweating over whether or not charges would be brought against him.

But Winnebago County State Attorney Joe Bruscato confirmed yesterday that he acted in self-defense and in the defense of others and will therefore face no charges.

Footage from the bank captures Turner getting out of his car covering his face and carrying a bag.

He fires at the ceiling before aiming his gun at Mr Harrison, who is a retired Winnebago County Sheriff's Department deputy.

A security camera from another angle shows the robber entering the bank and staff ducking behind the counter

The robber fires at the ceiling before aiming his gun at Mr Harrison, who is a retired Winnebago County Sheriff's Department deputy

The security guard draws his gun and shoots around the front of the counter at a cowering Turner, who tries to flee but falls to the ground by the door

Pictured above left the mask donned by the robber and, right, the bag he carried hoping to stash some cash

The security guard draws his gun and shoots around the front of the counter at a cowering Turner, who tries to flee but falls to the ground by the door.

He was shot in his chest and his buttocks.

Gloves worn by the robber are seen above

Turner had stolen his mother's Hyundai Santa Fe on the morning of the robbery, which was at least his fourth in three months.

He held up Mincemoyer Jewelers on November 23 to steal a laptop, Harvard State Bank five days later when cash was taken and Members Alliance Credit Union on December 16 when he took money again by brandishing a gun.

An autopsy showed Turner had opiates, THC and cannabis in his system, Bruscato told the RR Star.

In a letter to the Star's editor in the aftermath of the incident, the bank said Mr Harrison had 'acted with courage and quickness to protect our family. You are a hero to each and every one of us'.

From another angle the robber is seen entering the bank above. He was later identified as Turner

An autopsy showed Turner had opiates, THC and cannabis in his system
A former chiropractor has been banned from treating women after being found having a 12-year sexual relationship with a patient and acting inappropriately towards other female clients.

Doctor John Horner was found to have acted sexually inappropriately towards five women at his Canning Vale practice in Perth between mid-2000 and 2013.

Among the five patients, he struck up a sexual relationship with a 'financially vulnerable' woman between 2000 and 2012, the tribunal found.

A chiropractor has been banned from treating women after being found having a 12-year sexual relationship with a patient and acting inappropriately towards other female clients (stock image)

He would occasionally treat the patient without charge - and the pair would have sex at his practice during consultations.

On several occasions, he gave the woman money to send to her relatives overseas, the tribunal heard.

Dr Horner was also found to have inappropriately groped another patient's breast without any clinical or other justification and for his own gratification

The tribunal found doctor John Horner acted sexually inappropriately towards five women at his Canning Vale practice in Perth between 2000 and 2013

He was also found to have exposed two other women's buttocks when they were undergoing soft tissue therapy and asked a teenager to remove her underwear during treatment.

The Chiropractic Board of Australia referred Dr Horner to the State Administrative Tribunal, saying he breached professionalism.

Dr Horner surrendered his resignation in February 2015 after he stopped working as a chiropractor since selling his clinic in August 2014.

He was handed a three-year disqualification from applying for registration, banned from providing health services to women and was ordered to pay $10,000.
A hooded thug opened fire on a busy street forcing innocent bystanders to run for cover.

Police are now hunting the 'extremely dangerous' gunman who fired at least six shots into the road at the end of rush hour in New Cross, south London, before running away.

During the shooting a black male wearing blue latex gloves ran into the middle of the street with his arm outstretched before firing off several bullets, one of which ricocheted off the road.

Police are now hunting the 'extremely dangerous' gunman who fired at least six shots into the road at the end of rush hour in New Cross, south London, before running away

Moments after the shooting emergency services rushed to the scene in New Cross, south London, and found that nobody had been injured.

DC Chris Lewis, of The Trident and Area Crime Command, said: 'This male is extremely dangerous and needs to be identified.

'This incident occurred on a summer's evening when members of the public were simply going about their business.

'The firearm was discharged indiscriminately with at least one bullet ricocheting off the road.

'This could have so easily hit an innocent bystander and could have had devastating effects.

Moments after the shooting emergency services rushed to the scene in New Cross, south London, and found that nobody had been injured

'This male clearly had no regards for those around him and it is of paramount importance that anyone who does recognise him comes to speak to us.

'Despite only being provided a general description of the man we're seeking to speak with, he was wearing distinctive blue latex gloves and this would have made him stand out.'

CCTV footage of the shooting on 24 August last year has now been released in an attempt to find the gunman.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in December 2016 on suspicion of attempted murder and currently remains on bail pending further enquires

Cops describe the suspect as a slim black male wearing blue latex gloves, a Nike Air hooded top, dark knee-length shorts and dark trainers with white soles.

DC Lewis added: 'We are specifically appealing to anyone who would have seen an individual matching this description in the vicinity in the lead up to this incident to come forward.

'You may have thought the information you had at the time was insignificant, but this may be vital to our investigation.'

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in December 2016 on suspicion of attempted murder and currently remains on bail pending further enquires.
Prince William may have got his 'dad dancing' tips from a teenage troupe who taught him to bodypop during a visit to a youth centre.

The future king joined the Scariofunk Dance Collective as he visited Caius House in Battersea, south west London, last year.

During the visit, the 34-year-old agreed to a quick tutorial by 15-year-old Candice Blake, but warned her he could 'never get the shoulder shiver right'.

Prince William may have got his 'dad dancing' tips from a teenage troupe who taught him to bodypop during a visit to a youth centre (pictured)

He added: 'There is no pressure, because I will look ridiculous.'

The teenager later agreed he was no snakehips, giving him 5 out of 10 for his performance - but 10 out of 10 for effort.

'He was up for it,' she added.

Last night, footage emerged of the future king of England busting some old-school moves inside the Farinet nightclub while holidaying in the upmarket resort of Verbier in Switzerland.

The future king joined the Scariofunk Dance Collective as he visited Caius House in Battersea, south west London, last year

During the visit, the 34-year-old agreed to a quick tutorial by 15-year-old Candice Blake, but warned her he could 'never get the shoulder shiver right'

The video shows the father-of-two 'raising the roof' and doing 'dad dancing' to the hit song 'I Got 5 On It' by American hip hop duo Luniz.

William's enthusiastic dancing is perhaps reminiscent of his father Prince Charles, who has regularly attempted to blend in with local traditions via some questionable moves.

Most famously, during his first visit to Brazil in 1978, Charles took to the dance floor with a Samba dancer during a party staged by the mayor of Rio De Janeiro.
A distraught single mother has confronted the men who allegedly left her son with brain damage and unable to walk after an horrific car accident.

On February 22 Shane Reghenzani, 23, was walking home from work along Canterbury Road in Glenfield, when he was struck by an out-of-control blue Toyota Camry that had been allegedly racing a white Subaru Impreza.

While the drivers of both vehicles escaped injury, Mr Reghenzani suffered brain damage and crushed legs as a result of the reckless accident.

This week his mother Christine Reghenzani confronted the men who were allegedly racing, outside Campbelltown Court in south-west Sydney.

A furious Christine Reghenzani (left) went after supporters of the two men who allegedly hit her son in an illegal street car race

With tears in her eyes Ms Reghenzani screamed at family and friends of the alleged offenders.

'My son was walking home on the footpath, on the footpath!

'It's a miracle my son's alive!' she said coming face-to-face with supporters of the men.

Standing her ground, and using her cardigan to stop the crowd from walking off, Ms Reghenzani pleaded for them to understand.

'What if it was their son that was on the hospital bed? He can't move, we don't even know whether he's still going to be able to keep his legs,' Ms Reghenzani told A Current Affair.

Witnesses told Ms Reghenzani that while nearby residents rushed to her son's aid in the aftermath of the crash, both drivers got out of their cars and sat down, ignoring Shane lying helplessly on the footpath.

Ms Reghenzai pleaded with the crowd to understand what she was going through asking them, 'What if it was their son that was on the hospital bed?'

Mr Reghenzai woke from two weeks on life support only days ago, however even after having eight lifesaving operations, doctors are still unsure whether or not he would be able walk again.

The fitness fanatic continues to remain positive but is still in disbelief that something like this could have happened to him.

'This thing happened and now my life's changed forever. I can't imagine anything I could have done to deserve that.'

Shane Reghenzani suffered brain damage and crushed legs but doctors are still unsure whether or not he will walk again

The charged offenders were both released on bail, but Ms Reghenzani says she is despondent that the two have been allowed to walk free.

'I'm very angry. I'm only a single mum on my own, and we're struggling. And I'm trying to fight for Shane's rights,' she told A Current Affair.

The two men are scheduled to return to court on April 26.
A Donald Trump ally who had been set for a role in the White House before withdrawing over plagiarism allegations is now representing a pro-Russian oligarch.

Monica Crowley was due to be appointed to a communications role in the National Security Council, but stepped aside shortly before the President's inauguration.

She has since registered to provide 'outreach services' on behalf of Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk, it has emerged.

Monica Crowley (center) withdrew from her appointment on the National Security Council amid allegations of plagiarism

Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk has employed Crowley to represent him in talks with US government officials

Crowley withdrew from her government nomination amid allegations that large sections of her 2012 book What the (Bleep) Just Happened, as well as her PhD dissertation at Columbia University, were plagiarized.

Although she denied the allegations, which first appeared in reports by CNN and Politico, she said in January that she would not be joining the White House team, instead pursuing 'other opportunities'.

Crowley will represent Pinchuk, who Forbes says is worth around $1.44billion, in discussions with government officials, a Justice Department filing reveals.

She will earn $40,000 per month for her work.

Crowley has been employed to represent Ukrainian businessman Pinchuk, and will be paid $40,000 each month

Last year Pinchuk penned an article for the Wall Street Journal, in which he called for fellow Ukrainians to make 'painful compromises for peace'.

These compromises, he wrote, included shunning NATO and the European Union. He said the new White House administration could offer an 'opportunity for Ukraine to contribute to the solution of Russias intervention'.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko was among Pinchuk's countrymen appalled by the column, and has reportedly refused to attend a conference in Yalta hosted by the billionaire in protest.

The steel magnate donated $150,000 to Donald Trump's foundation in 2015 after the future President spoke to a conference in Kiev via video link.

He has also contributed millions to the foundation run by Bill and Hillary Clinton, and was a guest at the former President's 65th birthday in 2011, the New York Daily News reports.

Crowley is working for a consultancy firm run by former Bill Clinton adviser Doug Schoen, who like Crowley is a Fox News contributer.

He told Politico: 'After she left the position she had been appointed to, and only thereafter, I approached her about doing some work for me.'

Schoen said more detail will be disclosed when an 'appropriate registration' is filed.
An amusing video has emerged online of a commuter pretending to stop a subway train with his bare hands as it comes into the station.

The amusing stunt, believed to have been shot in Montreal, Canada, shows the scrawny man rubbing sawdust on his hands, as though he is about to lift weights. Canada, shows the scrawny man rubbing sawdust on his hands, as though he is about to lift weights.

As the train comes into the platform and begins slowing down, he stands next to it and waits for the perfect moment.

The amusing stunt, believed to have been shot in Montreal, Canada, shows the scrawny man rubbing sawdust on his hands, as though he is about to lift weights

When the train is has slowed to a speed that he deems safe enough to grab, he clings to a door and begins running alongside it.

He strains his arms as though he is putting in a huge effort, as the train obviously comes to a halt by itself.

He then repeats the trick and 'pushes' the train away as it sets off again.

As the train comes into the platform and begins slowing down, he stands next to it and waits for the perfect moment

When the train is has slowed to a speed that he deems safe enough to grab, he clings to a door and begins running alongside it

He then repeats the trick and 'pushes' the train away as it sets off again

Although his joke was barely noticed by those alighting onto the platform, it has created far more of an impression online.

One Facebook user, David Barnes, said: 'He must have been in training for months! Everyone should know their station in life and follow that line to keep on track.'

Another, Alan Rickles, added: 'What a great citizen. These people would never get to work without him.'
Women are using sex to pay for plumbers, car mechanics and other labourers in Russia because of the country's economic struggles.

The 'new trend' in the Buryatia, in eastern Siberia, is blamed on 'falling income levels' in Vladimir Putin's country.

Residents are being offered the chance to exchange their services - including the installation of new furniture and dog-walking - for sex, it has been claimed.

One Siberian news outlet reported: 'Due to the economic crisis, sex is used to pay for traditional services. There even are special online communities for this purpose.'

One such community in Buryatia region, on the shore of Lake Baikal, claims that it is intended for 'mutually beneficial encounters.'

It states: 'Here you can swap services for sex. And, as well, offer sex for a service.

'If you need a service or goods, but you can't or don't want to spend money on it, you can do something.'

Users may 'offer' their services for 'a pleasant reward', it added.

One male advertiser offered to carry out home repairs in return for sex.

He boasted: 'You get both pleasure - and renovation.'

A female posted: 'Looking for a man who can do the wiring in my flat. 2 rooms. Sex 2-3 times in return. Anonymous. Girl, 26.'

Nine men responded offering their services.

The 'new trend' in the Buryatia, in eastern Siberia, (pictured) is blamed on 'falling income levels' in Vladimir Putin's country

Elsewhere, a 23-year-old woman offered a date in exchange for new furniture.

'Will meet with a guy in exchange for a new sofa. Girl, 23. If you want, 'like'. Anonymous.' Her posting had 21 'likes'.

In another case, Artur Konstantinov, from the regional capital Ulan-Ude, offered to deliver and stack 'dry logs' as firewood, to be paid according to the 'conditions of the community', namely with sex instead of money.

Last month, a man named Dmitry Trifonov advertised 'all sorts of services - electrical wiring, putting together furniture, fixing home appliances, setting up PC, plumbing! Message me!'

Another, Alexey Drobysh, offered taxi rides in the city in exchange for sex.

Others offered to help homeowners move house under the same terms.
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Morality cannot be legislated, but behavior can be regulated. Judicial decrees may not change the heart, but they can restrain the heartless.

A right delayed is a right denied.Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.

Martin Luther King Jr.

No one is born hating another person People must learn to hate and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Nelson Mandela

We can disagree and still love each other, unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist

James Baldwin

There is a fine line between free speech and hate speech. Free speech encourages debate whereas hate speech incites violence.

Newton Lee

The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything.

Albert Einstein
A young boy from Virginia who is suffering from bone cancer has been invited to a high school prom by one of his sister's friends.

Beckett Wyatt, who is nine, was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma in June. He has stage 4 cancer.

A caring teenage girl decided to ask him to her high school celebration so that he would get to experience a prom for the first time.

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Beckett Wyatt, nine, left, was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer last summer. One of his sister's friends, Kaelyn Brakefield, 16, decided she wanted to ask him to her high school prom

Kaelyn broke down as she explained why she wanted to take Beckett to prom. 'What if he never gets to?' she asked. 'I want him to be able to do the things that I got to do.'

Beckett couldn't be happier at his forthcoming date and said he was thinking about shoving Kaelyn's face in the punch bowl. It's his wicked sense of humor that has kept the family going

'I wanted to take Beckett because what if he never gets to,' Kaelyn Brakefeld, 16, a junior at Midlothian High School, told WRIC.

Kaelyn said that she's already been able to go to prom and she couldn't imagine someone else not having the chance. 'I want him to be able to do the things that I got to do,' she added.

The teen even prepared a Hamilton-themed proposal to ask the youngster out on his special date.

Beckett told his mother, Kymmie Wyatt, that he hopes it will be the first of many proms that he will be able to attend during his life.

Kaelyn prepared a Hamilton-themed proposal by using lyrics from the popular musical

'It's special getting to see him getting to do those things, but also no matter what comes, I'll have those memories with him,' said Beckett's mom, Kymmie Wyatt

Kaelyn said that she saw how Beckett danced and played with other girls in the playground and so knew he would be a good choice to take to the prom

Such a positive attitude coupled with a sharp sense of humor has helped to keep the family going through some difficult times.

'It's special getting to see him getting to do those things,' mom, Kymmie told WRIC. 'But also no matter what comes, I'll have those memories with him.

'He truly believes that he's got this and if anyone can beat this it's him,' she said.

'Beckett's story brings to light the beauty of human nature, that in the face of adversity we band together to bring love, joy and support to a child and their family,' Beckett's physician, Megan R. Lyle, said in a statement.

'The journey through childhood cancer is about much more than radiation treatments, clinic visits and chemotherapy. It's the individuals and organizations throughout the state of Virginia, and from New York to Florida, who have stepped in to support and encourage Beck and his family.'

A GoFundMe account has been set up by the family to help deal with the burden of his medical expenses.

Beckett has also requested that his parents take exactly one million photos at the prom
Dwayne Howard, 50, was arrested after returning to the US from Europe to allegedly molest a child in 2016

A pedophile who fled to Europe to avoid jail has been arrested after returning to Texas to allegedly molest another child.

Dwayne Robert Howard, 50, was arrested in February in 201 5 near Houston, Texas, for sexually assaulting a child.

Police say he had been hiding out overseas after being accused of sexually assaulting two sisters aged 11 and 16 in 2010.

The girls told police how he forced them to pose provocatively while he photographed and videoed them on a live webcam while they were naked.

Later, another member of their family, an underage boy, told police he'd also been abused by the pedophile between the ages of 12 and 15.

He claimed to have been assaulted by the 50-year-old between the ages of 12 and 15 and gave police a 'detailed' description of Howard's laptop which they say he used to horde child pornography.

Authorities believe that he fled to Europe in 2010 as investigators prepared their case against him and say he did not return to the US until 2015 at least.

However mandatory parole photographs shared by the Texas Department of Public Safety have him back in the country since 2012.

The pedophile is being held at Fort Bend County Jail near Houston, Texas. He is facing four separate charges for alleged assaults on four different children over several yea rs

Through the years: Howard was jailed in 1999 for assaulting another child. He appears above in photographs taken while he was on parole for that charge in 2004 (left) and 2005 (right)

2006 and 2007: Howard posed for more head shots before disappearing while under investigation in 2010

Howard was previously jailed for indecency with a child in 1998 and was sentenced to six years behind bars. He was made to join the sex offenders register as a result.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has photographs of him taken while he was on the run. They include head shots taken in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

But the officers hunting for him since 2010 did not find him until they were notified that he'd been arrested in February 2016 in a neighboring county.

Howard now faces four separate charges across two counties; one sexual assault charge in Fort Bend, where he was arrested in 2016, and three in Harris County, where the original charges stem from, including one of continuous abuse for the teenage boy.

He is still in Fort Bend County Jail on a single charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Once that case is resolved, he will be sent to Harris County to face the other charges.
European council president Donald Tusk has lashed out at Theresa May for 'intimidation' tactics as tensions escalate ahead of crucial Brexit talks.

In a tough statement, Mr Tusk took aim at 'threats' from the Prime Minister that she could walk away from the table if the UK is not offered a good deal.

Mrs May will take the historic step of invoking Article 50 - the formal two-year process for leaving the EU - at the end of this month.

The move will fire the starting gun on what will be fraught negotiations over the divorce settlement and future trade arrangements.

The PM has repeatedly insisted that 'no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal', while a series of ministers have suggested it would not be disastrous if we quit the bloc without any special terms.

Donald Tusk insisted he would not be 'intimidated' by British threats to walk away from negotiations if we are not offered a good deal

Mrs May and Chancellor Philip Hammond have both indicated that Britain is ready to transform itself into a low-tax, low-regulation zone to lure international business away from the EU.

Reporting back on last week's Council summit, Mr Tusk told the European Parliament the EU wanted Brexit talks to be 'constructive and conducted in an orderly manner'.

But he added: 'The claims, increasingly taking the form of threats, that no agreement will be good for the UK, and bad for the EU, need to be addressed.

'I want to be clear that a 'no-deal scenario' would be bad for everyone, but above all for the UK, because it would leave a number of issues unresolved.

'We will not be intimidated by threats, and I can assure you they simply will not work.

'Our goal is to have a smooth divorce and a good framework for the future. And it is good to know that Prime Minister Theresa May shares this view.'

Mr Tusk echoed European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's recent suggestion that the UK may be able to rejoin the EU if opinions change following Brexit.

Theresa May, pictured in the House of Commons today, is due to take the historic step of triggering Article 50 by the end of the month

'I will do everything in my power to make sure that the EU and the UK will be close friends in the future,' said Mr Tusk.

'Britain will be dearly missed as an EU member state. At the same time, I would like to stress again that the EU's door will always remain open for our British friends.'

He added: 'When it comes to negotiations, we will have no choice but to start the withdrawal talks once the UK notifies. We are carefully preparing for these negotiations, in close consultation with member states and the European Parliament.'
Dr Rajkumar Mazumder leaving his tribunal hearing at the GMC in Manchester

A passenger, who claims her breast was groped by a 70-year-old doctor on a flight to London, said the alleged incident left her feeling dirty.

Dr Rajkumar Mazumder grabbed the passenger's breast and rubbed his groin on her waist after telling her his wife Dawn was being 'miserable,' it was claimed.

The alleged sexual assault is said to have occurred as the lights were dimmed during the 13 hour journey from Charlotte Airport in North Carolina to London Gatwick.

The woman, who had been sitting in front of Mazumber, subsequently alerted stewards who moved her for the remainder of the 4,000 mile flight.

The complainant, in her 30s, alleged the married, then 66, drank wine then put his hand down her bra and grabbed her breast and nipple after 'wobbling' around the aircraft smelling of alcohol.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Manchester, the passenger known only as Miss A, said: 'I felt horrible and dirty. I pushed him away but there was no reaction from him - he just went back to his seat. I didn't say anything but I was scared and I was frightened.

'I got up and went to the front of the plane. I asked to speak to a female member of staff and spoke to her.

'As a result she moved me to another seat and went and collected my belongings for me. I didn't go back to that seat.. What he did was unacceptable.'

Police were called after the flight landed in the UK but no criminal charges were brought against Mazumber.

The hearing was told the incident occurred in September 2012 after the passenger - who suffers from multiple sclerosis was returning to the UK after a two week trip visiting relatives.

Mazumder and his then 51-year old wife - who had been in the US visiting his grandchild - were booked in the row behind Miss A on the plane in economy class and the GP began talking to her.

Miss A told the hearing: 'I noticed him because I could smell alcohol. He was stood leaning on the back of my chair. I think he said 'hello', I was polite as said 'hello' back. I remember him saying that his wife was a 'miserable b***h'.

'He said he goes to America quite often and that he was a GP in London and asked why I had a stick and I told him I had MS. The flight took off and I remember getting snuggly and settling down.

'He got up and walked towards the front of the plane about an hour and a half into the flight. He got up two or three times, he had some wine in a plastic glass, you could smell it when he walked past. I was sat watching the TV.

'The doctor seemed rather drunk, he was wobbly and you could smell a lot of alcohol. I remember him asking about my MS, that was a couple of hours in. He asked how long I had been diagnosed. He was standing in the aisle.

'I didn't speak to his wife, I saw her once when I turned around and looked over my shoulder. I said 'hello' and she didn't answer, she appeared to have seen me because she had a stern face on and looked directly at me. He said she was a miserable bitch. I didn't respond to that. I settled down into my seat and got comfy with a blanket and pillow.

Mazumder, from Southgate, London attended voluntarily at a police station to be interviewed and denies misconduct

'At this point most people were sleeping that I could see. The people right next to me were asleep. The lights were dimmed down.

'The doctor walked to the front of the plane and then he came back. He put his hand down my top and rubbed himself up against my side. There was no conversation between us, I was watching the TV at that point.

'He used his left hand and grabbed my boob, my left boob. His hand was in my bra on the inside. He pinched my boob, it felt like minutes but it was probably 10-15 seconds. He pinched my nipple. It felt horrible and painful.

'He rubbed himself up against my side. It was as if he was on his tip toes above the arm rest. My sensation in the left side was normal. I felt an erection - his penis rubbed against my side.'

'I ended up at the front of the plane on the right hand side and I didn't see the doctor again. I was the last person off the plane. I was told to report it to the police as the cabin crew didn't know which airspace we were in at the time.'

'I told a friend whom picked me up at the airport that a man on the plane put his hand down my top and inside my bra and that he rubbed himself up against me. I eventually told my mum and dad and I went with my dad to tell the police.

'I was interviewed by the police - even though I was scared and embarrassed to tell them.'

Mazumder, from Southgate, London later attended voluntarily at a police station to be interviewed but said he had offered to examine her in a 'non-intimate' way on the aircraft as she told him she had MS.

Police dropped the investigation without charging the GP but the matter was not referred to the General Medical Council until three years later when he underwent Disclosure and Barring Service checks on his background.

Now 70, Mazumder who currently lives in Spain denies misconduct.

The hearing continues.
A father of three has become a quadruple amputee after an extremely rare case of strep throat almost killed him.

Kevin Breen, 44, has lost his hands and feet after the flu-like symptoms and stomach pains he started experiencing two days after Christmas turned out to be a severe infection.

He was rushed to hospital near Grand Rapids, Michigan where doctors desperately tried to pinpoint what was wrong with him.

A CT scan showed Breen's stomach was filled with 1.5 liters of pus and doctors thought he was showing signs of an organ puncture or ruptured ulcer.

Father of three Kevin Breen, 44, lost his hands and feet after developing a severe strep throat infection just after Christmas in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Breen's organs started to fail as doctors worked to diagnose his condition.

His body had cut off blood supply to his limbs to keep his organs functioning, which caused the flesh of his hands and feet to die.

Doctors eventually tested for signs of streptococcal after learning his three-year-old son had previously had strep throat.

The strep infection had traveled from Breen's throat into his stomach, proving difficult for his body to fight it.

He was rushed into the ICU and placed on a ventilator after going into severe septic shock and was later on continuous dialysis when his kidneys started to shut down.

The infection caused his organs to start failing and a lack of blood supply to his limbs caused the flesh of his hands and feet to die. He will now have the dead flesh amputated

He was rushed to hospital near Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 27. He is pictured above with his wife Julie, four-year-old daughter Bella and three-year-old son Blake

Breen started suffering flu-like symptoms and stomach pains two days after celebrating Christmas with his wife Julie and children - Lilly, 14, Bella, four, and three-year-old Blake

Doctors say Breen almost died but he defied the odds by pulling through.

Breen is now finally recovering at home with his wife Julie and their three children - Lilly, 14, Bella, four, and three-year-old Blake.

But he has lost almost all movement in his hands and feet, which have now turned black due to the dying flesh.

Breen is set to under his first amputation on Wednesday. He will need to undergo a complete amputation of his left hand and have multiple fingers on his right hand amputated.

He will also have both of his feet partially amputated.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover the hospital and rehabilitation costs.

Breen is now finally recovering at home and trying to adapt. He will undergo various amputations from Wednesday

Breen has lost almost all movement in his hands and feet, which have now turned black due to the dying flesh
Brazen squatter: Kayin Harper, 23, is accused of breaking into an elderly couple's Winter Park, Florida, condo while they were away, then attacking them when they returned on Tuesday

An elderly Florida couple returned home from a long weekend on Tuesday evening to discover a homeless man lounging on their couch and their clothes scattered all over the apartment.

When confronted by the owners of the condominium in Winter Park, police say the brazen squatter, identified as 23-year-iold Kayin Harper, punched the husband in the face while yelling, 'Why don't you die?'

Harper was eventually subdued by neighbors and hauled away to jail by police.

The violent incident took place at Lake Killarney Condominiums at around 7pm, when the husband and wife returned from a four-day getaway and found their front door unlocked.

When the couple noticed the stranger stretched out on the couch, they yelled at him to get out, but Harper only stared at them without moving, according an arrest affidavit.

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Crime scene: The incident took place at Lake Killarney Condominiums when the husband and wife returned from a four-day getaway and found Harper lounging on their couch

It was not until the husband picked up a phone to call 911 that the vagrant attacked him with his fists, then pushed and choked his wife when she tried to flee through the back door.

Hero neighbor: Good Samaritan Joseph (pictured above) rushed to his next-door neighbors' unit after hearing the wife's screams and put the intruder in a chokehold

The husband came to the woman's aid by pulling Harper off of her, which allowed the wife to run to the neighbors for help.

One condo resident, who only identified himself as Joseph, burst into the couple's unit armed with a cast iron frying pan, pinned Harper against a window and put him in a chokehold, reported the station Fox 35.

Three other neighbors helped Joseph restrain Harper until police arrived.

Witness reported hearing Harper yell, 'We are all robots,' as he fought to try and free himself from the neighbors grasp.

Responding police officers found the male victim of the attack suffering from a black eye and a cut to his forehead.

When asked to identify himself, the affidavit cited by Click Orlando states that Harper lied that his name was Calvin Harris and that he was 20 years old.

Police allegedly found him to be in possession of three gifts card, the female victims credit card and a check for $584.

Uncooperative: Harper, seen above in court, was reportedly heard screaming, 'We are all robots,' as he fought to free himself from the neighbors. During his initial appearance, the 23-year-old told the judge he wished to represent himself

The 23-year-old was booked into jail on charges of aggravated battery on a person 65 years or older, false imprisonment, two counts of burglary with assault or battery, larceny of a credit card and providing false ID to a law enforcement officer.

During his initial court appearance, the bearded suspect was uncooperative, rolling his eyes at the judge, claiming that he did not know his date of birth and mumbling that he wished to represent himself in the case.

Investigators say they are still not sure how Harper was able to break into the Winter Park apartment, but they suspect he may have slipped in through a window that was left open.
A Canadian university has come under fire on social media for removing scales from the campus gym.

Two weeks ago Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, replaced a scale in its gym with a sign encouraging exercisers to focus on other ways to measure their health aside from weight.

A university spokesman today said they want to shift the focus away from weight.

First-year student Samar El Faki said on Facebook: 'Scales are very triggering. I think people are being insensitive because they simply don't understand.

'They think eating disorders are a choice when they are actually a serious illness.'

Carleton University (pictured) in Ottawa, Ontario, has come under heavy criticism on social media after their decision to remove the scales from the campus gym

But her sentiments were met with social media criticism by people who said her remark and the decision were 'ridiculous'.

On Twitter, #bringbackthescale appeared, with some people saying obesity is a disorder and scales can actually help obese people keep track of losing or gaining weight.

'Obesity is far more of a problem than other eating disorders. Stop this ridiculous 'everything is triggering' s #bringbackthescale,' one user tweeted.

Another user said the decision is 'more proof that Lefties hate facts'.

'Carleton University removed scale from gym because Liberals are triggered. What's next? Mirrors?' the user tweeted.

One user said: 'They removed the weight scale from the Carleton gym because people felt offended... this cannot be real.'

The decision to remove the scales was hard to swallow for some students and users on social media (pictured), not to mention a few right-wing news outlets

One user said the decision is 'more proof that Lefties hate facts'

Steven Reid, a Carleton University media relations officer, told DailyMail.com: Many fitness centers are moving away from having scales in their facilities as they are not considered a good health marker.'

Bruce Marshall, manager of health and wellness said removing the scale is 'in keeping with current fitness trends'

'We don't believe being fixated on weight has any positive effect on your health and well-being,' Bruce Marshall, manager of health and wellness, said in an email to the Charlatan, the campus newspaper.

Removing the scale is 'in keeping with current fitness and social trends,' he added.

Marshall encouraged students to look at other indicators such as measuring the torso, legs and arms to record progress.

Reid told the DailyMail.com that the university is also providing 'educational information on various health measurements as we want to shift the focus away from weight'.

But the decision to remove the scales was also hard to swallow for a few right-wing news outlets. Conservative news site, Breitbart, ran the scale removal story with a headline that said the decision was to 'promote body acceptance'.

Meanwhile, Daily Wire, another conservative media site, called the school's decision 'pathetic'.

In response to the criticism, Marshall told CBC that the school 'will weigh the pros and cons and may reconsider our decision'.

Reid also said the university is listening to feedback. 'One option we are considering is providing scales in both the womens and mens washrooms,' he said.

Despite the backlash, a few people agreed with the gym for considering those with issues managing their weight.

'I applaud Carleton U decision to remove scales from the gym,' wrote a Twitter user. 'We live in a weight-obsessed culture that's very toxic.'
Senator Lindsey Graham said at a hearing this afternoon that the FBI had informed his office that its director would answer questions about Donald Trump's wiretapping charges - but not in public.

The FBI told his staff minutes before the hearing was due to start that it would respond to a March 8 letter Graham and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse sent asking for information about warrants that may have been requested against Trump in a 'classified briefing.'

'Apparently the FBI has contacted my staff [and said] that they will be at some date in the future providing us an answer to this in a classified manner,' Graham stated.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Senator Lindsey Graham said at a hearing this afternoon that the FBI had informed his office that its director would answer questions about Donald Trump's wiretapping charges - but not in public

The FBI told his staff minutes before the hearing was due to start that it would respond to a March 8 letter Graham and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse sent asking for information about warrants that may have been requested against Trump in a 'classified briefing'

Whitehouse scolded the FBI for refusing to discuss the matter in public at today's hearing on Russian meddling in the election

Graham and Whitehouse had given FBI head James Comey until this afternoon to provide proof of a warrant for the alleged surveillance of Trump or say once and for all that one was never requested or requested but not approved.

At a hearing on Russian interference in the presidential election today, Whitehouse scolded the FBI for refusing to make a public promise that it will 'get to the bottom of this.'

Using a baseball metaphor, he said, 'That is a recipe for having the ball drop between the second baseman and the short stop.

'We are entitled to investigate under the constitution. They have executive responsibilities. And if we are only connecting with one another in a classified fashion, I don't think that serves the public interest.'

This FBI's response to Graham came after he levied threats at the law enforcement agency on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

'Congress is gonna flex its muscle here,' the Republican lawmaker warned Comey in a Wednesday morning appearance on the Today show.

If the FBI official continues to dodge, Graham said he'd issue a subpoena for the information and hold up the nomination of the deputy attorney general until he gets what he wants.

Graham and Whitehouse asked Comey two weeks ago, on March 2, to say whether Trump, his campaign or any of his associates were part of an 'active criminal investigation.'

They gave him until March 15, today, to answer their questions.

'I don't want to bump into a criminal investigation if there is one. I think the entire country needs to know if there's something there there,' Graham told NBC this morning. 'I haven't heard a thing.'

Graham and Whitehouse had given Comey until this afternoon to provide proof of a warrant for the alleged surveillance of Trump or say once and for all that one doesn't exist. This morning Graham even threatened a subpeona

The legislator warned Comey yesterday that the FBI was 'about to screw up big time' if it thought it could jerk Senate Intelligence Committee members around.

Graham said this morning that Congress was willing to 'ramp up the pressure.'

'We'll issue a subpoena to get the information,' he said on Today. 'We'll hold up the deputy attorney general nomination until Congress is provided with information to finally clear the air as to whether or not there was ever a warrant issued against the Trump campaign.'

The Justice Department could not have legally surveilled Trump without a court-ordered warrant, Graham argued, and so far, the senator said he's seen no evidence that one was ever issued.

'I have no evidence of it. I'm suspicious of it, but now getting concerned because it's taking so long to answer my letter,' Graham said.

House and Senate committees were already investigating Russian meddling in the November election, before Trump claimed in a series of March 4 tweets that Barack Obama had his phones tapped.

The White House requested that the Republican-run panels look into the charge as part of their investigations, and they obliged.

Now, they are accusing the FBI of stonewalling them, as the agency has not met two separate deadlines to prove or rebuff Trump's charge.

Graham and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse asked Comey (pictured) two weeks ago, on March 2, to say whether Trump, his campaign or any of his associates were part of an 'active criminal investigation'

Devin Nunes, chair of the House Intelligence Panel, and Adam Schiff, the ranking Democrat, asked the Department of Justice to hand over documentation of the alleged wiretap, if any exists, by Monday.

DOJ did not meet that deadline, saying in a statement that it needed more time.

At a news conference Wednesday, Nunes proclaimed, 'We don't have any evidence that that took place.'

Schiff said, 'To date I've seen no evidence that supports the claim that President Trump made.

'Thus far we have seen no basis for that whatsoever,' he told reporters alongside fellow Californian Nunes.

They'll demand answers from Comey at a Monday hearing they plan to hold in public.

'We're both willing to use compulsory process if that's necessary,' Schiff said, referring to the subpoena power granted to Congress, 'though neither of us, I think, believe that will be necessary.'

Graham had threatened to take the FBI to task at his Senate hearing today if he didn't get a response to the March 8 letter that he and Whitehouse sent the agency's acting deputy director.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer declined to comment on the dispute during a question and answer session with reporters traveling on Air Force One today.

'I'm not going to interfere with those discussions,' he said. 'I dont want to get into the middle of Congress and their requests, so I'll leave that up to director Comey, and to [Congress].

Whitehouse told CNN last night that Comey promised to tell him by today whether the FBI is or is not investigating the Trump campaign in connection with Russian hacking that was timed to the election. Graham affirmed the conversation on Today.

He said told NBC this morning that his first impression of Trump's charge was that it was 'kind of a wild claim.'

'I really don't know,' he said. 'I want to know if it was. And if there's not [a warrant], we need to put it to bed.'

The former presidential candidate said it would be 'explosive' if DOJ is able to show that it had probable cause to investigate Trump or any of his campaign operatives for colluding with the Russians.

'If there was a warrant, that would be big news. I don't think there's a warrant, but I wish they'd tell me one way or another.'
Baiba Andersone, 35, killed her war veteran lover with a meat tenderiser in Bradford

A girlfriend who killed her war veteran lover with a meat tenderiser at their home has been jailed for six years.

Baiba Andersone, 35, battered former Lithuanian soldier Dainius Dobrovolskis before doing 'absolutely nothing' to help the man she claimed to love.

Andersone claimed she had been acting in self-defence in Bradford, West Yorkshire, after suffering injuries at the hands of her drunken partner and she was found not guilty of murder.

But after just over four hours of deliberation, a jury at Bradford Crown Court convicted Andersone of the alternative offence of manslaughter.

The court heard Mr Dobrovolskis, 41, had been drinking heavily over the weekend before his death last September.

Andersone told the court that he was violent towards her when drinking.

The force of the blow with the meat tenderiser had not penetrated Mr Dobrovolskis's skull, but he had died as a result of profound blood loss from the head wound.

Killing: Andersone (left) battered former Lithuanian soldier Dainius Dobrovolskis (right) before doing 'absolutely nothing' to help the man she claimed to love

Jailing a tearful Andersone, Mr Justice Blake said the blow which caused the wound appeared to have been inflicted between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on September 5.

However, she had not contacted a friend until after 6pm and the emergency services were not alerted until nearly 8pm.

Andersone claimed to have left the house after hitting her partner, but there was also evidence that attempts had been made to clean bloodstains and clothing.

'All this shows a callous disregard for the welfare of your partner,' the judge told her.

The judge noted that if Mr Dobrovolskis had received medical attention the bleeding could have been staunched and his life saved.

He said Andersone had then lied to the police about her involvement in the incident and she had not shown remorse for her conduct.

Andrew Hall QC, defending, said the death as 'unexpected' - and that if the victim had been able to staunch the wound or seek help, he would probably not have died.

'Although a weapon was used, rather than a bare fist, it was not the sort of weapon that was likely to cause a fatal injury even if wielded with significant force,' he said.

Investigation: Andersone claimed she had been acting in self-defence at their home (pictured) in Bradford, West Yorkshire, after suffering injuries at the hands of her drunken partner

Earlier in the trial, the court heard Andersone killed Mr Dobrovolskis before trying to clean up the bloodstains at their home.

Emergency services were alerted by a friend who found Mr Dobrovolskis lying near the fireplace in the couple's living room. He was later pronounced dead.

Prosecutor Simon Waley said: 'It is clear that they had a stormy relationship and that this was exacerbated by regular joint use of alcohol. They had loud, regular and frequent arguments.'

But although both had previously suffered bruising, neither had sustained serious injury, he said. There was 'talk of a background of jealousy' behind the arguments.

Mr Waley said Mr Dobrovolskis had begun to tell other people that he had had enough and intended to leave the country.

At 7.43pm on September 5, 2016, Vilanda Vaivade rang the emergency services to report that her friend's partner was lying dead at the address.

Paramedics saw Andersone sitting on a wall outside the house with Miss Vaivade.

Mr Dobrovolskis was wearing just his boxer shorts and his body was covered in blood. The sofa and carpet were heavily bloodstained.

Miss Vaivade told the police Andersone had rung her, saying: 'I'm in trouble. I'm in s***.' Andersone then turned up at her home asking for help.

She had been drinking and was holding a half empty bottle of vodka, the jury heard.

When she was arrested on suspicion of murder, she said: 'What do you mean? He assaulted me. I was away for three days and came home and found him in this state. I haven't touched him.'

Andersone showed the police injuries to her lip and nose and bruising to her back she said were caused by Mr Dobrovolskis.
This randy rabbit might be confused about what species he is after trying to hump a hen and kipping with cats.

Pauric Keaney filmed the wild rabbit Robbie trying to mount a chicken in his parents' yard in Garrison, Fermanagh.

The bunny had roamed freely on the farm since turning up two years ago, has even been known to steal eggs from the hens' coop.

The rampant rabbit is seen trying to get the scared hen to stay still as he attempts to mount the bird

The video was captured by Pauric Kearney who spotted the bizarre behaviour on his parents' farm in Northern Ireland

Robbie the rampant rabbit is determined to make it work with the hen. According to Pauric, the bunny is often spotted looking at the hens in their roost

Pauric said Robbie has 'ruled the roost' because he's lived there the longest, but there's no accounting for his unusual love interest.

Pauric, 31, an engineering boss, said: 'It's mad. It doesn't seem to be fazed by anything. It just runs wild and does its own thing.

'We first noticed it around Valentine's Day. We thought maybe it had been watching 50 Shades of Grey or something. It's bizarre.

'Some of the things Robbie gets up to are very odd. He sleeps with the cats, he steals eggs from the hens. I don't think he knows what he is.

Pauric, left, said the rabbit is wild and turned up on his parents' farm a year ago, where he seems to have decided to settle down

'He's a wild rabbit and my parents have a farm here near the border and he just turned up a couple of years ago.

'I suspect he's been getting randy with the hens for a while but this was the first time we were able to actually get it on camera. We were in stitches.

'He's really going for it. I guess it's true what they say about rabbits. He was very persistent but the hen just seemed disinterested.'

The black-and-white bunny has made the farm - run right on the Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland border by Pauric's parents Edith and Patrick - its own.

The video has sparked comments like 'I always wondered where Easter eggs came from', a cheeky reference to the common associations of the Spring festival

Robbie has been coming and going from the farm for a couple of years and although wild, has survived the potential snare of predators

Pauric said: 'People have been joking saying "I've always wondered where Easter eggs came from" and that sort of thing.

'Robbie's been coming and going for a couple of years now. I always thought a fox would get him one day but he's survived alright.

'He runs all round the place and he's just taken a shine to the hens. He parks himself right up at the fence to have a look at them.

'It's designed to keep him out but sometimes the hens get out and then he's all over them.

'I was just stood at the kitchen window overlooking the yard and there he was going mad with it.'
Year 5 students at a school embroiled in controversy were reportedly showing signs of radicalisation and pretending to carry out beheadings in class.

Frightened teachers at Punchbowl Public School made formal complaints about their concerns of violence in the classroom, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Documents show pupils allegedly threatened to behead teachers, bullied peers into reading the Quran and demanded the Syrian flag be displayed in the classroom.

At least three teachers are said to have taken leave due to stress, had counselling or been paid compensation as a result of the bullying from the radicalised students.

Year 5 students at Punchbowl Public School (pictured) embroiled in controversy were reportedly showing signs of radicalisation and pretending to carry out beheadings in class

A former teacher at the school, who only wanted to be identified as Mrs A, told the Telegraph that Muslim students made death threats towards her.

She said she left the public education system after Year 5 children, aged ten and 11, threatened to kill her and her family.

The mother-of-two claims that several complaints she made to the Department of Education were ignored.

Some students would act out beheadings with their fingers across their necks, she told the newspaper.

I had incidents where the kids wanted to fly the Syrian flag in the classroom or they would wear headbands.'

Punchbowl Boys High School's former principal Chris Griffith (pictured), a convert to Islam, was stood down after he refused to implement the state governments de-radicalisation programme

She added that they became abusive if she said no.

A lot of kids talk about their uncles and cousins who are fighting the war in Syria, she added.

Mrs A said on one occasion, she was pushed by Year 5 students into a corner during an arts lesson  and they proceeded to chant in Arabic around her.

She said the children were taken off the playground at lunch time, but no further action was taken.

Mrs A believes the lack of discipline at the primary school encouraged extremist behaviour, which only worsened when the children reached high school.

The primary schools students often go on to Punchbowl Boys High School  which made headlines after its principal Chris Griffith, a convert to Islam, was stood down after he refused to implement the state governments de-radicalisation programme.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Education for comment.
Two of Silicon Valley's biggest tech names are facing off in a bitter court dispute over claims Uber's self-driving cars use secrets stolen from Google by one of its executives.

Google claims that Anthony Levandowski downloaded 14,000 files of information while working for them - then went off to set up a self-driving car firm which he had already said would be bought by Uber.

The explosive claims are being aired in a bitter legal dispute in San Francsico federal court, where the two tech giants worth more than $800 billion combined are squaring off to determine the future of self-driving cars.

Lawyers acting for Google are trying to get Judge William Alsup to stop Uber from using what it claims are stolen trade secrets to develop its driverless vehicles.

Google and its subsidiary Waymo claim that one of its former engineers downloaded 14,000 highly confidential files before he left and set up Otto.

Otto is now Uber's self-driving truck company - and Google claim that the car-service company has benefited from its secrets to the tune of $500 million.

It alleges that one of the key figures in Google's self-driving cars, Anthony Levandowski, downloaded their trade secrets, set up his own firm and promptly sold it to Uber - who now benefit from the cache of Google's know-how.

In the lawsuit, Google claims that it is 'calculated theft' and that it made Uber half a billion dollars.

Anthony Levandowski is a fiercely talented and driven man who Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick (left) has likened to his brother from another mother - but now he is accused of stealing Google's self-driving car secrets before he left to work for Uber

Pioneering: Waymo, Google's self-driving car firm, produced the first cars with no pedals, steering wheel, or driver. They use Google's LiDAR to 'see'

Roll-out: Uber bought Otto in August 2016. Google says that the Otto trucks use its LiDAR technology to see the world around them

High-profile: Levandowski, a 'swaggering' six-foot-seven tech leader, is one of Silicon Valley's most significant figures in the development of self-driving cars

In a post on the blogging site Medium, Google claimed that 'misappropriating this technology is akin to stealing a secret recipe from a beverage company'.

In court documents Uber say that Levandowski had acknowledged speaking an Uber executive involved with self-driving cars in summer 2015 - when Levandowski was still working for Google.

Pierre-Yves Droz, the principal hardware engineer at Waymo, made the explosive allegation in sworn testimony

'Mr. Levandowski had previously told me, in or around the summer of 2015, that he had talked with Brian McClendon, an Uber executive involved with their self-driving car project,' he said in court papers filed at federal court.

'We were having dinner at a restaurant near the office, and he told me that it would be nice to create a new self-driving car startup and that Uber would be interested in buying the team responsible for the LiDAR we were developing at Google.'

The extraordinary case has pulled back the curtain on the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley and the espionage-like tactics that companies allegedly use on their rivals.

It is on the same level as the battle between Apple and Samsung over the iPhone patent and could have major consequences for self-driving cars, a nascent industry predicted to be worth $42 billion by 2025.

At stake is Uber's entry into the self-driving car world, which has seen it reveal both self-driving Uber cars and self-driving trucks.

Should Uber lose, it will cap a miserable year in which it has been accused of creating an aggressive corporate culture which allows women to be sexually harassed.

That could put at stake its long-term future by badly damaging its corporate reputation.

At the center of it is Levandowski, a fiercely talented and driven man who Uber chief executive Travis Kalanick has likened to his brother from another mother, praise which now is rather problematic given the company's recent problems.

The 36-year-old, who stands six foot seven inches tall and has been described as 'swaggering' in one profile, is also known for skirting rules and doing things his own way.

Levandowski is a legend in the driverless car industry and developed Google's self-driving car program in his spare time through his own startup, 510 Systems, in 2008 while working on the company's Street View maps.

After a successful test he persuaded a dubious Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google's founders, to buy 510 Systems and develop the car further.

Since then Google has sunk billions into self-driving cars while Uber has tested self-driving trucks and taxis, with the goal of replacing drivers for both.

Rivals Tesla, General Motors and Ford are investing billions in the industry, too.

The legal dispute centers around Levandowski's decision to leave Google in January and set up his own company, Otto, which was bought by Uber for around $680m three months later.

The speed with which this happened caused Waymo 'grave concern' that it had been ripped off, concerns which, the lawsuit claims, were justified.

In the lawsuit, Google claims that Levandowski's move is 'calculated theft' and that it made Uber half a billion dollars

Waymo is seeking an unspecified amount of damages and a court order preventing Uber from using its proprietary information - bringing its self driving project to a halt.

According to documents filed in the Northern District of California, Waymo developed its own system of laser sensors known as LiDAR which scan and map the world in real time, allowing driverless cars to 'see' the world and move around without hitting anything.

WHAT IS LiDAR? In lidar  or light detection and ranging  scanning, one or more lasers sends out short pulses, which bounce back when they hit an obstacle, whether clouds, leaves or rocks. In self-driving cars, the sensors constantly scan the surrounding areas looking for information and acting as the 'eyes' of the car. Advertisement

Waymo invested 'tens of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of hours of engineering time' in the project.

The result was that the company ran the world's first self-driving trip in a car with no wheels or foot pedals.

The lawsuit states that Waymo's suspicions intensified when it was 'apparently inadvertently' copied on an email from one of its vendors which had images attached to it of what was an Uber LiDAR circuit board.

The circuit board bore a 'striking resemblance to Waymo's own highly confidential and proprietary design and reflects Waymo trade secrets', it's claimed.

The lawsuit says this is evidence that Otto and Uber's driverless systems 'infringe multiple LiDAR technology patents awarded to Waymo'.

'Ubers LiDAR technology is actually Waymos LiDAR technology,' Waymo allege.

Waymo said in the lawsuit: 'Fair competition spurs new technical innovation, but what has happened here is not fair competition.

'Instead, Otto and Uber have taken Waymo's intellectual property so that they could avoid incurring the risk, time, and expense of independently developing their own technology.'

According to documents filed in the Northern District of California, Waymo developed its own system of laser sensors known as LiDAR which scan and map the world in real time, allowing driverless cars to 'see' the world and move around without hitting anything

Waymo alleges that Uber is guilty of trade secret misappropriation, patent infringement and unfair competition.

It accused Levandowski of downloading 14,000 confidential documents, including information on Waymo's LiDAR circuit board.

Waymo alleges that he undertook 'extraordinary efforts to raid Waymo's designer server' and downloaded 9.7 gigabytes of 'highly confidential data' to an external hard drive.

HOW OTTO DRIVES Otto is aiming to equip trucks with software, sensors, lasers and cameras so they eventually will be able to navigate the more than 220,000 miles of US highways on their own, while a human driver naps in the back of the cab or handles other tasks. For now, the robot truckers would only take control on the highways, leaving humans to handle the tougher task of wending through city streets. The technology fitted in Otto's trucks uses Lidar sensors on top of the cab to read the road ahead, with the data fed back to a computer to analyse the data and make adjustments to speed and steering. Advertisement

Levandowski is said to have connected the drive to his computer and apparently transferred the data somewhere - then wiped the machine and never used it again.

The lawsuit claims that he also downloaded additional confidential Waymo documents to a personal device including five 'highly sensitive internal presentations containing proprietary technical details'.

And it claims that after he left to start up his own self-driving car technology company, other Google employs left to work with him.

'A number of Waymo employees subsequently also left to join Anthony Levandowskis new business, downloading additional Waymo trade secrets in the days and hours prior to their departure,' Waymo alleges.

'These secrets included confidential supplier lists, manufacturing details and statements of work with highly technical information, all of which reflected the results of Waymos months-long, resource-intensive research into suppliers for highly specialized LiDAR sensor components.'

On March 10, Waymo upped the ante and filed a request for an immediate injunction against Uber to stop it using its technology.

It included testimony from three Waymo employees which it said showed clearly that Levandowski had stolen trade secrets. The most damning was Pierre-Yves Droz, who co-founded 510 Systems with Levandowski before Google bought it in 2011.

Droz claimed that Levandowski met with Uber's vice president of mapping, Brian McClendon, in the summer of 2015 and that Levandowski was surprisingly open about his future plans.

Droz's testimony said: 'We were having dinner at a restaurant near the office, and [Levandowski] told me that it would be nice to create a new self-driving car startup and that Uber would be interested in buying the team responsible for the LiDAR we were developing at Google.

'Later in January 2016, a colleague told me that Mr Levandowski had been seen at Uber's headquarters in mid January.

The lawsuit gives evidence for why they believe Otto and Uber's driverless systems 'infringe multiple LiDAR technology patents awarded to Waymo'

'I asked Mr Levandowski about this, and he admitted he had met with Uber, and the reason he was there was that he was looking for investors for his new company.'

At that time Otto, Levandowski's company, was being set up but was not officially founded.

Droz said: 'I distinctly remember taking a walk around our Mountain View office one-on-one with Mr. Levandowski on or around January 5, 2016.

'During this walk, he told me specifically that he wanted his new company to have a long-range LiDAR, which is very useful for self-driving truck applications he was interested in. He also told me that he planned to 'replicate' this Waymo technology at his new company.'

It also highlighted the speed with which Uber took over Levandowski's firm.

'Otto launched publicly in May 2016, and was quickly acquired by Uber in August 2016 for $680 million. (Notably, Otto announced the acquisition shortly after Mr. Levandowski received his final multi-million dollar compensation payment from Google.),' Waymo's court papers say.

The case is being heard by Judge Alsup, who will have to decide on Waymo's request for the injunction before the proper trial in April. Judge Alsup will almost certainly allow the trial of the Waymo and Uber case to be shown live if the press request it, adding to the spotlight for both companies

There was also testimony from Waymo security engineer Gary Brown, whose forensic tests of Levandowski's Google-issued laptop allegedly showed he downloaded 14,000 files from the company.

In addition to Levandowski, former Google employees Sameer Kshirsagar and Radu Raduta are also accused of downloading additional Waymo trade secrets, such as confidential supplier lists, before they left.

As a sign of how rancorous the case is, Google has filed 38 newspaper articles showing how far behind Uber is when it comes to automated cars.

Among the articles is a piece from the tech website The Verge about how Uber 'gutted' the top robotics lab at Carnegie Mellon to create its self-driving cars in what was supposed to be a partnership arrangement.

'These guys, they took everybody,' a person who worked there said.

Google alleges that Uber's self-driving car program was started in February 2015 and that it was 'late to enter the self-driving market'.

A year later the program was 'floundering' despite hundreds of people working on the project, and therefore resorted to 'willful, malicious and fraudulent' conduct by allegedly stealing its top secret information.

According to Waymo, Uber wanted to catch up 'by any means necessary'.

Tech website Recode reported that Levandowski was hired by Kalanick, the boss of Uber, when he became frustrated that the Carnegie Mellon team were not making progress fast enough.

Recode also reported that Kalanick felt that Uber was not living up to its win-at-all-cost culture; the company routinely skips around regulation in new markets until city officials catch up with it.

The case is being heard by Judge Alsup, who will have to decide on Waymo's request for the injunction before the proper trial in April.

In court filings he has asked for both sides to get their arguments in order and noted in one order that Waymo is asking for 'extraordinary and drastic relief'.

The judge is no stranger to these types of cases and has presided over a dispute between Google and Oracle in a high stakes patent dispute.

He is also not afraid to express his opinion.

During one hearing, the judge scolded both companies and said: 'You're both asking for the moon and you should be more reasonable.'

Judge Alsup will almost certainly allow the trial of the Waymo and Uber case to be shown live if the press request it, adding to the spotlight for both companies.

During the Oracle and Google dispute, he admonished the Oracle lawyer when he tried to close it down.

Judge Alsup said: 'This is public proceeding. Your lawyers and companies are not going to handcuff the court.

'This is not a wholly owned subsidiary of Oracle Corp.'

A spokesman for Uber said: '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.'
A suicide bomb attack in a Damascus court has left at least 32 people dead and 45 others wounded.

Another suicide explosion then struck a restaurant in the Syrian capital, killing several people.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings, the second wave of deadly attacks in the capital in less than a week after twin bombings killed 74 on Saturday.

Syrian security forces inspect the scene of the suicide bombing that ripped through a courtroom in Damascus

State media reported that a suicide bomber rush inside the building and blew himself up when police tried to prevent him from entering the courthouse

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives' vest inside the main judicial building in Damascus

But they came with the rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime increasingly divided and dispirited after a number of setbacks on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, negotiations to end the conflict have stalled, with rebels this week declining to attend negotiations in Kazakhstan.

THE SYRIA CONFLICT The conflict began in 2011 with peaceful demonstrations inspired by similar movements during the so-called 'Arab Spring', calling on Assad to implement reforms. They started on March 15 after the arrest and torture of a group of students from the southern province of Daraa accused of writing anti-Assad graffiti. The protests were put down violently, prompting demonstrators to pick up weapons and causing the uprising to spiral into an increasingly complex and brutal civil war that has also drawn in regional and international players. Rebel forces captured large parts of the country and several key cities. ISIS emerged from the chaos to seize control of significant territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. But a key turning point came in September 2015 when Russia began a military intervention in support of Assad's government, which has since regained much of the ground it lost. Under pressure from air strikes by a US-led coalition, ISIS has also retreated to bastions like its de facto Syrian capital Raqa. The six years of conflict have killed more than 400,000 people, with over the half the country's population displaced by the conflict either internally or becoming refugees. Advertisement

In the latest suicide explosion, a man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the court just after 1pm today, Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail told state TV.

The guards stopped the man and asked to search him.

At that point, the man threw himself inside the building and detonated his explosives.

Syria's attorney general Ahmad al-Sayed said: 'This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent.'

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

A lawyer in the building said: 'We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous.

'We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor. It was a bloody scene.'

State television broadcast scenes from the building showing blood smeared on the floor of the lobby but also splattered across its ceiling.

It interviewed a man receiving treatment with a bandage over his eye who said the attacker was wearing a military jacket.

'He had his hands up and screamed 'God is greatest' and then the blast happened,' he told state television.

'I fell to the ground and blood came out of my eye.'

A short time later, a second blast rocked the city's Rabweh area. In that attack, the suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant.

The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he rushed into a restaurant and detonated his explosives' vest. There was no immediate claim for that attack either.

Scenes from the building showing blood smeared on the floor of the lobby but also splattered across its ceiling

The guards stopped the man and asked to search him. At that point, the man threw himself inside the building and detonated his explosives

A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the court just after 1pm today

The bombing inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market in Damascus, was the latest in a spate of deadly explosions

Smoke billows following reported air strikes by Syrian government forces on Damascus' north eastern rebel-held al-Qaboun surburb

Damascus had already been reeling from Saturday's bombings, which mainly killed Iraqi pilgrims in the city to visit Shiite shrines.

That attack was claimed by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, part of a rebel alliance that controls large parts of the northwestern Idlib province.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by Al-Qaeda-linked militants to try and counter recent military advances by Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

Rebel forces have suffered a series of reversals during the sixth year of the war, including being forced from their onetime stronghold of east Aleppo in December.

The loss was an especially difficult blow to rebels who had imagined marching on Damascus in the early days of the civil war.

The six years of conflict have killed more than 400,000 people, with more than half the country's population displaced by the war either internally or becoming refugees.

The fighting has also ravaged the country's infrastructure and economy.

The brutality of the conflict has provoked an international outcry, with the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein this week describing the country as 'a torture chamber, a place of savage horror and absolute injustice.'
Alexa Curtin, daughter of Real Housewives star Lynne, has scored a huge victory in her legal battle against the officer she claims raped her, with a judge ordering the Orange County Sheriff's department to turn over his personnel file.

In documents seen exclusively by DailyMail.com, Curtin claimed that the officer - Deputy Nicholas Lee Caropino - has a history of sexual assault and that the Department knew and took no action.

Her documents demanded the court to order the Department to hand over Caropino's personnel file, any internal affairs investigations and criminal investigation records including 'any sexual misconduct, assaults or inappropriate behavior' while on duty.

But the Department argued that she was not entitled to any of the documents or records due to 'federal laws protecting the privacy interests of employees', an argument Curtin said was nonsense.

Alexa Curtin, daughter of Real Housewives star Lynne, has scored a huge victory in her legal battle against the Orange County officer she claims raped her

Now, a judge has sided with the reality star by ordering them to hand over the files.

The order states that Curtin's need for the discovery of the documents outweighs any alleged 'privacy interest' of the Department or of Caropino.

The Department has also been ordered to submit information on the amount of 'sexual misconduct incidents' involving other officers over the past 5 years.

All the relevant documents must be produced by March 27.

This is the latest in the ongoing legal battle between the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Real Housewives star.

Curtin's documents filed last month detailed two specific sexual assault incidents involving Deputy Caropino.

The documents stated: 'Unfortunately for the community, Ms. Curtin was not the only person Deputy Caropino sexually assaulted,' claiming a woman contacted Curtin's lawyer to relay her own experience with Caropino .

In 2013, the woman, identified in the documents as 'Jane Doe #1', said the officer pulled her over for a DUI. He then asked her if she would ever 'date a cop' to which she replied that she would not.

A judge has ordered the Orange County Sheriff's Department to turn over Deputy Nicholas Lee Caropino's personnel file amid Alexa Curtin's claims that he assaulted other women

Curtin claims that the documents are relevant to prove whether or not the Department knew about his incidents of sexual assaults and took no action against him

The documents, seen exclusively by DailyMail.com, side with the reality star and demand the Department to turn over his personnel file

Caropino allegedly then asked her if she had been drinking and as she feared for her safety, she admitted to having had a 'few margaritas'. Caropino then turned off all his recording devices and took the investigation one step further.

'Deputy Caropino then asked if Ms. Doe #1 was 'wet' and that he wanted to 'feel her'. He then reached in through the driver side window and forced his hand under her panties to fondle her genitals.

Caropino then said, 'I want to f**k you right now,' and told Ms. Doe #1 to follow him. Still fearful that he would harm her or take her to jail, she complied.

'She followed him to a parking lot, where he parked his squad car next to hers and directed her to get into the backseat of her car.

'He then engaged in non-consensual sexual intercourse with her in the backseat.

'Before leaving, Deputy Caropino asked Ms. Doe #1 for her phone number and she gave it to him. A few days later he started sending her vulgar threatening text messages that Ms. Doe #1 did not reciprocate.'

The documents explained that the unnamed woman is willing to testify in her case and claim that the Orange County Sheriff's Department knew about Deputy Caropino's prior incidents of sexual assault from 2013 and took no action against him.

Curtin also claimed that through her own independent investigation she found another victim of Caropino.

Jane Doe #2 says that while under arrest and in the back of a squad car, the officer uncuffed her hands and forced her to touch his genitals through his uniform.

He then intimidated her, coerced her and sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, he allegedly called and texted and showed up to her house in uniform to have 'non-consensual sex'.

Also last month, an Orange County judge banned her from testifying about any 'bladder infections, post-traumatic stress or loss of enjoyment of sex' in her rape case.

The judge ordered Curtin not to present any evidence relating to these 'injuries' or to seek damages for them.

Specifically, the order stated that Curtin could not testify that she has 'loss interest in sex or suffered post-traumatic stress disorder or that she may require mental health treatment.'

The judged added that the 23-year-old cannot discuss any 'bladder infections' or 'other urological disorders' as part of her testimony.

This is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Alexa. Her grandmother, Marilou 88, recently filed an 'elder abuse' restraining order against her. Pictured from left to right Raquel Curtin (Alexa's sister), Marilou Colee, Lynne Curtin and Alexa Curtin

Last year, Curtin filed a suit claiming that in April 2014, she was raped by an Orange County Sheriff's Deputy at a traffic stop.

Orange County has demanded the case be thrown out, saying the reality star consented to any alleged sexual activity that occurred.

In her original lawsuit, Curtin claimed that she was visiting her then-boyfriend at his home in Dana Point, California, when the two got in an argument and she left to drive home.

As she was driving the Orange County Sheriff's Department arrived and pulled her over. A deputy approached her car and began questioning her.

The lawsuit states: 'The Deputy searched Plaintiff's vehicle. Plaintiff had some of her clothing in her vehicle. While searching the Deputy found some of Plaintiff's underwear and began inappropriately questioning Plaintiff about her underwear, asking if the underwear belonged to her, how many pairs she had, why she needed the underwear, etc.'

The suit says the Deputy then had to leave to tend to 'another more pressing matter', but told Curtin she wasn't free to leave and ordered her to remain in her vehicle.

Twenty minutes later the same deputy returned but in his personal vehicle and out of uniform. He then got into the car and sat in the passenger seat next to Curtin.

The suit states: 'The Deputy began issuing orders to Plaintiff. Based on information and belief the Deputy said, 'Since you are still here, I am going to f**k the s**t out of you'.

'Based on information and belief, the Deputy stated to Plaintiff, 'show me your p***y'.'

The suit says Curtin was 'afraid and feared for her own safety, and she complied with all of the Deputy's commands'.

It added: 'Then the Deputy groped Plaintiff's vagina and digitally penetrated her while commenting on her anatomy.'

Curtin was reportedly ordered to then straddle the officer.

She claims she complied because she 'was still in fear for her safety and knew that many in law enforcement carry guns'.

'Plaintiff was violated, traumatized, emotionally drained, in shock, and fearing for her own safety. Specifically, Plaintiff feared that given the Deputy's position, he would find her and harm her again,' the documents state.

Curtin sued both the Sheriff's Deputy and Orange County Sheriff's Department asking for damages for mental anguish, emotional distress and financial losses and is demanding general, special and exemplary damages along with attorney fees.

But Orange County fired back at Curtin's allegations, accusing her of consenting to any alleged acts she claimed took place in her car with an officer.

The county denied all allegations that an officer raped the reality star at a traffic stop, but it also admitted to not having sufficient knowledge or information about the alleged incident.

'Any injury to the plaintiff was due to and caused by the negligence and omissions of plaintiff to care for herself, which carelessness and negligence and omissions were the proximate cause of the damage, if any, to plaintiff,' court papers say.

Orange County points out a specific law, claiming it cannot be responsible for the actions of police officers.

Curtin has had a couple of run-ins with the law, one a domestic violence incident with her boyfriend in 2013 and she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for public drinking last year

In a separate incident, months after Curtin filed her lawsuit she was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and not evidence of current registration for her vehicle by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Curtin was pulled over by police last May and was cited and released the same day.

Police records do not state the type of drug that law enforcement officers allegedly found on her.

Curtin's grandmother, Marilou Colee, 88, also recently filed an 'elder abuse' restraining order against the troubled star, claiming that her granddaughter has spiraled out of control and broke into her California home in Mission Viejo.

Alexa Curtin is the daughter of Real Housewife of Orange County star Lynne Curtin and appeared regularly in the Bravo reality series herself alongside big sister Raquel.

Lynne left the show in season five, and soon after departing the series, she filed for divorce from her husband.

In May 2014 Lynne was shocked to discover her daughter did porn under the alias 'Jayden Taylors' to pay for plastic surgery.

'When I found out that Alexa was involved in porn I became physically ill,' the 59-year-old reality star said in the National Enquirer.

The jewelry designer was under the impression her daughter was just modeling lingerie.

Curtin has had a couple of run-ins with the law in the past, one a domestic violence incident with her boyfriend in 2013 and she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge for public drinking last year.
A PA to the chief executive at the learning disability charity Mencap blew thousands of pounds on the company credit card, a court heard.

Asra Yildiz, 31, allegedly splashed 34,768.20 on the card between November 2011 and April 2014.

She was working at Mencap's offices in Islington, north London as the PA to chief executive Mark Goldring at the time, Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court heard.

Asra Yildiz, 31, allegedly splashed 34,768.20 on the card between November 2011 and April 2014

Prosecutor Sara Ashkboos said: 'The defendant was working as a personal assistant for Mencap UK to the chief executive.

'It was an abuse of position, an abuse trust and fraudulent activity over a significant period of time.'

Yildiz, who no longer works for the charity, spoke only to confirm her name and address as she appeared in court.

Yildiz, pictured outside Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

Current Mencap CEO Ms Tregelles started as a PA at the charity herself in 1983 before rising to CEO 30 years later.

Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

They work collaboratively, fighting for equal rights, campaigning for greater opportunities and challenging attitudes and prejudice.

The Queen Mother was appointed patron of the charity in 1986 and the current patron is Sophie, The Countess of Wessex.

District Judge Gill Allison committed the case to the crown court due to the 'serious nature of the charges'.

Yildiz, from Hackney, London, denies one count of fraud by abuse of position.

She was bailed ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court on 12 April.
Australian fertility clinics are calling for more men to become donors amid a major sperm shortage.

Clinics are urging healthy men aged between 21-45 to help fill sperm banks in an effort to ease the crisis across the country.

Associate Professor Peter Illingworth from IVF Australia said donors don't get paid for samples because 'it's actually illegal'.

Australian fertility clinics are calling for more men to become donors amid a major sperm shortage (stock image)

'If a man approaches us and says he's interested in considering sperm donation, he'll then meet one of our doctors for a thorough examination, a full medical history and a counselling session,' Associate Professor Illingworth told News Corp.

Donors are required to fill out a thorough profile, including height, occupation, hobbies, heritage, and information about their family.

Associate Professor Illingworth said donors are required to sit through counselling sessions before going ahead with the donation.

'Donors spend a lot of time with our counsellors because babies born from their donation will one day have the opportunity to find out their identity so they need to consider the personal implications of that,' he said.

Clinics are urging healthy men aged between 21-45 to help fill sperm banks in an effort to ease the crisis across the country (stock image of a laboratory bank containing sperm samples)

When the donor-conceived children turns 18, they are allowed to access information about their donor's identification.

In Australia it is illegal to take payment for any human tissue, including sperm.

But volunteers can be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses they incur through the process of donating sperm, including parking, travel and medical expenses.

For more information, visit IVF Australia.
A court in Poland has issued a warrant for the arrest of a 98-year-old Minnesota man on Nazi war crime charges.

Prosecutors say they have evidence that shows American citizen Michael Karkoc is an ex-commander in an SS-lead unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians in World War II.

The warrant opens the way for Poland to seek his extradition from the United States to face the war crimes charges. His family deny he was involved in war crimes.

Earlier this week, prosecutors from the state Institute of National Remembrance said Michael K. was a commander of a unit in the SS-led Ukrainian Self Defense Legion that raided eastern Poland's villages in July 1944.

A court in Poland has issued a warrant for the arrest of American citizen Michael Karkoc, 98, (seen in May 2014 outside his house) on Nazi war crime charges

They sought an arrest warrant for him from a court in eastern Poland. The country's justice officials haven't officially released the suspect's last name, in line with Poland's privacy laws.

Judge Dariusz Abramowicz said on Wednesday the regional court in Lublin issued the warrant based on 13 volumes of evidence, including documents from the U.S., Germany and Ukraine and from Poland's archives.

He said that the evidence was strong enough for an arrest to be sought.

'In the court's assessment the evidence presented by the Institute of National Remembrance indicates a high probability that the suspect committed the crimes,' Abramowicz said.

Karkoc must be present in court in Poland since the country does not recognize trial in absentia. If extradited, he would face a court in Lublin in eastern Poland.

Abramowicz said there was no information to suggest that health conditions could hamper Karkoc from standing trial.

Prosecutors say they have evidence that shows Karkoc (Left in 2014 and right aged 20 in 1940 ) is an ex-commander in an SS-lead unit from World War II

Prosecutor Andrzej Pozorski said that Poland is seeking extradition of the Minnesota man

The decision comes four years after the Associated Press established that Michael Karkoc commanded the unit, based on wartime documents, testimony from other members of the unit and Karkoc's own Ukrainian-language memoir.

Documents show that a Karkoc, born March 6, 1919 in Lutsk, Ukraine, was the commander of a unit in the Ukranian Self Defense Legion (USDL), which operated in collaboration with the German army.

The unit of which he was lieutenant allegedly participated in massacres at the Polish villages of Chlaniow and Wladyslawin on July 23, 1944.

The massacres - which saw women and children murdered - were allegedly ordered in retaliation for the killing of the USDL's commander, Siegfried Assmuss.

Karkoc's family in Minneapolis says he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The family denies Karkoc was involved in any war crimes.

Karkoc's son, Andriy Karkoc, reiterated on Wednesday that his father is innocent of any war crimes, and called on the judge to release any evidence that may implicate his father.

Karkoc's family in Minneapolis says he suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The family denies Karkoc (pictured above in 1990) was involved in any war crimes

Karkoc's son, Andriy Karkoc, reiterated on Wednesday that his father is innocent of any war crimes, and called on the judge to release any evidence that may implicate his father

Informed of the arrest warrant, he asked rhetorically: 'Do they have any evidence on which to base that?'

'We call on the judge to release all evidence that he has that supports this unjust, inappropriate and immoral action,' he said.

Andriy Karkoc also pointed out that German prosecutors declined in 2015 to seek his father's extradition, concluding he was unfit to stand trial.

It wasn't immediately clear when Poland's Justice Ministry would write the extradition motion, which would then be handled by the U.S. Justice Department.

The U.S. State Department referred questions to the Justice Department, and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota had no comment on Wednesday.

Naturalized: This is Karkoc's petition for naturalization, which he submitted in May 1959. He had arrived in the US in 1949 and told immigration officials he didn't perform military service

Oath: This is Karkoc's oath of allegiance, which he signed as part of his naturalization in 1959

In this May 2014 photo, Michael Karkoc works in his yard in Minneapolis. Poland will seek the arrest and extradition of Karkoc, exposed by The Associated Press as a former commander in an SS-led unit that burned Polish villages and killed civilians in World War II, prosecutors said Monday, March 13, 2017. (Richard Sennott/Star Tribune via AP)

German prosecutors shelved their own war crimes investigation of Karkoc in 2015 after concluding that he wasn't fit for trial.

Karkoc's attorney refused to allow a medical expert from Germany, but instead provided medical documentation from doctors at the geriatric hospital in the U.S. where he was being treated.

Munich prosecutors called the assessment, which covered the span of a year and was evaluated by a German medical expert, 'comprehensive.'

The German probe began after the Associated Press' story in June 2013, which also established that Karkoc had lied to American immigration officials to get into the U.S. a few years after World War II.

The evidence was assessed by Germany's special federal prosecutors' unit, which concluded there was enough for state prosecutors to pursue murder charges against Karkoc.
Two teenage friends have been murdered and dumped by the roadside in Colorado.

The bodies of Derek Benjamin Greer, 15, and Natalie Partida, 16, were found by a passing motorist at about 8.45am on Sunday on the remote Old Pueblo Road, 15 miles south of Colorado Springs.

Police have ruled the deaths a homicide but the authorities will not release the cause of death until the autopsy is carried out.

The bodies of Derek Benjamin Greer, 15, (left) and Natalie Partida, 16, (right) were found by the roadside in Colorado on Sunday

'We are waiting for the metro lab to come,' Jacqueline Kirby of the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said.

'Once they process the scene a little bit, we will be able to dig a little further and find out what exactly we might be looking at.'

Colorado Springs School District 11 spokeswoman Devra Ashby said the teens were both students at Coronado High School in Colorado Springs. Derek was a freshman and Natalie was a sophomore.

'We just found out about this,' Ashby said. 'Protocol is that if there is any kind of crisis within a school, we do send counselors.'

Police are investigating the murders and have asked anyone who saw anything to come forward.

Natalie and Derek appear to have been friends and would chat to each other on Facebook.

Police have ruled the deaths of Natalie (pictured) and Derek a homicide but the authorities will not release the cause of death until the autopsy is carried out

Just days before they were found murdered, Natalie announced on Facebook that she was being sent back to a juvenile detention center

Just days before they were found murdered, Natalie announced she was hoping to get her life back together after returning to jail

Just days before they were found murdered, Natalie announced on Facebook that she was being sent back to a juvenile detention center.

The troubled teen was incarcerated in January, according to her own posts, for an unnamed offence after she turned herself in.

But last Friday, she wrote that she hoping to get her life together after she got back from the center.

'Man I got to do it for my moms an me got to start my life an get my s*** together jail ain't fun but neither is waiting around,' she wrote.

Meanwhile, friends and family had expressed concern for Derek in recent months.

Natalie and Derek appear to have been friends and would chat to each other on Facebook

Gwendolyn Pate Ponder wrote: 'You just seem so down and out. Like your world crashed around you. I don't like that. Be happy. Smile.'

The teens were discovered by the roadside on Sunday morning.

'We had three witnesses who were just driving down the road, they live in the area, and they called us as soon as they saw,' Kirby said.

They were found by a passing motorist at about 8.45am on Sunday on the remote Old Pueblo Road (pictured) 15 miles south of Colorado Springs

'When deputies did respond, we did find a male and a female deceased on the side of the road and right now we are investigating this.

'We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Derek and Natalie.'

Police have warned parents in the area to be extra vigilant for their children in the wake of the murders.

Friends and family of the teens have paid tribute to them on social media.

'R.I.P babygirl,' Esmeralda Gomez wrote. 'Your gunna be missed but never forgotten. You in a better place now. See you soon baby.'

Trevor Gordon added: 'Damn bruh smh RIP Natalie Partida was tryna figure it out like everybody else in the world.'

'Rip Derek Greer my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all who are suffering over the loss of him and Natalie Partida,' added Ciara Trowbridge.

Melz Staccz wrote: 'Damn Natalie Partida. I cannot believe it still. Going from tellin you everyday to chill out and spark a doobie too not talking at all and now you're gone.

'Who tf would do you like that?? & for what? Prayers & condolences sent from mine too yours RIP TO Derek as well.'
A nine-year-old chess champion died of chronic asthma despite there being 11 opportunities to treat him in the months before his death, an inquest heard today.

Michael Uriely, of St John's Wood, North West London, was taken to hospital twice in the days before his death after he suffered violent coughing and vomiting fits.

The national chess champion died in August 2015, five days after being discharged from the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for the second time.

National chess champion: Michael Uriely, of St John's Wood, North West London, was taken to hospital twice in the days before his death after he suffered violent coughing and vomiting fits

In the months before his death he was also seen by NHS GPs, as well as having private doctor appointments.

Michael's mother Ayelet Uriely said in a statement that she was 'devastated beyond words' about the loss of her son, who she described as 'highly gifted'.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard that there were chances to treat Michael - whose fits had left him struggling to breathe - in the months before his death.

While dealing with Mrs Uriely's statement to the inquest, Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: 'There was 11 opportunities within seven months to appropriately test, diagnose and treat him.'

The inquest heard Mrs Uriely 'felt strongly' that her son was denied basic care. As early as February that year, Mrs Uriely asked a doctor about the chances of her son dying as she felt his condition was deteriorating.

Mrs Uriely said Michael's father Roy took their son out of the room and she asked the doctor about 'the likelihood of death'.

She said he responded to her by saying: 'What are you talking about?'

She told the inquest he said that Michael was 'not in this category'.

Mrs Uriely told the inquest she made requests for Michael to be referred to an asthma clinic as well as Great Ormond Street Hospital, but these requests did not materialise before his death.

She said she was told on one occasion that Michael's condition 'didn't require it'.

Michael was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital on August 18 and discharged at 8pm the same day. He was readmitted on August 19 and sent home again the following day.

Chelsea kit: Michael died after collapsing in the early hours and never regained consciousness

On August 18, Mrs Uriely said she thought he was having the worst asthma attack she had ever seen him having.

But she said she was told: 'You don't really need to be here. You should go home.'

She told the inquest: 'I said: 'I can't go without you doing some sort of test.''

Mrs Uriely said they were told 'something like we were wasting their time', and that Michael would grow out of asthma.

Michael himself said he was 'afraid to die'

The child was brought back to the hospital in the early hours of August 19, and by this stage was having violent bouts of vomiting as well as a bloated chest.

The inquest heard he was told that he was 'hysterical' and not having an asthma attack.

Mrs Uriely was told he was being discharged that afternoon but she said she told staff: 'I am scared my son will die tonight'.

She also said Michael himself said he was 'afraid to die', adding that he was 'not the kind of person to say something like that'. Mrs Uriely told her son: 'Mummy's here.'

She told the inquest: 'I said: 'I'd never let anything bad happen to you.''

She said she spoke to staff about the 'worst case scenario' but was told she was on a 'wild goose chase'.

There was no improvement in Michael's condition on August 21, the inquest heard.

The inquest also heard from expert Dr Mark Levy who has been a GP for 40 years and has published more than 140 papers on asthma.

Michael died in August 2015, five days after being discharged from the Royal Free Hospital (pictured) in Hampstead, North London, for the second time

His statement said that Michael's asthma was 'poorly controlled' in the last year of his life.

Dr Levy also said that children with severe asthma 'should be seen by a respiratory specialist'.

He added: 'Severe asthma should be treated by a specialist, somebody with expertise.'

The respiratory rate of 36 that Michael had during the August 21 appointment is considered to be 'life threatening', Dr Levy said.

Meanwhile, Dr Michael Greenberg, from Wellington Outpatients Centre in Golders Green, was asked if he had declined Mrs Uriely's request to be referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He said he does not recall that conversation, and added: 'I would have happily made those referrals.'

Asked if he could remember having a conversation with Mrs Uriely in February about the likelihood of death, Dr Greenberg said: 'No I don't remember that conversation.'

The inquest also heard from paediatrician Dr Neil Thompson who had seen Michael at the Royal Free Hospital on August 18.

He denied using the word 'hysterical' to describe the child, and asked if he could recall Mrs Uriely 'begging' not to be left to deal with Michael's cough alone, he said he could not.

I'd never let anything bad happen to you What Michael Uriely was told by his mother Ayelet

The inquest was told that Mrs Uriely made an appointment with Dr Aisha Laskor, believing that her son had been prematurely and inappropriately discharged from hospital.

She felt the prospect of leaving him untreated for the weekend was 'frightening' and felt that at this stage it was 'imperative' that the referrals she had requested were sorted.

The inquest heard that Dr Laskor expressed shock that the hospital had failed to treat Michael - but the two women disagree about what was said during the appointment.

'Your recollection is completely different,' the coroner said.

Dr Laskor said she was 'concerned enough to consider calling for an ambulance', but decided not to send him to hospital.

She said her 'gut instinct' was to send him back to hospital, but she said Mrs Uriely told her he was better since he was discharged - something Mrs Uriely says is untrue.

The doctor said she told the Urielys to stay in the waiting room for 20 to 30 minutes after the appointment so that if they needed to see her again they could do so.

Representing the Uriely family, Adam Korn put it to Dr Laskor: 'It's not true, is it, that Mrs Uriely said Michael had got better?'

He suggested she was saying that to 'justify' her decision to send him home.

Later in her evidence, a tearful Dr Laskor said: 'I was still questioning my decision that evening.'

Asked if Mrs Uriely appeared to be 'desperate', the doctor said: 'I would have to say that no, she did not appear desperate.'

Michael died on August 25 after he collapsed in the early hours and never regained consciousness. The inquest continues.
A British engineer was crushed to death at a cement plant in Trinidad yesterday.

John Morris, 55, was pronounced dead at the Princes Town Health Facility after falling into machinery at the plant.

The shocking incident happened at 10.30am on the compound of Lutchmeesingh's Asphalt Plant, near the village of Buen Intento.

The incident happened on the compound of Lutchmeesingh's Asphalt Plant, near the village of Buen Intento

Police said that Morris had tried to loosen the aggregate in a cistern with a rod when he was pulled into it.

The aggregate covered him, and plant employees took several minutes to dig him out, police said.

On Tuesday afternoon, officers of the Princes Town Police Station and Southern Division Task Force went to the compound and questioned the management and employees.

The incident happened near Princes Town, pictured, in the south of Trinidad

The company's website says it is a civil and roadworks contracting firm specializing in construction of concrete and steel bridges, and other civil engineering construction activities.

The firm's website says it has more than 200 pieces of machinery and equipment, quarry lands, and an asphalt and concrete plant, employing more than 150 people.

According to the police report, Morris' address was given at Mathilda Road, Princes Town, where the head office of the transport company is located.

An autopsy was expected to take place at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, today.
Michelle Stevens (pictured), who was 'trained to be a sex slave' and locked in a dog cage by her stepfather, has described her horrifying experiences after she was first abused as an eight-year-old

A woman who was 'trained to be a sex slave' and locked in a dog cage by her stepfather has described her horrifying experiences after she was first abused as an eight-year-old.

Michelle Stevens documented her torturous treatment in her new book, Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving, which will hit shelves on March 21.

The 48-year-old spoke about the night her stepfather, Gary Lundquist, first locked her up and abused her, in an excerpt of the new book given to People Magazine.

'It all started with a doll. "A genuine replication of an antique bisque," my mother said. She found it in an antique store the price tag: $300,' the excerpt read.

'A layaway plan was set up. Every few weeks, my mother would drag me back to the store and hand the lady a few more bucks. Frankly, at eight years old, I didnt think much of this. Little did I know I was being stalked.

'There was a man at the store, a fifth grade teacher who owned the place as a side business. Gary Lundquist had a penchant for toys and games and all the other fun stuff of childhood.

'And, right after he laid eyes on me, he also claimed to have a penchant for my mom.'

The excerpt then states how Stevens and her mom moved in with Lundquist, adding it became clear he was 'more interested in Michelle than her mother'.

Stevens (pictured) documented her torturous treatment in her new book, Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving, which will hit shelves on March 21

Stevens said this picture was taken shortly before she was abused for the first time, saying it was 'exactly how (she) looked at the last moment of (her) childhood'

'Gary announced that it was time for bed. I got my nightgown and went into the bathroom to change,' the except given to People reads.

'When I came out, I found Gary in a bedroom at the end of the hall. (He) had already turned down the sheets, so I crawled in and pulled up the covers. Gary suddenly looked sad.

"You know," he said. "Im very unhappy. For years Ive had to live in this big house all by myself but now you can be my daughter!"

I hear the heavy thud of male feet. Hes back. As his feet move across the floor above me, I become paralyzed... This is terror. Michelle Stevens, recounting the first time she was abused as an eight-year-old

'He stated it brightly. But I wasnt so sure. I barely knew this man but there was something about Gary that seemed phony. Scary even.

"Let me see your nightgown," he suddenly exclaimed, as he yanked off my covers.

"Wow that is so pretty would you like a picture of yourself in that pretty nightgown?"

'I nodded. I still have the photo. It shows a petite girl with long brown hair and bangs lying flat on a bed. She has milky white skin and thin pink lips set in a shy smile.

'There is an innocence to this small child, a trusting vulnerability that pains me today. Still, it is a picture I cherish. I mean, how many people can say they know exactly how they looked at the last moment of their childhood?'

'I am naked and locked in a cage: 3 ft by 3 ft probably. Just big enough to sit up with my legs stretched out or lie in a fetal position,' Stevens' (pictured) passage about the first night she was abused reads

The except, published by People Magazine, then goes on to detail the abuse Stevens suffered at the hands of Lundquist.

'I am naked and locked in a cage: 3 ft by 3 ft probably. Just big enough to sit up with my legs stretched out or lie in a fetal position,' the passage reads.

'Its made of thin metal bars with a metal tray on the floor.'

Scared Selfless: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving (pictured) is due to be released next week on March 21

Stevens then wrote that there was a small padlock holding the door shut, then referred to it as a 'dog cage  the kind they use to crate puppies'.

'I want to be home with my Snoopy pillow I want to lie on the carpet in the bedroom and watch Sesame Street on my little black-and-white TV,' the excerpt reads.

'When is my mommy coming back?

'Then I hear the heavy thud of male feet. Hes back. As his feet move across the floor above me, I become paralyzed.

'I have lost all control of my body, but my mind is sharp and focused. This is terror.

'Gary comes down, followed by another man. Someday, not today, I will learn this mans name is Joe. Hes a friend of Garys who shares his interests in political history, antique collectables and sadistic pedophilia.'

Lundquist kept his stepdaughter as a sex slave for a total of six years. Stevens described it as a campaign of unimaginable cruelty, on her website.

She said she suffered at the hands of 'countless men' as a result of being 'pimped out' for prostitution and being forced to take part in 'kiddie porn'.

Going back to that first night locked in the cage, the 48-year-old said she was tortured repeatedly and that Lundquist 'used her to quench his voracious and deviant sexual whims'.

'I wanted to give a more accurate account of what being abused and brainwashed is like. As people become more sympathetic to survivors, survivors will be more sympathetic to themselves,' Stevens (pictured) said

Over the next decade and a half, after escaping her tormentor when she left home to study at New York University, she battled with PTSD from the abuse.

She was hospitalized three times and attempted to take her own life on a number of occasions.

But Stevens has been able to emerge from the darkness, and eventually received a PhD in psychology in 2012.

Speaking to People Magazine from her California home, she said she is no longer afraid of her shocking history  and in fact uses it to help others.

Explaining why she wrote the book, Stevens said: 'I wanted to give a more accurate account of what being abused and brainwashed is like.

'As people become more sympathetic to survivors, survivors will be more sympathetic to themselves.'

Lundquist was sentenced to three years probation in 1985 for engaging in sexual contact with two young girls who were students at the school where he taught.

He died in 1997.

'I was a victim, and I understand that now,' she said.

'You have one goal when youre in captivity, and thats to escape. Then you do escape and its not nearly as awesome as you thought it was going to be. Once youre free, its really hard.'

Stevens, who now has a wife and an 11-year-old son, Mikey, said she is now dedicating her life to helping others escape from similarly horrible situations.

'I am in a blessed position to devote my life to helping others,' she said.
Locals in one of Britain's best preserved medieval villages claim they are under siege from giant lorries using its narrow streets as a short-cut.

Residents in the picturesque village of Lavenham, Suffolk are hoping that an experimental ban on HGVs later this year will help protect their ancient battered homes.

They claim historic properties are under threat every time 40ft articulated lorries try to negotiate the village - which was recently named as one the best 20 places in England to live.

Residents in the picturesque village of Lavenham, Suffolk are hoping that an experimental ban on HGVs later this year will help protect their ancient battered homes from incidents like this

Reports of structural damage caused by the huge trucks are growing, in particular in Water Street, which historians claim has the longest unbroken length of late-medieval and Tudor properties in the country.

Resident Neil Warden said: 'Some people are scared to step out of their front door. There have been numerous reports of damage caused by large vehicles. In one recent incident tiles were ripped off a roof and landed on the pavement.

'Telegraph poles and lines have been hit and it is hazardous just walking on the pavement can be dangerous.

'One of my neighbours became so concerned and fed up that he has deliberately - and legally - parked a van directly outside his home permanently in an attempt to protect his property.'

Reports of structural damage caused by the huge trucks are increasing in the small village

District councillor for Lavenham, Will Shropshire, has been fighting to halt the lorry menace and has already persuaded one major local company to re-route their lorries away from the historic village which boasts more than 300 timber-framed and listed buildings.

One major recent success was the new policy by British Sugar in Bury St Edmunds whose factory generates thousands of lorry journeys as year.

It now pays its hauliers the extra mileage to use the A1071 and A134 route instead of the A1141, in a bid to ease the problem.

But a bigger problem he claims, is trying to persuade sat-nav suppliers and users to steer traffic away from Lavenham and surrounding villages and hamlets.

Cllr Shropshire said: 'It's clearly wrong that visitors to one of East Anglia's most important tourism centres - and locals - have to jump off pavements to avoid lorries that frequently mount the kerbs to pass each other or manoeuvre past parked vehicles.

Residents are trying to persuade sat-nav suppliers and users to steer traffic away from the area

'I started contacting sat-nav companies to find how to get their routing systems changed.

'Most said they got their information on roads data from third parties who they relied on for changes and updates. I have also tried to contact these map information providers unfortunately with only limited success.'

A determined Mr Shrophire has also enrolled locals to help him carry out a survey of haulage contractors using the village as a short-cut - and then told them the difficulties their vehicles were causing.

He said: 'I contacted every company whose lorries we saw driving through the village and the results were encouraging - not many have 'double offended' and most companies are conscientious and have tried to avoid the village after they were alerted.

'But the main problem is drivers from the Continent. They follow sat-nav instructions and unfortunately the route through Lavenham is shown as the shortest one between Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds in terms of mileage and time.

'What the sat nav planners don't take into account is the fact that HGV's regularly get stuck and despite the fact that A1141 is a classified A-road, it is simply not suitable for HGVs.

'The other major problem is that when A14 blocked the route through Lavenham is shown as the diversion. On one day recently there were more than 50 lorries in a couple of hours trying to get through because the A14 was shut.'

But apart from the congestion, noise and fumes there have been numerous reports of damage to buildings caused by the large lorries.

One fed-up resident in Water Street has taken to parking a van outside his house permanently to protect its over-hanging roof from damage and other home owners have report structural damage to their properties in recent years.

The Swan Hotel at Lavenham has now installed protective bollards on the path after it was hit

Among them is the Swan Hotel on the corner of Water Street and the High Street which has now installed protective bollards on the path after it was hit by lorries on several occasions.

Campaigners have welcomed news that the county council recently announced plans for a weight-restriction scheme that would help protect part of the village centre.

Officials say that the ban on vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will apply to traffic in Water Street in one direction but it may be extended. It is hoped this restriction can be brought in possibly before the end of the year.

However suggestions that the road be re-classified as B-route have proved unpopular because repairs, gritting and funding for the road would be significantly reduced and neighbouring villages on the A1141 do not want to lose the preferential gritting schedule and repairs that an A road receives.

Mr Shropshire said: 'The top priority is to change sat nav systems. Until they divert HGV~s away from unsuitable roads we will continue to suffer from large lorries using Lavenham - and damaging it.

'They will eventually both destroy the ancient properties - the vibrations can be felt inside these timber framed buildings when lorries pass - and cause a road traffic accident.

'I only hope something can be done soon - the Local Government Association is calling on government to make commercial sat nav systems designed for lorries statutory in all HGVs.'
An extremely rare double banana - where two sit together in a single skin - has turned up in a family's weekly shop from Asda.

Richard Preece, 33, admitted the strange fruit made him feel a bit queasy but his children Beatrice, nine, and Felix, six, happily shared it as a snack.

The pub manager had the double banana in an online shop delivered by Asda to his home in Hinton, Hereford, on Monday night.

Mr Preece, who lives with shop-assistant wife Samantha, said: 'It was just in a bunch of ordinary bananas so it was a bit of a shock.

Extremely rare: This is a double banana which has turned up in a Hereford family's weekly shop from Asda

Explanation: Experts say they are very rarely seen and believe that two bananas sit together in a single skin because of a mutation during the fruits early development - but Richard Preece's children were happy to eat it as a snack

'When Sam opened it up none of us could quite believe it. I never even knew that you could get double bananas.

Is it a sign? Coincidentally the most recent recipient, father-of-three Richard Preece, has taken part in several charity fun runs dressed as 80s cartoon character Bananaman

'I showed my kids and they were quite amazed as they had never seen anything like it before.

'When I put it on Facebook I wasn't expecting the reaction that I got with the amount of innuendos and other implications people were commenting.'

The double banana tasted no different to an ordinary one, according to kids Beatrice, nine, and Felix, six, who ate it as a snack.

In 2010 MailOnline revealed how a rare double banana was found at a charity fun run in London.

At the time Ken Manning, a plant scientist at the University of Warwick, said he had never seen one before.

He said it was likely to have been caused during the fruits early development, adding: Its very, very unusual'.

A spokesman for The Caribbean Banana Exporters Association expressed his surprise, saying that they had never encountered any double bananas before.

Other have claimed that if they are found they are sorted out by producers before they are sent to Britain because shoppers don't like unconventional fruit in their shops.

Counter-claim: Others have said that if double bananas are found they are sorted out by producers before they are sent to Britain because shoppers don't like unconventional fruit in their shops

Coincidentally the most recent recipient, father-of-three Richard Preece, has taken part in several charity fun runs dressed as 80s cartoon character Bananaman.

He said: 'It is the most bizarre coincidence.

'I thought my days running as a Bananaman were long behind me, but this has changed things.

'This discovery has convinced me that I should really consider doing it again this year. It's just too strange not to be some sort of sign.'
David Davis has accused the SNP of manufacturing a row with ministers over Brexit as an excuse to call a fresh independence referendum.

The Brexit Secretary vented his frustration as he was grilled by MPs about his approach to the looming negotiations with the EU.

Pressed how Theresa May's pledge to take a 'UK-wide approach' to talks squared with dismissing Scotland's demands to stay in the single market, Mr Davis made clear he felt the Nationalists had been determined to undermine the process.

'The phrase is seek to agree  if one side doesn't want to agree, which I'm afraid has been the position of the Scottish Government from time to time, there is no way seek to agree can turn into agree,' he told the cross-party Brexit Committee.

Brexit Secretary David Davis vented his frustration as he was grilled by MPs about his approach to the looming negotiations with the EU today

'The stance of the Scottish Government on this has been frankly a very political one, not necessarily in the interests of the people they represent.'

In clashes with SNP committee member Joanna Cherry after Nicola Sturgeon declared her determination to hold another independence referendum as early as next Autumn, Mr Davis hit out at the SNP for 'political point-scoring'.

He said that there may not be any further meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee - which brings together ministers from the UK Government and devolved administrations - before Article 50 is triggered, but said he expected the Government to have 'conversations' with devolved authorities before the letter is sent.

The Cabinet minister also admitted there had not yet been a full assessment of the economic implications of leaving the EU without a trade deal.

He confirmed that leaving under World Trade Organisation rules would mean tariffs of 30-40 per cent on agricultural exports and 10 per cent on cars.

But he said it would be possible to mitigate such issues, dismissing the usefulness of estimate their economic impact at this stage.

He told the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee that he expected to be able to provide forecasts in about a year's time.

His comments came as the European Council president Donald Tusk said that Europe will not be 'intimidated' by British threats to walk away from trade talks if it cannot get a good deal.

In a statement to the European Parliament, Mr Tusk dismissed suggestions that a failure to reach agreement in Brexit talks would be worse for the EU than for Britain, telling MEPs: 'A 'no-deal scenario' would be bad for everyone, but above all for the UK.'

Mr Davis has briefed Cabinet colleagues to be ready for the 'unlikely scenario' of the UK crashing out of the EU without a deal - a prospect which Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said this weekend would be 'perfectly OK'.

Nicola Sturgeon shocked Westminster this week by declaring her plans to hold another Scottish independence vote as early as Autumn next year

Mr Davis was involved in bad-tempered exchanges as he gave evidence to the Brexit Committee in Westminster today

Prime Minister Theresa May has made clear that she regards no deal with the EU as being better than a bad deal.

Asked whether he thought leaving without a deal would be bad for the UK, Mr Davis told the committee: 'I think it is not as good an outcome as a free trade, friction-free, open agreement, which is why we are trying for that.'

Confirming that no assessments of the economic impact of failure to reach a deal had been carried out since his appointment as Brexit Secretary, Mr Davis told the committee's chair Hilary Benn: 'Any forecast you make depends on the mitigation you make, and therefore it would be rather otiose to do that forecast before we have concluded what mitigation is possible.'

But he added: 'You haven't asked me about the upsides - for roughly 60% of our trade we could relax things the other way.'

Explaining Mrs May's 'no deal is better than a bad deal' mantra, Mr Davis said: 'She said that because in the emotional aftermath of the referendum, there were lots of threats of punishment deals and all the rest of it.

'We had to be clear that we could actually manage this in such a way as to be better than a bad deal, and that is true.

'I can't quantify it for you yet. I may well be able to do so in a year's time. It's not as frightening as some people think, but it's not as simple as some people think.'
A Steps fan was one for sorrow after his dreams of seeing the group on their 20th anniversary tour were dashed by the 100 ticket price.

Adam Lance, 28, wanted to surprise his friend with two tickets for the reunion tour in December at the Manchester Arena.

But he was horrified when he was apparently told about the eye-watering cost of the remaining tickets and took to Facebook to rant via a selfie video, declaring 'I'll forgive, but I won't forget.'

He tagged the official 'Steps' account and told them 'sort it out seriously upset', and within five days the video has been watched 208,513 times.

In the rant, restaurant worker Adam from Manchester said: 'I forgive, but I won't forget.

'100 each! 200 for both of them!

'I could go on holiday to Benidorm for 250 all inclusive - flights, accommodation, unlimited alcohol, for a week.

'I'm absolutely fuming.

Adam Lance, pictured in a selfie, has been left outraged by the tickets of tickets for Steps' 20th anniversary tour

'This is supposed to be 20 years celebrating Steps, right, and they are supposed to be loyal to their fans.

'There's nothing loyal about that!

'Steps, if you get this video, any one of you, and one of the five of you get hold of this video, I'm a loyal fan but I'm not spending 200 to see you. If you love me that much you can send me two tickets. Get back to me.

'200 to see you. I can see Lady Gaga for 85.'

Adam said he started loading vlogs to his Facebook page - under the name Hugo MacQueenie - a few weeks ago.

A pop fan's rant about tickets for the upcoming Steps tour costing 100 each has been watched more than 200,000 times

Speaking yesterday he said he had loved Steps 'since he was born' and was desperate to surprise his pal with a ticket for her birthday.

He added: 'It would be a dream if they saw the video and invited me.

'I'd love to be the person who said 'ladies and gentlemen, Steps!' on the stage.

'I'm gay and I love cheesy pop music so I love Steps.

'They are up there for me with Beyonce and Katy Perry.'
Kanesha Godin was away on a trip and told police she had arranged for a friend to check on the children once a day, feed and change their diapers

A mother from Colorado has been arrested on suspicion of felony child abuse after she allegedly locked her two young children in a bedroom while she went on a trip out of town.

Kanesha Godin, 25, turned herself in to police in Fountain, Colorado near Colorado Springs, and was subsequently arrested on Tuesday.

A warrant had been issued for her arrest after officers visited her home to investigate a report of child abuse.

Police say Godin claimed to have arranged for a friend to check on her children once a day while she was away.

According to the Denver Post, the instructions were very specific and even explained how the toddlers should be fed and have their diapers changed.

Godin told police that the neighbor was 'providing child care throughout the day and night'.

But another friend found the children to be 'malnourished' and decided that there was in fact no neighbor caring for the youngsters, at which point she contacted the police.

Neighbors told Fox 21 that Godin drank frequently and on one occasion went to the liquor store leaving her children home alone.

A former babysitter also said the child's room had a padlock on the outside of it.

She said the children's room was often dirty and one time had 'feces on the wall'.

Godin was held Tuesday on two counts of felony child abuse. It was not clear to police how long she had been away from home.

Godin is a decorated soldier, with medals in army commendation, achievement, good conduct, national defense service, humanitarian service and army service ribbon.

She also received an Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star and had a parachute badge, Fort Carson said.

The North Carolina native has been with the military for more than seven years.

Fort Carson officials said they're cooperating with Fountain Police on the investigation.
Turkey's red meat association has ordered Dutch cattle to be sent back to the Netherlands, saying that the diplomatic crisis between the countries has led to a decision to no longer farm the cows.

The head of the Turkish Association of Red Meat Producers, Bulent Tunc, said that a symbolic consignment of 40 Holstein Friesian cattle was already on its way back to the Netherlands.

The announcement comes as millions of Dutch voters head to the polls in for the country's presidential election.

'The Dutch Holstein cows have become very common in our country. But this breed is starting to cause serious problems,' he told the Anadolu news agency.

The head of the Turkish Association of Red Meat Producers, Bulent Tunc, said that a symbolic consignment of 40 Holstein Friesian cattle was already being sent back to the Netherlands (file photo)

Tunc said that Turkey should focus on breeding its own cattle rather than shipping cows in from The Netherlands

'In future we do not want animal products from Holland. The first batch of Holsteins have been loaded and we will send them back,' he added.

He said Turkey should start focusing on breeding its own cattle, adding 'We have our own quality breeds'.

Tunc later told the Hurriyet daily that 40 Holstein Friesian had been sent back to Holland from the Biga dairy production site in the western Canakkale province.

'If they don't accept them back then we will distribute the cuts' after slaughter, he added.

Turkey and the Netherlands were propelled into an explosive diplomatic crisis after The Hague blocked Turkish ministers from holding rallies backing constitutional changes that would expand Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has branded the Netherlands as 'Nazi remnants' for preventing his ministers from speaking to rallies of overseas Turks.R

Turkey has since suspended high-level relations with The Netherlands and blocked its ambassador, Kees Cornelis van Rij, from returning to his post. Van Rij is currently out of the country.

The country's government also said economic sanctions would be imposed against Netherlands, which is a key trade partner and investor.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said on Wednesday that the crisis will cause no problems for the Dutch people and business world

Meanwhile, the Dutch headed to the polls on Wednesday in key elections overshadowed by the blazing diplomatic row.

Meanwhile, the Dutch headed to the polls on Wednesday in key elections overshadowed by the blazing diplomatic row. Firebrand leader Geert Wilders of the Freedom Party (PVV) cast his ballot for Dutch general elections

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery

Netherlands' Labour Party leader and current vice prime minister Lodewijk Asscher casts a ballot at a polling station in Amsterdam

Following last year's Brexit vote, and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls, the Dutch general elections are being viewed as a test of strength of far-right parties ahead of other ballots in Europe this year.

Amid the tussle between outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte and his far-right rival Wilders, many of the 12.9million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running.

Most polling stations opened at 6.30am, although a few such as at Eindhoven airport were allowed to open earlier.

Polling booths set up in schools, town halls as well as shops, bowling alleys and swimming pools will close at 8am with exit polls expected shortly after.

In a final debate late on Tuesday, Rutte said: 'When people look for leadership, they look to me.'

The leader of the Liberal VVD party is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17million people - one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

Final polls appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats. However that is well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Wilders was seen as slipping, barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs - but still up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before.

Following the vote in the Netherlands (above), the French go to the polls next month with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen currently in second place behind centrist Emmanuel Macron

Wilders' one-page election manifesto includes pledges to close borders to immigrants from Muslim nations, shuttering mosques and banning the Koran, as well as taking the Netherlands out of the European Union, in a so-called 'Nexit'.

'Netherlands does not belong to all. Do you hear me? The Netherlands belongs to the Dutch,' Wilders said in Tuesday's debate.

Close behind Wilders in the polls are long-standing Dutch parties such as the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs.

Both the CDA and D66 would be natural coalition partners for Rutte, who like most Dutch parties, has refused to work with Wilders.

On Monday, Rutte said: 'I will not work with such a party, Mr Wilders, not in a cabinet nor with you supporting from outside. Not, never, not.'

Rutte and his government officially resigned late last night ahead of today's vote.

Seeking to mark his differences with the fiery Wilders, Rutte has been promoting the country's economic growth and stability during his six years at the helm.

He was also widely credited in his own country with his handling of the Turkish issue this week when he barred two Turkish ministers from addressing a pro-Ankara rally in Rotterdam.

In retaliation, Turkey accused the Dutch of 'Nazi' tactics, barred the Dutch ambassador from returning to Ankara, and suspended high-level relations with the Hague in a raft of diplomatic sanctions.

Following the vote in the Netherlands, the French go to the polls next month with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen currently in second place behind centrist Emmanuel Macron.
A mother-of-four from Dallas is demanding answers after her six-month-old son died because she says his baby sitter could not reach 911 to summon medical help when the infant took a fall.

Bridget Alex was at her sisters house after attending a funeral for her 19-year-old nephew on Saturday when she got a frantic call from her youngest son's baby sitter saying that Brandon had fallen from a day bed and was unconscious.

The caregiver, who is Ms Alexs best friend, her Alex that she had called 911 three times on her T-Mobile phone and kept being placed on hold.

In between calls, the first of which was made at 5.55pm, the caretaker had performed CPR on the infant in an attempt to revive him.

Tragic loss: Brandon Alex died at six months on Saturday after he fell from a bed and his baby sitter could not reach 911 to summon help

Mom's outrage: Bridget Alex (left), Brandon's mother, rushed home from a funeral and took her unconscious son to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save him

The last time the baby sitter called, at 6.11pm, she was kept waiting for 31 minutes; the citys goal is to have all 911 calls answered within 10 seconds.

The City of Dallas later said in a statement that the 911 call center was jammed with calls on Saturday because of an ongoing issue with T-Mobile.

Since the baby sitter did not have a car to take Brandon to the hospital, his mother sped home and rushed him to Methodist Hospital for Surgery in Addison.

I jumped in the car with him, and I just kept kissing his lips. He was still warm. I just kept saying, Brandon, please wake up. Please wake up," Bridget Alex told the station WFAA.

Brandon's caregiver had called 911 three times on her T-Mobile phone and kept being placed on hold

The six-month-old was later transferred to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, where he died without regaining consciousness an hour later.

The doctor came and he was like, We tried, and he just never woke up," Bridget Alex said.

WFAA reported that when a T-Mobile customer calls 911, ghost calls are created that jam the system by registering as hang-ups. Operators end up putting callers on hold as they try to catch up by calling back each number to check if assistance is needed.

Dallas' emergency call center has been dealing with this issue since November. On Saturday, as many as 442 calls to 911 were placed on hold, with waiting times of 30-40 minutes.

Dallas police investigated but found no evidence connecting Brandon Alexs death to T-Mobiles ghost call glitch.

We can only confirm that the caller was using a T-Mobile device and tried reaching 911 Saturday evening, during the spike in calls, the statement from the city read.

City Manager T.C. Broadnax said he has spoken with T-Mobile CEO John Legere personally, and Legere pledged to send his top engineers to Dallas Wednesday to look into the problem.

Ghost calls: Since November, Dallas' emergency call center has been dealing with 'ghost calls' from T-Mobile phones

T-Mobile CEO John Legere has pledged to send his top engineers to Dallas to look into the malfunction that has been jamming the city's 911 system

This is an unacceptable situation and the citizens of Dallas deserve better, Broadnax said. With Mr. Legere's commitment today, I'm hopeful T-Mobile can continue to work with the city of Dallas to finally resolve this situation so that we have a reliable 911 system that can properly serve the emergency needs of our citizens.

But for Bridger Alex and her later son, the push to find a solution to the ghost calls problem is too little, too late.

At the end of the day, Im still going to be here hurt, because hes not going to be here, an emotional Alex told the station CBS DFW. Im not going to get to see him or smell him or touch him or kiss him ever again.

Alex, whose oldest child is aged 22, says she wants T-Mobile and Dallas city officials held responsible for the death of her baby boy, who she says was still breathing when she came home.

Another loss: Brandons death came while his family were mourning the loss of Bridget Alexs 19-year-old nephew, Drekeiston Alex (left), who police said was shot dead by a couple calling themselves Bonnie and Clyde

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said in a statement that it is outrageous that T-Mobile has so far failed to resolve the ghost call malfunction, blasting the carrier for not only putting their customers at risk, but also jeopardizing public safety throughout the city.

Baby Brandons untimely death came at a time when his family were mourning the loss of Bridget Alexs 19-year-old nephew, Drekeiston Alex, who police said was shot dead by a couple calling themselves Bonnie and Clyde.

Hakeem Leprince Griffin-White, 17, and Ashley Ann Coleman, 27, were arrested on March 5 in Alex's killing after apparently making a confession on Facebook Live.
An Oklahoman couple who decided to carry their terminally ill baby to full term so they could donate her organs said their daughter will do more in her brief life than 'maybe we'll ever do in our lives'.

Keri and Royce Young went in for an ultrasound at 19 weeks, only to discover their baby Eva had a rare birth defect called anencephaly - leaving her without parts of her brain.

Despite the pain of knowing their baby will survive anywhere from five minutes to a maximum of 36 hours, the couple made the difficult decision not to induce early and terminate the pregnancy.

The couple appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday, and Royce Young said: 'For as long as she lives, we realized we're her momma and her daddy and we have got to do our job.

'There's another family out there...hoping that their baby's going to get a kidney. They're praying for a miracle themselves, but Eva can be that miracle.'

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Keri and Royce Young of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, decided to carry their terminally ill baby to full term so they could donate her organs

The couple appeared on Good Morning America on Wednesday, and Royce Young said: 'For as long as she lives, we realized we're her momma and her daddy and we have got to do our job'

The Youngs were thrilled to learn they were expecting a second child, but that elation soon turned to heartbreak when the couple discovered that the little girl Keri was carrying would not survive.

The couple went in for an ultrasound, only to hear their doctor say: 'I'm really sorry to have to tell you this, but your baby doesn't have a brain.'

Keri shared the devastating news on Facebook, and wrote: 'She has perfect feet and perfect hands. She has perfect kidneys, perfect lungs and a perfect liver. Sadly, she doesn't have a perfect brain,' she wrote. 'We found out recently she has anencephaly and is terminal.'

According to the CDC, anencephaly is a birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull. It is rare, and only occurs in about three in every 10,000 pregnancies.

Despite being told that the little girl, whom they have named Eva, would not survive, Keri made the incredibly difficult decision to continue to carry Eva to full term, so that her organs might be donated to save other people.

They went in for an ultrasound and learned that their second child, a daughter, has anencephaly, a birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull

At a follow-up meeting with Keri's doctor, they learned they'd be able to donate their unborn daughter's heart valves, kidneys, liver, and maybe pancreas

'This was not an easy decision,' she explained in December. 'For the next 20 weeks I will feel her kick, [I'll] have the hiccups, and we'll be able to hear her perfect heart beating all while knowing we'll only get a few short hours with her when she's born.'

She and her husband quickly saw an outpouring of support, and she shared more thoughts on the matter a few days later.

'Those first 24 hours were the hardest of our lives. I couldn't eat and when I finally did I didn't keep it down. We were exhausted but couldn't sleep and when we thought we had no tears left we cried and cried again,' she wrote.

Keri Young told GMA: 'We both totally lost it. The first 48 hours were very dark and very heavy and very testing.'

The couple made a pact to voice the difficult thoughts they were having. Keri Young grappled with the existence of God, while her husband questioned whether their unborn child was a person because she didn't have a brain.

While Keri Young said she is pro-life, she admitted that both she and her husband considered inducing the pregnancy early.

Royce Young said: 'You can be the most pro-life person in the world, but until you sit there and you hear those words and you look at your future going forward, that's when you have got to face the reality and make your own decision.'

The couple had been excited about having a second child and deciding to finish the pregnancy was not an easy decision. Keri Young said the idea initially sounded like her 'own personal hell'

At a follow-up meeting with Keri's doctor, they learned they'd be able to donate their unborn daughter's heart valves, kidneys, liver, and maybe pancreas if she was carried to term. Her lungs could be donated to research.

'At this point I knew what we had to do, I just didn't want to do it,' she went on. 'The reality of feeling her kick for 20 weeks was very much settling in. Strangers excitedly asking me about my stomach and friends not knowing how to treat us was devastating to think about.

'I told some of my friends I thought it sounded like my own personal hell and why in the world would I want to bring that upon myself?'

The couple had to decide between the short-term pain of carrying to full term or the long-term regret of inducing early.

Once they decided the opportunity for their daughter to save lives outweighed the pain of having strangers ask when they were expecting, the couple were relieved.

'There was freedom in that. I think that that kind of lifted a weight off of our shoulders. And that's when...I think we did kind of start to feel happiness,' Royce Young told GMA.

Keri, who will go in for a cesarean-section in May, said: 'I'm now terrified of delivery. I don't want her to come out, you know.'

But she has learned to savor her pregnancy, saying: 'She's healthy right now, and I love feeling her kick, and that, that was surprising. She's as perfect as she's going to be right now. So I don't want to give that up.

'Now is not the time to be sad. I keep telling people we have a whole lifetime to be sad...But now, she's alive and she's kicked and ... for this pregnancy, that's the most joyful part.'

Royce called his wife a 'superhero' for making the choice and still going through the pregnancy

Royce said: 'My daughter has got a bigger purpose in life. This is my chance to tell everybody about her'

Royce said: 'My daughter has got a bigger purpose in life. This is my chance to tell everybody about her.

'I don't get to brag about how pretty her hair is, I won't get to tell people [the] good grades she made. I get to tell them about what she's doing with her life.

'She's going to do more in her 24 hours or whatever than maybe we'll ever do in our lives. And to be able to remember our daughter in that way is pretty powerful.'
Trump Organization attorney Michael Cohen engaged in an angry Twitter war with MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' after host Joe Scarborough put forward the hypothesis that Trump leaked a portion of his own tax returns to cause a distraction.

The release of two pages from Trump's 2005 1040 form turned out not to blow the lid off any secret Trump investments  and in fact revealed he paid millions in taxes at a rate of about 25 per cent.

The story even fizzled to the point where Scarborough touted the theory on Twitter, also floated by the reporter who got the tax documents, that Trump orchestrated the release to distract from daunting news about Russia ties and a bad health care score for the GOP health bill.

The White House confirmed the accuracy of the documents Tuesday night, in what Scarborough took as more evidence of the theory.

'To the first pro-Trump/Putin hack that says this one cherry picked tax return settles the tax issue for good: Not even close,' Scarborough wrote Wednesday morning, in just one of his missives about that tax returns revealed breathlessly on MSNBC the night before.

Michael Cohen (R), executive vice president of the Trump Organization and special counsel to Donald Trump, arrives at Trump Tower, January 12, 2017 in New York City

Cohen, who has been among Trump's most dogged defenders on TV, shot back online: '.@JoeNBC As #potus @realDonaldTrump personal attorney, I know who has his taxes. You better have proof to back up your claim and big mouth!'

Scarborough blew up online at the attorney's veiled threat, calling Cohen 'comrade' in an obvious dig at the Trump camp's alleged Russia ties.

'Sorry, Comrade,' Scarborough wrote.

In another dig, he used 'anger quotes' to describe Cohen's job.

'And by the way "attorney": 1. Read the First Amendment 2. Save your dumb thug routine for someone who gives a damn,' Scarborough pushed back.

He kept going: 'I don't need proof for an opinion 1st graders would get. But you do need proof that Obama tapped Trump's phones. Where is it, Mr. Lawyer?'

MSNBC host Joe Scarborugh said the 'Trump camp' released the return as a distraction

Scarborough someone who might disagree with him as being a 'Trump/Putin hack'

When Trump attorney Michael Cohen said Scarborough 'better have proof,' Scarborough called him 'Comrade'

The Twitter tirade continued

Scarborough even teed off on CNN's Chris Cuomo, after Cuomo tweeted: 'MSNBC have proof potus leaked it? None offered. But even as opinion from a pol, shows strained potus relationship even with friends?'

Scarborough retweeted the line, then wrote: '1. Learn to write intelligibly. 2. Try to keep up. The reporter who was mailed the returns said Trump may have sent it. 3. This ain't hard.'

Attorney Michael Cohen arrives at Trump Tower for meetings with President-elect Donald Trump. He got into an angry Twitter clash with MSNBC host Joe Scarborough

Scarborough even went after CNN's Chris Cuomo

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston says he got the return from an unknown source in his mail box.

Earlier, in Maddow's show, Johnston had speculated that Trump might have leaked the documents himself, saying he had leaked information many times before 'when it was in his interest'.

And the words 'client copy' stamped on the second page of the document led to speculation that Trump had leaked them himself.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that when he claimed the Obama administration had 'wiretapped' him during the 2016 presidential campaign, he was basing his conclusions on news reports.

But he promised that Americans will soon see 'some very interesting items' that could shed light on his still-unsubstantiated claim that former President Barack Obama 'wiretapped' his phones.

Trump dangled the possibility during an interview with Fox News Channel host Tucker Carlson in Michigan, even as top congressional leaders of the Intelligence committees said they have seen no evidence to support the president's March 4 claims.

'"Wiretap" covers a lot of different things,' Trump cautioned Carlson, suggesting that he might turn up evidence of other kinds of surveillance.

Asked how he concluded he was being snooped on, Trump cited a January 20 New York Times article 'where they were talking about wiretapping. There was an article, I think they used that exact term.'

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'Wiretap covers a lot of different things,' Trump said, promising 'interesting items' when asked by Tucker Carlson about his claim that President Obama had Trump Tower wiretapped

Motoring: The president was interviewed by Tucker Carlson for Fox News in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. where he was promoting the auto industry

'I read other things,' he told Carlson. 'I watched your friend Bret Baier the day previous where he was talking about certain very complex sets of things happening, and wiretapping.'

'I said, "Wait a minute, there's a lot of wiretapping being talked about",' Trump recalled. 'I've been seeing a lot of things.'

Trump's comments fit with a statement from White House press secretary Sean Spicer on Tuesday, suggesting that Trump will ultimately be proven correct.

'There is significant reporting about surveillance techniques that have existed throughout the 2016 election. ... I think he feels very confident that what will ultimately come of this will vindicate him,' Spicer told reporters.

The president said Wednesday that his administration 'will be submitting certain things' to congressional committees that are investigating his claim that the Obama administration conducted top-secret surveillance on him.

'And I will be perhaps speaking about this next week.'

Trump has scheduled a campaign-style rally Monday night in Kentucky.

Foxed: Tucker Carlson (third from right) tweeted this picture showing him in the presidential office on board Air Force One en route to Detroit where he interviewed the President

Comey on the hill: The FBI chief gave a closed-door briefing to lawmakers but is facing a public grilling on Monday

Carlson challenged Trump, asking him why he wouldn't wait to tweet about a serious charge until he had evidence to support his statements.

'I think that frankly we have a lot right now,' Trump replied.

He added: 'I think you're going to find some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks.'

The leading Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that they have seen no evidence to support President Donald Trump's March 4 claim that the Obama administration had tapped his phones at Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.

'To date I've seen no evidence that supports the claim that President Trump made,' said Rep. Adam Schiff, the Democrats' ranking committee member.

The most powerful Republican and Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that they have seen no evidence that Trump Tower was bugged of phone-tapped during the 2016 election season

'Thus far we have seen no basis for that whatsoever,' he told reporters alongside fellow Californian Devin Nunes, the committee's Republican chairman.

Nunes added: 'We don't have any evidence that that took place.'

Former President Barack Obama is said to have 'rolled his eyes' when he first heard news of Trump's allegations.

Schiff said Wednesday that he and Nunes have given the Justice Department until next Monday to answer written questions about whether it had applied for warrants to surveil Trump and his associates.

Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff (left) and Republican Rep. Devin Nunes (right), both of California, told reporters that they're willing to subpoena the FBI for evidence that it had applied for surveillance warrants while Barack Obama was president  unless it declares that it never did

President Trump claimed March 4 on Twitter that Obama had 'tapped' his phones, but the White House later said he was referring generally to surveillance of a kind it hasn't identified

'We're both willing to use compulsory process if that's necessary,' he said, referring to the subpoena power granted to Congress, 'though neither of us, I think, believe that will be necessary.'

Previous attorneys general have ignored congressional subpoenas, including Obama's DOJ chief Eric Holder  who was later held in criminal contempt of Congress for it.

FBI Director James Comey will be grilled next Monday in an Intelligence Committee hearing, the majority of which Nunes and Schiff expect they will be able to conduct in public.

Now out of office, Barack Obama reportedly 'rolled his eyes' when he heard that Trump had accused him of snooping on him during an election year

'It deeply concerns me that the president would make such an accusation without basis,' Schiff said.

Nunes hinted that the Intelligence Committee could have problems establishing that because the Office of the Director of National Intelligence was reluctant to let Congress have access to its high-tech materials that could establish Trump was right.

He said it wasn't clear 'whether or not they are going to let us have the proper computer technology that we need to go through the evidence that exists out at the CIA, out at Langley, and we are trying to work through that.'

'I can tell you it has become a little bit of a stumbling block for our investigators to actually be able to compile and cull through the information.'

But Nunes said that while Trump claimed Obama personally engaged in secret surveillance, Americans would have to decide whether to season his tweets with a grain of salt.

'President Obama wouldn't physically go over and wiretap Trump Tower, so now you have to decide ... are you going to take the tweets literally, and if you are, then clearly the president was wrong,' he told reporters.

'If you're not going to take the tweets literally and there's a concern that the president has about other people, other surveillance activities looking at him or his associates either appropriately or inappropriately, we want to find that out. I think it's all in the interpretation of what you believe.'

The president send a barrage of tweets on March 4 claiming that Obama 'tapped' his phones

Senator Lindsey Graham is giving FBI Director James Comey until this afternoon to provide proof of a warrant for the alleged surveillance of Donald Trump or say once and for all that one doesn't exist

On the other side of the Capitol, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham gave Comey until a hearing this afternoon to provide proof that the DOJ obtained a warrant for the alleged Trump surveillance or declare once and for all none exists.

The FBI told his staff minutes before testimony was due to begin that it would respond to a March 8 letter Graham and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse sent asking for information about warrants that may have been requested against Trump in a 'classified briefing.'

'Apparently the FBI has contacted my staff [and said] that they will be at some date in the future providing us an answer to this in a classified manner,' Graham stated.

Whitehouse scolded the FBI for refusing to make a public promise that it will 'get to the bottom of this.'

Using a baseball metaphor, he said, 'That is a recipe for having the ball drop between the second baseman and the short stop.

'We are entitled to investigate under the constitution. They have executive responsibilities. And if we are only connecting with one another in a classified fashion, I don't think that serves the public interest.'

This FBI's response to Graham came after he levied threats at the law enforcement agency on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

Trump Tower was candidate Trump's nerve center during his run for the White House, and the site of what the now-president says was government snooping as he campaigned

'Congress is going to flex its muscle here,' the Republican lawmaker warned Comey in a Wednesday morning appearance on the 'Today' show.

If the FBI official continues to dodge, Graham said he will issue his own subpoena for the information and hold up the nomination of the deputy attorney general until he gets what he wants.

'We'll issue a subpoena to get the information,' he said on Today. 'We'll hold up the deputy attorney general nomination until Congress is provided with information to finally clear the air as to whether or not there was ever a warrant issued against the Trump campaign.'

The Justice Department could not have legally surveilled Trump without a court-ordered warrant, Graham argued, and so far, he's seen no evidence that one was ever issued.

'I have no evidence of it. I'm suspicious of it, but now getting concerned because it's taking so long to answer my letter,' Graham said.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer declined to comment on the dispute during a question and answer session with reporters traveling on Air Force One later in the day.

'I'm not going to interfere with those discussions,' he said. 'I dont want to get into the middle of Congress and their requests, so I'll leave that up to director Comey, and to [Congress].

Graham and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse asked Comey (pictured) two weeks ago, on March 2, to say whether Trump, his campaign or any of his associates were part of an 'active criminal investigation'

The FBI director told Whitehouse (left) and Graham (right) that he'd have an answer for them by today

House and Senate committees were already investigating Russian meddling in the November election, before Trump claimed in a series of March 4 tweets that Barack Obama had his phones tapped.

The White House requested that the Republican-run panels look into the charge as part of their investigations, and they obliged.

Now, they are accusing the FBI of stonewalling them, as the agency has not met two separate deadlines to prove or rebuff Trump's charge.

Graham said it would be 'explosive' if DOJ is able to show that it had probable cause to investigate Trump or any of his campaign operatives for colluding with the Russians.

'If there was a warrant, that would be big news. I don't think there's a warrant, but I wish they'd tell me one way or another.'




Colin Anson, 94, and his wife Alice, 91 (pictured) died following a suicide pact which they made years earlier

An elderly couple who fled the Nazis separately and fell in love before fighting for Britain in the Second World War died following a suicide pact which they made years earlier, an inquest has heard.

Colin Anson, 94, and his 91-year-old wife Alice died of pneumonia in hospital after taking tablets which they had been 'gifted' by a doctor's widow.

The devoted pair met as teenagers after fleeing from their native Nazi-occupied countries and had gone on to fight against the Germans after becoming British citizens.

But the couple always feared that they would become a burden on their family as they grew older and vowed they would end their lives together.

Today, at an inquest into their deaths, a coroner heard how Mr and Mrs Anson were forced to call an ambulance from their home in Watford after their overdose attempt failed.

They had left their family a note reading: 'We've had a long and happy life, what more could one expect?'

The pair - who had made no secret of the fact they wished to end their lives and even told neighbours about their funerals - died of pneumonia in hospital, 11 days apart.

In his conclusions, Hertfordshire Coroner Geoffrey Sullivan, said: 'A very full life was lived by both and, from information taken from the family, I heard they were very keen to preserve their independence and felt strongly when their health deteriorated sufficiently they would take their lives into their own hands.

'I've heard the background to their full and eventful lives and their wish to bring them to an end when they deteriorated and how they voluntarily did it together.'

The inquest heard how Mr Anson was born as Claus Leopold Octavio Ascher in Berlin, but escaped the country in the 1930s on the Kindertransport to Britain.

His father had been a political opponent to Adolf Hitler during his rise to power and died in the Dachau concentration camp.

Mr Anson then followed in his father's footsteps and fought against the Nazis when he joined the Royal Marine Commandos, having trained at Achnacarry in the Scottish Highlands.

Mrs Anson, whose parents were Jewish, was just 14 when she fled to Britain on the Kindertransport.

Born Alice Gross in Vienna, the teenager was was able to escape the Nazi regime in 1938 - thanks to her grandfathers business contacts in Europe - and made her way to England.

Mr Anson (left as a youngster and right before he died) was born as Claus Leopold Octavio Ascher in Berlin, but escaped Germany in the 1930s on the Kindertransport to Britain

In 1949, she met her future husband in a cafe in London, where he was having tea with his mother.

She became a volunteer in the UK and was heavily involved with Woman's Aid which she continued to support into her 90s.

She also worked as a WAAF photographer and helped to pinpoint launch sites of Hitler's V1 flying bombs.

After the war, Mr Anson eventually became a warehouse manager and the couple had a family together.

The hearing was told how, in June last year, the pair took tablets which had been given to them by a friend who died three years previously.

Mr Anson is pictured with his mother. He was drinking tea with her in a London cafe when he met his future wife

In a note to their family, the Ansons said the doctor's widow knew the couple 'would not misuse them', the hearing heard.

They added that they did not want to 'hang around suffering and bothering the family we love'.

The hearing was told how, when it appeared the suicide attempt had failed, Mrs Anson phoned an ambulance and said they needed help.

Detective Sergeant Ian Siggery told Hatfield Coroner's court: 'She reported her and her husband had a joint suicide attempt and needed assistance.

'Paramedics found the front door closed but unlocked. They tended to both patients, and also contacted Hertfordshire constabulary.'

The couple were rushed to Watford General Hospital in separate ambulances where medics started treatment to counteract the effects of the painkillers.

However, the tablets caused respiratory difficulties which increased their risk of pneumonia.

The modest home in Watford, Herts where the Ansons lived - and decided to end their lives together

Post mortem examinations found both Mr and Mrs Anson died as a result of pneumonia caused by an overdose.

The couple died 11 days apart - Mrs Anson on June 16 and Mr Anson on June 27.

Mr Siggery told the inquest police did not suspect they were coerced into their deaths and he felt they decided to do it together.

'They were described as having a very happy, close marriage and enjoyed their quality of life,' he said.

'They made no secret of the fact if they were unable to support themselves they would take their lives into their own hands.

'It was clear they were very proud people and have a very loving family with children and grandchildren. They paid for their own funerals in their advance and made no secret of it, even telling neighbours.'

The officer took an unusual step for an inquest and went into some of the couple's history to illustrate the vibrant lives they had lived.

'They both fled Nazi occupation in the late 30s via the Kindertransport and it transpired Colin's father had been one of Hitler's political opponents during the 1930s,' he said.

'He changed his name to Colin Anson and then joined the British Army.

'He became one of a few of a dozen Germans who joined the British Marine Commandos and was very active in World War Two.

'He took part in invasions of Italy, Sicily and the Greek islands and was quite severely injured at one point.'

The coroner recorder a conclusion of suicide for both Ansons and gave their causes of deaths as pneumonia brought about by an overdose.

The couple left behind their children, Barbara, Diana and Edward, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
A pregnant aspiring model was killed by a freight train after she became stuck between two railroad tracks while posing for a photo shoot.

Fredzania Thompson, 19, died on Friday afternoon after being struck near the intersection of Hollister and Lee Street in downtown Navasota, police said.

The teen had been standing between two sets of tracks when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) train approached and she moved out of the way onto another track.

Train track tragedy: Fredzani 'Zanie' Thompson, 19, died on Friday afternoon after being struck near the intersection of Johnson Street and Railroad Street in downtown Navasota (pictured before her death)

Aspiring model: The 19-year-old was a student at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas, but she wanted to put her education on hold to pursue a modeling career

Thompson was struck near the intersection of Hollister and Lee Street in downtown Navasota

Thompson was not aware there was a Union Pacific train approaching in the opposite direction and ended up stuck. The photographer was not hurt in the accident.

Union Pacific spokesman Jeff De Graff, told the Navasota Examiner that the train crew had alerted them with the horn as they approached them and began the emergency stop process.

'Basically, you have two railroad tracks there, one is Burlington Northern to the west and one is Union Pacific to the east, and she was in between the two tracks,' Navasota Assistant City Manager Shawn Myatt said.

The young aspiring model was engaged to her boyfriend and had recently found out she was expecting a child with her fiance

'Burlington Northern had a train on their track coming and she turned back to the east to walk across the Union Pacific track and walked right in front of the Union Pacific train that was heading south.'

The incident occurred before 1pm and she was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Authorities stopped traffic in Navasota for five hours following the accident as they conducted an investigation.

Long live Zanie: Friends and family gathered at the site of the accident on Monday, when Zanie would have turned 20, to pay tribute to the young woman

The Navasota native was engaged to 25-year-old boyfriend, Darnell Chatman and the couple recently found out they were expecting a child

The Union Pacific train had been traveling from Oklahoma to Beaumont and had 101 cars carrying grain. The speed of the train on impact is unknown, but officials said a train traveling 50mph would need over a mile to come to a full stop, the Examiner reported.

Thompson's mother, Hakamie Stevenson told The Eagle newspaper that Fredzania, who went by 'Zanie', was a student at Blinn College in Bryan, but wanted to put her education on hold to pursue modeling.

Zanie, who would have turned 20 on Monday, was a 2015 graduate of Navasota High School where she had scholarships for being a star volleyball player.

Stevenson said her daughter was known as a role model and a leader to her younger siblings and her friends knew her as a hair and makeup wiz.

Thompson was also engaged to her 25-year-old boyfriend, Darnell Chatman.

Chatman said the couple had just recently found out they were expecting a child together and was four weeks pregnant at the time of the tragedy.

On Monday friends, family, and other mourners gathered at the site of the accident to pay their tributes to the teen on her birthday.

Loved ones also took to Facebook to share heartbreaking posts in memory of the teen.

'Happy Birthday BabyGirl. We gonna miss you Zanie, just watch over us, I love you cousin,' one person wrote.

A GoFundMe page has also been launched to raise money for her funeral.

The funeral will be held in Brosig Auditorium in Navasota on Saturday at 11am. A graveside service will take place at Oakland Cemetery.
A digger driver had to be dramatically rescued from his machine after it overturned while he was working in a river.

Yilmaz Arican was dredging the Melen River in northwestern Turkey's Duzce Province when his digger suddenly started to overbalance.

As it fell sideways, Mr Arican managed to clamber out of the cab and ended up standing on the side of the huge vehicle, shouting for help.

Yilmaz Arican had to be dramatically rescued from the Melen River, in northwestern Turkey's Duzce Province

But the digger then started to slide into a deeper part of the river, forcing Mr Arican to climb onto the side of its caterpillar tracks to stay out of the water.

And eventually it turned completely upside down, leaving the poor driver to desperately scramble onto the upturned bottom of the tracks.

He eventually made it to dry land with the help of some pallets that were floated out onto the river by eyewitnesses.

He was in the middle of a dredging operation digger suddenly started to overbalance in the water

As it fell sideways, Mr Arican managed to clamber out of the cab and ended up standing on the side of the huge vehicle, shouting for help

The dramatic incident was captured by one witness with a smartphone and the footage is proving popular online after being uploaded to social media and video-sharing websites.

The Mayor of Akcakoca, Cuneyt Yeneci, said: "We dodged an accident, luckily nobody was hurt. We will now have to remove the digger from the river."

The accident happened during a dredging operation to make an five-mile stretch of the Melen more attractive to tourists who visit the area for activities such as caneoing.

But the digger then started to slide into a deeper part of the river, forcing Mr Arican to climb onto the side of its caterpillar tracks to stay out of the water

The Melen River is one of Turkey's main rivers and it supplies the country's biggest city of Istanbul with its water.

Akcakoca, which lies on Turkey's Black Sea coast between Istanbul and the capital city of Ankara, is named after a 14th century Turkish chieftain who captured the area for the Ottoman Empire.
The fiance of a woman killed when an illegal immigrant crashed into her in a drunken smash, has spoken out.

Sandra Duran was returning home from church in LA last month when Estuardo Alvarado - who has been deported from the US five times - crashed into her at an intersection, according to police.

The 42-year-old mother-of-two died at the scene.

'Our system failed us,' Duran's fiance, Rodrigo Macias, told 'Fox & Friends' on Wednesday.

Sandra Duran (left) was killed in a crash with drunk driver and illegal immigrant Estuardo Alvarado in Los Angeles last month. Her fiance Rodrigo Macias (right) insists the 'system failed'

Sandra Duran was returning home from church in LA last month when Estuardo Alvarado - who has been deported from the US five times - crashed into her at an intersection, according to police

'Pertaining to these illegal immigrants, criminal illegal immigrants that are being harbored here because of [elected officials]. Because our city's almost a sanctuary city.'

The couple, who have two children together, were due to be married this summer.

Instead, Marcias says his life was 'broken forever' in the horrific crash.

Alvarado, an illegal Mexican immigrant with a long rap sheet, was arrested after slamming his car into the back of Duran's vehicle in North Hills, Los Angeles on February 19 after fleeing another crash he had just been involved in.

He has been charged with five felony counts over the accident, including murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Alvarado, an illegal Mexican immigrant with a long rap sheet, was arrested after slamming his car into the back of Duran's vehicle in North Hills, Los Angeles on February 19 (pictured is the scene)

The family of Sandra Dunn say their lives have been 'broken' by her loss (pictured is her funeral)

He had been on the radar of immigration officers since at least 1998 when he was first deported, the LA Daily News reports. Alvarado has been charged with more than 20 felonies and misdemeanors since he was first deported from the U.S. almost 20 years ago, according to court records.

Some of the charges include being a felon in possession of a weapon, possession of marijuana for sale and DUI.

He has been convicted or pleaded guilty to several charges before, including DUI and a misdemeanor hit-and-run. It isn't clear how long he has spent in prison previously.

Macias has since become a fierce opponent of 'sanctuary cities' which direct city employees not to notify the federal government about the immigration status of suspects.

LA is one of the most immigrant-friendly cities in the US with 1 million undocumented residents.

'People watching that are for sanctuary cities need to pay attention what is going on in these cities,' he said. 'I mean, we have these criminals that are roaming around the cities, and us not being protected as American citizens.'

While Macias was quick to attack the country's immigration stance, Duran's devastated parents did not want their daughter's death be used as a political weapon against the millions of immigrants in the country illegally who have not committed any crime.

The couple, who have two children together (pictured with Duran) were due to be married this summer

Sandra Duran (pictured on right with her sister) was a 42-year-old mother. She died at the scene of the crash in Los Angeles of blunt force trauma

'It's ruined our life. This person had DUIs and deportations,' Santos Duran, her father, told the LA Times. 'But whatever I say now isn't going to bring my daughter back. I worry, I worry about the people that are here already and settled here already and have families already and have their kids in school. I worry for those people.'

Her mother Carmen Duran added that the issue 'doesn't have to be about immigration'.

'There are people who are from here and they go out and kill other people, too. It's not only people from Mexico or anything like that. It just happened to be that he's from Mexico.'

ICE is now planning to take action against Alvarado, who is currently being held in the Men's Central Jail on $2.23 million bail in relation to the crash.

He is accused of driving his 1999 Dodge Durango on a rain-stricken road on February 19 when he tried to overtake other cars and struck a vehicle parked near the curb.

Alvarado allegedly hit Duran's Toyota Camry as he tried to flee the initial crash. Duran's oldest son was in the car at the time but survived.
Authorities in Tennessee and Alabama are on the hunt for a missing 15-year-old girl who is believed to be with her high school teacher who is said to be armed.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued the statewide Amber Alert on Tuesday asking residents to be on the lookout for Mary Catherine 'Elizabeth Thomas, who vanished from her home in Columbia on Monday.

Investigators believe the teenager is traveling with 50-year-old Tad Cummins and could be in the area of Decatur, Alabama.

Urgent search: Authorities in Tennessee and Alabama are searching for missing 15-year-old Mary Catherine 'Elizabeth Thomas (left) and her teacher, 50-year-old Tad Cummins (right)

Cummins is said to be armed with two handguns and driving a silver Nissan Rogue, similar to the one pictured above

Clue: Tad Cummins' vehicle has Tennessee plates 976ZPT

On Tuesday evening, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency also issued a child abducted emergency Amber Alert in connection to Thomas' disappearance.

According to the TBI, Cummins, who is a former health science teacher at Culleoka Unit School, is carrying two handguns and is driving a silver Nissan Rogue with Tennessee plates 976ZPT.

Video courtesy of WATE

Police say the 50-year-old man is wanted on a charge of sexual contact with a minor.

A Maury County Public Schools spokesperson said Cummins was suspended last month from teaching and was fired on Tuesday.

According to reporting by the Columbia Daily Herald, Cummins, who had been at Culleoka for a decade, was removed from the classroom in February after a student caught him and Elizabeth Thomas kissing.

Thomas, who is a freshman at Culleoka, allegedly met Cummins through the local chapter of HOSA, an international student organization that promotes career opportunities in the health care industry.

Forbidden relationship: Cummins (left), a health science teacher at Culleoka Unit School, had been suspended in February after he and Thomas (right), who is a freshman, allegedly had been caught kissing

Thomas (pictured above with students) met Cummins through the local chapter of HOSA, a student organization that promotes careers in the health care industry

The TBI said in a press release Wednesday that since issuing the Amber Alert at 6pm Central Time the night before, the agency has received about 80 leads, but none has produced any credible information.

Thomas was last seen at 8am on Monday at Shoney's, a casual eatery in Columbia, Tennessee, after being dropped off there by a friend. Her parents reported her missing later in the day.

Investigators can place Thomas in Decatur, Alabama, at 3.06pm. Since then, efforts to track down the runaways have proven unsuccessful.

The teenager is described as being 5-foot-5, weighing 120lbs, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.

On his Twitter account Cummins (left) describes himself as a 'Jesus freak,' husband, father and grandfather. Thomas was last seen at a Columbia, Tennessee, eatery Monday morning

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert for Thomas on Tuesday, followed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

Cummins is described as 6 feet tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and weighing 200lbs.

On his Twitter account, Cummins describes himself, in part, as a 'Jesus freak,' husband, father and grandfather.

Anyone with information on the pairs whereabouts is being asked to call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND, or the Maury County, Tennessee, sheriff at 931-375-8654.
The Queen is making a personal donation towards helping the millions of people who face starvation in East Africa

The Queen is making a personal donation towards helping the millions of people who face starvation in East Africa.

The announcement comes after Boris Johnson paid a surprise visit to Somalia and as Sir Mo Farah backed a charity appeal for the cause.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'I can confirm that Her Majesty is making a personal donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee's East Africa Crisis Appeal.'

The Queen has made similar donations to charities, including the earthquake appeals in Italy and Nepal, over the last few years.

She effectively became Queen in Kenya in 1952, as George VI passed away while she was on holiday in the African country. And in 1965, she made state visits to Ethiopia and Sudan.

Britain has pledged to match public donations up to 5million for the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) East Africa Crisis Appeal, which seeks to help more than 16 million people 'on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment'.

Videos will air on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky in an appeal to get the British public to donate money to help those trapped in the crisis, caused by droughts and conflict.

Sir Mo, who spent his early childhood in some of the worst affected areas of Somalia, said he was 'completely devastated', urging people to 'act now'.

Money raised by the DEC appeal will help those affected in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, with the Government pledging to match public donations pound for pound, up to 5m.

Between the four countries, around 800,000 children aged between six months and five years need life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition, said the DEC.

While in Somalia, the Foreign Secretary met President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, who was elected last month.

Between the four countries, around 800,000 children aged between six months and five years need life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition, said the DEC

He also saw demonstrations of the training the British Military is providing to Somali National Army (SNA) and African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) forces.

The training will help Somali forces combat terrorism and take responsibility for the security of their country.

Speaking after the trip, Mr Johnson said he was 'delighted' to meet the country's president, and prime minister Hassan Ali Khayre.

Boris Johnson paid a surprise visit to Somalia and as Sir Mo Farah backed a charity appeal for the cause

He added: 'I heard about their plans and priorities and we discussed how we can work together to improve security and deliver the economic development that Somalia needs to improve the lives of all its people.

'I was particularly impressed by the demonstrations of the practical help that the UK is delivering on the ground, from our military providing essential training for Somali armed forces to the live-saving humanitarian support from UK Aid. All of this is vital if Somalia is going to move forward to achieve long-term stability and prosperity.

Mr Johnson will next be visiting Uganda, Ethiopia and Kenya.

He will discuss regional security, prosperity and the London Somalia Conference on May 11 2017 and the Commonwealth Summit in April 2018.
A video released by the police in Arizona has captured the moment a cop shot a pit bull as it charged towards him.

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office allowed bodycam footage to be released which shows a deputy sergeant shooting a dog as it made a run for him.

It happened on Sunday afternoon when two deputies, Sgt. Daniel McPheeters and Deputy Fernando DeLaTorre, responded to a call.

As McPheeters checked out the grounds of the home, the dog charged at him at which point the officer pulled out his gun and fired.

Sgt. Daniel McPheeters and Deputy Fernando DeLaTorre approached the yard of a home in Wittmann, about 30 miles northwest of Phoenix

Within the blink of an eye, the pit bull darted out from behind a screen and chased the officer

Incredibly, the dog was not killed but is now recovering with its owner.

The Sheriff's Office said the video, which was recorded on DeLaTorre's body camera, showed the deputies approaching the home when they encountered what officials describe as 'an aggressive pit bull.'

The video shows McPheeters backing away from the dog, which then charges after him.

As McPheeters backs away he falls to the ground, he fires at the dog, which can be seen laying still.

As McPheeters backed away from the dog he tripped and fell, shooting the animal

McPheeters' partner, DeLaTorre also drew his gun and prepared to fire at the dog, but by that time the drama was effectively over

The incident happened in the town of Wittmann, just off U.S. 60, about 30 miles northwest of Phoenix.

Deputies were called to the property because they received a tip off that there could be criminal activity, however there was none.

MCSO supervisors have since reviewed body-cam video of the incident and concluded it supported the use of force.
Reports of sexual assault increased at two of the three military academies last year, with an anonymous survey suggesting sexual misconduct increased at all three.

Assault reports rose at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, while the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado saw a sharp decline from 49 in 2015 to 32 in 2016.

While Pentagon and military officials saw the latest figures as a sign that students were more comfortable coming forward, a survey revealed 12 percent of women experienced sexual misconduct, compared to just eight percent two years ago.

The new data underscore the challenge in stemming sexual assault at military colleges, despite a slew of programs designed to prevent assaults and help support victims.

The difficulties in some ways mirror those the larger military is struggling with amid revelations about Marines and other service members sharing nude photos on websites.

Assault reports rose at the U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Military Academy while the U.S. Air Force Academy saw a sharp decline from 49 in 2015 to 32 in 2016

The sharp decline in reports of sexual assault at the Air Force Academy contributed to a decrease in the total number of reported assaults at the three academies.

The total reported cases fell to 86 in 2016 from 91 in 2015, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

Pentagon and military officials believe more people are reporting sexual assaults, which they see as a positive trend because it suggests students have more confidence in the system and greater willingness to seek help.

But the anonymous survey results suggest more assaults are occurring.

More than 12 percent of women and nearly two percent of men said they experienced unwanted sexual contact, compared to eight percent of women and one percent of men two years ago.

The largest increases in sexual misconduct were reported at the Navy and Army academies.

A vast majority of students said they didn't file a report of their assault because they didn't consider it serious enough. Many women said they took steps to avoid the perpetrator, while more than a third of the men said they confronted the person.

Nate Galbreath, deputy director of the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention office, acknowledged the difficulties in stemming sexual assault at military colleges

Senior defense officials expressed disappointment at the figures and said they were particularly concerned that more men and women said they experienced unwanted sexual contact.

'This is almost a new population of folks every four years and that makes it a little bit more difficult for the messages to build up and gather momentum,' said Nate Galbreath, deputy director of the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention office.

Officials struggled to identify a reason. They said some blame may fall on student leaders and how much they are willing to emphasize and enforce sexual assault prevention programs among peers.

'Unless the students have a bit of accountability on their own, unless they take the charge themselves, (senior) leadership can really only take them so far,' said Elizabeth Van Winkle, who is currently the assistant defense secretary for readiness.

'If the students aren't taking the charge themselves, you won't make as much headway in this population.'

Galbreath, on the other hand, said sexual assault prevention instruction may be getting lost amid the many messages about social behavior, including not drinking and driving, or texting and driving.

The Pentagon, he said, is encouraging the academies to increase the amount of time they spend talking about how future leaders must foster a climate of dignity and respect.

He said students should know that enforcing good conduct is something they will need to do as officers when they graduate and lead troops in combat.

An anonymous survey revealed an increase in sexual misconduct, with more than 12 percent of women and nearly two percent of men saying they had been victims (pictured, West Point)

In recent months, military leaders have met to try and find what Galbreath called the 'holy grail of prevention.'

One example, he said, would involving talking more to the students about when and how to intervene when they see a bad situation developing. Such scenarios include when they are in a bar drinking or in a workplace in which a boss is the problem.

'What we want those folks to do at the academies is to find those things that seem to really be hallmark situations and help people be better scouts and identify those precursors earlier and also give them a wider range of things that they might be able to do to intervene,' Galbreath said.

Elizabeth Van Winkle blamed the student body, saying they had to take charge of the situation themselves

Galbreath and Van Winkle said drinking remains a major concern, factoring in about 60 percent of incidents women cite and nearly half of those men cite.

They said the academies have been putting alcohol programs in place, including some that require students to take a class before turning 21.

Sexual harassment reports filed by students dropped at all three academies, with the total falling from 28 in 2015 to 10 in 2016.

The anonymous survey, however, showed roughly half of the women and slightly more than 10 percent of men saying they were sexually harassed. The figures remained largely the same as those cited in the previous survey two years ago.
Bethany Smith's mother, Sarah, posted this image on her Facebook page of her daughter working on a boat

An 18-year-old British girl has fallen to her death while cleaning a yacht in a marina in Jamaica.

Bethany Smith had been working on the yacht, the Germania Nova, for a year and had climbed up a mast to clean it while it was docked at the Errol Flynn marina in Port Antonio on the Caribbean island's north-east coast.

The ropes holding her in position somehow came undone and she fell onto the deck of the yacht yesterday afternoon.

She was pronounced dead at the nearby Port Antonio Hospital.

Deputy Superintendent Rex Swearing said yesterday: 'At this time, we are still carrying out investigations and a female had an accident on the foreign-registered vessel and was taken to the Port Antonio Hospital, where she died while undergoing treatment.

'We cannot disclose the nature of the accident and the name of the individual and vessel.'

But the Jamaica Observer identified her as Bethany Smith and said she was cleaning the mast of the vessel and suffered multiple injuries.

Bethany, who was from Glyn-Dyfrdwy, Denbighshire in north Wales, is understood to have been working on the boat for several months.

Her mother, Sarah Smith, posted a picture on her Facebook page of Bethany working on a boat and a friend, Helen Welsh, wrote underneath: 'Bethany doing what she loved the best.'

She left behind her mother, who is in Trinidad, her father David - who works in Holland - and brother Bryn.

Lived life to the full: Photographs of Bethany Smith on her Facebook page show her smiling

A gofundme website, set up to help the family bear the costs incurred with her death said: 'Bethany will be remembered for being a generous person and "a ray of sunshine" who brought laughter and music into the lives of those she met.'

Niall Robinson, a partner with yacht management company Hill Robinson, said: 'We are desperately sad to confirm that a tragic accident has occurred on Germania Nova leading to the fatality of a crew member.

'The crew members next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family, friends and fellow crew members at this very difficult time.

'Hill Robinson and the owners are doing everything possible to support the family and friends and of course an immediate investigation is already underway.'

On Christmas Day Bethany (pictured) dressed up in a tiger outfit on the Germania Nova, the boat on which she died

The company added: 'We request the courtesy of privacy for the family and all those affected. No further statements will be issued until the results of the investigation are known.'

The Germania Nova is believed to have had German owners, based in the Baltic port of Peenemunde, and was chartered out to companies and individuals.

Built in Spain in 2011, the boat has a normal crew of 12.

Bethany was brought up in a family keen on sailing. They did humanitarian work in Gambia and Bethany had helped with relief efforts on the Caribbean Island of Dominica.
A cruel couple were jailed after being caught in RSPCA sting selling dying puppies to unsuspecting buyers.

Anthony and Lucy O'Donnell were caught after 12 people who bought puppies from them contacted the animal charity. Ten of the dogs later died.

The couple from Sidcup, south east London, have now been jailed for a number of fraud and animal welfare offences.

Anthony and Lucy O'Donnell (pictured) were caught after 12 people who bought puppies from them contacted the RSPCA. Ten of the dogs later died

Daisy (pictured) a Jack Russell and chihuahua cross, was sold online by the couple for 250

The little puppy was 'riddled with worms' and, despite her new owner paying 1,000 in vet bills, she died a week after they bought her home

At Inner London Crown Court today, Lucy O'Donnell, 30, was sentenced to two years and disqualified from keeping animals for a decade, while her husband, 30, was given a five-month jail term and also disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Anita Jaikaran, from Brixton, was one of the dog owners duped into buying an unwell puppy from the breeders. She arrived at a home in Sidcup after replying to a Gumtree advert Lucy O'Donnell had set up under a fake name.

She said she knew something was wrong as soon as she saw the sick dog.

'When we arrived outside the house, it had no signs of being inhabited,' she said.

'I was immediately wary of what was taking place. The house was freezing cold, not lived in and there was a locked room with several dogs barking.

'When she brought Marley out he was tiny, soaking wet with urine, smelled terrible and he was gnawing at my fingers, which I later realised was because he was starving. Despite this, I immediately fell in love with his sweet little face.

'I realised what was going on so we decided to leave but there was just no way I was leaving this tiny puppy, so we paid her, took our puppy and left.'

Anita Jaikaran bought spaniel Marley (pictured) from the couple. When she arrived to pick him up he was 'tiny, soaking wet with urine, smelled terrible and starving'. She new he was ill but did not want to leave him with the breeders and took him home

After several sleepless nights and 1,500 in vet bills Marley (pictured with his owner) managed to survive his illnesses

Ms Jaikaran later called the RSPCA to report the puppy farm. After several sleepless nights and 1,500 in vet bills, Marley managed to survive his illnesses.

In the run up to Christmas another buyer, who did not want to be named, purchased Daisy, a Jack Russell and chihuahua cross, from the O'Donnells' for 250.

The little puppy was 'riddled with worms' and, despite her new owner paying 1,000 in vet bills, she died a week after they bought her home

In December 2015 RSPCA inspectors, led by Carroll Lamport, started an investigation into the dealers.

Lucy O'Donnell (pictured left and right) was jailed for two years and disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years, while husband Anthony, 30, was given a five-month jail term and also disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years

Ms Lamport said: 'Twelve people who had bought puppies from the same address got in touch with us to report concerns around the sellers after their dogs fell ill soon after coming home. Sadly, of those 12 pups, all but two died.

'We launched an investigation which involved gathering evidence from the owners and their vets, as well as sending two undercover officers along to the property to buy a puppy.

'The officers - posing as a couple buying the pup as a birthday present - met a woman, now known to be Lucy O'Donnell, at the side of the road and after a few minutes of questions, handed over cash and walked away with the tiny puppy.

'Luckily for him, he was taken straight into the care of one of our centres and, later named Branston, was rehomed and is now living a wonderful life with a loving family.'

Shih tzu-cross pup Stewie (right) was the puppy sold to the undercover RSPCA officers

Just a few weeks after the test purchase, in January 2016, the RSPCA and police raid the address and discovered about 50 dogs and puppies at the property.

Ms Lamport added: 'While there were a large number of dogs at the property, there was no evidence of anything illegal regarding those dogs so none were seized from the address on the day.

'However, due to the evidence from the buyers of the puppies and their vets, we were able to proceed with our investigations in relation to the puppies that the O'Donnells had sold in the run-up to Christmas.

Stewie was taken straight to a nearby vet for a check-up before going into care with the charity where he was soon adopted

'It's heartbreaking to think that this couple put money and profits ahead of the welfare of these poor pups and, as a result of failing to establish a disease control programme and failing to provide appropriate treatment for illness, 11 puppies lost their lives.'

At a previous hearing, the couple pleaded guilty to a number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to dogs and for failing to meet the needs of 11 puppies.

Lucy O'Donnell also admitted one offence of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.
Karen Matthews is trying to get her life back on track - by bulk-buying scratchcards with her state handouts.

The disgraced mother of seven, who was jailed for kidnapping her nine-year-old daughter Shannon, gambles her money away on National Lottery tickets.

And the habit is completely funded by the taxpayer, giving the fact that she doesn't have a job and relies on benefits.

The 41-year-old has dyed her ginger hair black and is using the name 'Kate' while living in an undisclosed location in the south of England.

Karen Matthews is trying to get her life back on track - by bulk-buying scratchcards with her state handouts

The disgraced mother of seven, who was jailed for kidnapping her nine-year-old daughter Shannon, gambles her money away on National Lottery tickets

A source told The Sun: 'She's hooked on scratchcards but has never won more than a tenner  and the winnings just go on more scratchcards.

'She says a big win is the best way of getting out of the "hell" of her life and being able to disappear.

'She wants to go live in Spain but needs to get some money together to make it out there. She says she'll never feel comfortable in the UK as long as she lives because she can't avoid her crime.'

Matthews, who is apparently teetotal, regularly meets a support group of religious volunteers in a cafe where she receives encouragement and advice.

She was reportedly attacked in recent weeks at a fish and chip shop by someone who recognised her and threw a plate of mushy peas over her head.

Matthews is said to fear for her life and often covers her face with a scarf when walking in the street.

The 41-year-old has dyed her ginger hair black and is using the name 'Kate' while living in an undisclosed location in the south of England

She has reportedly given up drinking and began volunteering in the charity shop after finding it impossible to find a job due to her notoriety.

She has claimed that she is struggling to survive on benefits of just 25 a week, and prays every day in order to find the strength to carry on.

Her new name, Kate, is thought to be inspired by one of her Hollywood idols.

The renewed interest in the Matthews case was prompted by a BBC drama, The Moorside, featuring Sheridan Smith as family friend Julie Bushby.

Karen claimed that her daughter Shannon (pictured) had been kidnapped

Since the first episode was broadcast, it emerged that Matthews is alleged to have written explicit letters to admirers for money while serving time in prison and planned to win over a guard to try to become pregnant.

There has also been speculation that at least three other people may have been involved in the crime after Bushby claimed that the Dewsbury mother was 'not intelligent enough' to come up with the plot on her own.

She claimed that her daughter Shannon had been kidnapped in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in February 2008.

Shannon was found, following a police search costing 5million, 24 days later less than a mile from her home in a house belonging to the uncle of Craig Meehan, Matthews' boyfriend. She had been tied up, drugged and hidden in the base of a divan bed.

It is thought that Matthews staged the kidnap in order to claim the 50,000 reward for her return.

She was convicted of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to eight years along with Michael Donovan, Meehan's uncle.

Matthews was released after serving four years at New Hall prison in West Yorkshire and Foston Hall prison in Derbyshire.
President Donald Trump ratcheted up his arm-twisting of corporate officials  praising the 'wise decisions' of some and threatening 'consequences' for others to entice them to create U.S. jobs.

Speaking at the storied Willow Run plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Trump said he wants to make America 'the car capital of the world again  we will be. And it wont be long believe me.'

He made a vague reference to companies like Ford, General Motors, and others that have pledged to build plants here in recent weeks.

'I just want to tell the leaders they've made some very wise decisions, very wise,' Trump said.

'We're going to use the full economic powers of our country to protect our workers and protect our jobs,' the president said, and to 'stop the jobs from leaving our country.'

'And if it is, there's consequences to be paid for the companies that desert us,' Trump threatened. 'There are consequences.'

President Donald Trump warned auto industry executives on a visit to Michigan there would e 'consequences' for companies that 'desert us' and take manufacturing overseas

'I'm going to fight to keep the automobile prod in the United States of America  not outside, in the United States,' Trump said, speaking under a banner that said 'Buy American - Hire American.'

Trump also took his blunt sell directly to automakers during a roundtable with executives.

'You have to build plants here. I know I gave you a hard time but you have to build them here,' Trump told Jim Lentz, the CEO of Toyota North America, during a the roundtable discussion.

'I understand,' Lentz responded. 'I understand.'

Trump announced a decision to reinstate a review of fuel efficiency standards negotiated by President Obama.

'I just want to tell the leaders they've made some very wise decisions, very wise,' Trump said

Scroll down for video

'We're going to work on the CAFE standards so you can make cars in America again,' he told a crowd of auto workers and supporters.

'There is no more beautiful sight than an American-made car. No more beautiful sight,' Trump said.

And he didn't forget to remind Michigan of its role in his own stunning election victory.

'I love this state. I love the people of this state and you did me a big favor because you gave me a big victory and that victory hasn't been won by a Republican in a long time. You're going to be very happy, believe me,' he said.

Trump tweeted about his trip to Detroit on Wednesday

President Donald Trump talks with General Motors CEO Mary Barra (L) at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. Cars were decorated with labels stating where they were made

Trump alternately delivered praise  and warnings  to auto industry executives

President Donald Trump talks with auto industry leaders, including United Auto Workers (UAW) President Dennis Williams (C) and Ford CEO Mark Fields (R), at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan

Trump spoke from the former Willow Run factory, which now features the Yankee Air Museum

Willow Run helped build bombers during World War II

'Were going to use the full economic powers of our country to protect our workers and protect our jobs,' Trump said.

Auto execs have been getting the message.

On Wednesday morning, as Trump prepared to arrive, General Motors announced that it would add or retain 900 jobs at three Michigan plants. Trump mentioned the news in his remarks, and mentioned GM CEO Mary Barra by name.

Trump met with auto executives outside Detroit on Wednesday, in a confab that will include top American executives of top Japanese, German, and Korean auto company executives.

At one point, Trump asked Jose Munoz of Nissan Motor Company, 'What percent of your cars are made here?'

Munoz responded with a figure of 65 per cent. Trump then reminded him: 'I had your great prime minister,' a reference with his meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 'We had a great time. You may have heard about it,' Trump said.

Trump said during his remarks to a crowd that he would have a 'very, very big, very important' announcement 'having to do with your industry next week.'

As he prepared to fly to honor President Andrew Jackson by visiting his Hermitage plantation, Trump filled his remarks with nationalistic rhetoric.

'The era of economic surrender for the United States is over. Its over,' Trump said.

Speaking of the multinational meeting, one auto industry official told DailyMail.com 'It's like the full monte. We rip each others' throats out on a daily basis and we're actually united on one issue: jobs in the United States.'

Trump toured an auto testing facility that used to be part of the Willow Run plant. Ford designed the plant during World War II, when its mile-long assembly line ultimately was able to crank out B-24 Liberator bombers at the stunning rate of a bomber-per-hour. GM ultimately took over the plant until assembly ceased in 1992.

Trump is taking a step toward rolling back another Obama-era regulation, this time instituting a review of fuel efficiency standards meant to squeeze more miles out of the U.S. fleet and slow global warming.

The review follows an appeal from the industry, which wants a relaxation of the standards and more flexibility in how to meet them.

Auto companies agreed to the tighter standards in 2011 that would nearly double the fleet's efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon.

In the final days of the Obama administration, regulators got rid of the scheduled review in 2018. With the review back on, the industry is 'asking for different flexibilities' to allow for meeting the standards in different ways, said the industry official.

Protesters lined the entrance to the old Willow Run plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Trump is visiting the former Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where some classic planes had to be moved for the event. The plant made B-24 Liberator bombers during World War II

Trump was greeted by protesters calling for him to release his tax returns
American teacher Joel Wesley Shrum, 29, was gunned down by two men armed with AK-47s in Taiz, Yemen while he was driving to work on March 18, 2012

The FBI and State Department have offered a $5million reward for information on two men who murdered an American teacher in Yemen five years ago.

Joel Wesley Shrum was gunned down in a drive-by in the central city of Taiz while he was on his way to work on March 18, 2012.

Two men armed with AK-47s approached the 29-year-old's car on a motorcycle and opened fire.

Shrum died at the scene and Al-Qaeda's Yemen branch claimed responsibility for his murder several days later.

Shrum, who was originally from Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, had worked at the International Training and Development Center as an administrator and English teacher.

He was living in Yemen with his wife and two young children.

Al-Qaeda had claimed at the time that he was killed because he was trying to spread Christianity in the mainly Muslim Arab nation.

'It was God's gift for the mujahedeen to kill the American Joel Shrum who was actively proselytizing under the cover of teaching in Taiz,' said the statement by al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, as the terror network's Yemen branch is formally known.

Shrum was working as an English teacher and had been living in Yemen with his wife and two young children when he was killed

The American teacher was driving in his car (above) to work at the International Training and Development Center when he was shot dead

Shrum's parents said he went to Yemen in 2009 to learn Arabic, not to proselytize - and he became passionate about teaching business skills to Yemenis.

The $5million reward was announced on Wednesday by the FBI and U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program.

Authorities are calling for information that could lead to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of, the murder of the American.

Individuals with information concerning the shooting of Joel Shrum are asked to contact the FBI or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate or submit a tip on the FBI's website by visiting tips.fbi.gov.
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Haunting pictures show the decaying interior of a long-abandoned hospital that was originally built as the home of Scottish engineer Sir William Arrol.

Seafield Hospital treated casualties of the Great War and was visited by Princess Margaret in 1959.

The magnificent B-listed building in Ayr, Scotland also served as a children's hospital and health board headquarters until it was left vacant in 2005.

Abandoned: Seafield Hospital treated casualties of the Great War and was visited by Princess Margaret in 1959.

Ruin: The B-listed building in Ayr, Scotland also served as a children's hospital and health board headquarters after the World War I

Yesteryear: Despite being left to the elements for over a decade left behind files remain in tact while the walls around are peeling and dirt ridden

Over the past 12 years, the boarded-up structure has been partially destroyed by arsonists.

Now photographer Lee Gannon, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, has ventured inside to capture amazing images of the sad decline of a once wonderful building.

One image shows a large, grand old fireplace which has been left to rot, with moss and damp covering its bricks and red tiles starting to peel and fall off.

Crumble: This corridor would have once carried patients to the hospital's numerous wards however the path is now blocked by fallen wood, bricks and dirt

Left: Seafield was a hospital from 1921 through to 1991 then as a HQ for the NHS. Its status is still unclear despite a proposed sale to Miller Homes in 2005 and rumours it would become flats

Builder: Sir William Arrol was a Scottish Civil Engineer and builder noted for numerous projects such as the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh. He was knighted in 1890 for his services to construction and elected as the Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament (MP) for South Ayrshire in 1985

Another photograph shows a grand wooden doorway which had been neglected, with damp and dirt on the floor and exposed wiring.

In one of Lee's snaps, the rotten floor and dilapidated brickwork of what would have once been a busy ward is shown, with the crumbled roof leaving the room exposed to the elements.

What's left of the roof can be seen in another snap, which shows the intricate detailing on it and the lights which have become mouldy and discoloured.

Oak: After site visits by local authorities in 2012 it was discovered that the building is in an advanced state of dereliction

Grand: 'The 1950s hospital extensions have been demolished so the original Italianate villa designed for Sir William Arrol by Clarke and Bell with R H Brydon 1888-90 can now be seen from all sides,' reported Buildings at Risk

Fire exits signs hang in some of the rooms, whilst wallpaper has started to peel from the damp walls.

One picture shows the old filing cabinet which is thought to have once contained patient records whilst another shows a battered old door marked 'staff dining room'.

Lee has also captured the boarded up windows although original stain glass designs still remain at the bottom of them.

One other picture shows the dangerous condition of the building, with a corridor filled with rubble next to exposed brickwork and below rotten beams in the roof.

Amateur photographer, Lee, said: 'It used to be such a nice building inside from past photos so it was something that was worth checking out.

'However when I arrived, it seem badly damaged and a lot of the rooms had collapsed, it felt really unsafe at some points.

Fire: The Daily Record reported in 2014 that the property was being sold to local building developers Econstruct Design and Build, with a view to potentially convert Seafield House to flats

Lasting: In late 2011 the South Ayrshire Council received a request to demolish the building but the application was rejected in 2012 after council members reviewed proposal

Canteen: Photographer Lee Gannon said the building has a 'spooky' feel to it but said the scariest thing he saw was a pigeon, quashing claims that the former hospital is haunted

'The architecture inside still looked great there were massive fireplaces in some rooms and it felt very wooden.

'There wasn't really much inside the weirdest thing was just one pigeon wing in the dining room. The fact it was a children's hospital too which makes it a bit more spooky.'

Seafield was originally built for, and designed by, Sir William Arrol, the civil engineer behind the Forth Rail Bridge before it was used by the British Red Cross in the latter years of the First World War for wounded soldiers.

In 1921, it was first used as a maternity and child welfare hospital before it was converted to a paediatric unit in 1944, which it remained until 1991.

In May 1959, Princess Margaret visited Seafield to open a new veranda for long-stay orthopedic patients.

Since 2005, the building has been vacant although it is thought it was bought in 2014 by developers with a view to converting Seafield into flats.
Mischa Barton gave an emotional statement today describing how her worst fear was realized when she learned a sex tape of her was being shopped around Hollywood.

The actress, speaking at her lawyer Lisa Blooms office in Woodland Hills, said she has been through a painful situation after discovering an ex-boyfriend had filmed her most intimate and private moments using hidden cameras, without my consent.

And she added that she felt more humiliated when she realized the videos were up for sale to the highest bidder.

Barton's lawyer revealed that the police have been informed about the tape and court restraining orders have been requested.

Mischa Barton gave an emotional statement today describing how her worst fear was realized when she learned a sex tape of her was being shopped around Hollywood

Mischa, here with her lawyer Lisa Bloom, said she has been through a painful situation after discovering her ex-lover had filmed her most intimate and private moments using hidden cameras, without my consent

On Monday DailyMail.com revealed exclusively that an x-rated video showing the OC actress having sex with a dark haired man is being offered to the highest bidder with the starting price of $500,000.

The footage is being touted to online porn companies, with a number of porn industry giants considering the offer.

Barton, 31, said: I just want to say I have been put through an incredibly hard and trying time.

This is a painful situation and my absolute worst fear was realized when I learned that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments, without my consent with hidden cameras.

And then I learned something even worse, that someone is trying to sell these videos and make them public

Barton says she came forward to fight this, not only for myself, but for all the women out there.

She added: I want to protect them from the pain and humiliation Ive had to go through.

No woman should have to go through this.

Mischa Barton is outraged over a sex tape featuring troubled actress being shopped around Hollywood with the starting price of $500,000, DailyMail.com can reveal. Pictured, Barton in a photo shoot in Malibu on Monday

It is a very hard thing to do but Im glad that Im finally standing up for myself.

Sitting next to her at the press conference Wednesday morning, Barton's attorney said the star had reached to her Monday night asking for help after becoming 'devastated' at reports a broker was shopping the explicit images around.

Bloom said: 'She was very clear that any such images were made without her knowledge or consent, and she wanted to know what she could do to prevent anyone from looking at them or posting them.

'We all know that once images are up online, its extremely difficult to get them removed.

'Therefore, it was important to act quickly.'

Bloom said she want to court Tuesday to request an emergency order against a man they believe is involved.

She said Barton dated the man 'briefly' and that she is protected under Californias laws against domestic violence, which prohibit all forms of abuse by a former intimate partner.

'We proceeded under those laws in seeking immediate domestic violence restraining orders,' she said.

'In short, we consider this to be a form of domestic abuse.

'The court agreed and gave us everything we asked for, including orders to stay away from Ms Barton and not contact her.

'Most importantly, the court ordered that this individual and his agents: may not sell, distribute, give away or show any naked pictures or videos of any type of Mischa Barton.

The news comes just weeks after Barton's 'drug-induced' meltdown, when she was filmed by a neighbor hanging over a fence in her backyard and calling her mother a 'f****** witch'

She added: 'The court has blocked the selling, distribution, giving away or showing of any of these photos or videos of Ms. Barton. We thank the court for its swift action.'

She added, in a firm message to anyone attempting to traffic the tapes: 'If you continue, we will find you, come after you and bring you to justice to the fullest extent possible under the civil and criminal laws.

'Ms. Barton and I stand for a womans right to choose what images of her own body will be made public, and you have no right to exploit her or any woman for revenge or financial gain. You have been warned. You proceed at your peril.'

On Monday we revealed that Kevin Blatt, Hollywoods sex-tape broker, had been approached by a third party with the video.

He told DailyMail.com: 'The tape is being shopped around porn valley, the asking price is $500,000.

'I know that at least three large online porn sites, YouPorn.com, Porn.com and RedTube.com have reviewed it and they're all seriously considering the offer.

'I've seen stills from the video, it's clearly Mischa in my opinion.

'She's seen performing a sex act on a guy and can be seen having sex in various positions.'

It's believed the video was shot at a private residence in Hollywood within the past year.

Barton is seen wearing a grey hoodie and nothing else having sex on a double bed with a man wearing just a black t-shirt.

Bloom said this is now a police investigation at the press briefing on Wednesday

Sitting next to her at the press conference Wednesday morning, Barton's attorney Ms Bloom said the star had reached to her Monday night asking for help after becoming 'devastated' at reports a broker was shopping the explicit images around

The explicit footage appears to have been shot in a bedroom, the bed has a leather padded headboard and mirrored panels and coffee cups and an empty bottle of Gatorade litter a bedside table.

Adding to the less than glamorous surroundings, there's also a flier on the table for CURRENT: LA, Los Angeles' first city-wide Public Art Biennial.

A member of the press asked Bloom whether it was true that as many as 10 sex tapes were being shopped, she replied: 'I don't know if that's true there is now a police investigation.'

The same reporter told Ms Bloom that their sources had said Barton was seen looking directly at the camera in the sex tape.

Bloom responded: 'I don't think looking in any particular direction is any indication of knowing that one is being recorded, she does not know exactly how the recordings were made, whether there was a hidden camera...whether it was a phone camera, but we would strenuously object to any conclusion being drawn from some direction she may have been looking at at any particular time.'

The civil rights attorney added: 'Mischa wanted to do this not only for herself, but for others.

'Revenge porn is a very common crime, it happens to a lot of people, it happens to people who are not celebrities, it happens to the girls and women who are followers of Ms Barton and it's scary, even for a celebrity like this, but it's important for girls and women to stand up for their rights.'

'I know that at least three large online porn sites, YouPorn.com, Porn.com and RedTube.com have reviewed it and they're all seriously considering the offer.

'I've seen stills from the video, it's clearly Mischa in my opinion.

'She's seen performing a sex act on a guy and can be seen having sex in various positions.'

It's not clear who the man in the video is and Barton has not stepped out with anyone publicly in recent months.

It's believed the video was shot at a private residence in Hollywood within the past year.

As for the x-rated video of the actress, Kevin Blatt, Hollywoods sex-tape broker (pictured with Snoop Dogg), was approached by a third party with the video and is confident Barton is the woman in the scene

Barton is seen wearing a grey hoodie and nothing else having sex on a double bed with a man wearing just a black t-shirt.

The explicit footage appears to have been shot in a bedroom, the bed has a leather padded headboard and mirrored panels, while coffee cups and an empty bottle of Gatorade litter a bedside table.

Adding to the less than glamorous surroundings, there's also a flier on the table for CURRENT: LA, Los Angeles' first city-wide Public Art Biennial.

Barton, 31, has had a series of private meltdowns this year that included screaming in her backyard while hanging over a fence and damaging her apartment building with a U-Haul moving truck.

The star had appeared to have sprung back to life, though, in a stunning photo shoot earlier this month.

The OC vet looked in great form as she was snapped wearing a skimpy string bikini while posing for a bottled water company on the shores of Huntington Beach, California.

But yet again it is her private life that continues to trouble the New York native.

The Beautiful Life: TBL star, who came to fame with 1999's The Sixth Sense, crashed a rented U-Hail truck into an apartment building in mid-February.

The Notting Hill actress was moving out of a building where she had been living in the same neighborhood.

Barton moved all of her belongings into the U-Haul truck and drove to another building located right below the Sunset Strip hitting an overhanging beam as she did.

According to TMZ, her old neighbors complained that Barton was disruptive 'to the point cops were called every few months.'

The star's outing came just weeks after she had a 'meltdown' in her backyard where two of her neighbors called 911 saying that Barton had threatened to kill herself.

Barton later claimed that she had been given the date rape drug GHB following the incident, which led to her being hospitalized after paramedics arrived on the scene.

In previously released footage of the meltdown, which appeared to be filmed by a neighbor, Barton could be seen ranting and raving while she hangs over a fence in her backyard.

The actress could be heard wailing as she rocked back and forth, even calling her a mother a 'f*****g witch.'

'Ah, planet Earth. Um, bye,' Barton says at the top of the video. 'Like, like anybody. Oh my God, it's over. I feel it. And it's angry.'

Barton then falls off the balcony and back onto her patio, but quickly gets back up.

Despite all the problems in her private life, the London-born beauty has been very busy with her career with four films in post production and she has just completed Monsters at Large, a family film with Stephen Tobolowsky.
Turkey has threatened to cancel an EU refugee deal over a continuing row with other European countries.

The country's first minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made the announcement during a televised interview on Wednesday evening.

His remarks come amid strained relations between the EU and Turkey following the continent's refugee crisis.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan previously labelled Holland a fascist nation and said the country will pay for blocking rallies in Rotterdam and the ensuing riots.

A Dutch riot policeman tries to get his dog to let go of a man after riots broke out during a pro Erdogan demonstration at the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Screaming men face off with Dutch riot police outside the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam

Ugly scenes erupted in the city as dogs were unleashed on Turkish nationals amid protests over two ministers being blocked from entering the Netherlands.

Erdogan repeated hugely controversial accusations that the Netherlands - occupied by Germany in the Second World War - was behaving like a fascist Nazi state and in its treatment of his officials.

The comments have provoked anger from Dutch politicians, and leader of the Freedom Party Geert Wilders demanded 400,000 Turkish nationals be stripped of their citizenship in Holland.

Erdogan's drive to drum up support among Turks living abroad has deeply strained Ankara's relations with Berlin and other European capitals concerned about what they see as an increasingly authoritarian tone from Turkey.

Analysts are predicting a tight outcome to the April 16 referendum on a new constitution and Turkish ministers have planned major rallies in key EU cities.

But Turkey's family minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya was expelled after being prevented from addressing a rally in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.

Turkey's first minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has threatened to cancel an EU refugee deal over a continuing row with other European countries

Dutch riot police battle pro Erdogan demonstrators after riots broke out at the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam

Also this weekend, The Hague refused to allow Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's plane to land ahead of a planned rally.

Violent clashes between protesters and Dutch riot police officers turned ugly quickly as 1,000 people turned up to voice their disapproval of the ministers' access to the country being blocked.

Some men were seen throwing stones, others were seen kicking police officers who had fallen to the ground and metal railings were also hurled in the riots.

In reaction, police used powerful water cannons in an attempt to control the crowds.

The Netherlands is home to some 400,000 people of Turkish origin while Germany has 1.4 million people eligible to vote in Turkey - the fourth-largest electoral base after the cities of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.

Faced with an upsurge in support for the far-right, European governments have come under pressure to take a hard line on Erdogan, who is accused by critics of seeking one-man rule in the constitutional changes.
A Florida woman has admitted to causing the death of a popular drag queen after she injected her with illegal silicone.

Deanna Roberts, 47, who falsely claimed she was a licensed medical professional, injected at least four victims with liquid silicone in 2014.

One of her customers, Lateasha Shuntel, 45, of Atlanta, Georgia, was found dead at her home two days after receiving multiple injections from Roberts, authorities say.

Deanna Roberts (left) has admitted to causing the death of popular drag queen Lateasha Shuntel (right) after she injected her with illegal silicone

'Roberts admitted that she caused the death of one person by injecting her with liquid silicone, and that she also injected liquid silicone into multiple other people, putting their lives at considerable risk,' US Attorney John Horn said in a statement from the US Department of Justice.

Former friends claim that Roberts, who they say is also transgender, preyed on LGBT performers across Florida and Georgia, Project Q reports.

Roberts, who was arrested last year, had purchased at least 178 gallons of liquid silicone between April 2004 and December 2015.

'Liquid silicone injected into individuals' bodies can cause serious bodily injury and death, and FDA has not approved any such product for tissue augmentation,' Justin Green, the special agent in charge of the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations' Miami field office, said in the statement.

Shuntel, 45, was found dead at her home two days after receiving silicone injections from Roberts, authorities say

Liquid silicone is restricted by the FDA, so to buy it Roberts submitted an affidavit, swearing she would not inject it into humans. She reportedly told officials that she was going to use the substance to lubricate medical equipment.

Yet on November 16, 2015, she injected Shuntel ten times, including in her hips and buttocks, who then shared a post on Facebook naming Roberts and thanking her.

'The things we do to keep yall (sic) loving us. OMG DeAnna Roberts I don't think my a** will ever stop hurting but I have no doubt you are the best in the business. Thanks for filling me COMPLETELY UP,' Shuntel wrote.

The next day, Shunte, 45,l began to complain of tightness in her chest and shortness of breath - both symptoms consistent with liquid silicone in her lungs.

She was found dead on November 18 at her home in the 2700 block of Addison Drive, in Chamblee near Atlanta, Georgia.

Shuntel wrote the above post on Facebook thanking DeAnna Roberts for 'filling' her up on November 16, 2015

On November 16, 2015, Roberts injected Shuntel ten times, including in her hips and buttocks, who then shared a post on Facebook naming Roberts and thanking her

Her autopsy revealed her cause of death was 'silicone polymer embolization' and traces of silicone were found in her lungs, liver, kidney, heart, brain and spleen.

The coroner stated that during the injections, Roberts must have accidentally punctured a blood vessel which carried the silicone throughout Shuntel's bloodstream to her lungs and other organs.

'The public should be wary of individuals who use substances like silicone in ways that are not approved by the FDA, or that are administered by persons who are not properly trained or licensed,' Horn said.

None of the other three other women  at least two of whom lived in Atlanta  who received injections from Roberts died.

Roberts was arrested last May at her home in Sanford, Florida and held in custody as the judge considered her a danger to the community.

She was charged with eight felonies including possessing, transporting and illegally injecting the liquid silicone, as well as additional felony charges for the illegal interstate commerce.

Roberts will be sentenced on May 24.
A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world to be legally recognised as a living entity and granted the same rights as a human.

The New Zealand parliament has passed a bill recognising the Whanganui River, in North Island, as a living entity, making it the first natural resource to be given a legal personality.

The country's Maori people have been fighting for around 160 years to get the recognition for the river.

The New Zealand parliament has passed a bill recognising the Whanganui River (pictured), in North Island, as a living entity

It is the world's first natural resource to be given a legal personality. Prince Harry is pictured, right, paddling on the famous river with a Maori guide

It is of significant spiritual importance to the tribe who think of the river, mountains and sea as living entities.

The river is New Zealand's third-longest and will now be represented by one member from the Maori tribe, known as iwi, and one from the Crown.

The ruling means it will be entitled to representation in court proceedings.

New Zealand's Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told the BBC some people might find it 'strange' but the decision was no different to 'family trusts, or companies or incorporated societies'.

MP Adrian Rurawhe, who represents the Maori people, added: 'The river as a whole is absolutely important to the people who are from the river and live on the river.

'From a Whanganui viewpoint the wellbeing of the river is directly linked to the wellbeing of the people and so it is really important that's recognised as its own identity.'

The river is New Zealand's third-longest and it will be represented by one member from the Maori tribe (pictured), known as iwi, and one from the Crown

The ruling means the Whanganui River will be entitled to representation in court proceedings

Members of the Maori community reportedly celebrated the bill passing by playing music in New Zealand's parliament.

The new status is part of the conclusion to a long-running legal dispute and the bill includes an $80m (65m) financial redress.

The government will also contribute $30m (26m) to a fund that will be used to look after the rivers health.
A Russian spy ship has been spotted just miles from a US Navy base on the east coast for the second time in a month.

The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov was sighted about 20 miles south of the US submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia, officials said on Wednesday.

The spy vessel, which is known as an AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence) trawler, is scheduled to dock in Jamaica next month, CBS News reports.

As a result, the network claims US officials are expecting the Russian boat to 'make one more run up and down the coast' before sailing for the island nation south of Cuba.

A Russian spy ship has been spotted just miles from a US Navy base on the east coast for the second time in a month. The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov is pictured in Havana in February 2014

When asked about whether the appearance was a worry, the official downplayed it when speaking to NBC News.

WHAT IS THE SSV-175 VIKTOR LEONOV? The Russian spy vessel is known as an AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence) trawler). The Vishnya class intelligence-gathering ship went into service in the Black Sea in 1988 before it was transferred seven years later to the northern fleet. It named after Second World War Soviet sailor Viktor Leonov. It is: 300 feet long 48 feet wide Home to 200 sailors Stocked with high-tech electronic surveillance equipment and weaponry Able to fire surface-to-air missiles and has AK-630 rapid-fire cannons Advertisement

'Not really. We are about as concerned this time as we are every other time they do this,' they said.

The network suggested one of the main reasons the official did not seem overly concerned is that the Russian ship has 'outdated technology', which only allows crew to: 'listen to radio communications - ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and commercial radio broadcasts.'

The base located near when the spy ship was seen in the home to America's Atlantic fleet of ballistic missile submarines.

And while the vessel may have come close, officials said it remained in international waters, which kick in more than 12 nautical miles from shore, Fox News reports.

The sighting comes after the same vessel was seen loitering just 30 miles off the coast of a Naval submarine base in Connecticut.

Days earlier it was spotted 70 miles off the coast of Delaware, in what was considered to be the latest in series of belligerent moves by Moscow's military as a test in the early days of Donald Trump's presidency.

This map shows where the Russian spy ship was spotted by officials on Wednesday

The SSV-175 Viktor Leonov was sighted about 20 miles south of the US submarine base (pictured) at Kings Bay, Georgia

At the time, the spy ship was just 30 miles away from the Naval Submarine Base New London, known as the 'Home of the Submarine Force', in Groton, Connecticut.

The 100-year-old base is home to 16 attack submarines, and employs more than 9,500 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel.

The Viktor Leonov, which measures 300 feet long and 48 feet wide, has a crew of 200 sailors carries high-tech electronic surveillance equipment and weaponry, AK-630 rapid-fire cannons and surface-to-air missiles.

Russia has also deployed a new cruise missile apparently violating an arms control treaty banning ground-based US and Russian intermediate-range missiles.

The nation has secretly deployed the ground-launched SSC-8 cruise missile that Moscow has been developing and testing for several years, despite US complaints that it violated sections of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty, it was reported last month.

The sighting of the ship on Wednesday is the latest in a string of measures some consider are attempts by Vladimir Putin (pictured) to test Donald Trump

Donald Trump (pictured in Michigan on Wednesday) is yet to comment on the Russian vessel's reappearance off the coast

This map shows the two locations where the boat was seen last month off the east coast

And just days prior to the first ship sighting last month, four Russian military aircraft conducted low passes against a US destroyer in the Black Sea.

IS TRUMP BEING TESTED? A TIMELINE OF RUSSIAN MOVES February 10: Four Russian military aircraft buzzed a U.S. destroyer, USS Porter, in the Black Sea February 14: Spy ship SSV-175 Viktor Leonov is spotted 70 miles off the East Coast February 14: Moscow secretly deploys a new cruise missile despite landmark arms control treaty February 15: Leonov is seen 30 miles away from Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut March 15: Leonov is seen again - this time off the coast of Georgia near the King's Bay base Advertisement

USS Porter, a guided missile destroyer, reported the aircraft performing 'dangerous flybys' past the ship which was based just off the coast of Romania on February 10.

'There were several incidents involving multiple Russian aircraft,' Navy Captain Danny Hernandez, spokesman for the European Command, said at the time.

'They were assessed by the commanding officer as unsafe and unprofessional.'

Two Russian Su-24 jet fighters had buzzed the ship, followed by a single Su-24 and then an IL-38 transport aircraft.

The aircraft failed to respond to several radio requests from US military to halt the overflights, and did not have their electronic identifying transponders activated - used to help identify hostile and friendly aircraft on radar.

The buzzing of the USS Porter, which had been taking part in an annual international military exercise called Sea Shield, occurred in international waters off the Romanian coast.

When asked about the series of incidents last month, Trump said they were 'not good'.

Since February, Russian fighter jets have 'buzzed' an American ship, while the same Russian spy vessel has been seen near three US Navy bases on the east coast

After being asked about the fighter jet incident and the spy ship off the coast last month, Trump said it was 'not good'

He did not consider it to be proof of Putin testing his presidency, but he then went on to say attacking the ships was a good option for him.

'The greatest thing I could do is shoot that ship thats 30 miles offshore right out of the water,' he said.

The Viktor Leonov has carried out previous missions along the east coast in 2014 and 2015.

Trump is yet to comment on Wednesday's sighting.
Washington Post Here's the whole CBO report on Ryan's Trumpcare proposal . The way Ryan, Pence and Price wrote the bill, 14 million people would lose their health insurance immediately and then coverage would be reduced by 21 million in 2020 and down by 24 million in 2026. Oddly enough, a White House internal analysis is even worse on Ryan's proposal! Trump's own people predict 26,000,000 people will lose insurance during the next decade, 2 million more than what the more cautious CBO reported! Not even Trump voters, whose fault, after all, this is deserve the horrible fate the Republicans have in mind for them. The report emphasized that "14 million fewer people would have health insurance next year alone. Premiums would be 15 percent to 20 percent higher in the first year compared with the Affordable Care Act and 10 percent lower on average after 2026. By and large, older Americans would pay 'substantially' more and younger Americans less, the report said. The report from the Congressional Budget Office fueled concerns that the GOP health-care plan would prompt a dramatic loss in health-insurance coverage, potentially contradicting President Trumps vow that health-care reform would provide 'insurance for everybody' and threatening support from moderate Republican lawmakers."





ThinkProgress that "approximately Ian Millhiser, was much tougher on the Republican bill, writing forthat "approximately 17,000 people could die in 2018 who otherwise would have lived if a House Republican health proposal endorsed by the Trump administration becomes law. By 2026, the number of people killed by Trumpcare could grow to approximately 29,000 in that year alone."





Even though the new head of the CBO, Keith Hall, was handpicked by Paul Ryan and celebrated by HHS Secretary Price who said he would bring an "impressive level of economic expertise and experience," he was ready to slam their report even before it was given. He told White House reporters that the Regime "disagrees strenuously with the report that was put out" and argued that their report looked "at a portion of our plan, but not the entire plan... We believe that our plan will cover more individuals at a lower cost and give them the choices that they want for the coverage that they want for themselves and their family, not that the government forces them to buy." When a reporter asked him to concede that without that mandate to buy coverage, there will be millions of uninsured, he snarled, "No, I wouldnt concede that at all. The fact of the matter is they are going to be able to a coverage policy that they want for themselves and for their family. They are going to have the kind of choices that they want So we think that CBO simply has it wrong."





Progressives generally felt that the CBO's report-- on top of the opposition from the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, AARP and from a solid majority of voters-- signals a death knell for Ryan's bill. One congressmember who requested anonymity said that "Price and Ryan are both full of shit. They've been hanging around Trump and Kellyanne too much and forgot about the rigors of reality."





Mark Pocan, who represents the Madison area in Congress said that "The CBO report proves what we already knew-- millions of Americans will lose coverage under Speaker Paul Ryan and President Trumps plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act. To make matters worse, out of pocket costs will rise especially for older and low-income Americans. At the end of the day, this plan means millions of hard-working Americans will lose coverage while the wealthiest few get a massive tax cut. So much for Trumps boast to provide 'insurance for everybody,' The CBO report confirms yet another broken promise by President Trump and Republicans in Congress."





Ruben Kihuen, a freshman representing North Las Vegas expressed similar sentiments. "The Republican proposal is just a massive tax cut for the wealthy disguised as healthcare reform. This so-called 'plan' is a direct attack on older Americans, effectively placing a heavy tax on getting older. Republicans should be working to improve on the Affordable Care Act to make health insurance cheaper and more robust for everyone."





Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter talked with her constituents in New Hampshire and found a lot of disagreement with the GOP plan. "Todays estimate by the independent Congressional Budget Office that 14 million Americans would lose their insurance next year under the Republican health plan should be the nail in the coffin for this draconian proposal, which would not only take away Americans insurance but also slash Medicaid, end Medicaid expansion, roll back requirements that insurance cover basic medical services, increase deductibles, and raise premiums for older Americans-- all while slashing taxes for the wealthiest. According to CBO, 24 million people would lose their coverage by 2026, meaning the Republican plan not only erases the gains weve made since the Affordable Care Act but would actually leave fewer people with coverage than before the law passed. Now that the Republican health bills devastating impact has been laid out in black and white, its time for President Trump and Congressional Republicans to join the American people and the health care industry in rejecting this harmful bill, and instead come to the table to find bipartisan solutions that make our health care system work better for everyone."





Pramila Jayapal (Seattle) didn't mince words. "The CBO report," she said, "shows the Republican bill is nothing more than a dangerous ideological wish list that strips 24 million Americans of health care, raises premiums by more than fifteen percent, makes our seniors pay more, and guts Medicaid by almost $1 trillion. All of this in order to give $600 billion in tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest amongst us. Americans will pay more for health care and get less coverage. This will be life and death-- literally-- for millions of Americans. This plan is simply not a plan. Republicans who truly care about their constituents will vote no to ripping apart our health care system and leaving millions of families without insurance."

Blue America is in the middle of vetting two new congressional candidates now, Houston cancer specialist Dr. Jason Westin and Katie Hill, an executive of a non-profit that helps veterans find affordable housing, who are, respectively, running against Republican anti-health care backbench conservatives John Culberson (TX-07) and Steve Knight (CA-25). I reached out to both of them for a perspective on the meaning of the CBO report yesterday. First Dr. Westin:

The CBO report analyzing TrumpCare is excellent news for two groups: those determined to shrink the federal government at any cost and the ultra-rich. For everyone else, the CBO analysis concludes that TrumpCare will be absolutely devastating.



The good news? The analysis projects a budget deficit reduction of $337 billion over the next decade. The bad news? How long do you have? The bill would reduce Medicaid funding by $880 billion dollars, or 25%. This drastic reduction would force states to cut services, resulting in fewer Americans receiving less effective care, hurting those most in need including kids, pregnant women, those near the poverty line, and seniors in long-term care. The CBO determined that a staggering 24 million Americans, or 1 out 14 of us, would lose insurance under TrumpCare, increasing the uninsured percentage from the current ~8%, the lowest ever recorded, to ~15%, an increase of 88%. Lastly, the CBO finds that Americans aged 50-64 will see premiums jump substantially due to the age tax allowing insurance companies to charge five times more than charged to younger enrollees.



If the non-partisan CBO determined TrumpCare is so very bad, why is it even being considered? Simply put: a massive tax cut of $900 billion over 10 years for the wealthiest Americans. Is there a connection between cutting critical services to create a colossal tax cut for the 1 percenters? The CBO analysis offers none. In short, 24 million Americans, our daughters, uncles, friends and neighbors, will lose their health insurance so that the very rich get even richer. TrumpCare is a reverse Robin Hood bill of the worst kind.

Katie Hill isn't a medical doctor but her concerns are very much those felt by people throughout the L.A. area. "In my community, as it is, far too many people still can't afford healthcare because the premiums are too expensive, deductibles too high, they barely make enough to make ends meet, and they don't qualify for Medicaid or a subsidy through the exchange. We are in a place when we need to be expanding coverage-- not cutting it. The Antelope Valley, a large portion of the district I hope to represent, has L.A. County's highest death rates from lung cancer, diabetes and heart disease, and a very high percentage of people who have only gained access to care because of the Medicaid expansion made possible by the ACA. Cutting that will take some of our poorest, most vulnerable neighbors out of preventative primary care and put them back into the emergency room as uninsured patients. More people will die, and ultimately, taxpayers will foot the bill no matter what. We need to continue to build on the progress made by the ACA. We can't afford to go backwards."
Did he do it? Artist Walter Sickert is famous for depicting sex and sleaze in the city at the turn of the 20th Century

A best-selling crime writer has claimed that serial killer Jack the Ripper mutilated, dismembered and, in some instances, cannibalized children.

Patricia Cornwell in her new book, Ripper: The Secret Life of Walter Sickert, provides a thought provoking expose of one of the worlds most haunting cases of serial murder.

The author, 60, believes the legendary Whitechapel killer was in fact influential artist Walter Sickert and in her latest book she cites a letter which the former wrote to back up her stunning new claims.

In a column for the Mirror Online Cornwell writes: 'Real people died. They were mutilated, dismembered, in some instances possibly cannibalized, and his victims include children if you believe what the Ripper himself boasts in his mocking letters.

'You will see in my new book that there are many cases not attributed to him that probably should have been. He didnt kill only five people, and hed didnt stop in November 1888.

'He wasnt dead or in an asylum somewhere. He was alive and well on his way to becoming a famous artist who one day would give painting lessons to Winston Churchill. Yes, Jack the Ripper did.'

Cornwell, famed for the highly acclaimed Kay Scarpetta series of novels, collated previously unseen archival material, including a rare mortuary photo, personal correspondence, and applied cutting-edge forensic science while writing the non-fiction piece.

Her original accusations in her 2002 book, Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed, outraged art historians and were dismissed by Ripperologists as 'improbable'.

But in her latest release Cornwell claims the proof of Sickert's guilt lies in the paper he used.

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Crime novelist Patricia Cornwell has spent millions of pounds investigating Jack the Ripper and claims the evidence makes her 'more convinced than ever' of Sickert's guilt

Letters such as this caused Cornwell to believe Jack the Ripper mutilated, dismembered and, in some instances, cannibalized children

Cornwell's latest book on the infamous Jack the Ripper

She notes: 'This isnt a guess or a wish. Im basing my conclusions on scientific evidence that would hold up in court. Over the past sixteen years Ive utilized the worlds most reputable experts, such as forensic paper analyst Peter Bower.

'His comparison of Ripper and Sickert documents has resulted in matches that Sickert would have a tough time explaining to the police. The alibi that Sickert was in France wouldnt hold up.

'His own handwritten notes and dates on sketches have left a trail, placing him in London music halls within hours of at least four of the murders attributed to the Ripper.'

Three of the artist's letters and two of the grisly, mocking notes the Ripper supposedly sent to police at the time were scientifically analysed and were found to have come from paper run of just 24 sheets, according to the author.

And in addition to the small batch of stationery, the book claims to debunk Sickert's previous alibis and claims the artist would dress up as the Ripper when creating his paintings.

The horrific facial injuries suffered by Catherine Eddowes, supposedly at the hands of the Whitechapel murderer

One of Sickert's portraits had an uncanny resemblance to a Jack the Ripper victim

An illustrated police news page on the murders of Jack the Ripper. During investigations the police received mocking letters from someone claiming to be the killer accusing them of being asleep

The American writer, who has sold more than 100million books, also claims the artist confessed to a friend that 'he would not mind having to kill and eat raw flesh', which she compares to the killer's reference to cannibalism.

Cornwell has spent millions of pounds investigating the unidentified killer - who killed at least five women in Whitechapel in the late 1880s.

She even purchased Sickerts desk, plus 32 of his paintings to have them tested for DNA.

Sickert is renowned within the art community for his paintings, which depicted sex and sleaze in the city at the time.

All of the Ripper's victims, barring one, were prostitutes and were found horrifically mutilated, but the Ripper was never found.

There has been much speculation as to who could have committed the murders with Queen Victoria's grandson Prince Albert Victor and Winston Churchill's father Lord Randolph even being considered suspects.

In Ripper: The secret Life of Walter Sickert, Cornwell claims the killer's death toll could be more than four times as high.

She told The Sunday Times newspaper: 'I put his toll at a dozen, maybe as many as 20, or possibly more.'

The author claims that dated music hall sketches by Sickert defeat the alibi that Sickert was in France as the killings took place.

Gunthorpe Street in Whitechapel, east London, where Jack the Ripper is believed to have killed his first victim

A Victorian illustration of Catherine Eddowes, the Ripper's fourth victim. She was found dead in the early hours of September 30 1888

She instead alleges that this evidence puts the post-impressionist 'within days or even hours of at least three of the killings'.

She also says Sickert was in Cornwall at the same time a guestbook at a bed and breakfast there was vandalised with sexually crude imagery and the signature 'Jack The Ripper, of Whitechapel'.

The author also supports the claims of picture-framer, Joseph Gorman, who insisted he was the illegitimate son of Sickert and that the artist confessed Ripper details to him.

Cornwell believes the fact that the ripper and Sickert used the same stationary is more than just coincidence

The man was dismissed as a fantasist and died 14 years ago but Cornwell says she has proof that he received Sickert's publishing royalties after his death in 1942.

Although she has admitted previously that the identity of the Ripper can never really be proved, the Miami-born writer believes her book provides a compelling case.

'The majority of the book is new material,' she said. ' I'm more convinced than ever of Sickert's guilt.'

Speaking to the Evening Standard in 2013, Cornwell spoke about her claim that the killers shared the same stationery.

She said: 'The only real science that we can count on after all these years being the forensic analysis, which is really hard to feel is coincidental when you keep seeing water marks on paper that Jack the Ripper and Sickert had in common.

'What some detractors will point out, and it's a good point, 'So you proved that he wrote some of the Ripper's letters, that doesn't prove he was the killer'.

'In court, a jury might struggle with that. They are very confessional and violent letters.'

In his letters, the Ripper mocked the police's inability to capture him and accused them of being asleep.

Cornwell's team of sleuths, which includes art experts, have found that drawings the killer made in these notes, including one of a brutish face, are the work of a professional.

In her previous book, Cornwell alluded to Sickert's paintings as evidence, claiming they depicted the Ripper's crime scenes.

In one painting, a woman is stretched across a bed, mirroring the position the killer's final victim, Mary Jane Kelly, was found in.

In another, entitled What Shall We Do to Pay the Rent?, a well-dressed man sits at the end of a bed with his head bowed and his clasped will a bare-breasted woman lies beside him, her face turned to the shadows.

Sickert's fascination with the Ripper is certainly no secret and he even attributed the name Jack the Ripper's Bedroom to one of his works.

Cornwell has also previously claimed that the artist could have been linked to the royal family and what she calls ' the royal conspiracy'.

She said in 2013 that evidence suggests Sickert's family physician was Sir William Gull, Queen Victoria's physician, who was rumoured to have been tasked with helping to get rid of prostitutes.
Donovan Spann, 18, was shot in the stomach while he and his friend played a deadly game of Russian roulette

A 17-year-old boy from Washington state has been jailed after investigators claim he shot and killed his best friend during a game of Russian roulette.

The teenager from Burien, south of Seattle told cops that the gun used to fire the fatal bullet didn't belong to him, but an adult friend.

The shooting happened on Friday night while the teen was house-sitting for a man who gave him the firearm to defend the property from burglars.

Deputies received a 911 call saying 18-year-old Donovan Spann had been shot. Medics were unable to save him.

The homeowner, George Firis, told Fox News said he believed he could trust the boy to not treat his gun like a toy.

'I'm so sorry this happened,' said Firis. 'I mean, what a loss.'

Firis didn't actually find out about the shooting until after the weekend as he had been in hospital for treatment for alcoholism.

Spann's family said the suspect is a longtime family friend, a youth who has been in and out of foster care and whom Spann's mother treated as part of the family

A makeshift memorial was set up for Donovan at Highline high school in Burien, Washington

'I just said I'm going to put it where you can find it in case you see these people crashing through the window again,' he told Q13 Fox.

The 17-year-old boy who was Donovan's best friend and who went to Highline High School, could now face a felony manslaughter charge.

'They weren't making very good decisions by using a gun with ammunition to play a game like this,' said King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West.

'They smoked a little bit of marijuana and then decided to play a modified version of Russian roulette where instead of pointing the gun at themselves, they would point the gun at each other,' said West.

Medics could not save Spann and now his 17-year-old friend could face a manslaughter charge

Spann's sister said her brother had 'the brightest smile and the biggest heart. Everyone will tell you he had a lot of light and power in his smile'

Spann's family said the suspect is a longtime family friend, a youth who has been in and out of foster care and whom Spann's mother took into their home for a time in 2014 and treated as part of the family.

'We truly see this as an accident, we have no hard feelings towards him or the family,' said Spann's brother-in-law, Justin West to Q13 News. 'We are grieving through his family as well.

'His life was taken way too soon, before his time. We believe it was a senseless act that happened. It didn't have to happen.'

There is also the possibility that the home's owner, Firis could also face charges in connection to the shooting.

Spann's older sister, Neenah West, said the family doubts the suspect's account that the young men were playing Russian roulette.

'I know my brother. I helped raise my brother. He would not be playing Russian roulette,' she told the Seattle Times. She also said the suspect would never purposefully hurt her brother.

'We feel no anger toward him. We love him; we pray for him. He's having a hard time,' she said.

West said her brother had 'the brightest smile and the biggest heart. Everyone will tell you he had a lot of light and power in his smile.'

A YouCaring page has been set up to help pay for Donovan Spann's funeral.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to unveil a $2 billion expansion plan for the historic Snowy Mountains Hydro scheme.

The announcement of a new series of tunnels and power stations is expected to increase the power output of the famous project completed in 1974 by 50 per cent - enough to power 500,000 homes, reports suggest.

The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex that extends across 5,124 square kilometres in south-east NSW.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is expected to unveil a $2 billion expansion plan for the Snowy Mountains Hydro scheme (pictured) to increase the power output by 50 percent

'The unprecedented expansion will help make renewables reliable, filling in holes caused by intermittent supply and generator outages,' Mr Turnbull told Fairfax Media on Thursday.

'It will enable greater energy efficiency and help stabilise electricity supply into the future.'

The Snowy Hydro scheme is the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia and cost $820 million for the original series of dams and stations, Mr Turnbull told The Daily Telegraph.

'Every Australian should be confident that they can turn the lights on when they need them. We will always put sensible, considered energy decisions ahead of reckless targets that cannot guarantee power supply to Australians,' he said.

The new expansion would be enough to power 500,000 homes, reports suggest

The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex that extends across 5,124 square kilometres in south-east NSW (pictured)

The scheme supplies water to farming industries in inland NSW and Victoria, and the stations provide power to both states.

The four-year project could also extend power to South Australia and create thousands of construction and engineering jobs.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will evaluate several sites to see if it can support hydro-electric storage and construction is expected to begin when the feasibility study is completed by the end of the year, according to the Daily Telegraph.

No new dams would be built and the expansion would not impact the water supplied to NSW, SA and Queensland, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

It is not yet known who will fund the scheme but the Commonwealth, the NSW government and the Victorian government - who all own a share - could be asked to assist.

The four-year project could also extend power to South Australia and create thousands of construction and engineering jobs

The Snowy Hydro scheme is the largest engineering project ever undertaken in Australia and cost $820 million for the original series of dams and stations

Pictured is the plaque of William Hudson KBE FRS, who was Commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Authority from 1949-1967

Mr Turnbull's expected announcement comes just days after South Australia, which has been recently hit with blackouts, declared plans to build a $550 million gas-fired power station.

The Prime Minister said the state was playing 'a very expensive game of catch-up' and the plans were inadequate.

The threat of blackouts has loomed over NSW last month after extreme summer temperatures took a toll on the electricity grid.
A new union boss believes there is no problem with breaking the law when its unjust and wrong.

Sally McManus, the new secretary of the ACTU, said there's 'no way' the union will distance itself from the CFMEU, which faces more than 100 separate legal battles for breaking laws with industrial action.

'I believe in the rule of law where the law is fair and right but when it's unjust, I don't think there's a problem with breaking it,' she told Leigh Sales on ABC's 7.30 program on Wednesday night.

Sally McManus was endorsed as the new secretary of the ACTU on Wednesday (she is pictured in 2012)

Ms McManus said laws for workers taking industrial action were 'wrong'.

'It shouldn't be so hard for workers in our country to take industrial action,' she said.

'Quite often these workers have stopped work because a worker has been killed on a building site. That union gets fined more than the companies that actually kill workers.

'I think that's totally wrong.'

Liberal senator Eric Abetz says Ms McManus' comments show union bosses have no respect for Australian laws or democracy.

'This extraordinary statement from Australia's foremost union boss is a complete disgrace and must be condemned by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as a matter of urgency,' Senator Abetz said.

'I believe in the rule of law where the law is fair and right but when it's unjust, I don't think there's a problem with breaking it,' Ms McManus said

ABC 7.30 host Leigh Sales had asked Ms McManus if the ACTU would distance itself from the CFMEU over illegal industrial action

'In Australia, we live in a democracy and in circumstances where democratically elected parliaments pass laws those laws must be obeyed by all - no ifs, no buts.'

Employment minister Michaelia Cash said Ms McManus' comments were 'outrageous' and 'need to be completely and immediately repudiated by Bill Shorten and the Labor Party'.

'This is an extraordinary admission by a newly minted union leader that she believes she is above the law and that unions can pick and choose when they obey the law and when they do not.

'All reasonable Australians fundamentally understand that a key pillar of our peaceful, democratic society is adherence to the rule of law,' Ms Cash said.

'Ms McManus has tonight belled the cat on the principles of militant unions in Australia: they will obey the law if and when they choose.'

Assistant to the Prime Minister, James McGrath, wrote on Twitter: 'This is why Labor and the unions are a threat not only to workplace safety (ABCC) but the entire economy. What a disgrace.'

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also slammed the comments, News Corp reported.

Ms McManus is pictured after being endorsed as the first female secretary of the ACTU

Assistant to the Prime Minister, James McGrath, called the comments a 'disgrace'

Mr Shorten, a former secretary at the Australian Workers Union, told Fairfax he did not agree with Ms McManus' comments.

'If you don't like a law, if you think a law is unjust, use the democratic process to get it changed,' he told Fairfax.

'That's the great thing about living in a country like Australia. That's what democracy is about.

'We believe in changing bad laws, not breaking them.'

Ms McManus was on Wednesday elected to replace Dave Oliver after he announced his resignation as secretary in January.

She becomes the first woman to hold the position in the organisation's 90-year history and will work alongside president Ged Kearney after she held the position of ACTU vice-president and head of campaigns.

Ms McManus says she's excited about the future but there are significant challenges facing working Australians.

'My message today to all Australian workers: Join a union,' she said on Wednesday after her election.

'My first challenge is to stop the attack on Australian workers through penalty rate cuts.'
A Georgia mother's hilarious Facebook rant about the dirty bathrooms in her son's school has gone viral.

Ashonti Dixon, 36, broadcast live from Lithonia Middle School last week after going in to the bathrooms to dry her eyes while listening to the school chorus.

She was so shocked by the state of the facilities that she took to social media to share her outrage with friends.

Her video has picked up 20,000 views since she shared it last week.

'This is Ashonti Dixon reporting to you live from Lithonia Middle School. I just wanted to let y'all see how this bathroom looks,' she said.

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Ashonti Dixon's Facebook live video complaining about the bathrooms went viral. Her first grievance was that there was no soap in the soap dispensers (right)

Turning her iPhone camera on to the sinks, she cried: 'Y'all see tha? There's no soap!" This some s***. This some b*******'.

Ms Dixon then turned the camera on to the bathroom stalls, revealing their make-shift plywood doors.

Some had been covered in black trash bags to show they were out of order.

'There's no toilet paper. There's no doors. This little girl came in here and I had to stand guard like how we do in the club. This right here is crazy.'

The only toilet paper was a single roll on the ground and the toilet pans were stained.

'I had to stand guard like how we do in the club': Ms Dixon also complained that some of the stalls did not have doors. She told how she stood in front of one girl who needed to go

'Our vaginas matter. They really do': Ms Dixon said it was 'unsanitary' that the only roll of toilet paper was on the floor. Toilets that were out of use were wrapped up in black trash bags

Ms Dixon (above with her two sons) shared the video in the hope of improving the school bathrooms, she said

'Who wants to use tissue that's been on the floor? Nobody because our vaginas matter. They really do,' she continued, before returning to the sink section to comment that there were no lights.

Flashing the camera towards the mirror, she said: 'No lights. See me? No lights.'

She then made her way in to the hallway to interview some students and hear their complaints.

'You see this face? This some bull crap,' she said, turning the camera back on herself before signing off.

Ms Dixon's son attended the school a year ago but has since moved to a different one.

Lithonia Middle School told WSBB2 the bathroom was about to be cleaned and re-stocked with soap and toiler paper.
A small drone was shot down by a $3 million Patriot missile, a US general said on Monday.

'That quadcopter that cost 200 bucks from Amazon.com did not stand a chance against a Patriot,' said General David Perkins, the commander of the US Training and Army Doctrine Command.

Perkins told an audience at the Association of the United States Army's Global Force symposium in Alabama that the strike was made by a 'very close' US ally.

A small drone was shot down by a $3 million Patriot missile (pictured), a US general said on Monday

'That quadcopter that cost 200 bucks from Amazon.com did not stand a chance against a Patriot,' said General David Perkins (pictured), the commander of the US Training and Army Doctrine Command

Patriot missiles are radar-guided and capable of taking down small, fast-moving targets like drones.

The news comes amid reports that small drones are being armed with grenades and are being used by Islamic State to blast Iraqi forces and target refugees trying to flee Mosul.

In January, it was reported that the use of the small armed remotely piloted aerial vehicles marks a change of tactics by the militant group.

The improved weapons consists of a plastic tube attached to a consumer camera drone to carry explosives.

But Perkins said the use of ground-to-air missiles is not the most economically wise choice as a defense mechanism.

'I'm not sure that's a good economic exchange ratio,' he told his audience.

'In fact, if I'm the enemy, I'm thinking, 'Hey, I'm just gonna get on eBay and buy as many of these $300 quadcopters as I can and expend all the Patriot missiles out there.''

However, he did suggest alternative methods for taking down enemy drones such as electronic warfare and cyber measures.

Perkins told an audience at the Association of the United States Army's Global Force symposium in Alabama that the strike on the drone (file) was made by a 'very close' US ally. However, he didn't provide information on where or when the incident took place

Perkins did not specify where or when the incident took place and he didn't give details of the US ally that shot the drone down.

Justin Bronk, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, told the BBC that Patriot radar systems, while sophisticated, might struggle to target a small quadcopter effectively.

'It certainly exposes in very stark terms the challenge which militaries face in attempting to deal with the adaptation of cheap and readily available civilian technology with extremely expensive, high-end hardware designed for state-on-state warfare,' he said.

The missiles are operated by 12 countries including the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Heinz were less than impressed when Don Draper first pitched his ad for their iconic ketchup.

But after passing on it in Mad Men, the real brand have decided to run with Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce's campaign.

'50 years later, and we still don't believe you should settle for fries without Heinz,' Heinz tweeted alongside a New York billboard with Draper's 'Pass the Heinz' campaign.

After passing on it in Mad Men, Heinz have finally decided to run with Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce's ad campaign for ketchup (pictured is the episode of Mad Men where Draper pitches his ad)

The ads first featured in the fourth episode of Mad Men's sixth season, when Draper, played by John Hamm, and Stan Rizzo, by Jay R. Ferguson, have to pitch to the makers of Heinz.

They pitched three simplistic-looking ads featuring french fries, a steak and a cheeseburger.

Over the top of each add is the slogan; 'Pass the Heinz'.

In the episode, the picky Heinz executives turn down the campaign as it does not feature the Heinz bottle or logo.

The ads first featured in the fourth episode of Mad Men's sixth season, when Draper pitched three simplistic-looking ads featuring french fries, a steak and a cheeseburger

Over the top of each of the adverts is the simple slogan; 'Pass the Heinz'

Heinz have now decided to recreate those adverts in real life for their latest campaign

Even Draper's reassurance that; 'It's Heinz, it only means one thing,' was not enough to sway them.

Well it may have taken a while, but those words finally seem to have sunken in. Heinz have agreed to go with the campaign.

'What we love about it is that even though Don Draper created the 'Pass the Heinz' campaign almost 50 years ago, the communication still really works and resonates today,' said Nicole Kulwicki, head of the Heinz brand at Kraft Heinz, referring to the 1960s setting of Mad Men.

'The creative execution itself and what we love about it is that it really doesn't require paragraphs of copy to explain it,' Kulwicki added to Advertising Age. 'Really all that's missing is the Heinz.'

'50 years later, and we still don't believe you should settle for fries without Heinz,' Heinz tweeted alongside a New York billboard with Draper's 'Pass the Heinz' campaign

In the episode, the picky Heinz executives turn down the campaign as it does not feature the Heinz bottle or logo

Just like Draper envisioned, the ads will appear on three New York billboards and in print publications.

'We were having a couple of old-fashioned cocktails with Don Draper and he just gave us the files,' joked Anselmo Ramos, chief creative officer and founder at creative agency David which is bringing the campaign to life.

He said his team, who were fans of the show, were looking for inspiration and re-watched the Mad Men episode.

'This is just perfectly on brand,' Ramos said of the campaign. 'We finally managed to approve it.'
Sonya Katrina Spoon, 26, (above) confessed to killing her two children in their Maryland home

A 26-year-old woman accused of using plastic bags to kill her two young children in their Maryland home in 2014 pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of second-degree murder, according to police.

Sonya Katrina Spoon, of Cheverly, Maryland, entered the plea Wednesday afternoon in Prince Georges County Circuit Court.

Spoon faces 35 to 45 years in prison, according to the agreement announced by prosecutors.

She was arrested on September 7, 2014, after admitting to police at the scene that she suffocated her children Ayden Spoon, one, and Kayla Thompson, three.

Paramedics were called to the home of Spoon's parents at 6209 Forest Road in Prince George's County, where she had been living with Ayden and Kayla, to treat two unconscious children at around 2am on September 7, 2014.

Paivi Spoon, the children's grandmother, found Ayden and Kayla unconscious with plastic bags and duct tape around their heads, police said.

The pair were both taken to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, where they died a few hours later.

'The tragic death of these two beautiful, young children' have shaken the community, Angela Alsobrooks, state's attorney for Prince George's County, said in the wake of the children's deaths.

Kayla Thompson and Ayden Spoon were unconscious with plastic bags and duct tape around their heads. Their mother Sonya (all three pictured) is charged with second-degree murder

Six days before the murders, Spoon, then 24, had been taken in for an emergency psychiatric evaluation after her mother called police and told them her daughter had threatened to kill herself and Kayla.

Following the evaluation, Spoon was released and allowed back home with her two children.

Court records show Spoon was involved in a lengthy custody battle with Lester Thompson, the father of her eldest child, WTOP reported in September 2014.

Records filed in Calvert County show Spoon demanded a paternity test in February which showed Thompson was the biological father.

Court records show Spoon (left) was involved in a lengthy custody battle with Lester Thompson, the father of her eldest child (pictured right)

Court records also show Spoon refused to sign a custody agreement in May 2014 and then was then granted primary custody.

Thompson was ordered to pay child support and was told he could spend time with his daughter for a handful of days each month.

He wrote on Facebook: 'Going to pick up my daughter today and I am so happy to spend some time with her.'

According to her Twitter profile, Spoon was adopted from Russia and brought to the United States when she was three-years-old.

She posted several photos of her children on the social networking site who she called 'my world.'

A bio Spoon put on the internet a few years ago, in which she detailed her 'fiance Lester' and says 'I love my kids'

Her last post on August 20, 2014, was a photo of her with Kayla which she titled 'My love'.

Neighbors in Chesapeake Beach said that Spoon had moved in with her parents recently and they said they have seen young children around the house.

Spoon's parents, Gary and Paivi Spoon, were not home at the time.

Spoon was indicted on two counts each of first-degree child abuse, first-degree assault and second-degree assault in October 2014.

She will be sentenced in June, according to the Prince Georges County States Attorneys Office.
Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing while on holiday in Praia da Luz in Portugal

The parents of Madeleine McCann are facing fresh heartbreak after a criminal investigator made an outrageous claim that their daughter 'died in the apartment'.

Moita Flores, a Portuguese crime expert, has lashed out at Kate, 49, and Gerry McCann, 48, as they approach the 10th anniversary of Maddie's disappearance.

Mr Flores, who was once involved with the Policia Judiciaria - who conducted the initial search - said: 'Maddie died in that apartment, I have no doubt.'

His outburst was reported on a Portuguese website and he questioned: 'Why this child when there are so many others who have disappeared?'

Referring to claims that the toddler was abducted, Mr Flores added: 'It would have been impossible to get through a window with a child', reports The Sun Online.

The comments come as police in the Algarve desperately search for a worker who may have clues about the disappearance in 2007.

Detectives believe the worker 'kept secrets' from them as they carried out the initial investigation almost 10 years ago.

An insider has revealed officers are searching for a Portuguese man who was nearby when the three-year-old went missing while on holiday in the Ocean Club resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Kate and Gerry McCann, from Leicestershire, will not be 'fuelling' any of the 'speculation', according to their spokesman

The views of Mr Flores, 64, mirror those of police chief Goncalo Amaral. The Portuguese officer recently won a libel battle against the McCanns after appealing.

But Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for the couple, from from Rothley, Leicestershire, said they will not be making a comment following Mr Flores' remarks.

He told The Sun Online: 'Kate and Gerry will not be fuelling any of this pure speculation with any comment whatsoever.'

Moita Flores, who was once involved with the Policia Judiciaria - who conducted the initial search - said: 'Maddie died in that apartment, I have no doubt'

Mr Flores, a researcher and a writer, wants British police to invest a portion of their new 85,000 Home Office money to fund a reconstruction project in the Algarve.

A McCann source told the website that there is 'no proof' that Maddie died in the apartment of 'anywhere else'.

He said: 'Until there is any shred of evidence her parents believe their daughter could still be alive.

'This person (Mr Flores) is presenting himself as a criminal expert and is regurgitating claims made by Mr Amaral, he is repeating all the old assertions it seems for shock value.'

Kate, a former GP and Gerry, a heart doctor, said they were 'very grateful' for the continued support by Scotland Yard.

It came amid fears the controversial 11.1million investigation into Maddie's disappearance, codenamed Operation Grange, was being shelved.
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Hundreds of thousands of life jackets piled up to 15 feet high and covering ten acres still lay discarded in a Greek tourist spot.

The piles of orange jackets and broken boats were left by refugees who arrived in Lesbos. The pictures were taken almost a year after the signing of a controversial EU-Turkey deal that sought to stem the flow of migrants to the continent, in particular Greece, by land and sea routes.

Rescue teams are still present on the island to help the thousands of refugees making the treacherous boat journey to Greece before attempting to head further into Europe.

While the flow of people arriving on the Greek islands has slowed since the deal was signed, authorities have still registered around 2,000 refugees landing since the beginning of 2017.

Some 13,000 people, including many unaccompanied children, are stuck on the islands while their asylum applications are decided, according to a Human Rights Watch report.

Last year the International Organization for Migration warned that the number of deaths on the route from Turkey to Greece was 'increasing at an alarming rate'.

Some 218 people drowning in the first four weeks of 2016 trying to reach the islands.

Hundreds of thousands of life jackets lie discarded by refugees on Lesbos. They are piled high near the Greek village of Molyvos

They were left by migrants after they made the perilous boat journey from Turkey in a bid to start a new life in Europe

Disgarded and broken boats that brought people to the islands from Turkey lie among the rubbish. The pictures were taken almost a year after the signing of a controversial EU-Turkey deal that sought to stem the flow of migrants to the continent

While the flow of people arriving on the Greek islands has slowed since the deal was signed, authorities have still registered around 2,000 refugees arriving since the beginning of 2017
Workers sweep the road ahead of the opening of the new terminal two wing at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi. Photo by Reuters

However, aviation authorities maintain that the hike will not affect ticket prices.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) wants to raise the service charges airlines have to pay to fund airport expansion projects, but claims this will not affect ticket fares.

Airlines would have to pay an extra VND143 billion ($6.3 million) annually following the increase, while just VND5,100 or U.S.22 cents would be added to ticket fares.

The change is too small for airlines to justify a ticket hike, said Le Manh Hung, director general of Airports Corporation of Vietnam, the operator of domestic civilian airports.

Pending approval, the charges would rise by five percent from July 1, and jump 10 percent from January 1, 2018.

Vietnams largest airports, including Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai in Hanoi, designed for both domestic and international flights, have become increasingly overloaded.

Proceeds from the hike would fund projects to upgrade runways and departure gates to accommodate the increasing number of people traveling by air in Vietnam, according to the CAAV.

The charges Vietnamese airlines pay have remained unchanged since 2011, the CAAV said, adding they are only 47-67 percent of what other Southeast Asian countries charge.

Vietnams airline industry is growing at the third-fastest pace in Asia-Pacific, with the number of travelers jumping 29 percent in 2016 from the year before to about 52.2 million passengers, according to the CAAV.

Related news:

> Market boom spurs Vietnamese airline carriers to expand fleets at speed

> Congested Saigon airport asks domestic airlines to park fleet elsewhere
Sergeant Alexander Blackman (pictured) had his murder conviction overturned on Wednesday

A Royal Marine was cleared of murdering a Taliban insurgent yesterday following a Daily Mail campaign.

Judges downgraded Alexander Blackman's conviction to manslaughter after accepting expert evidence he had combat stress. The sergeant  known as Marine A when he was jailed for life at his trial  said a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He could walk free within days.

More than 30,000 Daily Mail readers helped fund the 800,000 legal challenge that led to yesterday's triumph at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London. Sgt Blackman's loyal wife Claire beamed at the verdict.

But there was a deafening silence from the military commanders who let Sgt Blackman down on the battlefield then hung him out to dry at his court martial.

The judges reduced his conviction to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, saying he had been subjected to exceptional pressures in the lead-up to the incident.

He will face a new sentencing hearing in about a week, where his legal team will argue he should be freed immediately because of the three and half years he has served.

Mrs Blackman emerged from the court on the Strand yesterday to wild cheering. She was with Frederick Forsyth who, in a clear reference to top brass, called for the 'villains' who put Sgt Blackman in jail to be shamed. The Day of the Jackal author added: 'The fight is not over yet. We must free a man who has been put in jail who should never have been there.

'Then we must go after those people who wrongly and villainously put him there.'

Mrs Blackman said: 'Al and I cannot thank the Daily Mail and its readers enough. They helped us up when we were down, and without the thousands of readers who gave their support, we would never have reached this moment.'

Claire Blackman, the wife of Sergeant Alexander Blackman smiled outside the Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday

Claire Blackman spoke outside the court after her husband has his murder conviction overturned

Sgt Blackman was not in court for the hearing but he spoke to his wife by telephone afterwards. She said: 'Al said a huge weight had been lifted. That means so much to us. We can start to think about the future now.'

Her husband's QC, Jonathan Goldberg, said: 'The heroine, of course, is Claire Blackman. Without her indefatigable efforts to keep the flame alive on behalf of her husband and to get that debate in Parliament, which sparked the interest of the public and the Daily Mail, and which led directly to today's victory, none of this would have happened.'

He said the hero was Mr Forsyth, who 'knew a miscarriage of justice when he smelt one'.

Mr Goldberg added: 'In a long career as defence counsel, I recall few cases that were prosecuted as remorselessly as this one from first to last. And those ones involved dangerous criminals, not a hitherto exemplary British soldier driven way past his breaking point in an impossible war by hellish conditions and inadequate moral and material support.'

The judges delivered a withering ruling that smashed the notion that Sgt Blackman, 42, had conducted a 'cold-blooded execution' in September 2011. The insurgent he shot had already been mortally wounded trying to storm a British outpost in Helmand Province.

Mrs Blackman said: 'Al said a huge weight had been lifted. That means so much to us. We can start to think about the future now'

Sergeant Alexander Blackman's remote and austere outpost that he shared with 15 Marines for six months

Led by Britain's most senior judge, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, the panel hailed the sergeant as an 'exemplary soldier' who had acted entirely out of character.

They accepted the unanimous evidence of three psychiatrists who all diagnosed an 'adjustment disorder'  a recognised mental illness  which muddled his mind. The disorder was caused by the 'quite exceptional' stresses and perils that Sgt Blackman and his men faced holding the front line at their remote base.

His ability to form a rational judgement and to exercise self-control on the day of the shooting were 'substantially impaired', said the judges. They added: 'In our view, the adjustment disorder had put the appellant in the state of mind to kill'. They said the 'decision to kill was probably impulsive'.

After Sgt Blackman was convicted in 2013, David Cameron described it as 'appalling story' and said the case of a man who served six tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan 'in no way represents the incredible spirit, courage and history of the Royal Marines'. Chancellor Philip Hammond  then defence secretary  vowed there would be no clemency. But a Daily Mail investigation revealed vital evidence had been 'deliberately withheld' from the court martial.

The Ministry of Defence tried to sweep under the carpet an internal report that cast grave doubt on the murder conviction but it was leaked to the Daily Mail.

JUDGES: HOW EXTREME STRESS LED HIM TO KILL In their ruling, the judges said Blackman was an 'exemplary soldier' whose ability to form a rational judgement was impaired by 'exceptional' stresses, including: - The recent death of his father - The killing of his commander Lieutenant Ollie Augustin and fellow marine Sam Alexander - A perceived lack of support from his commanders - His 'on-edge' unit 'did not feel safe at night' in their remote outpost which could 'easily be overrun' - Constant ambushes and threats of IEDs - Blackman felt responsible for his men, especially those with children, so took on more patrols himself - Twice-daily patrols in 50C heat - Sleep deprivation - The Marines' padre did not visit 'because it was too dangerous' - The judges accepted that 'everyone has a breaking point ... there isn't any such thing as a Rambo-type soldier' - At the time of the shooting, 'the patrol remained under threat' amid radio chatter that 'another attack was imminent', which 'affected cognitive functioning' - In the judges' view, 'the adjustment disorder had put the appellant in the state of mind to kill' - Blackman was 'angry and vengeful' and his decision to kill 'was probably impulsive and the adjustment disorder had led to an abnormality of mental functioning that substantially impaired his ability to exercise self-control' Advertisement

After yesterday's victory, Theresa May told the Commons the Government respected the judgment and would examine it 'very closely'.

Conservative MP Rebecca Pow demanded the Prime Minister ensure servicemen 'be treated with fairness and understanding and given adequate resources  including for mental health support' in future. Colonel Oliver Lee, one of the few top brass to emerge with credit  he resigned in protest at the treatment of Sgt Blackman  said: 'It is a good day and a fair day. I am very pleased Sgt Blackman has now been dealt with justly.'

The MoD said: 'We respect the court's decision and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further on it.'

Comrades of Sergeant Blackman told last night's BBC Panorama they were glad he shot the insurgent. Sam Deen, who was on the fateful patrol, said they had all wanted to do it. Another said 'everyone wanted that guy dead'.

Whitehall elite who left him to rot

By Sam Greenhill and Richard Pendlebury for the Daily Mail

After Blackman was convicted, the then Prime Minister David Cameron (pictured) called it an 'appalling story'

While Alexander Blackman languished behind bars, some of the commanders accused of letting him down found their careers flourishing. Yesterday the silence from them was deafening. There was also no word from the politicians who shamefully abandoned the experienced Marine to his fate and vowed no clemency.

LT-Colonel Ewen Murchison

Blackman's commanding officer's perceived lack of support fuelled the decline in his mental health, the judges found. Lt-Col Murchison only visited the outpost once in six months. On the day of the shooting, Lt-Col Murchison was 90 miles away posing for a photo with pop star Cheryl Cole, after being asked to escort her. At the end of the tour, Col Murchison was awarded the DSO for 'leadership' and promoted to full colonel, and is now tipped for Brigadier rank. But his 'belligerent' leadership was damned as a 'failure' by Colonel Oliver Lee. Blackman's QC submitted that he showed a 'determination to avoid personal responsibility'.

Brigadier Ed Davis

The Task Force Commander was warned Blackman's unit was acting too aggressively, but the court heard he brushed off concerns. Davis was promoted to Major General and Commandant General of Royal Marines. He was then promoted to a senior position in Nato and is now the Governor of Gibraltar. Asked to comment, his spokeswoman said: 'His Excellency is unavailable.'

Major Aaron Fisher

The commander of Blackman's J-Company, Major Fisher's perceived lack of leadership was a 'key stressor' on the sergeant's mental decline. J-Company was described later in the tour as being 'out of control'. Major Fisher was issued with a final warning and came very close to being sacked, the court heard. Today he is on the Directing Staff of Intermediate Command and Staff Course. An MoD spokesman said he would not be making any comment.

Vice Admiral Sir Philip Jones

As Fleet Commander, he commissioned the internal inquiry which found evidence that could win justice, then ordered a 'media-handling strategy' to keep most of it secret from the public. The Deputy Chief of Naval Staff wrote a letter  leaked to the Mail  revealing 'uncomfortable' findings about senior commanders, but vowed to keep it a 'controlled document'. Jones was promoted to full admiral and First Sea Lord  the most senior sailor in the Royal Navy, which offered no comment last night.

General Sir Nick Houghton

The then head of the Armed Forces said Blackman committed a 'heinous crime' and said pleas for clemency would 'erode the moral ascendancy over our enemies'.

David Cameron

After Blackman was convicted, the then Prime Minister called it an 'appalling story', adding: 'I just want to say that it in no way represents the incredible spirit, courage and history of the Royal Marines.'

Philip Hammond

As Defence Secretary at the time, Philip Hammond vowed that there would be no clemency. Speaking to troops in Afghanistan, he said: 'These are standards that are core to our values as a society and core to the values of the British Armed Forces.' After the appeal was launched, he said it was now 'an independent judicial decision'.
A pair of gun-toting robbers tried to prey on Mormon missionaries in Brazil, but were sent packing when one of their victims proved tougher than expected.

Footage of the incident, shot by a security camera in the crime-stricken city of Manaus on Saturday, lasts for just a single minute.

The missionaries - suited and booted in crisp white shirts - look like easy pickings for the robbers, who arrive on a bike and immediately shove a gun in their faces.

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God on their side: A biker (far left) and a gunman (third from right) held up two Mormon missionaries and two passers by in Manaus, Brazil, on Saturday - but it didn't go well for them

They are frisked by the man with the gun as two other men hand over their possessions to the bike-rider.

But the armed robber was in for a shock, as the burlier of the Mormons grabs him and twists the gun out his grasp.

The bike-rider steps in but finds his friend's gun pointed in his face.

The Mormon then tosses the gun over a high fence and goes to town on the biker, knocking him across the street with a flurry of left and right jabs.

Missionary impossible: The burlier missionary wrested the gun away from one man (left). He then bashed the other one around (right) until a cop (right image, far left) arrived

The gunman flees as a cop arrives, but the missionary is lost in a fist-fighting frenzy.

Even when the officer intervenes he continues landing blows on the criminal.

The robber eventually breaks free and flees, leaving the missionary standing, arms at his side, looking like he could go another few rounds.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints confirmed to The Salt-Lake Tribune that the two shirt-wearing men in the video were attached to the Manaus mission.

It said that they were in good health, but declined to release their identities.

Manaus, located in Northern Brazil, is the state capital of the Amazon.

It was the third most crime-ridden state in the country in 2014, according to The Brazil Business, with 565 homicides and 9,904 robberies per 100,000 people.
In December 2013, Sergeant Alexander Blackman (pictured) became the first British serviceman to be convicted of murder on a foreign battlefield

History is made, once again, by the extraordinary case of Acting Colour Sergeant Alexander Blackman. This time, a wrong has been put right by the will of the people  rather than imposed by the Establishment.

In December 2013, Sergeant Blackman became the first British serviceman to be convicted of murder on a foreign battlefield. Yesterday, as that murder conviction was quashed, there were gasps of delight from the packed public gallery while celebrations began far beyond the precincts of the Royal Courts of Justice.

This had become a truly global cause celebre. But the Royal Marine's appeal success was possible only thanks to the investigative and campaigning journalism of this newspaper and a legal fighting fund raised entirely by you, its readers.

The latter paid for the kind of incisive defence advocacy and psychiatric evaluation which was so shamefully denied Sgt Blackman in his original trial by court martial. Justice has, belatedly, prevailed.

Whatever their Lords and Ladyship decide on the matter of Sgt Blackman's re-sentencing in the coming days  and the marine's legal team are hopeful he will be allowed to walk free  the substitution of murder for manslaughter due to diminished responsibility is a tremendous victory.

The most grievous of crimes is expunged from Blackman's record. A 'superb soldier' did wrong by shooting a mortally wounded Taliban fighter; that cannot be denied. But he was not a cold blooded killer as originally alleged; rather, the victim of a mental illness caused by the terrible circumstance of war and of institutional failings, that impaired his judgment at the fatal moment. That was made quite clear in the appeal judgment.

For almost two years, the world has been watching this fight for justice; one in which elements among the military, political and Civil Service establishment were the real opponents, battling to keep Sgt Blackman in jail for life. Jonathan Goldberg QC, who led Sgt Blackman's legal team for the appeal hearing, said to me: 'In all my 46 years at the Bar I have never known a prosecution pursue their case so remorselessly.'

So why exactly was this?

Sent to pacify the Taliban heartland of Helmand on the then Prime Minister Tony Blair's imperial whim, HM Forces had found themselves undermanned and ill-equipped against an insurgent enemy.

In Nad e Ali North in the bloody summer of 2011, Blackman's unit, 42 Commando Royal Marines, had profound problems caused by weak 'chain of command' issues. Headquarters had been warned about this long before the Blackman incident. The warnings were ignored.

This is the remote outpost in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where Sergeant Blackman was stationed

Whitehall, however, could not admit the failings of senior officers. The relatively lowly sergeant who was in charge of an outpost in 'the heart of darkness', and cracked as a result, had to take the blame.

Even David Cameron decried Sgt Blackman in a silkily expedient sound-bite. It was, the Prime Minister said, an 'appalling story' that 'in no way represents the incredible spirit, courage and history of the Royal Marines'.

During one of my visits to him in his Wiltshire prison Sgt Blackman told me with a hurt despair how he felt he had been portrayed as 'the most evil man ever to wear uniform'.

Many had viewed the Daily Mail's decision in the summer of 2015 to launch a campaign to challenge the murder conviction as an act of folly.

Didn't everyone know the damning details of the case? The 'murderer' had been caught red-handed on video by the unauthorised helmet camera of a fellow marine. In the immediate aftermath Blackman had infamously paraphrased Shakespeare as he addressed the corpse: 'Shuffle off this mortal coil, you c***.'

Sergeant Blackman (pictured) was sent to pacify the Taliban heartland of Helmand

The footage found its way into the hands of the British police. Blackman's assertion at court martial that he had thought the member of the Taliban was already dead when shot was not believed.

In sentencing him to life Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett tore the marine's character to shreds. An unsuccessful appeal against the conviction had only seen his minimum sentence reduced from ten to eight years.

No matter that 100,000 people signed an online petition calling for the verdict to be overturned, the legal options were apparently exhausted. Blackman would rot in jail; a disgrace to the Corps who would have his misconduct used as a case study in training for years to come. And that would have been that. Except it wasn't.

There was the continued sympathy and disquiet of a few influential figures  and whispers about a damning secret report that set out the true circumstances surrounding the Blackman incident. It cried out for thorough journalistic investigation and exposure.

My part in the campaign began on July 21, 2015, with a meeting at Portcullis House across the road from Parliament. I had covered Afghanistan since 2001 and had been in Nad e Ali North a few weeks before 42 Commando arrived in the spring of 2011.

As a result I knew a little of the relentless pressure experienced by soldiers on the ground. The two others at this meeting were Mr Goldberg and Richard Drax MP, a former Guards officer who was a staunch Blackman campaigner from the start.

Mr Goldberg had become interested in the case through his friendship with the best-selling author and former RAF pilot Frederick Forsyth.

Earlier that year, Mr Forsyth had written an article expressing his continued support for Sgt Blackman in spite of the apparent hopelessness of his legal position. He received a letter of thanks from the marine's indefatigable wife Claire Blackman.

It read: 'My husband is a fine, upstanding man, who is trying to stay strong and better himself in a prison environment that is slowly eroding his strength and good humour.

'His being there is such a waste of a life  and of taxpayers' money  and I am writing to ask for your help in any way you can.'

His wife Claire Blackman (pictured) beamed at the verdict from the Court Martial Appeal Court in London on Wednesday

Here was the seed of the subsequent campaign. How though to proceed? We could not simply rehearse old arguments. The legal process had been exhausted and did not allow for further appeals based on the same evidence.

But there was one avenue of hope. The Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC) could refer a case back to the Court of Appeal if significant new evidence was found. Over several weeks, that evidence was gradually compiled. It included the accounts of marines in 42 Commando during that tour and a number of leaked MoD documents.

Together they began to tell a quite different story  and revealed the attempts by the top brass to shape a 'media strategy'. In other words, to cover up the truth. We learned of the existence of a secret Royal Navy investigation, codenamed Telemeter, into the circumstances surrounding the Blackman shooting.

It had been commissioned months after Blackman had been convicted and sources led us to understand that the final report was critical of a number of factors and individuals.

In short, these findings did not fit within the official narrative of a superbly functioning military machine let down by the actions of a single wicked individual.

We had also been told that one of the Royal Marines' most highly regarded officers had resigned his commission as a result of what he saw as the unjust way in which Sgt Blackman had been treated by the Royal Marines and the court martial system.

He was Oliver Lee, the youngest Royal Marine to achieve the rank of full colonel since World War II. He had been Sgt Blackman's de facto commanding officer for a matter of days before the shooting. Colonel Lee had previously expressed misgivings about the way 42 Commando was being led by its CO, Lt-Colonel Ewen Murchison, but had been rebuffed by brigade commander Ed Davis (now governor of Gibraltar).

Col Lee's subsequent request to speak up for Blackman at court martial by giving his account of all this was simply ignored, as was a similar approach by his Regimental Sergeant Major.

The clear message from on high was that Blackman should be hung out to dry and damn the embarrassing mitigating facts.

An analysis by Mr Goldberg and his team would also demonstrate the shocking flaws in the original court martial.

The alternative verdict of manslaughter was not asked for by Blackman's original legal team, led by Anthony Berry QC (who maintains he conducted the case 'on the basis of the clear, unambiguous and emphatic instructions received from Mr Blackman'), nor offered by the prosecution or indeed the Judge Advocate General himself. Nor, inexplicably, was Sgt Blackman examined by a psychiatrist until after his conviction.

No explanation was to be given as to how a soldier previously assessed as 'highly robust and engaging with impeccable moral courage' could become a murderer.

Upon these foundations the new campaign for justice was to be built. But there was a pressing reality. A very substantial amount of money would be needed to pay for a first class legal team to compile a new case and then argue it through the courts.

The only solution was to appeal to the generosity of the Mail readership to coincide with the first of our investigative pieces.

The trustees of the fund were distinguished and eclectic. Mr Forsyth (who had funded the initial legal fees out of his own pocket) was one, the celebrated lyricist Sir Tim Rice, another. A third was Major General Sir John Holmes, former CO of 22 SAS and Director of Special Forces.

Mrs Blackman (pictured) spoke outside the court after her husband's murder conviction was overturned

And so the Mail's appeal was launched on September 11, 2015. We were overwhelmed by the public response; almost 150,000 in the first four days. The cheques were as small as 2, as large as 500. By the end of the first week, 250,000 had been raised.

The appeal was helped by our investigative revelations  and the MoD's bumbling and shaming response. Perhaps most clumsy was the release of a heavily redacted fragment of the conclusion of the Navy's Telemeter investigation which put all the blame on Sgt Blackman. The Mail then published a leaked, un-redacted version which told a rather different story.

It was stated that the company commander had been unprepared for the role, and that supervision of officers at the Nad e Ali North outpost was insufficient to identify warning signs that could indicate 'moral regression, psychiatric stress and fatigue'.

By the following week a number of retired senior officers had lent their support and the MoD had agreed to release the whole of Telemeter to the Blackman legal team to compile an application to the Criminal Case Review Commission. Momentum grew, as did the war chest which would eventually swell beyond 800,000.

But the Establishment had dug in for a long fight. Other senior officers were put forward to denounce Sgt Blackman.

Serving soldiers were warned they might face disciplinary action if they attended any rally or demonstration which supported the marine. Yet hundreds did, not least in the first magnificent 'show of support' in Parliament Square that October.

There was a second rally in Birmingham in December to coincide with Mr Goldberg and his team presenting the CCRC with the new case. Shortly afterwards, the campaign received its first substantial blow. The CCRC said the case would not be granted top priority meaning the case files might not be read for months. By early January, the CCRC had changed their minds, as public pressure grew, but even then progress was slow. A CCRC psychiatrist was supposed to see Blackman in springtime but had not visited by autumn. The mood darkened, despite another even larger Parliament Square rally, attended by more than 1,000 veterans from around the world.

But then last December came the glorious shaft of light. The CCRC had found at least three grounds upon which Sgt Blackman's murder conviction was potentially unsafe. It should indeed be referred to the Court of Appeal. The following day Mr Goldberg received an email from the MoD  you might wonder at the timing  saying that Col Murchison, who had led 42 Commando, had complained that the Telemeter report had gone beyond its remit in criticism of him.

His complaint about the military's own report had been upheld by the top brass. And so the Telemeter evidence would have to be qualified in the appeal hearing. Desperate measures. But the battle lines were drawn.

The appeal hearing took place early last month. And how the Service Prosecuting Authority (the body which views criminal cases and offences involving military personnel) fought to keep Blackman in jail for life.

Their tenacity was as unexpected as it was distasteful. Despite this, three psychiatrists, including the one acting for the CCRC, all separately found that Sgt Blackman had been suffering from an 'adjustment disorder' at the time of the shooting, caused by the horrendous conditions of the tour and the perception he and his men had been abandoned by their chain of command. This expert evidence was unopposed.

The court also heard Sgt Blackman and his men were in real danger of attack when the shooting took place. This belated acknowledgement of the true situation was one of the most 'satisfying' moments of the appeal for her husband, Mrs Blackman told me yesterday.

The appeal hearing ended, but the prosecution had not finished. They submitted a further 21 pages of argument to Lord Chief Justice Thomas and his colleagues in the Court of Appeal, attempting to undermine the credibility of both the Telemeter findings and that of the psychiatrists.

The law lords rejected this tactic utterly in their judgement yesterday. It was 'unfair and unjust' to Sgt Blackman. Col Lee was in court to hear the judgment. So too was Freddie Forsyth and General Holmes. And Mrs Blackman, of course.

Afterwards they walked shoulder to shoulder into the sunshine outside the Royal Courts to a 'three cheers for Al Blackman' from the assembled marine veterans. And three cheers for this paper's readership. You got the case this far. Alexander Blackman is still in jail but the hopes of release have soared.
Professor Neil Greenberg had to carry out his own investigation as Sergeant Blackman (pictured) was already in jail

There had been a lot of publicity about the Alexander Blackman case, and when I was asked to review the medical evidence last year I approached the task with my usual air of healthy scepticism.

As an independent expert providing key evidence for his appeal hearing, I had to put all the previous coverage out of my mind to reach my own conclusions.

As Sgt Blackman was already in jail, the police and Crown Prosecution Service were no longer interested in the case and I had to do my own information-gathering.

I placed an advert with the Royal Marines Association inviting Marines who served in Afghanistan in 2011 to contact me, which yielded around half a dozen responses.

Last year, I interviewed him for two hours at HM Prison Erlestoke in Wiltshire. He is a man of few words  as per the 'John Wayne' description he was given in court  and I had to tease his story out of him.

The picture which emerged was a man who was broken by his six-month tour of Afghanistan in the summer of 2011.

But what does being 'broken' mean? And how did I reach my conclusion that Sgt Blackman was mentally ill when he shot dead a wounded Taliban insurgent?

I reached the same conclusion independently as two other psychiatrists who gave evidence at Sgt Blackman's appeal  that he was suffering from a type of mental illness called an adjustment disorder.

An adjustment disorder is the the state of mind where a culmination of stresses so affect you that you're no longer able to function properly. You may still be able to carry out everyday tasks, but your ability to think through the consequences of your actions can be gravely impaired  with potentially lethal consequences.

For example, we know that a third of young people who kill themselves are affected by an adjustment disorder.

Last year, Professor Greenberg interviewed Sergeant Blackman (pictured) for two hours at HM Prison Erlestoke in Wiltshire

It was my evidence  and that of the other two expert witnesses  that an adjustment disorder also had lethal consequences in Sgt Blackman's case and was the reason he killed the insurgent. Adjustment disorders vary hugely in severity  Sgt Blackman's was at the severe end of the spectrum.

They are by no exclusive to military life  they may be the result of traumatic incidents such as a car crash, losing your job or the break-up of a significant relationship.

Often people recover from them within six months with the support of family and friends with no dire consequences.

Professor Neil Greenberg, who was asked to review the medical evidence into Sergeant Blackman's case last year

So why is an adjustment disorder diagnosis in this case significant? Because it led to disastrous consequences. When Sgt Blackman killed the insurgent, his judgment was so impaired he could not think through the consequences of his actions. Here was a man on whom his gruelling six-month tour of duty had taken a devastating toll.

In psychiatry we talk of the 'stressors'  or stresses  that lead to mental illness. These included his father's death shortly before his deployment, the punishing 50C heat in Afghanistan, feeling isolated due to the lack of visits from senior officers to his outpost, the killing of a young lieutenant he had mentored, narrowly surviving a grenade blast and the low security at the base which led him to fear that he and his men could 'have their throats cut in the night'.

He was a highly rated soldier with an exemplary record who had toured Iraq and Northern Ireland. But by the time he pulled the trigger, he no longer cared about the values he held so dear  he just wanted get himself and his men home safely.

As with all mental-health conditions, it is a truism that most people who are suffering with an adjustment disorder will not seek help for the condition.

Around 10 to 15 per cent of Armed Forces personnel have adjustment disorders  in a way, it is surprising it is not more.

As I told the Sgt Blackman's appeal hearing: 'There is no such thing as a Rambo type, an Arnold Schwarzenegger soldier, who can face all sorts of stresses and appear to be invulnerable. That sort of person only exists in the cinema.'

Sgt Blackman's wife Claire (pictured) spoke outside the court in London on Wednesday after he had his murder conviction overturned

In Sgt Blackman's case he did not have a mental assessment before his trial, something that is routine in civilian murder cases. This was highly unfortunate.

Britain requires service personnel to carry out arduous duties in harsh conditions.

I was a Royal Navy doctor for 23 years and served under the UK's military covenant, the core principal of which is that servicemen and their families should face 'no disadvantage' compared to civilians.

It is a regrettable that this principle was not applied in Sgt Blackman's case, and the Government should consider making mental-health assessments mandatory for servicemen facing serious criminal charges.
For some people, it's not about the size of the ring but their love for each other.

However this man in northern China decided that maybe it was about the size of the rock, opting to use a 33 tonne meteor to propose to his girlfriend of four years.

Following the man's proposal on March 14 in Urumqi, Xinjiang province, the woman agreed to marry him, reports the People's Daily Online.

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Will you marry me! A man in China used a meteorite to propose to his girlfriend

Romantic? Onlookers filmed the entire proposal after the man used a meteorite to propose

According to reports, the man surnamed Liu had taken his girlfriend to see the meteorite a year before while they were on holiday.

During their trip he asked her if she liked the giant rock and she said yes.

Liu got in contact with the owner of the meteorite and asked to purchase it without telling his girlfriend. According to Chinese media he paid one million yuan (118,000).

She said yes! The man hugs his girlfriend after she agrees to marry him

It was then on March 14 that he arranged to use it in his proposal.

The declaration of love went well with his girlfriend agreeing to marry him. She told reporters: 'This way was very romantic. I have never seen such a large stone in my life.'

The couple had been dating for four years.

However the proposal has been criticised on news163.com. Many people have doubted whether the rock is genuine.

One user commented: 'Such large meteorites are large treasures. You can't have them.'

While another said: 'Shameless hype.'

And one user wrote: 'This is a marketing plug for the estate agent next door.'
A drunk man in China was rushed to hospital after he put two live fish into his anus.

The two pond loaches swam up into his intestines, one of which even broke through the bowel wall causing severe abdominal pain to the patient.

Doctors in Guangzhou, southern China, successfully removed the two fish and the man remains in intensive care, reports Huanqiu, an affiliation with the People's Daily Online.

Shocking: Doctors said one of the pond loaches broke through the intestinal wall

Pond loaches are claimed to have high-value nutrients and are often seen in Chinese dishes

According to reports, the 45-year-old man claims to have been drinking on March 10 and put the fish inside his body by himself.

The following day he rushed to The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University with signs of a high fever, low blood pressure and severe stomach pain.

As the two loaches had stayed in the patient's body for over 24 hours, surgeons did an abdominal digital radiography to locate the loaches.

The patient was diagnosed with perforation of the intestine and was at risk of septic shock due to infection.

Doctors successfully removed the loaches that one measuring six inches long.

However they could not locate the second pond loach in his intestines but identifies a wound on the intestinal wall.

The patient could have a life threatening infections if the loach had gone further up (file photo)

Doctors told the reporters that the second pond loach was stuck in the upper left section of his abdomen.

One doctor said: 'The second fish is four inches long and 0.8 inches wide. He could have lost his life if this loach swam further and reached upper organs.'

He explained the fish had caused serious infection in the patient's abdominal area and the man has now been transferred to intensive care for further treatment.
When Judy Norman walks on stage for the play 'Spillikin', she performs beside a somewhat different cast member - a humanoid robot.

The robot can talk, make facial expressions, blink its eyes, move its hand and turn its head.

It has even been described as 'affectionate' by leading lady Norman, who works closely with the robot throughout the performance.

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When Judy Norman (right) walks on stage for the play 'Spillikin', she performs beside a somewhat different cast member - a humanoid robot (left). The robot can talk, make facial expressions, blink its eyes, move its hand and turn its head

ROBOTHESPIANS RoboThespian is the creation of Cornish engineer Will Jackson who had an idea to develop an artistic robot that could react with its audiences. Six years ago he embarked on a project to create a robot that would save tour guides from tediously repeating the same script each day. Today, more than 35 RoboThespians are delighting theatre-goers and tourists throughout the world. They are also trained to recognise gestures such as waving goodbye and are able to copy body poses. They are multi-lingual and can even sing. Jacksons company, Cornish-based Engineered Arts, is the world's only maker of commercially available life sized humanoid robots. It produces the parts from an industrial unit near Falmouth with one robot costing around 55,000. They can also be rented out for a day or leased for a year. Advertisement

Featuring the bizarre 'robothespian', the play brings love and technology together for a story about a robot maker who builds a robot to keep his wife company after he dies.

Cornwall-based Pipeline Theatre, which has worked with robotics company Engineered Arts for the project, is now touring across the UK.

'We have pre-programmed every single thing the robot says and every single thing the robot does, all the moves,' writer and director Jon Welch said.

'So the robot will always say the same thing and move in the same way depending on what cue is being triggered at what particular time.'

The robot is connected to the theatre's control room, where a laptop transmits cues for its performance.

'(There is) a big pressure on the actor...to always have the right lines, always stand in the right place so that the robot is looking at the right direction at that particular moment,' Welch said.

On stage, Norman talks to the robot and even kisses it. In return, the robot replies, displays facial expressions and moves its hands.

'Working with a robot is something of course I have never done before so it's a completely different experience,' she said. 'When he looks at me, this going to sound weird, but he is very affectionate and I like him, I really like him.'

The Android has even been described as 'affectionate' by leading lady Norman, who works closely with the robot throughout the performance

Featuring the bizarre 'robothespian', the play brings love and technology together for a story about a robot maker who builds a robot to keep his wife company after he dies

'Spillikin' runs in London until March 19 and continues its tour until April.

RoboThespian is the creation of Cornish engineer Will Jackson who had an idea to develop an artistic robot that could react with its audiences.

Six years ago he embarked on a project to create a robot that would save tour guides from tediously repeating the same script each day.

Today, more than 35 RoboThespians are delighting theatre-goers and tourists throughout the world.

They are also trained to recognise gestures such as waving goodbye and are able to copy body poses. They are multi-lingual and can even sing.

Jacksons company, Cornish-based Engineered Arts, is the world's only maker of commercially available life sized humanoid robots.

It produces the parts from an industrial unit near Falmouth with one robot costing around 55,000 ($67,000). They can also be rented out for a day or leased for a year.

The robot is connected to the theatre's control room, where a laptop transmits cues for its performance. All of the robot's moves in the play are pre-programmed

A nearly completed RoboThespian robot inside the Engineered Arts workshop is tested. The Cornish company, operating from an industrial unit near Falmouth, is now working with Cornwall-based Pipeline Theatre on a new play about love and technology
Stuck in the age-old dilemma of whether to choose an iPhone or an Android?

Israeli tech company Esti has come up with an ingenious solution.

It has launched a 'Frankenphone' case that lets you turn your phone into an iPhone-Android hybrid.

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Israeli company Esti has launched a bizarre smartphone case that lets you have an iPhone on the front (left) and an Android on the back (back)

THE EYE iPhone case with built-in smartphone

Encompasses the iPhone's camera, speakers and microphone

Comes with backward-facing five-inch Android display

Additional 2800mAh battery which can be charged wirelessly

Includes two SIM slots, a headphone jack and a large 256GB of storage

Costs 155 ($189) Advertisement

The invention, called The Eye, is an iPhone case with an Android phone built in.

The bizarre device lets you have an iPhone on the front of your phone and an Android on the back.

The 155 ($189) case also comes with an additional 2800mAh battery which can be charged wirelessly using a specially-designed phone holder.

The Eye makes use of the iPhone's speakers, microphone and cameras.

But on the back is a standalone smartphone displayed on a five-inch screen, which is protected from damage by a wrap-around curved design.

The 155 ($189) case also comes with an additional 2800mAh battery which can be charged wirelessly using a specially-designed phone holder (pictured)

The built-in smart phone is displayed on a backward-facing five inch screen (pictured), a headphone jack, lightning port and protective layers of rubber

It also comes with two SIM slots, a headphone jack and 256GB of storage.

The cases fit onto the iPhone 6, 6s, 7 and their plus-size alternatives.

Joseph Sabri, CEO of Esti, said: 'Eye is a revolutionary product that will take your iPhone to the next level.

The backward-facing Android screen is protected from damage by a wrap-around curved design made from layers of rubber

'During the past two years, I have worked with a talented team of researchers and engineers, researching and planning and designing the ultimate product that will make your smartphone advanced, elaborate, innovative and much more.'

'Eye will upgrade your iPhone by adding the most-wanted features to your smartphone.'

A Kickstarter page was launched in February to raise funds for the new device.

The company has now reached its funding target of 77,945 ($95,000) and the phone will be released worldwide as soon as August or September of this year.
The Sahara desert is known today as a vast, arid plain that is exposed to punishing temperatures and little rainfall.

But just a few thousand years ago it was grassy and dotted with lakes.

One archaeologist is now suggesting that humans triggered the desert's dramatic transformation, claiming that crop farmers set off a chain of events that pushed the area to its current dry and barren state.

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An archaeologist has claimed that humans triggered the Sahara desert's (pictured) sharp drop in rainfall around 7,000-8,000 years ago, setting off a chain of events that pushed the desert to its current dry and barren state (stock image)

A GREEN SAHARA? The Sahara desert shows signs of ancient rivers and traces of plants and animals deep beneath its sands - evidence of the plain's greener past. The desert was green during the 'African Humid Period', in which west Africa became much wetter than it is today thanks to a series of monsoons. Africa has gone through several of these 'big wet' periods over the past nine million years. The African Humid Period - some 16,000 to 6,000 years ago - was the continent's most recent one. Current theories suggest that a 20,000-year 'wobble' in Earth's orbital axis ended the African Humid Period, but expert Dr Wright isn't convinced. He thinks that human crop growers changed the landscape and this caused the desert to dry up. Advertisement

The Sahara's luscious green pastures began to dry up around the time that humans moved into the area 8,000 years ago, bringing agriculture with them.

Within 1,000 years it had morphed into the arid desert seen today.

Dr David Wright of Seoul National University has claimed that crop farmers provoked this change.

His research suggests that as human communities spread through the region they warped the landscape to accommodate crops and livestock.

Crop farmers grew species of plants that left the Saharan soil exposed.

They also brought livestock that ate the vegetation, further uncovering the soil.

As sunlight reflected off the exposed soil it warmed the Saharan air.

As more farmers moved into the region, more soil was uncovered, leading to further warming of the air.

This reduced rainfall and created weather conditions ideal for scrub vegetation.

Eventually rainfall virtually vanished, killing off much of the Sahara's plantlife and leaving behind only a few hardy desert plants, Dr Wright claims.

The Sahara desert shows signs of ancient rivers and traces of plants and animals deep beneath its sands - evidence of the plain's greener past.

The desert was green during the 'African Humid Period', in which west Africa became much wetter than it is today thanks to a series of monsoons.

Africa has gone through several of these 'big wet' periods over the past nine million years.

The Sahara's luscious green pastures began to dry up around the time that humans moved into the area 8,000 years ago, bringing agriculture with them. Within 1,000 years it had transformed into the arid desert seen today (stock image)

The African Humid Period - some 16,000 to 6,000 years ago - was the continent's most recent one.

Current theories suggest that a 20,000-year 'wobble' in Earth's orbital axis ended the African Humid Period, but Dr Wright isn't convinced.

He thinks that human crop growers changed the landscape and this caused the desert to dry up.

'In East Asia there are long-established theories of how Neolithic populations changed the landscape so profoundly that monsoons stopped penetrating so far inland,' he said.

The Sahara is the world's largest desert, stretching across 10 different African countries - an area over 3.5 million square miles (nine million square km)

The Sahara is the world's largest desert, stretching across 10 different African countries - an area over 3.5 million square miles (nine million square km).

Its average rainfall varies with most of the desert seeing less than 0.79 inches (20mm) each year.

In the UK, average yearly rainfall is more than 44 times this at 33.7 inches (85cm), with average US yearly rainfall reaching 30 inches (76cm).

But just a few thousand years ago the desert's weather patterns were vastly different.

'It was 10 times as wet as today,' said Dr Jessica Tierney of the University of Arizona, a paleoclimatologist and Sahara expert not involved in Dr Wright's research.

But humans' colonisation of the then-luscious area eventually forced humans to leave.

'It looks like this 1,000-year dry period caused people to leave,' says Dr Tierney.

Dr David Wright of Seoul National University claims that human communities spreading through the Sahara warped the landscape to accommodate crops and livestock. This exposed the soil to sunlight which reflected back into the air, warming the atmosphere (stock image)

'What's interesting is the people who came back after the dry period were different - most raised cattle.

'That dry period separates two different cultures.

'There is a climate context for this change in occupation and lifestyle in the western Sahara.'

Dr Wright is now planning to gather evidence to support his theory.

'There were lakes everywhere in the Sahara at this time, and they will have the records of the changing vegetation,' he said.

'We need to drill down into these former lake beds to get the vegetation records, look at the archaeology, and see what people were doing there.'
Stopping mid-journey to check your tyre pressure could be a thing of the past.

Pirelli has introduced two new smart tyres that send information about their state back to your phone via.

The tyres, which come in a range of colours, send feedback on characteristics including air pressure, load, damage and distance travelled.

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The tyres, which come in a range of colours, send feedback information on characteristics including air pressure to users via an app

THE SMART TYRE A chip is embedded in the tyre, which is connected to a smartphone app. This chip can measure several characteristics, including tyre pressure, temperature, vertical load, wear and distance driven. Pirelli says it is also working on a version that will be able to estimate the remaining tire life. The current version will alert the driver through the app when the pressure of any of the tyres is too low, or when the wear limit is approaching. The app then suggests the closest garage to go to change the tyres. Advertisement

Pirelli announced its new updates at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week.

The idea for the smart tyres is called 'Pirelli Connesso', and will be available for both the Pirelli P Zero and Pirelli Winter Sottozero tyres, starting this summer.

A small chip is embedded in the tyre, which is connected to a smartphone app.

This chip measures tyre pressure, temperature, vertical load, wear and distance driven.

And Pirelli says it is also working on a version that will be able to estimate the remaining tire life.

The current version will alert the driver through the app when the pressure of any of the tyres is too low, or when the wear limit is approaching.

The app then suggests the closest garage to go to change the tyres.

Initially, the tires will be offered for 19-inch and larger wheel sizes, but in the future, Pirelli hopes to install the tires in a range of sizes.

As well as smart tires, Pirelli also unveiled a range of coloured tires at the Motor Show.

A small chip is embedded in the tyre, which is connected to a smartphone app. This chip can measure several characteristics, including tyre pressure, temperature, vertical load, wear and distance driven

A spokesperson for Pirelli said: 'The Pirelli coloured edition was born to satisfy the increasing demand for personalisation from prestige and premium clients.'

Four base colours were displayed  red, yellow, silver and white  but buyers can specify any colour they would like.

The full wheel is not coloured, but instead the sidewall has coloured stripes and lettering.

The app will alert the driver through the app when the pressure of any of the tires is too low, or when the wear limit is approaching

The technology has been used in Formula One since 2011, but this is the first time it has been offered to the mass market.

The Pirelli spokesperson added: 'Pirelli's engineers have used the experience gained in Formula 1, where coloured tyres have been a reality since 2011, to refine an innovative labelling system.

Four base colours were displayed  red, yellow, silver and white  but buyers can specify any colour they would like

The coloured tyres has been used in Formula One since 2011, but this is the first time it has been offered to the mass market

'In particular, a new material has been created that acts as a protective barrier to maintain the brilliance of the colour and avoid fading caused by time and use, without affecting performance.'

The P Zero and Winter Sottozero tyres are available now for preorder in coloured editions.

Pricing has not yet been announced for either the smart tyre or the coloured tyres.
Employees work at a local seafood factory in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang. Photo by Reuters

Hanoi has called on the Australian government to reconsider the ban.

Vietnamese shrimp exporters are facing losses and could go bankrupt following Australia's ban on imports of the crustacean, aimed at preventing white spot syndrome, a Vietnamese government official was quoted as saying.

Australia, which imports 30 percent of its shrimp from Vietnam, put the six-month ban in place in January this year.

"The order to suspend imports of uncooked shrimp without giving sufficient warning to Vietnamese shrimp export firms is not really in line with common practices," Deputy Trade Minister Tran Quoc Khanh was quoted on Wednesday by VietnamPlus as saying.

While Australia's investigation is underway, Vietnamese shrimp exports should be allowed unless there is evidence they are the source of the syndrome, Khanh said.

Vietnam currently has eight shrimp exporters dealing with the Australian market, which imported $41 million worth of shrimp from Vietnam in 2015.

This value may be small in a developed country, but to a developing nation like Vietnam, the sum is huge, the deputy minister said. "Some businesses that specialized in exporting shrimp to the Australian market are facing bankruptcy," he said.

Khanh has called on the Australian government to reconsider the ban.

Apart from Australia, key export markets such as the E.U., Japan and South Korea have also erected trade and technical barriers to prevent diseases from spreading or to improve quality, industry officials said.

Vietnam's shrimp industry is struggling with tight domestic supplies and barriers in key import markets while striving to reach the $3.4 billion its export target this year, the Vietnam News Agency said. Last year, exports brought in $3.15 billion, up 6.7 percent from 2015.

Related news:

> Vietnams shrimp industry faces rough year with $3.4 bln export target

> South Korea raises scrutiny on frozen Vietnamese shrimp

> Japan tightens inspections on shrimp shipments from Vietnam
When the Concorde first hit the skies in the 1970s, it could fly from London to New York in just under three hours.

But despite being able to travel at twice the speed of sound, the futuristic supersonic jet failed to attract passengers and was sent into decommission in 2003.

Now researchers claim that Concorde-style jets could be making a comeback, and are working on a supersonic plane that does not produce an Earth-shaking sonic boom.

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When the world's first supersonic jet, the Concorde, pictured, hit the skies in the 1970s, it could fly from London to New York in just under three hours

HOW TO REDUCE SONIC BOOMS In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail. These are known as bow and tail shocks, respectively. As these shockwaves pass over the ground, air pressure rises sharply, declines, then rises rapidly again - it's this that produces the classic 'double-bang' sonic boom. Reshaping the aircraft to produce a longer, more slender shape is the best way to generate shockwaves of lower, more equal strength that do not form into such strong bow and tail shocks. Nasa and other organisations are working on creating shapes to reduce sonic booms. Advertisement

Researchers have claimed that the development of super-fast aeroplanes has so far been hindered by the loud noise created by the planes' sonic boom.

But recent advances in noise reduction technology, along with falling commercial flight prices, could make supersonic travel viable within ten years.

'It represents a shrinking of the world, just as the transcontinental railroad and subsonic aviation did before it,' Samuel Hammond, a research fellow at the Mercatus Centre at George Mason University in Virginia, told Wired.

'But it also stands to reverse a four-decade innovation stagnation in aviation.'

His study found that the technology to build quiet supersonic planes is within reach.

'Aircraft engineering has significantly improved since the time when the Concorde was flying,' he noted in a research paper.

'With lighter materials, more efficient engines, better computer modelling, and more experience, it is more than possible to create an aircraft today that is both faster and more affordable than the Concorde was.'

In November 2015, Airbus announced it was working alongside tech start-up Aerion to build a supersonic plane called the AS2 (artist's impression)

THE AERION AS2 Capacity: Up to 12 passengers Length: 170 feet (51.8 metres) Wingspan: 61 feet (18.6 metres) Height: 22 feet (6.7 metres) Wing area: 1,350 ft (125 m) Maximum speed: Mach 1.5 (1,217 mph (1,960 km/h) Range: 4,750 miles to 5300 miles (8797 km to 9816 km) Advertisement

The find comes as tech companies are racing to come up with the first viable supersonic plane since the Concorde.

Two tech start-ups, Aerion and Spike Aerospace, plan to have their supersonic planes ready for 2023.

In November 2015, Airbus announced it was working alongside tech start-up Aerion to build a supersonic plane that could fly at speeds of 1,200mph (1,931km/h).

The company claimed that its AS2 plane will be capable of supersonic travel, allowing passengers to travel between London and New York in just three hours, and Los Angeles to Tokyo in six.

It will fly at a top speed of 1,217mph (1,960 km/h), which is almost as fast as Concorde, which flew at 1,350mph (2,170 km/h).

The team has so far made initial designs for a carbon-fiber wing structure, fuselage, landing gear and a fuel system.

The AS2 plane will be capable of supersonic travel, allowing passengers to travel between London and New York in just three hours

Design features include wings which reduce overall drag by 20 per cent, allowing for lower fuel consumption and longer range and a luxurious 30ft-long cabin that will seat up to 12 passengers.

A key innovation is the jet's long thin shape, which helps reduce the noise created from the sonic boom.

In a conventional supersonic aircraft, shockwaves from the nose, cockpit, inlets, wings and other features come together as they move through the atmosphere into strong shocks emanating from the nose and tail.

As these shockwaves pass over the ground, air pressure rises sharply, declines, then rises rapidly again - it's this that produces the classic 'double-bang' sonic boom.

THE SPIKE AEROSPACE S-512 Length : 131ft

Wing span : 60ft

Cabin length, height and width : 40ft (12 metres), 6.2ft (two metres) and 6.2ft (two metres)

Maximum passenger capacity : 18

Tops speed : 1,100mph of Mach 1.6 Advertisement

Reshaping the aircraft to produce a longer, more slender shape is the best way to generate shockwaves of lower, more equal strength that do not form into such strong bow and tail shocks.

'We see clear and achievable technical solutions to the design of a supersonic jet, and a realistic road map for helping Aerion proceed toward construction and flight,' Airbus senior vice president Ken McKenzie said in November 2015.

But the AS2 faces competition from the Spike Aerospace S-512, a plane designed by a team of engineers from Boston.

They claim their plane will reach Tokyo from LA in just five hours and London to Mumbai in four.

'It will save passengers time so they can explore more of the world,' the company said.

'Wouldn't you love to go hiking in New Zealand for the weekend, or fly to Paris for lunch?'

But the AS2 faces competition from the Spike Aerospace S-512, pictured in an artist's impression, which was designed by a team of engineers from Boston

Both companies claim their supersonic planes are just years away from hitting the skies.

But Dr Hammond and his team have pointed out that the industry is being held back by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ban on civil supersonic flight over the United States.

They have called for the 1973 ban to be replaced with a noise restriction.

'In 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned civil supersonic flight over the United States, stymieing the development of a supersonic aviation industry,' they said.
It's 1 a.m. You've had a few too many at a crowded bar and walk out without paying the tab.

Your credit card and driver's license sit behind the cash register, leaving your personal info widely accessible while you sleep off those vodka tonics.

There's a new option that might lessen the pain.

Not the hangover pain - for that, you'll need aspirin.

This photo provided by Mastercard demonstrates some of the new features of the Qkr with Masterpass mobile payments service. The upgrade being rolled out during the summer of 2017 will let people open, manage and close their tabs at participating bars and taverns completely through their phones, without having to hand over a credit card. (Courtesy of Mastercard via AP)

HOW IT WORKS Customers can open the Qkr or the bar's app, and set up a tab, entering their credit card information if they hadn't already done so. Once the tab is ready, customers would get a table number, which they'd give to the bartender each time they order a drink. When they're ready to go, customers can close out their tabs in the app. There are options to add other people to the tab, much like how a person can split a fare on Uber, as well as the ability to pay for individual drinks or pay for rounds of drinks. It also provides the option to automatically leave a tip. If someone forgets to close out a tab, it's automatically closed at the end of the night. Advertisement

But if you've ever left your credit card at a bar by mistake, or spent several minutes trying to flag down a harried bartender to close you out, there may be a new option.

An upgrade being rolled out this summer to Mastercard's mobile payments service will let people open, manage and close their tabs at participating bars and taverns completely through their phones, without having to hand over a credit card.

The Open Tab feature, available in the U.S. and the U.K., will be an upgrade to Mastercard's existing Qkr mobile payment service.

'We heard from so many bars and pubs who always have a number of credit cards left at the end of the evening, and we thought, 'we know how to address this,'' said Betty DeVita, the business head of Mastercard's Qkr platform.

DeVita also cited Mastercard survey data that it takes on average 12 to 15 minutes to close out a bill, time that could be used to serve more tables and customers.

The service will be free to customers and the service will cost the same for bars and restaurants as their normal credit card processing costs, DeVita said.

While Mastercard is rolling out the feature, Qkr will work with any major credit card as long as the merchant accepts it.

Popular apps like Venmo, Square Cash and bank-specific versions like Chase QuickPay have already changed the dynamic in how some people are paying for things.

The payment services that let people send each other money for free via their phones mean you can quickly pay a friend back for a drink or divide the dinner check instead of just hoping that someday soon the friend will take a turn.

The upgrade being rolled out during the summer of 2017 will let people open, manage and close their tabs at participating bars and taverns completely through their phones, without having to hand over a credit card.

Those have the benefit of working at any restaurant, but don't have the ability to split bills until after the fact.

The bartender never needs to hold onto a credit card, and the bar is protected from fraud like fake cards since the Mastercard already preauthorizes the card before a tab is opened.

Seth Weinberg, the lead bartender at a restaurant at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach resort, said he could definitely see the resort integrating the service.

'Having so many options to split a bill would be great. It can take a lot of work to split a complicated bill on a point-of-sale system that's not set up correctly,' he said.

But Weinberg said he worried how the service might affect tips, which often make up a substantial part of a bartender or server's salary.

'You don't get that last chance to interact with the customer,' he said.

One caveat would be how widely the service is adopted by bars and restaurants that see lower volume than nightclubs and resort bars.

'I wish we had a problem of managing too many bar tabs!' said Jim Grinchis, who owns 204 Main Bar and Bistro in Sharon Springs, New York. 'We just don't have the volume of people to justify this service.'
If seeing the Great Barrier Reef was on your bucket list, it may be too late.

More than 90 per cent of the most beautiful part of the reef has been wrecked after an underwater heatwave caused bleaching, a new study shows.

Experts have warned that the treasured natural wonder faces being wiped out unless global warming is tackled.

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More than 90 per cent of the most beautiful part of the reef has been wrecked after an underwater heatwave caused bleaching, a new study shows

WHY DOES CORAL BLEACHING HAPPEN? Corals have a symbiotic relationship with a tiny marine algae called 'zooxanthellae' that live inside and nourish them. When sea surface temperatures rise, corals expel the colourful algae. The loss of the algae causes them to bleach and turn white. While mildly bleached corals can recover if the temperature drops and the algae return, severely bleached corals die. Advertisement

Ever since the dramatic influx of warm water in the region last March, experts have been trying to assess the extent and damage.

Now a study has found only nine per cent of the northern part of the reef - previously the most 'pristine' - escaped bleaching.

This compares with 45 per cent in 1998 and 42 per cent in 2002 - making up the three major episodes over the past two decades.

Professor Terry Hughes, a coral expert from James Cook University in Queensland, said: 'As temperatures continue to rise, further bleaching events are likely, which may push the reef system beyond recovery.

'It is unlikely the Great Barrier Reef will ever fully recover from the severe bleaching that occurred in 2016.'

Corals become bleached and die when high temperature kill the symbiotic algae that provide the stunning colours and supply them with energy in the form of sugars.

A year ago a massive wave of bleaching struck the reef after an El Nino event brought abnormally warm waters to the region.

The study found only nine per cent of the northern part of the reef - previously the most 'pristine' - escaped bleaching

For the first time Professor Hughes and colleagues have mapped this bleaching across the entire length of the reef through the use of aerial surveys and underwater measurements.

The study, published in Nature, found it was much greater in scope and severity than the two previous major events.

Extreme bleaching - in which more than 60 per cent of corals in a given area lose their colour - was more than four times as frequent in 2016.

For the first time Prof Hughes and colleagues have mapped this bleaching across the entire length of the reef through the use of aerial surveys (left) and underwater measurements (right)

Professor Hughes said the observed distribution can be explained by the spatial patterns of ocean warming.

Local management of fishing pressure and water quality provided little protection - suggesting a curb in global warming will be needed to secure a viable future for the world's most spectacular reef system.

Professor Hughes said: 'Immediate action to reduce global warming is needed to protect coral reefs from severe bleaching events.'

About a third of the 1,429-mile natural wonder was badly bleached last year - with the northern section bearing the brunt

His detailed analysis of the Great Barrier Reef over the past two decades shows extreme heat is the key driver of mass bleaching.

By analysing individual reefs, the researchers discovered why some corals are more prone to bleaching than others.

In general, unbleached reefs were located towards the southern end of the reef where waters are cooler.

The Great Barrier Reef's hundreds of islands and 2,900 individual reefs stretch for almost 1,500 miles along the coast of North East coast of Australia

Professor Hughes said: 'The world's tropical reef ecosystems, and the people who depend on them, are increasingly affected by climate change.

'Since the 1980s, rising sea surface temperatures owing to global warming have triggered unprecedented mass bleaching of corals, including three pan-tropical events in 1998, 2010 and 2015/16.'

He added: 'Water quality and fishing pressure had minimal effect on the unprecedented bleaching in 2016, suggesting that local protection of reefs affords little or no resistance to extreme heat.

THE 50 REEFS PROJECT 50 Reefs is a project aiming to identify those reefs with the best chance of survival in warming oceans and raise public awareness. It brings together leading ocean, climate and marine scientists as well as conservation practitioners from around the world to develop a list of the 50 most critical coral reefs to protect. The final list and corresponding initiatives, to be announced later this year, will raise awareness of the increasing severity of climate change impacts on the ocean and catalyze the global action and investment required to protect these important reef systems for the future, organisers hope. A unique philanthropic coalition of innovators in business, technology and government are supporting 50 Reefs, led by Bloomberg Philanthropies with The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, with the aim of preventing the worst economic, social, and environmental impacts of this enormous crisis. Advertisement

'Similarly, past exposure to bleaching in 1998 and 2002 did not lessen the severity of bleaching in 2016.

'Securing a future for coral reefs, including intensively managed ones such as the Great Barrier Reef, ultimately requires urgent and rapid action to reduce global warming.'

It was the third time in 18 years the World Heritage site, famous for its bewildering variety of marine life, has experienced mass bleaching.

The Great Barrier Reef's hundreds of islands and 2,900 individual reefs stretch for almost 1,500 miles along the coast of North East coast of Australia.

About a third of the 1,429-mile natural wonder was badly bleached last year - with the northern section bearing the brunt.




A controversial new study has claimed that atheism is on the verge of dying out.

Researchers found that since religious groups preach against contraception, they tend to have more children than those who label themselves as atheists.

These findings offset the popular prediction that 'scientific thinking' will eventually replace 'supernatural thinking' humans'.

A new study has suggested that atheism is on the verge of dying out. Researchers have found that since religious groups preach against contraception, they tend to have more children than those who label themselves as atheists

NUMBER OF KIDS The team sampled more than 4,000 students attending different colleges in both the US and Malaysia, who were asked about their beliefs and number of siblings. In Malaysia, Muslim families had an average of 5.89 children and 4.29 in the US. The second most fertile parents in Malaysia were Hindus with 4.01 children  but this was a small sample of only five students. Atheists living in Malaysia had an average of 3.67 children and parents of US students that were also not part of a religious group had 3.04. Christians living in the US had 3.11 children and Catholics had 3.42. Advertisement

The study was conducing by researchers from the US and Malaysia, who set out to 'examine how person with various religious beliefs and affiliations are the descendants of parents with varying degrees of fertility', reads the study published in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science.

'To the extent that secularization is occurring, we hypothesize that religiosity should be inversely correlated with parental fertility, and we expect this to be the case across countries and religious groups.'

The team sampled more than 4,000 students attending different colleges in both the US and Malaysia, who were asked about their beliefs and number of siblings.

Following a four-page questionnaire, researchers found that within both countries, the most fertile group was Muslims.

In Malaysia, Muslim families had an average of 5.89 children and 4.29 in the US.

The second most fertile parents in Malaysia were Hindus with 4.01 children  but this was a small sample of only five students.

Atheists living in Malaysia had an average of 3.67 children and parents of US students that were also not part of a religious group had 3.04.

CONTRACEPTION BELIEFS Muslim According to the Islamic faith, sex is forbid outside of marriage and there have been many cases where both the man and woman were physically punished for their actions. On the other hand, there is no laws against or for contraception, and eight of the nine classic schools of Islamic law permit it. However, conservative Islamic leaders preach against the use of condoms or other types of birth control, which has made it difficult for people to get access to what they need for family planning. Although the Qur'an does not mention birth control directly, it does provide a quote that many Muslims believe opposes it. 'You should not kill your children for fear of want' (17:31, 6:151). Some believe that preventing a pregnancy from happening is also killing a child. Catholics Catholics believe contraception is sinful and the worst being birth control pills. This religious group says that it doesn't prevent the sperm and egg from conceiving, but acts as an abortifacient. They believe birth control pills force the uterus to eject potentially fertilized eggs, which they believe is an embryo and a person. The Catholic Church also sees condoms and other artificial contraception as morally wrong, because they teach marriage should only be done in marriage. However, this religious groups does encourage people to use natural science as a form of contraception. This includes taking body temperature, checking body fluids, and using some computations, as they say a woman can determine with 95% accuracy when to have sex and not get pregnant. Advertisement

Following a four-page questionnaire, researchers found that within both countries, the most fertile group was Muslims. In Malaysia, Muslim families had an average of 5.89 children and 4.29 in the US

It was also found that Christians living in the US had 3.11 children and Catholics had 3.42.

'If one combines this finding with the extensive evidence reviewed in the introduction that both religiosity and fertility are substantially influenced by genes, once can deduce that over the long term, secularization is not likely to replace the popularity of religions,' the researchers wrote in the study.

'Instead, over the long term, we predict that the most religious 'shall inherit the earth,' so to speak'.

'This is especially so for the most fertile religious groups  Islam'.

Atheists living in Malaysia had an average of 3.67 children and parents of US students that were also not part of a religious group had 3.04. It was also found that Christians living in the US had 3.11 children and Catholics had 3.42

The team noted that throughout the medieval period, people did not associate religion with contraception  as they did not have the education or means to produce it.

'In other words, even if religiosity was positively correlated with the number of offspring couples desired, contraception needed to have major effects on fertility rates during medieval times was quite limited.'

'As a result, it seems safe to assume that throughout the medieval period, fertility rates among the highly religious and the minimally religious were small.'

WHY IS THE SCIENCE VS RELIGION DEBATE SO FIERCE? 'Because the networks [analytical and emotional] suppress each other, they may create two extremes,' Dr Boyatzis said. 'Recognising that this is how the brain operates, maybe we can create more reason and balance in the national conversations involving science and religion.' The researchers say humans are built to engage and explore using both networks. 'Far from always conflicting with science, under the right circumstances religious belief may positively promote scientific creativity and insight,' Dr Jack said. 'Many of history's most famous scientists were spiritual or religious. Those noted individuals were intellectually sophisticated enough to see that there is no need for religion and science to come into conflict.' According to Baruch Aba Shalev's book '100 years of Nobel Prizes,' from 1901 to 2000, 654 Nobel laureates - 90 percent - belonged to one of 28 religions. 'You can be religious and be a very good scientist,' Dr Jack said. The researchers agree with the New Atheists that suspension of analytical thinking - at the wrong time - can be dangerous, and point to the historical use of religious differences to persecute or fight wars. But they said that taking a carefully considered leap of religious faith appears be an effective route to promoting emotional insight. Their study adds to a body of evidence showing that overall, religious belief is associated with greater compassion, greater social inclusiveness and greater motivation to engage in pro-social actions. Advertisement

'This allowed genes for minimal religiosity to exist alongside genes for maximal religiosity'.

In the study, the team discussed how genes play a role in whether or not you believe in God, which suggests that it may also be link to fertility rate.

The team explained that there is evidence that genetically influenced personality traits, particularly agreeableness, lead to greater religious involvement, larger family size and greater communal investment in general.

'A recent meta-analysis of a large sample studies found that adults who score high on agreeableness tend to invest heavily in both religious and family life,' reads the study.
Silicon Valley is teeming with psychopaths, it has been claimed.

According to a panel of experts at SXSW festival this week, the tech hotspot harbours a high proportion of psychopathic CEOs, whose tendency to be charming and manipulative, all while lacking empathy, may help them climb to the top.

The presence of investors and carefully-crafted human resource departments in Silicon Valley may also play a role in their dominance, as these groups often enable their behaviour.

According to a panel of experts at SXSW festival this week, the tech hotspot harbours a high proportion of psychopathic CEOs, whose tendency to be charming and manipulative, all while lacking empathy, may help them climb to the top. A scene from American Psycho is pictured

THE 'DARK TRIAD' Narcissism: Tendencies of attention-seeking, charm, vanity, grandiose yet low self-esteem, and a willingness to manipulate others. Machiavellianism: Coldness, immoral thinking, long-term manipulation, blunt practicality, and hunger for money, success or power. Psychopathy: Antisocial behaviours, thrill-seeking, manipulation and impulsivity. Advertisement

Psychopaths are known to lack remorse, and can be callous and manipulative while still coming across as charming to others.

And, in the last decade, researchers have found that successful psychopaths are becoming increasingly common.

At SXSW yesterday, experts explained that some of the traits associated with psychopathy may help these people obtain high-power positions, The Guardian reports.

They have certain characteristics like fearless dominance, boldness, and a lack of emotion, said forensic and clinical psychologist Michael Woodworth during the panel, The Guardian reports.

Many successful presidents have scored highly [on the psychopath scale].

Psychopathic CEOs may choose to surround themselves with supporters by appointing such a person to an HR position, the experts explained.

And, investors also tend to protect malicious bosses, as the success of the investment relies on them.

Its not surprising that Silicon Valley has such a high amount of psychopathy among its CEOs, according to the panel, as starting a company is, in itself, an irrational act.

You have to have a tremendous amount of ego [and] self-deception to embark on that journey, venture capitalist Bryan Stolle said, according to The Guardian.

You have to make sacrifices and give up on things, including sometimes a marriage, family, and friends.

Silicon Valley is teeming with psychopaths, experts say. The presence of investors and weak human resource departments in Silicon Valley may also play a role in their dominance. Kevin Spacey is pictured above, as Frank Underwood in House of Cards

SUCCESSFUL PSYCHOPATHS Successful psychopathy is a controversial idea - but it's not a new one. In 1941, American psychiatrist Hervey Cleckley was among the first to highlight this paradoxical condition in his book The Mask of Sanity. According to Cleckley, the psychopath is a hybrid creature, donning an engaging veil of normalcy that conceals an emotionally impoverished and profoundly disturbed core. In Cleckley's eyes, psychopaths are charming, self-centered, dishonest, guiltless and callous people who lead aimless lives devoid of deep interpersonal attachments. But Cleckley also alluded to the possibility that some psychopathic individuals are successful interpersonally and occupationally, at least in the short term. In a 1946 article, he wrote that the typical psychopath will have 'often outstripped 20 rival salesmen over a period of six months, or married the most desirable girl in town, or, in a first venture into politics, got himself elected into the state legislature'. Advertisement

And you have to convince other people. So they are mostly very charismatic, charming, and make you suspend the disbelief that something cant be done.

While they may be charming, psychopaths will show their true nature when things stop going their way, according to the experts.

When this happens, their mask of sanity falls off.

Several recent studies have revealed the growing prevalence of psychopaths in top positions.

A study from researchers with Bond University in Australia and the University of San Diego, published in September, revealed roughly one-fifth of top corporate professionals have extremely high levels of psychopathic traits.

This is about the same rate as seen among prisoners.

ARE YOU A PSYCHOPATH? EXPERTS REVEAL THE SIGNS Psychopaths display different traits depending on their disorder, but common signs include superficial charm, a grandiose notion of self-worth, the need for stimulation and impulsiveness, pathological lying, the ability to manipulate others and a lack of remorse and empathy. Experts claim people usually find psychopaths intriguing, but can't put their finger on why. This is down to incongruous behaviour because psychopaths tend to do a lot of acting to deceive, or mimic normal reactions, sometimes changing their views and reactions quickly. For example, Mr Wells said upon meeting someone, he tries to become 'the most interesting person they know' and presumably adopts suitable interests and responses to do this. His response also gives away another common trait - a grandiose notion of self-worth - in that he can be the most interesting person in the room. Psychopaths occasionally tend to exhibit unconvincing emotional responses, with slip-ups including tone of voice or body language. This may be because they are unable to understand emotions such as fear and love, but can mimic them. Generally psychopaths' 'emotions' are shallow and short-lived and there is a manipulative ulterior motive to showing them. For example, Mr Wells said he offers to do favours and tells false secrets to people to gain their complete trust. He also displays insincere charm - another trait associated with psychopaths. He says: 'I keep secrets, and tell them fake secrets to further gain their trust, and once they trust me enough, I ask for favours, reminding them of the favours I did them. I can get literally anything from them, which is incredibly useful.' Psychopaths typically display an incredible ability to manipulate others and sometimes take pleasure in doing so. Psychopaths often have an air of superiority about them, perhaps shown by Mr Wells' belief he can spot other psychopaths Even expert Dr Hare warns that anyone can be duped during a short interaction with a psychopath. Advertisement

The researchers warned that these people may have a toxic effect on other employees and engage in unethical and illegal business practices.

Typically psychopaths create a lot of chaos and generally tend to play people off against each other, said Nathan Brooks, a forensic psychologist at Bond University.

And, while it may seem alarming, the experts say there are ways to communicate with these CEOs to avoid being manipulated.

Using text-based systems to communicate will remove some of the tactics they rely on, such as verbal charm and confidence, The Guardian reports.

Then, the experts say, you can smoke them out in an online context.
Russia has begun recruiting cosmonauts for a new spacecraft that will go to the moon.

Russia's space corporation Roscosmos has declared an open contest for a team who will pilot the Federatsiya spacecraft to the Moon.

'The selection begins today and it will last till the end of the year,' said , Roscosmos First Deputy CEO Aleksandr Ivanov told a news conference.

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Russia's space corporation Roscosmos has declared an open contest for a team of eight who will pilot the Federatsiya spacecraft (pictured) to the Moon.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR The applicants will have to undergo several selection stages - testing for education and professional aptitude, medical examination, psychological qualities and physical fitness tests. Applications will be accepted from Russians no older than 35 years who have higher education in engineering, research or other flight specialties and a previous work record. 'Those with experience in the aircraft-building and space rocket industry of the Russian Federation will enjoy priority,' the press-service said. Also, the candidates are expected to have a knack for studying space technologies, computer skills and fluent English. Advertisement

'The results will be summarized at the end of December, and a group of six to eight trainees is to be selected,' he said.

The Roscosmos press-service said the selected specialists will be the first to fly the new generation spacecraft Federatsiya, and will be the first Russians to go to the Moon.

'The purpose is to select the best specialists who already have certain knacks of operating space or air technologies.

'They will be the first pilots of Russia's future spacecraft Federatsiya.

'All will be trained under the International Space Program and will be the first Russians to fly to the Moon,' the Roscosmos press-service said.

Russia's Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia is developing two modifications of the Federatsiya spacecraft, which could carry four or six cosmonauts respectively.

The applicants will have to undergo several selection stages - testing for education and professional aptitude, medical examination, psychological qualities and physical fitness tests.

Applications will be accepted from Russians no older than 35 years who have higher education in engineering, research or other flight specialties and a previous work record.

'Those with experience in the aircraft-building and space rocket industry of the Russian Federation will enjoy priority,' the press-service said.

Also, the candidates are expected to have a knack for studying space technologies, computer skills and fluent English.

Applications will be accepted for just four months.

China is developing an advanced new spaceship capable of both flying in low-Earth orbit and landing on the moon. Newspaper Science and Technology Daily cited spaceship engineer Zhang Bainian as saying new craft would be recoverable and have room for multiple astronauts

CHINA'S PLANS FOR SPACE EXPLORATION Since 2009, China has been upping its work in space exploration in a number of stages. Each stage has been given a name to refer to the mission plans. Stage 1 'Around': Yinghuo-1 was launched in 2009 with the aim of bringing back samples however it was left stranded in orbit and disintegrated. Stage 2 'Landing': Yinghuo-2 is expected to launch in 2020 to collect data on Mars Stage 3 'Circular': A rover will be sent to Mars to carry out exploration Advertisement

The testing of candidates will begin afterwards.

The new craft has been under development for a decade.

It is part of a project called the Prospective Piloted Transport System (PPTS), which is expected to replace both the Soyuz TMA manned spacecraft system and the Progress cargo ships.

The first unmanned orbital test flight of the new spacecraft, atop the new Angara rocket, is scheduled in 2021, launching from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russias new spaceport currently under construction.

Earlier this months it was revealed China is developing an advanced new spaceship capable of both flying in low-Earth orbit and landing on the moon, according to state media, in another bold step for a space program that equaled the U.S. in number of rocket launches last year.

The newspaper Science and Technology Daily cited spaceship engineer Zhang Bainian as saying the new craft would be recoverable and have room for multiple astronauts.

While no other details were given in the Tuesday report, Zhang raised as a comparison the Orion spacecraft being developed by NASA and the European Space Agency.

The agency hopes Orion will carry astronauts into space by 2023.

China's Shenzhou space capsule used on all six of its crewed missions is based on Russia's Soyuz and is capable of carrying three astronauts in its re-entry module.

China came late to crewed space flight, launching its first man into space in 2003, but has advanced rapidly since then.

In its most recent crewed mission, two astronauts spent a month aboard a Chinese space station late last year.

A fully functioning, permanently crewed space station is on course to begin operations in around five years and a manned lunar mission has been suggested for the future.

Now firmly established among the big three in space travel, China last year moved ahead of Russia for the first time in number of rocket launches and equaled the United States at 22, according to Harvard University astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.

Russia had 17 launches, while the U.S. might have had several more if Space X's Falcon 9 rocket fleet hadn't been grounded following a Sept. 1 launchpad explosion.

The Chang'e-5 lunar probe is undergoing a final round of tests and is expected to be on standby for launch from August, the official People's Daily said, citing the China National Space Administration

Earlier this week, Chinese officials revealed plans to launch a space probe to the moon, and bring back samples before the end of the year.

According to the official People's Daily, the Chang'e-5 lunar probe is undergoing a final round of tests and is expected to be on standby for launch from August.

The paper, citing the China National Space Administration, reported that the mission will come with new challenges, including sample collection, taking off from the moon, and high-sped re-entry to the Earth's atmosphere.

Hu Hao, an official from China's Lunar Exploration Programme, told the paper that it will be 'one of China's most complicated and difficult space missions.'

TRUMP'S MANNED MOON MISSION NASA's top staff was given instructions to assess the feasibility of sending humans to space with the first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The mission was originally designed to be uncrewed, and was set to launch in 2018. In a press conference, officials leading the study revealed the evaluations are now well underway, and they've already created a 'hard, crisp list' of everything that will need to change 'from a hardware standpoint' in order to add crew. NASA's top staff was given instructions to assess the feasibility of sending humans to space with the first flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft But, so far, the team says they're sticking to their baseline plan for EM-1, and will let the 'let the data drive' any decisions moving forward. It will see Nasa's Orion, stacked on a Space Launch System rocket capable of lifting 70 metric tons will launch from a newly refurbished Kennedy Space Center in November 2018. The uncrewed Orion will travel into Distant Retrograde Orbit, breaking the distance record reached by the most remote Apollo spacecraft, and then 30,000 miles farther out (275,000 total miles). The mission will last 22 days and was originally designed to test system readiness for future crewed operations. Advertisement

The space agency hopes to send a probe to the dark side of the moon by 2018, and have astronauts on the lunar surface by 2036.

In January, China's space agency announced plans to launch two missions to Mars, and a probe to Jupiter.

Vice Director of China's National Space Administration Wu Yanhua said the first probe would be sent to Mars by 2020.

Then, a second probe will be launched to collect samples and conduct research on the red planet's structure, composition, and environment.

THE HISTORIC SPACEX MOON MISSION Musk says the mission will 'skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space' and then return to Earth. However, he has refused to reveal who the two paying tourists are SpaceX will launch the private mission on a journey to circumnavigate the moon and return to Earth. Lift-off 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 mission will use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules, which will be modified to allow communications in deep space. The Dragon will be capable of operating autonomously throughout the whole flight, but the passengers will be trained in emergency procedures. The mission would 'do a long loop around the moon' and would take about a week. Musk says it will 'skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space' and then return to Earth. The total flight would go about 300,000 to 400,000 miles into space. The system is a complex network of machinery, pipes, tanks and sensors that work together to provide astronauts with air and other essentials. SpaceX built a test version of its Crew Dragon (pictured) solely for evaluation of the life support system The mission will use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules, which will be modified to allow communications in deep space. Musk said it would be roughly the cost of a crewed mission to the International Space Station, and that other flight crews have already expressed interest in later flights. '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. Engineers evaluate the ECLSS system designed for Crew Dragon missions. The mission would 'do a long loop around the moon' and would take about a week. 'It would skim the surface of the moon, go quite a bit further out into deep space' and then return to Earth, Musk said. 'There is some risk here,' he said, adding the hopeful passengers are not 'naive' about the dangers. Advertisement

The agency also revealed its plans for a fly-by of Jupiter, and the exploration of an asteroid.

China conducted its first crewed space mission in 2003, and has made steady progress in the short time since.

The country has staged a spacewalk, and landed a rover on the moon in 2013, marking the first time humans had soft landed anything on the moon since the 1970s.

A fully functioning, permanently crewed space station is on course to begin operations six years from now and is slated to run for at least a decade.




The hydrocarbon lakes and seas of Saturn's moon Titan may erupt with dramatic patches of bubbles, NASA has revealed.

It says the phenomenon is similar to the bubbles when a soda bottle is opened.

Experts say the find could mean probes have to be redesigned to swim through 'fizzy' water.

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Cassini captured this mosaic of images showing the northern lakes and seas of Saturn's moon Titan on Feb. 17, 2017. The hydrocarbon lakes and seas of Saturn's moon Titan may erupt with dramatic patches of bubbles, NASA has since revealed.

Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, simulated the frigid surface conditions on Titan, finding that significant amounts of nitrogen can be dissolved in the extremely cold liquid methane that rains from the skies and collects in rivers, lakes and seas.

They demonstrated that slight changes in temperature, air pressure or composition can cause the nitrogen to rapidly separate out of solution, like the fizz that results when opening a bottle of carbonated soda.

'Our experiments showed that when methane-rich liquids mix with ethane-rich ones - for example from a heavy rain, or when runoff from a methane river mixes into an ethane-rich lake - the nitrogen is less able to stay in solution,' said Michael Malaska of JPL, who led the study.

NASA's Cassini spacecraft has found that the composition of Titan's lakes and seas varies from place to place, with some reservoirs being richer in ethane than methane.

TITAN'S 'MAGIC ISLANDS' The notion of nitrogen bubbles creating fizzy patches on Titan's lakes and seas is relevant to one of the more enchanting unsolved mysteries Cassini has investigated during its time exploring Titan: the so-called 'magic islands.' During several flybys, Cassini's radar has revealed small areas on the seas that appeared and disappeared, and then (in at least one case) reappeared. These images from the Radar instrument aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft show the evolution of a transient feature in the large hydrocarbon sea named Ligeia Mare on Saturn's moon Titan. The images in the column at left show the same region of Ligeia Mare as seen by Cassini's radar during flybys in (from top to bottom) 2007, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The bottom image was acquired by Cassini on Jan. 11, 2015, and adds another snapshot in time as Cassini continues to monitor the ephemeral feature. The feature is apparent in the images from 2013 and 2014, but it is not present in other images of the region. Analysis by Cassini scientists indicates that the bright features, informally known as the "magic island," are a phenomenon that changes over time. They conclude that the brightening is due to either waves, solids at or beneath the surface or bubbles, with waves thought to be the most likely explanation. They think tides, sea level and seafloor changes are unlikely to be responsible for the brightening. Researchers proposed several potential explanations for what could be creating these seemingly island-like features, including the idea of fields of bubbles. The new study provides details about the mechanism that could be forming such bubbles, if they are indeed the culprit. Advertisement

The release of nitrogen, known as exsolution, can also occur when methane seas warm slightly during the changing seasons on Titan.

A fizzy liquid could also cause problems, potentially, for a future robotic probe sent to float on or swim through Titan's seas, the researchers say.

Excess heat emanating from a probe might cause bubbles to form around its structures - for example, propellers used for propulsion - making it difficult to steer or keep the probe stable.

'Thanks to this work on nitrogen's solubility, we're now confident that bubbles could indeed form in the seas, and in fact may be more abundant than we'd expected,' said Jason Hofgartner of JPL, who serves as a co-investigator on Cassini's radar team and was a co-author of the study.

In characterizing how nitrogen moves between Titan's liquid reservoirs and its atmosphere, the researchers also coaxed nitrogen out of a simulated ethane-rich solution as the ethane froze to the bottom of their tiny, simulated Titan lake.

Unlike water, which is less dense in its solid form than its liquid form, ethane ice would form on the bottom of Titan's frigid pools.

As the ethane crystalizes into ice, there's no room for the dissolved nitrogen gas, and it comes fizzing out.

While the thought of hydrocarbon lakes bubbling with nitrogen on an alien moon is dramatic, Malaska points out that the movement of nitrogen on Titan doesn't just move in one direction.

TITAN: EARTH'S 'TOXIC TWIN' Aside from Earth, Titan is the only place in the solar system known to have rivers, rainfall and seas - and possibly even waterfalls. Of course, in the case of Titan these are liquid methane rather than water on Earth. Regular Earth-water, H2O, would be frozen solid on Titan where the surface temperature is -180C (-292F). With its thick atmosphere and organic-rich chemistry, Titan resembles a frozen version of Earth several billion years ago, before life began pumping oxygen into our atmosphere. Because Titan is smaller than Earth, its gravity does not hold onto its gaseous envelope as tightly, so the atmosphere extends 370 miles (595km) into space. With Titan's low gravity and dense atmosphere, methane raindrops could grow twice as large as Earth's raindrops. Advertisement

Clearly, it has to get into the methane and ethane before it can get out.

'In effect, it's as though the lakes of Titan breathe nitrogen,' Malaska said.

'As they cool, they can absorb more of the gas, 'inhaling.' And as they warm, the liquid's capacity is reduced, so they 'exhale.''

The new footage has been released by Nasa to mark the nearing end of the Cassini mission, as the spacecraft is due to descend in a self-destruct mission into fiery Saturn in September this year. The images reveal Titan's dunes are gigantic, reaching, on average, 0.6 to 1.2 miles (1 to 2 kilometers) wide, hundreds of miles (kilometers) long and around 300 feet (100 meters) high.

A similar phenomenon occurs on Earth with carbon dioxide absorption by our planet's oceans.

Recent footage released by Nasa shows exactly what it looks like to land on an alien world.

It may seem like stuff of science fiction, but the scenes in the new video happened in real life, 12 years ago.

The stunning video was captured when the space agency's Huygens probe descended onto the mysterious world of Titan, Saturn's biggest moon.

THE CASSINI MISSION Since it left earth in 1997 and arrived at Saturn in 2004, Cassini has been touring the system with an up-close study of the planet, its rings and moons. During its journey, Cassini has made dramatic discoveries, including a global ocean within Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. Before Nasa's Cassini probe captured the most detailed images of Saturn ever seen, it dropped its companion Huygens on the planet's largest moon, Titan. After nearly 20 years in space, the mission is drawing near its end because the spacecraft is running low on fuel. Advertisement

Before Nasa's Cassini probe captured the most detailed images of Saturn ever seen, it dropped its companion Huygens on the planet's largest moon, Titan - also known as Earth's toxic twin.

The video includes an animation showing this moment.

The new footage has been released by Nasa to mark the nearing end of the Cassini mission, as the spacecraft is due to descend in a self-destruct mission into fiery Saturn in September this year.

Huygens, a European Space Agency project, travelled to Titan as the companion to Nasa's Cassini spacecraft.

It then separated from its mothership on Christmas Eve, 2004, for a 20-day coast toward its destiny at Titan.

The new footage shows a series of images captured by a tiny camera on Huygens, pieced together into a video.

The video shows highlands of rugged ice as Huygens headed to the surface, with dried-up riverbeds seen from above.

'Twelve years ago, a small probe touched down on an orangish, alien world in the outer solar system, marking humankind's most distant landing to date, said Jim Green, director of planetary science at Nasa.

'Studying Titan helps us tease out the potential of habitability of this tiny world and better understand the chemistry of the early Earth.'

Images taken during the Huygens probe's descent revealed river channels and flood plains. The probe's cameras unveiled a plateau with a large number of dark channels cut into it, forming drainage networks that bore many similarities to those on Earth. The narrow channels converged into broad rivers, which drained into a broad, dark, lowland region. Earth-like river rocks, composed of water ice, were also observed at the Huygens probe landing site.

The video even reveals the parachute shadow from the Huygens lander, which is shown moving around. The location of the Huygens probe's resting place, a soft, sandy riverbed, was only confirmed after some time by the detection of two dark, longitudinal sand dunes, about 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of the landing site. The elusive landforms were visible in images from both Cassini radar and the probe. Radar evidence from Cassini suggests that flash flooding has sculpted streambeds on Titan with these rounded cobbles of water ice, which likely originated in water-ice bedrock in higher terrain.

Saturn's largest moon, Titan, is one of the solar system's most interesting places to study when it comes to the search for alien life.

The moon, with its lakes and clouds of liquid hydrocarbons, is the only place in the solar system other than Earth with an active weather cycle where rainfall erodes the landscape.

The stunning video was captured when the space agency's Huygens probe descended onto the mysterious world of Titan, Saturn's biggest moon 12 years ago. Pictured is an artist's impression of the probe

With its thick atmosphere and organic-rich chemistry, Titan resembles a frozen version of Earth several billion years ago, before life began pumping oxygen into our atmosphere.

But until Huygens landed on the moon, our understanding of just how interesting it is was limited.

During a descent lasting 20 days, the Huygens probe sampled Titan's dense, hazy atmosphere as it slowly rotated beneath its parachutes, analysing the complex organic chemistry and measuring winds.

'The Huygens descent and landing represented a major breakthrough in our exploration of Titan as well as the first soft landing on an outer-planet moon,' said Linda Spilker, Cassini project scientist.

The moon, with its lakes and clouds of liquid hydrocarbons, is the only place in the solar system other than Earth with an active weather cycle where rainfall erodes the landscape.

With its thick atmosphere and organic-rich chemistry, Titan resembles a frozen version of Earth several billion years ago, before life began pumping oxygen into our atmosphere

'Cassini and Huygens have shown us that Titan is an amazing world with a landscape that mimics Earth in many ways,' said Alex Hayes, a Cassini scientist at Cornell University.

'During its descent, the Huygens probe captured views that demonstrated an entirely new dimension to that comparison and highlights that there is so much more we have yet to discover.

'For me, Huygens has emphasised why it is so important that we continue to explore Titan.'

After nearly 20 years in space, the Cassini mission is drawing near its end because the spacecraft is running low on fuel.
Apples jet black iPhone 7 was an instant hit, as pre-orders sold out within minutes.

Now, another electronics maker is set to copy the move for their next flagship smartphone - with the hopes of having the same success.

New leaks claiming to be the Samsung Galaxy S8 have surfaced that show a handset coated with a glossy black finish and is said to have been made with parts from the factories that are manufacturing the device.

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New leaks claiming to be the Samsung Galaxy S8 have surfaced that show a handset coated with a glossy black finish and is said to have been made with parts from the factories that are building the device

The new images were shared online by the users Dimitri12, who posted them to Slashleaks.

However, as BGR points out, the photos appear to show a dummy phone, but dummy models claiming to be the iPhone 7 Plus also made their way to the web prior to the smartphones official release.

According to Zach Epstein with BGR, the leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy S8 appear to have been assembled from parts made to spec using schematics obtained from the factories that are building Samsungs next-generation flagship smartphones.

This means that Android users can expect to see the same handset at launch.

SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 RUMORS Rumors suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will incorporate a dual-lens camera design and remove the home button for an edge-to-edge screen. It's speculated that Samsung could design a fingerprint-sensing display or place the feature behind the tempered glass. Because levels of concentration will be increased with a 'full screen', pictures and videos should be much clearer and even go so far as to produce a 3D effect. Rumors suggest that pixels of the dual-cameras will support 16 megapixels and 8 megapixels. Another new addition to the Galaxy S8 could also be an upgraded Application process (AP) that corresponds to handset's brain. Sources say Samsung is going to start mas-producing 10-nano Snapdragon 830s, which will be used for Galaxy S8, at the end of this year at the earliest. Advertisement

The photos appear to show a dummy phone, which was 'assembled from parts made to spec using schematics obtained from the factories that are building Samsungs next-generation flagship smartphones

However, Samsung already used the color in a previous phone  but in December it was named black pearl.

The South Korean firm announced it was releasing the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with a glossy black finish  just a few months after Apple had added it to its iPhone 7 family.

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are set to be unveiled during a press conference on March 29th and should hit the market about a month later.

For many Samsung customers, the Galaxy S8 is not just the firm's next phone, but a chance for the smartphone maker to redeem themselves for the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco - 2.5 million devices were recalled after reports that some were exploding.

Rumors have suggested that the home button will be removed and placed underneath the glass or on the back of the smartphone  making room for a curved edge-to-edge display.

Rumors have suggested that the home button will be removed and placed underneath the glass or on the back of the smartphone  making room for a curved edge-to-edge display. The handset may also be equip with an iris scanner

Although there have been numerous images claiming to be Samsung's upcoming flagship smartphone, a video surfaced last month that provides a quick look at how it could work.

A video claiming to show a gold Galaxy S8 revealed the keyboard setup and Contacts application.

The clip also suggested that the handset will have a dual-edge curved display with minimal bezels and no physical home button  the same rumors unearthed by Slashleak on Monday.

The video was obtained by MobileFun, a British online retailer, which is known for detailed leaks.

'We were sent this from our china sourcing team for the Olixar brand who received the phone ahead of launch to test the following screen protectors which I'll attach in this email,' Mike Hart, who creates and runs the content on the MobileFun YouTube channel, told DailyMail.com in an email.

'We're 100% sure this is the S8 due to the teaser released by Samsung yesterday in which they reveal the new button-less front panel, allowing for a larger screen to body ratio, previously unseen in smartphones of this nature.'

SAMSUNG GALAXY S8 The latest leaks claiming to be the Samsung Galaxy S8 were unearthed by Slashleaks. The images show a smartphone in a clear casing with a curved edge-to-edge screen. The bezels are also very thing bezels and the home button has been removed. However, the images suggest that the fingerprint scanner has been relocated to the back on the handset - and it could be designed with an iris scanner. Its also speculated that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will have a headphone jack and a USB-C connector. Advertisement

The handset in the short video boasts a 5.8-inch edge-to-edge screen and because the display takes up a majority of the phone's face, it appears Samsung was not able to include their logo on the front.

MobileFun's leak also confirms that the smartphone will have tiny top and bottom bezels and will run on a new version of Samsung's TouchWiz UI.

'We can confirm that the S8 will come in two models, the S8 and the S8 Plus. Both featuring no home buttons in favor of digital buttons,' explained Hart.

'We also noticed that the on screen buttons will be switchable to allow for more customization.'

The smartphone shown in the video does look very similar to other images that have surfaced in the past.

Although we have seen numerous images claiming to be Samsung's upcoming flagship smartphone, a video surfaced last month that provides a quick look at how it could work

The smartphone shown in the video does look very similar to other images that have surfaced in the past. But this is the first leak that gives users a look at how the keyboard could look and at the Contacts application

MOBILEFUN LEAKS CASES A video from MobileFun gives users a glimpse at what could be the cases for the Samsung S8 and the S8 Plus. The leaks suggest that both smartphones will be similar in height to the Galaxy S7 family, but the S8 Plus could be the widest handset the firm has yet to make. There are three cutouts on the bottom that Hart believes is a speaker, a jack for the headphones and the stylus. The cases shows what could be dual speakers. It appears that both the S8 and the S8 Plus will be designed with wireless charging, as the charging port cutouts are missing, and will be come with the S Pen. The power button has been relocated to the same side as the volume buttons, leaving one side empty for a cleaner look. Advertisement

Samsung shared a teaser at the end of the press conference on Sunday, inviting customers to 'unbox their phones,' an apparent reference to handset's super-slim bezels.

The South Korean firm was forced to push back to launch of the handset, as they are still dealing with the Galaxy Note 7 recall.

The delay also gives Samsung more time to make sure it has done everything right, given that any minor bug will surely draw outsized attention.
A blind woman from Maine says she and her service dog were kicked off an American Airlines flight after she requested a different seat, an experience she said was the most humiliating of her life.

Sue Martin, of Franklin, says she, her husband and her guide dog, Quan, boarded a plane bound for Dallas at Reagan National Airport near Washington on March 1.

She says she asked a flight attendant if she could be moved to a seat in another row that had room for the German shepherd after she fell over while trying to find a comfortable position for him.

Sue Martin (pictured), a blind woman from Maine, says she and her service dog, Quan (pictured), were kicked off an American Airlines flight after she requested a different seat

Martin says the flight attendant refused.

A man in first class later offered his seat, which Martin accepted. That's when she says she was asked to leave by an American Airlines employee who said her presence on the plane was unsafe.

She told the Press Herald that her husband asked the pilot as they left the plane why they were being removed and the response was allegedly because I can.

Martins ordeal came during a journey to California, where she was scheduled to give a talk at a conference on adaptive technology.

Martin says she, her husband and her guide dog, Quan, boarded a plane bound for Dallas at Reagan National Airport (pictured) near Washington on March 1. She says she asked a flight attendant if she could be moved to a seat in another row that had room for the German shepherd after she fell over while trying to find a comfortable position for him, but was refused

She eventually gave the talk after being rebooked on a United Airlines flight from Dulles - to get there from Reagan National she had to pay $80 for a transfer by taxi - and arriving eight hours later than planned in California.

Martin also spent her time on the west coast visiting relatives but told the Herald that the incident with American Airlines pretty much ruined my vacation.

She tweeted to American Airlines that it had broken federal law.

Complaints have been filed by Martin with American Airlines and federal transportation authorities.

American Airlines told MailOnline: 'We apologized to Ms Martin for the recent experience she had on American Airlines. We take these allegations very seriously, and are thoroughly investigating. We are also in contact with Ms Martin to gather additional details of what transpired during her recent journey with us.

'Service animals are welcome on all of our flights.'

Martin told MailOnline Travel: 'The crew lied about not being able to reseat me and did not inform me, as required by law, about a Complaints Resolution Official.

'I have spoken with two employees of AA by phone. The first man began by telling me the airlines had investigated my complaint and concluded the crew did nothing wrong.

'I then had to relive the entire traumatic experience to convince him I didnt fabricate the story or lie about what happened. I heard from another employee last Friday but was offered nothing beyond an apology and a phone number to call if I had trouble in the future.

'It was the most humiliating, traumatic event Ive ever experienced.'
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As the ominous sky turns black, a vast tornado wraps its cloak over a deserted highway in Texas.

In Japan, an almighty killer whale breaches off the northern coast of Hokkaido, tossing silver shards of glimmering water into the air as it breaks the surface.

These are just some of the moments judges for the Sony World Photography Awards have picked out for this year's shortlist.

For the 2017 competition - the largest in the world, now in its 10th year - photographers from across the planet entered a record 227,596 images across the awards' Professional, Open and Youth categories.

In all, 49 countries are represented in the shortlist, with the winners to be revealed on April 20 at an awards ceremony at Somerset House in London.

Zelda Cheatle, Chair of the Professional jury, said: 'There was a truly global reach to the Sony World Photography Awards judging this year - the images were more diverse and broad ranging than I have ever seen before.'

A tornado supercell storm rolls over the town of Stratford, Texas, USA. Photographer Maximilian Conrad says of it: 'I only had a few moments to find a decent spot. Its structures and color seem unreal and belong to the most dramatic I have ever witnessed in many years'

In Japan, an almighty killer whale breaches off the northern coast of Hokkaido, tossing silver shards of glimmering water into the air as it breaks the surface

Christina Roemmelt took this startling image of an ice cave in December 2016 after a long hike to a glacier in an undisclosed location

Here in Si Chuan, China, the Five Sciences Buddhism Academy rests under stormy clouds just moments before the heavy rain

Pier Mane captured this indigenous tribe of the Solomon islands, where he says: 'It seems kids learn to paddle before they walk'

Rob Wilson explains of his entry: 'The sun setting over Yosemite Valley as shot from Taft Point while my girlfriend poses on the cliff edge during our road trip across the Americas'

Off the coast of Mexico's Revillagigedo Islands, a lone silkie shark illuminated by the sunlight lurks beneath the surface near a rocky wall

A bedouin boy in Oman poses with his father's rifle. 'He is still too young to use it,' explains Mark Languido Vicente, 'but here, he is tasked to hold it in a safe position while his father receives guests'

Turkish photographer Oktay Subasi captured this majestic image of a rancher amid a herd of horses cantering through the dust

A firefighter crosses into a burning building to douse fire at Tampaco Foils Limited, a packaging factory in the Tongi industrial area near Dhaka, Bangladesh, which caught fire in September 2016, leaving 39 people dead and 50 injured

A chorus of five baby swallows eagerly await the return of their mother, who will drop food into their tiny beaks

Caught in the crossfire, Iraqi civilians displaced by fighting in the village of Shora, just south of Mosul, reach an Iraqi army checkpoint on the northern outskirts of Qayyarah

A boy in Nakhon si Thammarat, South Thailand, rests his weary head on a buffalo in the mists of the early morning

The photo is taken at a cemetery in Manila, Philippines, where a community of homeless people live, including this child who has found a balloon to play with among the unclaimed bones and bodies

As part of the Ceremony of Cleaning Of Corpses in North Toraja, Indonesia, family and relatives clean the dead body of Paulus Sampe Lemba, who died at the age of 62. Every three or five years, Toraja people pay their respects to the deceased by cleaning corpses and dressing them in their favourite clothes

Thousands of Muslims in Tongi, near Dhaka in Bangladesh, take Friday prayers in congregation grounds as part of Biswa Istema, the second largest religious gathering of Muslims in the world

The scattered stars of the Milky Way light up the sky above the main highway through the southern Alps in the South Island of New Zealand

Wildebeest kick up clouds of dust as they charge through the African Serengeti during their annual mass-migration
Car sales in Vietnam increased by 50 percent in the first two months this year, compared to the same period last year. Photo by VnExpress/Ba Do

Legislators say the labels will encourage more fuel-conscious consumer purchases.

Starting next year, all vehicles with nine seats or less will require new fuel efficiency labels before they can hit the Vietnamese market.

Motorbikes will become subject to the energy labeling requirement starting in 2020, according to a decision recently signed by Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung.

Vietnam has required car manufacturers and importers to indicate fuel consumption levels for vehicles with seven seats or less since 2014.

At the moment, these labels are yellow or green.

Green labels reflect a vehicle's fuel consumption index certified by Vietnamese watchdog agencies that test the vehicle's technical safety and environmental impact specifications.

The yellow labels reflect energy consumption indexes, provided by car manufacturers and importers.

Vietnam's automobile sales hit a record high in 2016 with 304,427 automobiles sold, up 24 percent year-on-year, based on a report of the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA).

Sales during the first two months of 2017 likewise soared over 50 percent year-on-year.

Related news:

> Vietnams February car sales rise 50 pct

> One person, one car: Hanoi considers new traffic plan
This was the horrifying moment a cage full of divers came face-to-face with the ocean's most ferocious predator.

The footage, shot in South Africa, captures a great white shark charge into the bars with its mouth agape as American tourists can be heard screeching from inside.

The gigantic creature was pursuing bait being dangled from the boat as part of a cage diving expedition - popular in the region among thrill-seekers.

This was the horrifying moment a cage full of divers in South Africa came face-to-face with the ocean's most ferocious predator

The footage, shot from inside the cage, opens with a shot of the shark's fin slicing through the water towards the bait.

Next, the magnificent creature lifts its nose above the surface and opens its powerful jaws to reveal rows and rows of razor-sharp teeth.

The divers scream as the shark chomps down on the metal bars and thrashes around, refusing to release the bait.

'Oh my god! Oh my god!' they screech, ever more hysterically as the seconds roll on.

The footage, shot from inside the cage, opens with a shot of the shark's fin slicing through the water towards the bait

Next, the magnificent creature lifts its nose above the surface and opens its powerful jaws to reveal rows and rows of razor-sharp teeth

The tourist who uploaded the video explained: 'After a fairly uneventful day, we went in the cage one last time in [the] hope of getting up close and personal with these magnificent great white sharks.

'I think it's safe to say we got more than we bargained for.'

Shark cage diving has become increasingly popular among tourists in regions densely populated by great whites including Australia, Mexico, and particularly South Africa.

The divers scream as the shark chomps down on the metal bars and thrashes around, refusing the release the bait

'Oh my god! Oh my god!' they screech, ever more hysterically as the seconds roll on

Participants are lowered into a partially-submerged cage strapped to the side of a boat, while 'chum' - a mixture of an enticing mixture of fish oils - is released into the water to attract the sharks.

Reputable operators argue that the income generated by cage diving funds vital work in shark conservation, and that so long as they aren't fed meat, the sharks are largely unaffected.

Others, however, have raised concerns in the past that this practice alters the sharks' behaviour and leads to a higher number of attacks on humans.
When wildfires raged through Sevier County in East Tennessee in November, hometown girl Dolly Parton promised to help those who lost everything.

The country music star, whose Dollywood theme park narrowly escaped destruction in the fires that ravaged Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, announced she would set up a charitable fund.

Her goal was to be able to provide $1,000 a month for six months to those whose homes were destroyed.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed the 71-year-old's My People Fund has cut checks to 921 people.

Hometown hero: Dolly Parton, 71, has kept a promise to give $1,000-a-month for six months to people who lost their homes in the Sevier County, Tennessee, wildfires last November

Parton had described herself as 'heartbroken' as she watched flames race through the Smoky Mountains communities where she grew up.

Dollywood Foundation President David Dotson revealed that more than 80,000 donations had poured in via the website the nonprofit set up throughout December and January, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

More money was raised thanks to Parton's star-studded December 13 telethon that included performances by Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton and Cyndi Lauper.

Financial aid: The president of her charitable Dollywood Foundation confirmed that the My People Fund that Parton established is cutting checks to 921 people

Devastation: The wildfires that ravaged Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, where the country music star's Dollywood theme park is located, killed 14 and destroyed more than 2,500 structures

Explaining her desire to help her fellow Tennesseans, Parton said: 'We are mountain tough.......You have to be physically tough, you have to be emotionally tough and you have to be strong. People have to scrape their living out of the soil in a lot of ways.'

'That's why it is so important because all of these people, even though they are not blood kin, they really do feel like my people,' she said.

Her famous friends also opened their wallets to help with large donations from Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift, the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, Billboard reported at the time.

Big fundraiser: On December 13, Parton hosted a telethon to raise money for the fund with the help of performers including Reba McEntire, pictured, Kenny Rogers and Cyndi Lauper

Chipped in: Other famous musicians such as Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney sent in donations

Parton has been a generous patron of community and educational programs that benefit those less fortunate and most of her donations remain anonymous.

But in 2006, the Associated Press reported he had given $60,000 a year to disadvantaged Sevier County high school students and created a program that offered $500 to individual students who graduated high school and persuaded a classmate to complete their education as well.

She has given thousands of dollars to fund a birthing unit at a Pigeon Forge medical center so pregnant women didn't have to drive to Knoxville to deliver their babies. And she has a book program for children to encourage literacy.

Generous: The 71-year-old Tennessee native, pictured at the CMAs in Nashville last year, is a committed philanthropist and has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to her community

The November wildfires killed 14 in the Gatlinburg area and destroyed or damaged thousands of residential and commercial buildings.
Their two of Australia's most famous faces.

And on Tuesday, actors Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh celebrated the unveiling of their caricatures are the world-famous Sardi's Restaurant in New York.

Cate, 47, looked stylish in a black dress as she joined her The Present co-star, 55, smiling and laughing as they signed their portraits.

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Face off! On Tuesday, actors Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh celebrated the unveiling of their caricatures are the world-famous Sardi's Restaurant in New York

Cate wore a high-neck dress with billowing sleeves and stylish black pointed heels.

The Lord of the Rings star had her short blonde locks out in loose tousled curls and she wore natural-looking make-up including lashings of mascara with a pink lip.

Richard meanwhile, looked smart in black jeans with a grey T-shirt with a knitted jumper, no doubt to beat the New York chill.

She loves it! Cate, 47, looked stylish in a black dress as she joined her The Present co-star, 55, smiling and laughing as they signed their portraits

Stylish: Cate wore a high-neck dress with billowing sleeves

Cate appeared in high spirits and beamed as she signed her portrait, which shows her with her hair up.

The restaurant is known for its caricatures of celebrities on its walls, and is an iconic restaurant that has been at its current premises since 1927.

There are reportedly well over 1,000 caricatures on display, with the likes of Bruce Willis, Florence Henderson and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Sitting pretty: The Lord of the Rings star had her short blonde locks out in loose tousled curls and she wore natural-looking make-up including lashings of mascara with a pink lip

Renowned: The restaurant is known for its caricatures of celebrities on its walls, and is an iconic restaurant that has been at its current premises since 1927

Cate and Richard are co-stars in Broadway show The Present, which is an adaption of an Anton Chekhov play, adapted by Cate's husband Andrew Upton.

The political play, originally set in 1880's Russia, was updated by Andrew to the nineties in Russia, when Vladamir Putin is coming to power.

Cate is set to appear in the upcoming Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok, as well as Ocean's Eight, Jungle Book and How To Train Your Dragon three.

Friends and colleagues: Cate and Richard are co-stars in Broadway show The Present, which is an adaption of an Anton Chekhov play, adapted by Cate's husband Andrew Upton

Busy! Cate is set to appear in the upcoming Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok, as well as Ocean's Eight, Jungle Book and How To Train Your Dragon three
He's known to be a charmer with the ladies.

And on Wednesday's Kyle and Jackie O Show, three different girls and a MAN called into the program, claiming they had all had got intimate with Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, 23, in recent years.

'He got out his d**k,' claimed one female, before going on to say that they 'did the deed.'

Not shy: Women called into the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Wednesday, claiming they had hooked up with Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, 23, in recent years

A female going under the name of 'Kora' claimed she got intimate with Justin last year, when the crooner was staying at The Pullman Hotel in Sydney.

Hoping to persuade co-hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson into believing her, Kora said: 'I was at the carpark waiting for his car to come out. A black hire car came out and Justin said "Hi".

'Justin and his security guard started murmuring to each other. The security guard asked, "What are you guys doing later? Would you like to come up to the hotel?"

'He got out his d**k': A female going under the name of 'Kora' claimed she got intimate with Justin last year, when the crooner was staying at The Pullman Hotel in Sydney

While up at the hotel room with five other friends, Kora claimed that there was a lot 'small talk.'

'He got out his d**k,' Kora claimed, with the star reportedly saying: 'Come in here, I've got something to show you.

'He leaned in closer,' and we 'did the deed.'

Another girl going by the name 'Sam' claimed she was with Justin at an indoor skate park, before being cut off by co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, who failed to believe her.

While another reportedly met Justin while at a carpark at The Sheraton Hotel in Sydney in 2013.

More claims: Women however were not the only ones to call in, with a male going under the name of 'Joe' suggesting that he and Justin 'had a moment' while having a 'joint on the beach'

Women however were not the only ones to call in, with a male going under the name of 'Joe' suggesting and clearly joking that he and Justin 'had a moment' while having a 'joint on the beach.'

Daily Mail Australia reached out to Justin's management for comment.

The claims come shortly after The Daily Telegraph reported that Justin had 'hand-picked twelve glamorous models' for a luxury cruise on board vessel, The Pearl, in Melbourne last week.

And a video published by gossip site 15 Minutes Of Fame, recently surfaced, that saw the I'm Sorry hitmaker disembarking the vessel with a bevvy of beauties.

Justin was dressed down in oversized sweats and was the first to leave, followed by a group of scantily-clad females.

It was also reported by The Daily Telegraph that Justin's sailing squad were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and leave their phones, prior to boarding.

Confidential: It was also reported by The Daily Telegraph that Justin's sailing squad were required to sign non-disclosure agreements and leave their phones, prior to boarding the vessel

Private: Justin has shunned any media requests while in Australia, but has been sure to plan events for his time off when not in concert

Instagram models Roze Cook and Nyssa Large were also said to be hand-picked by the crooner.

While on the yacht, Justin was pictured shooting a wry smile while dressed in relaxed attire and clutching his smartphone.

He was later seen sitting among the slender beauties, checking his phone intermittently.

Busty: Instagram models Roze Cook (pictured) and Nyssa Large were also said to be hand-picked by the crooner

Bieber fever? A source recently told Daily Mail Australia that Melbourne-based Chadwick model Chontelle Berryman (right) was also in attendance. Pictured with Roze

While Instagram models Roze Cook and Nyssa Large were said to be chosen by the crooner, a source recently told Daily Mail Australia that Melbourne-based Chadwick model Chontelle Berryman was also in attendance.

And one of the blonde beauty's most recent social media snaps appeared to confirm this.

While posing with Roze on board a luxury yacht, Chontelle wrote next to the snap: 'Caption this'.

A follower of hers commented underneath with a series of Justin Bieber-related hash-tags, to which Chontelle simply replied with a monkey emoji.

Blonde beauty: The personality is certainly not shy when it comes to flaunting her assets and slender frame on social media
She's the Sydney socialite who's known for her fake tan disasters.

But on Monday former Bachelor star Keira Maguire was without any hint of her usual orange hue when she stepped out for a spot of shopping in Double Bay.

The 30-year-old looked paler than usual, her skin almost the same ivory shade as furry cushions and fluffy rugs she eagerly picked out.

A lighter shade: Former Bachelor star Keira Maguire stepped out looking paler than normal while shopping in Double bay

Orange you glad you got rid of the tan? Keira looked fresh-faced and fancy-free as she sported a more natural look Monday

The I'm A Celebrity... star opted for a tight black ensemble on her outing, looking fresh and fancy-free as she loaded her goodies in her car.

Her black embroidered skirt was finished with a pretty crescent cut and was paired with a simple ebony top that accentuated her paler skin.

She teamed them with strappy black heels, a pair of wayfarer sunglasses and a dark, chunky watch.

Her blonde tresses were pulled back sharply off her face into a small bun and the reality star showed off a hint of colour with bright pink nail polish on her toes.

Pale as porcelain: The reality star showed off her lighter-toned back and slender pins as she hurried to get out of the rain

Spot of shopping: Dodging the gloomy weather, she strutted her stuff as she picked out a woolly rug and deliberated over a similarly soft cushion

Pom pom: Fluffy homewares seem to be Keira's style, matching a cobalt blue pom-pom she carried with her

Keira enhanced her new look with barely-there nude make-up, which showed off her natural beauty.

Dodging the gloomy weather, she strutted her stuff as she picked out a woolly rug and deliberated over a similarly soft cushion.

The homewares seem to be Keira's style, matching a cobalt blue pom-pom she carried with her.

All-black ensemble: Keira teamed her black shirt and skirt with strappy heels, a pair of wayfarer sunglasses and a dark, chunky watch

Natural beauty: Keira enhanced her new look with barely-there nude make-up

Her lighter look was in stark contrast to the fake tan disasters she has sported in the past, where her bronze glow turned heads for all the wrong reasons.

At Hailey Baldwin's 20th Birthday in December 2016, the Bachelor reject left onlookers cringing after failing to evenly apply her self-tanner.

As Keira waved to fans, many couldn't help but notice smeared stains on the palm of her hands - making for a very unpleasant sight.

She looked similarly tanned when appearing at the Beauty and the Beast Australian premiere last Thursday, were she wore a a very low cut top.

Fake tan disaster: At Hailey Baldwin's 20th Birthday in December 2016, the Bachelor reject left onlookers cringing after failing to evenly apply her self-tanner

Bronzed beauty: She looked similarly tanned when appearing at the Beauty and the Beast Australian premiere last Thursday, were she wore a a very low cut top

Keira most recently appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here where she was part of a double elimination in the fifth week of the show, exiting the jungle alongside fellow contestant Kris Smith.

Their departure left nine celebrities competing for the coveted crown and the $100,000 prize to be donated to the winner's charity of choice.

Fan favourite Casey Donovan took out the title as Queen of the Jungle in the finale, donating her prize to The Starlight Foundation.

The finale three had been narrowed down to her, Dane Swan and Natalie Bassingwaithe.
He's just opened up to GQ Australia about his masculinity.

And after being labelled by the publication as 'unabashedly a bloke' and 'unashamedly Australian,' Jai Courtney has given his top five tips for being 'the modern Aussie bloke.'

The 30-year-old actor told Nova's Fitzy and Wippa growing a beard, having a strong accent and throwing some eucalyptus leaves 'around your neck' is how to achieve the goal.

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'Get some eucalyptus leaves and throw them around your neck!' Jai Courtney has given his top five tips for being 'the modern Aussie bloke'

'Natural fragrance is good, aftershave is kind of out. Get some eucalyptus leaves and throw them around your neck,' Jai said, making the radio hosts laugh.

'Grow some facial hair, it's very important, Hugh Jackman had a lot of success with his facial hair,' he said, adding Chris Hemsworth also has some stubble.

'You want to train your knees to crouch, as you can see on my GQ cover. It looks like you're analysing something,' he joked.

'You want to train your knees to crouch, as you can see on my GQ cover': Jai joked about his magazine cover (pictured)

But on a serious note, the Hollywood hunk said same-sex marriage should be legalised in Australia.

'We pride ourselves on mate-ship in our country and I reckon if you want to marry your best mate, you should be allowed to. So a little nudge to Malcom Turnbull, let's get same-sex marriage on the books.'

Jai recently told GQ Australia that he has found his calling as an actor, while gushing about his girlfriend of two years, former film publicist Mecki Dent.

'Being a guy who'd come up around sport and hung out with guys of that nature... I genuinely thought it was all playing against my ability to get into theatre and study this stuff,' he said.

Equality: But on a serious note, the Hollywood hunk said same-sex marriage should be legalised in Australia

Opening up: Jai recently told GQ Australia that he has found his calling as an actor, while gushing about his girlfriend of two years, former film publicist Mecki Dent

The Suicide Squad star went on to reveal how he overcame self-doubt.

He said looking up to fellow Australian actors such as Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Sam Worthington kept him optimistic about his career prospects.

'I found it comforting to look at them and see that you could be a bloke, and it could f****** work for you,' he said.

From small roles on Australian dramas such as All Saints and Packed to the Rafters, he got his big break in 2013 alongside Bruce Willis in 'A Good Day To Die Hard.'

Since then he's gone on to become one of Australia's leading faces in Hollywood and has most recently played the leading role in The Exception.

In addition to his professional success he's also enjoying success in his private life, as he is enjoying a blossoming romance with girlfriend of two years, Mecki Dent.

'I feel I've met the woman of my dreams and this is it, I hope,' Jai said.
She is slated to be the new Grand Dame of the rebooted Great British Bake Off.

But Prue Leith claims she is used to raising temperatures outside of the kitchen.

The culinary legend, 77, has detailed her sizzling love life with 'toyboy' husband John Playfair, 70, who she married five months ago.

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Head over heels: Prue Leith, 77, has detailed her love life with 'toyboy' husband John Playfair, 70, (above) who she married five months ago

Talking to The Sun, the Great British Menu judge claims that her new marriage has left her 'behaving like a teenager'.

She says: 'Its surprising how you can behave like a 16-year-old in your 60s, or a 17-year-old in your 70s.

'You know, its exactly the same. You fall in love with somebody, you start worrying why the phone is not ringing and thinking, "Can I ring him?"

On a high: Talking to The Sun, the Great British Menu judge claims that her new marriage has left her 'behaving like a teenager'

'Is romance dead for me? I got married five months ago. Hes a great guy, too. Hes lovely and hes my toyboy. Im 77 and hes 70, so hes a mere boy. Its enlivening.

'An awful lot of older women do have love affairs or wish they were having love affairs. I think the most important thing in the whole world is love and relationships and if you dont have them its quite bad.'

Prue is no stranger to high charged relationships - at the age of 21 she began an affair with the husband of her mums best friend, Rayne Kruger. After a 13 year fling, she tied him and they were married until his death aged 80 in 2002.

No stopping her: The chef says: 'Is romance dead for me? I got married five months ago. Hes a great guy, too. Hes lovely and hes my toyboy. Im 77 and hes 70, so hes a mere boy. Its enlivening'

This week, Prue revaled that she is terrified of 'doing a Chris Evans' but admitted she would love the chance to pick up Mary Berrys mantle.

The chef dismissed as 'complete rubbish' reports she will be paid three times as much as Mrs Berry to host the show - and insisted she did not yet know if she had got the job.

Mrs Leith has been in advanced talks for a judging role on the cookery programme after presenters Mrs Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins announced they would leave the show.

Eager: Prue Leith is terrified of 'doing a Chris Evans' but admitted she would love the chance to pick up Mary Berrys mantle and become a presenter on The Great British Bake Off, for which she is down to final few to take over

The stars made their decision when production company Love Productions chose to sell the series to Channel 4 after seven seasons with the BBC.

Judge Paul Hollywood has, however, signed up for three series with Channel 4.

Reports have speculated Mrs Leith had been offered at least 200,000 for the role, dwarfing the 70,000 Miss Berry was paid when the BBC broadcast the show.

Awkward: Prue did not want to be like Chris Evans - who had a doomed attempt stepping into the shoes of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for Top Gear

'I believe Im about to be paid about a quarter of a million pounds or something and Ive got a deal. Its complete nonsense,' she said. Id love to star in Bake Off, it would be ridiculous to pretend that I didnt want to do it.

Speaking ahead of hosting the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2017, she added: Theyve said theyll let everyone know soon.

I have some hopes of doing it soon. I have been through interviews and meetings but realistically theyve only casted Paul Hollywood because hes there already.

They still need to replace Mel and Sue, and [find] Mary Berrys replacement. If they like me, and they appear to, they need to make sure that the other two fit.

Payrise: Reports have speculated Mrs Leith had been offered at least 200,000 for the role, dwarfing the 70,000 Miss Berry was paid when the BBC broadcast the show

So I dont imagine anything will be announced until their replacements are found. But I havent signed anything. Everything you read is not true.

Referring to the now former Top Gear presenters doomed attempt to step into the shoes of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, Mrs Leith added: Its a bit scary following Mary, but I dont want to do a Chris Evans.

She has also insisted that there's no hard feelings between her and Mary Berry, as Prue looks set to take over Mary's role on The Great British Bake Off.

Prue said: 'We started together and we've been friends for a hundred years. There wasn't really competition because she was doing much more telly than me for a long time. And then I was doing more telly than her and she was doing all the Aga stuff.

Mrs Leith has been in advanced talks for a judging role on the cookery programme after presenters Mrs Berry, Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins announced they would leave the show

'Then I started doing The Great British Menu and she started doing The Great British Bake Off about five years later.'

Mrs Leith backed Mr Hollywoods decision to follow the show to its new home, despite the departure of his co-presenters.

She said: I think Paul Hollywood was quite perfectly within his rights to stay with Love Productions. Theyd made him famous, he was getting a decent salary and he was enjoying it.

Why shouldnt he stay with them?

On his side: Mrs Leith backed Paul Hollywoods decision to follow the show to its new home on Channel 4, despite the departure of his co-presenters

Mrs Leith, who lives in a Jacobean Cotswolds village, was married to author Rayne Kruger for 38 years until his death in 2002.

The grandmothers book Leiths Cookery Bible is revered in the culinary world, and she has plenty of TV judging experience, having spent 10 years on BBC2s Great British Menu.

The author, who founded cookery school Leiths in 1975, received an OBE in 1989 and a CBE in 2010.

She married retired clothes designer John Playfair, 69, last year.
He's raved all season about his ability to cook seafood but has pretty much failed to bring up the goods.

And on My Kitchen Rules on Wednesday, self-proclaimed seafood king Josh and wife Amy burnt prawns in the cruise challenge.

At the end of the show, the pair found out that they would be heading to sudden-death in the next episode, against one of the highest-scoring teams, sisters Kelsey and Amanda.

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Ouch! On My Kitchen Rules on Wednesday, self-proclaimed seafood king Josh and wife Amy (centre) burnt prawns in the cruise challenge and landed themselves in the upcoming sudden-death cook off

In a new twist, the two bottom teams found out they would be cooking on a cruise ship instead of kitchen HQ for the cook-off.

Amy said they could win the upcoming clash.

'We've both worked in galley's before. And that gives us a bit of an edge over Kelsey and Amanda,' Amy said.

Good luck! Sisters Kelsey (L) and Amanda (R) also found out they're heading to sudden-death

Tasty? Josh burnt his prawns

Josh confidently added: 'This could be a massive advantage for us and we can win this and you know, I do back ourselves.'

Josh and Amy found themselves heading into sudden-death after cooking grilled Thai prawns with paw paw salad and vermicelli noodles.

Kelsey and Amanda cooked prosciutto wrapped pear with blue cheese and a brandy sauce, getting slammed for their overpowering sauce.

Josh and Amy were slammed for their burnt prawns and before serving up, Josh was seen scraping off the black char from the prawns.

Interesting mix! Kelsey and Amanda cooked prosciutto wrapped pear with blue cheese and a brandy sauce, getting slammed for their overpowering sauce

Not his fortay? 'You struggled a bit with the prawns Joshy,' Judge Pete Evans said in the feedback

'You struggled a bit with the prawns Joshy,' Judge Pete Evans said in the feedback.

'A little bit burnt on the outside, not the best dish we've had from you guys, I'm sorry,' he added.

Judge Colin Fassnidge meanwhile laughed when he told Josh and Amy about how he - and the whole ship - saw Josh scraping the prawns.

'They're a little bit dry on the outside, that's because they've been overcooked. And in the lettuce, it looked like it was a lonely little prawn and some lettuce,' Colin said.

They're not fans! Judge Colin Fassnidge (L) meanwhile laughed when he told Josh and Amy about how he - and the whole ship - saw Josh scraping the prawns

Tyson - who Josh had clashed with while cooking - laughed after hearing the feedback.

'Josh has always talked about being the king of seafood, but he didn't execute today,' Tyson said.

Housewife Cyn added: 'I think Josh will rue the day he every called himself the seafood king. From all remarks, you're not mate!'

Tyson's sister Amy added to camera about Josh and Amy finding themselves in sudden-death: 'It couldn't have happened to nicer people,' being sarcastic.

It's on! Amy and Tyson (pictured) were determined to beat Josh in cooking prawns

For the challenge, the teams had to cook for guests on a cruise shift that left Sydney harbour.

They had to cook canapes and battle the windy weather, cooking on an outside deck for 150 people.

Amy and Tyson cooked crispy polenta chip with grilled prawn and lemon and thyme mayo.

The pair cooked right next to Josh and Amy, both cooking prawn dishes.

Tyson said to camera that he wanted to beat Josh at his seafood game.

Looks good! Amy and Tyson cooked crispy polenta chip with grilled prawn and lemon and thyme mayo and changed it to shrimp and grits, because they struggled with their polenta

'Josh has always talked about being the king of seafood, so our goal is just to beat Josh.'

To Amy and Tyson, Amy said: 'It's a bit of a prawn off!'

Josh meanwhile thought Amy and Tyson's dish was 'average.'

The brother and sister duo ended up changing their canapes to shrimp and grits, because they struggled to get the right consistency for their polenta.

Cooking skills: Contestants looked focused as they tried their hardest to whip up delicious meals

Cooking away: Josh accidentally burnt his prawns

At one point, Tyson was busy peeling his prawns and Josh couldn't help but rub it in his face that he peeled all his.

'How many have you got done there Tyson?,' Josh said, after saying he had about 20 peeled.

Tyson dryly relied: 'Probably about half you have mate,' Tyson said.

Amy told Tyson not to worry about Josh's swipe with Tyson taking a dig at him as he cooked, saying: 'I don't care, he can peel 100 prawns if he wants. I'll peel three good ones.'

Pressure: At one point, Tyson was busy peeling his prawns and Josh couldn't help but rub it in his face that he peeled all his

Intense: Tyson tried his best to keep his composure

At another point while cooking, Josh's marinade smoked off the grill, with chili fumes hitting Marie and even Cyn.

Josh said to camera: 'I don't feel bad at all ..chili in the face...could be to our advantage.'

Also during the challenge, one team struggling were Kyle and Tim.

They were making speck and shiitake mushroom croquets but their oil to cook the croquets in wasn't cooking fast enough.

Tactic? At another point while cooking, Josh's marinade smoked off the grill, with chili fumes hitting Marie and even Cyn (R)

Close call: Also during the challenge, one team struggling were Kyle and Tim (pictured)

Tim said after finding out he and Kyle weren't in sudden-death: 'We're safe, thank god!'

Meanwhile, 'foodie friends' Della and Tully won passenger's choice and Josh said they had cheated, snatching Colin's recipes.

They cooked seared beef with Nori butter.
Malin Akerman and her new beau Jack Donnelly have made their public debut together in Puerto Rico.

The 38-year-old actress and 31-year-old British actor were spotted together Friday at an event celebrating Ariana Rockefeller's new collection of handbags.

Malin donned a sleeveless cream dress and wrapped an arm around Jack at the Dorado Beach, Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.

Cute couple: Malin Akerman and Jack Donnelly have made their public debut as a couple in Puerto Rico

Jack also clutched Malin with one arm and looked suave in a tan dress shirt with sleeves rolled up and dark brown trousers.

Malin and Jack also were spotted kissing while in Puerto Rico, according to an article Monday by People.

'They are together and really happy in one another's company,' an insider told the magazine.

Malin also teamed up at the event with Ariana and Coco Rocha.

Handbag launch: Malin joined Ariana Rockefeller and Coco Rocha at the event celebrating Ariana's new handbag collection with Dorado Beach

New couple: Malin, shown last month in Los Angeles, and Jack, shown in October 2013 in London, were reported to be 'together and really happy in one another's company'

Designer and equestrian Ariana brightened up the affair in a long-sleeved yellow blouse and silky tan trousers.

Canadian model Coco, 28, wore a long white short-sleeved lacy dress with sheer panels.

English model Sophie Sumner, 27, also attended and showed her toned legs in a mini tank dress.

English model: Sophie Sumner showed her toned legs in a mini tank dress

Husband and wife: Male model Alex Lundqvist and his wife Keytt also were in attendance

Swedish male model Alex Lundqvist and wife Keyyt also were at the Dorado Beach affair.

Malin currently stars in the Showtime series Billions in which she plays Lara Axelrod, the pampered wife of a crooked hedge fund manager.

The second season of Billions premiered February 19 and Showtime earlier this month renewed the drama for a third season.

Jack starred in the BBC fantasy-adventure series Atlantis that ran for two seasons from 2013 to 2015.

Malin was previously married to musician Roberto Zincone from 2007 to 2013 and they have a three-year-old son Sebastian together.

Hit series: Malin is shown in a 2016 still from the Showtime series Billions
Lisa Oldfield has detailed the moment she woke up to find herself being sexually assaulted by her taxi driver.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, the star spoke candidly of the horrific ordeal and explained that at the time of the attack, she had dozed off in a taxi while travelling home from a business lunch.

'First thing I knew was that he'd ripped the yoke of my dress down, so the top part, which was quite a high-necked dress that had been ripped all the way down to where cleavage was exposed,' she said.

'He just seemed to be everywhere, it was like an octopus:' Lisa Oldfield has detail the moment she woke up to find herself being sexually assaulted by her taxi driver almost two years ago

'And he was ripping at my arm and that's was the shock. It hurts so much. And he just seemed to be everywhere, it was like an octopus.'

Lisa admitted that the most disconcerting part was the supposedly safe context of the attack.

'This is what really rocked me, it was that- and not that this is an excuse- but I wasn't an 18-year-old girl falling out of a nightclub at three o'clock in the morning. I was a mother and a businesswoman coming home in the middle of the day to the suburbs,' she explained.

'I wasn't an 18-year-old girl falling out of a nightclub at three o'clock in the morning': Lisa admitted that the most disconcerting part was the supposedly safe context of the attack

The assault occurred around two years ago, and the businesswoman is still dealing with the harrowing aftermath.

Speaking to the Wentworth Courier earlier this month, Lisa confessed that the taxi driver: Has destroyed the woman I was. I have become a victim, not the strong brave fearless Lisa I was before the attack.'

The assault occurred after Lisa hailed a taxi home at 5pm following a client's Christmas party.

Victim: Speaking to the Wentworth Courier earlier this month, Lisa confessed that the taxi driver: Has destroyed the woman I was. I have become a victim, not the strong brave fearless Lisa I was before the attack'

'He was groping my breasts, he had pulled the whole top of my dress down so my breasts were exposed,' she told the publication.

'He was ripping at me and it was so violent he tore off my cuff. I was covered in scratch and bite marks and bruises.

The attack also affected her 16-year marriage, which she describes as 'sexless' due to the assault, and has previously led to TV star considering a divorce.
March 14, 2017 | 06:38 pm PT

Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Grab are allegedly eating into the profits of taxi firms.

Vietnams finance ministry has turned down a request made by local taxi companies to lower taxes to form a fair and competitive environment in the ride services market.

The Taxi Association of Ho Chi Minh City had previously sent a proposal to the ministry asking for its VAT duty to be slashed from 10 percent to 5 percent so that traditional taxis can compete with foreign ride-hailing services like Uber and Grab, which are subject to a 3 percent rate.

In response to the taxi association, the finance ministry claimed that it is following a tax reform plan which will gradually apply a 10 percent VAT fee on nearly all types of goods and services by 2020. Only essential goods will be subject to the lower rate of 5 percent, while exports will be exempt from this duty.

The finance ministry's decision comes at a time when Vietnam is facing declining tax revenue in the wake of a dozen free trade agreements. The government has also come under pressure to deal with growing public debt, estimated at 64.73 percent of the country's gross domestic product at the end of 2016, and close to the 65 percent ceiling set by legislators.

In terms of the alleged higher taxes and fees traditional cabs have to pay, the ministry said that this conclusion is totally without foundation.

They cited figures showing that most major taxi firms in Ho Chi Minh City are paying corporate income tax rates of 0.01-0.06 percent, and some are even receiving rebates. Meanwhile, a 2 percent rate is currently applicable to mobile ride-hailing services.

Uber and Grab entered the Vietnamese market three years ago to provide transportation services via mobile apps.

Grab, a Malaysian-based company, is the only foreign-run transport service allowed to operate in five cities across Vietnam using registered private vehicles between 2016 and 2018.

Uber, however, has been singled out for providing ride-hailing services without legal permission.

The growing popularity of the two services has led to a fall in profits for traditional cabs, by at least 10 percent last year in Ho Chi Minh City, according to the association.

Related news:

> Vietnamese startup wants motorbike taxis to fight back Uber, Grab

> Unfair competition with Uber, Grab prompts Vietnamese taxi firms' revenues to dip
She's played a wide range of roles throughout her successful career.

But Michelle Keegan was virtually unrecognisable as she let go of her inhibitions to play a lusty version of Mary Queen Of Scots for Comedy Central's Drunk History.

Narrated by sozzled Drifters stars Jessica Knappett and Lydia Rose Bewley, the Our Girl actress, 29, put on a sultry display as she was seen working her feminine wiles on her co-stars.

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Who's that girl? Michelle Keegan was virtually unrecognisable as she let go of her inhibitions to play a lusty version of Mary Queen Of Scots for Comedy Central's Drunk History

In one saucy scene, the rebellious royal is seen enjoying an affair with her secretary, beaming as he plants a kiss on her cheek after their steamy antics.

Caught out, however, her husband Lord Darnley walks in on the pair getting dressed and is less than impressed by the scenes.

In another sultry offering, Mary plots with Gilbert Gifford (Joel Fry) to kill off Elizabeth I (Katy Brand), sealing the deal by planting a passionate kiss on his cheek and licking her lips seductively.

Pucker up: The Our Girl actress, 29, put on a sultry display as she worked her feminine wiles on her co-stars in the episode narrated by Jessica Knappett and Lydia Rose Bewley

Two's company: In one saucy scene, the rebellious royal is seen enjoying an affair with her secretary, beaming as he plants a kiss on her cheek after their steamy antics

Despite channeling the sultry royal, Michelle's scene with Joel was tame in comparison to their first on-screen meeting in Plebs.

In last year's steamy scenes from the ITV2 comedy series, Michelle played Ursula, a Vestal Virgin, and staged her first ever sex scene.

Her saucy debut as Ursula, which was worlds away from her often drab Corrie character Tina McIntyre, saw her get very steamy with co-star Joel, who played gormless Stylax.

Naughty: In another sultry offering, Mary plots with Gilbert Gifford (Joel Fry) to kill off Elizabeth I, sealing the deal by planting a passionate kiss on his cheek and licking her lips seductively

Tame: Despite channeling the sultry royal, Michelle's scene with Joel was tame in comparison to their first on-screen meeting in Plebs

Saucy: In last year's steamy scenes from ITV2 comedy series Plebs, Michelle played Ursula, a Vestal Virgin, and staged her first ever sex scene with Joel

The sultry scene had the all-important seal of approval from her husband Mark Wright, however, as she insisted that he 'wasn't bothered'.

Speaking to heat magazine, Michelle revealed: 'No, hes not really bothered. We talk about roles I get offered, but hes more interested in the stories as a whole.'

Discussing the scene itself, she recalled: 'Oh yeah. That was with Joel Fry and it was the first time wed met.

'Talk about being thrown in the deep end! I was really anxious about it, but once it was over, I was like, Is that it? It was no big deal in the end. We just had a laugh.'

Drunk History airs Wednesday at 10pm on Comedy Central UK

Right royal rumble: Michelle stars alongside Katy Brand who plays Elizabeth I in the episode

Cheeky! One of Mary Queen Of Scots aides couldn't tear his eyes off of her in the scene

Temptress: Michelle played a very lusty version of the Elizabethan queen
She's a fitness fanatic.

And active Reese Witherspoon certainly showed she can do it all on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The 40-year-old was seen jogging in active wear with a pal in the Brentwood neighborhood before changing in a glamorous outfit.

Staying fit: Reese Witherspoon certainly showed she can do it all on Tuesday in Los Angeles

The Legally Blonde star was spotted heading to lunch in Beverly Hills wearing a flirty dress.

The star looked glamorous as she wore pink high heels and a matching handbag.

On Saturday, the actress was seen spending quality time with her four-year-old son Tennessee.

Quick change: The 40-year-old was seen jogging in active wear with a pal in the Brentwood neighborhood before changing in a glamorous outfit

The Legally Blonde star was spotted heading to lunch in Beverly Hills wearing a flirty dress

Reese took her son, whom she shares with CAA agent husband Jim Toth, to tee-ball practice in LA.

Her little one looked to have a good time and, at one point, the actress lifted her hand out for a high five.

As a successful producer, actress and entrepreneur with little time to spare, she is surely managing her time well.

Run! The star looked to be going at a strong pace

This year alone, the Sing star has three projects to her name, with another set to premiere in 2018.

She can currently be seen on the HBO drama, Big Little Lies, and will appear in Wish List, Tinker Bell Home Again and a Wrinkle In Time.
She's created a name for herself, proving to be more than just the offspring of English musician Phil Collins.

But despite becoming a successful actress, model, author and ambassador for luxury beauty brand Lancome, Lily Collins still has her own insecurities.

Speaking to Gritty Pretty Magazine while stunning in a daring lace bra and sheer skirt for an accompanying photo shoot, the 27-year-old revealed: 'I experience the same things that they [girls] do and face the same insecurities.'

'I face insecurities': Lily Collins, 27, spoke of her struggles in the spotlight in the Autumn 2017 issue of Gritty Pretty, while stunning on their cover shoot in a daring lace bra and matching sheer skirt

'Social media has allowed me to communicate with girls all over the world,' Lily told the publication for their Autumn 2017 issue.

'It's always been really important to me that they know I experience the same things that they do and face the same insecurities.

'It's such a powerful tool to get to use in order to have conversations and reassure them that they're never alone in their struggles,' she continued.

Beauty: Revealing just a hint of her cleavage in an all-black ensemble, the Love, Rosie star drew attention to her signature bold brows and a glossy red lip over her plump pout

Tailored: Another image saw Lily sporting a more androgynous look, opting for a black top, tucked into a pair of cigarette style trousers, with pointy-toed heels and a tailored black blazer finishing off the look

Lily's candid comments ran alongside a stunning pictorial that allowed the slender beauty to show off her penchant for style.

One image saw Lily revealing her delicate decolletage and taut torso in a sheer bralet and coordinating skirt, with the hemline finishing just below the knee.

A tailored black blazer was draped over her petite upper frame, while delicate gold jewels worked as timeless accessories.

Smouldering: The daughter of English musician Phil Collins gazed intently at the camera, showing off her blemish-free complexion and striking facial features

In profile: Lily's bold brows framed her face, while her almond-shaped eyes were enhanced with taupe eye shadow, kohl-liner and lashings of mascara

Sweeping her brunette locks into an effortless style at the nape of her neck, the Love, Rosie star drew attention to her signature bold brows and a glossy red lip over her plump pout.

While another image saw Lily sporting a more androgynous look.

A round-neck black top was tucked into a pair of cigarette style trousers, with a pair of black pointy-toed heels elongating her figure.

Covering her upper frame with a tailored black blazer, Lily rested one manicured hand on her delicate decolletage.
Erika Girardi went off on Dorit Kemsley on Tuesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills and called her a phony.

The 45-year-old reality star, known by her stage name Erika Jayne, also accused Dorit of talking too much with her faux accent and meaning little.

The feud exploded on an antique 'junk boat' cruise around Hong Kong's harbor.

Straight shooter: Erika Girardi finally told Dorit Kemsley why she doesn't like her during Tuesday's episode of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Lisa Rinna had accused Dorit of telling people she had a problem with prescription pills  and Erika stood up for Rinna.

'Let me finish Dorit, you talk a lot,' snapped Erika as Dorit tried to deny the accusations.

'You don't talk enough,' retorted Dorit, 40.

'I say important s***, you say too much boring s***,' said Erika.

Called out: Dorit told Erika that she was the only person in the group she 'hadn't maaged to connect with' and wanted to know why

Dorit said that Erika was the only person in the group she 'hadn't managed to connect with'.

'Because I don't like bulls***ters Dorit and that's what I think you are,' raged Erika.

'Then why don't you just f***ing say it,' Dorit told her.

Good answer: Erika told Dorit that she doesn't like bulls***ters and classified her as one

Harbor tour: Erika, Eileen Davidson, Lisa Rinna and Lisa Vanderpump were one one side of the antique boat

Do not mess: Erika warned that Dorit should not be poking at her

Antique boat: The antique 'junk boat' majestically sailed around the harbor

'I just did,' Erika replied.

'I think Lisa's being a bit paranoid, but paranoia can be because of a lot of pills,' joked Lisa Vanderpump, 56.

The show opened with Vanderpump as she packed for the Hong Kong trip.

Getting ready: Lisa Vanderpump opened the episode packing for the trip

Her husband Ken said he'd sleep with three or five of their dogs while she was gone.

'I'll be fine,' he said.

Vanderpump was concerned about the flight.

Staying home: Ken Todd was staying home with their dogs

'If I sit next to Eileen I won't need a sleeping pill, if I sit next to Kyle I'll probably get in trouble, Erika, I like Erika,' she said.

'I find her a bit cold,' remarked Dorit, who used to work for an Italian swimwear company.

After the 15-hour flight they hit Hong Kong's opulent Island Shangri-La hotel.

Good one: Vanderpump told Dorit that if she sat next to Eileen Davidson on the plane that she wouldn't need a sleeping pill

Erika brought her five person 'glam squad', to help her complete her 'looks'.

Dorit said she was faced with a 'stone cold wall' whenever she tried to converse with Erika.

At dinner Eden Sassoon told the women she was buying her online lover a trip to New York so they could spend some time together.

Online lover: Eden Sassoon told the women that she bought her online lover a trip to New York City

Nice view: The women stayed at the Island Shangri-La hotel with amazing views

Night vision: The Hong Kong views at night also were amazing

'I mean WTF? Why is she actually importing somebody? I mean has she been through everybody else in America?' balked Vanderpump.

The others asked why she was booking a room for both of them.

'He could kill me, but guess what? I could kill him,' remarked Eden, who said she'd be 'naked in the bed' when her mystery lover arrived.

Questions asked: Vanderpump wondered why Eden was importing someone to the US

Catching up: Erika and Kyle Richards got emotional as they talked about their mothers

Vanderpump started crying when she discussed her work to try and end the 'torture' at the Yulin Dog Meat Festival in China.

'Like a blubbering idiot,' she said.

Eileen Davidson decided to go along to support Vanderpump's charity, despite their sketchy history.

Documentary trip: Eileen despite her differences with Vanderpump was eager to see the documentary production

'You know what Eileen, I really appreciate that, I know we haven't had the best time together but now I think it's taken a turn, so yes, come,' said Vanderpump.

The women watched the trailer for the documentary Vanderpump had made about the Dog Meat Festival.

They all cried.

Upcoming documentary: Lisa, Dorit and Eileen started crying while watching footage from The Road To Yulin documentary about the annual Yulin Dog Festival in China

Hard to watch: Dorit could not hold back her tears watching the footage

Annual festival: Dogs were shown in crates on their way to the annual Yulin, China event in which festival goers eat dog meat

'It's really ugly stuff,' sniffed Eileen.

Lisa Rinna confronted Dorit about the incident when she'd said she 'sprinkled Xanax in her smoothies'.

'It was a joke,' clarified Rinna.

Documentary star: Lisa will star in the documentary that she's also co-producing

The producers: Lisa and her husband Ken are co-producers of the documentary

Dog lover: Eileen noted her love for dogs before going on the trip with Vanderpump

Dorit demanded to know who'd been stirring the pot, but Rinna attributed it to her 'sixth sense'.

'That makes no sense,' said Dorit moodily.

Rinna however stuck to her story and wrapped up the conversation.

Sixth sense: Rinna talked about the Xanax smoothie incident and Dorit wanted to know her source

Later Eden riled Rinna up again, by telling her that Dorit had asked her if Rinna had a 'pill problem'.

'I knew it!' snapped Rinna.

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills continues next week on Bravo.

A preview showed Erika breaking down and Rinna arguing with Dorit as well as a group trip to a giant Buddha statue.

Knew it: Rinna snapped after Eden confirmed her 'sixth sense'
She recently admitted she 'possibly overreacted' during a wardrobe bust up with a junior colleague.

And after speaking about her viral fight with Julie Snook for the first time, Amber Sherlock has worn an outfit with striking similarities to that worn during the now infamous outburst.

On Wednesday the 41-year-old TV journalist wore a white top with a blue blazer to host the Channel Nine afternoon news, the outfit almost identical to the outfit worn by Julie after Amber demanded she change.

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Avoiding her own jacketgate? Amber Sherlock covers up a white top with a blue blazer after admitting she 'possibly overreacted' during wardrobe bust-up with Julie Snook

The electric blue jacket matched closely with the Channel Nine news set, with Amber wearing a white blouse underneath the long sleeve top.

The white and blue ensemble comes as both Amber and Julie spoke about the fight in detailed interviews for the first time last week.

Footage of the off-air incident, first leaked to Mumbrella in January, showed Amber chastising Julie for not putting on a jacket over her white outfit to prevent them from clashing in similar ensembles.

Blue and white: The electric blue jacket matched closely with the Channel Nine news set, with Amber wearing a white blouse underneath the long sleeved top

Despite Julie apologising that she had been busy and forgot, Amber snapped: 'I asked you two-and-a-half hours ago. Its not the hardest request.'

Julie later appeared on air wearing a black jacket, and was the object of much public sympathy when the footage went viral.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph published this week, Amber explained that she had felt overtired and stressed on the afternoon of the incident, having spent the morning at the beach with her kids.

'I was absolutely mortified': Amber also said she was horrified by the media scrutiny and finding herself the subject of 'nasty' attacks from online trolls

'I am the first to put up my hand and say that for whatever reason  I was stressed, I was tired, I possibly overreacted, there are better ways to deal with it,' she said.

Amber also said she was horrified by the media scrutiny and finding herself the subject of 'nasty' attacks from online trolls.

'I was absolutely mortified, and, of course, hurt,' she said. 'I think Im a kind, generous person. I am a mum, I have a family. And I was devastated.

Julie also spoke further about the incident, telling 9Honey that she wants to be known for more than just a jacket.

Not happy Amber had chastised Julie for not putting on a jacket over her white outfit to prevent them from clashing in similar ensembles.

Compromise: Julie later appeared on air wearing a black jacket, and was the object of much public sympathy when the footage went viral

'Its been a big learning curve for me. Its shown me both the good and the bad in people and shown just how much we can really come together. Ive had a lot of support here at Nine,' Julie said.

She revealed she had laughed off the incident, and hoped the public could get past the shocking moment.

'Theres more to me than just a jacket, than just that incident,' Julie said.
His cousin Ricky Anderson has tragically lost his one-year-old son.

And Kanye West was seen for the first time since the devastating news on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The rapper, 39, looked to be in mourning as he kept his face down while stepping out to dinner without his wife or children at Bandera.

In mourning: Kanye West was seen for the first time since the devastating news on Tuesday in Los Angeles

His cousin Anderson announced the heartbreaking news via Instagram, sharing a sweet photo of Avery.

'Today was the worst day of my life!! I lost my lil man and gained an angel! Rest in Paradise!!!! I love you man,' he wrote.

Avery died in his sleep and there were no previous sign of illness or distress, according to TMZ.

Eating alone: The rapper, 39, looked to be in mourning as he kept his face down while stepping out to dinner without his wife or children at Bandera

Taking it easy: The star looked to be lost in thought as he exited the restaurant

Family tragedy: Kanye's cousin Ricky Anderson (pictured) has tragically lost his one-year-old son

Rest in Peace: One-year-old Avery died in his sleep and there were no previous sign of illness or distress

Anderson is from West's late mother Donda's side of the family and works as a consultant at Kanye's label, G.O.O.D. Music, in L.A.

He also shared several sweet videos of his late son, captioning one 'Missing him so much!!' and tagging the child's mother, Erica Paige.

The little guy was a prominent fixture on both his father and mother's Instagram posts, who appeared to shower him with love.

Avery had just celebrated his first birthday with a Disney-themed party.

Doting father: The grieving father posted this photo in easier times with the caption,'In love with this kid!'

Kanye has yet to comment on what is another tragedy following several difficult months for him and his wife Kim Kardashian.

Kim was robbed at gunpoint in October while attending Paris Fashion Week and in November - around the anniversary of his mother's death - Kanye cancelled his Saint Pablo Tour after an onstage breakdown.

The breakdown, which saw a 15-minute rant attacking his friend Beyonce and begging Jay Z to call him, led to a stay in the hospital for 'temporary psychosis.'

Heartbreaking: Avery had just celebrated his first birthday with a Disney-themed party
What better way to celebrate the woman who dresses you than making sure no one can look at anything else than what you are wearing.

Nicole Richie and her stylist made sure all eyes were on her at the Power Stylists Dinner on Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old star was at the event held in West Hollywood, California, to celebrate her style guru Jamie Mizrahi.

Peek-a-boo: Nicole Richie and her stylist made sure all eyes were on her at the Power Stylists Dinner on Tuesday night

The stylist and client posed up together on the carpet and it was hard to tell who was prouder of who as they posed for snaps.

Nicole certainly made an impact even with the fantastic yellow balloon wall backdrop. For the night of style, the former reality star turned designer wore a sheer green dress.

The floor length gown has short sleeves and a following hemline but, despite also having a high neck, was far from conservative.

The forest green dress was completely see though revealing the star's matching lace bodysuit - which was also definitely not opaque.

Fashion team: The 35-year-old star was at the event held in West Hollywood, California, to celebrate her style guru Jamie Mizrahi

Not hiding: For the night of style, the former reality star turned designer wore a sheer green floor-length dress

Oh La la: The forest green dress was completely see though revealing the star's matching lace bodysuit - which was also definitely not opaque

Nicole was obviously loving her look as she beamed and laughed as she twirled around to show it off.

With the gown stealing the show, Jamie kept the rest of her client's look simple.

The Simple Life star wore her hair roughly brushed back as if it was wet and a pair of drop earrings were her only accessories.

can't live without me #stylistlife A post shared by Jamie Mizrahi (@sweetbabyjamie) on Mar 14, 2017 at 7:00pm PDT

Low key extras: The Simple Life star wore her hair roughly brushed back as if it was wet and a pair of drop earrings were her only accessories

Prior to arriving at the event, Nicole had joked around that she was stuck in the dress and Jamie made sure to capture the moment on Instagram.

The annual star-studded event marks The Hollywood Reporter's Stylist issue which names Hollywood's top 25 style mavens.

This year saw stars Ireland Baldwin, Nina Dobrev, Sarah Paulson and Busy Philipps support their style guides.
She famously starred in the comedy film How To Be Single.

And actress Rebel Wilson appeared to be enjoying a date night in West Hollywood on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old was photographed holding hands with a tall mystery man arriving at celebrity hotspot Craig's restaurant.

New man? Rebel Wilson appeared to be enjoying a date night in West Hollywood on Tuesday

It is unclear if the well-dressed gentleman is a friend or suitor, or was simply escorting Rebel to the venue.

The Pitch Perfect star was later spotted leaving Craig's while holding onto the man's arm, and they departed in the same car.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Rebel's representatives for comment.

Holding hands? The 37-year-old actress was photographed holding hands with a tall mystery man arriving at Craig's restaurant

Meanwhile, Rebel looked glamorous in a black top and leather skirt which she paired with heels and a studded handbag.

Her male companion wore a blue suit over a white shirt, and finished off his evening look with brown dress shoes.

Towering over Rebel's 5ft 2in height, the man also appeared to have several tattoos on his knuckles.

What's going on? It is unclear if the well-dressed gentleman is a friend or suitor, or was simply escorting Rebel to the venue

The pair appeared in happy spirits and Rebel was seen smiling and laughing while stepping out of the restaurant.

After getting into a car together, the gentleman sat in the driver's seat and gestured at onlookers before pulling away.

Rebel was previously dating actor Mickey Gooch, but claimed she ended the relationship to focus on her career.

Where to next? The Pitch Perfect star was later spotted leaving Craig's while holding on to the man's arm
It looked as if she might be just the tonic ITV's newest weeknight chat show needed to save it from public scrutiny.

But despite a positive fan reaction on Monday evening, Davina McCall started to face the same backlash her predecessor presenters John Bishop and David Walliams had faced over the previous fortnight, as she hosted The Nightly Show for a second night.

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'Bring back the News At Ten!' Davina McCall's success on The Nightly Show is short-lived as viewers slam her second night as host... targeting her 'wooden' auto-cue reading

After high praise from fans the night before, Davina was subject to harsher critique as she helmed the American-style talk show on Tuesday which featured guests David Baddiel and Sara Cox.

The issue seemed mostly to revolve around her auto-cue reading ability.

'Rubbish presenting by Davina McCall tonight... clearly reading off the auto-cue,' someone posted to Twitter, getting the ball rolling on the nightly viewer tirade.

'Davina McCall reading the auto-queue like a 6 year old read Biff, Chip & Kipper!' came a second moaning tweeter.

Oh no! It looked as if she might be just the tonic ITV's newest weeknight chat show needed to save it from public scrutiny, but sadly Davina was the subject of continuiung embittered tweets

Here we go again: Davina McCall started to face the same backlash her predecessor presenters John Bishop and David Walliams had faced over the previous fortnight, as she hosted The Nightly Show for a second night

'Fair enough reading off an auto-cue but be a little more subtle Davina McCall,' another posted.

Another disgruntled (and sexist) commentator wrote: 'Jesus Christ Davina McCall is dreadful at presenting #TheNightlyShow - It needs a funny guy to present it. And not John Bishop.'

'Davina... Stop tonight... Don't go back tomorrow... Really, I know you're trying hard, it's the format and writing,' someone else tweeted, blaming the show more than the guest host.

A pleasant surprise: Davina McCall, 49, quit Twitter for a week while she hosted ITV's Nightly Show fearing a deluge of mean tweets only for viewers to flood her Twitter feed with praise

'Oh my god just bring back the News At Ten!' came another tweet, followed by: 'I just can't abide by the cringe of Davina this week!'

Another said the 49-year-old TV pro 'was looking lost'.

There was still a smattering of positive feedback, with one person writing 'I actually really like The Nightly Show with Davina' and another typing: '@ThisisDavina has really turned the #TheNightlyShow arround. Until this week it's been dire but Davina is amazing.'

Harsh: 'Fair enough reading off an auto-cue but be a little more subtle Davina McCall,' someone posted

Guest appearance: Sara Cox was one of Davina's special guests on the chat show

Established comedians David Walliams and John Bishop faced fierce criticism on social media when they hosted ITV's new late night programme last week and the week before.

Davina therefore decided to quit Twitter for a week when she hosted the show, expecting a deluge of mean-spirited tweets.

And although this seems to now have happened, her debut on Monday was mostly declared a success.

Having previously informed her Twitter followers that she would be off the site until Saturday because of her hosting gig - and told the haters to 'fill yer boots' - the reaction was quite the opposite with viewers flooding her Twitter feed with praise for her comedic presenting skills.

Taking precautions: Davina informed her followers that she was leaving Twitter so they could 'fill yer boots' and criticise her on the social media site only for the opposite to happen

Fans: Tweets came flooding in to declare her hosting gig a great success

'Best show yet': The Twitter users declared that Davina was a better host than David Walliams and John Bishop

Falling flat: After high praise from fans the night before, Davina was subject to harsher critique as she helmed the American-style talk show on Tuesday

Auto-boo! The issue seemed mostly to revolve around her auto-cue reading ability

One wrote: 'Not watched a single episode of this new ITV Nightly Show, until now - get Davina on it every night and I'm sold!'

While another declared that Davina was a better host than David or John.

'Davina!' she wrote. 'That was the best show yet hun.'

The veteran presenter displayed her skills on her first episode which saw her interviewing Boy George and The Replacement actress Vicky McClure.

The former Big Brother presenter filled the show with references to her wild youth spent falling in and out of night clubs and added in jokes about vibrators and her married sex life, or lack thereof.

On the sofa: The second of Davina's The Nightly Show episodes featured guests David Baddiel and Sara Cox

Still got the moves: Viewers were delighted by Davina's foul-mouthed appearance and jokes about her married sex life, or lack thereof, the night before

Let's dance: Davina, David and Sara did their best to entertain the masses

Bringing out the worst: Another disgruntled (and sexist) commentator wrote 'Jesus Christ Davina McCall is dreadful at presenting #TheNightlyShow - It needs a funny guy to present it. And not John Bishop'

She made it clear from the beginning that the show would be a sweary one.

'It's 10pm,' the fitness fan announced, 'so I'm going to say f*** and b*****ks as much as I like.'

Her success came just days after former GBBO presenters Mel and Sue got 'cold feet' about hosting the beleaguered show.

An ITV insider told The Sun: 'It looked as though it was all but finalised, but they never quite signed on the dotted line.

'Unfortunately the talks collapsed when they decided they couldnt possibly make their diaries fit with ITV and have had to turn down the offer.'

The positive reaction must be all the sweeter for Davina after her own BBC chat show, called Davina, was axed after just eight episodes a decade ago.

A long wait: The initial positive reaction must have been all the sweeter for Davina after her own chat show, Davina, was axed by the BBC after just eight episodes a decade ago




She has her iconic appearance as the face of Boddingtons Bitter to thank for launching her TV and modelling career.

But now Melanie Sykes is set to return to the roots of her fame, after revealing she will team up with the beer brand for a new advert, 20 years after the first.

The TV personality, 46, shared the exciting news on her Instagram account, declaring how 'happy and excited' she was for the collaboration.

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Back to her roots! Melanie Sykes, 46, has revealed she will return to her famous roots as she will team up with Boddingtons Bitter beer brand for a new advert - a mere 20 years later

While attending the Publican Awards on Tuesday evening, the bubbly brunette broke the thrilling news to her 91k followers while cradling a can of the beer.

Displaying a bright smile, Melanie captioned the shot: 'Guess what you lot I have some extremely exciting news I want to share with you. I am being reunited with my old muckers Boddingtons Bitter.

'After twenty years we are going to shoot a brand new commercial !!!! So happy and excited I cannot even begin to tell you (sic)'.

Clearly still delighted at the news, the TV presenter went on to share four more snaps to honour her reunion with the iconic beer brand - each one proving that she had not aged a day, in two decades.

Saucy: The original advert(pictured) aired in 1996, in which Mel seductively hands an athlete a pint of beer while working in an ice-cream van, donned in a tiny pink frock

All eyes on her: The TV presenter sky-rocketed to fame thanks to her sultry display in the ad, coining the creamy bitter brand's catch phrase, 'Do you want a flake with that?'

Cheers to that! The TV personality shared the exciting news on her Instagram account, declaring how 'happy and excited' she is for the collaboration

Beaming into the camera lens, she wrote: 'Just one more pic peeps! Grinning like a Lancashire cat at my reunion with Boddingtons Bitter 21 years later.

'I am buzzing and so happy to be part of the team. Brings back great memories'.

Melanie wore a semi-sheer black gown, which hugged her incredibly statuesque figure as she wowed the crowd at the award ceremony in Battersea, London.

Joker: Comic Relief ambassador Mel pranked passers-by with a collapsing sculpture made up of 1,000 Red Noses. The stunt was to promote the launch of nine new character Red Noses and Red Nose Day merchandise, available now in Sainsbury's stores and online

The original advert aired in 1996, in which Mel seductively hands an athlete a pint of beer while working in an ice-cream van, dressed in a plunging pink frock.

Mel explained: 'Im incredibly fond of my association with Boddingtons Bitter. I really enjoyed shooting both my commercials for them.

'It is just over twenty years since I appeared in the first ad and it was a truly life changing time. It marked the end of a successful modelling career and introduced me into the world of TV presenting.

Melanie wore a semi-sheer black gown, which hugged her incredibly statuesque figure as she wowed the crowd at the award ceremony in Battersea, London

She's still got it: The brunette beauty has managed to maintained her fabulous figure, often flaunting the results of her grueling workout regimes on Instagram

'I am very proud of the adverts and I know they hold a lot of nostalgia not just for me but for many people.'

Boddington's is most known for its creamy texture - adopting the catchphrase 'Do you want a flake in that?' as part of its advertising campaign.

Since her iconic appearance, Melanie has gone on to forge a successful career as a TV presenter, hosting shows such as Today With Des And Mel and more recently Let's Do Lunch With Gino & Mel.

The brunette beauty also has managed to remarkably maintain her fabulous figure, often flaunting the results of her grueling workout regimes on Instagram.
Hanoi restaurant fined for unsavory use of boot

An online video caught a restaurant worker stirring pig intestines with her foot.

Market managers have slapped a Hanoi restaurant owner with a VND4.6 million ($201.76) fine after a customer filmed an employee stirring a basin of pig intestines with her boot.

The act was deemed unhygienic by officials, who also noted the Old Quarter eatery failed to present a food safety certificate.

Hanoi restaurant fined for unsavory use of boot Hanoi restaurant fined for preparing food with boots

The managers also seized three kilograms of intestines, which they claimed lacked clear origins.

The video caught the act on the sidewalk right in front of the restaurant on Hang Thung Street last Saturday.

The restaurant owner said the boots were completely clean.

I have been selling here for 30 years. Ive always offered clean products without using toxic chemicals and thats why I have a large number of customers, she said.

Related news:

> Hanoi threatens to close 'Cursing Noodles' shop featured on CNN show

> Saigon consumers can now check where their vegetables come from
It's been well-publicised that Danny Dyer is taking some time out from EastEnders on an extended break.

The soap actor, 39, has jetted overseas to South Africa amid claims he is suffering from 'exhaustion and stress' and his absence has come as no surprise to former EastEnders icon John Altman, 65.

Known for playing 'Nasty Nick', John knows all too well how gruelling filming for EastEnders can be and defended the actor at the TRIC Awards in London on Tuesday.

'It's like being on another planet': Nasty Nick actor John Altman said it's no wonder Danny Dyer 'burned out' on 'exhausting' EastEnders as he's been working harder than anyone else

Taking a break: Danny Dyer is currently on an extended break from EastEnders amid claims he is suffering from 'exhaustion and stress'

John starred as Dot Cotton's son and bad boy Nick on EastEnders for 30 years on and off, until his character passed away onscreen two years ago.

He told The Sun: 'EastEnders is like being on another planet - they're working so, so hard. Hes got to be there more than anyone else and it must be exhausting.

John pointed out that not only are you expected to carry out your own scenes on the show, characters are often required to be in the background of other scenes too making their work load even more demanding.

He continued: 'It's hard work, like being on a never-ending treadmill. I don't really know the ins and outs but I do know that it can be very stressful with the hours that they put in.'

His comments come after Danny had been pictured for the first time since leaving EastEnders looking healthy and happy in South Africa.

Addressing the actor's current situation on EastEnders, John said: 'They are working so, so hard - Dannys got to be there more than anyone else and it must be exhausting'

Beaming: The soapstar has now been pictured for the first time since leaving the BBC One soap amid claims he is suffering from 'exhaustion and stress', looking happy and healthy as he poses with a fan in South Africa

He posed alongside a fan and boasted a slimline physique and tan, as he flashed a peace sign alongside his new pal.

Danny has been keeping a low profile in recent weeks since flying out on February 10.

A source also told The Sun : 'Danny was looking a lot healthier and seemed to be glowing. He was happy to pose for pictures with fans and appeared to be in good spirits.'

This comes amid reports Danny is reportedly planning to whisk his wife Joanne Mas on a 'no expenses spared' second honeymoon following his alleged work woes.

A source told The Sun: 'Danny was looking a lot healthier and seemed to be glowing. He was happy to pose for pictures with fans and appeared to be in good spirits'

Danny married his partner of 20 years in September last year yet wants to revisit their post-wedding festivities.

Sources tell the Mirror that 'he wants to make Jo feel special' following his recuperating break to South Africa in the midst of his momentary split from the BBC show.

It was reported in January that an incident at the National Television Awards saw an 'intoxicated' Danny become embroiled in a 'meltdown' leading to claims that he was bowing out of EastEnders for a rest period.

Loved up: Danny is reportedly planning to whisk his wife Joanne Mas on a 'no expenses spared' second honeymoon following his alleged work woes (pictured in 2004)

Despite the claims, and an accompanying video, soap bosses came forward after the leaked clip to deny that he is 'spiralling out of control, exhausted and needs to control his temper.'

Following the explosive allegations, Danny has removed himself temporarily from his role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter to recuperate in South Africa.

Now, sources have revealed that aside from his professional dramas he is planning to dedicate himself to his wife Joanne, who proposed in February 2015, before they walked the aisle in Hampshire last year.

Give me a break: The 39-year-old EastEnders star, who is said to be taking a break from the soap after being stricken with stress, married his partner of 20 years in September last year yet wants to revisit their post-wedding festivities

During Danny's South African break, Joanne has reportedly been staying at home with their three children daughters Dani 19, Sunnie nine and two-year-old son Arty.

According to the Mirror the couple are now set to relight their romance by jetting to the Maldives: 'Since they got married Danny has been working non stop, they havent had a lot of time together and he wants to make Jo feel special.

'Hes very focused on his family. His time in South Africa has done him the world of good. Now he just wants to do lots of fun things with his family.

Following his wedding, Danny told Hello magazine: 'I was overwhelmed. Jo looked stunning - and seeing her there with all my beautiful children - I was really moved. It couldn't have been any better.'

MailOnline has commented representatives for Danny for comment.

Despite the romantic gesture, reports surfaced last months stating he had exchanged racy messages with a young mother, who he met at an Essex book signing event the previous year, as she claimed he told her 'bend over and show me that bottle' - cockney rhyming slang for her backside.

On June 27, just nine weeks before his wedding to Ms Mas, he sent the woman a picture of his privates poking out of boxer shorts. A source said after the revelation: 'This was a bit of fun between Danny and a girl that has got a bit out of hand.

'There was no relationship, it was nothing serious and Jo is not about to split up with the love of her life over a few messages. Everything we have heard suggests Jo will stand by her man.'

News of the romantic getaway comes after it was claimed that the cast of EastEnders are reportedly planning a surprise welcome back party for Danny when he makes his return from South Africa to the BBC soap.

Homel life comes first: Sources tell the Mirror that 'he wants to make Jo feel special' following his recuperating break to South Africa in the midst of his break from the BBC show

His co-stars, according to the Daily Star, are keen to show their support for the soap favourite when he makes his anticipated return.

A source told the newspaper: 'They're keen to show everyone is behind him 100% after his tough few months. They are planning a round of applause when he steps back behind the bar for filming for the first time.'

'The cast know how important Danny is to the show's success and don't want it to be awkward.'.

Danny is said to be taking some time away from the soap for personal reasons, after a string of emotional storylines for his character.

Bowing out: Sources tell the Mirror that 'he wants to make Jo feel special' following his recuperating break to South Africa in the midst of his break from the BBC show

Last month Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale came forward to slam accusations that he and Danny had clashed prior to his sudden departure from the show.

According to the Daily Star, Danny had criticised Adam for only ever playing one character on screen, and branded himself the superior actor.

However the soap stalwart has since admitted that the claims were 'news' to him, as he and Danny had enjoyed a 'nice chat' before his departure.

The paper first reported tensions between the pair - with Danny allegedly stating of his co-star: 'Adam has played one role. He's auditioned once in his whole career. Out of every soap actor I've got the most experience.'

Not true: Last month Adam Woodyatt, who plays Ian Beale came forward to slam accusations that he and Danny had clashed prior to his sudden departure from the show

Following the release of the NTAs clip back in January, despite The Sun referred to the video as depicting a '15 minute meltdown', a friend of Danny's told MailOnline: 'He wasn't behaving badly at all. He was presenting an award so he was tired as he had been at the venue since 6pm.

'He was struggling to find the exit to get out as he was worried he was going to be mobbed by fans as there were queues everywhere and he just wanted to get to his car. The rest of the group were saying, 'Just go, go now,' before it gets any busier. He wanted to get out and nothing more.

'Danny is one of the nicest people you can work with. He's always so lovely and a rye professional.'
They delightedly welcomed their first child to the world in January.

Yet Dancing With The Star professional Peta Murgatroyd showed no sign of her baby weight on Tuesday as she enjoyed a Hollywood date night with her co-star fiance Maksim Chmerkovskiy - while looking sensational in an LBD.

The 30-year-old New Zealand native looked sensational in a skin-tight dress which made the most of her eye-popping cleavage while her Ukrainian partner, 37, went for a more minimal ensemble with jeans and a black shirt.

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Sexier than ever: Dancing With The Star professional Peta Murgatroyd showed no sign of her baby weight on Tuesday as she enjoyed a Hollywood date night with her co-star fiance Maksim Chmerkovskiy - while looking sensational in an LBD

Peta dated Australian former Dancing With The Stars co-star and ballroom professional Damian Whitewood for five years before breaking up in early 2012.

After the split she began dating Maksim on-off in the same year, 2012. They confirmed their engagement in 2015, when he proposed while onstage for a performance of Sway: A Dance Trilogy in Miami, Florida.

The happy couple welcomed son Shai Aleksander in January and have been sharing their delight on social media ever since become parents.

Peta looked simply sensational on Tuesday evening as they headed to celeb hotspot Catch in West Hollywood, while both dressing to impress.

Happy pair: The 30-year-old New Zealand native looked sensational in a skin-tight dress which made the most of her eye-popping cleavage while her Ukrainian partner, 37, went for a more minimal ensemble with jeans and a black shirt

Her black bandeau mini made the most of her flawless frame, with her eye-popping cleavage protruding from beneath the dress yet she added a modest touch with her stylish bomber jacket.

Boosting her already statuesque height was her staggering black heels which featured two thick straps to help elongate her endless legs.

Giving a designer touch to the ensemble was her long strapped handbag which featured a leather body and thick gold strap.

She slicked her blonde tresses into a chignon at the nape of her neck while the top was styled into a centre parting to best exhibit her stunning good looks.

Look at us: Her black bandeau mini made the most of her flawless frame, with her eye-popping cleavage protruding from beneath the dress yet she added a modest touch with her stylish bomber jacket

Maksim looked typically handsome in a crisp black shirt paired with stonewash jeans and trainers - a wholly more casual look than his partner.

In an interview with US Magazine, the couple spoke of what they didn't expect would happen once they became parents.

Maksim said: 'I'm kind of amazed at how these things quickly change, because we were both career people for so long. And our career is a bit selfish. I mean, not in a bad way, but it's always about you and about how you look, how you feel, because of the job requirements.'

Peta added: 'That's the thing that I didn't expect. thought before I would be like, "Oh my god, I can't wait to get back to work. You know, I just want to go and, you know, he'll be fine. No. I literally don't want to leave the house to go shopping. I miss him, I miss his face every time I close the door.'
He's the beloved star of The Bachelor who went on to build a fitness empire.

But it looks like Network Ten didn't think Sam Wood was the right fit for The Biggest Loser, with the network turning Sam down for a spot as a male trainer on the latest season.

The 35-year-old revealed the news in a Facebook post on the official page for his popular fitness program, 28 by Sam Wood.

'I applied last year!' Sam Wood revealed that he applied to be a trainer on The Biggest Loser Transformer, but was turned down by Network Ten

'I applied last year as the male trainer as Channel 10 were going to have all new trainers,' wrote the handsome star.

'I was told I was the best candidate but they decided that changing all the trainers in one go was too risky so they went with Shannon and Libby.'

Sam finished: 'I think they both do a great job but next year I really want to be the trainer and share the magic that is 28 with Australia and the millions that need to know.'

'I was told I was the best candidate but they decided that changing all the trainers in one go was too risky so they went with Shannon and Libby,' he wrote on Facebook

'I think they both do a great job but next year I really want to be the trainer and share the magic that is 28 with Australia and the millions that need to know,' the 35-year-old finished

However, Ten may now be regretting their decision following the tragic ratings for the new season, The Biggest Loser Transformed.

The weight loss show's Tuesday night premiere failed to make the top ten most-watched programs of the day, placing 17th and only narrowly beating a repeat of NCIS.

The Biggest Loser Transformed attracted a measly 450,000 viewers, making it the lowest-rated premiere in the show's 11-year history.

It placed fourth in its time slot, losing to Nine's Married at First Sight (1.15 million), Seven's My Kitchen Rules (1.04 million), and even ABC's 7:30 (507,000).

Flop: The weight loss show's Tuesday night premiere failed to make the top ten most-watched programs of the day, placing 17th and only narrowly beating a repeat of NCIS

Disaster: The Biggest Loser Transformed attracted a measly 450,000 viewers, making it the lowest-rated premiere in the show's 11-year history

TBL has taken over the same timeslot as I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which just wrapped up a very successful third season.

The weight loss competition took a year off in 2016 after a disappointing reception to 2015's season, TBL Families.

The current season was touted as a reboot, with longtime trainers Michelle Bridges and Steve 'Commando' Willis exiting the series after a decade.

In December, trainer Shannan Ponton urged producers to put more focus on 'educational' aspects, like training and nutrition, instead of games and drama.
She is an aspiring model and actress who has already taken part in a prestigious shoot for Chanel - and Paris Jackson looks incredible in a new stunning shoot for the April issue of Harper's Bazaar, set in France.

The 18-year-old flaunts her taut abs and svelte figure in the set of eye-catching photographs taken in Paris, while discussing her relationship with father Michael in an accompanying interview.

She said: 'When I was a kid, I was with my dad and my two brothers. Growing up, I was treated as the favourite because I was the only girl. I was the princess; I was perfect in my dad's eyes.'

Jumping for joy: Paris Jackson shows off her stunning figure in a red net skirt and black bandeau crop top as she leaps in front of the Eiffel Tower in a new Harper's Bazaar shoot

Platinum blonde Paris looks incredible in the Madonna-inspired shoot, wearing a Dior crop top and red sheer skirt as she jumps in front of the Eiffel tower in Paris.

She later changed into a red and white striped sweater and black trousers, layering up with heavy gold chains with an orange headband holding her hair back.

She also pays tribute to her father, wearing his trademark loafers and white sock combination.

In another image, she wears a Parisian Breton top with jeans and high heels as she fashions a red scarf in her hair to receive a kiss from some soldiers.

Performing for the troops: Paris sits on a soldier's lap for one snapshot in the French capital for the image, taken from the April issue

Dead ringer: Paris (left) seriously championed Madonna (right) in the images

She looked just like Madonna did in the 80s, which is notable as she recently confessed she had briefly dated Thriller hitmaker Michael for a week back in 1991 - nine years before Paris was born.

During an epic Carpool Karaoke session with James Corden, the 58-year-old confessed she 'tongue in mouth kissed' the late singer.

She also admitted it was she who made the first move 'because he was a little shy', adding, 'But he was a willing accomplice.'

Socks off: Paris sports black loafers and white socks in a subtle tribute to her father Michael's signature look in the snaps

Cover girl: Paris appears in a plunging black dress on the cover of the April issue of the upmarket magazine, which is out on March 28

Paris is the only daughter of the late musical icon  who passed away in 2009 aged 50, when she was just 11  and has said she was treated like royalty when her father was alive.

Paris  who has brothers Prince, 20, and Blanket, 15, was shielded by her famous father - appearing in public with her siblings sporting face masks and veils, when she was younger.

These days, she is very much in the spotlight, with endorsement deals reportedly in the offing along with a role in Lee Daniels' TV series Star which will see her play a social media guru.

King and queen of pop: Madonna and Michael Jackson, pictured together at the 1991 Oscars, had a brief fling

'Plenty of times I've thought about not doing anything in the public eye and having my own private life,' she tells the magazine.

'Then I started seeing how everything in the world is going. And I feel like each year it's getting worse I know there are a lot of people who would feel very blessed to be in my position, so I want to use it for important things.'

But fame comes with its downsides, and Paris is defiant in the face of social media trolls and naysayers.

'You're on their mind - how is that a bad thing? Doesn't matter if they're saying good or bad things about you.

'They're thinking about you enough to write about you. You just can't care Not everybody is going to be happy with what you do. If you're not happy with what you're doing, that's a problem. If you're happy, who gives a f**k?'

Well covered: Michael Jackson pictured with Paris and her brother Prince back in 2005

Paris previously claimed that the late Thriller hitmaker was '99 percent' of her inspiration.

She said: 'All of my inspiration. I would say 99 percent of my inspiration comes from him, because he has always been my world. He is my roots.'

The actress also said she hopes to have the 'strength' her father did.

When asked previously which one of her dad's qualities she'd like to have, she added: 'Definitely his strength. He was the strongest person I know and tried to do everything with a much love and kindness as possible.'
She's been busy filming the latest installment of the Avengers franchise.

But Elizabeth Olsen enjoyed a well deserved break from film sets as she hit the shops in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning.

The actress, 28, made the most of the sunny Californian weather as she donned micro mini shorts and a loose-fitting black blouse.

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Leggy lady! Elizabeth Olsen, 28, enjoyed a well deserved break from film sets as she hit the shops in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning

The younger sister to famous twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, ensured all eyes were on her with her legs bare during the scorching warm day.

Elizabeth opted for thigh-grazing denim shorts which perfectly flaunted her enviably long and lithe legs.

Keeping the look simple, the Silent House star paired the look with a baggy blouse which swamped her upper frame.

Elizabeth artfully matched her open-toed sandals to the ensemble, while she shielded her crystal blue peepers with round-rimmed sunglasses.

Denim dream: The actress made the most of the sunny Californian weather as she donned micro-mini shorts and a loose-fitting black blouse

Bareface beauty: The younger sister to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, ensured all eyes were on her as she flashed the flesh during the scorching warm day

Echoing the laidback look, the Very Good Girls actress wore her hair in a fuss-free manner, simply parted in the middle.

The budding fashionista shunned all traces of make-up to ensure her natural beauty was on full display.

Clearly a successful shopping trip, Elizabeth toted her belongings in an oversized Whole Foods bag in one hand, while carrying a chic cream handbag in the other.

The actress recently returned to social media after a short hiatus, most recently taking to Instagram to share her new spectacles.

Specs appeal: The actress recently returned to social media after a short hiatus, most recently taking to Instagram to share her new spectacles

Off-duty beauty: Keeping the look simple, the Silent House star paired the look with a baggy black blouse which swamped her petite frame

Donning oversized gold-rimmed glasses, Elizabeth wrote: 'Apparently these things happen as you get older...'

The blonde beauty has had a busy start to 2017, working on four movies set to be released later this year - including Wind River and Ingrid Goes West.

The movie star is currently reprising her role as Scarlet Witch in the third installment of Avengers, which will hit theatres next year.
The girls made a name for themselves thanks to their 1998 number one hit C'est La Vie.

And now B*Witched are chasing a return to the music charts with their plans to reunite for the band's 20th anniversary.

But there's a catch, as the Irish girl group - made up of sisters Keavy and Edele Lynch, Sinead O'Carroll and Lindsay Armaou - are hoping to ditch their old tunes in favour of brand new material.

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Making a comeback: B*Witched (pictured L-R Sinead O'Carroll, Lindsay Armaou and sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch) have announced plans to release new music next year

They revealed their comeback hopes in a recent interview with Daily Star and admitted that their old songs, including the likes of Blame It On The Weatherman, will remain nostalgic as they concentrate on updating their sound.

Shane Lynch's younger sister Edele told the publication: 'We're gonna be what we are now musically and what we feel now.'

She said: 'We're not gonna try to tap into what we were because that's nostalgia and the music industry has moved on so much as we all have.

'We've updated [their music] so we feel comfortable with it.'

C'est La Vie! The 90s girl group have claimed they are planning to ditch their old hits and focus on new music instead

Back in the day: They first enjoyed chart success in 1998 and became known for their love of double denim

Fans were quick to react to the news on Twitter, with many sharing their delight at the 90s group reforming - despite B*Witched's plans to ditch their number one hits.

One user commented: 'This is great! It's about time we had some new @BWitchedreunion music!'

A second tweeted: 'B*Witched getting back together RESULT.'

A third said: 'B*Witched are having a reunion and I've never been happier.'

While a fourth added: 'New music from @OfficialSteps this year and @BWitchedreunion next year, what more could I ask for? Spice Girls take note.'

'Never been happier': Despite the girls promising a new sound, fans were quick to share their excitement over the B*Witched reunion on Twitter

B*Witched previously reunited in 2013 on camera for the first series of The Big Reunion.

They joined the likes of Blue, 911, Atomic Kitten and Liberty X on the show and viewers saw the girls hold emotional talks to 'clear the air' before reforming twelve years after their initial split when Sinead decided to leave the band.

Celebrity Big Brother star Edele revealed on The Big Reunion that she and Sinead had fallen out in 2006 and were no longer speaking.

Thanks to the show, the girls are now speaking again and have managed to repair their friendship.

The Big Reunion: Fans of the girl group saw B*Witched reunite twelve years after their initial split for the ITV2 series in 2013

Whole again! Atomic Kitten roped in the help of Michelle Heaton for their reunion tour over in Australia and New Zealand at the start of the year

And B*Witched aren't the only 90s group hoping for another wave of success now they are older and wiser.

Atomic Kitten have been enjoying touring again too.

They recently wrapped up a tour in Australia and New Zealand - where Michelle Heaton joined Natasha Hamilton and Kerry Katona to fill Liz McClarnon's shoes due to her fear of flying.

Steps, meanwhile, have announced a 15-date reunion tour across Britain with Vengaboys supporting them.

On the road again! Steps have announced a 15-date reunion tour across Britain and will be supported by Vengaboys

The five-piece released their brand new single Scared Of The Dark last Friday and it comes just weeks before Steps will drop their new album Tears On The Dancefloor on April 21.

All of the band's members - Faye Tozer, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Ian 'H' Watkins and Lee Latchford-Evans - are back for the reunion, with Lisa revealing it wouldn't have gone ahead without everyone agreeing to take part.

She told Bang Showbiz: 'We actually all agreed that we would only do this if the five of us were involved.

'We feel it would water down the success we've had if it wasn't all five of us.

'It really needs to be the original line up and fortunately everybody wanted to do it, so there was no dragging anybody along.'
It's already a certified smash for American network HBO.

And now Big Little Lies is conquering Australian screens, with subscription service Foxtel revealing that the drama series has broken ratings records.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, Big Little Lies received more than double the debut audience of Game Of Thrones.

Smash hit: According to The Daily Telegraph , Big Little Lies received more than double the debut audience of Game Of Thrones

The series has been gaining buzz for its racy sex scenes, with another raunchy scene featuring Nicole Kidman set to air on the next episode.

The 49-year-old stunner has already shocked her fans once by engaging in an on-screen romp last week.

In the episode - titled 'Push Comes to Shove' - Nicole's character Celeste Wright straddles her rich banker husband Perry.

Cheeky: Nicole bared her pert derriere during yet another steamy sex scene with Alexander Skarsgard on Sunday's episode of HBO's Big Little Lies

Peach: The Oscar winner easily defied her 49 years while showcasing her enviably taut 5ft11in figure during the gratuitous grinding session.

The Wrights - who are parents to twin sons Max and Josh - have a kinky and vital sex life, but there is definitely a dark side to their relationship.

When asked how her second husband Keith Urban feels about sex scenes, Nicole told Kyle & Jackie 0: 'He gets that it's work. he's special.'

Titled 'Push Comes to Shove': In the episode, the Hawaiian-born Australian stunner's character Celeste Wright straddles her rich banker husband Perry

Sex and violence: The Wrights - who are parents to twin sons Max and Josh - have a kinky and vital sex life, but there is definitely a dark side to their relationship

Turbulent: When the series finally premieres Monday on Sky Atlantic, UK audiences will discover that Perry is physically abusive towards Celeste - pulling her arm and slapping her

'When I would come home after shooting [domestic abuse scenes] he was pretty shaken,' Kidman explained on KIIS 1065 Sydney.

'Because it was you know tough doing the role, and I would get really bruised and battered particularly as it goes along, so he was actually emotionally protective.'

The seven-part miniseries - airing Sundays on HBO - centers on three Monterey mothers and stars Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoe Kravitz.

Kidman explained on KIIS 1065 Sydney: 'When I would come home after shooting [domestic abuse scenes] he was pretty shaken...so he was actually emotionally protective'
Tommy Mallet was spotted in an excitable debate with a group of businessmen following Tuesday evening's TRIC Awards.

Standing in the street, the 24-year-old TOWIE star was dressed casually in a bold red hoodie as he gesticulated and addressing the four men as it was revealed to MailOnline that the seemingly explosive chat was in fact about their choice of cars.

The star attended the awards with his girlfriend Georgia Kousoulou was present, yet he appeared afterwards with co-stars at Mayfair's plush Nobu Berkeley St eatery.

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Have a laugh: Tommy Mallet was spotted in an excitable debate with a group of businessmen following Tuesday evening's TRIC Awards

Tommy kept things casual in the streets as he stood among the well heeled gents looking extremely low-key in a red jumper and red trainers.

Completing the look was a pair of tattered denim jeans while his hair was semi-teased into a side-parting - adding to his minimal look.

As he chatted to the gentlemen, he flitted between standing on the street and at their eye level on the stoop on which they positioned themselves.

Throughout the conversation, the men flitted between reaching their arms out to the reality star and later crossing their arms in apparent exasperation.

Hotting up! Standing in the street, the 24-year-old TOWIE star was dressed casually in a bold red hoodie as he gesticulated and addressing the four men in a chat about cars

Listen to me! Tommy kept things casual in the streets as he stood among the well heeled gents looking extremely low-key in a red jumper and red trainers

Tommy was later spotted clinging on to his TOWIE co-star Chloe Sims in a firm hug as he lived it up outside the restaurant with his peers.

Chloe looked stunning in a skin-tight leather dress which made the most of her eye-popping cleavage which she paraded along the red carpet earlier in the day.

In June last year, Tommy hit headlines when he reportedly became embroiled in a blazing row with co-star Dan Edgar during TOWIE filming although the heated chat could not be aired.

Hot stuff: As he chatted to the gentlemen, he flitted between standing on the street and at their eye level on the stoop on which they positioned themselves

Tommy's award show appearance comes shortly after he joined Georgia in opening up about their romance on ITV's Lorraine, with the blonde confessing she didn't take a liking to him at first, before eventually falling 'in love'.

The reality star beau also spoke about the future of their partnership, revealing he would like to follow in the footsteps of their parents who got married on television.

'Were the only sensible ones that have stayed together for three years. We dont know anything different because we met on the show,' she spoke to the show's stand-in host Christine Lampard.

Hold me close:Tommy was later spotted clinging on to his TOWIE co-star Chloe Sims in a firm hug as he lived it up outside the restaurant with his peers

'Viewers have grown with our relationship, theyve seen it every step of the way. I didnt like Tommy for about an hour and then I realised Im in love. I then called my mum and told her "oh my god, I'm in love".'

Despite finding love, Georgia admitted she didn't compromise when it came to what she would stand for in a romance, revealing: 'I set 2 pages of ground rules.'

'It became my bible,' Tommy jokingly admitted.

When quizzed by Christina over the potential of tying the knot, the hunky star squirmed: 'Marriage? Put me on the spot. I suppose so... its on the cards!'
She is rumored to have converted to Islam and also hinted last week that she's going to be releasing a line of headscarves.

And Lindsay Lohan's passion for the middle east appears to be going strong as she posted a desert-themed snap to Instagram on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old actress is seen reclining on sand wearing a nude gown as she gazes sultrily at the camera.

Lilo of Arabia! Lindsay Lohan sprawled out in the desert in an Instagram snap

'Finding some peace and solace in the desert,' she wrote alongside the snap.

Lindsay announced on Instagram on Friday that she was launching a new fashion line.

Aside from captioning the image, 'New Fashion Line coming soon .... #fashion', the Mean Girls star did not give much away as to what the collection will be.

Sneak peek: Lindsay revealed she will be launching a new fashion line on Friday

Going by her picture however, it seems Lindsay may be putting out a range of headscarf and hijab.

The former child star wore a crystal-embellished scarf wrapped around her head and covering her mouth.

It has been speculated recently that Lindsay had converted to Islam after the actress said she found solace reading the Qur'an.

The star also told Good Morning Britain that she was 'racially profiled' for wearing a head scarf in Heathrow Airport.

Lindsay said: 'When I was flying to New York recently. I was wearing a headscarf and I got stopped at the airport and was racially profiled for the first time in my life.

Arabian princess: Lindsay captioned this sultry snap 'Inshallah' which means 'if Allah wills it'

'She opened my passport and saw Lindsay Lohan and started apologizing but said ''take off your head scarf''.

'I did, I mean it's OK. But what scared me was that moment, how would another woman who doesn't feel comfortable taking off her headscarf feel? That was really interesting to me. I was kind of in shock.

'I can't speak for what the purpose of it was. But it was jarring. I got double checked until she realized. No [I'd never had that before]. It was strange. It did [freak me out]. I'm from New York, born and raised. I was a little intimidated.'

Felt singled out: The actress recently said that she was 'racially profiled' for wearing a head scarf in Heathrow Airport during a interview with Good Morning Britain last month

Lindsay has said she was wearing the headscarf as she had just left Turkey and she was doing it out of respect for the country's culture.

This is not the first time Lindsay has tried her hand at being a fashion designer.

Just last year the star released T-shirts and sweaters which poked fun at her suddenly different accent - which she dubbed 'Lilohan'.

Prior to that in 2008, Lindsay was the face of a sexy legging range called 6126.
She's been soaking up the sun with her male model pal Athan Kallas.

And Lady Victoria Hervey was putting in a solo appearance on the beach in Miami on Tuesday, showing off her long and lean figure in a bright blue bikini as she continued her endless getaway.

The 40-year-old socialite's washboard abs and hourglass waistline were on full display in her colourful, bead embellished bikini.

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Beach babe: Lady Victoria Hervey was putting in a solo appearance on the beach in Miami on Tuesday, showing off her long and lean figure in a bright blue bikini as she continued her endless getaway

Victoria's bold swimwear made the most of her terracotta tan, add she added touch of glamour thanks to a chunky necklace.

Despite visiting the beach for a swim, Victoria had styled her blonde locks in perfect curls.

She was accompanied by her beloved pooch Dartanian on her outing, enjoying a game of fetch with the little fluffball.

Lady Victoria has often been spotted in the company of handsome male model Athan Kallas of late.

The Greek Italian model has been spotted in a number of the beauty's recent Instagram snaps, having accompanied her to Elton John's Oscar party late last month.

Eye-catching: Victoria's bold swimwear made the most of her terracotta tan, add she added touch of glamour thanks to a chunky necklace

Most recently, he joined her for an evening at hotspot NoBu Malibu alongside a number of friends, which was captioned with the hashtag 'LAFamily'.

The blonde beauty recently told the Daily Mail's Sebastian Shakespeare that she thinks English women struggle to be sexy.

'Women in London are too conservative and dont have the courage to wear sexy outfits. Its an English thing,' she said.

'I grew up in the South of France so I have a much more international approach.'

Victoria added that she still leads by example, sporting an array of sheer ensembles at parties recently, she said: 'Its empowering to dress provocatively'.

Woof: She was accompanied by her beloved pooch Dartanian on her outing, enjoying a game of fetch with the little fluffball




Immigration officers said the women were able to earn a lot of money from the service.

Five Vietnamese women were detained Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital, as local immigration officials busted an international prostitution operation.

The Star Online reported that 28 women, including those from China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Thailand and Turkey, were apprehended during the raid at a three-star hotel.

Officials also held five local men, who acted as supervisors and middle men, and seized cash worth around $20,000, suspected to be proceeds from the services provided by the women, immigration officials were quoted as saying.

Initial investigation found the women entered Malaysia using social visit passes for 90 days and they were able to earn a lot of money via prostitution at the hotel.

Among the offenses identified were no identification documents, overstaying and other offenses which flouted the Immigration Act, a senior officer was quoted as saying.

In January, police in Malaysia also found five Vietnamese women working at a prostitution ring in Malacca, but identified them as victims who had been trafficked to work there.

The number of Vietnamese trafficking victims jumped a staggering 13 percent in 2016 from a year ago to 1,128, according to Vietnam's police reports.

Most were sold to men seeking wives in China, Malaysia and South Korea, or just to bear children or work as prostitutes in those countries.

According to the U.N., a third of trafficked women and children are from Southeast Asia.

Related news:

> 5 Vietnamese women rescued from forced prostitution in Malaysia

> Indonesia arrests 8 Vietnamese women in prostitution crackdown: report
Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi finally got to enjoy a night out in public together on Tuesday, the day after their engagement was aired to the nation.

The stars of The Bachelor headed to chic French restaurant Republique in Los Angeles where they were snapped flashing big grins and hugging for cameras.

Nick, 36, ended up choosing the Montreal-born beauty out of an original 30 contestants on the ABC show, which concluded on Monday night.

Finally free! Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi enjoyed their first date night out in public on Tuesday after their engagement was revealed the night before

Nick kept it casual in a checked shirt and jeans while Vanessa, 29, teamed a white t-shirt with skinny jeans and a trendy leather jacket.

The special education teacher carried a pricey large Celine handbag to complete her look.

The date night came as it's claimed the couple have a volatile relationship.

A source revealed to Us Weekly on Wednesday that the duo 'want to be in it for the long run,' but both have very strong personalities.

Alone time: The Bachelor stars headed to chic French eatery Republique in Los Angeles

Since filming of the show wrapped in November, the couple have reportedly struggled with issues such as Vanessa's jealousy and where they plan to live together.

'She's had a hard time seeing Nick romancing all these other women,' a show source said of Vanessa, who tuned in to watch Nick get cozy with her love rivals including wild child Corinne Olympios, lawyer Rachel Lindsay who Nick said he had 'explosive' chemistry with and runner-up Raven Gates.

In the After The Final Rose live show on Monday night, which aired after Nick and Vanessa's proposal was shown, Vanessa revealed her concerns about the couple's relationship.

'We love each other,' she told host Chris Harrison, 'but there have been days that have been difficult.'

Low-key look: The Montreal-born beauty kept it casual in jeans, a white sweater and black biker jacket, finishing off the look with a large Celine bag

Vanessa is said to be temporarily moving to Los Angeles while Nick films Dancing With The Stars.

He will compete on the next season of DWTS with pro Peta Murgatroyd.

After that, however, the couple still aren't sure where they should build their life together.

Nick and Vanessa have also confessed that they don't yet have a wedding date in mind and that they are taking things slowly.

Hugs: The duo were all smiles despite reports of their volatile relationship

Finally public: Nick looked relaxed in dark jeans and a navy checked shirt for the outing

'Vanessa and I have talked about having a family and that is something that's important to us. But we haven't gotten into having kids. We want to get married first!' Nick told People on Wednesday.

In a separate interview with Good Morning America on Tuesday morning the duo said they made a conscious choice to be open about their difficulties.

'Vanessa and I just kind of decided to just be up front with the fact that its difficult to start a relationship as the Bachelor and with 29 other women and that its difficult to maintain that relationship long-distance while its being re-aired,' he said.

'I think every other couple before us has experienced those challenges.

'We just decided to just kind of just be upfront about it and to be open to the realities of our relationship.'

Nick proposed to Vanessa in Finland on the finale episode of The Bachelor on Monday night

Runner-up: Raven Gates got dumped by the Milwaukee born businessman

One interesting thing that has been pointed out regarding the actual engagement ring is that fans had noticed that the 3.75 carat sparkler is actually the same one Robby Hayes picked out for The Bachelorette's JoJo Fletcher last season.

Since JoJo ultimately accepted Jordan Rodgers' proposal, it apparently made it back into the pool of choices for Viall. The doubling up in rings was first noticed by Claudia Oshry on her Instagram.

Neil Lane, who designed the sparkler, offered up a simple explanation to People on Wednesday for why this happened as he said: 'I bring six rings and over the years, over the 9 years, some are the same, some have changed settings or are re-designed, and some are totally new.

'The most important thing is for a ring to speak to the particular man and to the woman he is in love with. If a ring doesnt speak to one person, then it wasnt meant to be. If that particular ring wasnt meant to find a home with JoJo, but rather spoke to Nick and Vanessa, then thats the way it should be. Its found its home.'
She has made a fortune off launching the Honest Company.

And Jessica Alba clearly loves spending some of that money she's made.

On Tuesday the 35-year-old Into The Blue actress carried two very expensive purses - a Louis Vuitton bag and a Ralph Lauren crossbody model - as she stepped out in LA.

Boss lady: Tuesday, Jessica Alba was spotted leaving her Honest C. office building, looking comfortable in a low-maintenance ensemble with pricey accessories

The star looked adorable in her off-duty attire, which consisted of a loose white high-low sweater with black stripes from Faithfull The Brand, loose-fitting slashed-knee light blue jeans with frayed hems, and fresh white Tory Burch sneakers.

The mother-of-two carried a $4,600 Louis Vuitton W PM tote with black straps, the brand's classic monogram canvas print, and a camel-toned center.

Perhaps the actress needed extra storage, as she also donned a $1,200 caramel-coloured Ralph Lauren logo-accented mini cross-body.

Jessica rocked tortoise eyeglasses in the style 'Chelsea' by Warby Parker, a company that gives a pair of seeing glasses to someone in need for every pair sold.

Details: Jessica wore a Faithfull The Brand sweater with blue jeans rocked her two designer bags along with a pair of Warby Parker glasses

Jessica spent the day at the Honest Co office building in Playa Vista.

The Good Luck Chuck star moved the location of her billion-dollar natural products empire from Santa Monica to the office building in Playa Vista, tripling her space last year, a sure sign of success for the company.

Alba recently discussed the brand's first-ever campaign titled Moments, which she collaborated on with Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am, her Planet of the Apps co-star.

She said of the campaign: It's showing that we...do stand for something that is beyond just making products. We stand for trust and transparency, peace of mind, and we are there for you no matter where you're at in your life.'

The campaign focuses on real moments depicting real people's lives, from giving birth to parenting, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

One heartwarming black-and-white video shows mothers giving birth and the moment they see their babies for the first time.

Talented friends: Alba recently discussed the brand's first-ever campaign titled Moments, which she collaborated on with Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am.

Large lettering reads: 'For this moment, for every moment.'

Will.I.Am created the emotional tune that sets the background of each video.

He said of his idea: 'I wanted to use people for their talent and their instrument. I wanted to marry the same idea around Honest and what they stand for to how I composed the music. I wanted to have authentic music, musicians and their instruments I wanted to create joy.'
She delighted students with her recent lecture on her work with the UN.

And after her fleeting trip to London, Angelina Jolie headed to the United Nations offices in Geneva on Wednesday for the annual lecture of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation.

The Oscar winning actress, 41, looked enthralled as she listened in on the presentation with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi before taking to the stage to deliver a speech of her own.

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In good company: Angelina Jolie headed to the United Nations offices in Geneva on Wednesday for the annual lecture of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation

Rousing the audience for her Viera de Mello memorial lecture, the mother-of-six explained: 'We need to stand true to the ideals of the UN...we are the UN.'

She added: 'There is no shortcut to peace and security... I am a proud American and I am an internationalist.'

For her speech, Angelina - who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special envoy - looked sensational in a navy pencil dress with a square neckline.

Sergio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian United Nations diplomat who worked for the UN for more than 34 years before he was killed in the Canal Hotel Bombing in Iraq along with 20 other members of his staff in 2003.

Radiant: The Oscar winning actress, 41, looked enthralled as she listened in on the presentation before taking to the stage to deliver a speech of her own

Her speech resonated with the audience, with one attendee taking to Facebook to write: 'This was beautiful and amazing.

'It really made me feel hopeful knowing that there are people in some postions of power who truly care. [sic]'

Another added: 'Angelina = the adress of peace and love in this world [sic].'

Speaking out: Rousing the audience, the mother-of-six explained: 'We need to stand true to the ideals of the UN...we are the UN'

Angelina's appearance came after she lectured at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security in London on Tuesday, beginning a new master's course on the impact of war on women.

Despite her nerves, she embodied her new, visiting professor mantle perfectly, paring down her iconic Hollywood image in favour of a simple yet sophisticated longline coat.

Angelina told London's Evening Standard: 'Im a little nervous, feeling butterflies. I hope I do well. This is very important to me.'

'Proud': Addressing the audience she said 'There is no shortcut to peace and security... I am a proud American and I am an internationalist'

Blue-tiful! For her speech, Angelina - who is a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special envoy - looked sensational in a navy pencil dress with a square neckline

The actress addressed a class of students taking the same-titled postgraduate course, Women, Peace and Security - and her speech went down well with the class, who described the presentation as 'wonderful'.

The course helps scholars, practitioners, activists, policy-makers and students to develop strategies to promote justice, human rights and participation for women in conflict-affected situations around the world.

They conduct original research and teach with the aim of promoting gender equality and enhancing womens economic, social and political participation and security.

Enthralled: Angelina looked transfixed as she watched the speech from the stage

Elegant: The mother-of-six was a vision of beauty as she waited for her turn to speak

As part of her fellowship, Angelina will also be able to conduct her own research in the field.

The activist spoke about her experience and what has motivated her work as United Nations Special Envoy.

Afterwards, students were full of praise for the actress, sharing pictures from inside her lecture and calling her presentation 'wonderful'.

One starstruck attendee reassured the 'nervous' speaker by saying: 'Ms. Jolie, you did wonderfully!' while another simply said: 'Incredible lecture by Angelina today'

Another post-graduate student added: 'She'll make an amazing visiting professor. So honored to hear her inaugural lecture at LSE on sexual violence, rape, working w/ refugees'

All-smiles: She looked in high spirits as she took to the stage

Ink again: She exposed the extensive inkings on her arm in her fitted navy dress

In her new role, Angelina is invited to attended public events and workshops in association with the course, 'as her schedule allows'.

She co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative - aiming to end the stigma suffered by survivors of sexual violence, and children born of rape - five years ago.

Her work includes minimising the long term consequences this may have in communities as well as reconciliation and peacebuilding.

The school announced the presence of Angelina on their own social media account on Tuesday morning and word quickly spread across campus.
He broke up with ex-Towie star Lauren Pope less than two months ago, but Aaron Chalmers has reportedly already moved on.

The Geordie Shore hunk has struck up a romance with Essex-based beauty, Danielle Scott.

A source close to the tattooed reality star has claimed that things are hotting up quickly between the pair, with Aaron even planning on whisking the busty babe away to a tropical paradise.

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Fresh start: Aaron Chalmers has moved on from his ex Lauren Pope with Essex-born beauty, Danielle Scott

Could it be love? Aaron's so smitten with the gorgeous brunette beauty that he plans to whisk her away to a tropical paradise for some alone time

'Aarons really keen  hes nicknamed her The Smiler,' an insider told The Sun.

'Danielle is a gorgeous girl so its not surprising hes so keen. Aarons even planning on taking her away to the Maldives.

'Hes a decent bloke and would take good care of her, theyd make a lovely couple.'

The handsome MTV star hasn't been shy his feelings, and he regularly litters the brunette beauty's Instagram snaps with compliments gushing about how gorgeous she looks in her collection of skimpy bikinis.

Posing up a storm: Danielle isn't shy about flaunting her stunning figure, and regularly shares bikini snaps on her Instagram account.

Lauren who? The former Towie star won't be happy about her ex-boyfriend moving on so soon after she dumped him

The Geordie hunks romance comes just a matter of weeks after his split with Towie star Lauren.

They broke things off for good in January following shocking claims that Aaron spat food at her during an explosive row at an upmarket eatery in front of other stunned diners.

However, he furiously denied the claims at the time, admitting: 'I wouldn't waste food.'

Although the couple temporarily kissed and made up, Lauren subsequently ended the romance.

Awkward: Lauren Pope ditched Aaron in January after she claimed he 'spat food' at her during an explosive restaurant row

The former couple went public with their romance in December, and even made a trip to Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.

Their romance appeared to slightly annoy Aaron's ex - who until recently was dating Lauren's former love-interest Lewis Bloor.

Writing in a recent column for Star magazine at the time, Marnie Simpson exclaimed: 'I cant believe my ex Aaron Chalmers is dating Lauren Pope!

'I wouldnt have put them together and its weird that shes one of Lewis exes.'
Steve Coogan's ex-girlfriend appeared to make a sly dig at her former flame's new lady as she mimicked a piece of her unusual artwork.

Daisy Lewis, 32, - who dated the actor for a year before their split in May 2016 - took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a snap of her fish finger dinner arranged into a hand - hours after Steve's current girlfriend, Laura Hajek, 27, had done the same.

Musician and actress Laura, who is believed to have started dating Steve, 51, in July last year - had earlier modelled her hand out of cream cheese, in a snap she captioned: 'Ehhhhh whatever. #creamcheese #hand #sculpture #isitart.'

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New couple: Steve Coogan's ex-girlfriend appeared to make a sly dig at her former flame's new lady Laura Hajek (pictured) as she mimicked a piece of her unusual artwork

Within a few hours, Daisy took to Instagram to share her own version of the work, snapping an artful arrangement of her fish finger and broccoli dinner, complete with ketchup nail polish.

Tagging art galleries in her caption, she wrote: 'Art is a process. This one is called 'Manicure in a green coat' #art @takeru_brady @romanroad_ #tuesday #glamour #redcarpet.'

The Downton Abbey star also shared a picture of burnt fish fingers on a plate, which she captioned: 'I call this one 'burned fingers' Still. Life. (With [fish emoji] [finger emoji]'s) #tuesday #redcarpet #glamour #art @takeru_brady #tefaf @romanroad.'

MailOnline have contacted Daisy's representatives for comment.

Case of the ex: Daisy Lewis, 32, - who dated the actor for a year before their split in May 2016 - took to Instagram on Tuesday where she appeared to make a veiled dig at his new girlfriend

Steve is believed to have started dating Laura in June, two months after he was seen engaging in a blazing row with then-girlfriend Daisy outside London's exclusive Groucho Club.

One eyewitness outside the Groucho explained: There was a bad vibe between them and it spilled out into the street. They were at each other  it was heated.

'First she had a face like thunder, then started crying, and thats when he put her into a taxi and sent her off on her own. People were aghast at seeing such an emotional confrontation.

Getting out of hand! Daisy, 32, shared a snap of her fish finger dinner arranged into a hand - hours after Steve's current girlfriend, Laura Hajek, 27, had done the same

Putting up her finger: The Downton Abbey star also shared a picture of burnt fish fingers on a plate, which she captioned: 'I call this one 'burned fingers' Still. Life. (With [fish emoji] [finger emoji]'s) #tuesday #redcarpet #glamour #art @takeru_brady #tefaf @romanroad'

'Halfway through, a fan came over and Coogan was really brusque with him, telling him they were having a private conversation, and putting out his hand to fend him off.

The worst part was he seemed so uncaring and cold towards Daisy. There was not a hint of kindness. He seemed more interested in himself.

The couple met through friends in June 2015 and reportedly had a make-or-break trip to the Lake District just two weeks before their public blazing row.

Messy split? Steve is believed to have started dating Laura in June, two months after he was seen engaging in a blazing row with then-girlfriend Daisy outside London's Groucho Club




She never fails to make a sartorial statement.

And Daisy Lowe oozed sophistication as she arrived at the A Gala Performance of An American in Paris at the Dominion Theatre in Camden, London on Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old model was hard to miss in a slinky gown which was emblazoned with a large yellow tulip print as she arrived to the event - held in aid of the Dancers' Career Development charity.

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Flower power: Daisy Lowe, 28, oozed sophistication as she arrived at the A Gala Performance of An American in Paris at the Dominion Theatre in Camden, London on Wednesday night

The floral garment contoured her figure to perfection before boasting a slight fishtail ending - placing emphasis on her sensational curves.

The number went on to plunge excessively down the front, teasing at her ample assets as she worked her angles.

Despite her name being Daisy, she took inspiration from Britain's surprisingly warmer weather and opted for an eye-catching yellow tulip print.

Her glossy dark locks were undone, but placed down one side, putting focus on her sculpted back.

Blooming lovely: The model was hard to miss in a slinky gown which was emblazoned with a large yellow tulip print as she arrived to the event held in aid of the Dancers' Career Development charity

Enviable frame: The floral garment contoured her figure to perfection before boasting a slight fishtail ending - placing emphasis on her sensational curves

Mane attraction: Her glossy dark locks were undone, but placed down one side, putting focus on her sculpted back

Daisy amped up the sex appeal with a fiery coat of red lipstick and ensured her nails, which were sprinkled in statement rings, matched.

She completed the look by harbouring her essentials in a chic black clutch.

Daisy has been getting back to her fashion duties after touring the country with her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars.

Low-cut: The number went on to plunge excessively down the front, teasing at her ample assets as she worked her angles

As the tour came to an end last month, the beauty took to Instagram to pay tribute to her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, who she has formed a close friendship with since first appearing on the beloved BBC show in September.

Sharing a photo of the pair onstage together, she wrote to fans: 'For the last time last night.... our waltz- thank you @aljazskorjanec for truly being the greatest partner I could have ever wished for... it was such an honour.'

The 30-date tour kicked off on January 20, 2017 at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham and featured Louise with partner Kevin Clifton; Danny Mac with Oti Mabuse as well as winner Ore Oduba and Karen.

Hard to miss: Despite her name being Daisy, she took inspiration from Britain's surprisingly warmer weather and opted for an eye-catching yellow tulip print

Pals: A smile never forewent her lips as she cosied up with Strictly pal Louise Redknapp

Stylish: Louise looked androgynous chic in a sensational white jacket, which cinched in her tiny waist

All smiles: The Strictly star and Daisy were all smiles as they headed home from their night at the theatre

Ed Balls was reunited with Katya Jones, Daisy danced once again with Aljaz Skorjanec and Lesley was partnered with Gorka Marquez.

Strictly's tour culminated in a final show at London's O2 Arena on February 12.

She also ensured to spent quality time with her dad Gavin Rossdale and the duo headed to Primrose Hill's Lemonia on Monday night.

Doing what she does best! Daisy has been getting back to her fashion duties after touring the country with her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars

A night well spent! Daisy flashed a huge grin as she and a friend made their way home in a taxi
He made his name as a child star by stealing the scenes from Tom Cruise in 1996 hit film Jerry Maguire.

And now Jonathan Lipnicki is revealing that the lowest point of his life came after the success of that film.

The 26-year-old actor opened up about being bullied and the resulting anxiety and depression in an interview with TooFab published on Tuesday.

All grown up: Jonathan Lipnicki - pictured in Hollywood back in January - opened up about being bullied and the resulting anxiety and depression in an interview with TooFab on Tuesday

Signature role: He made his name as a child star by stealing the scenes from Tom Cruise in 1996 hit film Jerry Maguire

He said: 'I've been in treatment for a very long time because I had a very serious problem with anxiety and depression.

'I felt like I didn't know how my life was going to end up. It was the lowest point of my life.'

Jonathan said that in his preteen and teen years he had been picked on relentlessly even by people he is still in contact with today as they told him that he was a has-been and would never get another acting gig again.

'I didn't go a day without going home and being upset,' Jonathan told the showbiz site. 'I didnt go a day without being called some form of gay slur, or a hateful slur pretty much every day of middle school.'

Genesis: His transparency regarding this issues began on Monday when he posted a long heartfelt message on his Instagram page

'I'm telling this story on my own terms': It was important to the actor that he open up about the tough subject in order to help others

He insisted that all he has wanted to do in his life is to star in movies and that he had a hard time with people telling him he wouldn't find anymore success in the field.

Jonathan added: 'There were even teachers that called me lazy, and I later found out I had a learning disability called dysgraphia.'

He even admitted that his anxiety had gotten so bad that he had excema on his hands as a result of constantly rubbing them from nervousness and he has since been in treatment.

His transparency regarding this issues began on Monday when he posted a long heartfelt message on his Instagram page where he shared his excitement over being able to have made more movies as an adult than a child.

Feeling nostalgic: He still fondly looks back at Jerry Maguire and even shared a few cute snaps from the premiere with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman during the time around the film's 20th anniversary in December

Bond: He also shared this cute snap years later as he shared a laugh with action man Tom

What a sight! He even posted a photo of himself visiting the Jerry Maguire Video store in Echo Park, California back in January which famously featured 14,000 VHS copies of the film

Jonathan even shared a personal story from his adolescence as he wrote: 'In high school a certain kid emphatically called me a has-been in front of my Econ class. (Tempted to tag him). It was humiliating.'

He did end the lengthy post with a positive message in the caption as he concluded: 'I am grateful for the amazing life I have and I hope I can pass on that it DOES get better. As much as it is easier said than done, overcoming being bullied is a reality and I hope this resonates with all of you.

The Stuart Little star has found success in acting as he currently has eight projects either completed or in post-production.

Taking flight: Jonathan can soon be seen starring alongside Denise Richards, Dolph Lundgren, Greer Grammer, and MMA legend Chuck Liddell in action flick Altitude

Jonathan can soon be seen starring alongside Denise Richards, Dolph Lundgren, Greer Grammer, and MMA legend Chuck Liddell in action flick Altitude which is set for release on April 14 in the US with a UK release on DVD following on 15 May.

Despite the tough times he has endured since, he still fondly looks back at Jerry Maguire and even shared a few cute snaps from the premiere during the time around the film's 20th anniversary in December.

He even posted a photo of himself visiting the Jerry Maguire Video store in Echo Park, California back in January which famously featured 14,000 VHS copies of the film.

Aside from his film career trending upward, he also is in fantastic shape as he is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu enthusiast who has not only reached brown belt but also finds time to teach children.
He may have received some criticism for his sombre performance in Melbourne, but in Sydney Justin Bieber was full of smiles on Tuesday night.

Telling his 70,000 adoring fans in at the ANZ stadium Sydney that it was the 'best night of his life' not once, but THREE times, Justin was in great form for his Purpose World Tour.

The 23-year old even smiled at the concert and revved up the audience, thanking them and asking them to 'make some noise' while fans themselves raved that it was 'an amazing show'.

Best night! He may have received some criticism for his sombre performance in Melbourne, but in Sydney Justin Bieber was full of smiles on Tuesday night

On form: Telling his 70,000 adoring fans in at the ANZ stadium Sydney that it was the 'best night of his life' not once, but THREE times, Justin was in great form

'Thank you for an amazing show' wrote one fan while one simply said, 'WAS SO GOOD.'

'Tonight was hectic! You continue to inspire me each and every day! Thank you,' wrote another.

'Thank you so much! It was amazing!' gushed one more.

Justin even went as far to invite a handful of pint size fans onto stage and introduced them to the crowds.

The Hillsong devotee later descended onto the stage in a transparent box and wrote the words: 'Mark my words Jesus loves you.'

Grateful: The Hillsong devotee later descended onto the stage in a transparent box and wrote the words: 'Mark my words Jesus loves you'

Happy: 'Thank you so much! It was amazing!' gushed a fan

Fan-tastic! One simply said, 'WAS SO GOOD.'

'Tonight was hectic! You continue to inspire me each and every day! Thank you,' wrote another

The performance was certainly an improvement to Melbourne where patrons at the concert were left less than impressed, with some of the 50,000 fans who packed into the arena to see the pop superstar complaining about his demeanour on stage.

They said he 'looked miserable' and 'seemed bored' throughout the one hour and forty-five minute performance.

Thanks! One fan called the star 'My man!'

Inclusive: Justin even went as far to invite a handful of pint size fans onto stage and introduced them to the crowds

Taking to Twitter, one concertgoer wrote, 'So excited, yet a little disappointed. You seemed bored.'

The user added a frowning emoji and the hashtag 'it's too late now to say sorry.'

Responding to a review in The Age, which claimed that Bieber had a 'stone face' and only had 'hollow interactions' with the audience, several other concertgoers shared their thoughts.

So disappointed with Justin Bieber,' wrote one Facebook user who added that he 'looked uninterested' and he put 'zero effort into it.'

'Couldn't decide if he was bored or just trying to be edgy,' another user wrote.

'Anyone who saw him on Ellen a few weeks ago knows he is just over it at the moment. I took my daughter and she loved it so I can't complain because the overall show is amazing.'
His authenticity was thrown into question last week when fans discovered that his StarNow profile listed him as a 'performer'.

But Married At First Sight's Sean Hollands has slammed claims that he is a paid actor, insisting that he is nothing but genuine.

'I'm not an actor and I never have been,' he told Who magazine.

'I'm not an actor and I never have been': Married At First Sight's Sean Hollands has slammed claims that he is a paid actor, insisting that he is nothing but genuine

The Queensland farmer explained: 'I went on Married At First Sight for the right reasons, to find love. Some others [on the show] might not be as genuine but I think the audience can spot the difference.'

He also explained to the publication that the only reason the word 'performer' appeared on his StarNow profile was because he appeared on Channel 10 program Family Feud last year.

When quizzed whether he would pursue a life in the spotlight after finding fame on Married At First Sight, Sean admitted that he would be 'open to all options.'

Good guy: Sean Hollands has established himself as Married at First Sight's moral compass, stepping in to defend Cheryl Maitland and seeming like an all round good bloke

It comes after New Idea magazine claimed that Sean's profile on the talent site originally stated that he 'Starred in Married at First Sight Season 4 and is 'a natural actor according to the producers'.

That line was no longer on the profile as of Monday morning, however the profile, which lists Sean's availability as an actor, remains.

'Sean was bored of life working in the mines, and he had been trying to get into acting for a while,' a 'well placed source' reportedly told New Idea.

Acting? It was discovered last week that Sean has a Star Now profile offering his services as an actor

According to New Idea magazine: Sean's profile on the talent site originally stated that he 'Starred in Married at First Sight Season 4 and is 'a natural actor according to the producers'

The remainder of the profile reads: 'I am a down to earth single father of 2 children. Great morals. I'm into rodeos and horse events'.

It continues, 'I have a love of riding horses. I own 9 of them. I ride bulls and saddle bronc. A complete adrenaline junkie.'

Elsewhere on the profile, Sean lists a single performing credit in 2014 that appears to offer his services as a stuntman and stunt horse and bronco rider.

For hire: That line was no longer on the profile as of Monday morning, however the profile, which lists Sean's availability as an actor, remains

It reads, 'rodeo rider, Master of none, Jack of all : bullrider, broncrider, stuntman give anything ago'.

Married at First Sight is no longer mentioned anywhere on the profile, which includes three images of the cowboy.

Sean became a fan favourite and was even dubbed a hero when went against the other men and stood up for Cheryl.

Sean called out her husband Andrew Jones, who had made fun of Cheryl's intelligence and pretended to grope her breasts during a 'boy's night'.

Loved up? Married at First Sight is no longer mentioned anywhere on the profile, which includes three images of the cowboy, who was paired with Susan on the show (pictured)

Hero: Sean became a fan favourite when went against the other men and stood up for Cheryl
She's ensured to make her jaw-dropping physique the prime focus during her Dubai getaway outings.

And despite being indoors, Chloe Khan still managed to put an eye-poppingly raunchy display as she took to Instagram on Wednesday.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star, 25, flaunted her surgically enhanced assets in a minuscule string bikini as she captured the saucy moment in a side-by-side mirror snap.

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She's bo-obsessed! Chloe Khan, 25, flaunted her surgically enhanced assets in a minuscule string bikini as she captured a saucy moment in a side-by-side mirror Instagram snap on Wednesday

Her tiny bikini top struggled to contain her ample bust, with a tiny amount of material covering her modesty.

Given her hard-to-miss cleavage, Chloe's waist looked even more tiny and toned.

A pair of matching bikini bottoms boasted tie detailing and rested high on her hips, placing emphasis on her sensational curves and upper half of her trim legs.

She utilised her right arm to playfully toy with her luscious brunette mane in one snap, while in the other the same arm seemed to have disappeared.

Attention grabbing: In true Chloe form, the CBB star put on yet another eye-popping display as she headed for a night out in Dubai recently

The sizzling star even noted it in the caption: 'When your arms falls off before the second pic.'

Meanwhile, Chloe has been joined by her pal Katie Salmon as a partner in crime for their various raunchy outings in Dubai.

The former X Factor reject put on yet another sexy display as she headed to the Billionaire Mansion with pal Katie Salmon for a recent night out.

She showed off her assets in a revealing one-shoulder gown featuring a dramatic plunging neckline.

Pals: She showed off her assets in a revealing one-shoulder gown as she headed to the Billionaire Mansion with pal Katie Salmon

Highlighting her curves in the figure-hugging dress, she completed the attention-grabbing get-up with a glitzy statement necklace and a grey fur coat.

Opting for a glamorous make-up look, she accentuated her eyes with lashings of mascara and kohl eyeliner.

Not to be outdone by her friend, Katie, 21, went for a similarly daring halter-neck dress featuring cut-outs at the waist and a low V neckline that showed off her cleavage.

Racy: Katie, 21, went for a similarly daring halter-neck dress featuring cut-outs at the waist and a low V neckline

The Love Island star displayed her toned pins in the tight-fitting mini dress, which she accessorized with a silver choker necklace and metallic wedges.

Wearing her blonde locks up in a high ponytail, Katie accentuated her plump lips with a berry gloss.

The pair have been flooding Instagram with glamorous shots since touching down in Dubai last week.

In one snap, Chloe is seen posing with Katie in a racy peach baby doll dress, which she wore on a night out on Friday.

Fun-filled trip: The pair have been flooding Instagram with glamorous shots since touching down in Dubai last week

In another shot, the X Factor reject poses inside a car in a tight jumpsuit, which featured raunchy lace-up detailing on the legs.

Katie also shared a snap on her Instagram page, showing her displaying her toned physique in a tight-fitting nude mini dress.

While the girls had been seen excitedly heading for their flight at Manchester Airport on Thursday, it was Chloe's bandaged nose that had caught attention - which now appears to have fully healed.

Daring: Chloe posed in a tight jumpsuit, which featured raunchy lace-up detailing on the legs

Chloe reportedly underwent a second nose job to rectify sinus and breathing problems last month.

A source told The Sun Online: 'Chloe recently underwent recent nose surgery to fix a deviated septum which was causing her severe sinus and breathing problems.

'It wasnt for vanity reasons. Her nose is still very swollen and she is in the early stages of recovery.'
Seized smuggled rhino horns are displayed at a customs office in Hanoi on March 14, 2017. Photo by AFP

The country is a hot market where a single kilogram of rhino horn can reportedly fetch up to $60,000.

Vietnam police seized more than 100 kilograms of rhino horn smuggled into the country in suitcases from Kenya on Tuesday, the latest illegal haul in the wildlife trafficking hub.

Vietnam is a hot market for rhino horn, believed to have medicinal properties and is in high demand among the growing middle class.

The country is a popular transit point for illegal animal products, which often move from Africa through Vietnam to other parts of Asia.

The latest haul of the prized animal parts at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport were found hidden in luggage on a flight from Nairobi, according to the official publication of the Hanoi police department.

"After scanning and checking, customs officials discovered the two suitcases of 57 kilograms (125 pounds) and 61 kilograms were full of suspected rhino horns," the online Capital Security Newspaper reports said.

Photos showed the huge haul in suitcases and stacked on tables.

Conservationists have warned that rampant demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam, where it is falsely believed to cure cancer and treat hangovers, is decimating African rhino populations.

A single kilogram of rhino horn can fetch up to $60,000 on the local market, according to reports.

Britain's Prince William delivered an urgent plea in Vietnam in November to end wildlife trafficking to save critically endangered species such as rhino, elephants and pangolins.

Wild rhino populations have dwindled to just 29,000 from half a million at the beginning of the 20th century, according to the International Rhino Foundation.

Trade in rhino horn was banned globally in 1977 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Related news:

> Things are getting better for African rhinos, but dont thank Vietnam yet

> Vietnam seizes nearly 300,000 dead seahorses smuggled from Peru
Some New Yorkers were no doubt caught out when a late season snow storm barreled through the city early in the week.

But Keri Russell wasn't one of them, as she donned her now standard furry hat, along with some other wintry wardrobe choices as she struck out for a walk on Wednesday.

Perhaps the 40-year-old Americans actress was inspired by her Russian character on the show, as she seems to have made the furry headgear-a style favored in Russia-a staple of her cold-weather garb.

Prepared! Keri Russell, 40, donned her now standard furry hat, along with some other wintry wardrobe choices as she struck out for a walk in NYC on Wednesday

Aside from the hat, the Golden Globe winner also opted for a cozy, grey knit sweater with wooden buttons and some very practical tan duck-style boots.

Her winter wear actually seemed to conceal a rather summery ensemble composed of a white t-shirt with blue horizontal stripes, and some distressed blue jeans.

A pair of wayfarer-style shades completed her outfit.

It seemed her choice of clothing served her well as she negotiated several snowbanks and slippery sidewalks.

Careful! It seemed her choice of clothing served her well as she negotiated several snowbanks and slippery sidewalks

Meanwhile, the fifth season of her hit FX series The Americans premiered just last week.

And last Wednesday Keri stepped out of her apartment located in the Brooklyn borough of New York City to promote the period drama on Live With Kelly.

During her appearance on the morning chat show, Kelly opened up about how her beau Matthew Rhys, 42, only talks to the baby in Welsh.

Quite partial: Perhaps the 40-year-old Americans actress was inspired by her Russian character on the show, as she seems to have made the furry headgear-a style favored in Russia-a staple of her cold-weather garb (pictured here in February)

She said: 'Matthew only speaks Welsh to the baby and he could be saying anything like 'Let's leave them.' Like who knows?'

'We have no translator and they're speaking in their own language.'

The duo united on the set of their show in 2013, the same year Russell ended her seven-year marriage to carpenter Shane Deary, the father of her older children - son River, nine, and daughter Willa, four.
Melissa George's estranged partner Jean-David Blanc has hit back at claims the actress cannot get work because she feels 'trapped in Paris'.

The French entrepreneur says the former Home And Away star can leave and return to the French Capital whenever she pleases.

'The Paris Court decision consisting of a shared custody of our young children was based on very long and various social workers investigations as well as psychologic examinations,' Jean-David Blanc told Daily Mail Australia in a statement, written by his lawyer Jacqueline Laffont.

Hitting back: Melissa George's estranged partner Jean-David Blanc has hit back at claims the actress cannot get work because she feels 'trapped in Paris'

'This decision was ruled by the Judge who considered only the best interest of our children. That does not prevent Mrs George from working, as she's free to come and go to sets all over the world as she always did.'

'As regards to our childrens interdiction to leave French territory without my prior authorization, this decision, also ruled by the Judge, is the result of Melissa George's attempt to secretly leave the country with our children without my consent, which led me to file a criminal complaint for kidnapping attempt,' the statement continued.

Melissa has denied the kidnapping claims, telling New Idea that was unaware of the no-fly block, and that the trip to take the children to Australia had been pre-planned for a month and approved by Blanc.

'Regarding the supposed violence against Melissa George, I strongly contest it and have thus filed an appeal against the judgment, which is not final,' the statement went on.

Melissa, 40, is set to break her silence about her troubled relationship with Jean-David in a tell-all interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night.

'I've been hit, I've been in a fight, I've got my babies... I couldn't walk,' the teary-eyed actress claims in a preview clip for Sunday's episode.

The Australian star appears to go into detail about the alleged domestic assault that saw her being 'taken to Cochin hospital in Paris' in the early hours of the morning.

'I've been hit': Melissa breaks down as she speaks out following assault claims against ex-partner Jean-David Blanc in an upcoming episode of Sunday Night

'I couldn't walk': The 40-year-old actress teared up as she appeared to go into detail about the alleged domestic assault that saw her being 'taken to Cochin hospital in Paris' in September

'I couldn't turn my neck,' she recalled.

'The lies... people being bribed,' said the mother-of-two, who is reportedly facing kidnapping charges after she hoped to leave the country with her sons Raphael, three, and Solal, one.

When Sunday Night reporter Steve Pennells suggested that she was taking a 'big risk' by giving the interview, the former Home And Away star said she has 'no other choice'.

'Big risk': The actress admitted she had 'no other choice' but to speak out, amidst reports she's facing kidnapping charges after she hoped to leave France with her two sons- allegations which she strongly denies

Allegations: Melissa's interview follows claims she was assaulted by her ex-partner Jean-David Blanc in Paris last September

In September, Melissa was admitted to Cochin Hospital after turning up to a local police station with bruises and complaints of pain.

Melissa was allegedly suffering from bruising to her face and said she was in pain and feeling faint.

The Perth-born star was allegedly assaulted by her partner of four years - allegations Jean-David Blanc denies, according to a report in French newspaper Le Parisien.

M6info reported at the time: 'According to statements by the actress ... she was assaulted by her companion.

'The police were called last night to intervene in the centre of Paris.

'In shock, Melissa George, had a swelling of the face and complained of pain, nausea and dizziness.'

Custody battle: Melissa and her former lover are embroiled in a custody battle, with the French entrepreneur refusing to allow the pair's son Raphael and Solal to leave France

Court ruling: Last month, a judge convicted both Melissa and Jean-David of assault in relation to the September altercation and said it was impossible to determine who started the fight

The pair were seen separately outside a Parisian court back in October, where Jean-David Blanc appeared on charges of domestic assault against her. He denied the allegations and also pressed assault charges against her.

Last month, a judge convicted both of them of assault and ruled it impossible to determine who started the fight, as Melissa and Jean-David were both showing injuries.

Jean-David, a very wealthy businessman, reportedly accused the actress of trying to leave France with their two sons on a private jet, just days after the alleged altercation last year.

'I deny these allegations': The Perth-born actress denied allegations of kidnapping after it was alleged she attempted to use a private jet to fly out of France in September with her two children

Melissa slammed the shocking allegations as 'totally fabricated.'

'The allegations of Melissa kidnapping her children are fabricated,' a representative for the star told New Idea in a statement.

Melissa herself added: 'I am not taking these allegations lightly and it is in the hands of my lawyers.

Speaking out: Melissa's lawyer, Christophe Ayela, has told News Corp that her former lover's refusal to allow their two sons to leave France, has prevented the actress from securing work

'I deny these allegations and all actions today and always will be in the best interest of my sons Raphael and Solal.'

And earlier this month, Melissa's lawyer, Christophe Ayela, told News Corp that her former lover's refusal to allow their two sons to leave France has prevented the actress from securing work.

'It's terrible for her career, disastrous,' the star's representative said.

In happier times: Melissa first met the wealthy businessman at a BAFTA after-party in 2011

'The two children are forbidden to leave the country without the written consent of the father. And of course he refuses to allow this,' Christophe told News Corp in direct relation to France's Family Court order.

'It is scandalous that Australian kids (the children have triple nationalities - French, Australian and American) can't even go to visit their relatives in Australia.

The couple first met in 2011 at a BAFTA after-party and welcomed their first son Raphael in February 2014 and their second son Solal in November, 2015.
Ousted president Park Geun-Hye refused to face questioning before the country's highest court confirmed her impeachment

South Korean prosecutors on Wednesday ordered ousted president Park Geun-Hye to appear before them next week for questioning over the corruption scandal that triggered her dramatic downfall.

Park, who was dismissed by the Constitutional Court last Friday, will be required to attend a prosecutors' office in Seoul next Tuesday, a spokesman said.

A criminal suspect in the scandal, Park had repeatedly refused to make herself available for questioning by the prosecutors before the country's highest court confirmed a parliamentary impeachment motion against her.

Friday's final ruling stripped her of power and executive privileges, including protection from criminal indictment, and she left the presidential palace at the weekend.

Park's lawyer said Wednesday she would "cooperate" with the probe.

She is set to become the fourth former South Korean leader to be questioned by prosecutors over corruption scandals.

When South Korea's Constitutional Court ousted Park Geun-Hye from the presidency, she also lost protection from criminal indictment

Two former army-backed leaders who ruled in the 1980s and the early 1990s -- Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo -- both served jail terms for bribery after they retired.

Another ex-president, Roh Moo-Hyun, killed himself by jumping off a cliff in 2009 after being questioned by prosecutors over suspected bribery.

The latest corruption and influence-peddling scandal is centred on Park's close confidante Choi Soon-Sil, who is on trial for abuse of power and coercion.

Choi is accused of using her presidential ties to force local firms including Samsung to "donate" nearly $70 million to non-profit foundations she allegedly used for personal gain.

Park -- the 65-year-old daughter of the late former strongman Park Chung-Hee -- has been named as Choi's accomplice who helped her extract money from the firms.

The scandal that rocked the nation has also seen the heir to electronics giant Samsung, Lee Jae-Yong, arrested and charged with bribery for offering millions of dollars to Choi in return for policy favours from Park.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-In holds a commanding lead in opinion polls in the run up to South Korea's presidential elections

The former president is also accused of letting Choi, who has no title or security clearance, handle a wide range of state affairs including nomination of top officials and diplomats.

Park voiced defiance over the court ruling, saying "the truth will eventually be revealed" through her spokesman after returning to her private home on Sunday.

The ouster of Park -- who had commanded a huge following among older, conservative South Koreans who benefited from the rapid growth under her father's 1961-79 rule -- has sparked angry, sometimes violent protests by her supporters.

- Election date -

The presidential poll to choose Park's successor will be held on May 9, the public administration ministry announced Wednesday.

The scandal has left Park's conservative party in tatters -- it has changed its name in an effort to relaunch itself -- and fanned the popularity of liberal opposition parties.

Moon Jae-In, former head of the main opposition Democratic Party, holds a commanding lead in opinion polls.

His most likely conservative challenger after former UN chief Ban Ki-moon bowed out last month had been seen as Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Park's prime minister who has been standing in as acting president since her parliamentary impeachment in December.

But Hwang said Wednesday he would not stand, leaving the Liberty Korea party with no clear standard-bearer.

"I am aware of the voices of people who want me to join the presidential race," said Hwang said, who would have to step down as acting president if he was to become a candidate.

"I have concluded that it is inappropriate for me for stable governing and fair management of the election process," he told a cabinet meeting.

"I will only focus on carrying out my duties as acting president."
London-born Mischa Barton was considered an up-and-coming star thanks to her role in teen drama 'The OC' from 2003 to 2007 but she has struggled to emulate her early success

Actress Mischa Barton is the victim of "revenge pornography," her attorney said on Tuesday, threatening legal action against anyone touting sexually explicit images of the 31-year-old actress.

Several media outlets have reported the existence of a tape of the "The OC" star taking part in sex acts with an unidentified man, dressed in a black hoodie.

A broker said the tape was being touted around pornographic websites, with an asking price of $500,000, the Daily Mail newspaper reported on Monday.

"It has been reported that naked or sexually explicit images of Ms. Barton are being 'shopped around,'" attorney Lisa Bloom said in a statement released via Twitter.

"Ms. Barton does not consent to any disclosure of any such images. She believes she was recorded without her consent by someone she was seeing at the time. There's a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography."

Bloom described the footage as "a form of sexual assault," and "a crime and a civil wrong in California," adding: "We will not stand for it."

Barton will speak out about the case at a news conference at Bloom's offices in southern California on Wednesday, the lawyer said.

"I have a message for anyone who attempts to traffic in these photos or videos of Ms. Barton: We will find you, and we will come after you," Bloom added.

"We will fully prosecute you under every available criminal and civil law."

London-born Barton was considered an up-and-coming star thanks to her role in teen drama "The OC" from 2003 to 2007 but she has struggled to emulate her early success.

She was arrested for drunk driving in West Hollywood in 2007 and held in psychiatric care following a mental breakdown in 2009 before various legal battles over property with a landlord and her own mother.

She made headlines again in January when she was caught on video yelling at a neighbor while hanging over her backyard fence, later telling People magazine she had been given a date-rape drug the night before.
A graffiti-covered wall is seen outside The Point in the Bronx borough of New York

In the 1970s, DJs, dancers, graffiti artists and the first rappers came together in the burned-out buildings of The Bronx, giving birth to hip-hop.

Today, hip-hop is a multibillion-dollar industry and The Bronx is on the mend, but New York's northernmost borough is struggling to capitalize on its heritage.

Hip-hop began at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on the two-tone linoleum floor of a ground-floor room in an anonymous brick house, under an impromptu neon light.

There on August 11, 1973, Clive Campbell -- nicknamed Kool Herc -- mashed together snippets of recordings on two turntables and, without knowing it, became the first hip-hop DJ. Coke La Rock became the first MC as he delivered spoken-word lyrics over the music.

Hip-hop culture -- with its mix of DJing, rapping, graffiti and dance -- has gone on to become a global phenomenon. The Bronx has restored several emblematic sites including Cedar Playground, the scene of the first open-air hip-hop parties, and the Bronx River Community Center where pioneering DJ Afrika Bambaataa had his start.

A worker with TATS CRU closes a storage locker at The Point in the Bronx borough of New York

The early days of hip-hop have also been dramatized in a television series, "The Get Down," which premiered in August.

But little of the giant hip-hop industry now comes out of or benefits The Bronx, which despite recent growth remains less prosperous than glamorous Manhattan or fast-growing Brooklyn.

A plan to create a hip-hop museum in The Bronx has repeatedly been proposed and resurrected but has not come to fruition.

Rocky Bucano, a businessman and producer behind the Universal Hip Hop Museum, has since teamed up to create a foundation to support the project, enlisting several figures from the first generation of hip-hop including Kurtis Blow.

The current plan calls for a complex over several acres on the Harlem River, which separates The Bronx and Harlem. Alongside the museum will be businesses, green space and affordable housing.

- Showcasing a new Bronx -

Bucano said he has received support from several city and state elected leaders and, if the city government gives the green light, he will seek support from "the companies that have benefited from the exploitation of rap music."

Bronx-based graffiti artist, turned professional muralist, BG183, works with one of his crew on a project in an old Bronx warehouse in New York

The museum will be "a beacon of economic activity for the borough that gave birth to hip-hop," he said.

Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. said that the museum could also show visitors the fresh construction and lowering crime of The Bronx and not the "rundown buildings" they are expecting.

"Hip-hop with a museum like this would be an excellent way where folks could come in and say: It's not like it was. But we haven't lost our flavor. We totally embrace that this is the birthplace of hip-hop," he said.

He likened a hip-hop museum to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- the shrine to rock culture in Cleveland that has increasingly been inducting rappers, with the late Tupac Shakur to be honored next month when the gala comes to Brooklyn.

"This is no disrespecting rock and roll or the Smithsonians, but one of the most embarrassing things is when you get hip-hop artists that are being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It would have been nicer if they had been inducted into a hall of fame right here, where it all started," he said.

Diaz was hopeful for the museum but said it was critical to bring commitments from the hip-hop world.

"I think it will not happen until pioneers of hip-hop, financiers and moguls of hip-hop, the new artists of hip-hop, until all of hip-hop comes together."

- New embrace of hip-hop -

Debra Harris has found a growing market by bringing tourists to The Bronx to see hip-hop history. Relatively few are American as she sees more interest from visitors from Britain, France and Germany as well as Australia and Japan.

Signs honoring Hip-Hop pioneers Rock Steady Crew and US sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer hang from a lamp post as part of the Bronx Walk of Fame in New York

But the reputation of The Bronx remains such that, 15 years after she launched the tours, Harris starts her visits in Harlem so as not to scare people off.

"It's all about Manhattan and now it's about Brooklyn. Eventually The Bronx will catch up and people will start getting interest, but as long as there's a level of fear, you may not feel comfortable going there," she said.

The number of murders in The Bronx has tumbled six-fold since 1990, even if the borough still has the highest crime rate in New York.

And with prices in Manhattan and Brooklyn increasingly out of reach for many New Yorkers, developers have invested heavily in the southeastern tip of The Bronx in the past few years.

Developers, for their part, have clearly seen the benefit of bringing a touch of hip-hop to a street of building.

BG 183, the alias of Sotero Ortiz of the graffiti collective Tats Cru, said that developers are constantly reaching out in hopes that a splash of spray paint can bring a badge of authenticity -- as with a former factory in the Hunts Point neighborhood that will reopen as an office building months after its graffiti mural.

The irony is not lost on the Tats Cru, who for years had been dodging the police as they took their art to streets and trains and now are invited to art galleries.

"They were telling us: you can't do this here, youre going to get caught," BG 183 said. "Now they're giving us awards."
Syrian Kurds could not wear their clothing in public in the past under restrictions on the minority that also banned their language and denied them Syrian nationality

In a shimmering dress, Efin Hissu strides confidently down a runway to the beat of Kurdish music at a fashion show in northeast Syria showcasing a revival of the minority's traditional clothing.

Her outfit is a riot of contrasting patterns, starting with her full-length gown, a sienna shade overlaid with a delicate leaf-like pattern in dark brown and gold thread.

The exaggerated sleeves extend out at the cuff to form a point that sweeps delicately as she moves her arms.

Over the dress is a black jacket, heavily embroidered in gold, and over her head and shoulders is a black, white and yellow headscarf held in place by a gold headpiece with dangling coins.

Such an outfit would not have been seen in public in Syria's Kurdish regions in years past, under restrictions on the minority that also banned their language and denied them Syrian nationality.

But after Syria's uprising began in March 2011, the government first relaxed some restrictions and then in 2012 withdrew most of its forces from Kurdish-majority areas in the country's north.

Efin Hissu models traditional Syrian-Kurdish clothes, dress that can now be openly displayed in Kurdish-majority areas

In the wake of the withdrawal, the Kurdish community, who made up around 15 percent of Syria's pre-war population, has worked to revive its language and culture, including its sartorial traditions.

"This show is the first of its kind," said Medea Akko, 25, who helped supervise the fashion show held in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli.

"Our goal is to counter the marginalisation of Kurdish clothing and to introduce it to society and the world," she added.

"Before the Syrian revolution, we couldn't even say that we were Kurds, but now the situation is different -- I can wear my clothes and speak Kurdish in our streets and our cities."

The fashion show was held to coincide with the Day of Kurdish Clothing, on March 10, which has been marked in neighbouring Iraqi Kurdistan for years but only more recently in Syria's Kurdish areas.

- 'Feel like a queen' -

"Some people think that Kurdish clothing enhances beauty," Akko told AFP.

"And I feel like I'm a queen when I wear Kurdish clothing."

A Syrian-Kurdish fashion show culminates with the arrival of a model in a traditional bridal outfit: a red robe with a heavy gold necklace and a diaphanous red veil

The show was sponsored by a local political party and featured 15 women and seven men modelling a range of traditional attire.

It culminated with the arrival of a model in a traditional bridal outfit: a red robe with a heavy gold necklace and a diaphanous red veil.

As the men and women walked the runway, observers clapped along to the music and filmed the proceedings on cellphones.

After the show, Hissu and her fellow models walked proudly through the neighbourhood still wearing the traditional clothes.

"We're thrilled by this day -- to be able to wear our traditional Kurdish clothing and wander around in it in the streets of Qamishli and to celebrate this day in front of everyone," she told AFP.

A traditional Kurdish outfit for women consists primarily of an ornate dress with exaggerated long sleeves and a pointed cuff known as "krass".

The gown is sometimes worn over a pair of wide trousers and accentuated with an embroidered coat.

Ornamenting the outfit is an array of jewellery, including necklaces and bracelets, nose studs, anklets and a decorative belt of silver or gold.

Men's outfits are simpler, though still distinctive, featuring trousers that billow out from the hips and nip back in at the ankles, secured with a thick belt of often-colourful fabric.

The outfit includes a simple shirt and matching jacket or waistcoat and is topped with a turban wrapped from a scarf often featuring flowers or other patterns.

- Tailors working non-stop -

In the past, Kurdish clothing was rarely seen in shops, with tailors instead creating pieces at home, behind closed doors and away from the eyes of the authorities.

But today the situation is reversed, and Qamishli's tailors are dealing with growing demand, particularly with the approach of the Nowruz spring festival on March 21, when traditional dress is favoured by celebrating Kurds.

"There is growing demand for Kurdish clothes since the revolution. They're worn particularly during the Nowruz festival and for weddings," said Sami Moussa, who works in Qamishli's tailors' district.

"Nowadays we don't stop working because demand is so high," he told AFP.

"We're working on perhaps 100 pieces a month, particularly in the spring, while before (2011) we didn't do more than 10 pieces a month," he added.

His dresses range in price from 40,000 Syrian pounds ($80, 75 euros) to 80,000 ($160) depending on the fabric and sewing work involved.

Tailor Raed Yusef, 38, speaks proudly about the array of options now available to those seeking traditional Kurdish attire.

"In the past, Kurdish clothes were made in secret," he said, seated by his sewing machine.

"But today we have customers in Europe who we send clothes for them to wear at weddings and on Nowruz.

"A few days ago, for the first time, I made a traditional bridal gown for a bride to wear on her wedding day."
Glitzy Macau raked in $2.88 billion in gambling revenue in February, three times more than Las Vegas

The mood in Macau is buoyant once again. Gaming figures that tanked for more than two years after being hit by an ongoing Beijing corruption crackdown are up again, and the move towards mass market gamblers seems to have worked.

Semi-autonomous Macau is the only part of China where casino gambling is legal and a favourite haunt of mainland big spenders.

But after President Xi Jinping announced his war on graft in 2014, many stayed away from the enclave, which had gained a reputation as a money laundering centre for illicit cashflows out of China, with the crisis compounded by a growth slowdown on the mainland.

Casino giants have since launched a slew of new mega-resorts, offering everything from fine dining to theme park rides as they look to compensate for the fall in high rollers.

Signs of a turnaround started in August last year, when Macau saw its first gaming revenue rise after 26 months of decline.

The gains have continued and it remains the world's biggest gaming market, dwarfing Las Vegas in terms of revenue.

Figures for February showed a 17.8 percent year-on-year increase, raking in $2.88 billion -- three times more than Las Vegas.

Macau: signs of a turnaround

"I think the downturn is well and truly behind us now. It took us a couple of years to weather that storm, it was unexpected, but we're through that," says Andrew Scott, CEO of Macau-based Inside Asian Gaming magazine.

Scott says revenues are now finding "normal growth", rather than the stellar expansion pre-2014 -- takings are still a third off the height of the boom.

An important core of VIPs who were not scared off by the graft crackdown account for around 50 percent of revenue but mass tables are also now thriving as glittering new resorts on the burgeoning Cotai strip add extra pull.

With an increase in families visiting, some may choose to shop or see a show rather than gamble.

However, those who do hit the main floors are no minnows, with bets of $125 considered small potatoes.

"What's high here and low here is completely different to the rest of the world," says Scott.

He attributes the money flow to China's expanding middle class and continued economic growth, even withstanding the slowdown, with small business owners and high earning professionals among typical mass gamers.

- 'Signs of life' -

However, while casino takings are up, the intermediary "junket operators" that have traditionally brought most VIPs to Macau have taken a hit.

They lend money to high rollers at interest-free or low rates to help them get around limits on cash they can take out of the mainland.

But many of Macau's junket firms have gone out of business in the past two years, with gaming debt defaults contributing to their downfall.

Families are replacing high rollers as a source of revenue in Macau, with some choosing to shop or see a show rather than gamble

There are now 130 registered operators, compared with 230 previously, says Tony Tong, risk analyst and vice chair of the Macau Gaming Information Association, which includes members from across the industry.

Promoters are asking for more collateral and evolving into wealth management providers offering a range of services, including handling clients' stock portfolios, he says.

"That allows the junket operators to better manage the risk of giving out credit to the customers," adds Tong, who says big fish still regularly roll $1 million in an evening.

Brokerage CLSA says the VIP segment is "showing signs of life" with volume compensating for more caution around credit and size of bets. It forecasts three percent growth for the sector in 2017.

But it is the mass market driving the renaissance, it says, predicting a 14 percent rise in that segment.

Two more major casino resort openings are expected by 2018. MGM Cotai will include a spa, theatre, and 1,500 hotel rooms, while SJM's Grand Lisboa Palace will feature Versace and Lagerfeld hotels.

Extravagant baroque-style hotel The 13 is also set to launch, boasting villas including Roman baths, butlers and private elevators.

Another boost may come from a new road bridge connecting Macau to Hong Kong and the neighbouring mainland city of Zhuhai by the end of the year.

However, CLSA said policy changes could still present risks.

Macau recently imposed caps on some ATM cash withdrawals by visitors, as Chinese authorities try to restrict capital flight.

There are also concerns within the industry about the renewal of casino concessions for the "big six" operators -- their current agreements with the pro-Beijing Macau government all end between 2020 and 2022.

While IAG's Scott warned it was still too early to describe Macau as entirely stable he said: "It's way more stable than it was.

"We found the bottom and now we're back up."
With 1,500 attendees, ACLU launched People Power, a grassroots mobilization platform designed to help organize actions against US President Donald Trump

Until Donald Trump became president, Kelsey Thomas spent her time studying, hanging out with friends and lounging on the beaches of Florida. But not anymore.

Now she has become fiercely political, joining the new activist movement in America that has come to be called the "Resistance."

For Thomas, a 29-year-old university student, the turning point was the huge wave of women-led protests that filled Washington and other cities on January 21, the day after Trump's inauguration.

She traveled from Fort Lauderdale, where she lives, to the US capital to join the throngs protesting against the Republican billionaire president.

"That was really inspiring and motivating. I just started worrying after the elections and really I got more involved after he took office and after the Women's March in Washington," Thomas told AFP.

Thomas now works with a local women's group that took part in that rally and is opposed to the Trump-backed Republican plan to replace the health care reforms known as Obamacare.

Many services, such as those for people with mental illness or substance abuse problems, would be taken away, she said.

"All of this motivated me to fight for all the injustices that I see and continue to see every single day," said Thomas.

- 'Fertile for activism' -

The ACLU created a platform called PeoplePower.org, slogan "Join the Resistance," to lay the groundwork for political action against President Trump

Like Thomas, many in the "Resistance" movement feel their core values are being threatened by the Trump administration. And they are ready to fight back.

Jose Parra, a political analyst at a consultancy called Prospero Latino, said "the public in general is beginning to become politically educated when they feel that there is a threat to their way of life and that is what is happening with the Trump administration's proposals."

What is at stake for these new political warriors are the rights of women, immigrants and Muslims, equal treatment of gays and lesbians and progress in public health and environmental protection.

"There is a controversy for every taste," said Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, America's largest human rights advocacy group and a pillar of the new anti-Trump drive. "There are a lot of issues under threat."

Romero, who was visiting Miami, said his organization had 400,000 members before the presidential election and now has 1.2 million.

"We are living in times that are very fertile for activism because people feel threatened," he told AFP.

"But at the same time there is nothing romantic about this. People know that the federal government in the hands of Trump wields vast power."

ACLU executive director Anthony Romero addresses the public at a "Resistance Training" event in Miami, Florida

To harness all this grassroots energy, the ACLU created a platform called PeoplePower.org with the slogan "Join the Resistance." With this, the organization hopes to recruit more activists and lay the groundwork for political action against Trump.

The movement was launched last Saturday in Miami at an amphitheater filled with 1,500 future activists. The event was broadcast live on Facebook.

People of all ages who, like Thomas, had their political awakening four months ago, listened to lectures on how to convene rallies, what kind of activities are legal, the best places to gather and what rights police and immigration officers have in dealing with protesters.

- Ideological zeal -

This surge of political awareness that prompted the ACLU to create PeoplePower.org is seen all over.

When the mayor of Miami-Dade County, Carlos Gimenez, announced that the city would no longer be a sanctuary city -- one that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities seeking to deport people -- a rally took place the very next day outside his office.

Since then there have been many more protests against him.

Late night talk and comedy shows are now rich in political satire that ridicules or lampoons Trump, and their ratings have risen sharply.

Activists are even recruiting on the dating web site Tinder, where one can now find people eager to do something as un-sexy as go to a town hall meeting.

And NGOs are recruiting on new sites like MeetUp and that old-fashioned place called Facebook.

For instance, on Sundays the civil rights group MoveOn holds nationwide call-ins, known as "Ready to Resist," in which it trains people in the finer arts of grassroots resistance.

Wilfredo Ruiz, spokesman for the Florida chapter of CAIR -- America's largest Muslim rights advocacy organization -- told AFP that Trump's travel ban targeting people from an initial seven and now six mainly Muslim countries has caused people to rally to his group's defense.

This is creating a kind of unified, organic resistance nationwide. "We are teaming up with other civil rights organizations at other, unprecedented levels," said Ruiz.

Now, collaboration among NGOs, universities, churches, mosques and synagogues is not just about marching or filing lawsuits together. Rather, they are sharing strategies, resources and logistics, he said.

This is happening for instance in California, where religious leaders have created a clandestine network of homes where people are willing to shelter unauthorized immigrants.

Some people -- including Romero, Parra and Ruiz -- are comparing this groundswell of ideological zeal to the climate that gave rise to the civil rights movement of the 1960s to end racism and discrimination against blacks.
Sudanese businessman Alithi Yousef and his wife Manal Fadlallah, holding their four-month-old grand-daughter Lojien, speak with AFP journalists at their home in a suburb of the capital Khartoum

When Sudanese security agents came to call on businessman Alithi Yousef at his home in Khartoum, he knew immediately that his worst fears had been realised.

"They told me on January 17 that my daughter Aya had been killed in fighting in Sirte," he said.

The Libyan city on the Mediterranean coast was a former bastion of the jihadist Islamic State group, of which his daughter was a member. Pro-government forces retook it last December.

"But they also said they had some good news -- Aya had a four-month-old baby" daughter, Yousef said.

On August 30, 2015, Aya, then a 20-year-old medical student at a Khartoum university, disappeared from a restaurant in the city just hours after finishing her exams.

For two months her whereabouts were unknown.

Now four-month-old Lojien was brought to Khartoum in February, and in a way, bringing her 'home' has helped to ease her grandparents' pain

But then Yousef received a call from Aya to say she had joined IS in Libya along with four female friends from Khartoum.

Officials say dozens of Sudanese students -- some also holding Western passports -- have joined IS in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

Sudanese media have reported the deaths of some of them.

Yousef said some of Aya's friends who joined IS had American or British passports.

"I was sure Aya couldn't go because she had a Sudanese passport, but I didn't understand," Yousef told AFP at his luxurious two-storey house in a Khartoum suburb.

- 'Her own world' -

Aya travelled to Libya by road -- her passport was found in a Khartoum apartment a few days after she went missing.

Manal Fadlallah, wife of Sudanese businessman Alithi Yousef and mother of Aya who died fighting for the Islamic State (IS) group in the Libyan city of Sirte, holds a family portrait of their children, in Khartoum

In Libya she married a Sudanese IS member who had also been to the same university, Yousef said, showing a marriage certificate registered by the jihadist group in Sirte.

Details of their deaths remain sketchy, but Yousef and his wife Manal Fadlallah vividly remember the rapid changes they saw in their daughter before she joined IS.

Educated partly at an English primary school in Abu Dhabi where the family lived years ago, Aya had grown up listening to Western music and reading English novels.

But Aya's journey to "radical Islam" was swift.

Her personality changed in her second year at university, said Yousef as his wife fed milk to their granddaughter Lojien.

Although she used to dress casually in trousers and T-shirts, Aya began wearing conservative clothes, and donned an Islamic headscarf.

Manal Fadlallah, the mother of Aya Yousef, a former Sudanese medical student who had died fighting with the Islamic State (IS) group in the Libyan city of Sirte, shows her daughter's old school drawing books and novels, in Khartoum

Praying five times became a daily norm, and she was heard reciting Koranic verses late into the night, Yousef said.

Aya soon stopped visiting relatives or exchanging greetings with men.

"She just went into a shell, into her own world which was hidden from us," Yousef said.

Almost every day there was some further change in Aya, said her mother.

"When we asked her who was behind this, she told us 'Now I know my God'," Fadlallah said.

- A life unravelling -

Yousef said he had trusted his daughter and never checked her mobile phone or laptop.

"If I'd had any idea about her plans, I would have stayed in her room all the time and never left her alone," said the father of four, dressed in a Sudanese traditional white jelabaya.

The couple's shock at how Aya's life unravelled is evident from their family albums and her room.

Beside her bed is a small side table and a wooden cupboard, its shelf lined with English novels including renowned Afghan writer Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner".

Next to it are school textbooks and medical journals.

"She loved going to school wearing new clothes for celebrations like Christmas," said Fadlallah, showing some childhood photographs.

In one, Aya is pictured sitting next to a Santa Claus while celebrating Christmas at school in Abu Dhabi.

In another, she is seen holidaying on a beach with her family in the Egyptian city of Alexandria.

"Our shock will last for years," said Yousef, looking at the only photograph of Aya wearing a headscarf.

Her parents now have the task of raising Lojien themselves.

Yousef initially refused to bring her from Libya when Sudanese officials offered to escort him to the war-torn country.

- Easing the pain -

"I'd lost my daughter: what was the point of bringing the baby here?"

But he relented, and a few days later decided to go after all.

Two Sudanese female officials accompanied him to Misrata, east of Tripoli, where Lojien was being cared for by the Libyan Red Crescent.

"As women we were very concerned about the security situation there," one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"This was also our first experience of bringing a baby back to its family."

Lojien was brought to Khartoum in February, and in a way, bringing her "home" has helped to ease the family's pain.

"We have a major responsibility," said Yousef, vowing to make sure his granddaughter wants for nothing.

"Lojien is very dear to us. She is Aya's daughter and Aya was special."
Newly renovated Mount Coffee Hydropower Project, a hydro-electric plant on Liberia's Saint Paul River, in Harrisburg, some 40 km from Monrovia

Liberia is making a giant leap into an electrified future with the rehabilitation of a hydropower plant damaged during a civil war, allowing small businesses to lower costs and boost productivity.

The national grid of Liberia has until recently run on 38 MW of electricity, according to official figures, which is ordinarily enough to power just 38,000 homes in a nation of four million people.

Taken offline by damage inflicted by Charles Taylor's forces during Liberia's first civil conflict in 1990, the Mount Coffee Hydropower plant has undergone extensive repairs over the last five years with US, European and Saudi funding.

After the first turbine was switched back on in December, small businesses in Liberia's capital Monrovia are seeing a jolt to their operations as they join the grid for the first time.

Eva Kollie, a bakery owner in a northern suburb, had already bought electric mixers in order to meet customer demand, but the cost of using a generator to power them was "unbearable" she told AFP, sometimes amounting to $20 a day in fuel.

But since she was connected to the grid, she pays $50 a month to power the machines.

"The cost of production has been cut down by about 70 percent," said Kollie. "We are able to satisfy demands from our customers on time."

- 'New born baby' -

Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf speaks with technicians inside the control room of the newly renovated Mount Coffee Hydropower Project, a hydro-electric plant on Liberia's Saint Paul River, in Harrisburg, some 40 km from Monrovia

Power Africa, a US government initiative to bring electricity to the continent, describes energy as "the single largest component of operational expenses in Liberia for large concessions, industries, and businesses."

Off-grid solutions such as solar panels that have gained ground in east Africa and are appearing in nearby nations like Ghana have failed to make headway here so far, though the World Bank has just approved its first mini hydropower plant in Liberia's Lofa County.

"Electricity in Liberia is like a new born baby. The infrastructure was not improved and the training of people was not carried out," said Ian Yhap, board chairman of Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC), the state utility running the Mount Coffee Project.

The nation's electricity problems are not limited to a lack of production, either, he added.

"People are stealing the power generated," Yhap said angrily, estimating that 40 percent of all power generated in Liberia is siphoned off illegally.

"When we were handed over the system we were told that there were 44,000 customers connected but in reality there were only 15,000," he said.

More than 15,000 new customers have been connected since Mount Coffee was switched back on, and LEC hopes to have 100,000 connections by the end of the year.

"The drive of the new management is to connect more people and disconnect those who are illegally using the power" said Yhap.

His focus was now on reducing costs for customers and making the supply less intermittent, addressing two top concerns of new clients, he added.

- More turbines -

LEC says the first turbine can generate a maximum capacity of 22 MW, and the second 22 MW turbine is due on line in the next few weeks after testing, with two more to follow by year's end.

Meanwhile the firm's campaign to connect more customers continues apace.

With fewer than two percent of Liberians on the national grid, by some estimates, the arrival of engineers to connect a home or business is greeted in many neighbourhoods as nothing less than a spectacle.

"I was sleeping in the afternoon when one of my employees rushed to me to inform me that LEC was connecting my business," bar owner Cleo Benedict recalled of one day in February.

"I did not pass through the normal routine where you have to go to their office and apply through a process full of headaches," Benedict added. "I was only asked to go pay $53 to be connected."

Since then her customer base has expanded as the price of a commodity best served cold drops significantly.

"I was selling a bottle of beer for 140 Liberian dollars ($1.40). With the arrival of the LEC current I am selling the beer for 100 Liberian dollars per bottle."

"I am making more profit," she said with a smile.
A woman crosses a border gate between Vietnam and Cambodia. Photo by Reuters

Ongoing border issues remain a headache for both sides.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh asked that the Cambodia government to finish installing demarcation posts planned along their shared 1,270km border soon.

The two neighboring countries agreed to finish demarcating their shared border very soon following a three-day meeting in 2015.

The Vietnam - Cambodia Joint Border Committee has agreed to settle border issues in good faith with mutual respect for each country's sovereignty.

Cambodian National Police officials say they have installed 282 a total of 314 demarcation posts planned along the border, the Khmer Times reported.
Intense price wars have sparked buyouts, mergers and exits in India's telecommunications sector

Buyouts, mergers and quick exits -- as India's richest man shakes up the country's ultra-competitive mobile market, telecommunications companies are scrambling to either consolidate or cut their losses and run.

Norwegian multinational Telenor recently became the latest to quit India and analysts expect other brands will disappear as intense price wars sparked by tycoon Mukesh Ambani mean thinning profit margins.

"Most of the smaller players will find it difficult to grow by themselves and will be looking for exit options," Bhasker Canagaradjou, head of research at Ipsos Business Consulting in Mumbai, told AFP.

India's multi-billion dollar telecoms sector had a dozen companies battling for customers as recently as 2010. Now, there is around half that number and industry watchers say soon there will be only four.

The race to consolidate has hastened since Ambani sent shock waves through the sector in September when he launched Reliance Jio's 4G network with a free service for the rest of 2016 that was later extended to April.

The audacious offer was followed by vastly cheaper data plans and free voice calls for life, forcing rattled competitors to slash their own tariffs to maintain market share while also seeking extra investment.

India's telecoms sector, which global research firm International Data Corporation estimates will have market revenue of $37 billion this year, has long been a risky and costly endeavour for companies.

Network operators have to overcome regulatory difficulties to purchase expensive wireless spectrum to provide services that are often plagued by dodgy reception, frequent call drops and fluctuating internet speeds.

- 'Aggressive Jio' -

But Jio's arrival has added a new dimension as major players, including Vodafone and Idea, explore tie-ups to match the deep pockets of the Reliance Industries-backed telecoms company, while others are being forced to call it a day.

Telenor announced in late February that market leader Bharti Airtel would acquire its Indian operations, saying the amount of investment needed to compete in the crowded sector would not offer a worthwhile level of return.

The withdrawal came after Videocon Telecom told subscribers in January that it planned to cease operations and pull out of the market. Aircel and Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) have sold up since the beginning of 2016.

Regulatory difficulties, dodgy reception, frequent call drops and fluctuating internet speeds plague India's telecommunications sector

Jio signed up 100 million users in its first six months and wants to lead the market with a 50 percent share by 2021, eyeing Airtel's status as India's largest telecoms provider.

Airtel's deal with Telenor will see it boost its own subscriber numbers by around 40 million and greatly enhance its spectrum coverage as it battles to fend off Jio's ambitious target.

"(The Telenor-Airtel agreement) is the latest sign that the entry of aggressive new operator Reliance Jio is spurring incumbents to consolidate to better meet the intense competition and weaker telcos to exit altogether," Fitch Ratings said.

Airtel's position is also under threat from British mobile phone behemoth Vodafone and Mumbai-based Idea Cellular. Vodafone announced in January that it was in talks to merge its Indian unit with Idea in their own response to Jio.

Global brokerage firm CLSA estimates that the pair would command a revenue market share of 43 percent by the start of the 2019-20 financial year, ahead of Airtel on 33 percent, if they combined. Jio would have 13 percent.

- Profit slump -

Reliance Communications (Rel Comm) -- owned by Ambani's younger brother Anil Ambani -- has been responsible for much of the consolidation at the lower end of the market.

Rel Comm announced that Aircel was merging with it around a fortnight after Jio's launch. It had already purchased Russian conglomerate Sistema's Indian telecoms business, branded MTS, earlier in 2016 and is now reportedly in talks with Tata Group's loss-making teleservices unit to join forces.

Indian telecoms analyst Baburajan Kizhakedath told AFP he expected the Tata Docomo brand to disappear altogether while recent Indian newspaper reports have said that the loss-making state operators BSNL and MTNL are in talks to merge.

"The ongoing consolidation is likely to leave four larger operators -- Bharti, Jio, the combination of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, and the combined Reliance Communications and Aircel Limited," said Fitch.

Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani sent shock waves through the telecommunications sector when he launched Reliance Jio's 4G network with a limited-time free service

Jio's free services eroded the profitability of its rivals in the recent quarter with Airtel reporting a 55 percent slump in on-year quarterly net profits and Reliance Communications announcing an almost 15 percent slide.

They are hopeful that an end to Jio's free subscriptions on April 1 will provide some respite, but analysts warn that current pricing levels are unsustainable and companies may have to endure significant losses in the short term.

"(The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has already warned the government about the possible risk of payment defaults by the telecom companies if these freebies and price war continues for a long time," said Canagaradjou.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang addresses reporters during a press conference to close the country's annual parliamentary sesssion on March 15, 2017

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday warned the United States against starting a trade war while expressing optimism that the world's two largest economies could keep relations steady despite frictions in the Trump era.

"We dont want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That wouldnt make our trade fairer," Li told reporters at a press conference closing China's annual parliamentary session.

"No matter what bumps the China-US relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in a positive direction."

China and the United States are currently discussing arrangements for a summit between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping that could help ease tensions stoked by Trump's fiery election-campaign rhetoric.

Trump threatened to upend decades of multilateralism and raised fears of a trade war with China while on the campaign trail.

After his election victory, he angered Beijing with a protocol-busting telephone conversation with the president of self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

Trump and Xi subsequently smoothed over the dispute last month in a phone call in which the US leader reiterated Washington's adherence to the "one China" policy that nominally endorses Beijing's claim to Taiwan.

In the wake of the Xi-Trump conversation, Li said he saw "bright prospects" for bilateral relations.

"I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions," he said.

Li's parliament-ending press conference is the only time each year that foreign journalists are allowed to put questions to a member of China's elite leadership inner circle, though they are pre-approved.

Li is second only to Xi in the Communist Party hierarchy.

Li cited a report which he said indicated that if a trade war occurred, "foreign-invested companies, in particular US firms, would bear the brunt of it".
Female vendors, using their bicycles to carry their vegetables, arrive to sell their wares at a market in Nepal this February

At the break of dawn each day, dozens of women forced to flee their homes during Nepal's decade-long civil war load their bicycles with vegetables and head to market.

The bikes, donated by a foreign charity, have given these women in the Surkhet Valley independence and a livelihood, lifting many out of poverty.

Nandukala Basnet, who escaped her village at the height of the war, said her bike transformed her life.

"Life is very nice with the bicycle. If my bike breaks, I feel like my life is broken," the 33-year-old said.

The conflict between government forces and Maoist insurgents displaced thousands, mostly in the midwest where the violence was at its worst.

Basnet's village was in a Maoist stronghold but her husband was a soldier in the Nepali army, fostering suspicions about her allegiances.

Vegetable vendor Nandukula Basnet, 33, arrives on her bicycle to sell her wares at a Nepali market in February

When an insurgent camp was bombarded by a military helicopter, rumours spread that Basnet had revealed its location, sending rebels out after her.

Neighbours urged her to flee. She packed up her meagre belongings and left for Birendranagar, the main town in the Surkhet Valley.

"I struggled a lot after I moved here," she said.

"I had no property. I mined sand from the river for money and even hammered stones for a day."

She started selling vegetables but struggled to haul the 30 kilogram (66 pound) baskets to market. Some days she'd take less than 100 rupees ($0.90) home.

With the bicycle, her business has flourished. Basnet can now carry up to 100 kilograms of vegetables as well as sesame seeds and lentils, and can venture to markets further afield.

"This has become my permanent business," she said, counting out her day's earnings -- about 600 rupees -- and stashing it carefully inside her cardigan pocket.

The sight of women on bicycles has drawn mutters of disapproval in some conservative quarters of Nepal's deeply superstitious and patriarchal society.

Khagisara Regmi, who was widowed and left alone to raise her four children, said villagers hurled insults as she tried to master the bike.

"When I finally did, they said, 'Why is she learning to ride a bicycle, shouldn't she be ashamed?'" the 40-year-old told AFP.

Widows often face abuse and exclusion in Nepal, where they are believed to bring bad luck.

But with the help of her bicycle, Regmi has earned enough to put her children through school and replace the straw roof on her house with a sturdy tin one.
Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo (C) has called for international scrutiny on the nation's drug war

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo said Wednesday the nation's drug war had left Filipinos feeling "hopeless and helpless", with trust in the police eroded by thousands of summary executions.

In a video message to a United Nations meeting on extrajudicial killings posted online, Robredo also called for international scrutiny of President Rodrigo Duterte's controversial crackdown.

"Some of those who have told us that when there's crime, they normally go to the police. Now, they don't know where to turn," Robredo said in the message, which was released to the media ahead of its scheduled screening at the UN gathering in Austria on Thursday.

"Our people feel both hopeless and helpless: a state of mind that we must all take seriously."

Duterte won presidential elections last year after promising to eradicate illegal drugs in society with an unprecedented crackdown in which tens of thousands of people would die.

But the vice president is elected separately in the Philippines and Robredo, who belongs to a rival political party, has in recent months stepped up her criticism of the drug war.

Since Duterte took office at the end of June, police have reported killing 2,500 people in anti-drug operations while about 4,500 others have died in unexplained circumstances.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have warned Duterte may be overseeing crimes against humanity, with state-sanctioned killings.

Duterte and his police chiefs have insisted security forces are not breaking any laws.

They have said nearly all of those killed by police were in self-defence while the unexplained deaths were likely due to drug gangs eliminating rivals or others who could implicate them.

- 'Grim statistics' -

In her message to the United Nations, Robredo described all those deaths as "summary executions".

"We are now looking at some very grim statistics: since July last year, more than 7,000 people have been killed in summary executions," Robredo said.

Robredo also said police were detaining innocent people in a scheme known as "exchange heads".

In this, if police officers could not find a drug suspect, they would detain one of his or her relatives instead, according to Robredo.

While Duterte has repeatedly railed against international human rights groups and other foreign critics of his drug war, Robredo invited more scrutiny.

"To know that the international community's eyes are on us and to feel that human rights advocates are watching over our country gives us comfort, courage and hope," she said.

National police spokesman Dionardo Carlos on Wednesday rejected Robredo's assertions, saying they did not reflect "the general situation".

He also denied that police were carrying out the "exchange heads" scheme.

"This is not the norm. This is not the practice," Carlos told reporters.

Duterte sacked Robredo from his cabinet in December after she started speaking out against the drug war and some of his other policies.

But her comments to the UN meeting were among her strongest criticisms and came as rights groups warned of a rising climate of fear that is leaving many people unwilling to speak out against Duterte or police abuse.

Senator Leila de Lima, another top Duterte critic, was arrested last month on drug trafficking charges which rights groups insisted were manufactured to silence her and intimidate others.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on isolated North Korea

Washington's top diplomat arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday to kick off a first tour of Asian capitals under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear posturing.

An airplane carrying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson landed at the capital's Haneda airport Wednesday night, greeted by both Japanese and US officials.

Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime as he talks to allies Japan and South Korea and to rival great power China.

The former oilman will also talk commerce, after President Donald Trump's belligerent campaign rhetoric raised the spectre of a trade war between the United State and China.

But US officials confirmed North Korea's provocative behaviour would be "front and centre" as Tillerson meets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

After Tokyo, it will be on to Seoul, a city already within range of North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, for talks with the acting leader after a corruption scandal saw President Park Geun-Hye ousted last week.

And then at the weekend, there will be his much anticipated trip to Beijing, amid reports that Tillerson will seek to finalise plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Trump in April.

Here, he might get a positive response. In a news conference after the annual National People's Congress parliament meeting on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said "there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation."

He warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war, and argued: "I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions."

But Tillerson will also have to broach the topic of North Korea's progress towards building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would be able to threaten US mainland cities or bases in the Pacific.

Nort Korea launched four ballistic missiles in March, with three landing provocatively close to America's ally Japan

"He's going to have an opportunity at every stop to talk about next steps or what we do now, with respect to North Korea," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

"I mean, it's obviously the looming challenge over our relations and, frankly, the security of the Korean Peninsula," he added in a news briefing before Tillerson left Washington.

- Nuclear arsenal -

China is perhaps the last country with significant leverage over North Korea, which has ignored several rounds of UN-backed sanctions targeting its banned nuclear weapons program.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's attempts to build an arsenal of nuclear devices, but has been much more measured in its reaction to the ballistic missile program.

Xi's government has been reluctant to back any moves that might destabilise Kim's regime, and is publicly more concerned about Washington's decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence program in South Korea.

Washington insists THAAD is a defensive system deployed to protect the South and US bases from North Korean missiles, but China fears its advanced radar system undermines China's nuclear deterrent.

In recent comments, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi implied the United States and North Korea were equally at fault for the latest crisis and moving towards a "head-on collision".

With apparently little prospect of a breakthrough, some foreign policy hawks in Washington have been pushing for secondary sanctions that would hurt Chinese banks doing business with North Korea.

But US officials played down expectations of any announcement during the trip.

Instead, Tillerson will test Chinese receptiveness to the idea of tougher measures on North Korea, while attempting to calm fears of an imminent trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.

"Everybody agrees on the challenge, which is: How do you stop North Korea's bad behaviour?" Toner said. "I think part of this trip will be about trying to hone in on some next steps.

"I think he really wants to try to drill down on that challenge for this trip. But let's not also ignore the other 800-pound gorilla in the room here, which is our trade relations with the region. It's hugely important."
Australia warns its nationals not to travel to Afghanistan, saying they could be kidnap targets

An Australian woman kidnapped in Afghanistan last year has been released, officials said Thursday.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said the woman was an aid worker abducted in November last year in the Afghan capital Kabul, reportedly at gunpoint.

"An Australian woman kidnapped in Afghanistan has been released," the department of foreign affairs said in a statement, thanking authorities in Afghanistan for their support and assistance.

"Her family welcomes her safe return and asks that the media respect their privacy at this time."

Australia warns its nationals not to travel to Afghanistan, saying in its latest advisory last month that "aid workers, journalists, and employees of foreign companies could be kidnap targets".

"Do not travel to Afghanistan because of the extremely dangerous security situation and the very high threat of terrorist attack," it added.

Last August, an Australian aid worker, Katherine Jane Wilson, was rescued by Afghan special forces.

She had been abducted by unidentified masked gunmen from Jalalabad near the border with Pakistan four months earlier.

At least one other Australian remains hostage, Timothy Weekes, a professor at the American University of Afghanistan, who was seized last August along with an American colleague.

They both appeared in a Taliban hostage video in January, the first apparent proof that they were still alive.

Kabul is plagued by organised criminal gangs who stage kidnappings for ransom, often targeting foreigners and wealthy locals, and sometimes handing them over to insurgent groups.
Kim Jong-Nam was assassinated with the lethal nerve agent VX at a Malaysian airport on February 13

Malaysia has used a DNA sample from one of Kim Jong-Nam's children to confirm the identity of the assassinated half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, the deputy prime minister said Wednesday.

Investigators "confirmed the identity of the body as Kim Jong-Nam based on the sample obtained from his child", said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, without elaborating further.

The 45-year-old was poisoned with the deadly nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for his death, but the North has rejected those claims and has never confirmed the identity of the victim, who was carrying a passport bearing the name of Kim Chol when he was attacked.

Malaysia officially confirmed his identity on Friday, but refused to say whether authorities had obtained a DNA sample from next-of-kin.

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said at the time that concerns "for the security of the witnesses" prevented him from revealing further details.

The killing triggered a bitter row between Malaysia and North Korea, which have expelled each other's ambassadors and refused to let their citizens leave.

Pyongyang has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear the secretive regime, insisting that he most likely died of a heart attack.

Kim's wife and children, who were living in exile in the Chinese territory of Macau, staged a vanishing act after the murder. There are fears his 21-year-old son, Kim Han-Sol, could be targeted next.

Three Malaysian embassy staff and six family members are stranded in Pyongyang after North Korea barred Malaysians from leaving the country last week, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Kuala Lumpur.

Two women -- one Vietnamese and one Indonesian -- have been arrested and charged with the murder. Airport CCTV footage shows them approaching the victim and apparently smearing his face with a piece of cloth.
Taiwan's same-sex marriage bill is due for a final reading this year and the island would become the first place in Asia to legalise it

A judgement against a gay woman who married a man because of pressure from her family has sparked criticism in Taiwan as the island moves closer to legalising same-sex marriage.

The woman was recently ordered by a court to return around Tw$500,000 ($16,130) to her husband after she left him for her girlfriend.

The ruling by the district court in northern Hsinchu said the money would compensate the groom for wedding fees, "betrothal money" and emotional pain that he suffered.

In Taiwan it is common for the groom to give money to the bride's family as a goodwill gesture to seal the marriage deal.

As the case surfaced in local media this week, online commenters voiced their support for the woman as it emerged her family had opposed her relationship with her girlfriend and urged her to marry a man.

"Same-sex marriage should be legalised so people don't have to marry someone they don't love," read one message on ETtoday website.

Others called the judgement a symptom of homophobia.

"This kind of outcome is caused by anti-gay people," said a post on the website of TV Channel EBC.

Taiwan's same-sex marriage bill is due for a final reading this year and the island would become the first place in Asia to legalise it.

But the issue has caused a split in Taiwanese society, with protests for and against the bill as conservative critics say it would destroy family values.

Taiwan is considered progressive on many issues including gay rights, however its roots in Confucianism translate into a strong sense of adherence to traditional mores.

Past attempts to legalise same-sex marriage stalled under the Kuomintang party, which dominated politics for decades until it was unseated by President Tsai Ing-wen's Democratic Progressive Party last year.

While she garnered online support, there was also criticism of the woman, identified only as Hsu.

"She should have insisted on not marrying the man instead of dragging him down with her," said a comment on ETtoday.

Another on Apple Daily said the groom "must feel like he's been fooled".

According to the court judgement Hsu married her husband in January last year but left him a few days later.

It described how she had sent a message to an unidentified third party months before, saying she had a close relationship with a woman but her mother would not allow them to be together.

"She dated the plaintiff to ease her mother's concerns," the judgement said.

Apple Daily reported Wednesday she had revealed she was gay on her wedding night.

The pair had met on a blind date and both sets of parents had urged them to marry, the report said.
Afghan security personnel stand guard in front of the main gate of a military hospital in Kabul on March 8, 2017, after a deadly attack claimed by the Islamic State group

Afghanistan's defense ministry Wednesday shrugged off allegations that insiders were involved in a catastrophic insurgent attack on the country's largest military hospital, as it faces scathing public criticism over the assault.

Gunmen disguised as doctors stormed Sardar Daud Khan hospital in Kabul last Wednesday, with multiple surviving staff telling AFP that insiders including two interns were among the attackers.

The carnage inside the heavily guarded hospital points at a spectacular intelligence failure and spotlights how insurgents have managed to infiltrate top government and military institutions in Afghanistan.

"We have no evidence it was an insider job," Deputy Defense Minister Helaludin Helal, head of a government investigation team, told reporters.

"The attackers entered the hospital using a Corolla car. One blew himself up and four others entered the building."

But his comment contradicts an earlier statement from his own ministry's spokesman Mohammad Radmanish, who conceded that "the attack was carried out from both outside and inside".

"This could not have been possible without the help of people inside," Radmanish said on Sunday.

Map locating the Sardar Daud Khan hospital in Kabul

Public anger has grown over the episode, with speculation swirling on social media that such a brazen attack on the tightly guarded hospital could not have happened without the complicity of high-ranking officials.

"The government is trying to cover up its embarrassing security failures and pretend there was no help from within," one Afghan said on Facebook Wednesday, echoing a deluge of similar comments.

The Afghan security leadership has also come under bitter criticism from lawmakers.

MPs are calling for the impeachment of Afghanistan's defense and interior ministers and the intelligence chief, as the country braces for an intense fighting season in the spring.

For his part, Helal said 24 hospital and military officials accused of "negligence of duty" are being prosecuted.

He added 50 people were killed by five attackers. But security sources and the survivors, some of whom counted dead bodies, previously told AFP that the death toll exceeded 100.

The savagery of the assault was characterised by how the assailants stabbed bed-ridden patients, threw grenades into crowded wards and shot people from point-blank range.

The Islamic State group claimed it was behind the attack via its propaganda agency Amaq -- hours after the Taliban denied responsibility.

But the survivors AFP spoke to said the attackers chanted "Long live Taliban" in Pashto and attacked all but two wards on the hospital's first floor where Taliban patients were admitted.
The woman and her husband were caught trying to smuggle $220,000 worth of gold.

A former Vietnamese flight attendant, her husband and an aircraft technician were charged Tuesday, with smuggling gold from Vietnam to South Korea, Voice of Vietnam reported.

Last July, Hoang Thi Ngoc Anh, 35, paid an aircraft repair technician to smuggle four gold bars worth more than $220,000 onto a plane parked at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

Prosecutors say the technician received VND2 million ($88) to sneak the gold under a seat Anh had booked on the plane.

At midnight on July 27, the former flight attendant and her husband were arrested in their seats.

Investigators say Anh managed to smuggle 20 taels of gold (26.4 ounces) into South Korea prior to her arrest.

Ngoc Anh worked as a crew member for the state-owned Vietnam Airlines before taking unpaid leave in 2014.

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A displaced Iraqi boy from Mosul walks under the rain at the Hamam al-Alil camp on March 13, 2017

Nearly 100,000 Iraqis have fled the battle to retake west Mosul from the Islamic State jihadist group, the International Organization for Migration said on Wednesday.

Iraqi forces launched a major push last month to recapture west Mosul, which is the most populated urban area still held by IS, with an estimated 750,000 residents when the battle began.

Between February 25 and March 15, more than 97,000 people have been displaced from west Mosul, the IOM said on its official Twitter account.

It marks an increase of around 17,000 from the displacement figure the IOM released the previous day, though this does not necessarily indicate that all of those additional people fled in the past 24 hours.

IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but Iraqi forces backed by US-led air strikes have since retaken most of the territory they lost.

Iraqi forces launched the operation to recapture Mosul from IS in October, retaking its east before setting their sights on its smaller but more densely populated west.

According to the IOM, more than 238,000 people are currently displaced due to fighting in the Mosul area, while more fled but later returned to their homes.
Several foreigners have died in Goa over the past decade or so, blighting the state's reputation as a tourist haven

Indian police said Wednesday they had launched a murder investigation after a young Irish woman was found dead in the popular tourist state of Goa.

The body of 28-year-old Danielle McLaughlin was discovered in a field on Tuesday and an autopsy is being conducted to ascertain whether she was sexually assaulted, deputy superintendent Sammy Tavares of the Goan police told AFP.

"Her body was found in a naked state. A case has been filed under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (murder)," he said, adding that a suspect had been arrested.

Several foreigners have died in Goa over the past decade or so, including 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling, whose bruised and semi-naked body was found in shallow water on a beach in 2008.

The deaths, many in suspicious circumstances or from drug or alcohol abuse, have blighted the picturesque state's reputation as a tourist haven.

In a brief statement, McLaughlin's mother Andrea Brannigan said the family were "finding it very difficult at this trying time.

"Danielle will be sadly missed by us all."

A fund created by McLaughlin's friend Christy Duffy to fund the repatriation of her body quickly raised more than 15,000 euros ($16,000).

"Anyone who knew her knew that she was a beautiful and kind hearted, funny young lady who loved life and was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter," Duffy said.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better."

- An unwelcome spotlight -

Ireland said Glasgow-born McLaughlin also held a British passport, while Britain's consulate in Mumbai told AFP it was working closely with local authorities.

In a statement, the Irish foreign ministry said its embassy in India was "following up on the suspected murder of an Irish woman in Goa."

"It has been confirmed that the woman travelled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate has the lead responsibility in terms of dealings with the Indian authorities.

"The Irish embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from New Delhi to Goa today," the statement added.

Last September, two Indian men were cleared of the rape and murder of Keeling, whose death became international news, shining a spotlight on the seedy side of the resort which is popular with Westerners and drawing attention to India's sluggish justice system.
The sun sets over Jerusalem

A top adviser to US President Donald Trump held further talks on the Middle East conflict Wednesday, meeting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he seeks to restart negotiations with the Palestinians.

Jason Greenblatt, Trump's special representative for international negotiations, met with Rivlin after holding talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week.

Rivlin's spokesman said the president, whose role is mainly ceremonial, told Greenblatt the "building of confidence between Israelis and Palestinians was a first and critically important step toward any possible solution."

Greenblatt thanked Rivlin for his thoughts on how Israelis and Palestinians could live side by side, a statement from the president's office said.

He was expected to visit a Palestinian refugee camp and meet religious leaders before leaving on Thursday.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas (right) meets Jason Greenblatt, Donald Trump's special representative for international negotiations, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on March 14, 2017

Before the visit, US officials said he was seeking to lay the groundwork for renewed peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

A US consulate statement on the meeting with Abbas on Tuesday evening said the two men reaffirmed their commitment to a "genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

"President Abbas told Mr Greenblatt that he believes that under President Trump's leadership a historic peace deal is possible," the statement said, adding that Abbas committed to tackling Palestinian incitement.

"Greenblatt underscored President Trump's commitment to working with Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a lasting peace through direct negotiations."

The meeting followed five hours of talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday night.

The peace process has been deadlocked since April 2014 following the collapse of indirect negotiations led by then US secretary of state John Kerry.

The visit comes after Trump cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution to the conflict when he met Netanyahu at the White House last month.

At that meeting, Trump broke with decades of US policy by saying he was not bound to a two-state solution to the conflict and would be open to one state if it meant peace.

The consulate statement Tuesday said Abbas stressed to Greenblatt the two-state solution was the best route to peace, but did not give the US envoy's response.

Settlements in the occupied West Bank are also a key area of contention.

The international community considers continuing settlement growth in the West Bank a major obstacle to peace.

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that Netanyahu expects to reach understandings with the United States on settlement construction in the West Bank in the coming weeks.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported Netanyahu had discussed with Greenblatt plans to build a new settlement for residents of Amona, an outpost that was demolished last month in accordance with a high court ruling.
Mohammad Yunus of Bangladesh won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006

Staff at a Bangladeshi company set up by microfinance pioneer Mohammad Yunus are suing the Nobel laureate over millions of dollars in allegedly unpaid dues, their lawyer said Wednesday.

They say Grameen Telecom (GT), which holds a roughly one-third stake in Bangladesh's largest mobile-phone operator, had a legal obligation to share profits with its employees.

The cases filed by 10 former and current employees name Grameen Telecom and its chairman Yunus, who won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize after the success of his Grameen Bank in reducing poverty.

Lawyer Jafrul Hasan Sharif told AFP that GT reported profits of $260 million in the past decade but failed to pay staff their share.

"Under labour laws, Grameen Telecom must share five percent of its net profits with its employees and the government," he said.

"Its total due from 2006-2015 is 1.08 billion taka ($13.4 million) of which 80 percent should be paid equally to the the company's former and current employees," he added.

Managing director Ashraful Hassan, who is also named in the suit, said GT would fight the case and that all the profits had been ploughed back into the company.

"Their claim is not valid," Hassan said.

Yunus, Bangladesh's only Nobel laureate, could not immediately be reached for comment.

He set up Grameen Bank in 1983 to make collateral-free micro loans to rural entrepreneurs.

In 2011, he was forced off the bank's board in a move widely believed to have been orchestrated by Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Yunus had been at odds with her since 2007 when he made a brief foray into the country's highly polarised politics.

The celebrated former economics professor challenged his sacking in Bangladesh's highest court, but lost.

Hasina has accused Yunus of "sucking blood" from the poor, and in recent weeks suggested he was responsible for the World Bank pulling a $1.2 billion loan for a controversial bridge project.

In 2013, he was the subject of a state-backed hate campaign that painted him as un-Islamic and a spreader of homosexuality.
President Trump is set to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency's emissions limits for 2022-2025 will be put on hold during a new review period

President Donald Trump is set to announce steps Wednesday to halt his predecessor Barack Obama's future vehicle emissions limits for manufacturers, a senior administration official said.

During a visit to auto manufacturing hub Detroit, Trump is set to announce that the Environmental Protection Agency's objectives for 2022-2025 will be put on hold during a new review period.

"We are going to hold back the EPA determination" that automakers can meet the Obama administration's strict curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, the official said.

The Trump White House says the rules were issued in an 11th hour move by the Obama administration without taking into consideration the realities of the market, the constraints of various actors in the field and consumer expectations.

"I don't think the public really had an opportunity to weigh in," the official said.

In a February letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, US auto manufacturers had asked the new president to suspend the Obama administration's restrictions, saying they could threaten employment.

Trump is set to meet with auto industry leaders and union representatives in Detroit.

"Will be going to Detroit, Michigan (love), today for a big meeting on bringing back car production to State & U.S. Already happening!" he wrote in a tweet hours before the meetings.

Since his January 20 inauguration, Trump has repeatedly indicated he wants to remove a number of federal environmental regulations he considers futile, saying they are hurting job creation in the United States.

Pruitt, the former attorney general of Oklahoma, was one of the EPA's fiercest opponents prior to being named by Trump to head the agency.

Last week, Pruitt sparked outrage when he went against scientific consensus in claiming that increasing greenhouse gas emissions were not a determining factor in climate change.
Syria's capital Damascus, pictured in 2013

A suicide bomber attacked a courthouse in the centre of the Syrian capital on Wednesday, killing at least 25 people and wounding others, state media reported.

"The preliminary toll in the terrorist suicide bombing at the old palace of justice building is 25 dead and a number of wounded," state news agency SANA reported, citing a Damascus police source.

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

The courthouse contains both an Islamic religious tribunal charged with personal matters, and a criminal court.

"We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous," a lawyer in the building during the attack told AFP.

"We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor," the lawyer added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It was a bloody scene."

A local prosecutor told state television: "The terrorist targeted civilians... during a crowded period.

"The suicide bomber tried to enter and when police tried to prevent him, he rushed inside and blew himself up," the prosecutor added.

The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

Last Saturday, a twin bombing in the capital killed 74 people and was claimed by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
In early 2015 dozens of civilians, rebels and army troops died in months of fighting across the remote and mountainous region of Kokang in northeast Myanmar

Raging battles on Myanmar's border with China have claimed dozens more lives, military and official sources said Wednesday, as the mounting death toll landed a fresh blow to the government's faltering peace process.

Fighting broke out between troops and ethnic minority rebels in the Chinese-speaking Kokang border region in northeastern Shan State this month when insurgents dressed in police uniforms launched a surprise raid on security forces.

Thousands of people have since fled to China to escape the ensuing gun battles, artillery strikes and fires, leaving Laukkai deserted.

Military sources said 28 civilians and police have been killed, while the commander in chief's office has reported at least 46 insurgents have also died.

Troops "found the bodies of 17 enemies and seized 27 weapons" between March 6-14, it said in a statement.

Three more rebels were killed on Wednesday during an army offensive in which "some military officers and other (lower) rank soldiers were killed and injured," it added.

A military source who asked not to be named said the figures were in addition to 26 rebels the government said had been killed in a statement on March 6.

Kokang is a Chinese-speaking region in Myanmar's Shan state which experienced an outbreak of clashes in 2009 and 2015

State media reported on Tuesday that "dozens of soldiers" had also been killed in the escalating clashes.

The bloodshed has threatened to derail de facto leader Suu Kyi's efforts to seal a peace deal with Myanmar's ethnic minorities, some of which have been fighting the state for decades.

The UN said at least 50,000 people have fled their homes in Shan and Kachin States since September to escape some of the worst violence to grip Myanmar's restive border regions for decades.

A second round of peace talks initially scheduled for late February have now been pushed back to May.

This month's clashes in the Kokang region have also raised tensions with Beijing, which fears the deadly unrest will spill across its borders as it did in 2015.

The people of Kokang have strong bonds with Myanmar's giant neighbour -- locals speak a Chinese dialect and the yuan is the common currency.

Observers believe Beijing also holds significant sway over the ethnic fighters and has been angling to leverage its key role in the government's peace process.

Last week China called for an immediate ceasefire and this week officials have reportedly been holding talks with rebel groups in a bid to calm the fighting.
Human Rights Watch says 155 people were killed in fighting last year between security forces and a tribal king's palace guards, but the government says the toll was lower

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday said 155 people, including 15 children, were killed in fierce fighting that erupted late last year in western Uganda between security forces and a tribal king's palace guards.

The death toll was "far higher than the Ugandan authorities claimed at the time", the US-based watchdog said in a statement.

But the report was dismissed by the Ugandan government, which said it contained "inconsistencies" and challenged the allegation that children were among the dead, putting the death toll at just over 100.

HRW calculated its toll based on interviews with 95 relatives of victims, as well as with religious, security and administrative officials.

The clashes erupted in the western town of Kasese on November 26 and ended a day later when police stormed the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere, who has been accused of commanding a militia with separatist ambitions.

Police said the violence started when a joint patrol of police and troops was attacked by the royal guards.

But HRW said it began when troops forced their way into a local administrative office, killing eight guards and sparking a wave of retaliatory violence, during which the palace guards used machetes to defend their turf.

It said the palace guards "often carry agricultural tools, such as machetes, but are not formally armed... and would not constitute an armed force or group under international humanitarian law."

HRW said at least 55 people, including 14 police officers, were killed on November 26, while more than 100 others, among them 15 children, died the next day.

- 'Deliberate' omissions -

In a statement on Twitter, the US embassy in Uganda said it was "deeply troubled by the reported disproportionate use of force by security officials" in the raid.

"We are particularly concerned by reports that security forces made no effort to remove unarmed people from the compound, which may have contributed to the death of numerous children," it added.

But government spokesman Ofwono Opondo challenged the report's allegation that children were among the dead.

"As opposed to the HRW report that 16 children (sic) were killed during the operation, there is no evidence," he said in a statement which put the death toll at 103, among them 12 women and 40 men, with another 51 bodies unclaimed.

He said the HRW investigation lacked "depth" and contained "several inconsistencies ... that do not represent the true facts."

"It deliberately misses out incidents that led to the near-breakdown of law and order," he charged, accusing the rights group of ignoring the wider context of years of violence by the militia.

The report also "promotes violence in the region, referring to machetes as agricultural tools as opposed to Uganda penal code act defines them as lethal weapons," he said.

Clashes erupted in the Ugandan town of Kasese on November 26 and ended a day later when police stormed the palace of Rwenzururu King Charles Wesley Mumbere

Both the US embassy and HRW called for an independent inquiry into the incident.

"People in Kasese are still looking for their family members, including children, and they deserve answers and justice for these gruesome killings," said Maria Burnett, associate Africa director at HRW.

In December, the tribal king was charged with treason, but released on bail in February.

The traditional kingdom in western Uganda has a history of separatist leanings dating back to independence. The region where it is based is an opposition stronghold that has long complained of marginalisation from Kampala.
The United Nations has nearly 19,000 troops deployed in the DR Congo, its largest and costliest peacekeeping mission

The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday said its troops were pressing ahead with a search for two foreign experts who were kidnapped in the violence-wracked central Kasai region.

"The search is ongoing ... both by the UN and by the government" for the foreign experts and their four Congolese staff, who were kidnapped Sunday, said the spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, Charles-Antoine Bambara.

One of the foreign victims was American and other Swedish-Chilean.

MONUSCO chief Maman Sidikou has travelled to Kananga, the regional capital, to follow up on the search operation, Bambara added.

Along with the two foreign experts, three Congolese motorcycle-taxi drivers and an interpreter were also taken hostage by unidentified assailants in the Kasai region.

The attackers then drove their victims into a forest nearby, where authorities lost track of them.

The Congolese government said the group was travelling in the Kasai region without the local authorities being informed.

They have also criticised the group for travelling in the troubled area by motorcycle-taxi.

A Uruguayan peacekeeper was shot and injured last week in the same region, which has been wracked by a rebellion since September.

The uprising erupted after government forces in August killed a tribal chief and militia leader, Kamwina Nsapu, who had rebelled against President Joseph Kabila.

The violence has since spilled over to the neighbouring provinces of Kasai-Oriental and Lomami, leaving at least 400 people dead.

The United Nations has nearly 19,000 troops deployed in the DR Congo, its largest and costliest peacekeeping mission.

About 100 of those troops were recently dispatched to the Kasai region.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last week asked the Security Council to send an extra 320 UN police to the country after a deal to end a dispute over the presidential election stalled.

The so-called Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo is made up of six people and provides annual reports on the situation in the country, notably on the movement of illegal arms.
A Cameroonian soldier stands post on the border with Nigeria in 2015

Cameroon said its troops had rescued 5,000 civilian "hostages" held by Boko Haram Islamists in a cross-border operation that left scores of jihadists dead.

Cameroonian troops carried out "a vast operation all along the Cameroon-Nigeria border and in Nigeria" from February 27 to March 7, government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement seen by AFP Wednesday.

The operation, dubbed Thunder 2, "led to the liberation of more than 5,000 people taken hostage by the terrorists", he said, referring to Boko Haram.

"The freed hostages -- most of them women, children and elderly people -- were taken to a camp for displaced people in Banki, Nigeria," he added.

"More than 60 terrorists" were killed, he said, adding that "21 suspects were arrested".

Boko Haram, which wants to establish a caliphate in northern Nigeria, has been waging an insurgency since 2009.

Though it was born in Nigeria, the Islamic State-affiliated group has also carried out frequent attacks on "soft" targets in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting them to form a regional force to fight back.

Some 200,000 Cameroonians from the Far North region near Nigeria have fled their villages in fear of the violence carried out by Boko Haram militants.

The UN Security Council earlier this month vowed to turn the spotlight on a "neglected crisis" affecting 21 million people in the Lake Chad region that straddles Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
Doan Thi Huong (left) is escorted after a court appearance in Sepang on March 1, 2017. Photo by AFP

Vietnamese embassy officials checked on her during a consular visit on Wednesday.

Vietnamese embassy officials in Malaysia on Wednesday visited Doan Thi Huong, the accused murderer of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader, and found her in good conditions.

Huong told the Vietnamese officials she has been in good health, and that she had been duped into taking part in the assassination.

Her family in the northern province of Nam Dinh was also informed of the meeting and updated on Huongs conditions.

Upon the familys request, Vietnams embassy in Malaysia and the Vietnam Bar Association are working with Malaysian agencies to hammer out the best legal assistance possible for Huong.

Huong, 28, and Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, on March 1 were charged with the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, after his assassination at a Malaysian airport. Both are facing the death penalty.

Police accuse the pair of having wiped VX nerve agent, a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world, on Kims face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13.

The women claim they thought they were merely taking part in a prank video.

Selvam Shanmugam, the Malaysian lawyer defending Huong, told local press during a Vietnam visit earlier this month that he strongly believes in her innocence.

Huong will stand trial on April 13.

Related news:

> Lawyer for Vietnamese suspect in Kim murder calls for second autopsy

> Malaysian lawyer of Vietnamese suspect in Kim murder believes shes innocent

> Vietnamese consular officials advise family of Kim murder suspect
The southern Yemeni city of Taez, where US citizen Joel Shrum was fatally shot by a gunman on the back of a motorcycle, is seen in 2011

The United States offered Wednesday to pay $5 million for information leading to those responsible for the murder of an American in Yemen in 2012, an attack claimed by Al-Qaeda.

Joel Shrum, a US citizen, was fatally shot by a gunman on the back of a motorcycle while he was on his way to work at a nongovernmental organization on March 18, 2012, in the city of Taez, according to the State Department.

At the time, the department said "We condemn this terrorist act in strongest terms" and demanded that the Yemeni authorities bring to justice anyone involved in the murder.

A statement attributed to Al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack and accused Shrum of preaching Christianity in the mainly Muslim nation.

Nearly five years after the attack, the State Department announced Wednesday that it is offering "a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of the murder of US citizen Joel Shrum."

The department noted that Shrum had been an administrator and English teacher at the International Training and Development Center, "one of the longest standing international development organizations in Yemen."

It also noted that a few days after the incident, Al-Qaeda's Yemeni offshoot, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed responsibility for the murder.

The US government considers AQAP the most active branch of the global extremist network once led by Osama bin Laden. US military operations against it have intensified in Yemen since President Donald Trump took office in late January.

The United States is concerned about AQPA's growing presence in the impoverished African country as it takes advantage of the chaos of civil war.

In March 2015, a Saudi-led Arab coalition began an air campaign in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, whose authority was being challenged by Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.

The conflict has left more than 7,400 people dead and 40,000 wounded, and Yemen faces a serious risk of famine, according to the United Nations.

The State Department said the $5 million bounty comes under its Rewards for Justice program, which has paid out more than $125 million since its creation in 1984.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria is tasked with fighting corruption

Nigeria's Senate on Wednesday rejected the appointment of President Muhammadu Buhari's nominee to head the country's anti-graft agency, in a blow to the government's war on corruption.

Buhari rode to power in 2015 on an anti-corruption platform and appointed Ibrahim Magu as acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But the Senate refused to approve Magu's official appointment, citing internal security reports that accuse him of corruption.

"Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stance of the current government," Senator Dino Melaye said, quoting from a report by the Department of State Services.

Buhari had previously cleared Magu after investigating the allegations in the reports, which have not been made public.

Anti-corruption campaigners say that the politicisation of Magu's appointment -- what is normally a routine approval -- highlights how difficult it is to tackle endemic graft in Nigeria, one of Africa's top oil and gas producers.

"The current chairman is leaving no stone unturned," said Debo Adeniran of the Lagos-based Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, explaining that many senate members are being probed in connection with graft.

"They don't want him (Magu) to complete all the investigations that are going on," Adeniran told AFP.

"Basically, it's a vindictive approach that the Senate is carrying out," he said, adding "it's demoralising."

Buhari was elected two years ago vowing to stop the plunder of state funds by corrupt politicians and public officials in the country of 180 million people.

The main opposition party, however, has accused him of conducting a political witch-hunt because many of those arrested and charged were opposition party members or served in the previous administration.
A man works on a mural on the southern wall of Sanaa University during the Open Day of Art event.

A warplane firing missiles. A gunman taking aim. A map of Yemen dripping with blood.

A group of Yemeni artists took to the streets Wednesday, painting murals on the wall of Sanaa University in a visual protest against three years of war.

The open-air exhibition and workshop attracted locals exhausted by a conflict with no end in sight.

"I came here with my family to express how fed up we are with the way we're living because of the war," said Fouad Sharfeddin.

"This event gives us a breather and hope for a return to a normal life."

The war between pro-government forces and Shiite Huthi rebels who control Sanaa has devastated Yemen and pushed it to the brink of famine.

Since a 2015 intervention by a Saudi-led coalition, fighting has left at least 7,400 people dead and wounded 40,000, according to the United Nations.

"Yemenis are lost," Sharfeddin's wife Maryam said. "We try to help the kids relax, even a little, by painting to express the feelings of repression we have inside."

A woman paints on a Sanaa wall a day after dozens of women staged a sit-in to demand an end to the country's war.

A young artist wrote "no dreams" next to a stencil of a child, then sat on the pavement under a mural of three heavily-armed soldiers.

Another painted a bouquet of red roses next to a soldier pointing his weapon at a collection of hearts.

The event was organised by an artists' collective let by Mourad Soubaye, in defiance of the rebels who control the capital.

"This is a day for peace, against violence, war and the current situation," said Soubaye.

It followed another rare demonstration, a three-day women's sit-in protest against the war.

The artists wrote a leaflet addressed to Sanaa residents, saying they did not take a position in the conflict.

A man works on a mural on the southern wall of Sanaa University.

"While war divides, art unites beyond borders and barriers," they wrote.

They called their open day "an opportunity for people express their hope for peace and their rejection of violence."

"All we want is to get out of the crisis," Soubaye said.
A convoy of US forces armoured vehicles drives near the village of Yalanli, on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij, on March 5, 2017

American and Russian troops are now both present in the northern Syrian city of Manbij and can clearly see each other in the former Islamic State stronghold, a US official said Wednesday.

The unlikely prospect of US and Russian armored vehicles rumbling down the same streets is another bizarre development in Syria's tangled conflict that has raged for six years.

"They can observe each other's movements," US military spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told reporters.

"They can see each other. They are not talking to each other, and they are not hanging out together."

A few dozen Army Ranger special operations forces earlier this month entered Manbij on a "reassurance and deterrence" operation in which the normally low-profile troops drove American flag-flying convoys through the city.

Their presence creates a buffer of sorts between Syrian Kurdish forces and Turkish troops eyeing the city, and the Pentagon has said that it wants all parties to focus on fighting IS jihadists in the region -- and not each other.

The United States is backing a Kurdish-Arab alliance called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose fighters pushed the jihadists from Manbij last year.

Around the same time, Turkey crossed into northern Syria and joined the anti-IS fight, while also working to keep in check the Kurdish fighters, whom it views as terrorists.

Turkey threatened to strike the Syrian Kurdish militia forces unless they withdrew from Manbij.

Russia and Syrian regime forces have since moved humanitarian convoys carrying military equipment into the city.

Dorrian said the US and Russian troops do not communicate on the ground, but keep each other abreast of their movements through a special hotline.

This channel was initially set up in 2015 to prevent mishaps in the air as Russia started bombing Syria on behalf of President Bashar al-Assad.

The developments come as Syria marks the sixth anniversary of its brutal conflict, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and has killed more than 320,000 people.

The civil war and the anti-IS fight are interconnected but for the most part have played out in separate parts of Syria.

"The Syrian civil war -- one of the world's worst humanitarian crises since World War II -- continues to be the most dangerous and destabilizing conflict in the Middle East today," Democratic Senator Tim Kaine said in a statement.

"Six years in, Assad has created a safe haven for (IS) and Al-Qaeda, while he commits unspeakable acts of violence against his own people."
An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef

Australia's Great Barrier Reef may never recover from last year's warming-driven coral bleaching, said a study that called for urgent action in the face of ineffective conservation efforts.

Record-high temperatures in 2015 and 2016 drove an unprecedented bleaching episode, which occurs when stressed corals expel the algae that live in their tissue and provide them with food.

Bleached coral is more susceptible to disease, and without sufficient time to recover -- which can take one decade or several depending on the species -- it can die.

For the new study released late Wednesday, an Australian-led team examined the impact of three major bleaching events -- in 1998, 2002 and 2016 -- over the reef's entire 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) length.

In 2016, they found, the proportion of constituent reefs experiencing extreme bleaching was over four times higher than in the two previous episodes.

Only nine percent escaped bleaching altogether, compared with more than 40 percent in 2002 and 1998.

Bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef

"The chances of the northern Great Barrier Reef returning to its pre-bleaching assemblage structure are slim given the scale of damage that occurred in 2016 and the likelihood of a fourth bleaching event occurring within the next decade or two as global temperatures continue to rise," the team wrote.

Earlier this month, researchers warned that the reef was already experiencing an unprecedented second straight year of bleaching.

Local reef protection "affords little or no resistance" to extreme heat, the researchers wrote in the journal Nature.

Current endeavours focus on better water quality and fisheries management, but "even the most highly protected reefs and near-pristine areas are highly susceptible to severe heat stress," they said.

The findings have important implications for coral reef conservation efforts.

"Bolstering resilience will become more challenging and less effective in coming decades because local interventions have had no discernible effect on resistance of corals to extreme heat stress," the study said.

- Scientists re-mobilise -

Coinciding with the study's launch, lead author Terry Hughes from Australia's Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said researchers were re-mobilising to conduct aerial and underwater surveys tracking the second year of bleaching now underway.

"Were hoping that the next 2-3 weeks will cool off quickly, and this years bleaching wont be anything like last year," he said. "The severity of the 2016 bleaching was off the chart."

Co-author Janice Lough, from the Australian Institute of Marine Science, said the average sea-surface temperatures for the Australian summer in 2016 were the highest ever recorded on the Great Barrier Reef.

"In each of the three events since 1998, the pattern of bleaching matches exactly where the warmest water was each year. That allows us to predict when and where bleaching is likely to occur this year," she added.

Hughes and Lough agree climate change is the number one threat to the World Heritage-listed natural wonder, arguing the only solution was "urgent and rapid action" to limit global warming that is expected to further increase water temperatures and coral die-offs.

"It broke my heart to see so many corals dying on northern reefs on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016," said Hughes, who led the expansive aerial surveys that revealed the damage.

"With rising temperatures due to global warming, its only a matter of time before we see more of these events. A fourth event after only one year is a major blow to the reef."

The world's nations agreed in Paris in 2015 to limit average warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial levels, by curbing fossil fuel burning.
Actress Emma Watson, pictured on March 13, 2017, says that she started receiving threats when she spoke out about women's rights

Movie stars Emma Watson and Amanda Seyfried launched legal action Wednesday after private pictures were stolen and posted online, while Mischa Barton spoke of her anguish over a leaked sex tape.

Although the photographs of 26-year-old Watson merely show her trying on outfits, the images of Seyfried and Barton show them in a series of compromising and sexually explicit poses.

Watson's publicist said her stolen pictures were taken during a fitting she had with a stylist "a couple of years ago," without offering further details about the circumstances of the shoot or how the images had ended up in the wrong hands.

"They are not nude photographs. Lawyers have been instructed and we are not commenting further," he told AFP.

Media reports said the pictures had been shared on the so-called "dark web" -- an encrypted part of the internet not easily accessible by users lacking specialist knowledge.

Later on Wednesday, Amanda Seyfried's legal team said it is pursuing a website that had posted her nude photos, the celebrity gossip portal TMZ reported, including images of "intimate moments" with her ex-boyfriend.

TMZ posted what it described as a threatening letter from the actress's lawyer to Celeb Jihad, demanding it immediately take down the images.

It was not immediately clear if the pictures, which remained available on the site early afternoon Los Angeles time, were obtained in an attack linked to the Watson theft.

Meanwhile, Barton told a news conference on the outskirts of Los Angeles she was taking action to stop the potential sale of a sex tape made against her will in a so-called "revenge porn" case.

Barton told reporters she had obtained a restraining order, and that cease-and-desist letters had been sent to those believed to be trying to buy or sell the images.

- Worst fears realized -

Mischa Barton, pictured in 2016, told a news conference she was taking action to stop the potential sale of a sex tape made against her will in a so-called "revenge porn" case

"I just want to say that I have been put through an incredibly hard and trying time," said the 31-year-old actress best known for her starring role on the Fox series "The OC."

Reading from a prepared statement, she said her worst fears were realized when she learned that someone she had loved and trusted had been filming her "most intimate and private moments" with hidden cameras.

"I came forward to fight this, not only for myself but for all the women out there," she said. "I want to protect them from the pain and humiliation that I have had to go through."

Barton's lawyer, Lisa Bloom, said someone the actress had once dated was offering the tape for $500,000, adding that buyers could be prosecuted.

The images were recorded during the last year, she said, refusing to identify the culprit, citing an ongoing police investigation.

The theft comes amid a spate of cases in which female celebrities had private and potentially embarrassing images leaked online, sometimes by those intending to blackmail their victims.

Watson, who stars in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," due to hit US theaters on Friday, was threatened on the controversial 4Chan message board in 2014 with a leak of nude images after she had delivered a speech about gender equality. That threat turned out to be a hoax.

Last month, a 29-year-old Chicago man was jailed for nine months for hacking into the electronic accounts of celebrities -- including Jennifer Lawrence -- on Apple's iCloud service, and stealing private information including nude videos and photos.

Dozens of stars' photos were posted online as part of the 2014 phishing exercise, including shots of Rihanna, Kate Upton and Kirsten Dunst. Apple admitted a "targeted attack," but denied its cloud storage system had been breached.
Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces, made up of US-backed Kurdish and Arab fighters, ride in an armoured vehicle near the village of Bir Fawaz, north of Raqa, during their offensive towards the Islamic State group's Syrian stronghold

The US-backed Arab-Kurdish alliance leading the offensive to surround and recapture the Islamic State group's main bastion in Syria now comprises mainly Arab fighters, a US official said Wednesday.

The development is significant because the United States has been trying to bolster the Arab part of the Syrian Democratic Forces in a bid to placate Turkey, which views the Kurdish component as terrorists.

The SDF since last fall has been ramping up an offensive to recapture Raqa, which IS views as the capital of its supposed "caliphate."

The alliance is being backed by US-led air power, and American and other Western commandos are training and advising local forces.

"About 75 percent of that force that is now isolating Raqa is Syrian Arab, and this is a reflection that's demographically fairly consistent with what you would find in that area," US military spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told reporters.

Still, he said he expected Kurdish fighters to be involved in liberating Raqa "at some level."

Turkish forces are operating in northern Syria and have joined the anti-IS fight, but are also working to keep the Kurdish fighters in check.

Dorrian said it is possible Turkish forces may play a role in Raqa.

"We haven't come to an agreement about what that role will be or if there will be one, but we talk to Turkey... every day," he said.
New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announces police have cracked a major organized crime ring targeting retailers

It was a criminal enterprise with military-like precision run by a "general" -- packs of thieves stealing merchandise worth up to $45,000 on a single mission, stuffing it into custom-made vests and disabling store security.

New York prosecutors on Wednesday announced the indictment of 12 people accused of stealing more than $12 million worth of merchandise across 28 US states and transforming idle shoplifting into an organized criminal enterprise.

A 10-month law enforcement operation code-named "Sticky Fingers" netted more than $7.7 million from defendants' homes and bank accounts, and more than $1 million in stolen merchandise, officials said.

While electronic goods were most favored, they also ran a sideline in expensive flea collars pinched from pet stores, which like other ill gotten gains were re-sold online on sites such as Amazon and eBay, prosecutors said.

New York state attorney general Eric Schneiderman called it "one of the largest-ever busts of a retail theft ring" -- a racket that he said was on the rise in the United States.

Organized crime costs retailers up to $30 billion a year, he said.

Twelve alleged gang members have been slapped with a 41-count indictment that could land them in jail from eight to 25 years.

The alleged Manhattan kingpin, Richard Rimbaugh, is being held on $500,000 bail while alleged second-in-command George Athanasatos, nicknamed "Field Marshall" comes from Brooklyn, Schneiderman said.

Rimbaugh, known as the "General", allegedly paid crews 30 to 50 percent of the goods' retail value, then sold them through an illegitimate business operated out of his Manhattan apartment.

Athanasatos allegedly equipped the crews with custom-made vests known as "bazookas" in which they stuffed their contraband.

The crews are accused of getting around the country on "missions," charging plane tickets, cars and hotels to their handlers as in a normal business.

Staples and BestBuy were two of the stores most often targeted.

When leaving, they allegedly used "kryptonite" devices to deactivate security alarms and short-wave radios to eavesdrop on store security.

Crew members, who each had designated roles -- "Captain," "Lieutenant" or "Sergeant" -- could steal $45,000 on a single mission and targeted high-value products that could be resold, officials said.

While police searched Rimbaugh's Manhattan apartment, UPS turned up to deliver another five boxes of stolen merchandise, Schneiderman said.
Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman demands the resignation of rabbi Yigal Levinstein after he criticised women being part of the army

Israel's defence minister Wednesday demanded a rabbi heading an institute that prepares young Jews for their military service resign after he made offensive comments about women in the army.

"I demand your resignation. If not, I will have to cancel the recognition of the institute as a pre-military institute," Avigdor Lieberman wrote to rabbi Yigal Levinstein in a letter released by his ministry.

The Bnei David institute, which says it prepares young Jews spiritually for their compulsory military service, responded that it would not interfere in the "freedom of expression of our rabbis and students".

Levinstein caused public outrage after he criticised women being part of the army in comments reported by the media last week on International Women's Day.

He said Jewish women who joined the army left "no longer Jewish", and asked "who would accept to marry" a woman who had served in the armed forces.

Lieberman said Wednesday the rabbi's comments had "insulted soldiers, including the women who fell on the front".

His institute, which is based in the Jewish settlement of Ely in the occupied West Bank, says it aims to train a religious elite within the army.

Military service -- two years and eight months for men and two years for women -- is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis.

According to an army spokesman, 2,200 practising Jewish women serve in the army compared to just 937 in 2010.

The Israeli infantry includes three mixed-gender battalions.

A minority of conservative rabbis who belong to the religious nationalist movement believe women should not do their military service as unrelated men and women should not mix.

The same rabbi last year caused an uproar when he described homosexuals as "perverts".
Israel's separation barrier dividing east Jerusalem (L) from the West Bank village of Anata

The United States on Wednesday demanded that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres withdraw a report by a UN body accusing Israel of imposing apartheid on the Palestinians.

Guterres distanced himself from the report by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) but US Ambassador Nikki Haley said it should be scrapped altogether.

"The United States is outraged by the report," said Haley in a statement.

"The United Nations secretariat was right to distance itself from this report, but it must go further and withdraw the report altogether."

The study concluded that "available evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Israel is guilty of policies and practices that constitute the crime of apartheid."

Based in Beirut, ESCWA is comprised of 18 Arab countries, according to its website, which lists the state of Palestine as a full member, and works to strengthen cooperation and promote development.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said "the report as it stands does not reflect the views of the secretary-general" and was done without consultations with the UN secretariat.

One of the authors is Richard Falk, a former special UN rapporteur on Palestinian human rights.

"That such anti-Israel propaganda would come from a body whose membership nearly universally does not recognize Israel is unsurprising," said Haley.

She described Falk as "a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories".

Haley has accused the United Nations of being biased against Israel and has vowed as President Donald Trump's envoy to staunchly defend Israel at the world body.

Israel's ambassador Danny Danon condemned the report, describing it as an "attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy."

Danon said to label Israel as an apartheid regime was "despicable" and "a blatant lie."

The report found that Palestinians were subjected to a "strategic fragmentation" that allowed Israel to impose "racial domination" with different sets of laws by geographic regions.

The analysis showed "beyond a reasonable doubt" that "Israel is guilty of imposing an apartheid regime on the Palestinian people, which amounts to the commission of a crime against humanity."

The furor came ahead of a Security Council meeting next week to hear the first report from the United Nations on implementing a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building.
Failure to punish pedophiles has caused public outcry.

Multiple child sex abuse cases have stirred public anger on social media in Vietnam, and legal experts are calling for stronger punishments for pedophiles.

Lawyer Nguyen Thi Bich Diep from Hanoi said at a conference on Tuesday that Vietnam should start using chemical castration to punish child sex offenders.

This form of punishment, in which drugs are used to reduce the libido and sexual activity, is mandatory for child sex offenders in several countries, including Poland, Macedonia, South Korea, Moldova and Russia. It has also been used in several U.S. states and is being considered in Scotland, according to media reports.

"As a mother myself, I am very angry that child abuse continues to happen, she said.

In Vietnam, more than 8,200 cases of child abuse came to light between 2011 and 2015, including 5,300 cases of sexual abuse, according to official figures released a year ago.

In most cases, the perpetrators were people with authority over the children, such as teachers, school security officials and relatives.

Vietnamese police are investigating at least two cases  a 76-year-old accused of molesting seven girls at an apartment building in the southern beach town of Vung Tau, and another involving an 8-year-old girl allegedly molested many times by her 34-year-old male neighbor in Hanoi.

In the first case, police in Vung Tau received complaints from the parents in August last year, but failed to identify the culprit. Police said they had been unable to gather testimonies from all the victims, so were unable to press charges.

For the case in Hanoi, police said they needed more time "to look into it", after questioning the suspect and letting him go. The girl's mother reported the crime in January this year.

Both cases have stirred up a frenzy on social media and caught the attention of government leaders, who this week ordered police and prosecutors to take swift, strong action.

Experts at Tuesday's conference said that Vietnam has legal loopholes that prolong sexual abuse cases and even allow them to be buried.

Vietnams Penal Code classes sex with a child under 13 years old as child rape, which can be punished by death.

Lawyer Le Van Luan, who is providing legal assistance for the Hanoian girl, said Vietnam only applies strong punishment for sex abuse acts that leave serious physical effects on the children.

Otherwise, culprits only face light punishment, Luan said.

Police usually value physical evidence more than testimonies, but child molesting usually leaves no traces, he said, venting indignation at how it takes a lot of time for investigators in Vietnam to open a criminal case or name a suspect in a sex abuse act.

Khuat Thu Hong, director of the Institute for Social Development Studies, said at the conference that the Vietnamese public should speak out more about this issue, just as they have done to draw national attention to the Hanoi and Vung Tau cases.

Hong said sexual abuse is rampant and often goes unpunished, partly because Vietnamese society is not open about sex and still has too many demands of women.

A "no sex before marriage" (for women) ideal remains strong in Vietnam, causing the families of many victims to remain silent as they are afraid their daughters will not be able to find a husband, she said.

When a woman is abused, she can become the subject of ridicule, she said.

Related news:

> Police launch investigation into child sexual abuse case in Hanoi

> Vietnams president demands answer on prolonged child sex abuse case

> 'Women are meant to be teased': Vietnam survey uncovers toxic culture of sexual harassment
Children wave to US forces patrolling the roads surrounding the northern Syrian city of Manbij on March 3, 2017

Up to 1,000 additional US troops could deploy to northern Syria under provisional plans drawn up by the Pentagon, a US defense official said on Wednesday.

The plans, which still need to be approved by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, would mark a significant uptick in US boots on the ground in Syria as part of the fight against the Islamic State group.

Currently, the troop level is capped at 500 in Syria, but that number has become increasingly meaningless as commanders flow extra "temporary" forces in as needed -- such as last week's deployment of a Marine artillery battery near Raqa.

The actual number of American troops in the war-torn country is likely now between 800 and 900, and a US defense official said the new plans would allow for up to 1,000 more.

"That's one of the proposals that's on the table for discussion," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The possible deployment was first reported by the Washington Post, which said the extra forces would come from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division.

The official said the troops would not be in direct combat, but rather serve in support roles for any additional capabilities the military requires in northern Syria, where a US-led coalition is training and backing a local Kurdish-Arab alliance to fight the Islamic State group.

Such missions could include additional artillery batteries and the use of rocket launchers known as HIMARS that can provide round-the-clock bombardment in the battle to recapture Raqa from IS.

Former president Barack Obama was loath to deploy combat troops into Syria and Iraq to fight IS, arguing the battle could only be meaningfully won by local forces.

Trump has said he wants to quicken the defeat of IS and told the Pentagon to come up with a range of plans that could accomplish that goal.

Syria is marking the sixth anniversary of its brutal civil war, which began with anti-government protests in March 2011 and has killed more than 320,000 people.

The civil war and the anti-IS fight are interconnected but for the most part have played out in separate parts of Syria.

The "United States does remain committed to finding a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the Syrian conflict," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "All of us know how hard that is.
Mourners gather at the site where 34 miners were gunned down in 2012 by South African police near a platinum mine in Marikana

The South African government on Wednesday said it was offering to pay 1.17 billion rand ($92 million) in compensation to victims of a 2012 police shooting that left 34 mineworkers dead and dozens wounded.

"The 1.17 billion rand presented here is an amount linked to a certain number of individuals` loss of support` injuries and of course fatalities," Police Minister Minister Nathi Nhleko told lawmakers.

The amount will cover 652 claims made by families who lost relatives, miners who were injured and those who were unlawfully arrested.

The 34 miners were gunned down after police were deployed to break up a wildcat strike that had turned violent at the Lonmin-owned Marikana platinum mine northwest of Johannesburg in August 2012.

It was the worst police violence in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994.

An official inquiry established by President Jacob Zuma put much of the blame for the massacre on police tactics used to disperse the strikers, but it did not go as far as recommending compensation.

Last year Zuma announced that government was ready to pay damages.

The police minister did not state when the claims would be settled saying the process depended on the finalisation of legal processes.

A senior police official, Nashee Sewpersadh, told lawmakers that the offers had in principle been accepted.
BEIJING (AP) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called Wednesday for new talks to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula, ahead of a visit to the region this week by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that is expected to focus heavily on efforts to end North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Li said China was a strong supporter of U.N. resolutions aimed at nudging the North toward ending its programs, and had "fully complied" with economic sanctions on Pyongyang.

He acknowledged the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and northeast Asia in general, saying any conflict would be disastrous for all sides.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks at a press conference after the closing session of the National People's Congress held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

"So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to deescalate the situation, get issues back on the track of dialogue and work together to find proper solutions," Li said at his annual news conference held on the final day of the annual legislative session.

China is Pyongyang's most important diplomatic ally and economic partner, and has been under growing pressure from the U.S. to use its influence to rein in actions by the North seen as provocative.

China has long urged a resumption of six-nation denuclearization talks on hold since North Korea withdrew from them in 2009, and says its leverage over Pyongyang is limited. Despite that, China last month suspended imports of North Korean coal for the rest of the year, depriving Kim Jong Un's regime of a crucial source of foreign currency.

Tillerson arrives in Beijing on Saturday following visits to U.S. allies Japan and South Korea.

Complicating his mission to Beijing are China's strenuous objections to the initial deployment to South Korea of a U.S. missile defense system that have strained relations between Seoul and Beijing and sparked a snowballing economic boycott against South Korea among some Chinese.

In addition to assuaging China's concerns, Tillerson will also seek to arrange a much-anticipated visit by President Xi Jinping to the United States.

Tensions have escalated over North Korean moves to accelerate its weapons development. The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

Last week, North Korea launched four missiles into the ocean off Japan as the U.S. and South Korea began annual drills. The allies call the drills routine. Pyongyang regards them as an invasion rehearsal.

Hoping to kick-start discussions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi last week suggested that North Korea might suspend its nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt to the joint U.S.-South Korea drills.

The U.S. swiftly dismissed the proposal and Li did not repeat it.

However, the premier did indicate that China was growing weary of the constant tensions and threats of conflict surrounding its formerly close communist neighbor.

"It's just common sense that no one wants to see chaos on his doorstep," he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaks during a press conference after the closing session of the National People's Congress held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and his Premier Li Keqiang arrive for the closing session of the National People's Congress held in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
WASHINGTON (AP) - A reporter from a conservative-leaning website is the only media representative accompanying Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on his trip to Asia this week.

The website, the Independent Journal Review, said late Tuesday that IJR reporter Erin McPike is the lone journalist traveling with Tillerson on his tour to Japan, South Korea and China. The State Department confirmed the account. The trip is taking place amid escalating tensions with North Korea.

The department had said that Tillerson would not take journalists with him as he was traveling on a small plane. However, it said accommodations would be made for those who travelled commercially. A number of Washington-based correspondents will meet up with Tillerson at his stops in Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing. On his first two trips as secretary of state, Tillerson traveled with a small number of "pool" reporters who provided information about his events to a broader group. McPike, the IJR reporter, is traveling unilaterally and is not a pool reporter.

FILE- In this March 10, 2017, file photo, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson smiles during a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Oil Jabar Ali al-Luaibi at the State Department in Washington. The conservative-leaning website, the Independent Journal Review, said late Tuesday, March 14, that IJR reporter Erin McPike is the lone journalist traveling with Tillerson on his tour to Japan, South Korea and China. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Multiple reporters from numerous global, national and regional news organizations have traveled with the secretary of state for nearly 50 years under administrations of both political parties, which believed their presence contributed to informing American taxpayers and foreign governments and publics about U.S. foreign policy.

The State Department Correspondents Association said in a statement that it was "disappointed" in the decision for Tillerson to bring only one reporter on the trip, but would continue to work with the State Department to address concerns.
BOSTON (AP) - At Dr. Fathalla Mashali's pain management clinics, the waiting rooms were often so packed with patients that people sat on the floor, leaned against walls and spilled into the hallways.

That's because, federal prosecutors say, Mashali was prescribing oxycodone and other powerful opioid painkillers at alarming rates to people making risky use of drugs. At one point, they say, Mashali wrote out more oxycodone prescriptions in one month - over 1,100 - than some of the largest hospitals in Massachusetts.

Mashali pleaded guilty Wednesday to 44 counts of health care fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud and money laundering, offering a brief apology during his change-of-plea hearing in U.S. District Court.

Dr. Fathalla Mashali departs federal court Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Boston, after pleading guilty to multiple counts of health care fraud. Prosecutors said Mashali often saw more than 100 patients a day and would write prescriptions for oxycodone and other opioids without doing physical exams or medical tests to determine whether patients had a legitimate medical condition that required powerful painkillers. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

"I'm very sorry. I hurt my family. I hurt my patients," Mashali said.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 21. Prosecutors said in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines call for 12 to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors nationwide have cracked down on so-called pill mills like the pain management clinics run by Mashali, places where prescriptions are often handed out without physical exams or tests to determine whether a legitimate condition requires pain medication.

Prosecutors in Boston said Mashali would often see more than 100 patients in one day. A medical assistant who worked at one of Mashali's offices told investigators that only about 5 percent of his patients had legitimate medical conditions.

Mashali, 62, was born in Egypt and received a medical degree from Cairo University. He moved to the United States more than 30 years ago, became a permanent resident, got married, had four children and served as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserve.

In the early 2000s, Mashali began operating a pain management clinic, eventually opening three offices in Massachusetts and one in Rhode Island. As his practice grew, so did his personal spending. In 2008, Mashali filed for bankruptcy, listing $12 million in debts.

Prosecutors say he used the proceeds from his thriving practice to pay for a lavish lifestyle. In 2011, after emerging from bankruptcy, he and his wife bought a $2.2 million home in Dover, one of the wealthiest towns in Massachusetts, and made approximately $2 million in improvements.

"The evidence will show that Mashali's lust for exuberant wealth and luxury severely compromised the care and safety of his vulnerable patients," prosecutors wrote in a trial brief last month.

Mashali's practice began to fall apart in 2012, when his former employees alleged he was prescribing high doses of drugs to patients with addictions and fraudulently billing for tests he never did.

In 2013, the Rhode Island Board of Medicine revoked his medical license, finding that he had provided "substandard care" to six of seven patients who died. After that, Mashali voluntarily surrendered his Massachusetts license.

He was arrested Feb. 7, 2014, while attempting to board a plane to Egypt on a one-way ticket.

In court filings, Mashali's lawyers have said he has severe bipolar disorder and neurosarcoidosis, a central nervous system disease that can be characterized by confusion or dementia. During Wednesday's hearing, Mashali said he is taking more than 20 medications for those illnesses, as well as anxiety and depression.

"As the sentencing hearing will show, he is a deeply troubled individual whose underlying psychopathology in large part contributed to the offense conduct," Mashali's attorney, Jeffrey Denner, said after the hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maxim Grinberg asked for Mashali to be taken into custody while awaiting sentencing.

But Judge Rya Zobel said he could remain free so he can continue to receive daily treatment at a psychiatric hospital. She ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) - Australian author and blogger Belle Gibson, who lied about beating a normally deadly brain tumor through healthy eating, exploited public generosity by falsely claiming most of her income went to charities, a judge said Wednesday.

Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer ruled that Gibson's deceptive and misleading claims about her charitable donations from the sales of her cook book "The Whole Pantry" and a related app constituted unconscionable conduct under Australian law.

"All Ms. Gibson's marketing of herself and her company projected the image of a successful, booming enterprise with a wholesale dedication to charitable giving," Mortimer wrote in her judgment.

But despite Gibson saying "a large part of everything the company earns is now donated to charities," only 10,000 Australian dollars ($7,600) of the earnings of AU$420,000 from her company Inkerman Road Nominees went to charity.

One of her nominated charities, Asylum Seekers Resource Center, raised the alarm with the Victoria state consumer watchdog after no donations materialized.

Gibson was not represented when a civil trial was heard in September on charges of misleading and deceptive conduct under trade law.

She could be fined up to AU$200,000 and her company, which is now in liquidation, could be fined up to AU$1.1 million at a penalty hearing later this month.

Gibson built a public profile since 2013 around her claim through her book, Instagram and Facebook accounts that she was diagnosed with brain cancer as a 20-year-old in 2009 and was given four months to live.

She claimed to have rejected conventional cancer treatments in favor of a quest to heal herself naturally.

With media questioning many of her claims, she admitted in 2015 that she never had cancer.

Publisher Penguin Books promoted her book at the London Book Fair in 2014 and she was invited by Apple Inc. to attend its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco that year.
The U.S. Navy is enlisting the help of seals - but not the kind of highly trained special operatives with whom it usually associates.

Real seals, specifically their whiskers, may be the key to a new way for ships and underwater vehicles to sense their environment, scientists think.

When a fish swims by, a hungry seal senses the wake with its whiskers.

It can tell characteristics of the fish, such as shape and size, and track the location even when it's murky or dark.

The U.S. Navy is enlisting the help of seals - but not the kind of highly trained special operatives with whom it usually associates. Engineer David Wade attaches a seal whisker to a clamp in a laboratory

BIO-INSPIRED TECH The warfare center receives funding from the Office of Naval Research for in-house laboratory independent research, including the whisker project. The Navy, which is also funding bio-inspired work at universities, has taken a greater interest in the field in the past decade. Animals do things well that the Navy wants its underwater vehicles to do well, like the way they propel themselves through water and can stay put in the face of currents. Scientists and engineers at the warfare center are studying a variety of creatures to borrow their best features for potential military applications, from the maneuverability of a bat in flight to cicadas' ability to transmit sound. One researcher is even trying to figure out how a sensor could float like a jellyfish. The team has run hundreds of trials with different whiskers and species, and have created a whisker with a 3-D printer. Advertisement

Despite the adorable possibilities, scientists aren't looking to outfit ships and vehicles with whiskers.

They're studying how the whiskers function to learn how to reverse-engineer the system.

The science could be applied to the development of a future sensor.

'If we want to design the best systems, it makes sense to take advantage of millions of years of work that nature has done for us,' said Christin Murphy, a marine mammal biologist.

The research is taking place at the Newport division of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.

Murphy and colleague Joy Lapseritis looked to seal whiskers because they're a highly sensitive system of underwater touch that employ bumps to reduce their own self-induced vibrations, something that may help increase their sensitivity to water disturbances.

That, Lapseritis said, could lead to a novel, passive sensor.

'You don't need to put sound into the water, like sonar,' she said. 'This is literally feeling the landscape.'

Murphy discussed their work with Ash Carter, then the secretary of defense, when he visited Newport in May.

Marine mammal biologist Christin Murphy watches a seal whisker inside a moving water tunnel as a laser tracks the behavior and movement of the whisker in a laboratory at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center

The warfare center receives funding from the Office of Naval Research for in-house laboratory independent research, including the whisker project.

The budget is about $2.4 million annually, with each project typically receiving $100,000 to $150,000 a year, according to the center.

The Navy, which is also funding bio-inspired work at universities, has taken a greater interest in the field in the past decade.

Animals do things well that the Navy wants its underwater vehicles to do well, like the way they propel themselves through water and can stay put in the face of currents.

The warfare center receives funding from the Office of Naval Research for in-house laboratory independent research, including the whisker project. On left, researchers position a seal whisker inside a water tunnel. Seal whiskers are pictured on right

Scientists and engineers at the warfare center are studying a variety of creatures to borrow their best features for potential military applications, from the maneuverability of a bat in flight to cicadas' ability to transmit sound.

One researcher is even trying to figure out how a sensor could float like a jellyfish.

The seal whiskers project shows 'remarkable promise' for the Navy because a seal's sensory capabilities are so specific and sensitive, said Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researcher Andrea Bogomolni, who leads the Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium.

Scientists are studying how the whiskers function to learn how to reverse-engineer the system. Pictured, marine mammal biologist Christin Murphy, hands only, displays close-up images of seal whiskers generated by an electron microscope

This month in the lab in Newport, Lapseritis and Murphy measured the motion of a harbor seal whisker in a tunnel of water as the speed of the flow changed.

A cylinder in the tunnel disturbed the water flow like a swimming fish would.

They work with groups that respond to reports of distressed or deceased seals to collect whiskers from seals that die.

They have run hundreds of trials with different whiskers and species, and have created a whisker with a 3-D printer.

They haven't set a timeline for finishing the project.
HONOLULU (AP) - For the second time, a federal court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump's efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations, putting the president's revised travel ban on hold just hours before it was to take effect.

This time, the ruling came from a judge in Hawaii who rejected the government's claims that the travel ban is about national security, not discrimination. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state, and that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination.

Watson criticized what he called the "illogic" of the government's arguments and cited "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban. He also noted that while courts should not examine the "veiled psyche" and "secret motives" of government decision-makers, "the remarkable facts at issue here require no such impermissible inquiry."

This December 2015 photo shows U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson in Honolulu. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday, March 15, 2017, by Watson, a federal judge in Hawaii who questioned whether the administration was motivated by national security concerns. (George Lee/The Star-Advertiser via AP)

"For instance, there is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,'" Watson wrote, referring to a statement Trump issued as a candidate.

Trump called the ruling an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and said his administration would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one, which he said he wished he could implement.

"We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president said at a rally in Nashville. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."

The judge issued his 43-page ruling less than two hours after hearing Hawaii's request for a temporary restraining order to stop the ban from being put into practice.

The hearing was one of three held Wednesday in federal courts around the country. U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle, who blocked the initial travel ban last month, did not immediately rule on a request from an immigrant-rights group to block the revised version. Neither was there a ruling from U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland in a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.

In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban. A case brought by Washington state argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Trump's initial travel ban, issued on a Friday in late January, brought chaos and protests to airports around the country as travelers from seven nations - Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen - were barred from entering even if they had prior permission to come to the U.S. The State Department canceled up to 60,000 visas, but later reversed that decision.

Robart ordered the government to stop enforcing the ban, which also suspended the nation's acceptance of refugees from around the world, and a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously declined to reinstate the ban.

The administration subsequently rewrote the ban, emphasizing more of a national security rationale, dropping Iraq from the list of banned countries and spelling out some reasons that travelers from the listed nations might be granted waivers allowing them into the U.S. despite the policy. The new ban does not apply to travelers who already have visas.

Critics of the ban said the changes made it more palatable, but they still argued that it violated both the Constitution and federal immigration law, and they tweaked their lawsuits to target the revised order.

Watson is a 2012 appointee of President Barack Obama. He is the only Native Hawaiian currently sitting as a federal judge and the fourth in U.S. history. He received his law degree from Harvard in 1991.

In his order, he found little evidence the travel ban would aid national security, noting a point brought up by the state: that a draft report from the Department of Homeland Security found nationality to be an "unlikely indicator" of terrorism threats.

If the administration seeks an emergency stay of Watson's decision at the 9th Circuit, the matter would be heard by different judges from the three who ruled on the case last month. That's because the panel of judges assigned to such cases rotates every month, said court spokesman David Madden.

The 9th Circuit on Wednesday declined to reconsider the 3-0 decision not to reinstate the original ban. In a dissent, five judges said they considered that decision incorrect and wanted it vacated.

"Whatever we, as individuals, may feel about the president or the executive order, the president's decision was well within the powers of the presidency," Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the five.

In Seattle, Robart grilled lawyers on two seemingly conflicting federal laws on immigration - one that gives the president the authority to keep any class of aliens out of the country and another that forbids the government from discriminating on the basis of nationality when it comes to issuing immigrant visas.

In Maryland, the judge weighed whether the measure discriminates against Muslims.

Arguing for the Justice Department, Jeffrey Wall said: "It doesn't say anything about religion. It doesn't draw any religious distinctions."

The Maryland lawsuit also argues that it's against federal law for the Trump administration to reduce the number of refugees allowed into the United States this year by more than half, from 110,000 to 50,000. Attorneys argued that if that aspect of the ban takes effect, 60,000 people would be stranded in war-torn countries with nowhere else to go.

Watson made it clear that his decision applied nationwide, ruling that the ban could not be enforced at any U.S. borders or ports of entry or in the issuance of visas.

In the Hawaii case, the federal government said there was no need to issue an emergency restraining order because Hawaii officials offered only "generalized allegations" of harm.

Arguing by telephone, Wall challenged Hawaii's claim that the order violates due-process rights of Ismail Elshikh, a U.S. citizen who wants his mother-in-law to visit his family from Syria. He said courts have not extended due-process rights outside of a spousal relationship.

Neal Katyal, a Washington, D.C., attorney representing Hawaii, called the story of Elshiskh, an Egyptian immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen, "the story of America."

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who filed the lawsuit that succeeded in blocking the first ban, cheered the Hawaii judge's ruling.

"It's very exciting," Ferguson said. "At this point it's a team effort - multiple lawsuits and multiple states."

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press Writer Ben Nuckols in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Sudhin Thanawala in San Francisco also contributed to this report.

Hawaii attorney general Douglas Chin, left, along with Hawaii Gov. David Ige, speaks at a press conference Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Honolulu. Chin says he's cautiously optimistic that a federal judge will rule in the state's favor and issue an injunction against President Donald Trump's revised travel ban before it goes into effect. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

Attorney General Bob Ferguson smiles as he speaks with the media on the steps of the federal courthouse after an immigration hearing there Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Seattle. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii. In a new court filing Wednesday, Ferguson said the state supports the arguments made in a related case filed by an immigrant rights group based in Seattle that alleges the ban discriminates against Muslims and violates federal immigration law. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, center, stands with Solicitor General Noah Purcell, left, and Civil Rights Unit Chief Colleen Melody as he speaks with media members on the steps of the federal courthouse after an immigration hearing there Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Seattle. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii. In a new court filing Wednesday, Ferguson said the state supports the arguments made in a related case filed by an immigrant rights group based in Seattle that alleges the ban discriminates against Muslims and violates federal immigration law. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Attorney General Bob Ferguson, right, stands with members of his staff, including Solicitor General Noah Purcell, center, and Civil Rights Unit Chief Colleen Melody, second left, before speaking with the media on the steps of the federal courthouse after an immigration hearing there Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Seattle. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii. In a new court filing Wednesday, Ferguson said the state supports the arguments made in a related case filed by an immigrant rights group based in Seattle that alleges the ban discriminates against Muslims and violates federal immigration law. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Hawaii Attorney General Douglas Chin speak at a press conference outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, March 15, 2107, in Honolulu. Hearings were scheduled Wednesday in Maryland, Washington state and Hawaii on President Donald Trump's travel ban. Hawaii's lawsuit claims the ban harms Hawaii by highlighting the state's dependence on international travelers, its ethnic diversity and its welcoming reputation as the Aloha State. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

President Donald Trump speaks at a rally Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Hakim Ouansafi, president of the Muslim Association of Hawaii, stands outside the federal courthouse, Wednesday, March 15, 2107, in Honolulu. Legal efforts to overturn President Donald Trump's travel ban will be held Wednesday in Hawaii. The lawsuit claims the ban harms Hawaii by highlighting the state's dependence on international travelers, its ethnic diversity and its welcoming reputation as the Aloha State. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
EYL, Somalia (AP) - Struggling to push his small fishing boat out to sea, Hassan Yasin grumbles over what he and other coastal Somalis call a threat to their way of life: harassment by illegal fishermen and attacks by large foreign trawlers.

"They will either shoot us on sight or destroy our boats," the skinny 27-year-old said, yanking on a rope to start the engine groaning. Along the seashore are sand-filled boats that fishermen say belong to colleagues who abandoned the work because of the dangers involved.

Monday's hijacking of an oil tanker off Somalia's northern coast surprised the international shipping community after several years without a pirate attack on a large commercial vessel there. Naval patrols by NATO members and other countries like China had calmed the crucial global trade route that once saw hundreds of attacks.

In this photo taken Monday, March 6, 2017, fishermen stand on the Indian Ocean beach at dusk in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

But people in this sleepy village saw something like this coming.

Some are former pirates themselves who quit in recent years as the international pressure grew and armed guards appeared on cargo ships. They turned to fishing but now say they're the ones being targeted at sea.

In recent years, local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers was destroying the livelihoods of coastal communities, stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. They have blamed Yemeni, Chinese, Indian, Iranian and Djibouti-flagged fishing boats and trawlers.

"The illegal fishing is a very serious problem. Fishing has declined, equipment was confiscated and they destroyed our livelihoods and properties," said Aisha Ahmed, a fish dealer. The chairman of the fishermen's association, Mohamed Saeed, said frustrations are growing. "They have no choice now but to fight," he said.

The hijacked oil tanker was anchored Tuesday off the town of Alula, local elder Salad Nur told The Associated Press. He said young fishermen, including former pirates, had gone searching for a foreign ship to seize out of frustration.

"Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing," he said.

The armed men were demanding a ransom for the ship's release and were holding the crew captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation off Somalia said late Tuesday after making contact with the ship's master.

Illegal fishing needs addressing, said John Steed, the director of Oceans Beyond Piracy. "It's an aggressive business and in some cases international fleets pressure, even attack, local fisherman, which breeds resentment," he wrote in an email.

"We have a famine and food is short. Fish is one answer," he said, referring to the drought that Somalia recently declared a national disaster. "Fishing communities are angry and out-of-work fishermen have become - and are - pirates."

But illegal fishing is no excuse for piracy, Steed said. He called Monday's hijacking an "opportunity target."

The United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks."

Steed indicated that some in the region had let down their guard as the number of pirate attacks decreased in recent years. And in December, NATO ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia's waters.

Abdirizak Mohamed Ahmed, the director of the Anti-Piracy Agency in northern Somalia's semiautonomous state of Puntland, said he wasn't surprised by Monday's hijacking.

Ahmed said fake fishing licenses issued to foreign fishermen and lenient enforcement of regulations by local authorities are major factors in the increase of illegal fishing.

Fishermen have reported several cases of attacks by illegal fishermen, including close-ramming of their boats by trawlers. One fisherman died and another was seriously injured after a trawler ran over a small skiff off the coast early this month, Ahmed said.

Local fishermen also have reported incidents of foreign fishermen opening fire at them or robbing them of their catches before being chased away.

"It's matter of life and death. Now we have to fight at any cost," Bile Hussein, a Somali pirate commander, said Tuesday, after the new hijacking was reported. He said he was in contact with the armed men on the seized oil tanker and that they had not yet decided on how much ransom to demand.

___

Associated Press writer Rodney Muhumuza in Kampala, Uganda, contributed.

In this photo taken Tuesday, March 7, 2017, fishermen pull their boats into the Indian Ocean shortly after dawn in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Tuesday, March 7, 2017, fishermen set out for their day's work in the Indian Ocean shortly after dawn in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Tuesday, March 7, 2017, fishermen push their boats into the Indian Ocean shortly after dawn in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Wednesday, March 8, 2017, the former pirate village of Eyl is viewed from a nearby hill, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Monday, March 6, 2017, a fisherman walks out of the Indian Ocean with a net, at dusk in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Monday, March 6, 2017, lobsters are packed for export in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

In this photo taken Monday, March 6, 2017, men pack lobsters for export in the former pirate village of Eyl, in Somalia's semiautonomous northeastern state of Puntland. The recent hijacking of an oil tanker has surprised the international shipping community, as many Somali pirates had quit and turned to fishing as anti-piracy patrols increased, but local officials have warned that rampant fishing by foreign trawlers is destroying the fishermen's livelihoods and stoking fears of a return of piracy as a way to make money. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The official death toll from last week's militant assault on a Kabul military hospital has risen to 50, according to the results of a preliminary investigation.

Officials originally set the death toll at 30 for the March 8 attack. But Gen. Helaludin Helal, the deputy defense minister and head of the team investigating the attack and its aftermath, released the new number in a press conference Wednesday.

The attack was claimed by the Islamic State group. Helal said there were five attackers in total: one detonated a suicide car bomb and four gunmen wearing white lab coats stormed the main hospital building and started shooting doctors and patients.

Gen. Helaludin Helal, deputy defense minister speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Helal said the official death toll from last week's militant assault on a Kabul military hospital has risen to 50. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Helal said 24 people have been arrested and are under investigation - either for involvement in planning the attack or dereliction of duty in failing to prevent it.

"There is no evidence to prove that insiders were involved in the attack," he said.

The attack on the 400-bed military facility, located near two civilian hospitals in Kabul's heavily-guarded diplomatic quarter, set off clashes with security forces that lasted several hours.

The brazen assault reflected the capability of militant groups in Afghanistan to stage large-scale and complex attacks in the heart of the capital, underscoring the challenges the government continues to face in establishing security for ordinary Afghans.

Meanwhile an Australian aid worker, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan last November, was released, said Mohammad Salim Almas, the head of the criminal investigations department for the Kabul police.

Almas didn't provide any details on where or how the aid worker was released, but said there were no clashes involved and no one was arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
The suspects have reportedly crushed the drugs into powder and sold them in 3-in-1 coffee sachets.

Two Vietnamese women have been arrested in Malaysia for drug trafficking, VietnamPlus reported.

Police busted a ring engaged in packing ecstasy in tea and coffee packets, Kuala Lumpurs drug crime investigation chief Guan Beng Kang said at a press conference held Monday.

The drug police initially detained a 27-year-old suspect at 2 a.m. last Friday, who snitched on his 24-year old Vietnamese wife and a 42-year Vietnamese woman at an apartment in Kuala Lumpur.

The raid team also detained a local married couple aged 43 and 34.

Guan added that police seized 16.48 grams of what is believed to be methamphetamine along with 1,259 grams and 41 capsules of ecstasy powder, 187 ecstasy pills, a plastic packet containing what is believed to be amphetamines, another packet of the anesthetic ketamine, 10 pills of intermediate-acting hypnotic drug Eramin 5 and a clear packet of marijuana, said Guan.

Their modus operandi was to crush the ecstasy tablets using pestle and mortar and place the powder into 3-in-1 coffee sachets before selling it between RM200 and RM300 ($44 - $67), newswire Bernama quoted the drug crime investigation police chief as saying.

Guan said police also seized a pistol, drug-processing tools, and case valued at about RM90,000 at the scene.

The suspects will remain in custody for seven days pending the results of further investigation.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian police were able to confirm the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month at Kuala Lumpur's airport, using a DNA sample from one of his children, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday.

Zahid also said negotiations began Monday to resolve a diplomatic standoff over the death of Kim, the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader.

Malaysian authorities say Kim was killed Feb. 13 when two women smeared his face with the banned nerve agent VX in a crowded airport terminal. He was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. Police said last week they had confirmed the victim was Kim Jong Nam, but refused to say how.

FILE - This May 4, 2001, file photo shows Kim Jong Nam, exiled half brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan. Kim Jong Nam, 46, was targeted Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, and later died on the way to the hospital according to a Malaysian government official. Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month, was confirmed with the DNA sample from one of his children. (AP Photos/Shizuo Kambayashi, File)

North Korea - widely suspected of being behind the attack - continues to call the victim Kim Chol and has rejected the autopsy findings.

Zahid said police "confirmed that the identity of the body is Kim Jong Nam based on the sample taken from his child." He didn't say when and where the DNA sample was taken.

Kim is believed to have two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau, but it is unclear where they currently are. A man claiming to be Kim's son appeared in a YouTube video last week saying he's safely with his mother and sister at an undisclosed location.

Malaysian officials say Kim's body has been embalmed to better preserve it and that Kim's relatives will be given two to three weeks to claim it.

Relations between Malaysia and North Korea have deteriorated sharply since Kim's death, with each expelling the other's ambassador. Last Tuesday, North Korea blocked all Malaysians from leaving the country until a "fair settlement" of the case is reached. Malaysia then barred North Koreans from exiting its soil. The two countries have also scrapped visa-free travel for each other's citizens.

Four of the seven North Korean suspects being sought by Malaysia are believed to have left the country on the day Kim was killed. Police say the other three, including a North Korean diplomat and an employee of Air Koryo, North Korea's state airline, are believed to be in the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Zahid said formal talks are ongoing at the "secretary-general level" and that Malaysia is keeping an "open heart and open mind" in the negotiations.

Asked if Malaysia will exchange the Korean suspects believed to be hiding in the embassy for the Malaysians in Pyongyang, he said "we are looking at all possibilities."

There are nine Malaysians in North Korea - three embassy staff members and their family members. About 315 North Koreans are in Malaysia.

Zahid also brushed off calls by North Korea for an international inquiry over the use of VX in Kim's death, saying the North has shown that it doesn't respect decisions made by international bodies in reference to its nuclear program.

Although Malaysia has never directly accused North Korea of being behind the attack, many speculate that it must have orchestrated it.

Experts say the VX nerve agent used to kill Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, and North Korea is widely believed to possess large quantities of chemical weapons.
BERLIN (AP) - German authorities searched the offices of luxury automaker Audi on Wednesday in connection with the scandal over cheating on diesel emissions by its parent company, Volkswagen.

The raids were part of a fraud investigation into Ingolstadt-based Audi, launched by prosecutors in Munich several weeks ago.

Volkswagen and Audi brand vehicles with diesel engines make up the bulk of the vehicles caught up in Volkswagen's emissions cheating scandal.

The logo of German car producer Audi is photographed behind a red light prior to the annual press conference in Ingolstadt, Germany, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. German media report that authorities are searching offices of Audi in connection with an investigation into the luxury automaker's parent company Volkswagen's cheating on diesel emissions tests. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Munich prosecutors' spokesman Ken Heidenreich said the current investigation focuses on who was behind the use of the software in 80,000 Audis sold in the U.S. between 2009 and 2015 with 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engines.

No specific individuals are named in the investigation, he said.

"The execution of the search warrants is meant to clarify which persons were involved in the use of the relevant technology and, where applicable, were involved in providing inaccurate information to third parties," Heidenreich said in a statement.

Audi spokesman Moritz Drechsel said that the raids were focused on the company headquarters in the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt and at its plant in Neckarsulm in the neighboring state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.

"Audi is fully cooperating with authorities as we have the highest interest in clarifying matters," Drechsel said, adding that he could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation.

Volkswagen has admitted it equipped diesel engines with software that detected when the vehicle was being tested and turned the emissions controls off during everyday driving. The result was cars that emitted some 40 times the U.S. limits of nitrogen oxides, a pollutant that can harm people's health. Millions of cars worldwide had the deceptive software.

On Friday, Volkswagen pleaded guilty in the U.S. to a scheme to get around American pollution rules. If a judge agrees to the Justice Department's sentencing recommendation, the scandal will cost the company more than $20 billion in the U.S. alone.

In addition to the Munich investigation of Audi, prosecutors in the city of Braunschweig are also investigating Volkswagen itself for possible criminal misconduct.
PARIS (AP) - Renault is denying a report that its vehicles are equipped with software that allowed its vehicles to cheat on emissions testing.

The statement Wednesday from the French carmaker followed a report in the newspaper Liberation, which claimed to have obtained an investigative document from the Economy Ministry indicating that emissions from two models - the Renault Captur and the Clio IV - spewed emissions more than 300 percent higher than the legal limit in real-life conditions.

The ministry's fraud department handed its findings to prosecutors in November.

French authorities raided Renault premises after Volkswagen was found to have used software to cheat on U.S. diesel emissions tests. Renault recalled 15,000 cars last year over excessive levels of harmful gases, but the company insisted there was no intentional wrongdoing.
LONDON (AP) - A British Royal Marine commando who fatally shot an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has won a reduced sentence of manslaughter.

The earlier murder conviction of 42-year-old Sgt. Alexander Blackman was quashed Wednesday and replaced by a manslaughter conviction.

A panel of five judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court confirmed the new ruling based on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Claire Blackman, centre, the wife of convicted British Royal marine Alexander Blackman, speaks to the media outside the High Court in London Wednesday March 15, 2017. Blackman who shot an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has had his murder conviction downgraded Wednesday. The murder conviction of 42-year-old Sgt. Alexander Blackman has been quashed and replaced by a manslaughter conviction. (Lauren Hurley/PA via AP)

Blackman had been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years by a military court in 2013 for the September 2011 killing in Helmand Province.

Footage from another marine's helmet camera showed Blackman shooting the militant in the chest at close range, then saying: "Obviously this doesn't go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention."

Judges concluded that the Royal Marine had been suffering from a mental illness at the time of the shooting. They said Blackman had been "an exemplary soldier" prior to his deployment to Afghanistan and had "suffered from quite exceptional stressors" during his time in the conflict zone.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said the government respects the court's decision and emphasized that the Ministry of Defense would be looking into the judgment further.

Blackman's supporters welcomed the judges' decision and said the next battle was to ensure his imminent release from prison. A further hearing will be held to determine Blackman's sentence on the manslaughter conviction.

Claire Blackman, the wife of convicted British Royal marine Alexander Blackman, speaks to the media outside the High Court in London Wednesday March 15, 2017. Blackman who shot an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has had his murder conviction downgraded Wednesday. The murder conviction of 42-year-old Sgt. Alexander Blackman has been quashed and replaced by a manslaughter conviction. (Lauren Hurley/PA via AP)
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis said Wednesday that employers who fire workers for unclear economic reasons are committing a "very grave sin" and should ensure dignified work for all their employees.

Francis made the comments at his Wednesday general audience after appealing for a resolution to a labor dispute at Sky Italia, where employees are facing job cuts and relocation as the satellite channel moves offices from Rome to Milan. Francis called for a solution that respects the rights of all, "especially families."

Speaking off-the-cuff, he added: "Those who for economic reasons or to conclude unclear negotiations, close factories and business ventures and take away jobs, this person is committing a very grave sin."

Pope Francis gestures as he arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Francis has spoken out frequently about the need for dignified work for all, lamenting the high rate of unemployment and youth unemployment in Italy and elsewhere.

The audience was marked by an emotional encounter at its start as a small group of Chinese pilgrims approached Francis on their knees and wept at his feet as he blessed them in St. Peter's Square. The pilgrims said they were from Tianjin and brought with them a statue of the Madonna.

Francis has been working to improve relations with Beijing, particularly over the thorny issue of bishop nominations.

China has an estimated 12 million Catholics, millions of whom are loyal to the pope and worship in independent congregations outside the control of the communist party's Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

Pope Francis embraces a statue of the Holy Mary during his weekly general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Francis speaks during his weekly general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

St. Peter square is reflected onto a tuba during Pope Francis weekly general audience in St. Peter square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Sheriff's deputies responding to the call of a woman who said she was shot at an apartment complex outside New Orleans have found four bodies and a wounded woman, now hospitalized in stable condition.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office got the call around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. Deputies found three bodies and the wounded woman in one apartment.

Speaking later at the scene in Metairie, Sheriff Newell Normand said a fourth body was found around 9 a.m. after investigators found the door to another apartment open and obtained a search warrant.

The fourth body, of a man about 50 years old, "adds another twist to the original scene," Normand said.

Asked if the fourth victim might have been hit by a stray bullet, Normand said it was too early to tell.

Normand said one officer was injured trying to clear a live round from a weapon found at the scene. The weapon, was pointed down when it discharged, but the bullet hit concrete and some bricks, pieces of which hit the officer in the face. "He's fine," Normand said of the officer.
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) - A defense attorney says five Syrians with alleged ties to the extremist Islamist State group have pleaded not guilty to charges they participated in a cross-border attack that killed seven Jordanian border guards last year.

The trial opened Wednesday in Jordan's state security court. If convicted, the defendants could face the death penalty.

The June 2016 attack was launched from near Rukban, a makeshift camp for tens of thousands of displaced Syrians on the border with Jordan. A car bomb drove at high speed into a Jordanian military installation, killing the troops.

Defense attorney Basheer Oqily says his clients were charged with involvement in the attack, as well as possessing explosives and weapons.

It was not clear how the defendants were brought from Syrian soil to Jordan.
LONDON (AP) - Britain scrapped a plan for higher taxes on self-employed workers Wednesday after the proposal touched off outrage from the nation's growing legion of self-employed workers.

Treasury chief Philip Hammond announced an increase in National Insurance contributions for the self-employed in his budget last week, arguing the measure was needed to level the playing field for those employed by companies and those who work for themselves. The public was outraged, as the Conservatives had promised no such increases during the 2015 election campaign.

Just moments after the U-turn was announced, Prime Minister Theresa May faced a loud and boisterous House of Commons. Amid howls, she insisted that while she still wanted equity in taxation, it wasn't going to happen now.

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 8, 2017 file photo, Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond poses for the media with his traditional red dispatch box before delivering his annual budget speech to Parliament in London. Britain's Treasury chief has told lawmakers in his Conservative Party on Wednesday, March 15 that the government will not go ahead with plans for higher taxes on self-employed workers after the plans touched off outrage from within the Tory ranks. Philip Hammond announced an increase in National Insurance contributions for the self-employed in his budget last week. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, file)

"We will bring forward further proposals but we will not bring forward increases in (national insurance) later in this Parliament," she said.

A review into the matter will go forward, and carried out alongside a review on employment rights to be carried out by Matthew Taylor, a former adviser to Tony Blair.

"As a number of my parliamentary colleagues have been pointing out in recent days, the trend towards greater self-employment does create a structural issue in the tax base on which we will have to act," she said. "We want to ensure we maintain fairness in the tax system."

Self-employed workers currently pay National Insurance taxes equal to 9 percent of earnings, 3 percentage points less than traditional employees.

The inequity was hurting the nation's coffers as the number of self-employed people grows. The Office of National Statistics reported Wednesday that a record 4.8 million people are now self-employed, up by 148,000 over the past year, representing 15.1 percent of the total workforce.

Such numbers are important as the government tries to shore up the budget ahead of the uncertainty of leaving the European Union.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans spent only slightly more last month at retail stores compared with January, a sign of consumer caution despite rising optimism about the economy.

The Commerce Department said Wednesday retail sales ticked up a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent in February, after a much bigger gain of 0.6 percent the previous month. January's gain was revised higher.

The figures suggest that strong job gains this year, near record-high stock prices and decent pay gains haven't yet lifted spending. But last month's sluggish pace could prove temporary.

In this Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, photo, a shopper passes a display in the window of a J. Crew store in the Shadyside shopping district of Pittsburgh. On Wednesday, March 15, 2017, the Commerce Department releases U.S. retail sales data for February. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Economists note that spending was likely held back by delays in tax refund payments. A new law has required tougher scrutiny of a tax credit claimed by lower-income taxpayers. Wal-Mart said last month that the delay had slowed sales at its stores in February. Other retailers have reported similar concerns.

Yet tax refunds have started to flow this month, which could trigger a rebound.

Economists were also encouraged by the upward revisions to January's sales data, which point to potentially faster growth in the first three months of the year.

A separate report showed inflation rose in February and is now comfortably above the Federal Reserve's target of 2 percent. The Fed is expected to announce its third rate hike in 15 months later today.

"Inflation is trending gradually higher and underlying retail sales are healthy enough," said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. "Nothing here to suggest the Fed shouldn't raise interest rates at the FOMC meeting that concludes later today."

Sales rose in February at furniture stores and home and garden centers. But they fell sharply at electronics and appliance stores.

Sales also fell at gasoline stations, though that mostly reflects lower prices. Clothing stores, sporting goods retailers and department stores also all reported lower sales.

There are several additional factors that could drive spending higher in the months ahead. Consumer confidence soared to its highest level in more than 15 years in February, according to the Conference Board, a business research group.

Hiring and average hourly pay growth have picked up since the new year. Americans' finances are in better shape, with average home prices back to their pre-recession levels in much of the country.

Yet the boost in confidence may not be broadly shared. That could limit any spending that might result. For Americans younger than age 35, who are less likely than older age groups to own a home or stocks, confidence actually fell last month.

And the consumer confidence data has grown increasingly political in recent years, with Republicans reporting much greater optimism than Democrats. That reverses a pattern that emerged under former President Obama.

Retail sales make up about one-third of total consumer spending, with the other two-thirds consisting of health care and other services. Economists closely monitor spending, because it makes up about 70 percent of the economy.

Growth has yet to catch up with the recent burst of optimism that has followed Donald Trump's election. The economy expanded at a modest 1.9 percent pace in the final three months of last year. Most economists expect it will grow at roughly a 2 percent pace in the January-March quarter.
PARIS (AP) - As the Netherlands elects new leadership Wednesday, its European neighbors are watching with unusual interest - because the struggle between nationalist, anti-immigrant politicians and pro-EU forces is playing out across the continent in elections later this year.

Here's a look at Europe's upcoming electoral battlegrounds:

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PVV party leader Geert Wilders waits to take his turn in the closing debate at parliament in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Amid unprecedented international attention, the Dutch go to the polls Wednesday in a parliamentary election that is seen as a bellwether for the future of populism in a year of crucial votes in Europe. (Phil Nijhuis HH POOL via AP)

FRANCE

Like U.S. President Donald Trump and Dutch politician Geert Wilders, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has set the tone for the campaign for France's election with her anti-immigrant and anti-globalization stance.

Le Pen argues that Muslim immigration and economic globalization are destroying France's identity, and polls suggest she could win the first in France's two-round presidential election, set for April 23 and May 7.

Yet her goals - which include leaving the EU and shared euro currency, and banning Muslim headscarves and Jewish kippas anywhere in public - scare many French voters, and she is unlikely to win the decisive runoff.

Her leading rival, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron, is positioning himself as the anti-Le Pen, pushing for more European integration and embracing the global online economy.

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GERMANY

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, seen abroad as a bulwark of tolerance, is seeking re-election in September.

Committed to European unity, Merkel's conservatives face a challenge from the nationalist Alternative for Germany party. But the party, known as AfD, has lost luster amid infighting and other scandals, and as the migrant influx that helped drive their rise has slowed.

Merkel's biggest threat currently is from the resurgent center-left Social Democrats under former European Parliament chief Martin Schulz. Schulz is also committed to European unity; so far, he has focused his pitch on tackling perceived economic injustices at home.

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ITALY

Italy is facing national parliamentary elections in 2018 unless anti-establishment parties succeed in getting earlier polling, after pro-EU Premier Matteo Renzi resigned following the failure of a reforms referendum in December.

With Italy's economy failing to rebound for years, opinion polls show the populist 5-Star Movement, led by satirical comic Beppe Grillo, is consolidating gains over the ruling Democratic Party and its allies.

But the 5 Stars have so far ruled out working in a coalition and don't have the numbers yet to rule alone.

The other main populist force is the anti-immigrant Northern League, which has capitalized on growing discontent with unchecked migrant flows. The League has traditionally allied itself with other center-right parties but is only polling at around 13 percent on its own.

Premier Paolo Gentiloni has been running the government until new elections are held but his Democratic Party is fractured.

Former French Economy Minister and candidate for the next presidential election, Emmanuel Macron poses for a photograph as he leaves the University of Lille, during a political rally for his movement, En Marche! (Forward!) in Lille, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)
Meet the Vietnamese man who went through 'excruciating' surgery to reach new heights

Hoang Tung Anh says all the pain was worth the extra 3.5 inches.

Hoang Tung Anh was never happy about his height. For the record, he was 1.67 meters tall (five feet five inches), a little above the average for Vietnamese men.

In 2012, after spending a lot of time researching leg stretching surgeries online and overcoming his trepidation, the young man in Hanoi decided that he wanted one for an extra nine centimeters (3.5 inches). He was 19 at the time.

Hoang Tung Anh, 24, at the present with his new height. Photo by VnExpress

The painful limb lengthening surgery was once reserved for the purpose of correcting unusually short or abnormal limbs, but in recent years more young people have turned to the complex procedure simply for aesthetic reasons.

The procedure normally begins with doctors breaking the patients shin bones and inserting a telescopic rod into them.

Over time, as the bones heal, the rod pulls the bones apart gradually, by around one millimeter per day. As the bone is stretched, new bone, nerves, arteries, and skin grow to fill in the gap.

One of the 300 photos Anh keeps of the procedure

The arduous procedure takes around three months, followed by several months of physiotherapy for the patient to recover completely.

Doctors themselves describe the pain as excruciating and they do not recommend the process unless necessary.

But Anh was determined.

He underwent the first surgery at the 108 Military Central Hospital in Hanoi in early February 2012.

Then came another surgery three months later.

After that, he mostly had to stay in bed for two and a half months, in pain. Then he started learning to walk again.

He said the whole procedure cost him around VND80 million ($3,500), not to mention the costs for therapy at home.

The man, now 24 years old and 1.76 meters tall, can walk normally and carry heavy things of up to 40 kilograms.

After Anh shared his story and pictures of the procedure, many people questioned his decision even though a few praised him for his strong will.

Even before the surgery, he was not short by the Vietnamese standard.

The average height of Vietnamese adult women is 1.53 meters and for men it's nearly 1.64 meters, making them the fourth shortest people in the world, only above those in Indonesia, Bolivia and the Phillippines, according to a report by the Telegraph.

Doctors at the military hospital said Anh was among the first five patients undergoing the procedure there. All the other patients are doing well, they said.

I have no intention of promoting limb lengthening, said Anh. I just want to share my experience with anyone who wants it.

Recalling the months of pain, the man said he never had any regret.

"It was a wise decision," Anh told VnExpress.

Related news:

>100-year global study finds world's tallest are Dutch, Latvians

>Vietnamese have a long way to go to catch up with average height of other Asians
A judge has dismissed former New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis on all assault charges stemming from a fight last month in Pittsburgh.

Revis had been charged with aggravated assault and other felony counts for a fight on February 12 in which two men were punched and knocked out.

A witness testified Wednesday that he came to Revis's aid during the fight and was responsible for the knockout punches.

Scroll down for video

Charges dismissed: New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis's assault charges were dismissed after he was accused of knocking out a man in a fight with two men in Pittsburgh last month

Revis, pictured at Municipal Court in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, was dismissed after a witness testified that he came to Revis's aid during the fight and was responsible for the knockout punches

Police said the incident began when a man started recording a video of Revis and Revis grabbed his phone and tried to delete it.

Revis was arraigned on charges of robbery, terroristic threats, conspiracy and aggravated assault, after turning himself in to Pittsburgh police on February 17.

A video emerged that shows the two unconscious men who were reportedly knocked out by NFL player Darrelle Revis as they lay in the street in Pittsburgh

It came after footage emerged showing two unconscious men who were reportedly knocked out by Revis in Pittsburgh.

In the footage, a man can be heard bragging that he 'just knocked both of these motherf*****s out.'

The man speaking, who is believed to be Revis, then says to a third person: 'Shut up before I knock your a** out next.'

Arguably the best defensive back in the history of the franchise, Revis had a sub-par year in 2016. He was released from the team shortly after the incident

Revis was briefly handcuffed at the police station and was later issued a non-monetary bond, on the condition that he surrenders his passport and has no interaction with witnesses or victims.

The Jets released the cornerback shortly after the incident and he's yet to sign with another team.

Arguably the best defensive back in the history of the franchise, Revis had a sub-par year in 2016. The 31-year-old spent his first six NFL seasons with the Jets, then one each with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Patriots before playing the past two back with the Jets.

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Revis helped lead the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship appearances in 2009 and 2010. He won Super Bowl XLIX with the New England Patriots in 2015.

He starred at the University of Pittsburgh before the Jets drafted him 2007.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Families of the eight Sri Lankan crew members held captive by Somali pirates on an oil tanker tearfully pleaded Wednesday for the men to be released unharmed, while the pirates demanded a ransom.

The hijacking on Monday was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012. It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as international patrols had suppressed pirate hijackings for several years.

The European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late Tuesday that the armed men were holding the crew captive and demanding a ransom for the ship's release.

In this photo taken Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, the Aris 13 oil tanker is seen from a helicopter in the harbor of Gladstone, Australia. Pirates have hijacked the Aris 13 oil tanker off the coast of Somalia, officials and piracy experts said Tuesday, March 14, 2017, the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel on the crucial global trade route since 2012. (Kevin Finnigan/Tropic Maritime Images via AP)

Namali Makalandawa, the sister of the oil tanker's chief officer Premnath Ruwan Sampath, said families had tried to contact the shipping company's office in Dubai but their calls were not answered.

"Some fear is developing in our hearts. We fear for the lives of our loved ones," a tearful Makalandawa said after meeting with Sri Lankan foreign ministry officials. She said officials and families were meeting with the shipping agent on Thursday.

Families have no way of communicating with the captive crew, Makalandawa said.

"Please release them. I appeal to you because these crew members include fathers, sons and husbands. The have gone to sea to earn money to sustain their families," she said.

The EU statement said the naval operation on Tuesday afternoon finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said they have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines.

"Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," Bile Hussein told The Associated Press.

He said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom. They don't normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

The ship had been carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs.

Salad Nur, a local elder, told the AP that the ship was anchored off the town of Alula. Somalia's northern coast is known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.

A U.N. shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed in care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. Calls and emails to Aurora went unanswered.

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Mallawarachi reported from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) - President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration will re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit, where he also met with auto company executives and workers.

"This is going to be a new era for American jobs and job creation," Trump said at a round-table meeting.

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's decision, while having no immediate effect, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to determine no later than April 2018 whether the 2022-2025 standards established are appropriate. If the EPA determines they are not appropriate, the agency will submit a new proposal next year.

"My administration will work tirelessly to eliminate the industry-killing regulations, to lower the job-crushing taxes and to ensure a level playing field for all American companies and workers," Trump said at the American Center for Mobility, which produced B-24 bombers during World War II and is being converted into an automotive testing and product development facility.

Trump's announcement is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. He promised a "thorough review" that will "help ensure this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment

California Gov. Jerry Brown accused Trump and Pruitt of trying to weaken auto-emission standards in what he called "an unconscionable gift to polluters."

Brown and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced their states are intervening in a lawsuit challenging the EPA rule. New York is among more than a dozen, mostly Northeastern states that have adopted California standards.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers - which represents a dozen major car manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota - praised Trump's action. It said he was creating an opportunity for federal and state officials to "reach a thoughtful and coordinated outcome predicated on the best and most current data."

Environmental groups said Trump and his team appeared intent on easing gas-mileage requirements set by Obama.

"If they succeed we'll pay more at the pump, depend more on oil from bad countries, drive up the trade deficit and pollute our kids' atmosphere," said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign.

As a practical matter, Trump's announcement will target the Obama administration's January decision to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, ending a review process before the Democrat left office.

Back in 2012, the Obama administration set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025 and agreed to complete a midterm evaluation by 2018. But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump said he's putting that midterm review back on track, so officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

In Michigan, Trump delivered a campaign-style speech in which he railed against big trade agreements, specifically NAFTA and the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership, laying out in stark terms his view of how the pacts had hurt the U.S. auto industry and its workers.

Trump said he had kept his promise to withdraw the U.S. from the TPP, an agreement that former President Barack Obama pursued with 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Trump also wants to renegotiate NAFTA, which includes Canada and Mexico, but he did not mention those plans in Wednesday's remarks.

"The assault on the American auto industry is over," he declared.

While the administration has not said explicitly it wants to weaken the standards, a senior White House official said the Obama-era EPA had ignored reams of data cited by the automotive industry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity at a White House briefing in order to outline the action, despite the president's criticism of the use of unnamed sources.

The auto alliance last month urged Pruitt to relax the standards, saying they will drive up car costs, price customers out of the market and depress the industry. Obama's EPA had argued the costs to consumers were mitigated by gas savings and that the rules would decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Trump told the auto executives that while he's attuned to concerns about the environment, he doesn't want to stifle jobs.

"We want you to make great cars. And if it takes an extra thimble full of fuel, we don't want that to stop making it," he said.

After the speech, Trump flew to Nashville, Tennessee, where he laid a wreath at Andrew Jackson's tomb to mark the 250th anniversary of the former president's birth, and toured the Hermitage, Jackson's home. Trump has drawn comparisons between himself and Jackson, a fellow populist outsider.

At a raucous rally with hundreds of supporters waving placards, Trump touched on everything from a federal court's ruling Wednesday against his revised travel ban to the joint effort with House Republicans to replace the Obama-era health care law to how much he wants to cut taxes.

"We're keeping our promises," said Trump, noting that he's more than halfway through the 100-day measure by which new presidents are judged. "And we have just gotten started. Wait till you see what's coming, folks."

On the flight back to Washington, he said he hoped to hold rallies "every two weeks. I mean, these are great people."

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Associated Press writers Tom Krisher in Detroit and Matthew Daly and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Jill Colvin: https://twitter.com/colvinj

President Donald Trump salutes after laying a wreath at the Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson, to commemorate Jackson's 250th birthday, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump lays a wreath at the Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson, to commemorate Jackson's 250th birthday, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks at the American Center of Mobility, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Ypsilanti Township, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump tours the American Center of Mobility, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Ypsilanti Township, Mich. From left are, GM CEO Mary Barra, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, Trump, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Ford CEO Mark Fields, and Fiat Chrysler Sergio Marchionne. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion at the American Center of Mobility, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Ypsilanti Township, Mich. From left are, GM CEO Mary Barra, the president, UAW President Dennis Williams and Ford CEO Mark Fields. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

FILE - In this Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017 file photo, President Donald Trump speaks on the telephone with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. In the background is a portrait of former President Andrew Jackson which Trump had installed in the first few days of his administration. Jon Meacham, who wrote a 2008 biography of Jackson titled "American Lion," said Trump has echoed Jackson's outsider message to rural America by pledging to be a voice for "forgotten men and women." But he says it's "not the cleanest analogy." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
PARIS (AP) - France is talking about eventually lifting the national state of emergency that has been in force since the November 2015 Paris terror attacks.

French Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas said during a speech Wednesday that the country had "created the conditions that make it possible to exit the state of emergency, without weakening ourselves or remaining helpless in the face of the threat of terrorism."

Urvoas didn't give a date or time frame for ending the emergency.

Parliament has extended the state of emergency several times, the last time for a 6-month period to cover the spring presidential and legislative elections. The extension ends July 15.

Critics say the exceptional legislation has harmed individual freedoms.

The Nov. 13, 2015 attacks, claimed by the Islamic State group, left 130 dead.
ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Authorities in Florida are continuing to search for a college student on spring break and a charter boat crew member who went missing in turbulent Tampa Bay-area waters.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said Wednesday during a news conference that 15 Colorado State University students were on a charter boat anchored Tuesday evening off Shell Key when five male students went swimming off its side.

Four students made it back. Coast Guard officials said Wednesday a crew member saw the fifth student struggling and jumped into the water to help.

The Coast Guard identified the crew member as 27-year-old Andrew Dillman of New York, and the student as 21-year-old Jie Luo of China.

Gualtieri said there are conflicting reports about whether the captain of the 71-foot boat allowed the students to swim in the rough water. The captain said he didn't give permission but the students said the captain didn't say they couldn't swim.

Deputies told the Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/2msBoiD ) that neither man wore a flotation device. The students, who were staying in Orlando but came to the Gulf Coast to take the boat trip, were drinking, Gualtieri said. There's no indication the crew was intoxicated.

Gualtieri said his agency, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard, will continue searching for the men for at least a day, if not longer.

"Experience tells us that we need to keep this going," he said, adding that conditions in the Gulf are choppy, with heavy currents.

Dillman's family members are flying to the area from New York and Luo's family is considering coming from China, he said.

Authorities have notified the Chinese consulate in Houston.

Colorado State University spokesman Mike Hooker expressed concern for the students and Dillman in a statement Wednesday.

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A previous version of this story spelled Jie Luo's last name Lou.

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Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com.
MINSK, Belarus (AP) - Several thousand Belarusians rallied Wednesday to protest an unpopular labor law in a challenge to the ex-Soviet nation's longtime ruler.

The march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies at several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law, which obliges citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges.

Earlier this month, Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko suspended collection of the fee - an unprecedented step back for the authoritarian leader who has ruled the 10-million nation with an iron hand since 1994. But Lukashenko's move has failed to end the protests, which have included calls for his resignation.

People shout slogans at a rally in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Wednesday's march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies at several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law that obliges citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges. Banner on the left reads "Police, go over to the side of the people. The people will not offend you" and the red banner on the right "The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus - which is violated by the president, the guarantor of the constitution". (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

The demonstrations were the strongest outpouring of discontent in years in the tightly-controlled nation between Russia and Poland, reflecting the pain inflicted by the law amid a two-year recession.

"I have lost patience," said Andrei Sushkevich, a 43-year-old small trader who attended the rally in Minsk together with his unemployed wife and their 7-year old son. "We need to fight this rotten Soviet-style system or leave the country."

Sushkevich was holding a picture of Lukashenko with an inscription "Enough!" Participants in the march, which was sanctioned by the authorities, were calling on Lukashenko to step down, chanting "Go Away!"

"These are protests against poverty, against bad decisions by the government," said Denis Sadovskiy, one of the organizers of the rally. "Lukashenko no longer has money to pay for the society's loyalty."

Lukashenko, a former state farm director, has maintained Soviet-style state controls over most of the economy while relentlessly cracking down on opposition and independent media. He has relied on cheap energy and other subsidies and loans provided by Belarus' main sponsor and ally, Russia.

However, Lukashenko's ties with Russia have soured recently amid a spate of economic disputes. When Belarus refused to pay the price Russia charged for its natural gas last year, accumulating a $550 million debt, Moscow responded by sharply cutting supplies of oil. Since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Belarus had used cheap Russian crude for products that accounted for more than a third of its export revenues.

Amid the spat with Russia, Lukashenko has flirted with the West in a bid to wring concessions from the Kremlin - a strategy he had successfully used in the past. But recent arrests of dozens of opposition activists in response to protests against the labor law could make it harder for the Belarusian leader to mend ties with the West.

"The authorities hadn't expected such a massive wave of protests, and again had to launch the machine of repressions that could significantly slow down the process of normalization of ties with the West," said Valery Karbalevich, an independent Minsk-based political analyst.

People shout slogans at a rally in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Wednesday's march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies at several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law that obliges citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges. Banner in the background reads "Police, go over to the side of the people. The people will not offend you." (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

A protestor holds overturned portrait of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Wednesday's march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies at several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law that obliges citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

A protestor holds overturned portrait of Belorussian President Alexander Lukashenko during a rally in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Wednesday's march in the capital Minsk and smaller rallies at several other Belarusian cities were the latest in a series of demonstrations against the law that obliges citizens to pay the equivalent of $250 if they work less than half the year and do not register with state labor exchanges. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The Latest on the Dakota Access oil pipeline (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

Amnesty International USA is asking the state of North Dakota to address alleged human rights violations against Dakota Access pipeline opponents.

Hundreds of protesters were arrested from August through February. Amnesty International says it has documented numerous instances of excessive force or intimidation by police and excessive criminal charges.

The organization sent a letter asking Republican Gov. Doug Burgum and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem to drop or consider dropping charges against protesters. The letter also asks them to review police practices and open independent investigations into several cases.

Police have defended their practices, which have included water sprays, tear gas and non-lethal ammunition such as rubber bullets. Police have said some protesters were violent and took part in riots, and that some targeted police both professionally and personally.

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9:10 a.m.

A federal judge has refused to head off the imminent flow of oil in the disputed Dakota Access pipeline.

Judge James Boasberg on Tuesday denied a request by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux to stop oil from flowing while they appeal his earlier decision allowing pipeline construction to finish.

Boasberg says a "critical factor" is the tribes' appeal is unlikely to succeed. They say the pipeline violates their religious rights because it's running under a lake they consider sacred. Boasberg says the argument was made too late and is of questionable merit.

The $3.8 billion pipeline will carry North Dakota oil to Illinois. Texas-based developer Energy Transfer Partners says it could be moving oil as early as Monday. Boasberg says ETP would be "substantially harmed" by a delay.
NEW DELHI (AP) - Police in the western Indian beach state of Goa say they have arrested a man in connection with the death of an Irish tourist.

Police superintendent Sammy Tavares says a local criminal was arrested Wednesday and was being questioned about the death of Danielle McLaughlin whose body was found near Canacona village of the state a day earlier.

Tavares says McLaughlin's body was found lying in an isolated part of the beach by a farmer early Tuesday.

Police were waiting for the results of an autopsy conducted on the body and had informed McLaughlin's family in County Donegal in Ireland.

The beach resort state of Goa is a popular destination for western tourists visiting India.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say one person is dead and a sheriff's deputy is injured after a shooting in the Tampa Bay area.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri tells the Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/2n0bUgA ) that a suspect was arrested after the shooting Wednesday morning in St. Petersburg.

Gualtieri said one person was found dead inside a home and a deputy was shot "but is OK."

Gualtieri said more information would be released Wednesday afternoon.

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Information from: Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Fla.), http://www.tampabay.com.
A journalist holds up a newspaper showing a photo of a man who claims to be the son of Kim Jong Nam outside the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia March 9, 2017. Photo by Reuters/Edgar Su

'It's an effort to preserve the body, because if it is kept in the mortuary it might decompose.'

The body of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was embalmed this week in Kuala Lumpur, with no family member coming forward to claim the remains and as a diplomatic spat with Pyongyang drags on.

It's been over a month since Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Kim died within 20 minutes of the attack, before reaching the hospital. Since then, his body has been at a Kuala Lumpur morgue, and police say they will only hand it over to his next of kin. No one so far has come forward to claim the body, Malaysian authorities have said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday the body has been embalmed so it can be preserved longer.

"It's an effort to preserve the body, because if it is kept in the mortuary it might decompose so we did this to preserve the body," Zahid said.

The body was secretly taken out of the morgue for the embalming on Sunday night, avoiding the attention of dozens of media representatives stationed outside.

Diplomatic meltdown

The murder, and Malaysia's attempt to investigate North Koreans inside Pyongyang's embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has sparked a diplomatic meltdown between two countries with once strong ties.

North Korea is preventing three Malaysian diplomats and their six family members from leaving the country, sparking tit-for-tat action by Malaysia.

Zahid said the two countries are still negotiating, but did not elaborate.

Zahid also said Malaysia will soon deport 50 North Korean workers who overstayed their visa in the Borneo state of Sarawak. They were among 176 North Koreans working in Sarawak.

The workers were employed in mines and construction sites in the state. Zahid has said about 315 North Koreans remain in the country with valid visas.

Kim Jong Nam, who had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing's protection, had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

South Korean intelligence officers say Kim Jong Un had issued standing orders for the elimination of his elder half-brother.

Video footage of a man claiming to be the son of Kim Jong Nam appeared last week, in which he said he was lying low with his mother and sister.

Malaysia has refused North Korea's request to release the body without an autopsy and investigation. It expelled the North Korean ambassador over his remarks questioning the investigations.

This angered North Korea, who then barred Malaysians from leaving the country. In response, Malaysia briefly blockaded the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Malaysian police have identified eight North Koreans wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, some of them hiding in the North Korean embassy. A Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman have already been charged in the case.

Related news:

> Malaysia identifies N.Korean embassy official among suspects

> Malaysia acting with 'hostile forces' in Kim investigation: N. Korea

> Half-brother of N. Korean leader assassinated in Malaysia: media
PORT STANLEY, Falkland Islands (AP) - Nobel peace laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel and other Argentine human rights activists have visited a Falklands Islands cemetery ahead of planned efforts by Britain and Argentina to identify the remains of 123 Argentine soldiers buried after their 1982 war.

The two nations agreed last year to have a team of forensic experts from the International Committee of the Red Cross identify the remains. Esquivel, Nora Cortinas of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo group and other activists visited Darwin Cemetery on Tuesday.

"For me it is all about looking to rebuild a bridge between the habitants of the islands and us, as human beings, as peoples. After all we have shared roots," Perez Esquivel said.

Nobel peace prize Adolfo Perez Esquivel, left, and Argentine priest Jose MarIa Di Paola, better know as Pepe, stand at the Argentine memorial cemetery containing the remains of Argentine combatants killed during the 1982 war between Argentina and Britain, in Darwin, on Falkland Islands, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The Argentine human rights activists visited the Darwin cemetery where unknown Argentine soldiers are buried, ahead of the start of Red Cross identification process. (AP Photo/Michelle Winnard)

Argentina lost a brief but bloody war with Britain after Argentine troops invaded the South Atlantic archipelago. Argentina still claims the islands, which it calls the Malvinas. Britain says the Falklands are a self-governing entity under its protection.

In all, the war claimed the lives of 649 Argentines and 255 British soldiers. The bodies of the Argentine war dead are expected to be exhumed from their individual graves in June so DNA samples can be taken. Some fear the identification could lead others to ask that the remains be moved to Argentina's mainland, though that is not part of the plan at this point.

"I think every one of the families has the right to decide where the bodies of their sons should finally rest," Cortinas said. "We have to keep strengthening bonds among our communities and maintain respect among out peoples. In this case, this country has been colonized and we have to end with that colonization and let these people be free."

Some islanders have already expressed concern about the visit, saying the Argentines ignore the wishes of the Falklands' 3,000 residents who have expressed a desire to remain British.

"They seem to be stuck with the idea that we are directly under colonial rule and in fact, they keep talking about our government, if they talk about our government at all, as a colonial government," said John Fowler, a former editor of the islands' weekly newspaper, the Penguin News.

In a breakthrough after decades of tense relations, Argentina and Britain also agreed last year to lift some restrictions on the extraction of natural resources, shipping and fishing industries in the Falklands and increase the number of flights between the islands and South America.

Crosses stand marking the graves of fallen soldiers at the Argentine memorial cemetery containing the remains of Argentine combatants killed during the 1982 war between Argentina and Britain, in Darwin, on Falkland Islands, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The Argentine human rights activists visited the Darwin cemetery where unknown Argentine soldiers are buried, ahead of the start of Red Cross identification process. (AP Photo/Michelle Winnard)
DETROIT (AP) - President Donald Trump's decision to re-examine Obama-era rules that govern automobile gas mileage could be the first round of a potentially bruising political fight: revoking the ability of California and other Democratic-leaning states to set their own, tougher car-emission standards.

Environmental groups are preparing for the clash, which began even before Trump acted and is likely to be settled by the courts.

California's unique status dates to 1970, in the early days of the Clean Air Act. Because of the state's smoggy skies, Congress gave California a "waiver," allowing it to set stricter pollution standards than the rest of the nation. The California standard is now used by at least a dozen, mostly Northeastern states, including New York and Massachusetts.

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable at the American Center of Mobility, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, in Ypsilanti Township, Mich. From left are, Trump, UAW president Dennis Williams, Ford CEO Mark Fields, and EPA administrator Scott Pruitt. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The Trump administration has said it wants one uniform fuel mileage requirement for automakers across the U.S. Environmental groups and California officials fear that the administration will try to revoke the waiver, and they're taking action to fight it in court.

California Gov. Jerry Brown denounced the Trump administration's move, telling Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt in a letter Wednesday it was a "gift to polluters." Brown warned auto makers in another letter Wednesday that his state would take the "necessary steps" to preserve its current emissions standards.

Buttressing Brown's threats, California filed a motion late Tuesday to intervene in a new lawsuit brought by auto manufacturers against the EPA, a move immediately joined by New York State. The actions will allow the two states to defend the tougher emissions standards in court.

"President Trump's action represents a dramatic wrong turn in our nation's efforts to fight air pollution from passenger cars and trucks and protect the health of our children, seniors and all communities," said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Trump took the first step toward a legal showdown on Wednesday in Michigan when he announced that the government will re-examine fuel economy requirements for 2022-2025. The rules were affirmed in the waning days of the Obama administration as part of a broader effort to control greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Although the Trump administration says it hasn't decided whether to weaken the requirements, Trump has promised the CEOs of major car companies that he'll reduce "unnecessary regulations." His EPA chief, Pruitt, has said he doesn't believe carbon dioxide is a primary contributor to global warming, putting him at odds with Obama's EPA and mainstream climate science.

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," Pruitt said Wednesday. He promised a "thorough review" that will "help ensure this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment."

Environmental groups predict Trump will weaken the standards, which now require the fleet of new cars and trucks to average 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving conditions by 2025, about 10 mpg (4.25 kpl) higher than the current standard. The auto industry is concerned that the standards will be hard to meet because people are buying more trucks and SUVs and shunning fuel-efficient cars.

The Trump administration downplayed any potential fight, saying officials have more than a year to resolve differences. A decision is not due until April 2018.

Currently, California and federal standards are mostly the same. But if Trump relaxes the standards, California and the other states likely would keep the 36 mpg rule in place, potentially creating two standards. Since about 40 percent of the nation's vehicles are in states that follow California rules, automakers probably would conform to them rather than build two different vehicles for the U.S. market.

That means California would end up setting national policy. That's a problem for the industry because car prices could rise and hurt sales. The EPA estimates the current standards will cost $875 per vehicle, while a study commissioned by the auto industry estimates it at $1,249 per vehicle by 2025. However, the government fuel saving would more than offset says the added costs.

If no agreement is reached, the administration could try to revoke California's latest waiver, setting up an epic legal battle over who controls emissions and fuel economy policies.

A senior White House official said Tuesday that the administration wants to negotiate one national standard. "We welcome California to the table," the official told reporters in a conference call. He spoke on condition of anonymity even though Trump has criticized the use of unnamed sources.

"If California wants to go a different direction (in 2018), we'll have to deal with it at that point," he said.

The feds have some leverage: A new waiver will be needed in 2025.

Regardless of what happens in the U.S., automakers who sell globally will still have to improve vehicle efficiency because of rising fuel economy standards in the rest of the world. China, Europe and Japan will all require fleets to average 47 miles per gallon or higher by 2020.

____

Associated Press writers Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit and Ellen Knickmeyer in San Francisco contributed. Daly reported from Washington.
CHICAGO (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin told Norfolk Southern this week that it must do more to secure a major rail yard on Chicago's South Side after three major gun thefts led to many of the weapons circulating in nearby violence-plagued neighborhoods, according to a letter the Illinois Democrat sent this week to the company's CEO.

The letter , provided to The Associated Press by Durbin's office Wednesday, cites the theft of some 150 guns between 2014 and 2016. Officials say most of the guns, including semi-automatic rifles, spread into nearby communities, helping to fuel the kind of violence that last year led to 762 homicides in Chicago, more than in New York City and Los Angeles combined.

"These repeated incidents of gun theft ... jeopardize the safety and well-being of Chicago residents," Durbin wrote in the March 14 letter to CEO James A. Squires.

FILE - In this April 28, 2015, file photo, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., appears, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Durbin has told Norfolk Southern that three major gun thefts from its rail yard on Chicago's South Side threaten neighborhoods already plagued by violence and that it must do more secure the facility. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, the Illinois Democrat said that the thefts "jeopardize the safety" of residents." (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File)

The thefts haven't, until now, drawn much scrutiny from elected officials. There have been neither federal nor local hearings devoted to the rail-yard gun thefts, contributing to a perception in communities hugging the yard that no one is taking responsibility.

The most recent heist was in September, when thieves made off with more than 30 guns. In 2015, alleged street-gang members used box cutters to get into one train, carrying away 111 new guns en route from New Hampshire weapon maker Sturm, Ruger & Co. to Washington state. It was sheer luck, not an inside job, that they selected a boxcar with guns, officials said.

Durbin's letter also asks the Virginia-based company, which has annual operating revenues of around $10 billion, to send him information on any plans to beef up security, writing, "It is clear that more needs to be done by Norfolk Southern."

Asked about the letter, Norfolk Southern spokeswoman Susan Terpay said in an email Wednesday: "We don't have a comment at this time." She has said previously about the rail yard that the company is "doing everything within (its) power to prevent" the gun thefts, including by adding extra patrols and K-9 units.

After examining hundreds of court records, the AP reported earlier this month that just 16 of the 111 guns stolen in 2015 have ever been recovered and that most were found in the possession of purported street-gang members or drug dealers. One recovered Ruger was tied to a Jan. 22, 2016, shooting. Another was found in a dealer's home alongside 429 bags of heroin.

Suspected thieves have been arrested in the 2015 theft. No arrests were announced in the other two heists.

___

Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at @mtarm
TARGU SECUIESC, Romania (AP) - Thousands of ethnic Hungarians in Romania dressed up, saddled up horses and then paraded in the northwest Transylvania region on Wednesday to celebrate Hungary's national holiday.

In Targu Secuiesc, a city in central Romania, Hungarians wearing traditional costumes rode horses and carried large Hungarian flags. Crowds turned out to admire the parade.

Elsewhere in the region, Hungarians dressed in vintage Hussar uniforms and raised the blue and yellow flag of the Szeklers, an ethnic Hungarian group living in eastern Transylvania.

Ethnic Hungarians wearing Hussar uniforms take part in a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

There are around 1.4 million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, mainly in Transylvania which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for centuries until 1918.

Some are seeking greater territorial autonomy and privileges for the community, a desire that has become more vocal since Viktor Orban became Hungary's prime minister in 2010.

More than 90 percent of the residents Targu Secuiesc, a city of 18,500, are ethnic Hungarians. The 15th-century city became part of Romania after World War I and briefly returned to Hungary in 1940 before reverting to Romanian control after World War II.

After communism ended in 1989, ethnic Hungarians have traditionally held parades in Transylvania on March 15 to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, which marks the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire.

A man walks holding the Szekler, an ethnic Hungarian group living in eastern Transylvania, flag in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania Friday to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A child rides a bicycle by ethnic Hungarians wearing Hussar uniforms before a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A small dog walks in front of ethnic Hungarians parading in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ethnic Hungarians sit on horseback before a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania Friday to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ethnic Hungarians wearing Hussar uniforms take part in a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An Ethnic Hungarian girl sticks her tongue out for a selfie with her mother during a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An Ethnic Hungarian wearing a Hussar uniform leans back on his horse before a parade in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ethnic Hungarians wearing vintage Hussar uniforms prepare their horses in a forest near the Nyerges Pass, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Ethnic Hungarians march holding Hungarian flags in Targu Secuiesc, Romania, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Thousands of ethnic Hungarians paraded in Romania to celebrate the Hungarian national holiday, marking the anniversary of the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg empire. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
A woman has been left very disappointed after seven Supreme Court justices dramatically reduced a figure of more than 160,000 awarded her by the Court of Appeal out of her estranged mothers will.

The ruling was welcomed by animal charities named in the will who said it confirmed the right of individuals to choose who will inherit when we die.

Heather Ilott, an only child, was deliberately cut out of the will after she was rejected by her mother at the age of 17 after leaving home to live with her boyfriend in 1978.

UKSC allows charities appeal v Ilott: CoA erred in calculating reasonable financial provision award in will dispute https://t.co/ChVYPqCVkj  UK Supreme Court (@UKSupremeCourt) March 15, 2017

Mother and daughter remained estranged for some 26 years right up to her mothers death, aged 70, in 2004.

Melita Jackson left the majority of her 486,000 estate to three animal charities  Blue Cross, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

She instructed her executors to defend any attempt by her daughter to contest her decision.

But Mrs Ilott, who married her boyfriend and has five children of her own, applied for a share of the will under inheritance laws which allow, in certain circumstances, those closely connected to the will maker to apply for maintenance if the will fails to make reasonable financial provision.

As a daughter Mrs Ilott, now in her 50s, from Great Munden, Hertfordshire, qualified for an award under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 because she and her husband, Nicholas, were living on a very restricted income, mostly benefits.

A district judge ruled in 2007 that she should receive 50,000, but appeal judges more than tripled the award to 160,000.

Heather Ilott had been awarded more than 160,000

They ruled the district judge had made identifiable errors of principle, and awarded Mrs Ilott 143,000 to buy, at a sitting tenants discount, the housing association home where she and her family lived, plus an option to receive 20,000 more in one or more instalments.

But the Supreme Court, the UKs highest court, unanimously allowed an appeal by the animal charities.

The Supreme Court panel of justices  the president Lord Neuberger sitting with deputy president Lady Hale and Lords Hughes, Kerr, Clarke, Wilson and Sumption  agreed it was the appeal court that had fallen into error.

The emblem of the Supreme Court

In the lead ruling, Lord Hughes said of the district judges award: It was in fact an award which met many of Mrs Ilotts needs for maintenance.

There was nothing about it which was outside the generous ambit of judgment available to him. His order ought to be restored.

Martin Oliver, a partner at Wright Hassall Solicitors, said on Mrs Ilotts behalf: Heather is naturally very disappointed with the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment.

She is a hard-working mother who brought a claim to seek reasonable financial provision from her mothers estate under legislation which has been around for over 80 years.

Some of the judges have found that the current law is unsatisfactory and this will no doubt raise broader questions in the future.
The Government was accused of descending into chaos after Philip Hammond staged a humiliating U-turn over his planned National Insurance hike for the self-employed.

Just a week after unveiling the measure in his final spring Budget, the Chancellor bowed to pressure from Tory backbenchers and business groups and announced the increase would not go ahead.

The move provoked uproar in the Commons, with Labour warning that he was now facing a 2 billion black hole in his Budget plans.

The Tories are in chaos as their Budget lies in tatters. They've U-turned on a 2bn tax rise, leaving a black hole in their plans. RT  pic.twitter.com/DrA4gN3eVc  The Labour Party (@UKLabour) March 15, 2017

However among Conservative MPs there was relief ministers had abandoned a measure which they believed not only breached a manifesto pledge but would also hit traditional Tory supporters.

While many had believed the climbdown was inevitable given the scale of the opposition in the Conservative ranks, the speed came as a surprise.

The news came in a letter to Conservative MPs released just 20 minutes before Theresa Mays weekly appearance at the Commons Despatch Box for Prime Ministers Questions.

The letter sent by Chancellor Philip Hammond to Conservative MPs

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said Mrs May and Mr Hammond had agreed the move at a meeting earlier in the morning.

The Chancellor said he would fully fund the cost of reversing the rise  which would have raised 2 billion over four years  in the autumn Budget.

The abrupt about-turn followed bitter accusations that the 2% increase in Class 4 NICs for the self-employed breached a commitment there would be no increase in NICs, income tax or VAT during the current Parliament.

I've ruled out raising VAT. Why won't Ed Miliband rule out raising National Insurance contributions? Labour always puts up the Jobs Tax.  David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 25, 2015

Ministers had argued that it only applied to the main Class 1 NICs paid by employees and their employers, however Mr Hammond said they wanted to respect the spirit as well as the letter of the manifesto.

This Government sets great store in the faith and trust of the British people, especially as we embark on the process of negotiating our exit from the European Union, he told MPs in a Commons statement.

By making this change today, we are listening to our colleagues and demonstrating our determination to fulfil both the letter and the spirit of our manifesto tax commitments.

The Chancellors authority is shredded only a week since his first Budget after being forced to U-turn under Labour pressure.  John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) March 15, 2017

Threatening to raise tax on low and middle earning self-employed people while continuing handouts to the rich sums up this Government.  John McDonnell MP (@johnmcdonnellMP) March 15, 2017

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said the Government was in chaos and called on Mr Hammond to apologise.

Its shocking and humiliating that the Chancellor has been forced to come here to reverse a key Budget decision announced less than a week ago, he said.

Earlier, at PMQs, the SNPs Westminster leader Angus Robertson said Mrs May had been forced into a screeching embarrassing U-turn.
BEIRUT, March 14 (Reuters) - A blast on a bus in Syria's Homs on Tuesday killed one person and injured two others, a witness told Reuters. Syrian state news agency SANA reported that what it called terrorists were behind the blast in the Wadi al-Dhahb district in the southeast of the city. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, also said there were casualties.

The explosion follows a coordinated attack by jihadist insurgents in Homs city centre last month that killed scores including a senior security official, and an agreement on Monday for rebels to leave their last enclave in the city.

The attack in Homs on Feb. 25 was carried out by Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance whose main group is Fateh al-Sham, the former al Qaeda offshoot in Syria.

The same group also said it was behind a double suicide bombing in Damascus on Saturday that killed dozens of people, mostly Shi'ite Muslim pilgrims.

Analysts who follow Syria have predicted that as rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad suffer military reverses they will increasingly turn to guerrilla attacks in territory controlled by the government. (Reporting by Angus McDowall; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA, March 14 (Reuters) - Police stopped people on Tuesday from entering the site of a landslide at an Ethiopian rubbish dump after bereaved families tussled with rescue workers there, blaming the government for a slow response to a disaster that killed 82 people this weekend.

Relatives pushed and shoved the handful of emergency workers, angrily accusing them of delays and saying dozens of people were still missing after Saturday's landslide at the 50-year-old Reppi dump in the capital of Addis Ababa.

"My nephew! My sister's son!" one elderly woman sobbed as she held aloft a picture inside one of several hastily erected funeral tents packed with mourners.

After a run of deadly protests last year, authorities will be anxious to tamp down any sign of dissent that could become a catalyst for wider demonstrations.

"Nobody is helping us. We are doing all the digging ourselves. It is shameful," Kaleab Tsegaye, a relative of one victim told Reuters.

Earlier in the morning, relatives shoved workers away from the site.

"Go back to where you came from! Stop pretending you are working!" one shouted.

The situation seemed calmer in the afternoon but one police officer told Reuters that angry residents were still barring police from helping look for bodies. Dozens of police officers stood at the fringes of the dump.

A police officer told Reuters 17 more bodies had been recovered on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 82 so far.

"An overwhelming number are being buried without being identified," she said, declining to give her name.

Hundreds of people live on the dump, the city's only landfill site, scavenging for food and items they can sell such as recyclable metal. The landslide destroyed 49 homes.

On Monday, hundreds of people gathered at the scene, weeping and praying. Some accuse the government of negligence. Families bitterly complained they had been left to dig for the bodies of their loved ones by the light of their mobile phones.

Ethiopia is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, but the drive to industrialise has also stoked discontent among those who feel left behind.

In October, the government imposed a national state of emergency after more than 500 people were killed in protests in Oromiya region as anger over a development scheme sparked broader anti-government demonstrations. (Editing by Katharine Houreld and)
LONDON/PARIS, March 14 (Reuters) - An activist hedge fund has criticised plans by Walt Disney to take full control of debt-laden Paris theme park operator Euro Disney, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

Paris-based CIAM, which owns 1.4 percent of Euro Disney shares, has written to the board of the French company to object to what it believes are plans by Walt Disney to force out minority shareholders. It said it has the support of more than 5 percent of Euro Disney shareholders, including its holding.

"The Walt Disney Company seeks to force out the remaining minority shareholders by offering them a new public offer, under penalty of having to undergo a strong dilution later," said the letter, dated March 6.

CIAM has not declined Walt Disney's offer but is monitoring the situation, a source familiar with the matter said.

Euro Disney defended the terms of the Walt Disney takeover.

"Given the financial challenges faced by Euro Disney, The Walt Disney Company has developed a long-term solution that takes into account all stakeholders," it said in a statement.

"We believe such an operation will provide Euro Disney with a strong financial footing to continue its strategy, while providing minority shareholders the opportunity to exit at a significant premium," it added.

Walt Disney last month announced plans to take full control of Euro Disney, after raising its stake to 85.7 percent through a deal with Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.

Walt Disney has said it would also support a recapitalisation of up to 1.5 billion euros, helping cut debt and improve Euro Disney's financial position.

Minority shareholders will be offered 2 euros ($2.13) a share to sell their stake to Walt Disney - a 67 percent premium to Euro Disney's share price on Feb 9, which was the day before the offer was announced.

Walt Disney will buy out and delist the remaining shares from the Euronext Paris stock exchange if it gets to a stake of at least 95 percent. The shares stood at 1.99 euros on Tuesday.

Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and has struggled financially for much of that time, after making overly optimistic visitor projections and taking on too much debt.

Deadly attacks in Paris in 2015 by Islamist militants also hit the broader French tourism sector, and Euro Disney racked up a net loss of 858 million euros in 2016. ($1 = 0.9405 euros) (Reporting by Maiya Keidan and Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Keith Weir and Jane Merriman)
By Helen Reid

LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - British shares edged lower on Tuesday, weighed down by banking stocks as Britain gets set to start negotiating its departure from the European Union.

The blue-chip index closed 0.1 percent lower despite support from the weak pound, which hit an eight-week low against the dollar. The FTSE's foreign-currency-earning constituents benefit when sterling dips.

Sterling's decline was a reflection of the imminent triggering of Brexit negotiations and Scotland's call on Monday for a second independence referendum. Britain's parliament approved legislation on Monday to allow the country to begin talks on leaving the European Union.

The uncertainty also prompted selling of banking stocks.

RBS was the worst-performing bank, down 2.5 percent on the day, while Standard Chartered and Lloyds also dropped 1 to 1.2 percent.

Analysts said the prospect of a new Scottish independence referendum could be weighing on shares of Scotland's biggest banks, RBS and Lloyds.

Ratings agency Fitch said Scottish independence would increase the risks for Britain's credit rating.

Prudential was the top FTSE gainer, its shares rising 3 percent to a two-year high after the insurer reported a record profit for 2016, spurred by growth in its Asian business.

The more domestically focused mid-caps index hit a record high in early trading, before turning down to close 0.4 percent lower.

Oil services company Wood Group gave back all its gains from the acquisition of Amec Foster announced on Monday, and was among worst-performing mid-cap stocks, down 6 percent, while Target Amec Foster fell 6.4 percent.

While lower crude prices were weighing on oil services stocks, shareholders were also concerned that the deal would reduce Wood Group's exposure to an expected medium-term rebound in oil prices, RBC analyst Victoria McCulloch said.

Building materials supplier SIG rose 7.2 percent after it named a new CEO and said it planned to sell assets and review costs as it battles to recover from weak trading. (Reporting by Helen Reid, Danilo Masoni; Editing by Larry King)
The suffering experienced by victims of chemical weapons  the choking, burning, and suffocating, as well as the indiscriminate nature of the killing by gases that seep into the air and allow for no escape -- led the international community to ban their use after World War I, and to reinforce this ban in 1972 and 1993.

Tragically, the ban has not stopped the use of chemical weapons by certain actors, even within the past five years. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical WeaponsUnited Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism, known as the JIM, was established by the UN Security Council to investigate incidents of chemical weapon attacks in Syria. It determined that ISIS employed mustard gas in Syria in 2015, and that the Syrian regime used chemical weapons in three separate incidents in 2014 and 2015.

On February 28, the Security Council voted on a draft resolution that would hold those using and producing chemical weapons in Syria accountable. It would impose sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the use of chemical weapons in cases where responsibility was established by the JIM.

Although a majority of the Security Councils 15 members voted in favor of the resolution, it was not adopted after permanent Council members Russia and China voted against it.

U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Nikki Haley called Russia and Chinas choice to block the resolution to hold the Syrian regime accountable for its use of chemical weapons, outrageous and indefensible.

She noted the JIM spent a year collecting evidence, speaking to witnesses, and verifying testimony. The conclusion that the Assad regime used chemical weapons three times from 2014 to 2015 and ISIS used them once, remains irrefutably clear, Haley said, adding that there are also credible reports that Assad used chemical weapons many, many more times.

Amazingly members are willing to condemn ISIS for the one incident, but turn a blind eye to the Member State, Syria, who committed this crime at least three times.

Russia and China, Ambassador Haley said, put their friends in the Assad regime ahead of our global security...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.
By Rosalba O'Brien and Antonio De la Jara

VINA DEL MAR, Chile, March 14 (Reuters) - The Latin American free trade area known as the Pacific Alliance has agreed a new category of "associate member," it said on Tuesday, as it seeks to increase its reach and show it is serious about its message of fighting protectionist trends.

The Pacific Alliance is currently comprised of four countries that are among the region's keenest advocates of free trade - Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. As well as reducing trade barriers, the bloc has sought to integrate in other areas, such as financial markets and free movement of people.

There are 49 "observer" nations that follow what the pact does. Some of those have expressed an interest in forming closer ties with the bloc, and an associate membership could provide an alternative or a stepping-stone to full membership, officials said.

"We will look to identify countries that we think are those with which we are going to finalize high-quality free-trade deals in the short term," said Chilean Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz to journalists after a ministerial meeting of the pact.

"This is a step that we think is a powerful signal, at a time when there is uncertainty over the paths to follow."

The announcement comes as a meeting gets underway in the Chilean coastal city of Vina del Mar of ministers and officials representing the 12 countries of the failed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), plus China and South Korea.

Officials have said that any concrete decision on how a new Asia-Pacific trade pact might look will likely be some time off. After years of negotiations, the TPP was effectively killed off in its current form after the United States withdrew.

Panama and Costa Rica have previously expressed interest in joining the Pacific Alliance, while countries outside Latin America such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia will likely be interested in an associate membership for the trade benefits, officials said. (Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Jessica Jaganathan

SINGAPORE, March 15 - South African petroleum company Engen is set to export a gasoil cargo to Singapore, according to trade sources and shipping data.

The company has provisionally booked the Torm Horizon to transport 35,000 tonnes of gasoil to Singapore from Durban, shipping fixtures showed.

The move would be unusual as South Africa rarely exports gasoil. Engen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The cargo likely comprises high sulphur gasoil whose premium has risen to a more than three-month high this month due to prompt demand in Southeast Asia, four traders and shipbrokers said. <GO005-SIN-DIF>

"South Africa is exporting 500 ppm (sulphur gasoil) and importing the lower sulphur grades," a Singapore-based middle distillates trader said, declining to be identified as he was not authorised to speak with the media.

South Africa consumes diesel with 10 parts-per-million (ppm) sulphur in its domestic market, he added.

A refinery typically exports high sulphur gasoil when a secondary unit is under maintenance and is unable to process the fuel to make low sulphur diesel, traders said.

The price spread between diesel with 10 ppm sulphur and 500 ppm sulphur gasoil narrowed to 5 cents a barrel in late November, its tightest in more than three years, before widening slightly this year, Reuters data shows.

The gap between the two grades narrowed due to a flood of supply of low sulphur diesel from China, while Southeast Asian countries are still consuming the higher sulphur grade, traders said.

This in turn is pulling gasoil cargoes from the Middle East and India into Singapore, when they typically used to head to Europe or Africa, they added. (Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Joseph Radford)
The following are some stories in Russia's newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

Russia holds the greatest proportion of its citizens in prison in Europe (439 prisoners per 100,000 citizens) and the highest ratio of prison officials (1 jailer per 11.2 prisoners), the newspaper said, citing studies of the Council of Europe.

Vice Premier Olga Golodets said one in ten working citizens in Russia earn below the official subsistence minimum.

The proportion of people booking holidays in Russia has almost halved compared to last year due to the resurgence of Turkish resorts and the firming of the rouble, the founder of an online booking site said.

The government plans to sell 25 percent minus one share in state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot this spring. A quarter of the funds received will be used to purchase new vessels, the daily said citing Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin.

According to the Association of Companies of Internet Trade, the Russian e-commerce market grew by 21 percent in 2016. The newspaper reports 33 percent of all online purchases were from foreign outlets.

RBC

www.rbc.ru

Russia's government recommended that metallurgical holdings consider delivering iron ore to enterprises in the separatist-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in east Ukraine, the newspaper said.

IZVESTIA

www.izvestia.ru

Russia's intelligence service prevented a major terrorist attack in Moscow on March 8, the newspaper said, citing a source. A supporter of the Islamic State group, designated a terrorist organisation and banned in Russia, had planned to blow himself up during events marking International Women's Day in Moscow.

($1 = 58.9540 Rub) (Reporting by Margarita Popova, editing by Dasha Afanasieva)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump will announce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will revive a review of the feasibility of strict fuel efficiency standards through 2025, but will not seek to withdraw California's authority to set its own vehicle rules, a White House official said late on Tuesday.

Reuters reported on Monday the administration planned to announce the review on Wednesday as Trump heads to Michigan, home of the U.S. auto industry.

A White House official briefing reporters said the Trump administration will spend the next year working on the review to determine if the 2022-2025 model-year rules are feasible. The administration has made no decisions on how or if the standards should be revised.

But the Trump administration is not picking an immediate fight with California, which has long drawn the ire of automakers for setting more aggressive environmental vehicle rules, including requiring zero emission cars.

In 2012, California, the most populous U.S. state, agreed to harmonize its vehicle emissions rules with Obama administration rules that were aimed at doubling average fleetwide fuel efficiency to 54.5 mpg by 2025. Thirteen other states have adopted California rules that account for about 40 percent of U.S. vehicle sales.

California has a waiver under the Clean Air Act to set its own vehicle rules and has said it would vigorously fight any effort to revoke it. The administration official did not rule out a potential effort to restrict California's authority at a future date but said the White House hoped to work collaboratively with the state on the review.

Securing America's Energy Future (SAFE), a non-partisan group of energy advocates and retired military leaders, urged the federal government, California and others to work together.

"There's no reason for environmentalists, automakers and conservatives to risk a nuclear war over these rules, which will result in zero progress for all sides," said SAFE's chief executive, Robbie Diamond.

In Michigan, Trump will meet with chief executives from General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and top U.S. executives from Toyota Motor Corp, Daimler AG and others, and speak to autoworkers.

EPA had had until April 2018 to decide whether the standards were feasible under a "midterm review," but moved up its decision to a week before President Barack Obama left office in January.

Automakers argue the vehicle emissions rules will impose significant costs and are out of step with consumer preferences. They say they need more flexibility to meet the rules amid low gas prices.

Environmentalists say the rules reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gases, and they have vowed to sue if the Trump administration weakens them. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Andreas Cremer

INGOLSTADT, Germany, March 15 (Reuters) - German prosecutors searched Audi's two biggest plants and other sites on Wednesday in connection with the emissions scandal still rocking parent Volkswagen, adding to pressure on the luxury division and its Chief Executive Rupert Stadler.

Volkswagen admitted in September 2015 that up to 11 million of its vehicles worldwide had software installed that cheats emissions tests, unleashing its biggest ever crisis.

The raids, the first at Audi since VW's diesel scandal broke 18 months ago, centred on who was involved in the use of any illicit software used in 80,000 VW, Audi and Porsche cars with bigger 3.0 litre engines that were found to exceed U.S. emissions limits.

Volkswagen has already agreed to pay more than $1 billion to fix or buy back the 80,000 cars as part of an overall U.S. settlement expected to cost the group as much as $17.5 billion.

"With these search orders we aim to clarify in particular who was involved in deploying the technology concerned and in the provision of false information to third parties," the Munich prosecutor's office said in a statement on Wednesday, without naming any suspects.

It said the raids involved prosecutors from several jurisdictions and state police from Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Lower Saxony.

The police swoop coincided with a major annual press conference at which Stadler was presenting Audi's 2016 earnings - compounding the group's embarrassment.

"I have all along supported efforts to clear up the diesel issue at Audi," he told reporters, while conceding that efforts to recover from the scandal were "far from over".

A statement from the prosecutor on Wednesday's raids cited suspicion that the cars, sold in the United States between 2009 and 2015, were also fitted with devices to cheat tests.

VW's Wolfsburg headquarters were searched, along with Audi's Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm factories and six other unspecified sites, the group said. The two Audi plants employ a combined 60,000 workers.

Some 70 law enforcement officials also searched offices and private apartments as part of the Ingolstadt operation, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters, adding that Stadler's home was not among those raided.

Stadler, who has run Audi since 2007, has been criticised for his handling of the emissions scandal but said on Wednesday he continues to command the VW board's full support, reiterated publicly last month.

Ingolstadt-based Audi said it had every interest in getting to the bottom of the emissions-cheating scandal and was fully cooperating with the searches.

"We will keep at it until this work is done," CEO Stadler aid.

Cars sold in European markets are outside the scope of the investigation, the Munich prosecutor said.

Audi last year increased its diesel scandal-related provisions to 1.63 billion euros and said on Wednesday it did not expect to have to do so again. The carmaker also recorded costs of 162 million euro for the recall of cars fitted with Takata Corp airbags.

The group reported a 37 percent drop in operating profit to 3.1 billion euros for 2016, reducing its return on sales to 5.1 percent from 8.3 percent a year earlier. (Additional reporting by Jens Hack in Munich; Writing by Maria Sheahan; Editing by David Evans and Laurence Frost)
KABUL, March 15 (Reuters) - Afghan authorities have detained 24 people in connection with what appears to have been an insider attack on a military hospital in Kabul last week, including some of the staff, officials said on Wednesday.

However they stonewalled a growing chorus of questions about how it was possible for gunmen to get into Afghanistan's largest military hospital, just a stone's throw from the heavily fortified U.S. embassy in the heart of the capital.

"We are working on evidence to find out if someone has been involved from the hospital," Deputy Defence Minister Helaludin Helal told a news conference in Kabul. "The process is complicated and it takes time."

At least 50 people were killed and more than 30 wounded in what security officials say was a well-coordinated operation, involving at least five gunmen dressed as medics.

The attack was claimed by Islamic State, although some officials say the group, based mainly in eastern Afghanistan, was unlikely to have been capable of mounting such a sophisticated operation without help from more experienced groups, such as the feared Haqqani network.

The Taliban, the biggest insurgent group, denied any involvement but the attack underlined the growing insecurity in Afghanistan ahead of the warmer spring weather, when fighting often increases in intensity.

Gunmen armed with automatic weapons and hand grenades infiltrated the 400-bed hospital and went through the wards, shooting and stabbing patients, medical staff, security personnel and visitors.

Although Helal refused to confirm that the attackers had entered the grounds before the attack began, several officials have said that they were helped by staff, who were able to use their knowledge of the site to guide the attackers.

"Without inside help, this would not have been possible," said one official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. He said one staff member in particular was the focus of attention.

"He had a badge to access all hospital wards and could bring his car inside the compound without check," the official said. "Doctors and the head of the hospital know him very well."

Around an hour after the attack began, a car packed with explosives blew up in the hospital grounds, where it appeared to have been parked for several days.

Helal declined to say who the government believes was behind the attack, saying only that the attackers had been able to exploit lapses in security. (Reporting by Mirwais Harooni, Hamid Shalizi; Editing by James Mackenzie and Nick Macfie)
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Aukkarapon Niyomyat

BANGKOK, March 15 (Reuters) - A Thai activist who made fun of one of junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha's ballads on Facebook was charged on Tuesday with cyber crime for publishing material critical of the government.

Veera Somkwamkid was charged with "importing false computer data" for a post saying most Thais lacked confidence in the military government, which took power in a 2014 coup in the name of ending more than a decade of political unrest.

Veera's post had been based on a tongue-in-cheek survey he carried out online as to which of the promises in the junta theme song "Returning Happiness to Thailand" had been kept.

Pledges in the stirring song, penned by Prime Minister Prayuth, include: "We'll do as promised", "We won't need long", "The beautiful land will return", "We will be honest" and "We would like to return happiness to you all".

Most participants in the survey said "None of the Above".

Veera, chairman of the People's Rights and Liberty Protection Group, denied all charges. He could face up to three years in jail, but was released on bail.

His post was in response to a series of polls by Thai survey institutions that showed strong support for the military government, Veera said.

"I insist that my post was published according to my rights and liberty to ask people's opinion," he told reporters after hearing his charge at a cyber police division.

Prayuth has written several ballads since taking power. Filled with emotion, they get frequent play on state radio and are sung by an army chorister rather than the prime minister himself.

The government has made increasing use of cyber laws against critics.

"The government should be more open," said Weerawat Somnuek, of Thai legal watchdog group iLaw. "They should start allowing people to say more and start listening to people."

Thailand was asked to address several rights issues in U.N. review sessions in Geneva this week. Rights groups said the delegation failed to show genuine commitment. (Additional reporting and writing by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Editing by Matthew Tostevin and Clarence Fernandez)
LONDON, March 15 (Reuters) - French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has criticised British Prime Minister Theresa May for hosting her main rival, centrist Emmanuel Macron, while apparently snubbing her.

Macron visited May at her Downing Street office in London on Feb. 21. He was photographed arriving and leaving, and spoke to reporters and TV crews in front of the building.

Asked in an interview, due to be aired on British radio station LBC later on Wednesday, whether she thought this was overt support for Macron and a snub towards her, Le Pen said: "It seems to be the case."

The British government says it has a long-standing policy not to engage with Le Pen's Front National party which has been considered toxic for decades by many mainstream European parties.

According to a transcript of the LBC interview, which was conducted by anti-EU British politician Nigel Farage, Le Pen said the decision to host Macron was inconsistent with May's own stance on delivering Brexit and reducing immigration to Britain.

Le Pen said Macron, who is strongly pro-EU, represented "the opposite of what Brexit stands for and the choice made by the British people".

Asked whether she had requested a meeting with May, Le Pen said she had not but would have to meet May if she was elected.

Polls suggest Macron and Le Pen are likely to face each other in the run-off of the French presidential election on May 7, with Macron likely to win by a wide margin.

Farage suggested to Le Pen that May's attitude towards her would change if she won the French election, drawing a parallel with Britain's dealings with U.S. President Donald Trump. He said Downing Street had not wanted to engage with Trump until after he was elected.

Le Pen responded: "She is good at getting it wrong but this is rather reassuring." (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Michael Holden)
BEIRUT, March 15 (Reuters) - Two suicide bomb attacks killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens more in Damascus on Wednesday, state media reported, in the second such spate of bombings in the Syrian capital in five days.

The first suicide bomber targeted the Palace of Justice, the main courthouse in central Damascus near the Old City. Justice Minister Najem al-Ahmad told reporters the initial death toll was 31, mostly civilians.

The second suicide blast struck a popular restaurant in the al-Rabweh area of Damascus to the west of the first attack causing several casualties, state media reported.

State news agency SANA cited the Damascus police as saying that there were 102 injured in the courthouse attack and 28 injured in the restaurant.

Analysts who follow Syria have predicted that as jihadist rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad suffer military reverses, they will increasingly turn to guerrilla attacks in territory controlled by the government.

As well as the Damascus bombings of recent days, which coincide with the sixth anniversary of the protests that sparked Syria's civil war, attackers also twice struck the government-held city of Homs in the past few weeks.

On Saturday scores of people, most of them Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims, were killed in a double suicide attack in Damascus claimed by an alliance of jihadist groups known as Tahrir al-Sham.

Their military chief, the former al Qaeda leader in Syria, Abu Mohammad al Golani, had vowed more attacks after claiming multiple suicide attacks in the city of Homs last month.

The courthouse bomber set off his explosive device at 1:20 p.m. (1120 GMT) as the police tried to search him and stop him from entering the building, state television cited the Damascus police chief as saying.

Syrian state television broadcast footage from inside the courthouse showing blood splattered on a floor littered with papers, a shoe and broken tiles and stones. Images from a hospital showed a man in a suit on a stretcher with blood on his clothes.

The explosion hit the courthouse "at a time when the area is crowded" with lawyers, judges and civilians, harming a large number of people, Ahmed al-Sayyid, a senior state legal official told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV.

He later added that 45 people had been wounded. No further details were immediately available.

"RETALIATION"

The government and its allies, Russia's air force, Iran and Shi'ite militias, have also maintained a fierce assault on some rebel-held areas including air strikes and artillery bombardments.

Assad and his allies describe all the rebels fighting against the government, which include jihadists as well as nationalist groups supported by the United States, Turkey and Gulf monarchies, as terrorists.

"The attack came as a retaliation against the latest victories of the Syrian army and the political victories in Geneva and Astana," Ahmad said, referring to recent peace talks in Switzerland and Kazakhstan.

State media reported that the second bomber had entered the restaurant and detonated the device after having been chased by security forces.

"These are people who blow themselves up to kill others...," Interior Minister Mohammad al Shaar told state media, adding that the security personnel were pursuing other suspects involved in the bombings.

In late February an attack in central Homs killed dozens of people with coordinated shootings and suicide bombs that targeted two security headquarters and led to the death of a senior official.

That attack was also claimed by Tahrir al-Sham, which includes the Fateh al-Sham group that was formerly known as the Nusra Front until it formally broke ties with al Qaeda last year.

Another suicide attack in Homs on Tuesday killed one person and injured two others, a witness told Reuters. (Reporting by Ellen Francis in Beirut and Kinda Makieh in Damascus; Writing by Tom Perry and Angus McDowall; Editing by Ken Ferris and Gareth Jones)
DUBAI/GENEVA, March 15 (Reuters) - Bahrain's parliament has invited the U.N. human rights chief to visit and promised him unrestricted access to prisons and Shi'ite villages, local media said on Wednesday, following his criticism of the kingdom's record.

A senior official at the United Nations human rights office in Geneva welcomed the invitation and said any visit would have to address issues including reports of torture and a crackdown on activists and political parties in the Sunni-ruled state.

Akhbar al-Khaleej newspaper said parliament issued an open invitation to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein to visit "amidst claims he issued recently about human rights violations".

"MPs ... asserted that there will be no restrictions on his movements and he will be allowed to visit any place, village or prison," the newspaper said.

In Geneva, Mohammad Alnsour, chief of the Middle East and North Africa section of the U.N. human rights office, told Reuters that a technical mission which he headed in February last year was unable to visit detention centres.

He said Zeid welcomed the invitation, but it would have to tackle human rights and could not be mere "a photo opportunity".

Bahrain's majority Shi'ite Muslims demonstrated in 2011 demanding a bigger share in government. The country has drawn criticism over its response to the protests, including allegations of torture.

Authorities have banned the main Shi'ite Muslim group, launched legal proceedings to ban another secular group, detained activists and revoked the citizenship of the spiritual leader of the country's Shi'ites.

Bahrain says its actions are directed against people who foment violence and sectarian tensions in the kingdom, denying charges by activists that it is targeting dissidents.

Alnsour said the council had many concerns in Bahrain. "Our major concern is we have allegations of torture, ... shrinking of democratic space for political activists and political societies (parties) in the country," he said.

Host of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is seen by other Sunni Muslim-ruled Gulf states like Saudi Arabia as a bulwark against the influence of their Shi'ite Muslim adversary Iran.

Bahraini Shi'ites say the Sunni Muslim-dominated government discriminates against them, while authorities deny that and say opposition politicians are trying to undermine security. (Reporting by Sami Aboudi and Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva; Editing by Dominic Evans)
In a world where national security is increasingly dependent on close cooperation with like-minded governments, the United States is working with long-time partners and forming new and innovative partnerships to advance our mutual security goals.

The U.S. Department of States Bureau of Political-Military Affairs links together the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, the Congress, and the U.S. defense industry, in a combined effort to help improve the security capabilities of our allies around the world. We do this by providing them with the tools and training necessary to effectively respond to even the most dire of security challenges.

We work worldwide: helping Iraq and our coalition partners make gains against ISIS; supporting nations across Southeast Asia to safeguard their territorial waters; and standing with our partners across Africa against terrorists like Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab; among other challenges, David McKeeby, Public Affairs officer at the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs wrote in a recent blog post.

To help achieve this goal, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs oversees some 6 billion dollars in security assistance programs that are meant to help our partners invest in U.S. training and U.S.-manufactured equipment.

At the same time, the Foreign Military Sales system, a foreign policy tool that acts as a form of security assistance, allows the United States to transfer defense equipment and services to our partners worldwide. Any such transfer first goes through a sensitive vetting process, because before a sale is approved, the U.S. Government must carefully weigh a wide range of factors, to ensure that such transfers of often sophisticated, top-of-the line U.S. military equipment are consistent with U.S. foreign policy.

Finally, the Lead Nation Procurement Initiative allows our NATO allies to transfer to other NATO members, military equipment purchased from the United States. Thus, the United States and its allies can maintain flexibility, keep down costs, yet still retain the ability to keep track of the equipment.

While we may not know what next major international security challenge may emerge, wrote Public Affairs Officer David McKeeby, you can count on [the United States] continued commitment to taking action, strengthening our allies and partners, and safeguarding America.
ALMATY, March 15 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's state-run "bad bank" will buy 2.4 trillion tenge ($7.5 billion) of bad loans from Kazkommertsbank, the country's biggest lender by assets, paving the way for a takeover by its closest rival, the central bank said on Wednesday.

The central bank said earlier this month the authorities planned to support the purchase of Kazkommertsbank (KKB) by Halyk Bank, but did not give a figure for the sum involved.

Kazakhstan has struggled to recover from the financial crisis of the late 2000s and the banking sector has been beset by bad loans since the sharp slide in the price of oil, the Central Asian country's main export.

The state-run Problem Loans Fund, set up to act as a "bad bank", will buy from KKB assets linked to BTA, a former bank which has been turned into a distressed asset management company, deputy central bank chairman Oleg Smolyakov told reporters.

A loan to BTA accounts for half of KKB's total assets.

KKB will not restructure any of its debt, Smolyakov added.

In the meantime, the central bank and Halyk will carry out due diligence checks on KKB's other assets which will take 2-3 months, he said.

"A potential investor will need to ensure the bank is adequately capitalised," Smolyakov said.

Halyk is controlled by President Nursultan Nazarbayev's daughter Dinara and her husband Timur Kulibayev.

Last month, the Kazakh authorities said they would inject 2 trillion tenge ($6.3 billion) into the Problem Loans Fund (PLF), topping up its capital of about $1 billion, in order to buy bad loans from local banks.

Ratings agency Fitch this month downgraded KKB's viability rating to 'f' from 'ccc', saying the move reflected "Fitch's view that the bank has failed and requires external support to address a material capital shortfall".

Smolyakov also said on Wednesday the central bank planned to support other, smaller local lenders by providing them with subordinated loans from its own funds. He gave no other details. (Reporting by Mariya Gordeyeva; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Alexander Winning and Mark Potter)
By Gavin Jones

ROME, March 15 (Reuters) - The Italian government won a confidence vote in the Senate on Wednesday on a fiercely contested reform of the justice system aimed at preventing thousands of cases being wiped out by the statute of limitations before a verdict is reached.

The bill has made slow progress through parliament since it was presented by former Prime Minister Matteo Renzi more than two years ago and it will now have to return to the lower house for another reading before it can become law.

It was approved in the Senate by 156 votes to 121 in a confidence motion which would have forced Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni to resign if he had lost.

The reform toughens sanctions for theft and burglary and limits publication of wiretaps in criminal investigations, but the most contentious aspect involves the statute of limitations, which imposes deadlines on courts to complete legal proceedings.

Partly due to the notorious slowness of Italy's justice system, prosecutors say it is all but impossible to reach a definitive verdict for most financial crimes within the prescribed time frame, which is seldom more than eight years.

Uniquely among advanced countries, Italy's statute of limitations starts from the moment an alleged crime is committed rather than from the point it is discovered, and the time limit is not extended when a defendant is indicted or sentenced. No other country has both rules.

This is a major reason why, according to data issued by the Council of Europe, just 1 percent of inmates in Italian prisons are there for white collar crimes. That is one of the lowest rates in Europe and compares with 12 percent in Germany.

Under the proposed reform, the statute of limitations would be suspended for 18 months between an initial conviction and the start of a first appeal, and suspended for another 18 months after a second conviction before a second appeal begins.

In Italy defendants are allowed two appeals and are considered innocent until the final court ruling is delivered.

The reform is considered inadequate by many prosecutors, who say the time limit should be scrapped as soon as police open investigations into a suspect, as happens in Britain, or when a suspect is sent to trial, as in the United States.

On the other hand, small centre-right parties in the ruling coalition oppose any curbs on the statute of limitations.

Politicians from these parties have held up and watered down the reform, and they said they would demand fresh changes when it is discussed again in the Chamber of Deputies. (Editing by Alison Williams)
By Francesco Guarascio

BRUSSELS, March 15 (Reuters) - European Union banks may face increasing risks from bad loans totalling 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion) when the European Central Bank cuts back its economic stimulus programme, internal EU documents seen by Reuters said.

Banks have been saddled with more so-called non-performing loans (NPLs) following the 2008 global financial crisis, as companies and households have struggled to pay their debts. This in turn has crimped their ability to make new loans.

While the problem is more acute in countries such as Greece and Italy, which have experienced a prolonged economic crisis, it has "a European dimension" with spill-overs possible, a report by representatives of EU countries and regulators said.

And the risks posed by NPLs to the whole EU banking system may increase, "should monetary conditions become less accommodative," a document accompanying the report said.

The ECB is scheduled to cut the pace of its bond purchases, which it has used to try to stimulate economic growth, by a quarter to 60 billion euros a month from April.

Although it will continue them until at least the end of the year, it is also preparing the ground for a gradual phasing out of its aggressive stimulus measures, sources said.

EU countries with the highest rates of bad loans have returned to growth since the ECB launched its stimulus programme in 2014, but it remains unclear what will happen when this ends.

While banks are likely to benefit from higher interest rates, which improve the margin they make on their loans, this may be offset by the effects of another an economic slowdown.

The report will be discussed at a meeting of EU finance ministers in Malta on April 7-8 on how to tackle the NPL issue and a more detailed version is expected in spring.

ITALY'S BAD LOANS

Germany, the EU's largest economy, has so far opposed EU-funded solutions to the problem, arguing that it is only an issue in some countries and it is up to them to resolve it.

In absolute terms, more than a quarter of all EU bad loans are held by Italian banks, with Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena , which is negotiating the terms of a multi-billion-euros bailout with EU regulators, holding the largest proportion of bad loans compared to its capital.

German banks hold only 2.6 percent of the loans classified as soured, while in Greece and Cyprus nearly half of all loans are difficult to recover, according to the latest European Banking Authority (EBA) data.

Greek banks are being urged to reduce their high load of bad loans, a source said on Wednesday.

In Portugal NPLs are almost 20 percent of the total, and in Slovenia and Italy the ratio is above 16 percent, against a slightly declining EU average of 5.4 percent.

To tackle the problem, the EBA proposed in January setting up a publicly-funded bad bank that would acquire soured loans at prices higher than the market is now ready to pay..

This could help create a secondary market for the loans, which banks now are reluctant to sell because prices are too low and there are too few buyers.

While UniCredit, Italy's biggest bank, has sold 17.7 billion euros of bad loans at average 13 percent of their gross nominal value this year, it has also raised 13 billion euros in the markets to compensate the capital shortfall.

Italian lenders price bad loans at 41 percent of their nominal value on average, but the quality of the credit varies and few could afford a capital rise on the scale of UniCredit's.

While Germany did not endorse the EBA plan, the EU documents point at the development of a secondary market for NPLs as a priority.

But this issue remains controversial and is likely to require a compromise at political, rather than technical, level at the Malta meeting, an EU official familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

The documents also suggest a wider "restructuring of banking sectors" as states address the NPLs problem. This could lead to mergers among EU banks after they offload their bad loans, a banking industry official said.

"Time limits" to conclude insolvency procedures are also suggested as a way of boosting the value of bad loans, as recovering them would become easier and less costly. This proposal would complement European Commission plans to shorten bankruptcy procedures and the recovery of bad loans. ($1 = 0.9414 euros)

(Additional reporting by Silvia Aloisi and Valentina Za in Milan; Editing by Alexander Smith)
By Ian Graham

BELFAST, March 15 (Reuters) - A nationalist surge at elections in Northern Ireland and a Scottish demand for a second independence referendum have raised doubts over whether the United Kingdom can hold together after it leaves the European Union.

Last year's referendum on EU membership saw England and Wales vote to leave while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain, straining the ties that bind the UK together.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon dealt a blow to British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday by demanding a new vote on independence in late 2018 or early 2019, making her move much sooner than expected.

But while the Scottish issue had been well flagged since the Brexit vote, a snap provincial assembly election in Northern Ireland produced a genuine shock: for the first time since the partition of Ireland in 1921, unionists lost their majority.

Nationalist party Sinn Fein, backed by many of Northern Ireland's Catholics, narrowed the gap with the Democratic Unionist Party, whose support base is among pro-British Protestants, to just one seat.

This has revived the slow-burning question of whether Northern Ireland will stay in the United Kingdom over the long term or become part of the Republic of Ireland. This could be achieved by a referendum, often referred to as a border poll.

"A border poll might be 10 years away and it might still be lost, but clearly this election has shown a different dynamic in Northern Ireland politics," said Peter Shirlow, Director of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool.

"This opens the door for a different scenario."

Nationalist leader Gerry Adams, who is 68 and still hopes to see a united Ireland in his lifetime, told Reuters Sinn Fein had sensed new interest in Irish unity from voters.

But May, whose party is officially called Conservative and Unionist, has stated a deep personal commitment to keeping the 300-year-old UK together and is determined not to go down in history as the prime minister who allowed it to fall apart.

Opinion polls in the past have shown only limited support for Irish unity, including among Catholics. That is partly because of high awareness of the province's dependence on public sector jobs, welfare benefits and other flows of UK cash.

"BREXIT CHANGES EVERYTHING"

Senia Paseta, a professor of modern Irish history at the University of Oxford, said the economic context was a key part of the picture south of the border as well.

"I dont think reunification is likely in the short to medium term, not least because the Irish Republic is rightly wary of taking on Northern Ireland," she said.

But while Irish unity may not be on the cards anytime soon, the balance of opinion could change over time under the combined impact of Brexit and of demographic shifts that could favour Irish nationalism.

In Belfast's mainly Catholic Ardoyne area, a frequent flashpoint of communal tensions, no one was getting carried away just yet.

"I really hope what happened will make a border poll more likely, the sooner the better. But there are more of them than us still, so it would need some Protestants to vote for unity," said resident Sean Doherty.

Northern Ireland's population of 1.8 million is still majority Protestant, although demographic trends point to Catholics becoming the majority within a generation -- as they are in the Republic, which has a population of 4.8 million.

The northern province suffered three decades of sectarian violence, known as the Troubles, which cost 3,600 lives until the Good Friday peace agreement was signed in 1998.

Since then, Northern Ireland had mostly faded into the background of British politics, until the collapse in January of a provincial government that shared power between the DUP and Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein used to be the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, though it has long been committed to constitutional politics and the IRA has laid down its arms.

Renewed momentum towards a united Ireland and an independent Scotland is the last thing May needs as she begins the mammoth task of negotiating the terms of the UK's exit from the EU and of its future trading relationship with the bloc.

Brexit is particularly disruptive for Northern Ireland because its border with the Republic is the UK's only land border with the EU, raising the prospect of tougher border controls when the UK leaves the European single market.

"On this issue, as on so many others, Brexit changes everything," wrote political columnist Noel Whelan in the Irish Times last week.

"Northern nationalists have cause now to fear being marooned economically and politically behind a hard border and living in a polity where greater sovereignty over their lives is restored to British institutions."

"IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN"

May has said she wants the border to remain open, but has given no details as to how this can be achieved post-Brexit.

"No border, hard of soft, will be accepted by the people of Ireland. What British armoured cars and tanks and guns couldn't do in Ireland, 27 member states will not be able to do," said Martina Anderson, a Sinn Fein member of the European Parliament, speaking in the chamber this week.

But on the other side of Northern Ireland's political divide, opposition to Irish unity remains strong.

"A united Ireland, no way, it will never happen," said Trevor Herron, a pensioner in Belfast's staunchly unionist Woodvale Road area.

"They don't have the same benefits system down south. You have to pay to go to the doctor, pay for prescriptions. The politicians can play politics as much as they want but when it comes to money, economics, they (Catholics in Northern Ireland) know they are better off up here."

Oxford University's Paseta has argued that there was little appetite for unity south of the border because the status quo offered the Republic peaceful co-existence with the North and some involvement in its affairs while the British Treasury provided economic support.

Nevertheless, the issue of Irish unity has been slowly inching its way into policymakers' minds in Dublin.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has called for the Brexit treaty, when it happens, to specify that Northern Ireland would join the EU immediately if it united with Ireland.

Opposition party Fianna Fail, the favourite to win the next Irish elections, is preparing a plan on how a united Ireland would work in practice.

As well as the disruptive effect of Brexit itself, a huge uncertainty hanging over Northern Ireland is what will unfold in Scotland and what impact it will have on the province.

Scotland voted against independence by 55 to 45 percent in a 2014 referendum, but that was before the Brexit referendum.

Sturgeon and her Scottish National Party have argued that Scotland should not be dragged out of the EU against its will, and hence should have the option of a new independence vote.

A Scottish exit would be a huge psychological blow to Northern Ireland's unionists, many of whom are descended from 17th century Scottish settlers and feel strongly about their historic ties to Scotland and the wider UK.

Sinn Fein's Adams said nationalists had to win over unionists to the idea of a unified Ireland and give them confidence they would have a prosperous future within it. He did not expect this to happen overnight. (Writing and additional reporting by Padraic Halpin in Dublin and Estelle Shirbon in London; editing by Giles Elgood)
ABUJA, March 15 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari chaired his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday since returning from medical leave last week, approving a plan to develop the West African nation's non-oil industry.

Buhari, 74, has had no public appearances outside the presidential villa since coming back on Friday from London where he had been treated for seven weeks for an undisclosed illness.

Buhari called for two ministers for Christian and Muslim prayers before the national anthem was played at the start of the closed-door meeting before reporters were asked to leave the room, all of which is the usual practice at cabinet meetings.

He did not address the media after the two-hour meeting.

Trade and Industry Minister Okechukwu Enelamah told reporters the cabinet had approved to set up a council working with the private sector to expand Nigeria's non-oil industries.

The council will be chaired by Buhari's deputy Yemi Osinbajo, who won plaudits for driving policy changes as acting president during Buhari's medical leave.

In that time, Osinbajo travelled to the Niger Delta oil hub in a bid to calm tensions with militants who have attacked oil facilities - a region Buhari had been accused of neglecting - and concluded an economic reform plan required for a World bank loan. He later said he had Buhari's backing for his actions.

Buhari, who first led the country from 1983 to 1985 after a military coup, was elected two years ago. Since then he has travelled to Britain several times to consult doctors although details of his illness have not been disclosed.

Top political posts in Nigeria are traditionally shared to reflect the country's geographic and religious divisions. Buhari is a northern Muslim, while Osinbajo is a pastor from the mainly Christian south. (Reporting by Feix Onuah and Alexis Akwagyiram; Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Julia Glover)
By Tatiana Jancarikova

BRATISLAVA, March 15 (Reuters) - Slovakia's ruling parties proposed on Wednesday cancelling amnesties granted by former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar to his secret service chief and 12 others for the 1995 kidnapping of the then president's son.

The pardons, which left many Slovaks feeling a state-sponsored crime went unpunished, highlighted the country's slide from democratic rule under Meciar. Many politicians have condemned them formally but insisted they were irrevocable.

A movie based on the kidnapping of President Michal Kovac's son - also named Michal - has already become the most popular Slovak film ever. Its opening weekend earlier this month topped even those of the very popular Harry Potter movies.

Prime Minister Robert Fico said the ruling parties have now found a way to meet public demand for reopening the cases. "I believe this historical compromise will come as a satisfaction to the people," he told journalists on Wednesday.

Kovac was a symbol of resistance to Meciar, under whose rule Slovakia was denied an initial invitation to join the EU and NATO along with its central European post-communist neighbours.

Madeleine Albright, then the United States Secretary of State, called the country "the black hole of Europe".

Meciar denied any responsibility for the kidnapping last week. "I have nothing to fear, my head is not at stake," he said in a televised interview.

While he was interim president after Kovac's term expired, Meciar granted amnesties that prevented prosecution of 13 people, including a close ally who was head of the country's secret service (SIS), on suspicion they kidnapped Kovac's son to Austria, where he was dumped outside a police station.

A secret service agent who gave evidence on the case fled abroad due to fear for his life, and a friend who helped him escape died when his car was blown up in 1996.

When Kovac died last October, current President Andrej Kiska urged lawmakers to cancel the amnesties. "We owe it to ourselves, to the rule of law and an effort to revive trust in justice in this country," he said.

"It's still an open wound for Slovak society. People have not accepted that such an act of state terrorism against its own citizen would be left unpunished," political analyst Marian Lesko said.

An opinion poll last month showed 63 percent of Slovaks want the amnesties canceled. More than 66,000 Slovaks have signed an online petition, the biggest such survey in Slovakia's history.

The ruling parties have proposed a constitutional change that, if approved, would allow parliament to cancel the amnesties. The Constitutional Court would then be required to rule on such decision within 60 days.

"If the Constitutional Court upholds the cancellation, the authorities will have a green light, the investigation will continue where it stopped. How far it will go after all these years is beyond my competence," Fico said. (Editing by Tom Heneghan)
By Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa

NAIROBI, March 15 (Reuters) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta brushed off criticism of government borrowing in a state of the nation speech on Wednesday, saying it had funded the most aggressive development drive in the country's history.

In a speech to parliament laying out his case for reelection in August, Kenyatta said he had also strengthened the judiciary, reformed the electoral commission and overseen the devolution of power over the past four years.

Kenya's national debt has risen to 50 percent of GDP from 42 percent when Kenyatta came to power, prompting criticism from the opposition. Parliament is probing allegations that millions of dollars have gone missing from the health ministry, National Youth Service and other departments.

No major politicians have been convicted of corruption during his rule despite the auditor general's scathing reports.

"The borrowing (by) my administration has been ... solely to finance the most aggressive development agenda witnessed in Kenya's history," Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta, the wealthy son of the country's first president, said the economy had expanded by an annual average of 5.9 percent in the last four years, creating 2.3 million jobs.

The government has built 1,950 km of new roads and another 7,000 km are under construction, he said. A new railway will link the port of Mombasa with the capital Nairobi at a cost of 327 billion shillings ($3.18 billion).

In a nod to the many scandals dogging his administration, the president touted the recent establishment of an anti-corruption court but admitted, "we knew that eliminating corruption would be a journey on a rocky path."

He also said the country's overall wage bill must be slashed, saying it consumes half of all revenues and "threatens to destroy our development agenda".

He promised those elected in August would be paid less than their current counterparts. Kenyan lawmakers are among the most highly paid in the world, relative to their country's GDP.

Kenyatta said private sector credit growth had slowed after the government capped commercial lending rates last September. He pledged to ensure firms could get credit again.

Jobs, corruption and security will all be hot topics in the lead up to parliamentary and presidential elections in August.

More than 1,200 people were killed after a disputed election in 2007 sparked ethnic violence, and Kenyatta tried to assuage fears of another outbreak of violence.

"I urge citizens to exercise tolerance before, during and after the elections," he said.

But in a sign of continuing insecurity, 11 people were killed in an attack in the western county of Baringo on Tuesday, the Kenya Red Cross said. ($1 = 102.8000 Kenyan shillings) (Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Katharine Houreld and Tom Heneghan)
By Abdi Sheikh

MOGADISHU, March 15 (Reuters) - British foreign minister Boris Johnson met Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on Wednesday, pledging aid to help combat the effects of a devastating drought, the Somali president's office said.

The country has been mired in civil war for more than a quarter of a century, and this year around 6.2 million Somalis, around half the population, need aid after the drought withered crops, killed livestock and dried up waterholes in East Africa.

A statement from the Somali president's office said Britain would give 110 million pounds ($134.35 million) for drought in some parts of Somalia.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement that Johnson discussed the drought and security.

Britain pays stipends of $100 per month to some Somali police and soldiers, yet major problems with the security forces remain, including accountability for rights abuses and who has command and control of regional forces.

"Boris met Somalias president Mohamed and discussed strengthening ties with Somalia, doubling the support for Somali government, and aid assistance for the drought," the website for state-run Radio Mogadishu said.

Although it remains mired in violence and poverty, Somalia has shown some small signs of progress in recent years.

African Union peacekeepers have clawed back large swathes of territory from Islamist insurgents al Shabaab. New federal states have devolved power from the weak central government.

Last month, the president was elected in a political process which was heavily criticised for corruption but still resulted in a peaceful transfer of power.

The drought, however, is threatening to erase some of the fragile gains and tip the country into famine. At least 360,000 Somali children are severely malnourished, meaning they will die within weeks unless they receive food aid. A 2011 famine in Somalia killed around 260,000 people. ($1 = 0.8187 pounds) (Writing by Katharine Houreld; editing by Susan Thomas and Toby Davis)
By Lidia Kelly and Agnieszka Barteczko

WARSAW, March 15 (Reuters) - Poland aims to use "all legal means" to block the European Union's proposed terms for settling its antitrust investigation into Russian gas company Gazprom , the country's foreign minister said on Wednesday.

EU competition regulators said on Monday that concessions made by Gazprom following charges that it has abused it dominant position in central and eastern European gas supply markets should ease concerns of market abuse, while Poland and other eastern EU countries wanted a tougher line taken by Brussels.

If it comes into force, the legally-binding deal would entail Gazprom doing away with supply terms which bar importing countries from re-exporting its gas to other countries, tying contracts to investments in pipelines, and making its pricing fairer in supplying the three Baltic states, Bulgaria and Poland, where currently there is little competition.

Poland's Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski reiterated that Warsaw has always been opposed to Gazprom gaining a greater share of the European gas market.

"We believe that the Russians will use their supplies as an instrument of political influence," Waszczykowski told reporters at a joint news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart, Pavlo Klimkin.

"It's a pity that our idea has not found an understanding in the European Commission," he said, referring to Poland's own proposals for a settlement with Gazprom.

He declined to say what those proposals are but said Poland and Ukraine, which has not bought gas from Russia for more than a year because of a political stand-off with Moscow, "will use all legal means, international courts, to present our view on this political project."

Poland imports most of its gas from Russia, but Waszczykowski said his country is working on freeing itself from its dependency within five years.

On Tuesday Poland's state-run gas company PGNiG said it was confident that a new pipeline system to import gas from Norway via Denmark and the Baltic Sea would be ready by 2022.

Poland and seven other states in the region affected by the case have until May 4 to object to the European Commission's view and seek changes to the deal.

Piotr Wozniak, chief executive of PGNiG, said that his firm was not satisfied with Gazprom's concessions and that the Commission had not dealt adequately with what he said were the Russian company's monopolistic practices.

"We are not satisfied with that. We have seven weeks to react," Wozniak said.

Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz is also seeking to join PGNiG in a court case challenging the EU's decision to give Gazprom more capacity in the Opal gas pipeline in Germany.

Poland is fighting the EU's approval of a deal giving Gazprom access to more than its 50 percent share of Opal's capacity, which is expected to enable Russia to eventually bypass Ukraine as a gas export route by expanding its capacity to export into Europe via the Baltic Sea and Opal instead.

The EU, Klimkin said, "should ask itself a question. Does it want to be dependent on a country, and Gazprom is a part of Russia, whom no one trusts?" (Writing by Lidia Kelly; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
HELSINKI, March 15 (Reuters) - Finland's state-controlled airline Finnair said on Wednesday it will cancel over 90 flights on Friday due to an ongoing airport workers strike.

Finnish airport service workers will likely continue work stoppages on Friday after a trade union on Wednesday turned down a proposal to resolve a dispute over wages and benefits, the country's national conciliator said in a statement.

"The conciliator's proposal was not sufficient for us, but we are ready to continue talks", Juhani Haapasaari, chairman of The Finnish Aviation Union told Reuters.

Stoppages in Helsinki airport began two weeks ago, and may also continue next week if no solution is found.

Friday's action is due to last from 1300 GMT to 1700 GMT, but will be magnified by support strikes from workers in other service companies.

"This is already the second time we have to cancel over 90 flights, which is nearly one third of our daily flights on Friday. Cancellations apply to a large share of our domestic and European traffic during the strike time," Finnair's Chief Operating Officer Jaakko Schildt said in a statement.

The company added it will also make changes to departure times of other flights, so that they can be operated outside the strike hours.

Finnair, which is not party to the dispute between the Finnish Aviation Union and service company Airpo, last week said the strikes will cost it millions of euros. (Reporting by Tuomas Forsell and Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will have "substantive, hard" talks with U.S. partners in Asia on next steps in dealing with North Korea, but his visit this week is not likely to produce an immediate specific response, the State Department said on Wednesday.

"I wouldn't predict that there's going to be concrete action out of his trip," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a briefing on Wednesday when asked if Tillerson expected firm commitments on moving forward against North Korea.

"I think this is a chance for him to have a lot of substantive, hard discussions with our allies and partners in the region about possible next steps, again recognizing that the threat of North Korea, frankly, is only growing stronger," Toner said.

Tillerson is visiting South Korea, Japan and China on his Asia trip.

Asked what Tillerson would tell Asian trading partners following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the multilateral Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal negotiated by his predecessor, Toner said the secretary's message would be that trade is a vital U.S. stimulus.

"We want to pursue trade, we believe in trade," Toner said. "Trade is good for American workers, it's good for American companies, but we want to do that on a bilateral basis and ... we want to ensure a level playing field for U.S. workers and U.S. companies."

(Reporting by David Alexander; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Rosalba O'Brien and Antonio De la Jara

VINA DEL MAR, Chile, March 15 (Reuters) - The remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are seeking a way forward on the trade pact, they said on Wednesday, as some emphasized the need for deals to address concerns about workers' rights and other issues.

The TPP, which originally covered some 40 percent of global gross domestic product, was effectively torpedoed in its current form when President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement in January.

The 12 members met for the first time since then on Wednesday, assembled by Chile alongside China, South Korea, and Colombia, to try to thrash out a way forward on Asia-Pacific trade.

With the retreat of the United States, China appears to be the natural successor to lead those discussions, but an emphasis on getting a progressive deal that wins buy-in from skeptical citizens could see nations in the Americas forging a different path.

"We are talking about free trade of a very high quality, with protection for investors, the environment, and labor rights," Mexican foreign minister Luis Videgaray told reporters after the meeting.

"That is the primary criteria with which any negotiation that takes place will comply."

Consensus was growing that trade deals need to consider issues like the environment and labor rights, Canada's trade minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said on the sidelines.

"Around the table, the word 'progressive' appears more and more... it is becoming part of what people would consider as a base in order to progress," he said.

Critics of the TPP have said it does not do enough to protect jobs, and U.S. presidential candidates across the political spectrum promised to scrap it if elected.

But the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), promoted by China, contains far less than the TPP in terms of provisions for protecting workers and the environment.

China reiterated its wish to promote regional economic integration, but did not comment on the differences between the pacts.

Another way forward may be via Latin America's Pacific Alliance trade bloc. Its four nations said on Tuesday they would seek to expand by allowing associate membership as a precursor to trade talks.

New Zealand said in a statement on Wednesday that it expected to be one of the first to begin negotiations.

Trade officials from ex-TPP countries are now set to come up with a menu of options for ministers before they meet in May at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathering in Vietnam.

Ministers wanted to continue with the "substance of the accord," Chile's foreign minister Heraldo Munoz said.

(Reporting by Rosalba O'Brien; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Bill Rigby)
Sri Lanka Navys Flagship Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), SLNS Sayura left for Malaysia last evening from the Colombo Port to take part in the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2017 which is to be held on Langkawi Island in Malaysia.

During this visit, Commodore Prasanna Amaradasa is at the wheel as the Commanding officer of the ship and the ships crew is comprised of 215 naval personnel, the Navy said.

The LIMA-2017 is expected to be attended by 40 ships across from the globe. This international exhibition is held once every two years in a bid to strengthen international cooperation among countries and this years exhibition marks its 14th successful effort.

Twenty four personnel from the recently established SLN Marine Battalion will also feature in this years exhibition.

A wide range of programmes including cultural shows, fleet reviews, joint naval and air exercises are scheduled to be held as part of LIMA-2017 which is due to be conducted from 21st to 25th of this month.
Twenty five Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were deported from Australia arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Airport officials said four women were among the deportees, who had flown to Malaysia and attempted to migrate to Australia illegally.

The Sri Lankan asylum seekers were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the airport.(T.K.G.Kapila)
Dr. Sulochana Segara, Chairperson and Founder addressing the crowd

Serendib Flour Mills recently partnered with Women in Management, to host a customized training session for small-scale women entrepreneurs. The day-long training session took place on International Womens Day at Renuka Hotel and was attended by over 40 women, who run small businesses in various cottage industries.

The training programme was titled 7 Star Women Empowering you for Tomorrow and provided the women with the basic tips and knowledge that they need to make their businesses thrive. The programme addressed the challenges that many women in business face and provided practical tips on how to overcome them, whilst strengthening ones overall operation. At the conclusion of the programme each participant was awarded with a certificate of participation.

Commenting on the programme, Ms. Nimanthi Muthugalaof MPCS Warakapola who was a participant said: We really appreciate the value that this programme provided us with. We acquired a great deal of knowledge about how to improve our businesses and general management skills. I would like to thank the Serendib Flour Mills team and Women in Management for putting together such a comprehensive and useful training session. We would like to request the organizing committee to take this programme to the grassroots to empower women in the rural areas.

Kevin O' Leary - CEO of Serendib flour mills at the workshop

Several women in the programme run small food stalls, eateries and bakeries and were able to learn more about how to streamline their operations, boost their sales, manage their expenses whilst effectively marketing their products. SFML has had a long-standing history of supporting women and communities through the provision of customized trainings and the company continuously strives to uplift women in business across the country.

Commenting on the programme, Kevin OLeary  CEO, SFML, said: We would like to thank Women in Management for facilitating this training session and we would also like to thank all of the participants of this programme for their effort and commitment. We hope that the training that was provided will have a meaningful impact on their businesses in the long-run. International Womens Day is celebrated around the world and this year, it was run under the theme Be Bold for Change, we hope that this programme, has given each of the participants, the skills and insights that they need to improve their businesses and make positive changes in their personal and professional lives.

Kalinga Wijesekara, Head of Marketing and Communication addressing the audience

Serendib Flour Mills is one of the leading flour mills in Sri Lanka and is a joint venture between Al Ghurair Foods (AGF) and Emirates Trading Agency (ETA). The companys iconic 7 Star brand of flour has been nourishing the nation for 9 years and embodies the qualities of purity, innovation, quality, freshness, expertise, service and trust. Serendib Flour Mills is committed to becoming the number one producer of wheat flour in Sri Lanka and the preferred flour supplier in international markets.
Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena exchanges a memento with GeoPost SA Executive Vice President Arnold Schroven in the presence of (from left) DTDC Express Director Suresh Bansal, DTDC Express Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Subhasish Chakraborty, GeoPost SA Executive Vice President Arnold Schroven, Aitken Spence PLC Chairman Deshamanya Harry Jayawardena, Aitken Spence PLC Deputy Chairman and Managing Director J.M.S. Brito and Aitken Spence Maritime and Cargo Logistics Chairman and CEO Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

By Zahara Zuhair

The Aitken Spence group recently entered into a partnership with Frances DPD Group, the second largest international parcel delivery network in Europe, which is now available in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

DPD Group is the international delivery network of GeoPost SA, a subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste in France, and delivers to 230 countries globally. DPD Group has a strategic alliance with Indias largest and most preferred express network, DTDC Express, since July 2013, where they own a 42 percent stake.

At the launch ceremony, Aitken Spence Maritime Ltd Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake said that they have embarked on a partnership to provide seamless services to their clients in an industry that is bound to witness phenomenal growth.

He noted that the global currier express parcel market reached approximately US $ 270 billion in 2016 and it is expected to reach US $ 350 billion in 2020. Now what is driving this growth is e-commerce. People buy goods and services online. Retail e-commerce reached US $ 1.9 trillion in 2016 and expected to increase up to US $ 4 trillion in 2020. Asia-Pacific, where Sri Lanka is also located with India, is expected to reach US $ 2.7 trillion by 2020 and the envisage growth this year is 31 percent. This will drive the growth of currier parcel delivery, he said.

He said that with 60,000 experts and a network of over 26,000 pick-up points, DPD Group delivers 3.6 million parcels in 230 countries daily. He also said that Aitken Spence has been in business for global parcel currier express parcel delivery well over 35 years.

Noting that it is a historical day as the neighbours are getting together, Aitken Spence PLC Group Chairman Harry Jayawardena said that South Asia must get together and move forward. If we trade among ourselves, we dont need Europe. The business is there. We are now better than any other country in the world; we have peace. Today everyone is looking at Sri Lanka. India specially should take a leap; culturally, politically, business wise we all are similar. I dont see any reason why we should not enhance our activities within our neighbours, he said.

DTDC Courier and Cargo Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Chakraborty said that as they consider Aitken Spence equal to Indias TATA, this partnership with DPD will create history in Sri Lanka. Global Parcel Delivery (Pvt.) Ltd, a subsidiary of Aitken Spence PLC, will be representing DPD Group and DTDC Express in Sri Lanka to provide its Sri Lankan and Maldivian clients with state-of-the-art express delivery solutions.

Global Parcel Delivery (Pvt.) Ltd maintains 14 branches and franchisees islandwide and provides express export, imports and receiver pays express services.

The event also saw the attendance of tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and other diplomats.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the premier body of the lawyers in Sri Lanka, will conduct elections for its new office bearers including its president today.

BASL's outgoing president Geffery Alagaratnam told Daily Mirror that there would be a three-cornered battle for the presidency this year, as three leading lawyers -- Anura Meddegoda, U. R. L. Perera and R. Thangarajah will contest for the post.

He said there would be around 8,000 votes, while other sources said the total number of voters could be as high as 14,000. He said the polls would be held in the districts where the BASL has branches. The results are expected to be out at around 6.30 pm.

Both U. R. L. Perera and Anura Meddegoda were engaged in a strong SMS campaign last evening. Mr Pereras campaign said Vote for U R L Perera so that I can bring about the change you want", while the SMS campaign of Anura Meddegoda said I stand up against the infringement of Bar Association Members and safeguard the dignity of our profession.

BASL elections have become an event which has been focused upon by the lawyers themselves, in political circles and in civil society. Some candidates have been backed by political parties, and there have been instances where party members have contested for the presidency in the past. (Yohan Perera)
By Rodney Jefferson

(c) 2017, Bloomberg 

Mar 13, 2017

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said shell start the legal process of preparing for a second independence referendum, threatening to open a new front in the Brexit battle as the British government prepares to

trigger negotiations.



Scotland, which voted to remain in the European Union, stands at a hugely important crossroads as a result of the U.K. decision to leave the bloc, Sturgeon said. The Scottish government repeatedly sought compromise with Prime Minister Theresa Mays government only to be met with a brick wall of intransigence, Sturgeon told reporters

in Edinburgh.



As a result, Sturgeon said, she will seek the authority of the Scottish Parliament to agree with the U.K. government on a so-called Section 30 Order granting the ability of Scotland to legislate for an independence referendum. The referendum would be held between the fall of 2018 and the spring of 2019, she said on Monday.



The Scottish unrest risks more constitutional upheaval just as May readies to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty as soon as this week, further complicating the U.K. governments preparations for Brexit. Mays government said the Scottish administration should get on with running Scotland instead of calling a new independence referendum.



The evidence clearly shows that a majority of people in Scotland do not want a second independence referendum, the U.K. government said in a statement. Another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time.



The pound was 0.4 percent higher at $1.2216 on Monday. It initially pared gains as Sturgeon announced her plans, before rallying when she laid out her proposed timetable for the referendum because traders see it as far off.



Scotlands semi-autonomous government has been pushing to retain access to the EUs single market regardless of whether the rest of the U.K. abandons it.



It wouldnt be acceptable for the U.K. to puncture Scotlands lifeboat by preventing another referendum, Sturgeon said. Faced with the prospect of a so-called hard Brexit, Im doing what I think is right for the country and Im planning to win.



The Scottish National Party, which runs the administration in Edinburgh, has been building momentum for another independence push since Scotland voted to remain in the EU in last Junes referendum. With the U.K. government threatening a hard Brexit cliff edge, Sturgeon said there are massive implications for Scotland, for our economy, jobs, opportunities, public spending and living standards.



She and her Scottish National Party have said Scots are being ignored and the only way to fix the democratic deficit is to gain full independence. Recent polls have suggested a movement in favor of independence.



A survey published last week showed Scots were evenly split between going it alone and sticking with the status quo, while one in the Herald newspaper on Monday put support for remaining in the U.K. at 52 percent versus 48 percent for independence. In the first independence referendum, in September 2014, Scots voted 55 percent to 45 percent in favor of the union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.



This week is crucial to the preparations, with May due to address the U.K. Parliament on Brexit on Tuesday and Sturgeon scheduled to address her party faithful at the SNP conference in Aberdeen this coming weekend. The Scottish government says it has the mandate to call another vote, though, like last time, it would need the approval of the U.K.



Eurasia said its likely May will seek to delay, rather than block, any independence referendum until after Brexit is completed.



--With assistance from David Goodman and Tim Ross .
The other day, several young Diyawanna members from the two main political strands were engaged in a gossip session in the council lobby. They were swapping banter and laughing merrily when a senior purohita walked past them.



Meanwhile, a talkative one from the Colombo district winked at the passing purohita and muttered with a mischievous smile: A lucky one!



Intrigued by this cryptic remark, the others turned to him with a quizzical look.



Now that the passerby- purohita had disappeared, the Diyawanna member who made the remark, incidentally one from Kalutara area, explained: He is one of the two cupids in the same age bracket who never miss a chance to make a pass at a cutie they happen to come across!



What do you know about the exploits of our cupids well past their sixties? another member challenged. There are two old guys, who would affectionately hold the hand of a young female, meeting even for the first time . He suddenly stopped talking on seeing one old cupid referred to earlier sauntering in their direction.
By Iain Marlow, Upmanyu Trivedi (c) 2017, Bloomberg  

In a crowded court just outside Delhi, the fate of 148 men caught up in a deadly labour dispute at Indias largest car maker has been decided in a case that has highlighted the unrest rippling across Indias industrial landscape.



The trial court in Gurgaon convicted 31 Maruti Suzuki India Ltd workers and acquitted 117 others of all charges, according to Rebecca John, a senior advocate who represented some of the workers. If 117 out of 148 have been acquitted of all charges, I can only say it exposes the complete fabrication of evidence against the workers, John said.



A detailed copy of the judgment has not yet been given out, while the sentence is expected to be handed down this week.



The case began with an argument between workers and a supervisor over conditions turned violent at a Maruti Suzuki plant in the state of Haryana in July 2012. A manager was burned to death when protesting workers allegedly set a fire on the factory floor, leading to a one-month shutdown. They were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, arson and rioting.At the time of the incident, the company said nearly 100 managers were hospitalized after an orchestrated act of mob violence.



The issues highlighted by the case remain as pressing today as they were in 2012. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India push to increase domestic manufacturing, job creation in the countrys $2 trillion economy is lagging. Temporary employment is increasing, while the quality of many coveted factory jobs --which lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty in China-- remains poor. As Modis government pledges to reform the countrys labour laws after an earlier, unsuccessful attempt, they say the quality of industrial jobs could deteriorate even more. The Maruti Suzuki case reveals the potential for violent unrest at one of the biggest success stories of foreign investment in Indian manufacturing.

One of the accused, Amarjeet, who uses one name, said he was hired as an apprentice in 2007 and made only 3,500 rupees ($52) a month compared to a permanent workers 20,000 rupees ($300).

Five years later, he was making 10,000 rupees a month but had not yet been made permanent when he was arrested along with more than 100 others in a broad security sweep, defence lawyers say. He spent more than two-and-half-years in jail before he was granted bail and says he is innocent.

As Modi encourages global firms to invest in India, the Maruti Suzuki case highlights the dangers of entering a potentially strained business environment.



In its India Risk survey of business people and policy makers, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry said strikes, factory closures and social unrest were the top-ranked risk to businesses in 2016.



Jitendra Kumar, who was fired from Maruti Suzuki after the incident and now works as a union organizer, said apprentices are being kept on longer, for more types of roles. The same things are happening in all factories in the whole industrial belt here.



In February, 351 temporary workers lost their jobs at Omax Auto Ltd., a car parts supplier. One employee, Ajay Pandey, had been promised a permanent position after years at the company, Kumar said. Pandey later killed himself, prompting protests for compensation by other workers. An Omax spokesman said the terminations were due to irresponsible behavior and participation in union-organized work stoppages, adding that Pandey had missed work for months before being terminated.

Despite world-leading economic growth, India is struggling to create jobs. In 2015, Indias job creation was the slowest on record: only 135,000 net new jobs were created in key sectors for the estimated 12 million youth who joined the workforce, government data show.



In November 2014, Modis government amended the Apprentices Act to provide employers with greater flexibility such as deciding hours of work. Broader labour reforms are contentious in India, and the tweaks were praised as a way to speedily bring skills to Indias youth. The OECD has urged India to introduce simpler and more flexible labour law to aid job creation.



Union organizers said amendments have made it easier to use apprentices instead of full-time workers. Fines for companies violating the act are as low as 500 rupees. The use of temporary workers at many firms is also increasing: In 2015-16, for example, Maruti Suzuki employed 10,626 temporary workers compared to 6,578 in 2013-14, according to a company report.



Pais, from the Society for Social and Economic Research in Delhi, said the changes legalized common practices, such as relying on temporary instead of permanent workers, and paying them less for similar work.



If you want an efficient and healthy industry, this is not the way to go about it, Pais said.
History testifies he was the best of mankind. The seal of Prophethood, the last and final messenger of God. He was sent as a mercy to the entire universe. This man, Muhammad, have you heard of him? On that Day of Judgment, when man will be judged according to his deeds, he will beg and cry for you, seeking mercy from the Creator. Tell me, should you not know him?

Words of God recorded in the Quran (His message to mankind) describe the nobleness of the last and final Prophet, Muhammad. Unaltered for the last 1,400 years, the Quran reveals Prophet Muhammad is the seal of Prophethood -- some of his predecessors in the chain of Prophethood Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Moses, Yousuf, Jacob, Jesus (Peace be upon them) are mentioned in the Quran.

The acknowledgement of this noble human being by non-Muslims is indeed justifiable testimony to the above declaration by God Himself. A gift to the whole of mankind, not to the Muslims only. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

Irrespective of the religion, your neighbour should not face any inconvenience because of you. Pay a kind visit to your neighbour before going to the festival Eid prayer. If you eat when your neighbour is in hunger, then you are not a true Muslim. Add a little more water to your meat curry and send it to your neighbour as a kind gesture, there is no upper or lower class; all humans are equal and have the right to pray and eat together. Do not worship means or mediators, rather worship the one who created and empowered them. Extend a helping hand to the poor and the needy, and do not take interest.

He taught us to pay the exact remuneration to the labourer before his or her sweat went dry. He conquered and still continues to do so, the hearts and minds of billions of people across the world. The religion of peace taught to him by the Creator is self-sufficient and encompasses every aspect of life.

Islam has provision for health, engineering, law, agriculture, administration, marriage and military, to name a few. Those who follow him are not merely from his tribe and land, but from the four corners of the globe. Significantly, 56 countries with a staggering 2 billion followers (and growing), a quarter of humanity, are Islamic.

His inability to read or write the message in the holy Quran sent to him by the Almighty perplexes even the modern-day scientists. In his remarkable character and the Quran by the creator of humanity lies the answer to all the baffling queries of mankind.

Mahatma Gandhi in a statement to Young India stated that it was not the sword that spreads Islam but the passion, courage and faith of Prophet Muhammad to God. The three raging battles during the Prophets time were all defensive when the infidels attacked Madinah where the Prophet and followers entered after facing 13 years of persecution in Mecca. But Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers succeeded in conquering Mecca without bloodshed.

He was not solely the final messenger of God or the greatest religious leader of all times, but also a military headman who skunked two world superpowers -- the Romans and the Persians. His life would have certainly prompted non-Muslim Michael Hart, in his book titled The 100, A ranking of the most influential persons in history, to place Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) on number one.

Prominent Hindu scholar Swami Lakshmi Shankaracharya said if one was to judge Islam, it was necessary that he or she studied the lifestyle and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) thoroughly. It is truly interesting to note that he was very critical about Islam but upon studying it through original sources, concluded that Muslims were enjoined to fight in self-defence to establish peace, and not resorting to terror.

Arnoud Van Doorn, a former member of the PVV Party in the Netherlands, who made the anti-Islamic film Fitna against the Prophet, decided to study the Quran and the lifestyle of the Prophet after witnessing the overwhelming responses by Muslims. After performing Hajj, he apologised for the hatred spread against the peaceful faith and embraced Islam with the pledge of producing a film in honour of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) titled Muhammad, the Master of Mankind. He affirmed that the West-originated Islamophobia was largely due to media propaganda, and that governments painted a dark image about the religion thereby concealing its originality and peaceful, humane and nonviolent teachings.

The last and final Prophet of the One God, at all times advised people on good manners and character. In one instance, when Muaadh ibn Jabal was sent to Yemen as Governor, the Prophet advised him to perfect his character which would lead people to love and respect him. His personal appeal and gentle approach won the hearts of all people, even his foes. He taught us that the most perfect believer of faith was the one whose character was finest and who was the kindest to his wife, the best amongst us were those who did not harm others with their tongues and hands, the nearest to him on the Day of Judgment would be those with the best of character, that a Muslim cannot be a liar, and that the strongest would be those who controlled their rage.

He was a sincere and loving husband who attended to household chores, a loving father who would play with children and shorten the congregation prayer when he heard children cry, a good master where his servant preferred to serve him rather than going to his father, an honest and truthful businessman who made even his enemies in Mecca entrust their valuables to him until their return. He was a great leader and a warrior too, who never rested when the companions toiled, who treated everyone with equality and respect; everyone loved him. He is the most beloved and righteous servant to his Lord, praying for long hours in the night alone but shortened his prayer in congregation, knowing that the old, sick, feeble and those who had to attend to various responsibilities were there. He was generous to the poor and the needy, and fasted on Mondays and Fridays and on the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month apart from the holy month of Ramadan. Who else could ever be as successful as a worldly and spiritual leader?

George Bernard Shaw said: I believe if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that brings the much needed peace and happiness. I have studied him, far from being an anti-Christ he should be called the saviour of humanity. I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.

His passion for all human beings was boundless that he wept at night in prayer, supplicating for the future generations whom he would not meet in this world. Tell me, is it not an honour to have him as part of the human race?
A detailed exchange of information had taken place between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) on many important ongoing reforms, inclusive of the Constitution-making, a joint press release issued yesterday said.

The release was issued following a meeting of the working group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights, under the European Union-Sri Lanka Joint Commission which was held on Monday and Tuesday.

There was a detailed exchange of information on many important ongoing reforms, such as Constitution-making, as well as replacing the Prevention of Terrorism Act and amending the Code of Criminal Procedure Act to bring them in line with international standards, the statement said.

Both sides had recognised the need for further progress on reconciliation and agreed that the full implementation of the UNHRC resolution remains a priority.

The EU had recognised the progress made by Sri Lanka in various areas, including the ratification of the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the passing of the Right to Information Act and legislation on the Office on Missing Persons.

There was also discussion of the progress made and the challenges ahead in maintaining the freedoms of expression and of the media, strengthening civil society, advancing the rights of women and children, respecting non-discrimination on any grounds, addressing the rights of minorities, acceleration of the return of land, labour rights, and implemention of the treaty obligations and the rule of law.

The parties also discussed Sri Lanka's application under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), which is currently under consideration by the European Parliament and the Council.

The two institutions have until mid-May to discuss the European Commissions assessment and adopt their position.

Therefore, the EU drew attention to the importance of Sri Lanka making prompt and concrete progress in fulfilling international commitments on human rights and labour rights and environmental protection, the statement said.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Group will be reported to the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission to be held later this year. The Joint Commission will then assess the progress achieved since todays meeting.

The EU delegation to the Working Group also called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
A rehabilitated woman cadre and three others in her company were arrested by the Wellawaya Police on suspicion yesterday, when President Maithripala Sirisena attended a ceremony in Kotaweheragala in Wellawaya to issue title deeds for State land to beneficiaries.

The main suspect was from the Mullaithivu area and others were residents of the Kotaweheragala area.

The Police said the Investigations had revealed that the 35-year-old former LTTE cadre had been attached to the LTTE Police from 1998 to 2002 and after her surrender to the security forces, she had undergone rehabilitation from 2009 to 2010.

The Police said the purpose of the former LTTE cadres visit to the area and how she had been known to the other three suspects was being investigated.

OIC Wellawaya Police CI T.M. Jayaratne is conducting investigations on the instructions of SP Sujith Wedamulla and DIG Aruna Patmashantha. (Nayanajeewa Bandara)
Countless examples can be drawn from world history to support the thesis that one of the necessary pre-conditions for the rise of extremism is the silence or indeed the silencing of moderates. There are also instances where moderates flirt with extremists in tirades against a particular enemy, usually an identity-based community, knowingly or unknowingly feeding the worst elements of their own community. Then, when the moderates fail to deliver the patently undeliverable promises embedded in communalist rhetoric, the hands of time slowly but surely move to generate what could be called the hour of the extremists.

Extremism cannot be wished away, but it can be denied. And theres no instrument of denial that is as convenient as passing the buck to some communal other when it comes to identity-based extremism. Its also called finger-pointing (in any direction but that of the extremists who belong to ones community).

This seems to be whats happening with respect to the violence sourced to extremist elements in the Muslim community in the Eastern Province, Kattankudi in particular. Islamic extremism, wrongfully (and deliberately?) sanitized by the replacement with the word radicalization has plagued Kattankudi for several years now. Swords and knives were known to have been used in a clash recently.

A group calling itself EMSL (Ex-Muslims of Sri Lanka) have openly blamed the Thawheed Jamaath for the violence. The tag Ex-Muslims is confusing. On the face of it, they are no longer Muslims and therefore Muslims, extreme or otherwise, can legitimately question their right to pass judgment on things Islamic. However, a group calling itself As-Sunnah Trust Sri Lanka has claimed that the violence was perpetrated by those with ties to the ISIS. In any event, Muslims in Kattankudi have come out in numbers demanding that the extremists leave them in peace.

The silence of mainstream Muslim political parties in all this is very disturbing. If Muslim moderates feel that looking the other way is an option in view of community solidarity they need to review what looking askance in the face of extremism did to moderates in the Tamil community.

A recent example would be the case of the LTTE. The Tamil nationalist narrative (too) easily passes the blame or the buck to intransigent Sinhalese for the escalation of inter-ethnic tensions into an all out and bloody conflict and thereby conveniently downplay or dismiss the role of Tamil nationalists in all this. Moderate Tamil nationalists, that is. The silence of the moderates quickly leads into many moderates being silenced (for good) and those remaining being turned into approvers or in the very least apologists.

The silence of moderates in other communities is also worrisome. The Sinhala moderates or rather those in the Sinhala community often disavow identity for a community-less Sri Lankan tag in the supposedly larger interest of inter-communal harmony and national reconciliation. They rant and rave against extremism and extremists from the majority community as a necessary act to rise above petty communalism. While one could applaud this, what is hard to understand is the silence when it comes to the extremism of other communities.

Perhaps they feel that raising a voice against other communalisms and extremisms somehow help strengthen Sinhala extremism by providing grist to the extremism-justification mill.

The hour of the extremists is nigh. What this means is that the hour of the moderates is coming to an end. Ironically, extending the political shelf lives of the moderates depend on their ability to affirm by word and deed their moderation, for this alone will delay the arrival of the extremists. Rest assured, once the clock starts ticking for the extremists, it stops ticking for the moderates.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is planning to add 85 Gw annual output to the countrys electricity supply, with the proposed Moragolla hydro power project. It is a threat to the green Labeo (Labeo fisheri), a critically endangered fish species that lives in that part of the Mahaveli river, where the Moragolla hydro power station is to be located.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was done by the CEB and the Central Environment Authority (CEA) approved the report. The project began and dynamite was being used.

It was then that the dead Labeo fish were detected, until then, they were considered extinct. The project was halted with this discovery, it was revealed that the CEB had not informed the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) of this and the National Aquatics Resources Association (NARA) was instructed to carry out a study to find out whether more Labeo fish are in there. The fish species was to be translocated to the Kelani river in Kitulagala area. It seemed DWC, CEA and NARA are passing the responsibility to each other, as it was evident from their comments.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was to give a 120 Million loan for the relocation of Labeo fish.

According to senior scientist Ramani Shirantha of NARA, the relocation is not going to happen. In that case, what happens to the ADB loan? Nobody knows who got the loan. Every institution related to this is silent when questioned about it.

Moragolla project manager of CEB, Jayarathna, made it clear that nobody could give information without the chairmans permission. He blatantly said he cannot say anything without written permission and cut the line. We would like to remind all those officers who take cover behind such flimsy excuses that, with the Right to Information Act (RTI act), the public are entitled to information from public officials.

It appears that the government institutions and officials are not well aware of the projects they are carrying out. The responsible people in higher posts are being ignorant, even when they can find solutions to protect nature whilst exploiting for the benefit of the country. The experts must be imaginative enough to find a solution which can protect nature as well as development activities.

Major hydro projects, blast fishing and mini hydros threaten the Gadaya.

- Madhura De Silva President of Wildlife Conservation Society, Galle

This critically endangered species presently remains in the untouched part of Mahaweli river

Major hydro projects, blast fishing and mini hydros are the threats to Gadaya.

Commenting on the relocation plan on Green Labeo (locally known as Gadaya), Madhura De Silva said the Green labeo lived in rapidly flowing rivers and it is restricted to Mahaweli basin. This species feeds on algae growing on rock surfaces and they prefer fast flowing water. Green Labeo dislikes the stagnant water and stays in the deep waters, where rocks are common. Fast water flow is crucial to their existence. This critically endangered species presently remains in the untouched part of Mahaweli river. In those areas in the Mahaweli basin, where major hydro power plants -- Victoria, Randenigala and Rantambe -- the damming has changed their migration patterns and the Green labeo are in trouble as they swim upstream to breed. With damming, up stream swimming is impossible and their migration patterns have been

badly affected.

According to Madhura De Silva, three major factors have been identified as working against the existence of Gadaya. Major hydro projects, blast fishing and mini hydros are the threats to Gadaya. People in Kandy use explosives to harvest fish and the remaining Peradeniya, Gatambe and Galaha areas are subjected to development (human settlements).

In the lower Knuckles area, people use dynamite in deep pools to harvest fish and this affects the whole population including juvenile and adult fish and the entire fish population, he explained.

Evaluating the relocation of Green labeo he emphasized the practical difficulties. It is hard to catch this fish species without harming them because they live so deep. Scuba divers with oxygen supply are needed to catch the fish in habitat and thats really difficult.

We accept that energy is necessary, but at what cost?

- Dr. Sewwandi Jayakody Ecologist and senior lecturer in Wayamba University

When we were aware that the CEB was calling for tenders to relocate Labeo fish, we sent a letter to DWC asking the details of relocation

Regarding how many of this species are going to be relocated, they are clueless

At the very beginning of this hydro power project there was no record of Labeo fish in this area. When we were aware that the CEB was calling for tenders to relocate Labeo fish, we sent a letter to DWC asking the details of relocation assessments and about the species. Yet the DWC never sent a reply, Dr. Jayakody said.

Dr Sewwandi described the Labeo fish as a deep pool inhabiting creature. In those deep pools, the oxygen percentage is really high and its a biological need of the fish species. Their habitats are places where rivers fall from one level to the other and this characteristic is necessary for the species existence.

The DWC has not yet identified some important facts as in which river they live and their population numbers; regarding how many of this species are going to be relocated, they are clueless. Now they are going to relocate this critically endangered fish species in to Kelani Ganga - Kitulgala area. NARA is doing this. If this relocation is not successful, we ourselves are driving them to extinction. We accept that energy is necessary, but at what cost? Do you really need to relocate them because of that?, she asked.

This activity will be illegal under the section 23 A A of National Environment Act.

- Jagath Gunawardena Environment lawyer

This is a species that hadnt been studied very much in Sri Lanka and therefore any capture or any attempt to relocate would be disastrous to this population

Gadaya or the Green Labeo (Labeo fisheri), is included as a protected species under Section 31 A of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance

Ulcerative Fish Disease is present in the Kelani river

Gadaya or the Green Labeo (Labeo fisheri), is included as a protected species under Section 31 A of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. Therefore, no one can capture, harm, kill or keep in custody or under ones possession any living individual of this species, he said on the legal background of the matter.

According to the provisions of FFPO, the director of Wildlife Conservation can allow the capture of a protected species of fish only for scientific researches which include conservation purposes. Therefore, any attempt by NARA to catch it and trying to relocate it is illegal and even the director of DWC cannot give permission for such an operation. he claimed.

The proposed relocation of the species is not included in the permitted activities as per the environment approval granted by the CEA, for this project. Therefore, this activity will be illegal under the section 23 A A of National Environment Act. This is a species that hadnt been studied very much in Sri Lanka and therefore any capture or any attempt to relocate would be disastrous to this population. It is important that a comprehensive study of this species should have been carried out before any attempted relocation. It is also very troubling to note there will be a trans-boundary relocation of this population to Kelani river from the Mahaweli Ganga. There should have been a comprehensive study of the Kelani river, including the native flora and fauna, and whether any predators or any diseases are present in the Kelani river and in the other hand whether any native animal including fish inhabiting the Kelani Ganga would be adversely affected by the newly introduced green Labeo, he explained.

I am personally aware, from my observations, that the Ulcerative Fish Disease is present in the Kelani river and it has affected species belonging to the family Cyprinidae to which the green Labeo too belongs. Therefore, this possibility has to be comprehensively studied.

We totally depend on the DWCs position.

- Kanthi De Silva Acting Deputy Director General of EIA Division - Central Environment Authority

There was a supplementary EIA done in 2014

During the construction the CEB has noted this protected species living in the area

We are awaiting the decision of DWC, because they have the authority to take action in this matter. There was a supplementary EIA done in 2014 and at that time the hydropower project was approved by the Mahaweli Authority, she said.

During the construction the CEB has noted this protected species living in the area. After that, the DWC had asked NARA to carry out a proper study to find out whether this fish species lived within the site. And I have to say; we totally depend on the DWCs position, she added.

We have directed NARA to do a research on the impact of relocating the species. Our decisions depend on the results of NARA research.

- Hashini Sarathchandra Publicity officer of Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC)

Relocation is not happening

- Ramani Shirantha Senior Scientist of Inland Aquatic Resources and Aquaculture Division - NARA

Im not aware of the ADB loan or what happens to it.

Labeo fishery species found in Ethgala area

The relocation is not happening because the report has revealed the Labeo fishery species is there in the Ethgala area in Mahaweli river. And we are going to write a report to DWC. The methods we used to survey the existence of fish species were underwater photographs and videos. And Im not aware of the ADB loan, what happens to it, or what is the

exact amount.

Depictions from EIA report that was made earlier

Additional Environment studies report made in February 2014

Sri Lanka Green Power Development and Energy Efficiency Improvement Investment Program

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) plans to develop a new 30.0 MW hydropower project at Moragolla in Kandy District. The scheme involves construction of a 35m high concrete gravity dam (with a 5-gate spillway) across the Mahaweli Ganga at Weliganga, to create a 38.5 ha (1.98 MCM) reservoir with a Full Supply Level (FSL) at 548 msl. 

5.1.4 the presence of Labeo fisheri, locally known as Kalu Gadeya, a critically endangered species (MOE, (2012), is of particular interest as it is only found in the middle catchments of the Mahaweli river system (Pethiyagoda, 1991; Shirantha, 2012).Report of IUCN

Conservation status of Labeo fisheri According to the National Red List 2012, Labeo fisheri is categorized as a Critically Endangered freshwater fish and is included in Schedule VI of the Fauna and Flora protection Ordinance (Amended act No. 22 of 2009) as a protected species (Gunasekara, 2011).

(https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/linked-documents/47037-003-eiaab-02.pdf)
The elder sibling of the former strongman created ripples of resentment in JO camp when he attended a function organized on the initiative of Number One in yahapalanaya recently.



However, none of the JO stalwarts at the time were bold enough to question the conduct of the revered elder of the once powerful family. The matter appeared forgotten with the passage of time.



The issue that ruffled the JO front-liners surfaced again when the former strongmans loyal namesake from Matara queried about it from the politically more aggressive sibling at the grand party hosted by the gabby bold one from Kalutara although the revered elder himself was present on the occasion.



The politically aggressive sibling replied: We dont question the actions of our eldest one. You may call it a family tradition However, you being senior to him as a council member could have explained to him the misconceptions and misgivings such an action could create among the people in the country.



Thats quite true, said the Matara stalwart. Just see the way these guys now in power messing up things! We may rather  than become the bedfellows of these guys! (Our apologies to the readers for the blank for the words were unprintable)
The Joint Opposition (JO), yesterday, accused the government of endorsing the alienation of 18 state business institutions to obtain US$ 5.8 billion.

It said Waters Edge, the Grand Oriental Hotel, Litro Gas, Lanka Hospitals, the Hyatt Regency Complex, Hilton Hotel, Hambantota Airport and the Port were among the 18 institutions identified by the Pathfinder Foundation as potential candidates to lure Foreign Direct Investments.

Alienation is not a practice of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) or the United National Peoples Alliance (UPFA). We cannot countenance the sale of state entities that would place the fate of future generation at risk, MP Bandula Gunawardena said at a media briefing.

He said there were some SLFP ministers in the government who were against the alienation of state institutions.

Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said recently that he was against the Hambantota Port deal on account of some unacceptable conditions. We commend Minister Ranatunga for not giving into peer pressure, he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
The extension of the Central Expressway up to Dambulla had been put on hold because of a decision by the Government to stop external borrowings for any project hereafter, it is learnt.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management has taken this decision a week ago.

Accordingly, the Government has also shelved the implementation of the Ruwanpura Expressway project. A government source told the Daily Mirror that the Government would opt for projects on the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model only.

The source said this was a temporary move taken to tide over the crisis involving debt servicing at the moment.

Once we come out of it, we can opt for development loans, the source said.

However, the source said that the Government would proceed with the construction of the Central Expressway linking Colombo with Kandy via Kurunegala. (Kelum Bandara)
DPA, 14th MARCH, 2017 - German Chancellor Angela Merkels first face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump will have to wait a few days because of severe weather in the Monday forecast for Washington.



White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the decision was made after consultations between the White House and the chancellors office.



The postponement, which Merkels office in Berlin also announced, came just before Merkel was to depart for Washington. The flight was scheduled to land at Washingtons international airport just a few hours after the storm is due to begin late Monday. Merkel plans to warn Trump about the dangers of protectionism and isolation under his America First trade stance when she meets Trump.

The chancellor and Trump have had a fractious start to their relationship, clashing on a range of issues, from trade and the currency market to the role of multinational organizations.
A seven-storey building in Dematogoda, that was constructed with the donations of charitable donors from Myanmar on the advice of the Nayaka Theras of the committee of Management of the Makutaramaya Myanmar Temple in Colombo, was declared open by President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday. Pix by Presidents Media unit
Dr. P. Kirupakaran, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at the Kalutara Hospital and the President of the Sri Lanka Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons said Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) specializes in treating diseases, injuries and defects in the oral and maxillofacial regions.

Maxillofacial refers to the upper and lower jaw. Thus, this practice includes treatment of the mouth, both jaws and the face. OM surgeons are qualified in dental surgery and receive special training in maxillofacial surgery.



Speaking of when people go to an OM surgeon he said, Usually patients are referred from dental surgeons, as they are the primary qualified people. When it comes to birth defects, patients are referred from paediatricians. Likewise, when there could be cancers and other diseases, they are referred from other specialities and we treat them.



Dr. Kirupakaran further said that many patients came in with birth defects. One of the more common birth defects seen is cleft lip. Some babies are born with a separated lip or separated roof of the mouth called the cleft palate and they need special care from childhood to adulthood, so we manage them. Likewise, there are many defects we treat but the cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common ones. Some people are born with a small mandible, meaning that the bottom jaw is smaller than usual. Sometimes one side of the patients face doesnt develop properly. Such defects are treated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.



He said oral cancer was among the diseases he most commonly saw in patients.Oral cancer is one of the most fatal diseases in our part of the world. In Sri Lanka, oral cancer is the number one killer among cancers. It affects the health system badly. At the Kalutara Hospital, we see about 3 or 4 new cases per week. What we do is remove the lesion and the patient is left with a deformity which should be surgically corrected at once or later on. Sometimes, surgery may not be adequate and they will be sent for radiotherapy or some other treatment, so they will be referred back to us in order to manage any complications arising from this. Such complications include dry mouth, problems with cheeks, gums or ulcers.



Speaking of the distribution of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the country, he said, there are Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons in all the major hospitals and in the future we hope to cover all the small hospitals as well. We do special training and trainees have to qualify through an exam. Now we have enough people so we are trying to cover all the general hospitals, district general hospitals and some of the village hospitals. Some areas such as Puttalam do not have an OM surgeon, so patients will have to go to Chilaw. There are some other areas that are in a similar situation. But we are training people in order to cover these areas so our surgeons can visit other hospitals.



Dr. Kirupakaran further explained how awareness of this practice was spreading in Sri Lanka. We recently celebrated International Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Day that is celebrated worldwide on February 13. We had a media function on February 8 and on the 13th we celebrated it at the National Dental Institute in Colombo. There was an exhibition and a blood donation. The exhibition was held for schoolchildren as well. We have also conducted small functions island-wide where we distributed pamphlets in order to create awareness on the matter.
Armed men are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker they have seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late on Tuesday.

An EU naval force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ships master, who confirmed that armed men were onboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

Mondays hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012. It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as patrols by the navies of Nato countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years.

However, the United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates possess the intent and capability to resume attacks. One expert said some in the region had let down their guard as the situation calmed. Nato ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men onboard the tanker said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Bile Hussein told the Associated Press that the armed men have locked most of crew in one room and cut off communication lines. Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so thats why all communications were cut off in the afternoon, he said.

The Aris 13, manned by eight Sri Lankan sailors, was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalias capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs, said John Steed of Oceans Beyond Piracy. The EU statement says the ships master issued a mayday alert.

An official in Somalias semiautonomous state of Puntland said over two dozen men boarded the ship off the countrys northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al-Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabaab. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to journalists.

The ship was anchored on Tuesday off the town of Alula, said Salad Nur, a local elder. The ship is on the coast now and more armed men boarded the ship, he told the AP by phone.

An official based in the Middle East with knowledge of the incident told the AP that the vessels captain reported to the company it had been approached by two skiffs and that one had armed personnel on board. The ship changed course quite soon after that report and is now anchored. The official also spoke on condition of anonymity.

The EU naval force said it had passed information to the ships owners and an investigation was under way.

Sri Lankas foreign ministry said in a statement it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information to help ensure the crews safety and welfare.

A UN shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by a company called Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed as care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Calls and emails to Aurora went unanswered.

Australian government records from 2014 list the ships owner as Flair Shipping Trading FZE in the UAE. Argyrios Karagiannis, the managing director of Flair Shipping, declined to comment.

An address listed for Flair Shipping in Dubais high-rise neighbourhood of Jumeirah Lake Towers was for a company called Flair Oil Trading DMCC. A woman who answered the door on Tuesday told an AP reporter the firm wasnt connected to the ship and directed him to another office.

When no one answered the door at that office, the AP reporter returned to find Karagiannis entering the office of Flair Oil Trading DMCC. We will not be releasing any information, Karagiannis said before shutting the door.

The incident involving the Aris 13 represents the first commercial pirate attack off Somalia since 2012, Steed said. The pirates never went away, they were just doing other forms of crime and if any of the measures reduce (which they have, or ships take risks) the pirates are poised to exploit the weakness, he said in an email.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom. They dont normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

Piracy off Somalias coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry. It has lessened in recent years after an international effort to patrol near the country, whose weak central government has been trying to assert itself after a quarter of a century of conflict. In that time, concerns about piracy off Africas coast have largely shifted to the Gulf of Guinea.

But frustrations have been rising among local fishermen, including former pirates, at what they say are foreign fishermen illegally fishing in local waters.

Nur, the local elder, told the AP that young fishermen including former pirates have hijacked the ship.

They have been sailing through the ocean in search for a foreign ship to hijack since yesterday morning and found this ship and boarded it, he said. Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing.(TheGuardian)
Ever since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan survived the July 2016 coup attempt that threatened to usurp power from his government, he seems to have lost his mental equilibrium, techniques of diplomacy and pragmatic statecraft.

This is visible in ample measure in the insecure president's body language and rhetoric in the wake of a diplomatic row with the Netherlands, which has snowballed into a major crisis before the impending referendum he seeks from the Turkish people, both within and outside the country for unbridled powers to strengthen his presidency.

This also shows how desperate Erdogan is to derive more power.

Against this backdrop, the Dutch government has refused, perhaps rightly so, to welcome the visit of Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who was on his way to canvass for Erdogan ahead of the referendum.

Erdogan, beset by his ego and sense of superiority, couldn't stomach the response his foreign minister received.

His anti-Holland remarks were unsavoury, threatening and falling short of diplomatic niceties.

Matters got complicated further when Turkish minister Fatima Betul Kaya, who arrived in Rotterdam via Germany, insisted on holding a rally in the port city.

The Dutch, acting in the interest of their sovereign state, did not allow the rally to take place - leading to huge protests by local Turks, which also saw the use of force and violence.

Finally, minister Fatima was escorted out of the Netherlands via the land route, further infuriating the Turkish president, who is smarting under a great sense of insecurity.

Erdogan labelled the Dutch "Nazis", avowed punitive action and threatened to teach them a lesson.

In present-day politics and diplomacy, the last thing a sovereign country can afford is to remain in isolation. Photo: Reuters

Such undiplomatic remarks, punctuated with aggression and belligerence, speak of a head of state who is in a hurry to consolidate power and not sure how to handle a smaller country like Holland - jeopardising bilateral relations.

The Netherlands has 4,00,000 Turks with dual nationalities, who are eligible to take part in the referendum.

They look confused, and Erdogan's immaturity and utter lack of tact, has put them in a state of dilemma.

They thought Holland was their home, but the latest imbroglio has upset them. They may start nurturing anti-Dutch sentiments leading to problems.

Their society now stands threatened with a division along religious lines - Islam versus the rest.

This is dangerous as Erdogan's image is tainted owing to excesses on the Kurds and his leaning toward Islamic fundamentalism.

He, perhaps, thinks he has nothing to lose if the Dutch society is Islamised.

Holland already has a vocal and active politician in Wilders, who is pressurising Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his cohorts to act against Islamic activists to clear the city of extremism and terror.

He illustrates cases of Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans linked to terror-related activities in Belgium and France.

The Netherlands too has refugees from Syria.

Dutch intelligence is keeping a hawkish eye on them lest some of them align with other Islamic forces (and Turkey too) to spark terror.

The fresh Dutch-Turk tensions are a bad sign and need urgent redress to suppress communal forces.

The newly-appointed UN Secretary General and diplomats of European Union (EU) must brainstorm sooner than later for this is a moment to act, not react.

Meanwhile, the Dutch ambassador in Ankara, who is out on an assignment abroad, has been told by the Turks not to return to Turkey.

Anti-Dutch statements continue to flow incessantly.

In a recent statement, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim threatened Holland with a harsh response for its "unacceptable" behaviour.

Such fiery rhetoric, made laced with a dangerous tenor and tone pushes the situation to a "point of no return".

This is all the more reason for restraint in handling an issue that has impaired the multilateral relations between European countries and Turkey.

The first step in quelling communal passions and angst needs to be taken by Erdogan.

He must remember that he has few friends.

Putin is his newest ally, but one can't expect him to involve Russia in this issue.

Pakistan, another friend of Turkey, stands muted in this development as it will hopefully continue to be in the near future.

In present-day politics and diplomacy, the last thing a sovereign country can afford is to remain in isolation.
Aviva plc provides various insurance, retirement, investment, and savings products in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and internationally. The company offers life insurance, long-term health and accident insurance, savings, pension, and annuity products, as well as pension fund business and lifetime mortgage products. It also provides insurance cover to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses for risks associated with motor vehicles and medical expenses, as well as property and liability, such as employers' and professional indemnity liabilities. In addition, the company provides investment management services for institutional pension fund mandates; and manages various retail investment products, including investment funds, unit trusts, open-ended investment companies, and individual savings accounts for third-party financial institutions, pension funds, public sector organizations, investment professionals, and private investors. It markets its products through a network of insurance brokers, as well as MyAviva platform. The company was formerly known as CGNU plc and changed its name to Aviva plc in July 2002. Aviva plc was founded in 1696 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A  Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited.

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The following companies are subsidiares of Abbott Laboratories: 3A Nutrition (Vietnam) Company Limited, ABON Biopharm (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd., AGA Medical Belgium, AGA Medical Corporation, AGA Medical Holdings Inc., ALR Holdings, AML Medical LLC, APK Advanced Medical Technologies LLC, ATS Bermuda Holdings Limited, ATS Laboratories Inc., Abbott, Abbott (Jiaxing) Nutrition Co. Ltd., Abbott (UK) Finance Limited, Abbott (UK) Holdings Limited, Abbott AG, Abbott Asia Holdings Limited, Abbott Asia Investments Limited, Abbott Australasia Holdings Limited, Abbott Australasia Pty Ltd, Abbott B.V., Abbott Bahamas Overseas Businesses Corporation, Abbott Belgian Investments, Abbott Bermuda Holding Ltd., Abbott Biologicals B.V., Abbott Biologicals LLC, Abbott Bulgaria Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Capital India Limited, Abbott Cardiovascular Inc., Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., Abbott Delaware LLC, Abbott Diabetes Care Inc., Abbott Diabetes Care Limited, Abbott Diabetes Care Sales Corporation, Abbott Diagnostics GmbH, Abbott Diagnostics International Ltd., Abbott Diagnostics Technologies AS, Abbott Doral Investments S.L., Abbott Equity Holdings Unlimited, Abbott Equity Investments LLC, Abbott Established Products Holdings (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Finance Company SA, Abbott Financial Holdings SRL, Abbott France S.A.S., Abbott Fund Tanzania Limited, Abbott Gesellschaft m.b.H., Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, Abbott Health Products LLC, Abbott Healthcare (Puerto Rico) Ltd., Abbott Healthcare B.V., Abbott Healthcare Costa Rica S.A., Abbott Healthcare LLC, Abbott Healthcare Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Healthcare Private Limited, Abbott Healthcare Products B.V., Abbott Healthcare Products Ltd, Abbott Holding (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding GmbH, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited, Abbott Holding Subsidiary (Gibraltar) Limited Luxembourg S.C.S., Abbott Holdings B.V., Abbott Holdings LLC, Abbott Holdings Limited, Abbott Holdings Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Hungary Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Iberian Investments (2) Limited, Abbott Iberian Investments Limited, Abbott India Limited, Abbott Informatics Asia Pacific Limited, Abbott Informatics Canada Inc, Abbott Informatics Corporation, Abbott Informatics Europe Limited, Abbott Informatics France, Abbott Informatics Germany GmbH, Abbott Informatics Netherlands B.V., Abbott Informatics Singapore Pte. Limited, Abbott Informatics Spain S.A., Abbott Informatics Technologies Ltd, Abbott International Corporation, Abbott International Enterprises Ltd., Abbott International Holdings Limited, Abbott International LLC, Abbott International Luxembourg S.ar.l., Abbott Investments Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Ireland, Abbott Ireland Financing Designated Activity Company, Abbott Ireland Limited, Abbott Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Abbott Knoll Investments B.V., Abbott Korea Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Bangladesh) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco (Dos) SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Chile) Holdco SpA, Abbott Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Abbott Laboratories (Mozambique) Limitada, Abbott Laboratories (Pakistan) Limited, Abbott Laboratories (Philippines), Abbott Laboratories (Puerto Rico) Incorporated, Abbott Laboratories (Singapore) Private Limited, Abbott Laboratories A/S, Abbott Laboratories Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Abbott Laboratories B.V., Abbott Laboratories C.A., Abbott Laboratories Finance B.V., Abbott Laboratories GmbH, Abbott Laboratories Inc., Abbott Laboratories International LLC, Abbott Laboratories Ireland Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited, Abbott Laboratories Limited - Laboratoires Abbott Limitee, Abbott Laboratories NZ Limited, Abbott Laboratories Pacific Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Poland Spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Laboratories Products B.V., Abbott Laboratories Residential Development Fund Inc., Abbott Laboratories S.A., Abbott Laboratories SA, Abbott Laboratories Services Corp., Abbott Laboratories Slovakia s.r.o., Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Abbott Laboratories Trading (Shanghai) Co. 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Bhd., Abbott Medical (Portugal) Distribuicao de Produtos Medicos Lda, Abbott Medical (Schweiz) AG, Abbott Medical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Abbott Medical (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Australia Pty. Ltd., Abbott Medical Austria Ges.m.b.H., Abbott Medical Balkan d.o.o. Beograd (Novi Beograd), Abbott Medical Belgium, Abbott Medical Canada Inc./ Medicale Abbott Canada Inc., Abbott Medical Danmark A/S, Abbott Medical Devices Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Espana S.A., Abbott Medical Estonia OU, Abbott Medical Finland Oy, Abbott Medical France SAS, Abbott Medical GmbH, Abbott Medical Hellas Limited Liability Trading Company, Abbott Medical Ireland Limited, Abbott Medical Italia S.p.A., Abbott Medical Japan Co. Ltd., Abbott Medical Korea Limited, Abbott Medical Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, Abbott Medical Laboratories LTD, Abbott Medical Nederland B.V., Abbott Medical New Zealand Limited, Abbott Medical Norway AS, Abbott Medical Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Medical Sweden AB, Abbott Medical Taiwan Co., Abbott Medical U.K. Limited, Abbott Medical spoka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia, Abbott Middle East S.A.R.L., Abbott Molecular Inc., Abbott Morocco SARL, Abbott Nederland C.V., Abbott Nederland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Netherlands Investments B.V., Abbott Norge AS, Abbott Nutrition Limited, Abbott Nutrition Manufacturing Inc., Abbott Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., Abbott Operations Uruguay S.R.L., Abbott Overseas Cyprus Limited, Abbott Overseas Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Overseas S.A., Abbott Oy, Abbott Point of Care Canada Limited, Abbott Point of Care Inc., Abbott Poland Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Procurement LLC, Abbott Products (Philippines) Inc., Abbott Products (Spain) S.L., Abbott Products Algerie EURL, Abbott Products B.V., Abbott Products Distribution SAS, Abbott Products Egypt LLC, Abbott Products Limited, Abbott Products Limited Liability Company, Abbott Products Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Products Operations AG, Abbott Products Operations LLC, Abbott Products Romania S.R.L., Abbott Products Tunisie S.A.R.L., Abbott Products Unlimited Company, Abbott Resources Inc., Abbott Resources International Inc., Abbott S.r.l., Abbott Saudi Arabia Trading Company, Abbott Scandinavia Aktiebolag, Abbott Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, Abbott South Africa Luxembourg S.a r.l., Abbott Strategic Opportunities Limited, Abbott Trading Company Inc., Abbott Universal LLC, Abbott Vascular Devices (2) Limited, Abbott Vascular Devices Limited, Abbott Vascular Inc., Abbott Vascular Instruments Deutschland GmbH, Abbott Vascular International, Abbott Vascular Japan Co. Ltd, Abbott Vascular Limitada, Abbott Vascular Netherlands B.V., Abbott Vascular Solutions Inc., Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott West Indies Limited, Abbott drustvo sa ogranicenom odgovornoscu za trgovinu i usluge, Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., Alere, Alere (Shanghai) Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Healthcare Management Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Medical Sales Co. Ltd., Alere (Shanghai) Technology Co. Ltd., Alere A/S, Alere AB, Alere AS, Alere AS Holdings Limited, Alere BBI Holdings Limited, Alere Bangladesh Limited, Alere China Co. Ltd., Alere Colombia S.A., Alere Connect LLC, Alere Connected Health Limited, Alere Connected Health Ltd., Alere Diagnostics GmbH, Alere DoA Holding GmbH, Alere GmbH, Alere GmbH (Austria), Alere GmbH (Germany), Alere HK Holdings Ltd., Alere Health B.V., Alere Health BVBA, Alere Health Corp., Alere Health Sdn Bhd, Alere Health Services B.V., Alere Healthcare (Pty) Limited, Alere Healthcare Connections Limited, Alere Healthcare Inc., Alere Healthcare Nigeria Limited, Alere Healthcare S.L., Alere Holdco Inc., Alere Holding GmbH, Alere Holdings Bermuda Limited, Alere Holdings Pty Limited, Alere Home Monitoring Inc., Alere Inc., Alere Informatics Inc., Alere International Holding Corp., Alere International Limited, Alere Lda, Alere Limited, Alere Limited (New Zealand), Alere Medical BVBA, Alere Medical Co. Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Australia Pty Ltd., Inverness Medical Innovations Hong Kong Limited, Inverness Medical Innovations SK LLC, Inverness Medical Investments LLC, Inverness Medical LLC, Inverness Medical Shimla Private Limited, Inversiones K2 SpA, Inversiones Komodo S.R.L., Ionian Technologies LLC, Irvine Biomedical Inc., Kalila Medical, Kangshenyunga S.A., Knoll UK Investments Unlimited, LLC VeroInPharm, Laboratoires Fournier S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano Lafrancol S.A.S., Laboratorio Franco Colombiano del Ecuador S.A., Laboratorio Internacional Argentino S.A., Laboratorio Synthesis S.A.S., Laboratorios Lafi Limitada, Laboratorios Naturmedik S.A.S., Laboratorios Pauly Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Laboratorios Recalcine S.A., Laboratorios Transpharm S.A., Laboratory Specialists of America Inc., Lafrancol Dominicana S.A.S., Lafrancol Guatemala S.A. Sociedad Anonima, Lafrancol Internacional S.A.S, Lafrancol Peru S.R.L, Lake Forest Investments LLC, Lightlab Imaging Inc., Limited Liability Company Abbott Laboratories, Limited Liability Company Abbott Ukraine, Limited Liability Company VEROPHARM, Lung Fung Hong (China) Limited, Mansbridge Pharmaceuticals Limited, MediGuide LLC, MediGuide Ltd., Medscreen Holdings Limited, Metropolitana Farmaceutica S.A., Midwest Properties LLC, Murex Argentina S.A., Murex Biotech Limited, Murex Biotech South Africa, Murex Diagnostics Inc., Murex Diagnostics International Inc., Natural Supplement Association LLC, Negocios Denia Sociedad Anonima, Neosalud S.A.C., Nether Pharma N.P. C.V., NeuroTherm LLC, Normann Pharma-Handels GmbH, North Shore Properties Inc., Novamedi S.A., Novasalud.com S.A., Nutravida S.A., OJSC Voronezhkhimpharm, Omnilab Iberia Sociedad Limitada, OptiMedica, Orgenics France SAS, Orgenics International Holdings B.V., Orgenics Ltd., PBM-Selfcare LLC, PDD II LLC, PDD LLC, PT Alere Health, PT. Abbott Indonesia, PT. Abbott Products Indonesia, Pacesetter Inc., Pantech (RF) (PTY) LTD, Pembrooke Occupational Health Inc., Penagos S.A., Pharma International Sociedad Anonima, Pharmaceutical Technologies (Pharmatech) S.A., Pharmatech Boliviana S.A., Polygon Labs S.A., Quality Assured Services Inc., RF Medical Holdings LLC, RTL Holdings Inc., Ramses Business Corp., Recben Xenerics Farmaceutica Limitada, Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc., Rich Horizons International Limited, SC VEROPHARM, SJ Medical Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., SJM International Inc., SJM Thunder Holding Company, SPDH Inc., Saboya Enterprises Corporation, Salviac Limited, Scanax AS, Sealing Solutions Inc., Selfcare Technology Inc., Shandong Abbott Dairy Product Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Medical Devices Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Shanghai Abbott Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc.,      ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics.

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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.
   |    21  2001
WASHINGTON  Three of Virginias seven Republican members of Congress have come out against House Speaker Paul Ryans plan to revise the Affordable Care Act  and the other four have yet to take a position.

The dissent, from two hard-line conservatives and one moderate, illustrates the challenge House leaders face in pushing a proposal that the Congressional Budget Office said would reduce the deficit but also leave 24 million more Americans uninsured.

For weeks, Reps. Dave Brat, R-7th, and Tom Garrett, R-5th, both members of the Freedom Caucus, have warned that Ryans plan would not go far enough to roll back former President Barack Obamas health-care law.

Then on Monday, Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, announced that he, too, opposes the plan, saying it is clear that this bill is not consistent with the repeal and replace principles for which I stand.

The move was unexpected because Wittman has a moderate voting record and, without the support of mainstream members like him, experts say, the bill will not pass in its current form.

Wittman represents the traditional Mid-Atlantic Republican. Hes not a tea partyer, hes not Freedom Caucus Republican. He is a legislator, said David Wasserman, who is House editor at the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

Through a spokesman, Wittman declined interview requests. Messages of thanks flooded his social-media accounts.

The rest of the states Republican congressional delegation has not responded to requests about their positions on Ryans plan: Reps. Scott Taylor, R-2nd; Bob Goodlatte, R-6th; Morgan Griffith, R-9th; and Barbara Comstock, R-10th. Democratic members of Congress from Virginia want to defeat the plan.

Republican plans to revise the Affordable Care Act present a political minefield for members such as Comstock, who represents a Northern Virginia district where Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had a 10-point edge over Republican Donald Trump in November.

The legislation is a work in progress, and we continue to talk with constituents, medical professionals, and other stakeholders on their concerns and needed reforms, Comstock spokesman, Jeff Marschner, said in a statement.

Goodlatte, the senior Republican in the delegation and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a message to constituents last week that he was still reviewing Ryans plan to make sure its a better way forward for Virginians than our current course.

Griffith, in his weekly newsletter to constituents on Monday, said he expected the bill to change before it reaches the floor and plans to offer an amendment requiring able-bodied Medicaid recipients without young or disabled children to work or be retrained.

In an interview Tuesday, Taylor said he was undecided but leaning toward supporting the bill because this is what I campaigned on and leadership is not about getting 100 percent of what you want.

The CBO predicts premiums would increase up to 20 percent in the first year under Ryans plan, called the American Health Care Act, but decrease by 2026.

Wittman did not explain which provisions of the plan he rejects, but he maintains that the Affordable Care Act should be repealed. He has said he would only favor a plan that preserves Medicare and Medicaid and does not grow government.

I do not think this bill will do what is necessary for the short- and long-term best interests of Virginians and therefore, I must oppose it, he said. I do believe that we can enact meaningful health-care reforms that put the patient and health-care provider back at the center of our health-care system, but this bill is not the right answer, he added.

If Wittman, who was first elected to Congress in a 2007 special election, decides to run for higher office, his early opposition to Ryans American Health Care Act could distinguish him from other Virginia Republicans.

In 2016, Wittman was building a campaign for Virginia governor and eyeing a run for the Senate if Clinton had won the White House and installed Sen. Tim Kaine as her vice president. Instead, Kaine stayed put, and Wittman dropped out of the governors race to focus on Congress.

He was named chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on sea power and projection forces, which oversees the U.S. Navy fleet. Wittman joined President Trump earlier this month at the Newport News shipyard that builds the nations aircraft carriers, and both men have said they want to increase military spending.

Republicans say Wittman is a potential contender to challenge Kaine in the 2018 midterm elections.

The congressmans sprawling Republican district means he must appease independent voters in Prince William County who favored Clinton and die-hard conservatives in the suburbs outside Richmond.

Hes caught between two Republican worlds, Wasserman said, and two kinds of voters who view this legislation with skepticism for very different reasons.
RICHMOND  Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday said he will expand the use of Project Exile, a program to reduce gun violence that FBI Director James Comey helped start in Richmond two decades ago when he was a federal prosecutor here.

Weve seen a priority thats slipped away from firearms on the federal level, Sessions said, speaking to law enforcement officials and others gathered for his visit to Richmond. Firearms prosecutions have gone down. This downward trend is going to end.

Project Exile is a widely copied program credited with cutting Richmonds violent crime 20 years ago by shipping firearm violators to far-off federal prisons. When Comey was appointed director of the FBI, Exile was frequently cited as one of his accomplishments.

On Wednesday, when a reporter asked Sessions if he would push for wider use of Project Exile, he said, Yes, I will promote that nationwide.

Project Exiles effectiveness has been questioned and has been criticized by some for disproportionately hitting low-income African-Americans. Sessions said you need to be sensitive but have to fight crime where it is found. He said it is people in those communities who plead for help.

Sessions was in Richmond for a closed meeting with area law enforcement officials and crime victims. But he gave a 30-minute public address in which he praised area police agencies for dramatic crime rate reductions and promised more federal assistance in stopping recent increases in violent offenses and an opioid epidemic.

He noted that crime had fallen to historic lows in Richmond and across the country in recent decades. In Richmond, the violent crime rate dropped by two-thirds from 1995 to 2015.

But he said that from 2014 to 2015, the violent crime rate in the U.S. increased by 3 percent, the largest increase since 1991, in what he believes is a trend that needs to be reversed. In Richmond, violent crime rose 17 percent last year over 2015, which had the lowest violent crime rate in 45 years.

Sessions opening remarks were open to sheriffs, police chiefs, ranking federal agents and the media. Not everyone who might be expected to attend was invited  including Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael N. Herring, Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and Virginias secretary of public safety, Brian J. Moran.

The omissions concerned U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-4th, who said in a prepared statement that my serious concerns about the appointment of Attorney General Sessions continue to mount. He comes to Richmond for a press event, saying he wants to address violent crime here.

But by not inviting the commonwealths secretary of public safety or Attorney General Herring, Sessions proved that he does not actually care about keeping our communities safe, McEachin said. Instead, he said, it appears that the attorney general is on a partisan mission to deliver talking points that are not based on facts.

Outside the SunTrust Building where Sessions spoke, dozens of protesters gathered, many with signs calling for his resignation. Inside the building, the Democratic Party of Virginia called for Sessions to resign for not telling the Senate Judiciary Committee about his meetings with the Russian ambassador.

Asked during a brief press conference Wednesday about his judiciary testimony, Sessions said, I never considered meeting with the Russian ambassador to be anything improper in any way. We didnt discuss politics or campaigns. ... We discussed issues like the Ukraine.

I was asked about an allegation that had come out that day that surrogates of the Trump campaign  and I was a surrogate  had met continually with Russian officials. I said I dont know anything about that, havent met with Russians, said Sessions. Further questions on the topic were cut off by a woman who appeared to be an aide.

In his earlier remarks, Sessions told the more than 40 central Virginia law enforcement officials on hand that in the past four decades, we have won great victories against crime in America. Its happened under the leadership of both parties.

I think our police departments are better trained, our prosecutors are better trained, we just know how to fight crime more effectively, he said. Hundreds of thousands of people are alive today because of good police work  and because weve got a lot of murderers in jail. Theyre not going to murder private citizens if theyre in the slammer, I can tell you that."

But he said recent developments concern him. From 2015 to 2016, Sessions said, the number of homicides in Richmond jumped from 43 to more than 60. Since 2014 the murder rate has gone up in 27 of our 35 largest cities. The homicide rates in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Memphis have returned to levels we havent seen in two decades, he said.

If this were just a one-year spike in crime we might not worry too much about it. But my best judgment is it is not, he said. The number of violent crimes for the first half of last year was up 5 percent, he said. My fear is that the crime rise is not a blip but could be the beginning of a trend. If we act effectively now, we can stop this trend from rising, Sessions said.

Among other things, Sessions blamed the rise on the increased availability and use of drugs, reducing prison populations, and less aggressive prosecutions and sentencings.

Here are a few other topics Sessions addressed Wednesday:

When asked if he ever gave President Donald Trump any reason to believe Trump had been wire-tapped by the previous president, he said, The answer is, No. He said he held a role in the campaign so he cannot investigate his own campaign. I have recused myself. I am not talking to the president or the people who investigate, he said.

He said he did exactly what he said he would do at his confirmation hearing. I said that when I became attorney general, I would meet with the top ethics people in the department. I would evaluate whether I had to recuse myself or not. I met with those people within days of taking office. We had several meetings and ... reached a conclusion within three weeks of being in office that I should recuse myself.

He said he suspects the medical value of marijuana has been overstated and opposes recreational use of marijuana. He said that federal laws against marijuana remain in effect in states that have legalized it. Sessions said there should be some selective federal enforcement. But, essentially, were not able to go into a state and pick up the work that police and sheriffs have been doing for decades.

In an apparent reference to police shootings in recent years, Sessions conceded there are some bad apples among the 800,000 people in law enforcement. The Department of Justice is going to fulfill its role to ensure that law enforcement officers are not out of control. But he said that the profession as a whole has been unfairly maligned by the actions of a few.

Dozens of protesters, including many wielding signs urging Sessions to resign, gathered on a sidewalk outside the building during the attorney generals appearance.

One protester, Rain Burroughs of Richmond, said shes still astounded that Sessions is the countrys top law enforcement official, especially in light of the revelations that he failed to disclose his contact with the Russian ambassador during his confirmation hearing.

If that doesnt count for something, what counts for anything? she asked.

Also outside the building was Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam, who, like McAuliffe, Attorney General Herring and Moran, was not invited to the meeting.

Northam, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, called the Trump administrations view of U.S. crime scare tactics that do not reflect reality in Virginia.

We want to make sure that people feel safe in Virginia, that theyre welcome and theyre not being shamed because of their immigration status, he said.

Northam also took issue with Sessions testimony, once again calling on the attorney general to resign.

To have our highest-ranking law enforcement official in the country have trouble telling the truth, I cant condone that, he said. We have to have people who are honorable.
RICHMOND  Gov. Terry McAuliffe has signed legislation that will allow some retired police officers to carry guns while working as security guards in Virginia schools, a reversal from last year when McAuliffe vetoed a similar bill with weaker training requirements.

Guns are generally banned from school grounds under state law, with an exception for active law enforcement personnel assigned to schools as part of their official duties. House Bill 1392 would give schools the option of hiring armed security guards as school board employees, but only if the guard is a retired law enforcement officer who has been retired for 10 years or less.

The bill passed the Republican-controlled General Assembly by wide margins in the Senate and House of Delegates. Some Democrats opposed it, calling it an ill-advised loosening of restrictions on guns in schools.

McAuliffe quietly signed the bill Monday, according to the state's online legislative system. It will go into effect July 1.

Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, R-Prince William, said the bill he patroned will mean better protection for teachers and students.

"This gives rural communities the added benefit of being able to hire these retired police officers because they just don't have enough cops to go around," Lingamfelter said.

The bill does not force local school boards to hire armed guards, but opens it up as an option for localities that want to pursue it.

McAuliffe, a Democrat who regularly opposes Republican efforts to allow more people to be armed in more places, explained his veto last year by saying the bill lacked provisions to ensure school security officers are properly trained.

Lingamfelter added more stringent requirements to the 2017 version, which requires armed guards to prove that they meet specific training and qualification standards, including receiving instruction in active shooter response. Local school boards would also have to check with the local police chief or sheriff before granting a security guard the ability to carry a gun.

McAuliffe's office said the governor felt last year that the bill didn't require the highest training standards, and the General Assembly "heard his concerns."

"The governor reviews these bills carefully and even for bills that he's vetoed in the past if the General Assembly makes changes to address his concerns he's always open to signing them," said McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy. "That's what happened in this particular case."

Del. Lamont Bagby, a Democrat who formerly served on the Henrico County School Board, said he opposed the bill because it wasn't clear to him at the time whether more stringent training requirements would be added, but said he had no "heartburn" over the bill's approval.

"I know several police officers that would go into this position and do a great job. And it wouldn't be as costly as getting a police officer that's still working for the department," Bagby said. "We just wanted to make sure it was done properly."

Lingamfelter said he wasn't bothered by "the absence of fanfare" over the bill signing, saying "the presence of action" means more.

"I took it to heart and I actually went to correct some of the concerns that he had," Lingamfelter said of the governor's veto message last year.

"This is one of those highly boring, un-newsworthy, atypical stories where people actually let their ears work."
Lorraine WaxmanPearce, 82, of Washington, D.C., died on March 14, 2017, at Martha Jefferson House in Charlottesville, Va. Born on April 14, 1934, in the Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Rose and Benjamin Waxman. She graduated from the High School of Music and Art and received a B.S. in Education from City College of New York in 1955. She was a Fullbright Scholar in Strasbourg, France and then completed her master of arts degree at Winterthur at the University of Delaware in 1958. At that point, she considered herself "timid and over-educated" but immediately went to work as the first curator of the White House, and by working with Mrs. Kennedy, became "the woman who furnished Camelot." They wrote the first edition of "The White House: An Historic Guide" which just celebrated it's 50th anniversary by releasing a 23rd edition. She went on to raise two children, run an antiques business and teach private classes in decorative arts. She is survived by her former husband, John Pearce of Fredericksburg, Va.; her two children, Hannah and David Pearce; her son-in-law, Bruce Cohen; her grandchildren, Madeline, Aaron, Ben and Eli Cohen; her brother, Jack Waxman and his family including wife, Suzanne, nieces and nephews, Ben, Rebecca and Jennifer, and great-nieces Akiva and Jalini, as well as many friends who were also like family to her. Special thanks to Dr. Balogan, to all of the staff of Martha Jefferson House, and to the Hospice of the Piedmont for all of their loving care and support. Her funeral will be held at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 11 a.m. with Rabbi Tom Gutherz of Congregation Beth Israel officiating and with burial at the Charlottesville Hebrew Cemetery to follow and then a meal of consolation to follow that at the home of Hannah and Bruce, 112 George Rogers Rd., Charlottesville VA 22911. Shiva minyan will also be held at their house Thursday night at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice in her memory. "May her memory be a blessing". Friends may send condolences online at www.hillandwood.com
What do all these things have in common?

 Virginias top economic development agency gave $1.4 million to a Chinese company that promised to build an auto parts plant in Appomattox. The company might not have been real, but the agency didnt know because it didnt have a system to vet companies that were seeking incentive funds.

In the furor after this came to light, the agencys CEO resigned, the agency set up a vetting process, and the General Assembly restructured how the agency is run. Meanwhile, both state police and the FBI are investigating what really happened to the money.

 Remember when Norfolk Southern closed its Roanoke office and moved the jobs to Norfolk and Atlanta  mostly Norfolk? Gov. Terry McAuliffe approved the state giving Norfolk Southern $1.925 million in incentives  even though some officials with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership questioned whether that was a wise use of state funds.

The railroad had been darkly warning that, without the incentives, it might move all the jobs to Atlanta, and the governor thought it necessary to pay the railroad to keep the jobs at least somewhere in Virginia. But was it really credible to believe that Norfolk Southern would move coal-related jobs to portless Atlanta?

 In October 2014, an official in the states regional office that deals with social services spotted a pattern: The Rockbridge Area Department of Social Services wasnt investigating more than half the reports of child abuse and neglect that came to its attention. A regional official advised that he planned to review the cases to see what was going on. More than a year and half passed, during which time one child died and four allegedly were sexually assaulted in homes that had been reported to Child Protective Services.

Eventually, an internal investigation concluded the agency failed to do its job, a new director was installed in Rockbridge, and the commonwealths attorney impaneled a special grand jury to look into possible criminal conduct within the department.

So what do these things have in common? In each one, key facts came to light thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, be it the state version or the federal version.

This week is Sunshine Week, the annual observance of what are often called sunshine laws  the laws that require most government records to be made public. Sunshine is said to be the best disinfectant, and sunshine laws are one way to force government officials to make public things that they usually dont want made public.

Sunshine laws, though, arent just laws for journalists. Theyre laws for everyone.

Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards filed Freedom of Information Act requests to get information on the contaminated water in Flint, Michigan.

If youve ever thought that government is too unresponsive, then this is a week to celebrate the sunshine that sometimes makes things happen.

Excerpted from The Roanoke Times.
ELKO  The wife of Elkos newly elected Justice of the Peace is seeking domestic violence protection from her husband, citing emotional and verbal abuse.

Kathy Goicoechea requested a temporary protection order Friday against Judge Elias Choch Goicoechea, and it was signed the same day by District Judge Al Kacin.

One day earlier she had filed for divorce in Lovelock, according to Pershing County Justice Court.

According to Elko Justice Court officials, Judge Goicoechea was preparing a written response for the media on Tuesday.

He has not finalized his statement with his attorney, said Justice Court Administrator Randall Soderquist late Tuesday afternoon.

In court documents, Kathy Goicoechea alleges there has been serious emotional abuse and there was pushing and profanity on Feb. 27, the date of the most recent abuse, according to the order.

She also wrote that her husband insisted in staying in a household despite his intention on no longer staying in a relationship (marriage) adding that there has been serious emotional abuse pertaining to when asked to leave.

The complaint prohibits Judge Goicoechea from contacting his wife directly or through an agent, excludes him from coming within 100 yards of their residence, and requires law enforcement to escort him to the home to obtain his personal belongings. The order expires April 9.

The couple has been married for 18 years and they have two minor children, according to the document.

Kathy Goicoecheas legal representative, Evenson Law Office in Lovelock, declined to comment on the situation.

Motions filed in Pershing County District Court include temporary possession of the marital residence, temporary custody of two minor children, interim child support and interim spousal support, said Pershing County Clerk Dawn Bequette.

Judicial officials did not say whether the protection order would have any impact on Judge Goicoecheas position, as he continued to preside over court cases this week.

Due to the confidential nature of the situation we cant comment on the situation, but we are aware of the situation and are monitoring it, stated the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline.

District Attorney Tyler Ingram also gave no comment regarding the impact on his offices procedures.

Goicoechea was elected Justice of the Peace in November for the newly created Department B in the Justice Court. He was sworn in Dec. 30.
CARSON CITY  For a second time, lawmakers are considering a joint resolution creating the right to hunt, fish and trap in the Nevada Constitution.

The committee rooms in Elko, Las Vegas and Carson City were full of individuals concerned with the measure on Tuesday.

Senate Joint Resolution 11 begins The right to hunt, trap and fish, including by the use of traditional method, shall be preserved for the residents of this State and managed through statutes and regulations which preserve that right and which promote the conservation and management of wildlife.

Testimony and letters were submitted in person, by email, and via the commenting tool on the Nevada Legislatures website. Based on the volume of comments and testimony given, the resolution may be one of the hottest topics in the Legislature during the 2017 session, and is certainly of the high importance to the rural counties.

The principle opponents of the resolution were the Nevada Wildlife Alliance and TrailSafe Nevada. Their arguments centered more around trapping than any of the other rights.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Leslie Pittman of the Nevada Wildlife Alliance stated, Trapping is an offensive commercial activity to many Nevadans who perceive it is a threat to public safety to individuals, their children and their domestic pets. It is also perceived as animal cruelty and an activity that should either be prohibited or, at a minimum, requires more regulation.

Similar sentiments were stated by Jana Wright of Clark County and TrailSafe Nevada.

Lia Sturgis of the Carson Valley spoke to the Committee about her dog being injured by a trap placed on her familys private land, and her mother whose hand was hurt while removing the trap. She told about staking out the trap for a period of four days to catch the individual who had placed it on her land, and waiting until the individual who owned the trap to return in order to catch the man.

Stephanie Meyers of Las Vegas testified against the amendment because she felt that things like hunting, fishing and trapping were not important enough to be rights guaranteed by the Constitution, saying It should not be a right to kill Nevadas wildlife.

Argument in favor of the bill came from a variety of standpoints. The benefit to Nevadas economy was among these, and Henry Krenka of the Nevada Outfitters and Guides Association spoke to the economic effect sporting has.

Sportsmen spend more time on preserving wildlife than anyone. Fishing and hunting have been a part of Nevada since day one, Krenka said.

The place in Nevadas heritage that hunting, fishing and trapping have held for over 150 years was also a topic of impassioned testimony. Nevadan Kevin CK Bailey told the Committee Fishing is a way of life for my family. It is not merely a sport, it is a way of life.

John Sullivan, from Sen. Pete Goicoecheas Senate District, made his way to Las Vegas from his rural home to speak in favor of the bill via video conference. He reiterated what many had said, stating These activities, for people like myself and my family, is more of a lifestyle. Its who we are, this is our culture.

One individual, who commented anonymously on the resolution via the Nevada Legislatures website, said This is a very positive step to ensure the right to pursue the outdoors. I understand some will be against this but I feel it will ensure proper management to promote health of many species. There are NO outdoorsmen or women that want to take an animal to extinction. The biggest peril to wildlife is neglect. Too often this happens through attrition. Slowly eroding away peoples ability to hunt, fish or trap will lead down a perilous slope for wildlife.

Additional favorable testimony stated, I support this bill as a life time outdoorsman who has passed the tradition down to my children. I want this privilege to be able to be passed down to their children as well.

Letters of support were submitted by the National Rifle Association, Stillwater Firearms Association, and the Libertarian Party of Nevada.

Senate Joint Resolution 11 was first introduced and approved by the 2015 Legislature, and, if passed during the 2017 session, will be placed on the 2018 ballot for the voters of Nevada to make their decision.
Lawmakers in Carson City continue to exhibit rabid hoplophobia  fear of guns.

A bill has been introduced to further extend gun-free zones to public libraries and their parking lots. Senate Bill 115, introduced by state Sen. Mo Denis of Las Vegas, would add public libraries to the current law, which already prohibits guns and other weapons in the buildings and parking lots of universities, public and private schools and childcare facilities.

Now, we have no problem with the private owners of land and buildings demanding that visitors come unarmed, and the state is surely the owner or custodian of universities and public schools. Though why lawmakers should be allowed to dictate to private schools and private childcare facilities is beyond us.

Additionally, this bill is a pointless endeavor that does nothing but add needless paperwork and wastes time, because every library district in the state has the power to control its own grounds and facilities. The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District already has a policy barring arms inside buildings and has guards who check to make sure that the holster on your belt holds a cellphone and not a handgun.

This law would require someone to get written permission to bring his or her weapon onto a library parking lot or into a library building.

During a recent committee meeting on the bill, Republican state Sen. Michael Roberson of Las Vegas, said, Im concerned that if these libraries dont have adequate security that what were doing is were telling the public that were creating gun-free zones. And those here that want this bill can disagree with me but there have been studies that show gun-free zones are a magnet for criminal activity and mass shooters.

He said the bill undermines law abiding Nevadans and actually endangers the public.

Republican state Sen. Don Gustavson  who represents all of Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Mineral, Pershing and parts of Nye and Washoe counties  echoed Robersons concerns about creating gun-free zones. He asked rhetorically whether one would have a quicker response by pulling out a cellphone and calling 9-1-1 or pulling out a weapon. He said many in his district carry concealed weapons wherever they go.

According to the Nevada Firearms Coalition, since about 1950, more than 95 percent of all mass shootings in America have taken place where law-abiding citizens are banned from carrying guns.

Most puzzling is why it is a crime to have a gun in your car in the parking lot of these facilities.

In fact, in the 2015 legislative session Assemblyman John Hambrick introduced a bill that would have allowed guns in vehicles at the aforementioned locales. A hearing on the bill was packed with proponents and opponents.

A digest of the bill stated it would add an exception to the law so that a person would not be prohibited from possessing a weapon on those specific grounds if it were inside a locked or occupied motor vehicle.

Seemed like a common sense approach, but it never got out of committee.

So people who are accustomed to keeping a pistol in the glove compartment or a rifle in a gun rack or the trunk are breaking the law if they drop their children off on school or daycare parking lots or visit a college campus. Now this bill would add public libraries, even if one is dropping a book at an outside collection box.

Having a gun in the parking lot is not as good as having one on your person if the need arises. Just ask the vice principal of the Pearl, Miss., school who had to run a quarter mile to his vehicle to retrieve a gun to stop a shooter.

In October of 1997 a young man showed up on a school campus carrying a .30-30 rifle. He fatally shot two students. At the sound of gunshots, the vice principal ran a quarter of a mile to his truck, because the school was declared by law to be a gun-free zone, to recover and load his pistol before returning to campus, where he captured and disarmed the gunman and held him for four minutes until police could arrive.

This could be an opportunity for an enterprising lawmaker to show some common sense for a change. Amend SB115 by adding the parking lot exception offered by Hambrick two years ago. That would not go far enough but would be a move in the right direction. Also, let library districts set their own policies.
A Christian Scientist viewpoint

Editor:

Christopher Evans reflects on history and current affairs in his interesting article on elkodaily.com, Why you should know about the New Thought movement (Feb. 15, 2017). I cannot speak firsthand on the New Thought movement, but may I offer a comment on the very different religious teaching and values of my own faith as a practicing Christian Scientist?

Christian Scientists religious life is centered on the worship of God. It isnt a prosperity gospel about gaining wealth or personal success. The churchs founder, Mary Baker Eddy, emphasized following Jesus example and living the values reflected in his Sermon on the Mount. As she put it: The ways of Christianity have not changed. Meekness, selflessness, and love are the paths of [Gods] testimony and the footsteps of His flock.

Admittedly, we often fall short of reaching this ideal. Eddy emphasized the need for facing up to and overcoming sin, but this overcoming wasnt, for her, something that happens through the power of positive thinking. Its a response to Gods ever-present grace and love.

The same is true for Christian healing, as Christian Scientists see it. It doesnt involve curing illness through the minds power to restore health. It comes through the yielding of fear and other discordant elements of the human mentality to the power of divine Spirit, or (in biblical terms) the perfect love which casts out fear. Christian Scientists feel from experience that theres great blessing to be found, including for our communities, in turning conscientiously to God as the spiritual source of good in our lives.

Steep Weiss

Christian Science Committee

on Publication for Nevada
New Delhi: Jet Airways and app-based cab aggregator Uber have joined hands to provide first and last mile connectivity to air travellers.

The cab booking feature will be available to all passengers in the cities where Uber currently operates in India while booking their travel itinerary with the airline on the Jet Airways app, the airline said.

"This path-breaking initiative from the airline will help guests by offering a seamless solution from doorstep to doorstep," it added.

"Through this partnership, Jet Airways guests across 29 cities will be able to request their Uber when they book their flight," said Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer, Uber India and Emerging markets.

"The partnership with Uber reflects our ambition to leverage technology for enhancing our guest experience," according to Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.

Guests booking their flights on the app and using Uber for the first time will also be offered a discount of Rs 150 for their first three rides.
ALE, operating under the Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise brand has announced the expansion of its senior leadership team in Asia Pacific, a key region for the company, with the appointment of Pierre Samson as Vice President of Sales.

Pierre will assume his role effective immediately, and will be based from Singapore. He will report to Matthieu Destot, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, ALE.

Pierre has over 12 years of experience in the industry and has held senior leadership positions as Head of the Unified Communication & Collaboration Business Unit for Large Accounts at Orange Business Services, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Sales Officer at Lexsi, a cyber security specialist which was acquired by Orange in 2016.

Following this acquisition, Pierre was appointed Deputy Managing Director of Orange Cyberdefense where he demonstrated strong leadership in transforming several business areas.

APAC is an important market for ALE and Pierre has the experience to help us strengthen and expand our business and presence in the region. With Pierre leading the charge in APAC, ALE will continue to provide customers with innovative solutions that empower them to tap into new opportunities presented by this dynamically growing region, said Matthieu Destot.
Zoomcar does not offer any direct financial support to buy the car and neither gives any minimum guranteed return.

Kolkata: Self-driven car rental start-up Zoomcar today said it will ramp up it's fleet with marketplace model branded as ZAP and plans to hive-off its own existing cars over the next 6-12 months.

"We have around 2000 company owned cars out of a fleet size of 3000 vehicles across 17 cities in India. With ZAP model, we aim to increase the cars under marketplace model to 80 per cent by December 2017," Zoomcar CEO Greg Moran said today.

The company had aimed to increase its fleet to 10,000. Moran said over the next six to 12 months it will hive-off its existing company owned cars. The startup launched the ZAP model in the city today.

ZAP asks people to buy a new car and instead of keeping their car idle when not driving, it encourages them to put their car on Zoomcar to earn from renting to ease their EMI payment.

Zoomcar does not offer any direct financial support to buy the car and neither gives any minimum guranteed return. "We'll be profitable at company level by this calender year," Moran said.

Zoomcar will expand to 30 cities by next quarter from 17 now. Moran said the company is adequately funded with total USD 50 million it had already raised from Ford Smart Mobility LLC, Sequoia Capital, Nokia Growth Partners and Cyber Carrier.
New Delhi: The ministerial panel on labour issues headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will meet next week to finalise drafts of the new industrial relations code and the wage code.

The ministerial panel broadly agrees on the wage code while more deliberations will be held on the industrial relations code. After ministerial panel's approval, the two Bills will be put up for Cabinet approval before introducing the same in Parliament for passage.

"Next meeting of the panel will be held next week," Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told reporters on the sidelines of a conference 'Vision Zero' on occupational safety and health.

The minister further said, "In the inter-ministerial meeting, we have cleared the wage code. There was a first phase of discussion on the industrial relations code. The Code on Wages... everybody has agreed. We proceed (on the wage code)."

The minister also indicated the government's intent to push amendments in the Payment of Gratuity Act to enhance the ceiling of tax-free gratuity to Rs 20 lakh from the existing Rs 10 lakh in the ongoing session of Parliament.

"We have cleared the amendments in the Payment of Gratuity Act in the tripartite meeting and also we have taken it up to the Cabinet. After clearance from the Cabinet, it will come to Parliament.

This time, we have proposed to increase the (tax free ceiling of) gratuity from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh," the minister said. Earlier last week, the ministerial panel headed by the finance minister had deliberated on the suggestions for the two codes at a meeting. It was attended by Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya and Power Minister Piyush Goyal.

Asked whether there will be more discussions on the two codes, the labour minister had said there could be another on the two bills later this month. He had also dropped hints that the two Bills will be pushed for passage in Parliament during the second leg of the Budget Session, which began on March 9.

The two legislations are significant as they form part of the efforts of the government to improve ease of doing business. The labour ministry has plans to condense nearly 44 labour laws into four codes -- wages, industrial relations, social security and safety, health and working conditions.

Trade unions are opposed to certain amendments in these codes and have already submitted their dissent note. The new industrial relations code proposes to raise the ceiling on number of workers for units that can go for closure, retrenchment or layoff without government approval to 300 from 100.

At present, all units with up to 100 workers are not required to seek government nod for closure, retrenchment or layoff. The government has completed tripartite discussions on these two codes to seek view of stakeholders, including the industry, unions and states.

The proposed code on wages will subsume the Minimum Wages Act of 1948, the Payment of Wages Act of 1936, the Payment of Bonus Act of 1965 and the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976. Similarly, the code on industrial relations will subsume Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
Out of 185 companies, cases pertaining to West Bengal are 135.

New Delhi: The corporate affairs ministry ordered SFIO probe against 185 companies for alleged fraud in about four years, of which West Bengal accounts for 135.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, MoS (finance) S.K. Gangwar said the corporate affairs ministry has ordered investigation through SFIO into the affairs of 185 firms during the last three years and first 10 months of the current fiscal.

The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) comes under the corporate affairs ministry.

The move comes after the government received various complaints of cheating of small investors, particularly by the firms involved in ponzi, chit fund and multi-level marketing activities in states.

Out of 185 companies, cases pertaining to West Bengal are 135. Besides, the CBI has registered 30 cases relating to chit fund and ponzi schemes in the state. At present, these cases are at the stage of investigation.

The RBI has indicated that out of 486 cases pertaining to unauthorised collection of money by entities in various states and UT considered in state level coordination committee meetings, 116 cases pertained to West Bengal, he said.
Mumbai: Designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula are in a state of shock after the costumes of their upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed Padmavati, on which they worked on for months, were torched on the sets of the movie in Kolhapur.

The shooting of the Deepika Padukone-Ranveer Singh starrer was underway at Mhasai Pathar, when a group of around 15-20 people came to the set in the wee hours today and torched the costumes and the animal feed kept there.

Calling the incident "unfortunate", Rimple says both she and Harpreet are heart-broken as they could never imagine something like this could happen.

"Something so unfortunate has happened because of illiteracy in our country. There is so much hard work that was put into making the clothes. We will work day and night and make up for the damages, but morally we are are very low. We are broken sentimentally. For creative people like me, Harpreet and Mr Bhansali, it is very shocking," Rimple told PTI.

It is second such incident for the film. In January this year, some members of a Rajput community group, Karni Sena, had assaulted Bhansali in Jaipur for allegedly presenting "distorted facts" in Padmavati.

Rimple says she fails to understand why people are vandalising the sets despite the assurance by the makers that the film is not distorting history.

"The CEO and Mr Bhansali have released so many statements saying that there is nothing in the film which is distorting history. But still some sections don't understand."

The designer says she is constantly in touch with Shobha Sant, who is the CEO of Bhansali films, and they are trying to gauge the damage. Rimple says as far as her knowledge the costumes for the junior actors have been burned to ashes.

"There has been a huge monetary loss. Almost all the junior actors' costumes have been burned to ashes. As far as seniors are concerned, I am yet to get a check on that. I am unable to contact too many people because the network is bad in Kolhapur."

Rimple says she has deliberately not spoken to Bhansali about the incident as he is going through a lot emotionally.

"Mr Bhansali was recuperating from the Jaipur incident and then this happened. He held himself strong and continued this shoot. He never anticipated something like this to happen," she says.

The designer says because of such incidents and huge monetary loss, there will be a substantial delay in the film's shooting.
The movie has been under the radar ever since its announcement.

Mumbai: Commenting on the attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' sets in Kolhapur last night, Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde has advised the filmmaker to solve the rift cordially with people having varied opinions on the historic film.

"This matter is related to law and order but the makers should make sure that their movies should be less of fiction and more close to reality. And if a movie is based on such matter, both the parties should first sit together and discuss," Tawde said.

"Bhansali's films are based on history and the society is bound to have different opinions. Hence, people should solve the matter amicably," he added.

For the unversed, months after the attack on the sets of ' Padmavati' in Jaipur, it has yet again been vandalised and set on fire in Kolhapur last night. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged.

The movie has been under the radar ever since its announcement. After the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted the base to Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to resume the shooting.
Mumbai: Telegu actress and politician Jayasudha, who lost her husband of 30 years on March 14, is heartbroken and devastated and has requested privacy.

A day after the sudden death of Nitin Kapoor, Mohan Babu M, a director from South Indian industry who is close friends with Jayasudha and her now deceased husband, took to Twitter to share her message requesting privacy. He wrote: Spoke to my sister Jayasudha. Heartbroken. She is devastated. Some media networks are giving out false news. She has requested privacy now.

He further added: I join her in requesting the media to respect her privacy. Praying God to give her & her sons strength. Dear Nitin, RIP my friend.

Kapoor was found dead in his Mumbai office under mysterious circumstances on March 14. The 58-year-old producer was reportedly battling with severe depression for the past one-and-a-half-years and was under psychiatric treatment.

The cause of death is still unknown but reports, however, suggest that he poisoned himself and breathed his last at around 2 pm on Tuesday.

Producer of films like Hands Up and Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai, Nitin Kapoor is survived by wife Jayasudha and two sons- Nihar and Shreayan.
Mumbai: Aamir Khan may be one of the most celebrated actors of his time and a front runner for this years National Award (Best Actor) but that does not change his resolution to not any wards functions. His last release Dangal, which is one of the all-time highest grossing films in the history of Bollywood, is one of the frontrunners for this years prestigious National Award (Best Picture) and Aamir may also be considered for the best Actor honour.

When asked if the four-time National award winner will have a change of heart if the honour is yet again bestowed upon him, his answer is sans diplomacy and very precise. He reported said: I dont go to award functions. For me the biggest award is the audiences reaction and love. I dont want to comment on awards.

'Dangal', which released last December, is based on the life of wrestlers Geeta, Babita and their father Mahavir Phogat.

Aamir, who portrayed the role of the wrestling family patriarch Mahavir Singh Phogat, had earlier said his main motive was to make the audience aware of the struggles and achievements of the Phogat sisters and their subsequent success at international sporting events.
Mumbai: A local court has cancelled the anticipatory bail of Bollywood film producer Karim Morani, who was booked for allegedly raping a Delhi-based woman.

The Fourth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Court at LB Nagar in the city yesterday cancelled Morani's bail and directed him to surrender before the Hayathnagar police here on or before March 22.

The woman, aged around 25, who is a friend of Morani's daughter, had lodged a complaint with Hayathnagar Police in January this year alleging that he had raped her on different occasions in Mumbai and at a film studio in Hyderabad in 2015.

She had also alleged that Morani made a false promise of marrying her, police said based on the complaint.

Based on the complaint, a case was filed under IPC sections 417 (cheating), 376 (rape), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation), 493 (cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage) and others.

Later, Morani had obtained anticipatory bail from a local court on January 30.

However, the police then filed a petition in court seeking cancellation of his anticipatory bail.

"After the court granted him anticipatory bail, we opposed and filed bail cancellation application and produced evidence in the court," Inspector, Hayathnagar police station, J Narender Goud said.

"The court, while upholding the arguments of the prosecution, cancelled Morani's anticipatory bail and directed him to surrender before police on or before March 22," Goud said.

Morani produced movies like Yodha and Dum.
Kolkata: Director Srijit Mukherji says he and his team had faced a lot of difficulties while shooting for 'Begum Jaan' in Jharkhand but it was everybody's hard work and passion which made it possible to finish the film.

The movie, which is the remake of Bengali film "Rajkahini", features Vidya Balan in the lead role.

"'Begum Jaan' is our labour of love. We were stuck while filming a month-long shoot in Jharkhand where the set was extensively damaged during storms but we rebuilt it and moved on.

"...And you will see Vidya in a very gritty role mouthing certain words and only she could pull it off," Srijit says on the trailer launch of the film.

Vidya plays the role of a brothel's madam in the film, set against the backdrop of freedom struggle.

Praising her director, Vidya says without Srijit such a film would not have been possible.

"'Begum Jaan' has been born from the womb of Kolkata since its director himself emerged from here. Hence, the film is a tribute to women as Kolkata always showed special tribute to its women" Vidya says.

Producer Mahesh Bhatt says "Begum Jaan" shows how women always bear the brunt of riots, wars, clashes and other crisis and that they are the worst sufferers.

"Such subjects are generally avoided by directors," Bhatt says before adding he is proud to have produced a film like "Begum Jaan".

The film is set to release in theatres on April 14.
Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansalis worries seem to be far from over. After he was assaulted on the sets of his upcoming film Padmavati in Jaipur, the highly anticipated and controversial films sets in Kolhapur were set on fire. The films sets were reportedly vandalised around 10:30 PM on March 14.

There are also rumours suggesting that there were animals present in the sets, while it was put ablaze. Police have reportedly also arrested a few from the 40-50 odd people who arrived on the sets armed with stones and lathis.

Earlier, members of the Rajput Karni Sena assaulted the ace-director over allegations of a lovemaking scene between Queen Padmini and Islamic invader Alauddin Khilji.

However, SLBs team had vehemently denied the rumours and clarified that there would be no such sequence in the film between actors Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, who portray the two characters.

However the political unit reiterated that theyd not tolerate any form of historic distortion, though they arent against art.

But the Censor Boards refusal to take action against Bhansali, despite their strong request has irked the Karni Sena. The CBDC said that theyd not be in a position to take any action, since the film is yet to be finished and has not been submitted for a review yet.

The film, slated for a November 17 release, stars Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji, Deepika Padukone as Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Rana Rawal Ratan Singh, alongside Aditi Rao Hydari as Khilji's wife and Jim Sarbh in an unspecified role.
Director Selvaraghavan, is busy shooting for his upcoming film, Mannavan Vandhanadi, starring Santhanam and Aaditi Pohankar in the lead roles. The film is said to be a romantic love story, in which Santhanam will have a boy-next-door image.

Recently, the team shot Santas introduction song in the film, in Chennai. Selvaraghavan posted, And what an opening song from @thisisysr for #MannavanVan-thanadi think you will all like it. Cute dancing by @iamsanthanam. (sic)

After completing two schedules, the team is currently on a break and will resume shooting in April. A source close to the actor says, Santa will be shooting for a song from Sakka Podu Podu Raja in Bengaluru from today. After finishing the schedule, he will join the Odi Odi Uzhaikanum team. In April, he will take off to the US, where he will shoot for the introduction song from Sakka Podu... sung by Anirudh Ravichander. Once he completes the song, he will continuously shoot for Mannavan Vandhanadi.

Meanwhile, Santhanam is currently listening to different scripts. Although, he has been discussing scripts with several directors, he hasnt finalised any new films as of now, the source adds.
Three weeks old, Gabriel and his twin sister Maria de la Cruz are sleeping peacefully in their cots in a private hospital while their mother, 64-year-old Mauricia Ibanez, looks on. Its been worth it, she says. The mistakes, the anger, the uncertainty They are a gift. Theyre a miracle.

Mauricia Ibanez, aged 64, with her twins. B. Perez

Ibanez gave birth to the twins on February 14 following fertility treatment in the United States. She already has a daughter, but that first-born child was taken into custody by the regional government of Castilla y Leon in 2014, on the grounds that she was not being properly cared for by her mother.

The news of these latest births has sparked widespread debate in Spain, with opinion divided over the scientific achievement in allowing a woman of this age to be a mother, and those who say allowing her to do so is irresponsible.

Do I think they could be orphaned? Yes, but I dont want to think about it Mauricia Ibanez

Ibanez had to travel to the United States four times over the course of 18 months to receive her fertility treatment. I had to go abroad, to a country where clinics do not impose an age limit, she explains.

I decided to become a mother because the experience of having Blanca, my first child, was fantastic: I asked myself if I could really have another. Im not worried at all about my age. I am old, but it has been possible for me to get pregnant: science and medicine are the last opportunity we older people have, she concludes.

Ibanez says she has felt judged by many people for some years now, but that she doesnt care and is focused on her two children. Do I think they could be orphaned? Yes, but I dont want to think about it. If I had thought about it, then perhaps I wouldnt have made the decision, she says.

A former Foreign Ministry civil servant, Ibanez says she left having children late because of her work. I traveled a lot, and was always being sent abroad, she explains, adding that she finally decided she wanted to start a family a decade ago, by which time she had been given early retirement after suffering from a paranoid personality disorder.

I had to go abroad to a country where there are no age limits on fertility treatment

Her sister tried to get the courts to declare her fully incapable so that her passport could be withdrawn, preventing her from traveling abroad to undergo fertility treatment, but the judge refused after psychologists testified that her condition did not prevent her from looking after herself or a child.

Her first child, Blanca, was born in 2011 and lived with her in the small village of Palacios de la Sierra, some 70 kilometers south of the city of Burgos, in northern Spain. But the girl was taken into care after social workers described the living conditions in Ibanezs house as unhygienic, concluding that the child was isolated and not being cared for properly.

Abandoned? I was with her all the time. We were inseparable, she insists, denying the accusations and adding that she didnt send the child to school at the age of three because she was not legally obliged to under Spanish law until the age of six.

Following the decision of the regional government, the mayor of Palacios intervened and sent a letter to the authorities saying that Ibanez had the family support she needed in the village to look after her daughter. But the child was eventually handed over to a relative of Ibanez who lives in Canada.

It was terrible. Four members of the Civil Guard turned up and they snatched my daughter out of my arms

It was terrible. Four members of the Civil Guard turned up and they snatched her out of my arms. They shouldnt be allowed to come into your house and take away your children like that: either you do what social services say or they take your daughter away, she says.

Is she now worried that the authorities could take away Gabriel and Maria de la Cruz?

Of course I am worried that they could take my children away. They are so defenseless, so small and delicate. I am a little bit afraid for them. I just ask God to prevent them falling into the hands of the social services, she says.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Kamal Haasan had also expressed his strong views during the protest against Jallikattu ban.

Coimbatore: Activists of the Akhila Hindu Mahasabha here on Tuesday tore photographs of actor Kamal Haasan, protesting his reported remarks against political parties and politicians.

The organisation submitted a memorandum to the district collector, T N Hariharan seeking action against the actor for his alleged derogatory remarks against politicians and the state government, of late.

It claimed that Kamal Haasan was seeking dissolution of the Assembly and immediate election and dismissal of the government, without any reason.

He was also blaming politicians for problems he had to face with regard to the release of his film 'Vishwaroopam', Sabha president Jagadish alleged in the memorandum.
St Patricks Day, which will be celebrated on March 17, is an annual event that celebrates the Irish heritage and culture. This year, the Irish Embassy and Irish Honorary Consuls have decided to celebrate the day with pomp and gaiety. They will be holding events in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata.

This year, in Chennai, a performance by the globally renowned Irish musician Niamh Ni Charra and her band will be one of the events to look forward to. Ahead of her performance in the city on March 18, she talks to us about Irish music and more.

The region I come from (Killarney, in the south west of Ireland) is well known for its particular style. It is all about dance and music. I have grown up playing for dances at house parties. Like all indigenous music, Irish traditional music and song are about passing on the tradition and linking the present to the history and the people of the past. I find that really inspirational, she says.

Talking about the celebrations in India, she explains, I always point out to people that St Patricks Day is celebrated all over the world. This is my very first time in India  a country I have always been fascinated with, and have a deep affinity towards. For me, to be here sharing our culture on our national holiday is very special. We have so much in common.

The musician is unhappy that the Indian trip is quite short. I really want to come back again and spend a lot of time travelling around all the different regions, and hear different styles of music. I think one of the first musicians I came across was Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka, but this was from listening to tapes, and more recently seeing videos on YouTube. So, definitely I need to come back and explore!

One of the Irish expats from the city, Aine Edwards comments, Its the first St Patricks Day event for the public, with Irish traditional music in India. Now there are Irish themed pubs in the country to give a platform for music groups from Ireland to play at. All thanks to Culture Ireland for flying the artists to India for such concerts.

Aine, who has facilitated cultural exchange through music between Irish and Indian musicians, feels that there is a great respect and eagerness from both sides to learn and communicate through music  Martin Hayes, one of Irelands living legends of traditional music, has toured four Indian cities and met and played with musicians from both North and South India. Irish musicians are welcomed in wholeheartedly in India.

She also confirms that there is a deep connection between Indian and Irish cultures  be it the language, music and identity. Like Indians, we too are proud of our heritage. Both countries have been suppressed under the British rule. Irish women like Annie Besant and Sister Nivedita were activists of the Home Rule. They dedicated their lives to the Indian Republican movement. I feel the south Indians especially, and the Irish get along very well  they have similar sense of hospitality and humour!

(Niamh Ni Charra and her band will be performing at The Moon & Sixpence on March 18)
Malavika Mohanan, daughter of legendary cinematographer K.U. Mohanan has primarily acted in a handful of Malayalam ventures, but actress has now managed to impress maverick Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi! The director announced that his dream project Beyond The Clouds is an international project, that is set in India.

The film had first made headlines when Deepika Padukone was called in for a look test and her pictures went viral. This stunt didnt go down too well with Majidi, who started looking for a replacement.

He then spotted Malavika and called her in for a screen-test and roped her in as the leading lady. A source reveals, Majidi found his leading lady in Malavika as he was looking for a face that could fit the character. Malavika says, Im really excited as itll be my first Hindi film. Itll also do the international circuit and the exposure will be immense.

The film also marks the debut of Shahid Kapoors brother Ishaan Khattar, and Malavika began shooting in Mumbai a few days ago. The films music will be composed by A.R. Rahman.
Rishikesh: Patna-based businessman Nikhil Priyadarshi and his father, who are accused in the alleged rape of a former Bihar minister's daughter, were on Wednesday arrested from Uttarakhand's Pauri district.

Priyadarshi, who owns an automobile showroom in Patna and his father Krishna Bihari Prasad Sinha, a retired IAS officer, were arrested from near Chilla police Chowki under Lakshman Jhoola police station, DIG Garhwal range Pushpak Jyoti said.

They have been kept at Chilla police Chowki and information about their arrest has been passed on to Patna SSP Manu Maharaj, he said.

Pauri SSP Mukhtar Mohsin said Bihar Police has been asked to take the father-son duo on transit remand to their home state where a case is lodged against them at B-colony police station, Patna.

Apart from the duo, dismisssed Bihar Congress vice president Brajesh Pandey, Manish Priyadarshi and Sanjit Sharma are also named accused in the high profile case in which the teenaged daughter of former Bihar Congress minister had accused Nikhil of sexually assaulting her.

The father-son duo was absconding. The 16-year-old girl had accused the businessman of also running a sex racket in collusion with Pandey and others including the son of a top police official.

Nikhil and his friends were in the business of supplying girls to high profile politicians, she had alleged when the case surfaced in December last year.
Hyderabad: Mohammed Saleemuddin, 30, who was arrested for helping his friend rape his wife, was addicted to pornography.

The complaint filed by his wife alleges that he was also a habitual drug user and used to consume pills and behave erratically. She said that he used to pester her to engage in sex with other men.

Meanwhile, Seleemuddins friend Chand Pasha, who sexually assaulted the victim, is absconding. He told me that a woman maintaining multiple sexual partners was common in the West. He once urged me to have sex with a friend while he was present in the same room, the victim told the police.

Its believed that Seleemuddin picked up his drug habit in Australia and continued it after his return from the country. He used to take hard drugs and behave weirdly. He would walk around naked and force himself upon me, his wife added.

Unable to take the harassment, his wife complained to Seleemuddins mother who dismissed her concerns. I told her that many men were turning up at the house seeking sex. But she told me to obey my husband as there were financial benefits, the victim said.

South zone police, who is investigating the case, claimed that Saleemuddin had started harassing his wife immediately after marriage. He allowed Chand Pasha into their room soon after the initial days of marriage. After protests by the victim, Pasha had to stop coming, south zone DCP Sathyanarayana said.

Saleem once even urged the victim to have sex with a holy man claiming they would have great kids, the DCP added. Saleemuddin stayed with his wife for three months after the wedding. He returned from Australia two months ago and then started to trouble his wife again, Kanchanbagh inspector N. Shankar said.

Saleemuddin was arrested on Monday after his wife alleged she was often forced into unnatural sex. She also complained that she was drugged by Saleemuddin and raped by his friend Chand Pasha.
Lucknow: After being on the run for nearly a month, rape-accused UP minister Gayatri Prajapati was arrested on Wednesday from the city by Lucknow Police.

Six others accused in the case have already been nabbed. "Prajapati was arrested from Aashiyana area of the city early this morning," Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow, Manzil Saini said.

The 49-year-old SP leader was produced before a POCSO court which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody, the SSP said.

Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and alleged attempt to rape her minor daughter.

The apex court had asked the UP Police to submit an action taken report regarding the incidents in eight weeks.

As the tainted minister was being taken to custody in a luxury vehicle, questions were raised by Samajwadi Party's rivals as to how he could get the facility.

With photographs of Prajapati travelling in an SUV going viral on social media and news channels, he was soon shifted to a police vehicle while being taken to court.

Prajapati told reporters that he was going to surrender but was arrested "I am innocent. This is a conspiracy to malign me," he said and added that he was prepared for a NARCO test to bring out the truth. He also demanded a NARCO test on the minor victim.

DGP Javeed Ahmed said, "Gayatri Prajapati was arrested in Lucknow. He was constantly moving from one place to another all this while. This made the job of police more challenging."

He said there was no political pressure on the police to allow the minister go scot free.

Reacting to the "delayed" arrest of the SP leader, BJP UP General Secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak said, "The state police was till now politicised. As soon as it has been freed from political pressures it has started performing resulting in the arrest."

Giving details of his arrest, Saini said, "Lucknow Police collected important leads during the last three days. Acting on a tip off that he was going to surrender, police intercepted him early this morning."

When asked if the police gave him a long rope, the SSP refuted the charge levelled in certain quarters.

On why it took such a long time to nab him and why his arrested coincided with the change of government, she said, "Polls were a mere coincidence. Gayatri even gave a slip to his own security guards after polling and was not in touch with them. All along he was mobile and his locations were traced to Delhi, Gurugram and West Bengal."

The SSP said the charge sheet will be filed in 15-20 days.

Since the allegation dated back to 2013, it was imperative for the police to collect all evidence and proceed accordingly, she said explaining the delay.

Six persons named in the FIR against the SP leader have already been been picked up by the police.

The SP leader had been accused of gang raping a woman and her minor daughter in 2014 and the Uttar Pradesh police had filed non-bailable warrant against the ex-minister and six others for the same.

Police had yesterday interrogated the SP leader's two sons and nephew to get some inputs regarding his whereabouts. Police were also set to move court to seek permission to attach his properties.

A Look Out notice was also issued against him as also a Non-Bailable Warrant. His passport too has been impounded. Airports across the country had been alerted about the possibility of Prajapati trying to flee the country.

In the just-concluded Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prajapati had lost to BJP from Amethi, the seat he held.

As soon as the warrant was released, he went underground even as his passport was impounded to prevent him from fleeing the country.

He was last seen casting his vote in the UP Assembly elections held during February-March. He was also present at an election meeting in Amethi which was addressed by SP chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Prajapati had approached the Supreme Court to get a stay on his arrest but the top court refused to comply, asking him to approach the court concerned.
Hyderabad: A 46-year-old Hyderabad-based woman, who was working as a maid in Saudi Arabia, suffered fracture in both her legs after she was pushed off the third floor by her employer.

According to Md Wajid, the son of victim Haseena Begum, My mother went to Saudi Arabia to make our lives better. She was promised 1,600 riyals a month, but the employer did not pay her even one riyal. When she asked for salary, the employer started harassing her. Unable to bear the harassment, she ran away from the employers house. But he brought her back to his house and pushed her from the third floor, fracturing both her legs.

Mr Wajid blamed local agent Jani Mia, who helped her secure the maid visa and got her a job with her current employer. The victim, who went to Dammam in Saudi Arabia, was a resident of Sanathnagar in the city.

Speaking to media, MBT leader Amjadullah Khan accused local agents of luring poor people to Saudi Arabia making false promises and asked the Telangana police to take serious action against them.

Explaining the plight of the victim, Mr Khan said her employer didnt relieve her of her duties despite her making several requests. So she ran away from his house and met local officials in Dammam with the help of local Hyderabadis.

When the employer was summoned by the local officials, he promised to send her back after completing the paper work. However, he did not send back and pushed her off the building, grievously harming her. She was admitted to a local hospital at Damam.
Chennai: The DMK will wait for one more day and announce its candidate for the RK Nagar bypoll on Wednesday when the ruling AIADMK's governing council is meeting to finalise its candidate.

DMK working president M.K. Stalin told reporters on Tuesday that his party nominee would be announced on Wednesday after consultations with party president M. Karunanidhi. Stalin who held a meeting of alliance parties told reporters that the campaign strategy was discussed with the allies.

Shimla Muthuchozhan, who contested in the 2016 Assembly elections against Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa and legal wing secretary R.Girirajan who contested in 2014 Parliament elections in North Chennai are among the prominent DMK functionaries who had sought tickets for RK Nagar.

But, the DMK could also throw surprises as it wants to field a powerful candidate following reports that AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran could enter the fray.

Former IPS officer Thilagavathy has sought ticket to contest as the candidate of AIADMK breakaway group headed by former Chief Minister O. Pannerselvam.

The AIADMK governing council will meet on Wednesday to decide on the party candidate for RK Nagar and the decision will be be announced on the same day.

The PWA constituencies CPM, CPI and VCK are still discussing whether to contest in the byelections or support the DMK in the bypoll.

Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan said he would discuss his party's poll strategy with senior leaders and local functionaries in RK Nagar.
Chennai: Namakkal MP PR Sundaram, who is with the OPS camp, on Tuesday, reiterated the demand for a CBI probe into the "mysterious" death of party supremo J. Jayalalithaa on the floor of Lok Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the issue was of "great concern" but the Tamil Nadu Government has already ordered a probe and that the Union Government can act only after its report is submitted. The Minister seems to have misrepresented facts since the state government has ordered no probe into her death.

O. Panneerselvam, while he was heading a lame duck government, had said a probe would be initiated to go into the circumstances in which Jayalalithaa died. However, no probe was initiated.

Mr Sundaram, who has extended his support to Mr Panneerselvam, claimed nobody was allowed to meet Jayalalithaa during her 75 days of hospitalisation. "She was said to be suffering from dehydration and fever when she was admitted but it was suddenly announced that she had a heart attack following which she died," Mr Sundaram said. "We want a CBI inquiry into the mysterious death," he said.
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the release of an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2017.

Increase is by 2 percent over the existing rate of 2 percent of the basic pay/pension to compensate for price rise.

This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs. 5,857.28 crore per annum and Rs.6,833.50 crore in the Financial Year 2017-18 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2017 to February, 2018).

This will benefit about 48.85 lakh Central Government employees and 55.51 lakh pensioners.
Growth in Spains use of renewable energies has come to a near halt. Gross final consumption of energy for 2015 from clean sources was almost the same as the previous year, according to data released on Tuesday by Eurostat for the entire European Union. In 2014, the figure for Spain was 16.14%, and in 2015, it was 16.15%.

The Solucar solar energy park near Seville. Paco Puentes

Spains poor performance was mitigated by the use of biomass, given that there was a fall in the use of clean energy to generate electricity in 2015. Furthermore, Spain is not part of the group of 11 advanced nations that have met their EU commitments for 2020, by which time 20% of energy consumed in Spain should be renewable, four percentage points higher than at present.

Eurostats figures on consumption of renewables is based on three components: the use of clean energy to generate electricity, its use for transport, and its deployment for heating and refrigerating.

In terms of electricity generation, in 2015, Spain actually reduced the percentage of renewables used compared to the previous year, from 37.8% to 36.9%. Eurostat said that the gross production of renewable energy has come to a standstill, while total electricity consumption has increased.

The EU believes Spain is still on track to meet its clean energy commitments for 2020

Referring to transport, there was little new to note: the number of electric cars in Spain has risen slightly. Although Spain uses biofuel, its contribution to the clean energy balance sheet is nonexistent. The problem is that Spain has so far been unable to certify the sustainability of the biogasoline and biodiesel it uses.

Spains overall data for 2015 were the same as 2014 thanks to heating and refrigeration, where use of clean fuels rose from 15.75% to 16.78%, which Eurostat attributed mainly to the increase from 2014 to 2015 of declared consumption of renewable biofuels in industry (biomass).

Spains current National Renewable Energies Action Plan (PANER) aims for slightly higher use of clean energy within three years than the EUs target of 20%, at 20.8%. Furthermore, the plan established a 16.7% goal for clean energy by 2015, more than half a percentage point above the figure reached.

Nevertheless, the European Commission for Action on Climate and Energy, headed by Spains Miguel Arias Canete, believes Spain is on track to meet its European commitments, as outlined in a document it sent in early February to the European Parliament and Commission, where the country set renewable use for 2015 at 15.6%, somewhat below the data released by Eurostat on Tuesday. However, those figures sent in February were a European Commission projection whereas the data released on Tuesday are final.

English version by Nick Lyne.
New Delhi: With Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal putting the onus on the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for their party's dismal show in the recent assembly polls, Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu today said that they must accept the defeat gracefully and not indulge in blame games.

"The defeated political party always blames EVMs on losing. When they win, the EVMs are fine. When they lose, the EVMs become defective," Naidu told ANI.

"The people have rejected you. So, you must accept the defeat gracefully and not blame the EVMs.The way voting happens in India is a well accepted system and even the defeated parties should accept that instead of blaming foul play in the EVMs," he added.

Earlier in the day, Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the EVMs were tampered during the recently conducted assembly polls in the five states which ultimately resulted in his party's dismal show especially in Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal suggested that the Election Commission needs to relook at the use of EVMs in the electoral process until faith is restored in it.

"Many said that there is anger against the Akalis and AAP is sweeping polls, still AAP got 25 percent votes and SAD got 31 percent votes. How is it possible? Even in Malwa, we got thrashed and Congress won there. How is it possible?" Kejriwal asked.

"We conducted a survey of various electoral booths in Punjab. For example, in booth number 103 in Sujanpur, village Gosaipur, we got only two votes. We had five volunteers there and they have 27 family members who are even ready to take oath they had voted. So, where have their votes gone? There are various other booths as well where we have got two or three votes only," he added.

Kejriwal further said is it possible through the EVMs that 20-25 percent vote share meant for the AAP was transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance.

The AAP national convener insisted it is the Election Commission's responsibility to keep people's faith in EVMs.

"They cannot shirk their responsibility," he said.

"We know it is too late to declare Punjab and Goa elections void but this is for future that faith has to be restored in the electoral process," he added.

Kejriwal further asked the Election Commission to count slips of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT and match it with the figures of EVM results.

"If it matches, people's trust will increase. They will understand that EVMs are trust worthy and they cannot be tampered. We will write to the Election Commission to count the slips of VVPAT and match it with figures of the EVM results in all places in the five states and make the results public to restore faith," he said.

Mayawati had earlier also put the onus on the EVMs for her loss in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, saying the machine accepted votes only in favour of the BJP.

"The shocking result of the assembly elections indicates that the EVMs accepted votes only in favour of the BJP," Mayawati told a press briefing in Lucknow.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said that the incident of manipulation of the EVM machines had been raised earlier also but no one paid attention to it.

"After the results in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, all opposition parties should think about it more seriously," Mayawati said.

"Most votes in Muslim majority constituencies have gone to the BJP, which makes it evident that the voting machines were manipulated. How can it be possible that even after not nominating a single Muslim candidate from Muslim dominant region, the BJP won that seat?" she asked.

However, the Election Commission had asserted that there is "no merit" to the BSP's complaints over the EVM possibly being tampered with.
New Delhi: The government has directed the Delhi Police to urgently file an FIR in the suicide of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) scholar Muthu Krishnan, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told the Rajya Sabha today after several opposition members raised the issue of discrimination on campuses.

Sitharaman also said she had met family members and friends of the deceased student today and the government was also considering his father's request for a job to his sisters.

During the Zero Hour, CPI leader D Raja raised the matter saying a Dalit student from Tamil Nadu had died in pathetic and "mysterious" circumstances and asked what was happening in the central universities of the country, he said.

Referring to the suicide of another scholar Rohith Vemula on the Hyderabad University campus earlier, Raja said that incident too had led to considerable outrage and alleged discrimination against the students of the weaker sections.

Several other members including DMK leaders Tiruchi Siva, Kanimozhi, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav, JD(U)'s Ali Anwar Ansari expressed their anguish over the incident.

After many opposition members raised questions, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she had gone to the mortuary and met the father of the deceased student as well as his close friends, following which she met Home Minister Rajnath Singh to apprise him of the situation.

Admitting that an FIR had not been filed in the matter, Sitharaman said the government had directed the police to register a case by noon and provide a copy to the family members.

She added that the government had suggested to the police to include provisions related to prevention of atrocities against SC, ST students and abetment to suicide as well.

The students had asked why the provisions relating to prevention of atrocities against SCs and STs were not being invoked but the police was insisting that there was no specific complaint against someone who had committed such an offence, the minister told the House.

The government has recommended to the police that under the amended act, attempt should be made to invoke the provision, Sitharaman added.

Police officials had also mentioned about difficulty in invoking the abetment to suicide clause, but as only an enquiry would establish the facts, it has been suggested that these clauses too should be included, Sitharaman said.

She assured the members that government would ensure justice in the matter.

The minister said that father of Krishnan, who was an only son, had expressed a wish regarding jobs for his sisters.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has assured that the father's demand would considered, Sitharaman told Rajya Sabha members.

Earlier, members of various parties had raised the matter of the JNU student's suicide while also referring to the incident related to Vemula's death last year.

Deputy Speaker P J Kurien also told the minister that the members' statements seemed to suggest that there was a feeling of discrimination and insecurity among the Dalit students and the government should look at these aspects.

Earlier, after CPI's Raja had raised the matter related to the situation facing "Dalit, Tribal, Minority and OBC" students, Siva (DMK) had said while students of weaker sections got into the institutions through the reservation system, they faced problems like economic deprivation and societal attitude.

Ram Gopal Yadav of SP demanded the presence of HRD minister Prakash Javadekar to answer the questions, while Ali Anwar Ansari of JD(U) said this was not the first such instance as there have been cases of disrimination in JNU, BHU, DU and other central varsities too. Attempt was being made to suppress the matter, he alleged.

Before Raja raised the issue, Congress members were in the

Well of the House, protesting what they claimed was "murder of democracy" in Manipur and Goa. However, they too suspended their protest in some time with Raja raised the issue.
The officials claimed that the search operation was launched in the area following a tip off about the presence of militants. (Photo: PTI/ Representational Image)

Srinagar (J&K): Three militants - all believed to be Pakistani nationals, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmirs frontier district of Kupwara. The gunfight began on Tuesday night.

A 10-year-old resident identified as Kaneeza Tanveeza also died, while her brother Faisal was critically injured during the clash, officials said.

While one report said that Tanveeza died of a massive cardiac arrest, another talked about her being hit by a stray bullet. She was the daughter of Muhammad Khushi Chaki in whose house the militants were hiding and were shot dead by security forces during the encounter.

The police and Army officials said that the security forces including the J&K Polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG), the Armys 41 Rashtriya Rifles and 98 Battalion of the CRPF laid siege to Kund Nar of Kupwaras Batapora, Haihama area on Tuesday evening to take on a group of militants hiding in a private house close to a gully surrounded by thick forest.

In the ensuing encounter, all the three militants were killed and a SOG jawan was injured, the officials said. They added that as many AK 47 rifles with some ammunition were found on the slain men. They confirmed that one civilian was also killed after being hit by a stray bullet during the encounter.

Hospital sources said that the policeman had received a bullet wound on the chest and that his condition is critical.

The officials claimed that the search operation was launched in the area following a tip off about the presence of militants. While the security forces were sealing the area and moving towards Kund Nar, militants hiding in the house resorted to indiscriminate firing, triggering the encounter.
Chennai: The Madras high court has dismissed a petition filed by the wife of Venkatesa Pannaiyar seeking CBI probe into the murder of her husband in police encounter 14 years ago.

While dismissing the petition, a division bench comprising justices S. Nagamuthu and Dr Anita Sumanth pointed out several loopholes in the probe by in inspector, who was subordinate of the commissioner of police of Chennai and also subordinate to the deputy commissioner of police, who encountered Venkatesa Pannaiyar.

The DCP was a superior officer to the inspector, who investigated the case. It is not explained to the court as to why it was not thought of that the investigation should have been entrusted to at least an officer above the rank of DCP Chennai city and it was also not explained to the court as to why the officer who was far below in the hierarchy to DCP was allowed to investigate the case.

It is crystal clear that the investigation should have been entrusted to other agency like CBI or at least to CB-CID so as to unearth the truth and instil confidence in the system in the minds of the people. Unfortunately, it was not done by the government on its own.

Since the investigation of the case was done by inspector, who was subordinate to the DCP who shot Venkatesa Pannaiyar dead, now the questions is at this length of time whether it would sub serve the cause of justice in transferring the case to CBI. We are pained to say that it would not.

Dismissing the plea, the bench said, speedy and fair investigation and fair trial are part of the fundamental rights guaranteed under article 21 of the Constitution of India.

In this case in our considered view, if the investigation is transferred to CBI at this length of time and investigation is commenced afresh, it would offend fair and speedy investigation guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. For these reasons, we are unable to transfer the case to the CBI for investigation as prayed for by the petitioners.
New Delhi: 89-year-old senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader LK Advani may be in contention to become the next President of India.

According to reports, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself who proposed Advanis name for the presidency, during a party meeting in Gujarats Somnath.

Reportedly, at the meeting, attended by Advani himself, Modi said the Presidents post would be a guru dakshina for the 89-year-old leader.

Amit Shah and Keshubhai Patel were also present at the meeting, said reports.

The Presidential election is due for July 2017, after the UPA-supported candidate Pranab Mukherjee became the head of state in July 2012. His term ends on July 25, 2017.

After winning major elections in UP and Uttarakhand, as well as forming governments in Goa and Manipur, BJP is set to gain a majority in the Upper House, which will enable it to appoint a President of its choice.

Advani started his political career as a volunteer for the RSS and is one of the main accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. Between 1998-2004, he served as the countrys Home Minister. During Atal Bihari Vajpayees regime, he was the Deputy PM.

There have been reports over the last few years of a rift between Advani and the new BJP guard. Advani was dropped from the BJP Parliamentary Board and included in the Marg Darshak Mandal of the BJP along with Murli Manohar Joshi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, after Modi came to power in 2014.

But the man who could never become the PM could now end up as the President.
Sivakasi: One person was killed and five sustained grievous injuries in a blast when they were involved in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers in a house at Pathuvai Nagar in Tiruvallur Colony near Sivakasi on Tuesday.

The police identified the deceased as Nathan (30) from Thiruthangal, who died after he was rushed to hospital. The four other workers - N.Muthapandi (19), G Mariappan (58), Jeya Jeyapaul (32) and Ayyappan (62) from the same village sustained more than 80 percent burn injuries. The police sources said they were battling for their lives in the super-specialty burns ward at the Sivakasi Government Hospital. The condition of the four is very critical. We can't say anything till tomorrow," sources in the hospital revealed.

Irudayaraj (45), who suffered 40 percent burn injuries, was out of danger. The police source said S.Selvam, the owner of the newly constructed house, had engaged the six workers in manufacturing fancy firecrackers illegally in the house. He was not in the house when the blast took place around 10.15 am.

"It is suspected that the blast might have occurred due to friction of chemicals used in the making of firecrackers," said an official source. They were involved in making fancy firecrackers like aerial items such as whistling rockets using potassium perchlorate. Manufacturing of fireworks requires licensing under Explosive Act, 2008; so too possessing and using chemicals such as sulphur and potassium perchlorate needs licensing under the Arms Act. "But in this case, both the rules were violated blatantly, said the source.

Making of firecrackers at home is a rampant practice in Sivakasi and nearby areas. "Even after the Madras High Court bench in its recent order directed the revenue and police officials to strictly enforce the regulations, they are not following it," said a senior officer on condition of anonymity

The police have booked a case against Selvam under various sections of IPC including 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304 (11) (culpable homicide not amounting to murder). The police are searching for him.
Bengaluru: A year after the state government banned plastic bags, cups and plates, the ubiquitous plastic has made a triumphant comeback. Soon after the ban was introduced on March 11, 2016, plastic carry bags vanished from shops. Bengalureans even made a habit of carrying cloth bags to bring vegetables home, while the BBMP cracked down on plastic bag manufacturers.

But slowly and surely, plastic has proved that it is immune to such bans. Shop owners are now blatantly offering carry bags made of plastic. The ban is not being enforced. For the first few months, storeowners were scared of the penalties and stopped offering plastic carry bags. But they have made a big comeback, says Ms Aruna, a homemaker in Ramamurthynagar.

She has mixed feelings about it. We know that plastic is bad for the environment, but paper bags or even plastic bags made to look like cloth are not the answer. We had a big problem disposing of garbage. With no plastic bags, we used to dump kitchen waste in plastic buckets. But the garbage people refused to take the buckets. In any case, using plain buckets to dump garbage was messy, she says.

In the first few months after the ban, storeowners advised customers to bring their own bags, while some offered white plastic bags that had a faux cloth feel, but plastic nevertheless, for a price. First to break the rule were liquor outlets. They never stopped offering bottles tucked in telltale black plastic bags.

We were also worried in the beginning that we would be fined. But later we realised that nobody was bothered, says Nagaraj, who manages the counter at a liquor vend in OMBR Layout.

Rajesh, who was buying a half a kilo of sugar at a kirana store, says, We cant do without plastic bags. I think the ban was not well thought out. But isnt plastic bad for environment? Maybe, but till we have a safer alternative that has all the advantages of a plastic bag, why ban it, he questions. The kirana storekeeper cracks into a smile and says, Do you expect a customer to pay Rs 5 for a cloth bag while a plastic cover comes for free?

BBMP Joint Commissioner (Health/Solid Waste Management) Sarfaraz Khan says the BBMP is doing all it could. People should take the initiative and stop asking for plastic bags. We have been conducting regular raids like the one in Bommanhalli recently. We are also campaigning and educating people to stop using plastic bags, he says.

He says, The number of raids may have come down now, but we will intensify them in coming months. The plastic bags are coming from places like Gujarat as the BBMP is actively shutting down units manufacturing plastic bags in the city.
New Delhi: Seeking to take credit for the arrest of rape accused former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prajapati, the BJP on Wednesday said this was only the beginning and its government will not allow any slackness in law and order.

In a dig at outgoing Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said the police which has arrested Prajapati was unable to do so before because Yadav was protecting him (Prajapati).

"BJP chief Amit Shah had said that action would be taken against accused like him (Prajapati) immediately when we would come to power. This is merely the beginning. There won't be any slackness in the matter of law and order. Criminals will have to be behind bars.

"The same police which was unable to arrest him has acted now. It cannot act properly when the chief minister protects people accused of murder and rape," he said.

The BJP has stormed to power in the politically-crucial Uttar Pradesh with three-fourth majority and is set to form the next government in the state.

After being on the run for nearly a month, Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati was today arrested from Lucknow.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu at the inauguration of the new Assembly building at Amravati (Photo: PTI/File).

Amaravati: Education and rural development received a major thrust in the Andhra Pradesh budget for 2017-18, presented in the state assembly on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu also included a "gender budget" in the annual financial statement, seeking to ensure social and economic progress of women by ending discriminatory practices.

The budget proposed an expenditure of Rs 1,56,999 crore, marking an increase of about 15.70 per cent over the budget for 2016-17.

The Finance Minister said a provision of Rs 500 crore had been made as "assistance" to unemployed youth, but left it unspecified whether it was the anticipated unemployment allowance for the year.

The budget made a provision of Rs 20,384 crore for general education and Rs 765 crore for technical education.

It set apart Rs 19,565 crore for rural development and Rs 12,770 crore for irrigation and flood control.

Welfare received a substantial allocation at Rs 11,361 crore while health care got Rs 7,020 crore. Agriculture and allied sectors got Rs 9,090 crore.

Moving of the state capital to Amaravati (from Hyderabad) and demonetisation put "tremendous stress" on the states economy in 2016-17, the Finance Minister said.

Shifting to GST regime from July 1, 2017 could negatively impact the growth of the states resources in short term, Yanamala said in his budget speech.

The state government did away with the practice of the plan and non-plan classification in the budget,and, instead made it revenue and capital expenditures.

The Finance Minister called it a "significant structural reform".

"Not only it is a constitutional requirement but also one in tune with international best practice and an essential ingredient for policy formulation and efficient resource allocation," he noted.

A provision of Rs 1,25,912 crore has been made for revenue expenditure and Rs 31,087 crore for capital expenditure, including Rs 8,009 crore towards principal repayment of public debt.

The states revenue deficit in 2017-18 is estimated to be around Rs 416 crore (0.05 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product) and fiscal deficit of Rs 23,054 crore (3.0 per cent).

The TDP Government also came out with a "gender budget" this time.

"The objective is to save women and girls from discrimination and neglect in matters of development, progress, security and human rights," Yanamala said.

"Gender budgeting is a process of incorporating a gender perspective at all levels of the budgetary process, assessing the needs of target groups and allocating resources," he said.

"The government will undertake a comprehensive set of actions to improve the lives of women across all human development indicators," he said in his budget speech.
Chennai: Political leaders on Tuesday expressed strong concern over the death of Dalit student Muthukrishnan in JNU campus and demanded proper enquiry to find out if it is a suicide or murder.

Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin cited the statement of Muthukrishnans father that his son would not have committed suicide and said the views of Delhi police commissioner Sinmai Biswas that he had personal problems could not be accepted.

Stalin also said Muthukrishnan was one of the students who protested demanding justice for the death of Rohith Vemula. His comments in the Face Book about lack of equality in the university indicates the problems in the campus.

Recalling the death of AIIMS student Saravanan from Tiruppur, Stalin said Delhi police were maintaining that the death was a suicide, but the post mortem showed no evidence for suicide. After the post mortem report, an FIR was filed and no one knew about the next stage of enquiry and the murderers were not found. The same Delhi police is saying that Muthukrishnan also committed suicide, Stalin said and demanded a CBI probe into the deaths of Muthukrishnan and Saravanan.

AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dinakaran urged Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to carry out an enquiry and bring out the truth. He should bring to book those involved in the incident. The world judges a country by its capital, he said and added that casteist and communal discriminations are leading to the deaths in educational institutions which should teach students to come out of narrow circles like caste, religion and race, he said.

Echoing the views of Stalin, TNCC president S. Thirunavukkarasar too said only a CBI enquiry would bring out the truth and demanded that students of other states studying in Delhi should be given protection.

DMDK leader Vijayakanth asked the central and state governments to conduct an enquiry and find out if Muthukrishnans death is a suicide or murder.

CPM state secretary G. Ramakrishnan demanded a judicial probe into Muthukrishnans death and demanded a special law in the name of Rohith Vemula to punish those practising oppression and isolation of Dalit students.

Alleging that the death of Muthukrishnan was a result of caste discrimination, CPI state secretary R. Mutharasan called for the unity of secular and democratic forces against such incidents. He also accused the BJP government at the centre of protecting people who indulge in violence against right to freedom of expression.

Tamil Maanila Congress leader G.K. Vasan wanted the centre and state governments everywhere to give protection to students. Thamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan also demanded CBI enquiry.
Spains Orderly Bank Restructuring Fund (FROB) on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for a merger between failed banks Bankia and Banco Mare Nostrum (BMN), informing the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) that the fusion of the two lenders was the best way to ensure the recovery of cash used to rescue them.

Spains Bankia is 65% government-owned. EFE

The FROB  set up in 2009 to rescue Spains failing banks  believes a fusion of the two lenders is a better option than selling them off individually, estimating the merger would bring in 401 million more than two separate sales. That profit calculation is, however, subject to market conditions and to the future prospects of the two banks.

The bailout fund pumped 22.4 billion into Bankia in 2012 while BMN received a cash injection of 1.64 billion in 2013.

The bailout fund pumped 22.4bn into Bankia in 2012 while BMN received a cash injection of 1.64bn in 2013

The Spanish government holds a 65% stake in both lenders.

Before settling on the merger option, the FROB attempted to sell BMN but the single offer received fell short of expectations. With the maximum value of that offer being 1.3 billion, the fund stated it would have only received 690 million.

For its part, Bankia  formed by the merger of seven struggling saving banks in the wake of the collapse of Spains real estate market  has told the CNMV that once it has received further details from the FROB it will carry out an independent analysis of the operation. The bank also stressed that no decision has yet been taken and that no agreements or proposals are currently in place regarding the proposed merger.

Any such fusion would also need to be approved by the management boards of the two lenders and by shareholders

Any such fusion would also need to be approved by the management boards of the two lenders and by shareholders.

The cost to Spanish taxpayers of restructuring the countrys banking sector since 2009 has been 51.3 billion, of which just 5%, or 2.7 billion, has been recovered so far, according to a report released by the Bank of Spain last September.

The central bank also admitted that 26.3 billion in state aid to the countrys banks will never be clawed back, despite promising voters in 2012 that they would not foot the bill for the financial crisis.

English version by George Mills.
Hyderabad/New Delhi: University of Hyderabad students and activists of the Ambedkar Students Association held a silent protest at the Velivada on the campus to mark the suicide of university alumnus Muthukrishnan Jeevanantham, a Dalit scholar at the JNU.

Muthukrishnan, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, was an active member of ASA and had participated in agitations after Rohith Vemulas suicide.

He had written a note, A Universal Mother Without a Nation on the injustice done to Rohit Vemula and his mother.

His friend suspected that Muthurkrishnan had been murdered as his body was found hanged with a sari in the flat of a Japanese national at Munirka, Delhi, on Sunday. However, reports from Delhi said that he had used a blanket to end life.

Also, there was no suicide note left behind. UoH PhD student S. Munna said, Muthu overcame many hurdles to pursue higher education. He challenged the notion of merit by his tireless work to get admission in UoH and JNU. His death signifies the failure of society in general and JNU in particular.

He further said, We suspect his death to be a murder as he was found hanging in his friends flat. If it was a suicide, how did he get a sari in a Japanese nationals flat? In most cases, a person leaves a suicide note but in his case there was none. That is really suspicious.

Son not coward to end life, says Muthukrishanans mother

Struck with disbelief over the mysterious death of Muthukrishanan, family members and friends describe him as a brave man with an indomitable fighting spirit.

My son is not a coward to commit suicide. His body should be brought to Salem only after the Central government orders a CBI probe into the death. A post-mortem can be performed under the observation of a special medical team here, said Muthukrishnans mother Alamelu. She works as a daily-wager.

His sister Jayanthi said that Muthukrishnan aspired to become an IAS officer. My brother saw IAS Iraianbu sir, as his role model and aspired to become like him. He worked as a supplier in a hotel in Delhi in part time to meet his educational expenses. Even with that little earnings, he would send us money to take care of our needs, she said.

Since his college days in Salem, JNU has been his go-to destination. Though a bright student, things did not fall in place that easily for Muthukrishnan as he managed to enter the portals of this prestigious institution only after a couple of failed attempts. It shows his fighting spirit to finally achieve, what he intends to, says G. Boopalan, who studied BA with Muthukrishnan in Salem Government College.

My friend Muthukrishna was a book worm and would always come first in studies during college days. He used to teach others the nuances of learning lessons in a simple manner and stood as an example for others to follow. Gifted with good English speaking skills, he always had a helping mind, he added.

Delhi police: Deceased not part of any political group

A day after a 29-year-old Dalit student allegedly committed suicide at JNU, the Delhi police on Tuesday claimed that the student was not part of any politically active group on the campus.

The deceased J. Muthukrishnan, who had named himself Krish Rajini on Facebook, hanged himself at his Japanese friends house in Munirka using a blanket on Monday.

While the JNU students shared Muthukrishnans Facebook posts condemning the Hyderabad varsitys alleged role in Rohith Vemulas suicide and criticism of JNUs admission policy, the police ruled out any political affiliation of the JNU student.

It is too early to comment on his association (with Rohith Vemula). But so far, we know that he (Krishnan) was not associated with any student groups active in JNU, DCP (South) Ishwar Singh said.
New Delhi: At a time of when India-Pakistan relations are in a historic low, an 11-year-old Pakistani girl's impassioned appeal for peace to Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won many hearts on both sides f the border.

Aqeedat Naveed, daughter of an assistant professor in National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore, has previously written to several Indian leaders including Bihar Chief Minsiter Nitish Kumar and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj among others on a variety of subjects.

The latest letter, dated March 13, seeks both countries to spend less on bullets and more on books and medicines.

Congratulating Modi for the landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh, she writes, "If you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take a step towards friendship and peace. Choice is ours, peace or conflict."

"Both countries should resolve that they will not buy guns, but will provide free medicines to hundreds of thousands of ailing people of both the nations, she added.

Aqeedat and her brother Moarikh are prominent in Pakistan for writing to national and international leaders about pressing issues.

Recently, in another letter, the brother-sister duo wrote to their countrys army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa congratulating him for Pakistans new anti-terror operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. They have also taken up the cause of Sikhs in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in another letter with Prime Minister Nawaz Shariff.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the siblings expressed hope that someday, they would be able to travel to India as tourists without any hindrance, and hoped that Indian citizens would be able to do the same in Pakistan.

A class 8 student, it was Moarrikhs idea to start with the letters. I took this idea from my syllabus and started writing letters for peace, he said.

Their father proudly claimed that the kids, who have written to Modi previously as well, had received a greeting card from Modi and 2016 Nobel peace prize winner Juan Manuel Santos in the past.
New Delhi: Police on Wednesday registered an FIR in the alleged suicide of a Dalit JNU scholar even as AIIMS autopsy ruled out any foul play in his death as doubted by his family and fellow varsity students.

Muthu Krishnan, 28, a Ph.D student at JNUs Centre of Historical studies, had allegedly hanged himself at his Japanese friend's house in Munirka using a blanket on March 13. Father of the deceased student, who was at the forefront of student movement against Rohith Vemulas suicide and severely critical of JNUs new admission policy, had on Tuesday demanded a CBI probe into his death.

We have registered a case of abetment to suicide and the relevant section of the SCs and the STs Prevention of Atrocities Act. The case has been registered against unknown persons, said Chinmoy Biswal, Additional DCP (South). We had received a complaint from his father and after seeking an opinion from our prosecution branch we registered an FIR at Vasant Vihar station, he added.

The Dalit research scholars body was taken for post-mortem to the AIIMS yesterday and the premier hospital had constituted a five-member board to conduct the autopsy and issued direction for videography of the procedure that is being carried out today.

The board at AIIMS including members belonging to SC/ST said Krishnan died due to asphyxia and no injury mark was found on the body.

The death was due to asphyxia (a condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body due to abnormal breathing) as a result of ante-mortem hanging. No injury mark has been found in any part of the body, said Dr Sudhir Gupta, Head of AIIMS Forensic Department.

There were signs of dribbling of saliva on the face of the deceased which is a sure sign of ante-mortem hanging. Viscera has been preserved for chemical analysis, Dr Gupta said.

Meanwhile, a few Dalit faculty members of DU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Dalit writers and activists and Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, JNU unit came together to demand implementation of the Thorat panels recommendation against discrimination at educational institutions.
For conducting the Republic Day function, the AP government spent about Rs 3 crore this year, while the TS government spent just Rs 15 lakh.

Hyderabad: Though facing a financial crunch, both the Telugu states are spending crores of public money on state functions like Republic Day, Independence Day and others.

Interestingly, AP, which is in a much worse state than TS in financial terms, has been far more liberal when it comes to spending money. For conducting the Republic Day function, the AP government spent about Rs 3 crore this year, while the TS government spent just Rs 15 lakh.

Officials say that it is natural that AP is spending more than TS since the latter state has an established capital city while the former is forced to organise the functions in different cities in the state due to non-availability of an established capital city.

This is the main reason why AP is spending such huge amounts", the officials said. For conducting Independence Day celebrations in 2016, the TS government spent about Rs 4 crore and while AP spent Rs 10 crore.

However, when it comes to celebrating the Telangana Formation Day on June 2, the TS government has been adopting a no holds barred approach, spending a mammoth Rs 18 crore on celebrations in 2016. AP, also conducts week-long programmes by the name of Nava Nirmana Deeksha, spent a much more sedate Rs 3.47 crore.

For conducting At Home at the Raj Bhavan as part of the of Republic Day celebrations, the TS government spent Rs 13 lakh. However, the AP government hosted High Tea at Vijayawada Municipal Stadium spending Rs 43 lakh.

For hosting dinners marking Christmas and Id-ul-Fitr festivals, both the governments spent lakhs of rupees. The two Telugu states also organise more common state functions like Gandhi Jayanti, Valmiki Jayanti and others.

Besides, the governments of the two states also organise state functions every year like birthday celebrations of Acharya Konda Laxman Bapuji by the TS government and Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu by the AP government.
New Delhi: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj indicated on Wednesday that there was no reason for the government to issue an advisory for Indians travelling to the United States despite the recent attacks on both Indians and persons of Indian origin there.

The minister said that the US Government has given India confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India.

She also told the Lok Sabha that India had conveyed its concerns to the US Government at very high level and that New Delhi had already called for necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Indian diaspora and expeditious investigation into these incidents.

She said, the US authorities have responded strongly and assured us that they are working with to ensure speedy justice. Pointing out that in the last three weeks, three incidents of physical attack in the US on Indian nationals and PIOs have come to the notice of the Government, Ms Swaraj said, A related question was raised  whether the government plans to issue an advisory for Indians travelling to or residing in the US. I would say that prompt and clear response of the US political leadership and the law enforcement authorities to these incidents and the widespread messages of sympathy and support from all quarters in the US give us confidence that these incidents are acts of individuals and do not represent the overwhelming sentiments of the American people towards India.

This was demonstrated by the American national Ian Grillot who suffered a serious injury while helping the two Indians. I have saluted his heroism and am sure the House joins me in wishing him speedy recovery.
African citizens are circulating posts on social networking sites that it was a murder by the police. (Representational image)

Bengaluru: While the city police have clearly stated that the death of a Nigerian national was due to road accident, African citizens are circulating posts on social networking sites that it was a murder by the police.

Ifeanyi Madu, a 28-year-old Nigerian, had died on Sunday night when he along with another African tried to escape on a scooter after the CCB police tried to stop them, on suspicion that they were drug peddlers.

Madu sustained fatal head injuries as the scooter skidded and later succumbed. A day after the incident, Africans are now posting messages in Facebook that it was a murder.

However, Police Commissioner Praveen Sood told Deccan Chronicle that it was clear case of accident. If anybody has any doubts related to the circumstances of his death, they are welcome to file a complaint. We will investigate it. Also, if they want a investigation by any other agency, we are ready to face it, Sood said.

Madus postmortem is yet to conducted as the police are waiting for his parents to arrive in Bengaluru. It will take a few days time and everything will be clear once the post mortem report is ready. We are still in search of the other suspect, who sped away even after his associate fell from the scooter, another official said.
New Delhi: EVM tampering may have led to AAP's poor showing in Punjab, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged, saying around 20 to 25 per cent of its votes may have been "transferred" to the SAD-BJP coalition.

AAP's poor tally of 20 seats is "beyond understanding" and raises a "big question mark" on the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) as political pundits across the spectrum had "predicted a landslide" for the party, he told a press conference here.

"How did the Akalis get 30 per cent vote share when an AAP sweep was a foregone conclusion? No one said Congress will perform so well and it got a two-third majority. We suspect that 20-25 per cent of AAP votes may have been transferred to SAD-BJP through EVM tampering," he said.

It was Kejriwal's first media interaction after March 11, the day the Punjab Assembly poll results were declared. The AAP national convenor, however, did not refer to Goa where the party drew a blank.

Yesterday, he had written to the Delhi chief secretary directing him to approach the state election commission with the request to hold the upcoming municipal polls in Delhi using ballot papers.

Kejriwal demanded that the votes registered in EVMs (electronic voting machines) be compared with the VVPAT trail in around 32 places in Punjab where the the paper audit system was in place.

"It is about the credibility of the Election Commission and the faith of people in the electoral system. We have strong prima facie evidence of foul play," he said.

Asked what explains AAP's stunning victory in 2015 polls, Kejriwal said that may have got to do with BJP's "over- confidence" that it would clinch a victory.

"So they may not have indulged in tampering. The same would explain the victory of JD(U)-RJD in Bihar. Even then BJP was very sure of winning the state," he said.
New Delhi: Opposition Congress on Wednesday forced three adjournments in the Rajya Sabha protesting the "stealing of mandate" in Manipur and Goa where it was not invited to form government despite being the single largest party.

The House witnessed adjournment of proceedings thrice, twice during the Zero Hour and once during the Question Hour.

Congress cited rulings by the constitution benches of the Supreme Court to state that the Governor was bound to invite the party with the largest number of MLAs to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House.

It alleged that the Governors in the two states, which in the recently concluded assembly elections threw up a hung assembly with Congress being the single largest party, were "acting at the behest" of the Centre.

Congress members stormed into the Well of the House shouting slogans, forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn proceedings for 10 minutes.

Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention after his notice under rule 267 seeking setting aside of the business was converted, Anand Sharma (Cong) said the people's mandate through the elections in a democracy should be accepted and respected by all.

He congratulated the ruling BJP for scoring a big victory in Uttar Pradesh and went on to say that the Congress got a massive mandate in the sensitive border state of Punjab and emerged as the single largest party with 28 MLAs in the 40 member Manipur assembly.

"The incumbent Chief Minister (in Manipur) was in a position to form the government" but the Governor ignored his claim and called the BJP to form the government, Sharma said.

He said the legal position has been established through two judgements of the constitution benches of Supreme Court which have "made it absolutely clear that if there is no clear mandate, the Governor is obliged to invite the leader of the largest party to form government and prove the majority."

In case the largest party is unable to prove the majority, the second largest party is invited, he said.

"The mandate has been violated," he said, adding Manipur and Goa have witnessed "stealing of MLAs and stealing of mandate". The Governor "is acting at the behest of the government," he alleged.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the reference about Governor should be expunged as references on the conduct of a person in high authority cannot be made without a substantive motion.

Kurien moved to the next Zero Hour mention and called D Raja (CPI) but Congress members would not give up easily and trooped into the Well raising slogans against the government and "murder of democracy". Treasury benches also shouted slogans to counter them.

Kurien said Raja was raising a Dalit issue and should be given a patient hearing and asked the treasury benches not to disturb and the opposition members to return to their seats. But none heeded to his advice, forcing him to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.
Mumbai: Cong has shown repeatedly that it suffers from an autoimmune disease... Cong destroys Cong... We need to be treated from within to be healthy again, former Member of Parliament Priya Dutt tweeted Wednesday in what is snowballing into tremendous disenchantment with the partys top leadership, particularly the Gandhis.

Party general secretary and its campaign face Rahul Gandhi has dismissed his abysmal failure in Uttar Pradesh as a little down in UP which is fine, we accept it.

As is tradition, the party has insulated him from any blame, neither did Rahul take any but called for structural and organisational changes.

It doesnt help either that BJP has whisked away the Goa and Manipur Assemblies from under the Congress nose though it emerged the single largest party.

But perhaps for the first time in party history, Congress leaders are now questioning the top leadership.

Senior Congress leader K V Thomas told The Indian Express the Congress readership should rise to the expectations of the people.

People still believe that the Congress is the party which can lead the people against Narendra Modi The party should improve its functioning in tune with that aspiration. We should be preparing ourselves, especially for elections, in advance. Not on the eve of elections. The state and central level leaderships should rise to the expectations of the people, he told the paper.

Strong words that!

Veteran leaders are in the mood for a drastic step, and some say it should not be short of a cardiac surgery. Fixing the partys heart?

Congress whip in Rajya Sabha Satyavrat Chaturvedi was quoted in the paper saying: It has been three years (since the 2014 defeat). Nothing has happened so far. Everyone was hoping something will happen and we are tired now. Now we have lost hope. And the results are before us.

He also spelt out it is high time the ambiguity over Priyanka Vadras entry into politics ended.

Priyanka has largely kept herself on the sidelines of the hurly-burly, being content only to manage campaigns in the traditional family seats of Rae Bareilly and Amethi.

Not to much success this time as the BJP has picked up 6 of the 10 Assembly seats in these Parliamentary constituencies these elections.

Leaders are of the opinion that Congress alone can no longer take on the BJP and that it should be at the forefront of an inclusive alliance to stitch together a credible challenger.
New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar on Wednesday offered to resign, taking moral responsibility for the poll debacle in the state, amid demands for structural changes and fixing responsibility in the party.

Babbar also echoed Rahul Gandhi on the need for making structural changes to strengthen the party but defended the Congress Vice President, saying leadership is not changed "for losses in one or two elections".

"I take moral responsibility for the party's defeat in Uttar Pradesh. I was given the responsibility but I could not fulfill it. I could not live up to the expectations. I will do what is required," he told reporters on Parliament premises.

To a question why Gandhi or senior party leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad were not taking responsibility for the defeat, the Rajya Sabha member said such issues are to be discussed "internally at party level."

"Our national leaders worked hard in the five states which went to polls including UP. We failed to win Uttar Pradesh," Babbar said.

"You don't change party leadership for losses in one or two elections. The leadership is ideology. They make teams. Our team failed there (in UP)," he said.

Babbar, who was made the party chief ahead of UP assembly polls, alleged that the BJP employed all means to win elections including cheating and use of muscle and money power.

He also sought to defend Gandhi, saying the Congress Vice President had put in everything but he as state unit chief takes the entire responsibility for failing to steer the party to victory.

The Congress which fought Uttar Pradesh assembly election in alliance with the Samajwadi Party won merely seven of the 105 seats it contested. The tally is even lower than the nine of Apna Dal, an ally of the BJP, in the 403-member House.

The Congress also lost out in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency represented by Gandhi.

Gandhi, however, had on Tuesday described the party's performance in UP as "a little down."

Babbar is the first to offer his resignation over the party's performance in the assembly polls.

His statement comes a day after demands were raised within the party for fixing of accountability and for initiating structural changes, which Gandhi himself called for.

Earlier, party general secretary incharge of Odisha B K Hariprasad resigned taking full responsibility for the Congress party's poll debacle in Odisha panchayat elections.

Babbar also accused the BJP of using money and muscle power to form governments in Goa and Manipur.

"This is happening at a time when it (BJP) has not appointed chief ministers in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh despite getting majority. It shows how desperate it is to grab power," he alleged.
Police testimony at a trial over the 2015 slaying of a US woman on Spains Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route points directly at the main suspect in the case, a Spaniard who first confessed to the crime but has since retracted his story. Arizona native Denise Pikka Thiem went missing on April 5, 2015 as she walked alone in a rural area between Astorga and El Ganso, in the northern Spanish province of Leon.

Miguel Angel Munoz (right) with his lawyer on Tuesday. MIGUEL RIOPA (AFP)

On day three of the trial at the Provincial Court of Leon, officers explained how all evidence kept leading them straight to Miguel Angel Munoz, a man whom neighbors have described as anti-social and prone to odd behavior.

Munoz, 41, is charged with murder and violent robbery, and could serve up to 25 years in prison if found guilty.

The coroners report determined that Pikka Thiem was beaten with a stick, then finished off with a knife wound to her throat

Two other women who also walked the pilgrimage trail had previously reported being assaulted along the same stretch of road by a man matching his description.

But the determining factor in the case was Munozs own confession in September 2015.

We wouldnt have found the body if he had not told us where it was, said the Astorga police chief who headed the investigation, speaking on Wednesday inside the courthouse.

Another police officer revealed that Munoz personally led them to the spot, saying: Calm down, calm down, Ill take you there.

Victim Denise Pikka Thiem.

He even boasted that if it hadnt been for him, we wouldnt have found it, said one expert witness.

According to Wednesdays testimony, Munoz described with great precision how he had killed his victim. Later, the suspect retracted his confession, and his lawyer claimed that his client had been pressured by the police into confessing.

But police witnesses on the stand said that the confession took place when the alleged murderer broke down in tears. At one point, he crouched down and began to cry, whimpering, What have I done?

The chief of police said that law enforcement did a titanic job, checking phone calls from Spain and abroad, investigating pilgrim shelters along the route and contacting Interpol.

The case had seemingly reached a dead end until July 2015, when US senator John McCain, also from Arizona, offered Spain the FBIs help in solving the murder. His letter was publicized, and the Spanish government reacted by deploying a massive search operation.

Suspect silent

On Tuesday, Munoz fell back on his right to remain silent and refused to take questions from the prosecution or even from his own lawyer.

That day, the prosecution reminded the jury that Munoz initially admitted to his guilt, even if he later retracted.

Munoz is going to lie to you, because he has lied in the past, said the prosecutor. This is a case of murder because there was malice. Denise was a slight woman, 1.55 meters tall, a foreigner in an unfamiliar spot. And she suffered a savage surprise attack. The victims body was found thanks to the defendants indications.

One of the Thiem familys lawyers described Munoz as a miserable, vile and merciless individual who cut off her hands because he had touched them, and was afraid that his DNA would turn up on them.

He spontaneously told us how he killed her, and provided all kinds of details, he insisted.

But the defendants lawyer, Vicente Prieto, sought to sow doubt with regard to his clients guilt. This is a terrible event, and we do not deny the familys pain. But we must not take it for granted that Miguel Angel committed this crime.

Prieto also denounced his clients own suffering after his home was burnt down in recent weeks. And this Monday they pulled him out of jail at 7am to bring him to the courthouse, and brought him back at 4pm, with no lunch or even a cup of coffee. And that has affected him even more.

More than 100 witnesses will take the stand to provide testimony in the case, after which a nine-member jury made up of eight women and one man will ultimately decide whether Miguel Angel Munoz is guilty of murder.

English version by Susana Urra.
Newly sworn-in Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar being greeted by BJP President Amit Shah and Union minister Nitin Gadkari after his oath at a ceremony in Panaji. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP of forming governments through governors and indulging in "unfair and illegal manipulation" in state after state.

It also said if Manohar Parrikar wants to be a 'sultan of two days' he can be so and exuded confidence of winning the floor test in Goa.

Talking to reporters, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, "Unfortunately, the BJP is now becoming an expert in creating governments through governors, whereas government creation is the work of the people who vote."

He added that "government creation is neither from the governors nor from the party to whom the governor earlier belonged and "still appears to be acting for".

Noting that peoples' mandate has been held to be an intrinsic part of democracy and democracy has been held to be intrinsic part of basic structure, he said, "The basic structure even the Parliament of India, by a Constitutional Amendment cannot alter.

"But BJP is managing it successfully in state after state through Governor and through a complete whole scale violation, complete jettisoning of all constitutional principles."

"... This is a clear attempt to nullify peoples' mandate," Singhvi said.

The Congress leader added that repeatedly "the BJP should not exult or triumph on fait accomplis. You are dancing on the corpses of democracy because you are pointing the fingers which you have unfairly and illegally manipulated in state after state."

Claiming that the numbers are with the Congress, Singhvi said, "According to us, the sworn-in chief minister has no hope of continuing as he will lose the floor test."

Hailing the Supreme Court verdict, he said, "Today 50 per cent of the governor's order has been interfered with by the Supreme Court... The court has significantly interfered by giving the democracy a live chance through a live floor test."

The Congress leader said even though the swearing-in has not been stayed, the court has clearly said that the floor test could not be later than tomorrow.

"If the BJP wants a chief minister for two days, it is up to them. After that, he will lose the floor test... If Manohar Parrikar wants to be a 'sultan of two days', he is welcome to be so," he said.

The Congress leader said of the three states, where the BJP lost, they have tried to subvert the people's mandate.

In Goa, he said, a party which has been decreased from 21 to 9 seats and where the chief minister loses in two seats, "how is it possible for the governor to appoint a chief minister? How can the governor appoint a chief minister within 24 hours and notify it via a press release."

Asked if the Congress was moving court over government formation in Manipur, Singhvi said, "We are keeping all our options open."

Singhvi said the Sarkaria Commission clearly sets the process to work it out and the sequence must be to call the single largest party.

"How is it possible that in a democracy, one doesn't even call the largest party. The governor of Manipur invited the BJP, when the latter had not even elected their Legislative party leader. The Congress wrote on March 12 with a letter from the President of NPP that they have the numbers to form Government," he claimed.
Bengaluru: The state BJP suspects foul play behind the murder of Anekal TMC member Srinivas Prasad alias Kithaganahalli Vasu on Tuesday morning. Former Anekal MLA Narayanaswamy said that Vasu would have been elected TMC President once the court vacated a stay on the election.

Vacating of stay was due anytime. We suspect some people wanted to stop Mr Vasu from becoming the TMC president and murdered him, he said. Asked if the Congress was behind the murder, he said that the police investigation could reveal that.

There is no democratic governance in Anekal taluk. The local body elections were won by the BJP in the taluk. Instead of elected bodies administering these local bodies, officials are running them like puppets of Congress, he said.

Jayanagar MLA Vijay Kumar alleged that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed, but the Home Minister is unfazed by the developments. He is touring in the UK when the state is burning, he said.

There have been repeated attacks and murders of BJP and Sangh Parivar activists. Right from Prashath Nayak to Rudresh, there have been a series of murders of BJP workers. Now, it was the turn of Mr Vasu. Daylight robberies and rowdies fighting on the streets have become common. The government has done nothing to control these criminal activities, he said.
Bengaluru: The Congress and the Janata Dal (S) may have to re-work their strategies and join hands to keep the BJP - now on a high following its landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh - at bay in Karnataka in the 2018 Assembly poll, say political observers here.

Dr Harish Ramaswamy, professor of political science at the Karnatak University, Dharwad, warns that having conquered Uttar Pradesh, the BJP will leave no stone unturned to do the same in Karnataka.

"The only way to defeat it is for the Congress and JD(S) to opt for a pre-poll alliance. The two parties enjoy a good rapport and so should seriously consider this to stop the BJP from coming to power," he says, also warning that the Congress and JD(S) may begin to lose quite a few of their leaders to the BJP, starting five to six months prior to the Assembly polls.

While Prof Muzaffar Assadi, a political observer, believes the BJP under the leadership of Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa may not get more than 70 seats due to internal bickering in the party and his sulking image, he warns that the ruling Congress may have to be satisfied with merely 60 or 70 seats and the JD(S) with around 40.

"The BJP will under no circumstances get a majority . But both the Congress and JD(S) must act like Lav and Kush of the Ramayana to check the rise of the Ashwamedha horse (BJP)," he says, adding , "The anti-incumbency factor may or may not work against the Siddaramaiah government as we have classic examples of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Tamil Nadu where the ruling party won the elections comfortably."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh at the party headquarters to celebrate victory in UP and Uttrakhand Assembly elections, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Amid speculations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the process of zeroing in on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the senior party leader while continuing to maintain a rhetoric silence on the same stated that such discussions were futile.

"These discussions are futile and unnecessary," Rajnath told ANI when asked about him being in the race for becoming UP Chief Minister.

After an astounding victory in the Assembly polls, the BJP is in the process of deciding the chief ministerial candidate for the politically crucial state.

According to reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the most favoured in the party to be their representative in UP.

Apart from him, the other name that was speculated to be the chief minister was of BJP's prominent Hindutva force Yogi Adityanath. The firebrand leader is an unchallenged MP from Gorakhpur.

Another name that came up was BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is a popular face amongst the backward classes in the state.
New Delhi: The government has conveyed its "deep concern" to the US administration over attacks on Indians there, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday, asserting that the safety of Indian diaspora was a top priority.

As Lok Sabha members thumped their benches to welcome her to the House following her absence due to health issues, she highlighted the steps taken by the government following three recent incidents of attacks, including suspected hate crimes, rejecting opposition criticism that it had kept mum.

"To say that we did not take any step or maintained silence is absolutely wrong. This government can never keep silent over such incidents. This is not in our work culture. We always do more that what is expected of us," she said, responding to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge's critcism.

The Minister said that even when she was convalescing, she had spoken to the family members of the victims and officers of Indian consulate general had reached out to them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is being accused of silence, sought daily updates from her ministry amid his busy election campaign, Swaraj said.

"The government has taken up this issue with the US government at very high-levels and conveyed our deep concerns. We have called for necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of Indian diaspora and expeditious investigation into these incidents," she said.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar discussed the matter with ministers and senior functionaries of the US administration as well as with the Congressional leadership during his recent visit there during February 28-March 3, she said.

"I would like to reassure the House and the members that safety and security of India diaspora abroad remains a top priority for this government... We will remain vigilant to developments impacting the lives of Indians abroad and do everything possible to safeguard their interests and welfare," she said.

Swaraj also referred to President Donald Trump's condemnation of Kansas shooting in which Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32) was shot dead by an American in a suspected hate crime and condolences from other top US officials including House of Representative Speaker Paul Ryan.

"The fact that broad sections of the American society have expressed their deep sorrow and regret over these incidents reassures us that despite these individual incidents, the American society values the people-to-people engagement between our two countries," she told the Lok Sabha.

People-to-people contacts are the foundation on which the India-US strategic partnership has been built, she said.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of early elections in the state. There will be no early elections; elections will be as scheduled in 2019, he said.

Mr Rao, while replying to Motion of Thanks to the Governors address in the Legislative Council, reacted to the speculation of TPCC chief N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and others, that the sops announced in the Budget indicated midterm polls.

Taking a dig at the Congress for levelling baseless allegations and trying to stall projects by moving courts, the CM advised Leader of the Opposition Mohd. Ali Shabbir to withdraw pending cases and sought his partys cooperation in completion of irrigation and other projects in the state.

Telangana ki tehzeeb, Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb hai. We will get rid of evils in the society. I need your cooperation in this regard, ensure clean society and accelerate development, he said.

Mr Rao said that while Deputy CM Kadiam Srihari was trying to regularise contract employees in his education department, a Congress leader got a stay from High Court.

When Mr Shabbir Ali said that sheep of other states were not suitable for Hyderabadi biryani, Mr Rao said, Congress made a bakra of the people all along. Shabbir ji, you dont know which sheep biryani you are eating now.

Corruption dipped, says Telangana CM

The TRS government will bring in new legislations providing 12 per cent reservations for Muslims and STs in education and employment, proper utilisation of SC, ST funds, and stringent action against those levelling baseless allegations against the government, in the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar, who made the announcement in the Legislative Council, said that political corruption has come down in his government and focus will now be to weed out corruption at lower levels.

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition Mohd. Ali Shabbir lashed out at the government and the CM for various omissions and commissions including lack of proper representation to women in the Cabinet and Legislature.

He questioned the CM as to how he got such huge money in a short span to launch two daily newspaper and a TV news channel. You had little income in 2002. How did you get such huge amounts now? Is it not political corruption? he asked.

Chief Minister said government will bring in a new legislation this session against false allegations saying either you have to prove or perish.

He said in two or three days, the BC and ST commissions will submit reports on 12 per cent reservations and he would take an all-party delegation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure reservations for Muslims and STs.

Muslims will get benefits on par with SCs and STs in scholarship, foreign study etc, he assured. Mr Rao added, We consulted legal luminaries, retired SC, HC judges on the issue. There is no provision for reservations based on religion. We have to establish socioeconomic backwardness, he said.

Recalling how TRS Government revived Telangana from scratch in a span of 2.5 years, he said even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was stumped and patted him when he told him the state achieved 21 per cent growth, much more than Gujarats 11 per cent, that licences for industries were given in a fortnight.

Demonetisation had slight affect on stamps and registration department and motor vehicles. Power sector is strong; IT is growing rapidly and will touch Rs 75,000 crore mark. We are now strengthening rural economy, he said.

Referring to a message on WhatsApp that there is four hour power cut, Mr Rao asserted it was false and he would ensure power doesnt go off even for 4 seconds.

He also said there will be no contract, outsourcing, NMR and other such jobs in future but only full time and good pay jobs.
New Delhi: The much-anticipated elevation of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi as the party chief is expected to be further delayed in the wake of the massive drubbing the party received in the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

With voices of dissent within the Congress gaining momentum, party insiders claim any possibility of Rahul Gandhi becoming Congress president now is a distant possibility, though this has been pending for quite some time.

Perhaps sensing the mood in the party, UP Congress chief Raj Babbar offered to quit taking responsibility for the poll debacle.

Mr Babbar had told mediapersons: I take moral responsibility for the partys defeat in Uttar Pradesh. I was given the responsibility but I could not fulfill it. I could not live up to the expectations. I will do what is required.
The BJP sweep in Uttar Pradesh, that decimated every prevailing equation of caste, creed, gender and religion, and retained the voteshare of the 2014 general election, is not just a reaffirmation of the faith reposed in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his unflinching commitment to work untiringly for all 125 crore Indians, whatever their faith or gender, it also spells a rejection of the secular formations  the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Congress  that have consistently demeaned and demonised the BJP for being exclusionary and anti-minority.

Repeated ad nauseum in TV studios was that no Muslim was given a ticket by the BJP despite the minority community making up 18 per cent of the UP electorate. What was not said is that there arent enough Muslims who are electorally winnable as yet in the BJP. Having joined the BJP in February 2014 before the general election, I was criticised. But now many, like me, also heed the growing voices within our community who believe that the clergy-instilled politics of isolation of the community from the ever-expanding BJP was wrong-headed. The community has been used and abused by political touts, vote merchants and self-appointed clerics whose only claim to fame was the access they had to powerbrokers like Samajwadi bigwig Azam Khan and his cronies, and earlier to Naseemuddin Siddiqui and his cohorts.

The plight of the average citizen, irrespective of his religion, was deplorable. Targeted by partisan, politicised police forces, and wrongly accused of land-grabbing, loot and rape, they were forced to turn to the SPs questionable leaders like Azam Khan, whose durbar of semi-literate cronies had been allowed to hijack the UP Minority Commission, minority finance bodies that were meant to address community issues. The SP rulers turned a blind eye to rampant corruption and nepotism. Even Mulayam Singh Yadav admitted that SP leaders and cadres were openly preying on voters by doing thana ki thekedaari. Unused funds of various Central schemes like MSDP were allowed to lapse. No action was ever taken on the Rs 30,000 crores worth of waqf land that belonged to the community which was usurped. Self-appointed vote merchants like Imam Bukhari and other fatwa-spewing clerics were allowed to pursue their personal agenda.

These vote merchants who enjoyed the SP largesse while it lasted, and switched over to the BSP for this election, found that their openly communal endorsements and fatwa-like diktats to vote were rebuffed by the very audience it was intended for. Smarter than canny clerics, the promise of an accountable clean government based on non-discrimination and equal opportunity saw a sizeable section of Muslim voters turn a deaf ear to the communal clarion of both the SP and BSP.

Getting basics like the bijli, sadak, paani and good governance right, rather than religion-based appeals, matters more to everyone eventually. The PM in his victory speech emphasised that irrespective of voting preferences, the UP BJP government would work for all the 20 crore residents of UP. The Muslim community has come to see this defining election as a much-needed opening where it can finally hold elected leaders accountable for governance and timely delivery of services. Getting rid of these vote merchants and powerbrokers was no easy task. The message is clear  the Indian Muslim will no longer allow his identity as an Indian and as a Muslim to be subsumed. The clergys role, they feel, should be limited to overseeing religious practices. The Indian Muslim wants to reclaim the aspirational, democratic voice enshrined by the Constitution that sees him as an equal. For this, it is imperative that we, as a community, end the reign of bigoted, misogynistic, gender-throttling, self-anointed leaders.

Every scheme of the Narendra Modi government, from Jan Dhan, Ujjwala, and common services under Digital India are caste and religion-neutral. Yet every scheme of the Central government was opposed. In this election, the voter destroyed the very Opposition whose obstructive strategy thus simply backfired. Communities in villages and towns, majority or minority, are intrinsically intertwined by common aspirations. It is the poor in these communities who have been short-changed, repeatedly, by the systematic appeasement of the powerbrokers. Therein lies the immense responsibility of this huge mandate, a challenge that must be addressed by the incoming BJP government.

Having consigned the rabble rousers to political rubble, Muslim voters saw leaders like Bukhari, Asaduddin Owaisi and his ilk for what they are  men who create a fear psychosis that Islam is in danger, who put it about that minority rights enshrined in our Constitution will be snatched away, creating an insidious incendiary climate to reap a communally-tinged political windfall during the elections; all, in a bid to garner personal benefits of power, using the entire minority voter base as cannon fodder.

A younger, aspirational and gender-neutral emerging polity is eager for jobs and education to change the narrow isolationist narrative that these vote merchants espoused. The final challenge before us is to ensure that the Muslim Personal Law Board comes forward and address issues like gender disparity. Rather than fear the emergence of Muslim feminist voices that they believe  wrongly  would make them socially and politically irrelevant and threaten male Muslim privileges, they must see the change that has been wrought by the daughters of top clerics who have been educated in modern schools and colleges. The choice before the women of the community  to remain behind the veil, within the four walls of their homes, or become equal members of society  must be left to the women. The Muslim voters have spoken clearly. For the vote merchants, its now time to come face to face with their own irrelevance.

The writer is a national spokesperson of the BJP
The sheer magnitude of the BJPs stunning victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls signalled the end of the political exile of the party in the state. It also signals a strong resurgence of the latent Hindutva sentiment on which the Bharatiya Janata Party had so proudly pegged itself from the late 1980s. The victory has once again catapulted the BJP to the top position in UP which it enjoyed from the days of the Ram Janambhoomi movement in the early 1990s.

The movement had focused on the perception of setting right alleged historical wrongs, which manifested itself in the demand that a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Rama be built at Ayodhya. The saffron brigade claimed that a temple existed on the spot which was demolished on the orders of the first Mughal emperor, Babur, who then got the Babri mosque constructed at the spot. Even as historians were sceptical, the movement gained strength.

But it was the announcement of the implementation of the Mandal commission recommendations and thereby, reservations for other backward classes by the V.P. Singh government at the Centre in August 1990 that put the movement on the fast-track. The BJP, rattled by the move, decided to focus on Hindutva politics by pitting the kamandal (a vessel used by Hindu seers and also for performance of Hindu rituals) to counter Mandal. When BJP leader L.K. Advani began a highly controversial rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya in September 1990, it changed politics in the Hindi heartland forever for the second time in a year. The political consequences of this were far-reaching. Mandalite leaders such as Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who hailed from the numerically significant Yadav clan  one of the major beneficiaries of reservations for OBCs  became secular messiahs and heroes for the Muslim community for opposing Hindutva politics. They tagged their own communities politically along with Muslims to form a formidable electoral MY (Muslim-Yadav) combination.

Also Read: 25 years later, Babri returns to haunt us...

From the BJP, it thrust Mr Advani into the limelight and gave him political credit for saving the party from the onslaught of Mandal. Within months of the V.P. Singh government falling in November 1990, the BJP rode the Ram mandir wave to come to power for the first time in Uttar Pradesh on its own in June 1991, clocking 221 out of the then 425 seats (that included Uttarakhand) in the UP Assembly. There were two other BJP leaders  both from the OBC Lodh community  in the Hindi heartland who shot into limelight. One was Kalyan Singh, who became the chief minister in UPs first BJP government in 1991. The second was Uma Bharti from Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, who was a prominent participant in the Ayodhya movement. Due to the rise of these two leaders, the BJP successfully experimented with social engineering by forging a coalition of their traditional vote bank, the upper castes, with the non-Yadav OBCs  a conglomeration of smaller OBC communities  that began voting for the BJP.

Toward the end of 1992 in November, the Supreme Court upheld the implementation of the Mandal report. Around that time, the Ayodhya stir was once again intensifying and this time the pressure was on the BJP since it was in government in UP. The stir culminated in the unfortunate and tragic demolition of the Babri Masjid by Hindutva kar sevaks on December 6, 1992, which resulted in the dismissal of Kalyan Singhs government in UP and also three other BJP state governments. But nevertheless, the Ayodhya sentiment propelled the partys nation-wide rise, which saw the BJP coming to power at the Centre in the late 1990s under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, viewed as a moderate who could pull in alliance partners since the BJP could not muster a majority on its own.

In other developments, the mid and late 1990s saw fierce triangular electoral contests in UP between the BJP, Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, with the BJP having the electoral upperhand due to split in Muslim vote and its strong Hindutva image and majoritarian appeal, which partially overrode the caste factor. But things changed in 1999 when BJP stalwart and then UP CM Kalyan Singh was expelled from the party. Soon, non-Yadav OBCs stopped voting for the BJP largely and switched over to the SP, triggering the collapse of the BJP in UP and reducing subsequent electoral contests to a two-horse race in UP between the SP and BSP. With the matter pending in courts, the appeal of the Ayodhya movement also considerably faded by then. The BJP also lost power at the Centre in 2004.

Also Read: I was a kar sevak before Masjid was demolished

But things changed in 2013 when the BJPs then prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi began his blitzkrieg across UP in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Curiously, then the BJP focused on the issue of development and not Hindutva, but Mr Modis strong Hindutva image always meant that the BJP in reality continued to limit itself to its majoritarian appeal. But the Ayodhya appeal still lay embedded in the BJP psyche and those of its supporters, with Prime Minister Modi himself addressing a rally in Faizabad where Lord Ramas poster happened to be in the background.

The BJP-led alliance swept 73 out of the 80 seats in the LS polls. But the real test for the BJPs revival still lay in the UP Assembly polls of 2017. On his campaign blitzkrieg once again, Mr Modi straddled his message of development with the powerful symbolism of visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi before the polls. Its a test that the BJP Saturday passed with flying colours. When all parties swear by the development mantra, the Ayodhya movement may not get limelight again. But the political and social consequences the stir unleashed are there for all to see.
Hard work is the only key to success: Virender Sachdeva, The writer is a member of the BJPs National Good Governance Team

When we look at our political scenario, it seems the Congress is intoxicated in the same old period of rajyog. The Congress started ruling India from 1947 to 1977, and started seeing its downfall after that. The people retained some faith in the party and again gave it a chance in 1980, 1984, 1991, 2004 and 2009. The first major downfall was a signal, which should have raised the instincts of any leader with rational thinking. If we look into the history of the Congress, it never lacked leaders with skills. From founder leaders like A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji to its Prime Ministers like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P.V. Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. Every time they came to power, we find realistic reasons behind it.

Take Nehru: he was a leader from the freedom struggle who had witnessed various revolutions and could well understand the ground realities of the country in terms of caste, religion, and not only could understand but also manage them. He even had an unforetold charisma of his own which brought him to power again and again. People had relentless faith in him. The personality enterprise was again gained by Indira Gandhi and even her ruling magic left an indelible mark on the minds of people, which shook only after her death. After her death, Rajiv Gandhi came to power in 1984 on the strength of a sympathy wave.

Although 1991 was a period of turmoil for the Congress, it could regain power because of Rajiv Gandhis assassination. 1998 was the time when Sonia Gandhi took to active politics, but the NDA succeeded in forming the government. The Congress again saw its golden days in 2004 and 2009, but it was not because of successful leadership, rather due to the shortcomings of their opponents.

In 2004, Rahul Gandhi announced his entry into politics by saying that he would contest the May 2004 elections, standing for his fathers former constituency of Amethi. Stepping into politics and winning an election was like being fed with a silver spoon. But he got a setback after contesting from the same seat in 2014, which he just sneaked by to win, realising that politics was no more a family epic. Finally, with the result of the recent UP elections, people have now entered an era wherein work speaks. Not allowing an able leader like Manmohan Singh to function was a setback for the Congress. The leadership failed to look beyond the window of the Gandhi clan, which brought them to its current position, where even its workers feel ashamed to be associated with the party.

Leaders and the party need to be empathetic about the problems of the people rather than flaunting their families. Work speaks. The family of Narendra Modi is also being spoken of but only for its grassroots growth, where no advantage is being taken from politics. Hence the Gandhis need to learn that growth will be achieved only when you will work.

Mandate was for Congress in 3 states: K.C. Mittal, The writer is AICC secretary in charge of the legal and human rights cell

Lets talk about Punjab, where the Congress won by a landslide. It is perhaps the first time in the last 25 years that such a massive mandate has come to any party in the state. It was Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi who had extensively campaigned in Punjab. He was instrumental in getting Navjot Singh Sidhu on board. In fact, pretty early in the fight for Punjab, the Congress appointed Capt. Amarinder Singh as state unit chief. This was a wise call, and so this model was a success.

No doubt the election results in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are a setback. We strived and hoped to do better; unfortunately, our performance was nothing to write home about. But apportioning blame to Mr Gandhi is certainly not done. In the last couple of days there is a hatchet job, which is being done against Mr Gandhi. In fact, he had structural changes are needed in the Congress.

In Uttarakhand, the government changes every term. We were in power, but we will bounce back. If you look at UP, we were in the process of strengthening our party and were in alliance. We have been out of power in the state for almost 27 years now. So the alliance lost. Yes, we could have done better. If you look at Goa, there was the might of the BJP and defence minister Manohar Parrikar, who has now been sworn in as chief minister, but the Congress managed to be the single-largest party with a sizeable difference from the BJP. The BJP swooped in biggies with all resources at their command and formed the government in the state. Everybody in the state knows the mandate this time was for the Congress, and certainly not for the BJP.

In Manipur too, our chief minister was seeking a third term. In spite of anti-incumbency, which is natural for any government that has stayed in power for 15 years, the Congress is the single largest party. Again, by machinations of the BJP, they have formed the government. It is once again obvious that the mandate to govern is with the Congress and not with the BJP. It is with a very heavy heart that I have to say the governments in Manipur and Goa are unconstitutional. The governors role in both states is highly questionable. Even eminent jurists have started saying this. So the BJP model is: if they cannot win elections, criticise the Congress leadership and get a backdoor entry by misusing the governors office.

Many naysayers have been writing off the Congress for far too long now. It was Indira Gandhi who bounced back then, it was our president Sonia Gandhiji under whom the Congress came back in 2004 when nobody was expecting it to come back. This year there are several other elections lined up, we will see then. The civic polls in Delhi are also around the corner. A word to people who are counting us and our leadership out, they will have to wait. We as an organisation are here to stay.
Lawyers representing Joaquin El Chapo Guzman say the man once considered the worlds leading drug trafficker, who is now awaiting trial in New York , has lost all sense of time. The cause? Being held in isolation 23 hours a day in a prison cell with no windows or heating, which is damaging his mental health.

Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman arriving at New York. AP

More information El Chapo tiene alucinaciones en prision: oye musica en una radio apagada

Presenting a motion in a Brooklyn court on Monday calling for his conditions to be improved, they reported his claims he is having auditory hallucinations, hearing music, despite being denied access to radio and television.

Guzman was extradited to the United States on January 19, and has since been held in the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan, a maximum security facility that is notorious for its tough conditions, and which has been condemned by Amnesty International.

In their motion, Guzmans defense team says that there is no heating in his cell, he has insufficient clothing and is cold much of the time. The light in his cell is kept on permanently, making it difficult for him to know whether it is night or day. His federal lawyers say that a small timepiece Guzman bought in the prison was confiscated.

Guzman began suffering psychological problems while in custody in Mexico

Guzman is allowed to watch one hour of television a day between Mondays and Fridays, but has been unable to do so. His guards say they have been instructed to limit his viewing but have been unable to find anything appropriate for him to watch, such as National Geographic animal documentaries. Whats more, his television-viewing time coincides with his hour of exercise, which takes place in a windowless room.

So far, Guzman has only been allowed to talk to his lawyers, who are not allowed to pass on messages  even to and from his wife, Emma Coronel. His guards are not allowed to talk to him.

He now faces charges relating to 17 offenses and is likely to spend the rest of his life behind bars. State attorneys say that as well as running the vast global drug-trafficking organization the Sinaloa cartel over the course of four decades, he is also responsible for thousands of deaths, kidnappings and torture around the world, particularly in Mexico.

Given that he has twice escaped from prison in Mexico, the US authorities have decided to take extreme precautions. But Guzmans lawyers say that his treatment violates the first, fifth, and sixth amendments of the US Constitution.

Guzman has no contact with the outside world other than through his lawyers

Describing his situation as unsustainable, Guzmans legal team says he reportedly began suffering physical and psychological problems while in custody in Mexico, although he was held there in better conditions than now and was allowed to see his wife.

During his time in detention, Guzman has requested to see a priest, receiving two visits. The first lasted a few minutes, because the priest did not speak Spanish, while the second used a guard to translate.

His defense team say in their motion that they fear the negative impact of the widespread media coverage of Guzmans case, with several books and motion pictures about his life either out or in the pipeline: Netflix has produced a series, and Ridley Scott is making a film about his life and times. Guzmans lawyers condemn the fact that their client cannot talk to the media to offer his version of events when a news story attributes a crime to him.

English version by Nick Lyne.
Researchers say this bone may be related to regulating pressure in the ear, although its exact purpose is unclear.

The discovery of a 400,000-year-old half skull in Portugal has offered tantalizing hints about a possible ancestor of the Neanderthals, researchers said Monday.

The fossil was unearthed from the Aroeira cave site, and marks the oldest human cranium fossil ever found in Portugal, said the report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a peer-reviewed US journal.

But there is plenty of mystery around the skull. Researchers don't know if it was from a male or female, how the person died, or even what form of early human it was.

"There is a lot of question about which species these fossils represent. I tend to think of them as ancestors of the Neanderthals," co-author Rolf Quam, an anthropologist at Binghamton University, State University of New York, told AFP.

"It is not a Neanderthal itself," he added. "It has some features that might be related to the later Neanderthals," including a lump of bone near the ear called the mastoid process.

Researchers say this bone may be related to regulating pressure in the ear, although its exact purpose is unclear.

What researchers can say with certainty is that the skull belonged to an adult, based on the formation of the bones. A couple of teeth found with it appear worn, as if belonging to an adult rather than a child.

They also know its age -- 400,000 years -- based on precision dating of the surrounding stalagmites and sediments.

The same cannot be said for other skulls of its kind found elsewhere in Europe. Some were uncovered years ago, before modern technology existed. In other cases, conditions at the cave site did not allow for precise dating of surrounding rock and sediment.

Researchers have sometimes had to guess at the ages of these skulls, ranging from 200,000 to more than 400,000 years, according to Quam.

The Portuguese skull shares some features with bones uncovered in northern Spain that are some 430,000 years old, and in southern France dating even further back, to around 450,000 years.

"There is a lot of debate currently in the anthropological literature about what species to call these fossils. There is not a lot of agreement," said Quam, who co-authored the study with Portuguese archaeologist Joao Zilhao and colleagues.

- Stone tools -

Its location is the furthest west of any human fossil ever found in Europe during the middle Pleistocene period.

It is also one of the earliest in Europe to be associated with the Acheulean stone tool industry, a more advanced kind of toolkit than used among the earliest humans in Europe.

The Acheulean stone tools included tear-drop-shaped hand-axes that were more complex to build than previous iterations.

They originated in Africa and probably made their way into Europe via the Middle East around 500,000 years ago.

To find evidence of these tools 400,000 years ago, all the way over in western Europe, "means relatively quickly the Acheuleans spread through Europe," Quam said.

- Almost missed -

While there remains much to be learned about the skull, researchers feel lucky that they found it at all. In fact, they almost missed it.

Glimpsed as an outline of a skull in sediment as hard as cement, the skull was found on the last day of an excavation project in 2014.

"I have been studying these sites for the last 30 years and we have recovered much important archaeological data. But the discovery of a human cranium of this antiquity and importance is always a very special moment," said Zilhao in a statement.

Workers toiled for a week to cut a block out of the Earth. At one point, a heavy duty demolition hammer broke the skull into pieces.

It took two and a half years to painstakingly extract the skull itself from the block.

Images of the skull show a circular hole, which represents the damage incurred during the excavation.

The fossil will go on display in October at the Museu Nacional de Arqueologia in Lisbon.

In the coming years, experts will dive into the details of the skull and its surroundings "to give a more complete picture of life in the area, life in the cave and the evolutionary place of this human in our ancestry," said Quam.

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A trail of smoke can be seen from the 2013 eruption of the Pavlof volcano, which spewed an ash cloud 20,000 feet into the atmosphere that traveled southeastward over the North Pacific Ocean. The volcanos that may have contributed to snowball Earth spanned almost 2000 miles and erupted continuously for years. (Image courtesy of NASA)

What caused the largest glaciation event in Earths history, known as snowball Earth?

Geologists and climate scientists have been searching for the answer for years but the root cause of the phenomenon remains elusive.

Now, Harvard University researchers have a new hypothesis about what caused the runaway glaciation that covered the Earth pole-to-pole in ice.

The research is published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Researchers have pinpointed the start of whats known as the Sturtian snowball Earth event to about 717 million years ago  give or take a few 100,000 years. At around that time, a huge volcanic event devastated an area from present day Alaska to Greenland.

Coincidence?

Harvard professors Francis Macdonald and Robin Wordsworth thought not.

We know that volcanic activity can have a major effect on the environment, so the big question was, how are these two events related, said Macdonald, the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences.

At first, Macdonalds team thought basaltic rock  which breaks down into magnesium and calcium  interacted with CO2 in the atmosphere and caused cooling. However, if that were the case, cooling would have happened over millions of years and radio-isotopic dating from volcanic rocks in Arctic Canada suggest a far more precise coincidence with cooling.

Macdonald turned to Wordsworth, who models climates of non-Earth planets, and asked: could aerosols emitted from these volcanos have rapidly cooled Earth?

The answer: yes, under the right conditions.

It is not unique to have large volcanic provinces erupting, said Wordsworth, assistant professor of Environmental Science and Engineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Science. These types of eruptions have happened over and over again throughout geological time but theyre not always associated with cooling events. So, the question is, what made this event different?

Geological and chemical studies of this region, known as the Franklin large igneous province, showed that volcanic rocks erupted through sulfur-rich sediments, which would have been pushed into the atmosphere during eruption as sulfur dioxide. When sulfur dioxide gets into the upper layers of the atmosphere, its very good at blocking solar radiation. The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which shot about 10 million metric tons of sulfur into the air, reduced global temperatures about 1 degree Fahrenheit for a year.

Sulfur dioxide is most effective at blocking solar radiation if it gets past the tropopause, the boundary separating the troposphere and stratosphere. If it reaches this height, its less likely to be brought back down to earth in precipitation or mixed with other particles, extending its presence in the atmosphere from about a week to about a year.

The height of the tropopause barrier all depends on the background climate of the planet  the cooler the planet, the lower the tropopause.

In periods of Earths history when it was very warm, volcanic cooling would not have been very important because the Earth would have been shielded by this warm, high tropopause, said Wordsworth. In cooler conditions, Earth becomes uniquely vulnerable to having these kinds of volcanic perturbations to climate.

What our models have shown is that context and background really matters, said Macdonald.

Another important aspect is where the sulfur dioxide plumes reach the stratosphere. Due to continental drift, 717 million years ago, the Franklin large igneous province where these eruptions took place was situated near the equator, the entry point for most of the solar radiation that keeps the Earth warm.

So, an effective light-reflecting gas entered the atmosphere at just the right location and height to cause cooling. But another element was needed to form the perfect storm scenario. After all, the Pinatubo eruption had similar qualities but its cooling effect only lasted about a year.

The eruptions throwing sulfur into the air 717 million years ago werent one-off explosions of single volcanoes like Pinatubo. The volcanoes in question spanned almost 2,000 miles across Canada and Greenland. Instead of singularly explosive eruptions, these volcanoes can erupt more continuously like those in Hawaii and Iceland today. The researchers demonstrated that a decade or so of continual eruptions from this type of volcanoes could have poured enough aerosols into the atmosphere to rapidly destabilize the climate.

Cooling from aerosols doesnt have to freeze the whole planet; it just has to drive the ice to a critical latitude. Then the ice does the rest, said Macdonald.

The more ice, the more sunlight is reflected and the cooler the planet becomes. Once the ice reaches latitudes around present-day California, the positive feedback loop takes over and the runaway snowball effect is pretty much unstoppable.

Its easy to think of climate as this immense system that is very difficult to change and in many ways thats true. But there have been very dramatic changes in the past and theres every possibility that as sudden of a change could happen in the future as well, said Wordsworth.

Understanding how these dramatic changes occur could help researchers better understand how extinctions occurred, how proposed geoengineering approaches may impact climate and how climates change on other planets.

This research shows that we need to get away from a simple paradigm of exoplanets, just thinking about stable equilibrium conditions and habitable zones, said Wordsworth. We know that Earth is a dynamic and active place that has had sharp transitions. There is every reason to believe that rapid climate transitions of this type are the norm on planets, rather than the exception.

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The ability to perform astonishing feats of memory, such as remembering lists of several dozen words, can be learned, according to a team of researchers.

After 40 days of daily 30-minute training sessions using a strategic memory improvement technique, individuals who had typical memory skills at the start and no previous memory training more than doubled their memory capacity, going from recalling an average of 26 words from a list of 72 to remembering 62. Four months later, without continued training, recall performance remained high.

Brain scans before and after training showed that strategic memory training altered the brain functions of the trainees, making them more similar to those of world champion memory athletes.

"After training we see massively increased performance on memory tests," said first author Martin Dresler of the Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. "Not only can you induce a behavioral change, the training also induces similar brain connectivity patterns as those seen in memory athletes."

Dresler examined the brains of 23 world-class memory athletes and 23 people similar in age, health status and intelligence, but with typical memory skills. He used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a means of measuring brain activity by detecting blood flow changes inside the brain, to measure differences in the strengths of communications between brain regions. He used structural MRI to measure differences in sizes.

Those who trained using method of loci showed substantial improvement in their ability to recall lists of words. Before training, individuals could recall on average between 26 and 30 words. Afterwards, those with strategic memory training could recall 35 more words on average. Those who trained short-term memory could recall 11 more words. Those with no training recalled 7 more words.

A day later, those who had trained still showed improvements in recall. Four months later, only those with strategic training continued to show substantial gains, still recalling over 22 more words than prior to training. "Once you are familiar with these strategies and know how to apply them, you can keep your performance high without much further training," said Dresler.

After training, brain scans of those in the strategic training group had changed. They showed patterns that more closely resemble those of memory champions than scans taken prior to training.

Dresler and his team are still analyzing their brain scan data to learn more about the differences in brain connectivity patterns they found and how they affect memory.

The study appears in Neuron.

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Coral grows in the waters off Raja Ampat's Kri Island located in eastern Indonesia's Papua region (Photo: AFP)

A British-owned cruise ship has smashed into pristine coral reefs, causing extensive damage in a remote corner of Indonesia known as one of the world's most biodiverse marine habitats, researchers and officials said Tuesday.

Raja Ampat in eastern Indonesia has long been a top attraction for intrepid travellers and avid divers, home to palm-fringed islands surrounded by an underwater kaleidoscope of coral and fish.

But the 4,200-ton Caledonian Sky slammed into the reefs at low tide around Kri, one of hundreds of small islands in Raja Ampat, earlier this month after taking the tourists aboard on a bird-watching expedition.

The boat, which was carrying 102 passengers and 79 crew, became grounded on the reefs and had to be refloated by a tug boat before continuing on its journey.

The accident has damaged an estimated 13,500 square metres (145,000 square feet) of coral reef which could cost up to $16.2 million to restore, according to Ricardo Tapilatu, a marine researcher from the University of Papua who headed a team assessing the impact.

There has been outrage in the local tourism industry which relies on Raja Ampat's natural wonders for its survival.

- 'Very big loss' -

"How can this happen? Was a 12-year-old at the wheel?" Stay Raja Ampat, a website that links tourists up with homestays, said on its Facebook page.

"Anchor damage from ships like these is bad enough, but actually grounding a ship on a reef takes it to a whole new level."

Head of Raja Ampat's tourism agency Yusdi Lamatenggo confirmed the accident, which took place on March 4.

Environmental group Conservation International said that the Bahamas-flagged ship had gone into an area that it should not have entered due to the unique coral reefs.

"This is a very, very big loss for us," Victor Nikijuluw, the marine programme director at Conservation International Indonesia, told AFP.

"Even when (the reefs) grow back, they will not be as pristine as they were before," he added.

Local search and rescue agency officials said they were called to help when the ship ran aground and had intended to evacuate the passengers immediately.

"However when we reached the site and spoke with the captain of the ship as well as one passenger, they refused to be evacuated and asked instead for a tug boat," local agency chief Prasetyo Budiarto told a television station.

But the tug took numerous attempts to refloat the massive vessel, causing even more damage to the reef.

The ship's operator, Britain-based tour company Noble Caledonia, said in a statement they were working with the Indonesian government to reach an agreement in relation to any damage caused.

"The company is firmly committed to the protection of the environment and as such deeply regrets any damage caused to the reef," it said.

The Indonesian government said it was assessing the impact and would seek compensation from the operator.

The remote archipelago of Raja Ampat -- which means Four Kingdoms in Indonesian -- lies between the Pacific and Indian oceans. A 2002 report from Conservation International said it was home to nearly 1,400 varieties of fish and 603 species of coral.

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Apple has been found to instruct 16 retailers in Russia to set prices at a specific amount.

Last August, Russia opened an investigation into Apple, accusing the company of fixing iPhone prices. Apple responded, denying any involvement in the matter with the retailers. It appears like the Cupertino tech-giant is in trouble again. Russias Federal Antimonopoly Service has found Apple of fixing iPhone prices in the country.

According to a report published my 9to5Mac, which cites the official FAS website as source, Apple has been found guilty of ordering retailers to fix prices of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6 models.

On March 14, the FAS Russia found Apple Rus guilty of coordinating the economic activities of the Apple iPhone smartphone resellers, which led to the establishment and maintenance of prices for them (violation of Part 5, Article 11 of the Law on Protection of Competition), the information on the website read.

Apple has been found to instruct 16 retailers in Russia to set prices at a specific amount. If the retailer did otherwise, Apple would contact them and order them to change the price or even risk having the sales agreement permanently terminated.

The investigation revealed that since the start of official sales in Russia of the Apple iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, most resellers installed the same prices on them as recommended by Apple (Russia) and supported them for about 3 months, the information on the website further added.

Apple hasnt commented on the ruling yet.

However, it appears like the company is actively cooperating.

In the course of the proceedings the Russian subsidiary of Apple actively co-operated with the FAS, said FAS head Andrey Tsarikovsky. The company has adopted the necessary measures to eliminate violations of the law and is pursuing a policy to prevent similar violations in the future.

Apple has about 3 months to contest the decision. Its unclear what sort of punishment Apple could face for its price-fixing in Russia.

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Russia put a blogger on trial Monday on charges of offending religious believers and fomenting hatred by posting a video online that showed him hunting Pokemon in a church.

Ruslan Sokolovsky, 22, faces up to seven years in prison over the YouTube video of him zapping Pokemon on a smartphone in a Russian Orthodox church in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg.

The video which Sokolovsky posted in August 2016 has been viewed more than 1.6 million times on YouTube.

He has pleaded not guilty in the case which has been compared to that of the Pussy Riot punk art group, whose 2012 "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral led to two-year prison terms.

"I didn't aim to offend anyone," Sokolovsky said in court in a video broadcast by Life News, adding that he was ready to apologise if anyone was offended.

He said he created the videos "with critical and polemical aims", describing himself as an atheist.

The Russian Orthodox Church has accused him of blasphemy over the stunt in a church built on the spot where the Bolsheviks shot Russia's last tsar and his family in 1918.

"I didn't ask these people to watch my video clips" Sokolovsky told journalists during a break.

"Who is the Russian Orthodox Church that I have to publicly repent in front of them?"

Sokolovsky spent several months in prison ahead of the trial, though he is now under house arrest.

Amnesty International has condemned the charges against him as "farcical" and called him a prisoner of conscience.

He also faces a separate charge of illegally possessing a "spy pen" with a recording function, which was found in a search of his flat.

In court, he said that the pen is widely available to buy and unsuitable for covert recording.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday protecting infrastructure from potential cyber attacks was a top priority and the federal government had to work together with localities on that.

"Today we have a huge amount of possibilities to paralyze infrastructure from cyber attacks and it is... very very difficult. There are examples from Ukraine that are worrying. Therefore cyber security is of great, great importance," she said.

"The German government has updated its cyber security strategy and we are very happy to work with localities on this," she said in a speech to the VKU association for local infrastructure companies.

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China and Google are in talks for the Internet giant's return to the Chinese mainland after it was pulled out seven years ago following a bitter spat with Beijing over censorship rules.

"China has been in touch with Google through various channels. Last year, leaders of our country's important department had further communication with Google," Liu Binjie, a standing committee member of China's Parliament the National People's Congress and former head of the General Administration of Press and Publication said.

Currently Google search engine as well other services, including email services are blocked in China and they can be accessed only with VPNs, (Virtual Private Network).

Google Scholar, a search engine for scholarly literature, was among the services on Beijing's priority list for re-entry, Liu was quoted as saying by Hong Kong-based the South China Morning Post on Sunday.

There was hope that a part of Google's business would return to China first, gradually followed by others, Liu said.

"The academic sector will be the first to get through. China's focus is on (making) academic progress, such as academic exchanges as well as (exchanges in) science and culture, instead of news, information or politics," he said.

Other Google functions under negotiation included "service functions that do not involve (politically) sensitive information," the lawmaker said.

But no timetable had yet been set for Google's return, he said.

Google pulled its search engine out of mainland China in 2010 and established in Hong Kong after a bitter spat with Beijing over its strict censorship rules.

However, with 721 million web users, China the world's biggest Internet market remained an attractive destination for Google but Beijing's rigid firewall web system with stringent controls remained a concern.

In the absence of Google, Chinese language internet search engines like Baidu prospered. Microsoft's Bing too tried to make inroads in China.

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Cutting-edge chips are at the heart of robotics, artificial intelligence and connected devices and the government is worried that key technology could be transferred to China.

A Japanese state-backed fund may invest in Toshiba Corp's memory chip business as a minority partner - a move that would help the government prevent a sale to bidders it deems risky to national security, sources familiar with the matter said.

Discussions on a potential investment are, however, at a very early stage and may not develop further as some people within the government are concerned it could be seen as a publicly funded bailout, one of the sources said.

If the fund, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), teamed up with a bidder that would give the suitor a major advantage as it would represent a government stamp of approval, the sources said, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

Cutting-edge chips are at the heart of robotics, artificial intelligence and connected devices and the government is worried that key technology could be transferred to China, people with knowledge of the matter have said previously.

The government is prepared to use Japan's foreign exchange and foreign trade laws to control the auction if need be, they said.

Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko has said the ministry, which oversees INCJ, has no plans to rescue Toshiba. An INCJ spokesman said on Wednesday the fund would not comment on speculation.

Toshiba said it would not comment on specifics of the sale process. Chief Executive Satoshi Tsunakawa said on Tuesday, however, that it would take national security concerns into account.

In crisis over its Westinghouse nuclear business, Toshiba has put up most or even all of its prized memory chip business for sale to cope with an upcoming $6.3 billion writedown and to create a buffer for potential losses down the road.

Separately a person with direct knowledge said that the government-backed Development Bank of Japan would be willing to lend support. It was not immediately clear what form that support would take.

A spokesman for the bank declined to comment.

Sources have said potential bidders include Western Digital Corp which operates a Japanese chip plant with Toshiba, rivals Micron Technology Inc and SK Hynix Inc. They also include Taiwan's TSMC and Foxconn as well as financial investors such as Bain Capital.

Toshiba has so far received bids that value the entire unit as high as 2 trillion yen ($17.4 billion), said a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Bidders have been asked to present their offers by March 29, he said.

INCJ was involved in an attempt to rescue liquid crystal display maker Sharp Corp about a year ago with the government aiming to broker a merger between it and Japan Display Inc. Sharp, however, reached an agreement to be bought by Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry.

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The discussion was likely to touch on investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and efforts to stop the war in Syria. (Photo: AP)

Washington: President Donald Trump met with Saudi Arabias deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday for a discussion that was likely to touch on investment opportunities in the kingdom and efforts to stop the war in Syria.

Trump, who took office in January, and Prince Mohammed who is also the kingdoms defence minister, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office, where they posed for a picture in front of journalists and did not take questions.

US vice president Mike Pence, Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present.

The meeting was the first since Trumps inauguration with the powerful prince, who is leading the kingdoms efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.

After visiting in the Oval Office, Trump and his advisers joined the prince and the Saudi delegation for lunch in the White House state dining room.
Samvel Babayan on Levon Yeranosyan: When I knew them, they had no courage to say a word: armtimes.com

In connection with the incident in Jrarat community of Armavir marz, armtimes.com interviewed Samvel Babayan, former commander of the NKR Defense Army, who in reality coordinates the activities of ORO alliance. -Mr. Babayan, how can you assess the incident in Jrarat? -Frankly speaking, I am not well aware of those events. -Likely, you have heard that yesterday there was a quarrel between the relative of the village head and your supporter, shots were fired, as a result of which three people were injured. -I advise them not to rise against the alliance, as they will not reach anything by firing. If today they are firing tomorrow the opposite side may fire and in general they may not be found safe and sound. -Levon Yeranosyans brother and relatives are involved in the incident. Do you know them? - When I knew them, they had no courage to say a word. And their behavior surprises me. They were allowed to do that. -Did the authorities give them such a chance? -Of course, definitely. I think if the authorities want to silence them, they will do. But if the authorities dont do that, they are somehow participants. Nobody in Armenia can take such an action without the permission of the authorities. We all can understand that. Those people quarreled three days ago and now they continue, it means the authorities let it. Read more here
In her lawsuit, the girl claimed that Roosevelt Inn, a roadside motel was known for renting out rooms to men who forced teenage girls into sex trade. (Representational Image)

Philadelphia: A 14-year-old Philadelphia girl has filed a lawsuit in the Philadelphia Common Pleas Court against a motel accusing it of being the local epicenter of human trafficking.

In her lawsuit, the girl claimed that Roosevelt Inn, a roadside motel was known for renting out rooms to men who forced teenage girls into sex trade.

According to a report in The Washington Post, the girl alleged that she was held hostage in the motel for months at a time and was forced into having sex with as many as 1,000 men. The abuse went on for a period of over two years, said the lawsuit.

Her lawyer, Nadeem Bezar claimed that the motel owners rented out rooms to her traffickers and earned profit from the abuse.

The motel has a history of illicit activities, from drugs to several incidents surrounding trafficking and prostitution, said Bezar.

Narrating how the victim landed up in the situation, her lawyer said that she left her home after falling out with her parents. Desperate to find a place to stay, the victim started hanging out with the wrong people, who in turn sold her into sex slavery.

In the lawsuit, the victim mentioned that she was forced to perform sex acts on men twice or thrice her age.

Her traffickers would hunt for customers through online advertisements and even negotiate with them, the lawsuit alleged. The customers had to come down to the motel and the clerk would then direct them to the room where the sex slaves were kept, it added.

Ever since she has escaped from her traffickers, the girl has reunited with her family. Although her traffickers have been put behind the bars, she has initiated a legal action against the motel for their involvement in the sex trade business.
Washington: Some Hispanic business owners in the United States are offering to help build President Donald Trump's wall to keep out unauthorised immigrants on the Mexican border, despite controversy and their personal misgivings.

"Myself, being a Hispanic makes it tougher," said Michael Luera, who runs a construction services firm in Ganado, Texas.

His company, Fairfield Logistics, recently expressed interest in working on the border wall project, which has become a lightning rod for public outrage in the debate over Trump's immigration policies.

But it was not an easy choice. "When this controversy targets all the Mexicans, that really affects me because I know that a lot of them are not bad people and come here to work hard," said Luera, himself a third-generation American of Mexican descent.

For him as for many others, the chance to win a piece of the massive project, valued at between USD 8 billion and USD 40 billion, tips the balance in favour of bidding on the wall.

"Essentially, it's a business decision," said Mario Burgos, head of a New Mexico construction company. "Obviously, when we see an opportunity in our backyard, you can't ignore it."

"I see the wall as kind of good neighbours putting up fences," but added "I'm always uncomfortable with everything that is anti-immigrant."

While details remain scarce, the project already has drawn the interest of major companies such as the Franco-Swiss cement maker LafargeHolcim, which, like its Mexican rival Cemex, says it is ready to supply materials for "all types of infrastructure projects" in the United States.

In all, nearly 650 businesses of all sizes, including 66 identified as Hispanic-American owned, answered a February 24 "pre-solicitation" call from the Department of Homeland Security, which is expected on Wednesday to issue a formal request for proposals.

Still, some businesses are clearly more reticent. Irish building materials firm CRH said it would not be involved because the project was not "in our interest."

During the Super Bowl, the Pennsylvania building supply company 84 Lumber aired a television commercial showing workers installing a large door in a border wall to allow a mother and daughter into the United States.

Some small- and medium-sized American business owners, however, say there is no reason for a guilty conscience.

One, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claiming there were "a lot of crazy people out there," said he wanted to "serve my country" by contributing to a project that would block the arrival of unauthorised immigrants.

"I'm a Hispanic but I'm American above all and I want to make sure that everybody obeys the laws," said the fourth-generation American business owner.

"If I have to go to war and kill somebody, I'm just doing my job," said the business owner, a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"If the government needs contractors to build this wall, I'm just doing my job."

Marc Uribe, who works at a California construction company, downplayed the dilemma, veering into irony.

"Oh really? There's a controversy?" asked Uribe. "I didn't know there was anybody unhappy about the wall. Who's that?"

Joe Moreno, who runs contracting business in Arizona with his brother Alfonso, said construction projects are by nature subject to dispute.

"With every project, be it a nuclear plant, a freeway, an airport parking lot, a downtown new development building, there's always a controversy," he said.

"If we had to avoid every controversial project, we would be out of work." Moreno also said businesses had to bid for a piece of the project because "it pays the bills" and added that his Hispanic heritage would be an advantage in a project that straddled cultures north and south of the border.

"We're well aware of issues that can arise on both sides of the borders. We understand the customs and the languages from both sides of the border."
President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue and make India a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). (Photo: AFP)

Washington: The US on Wednesday said it is working with India and NSG members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in America's policy on the issue under the Trump administration.

"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership," a State Department spokesperson said.

The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on India's bid to be a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

The United States and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best effort, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.

"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance Indias case for membership," the State Department official said, indicating that there has been no change in the US policy towards India's NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.

The key to India's membership now lies with China. However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself as was done by President George Bush.

Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month. In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an "outlier" on the NSG issue.
Muslims in the US are reportedly anxious after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that banned travel from seven Muslim-dominated countries. The order was struck down by the courts later. (Photo: AP/ File)

Chicago: A Muslim couple has sued US United Airlines for forcing them off a flight last year after they sought help with a child booster seat, alleging that they were discriminated against based on faith.

Mohamad and Eaman Shebley, of northern Chicago suburbs, alleged that they were preparing to take off on a flight from Chicagos OHare International Airport to Washington DC when they were kicked off the flight.

The Shebleys filed the lawsuit on Friday in a federal court through attorneys with the local chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in connection with the March 20, 2016 incident aboard the SkyWest flight, operating as United Express from Chicago to Washington, the Chicago Tribune reported.

An attorney for the couple said they think inherent bias prompted flight crew members to kick the Shebleys off the United Flight after Eaman asked for assistance with a child booster seat.

In a statement, a spokesperson with United declined to comment on the suit, but said, Both SkyWest and United hold our employees to the highest standards of professionalism and have zero tolerance for discrimination.

The suit comes at a time of growing anxiety among Muslims who worry they can be targeted and removed from flights just for making other passengers feel uncomfortable, CAIR officials said.

We believe the time is right now to bring this to the attention of the courts and the federal government and ask for some accountability on behalf of the airlines -- thats really what this suit is about, Phil Robertson, CAIR Chicagos lead attorney who is representing the Shebleys in the suit, told reporters.

This affects more than the Shebley family...It affects our entire community, said Ahmed Rehab, CAIR Chicagos executive director.

The familys removal from the flight came after the parents requested an additional shoulder harness that goes around the back of the seat and attaches to the lap belt for their youngest daughters booster seat.

The 15-page, three-count suit, states that they had sought a strap for their child sitting in the booster seat, but were told by a flight attendant that the airline did not provide over-the-shoulder harnesses for passengers.

Another crew member told the family that the child could not sit in a booster seat but ignored subsequent questions from Eaman, a Lebanese-American who wears a headscarf.

Despite removing the booster chair and storing it, the Shebleys claimed they were asked to leave the plane by the flight attendant and the pilot.
Houston, Texas: A Texas lawmaker has proposed a bill that would slap a USD 100 fine on a man each time he masturbated.

According to a report by The Guardian, the bill would also impose a 24-hour stay period if the man wanted to undergo a vasectomy or a colonoscopy.

Proposed by Democrat Jessica Farrar from Houston, the bill aims to regulate masturbatory emissions as a response to anti-abortion measures promoted by Republican senators.

Titled Mans Right to Know Act, the bill suggests a fine for emissions outside of a womans vagina, or created outside of a health or medical facility, which will be considered an act against an unborn child, and failing to preserve the sanctity of life, the report said.

To make this bill more effective, it will also require the creation of a masturbatory assistance registry of NGOs and non-profit organisations and hospitals that will be able to provide fully-abstinent encouragement counseling, supervising physicians for masturbatory emissions, and storage for the semen.

An advocate of womens health, Farrar told CNN, Lets look at what Texas has done to women. What if men had to undergo the same intrusive procedures? she added.

However, Farrars move was widely criticised by her political opponents. I am embarrassed for Representative Farrar. Her attempt to compare to the abortion issue shows a lack of a basic understanding of human biology, said Tony Tinderholt, Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Jerusalem: A top adviser to US President Donald Trump held further talks on the Middle East conflict Wednesday, meeting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he seeks to restart negotiations with the Palestinians.

Jason Greenblatt, Trump's special representative for international negotiations, met with Rivlin after holding talks with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week.

Rivlin's spokesman said the president, whose role is mainly ceremonial, told Greenblatt the "building of confidence between Israelis and Palestinians was a first and critically important step toward any possible solution."

Greenblatt thanked Rivlin for his thoughts on how Israelis and Palestinians could live side by side, a statement from the president's office said. He was expected to visit a Palestinian refugee camp and meet religious leaders before leaving on Thursday.

Before the visit, US officials said he was seeking to lay the groundwork for renewed peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

A US consulate statement on the meeting with Abbas on Tuesday evening said the two men reaffirmed their commitment to a "genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

"President Abbas told Mr Greenblatt that he believes that under President Trump's leadership a historic peace deal is possible," the statement said, adding that Abbas committed to tackling Palestinian incitement.

"Greenblatt underscored President Trump's commitment to working with Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a lasting peace through direct negotiations."

The meeting followed five hours of talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday night. The peace process has been deadlocked since April 2014 following the collapse of indirect negotiations led by then US secretary of state John Kerry.

The visit comes after Trump cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution to the conflict when he met Netanyahu at the White House last month.

At that meeting, Trump broke with decades of US policy by saying he was not bound to a two-state solution to the conflict and would be open to one state if it meant peace.

The consulate statement Tuesday said Abbas stressed to Greenblatt the two-state solution was the best route to peace, but did not give the US envoy's response.

Settlements in the occupied West Bank are also a key area of contention. The international community considers continuing settlement growth in the West Bank a major obstacle to peace.

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that Netanyahu expects to reach understandings with the United States on settlement construction in the West Bank in the coming weeks.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported Netanyahu had discussed with Greenblatt plans to build a new settlement for residents of Amona, an outpost that was demolished last month in accordance with a high court ruling.
The News Herald reported 27-year-old Gene Anthony Quinones-Rivera pleaded no contest to the 2015 death on Monday. (Photo: Facebook)

Panama City: A Florida Panhandle man will spend the rest of his life in prison for killing his 2-month-old son by stuffing a sock in his mouth to stop him from crying.

The News Herald reported 27-year-old Gene Anthony Quinones-Rivera pleaded no contest to the 2015 death on Monday. A judge in Panama City gave him the maximum sentence for second-degree murder.

The investigation began in December when Quinones-Rivera went to police and confessed that he'd caused the death of his son.

In an interview with the newspaper in January, Quinones-Rivera said he smoked marijuana that night and was angry because the child wouldn't stop crying.

The court recommended that Quinones-Rivera be placed in a prison in South Florida.
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has used a DNA sample from one of Kim Jong-Nam's children to confirm the identity of the assassinated half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, the deputy prime minister said today.

Investigators "confirmed the identity of the body as Kim Jong-Nam based on the sample obtained from his child", said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, without elaborating further.

The 45-year-old was poisoned with the deadly nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for his death, but the North has rejected those claims and has never confirmed the identity of the victim, who was carrying a passport bearing the name of Kim Chol when he was attacked.

Malaysia officially confirmed his identity on Friday, but refused to say whether authorities had obtained a DNA sample from next-of-kin.

Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said at the time that concerns "for the security of the witnesses" prevented him from revealing further details. The killing triggered a bitter row between Malaysia and North Korea, which have expelled each other's ambassadors and refused to let their citizens leave.

Pyongyang has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear the secretive regime, insisting that he most likely died of a heart attack.

Kim's wife and children, who were living in exile in the Chinese territory of Macau, staged a vanishing act after the murder. There are fears his 21-year-old son, Kim Han-Sol, could be targeted next.

Three Malaysian embassy staff and six family members are stranded in Pyongyang after North Korea barred Malaysians from leaving the country last week, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Kuala Lumpur.

Two women -- one Vietnamese and one Indonesian -- have been arrested and charged with the murder. Airport CCTV footage shows them approaching the victim and apparently smearing his face with a piece of cloth.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo: Washington's top diplomat was to fly into Tokyo on Wednesday to begin the first tour of Asian capitals under the shadow of North Korea's nuclear posturing.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has promised to take a tough line on Kim Jong-un's isolated regime as he talks to allies Japan and South Korea and to rival great power China.

The former oilman will also talk commerce after President Donald Trump's belligerent campaign rhetoric raised the spectre of a trade war between the United State and China.

But US officials confirmed North Korea's provocative behaviour would be "front and centre" as Tillerson meets Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.

After Tokyo, it will be on to Seoul, a city already within range of North Korea's artillery and rocket batteries, for talks with the acting leader after a corruption scandal, saw President Park Geun-Hye ousted last week.

And then at the weekend, there will be his much-anticipated trip to Beijing, amid reports that Tillerson will seek to finalise plans for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Trump in April.

Here, he might get a positive response. In a news conference after the annual National People's Congress parliament meeting on Wednesday, Premier Li Keqiang said, "there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation."

He warned that US investments in China would bear the brunt of any trade war, and argued: "I believe whatever differences we have, we can still sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions."

But Tillerson will also have to broach the topic of North Korea's progress towards building an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that would be able to threaten US mainland cities or bases in the Pacific.

"He's going to have an opportunity at every stop to talk about next steps or what we do now, with respect to North Korea," acting State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters.

"I mean, it's obviously the looming challenge over our relations and, frankly, the security of the Korean Peninsula," he added in a news briefing before Tillerson left Washington.

China is perhaps the last country with significant leverage over North Korea, which has ignored several rounds of UN-backed sanctions targeting its banned nuclear weapons programme.

Beijing shares US concerns over Pyongyang's attempts to build an arsenal of nuclear devices but has been much more measured in its reaction to the ballistic missile program.

Xi's government has been reluctant to back any moves that might destabilise Kim's regime and is publicly more concerned about Washington's decision to deploy the THAAD missile defence program in South Korea.

Washington insists THAAD is a defensive system deployed to protect the South and US bases from North Korean missiles, but China fears its advanced radar system undermines China's nuclear deterrent.
It was hard to imagine that ousted President Park Geun-hye could get any more unpopular in South Korea  until she moved out of the presidential palace and left her nine dogs behind.

Just days after being removed from office by the Constitutional Court over a massive corruption scandal, an animal rights group accused Ms Park of animal abandonment for not bringing the dogs with her.

Ms Parks neighbors had given her a pair of Jindo dogs, a Korean breed of hunting dogs, when she left for the presidential Blue House in 2013. The dogs recently gave birth to seven puppies, which are now considered too young to be separated from their mother, Kim Dong-jo, a Blue House spokesman, said on Wednesday.

Kim said the dogs would continue to stay at the presidential palace until theyre ready to be sent to new owners. Ms Park told staff members to take good care of the dogs before vacating the Blue House on Sunday, he said.

Ms Parks decision to leave the dogs behind touched off a heated reaction from dog lovers, who flooded social media with angry remarks. It seems that Park Geun-hye is a person who entirely lacks empathy, whether its for humans or for animals, Park Jeong-eon, an office worker who is unrelated to the ousted president, said.
Aram Manukyan: About 3800 would-be soldiers have left Armenia in recent years (video)

Corruption [in Armenia] remains a key problem which has become a national security, member of the Yelk (Way Out) opposition alliance Viktor Yengibaryan said on March 15 during a meeting with journalists. Armenia should start negotiations with the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) to clarify the latters role in our region. At the same time, we should continue as well as continue its relations with the NATO, he said. Aram Manukyan from the HAK-HZhK alliance stressed in his speech over 3800 would-be soldiers have left Armenia in recent years. In the 1990s, we had 14 000 soldiers. In 2016 and 2015, Azerbaijan spent on weapons and ammunition as much money as we have in our state budget. Our platform was realistic. Stepan Safaryan from the Free Democrats party wonders whether Armenia needs to negotiate with a country  Azerbaijan, which is not really a democracy Unfortunately, Armenia has agreed to that option. I think the Armenian society has very little to do here. We feel the lack of a political class that will come and give correct assessments, offer solutions to the existing problems, including the issue of refugees. For example, do Armenians living in Azerbaijan have blue blood while Azerbaijanis living in Armenia white blood in their veins? he said.
The man admitted to police that he had been playing Pokemon GO. (Photo: AP)

Western Australia: The craze of catching Pokemon is quite unstoppable, as an Australian man on Wednesday was fined by the cops for playing Pokemon GO while driving a car.

He was fined $400 by police for playing the popular game while driving his young son to school, Daily Mail reported.

The Mundijong Police pulled over the car in Byford to enquire why he was using his phone behind the wheel.

The man admitted to police that he had been playing Pokemon GO with his son who was sitting in the Kia Rondo's front passenger seat at the time.

Despite paying fine to the police, the man also lost three demerit points. As per the report, the WA police last year had registered at least 26 cases of inattention crash.
Strasbourg, France: The European Union will not bow to British "threats" that it is prepared to walk away from Brexit talks without a deal, the bloc's president Donald Tusk said Wednesday.

"We will not be intimidated by threats and I can assure you they simply will not work," Tusk told the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

"The claims, increasingly taking the form of threats, that no agreement will be good for the UK and bad for the EU, need to be addressed," Tusk said.

"I want to be clear that a no-deal scenario would be bad for everyone but above all for the UK."

British Prime Minister Theresa May said in January that she was ready to leave the EU without a deal on future relations if necessary.

"While I am sure a positive agreement can be reached -- I am equally clear that no deal for Britain is better than a bad deal for Britain," she said in a speech.

But former Polish premier Tusk, whose job as European Council head involves working to achieve consensus among the bloc's national leaders, said he remained optimistic that May would be sensible.

"Our goal is to have a smooth divorce and a good framework for the future. And it is good to know that Prime Minister Theresa May shares this view," he told MEPs.

'Door will remain open'

Brussels is increasingly on edge as it waits for May to formally trigger the two-year Brexit process, which she has promised to do by the end of March.

May's government has offered the British parliament a binding vote on the Brexit deal before Britain leaves in early 2019 -- but only once May has decided to accept it.

If she decides not to accept it, there is no deal to vote on.

Many MPs fear May will be pressured by the eurosceptic press and the Brexiteers into walking away from a deal that many of them would accept.

May conversely believes the EU could give Britain a worse deal if it thinks that MPs will accept it rather than crash out.

Tusk, who was re-elected last week despite the objections of his native Poland, said he would work to ensure Britain and the EU remained "close partners."

"The EU's door will always remain open to our UK friends," Tusk said.

The remaining 27 EU leaders will discuss the post-Brexit future at a summit in Rome on March 25 to mark the 60th anniversary of the bloc's founding treaty.
London: Britain's charities watchdog has opened a statutory inquiry into the workings of Bhaarat Welfare Trust citing a number of "serious regulatory concerns" about the financial management of the Hindu charity.

The Charity Commission said it had identified a "number of serious regulatory concerns" about the financial management of the Trust, which is based in Leicester. This included an alleged inability to account for funds transferred to India between April 2010 and March 2015.

"The Commission conducted a books and records inspection at the charity in May 2015, and identified a number of serious regulatory concerns about the financial management of the charity.

"In particular the Commission had concerns about the ability of the trustees to account for funds transferred to India between 1 April 2010 and 31 March 2015, the basis on which donations for a specific project were held, unmanaged

conflicts of interests and whether Gift Aid (tax exemption) had been validly claimed by the charity," the commission said in a statement yesterday.

The Commission, however, stressed that opening an inquiry is "not in itself a finding of wrong doing". "The charity has objects to promote the Hindu culture and religion, to advance education and to relieve poverty. It carries these out by making grants, primarily overseas. The Commission has been engaging with the charity since 2013, but found serious issues when it visited the charity in 2015," the statement added.

The trust is yet to comment on the investigation. According to the Commission's website, Bhaarat Welfare Trust had an income of 1.2 million pounds and spent 1.3 million pounds in the previous year until March 2016.

The trust is run by four Indian-origin trustees, including founder Kantilal P Unnadkat, Diptiben Bharat Mistry, Narayan Sharma and Jesbir Kaur Uppal.

The inquiry will examine whether the trustees acted prudently in relation to the financial administration and management of the charity and whether they have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustees under charity law.

The Commission said it also had serious concerns about legal action taken by the charity in relation to an ongoing dispute with another Hindu charity, called Shanti Dham, over a funds dispute and whether use of charitable funds on this

action is justifiable.

In August 2015 the UK's charity regulator issued an action plan for the trustees to address these concerns. However, it said that the charity's response provided in

November 2015 was "lacking".

Bhaarat Welfare Trust, which characterises itself as "BWT India Aid" on its website, says it has a partnership with over 180 NGOs across India and has been instrumental in educating thousands of children and sponsoring millions of mid-day meals for schools in the country.
The preliminary toll in the terrorist suicide bombing at the old palace of justice building is 25 dead and a number of wounded, says states media. (Photo: AFP) (Representational Image)

Damascus: A suicide bomber attacked a courthouse in the centre of the Syrian capital on Wednesday, killing at least 25 people and wounding others, state media reported.

"The preliminary toll in the terrorist suicide bombing at the old palace of justice building is 25 dead and a number of wounded," state news agency SANA reported, citing a Damascus police source.

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

The courthouse contains both an Islamic religious tribunal charged with personal matters, and a criminal court. "We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous," a lawyer in the building during the attack told AFP.

"We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor," the lawyer added, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It was a bloody scene."

A local prosecutor told state television: "The terrorist targeted civilians... during a crowded period. "The suicide bomber tried to enter and when police tried to prevent him, he rushed inside and blew himself up," the prosecutor added.

The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

Last Saturday, a twin bombing in the capital killed 74 people and was claimed by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
21 children were killed in the bombing that took place on October 26. (Photo: Representational/AP)

Beirut: A UN investigative commission said on Tuesday it believes government forces deliberately bombed a school complex in the countrys northern countryside in October, killing 21 children, in a scathing report on crimes committed over the last seven months of the Syrian war.

The UNs Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria said government forces and their allies had shown a complete disregard for civilian life and international law through continued use of cluster munitions, incendiary weapons and chlorine gas as weapons of war.

It also fingered an al Qaeda-aligned insurgent group fighting on the side of Syrias rebels and a US-backed Kurdish group for conscripting adolescents for combat.

The commission said the October 26 attack on the Haas village school complex in the rebel-held province of Idlib constituted a war crime. It said the Syrian air force is the only one known to operate the jets identified in the attack, which was widely reported at the time.

The UN commissions findings came the same day that a Physicians for Human Rights report accused the Syrian government of wilfully denying international shipments of food and medicine to millions of Syrians in besieged areas.

The UN Syria commissions report also concluded that government forces deliberately targeted the capitals water supply infrastructure last December, threatening water supplies to 5.5 million people.

It said the attack was unjustified and constituted a war crime. It did not find any evidence that rebels had poisoned the water supply, as state media alleged. The Syrian government and its ally Russia maintain they are fighting terrorism.

A government delegation led by Syrias UN ambassador Bashar Jaafari, meanwhile, began meetings on Tuesday with Russian officials in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana.

It is the third summit in Astana running parallel to political talks in Geneva between the government and the opposition. The Astana summits are centred around cease-fire and humanitarian relief coordination, but they have borne few results.

Irans envoy to the talks, Hossein Jaberi Ansari, told Iranian state TV that the delegations were discussing documents related to registering violations of the ceasefire and peace zones.

Syrian rebels have boycotted this third round, citing the governments continued bombardment of opposition-held areas in Homs and Damascus. On Monday, activists and the government announced a deal had been reached to evacuate rebels and their families from the Homs neighbourhood of al-Waer, ending more than three years of government siege against the neighbourhood.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians were expected to evacuate al-Waer as well, rather than risk conscription or arrest by the Syrian army and security services. They will be sent to rebel-held Idlib and other opposition pockets around the country. The UN condemned a similar agreement that returned the city of Aleppo to government control as a war crime.

Six people were injured on Tuesday when a small bomb detonated inside a minibus in Homs, where officials are still reeling from twin attacks on state security buildings two weeks ago. Homs Gov.

Talal Barazi blamed the explosion on terrorists. Attacks both large and small continue to plague Syrias largest cities, despite strict government security measures.
Beijing: China today called on the US, South Korea and North Korea to return to talks to avoid conflict in the Korean Peninsula that could wreak havoc in the region.

Premier Li Keqiang said in his annual press conference here that his country was committed to denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. He asked all parties to de-escalate tensions through dialogue and consultation.

"Tensions may lead to conflicts, which will bring harm to all parties involved...It is just a common sense that no one wants to see chaos at his doorstep," Li said at the end of China's annual parliament season.

Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had proposed a "double suspension", asking North Korea to suspend its nuclear programme while demanding the US and South Korea to stop military exercises to kick start a new round of talks.

The issue is expected to come up during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month.

Both countries said the preparations are underway for the summit. The US wants China to use its influence over its close ally North Korea to halt its provocative nuclear and missile programmes.

Situation in the Korean Peninsula and even broader Northeast Asia has recently become tense after recent missile tests by North Korea as well as the assassination of the Kim Jong Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un.

Kim Jong-nam was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport, using the deadly VX nerve agent, a chemical on a UN list of weapons of mass destruction. North Korea is suspected to be behind the murder.

Li said China hopes all parties make concerted efforts to de-escalate tensions and get back to the track of dialogue in order to find proper solutions.

Apparently referring to recent move by Beijing to halt coal imports from North Korea, Li said Beijing has fully complied with UN resolutions on the denuclearisation imposing a number of sanctions against Pyongyang for continuing to pursue the nuclear weapons programme.

"China is a staunch supporter of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime," Li said. Crisis escalated in Korean Peninsula as North Korea stepped the development of nuclear programme as well as the development of long range missile which can reach US despite UN sanctions.

Wang had also hit out at the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) interceptor missiles in South Korea, saying it is obviously a "wrong choice harms China's security.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan was created where everyone was free to practice his or her religion. (Photo: File)

Karachi: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday warned against the forced conversion and destruction of worship places of other religions, describing them as crime in Islam as he greeted the Hindu community on Holi.

Addressing a function in Karachi to celebrate Holi, he insisted that it was not anyones job to decide who will go to hell or heaven, but to make Pakistan a heaven on earth. In his inclusive message to minorities, Sharif said, no one can force others to adopt a certain religion in Pakistan.

Islam gives importance to every human being regardless of his caste, creed or religion and I say it clearly that forcing anyone to convert his religion is a crime and it is our duty to protect the worship places of the minorities in Pakistan, Sharif told the gathering.

Leading members of the Hindu community and minority lawmakers attended the function where the prime minister insisted that in Pakistan the fight was between terrorists and those who wanted to see the country progress.

There is no fight in Pakistan over religion. If there is any fight it is with these terrorists and miscreants who use religion to mislead people and kill innocent people and dont want to see this country develop or prosper, he said.

Sharif admitted that in the past some miscreants had attempted to create divisions on the basis of religion but insisted that Pakistan was created where everyone was free to practice his or her religion.

Pakistan didnt come into existence to be against any religion. It is wrong to consider any religion inferior. I want to see a Pakistan where there are equal opportunities for every person of any religion to progress and make a good life for himself and his family. And there is peace and protection for everyone, the prime minister said.

The Hindu community has constantly complained about their people in the rural areas being forced to convert to Islam and their women being kidnapped and forcibly converted.

The premier noted that since 2013 the law and order situation had improved in Karachi and other parts of Sindh and there had been a marked decrease in cases of Hindu traders and businessmen being kidnapped for ransom.

Pakistan has the best future in Asia but for which we need to ensure every citizen is given equal opportunities and equal rights no matter what is his religion or belief.

Sharif also announced 500 million Pakistan rupees for the welfare of the Hindu community.
The entry of India and Pakistan into China-led SCO may help boost anti-terrorism cooperation between the two countries and provide a platform to resolve their differences, the official media here said today. India and Pakistan are expected to be admitted into the six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) during its next summit to be held at Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in June this year.



"In a bid to become members of the SCO, India and Pakistan, which have a long-time rivalry concerning the issues of anti-terrorism and Kashmir, will need to sign a number of documents and pledge to perform in accordance with the SCO laws, including the SCO Member States Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation that was signed in 2015," an article in the state run Global Times said. "The entry of the two nations into the SCO may help boost cooperation between India and Pakistan in areas such as infrastructure and anti-terrorism efforts," the article said.



As per the framework of the SCO, a third party could step in to prevent an outbreak of conflict between the two countries, it said. "Though New Delhi may try to seek fairly flexible multilateral agreements with the SCO countries, both India and Pakistan will have to adhere to the principle and basic framework under the SCO to strengthen security and anti- terrorism cooperation," it said.



"The hostility between India and Pakistan is unlikely to be dispelled in a short time, but the SCO is likely to provide a fresh platform for the two nations to gradually resolve disputes," it said. "Additionally, a third party could step in to mediate the situation within the SCO framework to prevent an outbreak of conflicts between Pakistan and India," it said.



The SCO, which is headquartered in Beijing, focuses mostly on security related issues like counter-terrorism cooperation in Central Asia. It is comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members. Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.



Its 2015 summit in Ufa, Russia, the SCO formally adopted a resolution which started the procedures to admit India and Pakistan into the grouping. "The entry of the two nations into the SCO is likely to contribute to the stability and security of the region, thus boosting economic growth and speeding up regional economic integration," it said.



The admission of India and Pakistan into the SCO may accelerate the South Asia's highway network construction, it said. "Improving Pakistan's transportation infrastructure is a major aspect of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and hopefully the entry of Pakistan and India into the SCO will bring new momentum to the development of the CPEC," it said. "Pakistan's entry will also likely offer convenience for attracting new partnerships into the CPEC," it said.
Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were washed out today as the Congress protested against the formation of BJP governments in Goa and Manipur, even as the ruling party asserted that the democratic norms were followed.



Raising the issue as soon as the House met for the day, the Congress members created ruckus and forced repeated adjournments by demanding sacking of the Governors in the two states and installing of Congress governments there.



In view of the continuing protests and uproar, the House was adjourned prematurely for the day at around 3.10 pm.



While raising the issue, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party in Goa and Manipur but the BJP installed its governments through their Governors.



"The BJP has formed its governments in both Goa and Manipur after violating the Constitution and the Supreme Court judgment. We oppose it. Status quo should be maintained.



"We demand that the Governors of Goa and Manipur be removed and Congress chief ministers in both the states should be allowed to take oath," Azad said.



Asserting that the Congress party will not accept the BJP governments in these two states, Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha demanded that the House adopt a resolution against the role of the two Governors.



Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley, however, maintained that the governments in Goa and Manipur are being formed as per the democratic norms.



He said after the assembly polls gave a hung verdict in these two states, the BJP formed the governments after firming up coalitions.



He said there are only two options before the Governor - that of inviting the single-largest party or the alternative coalition.



Rejecting any wrong doing by the BJP, Jaitley cited the example of Jharkhand where his party, despite getting 30 seats in the 81-member Assembly some years back, was not invited to form the government and instead JMM with 17 seats formed the government along with some other parties.



Jaitley also said that in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was formed, the then President of India had also spelt out the option of an alternative coalition to be taken into account in government formation.



"The argument given by Mr Azad has been given yesterday (by the Congress) before the Supreme Court which has rejected it and instead said that the Congress should prove its numbers when the floor test is held....



"When the alternative coalition has a clear majority and they have written to and presented themselves before the Governor, there is no scope of inviting a minority in a democracy. The principle of democracy is to have a government of a majority and not a minority," Jaitley said.



He also said that the Congress had not even staked its claim of forming a government in Goa and had past midnight only thrown a letter into the Raj Bhawan premises to seek time from the Governor.



Jaitley said it is clear that Goa and Manipur had hung assemblies and it is understood that when no party gets a majority, the government will be formed from amongst those elected.



"The Governor had two options - to either invite the single largest party or to invite an alternative coalition. There are many precedents in the past," the minister said.



While citing examples, he said, "In 1998, when the Vajpayee government came to power, the President of India at the time cited both the options of that were required to be examined - to either invite the single largest party and also examine the alternative coalition formed.



"The argument given by Mr Azad here have already been presented before the Supreme Court yesterday, which has rejected it. The Supreme Court told the Congress it will take only two minutes to show the 20 MLAs it has," he said.



Azad earlier alleged that even though the BJP has a thumping majority in both Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, it has not even elected its leaders (of legislature party) there whereas in Goa and Manipur, despite being the second-largest party, it displayed haste in forming its governments.



"In Goa, seven powerful ministers and the sitting Chief Minister lost. It was a massive mandate against the BJP. There can't be a bigger mandate against the government.



"Similarly in Manipur, the Congress government was destabilised by the government of India which adopted all kinds of means. Despite all that, the Congress got 28 seats," he said.



The Congress members, repeatedly stormed the Well of the House, raising slogans like "Loktantra ki hatya band karo, band karo (stop the killing of democracy)".



The opposition party, which forced four adjournments before the final one for the day, accused the BJP of "stealing mandate" in Manipur and Goa where it was not invited to form government despite being the single largest party.



The Congress members cited rulings by the Constitution benches of the Supreme Court to state that the Governor was bound to invite the party with the largest number of MLAs to form the government and prove its majority on the floor of the House.



They alleged that the Governors in the two states were "acting at the behest" of the Centre.



After washout of the Zero Hour and the Question Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien wanted to take up a discussion on the Budget but the continuous uproar did not allow it.



The BJP members also raised slogans to counter the shouting Congress members but they were not audible.



Just before adjourning the House for the day, Kurien tried to pacify the agitating Congress members but failed.








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"This policy constitutes the political foundation of the China-US relations which has remained unshaken in-spite of the changing circumstances and nor this foundation is undermined," he said. "With that foundation in place, we believe there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation," he said.



Trump had earlier riled China by saying he would negotiate with Beijing on its 'One China' policy. Xi spoke to Trump only after he agreed to abide by the policy followed by all the US administrations in recent years on Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a rebel province and wants reunification of the island with the mainland.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today warned the US against any trade war, saying American firms would be the first to "bear the brunt" if such a war breaks out. His comments came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's key summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has labelled China a currency manipulator and threatened to slap hefty tariffs on its imports."We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament. Last year, the United States' deficit in trade in goods with China reached USD 347 million and Trump has promised to close that gap, which he has also attributed to what he calls China's rigged currency exchange policies.Li said that a trade war of tit-for-tat protectionist measures would ultimately damage the American economy. "If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt," he said, citing an article written by an international think-tank.Li's comments came as officials of both the countries said the first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida. Trump plans to host Xi for a summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Li said the diplomats of both the countries are preparing for the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders."No matter what bumps the China-US relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in the positive direction," Li said. He said China believes the people of both countries have the wisdom to properly manage their differences, adding that "there is a need and there are also conditions for us to continue to expand our common interests."About differences between the two countries, he said. "Whatever differences we may have we can sit-down and talk to each other to find solution. For those differences which cannot be resolved for the time being and anytime soon we can shelve them to continue to focus on expanding our common interests which I believe is the right choice". In the process, the percentage of differences overall China US relations will continue to come down, he said.Chinese Premier also spoke about the Taiwan issue. Li, the second ranking official of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said both Trump and Xi have spoken to each other over phone during which the US President had "explicitly" said that US will continue to follow the 'One China' policy.
EVM tampering may have led to AAP's poor showing in Punjab, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said, alleging it could be part of a conspiracy to keep the party out of power in the state.



The AAP chief, whose party won 20 seats in the 117-member Assembly with a vote share of 24.9 per cent, claimed that around 20 to 25 per cent of its votes may have been "transferred" to the SAD-BJP coalition.



The poll result is "beyond understanding" and raises a "big question mark" on the reliability of electronic voting machines (EVMs) as political pundits across the spectrum had "predicted a landslide" for AAP, he told a press conference here.



His allegations came on a day BSP supremo Mayawati, who had made similar claims after her party was decimated in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, said she will move court against the alleged tampering of EVMs and accused BJP of "murdering" democracy.



Kejriwal claimed that tampering with EVMs could have been done "selectively" in significant states like Punjab, where plans were to "keep AAP out of power". At the same time, the AAP supremo said he takes the "whole responsibility" of party's performance in the state.



He, however, did not refer to Goa where the party drew a blank. Kejriwal demanded that the votes registered in EVMs (electronic voting machines) be compared with the Voter- Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in around 32 places in Punjab and all other four states where the the paper audit system was used.



He claimed that in some of the booths, the number of votes AAP got was even less than its volunteers deployed there, adding that it has raised suspicion of foul play.



The Delhi Chief Minister said if there is "any mismatch" between the votes polled for parties and the VVPAT then there is a need to look at another "option" to conduct polls.



"Such a move is necessary to maintain the credibility of the EVMs and people's trust on electoral processes. You cannot brush it under the carpet. There will be no democracy if people lose trust in elections," Kejriwal said.



"How did the Akalis get 30 per cent vote share when an AAP sweep was a foregone conclusion? No one said Congress will perform so well and it got a two-thirds majority. We suspect that 20-25 per cent of AAP votes may have been transferred to SAD-BJP through EVM tampering," he said.



He said similar suspicions have been raised after the civic polls in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, where the BJP fared exceedingly well.



Kejriwal said that before BJP's 2014 Lok Sabha victory, even some BJP leaders like L K Advani and Subramanian Swamy were not in favour of EVMs.



"Several technologically advanced countries like the US, the Netherlands and Germany have done away with the EVMs as they suspect that these machine are prone to tampering. Even the Supreme Court is of the same opinion," he said.



It was Kejriwal's first media interaction after March 11, the day the Assembly poll results were declared in five states.



Yesterday, he had written to the Delhi chief secretary directing him to approach the state election commission with the request to hold the upcoming municipal polls in Delhi using ballot papers.



"It is about the credibility of the Election Commission and the faith of people in the electoral system. We have strong prima facie evidence of foul play," he said.



Asked what explains AAP's stunning victory in 2015 polls in Delhi, Kejriwal said that it may have got to do with BJP's "over-confidence" that it would clinch a victory.



"So they may not have indulged in tampering. The same would explain the victory of JD(U)-RJD in Bihar. Even then BJP was very sure of winning the state," he said.
The US today said it is working with India and NSG members to push for New Delhi's membership in the elite grouping, indicating that there is no change in America's policy on the issue under the Trump administration.



"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership," a State Department spokesperson told PTI.



The spokesperson was responding to questions on the position of the Trump administration on India's bid to be a member of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).



The United States and India have been working on this issue since the Bush Administration. Despite its best effort, the Obama administration could not get the job done due to opposition from China. The baton now has been passed on to the Trump administration.



"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance Indias case for membership," the State Department official said, indicating that there has been no change in the US policy towards India's NSG membership bid under the Trump administration.



The key to India's membership now lies with China. However, it is not clear if new US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who would be in China this week, would be raising this issue with the Chinese leadership or if President Donald Trump is ready to take up the issue himself as was done by President George Bush.



Trump is set to host his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Florida next month. In January, the then South and Central Asia point person of the Obama administration, Nisha Desai Biswal, had described China as an "outlier" on the NSG issue.
India has perhaps for the first time imported petrol and diesel from China as the world's third largest oil consumer looks at diversifying its sources of fuel.



India imported 18,000 tonnes of petrol and 39,000 tonnes of diesel in the first nine months of the current fiscal, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.



Traditionally, Singapore and the UAE have been its biggest sources of petrol and diesel.



"Although overall production of petrol and diesel is in excess of domestic consumption, due to specific product requirements, some quantity of petrol and diesel are imported," he said.



Pradhan said India had not imported any petrol or diesel from China in last four years.



During April-December 2016, India produced 27.1 million tonnes of petrol against a consumption of 17.96 million tonnes. In case of diesel, the production stood at 76.55 million tonnes in comparison to 57.24 million tonnes.



India imported 8,20,000 tonnes of diesel and 4,76,000 tonnes of petrol in April-December, he said.



Also, there are refineries like the only-for-exports unit of Reliance Industries at Jamanagar in Gujarat, that sell most of their fuel only in overseas markets.



Pradhan said in the first nine months of the current fiscal, the UAE toppled Singapore to become the India's biggest supplier of petrol at 2,43,000 tonnes.



Singapore supplied 1,69,000 tonnes of petrol.



The UEA was also the top supplier of diesel at 3,80,000 tonnes.



In 2015-16 full fiscal, Singapore had supplied 6,41,000 tonnes of petrol while the UAE had sold 1,83,000 tonnes of petrol and 1,22,000 tonnes of diesel.



"In order to improve the domestic production of petrol and diesel, refineries are implementing refinery process improvement projects," he added.



India has capacity to refining crude oil and produce fuel in excess of its demand against an installed refining capacity of 230.1 million tonnes, while the total fuel demand in 2015-16 was 184.7 million tonnes. In April-January period of 2016-17, the fuel demand stood at 161.4 million tonnes as compared to refineries producing 202 million tonnes of fuel.



However, India is 80 per cent dependent on imports to meet raw material, crude oil needs. Its domestic production was under 37 million tonnes in 2015-16 and 30.1 million tonnes in April-January 2016-17.


The NIA has taken over the investigations into the activities of an alleged 'self- radicalised' ISIS inspired module, a suspected member of which was killed an encounter in Lucknow earlier this month.



"We have handed over the documents related to the ISIS module to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as directed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh," IG Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Aseem Arun said today.



Till now, the state police was handling the case and had procured a 10-day police remand of five accused persons arrested in UP, he said.



The custody of the accused will be handed to the NIA sleuths, and if required they could seek further remand from the court, Arun said.



According to the UP police, Saifullah, who was killed in an encounter on March 8, was suspected to be linked with the blast in the Bhopal-Ujjain train in Madhya Pradesh and belonged to a self-proclaimed group of ISIS supporters.



"Details extracted from arrested members of the group will also be shared with the NIA officials," the IG ATS said.



Besides these five arrests, three others were held in Madhya Pradesh by the police of that state, taking the total number of arrests to eight.



Officials feel that with the NIA taking over the case, the probe will now gather pace.

Alleged terrorist Saifullah, suspected to be a member of this self radicalised group, was killed on the outskirts of Lucknow after a 12-hour police operation in the wake of the Ujjain-Bhopal train blast.



His body was found with weapons lying next to him, the UPA ATS had claimed.



After the operation, police claimed to have recovered eight pistols, 630 live cartridges, Rs 1.5 lakh, three mobiles phone, four sim cards, two wireless sets and some foreign currency from the place where Saifullah lived.



The Home Minister told Parliament that due to the prompt action taken by the police of UP and MP, "a possible threat to national security was successfully averted".




A 28-year-old British woman tourist was found dead near a beach in south Goa, following which a man was arrested today for his alleged role in the crime.



The disrobed body of the woman, who had a British passport, was found yesterday at an isolated spot near a beach in south Goa's Devbag village, located about 80 km from here, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Canacona, Sammy Tavares said.



He said the woman had arrived in Goa on February 23 this year and since then she was holidaying in south Goa. "Hours before her corpse was found, she was seen playing Holi with locals in Canacona," the officer said.



The woman's face was smashed with a blunt object. It is a case of murder, Tavares said. The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to ascertain the exact cause of the death.



Vikas Bhagat, a history-sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devbag, was arrested today in this connection, the official said. "Bhagat was arrested by police within 24 hours of the woman's body being found at an isolated spot in Devbag village, located between the beaches of Canacona and Agonda," Tavares said.



"Bhagat was earlier arrested several times in connection with cases of theft and other petty offences," he said.



Meanwhile, police have requested the Dean of GMCH to form a panel of doctors to conduct the postmortem of the British woman. They are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain if she was raped before being killed.



"Only after it is medically proved that she was raped, we will add the (relevant) sections," Tavares said. "Prima facie it looks like a case of rape," he said.



Meanwhile, police produced Bhagat before a local court, which remanded him to seven-day judicial custody. "We are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder," they said.



The incident has brought back memories of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling's death in the coastal state. The 15-year-old's bruised, semi-nude corpse was found on Goa's famous Anjuna beach in February 2008.



Two men were arrested in connection with the case, but they were acquitted by Goa Children's Court last year.



The CBI, which investigated the case, had moved the Bombay High Court in February this year challenging the verdict.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has requested Lt Governor Anil Baijal to call a meeting of political parties and the state election commission to explore the possibility of using ballot papers in the civic polls in Delhi.



He told reporters that if the state election commission rejects such proposal outright then the idea has to be junked but if it is open to experimenting then things can be worked out.

"Only the Lt Governor has the power to change rules on the mode of polls. The commission, in a report, has said that at this stage it will be difficult to effect any change. So I have requested the L-G to call a meeting involving the AAP, the BJP, the Congress and the commission," Kejriwal said.



In his letter to Baijal, the AAP national convener said, "As the matter is of utmost urgency, the L-G is requested to immediately amend the relevant rules to provide for elections by paper ballot so that the forthcoming MCD elections are conducted in a free and fair manner."



He said in case the Lt Governor is of a different view, it is requested that a meeting of all political parties in Delhi and State Election Commission is convened by the L-G immediately to discuss the issue.



Kejriwal also alleged that EVM tampering may have led to his party's poor showing in Punjab.



"It could be part of a conspiracy to keep the AAP out of power in that state," he alleged.

Yesterday, Kejriwal had written to the Delhi chief secretary directing him to approach the state election commission with the request to hold the municipal polls in Delhi, slated for April 22, using ballot papers.


The Telangana Government would not hesitate to "fight" with the Centre, if necessary, for the implementation of its proposed Muslims quota act, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said here today.



The state government proposes to pass two bills for providing reservations to Muslims and STs and then urge the Centre to include the matter in the 9th Schedule of Constitution as done in the case of Tamil Nadu, the CM said in the Legislative Council.

Rao said his government would see if an Act needs to be passed in the case of STs or a decision in state Cabinet would serve the purpose, he said.



The state government proposes inclusion of the quotas for Muslims and STs in the 9th Schedule in view of the present cap on reservations.



"But, Muslims, we will have to pass an Act...We will make an Act, start implementation and go there (Delhi). If they don't do it, we will fight out with Centre. We will not go back," Rao said.



The quota is proposed to be provided to Muslims on the basis of their socio-economic backwardness and as per the Backward Classes Commission's report, and not on religious basis, he said.



Noting that the reservation system cannot go on based on circumstances in 1948, the CM said his government would move "heaven and earth" to get the quota implemented.

Provision of 12 per cent reservation each to minorities (from the present four per cent) and and STs was an electoral promise of Rao's party, TRS.



Reservation for Muslims is necessitated in the view of the high population of the community in Telangana, he said.



The present day Telangana was under Muslim rule for 700 years, Rao added.

On the need for providing quotas, he underlined that 90 per cent of population in Telangana belonged to weaker sections including Muslims.



The state government would "go to any extent" to get the reservation implemented, including all MLAs and other public representatives taking up a 'dharna' at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.



The Acts for providing quota to Muslims would be introduced in the ongoing budget session.



With the BJP and other opposition parties claiming that Rao planned to go for an early poll to the Legislative Assembly ahead of schedule in 2019, the Chief Minister said there is no such idea.


Five people were killed and eight injured today while several others are feared trapped after a gas leak at a cold storage in Shivrajpur area here caused an explosion in which parts of the structure collapsed.



According to SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar, the gas leak started at the Katiyar Cold Storage in the afternoon. In the resulting explosion, the roof of the structure collapsed.



Several people are feared trapped in the debris, and fire brigade personnel along with NDRF and Army teams are carrying out rescue and relief operations, Kumar said.



Chief Medical Officer Dr Ramayan Prasad said the five seriously injured labourers, who were rescued between 4 PM and 6 PM, were declared brought dead by doctors of the medical college-cum-hospital here.



Eleven labourers have been rescued and those with minor injuries have been released for the hospital after treatment, he said.



Doctors at the hospital have been put on alert as the number of those injured is expected to rise, Prasad said.



Kanpur District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said around two dozen labourers were having their lunch when the incident happened.



More labourers could be still trapped under the debris, district administration officials said.



The DM said rescue workers have been given protective gear, including masks. The district administration will also check if the cold storage had a license.


Opposition today attacked the government in the Lok Sabha, voicing concern over suicides by farmers and contending that demonetisation has impacted the farmers.

Participating in a debate on Demand for Grants for Agriculture, the opposition members demanded debt waiver to ease the condition of the stressed farmers.



Congress member K Suresh said the country is faced with an agrarian crisis and demonetisation has made the situation worse as it badly impacted the credit flows for agricultural sector.



Severely critical of demonetisation of high-value currency, he said it has made agricultural credit societies almost defunct.



Suresh also criticized the government for poor maintenance of the Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the city.



He demanded immediate relief to farmers and said there was a need for improving quality of seeds and irrigation facilities.



Tapas Mandal (TMC) said demonetisation has affected farmers adversely and the government has not taken any steps to mitigate their problem.



Pointing out that the country is undergoing heavy agrarian crisis, Mandal said farmer suicides are rising.



"Agriculture is no more profitable enterprise...unless agriculture is made profitable the crisis will not go," he said.



Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) said that despite good monsoon, ponds and river in Maharashtra are drying up.



He demanded that works related to farming should be included in the MNREGA.

Contending that most of the farmers are not getting the benefit of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce, he said the government should devise some policy so that it reaches them and make agriculture a profitable proposition.



He suggested that Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana can be a tool through which difference in MSP and market price can be paid to the farmer.



K Nimmala of NDA ally TDP said certain policies of the government are not benefiting the farming community and there was a need to protect their allied sectors of agriculture.

Just like Maharashtra, he said, the government should also have a separate budget for the agri sector.



Praising the efforts of government in improving farm sector condition, Hukmdev Narayan Yadav (BJP) said "our Prime Minister's intentions are good."



Several steps have been taken by this government in the various sectors of farm sector including irrigation and warehousing and promoting traditional method of farming.


CIS observers have not observed any violations in Armenia (video)

On March 15, members of a CIS election observation mission met with Tigran Mukuchyan, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Armenia, to discuss their future steps and get acquainted with the provisions of the new Electoral Code. You have made revolutionary changes in the Electoral Code. They enhance the standards of democracy and guarantees of fair competition, said Victor Guminsky, a deputy head of the CIS EOM. The CIS will deploy 100-150 observers throughout the country on April 2 (election day) and in the pre-election period. We shall have 20 long-term observers. The rest will be short-term observers. Our mission is to work, inform and have qualified observers. We shall visit all 13 constituencies, but not all polling stations which amount to 2000, Victor Guminsky said. The CIS EOM started its operation in Armenia yesterday and has not managed to study the course of the campaign. At present, our monitoring is based on the information from the media. So far, we have not observed any violations of the Electoral Code, he added. Victor Guminsky refused to comment on the recent incident in Jrarat village in Amavir province. I have not heard about it, he said.
A 36-year-old woman from Uzbekistan was allegedly beaten up and gang-raped by her ex-boyfriend and his friends at her rented flat in south Delhi's Masoodpur area.



The incident took place on the intervening night of March 9 and 10 but the woman was quite scared and didn't report the matter to the police, said a senior police officer.



She narrated her ordeal to an acquaintance who suggested her to file a complaint following which she approached the police today, he said.



The woman has alleged that she was beaten up brutally and fell unconscious following which she was gang-raped by her ex-boyfriend and hi four friends.



The woman claimed that she was scared and traumatized and was not able to muster courage to report against the accused.



The woman identified two of them as her former boyfriend Anubhav Yadav and his friend Gaurav Bhatia. She told the police that the other three men were not known to her as she had not met them before. Senior police officers said that they were conducting raids to nab the accused.



The woman in her complaint said that she was staying in the rented flat for the past six months. She told the police that Yadav was her boyfriend for the past four years.



They had met each other on a social networking site and later entered into a relationship. The two started meeting each other after she came to Delhi and shifted in a rented flat in Masoodpur. Before coming to Delhi, the woman was in Surat, Gujarat, police said.



According to the woman's complaint, she broke-up with Yadav two weeks ago. However, Yadav was against her decision and continued "calling and harassing" her over phone. The woman began avoiding him and stopped taking his calls.



On March 10 at around 2 am, Yadav along with Bhatia and three others arrived at the woman's place and forcibly entered her room.



Since she knew Yadav, she opened the door but they allegedly assaulted her for not taking Yadav's calls.



When the woman regained consciousness, she found herself in a semi-nude condition and felt pain in her abdomen.



The five had left the flat by then. She somehow went to a nearby private hospital but did not take treatment as she was scared.



On Tuesday, she gathered courage and filed a police complaint against the five accused, said the woman in her complaint.



Yadav was arrested on the basis of the complaint.


Three militants, believed to be Pakistanis, were killed while a policeman was injured, in an encounter between security forces and ultras in north Kashmirs Kupwara district on Wednesday.



A minor girl was also killed while her brother, also a minor, was injured when stray bullets hit them near the encounter site, police said.



Sources said a joint team of the armys 41-Rashtriya Rifles, 98 Bn CRPF and Special Operations Group of J&K police launched the operation in Hyhama, Kundinad village in Kalaroos area of Kupwara, 100 km from here, in the wee hours of Wednesday.



As the search was on, the militants in hiding opened fire on the security forces at around 6.30 am, triggering an encounter which lasted for several hours in which three ultras were killed while one policeman was injured, they said.



While the police said that identity of the slain militants was being ascertained, sources said they were all Pakistanis affiliated with Lashker-e-Toiba outfit.



Police said three AK series rifles and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

The slain girl has been identified as Kaneeza (7) and the injured boy is Faisal (9).



Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Syed Javid Gilani, confirming the killing of the militants and that Kaneeza and Faisal were hit by stray bullets near the encounter site.



The killing of Kaneeza is the third civilian casualty since army chief General Bipin Rawat warned people to stay away from encounter sites. He had warned that those involved in pelting stones during gun battles with militants would be dealt with harshly.



Stone pelting at the encounter sites has emerged as a major problem for security forces in Kashmir in the recent months.


Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has not proposed any measures to boost the realty sector in his 2017-18 budget, though demonetisation of high-value notes has hit the sector hard.



Document registration, including sale deeds and agreement deeds, has come down by 25% from November last year, when the Centre demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. Revenue from the stamps registration department has, as a result, decreased by Rs 1,350 crore. The government had fixed a Rs 9,100-crore target in the current financial year.



The sluggishness in the sector is likely to continue in the coming financial year also. Hence, the chief minister has set a moderate revenue target of Rs 9,000 crore from the department in the coming fiscal year.



Various associations of real estate companies had urged the chief minister to bail out the sector. They had asked the government to reduce stamp duty on registration of immovable properties, joint development agreements, affordable housing units to help the sector overcome sluggishness.



Siddaramaiah has, however, proposed to amend the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957 to rationalise imposition of stamp duty on purchase and sale of stocks through agents or brokers.



The chief minister severely criticised the Centre on demonetisation in his budget speech. Demonetisation caused a huge amount of distress to the public but the Union government is yet to disclose what it has achieved by it. The entire cooperative sector that is so critical in servicing the farmers and the rural folk, virtually came to a stand still. The manner of implementation betrayed a lack of preparedness, with the banking system just not geared up for this responsibility given to them (sic), he stated.



The Centre and the Reserve Bank of India should have foreseen the exigencies and should have taken appropriate steps to insulate the common man from its effects, he added.



On the cards



Survey of all lakes by forming district-level task force at a cost of Rs 10 cr

Less paper scheme will be extended to all Revenue dept offices

Implementation of digital land records management project

Steps to provide medical facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims

Converting 1,100 residential areas having no document titles into revenue villages






Rejecting the governments claim of overall improvement in internal security, a Parliamentary panel on Wednesday expressed anguish over the vulnerabilities and loopholes in the security apparatus that were exposed by terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.



The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, headed by former home minister P Chidambaram, minced no words in saying that the panel did not share the perception of the Ministry of Home Affairs that the overall internal security scenario remained under control during 2016.



It said that Maoist terrorism in the hinterland was comparatively muted but that the opposite is, however, true in the case of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir, which remained on the boil throughout 2016.



The panel said that a new trend of violence has emerged, in which security establishments of paramilitary and armed forces are targeted, which resulted in the death of 82 personnel last year.



The panel said that there is a sinister and complex connection between the simultaneous rise in stone-pelting incidents and suicide attacks on establishments of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.



The panel also said that it was aware of the disturbing trend of recruitment and training of local youth by militants in the light of the numerous infiltration bids foiled by the forces.



There has been a rise in the number of law and order incidents, particularly incidents of stone pelting, which seem to have become a regular feature in some parts of Kashmir. Numerous incidents of picketing of police stations and snatching of rifles from the police and paramilitary personnel point towards local sourcing of arms, the panel noted.



The committee wanted the ministry to work towards comprehensively breaking this nexus through a multi-pronged strategy that include preventing youth from joining the terrorists, choking terror funds and supply of arms. It should also launch counter insurgency operations, the panel said.



The panel wanted the ministry to put in rigorous efforts to completely stop infiltration from across the border and prevent all types of terror activities.



The security of the establishments of the forces should be tightened and the incidents of attacks on establishments of the forces should not be allowed to recur, the panel said.


The government on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that it was in continuous dialogue with president Donald Trumps administration over safety of the Indian community in the US.



Safety and security of the Indian diaspora abroad remains a top priority for this government. We are in a continuous dialogue with the US government, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Close contacts with the local Indian community groups are being maintained through our embassy and consulates to address any emergent issues.

Sushma on Wednesday referred to the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla at Kansas in US on February 22. Kuchibhotla was shot at and killed by a local resident who hurled racial slur at his victims.



The accused, Adam Purinton, has been arrested by the police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case and is investigating the same as a hate crime, said Sushma.



Concerns conveyed

The government has taken up this issue with the US government at very high levels and conveyed our deep concerns, the minister added, dismissing the allegation by Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress that the government remained mum when Indians are targeted in the US.



She said that Donald Trump had referred to the Kansas shooting in his address to a joint session of the Congress on February 28 and said that the US stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.



She said that the speaker of the US House of Representatives Paul Ryan too issued a statement expressing the Houses condolences on the killing of Srinivas Kuchibotla and the House observed a moment of silence over the incident.



Governor of Kansas Sam Brownback, in a letter to prime minister, had praised the ingenuity, hard work and determination of the Indian diaspora as well as their contributions to the State of Kansas. He has assured that Kansas will remain a welcoming, hospitable place for Indians.


Armen Martirosyan: Chicken thieves are punished severely, while criminals are given positions (video)

We have no right to vote for the Republican Party of Armenia (HHK). Even if you want to give a preference vote to one district candidate who is affiliated with the HHK, do not do it because your vote will go to Serzh Sargsyan, Vice-Chairman of the opposition Heritage Party, Armen Martirosyan, said today in Kapan town as he campaigned for the Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian (ORO) alliance. Should the ORO come to power, it will declare a general amnesty. Those who steal chickens and eggs are punished severely, while criminals are given high positions, Mr Martirosyan stressed in his speech. Fight against systemic corruption is one of the priorities of the alliance. We shall start from check points where corruption is widespread. Armen Martirosyan says the system of government also needs drastic changes and they will begin with constitutional amendments. In his speech former Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian said on April 2 citizens will have a real alternative to the government. The ORO is part of the palette in the opposition field. I call on you to vote for our alliance. Its members know how to change the situation," Mr Oskanian said adding that Armenian also has a big problem in foreign policy. The international community thinks that decisions concerning Armenia are taken in a different capital, he said.
The state government has announced setting up of Lakkundi Development Authority at a cost of Rs 3 crore.



The main objective of constituting the authority would be to showcase Lakkundi to the world as it has many attractions.



Lakkundi is a paradise of temples and it has artistically built step wells with small, canopied niches inside its walls that enshrine lingas. Lakkundi is also a prominent Jain centre with a sculpture gallery operated by the Archeological Survey of India.



Lakkundi, a village in Gadag district, was once the capital of Chalukyas of Kalyani and the birthplace of Attimabbe who patronised and encouraged Kannada literature and promoted Jainism. The state is already organising a two-day Lakkundi Utsav every year.



To preserve and promote Bayalata, a folk art form in rural areas, the government has decided to set up Bayalata Academy in North Karnataka.



The complete works of researcher Prof M M Kalburgi would also be published to honour his contribution towards the state. Kalburgi was shot dead by two unidentified men outside his Kalyan Nagar house in Dharwad on August 30, 2015. The complete works would be brought out by Fa Gu Halakatti Research Centre, Vijayapura.



We wanted a research centre in the name of Prof M M Kalburgi. However, the decision to bring out Kalburgis works is a welcome step. The long-pending demands of Bayalata Academy and Manteswamy, Siddappaji and Rachappaji Study Centres have been fulfilled, poet Prof Chandrashekhar Patil said.



The government has earmarked Rs 3 crore to encourage young playwrights writing stage plays related to challenges of children, while an amount of Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for the construction of new auditoriums and completion of the ongoing construction of auditoriums in all districts.



The government has announced construction of two memorials and an amount of Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for a memorial in Yadgir in memory of freedom fighter Kollur Mallappa. A sum of Rs 2 crore has also been earmarked for the construction of a memorial for Karnatakas first Chief Minister K C Reddy.



Kannada Study Centre, JNU, New Delhi, would get Rs 5 crore as corpus funds for its maintenance.




Challenging jailed V K Sasikalas assumption as party boss, former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Wednesday urged the Election Commission to supervise a fresh AIADMK internal election so that a new general secretary is elected in a free and fair manner.



Till then, he wanted the poll panel to freeze the two-leaf symbol of the AIADMK.

The commission is expected to pronounce its order next week.



Panneerselvam, who made a personal appearance before the commission along with the MPs and MLAs backing him, demanded that the symbol should not be allotted to any candidate proposed by the rival faction till such time.



Panneerselvam, who was replaced by E K Palaniswami after he revolted against Sasikala, made his case before the poll panel on a day AIADMK deputy general secretary T T V Dinakarans candidature was announced to contest the by-poll to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from R K Nagar.



The constituency was represented by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Panneerselvam argued that the appointment of Sasikala as the party general secretary was null and void.



According to our partys bylaw, she (Sasikala) does not have the power to appoint and expel members of the party. She was expelled from the party for five years. How could she be elected as the general secretary? Our constitution dictates that under unforeseen circumstances, if a general secretary post lies vacant, the second seniormost person is elected to the post, he said.


Almost a fortnight after being declared an absconder, rape-accused former Uttar Pradesh minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati was arrested from the state capital on Wednesday.



According to the police, the senior SP leader was nabbed by the Special Task Force near a canal in Para area in the city on Wednesday morning.



Prajapati had been hiding in Kolkata. He came from there to surrender. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested him before he could reach the court, a senior police official said.

Prajapati was later produced before a court, which sent him to 14-day judicial custody. The police said they would seek his custody for interrogation.



Lucknow SP Manzil Saini told reporters that Prajapati had been changing locations regularly, as a result of which the police found it difficult to trace him. We arrested the accused on the basis of evidence and the statement of the victim. We will be filing the charge sheet in the matter soon, she said. The SP leader, who lost the Assembly poll from the Amethi seat, is among the seven accused of gang-raping a woman. Prajapati has also been charged with attempting to rape the minor daughter of the victim. A case was registered against Prajapati on the direction of the Supreme Court after the victim approached the court.



The case had generated much heat during the elections, with the BJP and BSP accusing the then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav of shielding Prajapati.
After dropping the controversial steel flyover from Basaveshwara Circle to Hebbal, the state government has gone back to its original plan of widening the existing Hebbal flyover and constructing an underpass to ease traffic on Ballari Road and on the Outer Ring Road.



The government has allocated Rs 88 crore to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to construct the underbridge and widen the overbridge. The BDA had done the ground-breaking ceremony for the project in May 2016, but dropped them because the government was keen to construct a steel flyover.



The government had earlier allocated Rs 87 crore for the project. A BDA official said it was the same project which had been revived and would be taken up immediately now that it had found mention in the state budget.



This apart, the BDA will expedite the development of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout. Besides distributing 5,000 sites this year, it will also create five commercial hubs in the housing colony to make it self-sustained. The agency will also build affordable houses and flats across Bengaluru under various schemes of the state government.



Township on Gujarat model



The BDA will create a model township spread across 166 acres at Konadasanapura village close to Hoskote on Old Madras Road, which is just 20 minutes from the Kempegowda International Airport. The BDA aims to take up the project on the lines of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City. The BDA official said it was the first time the agency was taking up such a project, apart from creating layouts.




Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has come out with a host of populist measures and doled out freebies keeping the next years Assembly elections in view, while being cautious enough not to burden the common man with any major levies.



Siddaramaiah, who presented the state budget proposals for 2017-18 in the Assembly on Wednesday, tried to explain the financial constraints his government faces because of a sluggish economy. But it appears this has not stopped him from announcing populist programmes aimed at wooing both rural masses and the urban poor. He, however, belied the hopes of farmers as well as opposition parties on their demand to waive farm loans.

He has also not announced any major infrastructure project, especially for Bengaluru.



In his last full-fledged budget before Karnataka goes to polls in 2018, the chief minister has made it a point to continue to please the Ahinda community (Kannada acronym for backward classes, Dalits and minorities), considered to be his major vote bank.



The total subsidy burden on the government in this budget goes up by Rs 6,000 crore, which is about 33% more than the current financial year.



Siddaramaiah appears to have taken a cue from various states to unveil populist schemes: Saviruchi canteens from the Amma canteens in Tamil Nadu, free water supply and waiver of power bills from Delhi and free LPG connections from the Centre which became a big hit in Uttar Pradesh. Besides, he has increased the quantum of rice under his pet Anna Bhagya scheme to 7 kg from 5 kg per beneficiary and decided to give milk to government school students on five days a week instead of three days. Siddaramaiah brought cheer among moviegoers by announcing a cap of Rs 200 on entry ticket to all multiplexes. The chief minister has also proposed making it mandatory for all cinemas to screen Kannada and regional language movies during prime time.



The CM has tried to appease over six lakh state government employees by setting up the seventh pay commission. He has also tried to please employees in the private sector by proposing to increase their retirement age to 60 from 58.



Siddaramaiah also announced the formation of 49 new taluks. Though he has not imposed any major taxes keeping the 2018 election in view, he has proposed hiking the additional excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor. This will make liquor dearer.



High-end two-wheelers will also cost more with the motor vehicle tax being hiked.

The additional resource mobilisation due to these two levies is estimated to fetch the state exchequer Rs 1,060 crore. The chief minister has set a moderate revenue target in the coming financial year in anticipation of the implementation of Goods and Services Tax.

No farm loan waiver

Financial constraints, including a shortfall in state resources by Rs 1,624 crore, is said to have restrained Siddaramaiah from announcing a farm loan waiver.



In his effort to present a please-all budget, with a total outlay of Rs 1,86,561 crore, Siddaramaiah has brought down revenue surplus position to an alarming Rs 136 crore. This has, in turn, taken a toll on capital expenditure, which is crucial for infrastructure development. Namma canteens will be launched in each of the 198 wards of BBMP where breakfast (Rs 5), lunch and dinner (Rs 10) will be provided.



The chief minister has allocated Rs 100 crore for this scheme. At the district level, Saviruchi mobile canteens will be set up through zilla stree shakti okkutas.

Subsidy of Rs 1,600 for LPG connections to five lakh eligible poor families not selected under the Centres Ujjwala scheme, free water supply up to 10,000 litres per month for slum dwellers living in 20x30 sites and waiving their pending bills are some of the other sops on the anvil.


It has been three days since the accidental death of a Nigerian near Byrathi cross but the Kempegowda International Airport traffic police investigating the case are yet to trace the African national who was riding with Ifeyani Madu.



Madu died under mysterious circumstances even as the police claimed that the Nigerian died after falling from a bike when they were on a drug bust on Sunday night. Members of the African community in the city. however, termed Madus death a cold-blooded murder.



"We have traced the owner of the red Honda Dio bike bearing registration number (KA 05-HD-8730) that we seized from the accident spot and found that it belonged to Mujahid, a resident of Shivajinagar. Mujahid in turn sold it to Lead Motors, a used-bike dealer in Kammanahalli from whom a foreign national named Omiri bought the vehicle.



We could not trace Omiri as he had given an address near CMR college in HRBR Layout, where a group of students from African countries were staying. However, they told the police that there was no one named Omiri among them, said a senior police officer.



Only after tracing the person, who fled the spot, will we be able to know who was riding the bike and who was riding pillion so that they could frame appropriate charges. We are also analysing CCTV footage from surrounding areas to establish the identity of the rider, another officer said.



The police have booked an unknown person under IPC sections 304-A (accidental death caused by rash and negligent driving) and 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way).

A Central Crime Branch (CCB) police inspector, who is the complainant in this case, was unsure about who was riding the bike as it was dark.



He was also not sure if the man who fled the spot was actually an African or an Indian. The only thing he noted was that the man who escaped was wearing a white shirt," the officer said.



Help sought

The city police have written to almost all the embassies of African countries requesting them to inform their nationals residing here in the city to come forward and identify the victim and share any other details for official records. Though the community has identified the man to be Ifeyani Madu alias Nwa Jesus from Nigeria, we do not have any documents to corroborate or establish it, said a senior police officer.


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

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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


Gucci announced a trilogy of photography exhibitions taking place in Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei during the Spring Summer 2017, following the global release of A Magazine Curated By Alessandro Michele in November 2016.

Starting at Art Basel Hong Kong, Petra Collins intimate family portraits photographed in Budapest, Hungary take centre stage. Whilst days later, Coco Capitans now iconic handwritings and snapshots of Rome and Florence will be shown in Beijing. The final show transports an exhaustive portrait of Joshua Tree, California by Gia Coppola to Taipei. In addition to their photographic work exhibited in a fine art context, a selection of objects and prints from the pages of A Magazine Curated By Alessandro Michele will appear together for the first time in a cabinet of curiosities selected by A Magazine Curated By Editor in Chief and exhibition curator Dan Thawley. Each exhibition features an immersive projection room, inviting visitors to enter into the pages of the magazine in a psychedelic audio-visual collage that brings Alessandro Micheles universe to life.  from Gucci

See more after the jump:



all images by Petra Collins, courtesy of Gucci
Kriti Sanon Has Been Replaced By This Actress In The Farhan Aktar-starrer 'Lucknow Central'
Kenyas Communications Authority has shot down speculation that it planned to break up Safaricom.

Although a report commissioned by the CA recommended separating the operators M-Pesa unit from its telecoms business, the authoritys chairman Ben Gituku confirmed that it had no intentions of following this advice.

I wish to allay fears that the authority is planning to split the business of some market players or take such drastic actions that may destabilise dominant market players, said Gituku.

The suggestion was made by analyst firm Analysys Mason in a report that looked into competition in the Kenyan market. While the report is currently being analysed by the regulator, a draft version was leaked last month containing the suggestion about separating M-Pesa from Safaricom.

Safaricom is by far Kenyas most dominant player in both wireless and mobile payments. A break-up of its telecoms and payments units had seemed likely, due to both the leaked report and proposals from Kenyan national assembly member Jakoyo Midiwo to bring about the separation.

However, Kenyas ICT Minister Joe Mucheru lent his support to Gituku, saying that breaking up Safaricom would deter investors and punish operators for innovation.
TIM Brazil has signed a new contract with Nokia to build out a robust network infrastructure, helping the operator cope with increasing consumption of 4G mobile data.

The operator leads the market in terms of 4G coverage, and is the first operator in Brazil to use the 2600MHz frequency for 4G, as well as refarming the 1800MHz band for the same purpose. TIM is now ready to make the move to future-proofing its network using the 700MHz spectrum band, which enables excellent indoor and rural area coverage for 4G-enabled devices.

To support this network project, TIM has selected the Nokia AirScale radio access platform, which runs multiple radio technologies simultaneously in one base station and allows virtually unlimited scalability that will support massive IoT demand and 5G speeds. With the network upgrade to 4.5G Pro the operator will be able to better mix frequencies and technology usage at the same site, reducing costs and ensuring a fast and smooth deployment of the new LTE network.

Leonardo Capdeville, head of Technology at TIM, said: "We're looking at the highest technology quality standard today in the market, with the combination of three spectrum bands to increase our capacity and improve the end-user experience. With the support of Nokia and its AirScale radio access, we will be able to reach more areas and speed up LTE coverage in the country, reinforcing our innovation capabilities and commitment to the Brazilian market."

Luiz Tonisi, head of the TIM Brazil customer team at Nokia, said: "This project is an important milestone for us as it paves the way towards the network of the future and reinforces our long-standing partnership with TIM. The near future looks very promising with the possibility to expand further our LTE footprint and make a positive impact in the digital society."

This news follows another initiative, announced in late 2015, in which Nokia and TIM collaborated to modernise and expand TIM's 3G and 4G LTE networks in 17 states in Brazil with the use of Nokia's small cells products, as well as the implementation, optimisation and care services.
Scientists have identified 93 genes in fat cells that could have a significant role in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes and several more conditions.

The discovery could eventually lead to better treatments for disorders such as diabetes, while researchers believe some of the genes could even be targeted as a potential cure.

In the study, conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, US, the activity of genes was examined in 770 Finnish men.

Because their health histories were precisely recorded, the study team were able to explore how gene variations naturally occur in subcutaneous fat (directly under the skin).

They found that strands of DNA often clump together inside fat cells in three-dimensional structures, and can affect other genes, whether they are nearby or far away.

This, the researchers say, could have big implications for future research, particularly into type 2 diabetes.

There are a lot of regions in our genomes that are associated with increased risk for, lets say, type 2 diabetes. But we dont always understand whats happening in these regions, said lead author Mete Civelek, PhD.

Type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease and obesity are multifactorial and complex diseases. Genetic factors do not work in isolation  they work in a holistic way, so I think that these kinds of studies are key to understanding whats happening in human populations.

Were saying that it may be the gene that we thought was causing a phenomenon is not. There may actually be another gene at work that is a little bit further away.

Civelek and colleagues believe the 93 genes identified could help scientists better understand how normal gene variations can affect patients health and risk for disease.

The team are now examining a so-called master switch that could regulate activity of several genes involved with the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes risk.

The findings appear online in the American Journal of Human Genetics.
The Moto G5 Plus is more expensive this time, but it also has a vastly improved camera. It produces impressive contrast and dynamic range, taking photos that other phones in its category can't. This is complemented by impressive battery life and dependable performance. If Motorola had added waterproofing to this device, it would have been an absolute knockout.

Moto G5 Plus detailed review

Motorola's event at the Mobile World Congress was clashing with Nokias return announcements this year. As a result, many of us turned our attention to the Nokia phones, leaving what could be one of the best phones of 2017 with less attention than it deserves. The Moto G5 Plus is the fifth iteration of the companys successful Moto G series, and marks a lot of firsts.





Of course, the rear facing 12MP camera is what makes the headlines here. It has the same aperture lens as the Samsung Galaxy S7 (review), uses dual-pixel technology just like the S7, and has f/1.7 aperture to boot. To make matters more enticing, it's available at budget pricing, too.

Camera

Motorola sent us this device just about a week ago, giving us enough time to take its camera to task. Its specs are mentioned above, but Motorola is sadly not revealing what sensor it has used. Most USSD codes don't work on the device either, so we were unable to determine the sensor. You can find a quick explanation of dual-pixel technology here.

However, a brief look at the camera makes it quite clear that this isn't as powerful a sensor as the Galaxy S7. This is more than acceptable, given the G5 Plus budget pricing. The camera is underscored by impressive dynamic range and focus at perfecting white balance and overall colour reproduction.

The Moto G5 Plus produces high dynamic range and warm colours on regular daylight condition

While taking photos with it, one feels a definite Pixel-like attribute  that of dynamic range. The Moto G5 Plus delivers very good colours, and the overall tonal quality of the images is noticeably superior to what cameras in this range offer, including dual-camera phones like the Honor 6X (review) and Coolpad Cool 1 (review). Colours are warmer (but pleasant) under sunlight and regular daylight conditions, with ISO levels usually hovering between 50 and 80.

Low light shots can be really good, given enough time.





The phone manages ISO levels very well, keeping them low when needed, and under control when cranking them up. As a result, even photos shot indoors and in low light conditions look quite decent. However, there is still visible noise when cropping to 100% or zooming in, and a lack in details as well. Youll see these especially in shadow areas in photos, resulting in loss of details. To be clear, this is loss in the finer details that most users dont look for. You will only need such details when enlarging photos for print or framing, or inspecting closely.

For regular social media sharing, the Moto G5 Plus easily offers the most value-for-money phone camera you can get right now. It achieves just the right exposure and details, and combined with its impressive dynamic range, produces photos with rich contrast and vibrant colours.

Its weakness, though, lies in focusing and processing speeds. While one can attribute higher focusing time to lesser power on the phone (compared to the Galaxy S7), slow focusing time is surprising, given that this is exactly what dual-pixel technology is supposed to resolve. The camera is prone to blurring with shaky hands, especially when shooting in lower light.

While this isnt an issue when you have enough time to actually point and then shoot, quick snaps will often be blurry.

Build and Design

Despite the rising number of metallic designs on budget smartphones, Motorola has largely stuck to plastic on its Moto G series. The company had earlier justified this saying that it helps keep costs down. However, it finally gave in to consumer demand last year with the Moto M, and carried it over to the Moto G series this year.

The G5 Plus also has a non-removable aluminium plate on the back, with slight chamfers on its sides. It makes for a premium design, one that is definitely an upgrade from any of the earlier Moto G series devices. One has to consider, though, that phones like the Redmi Note 4 (review), Honor 6x and Coolpad Cool 1 feel the same.

Motorola has chosen a smaller screen this time making the device compact, especially with its thin bezels. However, the overall form factor is slightly wide, which is not well suited for single-handed usage. The fingerprint sensor lies on the front in an oval design in place of square, which was seen last year.

It also borrows the Moto Z (review) design language, with slightly raised, round camera module on the back. This gives the Moto G5 Plus a unique look, setting it apart from others. While looks may be subjective, from an overall build and design point of view, the Moto G5 Plus feels solid and new. It is also the first real upgrade to the Moto G series, in terms of design.

The Moto G5 Plus also foregoes the hybrid SIM slot that many have been using lately. The SIM tray, which lies on the top of the phone, has dual-SIM slots on one side and a microSD tray on the other. Sadly, though, Motorola couldnt weave in waterproofing on this one, although its nano-coating remains, meaning the phone should still guard against accidental splashes. That makes the phone water resistant, but it may not be IP68 certified.

Performance

The Snapdragon 625 has quickly become the chipset of choice for OEMs looking to bring a balance between power and efficiency. Qualcomms 14nm chipset uses eight Cortex-A53 cores, clocked up to 2GHz. Whats interesting, though is how Motorola has implemented this SoC.

All eight cores are kept active during most actions, but most of the cores remain below 1GHz, unless absolutely required. You see four cores clock up to 2GHz when you launch games or other heavy applications. In practice, this results in faster app load times. Hence, apps like Asphalt 8, which make your phone freeze for just a split second when theyre loading, will launch faster, resulting in snappier performance.

When youre playing high resolution games like Asphalt 8, every core on the Moto G5 Plus remains at 2GHz, for as long as they can. The phone can easily render at 30fps, which is the minimum you need for stutter-free gaming. Interestingly, the phone also avoids the usual lags weve seen (on other phones running the Snapdragon 625) during menu transitions and other animations, by ramping up to 60fps.

In essence, the Moto G5 Plus presents lag or stutter-free performance, aided by a Snapdragon 625 SoC, 4GB of RAM and some intelligent engineering from Motorola. However, one may still question whether all this would have been better with the Snapdragon 650 or 652, and it would have, at least on benchmarks. As far as regular usage is concerned, the Moto G5 Plus offers little room for complaints, which is what most users look at.

Battery

Heres the kicker, though. Keeping all eight cores on at all times would ideally be difficult for a 3000mAh battery to handle. However, the Moto G5 Plus somehow manages nearly a days worth of battery life, too. Instead of putting benchmark numbers (which youll see in the graph below), well paint a picture of regular usage.

After running two full discharge cycles, we charged the phone to 96% at 8pm on a Wednesday. This was followed by a couple of phone calls and about five photos shot using the camera, till the end of the day. After about 8 hours of idle time, where the phone dropped 5% battery (after about 15 notifications overnight), the phone was then put to use for some more camera usage and three more phone calls. At around 3.30pm the next day, after about 20 odd phone calls, 20 minutes gaming and 10 minutes using the camera, and 30 minutes streaming music, the phone was at 37% battery.

This was followed by two hours of audio on the device and the phone finally discharged to 11% at 5.30pm on Thursday. We charged it again to 25%, after which the phone was used as a WiFi hotspot for about 40 minutes and four more phone calls. The Moto G5 Plus dropped to 10% battery at 2am on Friday, when it was charged again.

Judging from that, the phones battery life is commendable. Motorola must have made the right optimisations, enabling battery stamina to last you through the day, with just about 20 apps on the device, over and above the ones that stock Android comes with anyway. Turbo Power charging by Moto helps you get up to about 30% battery in 20 odd minutes. However, the phone slows down after that and charging to 100% will still take about an hour and a half.

Display and UI

Specs-wise, the Moto G5 Plus has a 5.2 inch 1080p display, with 424ppi pixel density. Thats about the industry average today, and the display looks and feels good enough. However, theres room for improvement. While touch response and feel are good, it sometimes feels sticky, which can be off putting. Colours and saturation are reasonable, but it lacks a certain vibrancy that many like.

If you happen to be used to AMOLED panels, youll certainly miss the punchy colours. The display is reasonable for the price, but one hopes for more. In fact, Motorola itself has presented better displays over the years.

The phone runs on Android Nougat, making it one of the few phones, still, to have the OS out-of-the-box. As always, Motorola has kept the UI largely stock and it doesnt seem like many of Androids stock APIs have been tampered with either. The only real addition are the new gesture features, integrated into the fingerprint sensor.

The Moto gestures now include swipe gestures, allowing you to swipe left or right on the fingerprint sensor to bring up the recents menu or toggle between apps. You can also long press the sensor for Google Now, and so on. To be absolutely honest, the gestures arent as important as they seem. Theyre tough to get used to and not as responsive as they should be. Also, activating the gestures remove the on-screen home, recents and back buttons, making them somewhat frustrating at first.

The Moto G5 Plus is supposed to have the Google Assistant on it, but it doesn't seem like the feature is live in India right now. Long pressing the home button simply activates Google Now on the device.

Bottomline

At the time of writing this, Motorola hadnt yet confirmed the price to us, so we cant make a recommendation. However, the Moto G series usually costs around the Rs. 15,000 mark, which would make this a value-for-money device. At under Rs. 20,000, the Moto G5 Plus has the best camera right now, and though it isnt the most powerful device, it does the job.

The Moto G5 Plus is definitely recommended for those looking for good camera performance, and it provides good value in the budget price range.
Airtel recently withdrew premium charges on roaming calls as well.

Vodafone may soon take away surcharges on calls made when youre not in your home network. The telecom company had earlier announced free incoming calls on roaming calls, but still charges the premium on calls made while on roaming. While the information isnt official yet, a Vodafone executive, who called us for joining the companys network, said that roaming charges may be removed from April onwards. Vodafone did not comment on the matter.

However, the development wouldnt come as a surprise, since Vodafones competitors have been going the same way. Airtel recently declared its war on roaming, cutting premiums on roaming calls. 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 traveling outside their home base, said Gopal Vittal, CEO, Airtel.

Idea Cellular had announced this Saturday, that incoming calls on roaming, on its network, will be free from now. Idea, though, hasnt yet cut down on the premium charged for outgoing calls. Of course, new entrant Reliance Jio offers free voice across all its circles, too. Both Idea and Airtel will be cutting down on roaming charges from April 1.
Digital radio company Frontier Smart Technologies is to power nine new smart audio devices using Google's Chromecast technology built-in for three US brands, Brookstone, Jensen and Solis.

Brookstone will use Frontier's Minuet platform for four new wireless speakers in its Big Blue range, and the first two products are already on sale with the next two are expected to be in sale by spring.

Jensen, an audio brand owned by Spectra Merchandising International, has launched two bluetooth and wi-fi wireless stereo smart speakers, JSB-1000 and JSB-2000, which incorporate Frontiers Minuet solution, and Solis, also owned by Spectra, has launched three wireless stereo smart speakers with Minuet.

Frontier works with technology giant Google on its Chromecast platform, which allows smart speakers to stream via wi-fi over 150 online music services, such as Spotify, Pandora and iHeartRadio, and has updated its software, so that all products work with Google Assistant, meaning they can be controlled by through a Google Home device.

Frontier chief executive Anthony Sethill said: "By combining our audio technology expertise, our relationship with Google and our experience of working with leading audio brands and their manufacturers, we have helped deliver an unrivalled range of smart audio speakers.

Spectra president Patricia Schoenberg said that the company spent months evaluating the opportunities to launch multi-room streaming speakers and chose Frontier with its Chromecast built-in, because the company believed it was the best technology for our considerable investment in these new products for both our Jensen and Solis brands.
Shares in Vast Resources rose as the explorer announced that it has made significant progress with the expansion of the Pickstone-Peerless gold mine in Zimbabwe.

The AIM-listed miner has made significant progress with the construction of the sulphide processing plant, which will enable production from the high-grade sulphide pits.

Vast claims that there will be a 100% increase in installed primary milling capacity once sulphide plant is commissioned to 40,000 tonnes per month from the current 20,000 tonnes per month.

The mill grade is also expected to increase from -2.00 grams per tonne of gold to between 3 grams and 4 grams over a six to nine month period as higher grade sulphide ore is mined and processed, resulting in a significant increase in production.

Construction is on time and on budget with the first sulphide production scheduled for the third quarter of 2017 and a custom milling facility is to be commissioned to process artisanal workers' tributed production from proximal claims.

Chief executive Roy Pitchford said that by expanding the mine with the aim of doubling throughput and increasing the grade of ore by between 50% to 100% to up to 4 grams per tone of gold would provide an enormous upside and further enhance the performance of Pickstone-Peerless, which produced an average of over 4,150 per ounce of gold per quarter over the past 12 months from the oxide cap alone.

"We have also been working with the artisanal miners operating on a tribute basis from the claims adjacent to Pickstone-Peerless. We see this as a natural and mutually beneficial relationship as the artisanal miners save on transport costs and gain immediate access to the free gold, whilst all of the residual gold is processed through Pickstone-Peerless' CIP facilities," Pitchford said.

Shares in Vast Resources were up 4.19% to 0.537p at 1415 GMT.
Davis says prospect of no agreement 'not as frightening as people think'

There had been no assessment so far of the economic impact of Brexit without a trade deal, the minister in charge of the UK's departure from the European Union admitted on Wednesday.

With only two weeks to go before the government's self-imposed deadline to trigger the formal negotiation process with the EU, David Davis stunned a committee with his lack of grasp across several subjects in his portfolio.

Under examination from a cross-party committee of MPs, Davis said his department had also not looked at the implications of health care for Britons travelling in the EU.

Neither had it considered the effect on data transfer, which has major implications for the tech industry, he told the committee.

The minister also said the concept of an exit from the negotiations without any sort of deal was not as frightening as some people think, and that I cant quantify it for you yet. I may well be able to do so in a years time.

Furthermore he warned that UK dairy and meat producers would face tariffs of up to 40% under World Trade Organisation rules.

Asked whether an economic assessment had been done after the referendum vote last June, Davis said: Under my time, no.

Cabinet ministers have been warned by Davis that there was a real chance of talks with other members of the 28 nation bloc breaking down.

Economic impacts did not have to be measured on a piece of paper with numbers on it, he told the committee.
A year of highly significant European elections was kick-started by the Netherlands on Wednesday as its citizens headed to ballot boxes around the country with the continent gripped by a wave of right-wing populism.

The spotlight on the Netherlands has intensified further with the recent breakdown in diplomatic relations with Turkey, following Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogans reference to the Dutch as fascists and nazis.

Erdogans government imposed diplomatic sanctions on Holland after a decision to prevent Turkish ministers from speaking to the countrys expatriates relating to an upcoming vote on the expansion of the presidents powers.

Geert Wilders rise to prominence with the far-right Freedom Party will be one of the main talking points throughout Wednesday, with current Prime Minister Mark Ruttes People Party expected to stave off the challenge and claim the most seats. With a clear majority practically impossible however, a coalition appears the only way forward considering the presence of 28 different parties contesting just 150 seats in the Dutch parliament.

Polls are expected to close at 20:00 GMT, with counting beginning by hand across the country shortly after.

The election campaign has thus far been fought on major issues such as immigration and the economy, with Wilders suggesting in the last major debate with 12 other party leaders that the rise of radical Islam was the greatest threat to the future of the Netherlands.

Opinion polls taken at the eleventh hour suggest that established parties such as the VVD have regained the lead after trailing Wilders PVV for large sections of the campaign, but it is expected to be a close race.

Deutsche Bank experts have estimated that the social media-savvy Wilders will just fall short of the figure required for his party to become a mandatory presence in the inevitable coalition.

Their current opinion polling is around half the 30% our economists think is necessary for the other parties to be unable to ignore them in forming the coalition, said Deutsche Bank.

So a Euro friendly coalition is likely but the PVVs success (or lack of it) relative to their recent polling might give us clues as to how pollsters are doing in capturing non-establishment movements after poor performance with Brexit and President Trump.

Indeed, the Dutch election may provide a key indicator as to how other significant elections in Europe will pan out throughout 2017.

April will see the first round of the French presidential elections, with the National Fronts Marine Le Pen ruffling similar feathers to those flustered by Wilders during this campaign. Further elections in Germany will show whether Angela Merkel can muster up the strength to repel the rising tide of alternative parties.
Support for Scottish independence is at its highest level ever recorded according to a survey, but it also revealed that the majority of Scots hold eurosceptic views.

This poses a problem for First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon as she sets a deadline for a new independence referendum for spring 2019.

According to Scottish Social Attitudes, two thirds of voters were critical of the European Union, 25% wanted to leave the bloc and 42% wanted to reduce its power.

The survey, which was carried out at the end of last year, also revealed that 46% of Scottish voters wanted independence from the UK - the highest level of support for independence since the survey began in 1999.

Of the 46% who wanted want independence, 21% also want to leave the EU and 41% want the blocs power to be reigned in.

In September 2014, Scotland voted against independence by 55.3% to 44.7% and at the time, according to Scottish Social Attitudes, 17% of Scots wanted to leave the EU while 36% thought it was too powerful.

On Monday, Sturgeon tabled a second independence referendum because Westminster is seeking a 'hard' Brexit - leaving the European single market and customs union - which was why a second plebiscite was needed for Scotland.

But the eurosceptic findings pose a problem on her pro-EU views and how the Scottish National Party will frame the independence campaign.

Angus Robertson, the Scottish Nationalist Party's leader in Westminster, told the Guardian on Tuesday that there may only be days, may only be weeks for the government to reach a compromise agreement for Scotland to be a member of the European single market and to avoid a second independence referendum.

He said: If that road runs out and if we have to have that referendum, we will be turning our attention to making sure that we are making the case publicly, intellectually and in every other way so people understand the choice of a hard Tory Brexit Britain or a Scotland able to maintain its relations with the rest of Europe.
The US central bank tightened policy but left its so-called 'dot-plot' graph largely unchanged, triggering a sharp rally in government bond markets.

As expected by economists, raising the target range for the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points to between 0.75% and 1.0%.

However, in a surprise move Minneapolis Fed president Neil Kashkari dissented from the rest of the Federal Open Market Committee, instead casting his ballot in favour of keeping the target range for the Fed funds rate unchanged.

As of 1807 GMT the yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury was down eight basis points to 2.53%. Meanwhile, the yield on the policy-sensitive two-year note was down five basis points at 1.33%.

That pushed gains in cable to 0.99% as of 1841 GMT at 1.2270.

In its policy statement, the Fed described job gains as "solid" and said inflation had moved close to the Committee's 2% longer-run objective, although it was aiming for a sustained rise to that level.

At its February policy meeting the FOMC said inflation was still below target.

Data released earlier in the session showed headline CPI running at 2.7% in February - its quickest pace in five years.

Rate-setters also bumped up their assessment of fixed asset investment, saying it had "firmed somewhat".

"Near-term risks to the economic outlook appear roughly balanced. The Committee continues to closely monitor inflation indicators and global economic and financial developments," the FOMC said.

Few changes to economic, interest rate forecasts

US rate-setters' median macroeconomic projections were completely unchanged from the forecasts they submitted at the central bank's meeting on 14 December, except for two minor variations.

First, the long-run estimate for the unemployment rate was lowered by one tenth of a percentage point from 4.8% to 4.7%. Second, the median 2019 forecast for the Fed funds rate - its main policy lever - was nudged up from 2.9% to 3.0%.

For Tom Stevenson, investment director for personal investing at Fidelity International, the Fed was "clearly erring on the side of caution".

Indeed, the median forecasts from the Fed's top officials for interest rates in 2017 and 2018 were kept at 1.4% and 2.1% each, implying the Fed believed two 25 basis point increases this year and three next year.

"The dot plot is pretty much unmoved but we do seem to have a bit more consensus around rates in 2019. Of note, Neel Kashkari didn't think rates should rise yet, which highlights there are still meaningful doubts about just how quickly and how far the Fed should raise rates in this cycle. This case is simply based on a lack of wage growth, which holds back inflation.

"The temptation to hike is being tempered by the fact that labour market slack (of which there is more than headline figures might suggest), means there is hardly any pressure on wages and that means inflation should be steady and unspectacular - certainly not worthy of aggressive hiking," said Neil Wilson, senior market analyst at ETX Capital.

Central tendency for rate hikes nudged higher

However, the so-called 'central tendency' for the Fed funds rate between 2017 and 2019 were revised modestly higher.

Thus, for 2017, the central tendency of the Fed's board members showed the presidents of its regional banks forecast that interest rates would be between 1.4% and 1.6%, up from the range of 1.1% to 1.6% seen in December, while in 2018 it was seen at between 2.1% and 2.9%, which was higher than the 1.9% to 2.6% seen before.

The central tendency excludes the three lowest and three highest contributions for each variable.

In 2019, the bottom end of the range forecast for the Fed funds rate was nudged higher from 2.4% to 2.6%, with the upper bound unchanged at 3.3%.
FTSE 250 logistics investor LondonMetric Property has sold three retail parks in Christchurch, Bedford and Maidstone for a collected 60.9m.

The proceeds from the sale will be invested into the companys logistics investment and development programmes where rental growth prospects look more attractive.

The sales were made at the September 2016 book value and have a crystallised, ungeared initial rate of return of 12.5%.

Chief executive Andrew Jones said: "These have been very successful investments and we will continue to sell our well let mature retail assets upon completion of their business plans.

LondonMetrics retail park investments have halved over the last two years and now represent 13% of its total portfolio.

The Christchurch retail park was sold to a client of Orchard Street Investment Management for 34.5, which represents a net initial yield of 5.65%.

LondonMetric bought this property in 2013 for 27.1m and it has since been let to Costa, DFS, Home Bargains and Subway with a weighted average unexpired lease term of seven years.

The Alban Retail Park in Bedford was sold to Tritax Property Income Fund for 14.4m, which represents a net initial yield of 5.9%.

It was bought in 2010 for 9.2m and the company said that following asset management initiatives with B&M, Dunelm and Gym Group, rental income increased by over 30% with a weighted average unexpired lease term of 8.3 years.

Lastly, the DFS property in Maidstone, was sold to a client of Helix Property Advisors for 12m, with LondonMetric receiving 3.7m in the joint venture, which reflects a net initial yield of 7.5%.

The company bought this property in 2014 as part of a portfolio of DFS stores off an overall net initial yield of 9.3%.
Specialist landscape products group Marshalls reported a 31% jump in full-year profit on Wednesday thanks to an improvement in operating margins.

In the year to the end of December, pre-tax profit rose to 46m from 35.3m as operating margins improved to 12% from 9.7% and revenue grew 3% from 2015 to 396.9m.

Sales to the domestic end market, which represents 31% of group sales, were up 10% for the year compared with 2015, and were particularly strong in the second half when they rose 14%.

Meanwhile, sales to the public sector and commercial end market, which represent 64% of group sales, were broadly in line with the prior year.

Marshalls said that based on public indicators, it continues to outperform its peers and gain market share.

Basic earnings per share rose 32% to 18.95p and the companys final ordinary dividend increased 22% to 5.80p per share.

Chief executive Martyn Coffey said: The group has again delivered significant profit growth in 2016 with the underlying indicators remaining supportive in Marshalls main end markets. The Construction Products Associations recently published Winter Forecast reflected a slight improvement in medium term growth assumptions compared with the Autumn Forecast.

Marshalls has a strong balance sheet and the groups innovative product range and strong market positions mean it is well placed to deliver continued growth and operational profit improvements as it implements its 2020 Strategy. Sales and order intake have been strong in the first couple of months of 2017.

At 0806 GMT, the shares were up up 7.6% to 340.40p.
Playtech founder Teddy Sagi is to sell 113m of shares in the gambling software company to London-based hedge fund Boussard & Gavaudan.

Brickington Trading, a Sagi vehicle and the largest shareholder in the company, has agreed to sell 13m Playtech shares to Boussard at a price of 872.5p each, which is equivalent to 4.1% of Playtechs issued share capital.

B&G, which is run by ex-Goldman Frenchmen Emmanuel Boussard and Emmanuel Gavaudan, has agreed to a lock-up until 29 May.

Following the sale, Brickington's stake in Playtech will be reduced to about 56.58m shares, which represents 17.8% of the voting rights in the company.

In order for Boussard to investment in Playtech, broker UBS has released the Sagi vehicle from a 180-day lock-up arrangement put in place when he sold shares last December.

Like B&G, Sagi has now agreed not to sell any Playtech shares until 29 May, subject to consent from UBS.
The UK construction industry could lose more than 175,000 EU workers  or 8% of the sectors workforce  if the country does not retain access to the European single market after Brexit, the government has been told. Such an outcome could put key infrastructure and construction projects at risk at a time when the sector was also facing other pressures, including the tax changes in the recent budget, said the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics).  Guardian

Hundreds of high street jobs are at risk at Jones Bootmaker as the retailer teeters on the brink of administration. The 160-year-old chain, which is owned by private equity firm Alteri, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as it seeks a buyer.  Guardian

The chief executive of Unilever has added his voice to the debate around UK takeovers and defending national champions in the wake of Kraft Heinzs failed 115bn swoop for his company. Paul Polman had swiftly rejected the approach from Unilevers US rival, which makes less than half of the Anglo-Dutch giants annual sales, saying that its low-ball $50-a-share proposal was not the basis for any further discussions.  Telegraph

A technology company that wants to make renting a house as easy as shopping online or ordering a takeaway has secured 7.2m funding to help provide accommodation for the ever-increasing number of renters. Goodlord, which was founded two years ago, has agreed a deal with Ribbit Capital, one of Silicon Valley's largest investors in financial tech, and LocalGlobe that it will use to hire dozens more staff as part of its bid to dominate in the rental space. - Telegraph

There were fewer and smaller loans to movers in January as the lull in housebuying activity became entrenched. The number of loans taken out by movers in January fell to 23,000, down 7 per cent year on year and 27 per cent month on month. Existing owners borrowed 4.9 billion, down 4 per cent compared with last January and 25 per cent compared with December, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders.  The Times

Emma Walmsley, incoming chief executive of Glaxosmithkline, has been handed a pay package worth about 25 per cent less than her predecessor. The FTSE 100-listed drugs company said Ms Walmsley, who takes on the top job next month, would be paid a salary of 1 million. Her predecessor Sir Andrew Witty received 1.1 million.  The Times
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The city contends Purdue Pharma created a market for addicts that didn't exist until the company let its pills flood Everett's streets.



By PHUONG LE

Associated Press

As deaths from painkillers and heroin abuse spiked and street crimes increased, the mayor of Everett took major steps to tackle the opioid epidemic devastating his working-class city.

Mayor Ray Stephanson stepped up patrols, hired social workers to ride with officers and pushed for more permanent housing for chronically homeless people. The city says it has spent millions combating OxyContin and heroin abuse  and expects the tab to rise.





. . .
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Naval architects and marine engineers warn that the 1930s ocean liner may be approaching the point of no return.



LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP)  The Queen Mary is so corroded that it's at urgent risk of flooding or collapse, and the price tag for fixing up the 1930s ocean liner could near $300 million, according to a survey done by experts.

It would likely take five years to rehab the ship, a tourist destination docked permanently in Long Beach Harbor south of Los Angeles, according to documents obtained by the Long Beach Press-Telegram.





. . .
Kushner firm eyes $400M Chinese deal

NEW YORK (AP)  The company owned by the family of President Donald Trump's son-in-law is reportedly negotiating to sell a $400 million stake in a New York City skyscraper to a Chinese insurer with ties to that country's ruling party.

The New York Times is reporting that a company run by Jared Kushner's father is hammering out a deal with Anbang Insurance Group for a stake in the family's building at 666 Fifth Avenue. Bloomberg News also reported on the deal. Jared Kushner is married to the president's daughter Ivanka and is a senior adviser to the president.

The deal would unite two politically powerful families in both countries and raise conflicts of interest questions.

A White House spokeswoman tells the Times that Jared Kushner previously sold his interest in the building.




Indonesian locals have expressed anger after a British-owned ship harmed one of the most pristine and beautiful reefs in the world. People who live in the vicinity of the reef on Raja Ampat rely on dive tourism, and are worried about the implications of the damage. The 90-meter Caledonian Sky ship smashed into the reef at low tide, causing damage. The British-owned company, which owns the ship described the incident as ''unfortunate'' and said it was ''cooperating fully with the relevant authorities". A professional diving instructor, Ruben Sauyai, who relies on the reef for his income, told the BBC he cried when the damage occurred. "I was born here, I was in tears when I saw this damage," he said. "The damage is huge and acute. It could take 10 to 100 years to repair it." Sauyai explained how he and others on the island rely on the reef: "Some people work as fishermen or farmers, but mostly we work in the tourism sector." Local tourism promoter Stay Raja Ampat posted on Facebook, ''How can this happen? Was a 12-year-old at the wheel? Anchor damage from ships like these is bad enough, but actually grounding a ship on a reef takes it to a whole new level." "This is a very, very big loss for us," Victor Nikijuluw, the marine programme director at Conservational International Indonesia, told AFP. "Even when (the reefs) grow back, they will not be as pristine as they were before," he added. Scientists found that the crash resulted in the reduction or loss of diversity of eight coral genera and the destruction of the ecosystem's structural habitat. Ricardo Tapilatu, head of the Research Center for Pacific Marine Resources at the University of Papua, said, "This is what we found during our investigation into the site. We are currently finishing the report and will submit our recommendations to the district office next week.'' According to Tapilatu, the evaluation team will recommend the company pay a hefty compensation of $800-$1,200 per square metre, for a total of $1.28 million-$1.92 million. This is because of the special biodiversity of the reef. The money used from the claim would be put towards reviving the reef, which could take a decade. He said, ''The government has had talks about compensation with the ship company, and I'm optimistic that this won't go to court. Unfortunately, there will not be any moves for coral revival until we get the money.'' In a statement, Noble Caledonia said it was ''firmly committed to protection of the environment, which is why it is imperative that the reasons for it are fully investigated, understood and any lessons learned incorporated in operating procedures''.










Ivanka Trump kills fine jewellery line, to focus on cheap stuff

While the rest of her products appear to be having an early-spring resurgence, Ivanka Trump's fine jewellery line has hit the skids.

Abigail Klem, president of the first daughter's brand of companies, confirmed to The New York Times on Monday that Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry is being discontinued. Instead, the company will focus its efforts on costume jewelry, with a more accessible price point.

The fine jewellery line, whose website featured black and white portraits of Trump modelling her pieces, encompassed rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings and necklaces. On the high end is a woven diamond necklace for $19,500, and the lower side, a simple rose gold ring with a price tag of $940.

Ivanka herself often wears the $2,900 "Patras" studs, but people have not forgotten the $10,800-bracelet debacle from November.

After Trump wore the gold and diamond arm candy during a '60 Minutes' interview on CBS, her company sent out a "Style Alert" press release touting the item. At the time, Klem blamed the move on a "well-intentioned marketing employee", but the debate over using her father's political position to hawk Ivanka Trump wares was just firing up.

In February, President Donald Trump's senior counsellor Kellyanne Conway said during a live television interview that people should go out and buy Ivanka Trump's clothing, which had recently been dropped by Nordstrom citing poor sales (See: Top White House aide promotes Ivanka's products; counselled).

Conway's plug got the attention of the Office of Government Ethics, but Ivanka Trump sales reportedly went up, dramatically. Ivanka Trump stayed mum on the issue, and continued to wear her clothes and accessories.

The demise of the fine jewellery line shouldn't necessarily be viewed as a failure - in retail, it's much more difficult to sustain a select number of expensive "special occasion" pieces than it is to mass market more affordable fake gems.

Most Ivanka Trump-branded items, which include apparel, shoes and bags, are priced to be more cost-sensitive to average Americans anyway. For example, a dress from her spring collection is $138 at Lord & Taylor, and a pair of faux pearl earrings just $38.

Klem told The New York Times in a statement that the brand is now committed to "offering solution-oriented products at accessible price points".

In January, Ivanka Trump announced she has stepped away from leadership of her corporate roles, both at her brand and her job in the Trump Organization. Though she still has a financial stake in her brand of companies, she said she's turned her focus to building a new life for her family in Washington and serving as informal adviser to her father.


The architects preserved all the plaster decorations and windows details, and unified them with a uniform colour. To accentuate its original design they used, in contrast, raw materials: the bar itself, for example, is made of old corrugated iron sheet. The wall behind the bar is garnished with black basalt bricks and decorated with colored metal blinds. Floors are made of bare concrete, giving a Chicago industrial feeling. The high ceiling of the restaurant made the acoustics a bit problematic, so three huge lamps made of fiberglass were added. The same material was used for the entrance tunnel. This material was chosen for its unique quality of light distribution.
The Irish woman found dead in India was from Buncrana.

The body of a woman in her late 20s was found a beach in the Canacona area of Goa.

It is understood that the woman was on a back-packing adventure in the region.

Police say that the deceased had come with a friend to participate in Holi celebrations before she was found dead on Tuesday.

It is being reported that the woman was discovered with injuries to her head and face in a secluded area.

Its believed a number of people are being questioned in relation to the womans death, which is being treated as murder.

The India Times have reported that police have sent the body to the Goa Medical College near Panaji for post-mortem.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says the embassy in New Delhi is in contact with authorities in relation to the reports.

Theyre standing by to provide consular assistance if necessary.

More to follow.
The young Buncran woman who was murdered in a popular seaside area in Goa has been named locally as Danielle McLaughlin.

Danielle, who was in her 20's, had arrived in the area on Sunday and attended an event at Palolem beach in the Canacona area on Monday night.

At around 8am (local time) on Tuesday morning, her body was found four miles away at Deobag Beach by a farmer.

It is being reported that police say they have arrested a suspect named, who is due to appear in court later today.

Police say a post-mortem examination will be carried out to discover whether a sexual assault took place.

http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/news/donegal-news/240092/shock-at-violent-death-of-donegal-woman-in-india.html

Devastated

Speaking to the Donegal Democrat today, Fianna Fail councillor, Rena Donaghey said that the entire town is devastated.

"That young girl had everything to live for. The feeling here is one of shock, one of disbelief. We are really in shock. It is just awful," she said.

Danielle had attended Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana. She later lived in Liverpool. She had also traveled to Australia.

Her friends have described her as "loved, very bright, very bubbly, very popular."

Embassies

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the Irish Embassy in India is following up on the reports.

In a statement it said Ms McLaughlin traveled to India using a British passport, so the local British consulate has the lead responsibility in terms of dealing with Indian authorities.

However, the Irish Embassy is liaising closely with the British authorities and an Irish consular official is travelling from Delhi to Goa today.
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A Donegal member of the executive of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) who attended a protest outside the GPO against An Post proposals for post office closures has called on the government to get involved in the dispute.

The IPU has called on politicians, communities and social organisations to give their support to its campaign to oppose closures led by An Post. The IPU is in favour of plans from a working group which would see 80 closures at post offices were retirements by postmasters or postmistresses are due.

An Post CEO David McRedmond wrote to all Postmasters last week about plans for a major re-organisation.

The IPU fears An Post's plans could mean 200 post office closures.

Breege Gallagher, the postmistress at Dunfanaghy, attended the protest by the IPU on Tuesday.

She called on the government to get involved and to implement the plan by the working group under Bobby Kerr which has proposed 80 closures. The government needs to get involved as this is about more than commercial targets. It's about the needs of communities, she said.
Alabama is ranked in the top five states for having the most tornadoes and most deaths related to tornadoes.

These are two of the main reasons the Southeast Alabama Severe Weather Team has joined with the Houston County Emergency Management Agency, the Dothan Fire Department and Survive-A-Storm, to host a community educational event Saturday at Home Depot, beginning at 10 a.m.

This event is going to be a great way to educate everyone on the dangers associated with not only tornadoes, but severe weather in general, said Southeast Alabama Severe Weather Team founder and chief forecaster Chad Jackson. This event is going to be filled with educational information, as well as an in depth look at a Survive-a-Storm Shelter. Representatives will also be on hand to help individuals find out additional information regarding grants available to help assist with the purchase of a shelter.

A donation spot will also be located at the event. Donations made during the event will go directly to help victims who are affected by severe weather. The donations will provide revenue avenues for victims to receive help.

Although the Southeast Alabama Severe Weather Team was established three years ago, many individuals are still unaware of the services the team offers.

Our team was created in 2014 to help keep the residents of Southeast Alabama, Florida Panhandle and Southwest Georgia up-to-date on severe weather. We have 11 team members and 1.2 million followers on social media. Our social media account allows individuals to receive weather warnings. In Houston County alone, we have 60,000 individuals who have signed up to receive our severe weather alerts. Our main goal is to help make everyone aware of severe weather. If we help to save on life, it is all worth it.

According to Jackson, following the tornado-related deaths in Rehobeth, team members decided to look into additional ways to help residents.

We arrived at the scene in Rehobeth just after the tornado hit, Jackson said. It was literally just a few minutes later. We saw the devastation up close. We also noticed the feedback received from individuals on our social media account. Several comments were made regarding individuals actually having nowhere safe to go. There are post event shelters, but nothing was established other than Enterprise High School. This sparked something with us. We began contacting different facilities seeking locations to participate in the Safe Haven Program. When a facility participates in the Safe Haven Program there are no FEMA guidelines to follow. A Safe Haven is actually a safe place residents can go until the storm is over. They are not open following the storm. At this time there are two Safe Haven locations established in Houston County and Henry County. We are still working on establishing additional Safe Havens throughout the areas we serve. This is one of the topics we will address during our awareness event. We want everyone to know there is somewhere safe to go during a storm.

According to Jackson, requirements to participate in the Safe Haven Program are simple. The facility must be a sturdy building such as brick and mortar. Also, locations that agree to participate must be dependable and agree to have one person stay at the location until the storm is over. After the weather passes the Safe Haven is closed.

So many individuals are unaware just how many Alabamians live in mobile homes or wood structure homes, Jackson said. They dont realize just how much damage can be done by 80 mile-per-hour winds. That is why Safe Haven locations are so important. For more information regarding participation in the Safe Harbor Program, call 618-8239 or email safehaven@saswalert.org.

Jackson is grateful for the support he has received from the Houston County Emergency Management Agency, as well as Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz.

When we started this team, all we asked for was support from the mayor and the Houston County Emergency Management Agency, and support we have received, Jackson said. We are all dedicated to helping educate everyone on severe weather and the dangers related to severe weather.
Speaking at Dundalk Institute of Technology today, Simon Coveney, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government sought the views of students on the preparation of a strategic planning and development framework for Ireland between now and 2040.

The event is being hosted in the Muirhevna Building, School of Health and Science which is a fitting setting for todays discussion and, like Ireland 2040, it has peoples health and well-being at its core.

While in DkIT, Minister Coveney participated in a student discussion, chaired by Ciaran Mullooly. In encouraging the students to make their views known on the Ireland 2040  Our Plan, the Minister told them I am engaging on Ireland 2040 through regional events like this one today in Dundalk, organised in conjunction with Higher Education Institutes to listen and learn about how you think. I am confident that together we can develop a clear, consistent and compelling vision and strategy for our country.

"You are the future. Your ambitions and your hopes need to be reflected in a plan of this scale and this importance. What we are embarking on today is the first serious attempt to set out a planning and development strategy for Ireland in nearly 20 years, both learning and moving forward from the previous National Spatial Strategy.

The meeting with the students included a discussion with a panel comprising of Tom Dooley, A/Head of School of Engineering and Edel Healy Head of School of Health & Science. The Minister told the audience that Ireland 2040  Our Plan is a discussion about how to secure sustained, long-term and regionally balanced progress on social, economic and environmental fronts. Now is the time to think about the longer-term future of all parts of this island and how to plan for that future. This paper is the start of a major consultation process so that we can avoid the planning mistakes of the past."
A NIGHT of Glamour and Fashion worthy of any Fashionista will take place in the Crown Plaza Hotel on Friday the 22nd of November. Organised by the Parents Association this Fashion Night with Triona & Cathy will feature none other than beauty columnist and TV3 Expose contributor Triona Mc Carthy and Style Guru and TV personality Cathy OConnor.

A NIGHT of Glamour and Fashion worthy of any Fashionista will take place in the Crown Plaza Hotel on Friday the 22nd of November. Organised by the Parents Association this Fashion Night with Triona & Cathy will feature none other than beauty columnist and TV3 Expose contributor Triona Mc Carthy and Style Guru and TV personality Cathy OConnor.

Tickets are priced at 25 and the night is being held as a charity fundraiser for two very worthy charities National Breast Cancer Research Institute and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as well as for St. Francis National School.

Boutiques taking part include Ozone, RubyNU, After Sybil, Modern Fashions, Pulse Pacemaker, Brass Rail, Rapport and Tony McDonnell.

Hermione Duffy, St. Francis NS P.A. member said,

We are very excited to welcome our two Expose Experts on the night, Triona and Cathy. Anyone who reads the Sunday Independent or who watches Expose will know the both of them and be aware of their expertise.

While it is being organised by St. Francis N.S. you dont have to be affiliated to the school to attend and it would be a fab Christmas night out for groups of gals of any age.

It promises to be a great night out and our hosts will make it a Fashion Show with a difference. These ladies will entertain the audience with all the latest information on beauty, Triona has all that jazz on the best products and treatments and Cathy will look after all the style.

Tickets are currently available in After Sybil in Blackrock and RubyNU in Dundalk or directly from St Francis National School. For more information on the event visit the Facebook Fashion night with Cathy & Triona

The main sponsors of the event is Elave who are also sponsoring the Best Dressed Prize on the night which is a lovely overnight stay Tankardstown House complete with dinner.

The makers of Elave, Ovelle Pharmaceuticals based in Dundalk, experts in dermatological skincare for 80 years said,

We are delighted to be involved with the fundraiser fashion event and to sponsor the Best Dressed Competition.

Elaves new facial range which includes Image Beauty award 2013 winner  Elave Skin Balancing Moisturiser & Grazia recommended Daily Skin defence will provide an Elave facial gift for all attendees on the night.

Elave dermatological treatments are specifically designed to prevent and treat skin ageing caused by everyday UV rays, Environmental pollutants & skin dehydration. They are formulated without unnecessary chemicals, this range is suitable for all skin types even the most sensitive.
The Federal Government is providing Australian start-ups with a new gateway into Asia via its newly-launched Landing Pad in Singapore

The Landing Pad program is part of the governments National Innovation and Science Agenda and is designed to assist Australian entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market and build successful enterprises, including through new export market opportunities.

The initiative assists Australian startups in cutting edge industries, including services, to build new export market opportunities.

The Singapore Landing Pad is one of five to be established by Australia in major innovation hubs around the world. Australias network of Landing Pads also includes facilities in Berlin, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tel Aviv.

The [Singapore] Landing Pad will bring together startups, research institutions, multinational corporations and leading technology players to promote innovation, research and development, said Julie Bishop, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a statement.

With more than 3,500 multinational companies headquartered in Singapore, the Landing Pad will give Australian entrepreneurs access to a network of contacts and opportunities, providing a gateway to more than 600 million consumers across Southeast Asia.

Singapores attractiveness for Australian startups is underpinned by its dynamic venture capital and investment community, and its reputation as one of Asias leading research and development centres.

The Landing Pad initiative will strengthen Australias already close bilateral ties with Singapore, and deliver meaningful outcomes for business in both countries.

See also: San Francisco Landing Pad open doors to first wave of innovative Aussie start-ups, International Expansion nay be vital for growth; but do you have what it takes? and The CEO of fintech lender Sail discusses what he learnt from the start-up ecosystem in Tel Aviv.
NOTE: This post has been updated HERE with photos of the protest against Trump and analysis of his comments while he was in Michigan.

All three Detroit autoworkers are busing UAW members in to Pr*sident Trumps visit to Ypsilanti, Michigan later today and all but Ford are giving the workers food and are paying them for the privilege:

The Detroit Three are offering to bus workers from auto plants across southeast Michigan to President Donald Trumps rally in Ypsilanti on Wednesday  a move that is drawing criticism from at least two union officials who say the president doesnt really support American workers, and that they dont want UAW members to become political props. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors told workers they will transport them to and from Trumps rally, provide lunch and cover their pay for the day if they miss a shift at their plant. Ford will do the same, but will not cover their pay.

According to reports Ive received, UAW members were encouraged to wear UAW apparel.

Here is a screenshot of the email Ford workers got from the FordPAC, a super PAC that supported Trumps presidential candidacy, a candidacy that, apparently, has never actually ended:





At least one union local, UAW Local 372, is having none of it and circulated flyers around their workplace saying TRUMP RALLY NOT ENDORSED BY THE UAW. I have been at Chrysler for 23 years, and I have never seen this kind of approach. We have never seen them go out of their way to pay people to go to a rally, Local 373 President Gabe Solano told the Detroit Free Press. I find it amusing that Trumps camp always likes to say Democrats are paying people to attend rallies. Its kind of ironic now that companies are paying people to attend Trump rallies. Local 372 represents workers at Fiat Chrysler engine plant in southeastern Michigan. A full third of UAW members voted for Trump in the general election and their support is largely credited for his tiny margin of victory.

While hes in Ypsilanti, Trump is expected to brag about how hes working to roll back fuel efficiency standards, a move that, so far, the automakers have not publicly asked for. In fact, the federal requirements level the playing field for ALL automakers. Its hard to see Trump doing the high profile announcement in Ypsilanti as anything but a monstrous SCREW YOU to the EPA employees working at the nearby National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor who have spent much of the last decade developing the standards in close partnership with the automakers. If the standards are rolled back, their work over the past years will end up as proverbial government waste with a single Executive Order from Trump.

For a thin-skinned, egomaniac like Trump, its completely unsurprising that he would bus in cheerleaders to stroke his huge ego and make it look like autoworkers adore him. The reality is quite different but the perception of reality is all that matters and Donald Trump is the master of shaping perception.

With any luck, some of the UAW workers will sneak in some anti-Trump signs and will make a fuss inside the event today.

A formal protest is being organized by Michigan to Believe In, a group that rose out of the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders. For details about the protest, visit their website HERE. They are suggesting that people arrive at the Willow Run Airport no later than 12:45 p.m. As of this writing, over 400 people say they are going and another 1,600+ are interested.

*Donald Trump is the biggest loser of the popular vote ever to become President of the United States.

[Trump photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr]
Cleanup efforts are underway after a failed Chevron Corporation pipeline released about 4,800 gallons of oil into an intermittent stream on public land in northwestern Colorado and killed some wildlife.

The breach happened on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and was first detected on March 5 by a Chevron consultant. The pipeline was shut down after discovery of the leak and the oil is now trapped in a berm and siphon dam in a dry ravine, according to the Associated Press.

As it happens, the leak occurred around the same time that the conservation group Center for Western Priorities found that Chevron was behind 31 reported spills in Colorado last year, ranking the energy corporation as the fourth highest oil and gas spiller in the state.

2016 Colorado Oil and Gas Toxic Release Tracker Center for Western Priorities

Chevron spokeswoman Erika Conner said that while there are no public health concerns after the March 5 incident, some animals have died. Two mallard ducks covered in oil were found at the spill site and were transferred to Colorado Parks and Wildlife on March 5 but died the day after. Two other small birds and several mice have also been found dead by cleanup crews.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been notified, Conner told The Daily Sentinel. We regret the impact the release has had on the affected animals and are working diligently to avoid any additional impacts to wildlife.

Colorado Department of Natural Resources spokesman Todd Hartman told the AP that the failed section of pipeline is being analyzed to determine a cause.

The spill involved a 6-inch-diameter oil gathering pipeline, BLM spokesman David Boyd told The Daily Sentinel.

In its recent report, the Center for Western Priorities calculated available data from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and determined there were 509 reported spills in 2016thats more than one a day in Colorado.

https://twitter.com/NRDC/status/797460699727413248

The number of spills in 2016 are less than the 615 reported spills and incidents in 2015, reflecting the decrease in drilling activity. However, the group expects spills to increase as the state ramps up oil and gas production.

As drilling and production increase in Coloradowhich is expected as the price of oil and gas may increase in the coming yearswe also expect to see spills increase, the report said. Monitoring these incidents help to inform Coloradans about the impacts of oil and gas development within the state.

In response to the report, Chevron said in a statement that it aggressively manages the risk of spills through a rigorous ongoing asset integrity program wherever we operate.

For example, Chevron has undertaken a comprehensive, multi-year, multi-million-dollar project to streamline and upgrade facilities and systems at our largest Colorado asset in Rangely, the company continued. The program will continue through 2018. To date, approximately 11 miles of pipes have been removed from service.

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China approved a new national park this month in northeast China in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces to save two endangered speciesthe Siberian tiger and Amur leopard.

Only nine wild Siberian tigers were estimated to be living in this area in 1998, increasing to 27 by 2015 thanks to conservation efforts including a logging ban. The global population of Amur leopards was less than 30 in 2007, but almost doubled by 2015.

The sanctuary, to be completed by 2020, will border Russia and measure 5,637 square miles, an area 60 percent larger than Yellowstone National Park.

https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/790511997922279424

The current habitat for the Siberian tiger and Amur leopard is too small an area to provide enough prey for the carnivores, whose wide search for their usual elk, wild boar and deer has recently led them into residential areas. It has even been reported that tigers have been wandering into Jilin Province and eating dogs and cattle.

Governmental officials expect the national park to ease some of this conflict. Local government plans to relocate some existing communities, factories from inside the national park area, so as to avoid conflicts between wildlife and human activities, a spokesperson for Jilins Forestry Department told Xinhua.

China is using the success of Yellowstone, the worlds first national park and one of the most popular U.S. destinations for recreational visitors, as a model for environmental and economic progress.

The Chinese government in 2015 declared its intention to develop a world-class national park system, and a partnership with the Paulson Institute. The self-described non-partisan, non-profit think and do tank hosted Chinese government officials in 2016 for tours of U.S. national parks, trainings and advice.

China is seeking to evolve from what Science Magazine called a mishmash of national reserves, semiprotected forests and provincial parks.

As reported by Mongabay:

China boasts approximately 10,000 protected areas covering about 18 percent of the country, a proportion higher than the global average. But weak management and insufficient funding are threatening most of the protected areas conservation efforts. To revamp the management of all of Chinas protected areas, in late 2013 Chinese President Xi Jinping included the development of a true national park system into the central committees official plans for deeper reform. Nine pilot parks across the country were announced in June 2015.

The World Wildlife Fund calls the Amur leopard the worlds rarest cat and describes the parks location, Amur-Heilong, as containing one of the most biologically diverse temperate forests in the world, vast steppe grasslands and the unbroken taiga biome.

The Jilin forestry department said it will set up a monitoring and rescue center for wild tigers and leopards, along with scientific and research facilities to complement the national park.

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As the

Trump administration works to dismantle environmental regulations protecting American waterways, New Zealand has recognized the Whanganui River as a legal person.

On Wednesday, New Zealand Parliament passed the

Te Awa Tupua Bill which states that the river is an indivisible and living whole, making it the worlds first river to be given this special designation.

The river has been granted the ability to represent itself through human representatives, one appointed by the Whanganui Iwi (Maori people) and one by the Crown (government of New Zealand), Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson explained to Newshub.

https://twitter.com/RFStew/status/841735024068050944

I know some people will say its pretty strange to give a natural resource a legal personality, but its no stranger than family trusts, or companies, or incorporated societies, Finlayson added.

Similarly, New Zealands

Te Urewera national park also has all the rights, powers, duties and liabilities of a legal person, thanks to the Te Urewera Act.

More than 200 descendants of the Whanganui Iwi witnessed the bills passage. Songs were sung and tears were shed after Parliaments third and final reading of the bill.

The decision marks the end of New Zealands longest-running court case, as the Whanganui Iwi have long fought for the recognition of their authority over the river.

Since the mid-1850s Whanganui Iwi have challenged the Crowns impact on the health and wellbeing of the river and those who lived on it, and have fought to have their rights and their relationship with the River recognized, said Gerrard Albert, Whanganui Iwi spokesperson, in a statement.

Eighty years ago Whanganui Iwi started what was to become the longest running court case in New Zealand history over who owned the bed of the river. It has been a long, hard battle, he continued. We have always believed that the Whanganui River is an indivisible and living wholeTe Awa Tupuawhich includes all its physical and spiritual elements from the mountains of the central North Island to the sea.

The Whanganui River in the North Island of New Zealand is the countrys third-longest river and a culturally and spiritually important entity to the areas tribes. According to a

government website:

The tribes of Whanganui take their name, their spirit and their strength from the great river which flows from the mountains of the central North Island to the sea. For centuries the people have travelled the Whanganui River by canoe, caught eels in it, built villages on its banks, and fought over it. The people say, Ko au te awa. Ko te awa ko au (I am the river. The river is me).

The bill includes $80 million (about USD$56 million) financial redress payment and another $30 million from the Crown to promote the health and well-being of the river.

Albert said that the Whanganui Iwi looks forward to working closely with other Iwi, local government, the Crown and other parties with an interest in the future of the river.

It has taken us a century-and-a-half to get to this point. We will take a steady, calm and methodical approach to the next steps, he said. While today we close the book on this part of our history, tomorrow we start writing a new one.
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The results of the 2015 NAP Science Literacy tests, which were issued today by ACARA show that for the first time since sample testing began, a small but significant gender gap has emerged  in favour of girls.



Karen Spiller, the national chair of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), told The Educator that the national focus on engaging girls in STEM subjects may be bearing fruit.



According to ACARA, girls had a higher average score than boys in the 2012 national assessment of Science Literacy, but it was not statistically significant. Three years later, in the 2015 national assessment, that difference had become statistically significant, she said.



That is very encouraging, because it indicates there may be increasing engagement by girls with science.



Spiller said there is evidence that gender bias and stereotyping begin early.



The Office of the Chief Scientist reports that two-thirds of children aged nine to eleven draw a man when asked to draw a scientist, she said.



The 2015 NAP Science Literacy results give me hope that such barriers to girls participation in science are being eroded.



Spiller said that a basic but very important element to driving this change is raising awareness.



There have been some powerful, data-rich information campaigns and publications issued by the Office of the Chief Scientist and organisations such as the Australian Academy of Science that have attracted broad media attention, she said.



I doubt there would be anyone now  at least in the education sector  who is not aware of the leak of high achieving girls from the so-called STEM pipeline.



Spiller pointed to government support as a second critical element of the encouraging result.



There has been government funding for programs that target girls participation in science activities, and these have helped teachers develop new classroom techniques in some cases or in others provided extension for students showing intense interest in science and other STEM subjects, she said.



The fact that all Australian governments have now agreed to a National STEM School Education Strategy also has an indirect influence on how people think about schools and STEM.



However, the report found no statistically significant difference between the 2009 and 2015 results at the national level, or across most Australian states and territories.



ACARA CEO, Robert Randall, said the latest results, along with others such as PISA and TIMSS, released at the end of last year, highlight the need for improvements in primary school science teaching.



This is why this report includes a chapter prepared specifically for teachers and curriculum specialists, Randall said in a statement today.



It contains suggestions about how to improve science learning in the classroom, using the Australian Curriculum such as sample lesson plans and ways of tracking and measuring student achievement against the science learning area.








Imagine this: You are in this big building with lots of rooms and different signs on each door. You come to a room with a sign saying hammers, you enter, and this young, enthusiastic guy shows you pictures of lots of different hammers and talks about what they can do, though you never get to hold one. A bell rings, and you go down the hall to a room for screwdrivers, and there is a very nice, middle-aged woman who tells you all about the wonders of screwdrivers (Much better than hammers, she whispers), though, again, you never get to use one. And so the day goes; you wander from room to roomto saws and tape measures and rasps, separate tools that you rarely get to use and whose relationships to the others are never mentioned, no word about how they might work together to accomplish anything. And then, one day, you find yourself outside in the woods needing to build a house.

Well, I dont think I need to beat you to death with this analogy to school. Where else but in school are the skills and knowledge we need to solve problems in the real world divvied up, claimed, and jealously guarded in separate little departments? Despite decades of talk about interdisciplinary courses, despite the focus on STEM and STEAM, it remains monumentally difficult to get these departments to work togethereven those with the most obvious relationships, such as math and science, English and foreign languages, or the arts and any other department. I still recall the great irony of graduate school: While working on an MFA in theater in the school of communications and theater, I was not allowed to take any courses in the communications wing.

This monolithic (specialized) learning has consequences: It affects how we think and how we approach problems. Writing, for example, belongs to the English department. When I used to teach theater and asked my students to write analyses of characters or scripts, they became outraged when I focused on the writing itself. This isnt an English class, they shouted, as though the writing and their analysis could be separated when the goal is communication.

At some point, most history or science teachers have heard that whining question, Does grammar count?

Students need to experience borderless education as the normevery year they are in school."

Teachers also readily reinforce the notion that writing is an English thing. Even in schools that flirt with some form of writing-across-the-curriculum, teachers tend to expect English teachers to accept primary responsibility for teaching writing and are quite comfortable saying, I cant teach writing. Im a math teacher. While they are occasionally willing to ask their students to write, they are unwilling to work with them to improve their writingeven though writing helps improve understanding of the concepts they write about, and understanding the concepts improves the writing.

The scary results of the general failure of schools to teach students that problems dont come in tidy boxes marked English or science or history are also evident in adult blunders of immense consequencelike, for example, our decisions about the Iraq War. Here was a problem that demanded analysis from several vantage points: history (both the history of that country and the history of guerrilla warfare), sociology (the relationships between Shiites and Sunnis), mathematics (how many troops do we need to accomplish what missions?), science (analysis of the potential for aluminum tubes to be used in the making weapons of mass destruction), psychology (likely behavior following decades of dictatorship), foreign language (anyone here speak Arabic or understand the culture?), and literature and the arts (what do Iraqi artists tell us about the people?). What we got instead was a lot of Wild West rhetoric about good guys and bad guysnot even an insightful moral analysis from the philosophy department.

The point is that the problems that confront us as adults tend to demand skills, knowledge, perspectives, and solutions that cross over these artificial academic departmental borders. Teamwork is important, as are the psychology and perspectives of the individuals on a team. To ensure effective teamwork, educators must help young people develop an ability to move easily among domains. Research has certainly shown us that transference of skills from one domain to another must be learned, not assumed. The best way to learn skills in different contexts is to use them while wrestling with a meaningful real-world challenge or pursuing a deep, genuine interest or question.

As the problems we face become increasingly complex and interrelated, not to mention deadly, the need to eliminate borders becomes more urgent. Providing occasional interdisciplinary experiences is not enough. Students need to experience borderless education as the normevery year they are in school. Educators need to imagine new ways to structure borderless schools and to model borderless learning.
Date: 15/03/2017 Xeon is no more a that tall Server SoC, lot more new in the market The server-processor design is no more a closely guarded secret. Unlike few years back, where IBM, Sun Microsystems and Intel had full grip over the server processor market, today ARM 64-bit architecture is soon to make this market just like any other chip in the market. Intel's Xeon which still has a huge market share but is facing powerfull new- comers. The leading fabless chip vendor Qualcomm entered this market by launching a matchable competitor for Intel's Xeon.



The power of processor is not just pack of billions of logic gates but more of the smart architecture to process various kinds of data. Super computers mix and match trditional CPU processors, server processors and graphic processors to achieve high process throughput. Supercomputer also find lot more options now in selecting chips including made-in-China server/super computer processors.



Qualcomm has made available a 10nm Centriq 2400 Family server SoC with up to 48 Custom ARMv8-Compliant Cores for datacenter servers. Qualcomm Centriq 2400 series features the Qualcomm Falkor CPU and target cloud customers seeking new server solutions optimized for total cost of ownership, while meeting performance, efficiency and power demands.



At an event, Qualcomm Datacenter Technologies demonstrated Apache Spark and Hadoop on Linux and Java running on a Qualcomm Centriq 2400 processor. Qualcomm Centriq 2400 processor series is now sampling to key prospective customers and is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2017. Centriq 2400 uses Qualcomm's new Falkor microarchitecture that is ARMv8-A-compatible and designed exclusively for the Centriq line.



The other popular server processor in the market is, China based Phytium launched 28nm based FT-1500 Series of light weight server Processors, web servers, cloud computing, and data centers. A version of this FT-1500A/16 is called "Earth" server processor chip.



FT-2000 series of processors is based on FTC661 core, a customized core designed by Phytium under architectural license from ARM and is compatible with ARMv8 ISA. Featuring Parallel-System-on-Chip (PSoC) architecture, data-affinitive memory hierarchy and scalable interconnections on chip. A version of this FT-2000/64 is called "MARS" chip. Learn more on this at http://www.phytium.com.cn/Product/detail?language=1&product_id=7



These chips are aimed at fast emerging cloud clients who picked up the trend from cloud experts like Google, Amazon and also targeted at cheap server makers.



Some more server-processors in the market includes Applied Micro's X-Gene family and Cavium's ThunderX 2.



Qualcomm is said to be partnering with Guizhou Province to form a JV called Guizhou Huaxintong Semiconductor Technology to design and sell server chips.



IBM has launched Power9, a processor for the datacenter expected to be available in 2017. Power9 to power super computer such as Summit and Sierra, which expected to be the best in the world beating China's present best super computer Tianhe. NVIDIA Volta GPUs are expected to complement power9s in these super computers. Power9 offered in both single, dual and multi -socket targeting regular clusters, and NUMA servers. Experts say Power9 can connect to virtually any type of accelerator or special-purpose coprocessor supporting PCIe, CAPI or NVLink.



To tell about AMD, AMD to make 32-core Zen server processor. AMD launched 32-core server processor called "Naples" powered by "Zen" x86 processing engine. AMD says "new AMD server processor exceeds today's top competitive offering on critical parameters, with 45% more cores1, 60% more input / output capacity (I/O)2, and 122% more memory bandwidth".



"Naples" features as shared by AMD:

A highly scalable, 32-core System on Chip (SoC) design, with support for two high-performance threads per core.

Industry-leading memory bandwidth, with 8-channels of memory per "Naples" device. In a 2-socket server, support for up to 32 DIMMS of DDR4 on 16 memory channels, delivering up to 4 terabytes of total memory capacity.

The processor is a complete SoC with fully integrated, high-speed I/O supporting 128 lanes of PCIe, negating the need for a separate chip-set.

A highly-optimized cache structure for high-performance, energy efficient compute.

AMD Infinity Fabric coherent interconnect for two "Naples" CPUs in a 2-socket system.

Dedicated security hardware.



Some of server customers designing their own chips, Google has developed TensorFlow Processing Unit (TPU).



As the computing load getting more and more trasferred to cloud from the clients such as phones and notebooks, the global cloud IP traffic is nearly doubling every year. The server processor chips shipments are estimated to grow proportionally.



The use of FPGA in data centers/servers is also a hot trend. FPGA is now important piece of silicon used in data centres for customised computing. Vector processing architecture based accelerators can be implemented on FPGA by rewiring the logic as for the new emerging graphic/image processing loads. If the number of such processors required in thousands of quantities than designing a customised ASIC processor makes business sense.

Nvidia' graphic processors handle well-known standard graphic/video formats helping speeding up vision computing.



All this progress points to ARM based server chip is no more a that lesser performing compared to Intel Xeon server chips. To make the race more interesting, Intel is speeding up its 10nm chips, the 10nm Xeon server are expected to be launched during 2017-18 period.



So for a smart server designer, a mix-and-match of all kind of processor chips make strong sense provided its saves the cost and gets high MIPS computing at lesser power consumption.



All this resulting into cost of computers to run Machine learning and AI coming down significantly.



Note: This article was edited further on 23rd Mar by adding AMD's Naples details.

Tweet Follow @eeherald




Employers can bar staff from wearing visible religious symbols such as the burka, the European Union's top court has ruled.



The ruling came in its first decision on the issue of women wearing Islamic headscarves at work.



On the eve of a Dutch election in which Muslim immigration has been a key issue and a bellwether for attitudes to migration and refugee policies across Europe, the Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a joined judgment in the cases of two women, in France and Belgium, who were dismissed for refusing to remove headscarves.
DEC thanks Island for Yemen donation

The Isle of Man is being thanked for its support of the Yemen Crisis Appeal.

The Chief Executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee contacted the Manx Government to show the organisation's appreciation for a 100,000 donation.

Saleh Saeed OBE says the funds are being used to provide food to infants and toddlers on the brink of starvation.

The DEC has been working in the country since a civil war began in 2015.
Manx police seek officers from other forces

The Island's police force is looking to bring in experienced officers from other constabularies.

The Isle of Man Constabulary is recruiting Transferee Constables as part of this year's search for new officers.

The Manx police are looking for officers who have already finished their probationary period as a constable.

The local constabulary will still be looking for applicants from the Island later this year.

Applications for Transferee Constables must be submitted to Sergeant Paul Kemp by April 14th.
Government offers help to CityWing staff

Staff affected by the collapse of CityWing are being offered help by the Manx Government.

The Department of Economic Development has contacted the virtual airline and its handling agent after it was announced the company would enter liquidation last week.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer confirmed that the DED has already been in touch with the two firms and is offering support to around 20 staff who are set to lose their employment.

Mr Harmer is also urging airlines taking over CityWing's routes to consider recruiting those facing redundancy.
MHK wants Government to reconsider allowing virtual airlines

An MHK has questioned whether virtual airlines should be allowed to operate on the Isle of Man.

CityWing was forced into liquidation last week after the airline that operated its routes was grounded over safety concerns.

Ramsey member Lawrie Hooper asked Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer to reconsider whether such companies should be allowed to operate out of Ronaldsway, particularly on key strategic routes.

The Minister confirmed it is something which will be looked into in due course, but that securing replacement operators for CityWing's routes is his current priority.

Virtual airlines aren't regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority, while customers aren't ATOL protected when flying with such an operator.
A lot of fans are eagerly waiting for "Wentworth" Season 5 news and updates, especially with the possibility that Bea Smith might be returning in a big plot twist. It can be remembered that Bea Smith, played by actress Danielle Cormack, was killed in a very shocking finale.

The lack of "Wentworth" Season 5 spoilers, news and updates have the fans thirsting for even an inkling of what to expect in the upcoming season. In the last quarter of 2016, reports about Danielle Cormack returning to the set circulated on the internet. However, no official confirmation from the showrunners has been released.

Meanwhile, reports about a new actor replacing the void that Bea Smith's death created also made its round in the social media community. The said actor set to star on "Wentworth" Season 5 is Aussie-born actor, Liam Hemsworth. However, just like the possible return of Danielle Cormack in the series, "The Last Song" actor has not confirmed the news as well. According to Korea Portal, speculations about Liam Hemsworth's role in "Wentworth" Season 5 reveal a possible role as a tough jail warden that will bring major changes in the remaining characters' life in prison.

Many of the fans are not buying the "Bea Smith is dead" drama on "Wentworth" and are firmly believing that the said character will be returning with a deep, dark vengeance on "Wentworth" Season 5. It's only a matter of time until the showrunners release an official trailer for the upcoming seasons so the fans might have to wait for it to get major clues.

As for "Wentworth" Season 5 release date, no official dates have been ticked off. However, according to What's On Netflix, the U.S. air date of "Wentworth" Season 5 might be in June 2017 while the series might be aired by Oct. 2017 in Canada.
Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics are just two of the influential companies delivering smartphones that their patrons awaited. These two tech giant's upcoming flagship namely; Samsun Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8 will compete and it seems that there is already a winner.

According to Korea Portal, before Samsung has publicized its big plans for Samsung Galaxy S8, Apple already revealed that it has a plan of delivering a larger display through the iPhone. Aside from that, the Cupertino-based company is also planning to remove the Home button but it will keep the fingerprint scanner which will be embedded with the display.

Meanwhile, Samsung will is believed not to incorporate the fingerprint scanner in the Samsung Galaxy S8 model which may end up as a major frustration to its fans. It was also noted that the South Korean tech giant may have had no choice but to remove the fingerprint scanner though it wanted to keep it. The reason behind is that the company may not have ample time to work out its position in the larger display model.

Furthermore, BGR previously reported that a Twitter user named @Ricciolo1 said that a "little bird" told him that the Samsung Galaxy S8 might be unveiled on March 29. He further stated that the prices will start at $849 which will be a high entry price for the smartphone. Besides, if the iPhone 8 will be having a similar pricing structure as the iPhone 7 it may again disappoint the fans.

For $849, consumers can already buy a 256GB iPhone 7 and if they are willing to shell out $20 more, they will end up with a 128GB iPhone 7 Plus. So even if the $849 Samsung Galaxy S8 equals the storage of the iPhone 7, this smartphone is still expensive.

With the expensive price and some features lacking, it really appears that Samsung might lose this battle with Apple. Moreover, it is still remained to be seen since the Samsung Galaxy S8 might be unveiled this month while the iPhone 8 might become available on September.
Samsung Galaxy Note8 has been the South Korean tech giant's hope in restoring its patron's trust will its Galaxy Note series. Now, the upcoming flagship smartphone will reportedly boast an Exynos 8895 chipset and a dual-camera set-up.

According to Android Authority, Samsung is always releasing two variants of its flagship smartphones. The first option will be equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip while the will be engineered with its much-owned own Exynos processor. But then, this year appears to be different as the South Korean tech giant might not incorporate release two variations of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

It has been speculated that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be fortified with Samsung's next-generation SoC, which is the Exynos 8895. This processor was reportedly a monster of a mobile chip and it has the ability not just to meet but also beat the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 in some aspects. The Exynos 8895 is developed using a 10nm finFET process and it's capable of supporting 4K video capture at 120fps.

With this, Droid Report has learned that the Exynos 8895 will pave its way for camera enhancements in the Samsung Galaxy Note 8. It can be remembered that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 houses an excellent camera but then some users were disappointed due to its single sensor. Now, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 being furnished with the Exynos 8895 SoC, there is a huge probability that the South Korean tech giant will finally be capable of arming its flagship smartphone with a Dual Image Signal Processor (ISP) camera. This technology is one of the most innovative imaging systems in the mobile industry as of this moment.

Since the Exynos 8895 has the capability to support 4K video capture at 120fps, it really appears that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 might feature dual-camera set-up. Moreover, Samsung hasn't confirmed this information, thus advised to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Anne Hathaway, one of the several female stars of "Ocean's 8", already earned her status as a serious actress. She refused to keep on pretending about Hollywood's sexism. "The Princess Diaries" star, who was chosen as Elle's cover for its April issue, spoke on sexism and other issues with magazine writer Lauren Waterman.

The "Ocean's 8" star talked about motherhood and her marriage to Adam Shulman. Anne Hathaway said she needed her husband despite the accepted belief that women do not need anybody anymore these days. She said Shulman's unique love changed her ability to be comfortable in this world.

Anne Hathaway also revealed her thoughts on "Ocean's 8", and how the movie that starred Hollywood's most popular actresses affected her, according to USA Today. The movie, the latest installment of the "Ocean's Eleven" franchise, is highly anticipated considering that the series has grossed more than $1.1 billion in theaters worldwide.

"Ocean's 8" is proof that girl power is real, and it exists even in Hollywood. The all-female cast, which includes Anne Hathaway, is bound to cast a spell on everyone, fans and critics alike. It stars Helena Bonham Carter, Sandra Bullock, Sarah Paulson, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Awkwafina and Mindy Kaling.

"Hollywood is not a place of equality. I don't say that with anger or judgment; it's a statistical fact. And even though I've been in some female-centric films, I've never been in a film like this. It just kind of makes you aware of the ways you sort of unconsciously change yourself to fit certain scenarios," Anne Hathaway said.

Warner Bros has released the very first images of "Ocean's 8" in time for the official release in the United States on June 8, 2018, according to Variety. Anne Hathaway and the rest of the gang bared how Sandra Bullock who plays Debbie Ocean assembled the all-female crew and pulled of a heist in New York.
"Poldark" Season 3 is reported to have moved their air date to give way to another British drama series "Victoria." New actors were also revealed to join the lead characters Ross and Demelza.

"Poldark" Season 3 Air Date Moved

"Poldark" Season 3 final release date has yet to be announced but rumours had it that the British historical drama will be aired before September to avoid a clash with "Victoria." Showrunners are reported not to be up to the viewer rating challenge.

In the past, the two British-American television shows are pitted against each other. However, Eleanor Tomlinson said that such competition divides the number of viewers and is not healthy for the two shows. In spite of the competition, "Poldark" managed to end with a higher rating than "Victoria." Fans are hoping that "Poldark" Season 3 will also have a high rating.

In the interview, Eleanor Tomlinson also revealed that "Poldark" Season 3 will have thicker story arcs. Characters are also being developed since the earlier seasons. As mentioned, the BBC drama's air date is yet to be announced, but it remains to be in the 2017 lineup.

"Poldark" Season 3 Spoilers & New Characters

Many speculate that "Poldark" Season 3 will focus on the relationship of Ross and Demelza Poldark. Photos were leaked online revealing Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson on what seems to look like a behind the camera scene. Both look as if they are enjoying each other's company while filming. Meanwhile, Heida Reed shared a sneak peak of her role as Elizabeth looking bewildered and surprised over something important.

Demelza's two brothers, Sam and Drake, are two characters added to "Poldark" Season 3 to be portrayed by Tom York and Harry Richardson according to Digital Spy. However, no other details are known about how the brothers will affect the life and relationship of the Ross and Demelza Poldark.
"Avatar 2" has been previously reported to premiere in December 2018. In fact, to be able to make it on this release date, filming was scheduled for the summer of this year.

However, there are some changes again and movie director James Cameron made an announcement that "Avatar 2" is not coming in 2018 anymore. Apparently, fans should wait for another year before they can travel back to Pandora again.

Cameron sat down with The Star and he was asked about the widely speculated 2018 release of "Avatar 2" and the director responded negatively. "Well, 2018 is not happening. We haven't announced a firm release date," he said.

On the bright side, he added that the delay should not upset fans because this is for the betterment of the movie after all. The director is talking about the fact that they are making not only "Avatar 2" now but three more sequels after it which are the Avatar 3, 4 and 5. This expansion played a big part in the movie's delay.

Cameron described the production of four Avatar sequels as an "epic undertaking" and said that the project will take up at least eight years to complete. In any case, "Avatar 2" was originally set for 2015 release but was moved to 2016 then to 2017.

Since it is not yet ready for this year, it was rumored to be in 2018 until James Cameron recently debunked this reports. As the film turned into a more ambitious project, the delay was clearly inevitable.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Disney allowed fans to take a peek of the newest theme park that it will soon be opening to the public. The Pandora theme park has been built on Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and fans could not wait to explore the place.

Disney's Pandora attraction will serve as "Avatar 2" teaser since it was created very realistically, according to how it appears in the movie. At the park, visitors can enjoy rides like the Na'vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage. The Pandora theme park is set to open on May 27.
Having your own sex tape is not good while knowing that it is being sold in the market at an unexpected price makes it worse. This is what Mischa Barton is crying for and after her name's dragged down many times, this is probably something that she doesn't need, especially now. Apparently, "OC" star was a victim of revenge pornography and the accused? Mischa's ex.

Just a few days ago, Mischa Barton complained about having her own sex tape being purchased around Hollywood. This is allegedly a "revenge porn," filmed without her consent. by the 31-year-old's ex-lover. Meanwhile, the "All My Children" star tagged those porn companies who are shopping her tape as "disgusting."

DailyMail.com exclusively exposed that Mischa Barton's alleged sex video has a starting price of about $500,000 which was presented to the highest bidder. The "Sixth Sense" star could be seen with nothing but a gray hooded jacket and a dark-haired man who's wearing nothing except a black top.

According to Daily News, although Mischa Barton blames former boyfriend for her unfavorable sex tape, her lawyer defended her, saying that she wasn't aware that she's being filmed. "Ms. Barton does not consent to any disclosure of any such images. She believes that she was recorded without her consent by someone she was seeing at the time," Lisa Bloom fired back. "There's a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it."

Mischa Barton was recently involved in a drug controversy when her neighbor filmed her hanging over a fence in the "Recovery Road" star's own backyard. This state is supposed to be a "drug-induced' meltdown" and the actress was heard calling her mother a "f*****g witch."
The recent lovebirds, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are said to be heading towards a serious relationship and that too in a fast pace. Their photo from the private trip to the Bahamas does indicate that the duo had a great time in each other's company and it is being speculated that in a very short time span, fans will get to hear about their relationship and bonding.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are reportedly dating and if the songstress' Instagram post is to be believed, they seem to be heading towards a serious relationship in the near future, People reported. Notably, the couple is currently in the initial stage of dating, but they recently went on a private vacation, the photo of which made a debut on Jennifer Lopez's Instagram.

However, the photo was taken down in no time, which further fueled speculations about Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez's relationship. It must be mentioned that the photo that was shared on Instagram was from their private trip to the Bahamas, had the couple cuddling and cozying up in each other's company.

In related news, it is being said that Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez share a lot of things in common and it is these factors that are binding them together, E! News has claimed. Notably, both are single parents and close to their kids. And, JLo is said to like the fact that Rodriguez is a doting father to his daughters that he shared with his former partner.

It is worth mentioning here that though Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are getting close by the day. But, the songstress is a little worried about Rodriguez's ladies' man status. And, undoubtedly this has the songstress taking each step with a lot of caution.
"Longmire" Season 6 news update is hard to come by since its producers rarely update fans with new details about the show. Also, as the filming has not started yet so the available info is scarce.

Then again, as the filming for "Longmire" Season 6 draws near, the title for the upcoming season seems to have been revealed recently. This major detail was shared by Adam Bartley on March 11th via Twitter.

Bartley is one of the casts who play as Sheriff's Deputy Jim "the Ferg" Ferguson, thus what he disclosed is probably precise. Based on his tweet, "Longmire" Season 6 will premiere featuring the title "The Eagle and the Osprey." In addition, his post also mentioned Hunt Baldwin as the show's executive producer while TJ Scott will serve as the director.

While there is still a long way before "Longmire" Season 6 comes out, the disclosure of the title assured fans that the drama is in the works and will be completed soon. Once filming is done, it will be up to Netflix to schedule the broadcast of the much awaited final installment.

As Deadline reported, "Longmire" season 6 will be 10 episodes long and this was confirmed by Netflix. For the release date, the series is said to begin its telecast by the end of 2017 and will be shown in the U.S., Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

At any rate, filming for the Western crime drama has been set for March 22. Main cast members Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips and Robert Taylor are expected to be on the set of the first shooting day.

Meanwhile, "Longmire" season 6 spoilers hinted that a love storyline between Victoria and Walt may finally happen. Fans have been waiting for this romance since the previous season and being the last installment, the production team may consider and do this for their loyal viewers.
Given the milestone, it was only appropriate that Bangladesh came up with their best fielding effort of the series, and across the last few Tests, on the opening day in Colombo

Mehedi Hasan had quite a day, taking two wickets, a catch at gully and run-and-dive effort that came close to dismissing Dinesh Chandimal  Associated Press

Mehedi Hasan was a livewire in the field on the first day of the Colombo Test, but the hot weather can take the sting out of even the fittest player. Mehedi had taken one catch and two wickets, and had been bowling long and short spells. So when Dinesh Chandimal top-edged a sweep off Taijul Islam before the tea break, not many expected Mehedi, fielding at fine leg, to go for the catch.

He did, running in a fair distance, and nearly pulled it off. As he got up with the ball in his fingertips, Chandimal waited for the umpires to check the catch. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, the replays were inconclusive in showing whether he had collected it cleanly and with the soft signal given as not out, the catch wasn't allowed.

Mehedi and the rest of the Bangladesh team kept up their spirits after that opportunity, however, and in his next over, Taijul removed Dhananjaya de Silva to end a dangerous fifth-wicket stand on 66.

It was that kind of day for the visitors, the start of a landmark 100th Test that had them looking sharp on the field. They bowled well to take seven Sri Lanka wickets, took their catches and created plenty of wicket-taking opportunities, forcing the home side to use referrals repeatedly. Sri Lanka were successful on three occasions while Bangladesh lost one review, an optimistic one to a ball that was certainly going down the leg side.

Given the landmark, it was natural that all the attention at the P Sara Oval would be on the visiting side. A pre-match felicitation ceremony was backed up by a great start with the ball and once Mehedi had pouched Dimuth Karunaratne, the confidence of the fielders, having been battered in New Zealand and India, was boosted to an extent.

There were plenty of theories about what had caused such an upturn in confidence and the body language in the group. Perhaps it was seeing Mehedi take the catch at gully, or the sight of Mustafizur Rahman beating the bat consistently in his first spell.

The occasion of their 100th Test inspired Bangladesh to a better fielding performance  Getty Images

Or maybe it was the occasion of Bangladesh's 100th Test, a milestone which means a lot to the players, many of whom were teenagers in 2000. Some are too young to remember the inaugural Test but on the eve of the Colombo match, Mushfiqur Rahim said that seeing Bangladesh play their first Test meant that he could dream of playing one himself one day.

Perhaps it was also their position in the Test series. Leading into the series, Bangladesh had spoken of how they could challenge Sri Lanka, only to suffer a 259-run loss in Galle. Apart from the criticism that follows a defeat, there was also the added drama surrounding Mahmudullah's exclusion on Monday and Liton Das' last-minute withdrawal due to injury. Team sports, however, are all about dealing with last-minute pull-outs and form issues and unexpectedly big losses.

The meeting with BCB president Nazmul Hassan could also have motivated them. The discussions at the meeting are unknown but, stick or carrot, it is never a great feeling to meet the headmaster before an exam.

It was hard to deny the role that the senior players Tamim Iqbal , Mushfiqur and Shakib Al Hasan played in this. Tamim had stated on the eve of the match the need for someone to make heavy contributions at the start. In the Dhaka Test against England, which Bangladesh won by 108 runs to level the series, Tamim's first-day century had inspired positivity.

In Colombo on the first day, Tamim, Shakib and Mushfiqur kept the team positive in the field. Shakib and Mushfiqur made direct contributions in terms of wickets, even as vice-captain Tamim was always at the bowler's ear, either cheering him on, telling him off or sometimes just sharing a joke. Tamim plays much the same role in his interactions with the younger players. He sets the mood in the dressing-room and helps them out with small off-field issues, and they listen to him intently.
see all 21 submissions here

PDF of ETAN's Submission

Submission by the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

of the Australian Parliament in relation to the Committees inquiry on Consequences of termination of the Treaty between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea

7 March 2017

Contents

Introduction

Protester in Dili. The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) is a United States-based civil society organization which supports the right of the people of Timor-Leste (East Timor) to self-determination. For the last quarter-century, we have urged the U.S. and Australian governments, the United Nations and others to respect the sovereign rights of the Timorese people to establish their own nation and to define the terrestrial and maritime limits of their territory.

ETAN has long lamented Australias refusal to cooperate in establishing a permanent maritime boundary with its northern neighbor, and we made submissions on this topic to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in 2002 and 2007. In our 2007 submission, we wrote that



"The Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea (CMATS) does not serve the people of either Australia or Timor-Leste. Australia has put its own and some oil companies short-term financial interests over fundamental principles of democracy, the rule of law, economic justice, and respect for national sovereignty. This treaty and the way it was negotiated and ratified will only sow the seeds of long-term animosity and conflict between Australia and its neighbor to the north.

A decade later, it is now clear that this pessimistic prediction was accurate.

We continue to believe that arbitration by an impartial third party is the fairest way to

decide where the boundary should be drawn. We urge Australia to return to the judicial

mechanisms for resolving boundary disputes. Nevertheless, we appreciate that the Australian government has finally agreed to terminate the CMATS Treaty in its entirety, including its oppressive gag rule and the deceptive zombie provisions which could have sprung back to life after the treaty had

been terminated. Now that Canberra has begun to be more reasonable, we hope it will continue to reverse past policy and fully respect Timor-Lestes sovereignty and the rule of law.

An impartial third party should establish a boundary fair to both sides.

In 2002, ETAN urged Australian policymakers

To base their position in any negotiations on the sea boundaries between East Timor and Australia on current international law, without consideration of the illegitimate 1989 Timor Gap Treaty between Australia and Indonesia. Agreement on sea boundaries should precede any further agreements on revenue sharing.  [and]

To accept international arbitration as a way to resolve these issues. The government of Australia should rejoin the maritime boundary dispute settlement mechanisms of the

International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). If the Australian government truly believes in the legal legitimacy of its positions, it should not fear these neutral fora.

We continue to believe that arbitration by an impartial third party is the fairest way to decide where the boundary should be drawn. We urge Australia to return to the judicial mechanisms for resolving boundary disputes, so that the equally sovereign nations of Timor-Leste and Australia can demonstrate respect for each other and for the rule of law.

It is unlikely that a fair boundary can be arrived at through confidential negotiations between two nations as unequal as Timor-Leste and Australia. With the Timor-Leste government under political stress due to upcoming elections, and under economic stress due to the imminent depletion of its only producing oil and gas field, only a bully would drag them behind closed doors to hammer out an agreement between parties with vast disparities in oil dependency, petroleum reserves, economic resilience, political and diplomatic experience, human and material resources, and negotiating flexibility.

Connect with ETAN

The predominant principle which underlies recent legal decisions on maritime boundaries is the median line, and that would be a good starting point for a just solution. However, identifying the appropriate median line between Australia and Timor-Leste is complicated by the impact of nearby small islands and the involved history of occupation, illegal and unratified treaties, and interim revenue-sharing agreements.

Although some in Australia worry that settling the maritime boundary with Timor-Leste could also involve Indonesia, this is not correct. Indonesia gave up its claim to the contested seabed east of the JPDA in Article 4 of the 1972 Agreement between the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia establishing Certain Seabed Boundaries in the Area of the Timor and Arafura Seas, Supplementary to the Agreement of 18 May 1971. In addition, Article 3 of that Agreement makes it clear that Australia and Indonesia were uncertain about the eastern and western extents of Portuguese Timors maritime territory, acknowledging that the end points of the gap in the boundary line may have to be adjusted when further delimitation agreements are concluded with other governments.

Furthermore, the 1997 Treaty between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia establishing an Exclusive Economic Zone Boundary and Certain Seabed Boundaries was never ratified and has no effect. In that negotiation, Australia accepted a median line water column boundary in territory then illegally occupied by Indonesia. Australia should apply the same principle to the rightful owner

of the territory, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.

The Timorese people place respect before money

The overwhelming desire of the Timorese people, as reflected by their elected officials, is to settle the maritime boundary fairly according to international law, despite the risks. For them, this is about sovereignty and respect, not about money. Timor-Leste has established one of the most transparent mechanisms in the world to manage its petroleum revenues. Its Petroleum Fund, in which it has saved most of the oil and gas income received during the last decade, is a far-seeing measure which could help bridge to the inevitable post-petroleum era.

But the bridge may not go far enough. Timor-Leste is currently one of the most petroleum-export-dependent countries in the world, and even if it receives 100% of the revenues from Greater Sunrise, this will not be enough to fund state activities for more than one generation.

Timor-Leste took a financial risk when it terminated the CMATS Treaty - a future boundary settlement could cause Dili to receive less money than the 50% upstream share of Greater Sunrise it would have gotten under CMATS. Furthermore, the dream that south coast petroleum infrastructure can drive Timor-Lestes non-oil economy may prove illusory. However, the overwhelming desire of the Timorese people, as reflected by their elected officials, is to settle the maritime boundary fairly according to international law, despite these risks. For them, this is about sovereignty and respect, not about money.

Justice, not charity

Some Australian people advocate that the huge differences between peoples lives in Timor-Leste and Australia  in areas such as poverty, education, employment, infrastructure, nutrition, and health care  deserve compassion from Australia, which needs the oil and gas money far less than its neighbor. However, ETAN is not arguing that point. Although some governments occasionally act based on empathy, we believe that the rule of law is a more reliable foundation for policy.

We are only asking that Timor-Leste be able to complete its hard-won struggle for independence by defining its territory according to international law.

It took 23 years of brutal Indonesian occupation before Canberra recognized Timor-Lestes sovereign rights over its land; Australia has continued to occupy much of Timor-Lestes sea for 19 years since then.

The termination of all of CMATS and the beginning of boundary talks indicate that the Australian government has finally begun to realize that it should end its occupation of

the Timor Sea. We urge Canberra to enter into binding mediation or arbitration by impartial international mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

In the National Interest Analysis for this inquiry, the Australian government writes that:

Australia has committed to engage in the conciliation in good faith, reflecting our commitment to settle disputes peacefully and consistently with international law, including UNCLOS.

Please extend that laudable commitment beyond the conciliation and apply it to the entire process of settling the maritime boundary between Australia and Timor-Leste.

Thank you for our consideration, and we would be happy to provide additional information or to answer any questions.

With respect,

John M. Miller

National Coordinator
The Egyptian army has been successively expanding its civil and economic activities since the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. International community and private sector have criticized this development, so the government responded in October 2016, saying that the military would decrease its economic role in the upcoming years. However, many believe that this is unlikely to happen due to the strong market position of the Egyptian armed forces as well as their historically ingrained and established privileges. Thus, the military will continue to shape the countrys economic activities mainly in food, energy and construction sectors. The implementation of the structural reforms Cairo agreed on with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will therefore be challenging, if not doubtful, under these conditions.

Although the Egyptian government is insisting that the army is doing much more than crisis management, the armed forces will probably not withdraw from the countrys economy in the near future. The main reason behind this is the fact that substantial political willpower is needed to prune back military involvement in economic and business demands. However, in contemporary Egypt, President Sisi will do just the opposite  he will continue supporting his generals way of business expansion because he is heavily dependent on their backing in the absence of democratic legitimacy. Therefore, the power and influence of the Egyptian armed forces is probably not destined to stagnation  they could easily go up as a result of the interplay between President Sisi and the military.

The economic expansionism of the Egyptian military keeps the countrys public sector contribution to GDP at its existing level, with potential for further increase. Thus, a much-needed space for reforms to boost economic growth is jeopardized despite the generous loans provided by the IMF and other international donors. The international community aims to help Egypt increase competition and improve the climate needed to attract investors  hence also strengthen the private sector, which creates a vicious cycle. Thus, other planned reforms such as the liberalization of the energy market or job creation will also be easily hampered due to the omnipresent influence of the army.

Egypts Armed Forces Cement Economic Power  Commentary by Jessica Noll  Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP).

(The commentary can be downloaded here)
The issue of European security will be at the heart of Chancellor Merkels imminent visit to Washington. The position of the Trump administration with regard to this issue has not yet been structured. It has mainly been the object of sporadic hints made by the President in his statements and tweets before and after his election. So far no European leader, with the exception of British Prime Minister Theresa May, has met personally with President Trump: thus no additional indications can be gleaned from the bilateral channel. During their first contacts in Brussels and Munich both Vice President Mike Pence and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis tried to reassure their European counterparts about the enduring US commitment to NATO but also stressed the need for greater burden sharing to ensure NATO capabilities.

Seen from Europe, the gist of the Presidents discourse appears based on the general America First slogan used during his campaign. Trump also shows an apparent predilection for bilateral rather than multilateral engagements and a preferred reliance on the military instrument rather than on diplomacy. Many of his appointees in the field of national security and defence are, or have been, men in uniform. His recent announcement of the largest defense-spending increase in history does not include parallel efforts for the State Department budget. To allies who wonder what kind of friend America will be he suggested to look no further than the heroes who wear our uniform. Just like George W. Bush during the first months of his mandate, Donald Trump seems primarily preoccupied in deconstructing what was constructed by his predecessor and in identifying internal and external antagonists to justify the announced enhanced military spending (we have to start winning wars again).

In his February 23rd interview with Reuters, President Trump gave a first sketchy profile of his views with regard to nuclear weapons. The US, according to the interview must be top of the pack.were never going to fall behind any country even if its a friendly country. By adopting a top of the pack approach and by questionably affirming that US had fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity he establishes the premises for a nuclear arms race. Despite the fact that it provides for equal ceilings for intercontinental missiles and warheads for Russia and the US, the New START Treaty is seen by the President as a one-sided deal just another bad deal.

On the other hand, in his interview the President also said that It would be wonderful, a dream would be that no country would have nukes. The prospect of further strategic negotiations is not abandoned altogether (Were going to start making good deals). These statements might be encouraging from an arms control angle, if they are substantiated by a declared plan to reduce nuclear weapons. In his interview the President also expressed great concern (to me its a big deal) about the Russian deployment of a ground-based cruise missile capability in violation of the 1987 INF treaty.

A constant source of US complaint is the fact that Europeans are not spending enough for their defence. In the Presidents words, Europeans owe a lot of money to ease the US burden in NATO. But we have seen no indications so far as to what President thinks about European nuclear burdensharing, including the costs of maintaining dual capable aircraft and nuclear warheads in Europe. Similarly, we have seen no official US reaction to President Hollandes recent claim that, after Brexit, France will be the only European permanent member of the UN Security Council disposing of a deterrence force capable of leading Europe towards greater international responsibilities. The idea of establishing a European nuclear capability goes back to the 50s and never materialised. A consensus on such a major evolution is not achievable by the EU as whole. In the EUs present political configuration, only a smaller circle of EU countries could take the lead to reach more advanced forms of defence possibly through the instrument of permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) established by the Lisbon Treaty.

Among Europes priorities is the survival of the nuclear deal with Iran which is considered another bad deal by President Trump. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Mogherini has clearly stated that this is not a bilateral deal between the US and Iran but a plurilateral arrangement involving other countries. It is also one of the few nuclear success stories of the past decade.

As the US strategic position is still uncertain and key positions in the Administration still remain vacant, Europe has the opportunity to identify common ground and to influence US strategic thinking. Federica Mogherini is trying to do precisely that by frequently crossing the Atlantic and by initiating a dialogue with the new team in Washington. Whether one likes it or not, these are Europes interlocutors.

The EU approach must be firm on the fundamentals:

Defending principles and values of the Euro-Atlantic partnership enshrined in the present international order: they hinge on the pluralistic and democratic nature of US and European national institutions.

Promoting multilateralism which is part and parcel the EUs and the USs DNA: both Unions draw their legitimacy from the voluntary concession of part of their members sovereignty to an overarching higher authority

No backtracking from their respective legally binding engagements with particular reference to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, New START, INF. This also includes the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran which is enshrined in a legally binding UN Security Council resolution. It is illogical to maintain towards the present Iranian government the same confrontational attitude as towards the previous, belligerent Ahmadinejad administration.

Despite the traditional Republican opposition to the US ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Europe must maintain its strong support for the entry into force of this Treaty and for the enduring US contribution to the already existing Preparatory Commission and its Monitoring System.

Europe also has the opportunity to engage the US in setting a wider nuclear agenda, including on North Korea. Europe is not directly involved in the Korean crisis, but, based on its own experience in overcoming tensions and divisions in a nuclear environment, it can play a positive role in addressing a situation which is a far more dangerous threat than the one from Iran.

In the meantime, Europe and the US must focus mainly on areas of convergence: fighting terrorism; strengthening the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (an issue not yet addressed by the US President); and mitigating the risks of military incidents at sea, in the air and on the ground between NATO and Russia. These are areas where common ground already exists and joint efforts between of Europe and America are necessary and possible.

The opinions articulated above represent the views of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the position of the European Leadership Network or any of its members. The ELNs aim is to encourage debates that will help develop Europes capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security challenges of our time.
Euro Dollar Exchange Rate Defends 1.06 - Dutch election is near-term risk

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- A rate hike is 'practically guaranteed' say Lloyds EUR Forecast - markets watching far-right Freedom party seat numbers

- markets watching far-right Freedom party seat numbers GBP Outlook - Sterling rallies overnight, erasing Monday's fall

The Euro Dollar exchange rate fell nearly half a percent on Tuesday, as a firm USD ahead of the FOMC meeting on Wednesday and concerns surrounding a possible victory for a populist candidate in the Netherlands, saw a strong move down for the common currency.

The Dutch election also happening this Wednesday is not being eyed so much as a real risk of Gert Wilders forming a government, but rather as a template for just how fast rising the nationalist movement is in Europe, in a hope of gauging just how likely a LePen victory might be in France.

LePen has been fast rising in the polls and so any indication markets can get from the Dutch election will cause some repricing in the EUR/USD, as investors try to get a handle on the true extent of populism sweeping the globe and its inherent risks to the common currency and EU marketplace.

With the Euro having failed to close above 1.07 we have seen a sharp move lower these last two days. Markets are anticipating a hawkish Fed, and all eyes are on whether the path of hikes may need steepening. Regardless of these factors, Credit Suisse are calling for Euro to hit 1.08,

EURUSD is correcting lower, however, with a base still in place following the break above resistance at 1.0630/40, the risks are still seen higher for strength back to 1.01714,through which should see a move to 1.0735/36 next then the top of the broader range at 1.0798/1.0829.

Should a move higher continue, then Credit Suisse stress that it could be indicative of a significant trend change.

They are looking for current support to hold however in order to hit their target.

We would expect renewed selling here to maintain thoughts of a potential large triangle continuation pattern. Above 1.0829 and then 1.084 would mark a potentially significant change in structure, as this would see a base established. Support is seen at the neckline to the base at 1.0640/30, which we look to try and hold. Below 1.0600 is needed to ease the immediate upside bias for a retreat back to1.0526/16. Strategy: Long at 1.0640/30, stop below 1.0525 for 1.0800.

Election risk to Euro (EUR) Strength

As the Dutch head to the polls, investors are left wondering whether the next populist move in the recent wave of nationalism will occur.

The anti-EU candidate, Wilders, would almost certainly hit risk sentiment extremely hard in a Eurozone that has enjoyed a period of rising prosperity over the last few weeks.

If Wilders was to win and LePen was to move through the election first round with some ease, then it seems unlikely that the next ECB meeting would feature a Mario Draghi who was anything but deeply dovish, likely unwinding any positive sentiment that had built up since the meeting last Thursday.
Abood said: Hi,



I am planning to claim points from partner. I am the main applicant under occupation of "Accountant". My wife can get skill assessment for "Insurance Agent". Can I claim partner's point?



Appreciate your help. Click to expand...

I don't think "Insurance Agent" is on SOL list. You need both the occupation on SOL list (for 189 visa) or if applying for 190 then on CSOL list. But remember, both have to be on same list for claiming partner points.
kiwigirl53 said: Hi, I am looking to rent an unfurnished apartment in Uzes long term for three years. Can anyone give me any tips or info on how to go about this. Many thanks. Click to expand...

Everhopeful speaks the truth.Are you already in France?Do you already have any experience renting in France?Compare prices on: Location immobilier Uzes (30700) | Louer a Uzes (30700) or: https://www.leboncoin.fr/locations/...&location=Uz%E8s%2030700&parrot=0&ret=1&ret=2 Owner or agency will want guarantees; legally they can demand:yourvalid with photo & signature,: several possibilities,: job contract/business registration/student card: last tax return, last 3 payslips, any other proof of income,: sign 2 contracts, their proof of ID, residence, prof activity & income!Do an "etat des lieux" checklist of state of the house/apartment (take photos!)and check what "charges" are or aren't included.Take out an insurance "habitation".that there's no ghosts or other surprises... :spider:
fmartin_gila said: Steve,



You may have already searched back. There have been some interesting threads on this board concerning different schemes and how to go about the "no foreigner ownership" policy here. To my way of seeing it, most all these have some different pitfalls and there is no absolute guarantee of the validity of any of the schemes I have heard of. Most just seem to be another way to extract a bit more from the one desiring the conclusion with no guarantee of the conclusion. Until there are some revisions to the existing laws in this land, us being foreigners are very much at the lower pecking order and puts us on the wrong side of the eightball on most legal subjects or contentions.



Fred Click to expand...

Thanks Fred, I did like this line of yours and see the truth in what you say;"Most just seem to be another way to extract a bit more from the one desiring the conclusion with no guarantee of the conclusion."I have searched and posted over many years regarding this topic on many expat sites, as said in my previous post, never an answer or info from those that have gone down this roadso as I said to Gary" Perhaps that's a warning sign that it is too difficult."I see it this way. I can never own land/property here unless I live here for 10 years, learn the local dialect fluently or Tagalog, renounce my Australian citizenship and become a Filipino national.I can marry a Pinay and put property in her name as many do but if things go south then you possibly lose all, at least in Australia now that the kids are grown and gone if I remarried again I could potentially lose half only.If Bengie and I stay together in Australia, because our relationship is recognised if things went south then he also would get half, no questions asked that is the law.Our relationship is not recognised under Filipino law to date. He is my friend apparently.If Bengie buys a property here in his name and I lease it from him for 50 years?We form a corporation 60/40. Bengie owns the property not me but we have a companyand lease the property from the 60% owner, to sell the property requires the signature and presence of the 40% owner or his executor/charge. Will and testament.I have absolutely no problem with Bengie owning the property outright all I am trying to do is make sure I am not kicked out onto the street in 10 or 20 years if things go south.I am getting too old to start again.Thanks for your input and views on this topic guys.Cheers, Steve.
Good day.



I will be moving to Durban South Africa very soon, and I wanted to garner the opinions from current Expats what is the best option for individuals living in South Africa when it comes to obtaining a residence. I have viewed apartments and homes, I am just wondering which would be safer for me and my spouse. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.



Respectfully

PJ
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Local business leaders trying to attract young tech talent are running into a bit of a problem at this weeks South by Southwest Festival in Austin: Many of their target recruits have never heard of San Antonio.

Some even think the Alamo is in Dallas.

Kevin Peckham  co-founder of Choose San Antonio, a nonprofit geared at attracting residents to the city  said roughly 4 in 10 visitors to the organizations trade show booth at last years festival had never heard of the seventh-largest city in the nation and many dont know where the Alamo is located.

People have heard of it, but most people dont know its in San Antonio, Peckham said Sunday, standing outside the organizations booth at SXSWs job market in the Austin Convention Center. I think thats shocking to a lot of San Antonians. When Ive asked people to guess, theyd say Dallas. They know its in Texas.

Earlier, Peckham asked Michael Mahony  a 37-year-old software engineer at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California  to name a band from San Antonio.

After a beat, Mahony offered, I know Pee-wee Herman visited San Antonio, a reference to the 1985 Tim Burton film Pee-wees Big Adventure.

Thats a knowledge gap Choose San Antonio sought to remedy with an enlarged presence at the 10-day film, music and tech festival.

The nonprofit pitched a tent at Half Step Bar in Austins Rainey Street bar district for a three-day event dubbed Casa San Antonio, intended to showcase the citys growing tech and cybersecurity industries, music and culinary scenes, and cheap real estate market while treating attendees to Alamo City eats and drinks.

Mayors and representatives from dozens of U.S. and international cities took over the venue to speak about smart city technology and environmental initiatives to handle urban services such as like utilities, waste management and law enforcement.

Choose San Antonio also set up exhibits at the festivals trade show and job market to put the city in the headlights of job hunters.

Organizations like Visit San Antonio, the former city Convention and Visitors Bureau thats now an independent nonprofit, and the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation have successfully drawn tourists and businesses to the city, Peckham said. But the city lacked an organization specifically geared at marketing the city to prospective residents at high-traffic conferences such as SXSW.

Thats left Choose San Antonio, established in 2015, with ground to make up. Denton, Houston, El Paso, Fort Worth and San Marcos  as well as Albuquerque, New Mexico, Atlanta and Richmond, Virginia, and other cities  have been using the event to court newcomers for years.

Even Tyler, a town of roughly 100,000 residents about 100 miles southeast of Dallas, beat San Antonio to SXSW, Peckham said.

As a result, Peckham said, hes had to answer some very basic questions about San Antonio that may not be necessary about other hipster hubs.

Is there sushi in San Antonio? Is there yoga in San Antonio? Is there an art scene in San Antonio? Peckham said. All of those things do exist, but people dont know it in a gut way they might know it about Chicago or Portland or Boulder, Colorado.

Peckham added, If you meet someone who genuinely loves our city, then thats what youll remember: the passion, rather than just someone just spewing data points about the number of jobs available and this and that.

But the number of jobs and how well they pay could partially determine the course of the citys cybersecurity industry.

Its not possible to pay cybersecurity workers less in San Antonio than what theyd make in the District of Columbia or Salt Lake City, said Tiffany Tremont, who co-founded San Antonio-based cybersecurity firm Silotech Group with her husband, Kelly. However, they may find their salary goes further in San Antonio, she said after a panel discussion Sunday at Half Step.

The couple worked in Washington, D.C., but relocated to San Antonio in part because of lower housing costs, Tremont said. Retired military members and graduates from National Security Agency-approved cybersecurity programs at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Our Lady of the Lake University also gave Silotech a continuous feeder system of trained cybersecurity employees, she said.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Silotech now employs about 70 people and is slated to open a 10,000-square-foot headquarters near the intersection of Loop 1604 and U.S. 281 this month, Tremont said.

You couldnt pay me to sit in D.C. traffic again, Tremont said.

Some SXSW attendees said they hadnt seriously considered San Antonio as a potential home.

Bobby Thakker, a 17-year-old studying management information systems at the University of Texas at Dallas, said he recently visited San Antonio for a competition and found tech ventures like Geekdom, the downtown tech incubator, and the CodeUp coding bootcamp attractive assets.

But, Thakker said, hes likely to stay in Dallas after graduation because of the connections hes made with his current venture, Second Gen, a student-run entrepreneurship club and business incubator.

I really just need to feel the good vibes, Thakkar said. Austins a great city, San Antonio  Houston? Eh. But Dallas, thats a good city.

Julian Moore, a 22-year-old electrical engineering senior at the University of Georgia in Athens, said he was attracted to a drone at San Antonio-based insurance firm USAAs booth, where company representatives pitched him on the firms research and design program.

Moore, whos originally from Atlanta, said hes not ruling out any city that has a healthy job market, solid food scene, and diverse atmosphere and population.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
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The children of late trucking tycoon Bill Hall Jr. are fighting in court over the assets of the now-languishing business empire.

Justin Hall has accused his sister, Dominique, of improperly transferring trucks, trailers and equipment belonging to Bill Hall Jr. Trucking to her own trucking businesses and another operated by her boyfriend.

Weve got evidence that the estate is being squandered, Mark E. Braswell, Justin Halls attorney, told Bexar County Probate Judge Tom Rickhoff at a hearing Tuesday. Literally, assets are fleeing the company.

San Antonio attorney Ronald S. Schmidt, who represents Dominique Hall, didnt address the allegations during the hearing.

Justin Hall, 29, had sought the hearing to ask for a court order temporarily barring Dominique, 33, from transferring any assets.

Instead of issuing a temporary injunction, Judge Rickhoff got the siblings to agree to an order requiring the courts consent before transferring assets. They also agreed to hire a forensic accountant to review the estates assets and liabilities.

Were not going to transfer anything, were not going to sell anything from this point forward without your approval, Schmidt assured Rickhoff.

The dispute marks the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of the Hall family, whose fortunes and relationships have unraveled in the wake of the untimely death of Bill Hall Jr. on Oct. 10, 2013, after his wife ran his Harley-Davidson off Loop 1604 in a jealous rage over his mistress.

Frances Hall, the wife, 53, is now serving a two-year prison sentence for his murder.

Bill and Frances Halls community estate was valued at $15.5 million in a 2014 court filing in the probate case. The bulk of the estate was the businesses, worth a combined $13.2 million. At one time, the business had a fleet of more than 100 trucks.

But its possible the estate is worth less now. Two Bill Hall Jr. Trucking businesses are mired in bankruptcy.

Justin Hall blames Dominique, the estates independent administrator who has been overseeing the businesses while her mother is in prison.

Dominique Hall had little or no experience running a trucking business, Justin Hall alleged in a new court filing. Allowing Dominique Hall to administer the trucking interests has resulted in depletion of the estate, judgments against the estate, and bankruptcy filings.

Justin Hall made the allegations in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Bexar County district court against his mother and his fathers longtime attorney, Edward Lavin.

Justin Hall filed the suit seeking a court order creating a constructive trust on all of the property due his mother as a result of her husbands death. Justin Hall, who runs his own trucking business, Texson Transport, wants the court to also prevent Frances from transferring any estate assets.

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Lavin, meanwhile, is accused of legal malpractice for allegedly failing to disclose conflicts of interest when he represented Frances, Dominique and Justin at the same time for Bill Hall Jr.s death.

Rickhoff said Tuesday hes going to transfer that lawsuit from district court to his court.

In a Thursday court filing in the probate case, Justin Hall alleges that property misappropriated from the Bill Hall Jr. Trucking has gone to his sisters companies, Nicqueco Hauling and DejaBlue. Other assets have been transferred to Richey Transport, a trucking company run by her boyfriend, Richard Castro, the filing adds. The filing states assets were sold below market value to herself  and her boyfriend.

The bankruptcy case of Bill Hall Jr. Trucking GP LLC, which owns the trucks and trailers operated by Bill Hall Jr. Trucking Ltd. to haul gravel and other road materials, makes no mention of any assets transferred to Dominique Halls companies or Castros company.

If Justin Halls allegations are true, its possible a bankruptcy trustee might seek to set aside those asset transfers.

Dominique Hall also is accused by her brother of transferring a Neuces County residence that belonged to the estate to Castro for $140,000 even those the property was valued at about $253,000.
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Ivanka Trumps products werent always the hottest items online.

In January, for instance, the first daughters fashion line ranked No. 550 based on the number of orders from Lyst, the biggest fashion e-commerce website in the world, according to Forbes.

That changed dramatically the following month.

Sales of Trumps products skyrocketed in early February, making her Lysts 11th most popular brand. The biggest spike, according to Lyst, came on Feb. 9, when sales jumped by 219 percent from the day before.

Yes, Feb. 9  the same day that White House counselor Kellyanne Conway promoted Trumps clothing and jewelry line on Fox & Friends.

Go buy Ivankas stuff is what I would tell you, Conway said. Im going to give a free commercial here. Go buy it today, everybody.

And viewers did, apparently.

Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brand, said in a statement that the beginning of February shows the best performing weeks in the history of the brand.

For several different retailers, Ivanka Trump was a top performer online, and in some of the categories it was the best performance ever, Klem said.

Sarah Tanner, Lysts spokeswoman, said increases in sales are usually tied to current events. For instance, interest in pantsuits went up by 460 percent last year because of Hillary Clintons affinity for the style, she said. Sales of the first daughters products went up by 86 percent in November, when her father won the presidential election, according to the company.

But the brand was largely featured in the news in February, Tanner said. Conway gave her on-air endorsement of Ivanka Trumps brand after President Donald Trump had complained on Twitter that his daughter had been treated so unfairly by the department store Nordstrom, which dropped her clothing line over slow sales.

It would not be a surprise to us if it resulted in the increase in sales, Tanner said of Conways Fox interview. I think thats one of the reasons the brand was largely in the news and could have attributed to this increase.

Conway did not respond to an email requesting comment. Her promotion of the fashion line appeared to violate an ethics rule barring federal employees from using their public office to endorse products and immediately drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said Conways comments were absolutely wrong, wrong, wrong and clearly over the line, the Washington Post reported.

The White House later said that Conway had been counseled. But concerns about her comments remain.

On Thursday, the governments top ethics official criticized the White House for not disciplining Conway, the Post reported. Walter Shaub, director of the Office of Government Ethics, had urged officials last month to reprimand the White House counsel but was rebuffed. On Thursday, he wrote to Stefan C. Passantino, who handles White House ethics issues as the presidents deputy counsel.

When an employees conduct violates, disciplinary action serves to deter future misconduct, Shaub wrote. Not taking disciplinary action against a senior official under such circumstances risks undermining the ethics program.

Last month, a group of law professors filed a professional misconduct complaint against Conway  a law school graduate and member of the District of Columbia Bar  partly because of her on-air endorsement of Trumps products.

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According to Lyst, February drew unusually large numbers of orders across many Ivanka Trump-branded products, including dresses, shoes, pants, coats, knitwear and tops. Heels were the best-sellers, followed by dresses.

Weve never seen such a large uptick, Tanner said. Typically, shes not in our top 100 sellers.

Comparing Februarys numbers with last years average number of orders of Ivanka Trump products shows a difference of 557 percent. (Tanner said company policy prohibits her from sharing the actual numbers of online sales.)

The excitement on the brand, however, may be slumping. The companys numbers show sales were gradually tapering off toward the end of February. March does not appear to be as remarkable, but sales are still on track to be about 8 percent better than they were in January, according to Lyst.

The Ivanka Trump brand also appears to have weathered an aggressive boycott campaign called Grab Your Wallet, which began in October and encouraged shoppers to avoid retailers that stock Trump-branded products.

Some retailers have partially or completely distanced themselves from the Trump brand. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Belk have stopped selling Trumps branded line of clothing, shoes and jewelry. T.J. Maxx and Marshalls have instructed employees to stop promoting Trump products in stores and to move Trump clothing into general merchandise racks. Sears Holdings and subsidiary Kmart discontinued online sales of 31 items from the Trump Home collection last month, though their websites still contain items sold by third-party sellers. The collection includes living room and bedroom furniture, lamps and chandeliers.

The companies attributed their decisions to product performance. Nordstrom, for instance, said sales of the brand have steadily declined, particularly in the last half of 2016.

Still, despite the boycott, Trumps line of fragrances enjoyed top spots in Amazons best-selling list last month, the Post reported. The Ivanka Trump Eau de Parfum spray was the top-selling item in the Perfumes & Fragrances category.
Part community arts center, part coffee house and part cafe, Sabinas does a good job with all three, thanks to owners Marylou Castillo and Richard Striebel. Tucked into a two-story Victorian house, Sabinas creates environments within each room: a parlor with a chess board and piano; a Mod dining room with posh tables and a hi-fi with Neil Diamond and Chicago records; a utilitarian lunchroom with bright lights and Wi-Fi.

Somewhere in there, Sabinas found room for a few proper tacos.
Are we on the verge of another potato famine? If so, dont say Rob Dunn didnt warn us.

A professor at North Carolina State University, Dunn is author of the new book Never Out of Season: How Having the Food We Want When We Want It Threatens Our Food Supply And Our Future (Little Brown, $27), a fascinating  if chilling  look at how monoculture threatens our food supply.

Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop over a large area. Think the amber waves of grain of America the Beautiful or the never-ending acres of corn in Field of Dreams.

Sure, monoculture lets us grow food more efficiently, he explained during a recent telephone interview. Its the reason fewer people go hungry today than ever before. But it also puts us at risk that an insect pest or pathogen will appear thats capable of destroying these crops.

More than 1 million Irish people died during the potato famine that began in 1845 when a blight with no natural resistance killed nearly every potato plant in the country, almost literally overnight.

The scale of the horrors is almost beyond our ability to conceive, Dunn writes in his book. The young died first, then the old, then everyone else. People died in the ditches where they slept for the night, en route to what they hoped might be someplace better. They died in their fields. Whole villages disappeared.

But whats truly chilling, Dunn told me, is that more crops are at risk of this kind of devastation today than during the potato famine.

I remember seeing a documentary in elementary school about the Green Revolution, the name for the seemingly miraculous development of new crops that grew faster, yielded more and, at least initially, were resistant to pests. The success of these crops changed how we farmed and eventually, vast swaths of farmland were covered with only a handful of different crops.

But the film never mentioned that these monoculture crops are often genetically identical to one another. So if an insect or pathogen can successfully attack one, it can attack all. Thats what happened in Ireland, where a population dependent on a single variety of potato for almost all its sustenance quickly faced starvation once the blight arrived.

This wasnt the last time such a catastrophe befell a food crop. In the mid-1950s, the worlds most popular banana strain was the Gros Michel. But then a malady called Panama disease (now more often known as fusarium wilt) destroyed all the banana plantations throughout Latin America.

Fortunately for banana lovers, the United Fruit Co., which controlled banana production with an iron grip, was able to find a disease-resistant replacement, the Cavendish banana. According to Dunn, anyone born after 1950 is unlikely ever to have eaten a banana that wasnt a Cavendish.

But our over-reliance of only a handful of vital food crops, including rice, wheat, corn, soybeans and potatoes, makes us increasingly vulnerable should something similar happen.

Until now, and as Dunn vividly illustrates, scientists have been able to avoid this worst-case scenario by developing new herbicides and pesticides, by breeding new plant strains and by collecting, protecting and propagating seeds from those that survive in the wild.

(His depiction of the brave Soviet workers who protected 5 tons of irreplaceable seeds during the siege of Leningrad, even while they and the rest of the city slowly starved, has the makings of a great film.)

But we cant depend on science forever. As industrial farming continues to expand and seed companies continue to merge, the power to respond to a pathogen attack, warns Dunn, lies in fewer and fewer hands.

The cleverness of a few is limited compared to the grandness of nature, he explained.

The good news, he continued, is that it wont necessarily take another agricultural revolution to turn things around. We just need to make our food system more sustainable and less prone to total failure should an otherwise benign pathogen suddenly develop the ability to devastate one of our major food crops.

Were already seeing this happening as we buy more locally grown produce, which is more likely to be grown from heritage seeds and on sustainable farms. Sales of locally grown foods, which totaled $12 billion in 2014, are expected to pass $20 billion in 2019, according to market research publisher Packaged Facts.

These days, you can find locally grown food anywhere, from a nearby farmers market to retailers like Walmart and H-E-B. You also can use your backyard to grow fruits and vegetables, taking care to select strains native or adapted to your climate.

If you want to do even more, visit Dunns website (robdunnlab.com, click Projects) for a list of cool science projects underway, some in which you, your kids or your grandkids can participate. One is helping document a newly arrived bacterial pathogen that threatens pumpkins, another studies the microbes in sourdough starter while a third is investigating how urbanization affects bee colonies.

No one knows what benefits these studies will bring, but its never too soon to begin. After all, a new strain of fusarium wilt that attacks Cavendish bananas already has spread to plantations from Asia to East Africa. Its only a matter of time before it makes its way to Latin America.

rmarini@express-news.net

Twitter: @RichardMarini
Though he struggled with alcoholism for many years, Douglas Harrington eventually found healing through Alcoholics Anonymous.

Sober for 36 years, Harrington, who was gay, also made peace with his sexuality and created a life of service.

Becoming very active in AA and also in the gay rights movement all through the 1980s, Harrington also became a registered nurse at almost 40.

Doug was unwavering in his commitment to have purpose in other peoples lives, close friend Tiffany Denson said.

Harrington died of complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease March 6, just one day before his 72nd birthday.

Raised mostly in West Texas in the 1940s and 50s, Harrington knew he was gay early on, a fact that his mother and stepfather could not accept.

Committed to a state psychiatric hospital for being a sexual deviant by his parents at 10, Harrington received multiple rounds of shock therapy, to try to cure him, Denson said.

Released at 12  he had learned to say what the doctor wanted to hear  Harrington lived at home until he was 17, when he lied about his date of birth to join the Navy.

More Information Douglas Harrington Born: March 7, 1945, Uvalde Died: March 6, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Parents Myrtle Lacey and Milton Douglas Harrington. Survived by: Sisters Barbara Carmon and Cherri Barker; close friend Tiffany Denson, and many other friends. Services: Memorial at 10 a.m. Saturday at Madison Square Presbyterian Church, 319 Camden St., followed by lunch and fellowship. See More Collapse

Still conflicted about his sexuality, Harrington went to the Navy chaplain for help and he was quickly discharged  after little more than a year, Denson said.

Left at loose ends, Harrington lived in the Washington, D.C., area and worked various jobs, and began self-medicating, started drinking, Denson said.

Later settling into a career with what is now Bankers Life insurance company, Harrington attended his first AA meeting in 1975, becoming completely sober two years later.

Returning to Texas to fulfill one of AAs basic tenets of taking an honest look at your life one way or another and  clean up your side of the street, Harrington was never able to completely reconcile with his mother, a situation that took him years to accept, Denson said.

Leaving the insurance industry in his 30s, Harrington attended San Antonio College and the University of Texas Health Science Center to become a registered nurse.

Though HIV negative, he had a soft spot in his heart for patients who were HIV positive, Denson said.

Working in various capacities as a nurse, including in the the state prison system, Harrington dedicated his life sponsoring people in AA after retiring a second time in the 1990s.

mheidbrink@express-news.net
AUSTIN  Frustrated by what they consider patchwork regulations, companies like Uber and Lyft have found sympathetic ears at the State Capitol, where it appears likely lawmakers will usurp local ordinances in favor of statewide policies.

Attempting to regulate these at the city level will always be challenging because people do not confine themselves to the city, said state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, author of one of three bills aimed at statewide regulations that were discussed Tuesday by the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee in Houston.

After nearly three hours of testimony, the committee left all the bills pending, as lawmakers sort out which bill is most likely to garner the most support.

The proposal pits elected state leaders against municipal leaders who favor more local controls.

Companies like Uber and Lyft, which connect interested riders with willing drivers via a smart phone app, have faced a bumpy road in many spots, including Texas, where regulations have followed their entrance into local markets. Nineteen cities in Texas have approved some regulations over such companies, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

In some, notably Austin and Galveston, local regulations have led operators to leave. Uber and Lyft left Austin after a messy campaign over fingerprint requirements and other rules imposed by the city, only to be replaced by a handful of other companies offering virtually the same service.

In San Antonio, an ordinance passed in 2015 forced Uber and Lyft out of town for several months because of requirements forcing drivers to first pass a fingerprint background check conducted by the city. In October 2015, the city and ride-hailing companies agreed to a pilot program that made fingerprint background checks voluntary. Last December the City Council voted to make the pilot program permanent but left room for future contract negotiations base on am evolving industry and potential new state regulations.

Many of those regulations are working, city officials from numerous areas of the state said. They balked at claims by the companies and state lawmakers that the existing rules stifle competition and cause confusion for the companies.

Heather Lockhart, associate counsel for the Texas Municipal League, urged senators to not let the Capitol become a place where companies come because they dont like local regulations.

An especially bitter campaign between Austin and the companies played out last year, with businesses spending an estimated $10 million to $13 million on a petition drive and election that largely frustrated voters against the companies cause.

During this legislative session, Uber and Lyft have spent between $1.2 million and $2.3 million on lobbyists, according to a breakdown from Texans for Public Justice, which tracks legislative lobbying in Austin.

Nationally, however, as cities and regions have adjusted to the new paid ride services, states have taken over much of the rule-making. Texas is one of only 14 states without statewide policies for paid rides  though it does oversee some insurance requirements for drivers.

Senators said correcting that allows for more competition, less difference from one city to another and more stability for the companies. None of the bills being considered includes requirements for a fingerprint-based background check.

Voters in Austin approved fingerprint checks and Houston officials have said they are necessary, but most industry officials and others Tuesday said the background checks conducted by the companies, typically using a Social Security number, are sufficient.

Also at issue with some of the bills is how disabled customers are served. Disability rights advocates said if state officials take control, they also need to provide those assurances, something they said the current proposals fail to do.

While both bills require non-discrimination, both have a caveat  I call it an out, said David Wittie with Adapt of Texas, a disability rights group. The only requirement is the company make the attempt to connect the rider with another provider.
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The Texas Supreme Court will not hear a challenge to a controversial coal mine outside Eagle Pass near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The court announced last week it would not review the suit brought by Maverick County, the city of Eagle Pass and local residents against the Railroad Commission of Texas, which in 2013 issued a mining permit to Dos Republicas Coal Partnership.

The permit lets Dos Republicas, a subsidiary of Mexican partnership Minerals del Norte, mine coal considered too low grade to burn in the U.S. for shipment across the border.

Residents and Native American groups have long protested the mine over concerns about its impact on the land, water and climate, including a recent shutdown of canal water service to properties near the mine. The company touts its economic benefits and efforts to be a good neighbor.

Weve won every legal challenge along the way, mining company spokesman Rudy Rodriguez said, adding that the mine pays $1.3 million a month in wages and paid just over $1 million in property taxes in 2016.

George Baxter, a Maverick County resident who petitioned to have the mining permit revoked, vowed to keep fighting.

Nothing about this mine has changed or gotten any better since the Supreme Court decision, he said in an email. We will continue to oppose it in every legal way possible.

Another challenge by Eagle Pass, the Environmental Defense Fund and residents about the mines wastewater discharge permit issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is pending in state district court in Travis County.

The Supreme Court decision came March 10, the same day the Railroad Commission confirmed in a letter to the local irrigation district that wind-blown dirt from the mine covered a canal lateral on Feb. 14.

The district then shut down the lateral for six days starting Feb. 15 as it flushed water through the lateral. The mining company offered water to the affected residents during the shutdown.

The dirt most likely came from piles of excavated soil near the canal lateral, according a Feb. 16 Railroad Commission inspection report.

The Railroad Commission did not issue any violations for the incident.

bgibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
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AUSTIN - San Antonios police and fire chiefs said Tuesday that their ability to protect the public would be hampered by proposed new restrictions on how much property tax revenue local governments can raise.

They are among a chorus of voices  including Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, mayors and uniformed officers from around Texas  opposing Senate Bill 2, which supporters champion as providing a bigger voice to property owners reeling from tax bills.

The passage of SB2 will stop police departments in their tracks by severely limiting a citys ability to increase public safety hiring and to raise revenue to keep up with the ever-evolving public safety technology, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus testified before the Senate Finance Committee.

McManus cited plans to add 25 additional police officers annually through 2021 to address the citys growth and the purchase of body cameras for officers, saying San Antonio is the only Texas city to fully fund a camera program.

Crime is a deterrent to growth and economic development. The needs of public safety cannot be overstated, he said.

Fire Chief Charles Hood, in an interview with the Express-News, put the matter in starkly personal terms.

Everybody in that room is going to call 9-1-1 in their lifetime. Every single person in there, Hood said outside the committee room, which was packed for the hearing. Their kids, their loved ones, and its going to be the absolutely worst day of their lives. And were not going to be able to protect them the way they deserve to be protected.

When theyre having their bad day, we cannot get there effectively with Senate Bill 2, so we oppose it, Hood said.

While supporters of the legislation say they want property owners to have the chance at financial relief, Hood said investments in infrastructure and personnel also provide a monetary benefit. He said such investments over the last nine years improved the citys rating by an insurance organization, allowing it to reach the highest rank, which translates to lower insurance rates.

Like the police department, the fire department has plans to add items to further improve services, including a new EMS unit in the next five years and three ladder companies, Hood said.

Without the necessary personnel and equipment, he said, Its going to take us longer to get to your house when your house catches on fire, or when your loved one has a heart attack.

Wolff and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar wrote letters opposing Senate Bill 2, with Salazar saying it would have a catastrophic effect on public safety here.

Revenue restrictions will limit the countys ability to meet basic service needs, such as public safety, the judicial system and county roads, wrote Wolff, who came to Austin to visit with lawmakers on the measure.

Sen. Paul Bettencourt, author of Senate Bill 2, told McManus after his testimony that San Antonio had taken in 35 percent more property tax dollars in the last three years. San Antonio officials later said that revenue had decreased in the three years before the time period cited by Bettencourt, saying a longer stretch of time is necessary to get a gauge of finances across the recession and better economic times.

Bettencourt, R-Houston, said his bill is necessary in light of tax bills that are squeezing property owners. Its among top priorities of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate.

Taxpayers of the state  all know that property taxes are rising too fast. Theres simply no denying it. The only question is, what are we going to do about it? Bettencourt said.

Under current law, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for items including new construction.

Under Bettencourts bill, an election would be automatic if officials propose a 4 percent increase in revenues or more.

Some officials from Texas communities were supportive of Bettencourts measure, saying the restrictions make sense.

Ron Wright, tax assessor-collector for Tarrant County, took issue with those who called the tighter rollback a cap on revenue.

You can warm your boots in the oven but that dont make em biscuits, he said.

Dale Craymer, president of the business-based Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, said the bill advances local control by empowering voters. He said since 1994, the property tax bill on a home of median value has increased by 135 percent while median household income has risen by 86 percent.

But others were critical, saying property tax bills are fattened most by school districts. The state could most effectively target property tax bills by putting more state money into school districts, thus relieving their need to rely so much on local tax revenue, they said.

Craymer said addressing property tax growth can be a two-step process, with school finance addressed in the next regular session in 2019.

Bettencourt fielded concerns from Republican as well as Democratic members of the Finance Committee, who worried over whether they may be unfairly tying the hands of local officials striving to provide core services.

Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, said she would support a way to prevent runaway taxes, but she worries that Bettencourts proposal could be too broad and overburden local officials, suggesting continued work may be needed on the measure.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, who testified against the bill, suggested a possible change in which the rollback rate would be figured over five years, allowing more flexibility and smoothing annual ups and downs.

Wolff said Rawlings idea would make a lot of sense, or if they compromised somewhere between 4 and 8 (percent), maybe that makes sense.

We figure the bill will be passed out of the Senate  probably intact, would be my guess, Wolff said. When it gets to the House, there may be opportunities for amendments and changes and some sort of a compromise.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac
AUSTIN  After protests from numerous local officials, Senate budget writers voted to give them a little more breathing room in a proposal that would put more restrictions on how much property tax revenue they can raise.

The change isnt enough for city and county leaders who maintain the tighter revenue limits will hurt their efforts to protect public safety, but Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff saw some hope in the move.

I personally feel good theyre moving in the right direction. They just need to keep driving a little further, Wolff said, adding that it shows there could be room for negotiation. Dont stop.

Others had less positive reactions.

Were not encouraged or pleased with the amendment. We still view this as an attack on police and fire, said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League. What they did essentially was ignore dozens and dozens of uniformed police, fire and sheriffs who testified at a Tuesday hearing.

Those pushing Senate Bill 2 say its needed to give property owners relief from high tax bills. But its sponsor, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, agreed to an amendment by Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, who cited testimony from constituents from all over the state.

Under current law, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for items including new construction.

Under SB 2 as originally filed by Bettencourt, an election would have been automatic if officials proposed a 4 percent increase in revenues or more. The Finance Committee agreed to raise that to 5 percent before approving the bill 9-5, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.

Huffman said she thought the change would be a nice middle ground, where our local elected officials can still run their counties and their cities but not quite as constrictive as the 4 percent would have been on them.

Local officials didnt quite see it as a middle ground.

All it does is make the tax relief even smaller for the homeowner and still will cost the city millions of dollars in lost revenue that we would otherwise spend on public safety, infrastructure and other critical services, said Jeff Coyle, director of government and public affairs for the city of San Antonio.

Paul Sugg, legislative director for the Texas Association of Counties, said its still bad policy.

A Republican, Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo, joined four Democrats on the committee in voting against the measure: Sens. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen, Carlos Uresti of San Antonio, Kirk Watson of Austin and Royce West of Dallas.

pfikac@express-news.net

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As the Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews a site in West Texas for nuclear waste storage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued federal agencies over the failure to develop a long-term resting place for the waste in Nevada.

The suit filed Tuesday in a federal appeals court seeks to force an up-or-down vote on a Department of Energy site in Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to store highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel from the nations nuclear power plants.

For decades, the federal government has ignored our growing problem of nuclear waste, Paxton said in a statement. The NRCs inaction on licensing Yucca Mountain subjects the public and the environment to potential dangerous risks from radioactive waste. We do not intend to sit quietly anymore.

The nuclear waste is now being stored on the grounds of at least 62 active or closed power plants, including the South Texas Project owned by CPS Energy, Austin Energy and NRG Energy.

The independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission has authority over which sites can store this kind of waste.

In 1987, Congress amended the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to designate Yucca Mountain as the lone repository for high-level nuclear waste. Since then, the federal government has poured $15 billion into developing Yucca Mountain, according to a 2011 Government Accountability Office estimate.

Over the decades, the process has been stalled by Nevadas state government, its Congressional delegation, state residents and activists opposed to having the waste put there. The Obama Administration cut off funding for Yucca Mountain in 2011.

Besides the NRC, Paxtons suit names former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in his official capacity as energy secretary. The Department of Energy technically owns the waste and has been amassing fees from the nuclear industry to pay for its disposal in a fund the lawsuit claims is now up to roughly $40 billion.

To be clear, this case is not about the process taking longer than expected, the lawsuit states. Its about the Executive dragging its feet through every stage of the process, and halting the project despite a congressional mandate to move forward.

The suit comes as Dallas-based Waste Control Specialists seeks an NRC license to begin accepting a portion of the nations waste at its site in on the Texas-New Mexico border in Andrews County, Texas.

Last month, Bexar County commissioners passed a resolution opposing shipments of nuclear waste through the county on its way to Andrews. The City of San Antonio is considering a similar resolution and intervening in the NRC proceeding.

RELATED: Possible rail routes for nuclear waste.





Karen Hadden, an Austin clean energy activist and director of the SEED Coalition, said forcing a decision on Yucca Mountain would effectively help WCS, which has publicly supported a long-term storage site.

I think it does serve the interest of WCS in that the nuclear industry has been saying that consolidated waste and a permanent repository can go hand-in-hand, she said.

Attorney General spokeswoman Kayleigh Lovvorn did not respond to a question Wednesday about whether the lawsuit would benefit WCS.

Roughly 70,000 metric tons of the waste are being stored across the country, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. WCS officials have said they hope to eventually take 40,000 metric tons over 40 years and store it in metal canisters inside concrete casks for 40 to 100 years before the waste would be moved to a permanent repository.

At a visit to the waste site in February, WCS President and CEO Rod Baltzer told The Express-News he has heard from engineers that the waste will become thermally cooler and easier to manipulate if it were to be stored at WCS for 40 years. Moving some waste to WCS could also help resolve the transportation issues that would also apply to Yucca Mountain, he said.

We are a big proponent of a repository, whether thats Yucca Mountain or not, Baltzer said. It does need a geologic home somewhere.

Asked Wednesday whether WCS lobbied Paxtons office ahead of the lawsuit, WCS spokesman Chuck McDonald said no.

We found out about this from industry groups, he said, adding that WCS got a copy of the petition only after the public announcement Wednesday.

WCS is also waiting on an act of Congress that would allow the DOE to ship its waste there instead of Yucca Mountain. Thats the goal of a bill by sponsored by California Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa and cosigned by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, who represents Andrews County. The bill awaits review in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Any application to the NRC to build the Yucca Mountain facility will be vigorously contested by the state of Nevada, according to a January report by that states Agency for Nuclear Projects.

Paxtons petition also seeks to stop a more recent strategy the DOE is calling consent-based siting, which the agency says is an effort to be fair to the communities that could host the waste.

The (Nuclear Waste Policy Act) requires DOE to pursue a repository solely at Yucca Mountain, the petition states. DOE is therefore violating the act by neglecting to pursue the Yucca repository and engaging in consent-based siting.

Last year, the DOE held meetings in eight cities across the country to solicit public comments about consent-based siting. It held none in Texas or in New Mexico, where another company is expected to file an application with the NRC for the same kind of license WCS is seeking.

bgibbons@express-news.net

Twitter: @bgibbs
WOOSTER, Ohio  A dairy processor that specializes in sour cream and cottage cheese production plans to expand its operations in northeast Ohio, and with it, the demand for milk.

Daisy Brand, which has been making sour cream at its new Wooster plant since fall of 2016, intends to add another 100,000 square feet and be making cottage cheese by 2019.

Jacob Hammerly, plant manager, gave an update on the facility during a March 14 tour with Ohio Agriculture Director David Daniels, who visited as part of an Ag Week tour across Ohio.

More milk

Hammerly said Daisy currently receives about five truckloads of milk a day, but with the expansion, he sees the need for another 40-50 loads a day. He said the expansion will increase the facilitys packaging and processing area, and also its cold storage capacity.

Daisy also operates production facilities in Texas and in Arizona. Before moving to Wooster, Hammerly worked for the Arizona facility, which he helped get started nine years ago.

We just continue to grow and were trying to stay ahead of it, said Hammerly.

The growth has been good for jobseekers, and for dairy farmers seeking more market for their milk. Hammerly said the Wooster facility currently employs 65, but expects to be up to 110 by the end of the year.

Daniels, who was part of the ground breaking ceremony in 2014, along with Ohio Gov. John Kasich and local economic developers, said he was encouraged by the progress.

Its great to be able to come back and see what that first shovelful of dirt has become  a facility that is growing and expanding even further to create additional opportunities for folks here in Wooster and the food and agriculture industry as a whole, he said.

The facility was built to accommodate future expansion, but additional construction will be necessary. Hammerly said the company chose Wooster for a variety of reasons, including the close supply to milk (Wayne County leads the state in dairy), quality of life and the infrastructure and distribution opportunity.

State and local economic developers also made a competitive offer to the company, including a 10-year, 55 percent new job tax credit.

The tour was also attended by Roger Tedrick, dairy chief at Ohio Department of Agriculture, and Jared Parko, deputy director.

Food processing

Daniels, who hails from a beef farm in Highland County, said the food processing industry in Ohio has been resilient, even following the recession of 2008.

We want Ohio to continue to be a large food manufacturing state, he said. When the recession hit and people started looking at what stayed and worked, the one thing that was a constant was food processing.

Other Ag Week visits included Stacy Farm Homestead of Marietta; Hocking Hills Winery; Meijer Distribution of Tipp City; D & D Ingredients of Delphos; Spangler Candy Co. of Bryan; and a water quality roundtable in Defiance.

Ag Week is a time when we take a moment to appreciate the diverse producers and processors who bring us much needed food and fiber every day, Daniels said. This year, we made it a point to travel to each of Ohios unique regions to engage with those who work hard to keep food and agriculture our states number 1 industry.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  The first two bills to come before the Pennsylvania Senate this session now await action by the House  for the third consecutive year.

The Senate bills, addressing gas royalty protection, were passed Jan. 30, 48-0. Senate Bill 138 and 139 are both sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw (R), the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee chair.

Senate Bill 138 gives royalty interest owners the opportunity to inspect records of the gas company to verify proper payment.

The bill is really a transparency bill, said Adam Pancake, executive director of the committee. Royalty owners get tools to verify and audit records of the gas company, helping those who dont already have such a provision in their lease.

There are alleged cases where royalty payments specified by law are reduced because of costs incurred by the gas company, he said.

Senate Bill 139, which relates to S.B. 138, prohibits gas companies from retaliating against royalty interest owners who question the accuracy of the royalty payments.

This retaliation bill seeks to end a lease holders actions, such as terminating the lease agreement or stopping development, which would cut off royalty payments altogether.

Pancake is hopeful the bills move in the House this session, but realizes there is opposition.

Nothing has changed since January to move it in the House, but we keep hearing from landowners in our district in support of these bills, he said. Most companies do it [create and execute fair leases] well, these bills will just bring that needed transparency.

Both bills, which have passed in the Pennsylvania Senate three sessions in a row, are supported by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Senate Bill 138 provides information and protection to farm and non-farm lease holders, said Mark ONeill, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau.

Action in Harrisburg often takes longer than many would like, he said. There is always another perspective, but we will continue lobbying for our members.

HB 557

There is also a bill in the House related to gas royalties, but is not reflective of S.B. 138 or 139.

House Bill 557, sponsored by state Rep. Garth Everett (R), revisits provisions that the minimum royalty for oil or gas well production may be no less than one-eighth of the gross proceeds received by the lessee for the production.

The bill adds language stating no deductions, such as expenses in costs of production, can result in a royalty less than the 12.5 percent. It has yet to come to the floor this session.

Farm Bureau also supports HB 557 bill, which has been introduced in the House at least three sessions in a row.

This bill doesnt impact every farmer, but they all feel strongly about what keeping the 12.5 percent, what they thought was the state minimum, that the spirit and intent of the law is being violated, said ONeill.

Advocate

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau will host its State Legislation Conference April 4, where hundreds of farmers will travel to Harrisburg to discuss issues like this with elected officials.

Farmers volunteer their limited time and do an exceptional job meeting with legislatures, inviting them to farm tours and keeping them educated on key state issues, ONeill said.

These three bills refresh an act approved July 20, 1979 (P.L.183, No. 60). This act regulated the terms and conditions of certain leases regarding natural gas and oil.

To track the status of these and other Pennsylvania bills visit www.legis.state.pa.us.
Ray and Colin Batt were the only two breeders representing the Ile de France breed for the third time at the Make Smoking History Wagin Woolorama, but that didn't diminish the excellent quality of the 19 entrants in this section.
"I've never been to Wagin before and until your shire president Phil visited Goulburn it was unlikely that I ever would have visited here," Mr Kirk told the crowd in the Ray Johnson Pavilion for the official opening on Friday.
Those pictured above received Of the Year Awards at the GPAAR awards ceremony this weekend: Thomas L. Campbell with Fathom Realty for Realtor of the Year; Patti Brown with Long & Foster for Salesperson of the Year; Charles (Chip) Miller with Piedmont Fine Properties for Broker of the Year; Cecilia Yost with Commission Express of Prince William for Affiliate of the Year; and Cherie Beatty with Weichert Realtors for Rookie of the Year. Greater Piedmont CEO
E-government to business (G2B) such as e-procurement, e-tax filing and e-sourcing are often cited as being useful to reduce interface between companies and government officials and thus the scope for discretionary decisions, thereby diminishing the opportunities for bribery.

But what do companies have to say and how do they rate their experiences with respect to e-tools? Do businesses take them into consideration in country corruption risk assessments or when entering a new market? Have they reduced the incidence of bribery solicitation?

The Basel Institute on Governance is conducting a survey to obtain views and experiences from companies of e-government tools and their utility in preventing and reducing corruption. The short, anonymous survey is here.

The survey provides an opportunity to give your companys perspective and would help identify whats working well and what is not. As the results from the study will be made available publicly you will directly benefit from participating in the survey.

A wide range of people and functions in a company  procurement managers, compliance, controllers, customs managers  are likely to have used such tools. We would hope to hear their views because governments have implemented them in diverse ways and with different rationales:

Some countries, such as Georgia and Estonia, are going all-out for e-government, while others focus on specific areas such as online single-window customs clearance. The development of blockchain technology to provide anti-corruption solutions through secure data ledgers appears increasingly possible and offers potential solutions for issues such as land title registration.

Some countries are already experimenting with the technology, such as Ghana and Mauritius; perhaps there are models for other countries to develop similar approaches.

Some e-government tools are implemented for economic reasons or to reduce bureaucracy, but they may still be relevant when it comes to having an impact on bribery. The recently launched East African Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) provides an example.

Established by the Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda customs authorities to facilitate trade, the system monitors lorries in real-time travelling between the three countries, with the goal of increasing efficiency, reducing journey times and ensuring correct taxation. The risks of private detours and tampering or stealing freight not only prolong the journey and increase costs, but also provide opportunities for corruption, the RECT system is expected to address these risks and at the same time also help to reduce demands for bribe along the route.

Help us make this study valuable for everyone concerned, for which we need your cooperation and your participation in the survey. Results will be announced on the FCPA blog again. Thanks for taking a few minutes to respond to the questions.

Again, our survey is here.

The Basel Institute project is funded by GSK and supported by Deloitte.

____

Gemma Aiolfi is the Head of Corporate Governance, Compliance and Collective Action at the Basel Institute on Governance. She can be contacted here.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bruce LovelessA grand jury indictment unsealed Tuesday charged a U.S. Navy admiral and eight other active or retired officers with taking bribes from a Singapore-based defense contractor.

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Bruce Loveless and the other defendants allegedly accepted luxury travel, elaborate dinners, and the services of prostitutes from Glenn Defense Marine Asia (GDMA) and its CEO Leonard Glenn Francis.

In exchange, according to the indictment, the defendants gave Francis and his company classified and internal U.S. Navy information.

With the new indictment (pdf), 25 individuals have now been charged in the Navys worst corruption scandal in modern times.

Of those charged, 20 are current or former U.S. Navy officials and five are GDMA executives.

So far, 13 have pleaded guilty and other cases are pending.

Francis, 51  also known as Fat Leonard  is a Malaysian national. He pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officials with travel, meals, cash, electronics, parties, and prostitutes. Hes waiting to be sentenced.

His company provided port services to U.S. Navy ships in Asia. As part of his plea agreement, Francis admitted over-billing the Navy tens of millions of dollars on contracts to stock and clean ships.

The nine newly indicted defendants were arrested Tuesday on various charges including bribery, conspiracy to commit bribery, honest services fraud, obstruction of justice, and making false statements to federal investigators.

They were arrested in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, and Virginia.

All of the new defendants are likely to be appear in federal court in San Diego.

Admiral Loveless was taken into custody at his home in Coronado, California.

He formerly served in top-level intelligence posts for the Seventh Fleet and based at the Pentagon. He reportedly lost his security clearance last year during the Fat Leonard investigation.

Four of the new defendants are retired captains. They are:

David Newland, 60, of San Antonio, Texas

James Dolan, 58, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

David Lausman, 62, of The Villages, Florida, and

Donald Hornbeck, 56, a resident of the United Kingdom.

The other defendants arrested Tuesday are:

Marine Colonel Enrico Deguzman, 48, of Honolulu, Hawaii

retired Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch, 48, of Virginia Beach, Virginia

active duty Lieutenant Commander Stephen Shedd, 48, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and

active duty Commander Mario Herrera, 48, of Helotes, Texas.

According to the indictment, the defendants helped steer contracts to Francis and GDMA and sabotaged competing defense contractors.

The indictment said Francis arranged sex parties aboard ships and in hotels for officers running the Navys Seventh Fleet in ports across Asia, including Thailand and the Philippines.

Among the alleged gifts Fat Leonard handed out over an eight-year period were watches worth $25,000, $2,000 boxes of Cohiba cigars, $2,000 bottles of cognac, and $600-per-night hotel rooms.

According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly worked in concert to recruit new members for the conspiracy. They allegedly kept the bribery-for-secrets plot hidden by using fake names and foreign email service providers.

The defendants allegedly violated many of their sworn official naval duties, including duties related to the handling of classified information and duties related to the identification and reporting of foreign intelligence threats.

The DOJs Kenneth Blanco said the U.S. Navys Seventh Fleet has responsibilities over an area that spanned from Russia to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.

[T]hese defendants are alleged to have sold their honor and responsibility in exchange for personal enrichment, Blanco said.

The Seventh Fleet is the biggest in the U.S. Navy. It includes 60 to 70 ships, up to 300 aircraft, and about 40,000 sailors and marines.

Loveless is the second admiral charged in the case.

Last June, the DOJ charged Rear Admiral Robert Gilbeau, 55, of Burke, Virginia, with trying to hide his relationship with Fat Leonard.

Gilbeau pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement. He hasnt been sentenced yet.

A list of defendants previously named in the case, including those sentenced, is here.

____

Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
Mischa Barton is "finally standing up for herself" after her alleged sex tape was being offered for sale.

Mischa Barton

The 31-year-old actress admitted her "absolute worst fear was realised" when she found out someone was trying to sell videos of her, which were filmed during "her most intimate and private moments".

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (15.03.17), she said: "I just want to say that I have been put through an incredibly hard and trying time. This is a painful situation and my absolute fear was realised when I learned that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments without my consent, with hidden cameras. And then I learned something even worse - that someone is trying to sell these videos and make them public.

"I want to protect [other women] from the pain and humiliation that I have had to go through. No woman should have to go through this, and I am beyond grateful to Lisa Bloom, the Bloom firm and to all my friends that have helped me through this horrific experience. It is a very hard thing to do, but I am glad that I am finally standing up for myself."

It comes after her lawyer Lisa Bloom issued a statement on social media, where she branded the alleged tape "revenge pornography".

She wrote: "I am very proud to represent actress Mischa Barton, who is courageously standing up for her rights. It has been reported that naked or sexually explicit images of Ms. Barton are being 'shopped around.' Ms. Barton does not consent to any disclosure of any such images. She believes that she was recorded without her consent by someone she was seeing at the time.

"There's a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography. Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it. I have a message for anyone who attempts to traffic in these photos or videos of Ms. Barton: we will find you, and we will come after you. We will fully prosecute you under every available criminal and civil law. You proceed at your peril."
Shawn Mendes is to make his film debut in 'Summer of Love'.

Shawn Mendes

The 18-year-old pop star is to swap the stage for the big screen with a role in the musical movie which has been written by fellow Canadian Ivan Reitman, who will also direct the project.

So far, there is little known about the plot but the title is believed to be a reference to the summer of 1967 when hippies and people associated with the 'Flower Power' movement demonstrated their opposition to the Vietnam War in San Francisco.

It was also a year that produced a host of iconic albums from artists such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.

Mendes has had some acting experience before; filming a guest spot on an episode of 'The 100' in 2016, while he also voiced Young Jake in the 2013 animated movie 'Underdogs'.

Reitman's filmography is an illustrious one and includes helming the original 1984 'Ghostbusters' film and the 1989 sequel as well as 1988 comedy 'Twins' and 1990's 'Twins' which both starred action legend Arnold Schwarzenegger in comedic roles.

The 70-year-old filmmaker has also acted as a producer on the upcoming 'Baywatch' movie and he is due to reunite with original 'Twins' co-stars Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito for a sequel 'Triplets' which will feature Eddie Murphy as the unlikely siblings long-lost brother.
Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron has revealed he "always dreamed" of making his new movie 'Roma'.

Alfonso Cuaron

In his first movie since 2013's 'Gravity' - which earned him the Best Director Academy Award, as well as winning six other Oscars - the 55-year-old writer-and-director has just wrapped shooting on the drama, which is based on a year-in-the-life of a middle-class family living in Mexico City during the early 1970s.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday (14.03.17) announcing the movie, Cuaron revealed many elements of the movie are based on his own childhood which is why it was so important for him to get the project off the ground.

He said: "Returning to my country with this specific project was something very personal, because we made a film set in the 1970s, with many elements and experiences of my childhood."

Using an anecdote that fellow Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro once told him, he continued: "Del Toro told me that certain movies are like a box of cereal with a prize included, because when you're a kid, you eat it all up to know what you got. 'Gravity' was for me that little toy, and I made the decision to use it to go back to Mexico and make the film I had always dreamed of."

Last September, Alfonso partnered with Participant Media to make the film, which is his first since 'Y Tu Mama Tambien' made him a star on the international film circuit.

Cuaron explained that the movie is called 'Roma' because of how he has seen Mexico City develop over the past four decades. He teased that he captures the changes in infrastructure and the arts in the film but kept tight-lipped on what the script was about.

However, it has been reported that the film will include a major historical event called the Corpus Christi Massacre, in which soldiers killed liberal student protesters in Mexico City on June 10, 1971.

And speaking about returning to his home city to shoot, Cuaron declared: "I can live abroad, but my head always thinks about Mexico and as a Mexican I am always aware of what is happening in my country ... returning to Mexico to make movies was a necessity."

The cast list hasn't yet been revealed either, though it is believed to be made up mostly of local actors.

Cuaron, Gabriela Rodriguez and Nicolas Celis have produced the film, while Linde, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King from Participant Media will serve as executive producers.

'Roma' is expected to be released in 2018.
Sam Claflin is to star in new thriller 'Nightingale'.

Sam Claflin

The 'Hunger Games' star and Aisling Franciosi, who starred in 'The Fall', are both attached to appear in 'Babadook' director Jennifer Kent's next project.

Claflin's involvement has been confirmed by Bron Studios on the company's Twitter account.

The post - which was re-tweeted by the 30-year-old British actor - read: "Very excited to be working on #TheNightingale with @SamClaflin & #TheBabadook's writer/director Jennifer Kent! (sic)"

The cast for the period piece also includes Breaking Bad's Damon Herriman, Ewen Leslie, 'Hacksaw Ridge' star Harry Greenwood, Baykali Ganambarr and Magnolia Maymuru.

The plot will centre on a 21-year-old Irish convict in Tasmania in 1825 who goes on a revenge mission with the help of an Aboriginal tracker after her husband and infant child are murdered.

Kent will soon be able to get the cameras rolling now the project has been financially backed by Bron Creative and Bruna Papandrea's Made Up Stories and it marks the first production since Papandrea left her former production company Pacific Standard, which she started with actress Reese Witherspoon.

Additional finance has been sought through Screen Australia, Screen Tasmania and the South Australian Film Corporation.

'Babadook' producer Kristina Ceyton will produce the new feature, along with Papandrea.
Prince Charles and Prince Harry have honoured Gurkha soldiers at Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry

The 68-year-old royal and his youngest son presented operational medals to the 2nd Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles on Tuesday (14.03.17) during a ceremony which included traditional Nepalese song, held at the royal London residence.

Charles, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, and 32-year-old Harry - who was made an honorary Gurkha after serving with the regiment during his time in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2008 - met with around 150 of the soldiers who were deployed to Kabul last year as part of Operation Toral, the UK's mission to advise on security issues and help Afghanistan take control of its own affairs.

Speaking to the soldiers, Prince Charles said: "I know that your eight-month tour in Kabul was arduous and dangerous but that you performed to the very highest standards of professionalism in true Gurkha spirit."

Whilst Prince Harry added: "Your forefathers would be most proud of you here today, continuing to demonstrate the traditions and achievements that together ensure the worldwide reputation of the Gurkhas as the best soldiers."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Murray, who is the commanding officer who officiated at the medal presentation ceremony, said the opportunity for a soldier to meet royalty such as Prince Charles and Prince Harry was a "once-in-a-lifetime moment".

He said: "For the young Gurkha to be in Buckingham Palace in front of His Royal Highness is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Today will live long in the memory for these soldiers and their families, their stories from this wonderful experience will reach the hills of Nepal and reaffirm the position of the Royal Family in the hearts of the people from that part of the world."

Prince Charles and Prince Harry also used the medal giving ceremony as an opportunity to present awards in particular to Lieutenant Michael Barney, 25, from Grantham, and Acting Colour Sergeant Raj Rai, 34, from Nepal, in recognition of their efforts to the regiment over the last year.
Cara De La Hoyde and her boyfriend Nathan Massey are reportedly set to star in 'The Only Way Is Essex' indefinitely.

Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde

The 26-year-old 'Love Island' champion and her 24-year-old beau are set to appear in Wednesday (15.03.17) evening's episode of the popular ITVBe show for a second time, and it has set tongues wagging the pair will be a permanent fixture on the programme, according to The Mirror Online.

The happy couple will join their friends Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet to celebrate at an Irish-themed party ahead of St. Patrick's Day on Friday (17.03.17) in tonight's episode.

The pair first appeared on the show last year to mark Georgia and Tommy's second anniversary together, which saw them drop the bombshell they were getting a "baby" in the form of a pet pooch.

Speaking in the episode, they said: "We're getting a baby.

"No, we're getting a dog."

After the announcement, the Mallet Footwear founder admitted he felt it was a "bad idea" for him and his blonde beauty girlfriend to be hanging around the ITV2 reality show winners because it encouraged Georgia to ask about having more pets.

He joked: "See! I told you it was a bad idea to hang around with them because you two."

However, Cara and Nathan will not be the only television personalities to return to the show, as Mario Falcone - who previously dated Lauren Pope and Lucy Mecklenburgh on the show - is set to make a one-off comeback in tonight's episode to give his former flame Chloe Sims relationship advice following her split with Liam Gatsby.

'The Only Way Is Essex' will air on Wednesday on ITVBe at 10pm.
Giovanni Pernice has stayed in contact with his ex-girlfriend Georgia May Foote.

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice

The 26-year-old professional dancer and the 26-year-old actress split in August 2015 after getting together on BBC's 'Strictly Come Dancing', but the dark-haired hunk has admitted he is still in touch with the brunette beauty, as well as his dance partner during the competition Laura Whitmore, because he thinks it would be a "shame" not having them both in his life.

Speaking on ITV's 'Lorraine' on Wednesday (15.04.17), he said: "I'm still in touch with Georgia and Laura [Whitmore] as well.

"I mean you spend so much time with people, it's a shame just to finish everything ... like, you know."

However, Giovanni has claimed he is nothing more than just friends with Georgia as he has moved on and has reportedly started dating her former 'Coronation Street' co-star Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead Tinker in the longstanding soap.

Speaking previously about the Italian choreographer's love life, a separate source said: "They went for dinner and the cinema, and had a night partying with some of his pals in London. There was a lot of chemistry between them."

Meanwhile, Georgia is smitten with her new beau George Alsford, who she went public with in January this year.

Following Giovanni and Georgia's split the Manchester-born star threw herself back into her work to get over their break up.

At the time, she said: "I'm quite a private person so I just get on with life, I've always said that my job is the most important thing in my life and my family. My family are happy and healthy and I'm working on a great show.

"I've literally thrown myself into it completely. It's been such a great experience and I'm lucky that I've got it right now, I think, to do - to keep me busy. I just kind of get on with life, I don't really listen [to what's being said]."
Jeremy McConnell has flown home to Ireland without Stephanie Davis and their son Caben-Albi.

Jeremy McConnell

The 27-year-old Irish hunk has decided to leave Liverpool, where he was renting a flat near to the 24-year-old actress' home, because he wants "space" to grieve for his late father and aunt surrounded by his "close friends and family".

Speaking about the tattooed reality star to The Sun Online, a source said: "Jeremy has temporarily left Liverpool - where he's been renting a flat nearby Stephanie's home - to be with close friends and family in Ireland.

"He needs the support of loved ones during this tough time and has headed home so he can have space to properly grieve.

"It's been incredibly stressful for Jeremy - losing your aunt and dad in such a short space of time would be difficult for anyone."

Jeremy has endured a turbulent relationship with the brunette beauty ever since the pair met on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2016, and although the on/off couple recently tried to rekindle their romance they have yet again split-up, which is believed to be down to the "strain" the model has been under.

The source explained: "As a result his relationship with Stephanie has become strained again but hopefully some time apart will do them both good."

And it has been reported the duo's rows can be over heard by their neighbours outside of their home, whilst other arguments are believed to have spilled out onto the street.

A separate source said previously: "There have been some bitter, furious and shocking rows between them over the past few weeks.

"The neighbours can hear them from inside their house - and at points their arguing has even spilled on to the street.

"Steph's house is in a very well-to-do area and she has a lot of older neighbours."
The couple first met at a party in Sydney, Australia in 2002.

Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen

They got engaged in 2002 and married on the 15th March 2010 in Paris, France.

Before they tied the knot- Fisher converted to Judaism; "I will definitely have a Jewish wedding just to be with Sacha. I would do anything - move into any religion - to be united in marriage with him. We have a future together, and religion comes second to love as far as we are concerned." (Wikipedia)

She completed her conversion by 2007 after three years of study, took the name Ayala- the Hebrew name for doe and then received the approval of Baron Cohen's parents who are Jewish.

Happy Anniversary Isla and Sacha!

by Lucy Moore for www.femalefirst.co.uk

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The search for a British bloke to replace Daniel Craig in the 007 franchise has now thrown up a new name - Jack Huston. According to latest reports, the Britain-born actor is in the running to play James Bond in the upcoming spy series.



The 34-year-old, who last played the titular role in the 'Ben-Hur' remake, is being considered to play the part. The producers of the hugely successful series are reportedly on a hunt to find a "great actor" to take the franchise forward. Jack, being the right age and having proved his acting capabilities, is believed to have what it takes to carry the series forward- should he do a good job playing the part.



Before Jack, Golden Globe award winning actor Idris Elba was rumoured to be the front-runner to play the spy. Actors Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston were also reportedly in the running to play the iconic role.



Meanwhile, Daniel Craig has yet to confirm if he will suit up for the part once again after reprising the role four times before in 'Casino Royale', 'Quantum of Solace', 'Skyfall' and 'Spectre'.


ITMA, the world's largest textile and garment technology showcase will continue its focus on innovation for its upcoming edition in Barcelona in June 2019, with the main theme of the show being 'Innovating the World of Textiles'. It is expected to host over 1,500 exhibitors from 45 countries spread over 100,000 square metres of net exhibition space.

As many leading textile machinery and raw material manufacturers, and service providers look forward to the exhibition to launch or promote their latest innovations, the organiser of ITMA 2019, ITMA Services, has already been receiving numerous enquiries for participation. Its online space application will open on 4 May 2017.

"The increasingly high level of automation and digitisation in combination with real time data tracking and interconnection has spawned the 4th industrial revolution and the emergence of smart factories. ITMA is a unique showcase of live machinery demonstrations and innovative solutions that boost productivity and profitability," said Fritz P. Mayer, president of CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, which owns the ITMA exhibition.

ITMA, the world's largest textile and garment technology showcase will continue its focus on innovation for its upcoming edition in Barcelona in June 2019, with the main theme of the show being 'Innovating the World of Textiles'. It is expected to host over 1,500 exhibitors from 45 countries spread over 100,000 square metres of net exhibition space.#

"For this latest edition of ITMA, we have chosen to focus the industry's attention on innovation, which creates a competitive advantage for manufacturers. Sustainable innovation that drives growth for the textile and garment industry will continue to be emphasised at the exhibition," added Mayer.

"ITMA was last held in Barcelona in 2011. We expect strong response when the exhibition returns to the city after eight years. A host of exciting highlights and knowledge-sharing activities have been planned, which give added value to exhibitors and visitors alike," said AE Roberts, chairman of ITMA Services.

The last ITMA exhibition, held in Milan in 2015, featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain spread over 108,268 square metres of net exhibition space. It drew the participation of 1,691 exhibitors from 46 countries and almost 123,000 visitors from 147 countries. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
About four Turkish textile companies are in talks with the Serbian government to set up their respective factories in Serbia. The country is planning to promote its model involving the reconstruction of abandoned halls in towns like Lebane, Lazarevac, Kraljevo, Nis and Leskovac, for investors to set up their machinery and start producing goods.

Trade minister of Serbia Rasim Ljajic informed about the country's new model of establishing industrial halls through an official statement.

Ljajic had said earlier that two Turkish textile companies are interested in investing in Serbia owing to the favourable business climate of the country. Potential investors from Turkey have also visited the production facilities in some of the towns of the country.

About four Turkish textile companies are in talks with the Serbian government to set up their respective factories in Serbia. The country is planning to promote its model involving the reconstruction of abandoned halls in towns like Lebane, Lazarevac, Kraljevo, Nis and Leskovac, for investors to set up their machinery and start producing goods.#

Serbia exported goods worth $258.4 million to Turkey in 2016 and its imports from Turkey rose by 18.1 per cent, according to the statistical office of Serbia. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
As his fellow students Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra celebrate Alia's birthday, Varun Dhawan has taken off to Bangkok with rumoured girlfriend Natasha Dalal. We hear the actor was scheduled to shoot a commercial in the Thai capital and decided to bring Natasha along and make a vacay of it. Our sources reveal the lovebirds have been indulging in desserts and relishing their time off. Varun and Natasha will return to Mumbai on March 19.
As terrible as it sounds, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh starrer Padmavati's sets had been burnt to the ground last night by unknown vandalisers and almost all the equipments and other valuable things have been reduced to ashes. The incident took place in Kolhapur and a fringe group is responsible for the arson.

MMS Clip Showing Rakhi Sawant Changing Clothes Has Surfaced Online!

Times Now reported that a bunch of local goons attacked and burnt the sets last night and the visuals have been circulating on the news channels. Thankfully, the crew were able to save many equipments, but the losses occurred are yet to be reported.



According to reports, the arson took place at 10 PM last night right after the shoot was completed. We can guess that the entire crew including the actors would have been present at the location. Thankfully, there have been no reports of any injury to anyone, so far and we hope Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are safe and secure.

The Hot Evelyn Sharma Shares Her Beachside Secrets! View Pics

Padmavati has been facing a lot of protests and violence from fringe groups and Sanjay Leela Bhansali was also manhandled by a group of protesters in Jaipur last month. We hope the Police will nab the arsonists and put them behind bars at the earliest.
Post the release of the audio of Rogue in Kannada, the Telugu version was released in Hyderabad recently(March 13). The event was attended by VV Vinayak, AM Ratnam and Arbaaz Khan among others.

There was a special performance by Bollywood actress Sunny Leone and she heaped praises on the director. She also said that the trailer of the movie was amazing.

The Kannada audio of Rogue was launched by Kichcha Sudeep, which has been released to market by director Puri's music label, Puri Sangeet. Sunil Kashyap has composed the music and V Nagendra Prasad has penned lyrics for all the songs.

Rogue marks the comeback of maverick director Puri Jagannadh to Kannada film industry after almost decade and a half and launch of Ishan, brother of Producer and MLC CR Manohar into Kannada and Telugu film industries.

The film's trailer was launched last week in Hyderabad in a lavish event. Trailer was is in typical Puri Jagannadh style with punch dialogues hero and rich visuals. Trailer has clocked more than million views on YouTube which is very good number for a newcomer.

Kichcha Sudeep in his speech welcomed Puri back to Kannada industry, and spoke about his style of film-making. Sudeep also wished good luck to Ishan whom he considers as a part of his family.
1971 Beyond Borders, the upcoming Mohanlal starring war drama movie is one of the most-awaited projects of 2017. Interestingly, the movie is not just releasing in Malayalam but is hitting the theatres as a multilingual.

As per the reports, the Mohanlal movie is simultaneously releasing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. The distribution rights of the Hindi version has reportedly bagged by a prestigious Bollywood production banner.

The Telugu version of 1971 Beyond Borders, which has been titled as 1971 Baratha Sathiradu will release on April 7, on the same day of Malayalam release. The team is planning to release the Tamil and Hindi versions very soon.

The makers decided to release the movie in various languages, considering the successes of Kanupappa and Manyam Puli the Telugu versions of Oppam and Pulimurugan. Mohanlal has already made a place in Telugu industry, with the success of Janatha Garage.

1971 Beyond Borders, which is the fourth instalment of Major Mahadevan series, stars Mohanlal in double role, as Colonel Mahadevan and his father Sahadevan, a retired army officer. The movie is scripted by director Major Ravi himself.

Telugu actor Allu Sirish and Bollywood actor Arunodhay Singh appear in pivotal roles in the movie. Renji Panicker, Saiju Kurup, Sudheer Karamana, Asha Sarath, Manikuttan, Krishna Kumar, etc., appear in the supporting roles.
La pubblicazione di contributi, approfondimenti, articoli e in genere di tutte le opere dottrinarie e di commento (ivi comprese le news) presenti su Filodiritto e stata concessa (e richiesta) dai rispettivi autori, titolari di tutti i diritti morali e patrimoniali ai sensi della legge sul diritto d'autore e sui diritti connessi (Legge 633/1941). La riproduzione ed ogni altra forma di diffusione al pubblico delle predette opere (anche in parte), in difetto di autorizzazione dell'autore, e punita a norma degli articoli 171, 171-bis, 171-ter, 174-bis e 174-ter della menzionata Legge 633/1941. E consentito scaricare, prendere visione, estrarre copia o stampare i documenti pubblicati su Filodiritto nella sezione Dottrina per ragioni esclusivamente personali, a scopo informativo-culturale e non commerciale, esclusa ogni modifica o alterazione. Sono parimenti consentite le citazioni a titolo di cronaca, studio, critica o recensione, purche accompagnate dal nome dell'autore dell'articolo e dall'indicazione della fonte, ad esempio: Luca Martini, La discrezionalita del sanitario nella qualificazione di reato perseguibile d'ufficio ai fini dell'obbligo di referto ex. art 365 cod. pen., in "Filodiritto" (https://www.filodiritto.com), con relativo collegamento ipertestuale. Se l'autore non e altrimenti indicato i diritti sono di Inforomatica S.r.l. e la riproduzione e vietata senza il consenso esplicito della stessa. E sempre gradita la comunicazione del testo, telematico o cartaceo, ove e avvenuta la citazione.
HONG KONG, CHINA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/14/17 -- Manulife (HKSE: 945) today announces that it has been granted an Investment Company Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise (WFOE) license. The new company, known as Manulife Investment (Shanghai) Limited Company, is the first financial institution to receive the Investment Company WFOE license. This approval paves the way for Manulife to provide its global public market and private assets solutions in the fast-growing asset management industry in China.

Stringent requirements must be met in order to qualify for an Investment Company WFOE license compared to other WFOE categories. For example, the financial institution must own a majority stake in an existing entity in China. Manulife met this requirement through its 51% investment in the joint venture company, Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd, based in Shanghai.

Kai Sotorp, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Wealth and Asset Management for Manulife, said: "Being the first financial institution to receive the Investment Company WFOE status puts us in an excellent position to expand our range of global product offerings to investors in China."

According to Donald Guloien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife, "This underlines Manulife's commitment to China and to the city of Shanghai by supporting its vision as a regional financial center. This also allows us to better fulfill our aspiration in serving Chinese investors to achieve their respective investment objectives."

The Investment Company WFOE license will pave the way for Manulife to serve a broader investor base such as small and medium-sized institutions, private banks and independent wealth management platforms. Potential solution offerings can range from traditional equities and fixed income products to private assets strategies, such as timberland, farmland, commercial real estate, etc.

Manulife's investments in China include Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Co. Ltd with US$3.2 billion of assets under management (AUM)(1), and Manulife TEDA Fund Management Company Ltd. with an AUM of US$9.8 billion(2).

Roy Gori, President and CEO of Manulife Financial Asia added: "This license will complement our joint ventures in serving investors in China, including Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance and Manulife TEDA Fund Management. Manulife-Sinochem was the first foreign invested joint-venture life insurer to sell mutual funds in China, while Manulife TEDA provides traditional retail and institutional asset management service and solutions for clients across the Chinese market."

Manulife Investment (Shanghai) Limited Company will be the latest extension of Manulife Asset Management's operations in Asia, which boasts a team of over 180 investment professionals(3) in 10 markets in the region, and offers objective-oriented solutions across public and private markets with a multi-channel distribution approach.

(1) AUM in USD as of 28 February 2017, rounded to the nearest billion. Manulife Asset Management's assets under management include assets of Manulife TEDA Fund Management Company Ltd.'s 49% joint venture ownership structure. The methodologies used to compile the total assets under management are subject to change.

(2) AUM in USD as of 28 February 2017, rounded to the nearest billion.

(3) The total is comprised of investment professionals of Manulife Asset Management (Asia) and of Manulife TEDA.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, as well as wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2016, we had approximately 35,000 employees, 70,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving more than 22 million customers. At the end of 2016, we had $977 billion (US$728 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made almost $26 billion in payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Media Contacts:



Carl Wong

Head of Media Relations and Social Media

Manulife Asset Management

Tel: +852 2510 3180

Email: Email Contact



Alice Li

Director, Media Relations and Social Media

Manulife Asset Management

Tel: +852 2919 3259

Email: Email Contact




BALTIMORE, MD --(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Since the doors of the historic Hutzler Brothers Palace building reopened for the first time in over 30 years back in February, thousands of people walked through and were greeted by a massive art installation on the old department store floor. Through a partnership between the The Contemporary, a Baltimore art gallery that commissions location-specific exhibits, and AiNET, a Maryland-based data center company, the visitors were able to experience the iconic downtown building in a unique and resonant way.

"I am always fascinated by the way unexpected partners can create the most meaningful outcomes," says Brian Checco, AiNET's Director of Marketing. "Collaboration has a way of sparking creativity that working alone just can't." It is these collaborative partnerships that have inspired AiNET's forum, "Future Cities: Baltimore," a symposium featuring innovative Baltimore organizations in areas including technology, industry, arts, policy and the public, that will discuss the role of collaboration, and how interdisciplinary partnerships can create positive, lasting outcomes in the city in regards to the way residents will live, work and learn.

On Wednesday, March 15 th from 5:30-7:00pm, visionary leaders in Baltimore will sit down to discuss both the challenges and opportunities facing the city, and collaborative ways to meet them. The event, entitled "Future Cities: Baltimore Symposium" features speakers including Anita Kassof, Executive Director of the Baltimore Museum of Industry; Deana Haggag, Executive Director of The Contemporary; Deepak Jain, CEO of AiNET; Kirby Fowler, President at the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore; Dr. Richard Barth, Dean at the University of Maryland School of Social Work; and Will Holman, General Manager at Open Works Baltimore. Hosted by AiNET and moderated by Michael Lisicky (author of Hutzler's: Where Baltimore Shops), the event will take place on the ground floor of the Hutzler Brothers Palace building at 210 N. Howard Street.

"Baltimore has this incredibly energetic community of visionary organizations, educational institutions and museums," says Deepak Jain, CEO and founder of AiNET. "It is a reflection of the vibrancy of Baltimore. There are already a couple of really interesting partnerships working and evolving today in the city, and we wanted to host a forum that could give voice to these organizations, as well as stimulate future conversations."

Brian Checco agrees. Since partnering with The Contemporary last year to reintroduce the Hutzler building (purchased by AiNET in 2014 along with the data center next door at 300 West Lexington Street), he has seen just how effective collaboration can be.

"We're positioned in a really interesting way in regards to collaboration," says Checco. "In our own field we really rely on innovation, ideas and collaboration to create our data center services. We're seeing that expanding that concept further outwards is creating all kinds of exciting and innovative outcomes. And we think we're well positioned to use our technology to connect these groups in a way that can help some of these great ideas get off the ground."

The event is open to the public and free. To learn more about the panel or RSVP to the event, visit http://www.ai.net/future-cities-baltimore/. Tickets and space are limited.

AiNET is a technology leader innovating IT infrastructure, security and connectivity. AiNET's One Market Center data center, located near Baltimore's historic Lexington Market, has over 200,000 square feet of data center floor space, spread across 7 floors, and is home to the IT infrastructures of iconic Baltimore organizations such as Exelon and the University of Maryland, as well as global companies like Verizon, Level 3, and Cogent Communications. The data center supports hundreds of jobs for residents of Baltimore city and the surrounding areas.

AiNET is a recognized top Minority-owned business in Baltimore, as listed in the Baltimore Business Journal.

For more information about AiNET, its diverse workforce, and technology mission, visit www.ai.net.

Contact:

Brian Checco

AiNET

brian.checco@ai.net

(301) 931-6574
HAUPPAGE, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 --



Highlights:

Globecomm SVP Michele Scotto to discuss VSAT Communications on the Move and its on-going evolution during GVF Satellite Hub Summit

Globecomm (Hall 7, Stand 30) to highlight new IoT service feature, Ka-Band system integration and GlobeComm Connect managed connectivity service

Globecomm, a leading global communications solutions provider, today announced Senior Vice President of Business Development Michele Scotto is presenting at CabSat 2017 on VSAT Communications on the Move and its evolution. The company will also exhibit its latest innovations at the show, which takes place March 21-23, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE.

At the GVF Satellite Hub Summit, Mr. Scotto will be discussing how service providers are responding and should be positioning themselves in an ever-evolving marketplace during the session, "Into the Mainstream: VSAT Communications on the Move & the New Strategic Marketplace." The panel discussion will take place on Thursday, March 23 at 10:45 - 12:00 in Hall 8.

"Globecomm is excited to be a part of GVF, which has become integral to the advancement of the satellite community," said Mr. Scotto. "Globecomm designs, builds and operates mission-critical satellite networks and, like other service providers, must adapt to the frequency and technology shifts occurring right in front of us while ensuring that the most important variable in the equation -- the Customer -- is connected regardless of whether they are on or off the earth."

Globecomm provides ubiquitous connectivity globally and puts analytical tools for full performance visibility into the hands of its partners and end users. At the Globecomm stand (Hall 7, Stand 30), the company will be focusing dialog around its expertise in Ka-Band System Integration and managed connectivity services.

Recently the company announced a new service feature which leverages and enhances IoT applications. Likewise, Globecomm Connect provides web-based access to customers who subscribe to its Globecomm VSAT service, giving them access to a variety of network performance, location and equipment data.

"As bandwidth prices decrease and network data throughput increases, customers will need to partner with providers who can best manage, secure and deliver their data in the smartest ways," said Mr. Scotto. "As a service provider, we differentiate ourselves through expertise in delivering end-to-end services and value-added applications irrespective of the spectrum used throughout the network. This unleashing of greater throughputs, new frequency spectrums, and evolving satellite and wireless technologies will be disruptive to teleport providers. Successful organizations that will have the staying power must invest and advance today."

About Globecomm

Globecomm is the leading engineering-driven, global connectivity provider serving media, maritime, enterprise and government markets in over 100 countries. We develop the smartest connectivity solutions to address customer connectivity needs 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
SHENZHEN, China, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- At today's Huawei Enterprise Partner Summit 2017 held in Shenzhen, under the theme "Leading New ICT, The Road to Digital Transformation- Sharing Success with Ecosystem," Huawei has elevated ecosystem development to a strategic level for the first time. The summit brought together more than 500 global industry partners to discuss the opportunities and solutions to the challenges brought by digital transformation, as the group continues to take steps to facilitate an industry-wide shift to digital.

Digital transformation is the only way for enterprises to survive. Over the next five to ten years, traditional industries will need to embrace digital transformation to drive business innovation and growth, lest becoming obsolete.

Ma Yue, President of Global Sales Department and Vice President of Huawei Enterprise Business Group, said during the summit: "Adhering to the 'Platform' and 'Ecosystem' strategies and in line with our Business-Driven ICT Infrastructure (BDII) guiding principle, Huawei is committed to fostering technical innovations, and to building an 'open, scalable, flexible, and secure' platform. It will create a new ecosystem that is open and cooperative to help customers tackle the challenges of digital transformation, which is critical to achieving business success."

Huawei aims to build a sustainable ecosystem by focusing on a customer-centric strategy that yields mutually beneficial results for its members. By continuing to allocate resources and investments to the development of industry alliances, business alliances, open source communities and developer platforms, Huawei is looking to ramp up its efforts to facilitate the digital transformation of entire industries, while creating a symbiotic and vibrant community to support this shift.

As the business community continues its transition to the digital age, Huawei aspires to be an "enabler". It is looking to establish itself as a preferred partner for customers looking to tackle the challenges associated with digital transformation to guarantee their business success. To do so, Huawei believes that complementary "Platform" and "Ecosystem" strategies are crucial.

For entire industries to succeed in their digital transformation journeys, open collaboration will be essential. Huawei is therefore looking to bring to life an open ecosystem underpinned by four key pillars: industry alliances, business alliances, open source communities and developer platforms.

Huawei's enterprise partner ecosystem and industry chain talent alliance are starting to take shape. At the end of 2016, the company counted more than 12,000 global channel partners, over 400 solution partners, more than 2,100 service partners, and about 46,000 Huawei certified engineers.

As Huawei 's expertise in the enterprise market continues to be recognized, major players in the industry are looking to deepen or broaden their cooperation with the group. By the end of 2016, Huawei had established strategic alliances with SAP and Accenture, and struck partnerships with nearly 100 industry-leading companies, including Honeywell, Infosys, T-Systems, Siemens, Alstom, and Hexagon. These initiatives have led to the development of about 200 industry-specific joint solutions that are both innovative and competitive, and that will prove critical to the business success of customers active in the fields of public safety, transportation, energy, manufacturing, finance, and Smart City.

The summit also saw Huawei share examples of successful transitions toward digital maturity by governments and businesses operating in the finance, energy, transportation, and manufacturing industries.

In 2017, Huawei will continue to strive to assist partners in improving customer service and developing industry-specific capabilities to better construct the industry ecosystem. Huawei seeks to optimize its channel policies and strengthen investment in incentives, talent training, and joint marketing, providing strong foundations for the entire ecosystem. Huawei will undertake the following measures:

Huawei will enhance its global network of OpenLabs. Huawei will increase the number of OpenLabs from 5 to 12 for joint innovation, development, validation, and experience of solutions with customers and partners, thereby further developing the ecosystem and boosting partners' capabilities.

To protect the basic rights and interests of partners and ensure the healthy development of the ecosystem, Huawei will impose a unified framework of polices for its network of partners around the world, while ensuring these policies are effectively observed.

Huawei will also launch a unified enablement platform, "Huawei Partner University", which will train talents critical to the sound development of the service ecosystem. This will provide practical courses immediately directly relevant to partners.

Harmony, openness, and mutually beneficial outcomes are instrumental to the long-term and robust development of the ecosystem. Huawei will ensure that all partners are competing in a fair setting to create a healthy partnership environment.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to enrich life and improve efficiency through a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Driven by customer-centric innovation and open partnerships, Huawei has established an end-to-end ICT solutions portfolio that gives customers competitive advantages in telecom and enterprise networks, devices and cloud computing. Huawei's 170,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees.

For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com.

Media Contact:

Wong Pui Shing

Tel: +852-9235-3940

Email: Wong.Pui.Shing@huawei.com

Photo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478740/Ma_Yue_exchanging_ideas_with_partners.jpg
MUNICH, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Labbrand, the leading China-originated global brand consultancy, is awarded once again for its creative and strategic excellence. Both of its work with kidsland and Zhejiang Circuit were this time recognized by iF Design Award 2017, one of the world's most celebrated and valued design competitions, in the Corporate Visual Identity category.

On Friday, March 10, 2017, iF Design Award held the prestigious awards ceremony in the BMW Welt in Munich, Germany where more than 2,000 guests came together to celebrate outstanding designs and creativity around the world. Labbrand's Design Director Sam Yang, Corporate Branding Associate Director Jacquelien Brussee, and Labbrand France General Manager Nicolas Farman attended the ceremony.

"We are honored to have worked with kidsland and Zhejiang Circuit to help them build a strong brand. It has been inspiring to be part of the force of the growing Chinese brands who are at the center of global innovations. We congratulate our clients and every member of our design team for this great success. We hope to continue to assist Chinese brands inestablishing distinctive identities to compete in a globalized market with unstoppable creativity and vitality!" says Sam Yang, Design Director of Labbrand.

Labbrand's award-winning projects are both in the Communication- Corporate Identity / Branding category. The two projects were previously rewarded with multiple Transform APAC awards at the end of last year.

Kidsland

Kidsland is a premium boutique retail chain for toys in China. After helping kidsland toestablish a distinctive brand positioning, Labbrand developed a refined logo as well as a simple yet dynamic visual identity system to enhance the strategy, delivering an image of kidsland as an interesting and imaginative toy heaven.

Zhejiang Circuit

Labbrand helped Zhejiang Circuit to develop its brand identity with a strategically creative approach. Inspired by the diverse and dynamic sounds in a racing circuit and recreational hub, Labbrand created a comprehensive visual identity system and brand guide for Zhejiang Circuit.

Founded in 1953, iF Design Award is recognized as a symbol of design excellence around the world, welcoming over 5,000 submissions every year. This year, a 58-member jury comprised of international, independent experts convened to select the winners in Product, Communication, Packaging and Service Design, Architecture, Interior Architecture and Professional Concept disciplines. A total of 5,575 entries from 59 countries were judged.

About Labbrand

Labbrand is the leading China-originated global brand consultancy with a rapidly expanding global footprint that includes regional operations in APAC (Shanghai, Singapore), Europe (Paris), and North America (New York). Through brand innovations, we create, grow, and disrupt to be strong and resilient in dynamic markets. We are multi-cultural in approach and cross-disciplinary in research, strategy, naming, design, and digital. Together this gives us the foresight and ability to build brand equity.

labbrand.com
NEW YORK, LONDON, AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands, DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, PUNE, India and SINGAPORE, 2017-03-15 10:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Synechron Inc., a global financial services consulting and technology services provider, has today announced the appointment of industry veteran John Gaunt as Chief Human Resources Officer. Gaunt will report directly to Synechron CEO Faisal Husain and will focus on enhancing Synechron's business operating model across geographies to strengthen its employee engagement, leadership, and employee value proposition.



John brings Synechron over thirty years of international human resource management experience in Financial Services and Technology. He joins Synechron from HCL where as EVP of International HR he managed people operations across 110,000 employees as well as the company's global delivery centers. As Global Head of HR at Genpact, he oversaw the integration of Headstrong into the business following its acquisition. He also served as Global Head of HR Operations for Geographic Services at Accenture where he supported the company's expansion into India from 180 to over 200,000 people.



"It is an exciting time for Synechron. Over the last few years we have significantly expanded our global footprint and deepened our service capabilities across Digital, Consulting, and Technology. As we continue on this trajectory and toward our goal to become a $1 Bn business, we need to be prepared for Synechron's next growth phase. John will play an instrumental role as Synechron continues on that journey," said Faisal Husain, Co-founder and CEO of Synechron.



"The world is changing rapidly around us, and the ability to engage with people in a way that is new and vibrant is what sets today's employers apart. Synechron has a young, vibrant, proud, and passionate culture with a highly-personalized, high-touch environment. I'm eager to tap into that energy to find the common thread that binds employees in order to enhance global employee engagement, leadership and the employee value proposition. This will help support Synechron's continued growth," added Gaunt.



About Synechron Synechron is a global consulting and technology organization providing innovative solutions to the financial services industry through its three main business focus areas: digital, business consulting, and technology. Based in New York, the company has 18 offices around the globe, with over 7,000+ employees producing over $400+M in annual revenue. For more information on the Company please visit the website or our LinkedIn community.



For further information, please contact: Synechron Diana Kearns-Manolatos Synechron, Inc. Diana.Kearns@synechron.com m: 1 347-721-8223 UK Dan Williams Rostrum +44 (0)203 727 3740 dan.williams@rostrumpr.com US Vested Hod Klein Vested 917-765-8720 synechronHod@fullyvested.com India Rajesh Joshi The Good Edge rajesh@thegoodedge.com m: +91 9833171525

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1

February 15, 2017). The now eight properties, which collectively comprise the California Gold Project, are adjacent to and along strike from concessions which contain La Bodega gold deposit currently being developed by Mubadala Development. The last public NI 43-101 Technical Report for La Bodega was issued by Ventana Gold dated effective November 8, 2010 and reported an Inferred resource of 3.47M ounces of gold.

Transaction

Red Eagle Exploration has an option to purchase 100% of two additional exploitation mining concessions for consideration of US $7,493,250 of which 50% is payable in cash and 50% is payable in shares of Red Eagle Exploration. Initial payments of US $62,444 and $62,444 payable in shares of Red Eagle Exploration are due upon closing. The balance of the payments are due over a two year period subsequent to title transfer. An additional payment is due three years from the date of title transfer equivalent to 1.5% of the value of gold and silver Measured and Indicated resources included in a NI 43-101 Technical Report. The transactions are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About the California Gold Project

The California Gold Project comprises 250 hectares within the prolific California-Vetas Gold District, which also contains the multi-million ounce La Bodega and Angostura gold deposits. Elevation ranges from 2,400 to 2,700 metres above sea level, far below the Paramo boundaries.

California is situated in the Santander Massif of the eastern cordillera of the Andes Mountains. The massif is comprised of Precambrian gneisses, schists, quartzites and migmatites of the Guyana Shield. Intermediate to granitic intrusives of the Santander Plutonic Group were emplaced during a period of uplift in the Jurassic/Triassic era. Porphyry intrusive stocks and dikes in the immediate areas of mineralization may be as young as Tertiary in age. Regional faulting parallels the topographic fabric with the crustal-scale northwest trending Bucaramanga-Santa Marta wrench fault and the northeast trending Rio Cucutilla fault zone defining the principal structural trends.

The gold-silver-copper mineralization in the California Gold Project is part of the same, large mineralizing system localized along a regional northeast-trending fault zone that also hosts the adjacent La Bodega deposit. Mineralization occurs in northeast, northwest and east-west striking, generally steeply north-dipping faulted structures containing high grade veins up to two metres in width. Vein mineralogy includes pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite.

Red Eagle Exploration plans to advance the California Gold Project toward economic feasibility by the delineation of high-grade vein resources exploitable by modern underground mining methods. This work will initially involve compiling existing data, detailed underground mapping of existing mine workings, detailed underground channel sampling, and prioritizing targets for subsequent drifting along with surface and underground diamond drilling as soon as possible.

The California Gold Project is located approximately ten kilometres from Red Eagle Exploration's existing Vetas Gold Project, potentially resulting in operational synergies including processing at a central mill.

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Red Eagle Exploration's Vice President of Exploration, Jeff Toohey P.Eng., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101.

About Red Eagle Exploration

Red Eagle Exploration is a well-financed precious metals exploration and development corporation majority owned by gold producer Red Eagle Mining Corporation. Red Eagle Exploration has an experienced exploration and mine development team focused on building shareholder value through acquiring and developing high grade gold and silver projects with low costs and low technical risks in Colombia, a jurisdiction with prolific historic production but until recently limited modern exploration. Red Eagle Exploration owns 100% of the California Gold, Vetas Gold and Santa Ana Silver Projects, which consist of numerous historic and existing mines and where exploration is currently underway to delineate high-grade vein resources exploitable by modern underground mining methods.

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. Information set forth in this news release includes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation; statements about the terms and completion of the proposed sale transaction are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: failure to satisfy all conditions precedent to the transaction, including disinterested shareholder approval and stock exchange regulatory approval, and the additional risks identified in the management discussion and analysis section of the Company's interim and most recent annual financial statement or other reports and filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the respective companies undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

1 See the Technical Report titled "Preliminary Assessment La Bodega Project" dated effective November 8, 2010 available under Ventana Gold Corp.'s SEDAR profile.

For further information, please contact Ian Slater, Chief Executive Officer or:



Patrick Balit

Vice President Corporate Development

Red Eagle Mining Corporation

Suite 2348 - 666 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC, V6C 2X8

+1 778 372 2558

balit@redeaglemining.com


Hitachi Group Exhibits



Hitachi Ltd Corporate Communications Tel: +81-3-3258-1111

TOKYO, Mar 15, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - The Hitachi Group will have an exhibit in the "Japan Pavilion" of CeBIT 2017, the world's largest IT-related international telecommunications technology trade show, which is scheduled to be held over five days, from March 20 to 24, in Hanover, Germany.CeBIT fis held each year as an international trade show that specializes in business related exhibits, featuring B2B(1) solutions that incorporate cutting edge technologies such as IoT(2), big data, AI(3), and robots. This year, Japan will participate as a partner country for the first time. The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) will play a central role in presenting a large-scale exhibit in the "Japan Pavilion," in cooperation with entities from the Japanese government and economic world, and based on the concept: "Create a New World Japan - Society 5.0, Another Perspective."The Hitachi Group will have a booth in the Japan Pavilion, presenting cutting-edge IoT technologies, products, and services in three categories - "Sustainable", "Optimize/Adjust," and "Comfortable" - that will contribute to the realization of "Industrie 4.0" in Germany and "Society 5.0" in Japan, and to improving the quality of life around the globe.At "CeBIT WELCOME NIGHT," which will be held ahead of the main event on March 19, Toshiaki Higashihara, President & CEO of Hitachi, Ltd. and Chairman of the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), will give a speech introducing activities targeting the proliferation of digital technologies in Japan and at Hitachi in particular.Hitachi Group Exhibitshttp://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_HitachiExhibitsCeBIT2017.jpgMr. Higashihara said regarding the upcoming exhibit. "I am extremely pleased that we will have the opportunity to participate in CeBIT, the world's largest IT trade show, and to introduce the Hitachi Group's wide range of IoT related services and solutions. Through the Social Innovation Business, the Hitachi Group will strive to contribute to the realization of Industrie 4.0 (the 4th Industrial Revolution) as advocated by the German government, and Society 5.0, as advocated by the Japanese government. We look forward to expanding opportunities of Collaborative Creation with our customers and partner companies through participating in this year's CeBIT exhibition."The Hitachi Group will continue to develop the Social Innovation Business on a global scale, contributing to resolving the issues faced by customers and by society as a whole, and to improving the Quality of Life throughout the world.(1) B2B: Business to Business(2) IoT: nternet of Things(3) AI: Artificial Intelligence(4) DFKI: Deutsches Forschungszentrum fur Kunstliche Intelligenz (German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence)(5) CPS: Cyber Physical SystemCeBIT 2017 Official Website: http://www.cebit.de/en/About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Contact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Easton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC PINK: EAPH) Provides update on its previous investment into AMFIL Technologies and their recent revenue generating business acquisitions and their AMFIL GROzone technology for the medical marijuana industry (OTC PINK: AMFE).

Easton Pharmaceuticals in 2014 completed an investment into AMFIL Technologies with an option to purchase additional equity. The investment was originally used to assist AMFIL in general expenses and towards developing the GROzone technology for the medical marijuana industry. Since the initial Easton investment in July of 2014, AMFIL has made significant strides with its business. AMFIL has over the past few months closed on revenue generating acquisitions including Snakes and Lagers Inc. and Interloc-Kings, both revenue generating acquisitions that in total generate in excess of $7 Million in sales. In addition, AMFIL has very recently announced that the GROzone 60 system has passed a product review by a USDA certifying agent to be used in organic agricultural production in California, Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The GROzone product line recently received a positive review from Pennsylvania Certified Organic allowing their clients to use the GROzone product line in organic production. Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) reviews products for clients located in Pennsylvania and the surrounding states as well as for the CCOF, (California Certified Organic Farmers) and now allows the CCOF clients to use the GROzone product line as well. PCO confirmed that the GROzone product line complied with the National Organic Programs (NOP) regulations and the outcome was the receipt of a positive review.

Easton Pharmaceuticals and AMFIL Technologies are initiating discussions toward another possible investment into AMFIL Technologies by Easton pursuant to an agreement signed between Easton and AMFIL in July of 2014 and the resulting investment made into AMFIL at that time. These negotiations are concurrent with the negotiations for the proposed acquisition of iBliss Inc. and other opportunities which include a late stage proposal for a Medical Marijuana Project located in Jamaica. Due to the number of negotiations and initiatives on the table, it has resulted in various delays. A decision on one or more closings with detailed updates is expected to be made and announced shortly.

Other News

Easton and its partner BMV Medica S.A. are nearing completion of its late stage negotiations with 2 multi-national pharmaceutical companies on a sub-licensing distribution agreement for 2 other women's diagnostic products which Easton / BMV hold licensing rights for in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America. AL-Sense, one of the 2 products, is an Amniotic Fluid Diagnostic Leak Test, which is a patented women's diagnostic product that is currently being sold in the United Kingdom, and has European Approval. It serves a huge market where the birth rate in Latin America is three times the birth rate of North America and most of Europe. The target market for BMV / Easton has a population exceeding 200 million people. Sales in Latin America for pharmaceutical and diagnostic products are expected to grow at a rate five times that of North America and Europe as a result of a much higher birthrate in the region including other factors. The second product Easton / BMV have received proposals for and currently in late stage negotiations is VS-Sense which is the same product Bayer Pharmaceuticals had licensed and launched recently in Europe under its brand Canestest, and Prestige Distribution in the US has launched under its brand Monistat, with multi-million dollars in sales.

About Easton Pharmaceuticals

Easton Pharmaceuticals is a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company involved in various pharmaceutical sectors and other growing industries. The Company previously developed and owned an FDA-approved wound-healing drug and currently owns topically delivered drugs to treat cancer and other therapeutic products to treat various conditions that are all in various stages of development and approval. Easton has partnered with BMV Medica SA de C.V. and together, own the exclusive distribution rights in Mexico and Latin America for patented women's diagnostic and preventative care products from CommonSense Of Israel, along with two generic cancer drugs, Paclitaxel and Docetaxel from BioLyse Pharma of St. Catherine's Ontario, Canada.

For More Information on Easton and Affiliated Companies Visit:

http://www.eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com

http://ecigmarkets.com/

http://finance.yahoo.com/q's=eaph

https://twitter.com/eastonpharma

http://www.grozone.biz

http://www.amfiltech.com

Safe Harbor

This news release may contain forward-looking statements or expressions within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (The "Act"). In particular, when certain words or phrases such as "hope," "positive," "anticipate," "pleased," "plan," "confident that," "believe," "expect," "possible" or "intent to" and similar conditional expressions are expressed, they are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements. Any investment made into Easton Pharmaceuticals would be classified as speculative and may contain risks. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, general acceptance of the company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional or adequate financing, government approvals or changes to proposed laws and other risks and uncertainties further stated in the company's financial reports and filings.

Evan Karras

CEO

Tel: +1(416) 619-0291

Tel: +1(347) 284-0192

Email: info@eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com




Vertiv products feature novel designs, enhancing both technical performance and ease of use

LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on its recent analysis of the data centre cooling solution market, Frost & Sullivan recognises Vertiv', formerly Emerson Network Power, with the 2017 EMEA Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Leadership. Vertiv's strong R&D culture and extensive intellectual property combined give it a unique edge in the highly competitive cooling market. Its customer feedback-driven product development and innovation initiatives have helped it identify and resolve current and future industry pain points. Over the past 18 months, the company launched 10 cooling products specifically addressing technical performance (efficiency, energy savings, power capacity, and density) and ease of use. By continuously enriching its product portfolio through new launches and enhancements, Vertiv has been able to keep pace with rapidly evolving customer needs.

Vertiv possesses the widest and most comprehensive range of data centre cooling products in the EMEA region, and each product boasts value-added features and functionalities. Its extensive portfolio comprises:

Direct Expansion (DX) systems: the Liebert  PDX floor mount range, the Liebert EconoPhase' pumped refrigerant economizer, and the Liebert CRV in-row cooling units combined with Liebert MC outdoor micro-channel condensers. They can operate at high return-air temperatures, suitable for IT equipment

PDX floor mount range, the Liebert EconoPhase' pumped refrigerant economizer, and the Liebert CRV in-row cooling units combined with Liebert MC outdoor micro-channel condensers. They can operate at high return-air temperatures, suitable for IT equipment Chilled Water (CW) systems: the Liebert PCW, a high-efficiency chilled water floor-mount range and Liebert HPC, its freecooling chillers, which maximise the freecooling operation all year round

Adiabatic Chilled Water systems: the Liebert AFC, a patented adiabatic freecooling chiller solution, guaranteeing 100 percent cooling availability

Evaporative Freecooling: the Liebert EFC includes the indirect air-to-air heat exchanger and evaporative cooling technologies in a single footprint

"Vertiv's Liebert EconoPhase has further strengthened its DX portfolio. It is the first pumped refrigerant economiser system in the market to offer enhanced energy savings and has the unique ability to provide three different freecooling methods - air, water, and refrigerant," said Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst Gautham Gnanajothi. "The company also enhanced its CW portfolio by launching the new Liebert HPC-S freecooling chiller range, which implements adiabatic cooling. Vertiv specifically addressed individual applications with its three new products: the Liebert FCM for shelter applications, Liebert DCL for rack cooling applications, and Liebert EFC 220 to further extend its indirect evaporative freecooling range."

The company's industry-leading designs address any customer need independent of the data centre and building constraints. Vertiv has a copious number of patents for technology innovation, with those filed in 2016 having mainly focused on the new evaporative and adiabatic technologies. It places significant emphasis on designing products according to the needs of specific application segments and end-user types. For instance, the Liebert AFC adiabatic freecooling chiller is designed for data centres requiring high efficiency and 100 percent cooling availability even in unfavourable environments with fluctuating power supply, water shortage, and extreme external air temperatures. On the other hand, the Liebert EFC, which uses evaporative cooling technology, is aimed at data centres requiring high energy efficiency, while minimising operating costs.

Vertiv's design excellence endows end users with a high degree of configuration flexibility. It can seamlessly configure and customise its products with multiple features and functionalities, thus, providing customers with a product that adapts to their specific applications. Furthermore, this allows Vertiv to present cooling solutions at a variety of price points.

For its evaporative and adiabatic technologies, Vertiv concentrated on software, water usage, and diagnostic and preventive maintenance. Its design and software features thus increase cooling efficiency and simultaneously diminish investment and operational costs of the water system. Finally, Vertiv LIFE' Services provide remote diagnostic and preventive monitoring to analyse all relevant parameters, thus optimising unit performance, reducing on-site maintenance, and extending the life of the equipment.

"Vertiv's new product launches, complemented by its technology excellence, will boost its customer acquisition and retention potential," noted Gautham. "These new cooling products are specially designed to address any ASHRAE thermal envelope and lower the total cost of ownership, increase efficiency, as well as decrease installation costs."

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality, gaining rapid acceptance in the market. The award recognises the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Vertiv

Vertiv designs, builds and services critical infrastructure that enables vital applications for data centres, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities. Formerly Emerson Network Power, Vertiv supports today's growing mobile and cloud computing markets with a portfolio of power, thermal and infrastructure management solutions including the ASCO, Chloride, Liebert, NetSure' and Trellis' brands. Sales in fiscal 2016 were $4.4 billion. For more information, visit VertivCo.com.

Contact:

Lara Bunston

T: +44 208 618 2821

E: Lara.Bunston@fhflondon.co.uk

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:

Chiara Carella

P: +44 (0) 207.343.8314

F: 210.348.1003

E: chiara.carella@frost.com

Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478397/Frost_and_Sullivan_Vertiv_Award___Photo.jpg
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 --CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., (OTC PINK: CGRW) -- A Liaison and Consultant providing turnkey solutions to licensed growers, CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., announces Category One Botanicals, LLC, the Licensed Grower, has received the lab analysis on the first Winer Test Run in the Ranger Series 2000 Climate Controlled Greenhouse.

Dr. John P. Janovec, COO stated, "Our first Winter Test Run in the IGC Ranger Series 2000 Greenhouses, http://www.igcusa.com/, has been a complete success and clearly demonstrates that our Ranger Greenhouses can be utilized for year-round production. All four (4) of the production strains tested between 18% and 22% for THC with all four (4) passing the 'Microbial' test, but the mold, yeast, and other microorganisms tested for were absent from the samples."

Rod Clawson, Managing Member of Category One Botanicals, added, "The Ranger Series 2000 Climate Controlled Seasonal Greenhouses are no longer 'Seasonal' and have proven themselves to support a year-round growing environment. With three (3) of the 2,880 sq. ft. Rangers already on line and three (3) more currently under construction, future Winter Seasons will prove to be just as productive as standard Spring and Summer Growing Seasons. The selection of these particular structures by the CannaGrow Planning Team once again proves their expertise in all areas of the Cannabis Industry."

Shareholders and interested parties are encouraged to visit the CannaGrow Holdings Blog for more information and updates from Colorado Buffalo Ranch Facility I at (http://www.cannagrowholdings.com).

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc., the Liaison and Representative for NuGro Industries, will continue in its capacity of providing oversight as the Facilities Manager, working with the State/County Agencies and Category One Botanicals, LLC, the Licensed Grower for the facilities. The completion of this project will now provide the company the basis to begin generating revenues from Licensed Growers subleasing the Turnkey facilities being built to the specifications of CannaGrow COO, Dr. John P. Janovec, and Consultant, Jason Wells.

About CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.:

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. has entered the Medical/Recreational Cannabis Industry as a Lessor, Liaison, and Consultant to licensed Growers providing them with turnkey Growing Facilities in the State of Colorado. The Company intends to expand this business model within this industry as business opportunities evolve whereby providing for the highest return to its shareholders.

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. does not and will not, until such time as Federal law allows, grow, harvest, distribute or sell marijuana or any substance that violate the laws of the United States of America.

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc. encourages the public to read the above information in conjunction with its year-end statement for December 31, 2015, and the quarterly statements filed in calendar year 2016, at: www.otcmarkets.com.

The information contained in this press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements usually contain the words "may," "could," "possibly," "feel," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," or similar expressions that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the Company's uncertain profitability, need for significant capital, uncertainty concerning market acceptance of its services, competition, limited service facilities, dependence on technological developments and protection of its intellectual property. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein.

CONTACT:

CannaGrow Holdings, Inc.

Delmar Janovec

Investor Relations

info@cannagrowholdings.com

http://www.cannagrowholdings.com/




MADRID, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian data communications company NetComm Wireless Limited, has reached an agreement with Spanish distributor ZOOStock for the commercialisation of its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices in EMEA. The agreement includes distribution to Grupo Telefonica.

The alliance involves both logistical and technical support to assure delivery and after-sales service. ZOOStock will also provide engineering services for software development kit (SDK) tools that permit the creation of applications.

ZOOStock was chosen by NetComm Wireless thanks to its knowledge of, and experience in, the European telecommunications market.

The new collaboration will strengthen NetComm Wireless' position in the region and stimulate further M2M market growth through the delivery of innovative open source M2M devices designed to offer seamless connectivity and global interoperability.

"We look forward to working with ZOOStock to expand our reach in the European market, and build value for customers through the delivery of leading-edge M2M devices that offer universal connectivity and advanced remote management for diverse applications in areas such as industrial machines, security, retail and manufacturing," said Timo Brouwer, Chief Operating Officer, NetComm Wireless.

ZOOStock, which is specialized in the distribution of electronic components, thus becomes the primary distributor of one of the leading manufacturers of M2M technologies in the world.

About NetComm Wireless Limited

NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer of Fixed Wireless broadband, wireless M2M/Industrial IoT and Fibre and Cable to the distribution point (FTTdp / CTTdp) technologies that underpin an increasingly connected world. Our Listen. Innovate. Solve. methodology supports the unique requirements of leading telecommunications carriers, core network providers, system integrators, government and enterprise customers worldwide. For over 35 years, NetComm Wireless has engineered new generations of world first data communication products and is now a globally recognised communications technology innovator. Headquartered in Sydney (Australia), NetComm Wireless has offices in the US, Europe/UK, New Zealand and Japan. Visit: www.netcommwireless.com.

About ZooStock

ZooStock was founded in 2006 specialising in reselling telecommunication products. As a leading supplier in network equipment ZooStock, is transforming how companies buy, maintain and upgrade IT equipment support through hardware procurement options and a third-party IT maintenance as an alternative. ZooStock has become an international force in delivering technical solutions and services.

With offices in Spain and UK, ZooStock can reach the needs of organisations internationally. For more information please visit: www.zoostock.com.
The latest updates to the SolarWinds Orion platform enable groundbreaking end-to-end hybrid IT management-complete cloud and deep on-premises visibility in a unified interface to better understand systems and improve their performance like never before



CORK, Ireland, 2017-03-15 11:30 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today revealed its latest capabilities for end-to-end hybrid IT management through key updates to its modular and scalable SolarWindsOrion platform and related products. With these updates, SolarWinds enables complete cloud visibility along with deep on-premises monitoring and a new, dynamic drag-and-drop dashboard to visualise infrastructure and application relationships. These new features help IT professionals monitor, troubleshoot, and improve hybrid IT performance with a simplicity like never before.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/46e2be3a-339a-4e7b-b390-815a0 b580189



"For all of its benefits, the nearly universal shift to a hybrid IT strategy that links internal and external IT services can lead to complex, multi-faceted performance issues that span across systems and networks owned by an organisation, their service providers, and their cloud vendors," said Christoph Pfister, executive vice president, products, SolarWinds. "As a result, IT professionals need comprehensive visibility into every aspect of their hybrid environments that may impact application performance. They then need a way to correlate that data so they can break down the walls between functional roles, service providers, and cloud vendors; eliminate finger pointing; and solve hybrid performance problems faster. Today's SolarWinds Orion platform and product enhancements enable just that: end-to-end hybrid IT management."



End-to-End Hybrid IT Management from SolarWinds



According to the SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2016: The Hybrid IT Evolution, a mere 7 percent of UK organisations have not migrated any infrastructure or applications to the cloud, yet 65 percent stated they will likely never transition all services offsite, making hybrid IT the reality for IT departments today and for the foreseeable future. The survey also found that, while the cloud is key to business success, the challenges of hybrid IT environments are many. Increased management complexity brought on by combining cloud and on-premises services, along with a lack of control over and visibility into cloud services, ranked among the most prevalent issues faced by IT professionals.



To help overcome these challenges, the SolarWinds Orion platform enables unified monitoring and management of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid IT services. This is accomplished through products such as SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM), which provides deep visibility into the performance of business-critical applications and the infrastructure that supports them on-premises and in the cloud; SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM), which provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with the NetPath feature for critical path visualisation on-premises and in the cloud; and SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), which features unique Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis across on-premises and cloud database environments.



The latest enhancements to these products, powered by the SolarWinds Orion platform, include:



-- Cloud infrastructure monitoring from within the SolarWinds SAM module. The SolarWinds Orion platform now monitors Amazon Web Services (AWS) instances and volumes via the Amazon CloudWatch API, providing more visibility into cloud applications and the cloud infrastructure that supports them. This enhances what is already provided by the agent-based and agent-less capabilities in the product. -- Support for Microsoft Azure SQL and AWS Aurora RDS databases within SolarWinds DPA, enabling database administrators and developers to get maximum performance from their cloud databases and reduce infrastructure requirements using Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis. -- Support for Cisco Meraki wireless access points within SolarWinds NPM. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviours rather than individual network components. SolarWinds NPM now provides a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points. -- Enhanced network path monitoring within NetPath in SolarWinds NPM, which provides visibility into network performance and path analysis across the internet. View devices, applications, networks, and vendors in single-page path analysis to track every hop, and view latency historically or in real-time.



Drag-and-Drop Correlation in a Powerful Dashboard for Hybrid IT Environments



Also, new today is the general availability of the SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard, enabling next-generation capabilities for hybrid IT troubleshooting. PerfStack is a significant new capability available in the SolarWinds Orion platform. It is a highly customisable, yet simple-to-build dashboard. PerfStack allows IT administrators to selectively drag and drop critical real-time and historical metrics from virtually any SolarWinds Orion-based product, including cloud and on-premises performance data, into a single customisable chart to visualise the relationship between suspect elements. This enables IT professionals to identify, isolate, and troubleshoot hybrid IT performance problems in ways never before possible with this level of simplicity.



Making PerfStack even more powerful is the ability for administrators to collaborate with others by easily sharing the custom PerfStack charts they have created, helping break down the functional silos within their IT organisations and solve performance problems faster.



As a new component of the SolarWinds Orion platform, PerfStack is included in the latest versions of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (12.1), SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (6.4), SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (4.2.2), SolarWinds Virtualization Manager (7.1), SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor (6.4), and SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor (2.2.1).



Additional Quotes



"As we accelerate our investigation of cloud technologies, providing a converged view of both our on-premises and cloud environments is critical in maintaining the high level of operational transparency we enjoy today," said Joshua Biggley, engineer, enterprise applications, Cardinal Health. "Leveraging the new cloud infrastructure monitoring features in SolarWinds SAM will give us visibility into our AWS environment using a common dataset that is already familiar and known to our cloud engineering team. That standard of a familiar dataset is also extremely valuable to our database performance teams as we explore the use of cloud-based database technologies-SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is our trusted performance monitoring platform for our on-premises databases and has provided critical visibility into our RDS-based deployments."



"In spite of our successes, the number one ask from our infrastructure and application teams is, 'How can we leverage the data SolarWinds collects to reduce our mean time to repair?'," Biggley added. "In the past, we've relied on static dashboards that required teams to pre-emptively guess what metrics might be required to investigate an issue. While static dashboards will continue to exist for operational awareness, the new SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard is the dynamic analytics tool we've been waiting for. It will empower operational teams to perform real-time analytics of data across multiple platforms and SolarWinds modules. This converged view of metrics, driven by the users who know their applications, infrastructure, and the issues they are trying to solve, is exactly the kind of data liberation our monitoring team has been working towards."



"Modern application environments are increasingly complex, spanning varied on-premises infrastructure, public cloud, private cloud, and combinations of the above," said Nancy Gohring, senior analyst, 451 Research. "Correlating operations data generated by each piece of the puzzle is key to offering developers and operations staff the insights they need to quickly solve problems that emerge in this new, complex environment."



Pricing and Availability



All products referenced in this press release are currently available. The starting price* for each, including the first year of maintenance, is as follows:



-- SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor: 2,275 -- SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: 2,195 -- SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer: 1,515 -- SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer: 1,425 -- SolarWinds Virtualization Manager: 2,275 -- SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor: 2,230 -- SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor: 1,515



For more information, including a downloadable, free 30-day evaluation, visit the SolarWinds website, or call +353 21 500 2900.



*Prices as of March 14, 2017. Pricing may vary based upon the jurisdiction and applicable currency. Please contact a local SolarWinds sales representative to find pricing specific to your jurisdiction.



Additional Resources



-- SolarWinds End-to-End Hybrid IT Performance Management -- PerfStack: Cross-Stack IT Data Correlation -- SolarWinds Lab #52: Before You Upgrade to NPM 12.1 or SAM 6.4 - PerfStack, New Meraki and AWS Monitoring -- SolarWinds Unveils the Next Generation of IT Troubleshooting at Cisco Live EMEA 2017



Connect with SolarWinds



-- THWACK -- Twitter -- Facebook -- LinkedIn



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.



MEDIA CONTACTS: Danielle Killick Text100 Phone: +44 (0)7974 161 187 Danielle.Killick@text100.com Katherine O'Keeffe SolarWinds Phone: +353 21 500 2954 pr@solarwinds.com

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TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Canstar Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ROX) ("Canstar") is pleased to announce results for the first phase of diamond drilling at its 100% owned Kenora Gold Project, located in the Wabigoon Subprovince near Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Canstar completed an 8-hole, 1,062 meter exploratory drilling program in early February of 2017. Highlights include:

-- 0.5 g/t gold over 22.0 meters in KG-17-08 located 146 meters northeast of the Company's Ace Showing, including 1.0 g/t gold over 3.0 meters

The 22 meter zone intercepted in KG-17-08 occurs 146 meters northeast of the Ace Showing and thus represents a new zone on the property and a significant continuation of trending mineralization.

This first phase drill program represents the first drilling in the area in over a century. The program focused on the Project's "Aviator Trend" which hosts the Ace Showing, a wide, surface gold discovery which returned 29.3 meters of 3.1 g/t gold in channel sampling. Results from this drilling suggest the presence of one or multiple gold zones associated with the Ace system, however, the surface showing could not be drilled directly due to access issues. As such, the Company made a significant step-back 36 meters southwest of the showing in order to test the Ace at depth.

The program was successful in intercepting several zones of low-grade mineralization at depth, interpreted to be associated with the Ace Showing, including:

-- 11.0 meters of 0.3 g/t gold from 109 to 120 meters (KG-17-01) -- 3.2 meters of 0.3 g/t gold from 74 to 77.2 meters (KG-17-01)

The depth-to-top of these zones are 77 meters for deeper zone and 63 meters for the shallower zone. The deeper of the two zones does not occur directly under the vertically dipping Ace Showing but rather 20 meters to the east of the showing. This may suggest the mineralization is dipping eastward and oblique to the stratigraphy or may represent an entirely new zone. A second phase drill program, expected to commence later this month, will better delineate the gold zones and provide a better understanding of the mineralized system. The Ace Showing remains a high priority target and a smaller drill rig will be commissioned in order to overcome the access issues encountered in the first program.

Results from the drilling program are tabulated below:

Table 1. Phase 1 drilling results for the Kenora Gold Project

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Core Hole ID Azimuth Dip From To Length Gold (g/t) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-01 125 -45 35.4 36.5 1.1 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 74.0 77.2 3.2 0.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 109.0 120.0 11.0 0.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-02 145 -45 48.0 50.0 2.0 0.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 80.0 81.0 1.0 0.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-03 160 -45 75.0 77.1 2.1 1.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 88.2 89.3 1.1 1.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 158.80 160.10 1.3 0.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-04 117 -45 52.4 53.0 0.6 0.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 82.0 83.0 1.0 0.3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 84.0 85.0 1.0 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-05 130 -45 110.0 111.0 1.0 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 115.8 117.2 1.4 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 128.3 128.8 0.5 1.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 134.0 134.3 0.3 1.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 159.0 160.0 1.0 0.4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-06 305 -45 NSV ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-07 310 -45 NSV ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- KG17-08 310 -64 43.0 65.0 22.0 0.5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...Incl. 43.0 53.9 10.9 0.6 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...Incl. 58.0 65.0 7.0 0.7 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...Incl. 62.0 65.0 3.0 1.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- NSV = No Significant Value

Canstar Resources adopts industry recognized QA/QC methods. Drill intervals are core length and are not reported as true thickness. A geochemical standard control sample and one blank sample is inserted into the sample stream every 20th sample as are duplicate samples. Lab duplicates are analyzed using Thompson-Howarth plots. Samples are shipped to Act Labs in Thunder Bay for Fire Assay analysis. Overlimits are analyzed using gravimetric analysis.

Mr. Danniel Oosterman, P.Geo., the President and CEO of the Company, is a 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed the technical disclosure in this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Danniel J. Oosterman, P.Geo., President & CEO

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. This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward- looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Contacts:

Canstar Resources Inc.

Danniel J. Oosterman, P.Geo.

President & CEO

doosterman@canstarresources.com



Canstar Resources Inc.

Karen Willoughby

Director Corporate Communications

1-866-936-6766

kwilloughby@canstarresources.com




DUBLIN, Mar 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Autonomous Vehicles Market - Analysis & Forecast (2016-2025) (Focus on Major Levels of Technology and Vehicle Types)" report to their offering.

The global autonomous vehicle market is experiencing an exponential growth rate due to the rising concerns for improving road safety and ease of driving experience. This high scale of growth of the autonomous vehicle industry is subsequently influencing the market, wherein companies are testing the efficiency and feasibility of their automated systems.



Autonomous systems in automobiles have emerged as a major necessity in the current times. Automated systems assisting drivers, reduces the driver's burden and allows drivers to multi task during the journey, and ultimately improves the overall driving experience. The integration of automated systems in vehicles allows vehicles to sense the obstacles beyond the user's sight, therefore, have significantly helped in increasing the road safety for both pedestrians and drivers, reducing the traffic congestion, and improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicles. Owing to these market driving factors, the autonomous vehicle market is expected to grow exponentially, in the period 2015-2025.



Some of the key players developing and testing the autonomous features include Daimler AG, Audi AG, General Motors Company, Toyota Motor Corporation, Ford Motor Company, Tesla Motors, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Navya Tech, Denso Corporation, HERE, EasyMile and Mobileye N.V. These players are testing different autonomous systems on the basis of level of autonomy and the vehicle type (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) to which the systems are to be integrated with.

Passenger cars currently lead the autonomous vehicle market both in terms of value (level 1 market value) and volume (number of vehicles equipped with level 2 automated features). At the same time, there is high expected growth of automated commercial vehicles due to the vast application use of these automated vehicles. Some of the applications of commercial vehicles include taxi services (ride-sharing basis), transportation (goods and passengers) and product delivery.

Europe currently dominates the autonomous vehicle market (in terms of level 1 value and level 2 volume) due the presence of major technology manufacturers, high disposable income, early commercialization of automated vehicles and public organizations supporting the advancement of these vehicles. Europe followed by North America, contributes second most share in the autonomous vehicle market. Furthermore, there is a high market growth potential in APAC region, due to the presence of several key industry players and imminent need of autonomous vehicles to curb the problems arising due to high traffic density.



Following points provide a comprehensive description of the report content and the topics covered in the report:

- This report identifies the global autonomous vehicle market under different segments such as by technology, vehicle type, and geography

- The study includes the market analysis and forecast of global autonomous vehicle market for different level of automation in period 2015 to 2025. The study incorporates the market value of level 1 automated systems (in both passenger cars and commercial vehicles) and volume of level 2 equipped vehicles (both passenger cars and commercial vehicles) for the forecast period

- The report covers the technology- penetration of level 3, level 4 and level 5 autonomous system in passenger cars for the years 2015, 2020 and 2025

- It examines the prime supply and demand side factors affecting the growth of the market along with the current and future trends prevalent in the global autonomous vehicle market.

- The report further presents a detailed examination of autonomous vehicle market along the lines of market drivers, restraints, and growth opportunities

- The report also highlights strategic benchmarking followed by the major OEM's

- A detailed competitive analysis has been included in this report which focuses on the key market developments & strategies followed by the key players in the market.

- The report also includes patent analysis and the investment scenario original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

- Autonomous vehicle market has been analyzed for all geographies including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World with further analysis with respect to the level of automation. Further, individual regions has been segmented and analyzed according to major countries.

- The key market players are analyzed and profiled in detail in the report. This section covers business financials, company snapshots, key products & services, major developments, and future programs (if any).

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary



1 Research Scope & Methodology



2 Market Dynamics



3 Competitive Insights



4 Assumptions and Limitations



5 Global Autonomous Vehicle Market by Technology Levels



6 Global Autonomous Vehicle Market by Vehicle Type



7 Global Autonomous Vehicle Market by Geography



8 Company Profiles

- Audi AG

- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG

- Daimler AG

- Denso Corporation

- Ford Motor Company

- General Motors Company

- HERE

- Mobileye N.V.

- Tesla Motors

- Toyota Motor Corporation

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/m6cn7r/global_autonomous

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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PUNE, India, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new market research report"Privileged Identity Management Marketby Solution (Identity Management, Access Management, Session Monitoring and Management), Service, Installation Type (Appliance-Based & Agent-Based), Deployment Mode, Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021", published by MarketsandMarkets, the market size expected to grow from USD 922.0 Million in 2016 to USD 3,792.5 Million by 2021, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 32.7%.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 )



Browse 76 market data Tables and 36 Figures spread through 131 Pages and in-depth TOC on"Privileged Identity Management Market"

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/privileged-identity-management-market-31586492.html

Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.

The increasing technology trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) within organizations has introduced many security threats associated with identity thefts. As the frequency of sophisticated insider attacks on critical infrastructure is growing, the Privileged Identity Management Market is expected to gain traction in the next five years.

Session monitoring and management is expected to play a key role in the Privileged Identity Management Market

The session monitoring and management segment is expected to play a key role in changing the Privileged Identity Management Market landscape during the forecast period and grow at the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. This solution provides real-time session monitoring and management of all the activities with user devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, along with high security against malicious threats within enterprises.

Request Report Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=31586492

Cloud-based deployment is expected to be the fastest-growing deployment model

Cloud deployment is expected to be the fastest-growing deployment mode in the Privileged Identity Management Market, as it benefits organizations with increased scalability, speed, 24/7 services, and enhanced management capabilities. Cloud-based privileged identity management solutions are available according to customer's demand, wherein customers can start or stop any service, at will.

North America is expected to contribute the largest market share; Asia-Pacific (APAC) to grow at the highest CAGR

North America is expected to hold the largest market share and dominate the Privileged Identity Management Market from 2016 to 2021. The increased insider attack, along with meeting the strict compliance regulations is driving the organizations in North America to adopt privileged identity management solutions. Various companies, such as IBM, CA Technologies, CyberArk, Centrify, and BeyondTrust are operating in the market space. APAC offers potential growth opportunities for the Privileged Identity Management Market to grow, as countries in this region are investing heavily in deploying the session monitoring and management solution.

Make an Enquiry @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=31586492

The major vendors in the Privileged Identity Management Market include ARCON (India), Balabit (Hungary), BeyondTrust (U.S.), Bomgar Corporation (U.S.), CA, Inc. (U.S.), Centrify (U.S.), Core Security (U.S.), Cyberark (U.S.), Hitachi-ID (Canada), IBM Corporation (U.S.), Iraje (U.S.), Lieberman Software (U.S.), MANAGEENGINE (U.S.), MICROFOCUS (U.K.), NRI SecureTechnologies (U.S.), ObserveIT (U.S.), Onion ID (U.S.), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Osirium (U.K.), Quest Software (U.S.), Silverlake Mastersam (Singapore), Simeio Solutions (U.S.), Thycotic (U.S.), Wallix (France), and Wheel Systems (U.S.).

Browse Related Reports:

Identity & Access Management Market by Component (Provisioning, Directory Services, Password Management, S SO, and Audit, Compliance, and Governance), Organization Size, Deployment Type, Vertical (BFSI, Telecom & IT), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/identity-access-management-iam-market-1168.html

Personal Identity Management Market by Application (Access Control and Content Management), Service (Professional Services and Managed Services), Deployment Type (On-Premises and Cloud), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/personal-identity-management-market-244499986.html

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BOSTON, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- TimeTrade, the leading provider of appointment-driven personalization, today announced that it recently closed $6.3 million in Series E funding.

The round, the largest in the company's history, was led by new investor Origami Capital Partners and included participation from Ascent Venture Partners and the company's other existing investors. TimeTrade will use the funds to extend its industry-leading platform with new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to bring the business benefits of its Customer Engagement Cloud to more enterprise customers.

TimeTrade also announced that Origami Vice President Julie Klaff has joined the company's board of directors.

"This is another major milestone for TimeTrade, and it affirms our position as the clear industry leader," said Gary Ambrosino, TimeTrade CEO. "The investment will help fuel our innovation engine, including continued expansion of our product portfolio and introduction of new artificial intelligence technologies, that will let more businesses deliver 'We've been expecting you' service to their customers in exciting new ways."

Other recent TimeTrade accomplishments include:

Launching TimeTrade Scheduler on the Salesforce AppExchange, which lets TimeTrade customers book and receive meetings from within Salesforce to generate more qualified leads, hold more conversations and close deals faster

Retail customers used the company's Customer Engagement Cloud to schedule 50 million appointments with prospects and customers in 2016, reflecting another record-setting year of robust growth in the use of TimeTrade by top retail brands

Publishing the latest version of the company's annual State of Retail consumer survey report, which showed that U.S. retail stores left about $150 billion in potential revenue on the table in 2016 by failing to offer shoppers the personalized shopping experiences they want

"Origami Capital Partners is proud to lead this round of funding for TimeTrade and join the board of directors," said Klaff. "We see great value in the company's SaaS solution that helps banks, retailers, B2B sales organizations and many other businesses achieve their goals by delivering highly personalized service to their customers. I look forward to working closely with the company to achieve -- and exceed -- its growth objectives."

About Origami Capital Partners

Origami Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, has invested more than $700 million since its inception. In 2016, the firm closed Origami Opportunities Fund III, its third investment vehicle, with capital commitments of approximately $371 million. The Fund received commitments from a number of top-tier investors, including endowments, foundations, consultants, pensions, and family offices.

About Ascent Venture Partners

Ascent Venture Partners is dedicated to investing in innovation for the enterprise. In backing more than 100 early-stage, emerging technology companies since 1985, Ascent has remained committed to its mission of partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs striving to build innovative market leaders. Ascent's investments have yielded powerful results generating more than $10 billion in enterprise value, which speaks to the firm's deep knowledge, experience, commitment, and networks. The Ascent investment team manages six venture funds with total commitments of more than $500 million and is located in Boston, Mass.

About TimeTrade

TimeTrade creates conversations that drive business. The company equips businesses to provide personalized service to every customer, every time, creating a service guarantee that improves customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention, and increases sales growth. TimeTrade's leading-edge Customer Engagement Cloud, an enterprise platform delivered through a worldwide cloud-hosting network, provides omnichannel and mobile application tools for managing the most critical part of the customer journey: the live conversation. It includes several tightly integrated modules for online appointment scheduling, queue management, and data-rich analytics and reports. The company's patented cloud technology scales to meet the demands of the largest multinational enterprises as well as mid-size and small businesses, and undergoes independent SOC 2 type 2 security audits annually. More than 500 of the world's most successful brands -- including the largest banks, retailers, sales organizations and healthcare systems -- rely on TimeTrade to power their live customer conversations and improve the customer experience, in person, by phone or online.

TimeTrade is a registered trademark of TimeTrade Systems, Inc. All other company or product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Media Contacts:

Kevin Flanagan

TimeTrade

781-856-2589

kflanagan@timetrade.com



Laura MacSweeney

George Cohen Communications

339-221-0614

laura@gccpr.com




MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Aurvista Gold Corporation ("Aurvista" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: AVA)(OTCQB: ARVSF)(FRANKFURT: AV2) announces that the company has secured DTC Eligibility by The Depository Trust Company for its shares on the OTC effective March 13, 2017. The Depository Trust Company (DTC) is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation DTCC, and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC are considered "DTC eligible." This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors trading the Company's shares on the OTCQB.

Jean Lafleur, President and CEO of Aurvista stated, "We are pleased to announce that we have obtained DTC eligibility. Securing DTC-eligibility greatly simplifies the process of trading and exchanging our common stock in the United States. We would like to thank our transfer agent, Vstock Transfer, for their guidance through this process. We look forward to keeping our shareholders up to date with progress at the Company's Douay Gold Project in the weeks and months ahead."

Douay Gold Project and Company Profile

Aurvista Gold Corporation is a junior gold exploration and development Company advancing the Douay Gold Project in Quebec. The Company has 134,034,900 shares outstanding trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and OTCQB in the US. Aurvista's Douay Gold Project consists of a 100% owned interest in 250 contiguous claims totaling 133.1 km2, plus a 90% interest in 5 contiguous claims totaling 0.2 km2 and a 75% interest (25% held by SOQUEM) in 32 contiguous claims totaling 11.9 km2. In total, there are 287 claims covering 145.3 km2 located along a 20 km segment of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone in the prolific Abitibi Belt of northern Quebec. Douay is located 40 km SW of the Matagami Base Metal Camp and 150 km N of the Val-d'Or-Malartic Gold Camp (both in Quebec). For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.aurvistagold.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 PRESS RELEASE.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements, including the mineral resource estimate and the assumptions used to prepare such estimate, that are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. When used herein, words such as "anticipate", "will", "intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Aurvista Gold Corporation's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.aurvistagold.com.

Contacts:

Aurvista Gold Corporation

Mr. Jean Lafleur, P. Geo.

President and CEO, Director

Cell: +1 514 927 3633



Aurvista Gold Corporation

Mr. Keith C Minty, P. Eng., MBA

Chief Operating Officer

+1 416 682 2671




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Columbus Gold Corp. (TSX: CGT)(OTCQX: CBGDF) ("Columbus") reports that on Monday March 20, 2017 at 2 PM Pacific Time, it plans to announce the results of an independent Feasibility Study for its Montagne d'Or Gold Project ("Montagne d'Or" or the "Project") located in French Guiana (the "Study"). The Study was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101.

The Study was funded by Nord Gold SE ("Nordgold") pursuant to which it has earned a 50.01% interest in the Project by spending a minimum of US$30 million and completing a Bankable Feasibility Study by March 13, 2017. Nordgold has met the minimum spending requirement and delivered a Bankable Feasibility Study to Columbus by the March 13, 2017 deadline. Nordgold acquired an additional 5% interest in the Project (for a total interest of 55.01%) pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated January 12, 2016.

Nordgold has delivered a notice of option exercise to Columbus to acquire its total 55.01% interest in the Project. Columbus has retained a third-party consultant to review the Feasibility Study and underlying resource and reserve models.

About Montagne d'Or

Montagne d'Or is an open-pit, multi-million ounce gold deposit, with excellent metallurgy. It is located in the stable western democracy of French Guiana, an overseas region of France. The deposit is accessible by an all-season forest road 125 km south of the port city of Saint Laurent, and is presently drill-defined over a strike extent of 2,300 meters to an average depth of 250 meters from surface. Mineralized zones remain open on strike, at depth, and in parallel zones. Exploration expansion drilling is presently in progress.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Robert F. Giustra, Chairman & CEO

This release contains forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward-looking statements"), respecting Columbus: the expected date of announcement of the results of a feasibility study for the Project; that the feasibility study will be acceptable to Columbus and that the results will be announced as planned; that the Study will be compliant with National Instrument 43-101; the estimation of mineral resources; the realization of mineral resource estimates; the realization of the expected economics of the Montagne d'Or deposit; and management's beliefs and expectations. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or rates of recovery; ability to acquire necessary permits and other authorizations; environmental compliance; cost increases; availability of qualified workers and drill equipment; competition for mining properties; risks associated with exploration projects including, without limitation, the accuracy of interpretations; mineral reserve and resource estimates (including the risk of assumption and methodology errors); the ability to meet proposed schedules for the completion of a third party review of the Study and the announcement of the Study results; dependence on third parties for services; non-performance by contractual counterparties; title risks; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: that a third-party review will be completed at all and by the expected date outlined herein; the assumptions contained in Feasibility Study are accurate and complete; general business and economic conditions; and ongoing relations with employees, partners, optionees and joint venturers. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Columbus undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

(604) 634-0970 or 1-888-818-1364

info@columbusgold.com




The deal paves the way for hedging based on the supply and demand dynamics of the Black Sea wheat market

Ameropa AG and Solaris Commodities S.A. are the counterparties in a trade arranged by SCB & Associates.

LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced that its Black Sea Wheat price assessment has been used as the settlement price for the first ever swap contract for Black Sea wheat. The swap was traded between Ameropa AG and Solaris Commodities S.A.

Thierry Bessede, grain trader at Swiss-based trading house, Ameropa AG said: "We're always looking to manage our risks efficiently and this deal structure facilitates hedging in whatever volume and time frame the counterparties agree to and reduces the costs and risks involved in physical trades execution, which makes it a great hedging tool."

Swithun Still, Director at Solaris Commodities S.A., a trader in specializing in Russian grain, also based in Switzerland added: "Solaris trades significant volumes of physical wheat via Novorossisk and can use this product as a hedge for our physical book. This swap settled against Platts' price gives the opportunity to market participants to access this dynamic 12.5% protein Russian wheat market, which is such a benchmark for cash prices worldwide nowadays."

Joachim Emanuelsson, Chief Operating Officer, SCB & Associates said: "SCB Group works hard to develop new hedging tools and markets for our customers worldwide. These swaps are flexible, effective and efficient hedging instruments that allow our clients to avoid the correlation exposure that exists using other methods. Financially settled swaps also allow access to hedging without exposing the trader to the risks and logistical constraints that come with a physical contract."

The swap, which was traded over-the-counter, was brokered by SCB & Associates and will be financially settled against the April average of S&P Global Platts' FOB Black Sea wheat (Russia, 12.5%) price assessment. Wheat with 12.5% protein content is considered the benchmark quality wheat in the Russian and Black Sea market as a whole, as it is the most actively traded. The swap will be settled against the April average of the Platts Black Sea Wheat price assessment. This assessment reflects Black Sea wheat exports, normalized to a standard definition of Russian 12.5% protein, loading on a FOB Novorossiisk basis in 28-42 days.

The Black Sea wheat swap is dollar denominated and is based on Russian milling wheat, loading in Deep Sea ports (FOB) and normalized to Novorossiisk, the value of which is tracked daily by S&P Global Platts on the export market. It comes just five months after a similar cash-settled swap traded for the first time for Australian wheat exports, using the Platts APW wheat price for settlement purposes.

The Black Sea region is a major global wheat trading hub. The region's exports amount for 47.9 million mt in 2015-16 marketing year and are more than twice as much as exports from the United States and 1.4 times more than EU exports. Russian wheat exports accounted for 53% of Black Sea wheat exports and act as a pricing reference for Ukrainian, Romanian and Bulgarian wheat exports to third countries. Black Sea wheat is widely sold across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, and cash prices in this region are increasingly seen as a key bellwether in the global market.

Ian Dudden, Global Content Director, Agriculture, S&P Global Platts said: "this deal is a significant step towards the emergence of a new regional futures market for Black Sea wheat. In spite of its size, this major trading hub does not have a dedicated derivatives market reflecting its own supply and demand dynamics meaning physical market participants wishing to hedge are exposed to significant basis risk when using traditional risk management tools."

S&P Global Platts does not sponsor, endorse, promote or sell third party contracts or financial products.

About S&P Global Platts

At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We're the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping.

S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com.

Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/365785/platts_Logo.jpg
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: MAT)(OTCQB: MHREF) welcomes the recent discovery by a team of nano-science researchers, mainly from IBM's Almaden Research Center in San Jose, California, of the ability to store one bit (1b) of data on a single holmium (Ho) atom. The breakthrough findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature earlier this month (cf. Nature, vol. 543 pp. 226-228, 9 March 2017).

The researchers were able to use a single holmium atom as the "world's smallest magnet," and by passing an electrical current through the holmium, they can turn it "on" to a state representing the "1" of the binary code, or "off", which represents the "0" state.

The researchers basically demonstrated that two magnetic holmium atoms could be switched on or off independently, even when they were separated by just one nanometer - a distance one millionth the width of a pin head. With so little space needed to store data, the discovery could lead to the creation of radically smaller hard drives and data storage systems with much greater capacities for storage - about 1,000 times denser than today's hard disk drives and solid state memory chips.

Holmium (Ho - atomic number 67) is a heavy rare earth element (HREE) that is part of the Lanthanide series of elements. Matamec's Kipawa Rare Earths JV, its flagship project being developed in partnership with Ressources Quebec, is one of North America's most advanced rare earths projects. The Kipawa deposit features light and heavy rare earth elements (REEs), and is enriched in heavies, including holmium. The project is at the development stage and when in production is expected to produce 31.2 tonnes of Holmium oxide per year on average for the life of mine, as shown in the feasibility study report for the Kipawa Deposit, filed on SEDAR in October 2013. Matamec's Kipawa Project has successfully generated a light and a heavy rare earth concentrate and continues to improve the metallurgical process with research labs and universities, mostly in Canada.

"It's very exciting to hear about this technology breakthrough and to imagine the ramifications for data storage applications," said Andre Gauthier, Matamec's President and CEO. "As we continue working with leading universities and research centres on several fronts to explore ways to improve the overall project at Kipawa, knowing that there will most likely be an increased demand for holmium in the coming years as a result of possibly groundbreaking new applications certainly is encouraging. Our main objective at Matamec is to develop the Kipawa project to provide a secure North American supply of rare earths, including holmium."

Although it may take time for the many possible commercial applications to come to market, the discovery of the ability to save a single bit of data on a holmium atom represents a quantum leap in data storage technology and offers great potential for computing. An entire computer's hard drive could possibly be stored in a piece of jewelry or sewn into a garment, for example, and smaller data storage devices could greatly improve the evolving "internet of things" applications, where more and more everyday items can be connected to the Internet.

Eliza Ngai, M.Eng, P.Eng, Metallurgist of the Company and Al Hayden, P.Eng, Consulting Metallurgical Engineer for the Kipawa project, are the qualified persons according to the NI 43-101 standard, and are responsible for the technical content of this press release.

About Matamec

Located in Montreal (Quebec), Matamec Explorations Inc. is a junior mining exploration company in which activities are based on two main axes of development: gold, and key elements for technologies related to energy with properties containing, among others, lithium (Tansim-owned at 100%), Cobalt (Fabre-100% owned), nickel (Vulcain-100% owned) and rare earths (Kipawa-72% owned by Matamec).

Matamec's main focus is the development of the Kipawa Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) deposit, a joint venture owned at 72% by Matamec and 28% by Ressources Quebec (acting as agent of the Government of Quebec); Toyota Tsusho Corp. (Nagoya, Japan) holds a 10% royalty on net profit in the deposit.

In addition to the activities in energy sector, Matamec is exploring for gold, with three properties (HMR (1% NSR), Matheson JV (50%) and Pelangio (100%)) located in the area of the Hoyle Pond Mine in Timmins, ON, as well as four in the Quebec Plan Nord region in similar geological settings as established gold-producing mines. These include two in proximity to the Eleonore Mine (in James Bay, QC): Sakami (50%) and Opinaca Gold West (100%).

Map showing location of Matamec's Gold and Energy Properties is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1088868_map_en.jpg

Forward-looking information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "scheduled", "anticipates", "expects" or "does not expect", "pursue", "targeted", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although Matamec has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the uncertainty as to whether the Kipawa JV will decide to extract minerals from the Kipawa Deposit, as well as those other risk factors set out in the Company's year-end Management Discussion and Analysis dated December 31, 2015 and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Matamec disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Andre Gauthier, President

(514) 844-5252

info@matamec.com



CHF Capital Markets

Cathy Hume, CEO

+1 416-868-1079 x231

cathy@chfir.com




NEWPORT BEACH, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 --Accelerize (OTCQB: ACLZ) (OTCBB: ACLZ) and its digital marketing software division, CAKE, today announced that its President, Santi Pierini, will moderate the panel during LeadsCon Las Vegas titled "Driving Lead Acquisition with Customer Journey Analytics." The session will explore how customer journey analytics provide granular insights about customers that fuel conversions and matches leads to a buyer's preferences. Panelists include Jenny Weigel, Operations Manager, Lead Sourcing & Delivery of Findlaw, part of Thomson Reuters; Erik Josowitz, Senior VP Technology & Strategy, All Web Leads; and John Challis, Principal, Kick Pedal Media. The LeadsCon session takes place Wednesday, March 22 at 10 a.m. PDT at The Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

LeadsCon Las Vegas, held March 21-22 at The Paris Las Vegas Hotel, draws in more than 5,000 attendees focusing on consumer leads in the following verticals: insurance, mortgages/finance (school loan consolidation, business loans, pay day loans), for-profit education, home services, healthcare and automotive.

"Driving Lead Acquisition with Customer Journey Analytics," panelists will explore best practices for utilizing real-time insights to convert customers into qualified leads that match buyers' preferences. Furthermore, panelists will provide their perspectives on how different digital channels play a role in converting customers and how to bridge the gap between each channel when it comes to targeting, reporting and optimization. Session attendees will also learn how to:

Leverage customer journey analytics to convert customers into a sale

Discover new methods to capture qualified leads that lead buyers are seeking

Unlock the value of technology to sell leads to buyers at the best price possible

According to eMarketer, 62% of senior marketers surveyed are utilizing marketing technology to understand customers and prospects. More than half of those surveyed said they are using marketing technology to make data-driven decisions with regards to their marketing.

"The customer journey is not a one size fits all, and is dependent on factors including information available, customer demographics and most notably the type of product or service advertised," said Santi Pierini, President at CAKE. "With customer journey analytics and real-time technology in place, advertisers, sellers and lead buyers can efficiently convert customers to maximize sales and streamline the relationship between lead sellers and buyers."

CAKE will exhibit at booth #312 at The Paris Las Vegas Hotel on Tuesday, March 21 from noon to 6 p.m. PDT and Wednesday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. PDT.

About CAKE by Accelerize

CAKE, a division of Accelerize Inc., provides a proprietary cloud-based solution to track, attribute and optimize the performance of digital marketing return on ad spend, in real-time. Bringing clarity to multi-channel marketing campaigns, we empower advertisers, agencies, publishers and networks from more than 40 countries worldwide with the insight to make intelligent marketing decisions. CAKE by Accelerize is headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif. with operations in London and New Delhi. For more information, visit www.getCAKE.com.

About Accelerize

Accelerize Inc. (OTCQB: ACLZ) (OTCBB: ACLZ) offers marketing technology solutions that revolutionize the way advertisers leverage their digital advertising data. For more information, visit www.accelerize.com.

Use of Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements from Accelerize Inc. within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and federal securities laws. For example, when Accelerize describes the growth of marketers using technology to understand customers and make data-driven decisions, and uses other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, Accelerize is using forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Accelerize only, and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: changes in technology and market requirements; our technology may not be validated as we progress further; we may be unable to retain or attract key employees whose knowledge is essential to the development of our products and services; unforeseen market and technological difficulties may develop with our products and services; inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications; or, loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of Accelerize to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, Accelerize undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risk and uncertainties affecting Accelerize, reference is made to Accelerize's reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact

Jill Hara

PR@getCAKE.com

(949) 548-2253 x 257



Investor Contact

Ascendant Partners, LLC

Fred Sommer

fred@ascendantpartnersllc.com

(732) 410-9810




BERKELEY, CA and VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - BriaCell Therapeutics Corp. ("BriaCell" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: BCT) (OTCQB: BCTXF), an immuno-oncology focused biotechnology company with a proprietary vaccine technology, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided clearance to initiate an open-label Phase I/IIa clinical trial of BriaVax' in patients with advanced breast cancer. BriaVax', the Company's lead product candidate, is a genetically engineered whole-cell vaccine derived from a human breast tumor cell line.

"We are excited to further advance clinical development of our novel targeted immunotherapy, BriaVax', which has previously demonstrated impressive safety and efficacy results in prior clinical evaluation," stated Dr. Bill Williams, President and CEO of BriaCell Therapeutics. "The upcoming Phase I/IIa clinical trial is designed to determine the optimal dosing regimen for patients, further assess the vaccine's safety profile, and provide additional efficacy findings including survival rate. The clinical trial will also provide important data to help establish our companion diagnostic, BriaDx', to determine those patients most likely to respond to BriaVax' treatment."

"We urgently need a new approach to rescue patients with advanced breast cancer as the currently available medications fail in all but a few percent," commented Dr. Charles Wiseman, inventor of BriaVax'. "Our previously published results in a small number of patients showed that BriaVax' could induce rapid and widespread tumor regression and the patients had better than expected survival. This study will build on those results."

About the Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial Protocol

The Phase I/IIa clinical trial is an open-label study enrolling up to 24 late-stage breast cancer patients with recurrent and/or metastatic disease. Patients will be administered BriaVax' every two weeks for the first month of treatment, then monthly up to one year.

The primary objective of the clinical trial is to evaluate the safety of BriaVax' in study subjects, and the principal secondary objective is an evaluation of the tumor size reduction. Tumor response will be monitored every three months during the study. The trial will also evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

For additional details regarding the clinical trial, please visit: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03066947.

ABOUT BRIACELL

BriaCell is an immuno-oncology focused biotechnology company developing a more targeted, less toxic approach to cancer management. BriaCell's mission is to serve late-stage cancer patients with no available treatment options.

Immunotherapy has come to the forefront of the fight against cancer, harnessing the body's own immune system in recognizing and selectively destroying the cancer cells while sparing normal ones. Immunotherapy, in addition to generally being more targeted and less toxic than commonly used types of chemotherapy, is also thought to be a strong type of approach aimed at preventing cancer recurrence.

BriaVax', the Company's lead product candidate, is a genetically engineered whole-cell vaccine derived from a human breast tumor cell line. It is believed to activate the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells by inducing tumor-directed T cell and potentially antibody responses. The Company has already demonstrated encouraging clinical results, and is intent on building upon these results to further advance BriaVax' through additional FDA-approved clinical trials in order to help cancer patients with limited therapeutic options. The results of two previous Phase I clinical trials (one with the precursor cell line not genetically engineered to produce GM-CSF and one with BriaVax') have been encouraging in patients with advanced solid tumors. Most notably, one patient with metastatic breast cancer responded to BriaVax' with substantial reduction in tumor burden including lung and brain metastases.

For additional information on BriaCell, please visit our website: http://briacell.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation which involves known and unknown risks relevant to the Company in particular and to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in general, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectation. These risks are more fully described in the Company's public filings available at www.sedar.com. Other forward-looking information in this news release includes but is not limited to the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and other terms of the Offering, the expected timing of completion of the Offering, the Company's ability to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Offering and the need for additional financing.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation, except to the extent required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Attachment Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2017/3/14/11G133060/newpdf-da12ff571a9a92338f9af80b2fe42b06.pdf

Contact Information



For further information, please contact:



BriaCell Therapeutics Corp.:

Farrah Dean

Manager, Corporate Development

Email: farrah@BriaCell.com

Phone: 1-888-485-6340



Burns McClellan, Inc.:

Bill Slattery, Jr.

Manager, Investor Relations

Email: bslattery@burnsmc.com

Phone: 1-212-213-0006
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Otis Gold Corp. ("Otis" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE: OOO)(OTC PINK: OGLDF) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement to (1) increase its interest in the Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek Gold-Silver Properties located in Cassia County, Idaho from 80% to 100% and (2) reduce the existing net smelter royalty on these projects from 2.5% to 2.0%. In consideration, 380,000 Otis Common Shares of Otis will be issued to the vendors, and these shares will be subject to a voluntary hold period ending July 31, 2017. The transaction is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory bodies. The transaction results in Otis increasing its interest to 100% in what is known as the Oakley Project, a land package that comprises Blue Hill Creek, Matrix Creek and what is known as Cold Creek.

About Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek

The Blue Hill Creek and Matrix Creek properties are located in Cassia County, Idaho approximately 24 kilometers south of Oakley, Idaho. Blue Hill Creek, which is host to a current NI 43-101 Inferred Resource Estimate of 163,000 ounces Au in 10,994,000 tons at a grade of 0.51 g/t Au (see Otis News Release dated September 23, 2016), consists of 36 federal lode mining claims covering 720 acres and an 80 acre Idaho State Mineral Lease. Matrix Creek, immediately adjacent and contiguous to Blue Hill Creek, consists of 41 federal lode mining claims covering 820 acres and a 320 acre Idaho State Mineral Lease.

Blue Hill Creek ("BHC") occurs within a north-trending, five-mile-long by one-mile-wide zone of low-sulfidation, hot spring-type gold occurrences along the western margin of the Albion Range metamorphic core complex. The BHC sinters and related gold-silver mineralization were discovered in 1985 during regional exploration by Meridian Minerals. The related epithermal mineralization is hosted in volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Tertiary Salt Lake formation. Mineralization at BHC is open in multiple directions. In a 5-hole, 1,308m diamond drill program completed in 2014, 3 holes intercepted gold mineralization including 0.691 gpt Au over 123m (BHC14-01), 0.705 gpt Au over 41.1m (BHC14-03) and 0.405 gpt Au over 113.9m (BHC14-04) (see Otis Gold News Release dated February 5, 2015).

Matrix Creek ("MC") is distinctive from BHC in terms of mineralization, host lithology and structure. MC is located southeast and south of BHC and is named because it is characterized by a distinctive carapace of breccia up to 12 meters thick which consists of quartzite fragments separated by black to dark grey matrix of extremely fine-grained quartz and pyrite. The breccias are strongly anomalous for both gold and silver. Fourteen surface grab samples collected by Otis averaged 0.55 g/t Au and 70.4 g/t Ag, with the highest-grade sample returning 1.24 g/t Au and 306 g/t Ag. Preliminary 48-hour bottle-roll results performed by ALS Chemex Labs in Vancouver, B.C., suggest that the gold is up to 82% recoverable and that the silver is up to 93% recoverable (see Otis News Release dated September 18, 2014). While limited work has been completed by Otis on MC, it seems likely that the breccias formed along a detachment fault associated with the development of the metamorphic core complex that forms the core of the Albion Range immediately to the east.

The relationship between the mineralization at MC and BHC is ambiguous. The breccias cut through both properties and may be much thicker in the subsurface at BHC than is suggested by surface outcrop. The high-angle faults associated with the BHC graben cut and displace the low angle MC detachment structure. The high-angle faults therefore post-date the MC detachment system. Because these faults appear to cut through the mineralized detachment at MC, the detachment may have served as a source for the gold for the BHC hydrothermal system.

States Otis President & CEO Craig Lindsay: "We are very pleased to increase our ownership to 100% in the emerging district-scale Oakley Project. We see a significant amount of exploration potential at Oakley for both gold and silver, and having a 100% ownership interest increases our flexibility in how we approach the development of this exciting asset. We are planning fieldwork at Oakley this summer, and will be announcing a specific work program in due course."

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person under National Instrument (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this News Release is Paul D. Gray, P. Geo, who has reviewed and approved its technical content.

About the Company

Otis is a resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal deposits in Idaho, USA. Otis is currently developing its flagship property, the Kilgore Gold Project, located in Clark County, Idaho.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Craig T. Lindsay, President & CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the

TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or any State securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to US Persons unless registered under the US Securities Act and applicable State securities laws, or an exemption from such registration is available.

Contacts:

Otis Gold Corp.

Craig Lindsay

(604) 683-2507

craig@otisgold.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. (TSX VENTURE: VG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert W. Schafer to the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Schafer brings many years of experience in the mineral resource industry and will succeed Craig Goldenberger who is stepping down as a director.

Mr. Schafer is a Professional Geologist who brings over 30 years of mineral exploration, executive management and business development expertise to Volcanic's Board. He presently operates Eagle Resources Management LLC, a minerals industry advisory practice focused on mineral economics, geology and business development, of which he is founder and principal. Previously, Mr. Schafer spent over 10 years with Hunter Dickinson Inc. as Executive Vice President of Business Development, where he was responsible for identifying, evaluating and structuring transactions for mineral properties globally.

Over his career, Mr. Schafer has led teams to the discovery of mines in the western USA, Canada and Russia with Billiton Metals, Addwest Gold and Kinross Gold. As an exploration geologist he discovered a Carlin-style gold deposit in eastern Nevada that was placed into production by Alta Gold, and the Briggs gold mine that was placed into production by Canyon Resources. He has experience working in numerous regions, including most countries in West Africa and South America.

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Alexander Langer as its Vice-President of Capital Markets. Mr. Langer has over 13 years of experience in capital markets within the resource sector and will be directly involved in all aspects of the Company's capital markets planning and business development.

Mr. Langer started his career as an Investment Advisor with Canaccord Genuity, where he helped fund over 100 private and publically listed companies. Alex is currently a director of Ptolemy Capital, a London based Capital Markets advisory firm, and serves in various capacities for a number of private and publically traded companies in various senior management positions. To date, Mr. Langer has helped raise over $200 million for junior and mid-sized resource companies through various means of financing including: equity, debt, royalty, off-take, and bond agreements.

In addition, incentive stock options have been granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 3,850,000 common shares of the Company, exercisable for up to ten years at a price of $0.60 per share.

About Volcanic

Volcanic brings together a deeply experienced and successful mining, exploration and capital markets team focused on building a multi-million ounce gold resource in the underexplored West African country of Guinea and its neighbouring countries. Through the strategic acquisition of mineral properties with demonstrated potential for hosting gold resources, and by undertaking effective exploration and drill programs, Volcanic looks to become a leading junior gold resource company.

Volcanic Gold Mines Inc.

Jeremy Crozier,

President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and include, without limitation, statements about the Company's strategic plans. Often, but not always, these forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others: changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; the Company or any joint venture partner not having the financial ability to meet its exploration and development goals; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, estimation of mineral resources and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management, including but not limited to: that the Company's stated goals and planned exploration and development activities will be achieved; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; and such other assumptions as set out herein. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. 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, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Alexander Langer

604-765-1604

www.volgold.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Great Lakes Graphite Inc. ("GLK" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GLK)(OTC PINK: GLKIF)(FRANKFURT: 8GL) today announces that the company has placed a purchase order for 2,320 metric tonnes of graphite with DNI Metals Inc. ("DNI") The purchase order specifies a shipping schedule for the material from July through December of this year, with the exception of one container load of twenty tonnes that was shipped in late February.

The order has been placed following a visit in February by Great Lakes and DNI with the supplier of the material at their mine site in Brazil. Great Lakes Graphite Chief Executive Officer Paul Gorman commented, "Locking in a schedule for this year provides assurances on both sides that are required to operate our respective businesses. Great Lakes is assured of the supply that is required for this year and DNI Metals is able to provide assurances to the supplier that enable them to formulate a production schedule. We are fortunate to have access to this particular source of high quality material and equally as important that it is comes from an extremely competent, experienced and customer and quality-focused supplier."

Brazil Trip Solidifies Supply Chain Relationships

Great Lakes Graphite traveled to Brazil in February this year to visit the graphite producer who supplies the flake graphite concentrate under the previously announced agreement. The trip provided the opportunity to see the production operations first hand and to speak with the personnel who have responsibility for operations and production.

The graphite concentrate product supplied under the terms of the agreement is a -100 mesh graphite concentrate with an average purity of 96%+. The material will be micronized to standard sizes offered by Great Lakes of 45 microns, 20 microns, 10 microns to a minimum of 5 microns. Specific particle sizes or particle size blends can be manufactured to customer specifications.

Micronized graphite is purified for applications that have the most demanding purity requirements. High technology applications requiring ultra high purity graphite include electric vehicles, energy storage, power generation and biotechnology. Great Lakes Graphite is able to achieve purity levels with the Brazilian graphite of over 99.99% using thermal purification methods at a commercial scale.

Great Lakes Graphite is pleased to be working on this critical supply relationship with DNI Metals, who will continue to handle the logistics and brokering of the material from Brazil to North America.

About Great Lakes Graphite: Great Lakes Graphite Inc. is an industrial minerals company focused on bringing value-added carbon products to a well-defined market.

The Company is party to an agreement for shared use of a portion of an industrial facility located in Matheson, Ontario owned by Northfil Resources Limited, as well as for supply of high quality natural graphite concentrate (see news release dated 03/23/15), which have positioned Great Lakes Graphite to become an emerging domestic manufacturer and supplier of micronized products to a growing regional customer base where pricing and demand continue to rise.

Further information regarding Great Lakes can be found on the Company's website at: www.GreatLakesGraphite.com.

Great Lakes Graphite trades with symbol GLK on the TSX Venture Exchange and currently has 123,444,330 shares outstanding.

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.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information: Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking information" which involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking information. When used in this press release, such forward looking information may use such words as "may', "will', "expect', "believe', "plan' and other similar terminology. Forward looking information is provided for the purpose of presenting information about management's current expectations relating to the future events and the operating performance of the Company, and readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to fulfill the orders and future orders, regulatory requirements, general economic, market or business conditions and future developments in the sectors of the economy in which the business of Great Lakes operates. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Please see the Company's financial statements, MD&A and other documents available on www.sedar.com, for a more detailed description of the risk factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward looking information, whether a result of new information, future results or otherwise, except as required by law.

Contacts:

Great Lakes Graphite Inc.

Paul Ferguson

Chief Marketing Officer

1-800-754-4510 x106

PFerguson@GreatLakesGraphite.com



Great Lakes Graphite Inc.

Paul Gorman

Chief Executive Officer

1-800-754-4510 x109

PGorman@GreatLakesGraphite.com

www.GreatLakesGraphite.com




SAN MATEO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Zuora, Inc., the leading provider of subscription commerce, billing and finance solutions, today released a new developer center and added 30 new must-have applications to Zuora Connect, bringing the marketplace total to nearly 100 available apps. Zuora Connect is the most expansive collection of apps that delivers extensibility and customization to the Zuora subscription management platform. Zuora Connect is leveraged by the world's largest global enterprises including Schneider Electric, CLEAR and NCR.

"Zuora Connect allows enterprises to rapidly innovate and precisely tailor their subscription infrastructure to meet the unique demands of their subscribers," said Tom Krackeler, SVP Product at Zuora. "Our growing ecosystem of partners and applications gives our customers access to continuous subscription management innovation and a competitive advantage to monetize any service."

Zuora built the Connect app marketplace to give subscription businesses access to innovation from across the Zuora ecosystem so that each business can tailor their own systems for success within the Subscription Economy. Connect integrates into the Zuora subscription management platform which currently enables more than 800 companies to design new pricing models; automate downstream billing, payments, and revenue recognition based on subscription charges; and run the business based on industry standard, customer-centric subscription metrics.

"A subscription platform that can interconnect applications to meet the business process requirements is important to maximize efficiency and the resulting experience for customers," said Mark Smith, CEO and Chief Research Officer at Ventana Research. "Zuora Connect helps ensure the order-to-cash process is interconnected across the enterprise and can rapidly plug into applications and systems without excessive spending on resources or developers."

New Zuora Connect Applications

The Connect marketplace features a new developer site and nearly 100 apps created specifically for subscription businesses including quoting, financial operations, data ingestion, e-signatures and ERP integrations. The apps are built to solve real-world use cases, such as lockbox file processing, custom dunning workflows, discount management rules, and more. All apps are built by Zuora and its customers and ISV partners, and are hosted on the Zuora platform.

New to Zuora Connect are lockbox synchronizations with banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Bank of the West, Commonwealth Bank, City National Bank, Harris Bank), and connectors to data providers (ProfitWell Visualization Dashboard, Amplitude, MailChimp, Mixpanel, WhatCounts, Zendesk), app stores (Amazon and Apple), and tax management solutions (Sabrix, Vertex and CCH). Five of the most often used Connect applications are:

Collections Manager: Creates workflows for dunning and invoice collections processes. Automatically suspend, cancel, and/or resume any customer subscriptions, and send email and SMS notifications.

Advanced Payment Retry: Minimizes revenue leakage by orchestrating retry rules and actions targeting the root cause of the decline for millions of failed credit card payments at a time.

Developer Tools: Onboards new customers and performs migrations and updates en masse with API loaders that save time and improve the subscription experience of customers.

Promo Codes: Automates and manages millions of promotion codes without manual intervention. Simplify the customer checkout process with coupons, promotions and incentives.

Price Books: Simplify the pricing process by integrating to the Zuora product catalog and centralizing pricing maintenance.

Zuora Connect Customers

"As one of the largest technology providers for the financial, retail and hospitality industries, our subscription business model is imperative in delivering best-in-class software that enables Omni-Channel consumer experiences. A new set of systems is required to handle the business demands of our new subscription offerings, and having access to the Zuora Connect marketplace is accelerating the pace at which we are enabling our subscription and SaaS business," said Bill VanCuren, CIO at NCR.

"We are all about our customers; their experience is our first priority and is a key tenet of our brand. At airports, stadiums and soon in retail locations, we are transforming the customer experience by creating a seamless experience for verifying identities and processing transactions," said Ken Cornick, Co-Founder, President and CFO at CLEAR. "Our customers expect that same high level of service when it comes to the management of their membership accounts and this is made possible by Zuora's leading subscription technology and partner ecosystem."

"Zuora Connect offered tools that allowed us to accelerate our payment operations and system management activities. As a chief accounting officer, saving time and maximizing team efficiency is paramount in running a best-in-class enterprise software company," said David Tabachnick, CAO at Autotask Corporation.

"The Zuora Salesforce CPQ Connector is being used by Five9 in our production operations and is the essential glue between our front office and back office operations. It eliminated costly development work we might have had to take on ourselves and saves countless hours for our back office team," said Claus Roggensack, Senior Manager, Business Applications at Five9.

Zuora Connect Partners

Distribution and development of critical subscription business applications are critical to the bottom line and customer satisfaction. Zuora has invested significantly in the security and support of Zuora Connect. Partners developing new apps or customizing existing apps on the platform will benefit from:

Security and compliance: The Connect Platform is SOC 1 Type 1 and SOC 2 Type 1 compliant.

Ease of upgrades: Nothing to install, zero down time, and backwards compatible.

Open framework: Developer site complete with app builder starter pack, Connect GEM and a community board to enable rapid app development by 3rd parties; written in Ruby with full REST API coverage.

Global support: The service of Zuora's award-winning Global Support team.

Partner on-boarding program: Enablement process ensures success for vendors that want to build and host apps on the Zuora Platform.

Monetization models: A monetization framework for partners and developers available to help them generate revenue from apps featured in Zuora Connect.

"As subscription businesses launch new services and expand globally into new markets, the complexity and need to support a wider-array of payment options increases rapidly," said Andre Machicao, SVP of CyberSource at Visa. "Our pre-built integration to Zuora, featured on the Zuora Connect marketplace, allows us to more effectively reach and support the fast-growth companies and established global enterprises using Zuora that need to mitigate fraud and secure their payment data."

"The Zuora Connect app starter kit, open platform, and partner on-boarding process have made it very easy for us to build a number of integrations for our joint customers," said Patrick Campbell, Co-founder and CEO at Price Intelligently. "We are thrilled to showcase the apps for our ProfitWell and ProfitWell Retain products in the Zuora Connect marketplace, in particular the Profitwell Visualization Dashboard app, and we look forward to collaborating with Zuora to deliver value-add solutions to the Subscription Economy."

Additional Resources

About Zuora Connect

"The Subscription Economy: A Business Transformation" by Tien Tzuo, CEO of Zuora

SlideShare: "Drivers of Success in the Subscription Economy"

Follow us online:

Facebook.com/zuora

@Zuora

SubscriptionEconomy

About Zuora, Inc.

Zuora is a SaaS company and the world's foremost evangelist of the Subscription Economy. Zuora's leading subscription management platform helps enable businesses in any industry to launch or shift products to subscription, implement new pay-as-you-go pricing and packaging models, gain new insights into subscriber behavior, open new revenue streams, and disrupt market segments to gain competitive advantage. Zuora serves more than 800 companies around the world in every industry including Box, Komatsu, Rogers, Schneider Electric, Toshiba, Xplornet and Zendesk. The Subscription Economy Index (SEI) demonstrates that SEI companies are growing revenues approximately nine times faster than the S&P 500. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Zuora also operates offices in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, San Francisco, London, Paris, Beijing, Sydney and Tokyo.

 2017 Zuora, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Zuora, Subscribed and Subscription Economy are trademarks of Zuora, Inc. Third party trademarks mentioned above are owned by their respective companies. Nothing in this press release should be construed to the contrary, or as an approval, endorsement or sponsorship by any third parties of Zuora, Inc. or any aspect of this press release. To learn more about the Zuora platform, please visit www.zuora.com.

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3119390


LOS ANGELES, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- GTX Corp (OTCBB: GTXO), an IoT platform in the personal location wearable and wandering assistive technology business, will be showcasing its flagship GPS SmartSole at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany March 20 - 24 on the Telefonica Deutschland stand in Hall 12, Stand D49.

CeBIT is the largest and most internationally represented computer expo, with over 200,000 participants and is the world's largest gathering of leading edge technology companies. Held in Hannover, Germany each year on the Hannover fairground, it is considered a barometer of current trends and a measure of the technology industry. Telefonica Deutschland is part of Telefonica SA group (NYSE: TEF) a Spanish multinational broadband and telecommunications provider with operations in Europe, Asia, North, Central and South America, and is one of the largest telephone operators and mobile network providers in the world. Presenting the latest developments around the theme of connectivity and showcasing the GPS SmartSole, GTX Corp's flagship patented wearable tech product, along with other unique and flexible business solutions in the areas of Machine 2 Machine (M2M) and the Internet of Things (IoT).

"We are excited to be demonstrating the GPS SmartSole on our stand at CeBIT, it is one of the unique and innovative M2M products that we are proud to help bring to market," says Dirk Grote, Director B2B of Telefonica Deutschland

In addition to the Telefonica staff, Eric Gnass, CEO of way4net, the German distributor for the GPS SmartSoles will be in attendance and demonstrating the SmartSoles. Eric commented, "The GPS SmartSole continues to build strong recognition in Germany as an innovative and essential product for those caring for people with Alzheimer's, dementia and other cognitive memory disorders which may cause a tendency for people to wander and go missing. We welcome the opportunity to work with the Telefonica Deutschland team to explore new opportunities together."

Andrew Duncan head of international business development for GTX Corp commented, "We are very happy to be exhibiting the GPS SmartSole at CeBIT with Telefonica. The Telefonica Deutschland team has been extremely supportive as we continue to explore new business opportunities, expand our distribution channels and launch new products into new vertical markets across Germany, the UK and Scandinavia. We look forward to meeting existing and new partners and customers at the show."

Initially created as a wander guard recovery solution for those at risk of wandering due to Alzheimer's, dementia, autism or traumatic brain injury, the patented GPS SmartSoles are a non-visible GPS and cellular tracking device designed to monitor the location and whereabouts of people afflicted with cognitive memory disorders who have a tendency to wander, become lost and disoriented. They can also be used by people at risk of kidnapping, such as government employees and corporate executives. The SmartSoles are a stigma free, safety and security wearable technology solution placed in the wearer's shoes that contain a GPS tracking chip connected through Telefonica's global cellular network that sends location information to the GTX Corp proprietary IoT platform showing the exact location of the individual wearing them. They come in several trim to fit sizes for both men and women, are water resistant, made with the highest quality German electronic components and assembled in Rhode Island, U.S.A.

About Telefonica Deutschland

Telefonica Deutschland Holding AG, with its operationally active subsidiaries Telefonica Germany GmbH & Co. OHG and E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH, is listed at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard. Through its brand O2 as well as several secondary and partner brands, the company offers postpaid and prepaid mobile telecommunications products as well as innovative mobile data services based on the GPRS, UMTS and LTE technologies to private and business customers in Germany. As an integrated communications provider it also offers fixed network products, such as DSL telephony for private customers, as well as innovative IP telephony and networking solutions for business customers. Telefonica Deutschland's product range is rounded off with modern high-speed internet products. With 49.3 million accesses (as of 31st December 2016), the company is one of the three leading integrated telecommunication providers in Germany. In the mobile segment alone, Telefonica Deutschland is responsible for 44.3 million lines -- making it the German market leader. Revenue in the financial year 2016 totalled EUR 7.50 billion. Telefonica Deutschland is part of the Spanish telecommunications group Telefonica S.A., headquartered in Madrid. With a presence in 21 countries and a customer base of 350 million accesses, Telefonica Group is one of the largest telecommunications companies around the world.

About GTX Corp

GTX Corp (GTXO) is a pioneer in Smart, Mobile and Wearable GPS, cellular and BLE tracking and recovery location based services. Through its proprietary enterprise monitoring platform and licensing, subscription recurring revenue business model, GTX Corp offers a complete end-to-end solution of hardware, software and connectivity, backed by an extensive portfolio of patents, patents pending, registered trademarks, copy rights and URL's. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with distributors in over 14 countries, GTX is known for its game-changing GPS Tracking App, and award winning, patented GPS and BLE SmartSole, the world's first, invisible wearable wander guard GPS tracking device, initially created for quick recovery of those at risk of wandering due to Alzheimer's, dementia, autism or traumatic brain injury. GTX provides solutions that answer the "where" question: where is my mother, child, employee, vehicle, drone and high-value assets. The Company doesn't just make and sell the best GPS tracking products, they deliver in over 35 countries, innovative, miniaturized, low power consumption wearable tech that provides safety, security and peace of mind at the touch of a button. We put the "Where" in Wearable Tech.

Online: www.gtxcorp.com Track My Workforce | GTX Corp www.gpssmartsole.com

Social media - withyou smartsole

https://www.facebook.com/gtxcorpcom

http://www.twitter.com/gtxcorp

www.linkedin.com/in/gtxcorp

http://www.pinterest.com/GTXCorp/

http://instagram.com/gtxcorp

Disclaimer: GTX Corp does not warrant or represent that the unauthorized use of materials drawn from the content of this document will not infringe rights of third parties who are not owned or affiliated by GTX Corp. Further GTX Corp cannot be held responsible or liable for the unauthorized use of this document's content by third parties unknown to the company.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. The terms and phrases "expects," "would," "will," "believes," and similar terms and phrases are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by GTX in light of its experience and its perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that GTX believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause GTX's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Certain risk factors that may cause actual results to differ are set forth in GTX's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which may be obtained at http://www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on GTX's forward-looking statements. GTX has no intention and undertakes no 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.

General information, investor relations, wholesale licensing, consumer purchase:

213.489.3019

info@gtxcorp.com

ir@gtxcorp.com

http://gtxcorp.com/contact-us/

Consumer Purchase of GPS SmartSoles: https://www.portable-gps-devices.com/smartsole/




SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- CFN Media Group, the leading creative agency and digital media network dedicated to legal cannabis, announces the publication of an article covering a clinical study of RSHO-X, Medical Marijuana Inc. (OTC PINK: MJNA) subsidiary HempMeds Mexico's flagship hemp based cannabidiol oil.

Cannabidiol (CBD), the main ingredient in RSHO-X, has been growing in popularity due to its tremendous potential to treat many serious medical conditions. In fact, the cannabinoid has shown promise in treating everything from arthritis to antibiotic resistant infections to schizophrenia. The non-psychoactive nature of the compound also means that it is subject to less regulatory scrutiny than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and may be provided both over-the-counter and as a prescription.

Medical Marijuana recently announced the results of a study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of RSHO-X 5000 for the treatment of Lennox Gastaut Syndrome -- a severe form of childhood encephalopathies with high seizure frequency, progressive cognitive impairment, and antiepileptic drug resistance. The condition affects roughly 30,000 individuals in the United States and another 300,000 individuals around the world.

The study found that RSHO-X 5000 reduced motor seizures for 84% of patients, with more than half of participants reporting a better than 75% reduction in seizures. In addition, 17% of patients reported a complete elimination of all seizures. The study also found an 89% improvement in quality of life, like alertness (43%), social interaction (40%) and attention (30%) with no reported adverse side effects to the 5-7mg of CBD per kilogram of bodyweight.

Medical Marijuana has relied on external evidence to support the import of its RSHO products into countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Puerto Rico for specific medical conditions. While there are numerous studies supporting the use of CBDs, clinical studies involving the company's own RSHO product lines could provide even more support for importation, since mainstream doctors in these countries and territories may be more willing to prescribe the drug.

To view the study, follow the link: http://cmwmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/hempmeds_dr_garza_study_doctors_version_03-13-17-ver1.pdf

Please follow the link to read the full article: http://www.cannabisfn.com/clinical-study-confirms-effectiveness-medical-marijuana-inc-s-rsho/

Learn how to become a CFN Media featured company, brand or entrepreneur: http://www.cannabisfn.com/become-featured-company/

Download the CFN Media iOS mobile app to access the world of cannabis from your smart phone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cannabisfn/id988009247?ls=1&mt=8

Or visit our homepage and enter your mobile number under the Apple App Store logo to receive a download link text on your iPhone: http://www.cannabisfn.com

About CFN Media

CFN Media (CannabisFN) is the leading creative agency and media network dedicated to legal cannabis. We help marijuana businesses attract investors, customers (B2B, B2C), capital, and media visibility. Private and public marijuana companies and brands in the US and Canada rely on CFN Media to grow and succeed.

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 http://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.

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC, which owns CFN Media and CannabisFN.com, is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://www.cannabisfn.com/legal-disclaimer/.

CFN Media

Frank Lane

2063697050

flane@cannabisfn.com




BLAINVILLE, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Maya Gold & Silver ("Maya" or the "Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: MYA) is pleased to report the production of silver for the month of February 2017 as well as an update of the mining operations at its Zgounder Millenium Silver Mine.

February 2017, Operational Highlights

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Production Production information information two months ended Month ended February 28, February 28, 2017 2017 2016 --------------------------------------- Tonnage of dry material processed (t) 4,113 9,088 9,075 Average grade processed (g/t Ag) 405.8 392.2 399.4 Metal produced (Kg) 1,369 3,029 2,900 Ounces of silver ingots produced 44,010 97,386 92,241 Average recovery rate (%) 82.0 85.0 80.0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Development highlights at the Zgounder Mine

During the month of February 2017, underground exploration and development consisted of 351 metres of percussion drilling in seven mine workings. Highlights of the work completed are:

-- Percussion drilling was carried out at the 2030 level on three separated drifts. -- Panel 1 was extended in the western zone of level 2100. The mineralization lies at the contact of the dolerite dyke and Neoproterozoic metasediments and at the intersection of EW- and NS- oriented structures. The mineralization consists of disseminated sulphides (sphalerite, galena and pyrite) accompanied by trace amounts of native silver within fractures and quartz veinlets. A percussion drilling program is set to confirm the extension of the mineralization. -- Other percussion drill holes have confirmed the presence of silver mineralization at the 2006 level.

Installation of the Flotation Cell Units

Maya was informed by the supplier, of the completion of the Flotation Cell Units during the months of January and February. The engineering and technical representatives of Maya inspected the cells and gave their approval of the completed work. The basic engineering and infrastructures related to the installation of the cell units at the Zgounder mine are completed and ready.

The Flotation Cell Units were packed into shipping containers and the equipment is currently being transported to the Zgounder Millenium Silver Mining site located in the Anti-Atlas Mountains of central Morocco. Management expects the equipment to arrive on site during the month of April, anticipates the Flotation Cells will be assembled, undergo testing, design basis and optimization during the year, and be commissioned before year end. The Management expects the Flotation Cell Units, once integrated to the processing circuit will increase the tonnage of the ore processed from 187 t/day to up to 500 t/day.

Qualified Persons

The technical content of this news release has been provided by Zgounder Millenium Silver Mining and has been reviewed and approved by Michel Boily, PhD, geo from GEON; an independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101 standards.

ABOUT MAYA

Maya Gold & Silver Inc. is a Canadian publicly listed mining corporation focused on the exploration and development of gold and silver deposits in Morocco. Maya is initiating mining and milling operations at its Zgounder Mine owned by Zgounder Millenium Silver Mining ("ZMSM"), a Maya 85% owned joint venture with l'Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines ("ONHYM") of the Kingdom of Morocco (15%).

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.

Forward-looking statements

This news release contains statements about our future business and planned activities. These are "forward-looking" because we have used what we know and expect today to make a statement about the future. Forward-looking statements including but are not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work and analyses. Forward-looking statements usually include words such as may, intend, plan, expect, anticipate, and believe or other similar words. We believe the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, actual events and results could be substantially different because of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business or events that happen after the date of this news release. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. As a general policy, we do not update forward-looking statements except as required by securities laws and regulations.

Contacts:

Maya Gold & Silver Inc.

R Martin Wong CPA CA

Interim Chief Executive Officer

450-435-0700

mwong@mayagoldsilver.com



Maya Gold & Silver Inc.

Noureddine Mokaddem

President

450-435-0700

nmokaddem@mayagoldsilver.com



Maya Gold & Silver Inc.

Nathalie Dion

Investor Relations

450-435-0700 ext. 202

ndion@mayagoldsilver.com




By the initiative and decision of the Board of the company the Annual General Meeting of Vilniaus Degtine AB (company code 120057287) to be held on April 6th, 2017 at 11.00 a.m. at the company's premises in Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius is convened. Registration of shareholders starts at 10.00 a.m.



The shareholders attending the meeting must provide an identification document. The representatives of the shareholders must additionally posses a proxy approved by the procedure prescribed by law.



A shareholder may, by means of electronic communications, authorize a natural or legal person to participate and vote in his name at the General Meeting of Shareholders. Such a power of attorney of the shareholder need not be certified by a notary. The power of attorney issued through electronic communication channels must be confirmed by the shareholder by a safe electronic signature developed by safe signature equipment and approved by a qualified certificate effective in the Republic of Lithuania. The shareholder shall inform the company on the power of attorney issued through electronic communication channels by e-mail vd@degtine.lt no later than last business day before the meeting at 4 p.m. The power of attorney and notification shall be issued in writing. The power of attorney and notification to the company shall be signed with the Electronic Signature but not the letters sent via the e-mail. By submitting the notification to the company the shareholder shall include the Internet address from which it would be possible to download the software to verify an Electronics Signature of the shareholder.



The Meeting's accounting day - March 30th, 2017. The persons who are shareholders of the company at the end of accounting day of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall have the right to attend and vote at the General Meeting of Shareholders.



The rights accounting day - April 21st, 2017. The shareholders will use property rights arising from the resolutions accepted during the General Meeting of Shareholders on a ratio basis of number of shares at the end of the rights accounting day.



On the Agenda:



1. Auditor's opinion on the set of company's financial statements and on the company's yearly report.



2. Proposals and comments of the Supervisory Board.



3. Approval of the company's yearly report for the year 2016.



4. Approval of the set of company's financial statements for the year 2016.



5. Appropriation of the year's 2016 profit of the Company



6. Election of the firm of auditors and establishment of terms of remuneration for audit services.



7. Regarding mortgage and pledge of companies fixed assets.



8. Other questions.



The agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be supplemented by initiative of shareholders who own shares no less than 1/20 of all the votes. Proposals to the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders may be submitted by e-mail vd@degtine.lt or delivered to the Company's office at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, no later than the March 23rd, 2017. Please be informed that along with a proposal to supplement the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders must be submitted the drafts of proposed decisions, or if the decisions shall not be adopted, explanations on each of the proposed issue.



Shareholders who own shares no less than 1/20 of all votes own the right at any time before the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders or during the meeting in writing (delivering proposals to the company at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius) or by e-mail vd@degtine.lt propose new draft decisions related to the questions included into agenda, additional candidates of the company's organs, propose an audit company.



Shareholders own the right to ask the questions concerning the agenda of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Questions may be submitted by e-mail vd@degtine.lt or delivered directly to the Company's office at Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, not later than 3 working days till General Meeting. The Company may refuse to answer to shareholder's questions if they are concerned to the commercial (industrial) secrets or other confidential information. If it is possible to set the shareholder's identity, the Company shall inform the shareholder on the refusal to provide asked information.



Each shareholder or representative thereof shall have the right to cast his/her vote in advance in writing by filling in a general ballot paper. The general ballot paper form shall be announced in the company's website http://www.degtine.lt. no later than 21 days before the Meeting. Upon the shareholder's request in writing, the company no later than 10 days before the Meeting shall send a general ballot paper by registered mail free of charge or hand it in person against signature. The general ballot paper filled shall be signed by the shareholder or his/her representative. In case the ballot paper is signed by the shareholder's authorized representative, such person along with the filled ballot paper shall submit the document to confirm the voting right corresponding to the requirements set by the laws. The ballot paper filled and the document confirming the voting right (if required) shall be submitted in a written form to the company's head office Paneriu str. 47, Vilnius, by registered mail or by handing against signature no later than on the last business day before the Meeting.



The following information and documents during the whole period are available on the website of the company http://www.degtine.lt starting no later than 21 days before the Meeting:



- report on the convening of the Meeting;



- the total number of the company's shares and the number of shares with voting rights on the convening day of the Meeting;



- draft resolutions on each agenda issue and other documents to be submitted to the Meeting;



- general ballot paper form.



Attachments:



1. Draft Resolutions of the General Shareholder Meeting; 2. Draft Financial Statements for the year 2016; 3. Ballot Paper.



Authorized to provide additional information - General Manager Dovile Tamoseviciene 8 5 233 0819





Dovile Tamoseviciene



General Manager



8 5 233 0819



Attachment:

https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=620237

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Growth teams can create deeper relationships with website visitors using the full power and scale of Urban Airship's market-leading mobile app engagement platform



PORTLAND, Ore., 2017-03-15 14:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mobile growth company Urban Airship today unveiled its new web push notification solution-Urban Airship Web Notify-to help marketers engage new website visitors and boost connections with returning visitors with personalized, real-time messaging. Web Notify uses the same scalable platform, APIs, powerful segmentation and sophisticated real-time marketing automation engine as Urban Airship's mobile app engagement solution, which have been proven to increase notification response rates 4X and user retention by 3X. With web notifications from Urban Airship, marketers can align their mobile web, desktop web and app engagement strategies to effectively reach their mobile audience in the most appropriate channel.



A comparison of the top 1000 mobile apps versus the top 1000 mobile web properties in comScore's 2016 U.S. Mobile App Report found that website audiences are almost three times the size and growing twice as fast as app audiences, but people spend one-twentieth the time they do on apps. This web engagement gap is also poised to grow. Forrester projects "global web traffic from smartphones will reach 52% in 2019 on its way to 70% by 2025" (Forrester Research, Inc, A Billion Mobile Sites Spark No Joy, September 29, 2016).



With Urban Airship Web Notify marketers can engage website visitors with timely, relevant and interactive messages based on their website behaviors, as well as apply A/B/n testing of messages to optimize performance and build automation rules for individualized messaging at-scale. Web notifications appear whether or not visitors are actively on the website or in their web browser and are highly visible for in-the-moment messaging, appearing in the top or bottom right-hand corner of desktop screens, or just like an app-based notification on Android devices.



"TGI Fridays is already seeing great success with mobile ordering and we're now expanding those capabilities from our app to our website, where we serve a much higher volume of guests," said James Washington, Product Manager, TGI Fridays. "With web notifications and mobile app messaging from Urban Airship we can better serve our customers however they choose to interact with us, while also enabling new processes like curbside delivery to keep pace with digital's growth."



Urban Airship Web Notify enables marketers to decide when to ask visitors for permission to send web notifications, recommending a more nuanced approach rather than a blunt-force opt-in request on first website visit. Once opt in is secured, businesses can use web notifications to accomplish a variety of objectives, as well as promote other digital brand offerings including their app or a mobile wallet item like a loyalty card or coupon. Some of the top categorical use cases for web notifications, which may complement or replace less immediate forms of customer communications, include:



-- Transactional messaging: confirmation of important transactions (e.g. purchase, shipping, delivery, tipping, requesting service reviews, etc.) -- Educational messaging: informing visitors about key events, resources, new features or products or services -- Lifecycle messaging: welcoming new returning visitors, incentivizing first purchase/deeper exploration, thanking social advocates, retargeting campaigns -- Promotional messaging: highlighting special offers



For additional ideas on leveraging this new communication channel, download Urban Airship's Web Notification Inspiration Guide, or register for Urban Airship's April webinar.



"Websites have largely relied on email as a way to stimulate customer interactions beyond the first visit," said Brett Caine, president and CEO, Urban Airship. "Industry data shows email open rates are on the decline and sending more has a detrimental impact on user engagement. Our massive experience with in-the-moment notifications now applied to the Web unlocks a new direct channel for businesses to speak directly to website users and spark re-engagement without relying on intermediaries like search engines, social networks and email filters."



Support & Availability Web Notify is available as a standalone solution or as functionality integrated into the message composer and workflow of Urban Airship Engage. Initial browser support for desktop and Android mobile web notifications includes Chrome 52+, Opera 39+ and Firefox 48+.



To get started, businesses only need to add a few files to their websites, including Urban Airship's Web SDK.



About Urban Airship Urban Airship is trusted by thousands of businesses looking to grow with mobile. Every day, marketers and developers depend on Urban Airship to deliver billions of mobile moments that inspire interest and drive action. Urban Airship's mobile growth platform is used by many of the world's most admired companies, including Adidas, Alaska Airlines, The Home Depot, NBC Universal, Sky Media, and Zillow.



For more information, visit www.urbanairship.com, read our blog and follow us on Twitter or LinkedIn.



Media Contacts: Elena Keamy (North America) Bateman Group +1 415-651-4023 urbanairship@bateman-group.com Adrian Ma or Jonny Stanton (EMEA) Fanclub PR +44 207 096 1375 adrian.ma@fanclubpr.com jonny.stanton@fanclubpr.com Corey Gault Urban Airship +1 503-206-9164 corey@urbanairship.com

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BROSSARD, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Diagnos Inc. ("DIAGNOS" or "the Corporation") (TSX VENTURE: ADK), a leader in early detection of critical health issues through the use of Artificial Intelligence ("AI"), announces today the signing of an agreement, for total value of $800,000, for the sale of the assets from the mining division to Majescor Resources Inc ("Majescor") (TSX VENTURE: MJX).

Under the terms of the agreement, on or before March 31st, 2017, Majescor will issue 8,000,000 common shares of its share capital to DIAGNOS, at a deemed price of $0.10 per share, in payment for the assets acquired. Additionally, Majescor will remit to DIAGNOS (i) 50% of any payment that Majescor receives from the royalty agreements forming part of the acquired assets, and (ii) 5% of revenues generated by the commercialization of the CARDS System.

"The sale of our mining division is in-line with a strategic restructuring announcement we made on March 5th, 2015, to focus on healthcare and the commercialization of CARA worldwide. CARA is a powerful Artificial Intelligence tool which simplifies and streamlines the process of diabetic retinopathy screening by allowing referrals to specialists to only the most at risk patients. This leads to massive savings to the healthcare system." stated Andre' Larente, President of DIAGNOS.

The transaction is subject to terms and conditions such as receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All monies quoted in this press release shall be stated and paid in lawful money of Canada.

About DIAGNOS

Founded in 1998, DIAGNOS is a publicly traded Canadian corporation with a mission of early detection of critical health issues through the use of its Artificial Intelligence ("AI") tool CARA (Computer Assisted Retina Analysis). CARA is a tele-ophthalmology platform that integrates with existing equipment (hardware and software) and processes at the point of care (POC). CARA's Artificial Intelligence image enhancement algorithms make standard retinal images sharper, clearer, and easier to read. CARA is accessible securely over the internet, and is compatible with all recognized image formats and brands of fundus cameras, and is EMR compatible. CARA is a cost-effective tool for screening large numbers of patients, in real-time and has been approved by regulatory authorities including Health Canada, US Food and Drug Administration, the European Union and others.

For further information, please visit our website at www.diagnos.com, or visit the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

This document contains forward-looking information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these statements. DIAGNOS disclaims any intention or obligation to publically update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Mr. Andre Larente

President

(450) 678-8882, ext.: 224




Netkom selects Stratoscale to deploy an AWS-compatible region within its datacenter, which will be leveraged to offer Netkom's customers advanced cloud services

Stratoscale announced that Netkom, a Switzerland-based IT service provider, has implemented Symphony 3 as its cloud infrastructure solution, transforming Netkom's datacenter into an AWS-compatible cloud region. In tandem with the launch of its new cloud services, which is based on Stratoscale's solution, Netkom will present at CeBIT 2017 on March 20 24.

Driven by its ongoing cloud discussions with customers, Netkom's focus has shifted toward offering cloud services as a seamless extension of their customers' existing enterprise datacenter, combining SaaS, IaaS and PaaS solutions. Netkom wanted to build a robust and highly available cluster that would ensure the scalability and performance required to offer public cloud services, while reducing the complexity associated with optimizing and scaling infrastructure. "Obtaining optimal infrastructure efficiencies and streamlining our customer onboarding process was a critical consideration in evaluating various cloud infrastructure solution vendors," explained Andre Matter, Netkom's CEO.

Stratoscale enables enterprises and MSPs to deploy an AWS region on top of existing hardware by transforming any x86 server into an elastic, highly utilized and consumable cloud that is AWS compatible. Deployed in minutes, Stratoscale enables service providers to align with an AWS-cloud-first strategy. Stratoscale offers sought-after flexibility and simplicity in managing all workloads and resources via a single pane control, decoupled from any hardware vendor constraints.

"We specifically designed our product to cater to the special requirements of service providers," said Ariel Maislos, Stratoscale's CEO. "Capabilities such as multi-tenancy, quota-based consumption, chargeback and self-service are critical to any effective cloud offering. By offering service providers all the cloud services customers have grown to appreciate, supported by high availability and resiliency, we can offer service providers an enterprise grade solution that can be deployed and marketed immediately."

Netkom leveraged existing hardware to deploy Stratoscale. The flexibility in using any server and storage solution was very attractive to Netkom because it eliminated vendor lock-in constraints. Netkom was also able to reduce customer onboarding from a week to just a few hours.

"Our partnership with Stratoscale and the implementation was fully aligned with Netkom's strategy to reduce our support and datacenter maintenance," said Matthias Imhof, Netkom's COO. "Stratoscale offered the simplicity of building and managing a complete cluster within a few hours and provided the availability, scalability and performance we need to onboard new customers."

Late last year, Stratoscale announced Stratoscale Symphony 3, the third generation of the company's comprehensive cloud data center software, as well as the availability of a fully managed and AWS-compatible relational database service which provides single-click deployment and seamless scalability while removing operational friction. With the added services and capabilities, Stratoscale is providing a superior solution for Netkom to meet market demands as the industry evolves.

About Netkom

Based in Switzerland, Netkom IT Services GmbH is a full-service IT provider with a focus on high availability, performance, flexibility and security.

About Stratoscale

Stratoscale is the cloud infrastructure company, allowing anyone to deploy an AWS compatible region in the datacenter. Stratoscale Symphony, can be deployed in minutes on commodity x86 servers, creating an AWS region supporting EC2, S3, EBS, VPC RDS and Kubernetes. Stratoscale was named a "Cool Vendor in Servers and Virtualization" by Gartner and raised more than $70M from leading investors, including Battery Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Cisco, Intel, Qualcomm Ventures, SanDisk and Leslie Ventures.

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005185/en/

Contacts:

Racepoint Global for Stratoscale

Calin Gunn, +1-202-517-1502

stratoscale@racepointglobal.com
Stefan Olofsson to Discuss Applications in Retail, Manufacturing and Financial Services Environments

Viptela

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005297/en/

(Graphic: Business Wire)

WHO: Stefan Olofsson, Distinguished Architect at Viptela, a provider of Software-Defined WAN technology. He is a veteran of the networking industry, and played direct roles in the architecture of large enterprise and Global Tier-1 service provider networks. WHAT: The demands of cloud, mobile and digital applications are breaking traditional MPLS infrastructures within enterprises. Meanwhile, SD-WAN is a breakthrough technology that overcomes these challenges by delivering a more flexible, reliable, simpler to manage and lower cost alternative to existing WAN environments. In this session Stefan Olofsson will discuss case studies on the deployment of SD-WAN technology by organizations in the retail, manufacturing and financial services sectors. Each of which has its own unique challenges and requirements when it comes to the WAN. He will present a before and after comparison of the expectations and results in each deployment, and the lessons learned by both the enterprises and the service providers. WHERE: "Managed SD-WAN Case-Studies in Retail, Manufacturing and Financials MPLS SDN NFV World Congress 2017 Marriott Paris Rive Gauche, 17 Boulevard Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France For more information or to register: http://www.uppersideconferences.com/mpls-sdn-nfv/index.html WHEN: Thursday, March 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. HOW: To schedule a conversation with Stefan Olofsson, contact Marc Gendron at marc@mgpr.net or 781-237-0341.

About MPLS SDN NFV World Congress 2017

The 19th Edition of the MPLS SDN NFV World Congress, to be held from 21st to 24th of March 2017 in Paris, will reflect the major trend in the networking industry: how to evolve from management to orchestration. The event will once again gather major actors of service providers and enterprises networks evolution. A strong presence of service providers (45% of the +1,500 participants) as well as a growing internationalization (more than 65 countries represented) will confirm the Paris World Congress as the first worldwide event in the MPLS, SDN and NFV area. To register, visit https://www.uppersideconferences.com/mpls-sdn-nfv/mpls-sdn-nfv_2017_registration.html.

About Viptela

Viptela provides Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology that virtualizes WAN infrastructure. The platform allows global companies to build an overlay network architecture that is policy-controlled and enables seamless digital transformation and migration to the Cloud. Viptela has been deployed at thousands of sites and is the most deployed SD-WAN solution among Global Fortune-1000 enterprises. Major carriers including Verizon and Singtel are using Viptela to deliver managed SD-WAN services. The company has been named a Next Billion Dollar Startup by Forbes, 2016 Red Herring Global 100 Company and CRN Tech Innovator. Viptela is backed by Sequoia Capital, Redline Capital and Northgate Capital. For more information, visit: viptela.com or follow us on Twitter @viptela.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005297/en/

Contacts:

Marc Gendron PR

Marc Gendron, 781-237-0341

marc@mgpr.net
Coca-Cola European Partners plc (CCEP) (ticker symbol: CCE) will release fourth-quarter and full-year 2016 earnings at 11:30 GMT, 12:30 CET, and 7:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, 21 March 2017.

A conference call discussing these results will be webcast live through the company's website, www.ccep.com, at 14:00 GMT, 15:00 CET, and 10:00 a.m. EDT. A replay of the presentation will be available later that day.

A copy of the company's news release will be available through the website on the home page and under the Investors section.

CCEP also announced today that Chief Executive Officer Damian Gammell and Chief Financial Officer Nik Jhangiani will present at the Consumer Analyst Group of Europe (CAGE) Conference in London on Wednesday, 22 March 2017, at 14:15 GMT, 15:15 CET, and 10:15 a.m. EDT.

The public can access the presentation live via webcast through the company's website at www.ccep.com.

ABOUT CCEP

Coca-Cola European Partners plc (CCEP) is a leading consumer packaged goods company in Europe, producing, distributing and marketing an extensive range of nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages and is the world's largest independent Coca-Cola bottler based on revenue. Coca-Cola European Partners serves a consumer population of over 300 million across Western Europe, including Andorra, Belgium, continental France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam, the New York Stock Exchange, Euronext London, and on the Spanish stock exchanges, and trades under the symbol CCE. For more information about CCEP, please visit www.ccep.com and follow CCEP on Twitter at @CocaColaEP.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005723/en/

Contacts:

Coca-Cola European Partners plc

Investor Relations

Thor Erickson, +1-678-260-3110

or

Media Relations

Ros Hunt, +44-7528-251-022
LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

We expect forthcoming FY16 results (30 March) to highlight the strength of Polypipe's model with a strong y-o-y uplift in earnings and good cash generation. The company is well positioned and aligned with long-term UK government policy direction and we expect greater clarity to benefit this industry leader. Translating this to earnings growth above the peer average will be key to sustaining a premium rating.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130417/608168 )



Since IPO, Polypipe's share price has risen by c 36% although the path has been somewhat more variable than the underlying trading performance. Sentiment was affected by the Brexit outcome in June last year but has recovered well from a share price low of 227p in July. On our initial estimates, the company is trading on FY16 13.5x P/E and 9.8x EV/EBITDA multiples, which compress to 11.7x and 8.2x respectively by FY18. Faster earnings growth rates sustaining the current premium rating and putting it in line with sector peer Marshalls would generate a share price towards or in excess of 400p. The expected FY16 dividend yield is 3.0%.



Click here to view the full report.

All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website

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About Edison: Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise.At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting.

Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities.

Contact details: Learn more at http://www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:

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For more information please contact:

Toby Thorrington Edison Investment Research, +44-(0)20-3077-5721 Roger Johnston Edison Investment Research +44-(0)20-3077-5722 industrials@edisongroup.com
DALLAS, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Ignite Sales, Inc. today announced it has launched Ignite Dialogue at the ICBA Live conference in San Antonio, TX. Ignite Dialogue, empowers small community banks and credit unions by providing affordable, easy and accurate digital sales conversation dialogues to meet the needs of customers.

Technology, previously only available for larger banks, has been adapted specifically for community banks and credit unions. Ignite Dialogue provides community bankers with powerful but affordable software as a service with which to discover and meet consumer and small business needs. Ignite Dialogue gives community banks the technological support necessary to maintain their dominant market position as the leaders in customer service and satisfaction by making every branch banker an expert. Bankers using Ignite should expect an increase in customer satisfaction by up to 38% and an increase in product adoption by 200%.

"Ignite Dialogue gives every community bank the flexibility to develop and maintain unique dialogue guides that meet the cultural and financial objectives of their particular bank as well as meet the needs of individuals and small businesses," said George Noga, CEO of Ignite Sales. "Banks can now use Ignite to further differentiate their brand by a consistent, customer focused engagement in the branches and on-line and have access to leading edge analytics to track the effectiveness of every customer interaction."

Ignite Dialogue is changing the way community banks engage with customers consistently and accurately, providing customized digital dialogues across all channels and engaging with relevance.

About Ignite Sales, Inc.

Ignite Sales is changing the way retail banks engage with customers, service their customers and measure the results of their efforts. Using embedded predictive analytics, Ignite's solution discovers and fulfills customer financial needs, resulting in more than a 38% increase in customer satisfaction and a 100% compliant and consistent conversation. Ignites patented technology is used by many of the top banking institutions in the country. Ignite is a two-time winner of Barlow Research Associates' Monarch Innovation Award, The Big Innovation Award for Business Intelligence and The Stevie Award for Marketing & Sales Intelligence. Ignite Sales is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Visit us at www.ignitesales.com.

Additional Resources

Follow Ignite on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ignitesales

Connect with Ignite on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ignite-sales

Media Contact:

Barbie Boe

Ignite Sales, Inc.

972.528.5043

Email Contact




PSA Group and its partners, EASA and Nordex, have signed an assembly contract, that will allow the Group to step up its offensive in light commercial vehicles (LCV) in Latin America.

Assembly will begin in the 2 nd half of 2017 on the Nordex industrial site in Montevideo (Uruguay).

With a capacity of 6,000 vehicles per year, production will be mainly destined for the Brazilian and Argentinian markets.

PSA Group aims to double light commercial vehicle sales in the region to reach 60,000 units by 2021.

Regulatory News:

Leader in the commercial vehicle market in Europe with 21.3% market share at end February 2017, PSA Group (Paris:UG) is currently rolling out its LCV sales offering in Latin America.

The Group will launch 16 new models in the region by 2021, including several commercial vehicles, such as the new Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy. The very promising LCV segment in these markets with a potential of one million vehicles per year represents an opportunity to boost the Group's growth in Latin America.

In 2016, PSA Group implemented a regional structure dedicated to the LCV segment to offer competitive products adapted to uses as well as high quality services for our professional customers, both during and after the sale. By assembling vehicles in Uruguay, close to our target markets, we will be able to propose a new competitive offering to our customers.

Carlos Tavares declared: "PSA Group has achieved an impressive recovery in the region over the last few years and this partnership fits into the Core Model Strategy of the Push to Pass Plan. It illustrates the relevant business model that the Group has developed in Latin America for profitable growth

EASA comprises the Afsa and Oversil companies, respectively brand importers for Peugeot (since 1950) and Citroen (since 1964) in Uruguay. Nordex has a long tradition of vehicle manufacturing in Uruguay, notably for PSA Group.

About PSA Group

With sales and revenue of 54 billion in 2015, the PSA Group designs unique automotive experiences and delivers mobility solutions that provide freedom and enjoyment to customers around the world. The Group has three car brands, Peugeot, Citroen and DS, as well as a wide array of mobility and smart services under its Free2Move brand, to meet the evolving needs and expectations of automobile users. The automobile manufacturer PSA is the European leader in terms of CO 2 emissions, with average emissions of 102.4 grams per kilometre in 2016, and an early innovator in the field of autonomous and connected cars, with 2.3 million such vehicles worldwide. It is also involved in financing activities through Banque PSA Finance and in automotive equipment via Faurecia. Find out more at groupe-psa.com/en.

Media library: https://medialibrary.groupe-psa.com// Twitter: @GroupePSA

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005768/en/

Contacts:

PSA Group

Media Contact:

Alain Le Gouguec, +33 1 40 66 58 54

alain.legouguec@mpsa.com
LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

As the leading provider of data erasure software for the enterprise market, Blancco is well positioned to exploit the growing requirement for secure data erasure. With major investment in sales and support complete and regulatory changes in its favour, Blancco is in a good position to drive adoption of its software via its direct sales and partner channels. The company's patented technology and numerous certifications create a strong barrier to entry.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130417/608168 )



Blancco is a rare growth company that already generates high operating margins. Post the reaction to interim results, the stock trades in the middle of its UK-based peer group but below the median for its global cybersecurity software peer group, despite earnings growth forecasts at the top end of the range. Evidence that the wider market accepts the need for secure data erasure should provide support to our growth forecasts and position the company for a multi-year growth phase.

Click here to view the full report.

All reports published by Edison are available to download free of charge from its website

http://www.edisoninvestmentresearch.com

About Edison: Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world-renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise.At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisers and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting.

Edison is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Edison is not an adviser or broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice. Edison's reports are not solicitations to buy or sell any securities.

Contact details: Learn more at http://www.edisongroup.com and connect with Edison on:

LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/company/edison-investment-research

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For more information please contact:

Katherine Thompson, Edison Investment Research, +44(0)20-3077-5730

Bridie Barrett, Edison Investment Research, +44(0)20-3077-5700

tech@edisongroup.com


LAVAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Urbanimmersive Inc. ("Urbanimmersive" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE: UI)(OTC PINK: UBMRF), a real estate content marketing platform where clients work with trusted content creators, publishers and technologies, is pleased to announce that the full launch of its visual content marketplace (the "Marketplace") throughout the entire Centris network which consists of over 13,000 real estate agents is scheduled for March 27, 2017.

The visual content marketplace, white labelled "Centris Marketplace", powered by Urbanimmersive, was initially rolled out in a pre-launch version to users on the network (see press releases dated November 17, 2016, and February 1, 2017). The Visual Content Marketplace is now ready and will be officially launched on March 27, 2017, in its full and reviewed version.

Centris Marketplace enables real estate agents to find, book and pay online trusted visual content providers. On top of being a marketplace of trusted providers, the Centris Marketplace is also a productivity tool for real estate agents.

The Marketplace's official launch will be supported by Centris marketing campaigns throughout its entire network and from different customer acquisition programs from Urbanimmersive.

"March 27th will mark the end of an intense 6-month pre-launch phase in order to perfect our platform and develop strategies with our partners," stated Ghislain Lemire, CEO of Urbanimmersive. "It is happening now and this is nothing short of a watershed moment for our Company as we are ready to unleash the full power of our Marketplace."

About Urbanimmersive

Urbanimmersive is a content marketing platform for the real estate industry. The Company connects real estate professionals, photographers and writers in order to simplify and optimize original content production workflow. Urbanimmersive enables its customers to leverage their marketing investment while increasing productivity, competitiveness, their web visibility, consumer engagement with their brand and ultimately, their revenue.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. Such statements relating to, among other things, the prospects for the company to enhance operating results, are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are significant in scope and nature. These uncertainties may cause actual results to differ from information contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results 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 the management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

Contacts:

Urbanimmersive Inc.

Ghislain Lemire

President & CEO

514-394-7820 X 202

ghislainlemire@urbanimmersive.com

www.urbanimmersive.com



For investor relations:

Contact Financial Corp.

Frederick Chabot

438-863-7071

frederick@contactfinancial.com






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Activity in the New York manufacturing sector grew at a modestly slower rate in the month of March, according to a report released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Wednesday.



The New York Fed said its business conditions index dipped to 16.4 in March from 18.7 in February, although a positive reading still indicates growth. Economists had expected the index to drop to 15.0.



The modest drop by the headline index came as the shipments index slid to 11.3 in March from 18.2 in February, indicating slower growth.



The prices paid index also fell to 31.0 in March from 37.8 in February, while the prices received index tumbled to 8.8 from 19.4.



On the other hand, the report said the new orders index climbed to 21.3 in March from 13.5 in February, reaching its highest level in several years.



The number of employees index also increased to 8.8 in March from 2.0 in February, pointing to an acceleration in the rate of job growth in the New York manufacturing sector.



Looking ahead, the New York said future indexes were generally lower, but the indexes assessing the six-month outlook suggested that firms remained highly optimistic about future conditions.



The report said the index for future business conditions dropped to 37.4 in March from 41.7 in the previous month.



On Thursday, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve is due to release its report on regional manufacturing conditions in March. The Philly Fed Index is expected to drop to 30.0 in March from 43.3 in February.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Triloma now has 58 associates, each averaging 16 years of investment industry experience. The firm has two public investment offerings currently available, and will continue to offer a series of private investment opportunities this year. Additionally, Triloma intends to introduce new products for 2017 in response to the ever-changing investment and regulatory environments.

This announcement comes on the heels of Triloma reporting more than $200 million in equity capital raised in 2016, as well as plans for continued growth and increased involvement in industry advocacy in 2017.

About Triloma

Triloma is a private investment management firm providing individuals with a unique approach to alternative investment opportunities. Triloma manages and sponsors a group of private and publicly-offered investment programs focused on private equity, real estate and energy investments. Triloma specializes in thorough research, individual access, powerful partnerships and excellent service. Triloma is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida. For additional information, please visit triloma.com.

Triloma Financial Group is the parent company to Triloma Securities, a FINRA-registered broker-dealer (collectively referred to herein as "Triloma").

Securities offered through Triloma Securities, member FINRA/SIPC.

This press release is not an offer to sell securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements identified by the use of words such as "outlook," "indicator," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. 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. Triloma assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events or circumstances.

Triloma Media Contact

Lauren Bowes

Findsome & Winmore

lbowes@findsomewinmore.com

407-722-7843
More than 150 attendees representing over 40 firms from 16 countries participated in Charles River Development's 2017 EMEA Client Conference, held March 7th and 8th in London. Charles River managers, clients and industry partners discussed current trends affecting buy-side firms in EMEA and globally, as well as Charles River's product road map. New capabilities were demonstrated in the Charles River Investment Management Solution (Charles River IMS) that address business needs in the front and middle office.

"Our conference was a great opportunity for clients to learn first-hand how Charles River IMS is helping firms bring investment products to market faster, deal more effectively with complex regulation, and reduce risk and cost through consolidation and standardization," said Gavin Lavelle, Managing Director-EMEA, Charles River.

Highlights included a half-day workshop on preparing for MiFID II and sessions demonstrating recent innovations in multi-asset portfolio decision support and trading, as well as guidance on how to migrate to Software as a Service (SaaS). Attendees included investment executives, portfolio managers, traders, compliance and risk managers, business operations staff and data managers. Demonstrations showcased multi-asset decision support tools, IBOR and middle office capabilities, new risk and data management solutions, and Charles River's compliance advisory services. Attendees also provided valuable feedback on the future direction of Charles River's products and services.

The 2017 Charles River Global Client Conference will be held November 5-8 in Boca Raton, Florida.

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 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/20170315005897/en/

Contacts:

Charles River Development

Helen Traverso, +44 20 7397 6896,

HelenTraverso@CRD.com
TUSTIN, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Logomark -- the industry-leading promotional products supplier -- is proud to announce the official launch of its new Perka Paper Cup line, showcasing a vast assortment of high-quality drinking and snacking vessels, available in a variety of sizes and customizable designs. Exceptionally fitting for either internal or external marketing, these relatively low-cost cups are perfect for corporate offices, car dealerships, events, conferences, trade-shows, banks, restaurants, coffee shops, retail stores and more.

"With an incredible range to choose from, our new Perka Paper Cups are another step forward in providing approachable, top-of-the-line marketing and promotional products for brands that crave a modern feel without breaking the bank," says Maggie Wheeler, Logomark's senior vice president of product development. "We are excited to open our clients up to a whole new low-cost, promotional option that can be made to work for any company, in any industry. The opportunities are endless!"

From four-ounce to 20-ounce cups, the Perka Paper Cup line is great for hot and cold drinks, as well as snacks -- and by utilizing Logomark's custom 360-degree wrap feature, any cup can be made to represent the voice and spirit of any brand. Made in the U.S.A., all cups are sealed by microwaves, while strict quality control procedures are in place to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction. The fine quality paper and inks used to make the cups are food safe and odorless certified (testing results available upon request). Available in a variety of double-wall and single-wall configurations, all orders receive free freight shipping within the continental U.S.A.

NEW Perka Paper Cup Sample Kits

Those interested in getting an up-close look at Logomark's new Perka Paper Cups are encouraged to request sample kits -- which are available in quantities of one, six and 30. All sample kit orders receive free freight shipping within the continental U.S., and Perka Paper Cups is offering the option of adding a tear-out coupon or sweepstakes window to further engage the end user. A sample of this fun, interactive cup is included with every kit. Specs below:

KN-Kit 01: $9.95(K) - qty. 1

KN-Kit 06: $19.95(K) - qty. 6

KN-Kit 30: $34.95(K) - qty. 30

Learn more about Logomark's product lines at www.logomark.com.

ABOUT LOGOMARK: Founded in 1993, Logomark is a premier supplier of personalized gift and promotional products for the North American and global advertising specialty market. The company is a certified member of the Quality Certification Alliance, ensuring standards that deliver the highest levels of product safety. Providing more than 3,000 top-quality products in diverse categories, Logomark persistently reinvents the promotional products industry exceptional product selections, innovative solutions and unequaled customer support. Logomark offers a complete line of products, an easy-to-use mobile app, an award-winning website and is ranked 8th in product searches on the industry's leading search platform. For more information on the company's broad line of quality promotional products, please call 800-789-4438 or visit www.logomark.com.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The FBI Washington Field Office, in partnership with the U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program, announced Wednesday a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, or aided or abetted in the commission of, the murder of U.S. citizen Joel Wesley Shrum in Yemen. On March 18, 2012, Joel Wesley Shrum, 29, was driving to his place of employment in Ta'izz, Yemen when two gunmen armed with AK-47s approached Shrum's vehicle on a motorcycle and fired on the vehicle. Shrum was pronounced dead on the scene. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) claimed responsibility for the murder. The U.S. State Department designated AQAP as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2010. At the time of his death, Shrum worked at the International Training and Development Center as an administrator and English teacher. He was living in Yemen with his wife and two young children. 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.
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.
PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Global Semiconductor Lasers Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014 - 2022," the semiconductor lasers market is expected to reach $8.9 billion by 2022 from $5.5 billion in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. In 2015, Asia-Pacific dominated the overall market with over 38% share and is anticipated to continue this trend during the forecast period.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 )

Summary of the Semiconductor Lasers Market Report can be accessed on the website at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/semiconductor-lasers-market

Semiconductor laser is a type of solid-state laser light producing device that differs from conventional lasers on the basis of mechanism used for light amplification. In a semiconductor laser, the active semiconductor components are used for amplifying the light which enables it to have compact size. In addition, it requires less power and is more efficient as compared to conventional laser.

The rise in demand of semiconductor lasers in defense sector, increased usage in medical sector, dedicated assembly, and low tolerance for packaging error fuel the market. However, the market growth is largely restrained by reliability issues and complexities in testing processes. Although, increase in demand for data storage where semiconductor lasers are used opens new opportunity for the players.

In 2015, fiber optic laser (FOL) contributed over 40% market share-the largest in terms of revenue. FOL serves analog and digital fiber communications, radio frequency links, and research applications. The laser allows link length of over 30km and does not require any amplifiers or signal distribution to multiple receivers as the power levels in lasers are higher than the conventional signal sources. However, green laser is anticipated to grow at a faster CAGR of 8.34% during the forecast period.

By end user application, the communication segment held over 30% revenue share and dominated the semiconductor lasers market in 2015. Green lasers can be used for a variety of roles such as pointing devices. Its ability to form a line in the dark has led to its usage as rescue lights as it can be seen from miles. In addition, it has been used for laser light shows and sky gazing as a person can pinpoint a star by using the green laser. It can also be used as a laser pointers for guns and rifles.

By geography, Asia-Pacific dominated the global semiconductor lasers market with over 35% share in overall revenue; followed by North America, Europe, and LAMEA. Furthermore, it is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period.

Connect to Research Analyst: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/1925

According to Komal Sharma, Analyst, Semiconductor & Electronics at AMR, "Global semiconductor lasers market has increased at a sustainable pace in last couple of years. Owing to the increase in usage among defense, healthcare, and other industries, the market is forecasted to have high growth opportunities in the years to come."

Check offers and discount on Semiconductor Lasers Market Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/get-discount/1925

Key findings of the study

Fiber optic laser segment dominated the market in 2015, with over 45% of market share. However, green laser and HPDL is expected to grow at a higher CAGR of 8.3%, during the forecast period.

Communication application segment accounted for over 32% of the market in 2015.

LAMEA is anticipated to be among one of the fast growing regions owing to the presence of rapidly growing automotive industry.

Asia-Pacific dominated the market in 2015 due surge in demand for semiconductor lasers in China , South Korea , and Japan .

The major players profiled in the report include ASML Holdings N.V., Coherent Inc., Newport Corporation, Sharp Corporation, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Trumpf GmbH + Co. KG, Axcel Photonics Inc., IPG Photonics Corporation, Han's Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd., and Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.

Summary of similar reports can be viewed at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/semiconductor-and-electronics/semiconductors-market-report

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.



Contact:

Rahul Thakur

5933 NE Win Sivers Drive

#205, Portland, OR 97220

United States

Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285

UK: + 44-845-528-1300

Hong Kong: + 852-301-84916

India (Pune): +91-20-66346060

Fax: +1-855-550-5975

help@alliedmarketresearch.com



Web: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com
GATINEAU, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced today that Canada has become a member of Eurimages, the Council of Europe's common film coproduction fund.

Films coproduced by Canadians and their European partners will be able to access support from Eurimages. Membership in the fund will help increase the number of audiovisual coproductions between Canada and European countries, and also lead to opportunities to further promote our country as an audiovisual coproduction partner of choice.

Quotes

"Our government understands the importance of supporting Canadian creators in accessing international markets and audiences. We are proud of the important reinvestment we made in Telefilm Canada in Budget 2016, which allowed Canada to join Eurimages. In addition to deepening Canada's relationship with its European partners, this membership will further position our country as a coproduction partner of choice and give Canada a competitive advantage on the world audiovisual stage."

-The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"Our participation in Eurimages is once again pushing the boundaries of the market; this historic agreement opens up new channels for distribution, new platforms for promotion and new partners for creation. Ultimately, it is a sign of confidence in the quality of Canadian talent from our partners in Eurimages."

-Carolle Brabant, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada

"Canada's accession marks a new step for Eurimages and will serve to deepen the ties which already exist between the European and Canadian film industries. It will bring new opportunities for producers on both sides of the Atlantic in a sector that increasingly works on a global scale. We are convinced that it will foster innovative creative partnerships and look forward to working with our Canadian counterparts."

-Catherine Trautmann, President, Eurimages

Quick Facts

-- Eurimages is a cultural support fund of the Council of Europe, an international organization of 47 European countries based in Strasbourg, France. The Council of Europe was created to promote democracy and protect human rights and the rule of law in Europe. -- Eurimages, established in 1989, promotes the European audiovisual industry by providing financial support to feature films, animation and documentaries produced in Europe. It has an annual budget of about EUR22 million (C$32.2 million), which is granted to approximately 70 films per year. -- Canada is the first non-European country to become a member of Eurimages. -- Telefilm Canada will represent Canada on Eurimages' Board of Management.

Associated Links

Eurimages - Cinema Support Fund

Stay Connected

Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Flickr.

Contacts:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert

Press Secretary

Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage

819-997-7788



Media Relations

Canadian Heritage

819-994-9101

1-866-569-6155

pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca




ORLANDO, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Spoleto, a fast-casual Italian restaurant that combines the speed of quick service with the sophistication of gourmet-quality food, announces today the launch of its first app. Designed to create a simple ordering and rewards experience, the app's features include a mobile ordering system, mobile pay for easier transactions, and a digital loyalty card to keep track of rewards.

Below is a breakdown of the app's features:

Spoleto Takeout: Avoid the lines -- order and pay directly from Spoleto's app

Spoleto Mobile Pay: Easily add money to Spoleto mobile pay and process payments digitally

Loyalty Card: Allows users to keep track of all rewards through the app

Spoleto Current Events: Keeps users engaged on all social platforms and up to date on current events for all restaurants

Additionally, the app allows users to save payment information, favorite locations and meals, and reminds users of special offers and daily promotions. To incentivize people to download the app, Spoleto is offering a complimentary build your own pasta on the virtual loyalty card that is redeemable during the guest's second visit, or any time after.

"We designed this app with total convenience in mind -- from ordering through the app, to our Spoleto mobile pay card, we wanted to make the ordering experience as easy as possible," said Luis Pestonit, U.S. company technology manager. "To ensure our customers know we appreciate them, our team even introduced the loyalty card -- where users can easily build up rewards after every visit, or after every mobile order from the Spoleto app. Users can also receive a free Nutella flatbread on their birthday."

Spoleto's menu offers choices for lunch and dinner, giving people Italian-inspired items that can be options for both meals. Spoleto serves gourmet and specialty pasta, focaccia flat breads, salads and dessert using locally-sourced and organic when possible ingredients, and many products straight from Italy. Customers can create their own pasta, flatbread or salad by combining six toppings from a choice of more than 30 fresh ingredients.

"As we continue to grow, it's exciting to see how we are evolving and offering more efficient options for our customers to adapt to their lifestyles," said John Velasquez, U.S. company president. "Our app will provide an engaging platform for our users to interact with the Spoleto brand and we're excited to hear the feedback from our customers."

Spoleto's app is currently available for free download through the Apple and Google Play Store and is compatible with iOS and Android devices.

About Spoleto

Spoleto combines the speed of fresh-casual service with the sophistication of an Italian restaurant and gourmet-quality food. Spoleto offers a seasonal menu based on the availability of fresh local products and an endless number of guest-selected food combinations. A choice of 30 authentic Italian-inspired toppings gives everyone a chance to create meals that inspire their palate. Guests can craft a pasta dish, flatbread or salad and interact with our chefs to experiment with a variety of fresh ingredients in Spoleto's open kitchen.

Media Contact

Paige Wagner

Uproar PR for Spoleto

Email Contact

321-236-102 x224




BOCA RATON, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Congratulations, Dr. Scott T. Farber of Farber Plastic Surgery! Dr. Farber has been inducted into the Aesthetic Society of American Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). ASAPS is an exclusive group of select and highly-qualified plastic surgeons who represent the very best in aesthetic specialty.

Dr. Farber will be joining a group of 2,600 experts throughout the US and Canada committed to the mission of advancing the science, art, and safe practices of aesthetic plastic surgery among certified professionals. ASAPS's sole focus is aesthetics and the education, research, and innovation required to continue to provide the highest quality of ethical conduct and care for patients worldwide.

About Dr. Farber

Scott T. Farber, MD, FACS, is a board-certified fourth generation plastic surgeon and a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery with over 10 years of medical and surgical training. Dr. Farber completed his undergraduate training at Tufts University before going on to graduate with academic distinction from the George Washington University in 2003. His plastic surgery training was completed at Michigan State University, where he was a Chief Resident. For additional training in aesthetic cosmetic surgery, he spent a year at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, where he received unparalleled experience working with some of the country's most talented breast, body, and facial cosmetic surgeons. In addition, Dr. Farber is affiliated with some of the highest-rated hospitals in South Florida, such as the Boca Raton Regional Hospital and the Delray Medical Center.

Patients looking to enhance their appearance to achieve a superior level of aesthetic appeal should feel confident and secure when working with a plastic surgeon, and over 2,500 people from around the world have come to see Dr. Farber at Farber Plastic Surgery since its doors opened in 2013.

Dr. Farber specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery such as facial rejuvenation, facelifts, neck lifts, and brow surgery as well as breast and body contouring. Additionally, he is well-versed in a number of cosmetic techniques and medical spa services, including non-surgical procedures such as Botox or similar injectable fillers. Thanks to his training in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Farber understands the importance and sensitivity that centers around aesthetic cosmetic surgery. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Farber!

Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3119630



Contact:

Farber Plastic Surgery

7700 West Camino Real, Suite 403

Boca Raton, FL 33433

561-829-5114




PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE, India, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Global anti-corrosion coating marketwas valued at $14,276 million in 2015, and is expected to reach $26,627 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.7% during the forecast period, according to a new report published by Allied Market Research. The epoxy anti-corrosion coating segment held approximately more than two-fifths share of the total market in 2015.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 )

Summary of the ReportAnti-corrosion Coating Market can be accessed on thewebsite at:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/anti-corrosion-coating-market

Anti-corrosion coatings are used to combat the occurrence and progression of corrosion on a metal substrate. In addition, it offers high mechanical strength, high chemical & temperature resistance, wear & tear resistance, high permeability, and superior finishing ability to the metal structures.

Increased globalization is a key factor that affects the anti-corrosion coating industry. Rapid economic growth in India and China has led to increased construction activities, resulting in high consumption of anti-corrosion coatings. As majority of the countries in Asia-Pacific are still largely rural, the economic growth is set to fuel the ongoing urbanization, transforming India and China into manufacturing hubs for marine, automobile, food & beverages, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Moreover, increase in population in these countries is expected to boost the demand for housing & commercial infrastructure, which in turn is projected to drive the anti-corrosion coatings market growth.

Solvent-borne anti-corrosion coating segment was the largest revenue generator in 2015, as these coatings are widely used in several applications. However, it is expected to witness a downturn due to the stringent regulations imposed by government bodies such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of U.S. and Registration Evaluation Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) of Europe. Waterborne and powder anti-corrosion coatings are gaining popularity owing as they possess low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

"Increased application of anti-corrosion coatings in the marine industry to reduce frictional resistance in the propellers and machinery parts of ships to improve its efficiency is expected to offer major opportunities to the market." states Eswara Prasad, Team Lead, Chemicals & Materials at AMR.

Key findings of the Anti-corrosion Coating Market:

The marine end-user segment occupied the highest share in 2015, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9%, in terms of value, during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is the leading consumer of anti-corrosion coatings, accounting for approximately more than one-third share of the global market, followed by North America .

is the leading consumer of anti-corrosion coatings, accounting for approximately more than one-third share of the global market, followed by . The acrylic anti-corrosion coating type is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 10.4%.

Solvent-borne anti-corrosion coating segment accounted for more than three-fifths of the global anti-corrosion coating market in 2015.

China is the leading market in the Asia-Pacific region, growing at a CAGR 10.4%.

Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share in 2015, and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR, owing to high economic growth, which is expected to boost the ongoing urbanization. Rise in investments in marine, construction, automotive, and energy industries in India and China, owing to shift in the industry trends, is projected to drive the anti-corrosion coating market.

The prominent players profiled in this report include 3M Co., Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Hempel A/S, Kansai Paints Co., Ltd, Nippon Paints Co. Ltd., PPG Industries, Inc., The Sherwin-Williams Company, The Dow Chemical Company, and Wacker Chemie AG.

Read similar market research reports on Materials and Chemicals at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/materials-&-chemicals-market-report

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based inPortland, 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.



Contact:

Rahul Thakur

5933 NE Win Sivers Drive

#205,Portland, OR97220

United States

Direct: +1-503-894-6022

Toll Free: +1-(800)-792-5285 (U.S. &Canada)

Fax: +1-(855)-550-5975

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Website:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2017) - Eagle Graphite Incorporated (TSXV: EGA) ("Eagle Graphite" or the "Company") is pleased to acknowledge initiation of analyst coverage by Arrowhead Business and Investment Decisions ("ABID" or "Arrowhead"). ABID is based in New York City, and provides independent research and investor relations through its institutional and private investor network.

Arrowhead's coverage of Eagle Graphite is available at the ABID website.

Reports on Eagle Graphite prepared by analysts represent the views of such analysts and are not necessarily those of the Company. Although the Company has paid a fee to Arrowhead to provide its independent research opinion (much in the way that fees are paid to bond-rating agencies and auditors for their opinions), the Company is not responsible for the content, accuracy or timelines contained in an analyst's report. The fee paid for independent research was not dependent on the opinion provided. In addition, readers should be aware, and are cautioned, that opinions, estimates, or forecasts contained in research analyst reports are not subject to the requirements of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" ("NI 43-101") and have not received any endorsement or approval by the Company. The Company does not imply or in any way represent that any of the reports, opinions, estimates, or forecasts regarding Eagle Graphite made by research analysts conforms with NI 43-101 or represent the opinions or beliefs of the Company or its management or representatives. Readers should refer only to information filed by the Company, including its technical report(s) relating to the Black Crystal Graphite Project, for information prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

For further information please contact



Eagle Graphite

Jamie Deith, CEO

Tel: +1-877-472-3483

Email: ir@eaglegraphite.com

Arrowhead Business and Investment Decisions

Daniel Renaud, Managing Director

Tel: +1 212 619 6889

Email: eagle@arrowheadbid.com

About Eagle Graphite

Eagle Graphite Incorporated is an Ontario company that owns one of only two natural flake graphite production facilities in North America, located 35 kilometres west of the city of Nelson in British Columbia, Canada, and 70 kilometres north of the state of Washington, USA, known as the Black Crystal graphite quarry. The Company's shares are listed on the TSXV under the symbol "EGA", on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "NJGP", and on the US OTC market under the symbol "APMFF".

About Arrowhead

Arrowhead Business and Investment Decisions is a family-owned New York City-based financial services provider which was founded in 2008, and which puts perspective, insight and advice at the disposal of its partners in the business community. Arrowhead maintains the www.abid.co private network to facilitate information exchange between investors and company managements.

Cautionary Statements

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains certain "forward looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such information is based on assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on such information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. In evaluating forward-looking information, readers should carefully consider the various factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward looking information. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company or its securities, its financial or operating results, as applicable.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Oracle Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE: OEC)(FRANKFURT: O2E) ("Oracle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter agreement (the "Agreement") with an arm's length company (the "Optionor") providing Oracle with an option to acquire 100% of the Optionor's rights to participate in the exploration and development of certain oil and gas assets in West Africa (the "Option").

The Company has, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the Optionor and the underlying owner of the oil and gas assets (the "MOU") as assigned to the Company pursuant to the Option, acquired: (i) the right to earn up to a 45% interest in an Exploitation and Production Sharing Contract which covers various oil fields including one field having current continuous production capable of being increased (the "Exploitation Contract"); and (ii) the right to earn up to a 35% interest in an Exploration and Production Sharing Contract that includes a gas-condensate discovery (the "Exploration Contract").

The Option is conditional upon the Optionor obtaining certain amendments to the MOU including extensions to various time related deadlines relating to the funding for and development of the assets in question as well as other requirements as follows: (i) production of a NI-51-101 compliant technical report; (ii) engagement of investment bankers at which time the underlying owner will confirm exclusivity until completion of the financing required to meet the investment requirement; and (iii) completion of the required financing in order to complete the required investment under the MOU.

Pursuant to the MOU, as assigned to the Company, the underlying owner has agreed to assign the participating interests in the Exploitation Contract and the Exploration Contract against the required investment by Oracle of up to US$100 million (the "Estimated Required Investment") including US$10 million in farm-in fees and US$90 million in development and appraisal costs for the various fields of which US$40 million will be classified as loan funds to the project which, together with interest, will be repaid to Oracle on a priority basis. Oracle intends on initially raising US$35 million as the first tranche of the overall approximate $100 million required investment. Upon expending the initial $35 million the Company will have earned the above mentioned interest in the Exploitation and Exploration PSCs subject to the Company subsequently expending the remainder of the Estimated Required Investment failing which the Company's interest will be reduced in a yet to be determined manner . The Company, will enter into a Joint Operating Agreement, an Accounting Agreement and a Hydrocarbons Marketing Agreement. The MOU also provides that the parties will collaborate in adding further petroleum assets to the Exploitation Contract and the Exploration Contract.

In addition to completing an initial working capital financing of up to $1.5 million (the "Initial Funding") and subsequent project financings in tranches, in the amount required to meet the requirements under the MOU, in order to exercise the Option the Company will, subject to applicable regulatory approvals: (i) engage and pay for a qualified technical person to author a NI-51 101 compliant technical report on the project assets which is currently underway and is being prepared by McDaniel and Associates; (ii) fund the costs of and complete due diligence on the proposed project; (iii) complete a consolidation of its shares (the "Consolidation") on a 10:1 basis; (iv) settle the majority of its outstanding debt by the issuance of shares at a price of $.1125 (the "Debt Settlement"); (v) issue to the Optionor approximately 25 million post-consolidation shares, such number being subject to increase or decrease depending on whether there is greater or fewer than 30 million shares outstanding on a consolidated basis after the Consolidation and Debt Settlement with the issuance of a portion of such shares to be delayed until they can be issued without creating a control block,(vi) re-constitute its board of directors by increasing the number of directors to seven to be comprised of three representatives from each of the Optionor and Oracle with the seventh member being appointed by mutual agreement; and (vii) appoint of at least two key senior management/officer positions from the Optionor.

The Company announces that, subject to regulatory approval and post Consolidation and Debt Settlement, it will be completing the Initial Funding of up to $1.5 million by the issuance of $0.1125 units consisting of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, each full warrant being exercisable at $0.225 to acquire a further common share for two years following issuance. The Company also advises that a finder's fee, in accordance with the maximum allowed by TSX.V policy is payable in respect to the transaction.

About Oracle Energy Corp.

Oracle Energy Corp. (TSX VENTURE: OEC)(FRANKFURT: O2E) is an international oil and gas exploration and development company.

For more information on Oracle Energy visit www.OracleEnergy.com.

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept Responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.

Contacts:

Oracle Energy Corp.

T - 604-558-0976

F - 604-568-8500

info@oracleenergy.com

www.oracleenergy.com




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - FBI Director James Comey will testify at a House Intelligence Committee hearing next Monday, Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., announced on Wednesday. Nunes told reporters Comey will appear before the committee to discuss Russia' alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Comey is also expected to face questions about President Donald Trump's accusations that his phones were tapped by President Barack Obama. However, Nunes said he has not seen any evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped by the Obama administration last year. 'We don't have any evidence that that took place and in fact I don't believe -- just in the last week of time, the people we've talked to -- I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower,' Nunes said. Comey is also due to brief the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, an aide to Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told CNN. 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.
Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentglobal electric tooth brush marketreport until 2021. This research report also lists six other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005573/en/

Technavio has published a new report on the global electric tooth brush market from 2017-2021. (Photo: Business Wire)

The research study by Technavio on the global electric tooth brush market for 2017-2021 provides a detailed industry analysis based on distribution channel (retail outlets and online stores), end-users (adults, teens, and kids), and geography (the Americas, EMEA, and APAC).

"The global electric tooth brush market size is projected to grow to USD 6,050 million by 2021, at a CAGR of over 8% over the forecast period. Optimal use of marketing and promotional tools by vendors in the market space is leading to increased penetration of the product, thereby driving market growth," says Amber Chourasia, a lead analyst at Technavio for health and wellness research.

Competitive vendor landscape

The global electric toothbrush market is highly fragmented, and it is imperative for the players to differentiate their products and services to survive the competition. Vendors are venturing into emerging market to establish an early foothold and increase market shares. Companies with a skilled workforce and financial resources have the ability to manufacture highly innovative products and are likely to flourish in the market. Also, vendors are increasingly directing their marketing efforts toward creating category and brand awareness to increase their product reach.

Request a sample report: http://www.technavio.com/request-a-sample?report=57055

Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Top five vendors in the global electric tooth brush market

Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive designs, manufactures, and markets consumer products related to oral, personal, home care, and pet nutrition. The company growth has been fueled by the innovation and introduction of new products for oral, personal and home care, and pet nutrition needs.

Koninklijke Philips

Koninklijke Philips is a health technology company that focuses on improving people's health across the health gamut from healthy living and prevention to diagnosis, treatment, and home care. It offers products and services in image-guided therapy, patient monitoring, diagnostic imaging, and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care.

P&G

P&G engages in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of consumer packaged goods. It provides products in the laundry and cleaning, paper, beauty care, food and beverage, and healthcare segments. It has on-ground operations in around 70 countries and sells its products primarily through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores, and neighborhood stores.

Panasonic

Panasonic provides products, services, and systems related to consumer electronics, building, and housing products. It is a prominent manufacturer of electrical and electronic products. It manufactures home appliances, audio and video, computer peripherals, telecommunications, industrial equipment, and electronic parts.

Water Pik

Water Pik develops, manufactures, and markets personal and oral healthcare products worldwide. It offers water flossers, sonic toothbrushes, shower heads of various types, and a range of oral health products for restorative and preventative oral care for dental professionals.

Browse Related Reports:

Global Feminine Hygiene Products Market 2017-2021

Global Dental Consumables Market 2017-2021

Global Dental Services Market 2016-2020

Become a Technavio Insights member and access all three of these reports for a fraction of their original cost. As a Technavio Insights member, you will have immediate access to new reports as they're published in addition to all 6,000+ existing reports covering segments like agricultural equipmentcategory spend intelligence, and furniture and home furnishing. This subscription nets you thousands in savings, while staying connected to Technavio's constant transforming research library, helping you make informed business decisions more efficiently.

About Technavio

Technavio is leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, resellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315005573/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
When consumers think off implementing analytics, human resources (HR) isn't usually their first thought, however, this is a market that can reap many benefits from advanced analytics services. Talent management software and solutions have become an essential part of the human resources (HR) industry, aiding in improved efficiency for many tasks.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006373/en/

Quantzig has announced their list of top 10 HR analytics trends. (Graphic: Business Wire)

All of the key vendors in the market are adopting analytics into their HR processes to help with workforce planning, performance and succession management, talent acquisition and the learning and development of employees. Global analytics and advisory firm Quantzig has announced its top 10 HR analytics trends that are helping companies utilize their employee data to make better decisions about their workforce and improve overall operational performance.

Get in touch with Quantzig's analysts for additional analytics research

Top 10 Benefits HR Analytics Provides Your Organization

1) Task Automation

Eliminating easy, repetitive tasks frees up time for employees, allowing them to shift their focus to more gratifying work. As HR analytics technology becomes more advanced and accessible, routine and tedious tasks will be performed by computer programs, making better use of the human resources at the company's disposal.

2) Improving employee experience

HR experts have found a correlation between employees who have feelings of belonging within a company and increased morale and productivity. HR analytics can analyze how strong an employee's sense of belonging, what contributes to it and how it can create a better work environment.

3) Developing Talent

As technology and job requirements continuously evolve, keeping employees up to speed becomes increasingly challenging. Cognitive learning programs help determine what an employee needs to learn, how they should learn it, while evaluating their skillset and engagement.

4) Information becomes easily accessible to management

Managers are usually busy with multiple tasks and responsibilities and often rely on HR to keep up with employee's needs and experiences. However, analytics easily provides managers with insights on employee attitude and performance, allowing them to quickly identify who is struggling and who could potentially thrive in a different role, without taking time away from their other responsibilities.

5) Integrating HR analytics with the entire organization

HR analytics data should not be viewed only in isolation because it actually impacts the entire organization. Combining HR analytics with business data like financial statistics can help identify insights that could otherwise be overlooked.

View the whole top 10 list of HR analytics benefits from Quantzig.

For information on Quantzig's services and solutions, or information on recent successful projects helping Fortune 500 clients, please contact us

About Quantzig

Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 12 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of about 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006373/en/

Contacts:

Jesse Maida

Quantzig

Media Marketing Executive

jesse@technavio.com
Procurementprofessionals across the globe are unceasingly faced with many challenges to reduce costs and achieve savings, manage stakeholders, find the right supplier, procure accurate data, etc. Procurement is rapidly evolving in response to changes and advancements in technology, personnel and hiring requirements, consumer demands and concerns, and business practices.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006394/en/

SpendEdge has announced their top 10 procurement trends for 2017. (Graphic: Business Wire)

SpendEdge, a procurement market intelligence firm acts as a strategic partner for leading companies across all industries, helping them achieve procurement excellence. Here is there list of top 10 procurement trends for 2017:

Top Procurement Trends for 2017 from SpendEdge

Big data: Very soon, big data will become a core element of procurement and will help facilitate procurement decisions, form processes, and choose suitable procurement solutions. There will be a collaboration of big data and artificial intelligence to revolutionize the speed and overall efficiency of the supply chainand procurement processes. Companies will maximize their cost and time saving with the combination of machine learning algorithms and big data.

Decline in decentralized buying: Decentralized purchasing will continue to decline while more companies will strengthen their procurement departments to improve their spending decisions and profits. Many companies will begin to prioritize relationships with suppliers and contractors and embrace the procurement process more efficiently and enthusiastically.

Agile procurement: With technological advancements and improved relationships between suppliers and businesses, and between procurement teams and other parts of businesses, there will be a clear improvement in agility of procurement processes. Companies will also want to increase their speed to meet increasing consumer demand to remain competitive in their industries.

Want more procurement insights? https://www.spendedge.com/request-free-proposal

Increased transparency: Social media will play a significant role in the future procurement processes, and the prevalence of social data will require companies to be more accountable for their practices and actions, and will also give them a greater channel of communication with established and potential customers.

Sustainability: Sustainability will become a bigger part of companies' procurement solutions and strategies. The role of procurement will be to produce sustainable and environmentally-friendly supply chains, partnerships, and agreements that are also economically viable. As more millennials and young professionals become involved with procurement, the impact on both environmental and economic sustainability is expected to increase due to their openness to innovation and their different views on economics.

View the whole top 10 procurement trends for 2017listfrom SpendEdge.

SpendEdge also offers a web-based subscription portal solution, providing ready-to-use actionable insights for better-quality sourcing and procurement decision making. Request for a demo to know more about our solutions.

About us

SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are a preferred market intelligence partner for leading Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across industries. Our strength lies in delivering actionable insights that help sourcing and procurement professionals get the right information in the right format, without any unnecessary frills.

Our procurement market intelligence coverage extends across critical processes of sourcing strategy planning process and helps clients achieve more than mere monetary savings. Our procurement insights are well-defined to meet the information needs of the procurement organizations and are aimed at helping category managers extract hidden values out of sourcing teams, suppliers, contracts, and processes.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170315006394/en/

Contacts:

SpendEdge

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

US: +1 630 333 9501

UK: +44 208 123 1770

https://www.spendedge.com/

jesse@technavio.com
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Bonavista Energy Corporation ("Bonavista") (TSX: BNP) confirms that a quarterly dividend of $0.01 per common share will be paid in cash on April 17, 2017 to common shareholders of record on March 31, 2017. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2017.

Bonavista's dividend policy is reviewed quarterly and is based on future commodity prices, foreign exchange rates, our commodity hedging program, current operations and future investment opportunities. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.

Bonavista is focused on creating premium shareholder value through the efficient development of high quality oil and natural gas assets.

Forward Looking Statements

Corporate information provided herein contains forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information, particularly those pertaining to cash dividends, which are considered reasonable by Bonavista at the time of preparation, may be proven to be incorrect. Actual results achieved during the forecast period will vary from the information provided herein and the variations may be material. There is no representation by Bonavista that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as those forecasts.

Contacts:

Jason E. Skehar

President & CEO



Dean M. Kobelka

Vice President, Finance & CFO



Berk Sumen

Investor Relations Lead



Bonavista Energy Corporation

1500, 525 - 8th Avenue SW

Calgary, AB T2P 1G1

Phone: (403) 213-4300

Website: www.bonavistaenergy.com




Weekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft).

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.
GENEVA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The International Development Forum organized an International Conference in the United Nations on 14th March 2017 to discuss the current human rights atrocities in Iran.

Mr. Przemyslav Czasnecki, Member of Parliament, Poland and Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs Committee, Polish Parliament, said that, "Iran is the fountain of terrorism in the Middle East and we know that Iran has a major human rights problem with strong Shia leaders talking the power of Iranians."

Mr. Taker Fatah, Author and Columnist, Canada, mentioned, "It is notIran that is the problem, it is the ideology that is a problem." He said, "The West made a pick on which part of extreme Islamic countries it wants to target, and which is to make an ally and Iran is not the product of the isolation, it became a product of the regime imposed. People are coming back to haunt the west including United States and Canada, the same people they welcomed."

Mr. Paulo Casaca, Executive Director, South Asia Democratic Forum said that he created the "Friends of Free Iran" in the European parliament and further said that, "The real islamophobes are those female Swedish parliament members, who visited Iran and wore the veil on their heads. They betrayed the Muslim womenwho are fighting for their rights, their freedom of wearing whatever they want in Iran and internationally."
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 15, 2017) - Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. (TSXV: DHR) ("DHR" or the "Company") announces that it has appointed Mr. Mark Fields as the interim President and CEO. The Company has accepted the resignation of Mr. Bruno Hegner as President, CEO and a director of the Company, as he is leaving to pursue his further business interests.

Mark Fields said, "On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Bruno for steering Discovery Harbour through several years of difficult market conditions and wish him the best in his future endeavours. I am looking forward to moving Discovery Harbour to its next phase under improved market conditions."

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DISCOVERY HARBOUR RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Fields, P.Geo.

President & CEO

Phone: 604-562-7555

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

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" occur. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including, without limitation, such other factors beyond the control of the Company. Except as required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information in this news release.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR OVER THE UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES


SAN ANTONIO, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- EnerJex Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation (NYSE MKT: ENRJ) (OTC PINK: ENRJP) (the "Company") announced today that it has rescheduled its Annual Meeting of shareholders from March 30, 2017 to April 27, 2017 (the "Annual Meeting"). Additional details regarding the Annual Meeting will be provided in the definitive proxy statement that will be distributed to shareholders.

Right of Series A Preferred Stockholders to Nominate Two Directors

In addition, the Company announced that holders of its 10.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") are entitled to elect two new members to the Company's Board of Directors. The election, triggered by the Company's non-payment of its dividend for 6 consecutive monthly periods, will occur, if possible, at the Company's Annual Meeting.

Pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Stock, the number of director positions on the Company's Board automatically increased by two, from 4 directors to 6 directors. The holders of the Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two directors to fill these two vacancies at the Company's next shareholders' meeting and at each annual shareholders' meeting thereafter until the dividends are paid in full.

The Company is seeking from the holders of Preferred Stock qualified nominees for the Board of Directors for inclusion in this meeting if possible or in the next special or annual meeting of the stockholders. Nominations must be in writing and must include all information required by Regulation 14A promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, any nomination must include the nominee's written consent to be named in the Company's proxy statement as a nominee and his or her agreement to serve as a director if elected.

The Company's corporate governance guidelines are described in corporate codes and committee charters located in the "About/Legal" tab on its website, along with its articles of incorporation and by-laws which can be located in the Company's SEC filings. In general, the Company is seeking directors that do not serve on more than six other public company boards, meet independence and diversity criteria, and have skills and experience that will complement the Company's needs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and the materials referenced herein include "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. Forward-looking statements give EnerJex's current expectations or forecasts of future events.

For further information contact:



Louis G. Schott

EnerJex Resources, Inc.

Phone: (210) 451-5545

Web: www.enerjex.com




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. ("Peyto") (TSX: PEY) confirms that the monthly dividend with respect to March 2017 of $0.11 per common share is to be paid on April 13, 2017, for shareholders of record on March 31, 2017. The ex-dividend date is March 29, 2017.

Dividends paid by Peyto to Canadian residents are eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.

Shareholders and interested investors are encouraged to visit the Peyto website at www.peyto.com to learn more about what makes Peyto one of North America's most exciting energy companies. The website also includes the President's monthly report, which discusses various topics chosen by the President and includes estimates of monthly capital expenditures and production.

Certain information set forth in this document, including management's assessment of Peyto's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond these parties' control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Peyto's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance 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 benefits that Peyto will derive therefrom. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

Contacts:

Peyto Exploration & Development Corp.

Darren Gee

President and Chief Executive Officer

(403) 237-8911

(403) 451-4100 (FAX)




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/15/17 -- North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE: NAN)(OTCBB: WSCRF)(CUSIP: 65704T 108) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received a report on the results of mineralogical studies performed by SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") on four drill core samples of nickel-copper sulphides from the 2016 exploration program at the Maniitsoq Ni-Cu-Co-PGE sulphide project in southwest Greenland. The representative samples were obtained from the Mikissoq and P-058 mineralized norite intrusions at the Imiak Hill Complex and Fossilik area, respectively.

The objectives of the study were to determine the modal mineralogy, mineral texture, nickel, copper and cobalt deportment, and the liberation, association and exposure of the nickel, copper and iron sulphides of each sample. A copy of the report can be found on the Company website www.northamericannickel.com.

Report Highlights:

-- Nickel: -- 93.5 to 95.9% of the total nickel in each sample is contained within pentlandite. Potential pentlandite recoveries range from 94.9 to 96.8% based on liberation, association and exposure characteristics of crushed samples stage pulverized to 90% passing 150 micrometres; -- 2.3 to 4.4% of the total nickel in each sample is contained within pyrrhotite; and Pentlandite D50 (micrometre) grain sizes range from 42 to 46 micrometres -- Copper -- All copper is hosted by chalcopyrite. Potential chalcopyrite recoveries for the Mikissoq samples range from 90.6 to 94.3% based on liberation, association and exposure characteristics of crushed samples stage pulverized to 90% passing 150 micrometres. Potential chalcopyrite recovery for the P-058 sample is 75.2%; -- Chalcopyrite P50 (micrometre) grain sizes range from 26 to 34 micrometres. -- Cobalt: -- Pentlandite and pyrite are the main hosts of the cobalt in the samples. -- Sulphide mineral species identified in each sample are pyrrhotite, pentlandite, pyrite and chalcopyrite. -- Orthopyroxene, amphibole, feldspar and clinopyroxene are the major silicates. Talc was identified by QEMSCAN in all samples and confirmed by XRD in two out of the four samples. Talc abundances (in crushed samples) were 0.88% for the P-058 sample and 4.1 to 10.1% for the Mikissoq samples.

North American Nickel CEO, Keith Morrison, states: "The results from the 2016 samples, which include the new sulphide lens at Mikissoq, continue to demonstrate the consistent nature of sulphide mineralogy, nickel deportment and potential pentlandite recovery of the Maniitsoq sulphide zones. Next steps in the evaluation of selected sulphide zones are expected to include initial bench scale flotation tests which will provide a first look at actual versus estimated nickel recoveries."

SUMMARY OF KEY STUDY RESULTS

Four representative drill core samples were collected in 2016 from new intersections of nickel-copper sulphides and were submitted to SGS Canada Inc. in Burnaby, BC for detailed mineralogical study. Three samples were collected from the new Mikissoq sulphide lens at the Imiak Hill Complex and one sample was collected from the P-058 target in the Fossilik area (see Table 1 and Figure 1). Samples consist of magmatic disseminated to blebby to net-textured sulphides having a maximum sulphur content of 12.5%.

Mineralogical analysis was conducted by QEMSCAN (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Electron Microprobe Analysis (EMPA). Samples were analyzed both as core pieces (for mineral texture) and also stage pulverised to 90% passing 150 micrometres for modal mineralogy, grain size and process mineralogy characteristics (liberation, association and exposure).

Key results of the study are summarized below. Further details including sample preparation, methodology, technical definitions, modal analyses, and details of mineral chemistry as well as liberation, association and exposure characteristics can be found in the SGS report posted on the NAN website.

Table 1: Mineralized Samples from Maniitsoq Exploration Targets used in the Mineralogical Study

-------------------------------------------------------------- Sample Target Name Area Hole # Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) S (%) -------------------------------------------------------------- D01728 P-058 MQ-16-105 1.42 0.10 0.04 6.54 -------------------------------------------------------------- D01729 Mikissoq MQ-16-117 2.10 0.21 0.05 7.06 -------------------------------------------------------------- D01730 Mikissoq MQ-16-117 3.63 1.07 0.06 12.50 -------------------------------------------------------------- D01731 Mikissoq MQ-16-113 1.84 0.32 0.03 7.41 -------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Sample Name Comments ----------------------------------------------- D01728 Disseminated to blebby sulphides ----------------------------------------------- D01729 Disseminated to blebby sulphides ----------------------------------------------- D01730 Blebby to net-textured sulphides ----------------------------------------------- D01731 Disseminated to blebby sulphides -----------------------------------------------

Modal Analyses

The modal mineral abundances were determined in both drill core pieces and in crushed samples. Sulphide minerals comprise pyrrhotite, pentlandite, pyrite and chalcopyrite and the main silicate minerals are orthopyroxene, amphibole, clinopyroxene and feldspars. Talc was identified by QEMSCAN in all samples and confirmed by XRD analysis for samples D01728 from target P-058 and D01730 from Mikissoq. Talc abundances (in crushed samples) were 0.88% for the P-058 sample and 4.1 to 10.1% for the Mikissoq samples.

Grain size

The D50 (micrometre) passing values determined on the crushed samples are presented in Table 2. This value is defined as the median grain size within the sample where 50% of the particles are coarser and 50% of the particles are finer than the particle size stated.

Table 2: D50 Grain Size Distribution

------------------------------------------------------------ Mineral D50 (micrometre) Sample ID ---------------------------------------- D 01728 D 01729 D 01730 D 01731 ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ Pentlandite 45 42 46 45 Chalcopyrite 26 28 34 32 Fe-Sulphides 61 50 47 49 Hard Silicates 73 44 48 58 Soft Silicates 18 18 25 15 Carbonates 14 12 13 21 Oxides 19 18 16 17 Particle 73 49 54 61 ------------------------------------------------------------

Nickel, Copper and Cobalt Deportment

Elemental deportment for nickel, copper and cobalt in each sample were calculated using the EMPA and QEMSCAN data and are shown (in wt %) in Table 3. On average, pentlandite accounts for greater than 93% of the total nickel in each sample. Pyrrhotite accounts for 2.3 - 4.4% of the total nickel and silicate minerals account for the remainder. Chalcopyrite carries 100% of the copper. Pentlandite and pyrite are the main carriers of cobalt. The deportment of cobalt in the samples is linked to the relative proportions of pentlandite and pyrite in the samples.

Table 3: Summary of Nickel, Cobalt and Copper Deportment (Normalized)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Element Mineral Elemental Mass % ---------------------------------------- D 01728 D 01729 D 01730 D 01731 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nickel (Ni) Pentlandite 93.5 95.1 95.9 94.4 ------------------------------------------------------------ Pyrrhotite 4.42 2.31 2.88 3.39 ------------------------------------------------------------ Orthopyroxene 1.09 1.02 0.45 1.40 ------------------------------------------------------------ Clinopyroxene 0.25 0.02 0.15 0.36 ------------------------------------------------------------ Amphibole 0.60 1.06 0.24 0.17 ------------------------------------------------------------ Biotite/Phlogopite 0.02 0.12 0.00 0.02 ------------------------------------------------------------ Talc 0.07 0.40 0.34 0.26 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copper (Cu) Chalcopyrite 100 100.0 100.0 100.0 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cobalt (Co) Pentlandite 73.8 41.2 76.7 64.0 ------------------------------------------------------------ Pyrite 26.2 58.8 23.3 36.0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Recovery of Pentlandite and Chalcopyrite

The potential recovery characteristics of pentlandite and chalcopyrite for the sample suite are summarized in Table 4. Potentially recoverable pentlandite ranges from approximately 95 to 97% for all samples. Potentially recoverable chalcopyrite ranges from approximately 90 to 94% for the Mikissoq samples and 75% for the P-058 sample. Talc could have a potential impact on the recovery of pentlandite through flotation unless managed during metallurgical processing, typically through the use of dispersants and talc depressants.

Potential recovery is the percent of the mineral (not value metal) that can potentially be recovered through flotation to produce a rougher concentrate. It is calculated using liberation, association and exposure of the grains (on a two dimensional surface area) and is used as a predictive tool to benchmark samples.

The following results are based on the mineralogical analysis and do not reflect other recovery factors that could occur in the actual metallurgical processes and should only be used as a guide to the metallurgical performance.

Table 4: Summary of Potential Recovery for Pentlandite and Chalcopyrite

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potential Recovery Mineral (mass %) D01728 D01729 D01730 D01731 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pentlandite Potentially Recoverable 94.9 96.2 96.8 96.8 Non Recoverable 5.1 3.8 3.2 3.2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chalcopyrite Potentially Recoverable 75.2 93.9 94.3 90.6 Non Recoverable 24.8 6.1 5.7 9.4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Qualified Person

Expert services relating to the mineralogical study were provided by SGS Canada Inc. in Burnaby, BC, an independent service company. The work was carried out under the supervision of Ms. Dominique Lascelles (M. Eng.) and Ms. Sarah Prout (PhD), Manager of Metallurgy, Vancouver Metallurgical Operations and Senior Mineralogist, respectively, with SGS. The information in this release was reviewed and prepared under the direction of Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo, Vice President of Exploration for NAN, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instruments 43-101.

About the Company

NAN is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 2,985 square km covering numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with norite and other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). The greater than 75km-long belt is situated along, and near, the southwest coast of Greenland accessible from the existing Seqi deep water port (See NAN News Release dated January 19, 2015) with an all year round shipping season and abundant hydro-electric potential.

The Company's Post Creek/Halcyon property in Sudbury is strategically located adjacent to the past producing Podolsky copper-nickel-platinum group metal deposit of KGHM International Ltd. The property lies along an interpreted extension of the Whistle Offset embayment structure. Such geological structures host major Ni-Cu-PGM deposits and producing mines within the Sudbury Camp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the success of exploration activities; impact of mineralogy, estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of the Company; the future economics of minerals including nickel and copper; synergies and financial impact facilities; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of the Company and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are 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. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

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 anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbours created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results. For further information on the project, please see National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) technical report prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. (SRK) dated effective March 24th, 2016, titled "Independent Technical Report for the Maniitsoq Nickel-Copper-PGM Project, Greenland", available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or at www.northamericannickel.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Fedikow

President

North American Nickel Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view Figure 1, click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/8825m2.pdf

Contacts:

North American Nickel Inc.

Jaclyn Ruptash

Corporate Communications

604-770-4334

Toll free: 1-866-816-0118




Enterprise Contract Management Leader Adds Martin Mohr to Leadership Team to Aggressively Expand EMEA Footprint

STUTTGART, Germany and BELLEVUE, Washington, April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Icertis, the leading provider of enterprise contract management in the cloud, today announced the appointment ofMartin Mohr as VP and General Manager of EMEA. Martin brings more than 20 years of experience in business strategy, operations, and enterprise sales management to Icertis, and was most recently the European leader of IBM's Watson Supply Chain. In his new role at Icertis, Martin will own all operations for Icertis in EMEA, including working closely with marquee customers like Daimler, driving growth with strategic partners like Microsoft, and growing Icertis' world class EMEA team to extend the company's lead in the region.

"We are continuing to experience significant demand for the Icertis Contract Management (ICM) platform in EMEA, and the company is poised for continued rapid growth in the region," said Samir Bodas, CEO and cofounder of Icertis. "Martin's deep experience in working with customers to solve their hardest business problems and proven track record of building win-win relationships with partners make him the perfect leader to lead Icertis' business in EMEA."

"There is immense opportunity in the EMEA market for Icertis' solutions, especially as we see companies deal with increased business velocity, ramifications from events like Brexit, and competition in a flattening world," said Martin Mohr on his appointment as the VP and GM of EMEA Operations at Icertis. "I am excited to lead Icertis in the region to help customers address these challenges and opportunities with Icertis' best-of-breed contract management platform. Moreover, I am impressed with Icertis' culture and values, and they deeply align with my own."

More than 750,000 subscribers trust Icertis to manage over 2.5 million contracts in over 90 countries. One of the earliest adopters of Microsoft Azure, Icertis holds the distinction as one of the first enterprise business application software platforms to go live in Microsoft's German Cloud data centers. The sophistication of the ICM platform has been recognized by leading industry analyst firms, Gartner and Forrester, and the accelerated demand for the platform led to the company's recent $25 million Series C funding round.

Caglayan Arkan, General Manager of Worldwide Manufacturing and Resources at Microsoft said, "It's a pleasure working alongsideIcertis to drive innovation in the manufacturing industry. Our customers are excited about new digital capabilities likethe Icertis Contract Management platform that can help transform their business."

Icertis will be demoing the company's ICM platform along with Microsoft at Hannover Messe April 24-28 at Hall 7, Booth C40.

For more information on theIcertis Contract Management (ICM) platform, click here.

About Icertis

Icertis is the leading provider of enterprise contract management in the cloud. Icertis Contract Management (ICM) is an innovative, easy-to-use platform that is highly configurable and continually adapts to complex business needs. Today, ICM is used to manage 2+ million contracts, by 750,000+ users, in 90+ countries and 40+ languages. With its intelligent workflow and built-in analytics, ICM provides ongoing contractual insights and best-of-breed contract management. ICM enables customers to increase compliance, improve governance, mitigate risk and enhance user productivity, thereby maximizing ROI and accelerating time to value across the global enterprise. For more information, visit www.icertis.com.

Icertis Media Contact:

Sarah Nickell

Barokas Public Relations for Icertis

icertis@barokas.com

303-895-5673

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HONG KONG, 2017-05-24 14:30 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OLISOL Petroleum Limited ("Olisol" or the "Company") today announces that on May 23, 2017, having more than 10% shareholding in Tethys Petroleum Limited ("Tethys"), the Company exercised its right according to the paragraph 35(B) of Tethys' Articles of Association having demanded from Board of Directors to call Extraordinary General Shareholders Meeting ("EGM") at Tethys. The Company proposed having EGM on the same day and at the same place as the upcoming Annual General Shareholders Meeting of Tethys.



Accordingly, on the same day, May 23, 2017 Olisol provided Tethys Board with a draft notice on calling EGM including the resolutions that Olisol intends to include into the agenda and substantiation for the approval of those resolutions. When Tethys Board will send the official notice of EGM to the shareholders they are invited to consider the resolutions addressing important and strategic issues including the London delisting, suggestions on changes in Tethys Board, and to take their vote.



About Olisol



Olisol is headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan and its subsidiaries and affiliates have investments in energy and oil and gas operations in the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan. Olisol has worked with Tethys in Kazakhstan for over seven years, is joint owner of the Aral Oil Terminal with Tethys and has its own fleet of special oil trucks involved in oil transportation from Tethys' oil fields. Olisol, through its affiliates, is engaged in railroad transportation, processing of oil, storage and sale of oil products.



Disclaimer



Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking. When used in this document, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "will," "intends", "should" and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements including risks and uncertainties with respect to the foregoing. No part of this announcement constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in the Company, Tethys or any other entity, and shareholders of Tethys, are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Save as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to update or change any forward-looking statements to reflect events occurring after the date of this announcement.



Authorized Point of Contact: Darya Klimova Authorized Representative, OLISOL Petroleum Limited Tel.: +34 64 515 08 69 pr@olisol.ch

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TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) ("ECN Capital" or the "Company"), one of North America's leading commercial finance companies, today announced the appointment of Grier Colter as Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Michel BeIland.

Mr. Colter, 43, initially joined ECN Capital as Executive Vice President, Finance in January 2017, bringing over 20 years of finance experience.

Most notably, prior to joining ECN Capital, Mr. Colter served as Vice President and Treasurer of Canadian Tire Corp., where he oversaw treasury, corporate finance and taxation for all business divisions, including Canadian Tire Bank. In that role, he was responsible for a large debt portfolio and the corporation's securitization programs.

Prior to that, Mr. Colter served in senior level positions at large publicly traded and private Canadian corporations. Mr. Colter earned his Chartered Accountant designation with Ernst & Young LLP.

In conjunction with Mr. Colter's appointment, Mr. BeIland has announced his retirement from ECN Capital. Mr. BeIland, 64, served as CFO of Element Financial Corp. from 2011. He oversaw the landmark separation transaction that created ECN Capital and Element Fleet Management Corp. as standalone companies, and moved to ECN Capital following that separation.

"Grier brings experience, energy and insights that are very valuable to the ECN Capital team as we prepare for the next stage in our evolution, and I'm excited to be working with him," said Steven K. Hudson, ECN Capital's Chief Executive Officer. "That said, it's a bittersweet feeling making this announcement. Michel and I have been business partners for 25 years, and his counsel has been vital to my team's successes over that span. So I'm happy to say that, as much as he deserves a well-earned retirement, I know I can reach out to him for advice."

About ECN Capital Corp.

With total owned and managed assets of more than $7.5 billion, ECN Capital Corp. (TSX: ECN) is one of North America's leading equipment finance companies. ECN Capital operates across North America in three verticals of the equipment finance market (Rail Finance, Commercial & Vendor Finance, and Commercial Aviation Finance).

Forward-looking Statements

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding ECN Capital and its business. Such statements are based on the current expectations and views of future events of ECN Capital's management. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward- looking statements, including the future financial and operating performance of ECN Capital, the strategic advantages, business plans and future opportunities of ECN Capital and the ability of ECN Capital to access adequate funding sources, identify and execute on acquisition opportunities and transition to an asset management business. The forward- looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting ECN Capital, including risks regarding the equipment finance industry, economic factors, and many other factors beyond the control of ECN Capital. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in ECN Capital's 2016 MD&A and Alternate AIF Disclosure Document dated September 3, 2016 which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and ECN Capital does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:

John Wimsatt

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

647-649-4634

jwimsatt@ecncapitalcorp.com
B Capital Group, a Manhattan Beach, CAbased venture capital firm that specializes in growth-stage investments in tech companies, announced five new hires and a promotion to its core executive team.

Executive team changes include:

 Kabir Narang has joined B Capital Groups Singapore office as an Investment Partner, leading the firms Asian investment efforts.

 Virginia Schmitt, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrative Officer, will lead fund operations, finance and administration, based in Los Angeles.

 Chip Welsh, Vice President of Capital Formation, joined to lead B Capital investor relations and fundraising efforts, based in Los Angeles.

 Dave Gallon, Vice President of Business Development, will be responsible for driving relationships between B Capital portfolio companies and corporate partners, including through the BCG network.

 Hailey Hu will join B Capitals Singapore office as Senior Associate, focused on sourcing and executing new investments and supporting portfolio management, with a particular focus on the Asian Healthcare market.

 Adam Seabrook has been promoted from Senior Associate to Principal. In his new role, he will take on a greater leadership role in B Capitals healthcare investment practice.

Co-founded in 2015 by Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin and Raj Ganguly, B Capital Group is a venture capital firm specializing in growth-stage investments with pioneering companies that are ready to scale across the global stage. Current portfolio companies include CXA Group, Evidation Health, SilverCloud Health, Lanetix and Ninja Van.

The firm, which has The Boston Consulting Group, and its incubation arm BCG Digital Ventures, as sponsoring limited partners, now employs nearly 20 experienced investment professionals, in three global offices, in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Singapore, led by Saverin, Ganguly, Gavin Teo and Kabir Narang.

FinSMEs

15/03/2017
Baker, a Denver, CO-based customer engagement software company for marijuana dispensaries, secured $1.6m in an extension funding to its August 2016 seed round.

This additional funding  led by Poseidon Asset Management  brings the companys total raised capital to $3.5m. Other investors include Michael Lazerow, Base Ventures, XG Ventures, Phyto Partners, The founders of Outside Lands, and others.

Baker will use the funds to expand operations.

Founded in 2014 by Joel Milton, CEO, Baker provides an industry-specific marketing automation platform that connects dispensary owners with their customers across every touchpoint from online ordering to in-store check-in, loyalty, promotions and personalized messaging. Additionally, the company creates interactive shopping menus that dispensaries can embed into their own websites.

Baker now serves dispensaries in 10 states across Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, and Ontario, Canada.

FinSMEs

14/03/2017
Flock, a San Francisco, CA-based enterprise communication and collaboration platform, said that CEO Bhavin Turakhia plans to invest $25m into the company.

The funding is in addition to Turakhias original investment of $20m.

The company will use the funds to enhance product innovation and expand its customer base globally, following entry in Brazil, the U.K., Russia, and Spain, with the addition of native language support in each country.

Flock is a scalable and platform-agnostic team messaging and collaboration platform featuring a team messaging backbone and FlockOS, which transforms it into an ecosystem of workplace apps with Flock at the center and enables developers to build apps, bots and integrations on top of Flock.

Flock is supported across all platforms, including Desktop (Windows and Mac), Mobile (iOS and Android), and the Web.

FinSMEs

15/03/2017
Realvision, a Toronto, Canada- and Minneapolis, MN-based interactive real estate listing platform, closed $1.3m seed funding round.

The round was led by Dundee Venture Capital with participation from Brightstone Venture Capital, Loup Ventures, Sandalphon Capital, Bridge Investment Group and 701 Angel Fund.

The company intends to use the funds to focus on machine learning, computer vision image processing, new user capabilities, and aggregate data collection within virtual reality.

Led by Bryn Erickson, Realvision provides real estate professionals with a comprehensive content marketing package containing three tools for selling properties online, including:

 a VR-ready, interactive 3D tour,

 an auto-generated floor plan drafted in architectural style, and

 high-quality still photographs of the listed property.

The company has released apps for touring properties in VR using Oculus Rift and Google Cardboard (Android/iOS), with the release of VR apps for Samsung Gear VR and HTC Vive expected before the end of the month.

FinSMEs

15/03/2017
Unum Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of many different cancers, received a $15 million credit facility.

Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank, provided the debt financing.

The facility will provide access to growth capital to support strategic initiatives and general corporate purposes.

Led by Charles Chuck Wilson, PhD, President & CEO, and Seth Ettenberg, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Bio Unum develops combination cancer therapies using recent advances in T-cell engineering and antibody therapeutics. Its proprietary Antibody-Coupled T-Cell Receptor (ACTR) may be used in combination with a variety of cancer-specific antibodies to treat different cancer types. Its lead program is currently undergoing Phase I clinical testing to evaluate safety and efficacy in certain forms of lymphoma.

The company is backed F-Prime Capital, Atlas Venture, New Leaf Venture Partners and Sanofi-Genzyme BioVentures.

FinSMEs

15/03/2017
MMC Ventures, a London, UK-based venture capital firm, has announced some senior promotions and appointments.

The firm promoted two new partners  Simon Menashy and Ameerul Miah (who also becomes Chief Operating Officer).

Simon Menashy has led a number of new investments over the past two years including the firms most recent investment into AI business Signal Media. He also serves on the board of MMC portfolio companies Sky-Futures, Masabi, Admedo, Brightpearl and MUBI. Menashy joined MMC in 2011 from Deloitte, where he consulted on commercial strategy and M&A advisory for European tech and media companies.

Ameerul Miah joined MMC in 2014 from leading investment manager, Ashmore Group. In his new role as Partner and COO, Ameerul will be responsible for MMCs daily operations and its Fund operations.

The firm also added Victoria Ferguson to the role of General Counsel and Anna Slemmings to the role of Director of Marketing and Investor Relations.

Completing this round of promotions, Cameron Grant has been made an Associate and will work with Slemmings on marketing and investor relations.

Founded in 2000 and led by Managing Partner Jon Coker, MMC focuses on technology-enabled sectors, particularly financial and business services, business software, digital media and consumer internet investing in more than 50 companies to date.

With over 175 million under management, and investing 20 million+ annually, MMC is one of most active early-stage UK investors with its existing portfolio including Appear Here, Bloom & Wild, Gousto, Interactive Investor, Love Home Swap, Masabi, NewVoiceMedia, Reevoo, Signal Media, SafeGuard, Sky-Futures, Small World, Somo, and Tyres on the Drive.

FinSMEs

15/03/2017
New Delhi: As traffic to e-wallet platforms grows, there has been a significant increase in cyber attacks on online payment gateways to steal data than to disrupt operations, a new report said on Wednesday.

According to the data provided by global leader in content delivery network (CDN) services Akamai Technologies, hits to web pages on e-wallet companies grew from 512,115,015 per day in September to 1,264,470,283 per day in February in the country.

Akamai in India analysed the growth in traffic volume to India's e-wallet sites on the Akamai Intelligent Platform, three months before and three months after the demonetisation announcement.

"Nearly 94 percent of attack attempts on mobile wallet companies were on the application layer (XSS and RFI attacks) with intent to steal business critical data," the report added.

Distributed Denial of Service or DDoS attacks were insignificant in comparison to the overall number of attacks observed, the report noted.

DDoS attempts on these wallets constituted less than 1 percent of the total number of attempts in this time period, emphasising the fact that attacks were intended to steal data and not necessarily disrupt operations of mobile wallet firms.

According to Akamai's recent "State of The Internet Security" report for Q4 2016, India is second in the list of countries in Asia Pacific that sourced the most web application attack traffic with nearly 86,38,666 attacks attributed as originating from the country, after China.

India also ranks fourth in the list of target countries for web application attacks globally, the report said.
Kolkata: Keeping in mind reservations of some quarters over a bill to regulate functioning of private hospitals, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday explained that her government never wanted them to shut down, but reminded them that they were not profit-making ventures.

"We never said private hospitals and nursing homes should shut down here. We never wanted treatment there to stop. But we must not forget about people. We must guard against turning medical facilities into profit-making organisations. Medical facilities are places to provide seva not make money," Banerjee said.

"If one dreams of making profit by pushing injections like one selling Chinese food, then one is wrong," she said.

Urging private hospitals not to charge patients exorbitantly, Banerjee explained that she was not against those who were able to pay hefty amounts for their treatment.

"Take from them who are capable of paying such bills if the treatment is genuine. We have never said anything. But remember don't go for over billing and negligence in treating them," she said.

She was apparently referring to the death of Sanjay Roy allegedly because of medical negligence and delay in his release at the Apollo Gleneagles hospital in the city.

"One has to submit property papers, fixed deposit documents... because he was getting treatment will not happen in West Bengal," she warned.

Referring to the West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Bill, now waiting to turn into a law, Banerjee at the same time urged people not to damage hospital property but instead lodge complaints.

"We have brought a bill. If someone has done something wrong then he or she must be punished," Banerjee said.
New Delhi: In order to move towards a pensioned society, India will require a systemic approach for designing a coherent pension system, a Ficci-KPMG white paper said on Wednesday.

The 2011 Census showed that only 12 percent of the Indian working population (i.e. approximately 58 million) are covered under any pension plan.

"This translates into the challenge of only a small portion of the Indian working population being protected against old-age income insecurity. A combination of aging population and low pension penetration makes it imperative for policymakers to pay urgent attention to the challenge of providing income security after retirement," the paper said.

The white paper has been produced jointly by industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and consultancy firm KPMG.

The population projections suggest that the elderly residents (aged 60 and above) will triple from 2010 to 2050, taking the number of elderly to 331 million in India by 2050.

For the white paper, the KPMG in India again conducted an Employer Pension Plans Survey this year to have an overview of the pension plans from company representatives from diverse sectors, including industrial markets, IT/BPO, automotive, healthcare, financial services and consumer markets, among others. In all, 167 business entities responded to the survey.

The survey highlights that a majority of the employers are of the view that more emphasis needs to be given towards employees' retirement planning. The survey responses indicate that tax benefits are considered as the primary reason to opt for the National Pension Scheme (NPS) of the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Authority (PFRDA).

"Given the large gap in pension coverage, both regulators, EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and PFRDA, along with the government and industry need to collaborate and build a comprehensive and sustainable pension system in India," Parizad Sirwalla, Partner and Head, Global Mobility Services - Tax, KPMG, said.

"Significant efforts are required for building sufficient institutional capacity for implementing pension reforms in India," Sirwalla added.
Yogendra Vasupal, co-founder of homestay aggregator Stayzilla, was arrested in Chennai on Tuesday in the cheating case, according to Times of India. Vasupal is alleged to have cheated ad agency Jigsaw to the tune of Rs 1.72 crore.

He will be produced before a magistrates court today where he will be sent to jail, said the TOI.

Stayzilla was shut down in February 2017 after starting operations 11 years ago.

In an email to investors, co-founder Sachit Sanghi in an e-mail to investors on Tuesday said that Yogi (Vasupal) is missing!!! and that he was last been seen at the office of the commissioner of police in Chennai. We need immediate help. Not sure whats happening with Yogi and we have not known his whereabouts for last 3 hours for now. And, I think even Ill be in custody soon.

Vasupals wife, Rupal has mentioned the report of his arrest in a blog post that was started by Vasupal. She says in the blog: "Yogendra has currently been remanded in Police custody without any CONFESSION (contrary to the information published by Times of India(online) Article dated March 14/2017 time 11.21 PM by Rachel Chitra).

"He was taken to the magistrate at 10.00 PM though courts do not function after 6 PM. His whereabouts from when the cops took him into custody today from 11.am to 6.00pm were not known and the lawyer and our family had to go from one station to another looking for him. This shows how money and influence can supersede true and thorough investigation in a country which talks so much about start-ups and culture. Now after the inappropriate article by Times of India (online-above mentioned), wondering if it has anything to do with Jig Saw Solution and Advertising owner, Aditya C.Ss dad being a part of the press and wielding his influence there also."

In a blog post, Vasupal had highlighted the issues he faced with the landlord in whose premises Stayzilla had an office.

Vasupal also mentioned that the company was embroiled in two cases. The first case is against a politician who was our landlord. We have video and audio proof of an assault and then a verbal threat to kill. The second case is against us from a media agency with whom the company had a dispute over deficiency of services and to whom we had asked to take it up in court. He also alleged that the approach by the police in the two cases had a stark difference and explained it in detail in his blog.

"I would like to announce today that we would be bringing to a halt the operations of Stayzilla in its current form, and looking to reboot it with a different business model," Vasupal said in the blog, adding, "This has been one of the toughest decisions that I have taken so far but it is the right thing to do."

The company's investors include Matrix Partners India and Nexus Venture Partners. One of the early investors was Indian Angel Network, who had given the company money to scale up in 2012. According to a report in Moneycontrol, the company has raised about $33 million thus far.
New Delhi: In a bid to enhance guest experience, cab-aggregator Uber on Wednesday announced a strategic association with Indian airline Jet Airways.

Guests booking their flights on the app and using Uber for the first time will benefit from a discount of Rs 150 across their first three rides by using the promo code JETUBER.

"Through this partnership, Jet Airways' guests across 29 cities will be able to request their Uber when they book their flight," said Madhu Kannan, Chief Business Officer, Uber India and Emerging markets, in a statement.

The cab booking feature will be available to all Jet Airways' guests in the cities where Uber currently operates in India while booking their travel itinerary with the airline on the Jet Airways app.

"Our partnership with Uber for a comfortable and seamless travel experience between their homes or offices and the airport, reflects our ambition to leverage technology for enhancing our guest experience," added Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways.
The tenth episode of Gossip Guy features Renil Abraham chatting with three gorgeous beauties and talented actors in Huma Qureshi, Disha Patani and Preity Zinta.

Qureshi discusses a wide range of topics like how her domineering onscreen images in films like Subhash Kapoor's courtroom drama Jolly LLB 2 and Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur end up making men scared of her in real life. She also touches upon how she receives numerous marriage proposals on social media, including from girls who have watched Abhishek Chaubey's Dedh Ishqiya in which she played a lesbian.

She also throws light on her upcoming Hollywood film, Gurinder Chadha's Viceroy's House which explores the human costs of the mass migration caused by the British empire during the Partition of India.

Patani, on the other hand, talks about how she has still not become used to the arc lights. She does admit that her otherwise reserved personality comes out when she faces a camera. Patani also discusses her social media presence, saying that she is too occupied with her dance classes and blog to divert attention to trolls and unwarranted attention to her personal life.

Renil also catches up with Preity Zinta at the Lakme Fashion Week where she does a rare ramp appearance. She brings to light the fact that she always needs those five minutes of sheer silence before facing the camera or walking the ramp. She also discusses the transformation that Hindi cinema has gone through since the time she was an active lead actor. She spells out presence of bound scripts and management companies as the major differences between then and now.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Padmavati is in the news again. It is now being reported that a new set constructed in Kolhapur has now been set on fire.

Sources from Firstpost Hindi have revealed that close to 50-60 unidentified men set fire to an under-construction set in Kolhapur last night, on 14 March. Around 20 security guards around the set have also been involved in a physical fight with these unidentified men.

The sets of Padmavati in Kolhapur in Maharashtra region witnessed an unfortunate incident last night at around 12.30am, when certain miscreants attacked the films set and set it on fire in an attempt to damage the property. A complaint has been filed to investigate this matter further, but we are grateful that there has been no loss of life or harm to anybody on the set. While, thankfully the incident occurred after we had wrapped our shoot for the day and all the artists, cast and crew were safely away; unfortunately, around 70  80 percent of costumes and jewellery for the movie have been destroyed," said a company spokesperson of Bhansali Productions.

The police is currently on the set in Kolhapur, however, a case has not been filed as of now. Here are some pictures from the set, as sourced by Firstpost Hindi.

Sources from IBN Lokmat have informed Firstpost that a hoard of men attacked the set between 12:30 to 1 am at night, and used petrol bombs. A lot of antique props have completely been burned down. Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently on the set in Kolhapur, and reportedly doesn't want to lodge a complaint. He has been shifted to a spot near a fort in Panhala, reports Hindustan Times.

The fire was ablaze till 4 am in the night, post which is was doused. There we 6 horses on the set as well, one of which has been severely injured on the back. NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad has condemned the act.

Padmavati set torched in Kolhapur : We condemned such attack and demand immediate action by Maharashtra govt, says Jitendra Awhad  IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) March 15, 2017

Earlier in January, activists of Shree Rajput Karni Sena protested against and misbehaved with the crew of Padmavati in Jaipur's Jaigarh Fort. They also damaged some cameras and other equipment, forcing Bhansali to stop shooting. Since then the film has been on a hiatus, and have been contructing a new set in Kolhapur.

Padmavati tells the story of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati. Actors Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor star in the film. The Jaipur controversy occured as Karni Sena protestors had an issue with the alleged scene in the film that would see Padmavati and Allaudin Khilji getting intimate.

Padmavati was first staged as an opera in Paris by Sanjay Leela Bhansali in 2008. This is its big screen adaptation.

Bhansali's previous film  Bajirao Mastani  too was embroiled in protests over historical accuracy.

Watch this space for more updates.
The Viral Fever, a web production house, has been in the news for a while now, for controversial reasons. A medium blog, helmed by one Indian Fowler, claims that during her tenure at the production house, Founder Arunabh Kumar harassed her sexually. The blog has since gone viral and multiple women have come to fore with their complaints.

In his clarification, the TVF founder had dared the anonymous complainant to deal with the issue legally. Now, as per TV reports, an FIR has been lodged against Kumar in Mumbai. The identity of the person who has filed the FIR is not known yet.

TVF had categorically denied the allegations; Kumar himself has called him fake, and has urged the victim to file an FIR. He also claims that he is "single and heterosexual" and therefore will compliment sexy women.

Mid Day now reveals in this report, that the original tweet which posted the Medium blog, has received over 50 complaints by anonymous women who have spoken about 'unsavoury encounters' with Kumar. Please note that these accounts are not yet verified, and therefore have not been made public.

TVF's spokesperson has clarified to Mid Day, "Our committee which comprises internal and external people (sic) is looking into the matter. Once we have an update with regard to the verdict, we will communicate it to everyone."

Since the blog has gone viral, social media has been on an overdrive with nuggets about the case.

This Storypick report has screenshots from several anonymous women who claim Kumar was rough and sleazy with them. Meanwhile, Nidhi Bisht has tried to dampen fires by asking people to come forward with complaints and urging social media patrons to not make quick judgments.

@RegaJha Hope u trust me being sensitive about these matters. We are checking the facts internally & will revert soon. Prima facie baseless.  Nidhi NEETU Bisht (@EkThapaTiger) March 13, 2017

Mumbai Police, too, have tweeted asking people to come forward and file FIRs, so that due processes can be started.
By Marcela Ayres and Maria Carolina Marcello

| BRASILIA

BRASILIA Brazil's top public prosecutor asked the Supreme Court to open 83 new investigations into senior politicians on Tuesday, reportedly including five ministers and leading lawmakers, in a dramatic escalation of a graft probe threatening the government.Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot also requested that the Court send 211 other requests to lower courts based on much-anticipated testimony by executives of engineering group Odebrecht SA [ODBES.UL] in Brazil's biggest-ever corruption scandal.Brazilian newspapers reported that Janot called for an investigation of five members of President Michel Temer's cabinet, along with his most senior allies in Congress, raising concerns about the stability of his administration and the fate of fiscal reforms cheered by investors. Temer said last month that he would suspend any cabinet member who is placed under investigation and would dismiss them only if they are indicted for corruption. Under Brazilian law, cabinet ministers, federal senators and lower house lawmakers can be tried only in the Supreme Court, where cases often take years to come to trial.Janot could not disclose the names of the politicians and others covered by his request as the Odebrecht testimony and related investigations are still under seal. He asked Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin to lift the judicial secrecy on the case for the sake of transparency and the public interest.President Temer himself has not been directly implicated in illicit party funding and has denied any wrongdoing in the sprawling three-year corruption scandal centred on overpriced contacts at state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (PETR4.SA).Dozens of politicians reportedly named for taking kickbacks in the testimony by Odebrecht executives included senators in Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PDMB) and the allied Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which led the impeachment of leftist Dilma Rousseff last year.

Janot called for lower courts to investigate Rousseff and her predecessor and political mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to newspapers O Globo, O Estado de S.Paulo and Folha de S.Paulo. Both former presidents have repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge of alleged corruption.TEST FOR TEMER

The new investigations will be a test for Temer as he strives to pull Latin America's largest nation out of its worst recession in more than a century. Temer succeeded Rousseff in May, vowing to eliminate corruption and restore fiscal discipline, but he has already lost several ministers to bribery allegations.

His chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, a key organizer of political support in Congress for a crucial reform of Brazil's costly pension system, is on thin ice after an Odebrecht executive was reported to have said he asked for a cash donation for Temer's 2014 campaign.Newspapers Globo, Folha and Estado reported that Padilha and four other members of Temer's cabinet were on Janot's list: Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes, Science Minister Gilberto Kassab, Cities Minister Bruno Araujo and Wellington Moreira Franco, the head of Temer's high-profile infrastructure privatisation program.Janot also called for the investigation of key Temer allies in Congress, according to the newspapers, including lower House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and the three most senior PMDB senators: Senate President Eunicio Oliveira and senators Romero Juca and Renan Calheiros.All nine of those individuals have consistently denied any wrongdoing. Reuters was not able to confirm the reports and all nine were not immediately available for comment.

The PMDB released a statement on Tuesday expressing support for the investigations and calling for "the clarification of the facts of the matter."Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said news of the investigation should not hurt progress on the government's pension reform.Janot first opened investigations of seated politicians implicated in the kickback scandal in March 2015, but only five have been indicted and none convicted.The new round of investigations fuelled by the Odebrecht testimony follows 10 months of negotiations with the family-owned firm, Latin America's largest engineering group. In December, Odebrecht signed a leniency accord with prosecutors, agreeing to pay 6.7 billion reais ($1.9 billion), admit guilt and offer details of bribes it paid.Seventy-seven of its executives, including family patriarch and Chairman Emilio Odebrecht and his jailed son and former Chief Executive Marcelo Odebrecht, made some 950 statements to a team of 116 prosecutors across the country, Janot's office said. ($1 = 3.17 reais) (Reporting by Marcela Ayres and Maria Carolina Marcello; Writing by Brad Haynes and Anthony Boadle; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Dan Grebler and Lisa Shumaker)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
New Delhi: After nearly 15 years, two separatist leaders from Kashmir including the pro-Pakistan Syed Ali Shah Geelani have been summoned by Enforcement Directorate for alleged forex violations in the early 2000s.

The Enforcement Directorate issued summons to 87-year-old Geelani, heading hardline separatist conglomerate of Hurriyat Conference, asking him to appear at its office in Srinagar on 3 April for recording of his statement under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), sources said.

The case pertains to the recovery of USD 10,000 from his Hyderpora residence on the outskirts of Srinagar city in June 2002 during a raid by Income Tax sleuths.

Geelani's properties were assessed by the Income Tax department and a penalty of Rs 1.73 crore was raised against him. The matter is pending for adjudication. The other separatist leader summoned is JKLF chief Yasin Malik in connection with a case of recovery of USD 0.1 million in March 2002 from a couple at Kud, a place which is middle point on Jammu and Srinagar national highway.

Mushtaq Ahmed Dar and his fiancee Shazia were arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police after the amount equivalent to Rs 48 lakh at that time was found hidden in the clothes of the woman.

Malik was arrested under the now-defunct Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) by police after the couple claimed that the money was brought through hawala channel to be disbursed to him. He is at present out on bail in this case. The Enforcement Directorate had registered a case under FEMA against Malik and asked him to appear before its officials on March 28 in Srinagar, the sources said.

Both the separatist leaders have been asked to bring in all the papers including Income Tax returns, if any, on the day they appear before the officials, they said.
Gayatri Prajapati, former law minister of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested in Lucknow on Wednesday. Prajapati is considered to be the state's "fugitive" minister, a prime accused in a gangrape case.

According to CNN-News18, the minister had been eluding the police, but had been "free enough" to caste a vote in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election. Prajapati had been "missing" since 27 February. He has been sent to a 14-day judicial custody.

On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force handed over two of Prajapati's accomplices to the Gautampalli police station, where the initial FIR was lodged.

The Special Task Force (STF) on Monday arrested two of the associates of Prajapati  Ashok Kumar Tiwari and Aashish Kumar Shukla  from Zebra Toll Plaza in Noida. Tiwari and Shukla are also accused in the rape case.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Daljeet Chowdhary said that three persons named in the FIR have been arrested and efforts are underway to arrest the remaining four, including the minister. Passports of all the accused have been cancelled and lookout notices issued.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya had said earlier that the case against Prajapati, at large despite a non-bailable warrant against him, had become the first of its kind case in democratic India. A rape-accused minister continued to be member of the Cabinet and had not been arrested so many days after the FIR was lodged on the directive of the Supreme Court (SC), he pointed out. Social activist Nutan Thakur also wrote to Governor Ram Naik, asking him to suo motu sack the minister. She said that a minister could be removed from his office under the provisions of Article 164 of the Constitution, as he had lost the pleasure of the Governor.

Gayatri Prajapati is a senior Samajwadi Party leader close to both Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. As Akhilesh went twice to campaign for him, opposition leaders have been targeting the chief minister, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaigning took potshots at the state government on the issue.

On 17 February, the apex court had asked Uttar Pradesh Police to register an FIR against Prajapati. A woman had alleged that Prajapati raped her when she met him three years ago. She had alleged that she was raped when she fell unconscious after taking tea laced with a sedative. Prajapati took some photos of the victim and then threatened to make them public and continued to rape her for two years.

A non-bailable warrant (NBW) had been issued against Prajapati, Uttar Pradesh's Transport Minister.

Family of survivor alleged threats by UP police

The family of a minor allegedly raped by Prajapati had lodged a complaint, alleging threats from the Uttar Pradesh police, Delhi Police had said. The complaint was filed at the Hauz Khas Police Station on Thursday against senior officers of UP police.

"The victim's family has complained that UP police personnel have been threatening and intimidating them to withdraw the case," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Chinmoy Biswal had told IANS.

A team of UP police had visited Aiims, where the survivor is currently undergoing treatment, to record her statement. "We have not registered a case as of now. We are examining the allegations made by the victim's family members," Biswal had added.

Following the Supreme Court's order, UP police had registered a case of gangrape against Prajapati and seven others.

With inputs from IANS
In a jarring reminder of the infamous Scarlet Keeling rape and murder case in Goa, a 28-year-old Irish woman's body was recovered from the Canacona beach in Goa on Tuesday. The police has since apprehended three locals as suspects in the possible rape case.

According to a report in The Sun, Danielle McLaughlin, an Irish woman travelling on a British passport was found dead with her face badly mangled and bruises on her body by a local farmer, at Adnem, Devabag, Canacona.

According to the police, the tourist had come with a friend to participate in Holi celebrations.

"We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects," a police officer familiar with the probe told IANS on condition of anonymity.

"The body was lying in a pool of blood and there were injuries to the head and face," deputy superintendent of police Sammy Tavares said.

According to a report in The Mirror, the Irish Embassy in India is in touch with the local authorities, and are updated with the proceedings of the investigation.

"It was believed that McLaughlin arrived in the region on Sunday and attended a party on Palolem beach on Monday night, before her body was found by a farmer more than three miles away the following morning," the report said.

The police is also investigating video footage from nearby shacks and hotels, where McLaughlin had visited, to ascertain the incidents of the intervening night.

A forensic team is investigating the crime scene, however, the police is yet to recover a murder weapon. McLaughlin's body has been sent for an autopsy at the Goa Medical College near Panaji, to ascertain whether she was sexually abused before being murdered.

With inputs from IANS
Srinagar: Deep in the villages of south Kashmir, the political activity, and the election atmosphere is almost missing on the ground in run up to the by-polls, to be held next month for the two parliamentary seats of Anantnag and Srinagar. As a fragile peace prevails in the area most of the political parties have been unable to campaign freely and instead have been carrying out hush-hush political activities for fear of security.

"I haven't seen a prominent political figure holding a public rally in any south Kashmir districts," Manzoor Ahmad Shah, a resident of Anantnag town, told Firstpost on phone. "All they are doing is to meet party workers in Dak Bungalows or in district party headquarters. The atmosphere of elections is missing. It is also because of the threat of violence from youths who are angry this time."

The by-polls for two parliamentary seats of Anantnag and Srinagar will be held on 9 April, according to the Election Commission of India. The last date for filing of nomination papers is 21 March. With only three weeks left before the election, no political parties have started a full-fledged campaign in south Kashmir districts of Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian or even in Anantnag  the areas where government forces had to fight a mass uprising last year following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

"The fact that political activity in south Kashmir faces more challenges is a reality," former chief minister and working president of the National Conference, Omar Abdullah, said, who was flanked by leaders from both Congress and NC, including J&K Congress chief, Ghulam Ahmad Mir. National Conference (NC) and Congress have decided to contest election through seat-sharing arrangement with NC contesting from Srinagar and Congress from Anantnag.

"We haven't started a campaign yet. Both the NC and Congress have been holding low-level political meetings and activities across the state," Omar said. He said that the concern of NC and Congress was to see an environment where electioneering was possible. "The challenge in front of Election Commission, today, is to give us an environment that is suitable for the electioneering and to give voters an environment that is suitable for them to come out and vote," Omar said.

Although the law and order situation in south Kashmir has improved but the increasing number of gunfights between security forces and militants, and the violence accompanying them later, have cast a serious shadow over the electioneering process in the south Kashmir.

Mir, the state Congress chief, after the press conference told Firstpost, that it was the job of the state government and the Election Commission to make that atmosphere possible for carrying out political activity in the state.

That is the reason I have been demanding an immediate end to these encounters because they would definitely have an impact on the psyche of the voters, Mir said, people would be afraid to come out from their homes and cast their votes.

Two Lok Sabha seats, Anantnag and Srinagar, fell vacant in Kashmir  one after Mehbooba Mufti resigned to take over as the chief minister of J&K after her father's, Mufti Sayeed, death and another after the resignation of former Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) MP, Tariq Karra, last year during the unrest. The by-polls had to be deferred last year earlier due to the unrest in the Valley. On Thursday Omar criticised the government for discouraging them to campaign in "highly threatened areas" of the south. "A concerted effort is being now made on part of the government to discourage the opposition from being able to move out and campaign," he said.

Omar said that the security detail of his leaders and that of Congress leaders was being downgraded. He appealed to the Election Commission to provide them security for campaigning. "Our security is being downgraded. Bullet-proof vehicles of functionaries are being withdrawn, escort vehicles are being taken away. Former contesting candidates, who contested as recently as 2014, are now being told to manage without PSOs. And I'm talking about highly threatened areas in south Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Pulwama, and Shopian," he said.

NC has decided to field former chief minister, Farooq Abdullah, from Srinagar constituency against Peoples' Democratic Party's (PDP) Nazir Khan while Congress' J&K chief will contest from Anantnag against the chief minister, Mehbooba Mufti's brother, Tassaduq Hussain. The constituency was previously held by Mufti Sayeed and Mehbooba Mufti.

For debutant Tassaduq managing a win will be no less than a herculean task. The areas falling under Anantnag constituency including Pulwama, Tral, and Anantnag, have been on boil during last summer agitation. Most of the protesters killed, injured, by forces belonged to these areas. Militant hotbeds like Tral, Kulgam and Pulwama fall in the same constituency. "Things are seemingly not favourable for us. I'm neither nervous nor confident," Tassaduq recently said. "But I'm starting with honesty and sincerity."

To shoulder party's "wrecked" image during the election campaign will be a thorny walk for Tassaduq. However, the party believes that it will leave no stone unturned with the help of its cadre in Anantnag.

Threatening posters have already surfaced in south telling people to stay away from voting. However, there is no concrete evidence on who was behind such posters. Police have arrested people in connection of printing "Hizbul Mujahideen" posters.

Poll-bound Pulwama also witnessed first political assassination on Monday. Fayaz Ahmad Dar, an ex-village head, formerly associated with NC, was abducted from his home by gunmen and later killed in another village.

The year 2014 also witnessed multiple assassinations of village heads in south Kashmir in run-up to the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Police said that they have identified the killers and have launched a manhunt to nab them. "Police will take all measures needed to conduct smooth elections," a senior police officer posted in Kulgam said.
A five-member panel of doctors from Aiims on Wednesday conducted the post-mortem on the 28-year-old Jawaharlal Nehru University student Muthukrishanan Jeevanantham and ruled out any foul play in his death. The student had allegedly committed suicide in South Delhi's Munirka area on Monday evening.

The panel was headed by Sudhir Gupta, head of the forensics department at Aiims who confirmed to Firstpost that there was no foul play. The team was formed after Muthukrishnan's father and CPM leader D Raja requested for an experts panel to conduct the autopsy.

According to ANI, DCP (south) Ishwar Singh said that since no suicide note was found, the reason of death was unknown.

While the police said he was depressed over personal issues, his friends shared his Facebook post in which he had alleged discrimination in MPhil and PhD admissions. The deceased student, a resident of JNU's Jhelum hostel, was found hanging from the ceiling fan of a friend's residence.

According to the preliminary findings of the panel which was accessed by Firstpost, there were no injuries found on the student's body. After an internal examination, the panel said that the contents of the stomach "were not abnormal."

"Prima facie it's a case of suicide by hanging. However, it's a matter of investigation about the circumstances in which the deceased has committed suicide and abetted to suicide," the report further added.

The body of Muthukrishnan was found hanging in a room in Munirka Vihar. Police reached the spot and found the room locked from inside, which they forced open to find the deceased hanging from the ceiling.

The family members had suspected a foul play and on Tuesday demanded a probe into his death. Speaking to reporters, Muthukrishnan's mother Alamelu said her son had planned a visit to home this month. She said it is difficult to believe that Muthukrishnan committed suicide.

The Opposition too demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of the JNU student.

Leader of Opposition in Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, in a statement said: "Last year, an Aiims student who hailed from Tirupur died. I demanded a CBI probe then but the Delhi Police said it was a case of suicide and didn't want a probe over his death. Till date, we don't know the cause of the Aiims student's death. Now, another student from Tamil Nadu has also died and the police again say it is a case of suicide. TN CM must immediately speak to the Prime Minister and pressurise him to order a probe."
A Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student's body was found hanging from the ceiling of his room on Monday, police said. Apparently, he had committed suicide, they added.

The body of deceased student, Krish Rajini (25) a resident of Jhelum, was found hanging in a room in Munirka Vihar. Police reached the spot and found the room locked from inside, which they forced open to find the deceased hanging from ceiling.

The MPhil student is said to have gone out to have food at his friend's house and locked his room from inside after returning from there on the pretext of sleeping.

"We are deeply saddened as one of our fellow students has committed suicide at his friend's residence in Munirka Vihar just outside JNU campus. It's an irreparable loss. May the departed soul rest in peace," ABVP leader Saurabh Sharma said in a statement. "When equality is denied everything is denied. There is no Equality in MPhil or PhD admission, there is no equality in viva voce, there is only denial of equality. Denying Professor Sukhadeo Thorat recommendation, denying students protest in ad-block, denying the education of the marginals," said Rajini's last Facebook post.

JNU vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar tweeted:

JNU community is grief stricken at untimely & sad demise of Shri Muthukrishnan J. We pray that God be with his family at this critical time.  M. Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) March 14, 2017

Autopsy withheld

An autopsy on Muthukrishnan's body was deferred to Wednesday after his parents refused to give consent and demanded the presence of a "neutral" forensic expert.

"The parents want at least one expert from their native state of Tamil Nadu as they are apprehensive about the impartiality of the local doctors. The autopsy has been deferred till tomorrow (Wednesday)," Students Federation of India (SFI) leader Sunand told IANS.

Sunand was present at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences where the post-mortem was to be conducted. Earlier, the family members of J Muthukrishnan, an MPhil student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who was found hanging on Monday from the ceiling fan in his friend's room, suspected foul play on Tuesday and demanded a probe.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, his mother Alamelu said it was difficult to believe that Muthukrishnan committed suicide. Muthukrishnan, also known as Krish Rajini, had gone to his friend's house in Munirka Vihar to have food, where he locked himself inside a room afterward on the pretext of sleeping and allegedly committed suicide.

Rajini belonged to Salem district in Tamil Nadu and had come to Delhi in October last year.

Muthukrishnan's family suspects foul play

Suspecting a foul play, the family members of Muthukrishnan on Tuesday demanded a probe into his death.

Speaking to reporters his mother Alamelu said her son had planned a visit to home this month.

She said it is difficult to believe that Muthukrishnan committed suicide.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami announced a solatium of Rs 300,000 to the student's family.

Expressing condolences, Palaniswami said in a statement that orders have been issued to officials to render necessary help in bringing the body of Muthukrishnan from Delhi to his village in Salem district. DMK's Working President MK Stalin urged the Chief Minister to impress upon the central government for a detailed probe into Muthukrishnan's death.

According to The Telegraph, activists filed a complaint on Muthukrishnan's father's behalf on Tuesday evening saying that the body as seen from the picture raised "serious doubts" about the alleged claims of cusicide. "The tongue was not protruding and the eyelids were not drooping, which is normally seen in such cases.... I was told by my son's friends that he was facing constant caste-based harassment and discrimination in his academic pursuits from his Centre (for Historical Studies) and the JNU administration," the complaint is quoted in the report.

The report also said that JNU's Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association (Bapsa) negotiated with the police officers about the consent for post-mortem of Muthukrishnan's body. National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights was also present and soon demands were raised for an FIR to be filed under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to be probed by the CBI, compensation for the family, investigation into caste discrimination at JNU and transportation of the body to Salem.

Delhi police yet to figure out a reason

Delhi Police is yet to figure out the reason for the suspected suicide. "A team of Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) is probing the case and a thorough search is on with all possible angles. The police are also re-examining the sequence of events and Call Details Records (CDR) and chat records of the deceased Krish Rajini. A team of CFSL with other senior officers would again visit the flat," Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ishwar Singh said.

The police also claimed that so far they have not found any evidence indicating foul play and said that CFSL examination reports will help them ascertain if it is a suicide or homicide.

Rajini was a student of history and was doing MPhil from the university. He had reportedly gone out to have food at his friend's house and had locked himself in the room afterward on the pretext of sleeping.

Speculation is rife among the student fraternity about the possible reason for his suicide, with many pronouncing it as a step taken after his going into depression over caste discrimination.

With inputs from IANS
At least five persons died and many others are feared trapped inside a cold storage building, which collapsed near Kanpur on Wednesday after an explosion apparently due to high pressure in an ammonia gas "receiver", police said.

The building at Shivrajpur was crowded when the tragedy occurred as many farmers were there to stock the potato harvest. Nine injured have been pulled out in the rescue operation, which was initially hit by leakage of ammonia gas from the cold storage.

Prima facie, police officials told IANS, it appeared that the "receiver" of ammonia gas in the cold storage exploded due to high pressure and it brought down the four-storey building.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Ramayan Singh, while confirming the death of five persons, said the others were being treated for serious injuries at the Hallet hospital.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is at the accident site to pull out people from the rubble. Around 12 JCB machines have also been pressed into service to clear the debris

According to SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar, the gas leak started in the chiller plant led to an explosion at the Katiyar Cold Storage in Shivrajpur area of Kanpur earlier in the afternoon. In the resulting explosion, the roof of the structure collapsed. Several people are feared trapped in the debris, and the fire brigade personnel are carrying out rescue and relief operations, Kumar said.

According to a report in a Hindi daily, Amar Ujala, over 100 workers are feared trapped in the debris. Two new chambers were constructed recently, which caved in after an ammonia gas cylinder burst. The report further adds that amid those trapped, a number of workers hail from the neighbouring state of Bihar. The chances of casualties due to ammonia gas poisoning can also not be ruled out at the moment.

People on the spot alleged that while the capacity of the cold storage was one lakh sacks of potato, there was much more stocked, which apparently led to more pressure on the gas receiver inside. However, a probe into these charges is yet to be issued, with the administration now focusing on the rescue operations.

Owner of the cold storage Lalla Katiyar is absconding after the incident.

Another Hindi news website Bhaskar.com, reported that the license of the storage owner has been suspended, till an enquiry is conducted into the cause of the gas leak and explosion. The report also said that the storage facility was built only last year.

The injured have been taken to Halet hospital in the city. The hospital has also been put on alert as the number of those injured is expected to rise.

With inputs from agencies
Call it insensitivity or a cheap publicity stunt, but the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala is certainly guilty of finding itself on the wrong side of the law.

The names of two minor girls who had been allegedly raped and murdered in Walayar on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border recently have found their place on a larger-than-life hoarding welcoming the partys state secretary and former home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

The hoarding was put up by the local committee (LC) of the party in Walayar, to welcome the secretary, who was visiting the homes of the rape victims on Sunday.

The two girls, aged 13 and nine, had been raped and found hanging inside their homes and while the state police is still groping in the dark as to who the real culprits are, the incident has evoked an outcry in the state.

The revelation of their names has come as a shock to the Child Rights Commission in the state, which is now seeking a report from the director general of police (DGP).

"This is absolutely shocking for us. We had already told the police to ensure that the identity of a minor victim cannot be made public at any cost and that strict measures need to be put in place to stop any such move. Now that this has happened, we are asking the police chief to look into the matter," Shobha Koshy, chairperson, Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR), said.

The Commission has said that more recommendations for action would follow once a report is released by the DGP. The Commission added that not only those responsible for ideating the hoarding, but also those who printed it would be held liable under the law.

According to Section 23(2) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the identity of any sort that compromises the victim cannot be disclosed and anyone doing so can be imprisoned for a period not less than six months.

In most cases, the general public, which includes even our law makers, are ignorant of these provisions and senior lawyers say that since no effort has been taken to generate awareness, it is flouted openly.

"Whenever things which were not considered so serious hitherto are made serious offences by enactment there is requirement of a corresponding enlightenment programme as well, intended not just for the general public but even for the political class. Very often, that has not happened in India and this incident is a clear fall out of it, says Kaleeshwaram Raj, a leading lawyer at the Kerala High Court.

Raj added that the argument whether you can expose the identity after the death of the victim also does not hold water. He said that the POCSO itself might not have talked about such a scenario but there are umpteen number of precedents set by different courts across the country, which clearly mentions that identity of minors should not be revealed at any cost.

"Court is very clear that even after the death of the victim, there is a family that lives in the stigma of the incident especially in our societys context. You cannot even defame a person after his death. So the victims death does not make any difference here," added Raj.

Meanwhile, the local CPM leadership was found passing the buck when contacted by Firstpost. The Puthusherry Area secretary of the party, Subash Chandra Bose, under whom the Walayar local committee falls, was more interested in blaming their political opponents for a similar situation than owning up to their own mistake.

"See, we are not the only persons who have done this. Even the BJP, which took to social media, had even used the girls' pictures. We took down the flex board the moment we realised the mistake. Such things happen and nobody did it purposely," Bose said.

Though the CPM's claims that the BJP had put the picture up on social media could not be independently verified by Firstpost, the Commission said that such violations have been noticed on social media over the last few days and that had forced the Commission to send the initial notice to the state police chief.

But what is more damaging for the CPM is that not just one but a number of such hoardings had been put up in and around the locality, and even hours after the state secretary had left the girls' homes, they were not taken down.

A history of insensitivity

The latest accusations against CPM come at a time when the state's police is also in the docks for alleged inaction in the Walayar twin rape case. The family of the victim has clearly said that had the police acted on time, after the death of the elder sister, they would not have lost the younger one too.

It is now alleged that the post-mortem report of the 13-year-old girl had clearly pointed to rape.

The younger sister had even given hints to who could be the culprit. Though the police had initially picked up a youngster for questioning, he was let off following political pressure, as the man in question was a local leader belonging to the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPM.

Almost two months after the elder girl's death, the second one was also found dead, hanging inside the house. The same accused has been arrested now. Activists are saying that the polices inaction is only a reflection of the ruling partys attitude towards crimes against women and children.

"This is not the CPM we know of. It is as if the party just does not care about the safety of our children. Here in Walayar, the second girl would not have died had the party not intervened and released the culprit from police custody," says M Bala Murali, a local activist and Panchayat member, who has been following the case.

This is not the first such allegation against the ruling party. The infamous Wadakancherry gangrape case is another example. The culprit at that time was a local councillor of the same party.

Like in Walayar, here too the local party chieftain was found compromising the name of the victim and that too before full media glare. Though she was not a minor and had not been murdered, unlike Walayar, the incident yet again exposed the torrid track record CPM, when it comes to fighting crimes against women and children.

Firstpost had earlier reported how the police were hand-in-gloves with the accused, a party man, and how the local investigating officer had insulted the woman and her husband when she went to file an FIR at the police station.

Making matters worse, it was also revealed that the woman had written a registered letter to the chief minister, describing her plight, but no action was taken for a number of months, following which she had to muster the courage to spill the beans at a press meet at Thiruvananthapuram.

"The problem is that the ruling party in Kerala, like almost all other politicians, demands a character certificate from the women the moment she claims that she has been a victim of sexual violence. How do you expect the police to behave any differently?" asks T Parvathy, a leading womens activist and psychologist in the state.

Perhaps another incident is what the chief minister himself said at a public meeting, a few days into the investigation of alleged sexual assault on a popular Malayalam film actor. While the entire state smelled a rat, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan reached the conclusion that what had happened to the actor was just the result of a crime by an individual, and that it did not involve a larger conspiracy.

While speculations are still out on whom Vijayan was trying to save, many believe that it is such mindsets at the top that sends our enforcement agencies on the reverse mode, enabling more crimes against women and children to thrive in Kerala.

"Case after case has been sabotaged by such gestures and statements by the CPM leaders in the past as well. Take any such molestation or rape case, you will find a politician who is working out something for the accused. If it was Congress yesterday, today it is the CPM," Murali added.

A week has passed since an 18-year-old student, Mishel Shaji, was found dead in the Kochi Lake. Her parents have alleged that had the police acted on time on the night 5 March, when they had gone to the local station to report her missing, she could have been saved.

The chief minister had to openly admit in the state Assembly that in this case, prima facie there seems to be a lapse on the part of the local police and that it would also be investigated. But that has only done little to quell the outcry against the Left government and its police, which is gathering momentum by the day on social media.

Since the current Budget session of the Assembly, which started in the first week of March, the chief minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, has been cutting a sorry figure in the House, defending his men in uniform before the Opposition for their gross inefficiency in handling cases pertaining to sexual violence.

Unless the ruling party takes proactive steps to change the mindsets from the top down, women and children in Kerala will continue to be unsafe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who led the BJP to a landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, recently received support, laudation and a plea for peace from across the border in Pakistan.

While it is not exactly a step towards peaceful resolution by the neighbouring government, a letter, written by an 11-year-old girl, appeals to Modi to restore harmony between the two nations in order to win more elections in the future.

Aqeedat Naveed, a school student from Lahore, implored the governments of India and Pakistan to refrain from buying bullets and guns in order to restore peace. Both countries should resolve that they will not buy guns, but will provide free medicines to hundreds of thousands of ailing people of both the nations, she said.

Addressing Modi, Aqeedat, daughter of a Lahore University professor, said "you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP".

She had earlier written letters to Indias External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, to wish her a speedy recovery when she was hospitalised recently with kidney failure.

Read the full letter:
Jaipur: A Sukhoi aircraft of the Indian Air Force on Wednesday crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district, leaving three villagers injured. Both the pilots ejected safely.

"The Sukhoi aircraft crashed near Barmer while on a routine training sortie.Both the pilots ejected safely," Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said.

Additional SP Barmer Rameswhar Lal said the crash occurred near Shivkar village in Sadar police station area.

The police were informed about the incident at around 2.50 pm following which policemen and officials from the district administration rushed the spot. IAF officials also rushed the spot.

Three villagers received injuries in the incident and have been admitted in the district hospital.Those who were injured were identified as Narayan Ram,his daughter-in-law Dalluram and 14-year old-grandson Hanumanram.

Their condition is stated to be stable, SHO Kotwali Bhanwar Lal said.

Some of the thatched houses in the hamlets were also damaged in the incident, Circle Officer Barmer OP Ujjawal said.
On the day the BJP made electoral history by winning the Assembly election in Uttar Pradesh by an unprecedented, landslide victory, a gruesome incident rocked the jungles of Bastar. Twelve jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in an ambush by Maoists at Kottacheru in the Bhejji area of Sukma  one of the worst-Maoist affected districts in the country, but the incident was subsumed in the deafening celebrations of electoral victories.

Taking a leaf out of the Hollywood blockbuster Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), in which actor Sylvester Stallone uses explosive-tipped arrows to take on his enemies single-handedly, the Naxals used explosive-tipped arrows to distract the attention of security forces, while attacking with landmines. It was not just another Naxal attack in which the CRPF lost valuable lives. The 11 March attack has the sub-text of the development of the region  something the Naxals have been opposing for some time. The timing of the attack  coming at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modis development agenda is finding a growing number of takers as is evident in successive Assembly elections going the BJP's way  cannot be overlooked.

The road to development, or death?

According to locals, the road connecting Konta to Sukma is the reason for the latest Naxal attack. It is in the process of being laid for the past one-and-a-half years despite persistent opposition by the Naxals through banners, burning of vehicles and even the killing of civilians. Jagdalpur-based journalist Rishi Bhatnagar said, "The Maoists have been opposing the construction of the highway from Konta to Sukma and also the road passing through Bhejji as Maoists are anti-development. Once the highway gets completed, it will give easy and smooth access to security forces in the remote areas dominated by Naxals. The road opening party (ROP) of the CRPF on 11 March was attacked when they were sanitising the road in the morning. One can still smell the explosives in air and see the gore of the attack at the ambush site."

How CRPF troops got trapped?

As a routine exercise, a ROP comprising 110 jawans of the CRPFs 219 Battalion left camp at around 7.30 am on 11 March for the twin-purposes of area-domination and sanitisation of the road. The day was also important as it was a local market day (haat) at Bhejji and lot of public movement was supposed to take place during the day. The party found itself divided into two groups  one took the highway and the other with 55 jawans entered the forest area. As they got deeper into an area surrounded by trees, they were ambushed and attacked with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) at 9 am.

"The troops of the A/E 219 Battalion were part of the road-clearing party that has been securing an under-construction road between Bhejji and Kottacheru. They were ambushed by Maoists, who set off multiple hidden IEDs on the ground and opened fire. The squad effectively retaliated but we lost 12 of our brave personnel. There was no intelligence input about any such attack. This area has been the biggest challenge for us, as weve been witnessing hostility from day one," a senior CRPF official told Firstpost.

Strategy adopted by Maoists

According to security forces and the field sources, the Maoists adopted linear ambush at Kottacheru by planting IEDs on both sides of the road to corner the troop. The attack was initiated using landmines, which was followed by random firing on jawans with AK-47s. The militia that accompanied the Maoists used explosive arrows to distract the combating jawans. The Naxals have been keeping a close watch on the ROP for quite some time and carried out a recce prior to the ambush. The attack took place in the area after two years.

"They were down, but not out. The Maoists, who are adept at the guerrilla style of warfare, waited for two years before this big hit. They must have been carrying out recces for a long time," the CRPF official said. According to police and local sources in Sukma, the attack was carried out by Military Battalion No 1 of the Maoists, under which there are three units. "One of the three units that led the ambush was headed by one Sonu; whereas, the commander of the military battalion Hidma provided the backup support," sources said.

The Maoist cadre in Bastar has two military battalions  one under Hidma operates from Sukma, whereas the other is from Marh-Kanker-Gariyaband. Hidma, who operates under a pseudonym, is considered the 'best fighter and strategist' in guerrilla warfare among Maoists in this hotbed of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). He has been involved in several cases, including the one in the Kasalpad attack. "Sonu, who apparently led the attack on CRPF jawans is a new name that has come up. The objective of the unit was to cause maximum casualties, but as the jawans strongly retaliated, the Maoists went on the back foot," a police source said.

Weapons used

According to official sources, the Maoist cadre used landmines to blow up the troops. Besides, they used rocket launchers to fire shells, planted IEDs in steel tiffin boxes, and used improvised mortars and AK-47 to fire at the security force.

One thing that caught attention of security forces and the media was bunch of explosive-tipped arrows (looked like mini grenades) recovered by the Chhattisgarh Police from the ambush site.

Although the police would like to call it an 'IED arrow' or 'arrowed IED', it has not yet been established whether the arrows function similar to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and whether there is any electrical circuitry inside the small grenade. "Were trying to ascertain the nature of these IED arrows. Prima facie it can be said that these arrows explode after hitting a target. They seem to be working on a pressure mechanism. After an impact with the target, the needle (switch) at the tip of the small grenade hits the explosive. These arrows after explosion create high decibel noise, but causes less damage. The objective is to distract the attention of the security forces elsewhere, confuse them and then attack them with AK-47s. This tactic was applied here. Earlier, on one or two occasions, such arrows had been used," Inspector-General (Bastar range), Chhattisgarh Police, Sundar Raj P told Firstpost.

The country-made rocket shells and mortars recovered from the site are also improved ones. "The use of arrows proves that besides the Maoists military cadre, its militia was also used to attack our jawans. From the appearance of the unexploded rocket shells and mortars, it seems these are improvised ones. The rocket shells are of a new kind. Were trying to make an assessment of these recovered ammunitions through an in-depth study," a senior CRPF official told Firstpost.

Sources claimed that after the attack, the Maoists stole an Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) and a large cache of shells from security force, besides rifles. "Now the Naxals in Bastar have 10 UBGLs, which are very dangerous. An UBGL can fire five to seven grenades in a minute, each of which covers a long range and can cause heavy destruction and a lot of casualties," the source claimed.

Season of attacks

The attack comes just at the time the rebels launch their annual Tactical Counter-Offensive Campaign (TCOC). The TCOC, the military term for the most violent operations time of the Naxal cadres, is usually noticed in the summer months between February and June and security forces are on their maximum vigil during this period as they anticipate audacious attacks on them by the Maoists.

Every year from April till the beginning of the rains, the Maoists send out guerrilla squads to attack the security forces. Not only is the movement easier in summer compared with the wet season, the heat withers the bushes and tall grass, offering the hiding ambush teams a clearer view of troop movement. Almost all the major attacks in Chhattisgarh have taken place in the summer, including the Darbha Ghati attack in May 2013 that wiped out a chunk of the state Congress leadership.

Sources said that on International Womens Day (8 March), the Maoists gathered and took out a rally at Sukma-Bijapur border.

What experts say?

Counter-terrorism analyst Anil Kamboj said, "This time the weapons used by Maoist cadre are improvised ones; like they have used improvised rockets. As far I can guess, the arrows with explosives at the top functions similar to crackers (hand bombs), which explode on impact. The Maoists got their training in IEDs, landmines and manufacturing of improvised devices from the members of LTTE cadre, when the latter was on run and took shelter in the jungles of Bastar. Naxals had given them shelter on the condition that they would be trained by the LTTE men."

"Considering the type of ambush and the timing, I strongly believe the ROP somewhere missed following standard operating procedures. If they follow the routine pattern every day, they are bound to be tracked. Once jawans are caught off-guard, Maoists launch attacks. If the area of operation is not dominated, one is bound to get killed. Tactics and timing need to be changed. Moreover, this is time of TCOC, when Maoists launch big ambushes. I failed to understand, despite repeated incidents in Bastar, how intelligence failed to track the Naxals doing recce at Kottacheru," added Kamboj, who had conducted an in-depth study of this Maoist hotbed, besides serving in countrys major insurgency-hit regions.

Both the CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police have been investigating how after a hiatus of two years, the Maoists suddenly got activated and carried out such a well-planned attack.
Assuring the parliament that the government is steadfast in helping distressed Indians and Indian-origin Americans in the United States, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that the Indian authorities have taken the issue of racial attacks to the top echelons of the US administration.

US authorities including Pres Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incidents: Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha on attacks on Indians abroad pic.twitter.com/X6rBwu1HlE  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

I talked to families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla & Deep Rai,also raised these issues with highest authorities in US: EAM Sushma Swaraj in LS  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Swaraj was speaking in the parliament over the racial attacks against Indians in the US after Donald Trump took over as the president.

Talking about Deep Rai, a Sikh who was shot outside his house in Seattle, Swaraj said that MEA officials reached out to his family and that he is in hospital and recuperating from the attack.

On Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in a Texas pub on 23 February, the minister added that the government was proactive in helping his kin and that she has personally taken stock of the situation. She also read out an excerpt from a letter appreciating the work done by her ministry.

All help extended to me in time is deeply appreciated:EAM quoted in LS letter of wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla to Indian Ambassador to the US pic.twitter.com/wpd2QmlVxa  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Swaraj added that many top US officials have also expressed their disgust at the racial attacks. She said that President Trump too had condemned racial attacks against minorities in his address to the US Congress.

US authorities including Pres Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incidents: Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha on attacks on Indians abroad pic.twitter.com/X6rBwu1HlE  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

The senior BJP leader repeatedly assured the parliament that the safety and security of Indians abroad is the utmost priority of the NDA government and added, "Even the prime minister who was busy campaigning for the elections kept track of the work done by the ministry to help those affected by racial attacks."

Safety and security of Indians is our top most priority: Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha on attacks on Indians abroad  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, working at the Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed in the shooting on 23 February, while another Indian and his colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured and battled for life at a local hospital. One other identified as Ian Grillot was also injured in the shooting.

The accused, Adam Purinton, 51, was arrested the next day, five hours after the incident.

On the other hand, on 5 March, Deep Rai, a 39-year-old Sikh, was shot outside his house but survived the attack.

The US had assured India of "speedy justice" to the Indian-American victims of suspected hate-crimes as the Indian envoy reached out to the State Department to convey his "deep concerns" over such tragic incidents.

It is to be noted that Swaraj made her first appearance in the Lok Sabha after undergoing a kidney transplant surgery. Immediately after she ended her statement, Speaker Mahajan appreciated her and said: "After a long time the house heard your powerful voice."

(With inputs from agencies)
It could be an advertisement on the television or newspaper. You see a youngster in graduation robes and your mind goes on an overdrive. You imagine a family portrait 20 years from now with your grown up child holding the scroll containing the degree. But then there is a killjoy.

Your start thinking about the large amount of money needed for your child's future. You might even imagine a silhouette of money worries in the picture perfect family portrait of the future. Okay, the last bit was an exaggeration but you get the drift, don't you? The good news is all that it needs is a simple plan to get money out of the equation when it comes to your child's future. Here is the plan's outline:

Step 1

Grasp the multitude of possibilities

You wanted to become a railway engine driver when you were a small kid but became an engineer. Your child's career graph can be equally dramatic. Of course, you will perhaps have no inkling of your child's eventual career now. Yet it is smart to collect information about the emerging possibilities, especially new careers such as industrial design, healthcare management, corporate law and product design. This will eventually give you an idea of expected future costs.

Step 2

Find out what they cost now

The costs of various higher education options vary across disciplines and institutions. Get an idea of the range of costs. For instance, tuition fee for undergraduate medical studies in private medical colleges can be as much as say Rs 55 lakh.

Step 3

Estimate costs in the future

Your parents may regale you with talk about low costs during their college days at the dinner table and you might be amused. However, you need stay focused to be adequately prepared for what lies ahead for your child. You can do that when you make intelligent estimates of costs. Cost of higher studies,especially the technical education in a metro city like Delhi,has almost doubled in seven years in the period up to 2014*.If the costs go up at the same rate, in next 15 years, expect the costs to increase by four times i.e. a course costing Rs 25 lakh to rise to Rs 1 crore.

Step 4

Get Started!

You child saves regularly in her piggy bank. Believe it or not, you need to do the same for her future. And sooner you start, the better, since you get to save more and get more time for your money to grow more.

Step 5

Plan for high growth investments

Just setting aside money will not help your childlive the dream, you dream of. Over long periods, and with such large requirements, your money needs to work out and grow muscles.

Equity investments are one of the best gyms to make your money grow muscles.Of course, past performance may not get replicated but they provide a glimpse of growth possibilities. In last 15 years ending May2016, equities as represented by the Sensex have given an annual return of 14.22 per cent, while in last 10 years the return was 9.88%**.

Step 6

Plan for regular investments

Like regular exercise, your money can grow muscle through regular investments. The best way to do this is through investments in equities with systematic investment plans (SIPs) of equity mutual funds. They help you make small, but regular investments,in high growth equities. You not only benefit from its low costs but also the expertise of fund managers who manage the money. The results can be awesome.

If you invest Rs 20,000 every month for 15 years and the money grows at 12 per cent every year, you will end up with Rs 94.29 lakh***.That's right! That is all it needs to have a picture perfect future family portrait.

Clearly, life's big dreams need small steps and a simple plan. SIPs help on both counts and help you take money out of the picture. So, go ahead, get started in making a great family portrait of your child's future.

Similarly, you may have multiple dreams and each dream requires its own plan! One plan may not fit all, Isiliye, Jitne Sapne, Utne SIP.

Disclaimer:Past Performance may or may not be sustained in future. The calculation, based on assumed rate of returns, is meant for illustrative purposes only. SIPs does not guarantee or assure any protection against loses in declining market condition. In view of individual nature of tax consequences, each investor is advised to consult his/ her own professional tax advisor. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Plan it now!

This is a partnered post.
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday said the Election Commission should probe into the EVM tampering charges made by some parties to ensure that voters' confidence is not shattered and there is no blot on India's democracy.

"If any party has doubts over efficacy of EVMs, it is the Election Commission's duty to hold a probe. The EC's first responsibility is the voters should have confidence that the vote cast by them reaches the person they want," Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said.

"India is the largest democracy and we take pride in that. We should not allow any blot on it. The Election Commission should hold an investigation and we do not have any objection," she said.

Asked if the Congress is ready for a probe in Punjab too where the AAP is alleging EVM tampering, she said her party has the confidence and does not fear any investigation.

Besides AAP, the BSP has made similar allegation in Uttar Pradesh and demanded a thorough investigation, even though the EC has debunked the charge. "The Congress as a party has confidence. It is the mandate of the people. If the EC wants to hold any investigation, we do not have any objection to it," Dev said. She said the Congress has a very clear stand, that it will not oppose any investigation into booth capturing, tampering of EVMs or into a complaint by any party on use of unlawful or illegal means.

"Because we are damn confident that we are not a party to do any such thing in any state, be it Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur or any other state," Dev said.

She said India takes pride in its democracy and electoral system and if any party casts a doubt on it, the Congress fears no investigation because it has not used any such means to get any result.

Asked about its leader Ajay Maken writing to the EC, the Congress leader said her party believes in itself when it is about people's confidence that their vote is going to the one they want.

"Why should Congress stand in the way of any party seeking an investigation into it. Let the truth come out. We have no problem with that," Dev said. The question is not of technology but it is the Election Commission's job to ensure smooth elections and see that there is transparency, she said, adding EVMs were introduced to ensure that there was no use of muscle-power or money-power or booth capturing.
"Kuchh to gadbad hai papa," the kid at home would say in mock seriousness explaining his low score in maths in a class test. "I swear I got all the answers right. The teacher has her favourites. They always get more marks."

"Really?" One answers, wishing the kid would stop watching the television serial he had borrowed the gadbad line from. "You are absolutely right, beta. But in the last test you had good marks. I never heard a word against the teacher from you. Were you her favourite then?" The boy makes a face and goes silent.

Arvind Kejriwals gadbad charge against electronic voting machines reminds one of the kids lame excuses. How come he didnt find anything wrong with the machines when he won 67 of 70 seats in the Delhi assembly? In the times of massive mandate one way or the other, how come he never found anything amiss earlier?

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, the Delhi chief minister suggested that the voting machines were doctored in Punjab. It resulted in a chunk of AAP votes getting transferred to the Akali Dal-BJP combine. How come AAP secured less votes than its number of volunteers in some seats? He asked. He also raised questions over the Congresss massive victory while all poll surveys predicted a hung house.

The question that begs an answer here is did the Congress manipulate the EVMs too? If Kejriwal believes it is true then it is rather surprising that the party didnt rig the machines in Uttar Pradesh too. Certainly a lot was at stake for it in the state.

And why didnt the BJP win a clear majority in Manipur and Goa if it could tinker with voting machines?

He may have a point in arguing that the voting machines are not tamper proof and some western countries have abandoned experimenting with it after glitches surfaced but that does not explain why the BJPs performance varied across states. It appears he took opinion polls and expert opinions too seriously. Even a pedestrian study of election results would tell one that both come wrong often. For example, not a single exit poll predicted the massive BJP victory in 2014 or the partys debacle in Delhi and Bihar and now its stupendous performance in Uttar Pradesh.

Now, Kejriwal wants the Election Commission to go back to good old paper ballots for the MCD elections in the National Capital. Its obvious if he loses he would lay the blame on voting machines. If only he had focused on governance over the last two years and been less of an absentee chief minister! Excuses wouldnt be necessary then. Of course, the commission has refused to oblige him.

Is he a worried man after his partys performance in Punjab and Goa? Apparently yes. His national ambition has come to a rude halt and if loses Delhi, he is as good as finished as a politician. The election to the 272 seats in the MCD election will be his big test. If he wins a respectable number of seats it would mean he has retained his popular appeal and his party has planted its feet firmly in Delhi. If he loses then it could be the beginning of the end of his foray into politics. His government will be in power for the next three years but with its legitimacy suspect.

Its better Kejriwal focused on governance and not spend time cooking up excuses. When he does that he sounds like the kid at home. He cannot keep saying kuchh to gadbad hai when he himself could be at fault.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that poll tampering took place during the Punjab elections to ensure that AAP is kept out of the state.

"Many said that there is anger against Akalis and AAP is sweeping polls. AAP still got 25 percent votes and SAD-BJP got 31 percent. How is it possible?" Kejriwal told reporters at a press conference in New Delhi.

"It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to ensure people believe in the electoral system. If people lose faith in elections, democracy will lose its meaning. If there is a flaw in EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines), elections become meaningless," said the Delhi chief minister.

Mayawati had also cried foul

Before Kejriwal, BSP chief Mayawati, who won only 19 seats in the recently concluded state election in Uttar Pradesh too cried foul and alleged that the EVM machines were manipulated to ensure BJP's victory.

"They have got this victory through tampering in the EVMs and this win smacks of dishonesty, fraud and murder of democracy...if the media is honest it will also not be able to digest it," she alleged.

"Our partymen are saying they voted for BSP, but the votes went to 'Kamal' (lotus)...they are wondering as to how this could have happened," Mayawati said.

The BSP leader continued, "In Muslim and Dalit-dominated areas too it is the BJP which has got the votes...BJP is saying that they got the vote of Muslim women over their stand on triple talaq...will they (Muslim women) accept BJP when they are first associated with their religion and (also) when BJP did not give even a single ticket to Muslim?"

US scientists 'hacked' system

While the two leaders are making these allegations over EVMs after the drubbing their party got in the recent elections across five states, a 2010 BBC report claimed that US-based scientists had cracked the voting machine.

According to the report, researchers at the University of Michigan developed a technique of hacking into the system by developing a home-made device connected to the EVM machine. Then they had changed the results by sending text messages from a mobile.

"We made an imitation display board that looks almost exactly like the real display in the machines. But underneath some of the components of the board, we hide a microprocessor and a Bluetooth radio," J Alex Halderman, one of the researchers had told BBC.

The display board created by the researchers then intercepted the counting of votes and with the help of a mobile text message replaced the number of votes with the number they desired.

EC refutes claims of EVM hacking

However, even then the Election Commission had refuted the claims made by the US researchers.

"It is not just the machine, but the overall administrative safeguards which we use that make it absolutely impossible for anybody to open the machine," BBC quoted the then deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla as saying.

This time around too, the apex election body refuted charges of machine tampering.

The EC said that the EVMs could not be tampered with and that candidates are allowed to randomly check the machines before the actual voting.

The machine is both mechanically and electronically protected to prevent any tampering/manipulation. The programme used in these machines is burnt into a one-time programmable chip so that it cannot be altered or tampered with, the EC said in its reply to Mayawati.

These machines are not networked either by wire or by wireless to any other machine or system. Therefore, there is no possibility of its data corruption, it added.

With inputs from agencies
After a thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh and with an eye on next year's Assembly election in Karnataka, the BJP was all set to induct former external affairs minister and a seasoned politician, who quit the Congress in January this year. In fact, the BJP's Karnataka unit chief BS Yeddyurappa on 6 March met Krishna in Bengaluru and invited him to join the party. Krishna was slated to join BJP on Wednesday.

However, due to the death of his sister, Krishna has put off plans of joining the party for now. Krishna was in New Delhi on Tuesday itself as he was scheduled to join the BJP on Wednesday. Due to the death of his sister Sunitha on Tuesday night, Krishna had to rush back to Bengaluru. Speaking to The Hindu, sources close to party leadership said that the induction will surely happen but it might be postponed till the party decides on a day.

Karnataka BJP president B S Yeddyurappa on 14 March said Krishna will join the BJP on 15 March.

"Krishna will join BJP fold on 15 March in New Delhi," Yeddyurappa had told reporters in Bengaluru after addressing a rally in the run up to the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls. Yeddyurappa also mentioned about Krishna's induction in the BJP in his speech during the rally. He had said Krishna would be inducted into the party in the presence of BJP chief Amit Shah and other central leaders.

The 84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on 29 January, saying the party was in a "state of confusion" on whether it needs mass leaders or not. Krishna, who was Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as the minister for external affairs in 2012. He had also served as the Governor of Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Congress on Tuesday said it did not think that the exit of Krishna from the party would affect its prospects in future elections, including the by-poll next month. "There should not be any problem for the Congress in future elections, including the coming Nanjangud and Gundlupet by-polls, following the resignation of Krishna from the party," state Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters.

Parameshwara was replying to a question on whether the Congress's prospects in future polls would be affected by the departure of Krishna from the party. "We will definitely take care of that (Krishna's) loss. If one considers it as a loss, we will definitely manage it," he said. Asked whether the loss of Krishna would mean losing the Vokkaliga votes, Parameshwara said the party does not believe in caste politics as an election strategy.

"Congress never believes in caste politics. Individuals may do, but we don't believe in caste as a factor in our election strategies," Parameshwara was quoted as saying by PTI.

Ever since he left the Congress, Krishna has been biding his time to join the BJP, but was told to wait till this week, as Shah and Modi were busy with Assembly elections in five states. "With the BJP securing thumping majority in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and set to form governments in Goa and Manipur, Krishna thought it is the right time to join the BJP and strengthen the party in Karnataka, where Assembly election is due in next year," a party official told IANS.

With inputs from agencies
By Gaurav Choudhury

The BJPs resounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election is the result of a mix of carefully crafted campaign and electoral management strategy spread over a year, involving organisational restructuring, youth mobilisation, farmers outreach and effective use of state-of-the-art technology through traditional and new media.

Moneycontrol collated inputs from top BJP sources on details of what went behind the strategy and planning of one of Independent Indias biggest electoral success stories.

Heres a sneak peek:

Organisational strengthening

Membership: Around 1.80 crore people were given primary BJP membership in Uttar Pradesh in the last one year. Of these, the partys database contains name, address and booths of 1.13 lakh members.

Active members: In the last one year, 67,605 active members have been registered in Uttar Pradesh, which is twice the number of the previous years.

Training: Two state-level and six sub-state level Training of the trainers workshops were organised. Subsequently, the trainers trained 75,428 workers at the mandal level and 13,676 workers at the district level.

Reconstituting Mandals: Mandals were set up for 100-125 booths

Booth planning: Booth committees were created in all 1,47,401 booths in the state. Each committee had 10-21 members. A total of 13.50 lakh booth-level workers were appointed. BJP president Amit Shah addressed six regional conventions of all the booth committees.

Lifetime support: This state collected Rs 16,91,72,315 as individual contribution to the party

Campaign communication

The election campaign in Uttar Pradesh was anchored around three main points: Uttar Pradeshs dismal administration, the Modi governments accomplishments and the BJPs People Welfare Pledge (Sankalp Patra).

Print and electronic media advertisements: Advertisements were issued in all newspapers, publications and television channels that publish or operate in the state. Party president Amit Shah himself sat down with the ad agencies on creatives to buttress the broader political message.

Video vans: A video van was operated in each of the 403 Assembly constituencies. As many as 58,809 small events were organised through these vans in which 46,08,674 people participated. In addition, 11 virtual reality vans were run in the cities.

Kamal Melas: Over a six-month period, 34 Kamal Melas were organised. Each of these melas established contact with an estimated 60,000 people, implying that BJPs message reached an estimated 20.4 lakh people through these melas.

Motorcycle rallies: As many as 1,649 motorcycle-mounted youth workers reached 76,000 villages, connecting 64,57,486 youth through 2,80,267 meetings.

Roadside (nukkad) meetings: Fifteen street play teams panned out to all the Assembly constituencies carrying the BJPs message through 8,574 plays.

Social media: The BJPs in-house social media team crafted a comprehensive social media strategy. IT centres were set up in all the district headquarters. Specially designed workshops trained 5,031 workers on various IT and social media tools.

WhatsApp: The party used WhatsApp effectively, reaching out to 15 lakh people through 10,344 Whatsapp groups.

#BJP4UP Twitter handle: BJP4UP had following of 40,000, which evolved into a major communication vehicle during the campaign. The party also had four Facebook pages through which it reached out to 40 lakh people.

Outreach

Parivartan yatras: Parivartan Yatras, which began from four different corners of the state, travelled through all the 75 districts of the state, 403 Assembly constituencies, covering a total distance of 8,138 km. As many 233 small and large public meetings and 2,537 welcome meetings took place during the course of these yatras, in which more than 50 lakh people took part. The yatras culminated in a big public meeting in Lucknow addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Youth conferences: As many as 88 youth conferences were organised in all the districts of the state, in which 4,65,493 youth participated.

Women's conferences: As many as 77 womens conferences were organised in all the districts of the state, in which 2,50,660 women took part.

Backward castes/class conferences: As many as 200 conferences for people of the backward communities were organised in all the districts of the state, in which 8,39,100 representatives from these communities participated.

Swabhiman conferences: Eighteen conferences were organised across the state for people belonging the scheduled castes in all the districts of the state, in which 54,300 representatives from these communities participated.

Traders' conferences: To reach out to the trading community, traders conferences were organised in 14 mandals, in which 11,850 representatives participated.

UP's Mann ki Baat: UPs version Mann ki Baat was carried out through 75 video raths, accumulating inputs directly from nearly 40 lakh people (39,03,057).

Youth town hall: BJP president Amit Shah established contact directly with 74,200 youth through 156 video conferences, understanding their problems, responding to their questions and communicating BJPs development-oriented agenda.

Maha farmers' outreach: Maha Kisan Abhiyans were organised in two stages in Uttar Pradesh. In the first stage, direct contact was established with 2,30,669 farmers through 3,564 meetings.

In the second stage, "Maati Tilak Pratigya Rallies were organised in all the 75 districts. As many as 1.34 lakh farmers brought symbolic land from their respective fields that BJP leaders smeared on their foreheads as Tilak pledging to fulfill their aspirations and demands.
Narendra Modi has demoralised the Opposition to such an extent that right now his rivals seem to be undergoing a collective mental meltdown. The fake debate over EVMs shows them not only as bad losers, it raises the question whether they have lost even the stomach for a fight.

If acceptance of reality is the first step towards a turnaround, the Opposition leaders have flunked the very first test. Mayawati, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal's reactions since their debilitating electoral reverses betray an unwillingness to face rejection.

While Rahul Gandhi has since maintained a sullen silence punctured only by a desperate defiance of his and party's plummeting fortunes, the likes of Mayawati and Kejriwal have taken the route of self-delusion.

In this illusory state, both leaders are leveling allegations that risk lowering their political capital even further, perhaps terminally so. Voters can put up with errant leaders and even those who betray their trust but once you become the object of mirth in politics, you may as well kiss your career goodbye.

We have seen heated political discourse in the US over 'fake news'. The latest debate over EVMs is no less bogus. The charges are so baseless and fantastic that it is difficult to take these seriously or develop a cogent, rational response.

While Mayawati claims that the EVMs in Uttar Pradesh were tampered to ensure that BJP's tally increases regardless of which button was pressed, Kejriwal in an extraordinary news conference on Wednesday alleged that Punjab polls, too, were rigged.

Kejriwal's allegation means that either the "tampered EVMs" behaved differently at different locations of the country or even more incredibly, the tampering was done in such a way so as to ensure UP goes to BJP and Punjab goes to the Congress.

Assuming that the NDA government at the Centre is the target of these allegations, Kejriwal's logic implies that while BJP wanted to bag UP where it was a challenger, it didn't want to retain power in Punjab where it was running the government along with the Akalis.

And if EVMs were indeed tinkered with, why did the BJP fail to ensure wins in Goa and Manipur too? Instead of such mind-bending theories, it's easier to believe that aliens descended from Mars and decided to play around with the Indian electoral process as part of a thought experiment.

When the inevitable question about Bihar and Delhi arose, whether these too were the result of EVM tampering, Kejriwal answered thus:

People who tamper EVMs, they should answer why they didn't do so in Delhi & Bihar?: Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/7w1J1yWSMh  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Difficult to make this up.

Kejriawl's allegations are laughable but his intentions are not. He is not only suggesting that the winners didn't win fair, he is also raising questions against the Election Commission  one of the most celebrated and respected electoral institutions in the world. The EC in a letter to Mayawati has already strongly refuted any possibility of EVM-tampering.

"The commission has put in place elaborate technical and administrative safeguards to ensure error-free functioning of EVMs in elections. The commission is thus fully satisfied with the tamper-proof functioning of the EVMs Although, the commission has offered opportunities more than once to those alleging the tampering of EVM, no one has been able to demonstrate to the commission that the EVM used in the country's election process, can be manipulated or tampered with, the EC wrote.

Kejriwal and Mayawati have referred to past instances where parties on the losing side  including the BJP  have blamed the EVMs when faced with an electoral reverse. The charges are not new. Both Kejriwal and Mayawati, though, are cleverly conflating two questions central to the debate.

Question 1: Can EVMs be at all tampered?

Question 2: Were they tampered in this case?

The answer to the first question is, yes. EVMs are machines and all machines can be tinkered with. The answer to the second question is, no. For all their allegations, Kejriwal and Mayawati have provided zero evidence to support their allegation. The EC's letter to Mayawati, quoted by New Indian Express, specifically mentions that.

"The poll panel has said that it has made repeated visit to Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and met the representatives of all parties, including your party. No one raised any objection with regard to functioning of EVMs at these meetings."

It must also be pointed out that several studies have revealed EVMs to be almost tamperproof  that is, while theoretically it is possible to tamper these, practically it is almost impossible.

An article in Pragati magazine written in 2009, when allegations of EVM-tampering first surfaced, describes in detail why tampering an EVM is an extremely difficult exercise. Author K Vidur writes "given the manpower-heavy nature of Indian elections (local police personnel, central paramilitary personnel, official observers from outside the state, micro-observers, independent videographers and photographers, media personnel, and hundreds of voters at every booth) and the low capacity of individual EVMs (a maximum of 3840 votes can be recorded in one machine and a polling station typically has only 1500 registered voters), it will take an army of highly-motivated, centrally mobilised but constituency co-ordinated, election-riggers to influence the outcome at even one constituency Deploying such an army would reduce to zero the chances of keeping everything completely secret."

The author also makes several other points why systemic frauds (of the kind that Kejriwal and Mayawati are alleging) are impossible at manufacturing and constituency levels. He explains why these electronic machines have stopped entirely the bane of Indian politics during paper era  booth capturing and fraud voting.

To quote him again: "EVMs are designed to record a maximum of 5 votes per minute. This virtually eliminates the kind of booth-capturing prevalent in the days of paper ballots. Even if some goons manage to take control of a booth, they can do no better than casting 5 votes per minute. At this rate, theyll get about 300 votes in an hour. That is more than enough time for security reinforcements to arrive from elsewhere, who can be alerted immediately in our mobile phone era."

Kejriwal and Mayawati have pitched for a return to paper-based ballots  a cumbersome past practice that can be manipulated at almost every level. What's more, it would bring back another common problem  manual flaws during casting of a ballot.

In his article for The Hindu, data analyst Srinivasan Ramani shows how EVMs have simplified the electoral process and eliminated "invalid voting" that were commonplace during paper ballot regimes and critically altered mandates in "313 of 35,937 constituencies in polls between 1961 and 2003. Of these," he writes, "109 were in Uttar Pradesh alone, 36 in Assam and 18 in West Bengal."

I shall leave the readers with one comment made by pollster Yashwant Deshmukh. Appearing for a debate in CNN-News 18 on Tuesday night, the CVoter founder gave an interesting statistic. He said, "before the introduction of EVMs in 1998, 80 percent elections were won by the incumbent parties. Post EVMs, 90 percent polls were won by the challengers."

This should put to rest this fake debate over EVMs.

As for Kejriwal, another factoid may apply. The AAP supremo last raised his voice against EVMs and was given wide media coverage in February 2015, shortly before Delhi verdict was announced. When it turned out that AAP has won 67 seats, he fell silent. Kejriwal held his silence for over two years until now. One wonders why.
After Assam, Manipur will become the second major state in the North East to have a BJP government. There is also a BJP government in Arunachal, brought about by the machinations of the party more than by winning elections.

As in Goa, so too in Manipur, the BJP has grabbed the opportunity by wooing smaller parties. This practice was perfected by the Congress during its long tenure of power at the Centre.

The disappointment is that the BJP, after decades of hitting out at the Congress for its unethical ways, is behaving no better. The BJPs promise of being a party with a difference has been thrown out the window.

In Manipur, BJP had just two seats in the last Assembly, through bye-elections in 2015. But this time it won 21 seats, and the Congress 28. One of the elected MLAs has already joined the BJP.

Moreover, Biren Singh the new chief minister, had switched over from the Congress. He was one of former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singhs most trusted aides and a troubleshooter for the party. He left the Congress last year after differences with Ibobi Singh. He was followed by six others.

"Biren Singh is a known face in Manipur. He is an able administrator and we hope he will deliver, says Amar Yumnan, an economics

professor in Manipur University. He believes that the Congress lost the elections because Ibobi Singh could muster just 28

seats this time, when previously it had returned 46 members to the Legislative Assembly. The BJP, on the other hand has been able to increase its tally considerably.

"My one worry is the presence of the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) in the coalition led by Biren Singh. The NPF members have an agenda to break up the Naga-dominated hill districts of Manipur to form a Greater Nagaland. This is not acceptable to us, Yumnan says. The NPF has four members. The deputy chief ministers post has been promised to the NPP, a small regional outfit headed by former speaker Purno

Sangmas son.

The presence of the smaller regional groups as well as the NPF, is a major worry for the Meities. But the other side of the picture is also important. With the ministers in the government, it is unlikely that blockades of the national highways by the United Naga Counil or counter-strikes by the Meites can now be avoided.

Manipur has often been paralysed by these meaningless economic blockades which has resulted in untold misery for the common man. Biren Singh has already announced that the current blockade will be lifted soon after he takes office.

According to Yumnan, the BJPs fortunes in Manipur turned after Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in the state. "He swung the tide in the state, he adds. People in Manipur have much faith in the PM and hope that the promise to integrate the North East states, especially Manipur, which shares a border with Myanmar, to the thriving economy of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) would now be implemented with vigour.

"This process of Act East, or Look East as it was called earlier, has been in the works for nearly two decades. But very little is seen on the ground. Biren Singh is a dynamic leader and is expected to push this agenda. Hopefully, with the PM at the Centre and Biren Singh in Imphal, this will pick up."

The professor says that he has been closely involved in the think tank and academic studies for the Act East policy for years. But while there is much enthusiasm for free flow of trade with Asean in closed academic discussions, Ibobi Singh was not interested in working towards the transformation of Manipur, the professor said.

Analyst Mahendra Lama of Jawaharlal Nehru University, who has long been involved in the Act East project, had a few pointers for the new government. "I feel that nothing will move in the North East if all decisions are taken in Delhi. The Centre must learn to allow the chief ministers to decide for themselves. This also fits in with the prime ministers views on co-operative federalism. But if the Act East policy has to take off, dont depend on the babus sitting in Delhi to take all decisions.

Lama suggests that the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region, which is based Delhi, should immediately move to one of the states in the region. "Unless this transformative action is taken, the long held hope that the North East would be a bridge to Asean countries will remain on paper. Nothing will move.

This suggestion had often come from people of the North Eastern states, but babus in Delhi are loathe to move out. Perhaps with the North East now coming under the BJP umbrella, things will be different.

The people have long waited for development to come their way. The Congress, despite all their schemes, had not delivered. The BJP cannot afford to fail the people who have put their trust and faith in the prime minister. The vote was not for the BJP, but for Narendra Modi.
Lucknow: Smarting from the drubbing at the hustings, BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday decided to move court against the alleged tampering of EVMs and observe a 'black day' every month against the "murder of democracy" by the BJP.

Mayawati charged that the BJP victory in UP polls smacks of "dishonesty" and "fraud".

"After we did not get a proper reply from the Election Commission on our complaint lodged with them soon after the results were announced on 11 March, the party has decided to go to court in this matter so as to save (the country) from such a fraud in the future and save democracy," she said.

The BSP leader was speaking to mediapersons ahead of addressing partymen at a review meeting on debacle in the recent polls.

BSP, which had 80 MLAs in the outgoing Assembly, managed to win just 19 seats in the 403-member House.

"Our party has also decided to launch an agitation in Uttar Pradesh and other states to expose this fraud...the party will observe 'black day' at all the district headquarters in UP and state headquarters in other states on the 11th of every month, the date on which they murdered democracy, and the first demonstration will be on 11 April," she said.

The BSP leader, who had alleged large scale tampering in the EVMs soon after results were announced on March 11, said that in order to hide its "dishonest victory", BJP has now taken refuge in saying had that been the case they would have done the same in Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

"But they need not take the people as innocent...had they done the same in other states they would not have been able to give a proper reply to questions raised by people and would have been caught easily," Mayawati said, adding they did not indulge in tampering in smaller states as they had to keep something for their defence.

"Besides they did so in UP as they used to say that for reaching the Centre they have to go through UP and so concentrated on it," she said.

"They have got this victory through tampering in the EVMs and this win smacks of dishonesty, fraud and murder of democracy...if the media is honest it will also not be able to digest it," she alleged.

"Our partymen are saying they voted for BSP, but the votes went to 'Kamal' (lotus)...they are wondering as to how this could have happened," Mayawati said.

"In Muslim and Dalit-dominated areas too it is the BJP which has got the votes...BJP is saying that they got the vote of Muslim women over their stand on triple talaq...will they (Muslim women) accept BJP when they are first associated with their religion and (also) when BJP did not give even a single ticket to Muslim?

"Had they been well wishers of Muslim women, they could have given 20 to 25 tickets to them," Mayawati said. The BSP chief alleged that to divert people's attention from this "fraud", BJP leaders and some 'dalal-type' people sit in the media (discussions) along with some others of different parties and try to change the minds of the people.

She said the BJP was projecting as if the BSP is finished in the media and branded those taking part in such discussions as "bonded labourers" who are made to speak out against the BSP.

"You are dishonest, you killed democracy and committed fraud and so are doing all this...chor kabhi nahi kehta hum chor hain (a thief will never say he has committed theft). If they are honest and clean, what is the need for clarifications?" she said in her hard-hitting remarks.

The BSP supremo said if BJP's denial of any tampering in EVMs had any ground they should not have any fears and they need not run away from the charge.

"If they are really honest and loyal to democracy then they should immediately order new polls through traditional paper ballots. This will prove who has killed democracy, but they will not agree to it," she said.

Mayawati said that despite the massive victory in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi were wearing an artificial smile.

"The smile and glow which needed to be there on their face after such a massive win is not visible," Mayawati said, adding that even the language being used by them also proved that this win in not an honest one.

The BSP chief charged that if the BJP comes to power again in 2019, it will either make the reservation policy ineffective or end it completely as per the RSS agenda.

"This is well depicted in the 'chaal, charitra, niti and neeyat' of these people," Mayawati said adding that through BJP's win in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, its leaders and especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi are dreaming of coming back to power at the Centre again.

Paying homage to party founder Kanshi Ram on his 83 birth anniversary, Mayawati recalled that he (Kanshi Ram) had warned against efforts by some sections to keep SC/ST and OBC and converted people belonging to Muslims and Christian communities out of power.

He had stressed on measures to overcome these challenges through struggle.

"We have been seeing such a trend since the past few elections to stop these sections from standing on their feet," Mayawati said indicating at the poor show in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when the party failed to win even a single seat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its spectacular win in Uttar Pradesh and the suspense over who will be the chief minister for India's most populous state has only begun. According to reports, the BJP will make the official announcement on 16 March but speculations are abound and so is the confusion.

On Wednesday, to add to the existing suspense, a BJP leader, who according to a Mail Today report is someone who emerged victorious in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Election and is also a prospective chief ministerial candidate, said "people as well as the media should expect a complete surprise. The state of UP is so big and the mandate so humongous that it cannot be left just like that".

While BJP keeps up its suspense act, here are the leaders and candidates who are being considered for the coveted post.

Rajnath Singh

The Union home minister is the most probable candidate, as of now, if media reports are to be believed. The "tallest BJP leader" from the state, Singh relinquished the chief minister's post in March 2002. He moved to national politics to be a Union minister and the national president of the BJP for two terms. As a star campaigner for the BJP in UP, Singh camped in the state for 26 days and addressed 120 public rallies while covering 20,000 kilometres. Singh is known to be a a highly-disciplined organisational man and is known to follow party decisions. The holder of a Masters degree in Physics, he has been associated with the RSS since 1964, which makes him a politician with a strong grassroots connection, reports said.

Keshav Prasad Maurya

Keshav Prasad Maurya, currently a Lok Sabha MP from Phulpur, was born in 1969 in Sirathu in Kausambhi district, adjoining Allahabad. Maurya's political career started out with defeats as he lost two consecutive Assembly elections, 2002 and 2007, but riding on a Modi wave secured the Phulpur Lok Sabha seat in 2014 with a thumping five lakh votes and over 52 percent votes from the erstwhile Nehru-Gandhi bastion.

Relatively younger than his counterparts, at 47 Maurya's full-timer karyakarta background is expected to boost the morale of the BJP-RSS cadre. His RSS background is another reason why he is among the top three choices by the party leadership. Though he keeps a low-profile and is not popular outside the Kausambhi-Allahabad-Varanasi belt, Maurya's pro-Hindutva image and his promotion could be a sign of things to come. He has been associated with the RSS and the VHP-Bajrang Dal from an early age, holding the posts of Nagar Karyawah and VHP Pranth Sanghathan Mantri, among others. While being active in the gauraksha (cow-protection) movements, he also participated in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. In the BJP, Maurya has been the regional (Kashi) coordinator of the backward class cell and the BJP Kisan Morcha.

Maurya faces charges in as many as ten criminal cases. He is also the prime accused in a murder case, he is also booked for promoting enmity between groups, criminal intimidation, deliberate acts of hurting religious sentiment, criminal conspiracy and rioting.

Manoj Sinha

Manoj Sinha is the Minister of State for Communications with Independent Charge. He is also the MoS for Railways. Sinha won the Lok Sabha election from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. He was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha in 1996 and 1999. Born in 1959, Sinha was a member of the General Council, School of Planning during 1999-2000. He has also been a Member of Committee on Energy and another Committee on Government Assurances. An agriculturist at heart, Sinha has been actively involved in working in backward villages where his interests primarily lie. His wife Neelam Sinha belongs to Maghara Bihar Sharif in Bihars Nalanda district and the couple is blessed with a son and a daughter.

Travelling has been a passion of Sinha and he has widely traveled. Social work also has been his another passion in life. Sinha's political career had an impressive start when he became the president of the Banaras Hindu University Students Union in 1982. He has been a member of BJP national council too from 1989 to 1996. In the2014 elections, he has been elected to Lok Sabha and it's his third term in the national politics. Earlier he was elected to Parliament in the years 1996 and 1999. Sinha has been among the best performing members of Parliament and in the 13th Lok Sabha he was praised for a very high attendance and for asking several questions pertaining to various topics of public interests. Sinha has set a rare example amongst his counterparts when he successfully utilised all the money allotted to him as an MP for public welfare.

He has also been overseeing the high-profile constituency of the prime minister  Varanasi. A strong party worker who prefers to maintain a low profile, hes immensely popular with the party cadre in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Sinhas only disadvantage is his caste  Bhumihar, whose numerical strength is limited to some districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh, but then that could turn out to be an advantage because he could be taken as a caste-neutral candidate

Yogi Adityanath

Probably the most communal and controversial leader in the state, Yogi Adityanath is the mascot of the party's Hindutva-wrapped agenda of development as the BJP makes a final push in its bid to capture power in the state in the last two phases of elections to be held in 89 seats. Adityanath is the fifth-term Lok Sabha member. He was elected as the Member of the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 from Gorakhpur constituency. He was the youngest legislator of the Lok Sabha. So far, Adityanath has been MP from the same constituency five times. Every time his margin of victory kept on increasing dramatically due to his popularity and influence among his electorate.

In 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, Adityanath won the elections by a margin of 1, 42,309 votes. Adityanath is quite a popular politician of his constituency. He didn't require Modi wave to cling on too his seat. His original name was Ajay Singh and he changed his name after becoming a sanyasi. He has got a BSc degree from HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand.

Reports have touted him as a very good orator and has the ability to attract eyeballs with his fiery speech. He has been quite vocal in Parliament and has been raising issues with alacrity. It's not that he raises issues related to Hindutva only. Adityanath is the founder of the Hindu Yuva Vahini. It is a social, cultural and nationalist group of young people. This group is very famous amongst Hindus of east Uttar Pradesh. Hindu Yuva Vahini has many dalit Hindus.

The list of criminal charges against Adityanath is pretty long - Some of the cases where cognisance has been taken are: 3 charges related to rioting (IPC Section-147); 1 charge related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307); two charges related to Rioting, armed with deadly weapon (IPC Section-148); 1 charges related to Act endangering life or personal safety of others (IPC Section-336); 1 charges related to Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object (IPC Section-149); 2 charges related to Trespassing on burial places, etc. (IPC Section-297); 1 charges related to criminal intimidation (IPC Section-506).

Shrikant Sharma

The national secretary and media convenor of the BJP, Shrikant Sharma emerged as a credible and a powerful ABVP  the student organisation of RSS  voice during his college days. At that time, Delhi University Students Union  DUSU  was in the grip of Congress led NSUI. Shrikant Sharma did change the scenario the result of which started to show few years later. Now, all four posts of DUSU is held by ABVP.

Sunil Bansal

Said to be the 'invisible' man behind BJP's UP election battle and right hand of Amit Shah, Bansal is the BJPs organisational general secretary and was brought into UP from Rajasthan to execute Amit Shahs poll plans. Bansal operates out of a room on the first floor of the BJP office in Lucknow. He was an activist of the ABVP in Rajasthan before rising up to become its national joint organising secretary. He caught Shahs eyes and was picked up to work for the 2014 elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Bansal soon shifted to Lucknow and became Shahs right-hand man. Bansal is reported to have learnt the importance of data compilation for electoral purposes, and slowly picked up the caste intricacies of each district in the state. He learnt the importance of organisational activities from Shah that would keep the party cadre busy and perennially connected with the people. After the 2014 pro-BJP mandate, Shah rose up to become party president. However, keeping an eye on the 2017 elections, he left Bansal back in Lucknow as the state-level general secretary of the organisation. This position is crucial in the BJP sangathan. The fact that Bansal was an outsider, and thus not steeped in the messy caste and faction-ridden landscape of the state unit, was seen as an advantage.

Dinesh Sharma

Lucknow's mayor Dinesh Sharma is one of the powerful leader in Uttar Pradesh. Sharma, a national vice president of the party, is said to enjoy Prime Minister Narendra Modis confidence as well as the backing of the partys ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The Sangh ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya often visited Sharmas paternal home on Aishbagh road in Lucknow as he was close to Sharmas father. Sharma also organised Modis massive rally in Lucknow on Dussehra last year. On 21, October 2014, Sharma was appointed Gujarat BJP incharge. There is a strong opinion that upper cast CM can give huge benefit to 2019 election because OBCs Kesh Maurya has already made State President by the party.
After getting a landslide victory in the Uttar Pradesh elections, the BJP is now busy deciding on whom to appoint as the chief minister.

"People as well as the media should expect a complete surprise. The state of Uttar Pradesh is so big and the mandate so humongous that it cannot be left just like that," Mail Today quoted a senior BJP leader as saying.

The report also quoted sources saying that the top candidates for the chief minister's post  state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Minister of State Manoj Sinha and Home Minister Rajnath Singh  met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his 7RCR residence on Tuesday evening.

Amit Shah on Sunday had been authorised by the party's Parliamentary board to pick chief ministerial nominees for UP and Uttarakhand, and for Goa and Manipur, two states where it cobbled together a majority in a last-minute ditch effort.

Parliamentary board secretary and Union minister JP Nadda had told reporters that party's observers to these states will consult the MLAs there and report to Shah following which he will pick the chief ministerial candidates.

The meeting of the party's highest body which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members, was held amid Shah's consultation with senior leaders of these states, especially Uttar Pradesh, to evolve a consensus over the new chief ministers.

A section of party leaders is also talking about eight-time MLA Suresh Khanna besides Home Minister Rajnath Singh, whose profile makes him a natural claimant for the job.

With inputs from PTI
By Stephanie Nebehay

| GENEVA

GENEVA U.N. refugee agency special envoy Angelina Jolie made an impassioned plea on Wednesday for internationalism in the face of wars driving people from their homes and a "rising tide of nationalism masquerading as patriotism".The Hollywood actress, speaking at the United Nations in Geneva, called for a renewed commitment to the "imperfect" world body and to diplomacy to settle conflicts."If governments and leaders are not keeping that flame of internationalism alive today, then we as citizens must," Jolie said in the annual Sergio Vieira de Mello lecture honouring the veteran U.N. aid worker killed in a Baghdad bombing in 2003.

"We see a rising tide of nationalism, masquerading as patriotism, and the re-emergence of policies encouraging fear and hatred of others," she warned.Jolie did not refer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump whose administration is reviewing its funding of the United Nations and its participation in the U.N. Human Rights Council.

"A lot of the fear we observe today of refugees, of foreigners, is produced by ignorance, often fuelling politicians as well," she said in response to a question."We have to recognise the damage we do when we undermine the U.N. or use it selectively -- or not at all -- or when we rely on aid to do the job of diplomacy, or give the U.N. impossible tasks and then underfund it."

Not a single humanitarian appeal to donor governments worldwide has received even half the amount needed, she said. Operations in four countries where 20 million people are on the brink of death from starvation -- Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria -- are severely underfunded.Jolie, who described herself as "a proud American" and "an internationalist", has worked since 2001 for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), visiting uprooted civilians from Iraq to Cambodia and Kenya. (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Catherine Evans)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
By Greg Torode

| HONG KONG

HONG KONG China has started fresh construction work in the disputed South China Sea, new satellite images show, a sign that Beijing is continuing to strengthen its military reach across the vital trade waterway.Regional military attaches and experts believe the work shows China's determination to build up its network of reefs and islets, even if it is seeking to avoid a fresh confrontation with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.For graphic on China's reclamation in the Paracels, click: here An image of North Island in the Paracels group taken on March 6 shows recent work including land clearing and possible preparation for a harbour to support what experts believe may be eventual military installations. Initial work was damaged in a typhoon last year.The pictures, provided by private satellite firm Planet Labs, follow reports in January showing work undertaken on nearby Tree Island and other features in the Paracels, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Diplomats briefed on latest Western intelligence assessments say Beijing is pursuing efforts to dominate its maritime 'backyard', even if it tweaks the timing of moves to avoid being overtly provocative."The Paracels are going to be vital to any future Chinese attempt to dominate the South China Sea," said Carl Thayer, a South China Sea expert at Australia's Defence Force Academy."We can see they are committed to militarisation, whatever the official rhetoric tells us, even if they are going to do it bit by bit."

UNCERTAINTIES OVER TRUMP

The more widely disputed Spratlys archipelago to the south are higher profile but the Paracels are key to Chinas presence in the South China Sea, China has in recent years temporarily based surface-to-air missile launchers and crack jet fighters at long established bases on Woody Island on the Paracels, helping protect its nuclear submarine facilities on Hainan Island.North Island is part of an arc of reefs that are expected to form a protective screen for Woody, which includes civilian facilities and a listening post.Zhang Baohui, a mainland security expert at Hong Kong's Lingnan University, said he believed China was pursuing long-held goals of strengthening its facilities in the Paracels, and had calculated the Trump administration would not over-react given other pressing priorities.

"Theres also uncertainty with this young Trump administration, but this is very important work to the Chinesethe Paracels are vital to defending Hainan, which is in turn important to Chinas nuclear deterrent," he said."The calculation here is that it is really only Vietnam that will be rattled by this."The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. China's Defence Ministry said it was "not familiar" with any work at North Island.

"What needs to be stressed is that the Xisha Islands are Chinas inherent territory," it said, using the Chinese name for the Paracels. China fully occupied the Paracels in 1974 after forcing the navy of the-then South Vietnam off its holdings.News of fresh Chinese activity comes as Rex Tillerson prepares for his first visit to the region as U.S. Secretary of State later this week. Tillerson sparked alarm in Beijing when he said in January China should not be allowed access to islands it has built in the South China Sea. A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, was unable to confirm new construction work on North Island but said it would not be surprising."It would be in line with what they have been doing, why else would they clearing land on the islands but for militarisation," the official said. "There is no other reason to have a presence there."Diplomatic sources in Beijing say China is not looking for confrontation with the United States over the South China Sea, pointing to Chinas low-key reaction to last months patrol of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group in the waters there.China has recently sought to portray itself as being conciliatory over the disputed waterway, saying it and Southeast Asian nations are committed to a peaceful resolution.Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said a draft code of conduct for behaviour in the South China Sea had now been completed and that tensions had "distinctly dropped". (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in BEIJING and Idrees Ali in WASHINGTON; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

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By Helen Murphy

| BOGOTA

BOGOTA Colombian Vice President German Vargas Lleras has announced he will step down on Wednesday, fueling speculation that he will run in presidential elections next year.President Juan Manuel Santos nominated former national police chief General Oscar Naranjo as Vargas' successor, stating he wanted Naranjo to strengthen security and the drive to stamp out coca cultivation.Vargas, a member of the center-right Cambio Radical party, has said he has not decided whether to run for president, but Wednesday is the last day a government official must resign to be eligible to compete for the presidency in 2018.In announcing his decision to step down in a speech on Tuesday night, Vargas, 55, said he was keeping his options open.A growing number of media commentators and political analysts believe Vargas will become a presidential contender and run against the candidate of Santos' ruling U party.

As vice president since 2014, Vargas focused on infrastructure projects, spearheading improvements to roadways and building subsidized housing for the poor.He has not publicly criticized Santos' 2016 peace agreement with the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But local news media has reported he was against the deal's terms allowing rebels to enter politics and receive no jail time.

Like Santos, Vargas comes from one of the most powerful families in Colombia. He is the grandson of former president Carlos Lleras Restrepo and nephew of former presidential candidate Carlos Lleras de la Fuente. He was unharmed in a 2005 car bomb in Bogota, which authorities blamed on the FARC. In 2002 he lost fingers on his left when he opened a letter bomb at his congressional office.Santos' nomination of Naranjo as vice president needs to be approved by Congress.

"The new Vice President @Gr_Naranjo will be in charge of strengthening citizen security and to eradicate 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) of coca," Santos said from his Twitter account on Tuesday night, referring to the raw material for cocaine.Naranjo, 60, was part of the government negotiating team in Havana that worked for four years to clinch a peace agreement with the FARC. The accord ended the 52-year war with the guerrillas, who are beginning to hand in their weapons.He served as head of the national police force between 2007 and 2012. (Reporting by Helen Murphy; Additional reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Editing by W Simon)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Washington: US President Donald Trump will give his $400,000 salary to US charities by the end of 2017, a White House official said.

"The President's intention right now is to donate his salary at the end of the year," Efe news quoted Sean Spicer as saying in response to a question from a reporter about whether Trump had already donated his February pay of more than $30,000.

"In all seriousness, I think his view is, he made a pledge to the American people, he wants to donate it to charity and he'd love your help to determine where it should go," Spicer said.

During a question and answer session with Twitter users in September 2015, Trump responded to a question on whether he would take a salary.

"As far as the salary is concerned, I won't take even one dollar. I am totally giving up my salary if I become President," Trump, whose personal fortune is estimated by Forbes at $3.7 billion, said.

In a campaign speech in Oklahoma later that week, Trump said, "I'll be working for our country free, I don't want any salary. I've already said, I turned down my salary. I don't even know what the hell the salary is, but I don't want the salary."

Later, in a CBS interview, Trump said he would take $1 because the law requires that he receive a salary.
By Anna Pujol-Mazzini

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - The Syrian war started six years ago with protests across the country against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad and his family's 40-year rule."Arab Spring" protests sweeping the region had already dislodged autocrats in Tunisia and Egypt, and would later claim the long-term rulers of Libya and Yemen, two other countries still embroiled in civil wars six years on.Assad responded to Syria's protests with unconstrained violence, turning the uprising into a war to the death.An estimated half a million people have been killed, half the population has been uprooted in the world's biggest refugee crisis, and the war has set new standards of savagery in its impact on civilians.Here are some facts on the humanitarian impact of the conflict:DEATH TOLL

* About half a million people are estimated to have been killed since the conflict began. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Monday there are about 465,000 people killed and missing in the war. Among those killed are more than 96,000 civilians.* At least 652 children were killed last year, up by 20 percent from 2015, the UNICEF, U.N.'s children agency said. The figures - collected since 2014 - only represent formally verified casualties, meaning the true toll could be higher.

REFUGEES AND DISPLACED

* There are currently almost five million registered Syrian refugees. Most of them are living in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.* 6.3 million Syrians are internally displaced.* Altogether, the number of refugees and displaced people means that half of the Syrian population, which stood at 22 million before the start of the conflict, have fled their homes.* In Europe, a little under a million Syrians have applied for asylum, with Germany and Sweden receiving two-thirds of applications.

AID CHALLENGES

* 13.5 million people remain in need of aid inside the country. However, aid agencies often struggle to reach people in need. "Over the last year in Syria all parties involved have blocked vital aid supplies and millions have become poorer, hungrier and more isolated from assistance," Norwegian Refugee Council's Middle East director Carsten Hansen said on Monday.* Around five million people remain trapped in areas of active fighting, including nearly one million trapped in besieged areas inside Syria with almost no aid.EDUCATION

* One third of the schools in Syria have been destroyed or damaged by over 4,000 attacks on schools and education facilities. Hundreds of thousands of teachers have fled the country.* As a result, 1.75 million children and young people do not attend classes, and mathematics and reading skills are falling far behind pre-war levels. HEALTH

* At least 814 medical personnel were killed between March 2011 and February 2017. These figures may be underestimated due to difficulties in gathering evidence, researchers say.* 2016 was the most dangerous year for health workers in Syria, with multiple attacks including killings, imprisonment, abduction and torture.* There were almost 200 attacks on health centres last year alone.Sources: UNOCHA, NRC, UNHCR, Thomson Reuters Foundation, Reuters, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, UNICEF, IRC (Reporting by Anna Pujol-Mazzini @annapmzn, Editing by Ros Russell. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org)

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Beijing: The entry of India and Pakistan into China-led Shanghai Co-operation Organisation may help boost anti-terrorism cooperation between the two countries and provide a platform to resolve their differences, the official media in China said on Wednesday.

India and Pakistan are expected to be admitted into the six-member SCO during its next summit to be held at Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in June this year.

"In a bid to become members of the SCO, India and Pakistan, which have a long-time rivalry concerning the issues of anti-terrorism and Kashmir, will need to sign a number of documents and pledge to perform in accordance with the SCO laws, including the SCO Member States Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation that was signed in 2015," an article in the state run Global Times said.

"The entry of the two nations into the SCO may help boost cooperation between India and Pakistan in areas such as infrastructure and anti-terrorism efforts," the article said.

As per the framework of the SCO, a third party could step in to prevent an outbreak of conflict between the two countries, it said.

"Though New Delhi may try to seek fairly flexible multilateral agreements with the SCO countries, both India and Pakistan will have to adhere to the principle and basic framework under the SCO to strengthen security and anti-terrorism cooperation," it said.

"The hostility between India and Pakistan is unlikely to be dispelled in a short time, but the SCO is likely to provide a fresh platform for the two nations to gradually resolve disputes," it said.

"Additionally, a third party could step in to mediate the situation within the SCO framework to prevent an outbreak of conflicts between Pakistan and India," it said.

The SCO, which is headquartered in Beijing, focuses mostly on security related issues like counter-terrorism cooperation in Central Asia.

It is comprised of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members. Afghanistan, Belarus, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status.

Its 2015 summit in Ufa, Russia, the SCO formally adopted a resolution which started the procedures to admit India and Pakistan into the grouping.

"The entry of the two nations into the SCO is likely to contribute to the stability and security of the region, thus boosting economic growth and speeding up regional economic integration," it said.

The admission of India and Pakistan into the SCO may accelerate the South Asia's highway network construction, it said.

"Improving Pakistan's transportation infrastructure is a major aspect of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and hopefully the entry of Pakistan and India into the SCO will bring new momentum to the development of the CPEC," it said.

"Pakistan's entry will also likely offer convenience for attracting new partnerships into the CPEC," it said.
The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American Seema Verma as the head of a key healthcare agency in the Trump administration.

Verma, a first generation American, will be in charge of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services. She is expected to play a vital role in the Trump administration's plans to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Verma, who has a Master's degree in Public Health with specialisation in Health Policy and Management from the John Hopkins School of Public Health, was the second Indian-American in the Trump administration to be confirmed by the Senate, after the Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, Financial Express reported.

According to a report in NDTV, Verma, President, CEO and founder of SVC Inc., a US health policy consulting company, has worked for over 20 years in healthcare policy and redesigned Medicaid programs in several states, including Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Kentucky.

"She's worked with governors' offices, state Medicaid agencies, state health departments, state departments of insurance, as well as private companies and foundations," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said.

Verma faced considerable opposition from the Democrats, being confirmed by a vote of 55-43 by the Senate on Monday. Verma will oversee Medicare, which provides insurance for over 46 million senior citizens, who are a politically powerful block, and Medicaid has about 60 million poor people enrolled in it. Together they make up about a third of the US population.

Verma, an ally of US vice-president Mike Pence, helped develop a public healthcare system for implementing Obamacare in Indiana where he was the governor. Among other things, her system there required those using it to make contributions to it, even if it was a nominal dollar by the poorest, to ensure they felt responsible and involved. It was opposed by many Democrats.

With inputs from agencies
Malaysia has confirmed the identity of Kim Jong-Nam's body based on a DNA sample taken from one of his children, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, was killed on 13 February, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

North Korea, which the United States and South Korea say orchestrated the murder, has denied the victim was Kim Jong-Nam. He was carrying a passport under the name of Kim Chol when he was killed.

"I again confirm that it is Kim Jong-Nam... This is based on a sample taken from his child," Malaysian deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters. He did not say how Malaysia obtained the DNA sample or from which of Kim Jong-Nam's children it came from.

Kim Jong-Nam had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau with his second wife under Beijing's protection after the family went into exile several years ago. He had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

Video footage of a man claiming to be the son of Kim Jong-Nam appeared last week, in which he said he was lying low with his mother and sister.

An official at South Korea's National Intelligence Service confirmed the man in the video was Kim Han Sol, the 21-year-old son of Kim Jong-Nam.

The murder has sparked a diplomatic meltdown between two countries with once strong ties. Malaysia refused North Korea's request to release the body without an autopsy and investigation, and then expelled the North Korean ambassador over his remarks questioning the investigations.

North Korea then banned nine Malaysians  three diplomats and their six family members  from leaving the country, in what Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak described as taking Malaysians "hostage". The Southeast Asian country followed with a tit-for-tat action.

Formal negotiations between the two countries began on Monday.
President Donald Trump met with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday for a discussion likely to touch on economic relations and efforts to stop the war in Syria.

Trump, who took office in January, and Prince Mohammed, who is also the kingdom's defence minister, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office, where they posed for a picture in front of journalists and did not take questions.

The meeting was the first since Trump's 20 January inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdom's efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.

Also expected to be on the agenda were the war in Yemen, where a Saudi-led military campaign has failed to end a rebellion by Houthi militias, and cooperation against Islamic State.

Arab officials have appeared optimistic about the Trump presidency. They see in him a strong president who will shore up Washingtons role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadh's adversary Iran in a region central to US security and energy interests, regional analysts said.

"Relations had undergone a period of difference of opinion. However, todays meeting has put things on the right track, and marked a significant shift in relations, across all political, military, security and economic fields. All of this is due to President Trumps great understanding of the importance of relations between the two countries and his clear sight of problems in the region," Bloomberg quoted a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed as saying.

"Prince Mohammed Bin Salman expressed, after the meeting, his satisfaction with the positive attitude and clarifications he heard from President Trump about his stance on Islam, which runs against what the media promoted about the President, stressing that his Excellency President Trump has an unprecedented and serious intention to work with the Muslim World and to achieve its interests and that Prince Mohammed considers his Excellency as a true friend of Muslims...," the report further quoted the adviser as saying.

The Saudis have appeared particularly relieved at the departure of Barack Obama, who they felt considered Riyadhs alliance with Washington less important than negotiating a deal in 2015 to neutralise Irans nuclear program.

Obama late last year also suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen.

US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon.

The State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.

A source close to the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a main topic of the meeting would be Saudi investment in the United States, which could help the US president fulfil his promises of job creation.

"It's the creation of jobs through investments  Trump wants results and statistics matter for him," said Ingrid Naranjo, an expert in US-Saudi relations. "It makes a lot of sense for the diversification strategy of Saudi to invest abroad and especially in the US."

US vice-president Mike Pence, Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present at the Oval Office meeting with Prince Mohammed.

With inputs from Reuters
By Tatiana Jancarikova

| BRATISLAVA

BRATISLAVA Slovakia's ruling parties proposed on Wednesday cancelling amnesties granted by former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar to his secret service chief and 12 others for the 1995 kidnapping of the then president's son.The pardons, which left many Slovaks feeling a state-sponsored crime went unpunished, highlighted the country's slide from democratic rule under Meciar. Many politicians have condemned them formally but insisted they were irrevocable. A movie based on the kidnapping of President Michal Kovac's son - also named Michal - has already become the most popular Slovak film ever. Its opening weekend earlier this month topped even those of the very popular Harry Potter movies.Prime Minister Robert Fico said the ruling parties have now found a way to meet public demand for reopening the cases. "I believe this historical compromise will come as a satisfaction to the people," he told journalists on Wednesday. Kovac was a symbol of resistance to Meciar, under whose rule Slovakia was denied an initial invitation to join the EU and NATO along with its central European post-communist neighbours.

Madeleine Albright, then the United States Secretary of State, called the country "the black hole of Europe".Meciar denied any responsibility for the kidnapping last week. "I have nothing to fear, my head is not at stake," he said in a televised interview. While he was interim president after Kovac's term expired, Meciar granted amnesties that prevented prosecution of 13 people, including a close ally who was head of the country's secret service (SIS), on suspicion they kidnapped Kovac's son to Austria, where he was dumped outside a police station.

A secret service agent who gave evidence on the case fled abroad due to fear for his life, and a friend who helped him escape died when his car was blown up in 1996.When Kovac died last October, current President Andrej Kiska urged lawmakers to cancel the amnesties. "We owe it to ourselves, to the rule of law and an effort to revive trust in justice in this country," he said.

"It's still an open wound for Slovak society. People have not accepted that such an act of state terrorism against its own citizen would be left unpunished," political analyst Marian Lesko said. An opinion poll last month showed 63 percent of Slovaks want the amnesties canceled. More than 66,000 Slovaks have signed an online petition, the biggest such survey in Slovakia's history. The ruling parties have proposed a constitutional change that, if approved, would allow parliament to cancel the amnesties. The Constitutional Court would then be required to rule on such decision within 60 days."If the Constitutional Court upholds the cancellation, the authorities will have a green light, the investigation will continue where it stopped. How far it will go after all these years is beyond my competence," Fico said. (Editing by Tom Heneghan)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Damascus: A suicide bomber on Wednesday attacked a courthouse in the centre of the Syrian capital, killing at least 25 people and wounding others, state media reported.

"The preliminary toll in the terrorist suicide bombing at the old palace of justice building is 25 dead and a number of wounded," state news agency Sana reported, citing a Damascus police source.

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

The courthouse contains both an Islamic religious tribunal charged with personal matters, and a criminal court.

"We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous," a lawyer in the building during the attack said.

"We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor," the lawyer added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It was a bloody scene."

A local prosecutor told state television: "The terrorist targeted civilians... during a crowded period.

"The suicide bomber tried to enter and when police tried to prevent him, he rushed inside and blew himself up," the prosecutor added.

The bombing comes on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian conflict, which began with anti-government demonstrations in March 2011.

Last Saturday, a twin bombing in the capital killed 74 people and was claimed by Fateh al-Sham Front, the former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
Washington: The US State Department on Tuesday urged North Korea to pardon an American student who was sentenced last year to 15 years of hard labor for stealing a political banner from a hotel.

The call for the "immediate release" of Otto Warmbier, who is in his 20s, came as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was on his way to Japan, South Korea and China to discuss Pyongyang's drive to field a nuclear-armed missile

"We believe his sentence of 15 years hard labour is unduly harsh for the actions that Mr Warmbier allegedly took," said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

"And we urge North Korea to pardon him and grant him special amnesty and immediate release on humanitarian grounds."

Toner also asked that the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang, which offers limited consular services to US nationals incarcerated in North Korea, be allowed regular access to the student.

Warmbier was handed the tough sentence on March 16 last year by North Korea's supreme court after he admitted stealing a propaganda banner from a staff area of the Pyongyang hotel where he was staying on an organized tour.

On Monday, the State Department again discouraged US citizens from visiting the communist country, with which it has no diplomatic relations.

In addition to Warmbier, who was a student at the University of Virginia, Korean-American pastor Kim Dong-Chul, in his sixties, was sentenced last April to 10 years of hard labor for espionage.

Pyongyang has in the past used the detention of US citizens as a bargaining tool. Former president Bill Clinton in 2009 and then director of national intelligence James Clapper in 2014 travelled to North

Korea to negotiate and bring back convicted and jailed Americans.




Written by the Editorial Board of The Guardian Newspaper





As part of the Muhammadu Buhari administrations consultations with stakeholders in the Niger Delta, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in Akwa Ibom State and, in keeping with what this newspaper has consistently advocated for years, ordered all major oil companies to relocate their headquarters to the neglected region.

This is a good development, after such a long time of its desirability. It is, therefore, a policy directive that should be carried out with utmost vigour, sincerity and a sense of urgency. Peace in the Niger Delta is synonymous with peace and security in the country and an execution of this directive will be one major step towards an enabling environment for Nigerias greater prosperity.



Soon after the discovery of oil in Oloibiri in 1958, the Niger Delta became host to major oil prospecting firms. Through the years, whereas exploration and extraction were carried out in the interior of the region, the major oil firms maintained their headquarters in Lagos and Abuja.

The effect was that these multinationals became insensitive to the ecological and human disaster that exploration created for the oil-bearing communities. To make matters worse, even their middle level workers insultingly hopped in and out of the region indicating that management and middle level staff had no obligations whatsoever to the communities. It did not take long before the people of the region became restive. The many years of neglect had taken its toll and the people thought enough was enough. Given this insensitivity of the oil companies and the neglect of the people by the Nigerian state, the rise of militancy in the Niger Delta was inevitable. And it has been relentlessly violent.

In spite of many years of extracting billions of dollars worth of crude oil from the soil of the region, there is virtually nothing to show in return. The social and economic conditions of the Niger Delta are simply appalling. Apart from poor infrastructure, the region lacks basic necessities which the wealth that had been extracted from its earth could provide. There were instances where host communities lived in years of darkness while their guests (the oil firms) provided twenty-four hours of electricity for themselves. Aquatic life was destroyed. Farmlands were often covered with huge oil spills, and clean-ups were half-heartedly embarked upon by these firms.

It is against this background that the symbolic importance of the administrations order to the oil firms should be appreciated. By relocating to the region, they would not only be obliged to make contributions to the economies of the host states, they would be sending the right signals to the people that they are with them. It is on record that once oil majors moved out of Warri and its environs, the economic life of that once-boisterous town went downhill. Therefore, if the oil majors move their headquarters to Warri, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar, Benin and Yenagoa, they would be more sensitive to the plight of the host communities. Leadership which feels the pain of the people is usually more responsive and progressive. The state governments would also have the opportunity of dealing directly with the companies on policy formulation and implementation.

Also, the multiplier effects of their relocation will be enormous. Apart from jobs that would naturally be at the disposal of people of the region, all ancillary services would be provided by small scale businesses in the host towns. This will create employment and help reduce tension. To be sure, the oil majors would be compelled to address the imbalance in employment quota which activists and stakeholders in the Niger Delta have always complained about.

Peace in the Niger Delta is crucial to the survival of the Nigerian state. The violent attacks on pipelines and oil installations have affected the finances of the country, owing to decreased output of oil. It is instructive that the Acting Presidents visits calmed nerves and created a stable environment for discussions. It is only in a peaceful environment that issues surrounding resource control can be discussed and mutually agreed on. The Federal Government should, therefore, maintain its stand on the issue of bringing peace to the Niger Delta.

To give strong backing to the order, a time frame for relocation should be given and the oil majors must act in good faith and show corporate social responsibility to the host communities.

On their part, the host communities and state governments should welcome the oil firms with open arms. They should ensure that an atmosphere of peace is truly ensured to allay the fears of the returning firms and corporations. By reining in the youths and fostering positive engagement, normalcy would return to the relationship between and among all the parties involved in the process of nation building.
Photo for illustration (Source: baobacninh.com.vn)

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tran Quang Khai, Chairman of the association, emphasized that over the past five years, with the support and encouragement of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Overseas Vietnamese Association, the Quan Ho Club has overcome its initial difficulties, brought their singing to serve not only the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, but also in neighbouring countries, participated in Vietnam-Czech cultural exchanges and promoted the Vietnamese culture to international friends.

Members of the club have been passionate about learning, preserved their Quan Ho tunes, disseminated among the community and passed on to the second and third generations of Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic.

Participating in the program were four famous artists of Vietnam: Thu Hong, Ba Trong, Quang Vinh and Ngoc Oanh.

The Kinh Bac Fellow Countrymen Association and the Quan Ho Club were highly appreciated by the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese, the Vietnamese Embassy and the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic for its efforts in preserving the national cultural identity of the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic. The development of Vietnamese folk singing movements and Quan Ho singing specifically among the Vietnamese community has been an encouraging contribution to the Kinh Bac Fellow Countrymen Association.

It can be said that the lyrical Quan Ho is a link connecting people from Kinh Bac in particular and the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic in general, as well as the connection among Vietnamese people living far away from the homeland, especially the second and third generations, with the origin of the national culture./.




Mr. Alain Vu Duc Hoang Mi, Chairman of the association, with models (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Alain Vu Duc Hoang Mi, Chairman of the association, said that "Vietnams flavour - Europe" is a non-profit association, and officially established on April 16th, 2016.

The purpose of the association is to maintain and preserve the traditional cultural beauty of the nation among the Vietnamese community in France, introduce and promote this beauty to French friends and European countries through a variety of activities such as performing arts and traditional long dresses, introducing landscapes, organizing cultural and food festivals. In addition, the association also wants to participate in support and charity projects in Vietnam.

Mr. Alain Vu Duc Hoang Mi also said that in nearly a year since its founding, the association has organized and participated in many activities promoting Vietnams culture, food and tourism to the Vietnamese community in France, French friends and some European countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.

In the coming time, the association intends to organize three seasonal festivals annually; themed "Spring Flavour" at the beginning of the year; "Summer Sun" in the middle of the year and "Autumn Melody" at the end of the year. At present, the association is selecting candidates for the contest "Miss Universe Vietnam" held in April in the UK and participate in the project on Cultural Festivals of European peoples.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Embassy in France, Mr. Do Duc Thanh, Counsellor in charge of community affairs at the Vietnamese Embassy in France, congratulated the association. He highly appreciated the association's desire to partner with other associations in France to jointly organize cultural events, thereby enhancing the strength and cohesion of the community, promoting the advantages of the overseas Vietnamese community in France and Europe.

At the ceremony, a traditional long dress performance by designer Tran Duoc and art performance were also organized. The participants also enjoyed Vietnamese dishes at the event./.
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
General Motors (NYSE:GM) said Wednesday it will create or keep 900 jobs in Michigan factories over the next 12 months, including some workers who were due to be laid off in May.

This is in addition to the 7,000 jobs and $1 billion investment announced in January, according to the automaker.

The announcement came Wednesday as executives from GM, Ford (NYSE:F) and Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU) are expected to appear at an event with President Donald Trump in Detroit. Trump is set to announce a review of federal fuel-economy rules that the Obama administration finalized a week before Trump took office. Automakers and federal authorities had previously agreed to review the CAFE standards this year.

GM said it plans to bring back 500 jobs to its Lansing Delta Township assembly plant by early 2018, when the automaker expects to complete the rollout of new SUVs.

GM also said it will redeploy 180 workers from Lansing to support production of heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks in Flint, Michigan. Another 220 new jobs will be added to GMs Romulus Powertrain Plant to ramp up production of a 10-speed automatic transmission.

The previously announced layoffs in Lansing are tied to GMs decision to build the new GMC Acadia in Spring Hill, Tennessee, a move initially expected to impact 1,100 total employees before Wednesdays announcement. GM will focus on building the Buick Enclave and the redesigned Chevrolet Traverse in Lansing. Rehiring 500 workers will help the company meet demand for the new vehicles, GM said.
Updated

President Donald Trump visited Detroit Wednesday to announce a re-evaluation of the Obama administrations aggressive fuel-economy rules, a move that may slow investment in electric cars.

The president met with automotive executives Wednesday at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The meeting included the CEOs of General Motors (NYSE:GM), Ford (NYSE:F) and Fiat Chrysler (NYSE:FCAU), as well as top executives from Toyota (NYSE:TM), Honda (NYSE:HMC) and others.

In a speech to industry workers, Trump said he will review fuel-economy rules and other regulations to protect and defend your jobs [and] your factories. Trump also said another very big announcement related to the auto industry will come next week.

Industry executives argue that the Obama-era CAFE targets are too stringent, and they had urged the Environmental Protection Agency under the previous administration to consider easing its rules amid lower gas prices and surging demand for SUVs and pickup truckstrends which the automakers said made meeting the miles-per-gallon targets even more difficult.

The rules set for governing vehicles from the 2022 to 2025 model years were due to undergo a midterm review in 2017, with a final determination expected in April 2018. But the Obama administration quickly moved to lock in CAFE standards about a week before Trump took office. Automakers hit back at the EPA over its decision and wrote a letter to Trump asking for a full review.

By restarting this review, analysis rather than politics will produce a final decision consistent with the process we all agreed to under One National Program for GHG and fuel economy standards, said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group representing most major automakers in the U.S.

The Association of Global Automakers, which represents international car companies, said it looks forward to a review that accounts for the needs of American consumers without locking in a prejudged outcome.

In order to comply with the increasingly strict federal emissions standards, automakers invested in developing electric vehicles, despite limited consumer demand. If the Trump administration ultimately agrees to adjust CAFE standards, manufacturers will be faced with a choice: Do they focus as much energy and money on electric cars?

Under current CAFE standards, vehicles from model-year 2016 wont meet the fleetwide fuel-economy targets, based on industry projections released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Thats the first time new cars, trucks and SUVs will fall short.

Meanwhile, hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles continue to account for a small portion of U.S. sales. Hybrids were 2.14% of February auto sales, according to data compiled by HybridCars.com. Plug-in electric cars earned a market share of less than 1%.

Jack Nerad, Kelley Blue Books executive editorial director and executive market analyst, said relaxing fuel-economy targets will likely steer automakers away from heavy investments in alternative powertrains.

I think whats going on with fuel prices has made it very difficult for car companies to sell highly fuel-efficient vehicles. So no matter what they do with vehicle development, its like leading a horse to water. [Electric cars] are not whats popular now, Nerad told FOX Business.

We have an aggressive plan to electrify our vehicle lineup. Heres some of what you can expect from #Ford. #EV pic.twitter.com/F3HvoYFaRU  Ford Motor Company (@Ford) March 15, 2017

Still, automakers continue to pursue advanced technologies like electric and self-driving vehicles, as the industry seeks to stay ahead of global consumer trends.

We remain absolutely committed to our electrification strategy, a Ford spokesperson wrote in an email.

While electric vehicles and fuel-efficient small cars have struggled to generate demand, SUVs and crossovers are surging. Utilities now dominate the market, comprising about 63% of U.S. sales. Also, automakers have improved fuel-economy numbers for larger vehicles like crossovers, making the segment even more enticing over other models.

The costs associated with electric-vehicle technology are another challenge for manufacturers. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne once said car shoppers should not to buy Fiats electric model because the company lost money on every sale.

[Manufacturers] want nothing more than to make vehicles that people actually want to buy, Nerad said. The vexing problem for manufacturers is they would have to sell a certain percentage of highly efficient vehicles in order to sell the cars that they make money on.

Gas prices, at their current levels, give people the feeling that they can be comfortable buying a large SUV or a pickup truck, he added.

The current CAFE standards call for a fleetwide average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, reflecting a 56% bump from the 2017 target of 35 mpg.

Ticker Security Last Change Change % GM GENERAL MOTORS CO. 39.00 +0.49 +1.27% F FORD MOTOR CO. 13.51 +0.25 +1.89% FCAU n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.

Consumers Union, a policy arm of Consumer Reports magazine, criticized the Trump administrations decision to reopen the CAFE rulebook.

The EPA finalized the standards after a thorough study of costs and benefits, said Shannon Baker-Branstetter, policy counsel for Consumers Union. The standards already take the cost into account, and the record shows that they are a reasonable, cost-effective approach to improving fuel efficiency and lowering consumers expenses.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said the CAFE review will help ensure that this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment.

We will work with our partners at [the Department of Transportation] to take a fresh look to determine if this approach is realistic, he said in a statement.
Updated

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday announced charges against Russian spies and hackers allegedly responsible for the massive data breach that targeted Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) accounts and threw a wrench into Verizons (NYSE:VZ) buyout of the company.

A grand jury in California indicted four peopletwo Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) operatives and two hackers for their alleged roles in the hack, which began in 2014 and exposed 500 million Yahoo accounts.

The individuals are charged with using some of the allegedly stolen information to gain access to Yahoo, Google and other webmail accounts of Russian journalists, U.S. and Russian government officials and private-sector employees. According to the indictments, one hacker also searched Yahoo emails for credit card and gift card numbers and facilitated a spam campaign targeting Yahoo users.

The Department of Justice said charges were filed against FSB officers Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, who are accused of protecting and directing the alleged hackers behind the breach, Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov. Belan has been on the FBIs Cyber Most Wanted list since 2013.

Today we continue to pierce the veil of anonymity surrounding cyber crimes, FBI Director James Comey said in a statement. We are shrinking the world to ensure that cyber criminals think twice before targeting U.S. persons and interests.

Yahoo disclosed the 2014 hack in September, saying at the time it believed the breach was carried out by a state-sponsored actor.

The indictment unequivocally shows the attacks on Yahoo were state-sponsored. We are deeply grateful to the FBI for investigating these crimes and the DOJ for bringing charges against those responsible, Yahoos Chris Madsen, assistant general counsel and head of global law enforcement, security & safety, said Wednesday in a statement.

The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company also said in December that a separate cyber-attack in 2013 affected more than a billion Yahoo users.

The data breaches nearly derailed a deal for Verizon to acquire Yahoos core business. In February, the two sides came to a revised agreement, giving Verizon a $350 million discount versus the original offer. Verizon will now buy Yahoo for $4.48 billion.

Fox News' Matthew Dean contributed to this report.
Former U.K. Parliament member John Browne said the Euro is in danger, as a result of Brexit.

I think it was always flawed from its very inception, Browne told FOX Business David Asman on Tuesday. The trouble isfor us allit is the second currency of the world and the largest physical circulation currency. So if that were to go to zero or even be translated back into the various members currencies, anything but the Deutsche Mark would be really a travesty for people and devastating to portfolios.

Browne added that this could also have an impact across the pond, in the United States.

It would cause a great upset and a stress to the credibility of paper money. And this is what we face. The biggest effect of Brexit is everything could be a real strain on moneyon fiat money. And thats very serious."

On Monday, the British Parliament passed a bill allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to start talks around exiting the European Union. Addressing the House of Commons on Tuesday, May said she would trigger Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon by the end of March.

This will be a defining moment for our whole country, as we begin to forge a new relationship with Europe and a new role for ourselves in the world, she said.
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Seth Rogen is trying to find a balance between speaking out against President Donald Trump and not putting down those who voted for him.

"I dont want to look back in 10 years and think, 'I just didnt say anything during that time,' because it seems like a time where its very important to normalize dissent," Rogen told the Daily Beast in a wide-ranging interview.

But he doesn't want to "insult people" who voted for Trump.

"Ive been very conscious not to insult people who voted for Donald Trump, but the way I think of it is just normalizing the idea that a lot of people do not think that he is a good president, and do not think that he is bringing the country in a good direction, and not making it seem like some fringe, out-there thing that only really aggressive people who have whipped themselves into some sort of frenzy are expressing," the actor said.

Rogen, who was born in Canada and moved to the United States in 1999, joked that if things don't end well he can always move back.

"I got a whole other country I can go to. Those are jokes, obviously. I will not be leaving America," he said adding "It doesnt take a genius or a particularly creative mind to point out how blatantly idiotic and contradictory things are."

Rogen currently stars in the AMC series "Preacher" about a preacher with special powers in a small town who teams up with a vampire on a mission to find God. The second season premieres on June 19.

In the premiere of the show, there is a scene where Tom Cruise is blown up as part of the show's way of addressing Scientology.

Rogen said the Church of Scientology sent the show a letter over the scene.

"We got a note! This was not a crazy note, because were technically legitimizing Scientology, if anythingwere putting it in the same category as Christianity and Satanism," he explained.

"We got a note, I think from Tom Cruises publicist or someone working for Tom Cruise, sort of feeling out if it was going to be a theme in our work, assaulting Tom Cruise. [laughs] The truth of it was it was done in a playful way. It wasnt the most condemnation we couldve offered Scientology, or Tom Cruise."
A restaurant owner in Fresno, Calif., claims he's needed to hire a security guard to stand outside his eatery after he made an comment about Hispanic customers in a post on his personal Facebook page.

Steve Wayte, who owns the sushi eatery Roll One For Mi , took to Facebook on Friday after being informed by his servers that four tables of patrons who appeared to be Hispanic allegedly left the restaurant without tipping.

My servers are thinking about building a wall around the restaurant. Why dont many Hispanics tip? Waytes original Facebook message read.

RESTAURANT OWNER GETS DEATH THREATS AFTER BLASTING A CUSTOMER ON FACEBOOK

Wayte  who has since deleted the post, as well as his personal and professional Facebook pages  claims that his restaurant was later bombarded with calls by a woman who saw the message. She asked whether the restaurant served Mexicans, and when she was informed that they do, she booked a table for 10 on Monday.

Wayte says he wasnt sure if the woman was serious about her reservation, but he felt the need to hire security prior to the patron's scheduled Monday meal.

I brought security in just to make sure we dont have any issues, said Wayte, reports The Fresno Bee.

According to Wayte, however, he was originally just trying to make a provocative joke.

Im a smart-alec, and I like to be provocative. And apparently I was a little too provocative, said Wayte, who also told reporters outside his restaurant that he doesnt even support the idea of a border wall.

Wayte also addressed Fresno mayoral candidate Henry R. Perea, who called for Facebook users to build an economic wall around Roll One For Mi by boycotting the restaurant.

What hurts my feelings so bad, is that [Perea is] trying to economically damage me, and Ive done nothing to Henry Perea. It was a joke  Henry knows where Im at. He couldve called, he couldve private-messaged me. Instead, he took to social media and tried to impugn me.

Its sad. Im glad hes not mayor. Let me just put it that way. Because hes no different than Donald Trump tweeting, added Wayte.

Perea isnt the only Fresno-area resident angry with Wayte right now. Many Facebook users have echoed Pereas sentiments online:

Wayte says he has also received a call from an angry local who threatened to organize a protest outside his restaurant on Tuesday.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Meanwhile, Wayte claims that hes also received words of support via email, and even through anonymous notes that were shoved under the restaurants door.

One of his employees  server Carlos Rucker who is Mexican-American  also told The Fresno Bee that Waytes comments didnt offend him. In fact, he seemed to defend Wayte, saying that Hispanics might not tip due to a cultural thing.

Either way, the restaurateur says hes eager for this whole thing to blow over. I just want to get this behind me and get on with my life, he said.
McDonalds should probably think about giving one of its Florida cashiers a raise.

On Tuesday morning, Pedro Viloria, a worker who mans the drive-thru, jumped through the ordering window at a McDonalds in Doral, Fla., to help a woman who suddenly became unconscious while operating her vehicle.

Viloria was stationed at his post behind the drive-thru window when a woman  who turned out to be an off-duty Miami-Dade police officer pulled up in an SUV to order breakfast for herself and her two children. After preparing the order, Viloria returned to the window and noticed that the driver was struggling to breathe.

MCDONALD'S BLASTED OVER 'INSULTING' SHAMROCK SHAKE TWEET

Soon after, the woman lost consciousness, her foot slipped from the brake, and her SUV began to roll down the drive-thru lane.

Viloria, who witnessed the woman falling unconscious, says he immediately went into hero mode and jumped through the restaurants drive-thru window. Surveillance footage also shows Viloria pulling the off-duty officer from the SUV as it rolled forward.

A second McDonalds employee, along with paramedics who were in the restaurant, helped to revive the woman at the scene. She was then taken to the hospital for additional treament.

A representative for McDonalds has since released a statement on the incident in which they commend Vilorias bravery, reports Fox 5 NY.

First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the officer and her family during this difficult time, McDonalds wrote. I think I speak for our McDonalds family when I say how proud we are of Pedro. He is an excellent employee, so it didnt surprise me that he took immediate action and jumped through a window to help save this woman.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

And he was not the only member of the team that played a pivotal role in ensuring she received the medical attention she needed. A second employee, who asked to remain unnamed, assisted with CPR. Their quick thinking and action were everything in that moment.

As of Wednesday, Miami-Dade Police Detective Daniel Ferrin has yet to release any information on the womans condition.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The First Lady is continuing to put her small hometown on the map.

Four Sloveneian winemakers hailing from the wine growing region near Melania Trump's hometown of Sevnica have produced a new red wine-- and theyre calling it First Lady" in honor of the country's most famous former resident.

The beverage is pressed from Blaufrankisch grapes, which are native to eastern Slovenia.

The wine first went on sale in the cellar at Sevnica Castle, a popular tourist hotspot in town, and the first 300 bottles sold out in just three days, according to wine industry magazine, Decanter.

WEGMANS SUPERMARKET SELLS OUT OF TRUMP WINE AFTER PROPOSED BOYCOTT

Another 2,000 bottles of the wine are currently ready for sale in the castles gift shop, as well as the towns official tourism office.

The 2015 vintage wine is priced at 27.50 euros (about $30), which Sevnica Castle steward Rok Petancic, told Decanter is a "reasonable price"-- although it's almost twice as much as the other Slovenian wines from the same region and year.

"We have good wine, we have the best salamis and we have other products that are very good for the area; we shouldn't be afraid or feel ashamed of offering them to a wider audience," Petancic told Decanter, adding that some had suggested selling the wine for 500 euros.

"I think this is one of the best ways we can promote our winemakers, our tourism, and Blaufrankisch as a variety, which is very important for us as we want to become a centre for Blaufrankisch."

SLOVENIA GETS TOURISM BOOST THANKS TO MELANIA TRUMP

The First Lady collection also includes salami made from a rare breed of local pig, chocolates and even beauty creams.

But the Trumps are notorious for going after those who unlawfully use their name to market unaffiliated products.

Still, Petancic says he's not worried about reports that the first lady has hired a Slovenian law firm to stop local producers from using her name to promote their wares.

Sevnica is the in the heart of Posavje, the smallest of Slovenias wine regions and it is the only region in the country that produces more red wine than white.
Meet music lover Bradley, outdoor enthusiast Preston, hip-hop dancer Layla, Pokemon card collector Landon, and Olive, who mainly likes to be snuggled. These are the five siblings the Kansas City Star featured in its "Family Wanted" section on Saturday, and they're looking to all be adopted by the same family.

Response to the ad about the siblings has been "pretty insane," Corey Lada of the Kansas Children's Service League, affiliated with the state's Adopt Kansas Kids organization, tells the Star.

The original ad has been clicked more than 4 million times. The kids, ages 2 to 11, are identified only by their first names, and Lada didn't reveal much else about them other than to say they're all in different foster homes and that their case has been removed from the state website because so many inquiries have poured in.

Some critics have suggested the response has been so great because the kids are white: One Overland Park resident, for instance, says the children look like they stepped out of a "Lands' End ad" and that kids of other racesthe Star notes Kansas has around 1,200 kids looking for familiesdon't get the same hype.

Still, the director of an unrelated Kansas nonprofit says she hopes the kids end up under one roof. "That bond between siblings is the strongest thing they've got when parents are gone," she says.

It's not impossible: A couple in Missouri is in the process of adopting five siblings, ages 6 to 15, from a Filipino orphanage, reports the Joplin Globe.

Husband Aaron Jones recalls seeing his wife, Stephanie, crying while looking at their images online. "Oh cute, which one?" he asked. With his wife crying too hard to respond, he said, "All of them?" And then he agreed.

(There's been a massive, troubling shift in US adoptions.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: 5 Kids' 'Family Wanted' Ad Gets 'Insane' Response
The widow of a Vermont man who died from a listeria-related stroke has named a New York-based raw milk creamery in a wrongful death lawsuit. Veronica Friedman, whose late husband, Richard Friedman, died on Nov. 2, said her family purchased the contaminated cheese manufactured by Vulto Creamery in early October, Food Safety News reported.

Friedman said her husband went to the emergency room at Brattleboro Hospital on Oct. 11 after he began experiencing serious symptoms of listeriosis. He was transferred to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center on Oct. 12 before landing at Mt. Ascutney Rehab in Windsor about a week later, Food Safety News reported. At Mt. Ascutney he suffered a massive stroke and was airlifted back to Dartmouth Hitchcock, where he died, the news outlet reported.

Hitchcock is one of two fatal cases in a multi-state listeria outbreak that has been traced to a soft raw milk cheese made by Vulto Creamery. The Walton, New York-based company issued a recall on March 7 for all lots of Ouleout, Mirand, Heinennellie and Willowemec soft wash-rind raw milk cheeses after two samples tested positive for listeria.

People think of food poisoning as inconvenient rather than really dangerous, William Marler, Friedmans attorney, told Food Safety News. But the reality is that what you eat can seriously damage or kill you. Food providers have a responsibility to protect the lives of their customers, especially when producing raw milk products, which pose a higher risk to consumers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched an investigation into the outbreak, with other state health officials taking similar measures. On March 9 officials confirmed the creamerys Ouleout cheese as the source of the outbreak, Food Safety News reported. Whole Foods has announced a recall of Vulto Creamery Ouleout and Miranda cheeses from nine of its stores across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Maine.

While the first illness was reported Sept. 1, 2016, the FDA did not begin investigating until Jan. 31, a week after the sixth case was discovered. According to the CDC, the six victims are scattered across Connecticut, Florida, New York and Vermont.

The CDC recommends consumers do not eat, restaurants do not serve and retailers do not sell recalled cheeses made by Vulto Creamery. Symptoms of listeria can include chills, severe headache and potential death.
Sleep can be a catch-22 when youre pregnant: Youre so exhausted from all of the hormonal and physical changes taking place in your body that youll do anything to catch some quality shut-eye. Yet when nighttime rolls around, it can be hard to get the deep sleep you crave.

If youre struggling with this pregnancy issue, youre not alone. A recent survey from the National Sleep Foundation suggests 78 percent of pregnant women have trouble snoozing soundly.

THE BEST EXERCISE FOR PREGNANCY

Although some sleep disturbances are unavoidable, there are simple things you can do now to get the sleep you need before your baby is born  and you'll have to wake up.

1. Insomnia

If youre up at night because you have to use the bathroom, you cant get comfortable or youre worrying about how your life will change, it can be hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

I like to tell moms that its kind of natures way of getting you ready to have a baby and waking up in the middle of the night, Dr. Nicole P. Scott, a board-certified OB-GYN at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis and an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Indiana University School of Medicine, told Fox News.

To get the best nights rest possible, exercise for at least 30 minutes every day, and try relaxation techniques like prenatal yoga or meditation. Only use your bedroom for sleep and sex, power down electronics one to two hours before bedtime, and make sure your room is cool and dark.

WHAT KIND OF WORK IS SAFE DURING PREGNANCY?

Limit caffeine in the afternoon, and try eating a small snack with protein and complex carbohydrates like an apple with almond butter.

This combination will increase levels of tryptophan, an amino acid which is then turned into the hormones melatonin and serotonin to help you sleep, Dr. Robert S. Rosenberg, director of the Sleep Disorders Center of Prescott Valley, Ariz. and author of The Doctors Guide to Sleep Solutions For Stress and Anxiety, told Fox News.

2. Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome, a condition that affects up to 25 percent of pregnant women, can give you strange sensations throughout your legs and make it impossible to relax, much less sleep.

Restless leg syndrome usually shows up in the third trimester, likely due to a drop in iron and folic acid levels, which your baby requires more of.

In some people, it may also be due to low levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that the brain needs iron to produce, Rosenberg said.

To cope, continue to take your prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Ask your doctor to check both your ferritin and vitamin D levels, as restless leg syndrome can be exacerbated by low levels of vitamin D as well. If your levels are low, your doctor may prescribe a supplement.

Massage, stretching and keeping your legs elevated can all help. If you have a severe case of restless leg syndrome, your doctor may also recommend intermittent pneumatic compression boots.

3. Frequent urination

Hormonal changes and your growing uterus make for constant bathroom breaks throughout the day, but at night, they can make for a restless nights sleep.

Although theres not much you can do to avoid the urge to go, try to cut back on any fluids one to two hours before bed and urinate before you get into bed. If you also have pain, be sure to call your doctor because you might have a urinary tract infection.

6 SURPRISING FOODS TO AVOID DURING PREGNANCY

4. Nausea

Thank your rapidly rising hormones for so-called morning sickness, and that all day sick feeling in your stomach.

Do your best to eat healthy meals, and avoid caffeine and acidic foods, which can help keep nausea at bay. Saltine crackers or ginger can help settle your stomach too.

You might also try a vitamin B6 supplement, antacids or Unisom, a sleep aid which is safe during pregnancy, Scott said.

5. Acid reflux

That burning sensation that wont seem to go away is annoying, but most women will have acid reflux especially during the second and third trimesters. Acid reflux is due to the hormones progesterone and relaxin, which cause the esophageal sphincter, the muscles around the esophagus, to relax, Rosenberg said.



Because food itself will dilate the esophagus, avoid eating two hours before bedtime, and avoid fatty and spicy foods, as well as chocolate and dairy.

Aside from antacids, try to prop up your pillows to elevate your head about 30 degrees to prevent the acid from moving up.

MORE PREGNANT WOMEN ARE TOKING UP  WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

6. Leg cramps

About 75 percent of pregnant women have leg cramps by the third trimester, which is due to extra fluid and electrolyte changes, Scott said.

To prevent them from cramping your sleep, drink plenty of water throughout the day, try stretching and massage, and elevate your legs before you go to sleep.

A calcium and magnesium supplement may also prevent cramps, but be sure to talk to your doctor first.

7. Snoring

You may have never been a snorer before, but because estrogen and progesterone can cause the blood vessels in the nose to swell and the muscles in the throat to relax, snoring can be a problem now.



Snoring will likely resolve after you give birth, but it could also mean you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which affects about one-quarter of pregnant women, a study in the International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia found.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Try nasal strips or nasal saline irrigation, and try to elevate your head, which can significantly reduce the swelling in your nose and upper airways.

If your partner says that you stop breathing at night, youre sleepy during the day, or you have high blood pressure, preeclampsia or gestational diabetes, you should talk to your doctor to rule out OSA, which studies show can increase your risk for a caesarean section and require your baby to be in the NICU.
In December, 2015, President Barack Obama signed the Paris Agreement on climate change. That signature did not come cheap. To satisfy its Paris commitments, the Obama Administration announced plans to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions anywhere from 26 to 28 per cent below what they were in 2005plans that would steeply raise energy costs on American households and businesses and impede job growth.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, made opposition to the Paris Agreement crystal clear during his Presidential campaign: Were going to cancel the Paris Climate Agreement and stop all payments of U.S. tax dollars to U.N. global warming programs.

Now some supporters of the Paris Agreement are urging President Trump to break this promise. But they cant really argue that the Agreement is an effective way to address climate change; MITs Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change projects that, even if every country followed through with its promises, the Paris agreement would reduce warming by only 0.2 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.

Instead, the argument is that honoring the Paris Agreement is all about U.S. leadership. As Timmons Roberts and Caroline Jones wrote in a recent Brookings Institution paper : To renege on our commitments  in support of the Paris Agreement would weaken Americas ability to muster enthusiastic support on important international policies we might care about.

This is fantasy. Gratitude is a rare commodity in international affairs  just look at the vast majority of U.S. foreign assistance recipients. They routinely vote against the U.S. most of the time in the U.N.

Those arguing for the U.S. to remain in the Paris Agreement are less interested in bolstering U.S. leadership than in ensuring that they have means to criticize Trump when he fails to follow Obamas other ineffectual climate policies.

Repudiating the Paris Agreement would be akin to ripping off a Band-Aid  a small pain in the form of anger from the U.N. and other governments committed to the agreement, but after that, nothing.

How do we know this? Because President George W. Bush lived through discarding the Paris Agreements predecessor, the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The Clinton Administration signed the Protocol in 1998, despite unanimous Senate resistance. President Bush correctly concluded the Protocol would be ineffective in addressing the problem and impose heavy economic costs on the U.S economy, particularly to the manufacturing sector.

Despite strong pressure from the U.N. and European governments, Bush held firm by announcing that he would not ratify or implement the agreement.

What was the impact of Bushs actions on American leadership role? Foreign governments criticized the decisions, but continued to cooperate and work with the U.S. More importantly, they learned that the U.S. was willing and able to resist diplomatic pressure in order to protect American interests.

Having other countries know that the U.S. President is resolute is valuable diplomatic currency, not fecklessness.

There are broader U.S. constitutional and security interests to consider too. The Paris Agreement is a supplementary agreement to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). President Obama misused the UNFCCC framework to avoid seeking Senate advice and consent for the Paris Agreement under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

Conservatives should insist that the President repudiate the Paris Agreement to correct that action alone.

But in addition, the Palestinian Authority is a party to the UNFCCC. As was the case when the Palestinians joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011, this event should trigger a U.S. law prohibiting any future U.S. funding to the UNFCCC.

The Obama administration continued funding the UNFCCC based on the absurd argument that the UNFCCC is a treaty, not an international organization. In fact, the UNFCCC is a treaty-based international organization, just like UNESCO and the United Nations.

So, in addition to the issues surrounding the Paris Agreement, if the Trump administration does not end funding for the UNFCCC in accordance to the law, it would signal to U.N. organizations that there will be no consequences if they grant membership to the Palestinians prior to a negotiated peace with Israel.

In fact, to prevent the accrual of financial arrears, it makes sense for the U.S. to withdraw from the UNFCCC, which would also lead to withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

U.S. presidents rarely face easy choices, but this one comes close.

Other governments will carp, but withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and the UNFCCC would fulfill a campaign promise and send a welcome signal that, unlike the previous Administration, President Trump respects the treaty process outlined in the U.S. Constitution and will stand firmly with Israel.
Macedonia gave the world Alexander the Great, who, legend has it, wept because he could find no more lands to conquer. Now, George Soros, the left-wing billionaire who also wants to rule the world, is meddling with events that could plunge Macedonia into chaos or civil war, and escalate U.S. tensions with Russia.

Locked between Greece, Kosovo and Albania  and friendly with none of them -- Macedonia is an ethnic patchwork of languages, religions and loyalties. Last year, elections left the nationalist ruling party weakened politically. A group of opposition parties that represent the countrys largely-Muslim Albanian minority put together a fragile coalition that could have let them form a new government.

President Gjorge Ivanov, a member of the nationalist party, refused to accept the opposition coalition, claiming they were puppets of the Albanian government next door. Protesters from both sides spilled into the streets of the capital, Skopje, setting the stage for potential conflict.

Behind the scenes, Soros, a Hungarian-American hedge fund magnate, has reportedly been spending part of his considerable fortune to create groups in Macedonia that would further his socialist agenda. Among them: the Platform for Citizens Oriented Politics, Journalists for Human Rights, and an LGBT Support Center.

Soros, whose track record leaves no doubt he favors the left of center challengers, is not shy about spending for causes he supports. He is said to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars for last weeks Day Without Women protests in the United States. He is also a prime force behind moveon.org.

As many as 61 left-wing groups in Macedonia, affiliated with Soross Open Society Institute, received millions of dollars from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department during Barack Obamas administration. Several Republican congressmen recently wrote to the State Department to complain about this use of taxpayer dollars.

The U.S. and the European Union have called on Ivanov to reverse his position and let the coalition of his opponents take power. Russia, on the other hand, backs Ivanov and says the West is trying to impose its will on Macedonia.

Behind all this is a strong Macedonian streak of antipathy toward its own Albanian ethnic minority, which makes up about a quarter of the population. While Albanian is the official second language of Macedonia, its use is restricted by law. Ivanov successfully stoked nationalist sentiment by claiming that a government led by his political opponents would install Albanian as a co-equal language.

Macedonia may not be at the top of President Trumps concerns  yet. But it is an outlier of the many potential conflicts in which the U.S. and Russia will find themselves on opposing sides.
The U.S. Marine Corps is a fighting force at war, confronting adversaries in Afghanistan, Syria and other corners of the globe. Now a new battlefront has emerged for the Marine Corps following the revelation of nude photo sharing among Marines and its unlike anything theyre accustomed to facing on distant shores and combat zones.

As soon as it was reported publicly that Marines were posting lewd photos of female Marines online through private social media sites, Marine Corps Commandant Robert Neller responded forcefully and without hesitation or delay.

The Marine Corps, at his direction, committed to a full investigation and to take appropriate action against those who violated the privacy and rights of the Marines who are the subjects of the photos.

For some lawmakers and observers, this commitment isnt enough. Predictably, the controversy has now morphed into an opportunity for elected officialsled by New York Democrat Senator Kristen Gillibrandto publicly chide the Commandant and raise questions about his leadership without regard for the fact that he is still presiding over Marines in a shooting war.

No different than the blatant disrespect demonstrated by the Marines at the center of the controversy, Senator Gillibrand and others echoing her narrative underscore an obvious level of disdain for the Marine Corps and gives added attention to the wrongful view that Marines are nothing more than a group of uncontrollable misfits. Something theyre not.

During a Senate hearing this week, Senator Gillibrand lambasted the Commandant as if he himself sanctioned the wrongful behavior of the Marines who posted photos or even encouraged it by virtue of his leadership. Never mind the fact that the Commandant has taken ownership of the problem and vowed to expend all resources to continue addressing a challenge that is neither easily nor immediately solvable.

What should give Senator Gillibrand hope is that the Commandant is leading the charge and if there is anybody in the Marine Corps who can make a difference, its him.

This Commandant is like his predecessors in so many ways, especially when it comes to caring for his Marines and ensuring theyre the most effective fighting force in the world. But he has his own distinct qualities and attributes, and its safe to say that no Commandant has ever rivaled his dedication to the creation of a diverse Marine Corps.

In fact, it was the Commandant who led a diversity task force under previous leadership and his takeaways from that experience are no doubt informing his efforts today.

His leadership team is no less committed. Sitting behind the Commandant during this weeks hearing was General David Furnessa true patriot with over 30 years of service. So too was General Lori Reynolds, also with 30 years of service to the Marine Corps. Lambasting the Commandant might be good for appearances, but doing so not only undercuts his effectiveness, it also calls into question the ability of his team to set things straight.

What Senator Gillibrand fails to understand is that when she targets the Commandant as she did, theres a cascade effect that gives others the courage to take even more drastic steps, among them calls for the Commandants resignation. That was the case again this week.

Should the Commandant consider resigning? The answer isnt just noits hell no. Rather, he should be entrusted to fix the problem and given the operating space to do exactly that.

Whether Senator Gillibrand and others want to hear it or not, its a fact that the Marine Corps doesnt surveil the internet looking for nefarious sites. Upon discovery, their response is how they should be judged as well as what they do to impose control mechanisms to the extent the law permits.

The nude photos that were posted are not exclusively a Marine Corps problem. The other military services are sure to encounter private sites among their own ranks. And with the prevalence of social media, its worth asking how much of this is a byproduct of a deeper cultural issue that compels both men and womenwhether students, employees or uniformed militaryto allow themselves to be photographed so freely or even post content about themselves that they might one day regret. This should by no means excuse the behavior, but it should reinforce the point that this latest controversy is not unique solely to the Marine Corps.

The Commandant deserves to be trustedhes earned it. But any suggestion that he might not be taking this latest controversy seriously or can resolve the matter with a snap of his fingers is absurd.

The behavior of Marines who posted nude photos and violated the rights and privacy of their fellow Marines is atrocious and its something the Commandant rightly said he wont tolerate.

What he needs now is less showmanship in the halls of Congress and more trust that he will lead in a way that we all expect and know he will.
Tuesday nights release by MSNBC Anchor Rachel Maddow of President Donald Trumps tax returns felt like a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out  in mockery.

Maddows historically unprecedented and potentially historic release of the top two pages of the 2005 Trump taxes revealed that Trump paid $38 million in taxes that year. The event was a disaster not seen on TV since the last Star Wars rerun showing the Death Star blowing up Alderaan.

Maddow unwittingly disproved Hillary Clintons 2016 claim that Trump might have paid no taxes. Trumps $38 million tax hit was more tax than 672 households earned in the entire 2016. Drudge summed up the math: TRUMP PAID HIGHER TAX RATE [25%] THAN MSNBC COMCAST [24%]... MUCH HIGHER THAN OBAMA [19%]... AND BERNIE [13%]!

Maddow was skewered by conservatives and liberals for the needless hype and by journalists who claimed she had damaged the profession. The Washington Posts liberal blog The Fix called the reveal a total nothingburger and conservative National Review Online Editor Charles C. W. Cooke commented that he never again wants to see a televised suicide. Mediaite bashed Maddow for having, Just Trolled Us All For Ratings.

Almost the only support Maddow got came from her fellow MSNBC staffers. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell praised her coworker: #Maddow is the newsmaker once again getting the 1st glimpse at a Trump tax return @MaddowBlog.

It was nearly as big of a disaster for journalists who had been singing Maddows praises based on her recent ratings boom. Maddow was celebrated across the news media -- The New York Times, Washington Post, and Huffington Post all featured articles on her ratings rise. Hollywood Reporter called her, MSNBC's star player and HuffPo noted how dropping coverage of Trumps Twitter comments, has only helped grow her sphere of influence.

That all went into the trash can in an Oscar fail/Steve Harvey and Miss Universe mistake kind of way that will be remembered for years. Even Maddows biggest supporters lamented how the broadcast was either over-promised or it ended up being a tool of Trumps P.R. machine.

The rest of Tuesday night was divided between ways to mock Maddow and her MSNBC bosses and trying to find someone -- anyone other than her -- to blame for the disaster.

One tweeter went for the celebrity jugular -- cash -- by making fun of how much money Maddow has vs. Trump. That moment you realize that @realDonaldTrump paid more in taxes in 2005 than your entire net worth! #ThankYouMaddow.

Journalists started with Maddows massive buildup to the story. Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman joked, Haven't seen this much windup since El Duque. Habermans reference was to former Yankee (and Met) pitching sensation Orlando Hernandez, known for a high leg kick that was even memorialized in an Adidas ad. Veteran ESPN anchor Bob Ley also noted the Maddow version of a long rain delay. if you have news, Rachel, please tell us. soon. I'm not young, he wrote.

Times columnist Elizabeth Williamson was especially sharp-edged. I watched @maddow twice! The first time, and the last time, she wrote, retweeting a comment from a Wall St. Journal staffer who watched for the first time.

Even sister network Executive Editor Jay Yarrow, of CNBC, knocked Maddow in a piece headlined: Donald Trump just got a nice victory, thanks, of all people, to Rachel Maddow.

CNNs criticism was more biting, though a bit self-centered. Senior Reporter for Media & Politics Dylan Byers summarized the response to Maddows fiasco: Reax on Twitter:

Disappointment for Democrats. Fodder for Trump supporters. Setback for serious journalists. And dont forget, CNN thinks it has a lock on serious journalism.

Byers soon added back patting to his commentary: Sorry to root for home team, but while @MSNBC overhypes & @FoxNews beats up on media, @CNN is actually offering reasoned analysis/skepticism.

Is sorry/not sorry part of the new CNN style book? Still, Byers summed up the fiasco well in a piece he wrote for CNN: Overall, the story coming out of Tuesday night's broadcast was not so much about Trump's tax returns as it was about the disappointment in Maddow's handling of them.

Because of that, it was a night where snark ruled and comparisons ranged from the opening of Al Capones vault to who shot J.R. Ewing.

Hill media reporter/columnist Joe Concha chose the Y2K comparison for his sarcastic critique. For whatever reason now all I can think of is anticipation of Y2K right up until midnight. And then absolutely nothing happening. #Maddow, he tweeted.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (and current Fox News contributor) went with a more classic reference -- who shot J.R.: Don't miss it! Rachel Maddow will reveal who shot J. R. Ewing on the series Dallas. Sure it was the 80's, but it's RACHEL MADDOW! (For the record, never trust Kristin.)

Since the left and the media view Trump as a J.R.-esque villain, naturally they blamed him for the leak gone wrong. Even MSNBC Chief Legal Correspondent Ari Melber was asking uncomfortable questions about the story:  Why would someone have access to only 2 pages of one year of tax returns? The nature of leak raises Q about if this was pro or anti Trump.

Left-wing TPM Editor and Publisher Josh Marshall asked if Trump was behind the release. Did Trump secretly release his taxes to distract us from Russia or from Health Care??????? I'm thinking 97 dimensional chess. At least.

Almost the only support Maddow got came from her fellow MSNBC staffers. NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell praised her coworker: #Maddow is the newsmaker once again getting the 1st glimpse at a Trump tax return @MaddowBlog. Daily Mail U.S. Political Editor David Martosko responded in his best When Harry Met Sally  deadpan humor. Whatever you're on, I hope it's legal.

The best MSNBC anchor Christopher Hayes could muster was the double millennial post, bookended with youth speak: Lol at competitors trying to throw shade. No wonder Hayes is confused. Shade looks just like a darkened TV screen.

By 10 pm on Tuesday night time had run out for Maddow. The mainstream media coronation of their anti-Trump queen had lasted mere hours.

The only question left was this: what anti-Trump media figure journalists will prop up next.
The theory that Russia won the November election for Donald Trump through some vague meddling, so dominates cable news right now that it is worth summing up exactly what we know and what we do not know about that story. As of today, there is no evidence that the Russian government tampered with

voting machines or hacked any votes in November. There's no evidence that the Russians collaborated with Donald Trump or his campaign to win the election.

There is no evidence that Russian propaganda swung a single vote away from Hillary Clinton.

There is in other words no reason to believe that Russia changed the course of American political history.

There is merely innuendo and conspiracy mongering and connecting probably irrelevant dots.

Lee Harvey Oswald spent time in Mexico City, okay, but what does that mean exactly? Nothing significant that we know of.

So, why does this story persist and they grow by the day? One reasons is that organizations like NBC News and particularly its cable outlet MSNBC have gone to remarkable lengths to keep it alive. Ever see their programing? Its hour upon hour of segments like this:

[BEGIN VIDEO CLIPS]

AL SHARPTON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Rachel Maddow continues to investigate

the Trump-Russia connection.

RACHEL MADDOW, MSNBC HOST: The Trump campaign did not just benefit from

Russia interfering with our presidential campaign, the point of this is

they colluded. They helped. They were in on it.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, MSNBC HARDBALL HOST: The reporting shows a disturbing pattern of rolling disclosure among the President's inner circle when it comes to their contacts with Russians.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because of Russian interference in our election --

MATTHEWS: Tantalizing evidence of some kind of collusion.

MADDOW: Continuing influence in our country. Not just during the campaign but during the administration. Basically, signs of what could be a continuing operation.

[END VIDEO CLIPS]

CARLSON: Well, it turns out there is more than a little irony here.

Complaints from NBC about election meddling? Given that company's conduct over the past six months that is a bit rich.

Consider the infamous Access Hollywood tape. Now, if you are living in America last fall, you certainly remember it. The shocking and vulgar remarks. The immediate and disastrous effect that tape had on the candidate Trump's poll numbers. It was a political bomb detonated in the final days of the most intense political race of our lifetimes.

The fallout was so overwhelming that few paused to consider where that tape came from.

So, let's consider that now. That tape belonged to NBC, it was shot by NBC cameramen for an NBC show on NBC property.

So, how did it wind up in the hands of "The Washington Post" which broke the story? How, in other words, did valuable intellectual property from one news organization end up benefitting a competitor.

Intentionally. That is the short answer.

According to sources at NBC, "The Access Hollywood" tape was leaked to "The Washington Post" with the full knowledge of NBC brass. That would include news edition head Andrew Lack.

NBC's motive? To derail the Trump campaign two days before a presidential debate. Now, keep in mind that the "Access Hollywood" tape had been sitting in an archive since it was shot 11 years before.

NBC executives had known about its existence at least last summer -- months before it aired. Concerned about being accused of partisanships and perhaps worried about California's strict wiretapping law, which prohibits the recording of subjects without their knowledge, the network sat on it.

But as November approached, the temptation to shut down the Trump campaign became too much.

And so NBC rose to the defense of Hillary Clinton and leaked that tape. And then they lied about it.

Now, if youre a news organization and someone stole the story of the year out of your office, wouldn't you want know how that happened? You'd think you would. And yet, as far as we can tell, NBC News has never conducted a meaningful internal investigation into how that tape wound up at "The Washington Post." Thats because they already knew the identity of the leaker. It was them!

Now, all of this is more or less common knowledge or at least commonly suspected in the tiny world of the TV news business. As we said Andrew Lack, [Chairman of NBC News and MSNBC] knew about it. So apparently did "Today" show anchor Matt Lauer. And yet until now, nobody bothered to tell the public.

We are doing that now. By the way, we asked Lauer and Lack and the NBC PR Department for a response to all of this earlier today, they declined comment.

Still the obvious question hangs in the air since we've been talking so much lately about election tampering and it's this.

What do you think played a bigger role in the 2016 race? The Access Hollywood tape or the Russian government? Thats an obvious one.

Just because NBC's effort failed and Donald Trump won anyway doesn't mean it's irrelevant. NBC News lied to the public to help destroy a politician they didnt like. We know that. We know they wouldnt do it again, do we?

Do we know theyre not doing it now? Unfortunately we do not know that.

Adapted from Tucker Carlsons monologue on Tucker Carlson Tonight on March 14.


The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Tuesday that he will not permit President Trumps nomination for deputy attorney general until members of the committee are briefed by FBI Director James Comey on Moscows involvement in last years election.

Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, halted the nomination of Rod Rosenstein, a longtime U.S. attorney for Maryland. Rosenstein, the pick for the No. 2 position at the Justice Department, said earlier this month that he was not aware of any requirement that he recuse himself from a federal investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election. But he said he was open to appointing a special counsel to look into the matter if he ultimately determined it appropriate.

Heres what Ive done: the Justice Department would like to get their deputy out of committee just as soon as they can, Grassley told reporters at the Capitol, according to Politico. Im not going to schedule a hearing on the deputy attorney general until we get a briefing from Comey.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself last week from any investigations touching the Trump campaign following revelations of his undisclosed contacts with the Russian ambassador. That move means the Russia inquiry would be under Rosenstein's watch.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said at Tuesdays hearing that Rosenstein has impressive credentials and she does not question his integrity. But she said, We need steel spines and there is a real danger the Justice Department could become politicized.

Fox News' Chad Pregram and The Associated Press contributed to this report
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson landed Wednesday in Japan, beginning his first trip to Asia in his new role as he attempts to forge cooperation with important U.S. allies in the region, while downplaying fears the U.S. is looking to isolate itself diplomatically.

Tillerson will find shared anxiety at the North's saber-rattling but less agreement about how to deal with it, and unresolved questions about how the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, can manage growing differences.

Japan and South Korea, which host American troops and are already within range of North Korean missiles, support U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang.

The three navies were also conducting drills Wednesday in seas east of the divided Korean Peninsula and north of Japan to promote interoperability, the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said.

But China remains conflicted about how to treat its traditional ally for fear of triggering its collapse.

Adding to the combustible mix of military tension and the region's historic rivalries is another factor  uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Tillerson, who arrived in Tokyo at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour, could provide some reassurance to nervy allies. He will meet Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO has adopted a low profile during his six weeks as secretary of state. The State Department Correspondents' Association expressed disappointment Wednesday that Tillerson was traveling to Asia without a full contingent of the diplomatic press corps or even a pool reporter on his plane  although it is taking a reporter from the conservative-leaning website, the Independent Journal Review.

President Trump's rise to power has raised anxiety in Asian capitals. During last year's election campaign, Trump asked whether allies like Japan and South Korea contribute enough for their own defense or should get their own nuclear weapons. He also questioned the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China.

Trump has allayed some of those concerns since taking office. Trump hosted Abe at his Florida resort last month, and when Tillerson goes to Beijing Saturday, he is expected to arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S.

"The U.S. allies, Japan and South Korea, want to know that the United States is going to continue to defend them but also is going to show a certain amount of finesse and diplomatic skills in dealing with China and with North Korea," said Robert Dujarric, the director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University's campus in Tokyo.

North Korea will be a top priority on all Tillerson's stops. The State Department says Tillerson wants to discuss "fresh" approaches. Administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, but signs are that the U.S. for starters wants to see rigorous implementation of existing sanctions against Pyongyang.

There appears to be little desire for now to negotiate with North Korea, unless it commits to denuclearization, which it shows no sign of doing.

The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland  something Trump has vowed won't happen.

The U.S. is currently involved in annual military drills in South Korea that North Korea regards as rehearsal for invasion. In a show of defiance, the North fired four ballistic missiles into ocean off Japan last week. The next day, the U.S. began bringing in equipment for the long-planned deployment in South Korea of a missile defense system, known by its acronym, THAAD.

That has raised tensions with China, which says the THAAD's radar could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear deterrent. The U.S. says the system is intended to be used only against North Korea.

A Trump administration official told Reuters that Tillerson's position on THAAD would be uncompromising.

"THAAD is non-negotiable," the official told Reuters. "This is one of those things where Beijing is just going to have to adapt to or live in a perpetual cycle of outrage.

"But this is a chance to lay down a marker on what we would need from China and to hear from them what they would want to see in return. Everyone is eyes-open that they are not going to give us anything on North Korea without something in return."

The Associated Press contributed to this report
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told Fox News' "The First 100 Days" Tuesday that leaked audio of him criticizing President Trump during last year's presidential campaign was "ancient history."

"Look its no secret that ... the President and I had our ups and downs during the campaign, but we merged forces at the end of the campaign," Ryan told host Martha MacCallum. "This is such ancient history, Im surprised it's even a story."

LEAKED AUDIO: PAUL RYAN SAYS HE'S 'NOT GOING TO DEFEND DONALD TRUMP'

During a conference call with House Republicans last Oct. 10, Ryan said, "I am not going to defend Donald Trumpnot now, not in the future." Ryan was speaking after the release of a tape showing Trump making crude comments about women with "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush.

The audio was published by Breitbart News Tuesday morning and has been seen by some as an attempt to undermine Ryan amid the ongoing debate over the House GOP's ObamaCare replacement bill.

"So do you think people are trying to take you down? To put a chink in your armor during this healthcare battle?" MacCallum asked.

"You know, I dont even really give it much thought," Ryan said. "Its just not part of my day job to worry about things like that."

Ryan also told MacCallum he was open to making changes to the health care bill  which has been criticized by Democrats and Republicans  but noted that such changes have to "make sure we hit the sweet spot."

"We dont want to have some endless dragged out thing where we never get this done," the Speaker said. "Its been 7 years [of ObamaCare], we've got to make good on our promises. We've got to make sure that we keep consensus so that we actually pass this bill."
In another major leak for the White House, MSNBC on Tuesday night released a portion of President Trump's 2005 tax documents  drawing a stern rebuke from the administration.

Host Rachel Maddow said the two-page summary of Trumps federal return for that year was first obtained by journalist David Cay Johnston, who gave MSNBC a first look at the documents.

It is unclear who leaked them. Johnston, with the website DCReport.org, said only that he found the documents in the mail.

Citing the files, they said Trump made $153 million that year and paid $36.5 million in taxes, which Johnston suggested was relatively low and the result of a benefit.

The return shows the then-real estate mogul also reported a business loss of $103 million that year, although the documents don't provide detail. The forms show that Trump paid an effective tax rate of 24.5 percent, a figure well above the roughly 10 percent the average American taxpayer forks over each year, but below the 27.4 percent that taxpayers earning 1 million dollars a year average, according to data from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

The White House pre-emptively pushed back minutes before the on-air report, saying that publishing the returns would be illegal.

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, a senior administration official said in a statement.

The official added it is "totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns."

The statement also acknowledged Trump made over $150 million that year, while saying he paid $38 million in income taxes  noting he had a responsibility to his company and family to pay no more tax than legally required. The statement said he also paid tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that.

Maddow countered that the return was "not illegally published, and argued that MSNBC was exercising its First Amendment right to publish information in the public interest.

The unauthorized release or publishing of federal tax returns is a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and up to five years in jail.

Trump's hefty business loss appears to be a continued benefit from his use of a tax loophole in the 1990s, which allowed him to deduct previous losses in future years. In 1995, Trump reported a loss of more than $900 million, largely as a result of financial turmoil at his casinos.



Tax records obtained by The New York Times last year showed the losses were so large they could have allowed Trump to avoid paying taxes for up to 18 years. But Trump's 2005 filing shows another tax prevented him from realizing the full benefit of those deductions.



The bulk of Trump's tax bill that year was due to the Alternative Minimum Tax, a tax aimed at preventing high-income earners from paying minimal taxes.



The AMT requires many taxpayers to calculate their taxes twice -- once under the rules for regular income tax and then again under AMT -- and then pay the higher amount. Critics say the tax has ensnared more middle-class people than intended, raising what they owe the federal government each year.



Were it not for the AMT, Trump would have avoided all but a few million dollars of his 2005 tax bill.



Trump's campaign website called for the end of the AMT, which is expected to bring in more than $350 billion in revenues from 2016 to 2025.

The report follows unsuccessful efforts by Democrats since the start of the 2016 presidential campaign to pressure Trump to release the documents. Last month, House Democrats even tried to force Trump to give them to Congress, only to be blocked by majority Republicans.

Maddows report also points to what could be another significant leak inside the federal government meant to embarrass the new president. In his first two months on the job, reports have surfaced with sensitive details about Trumps calls with foreign leaders as well as details from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.

Trump last month blasted what he termed illegal leaks.

The presidents tax documents were a top target for critics throughout the 2016 race. Despite indications from Trump early on that he would follow a decades-long tradition of presidential nominees making their returns public, he later balked.

He cited an IRS audit as the reason he did not want to release the documents, while also saying at a September debate that hed release them if Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton turned over the thousands of emails deleted from her private server.

She didnt. In January, after Trump was sworn in, Counselor Kellyanne Conway told ABCs This Week that Trump was not going to release the returns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Boeing and several other leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies voiced their support on Tuesday for House Speaker Paul Ryans controversial tax reform plan  a marked departure from the opposition the package has faced from some of the countrys largest retailers.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who is also chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), sent a letter to congressional leaders on Tuesday saying AIA backed the plan. He described it as comprehensive reforms of our tax code.

The letter puts the AIA  a lobbying group consisting of 330 aerospace companies based in the United States  clearly in the corner of those in favor of Ryans tax-system reform package and its hotly debated border adjustment tax, which supporters say will fuel growth in U.S. manufacturing jobs.

This plan is going to help enable our industry to create new, higher-paying jobs and, paired with a growth in exports, will be a major boost to the economy, Dan Stohr, the director of communications at AIA, told Fox News. The border adjustment tax is one part of the plan that we strongly support.

The letter from Muilenburg comes after Boeing  along with fellow corporations like GE, Caterpillar, Oracle and Merck - joined the American Made Coalition last month to lobby for tax reform changes.

U.S. manufacturers are particularly in favor of the tax deductions written into the House's package. Under the plan, companies like Boeing  which invests millions into its U.S.-based assembly plants  would receive capital investment deductions along with deductions for labor and inventory costs.

We need to look at the bigger picture here and see if the upsides of this plan outweigh the downsides, Stohr said. Our industry believes they do.

Opponents of the tax plan, including Wal-Mart  the worlds largest company  and fellow retail giant Target, say that the move to tax all imports would not only hurt their bottom line but also cause steep price increases for consumers on items like gas, clothing and prescription medicines.

We need tax reform that rewards entrepreneurs and allows businesses to grow and create good-paying jobs that lift working families up, David French, a senior vice president at the National Retail Federation, said in a press release. The [border adjustment tax] does just the opposite, penalizing Americans by adding a tax on clothing, food, gas and other necessities while threatening the very industry that 42 million hardworking men and women rely upon for their livelihoods.

The divide between the countrys manufacturers and retailers mirrors one on the halls of Congress where House and Senate Republicans seem sharply divided over key elements of the plan. GOP lawmakers in the Senate have expressed opposition to a House proposal to replace the current 35 percent tax on corporate profits with the border adjustment tax.

Under the House proposal, American companies that produce and sell their products in the United States would pay a new 20 percent tax on the profits from those sales. But if the company exports its products, the profits from those exports would not be taxed by the United States. However, foreign companies that import goods into the U.S. would have to pay the 20 percent tax.

Besides retailers in the U.S., the proposed border adjustment tax has also become a major concern for some of the U.S.s biggest trade partners like China and Mexico.

During the campaign, President Trump pledged to attack America's persistent trade deficits, which he blamed for the loss of millions of good-paying factory jobs. Along with border adjustment tax in the Houses plan, Trump has threatened to slap punitive tariffs on imports from China, Mexico and other nations he has accused of trading unfairly.

There is worry among economists who worry that the border adjustment tax and Trumps tough talk could elevate the situation into all-out trade wars in which foreign nations retaliate by boosting their tariffs on American goods.

U.S. trade partners are likely to respond to the border tax adjustment by retaliating, Desmond Lachman, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote in The Hill. They would do so by taking similar trade measures as did the U.S. with the aim of boosting their own exports and of penalizing U.S. imports.

Despite mixed messages on the House plan early on, the White House has recently warmed up to the idea. Bloomberg reported that top Trump strategist Steve Bannon is a major supporter of the tax reform package.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said late last month that he is working with Ryan and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, on a combined plan that would draw support from lawmakers in both the House and Senate. Mnuchin, however, did not commit to supporting the border adjustment tax but said the administration was "looking closely" at the issues raised by this type of tax.

"We're working behind the scenes very carefully. We're running a lot of numbers and we're taking into account a lot of issues," he said, adding that he hopes to have a proposal ready to unveil in "the near future, and we're committed to get this passed by August."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Fox News' Tucker Carlson said Tuesday night that NBC deliberately leaked the infamous tape of President Trump making crude remarks about women in 2005 to scupper his presidential campaign last fall.

In his opening monologue, the "Tucker Carlson Tonight" host contrasted the release of the tape, which was initially reported by the Washington Post, with MSNBC's constant reporting on purported ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

TRUMP'S 2005 TAX FILES RELEASED BY MSNBC, WHITE HOUSE RIPS 'DESPERATE' STORY

Carlson said that MSNBC had gone to "remarkable lengths" to keep the Trump-Russia story alive, despite there being "no evidence that Russia collaborated with Donald Trump or his campaign to win the election [and] no evidence that Russian propaganda swung a single vote away from Hillary Clinton.

"Theres merely innuendo and conspiracy-mongering and connecting probably irrelevant dots," he added.

According to sources at NBC, Carlson claimed, the tape of Trump's ribald conversation with "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush was leaked to the Post with the knowledge of NBC brass, including NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andrew Lack.

"NBCs motive?" Carlson asked. "To derail the Trump campaign two days before a presidential debate."

Carlson added that NBC executives knew of the tape for months, but were hesitant to broadcast it for fear of being accused of partisanship. But as the reality of a tight race became apparent last fall, he said, "NBC rose to the defense of Hillary Clinton and leaked that tape."

Reflecting on the public outcry after the tape's release, which included calls by members of both parties for Trump to quit the race, Carlson asked, "What do you think played a bigger role in the 2016 race, the Access Hollywood tape or the Russian government? Just because NBCs effort failed and Donald Trump won anyway doesnt mean its irrelevant.

"NBC News lied to the public to help destroy a politician they didnt like," Carlson said. "We know that. We know they wouldnt do it again, do we? Do we know theyre not doing it now?"
A top FBI official who came under scrutiny last year over his wifes campaign contributions from a Hillary Clinton ally did not list those 2015 donations or his wifes salary in financial disclosure forms, according to records reviewed by Fox News.

The records, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, show FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe left the box blank for wife Dr. Jill McCabe's salary, as a doctor with Commonwealth Emergency Physicians. And there is no documentation of the hundreds of thousands of campaign funds she received in her unsuccessful 2015 Virginia state Senate race.

As first reported by The Wall Street Journal, Clinton confidant and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe urged McCabes wife to run for statewide office shortly after news reports were published that Hillary Clinton used a private email server and address for all her government business while serving as secretary of State.

For the reporting period of October through November 2015, McCabe's campaign filings show she received $467,500 from Common Good VA, a political action committee controlled by McAuliffe, as well as an additional $292,500 from a second Democratic PAC.

Asked why the deputy director did not list his wife's salary or the campaign contributions on the "Executive Branch Personnel Public Financial Disclosure Report" (OGE Form 278e) for 2015, an FBI spokesman said the forms were certified as "in compliance with applicable laws and regulations." The spokesman added Office of Government Ethics regulations do not stipulate that a spouse's salary or contributions received by a spouse's political campaign must be declared.

After this story was first published, an FBI spokesman provided an on-the-record statement to Fox News defending how McCabe's disclosure forms were handled:

"The rules instructing filers how to complete the OGE 278e form are published by the independent Office of Government Ethics (OGE) in a document titled 'The Public Financial Disclosure Form (July 2016).' The form does not require that an employee spouse's salary be disclosed; only the employer name and type of income required. Nor does the form require or contain a line for campaign contributions, which are not considered income. Rules governing campaign donations are overseen by the Federal Election Commission.

Each form submitted by an FBI employee to the OGE is certified by FBI's chief ethics officer, who heads the Office of Integrity and Compliance. Mr. McCabe consulted with this office upon his wife's decision to run for political office."

The document was filed by Andrew McCabe on July 8, 2016, after he received a 44-day filing extension. He filed three days after FBI Director James Comey's public statement where he recommended against criminal charges in the Clinton case.

According to the OGE website, despite the box on the form for spouse income, it is not mandatory to fill in the blank, and it is not required to include contributions to a political campaign because there is a lower level of disclosure for the spouse.

The chief of policy for Issue One, which describes itself as a "bipartisan organization dedicated to reducing the influence of money in politics," said this is another example of how the disclosure system is flawed.

"The OGE itself and operates as a compliance agency -- taking the information given to it by the covered government official and working with that. I have not heard of the office doing any further investigation to assess whether the information provided by the official is actually correct, unless that information is uncovered by outside forces like the media," Meredith McGehee told Fox News, adding that her group is discussing possible changes with Capitol Hill offices.

"There is a need to strengthen OGE's authority -- from clarifying its power to conduct investigations to giving it authority to conduct random audits to having it play a larger role for matters involving high-ranking executive branch officials, she said.

"If it's not required, then why is there a spot on the form for spouse's income?" retired FBI agent Jeff Danik said. Danik filed the FOIA requests with the FBI, and shared the financial disclosure forms with Fox News.

"Isn't it particularly convenient that loopholes in the ethics law are used to eliminate reporting hundreds of thousands of donated dollars benefiting the spouse of one of the most powerful FBI executives, while at the same time those laws demand that every dime in earnings on a minor stock account be disclosed? he said. That hardly seems transparent."

Andrew McCabe was at the center of the FBI's investigation into the use of Clinton's use of a private, unsecured email server as secretary of state  despite his wife having run for office supported financially by a close Clinton ally.

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, in a November 2016 letter to the Justice Department inspector general, noted that in July 2015, around the time the Clinton investigation began, Andrew McCabe was promoted to associate deputy director at FBI headquarters -- the No. 3 position.

Yet, Grassley wrote, "the FBI asserts that Mr. McCabe did not have an oversight role in the Clinton investigation until he became the number two in command in 2016. However, the FBI's statement does not foreclose the possibility that Mr. McCabe had a non oversight role while associate deputy director. Thus, even during the time period in which his wife's political campaign received approximately half a million dollars from Gov. McAuliffe's political action committee, and over $200,000 from the Virginia Democrat Party, he may have had a role in the investigation and did not recuse himself."

Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz is now conducting a sweeping investigation of events leading up to the November election, including potential conflicts at the FBI, Comey's public recommendation against prosecution, and related matters -- which are expected to include then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch's tarmac meeting with Bill Clinton at Sky Harbor airport in Arizona one week before Hillary Clinton's FBI interview.

In his letter, Grassley noted the Journal reported 98% of the Gov. McAuliffe related donations to his wife came after the FBI launched the investigation. Given this, he wrote, the FBI must provide a more detailed explanation as to why it determined that it was appropriate for Mr. McCabe to participate in that investigation in any way."

McGehee said states like Virginia have a long tradition of very little regulation  and minimal disclosure, meaning inadequate disclosure of real and potential conflicts of interest for those individuals who are subject to financial disclosure requirements and thus by definition are taking on powerful positions in the federal government."
Republican senators are asking Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to investigate claims that U.S. taxpayer money is being used to back left-wing billionaire George Soros' political meddling and similar efforts overseas.

A letter sent Tuesday asked for a probe into how U.S. funds are being used by agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to back left-wing political groups in other countries.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, one of the co-signers, even said foreign officials and political leaders have come to him with "reports of U.S. activity in their respective countries."

He said in a statement: "This includes reports of diplomats playing political favorites, USAID funds supporting extreme and sometimes violent political activists, and the US Government working to marginalize the moderates and conservatives in leadership roles. ... This sort of political favoritism from our missions around the world is unacceptable.

The letter to Tillerson also was signed by Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla.; Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; David Perdue, R-Ga.; Ted Cruz, R-Texas; and Bill Cassidy, R-La. It followed a letter in February from GOP lawmakers asking about whether U.S. tax dollars have been used in recent years to fund Soros-backed projects in the small, conservative-led country of Macedonia.

In particular, USAID funding to Soros Open Society Foundations in Macedonia sparked concern that the U.S. Embassy has been taking sides in the countrys fiery political fights. The group's stated goal is to build vibrant and tolerant democracies whose governments are accountable to their citizens but critics claim it's a front for Soros political maneuverings.

The USAID website shows that between 2012 and 2016, USAID gave almost $5 million in taxpayer cash to FOSM for The Civil Society Project, which aims to empower Macedonian citizens to hold government accountable. USAIDs website links to www.soros.org.mk, and says the project trained hundreds of young Macedonians in youth activism and the use of new media instruments.

The State Department told lawmakers that in addition to that project, USAID has recently funded a new Civic Engagement Project which partners with four organizations, including FOSM. The cost is believed to be around $9.5 million.

A citizens initiative called Stop Operation Soros has also published a white paper alleging U.S. money has been funding violent riots in the streets, as well as a Macedonian version of Saul Alinskys far-left handbook Rules for Radicals.

After being dissatisfied with responses to letters sent to the U.S. ambassador, the senators wrote to Tillerson, noting not only the situation in Macedonia, but also what they describe as a pattern of alarming activity in this volatile region -- pointing in particular to the nearby country of Albania.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

Respected leaders from Albania have made similar claims of U.S. diplomats and Soros-backed organizations pushing for certain political outcomes in their country, the letter said, citing a FOSM-backed push for Albanian judicial reform, which opponents say are aimed to give the socialist government full control over the countrys judiciary.

The destabilizing effects of such actions in a NATO country are clear and the threat for further escalation eminent as Albania anticipates parliamentary elections later this year, the letter said.

The senators went on to say that they are also concerned about reports coming in from countries in Africa and Latin America.

We respectfully ask that you use your authority to investigate all funds associated with promoting democracy and governance and review the programs, accounts, and multiplicity of U.S. entities involved in such activities, the letter said.

Conservative Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban last month expressed concern about Soros meddling in his countrys political fights, and warned about Soros trans-border empire. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Fox News last month that they hoped that with a change in administration in Washington, the Soros-led push against their government would decrease.

I think it is no secret and everyone knows about the very close relationship between the Democrats and George Soros and his foundations. It is obvious that if Hillary Clinton had won then this pressure on us would be much stronger. With Donald Trump winning we have the hope that this pressure will be decreased on us, he said.

Widely cited as an example of Soros influence during the Obama administration was a 2011 email (published by WikiLeaks) in which Soros urged Hillary Clinton to take action in Albania over recent demonstrations in the capital of Tirana.

Soros asked Clinton to bring the full weight of the international community to bear on Prime Minister Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama to forestall further public demonstrations and to tone down public pronouncements and appoint a senior European official as mediator.

Within a few days, an envoy was dispatched.
A United Nations report co-authored by anti-Israel scholar Richard Falk on Wednesday accused the U.S. ally of being "guilty of the crime of apartheid"  triggering a furious response from the Trump administration, which demanded the U.N. "withdraw" the study.

America's U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley blasted the report as "anti-Israel propaganda" in a statement late Wednesday.

"The United States stands with our ally Israel and will continue to oppose biased and anti-Israel actions across the UN system and around the world," Haley said.

The report was commissioned by the U.N Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. While apartheid originally was associated with South Africa, the report said Israel's policies today meet the definition of an institutionalized regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over another.

Aware of the seriousness of this allegation, the authors of the report conclude that available evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that Israel is guilty of policies and practices that constitute the crime of apartheid as legally defined in instruments of international law, the report said.

The commission's role is to promote economic development in the Arab region, but the U.N. employed a highly controversial figure to co-author the report. Sources told Fox News the report was launched with Falk speaking at a ceremony in Beirut on Wednesday.

Falk, a former U.N. special rapporteur to the Palestinian territories, is known for harsh and often outlandish criticisms of both America and Israel, particularly on matters of Islamist terrorism. After the 2013 Boston Bombings, Falk remarked: The American global domination project is bound to generate all kinds of resistance in the post-colonial world.

Falk repeatedly has questioned what he calls the official version of 9/11. In 2013, he told a radio show host about gaps in the standard 9/11 narrative.

Questioning that deeply the official version of 9/11 does touch the third rail of American political sensitivities, and there is an attempt to discredit and destroy anyone that makes such a bold statement, Falk continued.

The U.N.s decision to get Falk, who lives in the U.S., to co-author the report could in itself be seen as a poke in the eye to the Trump administration. Not only has the Trump administration expressed concerns about anti-Israel bias in the U.N., but Falk himself has been an outspoken Trump critic. Earlier this year, Falk said Trumps inauguration led him to muse about what it might mean to live in a pre-fascist state.

A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres distanced Guterres from the report Wednesday, telling Fox News that the report does not reflect his views.

It was published by the Economic Commission for Western Asia, a regional U.N. economic commission, without prior consultation with U.N. headquarters, the spokesman said.

The Israeli ambassador to the U.N. slammed the report's conclusion as "biased and deceitful."

"The attempt to smear and falsely label the only true democracy in the Middle East by creating a false analogy is despicable and constitutes a blatant lie," Ambassador Danny Danon said. "It comes as no surprise that an organization headed by an individual who has called for boycotts against Israel, and compared our democracy to the most terrible regimes of the twentieth century, would publish such a report."

Meanwhile, the report inflamed already-frayed tensions beteen the U.N. and the Trump administration. Haley blasted Falk while urging the secretary-general to go further.

"That it was drafted by Richard Falk, a man who has repeatedly made biased and deeply offensive comments about Israel and espoused ridiculous conspiracy theories, including about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, is equally unsurprising," Haley said. "The United Nations Secretariat was right to distance itself from this report, but it must go further and withdraw the report altogether."

The report pointed to what it claims is demographic engineering by policies seeking to maintain Israel as a Jewish state, and a policy of domination in inferior services, restrictive zoning laws and limited budget allocations made to Palestinian communities  and in the mostly segregated landscape in which Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel live.

It also referred to the system of military law imposed on Palestinians who live in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as Palestianian refugees and involuntary exiles who live in neighboring countries.

The report called on member states to act against Israel.

This report accordingly recommends that the international community act immediately, without waiting for a more formal pronouncement regarding the culpability of the State of Israel, its Government and its officials for the commission of the crime of apartheid, it said.

Among the reports recommendations was a call to broaden support for boycott, divestment and sanctions initiatives among civil society actors. It also called for the secretary-general to recommend to the General Assembly and Security Council that a global conference be convened to determine what action should be taken by the U.N.

The Trump administration already is considering pulling back support for and participation in various U.N. programs, in part due to its perceived anti-Israel stance.

Foreign Policy magazine reported Monday that the administration is eyeing 50 percent cuts in U.S. funding for U.N. programs.

The administration earlier confirmed it is reviewing U.S. membership on the Human Rights Council over concerns the body unfairly targets and focuses on Israel, while overlooking crimes by despots such as Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

In her confirmation hearing in January, Haley pointed specifically to the U.N.s perceived anti-Israel bias as something the Trump administration would focus on.

"Nowhere has the U.N.s failure been more consistent and more outrageous than in its bias against our close ally Israel," Haley told senators.
The Senate backed key players of President Donald Trump's national security team on Wednesday, confirming his pick for intelligence director and clearing the way for an active-duty Army general to serve as his national security adviser.

Senators voted 85-12 to approve the nomination of former Indiana Sen. Dan Coats as director of national intelligence, making him the fifth person to hold the post created after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Minutes later they voted 86-10 to re-appoint H.R. McMaster as a three-star general "to a position of importance and responsibility." National security advisers aren't subject to Senate confirmation. But McMaster elected to remain in uniform rather than retire from military service, and generals need the chamber's approval when they're promoted or change assignments.

Trump selected McMaster to lead the National Security Council as controversy swirled over communications that members of Trump's campaign team had with Russian officials. McMaster's predecessor, Michael Flynn, was asked to resign after misleading senior administration officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, about the nature of his contacts during the transition period with Russia's ambassador to the United States.

One of McMaster's staunchest supporters, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said before the vote that McMaster is "experienced, talented, and he knows what it's like to be in combat with the enemy."

As the Trump administration's top intelligence official, Coats will oversee 16 intelligence agencies that have, at times, been criticized by Trump, who has disparaged them for past failures and their assessment that the Kremlin interfered in the election in the president's favor.

Coats also will be a key player in the government's ongoing investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

He faced a friendly confirmation hearing last month in front of his former Senate colleagues. He was pressed on whether he would stand up to political pressure from the Trump White House and assured lawmakers he would provide accurate and timely intelligence.

Coats, 73, has swung back and forth between government service and lobbying, the type of Washington career that Trump has mocked. Since the early 1980s, Coats either has served in government or earned money as a lobbyist and board director. His most recently available Senate financial disclosure, from 2014, shows he had a net worth of more than $12 million.
Its somehow fitting, on a day when a few inches of white stuff shut down the nations capital, that were getting snowed from all sides on ObamaCare.

President Trump and the Republicans are pushing back hard against the Congressional Budget Office for a report saying that their bill would mean 14 million fewer people on the insurance rolls by next year. Some are challenging the credibility of the CBO.

Democrats, for their part, say the law would be disastrous and that Trump is breaking a campaign promise.

Theres also an icy battle between journalists and the White House over the language being used to defend the presidents unproven wiretapping allegation.

So the mood is chilly as just four inches of snow closed many federal agencies, businesses and schools in Washington, which is notorious for its inability to cope with a little snow.

Lets take a blowtorch to the layers of rhetoric surrounding the health care debate.

The thing about attacking the nonpartisan CBO is that its director, Keith Hall, was a Bush administration economist named to the Hill post by Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. But its estimate is damaging, prompting a quick counterattack.

The CBO simply has it wrong, HHS Secretary Tom Price said. Its just not believable. Budget chief Mick Mulvaney told MSNBC that I dont believe the facts are correct. On the other side, Bernie Sanders is proclaiming that thousands of Americans will die.

Now I dont put much stock in 10-year estimates based on models. But for what its worth, the CBO said the number of uninsured people would jump 24 million by 2024, while the government would save $337 billion on Medicaid and insurance subsidies for the poor.

Sean Spicer came under a barrage of health care questions at yesterdays briefing, and he criticized the coverage for not including Trumps eventual plans to reform the program further. When Politico obtained a preliminary administration analysis that went further, predicting that 26 million people would lose coverage in the next decade, Spicer tweeted: This story is totally misleading.The projection was an estimate of what CBO would conclude. It was not a WH analysis.

In any event, Trump officials say, the coverage estimates can be misleading because they are dropping the Obama mandate, and some people may choose not to buy insurance under the new law.

Beyond the dueling green-eyeshade arguments, the presidents political problem is real. He promised that no one would lose coverage but that he would come up with an ObamaCare replacement that costs less. The House conservative wing already thinks hes not junking enough of the current law and that the bill is too expensive. Squaring this circle will take all of Trumps dealmaking skills.

Another media storm centers on whether the White House is slowly backing away from Trumps wiretapping claim. Spicer told reporters that he doesnt really think that President Obama went up and tapped his phone personally.

Instead, the press secretary said, using his fingers for air quotes, The president was very clear in his tweet that it was, you know, wiretapping. That spans a whole host of surveillance types of options.

Whether its wiretapping or other options, Spicers difficultyand the reason the press keeps pounding on thisis that the White House still hasnt produced any evidence.

And while those cross-currents were swirling, Breitbart (Steve Bannons former outfit) posted an audiotape of Paul Ryan (the presidents partner in the health care fight) abandoning Trump last October after the leak of the Access Hollywood tape.

Yep, this is how we pass the time in Washington on a snow day.
Tea Party activists and allies planted their flag Wednesday on Capitol Hill in the Republican battle over dismantling ObamaCare -- rallying with stalwarts like Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul, then rolling through the halls of Congress to press their case for repealing the 2010 law.

The battle is just beginning, said Paul, elected to the Senate in the 2010 Tea Party wave.

The rally, sponsored by FreedomWorks, served to highlight the growing tensions in the GOP over House Republican leaders' current approach to repealing and replacing the health law. Paul called the GOP lawmakers who crafted the bill weak-kneed, suggesting they put the insurance industrys interests ahead of consumers.

They have to remember it was the Tea Party that put them in power, Paul told a crowd standing in cold, snow-swept Upper Senate Park. Organizers estimated roughly 700 people attended.

FreedomWorks' primary goal is to get Congress to swiftly repeal and replace ObamaCare, which it considers big government run amok -- but it has concerns with the current legislation.

The group also has singled out Republican Sens. Rob Portman, of Ohio; Shelly Capito, of West Virginia; Cory Gardner, of Colorado; and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, for what it considers backpedaling on support for a repeal.

FreedomWorks Noah Wall, in campaign-style rhetoric, recently said the senators would be in jail with Bernie Madoff if they had orchestrated such a fraud in the private sector.

While Speaker Paul Ryan and others have joined with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to advance their version of the bill, the American Health Care Act, many fiscal conservatives say it doesnt go far enough.

FreedomWorks major focus is opposing any plan that delays efforts to stop the Medicaid expansion, continues to require Americans to buy insurance and keeps refundable tax credits, group spokesman Jon Meadows told Fox News.

The bill on the table includes such provisions and has already been approved by two House committees. But it faces a key vote Thursday in the chambers budget committee, where opposition from conservatives and moderate Republicans alike threatens the legislation.

How many of you here write letters to [your] newspapers? ... We need you right now, Virginia Republican Rep. Dave Brat, a Tea Party favorite who upset party incumbent Eric Cantor in the 2014 election, told the rally.

If the bill indeed passes the chamber and reaches the Senate, Republicans would need support from 51 of 52 senators to ultimately get the measure to President Trumps desk.

Ryan has been a target of conservatives essentially since he became the chambers top Republican in fall 2015. However, the Wisconsin lawmaker was not the focal point of the rally, which was followed by participants going to the congressional offices of Portman, Virginia GOP Rep. Bob Goodlatte and others to voice their concerns.

Hours before the rally started, Ryan tweeted an open letter to Congress from nearly a dozen conservative groups -- including Americans for Tax Reform -- supporting his American Health Care Act.

As advocates of free market principles and limited government, we endorse this significant legislation, the letter states. AHCA repeals nearly all of ObamaCares tax increases, thereby saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars.

To be sure, essentially every Republican elected to Washington ran on a promise to end ObamaCare, which has insured tens of million Americans but has also failed many with rising premium costs and fewer options.

If we dont pass this bill now, we never will, said 78-year-old Jim Hulett, who came to the rally from Elizabeth City, N.C. We need to start all over.

The recently released, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office report found the bill would reduce the federal deficits by hundreds of billions of dollars but that tens of millions fewer Americans would have insurance.

That situation has caused problems for Portman and others, who have supported ending ObamaCare but are committed to providing affordable, comprehensive premium options to voters at home.
The Galaxy S8 should hit store shelves in April, but there's some debate as to exactly when.

Samsung has confirmed it will unveil the phone at a special New York event on March 29. While the company isn't sharing many details, its invite to the event showed a silhouette of a smartphone with two small bezels at the top and bottom, suggesting the device will indeed feature a curved screen that could be substantially bigger than last year's Galaxy S7.

According to a recent report from ETNews, Samsung's highly anticipated smartphone will be available for sale globally on April 21. However, a separate report from VentureBeat says the release of the Galaxy S8 has been pushed back a week to April 28.

According to the latest Galaxy S8 rumors and leaks, the Galaxy S8 could be the new Android phone to beat. The handset will feature a slick, nearly borderless design that features a virtual home button in place of physical keys. You should also expect a blistering Snapdragon 835 chip and a special dock that lets you use the S8 as a desktop PC.

Samsung's flagship should also feature an advanced virtual personal assistant called Bixby, which could rival virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa. If the mounting number of device leaks are correct, Bixby would be activated by a dedicated button on the side.

More from Tom's Guide First Video of Working Galaxy S8 Leaked

However, instead of offering a virtual fingerprint sensor through the screen, Samsung is said to be planning to move the physical fingerprint sensor to the back of the handset next to the camera lens. That could lead to smudging.

Perhaps most notably, Samsung is planning a big-screen modification to the Galaxy S8. While the Galaxy S7's screen sizes weren't tiny, the Galaxy S8's displays could be downright huge. Specifically, rumors say the Galaxy S8 could feature a screen size that measures 5.8 inches. The Galaxy S8 Plus could deliver a 6.2-inch screen size, according to reports.

That's not to say the Galaxy S8 won't have any competition when it hits shelves.

LG recently unveiled the LG G6, a handset that delivers a big screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio, a water-resistant design and dual-lens camera. HTC is also trying its luck again in the smartphone market with the U Ultra handset, which offers a Sense Companion AI assistant of its own.

But the Galaxy S8 should be able to steal the spotlight come April 21 or April 28. We'll keep you posted on the final release date, specs and price.
A Patriot missile, which can cost up to $3 million, was used to shoot down a small quadcopter drone worth a few hundred dollars, according to a U.S. general.

Earlier this week Gen. David Perkins told the Association of the United States Army's Global Force symposium in Huntsville, Ala. that the strike against an Unmanned Aerial System, or drone, was made by a U.S. ally.

A very close ally of ours was dealing with a adversary that was using the small quadcopter UASes and they shot it down with a Patriot missile, he said. Now, that worked, they got it  that quadcopter that cost $200 from Amazon.com did not stand a chance against a Patriot.

US AIR FORCE ORDERS ANTI-DRONE NET-FILLED SHOTGUN SHELLS

Perkins questioned the economics of taking down a small drone with a weapon costing millions of dollars. I am not sure that it is a good economic exchange ratio, in fact, if I am the enemy, I am thinking I am just going to go on eBay and buy as many of these $300 quadcopters that I can and expend all these Patriot missiles'.

The general did not say where the strike took place or which ally was involved.

During his presentation, Gen. Perkins explained that there are more cost effective methods to tackle the threats posed by small quadcopter drones. Theres ways to get at this with electronic warfare, with cyber, he said.

HOW ISIS IS TURNING COMMERCIAL DRONES INTO WEAPONS IN THE BATTLE FOR MOSUL

Islamic State jihadists have modified commercial drones to carry 40 mm rifle grenades. Iraqi troops engaged in the battle for Mosul have been using rifles and machine guns to shoot the drones down.

Sophisticated radar-targeted Patriot missiles typically cost between $2.5 million and $3 million.

Justin Bronk, a research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London (RUSI) told Fox News that the strike underlines an ongoing challenge for armed forces bristling with high-tech weaponry.

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It is an increasing problem for technologically advanced Western militaries - having to use missiles costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to combat improvised weaponry such as commercial quadcopter drones and basic rockets, he explained, via email. Western militaries have an urgent requirement for more cost effective ways to deal with improvised weaponry used by armed groups or else they will continue to be forced to spend thousands of times what their opponents do in order to continue to operate in the modern battlefield environment.

Defense expert Janes reports that 13 nations have the Patriot air defense system.

Drones pose an ongoing challenge for the military, as well as law enforcement. In an attempt to tackle the drone threat, the U.S. Air Force recently placed an order for net-filled shotgun shells designed to take down the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
American Airlines CEO Doug Parker admitted last week that the airlines ongoing crew uniform crisis is as difficult an issue as weve ever had to deal with, according to the Chicago Business Journal.

The debacle began last September, when American Airlines rolled out new uniforms-- the first major reissue in nearly 30 years-- for more than 70,000 airline employees including pilots, flight attendants and gate agents. Since then, nearly 3,000 flight attendants have reported serious allergic reactions to the uniforms. Symptoms have varied from hives and headaches to swollen faces and, at worst, severe respiratory issues.

BLIND WOMAN CLAIMS SHE WAS KICKED OFF AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT WITH SERVICE DOG

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents more than 25,000 American flight attendants, demanded a total uniform recall in December. Parker attended a meeting last week to discuss the issue during a monthly town hall meeting where various airline worker groups can directly interact airline executives and management.

In a video obtained by the Chicago Business Journal, Parker reportedly said that the largest number of reported reactions have come from the flight attendants though pilots, customer service agents, and other works have also reported problems.

But Parker said that a total recall of the new uniforms, which are supplied by Twin Hill (a unit of Men's Wearhouse), is currently off the table as it could take years to rollout a whole new line of uniforms for the tens of thousands employees affected.

"That can't be the answer. We'll keep working through it, he said.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

Temporary solutions were offered to help deal with the crisis, such as offering flight attendants and other workers cotton and synthetic uniform options-- but even then some of the flight attendants reported issues with the alternative option.

American Airlines is working with the APFA on other solutions but the APFA board of directions met last week, ending the three-day meeting with no new announcements in regards to the crisis.

A representative for American Airlines was not immediately available for comment.
After 11 years in the Ecuadorian jungle, an Australian couple who relocated to the other side of the world is moving on-- and in the process they're selling an eco-friendly hostel they built from the ground up. And it could be yours for as little as $29.

Doug Greenshields, a former farmer and his wife Rebecca, an economist from New Zealand, used most of their savings to turn a shabby house in Banos, Ecuador into a successful environmentally conscious lodge they named La Casa Verde (Spanish for "The Green House"). But now that their two children are growing up, the Greenshields have moved back Down Under and want to leave their beloved Amazon gem in good hands.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS

The couple is hoping one of their many loyal guests will take over the 11-room hostel set along the Pastaza River. Through the years, they said, many guests expressed a desire to start a remote jungle guest house of their own.

We put a lot of time and love into the place but we're ready to move on to the next phase of life, the Greenshields told news.com.au.

We want someone else to have this opportunity, someone who perhaps might not otherwise ever be able to afford to achieve it themselves, they wrote on their Win the Lifestyle website.

Their target is to sell a minimum of 35,000 tickets and a maximum of 250,000 tickets  not to limit the price, but so people know what the odds will be."

In addition to winning full rights on the property and the business, the Greenshields will throw in $10,000 to get the lucky winner started in the South American country.

La Casa Verde is located a mile and a half away from Banos, a tourist town nestled half way between the Andes mountain range and the Amazon rainforest in the Tungurahua province. It's surrounded by lots of local wildlife, including hummingbirds, fire flies plus spectacular views of the river and hills.

We built it all with sustainable material, and set up our own water filtration system and provide rainwater for the guests so theres no water bottles or anything. We built our own septic system, theres no treatment plant or anything.

TRAVELING TO CUBA NOW EASIER, BUT ISN'T HASSLE FREE

Greenshields explained that La Casa Verde gave the couple the opportunity to work from home while caring for their children full time and maintain a profitable business. But now they are shifting gears, so Doug can pursue yet another passion: writing.

To enter the draw, all you need to do is buy the Greenshieldss e-book, "Back to Earth," for just $29. If the target of 35,000 tickets is not reached, the prize pool will be split between the couple and the winner.

Hopefully that doesnt even come into it. We really want it to go to someone who wants to change their life, the couple explained.

The prize draw will take place at 5 p.m. ET on April 29 and will be streamed on Facebook Live.
Qatar Airways is raising the stakes in the battle for business fliers on ultra long-haul flights.

Beginning in June, the carrier will roll out business class suites, pod-like cabins with sliding doors, and, for a few customers who request it, the possibility of creating a quasi-double-bed suite from a pair of middle seats. With the center partition removed, the suites can also be converted in an airborne family room seating up to four peoplepresumably people who know each other well. Large video screens will add to the flying den ambiance, and more than 3,000 content optionsfrom movies to games to musicwill be available.

But that's not all.

The seats, which were two years in the making, also have other notable touches: According to The Telegraph, they'll be hand-stitched Italian leather and satin rose gold. Passengers on overnight flight will also receive pajamas from the White Company and amenity kits from luggage brand Bric.

Perhaps the most luxurious amenity of all? Passengers will also be able to eat any time they wish, or set a 'Do Not Disturb' option on the door of their suitejust like a real hotel room.

RELATED: The Friendliest and Unfriendliest Cities Around the World

The seat/beds, dubbed QSuites, arent actually the first enclosed beds in international business class; Delta, for example, is installing its own version of the concept on its A350s, to debut in September 2017.

The first flights to get the new chairs will be the Doha to London route, aboard a new, extended-range Boeing 777-300. The seats will be installed on the rest of its long-distance fleet at a rate of one plane a month, including the A350-1000, the latest version of that jetliner, which competes with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which Qatar Airways also flies. (The carrier currently has 194 aircraft in its fleet.) The design may need to be tweaked somewhat for each type of aircraft, due to differences in the width and configuration of the plane, which means the rollout will be relatively slow.

The QSuite is also setting the stage for phasing out first class altogether on many planes, the airline said. While passengers on Qatars fleet of A380s will be able to fly that top classafter all, Qatars competing directly with Emirates and Etihads own over-the-top products in that categoryon most other aircraft, the highest class of service will be business.

Check out the 6 most bizarre airplane seating arrangements
A California woman who is believed to be the mother seen abandoning her 2-year-old daughter at a Riverside grocery store is now in custody, police said Tuesday.

Chiengkham Vilaysane was taken into police custody several hours after her photo and name were released to the public. It is still not clear whether the thirty-one year old was arrested.

Police released a surveillance video Monday showing a woman walking into a grocery store over the weekend with a child by her side. The toddler wandered off but the woman never sought the childs whereabouts and continued shopping. Eventually, a Good Samaritan brought the child back to the mother to which she responded, oh just leave her. The mother left the store after paying for the groceries.

Police arrived at the Food-4-Less Sunday night where they found the toddler unharmed and in good condition.

According to police, the child was able to identify the woman as her mommy when she was shown a surveillance footage photo.

In my whole career I have never seen anything where out-of the blue someone leaves their kid in a crowded grocery store like this, Riverside Police Officer Ryan Railsback told Fox 11 Los Angeles.

The toddler is currently in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Read more from Fox 11 Los Angeles.
More than 150 people gathered at a park in Clearfield Sunday to raise awareness about animal abuse and support the family of a cat who was tortured to death earlier this week.

At the same time, The Humane Society of Northern Utah made two big announcements that will allow Sage's death to help other animal abuse victims and their families.

The reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case has grown to $49,285, the Humane Society of Northern Utah (HSNU) said Monday, thanks to donations from people from all over the world.

"People are outraged," said Celeste Bailey with the HSNU. "I think part of it is that he did survive for a while, and he was able to crawl home."

Experts have said this is one of the worst cases of animal abuse they have ever seen.

Sage went missing March 4 and reappeared at the family's Clearfield home March 8 with significant injuries that included multiple broken bones and damage to his genitals, body and face from hot glue and construction caulk, along with other signs of abuse. The cat was rushed to a veterinary hospital, where he died the next day.

China Cassel, whose family owned Sage, said they've spent the days since his death in grief, as they cope with losing their loving family member who enjoyed his people so much.

She said it's been hard, "for him to not be coming home, or coming outside and just jumping up on our laps."

Sunday's vigil at Kiwanis Park in Clearfield included a moment of silence for Sage at 4:45 p.m., the time he died. The dozens of people who came out to support the family also lined up to write their condolences in a book.

"I'm so amazed with just how many people showed up for Sage," Cassel said.

As Sage's story spread in the past several days, it grabbed the hearts of people around the globe. HSNU announced at the vigil that with the donations they've received, they've created The Sage Friend Fund, which will help other abused animals and their families.

Bailey wasn't sure how much money is already in the fund, but said it'll be used for reward money in other cases, to cover medical bills and long-term rehabilitation for animals who survive abuse, and toward memorial costs for those who don't make it.

HSNU also announced that a retired police officer will help them investigate animal cruelty cases going forward. They said he'll now be one of two animal cruelty investigators in the state.

Cassel said they're grateful Sage's case will now help other animals and their families who are in similar situations.

"We don`t want other families to have to go through this, to suffer the way we've had to suffer," she said.

Click for more from Fox13Now.com.


An AMBER Alert has been issued for a missing Tennessee teen believed to be traveling with a former teacher who worked for the school district.

Mary Catherine Elizabeth Thomas, 15 is missing from Maury County. She's believed to be traveling with Tad Cummins, 50. The Maury County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox 17 News that Cummins was a teacher in the school district.



Maury Co. Public Schools confirmed Cummins was suspended last month for a Maury County Sheriff's Office investigation. MCPS said it's protocol to suspend any time law enforcement is working an investigation.



Thomas is described as white female with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She stands about 55 and weighs about 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt and black leggings.



Cummins is believed to be armed with two handguns and driving a Silver Nissan Rogue, TN license plate 976ZPT.

TBI said Thomas and Cummins may be in the area of Decatur, Alabama.



If you have information on Thomas or Cummins, call the MCSD at 931-375-8654 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

Cllick here for more information from Fox 17.
A judge refused to head off the imminent flow of oil in the disputed Dakota Access pipeline, likely clearing the way for operations to begin next week.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg denied a request by the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes to stop oil from flowing while the tribes appeal his decision last week allowing pipeline construction to finish.

DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE EXPECTED TO BRING $100M A YEAR TO NORTH DAKOTA

"The critical factor here is Cheyenne River's lack of likelihood of success on the merits ... plaintiff does not have a strong case on appeal," Boasberg said in his ruling Tuesday.

Cheyenne River attorney Nicole Ducheneaux did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

KEYSTONE PIPELINE WON'T USE AMERICAN STEEL DESPITE TRUMP PLEDGE

Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners is finishing up pipeline work beneath Lake Oahe, a Missouri River reservoir in North Dakota and the last piece of construction on the 1,200-mile, $3.8 billion pipeline to move North Dakota oil to a distribution point in Illinois. The tribes maintain an oil pipeline under the lake they consider sacred violates their religious rights, but Boasberg says the argument was made too late and is of questionable merit.

The judge also said ETP would be "substantially harmed" by a delay, as it prepares to move oil through the pipeline as early as Monday.

Both ETP and the Army Corps of Engineers had objected to the tribes' latest attempt to halt the project, with Corps attorneys saying in court documents that President Donald Trump "has expressly determined that the pipeline is `in the national interest."'

The Corps last month granted ETP permission to lay pipe under the reservoir that it manages for the federal government, after Trump in January urged the project's completion after months of legal delays.

The court battle isn't over. Aside from the tribes' appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on the religion argument, the tribes in their lawsuit before Boasberg are arguing for more environmental study and for the government to recognize the tribes' treaty rights to clean water.

The Corps on Tuesday filed its opposition to those requests, saying the agency's permission for the Lake Oahe work "represents the culmination of over two years of detailed environmental analysis and extensive consultation with (the tribes)."
Detroit Police are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl who went to the store last Friday but is still missing.

Police said Tiara Camek was last seen on March 10 around 6:30. She left the family home in the 20200 block of Kentucky to go to the store but never came back.

She's a black female, 5'1", 98 lbs, dark brown complexion, black hair, brown eyes, and slim build.

CALIFORNIA MOM SEEN ABANDONING CHILD IN STORE IN CUSTODY, POLICE SAY

She was last seen wearing a long black coat, red shirt, blue jeans, and black and white boots.

Police said Tiara is in good physical and mental condition and is asking anyone who has seen her to call Detroit Police at 313-596-1240.

Click here for more from Fox 2 Detroit.
People living in poverty in Illinois are more likely to become victims of violent crime than high income earners, whether they live in cities, suburbs or rural areas, according to a report released Wednesday by a Chicago research group.

The Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit organization, analyzed the overlap between poverty and crime for the first time in the nearly two decades that it has studied poverty in Illinois. The group's 44-page report cites census data, federal statistics and studies featuring victim interviews.

Chicago's alarming rise in murders has dominated headlines, with over 750 homicides in 2016. However, when murder is taken out of the equation, the rural poor overall experience violent crime at a rate 192 percent higher than those with higher incomes in the same areas, according to the report.

"A lot of people envision violence as an urban problem, but there are a lot of types of violence," said Heartland's research director Katie Buitrago. "Some of the isolation and lack of resources that are in rural communities might result in people not being as aware of rural violence."

The organization's data show that Alexander County, along Illinois' southernmost border, had the highest rate of violent offenses per 100,000 residents in 2015. The tally includes sexual assault and robbery, but excludes murder. The Mississippi River county, among the state's poorest, has been hit hard by years of unemployment, a housing crisis and dwindling social services. Following behind Alexander for the rate of violent offenses are northern Illinois' Winnebago County and Vermilion County in central Illinois. Cook County, which includes Chicago, ranks eighth.

Click here for more from Fox 32.
Bill Nishimura, 97, is not angry about the years he spent being sent from internment camp to internment camp.

"I lost everything, but I learned how to live," said Nishimura.

On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 which relocated 117,000 people of Japanese descent to internment camps. 70,000 of them were American citizens. The order came two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. When the internees were taken to the camps, they could bring only what they could carry.

CALIFORNIA WWII VETERAN, CANCER SURVIVOR FACES EVICTION

Nishimura's father Tomio Nishimura was in five camps from February 1942 until June 1947 when he was released. Bill and his mother were first sent to a camp in Arizona on August 8, 1942. He also spent time at camps in Tule Lake, Calif., Crystal City, Texas, and Santa Fe, N.M., before he was released May 22nd, 1947.

Nishimura believes it was reasonable of the United States to incarcerate his father because he was a member of the Japanese Association, an organization that helps new immigrants make their way in society. However, Nishimura was incensed about his own incarceration because, unlike his parents, he was an American citizen. Nishimura had his citizenship taken away because he refused to answer loyalty questions on a questionnaire while his family was incarcerated. He got his citizenship back with the help of a lawyer in 1958.

COLORADO POLICE SEARCH FOR MISSING PURPLE HEART RECIPIENT

The government apologized on August 10, 1988. The "Restitution for World War II Internment of Japanese-Americans and Aleuts" acknowledged the wrongdoing of Executive Order 9066 and established a $1.6 billion trust fund for the families. The bill awarded each individual $20,000. Nishimura accepted the government's apology and said he hoped the internment camps would not be forgotten.

"I believe this story should be continued on," said Nishimura. "So that it will not happen again."

The first internees arrived to the all-male camp in Santa Fe in March 1942. In all, 4,555 prisoners would come in and out until April of 1946. Many of the men were U.S. citizens born and raised in America and some had sons who served with distinction in Europe and the Pacific. The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of Japanese Americans, was the highest decorated combat team of World War II.

"They fought the Germans in Italy and their units were slaughtered. They went in to rescue the lost battalion and the Texas Battalion and their units were decimated. But they fought hard, were highly honored and they got lots of Purple Hearts," said Nancy Bartlit, author of the book Silent Voices of World War II.

The internees were held without due process. As Bartlit explained, the government thought they posed a threat during wartime, simply because they were Japanese.

"This was a camp for men who could possibly be spies, who never were spies. But by virtue of them being of Japanese descent living in America, and being of a country who was at war with us, they were technically dangerous enemy aliens," said Bartlit.

Bartlit has spent years researching the internment camps. Throughout the course of her research she has become good friends with the Nishimura's.

The Santa Fe internment camp is gone and a neighborhood on the northwest side of town remains. A stone marker with a plaque sits on top of a hill to remember it. Former Santa Fe Mayor Larry Delgado cast the tie-breaking vote to place the marker near the site of the old camp. He believes the camp should not be forgotten.

"Some people want to say was it right, was it wrong? I don't know. There's strong feelings on both sides I'm sure. But basically it did happen, it was history," said Delgado.

According to Delgado, the vote for the marker was controversial because some people in the Santa Fe area were veterans of the Bataan Death March and had an aversion to the Japanese. However, Delgado said after the marker was installed many people who initially disagreed with him said it was the right thing to do.

Bill Nishimura hasn't shared much about what he went through with his relatives, simply because he said they haven't asked. But Nishimura is happy to share his story with anyone who will listen. Overall, Nishimura said he was treated well in the camps. He believes he was fed well and had a decent place to sleep and was not mistreated by the guards, but adds he did complain from time to time. Nishimura takes great pride in volunteering, helping to run exercise regiments and classes in the camps. He said while in the camp, he would run an hour a day and study hard to keep his mind and body sharp. It worked.

In addition to being physically strong and mentally sharp, Nishimura has kept his sense of humor. He joked that his time in the Santa Fe internment camp was "torture" because "we missed the girls," Nishimura said with a laugh.
The Knights of Columbus has $1.9 million in new assistance to support Christian refugees in the Middle East -- a charitable effort on behalf of those directly targeted by ISIS.

"A year ago, our country declared with one voice that genocide was occurring to Christians and other religious minority communities, but words are not enough," said Carl Anderson, CEO of the Catholic organization, in a statement.

THE GERMAN CARDINAL WHO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE NAZIS

Last year, former Secretary of State John Kerry declared that ISIS, the terror group, was committing genocide against Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East.

"Murder of Christians is commonplace," said a Knights of Columbus March 2016 report about this genocide against the Christians. The organization submitted the report to Kerry before he declared genocide.

POPE FRANCIS OPEN TO HAVING SOME MARRIED MEN BECOME PRIESTS

Kerry "accused ISIS of 'crimes against humanity' and 'ethnic cleansing,'" as Fox News and others noted in March 2016.

Some refugees in the Middle East have risked their lives in converting from the Islamic faith to Christianity. Many have lived under constant threat of death.

Other religious minority groups, like the Yazidi -- an ethnic and religious group in Iraq -- have been targeted by radical Islamic groups as well.

The 300-page report from the Knights of Columbus a year ago detailed and provided evidence of ISIS genocide.

"Our fact-finding mission to Iraq earlier this month [March 2016] found stories of rape, kidnapping, forced conversions and murder, in addition to property confiscation and forced expulsion," the report said.

Discoveries made by the organization had not been previously reported.

The report said, "The story of the mother whose child was taken from her arms by ISIS has been reported in the media. We found that her experience was not isolated. Similar reports of family members, adults and children alike, were common."

The organization also detailed the sexual exploitation that occurred.

"Like the Yazidis, Christian women face sexual slavery, a main tool the 'Caliphate' uses to recruit young men and to exterminate religious groups," the report said. "A now infamous ISIS slave menu lists the prices by age for 'Christian or Yazidi' women on sale in their slave markets."

The Knights of Columbus has raised more than $12 million since 2014 for Christian refugee relief. The newest humanitarian aid just donated will go toward supporting medical clinics in Iraq; general relief for Christians in Aleppo, Syria; and other support for Christian refugees in the Middle East. The donation will also help provide Easter baskets for Christians displaced in Erbil, Iraq.

"Those targeted for genocide continue to need our assistance, especially since many have received no funding from the U.S. government or from the United Nations," CEO Anderson said. "The new administration should rectify the policies it found in place, and stop the de facto discrimination that is continuing to endanger these communities targeted by ISIS for genocide."

"It is not un-American to prioritize those who have been targeted for genocide because of their faith. It has been seen as quintessentially American for a century," Andrew Walther, Knights of Columbus vice president of communications, wrote in a commentary piece in Morning Consult.

President Donald Trump's controversial refugee travel ban has been at the forefront of U.S. political discussion related to the crisis. His executive order signed this month does not give priority to Christians refugees, but it placed a temporary ban on refugees resettling in the United States from several Muslim-dominant Middle Eastern countries because of the terror threat those countries pose.
The guided-missile destroyer Laboons intercept of a small ship on the Arabian Sea March 13 yielded an unexpected bounty: 270 kilograms, or nearly 600 pounds, of smuggled heroin.

The Laboon, part of the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group that deployed from Norfolk, Virginia, in January, had been conducting maritime security operations in the region, according to a release from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.

As part of Combined Task Force 150, the Laboon had stopped the dhow, or small sailing ship, to verify its nation of origin in whats called a flag verification boarding. The vessel, officials said, was stateless. During the course of the search that followed, the illicit heroin was discovered.

It was the Laboons first drug seizure since the start of its deployment, and the first such interdiction by a Navy ship working under CTF 150 since May 2014, NAVCENT officials said.

For the task force, though, it was the second major drug seizure in less than two weeks. In another major success, the Royal Australian Navy frigate Arunta had seized more than 1,700 pounds of hashish, worth an estimated $36 million, in a March 2 intercept in the region.

"The impressive work of Combined Task Force 150, under the leadership of Royal Canadian Navy Commodore Haydn Edmundson, continued last night with the second successful seizure of illegal drugs in less than two weeks," Vice. Adm. Kevin Donegan, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said in a statement.

"The March 2 seizure by HMAS Arunta and last night's seizure by USS Laboon has resulted in preventing more than a thousand kilograms of combined hashish and heroin from reaching their destination and will prevent transnational terrorists from profiting off these nefarious activities," he said.

The maritime task force, first established in 2002, is one of three designed to promote security and counter terrorist acts and other illegal activities. With collaboration from a number of international allies, CTF 150 has seized and destroyed billions of dollars in drugs and captured thousands of weapons in its 15 years of existence, officials said in the release.

This is a big win for the coalition, the commander of CTF 150, Commodore Haydn C. Edmundson from the Royal Canadian Navy, said in a statement. "We in the CTF 150 headquarters are very impressed with the superb cooperation of all units and organizations involved in this successful operation and we are particularly proud of the captain and crew of USS Laboon for their excellent performance on this important mission."

The lead ship of the carrier strike group, the George H.W. Bush, has been conducting airstrikes on Islamic State targets from the Mediterranean Sea since mid-February. Other ships in the CSG include the destroyer Truxton and the guided-missile cruisers Philippine Sea and Hue City.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
The Russian spy ship first spotted off the Delaware coast last month is back.

U.S. officials told Fox News on Wednesday that the Russian spy ship Victor Leonov has returned to waters off the East Coast of the United States after a brief stop for fuel and resupply in Havana last week.

TUCKER CARLSON: NBC WAS THE REAL MEDDLER IN THE 2016 ELECTION, NOT RUSSIA

The ship was spotted by U.S. intelligence officers approximately 23 miles southeast of a U.S. Navy submarine base in Kings Bay, Ga., heading north, officials said.

The U.S. Navys Atlantic fleet of ballistic missile submarines are based in Kings Bay.

CHINA NEXT THREAT TO AMERICA? BEIJING BEEFS UP MILITARY TO PROTECT TRADE

The Russian spy ship has remained in international waters, according to officials. U.S. territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from shore.

Prior to last month's venture, the Russian spy ship last patrolled off the East Coast of the United States two years ago. The Victor Leonov departed from Russias northern fleet based in the Barents Sea near Norway in early January.

At one point last month, the Russian spy ship ventured as far north as 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut, home to another U.S. Navy submarine base.

During a White House press conference last month, President Trump weighed in on the story first reported by Fox News.

Hey, the greatest thing I could do is shoot that ship that's 30 miles offshore right out of the water," Trump said. "Everyone in this country is going to say, 'Oh, it's so great.' That's not great. That's not great. I would love to be able to get along with Russia.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said in a tweet the day before Trumps comments that Russia was trying to expand influence.

Russia is acting like it has a permission slip to expand influence, test limits of reach.," Murphy wrote. "Questions are obvious: does it, and if so, why?
Reports of sexual assaults increased at two of the three military academies last year and an anonymous survey suggests sexual misconduct rose across the board at the schools, The Associated Press has learned.

The new data underscore the challenge in stemming bad behavior by young people at the military college campuses, despite a slew of programs designed to prevent assaults, help victims and encourage them to come forward. The difficulties in some ways mirror those the larger military is struggling with amid revelations about Marines and other service members sharing nude photos on websites.

Assault reports rose at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, while dropping at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. The Air Force decline was sharp, going to 32 last year from 49 in 2015, contributing to an overall decrease in the overall number of reported assaults at the academies. The total reported cases fell to 86 from 91 in 2015, according to details obtained by The Associated Press.

Pentagon and military officials believe more people are reporting sexual assaults, which they see as a positive trend because it suggests students have more confidence in the system and greater willingness to seek help.

But the anonymous survey results suggest more assaults and crime occurring. They showed more than 12 percent of women and nearly 2 percent of men saying they experienced unwanted sexual contact.

In that survey, the largest increases in sexual misconduct were also at the Navy and Army academies. A vast majority of students said they didn't file a report on the assault because they didn't consider it serious enough. Many women said they took steps to avoid the perpetrator, while more than a third of the men said they confronted the person.

Senior defense officials expressed disappointment. They were particularly concerned that more men and women said they experienced unwanted sexual contact. The rate two years ago was about 8 percent of women and 1 percent of men.

"This is almost a new population of folks every four years and that makes it a little bit more difficult for the messages to build up and gather momentum," said Nate Galbreath, deputy director of the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention office.

Officials struggled to identify a reason. They said some blame may fall on student leaders and how much they are willing to emphasize and enforce sexual assault prevention programs among peers.

"Unless the students have a bit of accountability on their own, unless they take the charge themselves, (senior) leadership can really only take them so far," said Elizabeth Van Winkle, who is currently the assistant defense secretary for readiness. "If the students aren't taking the charge themselves, you won't make as much headway in this population."

Galbreath said sexual assault prevention instruction may be getting lost amid the many messages about social behavior, including not drinking and driving, or texting and driving.

The Pentagon, he said, is encouraging the academies to increase the amount of time they spend talking about how future leaders must foster a climate of dignity and respect. He said students should know that enforcing good conduct is something they will need to do as officers when they graduate and lead troops in combat.

In recent months, military leaders have met to try and find what Galbreath called the "holy grail of prevention."

One example, he said, would involving taking more to the students about when and how to intervene when they see a bad situation developing. Such scenarios include when they are in a bar drinking or in a workplace in which a boss is the problem.

"What we want those folks to do at the academies is to find those things that seem to really be hallmark situations and help people be better scouts and identify those precursors earlier and also give them a wider range of things that they might be able to do to intervene," Galbreath said.

Galbreath and Van Winkle said drinking remains a major concern, factoring in about 60 percent of incidents women cite and nearly half of those men cite. They said the academies have been putting alcohol programs in place, including some that require students to take a class before turning 21.

Sexual harassment reports filed by students dropped at all three academies.

The overall total fell to 10 last year from 28 in 2015. The anonymous survey showed roughly half of the women and slightly more than 10 percent of men saying they were sexually harassed, near the same level as the previous survey. The surveys are conducted every two years.
A show of unity this week by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) puts a happy, but perhaps temporary, face on a struggle over the direction of the nations largest Protestant denomination.

The head of the 15-million-member evangelical denominations public policy arm, Russell Moore, has criticized President Trump and  most provocatively  SBC leaders who openly support him.

Moore, who heads the SBCs Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Frank Page, president of the SBCs executive committee, made peace at a Monday meeting in Nashville to tamp down rumors of a split between the two and speculation that the tie that binds the massive denomination together is fraying.

MEGACHURCH SEES 'PHENOMENAL' GROWTH IN ITS HISPANIC CONGREGATION

While those ties may not be fraying, they have been strained. Moore has accused evangelical leaders who supported Trump of normalizing an awful candidate, according to published reports. Further, Moore said that Southern Baptist leaders who attended a meeting at Trump Tower last year had drunk the Kool-Aid.

Baptist love for liberty often creates the sounds of war when closer examination reveals a fireworks display. The issues are serious, but the focus of our convention of churches on getting the saving gospel of Christ to every human on the earth prevails over our temporary squabbles.  Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Trump shot back at Moore through a tweet that called the 45-year-old a nasty guy with no heart.

In the run-up to the meeting, Page had been quoted in a Washington Post story as saying that a staggering number of churches were threatening to withhold contributions from the 172-year-old denominations Cooperative Program, which is the venue for congregations to support the national groups ministries. He also said he might ask Moore for a change in his status.

But after Mondays meeting, Page and Moore issued a joint statement pledging to work together to deepen connections with all Southern Baptists.

MILLENNIALS ABANDONING CHRISTIANITY BECAUSE OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN, AUTHOR CLAIMS

While unquestionably orthodox in his Baptist theology, Moore has discomfited many white evangelicals, not just by his anti-Trump comments but also his opposition to displays of the Confederate flag and vocal advocacy for racial justice. Many churches in the SBC, most of whose parishioners are white, are in the southern United States.

Congregations threatening to withhold money carry significant financial heft. Jack Graham, past SBC president and pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, a Dallas-area mega church, has threatened to escrow contributions to the SBC up to $1 million.

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of the wealthy and influential First Baptist Church in Dallas and a Fox News contributor, told Fox News that its highly possible his church will also stop contributing to denominational headquarters.

Our church will always financially support the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention, Jeffress said. However, the controversy over Russell Moore and the [Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission] is going to be a catalyst for many churches to reassess how they can most effectively support the denomination, which may involve a reallocation of funds.

Moores comments and responses to public policy issues highlights the way the SBC is changing. Its membership is increasingly Hispanic and black. Further, many members are young and those young members do not feel the loyalty to the Republican party that their parents did.

These changes take place as the United States becomes increasingly secular and, in the opinion of many evangelicals and traditional Roman Catholics, increasingly hostile to religion in general.

As the struggle for the SBCs direction and public posture has become public, a number of church leaders are urging their peers to look past Moore and his provocative leadership style and instead devote their energy and efforts on unity. Other Southern Baptist leaders said it was critical for the churches to heal their differences.

Baptist love for liberty often creates the sounds of war when closer examination reveals a fireworks display, Paige Patterson, president of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, told Fox News. The issues are serious, but the focus of our convention of churches on getting the saving gospel of Christ to every human on the earth prevails over our temporary squabbles.
Craig Hicks, the North Carolina man accused of shooting and killing three Muslim college students at an apartment complex in Chapel Hill, faced the victims' relatives in court for the first time in two years.

Students Deah Barakat, his wife Yusor Abu-Salha, and her 19-year-old sister Razan Abu-Salha were killed in February 2015.

At a hearing on Tuesday Farris Barakat, Deah Barakats brother, told The Associated Press Hicks appeared smug during past court appearances. However, Barakat says seeing Hicks has helped him with his anger over the loss of his brother.

"When you see another human being, you become more merciful," he said. "You become less angry."

VICTIM'S FIANCE SPEAKS OUT AFTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED IN DEADLY CAR CRASH

Hicks motive has not been established, but relatives tell The Associated Press they believe the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith. Police are also looking at an argument over a parking space.

According to search warrants, on the evening of February 5, 2015 police responded to a 911 call of shots being fired at an apartment complex. When they arrived on scene they found a male with a gunshot wound to the head, one female in the kitchen and the other in the doorway. They were declared dead at the scene.

DYLANN ROOF'S FRIEND DODGES HARSHER PUNISHMENT

Hicks is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. No federal charges have been brought against Hicks, but the FBI is investigating whether the murders were a hate crime. The search warrant application mentions Hicks' Facebook page, listing images of a firearm and an affiliation with atheism as evidence related to a possible motive.

Ibrahim Hooper, the national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, says he believes there was a bias with this case. We believe that if the victims had not been wearing headscarves, had they not been Muslim, that this incident would not have occurred, Hooper said.

Hooper told Fox News he and other members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations were very active in the initial reaction to the murders. Hooper says he hopes Hicks is brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law.

No trial date has been scheduled.

Barakat was a University of North Carolina School of Dentistry student; Abu-Salha was accepted into the same school and set to start in the fall of 2015. Razan Abu-Salha was a sophomore at North Carolina State University College of Design.



Tiffany Brannan, the Director of Communications for the UNC School of Dentistry, says Barakat was a very involved student as class officer and co-president of the schools student ambassador program.

Deah was a friend to everyone he met in this school, Brannan said. He was a source of laughter for his classmates and he had a smile for every person he passed in the halls.

The school holds an annual day of service every year for Barakat and Abu-Salha.

Even though its been two years, we all still deeply feel Deahs absence, Brannan told Fox News. As a school we strive to continue his spirit of service and giving back, and have adopted a mantra of 'Live like Deah.'

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Houston-area man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday for forcing his daughter into prostitution.

The man was sentenced in Harris County after pleading guilty to aggravated compelling of prostitution. He was arrested in June 2015 following an undercover investigation by the Houston Police Departments Vice Division and the FBI, part of Houstons Child Exploitation Task Force.

INDIANA TEENS' KILLER MAY HAVE MET POLICE, PROSECUTORS SAY

Its believing in her (the daughter), and then building a case with evidence that supports her story, if it does, said JoAnne Musick, chief of Harris County District Attorneys Office of Sex Crimes Division.

Fox News will not identify the man to protect the identity of his daughter, a victim of a sex crime.

VICTIM'S FIANCE SPEAKS OUT AFTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED IN DEADLY CAR CRASH

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received the initial tip that the man was prostituting his daughter. They also learned that the father was advertising his daughter on BackPage.com. They passed all the information along to the Child Exploitation Task Force.

Once the authorities were able to locate the girl on Back Page they set up a prostitution date to recover the child, according to Musick.

The father began by bringing his daughter to truck stops and had her knock on doors and proposition them for sex. According to Musick, when he saw that it was lucrative, he began to advertise.

Musick said the girl didnt have a way to speak up because her father was the only person she had and her estranged mother had recently died. She helped the police build the case against her father from day one.

She was able to give the police a lot of details and they were able to trace them down and substantiate them. A lot of times with these kinds of cases with back page and other things like that, you have a lot of digital evidence. So we can subpoena some of that from back page and we download other information from other devices, said Musick.

Musick explained that authorities can recover information from cell phones and other devices that many users think is deleted. This included conversations between the daughter, father and customers.

The daughter said she had multiple customers a night and her father kept the money. She said when her father found out she was sexually active, he said if she was going to act like a prostitute she might as well be one. The crime went on for several months.

Authorities were able to find relatives of the girl who took her in. She was placed into counseling and according to Musick, she is still traumatized but doing much better.
SPF, Odesa Port-Side Plant to challenge court decision to collect some $250 mln from plant in favor of Ostchem

Ukraine's State Property Fund (SPF) and public joint-stock company Odesa Port-Side Plant will challenge the decision of Yuzhny town court of Odesa region upholding the decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce dated July 25, 2016 to recover about $250 million from Odesa Port-Side Plant in favor of Ostchem belonging to Dmytro Firtash.

The press service of the fund said that the fund does not support the decision of Yuzhny town court.

As reported, the Ukrainian court of lower instance upheld the decision of the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce to collect some $250 million from the plant in favor of Ostchem. According to the findings of the Ukrainian court, the Odesa plant must pay UAH 6.813 billion to Ostchem in repayment of debt for gas and fines on it.

Odesa plant also owes Naftogaz Ukrainy about UAH 1.5 billion for gas.

Odesa Port-Side Plant, being in state ownership, produces chemical goods. It is engaged in ammonia transshipment to sea transport.
Three U.S. airmen were killed after a U-28 single-engine turboprop aircraft crashed during a training flight in New Mexico, Air Force officials announced Wednesday.

NAVY ADMIRAL, 8 OTHERS CHARGED WITH CORRUPTION IN 'FAT LEONARD' BRIBERY CASE

The airmen were assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron, an operational flying squadron part the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The crash occurred one quarter-mile east of Clovis Municipal Airport at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a release from the base. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

CALIFORNIA WWII VETERAN, CANCER SURVIVOR FACES EVICTION

"We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family," Col. Ben Maitre, the installation commander, said in a release. "Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time," he said.

The Air Force said identities of the aircrew are being withheld until their family members have been notified.

The 318th was activated in 2008 under Air Force Special Operations Command to provide "battlefield mobility for our special operations forces," according to then-Col. Timothy Leahy, the former wing commander. The unit is tasked to "fly a variety of light and medium aircraft known as Non-Standard Aviation," according to a service release. The squadron operates PC-12 aircraft -- designated as the U-28A in the Air Force -- for intra-theater airlift missions, the release said.

The U-28A is operated by the 319th, 34th and 318th Special Operations squadrons, according to the Air Force. Training is conducted by the 5th and 19th Special Operations squadron. The units are located at Cannon and Hurlburt Field, Florida.
The search continues for two boaters on Spring Break who disappeared in the rough waters of Florida's Pass-A-Grille Channel Wednesday morning.

According to a Wednesday morning update from Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, the initial call came at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Deputies say 15 students from Colorado State University chartered the 71-foot yacht, called the "Jaguar," from Maximo Marina. But rough waters and high winds caused the trip to take a turn -- resulting in one of the students and a boat crew member to become lost at sea.

VICTIM'S FIANCE SPEAKS OUT AFTER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED IN DEADLY CAR CRASH

Five male students had gone swimming off the side of the vessel while it was anchored Tuesday afternoon. But deputies say the wind, waves, and current were too much, forcing the students to swim back to the boat.

However, one of the young men wasn't able to make it back on his own. Jie Lou, a 21-year-old from China, is still missing.

PCSO says that as the charter captain assisted the other four swimmers, 27-year-old charter mate Andrew Dillman jumped in the water to assist Lou.

Deputies believe the two men were then caught in the fast-moving current. They were not wearing personal flotation devices.

Click here to read more of this story at Fox13.
To the thousands of motorists driving along Route 1 in Philadelphia, the Roosevelt Inn looks like any other roadside city motel.

But there, inside a guest room, a 14-year-old girl was "sold into sexual slavery," barred from leaving for months and forced to engage in sex acts with 1,000 men as motel staff looked the other way, according to a new lawsuit.

The suit -- the first of its kind in Pennsylvania -- targets the motel and its owners in seeking civil compensation for the victim, now 17. It also serves as a nationwide warning to hotels and motels knowingly profiting from child sex trafficking, according to lawyers for the girl.

"This lawsuit sends a clear message that you need to police your hallways and you cannot profit from sex trafficking," said Nadeem Bezar, who along with two other lawyers announced the filing of the lawsuit Friday on behalf of the girl, identified as "M.B."

"There will be severe financial penalties for hotel and motels that allow these egregious acts to go on."  Nadeem Bezar, attorney

"There will be severe financial penalties for hotel and motels that allow these egregious acts to go on," Bezar told Fox News. "It's widespread. It's not just in Philadelphia."

The lawsuit is the first under a 2014 state law that allows sex trafficking victims to sue hotels and motels where abuse occurred.

The current federal statute allows for criminal prosecution of traffickers and, arguably, civil liability, according to legal experts, while the Pennsylvania state statute explicitly carves out a civil remedy. Pennsylvania is among a handful of states that provides for such civil remedies.

"The 2014 Pennsylvania statute allow hotels as a corporation to be held civilly liable for their involvement in sex trafficking," Bezar said. "Victims of the sex trade can bring a civil action against anyone who profits from the victims sex trade. As such, hotels face substantial risk if they rent rooms to traffickers.

The alleged sex trafficking of M.B. at the Roosevelt Inn began in 2013, when she was 14 years old.

According to the complaint, obtained by Fox News, the girl was lured to the motel where she was held against her will and forced to commit sex acts with about 1,000 men "double, triple and quadruple her age."

The traffickers who abused the teen were later arrested, convicted and imprisoned.

The motel's staff and management, meanwhile, knew the girl was being sexually abused but provided rooms to the traffickers who exploited her and forced her into prostitution, the lawsuit alleges.

The suit names the Roosevelt Inn in northeast Philadelphia, manager Yagna Patel and parent company UFVS Management in Purchase, N.Y.

Patel could not be reached for comment Tuesday. He told the Philadelphia Inquirer he has no knowledge of the girl in the suit or anyone being victimized in his motel.

Lawyers for the teen are dubious of such a claim, noting the many "Johns" who visited the motel, asking staff in the lobby for directions to the girl's room -- all of which was captured on security cameras.

The traffickers paid cash for the motels rooms being used to pimp the girl and consistently displayed "Do Not Disturb" signs on the door of the room, refusing housekeeping services, according to the suit.

A man working at the front desk, identified only as "Abdul," allegedly had conversations with the girl and knew she was staying at the inn to engage in commercial sex acts. The lawsuit claims he routinely directed men to the girl's room.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, 7,572 human trafficking cases were reported in 2016 -- the majority of which involved sex trafficking. The state with the highest number was California -- with 1,323 cases reported last year -- followed by Texas, Florida, Ohio and New York.

Authorities say motels and hotels are common venues for traffickers to carry out their illegal enterprise -- and national statistics support that. Motels enable pimps to quickly move their operations with ease and avoid leaving a paper trail.

Mark Bederow, a criminal defense attorney and former New York prosecutor, said he supports the targeting of hotels knowingly engaged in such activity but said statutes, like that of Pennsylvania, can present legal challenges.

"Any hotel that permits or turns a blind eye to sexual trafficking that occurs on its premises should be held legally responsible for such conduct," Bederow said. "This lawsuit is a shot across the bow to those in the industry that bury their head in the sand about their complicity in such reprehensible conduct."

"On the other hand, not all abuse at a hotel is the fault of the hotel," he told Fox News. "The lawsuit could result in honest hotel owners 'interrogating' guests or monitoring guest activities in order to protect themselves from a similar lawsuit. It could lead to sincere owners, thinking about their bottom line, to act as surreptitious eyes and ears for the state out of concern they will find themselves in legal trouble  and possibly out of business  if they do not demonstrate their efforts to prevent sexual trafficking."

But in the case of the Roosevelt Inn, the motel blatantly ignored trafficked minors brought into its rooms over the years, according to attorneys for M.B. and law enforcement officials in the area.

Thomas Kline, another lawyer working the case, told the Philadelphia Inquirer he hopes the lawsuit will have a ripple effect nationwide.

"Jury verdicts will resonate with owners and operator of motel and hotels, Kline told the newspaper. There is no doubt that this is more commonplace than any of us would like to believe. This is an open, obvious, notorious case. But we also believe it occurs in fancy hotels in Center City, and occurs in casinos in our midst, and it occurs in shacks that are motels along the roadside. This is where the purveyors of sex traffic do their business.
The fiance of a California woman killed in a car crash -- allegedly by a drunken driver who'd been deported five times -- spoke out Wednesday, saying sanctuary policies in the U.S. have led to a broken system with deadly consequences.

Sandra Duran was driving home from her Los Angeles church last month when police said the illegal immigrant smashed into her car at an intersection, killing her.

PREGNANT GUATEMALAN MOTHER OF FIVE FACES DEPORTATION

The man behind the wheel, 45-year-old Estuardo Alvarado, was escaping the scene of a previous traffic accident on Feb. 19 just before the deadly crash, investigators said. Since 1998, Alvarado had been sent back to Mexico five times, most recently in 2011, The L.A. Times reported. But officials said Alvarado returned yet again.

Our system failed us. Our system failed us, Durans fiance, Rodrigo Macias, told Fox & Friends on Wednesday. Pertaining to these illegal immigrants, criminal illegal immigrants that are being harbored here because of [elected officials]. Because our citys almost a sanctuary city.

VIDEO: BISHOPS SAY AMERICA MUST ADDRESS NEEDS OF IMMIGRANTS

Duran and Macias were set to be married this summer. Instead, Macias and Durans two children  one of whom was in the car with Duran the day she died  spent a winter day burying Duran.

Macias has since become an outspoken critic of so-called sanctuary cities and the criminal illegal aliens who have taken advantage of an often-lax enforcement system.

People watching that are for sanctuary cities need to pay attention what is going on in these cities, he said. I mean, we have these criminals that are roaming around the cities, and us not being protected as American citizens.

Macias now must wait for justice when Alvarado, whom Macias says has had multiple D.U.I.s, goes on trial. And he cant shake the feeling that a Swiss-cheese immigration system is the entire reason his life changed.

Our life is broken forever, Macias said. As a matter of fact, if there was an American citizen that had that rap sheet, that had those multiple felonies, multiple D.U.I.s, I wouldn't be speaking to you right now.

Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt and Kim Kern contributed to this report.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey will never be mistaken for Vanna White or Pat Sajak.

And his weekly "Wheel of Fugitive" broadcast in Brevard County, Fla., posted to Facebook, isnt a game contestants want to win, either.

STATE TROOPER'S ALLEGED KILLER FACES TRIAL AFTER 48-DAY MANHUNT

But each Tuesday, a new fugitive is singled out for attention  based on the luck of the spin. Iveys "game show," complete with flashy graphics and a rock soundtrack, has caught numerous fugitives  with some even turning themselves in.

"We want for them to do the right thing and turn themselves in," Ivey said. "A number of them have, a number of their family turns them in. Usually within a very short period of time their inner circle has alerted them to the fact if they didn't see it that they are on 'Wheel of Fugitive."'

MARTHA MACCALLUM CONFRONTS FERGUSON DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER

Ivey says the concept has been well received in the community of about 600,000. He judges the response by the number of Facebook comments and shares and also by the comments he receives when out doing public speaking.

"Hardly any place I go speak or I'm at somebody doesn't say, "I watch the 'Wheel of Fugitive,"' Ivey said. "They see the value of not only trying to get the fugitive off the street but engaging the community in doing so."

Law enforcement has seen the value of social media in hunting for fugitives. "We have seen great saves all over this nation where individuals have instantly been reported as found by someone as a result of social media," Marion County Sheriff Emery Gainey told Fox 35.

Ivey said he initially rolled out the idea of the "Wheel of Fugitive," inspired by the popular game show "Wheel Fortune," during a speech to the publicly shortly after he took over as sheriff in 2012. The idea got a warm reception.

Initially, the department offered what it called "Turn Them in Tuesday." Each week the department presented a single fugitive's picture and asked the public for its help in pursing him or her. Ivey says his fugitive division saw an 88 percent success rate in removing fugitives from the streets with that approach.

He believes "Wheel of Fugitive" has a chance to be just as successful -- maybe more. The fugitive division is currently working with the University of Central Florida's sociology department to compile the success rates for the current program. They should be available around May, Ivey said.

"The reason we believe in it is because for 'Turn Them In Tuesday' we were only showing one photograph, but with 'Wheel of Fugitive' we show all 10 fugitives before picking one," Ivey said.

"Wheel of Fugitive" hasn't just captured attention locally, but has also gained national exposure.

Recently Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" made fun of Ivey and his wheel. Ivey, who prides himself on his sense humor, didn't mind being a punchline on the comedy show because of the attention it brought to what his department is doing to remove criminals from the streets.

"The fact that Wheel of Fugitive is being viewed that much and shared that much that it reached that level tells you the engagement we are getting in an audience," he said. "That's what we want. We want the community to be engaged and to help protect the community."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Military analysts reportedly warned that a pirate attack off Somalia was imminent because assets used in the European Unions anti-piracy program have been diverted to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

Alan Cole, the head of the United Nations maritime crime program on drugs and crime, told U.K.'s The Times newspaper that a high-profile attack was only a matter of time.

MORE THAN 60 KILLED IN ETHIOPIA LANDFILL COLLAPSE

The United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks." One expert said some in the region had let down their guard as the situation calmed. NATO ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

Armed pirates are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker they have seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late Tuesday.

BUS ESCAPING DEADLY CRASH STRIKES CROWD, KILLS AT LEAST 34

An EU Naval Force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

An official in Somalia's semiautonomous state of Puntland said over two dozen men boarded the ship off the country's northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the Al Qaeda-linked extremist group al-Shabab. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists.

The ship was anchored Tuesday off the town of Alula, said Salad Nur, a local elder. "The ship is on the coast now and more armed men boarded the ship," he told the AP by phone.

Monday's hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012. It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as patrols by the navies of NATO countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Bile Hussein told The Associated Press that the armed men have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines. "Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," he said.

The Aris 13, manned by eight Sri Lankan sailors, was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs, said John Steed, the director of Oceans Beyond Piracy. The EU statement said the ship's master issued a mayday alert.

The EU Naval Force said it had passed the information from its contact with the ship's master to the oil tanker's owners and an investigation was underway.

Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information to help ensure the crew's "safety and welfare."

A U.N. shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed in care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates. Calls and emails to Aurora went unanswered.

The incident involving the Aris 13 represents the first commercial pirate attack off Somalia since 2012, Steed of Oceans Beyond Piracy said.

"The pirates never went away, they were just doing other forms of crime and if any of the measures reduce (which they have, or ships take risks) the pirates are poised to exploit the weakness," he said in an email.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom. They don't normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry. It has lessened in recent years after an international effort to patrol near the country, whose weak central government has been trying to assert itself after a quarter-century of conflict. In that time, concerns about piracy off Africa's coast have largely shifted to the Gulf of Guinea.

But frustrations have been rising among local fishermen, including former pirates, at what they say are foreign fishermen illegally fishing in local waters.

Nur, the local elder, told the AP that young fishermen including former pirates have hijacked the ship.

"They have been sailing through the ocean in search for a foreign ship to hijack since yesterday morning and found this ship and boarded it," he said. "Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
With a laser-like focus on protecting its lifeblood  trade  China is dramatically altering its military operations, creating specialized teams that can protect its maritime resources, routes and territorial expansion plans.

China will boost its marine corps five-fold, from 20,000 to 100,000 soldiers, basing them in part at ports in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa and Gwadar in southwest Pakistan, while reducing the land-locked Peoples Liberation Army by 300,000 soldiers, the South China Morning Post reports.

The military buildup will also increase its navyas much as 15 percent from its current 235,000 personnel  and add military bases that house multiple aircraft carrier battle groups, more nuclear powered attack submarines, destroyers and more sea-based missile defense platforms, experts tell Fox News.

CHINA NEARLY FINISHED BUILDING SOUTH CHINA SEA STRUCTURES TO HOUSE MISSILES, OFFICIALS SAY

The great Achilles heel of China is tradeespecially natural resources that come via sea and into its portsand a big reason it will inevitably become a globally deployed military power, said Harry Kazianis, director of the Washington, D.C.-based Defense Studies for The Center for the National Interest. Beijings armed forces are working to slowly but surely reinforce and protect its overseas hubs as well as trade routes that move from Europe, the Middle East and Africa and into Chinas territorial waters.

With Chinas military becomes a stronger global force, experts say the new threat could prompt the United States to beef up its own armed services.

The biggest change is that America and Chinas potential flashpoints will not be so fixed in one region, but will take on a global dimension, Kazianis said.

Washington will compete strategically not just in the volatile chessboard of the Asia-Pacific with Beijing, but very soon in the Indian Ocean, in the Middle East, off the coast of Africa and potentially in the Atlantic, he said.

NORTH KOREA THREAT LINGERS AT START OF TILLERSON'S FIRST ASIA TRIP

The change will force Washington, out of sheer necessity, to reinvest in naval capabilities that are first rate, and all but guarantees the need for future increases in military spending, Kazianis said. America will essentially be forced to take China seriously for the near-superpower she already isand potentially devote less resources to other pressing challenges like ISIS, Russia, and terrorism.

China is boosting its military capabilities, troop numbers and design and its reach to defend its maritime rights, to protect its assets in the China Sea, and as one Chinese military expert said, in case of war with Taiwan.

The status of the navy will be more important than ever, said Liu Xiaojiang, a former navy political commissar, at the March 5 Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference in Beijing.

Besides its original missions of a possible war with Taiwan, maritime defense in the East and South China seas, its also foreseeable that the PLA Navys mission will expand overseas, including protection of Chinas national security in the Korean peninsula, the countrys maritime lifelines, as well as offshore supply deports like in Djibouti and Gwadar port in Pakistan, Liu said, the South China Morning Post reported.

Kazianis said that, being a nation with global interests and an economy second only to America, it is essential for China to reshape its military and capabilities.

However, Chinas access to the ocean bumps up in every direction against some other countrys exclusive economic zone, making the strategy all the more challenging to deploy, notes James Jay Carafano, a leading expert in national security and foreign policy challenges at the Heritage Foundation.

China has no free passage to the sea other than what is called the innocent rite of passage for commercial and military ships, but if China is going to control its destiny, it has to have the military capacity to control sea space above, on, and under the sea, Carafano said.

That new deployment strategy is manifesting itself in several ways, Carafano said  from China constructing aircraft carriers, which allow them to project naval warfare, to them building sea-based platforms, and their tremendous use of a Chinese naval militia that can act on behalf of the Chinese government.

Some 90 percent of the worlds goods and services move by sea, and no single country should have the exclusive monopoly over that access, Carafano said.

The freedom of the seas is essential, Carafano said, because if China owns the South China Seas and controls the waters, then it can dictate the flow of maritime traffic in Asia.
China arrested two South Korean Christian pastors for allegedly helping to smuggle North Korean defectors out of China, the latest in a string of detentions and expulsions aimed at South Korean Christians in the past several months.

One of the pastors was arrested with his wife as the pair tried to board a flight from China to South Korea and the other was arrested at a Chinese hotel, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing South Korean groups.

The pastors remained under arrest Wednesday, however, their wives had been released, Reuters reported.

HOW THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT JUST HELPED AN ENSLAVED CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

The arrests come on the heels of a mass expulsion of South Korean missionaries from the Jilin province  which borders North Korea  in just the past few months, according to media reports noted by Christianity Today. Anywhere from 30 to 70 pastors have been kicked out of the area.

Chinese authorities raided the homes of the missionaries, citing a problem with their visas, and told them to leave, a human rights activist told AFP.

NORTH KOREA THREAT LINGERS AT START OF TILLERSON'S FIRST ASIA TRIP

There are 500 registered South Korean missionaries in China, according to Christianity Today; however, the publication notes the real number may be four times as high.

Word of the arrests marked the latest flashpoint in escalating tensions between China and South Korea, as Rex Tillerson makes his first trip to Asia as Secretary of State. South Korea and Japan have supported U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea -- and the countries' naval forces conducted missile defense information-sharing drills with the U.S. on Wednesday.

But Beijing has raised red flags over the drills, and has claimed the planned deployment of a missile defense system known as THAAD could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear defenses.

Tillerson, who arrived in Tokyo late Wednesday at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour, could provide some reassurance to nervous allies. He's set to meet Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

After Tokyo, Tillerson visits South Korea, also caught up in political upheaval after last week's ouster of its president, Park Geun-hye, over a corruption scandal. Park had been in lockstep with Washington's efforts to isolate North Korea. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Korea's government.

Tillerson's final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A crime expert who has analyzed the high-profile case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann claims the three-year-old was not abducted.

Investigative criminal profiler and "Profile of the Disappearance of Madeleine McCann" author Pat Brown told news.com.au that Scotland Yard bungled the investigation and slammed the crime fighting agency for wasting time and money on Madeleines case.

Madeleine is dead, Brown said.

DYING MOTHER'S LAST WORDS LED TO AMBER ALERT

Theres no point spending all of this money as nothing they do is going to make that child alive.

While profiling the case, Brown developed a theory about what happened to Madeleine before her disappearance in Portugal.

DETROIT 13-YEAR-OLD MISSING AFTER NEVER RETURNING FROM STORE

When I do a crime scene analysis it is a theory based on evidence to then be given to police and used to look for more proof and evidence suitable for prosecution, she said.

When I analyzed (Madeleines) case, it led me to believe evidence does not support an abduction.

An abduction was extremely unlikely based on the amount of time, evidence at the scene, and every other shred of evidence there has ever been.

Brown said Madeleine most likely died an accidental death that was covered up.

The evidence supports the theory of an accident occurring through neglect and possible medication, she said.

Its my belief the body was moved to a desolate location and will never be found.

Kate and Gerry McCann have always denied any involvement in her death and vowed to never give up hope of finding their daughter.

As a parent of an abducted child, I can tell you that it is the most painful and agonising experience you could ever imagine, Kate McCann wrote on the couples find Madeleine website.

Click for more from news.com.au
Dutch voters went to the polls on Wednesday and the whole world was watching.

Mostly because of the man Fox News caught up with as he voted in The Hague. Geert Wilders has caused a stir here with his populist, anti-immigrant, and anti-Islam rhetoric  and for months he was leading in the polls.

TENSIONS FLARE BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE NETHERLANDS

His nationalist stands are setting the tone for elections in Europe and have echoes of last years presidential race in the United States. Fox News asked him if he believes he got a bump from Donald Trumps victory.

I am not Donald Trump, he replied. I am Geert Wilders from the Netherlands. And I believe what is happening in America can happen all over the world.

TURKEY'S 'NAZI' ACCUSATIONS DRAW GERMANY'S IRE

In recent weeks, Wilders has been sliding a bit in the polls. In the parliamentary election, his Freedom party is now second in the polls behind the party of incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Fox News asked Wilders if some of the speed bumps the Trump administration was hitting might be causing a reverse cautionary Trump effect among voters here.

That certainly could be the case, he admitted. However, I was active politically long before Mr. Trump took office. So I am not comparing myself to him.

Dutch voters Fox News spoke with had mixed opinions about Wilders.

One was very enthusiastic, saying Wilders says the right things. Another liked him, with reservations. Wilders is OK, you need him but not on top.

Another voter just laughed when asked about Wilders. Terrible! the voter shouted.

In this brilliantly sunny day in Holland, all voters seemed to agree on one thing: Wednesdays vote was important, perhaps the most critical one theyd been involved in. High early turn-out estimates seem to back that up. Official results are set to come out next week.

Wilders said no matter what happens  his race is definitely having an impact.

Whatever the outcome of the elections today, he said, the genie will not go back in the bottle. This patriotic revolution, either today or tomorrow, will take place anyway.

With that, Wilders left, trailing a crush of media, security and bewildered Dutch people not used to international ruckus in their pleasant, mostly placid country.
Information that Ukraine is allegedly actively engaged in international court proceedings initiated by PrivatBank against the Russian Federation regarding the compensation of damage from the loss of the banking business and assets due to illegal Crimea annexation is false, the Finance Ministry of Ukraine has reported.

"The Ukrainian State does not participate in the claims of PJSC PrivatBank and Financial company Finilon LLC against the Russian Federation," the ministry said late on Tuesday.

The ministry said that The claims were initiated by these companies in line with the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules regarding a violation of their rights under the Agreement Between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments dated 27 November 1998 in respect of their investment in a banking network in the Crimean Peninsula.

As reported, The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague late February said that Russia must bear responsibility for protecting Ukrainian investors in Crimea after its annexation under the Russian-Ukrainian bilateral investment treaty.

The first arbitration proceedings into the lawsuit by former co-owner of PrivatBank Ihor Kolomoisky and Belbek Airport LLC against the Russian Federation were launched on January 13, 2015. The claimants said that the Russian Federation had violated its obligations arising from the said treaty by adopting since February 2014 measures that deprived the claimant of property rights, contractual and other rights to operate the passenger terminal for commercial flights at the Belbek airport in Crimea.

Kolomoisky said he had a contract until 2020 to manage the passenger terminal of Belbek airport (Sevastopol) nationalized by Russia after the annexation of Crimea. He demanded compensation from the Russian Federation for losses in the form of a possible income from the terminal, amounting $15 million.

Then, on April 13, 2015, similar arbitration proceedings against the Russian Federation were initiated by PrivatBank and Finance Company Finilon LLC, as the annexation of Crimea by Russia did not allow the claimants to continue their banking business in Crimea.
Suicide bombers hit the main judicial building and a restaurant in Damascus on Wednesday, killing at least 30 people, according to state media, spreading fear across Syria's capital as the country's civil war enters its seventh year.



ISIS FACES HEAVY, BUT NOT CRUSHING BLOW IN MOSUL

The first attacker struck inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market. The explosion left bodies lying amid pools of blood and shattered glass in the building's main hall, adorned with a picture of President Bashar Assad hanging on one of the walls.

The official news agency, SANA, said another suicide explosion struck a restaurant in Rabweh district of Damascus, leading to multiple casualties, mostly women and children. The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he ran into a restaurant and detonated his explosives' vest there.

UK MARINE WHO KILLED WOUNDED TALIBAN FIGHTER GETS MURDER CONVICTION DOWNGRADED

The bombings were the latest in a spate of deadly explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, but other, similar attacks in recent weeks were claimed by Al Qaeda's affiliate in Syria.

The attacks came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the country's bitter civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others. The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against Assad's rule but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war. The chaos allowed Al Qaeda and later the Islamic State group to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by Al Qaeda-linked militants to try and counter recent military advances by Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

According to Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail, the Justice Palace attacker struck in the early afternoon -- at 1.20 p.m. A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the palace, the police chief told state TV.

The guards stopped the man, took away his arms and tried to search him. At that point, the man hurled himself inside the building and detonated his explosives, the chief said.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, who was in the building just a few meters away from the explosion, confirmed that account to state TV, saying that when the security guards tried to arrest the man, he threw himself inside the palace and blew himself up. He said 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded.

"This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent," he said, noting that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer casualties to hospital.

In the second attack, in Rabweh district, SANA said a suicide bomber blew himself up in a restaurant, killing several people. The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he rushed into a restaurant and detonated his explosives.

Wednesday's bombings followed twin attacks on Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in Damascus that killed at least 40 people.

On Feb. 25, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria's central city of Homs, clashed with government troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others.

The high profile attacks were claimed by an Al Qaeda-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee, formerly known as the Nusra Front.

Wednesday's attacks also came during a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Syria's armed opposition boycotted those talks due to what they say are ongoing government military offensives across the country.

Syria's U.N. ambassador said earlier Wednesday that he was concluding his participation in the latest round in Astana, after two days of meetings without rebels. Bashar Jaafari said discussions were "constructive" but only one official paper was produced -- about demining Palmyra, the historic Syrian town that pro-government forces recaptured from the Islamic State group two weeks ago.

Syrian rebels did not send any delegates to this, third round in Astana, accusing the government and Russia -- one of Damascus' main backers -- of breaking cease-fire pledges and obligations to distribute humanitarian aid.

The Astana talks, brokered by Russia and Turkey, are centered on reaching a cease-fire in Syria and getting humanitarian relief to millions of suffering civilians. They run parallel to the U.N.-mediated political talks in Geneva aimed at ending Syria's civil war.

Meanwhile, taking stock of six years of Syria's civil war, the U.N. health agency said in Geneva on Wednesday that over half of all hospitals and public health centers in the violence-wracked country have closed or are partially functioning, and nearly two-thirds of health-care workers have fled.

The head of the World Health Organization's emergencies program, Peter Salama, said resources to help the health care system are "stretched to the limit," citing security threats to health care workers and a lack of access to medicines and medical equipment.

Salama called for "systematic and unhindered access" for life-saving materials like vaccines and medical supplies "on this sad anniversary of the start of war in Syria and before more lives are lost."
According to Roman poet Juvenal, people hope for just two things: bread and circuses.

While there is no word on the circus, Venezuelas beleaguered government is demanding that bakers at least give the people bread.

The socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro threatened earlier this week to expropriate bakeries in Caracas that fail to adhere to new regulations aimed at tackling widespread bread shortages.

Industry spokespersons, though, said it is physically impossible to abide by the new rules and that if the government expropriates the citys 709 bakeries some 7,000 jobs would be at risk.

Venezuela does not produce its own wheat and instead relies on imports, which it sends to mills where it is ground into flour and then distributed to bakeries. The new regulations, which come on top of existing price controls and foreign exchange controls, require that 90 percent of flour must be used to bake bread and only 10 percent can be used for pastries and cakes.

The government also demanded that bakers must have a constant supply of bread throughout the day and hold over bread from the previous day for sale the next day.

The government accused bakeries of trying to maximize their profits  and in turn creating the bread shortages and long queues  by baking pastries rather than simple baguette-style bread. While the price of baguettes and French-style breads are controlled by Venezuelas government, croissants and other sweet baked goods can be sold at higher prices.

"Speculators who hide the bread from the people will face the weight of the law, Maduro said, according to the BBC. "They're going to pay, I swear. Those responsible for the bread war are going to pay and they better not complain that it was a political persecution.

The national baker's federation, Fevipan, argues it cannot produce more bread unless its members are given more flour and added that 80 percent of bakeries had "zero inventory," while the remaining bakeries had only received 10 percent of the monthly supplies.

"When there's flour, we sell bread, but they only send it every 15 or 20 days," a worker in a Caracas bakery told the Agence France-Presse. "We are given 20 sacks and normally we'd need eight a day.

Victor Maldonado, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Caracas, said that last year alone the governments policy of nationalizing industries resulted in a loss of 700,000 jobs as 30,000 companies closed.

Of Venezuelas 800,000 companies operating before Chavez came to power in 1999, there are only 230,000 left, which means at least 570,000 went bankrupt, according to the PanAm Post.

Home to the worlds largest oil reserves, Venezuela was for decades an economic leader in the western hemisphere and, despite a massive gap between rich and poor, was a major destination for neighboring Colombians and other Latin Americans fleeing their less prosperous and more troubled homelands.

But in 1999 with the rise to power of late leader Hugo Chavez  whose socialist policies endeared him to the poor, but also set up an unsustainable system of state spending  Venezuelas economy began to creep toward a crisis.

The situation has been exacerbated by Chavezs successor, Nicolas Maduro, who took power in 2013. The governments practice of siphoning off revenue from the national oil company for social programs meant the countrys once-mighty the oil industry could not make even minimal capital expenditures. Shortly after Chavez took over, the economy began contracting. The 2015 plunge of oil prices exacerbated the problem and left the government without adequate funds to import basic goods such as food and medicines, creating acute shortages and stirring anger toward Maduro.

Adding to the overall misery are a drastic rise in violent crime  especially in the capital city of Caracas  rolling blackouts and widespread and often times bloody protests against the government. There have been casualties and deaths on both sides of the protests and accusations from the international community of human rights abuses and political oppression.
An unidentified woman travelling from Beijing to Melbourne last month reportedly suffered from burns on her face and hand after her headphones exploded on her face.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the incident occurred mid-flight on Feb. 19. The woman, who was not identified, told agents at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau that she was listening to music at the time.

She was wearing battery-operated headphones and she was startled by an explosion. She reportedly said, As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face. I just grabbed my face, which caused the headphones to go around my neck.

Flight attendants responded by pouring a bucket of water on the headphones. The battery and cover were melted and stuck to the floor, the paper reported.

The ATSB did not identify the company that makes the headphones.

"The ATSB has assessed that it is the batteries, as the power source, that caught on fire and are therefore the issue... All batteries contain stored energy and are therefore potentially risky," the report said.

Last year, Samsung halted sales of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after finding batteries of some of the devices exploded while they were charged.

Samsung issued its first global recall of the flagship smartphone because it has not found ways to specify exactly which phones may endanger the user. The smartphones are being yanked from shelves in 10 countries, including the U.S. and South Korea.

Some buyers reported their phones caught fire or exploded while charging, sharing the photos of scorched phones on social media. Samsung said it had confirmed 35 such cases in South Korea and overseas.

There have been no reports of injuries related to the problem.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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Prada introduced its fine and exclusive collection Olfactories in 2015, which at that time consisted of ten perfumes. In 2017, Prada launches a sub collection of this line, inspired by the Orient and called Prada Mirages, with four new luxury editions: Dark Light, Soleil au Zenith, Miracle of the Rose and Midnight Train.





Mirages Dark Light (or Amber) is a fragrance that represents the warmth of amber in contrast with the freshness of aldehydes. The compositions involves musk, Madagascar vanilla, angelica and myrrh.

Mirages Soleil au Zenith (Spices) combines "innocent and sweet" ylang-ylang and peach with the sophisticated essence of sandalwood, all followed by a "deep and dark" spicy base of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, pimento and cumin.





Mirages Miracle of the Rose (Rose Oud) interprets the always trending scent of roses, using rose absolute in combination with powerful accords of patchouli, leather, oud and tobacco.

Mirages Midnight Train (Patchouli) is a mixture of memories, association and scents from around the world. It captures accords of sweet cedar from Texas, woody Andalusian citruses, Indonesian patchouli and amber.





The fragrances are available as 100 ml Eaux de Parfum at prices of 195 each. (via)
 This article is archived and available in its entirety for free for registered members only. Please login or register to read more.

Marquita Harris at Refinery29 reveals a new fragrance duo from...an anti-virus software firm?

One beauty blogger captured the essence of fear for the masses and bottled it up in two pretty little packages. According to The Sun, blogger Scarlett London created Threat de Toilette in collaboration with security company Kaspersky Lab. The fragrance was launched as an effort to make people think twice about what they choose to share online. READ MORE...

Talk about out of left field, but I suppose this is an ingenious marketing tool. No retail outlet has been named so I'm not certain if this is a real product or purely advertising. I guess the big question is what do you think these these aromas would actually smell like?

Zoe Ferguson at ABC reflects on new Australian research that places the concept of pheromone perfumes in a dubious light:

Common perfumes advertised as containing pheromones may in fact not be as effective in helping to attract members of the opposite sex as many might think, new research has found. Scientists from the University of Western Australia tested the chemicals on human subjects and found they did not reliably create the intended effect. READ MORE...

It's yet another conversation about the psychology of why (and for whom) we wear fragrance. Have you had any experience with pheromone fragrances?

However, The Toronto Sun offered the results of an intriguing international survey about the importance of smell and sexual attraction:

Broken down by region, 25% of American women claim they've never been attracted to a man based on how he smells. However, 43% of French, 42% of Polish and 33% of Spanish women polled said they had been swooned by a man's scent. The survey also found five out of 10 women had broken off a relationship because they didn't like the smell of their partner. READ MORE...

I know I'm biased, but the scent of my partner is very important. What about you? Where do you weigh in on questions like these (regardless of sex/gender)?

How about some news about the fragrance industry somewhere other than Europe and the USA? Priyanka Golikeri at DNA offers an exciting look at the changing face of India's developing niche perfume industry:

Move over the Burberrys, Calvin Kleins, Dolce & Gabbanas, DKNYs and other top-notch international luxury brands offering the best of scents. Home-grown perfumers are making it big by leveraging exotic ingredients and concocting exclusive luxury perfumes, positioned to entice a well-heeled and well-traveled clientele. A Euromonitor Report suggests the fragrance industry in India is set to grow at a compounded annual rate of 12%. The industry was estimated at $450 million a few years ago. This has fuelled the appetite of perfumers who are eager to provide niche perfumes on par with international standards. READ MORE...

One such example is Bombay Perfumery, a new niche brand that we have already added to our ever-growing database. Have you had any experiences with India's new niche brands? What are the fragrance trends in your part of the world?

And further south in Singapore, public transport is getting its own fragrance! Linda Poon of CityLab reports:

Its not often that you hear commuters talk about how much they enjoy the smells of the city bus. But this month in Singapore, taking a deep breath in through your nose might not be such a risky proposition for commuters. In fact, they might even pick up hints of rose and peppermint. Thats the signature scent being deployed over the next month to entice people to use more public transit. The public bus operator Tower Transit [image below, via Flickr] will pump the new scent into 100 of its buses, following a months-long partnership with the local marketing company AllSense. READ MORE...

How do you feel about public transportation being scented? I certainly wouldn't mind if some of the trains and buses I've traveled on smelled sweeter.
The deal to sell Crimean assets of Myronivsky Hliboproduct (MHP) agricultural holding cost $77.5 million, the company said in a report on the website of the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

After closing the deal the company fully halted its operations in Crimea. Its poultry production and meat processing facilities decreased by 6.5% and 12.6% respectively.

According to the report, the Board of Directors authorized the management of the group to pursue negotiations in relation to a planned disposal of the Crimean companies. At the end of December 2016, by virtue of a board resolution, management of the group committed to a plan to dispose of the following group companies that are located in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The sale was consummated on February 17, 2017. The GROUP has recognized impairment losses in respect of the property in the amount of $35.15 million.

The total balance sheet cost of assets was estimated at $88.4 million.

As reported, late February 2017 Myronivsky Hliboproduct announced a full sale of its assets in Crimea: Druzhba Narodiv Nova, Crimean Fruit Company and Druzhba Narodiv.

Proceeds from the transaction will be used for investment, expansion of poultry production and/or expansion of the land bank.

The holding noted the cost of the transaction corresponds to the fair market value of these companies.

MHP is the largest poultry producer in Ukraine. It also deals with production of grain, sunflower oil and meat.
Judge Ricardo Rigual took about two seconds Tuesday to deny a request for bond for a man accused of shooting a police dog and firing at two Spotsylvania County deputies during a wild incident last year.

Joseph Elliott Conway, 34, is charged with 13 felony offenses, including two counts of attempted capital murder and multiple weapons and drug charges. His trial in Spotsylvania Circuit Court is now scheduled for June 8-9.

Defense attorneys Wendy Harris and Jenna Nacht Tuesday asked Rigual for a bond so that Conway could live with his mother and son in King George until his trial. Harris said Conway has lifelong ties to the area and would not be a flight risk.

Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird said Conway represents a clear danger to the community and was free on bond at the time of his violent actions on Oct. 2. He was also in possession of a large amount of drugs, Bird said, and still had a weapon when he was arrested a few days later at a Richmond motel.

This is one of the last people who should be considered for a bond, Bird said.

The October shootout started with what appeared to be a routine traffic stop in the Sheetz parking lot off Lafayette Boulevard in Spotsylvania. The driver was taken into custody after police learned that he was wanted.

Conway was a passenger in the car and was not wanted, police said. But he got into a scuffle with deputies at the scene and later sprinted away with police dog Dux in pursuit.

Police said Conway shot Dux and fired at two other deputies but did not hit them. Police returned fire and Conway had a leg wound when he was arrested a couple of days later.

Dux was seriously injured but has recovered and is back on duty with the Sheriffs Office.
Judge Ricardo Rigual seemed a bit perplexed as he prepared to sentence a woman for her 11th and 12th larceny convictions.

I dont know what the court is supposed to do, Rigual said to 51-year-old Arnette E. Sinkler on Tuesday in Spotsylvania County Circuit Court. Im shocked the guidelines are as low as they are.

Rigual then sentenced Sinkler to a total of 10 years in prison, with all but three years suspended. Rigual then granted defense attorney John Spencers request that the judge recommend that Sinkler serve her time in a therapeutic community, where she can receive treatment for her drug addiction.

According to Commonwealths Attorney Travis Bird, Sinklers first theft conviction was 32 years ago. It continued on March 15 of last year, when she shoplifted from J.C. Penney in Spotsylvania Towne Center.

While out on bond for that theft, Bird said, Sinkler returned to the mall Sept. 26 and got caught shoplifting in Sears. Both thefts are felonies because of the number of times Sinkler has been convicted of stealing.

Bird said Sinkler has been given numerous chances to turn her life around. He said the only way to protect the community is to keep her locked up.

For the last 32 years, if she wanted somebodys property, she just took it, Bird said.

The judge barred Sinkler from Spotsylvania Towne Center and told her, I hope you finally decide for real that youre going to get off these drugs and stop stealing.
Police are looking for two men who attempted to break into SSG Tactical in the Westwood Office Park early Tuesday morning.

The hooded men failed to get anything from the firearms dealer but managed to shatter a glass door and damage a lock in an attempt to force their way into the business, which was caught on surveillance video.

SSG boasts on its website to carrying one of the largest selections of guns in Virginia, everything from handguns to tactical rifles, machine guns, shotguns and ammunition.

The burglary attempt happened under darkness at 5:40 a.m., when a U-Haul van pulled slowly through the Westwood business park and up to shop number 610, police said.

Two men got out of the van with storage bins, police said. One of the men used a tool to shatter the glass door and open it. He then used the same tool in an attempt to break the lock to a metal barred door, which did not open, even after he kicked it several times.

After about a minute and a half, the men left in the van.

A patrol officer responded to the scene soon after the attempted break-in.

The store owner later said nothing was missing.

Anyone with information can contact police at 373-3122. To make an anonymous tip, send a text to 847-411 and text FPDtip followed by your tip. Tips can also be sent by using a free FPD Tip app available for Android and iPhones.
A proposed Jewish center for University of Mary Washington students won approval Tuesday after receiving mixed reviews from nearby homeowners.

The Fredericksburg City Council voted 61 to approve plans for the approximately 8,000-square-foot facility on 1500 College Ave., with Kerry Devine voting no. For me, the main issue really is the encroachment into the [College Heights] neighborhood, Devine said.

The Maxine and Carl Silver Hillel Center will be more than twice the size of the 38-year-old home on the property now. That house, which has a taxable value of more than $700,000, will be torn down to make way for the facility.

The center, proposed by Silver Cos. President Larry Silver, will be next to the Baptist Student Center and just down the street from Catholic- and Methodist-run student centers. It will include a conference room, a worship room, a kosher kitchen, a dining area, and an apartment for a rabbi.

The original plan called for a nearly 10,000-square-foot brick facility, but Silver reduced the size in response to feedback from College Heights homeowners.

Six residents voiced support for the center during the City Councils public hearing on the project. Three other speakers expressed opposition and two stated concerns.

Meredith Beckett, president of the College Heights Civic Association, said she worries razing a home to make way for a non-residential structure could set a precedent in College Heights.

Resident Sue Sargeant said the community wants to retain our identity as a neighborhood. We dont like college encroachment, she added.

Other speakers cited concerns about traffic and a lack of parking.

Former Councilman Joe Wilson spoke in favor of the project, which he said would recognize a man who has done so much for our community. The center is named after the late Carl Silver, who founded Silver Cos., and his widow, Maxine.

UMW President Troy Paino told the council that the center will enrich campus life. Now more than ever, its critically important to have interfaith dialogue, he said.

Several changes were made to the proposal in an attempt to alleviate concerns.

In addition to reducing the centers square footage, Silver agreed to add six on-site parking spaces, end all events by 11 p.m. and limit the facilitys use to UMW students and alumni. The center must also provide 18 off-site parking spaces across the street.

City Councilman Matt Kelly said he does not expect major traffic issues, stressing that the center will not be open to the general public.

This facility is for student religious activities only, and so we are not looking at cars flying all over the place or church services, he said.
HANOVERRep. Rob Wittman says he doesnt support a House plan to replace Obamacare because it fails to meet his key principles for repeal, which include making sure all Virginians are able to purchase health insurance.

Wittman, a Republican whose 1st District includes Fredericksburg along with all or part of Stafford, King George, Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, elaborated on his opposition in an interview after a discussion with constituents in Hanover County. About two dozen womenand a few menbraved ice and snow to share their concerns face-to-face with the congressman Monday night.

The members of Hanover Women Concerned for Our Country, which participant Mary Anne Pugh described as a progressive group dedicated to civil engagement that formed in the wake of the 2016 election, had asked for a town hall-style meeting, Pugh said. Instead, Wittmans staff offered to attend a smaller roundtable gathering to hear the groups concerns, she said.

Those present Monday nightteachers, ministers, psychologists and moreasked questions and shared often-passionate perspectives. Topics ranged from health care to the environment.

Wittman released a statement just before the meeting saying he does not support the draft of the American Health Care Act, the Republican House leaderships proposed replacement for the Affordable Care Act informally known as Obamacare.

Something of this magnitude is going to be a process, and I think that this process is going to require that there be some more discussions with it. Its always difficult to get something of this level through, Wittman said after the roundtable discussion.

I still think that we can get a bill through that would be helpful, that would really fix the system. Its just going to take some attention and some more work about the things that need to happen.

The first of Wittmans five principles for a replacement of the AHA is that all Virginians should be able to purchase health insurance coverage. His language does not include the word affordable, but Wittman said he felt that was embedded in the word access.

I think access is a broader term than affordable. I think if you cant afford it, then you dont have access to it, Wittman said.

He added that he feels having the choice of how much risk to take in purchasing insuranceas less expensive insurance usually comes with higher riskis also important.

Wittmans other principles include prioritizing and maintaining choice and access, reducing health care costs, protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, and empowering individuals and the private sector instead of growing government.

Health care was not the only issue on constituents minds. In a variety of written statements and personal stories, those present advocated for the congressman to hold President Donald Trump accountable on behalf of all of his constituents.

To echo the statements of a few folks, I am extremely concerned about transparency and accountability, and thats what I am most passionate about, said the Rev. Beth Gibbons, a United Methodist pastor. Not womens issues, as a single mother of two daughters. Not freedom of religion, as a clergyperson, not immigration as someone who works with documented and undocumented refugees and asylees every day.

Attendees questioned Wittman regarding why he voted against a House measure requesting Trump release his tax returns. Several said they appreciated previous actions Wittman introduced for congressional accountability and expect them to continue.

Wittman said the House of Representatives has no legal authority to compel Trump to release his tax returns, and that his vote was not against requesting them, but against overturning the chairmans ruling that such a request was not in order for the House.

Donald Trump is Donald Trump, and what I have to do is be able to, when there are issues I have, I would speak out against that. To be able to chase around everything that he says and does every day is not, I think, the best way to go about it. I would do the same thing when President Obama was in office, Wittman said. I want to make sure that when I say things they are meaningful.

Attendees told Wittman they appreciated the reasonable conversation, but that he should expect to hear more from them.

We want to let you know though, in advance, we will be protesting. We will be marching, attendee Louise Evans said. But also, even morethese are the people that are doing it.

After the meeting, Wittman said he had to believe reasonable discussion of policy is possible despite divides in the nation.

I have to wake up every morning believing that. If I dont, then why would I be here? he said. I think if anybody doesnt believe that, then thats not the way our systems meant to work.
Ryanair starts in Ukraine in Oct with four destinations flying from Kyiv and seven from Lviv

The largest European low-cost airline Ryanair in October 2017 intends to launch its flights for four destinations flying from Kyiv and seven from Lviv.

Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer David O'Brien said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednessay that flights to Eindhoven, London, Manchester and Stockholm will be launched from Kyiv. It is planned to service 15 flights a week.

From Lviv Ryanair will fly to London, Eindhoven, Berlin, Memmingen, Krakow, Wrosclaw and Budapest.

O'Brien said that flights from Lviv to Eindhoven, London, Berlin, Budapest and Memmingen will be serviced twice a week and to Krakow and Wroclaw  three times a week. Flights from Kyiv to Eindhoven and Mancherster will be serviced three times a week, Stockholm  four times and London  five times a week. In general, the airline intends to annually carry 250,000 passengers each from Kyiv and Lviv. In Kyiv the airline will work with the Boryspil airport, whie initially it was announced that the airline will work with the Kyiv international airport (Zhuliany).

"I would say that any airline operating as we do deserves certain relation to it. Maybe in the future we will fly in Boryspil and Zhuliany," he said.

The cost of tickets starts from EUR 19.99. The price will be in effect in October and November if the tickets are bought before March 16.

O'Brien said that Ukraine will become the 34th country in the airline's chain.

"This year we will carry 120 million passengers and next eight years we will add 10 million passengers a year," he said.

Asked if the airline's planes are based in Ukraine, he said: "Not now, but this is a good issue to discuss. Another issue for the future could be cooperation with Ukraine International Airlines."
NBU suggests that NSDC bans Russian state banks' subsidiaries from executing any financial transactions in favor of their parent banks

The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has suggested implementing the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decision by banning the Ukrainian subsidiaries of Russian state-owned banks from moving capital outside Ukraine.

"The imposition of such sanctions means prohibiting the carrying out of any financial operations in favor of the parent bank, i.e. granting interbank loans, deposits, subordinated debts, purchase of securities, placement of funds at correspondent accounts and other such operations," NBU First Deputy Head Yakiv Smoliy said at a briefing.

"This also involves banning payment of dividends, interest, return of interbank loans, funds from correspondent accounts and a subordinated debt. We also propose banning profit and capital distribution," Smoliy said.

The sanctions are being proposed not because of Russia's decision to recognize the so called passports of Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics but for the sake of financial stability and to ensure that Ukrainian banks with Russian state capital fully honor their obligations to clients, NBU Deputy Governor Yekateryna Rozhkova said.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday said he will expand the use of Project Exile, a program to reduce gun violence that FBI Director James Comey helped start in Richmond two decades ago when he was a federal prosecutor here.

Weve seen a priority thats slipped away from firearms on the federal level, Sessions said, speaking to law enforcement officials and others gathered for his visit to Richmond. Firearms prosecutions have gone down. This downward trend is going to end.

Project Exile is a widely copied program credited with cutting Richmonds violent crime 20 years ago by shipping firearm violators to far-off federal prisons. When Comey was appointed director of the FBI, Exile was frequently cited as one of his accomplishments.

On Wednesday, when a reporter asked Sessions if he would push for wider use of Project Exile, he said, Yes, I will promote that nationwide.

Project Exiles effectiveness has been questioned and has been criticized by some for disproportionately hitting low-income African-Americans. Sessions said you need to be sensitive but have to fight crime where it is found. He said it is people in those communities who plead for help.

Sessions was in Richmond for a closed meeting with area law enforcement officials and crime victims. But he gave a 30-minute public address in which he praised area police agencies for dramatic crime rate reductions and promised more federal assistance in stopping recent increases in violent offenses and an opioid epidemic.

He noted that crime had fallen to historic lows in Richmond and across the country in recent decades. In Richmond, the violent crime rate dropped by two-thirds from 1995 to 2015.

But he said that from 2014 to 2015, the violent crime rate in the U.S. increased by 3 percent, the largest increase since 1991, in what he believes is a trend that needs to be reversed. In Richmond, violent crime rose 17 percent last year over 2015, which had the lowest violent crime rate in 45 years.

Sessions opening remarks were open to sheriffs, police chiefs, ranking federal agents and the media. Not everyone who might be expected to attend was invitedincluding Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael N. Herring, Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring and Virginias secretary of public safety, Brian J. Moran.

The omissions concerned U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-4th, who said in a prepared statement that my serious concerns about the appointment of Attorney General Sessions continue to mount. He comes to Richmond for a press event, saying he wants to address violent crime here.

But by not inviting the commonwealths secretary of public safety or Attorney General Herring, Sessions proved that he does not actually care about keeping our communities safe, McEachin said. Instead, he said, it appears that the attorney general is on a partisan mission to deliver talking points that are not based on facts.

Outside the SunTrust Building where Sessions spoke, dozens of protesters gathered, many with signs calling for his resignation. Inside the building, the Democratic Party of Virginia called for Sessions to resign for not telling the Senate Judiciary Committee about his meetings with the Russian ambassador.

Asked during a brief press conference Wednesday about his judiciary testimony, Sessions said, I never considered meeting with the Russian ambassador to be anything improper in any way. We didnt discuss politics or campaigns. ... We discussed issues like the Ukraine.

I was asked about an allegation that had come out that day that surrogates of the Trump campaignand I was a surrogatehad met continually with Russian officials. I said I dont know anything about that, havent met with Russians, said Sessions. Further questions on the topic were cut off by a woman who appeared to be an aide.

In his earlier remarks, Sessions told the more than 40 central Virginia law enforcement officials on hand that in the past four decades, we have won great victories against crime in America. Its happened under the leadership of both parties.

I think our police departments are better trained, our prosecutors are better trained, we just know how to fight crime more effectively, he said. Hundreds of thousands of people are alive today because of good police workand because weve got a lot of murderers in jail. Theyre not going to murder private citizens if theyre in the slammer, I can tell you that.

But he said recent developments concern him. From 2015 to 2016, Sessions said, the number of homicides in Richmond jumped from 43 to more than 60. Since 2014 the murder rate has gone up in 27 of our 35 largest cities. The homicide rates in Chicago, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Memphis have returned to levels we havent seen in two decades, he said.

If this were just a one-year spike in crime we might not worry too much about it. But my best judgment is it is not, he said. The number of violent crimes for the first half of last year was up 5 percent, he said. My fear is that the crime rise is not a blip but could be the beginning of a trend. If we act effectively now, we can stop this trend from rising, Sessions said.

Among other things, Sessions blamed the rise on the increased availability and use of drugs, reducing prison populations, and less aggressive prosecutions and sentencings.
Sheltering Arms and VCU Health received approval Tuesday from Virginia's chief health official for the joint construction of a 114-bed, $119 million rehabilitation hospital in Goochland County.

The two health systems announced their intentions to construct the hospital in October on a 25-acre site in the West Creek Medical Park off Broad Street Road, just east of the state Route 288 interchange.

They submitted an application for a certificate of public need shortly thereafter.

Mary Zweifel, Sheltering Arms' CEO, said the next step is finalizing the design plans and nailing down a design build contractor. The groundbreaking is expected to take place in the fall.

"We have a team from VCU and Sheltering Arms ... sitting on this selection committees and looking at the various different components," she said. "We're trying to get that selection made so we can begin working on a final plan for the hospital."

The state process went faster than anticipated, she added. A decision on the hospital's certificate of public need wasn't expected until mid to late spring.

At a public hearing in February, Zweifel said about 50 community members appeared to speak in favor of the proposed hospital, including physicians, along with patients and their family members.

"We were thrilled," she said. "They were very supportive."

The hospital - dubbed Sheltering Arms Rehab Institute-A Joint Venture with VCU Health System - is slated to open in 2020.

It will provide inpatient rehabilitation, which includes caring for individuals who have undergone strokes, spinal cord injuries or brain injuries, as well as those in need of general rehabilitation or various neurological diseases and disorders.

In embarking on the joint venture together, VCU Health and Sheltering Arms agreed to consolidate several of their locations, including Sheltering Arms' two hospitals - one on the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center campus in Hanover County and the other on the Bon Secours St. Francis Medical center campus in Midlothian - and VCU Health's rehab hospital at 1300 E. Marshall St. in downtown Richmond.

Sheltering Arms leases its Midlothian space and owns its Hanover facility. Zweifel said the health system has yet to decide what will become of the Hanover location.

The two Sheltering Arms locations have a total of 68 beds while VCU Health's rehab hospital has 46 beds - for a total of 114 beds to be combined into one hospital location in Goochland.
OF ALL Europes former imperial housesthe Bourbons, the Hapsburgs, the Romanovsnone of them has a thing over the doomed Hawaiian royals in tragedy, intrigue or in maddening, avoidable missteps toward their own ruin.

Paying for 80 years of foreign domination and their own mistakes was the last monarch of Hawaiis ill-starred dynasty, Lydia Kamakaeha Paki, better remembered by her almost prophetic regnal name: Liliuokalani, The Pain of the Royal One.

She was born a high chiefess of Kona in 1838, 18 years into the new era brought by Christian missionaries. These American Congregationalists had the good luck to arrive in Hawaii months after the formidable Queen Kaahumanu ended the native religion, pulled down the temples and burned the idols. (Contrary to popular belief, American missionaries did not destroy the native religion; they arrived in the vacuum.) Like virtually all members of Hawaiis alii, the chiefly caste, Lydia was not raised by her birth parents but taken in the custom of hanai adoption by relatives.

Given the Christian name of Lydia, she was not born into the line of succession, but the lack of direct heirs prompted King Kamehameha III to declare her family eligible for the throne. Even then, she was never expected to reign, for she stood behind three brothers.

From the age of 3, she attended the missionary-taught Chiefs Childrens School, learning not just academic subjects but social graces that Western powers would expect from a royal princess. She proved to have a powerful mind, and was gifted in poetry and especially music. She later composed the iconic Aloha Oe, and was a near concert-class pianist. Unlike her next elder brother, David Kalakaua, Lydia was sincere in her profession of Christian faith.

Unbidden by her, the throne moved closer. Two of her brothers died. The last two Kamehameha princesses, Ruth and Bernice, were ruled out. When the last Kamehameha King William Lunalilo died without heirs, there was an election for monarch that was won, by both hook and crook, by her brother Kalakaua. Lydia, renamed Liliuokalani, found herself Crown Princess.

Throughout his 17-year reign, she was a force behind the throne, encouraging her brother to restore native culture, such as the hula, which had been outlawed under missionary influence. She also upbraided him to greater financial responsibility, at which she failed, as the Merrie Monarch spent himself into astronomical debt to the American sugar barons who, increasingly, controlled Hawaiis economyand him.

The tycoons grew to hate her for such acts as her closing the port of Honolulu to prevent the spread of smallpox at a time they were importing Chinese labor to work their sugar plantations. A revolutionary movement began, but they feared her enough to wait until she was out of the country (in London for Queen Victorias Golden Jubilee in 1887) before they struck, forcing Kalakaua to sign a new constitution stripping him of most royal powers.

During her own stormy reign in 1891 to early 1893, plotting increased until Marines from the USS Boston helped the American businessmen overthrow her. How to deal with the ill-gotten republic bedeviled the U.S. government, which had been Hawaiis cultural and civic mentor for more than 70 years. The coup had occurred with the support of Republican President Benjamin Harrison at the end of his administration. Incoming Democrat Grover Cleveland, disgusted by the skullduggery, moved to restore the Queenwhich the new republic refused.

Two years later, Liliuokalani was imprisoned for nine months in her bedroom, convicted of complicity in an unsuccessful counter-coup to restore her. When freed, she traveled to Washington to guide efforts to defeat the proposed annexation of Hawaii. That treaty did fail, owing mostly to a massive petition drive that has been all but forgotten by history, but which the queen may have masterminded.

Contrary to popular belief, what settled the question of annexing Hawaii under William McKinley was not sugar, but an expanding Japanese navy. Their powerful new battleships could have reached California by seizing Hawaii as a coaling station.

McKinley told one senator: I cannot let those islands go to Japan. The SpanishAmerican War cured his reluctance, and on Aug. 12, 1898, the Hawaiian flag was lowered from the Iolani Palace and replaced with the Stars and Stripes.

Liliuokalani survived almost 20 years more, a living reproach to international power politics and to a world in which it was still acceptable for large nations to gobble up small ones. Today, she is regardedrightlyas a tragic heroine in Hawaii, and is a central rallying point of the native independence movement.

James L. Haley, the award-winning biographer of Texas legend Sam Houston, is author of recent works that include Wolf: The Lives of Jack London and Captive Paradise: A History of Hawaii.
A mass rally in support of a blockade of trade with occupied Donbas was held in central Kyiv on Tuesday evening.

The activists gathered on Kyiv's Independence Square (Maidan) at about 19:00 local time, lit flares and headed toward the office of SCM (System Capital Management) belonging to Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov, the Kyiv city police communication department said.

Later on, the protesters returned to Khreschatyk Street and hurled stones and empty glass bottles at an office of Russian Alfa-Bank's subsidiary in Ukraine. "The police did not allow them to go inside the financial institution's building," the police department said.

The activists left the area around the Independence Column on Independence Square by 22:00 local time, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported from the scene.

The protesters who hurled stones and empty glass bottles at the Alfa-Bank office on Khreschatyk Street also dispersed.
Del. Cole must address redistricting reform

In a wrap-up of the 2017 General Assembly business, Del. Mark Coles email to constituents dismisses the important work on redistricting reform done in this session.

Three good bills were passed with bipartisan support in the Senate only to die in the House Committee on Elections and Privileges that Del. Cole chairs. He wrote that the push for reform came from a special interest group.

If he is referring to One Virginia 2021, which lobbied for the bills, then the special interest is one promoting fairness. Special indeed. That group formed three years ago is steadfastly nonpartisan and does not concern itself with specific electoral outcomes, focusing instead on a fair process.

Del. Cole wrote that he doesnt see how a truly independent commission to set legislative districts would be possible. While drawing electoral maps is inherently political, having legislators draw the maps, effectively choosing their voters, is detrimental to our democracy. In Virginias gerrymandered districts, parties on the outs cant field a candidate, good people are loathe to run and few bother to vote.

Incumbents need not worry about re-election or what their voters want. Instead, they worry about primary challenges and adhere strictly to their partys position on every issueoften having to take extreme positions to prevail. Legislative compromise doesnt help these incumbents; in fact, it hurts them. The effect on governance is lamented by pretty much everyone paying attention.

An independent redistricting commission, drawing boundaries without using political data, would remove much of this hyper-partisanship.

Del. Cole wrote that he supports any process that is transparent and fair. Taking him at his word, I look forward to seeing the legislation he puts forward to address this serious threat to our representative democracy.

Sabina Weitzman Fredericksburg
If you like roaring, full-throttle hardcore punk, the new album by Columbias Longshot Odds has plenty of that. Stress Marks, is the album in question and the bands first in two years. Read moreColumbia's Longshot Odds offer roaring, full-throttle punk on latest album
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Ukrainian police had to fire warning shots into the air to stop a convoy near the town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region after these vehicles had earlier forced their way through a Sloviansk checkpoint and injured police officers.

The convoy was spotted near Kramatorsk at about 22:00 local time on Tuesday, the Donetsk regional police department said. The convoy ignored the demand that the vehicles stop, and a police officer had to fire a number of warning shots into the air to make the convoy comply and protect the law enforcement officials' lives and health, it said.

"It appeared that the same group of individuals had forced their way into the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone. It included parliamentarian Volodymyr Parasiuk, who, according to an earlier statement, was supposed to be at a hospital at the time," the report said.

An investigative team of the Kramatorsk police department was sent to the scene. An inquiry is underway.

Previously, the Donetsk regional police reported the opening of a criminal case on the counts of 'a threat or violence against a law enforcement officer' following a brawl at a checkpoint near Sloviansk.

Yuriy Holuban, the commander of a special-operations police company of Donetsk region, said a convoy carrying unknown individuals had approached the checkpoint at about 19:00 on Tuesday. The people were told that they had to cross the roadblock consistent with the ATO headquarters' regulations, i.e. to produce their IDs and to prepare their vehicles for inspection.

"These people refused to do so. MP Parasiuk alighted and started threatening and insulting the police officers with foul language and tried to provoke a brawl. He failed to achieve the goal on his own and gave an order to his companions from the convoy. In fact, citizen Parasiuk led an attack on the police officers," Holuban said.

About 40-45 people were involved in the attack, the report said.

Holuban said he had decided not to use firearms against the assailants. Seven police officers, including five from the special-operations company and two from the Sloviansk police department, were hurt in the conflict.

"An officer of the special-operations company was hit by the parliament deputy's car; he is in hospital. Two officers sustained injuries, and another two were sprayed with pepper gas and suffered severe facial burns," Holuban said.

The Donetsk regional police asked the Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office to appraise parliamentarian Parasiuk's conduct, insisting that he led the attack on the police at the checkpoint near Sloviansk.
European scientists have given controversial weedkiller glyphosate a clean bill of health, rejecting any suggestions it can cause cancer.

The opinion was issued by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in Finland on Wednesday (15 March), and adds weight to calls to renew the products EU licence for another 15 years.

According to its Risk Assessment Committee (RAC), the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogen, as a mutagen or as toxic for reproduction.

See also: Farmers join forces to fight false knowledge on glyphosate

This was based on an assessment of extensive scientific data  including published studies and original reports conducted by industry.

The ECHA also conducted a public consultation last summer to hear from stakeholders.

Addressing a media briefing, director of risk management Jack de Bruijn insisted the assessment had been detailed and transparent.

The opinion was adopted by consensus  there were no minority positions, he said. In our opinion, it does not fulfil the criteria to call it a carcinogen.

Question marks

Glyphosate, which has been used on farms for 40 years, was supposed to have been relicenced last year.

But following an earlier assessment by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that it was probably carcinogenic, and in the face of considerable political pressure, the EU Commission agreed to extend the licence for just 18 months, to the end of 2017.

That was to provide enough time for the ECHA to conclude its detailed assessment  which it did this week.

The opinion will now be subject to editorial checks, then sent to Brussels, where it will be taken into account by the EU Commission and member states when deciding whether to renew the licence for glyphosate on a more permanent basis.

Reaction

The NFU has welcomed the ECHA opinion on the safety of glyphosate which, it said, was shared by regulatory bodies around the world, including the World Health Organization, the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the European Food Safety Authority.

Glyphosate plays a vital role in agriculture, said vice-president Guy Smith. It reduces the need to use other herbicides, it helps to protect soil and cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for ploughing.

Now, ECHA has released its classification there can be no reason why glyphosate should not be re-authorised for a further 15 years.

But environmental lobby group Greenpeace accused the ECHA of sweeping the glyphosate cancer evidence under the carpet, saying it had rejected evidence of cancer in laboratory animals and relied on unpublished studies commissioned by glyphosate producers.

If the EU doesnt get this right, people and the environment will continue to be the lab rats of the chemical industry, said food policy director Franziska Achterberg.

Playing politics

But Crop Protection Association chief executive Sarah Mukherjee hit back.

This ruling is another reminder this debate has never really been about safety, it has been hijacked and politicised to force a wider debate on modern agriculture.

Its right that were having that debate, but its wrong to use health scares to get there.

Over 40 years of robust scientific evidence, supported by one of the most extensive human health, crop residue and environmental databases ever compiled, shows no risk to safety.

Clearly, the commission should re-authorise glyphosate for the standard 15 year period.
First Milk has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer, symbolising the completion of a substantial financial turnaround by the processor.

The role will be filled by former Medina Dairy managing director, Shelagh Hancock, who will replace the outgoing Mike Gallacher.

Under Mr Gallachers two-year tenure the co-op underwent a significant U-turn in performance, including a 30m year-on-year improvement in operating profit in the 12 months to March 2016.

See also: First Milk turnaround plan sees big improvements

First Milk is undergoing a transitional period, expected to be completed by next month, during which the reins will be handed over to Ms Hancock.

Mr Gallacher said he was very proud of the transformation made by First Milk since he took over in March 2015.

First Milk is now a very different business and customers and members can be confident in its future as a British Dairy Co-op.

The board and I have worked closely on the CEO transition and I am delighted to see the appointment of Shelagh Hancock.

Over the coming weeks we will be working together to deliver a smooth transition to ensure no loss of momentum as our business performance continues to improve.

See also: First Milk to repay deferred 2015 milk cheques

Ms Hancock said she firmly believed in the principles of farmers working together for the benefit of each other.

I am delighted to be working again for a farmer co-operative.

I strongly believe that First Milk has got a bright future and as a British farmer-owned co-op weve got great credentials to build on.

There are still further opportunities to develop the core business and I am confident we can continue to build a strong and vibrant co-operative capable of creating value for its customers, and most importantly for our members.

Backing British

Ms Hanock, who will bring more than 25 years experience to the role, told Farmers Weekly that leaving Europe would create excellent opportunities for British products internationally.

Brexit means British providence will be even more important for our industry in the coming years.

It is a brand that guarantees quality which consumers can trust, creating the potential to increase demand in the UK and overseas.
Ukraine has reported 106 attacks on its positions in Donbas on Tuesday, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters wrote on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

"A total of 106 attacks have been recorded. Of them, mortars were used 44 times, tanks twice and [banned] 122mm artillery once. Six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action and one was injured," the ATO HQ said.

The Mariupol sector was the hottest spot. ATO positions in the villages of Vodiane, Pavlopil, and Hnutove came under mortar fire. The Ukrainian-controlled town of Maryinka was attacked by an enemy tank, while the villages of Shyrokyne, Berezove, and Vodiane were attacked by infantry fighting vehicles. Enemy snipers were active near Hnutove, Novomykhailivka and Shyrokyne.

The town of Avdiyivka, which was cut off the power grids on March 14, remained the hottest spot in the Donetsk sector. It was under intensive fire from mortars, grenade launchers, and machine guns. Later, it was attacked by a tank. Further, the enemy opened fire from grenade launchers and mortars to shell Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of the villages of Zaitseve and Opytne, as well as the Butivka coal mine, the villages of Luhanske, Troyitske, and Kamianka. Luhanske also came under 122mm artillery fire.

The village of Krymske in the Luhansk sector was attacked with the use of banned 120mm grenade launchers and machine guns. Enemy snipers were active near the villages of Novo-Oleksandrivka, Zhovte, and Novozvanivka.
Story Highlights 42% in U.S. worry a "great deal" about race relations

Worries about this issue up from 17% in 2014

59% of Democrats, 29% of Republicans say they worry a "great deal"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Forty-two percent of Americans say they personally worry a "great deal" about race relations in the United States, up seven percentage points from 2016 and a record high in Gallup's 17-year trend. This is the third straight year worries about this issue have increased by a significant margin.

In 2010, early in Barack Obama's presidency, the percentage who expressed a "great deal" of worry about race relations hit an all-time low of 13%. This represented a continued decline in worry that began near the end of the George W. Bush presidency. The level of worry about this issue stayed in the teens until 2015.

Americans' worries about race relations have risen sharply over the past three years. In 2014, 17% said they worried a "great deal" about this issue; this climbed to 28% in 2015 and 35% in 2016.

This surge in worry about race relations likely stems from the racial tensions and public discourse sparked by high-profile incidents of police shooting unarmed black men and of black men shooting police in retaliation. Shootings in Dallas, Baton Rouge and Minnesota all occurred after Gallup last asked this question in March 2016.

The political success of President Donald Trump -- whose comments on racial matters, including his recent feud with Rep. John Lewis, have sparked outrage among some black leaders -- could also be a factor in Americans' heightened concern about race relations.

Democrats More Worried Than Independents, Republicans

Democrats' worries about race relations have risen by 33 percentage points over the past three years, now at 59%. Independents and Republicans are more worried now than they were in 2014, but their increases (26 points and 17 points, respectively) are smaller than that of Democrats.

Republicans' worries about race relations doubled between 2014 and 2015, from 12% to 26%, and have since leveled off at 29%. Democrats' worries about this issue have always exceeded Republicans', but the gap between parties is more sizable this year than it was in recent years.

Bottom Line

Race relations, one of the top concerns in the 1950s and 1960s, has returned as a major issue this decade. The Black Lives Matter movement sprang up in 2013 to combat allegedly racist police shootings and attracted national attention in 2014 after police shot an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri. Movements such as Black Lives Matter have highlighted the precarious nature of black-white relations in the U.S.

Race relations or racism has emerged as one of the top issues on Gallup's most important problem list, rising from 1% to 3% of Americans mentioning the issue throughout much of 2014 to 18% doing so in July 2016 after incidents of violence between police and black men, making it the most important problem that month. Mentions of this issue have stayed at a monthly average of 9% since then.

Democrats remain more worried than Republicans about race relations, and Republicans' worries have not increased significantly this year, even after high-profile shootings by police and of police in 2016. Whether the overall amount of worry about this issue goes up or down in the coming year will likely depend on how many high-profile incidents occur and how Americans react to Trump's comments and actions related to race.

Historical data are available in Gallup Analytics.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko suggests that the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine should decide on suspension of transport communication with the Russian-occupied areas in Donbas.

"I suggest that the NSDC decide on a full temporary halt to transport services - not only railways - with the occupied territory. It will be in effect until the occupiers return the stolen Ukrainian enterprises under the jurisdiction of Ukraine," Poroshenko said in an address to the NSDC posted on his website.

He noted the considerable deterioration of the situation in the east of Ukraine: escalation in Donbas and the recognition by Russia of documents issued by the self-proclaimed republics.

"Their self-appointed leaders have seized, stolen Ukrainian enterprises. The tentative value of the seized assets is $2 billion. Some of the owners - and we appreciate this - have shut down production. And those who continue should not expect that their goods will be sold in Ukraine," Poroshenko said.

Ukraine has lost its enterprises because of supporters of a blockade of trade with occupied Donbas and terrorists themselves, and "this, unfortunately, has created a new reality," he said.

Poroshenko said that only humanitarian freight could be allowed for transportation.

"Humanitarian freight - from Ukrainian, international organizations, namely, the UN, the ICRC and others - with medicines, goods of prime necessity - will be an exception. We should not let the humanitarian situation in the occupied areas worsen," he said.
Dawn Lutrell says the first time someone said she looked like Ellen DeGeneres was shortly after high school.

As DeGeneres progressed from stand-up comedian to sitcom star to talk show host, the more unwanted attention Lutrell seemed to get.

"For years this has gone on," she said.

In fact, three years ago, Latrell, a musician and songwriter who has called Corvallis home for the past decade, made a YouTube video asking DeGeneres if she would tell the world they are two different people.

"The whole thing backfired," Lutrell said.

A couple of days later, "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" hosted a virtual show at Oregon State University's campus. Lutrell was among thousands in the audience who came to watch.

As you might have guessed, others in the crowd mistook her for DeGeneres and wanted to meet her and get a picture.

They assumed showing up and standing in the audience without notice is something Ellen would do, Lutrell said.

"I did all of these selfies with students, because I figured why not?" she said. But then people began following her out to her car.

Her YouTube video got 6,000 more views after.

Lutrell said she let go of the ordeal for awhile, until her friends spotted a meme of her online. She was quick to dismiss it.

"The thing was '24 times somebody actually thought they met a celebrity'," Lutrell said. She was No. 24.

It was a video of her at OSU, but that isn't what she found unsettling.

At the bottom of the page it said to be fair the last person in the meme was hired by DeGeneres' show for a look-alike skit, Lutrell said.

"I appreciate that, because it makes me look like less of an idiot, but I wasn't hired by her show."

Finally, Lutrell decided after years of treating her resemblance to DeGeneres as a burden, she would use it as an own opportunity to become a standup comedian.

Last year, the 48-year-old connected with agent Dot Findlater from Mirror Images Co. in Los Angeles to perform as a DeGeneres look-alike.

"This was the permission slip to say, 'You know if people are willing to listen to me because I look like somebody else, than why not?' But I have to do it my own way," she said.

Now, not even a year into her new career and in just her fourth standup appearance, Lutrell will perform at an open mic showcase Tuesday at The Comedy Store in La Jolla, California.

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, Lutrell always was told by others that she was funny, but music was her first love.

"My entire life, everyone said you have to do standup comedy, since I was very little. But I said, 'Nah I want to be Bon Jovi,'" she said.

When the chance to perform comedy came as a look-alike, Lutrell wrote her own material instead of just copying DeGeneres' monologues or impersonating her.

She likened her first time writing to opening a bottle of 7-Up that had just been shaken. She produced three hours worth of material.

"I agonize over every single word, and I felt weird about that, until I saw that Jerry Seinfeld does the same thing," Lutrell said.

She was also told that, when it comes to comedy, "use what you've got."

"If you've put on 15 pounds, use it. If you are ugly, use it," she said. "What I have is I'm a recovering alcoholic and addict, but more importantly to me, that serves a greater purpose."

Lutrell, who has been sober for six years, creates humor from past experiences in her own life as part of the act, and uses it to help others.

"I went to rehab. I paid $18,000 to learn what apparently everybody else already knew, don't go to work drunk," she said.

Lutrell aims to do battle with the stigma that is associated with addiction and recovery.

"Ellen is the face of CoverGirl. I'm the face of recover girl," she added.

Last May, Lutrell did her first official standup performance for some friends at the Linn County Expo Center in Albany.

"I busted out with an hour and six minutes of all original stuff, and people liked it," she said.

Her second show, last November, was a much larger performance and marked her first appearance as a DeGeneres look-alike: She hosted "In Recovery Magazine's Third Annual Gratitude Gala" in Phoenix, where she was the event emcee and opening act for comedian Alonzo Bodden. Bodden is featured on NPR's "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me," and was the winner in the third season of "Last Comic Standing." The veteran comedian, who has since become a friend and mentor, told her he was impressed and encouraged her to stick with it.

Lutrell also performed at an open mic event in Salem.

"Well, if you don't count Safeway, the dog park and jury duty, this (Comedy Store) thing in La Jolla will be my fourth (performance)," she said.

The Comedy Store is owned by Mitzi and Sammy Shore, parents of Pauly Shore, with the main location in Hollywood and a sister club in La Jolla, near San Diego.

"The one in La Jolla is where Robin Williams, Roseanne Barr and few others got started," Lutrell said.

The aspiring comic connected with Sandi Shore, Pauly's sister, simply seeking basic advice.

Lutrell emailed Shore, who does comedy workshops in Los Angeles and San Diego, to see if she would give her 45 minutes on the phone, because she couldn't attend a 7-week workshop.

Shore asked her to send a video. The YouTube video she made for DeGeneres was all Lutrell had available to send. It got the job done.

Shore said, "I don't have any advice for you. I was 20 seconds into that video, and I already saw what I needed to see." And Shore invited Lutrell to perform last in her open mic showcase.

Lutrell had some reservations, and even said no at first.

Shore said, "It's there for you, you just have to get up and do it."

"And that is what I'm going to do," Lutrell said.

Friends and community members have supported Lutrell all the way. On March 2, Lutrell rehearsed her set in front of a full house at Corvallis' Imagine Coffee.

"The encouragement I've received from the community is truly humbling! They're on the ride just as much as I am," she said.

Lutrell has received support from unexpected sources as well.

"You wake up one morning and Sinbad is giving you a shout out on twitter. How does he even know who I am?" she asked.

When it comes to her standup routine, Lutrell said she always saves her DeGeneres look-a-like material for the last five minutes.

"I ease into it, with true story I once smoked so much marijuana I thought Ellen DeGeneres was living in my bathroom mirror," she said.

And what if the real Ellen DeGeneres ever hears about what Dawn Lutrell is up to?

"I thought if Ellen ever gets wind of this, at least, she can say 'The girl has some integrity and is not just taking my stuff.' That's how I would like it to play out," Lutrell said.
From heavy metals emitted by art glass factories in Portland to fluoride compounds and glass fibers coming out of the stacks at Hollingsworth & Vose in Corvallis, Oregonians are waking up to the potential health risks posed by industrial air pollution  but solving the problem will require grass-roots action.

That was the message delivered by a panel of speakers Tuesday night at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library hosted by the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.

Last spring, Gov. Kate Brown launched a statewide regulatory reform effort dubbed Cleaner Air Oregon in response to revelations that factories making colored glass in Portland had been emitting potentially dangerous levels of cadmium and arsenic for decades under permits issued by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

Local environmental activist Marilyn Koenitzer drew a parallel between that case and the situation at Hollingsworth & Vose, a south Corvallis glass fiber plant that operated for nearly 20 years under the wrong class of permit before DEQ determined it was exceeding its allowed levels of fluoride and carbon monoxide. Neighbors of the plant, which sits on the edge of a residential district, also have raised concerns about the particulate matter emitted by H&V.

Koenitzer, the founder of Clean Corvallis Air, said both situations are symptoms of a larger and more troubling issue.

Weak administration of the DEQ over many years was the root of the problem, she said, adding that the agency has been systematically underfunded.

H&V has been allowed to continue operating while it applies for a new permit, which Koenitzer said would likely include higher allowed levels of some pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, greenhouse gases and fine particulates. She said particulate levels are especially concerning because the public doesnt have data about the amount of glass fibers in the air around the plant.

How many of you have heard that theres nothing but steam coming out of the stacks? she asked the audience. That is an urban myth perpetrated by the company. If they were putting out only steam, they wouldnt need a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality.

Oregon State University toxicologist Diana Rohlman talked about the potential health effects of air pollution, from increased asthma rates to elevated risk of heart disease, stroke, serious respiratory problems and premature death. Fine particulates  airborne solids less than 2.5 microns in diameter, about 1/20 the width of a human hair  are of particular concern because they can be inhaled deep inside the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

To try to get a handle on particulate levels around the H&V plant, Rohlman said, she and a colleague set up four continuous-read air monitors last week in south Corvallis. While the type of monitors being used wont determine the composition of the particles in the air, they should provide baseline information on concentrations of coarse and fine particulate matter over different time horizons.

What were hoping to do is monitor for several months, she said.

The final speaker of the evening was Lisa Arkin, the executive director of Beyond Toxics, a Eugene-based nonprofit that addresses a wide range of environmental issues. Like Rohlman, she serves on the Cleaner Air Oregon Advisory Committee.

Arkin said the committee is trying to create a new framework for environmental regulation that would put public health before corporate profits.

We keep talking about moving toward a health-based policy, she said. (But) were struggling because Oregon has never regulated anything on the basis of health  its always been a cost-benefit analysis.

She called for tougher regulations that would require better monitoring and public reporting of toxic air emissions, as well as evaluation of the cumulative and combined effects of the myriad industrial pollutants entering the atmosphere.

We need this more than ever now because our federal government is backing away from environmental regulation, Arkin said. We believe that everyone has a right to know what is in the air they breathe.

She noted that Eugene has a community right to know program that requires local polluters to submit detailed reports of their emissions to the local fire marshals office, which then makes the data available to the public. A measure recently introduced in the Legislature  House Bill 2669  would allow other Oregon cities to do the same thing, and she urged Corvallis residents to support it.

Asked what local residents could do to get some answers to their concerns about potential health risks in the air they breathe, Arkin urged them to keep pushing for stronger action by state environmental regulators.

You should call the DEQ, she said. Right now the focus is on Portland because theyre the noisiest. You can be noisy.
The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine has supported a temporary cessation of transport ties with the Russian occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in connection with the seizure of Ukrainian-managed enterprises and escalation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone, NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov said.

"Taking note that there is sharp escalation of Russian aggression against Ukraine, the forced seizure of Ukrainian enterprises in separate areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and acknowledging the aggravation of threats to Ukraine's economic and energy security triggered by deliberate action by terrorists and recognition by Russia of documents issued by the self-proclaimed republics on the state level, the NSDC has decided to suspend transportation of freight across the contact line until the realization of Clauses 1-2 of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements dated February 12, 2015, and until the return of the seized enterprises under the jurisdiction of Ukraine. The measure is aimed at protecting rights and freedoms of citizens of Ukraine and ensuring Ukraine's national security," Turchynov announced at the end of an NSDC meeting on Wednesday.
In the coming weeks and months, the Philomath-based Marys River Grange No. 685 plans to orchestrate a drive to add 20-plus individuals to its membership roster as it looks ahead to the future.

At the same time, the organization will also celebrate a past that dates back to the days of the Great Depression, Babe Ruth and on the local scene, an economy largely based on timber and agricultural.

I think that I really like the connection I feel to the people that together built this hall and over 90 years have taken care of it and passed it from hand to hand to hand, Marys River Grange Master Jay Sexton said last week. Its my great-grandparents generation that made this and all those generations in between kept it going and passed it on.

The organization plans to celebrate with an open house from 4-6:30 p.m. Saturday marking the 90th anniversary of the local granges founding.

Marys River Grange No. 685 was organized March 16, 1927, when 38 residents joined together to form the local chapter. Sexton said granges are assigned numbers based on their date of organization and Marys River was the 685th in Oregon. For example, Philomath Grange No. 13 was one of earliest with its organization in 1872, but the group stopped meeting in 1891.

In 2009, Marys River Grange voted to close due to lack of members. But John Eveland of Gathering Together Farms recruited 50 new members for the next meeting and a vote was taken to remain open. Sexton was one of those members.

As I looked into the history of the grange, I was impressed with things it had accomplished and its duration and its traditions, Sexton said, and I also liked the people that seemed to come and join Marys River Grange who are interested in local sustainable food, healthy food and connections between farmers and consumers, and the resilence and health of rural communities.

As of last week, Marys River Granges membership stood at 43 members. The organization hopes to get the number up to 65. Sexton wants people to understand that the grange is not only for farmers.

I was talking with another granger recently and he basically said, well, when (national) grange was founded in 1867, it was a community organization, but almost everybody in the community was a farmer, Sexton said. Weve always been a community organization; its just that the communities have shifted a little away from farming.

So were still a community organization that doesnt align itself with any religious denomination or any political denomination and its a little unique in that way because a lot of other groupings are based on one of those things, he added.

On a larger scale, Sexton said the National Grange saw a recent overall increase in membership, although in Oregon, the numbers have remained even.

"This year, I would bet money that were going to see an increase, Sexton said. Theres a statewide effort to increase membership in a real energetic way.

Marys River Granges membership on the whole could be characterized as young with Sexton estimating the average age in the mid-30s. Members pay annual dues of $50. The grange meets on the first Wednesday of each month with a potluck and business meeting.

The historic structure on Grange Hall Road continues to upgrade its facility through various projects.

The most recent thing is we got a grant from the Benton County Cultural Coalition to do some upgrades on the acoustics of the hall and that includes sound-absorbing along the side, acoustic curtains that will seal off another echoing area, and insulation around the back, top and bottom of the stage, Sexton said. Were also going to make the electrical access for the stage much more usable.

Other upgrades have included new electrical panels, replacement of the old propane appliances, a new energy efficient hot water heater and new LED lights that use only half the power.

The grange pays recurring bills such as utilities and maintenance out of rental income, which includes things like weddings, memorial services, business meetings and birthday parties. The majority of the membership dues are passed along to support the state and national grange organizations.

The grange sponsors various events and meetings that work toward supported goals, including the hosting of a monthly medical clinic for underinsured farmworkers.

Gathering Together Farms and groups of volunteer local doctors and nurses are the real engine of it and we are providing the housing for the activity, Sexton said. We feel like its a really nice thing to offer to the remarkable number of agricultural workers that are local here.

Sexton sees the grange as a community organization where neighbors can support each other in times of need. As an example, he brought up the massive earthquake that many people believe will hit someday.

I think its smart to have face-to-face connections, think about preparedness, think about food in the local area, because I think everybodys heard grocery stores have a three-day supply because theyre completely dependent on a fully functional transport system, he said. If some disaster interrupts that, it could get weird fast.
Poroshenko categorically against recognizing parts of Donbas as occupied areas, urges Rada to pass another law

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko intends to initiate adoption of a law by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on restoring the territorial integrity of the country.

"We will offer another law, which meets the national interests of Ukraine, a law on restoring the territorial integrity of the country," Poroshenko said during a sitting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on Wednesday, according to the president's press service.

Poroshenko categorically opposed legal recognition of parts of Donbas as occupied territory.

"To formally legalize [these areas] a draft law will be offered on the occupied areas. Just imagine the consequences of such a legislative initiative! Such a law would wreck the Minsk process and bury international sanctions against Russia because they are connected to the Minsk [peace] process. The mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will leave Donbas," Poroshenko said.

He added that in this situation Ukraine would be left tete-a-tete with the aggressor against the backdrop of an unavoidable escalation of military activities.
Witnesses pursue thieves : Two thefts at Bonn jewelry stores

Bonn A man stole from a jewelry store in Bonn city center on Wednesday morning. Thanks to attentive witnesses, police were able to find the perpetrator in record time. A similar incident happened the day before.

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Police needed only three minutes to detain a jewelry thief after attentive passers-by helped them with key information. Frank Piontek, police spokesperson, confirmed the information to GA on Wednesday.

It was a well-coordinated effort on the part of police but the easily identifiable clothing of the 29-year-old perpetrator also led to his quick detention. After the man took a jewelry case from a Bonn jewelry store, witnesses followed the man and were able to give police a good description of his craftsmans clothing, Piontek explained. The police telephone rang at 10:50 am and at 10:53 am, the suspect was in handcuffs.

Already the evening before, there had been a robbery at a jeweler in Bonn city center. At around 9:10 pm, the perpetrator had attacked the jeweler in front of his business on Kolnstrae and tried to force him back into his shop. The jeweler resisted and was slightly injured.

In that instance, police said that two witnesses became aware of what was going when they heard the victims cry for help. They followed the suspect and stopped him at Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz. Police were called and they arrested the 44-year-old man. After questioning at the police department, the suspect was released and is now facing further investigation.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that law enforcement officers will detain all members of the trade blockade with occupied territories if they are found to be carrying weapons.

"We will always respect peaceful protesters even though we may not share their demands. However, if anyone responds to the organizers' call for carrying weapons and goes there with rifles, Molotov cocktails, explosives or grenades for blowing up railroad tracks, as the thrill-seeking organizers have repeatedly promised us, they will be detained and held liable even if they identify themselves as patriots," Poroshenko said at a Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council meeting on Wednesday.

The president expressed regret that a political force that considers itself "democratic, liberal and reform-minded" had created the chaotic situation in the Anti-terrorism Operation (ATO) zone.

"Take and do  that's not honest and scurrilous behavior with regard to the nation. Can we really in such a manner distract attention from the failures of our leader, who for two and a half mayoral terms has not been able to solve the most pressing communal issue and is scattering garbage in the most beautiful city of Ukraine," Poroshenko said, [referring to Lviv Mayor and Samopomich Party faction head Andriy Sadovy].

The president also expressed indignation with events involving confrontations between blockade activists and law enforcement officers.

"Last night I saw a disgraceful video clip. How they beat up new policemen, how they tried to take away their weapons, demeaned police officers, who are veterans of military service, thinking that they wouldn't raise their hand against a parliament deputy," the president said.
Marissa Mayer to get $23 million parting gift from Yahoo News oi -Shilpa Handsome package as a parting gift

Earlier this March, it was announced that because of the data breaches Yahoo suffered under its CEO Marissa Mayer's, she had to forgo her cash bonus for 2016 and other potential stock-based bonus for 2017.

But in a regulatory filing posted this week, the company said that Mayer will receive a package of cash, stock, and benefits valued at a total of $23,011,325 out of which $3 million will be in cash.

Yahoo introduces "Similarity Search" feature to discover photos more easily on Flickr

Yahoo was sold to Verizon for $4.8bn last year, ending a 20-year run as an independent company. The company had already announced that Mayer would step down as a board director once the acquisition is completed and now it said that she will not be the CEO of pieces of Yahoo that are not being sold to the telecom giant. However, she will still receive a severance package as a parting gift.

Along with Mayer, others including Lisa Utzschneider, Yahoo's chief revenue officer, will receive a sum of $16,536,363 whereas Ken Goldman, Yahoo's chief financial officer, will get $9,478,568 as a severance package.

Yahoo co-founder David Filo will also get $15,000 in cash and two years worth of continued health insurance. On the other hand, Ronald Bell, Yahoo's general counsel, who resigned on March 1 will not receive any severance package.

Following Mayer, Yahoo's leftover Altaba will be led by Thomas McInerney, former CFO of IAC. He is said to earn twice that of the current CEO with $2 million in annual base salary.

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Design: Moto G line-up finally goes metallic

The Moto G line-up is finally getting a makeover that was long overdue. Moto G5 Plus is carved out of diamond cut aluminum that makes it quite sturdy and certainly the most premium Moto G handset ever came out from Moto's factory. Motorola also says that the dual-SIM handset is splash proof, just like the previous Moto G4 Plus.

The physical buttons are placed on the right side, the 3.5mm headphone jacks sits at top and the micro USB charging port is placed at the bottom. The fingerprint scanner is fitted on the home button at front that also supports gestures.

What truly differentiates the look and feel of the new Moto G handset from the multitude of Chinese smartphones selling in the market is the big circular camera module fitted at the rear panel. This reminds us of the recently launched Moto Z handsets, and gives the G5 Plus a unique personality.

For the ergonomics part, the Moto G5 Plus is really comfortable to hold and to use with one hand. The handset's smaller footprint combined with the metal outfit makes it compact, sturdy and refined when compared to the previous Moto G4 Plus.

Display: Vibrant Full HD (1080p) displays with Corning Gorilla Glass protection

I am delighted by the fact that Motorola has differentiated the screen sizes of the Moto G5 Plus and Moto G5, rather than offering the same 5.5-inches, which was standard for both the variants of Moto G4 handsets.

I believe this makes perfect sense if you are introducing two variants at of the same device. Consumers who prefer a large screen to watch movies and to play games can buy Moto G5 Plus and the ones who need a handy smartphone can go for the smaller Moto G5; however that doesn't mean Moto G5 Plus is a bulky device. It is one of the most ergonomic handset we have tested in a while.

Talking about the screen resolutions and other important aspects, Moto G5 Plus flaunts a Full HD panel giving 1920x1080p resolution. The display is quite vibrant and colors pop out really well.

The pixel count of 424ppi makes everything look crisp; however I found that it is not very bright in outdoor conditions. We will evaluate its performance in the full review of the handset. Motorola is also offering Corning Gorilla Glass protection to protect the screen from accidental damages.

Camera: 12MP rear camera that can record 4K Ultra HD

Moto G5 Plus is backed by a 12MP rear camera with f/1.7 aperture. The camera sensor has dual autofocus pixel technology that as per Motorola makes it the most advanced camera in its class.

The camera sensors now support phase detection autofocus, which was missing in the previous generation Moto G handsets. In my brief time with the smartphones, the camera app performed really well and the pictures came out to be bright and vibrant. The 5MP front camera also captures decent selfies.

The camera offers a number of modes- professional mode, slow motion, etc. and can also record 4K Ultra HD videos at 30 frames per second. I will evaluate the camera's complete potential while reviewing the smartphones later this month.

Processor and RAM: Octa-core Snapdragon 625 Chipset paired with 3GB and 4GB RAM

The Moto G5 Plus uses a 2.0 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, which is quite capable of handling everyday tasks with an ease and can also deliver when pushed to limits.

In our brief usage, the smartphone worked without any performance lags, however we will stress test the handset to find its full potential in the coming week. Moto G5 Plus will be available in 3GB and 4GB RAM variants.

Software: The almost stock Android 7.0 experience

One of the best things about Motorola smartphones is their stock Android user experience. The trend continues with the new Moto G5 Plus as the handset skips any unwanted skins or bloatware that can hamper the user experience.

The smartphone runs on the latest Android Nougat out-of-the box and also comes loaded with Google Assistant, the voice-assistant we have seen previously in Google Pixel handsets. You can check a demo of its performance in the first impression video of Moto G5 Plus on our Gizbot YouTube channel.

Coming on the software performance, the stock launcher is very responsive and apps fire up quickly without any performance lags.

Storage, Battery and Connectivity

Motorola is offering Moto G5 Plus in 32GB and 64GB variants and you also get microSD card slot to expand the in-built memory by up o 128GB. Moto G5 is backed by a 3,000mAH battery unit that also supports Turbo charging. The dual-SIM handset supports 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS.

Verdict

Continuing the Moto legacy of offering reliable, feature loaded and affordable Android handsets, the new G5 Plus is bound to please consumers in India.

The smartphone now offer the much desired metal body, the latest Android 7.0 Nougat experience with Google Assistant, decent hardware and seems to deliver better camera performance.

All it comes down to the fact that consumers in Indian market now have an amazing budget Android smartphones that presents the right combination of hardware and software at a pocket friendly price-point.

We will take a closer look on the handset later this month to give a final verdict. Till then, stay tuned on GIZBOT for more updates on technology.
Moto G5 Plus is releasing today in India; Watch it live from here News oi -Abhinaya Prabhu Watch the Moto G5 Plus live stream from here.

Late last month, Motorola owned by Lenovo announced the Moto G5 Plus at the MWC 2017 in Barcelona. Within a few days, it was confirmed that the device will be released in India on March 15 as the country is one of the significant markets for the company.

The wait is over for the Motorola fans as the G5 Plus is releasing today. The company will be hosting an event today at 12:15 PM and is also live streaming the same for the fans across the world to keep a track of the same. This smartphone will be exclusively available via Flipkart while its predecessors were exclusive to Amazon. Motorola India has been teasing the release on its Twitter handle frequently.

If you are interested in watching the live streaming of the Moto G5 Plus, you can take a look at the video below.

To recap on the specs, the Moto G5 Plus boots on Android 7.0 Nougat out-of-the-box and is fitted with a 5.2-inch FHD 1080p display. Under its hood, there lies an octa-core Snapdragon 625 SoC. The device comes in different RAM and storage capacities such as 2GB/3GB/4GB RAM and 32GB/64GB storage. There is expandable storage support in all these variants of the phone.

Moto G5 Plus sales begin tomorrow via Filpkart: Some options to consider as well

The imaging department of the Moto G5 Plus comprises of a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facer as well. The other goodies on board include GPS, 4G VoLTE, and a 3,000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0. We expect the Moto G5 Plus to be priced competitively and we need to wait to know more on this front.

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The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has said that any cargo shipping through the disengagement line in Donbas, starting from 13:00 on Wednesday, was terminated.

"Starting from 13:00, any cargo transportation through the disengagement line is not carried out," Oleh Slobodian, the spokesperson of the State Border Guard Service, told Interfax-Ukraine.
Nokia signs SDN deal with Vodafone News oi -Priyanka VPN+ live pilot project with Vodafone is also underway

Nokia's subsidiary Networks has been selected by Vodafone to be a global supplier of software-defined networking (SDN) for the latter's datacenter.

As part of the selection, a VPN+ live pilot project with Vodafone is also underway, which will demonstrate the benefits of SD-WAN in providing leading-edge NFV and IoT applications.

The Nuage Networks Virtualized Service Platform (VSP), which will be at the heart of the Vodafone deployments is the only network virtualization, SDN and automation solution offering a single framework to provide policy-based automation across both the data center and WAN, it said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: Nokia to release 'monthly' Android and security updates: Tweet

David Amzallag, head of virtualization, Vodafone Group, said: "We look forward to working closely with Nokia on the successful roll-out of our Vodafone Ocean implementation and our new SD-WAN with our enterprise customers. An open, multi-vendor SDN infrastructure is key delivering better, faster and smarter services to our customers.''

Sunil Khandekar, founder and chief executive officer of Nuage Networks from Nokia, said: "Nokia started the SDN/NFV journey with Vodafone more than three years ago, so we are now honored to be selected as a partner and to be awarded as a global supplier SDN solutions."

He said, "we are pleased that our Nuage Networks solution is Vodafone's top selection to transform their datacenter applications and VPN+ service offer with the highest levels of agility, simplicity and automated flexibility for all users."

The Nuage Networks Virtualized Service Platform (VSP) empowers customers to transform their IT and build truly automated and agile application delivery and cloud networks.

The end-to-end policy-based automation provided by VSP, across the data center, WAN sites, and public cloud providers, delivers synergy across network offerings such as MPLS VPN and hybrid WAN services as well as hosted cloud services by leading service providers such as Vodafone and other large cloud providers.

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Nokia to release monthly Android and security updates: Tweet News oi -Vigneshravi Nokia is making its comeback and letting its presence be felt, Nokia has announced it will release monthly Android and security updates for its devices.

Nokia is making a bold comeback and it was quite evident when HMD global took to the stage at the MWC 2017 which was held last month. There have been rumors around the models and the company for a while now, most of which were put to rest at MWC. At the event, the company unveiled the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5 while announcing the details of the Nokia 6.

HMD at the event along with launching the new devices also went on to state that the devices will receive regular updates. This statement is backed by the reconfirmation from the company through a tweet which reads "Our products will receive Android updates and monthly security updates."

@MadhavChinnam Our products will receive Android updates and monthly security updates.  Nokia Mobile (@nokiamobile) 11 March 2017

The all new Nokia 3 and 5 run on Android Nougat 7.0 and 7.1.1 respectively, and will soon find their way into the Indian market.

HMD confirms some features of existing and future Nokia smartphones

Going by reports, it is believed to be released in a month or two, furthermore, the Nokia 6 will also be hitting the market around the same time. As far as the pricing is concerned, as seen in the past Nokia has seemed to have always found the sweet spot and have rarely been considered to unfairly priced.

The new phones seem to be sticking to the same principle, with the Nokia 3 priced at around 10,000 the Nokia 5 around 13,500 and the Nokia 6 is expected to cost around 16,000. Another claim from the company is that all the three devices which will be launched in India will sport 'Made in India' tags.

ALSO SEE: Nokia 7, Nokia 8 with Snapdragon 660 and metal build likely in works

The company will be making its comeback more nostalgic with one of its most iconic feature phones the 3310. The new 3310 will continue to remain a feature phone with a new and interesting design update. The device will be aimed at the budget segment and is expected to be priced at around 3,500.

Source

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Samsung Galaxy S8 to have the fingerprint scanner on the backside due to its rush to release News oi -Shilpa Misplaced its key feature

Samsung S8 is once again in the headline with a different story this time. The phone which was supposed to have the fingerprint scanner on its front display is said to have it mounted on its back side, next to the camera.

It is something new in Samsung device which worries few of its regular customers. This huge mistake might be because it ran out of time while developing the technology needed to embed a fingerprint reader into the front display. According to Korea's 'The investor', Samsung's fingerprint scanner partner has to be blamed for this error.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus to come with 3,500mAh battery?

As mentioned by The Investor's source, "Samsung poured resources into Synaptics' fledgling technology last year but the results were frustrating. With the production imminent, the company had to decide to relocate the fingerprint scanning home button to the back of the device at the last minute."

Though users don't like dirtying their camera while attempting to locate your fingerprint reader, they are left with no other option because the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner will stick around this year according to few reports. Once the tech is more matured, this feature will be built into the screens of the phone.

Source

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Seven Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded and injured in the Anti-Terrorist operation zone (ATO) in Donbas over the past day on March 14, Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko has said.

"Over the past day, seven Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded and injured," Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.
Counter-ISIS Strikes Continue in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, March 14, 2017  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

U.S. Central Command continues to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

In Syria, coalition military forces conducted 12 strikes consisting of 20 engagements against ISIS targets:

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, six strikes destroyed eight wellheads, four pump jacks and three oil tanker trunks and damaged two pump jacks and a wellhead.

-- Near Raqqa, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed four fighting positions, an ISIS-held building, and a vehicle; and damaged two supply routes.

Strikes in Iraq

In Iraq, coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 84 engagements against ISIS targets, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Haditha, a strike destroyed three improvised bombs.

-- Near Mosul, five strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; destroyed 27 fighting positions, three rocket-propelled grenade systems, two vehicle bombs, an artillery system, a mortar system, a heavy machine gun, a road block, a vehicle and a vehicle bomb factory; damaged 12 supply routes; and suppressed five ISIS mortar teams and two ISIS tactical units.

-- Near Tal Afar, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit, destroyed an ISIS-held building and damaged three supply routes.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said.

The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted.

Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said.

The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target.

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Russia warns against planned Saudi attack in Yemen

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:25AM

Russia has warned against an imminent military attack by Saudi Arabia against the Yemeni port city of Hudaydah, emphasizing that the offensive would exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

The "plans to storm Yemen's biggest port of Hudaydah give rise to serious concerns," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the ministry's official website on Monday.

She added that battles in the area "would not only inevitably lead to a mass exodus of the [local] population but would also de facto cut the [Yemeni] capital of Sana'a from food and humanitarian aid supplies."

Zakharova described the humanitarian situation in Yemen as "catastrophic." She also condemned a March 10 Saudi-led airstrike on a marketplace in the al-Khawkhah district of Hudaydah.

Twenty six people, including 20 civilians and six Houthi fighters, were killed in the raid, according to AFP.

Hudaydah is currently under the control of Houthi Ansarullah fighters who have been defending Yemen against the Saudi military offensive aimed at restoring power to resigned president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.

10 civilians injured in Saudi cluster bomb attack

Meanwhile, nearly a dozen civilians sustained injuries when Saudi fighter jets carried out an aerial attack against a residential area in northern Yemen using internationally-banned cluster bombs.

Local sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said ten people were injured when Saudi military aircraft struck the northwestern city of Sa'ada, located 240 kilometers north of the capital Sana'a, on Monday evening, Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported.

Yemeni snipers shoot dead two more Saudi troopers

Additionally, Yemeni forces have shot dead two Saudi troops in Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Jizan in response to the Saudi war on their homeland.

Yemeni forces shot and killed a Saudi troop in the Dafineh Village of Jizan, located 967 kilometers southwest of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Monday afternoon, al-Masirah television network reported.

Earlier, Yemeni forces had targeted and killed a Saudi soldier northeast of Qafir area in the same Saudi region.

According to the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, the Saudi military campaign has claimed the lives of 10,000 Yemenis and left 40,000 others wounded.

McGoldrick told reporters in Sana'a earlier this year that the figure was based on casualty counts given by health facilities and that the actual number might be higher.

Local Yemeni sources have already put the death toll from the Saudi war at over 12,000, including many women and children.

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Moscow Moves To Incorporate Breakaway Georgian Region's Military

RFE/RL March 14, 2017

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his government to conclude an agreement to effectively incorporate the military of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region into the Russian armed forces' command structure.

The order, issued by the Kremlin on March 14, comes a day after the Russian government published a draft agreement paving the way for separatists in South Ossetia to serve as contract soldiers in the Russian military.

The move was quickly denounced by Tbilisi, which said that "any agreement between the Russian Federation and de facto leadership [of South Ossetia] is illegitimate."

"Such steps are not aimed at protecting peace and are impeding peaceful process, which is necessary for the conflict resolution," Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said in a statement.

Russia has de facto controlled South Ossetia, a mountainous region located in northeast Georgia, for years. Officially, however, Moscow treated South Ossetia as a separate state, not part of Russia.

The text of the draft agreement provides for the separatists to switch to new operating procedures for their armed forces which will be subject to approval by Moscow. The draft says the forces' structure and objectives will be determined in agreement with Russia.

It also states that South Ossetian military personnel can transfer to serve as Russian soldiers on a Russian military base in the region.

The Kremlin order signed by Putin instructs his defense and foreign ministries to work with the separatists to conclude and sign the agreement.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in a 1991-1992 war in which an estimated 2,000 people were killed.

In August 2008, Russia sent in troops, ostensibly for the protection of civilians in South Ossetia from attack by Georgian forces.

Georgia said the Russian military intervention was an invasion of its territory, and the United States and the European Union have backed Tbilisi politically in the standoff.

After the brief 2008 war, Russia recognized South Ossetia and another separatist region, Abkhazia, as independent countries.

Moscow maintains thousands of troops in both regions, in deployments that NATO and Western governments say violate the EU-brokered deal that ended the fighting.

With reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/south-ossetia-russia- incorporates-military-georgia/28369475.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Populist Tilt? Rare Limelight For Dutch As Vote Offers Fresh EU Test

Alan Crosby March 14, 2017

Voters head to the polls in the Netherlands on March 15 in the first of several elections across Western Europe likely to test EU unity amid a wave of nationalist and populist sentiment sweeping the continent.

Balloting in the densely packed, coastal nation of 17 million people rarely attracts attention outside of the country, but this time it's different.

The battle between center-right Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Geert Wilders -- a populist who has campaigned on banning the Koran, shutting mosques, and pulling the country out of the European Union -- has increased the focus on the vote, especially with far-right parties showing well in opinion polls in France and Germany, where elections are due later this year.

Populist parties in Europe are seizing on the nationalist sentiment that spurred two surprising outcomes in recent balloting.

First there was Britain's decision to leave the European Union in the so-called Brexit vote in June, sending shockwaves through Europe. That was quickly followed by the surprise victory of U.S. President Donald Trump in November, ushering in his "America First Foreign Policy" in Washington.

Those results have left many in Europe wondering whether the EU can survive the current wave of antiestablishment sentiment.

Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) led in opinion polls for much of the campaign, though Rutte's Liberals (VVD) appeared to erase the deficit as the race wound down.

A number of estimates this week said more than half of voters were still undecided.

In a heated debate March 13, the two candidates traded verbal punches in a last-ditch effort to sway voters.

'Wrong Kind Of Populism'

Rutte accused Wilders of using "voodoo numbers" and offering "fake solutions" to stir up anti-immigrant sentiment, while Wilders scolded his opponent for breaking election promises and called him the "prime minister of foreigners."

Hours before the debate, Rutte told reporters in Rotterdam that he hoped the Netherlands would provide an example for other European countries to stop embracing "the wrong kind of populism."

Rutte did not specify what the right kind of populism was, but the elections in the Netherlands come with the National Front's Marine Le Pen seemingly poised to reach a runoff in the French presidential election on April 7, and the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) rising in popularity ahead of fall elections that could topple Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has emerged as one of Europe's leading voices against rising nationalism.

"Just say an anti-EU populist leader won in Holland, it would embolden, no doubt, populist movements certainly in France, and perhaps a little in Germany," said Judy Dempsey, nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie Europe in Brussels.

Opinion polls were turning in favor of Rutte's Liberals in the waning days of the campaign. Three surveys published two days before the election put his party slightly ahead of Wilders' Freedom Party, while one showed a virtual tie.

With 28 parties contesting the election and no single party likely to win more than 17 or 24 seats in the 150-member lower house, analysts said there was a good chance Wilders will be shut out of power once governing coalition talks start as other parties have ruled out including his party in the government.

"We continue to expect the center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy of the current Prime Minister Mark Rutte to emerge as the largest party in parliament after the election," said Pepijn Bergsen, lead analyst for Germany, Netherlands, and Austria at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

"However, this will be in a fragmented political landscape, with no party likely to gain more than 20 percent of the vote and four or five parties being necessary to form a majority government."

Rutte's VVD is currently the senior partner in a majority coalition government with the Labor Party. The administration has been pro-EU and fiscally prudent in its moves, though it has toughened talk on liberal immigration policies as Wilders' party gained popularity.

International concerns over the election have been stoked over the past week when a diplomatic confrontation with Turkey spilled onto the streets of Rotterdam, prompting riot police to use water cannon on protesters.

Keeping A Close Eye On The EU

Turkey said on March 13 that it was halting all high-level political discussions with the Netherlands and that as far as Ankara is concerned, an agreement with the EU to help hold back a flood of Asian migrants has ended.

Ankara's move comes amid a growing dispute with the Netherlands and Germany over their refusal to allow Turkish government ministers to stage political rallies on their territory and could fuel the populist backlash that has buffeted anti-immigrant parties in Western Europe.

Bergsen noted that, although the United Kingdom's Brexit vote and Trump's victory have increased international attention on the Dutch elections, anti-immigration and anti-Islam sentiment aren't new in the country's politics.

"The European migrant crisis has provided a boost to these forces but did not create them -- they were already there," he said, pointing out the success of Dutch populist politician Pim Fortuyn, who, days before elections in 2002, was gunned down by a man who claimed to be protecting Muslims from persecution.

Though the elections are unlikely to result in a sharp turn in Dutch policies away from the EU, Steven Blockmans, a policy expert with the Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies, said he expects the government that emerges from the vote will keep a close eye on the 28-nation bloc.

That scrutiny, he said, is unlikely to stop the Dutch Senate from voting to approve the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, already approved by the lower house, the final hurdle before the deal, which was signed in March 2014, can enter into force.

The Netherlands is the only EU country that still hasn't ratified the Association Agreement with Ukraine after 61 percent voted against it in a citizen-driven, nonbinding referendum in April 2016.

"I don't see the Netherlands developing into a destructive force within the European Union, not more than the Euroskeptic attitude that it already has," Blockmans said.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/netherlands -elections-eu-test-populism- wilders-rutte/28368996.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Liberation of Yemeni islands from Al-Houthi militias contributes to protecting international navigation in Bab Al-Mandab Strait

Saudi Press Agency

Tuesday 1438/6/15 - 2017/03/14

Aden, Jumada II 15, 1438, March 14, 2017, SPA -- Yemeni islands with their strategic positions constitute paramount importance militarily and commercially, and their liberation by coalition forces for supporting the legitimacy in Yemen led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has directed a painful blow to Al-Houthi militias and ousted Saleh's forces.

The putschists depend on some of the islands to smuggle weapons under the cover of various activities such as trade or fishing.

The coalition carried out during the last period military operations in the Yemeni coast and islands, forming a security cover for the Western coast to reduce smuggling weapons and enable the legitimate authorities to regain control of most of the islands and coastal areas ranging from the Strait of Bab Al-Mandeb to Mokha Port and Midi Port in Hajjah province on the border with the Kingdom.

The national army has recently seized three arms caches smuggled by militias from the islands.

The criminal operations carried out by Al-Houthi militias and deposed Saleh's forces are not only confined to arms smuggling, but they exceeded that to smuggling of people, particularly mercenaries and some Iranian military elements, which was confirmed by the commander of reserve forces of the national army Major General Samir Al-Haj saying in previous statements that the putschists use Yemeni islands to smuggle weapons from Iran.

He said that the Golden Spear operation aiming to liberate the west coast has limited the entry of weapons through Mokha port, which witnessed the entry of weapons laden on fishing boats after transferring them from large ships.

Major General Al-Haj pointed to the entry of dozens of Iranian elements into Yemen carrying Yemeni passports and personal identity cards through ports under Al-Houthi authority.

--SPA

13:32 LOCAL TIME 10:32 GMT

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China Sends Warning to Japan Over Deployment of Warship to the South China Sea

Sputnik News

16:00 14.03.2017(updated 16:01 14.03.2017)

Tensions in the South China Sea are continuing to rise after China asked Japan to reveal why they are planning to send its largest warship on a three month tour of the ocean.

China said on Tuesday, March 15 that it is awaiting official word from Tokyo as to why they're sending the 24,000-ton warship through the hotly disputed waters.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing hasn't been told the purpose of the trip and said they will only have objections if the boat doesn't pass through the waters "normally."

"We have not yet heard what Japan says officially," she told a daily news briefing on Tuesday.

"If it's only a normal visit, going to several countries, and passing normally through the South China Sea, then we've got no objections, and we hope this kind of normal exchange between relevant countries can play a role promoting regional peace and stability.

"But if going to the South China Sea has different intentions, then that's a different matter."

The Izumo helicopter carrier is set to hold joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean, with ships from the navies of the US and India, a Japanese military spokesman said on Monday, March 13.

The ship, which was commissioned just two years ago, will also have stopovers in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia, before returning to Japan in August.

China has laid claim over much of the South China Sea even building artificial islands for military vehicles.

Beijing has stoked the ire of neighbors Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei who also claim parts of the sea which has rich fishing grounds, oil and gas deposits.

However, Japan does not have a claim over any of the ocean, but it does have a separate maritime dispute with China over the sovereignty of parts of the East China Sea.

 Sputnik

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Regional Task Force Battles Boko Haram

By Margaret Besheer March 14, 2017

In Boko Haram-affected areas in Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria, a force of more than 10,000 African troops is working to degrade and destroy the terrorist group.

Boko Haram is responsible for the deaths of more than 20,000 people since its fighters began their insurgency in 2009 in northeastern Nigeria. Their atrocities have caused the displacement of 2.3 million people across these four countries, known as the Lake Chad Basin, where more than 20 million people are under threat.

In 2015, the African Union authorized the Multinational Joint Task Force  or MNJTF as it is known  to tackle Boko Haram in its strongholds of northeastern Nigeria and northern Cameroon.

The force has slowly been reversing the terrorists gains, retaking territory Boko Haram had seized for its goal of establishing a self-described caliphate in West Africa, and pushing back its fighters to seek cover in the forests and among the hundreds of islands in Lake Chad.

But that progress has come at a price for many civilians.

In July 2015, Chad's army evacuated the lake villages in order to conduct military offensives against Boko Haram, upending the lives of many fishermen and farmers. With their livelihoods gone and forced from their homes, more than 100,000 people had to find assistance at displacement camps in the country's north.

In the past year, the MNJTF says it has killed 828 Boko Haram fighters and arrested 615 more. More than a thousand combatants have surrendered to the task force, which has freed more than 20,500 hostages in the region since January 2016 and destroyed at least 32 terrorist camps.

"The enemy is now on the back-foot and being held on the back-foot," Cameroon's Defense Minister Joseph Beti Assomo recently told a visiting U.N. Security Council delegation. After Nigeria, Cameroon is the second most-affected country in the region by Boko Haram.

Assomo said Boko Haram has turned to asymmetric tactics, such as suicide bombings and improvised explosive devices.

"Before they used to attack our military posts with 400 men, no more," he said.

Mandate

The force is tasked with restoring security in Boko Haram-affected areas, helping reestablish the state's authority in liberated areas, and assisting with the return of the internally displaced and refugees. The troops also help to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries.

Government officials in the region and military commanders say part of their success against Boko Haram has to do with the group's internal divisions.

Last August, the group split, one faction following Abubakar Shekau and the other following Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the son of Boko Haram's founder and a loyalist of the so-called Islamic State. Shekau's group has shifted tactics from military combat to stepped up attacks with suicide bombers (often women and children) and improvised explosive devices.

In terms of size, the force commander of the MNJTF, Nigerian Major General Lo Adeosun, told the visiting U.N. delegation that Boko Haram operates in "many layers." Of the al-Barnawi faction he estimated there are perhaps 3,000 formal fighters, but said other combatants materialize for operations only, making it difficult to give an exact figure.

He added the majority of the weapons the task force has seized from the terrorists are from military posts Boko Haram has previously attacked.

Elsewhere in the region, leaders complained that conflicts in Libya and Mali are fueling Boko Haram with arms and fighters who penetrate porous borders.

"It is having a destabilizing effect on all the Sahel," Niger's president Mahamadou Issoufou said of the insecurity in the two neighboring nations.

Gaps

"The multinational task force needs financial, material and legal support," Chad's Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke said.

At MNJTF headquarters, there was a call for more night fighting capabilities, flat-bottomed patrol boats, and helicopters to help evacuate wounded.

The task force receives backing from the United States, Britain and France, who mainly provide intelligence and training support through a small coordination and liaison team on the ground in N'Djamena.

Distorting Islam

In each of the Lake Chad Basin countries, top officials made clear they do not consider Boko Haram to be an Islamic extremist group. "They are not jihadists, but terrorists and bandits," Cameroon's defense minister stressed.

"Ideology is one of its weapons," General Adeosun said of Boko Haram's manipulation of Islam. He said the group exploits the uneducated with distortions and lies to recruit them.

While the task force looks for a military solution to the problem of Boko Haram, governments are seeking to address the root causes that have made their people susceptible to recruitment.

"Once we create jobs, once we engage with the youth, this madness will evaporate," said Kashim Shettima, governor of Nigeria's northeastern Borno state.

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Freed South Sudan Political Detainee Calls for Release of Others

By Ayen Bior March 14, 2017

A former political detainee in South Sudan says more than 30 such prisoners continue to be held against their will, despite a vow from President Salva Kiir to release them.

Leonzio Angole Onek, dean of the college of applied and industrial sciences at the University of Juba, is calling on the president to stick to a recent promise and release 32 prominent detainees identified in December by rights group Amnesty International.

Onek said living up to that pledge would be consistent with the August 2015 peace deal aimed at ending South Sudan's civil war.

"If President Kiir really wants forgiveness, he should release all of the detainees" as well as the prisoners being held by the national security service, he told VOA's South Sudan in Focus program.

The 32 men and hundreds of others were detained for opposing Kiir, the embattled president at the center of South Sudan's civil war. Rebel forces have been fighting to oust him since December 2013, amid accusations that Kiir has concentrated power in the hands of his own Dinka tribe.

Kiir used a national day of prayer last Friday to order the release of General Elia Waya Nyipoch and Major General Andria Dominic, both detained since last May. Onek said he considered the gesture a good first step.

The two generals were set free Tuesday, according to government officials.

Dire conditions for detainees

In May 2016, Amnesty International released a report detailing what it described as "appalling" conditions for South Sudanese political detainees. The report said most of the detainees were never charged with an offense, but were being held in dire conditions and fed only once or twice a day.

Onek, who was held at the Jebel Detention Facility between December 2015 and late April 2016, corroborated that report. He said that he was housed in a shipping container-like room at the facility.

"I could not sleep in the night. There was very little oxygen so my brain was kicking off and I was having nightmares," he said.

Other prisoners lived in hot, crowded quarters, eight to a room, and locked up 24 hours, seven days a week, he says.

Onek said the guards would not feed them enough.

"We were eating beans and maize meal once a day and sometimes we had difficulty," he said. "We cannot even have the one-time-a-day meal, we could go without food for two days."

He said he became very ill while imprisoned, and suspects other detainees have suffered similar illnesses, but have not been treated.

Both Onek and Amnesty International said they have received information that detainees have died in captivity, but Amnesty said it could not verify any deaths.

Onek emphasized he was never given access to a lawyer or charged with a crime. He said during the five months he was imprisoned, he had no idea why he was there.

But now, he said he's ready to move on.

"We do not want to dwell in the past, we want to go forward," he said. He suggests it would help if the government could accept responsibility for its abuses and pay the families of those detained, "in a way admitting and saying, 'All of us have sinned, let us forgive each other and let us move forward,'" Onek said.

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Systematic shelling by militants does not allow to carry out the disengagement of forces and means in Stanytsia Luhanska (Luhansk region), Darka Olifer, a spokesperson for Leonid Kuchma, Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group, said following the group's meeting in Minsk.

"Donbas continues to be shelled; violations of the cease fire regime on the part of the ORDLO (separate areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions) are systematic. Ukraine is ready for the disengagement of forces and means in Stanytsia Luhanska, which can take place only after seven days of the cease fire regime, as stipulated in the framework decision of the Trilateral Contact Group. The last shelling took place there on March 13, 2017, so the actions of the ORDLO do not yet allow the disengagement at this site," Olifer wrote on her Facebook page on Wednesday.
Aid Workers Released from Detention in South Sudan

By Jill Craig March 14, 2017

Seven staff members for U.S.-based Christian humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse were released from their detention by "armed personnel" Tuesday in South Sudan's famine- stricken area of Mayendit, and have been flown from Unity State to a safe location.

Samaritan's Purse vice president of programs and government relations Ken Isaacs says local officials arrested them Monday.

"So I think there was some local dynamic involved, and we do not have all the those details right now, but what I can tell you very happily is that all of the staff has been released, and they are safe, that bit we know. But they have been released," said Isaacs.

Isaacs says opposition forces and those loyal to the government warned his organization two weeks ago they were preparing to fight, so Samaritan's Purse then evacuated between 12 and 15 foreign and South Sudanese aid workers who were not from Mayendit.

A request for response was not immediately returned from South Sudan's information minister.

Detention vs kidnapping

Isaacs also clarifies that despite prior reports to the contrary, the situation was a detention and not a kidnapping.

"They were clearly held against their will, but we do not see it as a kidnapping. There was no ransom request made on us," said Isaacs.

Samaritan's Purse has been working with the World Food Program to distribute food in Mayendit for more than two years. And Isaacs says they plan to return.

"Oh, absolutely, yeah, we will go back, but we have got to have, we have got to work our way through it, and talk to the parties involved; we need some assurances that there is going to be civil behavior. And this war, and this factionalism, this tribalism that is going on in South Sudan, is incredibly destructive. And there is going to be no winners, there is only going to be more losers and more suffering, and more death," he said.

The United Nations and the government of South Sudan say famine in two counties of Unity State, Mayendit and Leer, is affecting more than 100,000 people and warn it could spread further. Roughly half of South Sudan's population is projected to be severely food insecure by July.

South Sudan's government recently stated it would increase the work permit fee from $100 to $10,000 for each foreign aid worker.

South Sudan has become Africa's biggest migrant crisis, as an estimated 1.5 million people have fled to neighboring countries. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since civil war broke out in December 2013.

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Guard Members Aid First Responders During East Coast Storm

By Cotton Puryear Virginia National Guard

SANDSTON, Va., March 14, 2017  The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.

And, nearly 1,700 National Guardsmen are deployed in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, according to the National Guard Bureau.

Expected missions for the guard include using Humvees and light medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or helping to evacuate citizens in need of shelter, as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to clear roads, if needed.

Rapid Positioning of Troops, Equipment

"Once again, our soldiers have demonstrated their ability to safely and rapidly position troops and equipment at key locations so they are ready to assist citizens of the Commonwealth during times of hazardous weather," said Army Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia. "Our emergency response partners at the state and local level count on our capabilities as part of the overall response plan, and we continue to demonstrate that we are a force that will always be there when we are needed. We also owe a special thanks to our families and employers for their support that is so vital to our success."

Additional soldiers, airmen and Virginia Defense Force members are on duty in Richmond, Sandston and Fort Pickett providing mission command, sustainment and public information support, officials said. The VDF also has incident management assistance teams supporting guard units at multiple field locations.

State of Emergency

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency yesterday and authorized state agencies to assist local governments as they prepare and respond to the winter weather. In a news release, McAuliffe urged Virginians to prepare for this major winter storm, which could dump up to a foot or more of snow in northern regions of the state.

"Virginians may have enjoyed milder temperatures for the past several weeks, but the forecast is calling for winter weather to return to the commonwealth this week with what could be a major winter storm for northern portions of the commonwealth," McAuliffe said. "With this forecast in mind, all Virginians should take the necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold-weather period."

In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized state agencies to identify and position resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.

"We anticipate that localities across Northern Virginia will need high mobility transport capabilities, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested we stage resources in those areas in order to rapidly respond if needed," said Army Col. Thomas L. Morgan III, Virginia National Guard director of joint operations.

Providing Assistance to First Responders

During domestic operations, the Virginia National Guard receives missions through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to assist the Virginia State Police and other state and local emergency service organizations and is not able to respond to direct support requests from the public, Morgan said.

"If you are in a dangerous situation and need assistance, please contact your local dispatcher or call 911," Morgan said. "If you let them know you need help, they will determine the most effective emergency services response for your situation. They will contact the Guard if it is appropriate for us to respond, and we will follow up as quickly as possible."

The Virginia National Guard last served on state active duty Jan. 7-9, 2017, when nearly 200 personnel were on duty in the Hampton Roads area with less than 12 hours notification. Soldiers were staged and ready the morning of Jan. 7, and their assistance included recovering a fire truck in Newport News and helping Virginia State Police clear abandoned vehicles in Accomack County.

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National Guard troops assisting civilian authorities during Mid-Atlantic winter storm

By Cotton Puryear | Virginia National Guard March 14, 2017

SANDSTON, Va. - The Virginia National Guard has nearly 200 personnel staged and ready for duty today at key locations across Northern Virginia to assist with the state's multi-agency response to possible heavy snow.

Elsewhere, Guard personnel were on duty in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, with nearly 1700 troops in place, according to figures from the National Guard Bureau.

Expected missions for the Guard include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed.

"Once again our Soldiers have demonstrated their ability to safely and rapidly position troops and equipment at key locations so they are ready to assist citizens of the Commonwealth during times of hazardous weather," said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia. "Our emergency response partners at the state and local level count on our capabilities as part of the overall response plan, and we continue to demonstrate that we are a force that will always be there when we are needed. We also owe a special thanks to our families and employers for their support that is so vital to our success."

Additional Soldiers, Airmen and Virginia Defense Force members are on duty in Richmond, Sandston and Fort Pickett providing mission command, sustainment and public information support. The VDF also has incident management assistance teams supporting Guard units at multiple field locations.

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a state of emergency March 13 and authorized state agencies to assist local governments as they prepare and respond to the winter weather. In a news release, he urged Virginians to prepare for this major winter storm which could dump up to a foot or more of snow in northern regions of the Commonwealth.

"Virginians may have enjoyed milder temperatures for the past several weeks, but the forecast is calling for winter weather to return to the Commonwealth this week with what could be a major winter storm for northern portions of the Commonwealth," said McAuliffe. "With this forecast in mind, all Virginians should take the necessary precautions now to ensure they are prepared for travel disruptions and possible power outages during a cold weather period."

In declaring a state of emergency, the governor authorized state agencies to identify and position resources for quick response anywhere they are needed in Virginia.

"We anticipate that localities across Northern Virginia will need high mobility transport capabilities, and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management requested we stage resources in those areas in order to rapidly respond if needed," said Col. Thomas L. Morgan, III, Virginia National Guard director of joint operations. "The key to a rapid response is getting our people and equipment in place before the snow hits, so we are moving people Monday night and plan to be ready to support localities after midnight if needed."

During domestic operations, the Virginia National Guard receives missions through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management to assist the Virginia State Police and other state and local emergency service organizations and is not able to respond to direct support requests from the public, Morgan said.

"If you are in a dangerous situation and need assistance, please contact your local dispatcher or call 911," Morgan explained. "If you let them know you need help, they will determine the most effective emergency services response for your situation. They will contact the Guard if it is appropriate for us to respond, and we will follow up as quickly as possible."

The Virginia National Guard last served on state active duty Jan. 7-9, 2017, when nearly 200 personnel were on duty in the Hampton Roads area with less than 12 hours notification. Soldiers were staged and ready the morning of Jan. 7, and their assistance included recovering a fire truck in Newport News and helping Virginia State Police clear abandoned vehicles in Accomack County.

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National Guard called out as winter storm pummels Northeast

By David Vergun and Cotton Puryear March 14, 2017

WASHINGTON (Army News Service) -- Winter storm Stella dumped up to two feet of snow Tuesday in portions of Pennsylvania and New York and was bearing down on New England with gale-force winds as four governors declared states of emergency.

About 2,000 Army National Guard Soldiers are on duty in New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania to help state multi-agency responders, according to the National Guard Bureau.

New York Army National Guard Soldiers are reportedly in the Buffalo area, ready to respond to emergencies on the New York State Thruway.

About 700 Pennsylvania National Guard troops are also prepared to assist stranded motorists on the Interstates and Turnpike, according to Guard officials in that state.

Other expected missions for the Guard include using Humvees and light/medium tactical trucks to provide transportation for first responders through deep snow or help evacuate citizens in need of shelter as well as providing debris reduction teams with chain saws to help clear roads if needed.

"Once again our Soldiers have demonstrated their ability to safely and rapidly position troops and equipment at key locations so they are ready to assist citizens of the commonwealth during times of hazardous weather," said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the adjutant general of Virginia.

"Our emergency response partners at the state and local level count on our capabilities as part of the overall response plan, and we continue to demonstrate that we are a force that will always be there when we are needed. We also owe a special thanks to our families and employers for their support that is so vital to our success," he added.

RECORD STORM ON THIS DAY IN 1993

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported on its website that the "Storm of the Century" which occurred on this day in 1993, "was one of the most intense mid-latitude cyclones ever observed" over the East Coast.

The Superstorm of 1993, as it was also called, "was more significant than most landfalling hurricanes or tornado outbreaks and ranks among the deadliest and most costly weather events of the 20th century," the website reported.

The National Guard was called out then as well, reportedly using helicopters to drop hay in fields to keep livestock from starving in deep snowy areas of North Carolina.

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U.S. Concerned By Detentions In Belarus, Urges Respect For Freedoms

RFE/RL March 14, 2017

The United States and the United Nations have voiced concern about what human rights groups say is the Belarusian government's biggest crackdown on protesters in years.

Washington is monitoring "the ongoing peaceful protests in Belarus," a State Department official told RFE/RL on March 14, responding to a request for comment.

"We are concerned by the detention of multiple participants and members of the media in a recent demonstration," the official said. "We urge the government of Belarus to abide by its international commitments to respect the freedoms of speech, press, and assembly."

More protests are planned, including a major demonstration in Minsk on March 15, despite President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's March 9 announcement that collection of the tax would be suspended until 2018.

Lukashenka has said the unemployment tax is needed to fight what he called "social parasitism" -- a term reminiscent of the Soviet era.

Meanwhile, a UN human rights expert has urged Minsk to refrain from violence and harassment against protesters, and to respect freedom of peaceful assembly.

"While the international community should remain attentive, I call on the authorities of Belarus to stop acts of violence and harassment, and to respect the freedom to peacefully assemble," Miklos Haraszti, the special rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, said in a statement issued on March 14.

Crowds of hundreds of people have turned up in cities across Belarus in recent weeks for protests against a controversial tax on the unemployed in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic.

Amnesty International said on March 13 that at least 48 people had been detained and charged with attending "unauthorized" demonstrations on March 10-12 in Belarus, which Lukashenka has ruled since 1994.

The European Union has called for the immediate release of all the detained protesters.

Maja Kocijancic, a spokeswoman for the European Union's foreign policy chief, said on March 13 that "the detention and sentencing of peaceful protesters, including leaders of opposition movements, is in contradiction with Belarus's declared policy of democratization."

President Lukashenka, whom the United States has dubbed "Europe's last dictator," has been ruling Belarus for more than two decades, quashing political opposition, civil society groups, independent media, and other forms of dissent.

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-crackdown -protesters-u-s-concerned/28369041.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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N Korea warns of 'merciless' attacks as US warships join S Korea in war games

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 7:54AM

North Korea has warned Washington of "merciless" retaliatory attacks if a US navy aircraft carrier strike group violates its sovereignty during joint war games with South Korean forces.

"If they infringe on the DPRK's sovereignty and dignity even a bit, its army will launch merciless ultra-precision strikes from ground, air, sea and underwater," Pyongyang's state news agency KCNA announced on Tuesday.

The DPRK is an acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the official name of North Korea.

The statement came after the arrival of the strike group, led by the USS Carl Vinson, which has 5,500 crew members and includes the destroyer Wayne E. Meyer as well as military aircraft.

The deployment, which was also slammed in the statement as a "scheme to attack" North Korea, comes amid annual joint Washington-Seoul war games that began on March 1.

"On March 11 alone, many enemy carrier-based aircraft flew along a course near territorial air and waters of the DPRK to stage drills of dropping bombs and making surprise attacks on the ground targets of its army," the KCNA report added.

The annual military maneuvers, which are billed as defensive in nature, involved nearly 17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans last year. South Korea has said this year's war games would be of a similar scale without elaborating on the number of forces taking part in the ongoing exercise.

This is while a US Navy spokesman said the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier was on a pre-planned regular visit to the region, during which it would also take part in the joint military drills with South Korean troops.

Pyongyang slams the annual drills as a rehearsal for attacking the North, repeatedly calling on its southern neighbor to stop the provocative exercises.

Meanwhile, the US military has begun the deployment of "Gray Eagle" attack drones to South Korea as announced by a Pentagon spokesman on Monday.

Moreover, the US military has further deployed an advanced missile system in South Korea known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), raising the ire of North Korea, China and Russia.

However, Washington and Seoul claim the missile system is for defense against North Korea, which has successfully conducted numerous ballistic missile tests in past months.

Pyongyang's military also fired four ballistic missiles into the sea near Japanese territory last week in response to the joint US-South Korea drills.

Reacting to Pyongyang's missiles tests, Washington's ambassador to the United Nations said last week President Donald Trump's administration was re-evaluating its North Korea strategy, threatening that "all options are on the table."

This is while US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is also due to make his first official visit to South Korea next Friday.

Adding to the mounting tensions, China has also slammed the joint war games by US and South Korean forces. China's influential state-run Global Times daily said the USS Carl Vinson was taking part in a simulation of a preemptive strike against North Korea's nuclear and missile facilities.

"The US and South Korea often accuse China of being uncooperative, but the reality is they are uncooperative over China's mediation," it said, referring to claims that China does not do enough to rein in Pyongyang.

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North Korea: 'Merciless' Retaliation if US Violates Sovereignty

Sputnik News

22:08 14.03.2017(updated 00:07 15.03.2017)

After the US and South Korea kicked off their annual joint military exercises, North Korea lashed back after learning that the USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-propelled aircraft carrier, was planned to take part.

The "war maniacs" are acting "rashly" in holding computerized and field military exercises, the Korean Central News Agency reported. In the event that military drills in the south "infringe" on North Korean sovereignty, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would unleash "merciless ultra-precision strikes" upon US strategic and military assets, military newspaper Stripes Korea reported.

The 'Foal Eagle' joint military drills recently incorporated the Nimitz-class USS Carl Vinson, a supercarrier formation comprising Carrier Strike Group One. The 4.5-acre floating piece of US war real estate can carry up to 6,000 crewmembers and 90 aircraft. Escorted by the USS Wayne E Meyer, a destroyer, Carrier Strike Group One is poised to drop anchor at the southern port of Busan on Wednesday, Stripes said.

War exercises "right in front of DRPK" embolden North Korea's leaders to develop preemptive nuclear strike capability, according to Kim In Ryong, North Korean ambassador to the UN.

Japan is also participating in the battle simulations, which Pyongyang alleges are a dry-run for an invasion, according to a statement from the US Navy. The two-day drill with Japan is strictly defensive in posture, according to the US Navy, calling the effort "a trilateral missile warning informational link exercise." Lawmakers in Japan have considered adopting a strike first policy against North Korea, Sputnik reported.

On Tuesday, the Chinese foreign ministry weighed in on the war exercises in the region. "North Korea has violated UN Security Council resolutions banning its ballistic missile launches," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said. Nonetheless,"South Korea, the US  and now Japan  insist on conducting super-large-scale military drills," she added, before scolding the military actions of the participating countries as "a vicious cycle that could spiral out of control."

 Sputnik

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China proposes dialog to avoid potential conflict on Korean Peninsula

Iran Press TV

Wed Mar 15, 2017 6:4AM

China's prime minister has warned that escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula could lead to an armed conflict, urging action to ratchet down tensions to avoid war.

Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that any conflict in the region would bring harm to all sides. He urged the parities, including South Korea, the US, Japan, and the North, to start engaging in dialog to ease tensions.

"So what we hope is that all the parties concerned will work together to de-escalate the situation, get issues back on the track of dialog and work together to find proper solutions," the Chinese prime minister said. "It's just common sense that nobody wants to see chaos on their doorstep."

Li added that Beijing was committed to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

The comments come at a time of an especially tense situation in the region. North Korea has been rapidly advancing a missile and military nuclear program, and the US has amassed military forces in the region for military maneuvers with South Korea and Japan.

The US nuclear-powered carrier USS Carl Vinson has arrived in the region to take part in two-day exercises with warships from South Korea as well as those of Japan.

The US's joint annual military drills with the South have infuriated North Korea, which has pledged "merciless ultra-precision strikes" if its sovereignty is violated during the exercises.

North Korea deems the maneuvers rehearsals for an attack on its territory.

The US and South Korean military chiefs, meanwhile, have warned that Pyongyang could "conduct provocative actions" in response to the drills. US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford's office said that the US and the South's military leaders "discussed [their own] response options" during a recent call that lasted about 30 minutes.

In the drills, the US is using nuclear-propelled aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, nuclear strategic bombers, and stealth fighters.

The US has military forces in South Korea on a permanent basis. It has also started the deployment of an advanced missile system in South Korea.

The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is equipped with a powerful detection system known as an X band radar, which experts say would destabilize regional security and upset the region's current military balance.

North Korea and China have long opposed the deployment.

The system is installed with the declared goal of intercepting potential missile threats from North Korea. Last week, the North test-fired four ballistic missiles, three of which went down in waters claimed by Japan as its sovereign territory. Japan reacted to the launches with rhetorical anger but took no action.

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Fillon Placed Under Formal Investigation for Embezzling Public Funds

Sputnik News

17:35 14.03.2017(updated 17:41 14.03.2017)

Embattled French presidential candidate Francois Fillon has been placed under a formal investigation on allegation he had misappropriated public funds, local media reported Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The inquiry was officially launched on Tuesday morning, according to Le Canard Enchaine, a French tabloid that broke one of the biggest presidential campaign scandals when it accused Fillon of giving fake assistant jobs to his wife and children that were paid with public money.

On Monday, Fillon decried media "bullying" cmpaign against him.

On March 7, a new French president campaign leak revealed that Fillon faces new accusations of fraud for allegedly hiding a large loan from a transparency authority.

Once a favorite to make it into the runoff, Fillon saw his popularity rating slump after the Penelopegate, a story made public by a French tabloid that claimed his wife had been paid public money for work she had not done. Fillon denied the allegations.

 Sputnik

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Battle for Mosul is in last stage, Iraqi PM Abadi says

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:38PM

Iraqi Prime Minster Haidar al-Abadi says that the military operation aimed at liberating west Mosul from Daesh is "in its last stage."

Abadi also reiterated his vow that the remaining terrorists who surrender will be given a fair trial, but those who continue to fight against Iraqi forces will "definitely be killed."

The Iraqi PM, who was speaking during a Tuesday press conference held in Baghdad, stressed that the number of people displaced by fighting in the city would not increase.

"We are so careful, even with the families of Daesh, we are taking care of them but not the fighters. We will not target the families but the terrorists of Daesh, we will fight them and if they are arrested they will face a fair trial and if they will fight they will be killed," he said.

He added that number of the displaced persons is still lower than which was predicted.

According to the UN, at least 50,000 people have managed to flee the city over the last four weeks. The International Organization for Migration puts the figure at over 80,000.

Daesh has threatened to kill people caught trying to get escape the city.

Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters launched the offensive to retake Mosul, Daesh's last major city stronghold in the country, last October.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

Iraq, Turkey discuss battling Daesh

Meanwhile, Abadi and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (seen below) have discussed security, economy, bilateral relations, and regional issues during a phone conversation.

According to Yildirim's office, Abadi said that his country would not permit any threat to reach Turkey from Iraqi territory.

Yldrm also conveyed his country's stance on fighting terror groups, particularly the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a US-backed Kurdish group based in Syria.

He also stressed that Turkey will continue in its operations against Daesh and its cooperation with the international coalition battling terrorism.

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China and the United States are maintaining close communication on bringing about exchanges between their presidents and at other levels, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on Tuesday.

Media reports on Monday said the two presidents would hold their first summit next month.

"Both sides highly value enhancing high-level and other levels of exchanges between the two countries," she said at a daily news conference in Beijing. "We will release further information in a timely manner," Hua said.

The White House said on Monday that a meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping was in the works.

"Planning is ongoing for a visit between President Trump and President Xi at a date to be determined," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told a news briefing on Monday afternoon.

"We're not ready to confirm that, and we will have more details," he added.

"Any meeting between the presidents of the United States and the People's Republic of China would necessarily cover a broad range of topics of mutual concern."

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told a news conference last week that the China-US relationship is transitioning steadily and developing in a positive direction, due to the intense communication and joint efforts of both sides.

"There is no reason why China and the US could not become excellent partners, as long as we act on the consensus reached by our presidents, follow the principles of no conflict, no confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," he said.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will make his first trip to Asia on Wednesday since becoming Trump's top diplomat about a month ago. The three-nation tour will bring him to China on March 18, after visiting Japan and South Korea.

Also on Monday, Susan Thornton, acting US assistant secretary of state of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said Tillerson's trip will, to some extent, be "paving the way" for high-level meetings between the two presidents.

"As you've seen from the communications between the two presidents themselves, there has been talk about their early meeting," she said.

Thornton said Tillerson will meet with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang. He will also hold talks with State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang.

She said the discussion will likely cover the areas of cooperation that "we're looking to continue to pursue, to continue to discuss and make progress on".

Tillerson will try to set out a work plan for the bilateral relationship in the new administration, she said.
Iraqi forces recapture Mosul's train station, reach Great Mosque

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:14PM

Iraqi forces have managed to retake the train station in the flashpoint northern city of Mosul and surround the Great Mosque as they continue to purge Daesh terrorists from the city's western section.

Lieutenant General Raed Shakir Jawdat, the commander of the federal police, said on Tuesday that his forces had wrested control of the train station and a nearby bus station, both situated southwest of Mosul's Old City.

Salam Jabr Saloom, the director general of Iraqi Republic Railways Company (IRR), highlighted the importance of the now recaptured train station, saying, it is the "main corridor from the north to the south and carries goods from Turkey and Syria to [the cities of] Baghdad and Basrah."

The station was "exposed to many terrorist attacks before the entry of Daesh," due to its significance, Saloom added.

Moreover, IRR spokesman Abdulsattar Mohsen underscored the importance of the facility and said that it was a "launch point for trains carrying goods to Syria and Turkey and back. But it stopped after the Daesh attack on Mosul."

Separate reports said on Tuesday that Iraqi forces had reached Mosul's Great Mosque of al-Nuri, in which Daesh leader, Ibrahim al-Samarrai, also known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, appeared in June 2014 and proclaimed a so-called caliphate straddling Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile, a commander with the military operations in the Nineveh Province, announced that the Iraqi army troops had liberated the village of al-Jamaliah.

The recapture puts the eastern bank of the Tigris River fully under the control of the Iraqi forces, the commander noted.

Additionally, the most important Daesh military figure, called Mahmud Mohammad, was killed during the operation to Bab al-Toub area in Mosul's Old City. A few hours later, an Iraqi federal police officer said the country's forces had also killed Daesh military commander of Mosul's Old City, Abu Abdul Rahman al-Ansary, who was killed in the Bab al-Toub battle as well.

Over 80k Iraqis displaced in Mosul's west: IOM

Also on Tuesday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on its official Twitter account that 80,568 people had fled western Mosul since the beginning of the liberation operation last month.

Mosul fell to Daesh in 2014, when the terror outfit began its campaign of death and destruction in the Arab country.

Iraqi army soldiers and allied fighters launched the offensive to retake Mosul, Daesh's last major city stronghold in the country, last October.

Iraqi forces took control of eastern Mosul in January and launched the battle in the west on February 19.

More than 700 Daesh elements slain in west Mosul battle: Cmdr.

Separately on Tuesday, Staff Major General Maan al-Saadi, of Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), told Kurdish media network Rudaw that over 700 Daesh terrorists had been killed during the west Mosul fight.

Saadi further stressed that most of the slain Takfiri militants were foreign nationals.

He also pointed out that the Iraqi army was en route to recapture districts around the al-Omal neighborhood in downtown Mosul while the militants were retreating from adjacent districts.

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Clashes Between Rival Iraqi Kurds Fuel Fears of Proxy War

By Dorian Jones March 14, 2017

Fears are growing the mountainous Iraqi Sinjar region is becoming the focal point of a proxy conflict in the region.

The conflict turned fatal earlier this month with armed clashes between rival Kurdish groups of peshmergas of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Kurdistan Workers' Party- (PKK) backed forces.

Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani has called for the removal of PKK forces, which are designated by much of the international community as a terrorist organization. The PKK has been fighting in neighboring Turkey for greater minority rights for more than three decades, but the rebels are also Barzani's rivals for influence and control of Kurds across the region.

The PKK intervened in Sinjar to protect the local Yazidi population when the Islamic State group overran the region after Barzani's peshmergas withdrew. The jihadists killed and enslaved the local Yazidi population, calling them heretics for their Zoroastrianism-derived belief - crimes many human rights groups say are tantamount to genocide.

The PKK has trained and backs Yazidi militia in Sinjar and observers say it retains considerable local support.

Ankara is suspected of being behind this month's inter-Kurdish clashes in Sinjar. The Turkish government has repeatedly warned it will not tolerate the presence of PKK forces in Sinjar, which is close to the Turkish border, fearing it will become a new base for operations against Turkey.

Ankara courts Barzani support

"The Kurdish leader Barzani has agreed to help and support the Turkish initiative that Sinjar should not be a base to be held by the PKK anymore," claims Murat Bilhan, deputy chair of the Ankara-based Turkish Asian Center for Strategic Studies, "as this is not acceptable to Turkey, and Turkey has requested the support of the Barzani regime."

Barzani visited Ankara last month, where he received unprecedented hospitality almost equivalent to a head of state, including the flying of the Iraqi Kurdish flag. The gesture provoked outrage and condemnation among Turkish nationalists, who view any such actions as steps towards recognizing an independent Kurdish state.

Even though Barzani is a frequent visitor to Turkey, having developed close ties with the ruling AK Party and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, until now, such diplomatic gestures were avoided for fear of stirring nationalist sentiments.

The Iraqi Kurdish leader is viewed by Ankara as being key to any move against the PKK in Iraq. Analysts claim such a move is of increased urgency for Ankara given the PKK's affiliate, the YPG in Syria, is continuing to make territorial gains, as it fights the Islamic State.

"Ankara will be looking for alternative ways to hit the PKK," claims Aydin Selcen a former senior Turkish diplomat who served widely in the region, including in Iraqi Kurdistan, "One option, which is a very difficult one, is an operation aiming at Qandil [the PKK's main base] in Iraq, another option is a military operation aiming at Sinjar, with directly, or indirectly, KDP peshmerga fighters and the Turkish army."

Ankara has warned it will militarily intervene in Sinjar if the PKK is not removed.

But any operation brings considerable risk.

"It will bring Turkey into direct conflict with Shia militia and with Iraqi military and then indirectly with Iran," warns Haldun Solmazturk, retired Turkish brigadier and now head of the Ankara-based Turkey Twenty-First Century Institute.

Ankara has accused the PKK in Sinjar of conspiring with the Iraqi Shia militia, the People's Mobilization Forces, a charge it has denied.

"Sinjar itself, it's an area where all these regional tensions converge," observes Selcen. "There is the People's Mobilization unit nearby and we know they have close contacts if not direct contacts to Tehran, and the Baghdad army is there, also the U.S. [force] is nearby and Barzani's forces, it's [a] very intricate proxy conflict."

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East Libyan forces launch offensive, seize oil terminals

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:16PM

East Libyan forces have regained control of two major oil ports of Ras Lanuf and al-Sidra from a rival faction that seized them earlier this month.

Military spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) was pursuing fighters from the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) toward the town of Ben Jawad, located about 30 kilometer west of al-Sidra.

Akram Buhaliqa, an LNA commander in the nearby city of Ajdabiya, also said BDB fighters were retreating toward Ben Jawad. The claims could not be independently verified.

Earlier, troops commanded by Libyan General Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive to seize the oil terminals.

Khalifa al-Abidi, a spokesman, said orders had been issued for the assault early Tuesday.

"Ground, sea and air forces launched joint attacks to liberate Ras Lanuf from terrorist groups," media outlets quoted the spokesman as saying. The offensive is also targeting the nearby al-Sidra oil terminal, he added.

The two main groups fighting for control of Libya's oil terminals are the BDB and the LNA, led by Haftar.

Both sites were seized by the rival militia earlier this month.

In September last year, pro-Haftar forces captured Ras Lanuf, al-Sidra and two other eastern oil ports in a blow to the UN-supported authority of the Government of National Accord (GNA). Haftar has refused to cede power to the GNA since its installation last year in the capital, Tripoli.

In a separate development on Tuesday, authorities said fresh fighting erupted between rival armed groups in Tripoli. Witnesses said explosions and gunfire could be heard in two neighborhoods west of the city center.

The fighting has left many trapped in their homes as several key thoroughfares were blocked across the city.

It was not immediately clear who was involved in the latest fierce clashes.

UN reports executions, torture in eastern Libya

The United Nations said on Tuesday that rivals battling in Libya's eastern oil-rich region had reportedly conducted summary executions, torture and other violations.

The UN human rights office said in a statement that there were "serious allegations" that the Benghazi group executed two LNA fighters in the Ras Lanouf medical center on March 3.

The world body has also received reports of LNA fighters raiding the homes of presumed supporters of the rival group in the region, arresting and detaining children and taking hostages.

"We have received reports that those detained have been subjected to torture," the statement said.

Haftar was an ally of Libya's former long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi but joined the Libyan revolution against Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya has been rocked by violence since a NATO military intervention that followed the 2011 uprising and led to the overthrow and death of Gaddafi. Rival governments were set up in Tripoli and eastern Libya in 2014.

General Haftar is linked to the government based in the eastern port city of Tobruk.

His forces have also been fighting militias loyal to the Tripoli government since 2014.

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Russia rejects reports of troop deployment near Libyan border

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 10:45AM

Russia has categorically dismissed Western media reports claiming it deployed special forces to an Egyptian town near conflict-ridden Libya.

"There are no Russian special forces in Sidi Barrani. Certain Western media have been stirring the public with such mud-slinging from anonymous sources for years," Major Genrral Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman, said Tuesday.

The remarks came a day after Reuters quoted unnamed US and Egyptian military and diplomatic sources as saying that Russia had deployed a 22-member unit of special forces and several drones to an Egyptian airbase near the Libyan border.

Egypt's Defense Ministry has already rejected the report.

The Reuters report also said any such Russian deployment might be part of a bid to back Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who suffered a setback with an assault on March 3 by the Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) on oil ports controlled by his troops.

Five years after the fall of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Libya is still embroiled in violence and political chaos. Rival governments were set up in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the east of the country in 2014.

General Khalifa Haftar is linked to the government based in the eastern port city of Tobruk. He has refused to pledge allegiance to the UN-backed government in Tripoli.

The Reuters report came on the same day that several eastern Libya officials, including Commander Haftar, visited Moscow and held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

During the meeting, Bogdanov emphasized the need for a political solution to the crisis in Libya.

Moscow "reaffirmed its strong support of the political process, based on the imperative to ensure the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the talks.

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Reuters: Russia Apparently Deploys Forces Near Libyan Border In Egypt

RFE/RL March 14, 2017

The Reuters news agency reports that Russia appears to have deployed special forces to an air base near the Libyan border in Egypt.

The report on March 14 cited unnamed sources, including U.S. and Egyptian officials.

Reuters cited U.S. and other sources as saying such a deployment could be part of an effort to support Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is opposed to the country's UN-backed government.

U.S. officials told Reuters that the United States has seen what appeared to be Russian special forces and drones at Sidi Barrani, Egypt, about 100 kilometers from the Libya border.

Asked about the report, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said: "There are no Russian special forces units in Sidi Barrani."

Russian President Vladimnir Putin's spokesman, Dmity Peskov, said: "We do not have such information."

Reuters reported that Egyptian security sources described a 22-member Russian special forces unit, but declined to describe its mission, and said that Russia also used an Egyptian base further from the border in early February.

Egypt has denied the presence of any Russian forces on its territory.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pledged this month to help unify Libya, which was a longtime Soviet client and had close ties to Moscow before the death of dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

Asked on March 14 whether Russia is placing its bets in Libya on Haftar, Peskov said that "any excessive interference by Russia in Libyan affairs would hardly be possible and hardly be expedient."

"But nonetheless, that does not mean that Russia is not making contact with the sides with which it considers it necessary [to do so]."

With reporting by Reuters and Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-special-forces- libya-egypt/28368266.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Libyan Army Establishes Control Over Ras Lanuf, As Sidr Cities

Sputnik News

18:52 14.03.2017(updated 18:54 14.03.2017)

The Libyan government troops drove on Tuesday the militants from the northern country's port cities of Ras Lanuf and As Sidr.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh told Sputnik that Libyan armed forces intent to regain control of the country's oil fields and ports.

According to the Sky News Arabia broadcaster, the troops of Libyan National Army Gen. Khalifa Haftar are currently conducting an offensive targeting the city of Bin Jawad located in the vicinity of As Sidr.

Earlier in the month, the so-called Benghazi Defense Brigades attacked and gained control of Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil fields, pushing out Haftar's forces. Later in March, the Brigades had given control over the oil fields and ports to the Tripoli-based government of the crisis-torn state rival to the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and supported by Haftar.

Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa and the tenth largest globally. Libya has been in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a civil war began in the country and its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. In December 2015, Libya's rival governments  the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress  agreed to create the Government of National Accord, to form the Presidency Council and to end the political impasse.

 Sputnik

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Libyan Army Gains Control Over Ras Lanuf Airport - Reports

Sputnik News

13:56 14.03.2017(updated 13:57 14.03.2017)

Libyan government troops have gained control over Ras Lanuf Airport in Libya as part of a campaign to retake oil fields, Arab media reported Tuesday.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  Libyan Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh told Sputnik in an interview earlier in the day that the Libyan army would "soon expel terrorist groups, return the fields under the control of the armed forces."

The so-called Benghazi Defense Brigades attacked and gained control of Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil fields this month, pushing out Libyan National Army Gen. Khalifa Haftar's forces handing control to the Tripoli-based authorities.

Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa and the tenth largest globally. Libya has been in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a civil war began in the country and its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. In December 2015, Libya's rival governments  the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress  agreed to create the Government of National Accord, to form the Presidency Council and to end the political impasse.

 Sputnik

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Libya Ready to Implement Arms Contracts With Russia Reached Under Gaddafi

Sputnik News

13:03 14.03.2017(updated 13:42 14.03.2017)

The Libyan government in the country's east is ready to implement the contracts with Russia on arms supplies reached under former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's House of Representatives Chairman Aguila Saleh Issa told Sputnik.

CAIRO (Sputnik)  Russia promised to assist the local authorities in the east of Libya in combating terrorism, he said.

"We asked the Russian government to help us in training of the armed forces, repairing of military equipment by Russian experts, as most of our officers were trained in Russia and many speak Russian, and they know how to use Russian equipment. We were promised an assistance in the fight against terrorism," Issa said.

"Commissions which will have to check and monitor the implementation of defense contracts reached with Russia during the rule of Muammar Gaddafi will be established. They will be implemented with the two sides' good will," Issa said.

During the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Libya in April 2008, Moscow and Tripoli signed a number of intergovernmental and commercial agreements, including the one to write off the Libyan debt amounting to $4.5 billion in exchange for contracts for Russian defense industry, though no details on the deals were made public.

Russia ready to take in new groups of Libyan wounded military men from the eastern part of the country for treatment, he said.

In early February, about 70 soldiers from the Libyan national army under command of Khalifa Haftar were sent to Russia for medical treatment.

"The friendly Russian government expressed its willingness to accept the wounded for treatment, and eventually it fulfilled the promise. If we need to send another group of wounded to Russia, they are ready to provide this humanitarian assistance," Isa said.

Libya's House of Representatives has sent an invitation to members of the defense and foreign affairs committees of the Russian State Duma to visit the country's east, Saleh said.

"We have sent a letter to the Russian State Duma with an invitation of a range of members of the defense and foreign affairs committees to visit Libya (the government troop-controlled eastern part. We await their visit," Issa said.

According to the politician, Libyan lawmakers will soon visit Moscow.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil since 2011, when a civil war began in the country and its longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown. In December 2015, Libya's rival governments  the Council of Deputies based in Tobruk and the Tripoli-based General National Congress  agreed to create the Government of National Accord, to form the Presidency Council and to end the political impasse.

 Sputnik

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Putin Orders to Sign Agreement to Include S Ossetia Divisions in Russian Army

Sputnik News

18:29 14.03.2017(updated 20:39 14.03.2017)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an agreement with South Ossetia on the inclusion of some of its military units into the Russian Armed Forces, a decree posted Tuesday on the official Russian legal information website says.

MOSCOW, (Sputnik)  On March 13, the Russian government approved a draft bill to include some South Ossetian military divisions in the Russian Armed Forces.

"To approve the proposal by the government on signing of a draft agreement between the Russian Federation and the Republic of South Ossetia on the inclusion of some of its military units into the Russian Armed Forces," the decree says.

"To instruct the Russian Defense Ministry to hold talks with the South Ossetian side and after reaching an agreement sign it, allowing for adjustment that are not of fundamental nature," the document says.

The agreement allows enlisting South Ossetian citizens in the Russian Armed Forces on the contract basis. According to the paper, while signing a contract on military service in the Russian Armed Forces, a citizen should be discharged from military service in South Ossetia.

The further military service of those citizens would be carried out in accordance with the Russian legislation.

The South Ossetian side is set to elaborate documentation on restructuring its armed forces within three months after the agreement enters in force.

Russia recognized the independence of South Ossetia, as well as of Abkhazia, following a five-day war that broke out after Georgia's military operation against the breakaway republics in 2008. Since then it has been recognized by several other states, while Georgia still does not consider neither Abkhazia nor South Ossetia as independent states.

In November 2016, Putin signed a law on the ratification of the agreement on Russian-Abkhazian joint group of armed forces, setting out the purpose of and the procedure for creating, deploying and using the joint group of forces. The Joint Group aims "to provide an adequate response to an armed attack (aggression) and other military security threats against either party."

 Sputnik

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Kremlin Rejects Reports of Russian Military Deployment Near Libyan Border

By Lou Lorscheider March 14, 2017

Kremlin officials and Russian lawmakers are denying published reports that Moscow has deployed a team of special forces and drones to a military base in Egypt near the Libyan border.

The denials came Tuesday, following multiple reports that Russian military activity had been spotted near the Mediterranean coastal town of Sidi Baranni, 100 kilometers from the Egyptian-Libyan frontier.

Those reports, quoting anonymous U.S. officials, say increased Russian involvement may be part of a push by Moscow to support renegade Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Haftar and his so-called Libyan National Army are aligned with a government in eastern Libya that refuses to support the internationally backed Government of National Unity operating from Tripoli.

Russia's Ria Novosti news agency quoted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying he had seen the news reports of the alleged deployment, but said: "I have not heard of them from any other sources."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said: "we do not possess any information of that kind."

Additionally, international affairs lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov called the deployment reports "fake news which should not be paid attention to."

The deputy head of the state Duma defense committee, Andrei Krasov, said the reports "must be a deliberate act of misinformation" aimed at raising international tensions.

Despite the Russian denials, Britain's Guardian newspaper on Tuesday quoted Egyptian security sources as confirming the presence of a 22-member Russian security force on Egyptian soil. Those sources said Russia also used another Egyptian base early last month, but they declined to divulge further information.

There has been no formal U.S. comment on the deployment reports.

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BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of rural migrant workers in China hit 282 million at the end of 2016, an increase of 4.24 million from a year before, according the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) Tuesday.

The country has made remarkable progress in protecting migrant workers' rights and interests, Qiu Xiaoping, MHRSS's vice minister.

The ministry has helped retrieve 35 billion yuan (about 5 billion U.S. dollars) of back pay for migrant workers, and back-pay complaints have fallen, Qiu said.

Some 58.2 million workers are covered by pension insurance and 48.2 million covered by medical insurance. 46.6 million have access to unemployment insurance and 75.1 million are protected by work injury insurance.

Qiu said the ministry will continue to help rural migrant workers settle in cities and start their own businesses. Efforts will be made to help them enjoy equal social welfare with urban residents.

Due to the household registration system that ties people's access to social welfare to their residential status, they have previously not enjoyed the same benefits in healthcare, pensions and other social benefits as city residents.

To bridge the gap, government is gradually removing the distinction between urban and rural residents.
Syria talks officially kick off in Astana

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:16AM

A third round of talks aimed at finding a political solution to the conflict in Syria has officially gotten underway in Kazakhstan's capital Astana.

Russia's Sputnik news agency said the talks kicked off with a meeting between the United Nations (UN) and Russian delegations on Tuesday.

The Astana talks, which have been going on in parallel with UN-brokered talks in the Swiss city of Geneva, have been an initiative of guarantor states Iran, Russia, and Turkey. The first round of the talks took place on January 23-24 and the second on February 15-16.

The Syrian government and the country's opposition comprise the main sides to the talks, while Iran, Russia, and Turkey mediate the process. Tehran and Moscow are allied with Damascus, whereas Turkey acts on behalf of the Syrian opposition.

Delegations started arriving for the negotiations in Astana on Monday.

The Iranian delegation is headed by Hossein Jaberi Ansari, the deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs.

The armed opposition in Syria has said it will not be participating in the talks because of what it says is Russia's failure to halt its airstrikes in support of the Syrian government and the Syrian army's alleged violations of a ceasefire.

Russia has been carrying out an aerial campaign in Syria on a request from Damascus since September 2015. Together with Iran and Turkey, Russia facilitated a nationwide ceasefire in the Arab country late last year.

The first two rounds of the Astana talks saw participants agreeing on the establishment of a jointly-run mechanism to monitor the ceasefire, which would report to the UN.

According to Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov, the new round of the talks is expected to consider the creation of a working group on prisoner exchanges as well as conducting mining clearances at sites of humanitarian significance.

Additional US representative at the talks

According to Sputnik, the United States has dispatched a second representative to the current round of the talks, an upgrade from its previous level of participation in the negotiations.

A Kazakh Foreign Ministry spokesman said that apart from US Ambassador to Kazakhstan George Krol, who has participated in the previous rounds of the Astana talks, another representative will be present from Washington. The Kazakh spokesman did not explain who the new representative was.

Previously, Krol would join the discussions at the Kazakh government's invitation as an observer. There has been no indication that the additional envoy partaking in the latest round would assume any expanded role.

Conflict began in Syria in 2011, when foreign states opposing the Syrian administration started pouring arms and militants into the Arab country. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict so far.

'Turkey responsible for militants' failure to attend'

Later in the day, Bashar al-Ja'afari, Syria's ambassador to the UN and the head of the Syrian delegation blamed Turkey for the militants' failure to participate.

"When one of the three guarantors breaks their commitment  and I mean Turkey  this means that Turkey must be one that is asked about the non-attendance or participation of these armed groups," he said.

Ja'afari, however, said progress could still be made in the absence of the militants.

"We are eager to ensure the success of the Astana path... whether or not the armed factions attend," Jaafari said. "The failure of the armed factions to attend Astana shows the indecency of their politics."

Separately, Russia's Interfax news agency cited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying that the boycott came as a surprise and that the reasons provided by the armed opposition for not taking part in the talks were "unconvincing."

The top diplomat announced, though, that the Russian Defense Ministry was in touch with the Syrian oppositionists who had refused to come to Astana.

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Top EU Diplomat Unveils Syria Plan As Conflict Enters Seventh Year

RFE/RL March 14, 2017

The European Union unveiled a plan to support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the first protests against President Bashar al-Assad's government.

The EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on March 14 released proposals ranging from demining to organizing elections.

Speaking ahead of a Syria conference in Brussels scheduled for April 5, Mogherini said she hopes peace talks in Kazakhstan combined with the EU's initiative could spark meetings between Syria's political parties in Geneva under UN auspices.

"Too many times the international community has not prepared the post-conflict period in time. This time we want to be ready," Mogherini told reporters at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Mogherini said the EU was ready to spring into action once a "genuine political transition" from Assad's rule was under way.

The EU is already the biggest donor to Syria, providing more than 9.4 billion euros ($10 billion) in humanitarian, development and economic assistance since 2011. It plays no military role.

An accompanying document issued by the European Commission said that, among measures the EU could take, would be to mobilize funding to support reconstruction efforts, including helping with security, demining, and cease-fire monitoring.

The document said the 28-country bloc could also help restore basic services such as water, health, and education.

'Man-Made Disaster'

However, peace talks which resumed in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on March 14 got under way without representatives from the opposition, leaving little hope for a breakthrough.

Delegates from the three countries sponsoring the talks  Russia, Turkey, and Iran  were present at the discussions on March 14 in Astana, but Syrian opposition groups said the previous day they would not attend, accusing the Syrian government and its backer Russia of failing to adhere to a cease-fire brokered in December.

Two previous rounds of talks in Astana ended without a breakthrough.

The six-year-old war in Syria, which began with a government crackdown on March 15, 2011 on pro-democracy protesters, has killed an estimated 300,000 people and displaced millions more.

The UN human rights chief described the six-year Syrian conflict as the "worst man-made disaster since World War II," citing widespread torture and a "tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity."

"Today, in a sense the entire country has become a torture-chamber: a place of savage horror and absolute injustice," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said in a statement on March 14.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa

Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/eu-mogherini-syria -plan-post-conflict/28369548.html

Copyright (c) 2017. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Delegation Comments on Syria Opposition's Decision to Skip Peace Talks

Sputnik News

14:16 14.03.2017(updated 15:02 14.03.2017)

Russia regrets that the Syrian armed opposition delegation decided to not take part in the ongoing talks in Astana on the situation in the country, head of the Russian delegation Alexander Lavrentyev said Tuesday.

ASTANA (Sputnik)  A Russian delegation is scheduled to hold bilaterals in Kazakhstan's capital with delegations of the Syrian government, Iran, Turkey and the United Nations. Syrian opposition factions said they would stay out of the third round of Astana talks.

"The Syrian delegation arrived, well done to them, they should be given credit for this. The fact that the arrival of the Syrian opposition delegation is still up in the air is only regrettable," he told reporters.

"The Astana process is taking place, it is progressing, I would not speak of the threat of the talks being derailed," he told reporters.

"Unfortunately we have not received from them extra explanations. If they have issues they should come here and let us know is a normal, constructive, calm fashion their concerns so that they could be resolved," he told reporters.

He expressed hope that the Turkish side would express later in the day the reasons for the absence of the opposition at the talks as a guarantor.

Head of the Russian delegation to the Astana talks on Syria Alexander Lavrentyev told Sputnik on Tuesday that he thought that it was possible that the Syrian armed opposition would attend the event, expressing hope that "common sense will prevail."

"It is rather possible, we hope that common sense will prevail. We regret they made the decision not to come and we see it as emotions that need to be overcome. It does not benefit anyone, and primarily the opposition itself," Lavrentyev said when asked whether the opposition's decision to skip the event was final.

The determination of exact regions of Syria where Daesh and Jabhat Fatah al Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front) is one of the most important issues of the ongoing talks in Astana, Lavrentyev said.

"This is a very important aspect  not separation, but determination of exact regions of location of terrorist groups  Daesh and Nusra. This is very important, we are directing the attention of other delegations to this. Our Jordanian and Iranian partners are supporting us in this issue," he told reporters.

The Russian delegation is discussing constitutional issues among other topics at the Astana talks on Syrian reconciliation.

"The issues related to the new Syrian constitution are also being discussed. These are just details for now. These issues will be resolved in Geneva. There is also a number of questions related to issues of political nature which will also be considered during our consultations  We had an interesting meeting with the UN delegation," he told reproters.

Russian delegation to the Astana talks has discussed with the Syrian government delegation the issue of creating a commission for constitutional change, and will further address this topic again, Russia's special presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev told Sputnik.

"It is good that the Syrian government delegation came as well. We had a rather constructive discussion with them. Political issues were addressed. The issue of creating a constitutional commission has and will be discussed," Lavrentyev said.

"We view Astana process as an effective supplement to the Geneva process, not as its substitute. That is why we hope that constitution proposals and ideas on creating a constitutional commission can be effectively used at Geneva talks. We are working on it," he added.

 Sputnik

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Kremlin Aware of Challenges to Astana Talks on Syria

Sputnik News

13:11 14.03.2017(updated 13:12 14.03.2017)

Russia had been aware of challenges to the Syrian talks in Astana since their inception, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday, adding the negotiating process was not made easier by emerging differences between the parties.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A Russian delegation is scheduled to hold bilaterals in Kazakhstan's capital with delegations of the Syrian government, Iran, Turkey and the United Nations. Syrian opposition factions said they would stay out of the third round of Astana talks.

"We obviously regard [the Astana talks] as an extremely important negotiating process and have been aware of its extreme complexity since the very beginning: the situation at these talks is often complicated by significant differences in approaches of various parties, but the work is still on," Peskov told reporters.

The first round of Astana talks on Syria brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran were held on January 23-24 and resulted in a Moscow-Tehran-Ankara agreement on the establishment of a trilateral mechanism to monitor the ceasefire in Syria.

The second round of the Astana talks took place on February 15-16, with the participants agreeing to set up a ceasefire monitoring group, encompassing Iran, Russia and Turkey, that would report to the United Nations.

The third round of intra-Syrian talks in Astana will take place on March 14-15, with the consultations to be held on the first day and the plenary session to take place on Wednesday.

 Sputnik

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U.S. reaffirms its one-China policy ahead of Tillerson's China visit

ROC Central News Agency

2017/03/14 13:54:36

Washington, March 13 (CNA) The United States reaffirmed on Monday its commitment to the one-China policy, which is based on the three Sino-U.S. communiques and the Taiwan Relations Act, ahead of a visit by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Beijing scheduled for later this week.

Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's one-China policy and how he will address the issue during a possible meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton said that Washington's one-China policy has been unchanged for several decades and was reaffirmed in a phone call between the two presidents in February, the first since Trump took office on Jan. 20.

Washington's one-China policy is based on three Sino-U.S. communiques -- signed in 1972, 1979 and 1982 -- and the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which was enacted in 1979, she said during a State Department foreign press center briefing.

Under its "one-China" policy, the U.S. recognizes the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, acknowledging Beijing's position that there is one China and Taiwan is part of China.

Under the same policy, the TRA provides for "robust, strong, committed and unofficial relations" between the U.S. and Taiwan, Thornton said.

"I think that that has been stated clearly by President Trump. It's been understood by President Xi," she said.

Her remarks came before Tillerson's first trip to Asia as America's top diplomat, which will take him to Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing from March 15-19.

Thornton said the trip can, to some extent, be seen as paving the way for a future summit between Trump and Xi, but she did not confirm reports that the two leaders will have their first meeting in Florida on April 6-7.

(By Rita Cheng and Elaine Hou)

ENDITEM/AW



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Former President Ma Ying-jeou indicted over Sept. 2013 incident

ROC Central News Agency

2017/03/14 11:37:35

Taipei, March 14 (CNA) Former President Ma Ying-jeou () was indicted Tuesday for alleged abetment in the disclosure of information that should have been kept secret under the Communication Security and Surveillance Act, prosecutors in Taipei said.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said Ma also violated the Criminal Code for allegedly divulging classified information related to matters other than national defense in September 2013.

The information in question concerns the alleged influence-peddling involving Wang Jin-pyng (), then-President of the Legislative Yuan, on behalf of Ker Chien-ming (), a senior lawmaker of the Democratic Progressive Party.

Enditem

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Turkey's Erdogan warns of more sanctions against 'rotten' Netherlands

Iran Press TV

Tue Mar 14, 2017 3:32PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that there is still more room for imposing further sanctions on the Netherlands, amid an unprecedented deepening row between the two NATO allies that erupted after a ban on Turkish ministers prevented them from speaking at political events in Rotterdam.

The Turkish leader made the strong-worded remarks in a speech in the capital, Ankara, on Tuesday, after the government slapped an array of political sanctions against Amsterdam a day earlier.

The bans include halting political dialogue between the two countries, barring the Dutch ambassador from returning to the Anatolian country and closing Turkish airspace to all Dutch diplomats.

Erdogan's warning came three days after Dutch authorities banned Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and the country's Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from campaigning for Turkey's April 16 constitutional referendum, which seeks to extend Erdogan's power.

The ban infuriated Ankara and triggered a mounting tension between the two sides, with Erdogan calling the Dutch authorities "fascists" and "remnants of Nazis" over the weekend. He reiterated his previous provocative assertions, which sparked outrage in a country that had gone through Nazi Germany's bombardment and occupation in World War II. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged Ankara to apologize for comparing the Dutch to Nazis.

Erdogan also lambasted the Netherlands for its alleged failure in stopping the massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, back in 1995, when a Dutch battalion of the United Nations peacekeepers was responsible for protecting the victims against the Bosnian Serb forces.

"We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there," Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Shortly after the Turkish leader's controversial comments, Rutte slammed Erdogan's claims, calling them "a repugnant historical falsehood." He also blamed Erdogan for continuing "to escalate the situation."

Elsewhere in his remarks, Erdogan said "our nation" would choose "on April 16 at the ballot box" the "Yes" vote as "the best answer" to the country's enemies.

The vote is aimed at abolishing the office of the prime minister and giving more executive powers to the currently largely ceremonial position of the Turkish president, including issuing decrees, declaring emergency rule, appointing ministers and state officials and dissolving the parliament.

On March 10, the Venice Commission, a panel of legal experts at the Council of Europe, called the changes a "dangerous step backwards" for democracy, and three days later the European Commission said it would evaluate Turkey's planned constitutional changes in light of the country's status as an applicant for EU membership, which Ankara has been seeking for a long time.

Several German municipalities had earlier canceled similar rallies by a number of Turkish ministers campaigning for a yes vote in the April plebiscite. The move angered Ankara, prompting Erdogan on March 13 to call German Chancellor Angela Merkel a "terrorist supporter" for Berlin's failure in responding to 4,500 dossiers sent by Ankara on terror suspects, including those linked to Kurdish militants and last year's failed coup in Turkey.

Merkel had earlier pledged her "full support and solidarity" to the Dutch, saying Erdogan's allegations were "completely unacceptable."

Germany has also hit back at Ankara, saying the country was playing the role of the victim in a bid to foster solidarity among all Turks for the upcoming referendum.

"The statements from Turkey are ... absurd, have no real foundation, and have the sole aim of putting Turkey in a victim's role in order to build solidarity" among voters, said Germany's Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Tuesday, a day after Erdogan made the accusation against Merkel.

The developments came also a day after the European Union and NATO strongly urged Turkey to de-escalate the growing tension, but of no avail since the Turkish Foreign Ministry described the EU warning as "worthless" and "biased" toward the Netherlands.

Besides Germany and the Netherlands, the governments of Austria, Denmark and Switzerland have also prevented Turkish officials from campaigning in their countries, all of which have large Turkish immigrant communities.

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Yanukovych: Granting Autonomy Status to Donbass Should Be Decided Via Referendum

Sputnik News

16:49 14.03.2017(updated 16:50 14.03.2017)

The issue of granting Ukraine's eastern Donbass region the status of autonomy and broader powers within the country should be decided through a referendum, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych told Sputnik Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The ex-Ukrainian president added that, for the sake of establishing peace within the country, the idea for a referendum would gain support of all the Ukrainian regions.

"I think the issue of granting the rights of autonomy with broader powers within Ukraine to Donbass could be put to a referendum," Yanukovych said in an interview with Sputnik.

In order to settle the crisis, authorities should "allow the Donbass residents to live in compliance with their traditions, views on history, to speak any language and to listen to any music," Yanukovych noted.

In late February, Yanukovych said that if Kiev did not comply with the Minsk ceasefire agreements, an autonomy referendum for Donbass should be held.

In April 2014, Kiev's authorities started a military operation against the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk (LPR) in eastern Ukraine. Both DPR and LPR had claimed independence from the authorities that had come to power as a result what they consider to be a coup. According to the recent UN data, more than 10,000 people suffered from the conflict.

The Minsk agreements of February 2015, brokered by Russia, France, Germany and Ukraine, imply the establishment of the ceasefire regime in eastern Ukraine. The warring parties continue to exchange fire, despite the ceasefire deal.

 Sputnik

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Vantage Data Centers has announced the delivery of three new facilities in Berlin and Frankfurt and has announced a new German office in Raunheim to support the countrys growth.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China is committed to denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and proposes all parties de-escalate tensions through dialogue and consultation, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

Li told a press conference after the close of the annual parliamentary session that the situation in the Korean Peninsula and even broader Northeast Asia has recently become tense.

"Tensions may lead to conflicts, which will bring harm to all parties involved," Li said. "It is just a common sense that no one wants to see chaos at his doorstep."

China hopes all parties make concerted efforts to de-escalate tensions and get issues back to the track of dialogue in order to find proper solutions, he said.

China has fully complied with UN resolutions on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and is a staunch supporter of upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, the premier said. Enditem
Premier Li Keqiang met reporters from home and abroad at a news conference on Wednesday at the end of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress. Premier Li answered questions on various topics such as the economy, financial reforms and diplomacy. Here are highlights of the event.

Premier Li Keqiang met reporters from home and abroad at a news conference on Wednesday at the end of the annual meeting of the National People's Congress. Premier Li answered questions on various topics such as the economy, financial reforms and diplomacy. Here are highlights of the event.

China-US relations

The One-China policy constitutes the political foundation of China-US relations which has remained unshaken despite the changing circumstances, nor can this relationship be undermined. "With that foundation in place, we believe that there are broad prospects for China-US cooperation."

Diplomats from the two countries are already engaged in discussing a face-to-face meeting between the Chinese and US presidents. "I believe it is important for both countries to uphold strategic interests, sit down to talk to each other so as to enhance mutual understanding and trust."

US companies will be the first to suffer if the US and China have a trade war. Bilateral investment and trade had created nearly one million jobs for the US, and that the two nations should look and move forward despite challenges in the ties.

Financial risks

There will not be eruption of systematic financial crisis in China and it has many policy tools available to resolve financial risks. "Once we find financial risks, we will tackle it promptly to prevent it from worsening."

China's GDP growth target for this year, which is "around 6.5 percent", is not low given China's already big economic scale and it would not be easy for China to achieve the target.

China contributed about 30 percent of global growth in 2016 and China will remain an important contributor of global economic growth this year.

Economic growth

There is little risk of a hard landing for the Chinese economy, because the country's healthy economic transformation process relies mainly on industrial upgrades.

China has, for years, achieved medium to high growth, thanks to achievements made in consumption and industrial upgrades.

China will not adopt mass stimulus measures but will continue to fuel growth momentum through deepening reform.

Exchange rate

China has ample foreign exchange reserves to satisfy the demands of imports and short-term debt repayments.

China does not want to resort to yuan depreciation to boost exports as that would dampen the restructuring and upgrading of the corporate sector.

"We also do not want any trade war with others and we have stuck to reform of the yuan's exchange rate formation mechanism to keep it basically stable at reasonable and equilibrium levels."

Employment

The Chinese government will not allow massive unemployment, and China's economy is projected to see steady growth without the likelihood of a hard landing.

A close look at the Government Work Report will show that we have set higher targets in 2017 for all major areas of economic and social development, which includes creating 1 million more urban jobs than in 2016.

Employment is of paramount significance for such a large country as China, which has more than 1.3 billion people. Employment is the foundation of economic development.

For the past four years, China has been creating 13 million urban jobs a year, which has helped the country keep unemployment at a fairly low level.

Asia-Pacific region

Premier Li hopes cooperation between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific region will bring opportunities to ASEAN countries, instead of trouble.

China does not want to see any party in the Asia-Pacific region feel compelled to choose sides under the influence of a Cold-War mentality.

The Asia-Pacific is the common home of all countries in the region, and China believes regional affairs should be decided and handled on the merits of each case.

Streamlining administration and delegating power

China will continue to lower market thresholds and create an environment of fair competition.

"We have the resilience to (push forward the streamlining) no matter what kind of problems or resistance we encounter."

Governments at all levels should integrate administrative services with the internet to make life easier for the public as well as encourage law-abiding market entities and give a green light to entrepreneurs and innovators.

Regional trade agreements

China always takes an open attitude to various regional trade agreements, and the country will seize any possible opportunity to improve the world economy through multilateral trading system.

But China will not overreach its regional influence to seek trade arrangements where the country's due role is not in place.

Korean Peninsula issue

China doesn't want to see "chaos at its doorstep".

China, a resolute champion of the international non-proliferation system, has been implementing related UN resolutions comprehensively and strictly, and has been sticking to solving the peninsula issue through talks and achieving the denuclearization of the peninsula.

Tensions on the peninsula, even in Northeast Asia, have the potential to spark conflict and harm all parties involved.
WENTWORTH, N.C.  Two days before the resignation of Rockingham County District Attorney Craig Blitzer, a Superior Court judge chastised his prosecutors for not scheduling enough cases for a two-week trial period and asked for Blitzer to come to his courtroom.

Blitzer didnt show.

Judge Stuart Albright addressed the status of Rockingham Countys pending criminal cases on March 8, the same day SBI agents raided the district attorneys office to collect evidence in an ongoing investigation of Blitzers office for the alleged theft of state money.

The offices of Blitzer and Person/Caswell County District Attorney Wallace Bradsher have been under scrutiny since October 2016 when the News & Record confirmed with Superior Court Judge Joe Crosswhite that he had ordered the SBI investigation. On Feb. 21, a whistleblower lawsuit filed in Wake County Superior Court accused Blitzer and Bradsher of hiring one anothers wives in a scheme to collect more than $100,000 combined in salaries. The complaint alleges the women rarely worked.

Blitzer is represented by Winston-Salem attorneys Micheal Grace and Chris Clifton, who said Tuesday that he would not comment for this article because of the ongoing investigation.

The Guilford County Superior Court judge, who is working a six-month rotation in Rockingham County, asked Assistant District Attorneys Shireen Wayne and Jason Ramey about Blitzers absence. Court transcripts obtained by the News & Record detail this exchange:

You are the two here  I asked for Mr. Blitzer earlier. ... Many times elected DAs are doing other things, and its not a problem, Albright said. Im just telling you this is the second time Ive had to cancel an entire week of court.

Rockingham County Superior Court sets aside two weeks each month for trials.

On March 6 and 7, Albright presided over an assault on a female trial. On March 8, he heard a plea deal in a habitual-driving-while-impaired case. Nothing else was scheduled for the trial term that ends Friday.

This is very, very, very serious, Albright tells Ramey and Wayne. OK. Im not doing anything about it right now other than the both of you, whatever you have been doing, its not working.

The judge said he is talking to the prosecutors because they have appeared in court in Blitzers place.

Its got to be better than this, Albright said. Youre better than this. You are both hard-working DAs. You owe it to everybody including the people of Rockingham County who elected your boss to keep the court busy unless the jail is empty.

When contacted by the News & Record on Tuesday, Albright corrected a word in the transcript but would not elaborate about other statements in the transcript.

Albright asked the prosecutors if they needed another day to consider whether any other case could be heard.

I did speak directly with Mr. Keeney, who is the highest available person I can get on the phone with, Ramey said of Chief Assistant District Attorney Mark Keeney. He says theres nothing else for the court. If you want us to continue I can.

In the five-page transcript, Albright said Keeney was not at the courthouse because of a serious health issue.

The transcript does not mention where Blitzer is at the time of the discussion.

Albright tells Ramey and Wayne he will cancel Superior Court for a week.

While Albright was questioning Blitzers assistants on the floor below, investigators from the SBI were in the DAs offices searching for a computer.

Rockingham County Courthouse has 69 secured interior doors that require an authorized keycard to enter. Whenever Blitzers keycard was used, it produced a computerized record of the name of the door used, the time and date and his name.

Data from Blitzers electronic keycard provided by Rockingham County officials responding to a public records request does not indicate whether Blitzer was in the offices at the time of the search.

The district attorney, who was sworn into office on Jan. 1, 2015, has been a rare presence in the courtroom since August 2016 when he enrolled in a full-time Basic Law Enforcement Training class. Between mid-August and Dec. 1, 2016, he used his keycard at the courthouse on seven dates, county records indicate.

In the 100 days since Dec. 1, 2016  the day of Blitzers final BLET exam  and his Friday resignation his keycard was recorded accessing doorways in the courthouse on 27 days.

In detail, Blitzer used his keycard seven days in December. In January, when Albright began his term in Rockingham, Blitzer used his keycard on eight days. He was recorded visiting the courthouse five days in February, between Feb. 1 and Feb. 20.

News of the whistleblower lawsuit broke on Feb. 21. Debra Halbrook, a victim-witness legal assistant for the Person/Caswell district attorneys office, made the allegations against Blitzer and Bradsher, and said she believes the FBI is involved in the investigation.

Keycard data for Blitzer the day of his resignation shows he arrived at the parking gate at 5:56 p.m., was inside the district attorneys office by 6 p.m. and left through the courthouse parking gate at 7:17 p.m.

He resigned at 9 that night.

On Saturday, Gov. Roy Cooper appointed retired former Forsyth County District Attorney Tom Keith to serve as interim district attorney. Keith said if there is any backlog of cases he intends to get those moving through the court system again, even if that means bringing in more judges and prosecutors from neighboring counties.

Superior Court is expected to resume Monday.
To the editor:

Today, more than ever before I have come to realize that we live in a nation of secularism, the here and now. There is no regard for authority. It is in our schools, homes, streets and, most terrifying, it is in our hearts. All authorities are given to us by God, if we disobey the laws of the land, we are disobeying the one who gave them to us.

We are accountable to the law of Holy God. We may think that we can be a law unto ourselves, that God our creator does not see and will not judge us for our rebellion, but, rest assured, a day of accounting is coming on all who rebel against his ordained governing authority.

Today, we see police being treated like the enemy of the people, the very ones who uphold the law against those who murder, rape and destroy. Yet they get no respect from those who they protect. To be sure, disobedience to lawful commands of earthly authorities is ultimately disobedience to God the father and to his Christ, because they ordained the governing authorities.

I see such disrespect for our president from the liberals and from protest on the streets of this great land; if they would read the word of God, they would see that the placement of our leaders rest in the hands of God, not man.

America, this nation that I love and pray for, has become more and more secular as it embodies more anti-God movements. Our colleges are spitting out more anti-God/anti-America students into our culture who defy godliness. Our courts are upholding laws that destroy marriages, kill the unborn, give rights to all who live a life of immorality, at the same time calling anyone who objects haters and bigots.

How much more will our creator God put up with such rebellion, I dont know, but this one thing I do know: that God our creator is still on the throne of heaven and he is merciful to all who turn from their sin, trusting Christ Jesus alone for the forgiveness of sin, believing the Gospel, that Christ Jesus came into this world to save the sinners such as we are.

In Christ alone,

GEORGE W. BARKER

Danville
VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - March 15, 2017) - Golden Dawn Minerals Inc., (TSX VENTURE: GOM) (FRANKFURT: 3G8A) (OTC PINK: GDMRF) (the "Company" or "Golden Dawn") announces initial metallurgical results from an on-going laboratory test program relating to its 100% owned May Mac Mine. The Company has received the final tranche of USD $1 million (CDN $1,342,000) from RIVI Capital LLC for the Gold Purchase Agreement previously announced Feb 9, 2017.

A sample suite of mineralized drill core rejects and quartered core samples originating from holes drilled in 2016 and 2017 at the May Mac Mine was composited for metallurgical testing. The total weight of the composite sample was 16 kg. The head assay of the metallurgical composite for the main metals of interest is:

1.48 g/t Au, 124 g/t Ag, 0.19% Cu, 1.29% Pb and 1.48% Zn.

Precious metal recovery will be the primary focus of the metallurgical test program. Preliminary findings of initial testing are:

Gold: Gravity recovered 49% Au, and flotation a further 49% into a bulk sulphide concentrate, resulting in a combined gravity and flotation recovery of 98%.



Silver: Gravity and flotation recovery for silver was 97.7% of which 4.7%, reported to the gravity concentrate.

Overall, the initial results show very good bulk flotation recovery for precious metals following the flowsheet of the existing treatment circuit at the Company's 100% owned Greenwood mill. Flotation cleaning will now be tested in order to make a higher grade concentrate for sale. Optionally, cyanide leaching results after 48 hours retention indicate approximately half the silver was recovered, and with a gold recovery of 90%.

The results indicate that precious metals can be efficiently recovered from the May Mac mineralization using gravity and flotation treatment. The Company's 100% owned Greenwood mill and concentrator, located approximately 15 km east of the mine, is capable of producing such concentrates. This supports the Company's intention to supply mill feed from the May Mac Mine to the Greenwood mill, without having to perform any major modifications to the existing treatment facility.

The Company is continuing its underground diamond drilling program at the May Mac Mine from three drill stations mined last year. Surface drilling will commence on the May Mac Mine in April 2017. The Company is also continuing work on permit applications at the May Mac Mine to extend the #7 Level to do additional diamond drilling, for bulk sampling of up to 10,000 tonnes, and for additional surface drilling.

Dewatering permit for the Lexington Mine: the Company completed a required public notification regarding its permit for de-watering and will submit the results to the Ministry of Environment this month. This should be the last hurdle for that permit. An application was also submitted for surface diamond drilling at the Golden Crown Mine to build on the resource estimate.

The company's milestones to be passed for the year 2017 are:

1. De-water the Lexington Mine, complete an operational mine plan for the Lexington Mine, with a view to trial mining in the 3rd or 4th quarter of 2017 (View Lexington Mine Image at: http://www.goldendawnminerals.com/images/Lexington Mine.jpg)

2. Extend the May-Mac's #7 adit by 1-2 hundred meters followed by additional drilling and a resource estimate (maiden resource) (View May Mac Mine Image at: http://www.goldendawnminerals.com/images/May Mac Extension.jpg)

3. Extract a bulk sample from the May Mac Mine and process this sample in the company's Greenwood mill (View Greenwood Mill Image at: http://www.goldendawnminerals.com/images/Greenwood Mill.jpg)

4. Increase the resource in the Golden Crown Mine by surface drilling. (View Golden Crown Mine Image at: http://www.goldendawnminerals.com/images/Golden Crown Mine.jpg)

The aim is to delineate combined mineral resources containing 500,000 oz Gold equivalent in the Lexington, Golden Crown and May Mac Mines. This is based on adding to the current inventory of Measured and Indicated resources at Lexington and Golden Crown that total 158,800 oz gold equivalent and inferred resources estimated at 15,400 oz gold equivalent, as documented in the N.I. 43-101 technical report (signing date April 08, 2016). Potential additions are based on exploration targets defined at the Lexington, Golden Crown and May Mac Mines. The Lexington and Golden Crown exploration targets were documented in the 2007 Technical Report on the Greenwood Gold Project by Merit Mining Corp. (signing date May 22, 2007). The Lexington exploration target was estimated at 155-190,000 tonnes grading 7.5-9.0 g/t Au and 1.2-1.5% Cu. The Golden Crown target was estimated to be 65,000-80,000 tonnes grading 8.0-10.0 grams Au per tonne and 0.4-0.5 per cent copper. These estimates were made on the basis of individual up- and down-dip targets situated adjacent to open ended portions of the deposit, assuming they have plan view dimensions of 20 x 20 m and grades that reflect their nearest drill intercept. At the May Mac Mine, an exploration target is estimated on the basis of potential strike and dip extensions of 650 and 340 metres, and averages grades, based on historic results, of between 100 and 400 g/t Ag, 1.5 to 5.9 g/t Au, 0.7 to 3.0% Pb and 0.3 to 1.9% Zn.

Note: the potential quantity and grade of the above exploration targets for the Lexington, Golden Crown and May Mac deposits are conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define mineral resources, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in these targets being delineated as mineral resources.

A combined resource total of 500,000 oz gold equivalent therefore seems to be a reasonable goal based on these exploration targets and a reasonable measure of exploration success.

The current N.I. 43-101 resource estimates and PEA for the Lexington, Golden Crown Mines and a N.I. 43-101 report for the May Mac Mine, can be found on SEDAR or the company's website. www.goldendawnminerals.com

A modest exploration program for the recently acquired KRR Property will be also conducted to delineate priority targets among the 29 historic mines and 40 significant showings (all historic mines are within a 15 km radius of the Greenwood Mill) on the 11,000 hectare land package that lies contiguous to the company's Greenwood Mill. This program is designed to utilize state-of-the-art geophysical techniques to test two inferred source intrusive areas on the KRR Land package and discover additional mill feed from the historic mines for the Greenwood Mill.

View property map at: www.goldendawnminerals.com/images/GOM-Properties.jpg

Metallurgical samples reported above were collected under the supervision of Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo. and delivered to Bureau Veritas Laboratories (BV Minerals Division), Richmond, B.C. BV is an independent commercial laboratory that includes ISO 9001 certified and ISO 17025 accredited analytical services. Metallurgical testing is under the direction and supervision of qualified person, Mr. Frank Wright, P.Eng.

Technical disclosure in this news release has been approved by Dr. Mathew Ball, P.Geo. a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.

For more details, please see the National Instrument 43-101 Technical Reports on the Company's website at www.goldendawnminerals.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Golden Dawn Minerals Inc.



"Wolf Wiese"______

Wolf Wiese

Chief Executive Officer

THIS PRESS RELEASE WAS PREPARED BY MANAGEMENT WHO TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS CONTENTS. 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 DOCUMENT CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, DELAYS, AND UNCERTAINTIES NOT UNDER THE COMPANY'S CONTROL WHICH MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMPANY TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE, OR ACHIEVEMENTS IMPLIED BY THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. WE SEEK SAFE HARBOR.
VANCOUVER, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased to report additional leach testing of oxide and sulfide silver mineralization (the "Phase II Program") has begun on bulk samples from the Company's La Cigarra silver deposit in Chihuahua State, Mexico, applying the proprietary SILVOX Technologies Inc. ("SILVOX") process.

The purpose of the Phase II Program is to determine if silver mineralization at La Cigarra is amenable to low cost heap leach processing using the SILVOX process, which could have a positive impact on potential capital requirements and operating costs. Previous metallurgical work was focused on silver recovery through production of a concentrate via conventional floatation. This work was very positive achieving recoveries up to 88% silver producing a high grade lead-silver concentrate that graded 34% lead and 23,000 gpt silver for every tonne of concentrate (see Northair Silver News Release dated June 29, 2015).

The Phase II Program was initiated based on positive results from preliminary metallurgical testing of the oxide mineralization hosted within the La Cigarra deposit that showed a significant improvement in silver recoveries when using standard leaching with the SILVOX process, versus industry standard leaching without the SILVOX process (See Kootenay News Release dated January 2, 2017).

Phase II testing will involve bottle roll testing ("BR testing") on different crush sizes of  and  inch for oxide material and initial evaluation on  inch for sulfide material, which was not previously tested. Metallurgical testing will involve applying industry standard ("standard") leach testing in addition to utilizing the SILVOX process to establish differences in recoveries and optimization.

The metallurgical test work is part of a larger comprehensive approach to the La Cigarra property aimed at maximizing the project's near and long-term economic viability through resource expansion and optimization of the existing silver deposit.

Sampling and QA/QC

All technical information for the La Cigarra exploration program is obtained and reported under a formal quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program. Samples are taken under the direction of qualified geologists and stored in sealed bags. Samples are delivered by the Company via courier to ALS Minerals ("ALS") in Chihuahua. The samples are dried, crushed and pulverized with the pulps being sent airfreight for analysis by ALS in Vancouver B.C. Systematic assaying of standards is performed for precision and accuracy. Analysis for silver, zinc, lead and copper and related trace elements was done by ICP four acid digestion, with gold analysis by 30 gram fire assay with an AA finish.

Qualified Persons

The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and reviewed on behalf Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO & Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person.

About SILVOX

Silvox Technologies Inc. is a Canadian private company providing a proprietary process ("SILVOX") to the mining industry that enhances silver recoveries by simply augmenting standard heap leach technology and conventional milling methods. The SILVOX process requires minimal capital investment and has been confirmed with certified lab testing and associated fieldwork on several deposits over the past two years. Test results show additional silver recoveries of up to 30% with potential attractive profit margins for increased recovery over processing costs. Successful introduction of SILVOX could make an economic project more robust or mean the difference between a sub-economic project and one that is economically viable.

About Kootenay Silver Inc.

Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and in British Columbia, Canada. Supported by one of the largest portfolios of silver assets in Mexico, Kootenay continues to provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic development of two of its priority silver projects located in prolific mining districts in Sonora, State and Chihuahua, State, Mexico, respectively.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

The information in this news release has been prepared as at March 14, 2017. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those 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 made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

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This press release uses the terms "Measured", "Indicated", and "Inferred" resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable.

SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc.
Millions of tulips are in bloom in Taisiya Forest Park, located in the Shapingba district of Chongqing, China News reported on March 14. The wide variety of tulips, which have already attracted many visitors, were imported from the Netherlands.
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Even since the days of Athens and Sparta, cities have staked their claim to greatness. Kafka had Prague. Hemingway had Paris. The iconic New York poet Walt Whitman made his case to qualify a great city back in 1865. A great city, he wrote, is that which has the greatest men and women. In 2017 that quote might be effectively edited to include the greatest men and women and the greatest data.Data is helping government agencies and their administrators fulfill the promise as the hubs of opportunity and improved quality of life. Part of that quality of life has moved beyond the simple food, water and shelter, concept of government. Cities are moving toward connectivity and collective intelligence. The concept of a smart city is now being driven at the speed of smart data, as city governments, and their business partners, boil a staggering scale of information down into actionable data sets that make planning and decision making more efficient and effective. Just as big companies have evolved with big data, big cities are doing the same. Data is making smart cities possible.Using data to improve the quality of life in global cities has gone beyond the idea stage. It is already in practice. At Mastercard we are used for more than 160 million transactions every hour all over the world. We are constantly looking for ways to take the byproduct of those transactions, which is secure and aggregated data, to help governments and their citizens. That data shows how consumer behavior happens in real time. By combining data about how consumers shop, travel, and interact with services, governments can learn more about how to be more efficient and productive.Perhaps most importantly, we look for ways in which data can help city governments plan for the future. The IQ of a smart city, from our perspective, will be measured on how it plans for the future.Executive Vice President, Advanced AnalyticsCities are no doubt the epicenters of social and economic activity of any country. That is why the notion of smart cities, not just cities, is so important.This urban migration is an opportunity and a challenge for city governments and their private sector partners. As cities around the US and around the globe continue to face the dynamics of growing populations, transportation investments and changing economics, there is one common element that stands to make even the smart city smarter. Its data.Just as large companies have embraced data strategies and advanced analytics, cities of all sizes are following the lead. As cities continue to embrace technology to improve quality of life, embracing data will be the fuel for continuing sustainable growth.For some major cities the problems inherently presented by growing populations are already starting to show. Many cities, most prominently around London, have creatively addressed problems caused by the shadow of growth in large cities. However, solutions stemming from data and payments innovations are already in progress in many cases. Evidence is mounting that members of government agencies as well as the companies who navigate them can help cities grow and improve the quality of life. Here are four ways to make it happen:Complex data sets for urban planning have quickly moved beyond subjective exercises. Data and advanced data analytics have achieved some true success stories for large scale projects and small scale adjustments. Cities need to move toward these advanced solutions. For example, the zoning board no longer has to guess at commercial real estate valuations or compare them to other cities. Advanced data sets and predictive algorithms including transaction data have made real estate pricing a data-driven discipline. Innovative data usage can help cities identify and measure their most attractive properties with an eye toward generating tax revenue, better environments for businesses and improved services for citizens. Cities can use innovative data approaches to benchmark vs. other population centers, maximize revenue, and guide city planning to identify future growth opportunities.An example of smart data in action can be seen in Mastercard Retail Location Insights. It is a suite of data products that utilizes Mastercard anonymized and aggregated databases to measure the revenue performance to validate, evaluate and benchmark retail locations. Mastercard uses the location of the merchant and the date, time and amount of the transaction to create a time series of data, to build a retail scoring algorithm. Among the data: Growth, stability and ticket size. A composite score is then calculated from 0 to 1,000. A user can review each component score independently or focus on the weighted composite score.Retail Location Insights, and databases like it, can be effective in presenting the valuation of a large block of urban real estate. A good example of the promise of geo-location insights like this can be found within the Kings Cross development in Central London. Kings Cross is a city within a city. A one-time economically deserted area, suffering for connections to London proper or any other urban center from which to attract visitors or workers. Begun in 1996 and finished in 2012 it is now a shared use area with office, retail, multifamily housing, hotel, parks and open space, parking and transport facilities.But perhaps most importantly, Kings Cross planning and development was based on data. It was a completely planned project with no decisions left up to chance. When begun it was estimated by the UK government and Urban Land Institute to serve 63 million people via a new transit stop by 2020. Starting with that number, and the need to upgrade its transportation hub, the various agencies planned all elements of Kings Cross based on the amount of people that would move in and out of the area via better transportation, work in Kings Cross and live there. In 2006 a sophisticated government data initiative analyzed crime patterns in the area and suggested law enforcement changes1. Travel patterns for pedestrians and vehicles are constantly measured to produce more data including integration into existing data sources (for example pedestrian footfall counts, car park usage, automatic traffic counts).Once a pariah to Londoners, Kings Cross has become a shining example of smart planning and transportation emphasis. In fact, it hosted the Aspen Institutes CityLab conference in 2015.As noted in the Kings Cross example, urban planning suggestions can hinge on effectively getting people in and out on a daily basis. Cities can use analytics to predict what they will spend while within city limits. They can use new advancement in payments systems to make their passage more efficient.The use of contactless payments systems, digital payments and cross-platform payments (open-loop ticketing through globally accepted bank cards) have been deployed successfully in many cities including London, Singapore and Sydney. Data from these systems has enabled some cities to manage increasing commuter load. The government of Singapore recently extended its policy of offering discounted early morning train rides to 18 transit stations. Commuters who exit those stations before 7:45 ride free and those who exit between 7:45 to 8:00 am will get 50 cents off their train fare. The scheme, started by the Land Transport Authority in 2013, has seen a sustained 7 per cent of commuters shifting travel from peak hours, according to a government report.The next evolution and the innovative edge of transportation and data is in personalization. Personalization can increase revenue both for governments and business partners. Example: The New York regions Metro-North Railroad has a smartphone app that allows users to buy tickets and alerts users about service delays depending on their location and travel patterns. In July, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that mobile transport ticketing was coming to New York. MTA eTix, a customized version of Masabis JustRide platform, was launched across the citys Long Island Rail Road and Metro North lines, meaning that the 174 million annual commuters no longer had to wait in line to buy a ticket. Masterpass is now embedded in the mobile ticketing app, allowing customers to purchase their tickets anywhere, anytime. Within the first 3 months, prior to full advertising and marketing campaign, 200,000 unique users had downloaded the app, with 8 percent of all tickets now sold through the solution.For transit personalization the what if is not far off. By mid-2017, expect that truly smart transit systems will be able to alert a passenger that their train is ten minutes late and when it has been re-scheduled for (based on travel data patterns). It will also be able to serve a 10 percent discount on that passengers favorite nearby coffee shop (based on spending patterns).Total government spending on tourism is expected to top $413 billion this year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Its a competitive market to say the least. Advanced data analytics has made it possible for cities to be smarter about tourism, tourists and business travelers.Example: Most governments have a good handle on total tourist and travel revenue. But transaction data has added a new level that can serve them a more detailed look that can predict whether a city is attracting business or leisure travelers. It can predict where both classes of trade will come from and what visitors will spend on when they get there. Osaka, Japan is the fastest growing city in terms of visitors and expenditures. Thats a good claim to make to travelers and useful for overall marketing. Drill down into the transaction data and it is evident that Osakas growth comes from leisure travel (88 percent of visitors). It has the highest percentage (43.4 percent) of any city for shopping. The Japanese National Tourist Organization has emphasized those shopping areas in its marketing and web presence.3 Spending on accomodations (23.5 percent) is far less than other cities however, such as Paris at 44.8 percent. That data might represent an opportunity for a different marketing approach.When applied at a product level, the data-driven approach can also show the opportunities that lie underneath the data. For example, Mastercard Destination Insights use the same data mentioned in the Retail Location Insights suite to generate a different report. Destination Insights define top origination countries for travelers who are spending in the destination market, seasonality of travel spend, and spend behavior of tourists in identified origination countries.All the aforementioned programs deploy data in the relatively strict interest of generating commerce. Data can also be used to engage underserved, low-income or underprivileged populations. Cities and private partners across the globe have taken up the cause of data philanthropy (Data For Good) to share data and best practices in this area. Open Data policies can help cities focus services on underserved populations, identify new business opportunities and compare those results.Chicago and New York City are two cities working hard to fulfill the promise of open data. New York passed a groundbreaking local law in 2012 that mandates every city agency must publish all of its public digital data by 2018. So far, the city has uploaded more than 1,500 datasets to its Open Data Portal, which has received more than five million hits since it was launched in July 2015. Chicago issued a similar mandate in 2012; through initiatives like the Smart Chicago Collaborative, which develops and tests tools built on open data, it has become a national hub for civic technology.Mastercard and other companies support open-data initiatives with funding, expertise and actual data. In Mastercards case it considers granting access to limited datasets  in a way that fully protects consumer privacy  to assist with research and inclusive growth initiatives. Through its grant of data, Harvard researchers are now exploring new frontiers of inclusive growth  from the impact of tourism on emerging economies to the role of knowledge exchange between countries. It is also partnering with the White Houses Data Driven Justice Initiative, which is an effort to use data to help advance criminal justice reform. The Center was able to perform an analysis to demonstrate the impact crime has on merchant locations and local job opportunities in Baltimore.Cities are the powerhouse of global economic growth and must function efficiently as they grow. And in order to function, commerce and citizens need to flow freely for everyone. Solving for location- based opportunities, transportation issues, tourism engagement and open data sharing can be a foundation for future strategy.Rohit Chauhan leads the Advanced Analytics organization for Mastercard Advisors globally. Advanced Analytics supports the Consulting Services, Information Services and Managed Services groups by centralizing and optimizing the superior analytical, modeling, data sourcing, product development and associated delivery capabilities of the Advisors organization.Rohit's team of analysts, modelers, technical engineers and product managers have developed analytical platforms and toolsets which are used to translate raw transaction data into actionable behavioral insights through predictive models and segmentation methodologies for clients worldwide.
Arizona's minimum-wage law will stand, after a unanimous Arizona Supreme Court late Tuesday rejected a challenge to the voter-approved law."The people win again. Unanimously," attorney Jim Barton said in an email as the court's order came down in the closing minutes of the business day.He represented the committee that brought Proposition 206 to the ballot in November. The state Attorney General's Office also defended the law.Attorney General Mark Brnovich praised the ruling in a statement issued by his office.As Attorney General, my job is to uphold the rule of law," he said. "The constitution is designed to protect our rights. It's not a tool to be used to undermine the will of the people."Chief Justice Scott Bales issued the order, stating the seven-member court unanimously rejected the arguments from business groups that the law is unconstitutional. A detailed explanation of the court's reasoning will come later, Bales wrote.The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry led the challenge, asking the court to overturn the law, which will raise Arizona's minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020. It also requires employers to offer mandatory paid sick leave as of July 1.
Before this weeks snow fell, President Donald Trump summoned Mayor Muriel Bowser to the White House in a rare Oval Office meeting for a D.C. mayor.Im not sure if a [D.C.] mayor has had an Oval Office meeting with the president before, Mayor Bowser said.Its her second sit-down with Trump since his November election.As a resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the namesake of Trump International Hotel in the Old Post Office building, Trump is a supporter of the District of Columbia, Bowser believes.The president, in all of my interactions with him directly, has been very respectful and complimentary of our city, Bowser said.
Democrats lost a ton of state offices during the eight-year presidency of Barack Obama. Now they're hoping the presidency of Donald Trump will provide all the motivation their voters need to fuel the party's comeback."During the Obama presidency, people just felt like, 'Obama's the president, so we're all set,' and didn't pay much attention to what's going on in their states," says Phil Vogels, a progressive activist in Colorado.Vogels wants to fix that.He founded a new group, reFocus 50, that aims to inform citizens about politics and policy at the state level. It's just one among a number of groups that have recently sprouted up. The most high-profile, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, is headed by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and has support from Obama himself. It's holding its first fundraisers this weekend in California."Democrats are increasingly engaged and interested in state-level races," says committee spokesman Jared Leopold. "There's a broad recognition that we have to build from the states up."Democrats have quite the job ahead of them. They lost more than 900 state legislative seats, nearly one-quarter of their total, between Obama's first election in 2008 and Trump's win in November. Only 16 states have Democratic governors and just a handful are under full Democratic control, with the party holding both the governorship and the legislature.But party officials believe the tide is about to turn their way.Polls taken during Trump's young administration show that he has near-universal disapproval from Democrats -- not so unusual in our polarized times but still surprising this soon in a presidency. Democrats hope that disapproval -- expressed so far through protests, phone calls to lawmakers and angry social media posts -- will soon translate into actual votes.Two states will be electing new governors this year, New Jersey and Virginia, and Democrats are optimistic about their chances in both races. Republicans hold 27 of the 38 governorships up for grabs this year and next, including 15 where the GOP governor will be term-limited."People are very concerned about the direction of this country," says Shannon Jackson, executive director of Our Revolution, a progressive group that grew out of the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. "One of the best ways to change that direction is to look at the local level and support the candidates that share the values we're fighting for."An appetite for change is already evident on the left. In special elections that have been held since November, Democratic candidates have generally outperformed typical party results and voter turnout has been higher than normal."Progressives aren't just marching and protesting -- they're investing in their political future by supporting Democrats every way they can," says Carolyn Fiddler, communications director for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. "DLCC is outraising our totals during the strongest months of a presidential election year."But Republicans correctly point out that, while Democrats have been bragging about special election results, they have yet to actually flip a seat."Democrats have competed and invested aggressively in several states with special legislative elections, and all they have to show for it is the equivalent of a participation medal," says Ellie Hockenbury, communications director for the Republican State Leadership Committee.Although the Democratic Party is united against the president, it's clear that it remains internally divided. Progressive candidates are challenging so-called establishment politicians in races from the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee on down to last week's primary in the St. Louis mayor's race.Being part of the opposition, though, is powerful for any party. The Republicans learned that when they enjoyed sweeping midterm victories during the Obama years. Democrats are confident their supporters will similarly back anyone who promises to challenge Trump."It's the same kind of energy that Republicans saw in 2010," says Leopold, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee spokesman. "We think that 2018 could be a boomerang cycle to that."
Debate Over Amounts

Compensation in Kansas

In April 2000, 23-year-old Floyd Bledsoe sat in an Oskaloosa, Kansas, courtroom awaiting the verdict in his first-degree murder trial in the death of his 14-year-old sister-in-law, Zetta Camille Arfmann. Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence. But the jury entered the courtroom and declared him guilty.Bledsoe was sentenced to life in prison plus 16 years, but doubts about his involvement in the murder lingered. The crime scene yielded little physical evidence, and Bledsoes brother, Tom, 25, had originally confessed to the murder before recanting and pinning the crime on Floyd.After years of fruitless court challenges, Bledsoe was vindicated in a gut-wrenching twist: In 2015, Tom Bledsoe confessed to the murder in a suicide note before asphyxiating himself. Within a month, a judge vacated Bledsoes conviction and he was released from prison. The day of his release, Bledsoe recalls, was a mixture of celebration and mourning.Before I was locked up, I had 40 acres, livestock, a wife and kids, he said. When I was released, I had nothing  I lost my family, my job, my reputation  everything.Bledsoe found little support as he adjusted to life outside of prison, including from the state that locked him up for more than 15 years. A bill before the Kansas Legislature would make up for part of that by making him eligible for $80,000 for each year he spent behind bars.A steady increase in exonerations in recent years, often a result of new DNA-testing capability, has prompted lawmakers in states like Kansas to consider legislation that guarantees compensation for those who are wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. And in the 32 states that have compensation laws, some lawmakers have sought to increase the amount of compensation exonerated individuals would receive, expand the eligibility for compensation or streamline the process for getting it.Its only just that states provide compensation to people who are wrongly convicted and imprisoned, advocates for the wrongly convicted say.When an innocent person is deprived of liberty because of a wrongful conviction, regardless of fault, the government has a responsibility to do all it can to foster that persons re-entry in order to help restore some sense of justice, said Maddy deLone, executive director of the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal organization that specializes in wrongful conviction cases. Fair compensation is part of that.According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 2,000 wrongfully convicted individuals have been exonerated for state and federal crimes since 1989. In 2016, there were 166 exonerations nationwide  the most since the registry was established nearly 30 years ago.In 2004, Congress passed the Justice for All Act with bipartisan support. The law guarantees individuals exonerated of federal crimes $50,000 for every year spent in prison and $100,000 for every year spent on death row.From state to state, however, those who are exonerated are not guaranteed the same rights or compensation after a conviction is overturned. It really matters where youre convicted, said Amol Sinha, state policy advocate at the Innocence Project.In Texas, a state known for its tough-on-crime posture, the exonerated are paid $80,000 for every year spent in prison and are eligible for monthly annuity payments after release. The states generous compensation law has added up over time. In the last 25 years, Texas has paid over $93 million to wrongfully convicted individuals.Wisconsin, on the other hand, pays $5,000 for every year spent in prison, capped at a maximum of $25,000. Some states offer in-kind benefits in addition to monetary compensation. Vermont, for example, provides health care coverage for 10 years after an exonerated individual is released from prison.In states without compensation laws, like Kansas, those who are exonerated typically have to file a lawsuit to get compensation or convince legislatures to pass a special appropriation to pay them. Lawsuits can be time-consuming, costly and challenging to win. And winning compensation from a legislature isnt guaranteed.In Kansas, for example, a wrongfully convicted person currently must go to the Legislatures Special Claims Against the State Committee and plead for compensation.How much people deserve for the time they lost behind bars often is in dispute. It was in Indiana this year.Rep. Greg Steuerwalds bill would compensate individuals with $25,000 for every year of wrongful incarceration. Democratic Rep. Greg Porter thinks they should receive $35,000 for every year of imprisonment.Both bills would award compensation only to people whose crimes were vacated through DNA analysis. The attorney general would be in charge of processing claims for wrongful conviction compensation, and neither bill would apply retroactively. But both bills appear dead for the year.Frances Lee Watson, founder of the Wrongful Conviction Clinic at the Indiana University McKinney School of Law, said she hopes legislators will continue to push for compensation. Convictions are still being vacated and people are still being exonerated in Indiana  but we dont have a compensation law, she said.Another sticking point in trying to pass compensation laws is overcoming lawmakers general faith in the criminal justice system or convincing them that innocent people can be convicted.In nearby Michigan, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill in December that pays $50,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment and provides re-entry services after release. But the bills sponsor, Democratic Sen. Steve Bieda, first introduced it in 2004.I think [legislators] had a hard time wrapping their heads around the fact that someone could spend so much time behind bars and not have done something wrong, Bieda said of his struggle to pass the bill. I had to reintroduce [the legislation] again and again.Lawmakers in other states are looking to tweak their compensation laws by streamlining payments or ensuring that some people arent left out unfairly.In Tennessee, for instance, Republican Rep. Mark Pody wants to make it easier for people who are innocent, but arent exonerated by the states parole board or the governor, to receive compensation. Why? A judge vacating a conviction is not enough for an individual to qualify for compensation under current law.His bill would allow a wrongfully convicted individual to apply for compensation without an official exoneration after spending at least 25 years in prison and if the conviction was overturned by DNA evidence.The bill wouldnt affect many people in Tennessee. But it would affect Lawrence McKinney, who was released from prison in July 2009 after 31 years based on new DNA evidence. McKinney was denied an official exoneration from the parole board and is currently awaiting a decision from Republican Gov. Bill Haslam.After spending time on the Kansas Legislatures joint committee that decides on civil claims for wrongful conviction, Democratic Sen. David Haley decided he wanted to change how innocent people such as Floyd Bledsoe are compensated in his state to make it more just and evenhanded.Some [people] made compelling arguments, he said, but there seemed to be no rhyme or reason as to who [was awarded] what.So last month, he introduced a bill that would compensate wrongfully convicted individuals with $80,000 for each year spent in prison or $1 million if sentenced to death. It would also pay $5 million to the heir of an individual who was wrongfully executed, though the state hasnt conducted an execution since 1965.The bill hasnt passed yet. There are questions about whether $80,000 is the right amount. And the bill has been amended to include some notable limitations: Individuals who pleaded guilty or no contest to a crime, for example, would not be eligible for compensation  even if the conviction was later vacated.Sinha of the Innocence Project said provisions like this in compensation laws can deprive some innocent people of their rightful compensation because they were coerced, or saw little hope in winning at trial and agreed to a plea bargain.The National Registry of Exonerations has confirmed over 350 instances of individuals who pleaded guilty to crimes they did not commit. According to the Innocence Project, nearly 11 percent of the nations DNA exonerations involved innocent people pleading guilty.Haleys bill in Kansas also would require people who are exonerated to apply for compensation within two years after their release from prison. That would exclude the bulk of people whose convictions have been vacated.Bledsoe, whose brother committed the murder he spent time in prison for, doesnt want to be one of those people. But time is running out for him to get the level of compensation Haley thinks he deserves. Dec. 8 will mark two years since his release from prison.I havent completely lost faith in our justice system, Bledsoe said. [But] its hard to trust in something thats not perfect.
China not to see nor allow massive unemployment: premier

BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China will not see nor allow massive unemployment of particular groups this year as the government is capable of ensuring job creation, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session, Li voiced confidence that China would be able to create jobs through opportunities offered by new growth impetus, entrepreneurship and innovation activities.

He admitted that the country, which has successfully created over 13 million new urban jobs annually for four consecutive years, does face significant pressure from job creation this year, and underscored that ensuring employment was of paramount significance to a country of 1.3 billion population.

The government has set a higher employment target of 11 million new urban jobs this year, one million more than last year's target.

Li said that some 7.95 million students will graduate from Chinese universities and collages and some 5 million from secondary vocational schools.

He drew particular attention to laid-off workers resulting from efforts to address overcapacity, which could near 1 million this year, as the process moves from the sectors of coal and steel to thermal power.

The premier encouraged workers who lose their jobs due to overcapacity cuts to explore the opportunities in emerging sectors.

The government helped some 720,000 laid-off workers find new jobs last year, he said.

"The government's job is to create a good environment and the necessary conditions for people to use their own wisdom and hard work to generate golden opportunities for themselves," he said.

He also promised government assistance to help meet the basic needs of those struggling to find work.

A total of 100 billion yuan (about 14.5 billion U.S. dollars) of special funds have been allocated from the central fiscal to assist the resettlement of those laid-off workers, according to Li.
On Tuesday, in the morning, at Buckingham Palace, London, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey had an audience with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia and Head of the Commonwealth.

Following, at Australia House, London, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the official reception to celebrate the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

In the evening, at Guildhall, London, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the High Commissioners Banquet jointly hosted by the City of London Corporation and the Royal Commonwealth Society.
(TNS) -- Ford's recent $1 billion investment in the Pittsburgh-based autonomous driving startup Argo AI turned a lot of heads.But this type of corporate investment  not necessarily to this scale  is part of growing trend in Pittsburgh.Corporate investment in Pittsburgh-area startups hit a five-year high in 2016, topping out at $66.4 million, according to a report released Tuesday by Innovation Works and Ernst & Young.Investments from traditional venture capital firms still dominated the money flowing into Pittsburgh-area startups. Venture capital firms accounted for $235.1 million of the total $376 million investment in the region's startup scene in 2016, dwarfing the $66.4 million from corporate investment.Corporate dollars can be a boon to a startup. The infusion of cash can help bring a product to market or fund expansion. A recognizable corporate logo can give an unknown startup visibility and creditably."You're always going to get at a minimum the value of the logo," said Don Charlton, founder and chief product officer of JazzHR, which landed a large investment from Salesforce in 2012. "You gotta trust us; Salesforce invested in us."Pittsburgh startups have seen several infusions of corporate dollars. Yelp invested $8 million in Nowait about six months before the restaurant app bought the Pittsburgh startup for $40 million . And then there is Ford's $1 billion investment in Argo AI But unlike traditional venture capital investments  where the return on investment is the top priority  corporate investment is strategic. The investing company often looks at the investment as a way to help itself, not necessarily the company in which it invested.Investors and the heads of successful Pittsburgh startups shared their experience with corporate investments and offered tips to entrepreneurs Tuesday during a discussion following the release of the annual investment report."You seek them. You should not necessarily be in a situation where they are seeking you," said Mark DeSantis, who cofounded kWantera Inc. , a developer of cost-saving energy management software that landed General Electric as a strategic corporate investor in 2014. "Because when a big fortune 100 company knocks on your door and says 'Do you want money?' suddenly your tight focus on your vision evaporates in a heartbeat if what they want is something different than what they asked for because it's money, it's prestige, and it's power, and you can fall in love with that and take yourself down a road you don't want to go."DeSantis, now the CEO of Roadbotics, said he and his cofounder identified GE as a potential "ideal partner" two years before they approached GE.Alissa Meade of UPMC Enterprises, the venture capital arm of the health care giant that invests in health care startups, said strategic corporate investment can be both sides of the deal. An investment from UPMC Enterprises can open up UPMC and its partners as the startup's next customer, and a big one at that, Meade said. UPMC also can help the startup prove its concept works and get it noticed in peer reviewed journals. Finally, and Meade said least importantly, UPMC Enterprises can provide money."It's more important that we can, as I said before, bring to bear our subject matter expertise, our know-how, our assets and our ability to move the needle for that company in a way that is advantageous for the company and doesn't require them to relinquish their mission but also adds value to our core company," Meade said.
Private companies in the U.S. pay as much as $2.028 trillion of combined annual costs related to reporting compliance with federal regulations, according to some estimates, but a new report has shown there may be a cheaper way.The Data Foundation and PwC Public Sector have co-published Standard Business Reporting: Open Data to Cut Compliance Costs , which details how Australia and the Netherlands were able to cut a combined total of roughly $832 million in costs related to regulation compliance, a number projected to increase with time. The countries accomplished this feat by replacing staid document-based regulation reporting with standardized and open data formats, a concept known as Standard Business Reporting.At the core of SBR is the idea that adopting a common data structure would make it so businesses need less time to meet the reporting requirements of regulatory government agencies, thus allowing said businesses to be more efficient, productive and, ultimately, profitable. For this to happen, all government agencies would have to implement the same common structure, rather than continuing to rely on the disparate systems that are in place now.Hudson Hollister, interim director of the Data Foundation, said those involved with data standardization and transparency efforts have realized the benefits of SBR for some time, but the report serves as verification that the practice can work for government.This report shows that this basic idea  that agencies can reduce cost by coordinating the data structure they use  saves time and saves money, Hollister said. Thats the central insight. Its proven, and weve seen it now in the Netherlands and Australia. Its unknown here, but we hope this report starts to change that.In the U.S., some facets of the government have dabbled in SBR. The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act , which passed in 2014, required the standardization and publication of federal spending data with the US Department of the Treasury. As a result, 57 data standards were put in place to improve the consistency of info that was previously kept in disconnected systems under many different formats. A secondary benefit of SBR is that it enables financial data to become open and easier to find and decipher, ultimately increasing government transparency.Hollister pointed to this progress with the Department of the Treasury as proof that SBR can be instituted within the federal government. For this to happen, the report suggests that action must be taken by both Congress and the executive branch.Joe Kull, former deputy controller for federal financial management at the White House Office of Management and Budget, is currently a director in the Washington federal practice of the PwC, one of the organizations responsible for this report. Kull said the idea of SBR has been oft discussed over the past 20 years, and the benefits are clear, but some within government agencies have been slow to adapt or embrace it.Its a tremendous opportunity, but with every opportunity comes a lot of risk, Kull said. Its a risk for people who are currently doing things the old way, for sure, and there are lots of embedded cultures in these things.However, Kull said that in the wake of these findings it certainly seems like wide adaption of SBR is a certainty, although its less certain when such acceptance will happen, and chances are that within the next decade would be too rosy of a guess.Australia and the Netherlands were able to implement the system to great effect because the governments in those countries have long been ahead on matters related to data. They are also considerably smaller than their counterpart in the U.S., which is home to the largest economy in the world. For SBR to be instituted, one entity would have to get a handle on every other regulatory reporting system, a challenge magnified by the size of the U.S. government.That doesnt mean one shouldnt try, one shouldnt make some effort, Kull said. The real question to ask yourself is, 20 years from now can we continue doing business the way were doing it today?Some progress in the U.S., however, may be taking place soon. The Financial Transparency Act, which was first introduced in Congress in May 2015, may be reintroduced soon. If passed, this bill would require that all federal financial regulators make info collected under securities, commodities and banking laws into open data. This bill currently has 35 co-sponsors, including representatives from both parties.
Technology is to thank for many of the efficiencies enjoyed in the public sector in 2017. It has helped to improve transportation, health care, social services and access to public information. But there is still work to be done.Sunshine Week is an opportunity for everyone to step back and look at the big picture of transparency in government. Where some in the public sector have earned high marks for responsiveness and accuracy, others have missed the mark and should re-evaluate their processes. The public demands it.In recent years, we have seen an explosion of open data portals and never-before-seen data sets making their way into the public eye, but other information must still be sought out. Public records requests, commonly called FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests, are the tools used by the watchdogs, reporters and the general public to get that information.Since 1967, federal law has dictated that federal agencies must provide requested information, unless it is protected by exemptions  such as being labeled as classified, relating to personnel issues, etc. All 50 states also have their own versions of public information law, many based off of the federal rules.According to FOIA.gov , the number of federal agency requests has steadily increased since fiscal year 2011. The increase, unsurprisingly, has generated a substantial backlog, which has grown in step with the number of requests.And perhaps nowhere is the publics thirst for information more prevalent than at the state and local levels, where government and daily life most directly intersect. Across the United States, reports of good and bad interactions are well documented.In Wisconsin, a 30 percent boost in records fulfillment signaled progress in a state where Gov. Scott Walker issued an order to spur improvement. But it hasnt been all positive news for the state: One report from the Journal Sentinel highlighted the states use of secretive third-party software that enables its corrections department to determine the recidivism risks of inmates. Another software allows the Department of Revenue to better identify potential income tax fraud.The criticism in these cases was not so much about the use software as it was about ignorance of the bias and a lack of human involvement inherent with each of the platforms.In Washington state, reports about government responsiveness and transparency are mostly positive, but not beaming. As the reported , the states open records law has roughly 500 exemptions, and transparency advocates are concerned more could be waiting in the wings.Across the country, in Massachusetts, a 2017 update to the states 1973 version of public records law netted nearly immediate positive results for record seekers. According to the Cape Cod Times , in just the first three months of the year, state officials reported responding to more than 80 percent of the records appeals presented to them in the same timeframe last year.Ohio, on the other hand, got slammed when state auditor Dave Yost cited 414 public entities in 2016 for failures to obtain training, adopt policies and make those policies publicly available, according to the Columbus Dispatch . The most at fault: smaller townships and government entities.On the national level, there has also been a fair amount of attention paid to the transparency under the Trump administration. Immediately following the Jan. 20 Inauguration, the incoming administration struck several sections from the White House website , including references to climate change and the section pertaining to LGBT rights Many have criticized the president for his prolific, and often inflammatory, use of Twitter. Most recently, his seemingly unfounded tweets about former President Obama wiretapping his phones during the presidential election raised public and media concern, though no evidence was offered to back up the accusations.
Local needs

(TNS) -- CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If President Donald Trump were to direct 20 percent of the $1 trillion he pledged to invest in the nation's infrastructure to public transit, it would have a big impact on transit agencies across the country, American Public Transportation Association members say.The details of Trump's infrastructure plan have yet to be released, and transit agencies want to make sure transit is accounted for when they are."This additional investment is the key to addressing the nation's aging public transportation infrastructure," APTA Acting President and CEO Richard White said during a press conference Monday.Transit in the U.S. needs $90 billion to bring systems to a state of good repair, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. More than 40 percent of buses and 25 percent of trains are in marginal or poor condition, White said.Last week, the American Society of Civil Engineers released its most recent report card on infrastructure in the U.S. The country scored a D+, but transit scored a D-, which was the lowest score of the 16 categories analyzed.Nationwide, 57 percent of public transit funding comes from state and local sources, while 43 percent comes from the federal government, White says."We have an opportunity to bring together a bi-partisan effort amongst Congress and the Administration to revitalize main street America with smart investments in local public transit," said APTA Chair Doran Barnes.Of the 3,250 transit vehicles in use in Ohio, about one-third need to be replaced, according to an Ohio Department of Transportation transit needs study Locally, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has a backlog of $500 million in projects through 2021, most of which involves replacing the agency's aging rail cars, said Joe Calabrese, RTA CEO."More money will allow us to get to some of these things more quickly," Calabrese said.RTA also needs additional funds to replace the two other tracks at Tower City, which is the nexus of the agency's rail system."It's very critical for us. We know we need to replace them in the next couple of years," Calabrese said.If Trump approves $200 billion for transit as agencies hope, roughly $50 million could be sent to RTA annually for the next 10 years, Calabrese estimated.
(TNS) -- U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski sometimes wonders if he spends too much time thinking about autonomous technology, the scientific term for self-driving vehicles."I love this stuff," Lipinski told me Tuesday. He participated in a panel discussion on the topic Saturday at the South by Southwest festival and conference in Austin, Texas."I think it's important and it will impact everybody. But sometimes I fear, people looking at this might think, 'Oh, the congressman is wasting his time on something that doesn't matter much.'"I told Lipinski that I, for one, am grateful someone like him is thinking about how government should regulate self-driving vehicles. He holds engineering degrees from Northwestern and Stanford universities and can apply his knowledge as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.Science "geeks" have been excited about autonomous technology for years, but now it's starting to impact everyday life. Uber began testing self-driving cars in Pittsburgh in September. People are beginning to grasp how this technology might impact the economy, and jobs."Robots could replace 1.7 million American truckers in the next decade," a Los Angeles Times headline declared in September. For a region like the Southland, with its dependence on jobs related to transportation and logistics, autonomous technology could have a huge, disruptive impact."This is really going to change our transportation system," Lipinski said. "We already have vehicles on the market that can drive themselves in certain circumstances."The economic impact is already significant. On Monday, the computer chip maker Intel said it was buying the Israeli autonomous technology firm Mobileye for $15.3 billion. Reports about the transaction cited Goldman Sachs projections that the market for self-driving technology would grow from its current $3 billion a year to $96 billion annually by 2025 and $290 billion by 2035.At SXSW  the acronym for the annual music festival and technology conference  Lipinski took part in a panel discussion about "Self-Driving Cars and the Policy Maze." Since the technology is already here, so is the need to consider how government should regulate it to address issues like safety, privacy and liability.Lipinski told me he believes humans will gradually adopt technology as they become more comfortable letting their vehicles do their driving for them. While sensors and other equipment can perform certain tasks, such as parallel parking, engineers will have to improve artificial intelligence technology before fully autonomous vehicles become widely used."All we learn as drivers, all the decisions we make" are influenced by human behavior, he said."When we see a pedestrian we look for cues. Will that person step out into the roadway? Those are very difficult things for technology, to pick up cues like that."Those challenges affect urban situations in particular, impacting industries like ride-sharing and package delivery. It's possible the technology might be perfected enough to allow fully autonomous, long-haul trucks on highways before being allowed in more congested urban settings."At risk is one of the most common jobs in many states, and one of the last remaining careers that offer middle-class pay to those without a college degree," the L.A. Times article said. Truckers earn $42,500 on average, plus good benefits, typically.I read another account that said drivers likely would still be needed to get trucks in and out of terminals and to pick up and deliver goods once they were off the highway. The article said truckers of the future might perform roles like tugboat operators that guide big ships in and out of ports.Lipinski said he's aware of the concerns, and that there hasn't been much research yet on how self-driving technology could change our lives. The general consensus is that eliminating jobs performed by humans would reduce costs."We've not yet started to grapple with how automation is going to change our economy," he told me. "We know there's going to be job displacement at some point. I don't think it's going to be that soon, but it's something we should be thinking about."The U.S. Department of Transportation issued the first federal guidelines on self-driving technology in September. In the introduction, then-Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx sounded like he was channeling science fiction author Isaac Asimov in his book, "I, Robot.""Possessing the potential to uproot personal mobility as we know it, to make it safer and even more ubiquitous than conventional automobiles and perhaps even more efficient, self-driving cars have become the archetype of our future transportation," Foxx wrote. "Still, important concerns emerge. Will they fully replace the human driver? What ethical judgments will they be called upon to make?"The passage reminded me of the 2004 film adaptation of "I, Robot," starring Will Smith. Smith plays a character who distrusts robots because he survived a crash in which a robot allowed a young girl to die because her survival was statistically less likely than his.With fully autonomous technology, will vehicles be forced to choose who lives and who dies? Will machines facing unavoidable collisions make split-second decisions, as humans must, between veering left to strike one pedestrian or steering right to hit another?Who will program the machines to make such ethical decisions? Will Congress have to enact laws to ensure life-or-death decisions made by machines are not based on a person's age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation?To date, discussion about regulation has mainly focused on testing of self-driving cars, Lipinski said. While the federal government sorts out what its role should be, some states and local municipalities have already adopted restrictions.California, for example, on Saturday unveiled proposed new regulations that pave the way to issue permits for commercial use of driverless vehicles. There will be a public hearing and 45-day comment period before the rules are adopted. The laws are of particular interest to Silicon Valley-based companies like Google and Tesla Motors.Meanwhile, in December, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed what news accounts described as the nation's "most permissive" set of laws governing self-driving vehicles."Proponents say the laws are important for the state's economic development and talent retention," The Detroit News reported.I read analysis that indicates the industry, in general, would prefer minimal federal regulation. States, after all, are trusted to enact their own policies for such practices as issuing drivers licences.While states move ahead with various regulations, people like Lipinski have to consider consistency at the federal level."I'm trying to figure out the best level of regulation," he told me.Obviously, safety is paramount. But to what degree should the autonomous technology industry be allowed to create its own standards to ensure safety? Too much federal regulation might discourage investment in innovative technology that would drive economic growth."We don't want to drive innovation out of the country," Lipinski said. "Right now, the United States is a leader in this technology. It could really help our economy. (Determining the proper amount of regulation) is not an easy balance to make."
(TNS) -- Former President Barack Obama flew to San Jose Sunday night to meet with Silicon Valley tech leaders, according to NBC Bay Area Details of the meeting were not immediately known. The Omaha World-Herald reported Sunday that Obama had stopped into Omaha for lunch with billionaire businessman Warren Buffett and his daughter Susie. Flight logs showed him continuing to San Jose, the paper said.The former president made several trips to the Bay Area during his eight years in office to meet with technology heavyweights, where they at times discussed job creation, entrepreneurship, and education. Obama was considered a tech-savvy president and knows many of Silicon Valley leaders.Many Obama Administration alumni now work in the Bay Area. The Obama White House also employed former top executives from Google and Twitter as chief technology officers. The administration created the United States Digital Service, a nonpartisan federal agency that focuses on improving government information technology, which attracted people from the Bay Area with technical backgrounds.Even as Obama  who continues to live in Washington  visits town, a delegation of local leaders are in Washington this week to lobby for policies that the Bay Areas thriving tech economy relies on  such as comprehensive tax reform, Caltrain funding, and an appeal to not curb visas for high-skilled immigrants.
Codifying Security Standing

Out from Under Administrative Services

A New Role, Rules Around State Data

A suite of legislative proposals stand ready to dramatically alter government IT in the state of Oregon  if they make it through the gauntlet that is the state Legislature, that is. The proposals take aim at three areas: creating a free-standing IT agency, outlining leadership and rules around state data, and consolidating cybersecurity responsibility.While some of the potential legislation has the support of the state CIO, other bits raise questions and, as he sees it, set the stage for issues.caught up with Oregon CIO Alex Pettit to discuss some of the legal moves being made in the state.Senate Bill 90 would formally make law what Gov. Kate Brown outlined in Executive Order 16-13, which unifies informational security personnel throughout the state under the direction and authority of the CIOs office.As Pettit explained, the order and proposed bill both tackle a number of issues that need addressing. In looking at the cybersecurity stance of many agencies, he said many agencies were without dedicated IT personnel, and even fewer had dedicated cybersecurity personnel.Because of the states connectedness among agencies, Pettit compared the existing security structure to castles with wide moats and high walls, but little protection against quickly spreading fires from neighboring castles. Senate Bill 90 would lay the permanent foundation to address these security deficiencies.The legislation also creates the Cybersecurity Center of Excellence , a civilian-run hub for addressing cyberthreats with other state and federal agencies. As senior policy communications strategist Travis Miller explained, the legislation would also establish a fund and mechanism for the state to pursue federal monies to bolster the cybersecurity efforts within Oregons borders.We are really trying to shift the security posture of the state of Oregon, Miller said.This legislation was proposed at the request of the Department of Administrative Services, which serves as the parent organization for the state's IT functions and the Office of the State Chief Information Officer.One of the more substantial proposals aimed at state IT is Senate Bill 872, which establishes a state Department of Information Technology, and effectively transfers all duties, functions, powers and responsibilities related to IT from the Oregon Department of Administrative Services to the new department.Though the arrangement is not unheard of in the state space, many states have designated central IT agencies to lead the charge across largely federated landscapes. Though the bill, if made law, would separate IT operations from the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), the CIO and the DAS director would still cooperatively report to the governor.In addition to establishing the agency itself, the proposal also sets rules for procurement, which is something Pettit would like more time to carefully evaluate. As it currently stands, IT procurement varies from agency to agency because of the breadth of specific IT needs.Despite supporting the idea of the standalone agency aspects of the bill, Pettit noted that there is some concern about how effective it might be to broadly prescribe procurement authority across a host of very different agencies. We seek a more deliberate approach, he said.When asked what he saw as the impetus for SB 872, Pettit said it was not based on any glaring issues, and fell more to lawmakers outlining what they see as a legislative priority for the session.Should lawmakers pass this piece of legislation, which was proposed by the joint Legislative Information Management and Technology Committee, the Department of Information Technology would become operative on July 1, 2018.House Bill 3361 creates a position for a state chief data officer, to be appointed by the state CIO, and establishes data standards and practices.Bill sponsor Rep. Nancy Nathanson (D-Eugene) said in a written comment that the bill has two key objectives: increasing transparency by making more data available for public use and to set the stage for increasing data sharing within and between state agencies.Sharing data will enable cross-agency analysis and metrics-based decision-making to provide much better information for program design and budgeting decisions," she said. "This bill is a continuation of my work on improving the business of government and doing things more efficiently and effectively."According to Pettit, HB 3361 is similar to legislation pulled back at the last minute by Gov. Browns office during the previous session. Where this version differs, Miller said, is in the accountability and reporting requirements.Pettit argues that the rules could ultimately be limiting when data is pushed out to meet reporting requirements.During his time in Denton, Texas, Pettit said looking at city data more carefully allows analysts to pinpoint correlations between the amount of cardboard at waste facilities and incoming tax revenues. He fears the obligations to meet certain reporting benchmarks could set the stage for poor quality data and less obvious data mining opportunities.Our hope was an analytics garage to look for correlations," Pettit said. And while he would not go as far as to call the proposal damaging, he did say it could inadvertently handicap data efforts moving forward.Each of these three bills is also equipped with special language reading declares emergency, effective on passage. This language is a tool that makes each passed bill effective immediately, rather than delaying it until the start of the new year.As it stands, each piece of legislation is in a different stage of the process with little information about how successful they might be in the long haul.
(TNS) -- AUSTIN - Proposed new restrictions on how much property tax revenue local governments can raise got a big thumbs down Tuesday from San Antonios police and fire chiefs.San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told the Senate Finance Committee that Senate Bill 2 would stop police department in their tracks by limiting their ability to raise money for personnel and technology.Fire Chief Charles Hood, in an interview with the Express-News, put the matter in starkly personal terms.Everybody in that room is going to call 9-1-1 in their lifetime, Hood said outside the committee room, which was packed for the hearing. When theyre having their bad day, we cannot get there effectively with Senate Bill 2, so we oppose it.Supporters of the legislation by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, said they want property owners to have the chance at financial relief.Under current law, voters can petition for a rollback election if a city, county or special district increases property tax revenue collections by more than 8 percent, with exclusions for items including new construction.Under Bettencourts bill, an election would be automatic if officials propose a 4 percent increase in revenues or more.
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- China will forge ahead with reform to balance the government-market relationship, pledging simplified administrative procedures and delegation of power, Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday.

"We are fully determined to push the reform forward until our job is done, no matter what obstacles -- or even resistance -- we may encounter," Li told a press conference after the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress.

Noting that the government has finished the tasks for the current term of office, set in early 2013, the next round of reform will address the remaining multitude of administrative permits, qualification certificates, and various fees levied on businesses, Li said.

The premier said the government needs to focus more on poverty alleviation, rebuilding of urban run-down areas, providing compulsory education and meeting people's basic healthcare needs.

The government needs to further improve its oversight and offer better services to businesses and the people, Li said.

"When market access is widened, the focus of the government is ensuring an equal playing field for all market entities," the premier said, adding that any violation of laws or regulations will be seriously dealt with.

The government should send a resounding "yes" to all law-abiding market entities, flash the green light of "go ahead" to all hardworking entrepreneurs and innovators, and deal with all violations by showing them a yellow card as a stern warning or in serious cases, a red card to kick them out of the market, Li said.
A former vice principal at Lake Roosevelt Elementary School was sentenced in federal court Monday to seven years in prison for receipt of child pornography.

Nathan Piturachsatit, 38, pleaded guilty to the charge Nov. 29, 2016.

Sentenced by United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza Jr., Piturachsatit will be supervised by the court for 10 years after release and must register as a sex offender.

He also surrendered his iPhone, with which he had traded sexually explicit images with a 14-year-old Wisconsin girl using Instagram.

Piturachsatit was arrested at the school in February of 2016, after the girls mother contacted police in Wisconsin saying her daughter had received a package containing a shirt from Pink, a Victorias Secret affiliate, from a Spokane, Washington address.

The subsequent investigation was pursued as a part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Justice Department initiative to combat child sexual abuse, bringing together federal, state and local resources.

According to acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Harrington in Spokane, the investigation was conducted by a Homeland Security Investigations special agent and Janesville, Wisconsin police.

Prosecuting offenders who entice minors to produce child pornography and receive child pornography is a priority of the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Washington, Harrington stated in a press release. This Office is, and will continue to be, committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for child pornography crimes.
Eric Boullier has admitted Fernando Alonso's future could depend on the competitiveness of the McLaren-Honda package in 2017.

On the face of it, the Anglo-Japanese collaboration is set for a third consecutive tough campaign as Honda grapples with the new design of its power unit.

"I see faces of anguish and desperation as they are missing more than 100 horse power and 30kph on the straights, and they will not recover easily, if at all," former McLaren team manager Jo Ramirez told Cadena Cope.

"The concept is better than they had before, but I cannot believe they are so short on power," he added. "I think Honda are a little lost."

Indeed, rumours that either Honda will quit F1 or McLaren will dump the Japanese marque are already circulating.

Team boss Boullier told the Spanish daily AS that the McLaren chassis is "good".

"I don't know if the engine will be able to compete with Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault, but if we have a good engine we can be competitive. Otherwise not, it's that simple," said the Frenchman.

As for Alonso's expiring contract, the fact the Spaniard recently said he will race beyond his 2017 deal has been interpreted by some as an invitation for other teams to tempt him away from McLaren-Honda.

"People say a lot of things," said Boullier, "but I think Fernando is being honest with us just like we are with him.

"He likes this new F1, and the next step is to be more competitive. If we are competitive, he will be happy."

As for whether talks about 2018 have started, Boullier answered: "Yes, but it's too soon. But of course we have spoken."

Finally, Boullier was asked how many times he has wondered where McLaren would be in the pecking order if it had stayed with Mercedes power beyond 2014.

"Let's just say a few times," he laughed.

Asked if McLaren would be winning races, Boullier added: "I think so. Yes, we would be winning again."

(GMM)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:



Armenia shouldnt avoid negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press statement with French President Francois Hollande.



First of all, Mr. President, I would like to express my gratitude for your invitation, the hospitality extended to me and the delegation, Ilham Aliyev said to Francois Hollande. I am very glad to be back in France. You visited Azerbaijan twice. This is the indicator of the French-Azerbaijani ties.



The political dialogue developing between us has entered a very active stage, the Azerbaijani president said. We continue this dialogue today. We see that our positions coincide on many issues. Strong political relations, of course, have a positive impact on the ties developing in all spheres.



Ilham Aliyev noted that France, as the co-chair country of the OSCE Minsk Group, is making efforts to settle the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.



We highly appreciate these efforts, Aliyev said. In particular, I would like to note the meeting I held with the president of Armenia at the end of 2014 on your initiative in the Elysee Palace. This was a very constructive and positive meeting. Unfortunately, certain stagnation was observed in the negotiation process after this meeting.



We want the soonest resolution of the issue on the basis of the norms and principles of international law, Ilham Aliyev said. Armenia has been long occupying the Azerbaijani lands recognized by the international community. Armenia has been holding the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the seven adjacent districts under occupation. All of the Azerbaijani population, hundreds of thousands of people were expelled from these regions. All the infrastructure and buildings were destroyed there.



The OSCE fact-finding missions twice visited the occupied lands and reflected it in their reports, the Azerbaijani president said. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions related to the [Nagorno-Karabakh] conflict, and these resolutions openly state that the Armenian Armed Forces must be immediately and unconditionally withdrawn from the occupied lands. These resolutions were adopted in the early 1990s. Armenia, as it seems, doesnt feel like implementing these resolutions.



Therefore, at the first stage, the negotiations should be resumed as soon as possible, he noted. As Mr. Hollande noted, the status quo is unacceptable. The presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries - France, Russia and the US - have repeatedly stated that the status quo is unacceptable. We say the same thing, we want the status quo to change and the conflict to end as soon as possible, so that peace would be ensured in our region, and the Azerbaijani IDPs could return to their native lands.

Speaking about the bilateral agenda, the president said it is very extensive.



"Visiting MEDEF yesterday, I saw a great mutual interest once again. Our economic ties are developing. French companies have invested more than $2 billion in the Azerbaijani economy and are involved in many important projects in Azerbaijan," he said.



"French companies support us in the development of the space industry of Azerbaijan. At the same time, projects are being implemented in the field of municipal transport, transportation, infrastructure, water, drinking water, environment, etc. We are very pleased with this cooperation," he added.



"In the meetings held with French companies, I convinced them again that Azerbaijan has a wonderful climate for foreign investment. At the same time, Azerbaijan's economic potential is growing. Thus, even more French companies can work in Azerbaijan as contractors," President Aliyev said. He went on to add that cooperation in humanitarian sphere between the two countries is also very successful.



"Mr. President has noted this both in the sphere of culture and education. I simply want to emphasize that immediately after the decisions that we made with President Hollande, projects began to be implemented. We are seeing this on the example of the French-Azerbaijani University. In a short time, just a few months after the decision was made, the university opened its doors to students. There is a huge interest in the university," Ilham Aliyev said.

The president went on to add that Azerbaijan and France very actively cooperate in other spheres as well.



"The president has noted that the relations between the European Union and Azerbaijan are of great importance. Last month, negotiations started on a new partnership agreement with the European Union. Countries of the European Union are our main trading partners. The vast majority of our products are exported to Europe. In addition, the European Union is the biggest investor in Azerbaijan," President Aliyev said.



Saying that various projects are being implemented, he touched upon the Southern Gas Corridor.

"This strategic gas pipeline being built on the initiative of Azerbaijan will contribute to the energy security of Europe. The total cost of the Southern Gas Corridor project is $40 billion, and Azerbaijan is heavily involved in the realization of this project as an investor country, as an implementing party and as an initiator," the president said.

He expressed confidence that French-Azerbaijani relations will become even stronger in the future.

" We want these ties to reach an even higher level so that the people of France and Azerbaijan have could get even closer to each other," the president said, once again thanking President Hollande for hospitality.
Christian Horner has played down fears about the reliability of Renault's new-for-2017 engine.

It is rumoured the new power unit boasts better performance than its 2016 predecessor, but it obviously struck consistent reliability trouble during Barcelona testing.

Red Bull team boss Horner said: "Renault has taken a big step forward with its 2017 power unit. Everything that was promised has been delivered.

"There are a few small reliability issues that need to be addressed now, but there are no deeper issues, just simple things," he told the French magazine Auto Hebdo.

Horner's comments indicate a much better current relationship between Red Bull and Renault, and the Red Bull chief credits that partly to his Renault counterpart Remi Taffin.

"Our relationship is going well," Horner agrees.

"It seems that under Remi's leadership, Renault has recovered the desire to return to the competitive position it had."

Renault-powered Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat is also expecting a good season with his French engine.

"Renault is known for its conservative beginnings, so they have to be given a little time because there has been a considerable improvement," the Russian told Spain's El Mundo Deportivo.

(GMM)
The big names in F1 have this week headed from a farewell party for Bernie Ecclestone to a meeting with the sport's new owners.

Last week, the ousted F1 supremo's friend Flavio Briatore revealed that every major figure in the sport headed to London to farewell Ecclestone, 86.

"I was surprised that everyone was there," F1 legend and Mercedes team chairman Niki Lauda told the Austrian broadcaster ORF.

"After the first shock, he was in a good mood all night and the farewell party was very well received," he added.

Lauda said he and many others in the paddock will "miss" Ecclestone.

But at the same time, the sport is now looking confidently into its future headed by new owner Liberty Media and Ecclestone's successors Chase Carey and Ross Brawn.

Lauda says the F1 team bosses were invited to London this week to meet with Carey and his team.

"He will tell us where we are heading," said the Austrian.

"They bring new ideas to formula one, which we need." But Lauda also said patience is required, as there are limits to what Liberty can change straight away.

"The organisers have contracts, the teams have contracts," he said. "But there will certainly be news and I can imagine that they will be brought in this year."

(GMM)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

The OSCE monitoring held along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops passed without incidents on March 15, said Azerbaijans Defense Ministry.

The monitoring was held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative along the line of contact in the direction of the Tapgaragoyunlu village of Azerbaijans Goranboy district, said the ministry.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by Andrzej Kasprzyk, ambassador and the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, and his field assistants Jiri Aberle and Simon Tiller.

On the Azerbaijani territories occupied and controlled by Armenian armed forces, the monitoring was carried out by Ghenadie Petrica, Hristo Hristov and Peter Svedberg, field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

Russia continues assistance to find a way to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, TASS news agency quoted Russias President Vladimir Putin as saying March 15.

Putin made the remarks after talks with his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan.

Special attention was paid to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement. Russia continues to provide assistance to find a mutually acceptable solution of the conflict within the OSCE Minsk Group, as well as through direct contacts with Yerevan and Baku, the Russian president said.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the French Republic Francois Hollande in Paris.

A guard of honor was arranged for the head of state in front of the Elysee Palace.

Francois Hollande greeted President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The heads of state posed together for photographs.

The presidents praised excellent ties between Azerbaijan and France. They noted the role of reciprocal visits in the development of bilateral relations. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and France in a variety of areas was emphasized, including in transportation, agriculture, infrastructure, space industry, tourism, renewable energy, environmental cooperation.

The heads of state also discussed the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh.
The new eQVM program kicks off with three developers: XL Hybrids, Motiv Power Systems and Lightning Hybrids. These companies offer electrification or hydraulic hybrid solutions for a range of Ford vehicles popular with fleet and commercial customers, including F-150, F-250 to F-550 Super Duty, F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks, Transit and E-Series vans and chassis, and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis.

Ford is expanding its Advanced Fuel Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) program to include companies that develop and install electrified and hydraulic hybrid powertrains for Ford trucks and vans.

The new eQVM program, unveiled at The Work Truck Show, helps fleet and commercial customers meet their unique and specific needs for durable, reliable electrified and hydraulic hybrid work trucks that retain the original powertrain warranty.

Ford is investing $4.5 billion in 13 new electrified vehicles in the next five years. These include an all-new fully electric small SUV, a high-volume autonomous vehicle, a hybrid F-150, a hybrid Mustang, a Transit Custom plug-in hybrid and two new pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles.

Ford supports electrification for a variety of vehicle types. The eQVM program extends that support to the vocational truck industry where customers need relatively small numbers of specialized vehiclesthere is no one-size-fits-all work truck. Richard Cupka Jr., Ford sustainability and QVM program manager

The Ford QVM program includes more than 200 companies dedicated to modifying the automakers broad commercial vehicle lineup for customer applications in a number of industries, including motorhome, school bus, mobility, emergency services, conversion van, police and limousine. Additionally, QVM upfitters install a wide range of equipment onto Ford trucks and vans to transform them into the work trucks that help build Americas infrastructure and keep it running.

Fords QVM qualification process includes on-site assessments at each location to verify the operation meets manufacturing, assembly, workmanship, customer service and quality requirements and that it has processes in place to produce vehicles that meet federal regulations. Vehicles modified by a Ford QVM in compliance with Ford guidelines retain their factory warranties.

The eQVM program builds on the success of the Advanced Fuel QVM program Ford launched in 2010. Through that program, customers can obtain Ford Transit Connect, Transit or E-450 vans and chassis, F-Series trucks and F-53/F-59 stripped chassis that run on compressed natural gas or propane. The eQVM program expands available alternative power options to include electrification and hydraulic hybrid systems.

The eQVM developers are:
The four-week test runs currently underway in Salzgitter aim at confirming the stability of the energy supply system based on coordinated interaction between the drive, the fuel cell and the battery of the vehicle. The braking power is also being tested to check the interface between the pneumatic and the electric brake.

Alstom successfully performed the first test run at 80 km/h (50 mph) of the fuel cell passenger train Coradia iLint ( earlier post ) on its own test track in Salzgitter, Lower Saxony (Germany). An extensive test campaign will be conducted in Germany and Czech Republic in the coming months before the Coradia iLint performs its first passenger test runs on the BuxtehudeBremervordeBremerhavenCuxhaven (Germany) route beginning of 2018.

The Coradia iLint is the first low-floor passenger train worldwide powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, which produces the electrical power for the traction. Coradia iLint combines different innovative elements: clean energy conversion; flexible energy storage in batteries; and smart management of the traction power and available energy. Based on Alstoms flagship Coradia Lint diesel train, Coradia iLint is suited for operation on non-electrified networks. It enables sustainable train operation while maintaining high train performance.

The dynamic tests are performed at Salzgitter plant at 80 km/h and in Velim (Czech Republic) at up to 140 km/h (87 mph), the maximum speed of the Coradia iLint. For the purpose of the tests, a mobile filling station has been erected in Salzgitter to pump gaseous hydrogen into the pressure tank of the Coradia iLint.

The hydrogen used for the test runs is the by-product of an industrial process, which is reasonably reused as a waste product. In the long term, Alstom aims to support the hydrogen production from wind energy.

The vehicle has already successfully completed the static commissioning process. All electrical and pneumatic functions of the trains have been tested and verified at standstill. TUV Sud has certified the safety of the battery, the pressure tank system and the fuel cell for the coming test phases.

The Coradia iLint was designed by Alstom teams in Germany at Salzgitters site, center of excellence for regional trains and in France notably in Tarbes, center of excellence for traction systems and Ornans for the motors. This project benefits from the support of the German ministry of Transport and Digital infrastructure. Alstom has already signed letters of intent for 60 trains with the German states of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wurttemberg and the Hessian transport association Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund.
This process was established as a part of the 2012 final greenhouse gas emissions standards for model years 2017-2025, requiring EPA to determine no later than 1 April 2018 whether the greenhouse gas standards for model years 2022-2025 established are appropriate. In coordination with EPA, the DOTs National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is evaluating its fuel economy standards for that period. In accord with this schedule, the EPA intends to make a new Final Determination regarding the appropriateness of the standards no later than 1 April 2018.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that EPA intends to reconsider its final determination issued on 12 January 2017 which recommended no change to the greenhouse gas standards for light duty vehicles for model years 2022- 2025. ( Earlier post .) EPA will reconsider that determination in coordination with NHTSA as part of a renewed Mid-Term Evaluation process.

Background. In 2009, EPA issued an Endangerment Finding that vehicle greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change, and thus threaten public health and welfare. In 2012, EPA and NHTSA set joint greenhouse gas and fuel economy standards over a decade in advance for MY 2022-2025.

As part of the 2012 joint rulemaking by EPA and NHTSA establishing the model year (MY) 2017-2025 light-duty vehicle GHG (EPA) and fuel economy (NHTSA) standards, the agencies made a regulatory commitment to conduct a Midterm Evaluation (MTE) of the standards for MY 2022-2025.

The MTE was agreed to because at the time, no agency had set emissions standards so far in the future; this, in turn, entailed some obvious uncertainties. The agencies agreed at the time that the review would be collaborative, and developed in tandem. Both indicated that they would note complete a proposed rulemaking until mid-2017 at the earliest.

However, in November 2016, EPA issued a proposed determination maintaining the current standards without modificationwithout coordination with NHTSA. The final standards as maintained were projected to result in an average industry fleet-wide level of 163 grams/mile of CO 2 in model year 2025equivalent to 54.5 mpg (4.31 l/100 km), if achieved exclusively through fuel economy improvements. Thence, EPA issued its Final Determination 14 days after the comment period (which was only 24 days and spanning the holiday period) closed.

In December, Global Automakers, the trade association representing the US divisions of 12 international automakers, had called on the EPA either to withdraw the proposed determination or to extend the comment period (earlier post):

The Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) decision to rush forward with its Midterm Evaluation and issue a Proposed Determination on MY 2022-2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards undermines the important process the regulators and automakers agreed to in 2012 for establishing one harmonized national program for regulating GHG and fuel economy. Global Automakers and its members remain committed to the goals of one national program and therefore are asking the EPA to withdraw its Proposed Determination, or at the very least grant an extension of the current 30-day comment period.

Emissions standards going forward were to be based on a data-driven and objective review in which the EPA, the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are aligned every step of the way. The hasty decision to accelerate the EPA process, taken in the waning days of an Administration, raises serious concerns about the objectivity and factual foundation of their action.

We look forward to working with EPA, NHTSA and CARB on harmonized standards that are achievable, cost-effective, and most importantly account for the needs of customers. John Bozzella, President and CEO, Global Automakers

In February, The Auto Alliance sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting that the US Environmental Protection Agency withdraw the Final Determination on the Appropriateness of the Model Year 2022-2025 Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards under the Midterm Evaluationciting similar objections to those of Global Automakers. (Earlier post.)

EPAs failure to act in coordination with NHTSA also casts serious doubt on the legitimacy of EPAs data and conclusions, given the substantial discrepancies between EPAs and NHTSAs analysis of the technologies and the costs associated with the MY 2022-2025 standards.

The Alliance is not asking EPA to make a different Final Determination at this time. All we are asking is that EPA withdraw the Final Determination and resume the Midterm Evaluation, in conjunction with NHTSA, consistent with the timetable embodied in EPAs own regulations. Alliance letter to Administrator Pruitt

Reconsidering the Final Determination. In the Notice of Intention to Reconsider, the EPA and NHTSA noted that:

Given that CO 2 makes up the vast majority of the GHGs that EPA regulates under section 202(a), and given that the technologies available for regulating CO 2 emissions do so by improving fuel economy (which NHTSA regulates under EPCA/EISA), NHTSAs views with regard to what CAFE standards would be maximum feasible for those model years is an appropriate consideration in EPAs determining what GHG standards would be appropriate under the CAA.  However, NHTSA has not yet considered what CAFE standards would be the maximum feasible standards for MYs 2022-2025. Accordingly, EPA has concluded that it is appropriate to reconsider its Final Determination in order to allow additional consultation and coordination with NHTSA in support of a national harmonized program.

For its part, NHTSA will continue to engage with stakeholders as it works to develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to set CAFE standards for MYs 2022-2025. As explained in the 2012 final rule, this proposal will be part of a de novo rulemaking conducted  with fresh inputs and a fresh consideration and balancing of all relevant factors, based on the best and most current information before the agency at that time. Notice of Intention to Reconsider

As a part of this process, EPA will examine a wide range of factors, such as developments in powertrain technology, vehicle electrification, light-weighting and vehicle safety impacts, the penetration of fuel efficient technologies in the marketplace, consumer acceptance of fuel efficient technologies, trends in fuel prices and the vehicle fleet, employment impacts, and many others.

Resources
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Elchin Mehdiyev  Trend:

The problem of migration and refugees threatens international security, leads to violation of the borders of other states and contributes to the formation of separatist regimes, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said Mar. 15.

He made the remarks in Baku at a meeting of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons.

He said that joint actions are needed to solve all these problems.

He noted that Azerbaijan has prepared the Great Repatriation (Great Return) draft program, which envisages the return of refugees and IDPs after the Azerbaijani territories occupied by Armenia are liberated.

Khalafov also noted that Azerbaijans occupied territories are used for illicit trafficking of drugs, people and weapons.

Azerbaijan has appealed to the UN for assistance in preventing these, Khalafov 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.
ARB may approve, partially approve or disapprove the Plan. ARB is initiating its review of the Plan and is inviting public comment on whether the Plan meets the terms and goals of the 2.0-liter Consent Decree.

The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has received Volkswagens (VW) first 30-month Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Investment Plan . This Plan is The Plan, required by Californias partial settlement with VW over the use of illegal defeat devices, describes how VW is proposing to spend the first $200 million in California on ZEV fueling infrastructure (including the development and maintenance of ZEV charging stations), public awareness, increasing ZEV access, and a green city demonstration.

Background. On 25 October 2016, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California approved a proposed 2.0-liter Partial Consent Decree between ARB, Volkswagen (VW), and the United States Department of Justice. The Consent Decree partially resolves Clean Air Act and California State claims against VW for equipping its 2.0L diesel vehicles with defeat devices. This Consent Decree is intended to fully mitigate the calculated environmental harm done by VWs 2.0L diesel cars.

There are four elements of the Consent Decree, each described in a separate appendix. One of theseAppendix Crequires VW to invest $800 million in California over a 10-year period to support the increased use and availability of ZEVs. VW will implement these investments in four $200 million 30-month cycles.

Appendix C outlines four areas of qualified investments: ZEV infrastructure (including the development and maintenance of ZEV charging stations), public awareness, increasing ZEV access, and a green city.

California has also filed a Second California Partial Consent Decree with the Court for approval which, if approved, would require Volkswagen to:

complete two Green City initiatives in California as part of the ZEV investments required by Appendix C to the First Partial Consent Decree, with the second Green City required to be in a city with a population of approximately 500,000 that predominately consists of Disadvantaged Communities as identified by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessments CalEnviroScreen mapping tool; and to introduce three additional Battery Electric Vehicle models in California from 2019-2025 according to a schedule specified in the decree.

The Second California Partial Consent Decree would also require Volkswagen to pay ARB $25 million for ARB to spend on ZEV-related aspects of a vehicle replacement program in California in 2017 or later; and would require VW to pay about $41 million into the trust established under the 2.0 liter Partial Consent Decree to be spent by California on replacing older, dirtier heavy-duty vehicles and equipment with cleaner vehicles and equipment.

Volkswagen has also agreed to pay about $153 million in civil penalties to California and perform other injunctive relief.

VW California ZEV Investment Plan: Cycle 1. Volkswagen Group of America has created a whollyowned subsidiaryElectrify Americathat will be an entity focused on ZEVs that can efficiently and effectively fulfill the ZEV investment commitments under the Appendix C. The first 30-month cycle runs from Q1 2017 through Q2 2019.

In the first ZEV investment cycle, Electrify America will focus on four activities aimed at increasing the use of ZEVs and showing more Californians that going electric is possible and beneficial today:

Installing charging infrastructure (approximately $120 million); Building a Green City to showcase the benefits of ZEVs and promote increased ZEV usage (approximately $44 million); Public Education initiatives (approximately $20 million); and Access initiatives like rideand drive events, and an additional approximately ~$16 million spent on the operational costs of running Electrify America (e.g., personnel, other business expenses).

Charging infrastructure. Electrify America plans to build charging infrastructure that will primarily consist of (1) Community charging and (2) A long distance highway network. In addition, other use cases/technologies are also under consideration including destination charging at California state parks to increase access to L2s, and, for higher power DC charging applications, targeted battery storage to manage peak demand, ease grid loads, etc.

Charging stations will be located first in the areas with the highest anticipated ZEV demand; this is based on the forecast penetration rates of ZEVs in each region and the estimated gap between the supply and demand of charging infrastructure in those regions. In aggregate, the Electrify America first cycle investment will aim to establish a network of approximately 2,0003,000 nonproprietary chargers across 400+ individual stations.

Electrify America stations will be designed to provide access by supporting many existing and anticipated charging technology needs (L2 PHEVs, 50 kW+ DC fast charging), the adoption of nonproprietary charging standards (such as Combined Charging System (CCS) and CHAdeMO), and support for open protocols including Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP).

Electrify America has identified 5 metropolitan areas for the cycle 1 investment (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, and Sacramento). Additional metro areas will be targeted in future investment cycles. Within selected metros, Electrify America plans to build 350+ stations across five major use cases (multifamily homes, workplace, commercial/retail, community, and municipal lots/garages). A deployment mix of L2, 50 kW, and 150 kW chargers will be offered across these use cases to help best meet the anticipated needs of EV drivers.

Electrify America will build a long distance high speed highway network consisting of approximately 50+ charging stations along hightraffic corridors between metropolitan areas. These stations will focus on 150 kW and 320 kW DC fast chargers; each station will have 5 plugs on average.

Most currently installed nonproprietary DC fast chargers are in the 2550 kW range, so Electrify Americas stations will be at least 36 times faster, which reduces charging times to approximately 1520 minutes in some cases for new generation, larger battery capacity ZEVs.

The highway network will, in addition to serving highway ZEV traffic, also help to serve disadvantaged communities.

Site development for the first Electrify America stations will begin in Q2 2017, with development initiated for all stations by Q2 2018. These first stations are expected to be completed and operational for local community charging in Q3 2017 and for highway charging in Q2 2018.

Green City. Electrify America has identified three potential Green City initiatives on which to focus: ZEV carsharing, ZEV delivery fleet, and ZEV taxi fleet provider. The first 30month investment cycle for Green City will concentrate approximately $44 M of funding on developing the foundational infrastructure and planning for the launch of Green City initiatives (currently anticipated to be in Sacramento) as well as the launch of services.

Foundational work for the first Green City initiatives is planned to begin in Q3 2017, including the installation of approximately 75 supporting chargers. Site development for the estimated 75 supporting chargers is planned to begin by Q1 2018, with development completed for all stations by end of Q4 2019. This infrastructure associated with Green City is expected to cost approximately $11 million.

Brand-neutral public education. Electrify America has performed a segmentation analysis of the general carbuying population to evaluate the penetration of ZEVs in various carbuying population segments and regions; the positioning of ZEVs relative to competition; the barriers to adoption of ZEVs by population segment; and the key messages to communicate to the general population in order to improve penetration of ZEVs.

Based on this analysis and an additional analysis of consumer media consumption habits, Electrify America has developed a plan to deliver persuasive messaging against both ZEV benefits and overcoming barriers to ZEV adoption.

ZEV access initiatives. Numerous governments and other stakeholders proposed ZEV access programs in their comments to Electrify America. Experiential initiatives like rideanddrive events are being planned to help increase ZEV access and exposure for as many Californians as possible.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Anakhanum Hidayatova  Trend:

Israels Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dan Stav visited Azerbaijans Khachmaz, Shabran and Khizi districts, the Israeli Embassy told Trend.

The diplomat met with heads of the local executive authorities.

The sides discussed possibilities for cooperation and investments in economy, agriculture and tourism.

Stav lauded the deeply rooted values of harmonious coexistence and multiculturalism in Azerbaijan and noted the importance of the Jewish community here as a bridge between the two states.

The envoy also visited plants operating in Khachmaz and Shabran.

During the visit to Shabran, he noted that Israeli private sector can invest in the districts agro-parks.
A Kansas abortion clinic that was among the first in the country to open after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade has been inundated with patients. Some drive 10 hours or more to get there, coming from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and even Louisiana. But thats only if they can get an appointment. Planned Parenthood clinics in the state, including this newest one, are only able to take about 10% to 15% of the patients seeking abortions. Kansas is one of the few states in the region still providing abortions in the wake of the court's ruling.
While Gov. Roy Cooper extended an olive branch in his State of the State speech Monday night, the state most powerful Republican responded with a video slapdown.

Cooper stressed common ground over and over in his remarks to the GOP-dominated legislature.

Berger, the Rockingham County Republican who is leader of the state Senate, gave a sour and combative address closed with several shots at Cooper, a Democrat.

In the prerecorded video, Berger noted that Cooper had only squeaked into office in defeating incumbent Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.

He blamed Cooper for the failure of a repeal of the states destructive and discriminatory bathroom law, HB 2, in December, alleging that Cooper worked behind the scenes to rally Democrats against it  actually, Berger says he ordered it. (Berger neglected to mention his own inability to deliver enough Republican votes for a repeal in the House and Senate, which both contain Republican super majorities.)

He inaccurately said Cooper had sued the state over its voter ID law.

He accused Democrats of vulgar demonstrations.

He called Coopers vision a mirage.

He was smug, petty and gratuitous.

It shouldnt have been so surprising.

Berger could be just as dismissive of McCrory, whom he treated as more of an annoyance  or even worse, an afterthought  even though they were both Republicans.

(It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that Berger would marginalize McCrory sometimes to the point of humiliation.)

To be fair, you dont expect love letters from the GOP leader to a Democratic governor with whom he disagrees on almost every major issue.

But a little more civility and a little less surliness would have gone a long way.

So would a little honesty. And accountability.

Remember, Berger is the same guy whose staff was posting links to news stories on his Facebook page and changing the headlines to be more favorable to his point of view.

And didn't seem to see anything wrong with it.

And remember, the GOP passed HB 2 and cynically larded it with all types of discriminatory and over-reaching provisions that intruded on local governments.

Yet, Berger still had the nerve to repeat as one of this themes the power of the people over government.

Trust more in the people of North Carolina, not the institutions of government, Berger said.

This, from a legislator who has enabled one overreach by another from Raleigh into the affairs of local governments and local citizens. Interference in 

A water system in Asheville.

An airport in Charlotte.

School board and City Council elections in Greensboro.

A wind farm in eastern North Carolina.

Restrictions against hydraulic fracking (local governments cant pass any).

HB 2.

Among other hypocritical oaths from Bergers speech:

Government is best that governs least.

Well continue to let you, not the government, make the decision on whats best for your family.

Whats most amazing is how Berger manages to keep saying all of this with a straight face.
With my Kia Spectra running past 160,000 miles, Ill be shopping for a new car sometime this year. I wont look at gas-guzzlers.

That might disappoint the auto manufacturers, who make more money on SUVs and pickup trucks. Sales of larger vehicles are strong as fuel prices stay low. Thats good for employment in the industry.

One problem: Federal fuel-efficiency standards require manufacturers to achieve a fleet average of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. The Obama administration locked in that goal just before leaving office.

But President Donald Trump holds the key, and hes likely to release automakers from such a costly mandate. An announcement is expected today, when Trump visits Detroit.

Its expensive to build cars that get better mileage. Not only does it require more advanced technology for vehicles to reach greater operational efficiency, but companies will have to produce and sell more smaller, cheaper cars to balance the high-priced behemoths.

Fine with me, because Im happy to spend less for gasoline. Savings over the life of fuel-efficient smaller cars pay for the built-in costs many times over.

Trump promises to slash business expenses through tax cuts and regulatory reductions. He says this will unleash U.S. industrial might and create millions of jobs. I dont doubt such steps will have some positive effects in the short run. But theres always a long-term impact, and sometimes that makes things worse.

I understand why politicians prefer short-term gains. They get elected by promising instant gratification. And no politician ever promised to do more faster than did Donald Trump.

Why not? He wont be president when the negative effects kick in  mainly in the form of increased air pollution.

The additional particulate matter and ozone released will cause more cases of asthma, bronchitis, heart trouble and other health problems. This would also lead to violations of clean-air standards, but Trump aims to relax those, too. The same for clean-water rules.

Well hear more stories like the one broadcast Monday on NPRs Morning Edition about Martin County, Ky., where people dont have a safe drinking supply because the water intake pulls from a river heavily contaminated by sewage and years of coal and gas extraction. The county cant afford to fix the problem, leaving residents with the choice of drinking foul tap water or buying bottled water.

Residents of Flint, Mich., and neighbors of coal ash ponds in North Carolina know all about that. And bottled water isnt cheap.

These problems dont develop overnight, so the politicians who let them worsen day by day usually escape any blame. But they can take credit for creating jobs as soon as hiring announcements are made.

One of the most serious long-term threats is climate change. Here again, politicians in office today wont be held personally accountable for rising temperatures, devastating storms and coastal flooding 50 years from now. I have no idea whether Trump really believes this is all a Chinese hoax  OK, he probably does  but its certain hes not worried about future consequences when theres short-term gain in gutting budgets for climate programs and research throughout the federal government. While he may not repudiate the Paris climate agreement, he can see to it that the United States fails to meet its obligations. This will save us money initially and cede international climate leadership, ironically, to the Chinese, but it will please his congressional allies, who are also mostly concerned with exercising power and collecting campaign contributions today, come what may tomorrow.

Yet, this could start to catch up to the deniers sooner than they think. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, may not believe climate science but he likes renewable energy because he witnessed the amazing growth and benefits of wind power in his state. Failing to fully harness the economic potential of the wind and sun would be a historic mistake.

Trump might say hes going to bring back coal mining, but thats a backward-looking strategy for economic and environmental reasons. The costs of generating electricity from clean-energy sources continue to drop. Smart leadership in Washington would encourage further development of renewable power technologies, not only for the sake of improving air and water quality but to avoid falling behind other countries. Western Europe and China arent waiting.

Im not ready to make an electric vehicle my next car purchase but I want something like that or better to be an affordable option before too many more years. Gas-guzzlers and other dirty-energy users will soon belong to the past, despite the policies of the current administration. It should help rather than hinder that progress.
Three cousins. Three wood-fired ovens. And a lot of dough. Those are the makings for Cugino Forno Neapolitan Pizza, which has opened at 1160 Revolution Mill Drive in Greensboro.

The pizzeria opened in the free-standing building that was a machine shop for the former Revolution Mill. The mill opened in 1899 and produced flannel for decades before closing and falling into disrepair. In 2012, Self-Help assumed ownership of Revolution Mill and is completing the propertys transformation into a mixed-use development of offices and apartments.

Cousins Joseph Ozbey, Yilmaz Guver and Adam Adksoy opened the pizzeria.

Cugino is Italian for cousin. Forno is Italian for oven.

The wood-fired ovens are custom made from volcanic sandstone and shipped from Italy. They take center stage in a restaurant with a concept that differs from most pizzerias.

Customers place their order upon entry. Then they take a number and choose a spot at one of 15 picnic tables.

Why picnic tables?

Its family style, Yilmaz Guver said. That is how it is done in Napoli.

Joseph Ozbey said the tables encourage strangers to get to know each other.

We have a saying, We dont meet if we dont eat, Ozbey said.

The room is open. The hand-tossed pizza action and baking is all in plain view. Customers dont have to wait long for their Neapolitan-style, thin crust pizza. Each pizza cooks in an 800- to 900-degree oven for about two minutes.

The menu is small. There are only 11 16-inch specialty pizzas, ranging from a vegetarian-friendly marinara for $13.95 to the Napoletana with Italian sausage and Bufala Mozzarella for $16.95.

Additional toppings, such as artichoke or caramelized onion can be added to the Margeritha pizza ($14.95) for $1.95 each.

All ingredients, from the flour to the Italian sausage is imported from Italy.

Its traditional-style pizza, Guver said. We make it this way because that is how it started in Italy.

The restaurant also offers salads and cannoli.

Italian beer and wine will be offered soon.

The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. until the restaurant runs out of dough, about 9 p.m.

Cugino Forno may well be the beginning of the mill campus as a destination for diners. Urban Grinders coffee shop is expected to open in the main building this spring. Natty Greenes Kitchen + Market, a spin-off from Natty Greenes Brew Pub, featuring a full restaurant charcuterie and bar, is expected to open this year in another free standing building overlooking Buffalo Creek on the campus south side.

Follow Cugino Forno Pizza on Facebook.

Free Cone Day

Dairy Queen celebrates the first day of spring on Monday with Free Cone Day.

Participating Dairy Queen and DQ Grill and Chill locations are offering a free small vanilla cone of soft-serve ice cream. The promotion is limited to one per customer. Mall locations are excluded.

On the same day, Dairy Queen will be collecting donations for Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals.

Last year, $200,000 was raised for the charity.

Restaurant safety class

The High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau is offering a ServSafe Manager class and exam from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 27.

The class will be held at the bureau at 1634 N. Main St., Suite 102 in High Point.

ServSafe is a training and certification food-safety program for food-industry managers. It covers preventing food borne illness, the flow of food and proper food-handling techniques, preventing cross contamination, the importance of safe personal hygiene and proper cleaning, accommodating guests with food allergies, and working with reputable suppliers.

In Guilford County, restaurants that have a manager certified through the program can avoid a two-point penalty on its sanitation rating.

Cost is $125.30. Register at www.raisethegrade.com or call (844) 704-3663.

Beer enthusiasts wanted

If you love beer and love to travel, World of Beer is looking for you.

The chain of craft beer retail store and taverns is looking for three interns to travel the globe this summer looking for awesome beer communities big and small to showcase, while sharing stories of everything they experience along the way.

Photographers, writers, social media mavericks and beer blog surfers are invited to apply.

Internships run May through August. Each intern will be paid $12,000 plus travel expenses.

Deadline for applications is March 26. Semifinalists will be interviewed personally at nine WOB locations across the country, including the one in Greensboro (1310 Westover Terrace).

Visit at https://worldofbeer.com/drinkitintern for information and to apply.

Chain promotions

Dairy Queen is now offering its $5 Buck Lunch value menu all day, every day.

is now offering its $5 Buck Lunch value menu all day, every day. Red Lobster is offering the Lobster Lovers Lunch menu featuring a lobster roll with fries, lobster-topped Caesar Salad or a half Lobster and Langostino Pizza. The items are available for about $9.99 for a limited time.

is offering the Lobster Lovers Lunch menu featuring a lobster roll with fries, lobster-topped Caesar Salad or a half Lobster and Langostino Pizza. The items are available for about $9.99 for a limited time. Captain Ds has introduced Home-Style Shrimp breaded with a buttermilk batter and black pepper breadcrumb coating.

has introduced Home-Style Shrimp breaded with a buttermilk batter and black pepper breadcrumb coating. McAlisters Deli is celebrating St. Patricks Day by offering free green tea to any customer wearing green on Friday. And through Friday, the Reuben Spud, a baked potato topped with corned beef and sauerkraut, is on the menu.

is celebrating St. Patricks Day by offering free green tea to any customer wearing green on Friday. And through Friday, the Reuben Spud, a baked potato topped with corned beef and sauerkraut, is on the menu. Mimis is celebrating St. Patricks Day with corned beef and cabbage with steamed carrots and potatoes and corned beef and served with two eggs, toast or muffin and herb-roasted potatoes. Both are available Friday only.
It was the Roaring 20s, and opulent, Greek-temple-like theaters were being built in virtually every major city in America.

Greensboro, while not exactly a major city, was not about to be left out of the boom and set about constructing its own grand theater.

To great fanfare, it opened on Halloween night 1927, with the first ticket being sold to Mayor Paul Lindley. Billed as The Showplace of the Carolinas, the Carolina Theatre was indeed the finest structure of its kind between Washington and Atlanta.

But changes were just around the corner, not all of them good. Vaudeville was still all the rage in 1927, but with the advent of talkies, live shows soon died out. The following year, the Carolina became the first theater in the state to install the new Vitaphone speakers. Another feather in its cap  it was the first commercial building in N.C. to be air conditioned.

With the Great Depression of 1929, the mood obviously shifted. But the Carolina and all its similarly magnificent theaters across the country became symbols for better days ahead as well as fantasy retreats for the harsh reality of the present.

Over the ensuing decades, the building has faced numerous challenges, including World War II, downtowns decline, a fire in 1981, natural deterioration and changing cultural tastes. But it has managed to withstand them all and today remains every bit the vibrant showplace that it was 90 years ago.

In fact, plans are underway to mark its 90th birthday and celebrate everything it represents to the city. And, no, it will not be a one-night celebration. Given the significance of a 90th anniversary, the celebration will last a full year.

While still in the preliminary stages, plans are underway to produce a series of events and upgrades to the theater that will involve thousands of people and bring hundreds of thousands through the turnstiles. Tapped to head up the yearlong project is Brenda Studt, whose title has gone from developmental assistant to special projects manager.

We have a great team of talented and dedicated folks working on this project, she said. We all realize the impact this theater has had on the community for many generations and want to do something really special to honor its legacy. Im deeply honored and excited to be a part of it.

Admittedly, many of the anniversary festivities are still in the embryonic stage, but the Oct. 28 kickoff party is set in stone. (It takes place the day after the traditional annual showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show). It will feature an original play being written by the theaters longtime director J.P. Swisher, chronicling the Carolinas storied history. A narrator will move the plot along, and musical numbers are planned.

Were hoping to involve as many community groups as possible, Studt said, like the youth symphony, Community Theatre of Greensboro and City Arts. One fun thing J.P. (Swisher, director) is planning is to round up as many Dorothys as we can find (actresses who have played her in CTGs annual production of The Wizard of Oz) and have them sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow with Judy Garland onscreen.

A monthly (except December) classic film series is planned throughout the year, showing an iconic film from each decade. The festivities might include encouraging patrons to dress up in period attire from the corresponding decade.

At least a couple of silent movies will be shown, as well, giving the theater a chance to showcase its fully restored and functional 20s-era pipe organ.

Some sort of veterans tribute is being formulated, likely involving some of the organizers of the Field of Honor at Triad Park on the Guiford-Forsyth county line.

Since the Oscars will also be turning 90 this year, it only makes sense to include an Oscar party as part of the celebration.

I know CTG has had some very successful Oscar parties, so we may partner with them, Studt said. That would also be a good time to have a dress-up party.

Many local residents are not aware that the Carolina has a ghost, Melvalina Revva Ferguson, who perished in a fire in the building. She may be the subject of a party of some sort, perhaps a lock-in sleepover or an evening of ghost stories and a ghost tour.

During the Vaudeville era, the shows usually included an audience sing-along. With that in mind, another idea being bandied about is teaching a well-loved song to a full theater, having a director and performer lead it, and videotaping it and putting it up on YouTube for posterity.

Two ideas that are bound to be met with public approval are creating and installing a decade-by-decade timeline to the left of the lobby near the elevator, and launching a portable merchandise and gift shop that can be rolled into the lobby during shows. It would also have an online ordering presence, in keeping with the times.

Weve been batting around ideas since around October, Studt said, but now were starting to get specific with them. Its really going to be fun watching them all come together, and even more fun when theyre actually happening.
BURLINGTON  A Burlington man is accused of stealing guns and ammunition from Walmart.

James Darnell Lane, of Camp Road, age not immediately available, is charged with two counts of larceny of a firearm, larceny by defeating an anti-theft device and injury to personal property.

He is accused of going to the store at 530 S. Graham-Hopedale Road about 3 a.m. today and stealing guns and ammunition from the display case, police said.

Officers responded to the store after getting a call from an employee that a man broke into the display case and stole the items, police said.

Responding officers saw a man leaving the store with a rifle in each hand and several rounds of ammunition in his pockets, police said.

Lane was taken into custody and brought to Alamance Regional Medical Center for injuries police said he got from breaking into the display case.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

The illegal economic activity of Armenia in the occupied Azerbaijani territories, its settlement policy and delivery of goods produced by draining local resources to foreign markets must be prevented, said Azerbaijans Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov.

He made the remarks addressing the international conference, titled Islamic solidarity  call of the time in Baku Mar. 15.

Further talking, Khalafov noted that international organizations should take relevant steps on recognition of the Khojaly genocide.

Azerbaijan demands the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within its territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally-recognized borders, said the deputy foreign minister. Armenians conducted ethnic cleansing and committed the Khojaly genocide in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

Khalafov expressed gratitude to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for giving political and legal assessment in this issue.

Azerbaijan calls on other member countries to demonstrate solidarity in this issue, he added.

The deputy foreign minister added that the Azerbaijani state is taking important steps to strengthen the prestige of Islam in the international system.
RALEIGH  A N.C. House committee narrowly approved a bill Tuesday to clamp down on unauthorized immigrants by making it easier to hold them in jail, punish local governments that help them, and empower residents to sue city and county officials who make a habit of not complying with immigration law.

The House Judiciary II Committee voted 6-5 to approve the Citizens Protection Act of 2017 that its sponsor said would deter wrongdoing, but that critics said aims to fix a problem that did not require such a heavy-handed response.

It focuses on the criminal element within the undocumented community, state Rep. Harry Warren (R-Salisbury), the bills lead sponsor, told the committee. This bill does not seek to tear families apart. This bill addresses the criminal element.

State Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Greensboro) begged to differ, asserting that it could result in the unnecessary imprisonment of an immigrant mother whose documentation was in question but who had one or more children at home who were citizens of the United States by virtue of being born here.

I think its really unfortunate we havent heard from the cities and counties, Harrison said, noting that the legislation could impose added costs on them that it doesnt defray and adding that she believes it could be unconstitutional. I think were setting ourselves up for another substantial legal bill.

The committee has spent several weeks on the bill, which drew emotional testimony at its March 7 meeting from activists warning that it would drive people living in the country illegally and their relatives underground, leading them to not cooperate with police and causing many more unintended consequences.

If adopted, the bill would:

Presume someone a flight risk and not eligible for bail if they are arrested under suspicion of committing any of a variety of crimes and the person is unlawfully present in the United States or federal officials have signaled they plan to deport the person.

Require the state attorney general to promptly investigate any local government alleged to be out of compliance with state immigration laws.

Enable anyone to trigger such an investigation by filing a complaint with the attorney general and also permit residents of an allegedly offending community to file a lawsuit to force local officials compliance with immigration law.

Withhold major amounts of state tax money from local governments that the attorney general determines to be out of compliance  putting at risk a communitys tax revenues from six separate sources that range from local beer and wine sales to piped natural gas and state highway money.

Increase to a felony  punishable by up 47 months in prison  the penalty for selling someone false identification for deception, fraud or other criminal conduct, and for otherwise supplying fake ID in a number of other situations.

Warren acknowledged that the N.C. League of Municipalities had informed him that no local government in North Carolina was in danger of running afoul of the proposed law with formal policies not in compliance with certain state laws related to immigration.

But he said the bill was intended to head off problems with local governments that might think of declaring themselves sanctuaries for the undocumented in the same way as some officials in New York City and Chicago have suggested for those cities.

Its not to be punitive; its to be a deterrent, Warren said.

Discussion at the committees weekly meeting indicated that N.C. Attorney General Josh Steins office had some concerns about the bill, but the committees chairman, state Rep. John Blust (R-Greensboro), said those could be dealt with as the bill moves through other committees and, potentially, to the House and Senate floors.

The committee adopted an amendment to the bill proposed by state Rep. John Faircloth (R-High Point) softening the blow somewhat on cities or counties that are found guilty of not cooperating in immigration enforcement and denied state tax money.

Faircloths amendment allowed such a local government to regain its eligibility for that money once the attorney general finds that it has mended its ways. And it put a two-year cap on an offending communitys period of ineligibility for the withheld sources of tax money.

State Rep. Joe John (D-Raleigh) fared less well with his effort to change part of Warrens bill that would create a rebuttable presumption that an arrestee suspected of being in the country illegally should be denied bail.

John, a former associate judge on the N.C. Court of Appeals who earlier served as Guilford Countys chief District Court judge and its resident Superior Court judge, sought to realign the bills language about a defendants eligibility for bail with what already is required by state law, which instructs judges to consider the defendants immigration status and several other closely related factors before any pretrial release.

John said the bills extra language was not needed based on his background on the bench making those decisions. The former judge, who moved to Raleigh in 1993 when he joined the appellate court, pointed out that the heightened penalty for providing fake ID could result in someone spending nearly four years in prison for loaning their drivers license to someone who used it to commit a misdemeanor punishable by a matter of months in jail.

But Warren, a human resource specialist, argued that Johns proposed wording change on the bail question guts the entire provision that seeks to protect society. And he said that he was fine with potential lopsided sentencing for providers of fake ID because the courts need to hold people accountable for willfully, knowingly breaking the law.

Faircloth and fellow GOP state Rep. Chuck McGrady of Hendersonville joined Harrison, John and two other Democrats on the panel in voting for Johns proposal. Blust cast his vote with the committees five other Republicans to make it a 6-6 tie, thus torpedoing Johns proposal.

On the final vote to approve the bill along with Faircloths previously adopted amendment, Faircloth voted in favor with five other Republicans, while McGrady sided with the committees four Democrats in opposition and Blust let stand the 6-5 outcome by opting not to vote.

The bill also needs to be approved by the House Finance and Appropriations committees before it can move to the House floor for review by the full chamber.
Many people seem shocked at the savagery of a mob of students at Middlebury College, who rioted to prevent Charles Murray from addressing a student group that had invited him to speak. They also inflicted injuries requiring hospitalization on a woman from the faculty who was with him.

Where have all these shocked people been all these years? What happened at Middlebury College has been happening for decades, all across the country, from Berkeley to Harvard. Moreover, even critics of the Middlebury College rioters betray some of the same irresponsible mindset as that of the young rioters.

The moral dry rot in academia  and beyond  goes far deeper than student storm troopers at one college. Frank Bruni of The New York Times, for example, while criticizing the rioters, lent credence to the claim that Charles Murray was a white nationalist. Similar  and worse  things have been said, in supposedly reputable publications, by people who could not cite one statement from any of Dr. Murrays books that bears any resemblance to their smears.

Academia, however, is ground zero in the war against people whose ideas go against the current political correctness. The virtual monopoly of the political left, on campuses across the country, allows all sorts of things to be attributed to people the left disagrees with, irrespective of whether those people have ever said anything resembling what they are alleged to have said.

The professors dont usually riot against people whose ideas they disagree with, because they can just dismiss those ideas, with some characterization that there is no one on hand to challenge.

Professor William Julius Wilson of Harvard, for example, said of Justice Clarence Thomas, Hell say he pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. I say I was in the right place at the right time.

Just where did Justice Thomas say that he pulled himself up by his own bootstraps? The central theme of his autobiography, titled My Grandfathers Son, credits the wisdom of the grandfather who raised him as what saved him.

Nuns who taught him in school were brought to Washington, at his expense, to be present to see him sworn in as a justice of the Supreme Court, to see that their dedicated efforts on his behalf had not been in vain.

But has anyone ever asked Professor Wilson on just what he based his claim about Justice Thomas? The central tragedy of academia today is that you dont have to have anything on which to base dismissals of people and ideas you disagree with.

This attitude is not unique to William Julius Wilson or to Harvard. On the West Coast, Professor Lanny Ebenstein of the University of California at Santa Barbara has included economists Stephen Moore and Walter Williams, as well as television host John Stossel, among those committed to the welfare of the top few.

Professor Ebenstein has every right to disagree with these individuals on economic or other issues. But that is very different from attributing to them a commitment to the welfare of the top few.

It so happens that I have read books by all three, without finding any preoccupation with the welfare of the affluent or the rich. I have known Walter Williams for more than 40 years. When we both lived on the East Coast, we and our wives often met socially.

In all that time, neither in public nor in private did I ever hear Walter Williams express the slightest concern for the welfare of the affluent or the rich. Innumerable times I heard him focus his concern on the well-being of people like himself, from a background of poverty. That concern was also expressed in deeds as well as words.

But who is going to ask Professor Ebenstein to cite the basis for his claim? Why should we expect students to welcome debate about differences of opinion, when so many of their professors seem to think cheap-shot dismissals are all you need? Lacking their professors verbal dexterity or aura of authority, students use cruder methods of dismissing things they disagree with.

So long as academia talks demographic diversity and practices groupthink when it comes to ideas, we have little reason to expect better of student mobs that riot with impunity.
It was encouraging to watch Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper deliver a mostly positive, conciliatory and hopeful State of the State speech to respectful lawmakers in the House of Representatives chamber Monday.

The Democratic chief executive and Republican legislative leaders have been gripped in a power struggle since Cooper defeated GOP Gov. Pat McCrory in November. Nevertheless, Cooper stressed areas where the two parties can find common ground  a phrase he used repeatedly. Republicans offered polite applause several times.

Totally discouraging was the official Republican response given by Senate leader Phil Berger of Eden, whose district includes much of Guilford County. It wasnt really a response at all but a prerecorded eight-minute statement broadcast after Coopers speech.

The first five minutes fairly touted legislative accomplishments in the six years since Republicans gained control. Then Berger launched into a highly partisan attack against Cooper, whom he called the lefts new champion, and Democrats in general. He accused them of staging vulgar rallies and trying to sabotage our states economy. He falsely claimed that Cooper sued the state to stop common-sense, popular reforms like voter ID. Berger charged that Coopers proposals would lead to out-of-control spending, high taxes and rising unemployment.

The states unemployment rate has risen in the last few months after falling since the great recession, although Cooper cant be blamed or credited for either. His proposed budget does call for a 5 percent overall spending increase but not higher taxes.

Cooper, as attorney general until this year, never sued the state over voter ID or other reforms. Lawsuits were brought by citizens and civil rights and voting rights groups. Since becoming governor, he has sued to block steps taken by the legislature to encroach on the governors authority  as McCrory was forced to do when he was governor.

It will be better for North Carolina if the governor and legislators focus on areas where they can agree to work together. Cooper tried to do that in his speech, once he made another plea for lawmakers to repeal House Bill 2. No single action could so easily do as much to improve the states economy and repair its image as striking that discriminatory and unnecessary law.

Beyond that, Cooper called for raising teacher pay, improving education and workforce preparedness, rebuilding flood-damaged areas in eastern North Carolina and the states infrastructure in general, creating jobs, providing tax cuts for middle-class families and fighting opioid addiction. Republicans and Democrats agree on those objectives, and if Republicans approve legislation to get there, Cooper should support it.

Cooper also said he will fight when the legislature leaves him no choice. From Bergers remarks, its perfectly clear that will be necessary at times.
STONEVILLE  For the ninth straight year, the Greater Burning Bush Independent Holiness Church recognized difference makers in the community on the fourth Sunday in February.

Every year, people are selected to be honored at the Black Sunday service that have contributed to history, the community or have accomplished feats during their lives that should be honored

On Feb. 26, during the Black History Celebration, four teachers in the area who taught at Charles Drew High School in Madison were recognized by church officials and the local community.

Eudoxia Dalton, Malisa Watkins, Beaulah Hayes and Savannah LeSurer were honored for their lifelong devotion and commitment to the community that helped mold students into adults.

Charles Drew opened in 1950 and was the second accredited black school in Madison. It replaced Madison Colored School, which became the first accredited black school in North Carolina after opening in 1923.

These ladies gave most of us the foundation to be successful men and women, said Perry Webster, pastor of the Greater Burning Bush Independent Holiness Church in Stoneville.

We thought they should be honored for their contribution to education and their hard work. It was a different time then when teachers had the authority to be teachers and it made a difference and has made differences in the education system and how our children were taught discipline and respect.

These four teachers affected hundreds of students that made their way through the education system throughout the years and are still key contributors to western Rockingham County today.

Ms. Watkins taught me in the fourth grade and Ms. Dalton taught me in the third grade, Webster said. I contribute my success of being a chief of police and pastor to the discipline that they gave us in our early years. So often, we wait until people pass on to stand up and say good things about them when they cant hear them.

Webster and several other classmates appreciate that these teachers provided a parent-like figure in the classroom that wasnt afraid of discipline. They also put in an uncanny effort to make sure students were given the proper opportunity to learn.

They invented No Child Left Behind, said Webster. They were going to make sure that you got it. It may have taken you longer  after school time or time you could have been outside for recess  but they were going to make sure you got the basic principles of education and the tools you needed to be successful.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

President of the French Republic Francois Hollande hosted a dinner party for President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and first lady Mehriban Aliyeva.

The presidents made speeches at the event.

Speech of President Ilham Aliyev:

"Dear Mr. President, Ladies and gentlemen! Mr. President, first of all, I want to express my gratitude for the invitation to pay an official visit to France, and also for the hospitality extended to me and the delegation during this visit.

I would like to note with satisfaction that the political relations between Azerbaijan and France are at a high level. Our mutual visits have become a tradition. I have repeatedly visited France as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. You, Mr. President, have visited Baku twice. Mutual visits illustrate that French-Azerbaijani relations are at a high level. There is a very active political dialogue between us. I am very pleased that our current visit to the French Republic coincides with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

France is a co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group on the settlement of the most difficult problem for the region  the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. As a result of Armenian military aggression, 20 per cent of the territory of Azerbaijan was occupied by Armenia, including Nagorno-Karabakh, which is our historical land, and seven adjacent districts. A policy of ethnic cleansing has been carried out and more than a million of our compatriots became refugees and internally displaced persons. Four resolutions of the UN Security Council have been adopted in connection with the conflict. There are relevant decisions and resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the OSCE, NATO, the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other influential international organizations. The conflict must be resolved only in accordance with the norms of international law and within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The status quo is unacceptable. France, like other co-chairs, has repeatedly made statements about this. Unfortunately, Armenia ignores this and does not renounce its occupation policy. Nagorno-Karabakh is ancient and historical land of Azerbaijan. The territorial integrity of our country cannot be the subject of negotiations.

The economic ties between Azerbaijan and France are developing rapidly. To date, French companies have participated in 27 projects in Azerbaijan as contractors. These are worth about $2 billion and cover such fields as energy, aviation, space industry, transportation, water, agriculture, etc. One of the main areas of our economic relations is cooperation in the energy sector. French companies take part in projects being implemented in the oil and gas sector of Azerbaijan. the Southern Gas Corridor project, which is being successfully implemented on the initiative of Azerbaijan, is of great importance for the energy security of Europe.

We have broad cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. The teaching of French has been conducted in Azerbaijan for many years now. About 50,000 students learn French in 338 Azerbaijani schools. French is taught in seven higher education institutions of Azerbaijan. The Baku Slavic University operates the Victor Hugo French Language and Literature Center. There is a French Center at the Azerbaijan University of Languages. Three years ago, we established the Baku French Lyceum. Mr. President, we attended the opening of this Lyceum together. The Azerbaijan-French University began to operate last year. The teaching of the Azerbaijani language has been conducted in France for several years. There is successful cooperation also in the sphere of culture.

Cooperation is also developing between the regions of France and Azerbaijan. Relevant documents have been signed between 14 cities of Azerbaijan and 12 cities and one province of France.

Dear Mr. President, I would like to express my gratitude for the invitation and the hospitality once again, wish you good health, and continuous development and progress to your country and people."
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Dont expect Donald Trump pick up a snow shovel from Dannel Malloy  or to give Connecticuts governor a symbolic pat on the back the way Barack Obama did to Chris Christie during Superstorm Sandy.

But by all accounts, the first major test of cohesion between the White House and Malloys administration, a considerable winter storm, has put the ongoing hostilities between the the president and one of his biggest detractors on ice. For now.

Malloys office gave the Federal Emergency Management Agency passing marks for its blizzard preparation and coordination with the state  this from a governor who last month characterized Trumps administration as the gang who couldnt shoot straight over new deportation rules.

Our working relationship with FEMA continues without any noticeable difference so far, Malloy spokeswoman Kelly Donnelly said. We asked for a liaison for (Tuesdays) storm and they have a representative who is present with us at the state (emergency management center).

Nothing can quite haunt a presidency like a storm. Just ask George W. Bush, who was relentlessly assailed for his administrations response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

The publics wrath isnt just reserved for the commander-in-chief. Following a rare October snowstorm in 2011, Connecticut Light & Power, now Eversource, was eviscerated for the sluggish pace of its restoration efforts in the state, which took a week in some locations.

Two months earlier, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., received an F grade from the Hartford Courant for vacationing on the Amalfi Coast in Italy during Hurricane Irene, which ravaged her district.

A key gatekeeper for the Trump administration in its dealings with the states, including during storms, is Connecticuts Justin Clark. The GOP consultant and lawyer from West Hartford serves as Trumps director of intergovernmental affairs. He was most notably the campaign manager of Malloys two-time opponent, Republican Tom Foley. Clark declined to comment Tuesday.

There was no direct contact between Malloy and Trump Tuesday, with the state emergency management brass going through FEMA in what they characterized as the normal channel of communication. The FEMA liaison assigned to Connecticut will help the state assess storm damage and could help the state apply for federal disaster aid if it seeks money to pay for snow cleanup.

From Trumps official Instagram account, one would never know there was a fierce storm bearing down on the Northeast. It showed photo highlights of Trumps first 50 days in office and the jobs report for February.

But with all the tumult of Trumps allegations that he was wiretapped by Obama, the Affordable Care Act repeal effort and the administrations immigration policies, some political observers suggest that the storm may be the least of Trumps worries.

I dont know if were going to hear that its Trumps Katrina, because theres too much other stuff, said Jerold Duquette, an associate professor of political science at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Its quaint to talk about him responding to a storm as a normal administration.

nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436; http://twitter.com/gettinviggy
President Trump paid $38 million in federal taxes on income of $150 million in 2005 and reported a $103 million write-down, according to a copy of his federal tax return that was revealed Tuesday.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston revealed two pages of Trumps tax returns on MSNBCs Rachel Maddow Show that he said showed up in his mail box.

Johnston said the most important part of the disclosure was that Trump could have paid less if not for the alternative minimum tax. Trump has called for ending the tax code provision that was intended to insure wealthier Americans paid their fair share of taxes. Currently, 4 million Americans pay the alternative tax.

It was a rare glimpse into Trumps financial world, as the president has refused to reveal his tax returns. While presidential candidates are under no requirement to release their tax documents, Trump was the only major party presidential candidate in four decades to not release his returns. His reasons varied. Early in the campaign he claimed he couldnt because he was under federal audit.

But in February 2016, the IRS released a statement saying, Nothing prevents individuals from sharing their own tax information.

The White House did not dispute the returns veracity but took issue with the messenger.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, a White House statement said.

Johnston responded on Maddows show that it is not illegal to publish the documents, as it was given to him anonymously.

The White House noted that Trump paid no more tax than legally required.

Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large-scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes, and this illegally published return proves just that, the White House statement said.

A central message of Trumps campaign in the early weeks of his presidency is that he is a tough negotiator, a businessman who knows how to cut deals. But voters have had little insight  other than Trumps own braggadocio  about the inner workings of his companies.

Because he refuses to release his tax returns, Americans dont know what conflicts of interest might exist between his personal holdings and national interests, the Sunlight Foundations John Wonderlich told The Chronicle last year. The country does not know what ties to foreign governments or corporations he or his business have and doesnt know whether as president Trump might make national decisions with an eye toward benefiting his financial portfolio.

Wonderlich said there is a public expectation that presidents will be transparent in disclosing outside sources of income and avoiding possible conflicts. Thats why candidates for decades have released their tax returns and why some have placed their personal assets in blind trusts during their presidencies. But Trump has refused to do both, instead turning over the operation of his businesses to his two sons.

In October, the New York Times obtained a copy of Trumps income taxes from 1995. It revealed that he reported a $916 million loss in 1995, which the publication said could have enabled him to avoid paying income taxes for up to 18 years.

But Trump refused to release any returns, even after more than 1 million people signed a petition on the White House website calling for him to do so.

In January, top adviser Kellyanne Conway told ABC News that he would not be releasing his returns. Ever.

The White House response is that hes not going to release his tax returns, Conway said. We litigated this all through the election. People didnt care. They voted for him.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

Appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva as the first vice-president will make an important contribution to Azerbaijans development, said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

He made the remarks during a meeting with the Azerbaijani delegation led by Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, who is on a visit in Ukraine, the press service of Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said in a message Mar. 15.

Receiving the Azerbaijani delegation, Poroshenko firstly requested to convey his warm greetings to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as well as his congratulation to Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of her appointment as the first vice-president of Azerbaijan.

Expressing satisfaction with cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other spheres, as well as within international organizations, Poroshenko noted that his country attaches great importance to the expansion of relations with Azerbaijan and the availability of wide opportunities in this sphere.

Head of the Azerbaijani delegation, Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev, for his part, thanked the Ukrainian president for the warm welcome and conveyed the greetings of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

During the meeting, it was noted that the two countries cooperate successfully within international organizations such as the United Nations, OSCE and Council of Europe, and support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.
THE chairman of Tourism NEL is predicting a bright new era for Cleethorpes.



Terry Procter will welcome the areas businesses to the Discovery Centre on Wednesday night (6pm), as they aim to propel the resort to the next level.



It is hoped the open event  where Deano Papas, from Papas Fish and Chips, Lincolnshire chef Steven Bennett and Liz Parry will be among the guest speakers  can ignite a change of sea in Cleethorpes tourism.



Terry said: Its the dawn of a new start, where all businesses can come together and work together for the good of the resort.



All of them can begin to have their say on how things are run.



Its a beautiful place to live and its a beautiful place to work. We want to move forward and take Cleethorpes to the next level.



We want to make it an even better resort, and employ even more local people.

Terry, who owns a string of ice cream parlours, gift shops and two crazy golf courses at the resort, added: Its been quiet over the past couple of years, but the board are really taking off again  the more members we get, the more influence we will have.



And this is why we are holding this open event.



If all businesses come together, I think we have got a good chance. We need as many voices as we can get.



We are looking for fresh ideas, and they are the people we would like to come along.



Businesses can work alongside the Council for the good of Cleethorpes. It will be like a new era for everyone.



Running from 6pm until 7.30pm, the open event will give businesses from Cleethorpes  and Grimsby  the chance to jump on board with Tourism NEL.



It comes after a slight rise in crime across the resort, highlighted by the vandalism of toilets on St Peters Avenue last week  and of course the closure of nearby facilities at the Boating Lake.





Terry said: With regards to crime, we have an open line to Police where we can raise our concerns.



We are on the frontline, so we know exactly whats going on. Police are quite happy to talk to us because we are eyes and ears for them.



He added: One of the main things I like about Cleethorpes it that we have got a great entrepreneurial spirit.



We are all small, family-run businesses, or the majority are.



Im quite proud of that because, when you go to some resorts, you see franchise after franchise after franchise.



Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but I am particularly proud of Cleethorpes and our unique spirit.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten, in the dining room of his flagship restaurant. Photo: M. Cooper

Time is often unkind to restaurant fashions of decades past. Like scrunchies and sun-dried tomatoes, what once was trendy can now seem dated. Twenty years ago, when the rest of us were wearing Girbaud jeans, Jean-Georges Vongerichten built a restaurant that seemed  and still seems  almost effortlessly stylish. Much has changed since Vongerichten and his brother Philippe opened Jean-Georges on March 17, 1997, and yet, little has, too. The chef, still spritely, is only slightly more lined. His empire has expanded into a powerful international dining body that now includes more than 30 restaurants, but here, at the mother ship, the 65 seats are still filled nightly and the stars still shine.

The conversations were hushed and the banquettes were plush as dinner service unrolled smoothly on a recent Friday night. People were celebrating, and many tables ordered both the current winter tasting menu, as well as Jean-Georgess Menu, a collection of the restaurants greatest hits. As dishes from each were presented side by side, it was hard to tell which came first: diver scallops with cauliflower and a caper-raisin emulsion from the classic menu, or scallop sashimi with chives and black-truffle toast.

But as Jean-Georges and Nougatine, the less formal cafe attached to the restaurant, remain a constant, the world around these dining rooms swirls. And the restaurant, housed on the ground floor of the Trump International Hotel and Tower, has not remained immune from the politicized climate. (After Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, and Reince Priebus dined there in November, protesters staged a cough-in to protest the repeal of the ACA.) On the opening day of the chefs newest restaurant, abcV, I sat down with Jean-Georges, Philippe, and business partner Phil Suarez, to look back on 20 years of Jean-Georges.

Today youre opening abcV. Tonight youre flying to Malaysia. You have over 30 restaurants across the globe. Many chefs who have empires like yours began with a flagship and trickled down. But for you, Jean-Georges didnt come first. Why was that?

Jean-Georges Vongerichten: I arrived in New York from Boston in 1986 to work at Lafayette, chef Louis Outhiers restaurant at the [now-demolished] Drake Hotel. After my contract was up, I decided to stay here and go out on my own. That was in 1991. I had met Phil [Suarez] at Lafayette. He used to eat there all the time. He always said, Why dont we do something together? Finally I was ready.

From the start, I wanted to do fine dining. We began planning Jean-Georges back then. Phil took care of the money. I was focused on the food, and I called my younger brother Philippe to come help me build the place out. But then the Gulf War began, and Wall Street crashed, and it suddenly didnt seem to be the right time anymore for another fine-dining restaurant.

Phil Suarez: You have to remember, there was a lot of unsteadiness in the city, in the country, and in the world at the time. The bombing of Kuwait had just begun. People werent spending. People werent building. So we decided to open JoJo, which had pretty much the same food and same feeling as Jean-Georges, but at a fourth of the price. It turned out to be a wise move.

Philippe Vongerichten: In 1991, I was living in Strasbourg, where were from, and working as a furniture designer when JoJo, which is my brothers family nickname, called me at the end of 1991. He said, I just signed a lease on a restaurant, and I need help putting it together. When can you get here? I said, I have no idea about restaurants. He told me not to worry, hed teach me. So I said, When do you need me here? Ill come.

The key to our survival is knowing we can get knocked off at any moment.

JoJo is seven years older than me. So when he left to do his apprenticeship at age 15 at Auberge de lIll, I was only 8. We never really grew up together, except the occasional holiday. We didnt really discover each other until we opened the restaurant.

JGV: After the success of JoJo, we opened Vong in 1993. But by 1995 or so, I realized how much I missed the high-end. So we began looking for a home for Jean-Georges.

And thats when you found the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

JGV: You know what? The location picked us, not the other way around. One morning, I was on the phone with the architect Philip Johnson, he said, You gotta come see this place Im designing on the West Side. So we went.

PS: That whole neighborhood was pretty lousy at the time. The New York Coliseum, the old convention center, was closed, but not yet demolished. It was really desolate. But GE and HRH Construction were building a hotel, residence, and restaurant tower over the skeleton of the Gulf Western tower. Donald [Trump] was already involved in some capacity. So I got an audience with him through his executive secretary, who was a great fan of Jean-Georges, and said we were interested.

JGV: They were already entertaining other chefs. I think Victor Drai from Drais in Vegas was in the running, and David Bouley, too. Originally, they wanted to have a restaurant on the top floor, but it was just too complicated and shook all the time. I thought it made more sense to have the restaurant on the first floor.

PS: Back then, we dealt mostly with GE, who owns the building. But we actually just renegotiated a long-term lease right before Donald became president. Just me and Donald, one-on-one.

Is he as good a negotiator as he says he is?

PS: Hes tough, but fair. And he knows we add a lot to the value of the property.

Might it not be time to revisit the arrangement, now that hes president?

JGV: Yeah, we shouldnt have to pay rent for four years.

More in terms of politics. Could you ever foresee Trump doing something so outrageous that you would feel morally obligated to move Jean-Georges, lest you seem complicit, or at least tacitly endorsing his actions?

PS: No. We keep our personal feelings out of it. This is business.

JGV: Well, if he gets rid of immigrants, hell have to find another tenant. Our kitchens will be empty. Those are our cooks. There wont be anyone to prepare the food.

PS: True. But thats not personal, either. That would be an example of his policies affecting our ability to operate a business.

Philippe Vongerichten, a familiar face for Jean-Georges regulars. Photo: M. Cooper

Jean-Georges was immediately popular. Ruth Reichl gave it the first of three New York Times four-star reviews three months after the restaurant opened. What do you think was the key?

PV: In terms of service, most of the fine-dining restaurants back then were what I call plate droppers. A patron would order, a waiter would drop the plate, and that was that. There was no finishing sauces at the table or tableside preparation. All the action was in the kitchen. Jean-Georges wanted to bring the smells back to the dining room. So we carved everything from rack of lamb to pineapple tableside. We brought vegetables in cloches. We poured sauces tableside. This required a lot of expertise in the front of house since, essentially, we relied on servers to put the finishing touches on the plate.

JGV: People always liked JG because of Nougatine. There are so many high-end restaurants where, when you walk in, you immediately feel its stuffy. But because you walk through Nougatine to get to JG, it always feels like a Friday night. It was chill. Also, even if you look at Ruths review, we were foraging before foraging was trendy. We did it out of necessity. Back in 1997, the Greenmarket in Union Square was just, like, a couple of guys. I remember a farmer coming to me with a seed catalog and asking, What do you want me to grow for you? I said, grow all of it.

What do you think has been the key to the restaurants longevity?

JGV: We survived two wars, three crashes, three New York Times reviews, and 12 Michelin reviews. But its still like clinging to the side of a mountain. The key to our survival is knowing we can get knocked off at any moment. If something isnt working at lunch, we fix it for dinner. If something isnt working at dinner, we fix it for lunch. Theres never any break. With Philippe as my eyes and ears, I can travel the world, but I always keep an eye on Jean-Georges.

PV: The other thing to note is that weve built an intergenerational clientele. So the kids who came to JG with their parents are now coming in as adults. And their palates, refined by travel to Europe and Asia, are incredibly developed. On one hand, you never have to explain what squab is. On the other, theyre much more finicky.

PS: Theres no arguing that the real-estate market and regulatory environments have made it incredibly difficult to operate a successful restaurant in the city. But the key is to make constant, incremental changes. Over the last 20 years, for instance, weve only raised our lunch prices slightly. Its still only $38. Within that, weve still tried to maintain our margins while coping with the minimum-wage increases and rising food costs. Obviously, having a long-term lease vastly helps.

Where do you see Jean-Georges in another 20 years? Where do you see yourself?

JGV: Ill still be busting my ass.

PS: Me? Im 75. Ill be in heaven.

JGV: And Ill bring lunch up to him.

PS: Ill be waiting. We can open a Jean-Georges up there.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Ilhama Isabalayeva  Trend:

David Coulthard, the famous Formula 1 racing driver from the UK, says there is a lot of progress in the preparatory work for the next Formula 1 race in Azerbaijans capital, Baku.

Speaking in a press conference in Baku Mar. 15 after familiarizing himself with the Baku City Circuit, Coulthard said it is a great honor for him to be invited to Baku on eve of the 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

The 2017 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held in Baku on June 23-25.

Coulthard expressed confidence that the Formula 1 race to be held this summer in Baku will be even more interesting than the one held last year.

Narrow sections of the circuit will create more difficulties for the F1 cars, and, as a result, the audience will witness a more tough competition, he added.

Coulthard said he is looking forward to returning to Baku again this summer.
Roast carrots, farmers cheese. Photo: Liz Clayman

After working for famed Argentine chef Francis Mallmann and at San Franciscos Bar Tartine, chef Norberto Piattoni moved to New York to open a restaurant where he could cook using wood fire. Hes making good on his word: Metta, a collaboration with Henry Rich (Rucola, June Wine Bar, Cassette), will open in Fort Greene on March 16.

Piattoni, also born in Argentina, will utilize all aspects of fire in his kitchen (flame, embers, smoke, offset heat), and also draw from the preservation techniques (fermentation, pickling, curing, and dehydration) he learned at Bar Tartine. That kind of expertise leads to an ambitious menu that includes charred beets with creme fraiche and rye berries; pork steak with charred cabbage and crab-apple sauce; and ash-roasted sweet potatoes with whipped cream thats infused with elecampane, a plant in the sunflower family. While not every single dish will be cooked over an open fire (theres one electric oven for prep and baking), all dishes will touch a component of fire in some way.



There are housemade tonics and digestifs to go along with the food, as well as a wine list exclusively featuring natural producers. Home Studios designed the 60-seat dining room, collaborating with Piattoni on a custom-designed kitchen with a vertical fire basket, a fire-powered grill and griddle, a wood-fire-powered oven, and a stove top  in case this all didnt sound serious enough. You can get a front-row seat for the open-fire action at the seven-seat chefs counter, but in the meantime, take a look here:



Corn salad, herbs, chili oil, tomme de harvest. Photo: Liz Clayman

Roast chicken, bean salad, okra, peppers. Photo: Liz Clayman

Short-rib steak, collard greens, chimichurri. Photo: Liz Clayman

Crispy lamb, sour cabbage, squash puree, sunflower seeds. Photo: Liz Clayman

Ash-roasted sweet potato with elecampane-infused whipped cream. Photo: Liz Clayman

Rustic. Photo: Liz Clayman

Menu [PDF]

Metta, 197 Adelphi St., at Willoughby Ave.; 718-233-9134
Remember when Fossil said its smartwatches would be updated to Android Wear 2.0 in "mid-March"? Well, it's very rare that when a company outs such a reasonably vague release time frame it then actually commences the rollout on the exact day that constitutes what its timeline implies. But Fossil's doing it. So - "mid-March"? That's March 15, no? Yes. And that's when you should expect your Fossil smartwatch to receive the coveted Android Wear 2.0 update. That is, if it's part of the company's second generation of wearables.

Otherwise, you may have already received an update notification, because the rollout for first generation watches is apparently already underway.

Now all that you can do is wait, but you won't be doing that for long. There are many other smartwatches that should be getting Android Wear 2.0, but rollouts have been few and far between up until this point.

Source | Via
Starting today, you can send and receive money through the Gmail app for Android. This works because of a tie-in with Google Wallet, which was previously only available in the web version of Gmail.

To use Google Wallet for sending money to a friend, just tap on the attachment icon when composing a message to him or her in Gmail, then select Send money, choose the amount in the Google Wallet pop-up that appears, and send the message. The payment will be shown as if it's an attachment in your email. You can use almost the exact same steps to request money, though you obviously need to pick that option after tapping the attachment icon.

The main caveat here? Aside from this only working in Gmail for web and for Android at the moment? Well, the functionality is geo-restricted, as you'd expect from almost any new Google service. For now it's available just in the US and UK. And needless to say, there have been absolutely no details about whether it will ever launch in other countries. Anyway, if you're in the US you can send money that's in your Google Wallet balance, on your debit card, or in your bank account linked to Google Wallet. In the UK you only get the first two of those options.

Source | Via
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Samsung will launch its first smartphone with a chipset made with the 10nm process - the Galaxy S8 that is powered by Snapdragon 835 or Exynos 8895, depending on the market. The Korean company has big plans for its production lines - it announced it will invest $6.98 billion (KRW8 trillion) to extend them and will build new 7nm process facilities in 2018.

Industry sources revealed that on March 13 Samsung Electronics took the bold decision to extend its 10nm system semiconductor production lines in the industrial city of Hwaseong, 40 km southwest of Seoul. It already ordered equipment from domestic and foreign partners, and that will arrive by May. In the second quarter of the year, Samsung will put $2.18 billion of the gross investment to the current 10 nm manufacturing. The production lines build both Qualcomms Snapdragon 835 and Samsungs in-house Exynos 9 Series SoC.

The Korean giant also has high expectations for the 7 nm chips that will equip smartphones in 2018. The new facilities will be built right next to 17 Line, the location of Samsungs factories. The reason for the massive shift is TSMC. The main competitor of Samsung Electronics snatched a deal with Apple for building their A10 and A10X processors that hit hard the Korean company. The rest of the investment ($5.23 billion) will make sure Samsung produces 30,000 7nm wafers per month.

Samsung representative told sources that if the company manages to win a deal with Apple, investments may increase. It will happen slowly though since demand will not be as high as it is with 10nm chipsets.

Source
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 15

Trend:

On March 14, 2017 AtaBank OJSC took part in the festive event held at the initiative of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan Republic in the Park Boulevard shopping center.

The purpose of the event was assistance of financial literacy among the population as social value, and informing the population on responsible use of products and services of the banks. Provision of the detailed information about benefits of noncash payments and payment cards was one of the main objectives of the event.

The festive event organized AtaBank OJSC was welcomed warmly by visitors, including foreign guests.

AtaBank OJSC always supports the Central Bank of the Azerbaijan Republic in the field of improvement of financial literacy of the population.




Haiti - Culture : Quinzaine of the Francophonie 2017 (Program)





From 16 to 28 March, will take place the Quinzaine de la Francophonie in Haiti. The French Embassy in Haiti, long-time partners of this event and its network, will mobilize again to contribute to its success. Cinema, music, theater and French competitions will take place at the French Institute in Haiti (IFH) as well as in the five French Alliances of the country.



PROGRAM:



THEATER - Cyrano Project Tour (March 16-23) :

After Moliere in 2016, the French cultural network in Haiti proposes to you to discover or rediscover the masterpiece of Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac: one of the most famous plays of the French repertoire. Coming from France, the Compagnie Face Nord will be on tour in the five French Alliances of Haiti as well as in Port-au-Prince to offer 7 performances of a Cyrano revisited!



"Cyrano project" by Caroline Boisson with Jerome Sauvion: March 16 at the IFH, March 17 in Gonaives, March 18 at Cap Haitien, March 20 at FOKAL, March 21 in Jacmel, March 22 in Les Cayes and March 23 in Jeremie.



CINEMA - French Film Festival (March 20 to 28) :

The second edition of the Festival will feature a selection of 20 French-language filmmakers screened on the big screen in various locations in the capital: IFH, FOKAL, Laurier's residence, Cinematheque de Petionville, REV Cinema, Yanvalou and Place Jeremie. The Festival will be dedicated this year to "Women of the World" and will showcase the work of filmmakers as well as works devoted to gender equality.



New this year: the creation of a creative laboratory in partnership with the Cine Institute of Jacmel and the Festival OFF-Courts of Trouville-sur-Mer. Two French speakers will supervise young Haitian filmmakers in the production of short films throughout the week, which will be closed by a restitution evening.



Complete program :www.ambafrance-ht.org/Festival-du-film-francophone-2eme-edition



FRENCH LANGUAGE - Dictation of the Golden Pen (March 22) :

A French competition not requiring special preparation, intended for students of the Alliances Francaises network in the world (minimum level A2).



At the same time as the 428 Alliances francaises around the world, who are participating this year at the event, the candidates of the Alliances of Cap, Jacmel, Les Cayes, Gonaives and Jeremie will compose for 2h30 mn under the supervision of a teacher. The first laureate of the Golden Pen will be offered a week in Paris in March 2018 while Diplome d'Honneur will be awarded to the following 100. While 6 Haitian candidates were already among the laureates, we hope that they will be even more rewarded at the end of this new edition.



MUSIC: Final of the French National Song Competition (March 23) :

National Francophone Song Contest aimed at rewarding French-speaking Haitian musicians.



Selected across the country thanks to the Alliances Francaises network, a new generation of talented young composers and performers will compete in the grand finale at the IFH in front of a prestigious jury. Famous re-releases or original compositions, the finalists of the Francophone National Song Contest will have to interpret their song live to try to win the prize for the best original composition or the prize for the best performance. The National Francophone Song Contest is organized in partnership with the Alexandre Dumas French High School, the International Organization of La Francophonie, the Embassy of Canada, the Embassy of Switzerland and the Brussels Wallonia.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Justice : Investigation into the causes of Rene Preval's death continues





Monday, March 13, Jean Danton Leger, the Government Commissioner authorized the thorough pursuit of specimens taken from the body of former President Rene Preval, during the autopsy conducted on March 6, https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20293-haiti-flash-autopsy-of-rene-preval-doubt-about-the-causes-of-his-death.html However, he said that due to the lack of appropriate equipment, certain examinations could not be carried out at the Forensic Institute in Haiti but sent to the United States for analysis under the supervision of Haitian Haitian forensic Armel Demorcy and Marjorie Pierre. No date has been announced concerning the publication of the results of these analyzes.



Furthermore, Commissioner Leger has formally denied rumors of poisoning, according to supposed analytical results in the United States, when at the time of these false information he had not yet granted the authorization for in-depth analysis of specimens that were kept under seal.



On Tuesday, at a press conference, Jean Danton Leger said that due to the persistence of doubts about the natural death of Rene Preval, he intended to shed light on the sudden death of the former President of Haiti. n this context, he said he asked the President of the Chamber of Deputies to put at his disposal the deputy of Petion-Ville, Jerry Tardieu for audition, the latter having lunch with Rene Preval a few hours before his death https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20293-haiti-flash-autopsy-of-rene-preval-doubt-about-the-causes-of-his-death.html . He indicated that several people had already been interviewed including the wife of Rene Preval and hospital officials "We are in the process of contacting other witnesses in order to dispel any doubts surrounding this file."



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20293-haiti-flash-autopsy-of-rene-preval-doubt-about-the-causes-of-his-death.html



TB/ HaitiLibre


















Moscow, Russia, Mar. 15

By Ilkin Izzet  Trend:

AZALJET, low-cost brand (subsidiary) of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL), plans to launch new flights from Azerbaijans Lankaran and Nakhchivan cities to Moscow in 2018, Vice-President of the AZAL Eldar Hajiyev said.

He made the remarks Mar. 15 in Moscow at a press conference on the launch of regular flights from the Moscow Vnukovo International Airport to Azerbaijans Ganja and Gabala cities.

Hajiyev noted that great interest is shown for Azerbaijan in terms of tourism.

The number of foreign visitors arriving in Azerbaijan is growing, he said. From this point of view, the planned new flights in different directions will further increase this number.

He went on to add that the number of passengers carried by AZAL increased by 10-11 percent in 2016 compared to 2015.

Hajiyev said that during this period, Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport increased passenger transportation by 12 percent, having rendered service to 3.25 million passengers.

Hajiyev noted that the first terminal of the airport can render service to six million passengers, the second terminal - to three million passengers.

We started 2017 also very successfully: in January-February this year the AZALs passenger traffic increased by 28 percent compared to the same period in 2016, Hajiyev said. In general, for the first two months of this year, the number of passengers who were rendered service by Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport increased by 34 percent compared to the same period last year.

In turn, Vasily Alexandrov, the director general at the Moscow Vnukovo International Airport, noted that the passenger traffic to Azerbaijan from the Vnukovo airport is constantly increasing.

He said that Russian tourists have not yet discovered the tourist potential of Azerbaijan, and it is necessary to work in this direction.

In turn, Anton Kuznetsov, the deputy director general at the Vnukovo airport, said that more than 70,000 passengers have been transported to Azerbaijan from the Vnukovo airport since 2015.




Haiti - News : Zapping politics...





Accident Gonaives new Balance

About the accident in Gonaives on Sunday March 12 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20343-haiti-flash-terrible-road-drama-in-gonaives-at-least-34-dead.html "he Directorate of Civil Protection issued a new report which amounted to "38 dead and 17 wounded. They are cared for at La Providence Hospital".



Jovenel Moise celebrates with Archbishop Nugent

On Monday evening, President Jovenel Moise participated at the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Eugene Martin Nugent, to the fourth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis at the Vatican.



Accident : towards a collective funeral

Tuesday, Lucien Jura, Presidential spokesman announced that the presidency of Haiti planned to organize a collective funeral for the 38 victims of Gonaives, for the moment no date has been retained but it confirmed the presence of Jovenel Moise at these funerals .



Words of Jovenel Moise

"Our generation must make all the sacrifices necessary to restore to Haiti the status that is its in the concert of nations... A Haiti proud, dignified, prosperous and sovereign," declared President Jovenel Moise.



Modernization work at Toussaint Louverture Airport

Within the framework of the projects initiated by the General Direction of the National Airport Authority (AAN), aiming at the modernization of the airport infrastructures of the country, the engineer Harry Clinton, Director General of the AAN, visited the construction works of "the road-ramp" located next to the Diplomatic Lounge of the Toussaint Louverture International Airport. This 80 m long road-ramp will be covered with "bituminous concrete".



Productivity Workshop

Monday, the Haitian Industries Association (ADIH), together with the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Caribbean Confederation of Employers (CEC), organized a workshop for Haitian business leaders, a workshop on productivity.



Thank you Plan

Hardly affected by the passage of Matthew last October, the National School of Daughters of Dame-Marie is being repaired by Plan International Haiti, thanks to funding from Plan Canada. Work will be completed in April 2017.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Kat Jamieson is an author and tastemaker who has been sharing her passion for lifestyle topics such as fashion, decor, travel, and cooking since 2011 on her blog: With Love From Kat. Her first book, Blended, was recently released in October. In this book, Kat shares a seasonally inspired and holistic approach to cooking, as well as her take on entertaining and living well. She shares more than 125 recipes that have helped her to feel energized, vibrant, and balanced. Aside from these nourishing recipes, Kat also discusses how she has obtained a truly balanced and...
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 15

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

The shareholders of Kazakhstans Tengri Bank and Capital Bank Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of intent to merge, the press-services of two banks said in a message March 15.

The banks consolidated capital will be 43.2 billion tenge (317.9 tenge = $1) and the bank will rise to the 17th place among second tier banks in Kazakhstan.

Currently, both Tengri Bank and Capital Bank Kazakhstan provide full range of investment and banking services for corporate financing and retail banking.

In early February 2017 Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has urged Kazakhstans weak banks to merge. Nazarbayev noted that four banks of the country possess 80 percent of the total bank assets and other banks are weak.

The economy does not need these banks. They should merge or their shareholders should invest their own money if they want to save the banks. There is no other way, he said.

Thirty-four banks were operating in Kazakhstan as of Jan. 1, 2017.

Follow the author on Twitter: @E_Kosolapova
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR bought seven tankers from Turkey-based Palmali Shipping Company to expand the transport capacity of the Azerbaijani companys fleet in the Mediterranean and Caspian seas, Arzu Azimov, the Geneva-based head of SOCAR Trading, told Reuters.

The deal, which was closed last month, gives SOCAR access to two Suezmax-class tankers with deadweight of 140,000 tons each and five Aframax-class tankers with 80,000 tons capacity each, Azimov noted.

The new tankers are significantly bigger than oil tankers currently in SOCARs fleet of around 30 ships, which have a deadweight of between 5,000 to 15,000 tons, Azimov said.

SOCAR Trading was established in Geneva in December 2007. Its activities cover the US and countries in Europe and Asia.
Hawai'i Free Press Current Articles | Archives Tuesday, March 14, 2017 What are the Financial Benefits of a University of Hawaii Education?

By UHERO @ 6:54 PM :: 4198 Views :: Hawaii Statistics, Higher Education Financial Benefits to a University of Hawaii Education From UHERO, March 13, 2017 Each year in the State of Hawaii, over 11,000 graduating seniors must decide whether to attend college or join the workforce. This report estimates the potential rate of return for associates degrees, bachelors degrees, and post-graduate degrees from the University of Hawaii (UH) system using a standard approach. Read  REPORT * * * * * University of Hawaii education a strong investment From UH News March 14, 2017 Each year in Hawaii, more than 11,000 graduating seniors must decide whether to attend college or join the workforce. In the short term, going to college is costly, however, in the long term, the investment in college pays off handsomely through a lifetime of higher earnings. A University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization ( UHERO ) report estimates the overall rate of return for a University of Hawaii degree for those who continue to reside in Hawaii is approximately 11 percent. On average, for each $1 a UH student invests in their associates degree, they receive $13.84 in increased lifetime earnings. For bachelors and post-graduate degrees, the effective lifetime returns on each $1 are $11.09 and $8.65, respectively. Additional UHERO findings On average, an adult with an associates degree makes $360,000 more than a high school graduate over a lifetime of living and working in Hawaii. This lifetime earnings difference is $950,000 for an adult with a bachelors degree and $1,560,000 for an adult with a post-graduate degree.

A bachelors degree from UH has a rate of return of 13.5 percent for men due to an expected increase in lifetime earnings of $1.5 million. Women see a lower rate of return of 10 percent with an expected increase in lifetime earnings of $640,000.

A post-graduate degree from UH has a rate of return of 13.5 percent for men due to an expected increase in lifetime earnings of $2.9 million. Women see a lower rate of return of 9.7 percent with an expected increase in lifetime earnings of $1 million.

An associates degree from a UH community college has a rate of return of 10.8 percent for men due to an expected increase in lifetime earnings of almost $300,000. Women see a similar rate of return of 10.7 percent due to an expected increase in lifetime earnings of nearly $400,000.
Hawaii's case against Trump's travel ban, debunked

by Nolan Rappaport, The Hill, March 14, 2017

Hawaii has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps revised version of his Executive Order, Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States, on four main grounds:

1. Hawaii claims the Order violates the prohibition against nationality-based discrimination in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

This argument is based on 8 U.S.C.  1152(a)(1)(A) of the INA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of nationality. Hawaii claims that the EO violates this provision by prohibiting nationals of six countries from entry into the United States.

But this interpretation takes the section out of context. It just applies to the per country levels for the annual allocation of immigrant visas to aliens coming to the United States to live here permanently.

In the section titled Numerical limitations on individual foreign states, it states that Except as specifically provided in paragraph (2) [family-sponsored and employment-based immigrants] and in sections 1101(a)(27) [special immigrant], 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) [aliens not subject to direct numerical limitations], and 1153 [allocation of immigrant visas]  no person shall  be discriminated against in the issuance of an immigrant visa because of the person's  nationality.

2. Hawaii claims the Order exceeds the presidents authority under 8 U.S.C.  1182(f).

8 U.S.C.  1182(f) gives the president broad authority to suspend the entry of aliens and classes of aliens. The pertinent part reads as follows:

(f) Suspension of entry or imposition of restrictions by President Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation  suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants.

Hawaii claims that Congress has designated specific criteria for determining terrorism-related inadmissibility in 8 U.S.C.  1182(a), and the president cannot ignore these provisions and set up new criteria that he prefers.

But President Trump is using his authority to suspend the entry of an alien or class of aliens. This is not the same as excluding an alien under the statutory bars to admission in 8 U.S.C.  1182(a).

According to the Congressional Research Service, neither the text of 8 U.S.C.  1182(f) nor the case law to date suggests any firm legal limits on the presidents exercise of the authority it gives him. The only limitation is that the president must have found that the entry of the aliens being suspended would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.

Hawaii cites cases that it claims prohibit congress from vesting the president with such unbounded authority, but they deal with authority delegated to the Attorney General, not to the president.

3. Hawaii claims the Order violates Due Process.

Hawaii relies on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision which affirmed a stay on enforcing the original EO because it does not provide due process.

That decision was based primarily on the initial EOs failure to provide due process to lawful permanent residents returning from a trip abroad, and the revised EO has removed them from the travel ban.

Hawaii notes that the Circuit Courts concern included aliens seeking admission who have a relationship with a U.S. resident or an institution that might have rights of its own to assert.

The Supreme Court has adopted a standard for balancing the constitutional rights of Americans to bring aliens into the United States against congress' plenary power to refuse to admit them, which 8 U.S.C.  1182(f) delegated to the president. The test is whether there is a "facially legitimate and bona fide" reason for the refusal, and the fact that the travel ban applies to five countries that the Obama administration designated as countries of concern more than satisfies that standard. The sixth country, Syria, is on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

4. Hawaii claims the Order violates the Constitutions protections against religious discrimination.

Hawaii claims that the EO violates the Constitutions protections against religious discrimination, but Hawaii has to go beyond what the EO actually says to support this claim.

On page 40 of its memorandum, Hawaii says, It is well established that evidence of purpose beyond the face of the challenged law may be considered in evaluating Establishment and Equal Protection Clause claims.

But the evidence of purpose beyond the face of the EO consists primarily of statements President Trump made before he took the oath of office to become the president.

According to Eugene Kontorovich, a Northwestern University law professor, there is absolutely no precedent for courts looking to a politicians statements from before he or she took office, let alone campaign promises, to establish any kind of impermissible motive.

Moreover, the claim that it is a Muslim ban is contradicted by Iraqs removal from the list because arrangements have been made for the Iraqi government to provide the information needed for effective vetting of Iraqi nationals.

Hawaiis four claims against the presidents travel ban are thus unfounded and the state is going to fail in its attempt to stop the travel ban.

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Nolan Rappaport was detailed to the House Judiciary Committee as an Executive Branch Immigration Law Expert for three years; he subsequently served as an immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims for four years. Prior to working on the Judiciary Committee, he wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years. He also has been a policy advisor for the DHS Office of Information Sharing and Collaboration under a contract with TKC Communications, and he has been in private practice as an immigration lawyer at Steptoe & Johnson.
Judicial Conference Asks Congress to Create New Judgeships

News Release from United States Courts, March 14, 2017

The Judicial Conference of the United States today agreed to recommend to Congress the creation of 57 new Article III judgeships in the courts of appeals and district courts. If an omnibus judgeship bill is enacted into law, it would be first new comprehensive judgeship legislation to take effect in more than 26 years.

Specifically, the Conference will transmit to Congress a recommendation to create five permanent Article III judgeships in the courts of appeals and 52 permanent Article III judgeships and the conversion to permanent status of eight temporary judgeships in the district courts. Since 1990, when the last comprehensive judgeship bill was enacted, appeals filings have grown 40 percent and district court filings have grown 38 percent (civil up 38 percent and criminal up 39 percent). In addition, the Judicial Conference also agreed to recommend to Congress and the President that they not fill the next judgeship vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and in the District of Wyoming, based on consistently low filings in both courts.

In other action, the Conference:

Amended its regulations on access to Judiciary financial disclosure reports to allow for their public release on electronic storage devices (thumb drives) at no charge. The Conferences Financial Disclosure Committee concluded that this amendment will reduce the costs incurred by the Judiciary and by requesters and increase the speed with which the reports can be released. Requesters who specifically ask for paper copies of reports will continue to be charged 20 cents a page to cover copying and mailing costs. This new process for releasing reports takes effect immediately.

Received a report from Judge Julia Gibbons, chair of the Conference's Budget Committee, who characterized the budget outlook for the Judiciary as "uncertain." She told the Conference: "We find ourselves with an uncertain budget outlook going forward. We are concerned about the impact a series of flat budgets, or actual declines, would have on federal court operations. Such a scenario would put us back into the financial condition we were under during sequestration within a few years."

The 26-member Judicial Conference is the policy-making body for the federal court system. By statute, the Chief Justice of the United States serves as its presiding officer and its members are the chief judges of the 13 courts of appeals, a district judge from each of the 12 geographic circuits, and the chief judge of the Court of International Trade. The Conference meets twice a year to consider administrative and policy issues affecting the court system, and to make recommendations to Congress concerning legislation involving the Judicial Branch.

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PDF: Proposed Additional Judgeships

Feb 9, 2017: Congress Considers Bill to Break up 9th Circuit Court

TH: Judicial Conference recommends 5 additional judges for Calif. appeals court
loyers will be allowed to ban workers from wearing headscarves, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled.



In its first decision on the topic of women wearing Islamic headscarves at work, the EJC ruled the garments could be banned, but only as part of a general policy barring all religious and political symbols.



The court said the ban must be based on internal company rules which state that all staff must "dress neutrally.



The court also ruled that customers cannot demand workers remove headscarves if the company has no policy barring religious symbols.



An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination, the ECJ said.



"The willingness of an employer to take account of the wishes of a customer no longer to have the services of that employer provided by a worker wearing an Islamic headscarf cannot be considered a genuine and determining occupational requirement.



The ECJ's ruling was driven by the case of a receptionist fired for wearing a headscarf to work at the security company G4S in Belgium.



The receptionist claimed she was being directly discriminated against on the grounds of her religion and Belgium's court of cassation referred the case to the EU's top court.



When the receptionist was hired, an "unwritten rule" had been in operation banning overt religious symbols.



The company subsequently went on to include this explicitly in its workplace regulations, the court explained.



The ruling has come on the eve of Dutch elections, where Muslim immigration is a prominent issue.



In France, Francois Fillon, the presidential candidate who has taken a hard-line position on Islam, welcomed the ruling.



However, John Dalhuisen, director of Amnesty International's Europe and Central Asia program, said the ECJ's decision gave "greater leeway to employers to discriminate against women - and men - on the grounds of religious belief".



"The court did say that employers are not at liberty to pander to the prejudices of their clients, he said.



But by ruling that company policies can prohibit religious symbols on the grounds of neutrality, they have opened a backdoor to precisely such prejudice."




oung employee has been killed on a residential building site in the town of Yarloop, 130 kilometres south of Perth.Mitchel Birkin was working on a crane crew constructing a pre-fabricated home for firm Gran Designs WA.The 19-year-olds job was to choose and inspect lifting gear and guide crane drivers as they moved loads.Authorities believe a freak wind gust caused the six-metre high, 800 kilogram prefabricated wall to come down on Birkin.HC contacted Gran Designs WA for comment and a spokesperson said the incident is currently being investigated.Tragically, a young man lost his life today. Worksafe and the Police are currently investigating the matter and we are fully cooperating with their enquiries, said the spokesperson.Im not in a position to say anything more at this time. At the moment, our thoughts are with the young man, his family and friends.WA secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Mick Buchan said there was a fatality in the industry every 10 weeks in WA."We've had a shocking past 12 months where there has been a fatal accident or serious accident every 10 weeks," he said."The outgoing government decimated WorkSafe funding, making it even more dangerous."We want to see WorkSafe totally restructured from the ground up, to be a proactive agency."The man's death is the second fatality involving a teenaged construction worker in Western Australia so far this year.Wesley Ballantine, 17, died after falling 12 metres while helping install a glass ceiling at Perth's old post office building in Perth's central business district on January 5.Birkins death also comes less than two weeks after another construction worker was killed at Barangaroo in Sydneys CBD.The 32-year-old man has died after a heavy metal beam fell on his torso and crushed him while he was working on a barge at Sydneys Darling Harbour.The Maritime Union of Australia spokesman Paul Keating said he attempted to inspect the site in November 2016. At the time, he was notified about concerns that the barge being used did not comply with maritime standards.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Mar. 15

By Huseyn Hasanov Trend:

The 8th meeting of Turkmenistan Gas Congress is scheduled to be held May 23-24, 2017 in the Avaza National Tourist Zone in the city of Turkmenbashi, said the article of the Nebit-Gaz, the online newspaper of the Turkmen Oil and Gas Complex.

Summit Trade Events Ltd. (the UK) is the co-organizer of the meeting in partnership with the Turkmenistans Turkmengaz State Concern, according to the article.

It is planned to hold business meetings between foreign businessmen and representatives of Turkmen oil and gas ministries within the framework of the Turkmenistan Gas Congress.

It is also reported that during the congress meeting, the government of Turkmenistan will announce plans for the countrys industrial development until 2025, including new priority projects and opportunities for investments.
(FINalternatives) European activist investor CIAM has criticized plans by Walt Disney to take full control of debt-laden Paris theme park operator Euro Disney, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

To read this article:
After two years in power, governments usually have a midterm evaluation in order to make adjustments to their policies. The purpose of this is to see how the goals set forth in the governments program can be achieved.

Election Talk gives candidates running in the municipal elections a chance to discuss their views on the increasingly international aspect of Finnish society, as well as how this will affect their work if they are elected. Voting will take place on 9 April 2017, with advance voting between 29 March and 4 April. The opinions expressed in this column are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Helsinki Times.

Following a series of cuts in education, daycare and social security, as well as pushing for a centralized agreement to cut the salaries of employees in the public sector, it seems that the government will postpone their own evaluation until after the upcoming municipal elections. This would allow the government to avoid disclosing information about any future cuts.

As well as making cuts and attacking universal services, and thus the foundations of the welfare state, the government has also failed in many of its projects. Now, as the local elections approach, it is important to remember that its not only a midterm for Prime Minister Juha Sipila, but also an opportunity to have your say on the governments biggest privatization attempt yet.

Similar policies in Sweden have even caused right-wing voters to seriously question whether its right for companies to make a profit on citizens wellbeing. Whats more, in the UK, restructuring healthcare has led to a 30% rise in acute treatments. This is because basic healthcare is no longer functioning adequately.

Despite this track record, the Finnish government is still looking to open up social and healthcare markets by up to 10 billion per year. This local election might be the only opportunity you have to vote against the parties that are orchestrating the biggest downshift of public welfare in Finnish history.

Voting in a non-legislative election is, of course, not enough  we also need protest movements. However, sending a strong message to the government, as many leading experts have already done, might force them to delay playing their hand until after the next parliamentary elections come along.

Dan Koivulaakso, 36, lives in Kallio and is Political Secretary for the Left Alliance party. Previously active in several social movements, he has been a member of Helsinki City Council since 2013. Dan has a Master's degree in Transnational Anthropology and is currently studying in the Hanken School of Economics.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 15

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

The compliance level of OPEC with the oil output cut deal reached in Vienna, stood at 91 percent for February, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its Oil Market Report.

In general, OPEC production agreement appears in February to have maintained the solid start seen in January, according to the IEA.

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.

OPEC crude output rose by 17,000 barrels per day (b/d) in February to 32 million b/d, putting compliance with the group's supply cut at 91 percent for the month, said the report.

In particular, Saudi Arabia raised output by 180,000 b/d month-on-month, but flows remained below its agreed target.

IEA estimates that global oil supplies rose 260,000 b/d in February as OPEC and non-OPEC producers pumped more.

At 96.52 million b/d, world oil production stood 170,000 b/d below a year ago. OPEC posted a year-on-year decline for the second month running, said the report.

In 2017, non-OPEC output is set to rise 0.4 million b/d to 58.1 million b/d, according to the IEA forecasts.

As for the global demand, IEA experts believe that having expanded by 1.6 mb/d in 2016, global oil product demand growth is expected to ease back to 1.4 million b/d in 2017.

Early indicators of 1Q17 demand support this, with slowdowns seen in January in Japan, Germany, Korea and India, according to the report.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
ORGANISERS of the Henley Show are counting the cost of poor weather.



The Henley and District Agricultural Association has recorded a deficit of 9,000 due to a smaller than usual number of visitors to its flagship event last year.



The 125th annual show in September was almost a washout due to persistent rain.



Andrew Ingram, who chairs the association, said it was the worst weather at the event that he could remember.



Speaking at the associations annual meeting at Hambleden village hall, he said: In 30 years of my involvement with the show I have never known a day when it poured all day. It was a real shocker. This had a massive impact on the revenue of the association.



But he added: Despite the rain, we had a great show and in the opinion of many of our visitors this was one of the best ever.



My overriding feeling was one of total disappointment for all who had made the show what it was. It was a very good show.



Mr Ingram reported that the associations two other annual events  the sheepdog trial in July and the ploughing match in October  were successful.



He said: The sheepdog trial had a good number of competitors and visitors and great weather.



In October we had the ploughing match at Frizers Farm, one of our best locations for this event.



He said it was a wonderful day with perfect weather and one of the best ever attendances.



Mr Ingram thanked Nicky Craig, a new committee member, for organising the Heavy Horse Village at event, Lord and Lady Phillimore for the use of their land and other committee members for their hard work.



He also thanked outgoing president Richard Ovey for his support during the year, Urs and Francesca Schwarzenbach for the use of their land for both the show and sheepdog trial and patrons Sir William and Lady McAlpine.



Mr Ovey, whose great-grandfather founded the show in 1891 and who lives on the Hernes Estate in Badgemore, said: [My wife] Gillian and I have really enjoyed this year enormously. Thanks to so many people here and not in this room. Mr Ovey is succeeded by Richard, the Earl of Macclesfield, who said he was honoured to take on the role.



He said: I have been involved in agriculture since I was a child, working on the family farms and enjoying my favourite pastime  shooting.



After attending Stowe, I worked on a fruit farm in Worcestershire until going up to read agricultural science at Worcester College, Oxford. After graduation, I worked on a dairy farm in Sussex until I took over the tenancy of Portobello Farm at Christmas Common on my familys estate.



There, I farmed beef and sheep and my hobby of shooting led me to set up a game dealing business, which I later expanded to include distribution of meat and fish to restaurants and other commercial enterprises from Le Manoir aux QuatSaisons to Gabriel Machins in Henley. I continued to run this business from Shirburn Castle when Sandy and I moved here after the death of my father.



In 2004 he retired and he and wife moved to North Stoke.



The Earl paid tribute to the work of the association.



He said: The difficulties farmers face today are evidenced by the declining numbers entering or staying in the profession. It is a harsh environment and it is only the love and compassion for the animals and the countryside that preserve it.



Challenges are great and in order to preserve the countryside we must all make those not so fortunate to live and work in rural areas aware of the difficulties and benefits.



The Henley Show, under the expert guidance of the Henley and District Agricultural Association, embodies all that is good in farming and conservation.



In my presidential year, I hope we can continue to educate the non-farming community in the benefits accruing to them by farming and the importance of agriculture in the continued stewardship of the countryside.



I believe that the more the public are aware of the difficulties and benefits of the stewardship of the countryside by farmers, the more they will appreciate what it offers.



This years sheepdog trial will take place on July 23 and the show on September 9, both at the Henley Showground in Hambleden.



The ploughing match and country market will be held at Bishopsland, Dunsden, on October 1.



For more information or to become a member of the association, call secretary Jo Taylor on (01491) 413619.
Baku, Azerbaijan, March 15

By Leman Zeynalova  Trend:

Once the offshore section of the Turkish Stream pipeline is commissioned, Russia will suspend gas supply to Turkey through Bulgaria, reads the Russia-Turkey intergovernmental agreement published on Russia's official online legal information portal.

The gas from Russia supplied to Turkey on the Turkish border with Bulgaria, will be delivered through Turkish Stream's offshore section 1 from the date of its commissioning, according to the document.

Meanwhile, by the commissioning of Turkish Streams offshore section by late 2019, the paragraphs related to gas delivery and technical conditions in the contracts on gas supply from Russia to Turkey through Bulgaria should be amended, reads the intergovernmental agreement.

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.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Elena Kosolapova  Trend:

Kazakh national carrier Air Astana and Germanys Lufthansa signed a codeshare agreement, the Kazakh airline said in a message March 15.

A codeshare agreement is an aviation business arrangement where two or more airlines share the same flight. A seat can be purchased on each airline's designator and flight number, but is operated by only one of these cooperating airlines, commonly called the operating carrier.

The agreement is valid for the Astana-Frankfurt-Astana flights carried out by Air Astana, and the Frankfurt-Almaty-Frankfurt and the Frankfurt-Astana-Frankfurt flights carried out by Lufthansa.

The agreement provides more opportunities to passengers of both airlines and will be especially advantageous for transit passengers.

Now passengers can choose out of any 14 flights per week, carried out by both airlines between Kazakhstan and Germany. Previously passengers chose of 7 flights per week carried out by one of these airlines.

Air Astana has been operating since 2002, and today it has a fleet of 30 aircraft of western production. Its route network includes over 60 international and regional destinations.

Lufthansa is the largest German airline and, when combined with its subsidiaries, also the largest airline in Europe, in terms of fleet size, and the second largest airline in terms of passengers carried during 2016. It operates services to 18 domestic destinations and 197 international destinations in 78 countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, using a fleet of more than 270 aircraft.
Eamonn Casey visited Veronica Guerin in New York some time after she interviewed him in Ecuador

Veronica Guerin remained "great friends" with Bishop Eamonn Casey long after her famous interview with him in South America, according to her brother.

The Sunday Independent reporter tracked down Bishop Casey to Ecuador in 1993 after it was revealed he had fathered a son with Annie Murphy.

Arguably the most sought-after interview at the time, Casey chose Veronica for the exclusive scoop. According to her brother Jimmy Guerin, the two became "very fond" of each other.

Relationships

"What made Veronica so successful was that she didn't just go after a story, but built and maintained relationships with the people she interviewed," he said following the news of Casey's death this week.

"Vincent Browne tried to go over and take that interview from her, but she had none of it. She became very good friends with [Casey] and they had great respect for one another.

"Veronica was ahead of her time; she wouldn't have judged him too harshly.

"The bishop must have been happy with Veronica's scoop because, some time later, when she went to New York with her husband Graham to pick up an award, he left South America to spend a few days with the couple.

"Veronica kept in touch with him, along with Graham, throughout the years. She had the balls to go over and find him in Ecuador, which goes to show what a fearless journalist she was. They met up many times over the years in Dublin and he also met my mother."

Bishop Casey died in a nursing home in the west of Ireland on Monday following a long illness.

The former Bishop of Galway achieved worldwide notoriety in 1992 after it was revealed that he had secretly fathered a son named Peter with US divorcee Annie Murphy.

The Catholic Communications Office has confirmed that his removal will take place today at 7pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas, Galway.

Funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 2pm at the same venue followed by interment in the cathedral crypt.

"I think we lost a good man. He's not a man that abused - he was a man that fell in love. That was his only crime," Mr Guerin said.

"I just feel very sorry for him. It just shows what's wrong with the Church due to the exile he was forced into."

Underworld

In addition to covering the criminal underworld, Veronica also wrote many articles on clerical abuse.

"Veronica played a big part in the story about the Brendan Smyth files being hidden in the Attorney General's office," said her brother.

"She also highlighted the Ferns scandal and would have been well aware of the sins of the Church. She would never have built a relationship with anyone she couldn't respect.

"It was lovely to respect Eamonn throughout the years because he was a good Christian who found himself in the unfortunate situation where he had to choose between the love of the Church and the love of a woman."
Distraught family and friends at the funeral of Karl Robertson at St Lukes Church

Mourners flooded St Luke's Church in north Dublin yesterday morning to pay their respects to hit-and-run victim Karl Robertson - a man whose compassion for others "met no bounds".

The 28-year-old, from Castlekevin Road in Artane, was jogging when he was knocked down on Hazelwood Drive, not far from his home, last Wednesday evening.

A large crowd came out to pay their respects, many of them work colleagues of Karl's from Dunnes Stores in Northside Shopping Centre.

The retail staff donned their work uniforms and name badges, forming a guard of honour as the hearse arrived at the Kilmore church.

Tears

His mother Kathy, father Tony and sister Niamh arrived in tears, embracing each other as they entered the church.

Fr Gary Darby started the service by describing Karl as a man with "so much goodness and care".

"We gather here this morning to offer the soul of a well-respected and loved young man into the loving presence of God," Fr Darby said.

"Before the unforeseen and tragic events of last Wednesday evening, life for Karl, his parents, his sister, extended family and friends was very normal.

"Yet, without any sense of warning or preparation, Karl was suddenly taken from this world. We at St Luke's parish sympathise and walk side-by-side in empathy with Karl's family and friends.

"We do so in acknowledging the enormous impact it has had on the family and indeed on our community at large here in Kilmore.

"When a loved one is suddenly taken from this world it brings with it a sense of disbelief and numbness.

"Karl was a fantastic young man with a generous heart. He was family orientated, kind to people in his place of work and an all-round balanced person with good values and principals in life," he added.

Karl's friends and family then presented a number of items by his coffin in remembrance of his life, including an MP3 player and a coffee cup.

Karl's godfather Freddie also spoke of his "quiet and generous" nature.

Compassion

"I was always impressed by his calm and quiet manner. Karl was never any bother to his parents. He got on very well with his friends and neighbours alike. His compassion for others met no bounds," he said.

"Soon after leaving school, Karl found work in Dunnes and quickly settled into his new routine. He loved his work and co-workers - they were like a second family to him.

"He was simply brilliant in his understanding of new technology and assisted me and many others on many occasions."

The funeral also featured some of Karl's favourite songs, with renditions of David Bowie's Starman and Let It Be by The Beatles. He was then laid to rest in Balgriffin Cemetery.

The driver of the Renault van that hit Karl did not stop at the scene and the vehicle was set alight soon after in Coolock.

A man later presented himself to gardai and made a statement. No arrests have been made to date.
The devastated family of Rescue 116 crash victim Dara Fitzpatrick have paid an emotional tribute to the brave helicopter pilot.

The 45-year-old and three other crew members crashed into the sea off the coast of Co Mayo.

They had travelled from Dublin to the west of Ireland to assist in a rescue mission and were travelling to nearby Blacksod to refuel when contact was lost at 1am.

It is still unclear what caused it to crash.

Dubliner Dara was recovered from the sea but died a short time later.

She was originally from Kilternan in south Dublin and attended secondary school at Muckross Park College in Donnybrook.

"We are so proud of Dara's work and all she has done to save the lives of others over the years," her family said in a statement.

Heartbroken

"We are completely heartbroken and we pray for the recovery of the other three crew.

"She is survived by her three-year-old son, her three sisters, brother and her parents."

Dara's sister, Niamh, also paid tribute.

"My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life. We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of 3 remaining crew," she tweeted.

The three other crew members were named as Paul Ormsby, Ciaran Smith and Mark Duffy.

Searches were due to resume at first light this morning, but hope for their recovery is fading.

Father-of-two Mr Duffy, from Blackrock, Co Louth, joined the coast guard in 2002.

Winchman Mr Smith (38) lives in Old Town, north Dublin, with his wife Martina and their three young daughters.

Members of the Irish Coast Guard were involved in a search operation to locate the three missing men throughout yesterday, and were assisted by the RNLI, the Air Corps and the Defence Forces, as well as local fishing vessels.

Families of the missing members gathered at the lighthouse in Blacksod, Co Mayo, shortly after 6pm last night, when they met rescue workers involved in the search for their loved ones.

The Irish Coast Guard's VS&T operations manager Gerard O'Flynn said the search would be scaled down overnight and would resume this morning.

"The search will continue, albeit at a reduced level," Mr Flynn said last night.

He had earlier confirmed that Capt Fitzpatrick had been pronounced dead in hospital.

She was one of very few female civilian rescue pilots worldwide.

"Dara was the most senior pilot and has been with the company for close on 20 years," said Mr O'Flynn.

"For all of us involved in the coast guard and for particularly her family it has come as a complete shock."

Debris

The debris recovered included a tail fin of the helicopter, with the words "Coast Guard" on its side. The fuel tank of the helicopter was also recovered.

The recovery of the flight recorders, or the black box, will be crucial in determining what happened.

The flight data is recorded on a crash-proof, solid-state memory unit.

It holds 25 hours of flight data, height, speed, engine temperatures and other parameters as well as up to two hours of audio data.

Its recovery is a top priority for investigators of the Air Accident Investigation Unit from the Department of Transport.

If it is recovered intact, investigators will be able to download its data and digitally recreate the doomed last flight of Rescue 116.

President Michael D Higgins led tributes to Capt Fitzpatrick and the missing crew last night.

He said the people of Ireland are indebted to the "courage, resolution and exemplary commitment" of Capt Fitzpatrick and her crew.

He said it marked a "dark day in the history of the coast guard", with a member of the service losing her life while providing assistance to others.

"On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I pay tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died," the President said.

"My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment and also with the families of the missing crew.

"It is appropriate that we acknowledge and pay tribute to the efforts of her colleagues at the coast guard, who have been working at a time which must be for them a time of great grief and uncertainty."
The quiet coastal town of Blacksod was yesterday turned into a scene of tragedy as Irish Coast Guard members worked tirelessly throughout the day to locate three of their own on the darkest of days.

Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby remain missing while Captain Dara Fitzpatrick was pulled from the sea but tragically later pronounced dead.

As the debris of their downed helicopter, R116, was brought to shore, the full extent of what occurred eight miles off the coast was laid bare.

Several small rigid inflatable boats (ribs) and larger fishing vessels returned to the coast at Blacksod Lighthouse from early morning, each bringing pieces of the helicopter that were scattered in a two-mile radius.

Operation

One vessel returned with the fuel tanker. Another returned with a door of R116. Later on, a tail fin with the words "Coast Guard" was lifted on to the pier.

A member of An Garda Siochana and the Air Accident Investigation Unit were brought aboard the LE Roisin as the search continued.

The Defence Force vessel had joined the operation in the morning. Local fisherman, who said they were doing their part for the local community, also joined the search.

Men and women from the local heritage centre arrived in the afternoon, bringing sandwiches to the Coast Guard workers who had been searching non-stop throughout the night and early morning.

In a touching moment amid the tragedy playing out, a rescue worker was embraced by her colleagues after returning on a helicopter from the search mission. Despite losing one of their own, they battled on in the search for the three missing men.

Concerns had been raised throughout the day about the possibility of conditions deteriorating - but the weather held out, allowing the full-scale operation to continue until nightfall.

Local man Henry Keane, whose son Sean had been helping clear the debris on a shipping vessel, said the community was rallying around to help in any way they could.

"Sean has been out on the boat since around 8am helping with the search. Everyone here is just trying to do their bit to help. It's an awful tragedy," he said.

Gary Bohan from Belmullet, who is involved in the operation and spent the morning recovering debris in a rib, said he had never come across an aviation accident of this scale.

Shortly after 6pm, buses carrying the family of those missing arrived at the lighthouse. There they met by a local priest and rescue workers.

Among them were parents, partners, siblings and children of the Coast Guard members who were aboard R116 when it went down. Tributes were also being paid to Capt Fitzpatrick, who was described as an experienced and brave pilot by her family and colleagues. VS&T Operations Manager of the Irish Coast Guard Gerard O'Flynn described her as a highly experienced pilot.

"Outside of her work as a pilot, she did an enormous amount of work on water safety and was always available to do school visits and promote water safety," he said.

"For all of us involved in the coast guard and for particularly her family it has come as a complete shock."

As darknes fell and the conditions deteriorated, the search wound down for the night, although some crews continued their work.

Speaking to the media, Mr O'Flynn said the chances of those missing surviving was decreasing as time passed.

"The search will continue, albeit at a reduced level," he said last night.

''Recovery of debris has been a feature of the search all day. I think you saw a bigger piece come in there and that's all part of your Accident Investigation Unit and will be all taken into storage.

Brave

"Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the level of hope does go down but you never know, pilots are exceptionally well-trained people.

"They're exceptionally physically fit so you know, you hang onto a thread of hope, but you have to be fearful that with the passage of time that the chances of people surviving is reducing."

Today the brave Irish Coast Guard members will continue in the search for their own, as mystery still surrounds how the tragedy took place.

For now, the families will cling to hope and the community will rally around for the dark days ahead.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Mar. 15

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

The International Ocean Institute (IOI) is holding a 10-day seminar in Avaza, Turkmenistan, which will end on March 16.

The seminar, titled The Caspian Sea  Sustainable Development and Management, is being held with the support of Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry and State Enterprise for Caspian Sea Issues, the Turkmen government said in a message.

Experts of various ministries and agencies of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan, as well as the maritime economy, politics, management, ecology and maritime law experts and scientific consultants of the IOI are invited to the event.

The message says that special attention was attached to the creation of a legal base of cooperation of the Caspian littoral states.

Exchange of views was held on development of a draft convention as a main document on the Caspian Seas legal status, designed to regulate the relations of coastal states and create a legal basis for a productive international partnership.

According to the message, the seminar participants became acquainted with the Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), international legal norms on the use of national coastal and marine areas, exploration and use of the Caspian Seas oil and gas resources, regulation of navigation, as well as protection of the marine environment and fish resources of the Caspian Sea.

Currently, the Caspian littoral states are holding negotiations on draft agreements on cooperation in transportation, trade and economy, as well as on two protocols, which will complement the agreement on cooperation for security in the Caspian Sea.

These documents will create a legal basis for cooperation of the neighboring countries in such areas as combating the illegal extraction of biological resources (poaching) and ensuring the safety of navigation.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Mar. 15

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Doha hosted a ceremony of signing bilateral documents on Mar. 15 after the Turkmen-Qatari high-level negotiations, the Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary state news service reported.

Memorandums of understanding (MoU) on development of cooperation in the energy sphere and on cooperation in the area of standardization, meteorology, certification and accreditation were adopted at the intergovernmental level. The Turkmenistan Airlines and Qatars Civil Aviation Authority signed a MoU.

A MoU on cooperation in the sphere of biodiversity and environmental protection was also signed between the two sides.

The Institute of International Relations of Turkmenistans Foreign Ministry and Qatars Diplomatic Institute signed a MoU.

The report says that Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who is on a state visit in Doha, held an expanded format meeting with participation of the two countries official delegations and then a one-on-one meeting.

Turkmenistan has great interest in studying the experience of Qatar as a country, which has significant achievements in economy, science and education, in the energy sphere and sports. Great opportunities were noted for the development of trade and economic cooperation and diversification of mutual trade turnover.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, March 15

By Demir Azizov Trend:

Uzbekistan and Turkey have a huge still unused potential for developing bilateral relations in the political and diplomatic, trade and economic, investment, military and technical, tourism, logistics and other spheres, according to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs congratulatory message.

Mirziyoyevs message was addressed to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in connection with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In his message, Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that by joint efforts Uzbekistan and Turkey will be able to bring the comprehensive and long-term partnership to a qualitatively new level for the sake of the prosperity of the fraternal peoples.

In his reply message, the Turkish president also stressed the readiness of the Turkish side to develop the cooperation on the bilateral, regional and international platforms for the welfare of the Turkish and Uzbek people on the basis of mutual trust.

The Uzbekistan-Turkey diplomatic relations were established in March 1992. The Turkish embassy was opened in Tashkent in April 1992.
Tehran, Iran, March 15

By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:

Iranian and Turkmen authorities have reached an agreement to allow dredging operations at the border river Atrek.

The agreement was reached and a document signed during the meeting in Iran, with participation of top border guard of Turkmenistan and geology experts, said Ali Ahmadzadeh, commander of Irans Atrek border division, IRNA news agency reported March 15.

The sides have agreed over expert operations such as mapping to be mutually carried out in 10 days over 40 kilometers of the Atrek along the shared border, the commander said.

Iran and Turkmenistan share 348 kilometers of border, parts of which account for Atrek.
Tehran, Iran, Mar. 15

By Mehdi Sepahvand  Trend:

Iran and Russia are expected to sign 11 documents during an upcoming visit by President Hassan Rouhani to Moscow, said Mahmoud Vaezi, minister of ICT and head of the joint Iran-Russia economic committee.

The minister said the documents include 10 agreements in various fields and one general agreement on long-term cooperation, IRNA news agency reported March 15.

Vaezi also said an attempt is being made to operationalize an energy agreement whereby Iran will export 100,000 bpd of oil to Russia.

Trade turnover between Iran and Russia witnessed a surge by 60 percent in 2016, climbing to about $2 billion. However, observers believe that the surge in trade between the two countries, which came after the nuclear sanctions on Iran were removed, has not satisfied the expectations.

Ahead of Rouhanis impending visit to Moscow, First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri on February 21 called for finalizing preparations for inking an agreement between the Islamic Republic and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), which includes Russia as well, on the creation of a free-trade zone.
Election day forecast? Sunny skies and, perhaps, a good turnout

"I hope that means that more people will go out and vote," said Barry Jackson, deputy elections director in Washington County.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iranian authorities have arrested two nationals of the Islamic Republic, charging them with spying.

IRNA reported March 15 that the two Iranian nationals were pretending to be on a tourist visit to Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf and carrying spying devices with them.

The report said an investigation will be held regarding the issue.

No other details are reported.
Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 17:32)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Fatih Karimov  Trend:

Iranian authorities have arrested two nationals of the Islamic Republic, charging them with spying.

IRNA reported March 15 that the two Iranian nationals were pretending to be on a tourist visit to Abu Musa Island in the Persian Gulf and carrying spying devices with them.

The report said an investigation will be held regarding the issue.

No other details are reported.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15



By Fatih Karimov  Trend:



At least one man was killed and 2600 people got injured in the various incidents during the Iran's Festival of Fire on March 15, Pir Hossein Kolivand, head of the countrys Emergency Medical Services (EMS), said, Mehr new agency reported.



The last Wednesday of the Iranian calendar year is called "Chahar Shanbe Suri," (Festival of Fire). It is also known as one of the most dangerous days of the year. Iranians traditionally jump over fires and use small explosives during celebrations.



A 12 year-old boy in capital city of Tehran was killed due to the explosion of hand-made explosives.



At least 600 people of the total 2600 injured people were hospitalized, Kolivand said.



Earlier in March 11 seven people, including four children were killed in Irans northwestern city of Ardabil in explosion of handmade fireworks and explosives. The explosion occurred during preparing handmade fireworks and explosives for Festival of Fire inside the residential

building.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Orkhan Quluzade  Trend:

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will pay a working visit to Georgia following the meeting in the countrys north-eastern Artvin province March 15, said a message posted on the website of the Turkish Cabinet of Ministers March 15.

According to the message, during the visit, Yildirim will meet with his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Batumi.

The Turkey-Georgia bilateral relations, preparation of the meeting of the Georgia-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and regional issues are planned to be discussed as part of the meeting, the message said.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade
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Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

By Orkhan Quluzade  Trend:

Turkey expects to receive five million tourists from Russia in 2017, said Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Huseyin Yayman at the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (MITT), the Anadolu Agency reported.

Yayman also praised the indicators of early reservation of Russian tourists.

There are historically strong cultural relations between Turkey and Russia, he noted adding that Turkey aims to develop these relations.

The deputy minister recalled that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a vacation in Antalya and recommended a holiday in this tourism region of Turkey.

In 2016, 25,352,213 foreigners visited Turkey that is by 30.05 percent less than in 2015.

According to the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a big number of foreigners  3,890,074 people came to Turkey from Germany in 2016. Germany is followed by Georgia (2,206,266 people) and the United Kingdom (1,711,481).

In total, tourists spent $22.1 billion in Turkey in 2016.

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Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade
Among the many interesting outcomes of the recent elections was the rout of General (retired) JJ Singh, who contested on an Akali Dal ticket in Punjab. The former army chiefs decision to take on Amarinder Singh was a reckless movespurred perhaps by the brusque superiority with which most generals tend to regard captains. On the campaign trail, JJ Singh courted controversy owing to his graceless and abusive references to his opponent. The general has got his comeuppance and lost his deposit. With the election out of the way, it is time to consider the pernicious consequences of senior military officers entering politics.

At the outset, it bears emphasising that the problem is with senior officers, especially former chiefs, in politics. While we have always had some politicians with military backgroundsAmarinder Singh himself is a case in pointthe trend of senior retired officers entering politics is more recent. And it is deeply problematic.

The suggestion that former generals should steer clear of politics tends to invite a series of retorts. As citizens dont they have the right to contest elections? When retired senior bureaucrats and judges can enter politics why should we ask former military officers to stay away? If retired senior officers feel that they have more to contribute to their country why should they be stopped?

Underlying this cluster of questions is a lack of recognition of the militarys peculiar institutional place in a democratic polity. If the State is supposed to exercise a monopoly over the legitimate use of force, then the military is the ultimate instrument through which this monopoly is asserted. The extraordinary coercive power invested in this institution leads to the problem of how to guard ourselves against the guardians. There is no comparable challenge with the bureaucracy, the police or the judiciary.

To ensure democratic control of the military, states rely on a range of institutional mechanisms: systems of monitoring and accountability, reward and punishment, checks and balances, and above all, norms and values. The last is particularly important because the inculcation and reinforcement of norms and values such as professionalism and constitutional patriotism creates a distinct institutional identity for the military: As a sterile instrument of the State. Politicisation of the military is problematic because it dilutes this identity and turns it into a less reliable instrument of the State.

The military is a community with close ties between serving and retired soldiers. Politicisation of the latter will inevitably affect the former.

Over the past few years, we have seen politicisation of the military taking place in both directions. The BJPs 2014 campaign was notable for its attempt to co-opt groups of ex-servicemen with the promise of one-rank one-pension. Further, the party gave a ticket to a former Army chief, General VK Singh, who had openly taken on the previous government and also rewarded him a ministerial berth.

The military should reflect on the consequences of this trend. The OROP episode amply underscored the danger of the military being treated as a special interest group by politicians. The coddling of the military by any political party will invariably lead others to follow suit or to look at it with suspicion. This will also colour public perceptions of the military as an institution.

Politicians too should ponder its implications. If generals start espousing partisan stances and if political parties embrace them precisely for that reason, then our institutional set-up of civil-military relations will be grievously harmed. It wont be long before senior military officers are promoted on the basis on political affiliation rather than professional standing. Which prime minister would want to be advised by a military chief who may end up denouncing his government in public a couple of years down the line? Conversely, if a service chief is interested in a post-retirement political career will he really be non-partisan in office?

.

While senior military officers have a right to run for office they are under no obligation to exercise that right: Quite the contrary. Just because former chief election commissioners or chief justices have been ministers or members of Parliament, it doesnt follow that service chiefs should aim to follow suit. The military is very different from other institutions and the costs of its politicisation will be very high. Our politics is lamentably peopled with many unsavoury characters, but it is not for soldiers to try and reform it. And if senior military officers feel they have more service left in them, they should deploy their talents outside of politics.

Now that the generals have been called out of retirement, perhaps it is naive to hope that they will stay out. Still, lets hope JJ Singhs disastrous foray will serve as a deterrent to any general, air marshal or admiral eyeing politics.

Srinath Raghavan is senior fellow, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi

The views expressed are personal

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Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar recently visited Beijing for what was billed as a new round of the India-China Strategic dialogue. Expectations that the talks would lead to a reset of the troubled India-China relations have been belied. Only a hardened optimist expected forward movement on the issues bedeviling their relations, especially Indias demand that China support its Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG) membership and effort to designate Masood Azhar a terrorist under UN rules. And now, the Chinese have signalled that if India goes ahead with the Dalai Lamas visit to Tawang, things could get much worse.

The reason why Sino-Indian relations are in a bad state has a lot to do with the way India conducts its foreign policy, rather than their much talked up geopolitical rivalry.

The Chinese perspective is apparent from the comment of a Chinese diplomat that India was behaving like a kid in a candy store in loudly clamouring for membership of the NSG. He had a point. India already has a waiver on civil nuclear trade since 2008. And in 2011, the NSG added a rule which will deny us the one thing we wantenrichment and reprocessing technologies. Is this hollow prize worth the price we are paying in derailing our relations with China?

Lets look at the problem another way. Assume the government has good reasons for India to be a member of the NSG, the question then is: What price are we willing to pay for it? The US has not backed us for free. Not only did we agree not to conduct any more nuclear tests, we also gave verbal assurances that we would make significant purchases of US nuclear equipment. The French and the Russians, too, were promised nuclear sales. Unfortunately for the Chinese, they are being asked to support New Delhi for free.

India seems to be demanding that Beijing support Indias entry into the NSG and lift its hold on the designation of Masood Azhar as a terrorist under the UNs 1267 committee, on a matter of principle. The only thing on offer is Indian goodwill, a currency that has little value with the hard-headed Chinese, who like most other nations, believe that international relations are about give and take.

Now with a President with a Whats in it for me and America? ethos in the White House, India has cause to worry. In recent times Indian foreign policy leaned on American indulgence leavened with generous conventional military purchases. At some point, the Trump Administration could ask for something new in exchange for America giving so many jobs to Indians, or the diplomatic support on Masood Azhar and the NSG application. Whatever it is, the terms of engagement could become clearly transactional.

India is not quite used to this world. Weve been a free rider on the international system by declaring that we were a poor, but a non-aligned Third World country. Our preachiness was irritating, but we did extract considerable economic assistance from both the US and the USSR. We have been the largest recipients of foreign aid from the US  $ 65 billion. Yet, we did not support them in the Cold War, the Vietnam war, and did Bangladesh despite them. The Americans came to come to our aid in the dark days of November 1962, but we havent even bothered to name a road after John F Kennedy, though we have named them after Nasser, Olof Palme, Nkrumah and Dubcek.

The Soviets didnt get anything more. Though much poorer, they helped us with things that the West was reluctant to provide  steel and machine tools technology, our first submarines, a licence to manufacture the Mig-21, their frontline fighter at that time, political support on Kashmir and military backing in 1971. But they didnt even get verbal support for their adventure in Afghanistan.

Being a poor and high-minded about-to-be-great nation has stood us well till now, countries have been willing to invest politically and financially in India in the hope of recovering their cost handsomely when we strike it big. So we have demanded and got concessions on emissions criteria, IPR and trade regimes. When the US sanctioned Iran in 2010, we got a waiver. But in todays troubled times when even the US feels victimised by the international system, the appetite for accommodating India is wearing thin. Actually it has been for a while.

In fact, the signs have been evident for some time now. After the Soviet collapse, a contrite New Delhi went to the Americans demanding technology as a price of better relations. They did not offer much by way of exchange except the usual IOUs encashable in the future. The US has refused to unbelt and has, instead, focused on our lucrative market for their military equipment. As for technology, they have their own IOUs, offering it always in some unspecified future.

The one big power that has never quite fit into this paradigm is China. They offered to swap their claim on Arunachal Pradesh for the Indian territory in Aksai Chin, New Delhi did not bite in 1960, it didnt do so again in 1981. So they have gone back on the offer and now call Arunachal southern Tibet. The non-aligned preachiness did not help because Beijing was even better than New Delhi in feeling entitled, first as the vanguard of the revolution, and now as a country recovering from a century of humiliation.

Manoj Joshi is Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation.

The views expressed are personal
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal claimed on Wednesday that rigged voting machines transferred his partys votes to the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab while BSP chief Mayawati said she would seek court help for a probe into tampering in Uttar Pradesh.

Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party finished a distant second in Punjab with 20 seats, as the Congress stormed to power with 77 in the 117-member assembly. Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party was decimated in Uttar Pradesh, getting just 19 seats in the 403-strong assembly.

While rivals, barring the Congress, have been dismissive of their claims, the Election Commission has said EVMs cant be tampered with.

He (Kejriwal) has lost his mental balance so he is saying things like this. He did not say anything when AAP won 67 seats in Delhi, Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said in Delhi.

Her party, Shiromani Akali Dal, which is led by husband Sukhbir and has an alliance with the BJP, was voted out of Punjab after 10 years and finished third behind the AAP but with a higher voter share.

Many said that there is anger against Akalis and AAP is sweeping the polls. Still, AAP got 25% votes and SAD got 31%. How is that possible? Kejriwal said.

He alleged that around 20-25% of his partys votes may have been transferred to the SAD-BJP because EVMs were tinkered with.

The AAP was counting on a Delhi-like poll debut in Punjab to go national but poll results fell way short of its expectations.

The people of Punjab had thrown out the AAP and Kejriwal should do vipassana, the minister said, a reference to a meditation technique that the Dekhi CM practices.

Developed countries have given up EVMs. Should we not rethink?

- Arvind Kejriwal

While he took responsibility for the poor performance, Kejriwal demanded that the Election Commission count votes of verifiable paper trail-enabled EVMs to restore credibility of the EVMs.

The poll panel had paper-trail EVMs in some polling booths. The paper is a printout that allows a voter to see if the vote has gone to the candidate it was intended for.

Click here for full coverage on Assembly elections 2017

Developed countries have given up EVMs. Should we not rethink? Even the BJP including (LK) Advaniji had said EVMs can be tampered with, said Kejriwal, who has asked for ballot papers to be used in the next months Delhi civic elections.

In Lucknow, Mayawati repeated similar charges. The BJPs victory smacked of fraud, she said, adding her party would observe 11th of every months as a black day against the murder of democracy by the saffron party.

The results for the five state elections were declared on March 11 and the BJP got 312 seats.

Within hours of declaration of results, Mayawati alleged widespread tampering and wrote to the EC, demanding a fresh election.

The poll panel wrote back that EVMs couldnt be tampered with and there was no merit to her claims.

Rejecting the reply, Mayawati told mediapersons on Wednesday, The BSP will file a petition in the court on this issue (probe into tampering)... EVMs were tampered with to transfer the BSP votes to BJP.

The BJP hit back and asked the former UP chief minister to gracefully accept the peoples mandate.

When you win, EVMs are right. When you lose, EVMs are wrong. This shows that there are some defects in you (Mayawati), Union minister M Venkaiah said.

The Election Commission should look into the allegations made by Mayawati and Kejriwal, the Congress said. If some people have raised questions about the tampering of EVMs, the Election Commission should address those and launch an inquiry, party spokesperson Sushmita Dev said.

Introduced in 1982, EVMs fast-tracked Indias electoral process. Counting that used to take days is now a matter of hours.

All states had switched to EVMs by 2000. The 2004 poll was the first general election in which EVMs, manufactured by government-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals and Electronic Corporation of India, were used.

(With agency inputs)
Aam Aadmi Party national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will meet party leaders including those from Punjab on Wednesday in New Delhi to discuss the recent assembly election results. The meeting is part of the AAPs introspection exercise to analyse its performance in the Punjab elections and come up with a strategy on how to move forward in the state.

The party won 20 seats in the recently concluded polls, which was well below its expectations of forming the government in the state.

All our MLAs, senior leaders from the state and those in charge will be present at the meeting. These results did not meet our expectations, Punjab convenor Gurpreet Singh Waraich, who lost the poll from Batala said. AAP and its ally Lok Insaaf Party finished with 22 seats in all, a notch above the ousted Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party combines 18.

The meeting will also decide on who will be the leader of the opposition in the assembly. Our MLAs are first timers, the national convener and other senior leaders will apprise them of the policies of the party and set the ground for AAPs role as the principal opposition party in Punjab, Waraich said.

AAP leaders in Delhi have asked the Punjab unit to supply election performance statistics. There will be candidate interviews with prominent losers, including Waraich and Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann to identify the causes for AAPs defeat. I will attend Parliament from Thursday and raise issues related to the state, Mann said.

Sources said the Punjab results could force the party to redraw its strategy. The immediate fallout would be to reduce the visible involvement of central leaders in the partys Punjab affairs. Among those who are in the reckoning for the position of leader of the opposition is Dhakha MLA HS Phoolka, former journalist Kanwar Sandhu and Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

Though Phoolka won the election unlike former journalist Jarnail Singh who quit his Rajouri garden seat in the Delhi assembly to fight against then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, sources in Punjab said he could lose out in the race since the issue of Delhi leadership imposing leaders from outside is weighing on the partys mind. Phoolka is best known for being a Delhi based lawyer and activist who represented the victims of 1984s anti-Sikh violence in the capital.

Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh will also be in the opposition benches. The party cannot allow them the chance to occupy the opposition space in the assembly. We need a strong strategy to counter both the Congress and SAD in Punjab, a source privy to the introspection exercise said.

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Mayawati, who has dismissed the Uttar Pradesh assembly election results and said tampering of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) was responsible for her partys poor showing, announced on Wednesday the BSP will launch a nationwide agitation on the issue from April 11.

The BSP workers will organise dharna and demonstrations in Lucknow as well as other district headquarters on the 11th of every month to observe March 11, the day of UP election results, as a black day, the Bahujan Samaj Party chief said while addressing a press conference in Lucknow.

Mayawati, a former chief minister of the state who was expected to grab a substantial share of the votes, blamed EVMs for the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) unexpected bumper victory in Indias largest state and shot off a complaint to the Election Commission to cancel the election results.

The poll panel, however, wrote to BSPs national general secretary Satish Misra saying it found no merit in the allegations, and the prayers made in your letter are not legally tenable.

Mayawati rejected the ECs reply on her demand for a probe into EVM tampering and said her party will file a petition in the court on this issue.

BJP leaders are maintaining an ominous silence on my allegations. The BJP won the election through manipulation. The day assembly election results were announced, democracy was virtually murdered. EVMs were tampered to transfer the BSP votes to BJP, she said.

BJP leaders know they have adopted illegal means to win the election. That is why the usual glow and smile is missing from their faces. If the BJP has the guts to contradict my allegation, they should support my demand for re-polling through ballot paper system, she added.

Accusing the media of biased reporting, she said journalists were virtually writing the obituary of the BSP and saying the BJPs victory signified the end of her party.

Media persons have seen huge crowds in my public meetings. How can they say it is the end of the road for the BSP? They should tell the people how BJP manipulated the election, she said.

The BSP chief also condemned post-poll discussions on election results, saying the power-brokers were singing paeans for the BJP in discussions organised by various channels for the lust of money.

I want to make it clear to the media that the BJP did not manipulate election results in smaller states like Punjab, Goa and Manipur as they would have to do a lot of explanation. They tampered EVMs in UP and Uttarakhand. Media should highlight the BJPs misdeeds, she said.

Mayawati added she had called a meeting of her partys national executive committee to discuss the strategy for the agitation.

Earlier, Mayawati visited Kanshi Ram memorial to pay tribute to the BSP founder on his 83rd birth anniversary.

Invoking Kanshi Ram and Dr BR Ambedkar, she said, Both the leaders worked for the empowerment of Dalits. They called upon the suppressed community to grab the keys of political power by forming a government in the state and at the Centre. Only then the have-nots can hope for justice.

If the BJP returns to power at the Centre in 2019 Lok Sabha election, it would scrap reservation in government jobs for SC/ST category. They do not want Dalits and tribals to become self-reliant. The saffron brigade is using all the tricks to keep Dalits and tribals out of power, she alleged.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has also alleged that large-scale irregularities in EVMs had transferred a fourth of the Aam Aadmi Partys votes to opponents in Punjab, demanding that the EC rethink using paper ballots in future elections.

Leaders of Congress and Samajwadi Party have supported Mayawatis demand for a probe into EVMs used in the UP assembly polls and asked the EC to seriously look into her charges.

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International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and UN humanitarian trucks have entered the besieged Syrian towns of Madaya, Zabadani, Fuah and Kafarya, the ICRC Delegation in Syria said, Sputnik reported.

Madaya and a part of Zabadani are currently held by groups opposed to the Syrian government but are deep within government-held territory close to the Lebanese border.

Fuah and Kafarya are the only government-held towns in a vast opposition-held area in the Idlib province. The towns of some 20,000 people have been under siege since 2013.

The humanitarian situation in the four towns has sparked serious concerns over the past year, with the population lacking basic necessities and food. In February, Jan Egeland, a senior adviser to the UN special envoy for Syria, said the populations of these towns were likely to face starvation unless humanitarian access was established soon.

The civil war in Syria has been lasting for six years with the government troops fighting against numerous opposition factions and terrorist organizations, such as Daesh, outlawed in Russia.

The nationwide Syrian ceasefire regime was introduced on December 30, 2016, with Russia and Turkey being its guarantors. Terrorist organizations are not part of the ceasefire.
DEHRADUN: The lobbying in Uttarakhand BJP for the chief ministers post has intensified with former ministers Prakash Pant and Trivendra Singh Rawat being said to be the frontrunners.

Of the two, Pant is the high commands favourite for the post owing to his clean image, a senior state BJP office bearer said.

Former agriculture minister Trivendra Singh Rawats name had figured in a seed scam although he claims that an inquiry ordered by the Congress government failed to indict him.

Other hopefuls include BJP national executive member Satpal Mahraraj, state party chief Ajay Bhatt and former chief ministers and parliamentarians B S Koshiyari and Ramesh Pokhariyal. They have either been lobbying with the BJP top brass or with the leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the partys ideological fount ever since the saffron party swept the assembly election winning 56 of the total 70 seats.

Incidentally, most contenders for the top job form a part of the state BJPs second rung of leadership. Barring Maharaj and Koshiyari, others are below 60.

Pant, meanwhile, emerges as the favourite as he fulfils Prime Minister Narendra Modis norms for the top job, say party insiders. As a former minister he (Pant) has the administrative experience required to run the state. But his strongest point is that there has been no allegation of corruption against him, a senior BJP leader said, referring to Uttarakhands first assembly Speaker.

Trivendra Singh Rawat too has an impressive resume. (HT File)

Rumours about his being a frontrunner for the CMs post got credence owing to his recent visit to Delhi where he reportedly met key central BJP leaders.

Rawat, on the other hand, too has an impressive resume. He began his political career as a RSS pracharak and held key positions in the BJP including as its national secretary. Besides, he is said to be close to BJP president Amit Shah whom he assisted during the partys campaign for last parliamentary elections. Currently, he is the BJPs state in-charge for Jharkhand.

BJP insiders, meanwhile, say that the development in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh would also determine who would be nominated as the CM here. If our party nominates a Brahmin leader as the UP chief minister then Rawat would get the top post in Uttarakhand, said a BJP insider. However, Pant, our partys Brahmin face, would get that post, if a Thakur takes over as the chief minister in UP.

The BJP has already set the ball rolling for selection of CM by appointing its two central observers--- party national general secretary Saroj Pandey and Union minister Ratan Singh Tomar. They will visit the state on Friday and meet our legislature party members separately to assess their choice for chief minister, state BJP vice president J P Gairola said. Our central leadership will select the best person for the job, he told Hindustan Times.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, BSP chief Mayawati and outgoing Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat are well within their rights to question the efficacy of electronic voting machines but doubting the integrity of thousands of poll staff is not acceptable.

Tampering of EVMS  as claimed by these leaders who took a beating in the recently concluded state elections  at such a scale cannot happen without the involvement of thousands of poll personnel.

For, every machine will have to be tinkered with individually and that is an enormous task.

More than 150,000 EVMs were used in Uttar Pradesh, around 40,000 in Punjab and 11,000 in Uttarakhand.

The number rises to about 2.4 million for the Lok Sabha election.

First introduced on pilot basis in 1982, EVMs fast-tracked Indias electoral process. Counting that used to take days is now a matter of hours.

All states had switched to EVMs by 2000. The 2004 poll was the first general election in which EVMs, manufactured by government-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals and Electronic Corporation of India, were used.

An EVM can record a maximum of 3,840 votes and typically, the number of electors in a polling station doesnt exceed 1,500, the Election Commission website says.

Even if a fourth of the machines used in the three states were to be tampered with, around 100,000 people ranging from poll staff, security personnel to representatives of contesting political parties will have to be in it together, which is highly improbable.

Kejriwal on Wednesday alleged that a fourth of his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) votes were diverted to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab.

25-30%of AAP's vote was transferred to SAD so Congress won election. They wanted AAP to lose any which way: Arvind Kejriwal on EVM tamper pic.twitter.com/ZoU4E6x2rs  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

AAPs national ambitions took a knock after it finished second with 20 seats in Punjab, where it was hoping to topple the SAD that ended third. The Congress stormed to power with 77 seats in a 117-member House.

Mayawati, whose Bahujan Samaj Party was decimated in Uttar Pradesh, said results showed that Muslims votes went to the BJP. The BJP won 312 seats in a 403-member UP assembly.

Most votes in Muslim majority constituencies have gone to BJP, makes it evident that voting machines were manipulated: Mayawati,BSP pic.twitter.com/DdXjaqMkQF  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 11, 2017

Responding to Mayawatis call for a fresh election, the Election Commission said EVMs couldnt be tampered with. Various preventive and precautionary measures have been put in place by the commission for the operation, maintenance and storage of the EVMs, the EC said.

The BJP, too, is dismissive of her charges.

When you win, EVMs are right. When you lose, EVMs are wrong. This shows that there are some defects in you (Mayawati), Union Minister M Venkaiah said on Wednesday.

Professor J Alax Haldarman of Michigan University had in 2010 released a video showing that an EVM allowed him to change results by sending a message from a mobile phone.

But, that was made possible after a chip, which Haldarmans research associate Hari Prasad stole from a collectors office in Mumbai, was inserted in the EVM that directed all the votes to one candidate.

For that to happen, the device has to be opened by an engineer with the connivance of a poll official and security personnel entrusted with the EVM.

The chip needs to be inserted in the circuit to re-direct the votes and it could take up to an hour, a paper released by Haldarman said.

The Election Commissions rigorous EVM drill doesnt allow a hacker enough time. They have a two-day window between the mandatory mock drill, held in the presence of candidates representatives, and the polling day.

But an hour before voting opens, poll officers recheck the machines in front of the candidates representatives. Tampering is not possible without the involvement of top poll functionaries.

An EC panel of senior scientists had rejected Haldarmans claims.

The poll watchdog, however, introduced verifiable paper trail, or VVPAT, on the directions of the Supreme Court.

The paper is a printout that allows a voter to see if the vote has gone to the candidate it is intended for.

Having said that, the poll panel needs to address concerns, not allegations, of Kejriwal, Mayawati, Rawat and several other leaders.

As around 2% of the polling booths in the five states used machines with paper trails, VVPATs should be counted in the presence of these leaders, a move that will re-enforce peoples faith in the EVMs.

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Trounced in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly elections, and caught off-guard in Goa and Manipur despite winning the highest seats, Congress leaders in the four states have their views on what went wrong, who is to blame, and what is the way forward. Here are the voices from the ground.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders blamed All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and in-charge of the state, Ghulam Nabi Azad, for misguiding the high command on the issue of allying with the Samajwadi Party (SP). The UP Congress Committee (UPCC) was not taken into confidence when the decision to enter an alliance with the SP was taken, according to state-level leaders who did not want to be named.

According to them, party vice-president Rahul Gandhis Deoria-Delhi Kisan Yatra had received a positive response across the state and farmers were looking towards the Congress. By aligning with the SP, the Congress distanced itself from voters fed up with regional parties.

I have spoken to most of district Congress committee leaders. Everybody blames Azad and poor ticket distribution system in many districts, said a senior UPCC office-bearer.

Way forward: The Congress should end the alliance and go in for organisational revamp as well as collective leadership model at the state and district level, according to state-level leaders. Any dependence on a single leader in a district or a region helps growth of a coterie.

Uttarakhand

In the face of the Modi wave, the perceived one-man show by chief minister Harish Rawat did not help, according to party leaders.

They claimed the Congress state unit failed to match the quantum of resources put in by the BJP for its campaigning blitzkrieg.

A few leaders admitted their government failed to showcase their development work and policies and did not connect with people.

They also rued the lack of a second line of leadership. After the exit of senior party leaders over the past one year, the Congress lacked a second line of leadership on most of those seats. Party members blamed Rawat for preventing a second line of leadership from emerging.

Way forward: Rawat said, We certainly lacked in resources as compared to the quantum (of resources) which was pumped into the state for winning the elections by the BJP. We will soon carry out a detailed review of the partys performance in the assembly polls.

Goa

Congress leaders blamed the post-poll debacle on failure to take a decision despite emerging as the single largest party. Instead of announcing the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, it continued to delay the process, taking the allegiance of Goa Forward and independent MLAs for granted.

Not announcing an alliance hurt. While Manohar Parrikar, right after the declaration of the results, hinted at the BJP allying with the MGP and said they would be able to prove majority, the Congress leadership remained silent.

Infighting for the post of the CM is the main reason why Congress lost out to the BJP despite being short of only four seats, according to local leaders. According to sources, the Congress could not decide in the face of pressure put by different camps backing Digambar Kamat and Luizinho Faleiro for the CMs post.

Assuming that the BJP would not be able to manage the numbers was a big mistake.

Failure to communicate the decision of the party has rankled many. It was only after the BJP had announced an alliance at 8.30 pm on March 12 that the Congress was finally able to make Babu Kavalekar the CLP leader.

Vijay Sardesai of Goa Forward, which has three seats, told mediapersons, I know a lot of people wont be happy with our choice of siding with the BJP, but the Congress disappointed us with their sheer lack of decision making.

Manipur

Newly elected Congress MLAs blamed BJPs money power and faulty EVMs for their partys failure to get a majority, and insisted they planned to carry on efforts to form the government.

They (BJP) indulged in all sort of tricks. They kidnapped the Independent MLA from Jiribam, Ahsab Uddin, who was planning to support us. They also pumped in lot of money to influence MLAs from other parties, said A Mirabai Devi, Congresss lone woman legislator who won from Patsoi.

The role of EVMs was doubtful in some areas. Even in places where there are no BJP supporters, the party managed to secure a lot of votes. The outcome can be swung by as much as 20% by tampering with the machines, claimed Y Surchandra Singh, who retained his Kakching seat.

The Congress is formulating a strategy to defeat the BJP in the floor test expected in the next few days. Efforts are on to influence BJP legislators who may be unhappy with the selection of ministers.

This (BJP) government isnt going to last. We will continue efforts to form government, said Devi.

(With inputs from Umesh Raghuvanshi, Neha Pant, Anupam Trivedi, Nida Khan and Utpal Parashar )
Suresh Kumar, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who retired last year, is set to get a key post from chief minister-designate Capt Amarinder Singh to run Punjabs administration after the Congress government assumes office on March 16. Meanwhile, IAS officers Navreet Singh Kang (1983 batch) and Karan Avtar Singh (1984 batch) are frontrunners for the post of chief secretary, Congress sources told HT.

On Tuesday morning, before going to Delhi to meet Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, senior officers briefed Amarinder about the pressing administrative matters, sources said. A major bureaucratic shake-up, starting from the chief secretary, is on the cards that will begin after Thursdays austere swearing-in ceremony.

Suresh Kumar, a 1983-batch officer who got into the limelight as his principal secretary in Amarinders last term as CM, retired in April last year as additional chief secretary. His role will not be restricted to running the chief ministers office (CMO), though.

Must read | Kejriwal to meet AAP MLAs today to pick leader of Oppn: Phoolka, Sandhu, Khaira frontrunners

Instead, Suresh, considered a go-getter, will spearhead the administration which will also have a new chief secretary replacing incumbent Sarvesh Kaushal, who has the reputation of being a tough administrator and stickler to the rulebook. Kaushal, from the 1982 batch of IAS, has been at the helm of affairs for nearly three years and will retire in August next year. It is the absolute prerogative of the chief minister to appoint the chief secretary of his choice, Kaushal said.

Sources said the states seniormost IAS officer Himmat Singh (1980 batch), whose name figured directly or indirectly in cases such as the multi-crore iron ore export and the citrus council scam, is lobbying hard to become chief secretary. His disadvantage is that he is approaching superannuation in August.

Another senior IAS officer, Anjuly Chib Duggal (1981 batch), is on central deputation and will also retire in August.

Navreet Kang, who is in contention, is known for his relatively clean image and a no-nonsense attitude. He too is currently on central deputation and is to retire in April next year. What he lacks is political pull.

Sources said the fight thus is between Kang and Karan Avtar Singh, who will retire in 2020. In case Karan steals the show, he will supersede his batchmate Karan Bir Singh Sidhu, who will be in service till July 2021.

Tejvir to be CMs principal secy, Gurkirat special principal secy

Tejvir Singh, a soft-spoken IAS officer of the 1994 batch, will be the principal secretary to CM-designate Amarinder. Currently, he is on a central deputation and will join the new assignment on April 1. During Amarinders previous innings as CM, Tejvir was Patiala deputy commissioner and later director of public relations.

Meanwhile, 2001-batch IAS officer Gurkirat Kirpal Singh will be special principal secretary to the CM. Sources said 1992-batch IAS officer Kumar Anugresh Prasad Sinha, a trusted officer of former Union minister and Amarinders wife Preneet Kaur, is also expected to get an important assignment in the Congress regime.

Dont miss | Video: Harsimrat Kaur Badal blames BJP for Punjab poll loss

MP Singh is secy-cum-OSD

The Punjab government on Tuesday appointed Mohinder Pal Singh, a retired Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer, as secretary-cum-officer on special duty (OSD) to the CM. He is the second officer to be appointed after Gurinder Singh Sodhi, who was called immediately to join the CMO when poll results were declared on March 11. MP Singh is close confidante of CM-designate Amarinder Singh.

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Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Union minister Venkaiah Naidu, on their way to Imphal to attend the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh on Wednesday, had to return to Delhi after their aircraft suffered an engine problem.

Biren Singh will head the BJPs first government in the northeast state.

Two BJP chief ministers from the northeast -- Assams Sarbananda Sonowal and Arunachal Pradeshs Pema Khandu -- will attend the ceremony at Raj Bhawan.

Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling and some other dignitaries are also expected to reach Imphal to take part in the ceremony at 1pm, senior party leader Th. Chaoba Singh said.

Senior leaders and Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal and Jitendra Singh, who is in-charge of the ministry of development of north eastern region (DONER), are also expected to be present.

Besides Biren Singh, who was elected the saffron partys chief minister candidate on Monday, two or three other ministers are expected to be sworn in on Wednesday. Sources say cabinet expansion will take place later.

After the swearing-in ceremony, there will be a celebration at the BJP state office.

On Tuesday evening, governor Najma Heptulla had invited the BJP-led coalition headed by Biren Singh to form government and also prove majority on the floor of the House as soon as possible.

Although Congress, the single-largest party with 28 seats, had also staked claim to form government, Heptulla said she took the decision to invite the BJP-led coalition as it had the requisite number.

A party or coalition needs support of at least 31 MLAs for majority in the 60-member assembly. The BJP, which has 21 MLAs of its own, has presented the Governor with a list of 32 legislators.

Besides their own MLAs, BJP has the support of four legislators each from Naga Peoples Party and National Peoples Party and the only MLA from Lok Janshakti Party.

A Congress MLA, T Shyam Kumar and the lone All India Trinamool Congress legislator T. Robindro Singh have also extended support to the BJP-led coalition.

On the other hand, the Congress, which needed support of just three more legislators to reach 31, hasnt been able to get any outside support.

Party leaders, who till Monday were expressing confidence of being able to win a floor test, if given a chance, have stopped taking calls from the media.

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Deoband was considered a Muslim stronghold that would be impossible for the BJP to breach because of the minority communitys perceived dislike of the saffron party.

But when assembly election results for Uttar Pradesh started pouring in last Saturday, the home of one of the worlds most-respected Islamic seminaries became the first seat the BJP won en-route its landslide victory in Indias largest state.

Deoband wasnt the only one. The BJP won 62 of 82 constituencies where Muslims comprise a third of the population, triggering speculation that pockets of the minority community had voted for the saffron party.

But clerics and Islamic bodies analysing the results say the answer is far more complicated: A mix of a split in the Muslim vote and many in the community voting for the BJP, notwithstanding directives by local elders and leaders.

Kamal Farooqui, a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Boards (AIMPLB) executive body said in several constituencies, Muslims had voted for the BJP.

Musalmaan abhi aur bhi vote karenge agar BJP thoda samajhdaari se chalegi (Muslims would vote even more if the BJP moves carefully), Farooqui told HT on phone.

See Muslims vote like other communities on personal preferences too. Its a myth that they vote as a bloc.

Despite not having put up a single Muslim candidate, the BJP has now indicated that it would accommodate minority candidates in government.

Farooqui, however, made it clear that he didnt think Muslims voted for the BJP on the issue of triple talaq, as has been speculated by various politicians.

I am not sure if Muslims would welcome anyone tampering with Shariat. But the community is opening up to the BJP and it would have been much better had they fielded Muslims too, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various BJP leaders have called for an end to the practice of husbands seeking divorce by uttering the word talaq thrice, terming the ritual anti-woman.

Prominent Sunni cleric Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahal said there was no concrete evidence to establish Muslims had actually voted for the BJP by design. In several seats split in Muslim votes helped the BJP. We are still analysing the results, he said.

Other experts pointed at data that showed the Samajwadi Pary-Congress alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party had jointly polled more votes than the BJP in 370 of the states 403 seats.

So I would go with the theory that its more a case of BJP benefitting from split Muslim vote. BJP seems to have benefitted by default than design, said Athar Hussain from the Centre of Objective Research and Development (CORD). He said the SP won all seven seats with more than 50% Muslim votes The BJP seems to have scored in constituencies where the Muslim population was below 30%.

But Rumana Siddiqui, former chief of BJPs minority morcha, rebuffed the charge. We will soon have data to prove that the myth of Muslims not voting for the BJP has broken, she said.

A quick analysis of 2017 UP polls showed Muslim candidates lost on more than 24 seats due to division of votes among candidates belonging to their own community. Some of the seats were lost narrowly  by 500-700 votes.

The Muslim candidates in these constituencies totalled more votes than the BJP victor. In Tanda, for instance, Azeemul Haq Pahalwan of Samajwadi Party (SP) lost to BJPs Sanju Devi by 1,725 votes. Devi polled 74,768 while Pahalwan got 73,043 votes.

Pahalwans figure added to the 2,070 votes polled by Irfan Pathan of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen is 345 votes more than the winner.

Similarly, the presence of Mohd Nasir of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Kanth constituency made it easier for BJPs Rajesh Kumar Singh who defeated Anees-ur-Rehman of SP by 2,348 votes. Rehman got 73,959 and Nasir 43,820 votes  a total of 117,779 that is 41,472 more than what Singh garnered.

The story is similar in Moradabad Nagar where RK Gupta of BJP defeated SPs Mohd Yusuf Ansari by 3,193 votes. There, Ateeq Ahmed of BSP spoiled Ansaris chances by getting 24,650 votes.

Other seats where BJP gained from division of Muslim votes include Lucknow (East), Lucknow (Central), Aligarh, Rudauli, Siwalkhas, Nanpura, Shahabad, Baheri, Khalilabad, Firozabad, Chandpur and Kundirki.
The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) expansion in the northeast got another boost on Wednesday with the swearing-in of the states first saffron party-led coalition under the leadership of N Biren Singh.

Governor Najma Heptulla administered the oath of office and secrecy to Biren, a former Congress minister who switched over to the BJP last year, and 8 other cabinet ministers, at the Raj Bhawan.

Deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh and cabinet ministers Th Biswajit Singh, L Jayantakumar Singh, Karam Shyam, Letpao Haokip, N Kayisii, Th Shyamkumar and Losii Dikho were among them.

Besides Biren, Biswajit is the only BJP MLA in the cabinet. A total of four berths were allotted to National Peoples Party, all four of the partys MLAs were made ministers.

The lone Lok Janashakti Party MLA Karam Shyam, Naga Peoples Fronts Dikho and Congress legislator Th Shyam Kumar, who joined the coalition after his election, completed the list.

This is the third BJP-led government in the region after Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The party is also part of the NPF-led Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition in Nagaland.

The biggest cheers during the swearing in ceremony were reserved for Congresss Shyamkumar, whose support was crucial in the coalition getting past the figure of 31 MLAs needed for a majority in the 60-member assembly.

People are fed up with the Congress. I am ready to face any consequence for my action, he told Hindustan Times after swearing in.

A cabinet expansion is expected within the next 10-12 days to accommodate more BJP legislators in the ministry, which can have a total of 12 ministers.

I appeal to United Naga Council to please lift the blockade on humanitarian grounds as innocent people are suffering. We can sit down and sort out (the issue), Biren later said at a party function.

Manipur has been reeling under an indefinite blockade of the states two national highways by UNC since November last year, in protest against the creation of new districts by the former Congress government.

A corruption free government and equal development of the valley and hills for a united Manipur will be the other priorities of the government, the 56-year-old said.

Birens predecessor Congresss Okram Ibobi Singh, who had also staked claim to form the government on the ground that the party was the single largest in the assembly, was also present at the ceremony.

Our game is over. We will sit in the opposition and play a constructive role. We respect the Supreme Courts verdict delivered on Tuesday and also the verdict given by the people, he said.

BJP president Amit Shah, who was to take part in the ceremony, could not make it as his flight developed a snag and had to return to New Delhi.

Chief ministers of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling, and Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, also failed to turn up.

Union ministers Prakash Javadekar, Piyush Goyal and Assam chief minister Sarbanand Sonowal, former Manipur CM RB Koijam and the states titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba were the other dignitaries present.

On Tuesday evening, Heptulla invited the BJP-led coalition to form the government and also prove the majority on the floor of the House as soon as possible.

Although Congress, the single-largest party with 28 seats, also staked claim to form the government, Heptulla said she took the decision to invite the BJP-led coalition as it had the requisite number.

A party or coalition needs the support of at least 31 MLAs for a majority in the 60-member assembly. The BJP, which has 21 MLAs of its own, presented the governor with a list of 32 legislators.

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Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar took charge on Wednesday in his fourth stint in the top job after his party cobbled together a coalition with regional parties and independents to pip the Congress to the majority mark.

Goa voted a hung House in the recently concluded assembly elections, with the Congress getting the most seats (17 in the 40-member assembly). But the BJP, which finished second with 13 seats, beat the Congress in forming a ruling alliance.

Parrikar acknowledged his partys below-par performance in Goa in the five-state elections that saw the BJP registering landslide victories in Uttarakhand and the battleground state of Uttar Pradesh.

The loss of many ministers in Goa indicates that there was something wrong in the governance in the past two and half years, Parrikar told news agency ANI. ...let me identify that aspect, ANI quoted him as saying.

The former defence minister also expressed confidence that he will be able to prove his majority on the floor of the House on Thursday. The number is very clear. So, I dont see any reason that there has to be any apprehension, he said. The trust vote was ordered by the Supreme Court after the Congress complained that the governor had broken laws by not inviting the single-largest party to form the government.

Parrikar was Goa CM when he was appointed the Union defence minister in 2014. He was succeeded by Laxmikant Parsekar, who lost his own seat this time.

The opposition party has accused the BJP of stealing the peoples mandate. Even on Wednesday, Congress Digvijaya Singh took a dig at Parrikar and posted on Twitter:

Manohar Parrikar is an expert in Fishing in Troubled Waters which is the reason he has sacrificed his Defence Ministry to become CM in Goa.  digvijaya singh (@digvijaya_28) March 15, 2017

Congress leader Meem Afzal said misusing money and cheating were methods that the BJP had always used for political benefits.

But there are indications that not all was well in the Congress.

Days after a group of Goa leaders blamed the high command for the failure to form the government, MLA Vishwajit Rane said on Wednesday that he, along with five to six other MLAs, will quit if party vice-president Rahul Gandhi did not respond adequately.

Rane and his group of legislators wrote a letter to Gandhi complaining about the senior Congress leadership. Rane asserted that it was shocking how the whole situation was mismanaged by people in charge of the affairs in Goa.
Home minister Rajnath Singh junked on Wednesday rumours over his possible appointment as the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

These discussions are futile and unnecessary, the 65-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party leader told news agency ANI.

BJPs Rita Bahuguna Joshi said the partys central leadership will appoint a very capable person as the CM.

Joshi, who won the Lucknow Cantonment seat by beating Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singhs younger daughter-in-law Aparna Yadav, said the BJP had several talented leaders.

We are holding a meeting on 16, where the advice of all MLAs will be sought and the national leadership will decide (on the candidate). We have made huge promises to the people of the state and we must fulfill them, she said.

The Uttar Pradesh BJP legislature party will meet in Lucknow on Friday to decide the CM.

The party is set to return to power in the state after a decade and a half following its landslide victory.

The partys central observers, Union minister M Venkaiah Naidu and BJP general secretary Bhupendra Yadav, will be present at the meeting.

The names of several probables, including home minister Singh who led a BJP government in the state in the past, were doing the rounds at the state party office.

Though Singh, 65, is still regarded as a good choice for the key post given his vast experience and popularity, he appears reluctant about shifting back to state politics.

Singhs had earlier reacted to a journalists query saying Ram, Ram, remark that many interpreted as a show of his unwillingness to return to UP politics.

Another name doing the rounds is that of Manoj Sinha (57), the minister of state for railways.

An upper caste Bhumihar, he belongs to Poorvanchal, the area which is in the focus of the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modis Varanasi constituency is also part of Poorvanchal.
He is being hailed as the man who not only won Punjab but also has given the Congress a face-saver at the national level. And he will become the chief minister again Thursday. But Capt Amarinder Singh is not the boss. At least, thats what Asha Kumari believes.

Kumari posted in a reply to some comments on a Facebook page: Capt Amarinder Singh is President of Punjab PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) but I am the General Secretary in charge for Punjab that is his boss! Thank you for your good wishes. I am overwhelmed.

Also read | HT INTERVIEW Asha Kumari: I am aware of politics in Punjab

The conversation was about congratulatory messages to Kumari on the Facebook page of ACES (Association of St Josephs Convent Ex-Students), Idgah Hills, Bhopal.

Also read | HT Regional buzz : When Asha Kumari speaks: Be Khamosh! and Gappi vs Gappi

Among the replies she got to her comment was one by Rama Dey-Rao: Luve yu being da boss lady. YU go girl. (sic)

The page has several clippings and photos of Kumari while campaigning in Punjab for the party.

The post on which she commented read: Taking the greatest pride in classmate Asha Singh-Deo (Kumari) (1973) at the helm of a political win in Punjab. She is certainly from Bhopal and FROM OUR BELOVED SCHOOL. Splashed all over local and national papers Asha takes the scene by storm. We wish her all the best in the future...

Married into the erstwhile royal family of Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, she has a princely-state connection as Amarinder does. A former minister, she is now a member of the Himachal assembly from Dalhousie and in her fifth term as MLA.

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The main topic of the second day of the Astana talks on Syria will become the separation of positions of terrorists and moderate opposition in the country, head of Damascus delegation to the talks Bashar Jaafari told Sputnik.

When asked whether the maps with locations of positions of terrorists and moderate opposition were ready, Jaafari stated the topic is to be discussed Wednesday.

We shall discuss it. This is the main issue for negotiations, Jaafari said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Syrian delegations representative, Osama Abu Zeid, told Sputnik that the armed opposition decided not to participate in the round of Astana talks.

The agenda of the third round of the talks in Astana presupposed that the delegations of the Syrian authorities and armed opposition as well as the international mediators, such as Russia, Turkey and Iran would focus on the map of terrorists' presence in the war-torn state.

The third round of intra-Syrian talks in Astana, taking place on March 14-15, will include consultations on the first day and a plenary session on Wednesday.
She is at the top of her game, and has delivered back-to-back hits in the short time she has been working in Bollywood, but Alia Bhatt says what shes looking for is constant growth. As the Badrinath Ki Dulhania actor turns a year older today (March 15), HT catches up her to talk about her plans for the day, maturity, growing older and her love life.

Whats the plan for your birthday?

Its going to be my first birthday in my new house, so thats going to be a first. Honestly, other than that, what makes my birthday special is my family and friends. Its an excuse to get together and celebrate. Its not like I hate my birthdays, but I dont really get into or understand big celebrations. I am turning 24, and am entering the mid-20s zone. So thats interesting.

Alia Bhatt is getting rave reviews for her outing in Badrinath Ki Dulhania.

You seem very excited to be in your mid-20s

Yes, I am. I am not one of those people who are conscious about age. Some people dont want to turn old, but I want to turn a couple of years older  not just one year  so that people dont call me a kid (smiles). Its sweet and I dont mind [being called] that, but turning older will take me away a little bit from that (laughs). Anyway, age is just a number. But maybe I am saying that because I am young (smiles).

Alia Bhatt got a lot of critical acclaim for her performance in Udta Punjab.

Are you a big birthday person?

Theres one thing that I am particular about: cake. I have always made sure that my cake has been epic, ever since I was 17 or 18. So, if I am not able to get my cake, I tell someone else that I want this particular kind of cake. This time, I have told my sister (Shaheen Bhatt) that I want a white cake with chocolate inside it. Besides that, I dont care much about gifts or parties.

Alia Bhatt starred alongside Varun Dhawan in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

With regard to your career, you seem to be in a great place.

Yes, I think I am in a very exciting place. I wouldnt say that I am now safe or that I have arrived. Its a very intriguing time in my life, because I am so taken up by the movies, people, work and creativity. Its an exciting time to be a part of movies and just to be an actor in this generation. I dont measure my success or failure. I am just looking for constant growth as a person and an actor. If I feel ki ab toh ho gaya (that Ive achieved everything now), then I am putting a full stop to everything, which is boring.

Watch Tamma Tamma Again I Badrinath Ki Dulhania

Recently, you were in the news for receiving threats on the phone. Was it scary?

It can happen to anyone. My father calls them an occupational hazard. Honestly, since I was in the middle of promotions for my film, I didnt want to be disturbed or bothered. My father sort of understood that and so I wasnt bothered at all. He just said, You need to know about it, but theres nothing to worry about. Thanks to him, the Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh police got on it immediately to make sure theres nothing to worry about. My family and other people have also faced things like these. It was dealt with every well. With my father and the police by my side, I dont have anything to worry about.

Delhi  A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Mar 3, 2017 at 12:25am PST

It was reported that rumoured couple Alia and Sidharth went on a lunch date last week

Its not a rumour, because I did go for the lunch (laughs). And I didnt give that headline. So, I didnt call it rumoured (smiles).

So, if not rumoured, then are you confirming it?

No, I am not confirming anything. I just didnt give that headline (laughs). There should be a new word for rumoured lovebirds. Lets use love cats or love dogs (laughs). I also love cats. I am tired of seeing the same headlines over and over. Plus, theres nothing to react to. I find some of the headlines very entertaining, and Im Sid does too. There are only reasons to be happy and joyful.

Alia Bhatt has been linked with Sidharth Malhotra multiple times. (HT Photo)

2017 is also your fifth year in the industry

Honestly, the five years have felt longer to me. People generally say that time has gone fast but I feel like I have been in the industry for a while. Also, maybe because the day I faced the camera, I felt, Oh, I have been doing this for the longest time. I felt that comfortable and happy in front of the camera. In these five years, so much has happened. There has been so much frenzy that it feels so long. If you come to think of it, its (five years in the industry) nothing and its just the beginning.

5 DAYS TO GO!!! @varundvn A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Mar 4, 2017 at 11:49pm PST

You are turning 24. Do you feel you have had to act mature because you are a public figure?

First, I dont believe in acting mature. You are either mature or not. If I have a mature side, I also have childishness in me. I can be a six-year-old child in a minute and can also behave like a 40-year-old adult. I think thats also because I am a Piscean. And all Pisceans  be it Shraddha (Kapoor) or Shahid (Kapoor)  are very unique, sensitive, moody and evolved by nature. I also feel that comes from my family too. If you live with Mahesh Bhatt, and wake up every morning having heavy, deep conversations about everything under the sun, you cant help but behave and think a little ahead of your age. So, I feel my emotional quotient is very high.

Last year, Alia Bhatt starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Dear Zindagi.

What makes you happier  your films (Badrinath Ki Dulhania) success and praise; or birthdays?

Actually, if there was any reason for celebrations, I would do it for my film, Badrinath Ki Dulhania (BKD). So, there can be combined celebrations for birthday slash my film. I know birthdays come just once in a year but it also comes every year. But if a film of mine gets lots of love, it doesnt happen all the time. Sometimes, it happens and sometimes, it doesnt but you work so hard on a film that you feel great with such a response that I am getting for BKD. So, I would love to celebrate my film along with my birthday (smiles).

Holi time for Badri and the Dulhania  A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Mar 13, 2017 at 6:26am PDT

By now, havent you gotten used to praise and success?

You never get used to it. Its a Friday-to-Friday kind of thing. Also, its not like I want my films to just make money; I also want my films to have an impact on people, the same way a story has an impact on me when I hear it. Its one thing that a film does well and another thing as to how it makes a place in peoples heart. Thats what I was hoping to happen with BKD that has a subtle message but not in a preachy manner. And I am glad that I am getting a fabulous response. Thats what makes me happy and want to get into celebratory mode.

Alia Bhatt started her career with Student of The Year.

You said in an interview that you are Yash and Roohis (Karan Johars kids) sister

Yes, I was discussing it with Karan that I am like your daughter so, I cant be their aunt. So, they have to be my brother and sister. Maybe, I am one of the only people, who will qualify to be Yash and Roohis aunt (laughs).

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A few pages into this book, you might find yourself preparing for a trip to Nepal, wondering how much it could cost. You might check out flights to and hotels in Kathmandu and the weather conditions there at this time of year. Or you might find yourself telling your friends about what used to be Kathmandus hippie/drug heaven, hoping to entice them into going with you. I was.

To some, Thamel might seem like a version of New Delhis Paharganj but it is much more; it is a place with a spirit unshaken even after the April 2015 earthquake.

In his book, described as a biography of a place, Rabi Thapa delves into the past, present and the hopeful future of Thamel, Kathmandus tourist district. Its a place filled with rockers, junkies, dopers, drunks, all-singing, all-dancing party bitches, he writes. Its also a place transited by Buddhists, Hindu saints, Nepali royals, hippies and all who came after. Through the centuries, passersby have formed the face of the place that formed them while they inhabited it.

The book opens a window into how Thamel was established and, by extension, into Nepali geo-political history. A Buddhist-inspired Himalayan folk tale says blood thirsty, man-eating demon lovers beguiled a caravan of gold traders who passed through often on the way to Tibet. After seven days of love making the rakshasis ate all the traders save one, the leader Singhasarthabahu. He later persuaded the rakshasi who followed him to become the guardian goddess of the region. The shrine of Jatika Ajima is still visited by thousands.

Thamels mix of temples and Buddhist monasteries attracted the patronage of the successive kings of Nepal. Over the centuries it grew into a local trade centre. When Kathmandu first opened up to foreigners in the 1940-50s, they lodged in the homes of Thamels low-caste residents as those who were socially superior didnt want to risk their ritual purity by being in contact with outsiders, considered lowest in the caste hierarchy. Thamel became a destination on the hippie trail in the 1960s. Travellers came from across the seven seas in search of the famed Himalayan hashish that grew wild in the Kathmandu valley. They made the freak street of Thamel their mini universe over the next decade.

Heres Yugoslavian travel writer, Steven Pesics account of Thamel in the 1970s: There are also a few hippie restaurantsThe Yin and Yang is run by three Nepali brothers. More than food, they serve the best Jumla hashish here. The statues of Hindu Gods sit, lie down or stand alongside the guests. Waiters drift through hashish smoke as if through Himalayan fog, and they have to keep their eyes wide open not to place a teacup in front of a statue instead of a guest. Pesics observations of Kathmandus hippie culture will make you ponder your untimely birth. This is especially true if you are someone who frequently vanishes to Kasol for you know what.

Rabi Thapa (Courtesy Speaking Tiger)

Further into the book, the reader begins to understand what Thamel means to its permanent residents. Their dilemmas touch the reader: like the police officer trying to contain a possibly fatal situation being seen as a villain by those who lack his foresight; or the domestic servant whose journey from rags to riches in Thamel, is a tale of hard work and self-control; and the hairdresser who refuses to budge from her own house as those around her turn into cafes, bars, clubs, tourist offices and massage parlours.

Read more: In remote Nepal, only the mountains remain

Thapa explores a side of Thamel where humour is hard to find, where street kids distrust NGO workers, whom they assume are paedophiles. And why shouldnt they? According to this book, Thamel was once the hunting ground of foreign sex offenders who preyed on its population of 1,500 street kids. World attention has also been drawn by recent documentaries on Nepals flesh trade. Thamel is an important junction for this. It is also impossible to run an innocent business here without paying protection money to the local gang.

This colourfully written book with black and white photographs provides a clear view of Indias northern neighbour. By the end, readers start thinking of Nepal without first bringing the rest of the subcontinent into the picture.
In a turn of events, two days after Sandeep Aggarwal, ousted co-founder of ShopClues took to Facebook against co-founders Radhika Ghai and Sanjay Sethi, the e-commerce firms board backed Ghai and Sethi and instilled faith in the current management.

In his Facebook posts, Sandeep Aggarwal said that his wife Radhika was having an illicit relationship with Sethi, who is also the companys CEO.

While Aggarwal in his long Facebook posts claimed that Ghai and Sethi were not the perfect entrepreneurs and they changed web history and company facts, the board, represented by ShopClues largest investors Helion Venture Partners and Nexus Venture Partners, thinks otherwise.

In a statement issued late evening on Tuesday, the board said that under Ghai and Sethi, the company with its differentiated business model has grown 30 times.

The boards statement also contradicts Aggarwals claim that Radhika became the vice-president of the company without any significant experience. He also wrote that Sethi and Ghai were below average executives who got lucky because of him.

While Radhika chose to remain silent, the board said, It is very disappointing to see an ex-founder, who disassociated from the company for his criminal wrong doings, is now engaged in a personal vendetta on a public forum.

Aggarwal had been accused of insider trading in US  while he was an equity research analyst in San Francisco  in relation to a strategic Internet search and advertising deal between Microsoft Corporation and Yahoo! Inc. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had arrested him.

According to an internal note, copy of which is with HT, chronicles that Aggarwal was released on bail on July 30, 2013. Four months later, Aggarwal stepped down from the position of the CEO and became a consultant. Sethi became the CEO and Radhika joined the board.

On November 8, Aggarwal pled guilty in Manhattan Federal Court and as a result he had to give up his role in ShopClues as director.

For ShopClues that was founded in 2011 and is one of the few startups valued at over a billion dollars, the board said has a capital efficient approach, especially at a time when Indian e-commerce firms such as Flipkart and Snapdeal, are struggling. Our goal is to create value for all stakeholders and we remain focused on working closely with Radhika (Ghai) and Sanjay (Sethi), and the management team to continue to scale the company as it captures the massive opportunity which lies ahead of us, the board wrote.

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The Bharatiya Janata Partys spectacular victory in Uttar Pradesh makes Prime Minister Narendra Modi appear unstoppable in his quest for a second term in 2019. The BJPs winning streak through the state and local body polls held since Modi stormed to power in the national election of 2014 demonstrates how the partys well-oiled election machine has gone from strength to strength. It draws its strength from the formidable triad of a popular leader in Modi, the state apparatus and an expansive network of volunteers from the BJPs ideological fountainhead, the RSS.

In contrast, the opposition is in disarray and continues to disintegrate. The failure of the Congress party to seize the opportunity in Goa and Manipur, where it emerged as the single-largest party but fell just short of a majority, reinforced once more how Indias grand old party is just that  grand and old. It no longer has the appetite or the ability to go for power. As one commentator put it, the Congress has been reduced to a flock of headless chickens.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is the imminent danger of a split in Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party, the dismal showing by Arvind Kejriwals Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab and Goa, the huge setback to Naveen Patnaiks Biju Janata Dal in the recently held panchayat elections, the festering power tussle in Tamil Nadu and the growing unease in relations between Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his ally Lalu Prasad. All of these dim the prospects of a strong realignment of regional parties to take on the BJP in 2019. As Omar Abdullah rightly conceded, at this rate, we (the opposition) might as well forget 2019 and start planning/hoping for 2024.

So, what could possibly stop Modi from returning to power in 2019? The answer perhaps lies in the way we look at the mandate. Take the case of Uttar Pradesh. About 40% of the voters chose the BJP over the others. They were overwhelmingly Hindus, mostly upper caste and non-Yadav OBCs. There have been suggestions that the BJP succeeded in consolidating their support, because it excluded the Muslims from its political equations in the state and raised the pitch for communal polarisation. I disagree. The campaign around Hindutva definitely helped, but it was not the most important determinant of the outcome. Most Hindus voted for the BJP because they still see in Modi a leader who can help them realise their aspirations, even though his governments policies have yet to bring tangible gains. He is still seen as a leader who is trying to do something, while others are merely protesting. That narrative is reinforced again and again by Modi himself, via 24x7 news channels, social media and every mass-contact platform available with the government. So far, it seems to have worked, making the Gujarat strongman appear invincible and helping BJP steadily expand its national footprint.

But Modi knows the imponderables that will come in his way, between now and 2019. His party is now in power in 15 states that account for nearly 60% of the nations population. By the time national elections are held in 2019, it might have added a couple more states to its kitty. The wins in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have taken the BJP closer to making its nominee the countrys next president, in the elections scheduled for this July. In about a years time, it will be in a position to muster enough support in the Rajya Sabha to push through any legislation. In other words, Modi and the BJP can do pretty much what they want to do. For not being able to do what they ought to do, they will have none to blame.

Modi knows his governments policies have so far failed to reverse the trend of jobless growth. Education and skill levels fall far short of what the countrys youth need to be gainfully employed. The push for a digital India has improved productivity in some areas and added to transparency in government services, but as a policy it has been labour-displacing and the economic gains are not widely shared. In the aftermath of demonetisation, there is heightened distress in rural areas, where farm incomes were already getting squeezed and indebtedness had been on the rise. In the cities, the middle class is getting restless over the rising costs of living, stagnating wages and increasing layoffs. The global economic environment remains not-so-benign to provide any external growth stimuli. Nor does the government have enough money in its kitty to pump-prime the economy.

Modi knows he has yet to come good on his promise of achhe din. And he knows, to return to power in 2019, he needs a new narrative that shifts the goalpost and is strong enough to overshadow the promise of achhe din. That is why, in his thanksgiving address to party workers on Sunday, a day after the verdict, he made another pledge  building a new India by 2022. It remains to be seen if the electorate reposes its faith again in yet another ephemeral promise from the Prime Minister.

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Teachers and students classified the Class 12 Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) Physics exam question paper, held on Wednesday, as balanced and of medium difficulty level.

The paper was balanced. More questions were direct, applicative questions didnt require much critical thinking and numericals were easily attemptable. Below average students can easily get passing marks but to get 100% required good time management, said Rannu Pathak, who teaches physics at Mount Abu School, Rohini.

Most students said the paper was easy and they could attempt most questions. However, some students said the paper was lengthy.

Read: Dont let exam pressure turn your childs life into a nightmare

The five marks questions were easy but three marks question were tricky and lengthy. But overall the paper was good, said Kunark, a student.

Teachers said the Physics paper was not difficult as most of the questions were straightforward and included derivations. They said students who could manage time will be able to score well.

The paper was balanced and can be graded as average to easy. Students would find it easy to score a minimum of 70% marks provided they have prepared keeping in mind the specified board syllabus, said Nitin Bharadwaj, physics teacher at Evergreen senior secondary school, Vasundhara Enclave.

A physics teacher from a government school said, The paper was of average difficulty level. Students will be able to score good marks if they attempted most questions.

Class 12 student, Afreen Zehra, whose exam center was Kendriya Vidyalaya Gole market, said the paper was not very difficult. Another student Dipanshu Sharma said, It was little complicated but easy. Section B and C were difficult.

Students will appear for Business Studies exam on Thursday and after that the next exam will be of Mathematics on March 20.

Read: Delhi govt wants compulsory Class 10 board exam put off for two years

The examination for Class 10 was conducted at 16,363 centres across the country. Students appeared for Class 12 examination at 10,678 centres in India. Fifty-eight examination centres have also been set up in some Gulf countries and six in various other countries.

The CBSE has a three-tier arrangement for surprise checking flying squads from the Board itself, Delhis Directorate of Education (DoE) and those from outside Delhi.

In a first, the board has also come up with a mobile application to help students locate their examination centre using their phone numbers.
The police last week rescued a 17-year-old boy, who worked as a domestic help and was not paid for the last four years.

The teenager, belonging to one of the tribal communities in West Bengals Jalpaiguri district, was allegedly sold to a placement agency four years ago and sent to work at a businessmans house in Dwarka sector 19.

At 13, he was allegedly sold to the east Delhi based placement company for Rs20,000 and brought to Delhi. Police said when the child was sold he was studying in Class 3 in a village school.

The child has alleged that he was forced to do menial jobs in the house and was not paid a rupee. The teenager also told police that he was given only two pairs of clothes at his employers house. He worked at the house for three years and 10 months.

Police have registered a case at the Dwarka 23 police station and have sent a police team to his village in Jalpaiguri. The team reached his village on Wednesday afternoon and contacted his family members. Police are probing how he was lured to Delhi and sold by a local to a placement agency in east Delhi.

DCP (south-west) Surender Kumar said, We are collecting documents related to his date of birth. If he is a minor, then we will file other sections in the FIR. We are probing the case.

Police have collected details of the placement agency and are probing if there are other similar cases.

Police said the boy was rescued after his parents contacted a local NGO in Jalpaiguri alleging that they had not heard of the boy for the last four years. The Jalpaiguri-based NGO traced a local who had trafficked the teenager to Delhi and sold him in Delhi.

The Jalpaiguri NGO got in touch with police and we rescued him. He is with an NGO in Palam. His parents will come and take him back, said an officer.
A 60-year-old inebriated man allegedly killed his son by stabbing him in his chest with a knife in northwest Delhis Bhalswa Dairy on Tuesday night. Police said the elderly man was drunk when he attacked his son in a fit of rage following an argument over his drinking habit.

Initial probe revealed that Chandrika often consumed alcohol and beat up his wife. His son, Gyanu, did not like his father ill-treating and misbehaving with his mother. They allegedly had frequent fights over the issue.

On Tuesday around 8 pm, Chandrika returned home in inebriated. Chandrikas wife Saraswati, his three children Gyanu, Jugnu, Suraj and Sandhya, and grandson Suraj were present in the house. A few minutes later, Chandrika started hurling abuses at Suraj.

When Saraswati tried to stop him, Chandrika got enraged and began abusing her. When despite her repeated requests to stop using abusive language, Chandrika did not stop, Gyanu intervened and objected to his fathers behaviour.

This enraged Chandrika further and he started abusing Gyanu as well. An argument broke out between Chandrika and Gyanu during which Chandrika went to the kitchen, picked up the kitchen knife and stabbed Gyanu in his chest. Gyanu fell on the floor and started bleeding, said a senior police officer.

The family members raised an alarm and Gyanu was rushed to Babu Jag Jivan Ram Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on admission. The hospital authorities informed the police about the murder. A police team arrived and took the body in their custody. They reached Gyanus home and arrested Chandrika.

Milind Dumbre, deputy commissioner of police (northwest), said that a case of murder was registered against Chandrika and he was arrested. Gyanu suffered a deep stab injury in the right side of his chest, he said.

Chandrika works as a scrap dealer. Gyanu helped his father in the business.
Delhi Police is yet to track down Kundan, the sixth suspect in the Pandav Nagar gangrape case in which five BPO employees allegedly confined a Nepalese woman in their rented flat and took turns to rape her on March 12.

Police said Kundan was a link between the woman and the five men and he had allegedly taken her to the rented flat. They said though Kundan was not involved in the sexual assault, he had intentionally left the woman with the accused.

A police officer said they were taking the womans help to trace Kundans hideouts in Delhi, as she knew him for the past few months. Cops were also scanning CCTV camera footage of the locality in Pandav Nagar where the rented flat where the crime took place is located.

The police are also scanning the footage of CCTV cameras of the locality in Munirka from where Kundan had picked up the woman on the pretext of attending a party at his friends place.

We have some vital clues about the sixth suspect that will help us locate and nab him at the earliest. Raids at his possible hideouts are on, the officer said. The police have arrested and sent the BPO employees to jail.

On Tuesday, the police recovered footage from a CCTV camera that shows the victim jumping off the first floor and asking passersby for help.

The police later took her to Lal Bahadur Shastri hospital as she had suffered injuries in her legs because of the fall. In her statement, she accused the five BPO employees of allegedly thrashing and confining her in their flat, forcing her to consume alcohol and then taking turns to rape her. Police said the woman had jumped off the building to escape the torture.

The five men, identified as Naveen Kumar, Prateek Kumar, Vikas Mehra, Sarvjeet and Lakshya, were arrested from the crime scene. They were booked under sections 376D (gang rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 377 (unnatural sex), 506 (criminal intimidation), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code. The FIR was registered at the Pandav Nagar police station, said Omvir Singh, DCP(east). He said two of the accused had known the woman for past few weeks.
Delhi Police on Wednesday filed a chargesheet in the fake degree case of former Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar.

Police said that the investigations revealed that Tomars law and BSc degrees are fake.

They have submitted 50,000 pages of documents to support its claims in the case.

The 4,000-page chargesheet names 17 people, including Tomar, an ex-principal and some members of the clerical staff of Bihars Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, from where Tomar allegedly obtained the law degree.

A senior police officer said that the former minister did not even appear in an exam at the university.

Investigations revealed that Tomar obtained the degree without appearing in any exam. Hence, members of the examination department of the university have also been chargesheeted, including the former principal and clerical staff, said a senior police officer.

Tomars troubles began in February 2015 when a petition in the high court accused the minister of using a fake undergraduate degree to enrol as a law student  corroborated in an RTI reply by the university that said his degree, marksheet, and roll number were completely fabricated. The bar council initiated an inquiry shortly afterwards.

An FIR was registered against Tomar on June 8, 2015 at the Hauz Khas police station on the complaint of Bar Council of Delhi alleging he submitted fake academic documents including marksheets, a BSc degree, provisional documents and his law degree to the body in 2010. A case was registered for alleged offences of cheating, forgery, using forged documents as genuine, forgery with intent to cheat and criminal conspiracy under the IPC. He was arrested on June 9.

He had also filed an affidavit with the Election Commission claiming to be a law graduate. During the course of the investigation, Tomar was taken to the university in Bihar, where he claimed to have graduated from. The college had no details about him. In April, the university told the court that the provisional certificate was not genuine and didnt exist in the official records.

Tomar is currently out on bail, police said.

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A 36-year-old Uzbek woman was allegedly beaten up and gang-raped by her former boyfriend and his four friends at her rented flat in south Delhis Masoodpur near Vasant Kunj on Friday morning.

The woman has alleged that she was so badly beaten that she started losing consciousness.

The woman filed her complaint at the Vasant Kunj North police station on Tuesday. She said she was scared and traumatised and that is why couldnt report the crime the same day.

Read: Delhi: One girl raped every 12 hours, one crime against kids every hour

On the basis of her complaint, a case under sections 376D(gangrape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code was registered against the five accused. The womans statement was also recorded. However, none of the accused was arrested till Wednesday night.

The woman identified two of them as her former boyfriend, Anubhav Yadav, and his friend Gaurav Bhatia. She told the police that she did not know the other three. Senior police officers said that they were conducting raids to nab the suspects.

The woman claimed that she was living in the rented apartment in Masoodpuri for the past six months. She said she knew Yadav for four years. They met on a social networking website and started dating when she came to Delhi from Surat in Gujarat.

In her complaint, she alleges that she broke up with Yadav two weeks ago. However, Yadav was against her decision and continued calling and harassing her over phone. The woman began avoiding him and stopped taking his calls, she alleged.

Read: Delhi gangrape: Police still on lookout for sixth suspect who took victim to BPO men

Last week, at 2 am, Yadav along with Bhatia and three others reached the victims flat entered forcibly. I thought they had come to talk to me. But as I opened the door, Yadav and Bhatia started assaulting me for not taking their calls. I fell semi-unconscious as they thrashed me brutally, the woman told the police.

When she regained consciousness, she was semi-nude and had pain in her abdomen, she has said in her complaint.
Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

At least 31 people have been killed and dozens more wounded after two suicide bomb attacks in Syria's Damascus, the Guardian reports.

The first suicide bomber targeted the Palace of Justice, the main courthouse in central Damascus near the Old City. The justice minister, Najem al-Ahmad, told reporters the initial death toll was 31, mostly civilians.

The second suicide blast struck a restaurant in the al-Rabweh area, to the west of the first attack, causing several casualties, state media reported.

The courthouse bomber set off an explosive device as police tried to search him and stop him from entering the building, state television reported the Damascus police chief as saying.

The explosion hit the courthouse at a time when the area was crowded with lawyers, judges and civilians, harming a large number of people, Ahmed al-Sayyid, a senior state legal official told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV.

He later added that 45 people had been wounded.

No further details were immediately available.
Textbooks and supporting literature which is provided free to students of Delhi government schools have several errors that render them almost unreadable.

The Delhi government provides free textbooks to students between Nursery to Class 8. From Classes 9-12, the government gives money to buy textbook and provides supporting texts.

The Delhi Bureau of Text Books prints these books and they are distributed by the Directorate of Education (DOE).

Books which have been provided this academic session have several printing errors, including one in which the map of India has been published upside down.

Read | Delhi budget for education: 10,000 classrooms, tablets to teachers, bananas to students

The discrepancies were pointed out by students and parents at a community meeting organised by Campaign for Change, an NGO.

Illustrations, pictures and graphics are meant to make learning easy. But, the ones given in these books make it all the more difficult, said Rajiv Kumar, of Campaign for Change.

Students say most many pictures in the textbooks are unrecognizable due to poor print quality.

How can we talk about quality education when the reading material we provide to the students is of poor quality, he said.

While many books had printing errors, some had missing or blank pages and unrecognizable pictures. Some students said that books provided in the last session too had similar issues.

The Class 8 Science book has a chapter on force and pressure. There is printed text on page 145, but pages 146 and 147 are blank. In the same lesson, pages are blank beyond 150. HT spoke to students in government schools across the north and northeast districts, who said all their books are full of errors.

Read | AAP govt and Delhi education: A look at the hits, misses and future plans

I study in Class 7 and get my books in July instead of April, said Sohail, a Class 8 student of a government school in northeast Delhi.

In the supporting text for political science for Class 11, the students are given questions based on a photo. It claims to depict two politicians. However, the picture looks more like a caricatures.

Director, DOE, Saumya Gupta said the government has made testing norms for textbooks more stringent. Now, the penalty for poor printing has been increased by at least 8-10 times. The sample for random checks has been decreased. We have made penalty for delivering books late tougher, said Gupta.

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Delhi Police on Wednesday registered a case of abetment to suicide and also under the SC/ST prevention of atrocities act against unknown persons to probe the death of JNU research scholar J Muthukrishnan. He was found hanging at his friends place in Munirka Vihar on Monday evening.

According to students at University of Hyderabad, where Muthukrishnan pursued postgraduation, he was a friend of Rohith Vemula, another Dalit student who killed himself in January 2016, sparking nationwide outrage over caste discrimination on campuses.

While the police suspected that Muthukrishnan may have been under depression due to which he allegedly committed suicide, his father Jeevanantham alleged foul play and demanded a CBI probe.

On Tuesday, he filed a police complaint alleging that his son was facing harassment in JNU because of his caste and a thorough investigation must be conducted into the suspicious death of his son. Jeevanantham said his son was not under any medication for depression. Meanwhile, Muthukrishnans postmortem was also conducted and his body sent back to his town. According to sources, the initial findings of the autopsy suggested that he died of asphyxia, the final report is however awaited.

On Wednesday morning, minister of state for commerce, Nirmala Sitharaman, also a former JNU student, and minister of state for shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan, along with a group of students and other AIADMK leaders gathered at the mortuary where a post-mortem examination was conducted. The ministers and students demanded a thorough probe in the matter and requested registration of an FIR.

Following this, a case based on the complaint of Muthukrishnans father has been registered. We have registered a case of abetment to suicide and under the SC/ST act based on the complaint of the father of the deceased. We will now look into the claims and allegations made in the complaint,DCP South, Ishwar Singh said.

Muthukrishnans father in his complaint alleged that he was not convinced that his son committed suicide. After looking at the posture of his body, I am not convinced that he committed suicide. I have serious doubts regarding the suicide. I have also been told that my son was facing constant caste-based harassment and discrimination in his academic pursuits from his centre and the JNU administration. I request the police to carry out a thorough investigation in the suspicious death (not suicide) of my son and register an FIR under relevant sections including the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in the matter, his complaint read.

Forensic report

A five-member expert team constituted by the head of forensic medicine department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), that conducted the postmortem did not find anything on autopsy suggestive of any foul play.

It is a case of death due to asphyxia as a result of hanging. There were no injury marks anywhere on his body, said Dr Sudhir Gupta, head of forensic medicine department. The entire post-mortem process was video-graphed and photographed to ensure transparency. Though there is no room for doubt, we still have preserved his viscera sample for chemical analysis if required later on, said Dr Gupta.

Sources also said that the case may be transferred to the crime branch for a detailed investigation.
To solve the issue of overcrowding in Tihar Jail, the jail authorities build the Madoli Jail in December 2016. Spread across 68.4 acres in East Delhi, this jail, designed to house over 3,000 inmates, has got a new look. The inmates of Mandoli Jail and artists of Delhi Street Art (DSA) have transformed the walls of Mandoli Prison by painting them using Madhubani tribal art forms.

Yogesh Saini, founder of DSA says, After several meetings with Sudhir Yadav, Director General, Delhi Prisons, we shortlisted tribal art forms and used Madhubani art to give a makeover to the walls.

Painted across the exterior wall measuring 300 feet, the artwork has elements of nature in abundance. Saini says, Covering 12,000 square feet, the artwork is the single biggest creation in any one location. With a lot of attention to detail, it stays true to the traditional elements of the art form.

A panoramic view of the Mandoli jail, which is an extension of the Tihar jail.

Completed in eight weeks, 15 artists of DSA and a team of inmates have painted even at heights above 10 feet using scaffoldings and ladders. They used to work for seven to eight hours a day, and throughout the process, the security was tight. All the artists underwent multiple checks, says Deepak Saini, another artist from DSA.

The motive of the project is to beautify the prison walls and also make it a life-changing experience for the prisoners. The purpose behind the initiative is to hone the skills of inmates and encourage them to become better citizens. With colourful walls around, it will also create a positive environment for them, adds Deepak Saini.

Artist Rahul Kumar says, I had never visited a jail before and had no idea what it would be like. But this turned out nothing like I would have imagined. Working with inmates was a different experience altogether as some of them were really talented, friendly and willing to work hard with us.

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The Delhi government has been asked to report to the National Green Tribunal about the population of indigenous breeds of cows in the city, after a plea alleged that there was a looming threat of extinction of indigenous breeds of cattle in the country.

Let the environment secretary file a compliance report within two weeks... Rejoinder, if any, be filed within two weeks thereafter, said the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, while expressing concerns about the allegedly declining numbers of indigenous cows in the country.

The directive has come in the wake of a plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar, which alleged that there was a looming threat of extinction of indigenous breeds of cattle in the country. They have moved the tribunal seeking directions to the Centre, which would ensure that cattle are not slaughtered in India.

The NGT had issued notices to the agriculture ministry in the past based on the plea, which also seeks to ban the slaughter of Indian breeds of cattle across the nation.

The lawyer, Kumar, had claimed that there was a discerning decrease in the number of native cows in India, and alleged that these indigenous breeds were being replaced by imported breeds from the US, Europe and Australi, which are cross bred and are considered exotic.

Even developed countries are taking steps to preserve diversity in livestock and taking substantial steps to preserve and conserve their domestic livestock species, the plea had said, while urging India to do the same.

He had held government authorities at all levels, including the centre and state, responsible for the alleged decline in numbers. He alleged complacency when claiming that they were silent spectators to the extinction.

The matter has been posted for next hearing on April 25.

(With inputs from PTI)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to submit proof that they had obtained the necessary permissions before cutting trees.

JNU shall show complete compliance, said the bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar, while directing them to file their responses within two weeks.

The bench had earlier issued notices to environment ministry, JNU, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi government and others in the matter.

Read: JNU research scholar allegedly commits suicide, cops hint at personal issues

The order comes in the wake of a plea filed by an NGO called CHETNA, society for protection of culture, heritage, environment, traditions and promotion of national awareness, who claim that the university, national intelligence grid and the CRPF had illegally constructed buildings in the reserve forest area, and had failed to acquire the necessary environmental clearances.

However, the plea is focused on the constructions in JNU, which they claim are illegal as the campus is within the reserve forest areas of south central ridge, and constructions are illegal here.

They have said they will file separate cases against the others for violations.

They have termed seven buildings in the JNU campus, including 24 type-III flats for staff at Paschimabad, sewage treatment plant in Saraswatipuram, new hostel building near Shipra hostel, Trans-Disciplinary academic building, Yamuna hostel warden flats and dining hall, to be in violation of the norms and threats to the areas ecology. CHETNA has alleged that these buildings have been erected on the eco-zones without proper permissions from Ridge Management Board.

Read: JNU suicide: Dalit scholar was Rohith Vemulas friend at Hyderabad university

It has also alleged that debris was being dumped in the reserve forest areas of Ghitorni and Vasant Kunj, leaving a kilometre long and 15 feet deep debris deposit. This is a significant increase from the debris spread over 100 sq m area in 2013, claims the plea.

The bench has listed the matter for further hearing on April 26.

(With inputs from PTI)
Forty-one permanent teachers of St Stephens College have asked the principal to convene a meeting of the governing body to put forward concerns of the faculty on autonomy.

The teachers have written to principal John Varghese, saying he should fulfil the assurance given to students and teachers on March 3 after the staff council meeting.

Varghese had assured teachers and students that he would write to the GB to rescind its decision on autonomy and begin the consultation process.

Students and teachers begun a protest after the college decided in-principle to apply for autonomy. They were against the decision as it was taken without consulting stakeholders of the college.

Autonomy means the college will not be a constituent college of Delhi University. It can decide on syllabus, start new courses and have freedom to decide on the fee structure.

We would like to point out that you gave the following solemn assurance to the staff council. The concerns of the faculty members were made abundantly clear at the four and a half hour meeting. These concerns of the Staff Council, a statutory body of Delhi University, must be first conveyed to the governing body before we are asked to give any feedback or to proceed further in any manner with respect to the proposal for autonomous status, said the letter written to the principal.

The principal is yet to call a meeting of the governing body but he had asked the heads of departments to submit a detailed note on the pros and cons of autonomy.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) May 2016 regulation directs the university to initiate the process of granting autonomy. DU has formed a committee and already invited six colleges to apply for approval.
A gang that stole SUVs and sedans from Delhis showrooms on the pretext of taking test drives has been busted. Over the past few month, this gang targeted SUVs particularly because of high demand in the Uttar Pradesh elections, said police.

Two men were arrested and five expensive stolen cars, including a Fortuner, XUV 500 and Renault Duster, recovered from them.

To quickly sell off the stolen vehicles, they would offer them at dirt cheap prices. The top-model Fortuner, which had clocked only 19,000 kilometres, was sold to an unsuspecting buyer for just Rs 3.5 lakh, said an investigator.

Read: Delhi Police find mortuary of stolen luxury cars in Meerut godown

Members of this gang would dress smartly and pose as potential customers seeking test drives, said police. Once they would get the key to the car, they would draw the accompanying showroom employee into a conversation.

In the middle of the test drive, the employee would be given a Rs 100 note with a request to buy a bottle of water. As soon as the employee would come out of the car, the thief would drive away.

The last time this gang stole a car using this method was in February. They targeted a Renault showroom in Mayapuri in west Delhi and made away with a brown Duster car.

Two members of the gang were arrested by a crime branch team led by ACP Sanjay Sehrawat under the supervision of DCP Madhur Verma from Dwarka area earlier last week.

Identified as Arif Hussain and Lakhwinder Singh, the arrested duo used total loss vehicles to give a fresh life to the stolen cars. Total loss cars are vehicles, which have suffered heavy damages in accidents and their repair cost is higher than their cash value.

Read: Only 15% of stolen cars are recovered in Delhi

So, after stealing a car, this gang would purchase a total loss vehicle, along with its documents, from insurance companies, said Verma. They would emboss the engine and chassis number of the damaged car on the stolen car.

Passing off the documents of the damaged car as that of the stolen vehicle was not difficult. Finding a customer for the stolen vehicle was even easier as it would be offered at a dirt cheap price.

This gang is accused of stealing over 40 expensive cars over the past week months. Eight of the cars were stolen during test drives in Delhi and nearby areas, said investigators. Police said they are trying to trace other members of the gang.
The summer of 2016 was ominous for Bangalore. After the Supreme Court directed Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of water every day for 10 days to Tamil Nadu, the streets were afire with protests and violence against Tamilians. The crux of the problem: While Karnataka wanted a rejig of the British-era Cauvery water agreement and triple its share, its neighbour argued that it needs more water to sustain its agricultural requirement.

Like the Cauvery dispute, several other major inter-state disputes over water have been in the works for more than two decades.

In July 2014, the government in the Rajya Sabha listed the number of exiting disputes and their status at the various tribunals that were set up to find a solution: Ravi and Beas Water Tribunal (sub-judice); Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (sub judice); Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II  (sub judice); Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (status: decision awaited) and Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (decision awaited).

The Centre is now keen to bring all these tribunals under one umbrella. The government on Tuesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha that will pave the way for the setting up of a single standing tribunal to resolve water-related disputes between states.

The bill, water minister Uma Bharti said, proposes to streamline the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes and make the present legal and institutional architecture robust.

The bill proposes to introduce a mechanism to resolve the dispute amicably by negotiations, through a Dispute Resolution Committee to be established by the Centre, consisting of experts, before it is referred to the tribunal.

Many experts have criticised this move, saying that it is nothing but a change of nameplate and will not solve the problem. They say this because there is a severe lack of reliable and transparent data (which can form the basis of an adjudication) and second, states have not been taken into account on the Bill.

Though the Centre has invoked Article 262 to say that it is well within its rights to do so, no water dispute can be solved without getting the states on board, even if they are BJP-ruled ones.

For example, none of the interlinking projects have gathered steam --- even though in many cases the states involved are BJP ruled, simply because water is an emotive issue and the local leaders have to take the electorate into account.

Second, there is a severe lack of comprehensive data that looks at hydrology, meteorology, ecology and economy in an integrated fashion. And we must not forget that climate change will have strong impact and our older assumptions will not remain valid and so fresh data is absolutely necessary.

Without having that data backbone, it will be difficult for a state-level tribunal or a central body to solve any issue.
Fifteen Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) set up under the PPP mode were granted a degree on Wednesday as the Cabinet approved a bill that declares them as institutions of national importance.

Sources said that the Board of Governor (BoG) will be responsible for appointment of the chairperson and directors.

The Indian Institute of Information Technology Public Private Partnership (IIIT-PPP) Bill, 2017 was passed by the Cabinet to grant statutory status to 15 IIITs set up under the PPP mode and declare them as Institutions of National Importance, to enable them to grant degrees to the students in the academic courses conducted by them.

The HRD ministry had announced setting up of twenty new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) across the country under PPP mode, out of which 15 are already functional in Chittor (AP), Guwahati, Vadodara, Kota, Srirangam (Tamil Nadu), Una (Himachal Pradesh), Sonepat (Haryana), Kalyani (WB), Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune, Ranchi, Kottayam, Kurnool (AP) and Dharwad (Karnataka).

The cost of each IIIT is R128 crore and is contributed by the Centre, state government and the industry in the ratio of 50:35:15.

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After implementing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate and super specialty levels, the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) announced last week that common counselling will be conducted at the state level for admission to medical courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Amendments made in the relevant regulations of Medical Council of India require the designated authority at the state/union territory level to do counselling for all medical institutions in the state, including those established by the Central government, state government, university, deemed university, trust, society, company, minority institutions or corporations.

The counselling for all-India quota seats at undergraduate and postgraduate levels will continue to be conducted by the Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW.

Experts say that this move will help make the admission process more transparent and curb the alleged practice of capitation fee (donations) charged by colleges. According to Dr KK Aggarwal, national president-elect, Indian Medical Association, the students will not have to apply to multiple agencies for admission in the same state. Moreover, it is necessary to conduct common counselling after NEET. Without common counselling, the purpose of having a common entrance test is defeated, he says.

The notification of state governments as the appropriate authority and single window for allocation of seats for UG (MBBS); PG (MD/MS/diploma) and super speciality (DM/MCh) is a welcome step and logical course to implementation of NEET as a single window entrance, says Dr Bipin Batra, executive director, National Board of Examinations.

On December 5, 2016, the Central government had issued an advisory to this effect to all states and on January 24, 2017, all state governments had participated in a video conference chaired by the union health secretary to spearhead this reform. This includes merit as the sole criterion for admissions. Students will no longer have to fill multiple application forms and run around for various institute/s and university counselling sessions. Since the scheme is notified under these regulations, it is mandatory and binding on all institutions covered under the scope of Indian Medical Council Act, he says.

It will also ensure that each and every medical seat in the country is effectively utilised and that no college is able to charge anything other than the prescribed fees. After NEET UG 2016 was conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education, the ministry in consultation with states and other stakeholders had issued an advisory on August 9, 2016 to the states to preferably conduct combined counselling for admission to MBBS courses for session 2016-17. The University Grants Commission, through a letter dated September 15, 2016, had directed all deemed universities that they will also be part of common counselling for admission in common courses organised either by state government/Central government or through its agencies based on the marks obtained in NEET.

Another advisory for common counselling at the state level was issued in December 2016 for admission to PG courses for the session 2017-18. The advisories were issued since counselling was not covered under any regulations and the entire admission process had evolved as an administrative mechanism. But now with the amendment notifications in Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997 and the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulation, 2000, enabling legal provisions have been made for common counselling, says a ministry statement.

Doctors and medical students have also welcomed the move. Though the issue of common counselling for NEET SS needs more clarification, even if it is implemented at the UG/PG levels, centralised counselling will certainly put an end to malpractices during the admission process. It will give a sense of security to the medical aspirants and cut down on unnecessary inconvenience and cost incurred in attending multiple counselling sessions thereby providing equal opportunities to all the candidates. It is another move towards strictly implementing the concept of one India, one exam, says Dr Akash Mathur, a Jaipur-based doctor who is a NEET SS aspirant.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkeys Istanbul and the Netherlands Rotterdam can no longer be sister cities following last week's Dutch blockade of Turkish ministers.

Addressing a public rally in the central Anatolian province of Afyonkarahisar, Erdogan asked Istanbuls mayor to end its pact with the Dutch city unilaterally, Anadolu Agency reported.

"We cannot have sister cities with such people," Erdogan said.

According to Istanbul municipalitys website, the pact with the Dutch city was signed in 2005.

The diplomatic row between Turkey and the Netherlands broke out as the Dutch authorities decided to, for security reasons, prohibit Turkish politicians from delivering speeches in the Netherlands in support of constitutional reform in Turkey.

On March 11, the Dutch government first canceled the Turkish foreign minister's flight permit to the Netherlands and then blocked a convoy carrying Turkeys family minister from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam.

Protests erupted outside consulate in Rotterdam, where Dutch police used guard dogs and baton to disperse peaceful crowd gathering in support of Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya.

In response, Turkey sent two notes to the Netherlands to protest blocking of Turkish ministers visits to the country and ill-treatment of Turkish citizens by the Dutch police.
Gurgaon

A Delhi resident, who has a criminal history, was shot dead in Sector 23A after being allegedly lured to the location by a rival gang who used a honeytrap.

The victim, Rahul Mann, 27, was shot at four times and he succumbed to a bullet injury to his chest, the police said. Mann was a member of a Delhi-based gang earlier, the police said.

Mann, the police said, was shot near gate number 5 of Sector 23A in front of The NorthCap University around 11pm. He used to work as a cab driver and lived in Alipur near Narela in Delhi, the police said.

A relative of the victim said that Rahul had made the acquaintance of a woman around 15 days ago, who allegedly called him on Tuesday evening to celebrate her birthday.

Read | Gurgaon: Valley View Estate residents approach MCG against dog menace

Sources said Rahul had a previous criminal record and was involved in several murder attempts under Narela and other police stations in Delhi.

Rahul borrowed a Santro car from his friend and went to Gurgaon to meet the woman but was allegedly cornered by his rivals, who orchestrated a shoot-out, sources said.

Manns father Suresh Chand lodged a police complaint after which a murder case was filed at Palam Vihar police station. The Palam Vihar police registered a case of murder under section 302 of the IPC and Arms Act. The Santro car has also been seized by the police.

The victim was an erstwhile member of the Rajesh Bawania gang and had cases of murder and attempt to murder registered against him. He obviously had enemies who orchestrated the crime but the possibility of a gang war in Gurgaon is unlikely, Sumit Kuhar, deputy commissioner of police (crime), Gurgaon, said.

Watch | Armed chain-snatching in Ghaziabad captured on CCTV camera

Sandeep Kumar, the station house officer of Palam Vihar police station, said that two teams have been formed to investigate the case. He said, prima facie, the matter seemed to be one of personal rivalry and there is no evidence to suggest a gang war.

The body was sent for a post-mortem examination.

On February 5, a New Delhi resident was shot dead in Palam Vihar. The victim has been identified as Vikrant, 25, a resident of Baba Haridas Nagar in New Delhi. He was brought to Bajghera village in Palam Vihar in a van and gunned down. The police had identified three persons  a resident of Jhajjar and two from Najafgarh  in connection with the murder.

Gurgaon has witnessed 27 murders in 2017. On Saturday night, a woman, identified as Sudesh, was killed by assailants who had allegedly come to kill her son, Johny Hans, in Naharpur Rupa village.

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The residents of Sector 57 have voiced their displeasure over the illegal shanties that have come up in the area over the last three years despite an administrative order to act against all unauthorised structures.

They claimed over 200 such slums have come up in the last three years and the authorities, despite repeated pleas, are yet to act.

They said though chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, the grievance cell of the Haryana government and senior town planners have issued orders to crack down on illegal shanties, the district town planner has continued to drag his feet in the matter.

Members of the residents welfare association (RWA) have been shuttling from one department to another over the last three years in the quest of some relief, but got little more than platitudes and hollow assurances.

Official data bears proof that not only have the administrative orders been violated, but theres simply no stopping the construction of illegal shanties across the city. This goes to show the level of apathy that exists and demonstrates that the authorities are unmoved by the plight of the residents. Even the local MLA requested the authorities to crack down on unauthorised slums, but they simply turned a deaf ear, Joginder Singh, former RWA president of Sushant Lok 2, said.

Read I Gurgaon: Parents busy making ends meet, slum kids left unwatched

The residents said that despite several complaints to the civic agencies and their tall claims, none of their concerns have been addressed. They claimed the area that they reside in has been throwing up a nauseating stench from the garbage pile and random littering in these unauthorised slums over the last three months, but the authorities have continued to look away.



The Swachh Bharat campaign, which was launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2014 in the quest of a clean India, has been reduced to a joke by the Gurgaon administration. We have to suffer the urban nightmare of open defecation and clogged open drains and the gut-wrenching stench across block F on a daily basis. Yet, the authorities dont seem to care, Rajeev Batra, a resident of block F, said.

The residents knocked on the doors of the ormer area counsellor, local MLA, deputy commissioner and even the chief minister, but no relief came their way. They also voiced concern over stagnant water and leaky sewage pipes in the unauthorised slums.

Stagnant sewage water in the slums have been throwing up a stench over the last three months and its tough to pass this area without cringing at the sight of all the filth and slush around, Gurjeet Singh, a resident of block F, said.

The area connecting blocks F, G and B is still waterlogged, driving health risks for nearby residents. Despite repeated calls for help, the sewage run-off has not been cleared.

The slum dwellers often resort to illegal ways of drawing water and electricity and the sewage covers are left open to enable the laying of cables.

The slums have temporary toilets but the settlers dont use them. They take bath in the open and the run-off isnt cleared. The stagnant water turns into an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, Aashish Vasudeva, another resident of block F, said.

YM Mansuri, the senior town planner (STP), had issued orders to the departments enforcement wing to act against illegal settlers, but nothing happened, the residents alleged.

The district town planner (DTP) promised a crackdown on unauthorised slums next month.

Rajinder Sharma, DTP, enforcement said, We have received the order and have conducted the survey of the area. Weve a packed schedule this month, but will take the necessary action next month.

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The workers of Gurgaon, Manesar, Rewari and Dharuhera held a meeting on Wednesday and decided to skip meals as a mark of their peaceful protest demanding justice for the 31 employees convicted in the Maruti violence case.

The Gurgaon district court had convicted 13 employees of murder and 18 others of rioting and other charges on March 10, while the rest were acquitted for want of enough prosecutable evidence.

The massive labour unrest broke out at Marutis Manesar plant on July 18, 2012 and the ensuing mob violence left a senior executive dead over 100 employees injured.

The district court will pronounce the quantum of punishment on March 17, Friday.

Kuldeep Singh Jhangu, general secretary, Maruti Udyog Kamgaar Union, who headed the meeting at Devi Lal Park Manesar, said, We will take our meals on Thursday at all plants in Gurgaon, Manesar, Dharuhera and Rewari. We have decided to hold another meeting soon after the courts pronouncement of the quantum of sentence on Friday.

Read I Maruti factory violence verdict: Court convicts 13 for murder, 18 for rioting

We want justice for our colleagues who are still behind bars.Their families are in dire straits financially and need help. It is sad that the facts were distorted during trial and that is why they were convicted, Jhangu said.

Ram Niwas, another member of Manesar Provisional Committee, said, We will ask all employees to skip meals on Thursday as an expression of sympathy and solidarity for the workers still in jail. We will also protest against them not getting a fair trial.

The court had convicted 31 Manesar plant workers and acquitted 117 others in connection with the mob violence.

The sections under which the workers have been convicted show that the police did not present the facts of the case deliberately. This is wrong. We respect the courts judgement. We understand that the court can only go by the evidence and facts presented before it, Jhangu said.

Earlier, on March 9, industry workers had skipped meals in support of the Maruti workers accused of the July 2012 violence.

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The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has directed all schools in the state to ensure that no junk food are sold within a radius of 200 metres of school compounds.

Consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) -- popularly known as junk food -- is associated with increased risk of certain diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation and hyperinsulinemia with a risk of cardiovascular diseases in later life, NBSE chairman Asano Sekhose said in an official notification in Kohima on Tuesday.

These diseases and childhood obesity have been reportedly found to affect the cognitive and physical development of children adversely causing an irreparable loss to the society, it said.

In this context, the NBSE said the ministry of women and child development (WCD) constituted working group has submitted its report on addressing consumption of junk food and promotion of healthy snacks in schools of India.

The recommendations made through the report have direct bearing on schools and therefore, the NBSE advised all schools in the state to implement it.

The schools have been asked to take measures to ensure that the canteens do not cater any HFSS food such as chips, fried foods, soft drinks, etc and also control the sale of junk food within a radius of 200 metres from the school compound.

The schools have been directed to constitute a School Canteen Management Committee comprising of 7-10 members, including the teachers, parents, students and school canteen operators and that the committee shall be solely responsible for providing safe food to the school children.

Schools are to organise awareness programmes like celebration of Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7 for nutritious food and avoidance of junk food.

The schools are also to impart education on quality nutrition and integration of physical activities during the school hours, besides teaching students about the importance of a healthy active lifestyle and following healthy eating habits.

The NBSE chairperson also notified on creating a set of activities such as debate on food safety, competitions for senior students on topics related to hygiene and sanitation, advantages of healthy lifestyle options.

Making children aware about obesity, junk food and importance of physical activity, was also recommended.
Months after their adoption process was okayed at the level of adoption agencies, over a hundred children in Bihar are still waiting to be transferred to their foster homes, thanks to a legal technicality that should have already been addressed long ago.

Such children are unable to unite and settle down with their foster families, based in other states in the country or in other countries because the mandatory legal clearance for their inter-state and inter-country adoption is pending in family courts in different districts.

Figures from State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA) revealed at least 102 inter-state adoptions, approved at the level of state adoption agencies, were pending with family courts in seven towns of Bihar, namely, Patna (41), Saharsa (18), Gaya (16), Bhagalpur (14), Darbhanga (12) and Saran (1).

Sources said government agencies are strict about securing legal approval of the adoption of such children before handing them over to their foster parents. This, they said, was deemed necessary for the adopted children to have property rights in their foster families.

Concerned about the inordinate delay in the conclusion of the adoption process, Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) secretary Deepak Kumar rushed to Patna on March 9 to assess the situation arising out of the delay.

Kumar confirmed he had met Patna high court acting chief justice Hemant Gupta with the request that causes of the delay be resolved at the earliest.

He ascribed the delay in part to ignorance about adoption guidelines and its rules and regulations. Family courts need to be familiarised with the rules and guidelines, he said, adding, the Bihar Judicial Academy has been requested to host a two-day orientation workshop for those manning family courts in districts.

Imamuddin Ahmad, director, social welfare, said CARA guidelines clearly mentioned each adoption process should be completed within two months of the home study process, with which the process of adoption of a child is initiated.

Instead, scores of adoptions, their processes completed at the level of adoption agencies, were awaiting legal approval in various districts, some of them for almost three to four years. The trauma of couples who are desperate to have their adopted baby in their house defies imagination, Ahmad said.

He said while family courts were taking their time to approve inter-state adoptions within India, many of the inter-country adoptions were being rejected.

In Darbhanga, more than 10 such proposals were rejected at the level of family courts, after being approved by the adoption agencies. In Bhagalpur, more than half a dozen proposals were turned down. In all, more than 80 proposals have got rejected at different centres, the official said.

He said family courts appeared to be acting under the belief that permitting children to move to another country through adoption was risky from the point of their well-being. People fail to realise that for a child, home is always the best option and that adoption agencies can never substitute home. Younger the child, easier it is for him/her to adjust in a foreign country, he added.

The welfare department official said children of Bihar, especially girls, were in good demand for adoption. Out of total 100 children adopted till June 2016, 68 were girls, he said. While a majority of them got home in other states, nearly two dozen girls went to foreign countries, he added.

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As many as 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails, the Lok Sabha was told on Wednesday.

In a written reply, minister of state for external affairs V K Singh said due to the strict provisions of privacy laws, the US, Canada, Australia and many countries in Europe do not share information about Indian nationals in their prisons.

However, as per information available, 7,059 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails.... Various articles seized from them include VOIP set along with SIM cards, fake passports, narcotic drugs, fake currency, boats, GPS, stimulating tablets, foreign currency and gold, he said.

Steps taken by Indian missions include requesting local authorities for speedy trials, seeking remission of sentence, providing advice and guidance in legal and other matters, ensuring fair and humane treatment in foreign jails, issuing of emergency certificates and repatriation to India of those who are released, the minister noted.

Singh also added that in some countries, the mission also requests the local government for grant of amnesty to the arrested Indians and if any mercy petition for remission of sentences is received from the family members of the Indian prisoners, the Mission forwards them to the local authorities for consideration.

India has signed Treaties for Transfer of Sentenced Persons with 42 countries, under which Indian prisoners have been brought back from some of these countries.
On March 4, Anil Dash, a technology entrepreneur and a prolific blogger, re-upped a 2016 video of his tribute to Prince, the pop icon who had died suddenly earlier that year. But it wasnt about him this time, but to reintroduce Americans to a people that had been living among them for more than 100 years, with a long history of suffering systemic discrimination. By way of explanation, Dash, an Indian American whose family came from Odisha, only said this: If youre not familiar with the history of systemic discrimination against South Asians in America, do watch this.

It was posted the day a video re-surfaced of Indian families on H-1B at a public park in Dublin, Ohio, filmed by an anti-immigrant zealot who could barely conceal his racism and distaste for Indians in the commentary.

Just the day before, Deep Rai, a Sikh man was shot and wounded in his own driveway in Kent, Washington by a white man in half-mask who, while leaving, told him to go back to your country.

And barely two weeks before, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, engineers from India, were shot by a US navy veteran at a bar in Olathe, Kansas. Kuchibhotla did not survive. The alleged shooter, Adam Purinton, who was arrested hours later, had mistaken them, for Iranians.

That he couldnt tell they were Indians brought little comfort to the community of Indian Americans, which at an estimated three million is among the tiniest of ethnic minorities in the United States; but the richest and most educated.

The attacks and the video have left them both shocked and puzzled.

Shocked, by the killing and the shooting in Kent.

And puzzled, because they are not entirely sure if they, as Indian Americans, are the target now and not of softer, milder undertones of discrimination  the other-ness, as one of them pointed out  that they have long experienced, in varying degrees, but not violence, death itself, in a long time.

Whether Indian Americans are being targeted as Indian Americans is a question that we have to investigate, said Raja Krishnamoorthi, one of five Indian Americans elected to congress this time, but, he added, the Ohio video looks almost like a prelude to an attack.

In the voice over, the man had said, The number of people from foreign countries blows my mind out here. You see this whole area is all Indian, amazing. Its an amazing number of jobs have been taken away from Americans.

Where are the white men?

Many Indians, especially in the rust-belt, the once-manufacturing hub of the United States that is now a vast expanse of shuttered factories, have long bore the brunt of the backlash against H-1B, a temporary visa programme that allows American companies to bring high-skilled foreign worker positions they cannot fill locally.

President Donald Trump, who has admitted to using these visa for his businesses himself, has said the programme was being abused by companies to outsource American jobs, and along with many in his administration, he is widely understood to be planning changes through executive action, whatever he can, and the rest through the legislature.

COMBATING PREJUDICE Almost every Indian American family in the US has had a discussion about how to avoid a situation like Olathe or Kentand who to approach if they found themselves in one. Here are some moves they are talking about: Know your neighbours, at least their names, invite them to some Indian community events to show our rich cultural heritage.

Do not cause any inconvenience by playing loud music in and around your home.

Car parking should not block your neighbours exits or entrance.

Never raise only Indian flag without having American flag next to it.

Respect laws of the land, small things such as lane driving. Many Indian Americans said they were yelled at  with racial slurs  for this.

Educate your visiting parents or guests from India about US culture and traditions in advance before they arrive. For example, do not stare or finger-point Americans especially when they are in swim suits or are engaged in private moments.

Do not converse in a different language in front of them.

Do not touch, hug, kiss or offer any food items  this can be really dangerous because of food allergies  to American children.

Do not leave parents/guests from India on their own till they become familiar with the surroundings.

Always keep copies of your legal status ID and cell phone handy

Always heed to police officers instructions.

If you are in a situation where you cannot protect yourself, do not resist, argue or fight. Always think your life is more precious than your material possession.

The video was another manifestation, although far more chilling and creepy, of the same disquiet about H-1B, and has raised fears about violence in the midst of heightened anti-immigrant sentiments following Trumps election, as Congressman Krishnamoorthi said, it seemed like a prelude to violence.

The Seattle shooter is still at large with no explanations for the violence he perpetrated on Rai, other than just plain xenophobia, the fear of foreigners, which in the minds of some white Americans, is anyone not white. Go back to your own country, the assailant had yelled at Rai.

But this is Rais country. Why is that so difficult to get?

There is a level of distrust towards immigrants generally, said Pawan Dhingra, professor and chair in department of sociology at Tufts University, but the hatred of many Americans towards Muslims generally and Arab/Middle Eastern Americans is intense and Indians are swept up in that.

Purinton thought Kuchibhotla and Madasani were from Iran, a country that may have stuck in his mind from the seven Muslim-majority countries, now six, whose citizens have been barred from entering the United States temporarily.

There is then the racism of the ignorant, a possibility strongly suggested by lots of Indian Americans to explain their present predicament. We have known for a very long time that our community is at risk specially from people who dont know the community, said Kishan Putta, commissioner for Asian American Affairs in Washington DC.

Balbir Singh Sodhi became the first victim of the backlash against Middle-Easterners after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when a man who mistook him for one, because of his turban, and shot him dead outside his gas station in Messa, an Arizona city. Sikhs have suffered several attacks, bullying and racial slurs since.

The most heart-rending was the killing of six members of the community at a gurdwara in Wisconsin in 2012.

Indian Americans recalled with unconcealed horror a spate of violence from the late 1980s unleashed on the community by a gang that called itself the Dotbusters, because they targeted bindi-wearing girls and women.

We will go to any extreme to get Indians to move out of Jersey City, one of the gang-members wrote to a local news daily. If Im walking down the street and I see a Hindu and the setting is right, I will hit him or her. The gang was active mostly in Jersey City, New Jersey, which had then a large population of Indian Americans, as now.

Indian women switched to western dresses to escape notice when they stepped out, even for their daily grocery.

And then it stopped, but not overnight. Sushil Jain, a Virginia physician who served in US military, said it took time and education and then finally bindi itself became fashionable among some Americans. He strongly advocates the need for Indian Americans to increase their outreach, as one of many ways to overcome the sense of estrangement from the larger community.

In their rush to make money, settle down, send children to good schools, upgrade from one big car to another, from one big house to another, many immigrants said they overlooked trying to belong. We have colonised ourselves here, said Bhanu Illindra, an immigration lawyer in DC. This may be as good time as any to stop, and fix it.

Headless chicken

Even two weeks after the Kansas shooting, the Indian American continues to look for leadership, to make sense of the killing, the Kent, Washington assault, the Ohio video.

Are they under attack? What do we need to help ourselves?

A Virginia tech entrepreneur, who requested anonymity, said, We are a headless chicken at the moment. No one quite knows what to make of these incidents and what needs to be done.

Another Indian American said, We are paralysed.

They point to other communities that have organisations in place to step in at a moments notice, reach out to those affected, and open a dialogue.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, for instance, is a single-window agency for Muslims, and has been active in reporting the surge in hate crimes against the community since the election Trump. The Jewish community has the Anti-Defamation League.

Indian Americans have the Hindu American Foundation, which rushed personnel to Kansas after the shootings, and the Republican Hindu Coalition, which has said it quietly pushed the White House to make a statement.

And the Telugu Association of North America was also at hand. Sikhs have the Sikh Coalition. But Indian Americans believe they need an apolitical, bipartisan organisation with overarching reach to take the lead in such situations.
The BJP could call snap elections in its stronghold state Gujarat to cash in on the popularity surge after landslide wins in the latest polls in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and forming governments in Manipur and Goa despite finishing second.

Chief minister Vijay Rupani has hinted as much. Polls are due in this western state in December. But a buoyed Bharatiya Janata Party may push for early polls to keep the wind in its sails.

The win in UP is not a momentary outburst of peoples sentiments for the BJP, but the wind is blowing in favour of the party as people have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rupani said.

We are prepared even if elections are held early, he replied to a query on the partys preparations for assembly polls in the state.

The outcome of the five-state, February-March polls has put the spring back on the feet of the partys Gujarat unit, which has been besieged by a clutch of problems since its mascot chief minister Narendra Modi left the state to become the Prime Minister in 2014.

The party had two chief ministers during its 22-year-rule in Gujarat. But it had to try two chief ministers in two years since Modis exit after a 13-year stint.

Fault lines appeared within the BJP, giving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) a toehold. But the new entrants latest drubbing in Goa and Punjab, where it hoped to do well, has given the BJPs Gujarat unit the confidence to tide over a series of protests and a dismal performance in the 2015 rural and civic elections.

The state has been engulfed by protests, especially the Patidar or Patel stir for reservation in jobs and education, and Dalits for justice and empowerment in wake of the flogging of people from the community in Una.

People belonging to the other backward classes (OBCs) are protesting to counter the Patidar uprising, which has recorded several deaths in violence.

After the rural and municipal elections, which the Congress won after 30 years, opposition leaders had favoured early assembly elections. But no such signs are coming from the Congress camp, which did poorly in the latest polls, barring Punjab.

The AAP has announced it would contest from all the 182 seats in the Gujarat assembly. It has begun the ground work, but reverses in Punjab and Goa might force a strategy rethink.

For their part, Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah could concentrate more on their home state now, since no elections are due before the yearend, other than Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The Prime Minister visited the state last week and stayed for two days, addressed two public rallies, met party functionaries, legislators and parliamentarians, and offered prayers at Somnath temple.

His visit, coupled with Rupanis hints, swirled speculation that the ruling BJP might dissolve the assembly and call early polls. The signals grew stronger as the state election commission is expected to complete the exercise of getting the voter list poll-ready by April.

Rupani sounded confident of victory, saying the BJP will win 150 seats  a target set by Modi. The party seeks to break the Congress record of winning 149 seats in 1985, a feat the BJP has not been able to upstage despite ruling the state for more than two decades.

Our party workers have been given a slogan: 300 in UP, 150 in Gujarat. The echo of that win (in UP) will have an effect on Gujarat too, the chief minister said.

He called Modi the partys pillar and said the elections would be fought under his leadership.

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The Bihar authorities appear set to miss the March 31, 2017, twice extended, deadline for digitisation of arms licenses in the state, under the National Database of Arms Licenses (NDAL) project.

Thanks to factors, such as hiccups in the flow of the required information from the licensees end, the process of uploading arms licenses data in an electronic format developed for the purpose by the National Informatics Centre, has failed to make the desired progress.

Despite extension of deadline for completion of the process twice  from September 30, 2015 to March 31, 2016 and then to March 31, 2017, the Bihar home department looks in no position to furnish all information on arms, their make, their sellers and their owners.

According to reports available here, out of 38 districts in Bihar,14 districts have not even started uploading arms license data under the project.

Under the project, after the details of arms license are entered, a unique identification number is assigned to the license holder, without which no arms license shall be considered as valid with effect from April 1, 2017.

In view of the approaching revised deadline for digitalization, the state home department has organized video conference on Thursday (March 16) with arms magistrates in each district to address the issue.

A directive has also been issued to all district magistrates to speed up the process.

In addition to the issuance of a unique identification number and digitalization of database, stringent regulations have been put in place for issuance and renewal of arms licenses across the country, as part of an initiative to curb terrorist activities.

The database contains information such as the name and address of the license holder, the type of weapon and the license number. Arms license holders in all districts were notified about the regulation through the respective offices.

Despite persistent queries from HT, no official was willing to say whether or not the March 31 deadline for uploading the arms licenses data would be met.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief ministerial candidate in the recently concluded assembly polls in Goa, Elvis Gomes, who suffered a massive defeat in the Cuncolim assembly constituency, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party conspired for his defeat.

They (Congress and BJP) ganged up to ensure my defeat, Gomes told HT. The former bureaucrat, who took voluntary retirement from service after his name cropped up in a land scam to join the AAP last year, said, In Goa, there is nothing called Congress or BJP. Here both parties follow a common minimum agenda to indulge in corruption. So it was natural that I was the common enemy.

Congress Partys Clefasio Dias has won the Cuncolim seat by defeating independent candidate Joaqiun Alemao by a slender margin of 33 votes while sitting BJP MLA, Rajan Naik came third.

Gomes said that though he was confident of his victory during campaigning, the last two days before the election played the spoiler, he added. They (Congress, BJP and independents) started distributing money to voters. On the other hand, we went without anything, but our promises and programmes. Their money power made a dent in my votes, he said.

Not only Gomes, but the AAP as a whole, which had fielded the maximum number of 39 candidates, failed to open account in the election. In 30 seats, its candidates lost their deposits.

Gomes however, said that the debutant party had little time to do the homework necessary for reaching out to the voters. AAP is a relatively new party in Goa. The available time--between May 21 (when the party was launched) and October when the election dates were announcedwas insufficient to complete our groundwork to capitalise on the voters mood. 

He also said that the dissatisfaction in a section of party cadres over selection of candidates was also to be blamed for the partys defeat. In the beginning we were in a very strong position in 10 constituencies. But that did not happen as the end results showed. The disgruntlement amongst cadres is to be blamed for this, he said.

He however, appeared unfazed about the defeat and said that the party would capitalise on the deception of the BJP and the Congress and the other parties ( who have entered into coalition with the BJP) to bounce back in future. People are watching. Those who were fighting with each other before the election have now joined hands to form the coalition. This is what the people never voted for. Similarly, there are talks about a possible split in the Congress after their leadership failed to form government in spite of being the single largest party.

Defeat notwithstanding, Gomes said, the AAP was able to register its strong presence in the state by bagging six per cent votes. In future we are going to emerge as the only alternative to the power-lust politics in the state, he said.

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Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 15

Trend:

The city council of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has unilaterally terminated its sister city protocol with the Dutch city of Rotterdam following tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands, Anadolu Agency reports citing a municipality statement on March 15.

The decision came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier Wednesday he asked Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to tell the Istanbul mayor to end the pact with Rotterdam.

The diplomatic row between Turkey and the Netherlands broke out as the Dutch authorities decided to, for security reasons, prohibit Turkish politicians from delivering speeches in the Netherlands in support of constitutional reform in Turkey.

On March 11, the Dutch government first canceled the Turkish foreign minister's flight permit to the Netherlands and then blocked a convoy carrying Turkeys family minister from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam.

Protests erupted outside consulate in Rotterdam, where Dutch police used guard dogs and baton to disperse peaceful crowd gathering in support of Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya.

In response, Turkey sent two notes to the Netherlands to protest blocking of Turkish ministers visits to the country and ill-treatment of Turkish citizens by the Dutch police.
Three brothers  curiously named Kashmir, Pakistan and Japan Kumar Rocket  were booked on Wednesday for assaulting a policeman during Holi festivities in Jharkhands Palamu district.

Akhilesh Kumar, a driver with the Pipra police station, was allegedly beaten up by the brothers on Monday evening at Chankar village after protesting against his clothes being torn away during kapra-phaad Holi.

The tradition of kapra-phaad is prevalent in remote villages of Jharkhand where revellers tear each others clothes, a practice even Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Lalu Prasad, took part in at his official residence.

Kumar, who had come from Pipra to celebrate Holi at his maternal uncles place, also allegedly sustained a bullet shot in his right arm during a scuffle with the accused. The villagers rushed Kumar to a hospital in Hussainabad from where he was referred to Daltonganj for better treatment on Wednesday.

Kumars uncle Baijnath Ram told the police in his complaint that one of three accused opened fire at Kumar when he protested his clothes being torn by Kashmir. At that time, he was leaving us for duty after having enjoyed a sumptuous dinner with us, Baijnath said.

Palamu superintendent of police Indrajit Mahatha said a case has been registered against Kashmir, Pakistan and Japan following a complaint by Kumars relative.

Both sides, who are neighbours, had some dispute. An investigation has started and raids are being conducted to nab the culprits, Mahatha said.

The SP also suspended Kumar besides issuing a show cause notice to the Pipra police station officer-in-charge.

Disciplinary action has been initiated against Kumar as he was abstaining from duty when the leave of all policemen stood cancelled for maintaining law and order during Holi, Mahatha said.
A cop posted in Motihari was arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Monday on charges of snatching Rs 8.80 lakh from a gold trader of Motihari late Saturday evening.

Acting swiftly on a complaint, town inspector Ajay Kumar arrested one Dhananjay Singh, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police, posted at a police outpost under Town police station in Motihari, and recovered the whole amount within 12 hours of the incident.

Confirming the arrest, Motihari superintendent of police (SP) Jitendra Rana said, Some men in uniform allegedly snatched the money while frisking Chotan Jha, a munshi (cashier) of Manoj Kumar, a gold trader at Ghorasahan, a small town along the Indo-Nepal border.

The incident occurred when Jha, who was returning from Patna, alighted from a private bus near Mina Bazar Chowk in Motihari. The cop in question, who was on night duty, intercepted Jha and found during frisking that he was carrying the huge cash.

Out of sheer greed, he snatched Rs 8.80 lakh and allegedly threatened the munshi not to divulge the matter to any one. In the morning, when the victim tried to contact Singh, he refused to acknowledge the incident, which prompted him to consult the Town police station (PS) inspector.

Town PS inspector, Ajay Kumar, reached the outpost and asked Singh about the incident, which the latter outrightly rejected. Kumar then consulted the SP who ordered Singhs arrest. Later, while interrogation, Singh admitted to the loot.

A police team later went to his government quarter and recovered the money. The local trading community has appreciated the prompt police action.
A Delhi court has acquitted a couple of rape and abetment charges as the allegations against them could not be proved due to death of the victim in the 2015 Nepal earthquake.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain said the case could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt as the victim did not appear before the court despite repeated notices and her testimony was not recorded.

In the absence of the testimony of the prosecutrix, many questions remained unanswered. She was the only witness of the incident. Other witnesses came in motion at her instance after the incident. The summons to the prosecutrix were sent a number of times but she did not appear in the witness box at any time, the court said.

The court was informed by the victims husband that his wife had gone to her native place in Nepal to meet her parents but died there in the earthquake in April 2015.

It also noted that the accused were not medically examined.

In the absence of their medical examination, no evidence came whether the accused got nail marks (of victim) on his body because of the incident, it said.

According to the complaint, on August 31, 2014, the man raped the victim at her house after breaking in with the help of his wife. The accused and the victim were neighbours.

Both the accused claimed that no such incident took place and that it was a counter complaint as the couple had earlier filed a rape case against the victims husband.

The court acquitted the accused couple after noting the previous history of cases between the families and various material contradictions in the statements.

Looking into the previous history of litigations between the parties and material contradictions in the statements, the case against the accused persons cannot be stated to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. I am of the view that the accused persons deserve the benefit, the judge said.
From a small- time white-wash contractor to a cabinet minister in Akhilesh Yadavs government in Uttar Pradesh to his arrest in Lucknow on Wednesday on charges of gang rape, it has been roller coaster ride for Gayatri Prasad Prajapati.

Prajapati, who was cabinet minister for transport in the outgoing SP government, is the prime accused in the gang rape case lodged with Lucknows Gautampalli police station on February 18. The case was registered after the Supreme Court ordered an inquiry into the complainant s allegations and asked for an action taken report to be submitted within eight weeks. A woman from Chitrakoot had accused Prajapati and six of his aides of gang-raping her and attempting to rape her minor daughter

Considered close to Samajwadi Party (SP) patriarch, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Prajapati, 49, shot to limelight for the first time in 2012 when he defeated Congress Amita Singh, wife of senior Congress leader Sanjay Singh from Amethi, the Gandhi family stronghold. He lost the just-concluded assembly election to BJPs Garima Singh.

Before 2012, Gayatri was just an office bearer of one of the SPs frontal organisations. He contested election for the first time in 1996 on Bahujan Kranti Dal ticket and lost. He also lost twice more in 2002 and 2007 from Amethi on SP ticket.

Despite his losses, his clout within the party continued to grow. And it became public when after becoming an MLA for the first time in 2012, he hired a PR firm to send personal invitations for a presser at a swanky hotel in Lucknow. This was unheard of in political circles of Lucknow as even ministers would meet the media at the party office at Vikramaditya Marg.

In the years that followed, Prajapatis influence kept growing, so did the controversies. In December 2016, when Prajapati was re-inducted into the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet for the second time, he set a record of sorts by taking oath for the fourth time in the single term of any government. And all this, despite being a constant source of embarrassment to Akhileshs government.

His first oath was as a minister of state for irrigation in February 2013. Five months later he was elevated to cabinet rank and given the mining portfolio. The third oath was in September 2016 when he was re-inducted, this time as a Cabinet minister for Transport after being sacked. The fourth oath was when Akhilesh took him back in his cabinet last December.

Many factors were in his favour. He is close to netaji (Mulayam), he has money and because of his utility as a most backward classes face. Over the years he also developed closeness to Mulayams step-son Prateek Yadav, said an SP leader.

For the SP, Prajapati was a face of extremely backward communities. Mulayam who was then the party president, entrusted him the task to mobilize members of most backward community (MBC) particularly of the 17 communities that were striving for inclusion among the schedule caste community.

No stranger to controversies, Prajapati was accused of anomalies in mining contracts in July 2015 by Nutan Thakur, a Lucknow-based activist and wife of senior IPS officer Amitabh Thakur. The CBI is now investigating the charges. It was after this controversy, that Mulayam Singh purportedly threatened Amitabh Thakur over phone on July 11, 2015.

It was the patronage of Mulayam Singh Yadav that helped him survive in the state cabinet. He has obliged many SP leaders and MLAs with mining patta (contract), a leader said.

Among his many brushes with the law, was a notice issued by Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on August 9, 2013 for allegedly grabbing gram sabha land in Lucknow. Almost a year later, a woman Shivdevi Gupta accused Prajapati of grabbing her land in Amethi.

Prajapati graduated from a BPL card holder in 2002 to owning immovable assets worth Rs 10 crore in 2017.

An arts graduate from Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University, Faizabad, Prajapati declared his profession as a property dealer in his last election affidavit.
In a bid to promote cashless transactions in the state, the Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) launched a cashless ticketing system, in collaboration with HDFC Bank Limited, here on Wednesday. The bank will charge 0.60% service charge per transaction.

In the initial phase, the system will be implemented for luxury, super luxury, air conditioned (AC) and deluxe buses, and people will be motivated to pay the bus fare through the cashless system, said transport minister G S Bali during the launch event at Dharamshala. The system will be expanded to all the buses in later stages.

The system is aimed at strengthening the cashless economy, as envisaged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and to facilitate the public at large, the transport minister said, adding that the point-of-sale (PoS) machines will be provided to the HRTC staff by the HDFC Bank. The bank will also provide training to HRTC staff to operate the machines.

The minister has also urged the bank to reduce the service charge, if possible.

HRTC has a fleet of around 3,500 buses of which 200 are super luxury buses. The system has been started in these buses.Besides, the facility is also available at 58 ticket booking counters across the state.

Since many people in rural areas dont carry debit or credit cards, cash payments will also continue, said Bali.

We cant force anyone to use the cashless system. Also, it is not possible achieve complete cashless system in a vast country such as India, hence the old system will continue, he added.

The minister said that emphasis is being given to cashless transactions in the two departments that he holdsfood and civil supplies and transport.

We have already started the process of digitalisation in food and civil supply department and point-of-sale (PoS) machines have been installed at 119 of the total 291 units of the department.

All the fair price shops will also be provided PoS machines very soon, he said. Besides, the distribution of ration under Public Distribution System (PDS) through digital ration cards will start from April 1.
A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) toppled while making an emergency landing during a routine training sortie from Bamrauli airbase near Allahabad on Wednesday.

Both the pilots are safe.

The chopper toppled when the pilots tried a forced landing after it developed a technical snag nearly 1 km from Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), located at Bamrauli airbase, IAF officials said.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry (CoI) to ascertain the cause of the accident, said PRO (defence), Allahabad, group captain BB Pandey.

An army trainee pilot was being given training on the chopper by an IAF pilot instructor. The chopper took off from the training school at around 6 am and developed a trouble in the engine around 7 am.

The chopper toppled when the pilots tried to force land it on an uneven field in Gauspur Kataula village under Pipri police station.

The Basic Flying Training School was established on December 16, 1987, and budding aviators of the Indian Army undergo rigorous ab-initio flying and ground training that lasts five months.

They get basic training at Army Training Wing (ATW), Jhansi, and Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), Allahabad. Army officers from various disciplines graduate to fully combat-ready aviators only after 12-13 months of rigorous training in operational or combat aviation at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS).
A picture, it is said, is worth a thousand words and a photograph of an anguished Kashmiri boy with tears rolling down his cheeks said volumes last week about the human suffering sweeping the region.

The snapshot, taken at the funeral of a teenager killed during an encounter in Padgampora of Pulwama in south Kashmir, is already being described by some as the defining image of the tragedy: Something as powerful as that of a young man seeking to block the advance of tanks in Chinas Tiananmen Square or that of the lifeless body of Aylan Kurdi who perished while trying to escape the Syrian war.

The Kashmiri boy catapulted to public gaze, however, considers himself no celebrity. For nine-year-old Burhan Fayaz, the picture just captured his angst and despair at losing his best friend, Amir. I am still sad, the student of Class 3 in Begumbaghs government primary school said.

His friend Amir was among the hundreds of locals who had run towards the encounter site with a view to disrupt the security operation and let the militants escape. Villagers physically attempting to help cornered militants by hurling stones at security forces are a new phenomenon in Kashmir, despite stern warnings from army chief Bipin Rawat.

Amir, a student of Class 9, died after being hit by a bullet in the neck. His family says he was targeted while the police say the villain was a stray bullet. Thousands, including Burhan, attended the funeral in his Begumbagh village, some four kilometres from the site of the gun battle where he was felled.

Amir was like my brother. Who will I play with now, an inconsolable Burhan asks now.

(Waseem Andrabi / HT Photo)

Once circulated on social media, his despairing image tugged hearts, moving many even to write poems.

Rights activist Khurram Parvez quoted the celebrated Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz to share the photo. Khoon kay dhabay dulain gay kitni barsaaton kay baad...(How many rains will it take to wash away the blood stains), he wrote.

A blog site, With Kashmir, published a poem on Burhans photo titled A tribute to the innocent face which went: Let the world answer his tears/Let the world watch his heart break/Let the world listen to his cries

National Conference spokesperson Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted, Should make us pause and think - are we all doing enough to prevent this pain and misery. Even HTs battle-hardened photographer Waseem Andrabi, who clicked the picture, has not been left untouched. As I focussed my zoom lens on the sea of mourners at the funeral, I saw this boys face. The way in which he was crying struck me hard. I suddenly realised I might start crying myself, Andrabi recollected. The boys haunting image kept him awake for several nights. Another photographer, Javed Dar, also clicked photographs of the boy.

Burhan, though, is concerned only about his personal loss.My friend was martyred. But why did he die, he asked, unable to comprehend the violence that has become part of Kashmiri life.

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A girl below 10 was killed by a stray bullet during a counter-militancy operation in which security forces gunned down three militants in north Kashmir on Wednesday.

Her death comes a week after a 15-year-old boy, Amir Nazir, was killed in a similar manner at Padgampora in south Kashmirs Pulwama district.

The girl, identified as Kaneeza, a boy and a policeman were hit by bullets during a fierce gunfight that erupted early morning between security forces and militants in Kalaroos village.

The condition of the wounded child, Faisal, is stable, police said.

Director general of police SP Vaid said the girl was hit inside her home. Its an unfortunate incident. The girl was in her home.

The army has not issued any statement about the girls death, but a police spokesman confirmed that she was hit by a stray bullet not more than 100 meters from the site where the operation was on.

The wounded were shifted to a hospital for treatment but the girl died. The boy was sent to Srinagar, the police spokesman said.

Wounded policeman Danish Ahmad was also shifted to Srinagar for treatment.

Officers could not confirm the dead girls age, but independent reports suggest she was between seven and 10.

The operation began after specific information about militants holed up in the area.

An army spokesman said the identity of the militants was yet to be ascertained. The bodies have been retrieved along with three weapons the slain militants were carrying.

Last week, the teenager caught in the crossfire died when a bullet pierced through his neck.

Police alleged that Amir had gone close to the site of the shooting to throw stones at security forces.

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There has been a 27% decline in kala azar positive cases in Bihar since 2015 and for the period ending 2016. Thats the good news, as Bihar observes kala azar day on Wednesday.

A Bihar government survey says that kala azar, a slow progressing vector disease, spread by the female sandfly, has shown a massive decline across 33 endemic districts of Bihar and Jharkhand, besides 11 districts of West Bengal in the last one year. The number of cases is less in Uttar Pradesh, where the disease has been reported sporadically.

Dr RK Das Gupta, joint director, national vector borne disease control programme of the ministry of health and family welfare, said, Bihar, which contributes 70% of the total kala azar cases reported from the four Indian states, has witnessed a significant decline in the disease burden. The case load has come down from 33,187 in 2011 to 6,245 in 2016, a decline of 81%. The mortality has reduced from 80 deaths in 2011 to nil during the same period.

Bihar has 10 endemic districts, which include Araria,East Champaran, Madhepura, Muzaffarpur, Purnia, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Sitamarhi and Vaishali, where high relative humidity, warm temperature, high sub-soil water and abundance of vegetation provide sandflies the perfect environment to breed. However, surveyors noted that kala-azar positive cases declined from 6,517 in 2015 to 4,773 cases in 2016, representing a 27% decline in the last one year.

Dr MP Sharma, additional director-cum-state programme officer (VBD), Bihar, said: We think, we can ensure kala azar elimination by the end of 2017 if the curative and preventive measures are further expedited.

He said, the first round of indoor residual spray will commence from March 20 in 7,583 revenue villages, having high risk environment across 33 districts in Bihar and Jharkhand. The kala azar mitra house-to-house kala azar patient search programme is in operation in 120 highly endemic villages since January, he added.

Bihar initiated the chief minister kala azar relief scheme, under which each treated patient is paid Rs 6,600 on completion of treatment at recognised government centres. It has also tied up with partners like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, RMRI, NCDC, KalaCORE to eliminate the disease, while the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been helping with free drugs and monitoring.

A meeting on accelerated plan of action for kala azar elimination by 2017 was held in Delhi from February 2 to 4. It stressed on focussing on high endemic villages in 94 blocks, reporting more than one case per 10,000 population, said Dr Das Gupta.

He said, As per the plan, there is a proposal to extend treatment facilities to a majority of block primary health centres so that cases have easier access to treatment centres.

Kala azar, a potentially fatal parasitic disease has been eliminated from a large part of the world. However, it continues to affect thousands of people living in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

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The BJP, the alliance partner in the PDP-led government in Jammu and Kashmir, has decided to contest the upcoming bypolls for two Lok Sabha seats in the valley independently and the National Conference and Congress have joined hands for the elections in April.

The Srinagar constituency will go to polls on April 9 and voting in Anantnag seat will be held on April 12.

The Anantnag constituency fell vacant after Mehbooba Mufti became the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir last year. The Srinagar Lok Sabha seat has been empty since one of the PDP founders and a senior leader Tariq Hameed Karra resigned from the party in September following the 2016 street protests in which at least 90 people lost their lives.

The Peoples Democratic Party has fielded the CMs brother Tassaduq Mufti in south Kashmirs Anantnag, suggesting all may not be well within the alliance with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking about the development, PDP spokesperson Nayeem Akhtar confirmed the two parties are not in any kind of arrangement for the two Lok Sabha seats.

In a press statement, BJP state general secretary Ashok Kaul also said there will be no pre-poll alliance with the PDP in these two seats and that the saffron party will field its own candidates to fight the elections.

The BJP will contest the by-elections in Srinagar and Anantnag Lok Sabha seats and the party will announce candidates very soon, Kaul was quoted as saying in the statement.

BJP Kashmir spokesperson Altaf Thakur said the decision to go it alone was taken because of the demand of the party cadre. Having a pre-poll alliance is not part of our agenda of the alliance, we have made no such commitment, he said.

In a pre-poll alliance, the Congress will contest the Anantnag seat while the NC will field its candidate in Srinagar. The two parties have decided Farooq Abdullah, president of NC, as the Srinagar candidate and Congress chief GA Mir will contest the Anantnag seat.

The announcement was made at a press conference on Wednesday.

For the past few days, both the parties (NC and Congress) conducted internal exercises and came to the conclusion that if we really want to defeat the candidates of the present government in Srinagar and Anantnag parliamentary constituencies, the best thing to do is to fight the elections jointly, former chief minister Omar Abdullah said.

Earlier, Nazir Ahmad Khan was announced as the partys candidate from Srinagar.

The elections will the first after last years protests in the valley in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.

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Turkish security forces Wednesday killed three PKK terrorists in southeast Turkey, Anadolu reported.

In a statement, the Sirnak governors office said the trio were killed in ongoing operations in Gurvil, which lies close to the Iraqi border in the mountainous Uludere district.

No further details were released.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and EU. More than 1,200 people, including security force personnel and civilians, have lost their lives since it resumed its decades-old armed campaign in July 2015.
A mob vandalised the sets of Hindi film Padmavati at Maharashtras Panhala fort, police said on Wednesday, the latest controversy to hit a movie that has angered some Hindu groups.

Kolhapur police said they were looking out for unidentified persons, who broke into the set and damaged property and vehicles. The incident came to light on Wednesday morning when the shooting team reached the spot but the extent of the damage is yet to be determined.

The films director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, shifted to the historic fort in Panhala after running into trouble in Jaipur in January, when members of the Rajput Karni Sena smashed equipment and assaulted the movie crew. The attackers were upset with the portrayal of Rani Padmavati or Padmini, who is a respected figure in the Rajput community.

The movie stars Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone playing 14th-century emperor Alauddin Khilji and Chittor queen Rani Padmini, respectively. The Karni Sena objected to alleged intimate scenes between Khilji and Padmini.

The first attack took place at Jaipurs Jaigarh fort when scores of Karni Sena members barged into the sets and assaulted movie staff, including Bhansali. In a video that went viral, protesters were seen running amok, damaging cameras and other shooting equipment while shouting slogans and spewing abuses in Hindi.

The incident triggered outrage and drew condemnation from the Bollywood fraternity but Bhansali soon appeared to reach a compromise with the protesters by agreeing to delete the intimate sequences.

The protests reignited a debate over growing intolerance in the country as Bollywood celebrities and social media railed against the assault on the films crew.

According to historians, Padmavati was a character in Padmawat, a book written by Malik Mohammad Jaisi around 1550, and it has no connection with history at all.

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PATNA Though pushed to the back foot in most parts of Bihar and Jharkhand in recent months, Maoists continue to be active in some pockets of the two states, especially where the terrain is inhospitable.

This became clear from the encounter between a patrolling party of the central para-military forces (CPMF) and left wing ultras in the Banskatwa forest under Gurpa police station in Gaya, close to the Nawada border, on March 8. Four Maoists, including a self-styled zonal commander, were killed in an encounter.

Maoist violence has certainly shown a declining trend in the state. But four Bihar districts along the Jharkhand border, known for their difficult topography , namely, Aurangabad, Gaya, Lakhisarai and Jamui  still have pockets of left-wing extremist (LWE) activity, said a senior police officer.

He said these four districts were responsible for over 75% of the 100-odd reported incidents of LWE violence  accounting for a total of 28 casualties, in 2016. Ten of the CPMF casualties were in a single IED blast in Gaya in July 2016, he added.

This compares favourably with the LWE death figures of 2014 (32), 2013 (69), 2012 (44) and 2011 (63). However the toll is slightly higher than that of 2015 (17).

The sliver lining, the officer said, was that in 2016, for the third year in succession, there was no police or civilian weapon looted by LWE groups, while the police recovered 29 regular weapons, including 19 of the police, during operations.

The forested hills of Chakrabandha (Gaya), the Kulasheri hills and the Rajauli (Nawada) hills, as also around 600-km stretch of Karagpur forests lying in Jamui, Munger and Lakhisarai, are vulnerable pockets providing shelter to Maoist groups and they sporadically throw a challenge to the police, he added.

Maoist violence in Bihar had witnessed a high between 1990 and 2005, the latter year witnessing a jail break in the south central Bihar district headquarters town of Jehanabad in which several imprisoned Maoist leaders had escaped.

But in recent years, incidents of Maoist violence has been sporadic, thanks to coordinated efforts by the state police, central forces and development initiatives in the backward regions. But officials admit that challenges remain on the LWE front.

It is a tacit recognition of the continued threat of the ultras that six battalions of the CRPF, including one CoBra battalion, and three SSB battalions, are assisting the state police and 24 special task force (STF) units deployed in anti-Maoist operations.

Efforts are underway to improve the operational capabilities of the STF, with focus on intelligence gathering and prompt action. Over 120 STF personnel, including four DySPs, have already been trained at the prestigious Greyhound training centre at Hyderabad, while another batch of 40 STF personnel is undergoing training at present, said the official.

He said that modernization of STF was also underway in view of new challenges, with a technical sub-unit being equipped with the latest technical gadgets.

Though things are well under control, we are using this time to further strength our capabilities and at the same time create a positive atmosphere in interior villages through development initiatives so that people dont have any reason to fall in the trap of Maoists, he added.

However, IG (Operation) Kundan Krishnan admitted there were challenges in carrying out operations in some part of Munger, Lakhisarai, Chakarbandha in Gaya, south GT road of Aurangabad and Gaya districts, besides Charkaptthar and Narganjo in Jamui, owing to the difficult terrain in these areas.

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Six people were killed, eight injured and 20 feared trapped when a cold-storage facility collapsed in the Kanpurs Shivrajpur area after a gas leak triggered an explosion.

According to SP (Rural) Rajesh Kumar, the gas leak started at the Katiyar Cold Storage in the afternoon.

Five seriously injured labourers, rescued between 4pm and 6pm, were brought dead, chief medical officer Ramayan Prasad said.

So far, teams have rescued 13 people. Our focus is on getting out others safely, Kanpur district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said.

Teams of the National Disaster Relief Force and the Provincial Armed Constabulary were carrying out rescue and relief operations, Kanpur SSP Akash Kalahari said.

A team of doctors was also rushed to the site and local hospitals put on alert.

Rescue operations underway at Shivrajpur area in Kanpur where a gas leak led to an explosion, levelling a cold storage building on March 15, 2017. (HT Photo)

Workers at the facility talked about a massive explosion bringing down the building, which was built last year. The ground beneath was shaking, luckily I was near the entrance, Hori Lal, a worker, said.

Casualties could have been higher as a rail track runs close to the building. Passengers jumped off a train that was passing through the area as soon as they heard the loud noise, sources said.

Engine pilot applied emergency brakes otherwise there could have been casualties, an official said.

Initial findings said an ammonia leak caused the explosion that brought down the entire building. People living in a nearby village complained of breathlessness and nausea and were given face masks. They were asked to move out till the effect of gas subsided.

Ammonia is used in refrigeration systems.
A court at Pauri (Rishikesh), in Uttrakhand, on Wednesday, granted the Patna Police three-day transit remand of absconding automobile showroom owner Nikhil Priyadarshi and his father, retired IAS officer Krishna Bihari Prasad.

Named in a widely-reported case from Bihar, Priyadarshi and his friends are accused of supplying girls to high profile politicians in Bihar and bureaucrats and of sexually exploiting the teenage daughter of a former minister on the promise of marriage.

The father-son duo, absconding since December 22, were arrested on Tuesday by personnel of the Chilla police Chowki under Lakshman Jhoola police station during a routine vehicle checking drive.

"After their arrest, two officials of Patna police reached there and on Wednesday the duo was produced in court, which granted three-day transit remand to police," the official said. Priyadarshi and his father are expected to reach Patna on Thursday.

Apart from the duo, former Bihar Congress vice president Brajesh Pandey, Manish Priyadarshi and Sanjit Sharma are also named accused in the high profile case in which the accused are also charged with threatening the victim girl.

The victim had accused the Priyardarshi also running a sex racket in collusion with other high profile businessmen including some political leaders and police official. The case had surfaced in December last year.

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A man, whose two brothers are in jail for allegedly raping a girl, pieced an eye of the victim with a big needle and damaged the other seriously in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday evening when the girl refused to withdraw the rape case, police said.

The man named Puttan was exerting pressure on the girl to withdraw the rape case filed against his brothers around a year back.

The girl had become pregnant after the alleged rape.

Neha Pandey, Unnaos superintendent of police, said police teams were making efforts to arrest Puttan, who fled after committing the crime.

The victim was taken to LLR hospital in Kanpur and a case is being registered with police in Maakhi, she said.

The girl was attacked when she was on her way to attend to natures call in a nearby field.

She told police that Puttan followed her and told her to withdraw the case. When she refused, he attacked her with a stick.

He then tied a big needle on the tip of the stick and pierced one of her eyes with it. Some locals, who were near the scene of the crime, rushed to rescue her but the attacker managed to escape.

Ashok Singh, circle officer Safipur, said Puttans brothers were in jail and he was pressurising the woman to withdraw the case for a long time.
Police arrested former Uttar Pradesh minister and rape suspect Gayatri Prasad Prajapati from Lucknow on Wednesday morning, roughly two weeks after the Samajwadi Party leader went missing.

Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gangraping a woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter. He was sent to jail for 14 days by the court, ANI reported.

A Look-Out notice as well as a non-bailable warrant was issued against Prajapati. His passport too was impounded and airports across the country were alerted so that he could not flee the country.

Sources said he himself turned up before police after the noose was tightened around Prajapati by detaining his son Anurag Prajapati and nephew Surendra from Amethi on Tuesday. He is being quizzed at Alambagh police station.

Inspector General (IG) of Police, Lucknow Zone, A Satish Ganesh said Prajapati was hiding at different locations in Haryana and West Bengal for the last 15 days. Before fleeing the state, he was hiding at different locations in Lucknow, Amethi, Kanpur and Allahabad, the officer added.

Prajapati was sacked by former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav from his cabinet in 2016 during a bruising feud with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav and uncle Shivpal Yadav. He was later reinstated, triggering outrage and denting the law-and-order plank that Akhilesh was running his campaign on.

In the just-concluded assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prajapati lost from Amethi, the seat he held, to the BJP.

Prajapati was also made the target of many potshots by the BJP, which used the former minister to undercut the SPs election campaign and alleged that Akhilesh wasnt serious about apprehending criminals.

Read more | Gayatri Prajapati case: Three more accomplices of rape-accused SP leader held

At an election rally earlier this month, BJP chief Amit Shah had promised Prajapati would be arrested if the saffron party came to power. Addressing an election rally in Ambedkarnagar, Shah had said, As soon as the BJP forms the government in UP on March 11, we would search (Gayatri Prasad) Prajapati even from the hell and send him to jail.

A 35-year-old woman had accused Prajapati of raping her when she met him three years ago. He is also accused of taking obscene photos of the victim and threatening her to make the pictures public and raping her for the past two years.

However, Prajapati claimed it to be a conspiracy of the BJP in order to distract peoples attention from the assembly polls.

His three aides including senior PCS officer TP Vermas son Vikas Verma, ministers personal secretary Rupeshwar alias Rupesh and ministers representative in Amethi Amrendra Singh alias Pintu Singh were arrested from Alambagh on Monday. Two others, Ashok Tewari and Ashish Shukla, were arrested from Jewar toll plaza on Noida Expressway late on the night of March 6. The ministers security personnel Chanderpal, who is also co-accused in the case, was arrested in Lucknow when he turned up to deposit his service revolver on the morning of March 6.

Prajapati, who was considered a favourite of SP patriarch Mulyam Singh Yadav, had won the last assembly poll from Amethi constituency and was inducted in the state cabinet as mining minister later. He enjoyed immense political clout during the SP government.
The United States has responded positively to Indias concerns over a string of recent race attacks, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj told Parliament on Wednesday, describing such violence as stray incidents that did not reflect the sentiment of most Americans.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on mounting attacks on Indians on US soil, including the fatal shooting of techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas last month, Swaraj said the safety and security of Indians living abroad was a top priority for the government.

Swaraj also rebuffed charges by Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and CPI(M)s Md Salim of governments inaction and said every possible help was given to Srinivas family.

In all three cases (of attacks on Indians in US), the government has given all possible helps to the family of the victims. The government took up the issues at high level of the US administration.

We have expressed our concern over such incidents and asked for speedy investigation, she said in her first speech in Parliament after recuperating from surgery last year.

Read | Kansas shooting: Heres why Indias reaction to Kuchibhotlas killing was muted

Replying on the issues related to the killing and atrocities on Indians in the US, Swaraj said, Even if there is one Indian in trouble we try to solve (the problem) in 24 hours.

She revealed that after Garmin employee Kuchibhotla was shot dead by a former US soldier in Kansas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked her every day what MEA (ministry of external affairs) is doing and what it plans to do in future.

While narrating the steps taken by the government and the US response, she maintained that the Indo-US relationship is based on the friendly relations between the people of the two countries.

These are stray incidents and they dont reflect the sentiments of entire America towards Indians, Swaraj said, her first remarks on the attacks that have alarmed the Indian-American community.

Thirty-two-year-old Kuchibhotla and his colleague Alok Madasani, both employees at GPS maker Garmin, were shot by a former US soldier, who mistook them for Middle-easterners.

Since then, a Sikh man had been shot and wounded in his driveway in Kent by a white man in a mask, who shouted go back to your country. And then, a video surfaced of Indian families at a public park in Ohio, apparently filmed by an anti-immigrant zealot who could barely conceal his racism and distaste for Indians in the commentary.

The spate of attacks has left the three-million-strong Indian American community worried and many say they are concerned about rising anti-immigrant feelings in the country following a divisive presidential election won by Donald Trump.

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The Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has ordered the countrys leading private security agency G4S India to deposit Rs 300 crore after it concluded that the company deprived its workers of pension fund benefits worth that amount.

In its order last week, the pension fund manager said, The establishment (G4S Secure Solutions (India) Private Ltd) has decidedly concealed the actual benefits payable by them to the workers with regard to their PF vis-a-vis the amount received by them from clients.

The company maintains it follows the law.

G4S has always complied with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's rules and regulations. With reference to the recent order passed by the Tribunal, we are reviewing the order to decide on our future course of action, said a G4S spokesperson, when contacted by HT regarding the allegations made by the EPFO.

G4S India is the subsidiary of G4S Global, a company listed in London and Copenhagen.

The Indian arm of the company employs more than 130,000 people and has operations across the country. Security solutions, event security, training and executive security are some of the services the company provides.

In one order, the EPFO has asked the G4S to deposit Rs 180 crore to the pension body in 15 days as dues of PF.

In another order, the appellate tribunal of the EPF has quashed the companys earlier petition and upheld that G4S has to deposit Rs 113 crore as PF dues.

The latest orders assume significance as private security agencies employ large scale manpower.

Experts believe the company still has the door open to appeal against the orders in the high court.

Non-payment of PF dues can land the people concerned in the G4S in jail and the EPFO authority can take other measures to recover the dues from the company.

A section of the employees had complained that the security company has deliberately split the wages of the workers to show lower salaries and thereby deposited lower PF even as they took full money from the clients.

In its order, the tribunal supported the workers and said, The establishment was in a habit of charging full minimum wages without splitting and PF contributions thereupon from its clients, but the same was not allowed to its employees so the establishment is liable to pay the dues.
Madhya Pradesh Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan refused to comment on rumours that he would be moving to New Delhi, possibly to take charge as the countrys next defence minister.

When asked by journalists on the sidelines of a programme he attended Tuesday night, Chouhan refused to say anything on the same. Union finance minister Arun Jaitley currently holds additional charge of the defence ministry

But senior BJP leader Dr Hitesh Bajpai dismissed the speculation as Holi gossip and said the party would again contest the assembly elections in the state under the leadership of Chouhan and would win.

Following the BJPs massive victory in Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and Manohar Parrikars resignation as defence minister to return to Goa as chief minister, political and bureaucratic circles in Bhopal are agog with rumours that Chouhan might be shifted to the Centre as the next defence minister.

Some news portals fanned the speculations claiming Chouhans imminent move to Delhi while attributing the news to sources.

This is not the first time such speculation is making the rounds. Ahead of the recent assembly election there were rumours that if the BJP won Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would become stronger and he might ask Chouhan or Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh to shift to the Centre as he would not like them to become stronger in the coming days.

Chouhan would be completing 12 years in office on November 28, 2017 and would have a fourth term as the CM if he leads the party to victory in the 2018 assembly elections. He already is longest serving chief minister in the state since taking charge on November 28, 2005 when the BJP replaced Babulal Gaur.

He has survived several challenges so far including corruption charges against him and his relations relating to Dumper scandal, Vyapam scam, illegal mining etc.

However, post-2014 Lok Sabha polls which saw party veteran LK Advani sidelined and emergence of Modi-Amit Shah as the new power centre in the party, Chouhan doesnt find the sailing smooth, said a party leader willing not to be quoted.

According to him, the CM doesnt enjoy a good rapport with Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah unlike his relationship with Advani who once thought Chouhan was a probable Prime Minister. To make matters worse, Chouhans bete noire in the party Kailash Vijayvargiya happens to be a close lieutenant of Shah and is the partys national general secretary.

Party sources say if Chouhan has to be shifted to the Centre, then this is the time. For, if he leads the BJP to victory in 2018 which also looks probable now, given the weak Opposition in Madhya Pradesh, it would be difficult for Modi-Shah duo to shift him to the Centre given Chouhans further and strong claim on the post.
Two aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, raising concerns over the competency of the countrys aerial combat facilities.

In the first incident, a Sukhoi-30 fighter crashed in Rajasthans Barmer district on Wednesday  raising the number of accidents pertaining to the Russian-origin aircraft to seven since 2009.

Defence spokesperson Manish Ozha said the fighter, which was on a training sortie, allegedly developed a snag around noon. Though both the pilots managed to eject safely, the jet crashed in a residential area  injuring three members of a family.

In the second incident, a Chetak helicopter toppled over while making an emergency landing on an uneven field at Gauspur Kautala village in Uttar Pradesh after developing a technical snag about a kilometre from the Basic Flying Training School at Bamrauli airbase on Wednesday morning. Both the pilots escaped unhurt.

The Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force that toppled while making an emergency landing near Allahabad. (HT Photo)

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the chopper accident, said Allahabad PRO (defence) group captain BB Pandey. Officials said the incident occurred while a trainee pilot was being tutored by an IAF instructor.

The Su-30 crash comes at a time when the IAF is struggling to fill its gaps in combat capabilities.

Incidents in the past involving IAF aircraft June 13, 2016 -- MiG-27 crashes in residential area of Jodhpur, 3 injured, pilot ejects safely January 27, 2015 -- MIG-27 crashes near Barmer city, injuring a biker January 22, 2014 -- Jaguar combat jet crashes near Bholasar village in Bikaner district. Pilot and co-pilot eject safely July 15, 2013 -- MiG-21 Bison crashes at Uttarlai airbase in Barmer, pilot killed in crash June 7, 2013 -- MiG-21 Bison crashes in Barmer, pilot ejects safely February 19, 2013 -- Sukhoi SU-30 crashes in Jaisalmer district, both pilots eject safely February 2, 2013 -- MiG-27 crashes at Kumharon ki Dhani village in Barmer near Uttarlia airbase

Indias Sukhoi-30 fleet, which is plagued by engine troubles and poor serviceability issues, recorded as many as 35 engine snags between January 2013 and December 2014. Its serviceability currently stands at 60%, which means only 60 out of 100 fighters are available for missions at any given point in time.

Upon being intimated about the aircraft crash, IAF officials and local authorities  including Barmer district collector Sudheer Sharma and deputy superintendent of police Omprakash Ujjawal  reached the spot. Sharma identified the injured people as Devaniyon ki Dhani resident Narayanaram, his wife Dallu Devi and son Hanumana Ram.
The biometric data of nearly 3 million Syrian refugees has been registered, the Turkish migration authority said Wednesday, Anadolu reported.

The Directorate General of Migration Management tweeted that 2,957,454 Syrians living in Turkey had been registered, giving them the right to work in Turkey.

Last month, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said nearly 3.5 million refugees were currently living in the country.
The vigilance arm of the Department of Telecom has unearthed 22 illegal telephone exchanges in the country and filed an FIR against the firms operating them, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

A total of 22 number of illegal phone exchanges allegedly operating across the country have been unearthed by TERM Cells during last year 2016 and current year 2017 (up to February 28, 2017), telecom minister Manoj Sinha said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He said the Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM) Cells, the field units of the DoT, constantly endeavour to curb illegal telephone exchanges set up with the help of law enforcement agencies.

The TERM Cell has filed an FIR against firms and individuals that were found operating the telephone exchanges that include Punjabi Bagh Centre of FIITJEE classroom in Delhi, Hyderabad-based GPRS Communications, Balaji Enterprises in Hoogly, Cyber Jaguar in Sitapur, Aatos Infotech in Ernakulam.

The modus operandi in most of these unearthed cases is the setting up of an illegal telephone system using high-tech equipment having Leased Line connectivity on one side and Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) connectivity on the other side, Sinha said.

This illegal telephone set-up operates in a way that incoming voice calls meant for PSTN/PLMN network are received via the leased link as data traffic (illegal route) thereby by passing the legal International Long Distance Operators (ILDOs) and National Long Distance Operators (NLDOs) route, he said.

The PLMN connectivity in these set-ups is mainly provided using mobile SIM Boxes, the minister said.

Sinha said that no incident regarding use of smuggled Sim Box being used by terrorist organisations aiding espionage and facilitating hawala transactions in the country has been reported to DoT during last year 2016 and till February end of this year.
The registrar and deputy registrar of examination of Dr BR Ambedkar University in Agra exchanged blows in the senior officials chamber on Wednesday afternoon, allegedly over a caste-based remark over an issue related to teachers selected for evaluating exam answer sheets.

The incident took place when deputy registrar Sindhi Ram reached the office of registrar KN Singh.

The deputy registrar was carrying a file related to a panel of teachers who are to evaluate answer sheets of exams. The registrars sanction was required for payments to be made to these teachers.

Sindhi Ram alleged he was abused and assaulted by the registrar, who denied the allegations and blamed the deputy registrar instead.

Vice-chancellor Arvind Kumar Dixit has now constituted a fact-finding committee to examine the issue on the basis of CCTV footage.

The sources said the registrar had asked for some more documents related to the file to which the deputy registrar had given some explanation that was reportedly unacceptable to the registrar. This led to a verbal duel that resulted in exchange of blows.

I had gone to seek sanction on some file related to evaluation, but registrar KN Singh misbehaved with me, passed caste-based remarks and punched me, alleged Sindhi Ram.

The matter has been brought to vice-chancellors knowledge, he said.

Sindhi Ram said he would file a police complaint under the Indian penal Code and the SC/ST Act.

Meanwhile, registrar Singh blamed the deputy registrar for attacking him and said the truth would be revealed by the CCTV footage from the camera placed in his office.

Dr Girija Shankar, spokesperson of the university, said, The matter was brought to the notice of the V-C who constituted a fact-finding team that will look into the CCTV footage. Thereafter, legal recourse would be taken accordingly.

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Tamil Nadu is set to witness its next big political fight on April 12 after AIADMK deputy general secretary and Sasikalas nephew TTV Dhinakaran announced Wednesday that he would contest the by-elections to RK Nagar, the seat left vacant after the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Dhinakaran claimed he would win by 50,000 votes, and that the only opponents were the DMK, a veiled snub at Deepa Jayaraman, who had announced lsat month she would contest the by-election to her late aunts constituency.

I want to continue the good work of Amma and its because the party people feel I can do it that they have convinced me to contest. I will take steps to ensure that Jayalalithaas schemes are implemented in RK Nagar, Dhinakaran told reporters outside the AIADMK headquarters in Royapettah on Wednesday morning.

Though he has denied that he would replace K Palaniswami as chief minister if he was victorious in RK Nagar, experts believe that there still is a chance Sasikalas nephew may make a bid for the top post.

Dhinakaran, who was expelled from the party in 2011 by Jayalalithaa was a member of the Lok Sabha in 1999 and a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2004-2010.

He was named deputy general secretary of the party by his aunt VK Sasikala, hours before she was jailed in a disproportionate assets case in February.

Dhinakaran was found guilty of money laundering and benami transactions in 1996, with the Madras high court enforcing a penalty of Rs 25 crores on him in January earlier this year.

He also has two additional FERA cases pending.

The DMK, meanwhile, announced that N Maruthu Ganesh was their official candidate for the by-elections. This will be the first election for Ganesh, who is currently east division secretary for RK Nagar.

Deepa, who formally unveiled her new party on February 24, the MGR Amma Deepa Peravai (MAD-P), has seen her popularity soar across Chennai despite her political inexperience, largely due to the physical resemblance between her and her late aunt.

Whether the April 12 by-elections become a truly multi-pronged contest depends largely on the O Panneerselvam faction of the AIADMK, which visited the Central Election Commission in Delhi on Wednesday demanding that the two leaves symbol of the ruling party be given to them.

Panneerselvam, who staged a dramatic rebellion against jailed party leader VK Sasikala after her attempt to become chief minister, has yet to declare whether his faction will field a candidate or not.

While it may be only one seat, given the stakes and the overwhelming public disapproval that the AIADMK now faces following their botched attempt to make VK Sasikala chief minister, its clear that the results of the RK Nagar elections may spell out the future of the ruling party.

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Members of a vigilante womens group Gulabi (pink) team staged a sit-in demonstration outside the Alwar district excise office on Wednesday, demanding that country-made liquor vends not be given licenses from this financial year.

The members of the group who protested for an hour forced the authorities to shut the windows of the office where the new application were being taken.

We are protesting against liquor shops for the past one year. Country-made liquor is ruining the poor families, said Prem Lata Sulania, leader of the group.

She further said that if the excise department was determined to open country-made liquor shops, it can do so outside the city.

Led by Sulania, the members of the vigilante group of gathered outside the Delhi Gate and, rallied to the district excise office.

The activists also submitted a memorandum to the district excise officer Anju Omprakash, demanding that no license be issued to any country-made liquor shop in the city.

On March 10, the group submitted a memorandum to the district collector with the same demand. In addition, they demanded a stop to betting and sale of illegal liquor in city neighbourhoods.

Sulania further said that the group will at no cost allow any country-made liquor shop to operate within the city.

The group, popularly known as the gulabi gang, came to prominence last year when its members came out clad in pink sarees and did not allow the opening of liquor shops in more than 12 neighbourhoods in the city for two months.

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NANDIGRAM (WEST BENGAL): Standing in front of the heavily garlanded white bust of her 17-year old son at Jalpai village, Aloka Das could hardly control her tears on Tuesday. In the past 10 years since the fateful morning of March 14, 2007, when police opened fire on villagers resisting land acquisition, thereby altering the course of the states history, justice has eluded the 14 families each of which lost a member.

But a decade later, Nandigram looked different for sure. The roads were metalled and without potholes. A hospital building freshly painted with blue and white containing a few hundred beds have replaced a rickety primary health centre. Drinking water is more readily available. Small culverts and bridges are replacing makeshift bamboo structures that villagers use to cross local canals. The efforts of the local MLA Suvendu Adhikari, who is also the transport minister, is quite visible in the area.

But the members of the families of those whom ruling Trinamool Congress describe as Nandigram martyrs, are still seething in anger.

The government gave some compensation. Kins of some of those killed in police firing got government jobs. But will my son return? What about those who ordered the police to open fire? What about those who planned it? We were told we have a government on our side, but justice still eludes us, said Aloka floating in and out of sorrow and anger. Her son Gobindo Das fell to police bullets.

Aloka Das stands near the garlanded bust of her son Gobindo, who was killed in police firing on March 14. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

The police were resisting villagers who were fiercely resisting the design of the government to acquire abut 14,000 acre to set up a special economic zone for a chemical and petro-chemical complex that chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee thought was essential to provide large scale employment for the future generations.

Significantly, CBI investigated the Nandigram police firing and submitted charge sheet in January 2014. It sought permission from Bengal government to prosecute a number of police officers, that so far has not been provided.

The accused senior police personnel, IPS officers have only got promotions even after the regime changed. Nothing happened to them. Top CPI(M) leaders also remained out of the net. How long can we wait for justice? said Abdul Dayen Khan, 68, who lost his son Imdadul in police firing. Another son of his, Moidul Khan managed to get a job as a homeguard with Kolkata police, but after chasing politicians for years.

Most of the families utilised the amount of Rs 5 lakh they got as compensation to build pucca houses, and putting aside a few pennies as savings.

Kobita Mondol who lost her brother-in-law Pushpendu during the police firing complained that the family is yet to get digital ration cards even after applying thrice. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

The ruling party leaders are somewhat on the defensive. We hope Mamata Banerjee will see to it that the guilty are punished in the police firing case. There is a lot of anguish among the people of Nandigram. However, we have ushered in development in the area, said Sheikh Sufiyan, a prominent face in the land movement and now saha sabhadhipati of East Midnapore zilla parishad.

But there is bitterness on other a few other fronts as well.

We applied thrice for digital ration cards (biometric ones that are mandatory for getting provisions from PDS). They (Trinamool Congress) said we will get it in due time. Our family did not get any job as promised. Now we have to run from pillar to post to even get a digital ration card. Forget the question of bringing those responsible for the firing to justice, said Kabita Mondol, sister-in-law of Pushpendu Mondal, a 17-year-old who, too, fell to the police bullets.

The martyrs memorial erected in Nandigram after Trinamool Congress came to power to pay homage to those who lost lives during the land agitation. (Subhankar Chakraborty/HT PHOTO)

Just next door lived his uncle Bharat Mondol died on January 7, 2007, when allegedly CPI(M)-backed goons attacked the agitators who wanted to save their farmland from acquisition. Bharat Mondal was the first martyr of Nandigram.

None of the 10 members of our family has got digital ration cards, said an embittered Dhananjay Mondal, the father of Bharat Mondal.

The anger is palpable and bursts forth readily. It does not seem to take into account the token that the ruling party leaders resort to by garlanding small busts of those killed by the police. Memorials were erected at many corners of Sonachura, Bhangabera, Jalpai, Tekhali villages in Nandigram that were the focal points of the land agitation in 2007. Public meetings were held throughout East Midnapore district to commemorate the day.

As a mark of respect to the martyrs who laid down their lives to protect their lands in Nandigram, Singur and other places, 14th March is observed every year as Krishak Dibas all over Bengal wrote chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Facebook.
Even as Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday pulled up private hospitals for indulging in immoral practices and the police grilled the CEO of Apollo Hospital where a patient died because of alleged negligence on March 2, doctors and the state appeared to be heading for confrontation.

Why have government hospitals been kept out of the ambit of the new West Bengal Clinical Establishments (Registration, Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2017? Also, how can the government introduce penal measures against doctors? Soon, doctors will simply stop attending to critical patients, Dr K K Aggarwal, president, Indian Medical Association, told HT from Delhi.

Read: Mamata imposes strict regulations on private hospitals, to target schools & colleges soon

We have sought an appointment with Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi this week. We have already written to him and sought his intervention, he added.

The most salient feature of the new Bill is formation of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission that will not only work as the watchdog body but will also address complaints from patients and order action against private institutions. The commissions orders cannot be challenged in any civil court. (HT Photo)

The bill has been sent to the governor for his consent. The governor is out of station. He is expected to return tonight, a governor house spokesperson told HT on Tuesday afternoon.

The most salient feature of the new bill is formation of the West Bengal Clinical Establishment Regulatory Commission that will not only work as the watchdog body but will also address complaints from patients and order action against private institutions. Significantly, the Bill says that the commissions orders cannot be challenged in any civil court.

IMA has a strong presence among doctors in Bengal and it has branches across the state. If doctors are subjected to penal action for doing their duty we will have no option but to move court, said a senior surgeon in Kolkata.

Read: Docs want Mamata to stem brain drain

There are provisions in the bill that violate fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. Moreover why should there be another law for claiming compensation when it is already included in the Consumer Protection Act? If they continue to face such attacks, doctors will stop practising, said Dr Aggarwal. Doctors are not gods. One has to understand that they cannot make all patients live. Patients die in hospitals, iterated the IMA president.

On March 3, Banerjee, who is also the state health minister, took a major step towards bringing private hospitals, nursing homes, maternity homes et al under government surveillance. She placed the Bill at the Assembly and got it passed after a brief debate. This bill will become the national model someday. I had no intention to interfere in the business of private hospitals. But enough is enough, she said.

Read: On short fuse, Delhi needs better mental healthcare

According to the 25-page Bill, patients dying or suffering at private hospitals and nursing homes because of negligence or bad management will have to be financially compensated. And, health establishments and doctors will face penal action, ranging from criminal proceedings under the Indian Penal Code to cancellation of licence, if found guilty of negligence and extortion.

Running a hospital is a public service. It is not a business like any other. I request aggrieved families not to vent their anger on hospital property and personnel. They should file complaints against erring doctors. At the same time I am asking hospitals to treat the poor and middle class with a humane face. Dont fleece them, Banerjee said on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Sujata Pandey, wife of Sunil Pandey, who died at a private hospital in the East Jadavpur area on Monday filed a complaint of medical negligence at the office the state health secretary. On Wednesday, she will meet the chief minister. Pandey, it is alleged, underwent a wrong operation and his leg was amputated after doctors claimed that he underwent angioplasty. The hospital, interestingly, is one of those that were pulled up by the chief minister at a meeting last month.

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Now, to add to the Nawabi-era structures dotting the Old City area, a monumental map of brass will soon be an attraction for the tourists visiting the state capital. In yet another move aimed at boosting tourism and beautifying the area, the state government is installing a colossal 3D map of heritage structures at Hussainabad.

Government officials engaged in its installation called it a unique initiative designed to provide information on all Old city monuments to the tourists. Its a first-of-its-kind endeavour. Its design makes it distinct from all others, said an official with the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA)  the agency engaged in the installation of the map.

The metal structure will highlight monuments such as Tile Wali Masjid, Jama Masjid, Bara Imambara, Naubat Khana, Rumi Gate, Clock Tower, Satkhanda, Picture Gallery, Chhota Imambara and others.

The map coming up opposite Bada Imambara and covering the stretch from Rumi Gate to Naubat Khana, is engraved on a thick metal sheet. It is a 3D map that has almost all the Old City monuments embossed on it. For example, theres a rectangular engraving of stairs that resembles the pond opposite the picture gallery. Similarly, it also has impressions of Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Picture Gallery and other monuments, said an LDA Official.

The map also has metal cutouts of heritage structures welded on top of it. Integrated LED illumination will add to its visual appeal. Illumination will play an important part in beautifully highlighting the monuments. There will be a different light code for the structures featured on it, the official added.

Siddartha Bathla, creative head of Archohm, a company involved in the Old City beautification project, said, Its perhaps the first map installed in the Old City, which highlights monuments - including prominent and lesser known ones - like this.

The installation is expected to be completed sometime this month.

Read more: Soon see Satkhanda glitter 3D in Burj Khalifa style
Three educational institutions of the state capital were on the target of the UP-based self-radicalised ISIS module. Members of this module had also planned to kidnap a prominent educator here for ransom to carry out their terror activities.

The members of the module had also done the recce of the institutions and were planning to execute their plan within a few weeks.

A UP Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) official said these startling facts were mentioned in the diary of Sayyed Meer Hussain, the alleged deputy chief of the self-radicalised ISIS module, recovered from the groups north India headquarters operational from a Haji colony house where Saifullah Khan, the alleged operation head of the group, was gunned down by ATS commandos in the wee hours of March 8.

SECURITY UPPED The names of these institutions had not been revealed due to safety concerns while the security of persons on their targets had been intensified, he said. The official said the diary also contained the details of some dargahs and places of Hindu worship where they were planning to execute terror operations.

The names of these institutions had not been revealed due to safety concerns while the security of persons on their targets had been intensified, he said.

The official said the diary also contained the details of some dargahs and places of Hindu worship where they were planning to execute terror operations.

He said the diary also had the detailed plan of defence in case they were surrounded by security agencies. The diary will also be handed over the NIA sleuths for further probe into the matter.
Murder, drugs and hooch rule the narrow, congested by-lanes of Malwani, where every day is a struggle for space and only the grittiest of Mumbaiites survive.

In 2016, 821 cases were filed. This area saw the most murders in the whole of the north region, while cases of hurt caused by fights, and theft, were among the top crimes in the area.

Most of the time, these fights are over petty reasons. But in an area where there is a constant struggle for space, conflict is inevitable, said a senior police officer from the Malwani police station.

Malwani has one of the densest slum habitations in the city, and at least 80% of the cases were reported from the Ambhujwadi slums and the Collectors Compound. There is also a lot of encroachments in the area, which contributes to the high crime rate.

Drugs, too, are a major problem in the area, adding to the conflict. Malwani has a serious problem of substance abuse, said police officers familiar with the area, adding that seminars are now being conducted to educate the youth about not taking drugs.

In the last two years, the Malwani police have been defined by two cases that rocked the city  a hooch tragedy that killed 106 people who consumed spurious liquor, and a casMurdee of moral-polcing in which the police raided resorts. Officials said Malwani has come to be known for these two cases, but the police have learnt their lesson.

In the years that followed, three senior inspectors have headed the Malwani police station. Steps were taken to crackdown on bootleggers and patrolling was intensified to identify them. Last year, 497 of the 821 cases filed were solved. On an average day, the Malwani police station registers 30 non-cognisable complaints (cases where the police need a warrant to make an arrest)  perhaps one of the highest in the city. But the police officials working in the area say they need more staff.

We need at least one more police station in the area so that we can increase patrolling, said one officer, not wishing to be named.

Also read: Borivli police station flooded with complaints of theft
Mumbai

A man lost Rs79,000 after a cybercriminal posing as a bank official called him and took his debit card details.

The criminal told him that his card would be blocked because he has not given information to complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure.

Although the incident took place on December 28 last year, the 43-year-old victim Ramesh Ghanekar is struggling to file an FIR. He had given a written complaint to Goregaon police station and another written complaint to cyber police station at BKC a couple of weeks ago.

Ghanekar, a contractor, received a phone call and the caller identified himself as a bank official. The accused told Ghanekar that the bank needs information to complete its Know Your Customer process.

Ghanekar said he was in a hurry and gave the card details. He did not suspect anything and also gave the One Time Password that he received on his mobile phone. The accused also took details of the debit card used by Ghanekars wife.

Within minutes, Ghanekar received messages on his mobile about money being withdrawn even as he was speaking on phone with the fraudster.

When Ghanekar questioned him about the money being withdrawn from his account, the accused replied that it was part of their process and the money would be deposited in his account later. After the accused withdrew Rs79,000, Ghanekar realised that he had been cheated and blocked the number.

Deputy commissioner of police (cyber) Akhilesh Kumar Singh said: He is looking into the issue.
Tourists crowd at Mount Huangshan on the third day of Chinese Lunar New Year on Jan. 30, 2017 in Huangshan, Anhui Province. Chinas aging population will largely increase in 10 years time. (Photo : Getty Images)

China need not worry about a demographic crisis, according to a major Chinese official, and such assertion comes after a projected population of 1.45 billion by 2030, reported the Global Times.



China doesnt lack in population, said Wang Peian, National Health and Family Planning Commissions deputy director, during a press briefing in Beijing on March 11.



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Not in 100 years.



Worries over a likely population crisis stem out from the fact that as Chinas population will significantly increase in the coming years, so is the number of its people aged 60 and above.



By 2020, according to China News Service, senior citizens will comprise 17.8 percent--or an estimated 255 million--of the countrys total population.



Considering that staggering figure, Chinas labor force seems to face an imminent decline.



Wang, however, dismissed concerns over a potential shortage of manpower.



He said that the country will utilize technological advancements to counteract any drop in the labor force.



He also said that despite having a lower working age population--some 730 million versus Chinas 1 billion--Europe and the U.S. enjoy a much higher productivity rate.



The working-age population of China, similar to many other countries, consists of those aged between 15 and 64.



The retirement age in the country for men and women are 60 and 50, respectively.



Chinas labor force will register at 985 million in 2020.



Even by 2025, according to Wang, China may not experience a labor shortage, with its working-age population to likely reach 800 million.



When the government lifted its one-child policy in 2015, with the two-child policy taking effect on Jan. 1, 2016, the country welcomed more than 18 million babies last year.



Wang said, quoted Xinhua, that they were very optimistic about the effect of the two-child policy.



Chinas population registered at 1.37 billion in 2015.






Health officials from Maharashtra have planned to increase security at hospitals and restrict entry of patients relatives inside the wards. This comes in wake of an attack on a doctor at Dhules Civil Hospital on Sunday by relatives of a patient.

The resident doctors have, meanwhile, called for a state-wide strike.

Dr Rohan Mhamunkar, the on-duty doctor at the Dhule Civil Hospital was beaten up by 15-20 people. He had visited Seva Superspeciality and Critical Care Hospital of Dhule where the doctors said that the assault greatly affected his vision. Dr Mhamunkar also sustained fractures on the ribs and skull.

Primary investigations revealed an orbit fracture (traumatic injury to the bone of the eye socket), chest abrasions, lacerated wounds on his torso and a severe head injury. He had zero vision when he was brought to the hospital and it will take a lot of time for him to regain his it, said the doctor from the trauma unit of the hospital. Dr Mhamunkar, a Mumbai resident, is currently admitted in the intensive care unit of the Jupiter Hospital in Thane. He has developed a blood clot due to the injuries, said a doctor from the hospital. He added that they are diagnosing if his head injuries have resulted in any minor fractures or not.

The director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Dr Pravin Shingare, said that Dr Mhamunkar would regain his sight gradually. He added that they have started reorganising the entire security system of all government-run medical colleges and hospitals. We have not yet discussed the idea of posting weapon bearing police officers but we are going to increase the number of guards at hospitals. We are also going to restrict the number of relatives allowed with a patient to one or two, said Dr Shingare.

Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has, meanwhile, planned a mass bunk of all the resident doctors across the state. They have also organised a protest at Azad Maidan and then march to the Assembly. We condemn this cowardly act at Dhule. Irrespective of low security of doctors in state, state officials have taken no strong action. Hence, we have decided to mass bunk, said Dr Yashowardhan Kabra, president of central MARD.

Also read: Man arrested for beating doctor hangs himself in Maharashtras Dhule
Six Chinese nationals, including two women, were arrested at the Mumbai airport on Tuesday night after the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted them with smuggled gold worth Rs1.85 crore. AIU officials said three of the accused arrived from Hong Kong, while three arrived from Beijing.

An AIU officer first spotted a Chinese national wearing a gold chain while he was waiting for his luggage near the conveyor belt.

Acting on his suspicions, he intercepted the man and recovered a portion of the gold from him. Subsequently, two more Chinese nationals on same flight were also stopped and more gold was recovered from them.

The AIU then kept a close watch on the next flight arriving from Beijing. All the Chinese passengers were checked. Three of them were caught trying to smuggle gold into the country by wearing the ornaments.

The AIU recovered gold chains with pendants of lord Buddha, buckles made of crude gold attached to the accuseds leather belts and crude rectangular gold plates depicting Tibetan deities, collectively weighing 6.176kg.

Investigations revealed that one of the women, Zhou Liwui, is the main accused in the case. Liwui, who currently is pregnant, had visited the city several times over past three years.

She accepted orders from clients in Hong Kong and placed them at diamond dealers at Bandra-Kurla Complex after flying into the city.

The AIU is trying to ascertain who was meant to receive the huge consignment of gold. We have never come across a case involving so many foreign nationals before and are keeping a watch on the airport, said deputy commissioner of Customs, AIU, Pradnyasheel Jumle.

The Chinese embassy and ministry of external affairs will be informed.The recovered gold was seized under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.

In a statement, the passengers admitted to possession, carriage, concealment and recovery of the gold, which they smuggled into India without paying customs duty, in contravention of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Read

Gold smuggling cases up at Mumbai airport as demonetisation effect wears thin

Mumbai woman tries to smuggle 1kg of gold in pressure cooker, held

Two held at Mumbai airport for smuggling gold hooks worth Rs1.14 crore
Mumbai

The police are on the lookout for a cybercriminal, who has been using a skimming device to clone credit and debit cards and withdraw money.

The crime came to light last month when an employee of a private company from Vile Parle lost Rs1.45 lakh to card cloning.

According to a police officer, the man has been using the card for over a year now. He uses his cards at malls and hotels to pay bills. The police suspect that he gave the card to a waiter at a hotel or a store along with the pin code.

The man lost Rs1.45 lakh. The cybercriminal used the debit card to withdraw money even as the victim had his card with him. The cybercriminal has cloned the debit card to make the transactions, said a police officer.

The victim had switched off his phone and when he switched it on in the morning, he found three messages from his bank informing him of the transactions.

The Mumbai police have been spreading awareness on safety measures to curb credit and debit card fraud.

A credit card or debit card user should never give his card to anybody at the mall or at hotel. He himself should enter the PIN in the machine. We strongly suspect that the man had given his card to pay the bill and the PIN. After swiping the card, the accused would have quickly swiped it on a skimming device. Cybercriminals use the skimming device to copy details and clone the card, added the officer.

The cybercriminal withdrew money in Mumbai at a jewellery shop and from a couple of ATMs near the shop using the cloned card. An FIR was registered under IPC and IT Act sections for cheating and identity theft.
Mumbais north is a gateway to the city of dreams. It is home to the ones who made it, the ones still struggling and ones left behind, to businessmen and street hawkers, Bollywood celebrities and vendors, residential colonies and slums theft, assault and murder.

Its crowded streets were once witness to bloody gang-wars, its ilakas or localities are still under the palm of slum lords. The notoriety of the MaKaBo area police lingo for Malad, Kandivli and Borivli  has even veteran officers dreading assignments there. So, what makes this area so infamous, and why is it so difficult to curb crime here?

Polar opposites

In the 16 police stations of the north region, 7,920 criminal cases were recorded in 2016. In the citys more affluent south, 4,385 cases were registered. Theres a story in these numbers, police officers told Hindustan Times. The large number of crimes in the north is because its population is so dense and so diverse, they said. The region is divided into Zone 11 and Zone 12, starting in Goregaon and ending in Dahisar. Borivli is home to residential towers. In Dindoshi, most families are low-income and there are a large number of unemployed youth. Move closer to Malwani, and the police encounter crimes like murder and spurious liquor.

The gang hangover

Rival gangs of Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan had years ago fought violent, bloody battles for control of the area. Today, while the gangs and their leaders are no longer active, slumlords who pledge loyalty to these gangsters still call the shots in slum localities. Almost all officials in the northern part of the city said the gang culture among the slum population contributed to the crime patterns.

Petty crimes, poor detection

Theft was the most commonly reported crime across police stations in the region, followed by assault, or hurt. And most of these were registered in the police stations on the west of the Western Express Highway, from areas like Goregaon, Bangur Nagar, Malad, Malwani, Charkop, Kandivli, Borivli, Gorai and MHB Colony. Even with so many crimes, most of them petty thefts, being filed, the detection rate  or the crimes the police solved  was just 62%. A short-staffed force is the cause, officers said.

At a police station in Malad, an officer sits skimming through a bulky charge-sheet, its pages not in order. These are pending cases left by previous officers, and because they have not been filed in a proper sequence, it will take time to wrap up these investigations, the officer said.

At almost every police station in the north, this is the case  a limited workforce dealing with the constant pouring in of complaints. To add to the burden, the post of the additional commissioner of the north region, who overlooks administration, remained vacant for the entire year. The responsibilities were handled by the west region s additional commissioner, Cherring Dorje, on additional charge.

Rajesh Pradhan, additional commissioner of police, who recently took the charge of the region, said the polices aim now was to get closer to the areas residents. We are trying to get more involved and keep in touch with the people to understand what crimes are happening and what issues they are facing.

Also read: In south Mumbai, crime dips but cops must up their game

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A day after the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Manohar Parrikar was sworn in as the new chief minister of Goa on Tuesday, its saffron ally in the Maharashtra government, Shiv Sena, termed the government formation in Goa as death of democracy. Sena itself received a drubbing in the Goa assembly poll, in which the party lost all three seats it had contested.

In its mouthpiece, Saamana, the party not only accused the BJP of horse-trading, it came down heavily on the Congress for its failure to form the government despite emerging as the single largest party. The congress had won 17 seats, followed by the BJP (13).

The results in Goa were completely against the BJP. It was the ruling party before the election and the Prime Minister held multiple rallies there. Despite all this, the BJP got only 13 seats. While the voters did not accept the Sena and the Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM), they also rejected the BJP, the Sena stated in its mouthpiece. However, the Congress failed to beef up its numbers and stake claim to form the government.

The editorial also criticised parties such as the Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) for lending support to the BJP despite people voting for them with a mandate against the BJP.

While campaigning, GFPs Vijay Sardesai would call Parrikar a fixer. It is a joke that the same Sardesai fixed Parrikars chief ministership. The people of Goa, who wholeheartedly voted for these parties as a resentment against the BJP, must have never expected this, the editorial read.

Sena also took potshots at Parrikar, saying that returning to Goa was probably his foremost wish because despite being the countrys defence minister he would spend most of his time in his home state.

The party said that while praises are being heaped on the BJP for its electoral prowess in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, no one seems to be paying attention or discussing the results in three smaller states  Goa, Manipur and Punjab  where the party lost.

Also read: Shiv Sena gets a drubbing in Goa assembly poll, bags less than 2% votes

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The demand for a farm loan waiver paralysed the state legislature on Wednesday with the Shiv Sena joining hands with the Congress and NCP to corner the BJP over the issue. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to make a statement in the legislature on Thursday, declaring the state governments stand on the issue. BJP sources said he may lead an all-party delegation to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request a loan waiver for farmers in Maharashtra.

Sena legislators have threatened to disallow the state government from presenting the state budget for 2017-18 if the chief minister does not meet Modi to seek the Centres approval for a farm loan waiver in Maharashtra. The state budget will be presented on March 18.

The party legislators have also insisted Sena ministers should accompany Fadnavis for the meeting. Incidentally, Deepak Kesarkar, minister of state for finance, who presents the budget to the state legislative council while the finance minister unveils the budget before the legislative assembly, is from the Sena.

The Sena, Congress and NCP have been pushing for a loan waiver for farmers on the back of the BJPs promise of getting rid of Uttar Pradesh farmers debts in its manifesto in the run up to Assembly polls in the state. The farmers are in distress, especially because of the falling prices of their produce, and hence need help from the government, the parties have been insisting.

After nearly a week of little to no activity in the legislature, and a four-day holiday, speaker Haribhau Bagade and legislative council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar, attempted to end the deadlock by calling for an all-party meeting. However, they failed to break the stalemate as the Sena and Opposition parties continued to insist on a loan waiver before transacting regular business.

In the lower house, Sena legislators came into the well along with Opposition members in the state legislative assembly and shouted slogans voicing their demand. The partys recent assertion comes on the heels of the BJPs electoral triumphs in UP and Uttarakhand. The Sena is concentrating on consolidating its own presence in the state without immediately snapping ties with the BJP in Maharashtra even as the party splintered the alliance at the civic level. The Sena has not only been brewing trouble for the BJP inside the legislature by vociferously backing the Oppositions protests, but has also forged partnerships with the Congress for the administrative setups of a few panchayat samitis in the Aurangabad and Ahmednagar districts.

Congress Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, leader of opposition in the lower house, said the Opposition wants chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to bring a one-line resolution before the house that the government is declaring a farm loan waiver. We will not allow the house to function unless this demand is met, Patil told reporters.

Similarly, NCPs Dhananjay Munde, opposition leader in the upper house, said, For the first time in Maharashtras history, even allies have joined the Oppositions demand for a loan waiver, but the BJP seems to be adamant. The government says it wants to empower distressed farmers. We want to know how many farmers it has empowered in the past two and a half years. Munde demanded a voting on the issue in the legislative council, which BJP minister Chandrakant Patil opposed.

Patil, state revenue and public works minister, said, We also want to provide relief, but such an important announcement cannot be made in haste. We need to study the financial burden on our exchequer. He added, the Karnataka government has submitted a similar proposal to the Union government for sharing the burden, and Fadnavis is ready to convene an all-party meeting to thrash out a solution. Shiv Sena leaders as well as members of the opposition, however, remained unmoved.

The BJP tried to counter the attack by pushing through legislative business amid the din. The state legislative assembly cleared two crucial bills. Supplementary budget demands worth Rs11,104 crore for 2016-17 were also passed in the lower house, but the house had to soon be adjourned due to chaos. The state legislative council was also adjourned over the issue.

Sources said Fadnavis was willing to make a statement in the house declaring governments stand on the issue. He may even seek Prime Minister Modis appointment to meet him with an-all party delegation seeking farm loan waiver from the Centre.

After a brief meeting with Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, the Senas ministers met Fadnavis after its protests in the legislature, urging him to take up the issue of a farm loan waiver in Maharashtra with the prime minister.

Senas Diwakar Raote, transport minister in the Maharashtra government, said, We met the chief minister asking him to take the prime ministers time and discuss a debt waiver for farmers in Maharashtra at the earliest. Then we will see what the Centre has to say as against the state governments stand. The state government should get an assurance from the Centre about this and make a statement in the house. Only then can the work go on.

Sena legislators, too, put pressure on the partys ministers in the BJP-led state government to push for the demand of a loan waiver for Maharashtras farmers, and also met Thackeray over the issue on Wednesday evening. They asked for a delegation of Sena legislators, Members of Parliament and ministers to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the partys demand.

Also read: Shiv Sena calls BJPs govt formation in Goa death of democracy

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With student council elections making a comeback in universities and colleges across the state after more than 20 years, student wings of political parties are busy reaching out to young voters. Apart from hearing out concerns of students and creating draft manifestos for elections in the next academic year, youth wings are also taking precautions to prevent campus violence, which had led to elections being banned in the state the last time.

In October 1989, National Students Union of India (NSUI) activist Owen DSouza was murdered outside a college in Vile Parle, allegedly by members of a rival political party. While youth wings are sure that such a case will not be repeated in this day and age, precautions are a must, said party spokespersons.

Our workers across the state have been reaching out to students, and we have categorically told everybody to not take the law into their hands. In case of trouble, they should either inform their top officials, or the police, said Vipin Singh, president of NSUIs Mumbai unit. He added that even in cases where violence erupted in campuses, his youth wing members have handled the matter without resorting to violence themselves.

Yuva Sena, another youth wing contesting elections this year, is planning to share some precautionary measures with the state government as well as the universities, in order to introduce stringent rules into the code of conduct for student elections. For starters, we will request all colleges and universities to allow entry into campuses only on the basis of college identification proof, to avoid any outsiders from creating ruckus on campus. We have noticed that problems usually start when outsiders get involved, said Sainath Durge, for Yuva Sena.

The state government is still working on statutes to implement as part of the newly-approved Maharashtra State Public Universities Act 2016.

We are in the process of forming statutes to form a clear and proper code of conduct for the various elections that will be held henceforth, said a close aide to state education minister Vinod Tawde.

Members of Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS) are planning to call for an all-party meeting before the elections, to have a formal discussion on how grave instances like that of 1989 can be avoided. Peaceful and fair elections can only take place if all participating parties are aware of the problem and are equally determined to avoid violence under any circumstances. We hope the code of conduct will also have rules written in fine line to avoid untoward instances, said Santosh Gangurde, vice-president, MNVSs Maharashtra unit.

Members of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said chances of such instances being repeated are faint.

No form of gundagardi is acceptable anymore and students know how to choose their leaders wisely. We are using social media to reach out to people and hear them out so I feel the possibility of 1989 being repeated is almost impossible, said Aniket Ovhal, head for ABVP, Konkan area.

READ MORE

New universities act: Student polls back in Maharashtra after 20 years

In Maharashtra: New universities law comes into effect

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Buoyed by the recent victory in all five assembly seats in Ghaziabad district, the city unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has requested the party leadership to give at least one ministerial berth to one of the winning candidates from Ghaziabad. Local leaders said a ministerial berth will help represent the city better in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

On March 11, all five BJP candidates  Sunil Sharma from Sahibabad, Dr Manju Shivach from Modi Nagar, Nand Kishor from Loni, Ajit Tyagi from Murad Nagar and Atul Garg from Ghaziabad city  won. The party went on to get a majority in the assembly elections.

The city unit has recently requested the party leadership to provide us with at least one ministerial berth. The performance of all candidates has been appreciated and our workers also worked hard in the elections, said Ajay Sharma, city president, BJP.

According to party sources, there are three names in contention if the districts MLAs get a ministerial berth in the UP cabinet. These include experienced candidates such as Sunil Sharma and Atul Garg apart from first timer Dr Manju Shivach who is the only woman candidate fielded by any major party in the district. Among the three, Sharma is the only candidate to have won twice.

This is the first time that BJP candidates have made a clean sweep of all five seats. During the last elections in 2012, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won four out of five seats. However, all their sitting MLAs lost this time. In 1951 and 1957, Congress candidates had won all three seats of Ghaziabad, which was still a part of Meerut district at the time.

The first BJP candidate to win a seat in Ghaziabad was Baleshwar Tyagi who also went on to become a UP cabinet minister. He won the Ghaziabad seat in 1991, 1993 and 1996. However, Sharma had also won in 2007 from Ghaziabad when it was one of the three existing seats along with Murad Nagar and Modi Nagar.

Sunil Sharma is a popular candidate in Ghaziabad and Sahibabad. He also won with a record margin in the entire state this time. However, the other candidates have also performed well and worked hard. Any one of them getting a ministerial berth would benefit the district. What worked the most in their favour was the Modi wave and the BSP and Samajwadi Party giving tickets to Muslim candidates. This also had a polarising effect, said Rajendra Tyagi, BJP councillor in Ghaziabad.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Sahibabad seat in the recent assembly elections with a record margin of 1,50,685 votes. According to the polling booth-wise data provided by the Ghaziabad administration, BJP candidate Sunil Sharma secured a large number of votes from Khoda and urban segments of trans-Hindon areas.

Sharma contested the elections despite a loss from the same seat in 2012 when then-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Amarpal Sharma defeated him with a margin of 24,348 votes. The Sahibabad seat, which came into existence in 2012, is the biggest assembly seat in the state in terms of voters.

A major reason for BJPs victory in the seat was by votes secured from Khoda, estimated to have a population of four to five lakh. It is an established fact in political circles that the voting pattern in Khoda alone can decide the fortunes of any candidate. Before the elections, Khoda was considered a stronghold of sitting MLA Amarpal.

Under the BSP regime , Amarpal had brought a package of around Rs300 crore to the area, but the works could not materialise on the ground. Just before the 2017 elections, Amarpal also suffered a setback as he was expelled from BSP. He later contested elections on a Congress ticket.

In Khoda, he secured around 21,600 votes while BJP bagged 48,693 votes. BSP candidate Jalauddin Siddiqui secured around 8,730.

BJP leader Smriti Irani had also come to Khoda for an election rally in which she focused primarily on local issues and avoided state or national issues. She spoke on the fate of the Rs300-crore package, crimes against women and girls, poor roads and sewage system, garbage disposal and the issue of overhead electricity wires.

Another major lead for BJP was from Vasundhara where it won over 17,000 votes while Congress and BSP could fetch only around 3,500 and 1,950 votes, respectively. In Indirapuram and Vaishali too, BJP secured a little over 23,000 votes while Congress and BSP got only 5,300 and 1,700, respectively.

In densely population Arthala, BJP got almost double the votes won by Congress and triple the votes secured by BSP. In Ramprastha and Brij Vihar too, the party maintained a healthy lead over rivals.

However, it fared poorly in the Muslim-dominated localities of Pasonda and Shaheed Nagar. In Pasonda, Congress secured more than 7,000 votes while the BJP candidate could gather only around 1,900. The same was the case in Shaheed Nagar from where Congress bagged over 13,000 votes while BJP could muster only around 3,400.

During the counting phase on March, Congress could better BJP only in four out of 30 rounds. In the remaining rounds, BJP gained continuous leads and was finally declared winner. In all, BJPs Sharma secured 2,62,741 votes while Congress Amarpal remained the runner-up with 1,12,056 votes and BSPs Siddiqui had to contend with just 41,654 votes.

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Almost a month after 24-year-old Shubham Maheshwari, a CA student, went missing, his parents have still not lost hope and are visiting different parts of Uttar Pradesh in an effort to locate him.

The parents said they are reaching out to local people to trace their son, but no one seems to have seen him.

Since Shubham went missing on February 18, his parents have visited villages of Bulandshahr, Agra and Aligarh. The police teams from Jewar have also extended their search operation and have visited 30 districts of the state.

Over one lakh posters have been put up at prime locations such as railway stations, hospitals, police stations and other public places in all 30 districts. Based on Shubhams phone number, Jewar police have also mounted a technical surveillance.

We are running from one place to another to trace him. Everyone has denied seeing him. He was excited that day (February 18) about coming home for a visit.Then, suddenly, his phone was switched off. Till late night, we waited for him but he did not come, said Shubhams mother Arti Maheshwari.

She said Shubham was doing his final year of CA in Delhi and would visit home often. We are clueless about what has happened to him. Every day, ends with a hope, Arti said.

Shubham went missing on his way from Delhi to Hathras on February 18. He boarded a bus to Hathras from Anand Vihar bus terminal in Delhi at 6.50am on February 18. Up to Jewar, he spoke to his mother several times. The last conversation took place at 9.40am when he told her that the bus had stopped for passengers to get refreshments.

After a man missing complaint was filed, the teams comprising 20 police personnel have visited 30 districts so far. The operation is being led by Ajay Kumar Sharma, station house officer, Jewar police station.

Technical surveillance can help us in this matter. We are hopeful of receiving a clue through it, Sharma said.
Instead of following the old business model, Alibabas new research and development team will shift into a pure holistic R&D mechanism by using cutting-edge technological solutions. (Photo : Getty Images)

There's a growing cynicism among residents of China's rural areas over Alibaba's plans in running its rural e-commerce villages, as it appears to be more as a way to promote city sellers to the countryside than connect rural sellers to city buyers.



The rural e-commerce villages, called the Rural Taobao centers, were launched in late 2014 as a five-year plan worth an investment of $1.6 billion to create 100,000 hubs for its e-commerce site. It was supposedly meant to connect around 600 million of China's poorest residents from rural areas to the cities.



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But farmers who joined the Rural Taobao centers are complaining about meager incomes and the scaling back of commissions last year.



According to Yu Xueyi, a rabbit farmer in Anhui Province, said that he just quit the Rural Taobao service after realizing thal Alibaba is not serious about connecting rural sellers with the cities.



Yu said that his rural neighbors swiftly received their packages when ordering from cities but when it came to selling wealthy city buyers, Alibaba fell short in its efforts. He labeled advertisements of villagers earning stacks of cash by selling tea and oranges to the cities, in reality as publicity stunts concocted.



Yu made $4,350 last year as a top performer but his neighbors made less.



Alibaba noted that the program is a sign of its commitment to rural areas by pioneering a two-way distribution infrastructure between cities and rural areas in China. It also improves the quality of life of rural residents, while giving brands and manufacturers access to China's vast rural population.



The e-commerce company added that the program has provided a valuable service to rural areas and had helped 832 of China's most impoverished counties sell a combined 1.06 billion yuan of goods on the company's platform in the first half of 2016, up over 40 percent compared to a year ago.



Alibaba also noted that the sales market for rural areas could reach 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) by 2020.


Gautam Budh Nagar recorded a poor performance under the Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS). Complaints pertaining to Noida and Greater Noida authorities, both of which are outside the district administrations jurisdiction, remained unaddressed, thus dragging the numbers down.

Cases pertaining to the industrial development authorities are mostly complaints against builders or housing societies and the respective authorities have to take decisions in such cases. We can only forward the complaints to them, said additional district magistrate (ADM) Keshav Kumar.

The district administration has urged the state government to send complaints related to the industrial development authorities directly to the chief executive officers (CEOs) of these authorities and not include them in the district administrations IGRS monitoring.

Around 80% of the complaints pending disposal are related to Noida and Greater Noida authorities. District magistrate NP Singh has requested the state government to exclude such cases from the district administrations page and add a separate head for cases related to these authorities, said Kumar.

The districts performance under IGRS is very poor. Of the 75 districts in the state, Gautam Budh Nagar has been ranked 68 in disposal of complaints. Meerut divisional commissioner and district magistrate have been personally monitoring the IGRS to reduce pending cases, he added.

Under the IGRS, 1,735 complaints were received and 1,382 disposed of. Six cases are pending within the 21-day redressal deadline and 317 cases are pending beyond the disposal limit. In 30 cases, higher state authorities have to take a decision.

In the past year since the system was launched, the DMs office received 670 complaints of which 500 have been disposed of. A total of 91 pending cases are still within the 21-day period while 79 cases have crossed this deadline.

Further, only 495 of the 848 complaints received online have been disposed of. There are 332 pending cases in which the deadline has passed.

At the level of the senior superintendent of police (SSP), a total of 593 complaints were received. Of these, 387 have been disposed of and 153 are pending. There are 36 complaints pending within the disposal period and in 16 details have been sought. One complaint remains unmarked. The IGRS also gets complaints received on the Central government portal. Of 3,724 such complaints, only 1,529 have been disposed off. As many as 1,187 cases are pending within the disposal limit while 1,008 cases have crossed the 21-day deadline.

On tehsil divas, held every month, 2,309 complaints have been received, of which 2,019 were disposed of. As many as 176 cases are pending disposal beyond the 21-day limit and 84 are pending within this deadline.

In 11 complaints, the complainants have given unsatisfactory feedback. District administration officials have taken measures in five such cases to satisfy the complainants.
An alert was sounded at the Sree Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar after a bag was found abandoned under suspicious circumstances in the parking zone of the airport.

The small-sized suitcase was spotted abandoned in the parking opposite the main terminal building. Police and CISF troops have cordoned off the area and an anti-sabotage team has been called in. The suitcase was spotted in the morning by a few cleaners, who then informed the CISF staff. After police found the bag to be suspicious, the state bomb squad was called in.

In an interesting turn of events, a Turkmenistan-bound passenger has claimed that he left behind his briefcase  which he said contains watches  at the Amritsar airport. He has also handed over the security code of the briefcase to the security agencies.

Further investigation is on.

Sniffer dogs at the spot in Amritsar on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

The parking lot has been cordoned off and the visitor entry into the airport has also been restricted. 4-5 sniffer dogs are also at the spot.

Security in and around the Sree Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (HT Photo)

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, security agencies had swung into action around the Pathankot Indian Air Force base and the Mamoon cantonment area in Pathankot after intelligence input about a possible terror attack was received by the local police.

Pathankot terror alert: Police, IAF, army on toes around airbase, cantonment

With the input coming in the afternoon, heavy deployment was done around the airbase  which was attacked by terrorists in January last year  by the armys Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, paramilitary troops and the police. The IAF also conducted aerial surveillance through a helicopter that continuously hovered over key defence establishments.

The urgency shown by the security forces left residents in panic. Shopkeepers near the base were asked to down shutters. The media that thronged the area in large numbers, however, was left guessing as no officer was ready to speak.

Later, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nilambari Vijay Jagdalay told HT over phone that there was an alert by the Intelligence Bureau about a suspected act of some anti-national group on the airbase. Asked if an alert was sounded for the Mamoon cantonment too, she said the army was active after the alert.
A day before the formation of new Punjab government, two vice-chancellor of Punjab submit their resignation papers to Punjab governor and chancellor of university VP Singh Badnore on Wednesday. Prof AS Brar, vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University vice-chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh resigned from the post.

Prof AS Brar, who joined Guru Nanak Dev University as the vice-chancellor in 2009 and had two extensions during his tenure, Brar has appealed to the university chancellor (governor) that he be relieved by March 31.

Varsity authorities confirmed his resignation but were tight lipped about further details.

Credible sources have confirmed to HT that, around two ago, the VC submitted his resignation to the governor but he was asked to continue till a new government is formed and a new VC appointed.

Due to a delay in acceptance, Brar took up the matter again with chancellor, chief secretary and principal secretary higher education (Punjab) to relieve him immediately i.e till March 31 due to a personal reasons.

Senior professors confirmed the news, saying that his only son had been keeping unwell. Due to this, Brar had been absent from the university since January and attended only major events. Currently he at his Gurgaon residence and will come for the March 20 syndicate meeting.

Members of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teacher Association (GNDUTA) claimed that it was Brars close association with Parkash Singh Badal that helped him get two extensions.

Now, as there is going to be new government in power, it might initiate inquiries that have been are pending for a very long time. This must have also been one of the reason for him to leave, a GNDUTA member said.

Brar joined in 2009 and in 2012 he got his first extension. Then, in 2015, he got his second extension till July 2018, despite having crossed the age of 70 years. The retirement age in Punjab is 65 years.

PUNJABI UNIVERSITY VICE-CHANCELLOR RESIGNS

Punjabi University vice-chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh also submitted his resignation to Punjab governor and chancellor of university VP Singh Badnore on Wednesday. Dr Singh asked the Punjab governor to relieve him from his duties at the earliest.

Dr Singh joined Punjabi University as a vice-chancellor on December 11, 2007 and received three extensions.
Jharkhand government will soon start bus service for college girl students in remote areas to check dropout rate and improve enrolments in womens colleges. The scheme is likely to be started this year in select womens colleges.

Chief minister Raghubar Das, while laying foundation stone of a state engineering college in Koderma on Sunday, said, All women colleges in Jharkhand will be provided bus facility to promote girls education. Das also inaugurated online a model college at Chatra and womens college, Ramgarh on the occasion and announced to start a medical college and polytechnic at Jainagar in Koderma.

Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in Jharkhand is poorer than the national average, as thousand of students, mostly girls, do not go to college after intermediate (class-12). As per a government report, Jharkhands GER is merely 8.1% as against the national average of 19.4%.

State education minister Neera Yadav told Hindustan Times, thousands of girls from remote areas are compelled to quit education after intermediate due to distance to educational institutions and unavailability of colleges in their area.

Several assembly constituencies in Jharkhand are yet to have colleges. An education department survey says that of the 81 assembly constituencies, 35 constituencies do not have any college.

Bus facility will give them an opportunity to continue their studies, Yadav said, adding, the modalities to run the project is being drafted.

The scheme will be launched as a pilot project in few selected colleges. If we get good response, the scheme will be replicated in other colleges, Yadav said, adding,We would urge legislators and parliamentarians to donate buses to womens colleges.

Yadav said that she would soon donate a bus to Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College, Jhumri Tilaiya.

Higher and technical education secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh said detailed modalities of the project was being prepared. The government would purchase buses for colleges. However, the discussion is on whether college authorities would run them or private parties will be engaged.

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This Friday, March 17, seven Tamil movies are waiting to rush into the projection rooms. Among the seven are Bruce Lee, Kattappava Kanom, Kanna Pinna, Oru Mugathirai, Senjitaley, Vizhithiru and Vaanga Vaanga.

Much like the old adage of too many cooks spoiling the broth, an excessive number of Tamil films has been causing an unbearable headache to exhibitors, distributors and producers. With nearly 200 Tamil movies churned out last year (compared to 120 in Kerala and 109 in Bengal) and just about 40 earning some kind of profit, there is a virtual traffic snarl at the cinemas. And in any case, there are not too many of them in Tamil Nadu. A prime reason being the state government cap on ticket price - which cannot, under any circumstance, exceed Rs 120 a seat in a multiplex - which also has to reserve the first row for Rs 10 a seat. Another reason for the comparatively smaller number of theatres in Chennai and other places in Tamil Nadu is the cap on the number of shows. On a weekday, no cinema can hold a screening before 11.30 or 12. This condition is relaxed on holidays and weekends.

With this kind of humungous production numbers, small and meaningful and independent cinema gets crushed out of existence. Now, take Kuttram 23 and Maanagaram (both reviewed in these columns). Both picked up an impressive patronage a few days after their releases - because of laudatory media reviews and excellent word of mouth. But despite this, Kuttram 23 found itself being edged out in its second week, because theatres were under intense pressure to accommodate a whole lot of fresh films.

As one public relations officer tells this writer, there was a time when great movies from men like Sridhar and K Balachander picked up footfalls only after several weeks, and cinemas had the patience to wait. Also, there were not too many movies being made in those days. The digital technology has admittedly made film making easier and far less expensive. One can also wrap up a movie shoot in no time, and the absence of having to buy film/raw stock - which involved almost a lakh of rupees every day of the production - help producers and directors make merry with digital camera - shooting and re-shooting the same scenes and editing and re-editing the same sequences.

Kattappava Kaanom stars Sibiraj and Aishwarya Rajesh.

All this is good, but the flip side is that an awful lot of awfully bad movies are popping out every day.

If this is a nightmare for theatres, it is a heartbreak for good cinema. Maanagaram -- which opened last Friday, may find it a struggle to get a second week slot or a prime-time slot. If it is allotted a late night show, most young people or most working men and women will find it difficult to watch Maanagaram. This will be a shame.

Arun Vijay was quoted in The Hindu as having said: My Kuttram 23 was a hit but it would have become a super hit if multiplexes had given us more shows and prime screens in its second week. In certain places, our shows had to be cut down despite full occupancy to accommodate a bigger film. Thats how the trade functions today, with multiple releases fighting for screens. And if I wait for a solo release date, my movie will never see the light of day. He is bang on.

Adding to this bottleneck are movies in Malayalam, Hindi and English -- which find themselves being treated as poor cousins.

Obviously, Tamil film production needs to be regulated, but with members of the Tamil Film Producers Council now fighting a bitter internecine war amongst themselves, good Tamil cinema finds itself being sacrificed at the altar.

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The makers of Ajith Kumars Vivegam are planning to release the film on August 10. The final leg of shooting will resume in Bulgaria from March 16 and Ajith air-dashed from Hyderabad yesterday night to join the team.

It will be a month-long schedule and all the lead actors will be part of this. The team has not finalized any date to release the first look teaser yet. The team will again come back to India and shoot some patchwork portions towards the end of April, informs a source to HT.

According to trade sources, the film has extraordinary pre-release expectations with the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights pegged at a whopping Rs 50 crores, only next to Rajinikanths Kabali, which was sold for Rs 68 crores.

Vivegam marks Ajiths third collaboration with director Siva after Veeram and Vedalam. Tipped to be an international spy thriller, Vivegam has Ajith and Kajal Agarwal as leads. Akshara Haasan plays Ajiths colleague in the film, which has Vivek Oberoi making his debut in Tamil as the baddie.

Produced by TG Thyagarajan under the banner Sathya Jyothi Films, Anirudh is composing music for the project. Anthony Ruben will take care of the editing work.

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Turkeys red meat association has ordered a consignment of prize Dutch cattle to be sent back to the Netherlands, saying it no longer wants to farm the cows due to the diplomatic crisis between the countries.

Bulent Tunc, the head of the Turkish Association of Red Meat Producers, told Turkish media that a symbolic consignment of 40 Holstein Friesian cattle was already being sent back to the Netherlands.

The Dutch Holstein cows have become very common in our country. But this breed is starting to cause serious problems, he told the Anadolu news agency.

In future we do not want animal products from Holland. The first batch of Holsteins have been loaded and we will send them back, he added.

He said Turkey should start focusing on breeding its own cattle. We have our own quality breeds, he said.

Tunc later told the Hurriyet daily that a symbolic number of 40 cattle had been loaded for sending back to Holland from the Biga dairy production site in the western Canakkale province.

If they dont accept them back then we will distribute the cuts after slaughter, he added.

Turkey and the Netherlands are going through their most explosive crisis after The Hague blocked Turkish ministers from holding rallies to back constitutional changes expanding Recep Tayyip Erdogans powers.

Turkey has suspended high-level relations with The Netherlands and blocked its ambassador -- currently outside the country -- from returning to his post.

The government has also said economic sanctions could be imposed against the Netherlands -- a key trade partner and investor -- but has not given details.
Nearly 3,000 sketches by a commander of one of the many refugee camps during Indias Partition in 1947 that reflect the pain and trauma of the event are among rare memorabilia collected by the Amritsar-based Partition Museum.

Kishwar Desai, chair of the museum based in the Sikh holy citys Town Hall, told a Talking Partition event in the House of Lords on Tuesday evening that a large number of memorabilia was pouring in, many of which had lain unknown in family trunks for decades.

Nearly 18 million people were affected by the Partition of British India into an independent India and Pakistan. A large number of people were killed as new borders cut through peoples homes and lives in Punjab in the west and Bengal in the east.

Noted film director Gurinder Chadha, whose family was part of the largest mass migration in history, announced at the event that costumes, script and material used in her latest Partition film, Viceroys House, will be donated to the museum.

Desai said besides recording oral histories of a fast depleting generation, the museum is receiving a large number of original refugee cards, trunks used by families during the migration, letters to family members from refugee camps, and original art.

File photo of a refugee camp during the Partition of British India in 1947. (Courtesy Partition Museum Project)

Nearly 3,000 sketches drawn by a camp commander on scraps of paper at the time lay in a familys trunk, unknown, for decades. People do not want to talk about the Partition. Funded by donations, the museum seeks to remember and commemorate all those who lost their lives or had to leave their homes behind, Desai said.

Chadhas film, which will be released in India in August, has drawn mixed reviews. Pakistan-origin Sayeeda Warsi, a Conservative member of the House of Lords, said she had not seen the film but hoped it informs, but does not reopen old wounds.

We are products of Partition. It is important to remember where we came from, said Warsi, who was a cabinet minister in the David Cameron government (2010-2015) and co-chair of the Conservative Party.

Chadha noted the many films made on Partition in India and elsewhere, and said Viceroys House was a film from the British Asian perspective. The idea was to interrogate history and to look at the impact the politics of the time had on ordinary people and on the staff of Viceroys House, she said.

The museum is part of the heritage street that connects the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Town Hall, and has received an average of 500 visitors a day since it was opened in October 2016, Desai said.

Most of the Partition survivors are in their 80s and 90s. The museum team is working hard to collect their memories swiftly. We urge all Partition survivors, eyewitnesses and their families to come forward to join this movement of educating the world about a terrible tragedy, Desai said.

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A Bahraini court on Tuesday delayed a ruling in the trial of the spiritual leader of the countrys Shia Muslim majority on charges of collecting funds illegally and money laundering, local media reported.

Ayatollah Isa Qassim, who is in his mid-70s, faces up to 15 years in jail if convicted in the trial that has ratcheted up tensions in the Western-allied Gulf Arab state where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based.

The kingdom had been convulsed by occasional protests since authorities crushed 2011 protests mainly by Shiites demanding a bigger share in running the country.

The court had been expected to issue a ruling on Tuesday. But the Arabic-language al-Wassat said that, after convening under heavy security, it postponed the ruling in Qassims case until May 7, giving no reason for the decision.

Overnight, hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Qasims village west of the capital Manama, to show their support for the elderly cleric, according to videos and pictures posted online by activists.

Qassim also faces expulsion from the kingdom after authorities revoked his citizenship last year for alleged foreign links and fomenting violence, charges he had denied.

The charges emanate from the collection of an Islamic tax called Khums, which in Shiite Islam is collected and spent by a senior cleric in the interest of the needy.

Qassims defence lawyers have refused to attend the hearing, which they saw as an attack on the countrys Shites.

State news agency BNA, which also reported the postponement, quoted the public prosecutor as saying Qassim and two other co-defendants are accused of collecting donations without permission and conducting operations with the aim of hiding its source and to render it legal.

It is a strictly an organisational matter that has nothing to do with religious duties, he added, according to BNA.

The trial is part of a wider crackdown on dissent that included a ban last year on the main Shiite Muslim group Wefaq. Authorities accuse it of fomenting sectarian unrest and having links to a foreign power, an apparent reference to Iran.

Bahrains justice ministry took steps last week to dissolve the secular National Democratic Action Society (Waad) it accuses of supporting terrorism.
Eight people were killed and more than 50 wounded when a car bomb exploded in a crowded street in the Iraqi city of Tikrit on Wednesday, a local official said.

The car was parked in al-Atibaa Street (Doctors Street in English) in downtown Tikrit, which is often crowded as it has many clinics.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing although Islamic State has carried out similar actions as it battles against a government offensive on its former stronghold in Mosul, 200 km (125 miles) north of Tikrit.

Eight are killed and 52 are wounded from the Tikrit al-Atibaa street attack, governorate media director Jamal Aqaab said.

More than 20 people were killed on March 8 in a series of blasts that hit a wedding near Tikrit and targeted security forces at the scene shortly afterwards.

The retreat of Islamic States self-styled caliphate, which leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared from a mosque in Mosuls old city in 2014, has been accompanied by bomb attacks in areas outside the groups control, including Baghdad and cities in neighbouring Syria.
Instead of following the old business model, Alibabas new research and development team will shift into a pure holistic R&D mechanism by using cutting-edge technological solutions. (Photo : Getty Images)

On Monday, March 13, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced its plans to create a research task force for growth and innovation. Alibaba believes this will create new pathways that will transform the current e-commerce trading platform into the next stage: a tech powerhouse.



The new group, which will be called NASA, will primarily focus on developing core technologies that aim to serve approximately 2 billion people in the next two decades.



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This includes machine learning, the internet of things, biometric identification, operating systems and chips.



The initiative, according to Alibabas founder and chairman Jack Ma, said the dedicated research and development group will help Alibaba evolve into the worlds fifth largest economy. This will lead to the creation of about 100 million jobs, and will also kickstart 10 million enterprises for the next 20 years.



Just like how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration fueled fundamental progress of science and technology and facilities peoples lives, new economies must be built upon new technology-enabled infrastructure, Ma said during Alibabas first internal technology conference held last week in their Hangzhou headquarters.



In the event of technological breakthroughs, Ma said that Alibaba is also ready to bear the brunt of responsibility.



Instead of following the old business model, Alibabas new research and development team will shift into a pure holistic R&D mechanism by using cutting-edge technological solutions.



Today, weve reached a tipping point when technology makes a real difference, said Zhang Jianfeng, Alibabas chief technology officer, as reported by China.org.cn.



Alibaba is the leading tech company in China. So far, the company has been making breakthroughs, such as the use of facial recognition in digital payments. Alibaba has also helped mitigate traffic congestion in and around Hangzhou through artificial intelligence.



Over 20,000 engineers are under the employ of the company.



Its a visionary move. Alibaba is no longer content with being recognized as an online trading platform, said Zhang Mengmeng, senior researcher at Counterpoint Technology Market Research.



It needs new technologies to fulfill and balance its multiple roles as a virtual shopping mall, a cloud computing provider, a payment tool, and a logistics network.


Chinas Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground.

We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer, Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of Chinas parliament.

Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction, he said.

We may have different statistical methods, but I believe whatever differences we may have we can all sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions, Li said, adding that issues that cannot immediately be solved should be shelved for the time being.

U.S. media have reported that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Florida next month.

Trump has attacked China on issues ranging from trade to the South China Sea and what he perceives as Chinas lack of interest in reining in nuclear-armed North Korea.

Last month, Trump held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who outranks Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi.

Li also reiterated in his remarks that China-U.S. relations are founded upon adherence to the one China policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.

The one China policy has remained unshaken despite changing circumstances, he said, adding this foundation cannot be undermined.

Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and saying the United States did not have to stick to the policy, vaguely suggesting that he may abandon the policy as part of negotiations for a better trade deal with China.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the one China policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled, proudly democratic Taiwan.
US President Donald Trump, a self-proclaimed billionaire many times over, paid $38 million as tax on an income of $150 million in 2005, after writing off millions in losses from previous years, according to a document made public on Tuesday, and confirmed with surprising alacrity by the White House.

The two-page tax return, called Form 1040 of the Internal Revenue Service (something like Income Tax Form 16 in India), was obtained by David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and he reported it first on MSNBCs The Rachel Maddow Show, in a revelation that didnt quite live up to the hype preceding it, given the reaction.

Most commentators and critics on the right and left were underwhelmed by the disclosure and worried it could divert attention from the administrations many ongoing troubles, including a muddled start to repealing and replacing Obamacare, a major Republican poll promise, and a congressional probe of Trump campaign aides links to Russia.

From the time Trump announce his candidacy for the White House, he has faced and rejected calls to release his tax returns breaking from a tradition going back to Republican president Richard Nixon. They are under audit, he said first. Then he claimed voters were not interested, only reporters were; and, finally, this is not such a long tradition.

But the White House was quick to confirm the document on Tuesday  too quick, according to some. It said in a statement, You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago. It added that Trump, as one of the most successful businessmen in the world, paid no more tax than legally required.

The statement went on to say: Mr Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that. Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns. The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans.

The amount revealed on Tuesday was low relative to his boast about wealth, but Trump doesnt like paying taxes and has said so multiple times in the past. I fight very hard to pay as little tax as possible, he told ABC in 2016.

The White House did not say if it would release returns from other years as well.

Trumps refusal to disclose his tax returns has made them the holy grail of US political journalism. The New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said last September he was willing to risk going to jail to publish Trumps tax returns.

He did publish a report on Trumps 1995 tax returns, sent anonymously to one of his reporters and confirmed by tax experts, that showed the real estate tycoon had shown losses of $916 million that would save him taxes for the next 18 years.

Trump did not deny it, and had said in a statement, Mr Trump is a highly-skilled businessman who has a fiduciary responsibility to his business, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.
Donald Trumps leaked tax return reveals that he had to pay tens of millions of dollars in a single year because of a tax rule that he has specifically promised to abolish as president.

A two-page section of Trumps tax return for 2005, which was published by MSNBC late on Tuesday, revealed that the president paid $38m in federal taxes on more than $150m in income in 2005.

But the documents also showed that about 82% of the total paid to the Internal Revenue Service that year by Trump and his wife, Melania, was incurred due to a tax that Trump has said should be abolished.

The alternative minimum tax (AMT), which was introduced to ensure the mega wealthy pay a fairer share of tax, comprised $31m of Trumps tax bill compared with $5.3m in regular federal income tax. In the run-up to Novembers election, Trump pledged to eliminate the AMT altogether , meaning the president campaigned for a change in the tax law that would have benefited him.

The publication of the paperwork prompted immediate condemnation from the White House, which accused MSNBCs Rachel Maddow of breaking the law and pre-emptively released figures from the same year.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago, a Trump administration official said in a statement.

Before being elected president, Mr Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.

The official added that Trump paid $38m even after taking into account large-scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150m, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes, and this illegally published return proves just that.

Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns, the official said.

The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the president will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans.

Contrary to the White Houses claim, Maddow said the return was turned over to David Cay Johnston, a 2001 Pulitzer prize-winning investigative journalist who focuses on tax and finance issues and joined her on the broadcast. It is not a violation of the law to publish leaked tax returns. Appearing on the Maddow show, Johnston said he did not know who sent him the excerpts from Trumps 2005 return, which appeared in his mailbox.

The documents indicate that Trump paid an effective federal income tax of about 25% in 2005 and reported a $105m write-down. Hillary Clinton, Trumps Democratic opponent in last years election, had an effective federal rate of 30.8% that same year, according to her campaign.

Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, welcomed the leak, adding to speculation over whether the president leaked a favourable portion of his own tax return .

Polling conducted since the election revealed nearly three-quarters of Americans feel Trump should release his tax returns. (Reuters File)

Either way, Tuesdays partial disclosure will further pressure the White House to publish the presidents tax returns in full. As a candidate, Trump broke with a 40-year precedent by refusing to release his tax returns despite repeated calls from his opponents in both parties.

The last major-party nominee to withhold tax records was Gerald Ford, who assumed the presidency after Richard Nixons resignation in 1974. Ford released a summary of data from eight years of tax returns but did not disclose the full documents.

Trump initially said he could not release his tax returns due to an ongoing audit by the IRS, even though such a fact would not legally preclude him from doing so. Nixon released his tax returns while they were under audit in 1973.

Related: Hot air and intrigue: did Donald Trump leak his own tax return?

Trumps campaign later pivoted to saying his taxes were a nonissue that would distract from his message. Polling in the campaign found that a majority of Americans, including a majority of Republican voters, wished to see the real estate developers tax returns.

But despite Clintons efforts to cast a spotlight on Trumps refusal to disclose his returns, the subject failed to have a lasting impact as voters headed toward the polls. Following his victory in the November election, Trump declared in his first press conference as president-elect that Americans did not care about his tax returns.

You know, the only one that cares about my tax returns are the reporters, OK? Theyre the only ones, Trump said. I won. And became president, he continued when asked if the matter was not of concern to the American public.

I dont think they care at all ... I think you care.

Polling conducted since the election has found otherwise, with nearly three-quarters of Americans responding that Trump should release his tax returns.

A report in the New York Times last year, based on a filing from 1995, found Trump could have taken advantage of a loophole that potentially enabled him to legally avoid paying any federal income taxes for up to 18 years.

That year, Trump declared a $916m loss on his income tax returns, stemming from a series of struggles pertaining to his casino empire and a failed attempt to enter the airline business. Tax experts said Trump could have used the loss to offset the equivalent amount of taxable income for up to two decades due to a tax code advantage for real estate developers.

The alternative minimum tax was created in 1969 (and amended in 1979) to address the fact that some of the uber-wealthy could use so many deductions and loopholes that they ended up paying zero federal income tax. People with high incomes have to calculate their taxes twice  once with all their deductions and once without many of them. The taxpayer must then pay the higher of the two figures.

The AMT brought in about $28bn, or roughly 2% of all individual income tax revenues in 2015, according to the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan thinktank, which said that 4.1m people paid it.

The gap between those two figures can be enormous  as is made clear by these Trump tax returns, which show Trump would have paid a fraction in taxes were it not for the AMT.

If we didnt have the alternative minimum tax, he would have paid taxes at a lower rate than the poor who make less than $33,000 a year, David Cay Johnston said on MSNBC about the returns. The AMT was applied to just a few hundred wealthy individuals when it was first imposed, but today it hits almost 5 million taxpayers .
Two suicide bomb attacks killed at least 31 people and wounded dozens more in Damascus on Wednesday, state media reported, in the second such spate of bombings in the Syrian capital in five days.

The first suicide bomber targeted the Palace of Justice, the main courthouse in central Damascus near the Old City. Justice Minister Najem al-Ahmad told reporters the initial death toll was 31, mostly civilians.

The second suicide blast struck a restaurant in the al-Rabweh area of Damascus to the west of the first attack causing several casualties, state media reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts.

Syrian state television broadcast footage from inside the courthouse showing blood splattered on a floor littered with papers, a shoe and broken tiles and stones. Images from a hospital showed a man in a suit on a stretcher with blood on his clothes.

The explosion hit the courthouse at a time when the area is crowded with lawyers, judges and civilians, harming a large number of people, Ahmed al-Sayyid, a senior state legal official told state-run al-Ikhbariya TV.

He later added that 45 people had been wounded.

The attack came as a retaliation against the latest victories of the Syrian army and the political victories in Geneva and Astana, Ahmad said, referring to recent peace talks in Switzerland and Kazakhstan.

State media reported that the second bomber had entered the restaurant and detonated the device after having been chased by security forces.

The blast follows twin attacks on Saturday that killed over 50 Shia pilgrims in Damascus. That attack was claimed by the Syrias al-Qaida branch formerly known as the Nusra Front.
Within minutes of introducing a controversial resolution to make the hijab mandatory at colleges institutions in Pakistans most populous province of Punjab, a lawmaker of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party withdrew it.

Nabila Hakim Ali, a member of the Punjab assembly, submitted the resolution demanding that the hijab be made mandatory at all public and private colleges but later withdrew it for unspecified reasons.

Earlier, a ministers proposal to make the wearing of the hijab mandatory for students of government colleges and to offer them extra marks for covering themselves created an furore in the provincial assembly.

Observance of hijab should be made mandatory for college girls, Punjab higher education minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani said on Tuesday while addressing divisional directors of the Lahore board.

He added that hijab-wearing students, who fail to fulfil attendance requirements, would benefit from the education departments decision as 5% grace marks would be awarded to them.

The statement created a furore in the media and the Punjab government moved quickly to reject Gilanis assertion. Information secretary Raja Jahangir said, No such summary has been received by the provincial cabinet from the higher education department.
Britain will not make changes to its laws following a ruling by the European Court of Justice that employers banning political and philosophical signs such as headscarves did not constitute direct discrimination, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday.

Tuesdays ruling evoked a mixed reaction in Britain. Amid concerns in minority communities, May said in the House of Commons: We have a strong tradition in this country of freedom of expression.

Of course this case came up particularly in relation to the wearing of the veil - there will be times when it's right to ask for a veil to be removed, but it is not for government to tell women what they can and cannot wear and we want to continue that strong tradition of freedom of expression.

Reacting to the ruling, the Muslim Council of Britain said, It is a sad day for justice and equality. At a time when populism and bigotry are at an all-time high, we fear that this ruling will serve as a green light to those wishing to normalise discrimination against faith communities.

It added, Many will be worried that this action will prevent Muslim women who choose to wear the scarf from securing jobs. And it sends a message that we cannot accept a plural society that recognises and celebrates religious differences. This is a backward step which people of all faiths and none should speak out against.

However, Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society said: "Religious and political neutrality can be a perfectly reasonable aim. This ruling demonstrates that this approach is consistent with equality and human rights law and that businesses and organisations who wish to present themselves in a neutral way are able to do so, provided their actions are fair and reasonable.

The test of reasonableness and proportionality will be for national courts to decide. But where a ban on employees wearing religious or political symbols is founded on a general company rule of religious neutrality, and where that rule is applied equally to all, it can't realistically be argued that this constitutes 'direct discrimination' and this ruling simply reflects that."

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The Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven political parties, withdrew support to the government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Nepal after the expiry of a deadline for addressing its demands.

The Morcha, which had given the government time till Tuesday midnight to meet its demands, informed the Parliament on Wednesday of its decision to sit in the opposition.

The alliance from the southern Terai plains bordering India has 36 seats in Parliament. Despite its withdrawal of support, there is no immediate threat to the government.

Parliamentarian Mahendra Raya Yadav of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party said support had been withdrawn as agreement signed with the government was not implemented. The Madhesi parliamentarians walked out of Parliament as a protest.

The Morcha had extended support to Prachandas government in August 2016 after signing a three-point agreement, which included amending the Constitution to make it Madhes-friendly and payment of compensation to victims of violent protests in Madhes.

Last week, it threatened to withdraw support if its demands were not addressed in seven days. The Morcha has been protesting against Nepals new Constitution since 2015.

Top Morcha leaders recently met Prachanda and handed over a memorandum listing their demands, including the scrapping of plans to hold elections to local government bodies on May 14.

Following the Morchas ultimatum, Prachanda inducted the fourth largest party  Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which has 24 seats  into the ruling coalition to ensure that he could go ahead with the local polls. Madhes-based parties have already announced a boycott of the polls.

The Morcha felt betrayed by the government after Prachanda said the Constitution would be amended only after the polls.

Kamal Thapa, the RPP chairman who has been inducted as deputy prime minister, told reporters on Tuesday that he joined the government only after Prachanda assured him the Constitution would not be amended.

Thapa has warned that if the amendment process is put to a vote in the House, his party will vote against it and pull out its ministers from the cabinet.

Prachanda also met Madhesi leaders and proposed that a constitution amendment bill could be endorsed before the local polls if the issue of demarcating federal boundaries was left to a commission.

The Prime Minister proposed to us to immediately pass the issues of citizenship, language and representation in the National Assembly incorporated in the bill and to deal with the demarcation issue after the local polls, said Mahantha Thakur, chair of the Tarai Madhesi Loktantrik Party.

The Madhesi leaders told Prachanda they would hold an internal meeting to decide about his proposal.
The Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of seven political parties, has withdrawn support to the government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda in Nepal after the expiry of its seven-day ultimatum on Tuesday midnight.

The Morcha has been protesting against Nepals Constitution since 2015. It had threatened last week of withdrawing support if its demands were not addressed in seven days.

Ahead of the installation of the Prachanda led government in August 2016, the Morcha had extended support to the government while reaching a three-point agreement including amendment in the constitution to make it Madhes friendly, compensation to the victims who suffered in Madhesh uprising and others.

A formal decision to withdraw support will be taken by Morcha leaders later on Wednesday.

The Morcha has 36 seats in parliament, but despite the withdrawal of support, there is no immediate threat to the government.

Top leaders of the Morcha had called on Prachanda and handed over a five-point memorandum listing their demands, including the scrapping of plans to hold elections to local government bodies on May 14.

After Morchas ultimatum, PM Prachanda inducted the fourth largest party - Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) into the government to ensure the local polls slated for May 14 are held. The RPP has 24 seats. The Madhes based parties have already announced a boycott of the local polls.

The Morcha felt betrayed by the current establishment after PM Prachanda proposed to amend the Constitution only after local polls citing the shortcoming of required two-third votes.

Newly inducted deputy Prime Minister and chairman of RPP Kamal Thapa told reporters on Tuesday in Kathmandu that he joined the government after Prachanda assured that the Constitution would not be amended.

Thapa has warned that if the amendment process is put for voting in the House, his party will vote against it and pull out its ministers from Cabinet.
Malaysia found out the identity of Kim Jong Nams body based on a DNA sample taken from his son, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.

Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was murdered on February 13, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

But North Korea has so far not identified him as Kim Jong Nam, who was carrying a passport under the name of Kim Chol when he was murdered. No next of kin has come forward to claim the body.

I again confirm that it is Kim Jong Nam... This is based on a sample taken from his son, Malaysian deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters.
More than 250 skulls have been found over the last several months in what appears to be a drug cartel mass burial ground on the outskirts of the city of Veracruz, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Veracruz states top prosecutor, Jorge Winckler, said the clandestine pits appeared to contain remains of cartel victims killed years ago.

The news came as no surprise to Lucia Diaz, one of the mothers of people who have disappeared whose group is known as Colectivo Solecito.

The mothers pushed authorities to investigate the fields where the skulls were found because they suspected more than a year ago that the wooded area known as Colinas de Santa Fe was a secret burial ground.

In the face of official inaction, the activists themselves went to the fields starting in August 2016, sinking rods into the ground to detect the telltale odor of decomposition, and then digging.

When they find what they believe are burial pits, they alert authorities, who carry out the final excavations.

We dig holes, but we try not to touch the remains, Diaz said, because DNA may be the only hope of identifying the dead and touching the bones might contaminate them.

Some remains had been found in the area even before the group started its work.

So far, Diaz said, searchers have found about 125 pits that contain about 253 bodies. Nobody knows when the burials began, but Diaz said some were quite recent.

Some of the bodies had a lot of connective tissue. You could see an ear, or recognize part of a face, she said.

Winckler, in the first official recognition, seemed to say the burials occurred before the new state administration took office in December.

For many years, the drug cartels disappeared people and the authorities were complacent, Winckler said In an interview with the Televisa network, in apparent reference to the administration of fugitive former Gov. Javier Duarte and his predecessors.

Duarte resigned as governor two months before his term ended last year and disappeared. He faces charges that include money laundering and organized crime and officials have accused him thoroughly looting state coffers. Winckler said that resources needed for DNA tests in criminal investigation had vanished, leaving officials to depend on help from the federal government and groups such as the Red Cross.

So far only two sets of remains  a police detective and his assistant  have been identified, Winckler said.

The prosecutor said excavations have covered only a third of the lot where the skulls were found, and more people may be buried there.

I cannot imagine how many more people are illegally buried there, Winckler said, noting the state has reports of about 2,400 people who are still missing.

Veracruz is an enormous mass grave, he said.

Diaz also said it is impossible to say how many people are buried, and isnt sure the burial ground wasnt used recently. We dont know when it stopped, or if it stopped. She said searchers found eight bodies just 10 days ago.

Her group has criticized state authorities both past and present for doing little to try to find or identify the states missing people, many of whom were kidnapped and never heard from again.

The state had long been dominated by the ferocious Zetas cartel. But the Jalisco New Generation cartel began moving in around 2011, sparking bloody turf battles.

Drug cartels in other parts of Mexico have deposited victims bodies in mass graves before. In the northern state of Durango, authorities found more than 300 bodies in a clandestine mass grave in the state capital in excavations starting in April 2011. Those burial pits were excavated in part with the use of backhoes.

More than 250 bodies were discovered in April 2011 in burial pits in the town of San Fernando, in Tamaulipas state, close to the U.S. border.

Drug gangs in some places in Mexico have taken to burning or dissolving their victims bodies in corrosive substances in order to avoid discovery.

Diaz joined the effort after her own son, Guillermo Lagunes Diaz, was kidnapped from his home in 2013. No trace of him was ever found. He was kidnapped. Beyond that I know nothing, Diaz said. Despite pleading with state officials, they were slow to investigate the case and didnt bother even to track his phone, which might have helped locate him.

But she and other mothers and volunteers in Colectivo Solecito have never flagged in the search, at least for the bodies of their loved ones.

We mothers say they are still alive, until we find out otherwise, Diaz said. But she suspects that corrupt police may have been involved in the disappearances; several groups of police in the state have been arrested for kidnapping people and turning them over to the drug gangs.

It is either the criminals, or police, or both that dumped the bodies in Colinas de Santa Fe, she said. In Veracruz, its kind of hard to tell the difference.
2014 Beijing International Film Festival - Red Carpet (Photo : Getty Images)

Before he hit it big with 2016s monster movie The Mermaid, Chinese director Stephen Chow once considered migrating to Canada. However, his application was rejected by Canada after his links to the mob were discovered.



Marriage Proposal Rejected



When actress Christy Chung learned of the situation, she offered to marry Stephen Chow to help him get a Canadian passport since she was born in Canada. However, the director rejected the offer from Christy Chung who starred in 1994 movies directed by Stephen Chow such as Love on Delivery and Hail the Judge, Toggle reported.



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Since they have worked together in various movie projects, Christy Chung eventually admired her director and proposed marrying him to solve his Canadian visa problems. Now newly married, she admits being dejected when Stephen Chow turned down her marriage proposal and laughs at the incident, although she does not know the reason why he rejected her offer of marriage.



Third Marriage



In November, 46-year-old Christy Chung married Golden Zhang, a Chinese actor who is 12 years younger than her. It was her third marriage. Her first two marriages produced three daughters.



She shared the photos of her wedding to Golden Zhang on Sina Weibo, showing a matching set of kua, or the traditional Chinese wedding garments. It took 2,200 hours to sew her elaborate wedding gown for the marine-themed ceremony. Beside the white gown, Christy Chung also had dragon and phoenix banglesnecklaces and rings which are part of Chinese custom for a prosperous and harmonious marriage, AsiaOne reported.



For the evening banquet, the couple changed into more modern clothes with a marine theme. It brought back memories of the 1994 movie Mermaid Got Married which starred Christy Chung. Their wedding invitation showed the couple dressed as a mermaid and merman. They met on a dating show and fought heavy criticism when they entered into a relationship. They announced their wedding on the same reality dating show.


Defying an escalating anti-alcohol movement and conservative bureaucrats in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, Indonesias only craft brewer is tapping into demand for better quality booze among the countrys small number of drinkers.

Despite the fact about 90% of Indonesias population is Muslim, and in theory banned from drinking, most practise a moderate form of Islam and alcohol is available in cities and holiday destinations. Due to religious considerations and high taxes that push up prices, relatively few Indonesians drink -- alcohol consumption in 2015 was an average of just 1.4 litres per person, according to BMI Research. But the market is still potentially huge in a country of 255 million people, with local brewers producing mostly Pilsner lagers.

We had been abroad and drank a lot of good quality beer, said Bona Budhisurya, a Christian and ethnic Chinese minority in Indonesia. Unimpressed by the generic, mass-produced drinks on offer in his own country, the businessman and his brother-in-law Jacob Suryanata decided to come up with an alternative, and in 2011 introduced Stark craft beer with a wheat and dark wheat variety.

The trend has seen micro-breweries spring up worldwide as consumers sick of flat, flavourless ales and gassy lagers seek out something with more character. Major beer-consuming countries such as Britain and the US have seen explosive growth in the sector.

Since its launch, Stark has expanded to include six varieties, including lychee- and mango-flavoured beers and an Indonesian Pale Ale, a less bitter alternative to Indian Pale Ale.

But setting up a brewery is a risky move in Indonesia. Although most Indonesians are moderate Muslims and alcohol has long been available, growing opposition from politicians pushing a more conservative brand of Islam has created an uncertain climate.

The government banned beer sales in the countrys ubiquitous minimarts in 2015, leading to sharp profit falls for major brewers, and Muslim political parties have proposed legislation to prohibit booze consumption entirely, although it seems unlikely this will pass.

Trouble brewing

The Stark brewery has a staff of about 50 workers, including a head brewer hired from an Australian beer maker. (AFP)

It is hard to get permission to brew alcohol and only a handful of companies such as Multi Bintang, which is majority-controlled by Dutch brewer Heineken  possess licences that they have had for decades.

Budhisurya, who studied in the US for several years, eventually managed to obtain a licence in Hindu-majority Bali, a popular holiday island where drinking is more common, and Stark set up its brewery near the town of Singaraja. The site has a staff of about 50, including a head brewer hired from Australian beer maker Little Creatures.

The company says brewing in Bali gives them an edge as they have easy access to clean water, unlike some other brewers whose operations are near Jakarta where water is often polluted and must undergo a long filtering process.

We have a principle  if the water is not good, we cant make the beer, Albert Kurniawan, operations manager at Starks brewery, told AFP.

Budhisurya said that the biggest challenge has been dealing with the official Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, which must approve alcoholic beverages before their release. He said the official time to get approval from the agency, which is staffed by conservative bureaucrats, is about four months, but in reality it takes six months to a year.

Still, Stark has persevered and carved out a small niche by mainly selling to bars and some supermarkets favoured by a growing number of Indonesian consumers. Stark says its beers offer a quality alternative to pricey imported ales. It is so far proving a modest success, with about 3,000 to 5,000 24-bottle cases sold every month, mostly in Jakarta and Bali.

It does not matter whether it is local or imported -- we are a craft beer, which means quality, Budhisurya said.
Pakistans parliament has decided to set up a committee to investigate blasphemous content on social media after a judge of the Islamabad high court directed the government to remove such material or shut down the online portals.

On Wednesday, the parliament called on the government to immediately take measures to crack down on blasphemy. One by one, leaders from nearly all parties paid tribute to Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad high court for taking suo motu cognisance of an issue of the utmost importance.

Lawmakers also criticised dissenting voices such as rights activist Asma Jahangir, who criticised Siddiquis observations in the matter. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F lawmaker Jamaluddin even went as far as to dub Jahangir an enemy of the country for saying the judge was only fit to be a prayer leader at a mosque.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered the blocking of blasphemous content on social media and said those behind the propagation of such material should be swiftly punished.

The Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Taliban, issued a statement supporting Siddiquis order on blasphemous content. Observers said this was probably the first time a major Taliban group has expressed support for a state official.

Earlier this week, Siddiqui directed the government to remove blasphemous content even if it meant blocking social media entirely. He said blasphemers are no less than terrorists and ordered authorities to place the names of all alleged blasphemers on the interior ministrys Exit Control List so they cannot leave Pakistan and escape criminal proceedings.

Siddiqui was hearing a petition against alleged blasphemous content on social media pages. Following the courts ruling, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) released a statement asking people to keep an eye on blasphemers on Facebook and other social networking sites and report them to the agencys Islamabad office.

Siddiqui had last month given a ruling against Valentines Day celebrations. The same judge had also served as counsel for Abdul Aziz, the head cleric of the radical Lal Masjid, and Mumtaz Qadri, the man who assassinated Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer.

A reference filed against Siddiqui for alleged corruption and misuse of power is currently being heard by the Supreme Judicial Council.

The judge allegedly pressured the Capital Development Authority of Islamabad to build a special cage for his pigeons on the rooftop of his official residence. The reference accused the judge of shifting his residence thrice is search of a better place and alleged the CDA spent Rs12 million on renovating his house.
Punjab higher education minister Syed Raza Ali Gilanis proposal to make hijab mandatory for government college girls and offering them extra marks for covering themselves up has set off a furore.

Observance of hijab should be made mandatory for college girls, The Express Tribune quoted Gilani as saying while addressing the Lahore boards divisional directors on Tuesday.

He added that hijab-wearing students, who fail to fulfil the required attendance, would benefit from the education departments decision as five percent grace marks would be accorded to them.

However, the Punjab government on Tuesday denied having made the hijab mandatory for girls at the provinces colleges.

This is absolutely wrong news. No such policy [has been announced] by the government of Punjab, the Punjab government said on twitter.

This is absolutely WRONG news ... No such policy announced by Government of the Punjab ... https://t.co/a0fnrwg9Db  Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) March 14, 2017

Information secretary Raja Jahangir said: No such summary has been received by the provincial cabinet from the higher education department.

He said the minister could not make such rules on his own without getting the approval from the cabinet.
A retired US Navy admiral was among nine high-ranking military officers arrested across the country in a burgeoning bribery scandal involving a Malaysian defence contractor nicknamed Fat Leonard.

The indictment unsealed in federal court in San Diego alleged that Bruce Loveless and the other officers accepted the services of prostitutes, lavish meals and fancy trips from Leonard Francis in exchange for classified information that helped his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

It was the latest indictment in the three-year-old case that has charged more than 20 former or current Navy officials so far and marks one of the Navys worst corruption scandals in history. Loveless is the second admiral charged in the case. It is extremely rare for an admiral to face criminal proceedings.

Prosecutors say Francis, whose nickname comes from his wide girth, bilked the Navy out of nearly $35 million largely by overcharging for his companys services supplying navy ships in the Pacific with food, water, fuel and other necessities.

Navy officers provided classified information to Francis that helped him beat out the competition and in some instances commanders steered ships to ports in the Pacific where his company could charge fake tariffs and fees, prosecutors said.

The new indictment also charged a former Marine colonel.

The defendants were arrested in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Virginia. Loveless was arrested at his home in Coronado across the bay from San Diego. None of the defendants or their defence attorneys could be immediately reached for comment.

This is a fleecing and betrayal of the United States Navy in epic proportions, and it was allegedly carried out by the Navys highest-ranking officers, said Acting US Attorney Alana W. Robinson.

Francis has pleaded guilty to fraud and is awaiting sentencing.
Saudi Arabia hailed a historical turning point in US-Saudi relations after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the two leaders shared view that Iran posed a regional security threat.

The meeting on Tuesday appeared to signal a meeting of the minds on many issues between Trump and Prince Mohammed, in a marked difference from Riyadhs often fraught relationship with the Obama administration, especially in the wake of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

This meeting is considered a historical turning point in relations between both countries and which had passed through a period of divergence of views on many issues, a senior adviser to Prince Mohammed said in a statement.

But the meeting today restored issues to their right path and form a big change in relations between both countries in political, military, security and economic issues, the adviser said.

Saudi Arabia had viewed with unease the administration of US President Barack Obama, whom they felt considered Riyadhs alliance with Washington less important than negotiating the Iran nuclear deal.

Riyadh and other Gulf allies see in Trump a strong president who will shore up Washingtons role as their main strategic partner and help contain Riyadhs adversary Iran in a region central to US security and energy interests, regional analysts said.

The deputy crown prince viewed the nuclear deal as very dangerous, the senior adviser said, adding that both leaders had identical views on the danger of Irans regional expansionist activities. The White House has said the deal was not in the best interest of the United States.

Iran denies interference in Arab countries.

Praise for Trump

The meeting was the first since Trumps Jan. 20 inauguration with the prince, who is leading the kingdoms efforts to revive state finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues.

Under the plan, which seeks to promote the private sector and make state-owned companies more efficient, Riyadh plans to sell up to 5 percent of state oil giant Saudi Aramco in what is expected to be the worlds biggest initial public offering.

The two leaders, who discussed opportunities for US companies to invest in Saudi Arabia, kicked off their talks in the Oval Office posing for a picture in front of journalists.

US Vice President Mike Pence, Trumps senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon were also present at the Oval Office meeting with Prince Mohammed.

The meeting also appeared to illustrate support for some of the most contentious issues that Trump has faced since taking office on Jan. 20.

On a travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries, the adviser said Prince Mohammed did not regard it as one that was aimed at Muslim countries or Islam.

Earlier this month Trump signed a revised executive order on banning citizens from Yemen, Iran, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Libya from traveling to the United States but removed Iraq from the list, after his controversial first attempt was blocked in the court

Trumps travel ban has come under criticism for targeting citizens of several mainly Muslim countries. The senior adviser said Prince Mohammed expressed his satisfaction after the meeting on the positive position and clarifications he heard from President Trump on his views on Islam.

The senior adviser said the leaders discussed the successful Saudi experience of setting up a border protection system on the Saudi-Iraq border which has prevented smuggling.

Trump has vowed to start work quickly on the barrier along the nearly 2,000-mile US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing to the north.

Trump reviewing PGM sale

Obama late last year suspended the sale of US-made precision-guidance munitions to the Saudis, a reaction to thousands of civilian casualties from Saudi-led air strikes in Yemen.

US officials said Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co. The State Department has approved the move, which awaits a final White House decision, the officials said.

A source close to the issue, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a main topic of the meeting would be Saudi investment in the United States, which could help the US president fulfill his promises of job creation.

Its the creation of jobs through investments - President Trump wants results and statistics matter for him, said Ingrid Naranjo, an expert in US-Saudi relations. It makes a lot of sense for the diversification strategy of Saudi to invest abroad and especially in the US

Gregory Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said that while Saudi Arabia might find the atmospherics of its relations with Trump better than those with Obama, it might find less change than it hopes on key issues.

For example, he said, Trump is unlikely to mount a major, costly effort to counter Iranian influence in Iraq, or to launch a full-scale campaign to oust Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as Riyadh might wish.

I think theyre going to find rhetorically that the new administration says things and uses language they like more, said Gause. But I think on the ground, were not going to see an enormous difference.

(Reporting by Yara Bayoumy, Jeff Mason and Warren Strobel in Washington and Reem Shamseddine in Saudi Arabia; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Peter Cooney and Michael Perry)
British Sikhs on Wednesday voiced concern over a European court allowing companies to ban staff from wearing religious symbols like the Muslim headscarf and said the ruling puts nearly 300,000 community members in Europe at risk.

We are less worried about this decision in a UK context. In the UK, we are open-minded and appreciate and accept differences... Our main worry is the situation in mainland Europe, the Sikh Federation UK said in a statement.

They said the ruling puts nearly 300,000 Sikhs in European countries at risk of being denied their right to wear turbans or carry religious symbols.

There are probably 250,000 to 300,000 Sikhs in countries across mainland Europe, in countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany who are already vulnerable to widespread discrimination, especially when it comes to employment.

The challenge with Sikh articles of faith is people often think of the turban, which can be worn by Sikh men and women but we have also had cases concerning the iron bracelet, the Kara. The Kirpan, a small sword worn by practising Sikhs is sometimes mentioned, but laws exist in the UK that recognise the Kirpan is not an offensive weapon and this has in general allowed the Kirpan to be successfully worn at work, it said.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Tuesday ruled that a headscarf ban does not constitute direct discrimination if it is based on internal company rules that apply to everyone and require all employees to dress neutrally.

The judgement was delivered in cases brought by two employees, one in Belgium and one in France, who were dismissed for refusing to remove headscarves.

British companies have already been warned that the ruling would not apply in Britain as companies would face discrimination claims under the UK law.

This ruling strikes at the heart of practising the Sikh faith. History has shown Sikhs have been prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend the right to keep their uncut hair and associated turban, said Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of Sikh Federation the UK.

The ECJ ruled that such a headscarf ban was only indirect discrimination and therefore potentially justifiable. The Islamic Human Rights Commission has said the ruling set an alarming precedent.
The South Sudan government has refused to pay a ransom of $1 million for two Indian oil engineers abducted by rebels last week and demanded their unconditional release.

South Sudans information minister Michael Makuei said the rebels had demanded the ransom from the oil company employing the Indians, which he named as the partly Chinese-owned DAR Petroleum, or the government.

The government of South Sudan will not pay the ransom, Makuei told journalists in Juba, calling for the unconditional release of the hostages.

The Transitional Government of National Unity said in a statement that it is bound by international law and UN resolutions to counter terrorist financing. The government is not ready to pay a ransom that encourages terrorist acts.

Makuei said the Indians are being held at an unknown location by the forces of former first vice president-turned-rebel leader, Riek Machar.

Petroleum minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth said the Indian government had told authorities in Juba that it would not get involved in the incident and would instead leave it wholly to the South Sudanese government.

There has been no official word so far on the abductions from the Indian government.

According to the South Sudan government, the Indians were abducted on March 8.

However, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army-In Opposition (SPLA-IO) said it captured the engineers  identified as Ambross Edward and Muggy Vijaya Boopathy  on March 9 from an oilfield at Guelguk North in Upper Nile state after fierce fighting between rebel and government forces.

SPLA-IO spokesman William Gatjiath Deng claimed the Indians were working for the South Sudan government led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit. He said the Indians refused to respect repeated warnings from the military command of the armed opposition.

Petroleum minister Gatkuoth said security at various oilfields has been beefed up after the kidnappings. We are deploying the army, national security services and police, he said.

Rebels have also kidnapped eight locals working for the US charity Samaritans Purse from a village northeast of the capital Juba and are demanding aid deliveries as ransom, a military spokesman said on Monday.

A statement issued by the South Sudan government on Monday called for the condemnation of the kidnapping of the Indians and the blacklisting of Riek Machar.

The Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan has learnt with dismay the kidnapping of the two Indian nationals who were on their routine duty to the field when their car was stopped by outlaws and terrorist elements belonging to renegade Riek Machar, who is operating in Maiwut state, the statement said, according to the Sudan Tribune news website.

The Transitional Government of National Unity calls upon the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to condemn Riek Machar and his followers and blacklist them as a terrorist negative force. The IGAD should ensure the safety and unconditional release of the oil workers, the statement added.

The IGAD is a regional body which helped broker the 2015 peace agreement in South Sudan.

Last week, the rebels had warned foreign workers to stop risking their lives in oil production sites. The rebels have also said they want to stop oil production till a peaceful solution is reached with the government.

The new oilfield in Guelguk North, located near the border with Sudan, is one of the main oil production areas.

Oil-rich South Sudan, the worlds youngest nation, has been mired in civil war since President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, sacked his deputy Machar, a Nuer, in 2013. The fighting has forced 3 million people to flee their homes, split the country along ethnic lines and resulted in a famine in parts of South Sudan.

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A Texas lawmaker has filed a satirical bill to regulate masturbatory emissions as a riposte to a slew of anti-abortion measures advocated by the states Republican politicians.

The proposed act takes the language and concepts used by conservatives to limit abortions and swaps the sexes.

It calls for a $100 fine for emissions outside of a womans vagina, or created outside of a health or medical facility, which will be considered an act against an unborn child, and failing to preserve the sanctity of life.

It also requires the creation of a masturbatory assistance registry of not-for-profit organisations and hospitals able to provide fully-abstinent encouragement counseling, supervising physicians for masturbatory emissions, and storage for the semen.

The bill from Jessica Farrar, a Democratic representative from Houston, is called the Mans Right to Know Act  a reference to legislation known as the Womans Right to Know Act which previously passed into Texas law. That forces doctors to perform a sonogram, make audio of the heartbeat available, and describe the fetus to women considering an abortion at least 24 hours before the procedure takes place.

It is also the name of a state health department pamphlet that emphasises  and, according to critics, exaggerates and misleads readers about  the risks of abortions, and steers women towards alternatives.

Farrars bill requires the creation of a booklet which must be reviewed by doctors with male patients and which must contain medical information related to the benefits and concerns of a man seeking a vasectomy, Viagra prescription, or a colonoscopy. The booklet must contain artistic illustrations of each procedure.

It also demands an attending physician administer a medically-unnecessary digital rectal exam  before administering an elective vasectomy or colonoscopy procedure, or prescribing Viagra.

Farrar said in a statement: Although HB 4260 is satirical, there is nothing funny about current healthcare restrictions for women and the very real legislation that is proposed every legislative session.

Women are not laughing at state-imposed regulations and obstacles that interfere with their ability to legally access safe healthcare, and subject them to fake science and medically unnecessary procedures. Texans deserve to be treated with the same amount of respect when making healthcare decisions, regardless of their gender.

Texass attempts to limit abortions attracted national attention in 2013 when the then state senator Wendy Davis mounted an 11-hour filibuster in an attempt to block a bill that caused many of the states abortion clinics to close. Last year, the US supreme court struck down key parts of the law, but conservatives swiftly returned to the subject.

In January, a federal judge blocked a new state rule requiring healthcare providers to conduct burials or cremations of fetal remains, writing that it seemed to be a pretext for restricting abortion access.

Among the proposals from Texas politicians in the current legislative session are bills to abolish abortion and make it a felony; ban abortions after 20 weeks even if the fetus has a severe abnormality; limit the types of legal abortion procedures and tissue donations; pass another burial rule; and enhance the rights of embryos and fetuses.

Womens rights groups fear that another planned measure, ostensibly to shield physicians from  wrongful birth  lawsuits, will lead to some doctors lying to their patients about the health of the fetus if they felt that revealing problems might encourage the patient to opt for an abortion.

Needless to say, that bill has a significantly larger chance of garnering wide support in Texass Republican-dominated legislature than Farrars. Especially with Trump as president, I think these folks are on fire now. Theyre off the chain now, she told the Texas Tribune . If they can elect someone based on making racist remarks and derogatory remarks toward women and such, then weve just given them licence to offend and licence to be even worse than before.
The United States continues to back Indias bid for membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group under President Donald Trump in keeping with the bipartisan support that ties between the two countries enjoyed irrespective of the party in power.

The United States supports Indias full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership, PTI news agency reported quoting a state department spokesperson.

We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance Indias case for membership, the spokesperson added.

It could not be immediately confirmed if the new government would do more than the Obama administration, whose support seemed to lack the aggression of the Bush administrations backing for the NSG waiver for the India-US nuclear deal in 2008.

India applied for membership of the 48-country group, which controls global sale and purchase of nuclear material and equipment, in March 2016, and has since aggressively campaigned its case around the world, with US backing.

But Washingtons support has been viewed, at least in New Delhi, as less enthusiastic than before, falling short of the nuclear deal negotiations that have come to be seen as the gold-standard for measuring the depth and intensity of ties.

China has emerged as the leading opponent of Indias application citing the latters refusal to sign the non-proliferation treaty, which New Delhi has historically called discriminatory. Beijing has refused to budge despite several discussions.

Many in New Delhi and Washington have maintained Obama administration had not campaigned for India as aggressively as it did in 2008 to grant a waiver for the India-US civil nuclear deal to go through.

The most important thing that the administration can do, like we did in 2008, is to signal to China and the other holdouts that getting India into the NSG is singularly important to the United States and to the president personally, Ashley Tellis, a former US official closely involved with the signing of the nuclear deal, told Hindustan Times earlier.

He had added: We forced the holdouts to choose between persisting with their opposition and damaging their ties with Washington and with New Delhi.

The US president George W Bush had personally telephoned his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao to support the waiver.

In a sense, we called in all the chips we had with friends, adversaries, and those in-between, Tellis had said. We played to win, not to persuade. And we won.

Will the Trump administration go the extra length? Or, more importantly, can it, given its own issues with China, arising of the presidents campaign rhetoric and promise?
Two agents of Russias FSB spy agency and two criminal hackers were indicted today over a massive cyberattack which affected around 500 million Yahoo users, the US justice department announced.

The indictment unveiled in Washington links Russias top spy agency to one of the largest cyberattacks in history, carried out in 2014, and which officials said was used for espionage and financial gain.

Officials identified the agents as Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin, both of whom were part of the successor agency to Russias KGB. The two officers protected, directed, facilitated and paid criminal hackers to collect information through computer intrusions in the United States and elsewhere, acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord told reporters.

They hired Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, described as criminal hackers, to carry out the attacks.

The defendants targeted Yahoo accounts of Russian and US government officials, including cyber security, diplomatic and military personnel, McCord said.

They also targeted Russian journalists; numerous employees of other providers whose networks the conspirators sought to exploit; and employees of financial services and other commercial entities.

McCord said Baratov was arrested this week on a US warrant in Canada. Information on the other suspects was not immediately available.

The attack on Yahoo, disclosed last year, was one of the largest ever data breaches ever and at the time was blamed on a nation-state attacker.
'This is Us' actors Susan Kelechi Watson, Mandy Moore and Chris Sullivan attend The 22nd Annual Critics' Choice Awards after party at Barker Hangar on December 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo : Getty Images/Matt Winkelmeyer)

The chemistry of Mandy Moore and Milo Ventimiglia on the small screen has been validated. The "This Is Us" Season 1 finale, which focused mainly on their respective characters Rebecca Pearson and Jack Pearson, ended with a bang on March 12, Tuesday.



Everything will have been done exactly as they set out to do by the time they get to the end of "This Is Us" Season 1, Fogelman told Variety. The series creator revealed that very few details changed from his initial plan.



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"This Is Us" Season 2 is going to play out much the same way, Fogelman said. One of the biggest challenges he expects is being able to continue doing that without the audience ever becoming frustrated.



The "This Is Us" Season 1 finale delved further into the past to when Jack and Rebecca first met. That night, they were both scheduled to go on blind dates but their respective existential crisis got in the way and brought them to the same bar instead and the rest is history.



In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Ventimiglia and Moore were asked if it was ironic that Jack was not able to support Rebecca all these years later considering that he met her while he was singing. Ventimiglia said it was a little ironic while Moore found it surprising.



On the other hand, Ventimiglia pointed out that Jack is a guy who leads with his heart and he does not always think things through. The actor said his character has come to understand a certain version of his life and his marriage.



Jack and Rebecca are a human couple and just like anyone else, they are going to have their struggles and viewers are now seeing the absolute toughest moments that they are faced with, Ventimiglia said. The actor added that "This Is Us" teaches viewers that there is light in a dark room that needs to be taken in.



What Moore loves about "This Is Us" is that forces viewers to hold a mirror up to their own lives and the choices that they have made and it really pushes that nostalgia button in a way. For her, it was the perfect note to end Season 1 on as it gives viewers much time to think.



To comfort the viewers, Moore reminded them that Rebecca wears still wears the moon necklace. The actress suggested that this "has to mean something."



For fans who want to know what they should expect from "This Is Us" Season 2, Ventimiglia jokingly advised them to watch some repeats of happier times. He himself hopes that with the ticking clock of Jack's death, viewers will see him and Rebecca come together.



Watch Jimmy Fallon's recent interview with Moore here:






China on Wednesday said it does not want a trade war with the US and that differences should be shelved till bilateral talks could forge a consensus.

A trade war with the US would not make our trade fairer, Premier Li Keqiang told a news conference to mark the end of the annual session of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas national parliament.

Quoting a think-tank report, Li was quick to point out that If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt.

We may have different statistical methodologies, but we can continue talking to reach a consensus. Even if we cannot reach a consensus at once, we can temporarily shelve our differences, Li said.

In terms of trade issues, although China currently has a surplus, more than 90% of Chinese companies profits were taken by the US. We have statistics showing that last year, China-US trade and investment created more than one million jobs in the United States.

Lis statements came against the backdrop of a possible meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump being set up in the US in April.

Referring to the state of Chinas economy, Li ruled out the possibility of systemic risks as the country has plenty of policy options at its disposal.

Chinas financial system is generally safe, he said.

Li acknowledged potential risks in the financial sector and said the government will take them seriously and adopt prompt and targeted measures to prevent them from spreading.

China will fasten the seat belt and prevent any acute outburst of financial risks in order to maintain medium-high growth speed, Li said.

China, he said, will remain an important engine for world growth amid sluggish global economic recovery.

Given Chinas GDP has exceeded 74 trillion Yuan (about $11 trillion), the 6.5% growth this year does not mean the countrys contribution will be coming down, Li said.

If we meet the growth target this year, the size of expansion will be bigger than the growth last year, Li said.

On the increasingly tense situation in the Korean Peninsula, Li said: To achieve denuclearisation of the peninsula and maintain peace and stability there, we need to sit down and talk. China supports all resolutions of the UN and firmly upholds the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Tensions may lead to conflicts and will harm all sides. We hope that through the efforts of all the parties concerned, the tensions can be eased, and negotiations can resume. Anyway, no one wants to see chaos on his doorstep.

Li also answered questions on the South China Sea and said China hopes to maintain peace and stability in the region by pushing forward negotiations for a code of conduct for rival claimants in the disputed waters. He reiterated only parties involved in disputes over islands and reefs in the maritime region should be part of such talks.
In 1979 the Soviets intervened in a bloody civil war then rending Afghanistanthat was their first mistake.

By April 1982 the Soviet Union had been fighting in Afghanistan for more than two years, and it was proving impossible to win, by any significant meaning of the word, the war against the mujahedeen who controlled much of the country outside the cities. Soviet units occupied towns and sometimes villages, but control in the most rural areas only lasted during the day. The night belonged to the mujahedeen. And one night that April, Ahmad Shah Massoud, perhaps the most brilliant of the numerous mujahedeen commanders, struck the massive, heavily defended Bagram Airfield complex north of Kabul with mortars and rocket fire, aided by saboteurs from within the supposedly pro-Soviet Afghan army. The mujahedeen destroyed planes and helicopters, damaged barracks and a hospital, and killed or wounded dozens of Soviet soldiers. The message was clear: You arent safe anywhere.

The Russians struck back in May, seeking to clear out Massouds stronghold in the Panjshir Valley, softening it up with bombing raids that lasted a week, then bringing in 12,000 troopssome by air, some by roadthrough the narrow pass that led into it. Massoud let in the vanguard and then dynamited the sides of the pass, setting off an avalanche that blocked the southern entrance and trapped the advance troops. He set up ambushes for other units moving into the valley. A second Soviet column advanced from the north, protected by helicopter gunships. But the mujahedeen were firing down from the mountains, and the gunships failed to dislodge them. For two weeks the Soviets managed to keep control of the valley floor, but fighting was constant and they knew they could not stay. When they withdrew they left behind dozens of ruined personnel carriers and flattened Afghan villages, taking with them the corpses of several hundred Soviet soldiers. War is generally about winning and occupying territory. The Soviets were learning the basic lesson of Afghanistan: You might win territory, but you cant keep it.

Conquerors have been learning that lesson about Afghanistan for centuries. The British conquered it in 1839, but lost an entire army in 1842 when, frustrated by their failure to pacify the countryside, they left their stronghold in Kabul and headed out to Jalalabad through the Khord-Kabul gorge, another narrow pass. They left with 4,500 troops and 12,000 civilian followers. One badly wounded British officer and a few Indian soldiers survived an ambush that ran the length of the seven-mile gorge. All the rest were killed or taken prisoner.

Afghanistan is a literal and figurative minefield, an extremely difficult place for invaders to find safe ground. The literal minefields survive from the Soviet intervention, and they still kill people. The figurative minefield is the Afghan people themselves, with their age-old hatred of intruders and their fierce independence. Nearly 80 percent of the population is rural; 70 percent is illiterate. All are armed, but except for those weapons, the country is technologically backward.

One of the poorest nations in the world, Afghanistan is traditionally conservative and deeply religious. The people belong to families, clans and tribes, in descending order, and only nominally to Afghanistan the country. A national consciousness scarcely exists. The Pashtun comprise 40 percent of the countrys population, with Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks and a few additional minor tribes making up the balance. Disputes among tribes, clans and families are settled violentlyblood feuds are common, even within families. Warlords abound. Even among the mujahedeen, who fought the Russians, feuding, quarrels over strategy, struggles for power and actual fighting were not uncommon. Civil war is a way of life for Afghans.

In short, Afghanistan is relatively easy to conquer but impossible to subdue. Invaders will always face pockets of resistance, and the rebels will own the high ground, which is most of the country. In the end the Afghans will harass, ambush and raid interlopers to death.

It was civil war in Afghanistan that prompted the 1979 Soviet interventiona more accurate word than invasion. The Soviets did not want Afghan territory. Like the Americans in Vietnam, they were not looking to stay in Afghanistan indefinitely, only to stabilize the nation and bring the countryside, which was in revolt, under control.

The Soviets and Afghans were in fact old friends. In 1921 the Afghans were among the first to sign a treaty of friendship with Russias new rulers, followed by a nonaggression pact in 1926. The pact was followed in turn by financial aid, a telegraph line to Kabul, an air route and, tellingly, an earlier, unsuccessful intervention in 1929.

The Russians aim then was to restore their own Afghan favorite, Amanullah Khan, to his throne after one of Afghanistans frequent coups. Between 1842 and 1995, notes Sir Rodric Braithwaite, a onetime British ambassador to the Soviet Union and an expert on Afghanistan, seven of them [Afghan rulers] fell victim at an accelerating pace to family feud, palace coup, mob violence or outside intervention. Between 1878 and 2001 four more were forced into exile. Despite their failure in 1929, the Russians managed to restore their influence in the country. By the early 1970s a small communist party, the Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan, was active in the countrys politics. When another coup occurred in 1973, the PDPA was one of its supporters, along with some communist military officers. The PDPA was itself, to be sure, riven with factions, its members constantly plotting against each other.

Following the 1973 coup the new ruler, Mohammed Daud Khan, did everything he could to consolidate his control of the government. He abolished the monarchy, rewrote the constitutionthereby transforming Afghanistan into a one-party state where power rested almost entirely in his handsspied on his enemies, murdered them when necessary and began to play the two great powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, against each other. The Americans hoped for military bases close to the underbelly of the Soviet Union, while the Soviets wanted to keep Afghanistan out of the Western sphere of influence. But no more than that: The Soviet Union was not angling to turn Afghanistan into another member of the USSR. It wanted to protect its border, nothing more.

It was only a matter of time before Daud became the next victim of the countrys violent politics. In April 1978 the coup came from the PDPA. Daud knew something was brewing and tried to round up the likely leaders, but one of them, Hafizullah Amin, set the operation in motion before he was put under house arrest. Military units committed to the PDPA attacked the presidential palace and, in the ensuing firefight, killed Daud and most of his family members. To the surprise of the Soviet Union, the Afghan communists now had the government in their own hands.

The Soviets first mistake was to think that the PDPAs takeover actually meant something, that it could bring reform and modernize Afghanistan. The PDPA tried to do so in traditional Afghan fashionviolently. Its reform program focused on literacy, equality for women and the end of age-old relationships in the countryside that put landowners, mullahs and elders at the top and peasants at the bottom. The PDPAs leaders naively expected the mosques to empty as their reforms took hold.

The reform program displayed an extraordinary ignorance of the Afghan people and the strength of the nations traditional society. To make matters worse, the PDPAs leaders remained divided among themselves, and it was not long before they were conspiring against each other. Meanwhile, in the countryside, revolts against the program began almost at once. Thats when the torture and executions began, too. Former opponents, former government ministers, Islamists, a whole clan in oppositionall were eliminated. Land reform was a big element in the PDPA program; to accomplish it, the regime simply took land from landlords and distributed it to the peasants. If the landlords objected, they were killed.

Since none of this fared well among Afghans no matter what their tribal loyalties, the revolts continued, and the government progressively lost control of the countryside. Army troops began deserting to the rebels in significant numbers. Afghan leaders started asking for help from the Soviet Union, not only in the form of weapons but also of troops. Amin, meanwhile, was grabbing more power within the government, taking on more and more offices, trying to ease out the actual president, Nur Muhammad Taraki.

Soviet leaders, who had both military advisors and KGB agents throughout Afghanistan, watched all this with growing alarm. Those in the Kremlin hierarchy were well aware Afghanistan presented an entirely different kind of problem than Hungary in 1956 or Czechoslovakia in 1968. Afghanistan did not fit the Marxist patternit had no industry, so there was no proletariat for which to fight. They also recognized the ferocity of the Afghan people and their religious fervor as formidable opponents. Indeed, the great Soviet expert on Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. Andrei Snesarev, had warned in 1921 that because of the countrys topography and the nature of its people, an invading force would find it impossible to control.

Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov and the other old men at the top of the Soviet Union knew they could not take Afghanistan and modernize it by force overnight, and they had no wish to send troops into its maze of mountains. Intervention would trigger opposition, demonstrations within the USSR and global condemnation. The Soviets repeatedly urged the Afghan leaders to stop their infighting, stop brutalizing the country and stop trying to erase the traditional culture and turn Afghanistan into their idea of a communist paradise.

On Oct. 8, 1979, having already grabbed most of the governments power for himself, Amin had Taraki killed. Three men came for the president in his ornate palace, bound him and smothered him with a cushion. Taraki had been the Soviets man in Afghanistan, the leader Moscow trusted the most, and his murder only made a bad situation worse. One historian estimates that in the year and a half between the coup in April 1978 and Tarakis murder, 27,000 people were killed in Kabuls Pul-e-Charkhi prison alone. Other estimates put the killings nationwide at 50,000 or more. Hafizullah Amin kept a portrait of Joseph Stalin on his desk, and in response to Soviet criticism of his brutality he would remark, Comrade Stalin showed us how to build socialism in a backward country.

The Soviets decided to intervene in December 1979, but only with great reluctance and after much debate. In truth the Soviets had little choice. Afghanistan was not just an ally; it was a neighbor. It had a communist regimewhich now controlled only 20 percent of the countryand Russians and Afghans had a long history of cooperation. The decision made, the Soviets first act would be to eliminate Hafizullah Amin, whose ambition and viciousness seemed to have no limits.

Amin met his fate in the bar of the Tajbeg Palace just outside Kabul on the night of December 27 when a Soviet special forces unit stormed the building even as Soviet troops poured into the country. That night Moscow installed PDPA exile Babrak Karmal as Afghanistans new president. He immediately instituted a purge of Amins people, and the population was generally grateful: Amin, slaughterer of Afghans on a grand scale, was gone. To gauge the mood of the country, Soviet Embassy personnel spread out in Kabul and canvassed their Afghan acquaintances. The response, according to Braithwaite, went something like this: We are glad to see you. But you will be very well advised to leave again as soon as you can.

Sound advice, but the Soviets ignored it. Braithwaite writes that a month after the Soviets moved in, the British Foreign Office gave a Soviet deputy foreign minister a historical account of the British experience in Afghanistan. The apparatchik responded, This time it will be different.

He was wrong.

The Soviets tried to institute the same kinds of reform in Afghanistan that Taraki and Amin had tried to institute. Moscow wanted stability, a Western style of law and order rather than blood feuds, which included the redistribution of agricultural land, education for women as well as men and universal literacy. The Soviets also wanted to train the Afghan armyand then get out, fast.

But Afghanistan is not a Western country, and the Afghan army is not a Western-style army. Its soldiers loyalties lie above all with their families, clans, tribes and religion. They switched sides often as individuals, sometimes as whole units, when circumstances called for it, then switched back again. They were thenas they are todayquite capable of killing the foreign advisers with whom they worked so closely. The presence of mujahedeen saboteurs in the army, who helped in the April 1982 attack on Bagram air base, was nothing unusual.

This was guerrilla warfare of the most basic and brutal type. The enemy was elusive; during the decade-long conflict the Soviets launched repeated operations in the Panjshir Valley to punish Ahmad Shah Massoud and his mujahedeen. As in Vietnam, frustration among the invaders built until it exploded. If Soviet forces were passing through a village and just one shot rang out, they would level it. Not a tactic likely to win hearts and minds.

It also proved hard to fight a war that did not lend itself to a narrative framework. The actions were all small, all more or less alike, and all indecisive. No Soviet soldier was able to say, We have taken that valleynow well take the next, then the next, and the war will soon be over.

The Afghan fighters were vicious. They might fight with AK-47s or rocket launchers, but they beheaded Soviet prisoners with swordsafter torturing them. They sold the officersnot all, to be sureoften to human rights groups in Europe. Braithwaite notes that one mujahedeen leader made a practice of half-skinning Russian prisoners after a successful ambush and leaving them alive, surrounded by booby traps, to catch the Soviet rescue teams. Soviet soldiers responded in kind by killing women, children, the old and feebleall were seen as enemies. And all Afghans, except the hapless leaders in Kabul, wanted the Soviets gone.

The Afghans had yet another advantage; they were acclimated to the altitude, and they knew the mountains as well as they knew their childrens faces. Soviet commanders didnt even try to chase enemy units in the mountains. The Soviet strategy was to hold the cities and towns and keep the roads open. But at night the roads belonged to the mujahedeen. The Soviets controlled the skies, but the mujahedeen had weapons that could bring down helicopters, and they downed a great many of them, especially after the United States began to supply the mujahedeen with shoulder-launched, heat-seeking Stinger missiles.

But American involvement was only one of many factors in the ultimate Soviet defeat. Another was the enormous human cost the war tallied. The official count of Soviet dead was less than 15,000; veterans insist it was more like 75,000. On the Afghan side nobody knows, but estimates run to at least 1 million soldiers and civilians. Then there were the refugees: Out of a population of some 15 million, 5 million left the country, mostly for Pakistan and Iran, during the war. The displacement of one-third of the countrys population had a major impact internationally. The Soviet people never supported the war, and they became increasingly loud in their protests. Their leaders did not want to go into Afghanistan, but once there they felt no choice except to stay. As the old leaders died out and new ones emerged, however, the reasons for staying seemed less and less compelling.

Meanwhile, the fighting raged on. Heroes emerged from time to time on both sides. Ahmad Shah Massoud became a favorite of the Americans. The Soviets made heroes of the 39 men of 9th Company of the 345th Independent Guards Airborne Regiment, most of them young recruits, who defended a hill against an estimated 200400 mujahedeen for a full day and a night, losing six dead and 28 wounded. Two of the dead were named Heroes of the Soviet Union, a recognition equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor.

But the Soviet war in Afghanistan was not heroic; it was senseless, as the country simply could not be stabilized. General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev announced his intention to pull Soviet forces from Afghanistan as early as 1985, but leaving wasnt easy. Gorbachev had to neutralize Kremlin hawks; he had to negotiate an agreement with the mujahedeen that would let the Russians leave with their honor intact; and he had to install a new government in Kabulout went Karmal, in went Mohammad Najibullah, who had turned Afghanistans KGB into a more efficient unit of the government. And a bridge had to be built, literally, over the river separating Afghanistan from Soviet Uzbekistan in the north, so the soldiers could ride out in dignity, which they finally did in February 1989.

What did the Soviet war in Afghanistan ultimately accomplish? To put it bluntly, nothing. The civil war in which they had intervened continued after they left. The 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union ended the financial aid Moscow had been sending to Najibullah. Without aid his government collapsed as well, and in 1992 the mujahedeen took Kabul. Najibullah retreated to the United Nations headquarters in the city, where he lived until 1996, when the Taliban took over Kabul. They took him from the U.N. compound, castrated him and dragged him to death through the streets behind a truck before hanging his body from a streetlight. Most Americans know what happened next: Taliban rule, a safe haven for al-Qaida and the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001.

Then came the U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan.

A frequent contributor to Military History and other national publications, Anthony Brandt is the author of The Man Who Ate His Boots: The Tragic History of the Search for the Northwest Passage (2010). For further reading he recommends Afgantsy: The Russians in Afghanistan, 197989, by Rodric Braithwaite, and The Great Gamble: The Soviet War in Afghanistan, by Gregory Feifer.

Originally published in the January 2014 issue of Military History. To subscribe, click here.
According to one source it was Adolf Hitler himself who first floated the idea for an aerial assault on the lynchpin of Belgiums frontline defenses. I have read something of your work with gliders, he told General Kurt Student, commander of Germanys first paratroop division. I think some of your attack gliders could land on top of Fort Eben-Emael and your men could storm these works. Is that possible?

Yes, it was. Commanding a strategic spot on the Albert Canal in eastern Belgium, the fort overlooked three bridges vital to the planned German invasion of France through the Low Countries. Eben-Emael bristled with artillery, was manned around the clock by rotating shifts of troops and was thought to be impregnable. While gliders had not yet been used in warfare, they seemed a good choice for a surprise assault on Eben-Emaelthe motorless aircraft were silent and could actually land right atop the fortress.

Just after dawn on May 10, 1940, nine German gliders did just that. With in 20 minutes the 78 men they carried had destroyed the forts major gun emplacements and bottled up the defenders inside. The glider troops held on until reinforcements arrived, while other German units secured two of the bridges before the Belgians could destroy them. So much for the Maginot Line; the Germans had simply run around it. World War II was about to be taken to France.

The attack was a masterpiece of planning, training and execution. The fort was built in the early 1930s partly by German subcontractors, so the attackers knew the forts internal design and layout. Training was intense and began in November 1939, six months in advance. The Germans constructed a model fort so soldiers would know the layout intimately when they landed. Since no force anywhere had ever used gliders in combat, secrecy shrouded their construction and dispersal as well; they were disassembled and shipped to their destinations in furniture vans. Pilots were recruited from nonmilitary types who pursued gliding as a sport; they were by far the most qualified.

Another key element in the Germans success was the use of shaped charges to penetrate the forts thick concrete gun emplacements. The Belgians had no system for defending the fort internally; all personnel on-site were artillerymen, and all the guns pointed outward. Of the 78 troops who landed on the fort, only six were killed and 12 wounded. It was an amazing feat, one of the great raids of the war.

It was the Allies, however, not the Germans, who learned the most from the operation. The only other major glider attack launched by the Germans was on Crete, and glider losses were very high. But later Allied attacks by glider, based on the lessons of Eben-Emael intensive training and mission rehearsal, surprise and speedwere largely successful. By late 1944 the United States had more than 10,000 assault gliders; they were used on D-Day in Normandy, in Operation Dragoon during the invasion of southern France and to cross the Rhine in Operation Varsity.

Though helicopters eventually replaced gliders, the German victory at Eben-Emael was a brilliant demonstration of how militarily effective the motorless aircraft could be.

Lessons:

No fortress is impregnablenot even the Death Star.

The element of surprise can enable even a tiny force to beat a large one.

Envelopment from above can be more effective than the traditional flanking movement.

How do you get to Fort Eben-Emael? Practice, practice, practice.

Dont let a potential future enemy build your defenses.

Plan to defend against any eventuality, including those difficult to imagine.

Even a corporal turned madman can have a brilliant idea.

Originally published in the January 2014 issue of Military History. To subscribe, click here.
In 1260 at the spring of Ayn Jalut in Palestine, an Egyptian Mamluk army handed invading Mongols a bitter cup of defeat.

In September 1260 an Egyptian Mamluk army, led by Sultan Sayf al-Din Qutuz, deployed around the Ayn Jalut spring in north- ern Palestines Jezreel Valley. The arrival of the Mamluk force did not impress Kitbuqa Noyans waiting Mongol horsemen. Mongol armies had already met and defeated many a formidable army, from Asian warriors to heavily armored European knights. Kitbuqas force was part of an army that had already won a string of victories on its march into the Middle East.

To throw the Mamluks off balance before they could make an advance, the Mongols launched an early morning offensive. Mounted archers charged the Mamluks, unleashing an initial barrage from their deadly composite horn-and-wood bows. As they turned and galloped away to prepare another charge, a second wave immediately moved forward and unleashed a salvo. As intended, the hailstorm of arrows threw back the Mamluks, softening up their formations to allow Mongol cavalrymen, in tough boiled-leather armor, to charge in for the kill. The Mamluks were getting their first taste of the characteristic organization, speed and ferocity for which the Mongols were known, justifying their anxieties about standing up to the undefeated invaders. If the Mamluks failed to check them, Egypt would likely suffer a similar fate as Baghdad, which lay in ruins after being sacked and pillaged by the Mongols in February 1258. The once-splendid citys schools, libraries, mosques and palaces had been utterly destroyed, and the Mongols had killed nearly the entire Muslim population, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Such was the fate of those who refused to submit.

Leading the Mongol inva- sion of the Middle East the southwestern thrust of the greater Mongol expansionwas Hulegu, a grandson of Genghis Khan. Departing Mongolia in 1253, Hulegus forces took Persia and the Baghdad-based Abbasid caliphate before moving against Syria, which was in Mongol hands by 1260. Believing his forces would easily steamroll through Palestine and into Egypt proper, Hulegu sent envoys to Qutuz in Cairo carrying a letter that demanded submission. You cannot escape from the terror of our armies, it threatened. Where can you flee?

The Mamluksa class of slave-warriors (mamluk means property) who seized power from their Egyptian masters in 1250saw the Mongol advance as both an existential military threat to Egypt and an assault on Islam. It was cause for alarm and dread in a country still in disarray after a turbulent decade of civil strife, intrigue and murder.

Qutuz was defiant. He had the Mongol envoys cut in half, their heads displayed at the city gate. The sultan then rallied his people under the banner of holy war, putting together an army comprising his own regular forces, auxiliaries, refugee Syrian troops and others who had fled the Mongol onslaught, and readying everything from body armor and javelins to bows and arrows, lances and swords. Though well armed and trained, the Mamluks knew of the Mongols seeming invincibility, and as their army marched out of Egypt, the troops and their leaders were apprehensive.

A year earlier Mongol plans to invade Egypt were derailed when Hulegu received word of the death of his brother, the Great Khan Mongke. Compelled to return to Mongolia for the Khuruldai, or council of Mongol-Turkic chiefs and khans, to elect a new great khan, Hulegu withdrew the bulk of his forces east to his power base in Persia. He left Kitbuqa with only a token force perhaps two 10,000-man units known as tumensto maintain control of Syria. The Mamluks may have had slight numerical superiority over the Mongols, though accounts of the size of the opposing forces and details on the course of battle differ considerably.

Qutuz deferred command of the Mamluk vanguard to a political rival named Baybars, to either reward him for his support or put him in the line of danger. After crossing the Sinai, Baybars force encountered forward elements of the Mongol army at Gaza, which quickly withdrew to alert Kitbuqa. Qutuz and the main Mamluk force joined the vanguard and moved northward up Palestines Mediterranean coast. Along the way Qutuz bypassed entrenched Crusaders in coastal cities and inland fortresses. The sultan made it clear they would regret any attempt to ally with the Mongols. Trapped between two enemies and still smarting from past defeats at the hands of the Muslims, the Crusader leaders chose to watch from the sidelines, even allowing the Mamluk army to camp outside Crusader-held Acre for several days.

Kitbuqa learned of the Mamluk encampment at Acre and, anticipating his enemys route southeast toward the Jezreel Valley, moved his forces south to intercept. Though the Mongols traveled light, carrying little equipment and making do with few provisions, they moved slowly to allow their thousands of warhorses to graze their fill in preparation for the coming battle.

That momentous battle erupted at Spring) on Sept. 3, 1260. With its open landscape and plentiful water supply the plain at the foot of Ayn Jalut (Goliaths Mount Gilboa was an ideal battleground for the two cavalry-based forces.

Though skilled themselves, the Mamluk mounted archers were hit hard by the devils horsemen, as the Mongols were known. With their hardy horses and superior bows, the Mongols had perfected tactics of harassment, attack and evasion against counterattack, as well as pursuit and encirclement. Successful execution required a high degree of organization and cooperation, at which the disciplined and efficient Mongols excelled.

When the Mamluks did muster a counterattack, the Mongol horsemen retreated to the safety of their rear ranks, where men on fresh horses waited to charge. Though better equipped and riding larger mounts, the Mamluks soon exhausted their horses in attempts to catch the Mongols and bring their heavy weaponry to bear. Recognizing the need to conserve his horses and instead rely on his cavalrys expert archery, Qutuz ordered his soldiers to calmly fire in place rather than undertake a futile chase of their elusive enemy.

Reading the Mamluks failure to pursue as a sign of weakness, the Mongols mounted another lightning assault. In a nearly overwhelming push, the Mongol right threatened to overpower the Mamluk left. As his forces wavered, Qutuz is said to have climbed atop a large boulder, tossed aside his helmet and shouted, Wa, Islamah! Wa, Islamah! (Oh, Islam! Oh, Islam!). The sight of their commander so courageously invoking their faith evidently inspired the Mamluks to hold their ground and fire steadily at the attacking Mongols. Shooting faster and straighter than the Mongols and unleashing deadly long-range fire from atop their stationary horses, the Mamluks exacted a heavy toll on their foe. When the Mongols halted, the Mamluks went on the offensive with their larger, stronger horses. Qutuz led the charge into the enemy ranks and was credited with killing a number of enemy riders. In the course of battle Qutuzs horse was hit, but the sultan was unscathed.

As the Mamluks sought the upper hand, Kitbuqas tactical situation took a further hit with the desertion of al-Ashraf Musa, a Syrian emir who had gone over to the Mongols. Al-Ashraf had conveyed his intentions to the Mamluks in advance, and when his troops abruptly quit their positions on the Mongol left flank, the Mamluks drove through the gap to their enemys heart.

Some modern historians claim the bulk of the Mamluk army laid in wait while Baybars, leading a small detachment, alternately engaged the Mongols and feigned retreatdrawing them into an ambush. But the false retreat was a known Mongol tactic, casting doubt on claims they would have fallen for their own trick. It was also Mongol practice to send out large scouting parties, so they were bound to have known the true size of the Mamluk force they would be facing.

Whichever version of events is accurate, the results are not in dispute. By days end the Mamluks had slain Kitbuqa and devastated the Mongol armykilling some 1,500 men and wounding far more. The Mongol remnants fled the battlefield, pursued by Baybars vengeful Mamluks. Riding hard on the would-be invaders heels, the Mamluks chased down the fleeing enemy, killing any they caught. Some Mongols did manage to escape northward, though Baybars force pursued them into Syria.

Ayn Jalut marked the Mongols first true defeat. The Mamluks had routed the army that had terrorized so many before them and about which Hulegu had bragged, Our horses are swift, our arrows sharp, our swords like thunderbolts, our hearts as hard as the mountains, our soldiers as numerous as the sand.

When news of the Mongol defeat reached Damascus, its Muslim population rose against the Mongol occupiers. In disarray following the power transition in their capital, the Mongols were unable to stabilize the collapsing situation in Syria, and internal power struggles prevented them from seeking vengeance. The Mongols pulled back, creating a power vacuum that left the Mamluks masters of Palestine and Syria. Ironically, the Mongol hordes that had laid waste to Baghdada pearl of the Muslim worldlargely embraced Islam in 1300 under Hulegus great-grandson Ghazan.

On the return march to Egypt in October 1260, Baybars added another chapter to Mamluk Egypts decade of turbulence by stabbing Qutuz to death. Baybars motive may have been disappointment at not receiving Aleppo as a reward for his support and exemplary service in the conflict, or perhaps the murder simply resulted from pure, calculated ambition. On returning to Cairo, Baybars declared himself sultan, assuming the title al-Malik az-Zakir (Triumphant King). Though not the first Mamluk sultan, by virtue of his extremely capable leadership and ability to govern Baybars is considered the true founder of the Mamluk sultanate. Ruling from 1260 to 1277, Baybars laid the groundwork that enabled the Mamluk state to become the center of Muslim power, wealth and learning for more than 250 years.

Gary Rashba writes about Israels military and aviation history. He is the author of Holy Wars: 3000 Years of Battles in the Holy Land. For further reading he recommends Reuven Amitai-Preiss article Ayn Jalut Revisited in Tarih: Papers in Near Eastern Studies, and John Masson Smith Jr.s Ayn Jalut: Mamluk Success or Mongol Failure? in the Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies.

Originally published in the March 2014 issue of Military History. To subscribe, click here.
Half Moon Bay, CA (94019)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. Increasing clouds with periods of showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 56F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Rain. Thunder possible. Low 48F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accused the Dutch of contributing to a massacre of Muslim men at Srebrenica, Bosnia, in 1995. Erdogan stated that Dutch UN peacekeepers failed to protect the men from Bosnian Serb forces. The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, stated that the remarks are a vile falsification.

Rutte said Erdogan was becoming more hysterical and he wants him to calm down. The BBC reports that Turkey is furious because the Dutch government barred two Turkish ministers from entering Netherlands. In retaliation, the Turkish government accused the Dutch of using Nazi tactics. The rallies were called to encourage Turks living in the European Union to vote Yes in a referendum on 16 April.

The purpose of the referendum is give more powers to the Turkish president. The Dutch government blocked the rallies, stating that they are risks to public order and security. About 5.5 million Turks live outside the country, an estimated 400,000 Turks live in the Netherlands.

Srebrenica massacre and Dutch election

Erdogan's invocation of the Srebrenica massacre showed he has no intention of calming the rhetoric against the Dutch. Erdogan stated: "The Netherlands and the Dutch, we know them from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how much their morality, their character is broken from the eight thousand Bosnians that were massacred." His comments touch a raw nerve in the Netherlands. Erdogan also caused shock and outrage after likening the Dutch to Nazis. He has also called the Netherlands a banana republic.

The latest development comes a day before voters go to the polls for a general election dominated by concerns about immigration and Islamic radicalism. The anti-Islam Freedom Party of Geert Wilders has been benefiting from the anti-establishment sentiment which fuelled the victories of Brexit in UK and Donald Trump in US. Rutte's handling of the Turkish rallies may benefit his centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).

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US aerial reconnaissance has noticed Russian transport aircraft and also a large drone at an airbase in western Egypt, close to the Libya. It is not clear if the Russian personnel and equipment are military or contractors, but US officials believe it's part of the growing signs that Russia is meddling in Libya. There was some open discussion of this at the Senate Armed Services Committee last week.

General Thomas D. Waldhauser stated that Russia is trying to influence on the decision of who becomes in charge of the government in Libya. Senator Lindsey Graham asked if Russians are trying to do in Libya what they have been doing in Syria, General Waldhauser answered affirmatively. CNN spoke to officials in Egypt about a report related with the placement of special forces and drones in Egypt near the Libyan border.

An Egyptian military stated that this issue is a matter of sovereignty. He added that Egypt's military has hosted many rounds of talks for Libyan officials and members of parliament. The purpose of these talks is improve the political situation.

Russians official states he knows nothing

Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, was asked about drones in western Egypt. He said that he knows nothing about it. When asked about special forces in Egypt near the border with Libya, he also answered that he has no knowledge about it. Five years after the fall of Moammar Gadhafi, there are three governments that vie for power in Libya.

There are many tribes that compete for power and a slice of Libya's shrinking oil wealth. ISIS has gained a foothold in some areas. The United Nations hastened in a Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) to promote peace and stability. The GNA competes with the Muslim-dominated General National Congress in Tripoli, and with the previous internationally recognized government, the Council of Deputies.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The EU Court of Justice (ECJ) allowing workplaces to ban religious signs worn by people have been rampaging the web lately. Given two cases of religious women wearing an Islamic headscarf and religious signs that represent their belief were then set put as an example by the court.

According to Independent, the European Court of Justice stated that An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination. Furthermore, Francois Fillon, a candidate in the French presidential election mentioned that the rule could bring about world peace.

It was then added to ECJs rule that if that kind of rule is not applied, the willingness of an employer to take account of the wishes of a customer no longer to have the employer's services provided by a worker wearing an Islamic headscarf cannot be considered an occupational requirement that could rule out discrimination. This case was then said to refer to Asma Bougnaoui, a French designer who was fired due to her client complaining that she was wearing a veil.

BBC then confirmed that EU court rule stated that political, philosophical or religious signs were banned. Hence, the policy also affects the ban on crucifixes, skullcaps and turbans as reported.

The ruling then referred to a case in 2003 when Samira Achbita, a Muslim, was fired as a receptionist in G4S security services. The company then didnt have a rule like banning religious signs, yet when Achbita decided to wear her scarf in 2006, the company had issued a formal ban and fired Achbita. The Muslim woman then decided to go to Belgiums court to file discrimination.

The same EU ban on religious signs was also received last 2013 by Nadia Eweida. The British Airways Christian worker was then reported to be banned due to wearing her cross donned necklace visibly. It was then reported by NBC News that Eweida won her case since the court ruled that BA failed to prohibit religious discrimination.

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Chinas combined provincial economic outputs have exceeded official national figures, bringing to fore the possibility that local officials are involved in inflating their provinces economic figures. (Photo : Getty Images)

China will not hesitate to take a no-holds-barred approach to punishing anyone caught falsifying economic data, as the Chinese government is working on strategies that would alleviate fears that the world's second-largest economy is heading towards a growth slowdown.



The reliability of Chinese economic data has long been put into question, especially as China's elevation to second in the world's economic rankings has come with the need to stabilize various threats to its stability. The need for accurate economic data comes together with that concern.



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CNN Money reported that Liaoning Province has admitted to falsifying economic data, which covers its fiscal data starting from 2011 to 2014. The northeastern "rustbelt" province, which is among China's industrial centers, has provided grossly inflated figures by as high as 100 percent during that period.



Ning Jizhe, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and National Bureau of Statistics director, said that the Chinese government will have "zero tolerance, no appeasement" in investigating and punishing those who provide fake statistics on the Chinese economy.



The Taipei Times noted that China's combined provincial economic outputs have exceeded official national figures, bringing to fore the possibility that local officials are involved in inflating their provinces' economic figures. The gap amounts to 2.76 trillion yuan as of last year, about the size of Thailand's GDP.



But despite massive discrepancies in provincial economic data reporting, China remains bullish in its national economic prospects moving forward. Ning said that the Chinese economy is headed for more stable times, despite posting its slowest growth rate in 26 years at 6.7 percent last year, Yibada reported.



With the Chinese government set to peg its growth target to 6.5 percent, China is set to aim for sustaining economic stability through greater private investment and stronger domestic consumption, effectively allaying risks coming from a possible housing bubble and heavy government spending.


E scaping the stress of the city to hunker down in a real life seaside doll's house could be a dream come true for one lucky buyer.

The Dolls House is one of the most famous landmarks in the sought-after Cornish village and fishing port of Porthleven, thanks to its tiny size (just 339 sq ft) and cheery cornflower blue door.

This one-bedroom cottage squeezed between two houses is one of the narrowest in Cornwall, measuring 9ft wide at its widest point and just over 2ft at its slimmest.

It used to be an unremarkable alley way but now, it enjoys breathtaking views of the harbour, clock tower, beach and sea - all backdropped by the Lizard Peninsula - and is just as stunning, albeit it snug, inside.

Every room in The Dolls House is unusually-shaped, from the well-equipped, colourfully-tiled fitted kitchen and front-aspect dining area to the cosy first floor sitting room with its comfy window seat perfect for reading.

Surprisingly, the quaint, timber-floored bedroom fits a double bed and built-in wardrobe.

Bijou for two: The Dolls House is popular with seaside holiday-makers

On the market for 250,000, this miniature dwelling has been proving popular as a holiday let thanks to its quirky character and idyllic location. It once served as a local museum named the Box and Heater, but was renamed The Dolls House by its current owners.

Porthleven harbour's many delicious restaurants, bars and cafes are just a short stroll away, including one eatery run by celebrity chef Rick Stein.

Cute and quirky: viewings are recommended as every room is unusually shaped

Those looking for some fresh air can join the coastal foothpath to Rinsey and the beach at Praa Sands. There is a thriving surfing and kayaking community for watersports lovers, a bowling club at the Gala Park in nearby Helston and a non-league football club, Porthleven FC.

Commuters can reach St Erth station in twenty minutes by car. From there, trains run regularly to St Ives, Penzance and Plymouth while direct journeys to London Paddington take just under five hours.

The Dolls House in Porthleven is for sale through Mather Partnership for offers in excess of 250,000
Dr. Steven J. Spencer, a 1988 Hope College graduate now on the psychology faculty at The Ohio State University, will present Experiencing Bigotry: How Overt Acts of Discrimination Can Undermine Intergroup Relations on Tuesday, March 28, at 4:30 p.m. at Hope in Winants Auditorium of Graves Hall as the inaugural address in the colleges John Shaughnessy Psychology Lecture Series.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

Spencer conducts research on motivation and the self, particularly on how these factors affect stereotyping and prejudice. He also examines how being a member of a stereotyped group affects peoples self-concept and academic performance.

He became the Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Chair in Social Psychology at The Ohio State University in 2016. Prior to joining The Ohio State University faculty, he had taught at the University of Waterloo in Canada for 19 years. He has also taught at SUNY Buffalo for two years and at Hope for two years.

Spencer has served as the president of the Society for Experimental Social Psychology, as an associate editor at the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and as a council member of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. He is also the co-author with Dr. David Myers of the Hope psychology faculty and Dr. Christian Jordan of Social Psychology, the leading Canadian textbook on social psychology.

Spencer majored in psychology and biology at Hope, where he also minored in religion and philosophy. He was awarded the Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.

The lecture series is named in memory of Dr. Shaughnessy, a professor emeritus of psychology who died on Dec. 16, 2015. He had taught at Hope for 40 years, from 1975 until retiring at the end of the 2014-15 school year, and was highly regarded for both his teaching and his commitment to engaging students in collaborative research. More than 2,500 students enrolled in his signature Research Methods course across his career. Among other honors, he received the Hope Outstanding Professor Educator (H.O.P.E.) Award from the graduating class in 1992 and the colleges Janet L. Andersen Excellence in Teaching Award in 2008. The annual lecture series, funded through an endowment, will feature psychology alumni who in addition to giving a presentation will interact with students, demonstrating ways in which their Hope psychology education informs and shapes their work.

Graves Hall is located at 263 College Ave., between 10th and 12th streets.
AJ Capital Partners and Cornell University are announcing plans to build a hotel on the university's new Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island. Cornell Tech, which will open the first phase of the new campus September 2017, is a revolutionary model for graduate education, extending Cornell University's research and academic prowess to the heart of New York City by bringing together faculty, business leaders, tech entrepreneurs and students in a catalytic environment to produce visionary results. Opening in 2019, the hotel will create a living room for NYC's tech community and extend the impact of the Cornell Tech campus. The hotel design will reflect history of Roosevelt Island community and spirit of innovation.

AJ Capital Partners will open "Graduate Roosevelt Island," a 196-room ground-up hotel development with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline in 2019. Designed by world-class architectural firm Snohetta, the hotel will be located in the heart of the campus alongside the Verizon Executive Education Center, which will have conference, executive program and academic workshop space, also opening in 2019.

"Graduate Roosevelt Island is the type of transformative project that has come to epitomize our company," said Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. "The hotel will sit prominently at the gateway to Cornell Tech, the most innovative academic campus in the world; and will offer guests, campus visitors and Roosevelt Island citizens a truly distinctive and unique experience. We couldn't be more excited to partner with Cornell University and to introduce Graduate Hotels to New York City."

Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels are part of a well-curated, thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic, university-anchored markets across the country. Every property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community, while offering an extended retreat to places that often played host to the best days of our lives. Locations include Ann Arbor, Mi.; Athens, Ga.; Charlottesville, Va.; Madison, Wi.; Oxford, Ms.; and Tempe, Az., as well as Berkeley, Ca.; Lincoln, Ne.; Minneapolis, Mn; and Richmond, Va. slated to open in 2017, and Bloomington, In. and Seattle, Wa. in 2018.

The hotel's iconic slender profile marks the entrance to the campus while offering guests unobstructed views of the skyline through floor to ceiling windows. The hotel's comfortable residential aesthetic will reference the history of Roosevelt Island, while also capturing the spirit of innovation inspired by the Cornell Tech campus. The property will include a full-service restaurant, rooftop bar with expansive views of Manhattan, and 5,200 square feet of flexible meeting and event facilities for hotel guests and the Roosevelt Island community.

Opening September 2017, the first phase of Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus will include three buildings: The Bloomberg Center, the campus' first academic building; The Bridge, a building for innovative companies to locate on campus; and The House, a residential building for students, faculty and staff that aims to become the world's first high-rise residential building constructed to "Passive House" energy efficiency standards.

When fully completed, the campus will span 12 acres on Roosevelt Island and house approximately 2,000 students and hundreds of faculty and staff. The campus master plan was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with James Corner Field Operations, and includes a number of innovative features and facilities across a river-to-river campus with expansive views, a series of green, public spaces, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor areas. The campus will be one of the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient campuses in the world.

AJ Capital Partners and Cornell University are announcing plans to build a hotel on the university's new Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island. Cornell Tech, which will open the first phase of the new campus September 2017, is a revolutionary model for graduate education, extending Cornell University's research and academic prowess to the heart of New York City by bringing together faculty, business leaders, tech entrepreneurs and students in a catalytic environment to produce visionary results. Opening in 2019, the hotel will create a living room for NYC's tech community and extend the impact of the Cornell Tech campus. The hotel design will reflect history of Roosevelt Island community and spirit of innovation.

AJ Capital Partners will open "Graduate Roosevelt Island," a 196-room ground-up hotel development with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline in 2019. Designed by world-class architectural firm Snohetta, the hotel will be located in the heart of the campus alongside the Verizon Executive Education Center, which will have conference, executive program and academic workshop space, also opening in 2019.

"Graduate Roosevelt Island is the type of transformative project that has come to epitomize our company," said Ben Weprin, founder and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. "The hotel will sit prominently at the gateway to Cornell Tech, the most innovative academic campus in the world; and will offer guests, campus visitors and Roosevelt Island citizens a truly distinctive and unique experience. We couldn't be more excited to partner with Cornell University and to introduce Graduate Hotels to New York City."

Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hotels are part of a well-curated, thoughtfully crafted collection of hotels that reside in the most dynamic, university-anchored markets across the country. Every property celebrates and commemorates the optimistic energy of its community, while offering an extended retreat to places that often played host to the best days of our lives. Locations include Ann Arbor, Mi.; Athens, Ga.; Charlottesville, Va.; Madison, Wi.; Oxford, Ms.; and Tempe, Az., as well as Berkeley, Ca.; Lincoln, Ne.; Minneapolis, Mn; and Richmond, Va. slated to open in 2017, and Bloomington, In. and Seattle, Wa. in 2018.

The hotel's iconic slender profile marks the entrance to the campus while offering guests unobstructed views of the skyline through floor to ceiling windows. The hotel's comfortable residential aesthetic will reference the history of Roosevelt Island, while also capturing the spirit of innovation inspired by the Cornell Tech campus. The property will include a full-service restaurant, rooftop bar with expansive views of Manhattan, and 5,200 square feet of flexible meeting and event facilities for hotel guests and the Roosevelt Island community.

Opening September 2017, the first phase of Cornell Tech's Roosevelt Island campus will include three buildings: The Bloomberg Center, the campus' first academic building; The Bridge, a building for innovative companies to locate on campus; and The House, a residential building for students, faculty and staff that aims to become the world's first high-rise residential building constructed to "Passive House" energy efficiency standards.

When fully completed, the campus will span 12 acres on Roosevelt Island and house approximately 2,000 students and hundreds of faculty and staff. The campus master plan was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with James Corner Field Operations, and includes a number of innovative features and facilities across a river-to-river campus with expansive views, a series of green, public spaces, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor areas. The campus will be one of the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient campuses in the world.

About Adventurous Journeys Capital Partners

Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners, based in Nashville, is an accomplished team of hospitality and real estate investors whose innate passion is to create a one-of-a-kind portfolio of timeless assets. The counterculture investors acquire, design and develop transformative real estate throughout the US and UK. In fall 2014, AJ Capital Partners launched the Graduate Hotels collection. AJ Capital Partners continues to grow its portfolio of lodging investments, firmly establishing the group as visionary leaders in the lifestyle-driven investment industry. For more information on AJ Capital Partners, please visit www.ajcpt.com.

Amy Stahulak

(708) 945-5970

AJ Capital Partners
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Lincolns parent Ford Motor Co. identified the city of Chongqing as the location of the luxury brands planned factory. (Photo : Getty Images)

In a bid to seize China's love affair with western brands, U.S. luxury car brand Lincoln unveiled plans to open a Chinese factory by the end of 2019. The move is part of Lincoln's plans to gain a greater market share of the world's luxury car market.



Lincoln, like Cadillac, has a stodgy reputation among American consumers, many of which prefer the likes of German giants BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Japanese brand Lexus. But the Ford-owned luxury brand now sees China's preference for U.S. brands as a saving grace for its flagging domestic fortunes.



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Lincoln's parent Ford Motor Co. identified the city of Chongqing as the location of the luxury brand's planned factory. The American motoring giant already owns a factory in the city, made possible through a partnership with Chinese automaker Changan Automobile Group Co.



Along with plans for a new factory, Lincoln also plans to produce an all-new luxury SUV tailor-fit for the Chinese automobile market, as it goes head-on with Cadillac. General Motors' luxury car unit has been praised in China for its "long heritage and pedigree," a factor Lincoln also plans to maximize for itself.



The decision to build cars in China comes after Ford canceled its plans to build a factory in Mexico due to U.S. President Donald Trump's pronouncements for American businesses to produce their products at home, which comes with the risk of penalties and for violators, Fox Business reported.



Nonetheless, a Ford spokesman insisted on the brand's China automobile market plans, saying that the move is in line with its brand philosophy of producing cars in markets where it sells. Additionally, Ford still plans to export U.S.-made Lincoln cars to China, even as it starts selling its China-exclusive luxury SUV.


Last week, Lex Luger is said to have proposed a beat battle between himself Southside, Metro Boomin, and Sonny Digital. However, Southside did not take the challenge too kindly.



Southside responded to Lugers $50,000 offer in an Instagram video, laughing off a competition valued at any less than $100k. Today, the two producers took jabs at one another on Twitter and Instagram. Luger insisted that he made Southside, and eventually called off the battle.

Later on, Southside posted another clip to Instagram in which he took things to a more personal level, claiming that Luger had recently asked to sign with him, as well as echoing Lugers suggestion that the battle would not be happening: Fuck this beat battle shit, now its lit.

Heres hoping that these two can work things out and  if not beat battle  make some new music together.

Southside
Its totally disgraceful. Snoop owes the president an apology, said Trumps personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, while speaking to TMZ earlier today.

He, like Republican Senator Marco Rubio, feels that Snoop Dogg crossed the line with his latest music video. In the climactic scene of the video in question, Snoop aims a pistol at a Trump look-alike. He fires, though the gun proves be a toy weapon, as it shoots out a red flag that says BANG.

Even so, Cohen wasnt amused. Theres absolutely nothing funny about an assassination attempt on a president, he said, and Im really shocked at him because I thought he was better than that.

I would not have accepted if it was President Obama, Cohen continued, and I certainly dont accept it as President Trump.

The controversial new music video is for Snoops new Nightfall remix of Lavender, a song by BADBADNOTGOOD that features Kaytranada. Directed by Jesse Wellens  who runs the PrankvsPrank YouTube channel  and James DeFina, the video takes place in a clown world thats headed by Clown-in-Chief Ronald Klump, who bears an obvious likeness to our current president.

You know whats really sad is that theres so much more that Snoop can do for this country than these sort of ridiculous videos, said Cohen, going on to offer the veteran rapper some ideas on how he can become a more involved citizen.

Maybe something he wants to do is join my diversity coalition for Trump, Cohen suggested. Maybe what he wants to do is join Jim Brown with the Amer-I-can program, and maybe there are other things he can do in order to help the inner cities get past the violence and the drugs and the killings that are going on, instead of showing more killings.

Cohen concluded the interview by saying, Unfortunately, shame on you, Snoop. You should be better than that, thats for sure.

Watch Snoops Lavender video below.

Snoop Dogg
The English electronic band aren't beating around the bush...

Last month, white supremacist Richard Spencer called Depeche Mode "the official band of the alt-right" outside the Conservative Political Action Conference. Spencer had previously tweeted that Depeche Mode have already written all the anthems the alt-right needs.

The band quickly denounced the remark, calling it a ridiculous statement, and adding, Depeche Mode has no ties to Richard Spencer or the alt-right and does not support the alt-right movement.

Now, in an interview with Billboard, frontman Dave Gahan has given his full take on the events: Whats dangerous about someone like Richard Spencer is, first of all, hes a cuntand hes a very educated cunt, and thats the scariest kind of all. He continued, I think over the years theres been a number of times when things of ours have been misinterpretedeither our imagery, or something where people are not quite reading between the lines. He also called alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos an attention seeker, a bit crazy obviously, and a nut job.

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Gahan has denounced Spencer in a number of recent interviews. Speaking with the New York Post, he said, I saw the video of him getting punched [during protests at the inauguration of President Trump]; he deserved it. In an interview with USA Today, Gahan said, I mean, has he ever listened to 'Strangelove' or 'People Are People'?
Ahead of the release of the new album Something Else, this April, The Cranberries have come together for an acoustic rendition of one of their most famous songs.

The stripped-down take on 'Linger' features accompaniment from the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

First released in 1993, 'Linger' was a huge success and helped The Cranberries solidify their place on the international scene. In an interview with Hot Press from that time, Dolores O'Riordan noted that the song was about young love, telling Joe Jackson: The song Linger was written about (love) and its lovely because it captures that time of innocence for me, but Id never want to go back to those days. If I hadnt moved on, in terms of relationships, Id probably still be travelling back to that first relationship, in my mind. But I believe I had to move on. Yet slowly and gradually, rather than just jumping into bed with someone else, when youre not ready for that and you cant even understand why you did it, or who this person really is. But I only had one relationship since then. I dont have many relationships.

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WASHINGTON - Even as they praised him, Senate Democrats said Tuesday that Donald Trump's pick to represent the U.S. in trade negotiations needs a waiver from Congress to legally hold the job because of his previous work for foreign clients.

Republicans disagree but the dispute could slow the confirmation of Robert Lighthizer to become the U.S trade representative.

Lighthizer is an experienced trade official who, in private practice, represented "a small number of foreign clients in the late 1980s and early 1990s," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

A 1995 law prohibits anyone who has represented a foreign entity in trade negotiations with the U.S. from being the nation's top trade representative. Nevertheless, Hatch said the Justice Department does not believe Lighthizer requires a waiver.

Several Democrats disagreed at Lighthizer's Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday.

"As a legal matter, Mr. Lighthizer's previous work for foreign governments makes him ineligible to be appointed as the United States trade representative," said Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee.

Wyden said Democrats are willing to pass a waiver for Lighthizer but only if Republicans pass an unrelated bill to protect retired coal miners' pension and health care benefits. The miners' pension plan is headed toward insolvency.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., has introduced legislation to maintain the miners' benefits. But Democrats complain that the Senate is not moving fast enough.

"This kind of legislative hostage-taking certainly is not unheard of in the Senate, but in the context of consideration of a nominee for the Office of U.S. Trade Representative, it is totally unprecedented," Hatch said.

Aside from the waiver dispute, Democrats were generally supportive of Lighthizer. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, praised Lighthizer's work on behalf of U.S. steel manufacturers.
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"Now that's a bucking bronco," the rodeo announcer yelled Tuesday night at NRG Stadium.

But up on the seventh floor of the stadium, with plates full of Texas smokehouse brisket, green chili mac 'n'cheese and chipotle baked potato salad, people dressed in hats, boots and business blazers conversed in Mandarin and Japanese.

The Asian Chamber of Commerce in Houston was hosting its third Asian Night at the Rodeo event at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo  part of an ongoing effort to better integrate Chamber members with the local community.

The event has slowly grown in size from just a few stadium seat tickets for the rodeo its first year, to a meeting room and catered dinner in NRG Center, to this year's package deal including entrance to the Chairman's Club in the stadium, rodeo tickets and Demi Lovato concert tickets.

"We want to really serve the entire community and to do that you have to engage with the entire community," said Joel Cowley, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Cowley and Chamber leaders got together over two years ago to discuss how to best promote the Asian community's participation in the Houston tradition, with the long-term goal of developing something official the likes of Black Heritage Day and Go Tejano Day.

"If you don't invite people, they might not come," said Catherine Le Dunbar, a Chamber board member who rode in one of the wagons during Tuesday night's rodeo grand entry.

She and others noted that there's a perception that the Asian community may not even be interested in events like the rodeo.

For new board member Janet Blancett, who grew up in Oklahoma and admits the Houston rodeo is bigger and better than similar shows she's attended elsewhere, that's a misconception. She added that through an event specifically hosted by the Chamber, more can be done to dispel such notions.

"It gives people in the Asian community a chance to go mainstream," Blancett said.

And several members took that chance in stride. Board Chairman, Austin Zhao, said they sold over 300 tickets this year's Asian Night with about 100 for $25 loge seating and the rest for access to the Chairman's Club.

The Houston Chapter of China General Chamber of Commerce alone bought 42 VIP tickets, each priced at $100, Zhao said. He added that all tickets sold out quickly with several members left on waiting lists.

The Chairman's Club, provided by the rodeo's organizing committee, offered a unique experience this year with members able to view the rodeo while simultaneously networking in the sprawling area.

"I'm from Hawaii, so I like big open spaces," said Chamber member Vance Nobe, president and CEO of Akari Energy.

It was Nobe's third time at the Houston rodeo but his first in the Chairman's Club. He thought it was great to see the Chamber work towards including the Asian community in a quintessentially Texan event.

He lamented leaving his cowboy boots at home.
Mardi Gras is over, but the whiskey sours and champagne are flowing as a jazz quartet thumps out foot-tapping tunes. Thickly napped tables groan with plates of grilled oysters, bowls of dark turtle soup and entrees of rich elegance: shrimp glossed in white wine cream, butter-drenched trout festooned with crispy almonds, beds of rice mounded with fist-size thickets of voluptuous backfin lump crabmeat. And the room sparkles as the flames of Bananas Foster, fed by generous shakes of ground cinnamon, lick the air.

Just another magical night of saints-go-marching-in revelry at Brennan's of Houston, to be sure. Except this night in early March was particularly special - it officially marked 50 years since the Brennan clan of Commander's Palace fame opened its temple of Texas Creole fare in Houston. Invited guests supped on vintage dishes rolled back to 1967 prices: Crabmeat Russe lapped by Burgundy wine sauce ($2.75), Escargots Bourguignonne ($1.95), the famous house turtle soup (85 cents) and Filet Mig-non Stanley ($6.25, the most expensive dish on the menu).

While diners were happy to reflect on Brennan's legacy, the man sitting at the bar with a glass of wine nursing a slight cold ("the crud," as he called it) was looking ahead. Not just to tomorrow's service but to the next 50 years of the business his family built from scratch.

It fell to Alex Brennan-Martin, the 58-year-old son of Ella Brennan, the legendary New Orleans restaurateur who revolutionized Creole cuisine, to guide the Houston restaurant for more than three decades and ensure it continues building memories for generations to come.

More Information Anniversary specials Brennan's of Houston, 3300 Smith, is marking its 50th anniversary with events throughout the year. On the calendar: cooking classes and demonstrations, wine dinners, cocktail parties and throwback dishes that chef Danny Trace is resurrecting from early Brennan's menus and the original Brennan's cookbook. See brennanshouston.com for events and prices. A few upcoming throwback specials Through Sunday: Gulf Fish Veronique, $48; Filet Mignon Steak Au Poivre, $52 March 20-26: Gulf Fish Almondine, $48; Filet Mignon Marchand De Vin, $52 March 27-April 2: Gulf Fish Lyonnaise, $48; Filet Mignon Bordelaise, $52 April 3-9: Gulf Fish Courtbouillon, $48; Filet Mignon Tchoupitoulas, $52 April 10-16: Crawfish Etouffee, $48; Filet Mignon Adelaide, $52 April 17-23: Shrimp Creole, $48; Filet Mignon Stanley, $52 April 24-30: Shrimp Etouffee, $48; Filet Mignon Lyonnaise, $52 See More Collapse

Still, he can't help but reminisce about his own history with the restaurant - a post he never thought he'd keep for long. A trained chef who graduated from the prestigious La Varenne culinary school in Paris, Brennan-Martin had been working in New York when his mother tapped him to make his way to Houston.

"I came to help out my family when they needed a little extra assistance, with no intention of staying forever," he said. "And here I am, 30-some years later, having fallen in love with the city."

He describes Brennan's of Houston at that time as a restaurant that "hadn't taken on the terroir of Houston" yet but was essentially a carbon copy of the original Brennan's in New Orleans.

The original Brennan's opened in 1956, a two-story structure in the French Quarter that had been built in the late 1700s by the great-grandfather of artist Edgar Degas. Houston architect John Staub's 1929 design of the Junior League Building, which now houses Brennan's of Houston, was based almost entirely on that very structure where Brennan's still stands today.

Ella Brennan and her siblings made Brennan's the most talked-about restaurant in New Orleans for many years. But a long-simmering family rift led to Ella being relieved of her duties at Brennan's in 1973. She and her siblings, who joined her in walking out, ended up with several restaurants in the legal settlement, including Brennan's of Houston and Commander's Palace. Ella and her sister Adelaide turned the latter into the family's new flagship and began writing a new chapter. Today, Brennan's of Houston is owned and operated by Brennan-Martin, his sister Ti Martin and their cousin Lally Brennan, who all guide the Commander's Palace family of restaurants.

Brennan-Martin employed his family-ingrained skill sets as soon as he arrived in Houston. He used his culinary knowledge to begin improving the menu. He honored farm-to-table practices decades before it became a foodie phrase. He hammered home the importance of hospitality. He recognized the cultural contributions of his kitchen staff - the famous crawfish enchiladas were born from the Mexican influences of devoted Brennan's cooks. And he made friends.

Those friends helped the restaurant weather oil busts, stock-market dips, recessions and its darkest moment: the night in September 2008 when flames engulfed the building as Hurricane Ike ripped through Houston. (Sadly, an employee and his daughter suffered serious injuries.)

After extensive renovations and improvements, the restaurant reopened in 2010, picking up right where it left off. And it reopened with a new face in the kitchen, executive chef Danny Trace, plucked from within the Brennan's family of restaurants to usher in a new golden age.

Trace is the latest entry on an impressively long list of chef talent cultivated at Brennan's. James Beard Award winner Chris Shepherd of Underbelly; Randy Evans, now director/chef of restaurants for H-E-B; Mark Holley of Holley's Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar; Mark Cox, formerly of Mark's American Cuisine; Bobby Matos of State of Grace; Kevin Naderi of Roost; Lance Fegen of F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group; and 2016 James Beard Rising Star Chef of the Year winner Daniela Soto-Innes of New York's Cosme restaurant, among others, have all passed through the kitchen.

Working at Brennan's was demanding but incredibly rewarding, said Randy Evans, whose Brennan's career began in 1996 on the salad station while he was a student at the Art Institute of Houston and ended in 2008 when the fire gutted the restaurant.

"When I started there, I weighed 180 pounds. Three months later, I weighed 150 pounds," said Evans, offering an example of how hard the work could be. "I never worked in a salad station so difficult. They demanded a lot. Everything was made from scratch."

Evans eventually became lead cook in 1998 under Holley, sous chef (with his buddy Shepherd) in 2000 and executive chef in 2003.

"It was a very competitive kitchen. All the cooks worked together, but we also knew we were all competing for a position. But it was a grinder. I've seen grown men cry," Evans said. "But every day I felt like I was learning."

He said his culinary philosophy was formed at Brennan's. "The whole restaurant was never the front (of the house) against the (kitchen). Everyone had a common goal: to put out the best food and service and crush it every day. It was hard, and sometimes you thought you couldn't take it anymore. But at the end of the day, it was so rewarding."

Evans echoes Brennan-Martin's assessment that everyone on staff is part of the dynamic that drives the restaurant to do its best daily.

Indeed, staffers seem to remember everything and everyone, lending the place a fancy "Cheers" type of vibe. Even more impressive is that some 400 seats spread throughout the restaurant's series of impeccably dressed rooms.

"I could name a dozen people who continue to work here instead of bouncing from job to job. They come here decade after decade with a smile on their face and take pleasure in their craft," Brennan-Martin said. "They show up to work not as a chore but as approaching a craft. In this crazy impersonal world, what could be more honorable than giving the gift of great memories to another human being?"

Those memories - hundreds that are made every week at Brennan's - are what fuels Brennan-Martin. The secret to lasting 50 years in the restaurant business? Embracing tradition while always evolving.

He hints at plans for taking Brennan's to the next level, although he's mum about details, saying only that it's going to be good and in keeping with Brennan's level of mindful innovation: "You better always be looking forward, moving forward."

***

Chicken & Collard Green Creole Gumbo

Courtesy Brennan's of Houston

Makes 10 servings

1 cup all-purpose flour

 cup grapeseed oil

4 cups small diced onions

 cup small diced celery

3 cups small diced green, red, and/or yellow bell pepper

2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 pounds andouille sausage

2 quarts chicken stock or water

2 teaspoons fresh herbs (sage, oregano, thyme) chopped

6 bay leaves

3 teaspoons Creole seasoning

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 pound collard greens, stemmed, rinsed and finely chopped

2 pounds chicken meat (picked from whole roasted chicken)

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons Louisiana hot sauce

 cup chopped green onions

 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Steamed white rice

Cornbread croutons

File powder

Instructions: Heat a 6-quart, wide-mouthed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the flour and oil to the pot and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until the flour mixture is a deep mahogany color, about 20 minutes.

Add the onions, celery and peppers to the roux and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, stir and cook for 1 minute. Add andouille and cook for 5 minutes more.

Add the stock, herbs, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning, salt and cayenne.

Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and skim the impurities. Add the collard greens to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 45 minutes.

Add the chicken, Worcestershire and hot sauce to the gumbo. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste the gumbo and reseason if necessary.

Add the green onions and parsley to the pot.

Serve with steamed white rice and top with cornbread croutons. Dust with file.
AUSTIN  High-profile legislation that would restrict the use of fetal tissue from elective abortions and prohibit so-called dismemberment abortions was approved Wednesday by the Texas Senate.

Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, said his Senate Bill 8 is designed to prevent the sale of fetal tissue from abortions. He said the move was spurred by videos of Planned Parenthood workers discussing tissue sales, which stirred a national controversy.

"Abortion is a human tragedy at every imaginable level, and it's unconscionable to think that anyone in this world would seek to profit from that pain," Schwertner said. "The people of Texas simply will not stand for unborn children being torn apart, monetized, and traded like some sort of perverse commodity."

Establishing a state ban on the sale of fetal tissue was a priority for both Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and was supported by prominent pro-life organizations including Texas Right to Life, the Texas Alliance for Life, the Texans for Life Coalition, and the Texas Catholic Conference, along with conservative GOP groups.

The second measure, Senate Bill 415 by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, would prohibit abortions where the fetus is dismembered. The procedure is illegal in seven states but not in Texas, supporters said.

"This is abortion by means of torture," said Sen. Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels Republican who, like Schwertner, is a doctor. "We are a civilized society. This is a barbaric procedure."

Both bills were approved in votes that crossed party lines after lengthy debate. Schwertner's bill was approved on a final vote, and will now go to the House for consideration; Perry's bill was tentatively approved, with final passage  usually a formality  expected within days.

Though there is support in the GOP-controlled House for both measures, abortion rights activists and Democrats have promised to try to derail them from being approved there.

"These anti-abortion bills would prevent doctors from using their best medical judgment when treating their patients and would put patients' health, safety and lives at risk," Healthy Busby, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas, said in a statement. "Every woman's pregnancy experience is different, and doctors need all options available to treat their individual patients. Politicians should leave the practice of medicine to physicians."

Similar bans in Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma have been put on hold due to legal challenges.

Patrick, though, applauded the Senate's votes.

"Texans count on us to ensure that the sanctity and dignity of life is protected," he said after Wednesday's Senate session ended. "In the wake of discovering the notorious Planned Parenthood videos last year, in which employees were caught callously discussing the procurement of aborted baby body parts, the Texas Senate is taking aggressive steps to criminalize these despicable acts. They have also taken an unshakable stand against partial birth abortion."

The release of the secretly recorded and heavily edited videos by an anti-abortion group last year spurred GOP efforts in Texas and across the U.S. to defund Planned Parenthood, the national family planning organization. Investigations by 13 states into those videos have concluded without criminal charges, and Planned Parenthood officials have denied any wrongdoing.

A Houston grand jury indicted two activists behind the videos over how they covertly gained access inside a Planned Parenthood clinic, but a judge later dismissed the charges. In addition to being a major abortion provider, Planned Parenthood also offers cancer screenings, birth control access and other health services.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Long March-3C carrier rocket carrying the 23rd satellite with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System lifts off at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. (Photo : Getty Images)

China plans to launch six to eight Beidou Navigation Satellite Systems this year to accelerate its expansion into economies along the Belt and Road Initiative trade route.



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The plan is a perfect example of the advocacies of Premier Li Keqiang that he presented in the National People's Congress on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative while helping Chinese companies globalize their equipment and homegrown technologies.



The Beidou Navigation Satellite System is a product of the Chinese National Space Administration and managed by the China Satellite Navigation Office. China is planning to build a constellation of 35 Beidou satellites by 2020 as part of its go-global strategy plan.



Miao Qianjun, secretary-general of the Global Navigation Satellite System and Location-based Services Association of China, said: "The globalization era for Beidou is coming. China is supporting Beidou's exports roughly the same way it supports exports of high-speed railway products and technologies. Beidou will become another high-tech name card for China."



The GLAC invited its enterprise members that are involved in Beidou-related industries for discussions last month. They joined together with the National Development and Reform Commission to set up an alliance for enterprises that seek to take Beidou products and solutions to markets that are along the Belt and Road trade route.



According to Miao, the GLAC received affirmative responses from 27 enterprises within a week, which indicate that alliance members will receive financial support from the government.



The steady improvements in Beidou's technologies contributed to improving the accuracy of its navigation and location-detection systems. Earlier this year, China announced that Beidou's satellites will be able to locate ground-based users with an accuracy level of 1 or 2 meters of their exact location using a new chip.



The precision of Beidou's satellite is just behind the Galileo Satellite System of the European Union, which has an accuracy level of just 1 meter. Given the potential of China's navigation system to compete globally, the country is accelerating steps to expand the coverage area of Beidou.



"China will launch six to eight satellites this year. After constructing a network of 18 satellites by around 2018, we will serve economies along the Belt and Road Initiative," said Yang Yuanxi, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a member of the CPPCC National Committee


The murder trial of Roberto Ismael Alvarado got under way Monday in the 253rd State District Court in the Liberty County courthouse. Alvarado is one of four men accused of the Dec. 16, 2015, murder of Conbino Crasto, a clerk at the Exxon convenience store on FM 2025 near Baldwin Park in Cleveland.

Alvarado, originally charged with capital murder, has accepted a plea deal from the Liberty County District Attorney's Office in exchange for a reduced charge of murder. With guilt already determined, the six-woman, five-man jury is expected to determine Alvarado's sentence, which could range from 5 to 99 years.
Every president has an early foreign policy test, and Donald Trump is no exception. Trump's test is actually already in progress, and it bears some resemblance to the one faced by a young President John Kennedy. Indeed, Trump's crisis has best been described as a "slow-motion Cuban missile crisis" - only the crisis-driver is not Fidel Castro, but North Korea's bizarre despot, Kim Jong Un.

If this crisis is not keeping you up at night, you're not paying attention.

Let's see, we have an untested, macho, Twitter-happy U.S. president facing off against the leader of a dynastic North Korean political cult who's building a long-range nuclear missile that could hit Los Angeles and who - allegedly - just had his half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, knocked off by two women who wiped his face with a lethal nerve agent.

Hey, what could go wrong?

This Korean missile crisis has dragged on far longer than the famous "13 days" of the Cuban missile crisis, but don't let that fool you: "We're at an important inflection point," explains Robert Litwak, from the Wilson Center, one of the premier experts on rogue states. "North Korea is on the verge of a strategic breakout that would enable its leadership to strike the United States with a nuclear-armed ICBM," or intercontinental ballistic missile.

We need to address this now. Hard to believe, but this hermit kingdom with an economy the size of Dayton, Ohio, "is at a point where it could, by 2020, have a nuclear arsenal half the size of Great Britain's with missiles capable of striking the U.S. homeland," said Litwak.

Have a nice day!

While all eyes here have been focused on Trump, North Korea has been focused on perfecting the miniaturization of its nuclear stockpile into warheads that could fit on long-range ballistic missiles and on methodically testing those missiles, with mixed success, so far.

As a result, Litwak explains in his new book, "Preventing North Korea's Nuclear Breakout," North Korea is on the cusp of moving from a nuclear bomb arsenal estimated to be in the midteens to an arsenal that could be as large as 100 warheads, and from missiles that can hit only Japan and Korea (and China!) to ones that can cross the Pacific.

Trump did not create this problem - it's been passed down to him from Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama - but he will have to fix it. And it has reached a point where the U.S. has only three options: awful, bad and worse. Or as Litwak describes them: "bomb, acquiesce or negotiate."

Bombing North Korea's nuclear and missile sites runs the risk of escalating into a second (possibly nuclear) Korean war with over a million casualties. North Korea's nuclear facilities are "hot," and bombing them could have untold consequences in terms of radioactivity. Alternatively, acquiescing to a breakout means this failed state could - incredibly - become a major nuclear power with a global reach. "So that just leaves negotiating," says Litwak.

Donald Trump negotiating with Kim Jong Un does have a certain pay-per-view quality about it, but it's the least bad option. And to make it more interesting, the model that Trump should follow, argues Litwak, is the nuclear deal that Obama struck with Iran, which Trump once described as "the worst deal ever negotiated."

Think again.

Obama had the same three choices on Iran: bomb, acquiesce or negotiate. He did not want to bomb Iranian nuclear installations, because of the uncontrollable events bombing could unleash, and he did not want to acquiesce. So Obama negotiated what Litwak calls a "purely transactional" deal - Iran agreed to a 15-year halt on processing weapons-usable fissile material in return for significant sanctions relief, and no other behaviors were covered.

Obama's bet? Something will happen in these 15 years that will be "transformational," says Litwak, and provide the only true security - a change in the character of Iran's regime.

Trump should follow that path, argues Litwak: Get North Korea to freeze its nuclear warheads at present levels - around 15 - freeze all production of weapons-usable fissile material and freeze all ballistic missile testing - so it cannot hit the U.S. - in return for an easing of economic sanctions and some economic aid.

"It would be a transactional deal that constrains North Korea's capabilities and buys time for a transformation, just like the Iran deal did," says Litwak. The Kim cult should go for it, because it keeps them in power. And China might finally be willing to help with this deal, because freezing North Korea's nuclear capability would likely forestall China's rivals - Japan and South Korea - from getting nukes of their own. But Trump will need China, so he'd better think twice about starting a trade war with Beijing.

Trump will soon discover that in foreign policy, everything is like Obamacare - easy to criticize, more transactional than transformational, but all the other options are worse.
Harris County commissioners on Tuesday approved a pilot program to make public defenders available at bail hearings, a step aimed at retooling a criminal justice system that has increasingly drawn criticism for jailing thousands of poor, low-risk offenders.

Within months, county officials anticipate that two public defenders will be present at bail hearings for those accused of misdemeanors and felonies. The vast majority of the roughly 80,000 defendants at these hearings each year does not now have legal representation, and the change means that defendants of limited means charged with a Class B misdemeanor or above will be able to have access to a lawyer when a judge sets bail.

The pilot represents a major change in the way Harris County processes those accused of crimes. The move also makes it the first county in Texas to create such a program, though one official noted that the county lags behind other major metro areas - New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago - in making attorneys available at bail hearings.

"I think it's a huge step forward that will assure that people's rights are protected at these hearings," said Alexander Bunin, Harris County's chief public defender, whose office developed the pilot program.

The attorneys would provide information on the defendants' financial situations to hearing officers who set bail, with the goal of releasing those who cannot make bail, pose a low risk to society and have not been convicted of a crime.

With the county facing a federal lawsuit challenging its bail bond system as discriminatory and unconstitutional, the move caters to both reform advocates as well as conservative policy makers who have warily eyed the steep cost of running one of the biggest public jails in the country.

Advocates for reform have cited a litany of issues associated with pretrial detention.

Of more than 1,100 people who have died in Texas jails in the past decade, most have been pretrial detainees. One of the most widely publicized cases was that of Sandra Bland, who committed suicide in the Waller County Jail three days after she was arrested in 2015 following a traffic stop and a heated argument with a state trooper.

In Harris County, 55 people died in pretrial detention from 2009 to 2015, including defendants arrested for misdemeanors such as trespassing and driving while intoxicated. Among them was a man detained after returning his children late to his ex-wife, in violation of a civil court order, the Houston Chronicle found.

Pretrial detainees who are not released are four times as likely to receive a prison sentence, and that prison sentence is likely to be twice as long as ones for those who are not held in jail before their trial, according to the county.

"In Harris County, a big thing is the outcomes a lot of times are people choosing to plead guilty just to get out of jail," said Jay Jenkins, project attorney for the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

Bills target issue

Officials at both the state and local levels have targeted the system recently.

Legislation introduced last week by state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, and Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, would require judges statewide to determine within 48 hours whether a defendant accused of a nonviolent crime might be eligible for a so-called personal bond based on factors such as prior criminal offenses and past failures to appear in court. Personal bonds carry a financial penalty only if a person fails to appear in court.

Harris County officials also plan to release a new risk assessment tool this year to help hearing officers evaluate when they can release defendants on personal recognizance.

Several top Harris County officials - including County Judge Ed Emmett, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and District Attorney Kim Ogg - have also said recently that the bail system should be restructured so that it doesn't differentiate between rich and poor defendants.

"This is a positive step forward on the long road to fixing a broken criminal justice system," said Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a former state senator who has sharply criticized the county's bail bond system.

'In right direction'

Emmett, a Republican, also praised the pilot program's creation Tuesday.

"It's going in the right direction," he said. "This is one of those things we needed to do."

Despite the acknowledgement of county leaders that change is needed, Harris County continues to fight a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that its bail system violates the rights of poor people by enforcing a rigid bail schedule that does not take into account that many facing misdemeanor charges cannot make even nominal bail payments.

Ability to pay

The county maintains that it considers ability to pay when setting bail amounts.

"Today Commissioners Court approved a program that will provide legal representation at bail hearings," said First Assistant County Attorney Robert Soard. "This is consistent with Harris County's ongoing efforts to enhance the criminal justice system."

Rebecca Bernhardt, executive director of the Texas Fair Defense Project and an attorney for the plaintiffs in the bail bond case, said the pilot program is a "big improvement" but that "defendants can still certainly be unlawfully detained by Harris County, in violation of due process and equal protection, as we have alleged in our case."

Although public defenders will be present at bail hearings under the pilot program, hearing officers may not necessarily change their practices, Jenkins said.

subhed

The pilot project will include a review of its impact after six months.

The program is expected to cost more than $1 million between now and the end of February 2018. Bunin said he expects to hire six new attorneys, which will require the approval of county commissioners.

Jenkins said the pilot program will also help defendants avoid implicating themselves during bail hearings.

"When I've observed those hearings, I've seen incriminating statements being made, I've seen questions being asked that shouldn't be asked without a lawyer present," Jenkins said. "Cleaning up those loose ends at the very least is going to benefit the county."

Bunin said the program is likely to evolve over the year, as judges, hearing officers and attorneys ease into it. The county is also building a new inmate processing center that could affect the program.

"We're hoping that pretty soon we can report on some of the benefits of it," Bunin said. "I really think this is the future and it will sustain."
A new analysis of federal student loans reveals the number of people severely behind on repaying their debt has soared in the last year, painting a bleak picture of one of the largest government programs.

The Consumer Federation of America released a study Tuesday that found that millions of people had not made a payment on $137 billion in federal student loans for at least nine months in 2016, a 14 percent increase in defaults from a year earlier. The consumer watchdog used the latest data from the Education Department, which manages $1.3 trillion in federal student debt owed by 42.4 million Americans.

What's striking about the findings is that Americans now more than ever have a variety of repayment options to avoid default. The Obama administration expanded programs that cap monthly payments to a percentage of earnings, but even though millions of people are enrolled in those income-driven plans, there' still a disconnect.

"Despite a rising stock market and falling unemployment, student loan borrowers are still struggling," said Rohit Chopra, a senior fellow at CFA and former student loan ombudsman at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "The economy remains very difficult for so many young people just starting out."

Chopra lays some of the blame on colleges doing a poor job of graduating students who take on debt, leaving them with limited prospects of earning enough to repay the loans. He also cited accreditation agencies and the Education Department, who fail to hold those schools accountable. He said policymakers should consider a proposal to force schools to share the risk of borrowing by having them reimburse the government for a percentage of defaults.

Nearly half of the outstanding debt in default comes from the old bank-based federal lending program, known as the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

The average amount owed per federal student loan borrower, at $30,650, has climbed 17 percent since the end of 2013, according to the study. There is no single explanation for that growth, but policy analysts have said borrowing to attend expensive graduate programs, state disinvestment in public higher education and an overall rise in the cost of college are contributing factors.

Though the number of borrowers defaulting for the first time in the direct loan program slowed last year, tens of thousands of people are defaulting for at least the second time, a trend that has led policy analysts to question the effectiveness of student loan servicing companies.
The Trump Administration has been doing intellectual acrobatics ever since The Donald accused former President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower, without a shred of evidence. Now Kellyanne Conway has taken it to a new level of absurdity with her hinting that cameras in microwave ovens could be involved. Click the gallery below to see many more cartoons by Nick Anderson.
There was a time in years past when Texas lawmakers from both parties, along with labor organizers and lobbyists, journalists and even a few John Birchers whiled away fine spring afternoons at picnic tables under the live oaks at the legendary Scholz Garten, a few blocks north of the Capitol.

"The great mugs of cold beer were the common bonds keeping us together, the waitresses our parliamentarians, and we argued the fate of the Republic with a patient, disciplined civility," the late Willie Morris wrote in his classic memoir, "North Toward Home."

The civility may have dissipated since Morris sat out back at the old German beer hall, and that's unfortunate, in part because we have a question just such a gathering ought duly to consider - namely, are state officials "a bunch of backwoods hayseed bigots who bemoan the abolition of the poll tax and pine for the days of literacy tests and lynchings"?

The words are those of Judge Jerry E. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Fifth Circuit, the dissenting vote in a 2-1 ruling last week that found Texas' Republican-led Legislature purposely gerrymandered three of the state's congressional districts in order to hobble the growing influence of minority voters. Smith himself wasn't labeling state officials "bigots." His acidic comment was directed at U.S. Justice Department lawyers, including one who irritated the judge by chewing gum and rolling his eyes (at once, we presume).

Were the lawyers condescending twits? That's debatable, of course. Are state officials "hayseed bigots"? Well, that's debatable too. What's not debatable is that lawmakers in 2011 discriminated against black and Hispanic voters and in the process violated the Voting Rights Act and the U.S Constitution. So ruled the Fifth Circuit panel. So noted anyone who followed the tortuous process by which lawmakers artistically drew and re-drew district boundaries. (The same 2011 Legislature also passed a tough voter-ID bill that discriminated against minority voters, as a federal appeals court in a separate case has ruled.)

Republicans insist that their motives were not discriminatory but partisan, as courts have allowed. Texas is likely to appeal, and the case will go directly to the Supreme Court. There's a good chance the high court will allow the appeals court decision to stand, in light of the fact that the lower-court decision tracks the views of Justice Anthony Kennedy in previous redistricting cases. (Kennedy would be the likely swing vote.)

We would like to think that the court decision - or perhaps the voter-ID decision - would be the catalyst to bail-in Texas back under federal pre-approval for its voting rules. That's unlikely, in large part because the Justice Department oversees preclearance, and newly appointed Attorney General Jeff Sessions is anything but a voting-rights enthusiast. If the court requires redrawing, the new lines would last only two election cycles before it's time for lawmakers to put their artistic talents to work again. In light of last week's ruling, the whole world will be watching - the whole Texas political world, that is.

Republicans rightly argue that Democrats in a hoary past Texans barely remember were merciless gerrymanderers themselves when they controlled the Capitol. That unfortunate fact is all the more reason to remove elected officials altogether from the process of drawing districts. Redistricting professionals armed with powerful computers can draw districts that are as precise as a pointillist painting by Seurat. Incumbents make themselves impregnable. Voters are left without meaningful choices. Democracy suffers.

State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, and state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, have offered legislation this session that would establish an independent bipartisan commission to draw district boundaries, rather than the Legislature. Arizona, Idaho and California are among 21 states that rely on commissions. The commission method isn't perfect, but it's vastly preferable to the blatantly partisan system of gerrymandering we tolerate today.

In case you didn't notice, dear reader, sponsors of the Texas redistricting-commission legislation are members of the minority party, the long-suffering minority party. Passage of their bills is about as likely as an April snow blanketing the banks of Buffalo Bayou. To their credit, though, Howard and West have highlighted the issue. And they've offered a solution.

No need for now to raise the great mugs of beer at an old Austin beer hall. The suds will have to keep cold until our lawmakers - "backwoods hayseed bigots" or not - cast a vote for the health of democracy.
A powerful conservative backlash threatened to sink the new Republican health care bill Tuesday less than 24 hours after its launch, even as President Donald Trump and congressional leaders began trying to sell the legislation as the long-promised GOP cure for Obamacare.

Were going to do something thats great and Im proud to support the replacement plan released by the House of Representatives, Trump declared at the White House as he met Tuesday with the House GOP vote-counting team. Were going to take action. Theres going to be no slowing down. Theres going to be no waiting and no more excuses by anybody.

Meanwhile, Vice President Mike Pence told GOP lawmakers at the Capitol this was their chance to scuttle the Affordable Care Act, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell forecast congressional passage by early April.

But major obstacles loomed as key Republican lawmakers announced their opposition, and one conservative group after another torched the plan. The Club for Growth, Heritage Action for America, Americans for Prosperity and Tea Party Patriots variously derided the new bill as Obamacare Lite, Obamacare 2.0 and even RyanCare, in a dig at House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.

Appearing on KMBZ radio in Kansas City on Tuesday, Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said he isnt sure the bill can pass.

What I dont like is it may not be a plan that gets a majority of votes, and lets us move on, he said. Because we cant stay where we are with the (Affordable Care Act) plan weve got now.

Blunt, R-Mo., is a member of Senate Republican leadership, and he chairs the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies. His committee will be among several battling over the Obamacare replacement.

The new GOP plan would repeal the current laws unpopular fines on people who dont carry health insurance. It also would replace income-based subsidies, which the law provides to help millions of Americans pay premiums, with age-based tax credits that may be skimpier for people with low incomes. Those payments would phase out for higher-earning people.

The legislation also would limit future federal funding for Medicaid, which covers low-income people, about 1 in 5 Americans. And it would loosen rules that Obamas law imposed for health plans directly purchased by individuals.

Repeal-only push

Republican supporters and opponents are all intent on reducing the role of government in health care, but some House conservatives say the new bill doesnt go nearly far enough.

For example, they are focusing on the system of refundable tax credits they denounce as a costly new entitlement. Theyre demanding a vote on a straightforward repeal-only bill.

At the White House meeting Tuesday, Trump made clear to House Republicans that he would be personally engaging with individual members who oppose the bill as leadership tries to round up votes, according to a lawmaker who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private gathering.

Not long after, Trump appeared to be making good on his promise, tweeting at Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who has criticized the bill.

I feel sure that my friend @RandPaul will come along with the new and great health care program because he knows Obamacare is a disaster! the president wrote.

The concerted conservative opposition was a remarkable rebuke to legislation GOP leaders hope will fulfill seven years of promises to repeal and replace Obamas Affordable Care Act, pledges that played out in countless Republican campaigns for House and Senate as well as last years race for president. Instead, the groups that are uniting to oppose the new House legislation include many that sprang up to oppose passage of Obamacare in the first place.

As the bill stands today, it is Obamacare 2.0, the billionaire Koch Brothers-backed Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. Millions of Americans would never see the improvements in care they were promised, just as Obamacare failed to deliver on its promises.

Republicans are pushing forward even without official estimates from the Congressional Budget Office on the cost of the bill and how many people would be covered, although GOP lawmakers acknowledge they cant hope to match the 20 million covered under Obamacare.

Wrong direction

Democrats say the bill would leave many people uninsured, shifting costs to states and hospital systems that act as providers of last resort. The bill also adds up to big tax breaks for the rich, cutting more than 20 taxes enacted under Obamas heath law, with the bulk of the savings going to the wealthiest Americans.

This is a tax cut for the wealthy with some health insurance provisions tacked alongside of it, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Many conservatives are hardly happier.

The new legislation is not the Obamacare replacement plan, not the Obamacare repeal plan weve been hoping for. This is instead a step in the wrong direction, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said at an afternoon news conference with Rand Paul and members of the House Freedom Caucus.

Caucus members command enough votes to take down the bill in the House, but the groups chairman, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina, struck a conciliatory tone, emphasizing they are open to negotiation and view the leadership bill as a starting point.

Notes of caution also came from GOP governors, with Ohio Gov. John Kasich arguing that phasing out expanded Medicaid coverage without a viable alternative is counterproductive and Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner saying he was very concerned that people will be left in the lurch under the House GOP plan.

Committee votes on the new bill are to begin Wednesday in the House, and GOP leaders hope to push it through the Senate soon thereafter.

Even as some Republicans expressed doubts about whether that would be possible, Speaker Ryan said at an afternoon news conference, Well have 218 when this thing comes to the floor, I can guarantee you that. Thats the number of votes needed for passage.

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Zhou Qiang, President of the Supreme People's Court of China, delivers his work report to the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 12, 2017. (Photo : Getty Images)

The Chinese legal systems top accomplishment for 2016 is putting human rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng behind bars, according to Chief Justice Zhou Qiang.



The Chief Justice praised the Chinese courts in an annual report submitted to China's rubber-stamp legislature. He commended the Chinese legal system for severely punishing crimes against the countrys security and violent terrorism, pointing to the severe punishment given to human rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng.



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Zhou Shifengs Fengrui law firm was renowned for taking politically sensitive cases, defending dissident scholars, sexual abuse victims and religious minorities. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for "the crime of endangering state security."



The lawyers imprisonment last August provoked international human rights group to make criticisms against China.



Zhou Shifengs case was the only one explicitly stressed in the Chief Justices report. It was part of the prevalent attack against human rights lawyers and activists.



The crackdown began in July 2015. As of today, the majority of the hundreds imprisoned are still waiting for a verdict.



Chinese President Xi Jinpings long-running anti-corruption fight was also praised during Zhou Qiangs address. 45,000 corruption cases involving 63,000 people were heard in Chinese courts in 2016. The number of cases has increased from 34,000 cases.



The Chief Justice also emphasized on how the Supreme People's Court had heard 23,000 cases in the previous year. In these cases, 1,076 defendants were not found guilty. The figures are not in line with Chinas 99.92 percent conviction rate.



To conclude, Zhou asserted on how China had only issued the death penalty on "an extremely small number of criminals for serious offenses." He did not give further details on the numbers as the data is treated a state secret.



However, according to human rights observers, the number of people executed in China exceeds the number of executed in the rest of the world combined.



Criticisms from around the globe continue to come to the Chinese legal system and its head, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang.


When Gov. Eric Greitens welcomed print journalists into his office March 2, he talked policy and was downright cordial.

The 30-minute meeting was the first formal Capitol press conference hosted by Greitens, who has faced mounting criticism for his choices to communicate through social media and dodge reporters instead of answer questions. Greitens and his staff contend theyre communicating in a way thats best for the people that elected him. While he has accused journalists of inaccurate or unfair coverage, he also has credited the media at times, particularly for getting the word out during natural disasters.

Greitens can be elusive, and while he is not averse to press, he is selective and prefers channels that allow him more control. He chooses to make news on his own terms through Facebook and Twitter and continues to log minutes with national media, even as journalists in his home state  including those whose day-to-day job involves informing Missouri voters what their chief executive does, says, and believes  wonder why he cant do the same for them.

On the campaign trail, Greitens wasnt so different from other politicians. He and his staff set aside a few minutes after events for gaggles, informal but on-record press conferences. These events allow journalists to ask for clarification on previous remarks or to inquire about topics that may not have been discussed during the main event.

The practice, which is expected but not mandatory, continued after he was elected in November. Just days before his Jan. 9 inauguration, he held two events in Springfield  one to announce Sarah Steelmans cabinet appointment and another to galvanize supporters  and made himself available to reporters after both.

And when Greitens, as governor, visited Springfield for a ceremonial right-to-work signing on Feb. 9, he took numerous questions from reporters, including several inquiries from the News-Leader.

He didnt take questions from reporters later that day in the Capitol, instead appearing twice on Fox News, where he was able to broadcast his talking points to the audiences of hosts Neil Cavuto and Martha MacCallum.

Were happy to take on this fight because we were sent by the people of Missouri to get more jobs and higher pay, Greitens told Cavuto, listing two of his four favorite bullet points (the other two are safer streets and better schools). And were not just on taking on the union bosses. Were ready to take on trial lawyers and lobbyists and career politicians and the special interest insiders.

Cavuto pivoted to a question about Democratic opposition to President Donald Trumps cabinet and Supreme Court picks, and Greitens twice rehashed his sent by the people of Missouri line and criticized this kind of obstructionist, political insider games  people are sick of it.

Greitens second Fox interview of the day is remarkably similar, though MacCallums Trump question dealt with union workers who typically vote for Democrats. Greitens made sure to emphasize that anti-union sentiment wasnt directed at the rank-and-file.

The people are smart, and they recognize that some of the elites  whether theyre union bosses, special interest insiders, career politicians  theyve been pushing a lot of falsehoods, Greitens said.

Also that day, he spoke with the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet that covered him favorably as a candidate, and hammered home his support for union families, that will benefit from this.

A few days later, he called in to Laura Ingrahams radio show for another right-to-work talk, where Ingraham said the media and Hollywood werent getting through to people who were concerned about issues such as their economic position and border security.

People are tuning out a lot of what the liberal media is talking about, Greitens agreed.

Ingraham switched gears to health care, specifically the Affordable Care Act.

It seems that there has been a mass push against repealing and replacing Obamacare on the left, and it seems that some Republicans are also getting cold feet, Ingraham said before asking Greitens for his thoughts.

Greitens blamed former President Barack Obamas signature law for rising health care costs and for Missouris budget crunch in an apparent conflation of Obamacare and Medicaid expenses. (The Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand their Medicaid programs, but Missouri did not go down this path.)

WILL SCMITT

Asked by Ingraham about the possibility that a repeal of Obamacare might not happen in 2017, Greitens said that weve got to get this done, and weve got to get this done now.

We have got to, got to provide relief from this terrible tragedy that Obamacare has inflicted on so many families across the state of Missouri, Greitens continued.

His campaign and first two months in office were summed up in another Fox News segment with Chris Wallace in early March, where he was named Fox News Sundays Power Player of the Week.

Avoiding the liberal media

Greitens national news appearances are easy to find on YouTube, and the governors Facebook page collects them as well. The latter also is where many of Greitens announcements appear first.

Breaking news by social media allows the governor and his staffers to produce and refine his message, and they say hes able to speak directly to Missourians this way. Doing so also insulates Greitens, as reporters cant ask him direct questions like they could during a press conference or interview.

Before his Missouri Press Association talk in early March, the closest Greitens came to a formal press conference was a live Facebook Q&A on Feb. 15, ostensibly with questions submitted by actual people following along. At one point, he addressed criticism he had received from the media. (The News-Leaders editorial board has been among the critics, asking Greitens on Feb. 4 not to govern via social media.)

Look, I was sent here by the people of Missouri to fight for you, Greitens said. Not to fight for the media. I was sent here to fight for you.

A week later, hours before appearances in St. Louis with Vice President Mike Pence, Greitens spoke with Foxs Brian Kilmeade to talk about his work in Missouri and comparisons to President Donald Trump.

The genial conversation with Kilmeade allowed Greitens to extol his accomplishments and to respond an article in The Pitch magazine titled The Apprentice: In Eric Greitens, Missouri has a Trump (and a Trump problem) of its own, and featuring a photo illustration combining the faces of Greitens and Trump.

Are you OK with the comparison? Kilmeade asked.

Well, whats really clear is that were always, always going to upset the liberal media, Greitens replied.

So thats how youre alike? Kilmeade interjected.

Exactly, Greitens said with a muffled chuckle.  We dont work for the liberal media. We work and we fight for the people.

At one point, Kilmeade remarked that Greitens had held 29 press conferences. Greitens didnt correct Kilmeade, but the Fox host was being overly generous.

Brian misspoke, said Briden, Greitens spokesman, in a text message that day.

We have not done 29 press conferences, Briden continued. We have done many, including ice storm, right-to-work, budget, public safety, pre-inaugural gaggles, and more. And many interviews, which were included in the number Brian meant.

Greitens strategy

Briden, Greitens spokesman during the campaign and now his press secretary, took time Thursday to explain Greitens approach to dealing with the media.

The governor makes himself plenty available to reporters, Briden said. In addition to the media appearances noted above, Briden listed television interviews with KMIZ (Columbia), KMOV (St. Louis) and KFVS (Cape Girardeau). Briden said Greitens also has spoken with Mark Reardon of KMOX (St. Louis) and Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio.

Briden said it was important to extend opportunities to reporters outside of the everyday Capitol press corps  none of whom seem to have been granted a sit-down interview with the governor to date.

A weekly press conference like those held by both Democratic and Republican leaders in the state House and Senate leaders is not something Greitens administration is considering, Briden said. In a follow-up text message, he added that the governor wants to reach the maximum possible number of Missourians.

And in the past, the best way to do that was to have reporters come into the Governors office, fill them in on something, and then they would tell their audience. Thats still important, Briden said.

But Greitens can make a huge impact through social media, Briden said, noting another Facebook Live Q&A is in the cards.

Hes engaging with a wide swath of people via that platform, Briden said. Its important to use that tool so that people see what their Governor is doing to fight for them.

As for local media stories, Briden said theres been coverage thats fair and some we would characterize as unfair while declining to provide specifics. He argued that sometimes what captivated reporters was not what interested the American people and the people of Missouri.

Briden also disputed the notion that Greitens Fox appearances prioritized a national audience over Missourians.

One reason to do Fox News is that it reaches everyone in the state of Missouri at once, Bridens said in a text. Its the most watched network in Missouri, by far, and we see a tremendous response from Missourians every time we appear.

Local outlets are essential, he continued. They tell important stories and well continue to do as many of those interviews as time allows. But there is no better opportunity (than Fox) to reach everyone from Dunklin County to Hannibal, to Springfield, St. Louis, to Kansas City at the same time.

Tough questions

Its difficult to measure the level of concern, if any, felt by Missourians about their Facebook-focused governor.

Opinion pieces  including editorials written by the News-Leader, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and the Kansas City Star; more personal dispatches from longtime journalistsPhill Brooks, Terry Ganey and Yael Abouhalkah; and cartoons by the Columbia Daily Tribunes John Darkow  have piled on with concerns that the governor needs to make himself available more often.

On one occasion, Greitens spoke at an NAACP event and criticized the media for not covering work he said he was doing with black legislators. He blasted reporters, then hustled into an elevator without taking questions.

If the governors own words hold true, he understands the importance of facing tough questions.

Greitens 2015 book Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life includes some exposition on the challenge posed by difficult inquiries. The book takes the form of a conversation between Greitens and a fellow Navy SEAL struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse.

Greitens at one point discusses how ancient thinkers were persecuted for their inquisitiveness.

Today, we dont burn people at the stake for asking uncomfortable questions, Greitens wrote. Usually we ignore them. Sometimes we ridicule them. But the impulse to run away from the hard questions really hasnt changed.

We have to learn to replace that impulse with a new one. Just as we can train ourselves to endure and even to seek the pain that sometimes comes from physical exercise, we can train ourselves to endure and to welcome the discomfort and fear that come when we do philosophy. Those feelings of discomfort are often proof that were making progress.

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A train decorated with characters of popular manga 'One Piece' departs at the JR Sendai Station on July 23, 2016 in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. (Photo : Getty Images/The Asahi Shimbun)

The Navy Rookies filler arc will start in episode 780 titled "A Hungry Front! Luffy and the Navy Rookies!," which will be released on March 19. It will continue in episode 781 titled "The Persistent Trio- The Great Pursuit for the Straw Hats!," which will be released on March 26.



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The Straw Hats will struggle with their food rations in "The Persistent Trio- The Great Pursuit for the Straw Hats!," which was written by Tomohiro Nakayama. Midori Matsuda was the animation director with Yoshihiro Ueda, who did the storyboard, as the episode director.



The Navy Rookies filler arc will end in episode 782 titled "Fist of the Devil- Showdown! Luffy VS Grant," which will be released on April 2. It has yet to be confirmed whether or not a new opening theme will be introduced in this arc.



Before entering Big Mom's territory, the Straw Hat Pirates made an additional stop in the "One Piece" anime. This is different from the events of the manga.



Fans predict that Luffy and his team will deal with Germa 66 in "The Persistent Trio- The Great Pursuit for the Straw Hats!" Also known as the Warmongers, the military branch of the Germa Kingdom and an Underworld mercenary force commanded by the Vinsmoke Family have aligned with the Big Mom Pirates.



At this point, Luffy is said to be in need of medical attention after eating the skin of a big fish he just caught. The skin was not meant to be eaten but Luffy was very hungry and they were running out of food so he ate the right away after catching it, according to predictions.



Luffy and his team will be glad to see a Germa 66 ship from afar, predictions claim. However, what they are not sure of is whether or not the ship will give them help or danger, according to the predictions.



Meanwhile, Japan's ambassador to Israel Koji Tomita, 59, attended Harucon 2017 cosplaying as Luffy on March 12, Sunday, NHK reported. Also present during Harucon 2017 were Toshio Furukawa, 70, who voiced Portgas D. Ace in "One Piece," and Shino Kakinuma, 51, who voiced Videl in "Dragon Ball Kai."



Tomita said he was very embarrassed wearing a suit in Harucon 2016, Asahi Shimbun quoted him as saying. He invited the audience to visit Japan if they want to know more about the country.



Here is a "One Piece" episode 779 review:






It also noted that a companys wish to project a neutral image was legitimate but said customers cannot simply demand workers remove headscarves if the firm has no policy in place which bans religious symbols.

The decision came as the court gave a joined judgment in the cases of two women  one in France and the other in Belgium  who were fired for refusing to remove headscarves.

In the Belgian case, receptionist Samira Achbita was fired from her role when, after three years with the firm G4S, she decided to start wearing a headscarf at work for religious reasons. The company dismissed Achbita on the basis that she had broken unwritten rules prohibiting religious symbols.

Ultimately, the court ruled that Achbitas firing was fair because G4S had a blanket rule against all political, philosophical and religious symbols, therefore it was indiscriminate.

G4Ss internal rule refers to the wearing of visible signs of political, philosophical or religious beliefs and therefore covers any manifestation of such beliefs without distinction, the court explained.
Sectors like mining, agriculture, and equipment repair will be, however, out of the indexs reach as good data from these industries can be difficult to get. (Photo : Getty Images)

As the economy shifts from manufacturing to consumption, China has released a new measure to gauge Chinas growing service economy: the Index of Services Production, The Wall Street Journal reported.



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In its maiden release, the Index of Services Production indicates the service economy in China rose by 8.2 percent in January and February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.



Chinas Index of Services Production noted that railway transportation, media, communications, and the Internet were some of the sectors that recorded strong activity in the past months. The index then combined figures from January and February in consideration of the Lunar New Year holiday, which dates vary and may lead to data confusion.



We need a composite index to fully grasp short-term changes in the services industry, Sheng Laiyun, a spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics, told reporters last Tuesday, March 14.



According to Sheng, companies and economic planners will find the index particularly useful as it tracks output including the associated costs.



Sectors like mining, agriculture, and equipment repair will be, however, out of the indexs reach as good data from these industries can be difficult to get.



The Index of Services Production, although just released, has already gained some detractors, with most critics confused as to how the gauge compiles its data.



It is difficult to judge this index because the [National Bureau of Statistics] released limited information about its methodology and no information on its history, Goldman Sachs wrote in a research note, according to WSJ.



In addition, experts say that the service industry and their contribution to an economys growth or decline are hard to measure. Most of the key players in the sector are often small companies and businesses which often change or, worst case scenario, go out of business within a short period of time.


Deloitte described the organization of the future as a network of teams, marking a shift away from the hierarchical structure.

Top companies are built around systems that encourage teams and individuals to meet each other, share information transparently, and move from team to team depending on the issue to be addressed, it said.

Different networks can have different specialties, such as innovation or getting to market quickly, but the principle is the same.

These networks may already exist within a company, but the challenge lies in identifying them. Deloitte said different techniques, such as organizational network analysis (ONA), allow leaders to spot these networks.

ONA uses specialized software and methodologies to help companies study who is talking to whom.
A brave four-year-old girl is being saluted as a hero after she hiked through the Siberian wilderness to get help for her sick grandmother.

In February, Saglana Salchak woke up at her grandparent's rural home, more than 40 kilometres from the nearest village, The Siberian Times reported.

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When the child realized her grandmother wasn't moving, her blind grandfather sent her for help  not realizing it was still pitch-black outside and that the temperature was -24 C.

Salchak knew she could follow the frozen river to a neighbour's home eight kilometres away. So she did, forging through chest-deep snow.

"Tuva has simply filled up with wolves," the head of a local search and rescue team told the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, as translated by The Guardian.

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"She could have easily stumbled on a pack in the darkness.

She made it to her neighbour's home safely, and called for doctors who confirmed the grandmother had passed away from a heart attack. Salchak was hospitalized for a few days for a bad cold, where local politicians visited her to hail her as a hero, according to Tuva Online.

The girl's mother is now under investigation for putting her daughter and parents in danger, The Telegraph reported.

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Finance Minister Bill Morneau joined us for a live digital town hall hosted by The Huffington Post Canada on our Facebook page.

Topics included jobs, housing, taxes, and of course, the budget.

Some highlights of the 2017 federal budget include:

 Deficit is at $23 billion

 Public transit tax credit is gone as of July 1

 Higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco

 $7 billion over 10 years for families, including 40,000 new subsidized daycare spaces by 2019, extended parental leave

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 $11.2 billion to cities and provinces for affordable housing over 10 years

 National database to track housing purchases, sales, demographics, foreign ownership

 Canada Savings Bond program, which started in 1946, being phased out
While more and more black women are starting to embrace their natural hair these days, the journey to accepting one's innate texture isn't always easy.

And for women with kinkier textures, mostly those with type 4B to 4C, or others who don't know what their natural hair looks like at all, the journey can cause some serious anxiety.

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Sajae Elder, a producer and co-host of the Gyalcast podcast, told The Huffington Post Canada that she was "literally always at odds" with her hair texture before she was able to accept her tresses in their natural glory.

"I was always chasing a curl pattern that wasn't mine, so even when I did it the first time I eased into it by only slightly relaxing my hair, or tex-laxing," the Toronto native shared. "I wanted what I perceived as 'mixed girl curls' or the looser, silkier version of my own hair."

"I've done everything from relaxers to braids to weaves and finally deciding to stop chemically processing or hiding it drudged up a lot of repressed anxiety," she continued. "I remember all my efforts to hide my natural hair texture with chemicals or other means and I had to deal with why I was doing that."

"When I realized I'd have to cut my hair and start over to go fully natural, I was terrified."

A post shared by Jae (@jaefiasco) on Nov 15, 2016 at 2:00pm PST

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And Elder's sentiments are not uncommon.

In the black community, women with type four hair are often seen as less attractive than women with type 3A to 3C textures. The underlying factors for this ideal can range, but it's commonly a result of thicker hair being seen as unappealing or more difficult to manage  a narrative celebrity hairstylist Aisha Ebony says needs to stop.

"We need to embrace who we are and be accepting of natural hair," she shared with HuffPost Canada. "Stop referring to it as nappy, bad and all of the other derogatory words we use when we are referring to our natural hair. We embed these things into our psyche and when we finally see our hair in true form we have already started hating it because weve told ourselves for so long that it is undesirable."

But why have black women been told for so long that something's inherently "wrong" with their hair? The answer is everywhere. From being told that afro-textured hair is "unprofessional" to the fact that the first model to rock natural hair on a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show didn't happen until 2015, there just isn't enough representation.

Even within the black community there's hair discrimination, as blacks have had to conform to white ideals of beauty to fit in with the larger society for so long.

Similarly to Elder, Ki-Jahna Crossman, a 22-year-old student residing in Montreal, was also fearful when it came to cutting off her relaxer and regrowing her hair.

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"The thoughts that often crossed my mind were, 'What if my hair doesn't grow back? What if my head is weirdly shaped? What if I don't like how I look? What if I have scars on my scalp from getting burnt by relaxer?'" she told HuffPost Canada. "Another factor was the comments I may or may not receive from other people as well."

But thankfully, once all was said and done, Crossman embraced her new look with pride.

"I looked in the mirror and saw a completely different person before me," the Ottawa native said. "I felt weird at first, not gonna lie, but it was refreshing to see myself in a new light and it kind of felt like a weird spiritual rebirth in some way."

"Making that decision to overcome my fear was probably the best decision I've made in awhile."

Luckily, however, the negative narrative is beginning to change with increased visibility for 4C naturalistas through social media, giving this texture the much needed love and recognition it's been denied for years.

But regardless of which stage a woman is at when it comes to her natural hair journey, the key is to unlearn all the negative terms they've heard growing up and begin to embody all the positive aspects of their looks.

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"Love is an internal thing, accepting that your hair is only an extension of who you are is the first step," Ebony declared. "The second is accepting that this is your hair journey, something unique and beautiful that is going to take time, effort and patience. Third, I think and most importantly, is not to compare yourself to other naturals who have or do not have your hair type. We do not have the same genetics so no two heads of hair will be the same."

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Cate Blanchetts daughter Edith is the youngest child in her family, which means she gets stuck with a lot of hand-me-downs from her older brothers.

Maybe its because Ive had three boys. I wasnt done having children. I kept all the boys clothes, Blanchett told Yahoo Style.

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But according to the 47-year-old actress, it shouldnt matter what her daughter wears. Shes wearing the boys clothes. Once again, thats how I grew up, she said. I grew up just being. It doesnt matter what she wears. Its about who she is, not what she looks like.

Cate Blanchett at the 27th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards.

Blanchetts positive, just let things be attitude towards kids clothing shouldnt come as a surprise  the Carol star has always applied this philosophy to her life.

For example, the actress has never planned any of her pregnancies. After welcoming her third son, Ignatius, in 2008, she told InStyle, Id love to have more children. Just when, I dont know. But the thing is, we hadnt planned any of the others. They just popped out. So you shouldnt overplan these things. If it happens, it would be great.

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After having three boys  Dashiell, now 15, Roman, 12, and Ignatius, 8  Blanchett and her husband Andrew Upton then went on to adopt their baby girl Edith in 2015.

In Hollywood, a number of celebrities share Blanchetts carefree attitude towards kids clothing and let their children wear whatever they want. Adele, for instance, lets her son Angelo wear princess dresses, while Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt let their daughter Shiloh dress like a boy.

For more celebs who let their kids dress themselves, flip through the slideshow below.
People still arent over the whitewashing in Ghost In The Shell and they made their feelings perfectly clear when Paramount Pictures launched a meme generator website to promote the film.

On iammajor.me, fans can upload photos and write their own text to create a movie ad that reads I am Major along the bottom.

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Major is the name of the films lead character, who is played by Scarlett Johansson, despite the fact that the character is supposed to be Japanese.

According to NextShark, the ad campaign was promoted over the weekend with a 30-second clip of Johansson in character, saying: I am hunted. I am the hunter. I am fearless. I am coming for them. I am Major.

Its clear the ad was meant to be empowering, as some examples of written text for the meme include I am fearless and I am a leader in my community. Despite this, the marketing scheme completely backfired when viewers decided to use it to troll the film instead.

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In the user-created memes, many called out the film, the studio and Johansson herself for contributing to the whitewashing problem in Hollywood.

The Ghost in the Shell Website https://t.co/eqy8CpndC6 has a meme maker of sorts where anyone could "become Major" so I had some fun.... pic.twitter.com/EadKs04H9a  VzA (@ValerieComplex) March 11, 2017

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Many also used the meme generator to criticize Johanssons previous response to the whitewashing controversy, which was that she took the role as a feminist move.

Some also created memes to fire back at other white actors who took roles away from Asians, including the late Mickey Rooney, who portrayed an Asian man in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Emma Stone, who played an Asian-American woman in Aloha, and Matt Damon, who was portrayed as a white saviour in The Great Wall.

#IAmMajor When will people learn. NEVER  DO  MEME  ADVERTISING!! pic.twitter.com/9NQXa1x4O6  ClintTheCattyCritic (@Cinemacreep) March 1 4, 2017

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But perhaps the saddest meme created was one that pictured a young Asian girl. I am still waiting to see myself as the hero, it reads.

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With so much backlash over whitewashed films, it's time for Hollywood to finally wake up and realize that representation does matter.

Also on HuffPost
They both look a bit familiar.

In an election Wednesday, a Dutch politician who's drawn comparisons to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes on Geert Wilders, an anti-Islam populist who is often compared to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Jesse Klaver, the 30-year-old Green Party leader, has campaigned on a pro-refugee and environmentally-friendly platform.

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Wilders, meanwhile, has promised to ban all immigrants from Muslim countries  and ban Islam itself. Wilders says if he wins power, he'll forbid the Qur'an and close all the country's mosques.

But because of the Netherlands' proportional voting system that favours coalitions, neither Wilders nor Klaver have much chance forming government.

All the mainstream parties  including current Prime Minister Mark Rutte's VVD  have ruled out working with Wilders and his Party for Freedom.

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Watch the video above for a primer on Klaver and Wilders.

With files from the Associated Press

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NDP leadership candidate Niki Ashton has deleted social media posts that referenced Beyonce lyrics after being accused of cultural appropriation.

On Tuesday, an account for Black Lives Matter Vancouver tweeted at the NDP MP to say that "appropriating black culture is not intersectional feminism" and asked her to delete the post.

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@nikiashton Appropriating Black culture is not intersectional feminism. Please delete your "to the left" FB post & address the issue #ndp  BlackLivesMatter YVR (@BLM_Van) March 14, 2017

The deleted image, embedded below, contained lyrics from Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" and was used to emphasize Ashton's promise to take an "unapologetic left turn" with the NDP.

After Ashton's campaign removed the post, she replied to the BLM Vancouver account to say it was not her "intention to appropriate."

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TY @BLM_Van We removed it.Not our intention to appropriate.We're committed to a platform of racial justice+would appreciate ur feedback.  Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 14, 2017

Several users on Twitter took issue with the MP deleting the post. Some accused her of giving in to "bullies," while others praised her decision to take the tweet down.

@BLM_Van@nikiashton how is reciting extremely popular lyrics appropriating culture?  Katie (@katurriff) March 14, 2017

@nikiashton Thanks Ms. Ashton this is the right call!  Sarah Dasha (@heradasha) March 15, 2017

Ashton, who has described herself as a democratic socialist and intersectional feminist, sent out two tweets on Wednesday to say she appreciated BLM Vancouver's message and that she would not tolerate "racism or hate speech" toward the organization or any other community.

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As noted I appreciate the msg from @BLM_Van. Showing respect is what building a movement is all about.  Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 15, 2017

I will not tolerate racism or hate speech directed at #BLM or any community.  Niki Ashton (@nikiashton) March 15, 2017

Asked whether the candidate believed using Beyonce's lyrics was cultural appropriation, Ashton's campaign told The Huffington Post Canada that it would not be commenting on the issue beyond what was already said on her Twitter account.

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Adventure animation characters Goku and Luffy from 'One Piece' attend the 39th International Emmy Awards at the Mercury Ballroom at the New York Hilton on November 21, 2011 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images/Andrew H. Walker)

The Navy Rookies filler arc will end in "One Piece" episode 782 titled "Fist of the Devil- Showdown! Luffy VS Grant," which will be released on April 2. It has yet to be confirmed whether or not a new opening theme will be introduced in this arc.



Expect the Straw Hats to be still struggling with their food rations in "Fist of the Devil - Showdown! Luffy VS Grant," which was written by Hitoshi Tanaka. Satoshi Ito and Tetsuya Endo did the storyboard. Isamu Takara was the animation director with Ito as the episode director.



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On March 19, the Straw Hat Pirates will be met with an original filler arc. This will center on Luffy and his crew as they travel to rescue Sanji, according to Weekly Shonen Jump, as cited by Comic Book.



The original filler arc is the Navy Rookies arc, which will start in episode 780 titled "A Hungry Front! Luffy and the Navy Rookies!" This will be released on March 19.



The Navy Rookies filler arc will continue in episode 781 titled "The Persistent Trio- The Great Pursuit for the Straw Hats!" This will be released on March 26.



Before entering Big Mom's territory, the Straw Hat Pirates made an additional stop in the "One Piece" anime. This is different from the events of the manga.



The opening of "Fist of the Devil- Showdown! Luffy VS Grant" is 'We Can!" by Kishidan and Hiroshi Kitadani. The opening stars with the Straw Hat Pirates's silhouette and Luffy rushing forward after putting on his straw hat and ends with the Straw hat Flag in the wind and the Crew smiling.



Meanwhile, Japan's ambassador to Israel Koji Tomita, 59, attended Harucon 2017 cosplaying as Luffy on March 12, Sunday, NHK reported. Also present during Harucon 2017 were Toshio Furukawa, 70, who voiced Portgas D. Ace in "One Piece," and Shino Kakinuma, 51, who voiced Videl in "Dragon Ball Kai."



Here is a "One Piece" episode 779 review:






Never did I hear a bad word said about me or to me -- I wasnt bullied, I wasnt teased, I wasnt ostracized by the student body. To be honest, I believe that being in the North actually has benefited me in this area- I cant say for sure that the people down south would have been as accepting and open-minded, but a part of me strongly believes that they probably wouldnt have.

While I cant speak for everybody, as everybody has a different coming out story, for me, coming out as LGBT+ has so far been a positive experience, one that I am ever thankful for.

Im thankful for my supportive parents and family, and for my friends, and for the open-mindedness of the school faculty and students, and for the community as a whole, for making my experience as being LGBT+ so positive so far.
For a country that's known for its lack of women's rights, the launch of Saudi Arabia's first ever Girls' Council, to discuss the welfare and empowerment of girls, was a promising initiative.

But the issue here? Well, the photo below says it all:

Notice anything odd about the 1st meeting of the "girls council" in Qassim province, Saudi Arabia? (via @dr_fahad_harthi) pic.twitter.com/TRgryHyUjp  Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) March 13, 2017

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Yup, that's 13 men on stage at the first Qassim Girls Council meeting, and not a single female in sight.

The meeting was led by Prince Faisal bin Michal bin Saud, and his wife, Princess Abir bint Salman, is the head of the council.

Satire? Comedy? No. This is actually happening: The very first meeting of the first "Girls Council" in Saudi Arabia... with ZERO girls. pic.twitter.com/MPmHsr9FCO  Sarah Abdallah (@sahouraxo) March 13, 2017

According to ABC Australia, women were in another room at the event, linked in via video due to the strict Saudi laws on gender segregation between unrelated men and women.

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"In the Qassim region, we look at women as sisters to men, and we feel a responsibility to open up more and more opportunities that will serve the work of women and girls," Prince Faisal bin Michal bin Saud said at the event.

Out of the 145 countries that are part of the World Economic Forum's 2016 Global Gender Gap report, Saudi Arabia places at number 141 when it comes to gender equality ratings. This is partly due to the fact that women are not allowed to drive in the country and they must have permission from a male guardian to work, study, travel or marry.

The viral photo is also being compared to another image from this year that did not include a single woman in the photo:

A Saudi Arabian 'Girls Council', and @POTUS Trump signing an Executive Order on abortion policy... notice something missing in both photos? pic.twitter.com/ItcYwdA6xM  Seamus Kearney (@SeamusjKearney) March 14, 2017

Interesting.

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This year marks 150 years of confederation. Canada 150 as it is known, has created year long celebrations throughout the country. There is an overwhelming sense of national unity and jubilation, worthy of endless celebrations that are funded publicly.

While others are taking this opportunity to celebrate the country's history, this landmark year reminds us of unfulfilled promises, and ongoing inequality in the way our people are treated. We will not be partaking in any of the celebratory events. Instead, we will be highlighting grievances that continue to go unresolved and unheard.

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We, the Haudenosaunee people, are the oldest participatory democracy on Earth. We are not First Nation or Metis. Through the confederacy, each of the nations of the Haudenosaunee is united by a common goal to live in harmony.

Each nation maintains its own council with Chiefs chosen by the Clan Mother and deals with its own internal affairs but allows the Grand Council to deal with issues affecting the nations within the confederacy. We treat everyone we come across with dignity and respect; we only ask that we are treated the same way in return.

We were self-governing until 1924, when the federal government imposed an elected council system on us. We still operate as a traditional government, but our refusal to cooperate with the federal government's demands has made them unwilling to engage with us on mutually important issues.

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The relatively new federal government has pledged to work with all Indigenous groups. The prime minister has mandated each of his ministers to improve relationships between the government and Indigenous peoples. Up until now, we have not heard much from them. By them not reaching out to us or acknowledging our losses, we feel those mandate letters are just platitudes. We're used to that.

Quite frankly, we believe Canada's 150 years of confederation is a milestone based on false pretenses. Much of Canada exists on stolen land. Making mention of our heritage and cultural elements during these celebrations is simply a smokescreen, and ignores the true problem at hand, which is lack of reconciliation.

As Canadians enjoy 150 years of confederation, our situation is evidence that there is still much progress to be made. Operating as a traditional government has left us without official status and recognition from the federal government; we're dealing with the City of Toronto on a treaty rights battle that they have yet to acknowledge.

After months of ongoing negotiations we've had no choice but to conduct a demonstration at the St. Lawrence Market North construction site, which is Haudenosaunee treaty territory. Recently, the government of Ontario appointed an Elders Council to seek advice on justice decisions. Quite frankly, it seems to be an attempt to offer reconciliation to avoid dealing directly with us.

If anything, Canada's 150 years in confederation highlights how far behind we are. It is concerning that after 150 years, we are still dealing with issues such as respect, justice and equality. . We will continue to stand our ground, and protect our people, heritage and treaty rights. We will continue to speak out when necessary. We hope the next 150 years bring more progress.

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Hero Images via Getty Images Focused engineer assembling robot

When they came to power in 2015, the Liberals promised a government committed to broad consultation; and on this, no one can argue they haven't delivered. As I write these words, there are no fewer than 58 open national consultations. By all accounts, 2017 will see the release of a huge number of consultation summaries, expert panel reviews, and advisory council reports, largely focused on how to sustain long-term economic growth, strengthen communities and create jobs and opportunities for Canadians. All of which speak directly to the mission of Canada's colleges and institutes.

Skills and innovation -- core elements of the college/institute mandate -- have emerged as absolutely fundamental to the government's agenda. They have been the focus of several consultations and more than a few reports, including a recent series of recommendations by the finance minister's Advisory Council on Economic Growth.

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The recommendations emerging from this extensive round of consultations resonate strongly with Canada's colleges, polytechnics, cegeps, and institutes. When it comes to skills and innovation, they have been leading the way for years: providing Canadians with the skills they need to succeed in a changing economy has always been their first priority.

They are the most accessible post-secondary institutions in the country, reaching over 1.5 million learners in more that 3000 communities. They welcome students from all social backgrounds and origins, including under-represented and vulnerable groups such as new immigrants, Indigenous peoples and underemployed adults, with tailored programming and the support services required to ensure their success.

Many colleges and institutes have pioneered programs widely recognized as best practices on inclusion, especially when it comes to essential skills training and upskilling opportunities. This has included working with Indigenous peoples to expand training options and employment outcomes in northern communities, as well as innovative programs such as Canadore College's successful Aboriginal Women in Trades program, that promote women entering the labour market in non-traditional sectors.

When Dominic Barton's Advisory Council writes about the need to improve worker resilience and get underrepresented groups to work, this is the kind of thing they are referencing, whether they realize it or not.

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Colleges and institutes are champions of reskilling, a term strongly associated with the labour market impacts of disruptive technologies and the skills demands of the future economy. By working with local employers and experts to create new programs that respond to the evolving labour market, colleges and institutes help adult learners update their skills or transition to new careers and ensure graduates will be resilient to change. Take for example, Vancouver Community College's brand new Samsung Tech Institute, which offers students in the repair technician program classes focused on the electronic components of next-generation, internet-enabled appliances.

The Advisory Council on Economic Growth issued several recommendations to help prepare Canadians for the workforce of the future, including the creation of a new national structure they call the FutureSkills Lab, dedicated to supporting innovative approaches to skills development. Though the devil will be in the details, the approach is promising given the monumental labour-market shifts that are already occurring. With their training expertise and responsive mindset, colleges and institutes will be invaluable partners in developing innovative new approaches.

The other challenge for the Canadian economy is the need to unlock innovation in the context of increasing global competition. Here again, we have seen lots of consultation and interesting recommendations in a space where colleges and institutes occupy a key position, owning the applied research niche with a proven approach to partnered innovation. In 2014-15 alone, they worked with over 5 500 private companies, 86% of which were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

SMEs have a hugely important role to play in the Canadian innovation ecosystem -- they represent over 97% of all Canadian businesses, and are often where new solutions and entrepreneurial ideas take root. The challenge is the availability of the talent and technical resources to build on their ideas. Colleges and institutes help fill that gap by providing access to facilities, the expertise of experienced researchers, and the fresh perspective of motivated students, keen to become future leaders.

By integrating innovation and entrepreneurship in all aspects of their curriculums, colleges and institutes are also contributing to the rise of a new generation of innovators, like Alex Villeneuve. The second year brewmaster student at Alberta's Olds College had the brilliant idea of reusing waste barley, discarded as by-product in the brewing process, to grow high-quality mushrooms- which he now sells to local restaurants - and increasing the protein content of the spent barley that can then be recycled a second time as cattle feed. With the support of his college, this young man has created his own business, which he is now looking to expand while finishing his degree.

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This is precisely the kind of practical innovation that helps tackle today's challenges, including those linked to climate change and greening multiple industries. It shows that with the right skills and education, and with a little encouragement, we can easily fan the flame of innovation. This is exactly how we build a resilient workforce and an inclusive economy: through education that empowers all Canadians to reach their full potential.
By Kristen Ostling and Samantha Grills

We live in a world where over one billion women and girls are malnourished.

As we marked International Women's Day, it is more important than ever to recognize the role nutrition plays in achieving gender equity. Decades of experience have shown us time and again that malnutrition and poverty are sexist. Malnutrition remains one of the most persistent barriers to women's empowerment, with millions of women and girls around the world eating least and last. Such gendered inequalities in nutritional access and opportunity compound the negative and cyclical effects of poverty and undercut development initiatives before they have a chance to succeed.

Take for example the story of Nikhat Praveen, a teenage girl from India who was one of the millions held back by poor nutrition resulting in anemia. This all changed when Nikhat began receiving iron-folic acid supplements (IFAS) at school. Soon she became more energetic, more active and was better able to concentrate on her studies. Eventually, Nikhat became a mentor to out-of-school girls in her community and helped them to also receive and understand the benefits of IFAS -- effectively short-circuiting longstanding cycles of malnourishment throughout her community.

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When we prioritize proper nutrition for girls and young women like Nikhat, we lay the groundwork for them to grow, learn, earn and lead. Well-nourished girls are better able to go to school and get an education. Well-nourished women are more productive and engaged members of their communities and have stronger immune systems. By investing in nutrition, societies become more sustainable and equal -- a point most starkly reflected by the fact that 12 of the 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are directly related to advancements in nutrition.

Canada is a leading advocate and donor to global nutrition.

Despite the focus on gender within the SDGs and the World Health Assembly Targets, the goal for reducing anemia (an issue affecting half a billion women of reproductive age and four out of ten pregnant women worldwide), is the furthest off track of any target. In fact, less than two per cent of reporting countries are on track to success.

The good news is that many governments and multilateral actors are increasingly recognizing the fundamental importance of prioritizing nutrition. Canada is a leading advocate and donor to global nutrition. Through the Government of Canada's support, and working in collaboration with other partners and donors, the Micronutrient Initiative (MI) reaches 500 million people -- mostly women and children -- every year.

In 2015 alone, MI supplied iron and folic acid supplements to 2.4 million pregnant women globally. And in 2016, MI launched the Right Start Initiative with the aim of reaching 100 million women and girls in nine countries.

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As a result of improved nutrition through Right Start programming, expected impacts include: an increase in school attendance and academic performance among adolescent girls; a reduction in cases of neural tube defects (spina bifida); and increased survival rates and health of new mothers.

Reducing the prevalence of malnutrition will improve the health, capacity, and opportunity of millions of women and girls around the world, paving the way for improvements in gender equity and women's rights. By recognizing nutrition as the fundamental cornerstone of women's rights and empowerment that it is, and responding in kind through increased action and resources towards ending malnutrition, Canada will continue to be a world leader on gender equality and nutrition.

If we ensure that all women and girls have the health and wellness to grow, learn, earn and lead, the entire world will be a more just and prosperous place.

Kristen Ostling is Senior Manager, Advocacy and Global Impact and Samantha Grills is Policy and Advocacy Officer with the Micronutrient Initiative.

The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CCIC or its members.

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When members of Parliament and senators borrow, assimilate, or adopt gender-neutral language such as "unstated parentage" or "unnamed parent" when the discrimination is anything but, they potentially approve legislation that harms mothers and babies.

Prior to 1985, the Indian Act protected children born to mothers when their father's signature was not recorded on their birth certificate in that they were considered to be an Indian. When the Indian Act was amended this protection was removed. What then resulted is the Registrar of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) gained more control when processing applications in situations of unknown, unacknowledged, unrecognized, unnamed, and unstated paternity. It was at this moment when power was more firmly in the hands of administrators rather than legislation where as a result INAC began to more easily apply its goal of the need to eliminate the Indian problem. The new low being, mothers and babies became the target.

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At first there was no written policy, but eventually INAC posted online its "unstated paternity" policy. While the name of the policy itself is an issue in that it clearly blames mothers, the policy guides people to have their birth certificate amended, or obtain a statutory declaration signed by both parents. Another option offered is a statutory declaration from the biological father's family members.

These options offered by INAC do not capture the lived reality of conception, birthing, and the failure of documents to understand the lived reality of abusive situations. For example, INAC's policy does not account for situations of rape where mothers do not know the father best known as the offender; situations of domestic violence where mothers need to protect themselves and their child; and then there are situations where fathers refuse to acknowledge the child.

The process of naming is important to pay attention to because oftentimes power is inherent. The words people rely on shape the way people think, and therefore have the potential to shape remedies if needed. Of course this process of word use as shaping our thinking includes elected members of the House of Commons and appointed senators who make up the Legislative Branch of the Government of Canada.

My point is that while INAC names their policy "unstated paternity," it is best to understand the situation from within the lived reality of mothers where "unknown paternity," "unrecognized paternity," "unacknowledged paternity," and "unnamed paternity" are more appropriate word choices.

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As many know, recently INAC tabled Bill S-3, An Act to amend the Indian Act. This Bill was a response to a 2015 Quebec court decision by Justice Masse in the Stephane Descheneaux, and the Susan and Tammy Yantha case. Although she was embarrassed about the lack of consultation with interested parties in the development of the Bill, the Minister of INAC, Carolyn Bennett, moved the Bill forward.

In late November through early December 2016, interested parties had the opportunity to speak to members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs, as well as to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples. Many of the parties such as Descheneaux, Sharon McIvor, the Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), and the Quebec Native Women Inc. were unhappy because of the lack of proper consultations where as a result the Bill failed to address all the sex discrimination in the Indian Act.

As it stands today, INAC has been granted an extension so proper consultations and reconsideration of the content of the Bill can occur. Regardless, there was something rather peculiar I noticed as I listened to these House and Senate discussions specifically regarding the word choice when discussing the issue of unknown and unstated paternity. As many know I have been working on this very issue for over 31 years.

Perplexed and concerned with the word shifting process as I was I opted to complete an analysis of the language that interested parties, the Assistant Deputy Minister, the counsel for the Department of Justice, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and senators relied upon when talking about the issue of "unknown and unstated paternity."

When speaking with the House of Commons interested parties relied on the language of "unstated paternity"; "so-called unstated paternity"; "unknown paternity"; and "unacknowledged paternity." This language correctly names the issue. Minister Bennett also relies on this language during these discussions.

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When speaking with the Standing Senate Committee, INAC Assistant Deputy Minister Joelle Montminy relied on the language of "undisclosed and unknown paternity"; and the lawyer for the Department of Justice Martin Reiher relied on "unknown parent" adding further, "which is usually an unknown father." Bravo, like Minister Bennett they relied on language that closely represents the lived reality of Indigenous women; but this changed. See below and please pay close attention.

During these same Senate discussions interested parties, some of whom I mentioned above, relied on "unknown parents," "unstated paternity," and "other reasons for not identifying the father"; But one senator, an important and potential ally relied on "unknown parent." This is the beginning of the unfortunate language shift.

Again, a few days later during these same Senate discussions Montminy and Bennett now, in my opinion, more cognisant of their goal rely on "unstated paternity and parenthood" and "unnamed parent." Unfortunately, the same Senator remained with using "unknown parentage."

In sum, and my point is, the shift in language use during these important discussions from "unstated and unknown paternity" to the gender-neutral language of "unknown parentage" and "unnamed parent" was first introduced by the Minister and ADM of INAC, both of whom are guided by the goal of the need to eliminate status Indians. The danger of naming without critical thought is that it begins to shape the thinking of members of Parliament and the senators, potentially preventing them from understanding the sex discrimination that harms mothers and babies. It is really sad when women, mothers, and potential allies adopt the oppressor's language as has happened during these discussions.

We must not allow the very people and organizations such as INAC who hold power over others to name reality in a way that is misleading and inadequate of the lived reality of oppressed people. I have come to know that sometimes gender-neutral language is just more of the same; more specifically, sometimes gender-neutral language is disguised patriarchy.

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"I'm becoming anti-Semitic." That's what he said.

Not good.

To put a fine point on it, that's what Rebel Media's Gavin McInnes said on a video, found here.

Here's some other things he said:

"God, [Jews are] so obsessed with the Holocaust. [...] I don't know if it's healthy to dwell."

"I felt myself defending the super-far-right Nazis, just because I was sick of so much [Holocaust] brainwashing."

"...much less than six million [were murdered in the Holocaust] and they starved to death and they weren't gassed."

"[A man-made famine that killed millions in Soviet Ukraine was caused] by Jews. That was by Marxist, Stalinist, left-wing, commie, socialist Jews."

"[WWII caused the Treaty of Versailles, which was caused] disproportionately influenced by Jewish intellectuals."

And, as noted, "I'm becoming anti-Semitic."

I don't think there can be any doubt those statements are deeply anti-Semitic, but in case you have any doubt, they were enthusiastically promoted -- and celebrated -- by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, and America's current neo-Nazi leader, Richard Spencer:

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Around the same time McInnes made his statements, another Rebel Media person, Lauren Southern, abruptly left the organization. Southern also counts Spencer and assorted neo-Nazis and white supremacists among her fan base. There is a lot of speculation online that she is more aligned with the National Policy Institute's Richard Spencer than with Rebel Media's Ezra Levant. Personally, I don't know if that's true: I haven't spent five seconds watching any of her many videos.

Now, am I fan of the Rebel website? Full disclosure: not really. That's particularly the case after Rebel's Faith Goldy defended a far-Right pedophile in a bizarre effort to slime me for, um, being critical of pedophiles.

Anyway. Rebel's founder, Ezra Levant, and I have a long, long history. We've slammed each other, we've sued each other, we've gone after each other. When Sun News Network started up, Kory Teneycke asked us to enter into an armistice, and so we did. It's held ever since, and I've been content to let other people fight with Ezra. Been there, done that.

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Is Rebel Media so free-speechy that it will now give an uncritical platform to Holocaust denier rhetoric?

And I will give Ezra credit for this much: one, he built the Rebel thing from the ground up, and he has turned it into a significant player in the Canadian media universe. It's not a news service, not by a long shot -- it's simply a web platform for Right-wing and far-Right-wing opinion -- but it's not inconsequential.

Two, Ezra is not an anti-Semite. Not just because he's Jewish -- Ezra has been more critical of other Canadian Jews than Jim Keegstra, Ernst Zundel and Paul Fromm put together. He's not anti-Semitic because, basically, he's not anti-Semitic.

So what, then, is he doing keeping the likes of Gavin McInnes on the payroll? What is the truth about alt-Right heroine Lauren Southern and her speedy departure? Is Rebel Media so free-speechy that it will now give an uncritical platform to Holocaust denier rhetoric?

Some say all this means the end of Rebel Media. Personally, I doubt it. They seriously underestimate Ezra Levant.

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But is it all deeply unsettling, and pretty off-brand, too. When Ezra Levant is prepared to play host to the likes of Gavin McInnes, spouting anti-Semitic filth, well...it's not good.

For him.

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The five things you need to know on Wednesday, March 15

1) SCOTCH CORNER

Another week, another PMQs. Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May have plenty to spar over, from schools and NHS funding to Brexit. But will the SNPs Angus Robertson, who often has the most pointed questions, be the main leader of the Opposition in todays session?

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Nicola Sturgeons gamble on Monday in signalling a fresh independence referendum certainly caught some ministers by surprise. And the inevitable backlash began in earnest yesterday. The Times splashes a YouGov poll suggesting opposition to independence is its highest in two years (57%). Against that, a ScotCen social attitudes survey in the Scotsman said backing for independence was at its highest ever (46%).

As I said yesterday, Sturgeons leadership is one of the big differences since the 2014 poll. But another key difference is how even less Scotland can rely on any oil dividend and any new Yes campaign still faces big questions on what will happen to the pound and the economy. To underline the point, Holyrood magazine reveals that the SNPs own economic adviser Andrew Wilson has warned it will take 10 years to get back to full economic health after a breakaway. There are fresh doubts about whether the SNP would seek EU membership swiftly too.

Corbyn is also under fire for saying at the weekend that he would be absolutely fine with a second referendum if the Scots Parliament wanted one. Will Theresa May pick up on Wes Streetings tweet that his leaders remark was the height of idiocy? Or on Corbyns claim that he had been mischievously quoted? Then again, the PM may want to stay away from answering just whether she would approve an #indyref2 - or whether shed block one until after Brexit in 2019. Lets see if Robertson lets her get away with a non-answer to that particular PMQ.

2) D-DAY

Polls have opened in the Dutch election and all European eyes (including No.10s) are on PM Mark Rutte and far-right leader Geert Wilders. Ruttes party seemed to get a poll bounce in recent days as he clashed live on TV with his rival.

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But our very own A-Day, when Article 50 is triggered, wont take place until the end of the month. Many ministers had expected Royal Assent to be granted to the EU Withdrawal Bill yesterday, but in her Commons statement Theresa May surprised us by saying it would be granted in coming days. Surely No.10 didnt gently influence the Palace/Crown Office to delay, so the PM could avoid fuelling the SNPs independence drive? In the Times, one minister says: There are things in the diary we are keen to avoid  SNP conference, St Patricks Day and the Ides of March to name a few.

And could there be yet more delay? Bloomberg reports EU officials saying they are considering forcing the UK to wait until June to start proper Brexit talks. Brussels wants timetabling talks before then, but could this be part of a ruse to reduce the time available to sort a deal?

The Remainers think the Parliamentary battle has barely started and new laws on agriculture, customs, immigration and fisheries alongside the Great Repeal Bill could prove tricky indeed. Cabinet was told yesterday by the PM that the Queen's Speech would feature new bills too on education, health, policing, national security, new technology and infrastructure. She wants to widen the "Plan For Britain' title of her Lancaster House speech into a prospectus for her premiership and No10 hinted a document on domestic policy could be forthcoming.

3) THE IDS OF MARCH

Yes, it really is the 15th of the month and the Ides of March are upon us. Corbyn-sceptic Labour MPs are showing remarkable self-discipline in keeping their knives sheathed for now, but Lib Dem leader Tim Farron is rather keen to exploit discontent about the Labour leader.

In an interview with HuffPost ahead of his spring conference this weekend, Farron tells me that Corbyn is such an ineffective Opposition leader that he makes IDS look like JFK. He is the most ineffective, poor quality opposition leader probably in the history of British politics Farron even compares the Lib Dems now to Keir Hardies early Labour party, saying it overtook the Liberals as the second largest party within just a few years.

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Labour sources have hit back, pointing to Farrons admission in our interview that he wont rule out a coalition with the Tories in government. It all sets up a tasty clash between the two parties in the Manchester Gorton by-election. Intriguingly, Labour finally appointed a lead MP to run its campaign yesterday and it is Wigans Lisa Nandy, not Lucy Powell in neighbouring Manchester Central. Nandy is not on the shadow frontbench and has been critical of Corbyn. But she has been impressing the grassroots lately with her towns not just cities pitch. We have more on the Labour battle for Gorton later.

BECAUSE YOUVE READ THIS FAR

Watch the moment this baby wears glasses for the first time.

4) PUDDING LAME

UKIP are still regularly polling in double figures (and ahead of the Lib Dems) despite the circus that seems to often surround them. The latest fun tale is that key donor and Nigel Farage pal Arron Banks claims he has been suspended for saying that Paul Nuttall couldnt knock the skin off a rice pudding. Douglas Carswell tweeted hes on top of the world. HuffPost has been told Banks is now 100% certain to start his own party, a kind of UKIP 2.0.

Meanwhile, theres fresh controversy in the seat that Farage lost. Tory MP for South Thanet Craig Mackinlay has been quizzed under caution by the police for six hours as part of a probe into the partys expenses in the 2015 election, the Sun reports. This all follows Channel 4 News reports that the Conservatives breached spending limits by using national money on local campaigns.

SkyNews published an angry email to party chairman Patrick McLoughlin from Karl McCartney, another Tory MP under investigation: At what stage do you think you might inform us that another media shitstorm is coming? We didnt create this mess, the clever dicks at CCHQ [Conservative Campaign Headquarters] did.. On Newsnight last night, Nick Watt said senior sources told him that MPs were now likely not to face criminal charges as there was no evidence of intent to break the rules.

5) SCHOOLS OUT

One headache the PM can do without is the proposed new schools funding formula, which has upset nearly everyone from Tory backbenchers to inner city and London head teachers. Consultation closes a week today and No.10 was still keeping a straight bat yesterday that all views were being considered.

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Nicky Morgan has popped up in the Guardian to try to defend the plans she drafted as Education Secretary, saying this is a historic opportunity to right some wrongs in imbalances between rural and coastal towns and big cities. Yet London heads are marching on Downing St and one Enfield school is the latest to send a letter to all parents warning the funding changes will lead to cuts in staff. One primary in south London says seven teachers could go.

Add in Mays controversial cash splurge on Free Schools/new grammars in the Budget and you can see the PR problem. As it happens, the Sun also reports today that kids at private school are disproportionately likely to visit the new Commons education centre (Speaker Bercows pride and joy).

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Caroline Schiff via Getty Images

There has been much hysteria following a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that has ruled that employers will be entitled to ban staff from wearing any visible political or religious symbols in the workplace.

Though the ban is being hailed as a direct attack on Muslims, the ECJ has said that the ban does not result in "direct discrimination" and that giving companies the right to ban "any political, philosophical or religious sign" is simply providing them the opportunity to maintain a neutral image.

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Though the ruling does not single out the Muslim faith, it is true that it was based on the cases of two Muslim women, in France and Belgium, who were dismissed from their workplaces for refusing to remove their headscarves.

While the ruling itself may have been a genuine attempt to calm growing religious tensions in Europe, it creates more problems than it solves and will ultimately give rise to more friction.

First and foremost, this ban appears to be in direct contrast with Article 18 of the Human Rights Charter which states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

The freedom of expression, whether that manifests in the form of a controversial speaker, a satirical magazine such as Charlie Hebdo, or donning a headscarf as a symbol of your religious conviction, is a cornerstone of Western society. To restrict this freedom in the name of a more 'Western' or 'liberal' society is a dismaying oxymoron and an ominous sign if it is any reflection of the nature of solutions in the future.

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Furthermore, this ban will directly affect working Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab. Surely, these women should not be obstructed? These women should be embraced for having a faith that does not impede them. Such women have chosen to take an active part in society and are positive role models for other Muslim women. Taking away this prospect will force these women to choose between their faith and their financial independence. Many of these women will favour the former and this will in turn lead to more women out of the workforce, worsening integration issues, leading to more financially dependent Muslim women, and weakening their already undermined position in Western society and globally.

What European leaders need to understand is that secularism should not be used as a tool to castigate expressions of religious belief and observance. Quite the contrary, secularism should be implemented and interpreted as a principle that protects the exercise of religious freedom. A secular state should be neutral on matters of belief, not seeking to nullify religion from the public sphere. Moreover, what this hostility towards religious symbols shows is a weak secular society, one that resorts to bans and prohibitions rather than the promotion of freedom of expression.
Samantha Artal Susskand and Paula Andrea Gomez Vera pose with actors dressed as cartoon characters Goku and Luffy at Nespresso Press Room at the 39th International Emmy Awards. (Photo : Getty Images/Dimitrios Kambouris)

The "One Piece" anime will enter the Whole Cake Island arc in episode 783, which will be released on April 9. The first and most of the second chapters of the arc following the Zou finale have already been covered.



Tomohiro Nakayama wrote "One Piece" episode 783 is titled "Sanji Returns Home - To Big Mom's Territory!" Yasunori Koyama was the episode director and Toshio Deguchi was the animation director while Tetsuya Endo did the storyboard.



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On March 1, Japanese voice actor Hiroaki Hirata took to Twitter to announce the return of his character Sanji in "One Piece" episode 783. The episode titled "Sanji Returns Home- To Big Mom's Territory!"







Before entering Big Mom's territory, the Straw Hat Pirates made an additional stop in the "One Piece" anime. This is different from the events of the manga.



The Navy Rookies filler arc will start in episode 780 titled "A Hungry Front! Luffy and the Navy Rookies!," which will be released on March 19. It will continue in episode 781 titled "The Persistent Trio- The Great Pursuit for the Straw Hats!," which will be released on March 26.



It has yet to be confirmed whether or not a new opening theme will be introduced in the Navy Rookies filler arc. The arc will end in episode 782 titled "Fist of the Devil- Showdown! Luffy VS Grant," which will be released on April 2.



In "Sanji Returns Home - To Big Mom's Territory!," Sanji is with Baron Tamago on Big Mom's ship. The former will spend time looking at a photograph of Charlotte Pudding, his soon-to-be fiancee.



Apparently, Sanji is madly in love with Charlotte Pudding. As for the Straw Hats, they are still struggling with their food rations.



Meanwhile, Japan's ambassador to Israel Koji Tomita, 59, attended Harucon 2017 cosplaying as Monkey D. Luffy on March 12, Sunday. He said he was very embarrassed wearing a suit in Harucon 2016 and invited the audience to visit Japan if they want to know more about the country, Asahi Shimbun quoted him as saying.



Also present during Harucon 2017 were Japanese voice actors Toshio Furukawa, 70, who voiced Portgas D. Ace in "One Piece" and Piccolo in "Dragon Ball," and Shino Kakinuma, 51, who voiced Videl in "Dragon Ball Kai." Furukawa said it is surprising that Japanese animation and subculture are appreciated with excitement beyond borders and languages, NHK quoted him as saying.



Here is a "One Piece" episode 779 review:






It seemed to take forever for the letter to arrive, but when it did it was worth the wait: "Dear Angela, I am delighted to let you know that you have been awarded a 2017 Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship. Very many congratulations.

credit Angela Samata

Those words mark the start of an exciting adventure! The letter went on to invite me to attend a seminar just a few weeks later, during which I would meet the other successful recipients along with Churchill Fellows who had completed their travels this past year.

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Weeks before, as I sat waiting to be called into my final Churchill interview, I met one of my fellow applicants who was also waiting to be called in. Despite our nerves, we started talking about our projects and right there and then. I remember thinking 'If I don't get my project funding I really hope she does'. Her project was to travel to the USA to research culturally appropriate services for black women with multiple complex needs. You can imagine the smile on my face when I walked into the seminar for successful applicants to see her familiar face as I walked in. It was her - Geraldine Esdailee.

The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust states that it funds individuals from the UK to "Travel to learn - return to inspire. We fund British citizens to investigate inspiring practice in other countries, and return with innovative ideas for the benefit of people across the UK". This year has awarded 150 Travelling Fellowships across the UK totalling 1.4 million. The Fellows will be travelling to 49 countries between them, across six continents, where they will carry out a wide range of projects, designed to benefit their communities and professions in the UK. The average length of a Fellowship is six weeks, but I will probably be away for closer to eight.

My project will bring together my experience of working both in mental health and the Arts as I visit New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Tokyo to look at Outsider Art practice. The definition of Outsider Art is often subject to debate as discussed by Priscilla Frank in What Is The Meaning Of Outsider Art? The Genre With A Story, Not A Style. First used in 1972 by Roger Cardinal as the title of his book, Outsider Art was an exact translation of the term 'Art Brut' used to describe artwork produced by untrained artists since 1948.

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credit Roger Cardinal

Some have argued that the term Outsider Art is itself exclusive and not inclusive, serving as a divisive term rather than a useful label. Outsider Art is often viewed as work produced not only by formally untrained artists, but also by those who often face physical or mental health challenges.

As you can imagine, it would be impossible to thoroughly investigate all Outsider Art in just 7 weeks, so the scope of my work will specifically look at Outsider Artists with mental health challenges, exploring 5 specific aspects;

1. Is the label Outsider Art useful? Does it help us to navigate the complex intersections between health and creativity, work and wellbeing, mainstream and marginality?

2. How is Outsider Art best curated? Should convention mean diagnosis/biographical details are included on labels and interpretation?

3. What are the ethical and moral considerations of exhibiting Outsider Art, especially in a commercial setting, managing finances, the expectations of the artist and the gallery?

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4. What are the clinical and therapeutic implications of Outsider Art? What is the source of the tension between formal art therapy and facilitating Outsider Art. Should we in the UK adopt a non-interventionist approach?

5. Should Outsider Art be more closely aligned with public health services in the UK as it is in Japan? How/should we make this happen?
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Well-intentioned friends sometimes ask me how I can stand my job as the UK point man on Syria. I pull a face, I move the subject on. Above all, I duck the question. I don't want to sound some holier-than-thou note about how I'm fine, I have a comfortable life surrounded by friends and family, what's not to like. But it happens to be true. I am fine. It's Syria that's not fine. The question should be better put to Syrians. How, after six years, are they bearing up?

The answer can't be 'fine'. Six years of suffering take their toll. I cannot imagine the agony that Syrians have endured this long.

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Six years ago, people across Syria rose up against a brutal dictator, with peaceful protests. These peaceful protests were met with violence and then with war. The war has metastasized; the peaceful protests occur in the rare moments of quiet in between bouts of violence (people keep coming together in places like Idlib, to reject all forms of extremism and call for a better future). The Assad regime and its backers have meted out most, if not all, of this violence.

The anguish that the Assad regime and its backers have caused civilians has been exposed by credible reports from international NGOs and the United Nations. These recent reports assert arbitrary detention, enforced displacements, the use of chemical weapons, attacks on schools, children suffering, besiegement, executions -- the list of ways civilians have suffered goes on and on.

The scale of what happened in Aleppo was unprecedented in the Syrian crisis, as highlighted in the United Nations Commission of Inquiry's reports. Two reports -- debated in Geneva on 14 March - assert war crimes and set out how the Assad regime bears responsibility for egregious violations, including attacks on hospitals, medical facilities and school, as well as evacuations that amounted to forced displacement.

The UN Human Rights Council's High Level Panel on detainees, also on 14 March, featured brave Syrians who detailed the suffering the Assad regime had caused them. The Commission of Inquiry documented the systematic use of illegal detention of thousands of Syrians. These civilians in detention centres faced torture, sexual violence, starvation, and death. Amnesty International has also brought to light the sheer darkness of Assad's detention centres, in their report on Sednaya.

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These reports and discussions are robust and impartial. They shine a light on abuses by non-state armed groups as much as they do on violations by regime forces. Yet, reading between the lines, it is clear that the regime's war machine has been responsible for most violence, on a massive scale.

This year, as in previous years, attention turns to trying to resolve the conflict and push for a political solution. In addition to the round of Geneva talks just finished, a separate process in Astana discussed confidence building measures on the ground, in support the of the Geneva process. Astana was never meant to be a replacement to Geneva; it is not the place to discuss a political settlement. We have said that if Astana works to reduce violence, improve the humanitarian situation and free detainees, then it's a good thing. But that means the pressure is now on the Astana process to ensure any ceasefire holds. The forced surrender deal on the besieged areas of Al-Waer this week, as well as continued pressure on opposition-held areas in the Damascus suburbs, are not encouraging. They highlight the need for Russia to pressure the Assad regime to uphold the ceasefire.

Six years of suffering is beyond enough. It is clear that there can be no military solution. It is also painfully clear that Bashar al-Assad has forfeited the right to govern his people. There is no sustainable peace in Syria while Assad remains in power. His atrocities make it impossible for him to unite the country and bring peace to Syria.

Assad turned guns on peaceful protests, used chemical weapons on his people and used starvation as a weapon of war. His forces besieged hundreds of thousands of people, targeted school and school children, targeted hospitals and forced the disappearance of tens of thousands.

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As we enter the seventh year of the Syrian war, the international community must unite to support Syrians in their quest to decide the future of their country. That is why it is essential that the political process puts Syrians in the lead. A negotiated political transition will finally end the years of suffering.

I type that last sentence knowing that Assad is not going to negotiate his own departure, gladly. Yet there is a process in Geneva, convened by the UN Special Envoy, at which Assad's delegation has at least attended, and recognition by the opposition, international community and by those backing the regime, including Russia, that the conflict must be ended through negotiation. How Assad leaves power is for that intra-Syrian process in Geneva to decide. The High Negotiations Committee Opposition have shown openness to engaging a broad agenda across issues of governance, constitution, elections and counter-terrorism. The pressure now is on Assad to respond to that willingness to engage.

So, no, Syria is not 'fine', and its people are not 'in a good place'. Yet Syrians' resilience and desire to resolve this conflict endure. Let this be the year a serious effort is made to end this conflict, and I fervently look forward to not having to mark another grim 'anniversary' in a year's time.
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Life isn't often rosy for the residents of Coronation Street but, in a particularly harrowing storyline, one of the soap's characters is experiencing the kind of horrific exploitation and abuse that, sadly, many children and young people go through every day.

Viewers have expressed their shock at the hard-hitting plot which sees 16-year-old Bethany groomed and sexually exploited by Nathan, a man in his 30s, and writers on the show have revealed that they engaged in 'heated' debate about whether the issue should be tackled in the popular ITV soap.

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Unsettling viewing

As actress Lucy Fallon - who plays schoolgirl Bethany - says, it makes for unsettling viewing, so much so that she hasn't been able to watch herself in any scenes with co-star Chris Harper.

But the programme makers Granada were right to tackle such a difficult subject. It's an extremely serious but little-discussed issue and a light should be shone on it.

This kind of grooming, exploitation and abuse goes on under people's noses every day so it's vital that parents and carers, as well as teachers and other professionals, are able to spot the warning signs so children and young people can be protected.

Protecting your children

Barnardo's is leading the fight against child sexual exploitation and last year we supported almost 2,500 young people, parents and carers across the UK who have been affected, although the true number of victims is likely to be much higher. We have released guidance so people know what to look out for if they're concerned children may be being targeted by sex abusers.

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In Coronation Street, Nathan - aided by his female accomplice Mel - showers naive schoolgirl Bethany with attention and gifts and plies her with alcohol, manipulating her into sleeping with him.

The teenager regards Nathan as her boyfriend and Mel as her friend but they have sinister plans for her. In one chilling scene recently, Nathan calls a friend to say he is going to get a return on his "investment", implying he plans to widen his exploitation of Bethany to include other men. And this week Bethany feels awkward when she turns up to a party at which all the other guests, bar Mel, are men.

Manipulation

This reflects our own experience working with victims of child sexual exploitation in our 40 specialist services across the UK. Abusers convince young people - both girls and boys - that they are in a loving relationship and use the trust they've built up to coerce them into sex with them or with others.

Like Bethany, the young victims of this crime mistakenly think these abusers care for them. But 'gifts' of alcohol and mobile phones can be used to control and manipulate them into doing things they don't want to do.

Men and women from all cultural groups, ethnicities and religions are sexually exploiting children of different backgrounds in their thousands so it's absolutely critical that as many people as possible are aware of the signs of grooming so we can prevent abuse.

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I've seen first-hand how children's lives can be ruined and families torn apart by this unimaginable abuse, and how specially-trained Barnardo's staff help young people who have experienced high levels of trauma and distress piece their lives back together.

Signs of sexual exploitation

Parents need to be on the lookout for signs of sexual exploitation. Having an older boyfriend or girlfriend, having new possessions that cannot be explained, going missing for periods of time, regularly coming home late or playing truant from school could be indicators that a child is being exploited.

Mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing, drug and alcohol misuse, spending a lot of time in their bedroom and becoming unusually secretive - particularly around the use of handheld devices like mobiles - or suffering from sexually transmitted infections should also ring alarm bells.

Parents can take steps to keep their children safe by staying alert to behavioural changes or physical signs of abuse like bruising, monitoring late nights out and any unexplained belongings and being wary of their child's older friends or relationships where they see a power imbalance.

Children also need to be given the knowledge they need to protect themselves. The government's commitment to ensuring all children have lessons on sex and healthy relationships will help them recognise the danger signs and better understand how to keep themselves safe.

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That's why I was thrilled when, following our campaign, the government announced last week it would make age-appropriate sex and relationship education compulsory for all children in England. This will help them grow up understanding consent and healthy relationships and respecting themselves and each other.

It would also mean they will be taught about online and offline risks and how to spot the signs of grooming, providing them with the skills and resilience they need to keep themselves safe from sexual violence, sexual bullying and harmful sexual content online.
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When the first peaceful protests took to the streets of the southern Syrian city of Deraa in March 2011, no one could have predicted the complex and bloody war that would erupt in the country.

Six years on, Syria is besieged by on ongoing conflict that involves government forces, hundreds of rebel groups and has drawn in regional and world powers. It has pitched Syria's Sunni majority community against the oppressive Assad Government. And the twisted terrorist Daesh, has been playing a destructive role in the region for the last decide, has had a sinister dimension to the war by fueling sectarian tensions - targeting innocent civilians in-particular to divide the communities that have lived together.

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The suffering of the Syrian people is unthinkable. An estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes and 13.5 million are in need of humanitarian assistance.

British and international charities are working on the ground in Syria to provide emergency assistance and bring hope for a brighter future by launching education and livelihood initiatives.

Faith-based charities from all major religions are in Syria, collaborating with a shared aim: to help our fellow human beings in desperate need, regardless of faith or sect.

The British public has been enormously generous in donating money to fund the life saving work of charities.

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There's no doubt that the Syrian conflict has divided people based on religion, faith and belief. But it has also brought many people together as the worst humanitarian crisis since WWII.

As Brit's we stand to continue to welcomes Syrian refugees who have been forced to flee their homeland, faith institutions stepped up to help fellow human beings in desperate need.

One story involved a number of mosques in east London which came together during Christmas 2015 to raise money for Syrian child refugees. They donated 2,500 raised by Muslim worshippers during Friday prayer collections to the children's charity Barnardo's to help ensure the right support is in place for vulnerable young people who arrive in the UK having fled Syria.

Another recent account tells of a synagogue in South London, which has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise 50,000 to refurbish a disused caretaker's flat within the building into a habitable, two-bedroom apartment. Once complete, The South London Liberal Synagogue, which calls itself 'a lively Jewish community in the heart of South London', hopes to provide a home for a Syrian refugee family.

People of all faiths and none have been generously donating to charities.

The Charity Commission states that it is estimated that British Muslims gave approximately 100 million to charitable causes during the month of Ramadan in 2016 which equates to approximately 38 a second. Much of this money was directed to help Syrians in desperate need.

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It is a fitting response.

As the horrors continue in Syria and fighting is focused on religious and sectarian lines, it is vital that faith groups come together to help those most affected.
Peter E Stokes via Getty Images

A petition calling for Proportional Representation to be adopted for Westminster elections has reached 100,000 signatures on the Government petitions website.

Thank you & well done all!! Demonstration outside Parliament the Saturday before PR is debated! Sign-up for updates: https://t.co/8e8D7IKD7gpic.twitter.com/3AlI8cZDB0  Make Votes Matter (@MakeVotesMatter) March 14, 2017

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Now, the petition - started by campaign group Make Votes Matter - will be considered by Members of Parliament. Campaigners are planning a major demonstration outside Parliament to take place before Parliament debates the issue.

Unfortunately, MPs have a poor track record when it comes to debating voting systems. It does not have to be this way. MPs read on.

TIP ONE: The 2011 referendum was not about Proportional Representation.

Really, it wasn't. Stop saying it was.

Sadly, the Government's official response to the petition fell into this pitfall. Opponents of electoral reform claim that we have already had a debate over PR and that it was rejected by voters. This argument conveniently ignores the fact that in 2011 the referendum was on the 'Alternative Vote' system - not PR. AV can, in fact, be less proportional than our current system.

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In fact, MPs (including Theresa May) actively denied the British people a say on PR when they voted down an amendment to the AV Referendum Bill. The amendment would have included two truly proportional systems as options on the ballot paper.

TIP TWO: Proportional Representation does not mean losing the constituency link.

To right this misconception we need only to look at the voting systems in the UK.

Scotland, Wales and London use the Additional Member System in their devolved assemblies. This system is a hybrid with constituency members elected by First Past the Post, topped up with regional members to ensure proportionality. Northern Ireland uses STV. This system means electing multiple members to represent each constituency. The elected members work as a team to represent the constituency and engage with constituents.

These systems maintain a constituency link whilst ensuring a proportional assembly. MPs realised this when they created the devolved assemblies 20 years ago. Current MPs should keep this in mind if they intend to claim that PR means cutting the constituency link.

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Proportional representation can, in fact, strengthen the constituency link. Under PR, more people have a representative they feel comfortable approaching and politicians can work together to represent their area most effectively. Ask yourself, does the MP for South Belfast - elected by 24.5% of votes cast - accurately represent their constituents?

TIP THREE: Proportional Representation will tackle extremism, not help it.

First Past the Post doesn't punish extreme parties, it punishes parties that don't have concentrated support. It does not discriminate between 'good' parties and 'bad' parties, it distorts election results arbitrarily and unpredictably. The biggest victims of FPTP in UK politics are the Liberal Democrats - hardly extremists.

Proportional Representation means that forming a majority government requires majority support from the public. It is only "winner-takes-all" systems like First Past the Post that can hand parties power with the support of a minority of voters - whether they are extremists or not. You have only to look at the US, where a system that is very similar to First Past the Post has put in place a President that many consider to be extreme, and on an historically very low share of the vote.

Our politics is diverse and vibrant, the wide range of views in the country should be represented in parliament where they can be held up to proper scrutiny. No party in the UK is dangerous when their power is proportional to their public support - but any party can be dangerous when they are handed disproportionate power. Election to public office shines a light on extremists and means they can be held to account, rather than allowing extremist views to fester in the shadows.

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TIP FOUR: Voters understand Proportional Representation - First Past the Post is the peculiarity.

"So you're saying UKIP got 4 million votes but only one seat? That makes no sense!"

Yes, it makes no sense. If a party gets 13% of the vote they should get 13% of the seats. Simple.

A strange and unusual feature of British "democracy" is that our country is governed by a Parliament that doesn't reflect it's voters. pic.twitter.com/CU7TXkuN8L  Make Votes Matter (@MakeVotesMatter) March 11, 2017

Of course, some methods of allocating seats under PR can be complicated, but sometimes thing have to be complicated to be fair. The calculations used are available for all to see and open to scrutiny. Most importantly, what voters see at the ballot box is simple and they see their choices reflected in the final outcome. If voters in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London and the vast majority of developed countries can understand PR, voters in the rest of the UK can too.

TIP FIVE: Countries with PR have strong, stable, functioning governments.

The opponents of electoral reform paint a dire picture of life under proportional representation. Just look at Germany - chaos. Politicians working collaboratively, high levels of public trust in government, political stability - awful!

Proportional Representation means Governments are based on majority support from the voters. This anchors them in the centre of the political spectrum and shields them from sudden swings in public opinion. Politics is less combative and more collaborative, making the government and country stronger. Whereas in the UK we can swing from left to right at General Elections, from one extreme to another, countries with PR experience more gradual shifts, coalition building and consensus politics.

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Local authorities in Egypt's Menoufiya governorate demolished a building that was in violation of a municipal order after a woman living next to the structure died of a hunger strike in protest of the government's failure to address her grievance.

Nagwa Ahmed, the head of the local administrative unit in Tala, Menoufiya, said in TV statements on Monday that the demolition was initially set for next month, but was rushed after the local resident's death in order to calm public outrage.

Prior to her death on Sunday, 55-year-old Safaa El-Koumy had been holding a sit-in and a hunger strike at a local hospital for two weeks to protest authorities' failure to implement a government order that the building in her village of Tabluha be removed.

The medical examiner said that El-Koumy died of a sharp drop in blood pressure.

According to the family lawyer, the problem started in 2014 when residents of the village complied with a law ordering main streets be broadened, demolishing and rebuilding their houses.

"However, due to corruption in a local administrative unit, one family was allowed to violate the law, seizing almost 35 metres of the road. Despite removal orders being issued, the violations continued, narrowing the road and blocking sunlight from neighbours' buildings," lawyer Ragab El-Gohary told Ahram Online prior to El-Koumy's death.

However, a security source in Menoufiya told Ahram Arabic news website that the building's removal was delayed due to an ongoing appeal by its owner. The appeal was ultimately rejected and the removal process was pending, the source said.

Following El-Koumy's death on Sunday, dozens gathered near the hospital where she died, blocking a nearby road before leaving to attend her funeral, scheduled for later that day.

According to El-Gohary, most of the angry crowd came from El-Koumy's village, and suffered from "violations and corruption" amid legal disputes with the owners of the same building.

El-Koumy's sons and daughters have suspended their own hunger strikes following the removal of the building on Monday.

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The Volunteer Center of Reno County, a United Way Agency, is a central clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities in Reno County.
Egypt's official gazette published on Wednesday a detailed account of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's decision to pardon 203 prisoners, which included for the first time a classification for each prisoner.

El-Sisi issued on Monday an official pardon for the prisoners, who had received final prison sentences in protest-related cases.

The decision published in the gazette classified those pardoned into two sections: sympathisers and inciters.

However, the list did not clarify which group(s) the prisoners were convicted of sympathising with or joining.

"The prisoners [on the second list] have all received final verdicts in their cases, and are by and large students or individuals with critical health conditions," committee member Karim El-Sakka  who sits on the president-mandated committee to review politically-related cases for pardon told Ahram Online on Monday.

Those pardoned included one woman, 114 prisoners aged 17 to 35, 83 aged 35 to 55, and six over 55.

The charges of which they were convicted ranged from protesting and rioting to joining a group or taking part in violent incidents.

Though the list did not clarify the section "sympathiser," the term is commonly used to describe supporters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood organisation.

In November 2013, an Egyptian court declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation, following a spate of deadly incidents in the wake of a popular uprising against former Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was ousted from his position in July 2013.

Following the pardoning Monday, committee member and MP Tarek El-Khouly told parliamentary reporters that prior to submitting this list of pardon recommendations to the presidency, the committee eliminated "any person who belongs to the Brotherhood, whether or not he was involved in violence, given their danger to society, and until ideological revisions take place."

El-Khouly said that a third list of prisoners is being prepared, which would include cases of prisoners who have not received convictions and others backlogged from the first and second lists.

This round of pardons is the second El-Sisi has decreed under the recommendations of the committee, which he formed in October 2016 to evaluate the cases of young people imprisoned for politically related crimes.

In November 2016, El-Sisi approved the committee's recommendations to pardon 82 prisoners.

Article 155 of the Egyptian constitution stipulates that the president has the power to issue a pardon or mitigate a final sentence after consulting with the cabinet.

Many of those pardoned have been jailed under the controversial 2013 protest law, which has been widely criticised by local and international rights groups.

Egypt's 2014 constitution guarantees citizens the right to peaceful protest.

In December 2016, Egypts Supreme Constitutional Court issued a ruling deeming Article 10 of the protest law unconstitutional.

Article 10 permits the countrys interior minister to bar protests without court approval.

The ruling also stated that those seeking to organise street protests should only be obliged to notify authorities, not obtain prior approval.

In January, the parliaments Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee approved a bill to amend the protest law in accordance with the court's verdict.

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iciHaiti - Social : The Consul General of Haiti in Chicago, honored





At the 11th Annual Gala Recognition of the DuSable Heritage Association the Consul General of Haiti in Chicago, Lesly Conde was honored by the Association for his contribution to recognize the mulatto Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, born in Saint-Marc in the French colony of Santo Domingo between 1745 and 1750, as founder of the city of Chicago.



Speech of the Consul Lesly Conde :

"Distinguished friends of DuSable,

Distinguished friends of Haiti,

Dear compatriots,

Fre m ak se m yo



DuSable Heritage Association's Eleventh Annual Awards Gala brings us together one more time. This is a precious opportunity to show support for an organization that has been working tirelessly in order to obtain recognition for a colorful part of Chicago's history, and for the courageous and resourceful man who made it all happen. It is a distinct pleasure to greet you all on behalf of the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago.



First and foremost, let me thank DuSable Heritage Association,

particularly Dr. Serge Pierre-Louis, for having invited me to be part of this Eleventh Annual Awards Gala, and chosen me as this year's honoree.



With much humility, gratitude and enthusiasm, I accept this distinction on behalf of the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago and the Chicago Haitian Community. I always thought that this struggle to pull Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable out of relative darkness was a worthwhile one. I also firmly believe that the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago has a role to play since the man whose achievements are being promoted is a son of our native land. In this endeavor, DuSable Heritage Association and the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago are natural allies. Collaborating with Dr. Serge Pierre-Louis and DuSable Heritage Association has always been a pleasant experience. This award is icing on the proverbial cake. Moreover, coming from an organization as prestigious and hard working as DuSable Heritage Association, it constitutes one of the brightest highlights of my career.



Today, Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable is much more visible in Chicago than he was a decade ago. This is due, without a doubt, to the relentless efforts of DuSable Heritage Association and all the other organizations that have been working towards the same goal. However, we cannot afford to become complacent because Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable is far from receiving the kind of recognition he deserves as founder of the city of Chicago. DuSable Heritage Association is joining other organizations in pressuring the authorities into reviving the DuSable Park project. The park will showcase the city's founder in a fitting manner. There should be no doubt as to who Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable was, and where he came from.



In closing, I want to thank DuSable Heritage Association once more for having made me part of the Eleventh Annual Awards Gala in such a memorable way. I also thank each and everyone of you for supporting the organization and its goal. Thanks to your faithful support, much progress has been achieved, and everything is possible.



I thank you very much for your attention!



Lesly Conde

Consul General"



IH/ iciHaiti


















A former Egyptian governor has been arrested and ordered detained for receiving a bribe to illegally transfer government-owned land in the affluent Cairo suburb of Maadi to a private company, state news agency MENA reported on Wednesday.

The former governor of now-dissolved Helwan Governorate Hazem El-Qowaidi* was arrested by the Administrative Control Authority (ACA), the regulatory body responsible for enforcing laws and regulations within state bodies.

He is accused of receiving a Mercedes worth EGP 1 million (approx. $55,400) in return for directly transferring an 800 metre plot on upscale Road 9 in the Southern Cairo district, to a car company. Under Egyptian law, the governor should have invited bids for the land.

Prosecutors ordered the former official detained for 15 days pending investigation, on bail of EGP 2 million.

Helwan Governorate was created by presidential decree in 2008, but absorbed under Cairo Governorate following the 2011 revolution that toppled president Hosni Mubarak. Egypt now comprises 27 govenorates.

President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly stressed the importance of combating corruption within government bodies. In December, he hailed efforts by the Administrative Control Authority in this regard.

Egypt was ranked 108 of 176 countries in Transparency Internationals 2016 Corruption Perceptions Index.

*This story initially named the arrested man as Kadry Abu Hussien. This was incorrect; the former governor who was arrested was Hazem El-Qowaidi.

Ahram Online would like to apologise to Mr. Abu Hussien for this unintended error and for any inconvenience that this article may have caused him.

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Egypt's armed forces have said they were able to prevent the illegal migration of 398 people into Egypt through its southern and western borders in the last couple of weeks, its spokesman announced on Wednesday.

In an official statement, army spokesman Tamer El-Refaie relayed the armed forces efforts to "preserve the country on all strategic levels" in the period from 21 February to 13 March.

Those efforts included discovering and destroying smuggling tunnels in North Sinai and confiscating drugs and weapons in several governorates including Ismailia, Suez and others, El-Refai said.

El-Refaie said that during this period, border guards arrested 369 migrants before they crossed into Egypt at Salloum, a main crossing point on the border with Libya.

Twenty-nine others were arrested by forces at the Shalateen-Halayib border area between Egypt and Sudan.

The spokesman did not give details on the nationalities of the "illegal migrants."

In addition to combating terrorism, Egypt has been waging a fight against irregular migration in recent years.

Cairo raised its focus on this issue and introduced an illegal migration law following a September 2016 migrant boat disaster off its Mediterranean coast that killed hundreds.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has spoken on multiple occasions about Egypt's ongoing efforts to curb illegal immigration from its shores to Europe -- a key concern for European countries facing a growing migrant crisis.

The president has said Egypt currently hosts 5 million immigrants from different nations who live their lives normally, receive the privileges enjoyed by Egyptian citizens and are not confined to refugee camps.

Egypt has repeatedly rejected proposals to create refugee camps on its soil.



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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!
Organisers hope the two-day conference will promote tourism and physiotherapy in Egypt

The resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh will host an international conference on tourism and physiotherapy on Thursday and Friday.

The conference, which is being organised by Cairo University, will be attended by MPs affiliated with parliament's tourism committee, as well as local and foreign travel agents.

Sahar Talaat, head of parliament's tourism committee, told reporters on Wednesday that the conference will be a golden opportunity for Sharm El-Sheikh to regain its status as the Middle East's number one beach resort.

Talaat said Sharm El-Sheikh has already begun regaining its pre-2015 tourist traffic.

Alaa Balbaa, head of the university's Faculty of Physiotherapy, also told reporters that a large number of physiotherapists from America and Europe will participate in the conference.

"We aim to use this conference to promote Sharm El-Sheikh as a prestigious world tourist destination and also promote Egypt as the Middle East's centre of physiotherapy," said Balbaa.

Balbaa said the conference will be opened by the president of Cairo University, Gaber Nasser.

Talaat said the deadly crash of a Russian passenger plane in Sinai in October 2015 has negatively affected Sharm El-Sheikh and other Red Sea tourist resorts in Egypt.

"But we hope that tomorrow's conference and others more to come will help the city compensate its losses and become again a top destination on the world's tourist map," said Talaat.

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An original Blade Runner cast member will return in Denis Villeneuve's sequel Blade Runner 2049 alongside Harrison Ford.

Edward James Olmos, who played Gaff in Ridley Scott's 1981 classic, confirmed he has a part in the hugely-anticipated follow-up following months of refusing to comment either way.

Speaking to theTRENDTALKshow, Olmos revealed that a seven page non-disclosure contract kept him from talking about the role.

He said: I signed a seven page non-disclosure contract. I did, my manager did, my agent did, everybody did. I couldnt talk about it. I couldnt talk about it to anybody about it. Guess what? This is the first time that Im telling the whole world, that yes, I am going to be Gaff in Blade Runner 2049.

 Blade Runner 2049 - Trailer

Olmos went on to elaborate on how Eduardo Gaff would factor into the sequel, confirming it'll be a one-scene cameo

Well its not about Gaff, but its about someone who is going to try to find out certain things about us back then, he stated. My role is like it was in the original  that time I only had four scenes, in this I only have one. But again, its a poignant little scene.

Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November

Blade Runner 2049's all-star cast includes Ryan Gosling as LAPD officer K, Jared Leto, Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, Mackenzie Davis and Barkahd Abdi.

The script has been written by original screenwriter Hampton Green alongside Dave Green who is a co-writer on original director Scott's upcoming sequel Alien: Covenant.

Blade Runner 2049 arrives in UK cinemas on 6 October 2017.
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Walt Disney has decided to pull Beauty and the Beast from Malaysian theatres rather than cut its so-called 'gay moment' to placate local censors.

The film has not been and will not be cut for Malaysia, a Disney rep told Bloomberg.

Malaysias largest cinema chain, Golden Screen Cinemas, was on Monday instructed by the studio to postpone showings of the new live-action film.

The film was initially recut by Malaysias Film Censorship Board, with board chairman Abdul Halim telling AP: We have approved [the movie], but there is a minor cut involving a gay moment. It is only one short scene, but it is inappropriate because many children will be watching this movie.

Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November

In Malaysia, gay sex is still considered a criminal offence which can lead to prison time, censors only allowing the depiction of gay characters if they are portrayed either negatively or as repentant. Beauty and the Beast's Le Fou (Josh Gad) is depicted as clearly pining after the film's villain, Gaston.

Malaysia isnt among the 20 largest film markets in the world, according to the Motion Picture Association of America, but it is still a positive step that Disney is declining to show a censored version of the film there.

In Russia, the full cut has been approved but for audiences aged 16 and over.

Beauty and the Beast opens in UK cinemas on 17 March.
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Since the film's release, Logans ending has been widely discussed among superhero fans, many praising Hugh Jackmans final outing for giving the Wolverine a fitting final few moment.

While the R-Rater blockbuster was heavily inspired by Shane - the 1952 Western that Charles and Laura watch in their Las Vegas hotel room - the films ending was almost changed completely because of Jackmans love for another Western.

I was really inspired by Unforgiven, the Australian actor told Yahoo! Movies.

Unforgiven - which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1992 - sees Clint Eastwood playing a retired killer, William Munny, who attempts to live out his life as a farmer.

However, an assassin cant just leave behind that lifestyle and the film concludes with Munny killing numerous more people but surviving himself.

Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November

Its more powerful that Munny doesnt die at the end, Jackman explained. You assume hes going to die, but by taking that final action and shooting everyone down, he embraces all the darkness hes tried to put outside him. Now hes got to live with it, and its almost more devastating.

Jackman introduced the idea of an Unforgiven-esque ending to director James Mangold during Logans development but was dismissed.

 Logan Clip

It was always floated that Logan would possibly die, Jackman continued. I said, Lets be open, because it may be more powerful for him not to die.

James was always certain of that ending, and he was right. Unlike a human character [like William Munny], whats most poignant for someone who is thought to be indestructible is him dying while saying, This is what it feels like.

Mangold has spoken at depths about the ending, explaining how Logan dying to X-24 - the younger version of himself - was something interesting on numerous psychological levels.
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At least seven artists have been prevented from entering the US to perform at SXSW 2017, due to confusion over the validity of visas to the country.

Bands usually make use of a B-1 visitor visa for the festival, those issued by tourists under the provision they undertake no paid work, since the showcases put on by the festival do not pay the artists for their appearance.

On 13 March (Monday), U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials issued a statement to Billboard explaining that, "if an individual is a member of an internationally recognised entertainment group, they must apply for and be granted a P-1 visa", though this was not directed to any particular group or event.

However, multiple artists appear to have been denied entry for possessing a B-1 visa as opposed to a P-1 visa, including members of Egyptian-Canadian post-hardcore band Massive Scar Era; with NPR reporting Italian band Soviet Soviet and United Vibrations - consisting of brothers Ahmed, Kareem, and Yussef Dayes - have also been denied entry.

More disturbingly, Massive Scar Era's vocalist and guitarist Cherine Amr, who is Egyptian, stated the block may have had more sinister, ulterior motives; describing an encounter with a border official as, "He said that he knows that Ive done everything legally, and that Im not lying, but hes still not going to let me in. He said that people are using the festival to protest, but I told him we are not going there to protest. We have no intentions of doing anything illegal or engaging in any political activity. Were just going to promote ourselves, meet labels and bookers, and network."

The Dayes brothers - who hail from the UK - also issued a statement of belief that denial may have been racially-motivated: "We are sad to announce we will NOT be performing at SXSW in Texas because our ESTA's have been revoked under the new Executive order. We were looking forward to connecting with our brothers and sisters stateside to share our music. Why weren't we let in? Our Names? The music? The color of our skin."

Jonathan Ginsburg, an expert in immigration and entertainment law who is serving as immigration counsel to SXSW has stated: "U.S. immigration law allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. using a B visa or the Visa Waiver Program to conduct business, but not to render services. The U.S. Department of State, accordingly, has long recognized that entertainment groups may enter the U.S. to "showcase," but not to perform under contract with U.S. venues or other employers."

"SXSW is working in concert with other U.S. organizations in an effort to ensure that both the State Department and CBP continue to treat showcasing as a valid activity in B or Visa Waiver status. In the meantime, SXSW remains confident that the vast majority of consular officers and CBP officials understand and respect the need for, and the principle of, showcasing at promotional events such as the official SXSW event."

A spokesperson for SXSW has added that officials are aware of the situation and "have spoken to the artists"; with the festival itself recently having to remove controversial language from its contracts which appeared to threaten deportation to artists who played non-sanctioned events.
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The weedkiller glyphosate  the main ingredient of Roundup  does not cause cancer, a European Union expert committee has controversially concluded.

The European Chemicals Agencys Committee for Risk Assessment said it had agreed to restrict warnings to the current advice that it can cause serious eye damage and is toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects.

The committee, known as the RAC, concluded that the available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogen, as a mutagen or as toxic for reproduction.

Its opinion will now be checked and then sent to the European Commission, which will make a final decision on whether to relicense glyphosate for use for a further 15 years.

The adopted opinion  will be taken into account when the Commission and Member States consider whether to renew the approval to use glyphosate as an active substance in pesticides, later this year, the ECHA said in a statement.

In 2015, the World Health Organisations cancer agency said that it believed glyphosate probably caused cancer in a decision that sent shockwaves through the farming and herbicide industries.

However, since then, a number of other expert bodies, including the US Environmental Protection Agency, announced they had concluded this was not the case.

Glyphosate has also been linked to harmful but sub-lethal effects on bees.

Guy Smith, the vice-president of the National Farmers Union, welcomed the ECHAs decision.

The overwhelming weight of evidence shows that glyphosate poses no risk to human health when used correctly, he said.

This opinion is shared by regulatory bodies around the world, including the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN and the European Food Safety Authority.

Glyphosate plays a vital role in agriculture in the UK and around the world. It reduces the need to use other herbicides, it helps to protect soil and cut greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for ploughing, and it enables farmers in this country to grow crops that help produce safe, affordable, high quality British food.

Mr Smith said the European Commission now had no reason not to relicense glyphosate.

However Greenpeace EUs food policy director Franziska Achterberg insisted glyphosate was dangerous.

The data vastly exceeds whats legally necessary for the EU to ban glyphosate, but ECHA has looked the other way, she said.

For the EU to make decisions based on science, it cant distort the facts.

If the EU doesnt get this right, people and the environment will continue to be the lab rats of the chemical industry.

However the announcement was welcomed by two leading scientists.

Professor Jan Hengstler, of the Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors in Dortmund, said the ECHAs conclusion was scientifically justified.

Both the available long-term studies in rats and mice as well as epidemiological data do not justify the conclusion that glyphosate is carcinogenic or mutagenic, he said.

Under current conditions of use of glyphosate there is no increased cancer risk for humans.

Compared to other herbicides, a relatively large number of studies is available on the substance glyphosate, so that a comparatively good assessment with regard to the carcinogenic risk is possible.

The conclusion of the ECHA is not surprising, since no new studies were available compared to earlier evaluations.

And Professor Alan Boobis, a biochemical Pharmacologist at Imperial College London, said: ECHA are to be congratulated on their critical evaluation of a large and complex dataset on glyphosate.

They have concluded that the totality of the evidence is that glyphosate should not be considered a human carcinogen.

It is important that such objective, independent and comprehensive assessments are available to help policy makers in reaching evidence-based decisions.


The law will now move forward to a vote in the plenary session

An Egyptian parliamentary committee on Wednesday approved the country's three-year $12 billion loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which will next be voted on by the whole legislature.

The constitutional and legal affairs committee approved the agreement after 31 members voted in favour, five against, and one abstained, state news agency MENA reported.

The Central Bank of Egypt received an initial $2.75 billion tranche of the loan in November, following the IMF boards approval of the agreement.

During Wednesday's parliamentary session, Minister of Finance Amr El-Garhi said that all the documents related to the agreement are available for review by MPs.

El-Garhi told Reuters on Wednesday that a delegation from the IMF will visit Egypt from 28 April 28 to 8 May.

The IMF said last month it planned to complete its first review of Egypt's economic reform programme around June this year.

Parliamentary speaker Ali Abdel-Aal described the agreement as a part of a comprehensive economic reform programme, highlighting Egypt's right to borrow from international monetary organisations like any other country in the world.

In mid-August 2016, Egypt reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF over the $12 billion loan to endorse the countrys fiscal reform programme, which the government embarked on in 2014 in an attempt to curb the growing state budget deficit, estimated at 12.2 percent of GDP in 2015/16.

The fiscal reform programme included the floatation of the Egyptian pound.

The government hopes the loan will jumpstart the Egyptian economy, which has been battered by years of turmoil that have driven away investors and tourists.

Egypts foreign reserves reached $26.54 billion by the end of February 2017, up from around $26.36 billion in January, the CBE said.

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In Paris this week, designer Yves Behar unveiled Samsung The Frame, a concept LED TV styled to look like a picture on the wall.

Its designed to address the fact that when a TV is turned off, especially the gargantuan flat screens ubiquitous now, the living room is dominated by a large black oblong. Behar explained, We wanted TV to come into your home in a way thats not destructive of your social life.

Samsung The Frame is a regular 55in or 65in UHD TV with a wooden frame (choose from oak or walnut wood pieces, for instance) which attaches magnetically to the screen.

Yves Behar said that the frames were chosen after visiting picture framers, whom he described as true artisans.

The frame is reasonably thin, and the Samsung logo is discreetly out of sight, only found on the edge of the TV.

The illusion of this being a regular picture is achieved because it sits flat to the wall, thanks to a thin wall mount matched by a recessed area on the back of the TV. Thats partly possible because theres no HDMI or other connectors on the back of the screen, only a thin power cable and a bespoke connector to a thin optical cable, which Samsung describes as 'invisible'. Obviously it isnt  youd never find it in the box if it was  but it is remarkably thin.

This links the TV to a box where the regular cable connections are found.

In use, it offers the same advanced picture capabilities as other Samsung UHD screens. Turn it to standby though, and instead of fading to black, The Frame blends in with other pictures, showing a piece of art. Thanks to a light sensor in the screen, the image is discreet and dim, genuinely appearing like a regular piece of art as though it were, as Samsung called it, an analogue picture frame. Or, as we might say, a picture frame.

You can even set it to appear as though theres a white or grey card frame around the artwork at the centre. This is so convincingly done that I had to be close enough to touch it to be sure of whether it was real or not.

There are more than 100 pieces of art to choose from, supplied free with the TV, with more coming. They range from landscape art to drawings, street art, architecture and photography.

We can see ourselves collaborating with museums and galleries to offer more art in the future, Behar said.

We designed it so it looks like the art is printed on paper, so its not at full brightness, he went on. And a motion sensor in the screen means that if theres nobody in the room then the picture turns off altogether. Even with the art image on, Samsung says the power draw is no more than a set-top box in standby and that screen burn should not be an issue.

The screens genuinely looked like a painting or photo, with no difference discernible. Actually, theres one way to tell the difference. The Frame had none of the distracting reflections from the glass found on the artwork hung beside it.

At a time when the focus of TVs is relentlessly on technology, brightness capabilities and resolution levels, its refreshing to see the market leader focusing on a different way to innovate.

The TVs are due within months and though they have no prices yet, they are highly promising.
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The US has brought hacking charges against Russian officials for the first time ever.

The decision comes as federal officials continue to investigate whether Russian spies interfered with the 2016 presidential election by hacking the Democratic party, among others. The country launched cyber-attacks that were calculated to help Donald Trump win the election, it has been claimed by intelligence agencies and some politicians.

Though the Justice Department has previously charged Russians with cyber-crime  and brought prosecutions against hackers sponsored by the Chinese and Iranian governments  the new indictments are the first time a criminal case has been brought against Russian government officials.

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

US officials said that the Russian defendants had used the hack to gain information about millions of subscribers to Yahoo, Google and other webmail providers. They also attacked people including Russian journalists, government officials said.

Recommended Hundreds of millions of people unknowingly hit by Yahoo data breach

The attacks began as early as 2014, prosecutors said, and though the hackers lost access in September 2016 they continued to use the information until at least the end of the year, according to officials.

The indictment doesn't make any connection between the Yahoo hacking and the later attacks on the Democratic National Committee, said acting assistant attorney general Mary McCord.

"We're here for one of the largest data breaches in US history," Ms McCord said.

"Today we are announcing the indictment of four individuals responsible for the 2014 hacking... of Yahoo, the theft of information about at least 500 million Yahoo accounts, and use of that information to obtain the contents of accounts at Yahoo and other providers."

FBI executive assistant director Paul Abbate said: "We are extremely grateful as well to our international partners for their assistance and support leading up to these criminal charges today.

"Those partners include Canada's Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, as mentioned, the Toronto police service and their fugitive squad.

"As well, the United Kingdom's MI5 made substantial contributions to the advancement of this investigation also."
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Doctors may be missing the chance to diagnose dementia early in patients with signs of memory loss, researchers have said.

People aged 70 and above were encouraged to see their GP if they were experiencing memory problems in a study involving 14,558 patients registered to surgeries in South East England.

But while more patients booked appointments after receiving information leaflets and personal letters about dementia, diagnosis rates did not improve, found scientists at University College London.

This could be because GPs failed to spot early memory problems at consultations, or due to a surge in appointments booked by the so-called worried well, according to the study published in Plos Medicine.

Gill Livingston, who led the study, said early diagnosis of dementia was important because individuals and their families could receive treatment to help with symptoms more quickly and develop coping strategies, which could save lives.

Practical things can be considered and people can be made safe by doing things like putting heat monitors on so people can continue to cook  you really dont want anyone dying in fires, she told The Independent.

 What is dementia?

Dementia, which mainly affects older people, causes a deterioration in memory, thinking and behaviour and can impede someones ability to perform everyday activities.

It affects 850,000 people in the UK and recently overtook heart disease to become the leading cause of death in England and Wales.

In 2015, the disease claimed more than 61,000 lives and accounted for 11.6 per cent of recorded deaths. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

Professor Livingston said the GPs were asked whether more people without dementia had come to them inappropriately, and they had said that was not the case.

I think at least a proportion of these people probably did have dementia, otherwise the GPs would have said we had worried people unnecessarily, but they were clear that wasnt the case, she said.

There are a group of people who think its pointless, they just think if you cant cure something, why bother.

Outdated training and a reluctance to increase long waiting times at memory specialist clinics could also have contributed to the lack of increase in earlier dementia diagnosis, she said.

Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Show all 6 1 /6 Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Moderate, regular exercise Last year, a study found that walking briskly for 30 to 40 minutes a day, three times a week, was all it took to re-grow structures of the brain linked with cognitive decline in later life. Researchers have also said statins, designed to help those with heart conditions, may play an additional role in protecting the brain from dementia. Getty Images Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Quit smoking A review of studies relating smoking and dementia found that (when you remove studies funded by the tobacco industry) smokers have a significantly greater risk of dementia. Getty Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Protect your head A variety of observational studies have shown that professional boxers and war veterans are at greater risk of dementia due to repeated concussion and traumatic head injuries. Rex Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia Puzzles and crosswords In 2010, studies suggested people who do puzzles and crosswords may stave off dementia for longer. However, the same study also found they may experience a more rapid decline once the disease sets in. Crosswords and Puzzles from The Independent can be solved here Getty Images Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia A healthy lifestyle Dr Laura Phillips of Alzheimers Research UK says a healthy lifestyle is best for preventing dementia: Eating a balanced, healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure and weight in check. Getty Six ways to help reduce the risk of dementia A Mediterranean diet Research has suggested that a Mediterranean diet  rich in fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds  may reduce the risks of dementia. However NHS Choices has rpeviously warned some of the media coverage of this diet may overstate its benefits. Rex

Matthew Norton of Alzheimers Research UK said future research should explore alternative approaches to improve early diagnosis of dementia.

These results suggest that to increase timely diagnosis, both GPs and patients may need targeting with information about dementia and the importance of a diagnosis, he said.

Around twice as many women than men died of the brain condition, which mainly affects people over 65.
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The European Union could force the UK to wait months for Brexit negotiations to begin.

Brussels is reportedly considering making Theresa May hold on until June to start formal talks on the terms of Britains departure from the bloc, eating into the two years the prime minister has to strike a deal.

Ms May is expected to trigger article 50 at the end of March  although she has yet to officially confirm this  meaning there could be at least an eight week delay before member states are authorised to begin negotiating a deal.

The 27 other countries in the EU have pinpointed a meeting of government ministers in Luxembourg on 20 June as the moment to open talks, two EU officials allegedly told Bloomberg Politics on condition of anonymity.

While EU leaders will gather in the spring for a summit to agree on the framework for talks, actual discussions cannot begin until detailed negotiation directives drawn up by the European Commission have been officially approved.

After this it might be logistically difficult to schedule a time for the talks, adding further delays.

Until Article 50 is triggered, the Prime Minister controls the timeline for exiting the EU, but after that it will be largely out of her control.

She has been criticised in the past by her EU counterparts for delaying starting the process and acting "without urgency or clarity". It now looks as if her failure to commit to a date could work against Britain in the long run.

EU officials have suggested Ms May is making it difficult for them to act efficiently by putting off starting the exit; it seems that although they may not be seeking to deliberately punish her dragging her feet, they are finding it difficult to schedule proceedings.

As no announcement has yet been made, it remains unclear whether even the April summit will go ahead, with other events now beginning to fill up the EU diary.

As well as eroding the time the two sides have to strike deal, pushing the start of the discussions back until late June is likely to upset businesses and banks that are seeking early clarity on just what the UKs withdrawal from the EU means for them.

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 two years the UK legally has to strike a deal is already set to be reduced by the need for the agreement to be ratified by the European Parliament before Britain withdraws.

Ms Mays ambition to line up a divorce settlement and a new trade deal within the diminishing timeframe has already been questioned and a delay in starting negotiations will make success even more unlikely.

Publicly, the European Commission signalled this week that it will not drag its heels once Ms May triggers Article 50 and will be ready to give ministers negotiating drafts without delay.

We stand ready to launch negotiations quickly, Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told reporters in Brussels on Monday.

Once the leaders have adopted their guidelines, the commission would then immediately issue a recommendation to open the negotiations for the Europe ministers to authorise.
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Almost 200,000 construction jobs could be slashed if Britain loses access to the European single market, jeopardising half a billion pounds worth of infrastructure projects and dealing a sharp blow to major UK cities global competitiveness, according to a study.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in a report published Wednesday said that 8 per cent of the UKs construction workers are EU nationals, accounting for some 176,500 individuals.

Recommended MPs reject Lords amendment to guarantee rights of EU nationals

Almost a third of construction professionals surveyed by the professional standards group for the study said that hiring non-UK workers was important to the success of their businesses, but access to the European single market is critical to being able to do that.

These figures reveal that the UK construction industry is currently dependent on thousands of EU workers, said Jeremy Blackburn, RICS head of UK policy. It is in all our interests that we make a success of Brexit, but a loss of access to the single market, has the potential to slowly bring the UKs 500bn infrastructure pipeline to a standstill, he added.

Mr Blackburn said that unless UK access to the single market is secured  or alternative plans are implemented  the country will not be able to create the infrastructure needed to compete on a global stage.

The RICS said in Wednesday's report that UK construction is already in the grip of a skills crisis and that the Government must put interim, transitionary arrangements in place to avoid a potential cliff edge. It also said that Westminster must seek out and attract private investors that can help safeguard the future of the sector during these turbulent times.

This is key to improving our productivity and regional rebalancing in the UK, while enabling us to become an even greater global gateway for trade and tourism beyond Brexit, the institution wrote.

Earlier in March, the RICS set out a wish-list for Brexit, citing five things that it believes should be strategically prioritised by the Government as divorce negotiations get under way.

As well as setting a concrete timeline and doing its utmost to attract foreign investment, the group is demanding that the Government pushes for skilled international workers to be able to come to the UK, for an agreement to be reached swiftly for the "passporting" of professional services and for it to seize the opportunity to reset British agriculture by leaving the Common Agriculture Policy.

How we manage land is crucial to farm production, quality of our landscapes and the variety of nature we enjoy, the RICS wrote at the time. We must maintain basic support structures, albeit at new levels, and gear towards those who manage less favoured areas.

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

Theresa May was late Monday given the green light to start the formal Brexit process as MPs and Lords passed the Article 50 bill.

Two Lords amendments  guaranteeing the rights of 3 million EU nationals in Britain, and giving MPs a meaningful vote on the outcome of the negotiations  were thrown out with large majorities.

The former was met with fierce protest on social media, with thousands of criticising the Government for leaving them riddled with uncertainty and angry at being treated like bargaining chips.
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The worlds biggest fund manager has threatened to vote out directors of companies that fail to address the risks posed to their businesses by climate change.

In a post on its website, BlackRock, which controls assets worth $5.1 trillion (about 4.2 trillion), said climate risk was a systemic issue.

It said it planned to engage with the companies that are most exposed to climate risk over this year to help them tell investors  like BlackRock -- about the financial impacts of global warming and the shift to a low-carbon economy.

In an associated briefing note, BlackRock made clear how serious it was about the issue, pointing to a letter written to businesses by its chief executive Larry Fink which had said while we are patient investors, we are not infinitely patient.

Climate risk will be one of the key engagement themes that the Investment Stewardship team will prioritize in 2017 and the teams recent work on this issue  will inform our assessment of shareholder proposals on the topic, the briefing note said.

Over the course of 2017 we intend to engage companies most exposed to climate risk to understand their views on [reporting their climate risks].

For directors of companies in sectors that are significantly exposed to climate risk, the expectation will be for the whole board to have demonstrable fluency in how climate risk affects the business and managements approach to adapting and mitigating the risk.

BlackRock said it would vote in favour of proposals on climate risk that clearly address a gap which would otherwise lead to material economic disadvantage to the company and its shareholders.

And, if this was not enough, it promised to use its power to get rid of directors who were part of the problem.

Ultimately the board is responsible for protecting the long-term economic interests of shareholders and we may vote against the re-election of certain directors where we believe they have not fulfilled that duty, particularly in markets where shareholder proposals are not common, BlackRock said.

Reacting to BlackRocks new guidance, Boston-based lawyer Seth Jaffe wrote a blog post called Investors dont think that climate change is a hoax: BlackRock is losing its patience  referring to Donald Trumps infamous claim that global warming was made up by China.

He highlighted Mr Finks comment that BlackRock was not infinitely patient.

Im picturing James Earl Jones as Darth Vader saying that, Mr Jaffe said. I wonder what energy executives are hearing.

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

Earlier this month oil giant Chevron warned it could face legal action over its role in causing global warming and warned regulations designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could mean the extraction of its remaining oil and gas reserves was "economically infeasible".

This was the first time a major fossil fuel company had admitted climate change and the world's response to it poses a material risk to its finances.

The Financial Times reported the switch to electric vehicles and low-carbon sources of fuel and energy was raising the prospect of "peak demand" for oil being reached within the next decade.

It reported that Norwegian oil firm Statoil believed this could happen as early as the mid-2020s, although others in the industry expected oil demand to continue to grow until at least 2040.
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Toshibas shares crashed 8.1 per cent on Wednesday after it announced it would consider selling its troubled Westinghouse unit, putting the future of its planned UK nuclear plant in doubt.

The Japanese firm also delayed its quarterly earnings announcement for the second time and said it would expand a probe into Westinghouse, which is backing a new power plant at Moorside, near Sellafield.

The share tumble caused the Tokyo Stock Exchange to place the companys shares on its supervision list. Toshiba shares have now lost more than half of their value since December.

Satoshi Tsunakawa, its chief executive, refused to confirm or deny rumours that Westinghouse may file for bankruptcy on Tuesday, according to Reuters. Reports suggest that bankruptcy lawyers have been hired to explore options.

US-based Westinghouse is a major stakeholder in a new nuclear plant set to be built near the current power station at Sellafield, in Cumbria. If Toshiba were to sell the unit, new owners could question the investment.

Westinghouse has been the most pressing of Toshibas recent problems after it was hit by cost overruns and legal action.

Toshiba was supposed to file third quarter accounts on Tuesday but said it needed more time to investigate reports of inappropriate pressure exerted by managers during the purchase of nuclear specialist firm, Stone & Webster, by Westinghouse. This led to a wider probe into accounting practices at the firm.

Toshiba estimated it will need to write down 712.5 billion yen (5.1bn) on Westinghouse but its auditors are still yet to sign off on its accounts for the period.

The company will be delisted from the Tokyo bourse if it does not file a report on Wednesday detailing how it will strengthen internal controls, Mr Tsunakawa said.

Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled  leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year.

He also said that the stock will be moved to the second tier of the exchange after it files full year earnings, according to Bloomberg. Any downgrade could trigger an automatic sell-off by index-linked funds.

We need further reforms to overcome the difficulties resulting from the accounting scandal and losses in the nuclear business, Mr Tsunakawa said at the briefing, according to Bloomberg.

Thats something myself the management and employees have to take responsibility for and work toward bringing the company back on the path of growth.
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A Royal Marine who shot an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has won an appeal against his murder conviction.

Sergeant Alexander Blackman, 42, had the conviction quashed by five judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London.

They replaced it with manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility.

There will now be a further hearing at a date to be fixed to decide on the sentence he now has to serve.

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

In September 2011, Sergeant Blackman took aim at the chest of a wounded Taliban fighter with his 9mm pistol and pulled the trigger, uttering the words: Shuffle off this mortal coil you c***. Its nothing you wouldnt do to us.

The killing was recorded by the helmet-mounted camera of a comrade and he was was convicted in November 2013 by a court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire, and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 10 years.

The minimum term was later reduced to eight years because of the combat stress disorder he was suffering from.

His wife Claire Blackman said she was "delighted" by the decision, saying it "much better reflects the circumstances that my husband found himself in during that terrible tour of Afghanistan".
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A road sign discovered in a Jewish-dominated part of North London that appeared to warn passers-by to beware of Jews has been removed.

The sign, spotted by a member of the local Jewish community in Stamford Hill on Monday, depicted what looked like the silhouette of an orthodox Jewish man.

It was put up around 200 yards from a synagogue.

Neighbourhood watch group the Shomrim reported it to Hackney police and the local council on Tuesday afternoon, and it was removed later that evening, a member of the group told The Independent.

Barry Bard, supervisor at Stamford Hill Shomrim, said the sign had made people living nearby anxious.

"The sign has caused a lot of concern amongst local Jewish residents, especially as it's in such close proximity to a synagogue, Mr Bard said.

Local politicians have spoken out against the sign.

Shadow Home Secretary Dianne Abbott, who is MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, described the sign as disgusting and unacceptable, while David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, tweeted: Despicable, nasty behaviour that has absolutely no place in our community.

It is at present unclear who was responsible for the sign or what their motives were, and police are investigating the case.

In response to the incident, Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK Director, said in a statement: This is another shocking example of hateful messaging rearing its ugly head on our streets.

If history has taught us anything, its that we cannot remain silent in the face of such vile behaviour. We need stand together to show that we wont be divided by these cowardly displays of hate.

There must be an appropriate response from the authorities to this disturbing event, sending a strong message that such behaviour is totally unacceptable in modern Britain.

Caroline Selman, Cabinet Member for community safety and enforcement for Hackney Council, told The Independent: We have received reports about a number of fake warning signs and are ensuring that any that we find are reported to the police so that they can be gathered as evidence.

"We have not found the sign that has appeared in a number of media articles  reports suggest that that sign has already been taken down.

"We take reports of hate crimes extremely seriously so if any residents find any kind of anti-Semitic signs they should immediately report them to the police on 101.

A Shomrim study last year recorded 32 anti-Semitic incidents during a month-long study among Orthodox Jews living in the Stamford Hill area.
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The artist behind a sign that appeared to warn people to Beware of Jews has said he was "sorry for any offence caused".

Featuring a black silhouette of an Orthodox Jewish man inside a red-triangle warning, the sign was attached to lamppost in the north London district of Stamford Hill - known for its large Hassidic Jewish population.

Reported as a hate crime by a Jewish neighbourhood watch group, Scotland Yard said they were investigating the incident as a "religiously aggravated hate crime".

Shadow Home Secretary and MP for Hackney North Diane Abbott called it was "disgusting" and "unacceptable".

But Franck Allais, the man behind the sign, has come forward to claim the sign was part of an art project about identity and was not intended to be anti-Semitic.

The French photographer and artist, who has lived in east London for 16 years, said it was one of 27 signs that he had put up around the capital for "a project about crossing the road".

Other signs featured a woman pulling a shopping trolley, a man pushing his wheelchair and a cat, he said.

The project was intended to show "how everyone is different, everyone has an identity, he told The Guardian.

There is not only one sign in the street," he said. "I put more signs up in the street, but only this one got noticed. I am sorry for any offence caused.

Brexit racism and the fightback Show all 9 1 /9 Brexit racism and the fightback Brexit racism and the fightback Demonstrators protest against an increase in post-ref racism at London's March for Europe in July 2016 PA Brexit racism and the fightback These cards were found near a school in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, the day after the EU referendum Twitter/@howgilb Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback Romford, Essex, June 25 @diamondgeezer Brexit racism and the fightback A worker at this Romanian food shop was asleep upstairs at the time of this arson attack in Norwich on July 8, but escaped unharmed. Hundreds later participated in a love bombing rally outside the shop to express their opposition to racism and their support of the shop owners. JustGiving/Helen Linehan Brexit racism and the fightback This neo-Nazi sticker was spotted in Glasgow on June 26 Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback But after news emerged of neo-Nazi stickers appearing in Glasgow, some in the city struck back with slogans of their own. Courtesy of Eoin Palmer Brexit racism and the fightback Getty Brexit racism and the fightback More signs began to appear in some parts of the UK, created by people who wanted to show their opposition to post-referendum racism Courtesy of Bernadette Russell

In a separate interview with the BBC, he said he believed red warning triangles did not have a "bad" meaning, but rather advised motorists to "take care" of the item depicted.

He "completely regretted" causing offence, he added.

Shomrim, a Jewish neighbourhood group in North London, had earlier said the sign had caused alarm and distress to the local Jewish community.

Hackney Council estimates there are about 30,000 Charedi Jews in Stamford Hill, the largest community in Europe.

The people of Stamford Hill are very sadly used to instances of anti-Semitic hate crime, but most of those times it will be verbal abuse or even assault, said Barry Bard, Shomrims operational supervisor in the area.

A lot of the time it will be more of a person-to-person kind of thing, or graffiti, which is more unprofessional.

Reports of anti-Semitic attacks in the UK are currently at record high.

The Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors anti-Jewish violence, recorded 1,309 incidents in 2016 a rise of 36 per cent on the previous year.
A top adviser to US President Donald Trump held further talks on the Middle East conflict Wednesday, meeting Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he seeks to restart negotiations with the Palestinians.

Jason Greenblatt, Trump's special representative for international negotiations, met with Rivlin after holding talks with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week.

Rivlin's spokesman said the president, whose role is mainly ceremonial, told Greenblatt the "building of confidence between Israelis and Palestinians was a first and critically important step toward any possible solution."

Greenblatt thanked Rivlin for his thoughts on how Israelis and Palestinians could live side by side, a statement from the president's office said.

He was expected to visit a Palestinian refugee camp and meet religious leaders before leaving on Thursday.

Before the visit, US officials said he was seeking to lay the groundwork for renewed peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

A US consulate statement on the meeting with Abbas on Tuesday evening said the two men reaffirmed their commitment to a "genuine and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

"President Abbas told Mr Greenblatt that he believes that under President Trump's leadership a historic peace deal is possible," the statement said, adding that Abbas committed to tackling Palestinian incitement.

"Greenblatt underscored President Trump's commitment to working with Israelis and Palestinians to achieve a lasting peace through direct negotiations."

The meeting followed five hours of talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday night.

The peace process has been deadlocked since April 2014 following the collapse of indirect negotiations led by then US secretary of state John Kerry.

The visit comes after Trump cast uncertainty over years of international efforts to foster a two-state solution to the conflict when he met Netanyahu at the White House last month.

At that meeting, Trump broke with decades of US policy by saying he was not bound to a two-state solution to the conflict and would be open to one state if it meant peace.

The consulate statement Tuesday said Abbas stressed to Greenblatt the two-state solution was the best route to peace, but did not give the US envoy's response.

Settlements in the occupied West Bank are also a key area of contention.

The international community considers continuing settlement growth in the West Bank a major obstacle to peace.

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that Netanyahu expects to reach understandings with the United States on settlement construction in the West Bank in the coming weeks.

The Jerusalem Post newspaper reported Netanyahu had discussed with Greenblatt plans to build a new settlement for residents of Amona, an outpost that was demolished last month in accordance with a high court ruling.

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A gallery in North London which has been accused of spreading alt-right propaganda has been forced to close because of attacks from protesters.

The owners of LD50 gallery in Hackney, which held exhibitions displaying alt-right propaganda and a conference hosting a number of far-right speakers, said it has had to remain closed for a month due to constant attacks against the building.

It's windows have allegedly been smashed and it has been daubed with graffiti.

Lucia Diego, who has been running LD50 gallery since the start of 2015, told The Independent anti-fascist protesters were attacking the space because they believe it is racist.

She added that she was considering walking away unless the situation de-escalates.

Police have confirmed to The Independent that there were reports of criminal damage on the property last week, but could not provide any further information.

It comes amid reports that the gallery owners have been evicted from the premises following alleged attacks, although Ms Diego has denied these claims.

Grassroots campaign group Shut Down LD50 Gallery has accused Ms Diego of spreading far-right propaganda and hosting a conference dominated by revolting bigots, after it held an exhibition displaying alt-right propaganda used during the US presidential election and invited speakers who have expressed far-right views to speak about the matter.

The group has held a number of protests outside the gallery since February, with support from Mayor of Hackney Phillip Glanville and Hackney Stand Up to Racism and Fascism.

Shut Down LD50 announced earlier this week that the tenants had been evicted by the landlord.

The Shut Down LD50 campaign can happily disclose that the landlord of the LD50 Gallery has asked the tenants, Lucia Diego and Alexander Moss, to vacate the premises," it said in a press release.

The gallery sign has been taken down from the building at 24 Tottenham Road, Dalston, London, and there is no indication that any future events will be taking place in the space. As of April there will no longer be a racist cultural centre operating in Hackney.

A spokesperson for the group, Andrew Osborne, told The Independent a neighbour had informed him that the landlord had given Ms Diego notice to leave the premises, and that they had been ordered to move out on 1 April.

Ms Diego, who has owned the gallery since early 2015, denied these reports, but said the it had remained shut for a month due to attacks on the property.

There are reports going about saying that weve been evicted but that is not true," she said. "The landlord knows whats happening and weve filed police reports together about the vandals. Hes just concerned about vandalism against his building.

The gallery is here, but unfortunately we are closed since the attacks begun and I dont know when we will be able to resume. The police have told us that for the time being its not safe to be around, so we havent been able to work in the office or anything.

Its a month now that we havent been able to do our next exhibition. Theyre attacking the space because they think we are a racist gallery, but we have only done a show with alt-right people once."

When asked about the exhibition and event in question, Ms Diego said it observed "what happened with the presidential election in America" and was not intended as a political statement.

While she admitted that the gallery had played host to alt-right speakers, she claimed the protesters had "not listened" to what they said during the event.

We opened the gallery with the idea of looking at the impact of the Internet on society and the world, so most of our shows had dealt with that subject," Ms Diego said.

In the last exhibition we looked at what happened with the presidential election in America. We did these talks in the gallery, and did an exhibition based on all the Internet content that was generated in alt-right forums, on Twitter and other platforms."

She added: It was the first time wed displayed anything political before. It was just merely because it was happening online over the last year and we find it very interesting that all these online platforms were discussing this idea, so we thought wed curate a show that studies whats happening online.

People are also angry that we hosted talks in the gallery by some alt-right figures. But instead of listening to the talks the speakers gave, they are looking at these peoples biographies and trying to find the most outrageous thing theyve said or done in the past."

Speakers at the conference included Nick Land, an English philosopher who has been associated with the alt-right and other right-wing movements, as well as Brett Stevens, who has previously praised Norwegian mass murderer Anders Breivik.

When asked for her political views, Ms Diego said she did "not support the liberal agenda", but was "not an alt-righter at all".

She said she had not read enough to enable her to make a decision on the movement and that she was looking at it as a "form of study, but not as a form of sympathy".

Police are reportedly investigating the alleged criminal damage on the property.
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The Government has been called reckless and irresponsible after it refused to send a single representative to United Nations (UN) talks about a ban on nuclear weapons.

The Foreign Office revealed that no one from the UK attended a February meeting ahead of the negotiations and no one would go to the discussions when they take place later this month.

It was responding to a parliamentary question by Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, who told The Independent that it showed the Government was being massively hypocritical and failing in its commitment to working towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Recommended This is what happens if every nuclear weapon on Earth is launched

I don't think its taking nuclear disarmament seriously and it's hugely reckless and irresponsible, she said.

In October, UN member states voted overwhelmingly to start talks for the treaty.

A total of 123 nations favoured the measure, but the UK was strongly opposed to it, along with other nuclear powers including Russia, Israel and France.

The Government has said it's committed to multilateral nuclear disarmament," Ms Lucas said, adding that whenever ministers are asked to get rid of Trident  the UK's nuclear weapons system  they "always say we're not going to because it's unilateral."

The Brighton MP said: Now there's opportunity to have a multinational set of negotiations and they're not even bothering to turn up. I just think it's mind blowing.

Although the talks may not immediately agree on an outright ban, Ms Lucas said they were an important step towards reducing nuclear weapons internationally.

Essentially what such a major global moment does is to help delegitimize the weapons," she said, "that can't be underestimated.

"So although clearly we're not going to have the nuclear weapons states signing up by June, the very existence of that treaty will make it more likely that those countries that have them will begin to negotiate to get rid of them."

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 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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 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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 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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. 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Ms Lucas has applied to the Backbench Business Committee to get parliamentary time allocated to debating whether the UK should be represented at the UN talks.

In response to Ms Lucas's parliamentary question, Sir Alan Duncan, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said: The UK did not participate on the organisational meeting on negotiating a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons on 16 February and will not attend the substantive negotiations starting on 27 March.

We do not believe these negotiations will lead to effective progress on nuclear disarmament.

The best way to achieve this goal is through gradual multilateral disarmament negotiated using a step-by step approach and within existing international frameworks.
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Angus Robertson has called out Theresa May over the Governments embarrassing and screeching U-turn on budget measures announced just last week.

Speaking after Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, announced a humiliating U-turn on the Governments plan to hike National Insurance Contributions, the SNP leader in Westminster also appeared to shake his head while the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke.

We once had a Prime Minister who said the lady is not for turning, he said. My goodness. Isnt it welcome the Prime Minister is for turning with her screeching, embarrassing U-turn on National Insurance Contributions?

He continued: Only days remain until the PM will invoke Article 50 on leaving the European Union. Last July she promised to secure a UK wide approach  an agreement  between the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the UK Government before triggering Article 50. So when will the PM announce the details of the agreement.

But Ms May dodged the comments on the NIC hike, simply adding that she will invoke Article 50, the mechanism for leaving the EU, before the end of March and that there will be an opportunity during that period for discussions with the devolved administrations.

The Prime Minister also warned the SNP against constitutional game-playing after coming under pressure to offer the devolved administrations a say before activating Article 50. She added that the UK had been one country for 300 years and that the deep bonds between the nations must not be shaken by moves to give Scotland another referendum.

The confrontation came just two days after Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish First Minister, made the surprise announcement that a second independence referendum is now back on the agenda and the SNP will seek an Section 30 notice at Holyrood.
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The Brexit Secretary David Davis has stunned MPs by admitting the Government has done no economic assessment of the possible effects of crashing out of the EU with "no deal".

Giving evidence to MPs, Mr Davis insisted it was not possible to calculate the impact of the Brexit talks failing, adding: I may be able to do so in about a years time.

Mr Davis rubbished the Treasurys pre-referendum forecasts of an economic crash if Britain left the EU with no fresh trade agreement.

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But, when asked by the chairman of the Brexit select committee, if a new assessment had been carried out, Mr Davis replied: Under my time, no.

The admission came despite Mr Davis ordering Cabinet colleagues to prepare for what is widely seen as the growing likelihood of negotiations with EU leaders breaking down.

It drew sharp criticism from Labour MP Pat McFadden, who alleged: Without an assessment, you have mortgaged the countrys economic future to a soundbite.

But Mr Davis hinted no assessment of the Brexit options will be carried out, saying: You dont need a piece of paper with numbers on it to have an economic assessment.

And he appeared to downgrade the Governments pledge that the UK will enjoy the same economic benefits outside the EU, telling the MPs: I was expressing an ambition.

On the impact of crashing out with no deal, he said: Its not as frightening as some people think  but its not as simple as some people think.

During the evidence session, with the committee shadowing his Department for Exiting the European Union, Mr Davis also:

* Said it was probably right that holidaying Britons will lose EHIC cards, which provide free or subsidised healthcare across the EU, but added: I have not looked at that one.

* Admitted he did not know the implications of leaving with no deal on the transfer of personal data, which is a crucial issue for the booming tech industry.

* Acknowledged UK producers of dairy and meat would face tariffs of up to 40 per cent under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules  the numbers in agriculture are high.

* Described the argument that the UK could walk away without paying a penny to the EU, if no deal is reached, as interesting  a very good start in this exercise.

* Said he expected Northern Ireland would end up with a very light border, not a hard border with the Republic.

* Said he assumed the "Open Skies" agreement  which has slashed airfares across the EU  will be lost, although he would fight for a successor.

* Confirmed financial services firms are poised to lose "passporting rights" to trade in the EU, saying: I would expect that to be the case, thats an area of uncertainty.

However, Mr Davis protested that the committee had not asked me about the upsides  which included being able to relax things for the 60 per cent of trade with countries outside the EU.

And he insisted Britains economic path would soon became clearer, once the negotiations get underway, saying: When we finish building the Lego blocks, we'll build the house.

Mr Davis also denied the triggering of Article 50 had been delayed from this week, after No.10 said it would now take place in the last week of March.

His department had never said the exit clause would be invoked this week  and he expected the Brexit bill to get Royal Assent tomorrow.
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European Council President Donald Tusk has said that Britain leaving the EU without a trade agreement would be more damaging for the UK than for the rest of Europe.

"We will not be intimidated by threats that no #Brexit deal is good for UK & bad for EU. No deal bad for everyone, above all for UK," he said on Twitter.

He added: "Will do everything in my power to make sure that UK, EU are close friends after Brexit and stress that EU's door will always remain open."

He has previously been critical of plans among some of the remaining 27 countries to develop closer ties within the bloc at the expense of others, a point he reiterated this morning.

"Main objective is and must be to strengthen mutual trust, unity among EU27, not multi-speed," Mr Tusk said.

As chairman of the European Council, Mr Tusk chairs meetings between European leaders, and will be a key figure in negotiations between the UK and the EU which will begin when Theresa May triggers Article 50 to begin the UK's formal exit from the union, which is expected to happen before the end of March.

Political rivals in Mr Tusk's native Poland have warned that his re-election as EU council leader risks causing division among EU members.
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The Governments own welfare experts have attacked a controversial decision to deny disability benefits to 160,000 vulnerable people  and urged ministers to shelve it.

The changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIPs)  affecting the mentally ill - should be delayed until they have been properly tested and clearly understood, ministers are told.

The experts also warn it is not clear how assessors will interpret the changes  raising the danger that claimants will not be consistently treated.

And they dispute ministers claims that emergency legislation must be rushed through tomorrow, suggesting a feared leap in costs has been over-hyped.

The damning conclusions sparked angry exchanges in the Commons, with some Tory MPs joining Labour and the Liberal Democrats in criticising the impact of PIPs on the vulnerable.

But Damian Green, the Work and Pensions Secretary, refused to allow MPs to vote on the changes  insisting that was above my pay grade.

Mr Green also acknowledged a handful of people could now have their PIP payments cut, having been awarded higher sums in the last few months.

Debbie Abrahams, Labours Work and Pensions spokeswoman, said that contradicted repeated assurances  including by Theresa May  that no disabled people would lose money, with only new claimants affected.

And she said: The Governments decision to change the law on PIP is a clear example of the way people with mental health conditions are not given equal treatment.

The row follows the Governments decision to tighten the criteria for PIPs, after a tribunal ruled they should also cover conditions including epilepsy, diabetes and dementia.

The ruling would cost at least 3.7bn over the next five years, money which should go to really disabled people who need it, one minister said  before later apologising.

The tribunal also said that claimants who needed support to take medication should be assessed in the same way as those managing therapies such as dialysis at home.

When the controversy first blew up last month, some Conservative MPs threatened a revolt, urging ministers to stand by the tribunals ruling.

But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) used what is called a negative resolution to push through the change, denying the Commons a vote.

As a result, it comes into force tomorrow  despite the heads of 32 charities warning it will leave many disabled people without vital financial support.

In its report, the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) said it was particularly concerned that overturning the tribunals ruling will cause confusion.

It is not clear how tribunals, decision makers, or health care professionals conducting assessments will respond to changes in descriptors to exclude psychological distress, it warned.

The SSAC urged the DWP to consider testing the proposed changes with health care professionals and decision makers to ensure the policy intent behind the regulation is clearly understood.

And it concluded: The department should both (a) consult more widely with representative bodies and health care professionals; and (b) improve the estimate of likely impact before the changes are introduced.

Answering an urgent question, Mr Green insisted the SSAC was not challenging the decision to tighten the criteria for PIP.

But he added: We think there may be a handful of people whose appeals have gone through the courts in this very, very small period.

While that money will not be clawed back from them they would receive lower PIP payments once those appeals were struck out by the new regulations.
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A senior peer has said 300 a day tax free allowance is not enough for many in the House of Lords.

Lord Hope, the Convenor of the Crossbench peers, said the allowance may be one of the reasons why there are not enough peers from Scotland and Wales.

He told the Commons' public administrations committee: "Im very much in favour of something which would increase the representation from elsewhere than London.

"I come from Scotland and I travel down every week from Scotland. Im dependent on my 300 to pay my accommodation. Thats all we get apart from travelling costs."

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 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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 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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 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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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He added: "The question is  are people from Scotland or Wales and the remoter parts of England prepared to contribute to the work of the House when thats all they get out of it from the point of view of covering their costs and the time and effort it takes to travel between the two places?

"We are short of representation from Scotland and we are short of representation from Wales. Im not sure how you are going to solve the problem of regional representation without having some greater effort in persuading people to take part in the institution."

Lord Hope's claim is "absurd," the Electoral Reform society, which has been leading calls for reform to the House of Lords, said.

Katie Ghose, the organisation's chief executive, told The Independent: "Lord Hopes claim that 300 a day is not enough for Lords from outside of London to turn up is absurd, when in fact the public find it shocking that peers are able to claim 300 a day tax-free regardless of how much work they actually undertake.

"It is also extraordinary to hear it reported that a member of the House of Lords say that money is all they get out of it when peers are in a privileged position of making laws that affect us all."

She added: "The real issue with costs is the size of the Lords  grossly oversized and the second largest legislative chamber in the world.

"Many peers work long hours, but others are absent. In 2010-15 Parliament, 360,000 was claimed by 62 peers for years in which they did not vote once.

"What we need is a smaller, more effective, efficient  and crucially elected second chamber."

She said Lord Hope was right to address the "woeful lack of representation" in the Lords and urged the government to provide substantial reforms to the second chamber.

 Baroness DSouza: There are 'many, many, many' peers who do nothing but claim full allowance

It comes after Baroness D'Souza said there were "many, many, many" members of the House of Lords "who contribute absolutely nothing but who claim the full allowance."

"I think that we have lost the sense of honour that used to pertain, and that is a great, great shame, Baroness DSouza told the BBC's Meet the Lords programme.

I can remember one occasion when I was leaving the house quite late and there was a peer  who shall be utterly nameless  who jumped out of a taxi just outside the peers entrance, left the engine running," she said.

He ran in, presumably to show that hed attended, and then ran out again while the taxi was still running. So I mean thats not normal, but it is something that does happen."
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Downing Street has rushed to shut down yet another cabinet row about overseas students, after Liam Fox indicated he thinks they should be removed from official immigration statistics.

Theresa Mays spokesman said her decision to keep recording foreign students within the figures remains in place, following the International Trade Secretarys comments this morning.

Dr Fox said to MPs at a hearing in Parliament that he had told Home Secretary Amber Rudd the country should not underestimate the value students brought to the UK.

Recommended I warned Theresa May about her destructive approach to immigration

It comes after The House of Lords on Monday inflicted an embarrassing defeat on the Government over the issue, with several Tory peers rebelling against Ms Mays position.

Dr Fox told the House of Lords International Relations Committee: Its an ongoing argument inside Government and I've made my own views on that clear in private to the Home Secretary.

I think there is a value for those who come and study in the United Kingdom.

I 100 per cent accept the point that they will be in many cases imbued by the values that they experience while they are here, many of them will go on to establish long-term relationships with the United Kingdom, understanding our institutions.

Chancellor Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson have also both signalled they disagree with Ms May, and back removing students from migration data.

 Johnson risks row with Prime Minister over dropping students from migration statistics

Mr Johnson's call for international students to be left out of the net migration figures because they are a massive benefit to the UK, was rejected by the Prime Minister in December.

Two months earlier in October, Ms May and Mr Hammond found themselves at odds over the issue after the Chancellor also signalled he favoured a change from her chosen stance.

When Ms May was Home Secretary she doggedly refused then-chancellor George Osbornes moves to remove students from official migration figures believing that the public would see it as an attempt by government to fiddle statistics downwards.

Universities, business groups and ministers have warned that pushing down student numbers to hit the target of reducing net migration to the tens of thousands, will damage the UKs economy and its appeal as a destination for world class education.

Earlier this week a cross-party coalition in the Lords voted by a majority of 94 to end the policy of including overseas students in the Government's target.

Eight Tory rebels backed the winning amendment, including former universities minister Lord Willetts.
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Britain is already reaping all the benefits of Brexit, the far-right candidate for the French presidential election has said.

In an interview conducted by Ukips Nigel Farage on the LBC radio station, Marine Le Pen said Britain could now proceed without the EU poking a knife in your ribs.

Its a very strong signal. It shows that there is at least one way of finding the keys of the jail because we have been told that it was impossible to leave the EU and the UK has just demonstrated that when people want it, well, you can set up the conditions to exit the EU, she told the radio station.

So thank you for showing us the way out from this huge prison which is the EU for the people.

It is very lucky for the UK and everybody knows that because beyond the strategy of fear implemented before Brexit, Great Britain is already reaping all the benefits of this bold decision that the people made.

It makes it possible to be free and to move forward without the EU poking a knife in your ribs and obliging you to go somewhere you may not want to go. It makes you able to control your borders, your economy. You can negotiate trade agreements in the interest of your country.

Ms Le Pen went on to describe the EUs approach to the UK as blackmail and constant threat.

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

Current polls suggest the National Front candidate will scrape first position in the first round of the coming French presidential election but lose badly in the second round, when all but the top two candidates from the first round are eliminated.
 Close Angus Robertson calls out May for a "screeching, embarrassing U-turn on National Insurance"

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Theresa May faces her weekly session of questions in the House of Commons this week amid a startling array of developing political stories. Here's the latest.

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load

Prime Minister's Questions this week comes as Theresa May is handed the power to trigger the start of Brexit; as the SNP declare their intention to hold a new referendum on Scottish independence; and as a potentially explosive report is due any day now into Tory expenses in the 2015 election.

Then there's the ongoing fallout from last week's Budget by Philip Hammond, which was describing as exhibiting "rookie errors" by a former Conservative Chancellor.

While it is never easy to predict what Jeremy Corbyn will interrogate Ms May on first, he also has a wealth of social issues to raise - from the crisis in the NHS to the dramatic impacts of Tory cuts to local government budgets.

On the Prime Minister's side, she is likely to highlight new figures which came out at 9.30am on Wednesday morning, showing another dip in unemployment

And she will no doubt hail the fact that the Article 50 bill was passed unchanged by Parliament, giving her the ability to "get on with Brexit" and trigger the two-year process before the end of this month.
Two bomb blasts hit Damascus Wednesday including a suicide attack at a central courthouse that left at least 25 dead, as Syria's war entered its seventh year with the regime now claiming the upper hand.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings, the second wave of deadly attacks in the capital in less than a week after twin bombings killed 74 on Saturday.

But they came with the rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime increasingly divided and dispirited after a series of battlefield setbacks.

Negotiations to end the conflict have meanwhile made little progress, with rebels this week declining to attend negotiations in Kazakhstan.

Wednesday's first attack saw a suicide bomber rush inside the building and blow himself up when police tried to prevent him from entering the courthouse in the centre of Damascus, state media reported.

Citing a police source, state news agency SANA put the initial death toll at 25 and said there were many wounded.

An AFP correspondent at the scene in the Hamidiyeh neighbourhood said security forces had cordoned off the area and roads leading to it were blocked as ambulances and firefighters rushed to the building.

"We were terrified because the sound of the explosion was enormous," a lawyer in the building during the attack told AFP.

"We took refuge in the library which is on a higher floor," the lawyer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It was a bloody scene."

The second blast hit not long after in the city's Rabweh area, an alert on state television said, but no further details were immediately available.

Damascus had already been reeling from Saturday's bombings, which mainly killed Iraqi pilgrims in the city to visit Shia shrines.

That attack was claimed by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front, part of a rebel alliance that controls large parts of the northwestern Idlib province.

Rebel forces suffered a series of reversals during the sixth year of the war, including being forced from their onetime stronghold of east Aleppo in December.

The loss was an especially difficult blow to rebels who had imagined marching on Damascus in the early days of the civil war.

The conflict began in 2011 with peaceful demonstrations inspired by similar movements during the so-called "Arab Spring", calling on Assad to implement reforms.

They started on March 15 after the arrest and torture of a group of students from the southern province of Daraa accused of writing anti-Assad graffiti.

The protests were put down violently, prompting demonstrators to pick up weapons and causing the uprising to spiral into an increasingly complex and brutal civil war that has also drawn in regional and international players.

Rebel forces captured large parts of the country and several key cities. The Islamic State (IS) militant group emerged from the chaos to seize control of significant territory in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

But a key turning point came in September 2015 when Russia began a military intervention in support of Assad's government, which has since regained much of the ground it lost.

Under pressure from air strikes by a US-led coalition, IS has also retreated to bastions like its de facto Syrian capital Raqa.

The six years of conflict have killed more than 320,000 people, with over the half the country's population displaced by the conflict either internally or becoming refugees.

The war has also ravaged the country's infrastructure and set the economy back decades.

"When we began to demonstrate, I never thought it would come to this. We thought it would end in two, three months, a year at most," Abdallah al-Hussein, a 32-year-old footballer from the town of Saraqeb in Idlib province, told AFP.

"Whether this war is ended with weapons or peacefully doesn't matter. People want to live in peace."

The brutality of the war has provoked international outcry, with the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein this week describing the country as "a torture chamber, a place of savage horror and absolute injustice."

But the international community has remained divided between a pro-regime bloc led by Russia and Iran, and a pro-opposition bloc led by the United States, Turkey and Gulf nations, along with European countries.

In recent months the opposition's backers have dialled back their support, with Turkey now working with former rival Russia on peace talks and US President Donald Trump's administration showing little interest in the conflict or negotiations to end it.

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MPs are set to debate scrapping Britains First Past the Post voting system and switching to a form of proportional representation.

The debate has been put on the cards after a petition on the Parliament website calling for electoral reform reached 100,000 signatures  meaning the subject will automatically be considered for discussion by MPs.

Petition founder Tim Ivorson, said that the Governments original official response to the document had been riddled with falsehoods and that a debate would offer the opportunity to correct some misunderstandings and for all MPs to explore the issue in more detail.

After the petition had hit 10,000 ministers had said that they were concerned that proportional voting systems would weaken the direct constituency link which is a key feature of our parliamentary system, and under a proportional system the voting process is more complicated for the voter.

Many proportional representation systems maintain a constituency link, however  with most developed countries using some form of PR.

Mr Ivorson said: Minister for the Constitution, Chris Skidmore, said the Government is committed to ensuring fair and equal representation for the voting public across the UK is in place by the next general election.

The government should live up to its rhetoric by urgently reviewing our unfair and unrepresentative voting system.

A cross party group of MPs including Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, Labours Stephen Kinnock, Plaid Cymrus Liz Saville-Roberts, and the SNPs Tommy Sheppard welcomed the expected debate.

Mr Kinnock said that Britain democracy is in crisis and noted that the Government had been elected by less than a quarter of registered electors.

Parliaments petitions committee will now consider whether and how to schedule a debate on the petition, which has now reached 101,675 signatures at the time of writing. A vote is not expected to be held after any debate.

Katie Ghose, the chief executive of the Electoral Reform Society said the petition was a sign of the strength of feeling among voters to ensure their voices are heard in Parliament while Klina Jordan, co-founder of Make Votes Matter said the petitions signatories were demanding real democracy.

Every developed country that uses First Past the Post has a major grassroots campaign to abolish it, she said.

For example, in Canada a similar petition recently gained well over 100,000 signatures in response to PM Justin Trudeaus attempt to row back on his promise of PR.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 15 September 2022 Members of the public in the queue on in Potters Fields Park, central London, as they wait to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA

In 2011 the UK held a referendum on changing the voting system to the Alternative Vote system, which is not proportional representation.

PR systems are used in the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, the London Assembly, and the Northern Ireland Assembly. The UK also sends MPs to Brussels and Strasbourg using a PR system.

The House of Commons however continues to be elected by First Past the Post, which gives seat results wildly out of kilter with votes cast: at the 2015 general election Ukip won 12.6 per cent of the vote but only won one seat out of 650; the SNP meanwhile won 4.7 per cent of the vote and won 56 seats. The Liberal Democrats won 7.9 per cent of the vote and won just eight seats.
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An SNP economic adviser has denied reports that emerged of him claiming it could take up to ten years for Scotlands economy to recover after independence.

Andrew Wilson, who heads up the Growth Commission set up by the Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, denied the claim, which was carried in an interview with Nicola Sturgeon in Holyrood magazine and reported by other outlets.

Mr Wilson reportedly made the comments during a private meeting of SNP insiders at the Craigellachie hotel in Moray. During the meeting  attended by Ms Sturgeon and the partys leader in Westminster Angus Robertson  he said an independent Scotland could see a recovery of the position it now finds itself in over a five to 10-year period according to Holyrood magazine.

They emerged just days after the Scottish First Minister announced that a second independence referendum was on the agenda and the SNP would request a Section 30 order. Last night a poll by YouGov for The Times found that 57 per cent of Scottish voters would reject independence if it were put on the ballot paper again.

An SNP spokesperson added that the report on the Growth Commission's work is categorically untrue. They added: The biggest threat to Scotlands jobs and economic growth is the Tory hard Brexit that we face if we remain part of the UK.

But Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, said the comments were a bombshell revelation that express the devastating economic reality of independence.

She continued: The fact that even the man responsible for rebuilding the SNPs discredited economic case for separation has reportedly admitted that it would take a decade for Scotland to recover says it all.

The Nationalists case for breaking up the UK is even weaker now than it was back in 2014. The reality is that leaving the UK would mean turbo-charged austerity, which would devastate our valued public services like schools and hospitals.

In 2014, the Nationalists repeatedly marched into the poorest communities in Scotland and gave the false hope that everything would be better with independence. But even Andrew Wilson now admits that cutting 15bn from schools and hospitals will make it harder to help the poorest and most vulnerable in Scotland because of the devastating impact independence would have on our economy.

The Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson added that the First Minister had been caught out trying to hide the cost of independence.

She added: Her own finance guru is telling Nicola Sturgeon that her plans would inflict 10 years of pain and cuts on Scotland just to get us back to the point where we are now, as part of the UK.
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Theresa May has suffered her worst day since becoming Prime Minister after a series of blunders, including a humiliating budget U-turn, saw her Government accused of chaotic incompetence and recklessness.

The Prime Minister was jeered in the House of Commons as she explained why she now wants to completely scrap a plan to hike taxes for the self-employed that she was doggedly defending just days ago.

The safe hands reputation of her Chancellor Philip Hammond was also sullied as he unveiled the U-turn, having denied in interviews at the weekend he would budge on the issue.

Relations between the pair were strained as Downing Street was forced to confirm Ms May had full confidence in her Chancellor, while Brexiteers who see Mr Hammond as a potential block to their ambitions appeared to use the mess to question his credibility.

As that fiasco unfolded, Brexit Secretary David Davis raised eyebrows by revealing he has done no assessment of the economic impact of leaving the EU without a deal, despite Ms May vowing to potentially do so. The Governments own experts also slammed a plan to deny disability benefits to 160,000 people.

The day threatened to become a catastrophe after it then emerged that 12 police forces have passed files to the Crown Prosecution Service relating to Conservative election expenses.

The one saving grace for the Prime Minister was Labour leader Jeremy Corbyns failure to land a significant political blow on Ms May in the House of Commons, despite the abundance of easy targets.

 Angus Robertson calls out May for a "screeching, embarrassing U-turn on National Insurance"

Government sources claimed the decision to finally scrap the Budgets hike in National Insurance Contributions of millions of self-employed workers was taken at a meeting in Downing Street attended by Ms May and Mr Hammond at 8am this morning.

The meeting followed weekend finger-pointing and scrapping between aides of the two politicians, over who is to blame for the ill-fated NICs policy.

It also came after days of intense pressure from Tory MPs who feared getting skewered in their constituencies by voters angry that the Tory election manifesto had promised not to raise NICs  both the Prime Minister and Mr Hammond had vehemently argued the move did not breach the manifesto.

But then in a letter to Tory MPs, released 20 minutes before Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Hammond said: It is very important both to me and to the Prime Minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit of the commitments that were made.

In the light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measure set out in the Budget.

Ms May easily survived what should have been the toughest Commons grilling of her career as Mr Corbyn failed to embarrass her over the debacle.

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 Hammond was given a tougher time by shadow Chancellor John McDonnell later on when he branded the whole episode chaos, shocking and humiliating.

The Conservative 2015 election manifesto clearly stated four times the Tories would not increase NICs once in power, in a move that may have helped convince millions to vote for the party.

Deflecting questions over whether the move breaks the promise last week, Ms May said that legislation published after the election made clear that only employed, and not self-employed workers, would be protected.

On Wednesday her spokesman answered no, when asked if the Prime Minister now accepted if the NICs rise broke her partys manifesto pledge.

But Mr Hammond apparently diverged from his leaders position when he told the Commons: There is a gap between the specific tax locks that were legislated and the wording that was used in the manifesto.

We have today accepted that the more expansive interpretation should be the one that prevails, and that is why I have made the statement that I have.

Despite the difference, a Downing Street spokesman said Ms May had full confidence in the Chancellor and said his resignation had not been discussed.

But that did not stop Mr Hammond immediately becoming a target, with Tory bible The Spectator suggesting he lacks basic political competence, while headlines elsewhere claimed his future hung in the balance.

Brexit backing Tory peer Lord Lamont said: This was a bad error of judgment and should never have been proposed.

But this sad affair raises questions of process and how such a decision came to be made in the first place.

While many Tory MPs were relieved the Government was backing away from a potentially damaging tax rise, others were angry they had been sent out to defend the measure in the days before the U-turn.

Ms May had vowed to take the country out of the EU with or without a deal (Getty)

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron highlighted the 2bn black-hole the climb-down now leaves in the Chancellors financial plans, while SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson described the move as a screeching embarrassing U-turn.

Head of Taxation at the Institute of Directors Stephen Herring said: The whole National Insurance saga can only be described as chaotic.

In his select committee appearance Mr Davis stunned MPs by admitting the Government has done no economic assessment of crashing out of the EU with no deal.

Even though Ms May has promised to take the country out of the EU without one if her terms are rejected by Parliament, Mr Davis said it would only be possible to assess the impact of such a move in about a years time, leading Labour MP Pat McFadden to point out: Without an assessment, you have mortgaged the countrys economic future to a soundbite.

Meanwhile, controversial plans to withhold the Personal Independence Payment from thousands of claimants with mental illnesses were slammed by the Governments experts in the Social Security Advisory Committee, which called for the changes to be delayed.

The scandal around election expenses deepened as it emerged police had passed files to the CPS relating to the Conservative Party's battle bus campaign in the 2015 election, examining whether strict spending limits in target seats were breached.

Colchester MP Will Quince revealed he had been interviewed by police  the second Tory known to have been quizzed by officers investigating the matter.
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Women and children are being slaughtered in South Sudan by soldiers who said to be using knives for the massacres to save their ammunition.

The brutal conflict, sparking UN warnings over ethnic cleansing, is driving a devastating famine that is threatening millions with starvation in the country.

One woman who fled violence in the city of Yei told how she saw her best friend and her children, including three-month-old baby, butchered.

The children and the elderly, they slaughtered them, Sylvia, 31, told Save the Children aid workers.

When the armed groups get you with your children, they will kill all of you.

They will take you from your homes and slit your throat. For the small children they stab them, then they die later.

I've seen children tied to their dead mother and thrown in the river - soldiers have been doing this a lot.

Sylvia fled after seeing her best friend murdered, taking in a baby girl she found abandoned at the roadside on her journey to neighbouring Uganda.

When we began our journey, I saw with my own eyes two boys and one womanthey had been slaughtered, she added, saying soldiers were using knives to save bullets.

Children werent going to school, there was hunger everywhere. Children would die of illness.

Sylvia, 31, left South Sudan after seeing her best friend and three month old baby slaughtered (Simon Edmunds/Save the Children)

A famine was declared in parts of South Sudan last month in the first such catastrophe the world has seen in six years.

More than 5.5 million people  almost half the population  will not have a reliable source of food by July in what the UN says is a worsening man-made crisis, driven by the conflict and worsened by government inaction.

The world's youngest nation has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kiir fired his deputy Riek Machar, sparking a war that has increasingly split the country along ethnic lines.

Fighting, massacres, looting and village burning has killed tens of thousands, caused widespread hunger and forced three million people from their homes  pitting Kiir's Dinka ethnic group against Machar's Nuer.

A report presented to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday concluded that both government forces and non-state groups were targeting civilian populations on the basis of their ethnic identity with killings, abductions, gang rape and sexual violence on an epic scale.

Joy, a 14-year-old girl, was eight months pregnant when she travelled 50 miles to safety over four days in scorching heat.

We ran away because the war has turned up on us as civilians, she said.

When they come, they come to slaughter you with a knife or a machete. We could not wait for that to happen.

She left her mother and relatives in their home town, where there have since been reports of the entire population being massacred.

 South Sudan leaders 'profit' as country suffers during war

Joan, a village midwife who travelled with the teenager, recounted armed groups coming to rape young girls.

Ten men can sleep with one woman, no problem if you die, she added. When you are a woman they rape you and kill you, we are much safer here.

A UN survey found 70 per cent of women living in protection of civilian camps in the South Sudanese capital of Juba had been raped, the vast majority by police or soldiers, while a staggering 80 per cent had been forced to watch someone else being assaulted.

Thousands of refugees are pouring over the border every day into Uganda, where more than 500,000 people have arrived since last July, with almost 90 per cent women and children.

It has become Africas largest refugee country, seeing more than 1.5 million people flee their homes since the conflict erupted in South Sudan in December 2013.

A report by the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan found that ethnic cleaning is underway in South Sudan amid a huge increase in human rights violations and abuses since a fresh wave of violence started in July.

A government redrawing of state borders has depopulated ethnic Shilluk and Nuer inhabitants of the Upper Nile region, with one incident seeing around 2,000 mostly Dinka people transported to Wau Shilluk town after fighting caused its residents to flee.

The UN has warned that the indicators of genocide are in place, with the conflict acting as a smoke-screen for abuses, mainly committed by the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and government security forces, but also by the SPLA Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO).

South Sudan situation Show all 7 1 /7 South Sudan situation South Sudan situation A woman waits to be registered prior to a food distribution carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Thonyor, Leer state, South Sudan, Reuters South Sudan situation Women and children wait to be registered prior to a food distribution carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Thonyor, Leer state, South Sudan Reuters South Sudan situation Two women hold their acute malnourished children Getty Images South Sudan situation Two women hold their acute malnourished children, in a stabilisation centre in Ganyiel, Panyijiar county, in South Sudan Getty Images South Sudan situation A woman holds her malnourished child in a stabilisation center in Ganyiel, Panyijiar county, in South Sudan Getty Images South Sudan situation Men unload boxes of nutritional supplements from an helicopter prior to a humanitarian food distribution carried out by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Reuters South Sudan situation A woman collects grains left on the ground after a food distribution Getty Images

The commission found that a scorched earth policy was exacerbating the famine by preventing humanitarian access by the UN and humanitarian agencies, while sexual violence on an industrial scale has become entrenched amid a culture of impunity.

Yasmin Sooka, chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, called for investigations to immediately start documenting atrocities to allow future prosecutions.

The famine is entirely manmade, she told The Independent. The escalating conflict in the country, lack of humanitarian access and increased displacement of people is a direct root cause of famine. What were seeing is catastrophic.

Ms Sooka said that as well as funding, UN agencies need the government to provide access, and to reverse a hike in work permit fees of 100-fold for foreign aid workers to $10,000 (8,200).

Thats crazy because these are the people who are meant to assist you but youre making it very difficult for them to do their work, she added.

Unless you have an end to the conflict and a genuine commitment to a political process that brings all of the parties together, youre not going to see the end of the tunnel in South Sudan.

The reasons these violations continue is because everybody knows they can get away with it, and until you set up an accountability mechanism to deal with the perpetrators theres not going to be a change.

The Disasters Emergency Committee is launching an emergency appeal to help 16 millions people facing malnutrition and starvation in East Africa, with the British Government matching the first 5 million donations pound for pound.

Priti Patel, the International Development Secretary, said UK aid was already funding food, water and emergency healthcare but more support is urgently needed to prevent a catastrophe.

The international community must now follow global Britains lead to save lives and stop the famine before it becomes a stain on our collective conscience, she added. The world cannot afford to wait.

To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 610, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate 5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.
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Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer on Wednesday accused Judge Neil Gorsuch of favoring corporations in a final attempt to discredit the Presidents Supreme Court nominee.

His comments come after The New York Times revealed ties between Judge Gorsuch and billionaire Philip Anschutz. In the early 2000s, Mr Gorsuch represented Mr Anschutz and his business as an outside counsel.

And in 2006, the billionaire reportedly lobbied Colorados Republican senator and the Bush administration in order to secure Mr Gorsuch a seat on the federal appeals court. Ever since his appointment, the judge been a frequent speaker at Mr Anschutzs annual dove-hunting retreats.

Ahead of next weeks Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that will consider Judge Gorsuchs nomination, Mr Schumer said that the Supreme Court pick favors corporations and the wealthy over everyday American citizens.

Judge Gorsuch may act like a neutral, calm judge, but his record and career clearly show he harbors a right-wing, pro-corporate special interest agenda, the New York Democrat said in a news conference on Wednesday.

Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Show all 18 1 /18 Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather outside the White House at the finish of the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds attended the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters hold up signage near the Washington Monument during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Drew Angerer/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive on the platform at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators protest during the Women's March along Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A marcher holds a sign during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A woman chants while attending the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march in Washington, DC, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester gestures toward the White House on the Ellipse near the South Lawn of the White House during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Drew Angerer/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester, holding a Donald Trump doll wearing a pink cap, marches in Washington, DC, during the Womens March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters take to the National Mall to demonstrate against the presidency of Donald Trump Washington, DC on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators gather on The Ellipse during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protester's signs are left near the White House during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama/Getty

In the past, Mr Anschutz reportedly made donations to the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society, two conservative groups that created extensive lists of potential candidates for President Trumps nominee for the Supreme Court.

Its also another contradiction in President Trump, Mr Schumer said alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat. He campaigned and talks about helping average folks, his first nominee to the Supreme Court has an instinctive reaction to side with big special corporate interest over average folks.
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A man who shot and killed his 16-year-old twin daughters left his wife injured so she could live and suffer like me, before turning the gun on himself.

Randall Coffland 48, killed his daughters in their Chicago home on Friday night before shooting his estranged wife Anjum Coffland, 46, in the legs.

Both Coffland and his wife made 911 phone calls from the scene in the St Charles suburb at nearly the same time, according to Fox32. In the calls, released by police on Sunday, Coffland can be heard shouting, apparently to his wife: I want you to live and suffer like I did.

Coffland admitted to the murders on the 911 call, stating: I just shot and killed my two kids and I shot my wife, and Im going to kill myself now.

Mrs Cofflands separate call heard her shouting to emergency services to come to her home, saying: Oh my God, my husband shot my kids.

My daughters are dead, she screamed.

Police arriving at the scene found Coffland and his daughters Tiffany and Brittany dead, all killed by single gunshot wounds to the head. Mrs Coffland was taken to Delnor Community Hospital where she was listed in a stable condition, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Two weapons were recovered by police in the home and Coffland possessed a firearm owner certification card.

St Charles Deputy Police Chief David Kintz told reporters: [Mrs Coffland] tells the dispatcher that her husband shot her kids. She also says that he shot her in the legs. Another call was made by Randall Coffland. Randall clearly tells the dispatchers that he shot and killed his two kids and he shot his wife. He then said he was going to shoot himself.

This was a tragic and horrific event.

Mrs Coffland is still hospitalised and understood to be working with authorities in their investigation. A motive has not yet been established.

Friends, teachers and fellow students held a candlelit vigil for the victims on Saturday night, CBS Chicago reported.
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Donald Trump has been placed on the witness list for a civil trial involving billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, a lawyer involved in the case has claimed.

The US President has been identified as an individual who may have information relating to allegations about Epstein, Jack Scarola told the LawNewz.com website.

He said there is evidence that at least one former employee at Mr Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, was recruited by an associate of Epstein to become involved in alleged sex offences.

The civil trial, due to start later this year, involves allegations of malicious prosecution and defamation filed by Bradley Edwards, a Florida lawyer who previously represented several of Epsteins alleged victims in separate cases from 2009.

In the affidavit filed in support of case, Mr Edwards claims that Mark Epstein (Jeffreys brother) testified that Mr Trump flew on Jeffrey Epsteins plane with him, LegalNewz.com reported.

Epsteins phone directory from his computer contains 14 phone numbers for Donald Trump, including emergency numbers, car numbers, and numbers to Trumps security guard and houseman, the affidavit reportedly claims.

Court records in an earlier civil case against Mr Epstein allege that he molested more than 40 girls between 2002 and 2005 at his Florida mansion.

There is no evidence to suggest any involvement from Mr Trump, but the records claim that message pads confiscated from Epsteins home indicated that Trump called Epsteins West Palm Beach mansion on several occasions.

It also quotes an interview with Mr Trump, featured in New York Magazine, in which he said: Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. Hes a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it, Jeffrey enjoys his social life.

In 2007, Epstein was given what critics branded a sweetheart deal by federal prosecutors over allegations he sexually assaulted young girls.

The deal was overseen by Alexander Acosta, Mr Trumps now Labour Secretary nominee. Mr Acosta is expected to face questions on the issue at his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.

The non-prosecution agreement ensured Epstein and any co-conspirators would not be prosecuted federally in exchange for the billionaire pleading guilty to state charges.

Women go on strike against Donald Trump Show all 7 1 /7 Women go on strike against Donald Trump Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Mr Scarola said the chances are very low that Mr Trump would be called as a witness at the trial.

There are, as you might imagine, substantial hurdles in calling a sitting US president and we dont want any further delays on this case, he said.

The Trump Organization has been contacted for a response but none had arrived at the time of publication.
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The day before it is supposed to go into effect President Donald Trump's revised travel ban will be scrutinised in federal courtrooms across the country on Wednesday.

In Maryland, a US judge will hear arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others who want to stop the new directive and more than a half-dozen states are trying to derail the executive order affecting travellers from six Muslim-majority nations.

Hawaii's lawsuit is heading to federal court in Honolulu, while Washington state, which successfully sued to block the original ban, wants its own hearing before a federal judge in Seattle. Five other states have joined Washington's challenge.

Here's a look at what's going on and the hurdles the new ban faces:

Hawaii will argue that the new order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students. Ismail Elshikh, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the ban will prevent his Syrian mother-in-law from visiting.

The federal government will argue that the allegations are pure speculation. Justice Department lawyers also say the president is authorised to restrict or suspend entry into the United States.

In Washington state, Attorney General Bob Ferguson is pushing for a hearing before Judge James Robart, who halted the original ban last month. Ferguson wants Robart to apply the ruling to the new ban.

Ferguson says the new order is unconstitutional and harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon who rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim. Federal lawyers say the revised travel ban is substantially different from the original directive.

Immigrant advocacy groups and the ACLU are also suing in Maryland. They will ask a judge there early Wednesday to issue an injunction, saying it's illegal to reduce the number of refugees in the middle of a fiscal year. The lawsuit is broader, but the ACLU expects a ruling on that part of the case even if other aspects of the ban are blocked elsewhere.

Washington and Hawaii say the order is an effort to carry out the Muslim ban he promised during his campaign and is a violation of the First Amendment, which bars the government from favouring or disfavouring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different than the old.

They point to statements by Trump's advisers, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who said Trump asked him how to implement a Muslim ban legally, and Stephen Miller, who said the revised order was designed to have the same basic policy outcome as the first.

The new version tries to erase the notion that it was designed to target Muslims by detailing more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due process rights of travellers.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the US refugee programme. It does not apply to travellers who already have visas.

The states' First Amendment claim has not been resolved. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the original ban but didn't rule on the discrimination claim.

Some legal scholars have said the order does not apply to all Muslims or even all predominantly Muslim nations - a point 9th Circuit Judge Richard Clifton made during arguments in Washington's case.

The administration says the travel ban is about national security. The revised order specifies that people from the listed countries warrant additional scrutiny in connection with our immigration policies because the conditions in these countries present heightened threats.

But intelligence analysts at the Department of Homeland Security have questioned that rationale, concluding that citizenship is an unlikely indicator of terrorist ties.

In addition, the states and civil liberties groups say US immigration law generally prohibits the government from discriminating based on nationality when issuing immigrant visas. The president cannot rewrite that law by executive order, the states say.

Some legal scholars have questioned whether states have standing to bring their cases, citing limits the Supreme Court has placed on when states can sue the federal government.

Michael McConnell, a constitutional law professor at Stanford Law School, has said he is highly sceptical that states can sue over this issue.

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 9th Circuit panel found that Washington and Minnesota, which is part of the original lawsuit, did have standing, at least at that early stage. The judges noted that some people would not enroll in universities or join the faculty, causing real harm for the states.

Hawaii focuses on an additional aspect: the loss of tourism, and thus tax dollars, in the heavily travel-dependent state.

I don't think standing's a serious problem, said Rory Little, a former Supreme Court clerk who teaches at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. There's clearly harm to state budgets, harm to state universities.

AP
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President Trump has appointed Peter Navarro to a key position in the administration requiring expertise on, and an ability to work with, China. But, Mr Navarro appears to have neither.

Mr Navarro is the head of the National Trade Council, a body created by Mr Trump in the White House.

The agencys purpose seems to broad-ranging: advising on strategy for trade agreement negotiations, evaluating US manufacturing and defence industrial capacities, and playing matchmaker for unemployed Americans to place them in skilled manufacturing jobs.

Chinas obvious importance as the countrys biggest trade partner and manufacturing competitor is clear and an expertise on the country is no doubt important for the position.

However, as Foreign Policy reported, Mr Navarro speaks little Mandarin or Cantonese, is not a frequent visitor to the country or even the Asian-Pacific region, and does not have a wealth of manufacturing experience - his focus has largely been in public utilities.

Politico has reported that Mr Navarro also has a a long and colourful history of China-bashing, as well.

Mr Navarro, a former business professor at the University of California-Irvine, wrote a book in 2006 titled In The Coming China Wars. In the book he refers to China as cheating Americans and full of incompetent officials.

In a 2012 Netflix documentary called Death by China, Mr Navarro said China was victimising Americans and he begins the film by asking viewers to help defend America and protect your family: dont buy made in China.

Scott Kennedy, Director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, told The Independent that the real problem is Mr Navarro believing himself to be the expert on these issues.

He may not believe he needs to have junior staff with China knowledge or draw on information and analysis from other parts of the government, said Mr Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy said the issue is not whether he actually knows the language or culture but the ideas and strategy, and [Mr Navarro] drawn a lot of criticism for his ideas and analysis.

Despite the concern over Navarros stance on China, Charles Freeman III, managing director at Bower Group Asia and former assistant U.S. trade representative for China affairs, told CNBC that he thinks we're headed into a very transactional period in the relationship [with China], and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

He said Mr Navarro should follow the trajectory of his work, which is an increasingly nuanced understanding of the US-China relationship, especially in terms of trade.

David Spooner, partner in the corporate department and co-chair of the international trade practise group at Barnes & Thornburg told CNBC that the real question is for free traders: 'Does his appointment show the White House will really get tough on our trading partners and get aggressive about imposing tariffs on our trading partners, or should businesses breathe a sigh of relief because the authority of this position is unclear?

Mr Kennedy said what the US government really needs are experts to come in and challenge existing assumptions and policies[but in] a two-way dialogue.

Everyones ideas and analysis  including [Mr Navarros] should be open for analysis and debate, he explained.

Mr Kennedy noted the willingness to debate with thoughtful strategy and ideas is the best way to ensure American economic policies, including those involving trade and China, [will] improve and are well executed.
At least 14 children were among 20 people killed in an air strike in Syria's northwestern Idlib province at dawn on Wednesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.

The monitor said the strikes were believed to have been carried out by Russian warplanes on the provincial capital Idlib city, which is controlled by militants and their Islamist allies.

The Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information, says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a formal review of his predecessors landmark greenhouse gas emissions limits for cars in the name of reviving the auto industry.

Mr Trump revealed his plan in Ypsilanti, Michigan just 30 miles outside of Detroit, the domestic industrys epicenter. The review of the Obama administration's restriction has been a top request from automaker lobbyists.

"We're going to work on the [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] standards so you can make cars in America again," the president told his audience. "We're gonna help the companies and they're gonna help you."

He added, "There is no more beautiful sight than an American-made car."

In President Obamas final months in office, his administration attempted to lock-in strict limits for fuel efficiency and raise the average to more than 50 miles per gallon by 2025, compared to 27.5 miles per gallon recorded in 2010.

Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Show all 18 1 /18 Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather outside the White House at the finish of the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds attended the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters hold up signage near the Washington Monument during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Drew Angerer/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters gather during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters arrive on the platform at the Capital South Metro station for the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators protest during the Women's March along Pennsylvania Avenue January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Joshua Lott/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 21: Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Following the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States, the Women's March has 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. Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A marcher holds a sign during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. The march is expected to draw thousands from across the country to protest newly inaugurated President Donald Trump. Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A woman chants while attending the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters attend the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march in Washington, DC, during the Women's March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester gestures toward the White House on the Ellipse near the South Lawn of the White House during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Drew Angerer/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington A protester, holding a Donald Trump doll wearing a pink cap, marches in Washington, DC, during the Womens March on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded US cities Saturday in a day of women's rights protests to mark President Donald Trump's first full day in office. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters take to the National Mall to demonstrate against the presidency of Donald Trump Washington, DC on January 21, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Dominick Reuter/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protesters march during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. Mario Tama/Getty Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators gather on The Ellipse during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Demonstrators march down Pennsylvania Avenue during the Women's March on Washington January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Hundreds of thousands of protesters spearheaded by women's rights groups demonstrated across the US to send a defiant message to US President Donald Trump. Zach Gibson/AFP/Getty Images Thousands attend Women's March on Washington Protester's signs are left near the White House during the Women's March on Washington on January 21, 2017 in Washington, DC. Large crowds are attending the anti-Trump rally a day after U.S. President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th U.S. president. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Mario Tama/Getty

Were going to pull back the [Environmental Protection Agencys] determination, because we dont think its right, a White House official told reporters prior to the Presidents announcement.

And were going to spend another year looking at the data in front of us, making sure everything is right, so that when we come to 2018, we can set standards that are technologically feasible, economically feasible, that allow the auto industry to continue to grow and create jobs, which is very important to the president.
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FBI director James Comey is set to confirm whether or not the intelligence organisation is investigating possible links between Russia and Donald Trumps election campaign, it has been claimed.

Mr Comey reportedly told senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Lindsey Graham during a private meeting on 2 March that the FBI would confirm if an investigation is being undertaken by the time of a Senate Judiciary Committee subcommittee on crime and terrorism, due to take place on Wednesday.

Speaking to CNN, Mr Whitehouse claimed that Mr Comey promised to confirm any FBI actions and the scope of their Russia/Trump investigation because he had not been able to at that point say that there was one.

Recommended US media turn screw on Trump with fresh reports of Russia links

Both senators lead the subcommittee on crime and terrorism, which has congressional oversight of the FBI. The pair are investigating potential attempts by Russia to influence the 2016 election but are wary of interfering with any investigations the FBI is already conducting into the allegations.

Speaking to Politico, Mr Whitehouse said he told Mr Comey that the subcommittee hearing would go ahead on 15 March and that he and Mr Graham would need to be informed of the FBIs actions by then.

You cant really be in the position of saying: Your congressional oversight will interfere with an on-going investigation but were not going to confirm that we have an on-going investigation. You cant have it both ways, he told the magazine.

US intelligence agencies in January claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered hacks of the Democratic National Committees and Hillary Clintons campaign chairmans computers to influence the election on Mr Trumps behalf. This has been denied by Russia.

 FBI Director James Comey says 'absolute privacy' does not exist in the US

Mr Whitehouse and Mr Graham have also requested information from Mr Comey for documents such as warrant applications or court orders that could provide proof for the Presidents unsubstantiated claims that Mr Obama wiretapped Trump Tower while he was in office.

In a letter to Mr Comey and Acting Deputy Attorney General Dana Boente, the senators requested to be provided with copies of any warrant applications and court orders... related to wiretaps of President Trump, the Trump campaign, or Trump Tower."

The senators said they would "take any abuse of wiretapping authorities for political purposes very seriously, but said: "We would be equally alarmed to learn that a court found enough evidence of criminal activity or contact with a foreign power to legally authorise a wiretap of President Trump, the Trump campaign, or Trump Tower."

President Trump made the claims on Twitter without providing any supporting evidence. Mr Obama has refuted them.

The Presidents spokesman Sean Spicer said Mr Trump is extremely confident that evidence will be found to support the claims, though the Justice Department on Monday asked for more time to provide proof to lawmakers.
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As the host of the number one cable television show among anti-Donald Trump viewers, Rachel Maddow could afford to take her time before revealing the details in the Presidents leaked tax returns.

Taking advantage of the spotlight, the MSNBC journalist raised the governments alleged ties to Russia in her opening monologue. In recent weeks, more cabinet and executive branch staff have become involved in potentially inappropriate contact with the Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, including former national security adviser Michael Flynn and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

It was only after criticising the Russian links to the new administration that she revealed the two-page document from 2005, showing that the business tycoon had paid little income tax that year but had paid millions towards the Alternative Minimum Tax  a special rate applied for high earners who routinely take advantage of tax deductions.

The revelation came 84 minutes after she tweeted to her 6.6 million followers that she had landed a big scoop. It was the first time journalists had got their hands on Mr Trumps tax returns.

In the meantime, the White House issued a scathing response to the leaks and detailed the tax return numbers before the MSNBC show aired.

"You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago," it read, accusing reporters of illegally stealing and publishing the documents.

The scoop produced mix results. Some were disappointed the numbers were relatively innocuous and that the tax returns had been hyped up. Richard Painter, who was chief ethics counsel under former President George W Bush, demanded to see Mr Trump's tax returns from between 2006 and 2016.

While rumours swirled that the President had leaked the returns himself, others insisted that Ms Maddow had broken the law as the White House claimed and she should be charged and arrested.

Mr Trumps former communications director, Dan Scavino Jr, claimed the television host had "embarrassed herself" while the President continued to "make America great again".

The Presidents son, Donald Trump Jr, tweeted: "Thank you Rachel Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes!"

While Ms Maddows coverage of Russia and the Trump administration has gained her an even larger following, not all viewers were convinced that the focus on the Presidents 2005 tax return had benefited her cause.

"I love Rachel Maddow but she was played," wrote filmmaker Rob Reiner on social media. "DTs incomplete 2005 tax return distracts from a disastrous healthcare bill & Russia."

The Presidents 1040 form from that year did not include any evidence of his ties to Russia, one of the most pressing reasons many Americans wish for more tax transparency from Mr Trump.

A January poll from ABC/The Washington Post found that 74 per cent of Americans and 49 per cent of Mr Trumps own supporters wanted to see the tax returns.

Ms Maddow has asked for the President to reveal his full returns, which would be much longer than the two pages that was obtained by investigative journalist David Cay Johnston.

"Why will he not reveal his full taxes the way other Presidents have done? Why not let the public see the information for themselves?"

Mr Trump is not required by law to reveal his returns, but his former rival Hillary Clinton released hers, as did his Vice President Mike Pence.
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Noam Chomsky has warned the Donald Trump-fuelled rally in capital markets is coming to a close and another financial crash is on the horizon.

The economist, historian and linguist said the Presidents anti-estabishment status was a joke given his establishment appointees and anti-regulation policies, which have encouraged the stock market.

What's anti-establishment? he asked, as reported by AlterNet.

This [cabinet] is drawing from the billionaire class, largely financial institutions, and military and so on; in fact, take a look at the stock market, that tells you how anti-establishment he is.

He pointed to cabinet members such as Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, a Goldman Sachs alumnus. Gary Cohn, his Director of the National Economic Council, was the COO at the same bank.

As soon as Trump was elected, and since, stock values in financial institutions escalated to the sky, said Mr Chomsky.

Investors are delighted he's going to eliminate regulations, let them make more profit; of course, it'll lead to another crash, but that's somebody else's problem. The taxpayers will take care of that.

 Noam Chomsky: Bernie Sanders can win back Donald Trump supporters

After almost eight years of a bull run during former President Barack Obamas administration, pundits expected financial turmoil under President Trump  a lot of the anticipated negative reaction was due to the element of uncertainty as Hillary Clintons victory had been priced into markets.

Despite jitters around his Muslim ban executive order and his tweets targeting certain companies, causing them to temporarily plunge in value, the US stock market reached a record high after the November 8 election and continues to rise - for now. Stocks like pharmaceuticals, banks and prisons have all soared under the promise of tax reform and less regulation.

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For example, the President signed an executive order to review the Dodd-Frank Act, signed under Mr Obama after the financial crisis to ensure banks hold larger capital buffers and limit risky investments to protect consumers. He also scrapped the impending Fiduciary Rule, which, if made into law, would have forced financial advisers to put the best interests of their clients first.

The bellwether index of US companies, the S&P 500 Index, has soared more than 10 per cent since Mr Trump was elected. Banks enjoyed an even higher rise. The iShares US Financials ETF, a passive fund that invests in financial stocks, rose more than 17 per cent in the same period.

Mr Trump has pointed to rising markets as a sign that his administration has been successful since Inauguration on 20 January. He was also pleased with the Bureau of Labour's report of 235,000 new jobs in February, even though he said similar numbers under the Obama administration were phony and monkey business.

One problem is that markets have already rallied so much and corporate valuations have become so stretched that even if Mr Trump implements the reforms he has pledged, rich returns may still be out of reach, explained Shawn Tully, Fortune Magazines senior editor-at-large.

At the very least, the President appears set on making the rich richer, in a country where more than five million people are millionaires.

He has said he will slash corporation tax from 35 to 15 per cent, and abandon federal estate and gift taxes.

Were going to... lower the overall tax burden on American businesses big-league. Thats coming along very well. Were way ahead of schedule, I believe, he said at a recent meeting with airline executives.
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Donald Trumps administration has threatened to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council, arguing that the US wants to improve global human rights and defend Israel.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wrote in a letter to nine UN advocates and human rights groups that the council must undergo considerable reform for us [the US] to participate and that the US continues to evaluate the council's effectiveness.

Mr Tillerson, who has been given authority as to how and when the US executes its funding cuts to the UN, said he was concerned about the human rights record of other countries in the 47-member council, such as China, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Recommended Trump to order billions of funding cuts to UN agencies

He said the US will remain a member for the time being to reiterate our strong principled objection to the Human Rights Councils biased agenda against Israel.

We may not share a common view on this, given the makeup of the membership, he added.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner told journalists this week that he would not get into details about the letter, first obtained by Foreign Policy.

Its fair to say were having discussions about  and thats internal discussions, meaning within the State Department, but also with some of our partners  about how to increase transparency and accountability in human rights, Mr Toner said.

Former President George W Bush refused to join the council in 2006 due to its treatment of Israel, but the decision was reversed by President Barack Obama in 2009, who said it would be better to have a seat at the table.

 Netanyahu congratulates Trump

Congress was reportedly preparing legislation last month to defund the UN after the organisation voted to condemn Israeli settlement building in the Occupied Territories.

President Donald Trump has long expressed his view that the US paid too much towards the UN, which amounts to about $10 billion currently.

He also compared the UN to a "country club" where people were having "a good time".

In January he was reportedly preparing to sign an executive order which would reduce US funding of the UN by 40 per cent, as well as repeal certain multilateral treaties and scrap the landmark Paris climate change agreement.

 Trump Compares United Nations to 'Country Club'

The order says that funding will be taken away from any organisation that is "controlled or substantially influenced by any state that sponsors terrorism" or is behind the persecution of marginalised groups or systematic violation of human rights.

Foreign Policy reported this week that State Department officials were ordered to cut US funding to the UN by up to 50 per cent.

Peacekeeping operations and the United Nations Population Fund, which fights violence against women and gender inequality, are set to be hit the hardest.

First details of the billion-dollar cuts to the UN could be revealed this week in the US budget for the year ahead, as the President explains how he will expand the military without raising taxes.
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A robot at a car parts manufacturer killed a maintenance technician when it went rogue and crushed her skull, her widower has claimed in a lawsuit.

Wanda Holbrook, who had serviced machinery at the Ventra Ionia Mains plant in Michigan for 12 years, was trapped by robotic machinery and pronounced dead at the scene in July 2015.

The 57-year-olds husband, William Holbrook, filed a wrongful death complaint in Michigan federal court, naming five US robotics companies: Prodomax, Flex-N-Gate, FANUC, Nachi, and Lincoln Electric.

Ms Holbrook was working in the plants 100 section when a robot unexpectedly began to move.

Cells in the section are separated by safety doors and the robot should not have been able to reach her, but somehow it did, the lawsuit claims.

It loaded a trailer attachment assembly part onto her head, crushing her skull.

Wanda was working in either section 140 or 150 within the 100 cell, when a robot from section 130 took Wanda by surprise, entering the section she was working in, the complaint says.

Upon entering the section, the robot hit and crushed Wandas head between a hitch assembly it was attempting to place in the fixture of section 140, and a hitch assembly that was already in the fixture.

Co-workers who eventually realised something was wrong found Ms Holbrook dead from severe head trauma.

Her death "devastated her husband, three children, grandchildren and dozens of co-workers who filled the back four pews at her funeral," the Detroit Free Press reported.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. 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The robot from section 130 should have never entered section 140, and should have never attempted to load a hitch assembly within a fixture that was already loaded with a hitch assembly, the lawsuit says.

A failure of one or more of defendants safety systems or devices had taken place, causing Wandas death.

Lincoln Electric spokeswoman Amanda Butler declined to comment on the lawsuit.

While we cant comment specifically before thoroughly reviewing the suit, we can say that Lincoln Electric is committed to the design and production of safe solutions, she told The Courthouse News Service.

Deaths caused by robots are unusual. The first is thought to have happened in 1979, when a worker died after being hit by the arm of a production-line robot at a Ford factory in Flat Rock in Michigan.
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Donald Trumps press secretary Sean Spicer has admitted that millions of Americans could lose access to healthcare if the Republicans are successful in repealing Obamacare.

Speaking at a White House press briefing, Mr Spicer defended plans to replace the Affordable Care Act, claiming a replacement would bring a higher likelihood that [Americans] will find something that they want at a price they can afford.

CNNs Jim Acosta asked: Would you concede that there will be some coverage losses, perhaps in the millions? That there will be millions of people who will not have health insurance as a result of what you're doing?"

Mr Spicer replied: Sure, except you have to look at the current situation. You are mandated by law to buy insurance right now under Obamacare."

It came as independent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), similar to Britains Office for Budget Responsibility, estimated that 14 million more people would be uninsured next year under the legislation than under under the current arrangement  a figure expected to rise to 24 million by 2026.

The findings are likely to strike a blow to Mr Trumps administration, which has insisted that its plan to replace Obamacare will provide better and cheaper healthcare.

They are also likely to make it harder for Republicans to sell the plan - their first major piece of legislation under Mr Trumps presidency - in Congress, especially the Senate.

Doctors, hospitals and other medical providers as well as patient advocates have urged lawmakers to abandon the plan.

Republican Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said he did not think the CBO report meant the end of the proposal.

No matter what you do ... youre going to have differences like that, and to be honest with you, I dont think they truly looked at all the aspects, he said.

Mr Spicer also disregarded the report, implying it was inaccurate.

"When you get down to it, the Congressional Budget Office is there to measure the potential impact of programs on the federal budget. Its attempts to estimate coverage have been historically faulty," he told reporters.

Democrats say the Republican plan could hurt the elderly, poor and working families while giving tax cuts for the rich. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it "a wreck".

"It's vintage Donald Trump: talks like a populist, but when he acts, it's hard-right, favouring the special interests and hurting the middle class and those trying to get there," Mr Schumer said.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
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The late winter storm, dubbed Stella, slammed the eastern seaboard and brought life to a standstill.

The National Weather Service called it a rapidly intensifying storm that affected approximately 50 million people from Virginia to Maine.

Stella comes on the heels of record-high temperatures for a short period in February in the region.

In Washington, DC federal government employees were told to work from home if possible or arrive three hours late.

Parts of northern Pennsylvania reported nearly 16 inches of snow before 9 am, with the mountains there and in upstate New York recording over two feet.

Amtrak, a popular option for travel along the Atlantic seaboard, halted all service.

The US Postal Service also cancelled mail delivery for the day.

In New York above-ground commuter trains and parts of subway lines ended service mid-day due to ice on the tracks and increasing thunder and rain.

Satellite imagery shows storm activity over the eastern US (AFP/Getty)

However, previous estimates on record-breaking snow and blizzard conditions were scaled back by the morning when it was clear the storm would include freezing rain, not massive snowfall, for the metro area.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo quipped during a press conference, Mother Nature is an unpredictable lady sometimes.

New York can now expect four to eight inches of snow in the next day.

Many meteorologists say that many people further inland and in New England are still expected to get up to two feet of snow.

New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania have all declared states of emergency and drivers have been told to stay off the road given poor visibility and continued sleet and ice formation.

In anticipation of a large storm, grocery stores were raided up and down the mid-Atlantic coast - with many documenting empty shelves and long lines via social media.

Schools were also closed for the day in New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, and Northern New Jersey.

Air travel was perhaps the hardest hit sector - nearly 6,000 flights were canceled all across the region with 3,300 of them in the New York area.

American Airlines cancelled all flights to and from John F. Kennedy, Laguardia, and Newark airports in the New York area.

Delta alone cancelled 800 flights in the northeast corridor between Philadelphia and Boston.

Television news reports showed nearly empty airports normally bustling with thousands of travelers.

Despite the early warnings of the storm and sub-optimal flying conditions, hundreds were stranded and the ripple effect has caused approximate 1,600 flight delays across the country, according to CNBC.

Losing electricity for residences and offices has also been a problem due to Stella.

Power company PSE&G told CNBC that 15,000 customers were without power due to ice and trees falling on above-ground power lines, common in the area.

Central Maine Power reports 13,000 customers without power.

Estimates on the cost of Stella is still being calculated but the New York City Comptrollers office said snow removal and road salting will be between $24 million to $36 million.

News reports from throughout the affected region showed businesses empty of customers who have stayed indoors or at home due to the weather.
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Acts of vandalism, violence and aggression towards mosques around the US have doubled so far this year compared to the same period in 2016.

Numbers obtained from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) show that there have been 32 reported anti-mosque incidents as of mid-March 2015, compared with 16 this time last year.

Of the 2017 number, 11 of those were either arson or vandalism and 19 were threats of violence.

Muslim leaders and advocacy groups have expressed strong concerns about a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric from political leaders and also in anti-Muslim violence, which has risen to post 9/11 levels.

One of the most recent alleged hate crimes was in Tucson, Arizona, where an intruder entered a mosque, ripped up copies of the Quran and scattered the pages around the place of worship.

Another alleged hate crime this year was in Michigan, where law enforcement was called upon to investigate a mosque fire in Pittsfield Township as a possible act of arson.

In Texas, Muslim leaders welcomed the arrest of a man who was suspected of setting fire to the Islamic Centre of Victoria.

The sharp increase in threats and violence targeting Muslim places of faith and worship is alarming and reflects the empowerment of hate in the last few months. Any religious institution, whether it be a mosque, church, synagogue, or temple, should be a place safe from fear and danger, said Zainab Arain, coordinator, department to monitor and combat Islamophobia at CAIR.

 Sean Spicer uses the Quebec City mosque attack to justify Trump's policies

CAIR is soon to publish a report that shows 2016 was the worst year on record for incidents in which mosques were targets of bias.

The FBI found there was a 67 per cent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2015.

Khizr and Ghazala Khan, parents of the slain Gold Star Muslim soldier Humayan Khan, said at the annual CAIR convention in December that their communitys fear is real.

I want to share with you: the concern and the fear is real, said Mr Khan, because the local law enforcement, the national law enforcement, tells us that there have been approximately 900 plus incidents of harassment, of bigotry, of un-American hate in this country since the election.

New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Show all 27 1 /27 New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Ethnic Yemenis and supporters protest against President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban Men pray during a protest by ethnic Yemenis and supporters over President Donald Trump's executive order temporarily banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen on February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. At least 1,000 Yemeni-owned bodegas and grocery-stores across the city shut down from noon to 8 p.m. today to protest the order. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People gather for evening prayer at a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally with flags at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest US President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban People rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall as Yemeni bodega and grocery-stores shut down to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen, on February 2, 2017 in New York. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner places a sign on the gate of his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 02: Yemeni business owner Musa closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty New York City bodegas strike to protest Trump's travel ban A Yemeni business owner closes the gate to his store February 2, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Across the city, Yemeni owned bodega and grocery-stores will shut down from noon to 8 p.m. to protest President Donald Trump's Executive Order banning immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Yemen. It is expected that over 1000 stores will be closed in protest with workers and owners participating in an afternoon rally in Brooklyn. Spencer Platt/Getty

The President called to ban all Muslims from coming to the US in December 2015.

He is reportedly reforming the five-point national Countering Violent Extremism programme to narrow his focus to radical Islamic groups, and remove white supremacist factions from the watch list.

It is not only the Muslim community that has seen an increase in threats and attacks.

The JCC Association of North America reported more than 100 threats at Jewish community centres around the country as of 7 March. There have been several waves of phone-in bomb threats, prompting evacuations. No one has been hurt during these episodes.

When asked directly about a rise in anti-Semitic attacks during his administration, Mr Trump gave a long answer, first saying that he had enjoyed a major victory in the election and that his daughter and son-in-law were Jewish.

Were going to do everything in our power to stop long-simmering racism and every other thing thats going on, because a lot of bad things have been taking place over a long period of time, Mr Trump said.

Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Show all 11 1 /11 Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty Activists protest Donald Trump's proposed Muslim ban People listen to speakers at a demonstration against racism and conservative presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent remarks concerning Muslims on December 10, 2015 in New York City. Dozens or demonstrators and activists converged at Columbus Circle to denounce the politics of Trump and the treatment of Muslim refugees both in America and Europe. Spencer Platt/Getty

He added: One of the reasons I won the election is we have a very, very divided nation  very divided. And hopefully, Ill be able to do something about that.

Mr Trumps official statement on International Holocaust Day, released the same day he signed an executive order to ban travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries, omitted a mention of the Jewish people, six million of whom were murdered during the Holocaust.

More than 140 Jewish Community Centre leaders signed a letter on 8 March to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, demanding that he take immediate action to investigate the increased number of threats.

We are frustrated with the progress in resolving this situation, the letter reads.

We insist that all relevant federal agencies, including your own, apply all the resources available to identify and bring the perpetrator or perpetrators, who are trying to instil anxiety and fear in communities across the country, to justice.
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Speculation is mounting that Chelsea Clinton might be planning to run for political office after she ramped up her Twitter activity to take on Donald Trump.

The former first daughter criticised the Mr Trump's travel ban and posted a series of concerned messages about the planned repeal of Obamacare.

She also had a strong message following reports a Sikh man was told to "go back to your own country", tweeting: "This is his country. This is our country."

Ms Clinton, whose mother Hillary was defeated by Mr Trump in the recent presidential election, also took on White House Press Secretary, Sean Spicer, after he claimed that the US leader meant something else because he used quotation marks when accusing Barack Obama of "wire tapping" him.

She said: "Is the lesson that we should put in 'quotes' things we don't mean? Rather than what we say (and mean)? Asking for ... the world".

The political bent to her tweets since the start of the year has lead some to suspect she may be eyeing a run for office, according to The Hill.

A former aide to Hillary Clinton told the news site: "Shes never denied that she has an interest in running for office, and that leads me to believe that one day she will. And shed probably be successful."

Ms Clinton told Sky News two years ago that she would "absolutely" consider running for election "one day" if she believed she could make a difference.

She would be following in the footsteps of her parents who have held a state governorship, a Senate seat, the post of Secretary of State and the Presidency between them.

But the 37-year-old gave a forceful "No" in response to rumours circulating last month that she would go for the Senate seat of New York's Kirsten Gillibrand if the latter stood for President in 2020.

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

Her mother held the same seat for eight years before moving to the State Department in 2009.

Her chief of staff, Bari Lurie, also told The Hill: "She is not running."

Whether or not she will continue the dynasty created by her parents, Ms Clinton, who is vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, is without doubt politically active.

In January she took her young daughter to a protest in New York against Mr Trump's first travel ban, and tweeted: "We will keep standing up for a country that matches our values and ideals for all".

She has also spoken out about the rights of LGBT people following a policy shift under Mr Trump that saw federal guidance on the use of toilets and locker rooms rolled back.
Turkey Wednesday put on trial a top UN court judge on charges of links to the group blamed for the failed July 15 coup, in a case that has caused anger and held up legal proceedings over the Rwanda genocide.

Aydin Sefa Akay, a top judge attached to the UN's Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT), was detained in September at the family home and had been held in detention since.

He is charged with "membership of a terror group" over alleged links to the organisation of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based preacher blamed by Ankara for the July 15 coup bid.

Specifically, he stands accused by the Turkish authorities of downloading and using a messaging app called ByLock which Ankara says was used by the plotters to prepare the coup.

Akay and his lawyers took part in the first hearing at the Ankara criminal court, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.

If found guilty, he faces up to 15 years in jail.

In his statement, Akay denied the charges, saying he was not a member of Gulen's group. "I am not one of them," he said.

According to Anadolu, he admitted downloading Bylock but said he had not used any password to access the system.

His lawyers called for his release, arguing Akay should enjoy immunity due to his status. But the court ordered he be kept under arrest, setting the next hearing for April 13.

Akay had been working with the UN international court trying suspects over the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and his detention has paralysed proceedings into an appeal hearing of former Rwandan minister Augustin Ngirabatware.

The UN court has already said Turkey has failed to comply with its obligations and said it would report Ankara to the UN Security Council.

Presiding judge Theodore Meron has insisted that Akay, a former diplomat who was nominated to the bench by Ankara, has diplomatic immunity and has repeatedly voiced concern over the conditions of his detention.

Under a state of emergency imposed after the coup, Turkey has embarked on a relentless crackdown against alleged supporters of Gulen, arresting some 43,000 people.

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Donald Trump is planning to order a dramatic reduction in the role climate change plays in policy decisions, a White House official has said.

The US President, who has called global warming a hoax created by China, is reportedly preparing to release a wide-ranging executive order overturning measures taken by Barack Obama to combat climate change.

A Trump administration official who has seen a draft of the order told Bloomberg News and Reuters that a requirement for government agencies to factor climate change into formal environmental reviews, such as those for new pipelines, would be dropped.

Mr Trump was expected to target green regulations including a federal coal mining ban and an initiative forcing states to cut carbon emissions.

But a more comprehensive order could change how regulations are set on a broad array of industries, from drilling, coal mining and auto manufacturing to refining.

The official said the order would instruct a u-turn from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other departments on Obama-era policies such as the social cost of carbon, which seeks to quantify potential economic damage from climate change for the purposes of drafting regulation.

White House spokeswoman Kelly Love declined to discuss the timing of an executive order on energy. We have nothing to announce at this time, she said.

 Bill Nye to Bernie Sanders: The effects of Trump's climate change denial could be catastrophic

Under rules put in by place by Mr Obama, the current cost of carbon in policy decisions is $36 (29) per tonne, which will rise to $50 (41) by 2030.

The Trump order would direct regulators to use a discount rate that would dramatically reduce, or eliminate, that cost.

Discount rates are used to come up with a net present value of something whose benefits and costs will be distributed over time. In the case of carbon, the impact of emissions on the earth's climate can take several years to appear.

Under some scenarios referenced in the executive order, carbon could have a zero or negative value, the source said. The source said that the order may be an initial step to ultimately phasing out the carbon evaluation entirely.

The executive order could be issued as soon as this week, the source said, and may include other energy-specific measures, like a requirement for the EPA to conduct a review of regulations that could harm energy production.

Environmentalists have condemned sweeping changes by Mr Trump on climate change, saying it puts the US and its people at risk, but fossil fuel industry leaders have welcomed the approach.

Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, told Bloomberg that Mr Obama had created a labyrinth of rules and orders and regulations to cement his agenda across practically every agency.

The Department of Interior under Obama had issued a moratorium on coal leasing on federal land in 2015 as it sought to review the program and evaluate whether the government adequately priced the value of coal extracted from public lands on behalf of taxpayers.

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The Clean Power Plan was Mr Obama's centerpiece initiative to combat climate change, requiring states to slash emissions of carbon dioxide. But it was never implemented due to legal challenges launched by several Republican states.

The new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, said last week he is not convinced that carbon dioxide from human activity is the main driver of climate change and said he wants Congress to weigh in on whether CO2 is a harmful pollutant that should be regulated.

The Obama administration's carbon cost estimates were first issued in 2010 and have been used to analyze rules directly targeting carbon dioxide emissions, like car and truck emissions standards.

They have also been used to cover rules on indirect emissions, like one to control mercury and other air pollutants from power plants.

Additional reporting from Reuters
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The White House has released details of Donald Trumps income and tax returns before he was President, prompted by a US television host who claimed to have new information relating to the property mogul's personal finances.

The tax returns show that the Republican billionaire made more than $150m (123m) in 2005 and paid $38m (31m) in income taxes that year.

The acknowledgement came after MSNBC host Rachel Maddow presented what she said was part of Mr Trump's tax forms from that year.

 Kellyanne Conway says President Trump will not release his tax returns

The story emerged after respected US reporter David Cay Johnston claimed to have received the Presidents tax return in the post from an unknown source.

It was unclear who was behind the apparent leak. Unconfirmed rumours claimed the Trump administration may even have been behind the leak, although the White House released a strongly-worded statement condemning the "illegal" action.

Mr Trump refused to release his tax returns during the presidential election campaign, claiming he was under audit.

Commenting shortly before Ms Maddow's programme aired, the White House said publishing the returns would be illegal, and launched another attack on the "dishonest media".

The full statement from the Trump administration said: You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago.

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

Before being elected President, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required.

That being said, Mr. Trump paid $38 million dollars even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million dollars, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that.

Despite this substantial income figure and tax paid, it is totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns.

The dishonest media can continue to make this part of their agenda, while the President will focus on his, which includes tax reform that will benefit all Americans.

 Trump spokesperson complains everyone believes Obama and no one believes Trump

Mr Trumps son, Donald Trump Junior, tweeted after the MSNBC show aired, thanking Ms Maddow for proving to your #Trump hating followers how successful @realDonaldTrump is & that he paid $40mm in taxes!

Democrats and some Republicans have spent months calling for the tax returns to be released, arguing that they could show whether his global business empire posed a conflicts of interest.

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed a petition demanding that the President immediately release his full tax returns, "with all information needed to verify emoluments clause compliance".

A Washington Post/ABC News poll in January found that 74 per cent of Americans - including 49 per cent of Mr Trumps own supporters - wanted him to release his returns.

There is no law that demands the President release his returns.

But Mr Trump is the first President in American history to be so opaque regarding his taxes.
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The White House has said Donald Trump is very confident that his claim Barack Obama wiretapped him before the election will be vindicated.

The president startled the country when he claimed earlier this month his predecessor had ordered electronic surveillance of Trump Tower during the 2016 election. Two congressional committees have agreed to look into the claim, which Mr Trump made without providing any evidence and which Mr Obama has strongly refuted.

The congressional committees have asked the Department of Justice to provide any evidence to support the allegation by March 20, and threatened to seek court orders if it does not do so.

Mr Trumps spokesman Sean Spicer was asked on Tuesday how confident the president was that evidence would be found to support his claim.

I think hes extremely confident. I will let the committees do their jobs, but there is significant reporting about surveillance techniques during the 2016 election, he said.

I will leave it up to the [congressional committees] to issue their reports. But he feels very confident that ultimately [he will be] vindicated.

 Sean Spicer says Donald Trump did not mean Barack Obama personally wire-tapped him during campaign

The intelligence committees of the US house and senate have said they will include Mr Trumps claim as part of their ongoing probes into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election. They had asked that the White House provide any information it had to support the claim by Monday.

The Department of Justice asked for extra time, and was told the information should be collected and handed over by March 20.

Asked whether the White House would ensure such evidence was made available, Mr Spicer sought to dodge the question. When reporters continued to press him, he said I feel very confident that such information would be made available.

Mr Spicers comments came a day after he appeared to somewhat walk away from Mr Trumps wiretap claim, suggesting the president had not been speaking literally when he talked of a wiretap. He said the president was referring broadly to a range of surveillance and monitoring techniques that were reportedly taking place during the election.

The White House has said Mr Trump based his claim on media reports - apparently one in the right wing Breitbart News site, once managed by his special advisor Steve Bannon.

Yet in his tweet, Mr Trump spoke specifically of a wiretap. He also referred to an earlier court decision that had turned down such a wiretap request.

Observers pointed out that any surveillance could only have been undertaken by the FBI after obtaining a warrant from a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court - implying that a judge must have believed there was sufficient suspicion of wrongdoing to grant such approval.

Intelligence officials told US media they were not aware of any such operation being carried out.

Mr Obamas spokesman said neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any US citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false.

Mr Spicer told reporters on Monday: He does not think Obama went out there and wiretapped him personally. There are are a whole host of techniques to or surveil someone.

He added: The president was very clear in his tweet that it was wiretapping - that spans a whole host of surveillance types of options. The house and the senate intelligence committees will now look into that and provide a report back.


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Donald Trumps claim that has he was wiretapped by Barack Obama is under increasing assault after a congressional committee said it had seen no evidence to support the allegation and it did not believe that it happened.

The president startled millions earlier this month when he claimed  without providing any evidence  that his predecessor at the White House had ordered electronic surveillance of Trump Tower during the election campaign.

The White House asked congress to investigate the claim, and the two committees that agreed to do so asked the Department of Justice for information to support the accusation. On Tuesday, the White House said Mr Trump was very confident he would be vindicated.

But on Wednesday, Devin Nunes, the Republican Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said he did not believe Mr Trumps phones had been tapped.

As I told you last week, in regard to the president talking about tapping Trump Tower. That evidence still remains the same. We dont have any evidence that took place, he said.

And I dont believe, having spoken to people just in the last week, I dont believe there was an actual tap of Trump Tower.

He added: Now you have to decide if you are going to take the tweets literally? If you are, clearly the president is wrong.

 Jeff Sessions hesitates, then denies he ever gave a reason for Trump to believe he was wiretapped

Congressman Adam Schiff, the senior Democrat on the committee, said: It deeply concerns me that the president would make such an accusation without basis.

Mr Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, has sought to walk back the presidents claim, made in a series of early morning tweets, and suggested he was talking about broader surveillance, and did not necessarily mean wiretapping.

I will let the committees do their jobs, but there is significant reporting about surveillance techniques during the 2016 election, he said this week.

I will leave it up to the [congressional committees] to issue their reports. But he feels very confident that ultimately [he will be] vindicated.

Mr Nunes said that while he did not believe Mr Trump had been wiretapped, he said he remained concerned about two issues  whether Americans had been electronically eavesdropped on and if anyone had been unmasked by the intelligence services. He said there was evidence that crimes were committed in revealing communications between former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the US.

For a long time here I have been very clear about my concern about, number one, the incidental collection on General Flynn, how that was put into a product, how it was unmasked, how it was leaked to the public, he said. Several crimes have been committed here.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham said Congress was ready to flex its muscles if FBI Director James Comey did not answer questions by Wednesday about any Russian ties to the Trump campaign or provide evidence of a wiretapping warrant for Trump Tower.

Mr Graham, in a series of televised interviews, said he was prepared to issue subpoenas for information on whether the FBI received a warrant to tap Mr Trump's phones during the presidential campaign.

Meanwhile, Democratic congressman John Yarmuth said that Mr Trump had written the tweets because he had got into a hissy fit.
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Donald Trump has reportedly given the Pentagon permission to carry out more raids in Yemen  despite a botched mission in January that resulted in the deaths of 20 civilians and a US Navy Seal.

The White House told military leaders they can carry out missions in the Gulf state without specific presidential approval.

Negotiations about extending similar permissions to raids in Libya and Somalia are also taking place, CNN reported.

Instead of needing Mr Trump to sign off on specific missions, officials told the broadcaster that military leaders will be given the freedom to carry out operations providing they are in line with a broader strategy agreed by the President.

US Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the White House had acted to "open up a window of opportunity based upon a set geographical area and a set period in time".

As a result of the change, 40 US airstrikes have been launched in Yemen in the last two weeks.

The move comes amid what US officials see as a growing threat from terrorist groups in Yemen, Libya and Somalia.

Military leaders have long tried to get the White House to categorise missions in the three countries as active hostility  a move that would allow them to carry out raids and airstrikes more quickly and with fewer restrictions.

Before he left office Barack Obama had already agreed to allow operations in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and the city of Sirte in Libya.

But while Mr Trump has agreed to extend the remit to Yemen, he not made a decision on Somalia or the rest of Libya.

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

Days after taking office in January, Mr Trump approved plans for a raid on an al-Qaeda base in Yemen  a mission that Mr Obama had decided not to authorise until further information was available.

The subsequent operation resulted in the death of Ryan Owens, a US Navy Seal, and 20 civilians, as well as 14 al Qaeda militants.

Mr Trump claimed the raid was highly successful and the White House insisted it had resulted in vital intelligence being gathered.

But a main target of the raid, militant leader Qassim al-Rimi, either escaped or was not present at the base at the time of the operation. .

Some US intelligence sources have questioned the value of the intelligence gained by the mission.

The three countries where US military leaders want a greater remit to operate all have significant presence of terrorist groups.

Libya continues to be divided among various militant factions, with a strong Isis presence in the country, while in Yemen, political instability has allowed the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula group to establish strongholds in the country.

The ongoing power vacuum in Somalia has allowed al-Shabaab, an al Qaeda affiliate, to seize significant amounts of land.
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A woman who was forced to turn down a senior job with the Trump administration after she was accused of plagiarism, is working for a well-connected Ukrainian billionaire.

Moncia Crowley, a one-time Fox News analyst, was obliged to turn down a post as a communications official with the national security council, after a number of cases of alleged plagiarism came to light. These included part of 2012 book, as well as her 2000 Columbia University PhD dissertation.

Now it has emerged she is providing outreach services to Ukrainian steel magnate Victor Pinchuk, one of that countrys richest men and the son-in-law of Leonid Kuchma, a former president who was implicated in corruption.

The Daily Beast said Ms Crowley told the Justice Departments National Security Division that she will represent Mr Pinchuk in discussions with US government officials and other policy makers regarding issues of concern to the billionaire.

Mr Trump originally stood by Ms Crowley, calling the accusations of plagiarism politically motivated. Last week, she made the same comment in an interview with Fox News.

What happened to me was a despicable straight-up political hit job, she said. Its been debunked, my editor has completely supported me and backed me up.

 Rachel Maddow reveals how she acquired two pages from an old Donald Trump tax return

Mr Pinchuk wrote about the eastern Ukraine conflict in the Wall Street Journal last year, urging his countrymen to consider painful compromises for peace including backing away from potential NATO or European Union membership.

Ms Crowley will work with Fox News Democratic contributor Doug Schoen, a registered Democrat who often takes political views at odds with his party.

Observers have pointed out that Ms Crowleys claim that her editors backed her are not correct. HarperCollins withdrew the digital edition of her book What the (Bleep) Just Happened?, as allegations mounted.

When she stood down in January, Ms Crowely did not mention the plagiarism controversy

After much reflection, I have decided to remain in New York to pursue other opportunities and will not be taking a position in the incoming administration, she said.

I greatly appreciate being asked to be part of President-elect Trumps team, and I will continue to enthusiastically support him and his agenda for American renewal.
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The Republican answer to Obamacare has been analysed and though it will save the government money, it will likely leave millions without health insurance, a report has found.

Republicans in the House of Representatives presented a bill called the American Health Care Act to the Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan, independent agency that rates the financial feasibility of bills that are to be put to a vote in the two houses of Congress.

The resulting report has many concerned.

Approximately 14 million more people will be left uninsured according to the CBO report, rising to up to 24 million more by 2026.

This is in direct opposition to the Trump administrations repeated claims and President Trumps campaign promises that all Americans would be covered under the Republican alternative to Obamacare, formally known as the Affordable Care Act.

Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary, weighed in during his daily press briefing.

He and others in the administration have claimed that the CBO estimate on the number of uninsured and the rise in cost of premiums for individuals is inaccurate.

Theyre pretty good at dollars, not good at people, Mr Spicer said about the CBO.

Republicans in the House have explained that the current proposed legislation is simply the first of three phases, as Mr Spicer called it, and that the CBO left out key parts in their report.

As Mike Strazzella, a federal government relations attorney at Buchanan, Ingersoll, & Rooney told The Independent, the CBO has no political gain to adding or not adding pieces of the bill in their analysis.

Arthur Tacchino, a healthcare reform expert for SyncStream Solutions, told The Independent that what those next phases are still unclear but may involve Mr Trump signing executive orders and passing additional health care-related laws.

Mr Tacchino explained that one notable item left out was the clause on association health care plans, that would allow small businesses to band together and approach insurance carriers as a group in order to get better underwriting and lower premiums.

The clause perhaps would have allayed some Democrats fears on the rising costs under the new proposed legislation.

Its exclusion from the final version could be due to party infighting or a plan to include it in future phases, according to Mr Tacchino.

According to the CBO report, the cost of premiums will go up in the next two to three years by an additional 15 to 20 per cent under the new proposed plan, compared to the expected increase under Obamacare.

The brutal truth about Americas healthcare Show all 2 1 /2 The brutal truth about Americas healthcare The brutal truth about Americas healthcare 233901.bin GETTY IMAGES; AFP The brutal truth about Americas healthcare 233909.bin AFP

Its not that youll pay 10 per cent less than what youre paying today, its just a 10 per cent lower increase to premiums, explained Mr Tacchino.

Much of the reason for this appears to be a principle of underwriting. Obamacares individual mandate - requiring every American to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty - is what has kept premiums at the point they are now.

The replacement plan eliminates the individual mandate and thus guaranteed coverage. To make up for that, the replacement plans penalty is a 30 per cent increase on premiums for 12 months after a period of 63 days without insurance.

According to the CBO however, it does have the same price impact for individuals purchasing insurance.

This is because of the combined age and income based tax credit system under the Republican plan, poor Americans and those in their 50s and 60s making less than $75,000, will still face a significant increase in their monthly payments.

Mr Strazzella explained that despite some of the bleak aspects of the CBO report, Republicans are still celebrating the fact outlined in the report that the plan will save the US government money and reduce the overall deficit.

He said though the tax revenue is lost with getting rid of the individual mandate, it is made up for by reducing the cost of Medicaid, the subsidised health assistance programme for those living under the poverty line.

Currently, Obamacare allows for an expanded version of Medicaid in 31 states, covering anyone making up to $15,000. The Republican plan will put a cap on what the government will spend on Medicaid recipients and end this expanded coverage in 2020.

However, he noted that the bill will have to change before it passes the House and goes on to a Senate vote.

As of today, they do not have the votes based on the public comments by Senators. They will have to tone down number the number of uninsured...in dramatic fashion, Mr Strazzella said.

The big picture debate over Obamacare and the replacement is one that has been around for decades, according to Mr Strazzella: mandating ability to purchase versus the ability to access healthcare.

That is, the debate between access to health insurance versus the ability to get health care.

Savannah Guthrie, host of NBCs Today Show, gave a good example of this when interviewing head of Health and Human Services Tom Price.

When you say access is that like if Im sitting at home and I make $25,000 a year, I have access to buying a BMW, but I cant afford it.

The next step for House Republicans will be to revise the bill to prepare it for House and Senate votes.
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Saudi Arabias deputy crown prince has hailed Donald Trump as a true friend of Muslims and said he does not believe the Presidents controversial immigration ban targets Islam.

A senior adviser to Prince Mohammad bin Salman said the meeting marked a historical turning point in US-Saudi relations, which worsened under Barack Obamas administration because of the nuclear agreement struck with Iran.

A statement said the princes visit had put things on the right track and marked a significant shift across politics, security and the economy.

All of this is due to President Trumps great understanding of the importance of relations between the two countries and his clear sight of problems in the region, it continued, according to Bloomberg.

Saudi Arabia does not believe that [the immigration ban]is targeting Muslim countries or the religion of Islam.

This measure is a sovereign decision aimed at preventing terrorists from entering the United States of America.

President Trump expressed his deep respect for the religion of Islam, considering it one of the divine religions that came with great human principles kidnapped by radical groups.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of fuelling Islamist extremism with its adherence to fundamentalist Wahhabism and funding foreign mosques and schools that spread the ideology, sparking criticism from German intelligence services in a recent report.

 Saudi foreign minister: Donald Trump 'is a friend to everybody'

Mr Trump was criticised for omitting the Kingdom from the six predominantly Muslim countries included in his second attempted immigration ban.

It claims to be protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States but opponents have pointed out that the nations linked to most atrocities, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt, are not barred.

Almost 3,000 people died in the attacks on 11 September 2001, the worlds deadliest ever terror attack, which was carried out by 15 hijackers from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates, one from Egypt and one from Lebanon.

The countries included Mr Trumps travel ban  Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen  only have a handful of citizens involved in terror attacks on US soil but the White House argues the countries prevent an increased threat because of activity by Isis and al-Qaeda linked groups.

Prince Mohammad, who is also the Saudi defence minister, told the President his intelligence services had received information on a terror plot against the US.

A spokesperson said he expressed his satisfaction with the positive attitude and clarifications he heard from President Trump about his stance on Islam, adding: President Trump has an unprecedented and serious intention to work with the Muslim world and to achieve its interests and Prince Mohammed considers his Excellency as a true friend of Muslims.

The two leaders held talks in the Oval Office, with Vice President Mike Pence, Mr Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus and strategist Steve Bannon also present.

Donald Trump and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prepare to have lunch in the State Dining Room at the White House on 14 March (Getty Images)

Separately, the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson received Saudi foreign minister Arabia Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, for talks on economic ties, combating extremism and the wars in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia, which follows Sunni Islam as a state religion, views its main threat to be Shia Iran, which Mr Trump has frequently targeted while opposing the landmark nuclear deal struck in 2015.

He claimed to put Tehran on notice following a ballistic missile test in February, with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responding by calling nationwide protests where anti-US demonstrators burned flags and shouted death to America.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman has stressed how bad and very dangerous the nuclear deal is on the region, his spokesperson said, claiming weapon development would continue.

The President and the Deputy Crown Prince share the same views on the gravity of the Iranian expansionist moves in the region.

Iran is trying to gain its legitimacy in the Islamic world by supporting terrorist organisations.

As part of Saudi Arabia and Irans ongoing proxy war, the two nations are backing opposing sides in Syria and Yemen, accusing each other of terrorism and war crimes while denying interference.

10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty

They are also both accused of a litany of human rights abuses, including executions and Sharia-inspired justice systems, as well as crackdowns on freedom of speech and religion.

The issues were not mentioned in statements by the White House or Riyadh, with the Saudi spokesperson saying huge Saudi investments in the US and exceptional opportunities for American companies were discussed.

Prince Mohammad is leading a drive to revive finances by diversifying the economy away from a reliance on falling crude oil revenues, selling a stake in state oil giant Saudi Aramco and promoting the private sector.

The senior adviser said the leaders discussed the successful Saudi experience of setting up a border protection system on the Saudi-Iraq border that has prevented migration and smuggling.

Trump has vowed to start work quickly on his own barrier along the nearly 2,000-mile US-Mexico border to prevent illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing to the north.

Saudi Arabia had viewed the Obama administration with unease, angered over the Iran deal and Mr Obamas suspension of some US weapons sales to the Saudis in response to thousands of civilian casualties in Yemen.

US officials said Mr Trump was considering ending that ban and approving the sale of guidance systems made by Raytheon Co - a move already approved by the State Department.

Update: A typographical error in the original version of this article wrongly stated that 15 of the 9/11 hijackers came from Yemen. It has now been corrected to say they were Saudi citizens.
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Chinas Premier said his country does not want a trade war with the US, but he warned that American firms will lose out unless common ground can be found.

"Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction," Li Keqiang told a news conference.

He added: "We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer."

He was speaking ahead of a highly anticipated meeting between Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month.

The US leader has called China a currency manipulator and accused the country of underhand trading and economic tactics.

He has also criticised China for its perceived lack of interest in reining in nuclear-armed North Korea.

Despite tensions between the two countries, Mr Li said that he believed Chinas relationship with the US could continue to move in a positive direction.

He added that he wanted to reassure investors that Chinas economy is strong and stressed Beijing's support for globalisation and free trade at a time of rising protectionism.

His comments came ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who has previously advocated a US naval blockade of artificial Chinese islands in the South China Sea.

But Mr Li, who recognised the two countries' extensive common interests, said China and the US should sit down and talk to each other to overcome differences and find solutions.

Chinas Premier also said that trade and investment ties between the world's two largest economies created up to one million American jobs last year.

Should a trade war break out between China and the United States, it would be foreign-invested companies, in particular US firms, that would bear the brunt of it, he said.

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

Mr Li admitted there are risks to China's economy but said talk of a sharp slowdown should stop.

"But I believe that our economic performance in the past several years ... should suffice to put a full stop to such prophesies of a hard landing, he said.

Last year, Chinas economy grew by 6.7 percent but this year growth target was cut to around 6.5 per cent.

Analysts have said the country's reliance on credit-fueled growth and its rising debt are increasing the chances of a financial crisis in the future.
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The United States is working with India to ensure the countrys acceptance into the Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG).

There are currently 48 members and the group controls the export of materials, equipment and technology that could be used to create nuclear weapons.

Three nations, India, Pakistan and Namibia, have all applied to join the elite group.

Donald Trumps administration has now endorsed Indias attempt to join the organisation and has vowed to work closely with the nation.

"The United States supports India's full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes, and we believe that India is ready for NSG membership," a US State Department spokesperson told PTI.

"We have worked and continue to work closely with our Indian counterparts and the NSG Participating Governments to help advance India's case for membership."

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

Barack Obamas administration had tried to help India but there was significant opposition from China.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is set to visit China this week in the hope of securing a ties with the world superpower.
Four female suicide bombers blew themselves up near a bus station in northeastern Nigeria early Wednesday, killing two people, the country's disaster agency said.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the blasts occurred at about 1:15 am (0015 GMT) in the Usmanti area on the outskirts of Maiduguri, a city which has been hit by several similar attacks in recent weeks.

"Two men were killed due to the explosion while about 16 injured people were administered first aid," the agency's spokesman for the northeast, Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said in a statement.

Usmanti is near a sprawling camp for people who have been driven from the remote countryside by Boko Haram violence and, increasingly, the need for food.

The Islamist group has frequently used young women and girls as human bombs.

On Saturday, civilian militia members assisting the military with security shot and killed two female bombers, who NEMA said were 18-years-old, as they tried to enter Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

One of the would-be bombers was pregnant, the agency said.

In January, a female bomber carrying a baby on her back used the infant as a decoy before detonating her explosives, killing several people in the neighbouring state of Adamawa.

Boko Haram's insurgency to create a hardline Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria has claimed at least 20,000 lives and forced about 2.6 million people to flee their homes.

That has triggered a dire humanitarian crisis in the three northeastern states and the wider Lake Chad region, which has also been hit by the conflict.

Aid agencies have said parts of Borno are facing "famine-like" conditions.

Boko Haram, affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) militant group, has been severely weakened since a military offensive by Nigeria and its allies that began in early 2015. But there are still attacks on "soft" civilian targets.

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A three-year-old girl has been forced into marriage in order to settle a dispute between her father and another man, it has been reported.

The child has been married to a nine-year-old boy in Pakistans Neelum Valley, in the province of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, after her father failed to pay a penalty for allegedly having an affair Dawn.com reports.

Pakistani police have called the incident a case of Vani, a custom in which young girls are forced to be married by way of punishment for a crime committed by a male relative.

The girls father, named only as Mr Aurangzeb, was accused of having an affair with the mother of the boy by her husband, Mohammad Younis.

Mr Younis reportedly demanded Rs500,000 (6,200) over the alleged incident, which Mr Aurangzeb was unable to pay. Mr Younis allegedly bribed local police and had the man jailed instead.

This is when the Jirga gathered and got my daughter married to Mr Youniss son to settle the dispute, Mr Aurangzeb told police.

Mr Aurangzeb claims the Jirga, a tribal council, demanded the marriage between the two mens children, and forced him to have his thumbprint on a document that stated the allegations against him would be withdrawn, he would no longer owe Mr Younis money and would not spend any more time in jail.

Local police have arrested six of the 13 people who are believed to have taken part in the Jirga, including Mr Younis, Mr Aurangzeb and the girls grandfather, as well as the cleric who legitimised the marriage.
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The naked body of an Irish student from Liverpool has been found near a beach in South Goa, Indian police say, and the incident is being treated as murder.

The woman, who was in her twenties and has been named locally as Danielle McLaughlin, is understood to have travelled to the area to celebrate the festival of Holi.

Police have launched an investigation into Ms McLaughlin's alleged rape and murder and have sent her body to the Goa Medical College for a post-mortem.

Ms McLaughlin is thought to have been visiting India with a friend, who is helping authorities with the investigation.

We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects, a police officer, who asked not to be named, told IANS.

The body was lying in a pool of blood without clothes and there were injuries on the head and face, Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told The Hindu.

Investigators are assessing CCTV footage from nearby areas and one man has been arrested so far.

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 Irish embassy in the country has made contact with the relevant authorities and has expressed its desire to help.

"Ireland's embassy in New Delhi is in contact with Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance," the department said in a statement to the Irish Times.

The BBC reported Ms McLaughlin, who grew up in Buncrana, County Donegal, was a dual national who travelled to India on her British passport. The UK Foreign Office said it was working with Indian police.

"We are supporting the family of a British-Irish woman following her death in Goa, India," a spokesman told the BBC. "Our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."
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The US Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin Laden is reportedly set to join military training drills against North Korea for the first time.

Along with other elite US units including the Army Rangers, Delta Force and the Green Berets, SEAL Team Six will take part in annual training exercises alongside South Korean forces, according to Yonhap News.

"A bigger number of and more diverse US special operation forces will take part in this year's Foal Eagle and Key Resolve exercises to practise missions to infiltrate into the North, remove the North's war command and demolition of its key military facilities," a South Korean official told the news agency.

SEAL Team Six would practice removing Kim Jong-un and destroying North Koreas weapons of mass destruction, South Koreas Defence Ministry told the Joong Ang Daily newspaper.

A ministry official told the newspaper it would send a strong message to the communist state.

But US Navy Commander Gary Ross denied the US military would practice taking out the North Korean leader. "Foal Eagle is designed to enhance the Republic of Korea-US alliance's ability tio defend the RoK," he said.

F-35 fighter jets will also reportedly carry out strike simulations on key North Korean sites, while a joint amphibious landing drill involving the US and South Korea will begin next month.

North Korea has already warned of merciless attacks if the USS Carl Vinson, a US aircraft carrier currently in South Korean waters, infringes on its sovereignty and dignity even a bit.

 Kim Jong Un 'will press the button' if his rule is threatened, North Korea defector reveals

The secretive state last week fired four ballistic missiles into the sea off Japan in response to the annual military drills, which it sees as preparation for war.

Both the US and South Korea maintain that the exercises are purely defensive.

Asked if Navy SEAL Team Six was will be involved in the exercise, Commander Ross said: "There are variety of Special Operations Forces (SOF) participating in Foal Eagle, as they do in most regional exercises."

He continued: "Foal Eagle is a regularly-scheduled, annual exercise that is the culmination of many months of planning and it is not being conducted in response to the current situation on peninsula."

North and South Korea are technically still at war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang

An internal White House review of strategy on North Korea reportedly includes the possibility of direct military action to counter North Koreas nuclear threat.

The US Department of Defense has been contacted for comment but none had arrived at the time of publication.
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An eleven-year-old Pakistani girl has written to Narendra Modi to congratulate him on his victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but also highlight the need for peace between the countries.

Aqeedat Naveed penned the two-page letter and called on both nations to buy books and not buy bullets.

The schoolgirls hand-written letter has been shared widely and received praise from members of both countries.

"Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvellous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP, she wrote, according to the Times of India.

But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace.

Both countries need good relation. Let's make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let's decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people," Aqeedat added.

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

She is well-known in Pakistan for her letters and had previously written to the countrys chief of army, Qamar Javed Bajwa, congratulating him on his efforts to restore peace.
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A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world to be recognised as a living entity with its own rights and values and given the legal status of a person.

The Whanganui River, located in the north island of New Zealand, has a special and spiritual importance for the Maori people.

The New Zealand Parliament has just passed a bill which gives the river the ability to represent itself through human representatives, one appointed by a Maori community, known as Iwi, and one by the Crown, New Zealand news service Newshub reports.

The new status of the Whanganui River, or Te Awa Tupua, is believed to be unique in the world.

The Maori people recognise the river as part of the living mountains and the sea.

Chris Finlayson, who negotiated the treaty, said the Whanganui Iwi had fought for recognition of the peoples relationship with the river since the 1870s.

"Te Awa Tupua will have its own legal identity with all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person," he told Newshub.

"I know some people will say it's pretty strange to give a natural resource a legal personality, but it's no stranger than family trusts, or companies, or incorporated societies."

The Whanganui River is the third longest in the country and its new official status is part of the conclusion to a long-running legal dispute.

The bill includes an $80m (65m) financial redress and the government will also contribute $30m (26m) to a fund for looking after the rivers health and wellbeing.
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Youve heard of the elephant in the room, now brace yourself for the elephants in the shopping centre.

Next week Londons Westfield will play host to a herd of digital elephants marching across massive billboards to raise awareness of the urgent crisis facing the worlds largest land mammal.

An elephant is killed every 25 minutes, mostly by poachers, and more than a third of the population has been wiped out in just seven years.

Recommended New DNA system helps combat wild elephant trafficking

Global campaign March for Giants asks you to join a virtual herd of digital elephants in a protest parade across huge digital screens in three continents, to speed an end to the slaughter.

#MarchforGiants begins in Hong Kong on 23 March, progresses to Times Square in New York and then on to London Stratford and Birmingham before ending in Manchester on 26 March.

For just 5 you can be part of the campaign by creating your own personalised elephant to join the herd. The campaign supports the work of the elephant conservation charity Space for Giants.

The Independents owner Evgeny Lebedev is Patron of the charity, and The Independent has its own branded elephant which will be part of the globe-trotting herd.

The Independent has its own branded elephant which will be part of the globe-trotting herd

Brands already signed up to #MarchforGiants include Givergy, Made by Riley, National Express, Ocean Outdoor, Westfield, Chantecaille, The Delta Group, BCD Travel and FIRSTavenue. Every corporate partners donation will enable Space For Giants to protect one elephant for the duration of its life.

Celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley and Ricky Gervais have got behind the campaign, and Space for Giants celebrity ambassadors have spoken out to emphasise the importance of us acting before its too late.

Marcella star Anna Friel says: The rate of slaughter of elephants is horrific. I don't want a future without elephants, and Ill do everything I can to stop that from happening.

 March for Giants 2017

By joining #MarchforGiants you will enable Space for Giants to look after real life animals in the wild. The charity has more than a decade of on-the-ground experience protecting African elephants and the landscapes they depend on.

The charitys work includes training anti-poaching Rapid Response Teams to prevent poaching and securing protected landscapes for elephants to roam. Their work has seen an 84 per cent reduction in elephant poaching in North Kenya in just three years.

The #MarchforGiants campaign is the worlds first to link global billboard space. It was conceived by creative agency 18 Feet & Rising, will be brought to life by Popped, Free Folk and DOOH.com, and the four-day virtual parade takes place on massive digital screens operated by media owner Ocean Outdoor.

#MarchforGiants begins in Hong Kong on 23 March, progresses to Times Square in New York and then on to London Stratford and Birmingham before ending in Manchester

You have until the herd is released on 23 March to make sure you are part of the initiative. Everyone who shows support will receive photos of their personalised elephant as it marches across advertising screens in Hong Kong, New York, and Britain to share on social media. This March, lets march together to save these endangered giants.

Sponsor an elephant now for just 5 at www.marchforgiants.org

For more information on the work Space for Giants does to protect elephants visit www.spaceforgiants.org
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the

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A trio of schoolboys aged between five and eight-years-old reportedly kicked a flamingo to death after pelting it with stones at a zoo in the Czech Republic.

The youngsters reportedly climbed over the fence of the Jihlava Zoo before launching their attack on the flock of American flamingos.

First, they pelted them with stones," zoologist Jan Vasak told the Prague Morning news site, adding that one of them started to kick one of the birds.

By the time an electrician interrupted the boys, aged five, six and eight, one flamingo had already been killed and another had sustained serious injuries.

Staff at the Zoo in Jihlava, a small city around 80 miles south of the country's capital Prague, tried to catch the boys but they managed to escape.

But Mr Vasak said that "one of them had a distinct yellow sweatshirt" and police were able to trace two of them using CCTV footage.

"The third escaped, he said.

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

After the child suspects refused to speak with investigators, they were arrested, according to local media reports which said their parents may have to pay compensation to the zoo.

Martin Malac, a spokesman for the zoo, said the boys had expressed no remorse for what they had done.

The dead flamingo was a male, who had survived floods at a zoo in Prague in 2002, before he was hastily transferred to the Jihlava Zoo. A father of eight, he was valued at about 1,700.

The birds are reported to have been terribly frightened by the attack and staff at the zoo fear this could affect their breeding.
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Jeanette de Jong, a 63-year-old housewife in the west of The Hague, has been a loyal PVV voter ever since Geert Wilders started his own party back in 2006. I think he makes good points, she says. Not just on refugees, but also on the need for more money for healthcare. And she says that money now going to aid should be spent on Dutch people who live off food stamps.

She knows Mr Wilders is unlikely to become Prime Minister; almost all other parties have ruled out the option of forming a governing coalition with the PVV. For me its a statement, we have to let them feel what people really think. A large demonstration by Turkish Dutch over the weekend, following a diplomatic spat with Turkey, intensified her resolve. That was the final push, she said.

The fact that Mr Wilders would be unlikely to rule, even if he beats pollsters' expectations and comes out on top, is undemocratic in her eyes. But its the reason her husband, Marinus de Jong, who is 70, chose to vote for the Christian Democrats. Wilders doesnt have any chance of governing anyway. So I wanted to support a right-wing party, to make sure the left doesnt win, he told The Independent. If they do, I fear for the future.

Across town, a long line of voters snaked outside the polling station inside the picturesque Binnenhof, the seat of the Dutch parliament. Imane Mourabit, 19, was casting her first vote ever. As a Dutch-Moroccan who chooses to wear a veil, she had been personally affected by the rhetoric of this campaign, particularly Mr Wilders' call for criminals with dual nationalities to be expelled from the country.

"I was born here," she says. "That is why I get annoyed when people say, when you do something wrong you should be sent back to your country... It's really strange to tell people to go back to their country because this is where I grew up, this is where I belong." She feels the focus on immigration is crowding out issues that actually matter, like climate change. Because of that, she was voting for the Green Left party, GroenLinks.

Dutch voters have never been so divided. Twenty-eight parties are competing for 150 seats. The difference between the front runners is minimal. The last pre-election figures from Dutch pollster Maurice de Hond predicted that Prime Minister Mark Ruttes VVD will win 27 and Wilders PVV is expected to win 24. The Christian Democrats were not far behind at 22.

After voting at a school in a suburb of The Hague, Mr Wilders already seemed to be tempering expectations. "I expect to be one of the biggest parties, he said. He emphasised that he had already made his mark on this election, and the country. "Whatever the outcome of the election today, the genie will not go back into the bottle. And this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will stay.

Mr Rutte voted at a school in a middle-class neighbourhood of The Hague. He repeated his warning that this is a chance for a big democracy like The Netherlands to make a point ... to stop this ... domino effect of the wrong sort of populism." Mr Rutte has emphasised in the last few days that the risk of Mr Wilders party emerging as the largest is real.

But the crowded field left many uncertain; almost 40 per cent were still drifting between parties yesterday. The Independent spoke to several people who were unsure whom to cast their vote for, despite being minutes away from casting their ballot.

 Polls open in Dutch election amid fears of far-right surge

A final debate which saw the leaders of the top eight parties face off in a series of one-on-one debates drew a record 3.3 million viewers, almost twice as much as in 2012.

Many voters The Independent spoke to emphasised the importance of this election. Turnout has been high. Halfway through voting, turnout was six per cent higher than during the last elections of 2012. Five years ago, 74.6 per cent of roughly 13 million eligible voters showed up to vote.
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The EU should not fund far-right parties that want to destroy the bloc, according to the leader of the biggest party in the European Parliament.

Manfred Weber, head of the centre-right European Peoples Party, argued his case on Tuesday, amid concerns anti-EU candidates in both the Netherlands and France could make large gains in elections over the coming weeks.

Many nationalist parties, including pro-Brexit Ukip  formerly headed by MEP Nigel Farage  have a considerable presence in the European Parliament, which has become a crucial source of funding.

The German politician said: The question is whether Europe is stupid enough to fund its enemies.

Mr Weber, who is affiliated with Angela Merkel's ruling Christian Democratic Union party, told AFP he sent his proposal for new legislation in a letter to European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker.

The details would be hammered out over the next couple of months, Mr Weber said.

Eurosceptic parties expressed anger at the proposal, which is part of a revamp launched last year on how European parties are funded.

Raging Europhiles such as Weber have lost the argument and popular support and in their despair now wish to utilise finance as a weapon to hamper patriotic parties, said current Ukip leader and MEP Paul Nuttall.

There is no such thing as EU money, it's taxpayers' money and Eurosceptic parties have a mandate from their voters who pay tax, he said.

What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Show all 5 1 /5 What's the European Parliament ever done for us? What's the European Parliament ever done for us? A cap on the amount of hours an employer can make you work The Working Time directive provides legal standards to ensure the health and safety of employees in Europe. Among the many rules are a working week of a maximum 48 hours, including overtime, a daily rest period of 11 hours in every 24, a break if a person works for six hours or more, and one day off in every seven. It also includes provisions for paid annual leave of at least four weeks every year Getty Images What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping the people of Britain to avoid smoking In 2014 MEPs passed the Tobacco Products Directive strengthening existing rules on the manufacture, production and presentation of tobacco products. This includes things like reduced branding, restrictions on products containing flavoured tobacco, health warnings on cigarette packets and provisions for e-cigarettes to ensure they are safe What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Helping you to make the right choices with your food Thanks to the European Parliament, UK consumers have access to more information than ever about their food and drink. This includes amount of fat, and how much of it is saturated, carbohydrates, sugars, protein and so on. It also includes portion sizes and guideline daily amount information so people can make informed choices about their diet. All facts must be clear and easy to understand What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Two year guarantees and 14-day returns policy for all products Consumers across the EU have access to a number of rights, from things which are potentially very useful, to things which used to be annoying. For example, shoppers in the UK receive a two-year guarantee on all products, and a 14-day period to change their minds and return a purchase, these things are useful www.PeopleImages.com-licence restrictions apply What's the European Parliament ever done for us? Keeping your air nice and fresh (and safe) Believe it or not, although the situation is improving, some areas of the UK have appalling air quality. A report by the Royal College of Physicians released on 23 February says 40,000 deaths are caused by outdoor air pollution in the UK every year. Air pollution is linked to a number of illnesses and conditions, from Asthma to diabetes and dementia. The report estimates the costs to British business and the health service add up to 20 billion every year

UKIP and France's Front National, headed by presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, have been accused in the past of siphoning off EU funding to pay for national campaigning.

Ms Le Pen has refused to repay nearly 300,000 euros (262,000) in EU funds that the European parliament, which is based in both Strasbourg and Brussels, said were paid illegally to a party assistant in Paris.

MEPs will hold a debate on the topic of removing funding from some parties during a plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

What we are concerned with right now are the basic principles: we have got parties hostile to Europe that are enjoying European funding, Mr Weber said.
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The main exit poll in the Netherlands suggests that Prime Minister Mark Rutte has won the Dutch elections, easily beating anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders.

For the two-time prime minister Mr Rutte, the poll indicated that an economic recovery and his hard-line handling of a diplomatic dispute with Turkey over the past week has won him support.

The Ipsos polling company gave Mr Rutte's party 31 of the 150 seats in the lower house of parliament, compared to 19 seats for 3 other parties, including that of Mr Wilders. A second exit poll also showed the Prime Minister's party had the largest share after 82 per cent of voters turned out.

For Mr Wilders, the poll was a test whether his fiery nationalist rhetoric caught the imagination of the population. Even if he increased his total in the 150-seat legislature from 15 to 19, it is was a disappointment since he was seeking to become the biggest party. Weeks or months of coalition talks are expected to follow.

"Rutte has not seen the back of me!!" Mr Wilders said in a Twitter reaction.

The exit poll was conducted at 43 of the 9,300 polling stations across the country on Wednesday. It had a margin of error of two percentage points.

With France and Germany facing elections in the months ahead, Mr Rutte hoped to slow the momentum of what he called the wrong sort of populism after last's year British vote to leave the European Union and the election of US President Donald Trump.

This is a chance for a big democracy like the Netherlands to make a point to stop this toppling over of the domino stones of the wrong sort of populism, Mr Rutte said after voting.

Germany's foreign office was quick to react on Twitter. It said: "Large majority of Dutch voters have rejected anti European populists. That's good news. We need you for a strong #Europe!"

Mr Wilders had insisted that whatever the result of Wednesday's election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent are not going away.

The genie will not go back into the bottle. People feel misrepresented, he said, predicting the feeling would surface in the French and Germany elections. But the first indications were still bad.

The Dutch Labor Party of eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem has been punished by voters in parliamentary elections, plunging from 38 seats at the last election to just nine.

The left-leaning party appeared to be hammered by its supporters for its role over the last four years in pushing through a tough austerity package as junior member in a two-party Cabinet with the right-wing VVD party of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Labor Party junior Cabinet minister Sharon Dijksma called the defeat "an enormous slap for us all and I think that all social democrats this evening have a scratch on their soul."

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

Mr Rutte had framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery and casting Mr Wilders as a far-right radical who was unprepared to make tough decisions.

The chance of Mr Wilders becoming prime minister in the Netherlands, where a proportional representation voting system all but guarantees coalition governments, was remote, even if his party had placed first in the election.

All mainstream parties, including Mr Rutte's VVD, had ruled out working with Mr Wilders and his Party for Freedom.

Mr Wilders' one-page election manifesto included pledges to close borders to immigrants from Muslim nations, shutter mosques and ban the Koran, as well as to take the Netherlands out of the European Union.

The campaign's final days were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.

It erupted over the refusal of the Netherlands to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies about a referendum next month that could give Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.

The crisis nevertheless gave Mr Rutte an opportunity to refuse to bow to foreign pressure, a stance with widespread backing in the nation.

It is my task to keep the nation safe and stable and deal with these kinds of people, Mr Rutte said.

Mr Rutte has driven through unpopular austerity measures over the last four years, but the Dutch economic recovery has gathered pace and unemployment has fallen fast.

Mr Wilders, meanwhile, tapped into discontent among voters who say they are not benefiting from economic recovery.

AP/PA
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin set to cover the crisis in Ukraine, the Kremlin said Wednesday.

Putin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov said "a date has been agreed" but did not give any more details on the visit, state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the outlet that the visit would be announced "simultaneously" by Moscow and Berlin and that discussions would "of course" cover Ukraine.

The visit will be Merkel's first to the country in nearly two years after she last came to Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2015.

Merkel has been the main mediator with Putin over the crisis in Ukraine that has seen Moscow seize the Crimea region and back a separatist insurgency in the east of the country.

A peace plan brokered by France and Germany in February 2015 to end the conflict in Europe's backyard has stalled and bloody clashes continue regularly along the frontline.

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A petition opposing a second Scottish independence referendum has reached more than 126,000 signatures.

Scotlands first Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced plans to hold the ballot in late 2018 or early 2019, once the terms of Britain's exit from the EU have become clear.

However, the petition launched on the Governments official website, shows support for fracturing the UK is not unanimous.

We in Scotland are fed up of persecution by the SNP leader who is solely intent on getting independence at any cost. As a result, Scotland is suffering hugely, it reads.

As it has reached over 100,000 signatures, the Government must now consider the topic for a debate.

It came as a new poll found support for Scottish independence to be at its highest ever.

ScotCen's Scottish Social Attitudes survey showed 46 per cent of the Scottish public back independence from the UK, twice the level of support than in 2012.

However it also found Euroscepticism to be at a record-high in the country.

The survey recorded two in three Scots (66.6 per cent) either want the UK to leave the EU or the EU's powers to be reduced, compared with 53 per cent considered Eurosceptic in 2014.

Recommended Corbyn is just as much to blame as May for the Scottish referendum

Spains foreign minister has warned Scotland would "have to queue" to rejoin Europe in the event it achieved independence.

He also warned of the obstacles to EU entry for an independent Scotland and made it clear the country would receive no special treatment.

He said Scotland "would have to queue, meet the requirements for entry, hold negotiations and the result would be that these negotiations would take place."
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Donald Tusk has called Turkeys comparisons between the Dutch government and Nazis completely detached from reality as a diplomatic row continues to escalate on the day of Netherlands election.

Rotterdam, the city of Erasmus, was totally destroyed by the Nazis, [and] now has a mayor born in Morocco, the European Council President said.

If any anyone sees fascism in Rotterdam, they are completely detached from reality.

 Hundreds of pro-Turkey protesters clash with police in Rotterdam

The European Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker, told the European Parliament he was "scandalised" by the Turkish accusations.

"My home country, Luxembourg, was occupied by the Nazis," he said. "Our people were suffering. My father was forced into the German army together with his three brothers.

"If you are establishing a comparison of that period with our times, this is totally unacceptable  and the one who is doing this is taking distance from Europe and not trying to enter the European Union, he added, referring to Turkeys faltering attempts to join the bloc.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government have directed repeated allegations of Nazism at the Dutch government after rallies by ministers attempting to drum up support for a constitutional referendum were cancelled.

As with similar incidents in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, safety concerns were cited as the main reason for stopping a planned event featuring foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Rotterdam on Saturday.

But the row escalated after Dutch authorities withdrew permission for his plane to land in the country, saying his visit would contribute to tensions in society while Mr Cavusoglu slammed the Netherlands as the capital of fascism.

Turkish hackers spread the accusations across high profile Twitter accounts on Wednesday morning, posting pro-Erdogan messages and a link to the President speaking from accounts including Unicef USA, Amnesty International, BBC North America, Forbes and Justin Biebers Japanese account.

Protestors at a Saturday night demonstration in front of the consulate of the Netherlands in Istanbul (Getty Images)

A little bit of an Ottoman Slap to you, see you on 16 April, read the identical tweets, using the hashtags #NaziGermany and #NaziHolland.

Twitter has revoked access to an Amsterdam-based third party application that was compromised in the cyber attack, with Twitter Counter starting its own investigation.

The dispute has sparked protests in Turkey and across Europe, while Turkish-backed rebels in Syria put out a video accusing the Dutch government of being swayed by the ideology of Geert Wilders xenophobic and racist Party for Freedom (PVV).

A protester scaled the Dutch consulate in Istanbul and replaced the national flag with the Turkish banner during demonstrations on Sunday, while Turkish protesters have been photographed stabbing oranges and holding signs reading fascist Holland.

Mr Erdogan has also accused the Dutch of failing to prevent the Srebrenica massacre in the row, which has seen Turkey repeat threats to scrap a deal struck with the EU last year to slow the flow of refugees to Greece.

Ankara also halted high-level talks with Dutch government officials on Monday and closed its airspace to the countrys diplomats, making good on a promise to impose retaliatory sanctions.

Nazi allegations were initially levelled at the German government by Mr Erdogan after several cities cancelled planned rallies.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

Angela Merkels government says it will not impose a blanket ban on campaigning by Turkish ministers but reserves the right to deny entry as a "last resort".

At least four German local authorities have withdrawn permission for pro-Erdogan campaign events, as well as areas of Austria and Switzerland.

Allies of the Turkish President are targeting more than a million Turkish voters living in Europe who will be eligible to cast a ballot in the vote on 16 April.

The referendum could see Turkeys parliamentary system replaced with an executive presidency using constitutional amendments that have alarmed human rights groups by granting sweeping powers to Mr Erdogan.

All rally cancellations have cited safety and administrative issues but were linked to concern over a crackdown seeing thousands of people detained in Turkey following an attempted coup in July.

Anti-Islam politician Mr Wilders has attempted to capitalise on the controversy, leading a small protest outside the country's embassy and calling Mr Erdogan a dictator.

Polls predict his party to come second to Prime Minister Mark Ruttes conservative VVD in Wednesdays election, which is being closely watched as a barometer of European populism ahead of upcoming elections in France and Germany.


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Four Swiss men have been killed after their ski group was swept away by an avalanche in Austria, police said.

The group of eight skiiers was touring the remote area near the Jochgrubenkopf, a roughly 2,450m-high peak in the remote area near Tyrol, when the avalanche struck around 12.30pm local time (11.30am GMT).

"Four of them were able to free themselves [from the snow]," a spokeswoman for Tyrol police said.

"After the search operation for the remaining four, three were found dead."

The fourth man was later found dead under 10m of snow despite a search using drilling machines.

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It is the latest fatal avalanche to strike in the region.

Since the beginning of the season, there have been 14 avalanches in the Alps and the Pyrenees, which have killed at least seven.

Last season, there were 45 incidents, which killed 21 people.

In January, 29 people died when an avalanche buried the small Hotel Rigopiano in Italy.
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Vladimir Putin has ordered Russias military to incorporate the armed forces of Georgia's breakaway region South Ossetia into its structure.

Moscow has had de facto control over the sliver of mainly mountainous land in the northeast of Georgia for years. However, it has historically been considered a separate state.

Georgia condemned the move. Under international law the region is recognised as part of its sovereign territory.

The country's Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze said in a statement: "Any agreement between the Russian Federation and de-facto leadership (of South Ossetia) is illegitimate.

"Such steps are not aimed at protecting peace and are impeding peaceful process, which is necessary for the conflict resolution.

The move is likely to provoke accusations from the West that Russia is trying to absorb the region by stealth.

A draft agreement that Mr Putin ordered his officials to conclude, states that the separatists will adopt new operating procedures for their armed forces which will be subject to approval by Moscow.

The forces' structure and objectives will be determined in agreement with Russia.

South Ossetian armed forces will also be able transfer and serve as Russian soldiers on the country's base in the region.

The separatists will shrink their own armed forces by the number of servicemen employed at the Russian base.

The order, which was signed by Mr Putin earlier this week, instructs both the Russian defence and foreign ministries to work with the separatists to conclude and sign the agreement,

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, South Ossetia broke away from Georgia in a war. In August 2008, Russia sent in troops, saying it was protecting civilians in South Ossetia from attack by Georgian forces.

Georgia, backed by the United States and European Union, said the Russian operation was a naked land grab.

After a brief war, Russia recognised South Ossetia as an independent state. Only a handful of other states recognise it as a state.

Russia's critics say the war in South Ossetia was a dress rehearsal by Russia for its annexation in 2014 of Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula, and its support for separatist fighters in the eastern Ukrainian Donbass region.

Additional reporting by Reuters
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British artist Banksys latest venture in the West Bank has drawn criticism from some Palestinians who say it is conflict tourism which normalises the Israeli occupation.

The 'Walled Off Hotel opened in an Israeli-military controlled part of Bethlehem earlier this month. Its 10 rooms all face the Israeli separation wall which cuts through large parts of the West Bank. Constructed in 2002, the International Court of Justice ruled the wall is illegal under international law. At its closest point it runs just five metres away from the hotels entrance.

As well as boasting the worst view in the world, Banksy said in a statement that his take on the Waldorf, which contains a museum, gift shop and gallery, is designed to be a three-storey cure for fanaticism.

(Reuters (Reuters)

The dystopian colonial interior is filled with Banksy artworks and installations commenting on the Middle Eastern conflict.

While any Israelis who want to visit have to make an illegal journey on Palestinian-controlled roads in order to reach it, Banksy and the hotels workers are still hopeful it will encourage dialogue between people on both sides of the conflict.

However, the project has been met with opposition by Palestinians who believe it trivialises their plight.

Amjad al-Qaisi, an adviser at the Al Haq Centre for Applied International Law, told Middle East Eye that initially he thought the hotel was a good idea, but he worries that it is an oversimplification of the conflict.

The view from one of the rooms at Banksy's new Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. Some locals are unhappy with the project (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

"This whole idea of let's drink coffee or have a beer together that the hotel seems to be suggesting doesn't reflect at all the situation on the ground, he said.

The situation here is a brutal form of colonisation, which goes hand-in-hand with forcible displacement and the erasure of the Palestinian identity.

There has also been anger at the fact the hotel intends to sell graffiti materials so guests, like Banksy before them, can leave their mark on the wall. Foreigners have long been criticised for such behaviour, which the hotel acknowledges.

Banksy opened his Walled Off Hotel for a special viewing for locals and journalists earlier this month (THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)

"Some people don't agree with painting the wall and argue anything that trivialises or normalises its existence is a mistake. Then again, others welcome any attention brought to it and the ongoing situation. So in essence - you can paint it, but avoid anything normal or trivial," the Walled Offs website says.

The Walled Off Hotel opens its doors to guests on March 20.
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has testified in court to deny a journalists claim that his wife kicked him out of a car during a fight, risking official security protocol.

Journalist Igal Sarna is being sued by Mr Netanyahu and his wife Sara over a 2015 Facebook post which said that Mrs Netanyahu ordered the prime ministers convoy to pull over on the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway so she could eject him in the middle of a furious row.

At the start of the delayed libel case on Tuesday the couple accused Mr Sarna of a disgusting, cynical, low, mean and inordinate lie intended to shame... revile them and embarrass them publicly, Haaretz reported.

 Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets Theresa May

They also said he had continuously targeted their family with a biblical size flood of lies over the last 20 years.

Mr Sarna, who writes for Yediot Aharonot newspaper, stood by his claim, citing reliable sources including a member of the prime ministers security detail. He said witnesses were afraid to testify in his defence because they are afraid.

When asked why he posted the story to Facebook rather than pitching it to his newspaper, Mr Sarna said he had believed it to be too low profile. His lawyer pointed out that the libel case is relatively small fry compared to other claims made against Mr Netanyahu in media.

The Netanyahus are seeking 280,000 shekels (69,000) in damages from the journalist.

Many things have been written, sometimes much worse, but in those cases you did nothing. Why? he asked the prime minister.

Because you respect democracy, freedom of expression?, at which journalists in the packed courtroom laughed.

Israel: From independence to intifada Show all 7 1 /7 Israel: From independence to intifada Israel: From independence to intifada 26973.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26974.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26975.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26976.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26977.bin Israel: From independence to intifada 26985.bin Robert Capa/Magnum Israel: From independence to intifada 26986.bin Robert Capa/Magnum

The case against Mr Sarna is just the latest chapter in Mr Netanyahus continuing war with the Israeli media. He has repeatedly claimed that individual journalists and news organisations seek to drive him out of office with manufactured scandals.

Mr Netanyahu is also currently embroiled in several police investigations into reports which first surfaced in Israeli media that he allegedly accepted inappropriate gifts from business moguls and tried to negotiate a deal with Yedioth Ahronoth for more favourable coverage of his administration in 2014.

In 2016, a former housekeeper in the Netanyahu household was awarded damages after a court found that Sara Netanyahu had been abusive towards him and subjected him to irrational demands.

Another hearing is scheduled for May 8.
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More than 30 people have been killed in suicide bombings in Damascus.

The first militant blew himself up inside the Palace of Justice court building, while the second detonated his vest in a restaurant in the Rawbeh district, state media reported. There were fears several victims had been killed.

The Syrian News Channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he detonated his vest, amid reports of two more on the loose as part of the attack on the Palace of Justice.

Security personnel stand near a damaged entrance after a suicide blast at the Palace of Justice in Damascus, 15 March (Reuters)

The terror attacks came on the sixth anniversary of the Syrian civil war, which has left an estimated 500,000 people dead and forced 7.6 million to flee their homes.

State news agency SANA cited the Damascus police as saying that there were 102 injured in the courthouse attack and 28 injured in the restaurant.

Syrian media reports said a suicide bomber detonated his vest on Wednesday afternoon inside the capitals main judicial building.

Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail said the attacker struck as officers attempted to search him and prevent him from entering the building at 1.20pm local time (11.20am GMT).

He arrived at the entrance wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades, he told state television.

When police attempted to disarm him at a security checkpoint, Mr Ismail said the militant handed over the grenade and gun before hurling himself inside the building and detonated his explosives.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, said the explosion was timed during a crowded period of the day to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and civilians, adding: This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent.

The Palace of Justice, which houses numerous courts, sits near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market in Damascus.

It was latest in a spate of bombings and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas of Syria in recent weeks.

In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Show all 8 1 /8 In pictures: Children play underground in Syria In pictures: Children play underground in Syria A child plays in the ball pit at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Abdulaziz, 10, plays in the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Boys look through a show window inside the tunnel that provides a safe passage for children between the two basements that form the 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children play at the underground 'Land of Childhood' in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Two girls play at the 'Land of Childhood' underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children on the ride on a ferris wheel at the 'Land of Childhood', an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Seven-year-old Massa at the "Land of Childhood" underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef In pictures: Children play underground in Syria Children wait in line to buy sweets at the 'Land of Childhood,' an underground playground in a besieged town in Syria Unicef

Twin attacks killed at least 40 Iraqis in Damascus on Saturday, with the bombings claimed by Tahrir al-Sham.

They targeted Shia Muslim pilgrims on their way to pray at a nearby shrine, with a propaganda statement hailing the death of "Iranian militias" supporting Bashar al-Assad.

The Islamist alliance is led by the group formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, which has rebranded itself twice after claiming to have split from al-Qaeda last year.

Tahrir al-Sham as carried out several suicide bombings, as well as an assault on a military compound in Homs.

Isis has also launched terror attacks in government, rebel and Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria, as well as increasingly using car bombs to defend its shrinking territory. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Wednesday's bombing.

It came as the World Health Organisation warned that more than half of hospitals and public health centres in Syria had been forced to close or left partially functioning during the Syrian civil war.

Almost two-thirds of healthcare workers have fled, said emergencies programme head Peter Salama, adding that resources were stretched to the limit by bombardment, security threats and a lack of access to medicine and equipment.

He called for systematic and unhindered access for life-saving materials like vaccines and medical supplies on this sad anniversary of the start of war in Syria and before more lives are lost.

Additional reporting by agencies
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At least 14 children died in an air strike in the rebel-held Idlib province and 31 people were killed in two suicide bombings in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Wednesday, the same day the country marked the sixth anniversary of start of its bloody civil war.

On March 15 2011 rare protests dubbed a day of rage took place in Damascus and Aleppo against the repressive rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Six years on, the UN says more than 400,000 people have died, while 10.3 million have been driven from their homes.

A whole generation of Syrian children have known nothing but war, Save the Children warned earlier this week, as medical and educational infrastructure in the country continues to crumble.

The complex proxy war has also sparked a global refugee crisis as 4.9 million Syrians seek safety overseas, with many dying or facing horrific trafficking conditions in the process, and has allowed the cruelty of extremist groups such as Isis to flourish worldwide.

The war has become the worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II, the UN Human Rights Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein told the international bodys human rights council in an address on Monday.

The entire conflict is this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity, he said, adding that tens of thousands of people remain detained in the Syrian regimes prisons, where they are subject to torture, unfair trials and execution.

Today, in a sense, the entire country has become a torture-chamber: a place of savage horror and absolute injustice, he said.

 Save the Children presents a collection of refugee children's stories of fleeing the Syrian conflict

While new rounds of peace talks to begin in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Thursday and further negotiations are scheduled in Geneva for later this month, no concrete progress has been made towards ending hostilities in the country. A Russian and Turkish-brokered ceasefire agreed at the end of 2016 has barely been observed by either rebels or government forces, who blame each other for continuous outbreaks of violence.

The tide of the war has largely turned in Mr Assads favour since 2015 thanks to Russian and Iranian help on the battlefield, but UN officials have urged that a diplomatic solution must be reached, calling on on all parties to ensure the war does not reach its seventh anniversary.
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The new executive order on immigration signed by President Donald Trump on Monday once more suspended the United States' refugee resettlement program. The White House's insistence that refugee vetting protocols aren't tight enough is supported neither by empirical evidence nor by the government's own data on refugee-related security threats.

Nevertheless, the vilification of refugees  Syrians in particular  has been central to Trump's political messaging since the early months of his campaign. Such grandstanding has done nothing to address the plight of Syrians, especially the most vulnerable among them.

More than half of Syria's population has been forced to flee their homes. There are more than 4 million refugees registered by the United Nations, and at least 1 million more living unregistered in neighbouring countries.

For children in particular, the cost has been staggering: According to Unicef, the UN's children's agency, 8.4 million Syrian children and adolescents  more than a third of the nation's total population  are in need of humanitarian aid, and more than 2.5 million kids are currently living as refugees or on the run in search of safety.

But it will take much more than international fundraising to stop their suffering.

A report published this week by Save the Children detailed the astonishing and tragic fate of an entire generation of Syrian children who are growing up with the trauma of six years of bombing and bloodshed. Researchers interviewed 450 Syrian children, adolescents and adults still living inside the country. They found that many Syrian children are suffering from toxic stress as a result of the conflict. According to the British charity, at least 3 million kids remain in the country and know nothing but war.

I would be confused if I didn't hear or see airstrikes, because they happen so often, said Ala'a, an adolescent living in the country's south, who was interviewed in the report.

This has profound consequences in terms of their development. Various rights groups and humanitarian organisations have warned of an alarming spike in child suicides. They fear the devastating long-term consequences for Syria's future as its young people grow up amid the ruins of one of the Middle East's most ancient societies.

Girls who survived what activists said was a ground-to-ground missile attack by forces of Bashar al-Assad (Reuters)

After six years of war, we are at a tipping point, after which the impact on children's formative years and childhood development may be so great that the damage could be permanent and irreversible, said Marcia Brophy, a mental health adviser for Save the Children in the Middle East.

The report, titled Invisible Wounds, laid out a chilling snapshot of what more than a half a decade of fighting has done to a generation of children:

 80 per cent of children and adults said children and adolescents have become more aggressive, and 71 per cent said that children increasingly suffer from frequent bedwetting and involuntary urination  common symptoms of toxic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among children.

 Two-thirds of children are said to have lost a loved one, had their house bombed or shelled or suffered war-related injuries.

 51 per cent of adults interviewed said adolescents are turning to drugs to cope with stress.

 59 per cent of adults said they knew children and adolescents who had been recruited into armed groups. Almost half knew of children working at checkpoints or barracks.

 One of every four children is now at risk of developing a mental health disorder.

Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Show all 12 1 /12 Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man crosses a street in Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A vendor sits inside an antique shop in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, December 12, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A view shows part of Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors walk inside Aleppo's Umayyad mosque, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk inside the Khan al-Shounah market, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man walks past shops in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk along an alley in al-Jdeideh neighbourhood, in the Old City of Aleppo, Syria Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Visitors tour Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A general view shows the Old City of Aleppo as seen from Aleppo's historic citadel, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War People walk near Aleppo's Bab al-Faraj Clock Tower, Syria October 6, 2010 Reuters Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War Aleppo before the Syrian Civil War A man stands inside Aleppo's historic citadel, overlooking Aleppo city, Syria December 11, 2009 Reuters

According to the report, 48 per cent of adults surveyed said they had seen children who had lost the ability to speak or who had developed speech impediments during the course of the war. My colleague Louisa Loveluck detailed her own encounter with this phenomenon on Twitter: I met Mohamed in a Lebanese refugee camp. He was so traumatised in Syria that he hasn't spoken since he left.

Given the total collapse of the Syrian state in large parts of the country, access to mental health and counselling is extremely limited and in many cases simply unavailable. Save the Children estimates there are currently two psychiatrists for per 1 million people in the country. According to Unicef, some 2.6 million Syrian children are no longer in school.

Recommended Labour peer has taken in Syrian refugee after visiting Calais jungle

Save the Children, like so many other international rights groups and humanitarian organisations, has called for an immediate cessation of the violence and urged the international community to do more to address the needs of Syrian children. Such entreaties often fall on deaf ears in regional and Western capitals.

Of course, ending the war isn't easy. Foreign diplomats have struggled for years to forge a roadmap toward some kind of political resolution, and there seems to be little appetite in the West to get more deeply involved in either the war or forging the peace. But in the meantime, starving efforts to help and resettle Syrians  the UN refugee agency is chronically and woefully underfunded  makes little sense. The fate of a generation of Syrian youth scarred by war has profound global implications, and an eventual post-war Syria will be a basket case if its young people cannot live something like normal lives.

I feel like I've seen so many terrible things. We need to go back to school so we can study and get educated, said Zainab, an 11-year-old girl living in Hasakah governorate. What if I get old and I continue on this same path and I lose out on my entire future? I want to study and grow up and teach my children as well. I want to be a teacher. What if all these years pass by and I don't become anything? It's not fair.
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It has unspoilt national parks, pristine sandy beaches, Roman remains and quiet villages, and is often dubbed the greenest region in Europe. With those plaudits, youd think Abruzzo  the region east of Lazio and above Puglia, where you can stand on the powdery peaks of the Apennine mountains and survey the cobalt Adriatic Sea  would be a household name. Yet even regulars to Tuscany, Puglia and the rest of the 'bel paese' have never set foot in it.

Abruzzo is still little known, despite the great beauty it has to offer, says a spokesperson from the local tourist board. Some put that down to mass emigration after WWII. Others say that in the 1970s and 1980s, when other Italian regions were honing their tourist pitches, Abruzzo was concentrating on industry.

Unspoiled Abruzzo Show all 12 1 /12 Unspoiled Abruzzo Unspoiled Abruzzo Abruzzo has everything Italy's known for: wine, coast and beautiful landscapes AFP/Getty Images Unspoiled Abruzzo Rocca Calascio is one of the castles perched on a mountaintop Icaro Droni Unspoiled Abruzzo The Costa dei Trabocchi is named after the signature flimsy fishing piers Ariana Zuccarini Unspoiled Abruzzo The view from Rocca Calascio Icaro Droni Unspoiled Abruzzo Abruzzo's an unspoiled land of wild landscape and medieval architecture Adriana Zuccarini Unspoiled Abruzzo Its mountainous terrain means it's suffered with recent earthquakes Abruzzo Turismo Unspoiled Abruzzo Abruzzo's coast is one of Italy's last remaining secrets Abruzzo Turismo Unspoiled Abruzzo The "trabocchi" or piers decorate the coastline Abruzzo Turismo Unspoiled Abruzzo It's one of the wildest, greenest parts of Europe Abruzzo Turismo Unspoiled Abruzzo A hermitage in the Abruzzese landscape Adriana Zuccarini Unspoiled Abruzzo The Italian wolf still lives in Abruzzo Paolo Forconi Unspoiled Abruzzo 300 people died in the 2009 earthquake AFP/Getty Images

But its also because, in most peoples minds, Abruzzo is now synonymous with disaster.

In 2009, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake devastated the provincial capital, LAquila a medieval city stuffed with historic buildings and fortresses. More than 45 surrounding towns and villages were hit by the quake; over 300 people were killed, and 65,000 left homeless.

Abruzzo's susceptibility to earthquakes (seen here in 2009) has shaken its tourist income (Getty)

LAquila was still in the process of rebuilding when more devastation struck this past January: 29 people were killed in an avalanche at Hotel Rigopiano near Pescara after Abruzzo caught aftershocks from earthquakes in central Italy.

If coping with the emotional toll of these tragedies isnt enough, Central Italy reportedly stands to lose half of its 9 billion annual income from tourism, and Federturismo Abruzzo, an organisation working to enhance tourism opportunities in Abruzzo, reports a 40% drop in tourism in the region.

Which is where filmmaker Walter Nanni and his film industry friends come in. This week, he launched Uno Spot Per LAbruzzo: a collaborative, crowd-funded effort by more than 60 film industry professionals. Its time, they say, to show the world why Abruzzo deserves a place on every Italian travel itinerary.

The three-part television special, which will be completed in May, broadcast on Italian TV and possibly be turned into a feature film, will explore the sights and showcase the peerless views of the underplayed region.

Abruzzo's landscape is pristine, yet nobody visits (Icaro Droni)

Nanni felt moved to do it, he told The Independent, after the Rigopiano avalanche. As I watched rescuers shovel the snow and rescue people in danger on the TV, I asked myself, What can I do? I realised that my shovel is the camera.

Dismayed that the news was only showing one side of Abruzzo, Nanni, who was born in Pescara, put out a call on Facebook. More than 60 colleagues  all Abruzzo natives or lovers of the region  responded. Some of the participants include directors Pierluigi Di Lallo and Stefano Chiantini, and screenwriter Gisella Orsini.

We want to tell Italy and the world the story of the extraordinary beauty of our land, says Nanni. We want tourists to discover a unique place, washed by the sea, with two majestic mountains set just a few kilometres from the beach, and with an ancient food tradition thats full of flavour. A holiday in Abruzzo is one away from tourist traps.

Abruzzo native Walter Nanni is the director spearheading the campaign (Uno Spot per L'Abruzzo)

Places covered in the series include medieval fishing village San Vito Chietino, once home to Italian bard Gabriele DAnnunzio, and Punta Aderci, a coastal nature reserve; Abruzzos three national parks (Gran Sasso, Majella, and Monti della Laga), home to 100 indigenous species, including the mythical Italian wolf; Rocca Calascio, a mountaintop fortress that stands proud despite damage from past earthquakes; and Roccascalegna, an 11th-century castle clinging onto a limestone bluff thrusting into the sky.

Director Stefano Chiantini, who was born in Avezzano, a town that was destroyed by a notorious earthquake in 1915, filmed two of his films  LAmore Non Basta and Storie Sospese  entirely in Abruzzo. He says he feels a visceral attachment to his land and that Uno Spot Per LAbruzzo offers a chance to introduce others to the beauty and strength of Abruzzo. His tip: visit the Val di Sangro, an enchanting coastal valley by the Sangro River that's part of La Costa Dei Trabocchi, famous for its spindly fishing piers and pristine beaches.

Abruzzo's coastline is an area of unspoiled coves and fishing villages (Adriana Zuccarini)

Screenwriter Gisella Orsini, meanwhile, is concentrating on the regions little visited Roman remains and examples of its Roman presence (back in the day, Abruzzo was a beloved holiday destination for ancient Romans). The Abruzzo shell focus on includes Alba Fucens, an archaeological site where remains of Roman buildings, roads, and underground passages stand proud, a 2000-year-old theatre at Teramo, and the Santa Maria de Praediis church, erected in the 10th century using materials from Roman villas and temples.

Only now are many have noticing the extraordinary tourism potential of this ancient land, Nanni says. In the past, Abruzzos story has been badly told, without a vision of its future.

With Uno Spot Per LAbruzzo, Nanni and his colleagues are building a bridge that unites this regions antiquity and the modern treasures that await tourists. The new Puglia? You heard it here first.

Click here to find your perfect Abruzzo getaway!
Egypt's Petroleum Minister Tarek El-Molla said Wednesday that Egypt agreed with Saudi Arabia's Aramco company to resume providing Egypt with oil products as per their agreement after a halt last October, an emailed ministry statement read.

A timeline is currently being drafted between the country and Aramco outlining the delivery of shipments, El-Molla added in his statement.

Reuters quoted a source at the ministry, who requested anonymity, as saying that shipments would resume "within a very short time period."

El-Molla added that the two parties have been communicating to resume shipments, especially given that they had a valid contract.

After the decision to halt shipments in October, the Egyptian ministry said it had contracted other foreign suppliers to provide the country with its petroleum needs, without giving further details.

Egypt also reiterated that the oil shipment halt had "no political dimension."

An anonymous official at Aramco told Saudi media outlet Al-Manatiq in October that the halt was attributed to a re-evaluation of Saudi oil production, which might be reduced by half a million barrels per day after an OPEC meeting.

It was agreed at the October that members would reduce output by 1.2 million barrels a day in 2017. Saudi Arabia has reported that it has lowered its output in January accordingly.

In April 2016, the oil-rich kingdom agreed with Egypt on a $22-billion soft loan with facilitated payments to finance the latters petroleum needs for five years.

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Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukraines minister of infrastructure, was announcing that Europes biggest no-frills airline will touch down in October.

Negotiations lasted for several years, and I am proud that our team was able to successfully hold them, he said. Today we officially declare: Ryanair is in Ukraine.

The Irish airline will fly to Kiev four times a week from Stansted, and three times a week from Manchester.

In addition Ryanair will serve the western Ukranian city of Lviv twice weekly from Stansted.

The director-general of Lviv airport, Tetiana Vasylivna, said: We are extremely proud and happy to be among the first airports in Ukraine to host flights operated by powerful low-cost airline Ryanair. She described the launch as highly anticipated" by local people as well as "European tourists who have been waiting for the opportunity to travel to the city comfortably and inexpensively for a long time.

The airlines chief commercial officer, David OBrien, was equally gushing, saying: Ryanair will be another bridge that connects the infrastructure of Ukraine with Europe and it will be a good signal for the world's major investors.

Attractions in Kiev include the vast St Sophia's Cathedral and St Michael's Monastery, but many visitors head out of the capital to visit the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl. Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet, describes the tourist experience:

Youre picked up in the centre of Kiev at around 8 am, drive to Chernobyl town, check out the town and memorial, continue to the weirdly wonderful Duga-3 Soviet missile warning array, before visiting the Kopachi kindergarten and arriving at the reactor itself."

Former USSR cheap flight destinations Show all 13 1 /13 Former USSR cheap flight destinations Former USSR cheap flight destinations Tallinn City skyline: Tallinn, capital of Estonia Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Tallinn Dome service: Church on Toompea Hill, Tallinn Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Simferopol, Crimea Working-class hero: Lenin statue, Simferopol, before the Russian annexation of Crimea Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Sevastopol, Crimea On the waterfront: the harbour at Sevastopol Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations RIga Ever onwards: Soviet statue on the riverside in the Latvian capital Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Riga Bird's eye: the rooftops of Riga Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Riga Capital letters: souvenir mugs on sale in the Latvian capital Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Riga Apron strings: airlines often make onerous commercial demands to new airports Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Kiev Going underground: the Metro in Ukraine's capital Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Kiev Market forces: vendors at a vegetable stall in a Kiev market Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Kiev Jet set: mosaic at Kiev's Borispol airport Simon Calder Former USSR cheap flight destinations Chernobyl Wipe-out: Tony Wheeler in the ghost town left from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster Tony Wheeler Former USSR cheap flight destinations Chernobyl Nuclear nightmare: Tony Wheeler holds a Geiger counter outside the Chernobyl reactor Tony Wheeler

Ryanair's low-cost links from Britain are not the first to Ukraine: Wizz Air currently flies three times a week between Luton and Kiev. The same airline briefly served Lviv from Luton, but the route was dropped after a few months. In addition, British Airways flies daily from Heathrow while Ukraine International has two flights a day from Gatwick.

Of the former Soviet republics, the three Baltic states  Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  are all EU members and enjoy extensive links with Britain. But many other cities in the former USSR have not fared so well with low-cost connections from Britain and the rest of Europe.

Neil Taylor, former director of the Eastern bloc specialist, Regent Holidays, said: A simple strategy has proved very effective in making holidays in parts of the former Soviet Union ordinary in the best sense of the word: abolish visas and get cheap flights. The Baltic countries recognised this immediately. Ukraine went halfway in 2005 with the abolition of visas. Now they have completed the journey with the arrival of Ryanair.

Shortly before Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014, it appeared that direct links to the main airport, Simferopol, might begin. But the peninsula is subject to EU sanctions, which include a prohibition on supplying tourism services in Crimea.

To Chisinau, the capital of Moldova, Wizz Air from Luton competes with Air Moldova from Stansted. But the much larger and more enticing nearby Ukrainian city of Odessa has no direct links with the UK.

Four years ago this month, the UKs biggest budget airline, easyJet, launched services from Gatwick and Manchester to Moscow with great fanfare. But it axed the Manchester route in 2015 and the Gatwick link last year after suffering heavy losses.

St Petersburg and other Russian cities have never had no-frills links with the UK  though for a brief time there were services from Gatwick to Kaliningrad on a now-defunct airline, KD Avia. A British Airways link between Heathrow and Ekaterinburg, east of Moscow, ended a decade ago.

Minsk, the capital of Belarus, is linked three times a week from Gatwick  but using a commuter-style jet of Belavia rather than a bigger Airbus or Boeing from one of the low-cost operators. Belarus has recently introduced a five-day visa-free permit for visitors who fly to the capital.

From June this year, Wizz Air will connect Luton with Kutaisi in western Georgia.
Britain's Brexit Secretary David Davis said 'we are not going to do anything which jeopardises the peace process'

The British Government has ruled out introducing Irish border posts after leaving the EU.

Brexit Secretary David Davis said the UK would adopt technology to cover the movement of goods between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

He gave evidence to his Westminster scrutiny committee about the future of the UK's only land frontier with an EU state.

He said: "It is not going to be easy, it is going to cost us money, a lot of work on technology, to put border controls in but without having border posts - but that is what we intend to do."

Businesses north and south are unanimously opposed to a hard border following Brexit, with long queues for paperwork checks envisaged akin to the 1980s when the Northern Ireland conflict still simmered.

Tour operators, hoteliers, business leaders and members of the agriculture industry are among those concerned about the implications if no special deal is struck between the UK and Ireland.

Mr Davis said: "I am confident that actually the two nations and the (European) Commission between them will be able to solve this because we really want to, because the technology is better than it was 20 years ago and because we all understand the value of it."

He added: "We are not going to do anything which jeopardises the peace process."

The Brexit Secretary noted excise duty differences on goods moving between north and south were already dealt with in a subtle fashion.

He said the same system for sending goods between Belfast and Dublin could also control trade between the UK and a city like Rotterdam in Holland.

Freedom of movement between the UK and Ireland is covered by separate arrangements.

Under the UK's 1949 Ireland Act Irish citizens living in the UK are treated as "non-foreign".

That may have to be reviewed post-Brexit, given that the Republic would still be in the EU.

Mr Davis added: "What we will aim to do is pretty much identical to the 1949 Act, which gives effectively citizenship rights to the citizens of each country."

Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny welcomed Mr Davis's remarks.

"I am glad to have heard the comments of Secretary Davis," he said during a visit to the United States.

"We have a political agreement between the Government that I lead and the British Government that there will be no return to a hard border, that is a border with customs posts, because that border did not serve us in the past.

"I am glad that that has been clarified again by the Secretary of State on behalf of the British Government.

"That's a political imperative and a political commencement point for us - no return to a hard border."
Ireland's premier has rebuffed Nigel Farage's call for him to apologise to President Donald Trump for accusing him of using racist language

Ireland's premier has rebuffed Nigel Farage's call for him to apologise to President Donald Trump for accusing him of using racist language.

During the US election campaign, Enda Kenny characterised comments made by the Republican candidate as "dangerous and racist".

Mr Kenny will have his first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump in the White House on Thursday.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, former Ukip leader Mr Farage, a friend of the president, said the Taoiseach should start discussions in the Oval Office by saying sorry.

"How much more insulting can you be than to call someone racist?" Mr Farage told RTE.

"I think he needs to apologise."

Mr Kenny rejected Mr Farage's remarks.

He also insisted that his comments about Mr Trump referred to his use of language and not his personality.

He said it "did not follow" that characterising someone's language as racist meant you were accusing them of being a racist.

"Well I haven't come to America to answer to Nigel Farage," he said.

"I am the leader of the Irish government and very proud and privileged to be so.

"I am responding to an invitation sent by the president of the United States and I am very happy to go to the White House tomorrow and to continue the traditional connection between Ireland and the United States, symbolising the contribution the Irish people have made over many centuries, our place in America and the fact we want to continue with that.

"So I have nothing further to say in respect of comments made by Mr Farage."
British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in London ahead of a statement to MPs on last weeks European Council meeting

Ireland fears some rival countries are using lower regulatory standards to lure financial jobs moving as a result of Brexit.

Financial Services Minister Eoghan Murphy raised the concerns at a meeting with European Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis, the Department of Finance confirmed last night.

Its understood the single banking regime in place across the EU means there is less scope for countries to try to curry favour with banks by offering lighter-touch regulation.

However, thats less true when it comes to insurance, funds and markets. Last week, US insurer AIG opted for Luxembourg as its EU base, over Ireland, despite showing an earlier interest in coming here.

There is no suggestion Luxembourg offered sweeteners to win it around, but it shows long-term decisions are already being made about post-Brexit locations, even before UK Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggers the exit.

AIG said its move was driven by Luxembourgs role as an EU founding member and its closeness to continental markets.

Other cities in Europe are being very aggressive in trying to win business, Eoghan Murphy told Reuters yesterday, warning of dangerous competition.

Ireland raised fears that a race to the bottom to win jobs risked undoing the tougher regulations brought in across Europe after the crash.

The Central Bank has been surprised by the high level of interest from firms looking at potentially moving here as a result of Brexit, outgoing deputy governor Cyril Roux told a meeting of the Central Bank Commission, which oversees the regulator, in January.

The levels of interest were larger than had been initially anticipated, the Commission was told, according to minutes of the meeting published yesterday.

At the same meeting, Governor Philip Lane said the Central Bank had consistently set out its position on applications for authorisation.

Any firm looking to be licensed here needed to satisfy authorities that the risks associated with the business of the entity were governed, remunerated, managed and mitigated in, and by, that entity.

Yesterday, the Central Bank Director of Credit Institutions Supervision, Ed Sibley, echoed Eoghan Murphy. Irish regulators were working hard to ensure that there is no regulatory race to the bottom in the search for the crumbs of comfort that are falling from the Brexit plate, Mr Sibley said.

Two of the worlds biggest banks have signalled their interest in coming here.

Bank of America sees Dublin as its default destination for a new hub inside the European Union if Brexit costs the UK its easy access to the single market, said Nikolaus Naerger, who heads its corporate banking in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Bank of America already has a operations in Dublin, which is why it is the default option, Naerger said.

And Bank of China has confirmed a presence here  the Central Bank has said a branch of its UK arm has been cleared to operate here.
Theresa May has been accused of "losing momentum" and "making errors" by delaying the formal start of Brexit talks in the wake of Nicola Sturgeon's shock demand for a Scottish independence referendum.

The British Prime Minister was expected to formally start negotiations with other EU member states as early as this week once parliament had passed a law allowing talks to begin.

However, Mrs May is understood to be targeting triggering Article 50 on Wednesday March 29, after a speaking tour of Britain when she will sell her vision for the UK outside the EU.

This delay has led to concerns that Mrs May now cannot begin formal talks until May, missing the chance of talks with EU leaders on April 6.

Lord Jones, of Birmingham, a cross-bench peer who was a trade minister in the last Labour government, said he "cannot understand why she has done it". The peer, who was head of the Confederation of British Industry for eight years, praised Mrs May for the way she has "handled" the period leading up to the start of negotiations.

But he said: "If she has delayed it by two weeks, I am disappointed; it is an error." She was now in danger of "losing momentum".

Other MPs urged Mrs May to trigger Article 50 to avoid the chance of another legal challenge to the process being made to the High Court.

Bill Cash, the euro-sceptic Tory chairman of the EU scrutiny committee, said it was "essential that ministers take the best possible legal advice and act as quickly as possible. Getting the Article 50 letter out is an absolute priority".

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage added that he was worried the start of talks had been "kicked into the long grass in May". He said: "Now that we are delaying the triggering of Article 50, what it means is that we will miss the summit of European leaders on April 6 at which Brexit could practicably have been discussed."

Senior government figures admitted talks will not get under way properly in April because of the long parliamentary recess and Easter.

But the source denied that the delay would damage Britain's interests because preliminary talks had been going on "for weeks" between the UK and EU. This is despite EU leaders insisting that Brexit talks cannot begin formally until Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty has been triggered.

One said: "Despite the fact that they say there is no negotiating there is contact going on with the commission.

Gina Miller, the fund manager whose legal challenge forced the government to legislate for the start of Brexit talks, threatened more legal action if MPs and peers were not given a proper vote on the final package.

"If they don't deliver on that I will take them back to court," she said.

A spokesman for Mrs May played down suggestions of a delay due to the announcement by Ms Sturgeon saying she had always said she would trigger Article 50 by the end of March.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
British Prime Minister Theresa May has said it is not the right time for Ireland to hold a border poll on independence.

Ms May said parties in Northern Ireland should instead be focused on reforming the Executive in the country after the collapse of power sharing.

The prospect of a united Ireland has risen as a result of Brexit and the decision by Taoiseach Enda Kenny to announce a referendum to extend voting rights to Irish emigrants.

But the Democratic Unionist Party has again reiterated its opposition to a referendum on a united Ireland.

DUP MP Nigel Dodds accused Sinn Fein of causing further "uncertainty and division" by its fresh calls for a border poll on Irish unity.

In her address to the House of Commons, Ms May said: "There are a set of circumstances which the secretary of state for Northern Ireland has looked, and it is not right to have a border poll at this stage.

"What we should all be focusing on is bringing the parties together to ensure that we can continue to see the devolved administration in Northern Ireland working, as it has done, in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

"We want to see that devolved administration being formed and that's what all the parties should be looking for at the moment."

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has been criticised after saying Ms May can stick the Irish border "where the sun don't shine" during a speech to the European Parliament.

Talking about a post-Brexit border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, Ms Anderson told MEPs: "No border hard or soft will be accepted by the people of Ireland."

Referring to the Prime Minister, she added: "Theresa, your notion of a border, hard and soft, stick it where the sun doesn't shine 'cos you're not putting it in Ireland."

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said: "Martina Anderson was ranting like a fishwife. That was far more offensive than anything Arlene Foster said."

Mr Wilson was referring to the DUP leader comparing Sinn Fein to a crocodile before the recent election.

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson described Ms Anderson's comments as embarrassing and displaying a lack of respect.
Specialist lender Dilosk has swooped on a portfolio of performing loans in a move aimed at increasing the fledgling firms toehold in the market.

It is understood the mortgages are worth close to 60m, with sources pointing to Australian financial services outfit, Pepper Group, as the most likely seller.

The Sydney-based company declined to comment.

A spokeswoman for Dilosk also refused to comment, citing company policy to only discuss completed transactions.

But news of the deal filtered into the market last week after the lenders ceo, Fergal McGrath, announced a significant acquisition at the official launch of its new lending business, ICS Mortgages.

While Mr McGrath refrained from disclosing the scale of the transaction, he told guests at the drinks event in the Royal Hibernian Academy last Thursday that Dilosk had signed another significant portfolio acquisition of mortgages and said the deal was expected to close within months.

He added an announcement would be issued once the sale is completed.

Dilosk first forged into the market with the purchase of Bank of Irelands ICS $223m-plus mortgages platform in 2014. This latest purchase is amid intensifying competition for performing loan portfolios as mainstream banks pursue the same assets in an effort to grow mortgage books constrained by a housing shortage.

Much interest has been focused on the Pepper portfolio.

The company drafted in KPMG last summer to sell a portion of the 600m platform it acquired from GE Capital in 2012, when the Irish economy was teetering on the brink. The sale of the 100m slice has attracted a string of suitors, including Permanent TSB.

The recovering bank entered negotiations to acquire the mortgages last year in what would have marked its first major acquisition since its bail-out by the Irish taxpayer.

But PTSB abandoned the talks in December.

Pepper purchased the GE Capital platform  for a reported 40c on the euro  in partnership with Goldman Sachs, which majority-funded the deal. The US bank declined to comment.

As Irelands economy continues to outpace expectations, the volume of loan portfolio sales is expected to increase. Funds are also circling AIBs book of 1.8bn soured mortgages in what may be one of the largest deal of the year.
This weekend marks a unique celebration of the country's folk heritage and the women who keep it alive

The Egyptian Society for Folk Traditions will host its second annual souq this weekend in Cairo's Dokki neighbourhood, in celebration of the country's folk heritage and the women who keep it alive.The souq, which runs 17 to 18 March, will feature crafts made with centuries-old techniques and designs by craftswomen and artists from all over Egypt.

"The idea is to promote the use of authentic handmade items as original gift ideas the weekend before Egypt's Mother's day," explained Nahla Emam, head of the Customs and Traditions department at the High Institute of Folk Arts, as well as a founding member of the society.

Items will include the blue and green signature pottery of Garagous village, Qena, the iconic embroidery of Sinai, vivid and colourful designs from Siwa, and the ancient motifs of Akhmiem, Sohag.

Many designs have been incorporated into updated ornaments and wearable art, demonstrating the adaptability and vitality of the country's folk traditions. It is a unique event not to be missed.

Programme:

17  18 March, 11am to 6pm

Egyptian Society for Folk Traditions, 47 Soliman Gohar St, Dokki, Cairo

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Global packaging giant Ardagh Group has priced shares in its initial public offer at $19 each, at the upper end of previous guidance.

The IPO of 16 million shares will raise $354m in total, including a so called greenshoe or overallotment of additional stock that may be exercised by the underwriters.

Earlier this month Ardagh said it expected to price the shares at between $17 and $20 each. Shares will go free to trade on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

Ardagh founder and chairman Paul Coulson had said he planned to raise around $300m by selling 5pc of shares in the company in what is a small equity raise relative to the size of the business. Proceeds will go to reduce Ardagh's group debt, which stands at 7.2bn.

Ardagh Group had sales of 7.7bn last year, according to results filed last month.

Although small relative to the scale of the business, the stock market float is likely to be increased in future and will give Ardagh an option of raising capital in the equity markets rather than from bondholders in the future.

Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, Credit Suisse and JP Morgan are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.
The stated-owned Bank of China (UK) Limited has been granted permission by the Central Bank to operate a branch licence that would allow it to conduct operations in Ireland.

Last month, The Sunday Independent reported that Irish officials and representatives were in talks about the possibility of the Chinese bank bringing further operations to Ireland.

The Bank of China already runs some small banking operations here, as well as an aircraft leasing unit.

The formal application will come as a boost to Irish policymakers who are hoping to secure the relocations of a number Asian firms following the UK vote.

Irish Government officials have been keen to sell Ireland as an attractive place to do business since the UK voted to leave the EU.

Earlier this year, the Government applied for membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in a move aimed at further opening further investment channels between Ireland and the region.

In January, a Government delegation travelled to Hong Kong and Beijing to promote Ireland's international financial services sector.
The Egyptian-American bass clarinettist and composer is in Cairo with his band this week as part of the Jazz Tales Festival

The Todd Marcus band have prefaced their coming concerts in Cairo and Alexandria with two jazz workshops at the American University in Cairo.

The band's line-up includes Egyptian-American bass clarinettist Todd Marcus, Harry Appelman on piano, Eric Wheeler on the bass and Eric Kennedy on drums.

The first workshop, which took place on Wednesday, introduced listeners to the specifics of jazz and their explorations of this music genre.

Among several topics, they underlined the importance of role distribution in the band, and how creating space for the individual instruments adds strength to the performance.

The band agreed that feeling the need to play all the time is the characteristic of younger and less experienced jazzists.

"You have to trust your band members and give them space and give space to music," bassist Eric Wheeler commented.

While improvising on the melody from the song Autumn Leaves, the band presented the flexibility of jazz and different jazz creative drumming fills, from Afro-Cuban to meringue, as well as many others.

As the workshop progressed, Marcus spoke about his Egyptian heritage and interest in Egyptian music.

"My father was Egyptian; he moved to the USA in his 20s," said Marcus, the composer and arranger of the band.

"Though I was very dynamic as a small child, as I entered teenage years, I became more introvert. I was trying to make sense of the world, my identity and part of the heritage that belonged to Egypt," he said.

Marcus asked his father to help him get closer to music from Egypt.

"My dad introduced me to Abdel-Halim Hafez. The song that made a special impact on me was Oully Haga [Tell Me Something]. It is mindblowing. I loved the long musical conversation developed in this composition, something that I also try to do in my music. As a musician I translated my emotions into music hence weaving Egypt's music into jazz allowed me to reconnect with this part of my heritage," Marcus added.

The Todd Marcus band's visit to Egypt comes as part of the ongoing Jazz Tales Festival.

The Todd Marcus Band will perform in Cairo on Friday and in Alexandria on Saturday.

The festival, which runs until 1 April, will see numerous workshops and concerts in Cairo and Alexandria. It is organised by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's Arts Centre with its Cairo segment to be hosted by the American University. The festival is organised in cooperation with the American Consulate in Alexandria.

Entry to workshops and concerts is free.

See the complete programme here.

Programme:

Friday 17 March, 8pm

American University in Cairo (AUC), Tahrir Square campus, Ewart Hall, Cairo

Saturday 18 March, 8pm

Bibliotheca Alexandrina Great Hall, Alexandria

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Brexit will slow Irish growth in 2017, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has warned bond investors.

The UK may enter recession after its vote to leave the EU and for every 1pc drop in UK gross domestic product (GDP) Irelands growth may fall by 0.3pc to 0.8pc, the NTMA said in a presentation to investors.

Growth data for 2016 will not be much affected but this year is likely to see some impact, the presentation said.

The NTMA also warns investors that standard measures like debt to GDP are distorted in the Irish case, because the activities of some multinationals which makes the Irish economy appear bigger than the reality.

"GDP and GNP are exaggerated by the activity of multinational companies; behind the headline numbers, Irelands growth has slowed but is still one of the fastest in the euro area," the presentation said.

The 13bn that Apple has been ordered to pay to Ireland in back-taxes is not included in Irish funding plans, the NTMA said.

The money may never be paid, because Apple and Ireland have appealed the controversial ruling  or could be claimed by other countries, the NTMA said.

As a result, the NTMA "has made no allowance for these funds" when it looks at Irelands funding needs.
Trade unions have called for major reform of how the pay of executives is set in quoted companies and semi-states.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions wants more transparency around how the remuneration of top bosses is arrived at, a limit on bonuses and a higher rate of tax for those earning more than 1m a year.

It comes as it emerged that CRH chief executive Albert Manifold's pay package hit an Irish record of 10m last year, driven by a share bonus payment tied to awards made three years ago.

And Greencore has promised to re-engage with investors on the remuneration of chief executive Patrick Coveney after 40pc of those who voted at a meeting rejected the company's move to double the maximum long-term share bonus he can get.

One of the world's leading proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), had advised investors ahead of the agm to vote against the new remuneration plan.

Now the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has conducted a study showing that weekly earnings for workers went up by just 2pc in the past few years.

In contrast, executive pay in some companies rose by up to 238pc between 2009 and 2015.

The leading companies quoted on the Irish Stock Exchange and large semi-states such as the ESB, VHI, Dublin Bus and Ervia were looked at in the research.

Author Dr Peter Rigney said the issue of executive pay got very little attention in this country.

"A challenge to the composition and fairness of high executive pay is long overdue. After all, it appears that top pay is always affordable, while pay at the lower end is wide open to challenge, be it in terms of the minimum wage or the rates set by Joint Labour Committees.

"We believe companies should be required to take into account issues such as financial performance, employee welfare, the environment and consumer satisfaction when deciding on top pay."

The report recommends that there should be greater transparency in the setting of top executive pay. Companies should set out clear objective criteria relating to financial performance, employee welfare, consumer satisfaction and environmental protection.

Consideration should be given to extending the mandate of the Low Pay Commission to monitor the relationship between high and low pay, Congress said.

Companies awarded public contracts would be required to publish more details on pay and bonuses, along the lines of the UK's Corporate Governance Code.
Members of the Irish Postmasters' Union protesting outside the GPO in Dublin yesterday Photo: Tom Burke

Postmasters are to resist plans by An Post to shut hundreds of post offices around the country.

At a rally outside the GPO, they called on all political parties to fulfil their election promises to keep the network open.

Postmasters from all over the State turned up at the protest outside the headquarters of An Post. They said they would not support a "solo run" by An Post to shut post offices.

An Post is planning to close up to 200 post offices, mainly in rural areas.

This is in contrast to the report prepared by businessman Bobby Kerr, which sees 80 post offices close, an exit deal for retiring postmasters and the expansion of financial services offered by An Post.

Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) general secretary Ned O'Hara said the Government must intervene to stop An Post from stalling the 56m network development plan.

The Kerr report is understood to recommend a 56m cash injection over four years into An Post to make it viable, but management is not in favour of this bailout.

Mr O'Hara called on Communications Minister Denis Naughten and the Government to intervene. "Bobby Kerr has already drawn all of the information and views together and, while postmasters do not agree with all of the contents, we believe it offers a workable solution for the network," he said.

"The plan includes many new products and services which post offices can provide to increase their offering to the public."

Mr O'Hara said the post office network, which comprises 1,130 units, was in crisis and delay would damage it further.

"The An Post plan can be discussed when it is published later in the year on its own merits, but it must not delay the collective Kerr report that Government, postmasters and An Post have worked together on," he said.

He added that postmasters signed up to Kerr plan and worked on it for two years. It was finalised and had a start date of January 2017. It must be considered by the Government and honoured, he said.

Postmasters presented half-a-million signatures to the Government calling for action in 2015.
The news comes just months after the worldwide cosmetics giant completed a 11.5 billion takeover of Procter & Gamble, including the Co Tipperary site Photo: Getty

Dozens of shocked and silent Coty workers passed through the turnstile outside the very plain exterior of the Max Factor make-up factory before one of them broke the silence.

"If you'd put that f***ing windmill in we wouldn't be here today," shouted John Flannery as he paced across the road to talk to Labour deputy Alan Kelly who was waiting outside, along with Michael Lowry.

When asked what he meant, he said planning permission had been sought a few years ago to erect a windmill similar to one at Johnson and Johnson to power the plant in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, which could have reduced its costs.

He said there was no mention of the possibility of the business being sold at yesterday's meeting with management to announce that the factory is closing down, and their jobs will go with it. They were just given the harsh facts. Production of the 'make-up of make-up artists' is shifting to Kent in the UK. The reason? Costs are too high.

As a result, Mr Flannery, who lives 7km away and has a daughter who is a teacher and a son still in education, will be out of work before 2018 ends. He does not know exactly when.

The only consolation is a redundancy package worth six weeks' pay per year of service, plus a statutory payment.

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The downbeat workforce made their way home at lunchtime to deliver the news to their loved ones after a meeting with management where they were given confirmation of the closure that had already made its way into the morning newspapers. Minutes later, there wasn't a sinner at the Gortlandroe Industrial Estate in Nenagh. This is how it will soon look.

Mr Flannery (inset above) said: "210 direct jobs and I suppose four times that [in] indirect jobs are going to be affected by this."

Still keeping a sense of humour, he joked that he's never filled out a CV in his life. "We'll just have to make it work," he said. "Simple as that."

But these job losses are a major body blow to the employment market, among the largest since it last took a brutal kicking during the recession.

The same story was being played out across the water in Northumberland, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne where more than 400 jobs are in jeopardy.

Mr Kelly said: "Ultimately this is about Coty global restructuring and Nenagh has fallen victim to that in a competition with Ashford in Kent. In Newcastle, they are losing jobs as well from the factory, so it's not just [Nenagh]."

The only hope seems to rest on a white knight riding in with a big wad of cash to buy the plant. According to Mr Kelly, the chief executive of the IDA, Martin Shanahan, was hopeful that such a scenario might play out in a recent phonecall.

Mr Lowry was hoping that Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor, who is in the US, might pull off something similar.

Liam Sheehy, who has worked at Coty for 15 years, blamed management for failing to cut costs.

"I'm a little disappointed," said Mr Sheehy, who is the father of two children, an economist and an engineer.

"Incandescent with rage would be a good point. We reacted as we always do. We took it on the chin and said 'let's move on'.

"There's a diverse group of people. Some people have mortgages. Some people have young children, so they're obviously distraught."
THE German government has announced plans to hit social networks that fail to remove hate speech and fake news with fines of up to 50m as part of tough new measures on websites such as Facebook and Twitter.

In an unprecedented move by a European country against social media companies, the draft law would demand that posts clearly containing illegal content, such as racist language or Holocaust denial, be removed within 24 hours. The measures would also order companies to run 24-hour helplines so that concerned users can report offensive material.

In cases where it is not immediately clear if the material is illegal or libellous, companies have up to seven days to rule on whether to remove it, but they must inform the complainant either way.

The draconian proposals come amid growing concern in Germany that racist and fabricated news stories could influence its forthcoming federal elections, as they are believed to have done during the US election campaign.

The draft law was proposed by Heiko Maas, the German justice minister, and is significantly tougher than previous suggestions to impose 500,000 fines.

The measures are part of a bill that will be put to the German parliament in an effort to combat malicious activity and disinformation campaigns online.

Facebook removes 39pc of flagged content, while Twitter deletes just 1pc, according to research released alongside the proposals.

"It is now clear that we must further increase the pressure on social networks," said Mr Maas.

Facebook has already introduced a tool in Germany that lets users flag suspicious content in response to claims that "fake news" on the site influenced the outcome of the US presidential election. It has also said it planned to employ 700 people in Berlin to monitor flagged material by the end of the year.

If the measures pass into law it will require social media companies to employ staff that monitor content around the clock. Individual members of staff responsible for handling complaints could also be fined up to 5m for failing to comply with the regulations.

Bitkom, the German digital trade association, told the 'Financial Times' the proposals would be "utterly impossible to implement in operational terms".

Richard Allen, head of Facebook's Europe division, insisted it was "doing far more than any other company to try to get on top of hate speech".

"We have clear rules against hate speech and are working hard to remove such content from our platform," the company said in a statement, adding it was working with governments to tackle the issue.

However, Facebook said tests it commissioned showed higher rates of removal than those cited by Mr Maas.

Germany poses a particular problem for US-owned social networking sites accustomed to American standards of free speech. Due to its Nazi past, Germany bans public Holocaust denial and any overt promotion of racism.

Meanwhile, MPs in Britain have warned Twitter, Facebook and Google they have a "terrible reputation" over their efforts to tackle abusive content.

The internet giants came under fire as senior representatives were grilled by a House of Commons committee.

Chairwoman Yvette Cooper cited a string of examples of material on social media sites. The Labour MP told the three witnesses she found none of their responses "particularly convincing".
The man behind fashion chain Zara is to receive a 1.26bn payout after another bumper year of sales.

Amancio Ortega has been awarded the cash as part of his share of an overall 1.9bn dividend paid out by the retailer's parent firm Inditex.

Mr Ortega owns nearly 60pc of the group and the Spanish retailer has ramped up its dividend 13.3pc to 0.68 euros per share.

The payout means Mr Ortega, one of the world's wealthiest men, has pocketed more than 6bn since 2010.

According to Forbes' billionaire league table, the Spaniard's net worth stands at $72bn, ranking him in fourth place behind Jeff Bezos, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Inditex, the world's biggest clothing retailer and also the owner of Massimo Dutti and Bershka, saw like for likes sales rise 10% in the year to January 31, with net revenue climbing 12pc to 23.3bn.

Net income rose 10pc to hit 3.2bn.

Inditex chief executive Pablo Isla said: "These are a positive set of results against a backdrop of strong prior-year performance.

"This is a direct result of the commitment, spirit and ambition of all the professionals comprising the group, their dedication to the company, passion for fashion and focus on sustainability".

The group now operates 7,292 stores in 93 markets.
The 11th edition of the leading international art fair runs from 13 to 18 March, featuring over 90 galleries from 44 countries

Egyptian galleries Gypsum and Art Talks are participating this year at the 11th edition of Art Dubai, running from 13 to 18 March.

Cairo's Gypsum gallery joins the international art fair for the third time this year, presenting New-York based Egyptian artist and poet Ahmed Morsi with a collection of recent paintings and prints produced between 2000 and 2014.

Morsi was born in Alexandria in 1930. He is known for a prolific career spanning seven decades. As a poet, he published his first collection at the tender age of 19.

His work represents a deep investigation into the self and reflects on the spiritual aspect of our humanity His paintings, drawings and prints attest to his singular practice and unique visual language reads a press release from Gypsum gallery.

Morsis work has been featured in a number of private and public collections including the Museum of Modern Egyptian Art, the Fine Art Museum in Alexandria, MATHAF: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Barjeel Art Foundation and Sharjah Art Foundation.

Sharjah Art Foundation is also currently hosting a retrospective exhibition for Morsi, which opened 1 Mach and runs through 3 June.

Art Talks gallery, founded and curated by Faten Mostafa El-Kanafany, is participating in the fourth edition of the fair's Art Dubai Modern.

The section includes 15 galleries with solo or two-artist exhibits, showcasing works by masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, whose work has been influential throughout the 20th century.

Art Talks will present works from Mamdouh Ammar (1928-2012) in a solo booth, as well as Ghaleb Khater (1922-2009) in a joint partnership with Hafez Gallery from Jeddah.

Ammar is a prolific artist, whose works blending expressionism, symbolism and surrealism span six decades. Spirituality and humanity are at the centre of his work.

Soon after his graduation from university in Cairo in 1952, [Ammar] joined the Contemporary Art Group as they were in the midst of creating a spectacular Egyptian Folk Realism movement in which art and politics blurred, according to Art Talks' website.

Ammar's work passed through three main phases, from folklore, to war and conflict, to freedom in solitude and exile.

Khater was born and raised in Luxor. His work is characterised by minimalistic and monochromatic metaphors and symbols.

Though his formative years are influenced by ancient Egyptian art and classic realism, drawing on a widespread ideology at the time to revive Egypts ancient glory, Khater soon moved to a politically-charged stage calling for social change to free Egypt," Art Talks writes.

"He depicted emancipatory and controversial messages calling for a popular uprising to make peoples lives more bearable, it adds.

This year, the fair is inaugurating the Art Dubai Modern Symposium, a series of talks and presentations centred on the lives, work and cultural impact of 20th century masters from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

El-Kanafany will sit on a panel 17 March titled "The Human Condition," alongside Ayo Adeinka, the founder of London's TAFETA dealership, and Laura Barlow, the curator of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha. Freelance editor and writer Arsalan Mohammad will moderate the panel.

This session delves into how modernists perceived, addressed and mirrored their times  from conflict and poverty to traditions and spirituality, Art Dubais website writes.

Art Dubai is a leading international art fair that aims to serve as an international platform for works from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

This edition features 277 artists from over 40 countries, representing more than 60 different nationalities.

With almost three quarters of the galleries returning to the fair from previous years, Art Dubai 2017 hosts over 90 galleries

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Thinking about changing up your St Paddy's Day celebrations this year? Check out some of the fun, family-friendly activities you can enjoy nationwide.

1. Festival Ceili - Thursday, March 16

Free event - Outdoor celebration at Earlsfort Terrace from 4.30pm

Expand Close Eve Kirby (6), Erin Kirby (7) and Saoirse Kenny (6) encouraging people to attend the St Patricks Day Festival ceili in Dublin on Friday. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Eve Kirby (6), Erin Kirby (7) and Saoirse Kenny (6) encouraging people to attend the St Patricks Day Festival ceili in Dublin on Friday.

Kick off Paddys weekend by having a dance alongside Dearbhla Lennon and Jerry OReilly at the worlds largest outdoor ceili ,right in the city centre at Earlsfort Terrace.

Learn the steps and dance to the finest Irish traditional music and ceili classics with demonstrations by the dancers of Brooks Academy, as well as world class accompaniment from the Matt Cunningham Band, The Devane Family and sean-nos dancers from Connemara. It's free and no experience is necessary. Ceili starts at 4:30pm.

2. Open Air Cinema: In America  Thursday, March 16

Free event - ticketed. Swords Castle at 7.30pm

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The screening of In America, co-written by Jim Sheridan and his daughters Naomi and Kristen, is a great opportunity to relax with family and friends in the stately surrounds of Swords Castle, Co. Dublin, to watch the story of an Irish immigrant family who moves to New York in the 1980s. Patriotic, emotional, timely.

The screening begins at 7:30. Wrap up warm and bring waterproofs. Some seating is provided but patrons are advised to bring their own seating in form of blankets or fold-up chairs.

3. Kilkenny Tradfest - March 16 - 19

Video of the Day

Most events are free or priced between 10 - 35

Expand Close EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 15: Paul Brady performs at the Queens Hall on April 15, 2010 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Marc Marnie/Redferns) / Facebook

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Whatsapp EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 15: Paul Brady performs at the Queens Hall on April 15, 2010 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Marc Marnie/Redferns)

Join Kilkennys finest musicians at the Kilkenny Tradfest for the celebration of its fifth anniversary on St. Patricks Weekend. The festival showcases the best Irish traditional and folk music in the country at a variety of venues across the city including Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile Museum and the stunning St. Canices Cathedral. Enjoy spine-tingling trad gigs with artists such as Paul Brady, Beoga, Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney, Matt the Millers and much more.

For more information go to http://kilkennytradfest.com/

4. Nationwide parades

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Galway: 11.30am

The World's Strongest Man from Duffy's Circus is leading the charge at the 114th anniversary of the Galway St. Patrick's Day Parade at 11:30 on Friday. The acts in this years parade will feature local artists, community and theatrical groups. This is a fun family activity that will be flooded with colour and excitement.

Cork: 1pm

This year the streets of Cork will be packed with activity and exciting events at the St. Patricks Day festival. Have a taste of the treats in the festival market, listen to the traditional Irish music at the Lee Sessions and have some fun with family and friends. The parade begins at 13:00, see you there!

Dublin: 12noon

The City Centre will come alive to celebrate St Patricks Day which will weave its way through the heart of the capital starting in Parnell Street. The theme of this years parade is Ireland You Are which is where Irelands finest street theatre companies will bring you a spectacular performance with the aid of bands from Ireland and other countries. Cheer on the energetic and colourful parade this St. Patrick Day!

5. City at Play: Funfairs - Friday 17- 19 March

Free event - Merrion Square and Custom House Quay

Expand Close Nine year old Emily O'Brien from Clonsilla at Merrion Square enjoying the St Patricks Day Festivites in Dublin. Photo: Peter Houlihan / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nine year old Emily O'Brien from Clonsilla at Merrion Square enjoying the St Patricks Day Festivites in Dublin. Photo: Peter Houlihan

No matter the weather, this is a great spot to have some fun with friends. The little ones will have a ball but it's also an appealing day out for the young-at-heart. Have a fantastic time on family attractions, waltzers and other rides that are based in Merrion Square, Dublin 2 and the Custom House, Dublin 1. Whether you are young or young at heart, have some fun at the City at Play Funfair.

6. The Riptide Movement at the Olympia Theatre

Tickets: 26 - Olympia Theatre from 7pm

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Dublin band The Riptide Movement have planned a musical celebration in the Olypmia Theatre. Support comes from Cry Monster Cry and Two Cities. A good opportunity to enjoy a decent night out on St Patrick's Day away from the thronged pubs and bars.

7. #JJinstarail Goes West: The Mystery Tour - Saturday, March 18

Free event - ticketed

Departing Heuston Station on Saturday 18 of March at nine oclock sharp is the mystery train with the largest global Instagram photo community on board. Calling all photography lovers, join the #JJ COMMUNITY on a mystery adventure to the Wild Atlantic Way. Meet other photo-lovers and once you reach your destination you can snap until the sun sets. Register at 9am at Heuston Station and set off on a picture perfect day.

8. Festival Treasure Hunt  Saturday, March 18

Free event - historical locations across Dublin

Expand Close Captain Peter Kelleher from the 27th Infantry Battalion reads the Proclamation at the GPO on O'Connell Street on March 27, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Captain Peter Kelleher from the 27th Infantry Battalion reads the Proclamation at the GPO on O'Connell Street on March 27, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland.

Search for clues as you navigate through the thrilling tail and enjoy visiting some of Dublins beautiful, historical locations this St. Patricks weekend. Have a wonderful time at HQ in City Hall and watch theatrics, listen to music and win a prize for the best costume (the theme is explorers). Register online now to insure you have an amazing weekend.

For more information visit http://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/events/event/festival_treasure_hunt

9. Spirit of Dublin Craft and Food Fair  Saturday, March 18

Free event - Teeling Whiskey Distillery

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Visit the Teeling Whiskey Distillery to see the design offerings from Irish artisan food and craft producers at the fair this Paddys weekend. Enjoy the live music and talks throughout the distillery as you journey through the remarkable indoor boutique fair. The ticketed tours of the distillery are Dublins newest destination for whiskey fans and will be operating throughout the day.

Further information from www.teelingwhiskey.com

10. St. Patricks Festival 5K Road Race  Sunday, March 19

Free event - St Stephen's Green

Expand Close 3 June 2013; Sophie Fleming, left, Rebecca O'Toole and Lorna Merrins, all from Nurney, Co. Kildare, celebrate finishing the Flora Women's Mini Marathon 2013. St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE / Facebook

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Whatsapp 3 June 2013; Sophie Fleming, left, Rebecca O'Toole and Lorna Merrins, all from Nurney, Co. Kildare, celebrate finishing the Flora Women's Mini Marathon 2013. St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE

This event is perfect for the more energetic festival goers. Starting at St. Stephens Green, the 5k road race course takes in Georgian Dublin and is suitable for families, fun runners and dedicated athletes. The atmosphere will be electric and face painter and musicians are there to entertain, as well as all of the supporting spectators who will cheer you on.

11. Festival Big Day Out  Sunday, March 19

Expand Close Enjoying the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin was Emily Vaughan and Shauna Rouse from Artastic in Kildare / Facebook

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Whatsapp Enjoying the St Patricks Day Parade in Dublin was Emily Vaughan and Shauna Rouse from Artastic in Kildare

Free event - Merrion Square

An exciting carnival is coming to Dublin with an incredible array of family activities. There will be street theatre, music, aerial performances, workshops, crafts, Irish language activities and more. Good, family-friendly fun at Merrion Square between 12 and 6.
Whoopi Goldberg said people shouldnt be involved in fake news unless they give their permission.

Whoopi Goldberg has hit back at a fake news website that ran a story she claims endangered her life, warning: Im coming for you.

The View host said she is taking legal action after a story claimed she said Navy SEAL widow Carryn Owens appeared at US President Donald Trumps speech to Congress in February for the attention.

Whoopi, 61, said the story on The Underground Report was a horrible lie.

She said it jeopardised several relationships she has with veterans and their spouses and endangered her familys life and her own.

Im going to get my lawyer and Im coming for you, said the Ghost actress.

Speaking on The View, she said: Im going to try to get some legislation going that says if youre going to involve someone in fake news, you should have their permission.

You shouldnt be able to put stuff out there, because clearly you dont care what couldve happened to me or to my family.

Or the fact that theres a lot of people who said, No, I know you said it.

Well actually, if you go on The View site, I said the exact opposite.

Whoopi said she understands the creator of the site is in Costa Rica, and added: Man, Im telling you. You cost me money because I had to protect my family.

Costa Rica is not big enough for the lawsuit thats coming your way.

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The Underground Report, which has removed the story, calls itself a news and political satire web publication reporting often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways.

Owens is the widow of Chief Petty Officer William Owens, who died in Yemen earlier this year.

She received a standing ovation when she was introduced by Trump during a speech last month, which was later discussed on The View.
Judge Hutton granted the States request to order that Mr Duffy was being returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court (Stock image)

A 17-year-old girl who broke her ankle during a funfair ride in the Clare village of Sixmilebridge has been awarded 55,360 in damages.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Gerald Keys approved the offer to Lauren Kelly, of Woodview Heights, Sixmilebridge, for the funfair accident on September 27, 2013, when she was aged 13.

The matter was back before Judge Keys yesterday after last year rejecting an offer of 40,360 from funfair operator Mark McCormack.

Counsel for Lauren, who was suing through her mother, Mary Kelly, Michael Collins BL told the court that in the accident, Lauren sustained the broken right ankle after striking a protruding iron bar while on a 'revolving seat' ride at the funfair.

As a result of the accident, Lauren also suffered a 3cm gash to the back of her ankle.

Lauren was brought to the A&E at University College Hospital Limerick and hospitalised there for two nights where she underwent surgery.

The surgery has left her with a 7cm scar on her right ankle and Lauren has lost 20pc mobility on a permanent basis as a result in her ankle.

As a result of the surgery, pins were inserted into the girl's broken ankle and today it appears to be wider with the pins inserted.

The injury took six weeks to heal, during which time Lauren was on crutches, wore a 'moon boot' and underwent physiotherapy.

Lauren was treated by a consultant plastic reconstructive and hand surgeon and a consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
ANNE Shortall knew she was not pregnant when she went to her GP three weeks after she had sex with murder accused Roy Webster, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

The doctor, Geraldine OKelly, said Ms Shortall was referred on for a gynaecological test that could not have been performed if she had been pregnant.

The test was carried out weeks before Mr Webster beat her to death with a hammer after she blackmailed him.

Dr OKelly was giving evidence at the murder trial today.

Mr Webster (40), a father-of-two, from Ashbree, Ashford, Co Wicklow denies murdering Ms Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, also in Wicklow.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but that plea was not accepted by the prosecution.

The jury has already been told he beat the mother-of-three to death with a claw hammer after he she blackmailed him by threatening to reveal all about a one-night stand they had.

The married father-of-two said he struck her about the head when she made the threat after saying she was pregnant and asked him to pay STG 6,500 for an abortion.

Mr Webster, a cabinet maker, tied her head and hands with duct tape after the assault and drove her to his home, leaving her body in his workshop in a shed while he spent the weekend with his family.

In interview, he admitted hitting her but said he did not intend to kill her and reacted in fear and panic to her threat.

Today, Dr OKelly said Ms Shortall had been her patient and had been on a relatively low dose of the antidepressant, Venlafaxine for about 10 years.

In cross-examination, Brendan Grehan SC, for the defence, said the jury would hear evidence from State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy later today, that this drug was found in the deceaseds system in a post mortem examination.

Dr O'Kelly said the last time she saw Ms Shortall was on January 12, 2015, when she came in complaining of very heavy periods over the previous few weeks.

I am satisfied that she wasnt pregnant and she knew she wasnt, Dr OKelly said.

Dr OKelly advised an ultrasound and the accused attended a gynaecologist on March 16, 2015. The letter that came back stating that there was nothing abnormal in the womb that could explain heavy bleeding, nothing of a sinister nature.

A pipelle biopsy was carried out, a scraping of the womb, which Dr OKelly agreed was incompatible with somebody being pregnant.

You wouldnt be able to do it, she said. Normal practice is they would ask beforehand.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of four women and seven men.
Victim Anne Shortall was not pregnant at the time of her killing by Roy Webster in Wicklow

Anne Shortall was not pregnant when she was beaten to death by murder accused Roy Webster, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

When gardai told Mr Webster this, he replied: "I f***ing knew it."

Expand Close Accused Roy Webster hit victim with a hammer Photo: Collins Courts / Facebook

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Whatsapp Accused Roy Webster hit victim with a hammer Photo: Collins Courts

Detectives put it to him in interview that this had been determined in a post-mortem on Ms Shortall's body.

The jury also heard Mr Webster told gardai he did not intend to kill Ms Shortall, and hit her with a claw hammer in a "panic reaction" when she threatened to "blow the lid" on their one-night stand.

In the interviews, Mr Webster said he hit Ms Shortall three to four times on the head and felt like he was having an out-of-body experience or "watching a horror movie".

Mr Webster (40), a father of two, from Ashbree, Ashford, Co Wicklow, denies murdering Ms Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at the Murrough, also in Wicklow.

He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but that plea was not accepted by the prosecution.

Detective Garda Fergus O'Brien said the accused was interviewed, after his arrest, on April 7 and 8. Mr Webster, a cabinet-maker, told gardai he was on job-seeker's allowance because work had dried up.

He said months after he had sex with Ms Shortall, she told him she was pregnant and an abortion would cost 6,500.

On Friday, April 3, he drove her in his van down to a quiet place called the Murrough. He asked had she a pregnancy test done, and she said she hadn't.

She said "so you don't even have the money with you now" and started shouting, he said.

He told gardai she got out of the van and said: "Don't you f***ing worry about it, I'll sort it out myself."

He said he got out to reason with her and she started threatening "if I didn't cough up, she was going to start ringing my wife and ringing my house".

"There was a bit of me pleading with her, 'please don't, please don't', I said 'I have a wife and child and a newborn baby at home, please don't ruin that for me'," he told gardai.

He said she replied: "I don't give a s***." He said his head was spinning and he could "just see my whole world crashing down - this one had my back to the wall".

Blood

"I swung open the side door of the van, and I grabbed the first thing, it was a hammer. I hit her on the head with it," he said in his interview.

She fell back into the van, and, still conscious, told him "You f***ing p****, I'll f***ing ruin you", so he hit her again, his statement continued.

He said there was "blood pouring out of her head I couldn't believe how much".

He told gardai he taped Ms Shortall's head first as he "thought the tape might stop the blood".

"I also put tape on her hands to stop her flailing around," he said. "I suppose subconsciously I didn't know whether she was dead or alive."

He went home, leaving the body in the van. He "played with the young one, fed the baby", watched TV later and fell asleep on the couch.

"[On Sunday] Anne was still in the van. I thought, Jesus, I am going to have to take her out," he said. He lifted her out and put her in the workshop. For the rest of the day he stayed in and had a "pyjama day", watching movies with his kids.

Asked what he had planned to do with the body, he said: "I had no idea." He was asked why he had brought the body home. He said it was just "natural instinct to come home".

He was asked if he had thought Ms Shortall might have been alive in the back of the van.

"Possibly, yes," he replied. "That is why I put the tape on her hands."

He was asked if it had been his intention to kill her.

"No, not at all," he said.

The gardai asked what he thought Ms Shortall's reaction was going to be when he told her he had no money. He said: "I didn't know what her reaction might be, I just wanted proof she was pregnant and then I would get her money."

It was put to him that he never intended giving her money and he intended to kill her.

"No, that never crossed my mind," he said. "I am not that type of person, it never crossed my mind, I wasn't brought up that way."

Injuries were read out to the accused, including "left cheek broken" and "nine blows to the head, including the forehead".

"All for nothing, wasn't it Roy?" he was asked.

"Blackmail," he replied.

"Did you kill her because she was pregnant?" he was asked, to which he replied: "No."

"I hit her because she was threatening my family and my livelihood," he said.

"Looking back now, after it was done, I know I was wrong."

He was asked if he went down to a quiet area "to kill her, to shut her up?"

"No, I only went down there to be discreet," he said, adding that his name was on his van.

Mr Webster said if he had been holding Ms Shortall down with one hand and hitting her with a hammer, "surely I would have had scratches on me".

He was told by gardai Ms Shortall had died of blunt force trauma to the head. "I have heard of that one on 'CSI'," he replied. "So she bled from inside her head."

The trial continues.
Former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan has made his first return to Garda HQ, as he prepares his defence against allegations that he was involved in a smear campaign against whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

Mr Callinan is understood to have met his successor Noirin O'Sullivan twice in recent days, as he considers whether to request legal representation from An Garda Siochana at the upcoming Charleton inquiry.

It now appears likely both Mr Callinan and Ms O'Sullivan will use the same legal team during the course of the inquiry, which is being led by judge Peter Charleton.

The force is preparing to use significant resources to build a legal team to both parties.

Among the lawyers hired by An Garda Siochana are former Fianna Fail adviser Noel Whelan, and Remy Farrell, who was the lead member of the legal team tasked with defending murderer Graham Dwyer.

Sources within An Garda Siochana have expressed unease over the prospect of Mr Callinan and Ms O'Sullivan effectively joining forces to defend against the alleged smear campaign.

The pair are believed to have met last week and again on Monday - along with lawyers - in what is known as the officers' club in Phoenix Park.

It's understood the meetings were sought by Mr Callinan because as a former commissioner, he is entitled to avail of legal representation from An Garda Siochana.

He also has the option of availing of independent legal advice if he wishes.

Among the questions Mr Callinan will face at the Disclosures Tribunal is why he sought to meet Fianna Fail TD John McGuinness prior to a planned appearance at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by Sergeant McCabe.

Mr McGuinness, the then committee chairman, has alleged that Mr Callinan sought to discredit Sgt McCabe at the meeting, which was held in a hotel car park off the Naas Road.

Mr Callinan will also be quizzed over his role in the alleged smear campaign against garda whistleblowers.

The meetings in Garda HQ illustrate the preparatory work being put in by An Garda Siochana prior to the start of the public hearings.

As revealed last week, Superintendent David Taylor - who was Mr Callinan's former press officer - has been served with fresh internal disciplinary action over allegations he leaked material to the media. He has already been cleared of these allegations by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

This newspaper also revealed senior ministers were unaware of plans by Ms O'Sullivan to appoint two retired officers - Mick O'Sullivan and Brendan Mangan - to the garda unit that will liaise with Mr Justice Charleton.

This unit, headed by Detective Superintendent Tony Howard, is separate from the legal team being put in place.
The museum, located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, traces the country's history through clothes, shrouds, and decorative textiles

As you walk along Islamic Cairo's famous El-Muezz Street, you will come across a grand Ottoman-era sabil, or building housing a public water fountain.

The sabil of Mohamed Ali is now host to the Egyptian Textile Museum, which narrates the history of the textile industry from the Pharaonic era until today.

Building sabils was a popular form of charity by the well-off in pre-modern times.

Sahar Ibrahim, who works in the museum's administration, told Ahram Online that Muhammad Ali, who ruled Egypt in the nineteenth century, erected this sabil as a tribute to his son, Ismail, who was killed while fighting in Sudan.

Before it was converted into a museum, the sabil functioned as a school for orphans, and then as Nahaseen Primary School, when both writer Naguib Mahfouz and former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser were pupils.

Ibrahim explains that the sabil-turned-museum has two floors, and includes 11 rooms in which the museum's displays are located.

One room features elaborate baroque and rococo designs on the ceiling, as well as the water tank formerly used to supply water to the sabil.

The museum's displays start in the Pharaonic era, and visitors will learn about the kind of clothes ancient Egyptians wore in their daily life, and can see bed covers apparently belonging to Queen Hatshepsut. The museum's Pharaonic collection also includes a child's nappy.

Another of the museum's rooms is devoted to the role textiles played in Egyptians' relationship with the hereafter. Linen shrouds for coffins are on display, decorated with images of various underworld gods.

There are also some amulets and statuettes representing other ancient Egyptian deities, including Anubis and Neith, who was the goddess of weaving.

Continuing through the museum, we move on to the Graeco-Roman era, with some examples of textiles from the Coptic era, which show the vital importance of textile manufacturing in Egypt at that time.

Also on display are finds from the Bagawat cemetery in the Kharga oasis in south-western Egypt which was used from prehistoric times but boasts particularly well-preserved tombs and chapels from the fourth to the seventh century AD.

Another room features a model of a textile workshop, complete with a horizontal loom and other weaving tools.

Also on display is a batrasheel, a stole used formerly by Coptic priests and now by deacons during sacred liturgies. It is fashioned out of red wool and silver thread.

Linen is the main material on display in this period, as well as dyed wool, with beige and purple being particularly common.





The museum also has displays of textile art from Egypt's Islamic period, after the Arab Conquest in the seventh century.

Coptic style continues to dominate, along with influences from Egypt's heritage, but in the Tulunid age (868 - 905 AD) fabrics no longer depict humans but instead were decorated with animals, plants and birds.

In one room, the museum displays a kiswa, or covering for the Kaaba in Mecca, dating from the reign of King Farouk (1936-1952).

Each year Egyptians manufactured a new kiswa and sent it to Saudi Arabia before hajj season, an honoured tradition that started in the medieval period and continued until the twentieth century.

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A serial burglar who regularly targets pensioners' homes has been sentenced to a total of 144 years in prison over the course of his criminal career, a court has heard.

Anthony Connors (41) is due to be sentenced for his last burglary next month after he held an elderly couple hostage in their apartment while demanding cash from them.

Connors held a broom handle that had a jagged edge to the face of artist Noel Lewis (81), threatened to stab him and demanded money from him. He got into the flat through an open back door as the couple were airing the place out.

Connors has 48 previous convictions which include 14 for robbery, 12 for burglary and other aggravated burglary charges. He has been sentenced to over 144 years in jail, though many of these prison terms would have been served concurrently.

Garda Niall Murray said all of Connors' robberies and burglaries, apart from one, involved raiding the homes of elderly people. He said the average age of his victims was 74 years old, with one man being 100 years old.

Connors had been allowed out on bail in May 2016 for residential drug treatment and gardai were to be notified if he left. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest on June 21, 2016, the same day he burgled the home of Mr Lewis and his partner and fellow artist Dympna O'Halloran (56).

Connors of Richmond Street, Dublin 2, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary, false imprisonment of Mr Lewis and making a threat to Ms O'Halloran that he would burn their flat on June 21, 2016.

Gda Murray told Ms Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting that during the one hour ordeal Connors continually demanded cash from the couple after taking over 170 from them. He told them they must have a nest egg somewhere or be saving money for a rainy day.

The court also heard that Mr Lewis was sitting on the couch at 9pm that evening reading when he suddenly felt a hand around his throat and Connors was in front of him threatening him with the broom handle.

He handed over 20 from his wallet when it was demanded of him. He described Connors as speaking very softly but aggressively.

Connors told the couple he had mates waiting outside and told Ms O'Halloran that he would set the apartment on fire.

Connors then went through Ms O'Halloran's handbag and took 150 from it.

He became more aggressive and demanded more cash. He told the couple they would get off light if they co-operated. He searched their bedroom, a desk and cupboards in their sitting room before again riffling through Ms O'Halloran's handbag.

The couple told him they had no money or jewellery in their home before Connors took the tablet. He put on a pair of gloves and threatened to set the apartment on fire after taking a lighter from Ms O'Halloran's bag.

Ms McGowan said Mr Lewis became extremely afraid as he felt the whole situation was very unpredictable. It was then that he got the opportunity to attack Connors as the burglar was searching on the ground trying to find the broom handle he had earlier used as a weapon.

Ms McGowan said towards the end of the incident Mr Lewis grabbed a heavy battery pack and belted Connors across the head with it leaving him stunned. Connors turned to the man and said to him that's a helluva a bang you gave me. I'm going to get you one back.

He then moved into the kitchen but was swaying on his feet. Mr Lewis presumed he was going to get a knife but instead Connors took a distinctive shirt belonging to the man and left, warning the couple not to alert the gardai for ten minutes.

Gda Murray said Connors was captured on CCTV footage from the area leaving a lane near the couple's home carrying a bag Ms O'Halloran said he had taken from their home. His DNA was also found in a glove he had left behind.

Gda Murray said Connors stole a tablet that contained a massive body of Ms O'Halloran's work, including material for a website. She felt that she was unable to continue with her art because of the loss of this irreplaceable work.

A victim impact report from Mr Lewis said he felt fear, anger and frustration . He woke up with nightmares and had problems sleeping and had a lack of confidence going out in public.

Ms O'Halloran's victim impact report said she was disorientated in her thinking and actions and suffered frequent short term memory loss after the burglary. She suffered loss of sleep and nightmares.

The couple no longer felt they were able to the leave the door of the apartment open to control the damp problem. They said the apartment had become toxic as a result and they were concerned about their health.

Gda Murray arrested Connors the following day when he spotted him in Dublin city centre wearing the distinctive shirt he had stolen from Mr Lewis. He made no admissions in interview.

Mark Lynam BL, defending said his client, having considered the victim impact reports, was shocked, ashamed and experienced repulsion in relation to his actions.

Counsel accepted that the main concern of the court would to protect the public but also to ensure Connors' rehabilitation.

Mr Lynam said Connors had spent most of the previous 25 years in jail, mostly in isolation for his own protection as his fellow inmates were aware that he had mainly targeted elderly people in their homes.

Judge Elma Sheahan said she needed time to consider the case and remanded Connors in continuing custody until April 7, next.
Higher standards are being set for reading and maths performance among school pupils, after better-than-expected results from the 2011 Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

Many of the targets set out in the 10-year strategy by the Department of Education have been met in a little over half of its lifetime.

All the targets set for reading and maths at primary level were reached, and significant progress has been made towards achievement of the targets at post-primary, a review found.

The findings back up recent strong results for Ireland from two international student assessments - the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Maths and Science Study (TIMSS).

However, while the overall progress is encouraging, a number of areas have been identified as needing attention.

One particular focus of the revised plan will be numeracy skills, as feedback suggests that there may have been a greater focus on literacy than numeracy and a stronger focus on numeracy is now warranted.

Another priority is the raising of standards in disadvantaged areas, with for the first time, specific targets for literacy and numeracy for schools in the DEIS programme.

Greater attention will also be paid to enabling the best students to reach their full potential, in light of strong messages from national and international assessments indicating that the attainment of higher-achieving Irish learners lags behind their international counterparts.

Additional emphasis will also be placed on gaining improvements in literacy for and through the Irish language, and on also enhancing the digital literacy skills.

Revised targets include 50pc of sixth-class pupils performing at the highest levels in reading and maths by 2020, up from 40pc in the 2011 strategy - and the 46pc and 42pc respectively achieved by 2014.

In disadvantaged area schools, the target is for 27pc of sixth-class pupils to be performing at the highest levels in reading and maths by 2020, compared with 21pc and 19pc in 2014

Education Minister Richard Bruton said while Ireland was performing very well in reading, there was room for improvement in maths.

He said the Action Plan for Education aimed to further improve performance so as to significantly reduce the gap with the top European performers in maths and science in particular.

The minister referred to the proposed new maths curriculum at primary, including computational thinking, creative thinking skills and coding, and reviewing the structure and time allocation of the primary maths curriculum, as a whole, as well as new curricula for Irish. He also said a policy on science, technology, engineering and maths education would be adopted.
St Colmcille's student Lucia Conroy Garcia (8) with Josiane Umumarashavu from Rwanda and the Trocaire box from 2004 with Josiane's photo on the front Photo: Mark Stedman

A 26-year-old woman from Rwanda who featured on the Trocaire box 13 years ago visited a school in Dublin to thank pupils for their support.

Josiane Umumarashavu lost her father, sister and two of her brothers during the genocide in Rwanda.

She was photographed as part of Trocaire's 2004 Lenten campaign. Through donations to the charity, Josiane's family benefited from farming equipment.

In 2015, Josiane graduated from university and now works for Trocaire. She visited St Colmcille's National School, Knocklyon, to meet with children.

"I still have a copy of the photograph," she said. "It makes me very happy to think that people in Ireland saw my photo and thought about Rwanda."

For more details, see: www.trocaire.org/lent
Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has said measures to slash income tax in October's Budget will help stave off an exodus of staff from the country's health service.

Mr Varadkar became the latest Cabinet figure to call for a reduction in our "very high marginal rates of income tax" in order to keep our most talented workers at home.

He told the Irish Independent that workers needed to be rewarded in terms of tax reductions, particularly those who worked overtime or who had been promoted.

He also weighed in behind Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, who this week signalled plans to slash the marginal rate in the Budget. At present, workers move on to the higher tax rate of 40pc when their earnings reach 33,800. But when the Universal Social Charge (USC) is factored in, workers in this category pay a marginal rate of 49.5pc.

"I think Paschal makes a strong argument for us to frame a new economic policy that recognises the recession is over and that we face new challenges, such as having to compete with post-Brexit Britain," Mr Varadkar told the Irish Independent.

"That means policies like increasing spending on infrastructure - where we lag behind the rest of Europe - and also reducing the very high marginal rates of income tax in Ireland so that hard-working people are rewarded for working overtime and for getting that promotion. We want to keep our own talent in Ireland and encourage talent to come into Ireland," he said.

Mr Varadkar, a former health minister, said measures needed to be introduced to prevent what he described as the "haemorrhaging" of health staff abroad.

"We've shown for decades how competitive tax rates attract business to Ireland. In the economy of the future, attracting human [resources] and retaining talent will be as important, and that's not just the private sector, it's important in area like the health service," the Dublin West TD said.

The renewed focus on tax cuts comes as Mr Varadkar's rival in the Fine Gael leadership battle, Simon Coveney, said he welcomed more hats in the ring.

"There is a lot of talent in Fine Gael. There is a lot of ambition within the party. There are a lot of people who think they have a lot to offer in terms of direction, leadership, energy and drive," Mr Coveney said.

"The more ambition there is in the party, the better, as far as I am concerned. But that process hasn't formally begun yet."

Mr Coveney said he trusted the Taoiseach to ensure the success of the transition process both for the party and the Government.

He said Enda Kenny would clarify the situation on his return from the US, where he is attending the annual St Patrick's Day events.
Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Helicopter wreckage is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

A fisherman looks on disbelief as wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash Photo: Steve Humphreys

The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the crash Photo: Steve Humphreys

Wreckage from the helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier Photo: Steve Humphreys

The families of three missing Coast Guard helicopter crew are praying that they will be found after a tragedy that left a "dark cloud over Ireland".

A full-scale search will continue this morning for the members who went missing after the helicopter they were travelling in crashed near Blacksod on the Mayo coast.

Irish Defence Forces' LE Eithne has now also joined the search.

One crew member, Captain Dara Fitzpatrick (45), was recovered early yesterday morning. The experienced pilot was transferred to hospital in a critical condition, but she was later pronounced dead.

Expand Close The crew of Rescue 116; (left to right) Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith, / Facebook

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Whatsapp The crew of Rescue 116; (left to right) Paul Ormsby, Mark Duffy, Dara Fitzpatrick and Ciaran Smith,

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The three other missing people are father-of-three Ciaran Smith (38), from Oldtown in north county Dublin; Mark Duffy, a father-of-two from Co Louth, and experienced winchman Paul Ormsby.

Rescue 116 and its crew had travelled from Dublin to the west of Ireland to assist another Coast Guard helicopter when the incident occurred at around 1am. Coast Guard sources said there was no evidence that the crew of the stricken helicopter had attempted to send a mayday call. This would suggest that whatever happened, the crash was unlikely to have been caused by a mechanical fault.

But the sources stressed that it was too early in the investigation to speculate on the cause.

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The Dublin-based crew had been providing top cover for another Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 118, that was performing a medical evacuation off the coast of Mayo.

Rescue 116 was returning to base when it fell out of contact. A search operation got under way and a large amount of debris was found.

Expand Close Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

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Members of the Irish Coast Guard were involved in a search operation to find the three missing men throughout yesterday, and were helped by the RNLI, the Air Corps, the Defence Forces, as well as local fishing vessels.

Expand Close A ship helps in the search mission Photo: Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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Families of the missing crew members gathered at the lighthouse in Blacksod, Co Mayo, shortly after 6pm yesterday, where they met rescue workers involved in the search for their loved ones.

Gerard O'Flynn, VS&T operations manager of the Irish Coast Guard, said that the search would be scaled down overnight and resume this morning.

"The search will continue, albeit at a reduced level. Recovery of debris has been a feature of the search all day, I think you saw a bigger piece come in there and that's all part of your Accident Investigation Unit and will be all taken into storage.

"Unfortunately, with the passage of time, the level of hope does go down - but you never know, pilots are exceptionally well-trained people, they're exceptionally physically fit.

Expand Close The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the crash Photo: Steve Humphreys / Facebook

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"So you know, you hang on to a thread of hope, but you have to be fearful that with the passage of time that the chances of people surviving is reducing."

He had earlier confirmed that Capt Fitzpatrick had been pronounced dead in hospital. She was one of very few female civilian rescue pilots worldwide.

Expand Close The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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She had more than 20 years' flying experience and was chief pilot in Waterford since 2002. She described her job as "challenging and exciting" during the filming of the 'Rescue 117' documentary for RTE. "Dara was the most senior pilot and has been with the company for close on 20 years. For all of us involved in the Coast Guard, and for particularly her family, it has come as a complete shock," Mr O'Flynn said.

Her sister, Niamh Fitzpatrick, also paid tribute. "My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in Rescue 116 crash.

"We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of three remaining crew," Ms Fitzpatrick wrote on social media.

Expand Close The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan / Facebook

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Meanwhile, Mark Dearey, the chairman of Dundalk Municipal District, who knows Mark Duffy and his wider family, said they were "hoping against hope".

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next In pictures: Rescue mission underway after Coast Guard crash in Mayo Close The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan A Coast Guard Helicopter is refulled at Blacksod Lighthouse today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN The Coast Guard Helicopter Crew at Blacksod Lighthouse this evening. Photo: Colin O'Riordan The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 A Coast Guard Helicopter lands at Blacksod Lighthouse today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN A Coast Guard Pilot pictured with a Helicopter at Blacksod Lighthouse today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Gerard O'Flynn, Coast Guard, pictured at Blacksod Lighthouse. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Coastguard Personnel pictured loading helicopter debris into a jeep at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet, today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Boatmen pictured landing helicopter debris at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet, today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN The Garda Water Unit arriving at Blacksod Lighthouse for the search for the missing crew of The Coast Guard Helicopter. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Boatmen pictured landing helicopter debris at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet, today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN The Garda Water Unit pictured preparing to join the search at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Boatmen pictured landing helicopter debris at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet, today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN A Coast Guard Helicopter lands at Blacksod Lighthouse today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Boatmen pictured landing helicopter debris at Blacksod Lighthouse, Belmullet, today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN BOATMEN PICTURED LANDING HELICOPTER DEBRIS AT BLACKSOD LIGHTHOUSE TODAY. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Coast Guard Members searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus People watching the lifeboat searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus The lifeboat searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus The Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod Pier, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus 14/03/2017 The Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod Pier, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus Coastguard searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus Coast Guard Members searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus Coast Guard Members searching for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod lighthouse, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus Gardai approaching the Ballyglass lifeboat changing crew to continue the search for a Coast Guard Helicopter Missing at Blacksod Pier, Belmullet, Co. Mayo. Photo : Keith Heneghan / Phocus The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Helicopter wreckage is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017 / Facebook

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As the search progressed, the LE Roisin carried a large amount of debris to near the coastline, where it was met by smaller trawlers who brought the objects to shore.

However, the recovery of the flight recorders, or the black box, will be crucial to determine what happened.

Speaking in Washington, Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended the "deepest sympathy" of the Government to the family of Capt Fitzpatrick.

Mr Kenny said he knew the area of the Mayo coast where Rescue 116 went down well.

"It is striking that on a bright spring day, such a dark cloud hangs over Ireland," he said.

President Michael D Higgins said: "Today marks a dark day in the history of the Coast Guard."
The crew of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the East Coast region at the launch of the new helicopter at Weston Airport this morning..The crew are from left, Winch Operator, Paul Ormsby, Capt. Ed Sullivan, Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick and Winchman Dermot Molloy....Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar pictured with the crew of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the East Coast region at the launch of the new helicopter at Weston Airport this morning..The crew are from left, Winchman Dermot Molloy Capt. Ed Sullivan, and Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick ....Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

The sister of tragic Coast guard captain Dara Fitzpatrick has paid tribute and asked others to pray for the three missing crew.

Capt Fitzpatrick was one of very few female civilian pilots worldwide.

She featured in the RTE series Rescue 117 leading dramatic rescues by the crew at Waterford helicopter base.

A well-regarded pilot, Capt Fitzpatrick had over 20 years flying experience and was chief pilot in Waterford since 2002. She described her job as "challenging and exciting" during the filming of Rescue 117.

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Her sister, renowned psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick, took to Twitter this afternoon to pay tribute.

She wrote: "My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in #Rescue116 crash. We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of 3 remaining crew."

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Speaking today Gerard Flynn, VS&T Operations Manager of the Irish Coast Guard, said: "Dara was the most senior pilot and has been with the company for close on 20 years.

"Outside of her work as a pilot she did an enormous amount of work on water safety and was always available to do school visits and promote water safety."

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Captn Fitzpatrick spoke often about her love for her job.

Expand Close Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar pictured with Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the East Coast region at the launch of the new helicopter at Weston Airport this morning......Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin. / Facebook

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Whatsapp Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar pictured with Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick, Captain of the new Coast Guard Sikorsky S92 helicopter for the East Coast region at the launch of the new helicopter at Weston Airport this morning......Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin.

Speaking to the 'Munster Express' in 2009, Capt Fitzpatrick said she was a native Dubliner, but more than happy to be living in Waterford at the time.

Dara told the newspaper she first went up in a helicopter at the age of 18, and "thought it was the business".

"And that, pretty much, was it.

I got my own licence and I was working for a businessman for a year, year and a half when the Coast Guard advertised for co-pilots.

That was at a time when Shannon was the only Coast Guard helicopter base was in the country so I applied for it and got it. I stayed there until 2002 and came over to Waterford and I love it here.

I had another few layers to deal with after I was taken on by Search and Rescue, she added.

They had to teach me to fly a twin engine helicopter since I was used to flying single engined. They had to teach me how to fly by instruments  which is another separate, long course.

And before I could go anywhere near Search and Rescue, I had to get used to flying the helicopter with two crew because I was used to flying in my little helicopter all by myself, so I went to Aberdeen for a year to fly onto oil rigs.

So by the time I got taken on, it had taken a good year to get me ready to sit in the left-hand seat as a co-pilot.

But then even when I started, for the first while youre hanging out the back seat of it  youre just so far behind it because when the jobs come in, everything is happening so quickly.

In January 2008, Capt Fitzpatrick appeared on a video entitled 'Find A Balance Dare To Dream' DVD.

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It was produced by the Irish Bishops' Conference and it covers the issue of alcohol and the challenge of moderation.

The production, which was aimed at young people, saw Capt Fitzpatrick stress the importance of finding balance in her job and how she took her responsibilities.

"When I was about 18 or 19, all I wanted to do was economics or business or something. Didn't get the points I wanted to at school - just didn't work hard enough - and I heard an ad on the radio for a helicopter.

"I went up in a helicopter and that was it. I was hooked.

"Most people go 'oh there's so many buttons and dials and things', but it just takes a little bit of coordination.

"There are so many variables in this job. Like when we get a call here, you know the Coastguard will say there's a person injured here or fallen off a cliff in Dublin or something like that, you will have to in about two or three minutes, make a decision on whether we can go there and back and what fuel do I need.

"We can go up and save loads of people but there is no point in doing that if we can't get back. You just have to be able to think on your feet and also think about the consequences of making a decision. You have to be able to get back to land.

"I'm doing this about 15 years now which is a fair amount of time but it doesn't make any difference; it will still kick you in the ass. It really will. You will go along and you'll do loads of really, really good jobs and then one time, you will get a kick in the ass and it kind of wakes you up. You can't relax.

"The thing that I find the hardest is that everybody thinks it will never happen to them and again, you're picking somebody up out of the water. You probably don't think so much about the casualties, because you can't. You can't afford to. Because sometimes you might pick somebody up and you have another two to three hours transit with a badly injured casualty or a body in the back. When you drop them off to hospital or bring them to a quay or whatever, when that flight is over, you've got to turn the page and move on. And you can't really think about it too much."

She was also prominently featured in RTE's documentary Rescue 117 documentary.

"You never know what you are going to face, you could be called up to the mountains, you could be called because someone has fallen off a cliff. You could be called at 2 o'clock in the morning being called to an injured fisherman on a boat," she said on camera during the documentary.

"There is huge variety here, you really don't know what you're facing. I think most of us enjoy that. That's the bit of the job that we actually like because you just don't know what's going to happen for the next few hours."
Eamonn Casey visited Veronica Guerin in New York some time after she interviewed him in Ecuador

Veronica Guerin remained "great friends" with Bishop Eamonn Casey long after her famous interview with him in South America, according to her brother.

The Sunday Independent reporter tracked down Bishop Casey to Ecuador in 1993 after it was revealed he had fathered a son with Annie Murphy.

Arguably the most sought-after interview at the time, Casey chose Veronica for the exclusive scoop. According to her brother Jimmy Guerin, the two became "very fond" of each other.

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"What made Veronica so successful was that she didn't just go after a story, but built and maintained relationships with the people she interviewed," he said following the news of Casey's death this week.

"Vincent Browne tried to go over and take that interview from her, but she had none of it. She became very good friends with [Casey] and they had great respect for one another.

"Veronica was ahead of her time; she wouldn't have judged him too harshly.

"The bishop must have been happy with Veronica's scoop because, some time later, when she went to New York with her husband Graham to pick up an award, he left South America to spend a few days with the couple.

"Veronica kept in touch with him, along with Graham, throughout the years. She had the balls to go over and find him in Ecuador, which goes to show what a fearless journalist she was. They met up many times over the years in Dublin and he also met my mother."

Bishop Casey died in a nursing home in the west of Ireland on Monday following a long illness.

The former Bishop of Galway achieved worldwide notoriety in 1992 after it was revealed that he had secretly fathered a son named Peter with US divorcee Annie Murphy.

The Catholic Communications Office has confirmed that his removal will take place today at 7pm at the Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and Saint Nicholas, Galway.

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Funeral mass will take place on Thursday at 2pm at the same venue followed by interment in the cathedral crypt.

"I think we lost a good man. He's not a man that abused - he was a man that fell in love. That was his only crime," Mr Guerin said.

"I just feel very sorry for him. It just shows what's wrong with the Church due to the exile he was forced into."

Underworld

In addition to covering the criminal underworld, Veronica also wrote many articles on clerical abuse.

"Veronica played a big part in the story about the Brendan Smyth files being hidden in the Attorney General's office," said her brother.

"She also highlighted the Ferns scandal and would have been well aware of the sins of the Church. She would never have built a relationship with anyone she couldn't respect.

"It was lovely to respect Eamonn throughout the years because he was a good Christian who found himself in the unfortunate situation where he had to choose between the love of the Church and the love of a woman."
The mother of Danielle McLaughlin, who has been found dead in a Goa tourist resort, has paid tribute to her daughter saying she will be "sadly missed".

Ms McLaughlin, 28, was discovered in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of the Indian state.

In a written statement issued by a close friend on behalf of the family in Buncrana, Co Donegal, Andrea Brannigan said: "The family would like to express our thanks to all who have got in touch since receiving this awful news.

"As you can expect we are finding it very difficult at this trying time.

"We want to thank the Irish and British consulates, along with Colin from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, and many friends who have assisted at this time. Danielle will be sadly missed by us all."

The young woman left on a backpacking adventure last month and had been celebrating the Holi festival in Canacona on Tuesday.

She was discovered with injuries to her head and face.

Police have named the suspect in the murder as Vikat Bhagat (23). He was arrested and can be held for seven days.

Expand Close Family handout photo of Danielle McLaughlin who was discovered dead in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of Goa (Image: PA) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Family handout photo of Danielle McLaughlin who was discovered dead in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of Goa (Image: PA)

A scooter and clothing will be examined by investigators. CCTV is also being examined and police have said some footage shows Ms McLaughlin in the company of the arrested man.

Witness statements have been recorded and investigations are continuing as her heartbroken friends and family prepare to repatriate her remains.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Danielle McLaughlin who was discovered dead in Canacona, a popular tourist area in the south of Goa (Image provided to PA by family) Danielle Mc Laughlin was originally from Buncrana, Co Donegal / Facebook

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Deputy Superintendent of Police Sammy Tavares told reporters that her remains were sent to the Goa Medical College and hospital to establish if the victim was raped before the attack.

Police sources told the Times of India that a local farmer noticed the body of a young woman while he was on his way to the fields, in a woodland spot - 300m from a road.

Supt Tavares told reporters that they had arrested a suspect: "He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity."

"We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects, a police officer told IANS.

Six "suspects" have been questioned by police in relation to the killing and one man is due to be brought before a court today.

Sources have told Independent.ie that Ms McLaughlin is originally from Buncrana, Co Donegal. She left Ireland in February to go "backpacking around the world".

Local councillor Rena Donaghey (FF) said: "The whole community and the town of Buncrana is in deep shock today. Everyone is very saddened by the news.

"She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end.

"She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

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"On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead," said the Fianna Fail councillor.

Dozens of friends paid tribute on Facebook, with one writing; "It was a pleasure knowing u & spending 5 yrs in school with u.! Such a bubbly girl.! [sic]."

The popular woman grew up in Buncrana, attending the local Scoil Mhuire secondary school. She studied at university in Liverpool and reports say she held a British passport.

Buncrana parish priest Fr Francis Bradley told Independent.ie that he was looking after the family.

"Her family are understandably distraught at what has happened," Fr Bradley told BBC Radio Foyle.

"They are a family who have suffered a lot of loss over the last number of years, her mother in particular.

"The loss is immense and the circumstances of that death, the distance between where it happened and where the family are, adds to the difficulty that the family feel at this time."

Fr Bradley described Danielle McLaughlin as a "happy-go-lucky" girl who loved to travel.

"I met the young lady in question a few months ago at the time that her grandfather was gravely ill and she was very close to her grandfather, who subsequently died.

"She seemed a happy go-lucky, friendly, quiet girl.

"To find that there could be malice or something very sinister involved in the way in which someone died is particularly disturbing and has its own challenge that we as a community will have to face," he added.

Ms McLaughlin recently wrote on Facebook that she was travelling to India.

"Thank you to all my friends and family for making home so special and always looking after me. I am very grateful and the luckiest person I know...Off on another adventure..."

A bar that she worked at in Liverpool posted a tribute to her on Facebook. The Pumphouse in Albert Dock wrote: "Very sad to hear we have lost one of our old team members Danielle McLaughlin in Goa this week. She was only 28. Goodbye Danielle. Deepest condolences to her family in Ireland."

In a statement Liverpool John Moores University said: "The university is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of one of our former students, Danielle McLaughlin.

"We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends from all at LJMU."

A spokesman would not say what Miss McLaughlin studied at the university or when she left.

Suresh Velip, head constable at Goa Police, said a 24-year-old Indian man remains in custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Asked about details around the case, he told the Press Association: "It is still under investigation."

Mr Velip said Ms McLaughlin's body was found in a remote area near Deobagh Beach in Canacona on Tuesday morning.

The police man said a post-mortem examination had been carried out, but he declined to disclose any details of the findings.

The suspect is expected to appear in court in Canacona at some stage.

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A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told Independent.ie: "The Irish embassy in Delhi is in contact with the Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance."

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Whatsapp Scarlett Keeling was murdered on a Goa beach

In an unrelated incident in 2008, a British teenager Scarlett Keeling (above) was raped and left to die at Anjuna beach in Goa.

Miss Keeling's mother said she her heart sank after hearing of the killing in Goa, saying "it just brings it all back".

Fiona MacKeown said: "It is horrific. My heart breaks for her family and friends. I know what they are going through.

"It really makes my heart sink. I just feel so sad for her mum, siblings and friends."

Ms MacKeown found that dealing with the Goan police and authorities while grieving over her daughter was "frustrating" and like "banging your head against a brick wall".

She hoped Ms McLaughlin's family would not have to face a similar trauma and added "it is a possibility, but it is early days yet in the investigation and I hope it works out well" for them.

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Additional reporting by Press Association.
An Irish woman discovered murdered in an India tourist spot left Co Donegal in February to go on a worldwide backpacking adventure.

Sammy Tavares of the Goa police said the woman was discovered with injuries to her head and face.

The victim (28) is believed to be from Buncrana, was found in Canacona near Goa.

She was discovered with injuries to her head and face.

He told reporters that the body was sent to the Goa Medical College and hospital to establish if the victim was raped before the attack.

Police sources told the Times of India that a local farmer noticed the body while he was on his way to the fields, in a woodland spot - 300m from a road.

According to IANS the victim had arrived in the Palolem beach area on Sunday evening to participate in Holi celebrations before being found dead on Tuesday.

Supt Tavares told reporters that they had arrested a suspect: "He has confessed to raping the victim and later killing her in order to hide his identity.'

"We are investigating people with whom she was playing Holi during a party here. Her friend has also given us some leads and we are questioning some suspects, a police officer told IANS.

Six "suspects" have been questioned by police in relation to the killing and reports say that one man is due to be brought before a court today.

Sources have told Independent.ie that the victim is originally from Buncrana, Co Donegal. She left Ireland in February to go "backpacking around the world".

Local councillor Rena Donaghey (FF) said: "The whole community and the town of Buncrana is in deep shock today. Everyone is very saddened by the news.

"She was a lovely young woman who has come to a very sad end.

"She was very popular and very liked in the community. She headed off on a backpacking holiday in February to do some travelling.

"On behalf of the community, I would like to offer sympathy and condolences. I hope God will give the family strength at this tragic time to help them through the weeks and months ahead," said the Fianna Fail councillor.

The popular woman grew up in Buncrana, attending the local Scoil Mhuire secondary school. She studied at university in Liverpool and reports say she held a British passport.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs told Independent.ie: "The Irish embassy in Delhi is in contact with the Indian authorities in relation to reports of an incident involving an Irish citizen. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stands ready to provide consular assistance."

Expand Close Scarlett Keeling was murdered on a Goa beach / Facebook

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In 2008, a British teenager Scarlett Keeling (above) was raped and left to die at Anjuna beach in Goa.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been questioned by a major US network on why he has accepted an invitation to meet US President Donald Trump despite having "once called him 'racist and dangerous'".

During a four-minute interview with Eamon Javers on CNBC, Mr Kenny again attempted to clarify that he had called Mr Trump's comments racist, rather than Mr Trump himself.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage had also raised the issue during an RTE radio interview earlier today, insisting that the Taoiseach should apologise when he visits the White House tomorrow

"What I said was the language used by the president when he was a candidate was racist, I never said anything beyond that," Mr Kenny said in Washington.

Chatting with @EamonJavers of @CNBC in DC ahead of a full day of events promoting Ireland. #StPatricksDay  pic.twitter.com/BvTIDxmzAf  Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) March 15, 2017

"I'm responding to an invitation from the President of the United States and am very happy to do so. This is a tradition that has gone back very many years, indeed was enhanced by Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan many years ago.

"But it is not about me or the President - it's about the symbolic contribution that the Irish have made to America over 200 years and will continue to make so we want to work with the administration."

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In May of last year, Mr Kenny agreed with a description of the then-Presidential candidate's comments as racist and dangerous made in the Dail, and added "there is an alternative to vote for".

Around the same time Mr Kenny was speaking in Washington, prominent Brexit campaigner Mr Farage also brought the 'racist and dangerous' comment up, during an interview with RTE Radio, saying the Taoiseach should apologise tomorrow "for saying vile things about him [Mr Trump] consistently during the campaign".

Mr Farage, who has positioned himself as a confidante of the US President, said that "Trump won't have forgotten" the Dail comments.

Mr Kenny wasn't pushed on the issue on CNBC, but has said in the past that he doesn't regret making the comments.

Speaking today, Mr Kenny also reiterated that Ireland would not be looking for a special deal on immigration reform from the US for the 50,000 'undocumented' - but was hopeful of getting back to a situation where 10,000 J1 visas would be allocated to Ireland.

"We are not looking for a special deal in terms of the immigration reform, it has to be part of the overall immigration process," he said. "We would like to see a far greater allocation of short-term visas for young people, like we had in the past."

He also commented on the difficulties posed by Brexit, and insisted that there would be no return to a hard border in the North.
Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, 45, had had a starring role in a fly-on-the-wall documentary

The sister of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, pilot and commander of the helicopter that crashed off the Mayo coast, has paid an emotional tribute to her this morning.

Orla Fitzpatrick, one of Capt Fitzpatrick's three sisters, tweeted a beautiful picture of the pair, with the caption: "Me and my gorgeous sister Dara...we'll miss you forever and love you always #RIPDara".

Capt Fitzpatrick was one of four crew members on board Rescue 116 which crashed six miles west of Blacksod.

She is survived by her little son (3), her three sisters, her brother, and her parents.

Me & my gorgeous sister Dara...we'll miss you forever & love you always #RIPDara #Rescue116 pic.twitter.com/yIfFDlztU2  Orla Fitzpatrick (@ofitzp) March 15, 2017

Waterford native Wayne Jacob, who was rescued by Capt Fitzpatrick after getting into difficulty at the seaside resort of Tramore, said he will never forget her smile.

"Between the point of being rescued and being back at base at Waterford Airport, the two things that stuck in my head are the assurances I got from the winchman, and taking a look up at the cock pit. I was greeted with a smile and a thumbs up and the person asked 'are you okay' - that person was Capt Fitzpatrick," he told RTE's Morning Ireland.

Waterford-based Coast Guard Jim Griffin also paid tribute to Dara Fitzpatrick, saying she will always be remembered for her "calming presence" and for excelling in a "male-dominated role".

Mr Griffin told Newstalk's Breakfast that Dara transferred to Waterford from Shannon around 2002.

Expand Close Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick with former crew (not involved in crash) Pic: Miki Barlok / Facebook

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"She worked at the helicopter base, which is in close proximity to our station in Dunmore East," he said.

"She had a very calming presence when you were communicating with her. She had a very calming presence in everything she did.

"She always had great cooperation from her colleagues."

Her family also paid tribute in a statement to Today FM.

"We are so proud of Dara's work and all she has done to save the lives of others over the years," the statement read.

"We are completely heartbroken and we pray for the recovery of the other three crew."

Her sister, renowned psychologist Niamh Fitzpatrick, also paid tribute to her on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

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"My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life. We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of 3 remaining crew".

Capt Fitzpatrick was pronounced dead in hospital, Gerard O'Flynn, VS&T Operations Manager of the Irish Coast Guard confirmed.

She was one of very few female civilian rescue pilots worldwide.

She featured in the RTE series Rescue 117 leading dramatic rescues by the crew at Waterford helicopter base.

Captain Fitzpatrick had over 20 years flying experience and was chief pilot in Waterford since 2002.

She described her job as "challenging and exciting" during the filming of Rescue 117.
The Taoiseach has tetchily dismissed claims by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage that he begin his much-anticipated visit to the White House on Thursday by apologising to US President Donald Trump.

And Enda Kenny has insisted that his criticism of Mr Trump last May for using racist and dangerous language did not mean he thought the then-Presidential candidate was racist and dangerous.

The Taoiseach was in Washington when asked to respond to Mr Farages comments on RTE Radio that he is wasting his time going to the White House because of the vile things he had said about Mr Trump previously.

Mr Farage added that Mr Trump  who is a friend and political ally  wont have forgotten the comments by Mr Kenny, and that an apology would be a good starting point.

Well I havent come to America to answer to Nigel Farage, Mr Kenny said when asked about Mr Farages suggestion.

I am the leader of the Irish government, and very proud and privileged to be so.

Im responding to an invitation sent by the President of the United States and Im very happy to go to the White House tomorrow and to continue the traditional connection between Ireland and the United States

So Ive nothing further to say in respect of comments made by Mr Farage.

In May of last year, Mr Kenny described the then-Presidential candidate's comments as racist and dangerous, and added "there is an alternative to vote for". They have become an issue again in the past 24 hours.

The issue was also raised earlier on Wednesday during an interview on US network CNBC, when the Taoiseach was asked why he had accepted the invitation to the White House given what he had said about Mr Trump.

During that interview and in a subsequent press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Kenny again insisted that he had not called Mr Trump racist and dangerous.

I did not refer to the person of the now-President as being racist. My comment was in respect of his language, he said.

Pressed further, Mr Kenny denied that if someones language is racist, then they are racist: It doesnt follow, at all.

Im not into English classes Im telling you the language that was used on that occasion was, in my view, not language that I would use [but] that was not related to his personality, he added.

Earlier, when asked just how vile Mr Kennys comments about Mr Trump were, Mr Farage said: How much more insulting can you be than to call some one racist. I think he needs to apologise.

Mr Kenny has said in the past that he doesn't regret making the comments.
Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson has rejected any kind of border in Ireland after Brexit, telling Theresa May she can "stick it where the sun doesn't shine".

Addressing the European parliament on Monday Ms Anderson said: "Theresa, your notion of a border, hard and soft, stick it where the sun doesn't shine 'cos you're not putting it in Ireland."

The DUP's Sammy Wilson criticised Ms Anderson for her comments. Responding on BBC Talkback, Mr Wilson said: "Martina Anderson was ranting like a fishwife. That was far more offensive than anything Arlene Foster said."

Mr Wilson was referring to the DUP leader comparing Sinn Fein to a crocodile before the recent election.

Ms Anderson was unavailable to respond to Mr Wilson's comments.

On Monday, Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, said there was an urgent need for a referendum on Irish unity as the British government had "refused to listen" to the majority of people in the region over Brexit.

Parliament has passed the Brexit Bill, paving the way for the government to trigger Article 50 so the UK can leave the European Union.

Ulster Unionist MP Danny Kinahan said he was concerned that there is no powersharing government at Stormont to negotiate a good Brexit deal.

"As the government embarks on formal negotiations with the European Union it is a sad indictment of the last Northern Ireland Executive that there is currently no Executive in place to feed into the UK negotiating position.

"The final Brexit deal will have significant lasting consequences for our universities, farming and agri-food, the community and voluntary sector, and the business community, amongst others.

"It is crucial that Northern Ireland interests are represented, which I fear is not happening at the moment."
Taoiseach Enda Kenny intends to educate the US President Donald Trump on the European Union's "full story" in a bid to convince him to row back on his anti-EU rhetoric.

Mr Kenny will appeal to Mr Trump's business acumen during their White House meeting tomorrow and argue that by working together, America and the EU can grow.

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"I intend to say to the president that if you visited Ireland 50 years ago, you would find a backward, protectionist, introverted traditionally based agri-sector. Our membership of the EU has transformed our country, it has opened our potential to the world," he said.

Mr Kenny will be the second EU leader to meet the new president in person since he took office in January.

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The Taoiseach indicated that he intends to take a diplomatic approach. He said: "This is a man who is used to doing business deals, obviously he has set out his standard in wanting to build further for the US. I would like to think that Irish firms, given their confidence, I would see real opportunities for further expansion and employing further Americans on American soil."

Mr Kenny will officially begin his St Patrick's Day engagements in a snow-hit Washington today. The key event is the black-tie American Ireland Fund Gala Reception.

His itinerary is back on schedule after he was forced to leave Boston early in order to avoid the worst of Storm Stella.
The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

A fisherman looks on disbelief as wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash. Pic Steve Humphreys 14th March 2017

Wreckage from the helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier Photo: Steve Humphreys

Wreckage from the Rescue 116 Helicopter is brought back to Blacksod Pier after the Coastguard Helicopter crash Photo: Steve Humphreys

The seach continues at Blacksod Pier after the crash Photo: Steve Humphreys

Rough conditions are hindering the search for the three missing crew members of Rescue 116 off the coast of Mayo.

The search began this morning at first light, assisted by the Marine Institute vessel, the Celtic Voyager, which has joined the operation off Blacksod and which is expected to prove vital, with its specialist sonar search capabilities. It took equipment on board at about 6.30am.

The families of chief pilot Mark Duffy, winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith gathered at a holiday home close to Blacksod lighthouse which was put at their disposal, as they waited for news.

Gerard O'Flynn, the search and rescue operations manager with the Irish Coast Guard said the search is "well resourced", with the naval vessels the LE Eithne and the LE Roisin. Naval divers are currently assessing the best areas in which to conduct a dive while the Ballyglass lifeboat will be conducting shoreline searches.

He said they are not seeking any further assistance from the public and urged them to 'leave it to the professionals' at this stage.

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The search is focused on an area of about two square miles close to Blackrock lighthouse, about eight miles out at sea, where most of the scattered debris was found. However Mr O'Flynn said the search may widen.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Irish Coast Guard Personnel pictured searching the shoreline at Belmullet for signs of the Missing Coast Guard Aircrew. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Heavy seas at Blacksod Bay which hampered search efforts for the missing crewmen of THe Coast Guard Helicopter today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Irish Coast Guard Personnel pictured searching the shoreline at Belmullet for signs of the Missing Coast Guard Aircrew. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Heavy seas at Blacksod Bay which hampered search efforts for the missing crewmen of THe Coast Guard Helicopter today. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Irish Coast Guard Personnel pictured searching the shoreline at Belmullet for signs of the Missing Coast Guard Aircrew. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN Irish Coast Guard Personnel pictured searching the shoreline at Belmullet for signs of the Missing Coast Guard Aircrew. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN The LE Roisin pictured on its search for missing Coast Guard Crew members at Blacksod Bay. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN An RNLI Lifeboat pictured on its search for missing Coast Guard Crew members at Blacksod Bay. PIC COLIN O'RIORDAN / Facebook

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Weather conditions are deteriorating, with winds currently of about force six to force seven and visibility is a concern, Mr O'Flynn admitted.

"It is enormously difficult for the families," he said, saying that they were seeing a lot of activity with boats going out but they wanted "hard information and not clutching at straws."

Meanwhile Niamh Fitzpatrick, the sister of fallen hero Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who was confirmed as the first casualty of Rescue 116, has paid tribute to her sister on Morning Ireland, saying the family were heartbroken but that Dara had lived her life as she wanted to.

"It never occurred to Dara that she couldn't do it because she was female," she said.

She said Dara had loved her job and was excellent at it.
Police were called to a Belfast school after it was reported a package was received containing white powder.

An area at the front of Lagan College in the Manse Road area has been sealed off and police had stopped anyone from entering or exiting the premises.

Police received a report that a package containing white powder had been received through the mail.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is also at the scene after being tasked to assist the PSNI.

Students from Lagan College are now allowed to leave the premises after the school was in lock-down for most of the day. pic.twitter.com/eh9AA7bq8k  Catherine McCurry (@CateMcCurry) March 15, 2017

A text message from the school to parents said that the PSNI were investigating an issue at the "front of the school site".

It said all students and staff are safe.

The message read: "All students and staff are safe but the PSNI have stated that no member of the public can access the site at present to go out or come in.

"We will keep you informed of the situation."

Lagan College confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph that the school day is continuing as normal and that the incident was "only at the front of the school".

Pupils have now been allowed to leave the school supervised by staff.
Gardai have located a 41-year-old man reported missing from his home in Co Meath.

The man was last seen in Enfield on Tuesday morning at approximately 6am.

Gardai confirmed on Sunday evening that he had been located safe and well.
Gardai have thanked the public for information on the whereabouts of two missing teenagers.

A 14-year-old girl from the Navan area has been found safe and well.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy who was reported missing in Dublin has also since been located.
Danielle McLaughlin was a lover of travelling and has been described as an "outgoing, kind-hearted" person by friends

Heartbroken friends and family of Danielle McLaughlin have started a fundraiser page in order to have her remains returned to Ireland.

Ms McLaughlin (28), from Buncrana in Co Donegal, left on a backpacking adventure last month and had been celebrating the Holi festival in Canacona in India on Tuesday.

She was found dead with severe injuries to her head and face.

The reaction in her local community has been one of shock.

A close friend set up a GoFundMe page to help assist with the repatriation and funeral expenses.

The fundraising page has already surpassed its goal of 10,000 as tributes pour in.

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Whatsapp Danielle Mc Laughlin was originally from Buncrana, Co Donegal

He says Buncrana is completely devastated by her death.

"There's not really much anyone can say at the moment. Anyone who knew her, knew that she was a beautiful and kind-hearted, funny young lady who loved life.

"She was a loyal and devoted friend, sister and daughter.

"They say the brightest stars burn the quickest and no other analogy could describe Danielle's life better...keep on smiling, as Danielle would have wanted."

Another friend praised her energetic and enthusiastic personality.

"This girl was full of great energy and love for the world and the people within it. I had the pleasure to live and work with you...to hear you've been taken away from us in such a cruel cruel way is heartbreaking."

So far, 2,010 has been raised in just over an hour.

The popular woman grew up in Buncrana, attending the local Scoil Mhuire secondary school. She studied at university in Liverpool and reports say she held a British passport.

Six "suspects" have been questioned by police in relation to the killing and one man is due to be brought before a court today.

The friend said the Irish embassy, the British embassy, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and many close friends are working hard on the arrangements to bring Ms McLaughlin's body home.

"The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust have been brilliant and cover most arrangements and expenses, so basically this fundraiser is to help her family with the added costs of having someone with her when she returns and to give her the send-off she deserves," he said.

Additional reporting by Press Association
A heroic Dubliner who rescued a toddler from a house fire has been left searching for somewhere new to live.

Tommy Lawler (42) was living in a flat on Mountjoy Square when a blaze broke out, destroying many of the apartments in the buildings.

Mr Lawler, who lived on the ground floor, was able to escape through his back window and then rescued the little girl using an abandoned couch.

The fire broke out in the basement of the apartment building on February 23 and quickly spread t three buildings. Eught people had to be rescued by fire crews.

Expand Close Tommy Lawler rescued a toddler from a fire in Mountjoy Square / Facebook

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Mr Lawler who managed to escape shortly after the fire broke out told his story to Joe Duffy on RTE's Liveline on Wednesday.

On the morning of the fire which broke out around 7am he was preparing his lunch for the day.

"The alarm went off, I smelled something I thought it might have been smoke and when I opened the door a rush of smoke came in," he said.

"I grabbed my coat, my wallet, my passport and my phone and I left through the back window. My flat was on the ground floor at the back of the building so it was easy for me to get out.

"I got on phone straight away ringing the fire brigade and then I heard screaming," he told Independent.ie

"There was a couple in the flat above mine screaming 'help us, help us we can't get out and we have a child with us'."

Thinking on his feet Mr Lawler used an abandoned couch as a makeshift ladder to reach the window, where a couple and their little girl were trying to escape.

The couch was unsteady when he reached the window.

"The mother and father dropped the child into my arms straight away," he said.

After some maneuvering with the toddler, who was beginning to panic Mr Lawler managed to bring them both to safety on the ground.

"Out of the other buildings a couple came out and I handed the baby to the woman and said 'get her out of here quick'," he said.

He and the baby's dad, who had climbed out of the window were then able to help the baby's mum.

They then escaped to safety through one of the adjoining buildings.

All of Mr Lawler's belongings were destroyed in the fire.

"The place was destroyed... everything was gone either destroyed by fire, smoke or water had to tear down the walls in my flat," he said.

Mr Lawler, who is a mature student, is now struggling to find a new house and is staying with his sister.

The saturated housing market means he is competing with too many other house-hunters in any place he views.
The family of jailed Irishman Ibrahim Halawa have said their son "is dying" and have claimed they will "hold both governments responsible" if anything happens to him.

Ibrahim's aunt visited him on Monday and the family have now issued a statement, urging the Taoiseach to secure his release "before it's too late".

Mr Halawa (21) was imprisoned after being detained in a mosque near Ramses Square in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood held a "day of rage" over the removal of elected president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.

He is being tried with hundreds of other protestors but the trial was adjourned for the 19th time last month.

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Whatsapp Somaia Halawa, sister of Ibrahim Halawa, campaigns for his release on O'Connell Street in Dublin city centre

"Ibrahim is dying and we as a family will hold both governments responsible for anything to happen to him. We're running out of time, We urge the Taoiseach to at least secure his release before its too late.

"Former cell mate Peter Greste's government (Australia) was able to secure his welfare and release for the period he spent in prison. I am shocked that the Taoiseach can't at least secure his welfare nor his conditions," the statement read.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday Irish embassy officials in Egypt met with Mr Halawa.

"The Taoiseach and Minister [for Foreign Affairs] Flanagan have been working continuously to support efforts to secure Ibrahim Halawas early return to Ireland.

Expand Close Nosayba (left) and Somaia Halawa, sisters of Ibrahim Halawa, in Dublin campaigning for his release / Facebook

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Whatsapp Nosayba (left) and Somaia Halawa, sisters of Ibrahim Halawa, in Dublin campaigning for his release

"The Taoiseach has had a number of direct and personal contacts with Egyptian President el-Sisi, in face-to-face meetings, by telephone and through written correspondence," the spokeswoman said.

Mr Halawa has penned a number of letters begging for his release and has been on hunger strike for a number of months.

His aunt said his blood sugar level has dropped to 34 after he was kept in a solitary confinement cell for 48 hours.
You can always trust RTEs What Are You Eating to give your tummy a good turn and tonights episode is no different, pulling out all the stops (and pig's trotters) to ruin our love of jellies.

The programme lifted the lid on the dark world of jelly sweet-making, exposing just how gross pick and mix actually is.

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Chef Hilary OHagan-Brennan and presenter Philip Boucher Hayes embarked on their mission to make homemade jellies, but their recipe was far from wholesome. Kick-starting the project with pigs trotters, the pair showcased the reality of what is used to make the key ingredient in jelly, gelatine.

"Gelatine comes from these guys, cartilage, skin, anything that produces collagen," said OHagan-Brennan, pulling out a hideous plate of pigs ears, feet and other body parts.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close A bowl of wobbly pork gelatine is a key ingredient is jelly sweet-making Photo Credit: RTE Pig trotters are boiled up on What Are You Eating? Photo Credit: RTE / Facebook

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After boiling the pork for eight hours, the pair succeeded in making a wobbly bowl of pork gelatine lumps, which Boucher-Hayes controversially tucked into.

"This does not taste good, it is disgusting," said Boucher Hayes (what was he expecting?).

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The pair then mixed the porky mess with a sugar syrup, concentrated cola flavour and food colouring, before pouring into alphabet-shaped silicon moulds.

After setting in the fridge, the homemade jellies were tossed in sugar before the twosome tucked in.

The presenter seemed impressed by the chefs ability to transform the trotters into pretty sweet jellies.

"I can taste sugar, I can taste cola, but no porky flavour. Its amazing when you consider that that is what this is, mostly pig collagen," he said.

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Delicious, eh?

What Are You Eating? is broadcast on RTE One on Wednesdays at 8.30pm
Life pressures: Girls are more likely to seek help for problems but not all of them do

Life pressures: Girls are more likely to seek help for problems but not all of them do

Suicide in Ireland is intrinsically linked with men. According to figures from the Office for Suicide Prevention (HSE), of the 451 suicides in 2015, 375 were male and 76 were female. Figures were similar in 2014, with 399 male suicides to 87 female.

However, although over four times more men take their own lives than women, Ireland has the highest rate for child suicide of girls in Europe. The shocking statistic was highlighted at the World Congress on Women's Health held recently in Dublin and hosted jointly by the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) and Trinity College, Dublin.

So what is going on with our girls? Are they being left behind as we focus on encouraging our young men to talk and reach out for help when they are having a mental health crisis?

Gillian O'Brien is director of clinical governance with Jigsaw, a national organisation which has been providing mental health services to young people for over 10 years. She says that more girls attend their services than boys.

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"Women are better at seeking help, they are better at naming it, if they need help. But that doesn't mean they are all getting the help they need," she says.

"Stereotypically, men don't seek help and that engenders more fear in us. We feel we don't really know what's going on with young men and maybe we got a bit complacent about girls. We think girls will ask for help if they need it. But not all young females are capable of expressing themselves and of looking for help - just like not all males ask for help."

O'Brien goes on to explain that men tend to engage in more fatal methods when they attempt to take their own lives and so unfortunately tend to be more likely to complete the action. But girls are much more likely to engage in poisoning, cutting and overdosing. The suicide statistics are obscuring the fact that we have a large cohort of young girls experiencing serious mental health challenges.

Marguerite Kiely is a clinical director at Pieta House and works with children and adolescents. She says the issues that bring young people into contact with Pieta House are the norm for their stage of development: sexual identity, family relationships, body image, low self esteem and friendships.

"But girls, in particular, tend to be very emotional, so these issues impact on them a bit more. We would have a high percentage of teenage girls coming in who are highly, highly, sensitive," she says.

Kiely points out that problems with girls often start in second year. "First year is that transition year between primary and secondary school, but generally around second year, the groups form and that's a natural adolescent process, but if a child is sensitive and if they are not part of a group, they have a sense of rejection," she explains.

Although Kiely stresses that social media has huge positives for young people, she adds that it can also serve to magnify a sensitive girl's feelings of isolation.

Marie Walsh is another professional working with young people at the Leeson Analytic Centre and she makes the point that "teens are all about the body and the girl's pubertal body is 'visible' in a way boys' bodies are not. So eating disorders, skin picking, hair pulling etc are very much part of my work". Cutting, she says, "offers release, a hurt that can be shown, shared, spoken about".

To discover your child is cutting themselves is one of the most difficult challenges a parent can face and many parents are terrified of talking to their child about self harm for fear of pushing their child further into trouble.

Some parents find it difficult to connect emotionally with their teenagers because they never experienced that emotional connection themselves with their own parents.

Walsh tells parents whose children are self-harming or suicidal to "hug them close, bind their wounds and bring them to therapy. They should tell them not to cut again because they love them and their broken little bodies".

As any parent of teenagers knows, one of the most difficult aspects of managing your relationship with your teenage son or daughter is trying to understand what is going in inside their heads at the best of times. But when they hit a mental health crisis, this becomes even more difficult.

Grace Conway is a young woman who appeared in the recently released film by the NWCI on women's mental health in Ireland called Out Of Silence. She describes how her thinking and perception of reality became distorted growing up, resulting in an eating disorder in her teens.

"It's not so much wanting to be thin as an eradication of self. I wanted to get rid of me. I'd become obsessed by food, but also very disturbed by food," she says.

Grace got the help she needed and says she is now "finding herself" again. But can a young person who has had an episode of cutting or even attempted suicide recover fully? Gillian O'Brien from Jigsaw argues that they absolutely can.

"We meet lots of young people who might cut or overdose or who may attempt to take their life but, actually, they do recover. They do well. They learn and reflect from their experience. They grow up, gain a different perspective, they feel better in themselves," she says.

"We sometimes meet them again much later and they can look back and say 'that was a very difficult time in my life, but that's not something I have experienced since'. I think that's a really important message. Young people can come back from this."

If you have been affected by these issues, you can contact the Pieta House helpline on 1800 247 247.

How to support good mental health in your teenager

Communication is vital, but not always easy, so keep the lines open.

Watch your choice of timing for talking. Dont be tempted to sit down when you have an hour free and demand your child speak to you.

Watch your language and pace. Go at their speed.

Setting boundaries is important but negotiate, dont dictate.

Remember, there are no perfect parents. Parenting is a journey.

Dont be afraid to inject some fun  keep it light. Kids work well with a sense of humour.

Finally, if you do need to access a service, make sure you emphasise with your child that this is something positive. Your child will learn skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Marguerite Kiely from Pieta House tells her young clients they are like being in a canoe with no paddle. We have the paddle. You just have to come and get one.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article please contact the Samaritans on 116123 for support or visit the website on www.samaritans.org.

Pieta House can be contacted on 1800 247 247. For more information on Pieta House and its services visit www.pieta.ie.
All through the motor industry now there is an expectation that diesel is going to get a wallop in the Budget.

It may not happen.

But then again . . .

A price increase at the pumps will shift perception of diesel cars a little more.

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But so many people need and use them that they will continue to buy in significant numbers - unless the Government does something outrageous at short notice.

A previous government did (when our car taxation basis shifted to emissions from engine size in 2008).

Here's hoping for common sense.

In the longer term, there are all sorts of doomsday forecasts on diesel, with some countries undertaking to ban the fuel altogether within a decade or so because of perceived and proclaimed health risks in urban areas especially.

I think there is a shift, but I don't think diesel's days are as acutely numbered as some would have you believe.

Of course manufacturers have sniffed the shift for some time so now we are increasingly seeing the fruits of technological developments which more equally pit petrol engines against diesel.

As it happens I drove two of the new breed of petrol this week: a 1-litre in the Honda Civic and a 1-litre in the Audi Q2.

This was my first taste of the Civic in Ireland - I drove it extensively abroad.

I'm glad to report my initial judgment hasn't changed much.

It's even better looking from behind than I thought, although I've heard criticism of the design being too fussy. I think it looks the part.

I'm not going to go back over old ground with you on a test-drive report that more or less confirmed what I found previously to be the case.

So, suffice to say the following:

* The 5dr hatch costs from 23,750 ex-works (I'll come back to that).

* It is much bigger inside.

* The 127bhp 1-litre i-VTEC turbo will be joined by a 180bhp 1.5 i-VTEC turbo next month and a 1.6-diesel, currently being upgraded, later this year.

* There will be a TYPE R early next year - it looks wonderful.

* There is a 6spd manual gearbox and an 'automatic' CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission - 1,600 more than manual).

The really important bit, for me, is that they have a standard package of safety systems called 'Sensing'. I find it impressive.

It includes intelligent adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, Collision Mitigation Braking (stops the car if it senses a front-end crash is unavoidable), lane departure warning, lane keeping assist system, road departure mitigation, Intelligent Speed Assistance (adjusts speed to that indicated by the last road sign), low speed following - keeps distance at low speeds and traffic sign recognition.

That list partly explains why the car's price starts at 23,750.

And I'm all for that: give people a good spread of safety and comfort and charge a reasonable price.

I'm sure if they tried they could have had an entry-level version for a few grand lower, but what would that acheive? Few people buy basic any more.

The cabin is smart, comfortable and a nice height.

We took off for Wexford on a bright, spring day. The new multi-link rear axle gave the Civic a bit more handling zest, but the engine took the honours. This is a big car now, but the 1-litre showed no shortcomings on torque or power. They claim consumption of 4.8l/100km (110g/km, 190 road tax). The figures for the CVT are: 106g/km (still 190) and 4.7l/100km - it is not nearly as nice a drive. The 1.5 litre 4cyl (133g/km, 280) has a claimed 5.8l/100km with its impressive CVT at 139g, 280 tax, 6.1l/100km.

They say the 1.5-litre will be in demand for sportier drivers and orders are reflecting such interest. But for most of us the 1-litre is going to make sense.

I'd stick with it. Given how things are going, it is another significant marker for our use of petrol in the years ahead.
Ryanair has re-launched the package holiday service it recently suspended due to what it calls "illegal screen-scraping".

Ryanair Holidays was originally launched in Ireland, the UK and Germany on December 1st, with other markets expected to follow in 2017.

We temporarily suspended our Holidays service in January, and terminated our agreement with the software provider who was found to be unlawfully scraping Ryanairs low fares," says Robin Kiely, its Head of Communications.

"All existing Ryanair Holidays bookings are secure and we are pleased to have re-launched Ryanair Holidays last month, having finalised an agreement with a new software provider, HLX Touristik, to once more offer the lowest price package holidays," he added.

HLX Touristik (hlx.com) is a German software provider headquartered in Baden-Baden. It has similar arrangements with Lufthansa and SWISS.

As we publish, Ryanair Holidays available from Irish airports include flights, transfers and four nights half-board at a four-star hotel in Majorca from 299pp (travelling midweek in April), and a three-night city break in Rome from 199pp.

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We will not allow any third party software provider to 'screenscrape' and unlawfully re-sell Ryanairs low fares," Kiely says.

'Screen-scraping' involves the use of software to collect information from websites and systems, and Ryanair has a rich history of taking action against companies it sees as 'scraping' such information for their advantage.

Ryanair Holidays initially involved a partnership with Spain-based tour operator, Logitravel, and accommodation provider, World2Meet.

In January, Logitravel confirmed the ending of its agreement with Ryanair, but denied using "web-scraping techniques" on the airline's website.

"We are connected to a Global Distribution System like Amadeus, as well as other air travel consolidators, which provide us with the product," the company said in a statement issued at the time to Independent.ie Travel.

"The partnership was ended by Ryanair and not Logitravel," it stressed, but added that it understood the decision, admired the airline and its CEO "both professionally and personally", and wished Ryanair good luck with the project.

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BBC Radio 4 broadcast a series a few years ago called 'What If'. Hosted by historian Professor Christopher Andrew, the Cambridge don would ask what if some of the major turning points in history had taken a different path. What if the Germans had discovered that the Allies had cracked the Enigma code; or what if George Washington had lost the US War of Independence?

If they ever resurrect the programme, they might consider asking what if Bishop Eamonn Casey hadn't fled Ireland after it was revealed in 1992 that he had fathered a child with Annie Murphy while Bishop of Kerry. What if the popular prelate had stayed and faced the music and answered the questions that needed answering, would Irish Catholicism have benefited? Would the Irish faithful have been forced to grapple with some of the questions that they are only today addressing, such as the value of mandatory celibacy for Catholic clergy?

It is possible to argue that had Bishop Casey stayed instead of running away, first to the US and later to Ecuador, he might have formed a relationship with his son sooner. The plain people of Ireland might have forgiven him sooner and the Irish hierarchy might have taken its head out of the sand sooner on a host of issues.

I was a student in Italy when the Casey affair erupted and, to be honest, I can't recall much reaction there. Italian Catholics tended to presume that priests and bishops had clandestine affairs with women. Ireland in 2017 seems more like Italy in 1992, given that Canon Michael McLoughlin of Galway could acknowledge in his tribute to Bishop Casey, "To be human is to be both blessed and to be flawed".

Yet, people in Ireland recall the general reaction to the news in 1992 as one of utter shock. According to Fr Dermod McCarthy, the former head of Religious Broadcasting at RTE and a friend of Bishop Casey's, the revelation was "a big shock to the whole country, it was a bit like when Kennedy was shot - people remember where they were when news came out." Had they forgotten the plot of TV series 'The Thorn Birds', which we were all glued to in 1983?

The way Bishop Casey chose to deal with the scandal was cowardly. It seems strange to accuse him of that in view of his courage in facing down the right-wing military squads in El Salvador intent on killing mourners at the funeral of Archbishop Romero in 1980. This was also the man who took on US president Ronald Regan and refused to welcome him to Galway. His courage in speaking out against social deprivation and unjust structures, be they at home or in the Philippines, Africa or Latin America, was inspiring, as President Higgins and those who worked with him in Trocaire have affirmed. But when it came to Annie Murphy, a young woman whose attractions he couldn't resist, he was not so courageous or progressive. Though Bishop Casey was regarded as a breath of fresh air on the grey episcopal scene in Ireland and something of a liberal, he still publicly voiced his support for clerical celibacy. He was also a defender of the Church's ban on contraception. His stance in those areas may have crumbled had he stayed to answer questions in 1992.

If there is one thing that the Casey affair underscores, it is that the Catholic Church's rule on mandatory celibacy needs to be revisited. Twenty-five years after we could have had this discussion, we know that the Irish bishops, at their recent meeting with Pope Francis, refused to even discuss the matter.

But the Pontiff appears to have his feet more firmly planted on the ground than the Irish hierarchy, as he is already at work trying to prise open a debate on the issue. But he shouldn't look to the Irish hierarchy for support.

Bishop Casey's death came in the wake of the Commission of Investigation's interim findings on the mother and babies home run by the Bon Secours nuns in Tuam. In hindsight, knowing what we now know about high infant mortality rates in such homes and the heartbreak of children put up for adoption in trying to track down their mothers and siblings, we realise what guts Annie Murphy had to resist Bishop Casey's pressure to have Peter Murphy adopted. Had she not been so feisty, she might well have become just another number among the 35,000 unmarried mothers who spent time in the 14 mother and baby homes up to the 1990s.

Though the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) has yet to make a comment on the death of Bishop Casey, it did issue a statement in response to the Tuam revelations, saying it provoked a sense of both sadness and shame. The group said that the revelations, coinciding with the attitudes of Vatican officials which led to the resignation of Marie Collins from the Vatican commission on clerical sex abuse, served to underline how, "There is still a long way to go before women are treated with equal respect and dignity in the Catholic Church".

Annie Murphy might have said as much 25 years ago, had we been willing to listen.
A black day in Blacksod. For the second time in just over six months, the nation finds itself mourning the loss of rescue crew members who died while in the line of duty.

On Monday night, off the coast of Co Mayo, Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116 went to the assistance of colleagues taking an ill fisherman from a trawler in the Atlantic.

Then contact was lost.

The lives of the crew are now all feared to be lost.

Dara Fitzpatrick was recovered from the sea yesterday morning but died a short time later at Mayo University Hospital.

The bodies of Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby are all still the subject of wide-ranging search.

The debris from the helicopter is also being gathered from the sea.

The absence of an explanation for the crash leaves many questions to be answered another day.

President Michael D Higgins led the country's tributes to Captain Fitzpatrick, a pilot with more than 20 years' experience who was involved in countless missions.

"We are all grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment to the aims of the Coast Guard that Captain Fitzpatrick and her colleagues have consistently displayed," said President Higgins.

The deaths of Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas last year and now Coast Guard helicopter pilot Dara Fitzpatrick are a stark reminder of how these selfless women, and their colleagues, put their lives on the line to help others on a daily basis.

Over the coming days, the thoughts of the nation will be with the families of these brave members of Rescue 116.

Don't expect fair play in battle for Brexit banks

'It's so unfair . . ." - That was the catch-cry of Kevin the Teenager, a satirical character depicted by the British impressionist Harry Enfield.

Clearly, Junior Minister for Finance Eoghan Murphy was a fan of the comic, as he has now adopted his slogan to express his frustration.

The hardball tactics being used by European competitors in the race to attract banks bailing out of London ahead of Brexit has come as a surprise to the powers that be here.

Finance houses want a base inside the EU to access the single market, resulting in locations such as Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Dublin being on the table.

The minister is complaining to the European Commission that Dublin is being undercut by other cities competing to host financial firms looking for a European Union base outside London after Brexit.

The Government and Central Bank are adamant it won't allow so-called "brass plate" entities to be set up here without adequate capital back-up.

But that doesn't mean other countries will play by those rules.

In a less-than-shock development, other cities are offering incentives, such as a lower regulatory bar.

Mr Murphy has raised concerns with the European Commission about "creeping regulatory arbitrage" - a reference to undercutting rivals with lax rules.

Our opposing numbers might argue that a 12.5pc corporation tax isn't playing by the same rules either.
Prince William skies in the Swiss village of Klosters at the start of their annual skiing holiday in the Swiss Alps on March 28, 2004 in Switzerland. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the annual evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace, London.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the annual Royal Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. See PA story SHOWBIZ Baftas. Photo credit should read: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at a children's party for Military families during the Royal Tour of Canada

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess Of Cambridge and Prince Harry seen leaving after a briefing to announce plans for Heads Together ahead of the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon at ICA on January 17, 2017 in London, England.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L) laugh after the Duchess threw a snowball at Prince William during a private break skiing at an undisclosed location in the French Alps on March 3, 2016.

The boyfriend of the Australian model pictured partying with Prince William in Switzerland isn't jealous of their celebrations as he gave his blessing in advance.

Sophie Taylor (24) hit headlines around the world on Monday after pictures of her chatting with the Duke of Cambridge and friends, including Guy Pelly, on a boys trip to Switzerland at the weekend.

According to Ms Taylor's mother Joni, she said her daughter would never put her relationship with club manager Aaron Goodfellow "in an awkward position" and he encouraged her to party with the prince.

"She's very close with her boyfriend," she told Australia's The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

She says Aaron told her: "Go out, you're with Prince William, have the best time. I wish I could be there, but I've gotta go to work."

"She's the most beautiful, down-to-earth, humble girl. And it's a shame because she's been targeted."

The father-of-two was pictured in the exclusive ski region, favoured by the royal family, enjoying drinks with friends until the early hours of the morning at the apres-ski Farinet nightclub.

Earlier in the day, he was pictured with his group making some new friends including Taylor, who joined the crew later that evening at the exclusive Mouton Noir restaurant and wrapping up the night at Farinet, where her boyfriend also works.

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The Duke of Cambridge was notably absent from Britain's Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday and reportedly jetted home from his weekend away on Sunday, which Kensington Palace cited as part of his "private schedule" and would not comment.

William and his wife Kate Middleton are due to visit to Paris this weekend and will arrive in the City of Light this Friday and the trip is particularly poignant for William as it takes place five months before the 20-year anniversary of his mother's death.

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It is the first time he's visited the city since the late Princess Diana died there on August 31, 1997.
Cassie Stokes pictured when the nominees and host for this years Peter Mark VIP Style Awards were revealed at an exclusive launch this morning in the Marker Hotel, Grand Canal Square, Dublin. Picture: Brian McEvoy

Cassie Stokes has said she is "thrilled" that her girlfriend (inset) has moved from Canada to live in Ireland.

TV3 star Cassie Stokes has said "everything is amazing," especially since she reconciled with her long-term girlfriend, who she briefly split with last year.

The Xpose host reunited with her former girlfriend of three and a half years Kathleen Sylvie Marie late last year, and said that she is "thrilled" that Kathleen has moved over from Toronto to live with her in Ireland.

"We got back together and shes moved over here now. She moved over here two weeks ago, so everything is brilliant, amazing," she told Independent.ie at the launch of the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards.

"She has a job, shes now in Paris for the next four weeks training. So she moved over for two weeks, then maybe she had enough of me and made sure she was training in another city," joked the 29-year-old.

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The Dundrum native, who moved from Canada to join the TV3 lineup last April, said she is "thrilled" that Kathleen has moved over for the second chapter in their relationship.

"She brought her dog and everything, so Ive got the family back," she gushed.

"Im absolutely thrilled. Im very lucky that shes over here and shes brilliant. Everyone will meet her and be like, 'Why are you with Cassie?'"

"Ive got one more Canadian over, and shes fallen in love with Dublin and shes more than happy to be here, well until her visa runs out!"

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It won't be long until the pair return to Canada, however, as they will be travelling over again in June to celebrate Pride in Toronto.

"Were going to go to Toronto for Pride in June. We met there four, five years ago. Its a good tradition after our year weve had of not being together. Itll be nice to go back to Toronto as a tourist and be able to come back and have Dublin."

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The rising TV star is nominated in the Most Stylish Newcomer category and joined fellow nominees at the launch, including Doireann and Aoibhin Garrihy and Dayl Cronin.

The 16th Peter Mark VIP Style Awards will take place in the Marker Hotel, Dublin, on April 21.

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At least 30 people have died after suicide bombers hit the main judicial building and a restaurant in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The incidents, in which 45 other people were hurt, spread fear across the city as the country's civil war entered its seventh year with no end in sight.

The attacks bore the hallmarks of Syria's al-Qaida affiliate and reflect a renewed effort by the extremist group to use insurgent tactics against president Bashar Assad's forces in a bid to recover lost momentum.

The first attacker, reportedly dressed in a military uniform, struck inside the justice palace, located near the crowded Hamidiyeh market.

The explosion left bodies lying amid pools of blood and shattered glass in the building's main hall, where a picture of Mr Assad hung on the wall.

About an hour later, another suicide blast struck a restaurant in the Rabweh district of Damascus, an area known for its restaurants and cafes, leading to multiple casualties - mostly women and children.

Syrian TV showed overturned plastic chairs and tables at the restaurant with bloodstains on the floor.

The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he ran into a restaurant and detonated his explosives vest.

The bombings were the latest in a spate of deadly explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, who was in the judicial building just a few yards away from the explosion, said of the attack: "This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent."

He noted that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, but other, similar attacks in recent weeks were claimed by al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, which has come under pressure lately amid infighting with other insurgent factions in Syria and air strikes by the US-led coalition.

The attacks came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the country's civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others.

The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against Mr Assad's rule, but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war that has left large parts of the country in ruins. The chaos allowed al-Qaida and later Islamic State (IS) to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

Russia and Turkey, who back opposing sides of the conflict, have been working together to launch a political track focused initially on a cease-fire in Syria, and the UN's Syria envoy held another round of peace talks in Geneva recently, but the talks have gone nowhere.

Militant groups such as IS and the Nusra Front, now known as the Levant Liberation Committee, are not part of those talks.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by the al-Qaida-linked militants to try and counter recent military advances by Mr Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

Wednesday's bombings followed twin attacks on Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shias in Damascus which killed at least 40 people.

On February 25, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria's central city of Homs, clashed with government troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others in a major security breach. Both attacks were claimed by the Levant Liberation Committee.

Elsewhere in Syria, at least 15 children and seven other civilians were killed in an air strike on the rebel-held city of Idlib, according to civil defence search-and-rescue group.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said 21 civilians were killed. It said the aircraft behind the attack were believed to be Russian. Syrian government aircraft are also known to fly raids over Idlib.

Wednesday's attacks coincided with a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana which were boycotted by Syria's armed opposition due to what they say are ongoing government military offensives across the country.

Syria's UN ambassador said earlier that he was concluding his participation in the latest round after two days of meetings without rebels.

Bashar Jaafari said discussions were "constructive" but only one official paper was produced - concerning de-mining Palmyra, the historic Syrian town which pro-government forces recaptured from IS two weeks ago.
The Aris 13 oil tanker has been hijacked (Kevin Finnigan/Tropic Maritime Images via AP)

Armed men are demanding a ransom for the release of an oil tanker seized off the coast of Somalia and the crew is being held captive, the EU anti-piracy operation in the region said.

An EU Naval Force statement said the operation had finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

Monday's hijacking was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012.

It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as patrols by the navies of Nato countries, as well as China, India and Iran, had suppressed Somali pirate hijackings for several years.

However, the United Nations warned in October that the situation was fragile and that Somali pirates "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks".

One expert said some in the region had let down their guard as the situation calmed.

Nato ended its anti-piracy mission off Somalia in December.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Bile Hussein told The Associated Press that the armed men have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines.

"Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," he said.

The Aris 13, manned by eight Sri Lankan sailors, was carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs, said John Steed, the director of Oceans Beyond Piracy.

The EU statement said the ship's master issued a mayday alert.

An official in Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland said over two dozen men boarded the ship off the country's northern coast, an area known to be used by weapons smugglers and members of the al Qaida-linked extremist group al-Shabab.

The ship was anchored off the town of Alula, said Salad Nur, a local elder.

"The ship is on the coast now and more armed men boarded the ship," he told the AP by phone.

The EU Naval Force said it had passed the information from its contact with the ship's master to the oil tanker's owners and an investigation was under way.

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said in a statement it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information to help ensure the crew's "safety and welfare".

A UN shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed in care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.

Calls and emails to Aurora went unanswered.

Australian government records from 2014 list the ship's owner as Flair Shipping Trading FZE in the UAE.

An address listed for Flair Shipping in Dubai was for a company called Flair Oil Trading DMCC.

A woman there told an AP reporter the firm was not connected to the ship and directed him to another office.

When no one answered there, the reporter returned to find Argyrios Karagiannis, the managing director of Flair Shipping, entering the first office.

"We will not be releasing any information," Mr Karagiannis said before shutting the door.

The incident involving the Aris 13 represents the first commercial pirate attack off Somalia since 2012, Mr Steed of Oceans Beyond Piracy said.

"The pirates never went away, they were just doing other forms of crime and if any of the measures reduce (which they have, or ships take risks) the pirates are poised to exploit the weakness," he said in an email.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom.

They do not normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

Piracy off Somalia's coast was once a serious threat to the global shipping industry.

It has lessened in recent years after an international effort to patrol near the country, whose weak central government has been trying to assert itself after a quarter-century of conflict.

In that time, concerns about piracy off Africa's coast have largely shifted to the Gulf of Guinea.

But frustrations have been rising among local fishermen, including former pirates, at what they say are foreign fishermen illegally fishing in local waters.

Nur, the local elder, told AP that young fishermen including former pirates have hijacked the ship.

"They have been sailing through the ocean in search for a foreign ship to hijack since yesterday morning and found this ship and boarded it," he said on Tuesday.

"Foreign fishermen destroyed their livelihoods and deprived them of proper fishing."
They use their oversized limb to advertise their physical fitness and the size of their home.

If theres one animal species on this planet that knows anything about dating, its got to be the male banana fiddler crab. Well, at least thats what scientists believe.

In case you were wondering, these crab species (Uca mjoebergi) are tiny and rely heavily on their enlarged claw to signal dominance and fighting prowess and now, apparently, dating.

Scientists have found that male crabs try to attract a female partner by using their claws to advertise the size of their home.

Their study showed male banana fiddler crabs try to catch a females attention by waving their brightly coloured major claw in the air. (We guess the human equivalent of this would be Chris Hemsworth flexing his bulging biceps.)

They then switch to a drumming signal transmitted through the ground as a series of rapid vibrations.

Researchers found that males that drummed most rapidly had the largest burrows and the highest fitness  making them more attractive mates.

Dr Sophie Mowles, lecturer in animal and environmental biology at Anglia Ruskin University, said: Males frequently produce elaborate displays to attract females.

These are often thought to demonstrate the quality of his genes, or his fitness, through a display of effort.

She said that by choosing a vigorously displaying male, a female crab could ensure she selected a good quality mate who could offer good genes for her offspring.

We guess this kinda makes male banana fiddler crabs masters in the dating game.

The research is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Robertson accused May of breaking promises to secure UK-wide Brexit agreements.

Prime Ministers Questions hosted a fiery slanging match between Theresa May and the Scottish National Partys Angus Robertson, after he called her out on the Budget and Brexit.

The MP sparked conversation after addressing the backtrack on a proposed National Insurance hike, saying: We once had a prime minister who said the lady was not for turning. My goodness. Isnt it welcome that the prime minister today has admitted she is for turning with her screeching, embarrassing U-turn on National Insurance?

This, in case you were wondering, was her reaction

Robertson continued to press May on Brexit, accusing her of breaking promises to secure UK-wide Brexit agreements, before triggering Article 50 at the end of the month.

May  insisting there would indeed be further talks  hit back and said the MP was comparing the UKs 40-year membership with the European Union with a country that has been one for over 300 years.

She added: We have fought together, we have worked together, we have achieved together. Constitutional game-playing must not be allowed to break the deep bonds of our shared history and our future together.

Robertson was ready to strike back, insisting May was still refusing to address Brexit negotiations, saying: The Prime Minister can wag her finger as much as she likes.

Does she not understand if she does not reach an agreement before triggering Article 50, if she is not prepared to negotiate on behalf of the Scottish Government and secure membership of the single European market, people in Scotland will have a referendum and we will have our say?

To end the slanging match, May concluded the UK Government had been in discussions with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations about the interests of all.

She added: What we need now is to unite, to come together as a country and to ensure we can get the best deal for the whole of the United Kingdom.
Some regions get a lot of stick, but is it all fair?

The civil war in Syria has been raging on for six years now, with no real signs of slowing down.

March 15, 2011 is widely regarded at the beginning of the unrest, when anti-government activists began their uprising.

And in the years that have followed, as the protests developed into a bloody war, at least 7.6 million Syrians have been forced to leave their homes and flee to another country, while 4.8 million are in need of help in hard-to-reach or besieged locations, according to the UN.

There are certain countries that frequently make headlines for their contributions to the crisis  think the overachievers like Canada and Germany, and those who take criticism such as the UK and the US. But there are many other countries helping out with the crisis which dont get as much attention.

So on the sixth anniversary of the start of the war, we look at how these countries have actually responded to the humanitarian crisis.

Neighbouring and nearby countries

More than 4.8 million Syrians have registered with the UN in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

With its long accessible land border and relative safety, a common question thats been asked by the public, particularly in Europe, is: Why dont Syrians just stay in Turkey?

The reality is, most of them do  there are over 2.9 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, making it the largest host to people from Syria. But Turkey also acts as a gateway to Europe so some do decide to carry on, for various reasons, and make the treacherous journey overseas.

There are also more than 1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon  a huge amount when you consider the whole country is not much bigger than Wales. That amounts to around one in five people living in the country being Syrian.

But there have been border closures on and off since 2013 and at the start of 2017, Lebanons president Michel Aoun expressed an interest in sending Syrian refugees back to Syria by setting up safe zones in the country  an idea also backed by US president Donald Trump.

Jordan has built up a name for itself in its short history as something of a refugee haven after welcoming forced-out migrants from Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq. There are currently 656,000 registered refugees from Syria in Jordan, making up around 10% of the population. However, the border between the two countries has been closed since 2016, leaving tens of thousands stuck in limbo.

In the nations response plan for the next few years, King Abdullah II of Jordan was quoted as saying the Syrian crisis has set back the strides of our economy and has created tremendous problems in our development, job growth and debt reduction. But Queen Rania of Jordan has also said: Together we must do more and must do more with less.

Gulf states

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to what the wealthy Arab nations of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have done for Syrians in their time of need.

The countries have been on the receiving end much criticism, from charities, NGOs and the public, for offering zero resettlement places to Syrians. None of the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has signed the UNs convention on refugees, either, which defines their status as refugees and the duties of governments.

But Saudi Arabia issued a press release stating theyve actually received around 2.5 million Syrians since the beginning of the conflict.

Part of the confusion seems to lie with the fact the country does not refer to them as refugees, but instead Arab brothers and sisters in distress. The statement explains that in order to ensure their dignity and safety, Syrians are not placed in camps but are allowed to move around the country and, should they wish to stay, will be given residency, access to medical care and education.

As well as this, the kingdom states it has supported Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon and other countries, and provided a total of around $700 million in humanitarian aid.

An unnamed official reportedly told the Guardian that the country didnt want to show off or brag in the media about its response, however, it sees the importance of clarifying these efforts in response to false and misleading media reports about the kingdom.

Similarly, the UAE Government came out to announce it had extended residency permits to more than 100,000 people from Syria to enter the country, and that more than 242,000 now live there. Money-wise, the UAE stated it has provided over $530 million in aid, pledged a further $100 million, and funded a refugee camp in Jordan homing 4,000 Syrian refugees  all of which contributed to it becoming the worlds biggest humanitarian donor in 2013.

However, financial generosity aside, there remains the issue that there is no real evidence that Syrians have in fact been welcomed into the country and the actual practicality of them gaining a visa is unknown.

Counting the number of Syrians that have entered and exited Saudi Arabia does not amount to taking in refugees from Syria, the Emergency Director at Human Rights Watch Peter Bouckaert told euronews.

Europe

Over on our side of the world, theres the strong sense that Europe and the EU should be doing more.

One highflyer has shown a high level of responsibility and support for those in need, and no, it isnt just Germany: its Sweden.

Similarly to Jordan, Sweden has earned the reputation of being Europes most welcoming country over the years by accepting immigrants from many European nations as well as further afield. Numbers reached a record high in 2015 when 163,000 immigrants applied for asylum, with 51,000 of them being Syrian. Swedens Justice and Migration Minister Morgan Johansson said his country has given protection to 143,000 Syrians since the civil war began.

As a result the country has earned the title of taking in more refugees per capita than any other developed nation.

But also, as a less fortunate result, it appears that may have been one of its biggest downfalls.

There have been issues with unexpectedly long processing waits and restrictive rules for reuniting families  four and a half thousand asylum seekers ended up withdrawing their applications in 2016. There were also issues with providing actual shelter  many refugees are homeless; and, most disruptively, there are integration problems; you may remember the journalist recently sent to crime-ridden suburbs to report on what life is like there for the locals now.

Swedens deputy PM Asa Romson was visibly upset when she announced at a press conference in 2015 that its open door policy would be coming to an end, stating: We simply cannot do any more.

But despite all this, Sweden has maintained its pride in what it has done and its confidence that it will manage.
The passenger was sleeping at the time. Talk about waking up with a bang

A passenger was left with burns, scalded hair and an ash-covered face after her headphones exploded on a flight from Beijing to Melbourne.

The passenger, who has not been named, had been using battery-powered headphones to listen to music. Two hours into the journey, while she was sleeping, the headphones exploded.

As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face, she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck.

Still feeling burning she threw the headphones, sparking and partially on fire, onto the floor. Flight attendants were quickly on hand to pour a bucket of water on the burning headphones but the battery and cover had melted and stuck to the floor.

Fortunately for the passenger, she was left with relatively minor burns, a blackened face and the the rather unpleasant smell of melted plastic and burnt hair.

People were coughing and choking the entire way home, she said.

The ATSB believe it was the batteries which caused the device to catch fire and such battery explosions arent unheard of on flights.

In 2012 the Federal Aviation Administration in the US reported a series of similar incidents including one which culminated in a passengers bag arriving at the carousel for collection billowing smoke. Speaking to the BBC in 2014 the UKs Civil Aviation Authority warned lithium batteries, particularly cheap ones, could pose a serious safety threat on aircraft.
We spoke with CEO of International Rescue Committee David Miliband and the charity War Child, to find out.

Six years since it began, the war in Syria is still producing the same problems for its people, displacing millions and maiming or killing hundreds of thousands more.

The conflict is indiscriminate and according to international charity War Child, has killed 55,000 children  one every hour  since it began. It has displaced 2.3 million more and 400,000 still remain besieged in towns and cities across the country.

So on a personal and national level what can we in the West do to help? And will our action make a difference?

What can you do?

On a personal level, the most important thing you can do is raise awareness for the cause and there are four main ways you can do this.

1. Join a campaign.

There are a wealth of charities out there trying to help the people in Syria, including Amnesty International, Oxfam and Unicef. These bodies need money to function and people to give their campaigns a voice.

For example, the video below is from War Child, promoting Enough Is Enough  their campaign to stop children being targeted in war and ensure they receive aid, protection and education.

2. Use social media.

Videos such as those above can easily be found on the social media pages of charities, or their websites and ensuring their message is shared is vital.

Whether it is on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram sharing such content gives it a larger audience  and voicing your own concerns, be they over refugees or war crimes, brings them into the public conversation and increases the political will for action.

3. Send a letter to your MP.

Encouraging politicians to take action is what sharing a cause is really all about but sending a direct message to them is even better.

You can send a letter to your Member of Parliament by addressing it to (Insert MPs name), House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA alternatively you can email them by visiting the governments Directory of MPs.

4. Keep the conflict at the front of your mind.

This might seem obvious, but making sure youre well informed about the conflict and will keep you interested and enhance your urge to help.

Does it make a difference?

In a word, yes. Aid organisations run on donations, while government funding is much more likely if there is a political impetus to help  encouraged by public feeling.

David Miliband is a name you may recognise from Labour Party leadership contests past. Now head of the International Rescue Committee, the former foreign secretary oversees humanitarian relief in more than 40 war-effected countries. He believes the British peoples efforts have achieved a great deal in the aid they have given to Syria  paid for through either their own pockets or taxes.

I see every day the impact that the Department for International Development (DfID) makes around the world, said Miliband. I see every day the impact that British donations make, and people should take confidence from the fact that this is an action that can really make a difference.

I think thats an important message, as we bemoan some of the international politics of the Syria crisis, we should recognise that humanitarian action has the capacity to save lives.

Does more need to be done?

Although aid offerings have been great, its estimated 11 million Syrians have fled their homes since the outbreak of the conflict, and in 2016 the United Nations estimated 400,000 people have been killed.

Such large scale devastation needs significant help, and some organisations dont think the West is doing enough. Colin Walker, Head of Policy and Advocacy at War Child UK, believes much more can be done to help children involved in conflict.

The international community has not fulfilled the bold pledges it has made to help Syrias children, he said. Financial promises must be kept, and host countries must ensure that every child has access to quality education. The international community also has an obligation to safeguard every child refugee  regardless of where they have come from.

The conflict in Syria has now been running for as long as World War II, yet the conflict continues to rage on, said Walker. The international community must put all its energies into securing an immediate end to the conflict, and a lasting peace.
A woman suffered burns to her face after her battery-powered headphones caught fire on a long-haul flight.

According to reports the incident happened on a plane travelling from Beijing to Melbourne. It prompted warnings about the dangers of battery-operated devices.

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The woman, who has not been identified, said she heard a loud explosion about two hours into the flight.

As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face, she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck.

I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor. They were sparking and had small amounts of fire.

As I went to stamp my foot on them the flight attendants were already there with a bucket of water to pour on them. They put them into the bucket at the rear of the plane.

She said the battery and cover were both melted and stuck to the floor of the aircraft.

According to the ATSB the lithium-ion batteries most likely caught fire but it did not specify the brand.

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"As the range of products using batteries grows, the potential for in-flight issues increases," it said in the report.

It also published the following guidelines:
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson helps to load food supplies on to a cargo plane at the airport in Mogadishu, Somalia (Karel Prinsloo/Unicef/AP)

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Somalia for talks with the country's new president as a worsening drought threatens millions of people in the Horn of Africa nation.

Mr Johnson told President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed."It is all so, such a shame that you are facing the problems that you are facing, particularly of course the drought and the risk of starvation, though I think that we are moving fast to try to tackle that this time 'round."

Somalia recently declared the drought a national disaster amid warnings of a full-blown famine. The country faced a similar crisis in 2011 that killed nearly 260,000 people.

The current drought, which the United Nations says threatens about half of Somalia's population, or roughly six million people, is part of a four-nation humanitarian crisis that the UN has called the largest since the world body was formed in 1945.

Britain on Wednesday announced it would match "pound for pound" the first 5 million donated by the public to the Disasters Emergency Committee's new East Africa Crisis Appeal. The committee is a collection of 13 British aid agencies.

Mr Johnson said Britain will host a conference on Somalia on May 11 to help address "underlying problems" like extremist attacks and corruption.

Mr Mohamed blamed the drought in part on homegrown extremist group al-Shabab, which continues to control parts of the country. "This drought is really serious, and so far we have lost 60% of our livestock," he said.

As Mr Johnson visited Somalia, Somali-born Olympian Mo Farah backed the new aid appeal for the region.

"As a father of four, it hurts to see children without food and water, but this is a reality being faced by parents in East Africa right now," he said in a statement.

"The drought is really bad and there are millions of children at risk of starvation. I was born in Somalia and it breaks my heart to hear stories of how families are suffering."

After his recent visit to Somalia, UN humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien said 2.9 million people are at risk of famine and require immediate help "to save or sustain their lives". He has said close to one million children under the age of five will be acutely malnourished this year.

Current indicators mirror "the tragic picture of 2011 when Somalia last suffered a famine", Mr O'Brien said. But this time the UN's humanitarian partners have a larger footprint, better controls on resources and a stronger partnership with the new government, he said.

"To be clear, we can avert a famine," Mr O'Brien has said. "But we need those huge funds now."

Nigel Tricks, Oxfam's Horn of Africa regional director, said on Wednesday that "the window is short in which we can still avert a famine" in the regional crisis.

The drought also affects millions of people in parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, where the government recently declared a national disaster for about half of its counties. Famine has been declared in two counties of civil war-torn South Sudan.

Later on Wednesday, Mr Johnson arrived in Uganda, one of the regional countries that have contributed peacekeeping forces to help support and protect Somalia's government.

Don Wanyama, a spokesman for Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, said Mr Johnson and Museveni would discuss issues of regional security.

Mr Johnson also is expected to visit Kenya and Ethiopia.

AP
The ruling was made by a judge in Melbourne

Blogger Belle Gibson, who lied about beating a normally deadly brain tumour through healthy eating, exploited public generosity by falsely claiming most of her income went to charities, a judge has said.

Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer ruled Ms Gibson's misleading claims about her charitable donations from the sales of her cook book The Whole Pantry and a related app constituted unconscionable conduct under Australian law.

"All Ms Gibson's marketing of herself and her company projected the image of a successful, booming enterprise with a wholesale dedication to charitable giving," the judge said.

But despite Ms Gibson saying "a large part of everything the company earns is now donated to charities," only 10,000 Australian dollars (6,224) of the earnings of 420,000 Australian dollars (261,000) from her company Inkerman Road Nominees went to charity.

One of her nominated charities, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, raised the alarm with the Victoria state consumer watchdog after no donations materialised.

Ms Gibson was not represented when a civil trial was heard in September on charges of misleading and deceptive conduct under trade law.

She could be fined up to 200,000 Australian dollars (125,000) and her company, which is now in liquidation, could be fined up to 1.1 million Australian dollars (685,000) at a penalty hearing later this month.

Ms Gibson built a public profile from 2013 around her claim through her book, Instagram and Facebook accounts that she was diagnosed with brain cancer as a 20-year-old in 2009 and was given four months to live.

She claimed to have rejected conventional cancer treatments in favour of a quest to heal herself naturally.

With media questioning many of her claims, she admitted in 2015 that she never had cancer.

Publisher Penguin Books promoted her book at the London Book Fair in 2014 and she was invited by Apple to attend its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco that year.

AP
Rescuers work at the scene of the landslide, on the outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia (AP)

The death toll from a collapse at a landfill outside Ethiopia's capital has risen sharply to 113, an Addis Ababa city official said.

Dagmawit Moges confirmed the new toll on Wednesday evening, while an official with the city's emergency department, Nigatu Mamo, said the search and rescue effort continued.

"We will continue the effort until we are directed to stop it. Our rescuers are working in two shifts, day and night," the emergency official said.

Saturday's collapse of a mountain of garbage buried makeshift mud-and-stick homes inside the Koshe landfill on the outskirts of the capital. Excavators and rescuers have been pulling bodies from the black mud since then.

One person was pulled out alive on Monday, two days after the disaster.

Excavators were being redeployed from various construction projects around Addis Ababa to help in the search.

It was not yet clear how the collapse occurred. Residents have said the dumping of rubbish had resumed there in recent months after protests at a newer landfill site. Others have blamed the construction of a new waste-to-energy plant at Koshe.

Officials said they have already relocated about 300 people from the landfill, where hundreds of waste-pickers salvaged items to make a living and others found inexpensive housing.

The landfill has been a dumping ground for the capital's garbage for more than 50 years. Smaller collapses have occurred at Koshe - or "dirty" in the local Amharic language - in the past two years but only two or three people were killed, residents said.

Officials said the landfill receives close to 300,000 tons of waste collected each year from the capital.

AP
A federal judge in Hawaii has put President Donald Trump's revised travel ban on hold.

US District Judge Derrick Watson issued his ruling on Wednesday after hearing arguments on Hawaii's request for a temporary restraining order involving the ban.

His ruling prevents the executive order from going into effect on Thursday.

More than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban, and courts in Maryland, Washington state and Hawaii heard arguments on Wednesday about whether it should be put into practice.

Hawaii argued that the ban discriminates on the basis of nationality and would prevent Hawaii residents from receiving visits from relatives in the six mostly Muslim countries covered by the ban.

The state also says the ban would harm its tourism industry and the ability to recruit foreign students and workers.

In Maryland, lawyers told a federal judge that the measure still discriminates against Muslims.

Government lawyers argued that the ban was revised substantially to address legal concerns, including the removal of an exemption for religious minorities from the affected countries.

"It doesn't say anything about religion. It doesn't draw any religious distinctions," said Jeffrey Wall, who argued for the justice department.

Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups said that Mr Trump's statements on the campaign trail and comments from his advisers since he took office make clear that the intent of the ban is to ban Muslims.

Trump policy adviser Stephen Miller has said the revised order was designed to have "the same basic policy outcome" as the first.

The new version of the ban details more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due-process rights of travellers.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the US refugee programme. It does not apply to travellers who already have visas.
The European Court of Justice has ruled that companies can ban employees from wearing the Islamic headscarf, but only as part of prohibitions including other religious and political symbols.

It is the first case of its kind amid a series of legal disputes over the right for Muslim women to wear the hijab at work.

"An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination," the court said in a statement.

"However, in the absence of such a rule, the willingness of an employer to take account of the wishes of a customer no longer to have the employer's services provided by a worker wearing an Islamic headscarf cannot be considered an occupational requirement that could rule out discrimination."

The Luxembourg-based court found that a headscarf ban may also constitute "indirect discrimination" if people adhering to a particular religion or belief, such as Muslims, are put at a particular disadvantage.

But indirect discrimination is permissible if it is "objectively justified by a legitimate aim", such as a company's policy of neutrality, provided that the means of achieving it are appropriate and necessary.

But a campaign group backing the women said it could shut many Muslim women out of the workforce and European rabbis said the court had worsened rising hate crime by sending a message that "faith communities are no longer welcome".
Why is the long-haired nationalist Geert Wilders poised to do well in the Dutch elections? The Netherlands is a liberal country. The economy is strong. Crime is so low that the government has been renting out prison cells.

The answer has to be that the Dutch don't like mass migration. So if Europe wants to stop Mr Wilders, Ms Le Pen and their far-right gang, Europe is going to have to stop mass migration.

It actually makes perfect sense that all of this should come to a head in the hippie Netherlands: that's where the far-right journey began. At the turn of the millennium, a gay academic called Pim Fortuyn formed an anti-Islamic party that turned Dutch politics upside down. Like Mr Wilders, Mr Fortuyn did not oppose migration on biological, racist grounds but by arguing that the Muslim religion was too dogmatic to integrate into Western culture. In 2002, Mr Fortuyn was assassinated by a Dutch environmentalist who accused him of spreading hate.

Western fears about mass migration are not only about jobs. They are also about identity. To the left, all notions of racial or national identity are fraudulent and bigoted. But for many people, identity is a reality rooted in a sense of place and familiarity. When that's threatened, you get nationalism.

Is "Dutchness" really threatened by immigration? Well, the Dutch vastly overestimate how many of their countrymen are Muslim. Interviewed by Ipsos Mori, they put the proportion at 19pc. It's actually just 6pc.

But the election campaign that ends tomorrow has shown how easily questions of identity can eclipse reason. Mr Wilders has tapped into Dutch fears about large, concentrated populations of Muslims that have been bolstered by refugees - a story repeated in many EU nations.

In these countries, migration has reshaped politics. Globalisation was supposed to end this sort of thing. We were told that if we could all move freely then we would shrug off loyalties to where we were born.

Turns out that's not how human beings work. Instead we have nationalist politicians manipulating ethnic tensions.

Brexit was a little bit about identity. Mr Trump was quite a lot about identity. A Wilders victory would be entirely about identity.

People do not like mass migration but the West also needs it to survive. It comes with economic and cultural benefits. If centrist politicians want us to keep enjoying the rewards of immigration then, ironically, they are going to have to turn some immigrants away.

Failure to do that will drive voters ever further to the right. Too much liberty leads to fascism.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
'A student in Stockholm, Sweden made the find while examining fossilised microbes dating from 1.6 billion years ago from rocks in Chitrakoot' (stock photo)

The world's oldest fossilised plants have been found in rocks in central India, pushing back the first evolution of complex life on Earth by hundreds of millions of years.

It is a finding that suggests the so-called 'Cambrian Explosion' of plant and animal life about 600 million years ago may have taken much longer to develop than previously thought.

A student in Stockholm, Sweden made the find while examining fossilised microbes dating from 1.6 billion years ago from rocks in Chitrakoot. As she looked at the samples through a microscope, she spotted something rather indistinct that seemed too advanced for the period. But then, a few slides later, she found herself staring at a clump of what looked like complex, multi-cellular red algae.

Previously the oldest accepted fossil of any form of complex life was from 1.2 billion years ago.
A Polish MEP has been suspended from the European Parliament for 10 days after he said women should earn less than men because they are weaker, smaller and less intelligent.

Janusz Korwin-Mikke will also lose his MEP's daily subsistence allowance for 30 days, which means he stands to lose out on 9,180 in total. In addition, he is being banned from representing the legislature for a year, meaning he won't be able to participate in parliamentary delegations, for example.

He made the comments during a parliamentary debate on March 1.Parliament president Antonio Tajani's announcement was greeted by applause, while Mr Korwin-Mikke appeared to laugh and clap himself.

The European Parliament characterised the sanctions as being "unprecedented in severity".

"I will not tolerate such behaviour, in particular when it comes from someone who is expected to discharge his duties as a representative of the peoples of Europe with due dignity," Mr Tajani said.
During his four years in office, Pope Francis has declared evolution is real, assured atheists they don't have to believe in God to go to heaven, and spoken out against the rise of populism in the west.

Encouraging Catholics to practice what their religion teaches, in his often impromptu sermons, the 80-year-old pontiff has also likened the sexual abuse of children by priests with "satanic mass" and told his cardinals not to act as if they were "princes".

Here is a collection of his best quotes:

Evolution and Big Bang

God is not "a magician with a magic wand" and the theories of evolution and the Big Bang are real, the Pope declared in 2014.

Explaining that they were not incompatible with the existence of a creator, he argued instead, that they require it.

When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so, the pontiff said.

The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it.

Evolution in nature is not inconsistent with the notion of creation, because evolution requires the creation of beings that evolve.

Experts interpreted his comments as an attack on the "pseudo theories" of creationism and intelligent design which some argued his predecessor, Benedict XVI, had espoused.

But Pope Francis' comments followed those of Pope Pius XII who actively welcomed the Big Bang theory and Pope John Paul II who suggested evolution is "more than a hypothesis" and is an "effectively proven fact".

Refugees

Pope Francis has called on the world to work to resolve the refugee crisis, saying the world needs bridges instead of walls.

Barriers create divisions instead of promoting the true progress of peoples, and divisions sooner or later lead to confrontations, he said.

The pontiff backed up his words with actions, when he took three families of Syrian refugees back to Rome after offering them a place on his plane.

Atheists go to heaven

Shortly after taking office in March 2013, the Pope said non-believers would be forgiven by God if they followed their consciences.

"You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who dont believe and who dont seek the faith," he said. "I start by saying  and this is the fundamental thing  that Gods mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart.

"The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience. Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.

'Better to be an atheist than hypocritical Catholic'

Pope Francis has also claimed that it is better to be an atheist than one of "many" Catholics who lead a hypocritical double life.

Criticising some members of the Church, he said: "It is a scandal to say one thing and do another. That is a double life. "There are those who say 'I am very Catholic, I always go to Mass, I belong to this and that association'."

Some of these people should also say: "'My life is not Christian, I don't pay my employees proper salaries, I exploit people, I do dirty business, I launder money, [I lead] a double life'," he added.

"There are many Catholics who are like this and they cause scandal," he said. "How many times have we all heard people say 'if that person is a Catholic, it is better to be an atheist'."

Less than two months after his election, he said Christians should see atheists as good people if they do good.

'Populism is evil'

Pope Francis has warned about the dangers of rising populism in western democracies.

Populism is evil and ends badly as the past century showed," he said.

When he was asked if he worries about the rise of populism in the United States and Europe, he said people should not repeat the same mistakes as in the 1930s, when they turned to saviours to resolve economic and political crises only to end up at war.

Crises provoke fear, alarm. In my opinion, the most obvious example of European populism is Germany in 1933, he said. A people that was immersed in a crisis, that looked for its identity until this charismatic leader came and promised to give their identity back, and he gave them a distorted identity, and we all know what happened.

In times of crisis, we lack judgement, and that is a constant reference for me... That is why I always try to say: talk among yourselves, talk to one another."

Fake news is like getting aroused by faeces

The pontiff said writing fake news and stories about scandals is like being sexually aroused by excrement.

He said spreading fake news is "probably the greatest damage that the media can do", calling it "a sin" to do so instead of educating the public.

"I think the media have to be very clear, very transparent, and not fall into  no offence intended - the sickness of coprophilia, that is, always wanting to cover scandals, covering nasty things, even if they are true," he said.

"And since people have a tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia, a lot of damage can be done."

He later apologised for his use of a precise psychological term, which describes when people are aroused by excrement.

Severe punishment of paedophiles

Despite his progressive reputation, Pope Francis has been criticised for his handling of child rape scandals within the Catholic Church.

He has called for the "severe punishment" of paedophiles.

But it was revealed earlier this year that he had quietly recommended that the church sentence paedophile priests to a lifetime of prayer instead of serving time in jail.

In one case, Pope Francis reduced the penalty for Reverend Mauro Inzoli to a lifetime of prayer after he was convicted for sex crimes against five children as young as 12.

It was said to be one of several times that he had overruled recommendations from his own advisory council and reduced a priest's sentence.

He was also told about an alleged child rapist two years before he was arrested.

The priest in questions had been reassigned to a school in Argentina after being accused of sexually abusing children in Italy.

A senior Australian Catholic official has also warned the Pope may be "backsliding" in his crackdown on paedophile priests.
Pirates have hijacked an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia (Kevin Finnigan/Tropic Maritime Images via AP)

Families of the eight Sri Lankan crew members held captive by Somali pirates on an oil tanker have pleaded for the men to be released unharmed, while the pirates demanded a ransom.

The hijacking on Monday was the first such seizure of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2012. It came as a surprise to the global shipping industry as international patrols had suppressed pirate hijackings for several years.

The European Union anti-piracy operation in the region announced late on Tuesday that the armed men were holding the crew captive and demanding a ransom for the ship's release.

Namali Makalandawa, the sister of the oil tanker's chief officer Premnath Ruwan Sampath, said families had tried to contact the shipping company's office in Dubai but their calls were not answered.

"Some fear is developing in our hearts. We fear for the lives of our loved ones," Ms Makalandawa said after meeting with Sri Lankan foreign ministry officials. She said officials and families were meeting with the shipping agent on Thursday.

Families have no way of communicating with the captive crew, Ms Makalandawa said.

"Please release them. I appeal to you because these crew members include fathers, sons and husbands. The have gone to sea to earn money to sustain their families," she said.

The EU statement said the naval operation on Tuesday afternoon finally made contact with the ship's master, who confirmed that armed men were aboard the Comoros-flagged tanker Aris 13.

A Somali pirate who said he was in touch with the armed men aboard the tanker said they have locked most of the crew in one room and cut off communication lines.

"Their main concern now is a possible rescue attempt, so that's why all communications were cut off in the afternoon," Bile Hussein said.

He said the amount of ransom to demand had not yet been decided.

Somali pirates usually hijack ships and crew for ransom.

"They are human. Even the pirates are human. We can talk over this peacefully," Ms Makalandawa said.

The ship had been carrying fuel from Djibouti to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, when it was approached by men in two skiffs.

A UN shipping database shows the Aris 13 is owned by Armi Shipping SA, whose address is listed in care of Aurora Ship Management FZE, a company based in the United Arab Emirates.

AP
Police have been able to confirm the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month at Kuala Lumpur's airport, using a DNA sample from one of his children, a Malaysian official said.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said negotiations began this week to resolve a diplomatic stand-off over the death of Mr Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korea's leader.

North Korea has rejected the autopsy finding.

Authorities said Mr Kim was killed on February 13 when two women smeared his face with the nerve agent VX at an airport terminal.

He was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol. Police said last week they had confirmed he was Kim Jong Nam, but refused to say how.

Mr Zahid said on Wednesday that authorities obtained DNA from one of Mr Kim's children.

Officials said the body has been embalmed to better preserve it and that Mr Kim's relatives will be given two to three weeks to claim it.

Relations between Malaysia and North Korea have deteriorated sharply since Mr Kim's death, with each expelling the other's ambassador.

Last Tuesday, North Korea blocked all Malaysians from leaving the country until a "fair settlement" of the case is reached.

Malaysia then barred North Koreans from leaving its soil. The two countries have also scrapped visa-free travel for each other's citizens.

Four of the seven North Korean suspects being sought by Malaysia are believed to have left the country on the day Mr Kim was killed.

Police said the other three, including a North Korean diplomat and an employee of Air Koryo, North Korea's state airline, are believed to be in the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Zahid said formal talks are ongoing at the "secretary-general level" and that Malaysia is keeping an "open heart and open mind" in the negotiations.

Asked if Malaysia will exchange the Korean suspects believed to be hiding in the embassy for the Malaysians in Pyongyang, he said "we are looking at all possibilities".

There are nine Malaysians in North Korea - three embassy staff members and their family members. About 315 North Koreans are in Malaysia.

Mr Zahid also brushed off calls by North Korea for an international inquiry over the use of VX in Mr Kim's death, saying the North has shown that it does not respect decisions made by international bodies in reference to its nuclear programme.

Although Malaysia has never directly accused North Korea of being behind the attack, many speculate that it must have orchestrated it.

Experts say the VX nerve agent used to kill Mr Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, and North Korea is widely believed to possess large quantities of chemical weapons.

AP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife have testified in court that a journalist had invented a story that Sara Netanyahu once ordered her husband out of their car during a row.

Mr Netanyahu (67) described the report of the alleged incident as "ludicrous", "preposterous" and a complete fabrication.

Igal Sarna wrote on his Facebook page a year ago that an angry Mrs Netanyahu ordered the prime minister's convoy to stop on the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway in the middle of the night because she did not want him in the car any longer.

Mr Sarna said he had heard the story from a friend who heard it from another friend in the prime minister's security detail. He had decided not to call witnesses to substantiate his allegations so as not to get anyone in trouble.

The original Facebook post gained only 1,500 shares, but the court case has garnered far more attention.

It has also raised questions about the influence of Mrs Netanyahu (58) in the prime minister's administration. Over the years, she has been involved in a number of lawsuits, either as a plaintiff or a defendant.

The prime minister spoke animatedly in court.

"He crossed the line," Mr Netanyahu said of Mr Sarna, banging his fist on the stand. "It's a gross lie, absurd."

Asked whether he always told the truth on Facebook, a medium the prime minister uses almost daily, the prime minister replied: "I try."

The judge would not allow Mr Sarna's lawyers to ask the couple about their relationship or past incidents.

The Netanyahus are seeking damages of 280,000 shekels (71,000), an apology and removal of Mr Sarna's Facebook post.
THE Turkish president yesterday blamed the Dutch for the slaughter of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica as he continued a four-day tirade against the Netherlands and Europe.

With less than 24 hours before Dutch voters head to the polls in an election seen as a test of populism in Europe, Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued to stoke the diplomatic row that erupted after the Netherlands blocked Turkish ministers from holding a rally in Rotterdam.

His government announced a series of diplomatic sanctions against the Netherlands, including barring the Dutch ambassador from returning to Ankara, and warned that it may soon follow with economic sanctions.

Mr Erdogan used a speech to healthcare workers to raise the 1995 mass killing at Srebrenica, when Dutch UN peacekeepers failed to stop Serb forces from murdering thousands of Muslim men and boys in the worst massacre in Europe since World War II.

"We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there," Mr Erdogan said.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the comments a "disgusting distortion of history". He added: "We will not lower ourselves to this level. It is totally unacceptable."

Bandit

The Turkish president also aimed his anger at Germany, describing it as a "bandit state" that was harming Europe. Mr Erdogan earlier called German authorities "Nazis" after they too blocked Turkish ministers from holding rallies ahead of next month's referendum in Turkey, when voters will decide whether to give Mr Erdogan sweeping new powers.

Germany's 'Bild' newspaper reported that Turkey planned to try to hold 15 more rallies with the 1.4 million Turkish voters in Germany ahead of the April 16 referendum - a plan that could escalate tensions even further.

Turkish former ministers, current MPs and top officials of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are to appear at the rallies, most of which will be held in Berlin, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Munich and in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

One German state governor called for a blanket ban on Turkish rallies in Germany, saying: "Turkish domestic conflicts have no place in Germany."

Austria has also stopped several Turkish rallies from going ahead and the Austrian interior ministry is seeking a change in the law to stop foreign politicians giving speeches if it would threaten public order.

Critics of Mr Erdogan said he was deliberately stoking the row to try to muster nationalist support ahead of the referendum. Turkey's deputy prime minister denied the charge and said the government was defending Turkish national honour.

Similar charges have been made against Mr Rutte, who is trying to head off a challenge from the far-right populist Geert Wilders in an election centred around identity.

Mr Rutte has seen his poll numbers climb since he blocked the Turkish ministers on Saturday.

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Donald Trump has responded to the leak of his 2005 tax returns, questioning how the journalist behind the story came to obtain the documents.

"Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, 'went to his mailbox' and found my tax returns?" the President tweeted.

He went on to call NBC News "FAKE NEWS" after their presenter Rachael Maddow showed two-pages of Mr Trump's tax returns from 2005.

In Mr Trump's tweet, he said "nobody ever heard of" David Cay Johnson, the Pulitzer Prize winning reporter who claimed to have received Mr Trump's tax returns in the post from an unknown source.

His income and tax returns from show he made more than $150m (141m) in 2005 and paid $38m (35m) in income taxes.

In a later tweet, the President suggested Snoop Dogg should be arrested for pretending to shoot him in a music video.

Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, "went to his mailbox" and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

"Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!" he said.

The artist has been criticised for firing a toy gun that shoots a flag with the word "bang" on it at a Trump character in his music video.
Republicans have been forced to defend their plan to dismantle the Obamacare healthcare reform after a bipartisan research report showed 14 million Americans would lose medical insurance by next year under the proposal.

The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report forecast that by 2026, the number of people without health insurance would increase by 24 million if the House of Representatives' legislation to replace the 2010 Affordable Care Act is adopted.

The findings could make it harder for Republicans to sell the plan - their first major piece of legislation under President Donald Trump - in Congress, especially the Senate.

The Trump administration defended the proposed healthcare overhaul, saying it will offer consumers more choices than Obamacare, former president Barack Obama's signature domestic policy achievement.

Congressional Republicans have vowed for years to undo Obamacare, which expanded health insurance to about 20 million Americans.

But their new effort faces opposition from a range of Republicans - from conservatives who think it does not go far enough to moderates concerned about the impact on coverage and costs.

Doctors, hospitals and other medical providers as well as patient advocates have urged lawmakers to abandon the plan.

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney dismissed the CBO's ability to analyse healthcare coverage and said the focus should not be on how many people were insured. "Coverage is not the end. People don't get better with coverage, they get better with care," he said.

The CBO did point out that federal deficits would fall by $337bn (320bn) between 2017 and 2026 under the proposed measure.

Mr Trump, who campaigned on a pledge to repeal and replace Obamacare and provide insurance for everybody, has yet to comment on the report.

Democrats say the Republican plan could hurt the elderly, poor and working families while giving tax cuts for the rich. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it "is a wreck".

"It's vintage Donald Trump: talks like a populist, but when he acts, it's hard-right, favouring the special interests and hurting the middle class and those trying to get there," the Democrat said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said: "Every single American will have access and have the financial feasibility to purchase it."

Overall, the CBO projected that 52 million people would be uninsured by 2026 if the bill becomes law, compared with 28 million who would not have coverage that year if Obamacare remained unchanged.

Separately, a White House analysis showed 26 million people would lose coverage over the next 10 years, website Politico reported, citing an Office of Management and Budget document.

Mr Mulvaney, the budget director, told CNN he was unaware of that document.
A rogue robot (not pictured) has been blamed for the death of a factory worker in Michigan

A 'rogue' robot has been blamed for the death of a woman killed in an accident at a car parts factory in Michigan, US.

Wanda Holbrook, who worked as a maintenance technician at the Ventra Ionia Mains plant for 12 years, was "trapped by robotic machinery and pronounced dead at the scene".

The 57-year-old's widower, William Holbrook, has filed a wrongful death complaint seeking damages from five companies responsible for manufacturing and installing the robotics: Lincoln Electric, Flex-N-Gate, Prodomax, FANUC and Nachi.

"Wanda was working in either section 140 or 150 within the '100' cell, when a robot from section 130 took Wanda by surprise, entering the section she was working," the lawsuit alleges over the incident in July 2015.

She "suffered tremendous fright, shock and conscious pain and suffering" when she was crushed to death, it said.

"The robot from section 130 should have never entered section 140, and should have never attempted to load a hitch assembly within a fixture that was already loaded with a hitch assembly.

"A failure of one or more of defendants' safety systems or devices had taken place, causing Wanda's death."

Lincoln Electric, FANUC and Nachi have been named in two additional claims of product liability and breach of implied warranty.

Ms Holbrook performed maintenance duties on robots which required occasional inspection.
The blasts in the Borno state capital are said to have killed the four bombers and two others

At least six people have been killed as four teenage girls detonated explosives worn on their bodies on the outskirts of Maiduguri city, Nigerian officials said.

The National Emergency Management Agency said the blasts in the Borno state capital killed the four bombers and two others. They also wounded 16 people.

The statement said the blasts occurred near Muna Garage, a common target of Boko Haram extremist attacks in recent months.

Suicide bombings by teenage girls trained by Boko Haram insurgents have become a strategy of the extremist group in the past couple of years.

Moe than 200 teenage girls have lost their lives in the attacks in north-east Nigeria.

Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency has killed more than 20,000 people and caused a massive humanitarian crisis in the region.

AP
CONCORD- Kaitlin Gaspar felt like her dream was in reach when she was accepted into the Tisch Summer High School Filmmakers Workshop at New York University. A junior at Central Cabarrus High School, Gaspar has dreamed of making films that share messages with the world since she was a child and said this program would give her a push in the right direction.

As a rising senior it would really help me get a feel for what NYU is like before I apply there. Its my dream school. Its really competitive, especially their filmmaking program and getting in this program in the summer before would give me portfolio work, she said. And not only portfolio I need to get it, but also the confidence.

But there is just one problem.

The university was unable to award Gaspar a scholarship and the cost of the filmmakers program is $11,606.

When I got the email that said I was accepted I was so excited, but they said we are unable to give you a scholarship, Gaspar said. The scholarships arent merit-based, they are need-based and there are students who need it more than me, absolutely.

Gaspars parents told her they could pay for half of the cost, which leaves about $6,000 for her to raise herself. She put in some applications for part-time jobs, but realized working for minimum wage she couldnt raise that much in time.

A service plan

So instead of giving up because of the high cost, Gaspar created a GoFundMe and devised a plan that would benefit her and other nonprofits and charities in the Cabarrus County area.

Gaspar has committed to work one hour of community service for each $10 that is raised on the GoFundMe page. And for any donor that gives $50 or more, she will work at the non-profit or charity of their choice.

GoFundMe sponsors a variety of people and I understand that while this is what I need to continue my career, there are people that need more. So I dont want to say Im the most important and need all your money, Gaspar said. So one of the things Ive always cared about is community service. I dont want to be handed stuff. I dont think Im in a position where I should be asking for money with nothing in return.

If she raises the money in time, Gaspar would spend four weeks living on campus at NYU this summer studying and creating a film. Several well-known celebrities and film producers have come through NYU including Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, M. Night Shymalan, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Adam Sandler.

The program provides six college credits that will directly apply to Gaspars future coursework in film. This is a highly competitive program with over 800 applicants and only 50 slots.

And if she attends, Gaspar wants to make a film about a cause that is close to her heart; homelessness.

I spent Easters at the Harvest Center in Charlotte and would serve breakfast during a service. My mom has been super supportive and always gets us out into the community, Gaspar said. I think that filmmaking would be a really good way to get messages out about causes in ways that people care about.

When Gaspar toured NYU in February, she said she met a student that worked with the homeless through an outreach program and was sponsored by the university. She said he is living her dream and proof that she can reach it.

The tour guides talked so much about how they have outreach programs and are involved in communities, she said. My tour guide is a junior right now in college. Hes getting a degree in filmmaking and social services and he plans on doing almost exactly my dream.

A history of success

Full of determination and drive, in 2014 Gaspar was awarded a Presidents Gold Medal for Community Service for completing more than 100 hours in a year and was named a finalist in the North Carolina State Science and Engineering Fair twice. She is also on the STEM student council and is an active member of the theater department.

She feels like she has a good chance at becoming a filmmaker.

I dont want to go and make the million dollar Hollywood movies. Id rather work with communities and do community service, Gaspar said. I want to get message out. Not for myself, because Ive lived a good life. But for the people who need their voices heard. I think filmmaking is a good way to get those voices heard.

Anyone interested in donating to Gaspar can visit https://www.gofundme.com/nyukaitlin.

She is also offering sponsorship opportunities. Sponsors will be listed in her film credits and receive a copy of the film she makes over the summer.

Interested in becoming a sponsor can email Gasper at kaitlingaspar@gmail.com.
The Statesville Police Department said it continues to await results from a forensics laboratory that may help to identify the driver who fled the scene of a fatal wreck last July.
New Delhi, Mar 15 (IBNS): While attacking its neighboring country for supporting terrorism, India called Pakistan 'world's terrorism factory' at United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday.



At the United Nations, India attacked Pakistan for supporting terrorism and illegally occupying Kashmir.

Highlighting terrorism as the "grossest violation of human rights", India claimed that a portion of Jammu and Kashmir are under forcible occupation of Pakistan.

The Indian diplomat said: "We also demand that Pakistan must fulfil its obligation to vacate illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)."

Referring to Pakistan as a terrorism factory, Indian diplomat said that its terrorism policies have alienated its own people with ill-treatment of its minorities.

"Minorities in India have been Prime Ministers, Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Crisket team captains but can the minorities of Pakistan claim even the shadow of this?" Indian diplomat said at UN.

Speaking about the threats and challenges human rights of citizens in J&K faces, Indian dilpomat said: "Pakistan backed terror outfits are main challenge to protecting human rights of our citizens in the state of Jammu and Kashmir."

"The Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir is part of a pluralistic and secular democracy, where an independent judiciary, and active media and a vibrant civil society guarantee freedoms," India said while lashing out at Pakistan.

The diplomat emphasised that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and the current situation falls into the category of internal matter of the nations.

India also attacked Pakistan for the latter's selective approach to tackle terrorism inside and outside the country.
New York, Mar 15 (Just Earth News): Amid a amassivea increase in gross human rights violations, as well as an escalation in fighting in South Sudan, the head of a United Nations rights probe said on Monday that to prevent further escalation and abuses in a country where aimpunity is the norm,a the international community must be bold enough to push for establishment of a court and bring prosecutions.

There can be no more delay, no more excuses, said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, as she presented her report to the UN Human Rights Council, the Geneva-based body that mandated the three-member panel's work almost exactly one year ago.

The alternative, she continued, is policy of appeasement  making us complicit in the bloodshed that is happening.

Among a host of experts that will this week update the Council on their work, Sooka, presenting the report alongside fellow Commissioners, Godfrey Musilla and Ken Scott, said the situation in South Sudan continued to deteriorate over the past nine months as unlawful arrests and detentions, torture, rape and killing have become the norm, including in places that had once been relatively peaceful.

Pattern of ethnic cleansing, 'population engineering' in some villages

Whole villages burnt to ashes, attacks on hospitals and churches, bodies dumped in rivers, allegations of young girls held as sexual slaves, women young and old gang raped and boys and men forcibly recruited, she said, adding that South Sudan is the world's third largest refugee crisis, with nearly two million internally displaced and more than one and a half million refugees having fled to neighbouring countries.

The report, she said, makes it clear that South Sudanese civilians have been deliberately and systematically targeted on the basis of their ethnicity by Government and government-aligned forces, for killing, abduction, unlawful detention, deprivation of liberty, rape and sexual violence, the burning of their villages, and looting.

On the ground, this translates into bound corpses left on roadsides, hunger where once there was plenty, and thousands of children ripped from their mothers  some forced to carry guns and kill  yet another lost generation, stated Sooka, stressing that citizens are treated like enemy combatants because of their perceived political allegiance to the other side, calculated by ethnicity. Opposition forces too have been responsible for human rights abuses although to a lesser extent, she added.

She went on to say that the scale of sexual violence in South Sudan is so horrifying that the consequences of doing nothing are unthinkable. Indeed, perpetrators will be emboldened if the international community ignores the issue.

The experts also reported on a pattern of ethnic cleansing and population engineering. When the Commission visited the northern town of Malakal, it saw how the redrawing of state boundary lines had helped depopulate the town of its Shilluk and Nuer inhabitants. Civil servants had been forcibly relocated out of the town on the basis of their ethnicity.

Reiterating the Commission's call for an international impartial and independent investigation to be established by the UN  to examine the most serious crimes, including conflict-related sexual violence, committed since December 2013, she said the findings should establish the extent of ongoing violations and support the work of the promised Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing and the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, which should be operational by the end of the year.

Small coterie of political leaders has 'plundered the country

There can be no more delay, no more excuses, stated Sooka, underscoring that the deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan is directly attributable to impunity. The challenge for accountability is that alleged perpetrators still occupy senior political and military positions.

A small coterie of South Sudan's political leaders show total disregard not just for international human rights norms but for the welfare of their own people. They have squandered the oil wealth and plundered the country's resources. On Monday the Government of South Sudan has effectively devolved most of its service delivery to the international community, she said, adding that international humanitarians, including the UN, have little choice to accept the restrictions imposed by the State as they cannot walk away and let millions of people starve.

The dilemma between being outspoken on human rights and securing access has never been more stark, she said adding that: In a country where impunity is the norm, the mere knowledge that credible information is being gathered can act as a deterrent. But only if we are bold enough to push for the immediate establishment of the Hybrid Court and prosecutions.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but fell into violence in late 2013 when a political rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his then-deputy Riek Machar erupted into full-fledged conflict.

Photo: IOM/Bannon

Source: www.justearthnews.com
The final schedule of actor Ajith Kumar's 57th film 'Vivegam' will take place in Bulgaria,the country in which the film has been shot extensively.

We learn from a trustworthy source that Ajith has boarded flight to Bulgaria on Tuesday (March 14) and he will take part in the shoot from tomorrow (March 16). The shooting crew already landed in the European country and arrangements are in place for the commencement of the shoot.

Meanwhile, a team is busily working on the teaser cut of the film in Chennai and we can expect the announcement on teaser release date, very soon.

'Vivegam' is being produced by Sathya Jyothi Films and directed by Siva. Kajal Aggarwal is playing the female lead, Vivek Oberoi in the lead villain and Anirudh Ravichander is the music director of this film.
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The Gutka Mukesh campaign has caught the attention of almost everyone at the theatres. We are not sure if it has efficiently delivered the message it was ought to, but we know that the advertising campaign has often become the butt of jokes on the internet.

If reports are to be believed, we will not get to see this advertisement on theatre screens anymore, as the authorities have decided to rope in Bollywood filmmakers for more efficient campaigns.

Furthermore, rumours are widespread that Aamir Khans wife Kiran Rao is the first filmmaker who has been offered to make an anti-smoking commercial.

asianworldnews.co.uk

Kulmeet Makkar, who is the chief executive officer at The Film and Television Producers Guild of India Limited revealed about the same and told Spotboye.com:

The industry is pleased to take on the responsibility. In fact we are in the process of approaching filmmakers who could make these ads. The plan is that once we are ready with them, others ads and disclaimers will be removed from theatres. Its a great step for the industry and society.

Anti-piracy ads are also in the works!

digitalstudiome.com

Makkar revealed that the film trade body is also planning to make anti-piracy ads which will churn out anti-piracy messages such as Dont steal our movies. They want to get governments approval to play them along with the anti-smoking ads and national anthem.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who steered his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a historic electoral win in UP last week got an unexpected congratulatory message from across the border.

Aqeedat Naveed, an 11-year-old school student from Lahore, Pakistan has written a letter to PM Modi congratulating on the victory. Read More

1. A College In Mumbai Is Training Visually Impaired For Careers In The Fragrance Industry

Of the 37 million people across the globe who are blind, more than 15 million are from India. The most unfortunate part of this is that while most of the cases are curable, there's an acute shortage of optometrists and eye donations.

THEIAB

However, their inability to see is not an impediment to their education or careers. Read More

2. Three Class X Students From Jaipur Have An Innovative Startup That Just Raised Rs 3 Crore In Funding

They are young and and ambitious, a little too young to be entrepreneurs in the conventional sense. But that haven't deterred Chetanya Golechha, Mrigank Gujjar and Utsav Jain, all students of Class X from dreaming big. Now their dreams have got wings, literally - with a funding of Rs 3 crore for their start-up 'Infusion Beverages.'

FACEBOOK/CHETANYA-GOLECHHA

These students of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur first pitched their idea in a entrepreneurship fest of their school in April last year. Read More

3 Here's How Your 'Abuse' Of Aircraft Toilets Affect Airlines And Cause Flight Delays!

Claustrophobic though it may be, once the door is shut and locked, an aircraft toilet turns temporarily into a sanctuary where a passenger can escape from the crowd and, often, lose the pretense of manners necessitated by the formality of air travel.

AFP/REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Unfortunately for airlines across the world, what a passenger does behind a closed toilet door can have a direct impact on their earnings. Read More

4 Padmavati Sets Vandalised Again, Costumes And Film Set On Fire In Kolhapur

Months after, the filmmaker was slapped and assaulted on the sets of his upcoming film Padmavati in Jaipur, the movies set was once again vandalised, this time in Kolhapur.

If reports are to be believed, the incident took place at around 10:30 pm on Tuesday. It has been reported that several animals were present on the sets when it was put on fire. Read more

5. Pakistan Moves To Give Provincial Status To Gilgit Baltistan, And It Will Further Complicate The Kashmir Issue

In a move that is not expected to go down well with India, Pakistan is planning to declare Gilgit-Baltistan also know as Northern Areas as its fifth province.

Pakistan's minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada told Geo TV that a committee headed by an advisor of foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the province status to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Zakir Musa, the new Hizbul Mujahideen commander who succeeded Burhan Wani, has posted a video message to the protesters in the valley.

In the undated video, which has been widely circulated since Tuesday, the terrorist called on the protests to resort to stone pelting.

AFP/ File

In the video, he is heard saying that what he was saying should have been told by the Ulema, but he alleged they are silent due to fear.

He said the Kashmiri protesters should not take up stones or arms for nationalism and democracy. Instead, he said it should be for Islam.

He added that things like nationalism and democracy are 'haram' in Islam.

Musa also claimed that being killed is not a defeat but in fact a victory for the Mujahideen.

He also warned informants against passing on valuable information about the terrorists to the army and other agencies.

He said it was a plot by 'Kafirs' to make Muslims fight against fellow Muslims. He also termed Kashmiri's serving in Police and the Indian Army as "kafirs".

Upping the ante, Musa said the time for war has come and such 'kafirs' still have time to repent, adding that they have the names of all the informers.

AP

Musa also 'thanked' stone pelters who take to the streets to obstruct the Army and other agencies when an anti-terrorism operation is on and thereby helping the militants to flee.

This is not the first time Musa have warned Kashmiri policemen. In a previous video too, he had threatened to attack Jammu & Kashmir police and their families.

The video also comes at a time when the Indian Army has toughened its stand against the stone pelters.

Last month Army Chief Bipin Rawat said that locals who disrupt anti-militancy operations in Kashmir will be treated as overground workers of terrorists.
With the passing of The Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill 2016, India reached rank three in terms of the number of weeks granted to pregnant women. The bill, which was passed on March 9 by the Lok Sabha, grants women 26 weeks paid leave as opposed to the earlier 12.

Its been lauded as a landmark bill for the countrys women, and the nation as a whole, that will help them prosper both socially and economically.

On the face of it, this bill does echo of progress, especially for a country that is deeply entrenched in patriarchy.

Unsplash

Being a working mother isnt an easy task anywhere in the world, but especially so in India, where women are perceived as natural caretakers. Child-bearing tasks as well as household chores often end up on the shoulders of women. Women in the apparently modernised and urban parts of India, and the world, struggle with roles and work and at home. So before jumping on the wave of the landmark-ness of this bill, lets take a step back and examine whether it will actually give succour to women on the brink of motherhood.

Implementation

On paper, the maternity bill seems like a sigh of relief for women in the organised sector (as the bill in its current state is only applicable to women working in the organised sector, which is about 10% of Indias working women population), who are either pregnant or envision creating a family in the near or future far. However, Director of the Centre Policy for Research, Ranjana Kumari, says to exercise caution because the truth of this policy will lie in implementation.

Reuters

Will the government be able to ensure that private and public organisations alike actually allow women to take six months paid leave, without fear of their job slipping away from them? Job security, proper remunerations, the possibility of not getting your due and deserved promotion, are all factors that the bill doesnt take into account. And these are all the factors that make women hiccup before taking maternity leave, says Ranjana.

How will this affect start-ups?

If the bill becomes a law, then it is applicable to any company employing more than 10 persons. The bill has been criticised because it might deter small companies from hiring women because maternity leave essentially increases the cost of hiring a woman.

Reuters

Sahil Nandal, founder of Mirakin, who heads a team of 12 people believes that the bill has its pros and cons. I think its a good move, but Im not sure if the country is ready for it yet, says Sahil. He adds that in Japan, where he often travels to for work, women are eligible for upto two years of maternity leave. But most of them do not take it because they fear they wont have a job to come back to after a break.

As someone who runs a smallish business, Sahil says he would not mind hiring a pregnant woman, if she is willing to work from home here and there. He says, If theyre up for being kept in the loop throughout their leave and working from home once in a while, then I would hire them. Its hard to catch up after a long break, especially if youve been completely closed out from whats happening in the company.

Technology sector

Representational image/women in tech

This bill might affect women working in the IT sector more adversely than others because of the fast rate of change in this particular industry. As one of the fastest growing sectors in India, it poses as a significant industry with a potent source of employment for young people in the country. The Centre for Internet and Society researched Women in Indias IT Industry and found that around 2010-2011, the IT industry actually stood the chance of leading the way for gender diversity in the workplace with the number female graduates only expected to rise. But it actually found that the number of women employed in the IT industry decreased from 26% in 2010 to 22% in 2012, even though the number of jobs continued to increase.

The maternity bill might not entirely work in the favour of women because its constantly evolving. Leaving a company for six months at a stretch serves as a disincentive for companies to hire more women. Along with the bill, the government should consider creating incentives and subsidies for companies to grant maternity leave to women without reprisal.

Reuters

The Head of Human Resources and mother of one (who chose to remain anonymous), at a multi-national IT corporations branch in Jaipur applauded the bill for its progressiveness. Through her own experience after giving birth, and from what shes noticed at her company, she said new mothers tend to take one month unpaid leave on top of availing all the paid leaves available to them. The amended version of the bill offers them just a few extra months of paid leave, which is a great motivation for women to remain loyal to their company, says the mother of a five-year-old.

She also adds that companies should help women, who left the workforce to nurture their child, return to working when they are so ready. Her company runs a few such programs that look out for skilled women, who wish to return to the workforce and dismisses the gap they mightve have taken for motherhood as irrelevant.

Reuters

India might be standing high on the list of countries that offer long maternity leave to new mothers, but in stark contrast to that, India also has the highest rate of women leaving the workforce because of social reasons. In theory, The Maternity Benefit Amendment Bill 2016 is progressive for a country that is consistently defamed for gender disparity and high rates of violence against women, but caution must be maintained before labelling it as, in Prime Narendra Modis words, a landmark moment.
In a move that is not expected to go down well with India, Pakistan is planning to declare Gilgit-Baltistan also know as Northern Areas as its fifth province.

Pakistan's minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada told Geo TV that a committee headed by an advisor of foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the province status to Gilgit-Baltistan.

The region shares a geographical boundary with PoK, and India considers it as part of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir, while Pakistan sees it as a separate from PoK (AJK).

Even though Gilgit has an elected assembly and chief minister, it has little practical powers on the matters like taxation and control of natural resources.

Pakistan has been mooting the idea for years but has not been able to take it forward. This is because the 1973 constitution of Pakistan doesn't recognise it as a part of the country in the first place, despite it being under Islamabad's administration since 1947.

Pakistan had then at the UN recognised it as a "disputed territory" along with Kashmir, something the country has not changed yet.

It is clearly explained that GB is not part of Pakistan in term of article-1 of the constitution of Pakistan, which spell out territorial limits of the country.

The last time Pakistan had taken a step in granting provincial status to Gilgit, it was even opposed by the administration in PoK.

Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, the then Prime Minister of PoK had openly challenged it stating that the Pakistan Prime minister cannot take such a decision as it did not fall under his jurisdiction.

Gilgit-Baltistan is part and parcel of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Any attempt to merge it into Pakistan will deal a fatal blow to our stand in the light of UN resolutions envisaging right to self-determination for the Kashmiris.

Gilgit Baltistan in 1947

In 1947 when the British left the subcontinent, Gilgit then ruled by the Dogras, like many other small princely states decided to remain independent and not join either India or Pakistan.

The Dogras lost control of their province after a rebellion by the Gilgit Scouts, led by a commander named Colonel Mirza Hassan Khan.

Even though a republic was formed with Khan as its head it had a lifespan of just 16 days before Pakistan under Muhammad Ali Jinnah was given "temporary administrative control" of Gilgit. While Pakistan still claims that the annexation was without any pre-conditions, many in Gilgit has questioned the claims. Along with the Kashmir dispute, the territorial claim on Gilgit too was dragged into the UN in 1948.

Gilgit Baltistan and India

For New Delhi, Gilgit-Baltistan before 1947 was a part of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir, so it sees the region as a part of PoK. India has for long opposed any move from Pakistan to alter the current status of the region which the UN recognises as "disputed".

In 2015 India for the first time in many years had come out openly against the provincial elections there. New Delhi questioned the legitimacy of the election held by the Pakistan election commission when the constitution of the country itself does not recognise it.

AFP/File

India is expected to raise similar objection to the provincial status. Another issue India have in the region is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which goes from Gwadar in Pakistan to Xinjiang in China passing through Gilgit.

India sees the move as Pakistan's way of legitimising its claim on Gilgit, with the help of its all-weather friend China.

Giglit's existential crisis can be best summed up like this- for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, there are two independence days every year: August 14, with the rest of Pakistan; and November 1, when they first found freedom.
A team of researchers has discovered 1.6-billion-year-old fossils of aprobable red algae in India. The discovery indicates that multicellular live evolved on Earth much earlier than previously thought.

The study, which appeared in an open access journal PLOS Biology, found two kinds of fossils resembling red algae  the first is thread-like, the other one consists of fleshy colonies. The algae have been discovered in well-preserved sedimentary rocks at Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh.

The scientists identified distinct inner cell structures and so-called cell-fountains, the bundles of packed and splaying filaments that form the body of the fleshy forms and are characteristics of red algae.

"You cannot be 100 percent sure about material this ancient, as there is no DNA remaining, but the characters agree quite well with the morphology and structure of red algae," said Stefan Bengtson.

Reuters

The earliest traces of life on Earth are at least 3.5 billion years old. These single-celled organisms, unlike eukaryotes, lack nuclei and other organelles.

Discoveries of early multicellular eukaryotes have been sporadic and difficult to interpret, challenging scientists trying to reconstruct and date the tree of life.

The oldest known red algae before the present discovery are 1.2 billion-year-old.

The Indian fossils, 400 million years older and by far the oldest plant-like fossils ever found, suggest that the early branches of the tree of life need to be recalibrated.

AP

"The 'time of visible life' seems to have begun much earlier than we thought," Stefan Bengtson stated.

The presumed red algae lie embedded in fossil mats of cyanobacteria, called stromatolites, in 1.6 billion-year-old Indian phosphorite.

The research group was able to look inside the algae with the help of synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy.

Among other things, they have seen regularly recurring platelets in each cell, which they believe are parts of chloroplasts, the organelles within plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.

They have also seen distinct and regular structures at the centre of each cell wall, typical of red algae.
The protest of Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) over Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal went haywire when clashes erupted between INLD protesters and Delhi Police at Jantar Mantar. The Delhi Police lathi charged the protesters who had been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past few days seeking the centres intervene in water dispute between Haryana and Punjab impending since 1966, the formation of the state of Haryana.

Delhi: Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) protests over SYL issue at Jantar Mantar continue. pic.twitter.com/w6nIBUJSVz  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Scores of protester and policemen have got injured in the clashes. INLD has threatened to gherao the parliament and has asked PM Narendra Modi to intervene. The INLD cadre has been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the last few days after Punjab Police didnt let them cross the border between two states. INLD workers wanted to enter Punjab to re-dig the canal refilled by the Punjab farmers marking that Punjab wont give any water to Haryana.

While hearing the plea to intervene, the Supreme Court on March 2 had said that its verdict in which the apex court had ordered the construction of the canal has to be implemented.. A bench comprising Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy also made clear that it would deliberate upon Punjabs contention as to whether the judgement of a five-judge constitution bench, which held its law unconstitutional, was binding.

The decree passed by this court has to be given effect to, the bench said. A five-judge bench, while answering the Presidential Reference on November 11, 2016, had held that the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004 was unconstitutional as it negated the effect of apex court judgements of 2002 and 2004.

Delhi: Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) protests over SYL issue at Jantar Mantar; Police lathi charge protesters pic.twitter.com/PwC94iCYuj  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Prakash Singh Badal led SAD government had told the court that Punjab was forced to pass the 2004 Act because the complaint filed by the state in January 2003 to set up the tribunal to address the grievances wasnt acted upon.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had also proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore in the state Budget for the construction of the SYL canal.
The results of the assembly polls in five states, especially Uttar Pradesh, seem to have accentuated difficulties for the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.Even as murmurs within the party grew over his leadership, Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of 'stealing' the mandate by using money power to win elections in Uttar Pradesh and other states. Read More

1. Facebook Post By JNU Dalit Student Who Committed Suicide Reveals That He Was Unhappy Over Inequality At University

Just a few days after writing a fiery Facebook post on being 'denied equality' on campus, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student was found hanging from the ceiling.

Muthukrishnan Jeevanantham, 27, also known as Krish Rajini to friends on Facebook, allegedly committed suicide at his friends place in Munirka Vihar, South Delhi. Read More

2. Someone From Kerala Just Started A Petition To Make Shashi Tharoor India's PM In 2019!

An online petition has been started in a bid to nominate Congress Shashi Tharoor as the UPAs prime ministerial candidate for the 2019 General Election.

BCCL

Tharoor is a man well qualified with deep knowledge of international and national issues, who can connect with the people of India and with world leaders, says the online petition launched by a Thiruvananthapuram-based user. Read More

3 Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif Orders Strict Action Against 'Blasphemy' On Social Media

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered authorities to take stern and immediate action against blasphemous content on the social media.

BCCL

He has directed that all such sacrilegious content be removed immediately and the perpetrators must be punished. This comes just a day after a high court order. Read More

4. China's Panchen Lama Wants Religion To Promote Patriotism, Calls Tibetan Buddhism 'Tainted By Greed'

Patriotism is the "mission" of religion in China, but greed is tainting Tibetan Buddhism, says the government-appointed second-highest spiritual leader of the faith, who was chosen by Beijing to win the hearts and minds of Tibetans.

BCCL

Although officially atheist, China in 1995 selected Gyaltsen Norbu as Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama, the number-two spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. Read More

5 Iraqi Forces Unearth Mass Grave Near Mosul Where 500 People Were Killed By ISIS In 2014

The Iraqi forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) to free Mosul, last IS bastion in Iraq found a mass grave at Badush prison near Mosul containing the remains of nearly 500 people executed by IS.

AFP

IS had reportedly killed nearly 600 inmates in Badush prison in its expedition in Mosul in 2014. The group was also said to have held hundreds of women of Yazidi minority at the facility. Read more
From We accept the defeat after the general election in 2014 to a Little down in UP, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhis reactions to repeated losses have made a journey from sanity to hilariously insane. Ever since Rahul Gandhi was anointed the Vice President of the Congress in 2013, the party has hardly won any election.

In recently concluded election in five states of UP, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Goa and Manipur, the party managed to win maximum seats in three states, but would only form the government in Punjab. The slew of defeats in elections in states of Haryana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Jharkhand, J&K, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and others. (sorry if we missed some), have exposed Rahul Gandhi to ridicule.

PTI

Staunch Congressmen and avid Rahul Gandhi supporters might object to the cliched name Pappu, he has been bestowed with, but victories in Puducherry, Punjab and Bihar (Congress didnt do much there), are nothing more than a consolation.

Even when the Congress lost power at the Centre in 1977, 1989, 1996, 1998 & 1999, it was in power in more than a dozen states, including bigger states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and not so big states like Delhi, Punjab, Kerala, Assam etc. But now ever since, its departure from Centre in 2014, the Congress led by Rahul Gandhi has come on the brink of extinction (Thanks to Punjab and Karnataka, it still has a presence on Indias map).

Here are the major reactions of Rahul Gandhi post every defeat Congress faced under his leadership since he became the vice president.



Rahul Gandhi's showed sanity after 2014 defeat in general elections

PTI

But soon Congress was humbled in Maharashtra, Haryana and his response was brave

PTI



After humiliation in Delhi and J&K in 2015, he decided to give it a pass

PTI

Bihar in 2016 enthralled him, though Congress didn't do anything to defeat BJP

PTI

He did have much to say after defeats in West Bengal, Kerala, TN, and Assam in 2016

PTI

Soon after the results in UP where Congress was reduced to a just 9 seats, a number so minuscule that local parties like Apna Dal, an ally of BJP won more seats than the grand old party, there were voices within the party against Rahul Gandhi. It looks quite evident as well that as long as Rahul Gandhi is there at the helm, the resurrection of Congress from a loser to a force to reckon with is quite unlikely to happen.
The world-renowned education activist and the youngest ever Nobel Prize laureate, Malala Yusufzai, hopes to study at the prestigious Oxford University if she gets the required AAA grades.

Reuters

At the Association of School and College Lecturers annual conference held in Birmingham, the 19-year-old revealed that has given an admission interview at the prestigious Oxford University for studying politics, philosophy and economics.

Addressing the teachers at the annual conference, said, "I'm studying right now, I'm in year 13 and I have my A-Level exams coming and I have received a conditional offer which is three As so I need to get the three As that is my focus right now."

Yousafzi did not specify which university she will attend but said that had she applied to Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. The interview for which she called "the hardest in her life."

Twitter/@PaulGarvye

To get through the college, Malala will need the standard AAA grade and is eagerly waiting for the results. In numerous interviews, she has spoken about her ambition to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. If she takes up the Lady Margaret Hall offer, she will be following the footsteps of Benazir Bhutto, former PM of Pakistan, who also passed out from the same college.

The fervent girl's education activist said she will continue to work for the Malala Fund, alongside her studies.

"I was lucky to have a mother & father who gave me the opportunity to learn...Every girl deserves this same support."  Malala pic.twitter.com/c8J4DWLgLD  Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) March 10, 2017

"My goal is to make sure every child, a girl and a boy, they get the opportunity to go to school. It is their basic human right, so I will be working on that and I will never stop until I see the last child going to school," she said.

Lets hope and pray that her dreams come true.

With agency inputs.
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The extra judicial killing allegedly carried out by some personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been condemned by the House of Assembly in Ogun State on Tuesday

The members of the House, who spoke under matters of public national interest, submitted that it was necessary to summon the state Comptroller of Customs over the activities of NCS officials in the state.

Mr Adeyinka Mafe (APC  Sagamu 1), said that the House condemned in totality the killing of innocent people by NCS officials.

He said,NCS officials were supposed to be at the borders, adding that it was wrong for them to move more than 100 kilometres inland.

Where the last incident happened was a road from Abeokuta to Sagamu where three lives were lost due to the activities of the NCS officials, claiming that they were pursuing smugglers.

Two weeks ago, the same thing happened around Sango Ota in Ado-Odo Local Government Area, even though no life was lost, he said.

Mafe, who is also the Majority Leader, suggested that the House should pass a strong resolution concerning the matter and summon the state comptroller.

Mr Idowu Olowofuja (APC  Abeokuta South 11) said that the victim that was killed on the Abeokuta-Sagamu road was not a smuggler but a taxi driver and a member of NURTW.

Olowofuja said that the NCS should be called to order, adding that it was important for the organisation to be professional in discharging its duties.

Mr Biyi Adeleye (APC  Remo) also condemned the activities of the NCS, saying that there should be a law that would strictly restrict its personnel to the borders.

The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, condoled with the families of the deceased, noting that no amount of sanctions would bring back the dead.

Adekunbi (APC  Yewa North 1), however, said that the NCS should be more proactive at the borders.

We will continue to engage them; even at the national level, they are having issues. We are not saying you should not carry out your responsibilities but you should be professional about it, he said.

Some operatives of the NCS on Wednesday allegedly shot dead a commercial driver suspected to be a smuggler on the Abeokuta-Sagamu road.

( PM News)
The spokesman of the Agency,Mallam Abdulkareem Ibrahim said the attacks happened at about 1.15 am on Wednesday. He also said the attacks were by four teenage girls who had explosive devices strapped on them. The spokesman of the Agency,Mallam Abdulkareem Ibrahim said the attacks happened at about 1.15 am on Wednesday. He also said the attacks were by four teenage girls who had explosive devices strapped on them.

The statement read: Four female teenage suicide bombers and two other men died (6 people) when the four females detonated explosives at Usmanti along Mina Garage road at about 1. 15 am.

Sixteen people who got injured were administered with first aid by rescue workers before being transported to the State Specialist Hospital and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Maiduguri Borno state.

During a visit to the scene of the incident close to the Police Hospital in Maiduguri, it was gathered that the teenage girls strapped with the explosives poached for victims.

One of the residents of the area, Idris Shettima said the two males opened doors for the female teenagers when they knocked on their doors.

He said, Immediately they opened doors to them, they detonated the explosive devices which led to their death.

( Punch Nigeria )
No fewer than 20 suspects in last Wednesdays mayhem in Ile Ife, Osun State, have been arrested. Besides, a panel of enquiry would be set up to investigate the immediate and remote cause of the crisis to complement the truth commission set up by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

Osun Sstate Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this yesterday at Sabo area of Ile Ife where he and the visiting Senator Musa Kwankwaso addressed leaders of Hausa community over the crisis.

He urged residents to assist the law enforcement agents to fish other troublemakers who participated in the crisis. Aregbesola, who visited Ile Ife for the second time since the unfortunate incident occurred reiterated that the mayhem was caused by miscreants who did not have the interest of the state at heart.

Kwankwoso urged the parties to put the crisis behind them stating that the they should continue to live together in peace. He recalled his standing relationship with people in the southwest saying that the same exists among other Hausa and Yoruba in other parts of the country.

He also attested to the hospitality by the Yoruba stressing that the old relationship must continue to thrive.

Source: Guardian
Twenty-eight-year-old Grace John accused of kidnapping her boss daughter, Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, has said she only assisted the babys real father to collect her.

John was paraded at the Lagos State Police Command yesterday alongside two other women, Rita Eze and Ugochi Nweke, alleged to be buyers of the three-year-old girl.

It would be recalled that the little girl, who was kidnapped on January 28 around Alagbado area of Lagos, had been sold to three different buyers in the eastern part of the country for prices ranging from N500,000 to N600,000, before she was eventually rescued in Aba, Abia.

According to the apprentice, Samuel approached her and told her that the babys mother, Mrs. Oluwatobiloba Adebiyi, was his lover and got pregnant for him before marrying another man.

She claimed it was the said Samuel who took her to the womans shop at Alagbado in January, where she later took the child and carried her to her alleged grandmother.

John denied reports that she was responsible for the kidnapping of other children across the state, insisting that she was not a kidnapper. The police had alleged that the child was sold to three different buyers for N500,000 and N600,000 before her eventual rescue in Aba, Abia State.

But John said: Samuel told me the woman was his former girlfriend, who married another man and that he wanted to take his child from her for proper care. Samuel took me to the womans shop in Alagbado. I pretended that I wanted to learn bead making from her and we agreed on the modalities.

After seven days, I told the woman I was going to buy Gala and I took the girl with me to Kola Bus Stop where I met Samuel, who instructed me to take her to his grandmother in Onitsha, because he is in school. The following day, I boarded a bus to Onitsha and met the woman (Rita Eze). I handed over the child to her and she gave me the sum of N60,000 for transport.

I never knew the child was not Samuels and I have never thought what I did was kidnapping. I just wanted to help a man, who cried to me that his child was not being properly taken care of. I have not done it before.

Corroborating Johns story, Eze said she knew Samuel through an old classmate of hers, who told her they needed someone to take proper care of his child. I met my old friend at an event in December and she told me her nephew had a child they needed someone to take proper care of.

She gave Samuel my number and he called me to say his girlfriend would bring a child from Lagos, When Grace brought the girl, Samuel told me to sell the girl, which I gave to Ugochi.

Ugochi gave me N500,000, which I gave Grace N60,000, I took N40,000 and I sent the rest to Samuel. I never knew him before. I thought the child was his. I never knew the child was kidnapped, I only accepted to help sell the child because I needed money to pay my house rent, she said.

The third suspect, Ugochi noted that she never collected any money from the deal, saying that she was not aware the girl was kidnapped. She claimed she did it to help a friend who was unable to conceive.

I told Rita if she had or knew any motherless child that there was someone who was in need of child to adopt and she told me she would get back to me.

When she called me that she had the child, I asked if it was genuine and she said yes. I informed my friend who provided the money. I did not take anything from the money I handed everything to Rita, she said.

Lagos State police boss, Fatai Owoseni, said the suspects would be charged to court immediately after investigation.

He also advised parents and guardians to be watchful and very conscious of people they employ as housemaids and apprentice to prevent similar occurrence.

Source: Guardian
A Minna Magistrates Court in Niger on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 45 year-old man in prison custody for allegedly defiling his three-year-old stepdaughter.

The Magistrate, Hajiya Hauwa Yusuf, ordered that Danjuma Bawa be remanded after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Abdullahi Maiyaki, said that the complainant, Fatima Bawa, alleged that she caught her husband sexually abusing her daughter after he approached her for sex at night and she refused him.

According to the prosecutor, Mrs Bawa alleged that she saw blood stains and semen on the girls body and was advised her to take her to the hospital.

Maiyaki said the suspect denied the allegation, claiming that he only intervened whenever his wife beat up the girl.

The magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded pending the completion of investigation and prosecution.

Yusuf adjourned the case to April 12 to enable the prosecutor call witnesses to establish the case and evidence against the accused. (NAN)

Source: Leadership
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced one Azubuike Ogonor from Ahoada Local Government Area of the State to death by hanging for killing his girl friend, Miss Blessing Iyumame.

The case which lasted for over thirteen years brought relief to the family of the victim.

Justice Chioma Okirie, who made the pronouncement, said that the convict had in his confessional statements to the police admitted to the crime.

The trial judge noted that Ogonor had confessed to have committed the crime by pouring petrol on the victim and ignited it with matches.

Okirie stated that the convict and the victim did not have issues of misunderstanding that could have led to the killing.

The court revealed that Ogonor set his girl friend ablaze out of jealousy, after he saw her strolling with another man.

Source: Dailypost
The sex scandal surrounding Apostle Johnson Suleman is still fueling controversies amongst some concerned Nigerians. Following the revelation by his alleged mistress, Stephanie Otobo and a video of her revealing the gory details of their affair. More people continue to air their opinions over the issue.

Cool FM On Air Personality Ifedayo Olarinde aka Freeze and Gay rights activist Bisi Alimi speaks about the the Suleman Saga.

Freeze has come under fire a couple of times, due to statements he made on social media over Men of God. He posted a video of the Apostle during ministration. It appears the Apostle would not be spared as he talked about @hushpuppi and Pastors spending money on hoes

daddyfreeze wrote this today..

Why is everyone on @hushpuppi s case for for th e last 3days for allegedly spending 11million on drinks??? ARE PASTORS NOT SPENDING MORE ON HOES??

At least he drink the drink for him belle, if he had given the money to a church, they would have contributed it to buy private jets he wont use, build schools his kids wont attend or create slush funds for hoes he wont.

My brother enjoy your money, na you get am, me I no dey form righteous! ~FRZ

#FreeTheSheeple.

He goes ahead to back his opinion with a bible verse

John 12:4-8 KJV

[4] Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simons son , which should betray him, [5] Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? [6] This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. [7] Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. [8] For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

If you study the verse above, you will understand the meaning of hypocrisy!

Nigerian gay rights activist, Bisi Alimi also tweeted about Apostle Suleman,

Like all men caught with their pants down, @APOSTLESULEMAN is here blaming the victim while his moronic followers shout for joy.

 Ashiwaju Bisi Alimi (@bisialimi)

( wuzupnigeria)
According to a report by 247ureports ,the governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El Rufai maybe engaged in the battle of his life at a medical facility in Europe.

It was gathered that the Kaduna State governor collapsed at his state office in Kaduna on the week of March 1, 2017 in what medical experts suspect maybe related a stroke. A source from Kaduna government house confirmed to this online newspaper that the Governor had been sickly and had been having collapsing spells shortly following his participation at the Kogi polls. It was understood that after the electoral polls in Kogi where he played a pivotal role for the All Progressive Congress [APC], he began displaying a weakened health status. It later deteriorated to the governor collapsing at the office and at meetings.

It is uncertain the present status of the Governor presently, but the Governor was not around to welcome the return of the President when the aircraft landed at the Kaduna Airport. He was represented by the deputy Governor.

Governor El Rufai had been engaged in a verbal clash with the founder of omega fire ministries, Apostle John Suleiman. Governor El Rufai had banned all public evangelism in Kaduna State. The introduced licensing of all evangelical events by the state government as the only allowed evangelism in the State. Apostle Suleiman denounced the Governor and called him anti christian. The Apostle even prophesied that the Governor will die. El Rufai responded by asking for the date of his death.

All efforts to reach the Chief of Staff of the Kaduna State Government to confirm the authenticity of the report proved abortive, as telephones were not picked

Source: BreakingTimes
Whenever intense discussions about reforming Nigerias education system emerges in the public square or policy corridors, they are usually triggered by the release of yet another (!) poor WAEC/Jamb exam results. If you think further, you will see that these discussions are perpetually led by adults and fueled by their 21st century economic aspirations for Nigerian children. Implicit in these reform narratives (see:1969 curriculum conference,Ezekwesili, 2006 comprehensive reform plans, and the Unified private school examination amongst other) are some faulty assumptions. Firstly, that the success of students as well as the effectiveness of the education system should be determined by student performance in examinations. Therefore, the more we test and examine students, the smarter they will become. Secondly, adults are the experts  they know it all and best. On the other hand, secondary school students are mere recipients of knowledge and their lived experiences/identities have no role in the classroom or on how they experience schooling.

Consequently, students views do not have a central place in the education reform process. Thirdly, that Nigeria is a post-colonial society and schools are neutral spaces that do not absorb the unjust social relations and histories that occur in the broader society. But, how valid are these assumptions? What can the experiences of young Nigerians tell us about what needs to change in the Nigerian education system?

Preliminary findings from my ongoing doctoral research project shows the need to include student experiences and views in efforts aimed at making Nigerias education system culturally responsive, just and inclusive for all. Based on the responses from 1500+student survey entries and interviews with ten students from private and public Nigerian secondary schools, it is clear that student-learning and schooling experiences are heavily influenced by their social class, ethnicity and the stereotypes associated with their ethnic groups. There appears to be blatant discrimination against certain students by teachers, bullying between students and emotional abuse by school authorities especially when it comes to student grades. There is also a lot of variation in teaching and in some high cost private schools, the Nigerian curriculum seems to be reinterpreted to suit the agenda of the private schools while absorbing the power dynamics of the local community. Below are some highlights:

1) Almost every student that filled out my questionnaire has said that they were severely punished (some were sent to detention!) or made to pay a fine when they spoke their indigenous languages in school. English was the superior language.

2) A self- identified Hausa-Fulani female student that I interviewed talked about the predominant perception in her Federal government school which suggested that Hausa students are not smart while the Igbos are deemed to be smart. So, whenever she/any Hausa girl puts her hands up in class to answer a question, the teacher skips them and goes for the Igbo girl. When she gives a chorus answer (screams out the answer) even when the Igbo student fails the question, she was punished. She talked about how this became a self-fulfilling prophecy amongst Hausa girls their teachers did not expect more from them, so they did not bother.

3) The Igbo girl that I interviewed attended a high cost Catholic private school in eastern Nigeria  she talked about how she was taught in an insular way, as if the best identity one could be is Catholic and Igbo. So, students who were not Igbo felt excluded in the school. Even though you are not Catholic, you were forced to do all the Catholic norms.

4) Two students I interviewed were from Kogi and Akwa Ibom. They attended high cost private schools in Abuja and they talked about the intense bullying non-Hausas experienced in school. They talked about how cliquey the Hausa students were in their school and how they always spoke Hausa and out rightly tried to castigate anyone they thought was Igbo or simply not Hausa. To belong was to speak Hausa. Even the teachers spoke Hausa to the students but the male participant said when he tried to speak his indigenous language with his brother, he was shunned. The girl shared an experience where a Hausa classmate came to her to tell her that she hated Igbos, thinking she was Igbo but she is Igala, and from Kogi state. I asked why they didnt report these issues, they said teachers/administration ignored these issues simply because of who they thought their parents were or trivialized it as student banter. The participant from Akwa Ibom said that things got out of hand in his school that a bloody fight broke out after exams between non-Hausas vs. Hausas.

5) My participant who is from Akwa Ibom shared that a teacher said something very offensive about Akwa Ibom people. He reported to the principal and the teacher got fired. But he believes that the teacher got fired simply because of who they thought his father was.

6) One of my participants went to a Foreign (e.g: Chinese, Turkish, Japanese) Nigerian secondary school  she talked about how they were mandated to learn the foreign language (not English or French, e.g. Chinese, Turkish, Japanese) till SS2 but questioned why Nigerian languages were stopped at JSS2. She says that they also had to sing the anthem of the country every day.

7) My last two interviewees were neither Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba  even though Nigerian languages was offered, none of theirs was an option. The female participant said she felt like another line in the schools balance sheet.

These is so much to say about these experiences, but, what is clear is that our schools are a microcosm of the Nigerian society. The ethnic divisions that play out in broader society are alive and well in our schools and amongst our teenagers. Interviewing students in a way that affirmed their numerous social identities (ethnic, religious, social class), talents and personal aspirations revealed these ethnic tensions. From these student experiences, it is also clear that our schools are not politically neutral.They are in fact social sites where social inequalities and unjust social relations are reproduced, consolidated and sustained. But this doesnt have to be so. Schools could also be sites for students to be equipped with the knowledge they require to disrupt the social inequalities and unjust social relations in our society.

So, in thinking about how to change the Nigerian education system, not only do we need to solicit the views of students, we must put students at the center of the discussion. In doing so, we must look at students as whole and complex beings with multiple identities (ethnic, religious, economic, political, etc) that shape how they learn, engage and succeed/ fail in school. Consequently, all these identities must be honored, engaged and negotiated with in the process of facilitating student development. Just as important, we must uphold the symbiotic relationship between our students, schools and the society at large. Schools do not operate in a social silo. Students dont stop being who they are in the broader society once they enter schools.

Therefore, in thinking about changing our education system, we must also think about changing our society at large. If some students report feeling excluded and punished simply because they are not from a major ethnic group or hold unique beliefs or come from a less affluent families, this is selective discrimination and it is what it is  unjust! We musttackle it head on, defend all children and ask urgent philosophical questions of ourselves: what needs to change in the way Nigerian citizenship is currently defined and operationalized to ensure that students who are not Ibo, Yoruba or Hausa still feel just as important in the classroom/school curriculum?Of course, this is an ongoing question that overflows into broader national conversation about federalism and the need for Nigeria to in practice, pursue a multicultural national framework based on equity, justice and inclusion for all.

In the interim, a lot can be done at the policy, civil society and school level. Curriculum wise, we must identify specific content that needs be included in the curriculum to ensure our children learn to honour themselves as evolving complex yet holistic beings, their cultural heritage and fulfil their existential responsibility of incorporating the noble aspirations/struggles of their ancestors into their human endeavours while enriching the world through their unique cultural root.

Our curriculum must also help students learn about shared histories between ethnic groups and appreciate the value of diversity. Doing this goes beyond the sad situation we currently see in schools where our indigenous knowledge systems and heritage are relegated to a few cultural days and simplified to the showcase of food, dance and clothes that are mostly imported from China! At the very least, we must develop a mandatory decolonial course that seeks to unify secondary students through their indigenous and national histories to interrogate these perceptions students/teachers have about each other, show what we have in common while affirming each others rights to be different.

Many innovative approaches can be considered in teaching such a course  providing an environment in which students from different ethnic groups work on critical projects together and learn about each others history and heritage in the process; encourage projects where students can create a theme song/anthem with a new language  this new language could be an amalgamation of different languages/histories/aspirations; encouraging students to share experiences of inclusion/exclusion and privilege both in school and outside of school; bringing in elders (especially from the minor (this word needs to be scrapped from our national lingo!) ethnic groups) into the classroom to share their experiences, exposing students to videos/literature that reveals pre-colonial trade/social linkages between African communities and how these linkages were critical in securing independence victory across the continent.

Such a course will only thrive within a broader schooling context and society that centres justice, honours every student as an equal cultural being and draws from their diverse knowledge systems/experiences to teach mainstream subjects and reinvent our reality.

The student accounts of being punished and some detained for speaking their indigenous language in school brings to the fore the decolonizing and anti-colonial imperative of educational change in Nigeria. It is about time that we re-negotiate our relationship with English language. The paradox with our obsession with English is our collective immunity to the dehumanization associated with the language. Interestingly, no matter our high we go in Western education or how polished our English is, as Black people, we will never be English enough for the White person.

For example, in Canada, a handful of white Canadians have expressed sincere amazement at the quality of my English. Upon hearing me speak, they ask: How come you speak such good English? Yet, I have spoken English my entire life as if it were my mother tongue! I am not even fluent in my indigenous language, Igor. When you are even accepted as a good English speaker, your accent is called into question! They say, you speak too fast, you dont enunciate well. But in our globally diverse English world, whose English is the yard stick of perfect enunciation and accents? Even after we all go to school in Nigeria in English and go ahead to London or America to obtain a Masters degree, as a Nigerian citizen that wants to do a doctorate, you must still show proof of English by paying to write a test!

To an extent, this is bewilderment with my competence in English is understandable. The White person that asks such a question rightfully acknowledges that I am culturally different from them. Although, she/he may also associate English with intelligence, an attribute that a racist mind assumes is absent in non-Whites. So, why are Nigerian schools and parents not educating children not to be able to fully substantiate their cultural difference  through language, stories,self-knowledge, et? Instead, we are taught to be English/western imposters with experiences and aspirations like the English.

As a nation, it is self-destructive and intellectually lazy for us to imagine that the only way we can survive as a unified country is to position a foreign language, English, superior to our indigenous languages and experiences. I understand and appreciate the convenience associated with English language serving as a unifier. But this doesnt warrant that our indigenous languages be regarded as vernacular and students being punished for speaking their indigenous language.

Lastly, no one can over emphasize the role of parents/homes in laying the foundation and setting the expectation for what it means to be a successful child in a racist world such as the one we live in. Sadly, poverty and unreasonable work hours in Nigeria is drawing parents apart from their children and in more cases now, breaking families apart. Nevertheless, Nigerian parents need a decolonization, social justice and healing retreat. In the quest to make their children globally competitive, affluent parents especially demand all sorts of divisive and colonizing experiences in private schools.

But as many young students who eventually go abroad to study will tell you, the KKK and racist class mates/bus drivers care less about who your parents are or the side of Lagos you lived-in or the secondary school you attended, all that matters is that you are Black and your ancestors are slaves! Indeed, racism no dey look Black man face. Whatever change that can happen in our schools and society at large owe a great deal to the role our parents play in modelling what is important and the environment that is made available to children at home and beyond. PTAs must be retooled to deal with these issues and help parents teach their kids better and demand that their schools open the minds of their children. And to say the least, teacher training must be REVAMPED!! But this one is a discussion for another day!

Chizoba Imoka is a PhD candidate in Educational Policy & Leadership at Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto. She is also the CEO of Unveiling Africa, a non-profit that provides a platform for Nigerian teenagers to participate in community mobilization, civic and political advocacy. She can be reached at [email protected]

Source: Vanguard
Ibrahim Magu has been rejected by the Senate for confirmation as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .

Mr Magu was rejected after the Senators voted against his confirmation.

The Senator representing Kogi west Dino Melaye, had cited a fresh security report from the Department of State Services (DSS).

The lawmakers said the anti-graft czar failed integrity test.

In December 2016, The Nigerian Senate refused to grant confirmation to the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Explaining the reason behind the decision, the Senate said that security report available to it showed that Mr Magu is not fit to be chairman of the body.

In this regard, the lawmakers sent back his nomination letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Addressing journalists at the National Assembly, Senate Spokesman, Aliyu Abdullahi said that based on security reports, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm the acting EFCC Chairman.

Based on security reports available to the Senate, the Senate cannot proceed to confirm Mr Magu, consequently, the Senate rejects the nomination and returns the nomination to President Buhari, he said.

Shortly after the Senate spokesman briefed journalists, the acting EFCC Chairman was seen hurriedly leaving the National Assembly complex.

With the Senate throwing back the nomination of the Mr Magu back to President Buhari, it is not clear at this point what the Presidents action would be.
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and his Delta State counterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa have said that the Late Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia would be remembered for his numerous contributions to the development of defunct Bendel State.

This was as the governors, receiving the remains of late Ogbemudia, a two-time governor of old Bendel State (now Edo and Delta) at the Benin Airport on Monday, referred to him as a friend to all.

According to Governor Obaseki, he left a lasting legacy, which Edo is building on.

He admonished me and assured me of his support during my electioneering period. I cannot forget the encouragement he gave me, without his open and clear endorsement, my campaign would have been difficult, the governor said.

Meanwhile Governor Okowa described late Ogbemudia as a role model to politicians, noting that he still lives through his works.

He said, I want to condole with the family of the late elder statesman; he meant a lot to both states of Edo and Delta. We will remember him for so many things; as at today, a lot of things still stand in his name.

Speaking about his last moment with late Ogbemudia, Governor Okowa recalled that he had a quiet time with him in 2015, when he invited him to deliver a lecture during his birthday.

Source: Leadership
The Head Pastor of Love Fire Ministry,Godwin Emmanuel,also known as Prophet Speed in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State have been reportedly killed by Gunmen.

The Benin-based pentecostal church was reported to be killed on Sunday along Oko Central road, off Airport road in Benin.

According to eye witness reports, It was learnt that the deceased was on his way to deliver food items to some indigent members of his church in the area when he was attacked by the gunmen.

It was also gathered that the cleric founded his church 11 months ago.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Nkombe, could not be reached for comments.

But the spokesman for the church, Festus Edema, said the gunmen had pretended to be pushing a faulty vehicle off the road, and the pastor followed slowly with his own vehicle to allow them push the vehicle safely.

Edema said that the attackers suddenly shot him in the chest and stomach.

He explained, The man of God stopped for them to pass so that he can have his way. He never knew that they were the people who came to attack him.

So, that was how they shot him in the chest and the stomach. Being a strong man, he still tried to put the car in reverse.

And as he was reversing the car, he hit a fence and they came to shoot him at a close range; that silenced him.

Some members of the church expressed shock and sadness over his death.

One of them, who identified himself simply as Pastor Esquire, said that the clerics death had left him devastated.

He said, When I heard about the news of his death, it was devastating and shocking. It is a painful one, very painful. But God will give us the strength to go through it.

( Punch Nigeria )
The House of Representatives yesterday resolved to probe an American International School in Abuja and other foreign institutions involved in collecting school fees in dollar.

The decision followed a motion by Emmanuel Agboola (Ekiti-PDP) and 14 other members, who condemned the practice. The lawmakers said it was exploitative to charge parents school fees and other levies in foreign currency.

Leading the debate on the motion, Agboola explained that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had, on April 17, 2015 issued a circular titled Currency Substitution and Dollarisation of the Nigerian Economy to reform the currency regulations.

He said the circular was in pursuant to Sections 15, 20(1) and (5) of the CBN Act, which made it illegal to price or denominate the cost of any product or service in any foreign currency in the country other than the naira.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the American International School, Abuja (AISA) and several others were charging school fees in foreign currency, contrary to the law.

He added that the school charges fees and levies based on the parallel market and prevailing rates for the day. He said: Depending on the rate at the black market, parents of children in the same class could pay different fees for their wards, which is a rip-off on Nigerians.

When Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun put the motion to a vote and it was unanimously adopted in a voice vote. The motion was later referred to the House Committee on Basic Education for further legislative action.

Source: Guardian
It was a situation of answered prayers for Miss Maranatha Innocent ,as she released by suspected ritual killers who kidnapped her along Katsina Ala Street, Makurdi, Benue State after she spent five days in captivity.

According to Maranathas cousin, Love, told Northern City News on Sunday that the former came back to the house five days after her disappearance but could not utter a word about her experience.

She said that after she was hospitalised, Maranatha informed the family that she was abducted by suspected ritual killers and kept in a house with two other female victims.

Love said, Maranatha told us that she took an okada from the bank and when they got to a lonely spot along Katsina Ala Street, the Okada man said he wanted to urinate.

As she was waiting for him, a vehicle with three men pulled up and asked her for direction, but she lost consciousness as she attempted to speak and found herself in a room with two other girls who were similarly tied.

According to Love, Maranatha said a man who appeared to be the leader of the gang entered the room and selected the victim to be used for his rituals.

All this while, they were not eating, but on that particular day, a man came into the room with a staff and he just placed it above the head of a victim and the staff made a weird sound, but when it came to Maranathas turn, the staff just made a small sound and it kept shaking and shaking, so they slapped her and said she should be taken away, she narrated.

She continued, She woke up to find herself at that same spot where they abducted her. She woke up to find herself lying on the ground and so she took a bike home, Love added.

She disclosed that the spot where her cousin was abducted was notorious for kidnapping, adding that a number of sympathisers phoned to inform her about the high incidence of abduction around the area.

Love said her cousin was molested, but noted that she was recuperating.

( Punch Nigeria )
According to new reports, Apostle Sulemans alleged mistress Stephanie Otobo has officially petitioned the Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, asking the police to investigate multiple allegations against him.

She has accused him of illegal procurement of abortion, threat to life, and attempted murder.

Read the petition below:

Miss. Stephanie Otobo,

Lekki, Lagos.

Monday, March 13, 2017

The Commissioner of Police,

The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos State.

Dear Sir,

PETITION AGAINST APOSTLE JOHNSON SULEMAN FOR ILLEGAL PROCUREMENT OF ABORTION, THREAT TO LIFE AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.

Sir, my name is Miss Stephanie Otobo, and I wish to bring a formal complaint to you against one Apostle Johnson Suleman as follows:

That sometime in June 2015, Apostle Suleman Johnson and I started an amorous relationship in far away Canada. The relationship was nurtured by Apostle Suleman who inundated me with cash gifts and pleasure trips all over Europe.

In particular, I was invited by Apostle Suleman to join him for his crusade that was held in 2015 at Napoli, Italy, the full expenses for the trip was paid for by the gentleman. While in Napoli, Apostle Suleman would preach and do miracle in the day time and take the much needed rest in my bosom at night.

Napoli was our love nest for three (3) good days and after the crusade Apostle Suleman left Napoli and I also returned to Canada.

Shortly after the Napoli experience, I discovered that I was pregnant for Apostle Suleman. I called my lover to inform him of the pregnancy but Apostle Suleman was not particularly excited about the news rather he requested that I should come to Nigeria.

Based on Apostle Suleimans instruction I left Canada for Nigeria to meet Apostle Suleman. It is important to note that despite the amorous relationship, I saw Apostle Suleman like a father figure who takes care of me and to whom I was extremely obedient to.

I arrived Nigeria on the 25th of August, 2015 and clandestine arrangement was made for the two (2) of us to meet and consequently, I met Apostle Suleman at Definite Destiny Hotel, beside Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State. It was at the hotel that I was given a concoction to drink by Apostle Suleman who told me that the concoction was for my spiritual fortification. But in less than ten (10) minutes after drinking the concoction, I started vomiting blood and passing out blood. Apostle Suleman then gave me pills to stop the blood though the blood did not stop immediately but the pain subsided and the pregnancy was gone.

I was devastated by the development and Apostle Suleman gave me cash gifts in three (3) different currencies, to wit; Euro, Dollars and Naira to console and compensate me for the loss of the pregnancy. I could not come to terms with the facts that the man that claimed to love me and promised to marry me, could procure abortion for me without my consent which could have lead to my death.

Unfortunately Apostle Suleman did not stop at procuring abortion for me without my consent but also in a desperate bid to keep the amorous relationship between him and I a secret not known to his teeming followers, Apostle Suleman invented various devices to bully and threaten my life.

It is against this backdrop that I urge you to use your good offices to call for a thorough and dispassionate investigation into the above allegations. I plead with you, in the course of your investigation, to confirm the exchange of all our text messages from the networks, forensic analysis of all the nude pictures we both sent to ourselves (and whether they are, indeed, photo-shopped or authentic), our international passports to confirm the dates and times of our travels, investigation concerning the hotels we slept together both in and out of Nigeria and bank accounts to confirms the transfers of funds.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

MISS. STEPHANIE OTOBO

(yabaleftonline)
Eze was paraded along with one Ogochi Nwekei and Gladys Augustine at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday. The fourth suspect, Elizabeth, who was said to be ill, was not paraded.

Reports had it that Augustine, who claimed to be Mary John, connived with one Samuel, who is at large, to abduct three-year-old Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, from her parents residence in the Alagbado area of Lagos.

To hatch the plan, 28-year-old Augustine enrolled for beads-making apprenticeship at Oluwasemilores mothers shop in January, giving her name as Mary John. She fled to Anambra with the girl seven days after.

The girl was handed over to Eze, who confessed to selling her to Elizabeth through Nwekei, for N500,000. Oluwasemilore was, however, recovered by the police after Augustine was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos on February 23.

It had further reported that some parents from different parts of the state had stormed the command and identified Augustine as the abductor of their children, saying the suspect adopted the same gimmick with which Oluwasemilore was abducted.

The victims included four-year-old Farouk and his sister, Kafayat, 6, who were allegedly abducted in the Okokomaiko area in November 2016. The children had yet to be found.

But Augustine denied abducting the kids, saying, Oluwasemilore was her first abduction. She said Samuel had lied to her that he and Oluwasemilores mother, Tobiloba Adebiyi, gave birth to the girl, but she (Tobiloba) denied him access to the girl.

The Cross River State indigene stated that Samuel introduced Eze to her as his mother and promised her N50,000 if the plan worked out.

She said, I came to Lagos in 2010 and I worked as a housemaid. I used the money I got to open a shop. Eventually, I was sent away from the shop and I needed money to start another business. I met Samuel at Mowo bus stop in Badagry in January.

He said he impregnated a woman and the woman (Tobiloba) left him to marry another man. He said he wanted to get back the child, but the woman refused. He asked me to work for the woman in order to snatch the child and he promised to give me N50,000. On the day I snatched the girl, I took her to a bus stop and bought her a snack.

When I took the girl to Samuel, he said I should take her to his mother, Mrs. Eze, in Anambra. He said he would tell the girls mother that he was the one who took her. I later returned to Lagos, thinking he had told the woman. I was surprised when the police arrested me.

The grandmother, Rita, said she took N40,000 from the proceed, gave Augustine N60,000 and sent the remaining sum to Samuel. She added that she used the money to pay the rent on her apartment.

She said, I met Michael in December 2016 at a party in Awka through a secondary school friend, who is an aunt to him. He told me that he impregnated a woman in Lagos and that he would send the child to me to help take care of her. When Gladys (Augustine) brought the girl, Samuel told me to sell her for N500,000.

I informed Ogochi (Nwekei) and she said one of her friends, Elizabeth, wanted to buy a child. Elizabeth paid N500,000. Samuel told me to give Augustine N50,000 and another N10,000 for her transport back to Lagos, while I got N40,000. I sent the remaining N400,000 to Samuel. I used the money to pay my house rent. I have five children and grandchildren.

Sixty-year-old Nwekei said she only facilitated the sale of the girl, claiming that she did not receive anything from the money.

I told Rita (Eze) that a friend, Elizabeth, wanted to adopt a child and she promised to call me whenever she got one. One day, she called me that a child was brought to her. I asked her whether there would not be any problem and she assured me that there would be none. I didnt know it would turn out this way, she added.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, while briefing journalists on the arrest, said the suspects would subsequently be charged to court.

( Punch Nigeria )
It was an horrific sight to behold as a woman was brutally beaten by men of the Nigerian Army, after the incident happened some sympathisers took to the social media to seek justice on behalf of the woman after she was allegedly beaten mercilessly by soldiers for protesting after her brother was slapped by a soldier.

The photo of the woman, showing her sore back has been shared more than 7,000 times on Facebook with the hope that it will be seen by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

Though it cannot be ascertained when and where the assault occurred, but it was claimed that it was carried out by soldiers attached to 174 Battalion, Ikorodu, Lagos.

I think Nigerian Army should be called to order fast, Sheriff Alabi Mosalu who posted the photo on Facebook wrote.

This lady was brutalised by (soldiers from) 174 Battallion Ikorodu, all because she challenged a soldier that slapped her brother.

This is becoming too much and barbaric likewise. I dont want to believe our soldiers are animalskilode.

See the photos of the brutalised woman below.

( Punch Nigeria )
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the adultery allegation against Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Power Ministry by one Miss Stephanie Otobo as a high-level conspiracy meant to destroy the integrity of the pastor and silence his critical and principled voice of truth and dissent in a nation fast becoming a one-party state.

The governor expressed his view in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, condemning the scandal as an evil plan carried out by the All Progressives Congress (APC) cabal to destroy the controversial pastors church.

This was the same way they tried to drag the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christians Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in the mud. The whole world was aghast at how they insulted and ridiculed the highly-revered RCCG General Overseer. But for the outcry from all over the world, they almost bundled out Pastor Adeboye from his position as RCCG General Overseer and could have even arrested the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo, Mr. Fayose said.

He expressed his support for the embattled pastor, saying, I stand by Apostle Suleman and other men of God being directly or indirectly persecuted by the All Progressives Congress cabal.

Their evil plan is to destroy the Church so as to silence every perceivable strong voice of opposition. And their mode of operation is to take on every vocal, principled, and popular man of God one after the other.

Should it not interest Nigerians and the international community that up till today, none of those herdsmen that killed thousands of Nigerians in Benue, Enugu, Delta, Ogun, Plateau and Kaduna States have been arrested? Even those arrested in connection with the murder of the Abuja-based female pastor, Eunice Elisha, have been released.

Governor Fayose wondered why all the adultery allegations and blackmail against Apostle Suleman surfaced only after he spoke out against the reckless and indiscriminate killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna and his subsequent encounter with the Department of State Services (DSS).

This, no doubt, is a continuation of the desperate but despicable and condemnable attempts to destroy opposition and the voices of reason in this country so as to subjugate every decent Nigerian and turn the country into a banana republic.

After politically subjugating many Nigerians, including a section of the judiciary that refused to do their bidding, they have now turned on men of God. This is condemnable, the governor said.

Mr. Fayose charged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Christian bodies not to stay aloof but to stand up resolutely and speak out vociferously against what he called an orchestrated attempt to destroy the Church and respected Church leaders in Nigeria.

He berated those behind the travails of Apostle Suleman as confirmed polygamists, serial adulterers, and others whose holier-than-thou attitudes were hypocritical.

Anyone who has a case against any man of God should swear an oath, proceed to the law court and face the rigors rather than engage in media trials and character assassination, which have become the hallmark of this administration.

The Ekiti State governor questioned why the perpetrators of the wicked scheme against Apostle Suleman were not relenting even after the father of the woman making the wild allegations had punctured her loathsome and outrageous claims.

The family of Stephanie Otobo has disclaimed her and her claims. Rather than own up and recant, those paying for the entire drama are making her to change and modify her claims, which are collapsing like a pack of cards. All other efforts to enlist other blackmailers against this man of God have likewise collapsed irretrievably.

I therefore make bold to say that I stand by Apostle Suleman. I also call on all those who believe in me to do likewise and carry the message abroad. To me, this plot against Apostle Suleman is madness carried too far.

One wonders why this same resource and vigor with which Apostle Suleman is being blackmailed have not been deployed into confronting those murderous herdsmen that are slaughtering Nigerians like animals across the country, Mr. Fayose concluded.

Source: SaharaReporters
Mr. Olamilekan Adeyemi, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates Court on a two-count charge on Wednesday, he has been charged for allegedly defiling his nine-year-old pupil.

The accused, Adeyemi, who resides on Akinyede Crescent, Akowonjo was charged with sexual assault and defilement.

The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu told the court that the teacher committed the offences on March 9 at the minors house on Lambe Ikudaisi Street, Akowonjo.

Ogu said that the accused went to the victims house to give her extramural lesson when he defiled her.

The accused is the victims class teacher; he also goes to her house to teach her after school hours.

On this day, the accused met the victim and her younger brother at home. He sent the boy out and defiled the girl, the prosecutor submitted.

He said that the minor later told her mother about the defilement and she apprehended the accused.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravene Sections 135 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Akanni adjourned the case to April 5 for mention.

( PM News )
12, 000 of the 50,000 severely malnourished children in the North-East ravaged by insurgency has been provided treatment by the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund.

Mr Omar Abdi, the UNICEF Executive Director, Programmes, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, who led a team of officials on a visit, said that UNICEF was working toward reaching more children affected by the problem in the area.

We are seriously concerned about the situation of children as a result of conflict; nearly 50,000 children are severely malnourished as a result of food crisis in the North-East

We have scaled up our programmes in working with the partners to support the governments efforts toward responding to the crisis.

So far, we have scaled up our response at the malnourished community reaching 12,000 children that were severely malnourished, he said.

Abdi said that UNICEF still needs to do more, considering the gravity of the problem. We need to double that number four times in order to reach those children that are affected.

Children that are severely malnourished, if not treated, can be at risk of dying, not of malnutrition alone, but of diseases like cholera and diarrhea he said.

The UNICEF official said that the visit to Borno was aimed at getting first hand information on the humanitarian crisis in the state.

We are here to see the situation of children in this war-ravaged region and to talk to partners, government and non-governmental organisations on response to the emergency.

He concluded, UNICEF has always been around working with the state governments.

Abdi described Nigeria as one of the largest UNICEF programmes in the world.

According to him, the agency is also concern about the protection of children, especially those affected by wars, and also their education. Nearly a quarter of kids in the area are still out of school. Those in schools are studying in overcrowded classes, so they need more spacious classes, he said.

( Vanguard Nigeria )
Customers who have Reserved Instance contracts with Amazon Web Services will be able to subdivide some of their Linux and Unix virtual machine instances while maintaining their capacity discounts, thanks to pricing changes announced Monday.

Reserved Instances allow customers to lock themselves into paying AWS for a certain amount of compute capacity with the company's EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) in exchange for a discount off its list price.

[ To the cloud! Real-world container migrations. | Dig into the the red-hot open source framework in . ]

Under the new scheme, a customer could pay for a c4.8xlarge Regional Reserved Instance, and use that payment to run one c4.4xlarge and two c4.2xlarge virtual machines in one region instead of one massive VM. That's a change from the past, when Amazon's standard Reserved Instances locked customers into a particular virtual machine type.

In addition, customers that under-provision their Regional RIs can maintain their reserved instance discounts as they scale up. That means customers with c4.4xlarge reservations will end up only paying half of the on-demand price on top of the reserved instance price if they scale it up to a c4.8xlarge instance.

That's designed to be particularly useful for customers dealing with workloads that see spikes in demand (like retailers on Black Friday). They still get the reserved instance discounts but can maintain the scale-up flexibility that on-demand customers get.

It's a move that may make Reserved Instances more appealing, because customers will get additional flexibility for the same amount of money. Customers who currently have Regional RIs with shared tenancy will see the benefit applied automatically.

It's a move that builds on the RI changes AWS introduced last year. At that time, the company introduced Convertible Reserved Instances, which let customers take less of a discount over a three-year period in exchange for being able to switch instance types if they need to.

There are a couple major differences between the subdivision and scale-up capabilities introduced Monday and Convertible RIs. Subdivision flexibility only applies to instance size, not type. Meanwhile, Convertible RIs can be converted to other instance families if a customer chooses.

AWS's latest changes also help deal with one of the key drawbacks Convertible RIs. In the past, customers who wanted to convert had to pick out instances of equal or greater value. Now, they can also choose to subdivide those instances.

Right now, this benefit is only available for Linux/Unix Regional RIs, so customers running other software like Microsoft's Windows Server are still locked in. Customers who want to reserve dedicated capacity in a particular AWS Availability Zone won't be able to take advantage of it, either.

The move comes less than a week after Google announced its own competing version of capacity reservation in what seemed like a response to AWS's Reserved Instances. GCP Committed Use Discounts allow customers to get a discount if they commit to paying for a certain amount of CPU cores and RAM over the course of a one- or three-year contract.

Google's plan offers more flexibility than AWS's, because customers aren't restricted to a set menu of different instance shapes. However, AWS's cloud platform is the more popular one with customers at the moment.
Soybean (ZS) Retests Weekly Chart Triangle Resistance Ahead of WASDE Tradable Patterns - Sun Nov 6, 10:53PM CST Soybean (ZSF23) is forming a daily and weekly Doji to start the week, hesitating after last weeks strong surge to triangle resistance (on the weekly chart). With ZS having reversed more than half... ZSF23 : 1460-2 (-0.14%) SOYB : 27.65 (+1.51%)

Cattle and Hog support and resistance for the week ONE44 Analytics - Sun Nov 6, 5:17PM CST You take care of the growing and we will take care of where it's going!

Lean Hogs Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Nov 6, 2:01PM CST The downtrend may be expected to continue, while market is trading below resistance level 84.675, which will be followed by reaching support level 80.675 and if it keeps on moving down below that level,...

Feeder Cattle Weekly Forecast Kolhanov.com - Sun Nov 6, 2:00PM CST 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 - Sun Nov 6, 1:59PM CST 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 - Sun Nov 6, 1:59PM CST 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 - Sun Nov 6, 1:58PM CST 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
Development-Management Inc. (DMI) is developing a new self-storage facility in the historic South End of Charlotte, N.C. The company acquired the 3.5-acre site at 536 W. Tremont for $1.5 million last year as part of a bankruptcy sale, according to a press release. Expected to open next year, the facility will be DMIs sixth property in the city and ninth in the Carolinas.

Construction on the two-story, 120,000-square-foot facility between South Tryon Street and Toomey Avenue will begin later this year. Once complete, the building will feature 98,000 square feet of rentable storage space. It will also include a wine cellar and an industrial chic aesthetic that will be consistent with the neighborhood, the release stated. The facilitys design will work with the sites existing grades to allow customers to access lower-level storage units from the front of the property and the upper level from the back of the building by car, eliminating the need for stairwells or elevators.

With this rare investment opportunity, we will introduce a modern self-storage facility in Charlottes South End, one of the nations hottest submarkets for multi-family development, while providing highly competitive rates to our customers, said Ivon Rohrer III, vice president.

Founded in 1976, Charlotte-based DMI has developed more than 25 shopping centers totaling nearly 3 million square feet in the Carolinas and Virginias, and leases and manages 12 shopping centers totaling 850,000 square feet. Through its self-storage arm, DMI Storage, the company has nine self-storage facilities under development or management in the Carolinas.
They may be latecomers to the defined contribution world, but the Japanese are making big strides in retirement savings.

Japans most recent effort, which took effect at the start of the year, will expand eligibility in the countrys 15-year-old defined contribution system to include public-sector employees, non-working spouses of plan participants, and others previously only covered by defined benefit pensions. Beyond allowing universal participation in so-called DC plans, Japan has come up with a creative means to bring employees of small employers into the system: The government intends to allow small companies  those with fewer than 100 employees  to make contributions to employees individual retirement accounts.

Japan is finding new ways of helping its 65 million workers save after realizing, back at the turn of the century, that it had become increasingly difficult for a country with the oldest population in the world  a full third of its citizens are now over 60  to keep its head in the sand when it came to the economic future of its growing elderly population. The Japanese government created a retirement plan system for its private sector by passing the Defined Contribution Pension Act, which was enacted in 2001.

In Japan, as in the U.S. and elsewhere, it is costly for small employers to sponsor DC plans. There are no economies of scale for financial services firms that sell small plans, and they pass the costs on to employers. If companies are able to make direct contributions into their workers IRAs, the savings rate could rise substantially.

With the help of Japans 2001 legislation, by November 2014 there were 4,520 employer-sponsored DC plans covering 19,124 employers, according to Haruka Urata, a director of benefits at consulting firm Willis Towers Watsons Tokyo office. That adds up to around 4.5 million employees, says Tomohiro Kawaguchi, a consultant with Mercers Tokyo retirement consulting group. Still, after more than a decade in effect, only 10 percent of workers participate in either a company-sponsored or individual savings plan, according to Urata. He says about 700,000 employees have individual plans  which are similar to IRAs in the U.S.  for a total of 7.5 trillion ($66 billion) in assets.

Adoption of DC plans in Japan has been slow due to original restrictions on coverage and contribution amounts, according to Kawaguchis paper, 2016 Expected Reform of Japanese DC Code and Its Implications for the Future DC Prevalence in Japan as Contrasted to U.S. 401(k).

Japan is hardly alone in worrying about retirement savings. Countries such as Canada, Scandinavia, Chile, and Australia have devised national plans due to concern about the financial security of their workforce. Most have what is variously called Pillar I or a state pension  a basic universal retirement benefit along the lines of Social Security in the U.S. And while defined benefit pensions have worked as a necessary supplement for some fortunate workers, especially in the public sector, theyre decreasing in the private sector globally.

Officials in the U.K. recently found a national solution to remedy its savings gap. In 2012 it started an auto-enrollment program for private-sector workers, which has been particularly successful. By contrast, the U.S. Congress has long been unable to agree on a national retirement system.

To entice new participants in Japan, some DC plan administrators have reduced initial setup and ongoing administration fees to zero for the first few months, according to Willis Towers Watsons Urata. And investment option lineups in DC plans are being replaced by more competitive options to make saving more attractive. When the Japanese DC program was established, participants were defaulted into guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) or time-deposit accounts, similar to CDs in the U.S. Today 60 percent of Japanese DC participants are in these vehicles, says Urata. As the low-interest-rate environment has made it difficult for these accounts to grow, more attractive investment options such as equity mutual funds are being added to investment menus.

So how did Japan succeed in creating a new savings vehicle with continued increases to its effectiveness?

The initial draft was proposed in congress in 2015 and, not having aggressive opponents, it then passed in 2016, Kawaguchi writes in an email. He says concerns about the financial burden of the public pension scheme, as well as the quest for new solutions, are shared among politicians regardless of party or philosophy. This observation echoes the sentiment in the U.K. when the auto-enrollment scheme was passed by both houses of Parliament in 2010. At that time, pension experts reported that the legislators had stronger feelings about providing a universal, low-cost retirement scheme for millions of uncovered workers than voting along party lines.

There is still more work to be done in Japan. Contribution limits are still being addressed, including whether employees can contribute more than their employers. And asset transfers to and from DC plans are expected to be deregulated.
John-Austin Saviano plans to exit, II has learned  the latest example in an epidemic of turnover at elite US endowments.

The University of California Berkeleys investment chief John-Austin Saviano intends to step down in coming weeks, according to an internal email reviewed by II.

Savianos exit would bring to a close his inaugural tenure as CIO and president of the Berkeley Endowment Management Company, a standalone investment office launched in 2009. He did not specify where his next role might be, indicating that it may be an open decision.

Ill be at Cal for a while to help with transitioning while beginning the shift into this new phase, Saviano wrote. Whether institutions or very large families who are planning to launch an investment function, organizations who might need interim CIO services or help picking a consulting or OCIO [outsourced-CIO] relationship, Ill continue to serve the same institutional investor community. I may also work with a few select GPs on fund launch and marketing plans.

Neither Saviano nor the Berkeley spokesperson contacted responded immediately to requests for comment.

Savianos role is one of several with the chief investment officer title under the University of California umbrella. A central team in Oakland runs system-wide assets from the Office of the President  roughly $100 billion in retirement, operating capital, and endowment funds. UC CIO Jagdeep Bachher serves as investment chief to this overarching program, and reports to the Board of Regents. Still, many UC campuses choose to maintain their own portfolios in parallel, and staff in-house management teams.

Establishing Berkeleys portfolio company has been a highlight of my career, Saviano wrote in the email. Berkeleys mission, students and faculty are an enduring inspiration. To have work that is both intellectually satisfying and has the opportunity to make a difference to such an institution has been a real gift.

Saviano remains listed on the offices website as president and CIO, and succession plans remain unclear.
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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.
A leading specialist provider of underwriting, claims, and risk management services in the marine and transit sector is extending its reach to New Zealand. Allianz Marine and Transit (AM&T), an agent of Allianz Australia, has expanded into New Zealand, and has also taken charge of the underwriting and claims management of the marine portfolio of the Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty ( AGCS ) across the Pacific region.The geographic expansion will see the addition of an Auckland-based operation manned by Allianz NZ marine manager Darren Pattle and two well-known NZ marine specialists, Henry Wallace and Korey Pese, to its offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.The new AM&T operation will provide Kiwi brokers with cargo, carriers, commercial hull, and marine liability solutions.I am delighted that Henry, Korey, and Darren have joined our AM&T team, said AM&T CEO Stephen Ford. As highly respected figures in the NZ marine market, I am confident that they will be able to deliver a value and service proposition that will differentiate us from our competitors.
"I was a bit surprised by that," says expert
Areas of Tasmania that were decimated by flooding in June 2016 have been given an additional $2.15 million in disaster funding to help restore the area and boost mitigation.Minister for Justice, Michael Keenan, and deputy premier, Jeremy Rockliff, announced the extra funding, which will be provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).The severe storms, which impacted the Mersey-Dasher river system and caused almost $200 million worth of damage, saw some of the worst flooding in parts of the state for two decades.Rockliff said that the additional funding was important for the region as it focused on reducing the impact of future flood events and building the resilience of the Mersey-Dasher river system.This welcome addition to existing Tasmanian Government funded river recovery programs, such as the Agricultural Landscape Rehabilitation Scheme, will ensure river systems, including the Mersey, have the best chances of recovery and future resilience, he said.The funding comes as the insurance industry calls for the Government at both state and federal level to offer more mitigation funding. While much of the focus has been on Far North Queensland, other areas of the country could also benefit from additional spending on mitigation to lower insurance prices and boost resilience.The additional $2.15 million builds on other work at both state and federal level. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded for primary producers in nine LGAs to assist with clean-up and restoration, while freight subsidies of up to $15,000 per annum for primary producers have also been levied.
As European financial centres compete for firms seeking bases outside London after Brexit, Ireland has lodged a complaint to the European Commission that it is being undercut by its rivals.Minister of State at the Department of Finance told the Commission earlier this month that rival centres are engaging in regulatory arbitrage.We are hearing from various sources that companies are being offered certain incentives, that they are offering a back door to the single market, without the requirement to have capital to back up their entities in the European Union, Murphy told. He did not name specific countries.He said other European cities are being very aggressive in trying to win business, and described this as dangerous competition.The American Insurance Group ( AIG ) recently announced that it will locate an insurance hub in Luxembourg to maintain its operations across the EEA when the UK leaves the European Union.Its plans will see AIG have two subsidiary insurance companies in Europe from 2019  one in the UK to write UK business and the other in Luxembourg to write business for the EEA and Switzerland.A number of firms are nevertheless planning to set up shop in Ireland. Sylvia Cronin, director of insurance supervision at the Central Bank of Ireland, has revealed at least 30 insurance firms operating in the UK are looking to establish in Ireland to maintain their access to the EU market post-Brexit.Since November, we have received five applications for authorisation as insurance or reinsurance undertaking. A further five entities have signalled a firm intention to apply for such an authorisation, Cronin said at a KPMG event last week.We have been contacted by approximately another 20 insurance entities to discuss authorisation, she added.
It's critical to help clients make the most of the plans they have
An Oregon insurance agent has been acquitted of charges for shooting a homeless man who attacked and threatened him.Golden Key Insurance owner Charlie Win Chan will not be prosecuted according to a grand jury after shooting and killing Jason Gerald Petersen, a homeless man, last month.Local media outlet The Portland Mercury said in a report that the court decided Chan was justified in killing Petersen, who was found to be suffering from schizophrenia, which impairs proper judgment and distorts behaviour.Petersen was found to be hoarding belongings outside Chans place of business and became upset when Chan disposed of them. A statement to the police by Chan said Petersen threatened to kill him and burn down his business.Petersen then left, and Chan was said to have followed him and shot him in the abdomen once, killing him. Chan then called for emergency services, police said. Chan is licensed to carry a concealed weapon.The publication noted that officers could have elected to put a mental health hold on the man; potentially getting him reconnected with medication (that) family members said had helped him in the past.
The American Health Care Act made no mention of the removal of broker commissions from the medical loss ratio (MLR) provision, which is currently in place under the Obamacare health plan  and insurance agents arent happy.MLR stipulates that insurers have to spend as much as 85% of the premiums they collect on medical claims, which has resulted in the reduction of commissions by as much as 50% since the exchanges opened in 2010.Now, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) claims, in a report by publication ebn, that 80% of its members have seen a dip in commissions since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect.NAIFA senior vice president of government relations Diane Boyle said in the report that the body is asking the government to remove restrictions on commissions from both sides of the equation, as it does not belong in there at all.The MLR serves as a perverse disincentive for plans to reduce health insurance costs. The higher the premium, the easier it is to make the MLR fit, said Joel Wood, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers senior vice president for government affairs. Its a government price control, and those are always (an) anathema to our membership.Boyle added that the agent/broker community is certainly going to re-engage and see if (they) can have (the removal of commission restrictions) brought up as a priority issue with legislators.It is a concern. The concerns that we had before dont go away, she concluded.
A fire has destroyed several businesses in a Framingham, Mass., shopping plaza.

The fire started around 2 a.m. Saturday at the Old Path Village Complex. Authorities say the blaze was difficult to combat and fast-moving because of strong winds and bitter cold.

MetroWest Daily News reports that 10 businesses were destroyed by the fire, which started in the attic of a business in the middle of the plaza.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Affected business owners say theyre in shock and heartbroken.

No injuries were reported.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
Chinas Anbang Insurance Group said it is not investing in a flagship Manhattan office tower owned by the family of Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trumps son-in-law and senior adviser.

Anbang Insurance Group was named in a Bloomberg report on Monday as a possible investor in a $4 billion deal to buy the 41-floor building located at 666 Fifth Avenue, according to a copy of the agreement that was being circulated to attract additional investors.

The information about Anbang investment in 666 Fifth Avenue is not correct, there is no investment from Anbang for this deal, a spokesman for Anbang said in a statement on Tuesday.

The property was purchased by Kushner Cos in 2006 for $1.8 billion, which at the time was the highest price paid for a single building in Manhattan.

Kushner Companies is in active discussions around 666 5th Avenue, and nothing has been finalized, a spokesperson for the company said on Tuesday.

The New York Times had reported in January that Anbang Chairman Wu Xiaohui and Jared Kushner were nearing agreement on a joint venture to redevelop the building.

The aging property occupies a full block that fronts Fifth Avenue between 52nd and 53rd Street  prime real estate for retailers that is just steps from Rockefeller Center and St. Patricks Cathedral, and a few blocks south of Trump Tower.

Anbang, established in 2004 as an auto insurer, has emerged as one of Chinas most aggressive buyers of overseas assets in the past two years, spending more than $30 billion buying luxury hotels, insurers and other property assets.

Based in Beijing, Anbang manages some 1.65 trillion yuan ($240 billion) worth of assets, and has been involved in some high-profile deals, although a handful did not make it across the finish line.

The Chinese insurer abruptly pulled out of a $14 billion bid for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc last year, and its attempt to buy U.S. annuities and life insurer Fidelity & Guaranty Life is facing regulatory hurdles.

In 2014, the insurer bought New Yorks landmark Waldorf Astoria hotel from Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc for $1.95 billion. The company reportedly plans to convert as many as 1,100 of the hotels 1,413 rooms into condominiums.

Kroll Bond Rating Agency said 666 Fifth Avenue was 20 percent vacant as of July 2016, and valued the property at $982.1 million. Kroll called some $1.1 billion in debt on the building a loan of concern.

Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners of Class A office and high-end retail space in Manhattan, gained a 49.5 percent interest as part of a $1.215 billion recapitalization of the building in 2011.

Vornado did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ($1 = 6.9140 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Matthew Miller in Beijing and Koh Gui Qing and Herb Lash in New York; Editing by Bernard Orr and Richard Pullin)

Topics New York Property China
Pirates off the coast of Somalia, who hijacked an oil tanker with eight Sri Lankan crew on board, are demanding a ransom for the release of the vessel, the EU Naval Force said.

The pirates seized the Comoros-flagged Aris 13 tanker on Monday, the first such hijacking in the region since 2012, and took it to the port of Alula in the semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland.

The EU Naval Force  has received positive confirmation from the master of  Aris 13, that his ship and crew are currently being held captive by a number of suspected armed pirates in an anchorage off the north coast of Puntland, close to Alula, the force said in a statement late on Tuesday.

EU Navfor said as soon as it received an alert on the ships seizure, it sent patrol aircraft from its Djibouti base to try to make radio contact and late on Tuesday its headquarters in London managed to contact the vessels master by phone.

The master confirmed that armed men were on board his ship and they were demanding a ransom for the ships release. The EU Naval Force has now passed the information regarding the incident to the ships owners, EU Navfor said.

It gave no details on the size of the ransom.

The 1,800 deadweight tonne tanker is owned by Armi Shipping, a company registered in Panama, and managed by Aurora Ship Management in the United Arab Emirates, according to the French transport ministrys Equasis shipping data website.

Experts said ship owners were becoming lax after a long period of calm, and that the vessel was an easy target because it was low, slow and close to the coast.

Aid group Oceans Beyond Piracy said in a statement late on Tuesday the ship was carrying gas and fuel and was not registered with the Maritime Security Center for the Horn of Africa, which registers and tracks vessels in the region.

The group said the Aris 13 was preparing to go through a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island which vessels often use, regardless of the piracy risks, to save time and cost.

This attack reinforces the need for vessels to follow shipping industry Best Management Practices (BMP) within the BMP specified High Risk Area, Oceans Beyond Piracy said.

There was no immediate comment from the ships owners and managers.

In their prime in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off Somalias coast, data from the International Maritime Bureau showed, and held hundreds of hostages.

That year, Oceans Beyond Piracy estimated the global cost of piracy at about $7 billion. The shipping industry bore roughly 80 percent of those costs, the groups analysis shows.

However, attacks fell off sharply after ship owners tightened security and vessels stayed further away from the Somali coast.

(Reporting by George Obulutsa and Katharine Houreld; editing by Louise Ireland)

Related:

Topics Europe Energy Oil Gas
Ireland has complained to the European Commission that it is being undercut by rival centers competing to host financial firms looking for a European Union base outside London after Brexit.

Last week, U.S. insurer AIG became the biggest group so far to pick Luxembourg as its EU base, alarming Irish officials who fear others may follow after British Prime Minister Theresa May won the right to begin the potentially long process of separation from the EU.

While the final terms for doing business with the EU from Britain are uncertain, finance executives say privately they expect Brexit to isolate London and want to establish bases inside the bloc from where they can access its single market, prompting them to look at Frankfurt, Paris, Dublin and Luxembourg as alternatives.

AIG said its move was driven by Luxembourgs proximity to its European clients and its role as a founder of the EU.

Other cities in Europe are being very aggressive in trying to win business, Eoghan Murphy, the minister in charge of promoting Dublins financial center, told Reuters, describing what he called dangerous competition.

We have always said  we would not be predatory  that we are not interested in brass plating, he said, referring to the practice of setting up a token operation with a brass plate sign outside in order to gain market access.

Although the EU wants to show a united front in divorce negotiations with Britain, the dispute over the division of Brexit spoils is already testing this.

Murphy said he had raised concerns with Valdis Dombrovskis, one of the European Commissions most senior officials, about creeping regulatory arbitrage, a reference to undercutting rivals with lax rules.

Although banks face strict supervision under the European Central Bank in the euro zone, there is no similarly powerful regulator for insurers and other financial players, leaving decisions on factors such as the size of a local operation to individual countries.

The European Commission declined to comment on the Irish complaint but one official, who asked not to be named, said it will monitor any developments in this area closely.

Back Door Opened

With the final decision on moves out of London still months away, the rivalry has become increasingly hostile, with some Frankfurt lobbyists, for example, saying privately the Irish accent makes local English incomprehensible.

Nevertheless, Dublin has received 80 inquiries, according to IDA Ireland, the state agency that attracts foreign investment, from banks to fund managers, while Irelands central bank received five applications from insurers to set up.

And while Murphy did not name Luxembourg, Irish officials said this was the center that had triggered the concerns.

We are hearing from various sources that companies are being offered certain incentives, said Murphy.

That they are offering a back door to the single market, without the requirement to have capital to back up their entities in the European Union.

Irelands central bank, wary of the risks in finance after the country was almost bankrupted by a financial crash, is making higher demands, officials and consultants said.

Luxembourg do not appear to be requiring companies to set up substantial offices in order to establish an insurer, said one senior insurance executive, who is choosing between locations including Dublin and Luxembourg.

Insurers hoped that this would be enough to access the EU single market and did not want to commit to substantial cost, he added.

This was disputed by a spokesman for Luxembourgs finance ministry who said: Luxembourg is strongly committed to the highest standards in the supervision of the financial sector.

The stakes are high for Ireland in particular, where the arrival of foreign banks will be an important economic boost.

The country, whose economic rebound from near collapse has been held up by states like Germany as proof tough reforms can work, is now considered the EU economy most at risk from Brexit.

Dublin will expand, Kieran Donoghue, head of International Financial Services at IDA Ireland, said, adding that he expects companies to make their choice by the end of June. Some investments will be significant and potentially transformative.

However, a hard Brexit  in which Britain loses access to the EUs single market  would wipe more than 4 percent off total Irish exports, compared to 2.5 percent for Germany and just 0.6 percent for Luxembourg, an Irish government commissioned report showed.

Such a hit for Irelands export-focused economy could knock around 3.5 percent off GDP within a decade, and cost around 40,000 jobs, the report said.

Murphys department set a target two years ago of adding 10,000 new financial services jobs by 2020  a 30 percent jump  meaning that even if Ireland succeeds in winning business, it will only help offset the expected broader economic damage.

A number of companies have already committed to Dublin, Donoghue said. The shortlist for several is between Dublin and one other center.

As decisions near, one consultant advising firms on the move said that the atmosphere had become heated.

Ireland is No.1 or No.2 for most companies. But there is no point in being second.

(Additional reporting by Carolyn Cohn inLondon; writing By John ODonnell; editing by Alexander Smith)

Related:

Topics Europe London
American International Group Inc.s decision to remove Peter Hancock as its chief executive was to avoid a proxy battle with billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

AIG said last week that Hancock would step down, a decision he made after the insurers poor financial performance frustrated shareholders and its board of directors.

Hancock agreed to resign after several directors met with him to express concerns about his ability to continue improving AIGs results, while several also feared a potential fight with Icahn, the Journal reported.

Icahn, AIGs fourth-largest investor, cheered Hancocks departure when it was announced: We fully support the actions taken today by the board of AIG, he had tweeted.

A decision to stand by (Hancock) would carry the threat if not the reality of a battle with Carl, a person familiar with the matter told the Journal.

When Icahn first began acquiring his stake in 2015, he advocated splitting up AIG into three parts. The insurer instead embarked on a two-year turnaround plan developed by Hancock, which the board is still committed to.

Many longtime AIG executives who would have been obvious internal candidates for CEO have left since Hancock took the helm in 2014.

Analysts have floated names of several external possibilities since AIG stunned Wall Street with a surprisingly wide fourth-quarter loss on Feb. 14.

Hancock, 58, will remain as CEO until a successor is named.

(Reporting by Nikhil Subba in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio DSouza)
President Donald Trump is set to sign a sweeping directive to dramatically shrink the role climate change plays in decisions across the government, ranging from appliance standards to pipeline approvals, according to a person familiar with the administrations plan.

The order, which could be signed this week, goes far beyond a targeted assault on Obama-era measures blocking coal leasing and throttling greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that has been discussed for weeks. Some of the changes could happen immediately; others could take years to implement.

It aims to reverse President Barack Obamas broad approach for addressing climate change. One Obama-era policy instructed government agencies to factor climate change into formal environmental reviews, such as that for the Keystone XL pipeline.

Trumps order also will compel a reconsideration of the governments use of a metric known as the social cost of carbon that reflects the potential economic damage from climate change. It was used by the Obama administration to justify a suite of regulations.

Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, a conservative, fossil fuel-oriented advocacy group, welcomed Trumps comprehensive approach, calling it essential to undoing Obama-era climate policies that permeated the entire administration.

President Obama created such a labyrinth of rules and orders and regulations to cement his agenda across practically every agency, Pyle said in a phone interview. It was designed to put into the mission of the agencies climate change first and make the rest of their mission second. This was a constraint deliberately set up by the previous administration to make it difficult to utilize coal, oil and natural gas.

Environmentalists said the presidents action will erode the international leadership the U.S. has played addressing climate change and encouraging other countries to limit the heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions that are the primary driver of the phenomenon.

The anticipated action puts our country, our communities and our people at great risk, said Paul Getsos, national coordinator of the Peoples Climate Movement, a coalition of labor, civil rights and faith-based groups. It also sends a dangerous message to the world that the United States does not care about climate change or protecting front-line communities.

Trumps coming order has been discussed by his staff since before he took office. Asked about when the executive order would be issued, White House spokesman Kelly Love said she had nothing to announce at this time.

It will set in motion some discrete policy changes designed to make coal easier to extract and more enticing to burn.

For instance, the directive will compel the Environmental Protection Agency to undo the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era rule that forced states to slash the use of coal-fired electricity. Trump also is set to direct Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to reverse an Obama administration order that blocked the sale of new coal-mining rights on federal lands to producers such as Cloud Peak Energy Inc. and Peabody Energy Corp.

The measure also is set to direct regulators to rescind Obama-era regulations limiting oil industry emissions of methane, a particularly potent  though short-lived  greenhouse gas.

Those changes are designed to help the president fulfill a pledge to cancel job-killing restrictions on domestic energy and his repeated promise to put coal miners back to work. Trumps support of coal miners helped propelled him to victory in former Democratic strongholds such as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. But Trumps action is not expected to have an immediate impact on miners, nor do analysts expect it to return coal to its earlier dominance in electricity production.

Even before the Obama administration imposed the coal leasing moratorium in January 2016, coal producers had little interest in adding new federal reserves to their portfolios, amid slumping domestic demand. The U.S. government last sold a coal lease in October 2012, and existing federal leases contain at least 20 years worth of coal, according to Interior Department estimates.

The use of coal to generate electricity has been in decline as utilities turned to natural gas that is both cheaper and cleaner burning, in part to comply with existing environmental regulations. Still, the removal of the Clean Power Plan  which was already put on hold by the Supreme Court  could halt coals decline as a source of electricity over the next two decades, according to projections from the Energy Information Administration. More coal use also could temper projected gains for natural gas.

The ongoing litigation provides an opening for the Trump administration to undo the rule  but only if the White House acts fast. The U.S. Court of Appeals heard arguments in the challenge last September but has not ruled on the case.

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt challenged the Clean Power Plan in federal court in his previous role as Oklahomas attorney general, alongside more than two dozen other states, electric utilities, business groups and coal miners. An array of environmental groups, public health advocates, renewable-energy developers, large corporations and 18 other states defended the initiative.

Trumps action will set in motion at least a year of bureaucratic work at the EPA to formally strip the Clean Power Plan from the rule books, said Jeff Holmstead, the EPA official in charge of air pollution under former President George W. Bush. Among other steps, the administration will have to justify its decision to rescind the rule, possibly by relying on the arguments advanced by Pruitt and other critics in court.

Its not clear if EPA will write a new version of the rule, or argue that no replacement is needed or legally justified.

By contrast, the coal leasing moratorium is easier to undo. Zinke can make the change with the stroke of a pen  the same way it was imposed just over a year ago, under an administrative order issued by former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. The halt was designed to allow time for a broad environmental review of the U.S. coal leasing program, including scrutiny of the climate change impacts of mining and whether companies should pay higher royalties for extracting the fossil fuel.

That analysis is still underway, and it was not immediately clear whether Trump would continue it. Abandoning the ongoing environmental analysis could make any new coal lease sales vulnerable in court.

Two of Trumps targets have especially symbolic significance, because the Obama administration used them to elevate the role of climate change in government actions.

For instance, the social cost of carbon serves as the linchpin for many of the Obama administrations environmental rules, from appliance efficiency requirements to limits on how much methane can leak from oil wells. Critics say the number  now nearly $40 for every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere  gives artificial precision to uncertain conditions nearly 300 years in the future.

It is unclear exactly how the Trump administration will rescind or revise the social cost of carbon. Conservatives at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, American Energy Alliance and Heritage Foundation have offered blueprints for change that would keep it on the books while lowering the number, such as making it reflect projected climate costs solely in the U.S., rather than globally.

Trump can easily nullify guidance from Obamas Council on Environmental Quality that climate change should be factored into government agencies formal environmental reviews. The guidelines were meant to influence analysis of proposed agency actions under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Legislation Energy Oil Gas Climate Change Pollution
Next Insurance, a digital insurance company for small businesses, has launched a chatbot that enables personal trainers to quote and buy liability insurance via Facebook Messenger.

Next said it partnered with chatbot developer SmallTalk, becoming what it claims is the first company to provide full service insurance via a social channel.

Next Insurance is targeting small business owners with tailored insurance programs. Next utilizes direct access with their customers via an online platform that reduces transaction time to minutes.

Small business owners are uniquely vulnerable to litigation, yet the insurance services on offer are shockingly inadequate. From being improperly priced to failing to account for fundamental needs, there is something broken in small business insurance, and were excited to be utilizing digital channels to solve it, said Guy Goldstein, co-founder and CEO of Next.

Next Insurance has partnered with specialty insurer Markel Corp. to offer the professional and general liability coverage for personal trainers. Next is offering three plans: $11 per month for $500,000 of coverage, $14 per month for $1 million, and $16 per month for $2 million. All have $0 deductibles.

The personal trainer insurance is offered anywhere in the continental U.S. plus Alaska.

Next also sells insurance packages with equipment and liability coverage for commercial photographers on monthly payment plans. Munich Re is the underwriter.

It also sells general liability tailored for construction workers including electricians, plumbers and others, working with Builders & Tradesmens Insurance Services Inc.

Next Insurance says each of its insurance offerings is tailored to the specific industry so that usual exceptions or limitations are covered.

Goldstein said about 70 percent of Nexts customers are buying insurance on their phones. Enabling customers to buy insurance through a chatbot on Facebook Messenger brings even more simplicity, transparency and easy access, he said.

Chatbots use voice recognition, text and speech conversion methods, and question answering techniques to converse with customers. Next told Insurance Journal that the chatbot does not have to be licensed since the agency is.

Bots are the future of communication for businesses that prioritize the customer experience and were excited to see the impact this technology can have in the insurance sector, said Alex Kaplinsky of SmallTalk.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella told the FinTech Ideas Festival in San Francisco in January that the future of chatbots can be seen in the insurance industry now in areas from sales to customer service [Y]oure seeing a lot of action in terms of people building bots that have real natural language understanding, CNBC reported Nadella said. We have pilots going on with many, many customers.

Next Insurance says its chatbot is the first in insurance to enable buyers to sign-up and pay completely over Facebooks Messaging service, without having to even download its app

Founded in 2016 by a team of serial entrepreneurs, Next is headquartered in Palo Alto and received $13 million seed funding from Ribbit Capital, TLV Partners and Zeev Ventures.

Related:
The Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee on March 9 heard testimony on a revised bill that aims to limit the number of policyholder lawsuits filed against property insurance companies following severe weather events.

At the hearing, Senate Business and Commerce Committee Chair Kelly Hancock of North Richland Hills laid out the committee substitute for Senate Bill 10, which he said makes significant changes from the original bill in an attempt to find common ground among the various stakeholders.

The measure is supported by the property insurance industry, which has seen an increase in post-severe weather event litigation  particularly following hailstorms  in the past several years.

Supporters of the bill say the increase in lawsuits has led to insurers decreasing and even declining to insure homes against hailstorms in the areas with the most lawsuits.

Hancock said that at least a dozen companies have increased homeowners rates as a result of litigation and that at least seven companies have limited or stopped writing policies in Texas as a direct result of the problem.

The bill takes aim at the practice of barratry, whereby attorneys incite clients to sue companies, which Hancock has said is the leading cause of the increase in post-natural catastrophe lawsuits. Essentially theyre storm-chasers who partner with unethical roofers and public adjusters and recruit homeowners to file unnecessary lawsuits instead of moving through the standard insurance claims process, he said.

The legislation would bar attorneys from collecting fees in such suits if the insurer can prove the plaintiff was incited to file suit by their attorney. The substitute also adds a paragraph that says if barratry is asserted the trial needs to be bi-furcated. That is, the claim dispute would be tried in one part and the barratry in another before the same jury, Hancock said. That ensures that the claimants suit is not delayed or affected by the proceeding against their attorney, he said.

The bills opponents say the legislation is simply an attempt to give even more power to insurance companies by limiting policyholders ability to hold insurers accountable via the judicial system.

The Texas Tribune has reported that in addition to opposition to the bill by trial lawyers and policyholders, some major business interests in the state oppose the measure, as well.

According to the Texas Tribune, Haynes & Boone lawyer Ernest Martin sent a letter to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has championed the legislation, that expresses the concerns of businesses ranging from 7-Eleven to Ryan LLC  founded and led by Republican mega-donor Brint Ryan. The letter stated that business owners believe the measure would harm businesses by making it more difficult to get their property insurance claims paid in Texas.

But Hancock said opponents misgivings have been taken into consideration. Through the process, what were saying in this is that we heard you, we made significant changes, and I will say significant changes, he said.

Among the changes made in the substitute bill, Hancock said, is the removal of the section requiring the litigants to choose between filing suit under Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) and the Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act. There was much concern over that. That section is gone, he said.

The substitute bill also clarifies that it pertains only to litigation brought against a property insurer following nature-related events, Hancock said. The substitute also provides that the insurer must be given notice of an intended suit within a legally specified 60-day period after the event.

Another change reduces the amount of penalty interest an insurer would have to pay if the company was found to have unfairly delayed payment of a claim from 18 percent to the prime rate plus 5 percent, according to Hancock.

Both the substitute and the original bill would allow the property insurer to assume the liability for insurance agents in a court action following a weather-related event. The substitute bill clarifies, however, that if the insurer elects to assume such liability the agents absence will not affect the trial of the case, Hancock said.

Bryan Blevins, representing the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, testified before the committee that his association continues to have concerns about the bill, despite the changes.

We recognize the concern about increased lawsuits, we also believe that there are insurer conduct issues that may be responsible in part for the problem.

He cited Texas Department of Insurance data that shows that insurance companies are taking less time or not doing their due diligence in investigating claims before they close them. Therefore, Blevins said, insurers are having to re-open one out of every three claims they close.

He also said that because the majority of insurers operating in the state are foreign, or not headquartered in Texas, most claims disputes will be moved to federal courts and out of local state courts, especially if the insurer takes on the liability of the local agent or adjuster. And data shows it takes almost twice as long to resolve cases in federal court as it does in state court, Blevins said.

However, advocating on behalf of the insurance industry, Joe Woods, vice president, state government relations for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), said in a statement that SB 10 will help protect homeowners from the bad actors who prey on storm victims. The bill helps to stop the lawsuit abuses by storm-chasing lawyers while ensuring that policyholders still have all their legal rights if they feel their insurer acted in bad faith.

Woods also testified during the March 9 hearing that a company builds its reputation in the insurance market on the strength of its claims handling.

If a company systematically went out and delayed claims just to build investment income it would soon spread mouth to mouth through the market and they would lose clients, he said.

The original version of SB 10 is available for review on the Texas Legislature website, but as of March 14 the substitute version had not been posted online.

The bill was left pending in the Business and Commerce Committee.

Related:

Topics Lawsuits Carriers Catastrophe Natural Disasters Legislation Texas Claims Property Market
Singing River Health System in Mississippi has lost its case in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals against an insurance company that has been paying the hospital systems legal fees in the court battle against its retirees.

The Sun Herald reports that over the course of two years, SRHS has had multiple attorneys and incurred about $3.4 million in attorney fees, which insurer Chubb paid. Chubb argued that there was a $1 million limit to what it actually owed.

SRHS spokeswoman Georgia Storey says that the appeals courts decision overturns U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr.s previous ruling that Chubb was required to pay all defense costs. She says the courts ruling isnt clear regarding claims already paid.

SRHS hasnt decided if it will appeal the ruling.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi Chubb
Native Americans, environmentalists and a fishing guide spoke out this week in support of two Oregon bills that aim to prevent, or at least mitigate, an ecological disaster like an oil spill into the Columbia River.

One bill would require railroads that own or operate high-hazard train routes to adopt oil-spill prevention and emergency-response planning, and ensure they carry adequate insurance to address a worst-case spill. The other bill would prohibit the Legislature from funding new bulk coal or oil terminals.

Trains carrying oil travel through Oregon to destinations elsewhere, and among the shipments is the highly volatile crude from the Bakken Crude from North Dakota. It was that type of oil that was in a train that derailed and caused a fire near Mosier on June 3 along the pristine Columbia River, a key salmon habitat fished by Indian tribes. The crash released oil alongside tracks that parallel the Columbia River.

Our tiny town was nearly wiped off the map, Mosier Mayor Arlene Burns told the House Committee On Energy and Environment. She said that if the winds that normally sweep through the Columbia River Gorge had not been calm that day, a conflagration would have ensued.

Those testifying said Oregon cannot prohibit oil trains from transiting the state, but should prepare for future accidents that they said are sure to come.

These are two good bills that will honor the earth and protect generations to come, Cathy Sampson-Kruse, a member of the Walla Walla tribe whose father is a tribal headman, said at a news conference in the state capitol. She said her father had just been released from an intensive-care unit for congestive heart failure, and his message was keep up the good fight!

Union Pacific Railroad spokesman Aaron Hunt said in submitted testimony that while the railroad wants to partner with the state to enhance rail safety, he said the bill that sets out a timeline for railroads to respond to an emergency is invalid under federal laws.

The bill says that a railroad must, within one hour of confirmation of a spill, provide a qualified company employee to advise the state on-scene coordinator. Within three hours, it should have monitoring equipment and a trained equipment operator to assist in protecting emergency responders and the public. Within eight hours, the railroad should be capable of delivering and deploying containment booms, boats, oil recovery equipment, trained staff and other materials.

Rob Bignall, a fishing guide who managed part of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska that covered thousands of square miles (kilometers) of coastline and ocean, said responders would need to act fast if another oil train derails on the track that runs along the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington state.

The river flows at 2 to 5 miles an hour and this thing could get out of hand very fast, he told the news conference.

The state Senate also has a similar bill.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Oregon
Hyok Kwon, owner of Good Neighbor Services, a janitorial company that provided services to some of San Diegos most exclusive hotels and resorts, has pleaded yesterday to seven felonies, including premium and employment tax fraud.

Kwon was convicted of creating an elaborate scheme to avoid paying workers compensation insurance premiums and employment taxes. Kwon stipulated to an eight-year prison sentence and to pay restitution exceeding $5 million.

Woo Hui Kwon pleaded guilty on Dec. 6, 2016 to two counts of premium fraud and two counts of employment tax fraud. She was sentenced to four years and eight months, and restitution that totaled over $5 million to insurance carriers and Employment Development Department.

The janitorial company provided cleaning staff to major hotels across San Diego, Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, including The Hotel Del Coronado, Loews Coronado, La Costa Resort and Spa, The Grand Del Marin La Jolla, LAuberge Del Mar, The Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Hilton and Hyatt hotel chains.

Related:

Topics California Workers' Compensation Fraud
The nations most generous grow-your-own marijuana laws came closer this week to being curbed in Colorado, where the state House advanced a pair of bills aimed at cracking down on people who grow weed outside the commercial, taxed system.

One bill would set a statewide limit of 16 marijuana plants per house, down from a current limit of 99 plants before registering with state health authorities.

The bill passed 65-10 after sponsors argued that Colorados generous home-grown weed laws make it impossible to tell whether someone is growing plants legally, or whether the plants are destined for the black market.

Of the 28 states with legal medical marijuana, only Colorado currently allows more than 16 pot plants per home.

Many Colorado jurisdictions including Denver already have per-home plant limits, usually set at 12. But the lack of a statewide limit makes it difficult for police to distinguish between legitimate patients and fronts for black-market weed, bill supporters argued Friday.

The time has come for us  to give law enforcement the guidance they need, said Rep. Cole Wist, R-Centennial.

The other bill makes is a crime to grow recreational pot for someone else, effectively ending Colorados marijuana co-ops.

Legislative analysts have no estimate how many collective marijuana grows exist in Colorado, though theyre anecdotally popular with pot users who pool their economic resources to share the cost of electricity, water and fertilizer.

That bill cleared the House on an unrecorded voice vote, with one more vote required. It also sets aside some $6 million a year in marijuana tax money to give law enforcement more money to investigate illegal pot growing operations.

Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012, but it has a nagging black-market problem.

Colorados marijuana amendment legalizing recreational use included language making it legal to assist anyone over 21 to grow their pot, making it difficult to stamp out large-scale marijuana growing operations in residential areas.

The bills advanced by the Colorado House this week would force those large-scale operations to move to areas that are not zoned residential.

The bills passed over the strenuous objections of some medical marijuana users, who argued that homegrown pot is a key component of Colorados pot system.

Theyre hurting the patients, is what theyre doing, said Jennie Stormes, a Colorado Springs mother whose 17-year-old son has a type of Parkinsons disease and has a caregiver grow the 48 plants recommended by her sons doctor.

Stormes called the residential plant limit unnecessary because local zoning laws and her renters lease already ban her growing marijuana at home.

Its games theyre playing, Stormes said after the vote. I can treat my son with what he needs when he needs it when Im doing the growing.

But lawmakers sided with law enforcement complaints that the limits they called generous are impossible to enforce. The grants to give marijuana revenue to authorities under the bill would give priority funding to rural law enforcement agencies.

This is a good start to begin to help our local jurisdictions, said Rep. Terri Carver, R-Colorado Springs.

Gov. John Hickenlooper backs the reduction in how many plants can be grown in residential areas and has called on lawmakers to send him a statewide limit.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Law Enforcement Cannabis Colorado
Luxembourgs Cite Judiciare upheld an earlier judgment against the former PwC employee, as well as his ex-colleague Raphael Halet , but reduced Deltours 12-month suspended prison sentence to six months.

There was a lot of support outside the court. It is a partial victory that for the first time in Europe that a national judge recognised the whistleblower status for revealing professional secrecy, but a satisfying judgment would have been a full acquittal, Deltour told International Tax Review.

The Frenchman also revealed to International Tax Review that he is considering appealing the decision.

I need time to read carefully the judgment and then I will make a decision, he said. The last possibility [is] to contest the judgement and it will allow me to go to the European Court of Human Rights, but I havent made a decision yet.

Despite the fact that he was convicted, Deltour is optimistic that his case will have a positive impact and bring greater tax transparency in the future.

Its a step forward to whistleblowers in Europe, as my lawyer said it is the first time a European judge recognised whistleblower statues . I think it is step forward for tax justice.

Unfortunately, the first trial and the appeal trial gave a lot of attention to the messenger and not to the message, which is about tax competition in Europe and how it is more or a little more transparent thanks to the leak. Tax competition is more intense than ever with the decreasing corporate tax rates everywhere in Europe and I think that is having consequences on budgets and public policing.

Todays decision is a recognition of my role in this story, he added.
What is the Lisbon Treaty?

The Lisbon Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Lisbon, updated regulations for the European Union, establishing a more centralized leadership and foreign policy, a proper process for countries that wish to leave the Union, and a streamlined process for enacting new policies.

The treaty was signed on December 13, 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal, and amended the two previous treaties that established the foundation for the European Union.

Key Takeaways The Lisbon Treaty updated European Union (EU) regulations, establishing more centralized leadership and foreign policy, a process for countries that want to leave the EU, and a streamlined process for enacting new policies.

The treaty was built on existing treaties but adopted new rules to enhance cohesion and streamline action within the EU.

The Lisbon Treaty also replaced the previously rejected Constitutional Treaty, which attempted to establish a Union constitution.

Understanding the Lisbon Treaty

Before the Lisbon Treaty

The Lisbon Treaty was signed by the 27 member states of the European Union and officially took effect in December of 2009, two years after it was signed. It amended two existing treaties, the Treaty of Rome and the Maastricht Treaty.

Treaty of Rome: Signed in 1957, this treaty introduced the European Economic Community (EEC), reduced customs regulations between member countries, and facilitated a single market for goods and the set of policies for transporting them. Also known as the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

Maastricht Treaty: Signed in 1992, this treaty established the three pillars of the European Union and paved the way for the euro, the common currency. Also known as the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

While these previous treaties set ground rules and tenets of the European Union, the Lisbon Treaty went further to establish new Union-wide roles and official legal procedures.

What the Lisbon Treaty Changed

The Lisbon Treaty was built on existing treaties but adopted new rules to enhance cohesion and streamline action within the European Union. Important articles of the Lisbon Treaty include:

Article 18: Established protocol for electing a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Elected in or out of office by a majority vote, this Representative oversees the Union's foreign and security affairs.

Article 21: Detailed global diplomatic policy for the European Union, based on the principles of universal human rights, democracy, and development. The Union pledged to forge alliances with those countries that support these beliefs and reach out to third-world nations to help them develop.

Article 50: Established procedures for a member country to leave the European Union.

The Lisbon Treaty also replaced the previously rejected Constitutional Treaty, which attempted to establish a Union constitution. Member countries couldn't agree on the voting procedures established in the constitution, since some countries, such as Spain and Poland, would lose voting power.

The Lisbon Treaty resolved this issue by proposing weighted votes and extending the reach of qualified majority voting.

Opinions of the Lisbon Treaty

Those who supported the Lisbon Treaty argued that it enhanced accountability by providing a better system of checks and balances, and that it gave more power to the European Parliament, which held major influence in the Union's legislative branch.

Many critics of the Lisbon Treaty argued that it pulled influence toward the center, forming an unequal distribution of power that ignored the needs of smaller countries.
Press Release

New IPU and UN Women Map shows womens representation in politics stagnates

Geneva-New York, 7 March 2017

The number of women in executive government and in parliament worldwide has stagnated, with only marginal improvements since 2015, according to the data contained in the Women in Politics 2017 Map launched today by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UN Women. The Map, which presents global rankings for women in the executive and parliamentary branches of government as of 1 January 2017, shows slow progress towards gender equality in these areas at regional and national levels. The presentation took place at a joint IPU-UN Women press conference in New York, in the context of the ongoing session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Womens political empowerment and equal access to leadership positions at all levels are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a fairer world. With limited growth in womens representation, advancement of gender equality and the success of the SDGs are jeopardized.

The 2017 edition of the Map shows a slight drop in the number of countries with a woman Head of State and/or Head of Government from 2015 figures (from 19 to 17). However, the data reveals a significant increase in the number of countries with a woman Head of State and/or Head of Government since the IPU-UN Women Maps first edition in 2005 (from 8 to 17).

Progress in the number of women Members of Parliament worldwide continues to be slow. IPU data shows that the global average of women in national parliaments increased just slightly from 22.6 per cent in 2015 to 23.3 per cent in 2016. Women Speakers of Parliament have however significantly increased in number, now at an all-time high of 19.1 per cent, but obviously still far from gender balance. For more information on women in parliament, see IPU statistics on women in parliament and the report Women in parliament: the year in progress.

These developments show that progress in gender equality remains slow in all structures of power and types of decision-making. Power is still firmly in mens hands, and although we have witnessed some positive trends  for example, the current record number of 53 women Speakers of Parliament out of 273 posts, globally  much remains to be done if women are to play on a level field with men, said IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong. Equal representation in positions of power is a fundamental precondition for truly effective and accountable democracy.

The number of women Ministers barely changed, rising to a total of 732 (compared to 730 in 2015); womens participation at the ministerial level now stands at 18.3 per cent.

The top five countries with the largest share of women ministers are in Europe and the Americas. Bulgaria, France, Nicaragua, Sweden and Canada have surpassed the 50 per cent mark of women in ministerial positions. These results can be largely attributed to a clear political commitment at the highest decision-making level  both France and Canadas leadership have committed to parity in government  and to a genuinely gender-sensitive political culture. Sweden has the worlds first self-proclaimed feminist government, and Bulgaria has seen an overall increase in womens participation and decision-making in all spheres of power in public and private sectors, both nationally and internationally.

By contrast, Finland and Cabo Verde  which in 2015 had high rates of women ministers, ranking first and second, respectively  fell significantly behind. Finland saw a dramatic decline in women ministers in 2017, dropping from 62.5 to 38.5 per cent. Cabo Verde, normally a high-flyer, fell from 52.9 to 25 per cent (a 52.8 per cent loss of its share of women cabinet members).

These data powerfully tell the story of the persistent missing voice of women, said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. We can see that over time, the overall proportions of women in politics are changing for the better, although certainly not fast enough. However, the overall stagnation and specific reversals are warning bells of erosion of equality that we must heed and act on rapidly. The drive to protect womens rights and achieve substantive equality for women in leadership will take joint action across parliaments, governments, civil society and international organizations. This must include the repeal or amendment of existing discriminatory laws, and the support of women in all forms of representation, including at the highest levels of government.

Regional highlights: trends for women ministers

Continuing a trend since 2015, Africa saw a steady decline in the number of women ministers. Women hold 19.7 per cent of the regions ministerial posts in 2017, having first surpassed this percentage in 2012 after seven years of rapid progress. The Congo and Zambia outperformed the rest of the region, adding four and six women ministers and reaching womens representation rates of 22.9 per cent and 33.3 per cent, respectively.

2017 saw the Americas make significant gains, bringing womens representation to 25 per cent (from 22.4 per cent in 2015) and setting a new regional high; however, the region saw a drastic drop in women Heads of State/Heads of Government after the Presidents of Brazil and Argentina left office. Canada and Nicaragua surpassed gender parity in ministerial positions, while Trinidad and Tobago and Uruguay approached or exceeded 30 per cent. By contrast, Brazil continued its downward trend, dropping from a 25.6 per cent representation rate in 2014, to 15.4 per cent in 2015 and finally, four per cent in 2017.

In Asia, women held 11 per cent of ministerial posts (from 10.6 per cent in 2015). Indonesia became the country in the region with the highest participation of women in government (25.7 per cent), while Viet Nam and Nepal experienced steep declines drifting below five per cent.

Gains were minor in the Arab States, where womens representation in senior executive posts reached 9.7 per cent (from 9.5 per cent in 2015). Tunisias rate of womens representation rose significantly from 10.5 per cent in 2015 to 23.1 per cent in 2017, after two additional women joined the government, while the UAE increased womens presence in government to 26.7 per cent; these are the only two countries in the region to surpass 20 per cent.

In Europe, the total percentage stood at 22.5 per cent (up slightly from 21.6 per cent in 2015). Remarkably, while the Nordic countries have traditionally led on womens representation in politics, the 2017 data shows this region suffered the largest setback globally with a 6.2 per cent drop in the number of women ministers from 2015, although women still account for 43.5 per cent of the executive in the region overall. Bulgaria, where womens representation rose to 52.9 per cent from 17.6 per cent in 2010, quickly climbed the ladder in the world ranking from 45th to 1st. The United Kingdom and Romania gained the most women ministers in absolute terms (three), while Estonia, Belarus and Italy lost the most (two).

After steady increases in womens representation since 2012, the Pacific region stagnated (remaining at 13 per cent, as in 2015). Given the small size of the region (only 14 countries), slight changes in numbers have significant impact in terms of the share of positions held by women.

Soft power portfolios

The IPU-UN Women Map, supported by Global Affairs Canada, the department that leads Canadas international development and humanitarian assistance, also calls attention to the fact that women continue to hold the lions share of so-called soft issue portfolios in government. However, there is evidence of some change: for the second time since 2005, the Family/ Children/ Youth/ Elderly/ Disabled portfolio is not among the two most common women-headed Ministries. At 8.7 per cent, the Environment/ Natural Resources/ Energy portfolio is for the first time the most commonly held portfolio by women ministers, followed by Social Affairs at 8.2 per cent.

Data on women ministers reveals that 30 per cent of environment ministers are women (47 out of 161), a 10 per cent increase from 2015. IPU research indicates the ascent of the environmental category is likely due to the appearance of a few, very recent, new portfolios such as Climate Change and Sustainable Development, which are held by women to a considerable extent. Of particular note, there is a change in the number of women in charge of womens affairs, with a 10 per cent decrease to 64 women ministers out of a total of 77 ministries. This means that the number of men leading this ministry is on the rise.



1 As of January 2017: Bangladesh, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Liberia, Lithuania, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom. As of January 2017: Bangladesh, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Germany, Liberia, Lithuania, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Namibia, Nepal, Norway, Poland, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. It works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action.
Rouhani and his colleagues have maintained that the judiciarys independence prevents them from being able to step in to reduce the number executions, particularly of drug offenders and persons who were under the age of eighteen when they committed their crimes. This claim of independence ostensibly also accounts for the contradiction between some of Rouhanis public statements and the actual conduct of the regime, as in the case of arrests of expatriates who have returned to Iran after the president promised that they would face no legal consequences for their dual national status.

But Jahangir insists that the judiciary in Iran is neither independent nor free from influence from the executive. Meanwhile, other critics of the clerical regime have emphasized that the judiciary appears also to be very much under the influence of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, both of which have been leading instigators of an ongoing crackdown on Iranian journalists, activists, social media users, and so on.

In Mondays session, Jahangir also reported that as of December, at least 24 journalists and bloggers were being held in political imprisonment. By most accounts, the figures are a great deal higher. For instance, the website Journalism is Not a Crime says that there are currently 55 professional journalists in Iranian prisons, to say nothing of other persons who have been accused of vague national security crimes. The Committee to Protect Journalists consistently ranks Iran as one of the most prolific jailers of reporters in the world.

Among other political prisoners are the leaders of the 2009 Green Movement, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. According to Iran Press Watch, Jahangir also called attention to the persistence of this situation, as well as the arbitrary nature of detention and punishment in the Islamic Republic. Both Mousavi and Karroubi, as well as Mousavis wife Zahra Rahnavard have been kept under house arrest for nearly six years without ever facing trial or even being given formal charges.

Their continued detention also highlights the differences between Rouhanis public commentary on human rights issues and his actual record as president. The release of these political prisoners was among his major campaign promises in 2013, but he has failed to take any noticeable initiative on this or other progressive-sounding promises, and has continued to contradict independent analysts and human rights activists who maintain that the president can wield considerable influence over the judiciary on these issues.

His apparent unwillingness to do so  or as Jahangir suggested on Monday, his desire to influence the judiciary only in the direction of further repression  once again highlights the longstanding argument by the regimes harshest critics that internal moderation is not a realistic possibility. Upon his election, Rouhani was regarded by a range of Western policymakers as a compromise between Irans hardline leadership and the demands of the Green Movement. But opposition groups like the National Council of Resistance of Iran only regarded Rouhani as a pragmatic regime insider who would utilize new tactics in pursuit of the same repressive policies.

If this is true, there is little hope for progressive change in human rights or other areas following the forthcoming presidential elections, which are scheduled for May 19. Iran Front Page News reports that Irans reformist politicians have formally endorsed Rouhani as a candidate for reelection. He will face an as yet unnamed challenger drawn from the ranks of acknowledged hardliners.

There was previously some speculation that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose disputed 2009 reelection touched off the Green Movement protests, might seek a return to the presidency, but this was effectively blocked by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Nevertheless, Khamenei has also spoken out against the notion of national reconciliation between his hardline allies and the supporters of the Green Movement. In fact, at various times, the regime appears to have doubled down on its criminalization of that movement and other serious reform advocates.

In fact, this occurred once again on Monday when Irans semi-official ILNA news agency announced that it had sentenced Mehdi Karroubis son Hossein to six months in prison for publishing the letter his father had written to President Rouhani asking for an open trial. In reporting on this, the Washington Post gives no indication of a response by the Rouhani administration to Hosseins arrest or prosecution, or even to Mehdis letter.

The Post also notes that the latest incident comes in the midst of a major campaign of arrests focusing in particular on dual nationals and garnering no apparent pushback from the supposedly moderate presidential administration.
Update - 10.55am: Craig Madden has been found safe and well.

Earlier: Gardai are seeking help in finding a 16-year-old boy missing from Dublin.

Craig Madden of Palmerstown Woods, Clondalkin, was reported missing yesterday and was last seen at Moyle Park College Clondalkin.

Craig is believed to be wearing a light blue shirt, navy trousers, navy jumper, and a green coat with a fur-lined hood. He is also carrying a school bag.

He is five feet 10 inches tall, has a broad build and short brown hair combed over on top with a parting on the left. He has blue eyes and a fair complexion.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Clondalkin Garda Station on 01 6667600.
A Dublin man has spoken about a dramatic rescue of a toddler from a fire in the city centre a few weeks ago.

Tommy Lawlor had been renting a bedsit in a Georgian building on Mountjoy Square since before Christmas.

"I had a bedsit down the back of the building," he told RTE Radio 1's Liveline. "I was in there since the week before Christmas because the old house I was living in, I was living there for seven years and the landlord sold up. I had to find somewhere and that was the only place I could find, a little bedsit in a huge building.

"There were 10 or 15 people there to view it. They had to let people in one at a time to view because the place was so small. I was looking at four places last night and it was the exact same thing."

Tommy says up to 150 people were living in the Mountjoy Square flats on the day of the fire.

"I thought it was over 30 flats because there were at least 30 letterboxes anyway. The garda on the day said there was 150 people there. It's like three Georgian buildings all interconnected. I was in the second building, the middle one, right down the back on the first floor."

Three weeks ago Tommy noticed smoke coming into his flat early in the morning.

"It was at seven o'clock in the morning. I was making my sambos to go to college and the alarm just went off. I went to the door, I put me hand on the door and it wasn't warm. As soon as I opened my door a big load of smoke just came into my room so I shut the door as quickly as I could. I just panicked."

Tommy grabbed his keys and wallet and managed to climb through his window and ring the emergency services.

"I went out the window, and first thing I got out the phone and rang the emergency services and I walked around so I could look in and see other parts of the building. I could look down into the basement area and that's where all the flames were coming out and smoke was coming out. That was right underneath my apartment.

"At that stage the adrenaline was pumping and I was talking really quickly to the person on the emergency line and they were telling me to slow down. Then I heard screaming and shouting so I went back to where I was. From my window I could see a couple in the flat above me and they were screaming for help. 'Get us out of here, we can't get out on our own and we have a child. Help us.' They were panicking.

"I didn't know what to do. I looked around, saw this big old three-seater leather couch at the far end of the yard and somehow I managed to drag it. I dragged it and put it up against the wall by its legs and I climbed up it.

"I was sitting on the arm of the couch. I was holding on with one hand and as soon as I got to the top the couple said 'save our baby', and they dropped a child into me arms. She was about two or three years old. She was in shock, she didn't know what was going on. Then she realised this is blood and she started fighting me then, you know what kids do when they want to get out of your arms, contorting and stuff. They bend their body in all kinds of weird ways.

"The couch was wobbling anyway, and she does this so it starts wobbling even more. It was like some kind of circus trick that we're balancing and I have a child in me hands.

"Eventually I start thinking how do I get down from this? I'm holding on with one hand, I've got the child in the other hand and I couldn't see a way out of it. Luckily the child wanted to jump over me shoulder, so I have her over my shoulder with one arm, so I was able to turn around and use the couch as a slide and I slid down into the yard with the kid still in me arms.

"Then one of the other doors of the building opened up and a couple came out, and I just handed the baby to the lady and said 'take her, get her out of here'. Then I went back to the couch to hold it so the poor kid's father could get out the window. So he got onto the couch, he climbed down, and then we had to persuade the mother to come down after us. And then when she did there were still people standing around who didn't know what to do. I was like 'come on, just get out of here'. So we went through another one of the buildings and I led them - there was tonnes of smoke - through that building and we got out.

"As soon as we got out, the mother of the child, she starts screaming. She goes 'where's my baby, where's my baby?' I thought oh my god, where is her baby? I couldn't remember who I gave the baby to. I couldn't remember what she looked like, I couldn't remember what she wore. I only remembered that the child was wearing a pink dressing gown. So we were walking up and down the street looking for this child and I could still here the mother screaming 'where's my baby'.

8 fire engines are attending a top floor #fire on Mountjoy Square. 8 people rescued, 5 by turntable ladder. Search operations cont #Dublin pic.twitter.com/rMDWy0WAax  Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) February 21, 2017

"Eventually, all the familiy, they were together. So at this stage the fire brigade turned up, a few engines first. They stuck up the ladder to help the people who were stuck on the third and fourth floor. They said if the fire brigade didn't get there when they did, they were going to jump. It took a couple of minutes, probably only seconds, but it seemed like it took the fire brigade a long time to get themselves sorted, to put up the ladder and get everybody down.

"It took a while for the fire brigade to make sure that everybody was safe because the building is so vast and there are so many flats and stairwells, it was like a maze. It took a long time and it was very stressful. Everybody was crying and everyone was in shock. A few people had to be brought off in ambulances because of stress and shock and smoke inhalation."

Tommy's flat and his possessions were destroyed in the fire and he is currently looking for a new home.

"All the plaster was on the ground, there was three inches or more of water. Everything I owned was destroyed in that fire.

"The one thing that survived is the sandwich I was making for me lunch."
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is on track to notch up a dominating parliamentary election victory over anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders.

The Netherlands' main exit poll suggests Mr Rutte's party won 31 seats in the 150-place legislature, 12 more than Mr Wilders' party, which shared second place with two other parties.

"I am so proud at what has happened and happy that we have been given the trust again" by voters, said Tamara van Ark, campaign leader of Mr Rutte's centre-right VVD party.

With France and Germany facing elections in the months ahead, Mr Rutte hoped to slow the momentum of what he called the "wrong sort of populism" after last's year British vote to leave the European Union and the election of US President Donald Trump.

"This is a chance for a big democracy like the Netherlands to make a point to stop this toppling over of the domino stones" of populism, Mr Rutte said after voting.

Mr Wilders had insisted that whatever the result of Wednesday's election, the kind of populist politics he and others in Europe represent are not going away.

"Rutte has not seen the back of me!!" Wilders said in a Twitter reaction.

Under brilliant skies, the Dutch went to vote in huge numbers, with turnout estimated to have reached 82%.

In a subplot of the elections, the Ipsos exit poll had the Green Left party registering a historic victory, turning it into the largest party on the left wing of Dutch politics for the first time.

The Greens leapt from four seats to 16 in parliament after a strong campaign by charismatic leader Jesse Klaver, who invites comparisons to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, according to the exit poll.

"This is a fantastic result for us, a historic victory," said Green Left chairwoman Marjolein Meijer.

It remains to be seen if the 30-year-old Mr Klaver will take his party into the next ruling coalition, which looks likely to be dominated by Mr Rutte's VVD and other right-leaning parties.

The Dutch Labour Party of Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem appeared to have been punished by voters in the election, plunging from 38 seats at the last election to just nine, according to the exit poll.

Mr Rutte had framed the election as a choice between continuity and chaos, portraying himself as a safe custodian of the nation's economic recovery and casting Mr Wilders as a far-right radical who was unprepared to make tough decisions.

The campaign's final days were overshadowed by a diplomatic crisis between the Dutch and Turkish governments.

It erupted over the refusal of the Netherlands to let two Turkish government ministers address rallies about a referendum next month that could give Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more powers.

The crisis nevertheless gave Mr Rutte an opportunity to refuse to bow to foreign pressure, a stance with widespread backing in the nation.

"It is my task to keep the nation safe and stable and deal with these kinds of people," Mr Rutte said.

- AP
At least six people have been killed as four teenage girls detonated explosives worn on their bodies on the outskirts of Maiduguri city, Nigerian officials said.

The National Emergency Management Agency said the blasts in the Borno state capital killed the four bombers and two others. They also wounded 16 people.
At a meeting in Brussels early this month, the Minister voiced his concerns with Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis that other jurisdictions were over-promising as they attempted to persuade insurance companies, in particular, to set up offices in their jurisdictions, a spokesman for the Minister said.

The concerns do not amount to an official complaint to the Commission, but the Minister wanted to stress the need for some sort of clarity over regulations in case rival jurisdictions were not able to deliver the required levels of oversight and Ireland would lose out, his spokesman said.

The Government is battling many other financial centres across the EU to attract banks and insurance companies that will need to have a base inside the EU if the UK were to abandon the single market and fail to strike some sort of special deal for the City of London.

Regulators here have long stressed they are not interested in attracting so-called brass-plate operations and will require insurance companies to commit to establishing substantial operations.

Amid a standard approach to regulating banks across the eurozone, there is little or no scope for rival countries to promise banks special deals. Insurance companies, however, do not face the same level of scrutiny.

The Ministers verbal complaint may mark growing concern that Ireland may not persuade as many insurers to relocate here than first thought. Last week, insurance giant AIG confirmed it had opted for Luxembourg as its base, as it prepares for Brexit.

In an interview with Reuters, Minister Murphy said that other cities in Europe are being very aggressive in trying to win business,, describing what he called dangerous competition.

We have always said ... we would not be predatory ... that we are not interested in brass plating, he said, referring to the practice of setting up a token operation with a brass-plate sign outside in order to gain market access.

Separately, the head of supervision for lenders at the Central Bank, Ed Sibley, has said that assessing applications for banks to move here would have significant resource implications and challenges for the regulator.

The comments were reported in the minutes of a Central Bank Commission meeting at the end of January which were released by the Central Bank yesterday.

There was good news yesterday for the prospects for Ireland attracting Bank of America. The bank views Dublin as its default destination for a new hub inside the EU if Brexit means the UK loses easy access to the single market, according to one of the firms top executives in Germany, Bloomberg reported.

The bank will likely move some jobs to other cities across the EU, including Frankfurt, Madrid, Luxembourg and Amsterdam, Nikolaus Naerger said at a press briefing hosted by the Association of Foreign Banks in Germany.

The firm hasnt made a final decision on Dublin and could choose a different destination, said Mr Naerger, Bank of Americas head of corporate banking in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
The retailer, which came to the market almost two years ago, had 243 sites at the end of December and has opened 12 more outlets since the start of the year.

Its revenue in 2016 of almost 1.18bn was up 8.8% from the previous year. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation rose 10.7% to 32m.

It also announced plans to pay 1.25p (1.43) dividend a share, its first since launching its offering in 2015. The shares fell about 2.5% yesterday. They had dropped sharply in the aftermath of the UKs Brexit vote in June.

Having dropped to an all-time low of 3.90 in July, the shares climbed to 4.98 in the middle of last month. In recent days, sterling has again fallen against the euro as the UK prepares to formally start its divorce talks with the EU.

However, outgoing chief financial officer Paul Lynch said though affected by the slide in sterling against the euro that it saw no reason to slow expansion plans in the UK. Its experience of the UK market had been that retail confidence has picked up, he said.

Applegreen is happy with its US growth, where it now has 13 sites, after opening new outlets this year, Mr Lynch said. Merrion Capital analyst Dylan Simmonds it was confident about its non-food sales in Ireland.

We remain positive on managements ability to grow the Applegreen brand but currently feel the stock is close to fair value, he said.

Goodbody said Applegreen had significant scope to continue to open more sites. It has a buy recommendation.
Mr Justice Raymond Groarke, was not told who the hero of the hour was five years ago when the incident happened but heard Alex Mahons friend acted immediately.

Alex, now a 15-year-old student, who received an electric shock in June 2011 when he pulled a live cable which was hanging loose outside a creche in the Old Court Shopping Centre, Killinniny Road, Firhouse, Dublin, also received a serious burn to his left hand.
The court heard yesterday the settlement offers had been made by Giraffe Childcare without admission of liability.

Counsel Gareth Kinsella told the court Jamie Doyle, now aged 8, attended Belarmine Giraffe Creche in Stepaside, Dublin, from July 2009 to May 2013 and his brother Mark, now aged 5, attended from 2012 to 2013.

Mr Kinsella said the boys were removed from the creche following an advanced viewing by their parents of the Prime Time documentary which was broadcast on May 28, 2013.

The brothers, who sued the creche through their mother Pauline Doyle, of The Hill, Stoneen, Kilfane, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, alleged in separate claims that ongoing deficiencies in care at the creche had created an anxiety-provoking environment during the time they spent there as day-care users.

Mr Kinsella said Giraffe Childcare, with a registered address at Adamstown Avenue, Castlegate, Adamstown, Co Dublin, had entered full defences to both claims.

Counsel said the video footage showed Mark in the documentary. The court heard Mark, who was under two years old at the time, could be seen being shouted at in an intimidating and distressing manner by staff.

Mr Kinsella said Jamie was not in the documentary but had attended the creche for almost four years. He had suffered traumatic stress, fatigue, irritability, and had a poor appetite.

Counsel said the defendant had made settlement offers of 30,000 in Marks case and 18,000 in Jamies case and that he was happy to recommend both offers. Judge Groarke approved them.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties was responding to a landmark ruling by the ECJ, the EU's highest court, on the EU directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation.

A Belgium Muslim woman had sought the court's ruling on whether the prohibition on wearing an Islamic headscarf, which arose from a general company policy, constituted direct discrimination.

The court ruled: An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination.

But it said if there was no such policy, customers cannot demand an employee to remove a headscarf.

The ICCL said the European Court of Human Rights, a separate court to the ECJ, had a specific provision (Article 9)  the right to respect for religious freedom.

ICCL director Liam Herrick said the ECJ examined this issue from a narrow discrimination perspective.

He said there appeared to be a gap between the protections afforded to individuals under EU law and the higher level of protection of rights under the European Convention of Human Rights.

He said this convention still applied and that these cases could have been brought before the ECHR.

Dublin Imam Umar Al-Qadri said the ruling meant that Muslim women had to hide their identity if they wanted to work.

Given this was the European Court of Justice he said it was going to have an effect, particularly in countries like the Netherlands and France where there was already an atmosphere of anti-Muslim sentiment.

In the West, we are seeing a shift towards assimilation, against religion. The message is: you need to assimilate, if you don't, you don't belong here.

Tipperary-based Muslim academic and author Dr Rachel Woodlock said the ruling reflected the ideology of enforced secularism which was targeting Muslim women in particular.

She added: I despair at the type of message that is coming from Europe."

Contact IHREC at www.ihrec.ie

info@ihrec.ie

01 8589601
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) said it was still examining the rulings by the European Court of Justice, which it said have binding effect on member states.

The rulings mean employers can forbid staff from wearing headscarves, or any other visible religious garment, where it is part of a general prohibition policy.
A pilot with some 25 years experience, she had participated in television programmes and campaigns about her helicopter crews work.

The 45-year-old mother of one had also spoken of the significant risks involved in the work of Coast Guard members.

My responsibility as captain is to get them all back in one piece, everything is based on trust, she said in an interview recorded for the Irish Bishops Conference.

The most vulnerable person in the whole crew would be the winchman because, if you think about it, hes dangling down up to 300ft below the aircraft, trusting me that Im on the ball, not tired, and flying well to keep him safe.

You have to be on the ball when you walk in here because if youre not, you can actually endanger somebody.

Tributes paid to experienced search and rescue pilot Captain Dara Fitzpatrick pic.twitter.com/HjXmXQp7ll  RTE News (@rtenews) March 14, 2017

She went on to elaborate on the variable conditions that make each search and rescue mission a unique operation.

You have to, in about two or three minutes, make that decision of can we go there?, can we get back? and what fuel do I need?, she said.

We can go and pick everybody up and save loads of people but theres no point in us doing that if we cant get back.

You just have to be able to think on your feet and also think of the consequences of making a decision.

You have to be able to get back to land.

Cpt Dara Fitzpatrick's sister, Niamh: 'It never occurred to Dara that she couldnt do this because she was female ... she just loved it.' pic.twitter.com/aBsDhfSxUQ  RTE News (@rtenews) March 15, 2017

At the time of the interview in 2007, Capt Fitzpatrick said she had 15 years experience as a pilot, but that her job still had the potential to give her a kick in the ass.

Youll go along and youll do loads of really good jobs and then, one time, youll get a kick in the ass and it kind of wakes you up, to say you cant relax, she said.

The thing that I find the hardest is everybody thinks it isnt going to happen to them and, again, youre picking somebody up out of the water.

Capt Dara Fitzpatrick with then transport minister Leo Varadkar in Weston Airport, Dublin, in February 2014. Picture Colin Keegan

Capt Fitzpatrick is survived by her three-year-old son, her parents, three sisters, and one brother.

Her sister, Niamh Fitzpatrick, a psychologist and agony aunt on Today FM, yesterday tweeted a tribute.

My brave sister Capt Dara Fitzpatrick lost her life in #Rescue116 crash. We are devastated. Please pray for recovery of 3 remaining crew, said Ms Fitzpatrick.
It was part of a worldwide grounding for safety checks after a Sikorsky S-92A experienced a technical fault when it was coming in to land.

It left significant gouge marks on the deck of the platform.

The helicopter, which was operating from Aberdeen in Scotland, spun upon landing on the Total West Franklin rig, damaging the helideck and the aircrafts landing gear.

CHC said the flight crew reported unexpected control responses on final approach and executed an emergency landing.

All operators of the Sikorsky S-92A helicopter worldwide were advised to ground their aircraft early in January until precautionary maintenance and inspections of the tail rotor could be undertaken.

Sikorsky issued the worldwide air service bulletin following the incident.

CHC Ireland and the Irish Coast Guard immediately began the process of inspecting all its aircraft, but requested that they stagger the process to ensure continuity of service.

This was approved and all five aircraft were grounded for the precautionary checks on a staggered basis in early January to ensure there was emergency cover available.

Each of the checks took about four hours to complete and afterwards, the aircraft were returned to service.

A month before the incident on the North Sea, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to all owners and operators of Sikorsky S-92 helicopters to look for possible problems with tail rotor control.

It was prompted by a report of an operator losing tail rotor control while in a hover.

The emergency directive was issued on November 18, with the FAA stating: The actions in this Emergency AD are intended to detect a binding bearing, prevent loss of TR [tail rotor] control, and possible loss of control of the helicopter.

A preliminary investigation determined that binding in the tail rotor pitch change shaft assembly double row angular contact bearing resulted in reduced tail rotor control.

This Emergency AD was prompted by a report of an operator losing tail rotor control while in a hover. A preliminary investigation determined that binding in the TR pitch change shaft assembly double row angular contact bearing resulted in reduced TR control.

"The investigation also found signs of excessive heat, which is an indicator of a binding bearing.

CHC Ireland operates search and rescue services under contract to the Department of Transport and Irish Coast Guard from bases at Dublin, Waterford, Sligo, and Shannon.

As part of a 10-year, 500m deal, which was signed in July 2010, CHC agreed to replace its ageing fleet of S61N Sikorsky helicopters with the new S-92A series.

The S-92A helicopter was introduced into the Coast Guard in 2012 and over the following year, the entire fleet of older S6-1N aircraft were replaced in a phased process.
Letitia Lawlor died a week after she fell from the trolley three years ago, striking her head.

Counsel Doireann OMahony told the court that when Mrs Lawlor was transferred to the hospitals emergency department three years ago after she fell at her nursing home, she was known to be at risk of falls.

Ms OMahony said this was a tragic fatal case and Mrs Lawlor was missed by her family: a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren.

Counsel said Mrs Lawlor, after her admission to St Vincents Hospital, Elm Park, Merrion Rd, in August 2013 had been on the trolley overnight and was reviewed by a consultant the next day.

Counsel said they would contend the side bars on the trolley had been lowered to allow Mrs Lawlor have lunch, and that she later fell from the trolley and suffered lacerations to her head.

A few days later, on August 22, 2013, Mrs Lawlor died. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was an acute or chronic subdural haematoma secondary to a fall. An inquest later returned a verdict of medical misadventure.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Kevin Cross in the High Court approved a settlement of 51,000 in the case.

Mrs Lawlors daughter Geraldine Eaton, of Fortrose Park, Tempelogue, Dublin, had sued St Vincents Healthcare Group Ltd as a result of the fall from a trolley at St Vincents Hospital.

It was claimed that Mrs Lawlor had suffered a fall on August 14, 2013, while a resident of a nursing home.

She had lacerations to the elbow, lip, and nose, and was taken to St Vincents emergency department and admitted for observation.

It was claimed that it was known Mrs Lawlor had suffered several other falls over a period of eight weeks prior to the fall of August 14 and was deemed to be at risk of more.

It was alleged that on August 15, 2013, while she remained unattended, she suffered an unwitnessed fall from the trolley where the trolley, it was alleged, had been left with the side bars lowered to allow Mrs Lawlor to feed.

Mrs Lawlors family, it was further claimed, had suffered significant distress, upset, and grief as a result of her untimely death and that she had played a central role in the lives of her daughter, son, and grandchildren, and had been a devoted mother and grandmother.

Outside court after the settlement was announced, Ms Eaton, Mrs Lawlors daughter, said they miss her very much.

We miss her very much, and we hope that what happens to her does not happen in any other hospital. She was a very loving grandmother. She had four grandchildren and she doted on them and they all miss her, as we all do. Nothing can bring her back, she said.
They also said that they will hold both the Irish and Egyptian governments responsible for anything that may happen to him.

Mr Halawa was detained in a mosque in Cairo as the Muslim Brotherhood held a day of rage over the removal of president Mohamed Morsi in August 2013.

He is being tried with hundreds of other protestors but the trial was adjourned for the 19th time last month.

Ibrahim is dying and we as a family will hold both governments responsible for anything [that might] happen to him.

Were running out of time. We urge the Taoiseach to at least secure his release before its too late, the family said in a statement.

They also referred to the release of Mr Halawas former cellmate, Australian journalist Peter Greste, freed after his government applied pressure on the Egyptian administration.

Former cellmate Peter Grestes government was able to secure his welfare and release for the period he spent in prison, read the Halawa family statement.

I am shocked that the Taoiseach cant at least secure his welfare nor his conditions. Securing Ibrahims welfare means ensuring that he is placed in the best conditions possible, it continued.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday Irish embassy officials in Egypt met with Mr Halawa on March 1 for 40 minutes. A spokeswoman also detailed an exceptional number of meetings between Irish and Egyptian authorities.

The Taoiseach and Minister [for Foreign Affairs] Flanagan have been working continuously to support efforts to secure Ibrahim Halawas early return to Ireland.

"The Taoiseach has had a number of direct and personal contacts with Egyptian President el-Sisi, in face-to-face meetings, by telephone and through written correspondence, the spokeswoman said.

Minister Flanagan has been in regular contact with Egyptian foreign minister Shoukry on the case, and met him again on Monday March 6.

Mr Halawa, meanwhile, has written several letters from prison about the treatment he has received. He has also been on hunger strike.

A delegation of eight TDs visited the now 21-year-old Ibrahim in January and also met the Egyptian president.
The Cork brothers claim commissioner Helen Dixon has failed to properly deal with and finalise their complaint of November 2014.

Michael Cush, for the brothers, has secured leave to bring judicial review proceedings against the commissioner.

It was made on an ex parte basis, with one side only represented before Ms Justice Mary Faherty. The case will come back before the courts in May.

The brothers want orders compelling the commissioner to discharge her statutory duty in relation to their complaint.

They claim the alleged failure to finalise their complaint in a timely fashion breaches their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

After the OFlynn group loans were transferred in early 2010 to a Nama company, National Assets Loan Management Ltd (NALM), the brothers say the group engaged with Nama about restructuring their loans with the intention of continuing in business.

To that end, they gave Nama documents comprising at least 2,000 pages, including highly confidential and personal information about their business and personal affairs, they claim.

Nama sold their loans in May 2013 to Carbon Finance Ltd for a reported 1.1bn.

In September 2014, they asked Namas data protection officer for any personal data kept by it concerning them which, under the Data Protection Act, should have been supplied to them and within a maximum 40 days, they claim.

Nama provided them with certain limited personal data, they claim.

It is alleged the Nama response failed to meet their entitlements under the Act and they made a complaint to that effect to the commissioner in November 2014.

Michael OFlynn wrote to the commissioner in June 2015 about the delay, saying the information would be relevant to evidence he was asked to provide for the Oireachtas banking inquiry.

In correspondence, the commissioner had stated that documents were being sought and any delay finalising the complaint was not surprising given the very substantial documents identified by the brothers as potentially containing their personal data.

In January 2016, the commissioner said an investigation would proceed without delay and various updates were provided over the coming months.

On March 6 last, having received no findings or final decision, their solicitors told the commissioner proceedings would be taken.

In separate proceedings yet to be heard, the brothers and their company, OFlynn Construction, allege Nama and NALM leaked confidential information concerning them and that undermined the marketing strategy Nama had agreed with them.

That case is also against Enda Farrell, a former employee of Nama, with an address in Belgium.
Tony OBrien, the director general of the HSE, has until tomorrow to respond in writing to the committee in order to correct the record about inaccurate information given to the committee.

He has agreed to go back before the committee next week to address those errors.

The Irish Examiner understands several members of the committee have sought the whistleblowers guidance as to where the HSEs evidence to the PAC conflicts with what it said to the authors of the two internal reports into the scandal.

The PAC has sought answers from Mr OBrien on a range of issues including the botched issuing of an apology to Grace and her carers, which was the subject of Irish Examiner reports last year.

Initially, the HSE rebutted our stories which carried testimony from the whistleblowers that no apology had been given.

It later admitted there had been a mistake in the manner in which the apology for the failure in care to Grace.

PAC member, Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald, has said she is very concerned that Mr OBrien has given inaccurate or misleading information to the committee in respect of the Conal Devine report into Graces case.

She also has raised issues with what he claimed was a Garda insistence that reports could not be published and disciplinary actions could not be taken against HSE staff on the instruction or advice of the gardai.

I am very concerned that Mr OBrien was not complete in the information he gave to the committee.

"I am concerned also that misleading information has been given to the committee in respect of those staff who were responsible for keeping Grace in that foster home and I want him to clarify that for the committee, she said.

She has asked is it the case that one or all of those responsible still work within the public sector.

I am concerned that the allegation  and it has not been refuted  is that what we have witnessed here is what has been described as a clique of HSE managers protecting themselves and the system at the expense of vulnerable children and young adults.

"At every stage, Mr OBrien was at the helm of the HSE, and it strikes me that he came before the committee and gave, at the very least, incomplete information.

"This does nothing to build confidence in him and in the discharge of his duties, if he does not mind my saying so. It is not acceptable for him to come before an Oireachtas committee and behave in that way.

One of the whistleblowers at the heart of the Grace scandal has called on Health Minister Simon Harris to correct what she has called misleading information, given on television last weekend.

Its a matter of public record  11 people are under investigation (Tusla&HSE) following Devine Report publication [one of two internal HSE reports on Grace scandal], she tweeted to Mr Harris.

There were crucial decisions over many yrs. Some people involved in various decisions continue in HSE and Tusla.

The whistleblower then accused the minister of giving a flawed narrative into what happened to Grace, saying as minister he should know the truth.
Hockneys appeal extends beyond the confines of the art world for many reasons, not least his iconic use of colour and the universality of his themes.

All the greatest hits are present and correct in this blockbuster exhibition, a survey of almost 60 years of Hockneys art.

While it is a joy to behold, the life-affirming vibrancy of the California swimming pool paintings and the gorgeously languid portrait Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy up close, there are many other less obvious gems, including a self-portrait drawn when Hockney was a teenager, and A Rakes Progress, his Hogarth-inspired series of etchings depicting his struggles as a gay man in 1960s New York.

While at first glance the landscapes of Hockneys home place of east Yorkshire and the Grand Canyon would appear to be stark in their differences, Hockney uses similar techniques to capture the beguiling beauty of both.

Hockney excels at conveying the sublimity of nature, as can be seen in Going Up Garrowby Hill, where a road snakes its way past a sentry line of trees and a patchwork of fertile fields.

Hockney was an early adopter of the iPad and iPhone, using the Brushes app to paint hundreds of portraits, still lifes and landscapes. The process behind the creation of the iPad work Views Through the Artists Bedroom Window, Bridlington is shown on three screens, like a glorious technicolour etch-a-sketch.

This exhibition is a supreme example of art as therapy.

While the huge crowds didnt make for the most comfortable of viewing experiences, there was a conviviality in the chaos which lightened the usually restrictive art gallery atmosphere.

I exited through the gift shop with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

Star Rating: 5/5

David Hockney: 60 Years of Work runs at Tate Britain until May 29
NATIVE American tribes are up in arms against US president Donald Trumps plan to build his wall against Mexican immigrants. Part of the wall would cut across lands they hold sacred.

The Tohono Oodham, whose reservation in southern Arizona straddles 120km of the US-Mexico border, along which the 1,600km wall is planned, have criticised the White House for not consulting them.

Tribal vice-chairman Verlon Jose earlier warned that the wall would be built over my dead body.

Tribes in California, Mexico, and Texas also oppose the wall. The Ysleta Del Sur, in Texas, and tribes in California, such as the Kumeyaay, also have relatives in Mexico.

Theres significant tribal sovereignty at stake here, said Robert Holden, deputy director of the National Congress of American Indians, an indigenous rights organisation.

The organisation, founded in 1944, recently passed a resolution opposing the construction of the border wall without tribal consent.

Native American communities have had their sovereignty trampled, their rights ignored, and their resources taken for too long. Opposition to this wall unites our tribal brothers and sisters across the country, said Arizona Democratic congressman, Raul Grijalva, whose district includes part of the lands of the Tohono Oodham Nation.

The Tohono Oodham (the name means people of the desert) say their creator lives in the holiest of rocks, Baboquivari Peak. Mr Trumps wall would cut across this mountain range and sacred burial ground, splitting the 28,000-strong tribes traditional lands in the US and Mexico. The reservation covers 2.8m acres.

In the past, the tribe reluctantly complied when the federal government replaced an old, barbed-wire fence with stronger barriers, but a large, permanent structure, such as Mr Trumps proposed wall, is not acceptable to them.

Not going to happen, said Tohono Oodham Nation chairman Edward Manuel. It is not feasible to put a wall on the Tohono Oodham Nation... It is going to cut off our people, our members that come [from Mexico] and use our services. Not only that, we have ceremonies in Mexico that many of our members attend. Members also make pilgrimages to Mexico and a border wall would cut that off, as well.

Manuel and Verlon Jose, both of whom attended the National Congress of American Indians meeting in Washington, which passed the resolution against the wall, also met officials from the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and issued a formal invitation to Trump to visit the Tohono Oodham nation.

Mr Trumps only option for building a wall on the land would be a stand-alone bill in Congress that would have to condemn the land and remove it from the trust for the Tohono Oodham nation.

Amy Juan, an Oodham tribe member and co-founder of the Tohono Oodham Hemajkam Rights Network, said a border wall would be devastating for the tribe and would make it harder to visit and care for burial sites in Mexico.

There are fears of protests, like those conducted by the Sioux tribe at the Standing Rock reservation over the Dakota Access pipeline. That culminated last week in a march on Washington.

The pipeline is not on tribal land, but tribal leaders say the final section of the pipeline, which will pass under Lake Oahe, a large Missouri River reservoir, will threaten their water supply, their sacred sites, and their religious rights.

The tribes also say this stretch of the $3.8bn (3.6bn) pipeline violates treaties between Native Americans and the federal government.

The protest organisers, who also include the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Native Organisers Alliance, are demanding that the government require tribal consent when considering infrastructure projects crossing through their lands.

The 1886km-long pipeline, which crosses North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Illinois, and which will transport 570,000 barrels of oil a day as early as next month, has been the scene of months of protests and clashes with police.

There have been 750 arrests since August. Authorities closed the protest camp in February and set up roadblocks to prevent protesters from returning. The protests delayed the project during Barack Obamas administration and a review of environmental approvals was launched.

But after Mr Trump took office in January, a further environmental study of the disputed area was halted. A month later, the US Corps of Engineers, which manages the Missouri River, gave the pipeline developer, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, permission to finish the project.

Energy Transfer Partners says the underground pipeline is one of the safest in the world and CEO Kelcy Warren has called concerns over its impact on the tribes water supply unfounded. Mr Trump says it will spur economic growth and safely transport heavy crude from western North Dakota to the pipeline networks and refineries in Illinois.

But such arguments have failed to assuage the tribes fears.

This fight, against the Dakota Access pipeline, has been the tip of the spear of a powerful global movement calling for the United States government, and Donald Trump, to respect indigenous nations and people in our right to water, land, sovereignty, and culture, Dallas Goldtooth, an organiser with the Indigenous Environmental Network, told National Public Radio.

Support also came from a rural community in Ireland. The Love Leitrim group stood in solidarity beside the iconic Eagles Rock, in Leitrim, holding up signs saying From Eagles Rock to Standing Rock. Solidarity from Ireland to Dakota. An historical link between another indigenous US tribe and Ireland, since the time of the Famine, was not lost on the group. The Choctaw sent the equivalent of thousands of dollars to help the Irish during that period.

They are going through hard times now, said Michael Gallagher, one of the Leitrim farmers supporting the pipeline protests. We want them to know that we havent forgotten and are there for them. We ask that their homeland be respected.

Each of the 326 reservations is associated with a particular nation, but not all of the countrys 567 recognised tribes have a reservation  some tribes have more than one reservation, some share reservations, while others have none.

The reservations were set up in the 1800s, during the European colonisation of the Americas, when native tribes were forcibly removed from their lands and relocated, under the Indian Removal Act in 1830. During the relocation, which became known as The Trail of Tears, the indigenous people, including members of the Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations, suffered from exposure, disease, and starvation and 4,000 died en route.

In 2012, there were 2.5m Native Americans, 1m of them living on reservations, the others in cities or elsewhere. While Mr Trumps border wall, and the oil pipeline, are the focus of the current protests, relations between Washington and the indigenous tribes have been tense in the past.

During ceremonies on Thanksgiving Day, 1970, to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock, the American Indian Movement seized the replica of the Mayflower in Boston. In 1971, members briefly occupied Mount Rushmore, which was created 90 years ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota, long sacred to the Lakota.

There was a rights march on Washington in 1972, during the Nixon administration. And on July 15, 1978, a march across the country, dubbed The Longest Walk, entered Washington with several thousand Native Americans and their supporters, among them Muhammad Ali and US senator Ted Kennedy.

Forty years later, Native Americans are again marching for their voices to be heard.
Wednesday, March 15th, 2017 (2:02 pm) - Score 871

The 34m+ e-Sussex project, which has been working with Openreach (BT) to make FTTC/P fibre broadband services available to 99% of local premises in the county (96% will get superfast speeds of 24Mbps+), has officially completed its first contract and reported good take-up of 37%.

So far the programme, which requires Openreach to build 400 new VDSL Street Cabinets and lay over 1000km of fibre optic cable duct, claims to have made faster fibre broadband services available to more than 73,000 additional premises in East Sussex. In addition, local take-up has improved considerably from 19% some 18 months ago (37% today).

However its worth pointing out that they did originally aim to achieve this goal by the end of March 2016 (here and here), which means that the East Sussex deployment is running behind schedule and we also have some doubts about whether or not theyve managed to achieve the 96% coverage target for superfast speeds. NOTE: The fibre language used in todays PR spin will only confuse matters.

Rupert Simmons, East Sussex Councillor for the Economy, said: As a result of the Councils pro-active positive ambitions for the County, by the end of 2017 we expect that some 95 per cent of homes and business will have access to faster, more reliable fibre broadband. This couldnt have been achieved without the Council having had such a high ambition for the County and committing funding to the project along with the Governments Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme and BT. Were not stopping there; Cabinet has approved a further phase of the project which is now being developed.Im delighted that our communities are taking advantage of the new fibre connectivity now available to them, and have no doubt that take up of services will continue to grow.

We believe that the 95% figure highlighted above is actually reflective of superfast speeds because the raw fibre footprint already sits just shy of being universal. Otherwise, when BTs own commercial fibre roll-out is included, it means that the high-speed technology is now available to more than 380,000 premises in the county.

As Rupert alludes above, a second Superfast Extension Programme (SEP) contract was actually agreed all the way back in 2015 (here). At the time we were informed that this will benefit at least 5,000 extra premises and is worth just over 4 million, with half of that coming from Broadband Delivery UK, plus 2m from the East Sussex County Council and just 200K from BT. A further 2m of funding is also being considered as part of a future Phase 3 contract (seemingly related to clawback).

The latest roll-out update for Phase 2 can be found online (here). However East Sussex hasnt been terribly good at keeping the public up-to-date with their progress and todays news is the first weve had in a long time.
When it comes to data management, SAP has been pursuing a dual strategy anchored around the SAP HANA in-memory computing database and SAP Vora, an instance of Hadoop and the Apache Spark in-memory computing framework. At the Strata + Hadoop World 2017 conference today, SAP made it clear that both platforms are now equal citizens within the context of the companys application development strategy.

Ken Tsai, vice president and head of cloud platform data management for SAP, says the latest version of SAP Vora unveiled at the conference represents a four to five times improvement in terms of functionality. New features include a time-series distributed in-memory engine as well as a graph distributed engine and an in-memory JSON document store. Also included is support for Kerberos authentication, distributed transaction log for metadata persistence, and currency conversion.

SAP also announced it will make SAP Vora available as a managed cloud service via the platform it gained when it acquired Altiscale last year.

In general, SAP has up until now viewed Hadoop and Spark as just another source of data for HANA. But with this release, Tsai says, SAP Vora and SAP HANA are now equal citizens in terms of SAP research and development. A big reason for that shift, says Tsai, is the recognition that Big Data will soon be distributed everywhere. Instead of moving data around the enterprise, IT organizations want to be able to process and analyze data as close as possible to the point where it was created. For that reason, Tsai says, SAP has been pursuing cloud alliances with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and now Google, along with hosting instances of HANA and Vora in the cloud on its own.

Big Data will happen everywhere, says Tsai.

In some cases, that data will be processed on HANA. But its just as likely that data will be processed on an instance of Hadoop/Spark.

Like many database vendors, SAP is simply coming to terms with the fact that Hadoop has emerged as a major enterprise platform. Treating Hadoop as a second-class citizen to HANA would only serve to marginalize SAP. Now regardless of which direction the forces of data gravity tug, SAP maintains the opportunity to remain relevant.
The upcoming all-electric Porsche Mission E sedan, with its 300-plus mile range and sub-four second 0-60 mile-per-hour acceleration, will likely be the Tesla Model S's first competitor. The new Porsche electric lineup, Bavarian EV, will hit the market in the next couple years. Borrowing a couple other tricks from the Tesla playbook, the new electric performance sedan could offer Level 4 self-driving technology, the carmaker's chairman says.

The new vehicle also promises to offer over-the-air software updates that unlock extra power. "It will be possible to work with over-the-air options, Porsche chairman Oliver Blume says during the Geneva Motor Show. He adds that specifics has not been decided yet, but it could be possible to charge up the self-driving car with more power.

Blume reveals that Porsche Mission E is working on providing their vehicles with software updates like those pioneered by Tesla with its Model S. So when you have 400 horsepower, it could be possible to upgrade to 450 hp, he explains. Likewise, the electric car would be able to drive itself in some situations, the Auto Car reports.

However, Blume stresses that such capabilities would be reserved for times when Porsche drivers can't make the most of their car's performance. As with Tesla's Model S and Model X, the Porsche's electric lineup will come in multiple power outputs. According to Blume, the company will make more than one power outputs, with different levels of power, The Drive reports.

Porsche's Mission E is expected to be big business for the company. It could sell around 20,000 Mission E sedans a year, according to Blume, which would make up around 10 percent of Porsche sales based on current figures. The carmaker plans to move into the electric car space, such as a plug-in hybrid 911 as part of the broader VW Group's move to sell around three million electric cars a year by 2025.
Volvo is set to have its first electric car. The Volvo EV has been rumored to come out in 2019. The Volvo EV is also projected to have 250 miles of range.

Electric cars are the new trend in the automotive industry, and many manufacturers are making them. One of them is Volvo. It will have a price from between $35,000 to $40,000, as said by Volvo CEO Lex Kerssemakers.

As of now, there is still few information about the coming Volvo EV. The company has yet to decide what would be the model name for it, if it would be part of an existing line or a standalone vehicle. It would be a challenge for Volvo to have the EV out in two years' time, and this challenge has been acknowledged by Kerssemakers.

He does admit that an electric vehicle's range is important for many consumers. He has said that people are hesitant in buying electric vehicles because they don't have enough range yet. The electric vehicle from Volvo will be almost similar to the Chevy Bolt both in prices and range distance.

The Volvo EV will likely use the CMA platform, according to Motor Trend. This platform would be used with electric vehicles in mind. It would also be used for Volvo's XC40 which will be coming out in 2018.

The platform that would be used would also be a compact one, as compared to the others that Volvo uses, as Automotive News reports. Volvo has the larger SPA platform which being used by the 90 series sedans and wagons. The SPA platform is also being used by the Volvo XC90.

Volvo's first electric car would be a test for it if it can compete in the electric vehicles category. A number of manufacturers are also joining in, or have already joined it. It would be a crowded market as the Volvo EV is projected to have a 250 miles range. New concept cars are also coming that could revolutionize the industry.
It seems that both the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus will not be the finest smartphones ever made by Samsung this year. Apparently, the company is said to be already working on a new "foldable handset" model with an OLED display that will be more powerful than the said flagship phones.

The Unnamed Foldable Samsung Device

According to an article at BGR, the unnamed foldable smartphone will be a step above compared to regular flagship handsets which will deliver a luxurious design and high quality beyond anything Samsung has done so far - an ultra-premium smartphone. It's said that the said device was secretly showcased to a limited of partners at the 2017 Mobile World Congress event.

What makes the device special is its screen, but Samsung is preventing any further leaks to come out. It is also said that the unnamed device is the foldable Samsung handset that was mentioned about in recent rumors.

When Is It Coming?

ET News reported that Samsung's initial plan was to mass produce a few thousand prototypes in the first quarter, but decided to delay it in order to invest more time into raising the quality of the entire product. With that being said, the prototypes will instead be produced in the third quarter, which will then be distributed to testers and partners for get feedback about the said device.

BGR noted that assuming the report is accurate and Samsung will stick to the schedule, the prototype could be unveiled at the IFA 2017. However, though it is expected to be unveiled later this year, the final version may not actually hit store shelves until some point in 2018.

Other Phone Manufacturers To Make Foldable Handsets

Samsung won't be the only one gunning for fordable handsets. Apparently, various Chinese handset makers such as Lenovo, Oppo and Vivo are rumored to be working as well with the help of local display makers like BOE, Visionox and AUO. As for Samsung's foldable handset, the OLED screen will be provided by the company's own Samsung Display.


The latest episode of Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga, also known as the sequel to Ao No Exorcist anime series, has just aired last week. The new episode revealed Yukio defeating Todou and Rin, as he finally draws his sword. The exorcists showdown with the Impure King and Todou was just a tip of the iceberg, which leads to another arc connected to the Kyoto Saga arc.

Todou And The Illuminatis Plans

Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga Episode 10 showed Yukio fighting off Todou with the help of the priests. They were only able to defeat Todou when Yukio realized that they can outwit his regenerative abilities, by making Todou absorb too much energy. Though Todou was defeated, he remained uncaptured. Before escaping, he hinted Yukio that there will be more to come.

It turns out, Todou is working for the Illuminati, a group led by the strongest demon king, Lucifer, who is also called the King of Light. The Impure King being set free was just part of the plan to awaken demons all over the world, as they work on an elixir. They are conducting the experiments on human beings and creating invincible zombies in the process. The Illuminati has been lurking around for years, secretly finding a way to revive Satan as well.

Renzos Betrayal And Yukios Struggles

Todou wasnt the only one secretly working with the Illuminati. It was later on revealed that Renzo Shima was a spy for the said group. This was brought to light when he helped in the abduction of Izumo Kamiki and admitted to Rin, Bon, Yukio, and to the rest of the gang of his real purpose of getting into True Cross Academy. The Illuminati planted Shima as a spy to get a hold of Izumo because she possessed powers of the Nine-Tailed Demon that can be beneficial to create the perfect elixir.

Meanwhile, Yukio struggles after his encounter with Todou in Kyoto since he realized he might have the powers of Satan embedded in him just like his brother, Rin. His powers may have been dormant but they come out in near-death encounters just like when Todou was about to finish him off. Blue flames would come out of Yukios eyes and he has still not figured out what his powers really are. Despite the gravity of the matter, he decided to keep it a secret and find a way himself.
CBS seems to have several shows with dripping ratings, yet some of them are still lucky to be awarded with another renewal, like "2 Broke Girls". The sitcom is already on its sixth season, and ratings of the show started to fall during its fifth installment, but was still renewed. "2 Broke Girls" continue to suffer from its lowest ratings, but renewal forecasts still see the series getting another green light.

CBS' "2 Broke Girls" has already come to its season 6 finale, and tv renewal. Ratings sites still believe that the luck of Max Black and Caroline Channing will work for the second time around. "2 Broke Girls" continue to suffer from its lowest ratings, but renewal forecasts still see the series getting another green light. Much lower than its fifth season where "2 Broke Girls" has been pushed back by CBS on another schedule.

Fans might have thought that moving "2 Broke Girls" in a Thursday schedule has been a bad idea, but ratings of the current season proves that bringing the show back on its Monday timeslot is a worse decision. The series fell from 6 million viewers to a series low of 4 million viewers, and fans have been worrying that season 6 might be closing the greasy diner for good.

When season 5 turned out to be a bit disappointing following its viewer numbers, CBS took the risk and renewed the series otherwise. Yet again, "2 Broke Girls" is performing worse than ever but it seems to be getting more seasons served on its plate, as Cancel Bear predicts a new installment on the horizon. The network has not yet given any official announcements about the exact fate of "2 Broke Girls", but fans are definitely hopeful to see Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs work out their charm on season 7.

"Two Broke Girls" follow the life of Max Black and Caroline Channing who used to work in a diner which they now partially own. The duo struggles to earn just enough money to support their daily survival and maintain their small cupcake business. The comedy series has been a hit, and it still manages to keep a modest population of fans.

The next episode of "2 Broke Girls" season 6 will see Caroline impressing Bobby by trying to learn his bowling hobby. However, the blonde chic will cause disaster to Bobby's team and will end up thinking that she is a bad luck. Max, on the other hand, seems more proficient in the sport, and tries to get into Bobby's team. The finale of "2 Broke Girls" season 6 will air on March 20 at 9:30/8:30c on CBS.


Today

Mostly sunny. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 58F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.

Tomorrow

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 78F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is set to address parliament Tuesday, a day after lawmakers gave her approval to begin Britain's exit from the European Union.

May is still awaiting one final step, the consent of Queen Elizabeth, but that could come as early as Tuesday.After that she will be free to formally notify the EU she is triggering Article 50 of the bloc's treaty, which covers how a member can withdraw.

A May spokesman said Monday that she is not likely to make that move until the end of this month.The exit process is expected to take about two years as British and EU officials negotiate exactly how to unwind the governmental and economic partnerships that come with EU membership.

Annmarie Elijah, associate director of Australian National University's Center for European Studies, says the two sides have a host of issues to work out now that the process is moving from theoretical to practical, including what happens to EU nationals living in Britain.
DISCUSSIONS with government about future financial help for the Island continue next week between the Isle of Wight Council leader and local government secretary, Sajid Javid.



Mr Javid meets Cllr Dave Stewart on Thursday next week.



It follows a meeting in London yesterday (Tuesday) between the two attended by the councils two top officers.



Cllr Stewart said: "This was a pre-planned meeting and we had a wide ranging discussion covering topics including the unique features of the 'Island Case, our overall need for additional funding support, the passion from local business to work hard to grow the Island economy and proposals I am bringing forward shortly about ways to improve our public sector services.



"We also spoke about skills development on the Island and other initiatives to help our young people in their future careers."



Cllr Stewart, who was later in the day elected as a director of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership to represent the Island, said: "This was a great opportunity to speak to Sajid Javid on behalf of the Island and it was clear he was aware of our situation and was keen to visit the Island and learn more.



"We need to show we are 'open for business and others need to know this is the case.



"This Island has a great future ahead of it and I am determined to help ensure we are able to achieve the success we deserve."
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THERESA May has addressed funding issues facing the Isle of Wight in parliament  but has given no guarantees of extra cash.

Facing a question on the issue from Andrew Turner MP at todays (Wednesday) Prime Ministers Questions session, Mrs May said she wanted to make the most of all the countrys diverse strengths.

Mr Turner asked: "This Government are working with local enterprise partnerships, councils and other partners to grow the economy, but despite being in the prosperous south east, the Isle of Wight is 339th out of 379 in the UK competitiveness index.

"Will my right honourable friend ensure that more growth funding is targeted at rural areas such as the Island, with its many small and microbusinesses, to deliver a country that works for all?"

The Prime Minister said: "My honourable friend speaks well on behalf of his constituents, and he is right to do that. I know that he has consistently put forward the unique characteristics of the Isle of Wight.

"We have already been able to support the islands economy through the local growth deal for the Solent  that is 183 million  and the Solent local enterprise partnership has been supporting the Isle of Wight rural small and medium-sized enterprise programme; my honourable friend particularly referred to rural funding.

"I want to make sure that we make the best of the diverse strengths of all Britains cities, regions and islands. I am sure that on the Island, the business community and the council will work together to create the best possible conditions for growth and competitiveness in the future."

Earlier today, Isle of Wight Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart had met with Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid, to discuss the issues facing the Island.

They are due to meet again, on the Island, next week.




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A blizzard swept through the heavily populated northeastern United States on Tuesday, grounding thousands of flights, canceling classes and pummeling those who ventured out onto snow-bound streets.

Some 50 million people from Pennsylvania to Maine faced a "rapidly intensifying nor'easter" over the course of the day that was unusual for striking so late in the winter, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Many heeded official advice to stay home.

The storm left Washington's celebrated cherry trees, a tourist attraction and an early herald of spring, encased in ice. The NWS sharply dialed back forecasts for some areas, notably New York City, where residents had been warned to steel themselves for potentially record-breaking snow.

By afternoon, as snow turned to dwindling sleet, city officials were anticipating that Wednesday's morning rush hour would be largely back to normal and that schools would reopen. Connecticut officials said roads there would reopen to general traffic as early as 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Still, some in the region could expect up to 60 cm of snow by early Wednesday, the weather service predicted, with the worst blizzard conditions forecast for parts of New England.

Governors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia earlier declared states of emergency. Above-ground parts of New York City's subway service were suspended, and Metro-North commuter service to the suburbs shut down at noon. Train services to Boston and Albany were also suspended.

"Mother Nature is an unpredictable lady sometimes," the state's governor, Andrew Cuomo, said at a news conference. "She was unpredictable today." While New York City got less snow than expected, areas upstate were already buried in more than was forecast, he said, and up to 30 inches was still expected in central parts of the state.
Companies are not just appreciated and prized for the products and services it provides or for the sales it generates. How it does so, how it positively impacts society, and all stakeholders are equally important aspects of a firm.

Ethisphere published its list of the World's Most Ethical Companies and it contains 124 names. Of these 124, 13 firms are what it calls "eleven-time honorees," or have been on the list every year, and 8 are "first-time honorees."

These 13 names are insurance provider Aflac Incorporated, industrial manufacturer Deere & Company, water and energy provider Ecolab Inc, construction firm Fluor Corporation, conglomerate GE, manufacturer International Paper Company, healthy and beauty firm Kao Corporation, manufacturer Milliken and Company, soda giant PepsiCo, coffee company Starbucks, manufacturer Texas Instruments, delivery firm UPS, and lastly Xerox Corporation.

The 8, on the other hand, are telecom company Brightstar, medical equipment manufacturer Edwards Lifesciences, pharmaceuticals firm Eli Lilly, baking company Grupo Bimbo, chemicals company Praxair Inc, waste disposal firm Republic Services, research firm RTI International, and lastly apparel company VF Corporation.

For the full list of 124 firms that made it to the World's Most Ethical Companies, click here.

According to its official website, Ethisphere has been honoring companies since 2007. They recognize every company's efforts in driving significant and positive changes to society and the business environment.

Using a survey, Ethisphere evaluates the many companies based on five criteria, writes Forbes. These are a firm's ethics and compliance program, whether or not ethics is embedded into the culture, corporate citizenship and responsibility, corporate governance, and lastly leadership, innovation, and reputation.

In order to be included in the list, interested companies must pay an application fee. According to Forbes, firms that make less than $500 pay $1000, while bigger firms pay $1,500. For more job-related news and updates, follow Jobs & Hire.
Mark Zuckerberg may be one of the busiest CEOs in the world, but the Facebook founder finds time to devote to his hobbies and annual side projects. Though some workers may scoff at the idea of finding a hobby when one is already up to his neck in deadlines, Zuckerberg said that it is one of the most important things that young professionals can do to enrich their careers.

Speaking at a town hall event at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, which was posted live on Facebook, Zuckerberg revealed the one question that they always ask job seekers.

At Facebook we often ask [job candidates], What is something that youve built that is outside of the jobs youve done? he said. The father-of-one said that having a hobby is one of the best ways that people can show their passion and leadership.

Zuckerberg also talked about learning skills outside of college, and he said that while taking computer courses in great, people can learn so much more by hacking around and coding by yourself.

Ive probably learned more coding from random side projects that I did than the courses I took in college, he said. The CEO added that its a personal challenge for him to maintain his outside interests while running Facebook. I wanna make sure that Im a well-rounded person, and so I try to do more personal challenges."

Last year, Zuckerbergs project was to build an artificial intelligence system to run his home. The AI, which he called Jarvis, was voiced by actor Morgan Freeman in a video which was released back in December. His other challenges include running 365 miles, reading 25 books, and learning Mandarin.

This year, Zuckerbergs personal challenge is to visit every state in the US and meet more people during his travels.

On his Jan. 4 post, Zuckerberg said that he plans to accomplish his goal by going on road trips with his wife, Priscilla Chan, stopping in small towns and universities, visiting offices across the country, meeting with teachers and scientists, and going on trips to fun places recommended by his Facebook followers.

For more, check out Jobs & Hires report on Richard Bransons top tips for public speaking.
Malaysian authorities have confirmed that the body of Kim Jong-nam has been embalmed. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters on Tuesday, "It's true. It's an effort to preserve the body, because if it is kept in the mortuary it might decompose."

Observers noted that this would also be a necessary step before the body can be shipped overseas, fueling speculation that Kuala Lumpur has been persuaded to hand the body over to North Korea.

The handover has been a key demand of the regime as Malaysia negotiates the safe return of nine embassy staff and family members who are effectively being held hostage in the North. Despite a retaliatory ban on some 1,000 North Koreans leaving Malaysia, Hamidi also said that 50 illegal North Korean workers are being deported.

Meanwhile, Pyongyang has refused to admit that the victim of the assassination at Kuala Lumpur Airport is in fact the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

North Korea's deputy ambassador to the UN in a bizarre press conference in New York on Monday blamed South Korea and the U.S. for the death of North Korean citizen "Kim Chol," the name found in one of his passports.
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Prosecutors have summoned ex-President Park Geun-hye to question her over allegations that she colluded with her longtime confidante Choi Soon-sil to extort vast slush funds. Park has refused to submit to questioning since the scandal broke in October but can no longer shelter behind the immunity of high office. "We notified Park's lawyers that she has to appear at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday," a prosecution spokesman said Wednesday morning.



Police guard ex-President Park Geun-hye's house in Samseong-dong, Seoul on Tuesday.

Her lawyers, who have so far done everything in their power to stall the investigation, said Tuesday they will cooperate. One of them, Sohn Beom-gyu, admitted she is now "the same as any other citizen" and added that she will "obey the law." Although Park is the first democratically elected president to be ousted from office, she will be the fourth to be questioned by prosecutors. Ex-presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo were both convicted of corruption and Roh Moo-hyun was questioned over the same charges but killed himself before he could be indicted. Prosecutors are eager to avoid suspicions that they are treating Park with kid gloves, even though the Cheong Wa Dae shredders have had since at least October to destroy the paper trail. Preparations for questioning are practically complete since both the first team of prosecutors and the independent counsel already sought to question Park in November and February. A prosecution source told reporters, "We will focus on the key allegations in order to complete questioning in a single session."

News equipment is set up in front of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in Seocho, Seoul on Tuesday.

But lawmakers in the rump ruling party who remain loyal to Park are already claiming that prosecutors are rushing the investigation. There are also hints that Park will try to keep stalling. Ex-Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Min Kyung-wook, who volunteered to be her spokesman after her ouster, told the Chosun Ilbo that the ex-president has "no official position" on the investigation. Asked about the pledge by Park's lawyers that she will now cooperate, Min said, "Thats their view" and added that Park herself has not commented. In a half-hearted public apology on Nov. 4, Park promised to cooperate not only with prosecutors, but with the independent counsel as well, but she reneged on both promises. A prosecution source, asked what steps will be taken if Park keeps obstructing the probe, said, "This is not the time to comment on that matter."
The last moments of Tommy Dean Welchs life were spent sitting on a couch just before Amber Nicole Burch grabbed a .22-caliber rifle and shot him twice in the back of the head in October 2009, a Forsyth County sheriffs detective said in court Thursday.

Moments before, Burch, 27, had announced that she would kill Welch, and her boyfriend, avowed Satanist Pazuzu Algarad, told her she knew where the gun was and that it was loaded.

Three months before, Algarad had used that same rifle to fatally shoot Joshua Fredrick Wetzler. Both men were shot while Algarads mother, Cynthia James, was in the house. In Wetzlers case, she saw her son in July 2009 standing over Wetzler with a rifle in his hand and went back to her bedroom to finish getting ready for work.

When she went to leave, Algarad was still standing over Wetzler, and made the statement that he needed to make sure Wetzler was dead, and shot Wetzler again, Detective C.E. Meadows said. Wetzlers body stayed in the house for several weeks before Algarad called Burch, who was in South Carolina, to ask her to come back and help bury Wetzler.

Both men were buried in the backyard of the house at 2749 Knob Hill Drive in Clemmons. It would be five years before deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office found their remains. According to autopsies, Welch was shot in the back of the head, and Wetzler was shot three times in the head and at least four times around the torso.

On Thursday, Burch pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, armed robbery and accessory after the fact to murder. Forsyth County prosecutors allege not only that she killed Welch but that she helped Algarad bury Wetzler.

Per a plea arrangement, Judge Beecher R. Gray of Forsyth Superior Court gave her three consecutive sentences that totaled 30 years and eight months to 39 years and two months in prison.

Burchs guilty pleas Thursday marked part of an ending to one of the most bizarre murder cases in Forsyth Countys history. But it left many questions still unanswered, chief among them being why were Welch and Wetzler killed.

Prosecutors said there was no clear motive, and Algarad, who was charged with first-degree murder in Wetzlers death and accessory after the fact to murder for helping Burch bury Welch, killed himself while inside Central Prison in October 2015.

Court documents show that Algarad regularly performed Satanistic rituals and animal sacrifices at the house. Algarad was born in San Francisco in 1978 and his birth name was John Alexander Lawson.

He changed his name to Pazuzu Illah Algarad in 2002, saying in an affidavit that the name change was for religious reasons.

According to a psychiatric report connected to an unrelated criminal case, Algarad told psychiatrists at the now-closed Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh that he had practiced a Sumerian religion that involved the monthly sacrifice of a small animal.

After Burch, the only remaining co-defendant is Krystal Nicole Matlock, 30, who is charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Prosecutors say she helped Burch and Algarad bury Wetzlers body. She is scheduled to appear in Forsyth Superior Court the week of April 3.

No clear answers

One of the biggest questions in the case is how did Wetzler and Welch end up at 2749 Knob Hill Drive. That wasnt really answered in Thursdays hearing.

Meadows said the investigation indicated that Wetzler had lived at the house for at least two to three weeks before he was shot to death in July 2009. Stacey Carter, Wetzlers former girlfriend and the mother of his now-12-year-old son, said she last saw Wetzler in July 2009. She didnt report him missing until six months later after he failed to make contact with his family during the Christmas holidays. His car was found behind his apartment complex four months after he disappeared.

Carter said Wetzler often hit the road for a few months and that he liked going to music festivals and listening to jam bandssuch as Widespread Panic and the Grateful Dead.

Welch, who loved cars and was the oldest of three boys, had been planning to meet up with family members at his brothers apartment in Clemmons. Meadows said that the last time anyone saw Welch alive was around 7:30 p.m. one day in early October at a gas station.

Algarad and Burch picked up Welch from a different gas station later that night and took him to their house, where they hung out and drank alcohol.

Forsyth County prosecutors Jonathan Friel and Brian Taylor said there was no clear reason why Burch and Algarad killed Welch and Wetzler.

Its not clear why James, who attended Thursdays hearing, was not criminally charged for not reporting the killings and subsequent burials to law-enforcement when they happened in 2009. Meadows said James saw Burch and another woman carry Welchs body to the backyard and saw Burch with a rifle in her hand shortly after Burch shot Welch.

Forsyth County District Attorney Jim ONeill declined to comment because the case against Matlock is still pending.

Burch and Algarad were both convicted of assaulting James in separate incidents in 2010 and 2011, according to court documents.

Forsyth County prosecutors also didnt mention during the hearing that Forsyth County Sheriffs deputies executed a search warrant at 2749 Knob Hill Drive in February 2010. ONeill declined to comment on that search, and that search warrant and the search warrants executed in October 2014 are sealed by court order.

On the first two rows of Courtroom 5A sat members of Welchs family, many wiping tears from their eyes as they heard the excruciating details of how Welch died.

This is obviously an emotional moment for Tommys family, Taylor said in court. They have a lot of questions, chief (among them) is why.

Abusive relationship

Friends say that Burch, who graduated in 2008 from Rock Hill High School in Rock Hill, S.C., changed when she started dating Algarad.

Julie Boyer, Burchs attorney, said Algarad physically and psychologically abused her repeatedly throughout the relationship. Boyer said law enforcement was called to the house for domestic violence reasons.

A friend of Burchs told the Winston-Salem Journal in 2014 that she and Burch went to Bible study together when they lived in Rock Hill. That changed after she met Algarad.

She fell into his lifestyle and fell into his identity, she said.

Boyer said Algarad had significant mental health issues. When he was convicted of accessory after the fact to involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting death of Joseph Emmrick Chandler.

Part of his sentence required him to get mental-health treatment. Burch provided transportation, and during one session, the mental health professional pulled Burch to the side and suggested she should get mental health treatment as well, Boyer said.

Burch didnt say anything in court, but Boyer said Burch is remorseful for what she did.

Friel said the case was difficult and complex. Prosecutors had considered pursuing the death penalty against Burch, but after consulting with the N.C. Attorney Generals Office, they determined there were not statutory aggravating factors that would qualify the case for the death penalty, he said.

Stacey Carter, Wetzlers former girlfriend and the mother of his son, said Thursday was the first time she had seen Burch. She still has a lot of questions.

I was hoping to hear in her words why she did it and what happened, she said. I feel like Im not any closer to knowing any details.
LEXINGTON, S.C. A new billboard in South Carolina was put up quietly in response to another near Winston-Salem that drew anger last month from drivers who saw it as sexist.

The digital billboard on Highway 378 in Lexington, just west of Columbia, reads: Real women provide. Everyone appreciates it. The billboard was put up last week by Outfront Media, an outdoor advertising company.

Carly Zipp, Outfronts communications and events director, said the company wanted their billboard up for International Womens Day, which was Wednesday.

Its cool when people galvanize around something they believe in, whether its out messaging or a protest, Zipp said.

The controversial billboard on Business 40 in Winston-Salem, which has since been replaced, read: Real men provide. Real women appreciate it.

A group of activists, led by Molly Grace, the owner of a Winston-Salem womens boutique called Kleur, protested the billboard last month. The group plans to erect its own new sign with a counter message.

Grace said Tuesday that the South Carolina billboards message demonstrates how many people throughout the country were upset with the initial billboard message on Business 40 in Winston-Salem.

The billboard in South Carolina is evidence of the fact that not just local people in Winston-Salem were upset ... but a lot of people, regardless of the intent of the people who put it up, felt its message was offensive and harmful.

The first billboard said that by omission, women are not providers, Grace said. The South Carolina billboard says that women are providers and need to be appreciated for it.

Outfront is unaffiliated with Graces group, Zipp said.

Outfronts billboard is in South Carolina because that was the closest place in which Outfront has digital outdoor ad space, Zipp said. Because the board is digital, the company did not have to worry about printing and installation.
Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has found himself a frequent target of comedian Samantha Bee. Now she says shes trying to help him.

Bee, host of TBS Full Frontal, responded to news that McCrorys job prospects have been hindered by a backlash against House Bill 2, the law that limits LGBT protections. McCrory told the (Raleigh) News & Observer that though hes working as a consultant, some employers were reluctant to hire him.

Sorry youre having trouble finding a new job, @PatMcCroryNC, she tweeted Tuesday. Here, we wanted to help!

So she offered McCrory a new resume.

 Objective: Looking for an exciting new opportunity, either as a TV news contributor at a media outlet thats unencumbered by PC culture OR as a vice principal of one of the good schools.

 Experience as governor: Promoted a pro-business, anti-trans-people-doing-their-business agenda.

 Passed legislation defining voting as between one ballot and one white person.

 Empowered business owners to exercise their 1st Amendment right to fire gays.

 Experience as mayor of Charlotte: Created NASCAR Hall of Fame. Thats it, really.

McCrory, who hadnt seen the tweet, said he hasnt had any problem with his resume.

My job situation is fine and so is my resume, he told the Observer. Its my driving that needs help.
Franklin Grahams Boone-based Samaritans Purse says the eight aid workers who were kidnapped this week have been released and are safe.

The eight were not Americans, but were instead South Sudanese nationals, officials said.

Samaritans Purse is thankful to God for the safe release of our South Sudanese national staff, who had been detained by armed personnel in the Mayendit area of South Sudan. They were all released Tuesday afternoon local time, said a statement released Tuesday by Samaritans Purse.

There was no ransom request, and they are on the way to a safe location at this time. We are grateful for the World Food Programmes support in helping us relocate our staff.

Rebels in South Sudan denied reports that their troops had abducted the eight aid workers. The news agency Reuters reported Monday that the kidnappers had demanded food as ransom.

However, South Sudanese rebels told media outlets in Africa that the kidnapping story was government propaganda and untrue. The eight aid workers lived in the Mayendit area, and were taken from a village near Mayiandit, about 420 miles northeast of South Sudans capital city of Juba.

We do not have any relation with this incident, a spokesperson for the rebels told Sudan Tribune Monday, adding This is a mere rumor spread by the government.
WASHINGTON  For opponents of President Trump, his first seven weeks in office went about as badly for the country as they expected. The pleasant surprise is their own capacity for resistance and political resilience. What some feared might be a Trump Juggernaut is instead the Trump Jalopy, a wheezing, unsightly contraption with grinding gears and missing parts.

Many of Trumps problems are of his own creation. They include the lies about his teams Russian contacts that feed suspicions of wrongdoing; the sloppy execution of his flawed-from-the-start anti-Muslim travel ban; the failure to fill scores of key government jobs; and Trumps adolescent indiscipline highlighted by his evidence-free charge that President Obama had him wiretapped.

But Trumps critics have also had early victories that matter. These include major court triumphs over the executive order on immigrants and refugees, crowded town halls that have sharpened doubts among Republicans about their partys incoherent health-care bill and success in focusing widespread attention on the many unanswered questions about the Russia connection. All these reflect larger achievements: the kindling of a new energy in civil society, a new activism in politics and a new appreciation of the free presss role in our democracy.

Trump defenders typically denigrate these successes by arguing that his base is still intact and that the Republican rank-and-file continues to embrace him. Well, yes, but the country as a whole does not share their joy. A recent Gallup survey found that 52 percent of Americans disapproved of the job Trump is doing, while only 42 percent approved.

No matter how hard they try to contort reality, Trumpians cannot write off pluralities or majorities of Americans as being detached from the real America.

But there is an important truth to what the presidents camp is saying: Republicans in Congress who privately express grave doubts about Trump will be reluctant to break with him as long as he remains strong among those who dominate party primaries and could threaten their re-election.

So now the opposition must look ahead and grapple with two related questions: Who among Trumps 2016 voters already have second thoughts about him and how many of those still sticking with him are open to changing their minds?

Liberals who rightly condemn demeaning stereotypes of African-Americans and Latinos must also oppose stereotyping Trumps white working-class supporters. The Trump camp was not monolithic. Many of Trumps ballots, after all, came not from blue-collar strongholds but from precincts dominated by well-off conservatives who routinely back Republicans.

And the decisive votes for Trump were not cast by the passionately committed. The media exit poll found that only 38 percent of those who participated in the 2016 election had a favorable view of Trump. Thats the base. The contest was settled by those who viewed both Trump and Hillary Clinton negatively. These pox-on-both-houses voters made up 18 percent of the electorate, and went 47 percent to 30 percent for Trump over Clinton, with most of the rest opting for third-party choices. These are the Trump agnostics. They are central to our political future.

Moreover, an important minority of white working-class Trump voters in the elections three key states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan) favored Obama four years earlier. They are not right-wingers. For example, in 2012 in Erie County, Pa., Obama prevailed over Mitt Romney, 68,036 to 49,025. But in 2016, Trump carried the county, 60,069 to 58,112 for Clinton.

Switchers can switch again. This means focusing in the short term on how Trumps policies will do severe harm to many who thought he would help them. An analysis by Nate Cohn of The New York Times found that those who stand to lose the most under the Republican health-care plans tax credits tended to support Trump over Clinton. Citizens who are hit in their pocketbooks usually notice.

In the longer run, the anti-Trump forces  like opponents of the far right in Europe  need to empathize with, not mock, those who have been left out of the prosperity that prevails in so many of the large metropolitan areas across the West. And with empathy must come serious policies to combat an economic isolation that affects Americans across racial lines and in both parties coalitions.

Trumps opponents must thus keep two quite different ideas in their heads at the same time. They should be encouraged by what they have accomplished and build on it. And they should do more than just speak to each other. Resistance must be accompanied by persuasion.
The popularity of SUVs here seems to have hit its peak as their market share is on the decline.

According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association on Tuesday, 454,669 SUVs were sold in Korea last year, accounting for 33.8 percent of the passenger car market excluding imported cars.

The number alone is 0.5 percent, or 2,469 cars, more than the sales figure from 2015, but market share fell by 0.3 percentage point from 34.1 percent in 2015.

And in January, the SUV market share decreased 3.3 percentage points on-year to 31.9 percent, signaling a steeper decline.

"SUVs have enjoyed great popularity in recent years, and it seems their market has become saturated," an industry source said. "Now the mid-size sedans are drawing interest as automakers are competing for the segment."

But some new SUV models scheduled for release are expected to ease the slowdown. Hyundai plans to launch a small SUV in the first half of this year and Kia in the second half.
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, that strong conservative from our area, has introduced a bill thats anything but conservative. It goes against the conservative push for small government, instead allowing government into one of the most private segments of our lives: our genetics. We hope House members will shoot down this wrongheaded measure.

The Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act, HR 1313, would allow employers to impose big financial penalties on employees who decline to provide information on their genetics through workplace wellness programs. Employers, in general, dont have that power under existing federal laws that protect genetic privacy and nondiscrimination. But a bill passed Wednesday by a House committee would allow employers to get around that if the information is collected as part of workplace wellness programs, The Washington Post reported last week.

Bill supporters say it gives employers the legal certainty to promote good health and lower health-care costs. They say that, as it is now, federal regulations make it difficult to offer these programs.

This bill, which would be big government run amok, is not the solution. It would allow employers to reward those who share their genetic info with deep cuts to their health-insurance costs, leaving those who dont submit paying substantially more.

So employees would feel pressured to provide their existing genetic information, and possibly submit to genetic testing, or pay the price. That is neither right nor fair. Opponents, including writers to our letters page, are rightly raising heck over this bill that one House committee has already approved.

In a letter sent to the committee earlier this week, nearly 70 organizations, representing consumer, health and medical advocacy groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, AARP, March of Dimes, and the National Womens Law Center, said the legislation, if enacted, would undermine basic privacy provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 2008 Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, or GINA, the Post reported. Congress passed GINA to prohibit discrimination by health insurers and employers based on the information that people carry in their genes. There is an exception that allows for employees to provide that information as part of voluntary wellness programs. But the law states that employee participation must be entirely voluntary, with no incentives to provide it, or penalties for not providing it.

Congress must kill this wrongheaded bill now.
PASADENA, Calif.  Six years after saying goodbye to Ron Weasley, Rupert Grint is looking forward to digging deep into a new character.

The 28-year-old actor who co-starred in the wildly popular Harry Potter franchise is one of the stars of Snatch, a fast-paced new crime caper that premieres Thursday on the Crackle streaming video service. All 10 episodes will be released at once to encourage binge viewing.

Its something I really relish, I think, he said. I havent really had the opportunity since Potter to have a character and really develop it further and carve out a journey, which is something that is great  the long format.

With Snatch, you can really create a journey within the characters. Its something the film can really touch on. I find it very exciting, and its great to be part of and Ive very proud to be in.

Snatch is inspired by the 2000 British crime comedy movie from director Guy Ritchie that featured such stars as Brad Pitt and Jason Statham. But like Fargo, the series version is more of a stylistic inspiration, focusing on new characters.

The setting is the same as Ritchies version, the London criminal underworld, with assorted gangsters, con artists and other neer-do-wells clashing as their schemes unfold, with a mix of crime and comedy.

Grint plays Charlie Cavendish, who comes from a wealthy, degenerate family. But he seeks his own fortunes through illegal means. Hes always trying to escape that (family), Grint said.

Charlies partners in crime include Albie (Luke Pasqualino), a hustler whose father (Dougray Scott) is an imprisoned crime lord who still holds sway from behind bars; Billy (Lucien Laviscount), an underground boxer with a ring name not suitable for a family newspaper; and Lottie (Phoebe Dynevor), a mob boss moll who wants her independence and thinks these lads may be able to help her get it.

The series revolves around the unexpected repercussions of a caper that spirals out of control and lands the characters in way over their heads.

Were just small-time scoundrels and find ourselves in some really deep, deep trouble that could have some lethal consequences, Grint said. Its interesting how the characters kind of deal with it in their different ways.
South Korea, the U.S., and Japan on Tuesday started a joint exercise with Aegis destroyers capable of detecting and intercepting North Korea's ballistic missiles.

It is the fourth drill of the kind since last June and takes place separately from ongoing South Korea-U.S. military exercises. A Navy spokesman here said the aim is "to suit the current security situation."

The three countries are increasingly worried about advancement in the North's missile technology, a government official here said.


Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 83F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 64F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
JURIST Guest Columnist Tasha Russell discusses ethical issues that arise from the death penalty plan in Arizona, which attempts to put the onus on the lawyers of convicted criminals awaiting the death penalty to provide the drugs to be used in their clients execution

Jjust recently, it has come to light that the State of Arizona has put forward a new death penalty plan given the lack of availability of anesthetics and sedatives previously used in the death chamber, namely, Pentobarbital and Sodium Pentothal. The plan being put forward is a provision that puts the onus on a death row inmates lawyer to provide the drugs so the State can follow through with the planned death penalty. To say that this plan throws some ethical issues in the face of those lawyers would be a great understatement.

One of the main duties of any lawyer is to act in the clients best interests and in accordance with their instructions. Here we have a situation where Arizona is attempting to put a duty on a lawyer to act in the states best interests and per their instructions rather than the clients. This flies in the face of the duties of a lawyer to their client. This is before we even take into account the fact that it is against Federal law in the US to import these drugs. It should be noted that a lawyer is bound to not assist or take part in criminal conduct with their client but here, Arizona expects a lawyer to commit a criminal act for the State so that they can execute their client? One could say that the plan is rather nonsensical when compared with a lawyers professional responsibilities. Not to mention the fact that committing a criminal act can be seen to indicate that the lawyer is not fit to practice and can amount to professional misconduct.

In addition to working in their clients best interests, it is also a professional conduct rule that lawyers must work with diligence in representing their client and with dedication and commitment to the interests of the client. I dont think anyone could argue that assisting the state to execute your client, assuming that it is against their wishes of course, is hardly working in an effort to seek the best results for their client with the dedication and commitment that a lawyer is bound to put into their work.

We could also turn our mind to the matter of professional ethics which stipulates that a lawyer must act independently and impartially in providing legal services but the plan being put forward is essentially asking the lawyer to be a slave to the aims of government and hammer their client to the stake, so to speak. Further, when acting with this independence the lawyer is given the right to refer to considerations such as moral, social and political factors in addition to matters of law. So in the few US jurisdictions that allow voluntary euthanasia, a doctor cannot administer end-of-life drugs to a terminally ill person because this goes against a doctors ethics, otherwise when voluntary euthanasia legislation is discussed in jurisdictions that are debating whether to implement this kind of legislation all we ever hear is How can this fit with the ethics of being a doctor?. Never mind that though, it is perfectly fine for a lawyer to buy end-of-life drugs for someone who is not choosing to die, when there is a likelihood that they do the work that they do with death row inmates because they are not in favour of the death penalty for their clients.

Even more ironic than any of the above would have to be the professional rule that Arizona lawyers are bound by, which insists that a lawyer should reveal any information they receive that could prevent their client from committing a criminal act that would result in death. But here we are expecting a lawyer to commit a criminal act that results in the death of their client?

At the end of all that, we can also add the fact that the lawyer has also likely engaged in conduct that could be seen to be prejudicial to the administration of justice. Now we could potentially end up with a bunch of lawyers who will have been acting in the way they have so been ordered by the State, yet are likely in prison themselves for importing an illegal substance into the US. Of course, this is in addition to the fact that all the years of study, continued research and self-directed legal education is now irrelevant as the lawyer has potentially been disbarred for professional misconduct. Is Arizona trying to ensure the end of the lawyers that advocate for these people too?

Tasha Russell is the Legal Director for a euthanasia advocacy and activism organisation, Exit International.

Suggested citation:Tasha Russell, Arizonas Death Penalty Procedures & Professional Ethics, JURIST  Hotline, March. 14, 2017, http://jurist.org/hotline/2017/03/Tasha-Russell-arizonas-death-penalty-procedures-professional-ethics.php

This article was prepared for publication by Yuxin Jiang, a Senior Editor for JURIST Commentary service. Please direct any questions or comments to her at commentary@jurist.org
[JURIST] The European Court of Justice (ECJ) [official website] ruled [judgment; press release, PDF] on Tuesday that EU companies, under permitted conditions, may ban employees from displaying political or religious symbols, including Islamic headscarves. In a related case, the ECJ determined [judgment] that Belgium security company G4S [corporate website], which dismissed a Muslim receptionist for wearing a hijab, was not discriminatory and properly applied a broad dress code to maintain a politically and religiously neutral work environment. The ECJ stated that even though such dress codes may indirectly effect certain employees, they are nevertheless permitted when supported by a legitimate aim. According to the ECJ, upholding an image of neutrality may qualify as such. The ruling comes in the midst of Muslim immigration concerns in Europe, and thus far the ruling has received praise from countries such as France where headscarves are already banned from public service jobs. Critics have stated that the ruling may prevent Muslim women from working and may further promote hate crimes. Advocacy group such as Amnesty International (AI) [advocacy website] claimed that the ruling contradicts equality in the workplace and opens a backdoor to the prejudices of clients.

Hijab, burqas and other religious symbols have been a controversial subject. In January a New Jersey appeals court upheldwent against [JURIST report] the fundamental principles of Canadian law. In 2013 a Quebec official proposed a bill [JURIST report] banning religious headwear for public workers. Belgium officially banned [JURIST report] burqas in July 2011. Frances ban on burqas took effect [JURIST report] in April 2011. Some commentators have suggested that the rationales behind the European burqa bans are weak [JURIST op-ed] and that the true purpose of the bills is societal discomfort.
French presidential candidate and former prime minister Francois Fillon [official website, in French] was charged on Tuesday with misuse of public funds after being questioned about whether his relatives, who were on the public payroll as parliamentary aides, actually performed real work. Prosecutors say he was also charged [Bloomberg report] with complicity in the misusing company assets and failure to comply with transparency rules. Fillon denies any wrongdoing and has stated that he believes his opponents are attempting to destroy his candidacy. He also insists [TIME report] that he will stay in the presidential race. Prosecutors began looking into Fillon in January, when it was reported that his wife earned nearly 1 million Euros for a job as a parliamentary assistant, which reports claim she did not do.

Fillon was considered the front-runner in Frances presidential election, but his poll numbers have been affected by controversy. Newspapers reported [TIME report] that Fillon hired two of his children, paying them about 84,000 Euros, although some claim these were not real jobs. There is also additional controversy over work that Fillons wife may not have done for a French magazine owned by a billionaire friend of Fillon. Fillon is not only the French politician to be facing legal battles recently. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy was ordered [JURIST report] last month to face trial over alleged illegal campaign financing during his 2012 run for re-election. In 2014, anti-corruption investigators [JURIST report] were looking into whether Sarkozy used his political influence to encourage a judge to share information with him about judicial proceedings into his 2007 presidential campaign funding.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] called Wednesday for an independent investigation [HRW report] into the violent deaths of more than 155 people, including children, that occurred in the Kasese region of Uganda in November. The killings were reportedly committed by Ugandan military and police against people loyal to a tribal king known as Omusinga. The government has also arrested and charged 180 people, including the tribal king, for murder, treason and terrorism. None of those who were arrested is military or police. A spokesperson for Ugandas military told HRW that there has been no investigation into the militarys conduct, nor is one planned. HRW urged investigations into these arrests and said that it is possible criminal charges should be filed under Ugandas Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act of 2012 [text, PDF]. The Ugandan government also denied [AP report] the allegations that children were among those who were killed and insists only armed fighters were killed. HRW spoke to the families of 15 missing children who were last seen in the palace compound on November 27. According to HRW, further investigation is proving difficult as many witnesses voiced significant fears of reprisals, including possible arrest, for speaking about what they saw. On the day of the attacks, police arrested a prominent journalist, Joy Doreen Biira, and four others on charges of abetting terrorism.

The two days of violence that began on the morning of November 26 were the culmination of tension between a local cultural kingdom and the central government of Uganda. The role of Ugandan royalty has long been debated and remains a controversial topic. In 1966 President Milton Obote [Biography profile] outlawed all cultural royals. In 1995 President Yoweri Museveni [campaign website] allowed them to return, allegedly to gain political support. Although the cultural leaders have significant influence in their communities, they are not permitted to partake in partisan politics as stated in the 1995 Constitution [text, PDF]. Leading up to the November killings, the Ugandan government said it was trying to break up an alleged armed movement in the region, known as Kirumiramutima (the Strong-Hearted), which it contends includes at least to some extent, members of the royal guards in the service of the Omusinga. The Ugandan Human Rights Commission urged [UHRC statement] both sides to adhere to the law, but gave no instructions to the military and police to investigate their own involvement.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] on Tuesday commended [press release] the government of Jordan for taking an important step to reform the countrys justice system and urged swift implementation of the proposals. The reforms come from 49 suggestions [press release] made by the Royal Committee for Developing the Judiciary and Enhancing the Rule of Law to improve the judicial system [Jordan Times report]. Some of the proposed reforms include limiting pretrial detention, creating a right to a lawyer, establishing a public defender system and restructuring honor crime sentencing. The proposals call for amendments to 13 laws, as well as four new laws and are expected to be implemented within the year. HRW urged the government to ensure their implementation:

Jordanian authorities should seize the opportunity to carry out long-awaited measures that would dramatically improve the countrys criminal justice system.  Given the kings full endorsement, the government and parliament should move quickly to formally enact the justice system measures.

HRW reiterated that this was an important step but noted that there are still more reforms needed, such as updating the definition of torture.

Jordan has faced international criticism of its judicial process. In response to the mass execution of 15 people in Jordan earlier this month, several human rights groups, including Amnesty International (AI), condemned [JURIST report] the hanging as being secretive and conducted without transparency. The Jordanian government arrested eight activists [JURIST Report] in January, charging them with insulting the King and incitement to spread chaos to undermine the political regime of Jordan using social media. AI released images [JURIST report ] from the desert no mans land between Jordan and Syria last September showing thousands of refugees trapped in the area.
[JURIST] The Supreme Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Korea [official website] on Tuesday announced plans to question ousted president Park Geun-hye about her involvement in the corruption scandal that led to her removal as the nations leader. While Park maintains her innocence, the prosecutors office has indicated [Al Jazeera report] that they will make a final decision on whether they would question her on Wednesday. If a questioning is to take place, it is also unclear whether it will be televised or private.

Just four days ago South Koreas Constitutional Court upheld parliaments decision to impeach [JURIST report] Park over a scandal related to government bribes paid by Samsung. In February Samsungs head Lee Jae-yong was arrested [JURIST report] on charges of bribery and undue influence in connection with the scandal. Fve Samsung executives denied charges [JURIST report] of bribery, embezzlement and corruption that were leveled against them in connection with Park. Now that Park will not have political immunity it leaves her open to being joined in a number of lawsuits that have been leveled in connection to the scandal, which may include the indictment [JURIST report] of former culture minister Cho Yoon-sun and former presidential chief of staff Kim Ki-choon over the coercion, abuse of power and perjury due to suppression of artists involved with the impeachment process.
The escalation of hostilities in Eastern Ukraine between January and February has had a devastating impact on the lives of civilians, according to a UN report [text, PDF] released Wednesday. The unrest has reportedly caused several deaths and numerous injuries, deprived tens of thousands of basic needs, and caused damage to homes. Military presence continues to escalate the situation [press release] as citizens are locked in-between checkpoints and cut off from basic human needs, health rights, education, and stores. The report urges the government to enact new legislation to promote equal protection for all civilians and provide access to health benefits, bare necessities, and social security. The report also discusses the abusive treatment of detainees in Crimea, whose human rights are allegedly being violated through torture tactics, mandatory psychiatric treatment, speech restriction, and inference with legal counsel. The report also documents government and military groups attempt to prohibit anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian forms of media. Civilians are reported to have a high distrust for the judicial system because high-level officials are not held accountable for actions that violate the law. The UN Human Rights Office urged officials to continue with steps toward the implementation a state policy dictating the living standards of civilians living in territory controlled by armed groups.

Russia and Ukraine have been in conflict since the annexation of Crimea [JURIST backgrounder] in March 2014. Earlier this month Ukraine petitioned [JURIST report] the International Court of Justice (ICJ) [official website] to bar Russia from any action which might aggravate the contentious border conflict between the two nations. In January Ukraine filed suit with the ICJ against Russia for alleged acts of terrorism and discrimination. In December the UN reported [JURIST report] that Ukrainian citizens were suffering because of failure by both Ukraine and separatist fighters to take precautions, resulting in damage to schools, kindergartens, and medical facilities and farmland. Human rights groups reported [JURIST report] in July that Ukraine government officials and pro-Russia separatists have both subjected citizens to arbitrary detentions and torture.
The Chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan [official website] said [text] Tuesday that there is a need to establish courts and bring prosecutions against those who have committed rights abuses. Yasmin Sooka stated [press release] that action must be taken or the international community would be complicit in the bloodshed that is happening. The panel commissioned by the UN reported that the situation in South Sudan has deteriorated to the point where unlawful arrests and detentions, torture, rape, and killing have become the norm.' Yasmin Sooka outlined the commissions findings of sexual assault, murder, ethnic cleansing and population engineering. This comes after the commission called for the establishment of an independent system to investigate violations [JURIST report] in South Sudan last month. A Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing as well as a Hybrid Court for South Sudan should be operational by the end of the year.

South Sudan has spent much of its brief history as a nation in civil war. In January the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported [JURIST report] that a violent period in July 2016 left hundreds of civilians dead. In December the UN Security Council failed [JURIST report] to pass an arms embargo against South Sudan. Two weeks earlier a UN spokesperson warned [JURIST report] that South Sudan teeters on the brink of disaster. The UN also said [JURIST report] in December that ethnic cleansing was occurring in South Sudan. In September the UN announced, and South Sudan accepted, an increase in UN peacekeeping forces in the nation from 14,000 to 18,000 in an attempt to stop civilian killings, sexual assaults, and destruction of both public and private property [JURIST reports]. South Sudan was officially recognized [JURIST report] as an independent nation in July 2011. Conflicts over natural resources, ethnic tensions, and political power have plagued the nation since its inception.
A judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia [official website] on Tuesday denied [order, PDF] a request by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe [official website] for an emergency injunction to stop oil from flowing through the part of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) that runs under Lake Oahe. Judge James Boasberg denied the request because of the tribes lack of likelihood of success on the merits. In his order, Boasberg also echoed his previous opinion [text, PDF] from earlier this month stating [t]he public interest would not be served by an injunction because it would likely be turned over on appeal. He also acknowledged that the Tribe is likely to suffer irreparable harm to its members religious exercise if oil is introduced into the pipeline, but went on to say, Dakota Access would also be substantially harmed by an injunction, given the financial and logistical injuries that would ensue. The DAPL is expected to be ready to carry oil by April 1.

In January President Donald Trump signed [JURIST report] an executive order that allowed for construction of both the DAPL and the Keystone XL project. The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples [official website], Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, on Friday called [JURIST report] for the US to adopt a consistent approach to indigenous land rights in pipeline projects. The Special Rapporteur was concerned [transcript] about how indigenous peoples were not fully consulted on the DAPL, leaving them with disruptions to their land. Protesters had made camp at the site since early summer and were led in part by the Indigenous Environmental Network [advocacy website] and the Standing Rock Sioux. Conflict between protesters and police has been condemned by both the UN and the American Civil Liberties Union [advocacy website]. In November the ACLU reported that police at the Standing Rock site in North Dakota used life-threatening weapons [JURIST report] to control protesters. Earlier that month a UN rights group released a statement expressing concerns that the US government is ignoring treaty rights, as well as human rights [JURIST report] of Native Americans and others that are protesting the DAPL.
A top Bosch executive has said the world's largest maker of automotive components would continue to develop its own visual technology regardless of Intel's US$15bn agreement to buy Mobileye.

A Reuters report noted Bosch actually competes with Mobileye, which supplies integrated cameras, chips and software for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and accounts for about 70% of sales.

"We are investing a lot of money in our own video technology and we want to stick with this strategy," Bosch managing board member and mobility services chief, Dirk Hoheisel, said at the Bosch Connected World exhibition.

Bosch and NVIDIA have just announced they were partnering to develop artificial intelligence self-driving systems for mass-market cars.

Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner unveiled the collaboration during his keynote address at the evnt, in Berlin, at the supplier's annual Internet of Things conference.

According to Reuters, Denner said it was too early to say what effect the merger would have on competition or his company's strategy.

"I can only comment about the two companies as of today. Intel is a major chip supplier and therefore also partner of Bosch. Mobileye today is clearly a competitor," he said.

"What the future merger will bring, we will have to see. We will talk of course to Intel and Mobileye."

"Of course, we still have to prove that an autonomous car does better in driving and has less accidents than a human being so it's a promise," Denner also told the news conference.
Audi Group booked a EUR1.8bn charge in 2016 to cover costs for the resolution of the V6 3.0 TDI diesel issue and in connection with Takata airbag recalls. Even after these special items, operating profit was EUR3.1bn and operating return on sales 5.1%.

At todays annual accounts press conference, management board chairman Rupert Stadler claimed Audi had made great progress with clearing up the diesel issue.

[It] was by far the biggest special item. It has had a serious impact on us  both financially and in terms of management attention.

A task force on the diesel issue headed by Bernd Martens is working worldwide literally day and night together with colleagues from Volkswagen. This task force is driving solutions for our customers. And it is working on settlements with the authorities. We have already made very good progress on solutions for our diesel customers.

Audi has had to take two different approaches for its four- and six-cylinder TDI engines.

Stadler said it had so far recalled 2.3m cars with the TDI four and about 1m had been modified by dealers.

In the US, around 14,000 A3 models are affected. Customers can choose between a buyback or early return of a leased car, or a dealer repair  local authorities have approved modifications for 2015 model year cars.

The V6 TDI solution is more complex. In Europe, Stadler said, there have been no objections to our three-litre V6 TDI engine. Nonetheless  like some other manufacturers  we are carrying out a voluntary service action for selected models. We have submitted a plan for the service action to Germanys Federal Motor Transport Authority for about 4,700 A6 models with the 3.0 TDI with the Euro 5 emission standard, and for about 65,000 Q5, A6 and A8 models with Euro 6.

When this plan is approved, we will make use of the latest technical possibilities to optimise the cars emissions with a software update.

In the US, authorities early this year agreed a process for 83,000 cars from Audi, Volkswagen and Porsche brands.

Around 25%, about 20,000 2009-2012 models, have a first generation engine and Audi has offered buy backs or will accept early returns of leased cars. A modification, as soon as approved by authorities, will also be offered instead.

Over 75% of affected cars in the US have the second generation V6 and will get a software update though authorities still have to review and approve this fix.

After the software update, the cars will comply with the emission regulations in force at the time of registration, Stadler said.

He noted Audi had agreed a civil law settlement with court approval in San Francisco on 14 February.

The settlement meets the demands of the Environmental Protection Agency, the state of California and the California Air Resources Board, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the private plaintiffs in the court-appointed steering committee, Stadler said.

When the period for entering an objection expires, this settlement will probably take effect on 11 May. Ideally, we will then be able to recall the three-litre models as of July, Stadler said.

As a consequence of this diesel issue, we are carrying out far-reaching reviews. This involves improving processes, reallocating responsibilities and adjusting our organisation. We are establishing a new and expanded compliance structure with new reporting and control systems. We have strengthened the position of chief compliance officer [who is now] also responsible for risk management and a central project management office, especially for attending to the requirements of the US Department of Justice. In addition, an external monitor will support the VW group and thus also the Audi brand with this task for a period of three years.

In the technical development division Audi had separated product development, homologation and type approval and is setting up a new department for conformity of type-approval procedure in markets. New management board level development head Peter Mertens, soon to join Audi, will oversee this.

The process of clearing up is not yet completed. We will continue until the job is done  with the tenacity that our company is well known for, Stadler said.
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CSM Bakery Solutions has confirmed a UK production site earmarked for closure a year ago is to stay open  and will focus on producing gluten-free and free-from baked goods and ingredients.

Free Whitepaper What is the impact of historically high inflation on the UK consumer landscape? Inflation in the UK: The Impact of Historically High Inflation on the UK Consumer Landscape, to better understand shifts in consumer behavior and their impact on spending patterns, as well as the implications for UK businesses. This whitepaper covers: Why has global inflation returned with a vengeance?

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US-based business-to-business baker CSM, which serves retail, foodservice and industrial organisations throughout the UK, said previously it intended to close the facility formerly known as Kates Cakes in Ashington, but invest in others to optimise business operations.

However, CSM has now confirmed the site will stay open following a comprehensive review. The plant employs 350 staff.

CSMs head of production in Europe Alex Dekker said: We believe Ashington and its team have a role to play in our bid to maintain our industry leadership in innovation, quality and service.

Dekker also praised employees at the site for their record output and service quality levels over the past year regardless of the plants future. He added: Im glad they will remain part of our team.

CSM said in February that its factory in Houston, Texas, which had first been slated for closure last October, will now close this month. CSM said changes elsewhere in its manufacturing network had kept the plant open longer.

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Kansas State University study counters common beliefs about marbling texture in steaks

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

A Kansas State University study has found that the marbling texture of steak makes no difference to consumers in appearance and taste. Marbling is the amount of white, visible flecks of fat within the meat.





MANHATTAN A Kansas State University study has found the marbling texture of steak makes no difference to consumers in appearance and taste of the food.



The marbling texture of meat is based on the amount of white, visible flecks of fat within meat.



Meat scientist Travis O'Quinn said the finding was surprising and that it countered previous beliefs that consumers preferred finely marbled meat, which has smaller specks but the same amount of fat, for tenderness and overall taste.



"Marbling texture had no impact on the consumer's perception of beef, not only from a visual standpoint but when they ate it as well," O'Quinn said.



The finding is significant because approximately 80 percent of the more than 100 branded beef programs available to consumers do not accept coarsely marbled beef.



"Typically, coarse marbled beef is discounted or there is a prejudice against coarse marbled beef," O'Quinn said. "By coarse marbling, I mean the flecks of fat within the ribeye are larger. The pieces of fat are actually bigger in coarse marbled beef, though there is no difference in the total amount of fat in the steak."



This is the first scientific study to look at the impact of coarse marbling on a consumer's willingness to buy the product, according to O'Quinn.



"It's amazing to me when we talk about marbling texture and what is commonly held to be true in terms of fine marbling being better, that there hadn't been any other studies to evaluate this," O'Quinn said. "This was the task that we wanted to take up."



The university's study evaluated steaks that fell into three marbling categories  coarse, medium and fine  in three quality grades  top choice, low choice and select  for a total of nine steak treatments.



Each of the samples were tested by a consumer panel and a trained sensory panel, which were asked to evaluate the steaks for tenderness, juiciness and how much beef flavor was present. The consumers also were asked how much they liked the steak overall.



"Our goal was to create a very robust study evaluating this marbling texture and identifying any differences that may be present," O'Quinn said. "Our results showed that when we fed consumers the beef, they found no difference among the different marbling texture groups. They did find differences between choice and select, which we expected; they told us the choice was more tender, more flavorful and they liked it better overall."



The trained sensory panels did indicate that coarse marbled steaks were more juicy and flavorful than fine and medium marbled steaks, a finding that differed from the consumer panels.



In another part of the study, consumers completed an online study in which they viewed pictures of the steaks with differing levels of marbling. O'Quinn said the consumers were asked to judge how desirable the steak was and their willingness to purchase the steak, based solely on pictures.



"The results were the same," he said. "The consumers showed no preference for one marbling texture over another."



The data will become part of industry knowledge that could affect how branded beef programs are managed in the future.



"If consumers aren't willing to pay more for fine- or medium-texture beef, and they don't taste the difference, then there's really no reason to discriminate against those coarse marbled steaks," O'Quinn said. "If you're going to create a new branded beef program in the future, maybe you won't include marbling texture as part of your program's specifications."
KEARNEY  Two veteran law enforcement officers were sworn in as new Buffalo County deputy sheriffs at the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.

Scott Earhart and Zachary Schwarz started with the department in February, Sheriff Neil Miller said. Earhart was previously chief deputy at the Frontier County Sheriffs Department and brings 18 years of law enforcement experience. Schwarz comes to Buffalo County from the Lexington Police Department where he worked for six years.

We feel very, very fortunate to have both of them decide to come to Buffalo County, Miller said.

The Buffalo County Sheriffs Office is now swearing in new deputies at the board of commissioners meetings to provide commissioners the opportunity to meet the new deputies, Miller said. He said when the Kearney Police Department hires new police officers, it takes the officers to a Kearney City Council meeting. Miller liked that idea and decided to adopt it with the county.

In other matters, the board approved wireless 911 location integrity testing in Buffalo County by Mission Critical Partners. Miller said Mission Critical Partners is contracted by the state to test all wireless carriers in the county and to test the accuracy of the location of phones. Nebraskas five most populous counties were chosen for testing, Miller said.

They (Mission Critical Partners) have developed a plan to do accuracy testing for all of the carriers in these five counties so we can kind of get a benchmark of where theyre at, Miller said in an interview after the meeting.

He added that it is difficult to locate cellular phones now because people use them everywhere.

Before you made a call from a wire phone it was in a database, he said.

He said recently the Buffalo County 911 Center received a call from Centennial Towers West at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

OK, which floor? ... We dont know what floor theyre on, he said Do we have to check all floors?

Miller said only outdoor accuracy will be tested. Miller said he didnt know if testing would be done in the future on cellular phones used inside buildings.

Public Service Commission Public Information Coordinator Deb Collins said the commission is currently focusing on the outdoor integrity requirements of cell phones per the Federal Communications Commission requirements. The FCC is developing indoor requirements at this time, she said, but they are not yet implemented.

"We foresee an inclusion of those requirements in any future testing," she said.

In other news:

- The board accepted the low bid of $73,507 from Wicks Sterling Trucks Inc. for a 2018 cab and chassis for a dump truck.

- The board accepted the bid of $97,700 from Nebraska Truck Center for a 2018 twin screw cab and chassis.

- The board approved Highway Superintendent John Mauls request to investigate closing roads near Cherry Avenue near Eaton Corp. and the right away near the former Grandpas Steakhouse.

- The board approved a subdivision fee review. Fees are currently $25, said LeAnn Klein who works in zoning. She said when she goes as far as Sartoria Township, the $25 barely covers the cost to travel there.

- The board went into executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss outside counsel. The board then decided to obtain outside counsel for Americans with Disability Act negotiations.
HOLDREGE  CHS Holdrege employees are gathering donations of money, food and crops through Monday to help fight hunger as part of the seventh-annual CHS Harvest for Hunger food and fund drive.

Contributions made at CHS Holdrege locations  Holdrege, Alma, Bertrand, Bladen, Blue Hill, Elm Creek, Loomis, Overton, Minden, Roseland or Smithfield  will be delivered to local and regional food banks.

Call 308-995-8626 for more information.

Financial donations are encouraged because they enable food banks to buy food at deeply discounted rates. CHS Country Operations makes matching contributions.

Last year, we raised $15,000 and received $12,300 in matching funds, allowing us to make donations to 11 different food pantries as well as the Holdrege Backpack Blessings program, said Dana Killough, captain of the local campaign.
HOLDREGE  A Platte-Republican diversion project is moving to final design phase following approval by boards for both partners, the Lower Republican and Tri-Basin natural resources districts.

The Tri-Basin directors voted Tuesday in Holdrege to have Olsson Associates of Lincoln proceed with the design and also to allow General Manager John Thorburn and legal counsel Jeff Cox to start lease negotiations with project-area landowners.

The LRNRD board approved moving forward with the project at its Alma meeting last Thursday.

The plan is to transport high Platte River flows, when available and above any already allocated high flows, through the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation Districts E-65 Canal and into the east branch of Turkey Creek near Smithfield.

Diverted flows will be directed into the creek through a culvert installed under Highway 23.

The water then would be carried by the creek for about 25 miles through Gosper and Furnas counties to the Republican River as an additional water source for Republican River Compact compliance.

The project will be Nebraskas first inter-basin project, according to Tri-Basin officials.

The feasibility study done by Olsson Associates determined it will be cost effective, based on an estimated cost of $1.4 million to $1.9 million. Thorburn said that computes to $60-$80 per acre-foot of water over 20 years, factoring in costs for the project and diversions through the CNPPID system.

He described the $1.4 million number as very much a preliminary estimate, because decisions about what to do with the excavated dirt and how much pipeline is needed could make a difference in actual costs.

Thorburn said potential erosion issues on the upper end of the Turkey Creek project will be addressed with a pipeline, which is the less expensive option, or check dams.

The $235,000 contract with Olsson Associates includes both the feasibility study and design work, which Thorburn said should take about four months. Study costs were shared equally by the two NRDs and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.

The two NRDs only will share design and construction costs. Thorburn told his board Tuesday the NRDs will apply for a Nebraska Water Sustainability Fund grant that could pay up to 60 percent of the construction cost.

Another next step is to finalize the water service agreement with CNPPID, which will seek a water right for the diversion. Thorburn said he hopes to have an agreement for consideration at the Tri-Basin boards April 6 meeting. He added that if project construction can start in the fall, the project could be able to deliver water in 2018.

Thorburn told the Hub there is potential to divert an annual average of 6,000 a-f of Platte water through the Turkey Creek project. Each NRD will get full Republican Basin credit for groundwater recharge in their areas  Gosper County for Tri-Basin and Furnas County for Lower Republican  and half the credits for water measured at the mouth of the Republican River.

In another Republican Basin issue, the Tri-Basin board approved seeking a one-year extension of the Republican basinwide planning process to allow the four NRDs and DNR to complete the work.

Its moving forward, just not at the pace anticipated, Thorburn said, explaining that the three-year project started in 2014, but was authorized for up to a two-year extension.

He said its hoped the plan can be written and public hearings held in time for the project to be completed by April 2018.

The board approved a $65,200 contract with JEO of Omaha for a required every-five-year revision of a 2013 All-Hazards Mitigation Plan for Gosper, Phelps and Kearney counties. The plan is required for public entities in those counties to seek federal disaster recovery and/or mitigation project funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay 75 percent of the JEO costs, Thorburn said, leaving 25 percent for Tri-Basin and the three counties, or approximately $4,000 each.

The board changed the dates and time for three of the next four meetings to: April 6, June 20 and July 18, all at 1:30 p.m.
KEARNEY  State officials and ag producers have worked hard the past decade to build a Nebraska brand.

Were working to tell Nebraskas story, State Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach of Sumner said about efforts that include trade missions and developing a food brand now known internationally.

The work continues to build on the export growth already achieved, Ibach and Gov. Pete Ricketts said Tuesday afternoon to open the 29th-annual Governors Ag Conference in Kearney.

The governor noted that 96 percent of the worlds consumers live outside of the United States. We have to go out and get them, Ricketts said.

Nebraska ranks first in beef, second in corn and fifth in soybeans among U.S. ag exporting states, he added.

Ibach said that in 2005, 3.6 percent of all U.S. beef exports came from Nebraska. The number had grown to 18 percent by 2016. Other efforts during that time have been development of a product traceability program and a trademarked brand: Certified Beef from Nebraska. Ibach said work is underway with the states pork producers for a similar branding project.

Trade missions have taken Ibach, his Department of Agriculture staff, governors, ag producers and agribusiness representatives to many places in the world where relationships have been forged between Nebraska exporters and international buyers.

That includes Japan, where Ricketts will attend the Midwest Japanese Conference Sept. 10-12; China, where he led a Nebraska mission in November; Taiwan; Hong Kong; Europe; and Israel.

Stan Garbacz, international trade representative for the state Department of Agriculture, told the Hub there are no other trade missions currently scheduled, but the governor is considering others this year in places that would be good to promote Nebraska agriculture and manufacturing.

Its where we can go that benefits everybody, Garbacz said.

Ricketts said Nebraska trade missions are important to establish trade relationships.

He also acknowledged efforts to do that in Asia may have been hurt by President Donald Trumps decision to pull the United States out of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. Rickets said Japans 38.5 percent tariffs on U.S. animal products were set to drop to 9 percent under TPP.

We continue to work with the Trump administration to grow these markets, Ricketts said, explaining that Trump wants to develop bilateral agreements with a goal of getting tariffs even lower.

The need is to move quickly on such agreements, Ricketts said. Its up to the Trump Administration to hit these (tariff) targets, he added.

Another issue for U.S. ag producers are Trump administration concerns raised with the North American Free Trade Agreement, because Canada and Mexico are the two biggest ag export markets. Ricketts said work needs to be done to be sure we dont upset that relationship.

China, which has been closed to U.S. beef since 2003, is another key trade target. Ricketts said that with Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad nominated by Trump as the next ambassador to China, there is hope to finally get that market reopened.

Ricketts said there also needs to be a focus on growing agriculture at home.

If were going to grow Nebraska, we have to grow agriculture, Nebraskas No. 1 industry, he said, adding that agriculture is the source of 20 percent of the states gross domestic product and the biggest contributor to growth.

Poultry will be a growth industry soon with construction of a Costco plant near Fremont that Ricketts said will have the capacity to process 104 million broilers a year. He said that in 2012, Nebraska produced fewer than 1 million broilers.

Animal agriculture is value-added agriculture, Ricketts said, so the goal should be to make Nebraska as livestock friendly as possible. Currently, 41 of the states 93 counties are designated as livestock friendly, including six added in 2016.

The voluntary Livestock Friendly County Program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that actively support and nurture the livestock industry. A designation requires a public hearing and county board resolution to apply.

That designation says that county is open for business, Ricketts said.

Work on a state budget also makes it clear how important a healthy, growing ag economy is to all of Nebraska, especially as reflected in revenues generated from farm income.

Ricketts said total farm income was around $7.5 billion in 2012 and 2013, dropped to $4.5 billion in 2015 and probably will be closer to $4 billion for 2016.

You represent the largest industry in the state, he told his Governors Ag Conference audience. You are the ones actually creating the jobs and growing our state.
KEARNEY  Kearneys Rotary Clubs will announce on Thursday the 12 stars from the Kearney area who will compete in the second-annual Kearneys Dancing with the Stars 2.

The 12 participants, who come from all walks of life in the Kearney area, will spend the next seven months preparing for the competition on Oct. 21 at the Younes Conference Center. Volunteer dancers, dance instructors and celebrity judges will help raise money to benefit one primary beneficiary along with causes identified by Kearney Noon Rotary and Kearney Dawn Rotary, both locally and internationally.

The 2017 beneficiary is Central Nebraska Veterans Memorial, a project to create a multi-million dollar veterans memorial at the new Central Nebraska Veterans Home.

To learn the names of the dancers visit www.kdwts.org.

More than 700 people attended last years fundraiser.

Josh Lamberson and Elizabeth Plinske took the Peoples Choice Award. The Judges Choice Award for best dance went to Marge Lauer and Jason Sharp.

That night brought in about $98,000.

It benefited the Kearney Area Childrens Museum, Kearney Family YMCA, Kearney Jubilee Center, Nebraska Firefighters Museum and Education Center, the Alzheimers Association and Rotary International.
Nebraskans who participated in a town hall conducted by 1st District Rep. Jeff Fortenberry in Lincoln Monday employed an effective gimmick to silently and politely react to the congressmans message, and still register their agreement and disapproval. Whereas other Americans have been loud and disruptive at similar events, many of the participants at Fortenberrys town hall used red and green placards. They held up green when they agreed with Fortenberry. The photo in the Omaha World-Herald showed people hoisting red cards in disagreement.

We mention the Fortenberry event for two reasons. First, its a springboard to remind readers that similar listening sessions are planned Thursday by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer in Kearney and Holdrege. Second, the Fortenberry town hall illustrates a positive citizen response to the recent developments in politics.

Americans are concerned about the direction and dysfunction of their government, and theyre turning out in large numbers to express their concerns. These marches, demonstrations and shouting matches are a contrast to behavior in recent years when Americans stood passively silent on the sidelines. Today many disgruntled countrymen are making posters, rising up and getting in the act. An estimated 1,500 people were at the Fortenberry event, which the congressman described as unpleasant but necessary.

To Nebraskans who are thinking about participating in Thursdays listening sessions with Fischer, we encourage them to go and be heard. Speaking out for a better country is a positive response and its one that our nations founders protected in the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment that guarantees the right to protest the government.

We are encouraged by this activism. Its a necessary function of democracy. Speaking out is part of the hard work of remaining a free nation, and its OK for people to have differing opinions and different solutions for our various challenges.

We encourage citizens to speak their minds, but to do so respectfully. It required courage for Fortenberry to face his constituents, and considering the rude behavior that shortened a Fischer meeting with constituents in Lincoln earlier this year, it takes courage on her part to make yet another appearance. So we thank Fischer for putting her constituents first, and we salute all Nebraskans who speak out in the name of a better state and nation.
The Nebraska Legislature needs to concentrate on the Nebraska Department of Corrections and solutions to its myriad of problems for the rest of the 2017 session. Period. While the governor and the attorney general and the corrections director all say that the most recent incident at the Tecumseh State Prison wasnt a riot and didnt jeopardize public safety, Id like to see the three of them convince the family and friends of the late Damon Fitzgerald and Michael Galindo of that.

The two lost their lives in the March 2 incident.

Officials have no idea who killed the two men when a group of 40 or more inmates were burning state property in a yard outside their housing unit  the same housing unit where a May riot in 2015 left two inmates dead. That murder has never been solved. Odds are pretty high that this one wont be either. Snitching in prison is an automatic death sentence.

The 39-year-old Fitzgerald was serving time for Douglas County charges of sexual assault, robbery, burglary, use of a weapon to commit a felony, assault by a confined person and assault on a police officer. The 31-year-old Galindo was in prison for Buffalo and Scotts Bluff County charges for robbery, forgery, misdemeanor attempted possession of a controlled substance, driving under suspension and sale of alcohol to a minor. What were these two doing in the same prison? Even more alarming, why were they in the same housing unit?

Corrections Director Scott Frakes said it has to do with length of sentence and timing of arrival in the system.

In remarks on the floor of the Legislature, Sen. Dan Watermeier of Syracuse (who represents the district where the prison is located) noted that the response to this latest incident was much quicker than the Mothers Day incident in 2015 and the recent one was much shorter duration and no prison staff were injured.

Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, who last year chaired the prison investigative committee, and others took issue with the characterization. She said she and her committee colleagues were sorry and terrified by the incident, but not surprised. Then she said,  if we continue to sugarcoat something like this, refusing to call it a riot, its a crisis.

Many problems facing the Corrections Department are directly related to lack of funding and resources. Theres also staff shortages, inadequate pay for officers, staff assaults, inadequate programming and lack of social activities for inmates. Those are being addressed in the two-year budget under consideration. But lawmakers still need to address alternative sentencing and reforms that affect prison population.

Several senators said it is unacceptable that the state cannot at least provide minimum protection for people working and residing in the prison system. Frakes said the publics safety was never compromised. I suggest we need to redefine public to include people both outside and inside prison walls.

ACLU of Nebraska Executive Director Danielle Conrad, a former state senator, said the latest riot is yet another painful reminder that Nebraskas prison system is failing our state. Prison population has been over emergency levels of 140 percent for nearly a decade. She said the time is now for Gov. Pete Ricketts to declare an emergency and bring smart reform.

Lawmakers must pass meaningful reforms pending this session to slowly remedy the crisis. Conrad said its no longer a question of if litigation will be filed, but a question of when.

Omaha Sen. Bob Krist said that although Frakes and Ricketts did not create the problems, they and the Legislature own this situation.

Its time to fix it now.

J.L. Schmidt, a registered Independent, is the Nebraska Press Associations statehouse correspondent.
I think theres a link between Sundays monstrosity  the appalling views of U.S. Rep. Steve King on race, heritage and what it means to be an American  and Mondays fresher catastrophe, the Congressional Budget Office prediction that the GOPs Trumpcare tax-cut-for-billionaires-disguised-as-health care would rob a whopping 24 million people of their insurance.

Its that they both mean there are millions of people in this country whom top Republicans see as somehow less than human.

The thundering pace of news in 2017 almost stampeded past Kings words  a tweet that was cast as an unqualified endorsement of European ultra-far-right politician Geert Wilders. But such racist and destructive sentiments coming from a senior, influential American lawmaker should be neither ignored nor dismissed. And yet his comments are being ignored by the people who matter: President Trump, his aides and other leaders of the Republican Party. The silence is just as outrageous as the original comment.

King wrote that Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies. Simply put, the eight-term Iowa congressman insists that Americas destiny is a form of ethnic purity, or white nationalism. The identity of somebody else and their babies  Muslim, or Latino, or African-American  isnt 100 percent clear, although its definitely someone who doesnt look like the very white, very Christian Steve King. It is, quite simply, the most racist comment by a member of the U.S. Congress in decades.

Kings congressional colleague, Georgia Democratic U.S. Rep. John Lewis, whose bravery in the civil rights marches of the 1960s made him a true American hero, called the Iowa Republicans words bigoted and racist  suggesting there is one cultural tradition and one appearance that all of humanity should conform to. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee of California, also a Democratic, and  like Lewis  an African-American, tweeted: My ancestors were brought here in chains. Im the daughter of a veteran. But to Steve King, my family & I are just somebody elses babies.

Maybe to his perverse credit, King went on TV and radio Monday and didnt apologize. He meant what he said, and he said what he meant. In a way, his offensive tweet was a grand culmination, both of a long career of offensive remarks like calling then-President Barack Obama very, very urban as well as a full embrace of European-style, anti-Muslim ultra-right nationalism.

There was something very 2017-ish  and very disturbing  about the seeming casual acceptance of Kings remark by leading Republicans. You could say that Kings stance  and the seeming Republican acceptance of it  has been a slow train coming. When I immersed myself in the rise of the Tea Party at the start of the decade, I saw up close how nothing motivated their movement more than their fear that the United States was just a few years away from a non-white majority.

And so were seeing it in all their early moves  in the Muslim-targeting travel bans (both Classic and now Lite), in the unleashing of ICE agents in a fear campaign against the undocumented thats aimed at driving out immigrants already here and preventing new ones from showing up, in the great, great wall, in a plan for merit-based immigration which is really just a scheme to limit immigration, and in the law-and-order approach to urban policing.

Will Bunch is a columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News.
The logo of German car producer Audi is photographed behind a red light prior to the annual press conference in Ingolstadt, Germany, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. German media report that authorities are searching offices of Audi in connection with an investigation into the luxury automaker's parent company Volkswagen's cheating on diesel emissions tests. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
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This Thursday, March 16, 2017 screen grab from the Interpol wanted persons web page shows the red notice list of suspects including North Koreans, top center and right, and bottom left and center. Malaysia's National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar separately told reporters that the North Korean suspects, who are believed to have fled Malaysia on the same day of killing of Kim Jong Nam, exiled half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, have been put on the Interpol's red notice list, which is a request to locate and hold a person pending extradition. (Interpol via AP)
The development came after Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, in whose name the letter is purportedly sent, denied having any knowledge of it.
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The federal government has declared, through its major health policy agencies, that the number of pain patients on opioids and the dosages they are on should be severely restricted. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), Veterans Administration (VA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have all issued new guidelines within the past year to that effect. Private insurers are following suit, in many cases refusing to pay for high dose opioids.

More recently, the American College of Physicians issued new guidelines for the treatment of low back pain that recommend using nonpharmacological therapies before prescribing any medication. They made this recommendation after a review of the research indicated that therapies such as massage, acupuncture, biofeedback and spinal manipulation have greater effectiveness and lower risks than any pharmaceutical. These therapies get to the root of the problem rather than just treating the symptom.

It has become clear that opioids are dangerous for many people who take them. Widespread prescribing of opioids has led to an epidemic of opioid addiction and overdose deaths that has destroyed individuals, families and many communities. However, this sudden policy shift is highly problematic.

During the last two decades when pain patients were being offered opioids as their primary treatment for sometimes very severe and complex pain conditions, many patients became dependent on opioids as their sole treatment. Now many are being withdrawn, often abruptly, with no other treatment being offered, with sometimes devastating results. Suffering has increased, suicides are being reported, and some are turning to heroin. Other pharmaceuticals have limited effectiveness or poor safety profiles.

At the same time as opioids were being pushed as a panacea for chronic pain, health insurers did their best to dismantle the health system infrastructure as it related to pain treatment. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, and psychotherapists have not had increases in fees from insurance companies for almost 40 years. In addition, the number of allowed visits for these therapies has become more and more restrictive. (The exception for visit limits is psychotherapy, because of a federal mental health parity law that took effect in 2011.) As a result, the number of practitioners in these fields has shrunk significantly, and shortages are common, particularly for mental health practitioners and physical therapists. In addition, health insurers refused to pay for interdisciplinary pain treatment programs, the most successful model of care. The number of these programs has shrunk, from over a thousand in the early 90s to less than 50 today. Even where these services continue to be available and are covered, most patients cannot afford them because of high copays.

Other treatments that are proven effective for chronic pain such as massage, acupuncture, biofeedback, exercise programs and low-level laser therapy, are not covered at all. Lack of insurance coverage has also limited the number of practitioners coming into these fields.

We need to require insurance companies to pay for these therapies at a reimbursement level that is adequate to attract new providers, with copays that are affordable for pain patients. Even with these changes, it will take years to bring enough providers into these fields to adequately meet the needs of the 100 million Americans in chronic pain.

Another natural remedy that could be quickly available that is both safe and effective is medical marijuana. Marijuana not only helps with pain and many other illnesses with no serious adverse effects, it helps ease withdrawal symptoms and prevents development of tolerance in opioid users. Inexplicably, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) refuses to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 drug (high potential for abuse and no known medical benefits) to an alternate classification that would make it legal under federal law. Though 29 states and the District of Columbia have approved medical marijuana, these programs operate in a legally gray area, and insurance reimbursement is not available.

Chronic pain causes great suffering and costs our economy over $600 billion a year. Its time to vigorously address this problem.

Cindy Perlin is a social worker and author of The Truth About Chronic Pain Treatments: The Best and Worst Strategies for Becoming Pain Free.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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The patient, age forty-nine, complained of abdominal pain. She was taking both slow- and fast-acting oxycodone to manage the pain, and she also took antidepressants and a sleeping aid. Shed come to the hospital several times in the past year, always with the same complaint. This time, not feeling well enough to drive, shed come by taxi. The veins in her arms were small, threadlike and collapsed, like those of a ninety-year-old or a recreational drug user.

Her medical file was huge, with reports from her primary-care physician, from local hospitals and the gastroenterology department of a highly regarded teaching hospital across the state.

She told the ER doctor that her pain was caused by chronic pancreatitis  a permanent inflammation of the pancreas  and that the pain had worsened over the past two days until she could barely stand. She urged him to contact the teaching hospital, whose specialists were familiar with her condition and asked to be transferred there.

I can give you fluids, but no pain medication, the doctor replied, adding, You know, taking narcotics is not good for you. He didnt call the teaching hospital, nor did he read the gastroenterologists note stating that the patient was not drug-seeking and confirming that her pain did stem from chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis often occurs in alcoholics and drug users, but in my mothers case, it was caused by a rare birth defect in her pancreas anatomy. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the digestive enzymes it secretes attack the organ itself. In response, the organs damaged nerves send out sharp, persistent jabs of pain that worsen whenever its jostled or stressed, as in walking or eating.

It was 2:00 p.m. when Moms number popped up on my phone. I was walking to my organic chemistry lab at the university where I was in my senior year of premedical studies. We were going to isolate the red pigment lycopene from tomato paste samples. After that, I planned to park myself somewhere and study for the next mornings animal physiology exam.

I pressed Answer.

Christina, dont freak out  but Im at the hospital again, said my mothers voice. I sucked in a breath.

The pain isnt going away? I asked. Do they believe you? Walking into the science building, I waved to a friend, then ducked into an alcove by the lab door.

No. I heard her exhale, then start to cry. The sound felt like a punch to my diaphragm.

Let me talk to them, I said. Are they sending you up to your gastroenterologist?

It had been almost three years since my mother developed pancreatitis. At first, her attacks happened only sporadically; I spent the summer before sophomore year shuttling her to appointments and sitting in hospital rooms, watching reality shows while she received her fluids and nutrition through tubes. My father was out of the picture, and my younger sister (and only sibling) is intellectually disabled, so all of the caretaking fell to me.

My mothers bouts of pain started to come every month, then became constant. Throughout all of this, she worked full-time as an engineer for an aeronautics lab while also taking care of my younger sister.

The pain was controlled by prescription narcotics  until it wasnt anymore. My mother became a shell of her former self, barely able to load the dishwasher, much less work. She sank into depression and had trouble sleeping. Approved for surgery to repair or remove her pancreas, she began the nine-month wait to reach the top of the surgeons list.

While waiting, Mom tried to manage her pain by not eating solid foods, lying on her stomach or lifting heavy objects. When these measures failed, she had no choice but seek relief at the local hospital.

Christina, theyre just sending me home. I cant do this. I hurt so much.

I know, Mom. I know.

I peered through the lab window to where my professor was setting up test tubes. He saw me and waved.

Can one of your friends drive you to the teaching hospital? I said. If not, Ill fly home tonight. This would mean a 900-mile cross-country trek  and missing tomorrows exam.

On the other end of the line, I heard her ask the nurse, Why dont you believe me?

To me, she said, Ill call someone. I have to go. Theyre sending me home. Ill text you when I get a ride.

She hung up, and I walked into my lab.

There I did what thousands of organic chemistry students do every semester: I went through the motions of pipetting substances into test tubes, weighing them and transferring them into new test tubes.

Weighing the samples, I reflected that it was easy to view each one as identical with all the rest and to prepare it using the same methods and shortcuts that had worked countless times before. I could understand how medical professionals might do the same with their patients  how, looking at my mother, they might see a patient like countless others whod complained of pain without necessarily having it.

But shes not one of those patients, I thought. As I pictured my mothers suffering at the hands of doctors who could have eased her pain but chose not to, I felt helpless and furious.

After college, while working as an EMT, I would encounter plenty of patients who were classified as drug-seeking, oversensitive or complainers, including one Vietnam veteran whose nursing home attendants had ignored his complaints of heel pain. Half of his heel came away with the bandage I removed from his foot.

Whenever I felt tired at the end of a long shift, and disinclined to give a patient a full exam because I suspected that he was drug-seeking, I tried hard to remind myself what its like to be on the other side.

Eventually, I decided not to go to medical school and stopped working as an EMT. I found it difficult to shoulder the burden of being responsible for a patients life, and I had to admit that I lacked the knack for caring for strangers. Without the strong emotional attachment that Id felt for my mother, I found myself becoming impatient when they complained, or when I had to carry out routine procedures, as medical caregiving requires endlessly.

I still havent forgotten how easy it is, as a clinician, to see the symptoms first and the patient second, and to reach quick conclusions based on previous experience. How can I forget, when just months ago I had to help my mother contend with a doctor who, despite the chart in his hand and the eleven-inch scar across her abdomen, refused to believe that shed had her pancreas removed?

But I have to keep hoping that, as hard as it can be, my mothers caregivers, and others like them, will find a way to keep an open mind and an open heart.

Because I also cant forget what it felt like to be a twenty-year-old listening helplessly to her mother cry, a thousand miles away, because she was hurting, and nobody else would listen.

Christina Phillips is a radio producer. This piece was originally published in Pulse  voices from the heart of medicine.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
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Recently, one of the biggest mistakes ever observed on live television occurred when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, presenters of the award, announced the wrong film as winner of the Academy Award for best picture. Not since Janet Jacksons costume malfunction has, live television caused such uproar.

How could this have happened? How could it have been prevented? Moreover, what can this error teach us about how we care for patients?

A PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) partner had handed Warren Beatty the wrong envelope. Faye Dunaway, presenting the award with Mr. Beatty, reading part of the card erroneously announced that La La Land had won. Moments later, after accepting the award, the La La Land producers then announced that Moonlight was, in fact, the winner.

Instead of the envelope containing the winner for best picture, Brian Cullinan, a PwC partner, accidentally handed Mr. Beatty a duplicate of the envelope for best actress  an award Emma Stone had accepted for her role in La La Land just moments before.

Lets think about what happened from the perspective of safety and reliability.

Process design. For the Oscars, PwC uses two complete sets of the envelopes, with one placed on each side of the stage. Mr. Cullinan was handling one side, and another PwC partner was handling the other. Having two sets of envelopes instead of one created convenience but immediately lowered reliability and created room for error. Extra work had to be done by both partners on either side to track which envelope was to be used next. Using principles of reliability to simplify processes and have one consistent approach is key to good process design.

Distraction. It isnt clear what led Mr. Cullinan to hand Mr. Beatty the wrong envelope, but distraction may have played a role. Just moments before he handed the envelope to Mr. Beatty, Mr. Cullinan posted on Twitter a photograph he took of Ms. Stone backstage shortly after she won the award for best actress. Paying attention, staying in the moment at the task at hand is critical to safety and reliability.

Tool design. The design of the envelopes could have been a factor. The envelopes were redesigned this year to withred paper with gold lettering that indicated the award enclosed, rather than gold paper with dark lettering as in years past making the new lettering harder to read. The design of tools we use plays a critical role in the reliability of care.

Error identification. Warren Beatty was clearly confused when he opened the envelope. He was the last slice of cheese in Reasons Swiss Cheese Model to catch the error from impacting 30 million viewers. He delayed announcing the winner as he saw the name Emma Stone rather than the name of a film as he expected. Instead of stopping and asking for help, his first reaction was I must be wrong and did not call out for clarification. Usually, when one is confused, it is a sign that something, someone, or the system is failing you. Pause. Take a time out.

Diffusion of responsibility. Faye Dunaway thought Beatty was being coy with his delay and encouraged him to read the winner. Feeling pressured, Beatty then handed the confusing card to Dunaway who saw La La Land (ignoring the name Emma Stone) and proclaimed it the winner. Our research has shown that sometimes in teams one assumes the other person knows what is best even though you are questioning the decision. This is the time to call out for safety.

How can you voice your concern?

When there is confusion, voice your concern using critical language to let others know you are unsure. I am concerned; I am uncomfortable; I have a safety concern; We need a second opinion are escalating phrases one can use when there is uncertainly and concern.

So there is a lot we could learn from the Oscar blunder. Lets keep seeing the issues and applying them to health care.

Evan M. Benjamin is chief quality officer, Baystate Health, Springfield, MA.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
Tens of thousands of people visit Kilkenny each year for a variety of reasons, but one man making the journey this May is doing so for a particularly special reason  and in a rather unique way.

Mike McGrother plans to set off from the north-east of England and retrace the steps of a journey made to Kilkenny in 1776, which is documented in an old forgotten book. Six days of travelling by a variety of means should take Mike as far as Langtons, where he intends to meet a very good old friend  none other than the Rev Ollie Maher  for a pint and a catch-up.

A Trip to Kilkenny, From Durham by Way of Whitehaven and Dublin, in the Year 1776 Containing Remarks on the Situations and Distances of Places; The Customs and Manners of the People; Interspersed With Short Digressions was published 241 years ago. It was the first book ever published in Mikes hometown of Stockton on Tees.

Essentially a travelogue, the book features a series of letters and observations by author Mark Elstob, who made his way from the North East of England to Kilkenny in 1776. The book contains his routes and observations about the various places and communities he encounters.

Mike now intends to rewrite the book, with contemporary accounts of the journey and his own observations, before giving the proceeds to a childrens charity.

My book, A Trip to Kilkenny via Whitehaven, Dublin and the Friendship, will detail the ways that communities have changed  but particularly maintained spirit and friendship, says the Mike.

He's set some ground rules to make his trip that little bit more interesting. He must follow the key parts of Elstob's route, and can only walk or use one specific form of transport once. A talented musician, he can only pay for the transport either by busking, performing or relying on the kindness of others.

Hes also a musician and has fronted a hybrid Teesside-meets-Irish-culture band called The Wildcats of Kilkenny for the past 25 years. They play across the world and encourage people to be happy, and Mike says the bands name was actually inspired by his friend in Kilkenny.

Last year  to remind people how good can come out of bad  in a cultural sense, I adopted the name The Wild Rover and made my way on foot from Carrickmacross in Ireland back to Teesside, says Mike.

It was a remarkable project and got me thinking about other roving projects I could do.

On May 2, he and a couple of companions will make their way from the site of the publishing shop in Stockton High Street to the centre of Kilkenny, where he plans to share his journey with his old pal.

He has been planning the trip for some time now. The proceeds from the book will go to a local childrens charity, The Finlay Cooper Fund. It was set up in memory of former Middlesbrough FC player Colin Cooper's son who died in a freak accident 12 years ago. Printing costs are being covered by a Crowd Funding Initiative.

It would be great to see some friendly faces as we go! he says.

Route

Day 1: Stockton to Darlington via convoy. Darlington to Penrith via trains, with Mike performing on them. Walk to Patterdale.

Day 2: Patterdale to Cockermouth on foot / hitching.

Day 3: Cockermouth to Keswick and onto Whitehaven.

Day 4: The boating community will take them to the Isle of Man.

Day 5: Fly to Dublin.

Day 6: Bus to Carlow and walk on to Kilkenny for a pint in Langtons.
(Adds background, detail)

MADRID, March 15 (Reuters) - Spain's bank bailout fund told nationalised lenders Bankia and Banco Mare Nostrum (BMN) on Wednesday to begin a merger process which it said was best option to recover public aid pumped in to the struggling banks.

Both banks were badly hit by Spain's economic crisis after the property market crash, which began in 2007, and were bailed out with almost 24 billion euros ($25.5 billion) of public money in 2013.

Of that, more than 22 billion euros was poured into Bankia, which lost more than 19 billion euros in 2012 due to soured real estate holdings, and over 1.6 billion euros into BMN. "Based on analysis and studies by AFI and Societe Generale, the merger of Bankia and BMN is the best strategy to optimise the recovery of public aid," the bailout fund, the Frob, said.

The merger of the two lenders would bring Spanish coffers 401 million euros more than the individual sale of each bank, the Frob said.

The fund said studies have valued the state's 65 percent stake in BMN at 690 million euros ($733.1 million). The Spanish government also holds a 65.5 percent stake in Bankia.

The Frob has conducted a study over the last few months in to the best route to take on the two banks and recently attempted to sell BMN, although it only received interest from a single bidder.

The government passed a law in December giving it until the end of 2019 to privatise Bankia and a year more for BMN .

In separate statements, both banks said they would look at the proposal though the final decision to begin the merger must be taken by their respective boards.

Shares in Bankia opened up 0.9 percent at 1 euro per share on Wednesday. ($1 = 0.9404 euros)

(Reporting by Jose Elias Rodriguez; Writing by Paul Day)
(Adds comment on trade with European Union)

BEIJING, March 15 (Reuters) - China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Beijing does not want to see a trade war with the United States and urged talks between both sides to achieve common ground.

"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament.

"Our hope on the Chinese side is that no matter what bumps this relationship hits, we hope it will continue to move forward in a positive direction," he said.

"We may have different statistical methods, but I believe whatever differences we may have we can all sit down and talk to each other and work together to find solutions," Li said.

Issues that cannot immediately be solved should be "shelved" for the time being, he added.

U.S. media have reported that U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet in Florida next month.

Trump has attacked China on issues ranging from trade to the South China Sea and what he perceives as China's lack of interest in reining in nuclear-armed North Korea.

During the election campaign, Trump had threatened to label China a currency manipulator and impose huge tariffs on imports of Chinese goods.

He has not followed through on either move yet, but the U.S. Treasury will issue its semi-annual currency report in April.

China's trade surplus against the United States was $366 billion in 2015.

Last month, Trump held his first face-to-face talks with a member of the Chinese leadership, top diplomat Yang Jiechi, who outranks Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The White House said it was a chance to discuss shared security interests and a possible meeting with President Xi. Li also reiterated in his remarks that China-U.S. relations are founded upon adherence to the "one China" policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China, of which Taiwan is a part.

The "one China" policy "has remained unshaken despite changing circumstances," he said, adding "this foundation cannot be undermined."

Trump incensed Beijing in December by talking to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and saying the United States did not have to stick to the policy, vaguely suggesting that he may abandon the policy as part of negotiations for a better trade deal with China.

Trump later agreed in a phone call with Xi to honour the "one China" policy in a diplomatic boost for Beijing, which vehemently opposes criticism of its claim to self-ruled, proudly democratic Taiwan.

Li also said China did not seek a sustained trade surplus with the European Union, and that the imbalance "would clearly improve" if Europe exported more high-tech products to China. The United States and the EU have long maintained export controls as security measures against China on a range of products with both military and civilian uses.

China wants access to high-tech components to move its manufacturing industries higher up the value chain, but the foreign business community has often voiced concern about weak protection of intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers in exchange for market access.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo, Kevin Yao and Michael Martina; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Richard Borsuk and Kim Coghill)
A promotional photo for tvN's romance drama "The Liar and His Lover" / Courtesy of CJ E&M



By Park Jin-hai

At the start of spring, tvN will launch a new romance drama to make viewers heart flutter.

"The Liar and His Lover," a same name Japanese manga-based drama, will feature the love story about a depressed genius music composer Kang Han-kyul, played by Lee Hyun-woo, who had been living hiding his identity meets a high school student Yoon So-rim, played by Red Velvet's Joy.

"It is my latest project I accepted with great excitement. As the title of the drama signals, it is about love and lies. I wish viewers who would begin watching it with a little excitement end up realizing that they keep love in their hearts, too," said director Kim Jin-man, during the press meeting at Imperial Palace Hotel in southern Seoul, Tuesday.

Kim says although there are musical elements in it, but it is not a music-focused drama, but a sweet romance with music. "I wanted to show that love and music can change the world that we are living into an place that makes your hearts flutter."

Regarding the original Japanese manga, Kim says the tone of the drama will be different.

"Compared with the original, which has more explicit expressions, the drama would have more tempered tone in consideration of the locality. Except that, I tried to keep the main message that the original has," said the director.

Joy said the last night drama will be refreshment that will end the fatigue, while Lee said he wants to deliver warm emotions to viewers.

"The Liar" will premiere at 11 p.m., Monday.
By Kim Jae-kyoung



SINGAPORE  A series of unfortunate developments in Korea are unlikely to have a major impact on foreign investment in the country, according to global investors, Wednesday.



They indicated that North Korea's military provocations and the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye are not big barriers to their investments in Korea.



"Since North Korea is a known factor and is not new, it does not affect our view of Korea and our investment decision," said a Singapore-based venture capitalist told The Korea Times, asking not to be named.



"Regarding the impeachment, I think that it is not an issue anymore because the court's decision has removed uncertainty," he added.



Another private equity investor echoed the view, saying, "Despite some noise following the judgment, we expect that the situation will calm down in the near future."



"Political scandals are everywhere. We see similar things in many countries, including Singapore," he added. "It is just a matter of degree."



These views came at the 2017 Korea Business Forum hosted by KOTRA, a trade and investment promotion agency, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in Singapore from March 14 to 15.



The forum was part of the Korean government's investor relations (IR) activities led by Deputy Minister for Trade and Investment Chae Hee-bong.



The forum was aimed at introducing free economic zones (FEZs) in Korea's provincial areas, promising startups and potential merger and acquisition (M&A) targets to global investors in Singapore.



The Korean government focused on highlighting the strong fundamentals of Korea's economy, consistent policies for foreign investors, and the attractiveness of Korea as an investment destination.



The forum attracted more than 120 potential investors from 80 venture capitalists, private equities (PEs) and financial advisory companies. Among major participating companies are JP Morgan Asset Management, Ascott and Inventis, the largest PE growth fund in China.



Following the forum, Korea's FEZ authorities and startup firms held one- on-one business meetings with investors, including sovereign wealth funds and financial companies.



"Despite lingering uncertainty in Korea, a lot of investors have shown keen interest in the Korean market and companies," said an official at the KOTRA Singapore Office.



"In particular, it is very encouraging that one-on-one meetings with Korean startups are all booked in advance," he added. "They are particularly interested in media content providers."



On Thursday, the government plans to have a meeting with global real estate developers and hold a roundtable with private equity funds interested in Korean markets in Hong Kong.




By Yoon Ja-young



The country's unemployment rate has reached 5 percent for the first time in more than seven years as a prolonged economic slowdown and corporate restructuring have worsened the job market.



Analysts expect negative factors such as sluggish domestic consumption and corporate restructuring coupled with external uncertainties will further weigh down on the job market.



According to Statistics Korea, Wednesday, the number of employed people marked 25.79 million in February, up 371,000 from a year ago. While jobs in construction, healthcare and social welfare increased, manufacturing shed 88,000 jobs. Jobs in manufacturing have decreased for eight months in a row amid corporate restructuring.



The number of jobless people stood at 1.35 million in February, which is the highest for that month since 1999 when the statistics office started compiling data.



The unemployment rate marked 5 percent, up 0.1 of a percentage point from a year ago and the highest since 2010 January when the rate also stood at 5 percent. Job market conditions continued to worsen during the former President Park Geun-hye administration. Her impeachment for a corruption scandal was upheld last week.



The jobless rate has soared to 5 percent from the 4 percent marked in February 2013, when Park was inaugurated as head of state. The youth unemployment rate also soared to 12.3 percent from 9.1 percent during the same period.



The rate is 0.2 percentage points lower than a year ago, but is still the second highest ever since 1999.



"The unemployment rate tends to rise in February as this is when students graduate," said Bin Hyun-joon, an official in charge of employment statistics at Statistics Korea. Students are not included in the unemployment data as they are economically inactive, but once they start seeking jobs they are counted as unemployed.



"Both the number of employed people and the unemployment rate soared as more people participate in economic activities," he added.



Due to the negative job market, many people are left with no other option than to start their own business. The number of self-employed people increased 213,000, continuing to rise for seven months in a row.



Amid an economic slowdown, more senior citizens and housewives also started seeking jobs, which led to the higher unemployment rate. The number of jobless females was 605,000, up 29,000 from a year ago. Jobless males, meanwhile, increased 4,000 during the same period. The number of the unemployed among those aged 60 or older also recorded 273,000, up 54,000 from a year ago.




EU Delegation deputy counselor Joelle Hivonnet, center, speaks during a press conference held on the sidelines of a workshop on countering online gender-based harassment, hosted by the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education. From left are Belgium's Federal Institute for Equality of Women and Men deputy director Liesbet Stevens, Hivonnet, U.K. Bristol Law School professor Jackie Jones, Finland's National Institute for Welfare and Health manager Hanna Onwen-Huma and U.K. think tank Demos research director Carl Miller. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family



Europeans discuss means to counter sexist hate speech



By Kim Bo-eun

In Korea, the ultra-conservative website Ilbe teems with derogatory comments against women and anybody with progressive political inclinations.

Surveys have shown that teenagers are highly engaged in the website, leading to concerns they may develop distorted gender perceptions.

Hateful sexist remarks made online and offline have become a social hazard, both here and abroad.

In 2014, Belgium introduced a criminal law to fight sexism including sexist hate speech.

"It was a difficult experience, as there was a lot of resistance to the law," Liesbet Stevens, deputy director of Belgium's Federal Institute for Equality of Women and Men, said at a press conference in Seoul, Tuesday.

Stevens, along with EU Delegation Minister-Counselor Joelle Hivonnet, U.K. Bristol Law School Professor Jackie Jones, U.K. think tank Demos research director Carl Miller, and Finland's National Institute for Welfare and Health manager Hanna Onwen-Huma, was in Seoul for a workshop on countering gender-based harassment online, hosted by the Korean Institute for Gender Equality Promotion and Education.

In Belgium, the law was taken to the Constitutional Court, with claims it violated the right to freedom of speech. However, the court upheld the law and the country is implemented it.

According to the law, sexist hate speech is punishable by a prison term of up to one year and a fine of 1,000 euros (1.22 million won). Hate speech is defined as a verbal act made in public to at least one identifiable person expressing contempt in relation to his or her sex and causing serious injury to the dignity of the person.

There haven't yet been cases in which a court has sentenced anybody for a violation of the law, but Stevens said her institute has taken a case  in which a man insulted a female colleague by referring to her as a "mussel" as a euphemism for female genitalia  to court and is expecting a ruling within a few months.

"The value of the law is not to put people in prison, but to force them to receive training sessions on gender equality and learn why sexist hate speech is a problem," Stevens said.

The right to freedom of expression is commonly brought up in discussions of hate speech.

However, Hinonnet said, "In Europe, we promote and protect freedom of expression but we also recognize there are limits. One clear limit is hate speech  one cannot incite hatred and violence  and sexist hate speech is a variation."

Meanwhile, there are also opinions that criminalizing hate speech will not effectively curb it.

"There are all kinds of activities on the internet which are illegal but happen on a large scale," Miller said.

"This is because law enforcement authorities are struggling to enforce law online as they do offline, as they do not have the manpower, technology or trans-jurisdiction spanning borders."

Onwen Huma stressed it is important to understand the technologies used by perpetrators of online sex crimes such as cyberstalking, revenge porn and hidden camera footage. "Police, prosecutors as well as gender equality actors and NGOs need to know about technology," she said.

"At the same time, people also need to learn about safety on the internet  measures need to be taken to promote this."

But rather than law enforcement, Miller said the underlining social causes of sexism need to be addressed.

"People have not been taught basic norms and morals of how to be a good digital citizen," he said.

Jones supported an educational approach to gender-based violence.

"It's about teaching about gender equality and healthy relationships at an early age," she said.

Onwen-Huma said culturally constructed gender stereotypes and norms must change.

"A big issue is what we expect from boys and men in society  if we can change these norms we can go a long way," she said.
Residents picket outside Munmyeong High School in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, March 7 to protest the school's participation in the education ministry's pilot program using the state-authored history textbook. Munmyeong High School is the only school taking part. / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun

The plan to have schools adopt a single state-authored history textbook, one of now-impeached President Park Geun-hye's key policies, has flopped.

In November 2015, the government pledged to draw up a history textbook to replace the ones of private publishers used by middle and high schools.

In a Cabinet meeting the same month, Park said, "Without knowledge of the history of one's country, one will become spiritless, and if one does not correctly learn history, one will end up without a proper spirit."

The plan met with strong opposition from liberal historians, educators and opposition lawmakers, who claimed the conservative government _ by imposing a historical view in its favor _ was attempting to justify former military dictatorships and Koreans who collaborated with Japan during Japan's 1910-1945 occupation of Korea.

Some said the plan, which was to introduce the state-authored history books at all secondary schools in 2017, was the Park administration's way of marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of her father, former dictator Park Chung-hee.

However, the book was compiled and the education ministry unveiled a draft last November.

Controversy, developments

As expected, the book stated Aug. 15, 1948 _ three years after Korea's liberation from Japan's occupation _ as "the foundation of the Republic of Korea," instead of the "establishment of the Republic of Korea government" as stated in other books.

Liberal historians state this view downplays the significance of the independence movements that took place under Japan's rule as well as the provisional government established in Shanghai in 1919.

The book also gave extensive coverage to Park Chung-hee's economic achievements during his 18-year rule, downplaying his human rights violations.

The list of authors disclosed by the ministry showed they were mostly conservative _ specifically new-rightists.

The ministry collected public opinion on the draft and disclosed the revisions it made the following month. The revisions, however, were only on factual errors, while comments on disputed interpretations of history _ such as on the country's establishment _ were not reflected.

More than half of the 17 regional education offices nationwide vowed not to cooperate with the ministry's plan.

Due to growing resistance, the ministry took a step back, altering its plan to allow schools to choose between state-authored and private publishers' books starting in 2018.

In the meantime, the ministry said it would seek schools that would volunteer to employ the state-authored books on a pilot basis in 2017.

However, with many education offices refusing to distribute the ministry's document outlining the pilot program, as well as opposition at schools, only three schools in the traditionally conservative region of North Gyeongsang Province applied. Among them, one pulled out after protests from students, and another was disqualified as it did not follow due procedure of holding a steering committee.

Munmyeong High School in Gyeongsan is the only school taking part in the pilot program using the state-authored history book. Even there, students, teachers and parents continue to object to the decision. School parents have filed an administrative suit calling for the school to withdraw from the pilot program.

The poor outcome prompted the ministry to distribute the books as learning aids to schools. Last week, the ministry said it ordered 75,000 books for 143 schools.

However, according to the nation's largest liberal teachers' union, only three schools ordered the books for an entire grade of students to use for classes. The rest have simply requested copies to place in libraries, the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) said.

Meanwhile, a bill banning the use of state-authored textbooks at schools is pending at the National Assembly.

Future of state-authored textbook

Meanwhile, following Park's impeachment last Friday, the future of her key policies appears murky, especially hotly disputed ones such as the state-authored textbook.

"We concede the plan has lost force, but as of now it is an ongoing project," a ministry official said, Monday.

However, KTU spokesperson Song Jae-hyeok said, "It is already over; the plan has completely failed. No school will use the textbook for history class."

However, Song said the ministry will have to officially recall its plan, which will have to be a priority of the next government, he said.

"At the end of the day, educators should be choosing what to teach, instead of the government imposing anything. The government should not be using its authority to support the use of a certain book."
Marine Corps officials from South Korea and the United States on Wednesday called on troops to stay vigilant against threats of North Korea's weapons of mass destruction.



South Korean Marine Corps Commander Lt Gen Lee Sang-hoon and Lt Gen Lawrence D Nicholson, commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, visited the 6th brigade on Baengnyeong Island near the western maritime border with North Korea, to check military readiness against the North and discuss countermeasures, the Marine Corps said in a statement.



They vowed to strongly retaliate against North Korea if provoked.



It marked their second on-site inspection following their visit to Yeonpyeong Island in August last year.



The North's shelling of Yeonpyeong left four South Koreans dead in November 2010. The shelling followed a torpedo attack in March on a South Korean warship that killed 46 sailors.



There is no unusual military movement in the North, with the annual Foal Eagle and Key Resolve exercises underway in the South, according to the defense ministry.



Seoul and Washington kicked off their annual joint drills -- Key Resolve and Foal Eagle -- in March. The two-week Key Resolve started Monday, while Foal Eagle runs through the end of April.



Pyongyang has long denounced the exercises as rehearsals for an invasion despite Washington's assurance that they are defensive in nature. (Yonhap)




The Nimitz-class super carrier USS Carl Vinson docks at a naval port in Busan, Wednesday. / Yonhap



By Jun Ji-hye

The U.S. Navy's Nimitz-class supercarrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in Busan, Wednesday, in the latest show of force against North Korea.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier will conduct exercises with the ROK Navy in waters around the Korean Peninsula during the annual Foal Eagle exercise, which kicked off March 1 and will run through the end of April.

Accompanying the carrier was Carrier Air Wing 2 and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer.

Upon arrival, Rear Adm. James Kilby, commander of the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group 1, said at a news conference that the port call was aimed at better deterring increasing threats posed by the North.

"I understand that the threat has only increased with each senseless act of aggression," he said. "To be clear, our presence here today is a clear signal of our commitment to defend this nation and region."

In a press release, Kilby also said, "The training opportunities we have in this region are world-class and allow us to build upon our strong alliance with the Republic of Korea."

The aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1982, is the centerpiece of the 7,500-sailor strike group. The 100,000-ton ship measures 333 meters in length and 77 meters in width. The vessel is capable of carrying some 90 fixed wing aircraft and helicopters including about 40 F/A-18 Super Hornet fighters, 10 aerial refueling tankers and five E-2D Hawkeye early warning aircraft.

The strike group departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific, Jan. 5, the U.S. Navy said, adding that it also includes the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy.

The Carl Vinson has been involved in a number of notable events including Operation Iraqi Freedom. The ship also received huge attention in 2011 when the body of Osama bin Laden was buried at sea from its deck.

The U.S. Navy said it routinely works with ROK forces to maintain interoperability and a presence in the area.

"Exercises are conducted throughout the year including subject matter expert exchanges, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare drills, communication drills, air defense exercises, counter-mine planning and distinguished visitor embarkations," it said in a release.

The Foal Eagle exercise is currently taking place in tandem with Key Resolve, a computer simulated command post exercise, which started March 13 for a two-week run.

The drills are being held amid heightened tension in the region after North Korea fired four ballistic missiles, March 6, 22 days after it launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile.

There has also been speculation that Pyongyang will stage another major provocation such as a sixth nuclear test or an intercontinental ballistic missile launch aimed at the U.S. mainland.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy stressed that the planned deployment of the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile battery system has nothing to do with the annual drills between the allies, adding the system will be used for defense purposes only.
The National Assembly holds a plenary meeting on consitutional revision on Monday. / Yonhap



Three of Korea's four major parties, except the majority party, agreed on Wednesday to hold a referendum on the potential revision of the Constitution in tandem with the presidential polls in May, a lawmaker said.

The agreement was reached during a meeting of floor leaders of the Liberty Korea Party, People's Party and Bareun Party at the National Assembly, said Rep. Kim Dong-cheol of the People's Party, who leads a parliamentary committee on constitutional reform.

"(Floor leaders) of the three parties have reached a consensus on holding the presidential and constitutional revision polls on the same day," Kim told reporters.

After the Constitutional Court upheld the ouster of Park Geun-hye as president last Friday, the presidential election is slated for early May.

The debate over constitutional revision has erupted, as politicians and critics claim the current single five-year term presidency has failed to embrace social and political changes since the last revision in 1987.

Supporters of the revision say that the revision should be focused on enhancing power sharing among the three branches of government, arguing that the concentration of power in the president may have given birth to the ongoing political scandal that led to Park's impeachment.

The majority Democratic Party, on the other hand, hesitates to join the move, apparently believing that a referendum will divert public attention from the corruption scandal involving Park and her friend.

Since the outbreak of the influence-peddling scandal that battered Park and her conservative supporters, the Democratic Party has emerged as the most favored party in various polls, beating the conservative Liberty Korea Party which lost its status as the ruling party with her ouster.

The outlook for constitutional revision is unclear for now, as the three parties with 165 lawmakers total are required to muster the support of an additional 35 lawmakers to pass a revision motion through the National Assembly.

A constitutional motion can be tabled with the consent of more than 150 lawmakers and passed by the approval of two-thirds, or 200, of the 300-seat parliament.

As only 30 of the Democratic Party's 121 lawmakers are known to support the revision, the three parties will still be short five or more consent votes in the plenary polls. (Yonhap)
Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex in central Seoul, Wednesday. He announced his intention not to run for the presidency. / Korea Times photo by Ko Young-kwon



Koreans will cast ballots on May 9

By Choi Ha-young

Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Wednesday he will not run in the presidential election.

"I know there are people wishing for my presidential bid, but I have decided not to run and instead will focus on ensuring a fair election and a stable transition of power," he said during a Cabinet meeting. "Considering my status as acting president, it is inappropriate for me to run in the election."

Hwang then vowed to oversee the election in a strict and fair manner.

At the meeting, the Cabinet approved holding the presidential election, May 9. The date of the election, originally scheduled for December, was rearranged after former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office when the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment, Friday.

Hwang had been touted for weeks as a potential conservative candidate, but remained silent about any bid, triggering speculation and criticism from liberal politicians.

The Liberty Korea Party, the former ruling party, even adopted a rule to enable Hwang to join its primary race after quitting office, prompting protests from minor contenders.












By Bill Emmott



LONDON  Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front, claims that the twenty-first century's defining battle will be between patriotism and globalism. US President Donald Trump appears to believe that it will be between "the very fake news media" and himself, backed by "the people" he claims to represent. They are both wrong.



The battle that will actually define this century will pit long-term thinking against short-term thinking. The politicians and governments that plan for the long term will defeat those that fail  or simply refuse  to look beyond the current election cycle.



China is famed for its supposed long-term thinking, but we do not have to resort to dictatorships to test the point. Some Western democracies have also done the work needed to manage the powerful forces of globalization, technology, and demography  and they have been rewarded with stable economies and political systems largely unchallenged by populists. Others have remained fixated on the short term, and suffered considerably as a result.



To map this distinction, I have developed a new composite statistical indicator for my educational charity, the Wake Up Foundation, called the Wake Up 2050 Index. Unlike, say, the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index, the Wake Up 2050 Index looks beyond statistics covering past and current performance to detect clues about countries' future burdens and the likely productiveness of their main assets, especially their own citizens.



Based on 25 measures, the Wake Up 2050 Index ranks the 35 mainly advanced-country members of the OECD according to their preparedness in five areas: demography, the knowledge society, technological innovation, globalization, and resilience in the face of unexpected shocks. The results are striking.



Switzerland tops the index as the Western country best prepared for the known trends and forces shaping the twenty-first century. The country's populists are a single-issue brigade  with that issue being immigration  and have far too little support to enter government. What backing the far-right Swiss People's Party has attracted emerged only after the number of foreign-born migrants reached one-quarter of the Swiss population, almost double the level in the United States or the United Kingdom.



Switzerland's four neighbors languish far lower on the list  Germany in 15th place; Austria in 17th; France in 20th; and Italy in 32nd  despite their close cultural, historical, and commercial ties to Switzerland. In Austria and France, Euroskeptic, anti-immigrant populist parties have gained enough support to have a real chance of winning power, as has Italy's more left-wing Five Star Movement. Even in Germany, the populist influence is rising.



Given Switzerland's reputation for being wealthy, well educated, innovative, and resilient, its success in the index may not seem surprising. But with wage levels among the world's highest and 19% of its GDP coming from manufacturing (compared with 12% in the US and 10% in the UK), it should, in theory, be highly vulnerable to Chinese competition and job-destroying automation. Yet it has largely shrugged off these challenges.



The same cannot be said of Italy. Though its manufacturing sector accounts for a smaller share of GDP than Switzerland's  15%, to be precise  it has suffered far more from Chinese competition. The reason is simple: Italy is producing less sophisticated and innovative goods.



This reflects a serious mistake that Italy, along with France, is making. By over-spending on public pensions to buy off voters in the short term, both countries' governments have severely limited their ability to invest in education and scientific research. No country can compete effectively in an increasingly knowledge-based, technology-driven global economy, if its government doesn't devote sufficient resources to fostering the right skills and capabilities among its labor force.



Success also requires a regulatory environment and corporate culture that enable citizens to make productive use of the knowledge they have acquired. In this sense, countries with low female labor-force participation (like Italy) or where the most experienced workers, those over age 65, no longer work (like Italy and France) are at a distinct disadvantage.



The value of long-term planning is perhaps most apparent in Japan. Despite being the advanced economy experiencing the fastest population aging, Japan scores rather well on demography in the Wake Up 2050 Index. One major reason is that, anticipating the demographic shift it would undergo, the country has kept more than 20% of over-65s in the workforce, compared to just 2.9% in France.



The US scores worse than expected on both innovation and knowledge. Poor performance among secondary schools and a low overall labor-force participation rate mean that the advanced technologies the US develops are not used to their full potential. That is a major reason why Trump was elected president  and a bad sign for America's future prosperity.



To "Make America Great Again," as Trump has pledged to do, policymakers must think beyond the current election cycle. The same goes for all of the Western democracies. Yet many critics have begun to doubt whether Western policymakers are even capable of such long-term thinking anymore.



But the critics could be proved wrong. Immigration, one of the most contentious questions in today's political debates, is fundamentally a long-term issue. And while voters in the US have come out against openness, the UK promises to remain open after Brexit, except to immigration from the EU. Elsewhere, openness is still being staunchly defended.



In France, the question of openness is the main battleground of the upcoming election. Le Pen, like Trump and the Brexiteers, claims that openness has been a disaster. But Le Pen's two main rivals  the independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and the center-right Republican Francois Fillon  both argue for more openness and freer markets. Who comes out on top will determine the trajectory not just of France, but of Europe as a whole. Switzerland, for one, is more than a little nervous.







Bill Emmott, a former editor-in-chief of the Economist, is chairman of the Wake Up Foundation. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.




By Bae Eun-joo





I felt sad to hear a recent report that an increasing number of elementary school students are dining alone. The news said that the majority of the students attributed the reason for eating alone to their busy study schedule.

The respondents said that they have to attend several "hagwon," or private institutes, after regular school hours. To meet their tightly packed hagwon schedules, those elementary school students often substitute their meals with fast food, such as hamburgers, ramen, kimbab or other frozen meals at convenient stores.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs reported last month that elementary school children eat alone at least two times a week. This is significantly higher than for adults as adults reportedly dine alone 6.5 times a month on average.

Over 80.7 percent of elementary school students, 69.4 percent of middle school students and 50.2 percent of high school students receive private education, according to Statistics Korea. An average elementary school student spends 5 hours and 23 minutes on study every day whereas a college student spends 4 hours and 10 minutes on daily studies.

The Seoul City Office of Education proposed an amendment last month to ban hagwon from operating on Sundays. It said the revision will include limiting hagwon operating hours to 7:00 p.m. for elementary school students, 9:00 p.m. for middle school students and 10:00 p.m. for high school students on weekdays and Saturdays.

The education office also said that it will prohibit elementary schools from giving homework to lower grade students starting this year. This move is part of the office's plan to strengthen public education and to overhaul private education which is resulting in growing financial strain on households.

It said that this policy would reinforce the public education system and lessen individual student's dependency on private education. Also, school assignments to the entire class will be banned but instead will be handed out to selected students upon individual teachers' discretion. Teachers will not be allowed to give penalty points or other disadvantages against students who have not completed their homework.

A survey by Good Teachers, a nonprofit civic group, found that seven out of ten parents support this proposal. If the "Sunday ban" on hagwon is adopted, an overwhelming 74 percent of parents say they would let their children study at home or rest on Sundays whereas only 17 percent responded they would opt for private tutoring.

Some 41 percent of high school students who attend hagwon on Sundays feel fatigued throughout the day at school, the survey said.

Koreans have long respected the importance and the value of dinner table talk in the past. It is a pity that family dinners are becoming a rare occasion nowadays on the excuse that children have to study.

Family dinner conversations are widely known as the best approach to improve children's vocabulary and build their resilience to multiple points of view.

A research conducted by Emory University found that dinner table conversations tend to make children bring up topics that are more interesting and valid to them. Even just a few minutes of talking to each family member about various ideas can help children engage in complex thinking and build tolerance for opinions different from their own.

The research also shows that children who learn more about their families have higher self-esteem and are more responsible for their own behavior.

Last year, the North Gyeongsang Provincial government designated the last Saturday of every month "Grandma, Grandpa Day," encouraging families to dine together and teach children family values.

This move is considered the government's first step in solving many social issues, such as violence, crime, juvenile delinquency and suicide, in the long run.

In this turbulent society, where mealtime is conceived of as a time squeezed between rushing to and from activities, creating an enjoyable family dinner could sound like a difficult task.

But I am sure that having your children at your family dinner table will teach them far more than anything they could ever learn from attending any hagwon.
Riyadh owes explanation on Korea's exclusion in Salman's tour



Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was visiting China on the final leg of his one-month six-nation Asia swing that included Japan. South Korea was conspicuously absent on the king's itinerary.



Korea-Saudi annual trade amounted to over $30 billion with Korea being the fourth largest importer of Saudi oil. Ex-President Park Geun-hye visited the kingdom in 2015, making the fourth presidential visit to the kingdom since their 1962 establishment of diplomatic ties. S-Oil, the oil refinery 63 percent owned by Aramco, Saudi Arabia's state oil company, accounts for a significant market share in Korea and its stock is traded on the Korean main bourse.



Therefore, Salman's decision to skip Korea despite these important bilateral relations, by all means has enough grounds to be taken as a snub by Korea and raises a couple of questions.



First, does the Saudi king not take Korea as a friend?



If he doesn't, then Korea needs to look to other countries to diversify the sources of its oil imports. Especially, it appears that the kingdom didn't even bother to consult the Korean government on his visit and this kind of slight without a corrective action often sours nation-to-nation ties for a long time to come. The Saudi kings have rarely visited overseas_ theJapan visit was the first in 47 years after the last visit.



Also it is obvious that the king has a short memory, having forgotten how he received a warm welcome when he visited Korea as one of princes who had little chance of inheriting the throne in 1999.



Second, will Saudi Arabia exclude Korea at the risk of ruining the mutually beneficial partnership to help the king's plan to reduce his country's dependence on oil and turn the kingdom into a developed diverse economy?



True, Saudi Arabia will offer many great business opportunities for other countries and Korea will certainly want to participate in them. But by denying Korea, a technologically astute nation that contributed a great deal to the Middle East development in the 1970s and 1980s, the king would make the mistake of reducing his country's scope of choice for partnerships. That would be a lapse of judgment considering his plan is being pushed at a time when oil prices are sinking like a stone with the nation suffering a 10-percent jobless rate and half of its work force being imported from outside.



Also, Salman's visit comes ahead of the initial public offering of the state-owned Aramco, dubbed as the largest deal of the century. During his visit to Japan, he offered big deals and is expected to do the same in China.



Finally, if the king decided not to visit Korea for the absence of a president, he would have been ill advised because an acting president has been in place and, more importantly, his visit would be as much to meet politicians and for a show of good will to the Korean people. He may well check his ambassador here or the head of S-Oil to see whether they counseled him wisely.




Indian Railways is going to venture up across the borders exploring the possibility of a transcontinental rail freight service connecting India with Iran and Turkey tomorrow. Apart from India, Iran, and Turkey, high-level delegations from across the nations comprising railway and customs officials from Russian Federation, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar will be attending the meet.

The Manufacturing hub of the world, CHINA already running a freight train connecting Europe from China and demonstrative setup has been made to run trains from Dhaka to Istanbul connecting Howrah, Delhi, Lahore, and Tehran. The Conference will be addressed by the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu highlighting the need for such rail connectivity for the development of the region.

It is to be considered a major boost for trade & economic development of the Aisa-Pacific region, a trans-container goos train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey is to establish rail connectivity. The meet is to be organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Railways Ministry, to propose railway transport connectivity project in South & South-West Asia.

The meeting will be held to review & to seek innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South & South-West Asia; wich is least connected and has integrated landmass to get suitable railway connectivity. The improved railway connectivity will boost economic growth, increasing inter-trade and transport connectivity.

The meet will be a mix of experts from diverse fields including government officials and policy experts from nine countries in South Asia and South-West Asia and Central Asia, along with representatives of international and regional organizations, railway and connectivity experts and academia, inducing the private sector as well.

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By Kyung Moon Hwang





Last week I received a surprise photo from my mother, now in her mid-70s, of an uncle whom I had not seen in many years. The picture showed him proudly posing as a participant in one of the recent "Taegukgi rallies" against President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, this one in Seoul Plaza.

Several things about the picture immediately stood out. First, the backdrop featured the old City Hall building, built by the Japanese colonial government in the early 20th century and thereafter used, until recently, as the Seoul Metropolitan Government's headquarters.

Second, amid the sea of South Korean flags (Taegukgi) were, of all things, some American flags. Although the Stars and Stripes has appeared often in conservative protests over the years, it was usually to commemorate the Korean War or in support of a position involving the United States in some way.

The American flag's unfurling these days, in rallies that fiercely contest Park Geun-hye's impeachment, seems more difficult to fathom. But it also makes sense, as I explain below.

Finally, what struck me about this photo was that it showed my uncle with black hair, although he is now approaching 80 years of age. Indeed, the pictures of these Taegukgi rallies usually show the participants' hair, when not covered by hats, as almost all dark. Only more close-up photos of their faces confirm that these demonstrators overwhelmingly are senior citizens.

This seems highly symbolic: As if to deny that time has indeed passed, these determined protesters are somewhat stuck in the past, and not only by keeping up their hair-dyeing routine. Whether one hears them in news interviews or speaks to them personally, one cannot help feeling that they are gripped by a fixed view from the days of authoritarianism and colonization.

Colonization here refers not only to the period of Japanese rule, but also to the domination of the United States in South Korea in the decades after liberation. In this system, America served as a model of advancement and source of aid, but also as a global patron of South Korea's developmentalist dictatorship.

To these elderly citizens today, the U.S. stands first and foremost as the nation's savior in the Korean War, when the American-led U.N. forces helped South Korea escape conquest by the communists. Thereafter in the 1960s, when the United States requested military support from President Park Chung-hee's government for the anti-communist side in the Vietnam War, tens of thousands of South Korean troops were sent to Southeast Asia.

My uncle was one of them, and to him and probably the majority of those in his generation, the experience cemented the bond between the United States, anti-communism, South Korea's economic growth out of poverty and Park Chung-hee. Park had integrated these components into his program for modernization and for the legitimization of his rule, which in the 1970s turned iron-fisted to keep the people in line in the name of industrialization and the struggle against North Korea.

The stunning ease by which some older South Koreans today continue to label any political opponent  or any (younger) person who seems a dissenter in their stark black-and-white moral universe  as "ppalgaengi," or "commie," is a disturbing reminder of the power of anti-communist ideology from earlier times.

Such a sentiment also drove many elderly Koreans to attach themselves to Park's daughter when she re-entered national politics in the early 2000s. To them, no amount of evidence to the contrary can shake their faith in Park Geun-hye's inherent goodness, based on their image of her father and their frozen perspective about what is ultimately at stake: no less than the fate of the country that they, the true patriots, have built with their hard work and sacrifice.

The frenzy with which some of these Taegukgi demonstrators have applied their colonized worldview further testifies to the continuing hold of the authoritarian past, when the threat of physical force and blind subservience to a strong leader seemed the norm. Such behavior includes the shockingly prominent display, along with the South Korean and American flags, of signs in these rallies that say, "Martial law is the only solution," or "If it's commies, killing them is fine," in reference to their political opponents. The readiness to turn to heavy-handed, violent methods, straight from the dictatorship period, also appears in the menacing protests, with even weapons in hand, in front of the private homes of constitutional court justices and of the independent prosecutor investigating the Park scandal.

It is as if the political liberalization and democratization over the preceding three decades, when the rule of law and peaceful tolerance for opposition were supposed to have increased, had never happened. Or more accurately, it is as if the changes were too fast and jarring for mindsets that had been powerfully molded by the country's turbulent past, during which lives were shaped by more immediate concerns of survival amid foreign intervention, war, poverty and other forms of unrest.

This is why, as much as we need to rebuke those who employ violence and intimidation in these Taegukgi rallies, I am also inclined to view these South Koreans, who include my own family members, with sympathy. They, too, are victims of the past, even if they see themselves as victims of the present.



Kyung Moon Hwang is a professor in the Departments of History and East Asian Languages and Cultures, at the University of Southern California. He is the author of "A History of Korea  An Episodic Narrative"(Palgrave Macmillan, 2010; second edition, 2016).
Naver's new web browser, Whale / Courtesy of Naver



By Lee Min-hyung

Naver, the nation's dominant portal service operator, is challenging Google and Microsoft over the next-generation internet browser ecosystem here, unveiling a beta service for its first web browser, Whale.

The Seoul-based company explained it launched the new browser to meet the ever-growing need for a new internet platform compatible with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality.

"Technologies are developing at a rapid pace, but the development of web browsers has so far failed to catch up with them," a Naver spokesman said.

As of last month, Google's Chrome browser ruled the nation's internet browser market with a 56.04 percent share, followed by Internet Explorer (IE) from Microsoft with 34.82 percent, according to data by market researcher StatCounter.

It remains to be seen whether the new Naver browser can beat the two overseas IT giants whose combined share exceeds 90 percent.

But as Naver holds more than 70 percent of the search engine market share here, Chrome may lose its browser dominance to the local portal operator, according to observers. In recent years, IE has also lost its ground to Chrome, due to the latter's simple interface and relatively-faster search speed.

"Our lives are filled with state-of-the-art technologies such as AI, autonomous vehicles and the internet of things," the spokesman said. "But internet browsers, standing at the center of them, still require more developments, as users have a tough time in multitasking on the internet. Our new browser is expected to stop such uncomfortable experiences."

Key features of the Whale browser include what the firm says omni-tasking, which allows users to conduct multilateral tasks on one screen without opening a lot of tabs on the internet.

"For example, users can check a messenger service on the left side of their screen, and conduct conventional internet tasks on the right side," he said.

Another key marketing point is a quick search feature. When users drag certain words or sentences with a mouse, the browser translates or explains their meanings instantly, the company said.

Naver said the accuracy of the service will get better, with the firm collecting more datasets for its neural machine translation-based translation platform, Papago.

Whale has been developed by Google's open-source web browser platform, Chromium. More than 100 internet browsers have been developed by using source codes from the platform.

"At first, we started developing the browser with our own technologies," said the Naver official. "But the strategy of sticking to in-house technologies did not work to improve user-friendliness, so we scrapped the decision."

This is because other companies or developers have to get used to our ecosystem, making it harder to develop applications on a real-time basis, said the company official.

"It took almost five years for Whale to make its debut. We are going to share our years-long know-how, contributing to developing the browser industry as a whole," he said.

The company also plans to launch mobile Whale service in the latter half of the year.
Kumho Tire CEO Lee Han-seob, right, unveils the Cruzen HP71 tire during an annual gathering of the company's sales dealers at Hotel ICC in Daejeon, Wednesday. The Cruzen HP71 is designed to help boost the performance of SUVs. Kumho also introduced the Ecsta HS71, an eco-friendly tire that enables vehicles to boost dynamic driving and driver comfort. / Courtesy of Kumho Tire
POSCO Daewoo CEO Kim Young-sang, right, poses with Petrobangla Chairman Abul Mansur Faizullah after signing a gas field exploration contract in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tuesday. Under the agreement, the trading unit of POSCO will explore potential gas fields off the coast of the South Asian country. / Courtesy of POSCO Daewoo



By Lee Hyo-sik

POSCO Daewoo has secured a deal to explore potential gas fields off the coast of Bangladesh, the company said Wednesday.

Company CEO Kim Sang-young signed a production-sharing contract with Petrobangla Chairman Abul Mansur Faizullah at the headquarters of Bangladesh's state-run oil firm in Dhaka, Tuesday.

Under the agreement, the trading and natural resources development unit of steelmaker POSCO will be able to explore an area, designed as block DS-12 by Petrobangla, for up to eight years. If natural gas is found, POSCO Daewoo, which plans to start exploring the area in the second half of this year, can produce and sell gas for 25 years.

But the two firms declined to make public the details of the contract, including how they would split the revenues.

Last October, POSCO Daewoo was selected as a preferred bidder for the exploration project.

"The latest contract shows that POSCO Daewoo is highly recognized for its knowhow and expertise in the exploration and production of offshore gas fields," CEO Kim said. "If it wasn't our successful Myanmar project, we wouldn't be able to secure the Bangladeshi deal. We will do everything we can to repeat the success story in Bangladesh."

Since 2013, the company has been producing natural gas in waters off the northwestern coast of Myanmar, most of which is sold to China.
A Pampers Baby Dry diaper marketed by Procter & Gamble (P&G) / Courtesy of P&G Korea



By Park Jae-hyuk

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Pampers Baby Dry diapers may not return to the shelves of Korea's leading discount chains, although the government research has proved the safety of the products, according to the industry officials, Friday.

The nation's largest discount chains have remained cautious about selling the multinational manufacturer's diapers which were pulled from store shelves last month amid allegations of containing dioxin and pesticide, both of which are classified as deadly poisons in most countries.

A French magazine 60 Million Consumers (60 Millions de Consommateurs) first raised the issue in January and the report has gone viral among young Korean mothers via online communities. The government began a safety probe on the products, as the growing number of consumers has demanded refunds despite the company's continuous denial.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced Monday that no dioxin or pesticides were detected from P&G's four diaper products  Pampers Baby Dry, Swaddlers Sensitive, Cruisers and Easy Ups  which were randomly bought from stores in Korea.

"The toxic chemicals detected by the French magazine may have come from the surrounding environment, rather than artificially used during the manufacturing process," the government noted in a statement.

After the announcement, P&G Korea expressed their gratitude to consumers who were waiting for the results on faith. The Korean unit requested the discount chains to sell Pampers Baby Dry again, according to industry sources.

However, Home plus and Lotte Mart said that they will wait and see how consumers react to the products.

Still, consumers are skeptical about the results, noting the poor measures of the government during the toxic humidifier sterilizer scandal. Some people criticized the government for not inspecting the diapers imported from Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Germany and Poland.

"We have yet to decide regarding whether to sell the diapers again," a Lotte Mart spokesman said. "Actually, the diapers did not affect our sales, as only one type of the brand was sold at our outlets."

E-mart, on the other hand, began to sell Pampers Baby Dry again at their online mall. The country's largest discount chain said that it had only dealt in the diapers made in the United States and Vietnam, both of which were inspected by the government.

"Even before the controversy, we did not sell Pampers Baby Dry at our offline outlets," an E-mart spokesman said. "We've only sold the other two types  Cruisers and Easy Ups  at offline stores."

The Korea Times asked P&G Korea about their plans and loss from the controversy, but the company refused to answer.
Myeong-dong shopping district in Seoul seems almost empty Wednesday, after the Chinese government banned its people from going on group tours to Korea. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

By Park Jae-hyuk

People speaking Chinese were noticeably absent from the shopping district of Myeong-dong, Seoul, Wednesday morning.

This was the day when the Chinese government's de facto ban on the country's tour agencies from offering group tours to Korea went into effect as part of retaliatory measures against the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.

"I think the number of Chinese tourists has declined almost 70 to 80 percent recently," said an information clerk who was helping foreign tourists near Myeong-dong Theater. "There are obviously fewer Chinese tourists here than Japanese visitors these days."

The measure has been enough to make Chinese group tourists almost disappear from their favorite destination in Korea, where they had once crowded to shop for cosmetics and luxury goods.

Missing their most lucrative customers, owners of so-called "road shop brands," such as Nature Republic, The Face Shop and Innisfree, were struggling to attract Japanese visitors who were filling the vacancy left by the Chinese.

Most of store clerks were speaking Japanese, and distributing leaflets and maps in the language. But they said the number of tourists from Japan is not large enough to make up for Chinese shoppers who had literally swept away goods from cosmetics display stands.

"The number of Japanese tourists is almost the same as before," said a Japanese speaking part-timer who was distributing leaflets for a massage parlor. "But the number of Chinese has considerably decreased this year."

A Holika Holika cosmetics store employee said: "Japanese tourists will be hard to find here, when the country's winter vacation season is over. There seem to be relatively more of them than Chinese, but the absolute figure is not that large."

The stores were reluctant to disclose the specific impact on their sales from the THAAD dispute, but most of them admitted that the issue has damaged their profits.

A clerk at a Vprove cosmetics store said, "The number of Chinese customers fell by half after the THAAD issue surfaced and it has affected sales at our store."

Some employees complained about customers who just accept freebies, while being reluctant to buy anything. Currency exchangers also griped about their recent difficulties because of the decreasing number of customers and the small amount of money they change.

"Most visitors these days exchange less than 100,000 won," said one surnamed Shin. "Until last year, there were a lot of customers who exchanged more than 200,000 won."

Still, some tourist buses transported Chinese groups to the main Lotte Department Store branch in the afternoon. However, industry officials expected tourist groups will completely disappear this weekend.

"Those who came to Korea before the measure have yet to leave," one official said. "Myeong-dong district will become quieter, after they leave the country on Thursday and Friday."

The official said duty free shops are struggling to attract tourists from the Middle East and Southeast Asia. But most road shops, which have depended on Chinese tourists, seemed to lack any special measures to cope with the current situation.
Yoon Hong-geun,

BBQ Genesis chairman

By Lee Hyo-sik

BBQ Genesis has been forced to retract its decision to hike its fried chicken prices by 10 percent, under mounting pressure from the government and consumer groups.

Since Korea's largest fried chicken franchise announced a plan last week to raise prices of its fried chicken menus by up to 10 percent beginning March 20, it has been facing growing pressure from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs not to do so.

The agriculture ministry, which has been struggling to contain the soaring prices of chicken, eggs and other fresh produce in recent months, has threatened to ask the National Tax Service and the Fair Trade Commission to conduct an investigation into BBQ if the company goes ahead with the plan.

The ministry argued that buying chickens account for only 10 percent of the chicken franchises' production costs, adding it doesn't make sense to charge more for fried chicken because of rising chicken prices.

BBQ, headed by Chairman Yoon Hong-geun, has been claiming that it had no choice but to charge more for its items, citing higher chicken prices and surging rents among other things.

However, the fried chicken chain submitted to rising pressure from the government Wednesday amid unfavorable public sentiment, withdrawing its price hike plan.

"We decided to cooperate with the government in its efforts to curb a rise in consumer prices amid the ongoing chicken supply shortage," BBQ said in a statement, indicating that it would not hike its fried chicken prices as planned.

The announcement came after company executives held a meeting with ministry officials earlier in the day.

"We have and will continue to consider raising prices at the request from owners of our franchised stores," the company said. "The stores have done the best over the past few years not to charge more by reducing costs. Besides rising prices of chicken and other food ingredients, they have to pay more to hire delivery personnel and to rent space. But their cost-cutting efforts have reached a breaking point."

BBQ and other fried chicken chains will eventually hike their prices, according to industry analysts, saying that the agriculture ministry should not have interfered in the market.

"Government intervention distorts the market, which is bad for both producers and consumers," said an executive at one of Korea's business associations, who declined to be named.

"If chicken franchises are forced not to reflect rising costs, the quality of food and service they offer to consumers would inevitably deteriorate. The value of goods and services should be determined by supply and demand."

Consumers will decide whether to pay more for fried chicken or not, he said, stressing that in any case, the government should not tell market players what to do.

"What the government should do is to maintain market order and make rules fair for everyone. It should let the invisible hand of the market control everything else," he said.
Bali is a province of Indonesia which is located between the islands of Java and Lombok island, Bali island is also commonly referred to as The Island Of Thousands Temples, The Island of Gods, and Bali Dwipa, Bali also has several small islands are also included in the province of Bali, including the island of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan Island, Nusa Ceningan island, Serangan Island and Menjangan Island.

These are the perfect places to unwind over exotic cocktails, away from the daily corporate grind. Even a month long vacation is not enough to experience Bali.

1/ Visit Ubudthe cultural capital of Bali

There are so many things to do in Ubud that you can actually finish touring Bali in that much amount of time. It is advisable to take up accommodation in one of the spa retreats around Ubud and travel around for sightseeing from there up to the north.

2/ Eat Balinese food

Balinese cuisine is well known for its spicy sambal, fragrant rice, grilled succulent meats served with colourful tasty condiments.

3/ Indulge in Balinese massage

Balinese massage instantly relaxes tired muscles with age-old techniques, using aromatic oils and herbs. Trained therapists are known to lead you into deep relaxation with a smooth art of their fingers and palms.

4/ Sunrise trekking on Mount Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano and it last erupted in the year 2000. One can join a group that offers sunrise trekking tours or it can be done independently if you are an avid trekker. It takes around 2-3 hours to climb, depending on the level of fitness.

5/ Ubud Monkey Forest

The sanctuary is based on Hindu doctrine of Tri Hita Karana, encouraging people to maintain harmonious relationships between humans and its environment. There are around 1000 monkeys in an area of a square kilometre. They are not afraid of humans at all and are known to get aggressive sometimes.



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Editors Note: La Jolla Lights People in Your Neighborhood series shines a spotlight on notable locals we all wish we knew more about! Light staff is out on the town talking to familiar, friendly faces to bring you their stories. If you know someone youd like us to profile, send the lead via e-mail to editor@lajollalight.com or call us at (858) 875-5950.

Kiki has owned and worked at her 7742 Hershel Ave. Kikis Alterations workshop for the past 27 years. At 78 years old, this native of Greece stills fits clients when they come in and stitches, seams and hems as needed. Like many seamstresses, she needs glasses after a life of looking closely at the needle of her sewing machine. Her hands are soft and strong at the same time. She speaks softly and with a strong accent, but the pitch of her laugh comes across as easy as pie.

Whats your full name?

Vasilike Spounias Kiki, but everybody knows me as Kiki.

Where are you from?

Im from Greece. I came to Toledo (Ohio) when I was 22, got married and moved to San Diego.

When did you come to La Jolla?

When I came to San Diego, I didnt speak much English, so once I had my children, I stayed at home. I had a few clients in La Jolla, so I would come to their homes, fit them, and do the alterations back at my home. Then in 1983, I started to work in La Jolla for another alteration store that was where mine is today. The owner left and went to the end of Girard, but I stayed. That was 1990. Ive been open for almost 30 years.

What services do you provide?

All kinds of alterations leather, suede, jeans  anything you can imagine. We have also added wedding dresses.

What is the craziest thing people have asked you to do?

Once we made a custom dog suit. A lady brought us the sun protective fabric and we made a custom full outfit so the dog, who had surgery, didnt get skin cancer. And we had to fit the dog! Can you imagine that? (laughs)

Who works here with you?

I was by myself for many years, now, my daughter Tami, has been working with me 10 or 15 years, and I have three more employees. I have a specialist, who works on wedding dresses, I do the fitting and she does the sewing.

Where did you learn how to sew?

In Greece, when I was 9 or 10 years old. I come from a very small village, and every winter it snowed, so we couldnt go out and work on a farm. There was a seamstress coming to town, and she taught me and three other girls.

Why did you come to America?

In 1959, my aunt (my moms sister who lived in the United States), came to visit us in Greece after three or four years away. I told her I wanted to come to America. I said, Please, aunt, take me! And one day I received a letter, and when I opened it there was an $800 check inside. I felt like I was flying! She brought me here for a one-month visit to learn about couture. In 1961, I arrived in New York after 11 days on a boat, and I came to Ohio. But, for me to stay, I had to marry someone who was an American. So I married my husband, who passed away years ago.

Why did you stay?

When I came to the United States, I felt like I was in heaven, I loved it.

What do you like to do for fun?

Im a little workaholic (laughs). I get up in the morning at 6 a.m. and I go swimming, theres a pool where I live. I swim half an hour, I go home, take a shower, and come to work. I just love coming to work. Sometimes I travel. I go to Ohio, and last year, I met my cousins there and we took a bus to New York with a group from church, and it was awesome.

Do you miss your family?

After three years, I became an American citizen, so I brought my mom and two sisters, who still live in San Diego, but my mom passed away. I still have some cousins in Greece, I go there some times, but its so far away ... and there are so many beautiful places here.

Where do you live?

I live in a condo behind the La Jolla Hotel. I bought my house in the 1990s. I used to live in North Park and drive here every day, and I was working so hard when my kids were in high school, so we moved closer to here, and finally we moved to the condo.

Do you do a lot with family?

Yeah, we get together, were very close with my daughters and son. They come to my house for dinner, I make Greek dishes. They like pastitsio, lasagna, moussaka, salads, lamb and roasted chicken with lemon.

Whats your favorite time of the year in La Jolla?

I like the sunny and hot days, I dont like it when its cold and rains.

What do you like to do around town?

I like to go walking at The Shores, going to the nice restaurants there, walking to The Cove and shopping around to support the local people. I love it here.

Describe your marriage?

I got married by arrangement. I knew him for four days when we got married. He was Greek, too, but he came here when he was 13. But we were happy, because love comes and goes, but if you respect the person, it stays.
The onset of Daylight Saving Time (March 12) brings the busy season to officers in the Department of Animal Services  especially when it comes to dogs being off-leash at area parks. Since it is lighter later, compliance officers report an increase of residents who allow their dogs to run free.

Laurie Joniaux, North County Region Deputy Director for the San Diego Department of Animal Services, attended the March 7 Bird Rock Community Council meeting to discuss the situation.

Weve had issues in the parks and we know there are community concerns. Some are proponents of letting dogs run free in parks and others are upset by it, she said. People who allow their animals to run free, know full-well they are not supposed to do this. Some have been given warnings and yet they continue to do it, and weve received complaints about repeat offenders, primarily in La Jolla Hermosa Park, Bird Rock Park and specifically, Calumet Park.

The weekend prior to the Bird Rock meeting, she said, 11 citations for off-leash dogs were issued in Bird Rock parks. Expanding that window to the months prior and including Kate Sessions Park (another area where violations occur), officers issued 35-40 citations.

The cost of a ticket starts at $50, but various assessments could bring the total to as high as $400.

Were getting more and more contentious people who are more angry, arrogant and bold ... maybe theyre mad because they got caught or they have to pay the fine, but they are getting more aggressive, she said. Its just like driving faster than 65 miles per hour on the freeway, people know theyre not supposed to do it, but they take a chance and hope that no one is there to catch them. They know we cant be everywhere at once. There are literally thousands of parks in San Diego County and we have 31 officers for the entire county.

Joniaux said officers operate from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with one on standby through the night for emergencies; thats a rate of one officer for every 85,000 people.

Encouraging those who witness a violation to report it, she said options to reach Animal Services include: contacting the department at sddac.com/patrol.asp to file a report and/or take a photo of the perpetrators license plate. If we have the license plate number, we can (obtain their address and) send that individual a letter after the fact, she said.

In extreme cases, should a witness be so inclined, he or she can perform a citizens arrest. A police officer or animal control officer cannot issue a citation unless they see the violation, so the law allows you to cite an individual by writing out a ticket using our forms. Then, we would deliver it. If the violator pleads guilty, you have no further involvement. But if they plead not guilty, you have to come and testify to what you saw, Joniaux explained. Most people are not willing to do that.

One meeting attendee shared a story of being bitten by a dog whose owner left a gate open. Joniaux responded by reminding those gathered that all dog bites must be reported.

The animal must, legally, be placed in quarantine for 10 days and we check to see if there is a history of dangerous incidences with the animal. Its something we need to know about, she said. We have a team of people working with area medical groups to help with treatment, and we may be able to assist with a bite victims medical bills.

Mountain out of a molehill?

However, there are some dog owners who dont see the practice of letting their dogs run off-leash as a problem. The La Jolla Light spoke to a few the next day in Calumet Park.

I dont see it as a big deal, said resident Kyle Candee. I do it because I dont like having my dog on a leash anywhere. If I was a dog, I wouldnt want to be on a leash. My dog loves to run and he doesnt get to run on a leash.

Candee said Calumet has become an unofficial dog park for those who live nearby. We are pretty respectful ... if anyone were to have an issue, we would be respectful.

Kathleen (last name withheld by request) added, I dont understand why everyone thinks dogs should be on a leash. They arent bothering anyone and everyone cleans up their dogs droppings. This is a neighborhood hang. Those who come here are neighbors and friends. Since Ive lived here, Ive made more friends in this park than anywhere else. I grew up in Australia and we never put our dogs on a leash, so Im just not used to it.

Oliver Noble said he takes his dogs, Benji and Sofia, to Calumet in particular, despite the multiple tickets he has received, because of its convenience.

There are no dog parks between Del Mar and Ocean Beach, and we are right in the middle, he said. So its a 20 to 30 minute drive to a dog park, and by the time I get home from work, get everyone in the car and get to one of those spots, its dark, so I bring them here. There is a caged dog park on Soledad, but that caged environment can make dogs very tense, he said. We get tickets here, but to be honest, its worth it to me. You just kind of put up with it.
La Jolla Village Dr./I-5 S ramp and Mission Blvd./Garnet Ave. targeted

From 2001 to 2015, two pedestrians were killed and seven were seriously injured at the La Jolla Village Drive and I-5 South ramp intersection, according to a report by Circulate San Diego. In the same period, 17 pedestrians were injured in 16 crashes at Mission Boulevard and Garnet Avenue.

These two intersections were among the 15 identified for safety improvements in a City of San Diego staff report, which was unanimously accepted by the City Council on March 6, when Council members expressed hopes that upgrades would be underway or completed by the beginning of summer.

In progress at the La Jolla Village Drive and I-5 southbound off ramp, are a high visibility crosswalk, pedestrian countdown timers, audible pedestrian signals and improved street lights. At Mission Boulevard and Garnet Avenue, a high visibility crosswalk, pedestrian countdown timers and added signs have been completed, while audible pedestrian signals and improved street lights are in progress.

Kathleen Ferrier, director of advocacy at Circulate San Diego said these improvements are basic, but effective in preventing pedestrian/vehicle crashes.

High visibility crosswalks, Ferrier explained, are the zebra markings on roadways, that provide more visibility than the traditional two parallel lines. Audible signals are implemented when the traffic lights have some sort of audible indication for pedestrians, and countdown signals feature a hand or a numerals counting down to one, she said.

The proposed improvements will cost the City approximately $10,000 each, she said, adding, Thats not a lot of money.

Fatal Fifteen

In October 2015, the City Council adopted Vision Zero, a report by Circulate San Diego, with the goal of reaching zero (no) traffic deaths in town by 2025. One year after that, the City Auditor issued a report revealing that the City hadnt been using its resources to maximize pedestrian safety, and that by checking available data, the City could improve dangerous intersections by upgrading the infrastructure where pedestrian crashes were more likely to occur. The City has invested resources for pedestrian safety infrastructure at many locations where pedestrians were at lower risk, it states. The report identified 43 intersections where no upgrades had occurred and where crashes involving pedestrians had occurred since 2001.

Of those 43, Circulate San Diego chose 15 unimproved intersections where more than five pedestrian crashes had occurred, and released the campaign Fatal Fifteen on Feb. 1, a call for the City to use its resources to get closer to the Vision Zero goal, and starting with the 15 fatal intersections. At that point, Ferrier said, the City hadnt put any infrastructure improvements on the ground. They had put together a plan for some of the most dangerous corridors, but none of it was implemented, she explained.

Based on the Fatal Fifteen, City staff created the memo to City Council, approved March 6, detailing the improvements to come at 15 dangerous intersections. However, Ferrier said, the 15 intersections werent the same as the initially identified in the Circulate San Diego campaign. The initial list had more intersections in southeastern San Diego, she said, adding that the La Jolla Village Drive and I-5 South intersection was added by City staff.

These crashes tend to happen more in low-income neighborhoods and urban areas, she said, And as the City continues to grow, we will see more and more crashes each year. We want to stop that, so were asking the City to implement a data-driven approach to help save lives.

Pedestrian deaths in San Diego have risen steadily in the last five years. Since 2015, there have been 55. Read more at circulatesd.org
La Jolla Bar Association members were briefed on how to spot and combat human trafficking at their March 9 meeting, held at the Empress Hotel on Fay Avenue. Chief Deputy District Attorney Summer Stephan, who has been battling the illegal activity for over a decade told those gathered, We have an image of human trafficking, and it usually involves some international affair, some border crossing, some lines between states, some foreign national or immigrant, when in fact, sex trafficking is 80 percent domestic in the United States.

She said the average age of a sex-trafficking victim is 16, adding that a study investigating 20 San Diego high schools found confirmed cases in 90 percent. We find victims all the way across the county. Weve had sex-trafficking cases in Carlsbad, La Jolla ... from every area, she explained.

Stephan said social media has revolutionized the recruiting techniques of sex traffickers. When I first started with this issue, it used to take place in low socio-economic areas. Thats changed now because of the Internet. Through social media, traffickers and recruiters are reaching into our childrens bedrooms, and using their devices to lure them and recruit them, she said. In recent cases, recruiters were using a fake modeling agency as an excuse to get close to the victims.

Up until 2012, sex-traffic victims under age 18 werent viewed as such if there was consent. If you are a minor, its totally irrelevant if you consent to prostitution, Stephan said. Its incredible to imagine that if a child under age 18 is molested by a stepfather, teacher or whatever it may be, society acknowledges thats a crime. But if that child is subjected to 10 acts of sex abuse every night at a hotel where he or she is being sold, somehow society feels like theyre just prostitutes, and no longer a victim of sexual abuse.

She further pointed out that legislation for human trafficking has been late-coming in the United States. Until 2000, there wasnt a federal law tackling the issue, and the state version didnt come into existence until 2005. My feeling is that the reason we didnt have a law until 2000 is that we had a belief that this didnt happen in our country. It happened somewhere else. It didnt make sense until we realized we really needed it.

How to spot sex traffic victims

In January 2016, a state law went into effect requiring mandatory reporting of minor-age victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Before this law passed, if a teacher overheard that a child in school was engaging in prostitution, the teachers did not have a duty to report that because it was not considered child abuse, Stephan said.

She has been training teachers, school nurses and hospital personnel about how to spot victims of sex traffic. Some of the behaviors include a steady need of abortions, possession of material objects (jewelry) that havent been accounted for and frequent disappearances from the home. Minors whove experienced homelessness or are in the foster care system are at a higher risk of becoming victims.

When I train school nurses, Ive had some of them in tears because Ive described scenarios theyve seen, Stephan continued. (For example) on Friday, a young girl comes in and says she has cramps, she needs to go home. With her in the room theres another girl, posing as her friend, but that girl is only there to make sure she says the right thing so she can go.

Now you wonder, Why is this girl not telling the nurse whats happening to her? How shes now going to be used for prostitution all weekend while claiming to be at her girlfriends house? The reason is the gangs know exactly what to do; theyve given her drugs and alcohol and put her in a compromising position at a party with lots of pictures taken. What do teenagers fear the most? Being humiliated by their classmates. No force is needed. No chains are needed. The psychological chain of feeling ashamed and that youre going to be embarrassed is enough for teenagers to do everything theyre asked to do.

Another problem in the fight against sex trafficking is that victims dont consider themselves such. We need to be the eyes and ears to see them. And report it, Stephan concluded.

To report a victim of sex trafficking: Call 1 (888) 3737-888 or text BeFree (233733).
Imagine having a pithy, witty comment.

Now imagine that instead of it coming out in a smooth, urbane manner, several letters and or sounds in that sentence become impossible to articulate or disappear in an explosion of constantly repeating consonants.

Thats a stutter. And that can lead to miscommunication and ridicule.

But Anthony Perez, 7, and Tristan Gabriel, 9, both students at Central-Denison Elementary School, Lake Geneva, have advice for those who trip over their words.

Relax. Its OK.

Anthony is now in a speech class with Tricia Mitten, the schools speech therapist.

Tristan used to be in the class, but hes since moved on with his school work.

There is no known cure or cause for stuttering, said Mitten.

The cure for stuttering has to come from the individual students, she said.

Bumpy and smooth

Instead, during class, Mitten works with the students, gets them to talk about their problems and helps them try to reach an understanding of why they stutter and how to control it.

They talk about bumpy and smooth talking.

Anthony seems to have found his quiet place, where things smooth out.

Hes been stopping and taking a deep breath, Mitten said of Anthony.

I may get too excited and I talk too fast and I cant breathe, said Anthony who didnt seem to stutter at all when talking to a visitor on Monday. He said he also practiced clearing his throat, which seems to help.

I mostly stuttered when I was nervous, said Tristan, who visited with his former speech teacher. He also said he tended to stutter if someone interrupted or talked over him.

Quiet and reserved, Tristan didnt trip over any words, either, even when talking to a stranger.

Mitten, who has been Cen-Dens speech therapist since 2004, said Tristans self-confidence has helped him overcome his stutter.

According to The Stuttering Foundation, stuttering, also known as stammering, is a speech disorder in which the flow of speech is disrupted by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases as well as involuntary silent pauses or blocks in which the person who stutters is unable to produce sounds.

Nerves not a cause

Stuttering is not caused by nervousness, although nervousness can trigger it. It is not caused by parenting, emotional problems or mental problems.

Mitten said both Anthony and Tristan are bright young students with impressive vocabularies.

Both Anthony and Tristan have had letters printed in the The Stuttering Foundations quarterly magazine.

Anthonys is the most recent, published in the winter edition of the magazine.

It reads:

Hi, my name is Anthony. Im in second grade and Im 7 years old. I want to teach you that its not bad to stutter. The reason why its not bad to stutter is because it can be fixed. When we get stuck on a word, we just have to go back to the beginning of the sentence and re-say it. Another method is to sound out the word. Something else that helps me is to take a deep breath and slow down. Sometimes I even do a little cough and clear my throat and start over. People might laugh at you, but just ignore them and dont let them get in your way. My friends dont tease me because they know Im working on stuttering. So talk, and be the best that you can be!

He included a drawing of the bumpy road of stuttering and the smooth road of clear speaking.

Mitten said that Tristan was published in the summer 2015 edition of the magazine.

It reads in part:

My name is Tristan. I am 7 years old and I am learning what happens to my body when I stutter. When I get stuck I feel it in my neck. Here is a picture of your body to show you what it does when you talk.

Tristan drew, the best he could, a diagram of what happens when a person talks, from the air in the lungs, to the vocal chords to the thought in the brain.

His solution, he said, is to understand what happens inside his body when he talks.

Mitten said she became interested in stuttering because it affected her family. She said she has twin sons, one who stuttered and one who did not.

Now both are 30, and the stuttering twin has learned to deal with it, she said.

Stuttering affects four times as many males as females, according to the Stuttering Foundation. The Stuttering Foundation estimates that 5 percent of all children go through a period of stuttering. About 1 percent of all people have a long-term problem with stuttering.
BLOOMFIELD  A proposal to allow farmland animals to live in residential village areas is the subject of a March 21 public hearing.

The proposed changes would allow residents of the village to house chickens, horses and goats, among other animals, on residentially-zoned land as long as they possess a conditional use permit.

Conditional use applicants may have to meet numerous criteria, and there would need to be a public hearing prior to their receiving the permit.

Any changes would have no effect on the agriculturally-zoned lands of the village, just the residential, where its currently prohibited by ordinance.

Difficult to enforce

But, should the changes to the current ordinance be approved, how difficult would it be to enforce them?

Its going to be extremely hard, said Bloomfield Zoning Administrator Jill Marcanti.

Marcanti is responsible for handling possible code violations in the town and village of Bloomfield, and in September 2016 she attempted to enforce the current ordinance restricting chickens from residentially-zoned properties.

After numerous complaints, a stay was eventually placed on the ordinance until officials could decide whether chickens should be allowed in residential areas.

The debate eventually expanded to other animals and now, at 7 p.m. on March 21, the people of Bloomfield will be able to weigh in on whether they believe fowls and other farm animals should be allowed in the village.

So how would Marcanti enforce the proposed changes?

The only thing I can think of is when I get complaints from people, like if one of the neighbors complains, Hey, Ive got a cow next door and theres only 6,000 square feet of land, because I cant spend all my time going out and counting chickens, she said.

Marcanti said a complaint over a rooster crowing was behind what led to the enforcement actions she attempted September 2016.

On the phone March 8, village president and commission chairman Ken Monroe said he currently supports the conditional use permit idea.

In such online groups as Bloomfield News on Facebook, some have posted comments expressing that they believe this process requires too much effort just to own chickens or other small animals.

Monroe said theyre trying to accommodate those who dont want to see chickens and other animals in a residential area, not control peoples lives.

I hope, after the hearing, it (the proposed rule changes) can satisfy the people that dont have these animals, and I hope it satisfies the people that have them, said Monroe. I hope we can come to a common ground on it.

Marcanti doesnt expect the debate to end at the March 21 hearing, although shed like it to.

Taking into account the expected changes to the village board and the commission after the April 4 election, she said that whoever wins may want to take this divisive issue back to the drawing board.

Were going to have different commissioners, were going to have a different president, and I think all this work I did is going to get thrown away and theyre going to start all over again, Marcanti said.

Questions, suggestions

She recently submitted a list of questions and suggestions to commissioners, which she expects will be discussed March 21.

The questions:

Should renters need written permission from the owners of their residences?

Should people living in two- or multi-family dwellings need written permission from the owner as well as other tenants?

Should homeowners associations or subdivision covenants further restrict or prohibit ownership of the animal?

Should slaughter of the animal be prohibited on the property?

Should there be waste management regulations?

Should the animal owner register with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for livestock premises?

Should the animal be fenced in at all times?

Marcanti also proposes the following guidelines for the conditional use:

No more than four small animals or fowl be allowed on lots smaller than 15,000 square feet, with hoofed animals prohibited.

Up to six small animals or fowl allowed on lots ranging from 15,001 square feet to 0.99 acre, with no hoofed animals.

Up to one small hoofed animal and up to six fowl on lots between 1 and 1.99 acres, excluding pigs, cows, horses and llamas.

Two small hoofed animals and up to six fowl on 2 to 2.99 acres, excluding pigs, cows, horses and llamas.

Three small hoofed animals or one pig, cow, horse or llama, and up to six fowl, on 3 to 3.99 acres.

Four small hoofed animals or two pigs, cows, horses or llamas, and up to six fowl, on 4 to 4.99 acres.

Five small hoofed animals or a number of pigs, cows, horses or llamas based on the acreage of pasture area, and six fowl, on 5 acres or more.
The Sea Chanters, the official chorus of the United States Navy, will present a free concert at the Lake Geneva Middle School, 600 Bloomfield Road, on Tuesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required.

The 20-voice chorus, accompanied by a three-piece rhythm section, will perform a variety of styles ranging from patriotic selections to Broadway showstoppers.

We are honored to host this world-renowned group of musicians and provide our students and community the opportunity to participate in this patriotic and cultural event, said Amanda Krause, LGMS band director. We are the only Wisconsin stop on the Sea Chanters national tour this year, so I anticipate a great turn-out.

A limited number of tickets are available on a first come, first served basis in the LGMS main office or by mailing a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the name, phone number, email address and the number of tickets requested up to a maximum of six to Sea Chanters  Lake Geneva M.S., 600 Bloomfield Road, Lake Geneva WI 53147.

The Lake Geneva Regional News is a co-sponsor of the event.

Any unclaimed seats will be available to non-ticket holders 15 minutes prior to concert time.

Call Amanda Krause at (262) 348-1000 ext. 3327 with questions.
WILLIAMS BAY  The beach house may not get much activity during the winter, but last Saturday a group of people braved the brisk wind coming off the lake to honor the late Virginia Hasek.

Hasek, who had been influential through her work on village landmarks such as the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy and the beach house, died on July 12, 2016.

To preserve her memory, the Williams Bay Village Board decided to create a plaque in her honor. And after some discussion, it was decided that the beach house would be the best location for this memorial.

During the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque on Saturday, March 11, Village President John Marra spoke fondly of the woman they were gathered for.

Virginia was a strong woman who loved things like fishing, working crossword puzzles, books, playing cards and Worcestershire sauce, Marra said as people chuckled at the reference.

Marra listed many of Haseks accomplishments to the village and emphasized how she achieved her accomplishments with wisdom and a kind heart.

And even though it was cold outside, Marras ending statement served as a reminder of why everyone had come to the beach house that morning.

While the event of her passing has left an unfillable void in the minds and hearts of those who knew her personally, it is my hope as village president that the memorial plaque we dedicate to her service and memory today will remain a beacon that will forever shine on her accomplishments in life and here in the village of Williams Bay, Marra said.

With that, Marra, along with the help of Haseks daughter Mary Klein, pealed back the paper covering the newly-installed plaque.

The plaque reads as follows: In memory of Virginia Hasek, an icon whos brilliance, passion and dedication made a difference to the Williams Bay community. 2016.

And though Hasek certainly made a difference, she was not very vocal about it.

Klein said that she had not realized until recently how influential her mother had been to the Bay.

She never really bragged about the things she did, Klein said. As a mother, she was just always asking me how my life was.

Klein also listed some of her mothers accomplishments, saying that Hasek had done a tremendous amount of work for the area.

Im just so amazed, she said.
In the past couple of months we saw small bits and pieces on the news about the alleged hardships of the environmental protestors in North Dakota.

Being a fan of Paul Harvey I thought I would share with you some of the Rest of the Story about the environmental protestors / guardians.

First off, the stretch of pipeline the guardians are protesting is a stretch that is only about 1.5 miles long of a pipeline that is more than 1,200 miles. The area in question is on U.S. Federal Land and not part of any Native American reservation or tribal lands.

How many of you remember the protestors in Northern Wisconsin a few years ago who were protesting mining operations? Again, the land that was to be mined by my understanding was not on any Native American reservation or tribal lands.

During that protest there were multiple complaints of trespassing, vandalism, theft and other alleged crimes. I thought maybe you may want to know a little bit more about the who was there.

According Brian Sikma in a piece for Media Trackers he wrote on March 14, 2014 there were three men, who were the original founders of the camp.

Sikmas piece lists them by name but Ill refer to them as numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Number 1, according to the piece, was a previous state employee who testified against mining reforms. He was interviewed by the FBI in regards to the Menominee Warrior Society violent takeover of an old abbey in northern Wisconsin in 1970.

Number 2, according to the piece, in January of 2014 was arrested for domestic abuse. In 1992, Number 2 was found guilty of felony possession of a firearm and in 2001 was found guilty of failing to pay child support. In 2004, he was cited for obstructing and resisting a law enforcement officer.

Number 3, according to the piece, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, a felony in January 2014.

Kyle Kirchmier, the sheriff of Morton County, North Dakota, said protestors had been arrested for robbery, burglary, domestic violence and child abuse.

Kirchnier told the Washington Post. This protest was intentionally coordinated and planned by agitators with specific intent to engage in illegal activities.

The Washington Post also pointed out that local communities who had nothing to do with the pipeline, were subjected to frequent protests, road closures and school lockdowns.

Of particular gruesome sickness the Sheriffs office reported there were 30 head of cattle that disappeared along with multiple livestock mutilations and shootings. In one case a horse valued at over $3,000 was found shot and butchered.

Now during cleanup of the North Dakota camp, according to Furry Friends Rockin Rescue, an animal rescue near Bismark, North Dakota, they rescued dogs and puppies abandoned with hypothermia, frost bite and left to freeze in a North Dakota winter.

The land the guardians built their camp on according to the Army Corps of Engineers was 50 acres of pristine grass lands that was destroyed. All of the camps in the area cover more than 1,000 acres. Because the grassland was destroyed there is the serious potential of a great environmental risk of erosion and ground contamination. They left behind mounds of trash, human waste and dozens of abandoned vehicles in a sensitive wildlife habitat.

Authorities in North Dakota are scrambling to avoid an absolute environmental catastrophe in order to resolve soil and toxic waste runoff during spring flooding.

At risk are the tribal water supplies, the Cannonball River and Lake Oahe. Those are the exact same two bodies of water the guardians were said to be protecting.

According to the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services it is going to cost North Dakota tax payers over $1 million to clean up the environmental horror left by the guardians. The department as of Feb. 28, 2017 reported removing 48 million pounds of trash.

To further point out the guardians hypocrisies they set large fires as they left, they arrived in automobiles, used products made from plastics, which are petroleum-based, burned fossil fuels to cook and heat with, all of which are made from the fossil fuels they are protesting.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council has made it clear it wants all camps to shut down, according to a Feb. 24 Associated Press article.

The Washington Times on Feb. 5 wrote Standing Rock Sioux chairman Dave Archanbault II has urged protesters for months to vacate the area, citing the environmental damage to the prairie as well as the risk to people and property from flooding.

The U.S. oil and pipeline industries are governed by mountains of government safety regulations to help ensure pristine areas, waterways and public safety. The guardians on the other hand apparently have none. Next time those guardians set up camp, all of the above is most likely coming to a neighborhood near you.

Chris Goebel is the Chairman of the Republican Party of Walworth County.
To the Editor:

Presented March 6, 2017, as public comment at a Lake Geneva Committee of the Whole meeting.

Good evening. Im Ed Yaeger. I live in historic Lake Geneva, been here 30 years. It has been said, if you dont love it, you cant protect it. Well, I love Lake Geneva. Along with many others, we try to protect this city.

Back in 1999, as council president, I was given the honor to give the opening address for the governors conference on tourism held at the Grand Geneva Resort. I highlighted our great small tourist town and our effort to protect it from becoming just another Anytown, USA. Quotes from that speech include, Our small quaint historic town was beginning to lose its sense of community and purpose. Historic buildings came down, groves of trees were lost, neighborhood stores moved to periphery areas. The alarm bell went off. And some of us jumped into the political arena. We went to work. Historic districts were created, historic main street was put on the national register. Permissive commercial zoning codes were corrected. Also, this beautiful building was created. We also thought of creating a green belt around Lake Geneva to give definition, so that we would not become just another continuation of urban sprawl. The bottom line  trying to make Lake Geneva better, not bigger.

But then, something began to happen. City core management, using various methods, began getting rid of everyone who worked to preserve and protect historic Lake Geneva. Growth then became the principle factor and continues today.

They are trying to convince us that tourists come here to view new subdivisions and big city parking structures. And now, the highest insult of all. Lakefront annexations, along with zoning changes, that could put Genevas Lake shorelines in jeopardy. How can this happen? It seems that office and tourist expert qualifications require only a couple of years of residency.

By then the respondents have all the answers to what our city needs. History and taxpayers are forgotten. Taxpayers lose representation by nonattendance of representatives.

Spend, spend, spend, tax, tax, tax is the current trust. Its time for transparency and time to get taxpayers back into the decision-making process.

This ill-conceived annexation, based on greed, should not be decided by our confused city government or council. It should be decided by referendum.

Mr. Mayor - by referendum

Mr. Administrator - by referendum

Mr. Attorney - by referendum

Thank you.

Save our city.

Ed Yaeger

Lake Geneva
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PRESS RELEASE

Brussels Threatens Italy: Impose the Required Cuts or Give the Money Back

March 14, 2017 (EIRNS)According to the daily La Repubblica, the European Union Economic and Financial Committee (composed of the EU Commission, governments, and the European Central Bank) will demand that Italy pay back money from the "flexibility" margin allowed last year to the budget, unless the Italian government implements the additional 3.4 billion in cuts demanded to keep the deficit "under control." The Committee insists that, not only is the deficit too high (2.4% of GDP!) but the Italian government has not fulfilled some conditions for the "flexibility" concessions, and should therefore give an additional 3.4 billion back.

However, if the Italian government implements the demanded cuts by the April deadline, the Committee will turn a blind eye and display its immense clemency, by dropping the demands for restitution. It is rumored that the government will back down and increase the value added tax, or VAT.

Italy is a net payer into the EU budget. It pays 8 billion yearly more than it receives from the EU. Nevertheless, it is being humiliated into requesting permission to use its own money.
PRESS RELEASE

Obama Used GCHQ To Spy on Trump

March 14, 2017 (EIRNS)Fox News commentator Judge Andrew Napolitano said today that three senior U.S. intelligence officials have told him that Obama used Britains signals intelligence service GCHQ to spy on Trump when he was a candidate and when he was President-elect.

"Three intelligence sources have informed Fox News that President Obama went outside the chain of command. He didnt use the NSA, he didnt use the CIA, he didnt use the FBI, he didnt use the Department of Justice."

Instead he used GCHQ.

"Theres no American fingerprints on this. What happened to the guy who ordered this? Resigned three days after Donald Trump was inaugurated."

Meanwhile, the back-and-forth with Congress and the media about what Trump meant, what evidence exists, and when it will be provided Congress, etc., is but a distraction. Napolitanos assertion of the involvement of GCHQ makes sense in light of the British role going back to the initial allegations of Russian hacking, the report from Chris Steele, MI6, etc.
PRESS RELEASE

China: U.S./South Korea War Exercises Push North Korea To Keep Nuclear Weapons Program

March 14, 2017 (EIRNS)Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party's newspaper, in an unsigned editorial today, condemns both the North Korean nuclear weapon development program and the ongoing U.S.-South Korean military exercises, which are explicitly testing means for a preemptive strike on North Korea.

"To decapitate the North Korean leadership, and to punish the Souths imperialist running dogs, with nuclear weapons, are both the craziest threat Pyongyang and Seoul have sent to each other. They are equally hysterical, expressing both sides viciousness to destroy the other,"

the editorial states.

But they point to the stupidity of the U.S. policy:

"How can Pyongyang remain indifferent facing a military exercise that includes more than 300,000 military personnel to carry out missions targeting its war command and top leader?... They intend to scare Pyongyang, but the actual effect is the opposite. Instead, Pyongyang believes that nuclear weapons are the reason why Washington and Seoul dare not put their plan of subverting the Norths regime into practice."

They also point to the increased threat to China from the massive U.S. military deployments:

"Through joint drills, more and more U.S. strategic weapons are deployed on the Peninsula, posing a greater potential threat to China.... [I]t disregards Chinas security concern, it may even feel schadenfreude [joy in anothers misery]. To the Chinese people, the South Korean government has lost its rationality on the security issue. The U.S. is here to stir up more trouble in Northeast Asia. By hitching itself to the U.S. chariot, South Korea naively thinks it shares a common destiny with the U.S. However, if war breaks out, the battlefield is bound to be the Korean Peninsula, while the U.S. is on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. South Korea and North Korea are the two who really share a common destiny."

The "Key Resolve and Foal Eagle 2017" annual U.S.-South Korea exercises are the largest ever this year, including practice invasions of North Korea. The U.S. Special Missions Units responsible for the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011, including SEAL Team Six, are included in the exercise.

Other hardware: the U.S.S. Carl Vinson aircraft carrier and its strike group of two guided-missile destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser; F-35B stealth fighters from Japan to the Korean Peninsula for the first time; nuclear-capable strategic bombers, such as B-52s and B-1Bs; Gray Eagle drones, equipped with Hellfire missiles, which will remain in South Korea for the first time; and, of course, the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles, which have now arrived.

Japan has also joined with the U.S. and South Korea in an anti-missile exercise off the North Korean coast, for an exercise beginning today.
In a world swarming with refugees, a world of travel bans, extreme vetting and giant walls, imagine mysterious black doors that transport defenseless refugees from war-torn cities to the safety of San Francisco and London. No overcrowded dinghies, no life vests, no Aylan Kurdis washing ashore.

Imagine living in a city in which shootings and the odd car bombing preamble a full-scale civil war, in which basic amenities to sustain human life are fast running out. Imagine a city pregnant with fear, panic, and terror, a city on the brink of collapse. And then imagine falling in love.

This is how Mohsin Hamids fourth novel, Exit West, begins.

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For nearly two decades, Hamid has been successfully using the form of the novel to chronicle a particular epoch  Pakistani euphoria in the wake of nuclear tests in Moth Smoke (2000), consequences of post-9/11 Islamophobia in The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007), and the recent economic ascendancy of Asia in How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia (2013).

In Exit West he continues to document a particular moment in world history, but for the first time uses magic realism to explore one of the most pressing ethical and moral conundrums facing our contemporary society: how to address a refugee crisis.

In an unnamed city, Saeed, an adman, meets Nadia, an insurance agent, in a class on corporate identity and product branding. Saeed wears a beard but not a full beard and Nadia doesnt venture outside without her black robes, not for devotional reasons but so that men will leave her alone.

Mohsin Hamid reads from and discusses Exit West with Hector Tobar Wed. night at the Skirball Center at 8:00 p.m.

As their love blossoms in subsequent months, the city is laid siege by militants. Those who have come to seek refuge in the unnamed city find the locals fleeing en masse. Everyone is looking for enigmatic black doors that function like wormholes to escape the collapse. A sense of urgency, and an edginess, runs through the narrative, heightened by Hamids crafted, minimalist prose.

Saeeds mother thought she saw a former student of hers firing with much determination and focus a machine gun mounted on the back of a pickup truck. She looked at him and he looked at her and he did not turn and shoot her, and so she suspected it was him, Hamid writes. She remembered the boy as shy, with a stutter and a quick mind for mathematics, a good boy, but she could not remember his name.

When full-scale fighting begins, Saeeds mother is killed along with countless others, and Nadia moves in with Saeed. They have not married and Saeed has politely declined Nadias offer of sexual intimacy. After one of their neighbors is butchered and his wife and daughters taken away by militants, Saeeds father tells them to leave the city.

What is remarkable about Hamids narrative is that war is not, in fact, able to marginalize the precious mundanity of everyday life.

Following a tip from a friend, they meet with a man who called himself an agent to help them find a black door. Uncertain about the agents intentions, they pay him and he leads them to a black door inside a converted house. They enter the door and come out in a migrant camp in the Greek island of Mykonos.

They stay for a few weeks, but one night they are chased; they decide to leave the island. With the help of a girl who volunteers at a local clinic, they find another black door, which transports them to a big house in London shared by refugees from Nigeria, Somalia, Myanmar and Thailand. Saeed and Nadia find themselves in a comfortable room and decide to stay.

Over time Nigerian refugees become the dominant group not only inside the house but also in the neighborhood. While Nadia gets along just fine with the Nigerians, Saeed feels intimidated and threatened by them. He remains in the house only at Nadias insistence, and starts carrying a gun.

One doesnt need to read Exit West in order to ask, Is it possible to think of a world free of xenophobia? Especially not lately, not even in the West. But here Hamid graphically explores a fundamental and important ontological question: Is it possible for us to conceive of ourselves at all, except in juxtaposition to an other? With a constant influx of refugees, Exit Wests London gets divided: dark London inhibited by refugees and light London inhibited by Brits. The locals are further divided: nativists advocating wholesale slaughter of refugees to reclaim Britain for Britain and volunteers delivering food and medicine to new arrivals.

Still unmarried, Saeed and Nadia fall out of love in London, and to find a way out (of the city, not of the relationship) they take another door  this time landing in a once-wealthy Marin County, in the San Francisco Bay Area, now populated mostly by migrants like themselves. They finally decide to part company, and each falls for someone new: Saeed for a preachers daughter and Nadia for a female cook. They do not meet again until they return to the city of their birth, a half a century later.

Apart from being an honest meditation on love and prejudice, Exit West is one of the pithiest and most powerful comments on the contemporary zeitgeist because it is deliberately noncommittal: Should Saeed and Nadia  and, by implication, their real-life analogs  exit to, or from, West?

Nicholson Baker has said that [w]ars are bad for the novel, because suddenly all of our precious mundanity is justifiably marginalizable because [w]ars trivialize every small-scale concern you have, like saving newspapers or saving a train station. They call into question every minor joy.

What is remarkable about Hamids narrative is that war is not, in fact, able to marginalize the precious mundanity of everyday life. Instead  and herein lies Hamids genius as a storyteller  the mundanity, the minor joys of life, like bringing flowers to a lover, smoking a joint, and looking at stars, compete with the horrors of war.

It might seem odd that in cities teetering at the edge of the abyss young people still go to class, Hamid writes, but that is the way of things, with cities, as with life, for one moment we are pottering about our errands as usual and the next we are dying, and our eternally impending ending does not put a stop to our transient beginnings and middles until the instant when it does.

Toward the end of the novel, Hamid intersperses the itinerant love story of Saeed and Nadia with that of an old woman in Palo Alto who had, unlike Saeed and Nadia, lived in the same house her entire life. She no longer recognizes her home and concludes that although she has never left her home town, she has, nonetheless, migrated  that migration is inevitable, that everyone migrates, even if we stay in the same house our whole lives, that [w]e are all migrants through time.

Mushtaq Bilals book Writing Pakistan: Conversations on Identity, Nationhood and Fiction was published last year by HarperCollins. He recently won a Fulbright grant to pursue a doctorate in comparative literature.

Exit West

Mohsin Hamid

Riverhead: 240 pp., $26
What do we owe to a violent past? Its a question that strikes at the heart of Hari Kunzrus new novel, White Tears, despite its seemingly jocular and innocuous premise: Seth and Carter, two hipster audiophiles and Blues record collectors in Brooklyn, scrape together found audio of an unknown man in Washington Square Park and retouch it to create undiscovered prewar Delta Blues musician Charlie Shaw.

Carter, the trust fund recipient of a vast, generational fortune, first introduces Seth, the narrator, to his Blues obsession: [Carter] listened exclusively to black music because, he said, it was more intense and authentic than anything made by white people. From the start of Kunzrus novel, race, music and power become inextricably linked, to disastrous consequences.

Seth and Carters fascination with black music, as well as their music production pursuits, are their means of overcorrecting societal ills, not only racial injustices against minorities, but also as their own advantage of fortune and privilege at the expense of others.

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After graduating from college and moving to Brooklyn, Carter pours his endless wealth into studio equipment and obscure, 1920s era Blues recordings, culminating in the fabrication of Charlie Shaws Graveyard Blues. Carter commands Seth: Make it dirty. Drown it in hiss. I want it to sound like a record thats been sitting under someones porch for fifty years. The boys re-creation and hubris push their overzealous adulation into full-on appropriation of Blues culture and black music. They distribute the recording on forums for Blues collectors, who are overjoyed in the appearance of a previously undiscovered gem, much to the delight of Seth and Carter.

For Kunzru, and, by extension, for his characters, there is something remarkable about the power of sound, and the miraculous reality of a record: Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of radio, believed that sound waves never completely die away, that they persist, fainter and fainter, masked by the day-to-day noise of the world. Marconi thought that if he could only invent a microphone powerful enough, he would be able to listen to ancient times.

[Carter] listened exclusively to black music because, he said, it was more intense and authentic than anything made by white people.  White Tears by Hari Kunzru

Kunzrus focus on records is not merely a convenient subsection of hipster culture but the crux of the novel itself. Each time a needle hits a record groove, it becomes an act of resurrection, blending the past and present. In truth, White Tears is a story about a haunting wrapped in the clothes of a biting satire.

Yet what begins as a sharp take on the grotesque nature of nostalgia and the follies of hipsterdom diverges sharply when Carter is found on the outskirts of the Bronx, savagely beaten into a coma.

This happens about a third of the way through the book. This is not without its pitfalls  after Carters beating, the story becomes unmoored with only the timid Seth (and Carters malcontent siblings) left to push the novel along. Too often the plot turns on coincidence, such as running into a mysterious record collector on the streets of Manhattan. Kunzrus earnest and sympathetic portayal of Seth as a meek hanger-on and low-confidence audiophile is charming, though at times it can falter amid the lampoonish crowd of haute modern artists, business sharks and record snobs.

In the vein of a whodunit, Seth travels to the Mississippi Delta in search of the truth about Charlie Shaw and the reason for the assault on Carter. As the haunting gathers strength, and Seth becomes less certain of what is real and what is imagined, the novel becomes unexpectedly polyphonic, suddenly moving from Seths voice to that of other characters he meets, often without explanation.

Part of this is certainly intentional, as Kunzru wants the reader to be as uncertain as the characters are of their identity and fate as the early Delta Blues musicians were: They were like ghosts at the edges of American consciousness. You have to understand, when I say no one knew, I mean no one. You couldnt just look something up in a book. Things were hidden. Things got lost. Musicians got lost.

The palpable loss of these musicians to the horrors of Jim Crow, forced labor, lynching and all around oppression compared with the mega-rich who now greedily snap up their rare and valuable remnants creates the negative space that Kunzru operates in. The past and its repercussions are never really past, and the causes of disparity, as allegory, become a violent retribution once free in the form of the faked record of Charlie Shaw singing his Graveyard Blues.

White Tears is Kunrus fifth novel, most of which are as far ranging in scope and in their fluidity of time, as in Gods Without Men, which spans 200 years and several continents. A tidy ending to White Tears comes as a surprise after the muddled and perplexing second act, detracting from some of the powerful social commentary wrapped up in Seths sojourn to Mississippi.

The phrase white tears, beyond the novels title, is a colloquial and charged term used to describe when white people believe themselves to have been disadvantaged because of their skin color (such as losing out in cases of affirmative action in college admissions or with companies that emphasize minority hiring). In his novel, Kunzru walks a fine and admirable line of writing a story that never devolves into moralizing, condescension or abject preaching. The violence, misfortune and hubris that lead to the novels eventual white tears feels at once justified, horrific and terribly unavoidable. Ultimately, as Seth notes, The present is dry, but add reverb and you can hear time reverse its flow, slipping on into the past, into echo and disaster. Distance can create longing. It can open up the gap into which all must fall.

Broidas work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Economist, among other publications. He lives in Baltimore.

White Tears

Hari Kunzru

Knopf: 288 pp., $26.95
My critique this week of a free-speech watchdogs roster, ostensibly of efforts to silence speakers on college campuses because of their views, has drawn blood. The sponsor of the disinvitation database, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, struck back Tuesday to defend its work.

FIREs willingness to engage in debate, via an article by Ari Cohn, director of its individual rights defense program, is a commendable nod to its stated mission of defending freedom of speech and other such rights on campus. But Cohns response actually makes my case that its database, which encompasses 331 disinvitations of campus speakers since 2010, including 43 last year, is shallow, overly inclusive, and dependent on anecdotes that dont support its claim that freedom of speech on campus is in decline.

It is utterly illiberal to demand that anyone who would like to hear from the speaker not be allowed to do so, Cohn writes. Thats true, as far as it goes. But many of the cases FIRE includes in its roster dont involve demands to prevent speakers from speaking at an event or others from attending. As I pointed out in my original column, many involve simply protests or the airing of objections that themselves amount to expressions of free speech.

It is utterly illiberal to demand that anyone who would like to hear from the speaker not be allowed to do so.  Ari Cohn, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

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Lets examine Cohns defense.

First, Cohn takes issue with my point that even if the database did comprise every attempt to silence speakers or force them to withdraw, it represented a tiny percentage of the tens of thousands of speaking invitations issued every year by Americas more than 4,000 colleges. Therefore it cant serve as evidence of a trend toward more exclusion. While there may be 4,000 colleges and universities, he writes, the universe of schools to which controversial, big-name speakers are invited is likely significantly smaller.

That may be so, but FIREs universe is fairly inclusive. Its database includes big campuses like Berkeley and the University of Michigan, but also places like Earlham College of Indiana (enrollment 1,019) and Anna Maria College of Massachusetts (1,462). So whats the real size of the universe? Cohn doesnt say. Nor are all the targets appearing on his list big name speakers: They include state legislators, authors of self-published political screeds, and local activists unknown outside their homes and surrounding counties.

The bigger issue, however, lies with FIREs claim that its database tracks calls to silence or disinvite a speaker. Cohn writes that disinvitation teaches students the wrong lesson: that keeping anyone on campus from hearing views with which some people disagree, rather than the more difficult task of engaging in critical thinking and refuting those views, is an acceptable and successful tactic. The truth is that many of FIREs cited incidents are nothing of the kind.

I mentioned a couple in my original piece, including a protest against the joint appearance of former Vice President Joe Biden and former House Speaker John A. Boehner at Notre Dames 2016 commencement. FIRE listed the event but didnt cite any evidence of an effort to disinvite the speakers. Cohn defends the inclusion by arguing that some students wrote that they strongly objected to the invitations. Whether this is an implicit call for the revocation of the invitations is a matter upon which reasonable minds can disagree.

But there can be no disagreement about the letter Cohn cites. It says, We do not wish to endorse or refute either awardees worthiness to receive this honor, but simply call on dissenters of the Universitys decision to acknowledge the importance of all Catholic Social Teachings, not simply those they believe are the most important. In other words, it doesnt come close, even implicitly, to calling for disinvitation  indeed, it explicitly disavows any such intention. Why is this episode on FIREs list?

There are other such examples. Appearances by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at Scripps College and Syracuse University made the database. But neither seemed to involve a call for disinviting her. At Scripps, her commencement appearance inspired a commentary in the campus newspaper about her supposed role in fostering genocide; but that free expression of opinion should hearten, not disturb, the people at FIRE. At Syracuse, FIREs evidence for disinvitation is a report of a small protest outside the hall while Albright was speaking inside. How is that a disinivitation attempt?

Cohn takes issue with my argument that commencement speakers should be distinguished from those invited to participate in a campus discussion or panel or give a substantive talk. My point was that a colleges invitation to address commencement confers an implied institutional imprimatur on the speakers career or views. Thats especially so when it comes packaged with an honorary degree, as is typically the case. Under the circumstances, the selection of a commencement speaker should be subject to the most vigorous debate and even reconsideration by the campus community.

Cohn writes, Commencement speakers are generally invited because they have a message to students that would be valuable as they move forward with their lives, often drawing upon their own histories and experiences. Uh-huh. Would that the average commencement keynote met this high standard. But Ive been to a few such events, and I know, as I bet Cohn does too, that his Pollyanna-ish statement could have come right out of a college press release.

Finally, Cohn disputes my assertion that a speakers fitness to appear on campus at all should be a legitimate topic of discussion, debate, and reconsideration. He writes: Those extending campus speaking invitations are surely tasked with determining from whom they would like to hear.  Once the inviting party has determined that they would like to hear out a particular speaker, it is certainly not the place of others on campus to determine for them whether or not such a speaker is qualified.

Here he begs an important question. Tasked by whom? At many campuses, almost anyone can invite a speaker, provided that a free classroom or hall can be found for the event. Surely not everyone tendering an invitation is doing so in the name of the university. Judgments of whos qualified to speak at a campus venue are made all the time on virtually every campus. Why any one individuals decision to offer a platform to any speaker should necessarily be the last word, immune from criticism, objection, or revocation, is a mystery, and Cohn doesnt solve it.

Keeping an eye on efforts to suppress free speech on college campuses is a worthy calling. But FIREs assertions that such efforts are on the rise  indeed, that they set a record in 2016  cant survive scrutiny, at least not based on the evidence it provides. Anecdotes can be useful, but not when they deflate at the slightest poking.

Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com.

Return to Michael Hiltziks blog.
A federal grand jury will hear testimony on whether Fox News improperly handled financial settlements given to female employees who made sexual harassment claims against the company.

But the future of the investigation of Fox News  spurred by the sexual harassment allegations that led to the departure of its powerful former chairman Roger Ailes  remains unclear.

Whether the case will be pursued vigorously may depend on who is named to replace Preet Bharara, the former U.S. attorney who launched the investigation.

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Bharara was fired Saturday by President Trump. His dismissal followed Trumps request for the resignation of 46 U.S. attorneys, who are political appointees. Bharara, appointed by President Obama, did not comply with the request.

The move raises the question of whether the office will want to keep the legal heat on Fox in light of President Trumps long friendship with Ailes, who briefly advised him during the presidential campaign after he left the company in July.

Fox News has also been the presidents favorite stop for press interviews. He is scheduled to sit down with the networks Tucker Carlson on Wednesday and will appear on Jesse Watters program on Saturday. His last TV interview was with Fox & Friends on Feb. 27.

A 21st Century Fox representative referred to its previous statement when the news of the probe came to light last month in a court hearing on the sexual harassment case brought against the company by Fox News personality Andrea Tantaros.

Neither Fox News nor [21st Century Fox] has received a subpoena, but we have been in communication with the U.S. attorneys office for months  we have and will continue to cooperate on all inquiries with any interested authorities, the company said.

The U.S. attorneys office does not comment on the existence of any ongoing investigation.

One person briefed on the matter who is not authorized to discuss it publicly said the probe is focused on how the settlements were paid out and whether they were concealed from shareholders.

Mark Kranz, the former chief financial officer who worked under Ailes, is said to have been subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury. Kranz left the company shortly after Ailes departure in July.

Fox disclosed in regulatory filings last fall that it had spent about $35 million to settle sexual harassment claims  including $20 million to former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who filed a suit against Ailes  and potential litigations surrounding the executive.

But prosecutors are examining whether Fox properly disclosed previous payments. They are particularly interested in a $3.15-million payment made in 2011 to Laurie Luhn, a former Washington-based Fox News employee who lined up guests for the channels programs.

Companies are not required to report every settlement to investors, but they do have a legal obligation to disclose matters that would be material to investors.

Ailes has denied all sexual harassment claims made against him.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveBattaglio

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The scenario is apocalyptic: The United States plunges into darkness after its electrical grid goes down  not just for a few hours or even a few days, but a vulnerable power system could take 18 months to recover, so long a period of time that millions would die.

The reason? An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, attack from a terrorist group or rogue state using a nuclear weapon detonated in the atmosphere.

It sounds like something out of the most dystopian of Hollywood disaster movies.

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But news that North Korea recently launched four missiles that traveled 620 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan has heightened concerns among those who have warned that an EMP attack that could essentially vaporize the U.S. energy infrastructure.

I think this is the principal, the most important and dangerous, threat to the United States, said James Woolsey, who served as chief of the CIA from 1993 to 1995.

If you look at the electric grid and what its susceptible to, we would be moving into a world with no food delivery, no water purification, no banking, no telecommunications, no medicine. All of these things depend on electricity in one way or another, Woolsey said.

Others say the grid needs to be bolstered but are not as fearful of a potential doomsday.

Im not on knifes edge, said Rob Manning, vice president of transmission for the research sector of the Electric Power Research Institute, or EPRI.

EMP is a real threat, as is any number of of things that we deal with on a daily basis, Manning said. So all we can do is try to understand those threats greater and create ways to mitigate them or recover from them effectively.

What exactly is an EMP?

A short burst of electromagnetic energy, an EMP can occur in nature. But with the dawn of the Atomic Age, U.S. and Soviet military officials and scientists soon learned EMPs can also be created when they tested nuclear weapons in the atmosphere.

In 1962, at the height of the Cold War, the U.S. military exploded a nuclear weapon high above an atoll in the Pacific that unexpectedly resulted in an EMP that blew out street lights and knocked out telephones in Hawaii, some 900 miles away.

The abrupt surge of energy is not believed to harm humans physiologically, but the pulse could create massive currents that would blow through power lines, destroying electrical transformers and damaging power plants.

EMPs from outside sources have been popularized in films such as The Matrix and the 1995 James Bond movie GoldenEye, but nature can deliver them too.

In 1859, a powerful geomagnetic storm known as the Carrington event produced auroras around the world and caused telegraph systems in North America and Europe to fail.

Today the anxiety comes from the idea of an enemy initiating a high-altitude EMP by attaching a nuclear weapon to a satellite, then detonating it as the satellite passes over the center of the U.S., inflicting the most possible damage.

North Korea already has two satellites that fly over the U.S. on a south-to-north trajectory.

One of the myths out there is that you need a high-yield weapon to do an EMP attack, said Peter Vincent Pry, chief of staff of the congressional EMP Commission who also served in the CIA. Even a low-yield, primitive weapon like the bomb used in Hiroshima will produce a potentially catastrophic EMP field because its simply attacking things that are not hardened.

The EMP Commission was appointed by Congress to assess the threat, and in 2004 and 2008 it issued reports urging a national commitment to protect everything from mobile devices to the overall power system from a potential EMP meltdown.

In its 2008 report, the EMP Commission estimated that within 12 months of a nationwide blackout, up to 90% of the population could die from starvation, disease and an overall breakdown of society.

Last month, EPRI released the first in a series of reports from a study looking at the potential effects of a single high-altitude electromagnetic pulse. The study concentrated on the fleet of 37,000 bulk power transformers in the continental U.S.

Such large transformers, commonly seen in substations, are greater than 69,000 volts and convert electricity from high-voltage electricity to levels that are distributed around neighborhoods.

We found that there would likely be some failures, but those failures are relatively small in nature and not in the hundreds as had been contemplated from some of the reports in the past, EPRIs Manning said.

Manning added that while I think this is good news, at least four more reports will follow before the entire study is scheduled to wrap up in April 2019.

The EPRI research is funded by 50 utilities across the country, including Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric.

The EMP Commissions Pry blasted the study, alleging that EPRI is compromised by having the study bankrolled by utility companies that he says have dragged their feet on bolstering the grid.

Its what I call the junk science EPRI study, and you can quote me on that, Pry said.

EPRI officials insist that their study is unbiased.

We are a fiercely independent organization, Manning said. Thats been our history over the last 40 years, and thats very much our mantra.

The EMP Commission estimated nine years ago that it would cost about $2 billion to protect the electric grid.

I think that would be a bare beginning, said Woolsey, the coauthor of a number of opinion pieces with Pry. Most of the estimates I hear from people [to strengthen] the grid and the web as a whole is in the tens of billions.

rob.nikolewski@sduniontribune.com
A San Francisco banking advocacy group, several religious organizations and a Rhode Island pension fund want Wells Fargo to provide a broader accounting of what led to widespread fraud in the banks sales practices.

The groups, all Wells Fargo shareholders, plan to ask fellow shareholders to vote for the production of a comprehensive report on the root causes of the fraudulent activity and the steps the bank has taken to address the problems, according to the banks annual proxy statement, filed Wednesday.

This type of shareholder proposal rarely wins approval from a majority of shareholders, and Wells Fargos board is urging shareholders to vote against the proposal, saying its already investigating the scandal and has taken a variety of measures to stamp out bad behavior, according to the filing.

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Still, if a large enough bloc of shareholders support the proposal, it could push the banks board to provide more information.

Even if a corporation doesnt have to listen to the shareholder proposal, it may motivate the company to act and be more transparent, said Steven Bank, a professor of business law at UCLA.

The shareholders calling for the report include the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church and other religious organizations  as well as Rhode Islands state pension fund, investment firm Boston Trust and the California Reinvestment Coalition, a group that advocates for more lending and bank services in minority and low-income neighborhoods.

Investors and customers still do not have a clear understanding of the scope of the fraud or the strategies in place to address it in order to determine whether they are sufficient to prevent future lapses, the groups wrote in their proposal.

The bank last September acknowledged that its employees opened as many as 2 million checking, savings and credit card accounts without customer authorization over the last several years and agreed to pay $185 million to regulators to settle investigations into its sales practices.

The practices were first disclosed in a 2013 Los Angeles Times article.

The banks former chairman and chief executive, John Stumpf, resigned in October after lawmakers pilloried him and the bank during two Capitol Hill hearings.

But neither the settlements nor subsequent resignations and firings of bank executives have contained the scandal, which has sharply diminished new consumer account openings over the last several months.

Several federal and state agencies have opened their own investigations into the banks practices, looking for evidence of criminal identity theft, violations of labor law and other possible failings. And the bank said in a recent regulatory filing that the number of customers affected by the sales practices might be higher than first reported.

The shareholders proposal asks the bank to commission a comprehensive report to be sent to shareholders by October detailing how the scandal has affected the bank, how bank practices have been or will be improved, and how the bank plans to rebuild trust with regulators, customers and shareholders.

Shareholders believe a full accounting of the systemic failures allowing these unethical practices to flourish are critical to rebuilding credibility with all stakeholders, the groups wrote in their proposal.

In Wednesdays filing, the banks board advised shareholders to vote against the proposal, saying the bank has already taken steps to explain what happened and prevent future scandals.

Our board believes that an additional report is not necessary and, therefore, recommends a vote against this proposal, according to the filing.

The company noted that its report on the results of the banks internal investigation will be released prior to its upcoming annual shareholder meeting, scheduled for April 25 at a resort outside of Jacksonville, Fla.

Shares of Wells Fargo, which have recovered since a steep drop in September, closed Wednesday at $58.71, down 5 cents.

james.koren@latimes.com

Follow me: @jrkoren
The gig: Jonathan Swanson, 34, is the co-founder and president of Thumbtack  a services marketplace that is sort of like the Yellow Pages of the digital age. Instead of trawling through hundreds of listings for plumbers, electricians, masseuses and tutors on paper, customers tell Thumbtack what kind of professional theyd like to hire, and Thumbtack presents them with options that fit their criteria. The 8-year-old company has on its platform more than 250,000 professionals.

Dinner table politics: Swanson was interested in politics from a young age, aspiring while he was in high school to one day be an economic advisor to the president. It was very specific and very dorky, but I saw politics as this big platform for making the world better, and economics appealed to me because it felt like there was some science behind it, he said.

Swanson didnt come from a particularly political family  his father worked in IT and his mother was a teacher. He was born in Oklahoma and grew up in Iowa and Minnesota. What perhaps primed his interest in politics was the familys dinnertime conversations. I didnt learn that thing where they tell you to not talk about politics at the dinner table, Swanson said. We always talked about politics at the dinner table.

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Yale and the White House: Swansons interest in politics didnt wane in college. He studied politics and economics at Yale University while interning at the White House. He became passionate about Social Security, forming a nonprofit organization after his internship was over that galvanized students to advocate for Social Security reform. He was able to recruit more than 10,000 students across 300 college campuses to get involved, catching the attention of his former boss in the White House.

In 2006, fresh out of college, he was hired to serve as an economic policy analyst to the George W. Bush administration.

Conquering fears: Swanson didnt know it at the time, but his experience in the White House was priming him to become an entrepreneur. In addition to thinking and learning fast, he was thrown into intimidating situations, not too dissimilar from venture capital pitch meetings.

My boss would ask me to go brief the chief of staff or a Cabinet member on a new Federal Reserve policy, and if I knew nothing about it, Id have to go figure it out, he said. I grew up shy and was the kind of kid where Id think of what I was going to say in school a couple of times before I raised my hand, and half the time the topic had moved on. I couldnt imagine standing in front of other people, giving them briefings. It was scary, but once I broke through, it was this amazing experience.

Choosing Silicon Valley: For all that the White House taught him, Swanson knew after three years that it wasnt where he wanted to be. Politics is a circus, and I just wanted to have a big impact on the world, he said. He also didnt like that politics was a zero-sum game  that someone either agreed with you, or they were perceived as the enemy.

In tech, meanwhile, he saw potential to have an enormous impact on the world, while also being collaborative. What really attracted me to tech and ultimately to Thumbtack is its not zero-sum, he said. You come out to San Francisco and its so collaborative. Even competitors get dinner with each other.

Thumbtack: Swanson co-founded Thumbtack in 2008 with Marco Zappacosta with the view of solving a problem that affects lots of people: finding and promoting services. Around 100 million people around the world earn their living providing local services, but no one had reimagined how you could hire professionals, Swanson said. The Yellow Pages has been around for 100 years and hasnt really changed. You still see people taping fliers to poles.

Their solution? A two-sided marketplace in which customers could tell Thumbtack what kind of service they need, and professionals could pay to send those customers messages and quotes. Eventually we want to help with scheduling and invoicing too, Swanson said. We should be able to take that off your plate. As we do that, itll make small business much more accessible to everyone.

42 rejections: Thumbtacks early days were not without challenges. Swanson recalls pitching 42 investors shortly after he moved to San Francisco, and receiving 42 rejections. He chalks up Thumbtacks success to the founders and employees persistence and, to some extent, ignorance. If you knew how hard it would be, if you knew itd be a 100-mile walk through the desert, youd never do it, he said. But if you think its going to be five miles and you start, once youre five miles in, theres no turning back.

The company eventually secured funding from big-name firms such as Sequoia Capital, raising a total of $273 million. The company is today valued at $1.3 billion.

Advice: Find something you really care about, that has a real impact in the world, Swanson said. And then commit to it. Were eight years in now, and were only getting to the interesting part. Having impact takes time. Its not a two-year thing. Its a decade plus.

Personal: Swanson lives in San Francisco with his wife, Katherine. He likes trail running and biking.

tracey.lien@latimes.com

Twitter: @traceylien
Ubers recent stumbles could be giving Lyft a chance to gain ground in the ride-hailing market as customers shift allegiance, new market data suggest.

The study comes as Uber has been dealing with a run of bad news.

Lyfts customer base has grown 7% since Jan. 29, when the company tried to capitalize on controversy over the Trump administrations executive order temporarily halting travel to the U.S. by people from certain countries, according to market research firm 1010data.

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1010data says the shift in customer allegiance coincides with a decision by Lyft to donate $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union over four years to fight the travel ban. The ACLU has vowed to fight President Trumps travel ban, which affects immigrants from several Muslim-majority countries and refugees.

Around the same time, Uber came under fire for advertising that it was operating at New Yorks Kennedy International Airport during a taxi strike protesting the same executive order. That, coupled with Uber Chief Executive Travis Kalanicks involvement in a panel advising Trump on economic issues, helped spawn the Twitter hashtag #DeleteUber, which encouraged customers to delete the app from their phones in protest.

It didnt seem to matter that Uber later said it had turned off surge pricing near the site of the protest to avoid profiting from it, or that Lyft has ties to investor Peter Thiel, another Trump ally.

Its not clear whether this is just a temporary blip. Uber has faced additional bad publicity in recent weeks, including sexual harassment allegations, a lawsuit by Google alleging the theft of trade secrets and a viral video showing Kalanick losing his temper with an Uber driver.

But the company is trying to turn its image around. Kalanick issued an apology for his treatment of the driver and vowed to seek leadership help.

And 1010data noted that although San Francisco-based Lyft is growing at a faster rate, Uber  which is also based in San Francisco  remains the ride-hailing giant: It said Uber has arranged about 86% of all app-based rides since 2014.

Still, the firms data put numbers on the power of politics to influence a sales pitch  or show, at least, that the company knows who its audience is.

1010data said in a statement that its data are sifted from a number of sources of consumer spending data representing millions of consumers in online and offline retail markets.

Gabrielle Jasinski, a spokeswoman for 1010data, said that the study was not commissioned by Uber or Lyft and that 1010data has no affiliation with either company.

Kunkle writes for the Washington Post. Times staff writer Tracey Lien contributed to this report.

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Russian spies wanted secrets and hackers wanted cash in giant Yahoo breach, feds say
The Russian spies wanted secrets; the hacker was motivated by money.

Together, they orchestrated one of the largest thefts of consumer data in history: pilfering detailed user information from more than 500 million Yahoo accounts, including those of diplomats, journalists, Russian officials and politicians critical of the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, the hacker searched through Yahoo emails for gift card codes and credit card numbers, while launching a massive spam campaign. He even manipulated Yahoos search engine to steer those seeking information on erectile dysfunction to an Internet pharmacy that paid him a commission.

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On Wednesday, Justice Department officials unveiled a 47-count indictment against two Russian operatives for the Kremlins infamous Federal Security Service (FSB) and a notorious Russian hacker in what authorities have described as one of the biggest data breaches in U.S. corporate history. Another suspect, accused of playing a more limited role in the conspiracy, was arrested Tuesday in Canada.

The FSB officers used criminal hackers to gain information that clearly some of which has intelligence value, said Mary McCord, the acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments National Security Division. The criminal hackers used the opportunity to line their own pockets.

Justice Department officials said it was the first time that they had charged Russian security officials in such a case. Yahoo Inc., the beleaguered Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Internet firm, disclosed the hack in September, saying that thieves in 2014 had pilfered names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, passwords and some encrypted and unencrypted security questions and answers.

The number of user accounts affected was massive, even compared with other major data breaches. Yahoo has said it believed it was the victim of a state-sponsored attack.

The indictment announced Wednesday, handed down by a federal grand jury in San Francisco, names Dmitry Dokuchaev, 33, and Igor Sushchin, 43, who were identified as the FSB officers; Alexsey Belan, 29, a Russian hacker who was indicted in 2012 and 2013 on federal computer fraud charges; and Karim Baratov, described as a 22-year-old Canadian hacker born in Kazakhstan.

Putting the Russian suspects in handcuffs will not be easy: There is no extradition treaty with Moscow, and there is no reason to believe the Kremlin will want to hand over its spies and citizens to face charges in the United States.

However, the officials said, they believe that such charges are useful for sending a message that adversaries face consequences for targeting U.S. companies for traditional spying or financial gain. In that way, the case bears some similarities to the one levied against five Chinese military officers in 2014 who were accused of engaging in economic espionage against U.S. companies and a labor union.

We are shrinking the world to ensure that cybercriminals think twice before targeting U.S. persons and interests, FBI Director James Comey said in a statement.

The charges are not related to Russian interference in the U.S. election or its alleged hacking of the Democratic National Committee and a top campaign aide to Democrat Hillary Clinton. Justice Department officials refused to address questions about that high-profile investigation, though the FSB appears to also have played a role in those cyberattacks.

The indictment lays out a complicated operation that penetrated Yahoos sensitive user database and turned its very systems against its own users. The scheme was launched in 2014, not long after the FBI lodged an Interpol red notice  essentially a request to other countries to arrest a suspect  against Belan on charges he stole user data from three e-commerce firms and sold the information.

Instead of turning Belan over to U.S. authorities, the FSB put him to work.

According to court papers and Justice Department officials, he penetrated Yahoos defenses and stole a portion of the companys user database that contained information such as user names, recovery email addresses and phone numbers. It also contained data critical to forging cookies, files that track users browsing activities. By manipulating the cookies, the hackers could trick Yahoos computers into logging them into the victims accounts.

Belan also obtained an account management tool that allowed him to search for users back-up email addresses, which sometimes identified their employers. Using both tools, he then hacked into at least 6,500 accounts that permitted him and the FSB to read emails and other personal information.

Some of the victims were of predictable interest to the FSB, the indictment alleged. They included Russian journalists and foreign diplomats. Other targets had intelligence and commercial value, such as the personal accounts belonging to employees of a Russian investment banking firm, another of a bank. They also targeted a U.S. airline executive, a sales manager at a U.S. financial company and a Nevada gaming official.

Belan began seeking to profit on his own by searching accounts for credit card numbers and for gift cards. Justice Department officials would not speculate on how much money Belan stole.

On a broader scale, Belan forged cookies en masse to access information on more than 30 million users, stealing address book information that permitted him to launch a spam marketing campaign. And he manipulated Yahoos search engine to direct people looking for information on erectile dysfunction medication to an online pharmacy that paid him for referring customers.

The FSB officers helped Belan avoid detection by providing him with sensitive information and intelligence, including tips about their fellow officers investigations into computer hacking. Belan concealed his activities by using a log cleaner to remove traces of his activities from the Yahoo network.

The officers did not limit their attacks to Yahoo. They enlisted the aid of Baratov, the Canadian, to hack the accounts of specific victims on other email providers, including Google. Baratov broke into more than 80 such accounts, including those belonging to an officer who worked at an agency that investigated cybercrimes, the indictment alleges.

Cybersecurity experts raised alarms Wednesday at the deep access the Russians allegedly had in Yahoos computer network, and the ease with which they executed malicious actions ranging from run-of-the-mill hacking to sophisticated espionage and fraud.

Certainly weve seen all sorts of similar breaches, but the scale of this and some of the unusual activities they undertook are unmatched, said Von Welch, who directs a cybersecurity research program at Indiana University.

After disclosing this hack last year, Yahoo revealed an even larger data breach affecting up to 1 billion accounts that it said was separate. Disclosure of the two incidents led Verizon Communications Inc., which agreed last year to buy Yahoos core Internet business, to cut $350 million off the purchase price; it is now set to pay $4.5 billion.

Acknowledging that the breaches happened under her watch, Yahoo Chief Executive Marissa Mayer offered to forgo her annual bonus and stock grant. She is still set to collect a severance package worth about $23 million as part of the Verizon deal.

Former employees have said Mayer and other senior Yahoo executives resisted suggestions to bolster defenses and cybersecurity investigations. A Yahoo board investigation recently blamed the breach on failures in communication, management, inquiry and internal reporting. The public summary of the report this month didnt name officials responsible, but Yahoos top lawyer Ronald Bell immediately resigned.

The Verizon deal keeps Yahoo on the hook for most expenses from lawsuits and government investigations tied to the hacks. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.

del.wilber@latimes.com

paresh.dave@latimes.com

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UPDATES:

2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from an information security expert.

12:55 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting.

11:45 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details from the indictment.

9:15 a.m.: This article was updated with information from the indictment and background information about Yahoo and its deal with Verizon.

This article was originally published at 8:30 a.m.
Mark Ryden is on something of a sugar high. Backstage at Costa Mesas Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the painter giddily navigates a luscious candyland of his own creation  something hes now seeing fully realized, onstage, for the first time.

Dressed in black with round, wire-rimmed glasses, a black fedora and a silvery goatee, the Pop Surrealist looks like a magical wizard as he surveys the fantastical haven of desserts hes created for American Ballet Theatres new production of Whipped Cream. Ginormous sugary confections glint under draping stage lights: velvety swirls of sugar plum pastry, strawberry-topped cupcakes, powder-coated chocolate drops and glossy, melon-sized gum balls. Theatrical technicians, like Willy Wonka factory workers, scramble around the artist. Stage hands roll towering peaks of whipped cream across the floor on dollies while prop artists affix Swarovski crystals to vanilla-iced tarts.

Cmere, Ryden beckons, slipping behind a cotton candy-pink dessert counter, a proverbial kid in his self-conjured candy store. The black backside of the giant set piece exposes the infrastructure behind the magic  ladders and trap doors that the dancers scurry up and through.

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Its all these details, Ryden says, showing off the underside of a monstrous tin coffee can that one of the characters pops out of. We had to make these openings big enough for the dancers tutus to get through.

1 / 11 Painter Mark Ryden, known for his vaguely unsettling fairy tale images, has designed sets and costumes for American Ballet Theatres production of Whipped Cream. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 11 Characters in Whipped Cream include Princess Tea Flower, who wears this costume. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 11 Painter Mark Ryden tries on a cape he designed for Whipped Cream, a revamped Richard Strauss ballet about a boy who falls ill after eating too many sweets. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 11 A costume confection for American Ballet Theatres Whipped Cream is held by wardrobe supervisor Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 11 Costume supervisor Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar and designer Mark Ryden hold a costume for Princess Tea Flower backstage at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, where Whipped Cream will be given its world premiere. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 11 A Mark Ryden-designed costume is held by Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar. With the ballet Whipped Cream, Ryden makes his first foray into stage design. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 11 Costume supervisor Tomoko Ueda-Dunbar stands amid a sugar rush of costumes and props. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 11 Giant gum balls are given a coat of clear gloss by scenic artist Chrissy Skubish. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 11 These cavity-inducing hats will be worn in American Ballet Theatres production of Whipped Cream, a reworking of a Richard Strauss ballet. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 11 Painter-designer Mark Ryden, left, and American Ballet Theatres director of production, N. James Whitehill III, inspect a whipped cream-style slide. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 11 Costumes designed by Pop Surrealist painter Mark Ryden await their moment in the spotlight in American Ballet Theatres production of Whipped Cream at Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ryden designed the sets and costumes for Whipped Cream, which features choreography by ABT artist-in-residence Alexei Ratmansky, formerly artistic director of Moscows Bolshoi Ballet. The fanciful production seeing its world premiere at Segerstrom Hall on Wednesday is based on an obscure, 1924 two-act ballet called Schlagobers, written and composed by Richard Strauss. Its about a young boy who, after his first Communion, celebrates by wolfing down too many sweets at a Viennese pastry shop. He falls into a sugar-induced delirium and is rushed to the hospital, where a series of hallucinations bring his beloved desserts to life.

The character of Princess Praline was to be played, in select performances, by Misty Copeland, but the dancer had to bow out because of an injury. The opening performance features ABT principal dancer David Hallberg as Prince Coffee and South Pasadena native Stella Abrera as Princess Tea Flower, with Sarah Lane as Princess Praline. The Pacific Symphony will perform the score live. Daniil Simkin plays the character known as the boy.

Ryden, nicknamed the godfather of Pop Surrealism by Interview magazine, is known for his kitschy, brightly colored paintings blending pop culture elements and old master techniques for a glossy, danger-tinged, fairy-tale-like aesthetic. His first European retrospective, at the Centro de Arte Contemporaneo de Malaga in Spain, closed on March 5.

Whipped Cream is his first foray into theatrical design.

It just seemed like an exciting adventure, Ryden says of why he was drawn to the project. And it hit at the right time for me. Id just finished a series of art shows, and this seemed like something different. Just bringing the other dimensions beyond a static painting  story, action, movement, music, all those things.

The result is an explosion of fantasy, surrealism and traditional ballet  Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory meets Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children meets The Nutcracker.

Ryden, who launched his career designing book and album covers, including Michael Jacksons Dangerous, did more than simply design the costumes and backdrops though. His cutesy, seemingly saccharine style with a darkly humorous, Tim Burton-like twist inspired the creation of the production.

Ratmansky had toyed with the idea of reinventing Schlagobers in the early 1990s, and he developed a short piece of the ballet in a choreography workshop. Then, almost a decade later, he stumbled on a book of Rydens art in a Tokyo store and was so taken with the imagery, it reignited his desire to develop the ballet. He now considers Ryden a co-creator of Whipped Cream; the artists style informs nearly every aspect of the production, even the choreography, Ratmansky says.

Theres something very unsettling, disturbing, about his paintings, which hides behind the sometimes very sweet surface.  Alexei Ratmansky

His style is completely original, its very precise and detailed. He uses classical techniques, but the story he tells is very contemporary, Ratmansky says. Theres something very unsettling, disturbing, about his paintings, which hides behind the sometimes very sweet surface. I just thought it was a good fit for the music and that it would make this 1920s work feel contemporary.

The two met in 2015 at a Paris flea market and clicked right away, says Ryden, for whom the location, with its vintage toys, old furniture and discarded oddities, is one of his all-time favorites. He was beyond excited to tackle such a new and different project. But there were obvious challenges.

Ryden typically works solo, painting on flat canvases in his Portland, Ore., studio. He and his wife, the artist Marion Peck, moved there last year after Ryden had spent 35 years in L.A.

For ABT he had to create three-dimensional pieces up to 36 feet tall and 60 feet wide that would visually work in a venue with more than 3,000 seats. He scoured classical theater design books and Internet imagery for inspiration, listening to Strauss in his studio while he worked.

What proved especially difficult, Ryden says, was letting go. He collaborated with ABT director of production N. James Whitehill III as well as independent costume supervisor Holly Hynes and scenic design supervisor Camellia Koo on his sketches, paintings and digital renderings. Rydens designs for 150 costumes and backdrops for nine scenes were then sent to costume shops and scenic design houses, mostly in New York, for fabrication.

Im a very hands-on person and I like to create things myself, Ryden says. A lot of artists like [Takashi] Murakami and Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, they have a team of people that they direct to make their art, they dont actually do it themselves. And thats what their personalities are suited for. And Im very much not that way. I like to have total control. So it was hard for me to let go and have other people execute things.

But letting go also opens doors. Not only will Ryden present his Whipped Cream paintings and drawings in a May exhibition at Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York, but also he has found a new love of ballet.

Id been on and off, he says. I always liked it when I went  The Nutcracker, Swan Lake  but I wasnt a big, huge fan or anything.

As research, Ryden and Peck attended Ratmanskys Firebird at the Metropolitan Opera in New York twice last year, viewing it once from the audience and once backstage in the wings.

It was just amazing to see the dancers out onstage. They fly around like theyre weightless, and then they come offstage and just collapse in exhaustion, Ryden says, eyes wide. And to see it in that intimate setting, what they put into their performance, it was one of the most moving things Ive ever done. It was so inspirational.

Given Rydens art stardom among a particular young and online-savvy audience  he has 360,000 followers on Instagram, where hes been posting about Whipped Cream  the production is also a chance for Segerstrom to diversify its audience.

Hes a big deal, says Segerstrom Executive Vice President Judy Morr. And we know that people who are followers of his are going to come to see ballet probably for the first time. The whole concept of his doing this production in canon with Alexei Ratmansky  theyre among the most creative people alive today.

When the curtain rises, Rydens influence may or may not be immediately evident to his fans in the audience. His paintings are often shot through with mysterious symbols, religious iconography, mathematical and scientific fodder and cabinet-of-curiosity ephemera, not to mention Abraham Lincoln heads. The ABT backdrops backstage, however, are pink and frothy candy-landscapes, noticeably lighter and more innocent than the artists typical work.

Suddenly, the answer to the question, Where is Ryden in all this? lands with a slap as one last backdrop is lowered onto the stage.

The piece, from Act II when the boy is hallucinating, is a psychedelic explosion of eyeballs, flowers, single-celled organisms, sea creatures and other primordial elements.

I was trying to depict what might be lurking in his deep subconscious, what was swirling around, Ryden says.

Ryden doesnt care much for sweets himself, he says, but this one backdrop is particularly delicious for him.

I think thats where I got to start to really go into my own territory, he says, when the boy is truly into the fantasy world and its more open-ended.

His face breaks into a wide grin.

Like: This is what I would start to see if I fell into a sugar delirium myself.

         

American Ballet Theatres Whipped Cream

Where: Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: $29 and up. Subject to change.

Information: (714) 556-2787, SCFTA.org

deborah.vankin@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter: @debvankin

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Diana Krall was 28 when she met a man who would become not only her frequent producer, but also a lifelong guiding light who understood the importance of who I was and who I was evolving into as a woman and a jazz musician.

Tommy LiPuma, the seminal record producer and music industry veteran who died on Monday, had a long history with Krall right up till the end. He co-produced Kralls forthcoming album, Turn Up the Quiet, due May 5 on the Verve label. Over 25 years, LiPuma worked with Krall on 11 of her releases, starting with 1995s Only Trust Your Heart.

I could not have done them without him, Krall told The Times on Tuesday in an emotional phone interview. No one else would know how to do this and how it all fits together. He understood how to get to the magic of the story and the feel and importance of swing.

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He helped me express who I am, added Krall, who will headline two nights at the Hollywood Bowl this summer (Aug. 11-12).

Krall said that she and LiPuma often sent each other letters, reflecting on everything from their work together to life outside the studio. She had just written him in January about their latest collaboration, to which he responded, I know what youre trying to do, and Im here to help you do it.

Im 52 now, and Im still looking to him for counsel as my friend, Krall said, her voice beginning to crack. Im so proud of this new record, and its so painful in that I would like for him to be sitting next to me. He was such a mentor and father figure to so many. We were all so lucky.

LiPuma was revered for his deep discography, working his magic with everyone from Barbra Streisand and George Benson to Natalie Cole and Paul McCartney. She could name several, but Krall did have a particular favorite album LiPuma produced.

Gate of Dreams, she said, referring to the cinematic and genre-scrambling 1977 album by German composer and arranger Claus Ogerman and his orchestra. Even now I go back to that and it amazes me. But so much of Tommys work was like that.

james.reed@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter @jreedwrites.
For an industry that champions inclusiveness, fashion brands are still warming up to the plus-size market. While some designers and retailers still arent sold on the market, the category is a robust one. Considered to be any size from 14 up, plus size was a $21.4 billion business last year, compared to $17.4 billion in 2013, according to the NPD Group. Interestingly, plus-size teens are a driving force, accounting for 34 percent of the market in 2015 compared to 19 percent in 2012, according to NPDs 2015 Womens Special Sizes Study.

Designers like Michael Kors and Christian Siriano featured a range of body types on their fall runways. For her fall Comme des Garcons collection, Rei Kawakubo sent models down the runway in Picasso-esque curves and bulbous creations, which she sized up in show notes as The future of silhouette. H&M included two more shapely models  Kate Syme and Stella Duval  in its buy-now-wear-now collection, while Nike started selling its 1x through 3x plus-size collection via its site earlier this month.

Looking to make plus size more about fashion and less about size, Prabal Gurung said he intentionally turned to Vogue to break the news of his limited-edition collection with Lane Bryant. Going even further, the magazine featured Ashley Graham among the seven models that appeared on its March cover.

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Graham also walked in Kors fall show and the designer, whose Collection range runs from size 0 to 16, says he will continue to represent a diverse set of women.

Ive always dressed a variety of women of all shapes and ages. The diversity of age, size and look of the models on the runway should reflect a heightened version of reality that is representative of the world at large. Ashley is a sensational beauty who is a strong part of todays fashion mosaic, said Kors. My job as a designer has always been to design clothes that work for a wide range of women. I think more and more retailers are realizing the importance of this.

I think its about time that larger sizes are represented in presentations during fashion week, said Tricia Smith, Nordstroms executive vice president and general merchandise manager of womens and designer apparel. We dont view it any differently than the need to be more inclusive across the board, whether it is ethnicity, size or body type and I hope it continues. In our opinion, plus sizes should not be considered a category. Were working hard to represent a broader range of sizes in all of our best product.

Gurungs hope is that his involvement will allow people to look at beauty differently. The definition of beauty is no longer size two, four or zero. It comes in different sizes. I just saw [the sector] becoming very stigmatized and treated in a very inferior way. It was snickered at. There was nothing positive in the way that it was handled. I just felt it was time. The world was shifting. To not be part of the conversation about diversity and inclusion is just so out of synch, out-of-touch and archaic.

The strength of the category is not lost on him either. Its a $20 billion business and growing. Sixty-seven percent of American women are in this category and we are lamenting about the retail industry dwindling. It is pure, simple logic to me.

Applying the same integrity and message of inclusion that goes into his signature collection, Gurung said, What really surprises me is how still close-minded our industry is about this. Like it or not, our industry has a herd mentality. Were afraid to take risks, were afraid to follow our instincts because the handful of critics and tastemakers might not agree with you, or you may be shunned. For me, none of that mattered because I know all of them and they have been nothing but great to me. If I was rude and led by fear, I wouldnt be in America.

Across the board, plus-size consumers would like to have more stylish options in their current wardrobes and half of them want to buy apparel from brands that make both regular and plus-sizes. Teens are most likely of all age groups to feel that brands design plus-size clothing as an afterthought and plus-size clothing should be offered in the same styles available for my smaller friends, NPD reported.

Frank Doroff, Bloomingdales vice chairman, said, Bloomingdales has plus-size offerings both in store and online. In store we have dedicated shops from vendors like Marina Rinaldi, Eileen Fisher and NYDJ, which our customer has responded well to, and we have seen growth in our online business over the past year or so.

After Siriano enlisted 10 large-size models for his February runway show  twice as many as last season  consumers and retailers loved it and orders more than doubled as a result, he said.

Even if the customer was just a size 10, they were more interested in seeing the clothes on different bodies. Were just in a different world now, where a fashion show has become more consumer-based, Siriano said. Im so surprised that people care so much about it. That is good and bad. The fact that it is such a topic that people need to talk about is interesting. But Im sure for these women who are bigger on the runway, thats not so great for them. It kind of goes both ways.

This summer he made headlines by dressing Leslie Jones for the Ghostbusters premiere, after she tweeted that designers did not want to suit her up for the red carpet. Thats very embarrassing to admit you cant get clothes. That takes bravery. She was subject to Internet hacking. People were releasing photos of her, he said. She was being really beaten down for what she looks like and thats just so sad that our society sometimes goes in that direction against people because we all look different.

Unlike in the past when Sirianos standard size was a 6, now 10 is the highest selling size and an increasing number of international stores are ordering more size eight items and above. The company will now cut styles up to a size 26, a selling point that has also helped Sirianos bridal sales at Kleinfelds because a lot of brides cant find a dress, he said. Most of the retailers used to go up to a 12, but sizes six, eight and 10 were the standard.

With a customer base that includes Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Angela Bassett, Kathy Bates, Neve Campbell, Viola Davis and Julianne Moore, Siriano said, Ive always dressed women of size, different ethnicities and from all walks of life, but now people are noticing it more which is great.

Asos offers 20 plus-size brands including its own Asos Curve, which was introduced in 2010 to play up seasonal must-haves for sizes 18 through 30, as well as Elvi, Glamorous Curve, RACHEL Rachel Roy, Slink Jeans, Persona by Marina Rinaldi, Love & Legend and Lafayette 148 New York online.

We want to ensure that our customer is given the same experience and same offer as anyone else, an Asos spokesman said. We also like to offer an additional edit of exclusive styles which are unique to our curvy girl.

In the six years since she started Gwynnie Bee from her East Village apartment, Christine Hunsicker has seen the category gain more traction with the fashion crowd. Her own business, which offers rentals and the option to buy, is now a 425-person operation with offices in Long Island City, Palo Alto, distribution in Columbus and two offices in India. Tocca, Rachel Antonoff and Amanda Uprichard are among the 12 or so straight-size designers Gwynnie Bee has pulled into the plus-size category in the past two years. A couple of really well-known high-end names will be added this spring, said Hunsicker, who plans to ramp up offerings for pants this summer.

Along with high-end designers collaborating with well-known retailers like Lane Bryant and big brands like Nike designing plus size, the category is getting a jolt from City Chic, Fashion to Figure and Eloquii, which is opening its first U.S. store, Hunsicker said. Collectively, these factors will help upgrade skill sets in the category and get consumers shopping, she added. As for the industrys hesitancy to develop the category, she said, Some designers just didnt want to support plus-size women. I think that is just inexcusable.

Not having the infrastructure, skilled manpower or the capital, which typically is $500,000 to start making larger-size clothing, has kept some brands away. To facilitate things, Gwynnie Bee takes on the fit standards and technical pattern-making. Basically, its like running a second line. There are very few technical pattern-makers who have deep experience in plus because there havent been many jobs in it, she said. If youre a brand that relies on department stores for distribution, its very hard to bring up a plus line because department stores are loath to take risks if they dont know the customer base is there. And there are so few places to go so its kind of like this reenforcing loop.

Hunsicker added, The industry has known for quite some time that this is a huge opportunity for a growing portion of the populationThe plus-size market is dramatically underserved. Anyone coming in with an offering that speaks to that consumer has a lot of room to grow.

According to Smith, Nordstrom found success with Khloe Kardashians denim line Good American, which includes sizes 0 through 24 and is sold in the retailers TBD department that carries lines including Madewell and Free People. Smith said it was one of the top launches of all time and the best-selling sizes were 0s and 16 to 18. Smith said, The Good American success is shining a light on an opportunity that other brands have not addressed, and is giving us leverage to drive change particularly in the denim industry.

When Nordstrom opens its Westfield Century City mall store, larger sizes of apparel will be mixed in across all categories such as denim, swim, active and lingerie. The company has sportswear, wear-to-work and dresses in a plus-size dedicated department called Encore in 103 of its 123 full-line stores. Plus sizes are offered in its Coats, Lingerie and Womens Active departments too. It is also available at 189 of the 215 Nordstrom Rack stores, and that will increase to 204 by the end of the year.

An indication of how labels are being removed, ModCloth, a vintage-inspired online clothing retailer, eliminated the plus vertical from its web site and any reference to the word. Chief executive officer Matthew Kaness said this has created a more elevated assortment and a more inclusive shopping experience. More than half the offerings are available in plus sizes compared to one-third a year ago. Since retiring the plus label, Kaness said, The customer response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially in our first permanent store in Austin, where girlfriends of all sizes can shop the same assortment and share the same experience like never before.

And the customer base may only become more important. A new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association deemed that socially acceptable body weight is increasing with more overweight or obese individuals being satisfied with their weight and fewer might be motivated to lose unhealthy weight.

Aria Hughes also contributed to this story.

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He occupies a piece of political ground thats become high profile even on Capitol Hill  in spite of the fact that hes a Democrat, in the party out of power. Congressman Adam B. Schiff is one of the two Californians who sits atop whats become one of the most scrutinized committees in Congress  the House intelligence committee. The chairman is Republican Devin Nunes, of Tulare; Schiff, of Burbank, is the committees top Democrat. It falls to their committee, as it does to its Senate counterpart, to investigate Russias meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Schiff analyzes the task before his committee, and questions how President Donald Trumps credibility and ability are challenging bipartisanship, Congress and the nation.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW ON THE PATT MORRISON ASKS PODCAST 

Is it too soon to talk, as some people have, about a constitutional crisis?

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It probably is too soon to talk about that. Certainly if there was an administration that was ever likely to get into a problem of that order of magnitude, youd have to say this one, given all the problems theyve had in just a matter of a few weeks theyve been in office. But yes, I would hope its too early to talk about that.

As the ranking member of the intelligence committee, youre dealing with questions as regards Russian interference in the election and any relationship the Trump campaign may have had with Russia. And youve suggested a 9/11 style commission to look into all of this. What would that do?

First, it would take the investigation completely out of the political realm. Like the 9/11 commission, you would have people who are truly independent of political process. And most important, when they were done with their work, it would be something that would be broadly accepted by now a deeply divided country. As it is, we have two intelligence committees doing the work, one House, one Senate, so we want to make sure that conclusions that the committees reached are supported by the evidence.

But there are other issues that were also investigating. There is of course the very serious set of allegations that there were US persons colluding with the Russians, allegations that there may be Trump people who colluded with the Russians. Those are among the most serious issues were looking at.

We also want to look at the U.S. government response. Once we learned of what the Russians were doing, what was the U.S. government action in response to that? Was it vigorous enough? How can we learn from this? How do we prevent this from happening again? All of those questions and more are what were looking at.

We know the Russians did this, and that much is very clear. It wasnt China, it wasnt some 400-pound fat guy. We know that this was the Russians, but we should keep an open mind about whether U.S. persons were involved.

Are your Republican colleagues on board with you to do that?

You know, it is a bipartisan investigation. The chair and I have agreed to a very detailed multipage scope of investigation which includes allegations of potential collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.

It also includes an issue of leaks, which a lot of my Republican colleagues are very intent to investigate, so it is bipartisan. We may run into obstacles. They may be political in nature. We may not get the approval we need from the majority to issue the subpoenas that really should go out.

If we get to that point, Ill be very public about it, and Ill tell people that I dont think this is a credible investigation. But I want to make every effort I can to do this in a nonpartisan way, because the only way were really going to add value is if somehow were able to do this together and we can arrive at a common conclusion.

But heres the important point in terms of the committee: Were not going to have a situation where the chair and I agree on many things, or there certainly will be frequent disagreement; youve heard some of them. But at the same time, if theres a chance of us being able to do this together, that is really where the national interest lies.

Until there is a formation of an independent commission, we are the only games in town, these two intelligence committee investigations. Its a heavy responsibility. I would frankly like to see us doing this jointly with the Senate. After 9/11, the House and Senate intelligence committees did a joint investigation that accompanied the 9/11 commission.

But in any event, it wont have much value if were not able to do this jointly

What did you think when you heard President Trump accuse President Obama of wiretapping him during the campaign?

Well, I didnt think I could be shocked any more by what the president says but I have to say, this took my breath away. It had elements of fantasy, elements of paranoia. When you couple it with another tweet he sent out at the same time about Arnold Schwarzeneggers bad ratings, it also had just a flavor of, Is this person living in the real world? Who does that? I mean, who makes that kind of accusation? And certainly not a president of the United States.

The problem with all of this, of course, is the crises weve had over the last five or six weeks of this presidency have been all internally created. But were going to have a real crisis at some point during his term, and it will be an external crisis. It may come from North Korea or Iran, and we need to have a president who has some credibility, not only with the American people but with the rest of the world.

And when he says things like this, he loses more and more credibility that he will simply never get back. And thats a real problem for the United States, for our security, for our place in the world.

And from a constitutional point of view, someone who doesnt respect the judicial branch, who thinks the press are the enemy of the people, who will accuse his predecessor of gross illegality -- from a constitutional system he also seems to be a president who doesnt know right from wrong.

As a federal prosecutor, in 1990 you won a conviction of an FBI agent who passed secret documents to the Soviet Union. In 2012, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Russia was our chief geopolitical foe. Whats happened to change our longstanding position that Russia is a rival and a danger?

I think Presidents Obama really put his finger on this a couple of months ago, when he talked about how ironic it was that the party of Ronald Reagan was coming to embrace the Kremlin and was willing to accept Russian intervention in our election because it helped them and it hurt the Democrats, that our partisanship had gotten that extreme, where that kind of foreign intervention was, if not welcome, it was at least accepted.

I have to think that Mitt Romney or John McCain, when they were running for president, if the Russians had done this, they would have had the character and stature to say, Russians, butt out.

Your California Republican colleague Devin Nunes was asked about Donald Trumps claim that the Obama administration had wiretapped him, and he said, the president just lacks experience in politics. The larger argument has been, hes new to this governance business, just give him a break.

Maybe you could say that, but you cant normalize this kind of behavior, and its one thing to make a minor misstep. Its another thing to accuse your predecessor of gross illegality and do so without any basis whatsoever. And I think we have to acknowledge that this is not going to change. This is going to be who he is. And it cannot mean that we accept this as now, Okay, thats just the president being the president. Its not okay.

Obviously there are other things on your to-do list than just this. Foremost among them now may be the healthcare changes.

Its always been clear over the years, as the GOP touted repeal and replace, that they had no replacement in mind. There are individual Republicans who have individual ideas; some just want to repeal it and leave it at that. Others wanted to enact some kind of tax cuts. But were seeing it now quite graphically how little of a plan they have.

What they released is breathtaking in certain respects. It has tax cuts in it for very wealthy people, which is kind of striking in health care reform. It also provides an incentive to increase the pay of insurance company executives by increasing the amount which can be tax deductible, so its using tax dollars to support the increases in executive salaries for insurance company personnel. And its also cutting Medicaid, meaning that millions of people are going to lose their health insurance. And even then, it doesnt have enough Republican support to pass.

When you see the president express surprise that, gosh, this is actually kind of complicated, you wonder, what did they think it was?

The president, I remember, as a candidate, said he was going to promise better health care at cheaper prices, and he was really good at this so we could believe him. Well, now we see that his being really good at this means, Okay, Congress, come up with something and Ill sign off on it.

What theyve come up with is getting almost uniformly bad reviews  bad reviews from conservatives like the Heritage Foundation, bad reviews from the AARP, bad reviews from the AMA.

What were going to have to do is what we have been, which is expose the flaws of this. How much will their premiums go up? And how many millions of people will lose their health insurance? Were not going to become complicit in helping the Republicans disenfranchise people from their health care.

Weve heard proposals to cut the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to cut the Department of the Interior  so many things happening in what will be the forthcoming budget. What are Democrats plans to deal with these?

One of the challenges we have is being able to prioritize and focus and say, OK, which fights are we going to attach the greatest urgency and priority to? The concerns over violations of the Emoluments Clause, with the effort to defund Planned Parenthood in the Affordable Care Act replacement, to the cuts of over a third of the State Department, and there are innumerable problems with what this administration is trying to do and what the majority is complicit in. Our challenge in the minority is being able to highlight the most egregious, being able to spotlight where there are the biggest ethical and constitutional problems, and trying to put some guard rails around this administration and this majority.

Were at a singular time in history where were finding out just how fragile our democracy is. You grow up as I have in the latter part of the 20th century and you believe that everything is quite solid and we have this brilliantly written constitution. And all of a sudden you realize the constitution is extraordinarily written, but its not self-executing. And there are certain norms of behavior that have guided us and made that democracy work. Those norms are being thrown out on a daily basis; its really quite fragile.

I think the reason we are where we are today and have this president is there were enough people around the country who looked at all the candidates for president, all the Democrats and all the Republicans, and concluded, Theyre all basically the same. I I dont believe any of them are going to do anything different. Theres only one guy that looks different, and thats Donald Trump. I am so much at my wits end that I am willing to roll the dice on this guy.

And it was a heck of a roll of the dice, and I understand why people decided they were willing to take that risk. Unfortunately now were seeing the downside of taking a risk like that.

So that underlying problem that nobody seemed to be speaking to a large part of the country with sufficient resonance that they thought there would be real changes to their lives  that has to be addressed. That worry is still out there. That lack of faith in governance is still out there. So theres a lot of confidence-building measures we have to undertake across our society.

I think for my party, we made a mistake of really not trying to talk to people in large parts of the country. And I certainly hope thats corrected, because I think not only for the success of my party, but to get our democracy back on track, we are going to have to address those fundamental concerns.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook
The Heidi-Renee appeared on the water in early December.

One day, it was business as usual in the channel leading from Marina del Rey to the sea: kayakers, sailboats, water-skimming pelicans, the occasional sea lion.

The next day, there she was, just inside the breakwater, a 220-foot dredge with her entourage, a tugboat named Norton Bay and a scow named Sand Island.

My running partner, Kathy Kelleher-McCarthy, and I, who look for any excuse to interrupt our daily exertions (we brake for puppies), stopped at the western end of the Marinas north jetty, transfixed by the dredges immense orange clam-shell bucket. We watched as it sank below the surface, jaws agape, before coming up clenched and full to drop loads of wet sand into the scow. When we run in the evening, we stop to admire her. With her lights on, she is spectacular in twilight.

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During our runs, Kathy and I spend a lot of time speculating about things that elude us. For us, the dredge was the perfect vessel for discussion: Why now? Where does all the sand go? How long would the dredge be there? Who works there? Does her presence harm marine life?

Eventually  and I am not saying I am proud of how long this took  it occurred to me that the answers were probably just a phone call away.

Its a very simple operation, said Carol Baker, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors, when I reached her by phone Monday. Theres a lot of shoaling that occurs in that area, and we need to make sure everyone can get in and out.

Her office put me in touch with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the dredging work, which in turn put me in touch with Darrell Jamieson, the dredges 53-year-old superintendent who works for J.E. McAmis, a big marine construction company based in Chico.

The Heidi-Renee, as it turns out, roams up and down the West Coast. Shes no stranger to attention. In October 2014, she was named Boat of the Month by her hometown paper, the Astoria Journal. Also, World Dredging magazine is featuring the dredge next month.

This job, budgeted by the feds at $2.7 million, was supposed to last four months, Jamieson told me, but his crew members, who work in groups of three or four in 12-hour shifts around the clock, will be done in about a week. Thats mostly because the weather has been so good, he said, sounding amused at complaints by locals that this has been one of the rougher winters.

When its finished, the dredge will have removed 385,000 cubic yards of sand from the channels northern entrance, where boats were beginning to run aground on accumulating sand shoals. The scow, which fills every three to four hours with about 2,000 tons of sand, is tugged south a couple miles, where she is emptied into the waters off Dockweiler State Beach.

The tugboat has a separate four-man crew. Each round trip takes 90 minutes, giving the dredge crew a break to grab a snack, do maintenance, or perhaps cook lobster tails offered by the fishermen.

Coincidentally, the new sand off Dockweiler has improved the break there, which has proved to be a boon for Al Hansen, a 34-year-old surferPortland, Ore.-based foodie who works as a deckhand on the Heidi-Renee.

The surfing crowd here is tight knit, he told me Tuesday. A guy like him, with out-of-state license plates on his truck, is probably not going to be welcomed with open arms by residents. And yet, once they learn hes works on the dredge, he said, You kind of get a golden ticket. No one is going to mess with you.

On Monday, which was hot and sunny inland but cold and foggy at the beach, I boarded a 32-foot Munson Landing Craft with John Giles, Marina del Rey district manager for the Department of Beaches and Harbors, and Nicole Mooradian, a public information officer.

They had offered to take me to the dredge, and I was eager for a closer look because, like many grown-ups, there lives inside me an eternal 4-year-old, fascinated by large machinery. Visibility was less than a quarter-mile, which made taking photos a disaster.

While we cruised to the dredge, Mooradian told me about her assignment that morning at Zuma Beach, where crews were knocking down the sand berms bulldozed into place each winter to protect structures from storm surge and flooding.

If youve ever visited the Venice Pier in the wintertime, youve probably seen kids on cardboard boxes sledding down the man-made dunes. Last year, a petition circulated among beachfront neighbors south of Washington Boulevard, complaining about the height of the berms, which obstructed some first-floor views. (The petition, deservedly, went nowhere.)

A clump of colorful balloons bobbed in the water. Giles pulled alongside it, got out his gaffe and harpooned the offending mylar.

John Giles, Marina del Rey district manager for the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors, fishes helium-filled balloons out of the water near the marina channel breakwater. (Robin Abcarian/Los Angeles Times)

That makes the trip worth it, he said.

We sat in the water for a few minutes, watching the bucket claw do its awesome work.

On the way back to the dock, Giles took a short detour around the outside of the breakwater, something Ive only seen from the air when I fly out of L.A. International Airport. Pelicans, cormorants, sea gulls, responsible for the stinky, white layer of guano on the breakwater, seemed unperturbed by the dredge.

One day soon, like the sand berms that seem to disappear as mysteriously as they appear, the dredge will leave. The Heidi-Renee will head back to Washington, where she is expected at Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, at the mouth of the Columbia River.

We probably wont even notice shes gone.

More columns 

For more on politics 

robin.abcarian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AbcarianLAT

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LAPD begins sweeping criminal probe of former USC gynecologist while urging patients to come forward By Adam Elmahrek The Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday it is investigating 52 complaints of misconduct filed by former patients of USCs longtime campus gynecologist as detectives launch a sweeping criminal probe into the scandal that has rocked the university. LAPD detectives also made an appeal for other patients who feel mistreated to come forward, noting that thousands of students were examined by Dr. George Tyndall during his nearly 30-year career at USC. More than 410 people have contacted a university hotline about the physician since The Times revealed the allegations this month. Tyndalls behavior and practices appear to go beyond the norms of the medical profession and gynecological examinations, said Asst. Chief Beatrice Girmala. We sincerely realize that victims may have difficulty recounting such details to investigators. We are empathetic and ready to listen. Read More Facebook

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At L.A.'s only school for the deaf, parents want leaders who speak the same language By Anna M. Phillips Ever since her son was 6 months old, Juliet Hidalgo has been bringing him to the Marlton School, a low-slung building in Baldwin Hills that for generations has been a second home for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Los Angeles. Marlton staff taught Hidalgos brother and sister, both of whom are deaf. The school was where her deaf son learned to make the signs for milk and food. Hidalgo had planned to enroll her daughter, taking advantage of a popular program that allows hearing children to learn American Sign Language alongside their deaf siblings. But after more than a decade of involvement, she and other family members are considering withdrawing their children. They are not alone. Read More Facebook

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Fueled by unlimited donations, independent groups play their biggest role yet in a California primary for governor By Ryan Menezes An unprecedented amount of money from wealthy donors, unions and corporations is flowing into the California governors race, giving independent groups  unrestricted by contribution limits  a greater say in picking the states chief executive than ever before. The groups have already spent more than $26 million through Thursday, the most ever spent by noncandidate committees in a gubernatorial primary, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance reports. California elections have always been expensive, and the future is even more expensive, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College and a former state Republican leader. The stakes are very real. Read More Facebook

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2 hurt in Indiana middle school shooting; suspect in custody, authorities say By Associated Press Authorities say two victims in a shooting at a suburban Indianapolis school are being taken to a hospital and the lone suspect is in custody. Bryant Orem, a spokesman for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office, said in a news release that the victims in Friday mornings attack at Noblesville West Middle School are being taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and their families have been notified. He says no other information is available about the victims. Orem said the suspect is believed to have acted alone and was taken into custody. No additional information about the suspect was made public. Read More Facebook

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For new L.A. schools chief Austin Beutner, some key unions are giving no honeymoon period By Howard Blume In the less than two weeks since Austin Beutner took charge of Los Angeles schools, unions representing teachers and administrators have staged a job action and a protest. Theyve made it clear that they will not give the new superintendent the traditional honeymoon period, and they are bashing him for his wealth and lack of experience running either a school or a school district. Beutner is a billionaire investment banker with zero qualifications, local teachers union President Alex Caputo-Pearl told members in a phone alert urging them to participate in a Thursday afternoon rally in Grand Park. The board is saying that billionaires who made their money blowing institutions up and making money off it know best  not the education professionals who have dedicated our careers to working with students. Read More Facebook

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Pressure grows on Board of Trustees amid USC gynecologist scandal By Paul Pringle USCs large and powerful Board of Trustees is coming under growing pressure to provide a stronger hand as the university faces a crisis over misconduct allegations against the campus longtime gynecologist that has prompted calls for President C.L. Max Nikias to step down. Allegations that Dr. George Tyndall mistreated students during his nearly 30 years at USC have roiled the campus, with about 300 people coming forward to make reports to the university and the Los Angeles Police Department launching a criminal investigation. USC is already beginning to face what is expected to be costly litigation by women who say they were victimized by the physician. So far, the trustees to whom Nikias reports have expressed sympathy for the women who have come forward and launched an independent investigation while also publicly backing the president. Read More Facebook

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UC regents approve leaner budget for Janet Napolitano By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents on Thursday unanimously approved a leaner, more transparent budget for President Janet Napolitano, moving to address political criticism over the systems central office operations. The $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 reflects spending cuts of 2%, including reductions in staffing, travel and such systemwide programs as public service law fellowships, carbon neutrality and food security. Napolitano shifted $30 million to campuses for housing needs and $10 million to UC Riverside to support its five-year-old medical school. She also permanently redirected $8.5 million annually to help enroll more California students, as required by the state. Read More Facebook

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USCs Academic Senate calls on university president to resign after a series of scandals By Matt Hamilton The body that represents USCs faculty called on President C.L. Max Nikias to resign Wednesday in the wake of relevations that the universitys longtime gynecologist faced years of accusations of misconduct by students and colleagues at the campus health clinic. The Academic Senate took the vote late Wednesday afternoon after a fiery town hall meeting attended by more than 100 faculty members, many of whom voiced outrage over Nikias and the Board of Trustees leadership. The vote came a day after the trustees executive committee stood firmly behind Nikias, saying it has full confidence in his leadership, ethics and values. At the town hall meeting, Senate President Paul Rosenbloom said he did not think Nikias or Provost Michael Quick committed wrongdoing but that the university president deserved criticism for a lack of transparency. Read More Facebook

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Californias public universities on the way to getting a big longed-for boost in funding By Teresa Watanabe The University of California and California State University systems are poised to get major funding boosts that will help them enroll thousands of additional state students and eliminate the need for tuition increases in the coming school year. A key Assembly budget panel on Wednesday approved $117.5 million in new funds for the UC. A Senate panel approved a similar sum last week. The same committees recently approved even more funding for the Cal State system. Read More Facebook

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UC regents to scrutinize Janet Napolitanos office budget in a step toward stronger oversight By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents this week plan to scrutinize the budget of President Janet Napolitano, whose office came under political fire last year for questionable spending and murky accounting. Regents will vote on the proposed $876.4-million budget for 2018-19 during their two-day meeting, which starts Wednesday, at UC San Francisco. They also will discuss state funding, financial aid, online education and transfer student policies. Board Chairman George Kieffer said regents are stepping up to exert stronger oversight of the presidents office after a blistering state audit last year found financial problems including an unreported $175 million budget reserve. Read More Facebook

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State legislative panels approve major funding boost for Cal State By Teresa Watanabe After months of intensive lobbying, Cal State University has convinced two key legislative panels to approve funding to enroll nearly 11,000 more students, hire more faculty and expand housing aid to those without shelter this fall. An Assembly budget panel on Tuesday approved $215.7 million more for Cal State, adding to Gov. Jerry Browns proposed $92.1 million general fund increase. A Senate budget panel approved a similar increase last week. The extra funding  which went beyond Cal States own request to the Legislature of $171 million  is still subject to final budget negotiations with Brown. But the actions by the Senate and Assembly panels amount to a demand from Democrats that the governor hike higher education spending. Cal State University is the workhorse undergraduate university serving hundreds of thousands of Californians, said Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), who heads the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. We need more graduates for the California workforce and higher education is the ticket to the middle class. Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White hailed the actions, but said it was too soon to celebrate. The CSU has a singular focus on helping students earn high-quality degrees sooner, and the entire university community has rallied to reinforce that message to our states lawmakers, he said in a statement. The actions taken thus far by the Assembly and Senate are promising and show that our message is being received, but there is still work to be done. Funding for the University of California was not taken up Tuesday as originally scheduled. McCarty would not comment on sticking points but said he was confident that a resolution would be reached this week. Were looking to provide resources above whats in the governors budget, but negotiations are ongoing, he said in an interview. State per-student funding is not what it once was, leaving both Cal State and the UC in a tough financial squeeze. Both systems raised tuition last year after a six-year freeze on higher costs. For this year, Cal State had asked for funding to enroll an additional 3,621 students, but both the Senate and Assembly panels approved three times that amount. Cal State, the largest public university system in the nation, turned away 32,000 eligible students last year because its campuses werent able to accommodate them. The panels asked that at least $50 million of the extra funding be used to hire more tenure-track faculty to help boost graduation rates. The Assembly panel also approved one-time funding of $5 million to ease hunger on campuses and $14 million for rapid rehousing pilot projects at three campuses, offering needy students rental support and short-term case management. Other items approved include $5 million to support the CSU Long Beach Shark Labs research on sharks and beach safety and $2 million for equal employment opportunity practices. This post has been updated to include comments from Assemblyman Kevin McCarty and Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White. Facebook

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Faculty members call for USC president to step down: He has lost the moral authority to lead By Matt Hamilton Two hundred USC professors on Tuesday demanded the resignation of university President C. L. Max Nikias, saying he had lost the moral authority to lead in the wake of revelations that a campus gynecologist was kept on staff for decades despite repeated complaints of misconduct. Read More Facebook

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Gun battle, negotiations lasted 15 minutes before Texas school shooter was apprehended, sheriff says By Molly Hennessy-Fiske Minutes after a school shooter opened fire in an art class last week, killing 10 people and wounding 13, including a local police officer, fellow officers returned fire in a protracted gun battle before isolating the suspect, the local sheriff said Monday. Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset praised first responders as well as Santa Fe Police Officer John Barnes, who was working as a resource officer at the school the day of the shooting. Their actions, he said, prevented the attack from spreading to other classrooms and potentially claiming additional victims. As officials continue to probe last Fridays shooting at Santa Fe High School, students are worried about returning to the scene of the attack when classes resume next week. Read More Facebook

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6 women sue USC, alleging they were victimized by campus gynecologist By Richard Winton Six women filed civil lawsuits Monday alleging that a longtime gynecologist at the University of Southern California sexually victimized them under the pretext of medical care and that USC failed to address complaints from clinic staff about the doctors behavior. One woman alleged Dr. George Tyndall forced his entire ungloved hand into her vagina during an appointment in 2003 while making vulgar remarks about her genitalia, according to one of the lawsuits. Another woman alleged that Tyndall groped her breasts in a 2008 visit and that later he falsely told her she likely had AIDS. A third woman accused the doctor of grazing his ungloved fingers over her nude body and leering at her during a purported skin exam, the lawsuit states. The wave of litigation comes as USC continues to grapple with the scandal, which legal experts said could prove costly to the university as scores of former patients come forward about their experiences with the gynecologist. Read More Facebook

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Fatalities reported in Texas high school shooting; suspect arrested, officials say By Associated Press Houston-area media citing unnamed law enforcement officials are reporting that there are fatalities following a shooting at a local high school Friday morning. Television station KHOU and the Houston Chronicle are citing unnamed federal, county and police officials following the shooting at Santa Fe High School, which went on lockdown around 8 a.m. The Associated Press has not been able to confirm the reports. The school district has confirmed an unspecified number of injuries but said it wouldnt immediately release further details. Assistant Principal Cris Richardson said a suspect has been arrested and secured. Read More Facebook

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This student followed the new L.A. schools chief on his first-day tour Melissa Barales-Lopez, a senior at Garfield High School followed Supt. Austin Beutner on his first day on the job, as he toured a variety of programs around the Los Angeles Unified School District. Heres what she took from the experience. LAUSD students and staff alike are looking for a personal champion, someone who will address and improve the difficulties afflicting their education.  What LAUSD students need is someone whos willing to listen and learn, someone who can understand the current issues affecting their schools and act to efficiently amend them, someone who can unlock the full potential of LAUSD students and enable them to reach their goals. During the entirety of his first day, superintendent Austin Beutner did indeed demonstrate a willingness to learn. Posing questions to teachers and students, Beutner engaged with the student communities he encountered to gain a better comprehension of the minutiae and nuances that distinguish each school inside an overwhelmingly large district. From inquiries about Grand View Boulevard Elementary Schools dual language program to questions regarding the services of LAUSDs after-school program, Beyond the Bell, Beutner revealed he has a lot to learn about the system. But, Beutner also showcased a willingness to tackle challenges head-on on his first day. Read More Facebook

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USC let a gynecologist continue treating students despite years of misconduct allegations By Matt Hamilton For nearly 30 years, the University of Southern Californias student health clinic had one full-time gynecologist: Dr. George Tyndall. Tall and garrulous with distinctive jet black hair, he treated tens of thousands of female students, many of them teenagers seeing a gynecologist for the first time. Few who lay down on Tyndalls exam table at the Engemann Student Health Center knew that he had been accused repeatedly of misconduct toward young patients. The complaints began in the 1990s, when co-workers alleged he was improperly photographing students genitals. In the years that followed, patients and nursing staff accused him again and again of creepy behavior, including touching women inappropriately during pelvic exams and making sexually suggestive remarks about their bodies. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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On his first day as L.A. schools chief, Beutner plans a day of visits across the district By Howard Blume L.A. Unifieds new superintendent, Austin Beutner, will kick off his first day of work on Tuesday with a choreographed tour of the nations second-largest school district, from the San Fernando Valley to Carson. His day is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. at a school bus depot and end more than 12 hours later at a parent meeting at Garfield High School. Along the way, Beutner is expected to be joined by school district administrators, L.A. Unified board members and the vice president of the union that represents school bus drivers. Though he will be covering a lot of ground, Beutners tour has him skipping Tuesdays school board meeting, when board members are expected to discuss labor negotiations in closed session. Read More Facebook

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Cal State trustees to discuss Browns latest budget proposal, which they say still falls $171 million short By Joy Resmovits Just how much money does California State University need to serve its students? In recent years, this question has been front and center for the nations largest public university system. Cal States leaders say that to keep their campuses quality from slipping, they need much more money than the state is giving them. This year, theyre also at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown on the question of whether any extra money should come in one-time bursts or be ongoing. Read More Facebook

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Why a handful of rich charter school supporters are spending millions to elect Antonio Villaraigosa as governor By Ryan Menezes California voters have seen a barrage of sunny television ads in recent weeks touting former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosas record on finances, crime and education, aired by Families & Teachers for Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2018. But the group is, in fact, largely funded by a handful of wealthy charter-school supporters. Together they have spent more than $13 million in less than a month to boost Villaraigosas chances in the June 5 primary  at a time when his fundraising and poll numbers are lagging. Reed Hastings, the founder of Netflix, jump-started the group with a $7-million check, by far the largest donation to support any candidate in the election. Their efforts are part of a broader proxy war among Democrats between teachers unions  longtime stalwarts of the party  and those who argue that the groups have failed low-income and minority schoolchildren. Read More Facebook

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Talking schools with L.A. Unifieds new superintendent By Anna M. Phillips Austin Beutner, who officially starts Tuesday as the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, is taking on a famously difficult job at a particularly difficult time. The school board is divided and did not back him unanimously. The nations second-largest school district has deep-seated problems, including declining enrollment, lagging academic achievement and rising pension and healthcare costs that eat away at its budget. The 58-year-old former investment banker and former L.A. Times publisher has years of experience in the financial world but none as an educator. Earlier this week, he sat down with the Times education team to discuss the challenges facing the district, which has about 60,000 employees and 500,000 students in traditional public schools. He did not talk about his plans  saying repeatedly, stay tuned  but he spoke in broad terms about his mindset in approaching the tough decisions ahead. Read More Facebook

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Suspect detained, authorities search campus after reports of armed man at Palmdale high school By James Queally One person has been detained after a report of an armed man at a Palmdale high school sparked a massive law enforcement response Friday morning. The suspect was spotted at 7:05 a.m. on the campus of Highland High School in Palmdale, according to Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. The person was detained in a nearby parking lot, according to Nishida, who did not know whether that person was an adult or juvenile. Deputies at the scene are clearing the school methodically, and students will be transported home via school buses once the campus is deemed safe, Nishida said. Read More Facebook

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The education of Bertha Perez: How a UC Merced custodians disenchantment led to a political awakening By Robin Abcarian Its the third day of a three-day strike, and UC Merced custodian Bertha Perez is taking a break from a picket line at the universitys unremarkable entrance, an intersection with stop lights. Photos from other UC campuses this week have shown big crowds of striking service workers  members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees  marching and chanting pro-labor slogans as they try to force the University of California back to the negotiating table. But here, at UC Merced, whose handful of big buildings rise from a flat expanse of farmland, the picket line is tiny, maybe two dozen workers and a few students. Its not a big-city-style show of force. Then again, a union sympathizer is banging relentlessly on a snare drum, so its noisier than youd expect. Read More Facebook

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Ref Rodriguez resigns from teacher credentialing commission By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez appears during a court appearance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez has resigned from the states Commission on Teacher Credentialing, which oversees the integrity and quality of Californias teachers. Rodriguez faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. Separately, his former employer, a charter school organization, has accused him of improperly authorizing checks to a nonprofit under his control. Rodriguez has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguezs resignation from the state body was effective May 4, days after he cast a crucial vote as part of a narrow majority that voted to authorize contract negotiations with Austin Beutner to become superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District. Beutners first official day on the job is Tuesday. Rodriguez remains in his $125,000-a-year position on the Los Angeles Board of Education. The mission of the state body is to ensure integrity, relevance, and high quality in the preparation, certification, and discipline of Californias teachers. Critics had questioned Rodriguezs continued service on the commission, given that teachers can be suspended from work if they face criminal charges. They also can lose their jobs for lapses in personal behavior, such as excessive drinking, with the potential to affect their performance. Police in Pasadena arrested Rodriguez on a Friday afternoon in March for public drunkenness. He was not charged in the incident and has apologized. The state commission reviews teacher discipline cases and can take action to remove a teachers credential to work in a California classroom. The commission has 15 members. Rodriguezs departure was disclosed in a one-sentence announcement on the agencys website. Facebook

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School board members request for restraining order against blogger is rejected By Priscella Vega An Orange County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a school board members petition for a permanent restraining order against a Huntington Beach blogger. Attorney Jeffrey W. Shields filed the petition on behalf of Ocean View School District trustee Gina Clayton-Tarvin, 46, who alleged in court documents that Charles Keeler Johnson, 56, has threatened her on social media and at school board meetings, causing her to fear for my own safety and for that of my immediate family members. Johnson, who goes by Chuck and publishes HBSledgehammer.com, said the trustee tried to stifle his freedom of speech. He also contended that Clayton-Tarvin took his blog posts and Facebook comments too seriously and out of context, saying anyone who is afraid of metaphors has serious issues. Read More Facebook

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Deal with workers averts one-day strike that could have shut down L.A. schools By Howard Blume Los Angeles school district and union officials announced a contract agreement Tuesday night that averted a one-day strike planned for next week. The pact, which runs through June 2020, removes one labor problem from the desk of incoming Supt. Austin Beutner  whose first day on the job would have coincided with the strike. Plenty of other challenges remain. Read More Facebook

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UC labor strike expands with show of support from more unions By Teresa Watanabe Fong Chuu is a registered nurse who has assisted with countless liver transplants, kidney surgeries and gastric bypasses during 34 years at UCLA. Working with her are scrub technicians who sterilize equipment, hand medical instruments to the surgeon and dress patient wounds. They are a team, Chuu says, which is why she walked off her job Tuesday in support of those technicians and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299. The 25,000 member AFSCME local, the University of Californias largest employee union, launched a three-day strike Monday. Read More Facebook

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We are humans too: Voices of UCLAs striking custodians, hospital aides and imaging technicians By Joy Resmovits Demonstrators parade in front of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) This week, thousands of UC employees are staging a three-day strike for better pay and working conditions. On Monday, more than 20,000 custodians, cooks, lab technicians, nurse aides and other members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 walked off their jobs. By Tuesday, two more unions joined in sympathy strikes. The union and UC reached a bargaining impasse last year. The university has said it wont meet the workers demands. The strikers said they wanted better pay, more equity in the allocation of work, stable healthcare premiums and an end to the universitys use of contract workers. These are their stories. Read More Facebook

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Massive UC workers strike disrupts dining, classes and medical services By Joy Resmovits A massive labor strike across the University of California on Monday forced medical centers to reschedule more than 12,000 surgeries, cancer treatments and appointments, and campuses to cancel some classes and limit dining services. More than 20,000 members of UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, walked off their jobs on the first day of a three-day strike. They include custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Two altercations involving protesters and people driving near the rallies were reported at UCLA and UC Santa Cruz. At UCLA, police took a man into custody Monday after he drove his vehicle into a crowd, hitting three staff members. They were treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, said Lt. Kevin Kilgore of the UCLA Police Department. Read More Facebook

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Sen. Kamala Harris to skip UC Berkeley commencement in support of striking workers By Teresa Watanabe California Sen. Kamala Harris has canceled plans to deliver UC Berkeleys commencement address this weekend in support of UC workers who are on strike over wages and health benefits. Due to the ongoing labor dispute, Sen. Harris regretfully cannot attend and speak at this years commencement ceremony at UC Berkeley, said a statement from Harris office issued Monday. She wishes the graduates and their families a joyous commencement weekend and success for the future. They are bright young leaders and our country is counting on them. UCs largest employee union, the 25,000-member American Federation of County, State and Municipal Employees Local 3299, launched a three-day strike Monday and had earlier called for a speakers boycott. The union and university reached a bargaining impasse last year and subsequent mediation efforts have failed to produce an agreement. The union is asking for a multiyear contract with a 6% annual pay increase while the university is offering 3% annual increases over four years. UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ will deliver the keynote address instead, the university announced. About 5,800 students are expected to participate in the ceremony Saturday. Facebook

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School mural depicting Trumps bloody, severed head sparks controversy By Gary Warth A Chula Vista school mural that depicts the bloody, severed head of President Trump on a spear sparked a controversy that prompted officials to cover it and issue a response distancing themselves from the work. The statement also said the artist will alter the painting. We understand that there was a mural painted at the event this past weekend that does not align with our schools philosophy of non-violence, read the statement from MAAC Community Charter School director Tommy Ramirez. We have been in communication with the artist  who has agreed to modify the artwork  to better align with the schools philosophy. Read More Facebook

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New blackface incident at Cal Poly prompts calls for state investigation By Kim Christensen Cal Poly San Luis Obispo officials have asked the state attorney generals office to investigate after a new photo of a white student in blackface surfaced on a fraternity groups private Snapchat. I am outraged, Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said in a video address Friday to the campus. These vile and absolutely unacceptable acts cannot continue. We must not allow these acts to define us as an institution. Armstrong said the latest photo was intended to imitate an incident last month in which a white member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity was photographed at a party wearing blackface. Read More Facebook

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More than 50,000 UC workers set to strike this week but campuses will remain open By Teresa Watanabe More than 50,000 workers across the University of California are set to strike this week, causing potential disruptions to surgery schedules, food preparation and campus maintenance. The systems 10 campuses and five medical centers are to remain open, with classes scheduled as planned. UCs largest employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299, plans to begin a three-day strike Monday involving 25,000 workers, including custodians, gardeners, cooks, truck drivers, lab technicians and nurse aides. Read More Facebook

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New L.A. schools chief Beutner pledges to listen, learn and take action By Howard Blume New Los Angeles schools Supt. Austin Beutner proved Wednesday that hes a quick learner even without an education background. Like countless public officials before him, he appeared at an important event  his first speech and news conference  with a photogenic background of students. His message  that he would put those students first  seemed heartfelt if hardly original. Nor was it a huge surprise that he pledged to push cooperatively but unflinchingly to improve the districts academic performance and stabilize its finances. As an introduction, Beutner, a former investment banker who made a fortune on Wall Street, offered little flash, but that was partly the point. Read More Facebook

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In a school lockdown, one student takes stock of the stressful scene At the beginning of lunch one day late last month, Duarte High School, Northview Middle School, and California School of the Arts-San Gabriel Valley were advised by the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department to go into lockdown mode due to police activity in the immediate area. Phalaen Chang, a junior at the California School of the Arts, wrote a series of notes on her iPhone while she sat in a room with her classmates. By the time the lockdown ended an hour later, she wrote, she knew which of her friends would hold open the door for others, be the ones calming others down, be the ones barricading the doors. She knew that all of them have the potential to be such strong people. Read More Facebook

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Tale as old as time: L.A. Unified superintendent pick follows a historical pattern of outside-the-box choices By Joy Resmovits L.A. Unified has long gone back and forth between picking insiders and outsiders to run the nations second largest school district. The choice of Austin Beutner, announced Tuesday, places the district squarely back in the outsider camp  months after a consummate insider, Supt. Michelle King, announced that she had cancer and would not return to the job. Check out this timeline of former L.A. superintendents to see how the school board members have changed their minds, sometimes favoring leaders who come from the world of education and sometimes executives from elsewhere, recruited to shock the system into change. At one point, the district hired someone from the military  retired Navy Vice Adm. David L. Brewer III, who served as superintendent from 2006-2008. In hiring Brewer, board members had opted for a non-educator  largely because they sought a fresh thinker, unwedded to the bureaucracy, unafraid to make bold, even unorthodox moves, reads a 2008 Times story. Facebook

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Austin Beutner named superintendent of Los Angeles schools By Howard Blume Austin Beutner, a philanthropist and former investment banker, on Tuesday was named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the nations second-largest school system. His selection was the biggest move yet by a Los Angeles school board majority elected with major support from charter school advocates. The decision came after lengthy public testimony, most of it in support of the other remaining finalist, interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian, who is well known within the school system. Beutner, 58, has no background leading a school or school district. Less than 2 years ago, a school board with a very different balance of power named Michelle King, a former teacher who rose through the district throughout her career, to L.A. Unifieds top job. Read More Facebook

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Hearing delay gives both sides more time in Ref Rodriguezs potential trial By Howard Blume Ref Rodriguez and his attorneys will have more time to prepare their defense against charges of political money laundering, a judge ruled Monday. The preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled to begin May 9, but that date will now be pushed back to July 23 per the ruling from L.A. Superior Court Judge Deborah S. Brazil. Rodriguez, 46, faces three felony charges of conspiracy, perjury and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board poised to name Beutner as superintendent By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is poised to select philanthropist and former investment banker Austin Beutner to be the next superintendent of the nations second-largest school system. Barring a last-minute development, the only mystery is whether Beutner emerges with four or five votes from the boards seven members. Terms of his contract already have been under discussion, according to sources close to the process who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak. The selection of Beutner, 58, who has no experience managing a school or a school district, would be a signal that the board majority that took control nearly a year ago wants to rely on business management skills instead of insider educational expertise. Read More Facebook

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Teacher walkouts in Arizona and Colorado continue national debate on money for schools By Michael Livingston Following the lead of teachers who walked off the job in other states in recent weeks, thousands of teachers and their supporters took to the streets in Arizona and Colorado for the second day in a row to demand better pay and more funding for education. Read More Facebook

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Three decades before the #MeToo movement, UC San Diego led the way against sexual assault By Teresa Watanabe When Nancy Wahlig first started her fight against sexual assault, one company was marketing a capsule for women to stash in their bras and then smash to release a vile odor. Because of the very nature of society, the only person who can prevent rape is the woman herself, read a 1981 advertisement for the Repulse rape deterrent. Ideas about how to prevent sexual violence have come a long way since then, and Wahlig has helped lead that evolution on college campuses. In 1988, she started UC San Diegos Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), the first stand-alone program at the University of California. Today, she remains the systems most senior specialist. Read More Facebook

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Andres Alonso withdraws from consideration for L.A. schools job By Howard Blume Andres Alonso, believed to be one of three remaining finalists to lead the Los Angeles school system, has withdrawn from consideration. The remaining known candidates in the confidential search are former investment banker Austin Beutner and interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian. Alonso, 60, announced his decision on Twitter on Thursday night, saying he had notified the L.A. Unified School District on Monday. The exit of Alonso, the former Baltimore schools chief, seems to solidify the front-runner status of Beutner, who also was a former L.A. Times publisher and a Los Angeles deputy mayor. He held each of those positions for about a year. Read More Facebook

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Heres why the apparent increase in autism spectrum disorders may be good for U.S. children By Karen Kaplan The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among American children continues to rise, new government data suggest. And that may be a good thing. Among 11 sites across the U.S. where records of 8-year-olds are scrutinized in detail, 1 in 59 kids was deemed to have ASD in 2014. Thats up from 1 in 68 in 2012. Normally, health officials would prefer to see less of a disease, not more of it. But in this case, the higher number is probably a sign that more children of color who are on the autism spectrum are being recognized as such and getting services to help them, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read More Facebook

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UC shelves tuition increase for now, in hopes of getting more state funding By Teresa Watanabe University of California regents will not vote on a tuition increase next month, shelving the plan for now in hopes that state lawmakers will come through with more funding. Raising tuition is always a last resort and one we take very seriously, UC President Janet Napolitano said Thursday in a statement. We will continue to advocate with our students who are doing a tremendous job of educating legislators about the necessity of adequately funding the university to ensure UC remains a world-class institution and engine of economic growth for our state. Last week, Cal State Chancellor Timothy P. White said the 23-campus system no longer would consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year. But unlike Cal State, UC officials have not taken a tuition increase off the table entirely. Read More Facebook

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A chemical spill, unchecked eyewash stations, poor training: Audit details Cal States lax lab safety By Joy Resmovits In May 2016, two bottles tumbled off a poorly supported shelf and broke, leading to a chemical spill in a Sacramento State University lab. The liquid got onto one students legs and soaked anothers feet. Five employees cleaned up the mess, even though no one knew for sure what it was and whether it was dangerous. They called fellow employee Kim Harrington, their union representative, to let her know what happened. Read More Facebook

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After blackface incident, minority students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo say they dont feel welcome By Hailey Branson-Potts Aaliyah Ramos was walking through the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus last year when a prospective student approached her. Ramos was the only black person, the young woman said, that she and her mother had seen that day. They asked about the quality of education and the diversity of the student body. Ramos, a mechanical engineering student, didnt want to sugarcoat the truth: Cal Poly long has been predominantly white. But she told the young woman  who also was black  that she didnt want to discourage her from applying, because that wouldnt help with diversity at a school where only 0.7% of students are African American  the lowest percentage of any university in the California State system. Read More Facebook

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El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills wins the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon By Carlos Lozano El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills has won the 2018 U.S. Academic Decathlon, officials said. The winner was announced early Saturday at a ceremony in Frisco, Texas. More than 600 students from the U.S., Canada, China and the United Kingdom gathered there over the last three days to compete in the 37th annual U.S. Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to El Camino Real Charter High School for another impressive victory, said Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Your academic stamina and competitive spirit to win is remarkable. The entire L.A. Unified family is so proud of you. Read More Facebook

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Anticipation mounts as L.A. school board meets over superintendent selection By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education is reconvening in closed session Friday at noon as anticipation mounts about the choice of the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. The presumed front-runner is former investment banker and philanthropist Austin Beutner, but interim Supt. Vivian Ekchian and former Baltimore Supt. Andres Alonso also are in the running. Most district insiders appear to be rooting for Ekchian, who has spent her entire career in education within the school system. After her 10 years as a teacher, her roles have included head of human resources, chief labor negotiator and regional administrator for campuses in the west San Fernando Valley. Shes managed the district since September, when then-Supt. Michelle King went on medical leave and chose Ekchian to fill in for her. King, who is battling cancer, never returned and announced her retirement in January. Numerous influential civic leaders have urged  and pressured  the board to select Beutner. Also lending their weight have been advocates for charter schools, which are independently operated, growing in number and competing for students with district-operated campuses. Four of the seven board members  enough to control the outcome  were elected with major financial support from charter supporters. Beutner has two ongoing connections with the L.A. Unified School District. The first is his leadership of an outside task force that is making recommendations on how to improve the school system. The second is his charity, Vision to Learn, which supplies glasses to low-income students. The charity and the school system are in a dispute at the moment over who is responsible for delays in providing services to students as part of a $6 million contract, half of which is paid for by L.A. Unified. Unlike Ekchian and Buetner, Alonso, who currently teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has no deep-seated local constituency, but the prospect of his selection has generated some excitement. While in Baltimore, Alonso was recognized for pushing for progress at low-performing schools, and for being willing to take strong action. While in Baltimore, he also weathered a test-score cheating scandal and occasionally rocky relations with the teachers union. But by the time he resigned, after six years, he and union leaders seemed to be working together without rancor. Leaders of some community groups have split from the pro-Beutner camp. They worry that Beutners approach to confronting the districts financial problems could shut out their voices or involve severe economic cutbacks that would undermine programs that are helping students. Some prefer Ekchian; some Alonso. Theyve been reluctant to speak out publicly because theyll have to work with whoever is selected, but they have tried to get the ear of board members. On Friday morning, one leader of a community group decided to come out in favor of Alonso. L.A. Unified has the opportunity to bring in an instructional leader of color with a history of success, said Alberto Retana, president and chief executive of Community Coalition, which works on behalf of low-income students and families in South Los Angeles. If we have a shot at that, we should go for it  because its in the best interests of our kids and of our community. Retana said his statement was not meant to criticize Beutner or Ekchian but to alert board members that there also is community support for Alonso. Facebook

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Cal State leader shelves proposed tuition hike: Its the right thing to do, but its not without risk By Joy Resmovits Cal State, the nations largest public university system, will no longer consider a plan to raise tuition for the 2018-19 academic year, Chancellor Timothy P. White announced Friday. The decision is a bet that Sacramento will come through in the end. If Cal State loses that bet, it could mean cuts to campus programs. White said in an interview that Californias economy is strong enough that families should not be shouldering the burden of higher college costs. Read More Facebook

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L.A. students to participate in national walkout activities on Friday By Joy Resmovits Students are taking to the streets again Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting. Starting at 10 a.m., students at many schools will spend 13 seconds honoring the 13 people  12 students and one teacher  killed on that day in Littleton, Colo. After that, theyll participate in a host of different activities. Within L.A. Unified, one school is having an open-mic event for students to talk about school violence, and lawmakers are visiting campuses to hear students thoughts. According to a central hub for organizing the protests  written by the students of Ridgefield High School in Connecticut  the walkouts are intended to drive the political change necessary to curb school violence. The day is also a time for students to interact on an elevated platform they have never had before, the site states. It is a day of discourse and thoughtful sharing. Bringing together communities and students to get a national discussion rolling. Organizers have suggested using the event to convey the importance of curbing gun violence to legislators. They are encouraging students to push legislation that would ban assault weapons and tighten up rules around who can buy guns and how. Over 2,500 schools nationwide are expected to participate. In L.A., some students  at campuses including Eagle Rock High School, the Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts and Bravo Medical Magnet  plan to walk out. Students from various schools expect to join area marches, including those in Santa Monica and Huntington Park. Other schools are hosting career days and voter registration drives. At 1 p.m., students plan to start a rally in front of L.A. Unified headquarters. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that 12 teachers and one student were killed in the Columbine shooting. The opposite is true: twelve students and one teacher died. Facebook

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Stabbing of popular student devastates South El Monte High School; teen friend suspected in slaying By Sonali Kohli When administrators at South El Monte High School called Jeremy Sanchezs parents to say he never showed up for class Wednesday, his father began to worry. It was unusual for the 17-year-old junior to miss school, so his father filed a missing persons report and assembled two of Jeremys close friends to look for the popular student-athlete. Their search took them to a scenic stretch of the San Gabriel River Trail, where one of the friends  a 16-year-old boy  made a tragic discovery. Among the bushes in the riverbed near Thienes Avenue and Parkway Drive was Jeremys body, punctured with stab wounds, according to Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Read More Facebook

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Racist fliers spark outrage at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo By Alene Tchekmedyian Soon after Neal MacDougall arrived on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus Tuesday, the professor noticed university police standing outside a restroom near his office. A racial slur against African Americans had been scrawled in red marker on a stall wall. Later, he discovered a series of racist fliers pinned up next to his door. Someone had also slashed posters hed hung outside his office supporting students in the country illegally. The discovery was the latest controversy on the prestigious campus  which the president said is less than 55% white  that MacDougall said demonstrates a culture of racism at the university. Last week, photographs emerged of white fraternity members, including one in blackface, flashing gang signs. Read More Facebook

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The superintendent waiting game, paying for L.A.'s College Promise, Princetons slave history: Whats new in education By Joy Resmovits Acting LAUSD superintendent Vivian Ekchian is a finalist for the permanent job. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) In and around Los Angeles: The L.A. Unified school board spent 10 hours interviewing and discussing candidates for superintendent. When they adjourned after 10 p.m., they said they would reconvene on Friday. Who is paying for Mayor Eric Garcettis much-touted College Promise, a program that promises two years of community college for LAUSD grads? In California: The Legislature is considering a proposal that would boost K-12 education funding for black students. When the cost of living is taken into account, California has the highest rate of child poverty. Nationwide: The families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School are suing Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never occurred. Princeton will name two spaces  an arch and a garden  after slaves who lived or worked on the campus. Facebook

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L.A. school board meets privately with finalists and debates choice for school district leader By Howard Blume The Los Angeles Board of Education adjourned late Tuesday after spending more than 10 hours interviewing candidates and trying to reach a decision on who would be the next leader of the nations second-largest school system. When the meeting finally recessed at 10:11 p.m., a spokesman announced only that the school board would reconvene Friday at noon. Going into the days meetings, there were apparently four finalists, according to sources who could not be named because they were unauthorized to speak. Read More Facebook

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Two Sandy Hook families sue Alex Jones and Infowars for saying the school massacre never happened By David Altimari Families of two children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School have filed lawsuits in Texas against controversial radio host Alex Jones for continually claiming the massacre never happened. Neil Heslin, the father of Jesse Lewis, and Leonard Pozner and Veronique De La Rosa, whose son Noah Pozner died in the massacre, filed separate lawsuits late Monday in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuits allege that Jones defamed the parents by constantly calling them crisis actors and insisting the shooting was a false flag operation; they also claim Jones accusations have led to death threats against the Sandy Hook families by Jones followers. Read More Facebook

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Beutner emerges as a top pick for L.A. schools superintendent amid last-minute jockeying By Howard Blume Austin Beutner has emerged as a leading contender to run the Los Angeles school district, with backers saying he is smart enough and tough enough to confront its financial and academic struggles. Though he does not have a background in education, the former investment banker has in the last year examined some of the districts intractable problems, serving as co-chair of an outside task force with the support of then-Supt. Michelle King. Sources inside and outside the school district said Beutner appears to have more support on the seven-member board than other finalists, and his name could come up for a vote as early as Tuesday. Read More Facebook

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Challenge at Chicago school construction site: Watch for 38,000 unmarked graves By Nereida Moreno A 15-year effort to build a school in Chicagos Dunning neighborhood is underway with an unusual complication: Construction workers are taking careful steps to avoid disturbing human remains that may lie beneath the soil. The $70-million school is to be built on the grounds of a former Cook County Poor House, where an estimated 38,000 people were buried in unmarked graves. Among the dead are residents who were too poor to afford funeral costs, unclaimed bodies and patients from the countys insane asylum. There can be and there have been bodies found all over the place, said Barry Fleig, a genealogist and cemetery researcher who began investigating the site in 1989. Its a spooky, scary place. Read More Facebook

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Oklahoma teacher walkout winds down despite lawmakers failure to meet demands By Washington Post Oklahomas largest teachers union has announced an end to a walkout that has drawn thousands of educators out of classrooms and to the state Capitol demanding greater investment in the states schools, which have endured the nations steepest funding cuts. The announcement Thursday from the Oklahoma Education Assn. does not necessarily end the protests at the Capitol, as teachers not affiliated with the union vowed to stay longer. Instead of a walkout, the union and school districts across the state have said they plan to send delegations of teachers to Oklahoma City to keep the pressure on lawmakers. Teachers and their supporters have also promised to push education issues to the forefront of November elections, when the state chooses a new governor. As school districts begin to reopen, the protests may lose steam. The Legislature is not in session Friday, and observers are waiting to see what happens Monday, when lawmakers return. Read More Facebook

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Most Californians are worried about school shooting threats and oppose arming teachers, survey finds By Joy Resmovits Hamilton High School student Aiyana Dabriel holds a sign during a March 14 walkout in support of the Parkland shooting victims. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Most Californians are worried that a school shooting like the one that occurred in Parkland, Fla., in February could shed blood closer to home, a new survey found. Some 73% percent of adults and 82% of public school parents said they were very concerned or somewhat concerned about school shootings. The Public Policy Institute of California surveyed 1,704 adults in the state by phone just after the March for Our Lives protest against gun violence. Latino and black respondents were significantly more likely to be concerned about school violence than white or Asian respondents, the institute found. Two-thirds of adults and public school parents said they opposed letting more educators carry weapons in school. The response differed across party lines, with 86% of Democrats and 69% of independents voicing their opposition, while 60% percent of Republicans said they would support a measure to arm educators. The poll, which had a margin of error of 3.2% in either direction, also asked Californians about school funding, educational issues in the governors race and the impact of immigration enforcement on students. You can find the full results here. Facebook

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Californias largest virtual charter school network agrees to contract with its teachers By Anna M. Phillips Nearly four years after teachers at Californias largest online charter school voted to unionize, they have reached a deal to increase pay and create job protections, according to a spokesman for the California Teachers Assn. The contract, which is still tentative and subject to ratification, is a victory for the teachers union. Although charter schools are publicly funded, most are privately managed and their employees arent protected by labor contracts. Under the terms of the contract  the result of years of negotiation and legal wrangling  approximately 500 teachers working for California Virtual Academies will no longer be at-will employees who can be dismissed for almost any reason. Their average salary will rise to just over $45,000, according to union estimates, a figure that remains far below the norm for traditional public school teachers. Still, it is an improvement over the previous average of $38,000. The accord also places a limit on the number of students each teacher is responsible for monitoring in online homeroom classes. Were very satisfied with the gains we made, said teacher Brianna Carroll, president of California Virtual Educators United. I think were going to see some extraordinary changes in our schools. According to Carroll, teachers at California Virtual Academies  better known as CAVA  had grown frustrated with the organizations foot-dragging and were making preparations to go on strike when CAVAs leadership agreed to the deal. CAVA and K12, the Virginia-based for-profit company linked to its schools, did not immediately respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment. The network currently operates nine virtual charter schools across California. In 2016, the charter network agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle claims of false advertising, misleading parents and inadequate instruction. The state attorney generals office had also accused K12 of controlling the charters for its own financial benefit. Neither CAVA nor K12 admitted to wrongdoing in the settlement. A year later, the state imposed a $2-million fine on CAVA after an audit found that it had misspent public funds. The network disputed the findings. Facebook

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School board approves a new formula for funding high-need schools By Sonali Kohli L.A. schools will soon get more money if they are located in neighborhoods with such problems as high levels of gun violence and asthma. The Los Angeles Unified school board voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a new formula to determine how to dole out some funding to schools, based not only on the characteristics of the student populations but on the traumas that affect the communities around campuses. The new formula will be applied to $25 million in funding next fiscal year and about $263 million annually in future years  a small part of the districts $7.5 billion annual budget. Read More Facebook

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Protesters demand Ref Rodriguez resignation outside school board meeting By Sonali Kohli Students, parents, teachers and UTLA marching outside the board meeting chanting "Ref resign" pic.twitter.com/W0LRWZSIXY  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 A few dozen parents, students and teachers marched outside the Los Angeles Unified School Board meeting Tuesday, some calling for board member Ref Rodriguez to resign the week after news broke that he was taken into custody on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena bar and restaurant. Rodriguez was not cited or charged in that incident, but was held for more than five and a half hours before being released. The school board member faces felony and misdemeanor charges for political money laundering. He is accused of getting more than two dozen people people to donate to his campaign for his school board seat with the understanding that he would reimburse them. He stepped down from his post as school board president after he was charged last fall, but he did not give up his seat on the board. He has pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of conspiracy, perjury, and procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, as well as 25 misdemeanor counts related to the alleged campaign money laundering. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May. He cant give his full focus to our students, said Rebecca LaFond, a Highland Park parent whose three children marched with her as she chanted, Ref resign. One daughter marched in front of her, using a drum stick to hit the bottom of a gallon-size empty water jug. Our kids deserve someone who has the utmost ethical standards representing them, LaFond said. The protests continued into the board meeting, where some addressed Rodriguez directly, calling on him to step down during public comment portions of the meeting. Rodriguez, through his chief of staff, declined to comment. Some parents outside the board meeting did not know about the charges against Rodriguez but came out to protest the possibility of sharing their school campuses with charter schools. Protesters also oppose colocation  not all of the parents are here to ask Ref Rodriguez to step down pic.twitter.com/1Co8zQ9zSi  Sonali Kohli  (@Sonali_Kohli) April 10, 2018 Cynthia Martinez said her son, who goes to Christopher Dena Elementary School in Boyle Heights, has been bullied in the past by students from a charter school sharing the campus. She said she didnt know who Rodriguez was. Some parents and teachers are worried about losing computer labs, robotics rooms and fitness centers if they are required to share their campus with charter schools, said Ilse Escobar, a parent community organizer for United Teachers Los Angeles. The issues of Rodriguez and colocation are related, Escobar said. Rodriguez is part of a majority on the school board elected with financial backing from charter school supporters, and many parents, she said, feel that the school board is compromised if he is a part of it. Staff reporter Howard Blume contributed to this post. Facebook

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Delaine Eastin tries to gain momentum in the California governors race, one voter at a time By Seema Mehta Delaine Eastin was a sophomore in high school when a drama teacher urged her to try out for a part in The Man Who Came to Dinner. She hesitated until he told her: This is a metaphor for your whole life. If you never try out, you will never get the part. Eastin auditioned and won the role. Decades later, the advice sticks with the former state schools chief, this time in her unlikely run for governor. Despite calls for more women in leadership roles in state politics following sexual misconduct allegations in Sacramento, Eastin has been largely overlooked in the race, lagging far behind her Democratic rivals in fundraising and the polls. Read More Facebook

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Arizona high court rejects in-state tuition for DACA recipients By Associated Press Young immigrants granted deferred deportation status under a program started by President Obama are not eligible for lower in-state college tuition, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Monday. The unanimous ruling will affect at least 2,000 students attending the states largest community college district and hundreds more at other colleges and the states three public universities. The Maricopa County Community Colleges District and state universities said they would begin raising tuition immediately for the coming school year. Read More Facebook

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New York high school students injured when bus strikes overpass By Associated Press A charter bus carrying teenagers returning from a spring break trip Sunday night struck a bridge overpass on Long Island, seriously injuring six passengers and mangling the entire length of the top of the bus. The crash happened shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday on the Southern State Parkway in Lakeview, according to New York State Police. One of the six injured passengers had very serious injuries, said State Police Maj. David Candelaria. Thirty-seven other passengers suffered minor injuries. Read More Facebook

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Some good news for California in national student test scores By Joy Resmovits Every two years, the nations fourth- and eighth-graders are tested in math and reading  and newly released results from last years tests give California at least a little reason to be pleased. The 2017 results  out Monday night  were mostly flat nationwide compared with 2015, though the average score in eighth-grade reading went up. But while that improvement largely came from the increased scores of the highest-performing students, California eighth-graders showed some reading progress from the lowest levels to the highest. Read More Facebook

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Under state control, Inglewood school districts financial picture worsened By Anna M. Phillips When Eugenio Villa agreed to return to the Inglewood schools for a second tour last summer, he knew the district remained one of Californias most troubled. Inglewood Unified had been nearly insolvent when it was taken over by the state Department of Education in 2012. Six years later, its enrollment was still declining. Its school buildings were tired  some edging into decrepitude. Its test scores and graduation rates were still below the state average. And the public was out of patience. Still, Villa, who had signed back on as the districts chief business official, was shocked at what he found when he arrived in June 2017. Two years earlier, he had left the school system on what he thought was firm ground. Read More Facebook

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Charter school group drops two lawsuits against L.A. Unified By Howard Blume A charter schools advocacy group last week announced that it would end two long-running lawsuits in which it was seeking more classroom space and construction money from the Los Angeles school district. The decision, the California Charter Schools Assn. said, reflects better relations between charter schools and the L.A. Unified School District. But the move also suggests that the litigation, which already contributed to significant gains for area charters, was unlikely to produce much more. It takes time, money and effort to litigate, said Ricardo Soto, general counsel for the charter group. Maybe its better to see if we can find the time and opportunity for collaboration. Read More Facebook

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L.A. school board member Ref Rodriguez is arrested on suspicion of public intoxication By Richard Winton Los Angeles school board member Ref Rodriguez was arrested recently on suspicion of being drunk in public at a Pasadena restaurant, the latest trouble for an elected official who faces political money-laundering charges. Pasadena police took Rodriguez into custody on March 16, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. Officers arrested Rodriguez at about 4:30 p.m. at the Yard House restaurant and bar at the Paseo Mall and held him in jail for more than five-and-a-half hours. Rodriguez was ultimately released without being cited or charged, Derderian told The Times. Other details about the arrest were not available, she said. Read More Facebook

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Kentucky teachers rally at Capitol over state budget By Associated Press Thousands of Kentucky teachers filled the streets near the state Capitol in Frankfort on a cold, overcast Monday to rally for education funding. Teachers and other school employees gathered outside the Kentucky Education Assn. a couple of blocks from the Capitol chanting, Stop the war on public education and holding or posting signs that say, Weve Had Enough. Were madder than hornets, and the hornets are swarming today, said Claudette Green, a retired teacher and principal. Read More Facebook

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The snapshot of joggers that has Leimert Park neighbors talking also has Los Angeles Times readers talking. The story drew more than 300 comments and over a hundred on Facebook.

The debate: When it comes to traditionally black neighborhoods, whats wrong with white people being in the picture?

However impolitic and even offensive, that discussion has been percolating with more frequency and immediacy across many affluent parts of South Los Angeles, where the demographics have been shifting rapidly as the cost of housing has been shifting. Reporter Angel Jennings, who covers issues that affect residents in South Los Angeles, has been chronicling the undercurrents of tensions as affluent and middle-class black communities reflect on their growing appeal to white families in places such as View Park and now in Leimert Park.

Read all of the comments and the original story here

Actual neighbors on the user-verified online community NextDoor carefully  and sometimes not so carefully  navigate exchanges they might never have had in person. On Facebook, posts on personal pages and in groups see the passionate railings against gentrification of affluent black neighborhoods.

In fact, thats where Jennings says she stumbled onto the controversy over what may seem to many a fairly innocuous photo: The backlash over the photo embodied what I have been hearing recently in the community  that white outsiders were driving up home prices and snatching up homes in an area that has long been a mecca for African American art and culture. Black residents fear that they were taking over, and reshaping the neighborhood.

That fear has even manifested itself in a Change.org petition  with only modest support right now  seeking to stop gentrification of black neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

One supporter, Jennifer Jones, writes:

"The gentrification of the Black neighborhoods and comunities (sic) is a direct attack on Black culture. It displaces whole communities [because it's] the in thing. White communities are not in danger of this so they don't generally care about destroying anyone [else's] culture."

Her comment continues, touching on a history of indigenous peoples losing their lands. Other supporters offer, perhaps, less strident reasons for signing the petition. Take Jw Rush:

"I want to simply preserve the rich Black culture that must not be washed away. I feel that all are welcomed but not to destroy what makes our communities great."

With real estate in Los Angeles at a premium, many of the properties in these quiet, well-kept black neighborhoods are considered a bargain. In some cases, properties are being marketed with their shifting demographics  becoming more white  as a selling point.

But many Times readers have asked: Why should black residents have any special claim to a neighborhood, to the exclusion of white buyers or renters? And how is this different from the sometimes hostile response of the areas early white residents when confronted with black people wanting to move in?

Mark S.L. asks, Shall we bring back segregation in order to maintain the blackness of this community? Arguing gentrification is just a modern way of arguing segregation. Trying to keep a community a certain color, trying to keep certain groups of people out of a community, is segregation.

It's hard not to see this as racism," writes LATimes.com commenter JPsouthbay. The white people are ruining the neighborhood. Change white to black and you can read this same story about 40 years ago.

Its true that Leimert Park wasnt always a black neighborhood. Quite the contrary.

Nothing in the early history of Leimert Park prefigured its rise as the heart of black Los Angeles.  KCET profile on the history of Leimert Park

Walter Leimert, who also developed the nearby Baldwin Hills community, created the Leimert Park development with shops and homes in 1927. But as a KCET piece about the neighborhood put it: Nothing in the early history of Leimert Park prefigured its rise as the heart of black Los Angeles.

Leimert Park blossomed into a brilliant multi-use community that encircled a small park that Leimert donated to Los Angeles. As with so many neighborhoods across Los Angeles, the buyers were primarily white. On top of restrictive covenants that limited where non-whites could live, Leimert Park boasted it had excellent protective restrictions.

An ad for the original Leimert Park development that appeared in the Los Angeles Times in 1927.

As the KCET story noted, more often than not, such restrictions resulted in segregated neighborhoods, whether or not that had been the intended effect.

The area remained off-limits to black residents until the landmark 1948 Shelley v. Kraemer decision, when the U.S. Supreme Court declared racially restrictive covenants legally unenforceable. Soon after, affluent black residents began to stream in, and white residents flowed out. There was also briefly a significant influx of Japanese Americans to the neighborhood.

But the white flight had a less notable impact on the neighborhood as the black residents were relatively prosperous. Thus began the neighborhoods transformation into a hub of black culture, affluence and influence. Among the noteworthy people who have lived in Leimert Park was Tom Bradley, Los Angeles first  and only  black mayor.

But the landscape of Los Angeles has changed as have the demographics of the city overall. And that has generated at times uncomfortable debates about gentrification, change and the places people call home.

Heres a sampling of what readers had to say:

This article does seem to point out the racist tone, but that's because it isn't getting to the root of the problem, which is marginalization, and is related to the housing market and institutionalized racism or poverty. People can be pushed out by their tenant because they cannot afford the new prices, so you can understand the anger, although it may be misplaced...

It's also erroneous to blame the poor for being poor. It's often the fault of past history and the system which causes them to be poor; there are lasting effects.

 Moodie, commenting on latimes.com

...I wonder if these White people, who ventured into Leimert Park, are aware that African Americans can't just wonder into all White neighborhoods without experiencing the indignities and humiliation of being a suspect based on their skin color. Whites have never had to deal with such indignities. That is why their presence in Leimert Park does more harm than good.

 derekgrrrrr, commenting on latimes.com

The comments about the historical impact of racism on black household wealth, while tragic and true, are irrelevant to the rights of people to move into a neighborhood.

Diversity does not mean enshrining one groups right to control the culture and character of a place. A neighborhood should be allowed to reflect its occupants.

[New white resident Carl] Pfirman's desire to understand and empathize is admirable and important, but he should also stand up for himself. He too was a victim, albeit on a smaller scale, from those hostile remarks, and that is unacceptable too.

...Any group can be guilty of intolerance and tribalism, not just whites, and some African American Angelenos clearly are in this article. Of course theyre reaping the profits from the gentrification of the neighborhood. Their anger at the presence of a minority in their neighborhood is extremely hypocritical. They are essentially saying, there goes the neighborhood.

 matt8s, commenting on latimes.com

Let's keep it real for a minute: Buried deep in our psyche as humans is the idea that racial segregation is somehow normal or the norm. When integration disturbs that norm, we give it a name like blockbusting or gentrification. Officially and outwardly as Americans, we mostly aspire to be an integrated society, just as long as that integration occurs somewhere other than our own community. This country has always been an experiment, and that experiment will ultimately fail if we don't get it together....

 MichaelScarborough, commenting on latimes.com

I moved into West Adams 16 years ago. When I moved to Los Angeles back in 1984, I was horrified to find that residential segregation was almost as prevalent as in the country I left, South Africa. My first job was given to me by an advertising agency that was predominantly African American, the partners knew I was from South Africa, and gave me a chance anyway. I sought out West Adams as a place to live, long before it was a gentrification destination, but precisely because it was diverse. I was overwhelmingly not judged by my country of origin, or by the color of my skin, and am still astonished that people saw me as an individual, rather than assuming that I was a racist because I came from South Africa. The generosity and inclusion that I've experienced from African Americans in my neighborhood is a source of joy to me: they suspended judgment and assumptions, and welcomed me to my new home. For anyone moving into a new neighborhood, I would suggest that you get involved, and make a contribution to improving life for everyone. Pick up trash, go to neighborhood council meetings, file MyLA311 service requests on your cellphone to have illegal dumping picked up, start a block club. Show up as a neighbor, and you'll be treated as a neighbor.

 kidogo, commenting on latimes.com

Wed love to keep the conversation going. Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Please note that our moderators will be previewing submissions before they are published to ensure the conversation remains respectful, even if direct, and on topic.

michelle.maltais@latimes.com

Chat me up on Twitter: @mmaltaisLA
Nine more officers, including a Navy admiral who was head of intelligence operations before retiring in October, were indicted Tuesday on conspiracy, bribery, obstruction of justice and other charges in the ongoing Fat Leonard scandal.

An indictment unsealed in federal court in San Diego accused the group of current and retired officers of receiving gifts from Leonard Glenn Francis beginning in 2006. In return Francis  who owned the ship-servicing company Glenn Defense Marine Asia and was known as Fat Leonard because of his size  got access to classified information such as ship schedules, as well as the services of the officers who used their position to steer Navy business to his company.

Among those indicted was Adm. Bruce Loveless, who was the Navys director of intelligence operations. He retired in October but had been under investigation for his role in the scandal for several years, at one time losing his access to classified material while the investigation continued.

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Navy Capt. David Newland, former chief of staff to the commander of the 7th Fleet, the services largest fleet and the center of the bribery scheme, also was named in the indictment. The others were Navy Capt. Donald Hornbeck, Capt. James Dolan, Capt. David Lausman, Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shedd, Cmdr. Mario Herrera, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch and Marine Col. Enrico Deguzman.

Loveless was arrested Tuesday by federal agents at a penthouse apartment in Coronado and made an appearance  clad in white jailhouse overalls and ankle shackles  in a federal courtroom in downtown San Diego.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell Dembin entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, and ordered that Loveless could be released on his own recognizance and not have to post a bond. Loveless said little during the brief hearing.

Francis has pleaded guilty to orchestrating the scheme that overbilled the Navy by at least $20 million.

For more than a decade, the contractor bribed Navy officials in the 7th Fleet to use their influence to steer ships to ports that his Singapore company controlled. Once they were there, he systematically overbilled the service for fuel, water, transport and many other services.

The Fat Leonard scandal has now ensnared 25 people, including 20 Navy officers and enlisted men as well as employees of Glenn Defense Marine Asia.

Moran writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @gregmoran

UPDATES:

6:15 p.m.: This article was updated with details of Loveless court appearance.

This article was originally published at 2:55 p.m.
A passenger in a stolen vehicle linked to a series of robberies was shot and killed by Fremont police detectives Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The shooting occurred at 5:20 p.m. near Cal State East Bay in Hayward, about 12 miles north of Fremont, according to the Hayward Police Department. The passenger suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at a trauma center. Police have not released her identity.

In an interview with KRON, relatives identified the passenger as 16-year-old Elena Mondragon of Antioch.

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The detectives were investigating a rash of robberies that occurred in the Bay Area, police said in a written statement. While investigating, the detectives traveled to Hayward, where they located a stolen vehicle that was connected to the robberies, police said.

When the detectives tried to stop the vehicle and contact its occupants at an apartment complex in the 25200 block of Carlos Bee Boulevard, the driver rammed the car into their police vehicle, according to Hayward police. Two Fremont detectives were injured.

Thats when the detectives fired at the car, striking one of three passengers inside, police said.

The car headed out of the apartment complex and crashed near the intersection of Campus and Oakes drives, according to Hayward police.

When authorities reached the vehicle, they found the wounded passenger.

Two other occupants of the car were taken into custody near the scene of the crash, police said.

Authorities said they were still looking for a man who ran from the vehicle after the crash. The injured detectives were treated and released from a hospital.

The Hayward Police Department and Alameda County District Attorneys Office are investigating the shooting.

veronica.rocha@latimes.com

Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA

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Octavio Chaidez was walking out of a Pasadena courtroom with a client last month when four men jumped up from a hallway bench and rushed toward them.

The men asked his clients name. Then they pulled out badges.



For the record: An earlier version of this article said that a 24-year-old man arrested by ICE agents in a Phoenix courthouse was awaiting retrial on a misdemeanor assault case. It was a felony case.

They say, Youre Mr. So and So? and he says, Yes,  Chaidez said. They show him a badge, and they say, Were from Immigration and Customs, and they took him in.

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Chaidez, who has worked as a defense attorney in Los Angeles County for nearly 15 years, said he had never seen federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents make an arrest inside the confines of a courthouse.

But in the past few weeks, attorneys and prosecutors in California, Arizona, Texas and Colorado have all reported teams of ICE agents  some in uniform, some not  sweeping into courtrooms or lurking outside court complexes, waiting to arrest immigrants who are in the country illegally.

On Thursday, the California chief justice asked the Trump administration to stop immigration agents from stalking the states courthouses to make arrests.

Octavio Chaidez , a defense attorney in Los Angeles County for nearly 15 years, said he had never seen ICE agents make an arrest inside a courthouse until last month, when they arrested one of his clients. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our countrys immigration laws, Tani Cantil-Sakauye wrote in a letter to Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly. Enforcement policies that include stalking courthouses and arresting undocumented immigrants, the vast majority of whom pose no risk to public safety, are neither safe nor fair.

ICE officials have defended the tactic, saying they make arrests in courthouses only when all other options have been exhausted. But activists, attorneys and prosecutors fear ICEs increased presence in courthouses could deter other immigrants without legal status from appearing in court to testify as witnesses or answer warrants, which ultimately could endanger prosecutions.

San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascon called ICEs forays into courthouses very shortsighted because some immigrants here illegally will simply avoid court for fear of being arrested.

The chilling impact that has on an entire community is devastating, he said.

ICE directs its agents to avoid making arrests in sensitive locations, including schools, places of worship and hospitals, whenever possible, according to Virginia Kice, an agency spokeswoman.

That policy does not cover courthouses, Kice said, although agents normally will try to detain people at other locations before entering a courtroom. ICEs recent action in courthouses has been, in part, driven by an increase in the number of local law enforcement agencies that refuse to comply with ICE requests to detain suspects in county jails, she said.

In years past, most of these individuals would have been turned over to ICE by local authorities upon their release from jail based on ICE detainers, Kice said Now that many law enforcement agencies no longer honor ICE detainers, these individuals, who often have significant criminal histories, are released onto the street, presenting a potential public safety threat.

ICE has made arrests in courthouses before, but the tactic drew strong rebukes in California after a series of raids led to the capture of women seeking restraining orders, people paying parking tickets and even one couple getting married inside a Kern County courthouse in 2013, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

ICE eventually stopped the practice, but activists fear the recent courthouse arrests signal the more aggressive stance taken by ICE and other immigration enforcement agents in the wake of President Trumps election after a campaign that focused largely on illegal immigration.

There are tactical advantages for agents with courthouse arrests, Kice said.

Suspects have to pass through metal detectors before entering courthouses, meaning they are unlikely to be armed. In recent months, ICE has arrested several suspects in courthouses in Portland, Ore., and Southern California who had prior convictions for sex crimes, drug trafficking and drunken driving, she said. The suspect who was arrested in the Pasadena courthouse last month was a Mexican national with a prior drug conviction, according to Kice.

While some of the courthouse arrests may allow ICE to capture people with violent pasts, others have focused on different segments of the immigrant population. On Feb. 9, a woman who had accused her husband of abuse was arrested while seeking a restraining order in an El Paso courthouse, according to Lucila Flores Camarena, an assistant county attorney in El Paso who oversees the agencys protective order unit. An undercover ICE agent was seated behind the woman, according to Flores Camarena, who said other women seeking protective orders also were in the courtroom.

Agents ultimately arrested the woman, Irvin Gonzalez Torres, outside the courtroom. But Flores Camarena said she was concerned that the presence of ICE agents in courthouses might cause some women to stay with their abusers, rather than risk going to court to seek a protective order for fear of deportation. In the weeks that followed, several other women revoked their requests to seek protective orders. Two of them specifically cited Torres arrest, she said.

Its a really horrific position to find yourself in, Flores Camarena said. I cant feel safe in seeking help from the justice system because I now have this very real threat that I might be deported.

Last week, Denver City Atty. Kristi Bronson also told several media outlets that she had to dismiss prosecutions against four separate domestic violence suspects because the complaining witnesses, all of whom are in the country illegally, were afraid ICE might either learn their location through a court docket or send agents to the courthouse when they appeared to testify. Bronsons comments came weeks after a video surfaced showing ICE agents waiting to arrest someone outside a Denver courtroom.

A 24-year-old who was awaiting retrial on a felony assault case also was arrested by ICE agents inside a Phoenix courthouse last month, according to his attorney, Philippe Martinet. He had been accepted into the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, an Obama administration initiative aimed at protecting the children of immigrants in the country illegally from deportation.

Given this, Martinet said the arrest left many puzzled as to why ICE agents would go into a courthouse to arrest someone accepted into the DACA program.

ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the arrest in Phoenix, but court records show Martinets client, Erik Tovar-Andrade, was convicted of assault and unlawful flight from police in 2015. Prosecutors contended the charges stemmed from an incident that involved Tovar-Andrade violating a restraining order, but Martinet said his client was trying to escape from a group of people who had attacked him.

Some law enforcement leaders in California and throughout the country have repeatedly expressed concern that Trumps promise to dramatically expand immigration enforcement will erode trust between minority communities and local police departments, a bond already weakened by years of scrutiny over officers use of force throughout the country. ICE also faced renewed scrutiny last month after the agency released a video showing immigration agents identifying themselves as police, a tactic decried by activists as unethical and police leaders as detrimental to local law enforcements relationship with immigrant communities.

Mary Hearn, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Superior Court, said she had not received reports of ICE making arrests in area courthouses aside from the incident in Pasadena last month. But ICEs recent activities have sparked concerns among some judges, according to a court official who spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity. In late February, three separate judges called meetings with their staff and asked to be alerted if anyone noticed ICE agents inside their courtrooms, according to the official, who requested anonymity in order to speak candidly about the situation.

Still, court officials have no authority to interfere with ICE investigations, even when they set foot in county courthouses, Hearn said in a statement.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

Times staff writer Maura Dolan contributed to this report.

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UPDATES:

March 16, 10:40 a.m.: This article was updated with comment from the California chief justice.

3 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from court records.

This article was originally published March 14
A Los Angeles County probation supervisor has been accused of ordering several officers to pummel a 17-year-old inmate in a 2016 incident that was caught on tape, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Sergio Cano, 45, pleaded not guilty to one count of assault under color of authority in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Wednesday morning.

County probation officials said in a statement Wednesday that three probation employees had been charged in the incident.

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Prosecutors contend that Cano ordered the attack at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, which left the teen with moderate injuries.

The incident was thrust into the public eye in the summer, when someone leaked a copy of the video to the blog WitnessLA. The news blog said at the time that it wasnt publishing the video because it involved a minor but that the footage showed four officers punching and kicking a non-combative 17-year-old probationer while a supervisor looked on in April.

The officers and supervisor were placed on administrative leave shortly after the incident, probation officials said last year.

Two of the three probation employees charged in the attack have been fired, according to probation officials. A spokeswoman for the department declined to identify them or comment on reports that two additional officers had been involved in the April 2016 beating.

Cano has been a probation officer for 15 years, according to his attorney, Winston McKesson, who said the officers were dealing with an unruly inmate who had been violent earlier that same day.

You had a kid here who was a criminal. You had a kid here who was being disruptive, said McKesson, adding that he believed all charges against his client should be dismissed.

Cano was not physically involved in the altercation, according to Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorneys office. If convicted he faces a maximum of three years in state prison, Risling said.

McKesson said Cano remains on administrative leave from the Probation Department. He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on April 11, prosecutors said.

Risling declined to comment on the status of the other officers involved in the incident.

Los Angeles County Chief Probation Officer Terri McDonald said the attack triggered a review of seven other use-of-force incidents at the Sylmar facility in which probation officers were found to have either used excessive force or lied to internal investigators.

It is our goal to identify the circumstances contributing to this incident, ensure those responsible are held to justice, and fundamentally reform the system, McDonald said of the videotaped incident in Sylmar. The vast majority of our hard-working employees consistently demonstrate their commitment to our clients and our communities, but we will hold accountable those who do not uphold the Departments values. The Probation Department will not tolerate abuse of those in our charge.

All of the officers involved in the incident and the inmate were transferred to different facilities after the beating took place.

The Probation Department, which runs three juvenile halls and 14 juvenile camps as well as monitoring both adult and juvenile probationers who are out of custody, has been dogged for years by abuse allegations and other scandals.

Two months after the incident in Sylmar, officials said a supervisor at Central Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles allegedly choked a teenager so aggressively that another employee called the Los Angeles Police Department. No charges were filed, and the supervisor was transferred to another facility.

The agency was also placed under a federal monitor for six years after a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that stemmed from excessive force claims within the juvenile camps.

The Probation Department regained control of its jails in late 2015, but then-Chief Jerry Powers resigned from the agency a short time later amid reports that he had hired a woman for a management position while the two were romantically linked.

Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey credited probation officials with bringing the Sylmar incident to her offices attention last year.

The Probation Departments current leadership has demonstrated a commitment to reform and accountability, Lacey said in a statement.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for crime and police news in California.

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UPDATES:

3:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details of the charges and comments from the Los Angeles District Attorneys Office and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

This article was originally published at 12:15 p.m.
One man was killed and another injured when a gunman opened fire in Sherman Oaks early Wednesday, authorities said.

A man in his 20s was found dead in an alleyway in the 5100 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard shortly after 1 a.m., said Officer Irma Mota, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department.

A second man was shot multiple times and made his way into a nearby apartment complex, Mota said. He was hospitalized Wednesday morning in critical condition.

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The relationship between the two shooting victims was unclear, and there was no information available about the shooter or a motive, Mota said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police told CBS-LA that a gun was found lying next to the body of the man in the alley.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson
For 30 years, Margie Davis wrote letters to anyone with the power to right wrongs. The message was always the same: My son, Andrew Wilson, was wrongfully convicted of murder. Please help.

When help didnt come, she wasnt surprised. At 96, she said, shes learned that living in a country built on the idea of justice for all doesnt always lead to justice for everyone. So she was shocked  ecstatic  Wednesday afternoon when her sons lawyer called to tell her a Los Angeles County judge had just thrown out the murder conviction.

I think this is justice, Superior Court Judge Laura F. Priver said before ordering that Wilson, who served 32 years behind bars, be released from custody as soon as possible.

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Wilson, who always maintained his innocence, was convicted of robbery and murder in the 1984 stabbing death of Christopher Hanson, a 21-year-old man with a disorder that kept his blood from clotting.

This case is like something you would see on TV, said Laurie Levenson of Loyola Law Schools Project for the Innocent, which championed Wilsons case. It has everything from bad witness identification, not turning over impeachment evidence, having a theory and marching toward it, officers putting a full-court press on witnesses.

When deputies ushered Wilson, 62, into the courtroom in handcuffs, he smiled at law students seated in the audience and fist-bumped one of his attorneys.

Toward the beginning of the hearing, Deputy Dist. Atty. Erika Jerez conceded that cumulative errors had deprived Wilson of his constitutional right to a fair trial. The district attorneys office, she added, doesnt plan to refile charges against him.

But in a letter to the judge last week, Jerez wrote that the district attorneys office wishes to make it explicitly clear that while we believe the record demonstrates Mr. Wilson was denied a fundamentally fair trial, we do not believe Mr. Wilson is factually innocent.

The defense contends that Wilson did not commit the crime, and on May 3, the judge is expected to hold a hearing to begin the process of determining whether Wilson is factually innocent  a designation he needs to receive compensation from the state.

At the end of the hearing, Priver smiled as she turned to the defendants table.

You ready for the words, Mr. Wilson? she asked.

He nodded.

Youre discharged, she told him.

Thank you, he said, softly. Thank you.

Andrew Wilson is congratulated by attorney Adam Grant from the Loyola Law Schools Project for the Innocent. During a Wednesday hearing, a judge threw out Wilsons conviction and ordered his release from custody. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Paula Mitchell, the lead attorney on Wilsons case, said that the trial prosecutor, Laura Aalto, allegedly withheld several pieces of key evidence from the defense. There was evidence, Mitchell said, that the sole eyewitness to the crime  the victims girlfriend, Saladena Bishop  was not credible.

Law enforcement determined Bishop was a liar, according to court documents, after she filed a false police report accusing another man of kidnapping and attempted rape, Mitchell said. That information, however, was never turned over to the defense.

Theres also evidence, records show, that LAPD Det. Richard Marks directed Bishop to Wilsons photo while showing her a set of pictures and asking if she recognized the man who attacked her boyfriend, Hanson.

Mitchell said the prosecution also suppressed evidence that Hansons best friend contacted Aalto before the trial to tell her that he believed Bishop was responsible for the slaying and had stabbed Hanson in the past. Bishop could not be reached for comment.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Aalto said that she cant remember all the details of Wilsons case, but she insisted she wouldnt have withheld information. The retired prosecutor said she remembers thinking at the time that the case was weak but still felt it was worth putting before a jury.

I dont know if he was guilty or not, she said. But I thought it was a case worth trying.

Loyola Law Schools Project for the Innocent learned of Wilsons case in 2015 from the federal public defenders office, which was looking into another murder case involving the same LAPD detective, Marks.

According to court documents, in a recently recorded interview with Wilsons attorneys and prosecutors, Marks said that he knew that directing a witness attention to a photo could lead to unreliable or tainted identifications.

I knew what I had done, he said, according to court documents. I mean, I knew it.

A police spokeswoman said the department had no comment on the defenses allegations about Marks, but she said that the detective is now retired. Marks could not be reached for comment.

Wilson is expected to be released from Mens Central Jail on Thursday. His first plan once hes out? Visit his 96-year-old mother in St. Louis.

Reached by phone at her home, Davis said she cant wait to make new memories  a vindication for all those unanswered letters.

I sent it to the L.A. Times, they ignored it. I sent it to the governor, he ignored it. I sent to the Justice Department, she said. I just didnt have any help.

She didnt expect this day to come, Davis said, but she also never doubted her son.

I knew that he was innocent all along, she said. Its no news to me. He is an honest person  I knew he wouldnt lie.

marisa.gerber@latimes.com

For more news from the Los Angeles County courts, follow me on Twitter: @marisagerber

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UPDATES:

7:15 p.m.: This article was updated with additional comments from Wilsons mother and the original trial prosecutor.

This article was originally published at 2:05 p.m.
A twice-deported immigration activist whose year of living in a Chicago church a decade ago made her a lightning rod in the immigration debate, was granted a reprieve Wednesday and allowed to remain in the United States for another year.

I want to send a message to the community so they can all fight together and not stay home and watch how all of the executive orders are affecting us, Elvira Arellano said through a translator after leaving a meeting with federal officials. It could be the fighting that we could convince Donald Trump to do something for us.

Arellano, 42, and her lawyer attended an annual check-in Wednesday with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago, the third such appointment since she returned to the U.S. from Mexico in 2014. Authorities extended her parole for a year. She is awaiting a hearing on her petition for political asylum.

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The routine appointments  part of a parole system for people living in the U.S. illegally  have become dicey for some immigrants since President Trumps administration stepped up enforcement and expanded the pool of immigrants who are targeted for removal.

In Phoenix, a single father of three U.S.-born children reported to a regular meeting to discuss his request for asylum and was deported the next day. In Denver, a mother of four fearful of that same fate skipped her meeting and sought sanctuary in a church like Arellano did a decade ago. Meanwhile, other immigrants have gone to their check-ins and been allowed to stay in the U.S.

Supporters of Elvira Arellano rally outside the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles in 2007 to protest her arrest and deportation. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)

Our families made the struggle coming here and sacrificing their lives, said Saul Arellano, said Arellanos 18-year-old, U.S.-born son. Its now our time to fight for them because they have rights as human beings. Its time for the youth to rise up and fight for our parents.  Were not going back any more. Were going forward.

Supporters of Trumps efforts to increase deportations have said people like Arellano exemplify the arrogance of immigrants who are here illegally but believe they have a right to stay. Arellano broke laws, including coming to the U.S. more than once without legal documentation, and shouldnt be allowed to remain, they say.

Arellanos journey as an activist began in the 1990s when the economy collapsed in her Mexican home state of Michoacan. She went to work in a maquiladora, a factory on the U.S. border, making $5.60 a week. After failing to cross the border once, she tried again in 1997 and headed for Yakima, Wash., to join family.

She worked as a babysitter and had Saul. In 2000, she moved to Chicago, where she joined other family members and took a job vacuuming planes at OHare International Airport.

Months after the Sept. 11, 2001,, terrorist attacks, federal agents came to her house in Chicago at dawn as part of Operation Tarmac, a nationwide sweep of airport employees living in the U.S. illegally. In addition to reentering the country illegally after a prior deportation, Arellano had been working with a fake Social Security number. A federal defender convinced her to plead guilty to a felony, and removal proceedings began, said her attorney, Chris Bergin.

Arellano, a shy but fierce mother, fought every turn of her case. She was granted at least three stays of deportation.

But in August 2006, she was told to report to the Department of Homeland Security for removal. Instead of showing up on the morning of her appointment, she stepped up to the pulpit of Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicagos Humboldt Park neighborhood, vowing to stay in the church indefinitely with her then-7-year-old son, a U.S. citizen.

Arellano became the face of the new sanctuary movement, a political strategy in the U.S. that first unfolded in the 1980s. Drawing from sacred texts that teach loving thy neighbor and welcoming the stranger, churches and synagogues committed acts of civil disobedience by housing immigrants fleeing civil wars in Central America.

Though churches cant guarantee protection, they are generally off-limits to law enforcement raids. Arellano stayed in the church for a year. She was arrested in Los Angeles, where she traveled for an immigration reform rally and was deported that same day.

Arellanos activism continued in Mexico, where she fought for better treatment of Central Americans traveling through to the U.S. to seek asylum. She dodged gunfire at rallies, received death threats and locked the doors of her home in Michoacan to prevent kidnappers from taking Saul. In 2014, she led a group of asylum seekers to the U.S. border and encouraged them to cross. She called Saul and suggested he join her in doing the same. He did, and they were detained.

A U.S. citizen, Saul was quickly released. Arellano and another son, then-5-month-old Emiliano, stayed in detention for two days before they were released to petition for asylum.

Right now, Arellano, who has a legal work permit, holds two jobs  one preparing food at a Puerto Rican restaurant and another delivering the Chicago Tribune at dawn.

Emilianos father and Saul, who is set to graduate from high school in June, also work several jobs to help make ends meet. Only English is spoken at home with 3-year-old Emiliano, so Arellano is slowly learning the language herself.

Brachear Pashman and Ortiz Healy write for the Chicago Tribune.

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Driven by a drop-off in enrollment after President Trump took office, total sign-ups for Obamacare health plans fell this year for the first time, a new report released by the Trump administration Wednesday indicates.

A total of 12.2 million Americans enrolled in a plan through one of the healthcare laws marketplaces during the 2017 open enrollment period, according to the report, which provides a final tally of this years signups.

The 2017 final figure, which updates a preliminary report released last month, was down from 12.7 million in 2016.

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Enrollment had been running slightly ahead of last years pace until Trump took office Jan. 20.

The drop-off  which came after slow but steady increases in 2015 and 2016  has fed criticism that the new administration has deliberately tried to undermine the marketplaces.

Within days of taking office in January, the administration pulled television ads urging Americans to sign up for health insurance.

Trump also issued an executive order in which he suggested his administration wouldnt implement rules crucial to sustaining markets, although the administration later issued other rules to help stabilize insurance markets.

Several major insurers have pulled out of the marketplace over the past year, citing losses from sicker-than-anticipated customers. Many insurers that remained increased premiums sharply this year.

Congressional Republicans want to scrap the marketplaces, which allow Americans who dont get health coverage at work to shop for plans that must cover a basic set of benefits.

Low- and moderate-income shoppers qualify for subsidies to offset the costs of their monthly premiums.

The House Republican bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act would dramatically scale back financial assistance now available to many lower-income and older consumers. More than 80% of marketplace customers now get assistance.

GOP leaders say they also want to roll back rules that require insurers cover basic benefits, though those requirements are not eliminated in the current House legislation.

Overall, the marketplaces and the expansion of state Medicaid programs for the poor  which were also made possible by the healthcare law  are credited with a historic expansion of insurance coverage over the last three years.

More than 20 million previously uninsured Americans have gained health insurance, data show, and the nations uninsured rate dropped to the lowest level ever recorded.

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UPDATES:

9:50 a.m.: This article was updated with staff reporting.

This article was originally published at 7:35 a.m.
Good morning. Its Wednesday, March 15, and heres whats happening across California:

TOP STORIES

Bernie-nistas in Los Angeles

The Bernie effect is being felt in a race in the heart of Los Angeles. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who started a national insurgent progressive movement and captured the 34th Congressional District from Hillary Clinton in the California primary last year, has helped shift the debate decidedly left in this heavily Democratic area. Los Angeles Times

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Beware of sweetheart deals

L.A. Times columnist David Lazarus takes a look at the predatory practices of Future Income Payments. Until officials filed a cease-and-desist letter, it had offered a person a lump sum in return for all or part of future pension checks, with total payments running considerably higher than the initial amount given. This whole episode shows why its important to have a national agency charged solely with protecting the financial interests of consumers, Lazarus writes. Los Angeles Times

Puttys guy in D.C.?

Heres how Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a protege of Ronald Reagan, became Vladimir Putins favorite congressman. Los Angeles Times

L.A. STORIES

Bye-bye blimp: Goodyear has deflated its last helium blimp. Employees watched Tuesday as the California-based Spirit of Innovation went the way of an old balloon. The blimps replacement at sporting events will have a frame, which means it maintains its shape when the helium is let out. Associated Press

Difficult trek gets harder: Want to get a close look at the Hollywood sign? Youll soon have to stop using Beachwood Drive to trek up there. The city said Tuesday that the road to reach a popular trail near the sign will be banned for hikers and tourists. Los Angeles Times

Gang injunctions in the spotlight: Gang injunctions in quickly gentrifying neighborhoods can place sweeping everyday restrictions  such as not being able to carry a marker pen or drink in public  on alleged gang members within designated areas. Echo Park is one such place where this is occurring. BuzzFeed News

But would you eat it? This guy caught a 35-pound fish at the MacArthur Park lake. LAist

POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT

A way to reduce rents? A recently introduced bill would repeal a state law limiting rent control. Listen here to learn more about the implications of this move. KPCC

Nothings for free: California Democrats have proposed a law to enable students to graduate debt-free, but unless the states economic fortunes change this idea may not be possible. Orange County Register

Lead screening in the offing: A bill thats making its way through the Legislature would require all California children to be screened for lead. California Healthline

CRIME AND COURTS

Mother arrested: A woman suspected of abandoning her 2-year-old daughter in a Riverside grocery store was arrested late Tuesday afternoon after a bank teller recognized her face from news reports. Los Angeles Times

Police shoot man: A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by Napa police. A witness said the man was waving a foot-long knife and appeared angry. KTVU

Lower the bar, please: Critics say the score required to pass the California bar needs to be lowered, and the State Bar has agreed to study whether this should happen to allow more prospective attorneys to pass. San Francisco Chronicle

THE ENVIRONMENT

Drive for change: Trump is expected to weigh in on EPA car mileage standards this week, and that will have potentially huge implications for California. Los Angeles Times

Over-pumping problems: The authors of a new book say over-pumping of groundwater has become so bad in the San Joaquin Valley that critical infrastructure is at risk. Water Deeply

Endangered battle: The fight to protect Californias wolves. Reuters

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Not shipshape: The Queen Mary is in such bad shape that its hull could collapse and flood if repairs costing as much as $289 million are not completed in the next few years. Los Angeles Times

Luck of the Irish: St. Patricks Day is Friday. So here are L.A.s 15 best bars to have a fun and responsible time. Eater Los Angeles

Your one shot! At 10 a.m. on April 30, tickets to see Hamilton at the Hollywood Pantages will go on sale. So get ready, because theyll probably be gone in the blink of an eye. Los Angeles Times

Stupid money on a spot: A studio apartment in Presidio Heights goes for $2,000 a month. Its not clear exactly how big it is except that the shower is in the kitchen. SFist

This beer is for you: Heres where you can get beer on a budget in San Diego. New York Times

Small world: An opera about Walt Disney, in commuting distance of Disneyland. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles area: partly cloudy Wednesday, sunny Thursday. San Diego: sunny Wednesday and Thursday. San Francisco area: cloudy Wednesday, partly cloudy Thursday. Sacramento: partly cloudy Wednesday and Thursday. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

Todays California memory comes from Robin Goebel:

As a kid growing up in Pacoima, I spent a lot of the summer months at the beaches. Carpinteria, Pismo Beach, McGrath State Beach and Refugio. Refugio always fascinated me since it had beautiful palm trees and a stream leading into the ocean. Very tropical-like, and its an inlet. Many years later I took my husband there, and we climbed the cliff and stood on the point and watched the surfers and the waves washing in and out. It is still beautiful and perfect to spend the day unwinding after you ate all that great food up in nearby Solvang.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.
California Supreme Court Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegars announcement that she will retire in August gives Gov. Jerry Brown a chance to complete a sweeping remake of the court. Now nearing the conclusion of his second stint as governor, Brown already has appointed three of the courts current seven members. He is likely to leave office in January 2019 having named a majority of the states high court justices.

The situation invites a comparison with the U.S. Supreme Court and next weeks Senate confirmation hearings for Neil Gorsuch, President Trumps choice to fill the late Justice Antonin Scalias seat  and exposes the vast difference between the state and federal judicial systems.

In Washington, many Democrats are still fuming over the Senates refusal to consider President Obamas appointment of Merrick Garland and, in so doing, prevent the leftward recalibration of the courts political and philosophical balance. Gorsuchs confirmation could well lock in a right-leaning court for another generation, even if Trump never gets to make another appointment.

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Browns stamp on the California Supreme Court seemed similarly unassailable in 1977 when he made his first three appointments, two years into his first tenure as governor. He named seven members that go-round  including the courts first female, African American and Latino justices.

Unlike the federal system, California does not have lifetime judicial appointments.

But unlike the federal system, California does not have lifetime judicial appointments. Every Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justice comes up for voter approval in the first gubernatorial election after the appointment. There are additional retention elections every 12 years after that.

In 1986, voters rejected three of Browns appointees: Chief Justice Rose Bird and Associate Justices Joseph Grodin and Cruz Reynoso. The highest-profile reason was the justices votes to overturn death sentences  after voters had made clear repeatedly that they favored keeping the death penalty  but business interests also worked to oust the justices because of rulings they saw as being too favorable to labor.

The ensuing vacancies allowed Gov. George Deukmejian to put his own, more conservative, stamp on the court. Death sentences were upheld, and many rulings tilted back toward business interests.

Still, the California Supreme Court that was dominated by Republicans until Browns 2010 return to the governorship generally retained a moderate stance, with the occasional notably conservative or liberal rulings. It was such a court that struck down state laws barring same-sex marriage in 2008.

Voters rebelled against that ruling, but did not take it out on the justices. Instead, they adopted a constitutional amendment that overrode the ruling and again banned same-sex marriage in California. A federal appeals court struck down the ban in 2012.

Since returning to office, Brown is often described as less brash, more politically savvy and more moderate than he was as governor in the 1970s and early 1980s. But his Supreme Court appointments are as iconoclastic as ever, rejecting the traditional route to the court  from the trial bench and then the Court of Appeal  in favor of legal scholars and litigators.

His first pick was Goodwin Liu, an attorney and legal scholar who  like Garland  was denied a confirmation hearing for a federal judgeship. Then came Mariano-Florentino Cuellar and Leondra Kruger. All had worked in government, and all were graduates of Yale Law School  just like Brown.

Voters have retained Liu and Cuellar. Kruger comes up for retention next year.

So has Brown modified his appointments to be more appealing to the public? The justices may be ideologically similar to his earlier appointments, but the world has changed and many of the issues with them. Just as the Deukmejian court was not uniformly conservative, Browns has not been consistently liberal. Meanwhile, the electorate has shifted to the left, although voters still want to keep the death penalty, as they showed last year in again defeating a ban.

To those who follow the federal system, the California way of appointing Supreme Court justices seems unduly political and just plain odd. Voters gave Brown a chance to remake the Supreme Court by electing him in 1974. They took it away in 1986, and now they have given it back to him. The next chapter will be his nomination of Werdegars successor. And then, again, the voters will have their say.

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President Trump announced Wednesday that his administration would reconsider the aggressive vehicle fuel economy targets that were approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama  setting the stage, perhaps, for revoking the standards altogether. That would not only mean more greenhouse gas emissions and a less robust battle against global warming, but it would also slow the rollout of less polluting, more fuel efficient cars on American roads.

The fuel efficiency standards were adopted by the Obama administration and agreed to by automakers in 2009 as part of the taxpayer bailout of General Motors and Chrysler. The standards required cars and light trucks to become gradually more fuel efficient, so that by 2025, they would achieve an average of about 54 miles per gallon, compared to about 36 miles per gallon today. The first phase of the rules, affecting cars through 2021, is already in place. But the Obama administration finalized the second phase, dictating the standards through 2025, in the weeks before Trumps inauguration.

Automakers complained that the second phase review was rushed. They successfully petitioned Trump to revoke approval, and are continuing to lobby for the administration to further relax the rules. Trumps announcement Wednesday is one of the first concrete steps by his administration to dismantle Obamas policies to cut greenhouse gas emissions. This should surprise no one, given Trumps assertions on the campaign trail that climate change is a hoax and his decision to nominate a climate-change skeptic to head the EPA. But its still a terrible decision.

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The world is now seeing the effects of global warming in flooded coastal communities and more extreme weather patterns. On Wednesday, for instance, an article in the journal Nature revealed that enormous sections of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia had been found to be dead, killed by overly warm ocean water. Countries must move quickly to limit the looming damage of climate change. As the worlds largest economy and one of the major sources of greenhouse emissions, the U.S. has an obligation to lead by example. Yet experts have warned that the repeal of the tailpipe emissions standards would make difficult for the U.S. to meet the commitments it made under the 2015 Paris agreement on climate change.

California has a long history of using its air pollution regulations to spur innovation within the auto industry.

The announcement Wednesday also sets the stage for a fight between California and the federal government. The state has adopted an ambitious program to fight climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 1990 levels by 2030. To help meet those goals, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislators have already said they intend to hold automakers to the new tailpipe standards and will invoke the states right under the Clean Air Act for a waiver to adopt even more stringent air pollution rules for cars. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt refused to say during his confirmation hearings that he would respect Californias authority and he has reportedly begun exploring legal avenues to deny the state such a waiver.

That would be a huge mistake. California has a long history of using its air pollution regulations to spur innovation within the auto industry. Over decades, the states aggressive tailpipe standards have helped dramatically cut smog and other pollutants, which is why a dozen other states have adopted Californias rules, as allowed by the Clean Air Act. Yet Southern California and other regions still suffer from high levels of pollution and there is a need to continue to cut tailpipe emissions even further. Any attempt by the Trump administration to block Californias cleaner-car standards is an attack on public health.

It would also be incredibly shortsighted to roll back fuel efficiency standards. Just a few years ago, the national economy took a hit from high gas prices and there was bipartisan agreement on the need to reduce dependence on foreign oil. U.S. automakers were struggling financially because they were over-reliant on the sale of big gas guzzling vehicles, having failed to anticipate market demand for more fuel efficient models.

But now auto manufacturers complain that the 2025 standards are too onerous because, in part, consumers wont buy fuel efficient models. They say gas-powered vehicles still make up 95% of auto sales in the U.S. Fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are just 1% of sales. Certainly the decline in gas prices has temporarily dulled the appeal of alternative fuel vehicles. (It also doesnt help that automakers and dealerships spend almost no money marketing their electric or hybrid models.) But this is short-term thinking that ignores the value of innovation and technological advancements.

Federal and California tailpipe standards have helped spur tremendous progress in electric and hybrid vehicles in recent years, with cars coming onto the market that can drive farther on a tank of gas or a single charge-up. This is the future. It must be, to clean the air today and to forestall the damage of climate change.

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The early word on President Trumps budget is that he will recommend slashing the Environmental Protection Agency by $2 billion, or 25%, including a 19% cut in staffing, or about 3,000 people who do the actual work of protecting the environment. In a normal administration, a department head facing such drastic cuts would fight tooth and nail to restore as much funding as he could. But as has been evident from the get-go, this is not a normal administration, and EPA director Scott Pruitt is not a normal agency head. He looked at Trumps budget recommendation for his agency and said, in effect, Looks good, boss, with a few small caveats.

Fortunately, an administrations proposed budget doesnt have all that much influence on what gets funded at what level. Those decisions get hammered out in negotiations with Congress, for better or worse. But a presidents proposed budget makes for good tea-leaf reading for figuring out an administrations priorities. And protecting the environment, even as the world careens toward catastrophic climate change, matters not a whit to the White House.

It should to the public, though, including people who voted for Trump in hopes of changing both the government, and the culture, in Washington. Its hard to imagine, for instance, that voters in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin (which Trump carried in 2016) anticipated their candidate would all but kill the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by slashing the $300 million spent fighting algae blooms, invasive species and other threats to water quality  all threats to the tourism industry  to just $10 million.

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There is no defensible reason to reduce or undercut these federal protections

Did voters seeking to drain the swamp also intend to kill $50 million in grants under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, a program that has helped Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and other red states across the Southeast and Midwest improve air quality? Or slash state grants for controlling water pollution by $31 million, or 30%? Or eliminate $9.5 million in state grants to test beach water quality?

The last time you went shopping for an appliance you probably noted the little blue Energy Star sticker that rates the equipment for its environmental impact and power costs. Since its inception in 1992, that program has helped cut consumer utility bills by $362 billion, and eliminated 19,923 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Whats more, the program is voluntary  just the kind of thing Republicans usually embrace  and costs the government only about $57 million a year to administer, a tiny fraction of the $3.9-trillion federal budget. That would be eliminated if Trump gets his way, under the argument that the private sector should perform that function. Yet Energy Star has been so successful because, as a government program, it is viewed by the public as impartial. Letting industry vouch for itself would undercut public confidence in the ratings.

These are all relatively small-dollar programs that have significant impacts on the nations environmental health, and with the exception of the diesel-emissions grants, they are not directly connected with climate change. But the cuts are part of a broader strategy to undermine the agency and its crucial mission to protect the environment  one which will also make fighting climate change much harder for the rest of the world as well. Trump and Pruitt both cling to the absurd idea that human activity (burning fossil fuel for energy) is not a primary driver of global warming, and so also have their sights sets on dismantling government efforts to control emissions from power plants, and rolling back demands for higher fuel efficiency  and thus lower emissions  from motor vehicles.

This is foolishness. Federal emissions regulations have, over the last quarter-century, saved hundreds of thousands of lives and improved the health of millions more. According to one EPA analysis, all 41 regions reporting unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide in 1991 now meet the health-based national air quality standard. Smog that used to smother Los Angeles has been sharply reduced. More broadly, cutting air pollution has also reduced damage to plants and soil nutrients, reduced toxins in the food chain, rolled back damage to lakes and streams (think acid rain), and other direct benefits.

There is no defensible reason to reduce or undercut these federal protections. And those who demand environmental protections need to pressure Congress to make certain that Trump and Pruitts smoggier, smellier and more toxic vision of Americas future doesnt get approved.

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The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Monday released its analysis of the House GOPs plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The result is about as damning as it gets. According to the CBO, 24 million people will lose health insurance over the next decade under the Republican bill, including 14 million in the next year alone.

I served on President Obamas healthcare reform team and worked on the Hill to get the legislation passed. It was apparent to me then that many of the Republicans criticisms of the ACA were wrong, and yet they now apply to the House GOP bill that Speaker Paul Ryan introduced last week.

Since the ACA was passed by the Senate in 2009, the GOP has been attacking it for delivering unaffordable healthcare. Costs were too high, they said. But according to analysis by my colleague Topher Spiro and other healthcare experts, the GOP bill would raise annual healthcare costs for the average enrollee by $1,542, and those costs would continue to increase each year. Older individuals would be hit even harder, with those between the ages of 55 and 64 paying $5,269 more per year on average.

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Further analysis by the Los Angeles Times paints an especially dark picture for supporters of President Trump. Of the 70 counties that would suffer the biggest losses under the plan, 68 supported Trump. In fact, 14 of the 15 states most affected by this bill voted for Trump, with states such as North Carolina, Alaska, Oklahoma and Nebraska bearing the heaviest burden.

The GOP campaigned on high ACA costs but then created a bill that raises, not decreases, those costs for families.

The GOP campaigned on high ACA costs but then created a bill that raises, not decreases, those costs for families. As millions of Trump supporters lose the healthcare coverage they need, wealthy Americans such as Trump can expect a windfall. People making more than $1 million a year would see their taxes cut by $144 billion over the next decade, and wealthy health insurance CEOs would see their incomes skyrocket.

Eight years ago, the GOP decried the creation of a partisan Democratic bill. But today, only Republicans support the Ryan plan. Doctors, nurses, hospitals and most insurers oppose this bill. No Democrats were even consulted on the legislation.

Eight years ago, Republicans accused Democrats of ramming through the ACA, even though we spent more than a year holding hundreds of meetings, roundtable discussions and public hearings with experts, lawmakers and stakeholders throughout the healthcare industry. Obama gave a nearly hourlong speech to Congress, laying out his vision and inviting further discussion from both sides of the aisle. Senate Democrats accepted more than 160 Republican amendments to the healthcare bill. And House Democrats held multiple public hearings before and after introducing their legislation in June 2009, allowing relevant committees time to discuss the bill and make amendments long before holding the final House vote four months later.

Now House Republicans want to bypass that crucial process in order to rush their bill through in the next week or so  no hearings with experts, no bipartisan summits, no testimony from the Health and Human Services secretary.

Trump and Republican leaders have tried to assure their anxious rank-and-file members that they will be able to move on to other issues if they simply deal with healthcare quickly. But as someone who was intimately involved in the crafting, passage and defense of the ACA, I know Republicans are fooling themselves.

For starters, Ryan is asking his members to vote for a bill that is not likely to get enough support to pass the Senate. And even if it does, repealing and replacing the ACA isnt the end of the process  its the beginning of a long and ugly drama that will engulf their party for years to come.

As the infighting spills into public view, the media will feast on every twist and turn. Republicans will no longer be able to shift the blame. No Barack Obama in the White House, no lack of control in the Senate or House.

And when disaster inevitably strikes and people start losing coverage, do congressional Republicans think Trump will defend them? Or will there be a 3 a.m. tweetstorm with their names on it?

As we approach the seventh anniversary of the ACAs passage, the GOPs replacement plan is shaping up to be a policy and political disaster. It breaks Trumps promises to keep everyone covered and to not cut Medicaid; it pits House and Senate Republicans against each other; and it sends premiums up for voters in both parties, especially Trumps supporters.

The comedian Michelle Wolf recently joked on Twitter, In the time it took [Republicans] to come up with a replacement plan for Obamacare, [they] could have become a doctor. It certainly wouldve been a better investment for them, their voters and the entire country.

Neera Tanden is the president and CEO of the Center for American Progress. She served as a healthcare policy advisor at the Department of Health and Human Services during the Obama administration.

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook

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With a little more encouragement  or, more accurately, an intensifying headwind of angry voters  Senate Republicans might actually do the right thing and squelch an effort to undo crucial Obama administration regulations to control methane emissions from oil and gas wells drilled on federal lands.

The Obama administration adopted rules that would require drillers to take steps to capture 41 billion cubic feet of methane that escapes each year from 100,000 wells on federal land. Beyond the loss of usable gas, taxpayers also lose about $23 million in missed royalties because the gas isnt brought to market. And the damage to the environment is considerable: Methane released into the atmosphere is one of the most potent accelerators of global warming.

The oil and gas industry complains that capturing the escaping methane would be too expensive, but the federal Bureau of Land Management argues this: Many oil and gas operators are voluntarily taking steps proposed in the rule to reduce wasted gas and improve operations. The BLM estimates that the annual cost to industry of implementing the rule will be $125 [million]-$161 million. Individual, small business operators may see profit margins reduced by roughly one-tenth of one percent, on average. About 40 percent of natural gas now vented or flared from onshore Federal leases could be economically captured with currently available technologies, according to the 2010 GAO report.

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And if consumers have to pay a little more to properly reflect the cost of delivering oil and natural gas, so be it.

The Times Editorial Board weighed in on the issue a few weeks back and urged the Senate to apply the brakes to this. The regulations were adopted in the final stretch of the Obama administration, close enough to the end of his term that Congress can block them through the Congressional Review Act, which until Trumps arrival was a relatively little-used mechanism to undercut regulations.

The House already has voted to roll back the regulations, and the Senate remains the only place in which the bill might be beat (the anti-regulation Trump is expected to sign it). This is what the board had to say when it urged the regulations be allowed to remain in place:

The Senate should refuse to join the House in passing this irresponsible bill. The methane regulations, which are to be phased in, are good, sensible policy. The federal Bureau of Land Management estimated that between 2009 and 2015, the oil and gas industry wasted, through emissions or flaring, 462 billion cubic feet of methane  enough to supply natural gas for 6.2 million households for a year  from wells in public and tribal lands. Not only was the gas lost, the unburned methane went directly into the atmosphere. And taxpayers missed out on $23 million a year in royalties that would have been due had the methane been captured and sold.

Fortunately, the EPA rules governing non-federal land wells are less likely to be rescinded. The rules were adopted long enough ago that they are no longer subject to the Congressional Review Act, which means that to roll them back, the Trump administration would have to go through a lengthy regulatory review process. Unfortunately, those rules only cover future wells, not existing ones. (The federal land rules cover both.) Instead of attacking the federal land rules, Congress should extend the same regulations to the existing wells on non-federal land. But dont hold your breath.

There is growing skittishness among Republican senators facing criticism by a cross-section of constituents ... fearing the effects of unfettered emissions.

According to the story by Times staff writer Evan Halper, theres no talk of expanding the regulations, as the board hoped, but there is growing skittishness among Republican senators facing criticism by a cross-section of constituents, including ranchers, fearing the effects of unfettered emissions. And the voices are getting heard. Per Halper:

Supervisors in  La Plata County, Colo., passed a resolution calling on Congress to abandon the rollback. More than 80% of the people in Western states including Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming support the Obama-era mandate, according to a Colorado College poll taken in December.

The political tension has left many Republican senators wavering, as they struggle with the potential fallout of going after a signature Obama administration climate change policy that  like many others  has a constituency that extends far beyond climate hawks.

As the senators waver, that constituent headwind becomes all the more forceful and important.

Scott.Martelle@LATimes.com

Follow my posts and re-tweets at @smartelle on Twitter
TV ads target lawmakers on the fence over Gov. Jerry Browns plan to raise gas taxes to repair roads By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown talks to Steve Glazer in 2011, when Glazer was still an advisor to the governor and before he was elected to the Senate. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) With supporters of a road repair bill still counting votes, a coalition of business and labor leaders on Friday began running television and radio ads that target eight legislators who have not yet committed to vote for the measure. The Fix Our Roads Coalition is spending $1 million on a statewide, week-long ad blitz that urges legislators to vote next week for Senate Bill 1. The bill would raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to generate $52 billion the first 10 years to repair crumbling roads, highways and bridges, and expand mass transit. We are closer than ever to finally passing a transportation funding package to fix our long-neglected and crumbling roads, said Michael Quigley, executive director of the California Alliance for Jobs, which is co-funding the commercials. These new ads are part of an all-out grassroots, earned media, advertising and social media campaign to support passage of this bill by next week. In addition to ads that call on legislators to support the bill, eight advertisements call on legislators by name to support the plan. Those targeted include Sens. Steve Glazer (D-Concord) and Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres), and moderate Democratic Assembly members Adam Gray of Merced, Rudy Salas of Bakersfield, Sabrina Cervantes of Corona, Sharon Quirk-Silva of Buena Park and Al Muratsuchi of Torrance, as well as Republican Catharine Baker of San Ramon. The bill needs a two-thirds vote in both houses, which would require all of the Democrats to support the measure. Cannella and Baker are being wooed by Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders to step in if one of the Democrats gets cold feet. Representatives of Cannella and Glazer said earlier this week that they were still weighing the issue. Brown and legislative leaders have called for the Legislature to act by Thursday, after which time the lawmakers head out on spring break. Facebook

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Former Assembly Speaker John A. Perezs views on the L.A. congressional race he dropped out of By Christine Mai-Duc (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Before he suddenly dropped out of the running citing health reasons, former Assembly Speaker John A. Perez was widely considered the favorite to replace Xavier Becerra in the 34th Congressional District. With Perez out, the race is wide open and isnt likely to be decided Tuesday, when 24 candidates compete in the primary. Instead, the top two vote-getters regardless of party are expected to advance to a June 6 election. (If any one candidate receives more than 50% of the vote Tuesday, its all over). Perez offered his thoughts on the race in an interview published Friday by Politico. Some of his major points: Perez said he thinks state Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez is significantly ahead of the pack and will make the runoff.

A cluster of candidates, including Alejandra Campoverdi, Wendy Carrillo, Arturo Carmona, Maria Cabildo and Robert Lee Ahn, are in a close enough race that any one of them could advance.

If Carrillo were to move forward, Perez says, the narrative in the runoff would be about which candidate is more progressive and whos an insider versus an outsider.

Perez says if he were the front runner, Campoverdi is the one Id be most concerned about running against due to her connections in Washington and her national profile, which could create a new level of viability. Facebook

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To fight against human trafficking, this state senator wants to train motel employees to spot signs of abuse By Jazmine Ulloa Former Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times) State Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) wants to increase services for human trafficking survivors and make it easier in court to put away their abusers. Flanked by prosecutors and hotel industry officials at a news conference Friday in San Diego, the former Assembly speaker announced new housing and mental health assistance for victims and introduced legislation that would require hotels and motels to train their employees to spot signs of human trafficking. Another of her proposals would expand the character evidence that prosecutors can bring forth at trial against defendants charged with selling victims for sex or labor. The bills are meant to attack a multibillion-dollar trade that has a wide sweep in California, home to three cities on the FBIs list of 13 top human trafficking destinations: San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. National human trafficking hotline calls across California generated 1,323 cases in 2016  nearly twice as many as any other state. Atkins is among lawmakers pushing the issue at the Capitol, where legislation has focused on targeting traffickers, protecting victims and addressing what advocates say is a law enforcement culture in which child survivors sometimes are treated like criminals. But funding for victims services and programs has been an obstacle. A bill by Atkins to develop pilot projects in three counties to address the commercial sexual exploitation of youth sailed through the Legislature without opposition last year only to be vetoed by the governor. Her second bill for a statewide task force died in the Senate appropriations committee. Atkins latest proposal to provide training for motel employees follows a similar bill by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). It failed in the last legislative session amid opposition over costs to businesses. That hasnt stopped Atkins from trying again. Hotels are ground zero for sex trafficking in this state, she said in a statement. Sex traffickers are exploiting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children. These victims are often hiding in plain sight, and traffickers take advantage of the fact that many hotel employees dont recognize the signs. Facebook

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State Controller Betty Yee says Californias tax collection agency has been mismanaged and needs a complete overhaul By Patrick McGreevy Citing a review that found widespread mismanagement at the state Board of Equalization, State Controller Betty T. Yee on Friday called for stripping the panel of responsibilities for tax administration and audit and compliance functions so it can focus on handling taxpayer appeals. Yees proposal came in response to an evaluation by the state Department of Finance that found board officials were improperly redirecting resources and employees to pet projects in their districts. In order to rebuild taxpayer trust, meaningful reform is essential, said Yee, who serves as an ex-officio member of the board. I urge the Legislature and the governor to strip the board members of all statutory functions and permanently move these duties and assigned staff to a separate new department under the governor. The Department of Finance review found the board had difficulty providing complete and accurate documentation in response to inquiries, and various levels of management were not aware of and could not speak to certain actions, including the informal establishment of a call center, creating an unofficial office location and inconsistent use of community liaisons. The evaluation said personnel records showed workers assigned to administrative jobs that they were not doing, having been transferred to help board members in their districts. Even though each elected board member has a $1.5-million budget to cover office costs, some members borrowed workers from the head office, taking them from jobs that involved bringing in tax money and having them instead reach out to board members constituents, the review found. The redirection of workers violated state budget rules. In addition, the reviewers said the board provided 11 different versions of its proposed sales and use tax allocation adjustment and the Department of Finance found errors and omissions throughout. Facebook

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Sen. Kamala Harris has opened a gubernatorial fundraising account  but she has no plans to run for governor, aide says By Seema Mehta (Patrick T. Fallon / For The Times) Sen. Kamala Harris opened a campaign fundraising account to run for governor in 2026, but that does not mean Californias newest U.S. senator has any plans to seek the office. Harris plans to use the account to store the $1 million in leftover funds from her successful 2014 reelection campaign for attorney general, said Sean Clegg, Harris political spokesman. Harris left her post as state attorney general mid-term when she was elected in November to the Senate seat opening created by the retirement of Barbara Boxer. She faced a March 31 deadline to shutter the attorney general account, and under election law cannot mingle money raised for state campaigns with funds raised to run for federal office. Its purely political bookkeeping, Clegg said. The 2026 date could raise eyebrows because after the 2018 gubernatorial election, that will likely be the next time the governors office is open because its occupant is termed out. But Clegg said Harris did not open an account for a lower office like lieutenant governor  as politicians in similar situations typically do  because, he said, we werent interested in being cute about it. So we designated the only potential future office one could conceivably contemplate, although were not contemplating it, he said. Were focused on the job were doing. Facebook

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This California lawmaker wants to crack down on toys and electronics that pick up conversations and personal information By Jazmine Ulloa State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), left (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press ) A California state senator wants to prevent companies from selling products that can listen in on conversations and collect personal information from unknowing consumers. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has filed legislation that would require manufacturers to equip their Internet-connected devices, including toys, clocks, kitchenware and electronics, with certain security and privacy features. Dubbed the Teddy Bear and Toaster Act, Senate Bill 327 takes aim at the so-called Internet of Things, the inter-networking of everyday devices that some tech and privacy experts say amounts to a growing industry with little oversight. The more we know and the more we learn about the Internet connection of all sorts of devices, many are realizing that we dont know the extent to which these devices are invading our lives, Jackson said. Under her proposal, companies would have to design their products so that they alert consumers  through visual, auditory or other cues  when they are gathering data. They would have to obtain user consent when they intend to transfer the information. And they would have to disclose at point of sale whether the devices are capable of sweeping up sensitive data, so that customers can take that into account while shopping. Most states, including California, have privacy breach laws to protect personal information. The proposal, which would extend those provisions to consumer devices, could be the first of its kind nationwide. But it is expected to garner wide opposition from retailers and manufacturers. A My Friend Cayla doll (AFP/Getty Images) Still, supporters point to growing privacy concerns. Some toys, like the My Friend Cayla doll banned in Germany, prompt children to give personal information, such as their parents names and their addresses, and their manufacturers reserve the right to target young buyers in direct marketing campaigns. Other smart devices lack the most basic security features that make them vulnerable to a hack or coordinated cyberattack. In a statement, James P. Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Kids Action, which is sponsoring the bill, said such toys and electronics can put consumers at risk. These products get rushed out to the market without the privacy issues being addressed in advance, and then consumers end up paying the price, he said. Facebook

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President Jerry Brown? Dont rule it out, governor quips By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown and state legislative leaders appealed Thursday for support for a proposed gas tax and vehicle fee increase to fix the states roads and bridges. (Patrick McGreevy / Los Angeles Times) In arguing for approval of a new transportation package on Thursday, Gov. Jerry Brown appeared to enjoy himself in refusing to shoot down a supporters suggestion that he run for president  even as he noted his 79th birthday is next week. Standing next to other elected officials and construction workers at the rally in in Concord, Brown argued that gas tax and vehicle fee increases are needed to address a backlog of much-needed repairs to Californias crumbling system of roads, highways and bridges. Im telling you the truth because why would I lie to you? Brown said. I dont think Im running for office. All Ive got left is lieutenant governor, treasurer and controller. Or president, someone in the crowd shouted. Brown responded that he would be 82 when the next presidential election comes around. But you know, dont rule it out, he quipped, drawing laughter and applause. Lest the comment turn into a national story, an aide later clarified the governors intentions: He was joking. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown is making appeals to legislators for votes on his new transportation plan  one district at a time By Patrick McGreevy Gov. Jerry Brown stumps for the new transportation funding plan on Thursday in the Bay Area city of Concord. (Patrick McGreevy / Los Angeles Times) Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders on Thursday took their campaign for higher transportation taxes and fees to the Bay Area district of state Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Concord), one of the holdouts in the state Senate who has not yet committed to vote for the package. Surrounded by dozens of construction workers, Brown warned that if the transportation bill unveiled on Wednesday isnt approved this year, it may not happen in the foreseeable future. There is nothing more fundamental in the business of government than making sure the roads and bridges dont fall apart, and they are falling apart, Brown said. Glazer recently withheld his vote from a bill proposing a similar plan for repairing state bridges, roads and highways, and on Wednesday, a spokesman said he had still not committed to any plan but wanted to review the detailed proposal before taking a position. Construction workers at the rally held signs that pictured crumbling roads and said, Senator Glazer Fix This Now. Vote for SB 1. Brown said Glazer, his former senior advisor, does not disagree with the intent of the bill. He loves this plan, but he has another idea on his mind and he wants to marry the two and see if he can get some outcomes that I dont want to get into at this particular place, Brown told reporters. Sen. Jim Beall, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said Glazer wants the transportation funding bill to include a clause barring employees of Bay Area Rapid Transit from going on strike. Beall said that is a labor-relations issue that cannot be included in the bill raising taxes. You cant do that, Beall said. A spokesman for Glazer said the senator is still undecided on the bill. The senator is continuing to have conversations with the principals, said Steve Harmon, a spokesman for Glazer. He declined to comment on Bealls statement. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said there may be similar rallies in Los Angeles and Riverside in the coming days. Two other Democrats who have not yet committed to the plan are Riverside Sen. Richard Roth and Woodland Hills Sen. Henry Stern. Brown acknowledged that there is work to do to secure the two-thirds vote needed in both houses of the Legislature to raise the base excise tax on gasoline by 12 cents per gallon, to a total of 30 cents per gallon, and to create a new annual vehicle fee that would average $51 based on the value of the car or truck. Rendon said approval of the transportation bill would cost the average California motorist an extra $10 per month, which he said is a deal compared to the current cost of $720 in annual vehicle repair costs required because of running over potholes and other rough road conditions. Hoping to force a Senate vote on the package early next week, Brown was accompanied to the Concord news conference by Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). They urged lawmakers to support the bill, which would generate $5.2 billion annually for the first 10 years for road and bridge repairs, mass transit improvements and other projects to reduce congestion. Glazer, known as a maverick in the Legislature, was Browns campaign manager during the 2010 gubernatorial election and remained a senior advisor to the governor before running for the state Senate in a special election in 2015. ---- 1:23 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from a representative for state Sen. Steve Glazer. This article was originally published at 12:42 p.m. Facebook

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Who will be Californias next governor? New poll shows Newsom leads with 1 in 3 voters undecided By Seema Mehta (Nick Ut / Associated Press) In the race to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown, the largest number of voters in a new statewide poll does not favor a candidate in the race. About 1 in 3 voters said they were undecided, according to the survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. Among candidates who have entered the race, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom holds a strong lead with 28% of the vote, followed by Republican businessman John Cox with 18%, according to the poll, which was released Wednesday. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa clocks in at 11%, state Treasurer John Chiang at 8% and former state schools chief Delaine Eastin at 3%. Because the race is far away and public campaigning has not yet started in earnest, the poll could primarily be an indicator of name recognition. The field of candidates is also likely to grow. Newsom has several natural advantages: He was the first person to enter the race in 2015 and has a large fundraising edge. He has perhaps been the candidate most in the spotlight among the Democrats running, notably for his support of the marijuana legalization measure on the November ballot. Cox may have benefited from being the lone Republican in that version of the poll. Pollsters conducted a second version of the poll with five additional potential candidates, none of whom have announced a run for governor in 2018  San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, California Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and former state Controller Steve Westly. Newsom still led the pack to come in at 24%. The two Republicans, Faulconer and Cox, tied at 11% each. Faulconer has said he does not plan to run for governor. Garcetti, Villaraigosa, Chiang, Steyer, De Leon, Westly and Eastin all placed in the single digits. Steyer and Westly have the personal wealth to self-fund a campaign, giving them time to decide whether to enter the race. Westly unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2006, losing in the Democratic primary to state Treasurer Phil Angelides. In the 2018 contest, the two candidates who receive the most votes in the June primary will move onto the November general election. The poll of 1,000 registered voters in California was conducted online in English and Spanish between March 13 and 20, and has a margin of error in either direction of 3.6%. Facebook

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California legislators team up to expand John Muir National Historic Site By Sarah D. Wire Californias senators and Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) filed legislation Thursday to add 44 acres to the John Muir National Historic Site. The John Muir Heritage Land Trust has offered to donate the additional land to the National Park Service, which operates the site, and the bill would authorize the agency to accept the parcel. The time John Muir spent with his daughters at their scenic home and its neighboring property played a major role in launching the national parks movement. Expanding the existing park to preserve more of this history and beauty is a fitting tribute to Muirs legacy of protecting land for all to enjoy, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement. Located about 30 miles east of San Francisco, the John Muir National Historic Site consists of Muirs Alhambra Valley home and 325 acres outside of Martinez. DeSaulnier said in a statement that expanding the property is a fitting celebration of his legacy, and will offer nature-goers greater access to enjoy the beauty of the East Bay. DeSaulnier sponsored the same bill last year, which passed the House unanimously but was not considered by the Senate. Feinstein and former Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) carried the Senate version, which died after a committee hearing. Such bills often take a few attempts to pass, even without major opposition. Muirs writings helped inspire the creation of the National Park Service, starting with his lobbying of Congress to protect the Yosemite Valley from dams. He also was a founding member of the Sierra Club. Californians owe him a debt of gratitude, Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said in a statement. Facebook

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Californias attorney general could investigate local police shootings under new legislation By Liam Dillon Attorney John Burris, center, comforts Robert and Deborah Mann, family members of Joseph Mann, who was killed by Sacramento Police in July, after a news conference on Oct. 3, 2016. (Rich Pedroncelli / AP) Californias attorney general could investigate local police shootings under a new bill authored by a Sacramento lawmaker. Democratic Assemblyman Kevin McCartys Assembly Bill 284 would allow local police departments or district attorneys to ask Atty. Gen. Xavier Becceras office to independently investigate police shootings of civilians. The legislation was prompted by high-profile police killings of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., Eric Garner in New York City and last summers police shooting of Joseph Mann, a mentally ill homeless man, in Sacramento, according to McCartys office. In all three cases, local prosecutors declined to charge the officers. There is a growing skepticism and a perceived conflict of interest, of the current process of local district attorneys investigating local police, said a fact sheet on the bill provided by McCartys office. Given that they work so closely, it is a valid question of whether this is the most transparent process for the public. There is a growing appetite, both at the national and local level, to create a better and more transparent system for [police shootings] that is fair to police, families, and the community in order to restore public trust. McCartys bill would make state investigations voluntary in these cases and would be implemented only if lawmakers also give Becceras office money to pay for the effort. In 2015, McCarty tried to pass legislation that would have made state investigations of local police shootings mandatory, but that bill failed to make it out of legislative committees. This year, lawmakers have generally scaled back prior efforts to change the states rules governing police discipline and transparency. Facebook

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Former offenders will help award millions in Proposition 47 grants to rehabilitate inmates By Jazmine Ulloa We have listened to law enforcement talk about how horrible Prop. 47 is, said Vonya Quarles, an advocate for the formerly incarcerated. Now we have a chance to help the people who are hurting. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)) California officials will begin the process this spring of awarding $103 million in grants to programs for inmates centered on rehabilitation, substance abuse and reentry into society. The efforts will be funded with dollars saved from prison spending under Proposition 47, the sweeping 2014 ballot measure that downgraded six drug and theft crimes to misdemeanors and allowed defendants to renegotiate their punishments. For the large coalition of criminal justice advocates that poured millions into getting the proposition passed and that has closely tracked its implementation, this is a long-awaited step. Other states have passed similar laws, but California is the only state to invest those savings into services meant to help people stay out of prison. On the executive committee helping award the grants are formerly incarcerated people who know the system from the inside. Read More Facebook

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What would single-payer healthcare look like in California? Lawmakers release new details By Melanie Mason Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A proposal in California for a single-payer healthcare system would dramatically expand the state governments presence in medical care and slash the role of insurance companies. New amendments released Thursday fill in some key details on the universal healthcare measure proposed by state Sens. Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) and Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), although the biggest political question  how it would be paid for  remains unanswered. Under the proposal, which was announced in February, the state would cover all medical expenses for every resident regardless of their income or immigration status, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency services, dental, vision, mental health and nursing home care. Insurers would be prohibited from offering benefits that cover the same services as the state. The program would eliminate co-pays and deductibles, and patients would not need to get referrals to see eligible providers. The system would be administered by an unpaid nine-person board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. A universal healthcare system run by the government has long been a dream of liberals, with many rallying behind insurgent Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders proposal for Medicare for all in the 2016 race. After a GOP effort to replace Obamacare stalled last week, Sanders said he intends to introduce a nationwide single-payer bill in the U.S. Senate. Proponents in California, who are no longer playing defense to preserve the Affordable Care Act, also touted a broader healthcare plan. With Republicans failure to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Californians really get what is at stake with their healthcare, Lara said in a statement. We have the chance to make universal healthcare a reality now. Its time to talk about how we get to healthcare for all that covers more and costs less. The cost  sure to be the biggest hurdle for the measure  so far remains unknown. The authors say they intend to pay for the program through broad-based revenue, but details of a funding proposal have not been hashed out. Gov. Jerry Brown sounded wary of a sprawling single-payer plan while speaking to reporters last week on his trip to Washington D.C. Where do you get the extra money? This is the whole question, Brown said. The bill is sponsored by the California Nurses Assn., which already has been rallying its members in support of the bill, SB 562. There has been a seismic shift in our political system through grassroots activism; we have an inspired, motivated base that will make its voice heard, RoseAnn DeMoro, the labor groups president, said in a statement. Facebook

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California backs San Francisco court challenge of Trump administration threat to withhold funds from sanctuary cities By Patrick McGreevy Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Wednesday he has filed an amicus brief supporting San Franciscos court challenge to President Trumps order targeting so-called sanctuary cities and counties that refuse to enforce federal immigration laws. The move marks a half-dozen times the state has filed briefs supporting legal challenges to various Trump orders. Last week, Becerra filed papers supporting a lawsuit by Santa Clara County. That case and San Franciscos challenge the legality of the Trump administrations threats to withhold federal funds from states and local jurisdictions that the administration deems to be sanctuary jurisdictions. Becerras brief cites Californias interest in protecting state laws and policies that ensure public safety and protect the constitutional rights of its residents. Threatening to take away resources from sheriffs and police officers in order to promote misguided views on federal immigration policy is reckless and puts public safety at risk, Becerra said in a statement. It is the right and responsibility of California and each state under the Constitution to determine how it will provide for the safety and general welfare of its residents and to safeguard their constitutional rights. Facebook

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti asks the federal government to define a sanctuary city By Sarah D. Wire View Instagram post Amid a new call from the Trump administration to cut off federal funds to so-called sanctuary cities, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck had a question for the head of Homeland Security on Wednesday: What exactly is a sanctuary city? Garcetti and Beck joined a bipartisan handful of mayors and law enforcement leaders from across the country in Washington to air their concerns about President Trumps recent executive orders on immigration to Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly. Los Angeles is among the jurisdictions  often called sanctuary cities  that dont assist with federal immigration enforcement. State and local leaders in California have said they will continue to protect people in the country illegally despite the Trump administrations threats. After the closed-door meeting, mayors and police chiefs said their main request for Kelly was for a firm definition of what the federal government considers a sanctuary city. We think that as long as were complying with federal law then we shouldnt be labeled with whatever label intimates that were not, Beck said. Were looking for clarification; we are looking to be involved in the conversation so that decisions arent made that affect us without our input. Homeland Security spokesman Dave Lapan said the department is working on a definition but does not have a timeline for when it would be finalized. Although there is no legal definition of the term, the administration has seemed to define sanctuary jurisdictions as ones that dont comply when Immigration and Customs Enforcement asks them to detain prisoners after they have served their sentences so they can be picked up for deportation. Multiple federal courts have said the detainer orders differ from an official warrant and are not legal justification for holding someone who has served his or her sentence or is no longer under arrest. Los Angeles is one of several cities in California that does not hold people for immigration officials without a warrant, and Garcetti said that is going to continue. We see it as abiding by the Constitution, because there is case law that says we cant hold people for longer than permitted, Garcetti said after the meeting. Lapan said the Department of Homeland Security is working on ways to address concerns about the legality of holding someone for immigration officials, as well as the concerns of mayors of cities that have laws instructing law enforcement officers not to comply with immigration officials. Part of having this discussion is to find out, How can we get around this? Lapan said. If we are dealing with a criminal alien, somebody who is both in the country unlawfully and has committed crimes, the best place for us to take them into custody is in a jail or prison. Thats the safest for everyone, both our officers and the communities. Garcetti also disputes the administrations assertion that it can withhold federal funds from cities that dont comply with ICE orders. Garcetti pointed to a 2012 Supreme Court decision that said the government couldnt withhold Medicaid funds if states chose not to expand access to the program under the Affordable Care Act. I think we all feel on very strong constitutional and legal footing that it was decided in the Obama administration you cant put a legal gun to the head, a financial gun to the head of jurisdictions, whether its states or localities, and take their money if you dont agree with what they are doing in a different area, he said. Garcetti invited Kelly to visit Los Angeles. We need to make sure that we also are showing the perspectives of everyday people in cities like Los Angeles, he said. Garcetti also attended California congressional Democrats weekly lunch and met privately with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) before appearing on an immigration panel hosted by House Democrats. Facebook

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Anti-discrimination measure or blow to religious freedom? California bill sparks debate on employer codes of conduct By Melanie Mason Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) A measure that would bar employers from firing workers for having an abortion or giving birth to a child out of wedlock is getting pushback from religious groups who say such a bill would prevent them from requiring employees to act in accordance with their faith. Under the bill by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), employers would not be able to discipline or fire workers for any reproductive health decision, such as pregnancy, in-vitro fertilization or abortion. What this bill does is make sure that people can make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and for their families without the fear that theyll risk their livelihoods in doing so, Rebecca Griffin of NARAL Pro-Choice California, a sponsor of the measure, said at a Wednesday afternoon hearing at the Capitol. A teacher at a Christian college in San Diego was fired in 2012 for becoming pregnant while unmarried. The school said her pregnancy violated its employee code of conduct, which prohibited premarital sex. In 2015, San Francisco Archibishop Salvatore Cordileone sparked a backlash when he proposed a new morality clause in the faculty handbook and contract for local Catholic schools that opposed same-sex marriage and certain reproductive medical procedures. With employees being fired for code of conduct violations in other states, proponents said California should set an example for the country, Right now, while were facing a federal government that is attacking reproductive freedom at every turn and condoning the type of discrimination that this bill prohibits, we feel like this is the time for California to take a stand for our values and make sure that our workers have the best protections possible, Griffin said. But the proposal faces opposition from religious groups, who argue such codes of conduct are integral to the relationship with their workers. The bill would specifically deny religious employers our 1st Amendment protections to infuse our codes of conduct with the tenets of our faith, said Sandra Palacios of the California Catholic Conference. The reaction from religious groups was not uniformly negative. The Rev. Rick Schlosser, executive director of the California Council of Churches, which represents mainline Protestant and Orthodox denominations, pointed to the diverse positions on reproductive issues among his groups members to explain his support for the bill. Any legislation that limits peoples ability to make their own moral decisions is harmful to religious freedom, said Schlosser. But other religious groups said the measure threatened to undermine the very purpose of requiring their employees to abide by a code of conduct. An organization specifically chartered to support or oppose a specific set of beliefs or actions cannot fulfill its mission without requiring adherence to a code of conduct, wrote Jonathan Keller, president of the conservative California Family Council, in an opposition letter. Assemblyman Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) asked why such codes of conduct should govern a personal decision an employee makes out of the workplace. Our community covenant does say that our employees are required to uphold our biblical values, and that certainly is a round-the-clock priority for us, responded Phillip Escamilla, the public policy chair of William Jessup University, a Sacramento-area evangelical Christian college Gonzalez Fletcher, herself a practicing Catholic, said she was not trying to unfairly target religious institutions. But, she said, she was trying to combat an inherent sexism that comes with enforcing such codes of conduct. A female employees reproductive decisions  such as entering an abortion clinic or being pregnant out of wedlock  can be seen by her employer, Gonzalez Fletcher said. A males decisions to whether or not theyre going to abide by a conduct never rise to that level, she said. So that inherent difference in how women and men are treated with these types of decisions just show how little privacy women are able to maintain. The bill, AB 569, cleared the Assembly Labor and Employment Committee, its first legislative threshold, on a 4-2 vote. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown, legislative leaders propose raising $5.2 billion annually to repair Californias roads and bridges By Patrick McGreevy (Joe Raedle / Getty Images) Acknowledging that the states transportation system has been neglected, Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leaders on Wednesday announced a proposal to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees to generate more than $5 billion annually for repairing Californias crumbling system of streets, highways and bridges, as well as to increase mass transit. It remains uncertain whether Brown will be able to muster the two-thirds vote in both houses of the Legislature needed to approve the new revenue sources, which include a 12-cent-per-gallon increase in the existing 18-cent base excise tax on gasoline. The package also includes a new, annual vehicle fee that would average about $48 based on the value of the car. The package was announced at a news conference on the Capitol steps attended by Brown, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) and Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). California has not approved an increase in the base excise tax on gas for 23 years, according to Brian Kelly, secretary of the California State Transportation Agency. As a result, the state faces a $130-billion backlog of repairs to state highways and bridges and local streets. There is sizable money here to make things better, Kelly said. People are going to get improved neighborhood streets. They are going to get improved highways and bridges, more faith that they are traveling on safe structures. And we are going to invest to improve the congestion into our trade corridors and congestion on their commute. Assembly and Senate Republicans released a joint statement opposing the plan. Californians already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the nation, the statement said. The transportation proposal announced by the Capitol Democrats is a costly and burdensome plan that forces ordinary Californians to bail out Sacramento for years of neglecting our roads. Brown has set a deadline of April 6, the day before the Legislature leaves on its spring break, to have the new package voted on by lawmakers. Because Republicans have generally opposed the tax increases, the package may need the vote of every Democrat to get the two-thirds majority for passage. Three Democratic senators had been holding off their support before the new plan was released. Read More Facebook

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Election officials say mistake on Korean language ballots substantially smaller than previously thought By Christine Mai-Duc (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles County election officials say a mistake made on Korean-language sample ballots in the upcoming 34th Congressional District race likely affected fewer than 780 voters. The error, which listed the races 23 candidates in the wrong order on some Korean-language sample ballots, was discovered last week after Korean American voters pointed out their mail-in ballot materials looked different than English-language sample ballots sent to the same home or apartment building. Initially, election officials said they didnt know how widespread the problem was. As a precaution, they sent bilingual notices and corrected sample ballots to all 8,251 voters in the district who received Korean-language sample ballots. None of the sample ballots enclosed with actual mail-in ballots were affected, officials say. In a letter to election officials and L.A. County supervisors Tuesday, the Korean American Coalition called it a violation of federally protected voting rights. The letter asked officials to host a 24-hour hotline for Korean-speaking voters until election day, provide more information on the scope of the error and extend the mail-in voting deadline for those who had received the misprinted ballots. In a response sent Wednesday morning, County Registrar Dean Logan said the error was limited to a small number of sample ballots in a single print run of 777 sample ballots. Based on the agencys review, Logan wrote, it appears that substantially fewer than the 777 voters were affected. The registrars office says it is extending the hours of operation for its voter hotline and staffing it with Korean-speaking operators. Voters concerned that they may have been affected can call 1-800-815-2666 and select option 3 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. this weekend. Voters will also see additional signage at polls addressing the issue and Korean-speaking poll workers will be instructed to remind voters to check their ballots. Facebook

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Talks at Capitol focus on boosting California transportation funding by some $5.2 billion annually By Patrick McGreevy On Highway 1 in Big Sur, the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge has buckled, cutting off a community of hundreds from schools and isolating renowned businesses from customer traffic. (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times) With a deadline looming, Gov. Jerry Brown is winding up negotiations with legislators in hopes of reaching an agreement on a plan that would provide at least $5.2 billion annually for a transportation backlog that includes repairing Californias aging and crumbling system of streets, highways and bridges, officials said Tuesday. Those close to the talks said an agreement on the package could be announced as early as Wednesday afternoon. The question remains whether Brown and leaders can muster the two-thirds vote needed to approve a phased-in gas tax increase of up to 12 cents by the April 6 deadline set by the governor. Key senators remained uncommitted to any plan as of Tuesday. And a new voter-approved rule requires a bill to be in print for 72 hours before it can be passed. The bill needs approval in both houses. Assembly Democrats were briefed on the evolving plan behind closed doors on Tuesday and some officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, said talks are progressing on a plan that would provide the bulk of money to a fix-it first program of road repairs divided evenly between state projects and those of cities and counties. Money would also be dedicated to mass transit, bicycle, pedestrian and trucking routs for ports. The proposal also would include reforms proposed by lawmakers, including Republicans, that would hold officials accountable for proper use of the money, including a requirement for regular audits, creation of an inspector general position and a ballot measure requiring new money to be spent on transportation projects. Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) authored a bill that would put a measure on the ballot, saying Tuesday such guarantees are required given the urgency of the deferred maintenance backlog, and the additional burden we are asking Californias taxpayers to carry. John Myers contributed to this report. Facebook

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Watch: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director attends community meeting in Sacramento Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown calls for countermovement against Trumps colossal mistake on climate change By Evan Halper 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 countermovement, 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 change, 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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California and its allies hint at new legal battles over Clean Power Plan By Chris Megerian California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) President Trumps effort to roll back the Clean Power Plan could quickly run into legal challenges from California and its allies across the country. State Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and his counterparts from states including New York, Massachusetts and Oregon said they wont hesitate to protect those we serve  including by aggressively opposing [Trumps actions] in court. The joint statement was also issued by Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and other cities. Californias stance isnt surprising because the state joined Obama administration efforts to defend the Clean Power Plan in 2015. Further legal action could underscore the determination of local and state governments to push forward with fighting climate change even as Trump withdraws federal regulations. Read More Facebook

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Meeting climate change goals will require billions for transportation and housing improvements, reports say By Liam Dillon A major push to get Californians out of their cars and onto their feet, bikes and public transit is essential if the state wants to meet its aggressive goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030, according to new reports from the state and UC Berkeley researchers. Californians will have to drive an average of 1.6 miles less a day  and regional government agencies believe it will cost billions of dollars to make the mass transit and housing improvements needed for that to happen. UC Berkeley researchers argue in a new study that a boom in dense housing across the state will bring major greenhouse gas reductions and economic growth. Read More Facebook

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California expects to be unscathed as Trump targets Clean Power Plan By Chris Megerian A solar farm in Kern County (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Although Californias leaders may protest President Trumps announcement Tuesday that hes scrapping the Clean Power Plan, his decision is expected to have little effect on a state already marching toward renewable energy. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in the Golden State are already below what the federal government would have required by 2030, and theyre expected to drop even further. Rollback of the Clean Power Plan is pretty much irrelevant to California, said Frank Wolak, a Stanford University economist who has advised state leaders on climate regulations. The federal rules, enacted by former President Obama as part of his campaign against climate change, were intended to push states away from coal and toward cleaner energy sources. But that was already underway in California. Los Angeles, one of the last places in the state to rely on coal, was already planning to stop importing electricity from out-of-state coal plants by 2025. In addition, state law requires California to generate half of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030, and state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) has suggested pushing even further. When it comes to fighting pollution and climate change, there are some areas where California relies on the federal government. For example, they share authority on regulating vehicle emissions, and Trumps preparation to roll back federal rules has caused alarm here. However, theres less of a concern when it comes to generating electricity. Trumps moves have caused some anxiety among California companies that are developing clean energy technologies and looking for new markets to sell them. Bob Keefe, executive director of Environmental Entrepreneurs, said the Clean Power Plan would have been a huge economic catalyst. President Trump is basically telling Californias more than 40,000 clean-energy businesses and the 500,000 workers they employ that they dont matter to him, he said. Rail cars filled with coal in Wyoming (Ryan Dorgan / Associated Press) Its an open question how Trump could affect various efforts for California to integrate its electricity grid with neighboring states, an idea that has failed to gain traction so far. Advocates of the concept say regional cooperation could expand the market for renewable energy, but the lack of federal pressure to cut emissions could dampen enthusiasm in places such as Utah and Wyoming, which rely on coal. They dont have the Clean Power Plan bearing down on them, said Don Furman, who directs the Fix the Grid campaign thats seeking closer relationships among West Coast states. Ralph Cavanagh, an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said he doesnt expect changes to the Clean Power Plan to harm efforts to create a regional electricity grid, because of the falling cost of renewable energy. The rationale is stronger today than it was yesterday, he said. Facebook

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California GOP lawmakers introduce bills to boost healthcare and jobs for veterans By Liam Dillon Sen. Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) speaks at a press conference introducing a package of bills aimed at helping California veterans. (Liam Dillon / Los Angeles Times) Republican state lawmakers unveiled a package of six bills Tuesday aimed at improving job training and healthcare services for California veterans. Our veterans have served this country bravely and it is only right for us to recognize their contribution and see that when they do come home they receive the care and assistance they deserve, said state Sen. Janet Nguyen of Garden Grove, who authored three of the measures. The six bills are: Senate Bill 410 from Nguyen and Assembly Bill 353 from Assemblyman Randy Voepel of Santee, which would expand hiring preferences. for veterans.

SB 409 from Nguyen and SB 485 from state Sen. Jim Nielsen of Gerber, which would increase mental health services and oversight at state veterans homes.

SB 411 from Nguyen, which would pay some military reservists $100 a month once they turn 50 if theyve served for 10 years or more.

SB 197 from Sen. Pat Bates of Laguna Niguel, which would waive state and local sales taxes for nonprofits that donate facilities to the U.S. Department of Defense  a measure aimed at helping construction of a mental health care facility at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County. Facebook

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These Los Angeles girls went to Capitol Hill to ask the Senate to fight new immigration enforcement efforts By Sarah D. Wire Fatima, left, and Yuleni Avelica, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) and Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) during a news conference on Capitol Hill. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Fatima Avelica, 13, was training for the Los Angeles Marathon with her father before he was arrested by immigration agents last month after dropping Fatimas sister off at her Lincoln Heights school. Fatima had to pause repeatedly, pressing her fingers to her eyes, as she told the story to reporters at a news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) handed handkerchiefs to Fatima and her sister Yuleni Avelica, 12. The girls had medals from completing the marathon dangling around their necks. Democratic senators held the news conference to urge their Senate colleagues to reject President Trumps request for $3 billion to hire thousands of new immigration agents, expand detention facilities and build a wall among the southern border as part of his pledge to deport millions of people in the country illegally. The White House has characterized the moves as necessary for public safety. Californias Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris said Trumps immigration enforcement orders are too broad, sweeping up nonviolent offenders or people accused of the civil offense of being in the country illegally. She called the executive orders, which vastly broadened who can be targeted for deportation and leaves a lot of discretion to local immigration officials misguided and misinformed. Its irresponsible to paint a whole population of people as racists and murderers and bad hombres, she said, referencing one of Trumps own lines about immigrants. Its actually ignorant and we cant afford to run our country that way. The girls father, Romulo Avelica-Gonzalez, a Mexican citizen, has lived in the U.S. for 25 years. ICE officials cited two misdemeanor convictions as the reason for his arrest. His four daughters were all born in the U.S. Fatima said the family is waiting for word every day on whether he will be deported. Fatima said she now wants to become an immigration lawyer. Its like a new marathon for me, and I know I can finish it, Fatima said, tears welling up again. But, I need my coach there. I need my dad. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo blast President Trump on climate change By Chris Megerian California Gov. Jerry Brown (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Jerry Brown joined with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday to criticize President Trumps pending announcement to roll back climate regulations and insist that their states will push forward anyway. Dismantling the Clean Power Plan and other critical climate programs is profoundly misguided and shockingly ignores basic science, they said in a joint statement. With this move, the Administration will endanger public health, our environment and our economic prosperity. Brown and Cuomo represent the two largest states with the most ambitious goals for fighting global warming, and theyve already set equivalent targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Theyre also pushing to generate half of all their electricity from renewable sources by 2030. With or without Washington, we will work with our partners throughout the world to aggressively fight climate change and protect our future, Brown and Cuomo said. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (Spencer Platt / Getty Images) Facebook

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To stem rising prices, a California lawmaker is taking on how hospital chains craft their contracts By Melanie Mason Amid concern that sprawling hospital chains are leading to higher prices, a California state senator is trying to clamp down on how hospital networks craft their contracts to win market dominance. Sen. Bill Monning (D-Carmel) is offering a measure that would prohibit hospitals from certain contracting practices he sees as anti-competitive, such as requiring health plans to contract with all affiliates of the hospital or mandating that health plans agree to binding arbitration for antitrust claims. Weve lost a level of transparency thats affected affordability and access and fairness, Monning said in an interview. Multi-hospital chains are becoming prominent throughout the country, with proponents saying such mergers make care more efficient and better coordinated. But a recent USC study found that while hospital prices in California have grown overall, the costs are higher in the states largest chains. Once you control a market, you can artificially increase costs, said Monning, adding those higher prices can spill over to neighboring hospitals, too. Competitors think if they can charge this much for a hip replacement, were going to as well, Monning said. Another study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found premiums in Northern California were 30% higher than those in Southern California, in part because of the dominance of a few healthcare systems in the north. Micah Weinberg, the institutes president, said hospital consolidation was a logical issue to look at, particularly because healthcare coverage expansion under the Affordable Care Act is now under less threat from Congress following the failure of the House Republicans replacement bill. We have to double down on the real work, which is getting people access to quality healthcare and affordable costs, said Weinberg. One of the biggest barriers to that is the lack of competition among healthcare providers. Weinberg said much of the question is a matter of federal antitrust enforcement. Its really difficult to do things at the state level that are effective here, he said. Still, consolidation has increasingly come under scrutiny in California. The state attorney generals office under Kamala Harris, now serving as U.S. senator, investigated consolidation of hospital and physician groups, and the effect on consumer prices. Last year, the healthcare trust for the United Food and Commercial Workers union, sued Sutter Health, alleging antitrust violations. The Pacific Business Group on Health, an organization that represents major companies such as Wells Fargo and Chevron, also raised alarms on Sutters requirement that firms use arbitration to resolve disputes--or face higher rates for Sutters healthcare services. The business group is a supporter of Monnings bill, as well as the California Labor Federation. The California Hospital Assn. has not taken a position on the bill. ------------ FOR THE RECORD March 29, 2017, 1:52 p.m.: A previous version of this article reported that the Pacific Group on Health sued Sutter Health. The United Food and Commercial Workers healthcare trust filed the suit. Facebook

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Los Angeles assemblyman returns to work in Sacramento after more than two-week absence By Melanie Mason Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) After more than two weeks away from the state Capitol, Assemblyman Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) was back at work Monday, with his staff blaming the absence on unspecified medical reasons. Im not going to comment on what the illness was, said his chief of staff, Darryl Lucien, who added that the legislator was feeling better Monday. Ridley-Thomas, 29, was not available for an interview to discuss his absence. He originally went on leave March 7. At the time, he did not specify an illness and so Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendons office considered him to be on personal leave. Under legislative rules, those absences did not allow him to receive per diem payments  a subsidy intended to offset the costs of traveling and living in Sacramento. On March 21, he informed Rendons office that he was on medical leave, thus becoming eligible for the $183 per diem. Lucien said the original personal leave request was an error and that all of Ridley-Thomas time away from work was for health reasons. Its medical leave, Lucien said. He has a doctors note that was submitted, excusing him for the time he was out. Ridley-Thomas was not entirely absent from legislative work during that time. While on leave, he yanked one high-profile piece of legislation  a measure that would exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products from sales tax  from a hearing in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation committee, which he chairs. The bills author, Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), said she spoke directly to Ridley-Thomas about a request to amend her bill days before that committee hearing. Lucien said Ridley-Thomas was working on a very limited basis, fielding calls from members to the extent he was able to speak with them. A fellow Democrat, Assemblyman Bill Quirk of Hayward, stepped in to chair the Revenue and Taxation panel during a March 13 hearing. A subsequent hearing on March 20 was canceled. Facebook

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Adam Schiff calls on Devin Nunes to remove himself from Russia investigation By Sarah D. Wire Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) on Monday urged fellow Californian Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) to remove himself from their investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Before late last week, Schiff had gone out of his way not to be critical of Nunes throughout the fledgling investigation. They have held the top positions on the House Intelligence Committee for two years, and have served in Congress together for more than a decade. This is not a recommendation I make lightly, as the Chairman and I have worked together well for several years; and I take this step with the knowledge of the solemn responsibility we have on the Intelligence Committee to provide oversight on all intelligence matters, not just to conduct the investigation, Schiff said in a statement. After much consideration I believe Chairman should recuse himself from involvement in investigation/oversight of Trump campaign & transition pic.twitter.com/jpfA1x80Si  Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 27, 2017 Nunes last week surprised many when he told reporters that conversations between Trump and his transition team may have been accidentally picked up during legal intelligence gathering. Nunes briefed the media and President Trump before informing his committee. A spokesman for Nunes, who was a member of Trumps transition team, said Monday he obtained the information from a source on White House grounds, which raised even more questions. Nearly a week after Nunes announcement, committee members still havent seen the evidence, Schiff said. There was no legitimate justification for bringing that information to the White House instead of the committee. That it was also obtained at the White House makes this departure all the more concerning, Schiff said. Nunes spokesman would not comment on calls for the chairman to recuse himself. House Democrats have called for an entirely independent investigation, but short of that were coalescing around the call for Nunes to step aside. Among others, Schiffs Intelligence Committee colleagues Reps. Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough) and Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) have also called for Nunes to step aside from the investigation. The House and Senate intelligence committees are both investigating allegations that Russia tried to interfere with the presidential election and what, if anything, the Trump campaign knew about it. So far, too many people in the White House and administration, and now the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, have betrayed their duty to conduct an independent, bipartisan inquiry into the Trump teams ties with Russia, Swalwell said in a statement. Chairman Nunes should no longer be anywhere near this investigation, let alone leading it. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said in a statement that Nunes had tarnished the chairmanship. She also said it was long overdue for House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) to ask him to recuse himself from the investigation. Facebook

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Blasting federal action on immigration, Californias chief justice warns the rule of law is under threat By Patrick McGreevy California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye warned Monday that the rule of law in state is under threat. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye did not mention President Trump by name in her annual State of the Judiciary speech Monday, but she blasted federal actions on immigration and warned that the rule of law in the state is under threat. In addressing the Legislature, she also called on members to end years of underfunding of the state court system. The chief justice said the rule of law has failed repeatedly in the state, including when her husbands parents were among 120,000 Japanese Americans put in internment camps during World War II. Simply put, the rule of law means that we as a people are governed by laws and rules, not by a monarch, she said. People take the rule of law for granted until it is under threat, she added. I submit to you today that the rule of law is being challenged, she said. We are living in a time of civil rights unrest, eroding trust in our institutions, economic anxiety and unprecedented polarization. Cantil-Sakauye cited a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center that California was home to 79 ethnic hate groups  more than any other state. Our values and our rules and laws are being called into question, and all three branches of government and the free press are in the crosshairs, she said. Without naming Trump, the chief justice criticized recent federal enforcement of immigration laws in which agents have gone into courthouses to take immigrants into custody. She said it was concern over the rule of law that caused her to write to the U.S. attorney general and the Homeland Security secretary recently, asking them to refrain from conducting immigration raids at or near courthouses. When we hear of immigration arrests and the fear of immigration arrests in our state courthouses, I am concerned that that kind of information trickles down into the community, the schools, the churches. The families and people will no longer come to court to protect themselves or cooperate or bear witness, she said. I am afraid that will be the end of justice and communities will be less safe and victimization will continue. The chief justice also repeated her concerns about the lack of sufficient funding for the judiciary even as legislators are adding laws by the thousands. Since 2011 when I became chief justice, 6,408 bills have become law in California, while the judicial branch budget has been shrinking, Cantil-Sakauye said. I have said before that we are on the wrong side of justice when it comes to funding our courts. Facebook

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Its not just Berniecrats: Korean voters could also swing L.A.'s congressional race in a big way By Christine Mai-Duc Robert Lee Ahn, center, is the only Korean American candidate running in a field dominated by Latinos in the 34th Congressional District race. (Christine Mai-Duc / Los Angeles Times) The crowded race to replace Xavier Becerra in the 34th Congressional District, which includes most of Los Angeles Koreatown, appears to be bringing Korean American voters out in large numbers. Thats in part because in a field dominated by Latinos, Robert Lee Ahn has a shot at becoming the only Korean American in Congress and the first Korean American Democrat to be elected to the body. Ahn, a businessman and former L.A. city planning commissioner, has raised a formidable amount of money in a short period of time, much of it from donors in the Korean American community. His campaign spent weeks helping register voters at Koreatown malls and restaurants, and says they registered more than 600 new voters so far. Part of our campaign is to build awareness and get the community more civically engaged, Ahn said on a recent Friday morning as his campaign embarked on a 34-hour voter registration drive outside the BCD Tofu House restaurant. As a Korean American, obviously thats a natural base of mine. Inside, Ahn shook hands with supporters and navigated the lunchtime rush to ask for voters support table side. Some of it may be paying off. More than a quarter of the 10,841 mail-in ballots turned in for the race so far were cast by Korean American voters, according to an analysis of surnames, birthplace and translated ballot materials by Political Data. Koreans make up just 6% of registered voters in the district. Nearly half of Korean American voters who have already cast a ballot in the race did not vote in the March 7 city elections. Ahn, who has said hell bring a business sensibility and common sense to the office, says he has been running a campaign that reaches out to all kinds of voters. But the fact that there hasnt been a Korean American in Congress for more than 20 years means his candidacy has gotten plenty of attention from the Korean American press. I think people recognize the importance and historic nature of this election, Ahn said. I think theres a hunger for a voice ... and theres a palpable frustration of not being heard, not being properly represented, and I think thats what were seeing in the early returns. But the result of those early votes so far is unclear, particularly after elections officials disclosed that a number of Korean-language sample ballots had been misprinted with the candidates listed in the wrong order. Those who used the faulty sample ballots to cast their vote could have inadvertently voted for a candidate they didnt intend to support, and officials still dont know how widespread the problem is. Ahn isnt the only Korean American candidate to energize the community in recent years. David Ryu, the first Korean American elected to the L.A. City Council, rode to victory in 2015 with the help of a wave of support from Koreatown leaders. I believe a political awakening is occurring in the Korean American community all over the nation, but especially here in L.A., said Joon Bang, executive director of the Korean American Coalition. Our community is evolving and its beginning with understanding the power of their vote. Facebook

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Nothing short of blackmail: California Senate leader denounces plan to cut funding from sanctuary cities By Jazmine Ulloa California Senate Leader Kevin de Leon. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) California Senate leader Kevin de Leon on Monday called U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions move to cut federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities nothing short of blackmail. In a statement, De Leon (D-Los Angeles) said Sessions and the Trump administration stuck to alternative facts when describing immigrants and sanctuary counties and cities, where local policies limit the cooperation of law enforcement agencies with federal authorities on immigration laws. Instead of making us safer, the Trump administration is spreading fear and promoting race-based scapegoating, he said. Their gun-to-the-head method to force resistant cities and counties to participate in Trumps inhumane and counterproductive mass-deportation is unconstitutional and will fail. De Leon was responding to an earlier announcement made by Sessions at a White House press briefing. Sessions urged all states and local jurisdictions to comply with federal immigration laws and said it would be a condition for receiving federal grants. Jeff Sessions: "countless Americans would be alive today. And countless loved ones would not be grieving" if sanctuary cities were ended. pic.twitter.com/sEgH3bvPwi  BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) March 27, 2017 State leaders are still calculating the fiscal impact of the move in California, where the Senate leader has filed a bill that would prevent state and local law enforcement agencies from using resources to enforce federal immigration laws. Data shows sanctuary counties have lower crime rates than comparable nonsanctuary counties #SB54 https://t.co/rKZDsB8x8E  Kevin de Len (@kdeleon) March 27, 2017 Facebook

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California National Guard official tells legislators forced bonus repayments will be resolved by mid-summer By Melanie Mason A top official for the California National Guard told state legislators Monday that he hopes lingering issues from the soldiers being forced to repay enlistment bonuses will be resolved by mid-summer. A Times investigation last year found that the Pentagon demanded thousands of soldiers repay enlistment bonuses up to a decade after going to war in Iraq or Afghanistan. The claw-back came after audits revealed vast overpayments of bonuses, due in part to mismanagement and pressure to hit enlistment targets. The Times story prompted outcry that soldiers, who were not at fault for accepting the bonuses, were now facing financial hardship. Matthew Beevers, the deputy adjutant for the California National Guard, told a joint hearing of the Senate and Assembly Veterans Affairs committees that just over 1,000 soldiers currently hold debt due to the bonus recoupment. Soldiers who are affected by the repayment demand must go through a federal waiver adjudication process, which Beevers described as unnecessarily long, complex and resource-intensive. He said the state-run Soldier Incentives Assistance Center was working with those who need to navigate the complex process to get those debts waived. "[If] you got a bonus and you completed your obligation and for some reason, you werent entitled to it, weve done everything we can do ensure that those soldiers get to keep those bonuses and we continue to do that today, Beevers said. Beevers said the state is trying to locate all soldiers who may be carrying debts due to the enlistment bonus. For those who complete the federal adjudication process, around 50% get their debts waived, he said. At the end of the day, there might be 600 or so soldiers out of 16,000 who might have to pay money, which is a very very small number, he said. Facebook

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Former California legislator Henry Perea will lobby for the oil industry in Sacramento By Chris Megerian (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) As lawmakers debate the future of Californias climate policies, the oil industry is boosting its lobbying firepower with a former Democratic assemblyman from Fresno who has bedeviled environmentalists in the past. Henry Perea resigned his Assembly seat to work for a pharmaceutical group. Now hes jumping to the Western States Petroleum Assn. as a senior vice president, a role hes scheduled to start on May 1. Henry brings us unique expertise, said a statement from Catherine Reheis-Boyd, the associations president. He understands our state, our industry and how smart public policy can ensure Californias continued leadership in environmental protections while maintaining a diverse, vibrant economy. While serving in the Assembly, Perea led the so-called moderate caucus of business-friendly Democrats. He played a key role in stalling 2015 legislation that would have created tough new targets for reducing oil consumption. Environmentalists have made progress since then, successfully pushing through legislation to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Now these issues are being debated again as lawmakers consider whether to extend the states cap-and-trade program, which is intended to provide a financial incentive to reduce emissions. The oil industry supports extending the program, but its working to ensure favorable terms and to loosen the states other regulatory plans. Facebook

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Democrats out with ads targeting Rep. Mimi Walters for supporting GOP healthcare bill By Sarah D. Wire Republicans didnt vote on their plan to replace the Affordable Care Act on Friday, but Democrats already have ads out criticizing vulnerable GOP House members like Rep. Mimi Walters of Irvine for backing the bill. The Internet ads, paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, will target 14 Republicans who voted for the bill in the House Budget, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce committees. The ads will run for at least a week on social media sites, including Facebook and Instagram. Walters knowingly voted for a bill to raise premiums and deductibles, slap an age tax on older folks, and rip insurance away from 24 million hardworking Americans. Its critical that voters in Californias 45th District know where Walters stood on this harmful legislation, DCCC Chairman Ben Ray Lujan said in a statement. Walters, who serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, was one of the earliest supporters of the bill among the California Republican delegation. Rep. Walters is committed to improving and expanding healthcare choices, lowering costs and protecting taxpayers. Her votes in the House reflect those principles and she will not be deterred by campaign ads created in Washington, D.C., by Nancy Pelosis political committees, said her campaign consultant, Dave Gilliard. The DCCC has already announced plans to target Republican representatives of the seven California congressional districts that backed Hillary Clinton for president. Clinton won Walters Orange County district by 5 percentage points. Walters was elected for a second term with 58.6% of the vote. Facebook

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Gov. Jerry Brown says California wont be running to the courthouse every day to fight President Trump By John Myers With many of his fellow Democrats demanding multiple challenges to President Trumps proposals, Gov. Jerry Brown said this week he will continue to support a more measured approach. Were going to fight very hard. But were not going to bring stupid lawsuits or be running to the courthouse every day, Brown said during an appearance Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Were going to be careful. Well be strategic. The governors interview, taped on Thursday in Washington, came at the end of a four-day visit where he sought common ground on issues ranging from transportation to disaster relief. Brown also took aim in a visit to Capitol Hill at the now-failed Republican healthcare proposal. In the interview, Brown acknowledged that he is seeking a different path forward than Californias legislative leaders and other Democrats who are aggressively pushing back on a variety of Trump proposals. Well, if everythings a lawsuit, yeah, were in trouble here. I do curb the exuberance on either side, he said. People like to escalate. Republicans do that, and Democrats also do that. So Im there somewhat as the senior statesman now, and Im going to keep everything on an even keel. The governor used the national television interview to repeat recent suggestions that California has a number of projects that are ready to go should Trump make good on his promises to fund a major infrastructure effort. But Brown staunchly defended Californias acceptance of immigrants, including those who are in the U.S. illegally. He argued that immigration has been a major boon to the states economy and invoked the teachings of Christianity to criticize Trump and his fellow Republicans. Trumps supposed to be Mr. Religious Fellow, and I thought weve got to treat the least of these as we would treat the Lord, said Brown, who trained to become a Jesuit priest in his youth. So I hope he would reconnect with some of these conservative evangelicals, and theyll tell him that these are human beings, theyre children of God. They should be treated that way. The programs host, Chuck Todd, asked Brown whether he could offer national leadership for Democrats in the Trump era. The governor, who ran unsuccessfully for president three times, said he was willing to speak out in any way he could be helpful. Following last weeks historic defeat of a bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, Brown also offered Trump advice on how to help the economically struggling states whose voters put him in the White House. Its going to take some income support from the federal government, the governor said. Its going to take healthcare. Its going to take the kind of programs that the Republican Party traditionally doesnt like. So heres the dilemma. Yes, Obama was not able to help those people in the way they felt they had a right to. But Mr. Trump, now the burden is on you. And you better figure it out, or youre not going to be there again. Facebook

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Small donations play big role in the 34th Congressional District By Christine Mai-Duc Congressional candidate Kenneth Mejia raised 90% of his money from small donors in the most recent campaign finance filing. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) More than 17% of individual contributions to all candidates in the 34th Congressional District came in small donations of less than $200, according to the latest campaign finance reports. The reports, which cover fundraising and spending between Jan. 1 and March 15, show that more than $250,000 of the $1.4 million raised by the candidates in the race came from un-itemized small donors, or those who gave less than $200 and are not named in campaign finance reports. Three candidates who raised a significant chunk of money from small donations were Arturo Carmona, Wendy Carrillo and Kenneth Mejia, all of whom are vying for votes from supporters of former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, who has preached the need to rid politics of special interest money. Many of the candidates have sent email pitches to supporters asking for donations of $10, $20 or $27, the amount made famous by Sanders, who often cited the number as the average donation given to his presidential campaign. Carmona, a former Sanders campaign advisor, raised the most in small donations, with $57,125, or 52% of his total. Small donors gave Carrillo $25,948, about 32% of her fundraising total and Mejia, an accountant and Green Party candidate, received nearly 90% of his total funds, or $31,957, in amounts of $200 or less. Federal law does not require candidates to itemize, or report the names of, donors who give below that amount. Alejandra Campoverdi raised $44,210 from small donors, who made up 28% of her haul, while Raymond Meza raised 48%, or $14,764 of his money from small-dollar contributions. UPDATE: 7:45 p.m. This post was updated to clarify that the numbers reported are based on un-itemized donations of $200 or less to candidates. Facebook

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Robert Lee Ahn raised the most money by far in latest campaign finance reports for L.A.'s congressional race By Christine Mai-Duc Robert Lee Ahn, left, and Vanessa Aramayo, second from left, join the other candidates for the 34th Congressional District. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles TImes) Congressional candidate Robert Lee Ahn far outstripped some of the top fundraisers in the 34th Congressional District, taking a surprise lead in campaign finance reports filed Thursday. The reports cover fundraising and spending between Jan. 1 and March 15 and will be the last numbers well have before the April 4 primary election, in which 24 candidates are running. Ahn, a former L.A. city planning commissioner, raised a whopping $338,702 in contributions and loaned himself an additional $295,000, bringing his total to more than $630,000 raised since January. Ahn, an attorney and the only Korean American candidate in the race for a district that includes Koreatown, got more than $100,000 in contributions from donors with Korean surnames. The closest behind Ahn was Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, who raised $244,766 over the same period, the majority of it from political action committees, including many donations from fellow legislators in Sacramento. Sara Hernandez, a former teacher and L.A. City Hall aide, was close behind Gomez with $224,783 raised. Alejandra Campoverdi, a former White House staffer and former Los Angeles Times employee, raised $156,432. Ahn has also spent the most money so far this year, at $352,538, and has $271,271 in the bank, more than any other candidate. Gomez ended the period with $274,830 cash on hand, while Hernandez and Campoverdi have $149,990 and $122,961 left to spend, respectively. Facebook

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Dispute in California Senate leads to ethics complaint against leader Kevin de Leon By Patrick McGreevy Then-state Sen. Isadore Hall III, left, talks with Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon in Sacramento last year. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Republican state Sen. Andy Vidak on Friday filed an ethics complaint asking for an investigation into whether Democratic Senate leader Kevin de Leon engaged in an improper cover-up of threats allegedly made by former state Sen. Isadore Hall III against a group of farmers. Anthony Reyes, a spokesman for De Leon, defended the decision not to investigate allegations against Hall. With due respect, the state Senate doesnt waste taxpayer resources investigating dubious hearsay accounts of private conversations held in hotel lobbies  and thats what Senator De Leon clearly and politely communicated to Senator Vidak, Reyes said. Any suggestion otherwise is patently ridiculous. Hall, a Democrat from Compton, was appointed in January to the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board by Gov. Jerry Brown. The appointment was opposed by farm industry groups, including the Western Growers Assn., which complained he received contributions from the United Farm Workers for his unsuccessful campaign for Congress last year. Vidak said that he had heard from multiple people that on Feb. 28, the evening before Halls confirmation hearing in the Rules Committee, Hall allegedly made threats in an obscenity-laced tirade in the lobby of the Sacramento Hyatt Hotel that he would get the farmers opposing his appointment, the senator wrote in a letter to the Senate Legislative Ethics Committee. The board is a quasi-judicial agency that rules on disputes between farm worker organizations and growers. The alleged threats were made to four farmers who are members of the California Fresh Fruit Assn., Vidak said. Vidak said he had formally asked De Leon, as chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, to have the panel investigate the allegations and report the findings to the Senate. On Thursday, Vidak said, De Leon allegedly informed him that there would be no investigation. Senator De Leon told me yesterday that he and the leadership of the CFFA have worked things out so Hall wont be investigated,'" Vidak said in a statement Friday. Is this really how the Senate handles reports of threats and intimidation by someone pending a Senate confirmation vote? The association called the allegation that it worked out an agreement with De Leon baseless and false. The group said in a statement that Vidak did not talk to its members before he filed the complaint. If he did, he wouldve learned there is no agreement and that CFFA remains opposed to the confirmation of Senator Hall, the group said. Hall declined to comment on Vidaks complaint, said J. Antonio Barbosa, the boards executive secretary, responding on his behalf. Further, his testimony at his Senate Rules Committee confirmation hearing makes clear that he will be fair and impartial, make sound decisions, and speak to growers and farmworkers, Barbosa said. Reyes disputed Vidaks allegations. Chasing goofy conspiracy theories might fly on President Trumps Twitter feed, but it has no place in the California Legislature, Reyes said. In his letter to the ethics panel, Vidak says his complaint is that the Senates confirmation process of gubernatorial appointees may have been compromised in this situation. He asked for an investigation into whether credible information about potential criminal activity by an unconfirmed gubernatorial appointee has been intentionally ignored/withheld, and whether a member of the Senate Rules Committee is making arrangements with representatives of private organizations to bury investigations of gubernatorial appointees. Updated at 4:40 p.m. to include a comment from the California Fresh Fruit Assn. Facebook

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L.A.'s GOP congressman: It is hard to find a consensus on something that impacts more than 1/6th of our economy By Sarah D. Wire A handful of California Republicans had declined to take a position on the House GOPs healthcare bill, and now they wont have to. Rep. Steve Knight (R-Palmdale), the only Republican who represents L.A. County, said he was conflicted up until the vote on the bill was canceled Friday afternoon. In the past two weeks my colleagues worked to build a consensus on how best to repair our flawed healthcare system and build a patient-centered system that works for the American people, Knight said in a statement after the vote. We learned that it is hard to find a consensus on something that impacts more than 1/6th of our economy and the lives of almost every American. Saying they didnt have enough votes to pass it, House Republican leaders canceled a vote on their healthcare bill minutes before vulnerable Republican members like Knight would have had to vote on the effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Knights district is among seven Republican districts being targeted by Democrats in 2018, and several of the members who represent those districts never took a stance on the bill, saying they were worried about the effects on their districts and were still hearing from constituents. Experts estimated millions of Californians would have lost insurance under the bill. Just two of the targeted members, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) and Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine), said they would vote for the bill. Walters had no comment after the bill was pulled, but the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee came out swinging, with committee spokesperson Evan Lukaske saying, Walters now owns this until election day. Other targeted members seemed to brush off President Trumps plan to let Obamacare go its way for a little while. Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), who didnt take a stance on the bill, said afterward Congress needs to keep working on healthcare. Congress must come together to enact legislation to stabilize our healthcare market, reduce federal spending, and ensure we are able to maintain access to healthcare for Americas most vulnerable populations. Any potential solution must be thoughtfully considered, he said in a statement. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) flirted with voting against the bill, saying he was not yet prepared to support it, but never committed either way. The [GOP bill] was an imperfect approach and I believe that we can do better, he said in a statement. We will go back to the drawing board and get this right for each and every American concerned with high costs in their healthcare and ever-dwindling choices and access to care. Facebook

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Despite threat of legal battle with Trump, California stays the course on vehicle emission rules By Chris Megerian Electric cars charge at a San Diego utility. (Rob Nikolewski / San Diego Union-Tribune) California will keep pushing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, state regulators decided Friday, even though President Trump is preparing to roll back rules in Washington. The restrictions represent a key part of Californias battle against climate change, and theyre intended to force automakers to build cleaner cars and sell more electric vehicles. Environmentalists cheered Fridays decision from the Air Resources Board. Were very disappointed by what were seeing at the federal level, so today feels warm and welcoming, said the Sierra Clubs Kathryn Phillips. California has the unique ability to set tougher standards than the federal government, but Fridays decision could put the state on a collision course with Trump. Under the presidents direction, federal officials are examining whether to loosen vehicle rules that were finalized in the waning days of the Obama administration. The California Air Resources Board meeting in Riverside this week. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) At risk is the existence of a national standard on vehicle emissions, something the auto industry has prioritized to reduce the complexity of its manufacturing operations. We should all be getting back to work on this, said John Bozzella, who advocates for international car companies as head of the Assn. of Global Automakers. Mary Nichols, chair of the Air Resources Board, questioned the industrys commitment to higher standards given their request for Trump to review the rules. What were you thinking when you threw yourself upon the mercy of the Trump administration? she said. A dozen other states have adopted Californias standards as their own, and environmentalists hope Fridays decision will foster a broader market for electric cars. This agency has seen federal administrations come
As Republican lawmakers consider how closely to align with the climate skepticism and fossil fuel fervor radiating from the White House, a nascent clean air initiative that energy firms want scrapped is fast testing their comfort zone.

Weighing on them is 41 billion cubic feet of methane, a greenhouse gas leaking from many of the nearly 100,000 oil and gas wells on federally owned land. Methane is among the most potent accelerators of global warming, 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide.



For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled the first name of cattle rancher Don Schreiber as Dan.

Since the House swiftly voted last month to lift a requirement that escaping gas be trapped and converted to electricity, the backlash has been intense.

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Anger is most pronounced in the West, where tens of thousands of residents near drilling operations risk exposure to the toxic compounds that leak in tandem with the methane. Local governments are also desperate for the royalty money they would be entitled to if that gas were turned to energy.

The thought of a bunch of disconnected lawmakers who dont live next to leaking gas wells deciding to vote to take this protection away from us just leaves me speechless, said New Mexico cattleman Don Schreiber, whose Devils Spring Ranch in Rio Arriba County is surrounded by 122 natural gas wells.

Supervisors in adjacent La Plata County, Colo., passed a resolution calling on Congress to abandon the rollback. More than 80% of the people in Western states including Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Utah and Wyoming support the Obama-era mandate, according to a Colorado College poll taken in December.

The political tension has left many Republican senators wavering, as they struggle with the potential fallout of going after a signature Obama administration climate change policy that  like many others  has a constituency that extends far beyond climate hawks.

They face competing pressure from the Trump administration, as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt rebukes climate science and steps away from his own agencys far-reaching methane blueprint, intended to stem leaks that in some cases are so large they can be spotted from outer space.

Oil and gas companies have recruited powerful allies in the fight, including in Californias Central Valley, home to some of the highest concentrations of methane anywhere.

As federal lands become less cost-effective to produce energy on, this unnecessary rule adds to that burden and could wipe out marginal wells run by family-owned businesses who cant pack up and move their operations, warned a report posted by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield.

He also forecasts financial peril for local governments if the Obama-era rule is not immediately rolled back.

Such pressure has yet to sway many GOP colleagues tangled in the messy politics of methane, such as Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner. His state, like McCarthys, is among several that have passed their own laws requiring oil and gas companies to pursue aggressive measures to contain the methane. Many of Gardners constituents, including energy firms subject to the new state law, are demanding he help preserve the federal restraints so operators in adjacent states with no local laws would have to abide by the same rules.

They point to large amounts of air pollution drifting from Utah and New Mexico, exacerbating air problems in Colorado. Local Colorado firms resent that their nearby competitors can ignore leaks they cant. The states burgeoning clean-energy industry, with its growing bipartisan political might, is applying its own pressure.

Im continuing to meet with my constituents on this topic and will continue to do so until the vote, Gardner wrote in an email.

Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, both Republican moderates, announced they would vote against GOP efforts to roll back the rule.

Other Republicans are leaving open the option of joining them, as public concern about leaking methane across the nation puts energy firms under new pressure to invest in technology to contain it.

Charges by energy companies that the rule would bankrupt them conflict with Bureau of Land Management findings that the average small business with an oil or gas operation on federal property would see its profit margin reduced by two-tenths of 1% as a result of the rule.

The amount of methane escaping each year, the Obama administration ultimately concluded, is enough to provide electricity for nearly 740,000 homes. The Government Accountability Office alerted Congress in July that capturing it would boost royalties owed to taxpayers by $23 million.

We shouldnt just be giving away these taxpayer assets, said Ryan Alexander, president of the advocacy group Taxpayers for Common Sense. We should be demanding fair compensation for them.

But layered over the fights about royalties and air pollution is the more politically contentious issue of climate change. Methane was a focal point in Obamas expansive, government-wide plan to limit greenhouse gas emissions that President Trump set about tearing up upon taking office.

The White House calls the plan expensive and unnecessary. This month, Pruitt told oil and gas companies not to bother complying with a directive from the EPA to compile and report data related to their methane emissions, which the agency was to use in crafting new restrictions that would apply to all oil and gas operations, not just those on federal land.

Some Republicans have allied with the charge that methanes role in changing the climate is overhyped, noting the gas escaping from oil and gas operations on federal land accounted for a tiny fraction of 1% of the greenhouse gas that must be cut under the global climate agreement Obama signed in Paris.

But as climate actions go, this one packs a relatively big punch for the price. Methane leaks are Americas second-biggest industrial source of climate change, behind power plant emissions, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. Retreating on efforts to contain them is another signal internationally that the U.S. is ceding the leadership role it cemented in Paris to other nations, such as China.

And that doesnt sit well with some Republicans, leaving in limbo a rule rollback that oil and gas companies once anticipated would be easy.

evan.halper@latimes.com

Follow me: @evanhalper

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The House GOP effort to repeal and replace Obamacare appeared in deep trouble Tuesday, underscoring the limits of a party that has traditionally put a priority on cutting taxes and government spending over digging into the details of safeguarding Americans healthcare.

Many Republicans in Congress remain in outright revolt over the bill, warning it does not have enough votes to pass the House or Senate against stiff Democratic resistance.

A few moderate Republicans emerged from a Senate lunch Tuesday optimistic that House leaders would amend the legislation to meet their concerns. They want to preserve coverage for the millions of Americans who are projected to be left without insurance.

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But conservatives were pulling the bill in the opposite direction, demanding deeper, faster cuts.

Meanwhile, GOP defections continued, including Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who said the current bill would be too detrimental to her elderly constituents.

Is there anyone left in the country who actually likes it? asked Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), reading the lists of doctors, hospital organizations and others who have registered opposition.

The tribulations now facing Republicans are not hard to understand: The party never set out to revamp the nations healthcare system. That was always a Democratic pursuit.

Republicans simply wanted to repeal Obamacare, which they saw as a costly government intrusion.

Only after they took the White House and it became apparent that millions of Americans would lose their health coverage under a straightforward repeal did Republicans begin to take seriously the replace part of their campaign promise.

A side-by-side comparison of Obamacare and the GOPs replacement plan 

But while Democrats have been churning out healthcare proposals since Franklin D. Roosevelt, Republicans have become increasingly fixed on the Reagan-era goal of reducing the size of government. Most Democrats see healthcare as a fundamental right or entitlement; few Republicans do.

That has left Republicans without a deep bench of healthcare policy experts in Congress, despite a cadre of doctors-turned-lawmakers.

One architect of the latest GOP effort is Tom Price, the former congressman and orthopedic surgeon who is now the Health and Human Services secretary. But to many, his experience in reforming government healthcare programs pales in comparison to the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the liberal lion who for decades set strategy for Democratic reform efforts, including Obamacare.

Lawrence Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the Hubert H. Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota, said the Republicans struggles are not surprising given the difficulties of healthcare reform and the partys resistance to taxes and government spending.

Weve generally seen Republicans steer away from health reform if it involves raising taxes, he said. Republicans are allergic to the coverage issue because it requires them at some point to have revenue either for tax credits or spending.

That resistance has been apparent in the GOP effort to reform Obamacare, where the partys small-government ideals have sometimes clashed with the task of protecting government benefits for the poor.

For example, its plan ends a key money source by repealing a 0.9% tax imposed under Obamacare on those earning more than $200,000 a year.

And rather than focus solely on fixing Obamacares problems, the House plan also seeks to achieve a long-standing Republican goal: capping expenses for the entire Medicaid program, far beyond those covered under Obamacare

Jacobs noted that even Democrats, with all their experience and commitment, rarely succeeded in advancing sweeping legislation.

Passing national health reform is one of the hardest things to do in America, Jacobs said. There is a reason liberals and progressives failed for over half a century.

As the House plan appeared on life support, Republican leaders, backed by the White House, fanned out Tuesday with a full-throated defense ahead of a planned House vote next week.

Price and Vice President Mike Pence met behind closed doors with Senate Republicans at their weekly lunch, joined by the chairmen of the House committees who drafted the GOP bill. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) spoke by phone later in the day with President Trump.

Leaders balked at a report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that 24 million more Americans would be left uninsured under the GOP plan  wiping out the health coverage gains under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Millions more would be uninsured under GOP healthcare plan, independent analysis shows 

Republicans contend that their plan would ultimately lower costs and give Americans more choices, and they complained that deductibles were so high under Obamacare policies that it put access to healthcare out of reach.

Democrats were concerned about coverage. Theyre patting themselves on the back for giving you coverage, but you still couldnt afford to go to the doctor, Mick Mulvaney, the administrations Office of Management and Budget director, said on CNN. Thats what we are trying to fix.

The CBO report, however, predicted that while insurance premiums would eventually come down, deductibles under the GOP plan would be higher for many consumers.

Even as some moderate Republicans bolted after the CBO report, pressure mounted from conservative lawmakers and outside groups for a complete repeal of the Affordable Care Act. They want to reduce coverage requirements and more quickly end Obamacares expansion of Medicaid for low-income Americans in some states.

Were making real good progress with the White House and leadership, and Im optimistic well see some good results in less than a week, said Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, which is set for a meeting at the White House this week.

Republicans werent always at odds with a government role in expanding the nations healthcare system. Some voted for President Lyndon B. Johnsons push to create the Medicare program for seniors.

President Nixon once considered an even more expansive healthcare system, and President George W. Bush launched a new entitlement, the Medicare prescription drug Part D program, which continues today.

But President Reagan famously campaigned against Medicare, deriding it as socialism. And some conservative groups abandoned Bush over the new prescription drug benefit.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a physician who is a leader in his party on health policy, is working to amend the House bill to ensure that millions of Americans  particularly older, low-income adults  dont lose coverage.

He rejected the premise that Republicans are not as versed in health policy as their Democratic colleagues and noted that not every lawmaker can be an expert on every issue.

Republicans did Medicare Part D, which is pretty significant, and they certainly collaborated with CHIP, he said, referring to the Childrens Health Insurance Program.

My golly, if Ive been living healthcare for 30 years Id hope Id know a little bit, he added, referring to his work as a doctor. Someone else knows far more about real estate.

The challenge now for Republicans is trying to remain the party of small government while also becoming the party that preserves a healthcare entitlement program that a growing number of Americans say they want to keep.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

@LisaMascaro

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More coverage of politics and the White House
President Trump directed the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday to shelve aggressive vehicle fuel economy targets that have been a foundation for battles against climate change and harmful pollution in California and across the country.

The move attacks one of the Obama administrations signature achievements and dims the future of electric vehicles, which the mileage rules have pushed the auto industry toward.

The regulations to be reviewed  finalized in the waning days of Obamas presidency  had set ambitious targets for vehicle mileage in an effort to encourage automakers to develop and market new technologies that reduce fuel consumption.

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Trump said Wednesday that common-sense changes were needed.

We are going to ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, Trump announced at a vehicle testing facility outside Detroit. Were going to be fair.

The decision puts the White House on a path toward a direct and costly confrontation with California. State officials, pointing to Californias unique authority under the Clean Air Act, have made clear they will not waver from requiring passenger cars to average about 54 miles per gallon by 2025, up from an average of 36 miles per gallon today.

Trumps announcement comes amid a lobbying blitz from a coalition of the worlds largest vehicle makers, which complained in a letter to the new administration that the existing EPA rules place unreasonable and expensive demands on the industry. The appetite for next-generation vehicles has waned amid plunging gas prices, and automakers are increasingly turning to small SUVs to drive profits.

The automakers also charged the Obama administration with unfairly rushing the latest rules into place weeks before Trump was to take office, even though the deadline for finalizing them was not until 2018.

The process was very short-circuited, said a senior Trump administration official, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue. There was a lot of data that was submitted, and I think it is fair to say the Obama EPA just ignored it.

Essential Washington: Full Coverage

Former EPA officials and environmentalists strenuously dispute that charge. They say automakers have persistently complained over the years that environmental regulators were placing unreasonable burdens on them, only to find those rules ultimately motivated development of market-leading technologies that drove the resurgence of the industry in America.

Automakers will jeopardize record profits and sales attained under these standards, said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign, an advocacy group that supports the mileage rules. And they will grow weaker by making more gas guzzlers.

The ultimate fate of the regulations may now be decided in a legal brawl between California and the Trump administration. The state is already moving to defend the federal regulations in court.

Any weakening or delay of the national standards will result in increased harms to our natural resources, our economy, and our people, reads a legal filing submitted Tuesday by the state.

Under the Clean Air Act, the state can impose emissions standards stronger than those set by the federal government, and a dozen other states have embraced the California rules. About 40% of the vehicles sold in America are subject to the rules California sets. Automakers have said repeatedly that it is untenable to manufacture separate fleets of vehicles to meet different standards.

The state had refrained from charting its own course on mileage goals as part of a compromise with auto companies and the EPA early in the Obama administration. That agreement will start to unravel with Trumps action. If, as environmental and auto lobbyists anticipate, the administration ultimately decides to weaken the rules, California will almost certainly move to invoke its authority under the waiver to keep higher standards.

If Washington continues down this road, California will take the necessary actions to preserve current standards and protect the health of our people and the stability of our climate, Gov. Jerry Brown wrote in a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Pruitt, who has already cast doubt on whether California is entitled to such waivers, could fight that effort  setting the stage for a bitter and prolonged struggle over states rights and the authority of an industry-friendly White House to undermine aggressive regional environmental laws.

California has used its waiver authority dozens of times. It has been challenged only once, when the administration of George W. Bush objected to the states effort to use it to curb greenhouse gas emissions. California ultimately emerged victorious from that battle, and the mileage rules have since become a foundation of its fight to curb climate change.

See the most-read stories this hour >>

Officials in many of the states that have embraced California warn Trumps move threatens to rattle their ability to pursue their own vision of environmental regulation. A relaxation of the mileage rules would substantially boost the amount of greenhouse gas and pollution released in those states.

We are about to have a historic fight, said Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), whose state relies on the mileage standard to meet its goals for greenhouse gas reduction and public health standards for ozone and smog. He called the mileage rules Trump is targeting the single largest step America has ever taken to reduce carbon pollution.

California officials are planning to move forward with the Obama rules when the Air Resources Board meets in Riverside this month. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein joined Markey and nine other senators in warning Trump in a letter that rolling back the standard would plunge the auto industry into uncertainty.

Trump administration officials are working to downplay the tensions with California over the issue, suggesting that perhaps the state will be open to embracing whatever new mileage standard Trumps EPA develops. But that seems unlikely.

If California decides they want to go in a different direction or we want to go in a different direction, we will have to deal with it at some point, said the administration official.

Such a confrontation could be underway by next year, when the Trump administrations new plan for fuel standards is due and California will decide whether to seek a waiver. The stakes are high for everyone, including the automakers, which could find themselves without any clear direction as the state and the White House slug it out in court for years.

Next steps for California:

The EPA will start by reopening the rule-making for mileage standards, a process that will take months. It will reevaluate data and take new input from California and other states, auto companies, environmental groups and others as part of the process.

By mid-2018, the EPA decides whether to keep the Obama-era rules.

If the rules are relaxed, California would likely invoke its waiver to keep the stricter standards in place for the state and a dozen others.

The EPA would face pressure to deny the waiver, as auto companies say it is untenable to manufacture vehicles for different standards in different parts of the country.

If a waiver is denied, California would likely sue the EPA. Such a legal battle could drag on for years.

evan.halper@latimes.com

Follow me: @evanhalper

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UPDATES:

1:10 p.m.: This story was updated after Trumps speech.

10:40 a.m.: This story was updated with a look at whats next for California.

The story was originally published at 3 a.m.
President Trump paid more than $35 million in federal income taxes in 2005 on $150 million in income, an effective rate of 24%, according to the first two pages of a tax return released late Tuesday that offered a rare glimpse into his financial dealings.

The documents, though incomplete and more than a decade old, nonetheless amount to the first time any of Trumps federal returns have been disclosed. Trumps refusal to release his returns during the campaign broke with decades of practice for presidential candidates, raising questions about the types of tax advantages Trump used and the sources of his income.

The release, during prime time on MSNBCs Rachel Maddow Show, created the type of reality-television hype that often accompanies Trump. David Cay Johnston, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, said he received the returns in the mail only days ago from an anonymous sender.

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Maddow played them for maximum drama, building a fever of suspense on Twitter in the lead-up to her show and then spending 20 minutes speculating about Trumps financial dealings before revealing the figures in the documents and interviewing Johnston.

The White House released a statement before the program aired, verifying the top-line figures while chastising the dishonest media for publishing them, claiming the law was broken in the process.

In October, amid the heat of the presidential campaign, the New York Times reported on portions of Trumps 1995 state returns, which showed that he took a write-down of nearly $1 billion. That story said Trump might have been able to use the write-down to avoid paying income taxes for two decades.

The documents revealed Tuesday show he did pay at least one years worth of income taxes a decade later, although it also showed that he was able to use a loss to reduce his taxable income by more than $100 million. The newly revealed return did not disclose the nature of the loss.

Trump blamed an audit for his failure to disclose his tax returns during the campaign. He had said he would furnish them when the audit was complete, but presidents are automatically audited, suggesting he will never release them. But in confirming some of their contents Tuesday, the White House may face renewed pressure to release more returns.

Trumps tax bill would have been much smaller  $5.3 million, or less than 4%  if he were not forced under tax law to pay the so-called alternative minimum tax.

Johnston, an expert on the tax code, pointed out on Maddows show that Trump has supported eliminating the alternative minimum tax and noted that his tax rate would have been equal to someone earning less than $33,000 a year without it.

Trumps effective rate of about 24% still fell short of the top bracket of 35% paid on regular income that year and 28% on the alternative minimum.

Because the full tax return was not revealed, it is unclear how Trump made his income that year, or any other. The president has been inundated with questions about his ties to Russia and other foreign governments, and his tax records might provide relevant information.

Trump would have made at least some of his income from The Apprentice in 2005, the second year the hit show was in production. Trump was also involved in a major real estate sale that year. He and his partners sold the Riverside South development on Manhattans Upper West Side for $1.76 billion.

Much of the proceeds were rolled into the purchase of an office building in Midtown Manhattan and another in downtown San Francisco.

His tax form shows that he reported about $32 million in capital gains that year, or about 20% of his total income.

The White House, in confirming the authenticity of Johnstons document in a statement, included Trumps payroll taxes to bring the total paid to $38 million.

The White House statement called Maddow desperate for ratings and accused her of violating a law by publishing the documents.

Before being elected president, Mr. Trump was one of the most successful businessmen in the world with a responsibility to his company, his family and his employees to pay no more tax than legally required, a White House official, who would not be named discussing Trumps personal income, said in a statement.

That being said, Mr. Trump paid $38 million even after taking into account large scale depreciation for construction, on an income of more than $150 million, as well as paying tens of millions of dollars in other taxes such as sales and excise taxes and employment taxes and this illegally published return proves just that.

Trumps tax document was marked client copy, which indicates it was not leaked by the Internal Revenue Service but came from some other source.

Federal law makes it illegal willfully to print or publish in any manner not provided by law any ... return or return information that is disclosed in a manner unauthorized by law. But the Supreme Court has held in the past that news organizations are protected by the 1st Amendment when publishing truthful material on a matter of public importance.

Times staff writer David Lauter contributed to this report.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

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A website run by former Republican campaign operatives is the only news outlet to get a seat on the plane of secretary of State Rex Tillerson as he travels this week to Japan, South Korea and China.

The breach of protocol  journalists who cover the State Department normally fly on the secretarys plane  comes as President Trump has branded mainstream news organizations as the enemy of the people.

Erin McPike of the right-leaning website Independent Journal Review is the lone journalist permitted to fly on Tillersons plane. The decision to bar other news outlets was a way to give access to a broader representation of U.S. media, said State Department spokesman Mark Toner.

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This is just an attempt to reach beyond the usual suspects, and Im not trying to say that in a demeaning way at all, Toner told reporters Wednesday at the State Department.

The decision has wide ramifications.

North Koreas pursuit of a long-range nuclear missile that could strike the West Coast poses a major challenge for the new president, and Trumps bellicose rhetoric on trade with China has strained U.S. relations with Beijing.

As a result, Tillersons opening trip to Asia as Americas chief diplomat is far from routine.

Why does it matter that only an Independent Journal Review reporter is flying with Tillerson?

For decades, reporters steeped in the complexities of foreign affairs have traveled abroad with U.S. secretaries of State.

The absence of any seasoned diplomatic correspondents from nonpartisan news outlets means that Tillerson, a former CEO of Exxon, will be less likely to face questions of substance about Trumps foreign policy.

Steven Butler, the Asia program coordinator of the Committee to Protect Journalists, faulted Tillerson for a complete lack of transparency. The nuclear threat from North Korea, he said, made it especially important for Tillerson to respond to questions from reporters with expertise in Asian affairs.

This is something thats absolutely critical for the American people, and for people around the world, to understand and to evaluate, because it is potentially a life-and-death situation, Butler told CNN.

It is not yet clear how much access Tillerson will provide local reporters and those who fly commercial to Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing.

What is Independent Journal Review?

Its a conservative news website founded by Alex Skatell, who was media director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in the 2012 elections. For the 2010 elections, Skatell was director of new media and technology at the Republican Governors Assn.

Skatells bio on the IJR website omits both positions.

IJRs parent company, Media Group of America, was co-founded by Skatell and Phil Musser, a former executive director of the Republican Governors Assn. Musser was a senior advisor to Republican Mitt Romneys 2008 presidential campaign.

Does McPike have much experience covering foreign affairs?

No. The bulk of her career as a reporter since 2006 has been covering political campaigns. McPike reported on politics for NBC News, the National Journal and RealClearPolitics. As a White House correspondent at CNN, she filed reports on the Islamic State militant group and the Russian incursion into Ukraine.

On her LinkedIn profile, McPike lists her specialties as profiles of leading national & up-and-coming political figures, early trend coverage, positive & inspiring stories; connector and mentor. For two months, she has been IJRs White House correspondent.

Will McPike have to share her reporting from the plane with the rest of the news media?

No. When space limitations make it impossible for large groups of reporters to cover a top official, the news media often agree on an arrangement to assign pool reporters who share all of their notes on an event with the news organizations that were excluded.

In this case, the State Department simply invited McPike on the plane to write for IJR. She has no obligation to other news outlets.

Have other news organizations protested?

Yes. The State Department Correspondents Assn. released a statement saying it was disappointed.

After saying it was unable to accommodate press on the secretarys plane to Asia due to space and budget constraints, the State Department offered a unilateral seat to one reporter, the statement said.

The association has repeatedly argued for the same kind of access to Tillerson that was afforded by previous secretaries of State.

Will leaving reporters off Tillersons plane save the government money?

No. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said there was an element of cost savings in banishing reporters from Tillersons plane. But, in fact, news organizations pay their own way.

Is this part of a Trump strategy to discredit the mainstream news media?

It could be seen that way. Trump has described himself as fighting a war against the nations top newspapers and television networks. Stephen K. Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, has called the media the opposition party.

And Spicers belligerence toward the White House press corps has given rise to a Saturday Night Live parody by actress Melissa McCarthy.

At the State Department briefing Wednesday, Tillersons spokesman remained calm as irate reporters interrogated him over McPikes exclusive access. It was a scene that fit neatly with White House efforts to cast the media as Trumps opposition.

Toner said the administration was trying to reach a broader audience. Reporters asked how that was possible when IJR has a narrowly defined, if large, readership.

New audiences, Toner said.

Conservative audiences? a reporter asked. A friendly audience?

A new perspective, Toner said.

Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report.

michael.finnegan@latimes.com

Twitter: @finneganLAT

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At some point soon, supporters of the Republican congressional healthcare plan are going to have to settle on a strategy.

Do they contest the methodology used in this weeks big analysis? Or do they insist that the most important outcome of their sweeping plan is the cost to the government and not how many people end up with coverage?

Good morning from the state capital. Im Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, and there are a lot of people here in California still sifting through the numbers when it comes to the American Health Care Act.

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Few states have as much at stake, with more than 4 million Californians receiving healthcare coverage through the law championed by former President Barack Obama  most of those through the expansion of Medi-Cal, the states version of Medicaid.

BY THE NUMBERS

The debate, of course, fundamentally shifted on Monday with the Congressional Budget Office estimate of less federal government spending and more Americans who would be uninsured.

Critics of the plan are squarely focused on the CBO projection that 14 million Americans would join the ranks of the uninsured next year, 24 million over the next decade.

In California, the effects of the plan are starting to take shape. The states health insurance exchange, Covered California, pointed out those buying individual plans in the northern part of the state could be hit particularly hard.

REPUBLICAN RELUCTANCE, SPICERS SPIN

For Republicans, repealing and replacing Obamacare is something theyve preached and promised for years. But Mondays blockbuster report has only further fueled speculation that the current plan is all but dead in the Senate and in deep trouble in the House of Representatives.

One California Republican, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), said that the party can do better than what House leaders put forward, and hes not sure he can support the bill.

Democrats were only too happy to put a fine point on the issue.

Is there anyone left in the country who actually likes it? asked Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), reading the lists of doctors, hospital organizations and others on Tuesday that have registered opposition.

The political path forward could be especially tricky for President Trump, given his campaign assurances that he would provide insurance for everybody.

Now, according to Trump spokesman Sean Spicer, its a plan that offers more people the option to get healthcare.

GETTING IN ON THE ACT

Here in Sacramento, state Senate Democrats ripped the Republican Obamacare replacement plan in a non-binding resolution on Monday. And just as quickly, Republican legislators told them to quit whining.

COMPARISONS AND CREDIBILITY

There are a lot of variables to consider when placing the Republican plan alongside the existing Affordable Care Act. Check out Noam N. Levey and Kyle Kims side-by-side look at how the two visions of healthcare stack up.

And you could have predicted this: GOP criticism of the Congressional Budget Office, even though its director was handpicked two years ago by Republican leaders. Even with the shots fired over these past 36 hours, the independent analysts are widely seen as impartial and credible.

TRUMPS 2005 TAX RETURN

And then, in the middle of a news cycle dominated by healthcare, came Tuesday nights unexpected revelation of the presidents tax returns from 2005. At least the first two pages of the document.

The document, sent to journalist David Cay Johnston, appears to show Trump paying more than $36.5 million on income of $150 million.

The White House seemed to not only confirm the document but also took aim at MSNBC for broadcasting its contents. And regardless of how it all came out, it certainly offered the presidents team a diversion away from healthcare reporting.

GOODBYE, FUEL MILEAGE RULES?

Get ready for more Trump action today with a major effect on the Golden State. The president is expected to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to scrap the aggressive vehicle fuel economy targets that are baked into Californias climate change efforts.

The president is expected to make the announcement in Detroit. And yes, this one could ultimately spark the most important legal squabble so far between California and the Trump administration.

SPEAKING OF CLIMATE DEBATES...

At the state Capitol, lawmakers are scheduled to hold a hearing today to consider Gov. Jerry Browns request to extend Californias cap-and-trade program  the centerpiece of the states battle against global warming.

Although the program has been operating for the last few years, its facing a new round of scrutiny this year. Consider the debate over carbon offsets, green-friendly projects that are funded by polluters to meet state requirements for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Chris Megerian looks at how the changing political dynamic in California and the increasing clout of environmental justice advocates could shape this years debate.

A BERNIE BOOST IN LOS ANGELES RACE FOR CONGRESS?

The race among 23 candidates in next months special congressional election in Los Angeles is being heavily influenced by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who won in the 34th Congressional District over Hillary Clinton in Californias presidential primary.

At least three candidates say Sanders, in part, inspired them to run. Sanders hasnt made an endorsement in the race, and theres no clear standard-bearer for his wing of the party. But observers say this contest could demonstrate how Berners might affect future Democratic races across the country.

TODAYS ESSENTIALS

-- Americas chief executives like what they see when it comes to Trump.

-- Just call him Wayne Tracker. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used an alias for emails about climate change as CEO of Exxon.

-- The U.S. Department of Justice wants more time to provide evidence to back up the presidents allegations of campaign wiretapping.

-- California government officials havent sufficiently checked the criminal histories of workers in child care and senior facilities, according to a new state audit.

-- Crime victims testified on Tuesday in support of a California bill that would expand the collection of DNA in criminal cases.

-- A state Senate panel voted on Tuesday to push a ballot measure banning the state from taking money from vehicle fees and gas taxes and using it on non-transportation programs.

--The Times editorial board endorsed Maria Cabildo, a longtime affordable housing developer and advocate.

LOGISTICS

You may have noticed weve shifted to a Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule. Its the same newsletter, just not every day. You can keep up with breaking news on our politics page throughout the day. And are you following us on Twitter at @latimespolitics?

Miss Mondays newsletter? Here you go.

Please send thoughts, concerns and news tips to politics@latimes.com.

Did someone forward you this? Sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox.

john.myers@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter at @johnmyers and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast
In the heart of Los Angeles, the race among nearly two dozen candidates for the congressional seat left open by Xavier Becerra is being heavily influenced by a man who lives more than 2,900 miles away.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders progressive ideas, which won him a national following and helped him capture the district from Hillary Clinton in the primary last year, have given the race a decidedly leftward tilt in the heavily Democratic enclave.

At least three candidates in the 34th District say Sanders, in part, inspired them to run. Candidate forums and campaign events ahead of the April 4 primary abound with references to ridding politics of money and fighting the Democratic establishment, in addition to opposing President Trump.

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With 19 Democrats running and no anointed standard-bearer for the Sanders wing of the party, its unclear whether voters will advance a Sanders-style candidate into what is expected to be a runoff between the top two finishers June 6.

Still, the first congressional primary since Trump was elected could demonstrate how Berniecrats can affect future Democratic races across the country.

If any contest this year might reflect the staying power of Sanders movement, its this one: In an early poll of likely voters, a majority believed Sanders would have beaten Trump had he been the Democratic nominee, and nearly half agreed that the Democratic Party has been taken over by corporate interests.

The survey, conducted by Latino Decisions, suggested an endorsement from Sanders would hold sway with more than 70% of voters. So far, Sanders has not picked a favorite.

The three candidates running most visibly on the Sanders agenda are Arturo Carmona, Sanders deputy political director during the presidential campaign; Wendy Carrillo, a labor activist and former journalist who recently spent several weeks protesting the Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock; and Kenneth Mejia, a Green Party candidate who said he quit the Democratic Party over its corrupt politics.

On a recent evening, Rich Pelletier, a deputy campaign manager for Sanders presidential bid, stood before a few dozen supporters at a fundraiser for Carmona.

This race...is the tipping point, Pelletier told the crowd gathered in a restaurant overlooking the Staples Center. This is the race that can set us on a path where we have true progressive champions representing us in Congress.

Dubbed Berning Up LA, anti-establishment sentiment at the event was sharp. Many applauded when a comedian used an expletive to describe Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and remarked it seemed amazing that progressive activists needed to pressure her to stand up for their values.

Taking the stage, Carmona railed against machine politics in Los Angeles and accused party insiders of picking favorites. According to them, this race is over, but were going to surprise them, he said as they responded with chants of Feel the Bern!

Congressional candidate Kenneth Mejia is the only Green Party candidate in the race. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

At another candidate forum, Kenneth Mejia sounded like an evangelist as he paced through the crowd, saying, We have candidates here who want to try to pass progressive legislation but how are you gonna do that in a Democratic Party  that wants to cater to Wall Street?

The implied target of such jabs is Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, a former union organizer who has the support of dozens of elected officials including Becerra, a major Clinton backer. Gomez, a third-term legislator, has perfect scores from key progressive groups such as the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Equality California and the California Labor Federation.

But supporters of Carmona and Mejia have pointed out that Gomez, as a legislator, has taken campaign contributions from pharmaceutical companies and private prison companies, and suggested he is beholden to special interests. When local party delegates voted overwhelmingly to grant the California Democratic Party endorsement to Gomez, Carmona, Carrillo and others released a statement likening the process to dirty tricks.

Sanders supporters largely agree their greatest foe in the race is Gomez, but no clear Bernie candidate has emerged.

If Jimmy Gomez is too conservative for this district, and that wouldve been laughable just two years ago, that should tell you where the body politic is going, Democratic strategist Eric Hacopian said.

Carrillo, an early Sanders supporter who helped house his campaign workers in Los Angeles, recently won endorsements from a trio of prominent Sanders backers, including his former deputy campaign manager, Rania Batrice. In a statement, Batrice noted the countless hours Carillo volunteered for Sanders and her protest of the Dakota Access pipeline. Wendy walks the talk, she wrote.

Wendy Carrillo, a candidate in the 34th Congressional District, often highlights her time spent at the Standing Rock protest. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Carmona has support from dozens of former Sanders advisors and delegates, and Mejia has mostly attracted supporters from the movements far-left wing, many of whom abandoned the party to follow Jill Stein and other Green Party activists.

Our Revolution, the political group Sanders launched thats helped progressive candidates raise money, has declined to endorse a candidate in the primary.

We listened to our supporters, and the base is split. We dont want to go against the people who are there on the ground, doing the work, said Executive Director Shannon Jackson.

Yolanda Gonzalez, a Sanders supervolunteer, joined the Green Party and is now backing Mejia.

A lot of us that were very united with Bernie, we are at that fork in the road, Gonzalez said. Bernie was always for the worker, and that is what I see in Kenneth. Gonzalez, who has roots in the district but no longer lives there, has been canvassing for Mejia.

Eden McFadden, an event coordinator and former Sanders delegate, said that though she considers Mejia a friend, shes supporting Carmona because she saw him as a real progressive who actually stood a solid chance of getting elected.

With the Sanders supporters unable to line up behind a single candidate, the chances for any of the Bernie candidates seem slim, Democratic strategist Doug Herman said. He predicts turnout in the primary could dip into the single digits, particularly following a countywide election with 16% voter turnout that returned many incumbents to office. A Times analysis of likely voter data provided by Political Data shows many pockets of the district that went for Sanders have more voters who are considered less likely to turn out. With the Democratic field so fractured, Herman says its actually more likely that Gomez will face off with the sole Republican in the race, coasting to election June 6.

But Hacopian said the 2016 election proved that trying to predict how new voters will behave is fruitless.

He points to recent Democratic Party delegate elections, in which Sanders-inspired groups turned out hundreds more Democrats than usual and helped elect progressive slates of candidates in local caucuses up and down the state.

At the very least, Hacopian said, the prominence of Sanders agenda in this race points to politics tilting further left in California, where top-two runoffs leave room for battles between progressive and moderate Democrats in safe seats.

There are definitely things at work here that are emblematic of fights that will take place in the next two, four, six or eight years in the Democratic Party.

Times staff writers Javier Panzar and Jon Schleuss contributed to this report.

christine.maiduc@latimes.com

For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc.

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Updates on California politics
Hes been called Putins favorite congressman. And Rep. Dana Rohrabacher makes no apologies for his fondness for Russia.

That position has put the iconoclastic Huntington Beach Republican and onetime speechwriter for Ronald Reagan at odds with many in his own party for decades. But now, in the midst of a roiling investigation into Russias influence in the 2016 presidential election, hes in sync with a least one very important person  the current president of the United States.

Rohrabacher is one of Capitol Hills strongest backers of President Trumps view that the United States has unfairly demonized Russia, which both see not as an adversary but a potentially important partner in the fight against terrorism. Rohrabacher hailed Trump for arguing with Fox News host Bill OReilly, among others, about Russias human rights record and saying were no better.

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The congressmans Russia awakening happened years ago on a battlefield in the midst of the Cold War.

It started with a promise he made to Afghan fighters in the late 1980s when he was a special assistant to President Reagan, helping to arm the Afghani mujahedin during their battle with the Soviet Union. He vowed to one day fight alongside them.

Following his 1988 election to represent coastal Orange County in Congress, Rohrabacher joined the Afghan civil war, signing up for a week with a unit wielding AK-47s and grenade launchers. The mission: take out a Soviet position outside Jalalabad.

I think, since that moment, I have realized that I was fighting communism all that time, but I wasnt fighting Russians, Rohrabacher said in an interview in his Capitol Hill office.

The Soviet Union would soon break apart, and Rohrabacher grew to respect his onetime enemies and champion their attempt at democracy. Two decades ago, he got to know Vladimir Putin while drunkenly arm-wrestling the then-deputy-mayor of St. Petersburg over who actually won the Cold War. (Putin won the matchup, and quickly, Rohrabacher notes.)

Rohrabacher insists hes not standing up for his old drinking buddy. Im sure hes done things that are totally unacceptable, but he is the elected leader and I think he runs the country the way the Russian people basically want it run, Rohrabacher said.

Now Washington is buzzing with the Russia election-meddling allegations that have spurred Congressional investigations and prompted calls for more. And Rohrabacher dismisses it all as no big deal.

Did they try to influence our election? We have tried to influence their elections, and everybodys elections, Rohrabacher said. The American people are being fed information that would lead them to believe that we need to be in a war-like stance when it comes to Russia.

His position on Russia, along with his views on marijuana legalization, have for decades made him a Libertarian outlier in the Republican Party. While he hasnt moved into the mainstream, hes not an outlier in this administration.

Hours after Donald Trump was sworn in as the countrys 45th president, Rohrabacher stood on stage at a ball he threw in Trumps honor and told war stories about working as a speechwriter for Reagan. In the great hall of the Library of Congress, the smell of bourbon and apple cider filling the air, guests in ball gowns and tuxedos strained to hear Rohrabacher do his spot-on Reagan impression.

I will tell you now, we do not have Ronald Reagan, but what we have is a strong and vocal leader who will not be afraid to tell people that we are going to eradicate radical Islamic terrorism, and we have a president of the United States who is not going to apologize for making America the first priority in his decision-making, Rohrabacher said.

After playing a role in the Soviet Unions collapse, Rohrabacher decided his job in Congress was to ease the way for Russia to embrace democracy. He has spent the nearly three decades since meeting with Russian politicians, carrying Russian-related legislation and advocating for the country and against U.S. sanctions, moves that earned him the favorite congressman nickname from Politico.

We have a significant number of people, right-wingers, who their whole life Russia was the Soviet Union, it was the evil empire, Rohrabacher said. There are a lot of people now who this is part of their psyche. They just cant get themselves out of the Cold War. Weve been treating Russia as if its still a hostile dictatorship that wants to undermine democracy every place they can in the world and thats just not the case anymore.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, right, is shown during his visit to Afghanistan shortly after he was first elected to Congress. (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

He sees a kindred spirit in Trump, who since the early days of his campaign has said he wants to have a friendly relationship with Putin, and believes Russia could be a strategic ally for fighting Islamic State. Rohrabacher was even briefly floated as a candidate for secretary of State.

But a cloud has settled over the Trump administration since intelligence agencies released a report in January saying the Russian government actively tried to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, first to ensure Hillary Clinton would lose, and later to ensure Trump would win.

Since then, questions have swirled about what the Trump campaign knew of the plan and when it knew it. The White House has flatly denied any collusion, but several news outlets have reported the FBI is investigating members of the Trump campaign, and both the House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees have announced they are looking into what happened.

So Rohrabacher has found himself frequently sticking up for Trump and Russia.

That included defending former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who resigned after news broke that hed lied to Vice President Mike Pence about his conversations with the Russian ambassador before the election.

Rohrabacher told the right-leaning news site Independent Journal Review that Flynns resignation was a growing pain of a new administration, and equated further investigation of Flynns contacts with Russia to people waiting to beat this person up when hes on the ground and kick his face in.

When U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions recused himself after revelations he hadnt been truthful during his Senate confirmation hearings about meeting with the Russian ambassador, Rohrabacher said, the Democrats and their allies in the elite media are clearly obsessed with placing blame for their rejection at the polls on their fantasy of a nefarious Russia-Republican cabal.

At home in Huntington Beach, where his positions on Russia havent helped or hurt, Rohrabacher remains popular. He won his last election comfortably even as the voters in his district narrowly chose Hillary Clinton for president. At 69, he has long been considered a prime candidate for retirement, but theres been no talk of that lately.

As chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committees Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats Subcommittee, Rohrabacher plans to lead a congressional delegation to Russia and Ukraine in April to talk about working together.

Establishment Republicans are puzzled by Trumps efforts to reset the U.S. relationship with Russia, but Rohrabacher mostly worries Trump will feel pressured to change his position and get sucked into the establishment way of thinking.

Fox News OReilly noted in a recent interview with Trump that Putin is a killer, prompting the president to respond: You think our country is so innocent?

Many in the party distanced themselves from those comments, but Rohrabacher made similar arguments to the Los Angeles Times, saying the United States doesnt hold the moral high ground, including when it comes to trying to influence foreign elections.

And for years, Rohrabacher has suggested that Russias record of human rights abuse is inflated. In December, he grappled with a Soviet-born Yahoo News reporter, calling her biased and saying Oh, baloney when she compared human rights abuses in China and Russia.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher compares Putin to former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in contentious exchange https://t.co/ujiKgvb65W pic.twitter.com/x9CbmE3GzV  Yahoo News (@YahooNews) December 8, 2016

During a committee hearing just last week, Rohrabacher dismissed concerns about Russian aggression from the former president of Estonia, and compared Putin to the late Chicago Mayor Richard Daley.

Daley beat demonstrators up and did not represent anything what America was all about, but he was not some vicious dictator, Rohrabacher said.

He was nervous when U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley blamed Russia for renewed, deadly fighting in Ukraine that began shortly after Trumps inauguration. Haley also said U.S. sanctions against Moscow would remain in place, which seems to contradict what Trump hinted about Russia as a candidate and as president-elect.

It was intended as a slap in the face to Russia, Rohrabacher said. Youve got people trying their best to box the president in and to force him into positions that take him away from his goal of having better relations with Russia.

He says there was no other reason for Russia to act aggressively in Ukraine right after the inauguration of a friendly president. But Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Anders Aslund, an expert on Russia and Ukraine, said Russia was testing the waters. He wasnt surprised the aggression came after Trump and Putins first phone call. What matters is what the White House does, and spokesmen and surrogates comments are just a distraction, he said.

Putin understood that Trump wont do anything, Aslund said.

No one doubts that Rohrabacher was especially close to President Reagan, who is remembered as a staunch anti-Soviet.

His heart beats in the same rhythm as Ronald Reagans, this man was about as close to him as anybody I ever knew, senior Reagan speechwriter Joshua Gilder told the crowd at Rohrabachers ball for Trumps inauguration.

Thats what makes Rohrabachers position today so mystifying to his House colleagues. Rohrabacher sees no contradiction. His mentor, he says, would have wanted the United States to have a good relationship with Russia.

Ronald Reagan would be just like Trump on this, no doubt, Rohrabacher said. He believed in peace through strength. Conservatives always sort of skip over the peace part and [go] straight to strength.

Reagan was very much for peace, especially with the Russian people.

sarah.wire@latimes.com

Twitter: @sarahdwire

Read more about the 55 members of Californias delegation at latimes.com/politics.

ALSO:

Updates on California politics

Another piece of Trumps taxes revealed: More than $35 million paid on $150 million in income in 2005

The Bernie Sanders vote matters in the race for this L.A. congressional district, and it might be a sign
Trump promotes sons Justice with Judge Jeanine interview President Trump promoted via Twitter an interview with his son Eric Trump just before it aired Saturday night on Fox News Justice with Judge Jeanine. Eric Trump on @JudgeJeanine on @FoxNews now!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 Eric Trump called into the show to defend his father from criticism prompted by the first government shutdown in more than four years, as well as a series of Womens March events that saw protesters in dozens of cities take to the streets to oppose the presidents policies. .@EricTrump joined me over the phone from Mar-a-Lago ! pic.twitter.com/Hro3TzUW52  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 21, 2018 Speaking to host Jeannine Piro  who is reportedly an old friend of the presidents  Eric Trump offered effusive praise for his father, ticking off glowing statistics to illustrate the strength of the U.S. economy and gains against Islamic State fighters overseas. My fathers working like no ones ever worked before to bring back this country and to fulfill his promise to make America great again, said the executive vice president of the Trump Organization. He also repeated a sentiment recently expressed on Twitter by his father: That Democratic lawmakers forced a government shutdown on the anniversary of the presidents inauguration in a bid to distract from his achievements. You look at this whole government shutdown, and the only reason they want to shut down government is to distract and to stop his momentum, Eric Trump said. I mean, my father has had incredible momentum. Hes gotten more done in one year than arguably any president in history. Facebook

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Trump tweets: a perfect day for all Women to March President Trump hailed the nationwide Womens March gatherings Saturday. On Twitter, the president called it a perfect day for all Women to March, seeming to imply that those taking part were celebrating his administrations accomplishments: Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Participants in the marches across the United States were actually seeking to deliver a powerful rebuke to Trumps policies and mount a crucial mobilization for this years midterm elections. But Trump continued to tout his administrations unprecedented success in tweets sent later in the day: Unprecedented success for our Country, in so many ways, since the Election. Record Stock Market, Strong on Military, Crime, Borders, & ISIS, Judicial Strength & Numbers, Lowest Unemployment for Women & ALL, Massive Tax Cuts, end of Individual Mandate - and so much more. Big 2018!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The Trump Administration has terminated more UNNECESSARY Regulation, in just twelve months, than any other Administration has terminated during their full term in office, no matter what the length. The good news is, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO COME!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018 In addition to the roll call of major American cities where womens marches took place  including New York, Washington, Los Angeles, Dallas, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta  protesters also raised their voices in suburbs and small towns, reflecting the aim of coalescing a broad-based movement on the anniversary of Trumps inauguration to oppose the presidents stance on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and an array of other issues. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Trump calls shutdown a present from Democrats By Associated Press President Trump is blaming Democrats for the government shutdown  tweeting that they wanted to give him a nice present to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration: This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 That comes after Senate Democrats late Friday killed a GOP-written House-passed measure that would have kept agencies functioning for four weeks. Democrats were seeking a stopgap bill of just a few days in hopes that would build pressure on Republicans, and they were opposing a three-week alternative offered by GOP leaders. Democrats have insisted they would back legislation reopening the government once theres a bipartisan agreement to preserve protections against deporting about 700,000 immigrants  known as Dreamers  who arrived in the United States illegally as children. Trump on Saturday accused Democrats of holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration: Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Cant let that happen!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Democrats are laying fault for the shutdown on Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House and have struggled with building internal consensus. In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president tried to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans to Congress in November in order to power through this mess: Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 He noted that there are 51 Republicans in the 100-member Senate, and it often takes 60 votes to advance legislation: For those asking, the Republicans only have 51 votes in the Senate, and they need 60. That is why we need to win more Republicans in 2018 Election! We can then be even tougher on Crime (and Border), and even better to our Military & Veterans!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 #AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 The stopgap spending measure won 50 votes in the Senate, including five from Democrats. Although the House and Senate were in session Saturday, it was unclear whether lawmakers would take any votes of consequence. Trump had been set to leave Friday afternoon for a fundraiser at his estate in Palm Beach, Fla., where he intended to mark the inauguration anniversary. But he remained in Washington and ended up scrapping his plans to attend the Saturday fundraiser. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet casts doubt on likelihood of averting shutdown President Trump appeared to cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching a deal to avert a government shutdown Friday night in a tweet. Trump also sought to blame Democrats for what would be the first shutdown since 2013. His message came just hours before the midnight deadline by which lawmakers must pass a measure to fund government agencies, or some operations will cease. Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 Despite last-minute negotiations Friday between Trump and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, Congress remained deadlocked over a spending bill and the federal government was headed toward a shutdown at midnight. Senate Democrats  joined by some GOP deficit hawks and immigration allies  were set to filibuster a stopgap funding bill approved by the House on Thursday. A Senate vote was planned for 10 p.m. Eastern, and even White House officials predicted it would fail. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Lisa Mascaro. Facebook

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Trump signs surveillance law after confusing tweets By Associated Press President Trump on Friday signed a bill into law to renew a foreign intelligence surveillance program, announcing his action in the latest in a series of confusing tweets about the spy program: Just signed 702 Bill to reauthorize foreign intelligence collection. This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018 Trumps tweet on Jan. 11 created chaos in the House just before it voted to reauthorize what is known as Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. He linked the intelligence program to a dossier that alleges his presidential campaign had ties to Russia. That caused people to wonder if he didnt support the program that allows U.S. spy agencies to collect intelligence on foreign targets abroad. Trump and other Republicans have alleged that Obama administration officials improperly shared the identities of Trump presidential transition team members mentioned in intelligence reports. Democrats say there is no evidence that happened. Shortly before the House vote, and after conferring with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Trump did an apparent about-face. This vote is about foreign surveillance of foreign bad guys on foreign land, he tweeted. We need it! Get smart! In his tweet announcing that he had just signed the bill, Trump wrote: This is NOT the same FISA law that was so wrongly abused during the election. I will always do the right thing for our country and put the safety of the American people first! There are no obvious links between the dossier Trump spoke of, which includes salacious but unsubstantiated allegations against him, and the reauthorization of the spying program, or between the program and Trumps oft-repeated claims that the Obama administration conducted surveillance on Trump Tower during the presidential campaign. Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests that Pennsylvania trip is a political one The White House press office was once again forced to walk back a tweet from President Trump on Thursday morning after he described a trip to Pennsylvania later in the day as a political one  a statement that would force the Republican Party, not taxpayers, to pay for the journey. The White House had said Trump was going to an industrial equipment company outside of Pittsburgh to highlight the good economy and new tax cuts, making it an official, policy-oriented event. It was widely assumed that the trip had a political cast  the area is holding a special election to fill a congressional seat vacated by a Republican who resigned. Trump, by his tweet, seemed to confirm that politics was the whole purpose: Will be going to Pennsylvania today in order to give my total support to RICK SACCONE, running for Congress in a Special Election (March 13). Rick is a great guy. We need more Republicans to continue our already successful agenda!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 Trump later shared via Twitter a pair of video clips of his speech at H&K Equipment, in which he touted the tax cuts he signed into law just before Christmas and tried to turn the conversation back to his accomplishments after weeks dominated by distractions, including questions about his mental health and comments about immigration that some considered racist: Departing Pittsburgh now, where it was my great honor to stand with our incredible workers, and to show the world that AMERICA is back - and we are coming back bigger and better and stronger than ever before! pic.twitter.com/kWPgylqFzj  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 AMERICA will once again be a NATION that thinks big, dreams bigger, and always reaches for the stars. YOU are the ones who will shape Americas destiny. YOU are the ones who will restore our prosperity. And YOU are the ones who are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! #MAGA pic.twitter.com/f2abNK47II  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2018 The Republican National Committee, rather than the White House, is supposed to pay for political travel so that taxpayers are not financing party activities; for trips that combine policy and politics, parties have split the cost under past presidents. Neither the RNC nor the White House responded to emails sent Thursday asking who would pay. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders released a statement later Thursday suggesting that taxpayers would foot the bill. She insisted that Trump would be conducting government business while in Pennsylvania. Read More This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump tweets praise of Bob Dole after awarding him Congressional Gold Medal By Associated Press Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole knew the art of the deal before President Trump published the 1987 book of the same name. The two shared a stage under the Capitol dome Wednesday as Dole, 94, accepted Congress highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his World War II service and decades of work in the House and Senate. Trump later praised Dole in a tweet, attaching to his message a video composed of clips from the ceremony: Today, we witnessed an incredible moment in history  the presentation of Congress highest civilian honor to our friend, and true AMERICAN HERO, Bob Dole. #CongressionalGoldMedal pic.twitter.com/qNQqDLRmCk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2018 At the ceremony, the president saluted Dole as a patriot and gave tribute to Doles struggle as a veteran who worked his way back from a grievous shoulder wound he suffered in Italy. He knows about grit, said Trump. But it was Doles penchant for working across the aisle that earned him his latest award, according to the legislation. Bob Dole was known for his ability to work across the aisle and embrace practical bipartisanship, reads the legislation Trump signed in September. Some of the awards 300 recipients include George Washington and Mother Teresa, according to the Congressional Research Service. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts report that seeks to link terrorism cases with immigration By Joseph Tanfani The Trump administration on Tuesday released a report attempting to link terrorism with migration, arguing that it was evidence of the need to dramatically reshape the nations immigration system. New report from DOJ & DHS shows that nearly 3 in 4 individuals convicted of terrorism-related charges are foreign-born. We have submitted to Congress a list of resources and reforms....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 ....we need to keep America safe, including moving away from a random chain migration and lottery system, to one that is merit-based. https://t.co/7PtoSFK1n2  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The report, ordered by President Trump in an executive order last year, said that 75% of the 549 people convicted of terrorism charges since 9/11 were born outside the U.S. Administration officials called that a sign that the U.S. needs to scrap its policy of family preferences for visas, which they call chain migration, and a diversity visa lottery program. But the report did not specify how many  if any  of the convicted terrorists entered the country through those means. It also did not detail how many of the convictions were related to attacks or plans in the U.S. versus overseas and how many involved people who went to fight overseas for the Islamic State or another terrorist group. Those details were not available, officials said. The report, due last year, is being released in a highly charged moment in the immigration debate, as Trump and some Republicans in Congress seek tough new border and immigration measures in return for a deal protecting the 690,000 people in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Trump also fired off a pair of tweets on the topic earlier Tuesday: We must have Security at our VERY DANGEROUS SOUTHERN BORDER, and we must have a great WALL to help protect us, and to help stop the massive inflow of drugs pouring into our country!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The focus of our immigration system should be assimilation, a senior administration official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition that his name not be used. He said the nation should give priority to potential immigrants who speak English, who have an education and those who are committed to supporting our values  not family members of people already here. The official said the timing of the report was coincidental. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets welcome to president of Kazakhstan By Associated Press President Trump said Tuesday that he and the president of Kazakhstan are united in a shared determination to prevent North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear devastation. Trump and President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed North Korea along with other issues during meetings at the White House. Today, it was my honor to welcome President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan to the @WhiteHouse! pic.twitter.com/TerYFZViax  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 Trump said Kazakhstan, once part of the Soviet Union, is a valued partner in our efforts to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons. Together we are determined to prevent the North Korean regime from threatening the world with nuclear devastation, he said, as both presidents addressed journalists between meetings. Nazarbayev noted that his country once had one of the worlds largest nuclear arsenals but voluntarily gave it up after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said his country is in talks with Iran, which was the focus of a global deal that lifted some economic sanctions in exchange for Irans curbing its nuclear program. Trump has sharply criticized the Iran nuclear deal and threatened last week to pull out soon unless other countries fix what he says are terrible flaws. Read More Facebook

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Trump falsely claims his approval rating among black Americans has doubled By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump lashed out at the news media Tuesday morning in a tweet denouncing the special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion among members of his campaign team. Do you notice the Fake News Mainstream Media never likes covering the great and record setting economic news, but rather talks about anything negative or that can be turned into the negative. The Russian Collusion Hoax is dead, except as it pertains to the Dems. Public gets it!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the presidents tweet, but it appeared as though he was watching Fox & Friends. A short time later, Trump tweeted a headline from a report that aired during that mornings episode: 90% of Trump 2017 news coverage was negative -and much of it contrived!@foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 The segment focused on the latest survey results from conservative watchdog Media Research Center, which purportedly analyzed the evening news broadcasts on ABC, CBS and NBC from Jan. 20 to Dec. 31 and found that 90% of the statements made about Trump were negative. Study: 90% of Trump media coverage in 2017 was negative pic.twitter.com/vbrwup4Drg  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 16, 2018 But believe it or not, through all this negative coverage, they did a survey of 600,000 people about how black America views this president, co-host Brian Kilmeade said. His numbers have actually doubled in approval. Trump highlighted the statement in another tweet: Unemployment for Black Americans is the lowest ever recorded. Trump approval ratings with Black Americans has doubled. Thank you, and it will get even (much) better! @FoxNews  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 16, 2018 But its not true. The claim appears to have originated from a misreading of data from the online polling firm SurveyMonkey, according to factcheck.org. The firm polled 600,000 Americans in 2017 and found that Trumps approval rating among blacks actually dropped from 23% early in his presidency to about 17%, as of the week ending Jan. 3. Some conservative outlets, including Breitbart, produced an average from those and other SurveyMonkey figures and compared them to the scores Trump received from black voters in the 2016 exit polls. That methodology is not sound. And since the statistics measure different things, the comparison is misleading. Facebook

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Trump goes after senator who surfaced his immigration remark By Associated Press President Trump turned his Twitter torment Monday on the Democrat in the room where immigration talks with lawmakers took a famously coarse turn, saying Sen. Richard J. Durbin misrepresented what he had said about African nations and Haiti and, in the process, undermined the trust needed to make a deal. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting, Trump tweeted, using a nickname to needle the Illinois senator. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military. Senator Dicky Durbin totally misrepresented what was said at the DACA meeting. Deals cant get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 Trump was referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects young people who came to the United States illegally as children. Members of Congress from both parties are trying to strike a deal that Trump would support to extend that protection. Trump also cast doubt on the likelihood of reaching an agreement in tweets sent earlier Monday: Statement by me last night in Florida: Honestly, I dont think the Democrats want to make a deal. They talk about DACA, but they dont want to help..We are ready, willing and able to make a deal but they dont want to. They dont want security at the border, they dont want.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 ...to stop drugs, they want to take money away from our military which we cannot do. My standard is very simple, AMERICA FIRST & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2018 On a day of remembrance for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump spent time at his golf course with no public events, bypassing the acts of service that his predecessors staged in honor of the civil rights leader. Instead, Trump dedicated his weekly address to Kings memory, saying Kings dream and Americas are the same: A world where people are judged by who they are, not how they look or where they come from. That message was a distinct counterpoint to words attributed to Trump by Durbin and others at a meeting last week, when the question of where immigrants come from seemed at the forefront of Trumps concerns. Some participants and others familiar with the conversation said Trump challenged immigration from shithole countries of Africa and disparaged Haiti as well. Without explicitly denying using that word, Trump lashed out at the Democratic senator, who said Trump uttered it on several occasions. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks pundit for laudatory Fox & Friends spot By Alex Wigglesworth President Trump thanked Fox News personality Stuart Varney after Varney praised Trump during an appearance on Fox & Friends. In a pair of tweets early Sunday, Trump quoted from Varneys commentary, in which he argued that Trump deserves more credit for the booming economy. The pundit, who also hosts a show on Fox Business Network, cited moves by some corporations to raise workers minimum wage or pay out one-time bonuses in response to the GOP tax cuts. President Trump is not getting the credit he deserves for the economy. Tax Cut bonuses to more than 2,000,000 workers. Most explosive Stock Market rally that weve seen in modern times. 18,000 to 26,000 from Election, and grounded in profitability and growth. All Trump, not 0...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 ...big unnecessary regulation cuts made it all possible (among many other things). President Trump reversed the policies of President Obama, and reversed our economic decline. Thank you Stuart Varney. @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 Varney was reacting to a quote from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), who on Thursday called the bonuses handed down to workers pathetic in comparison to the gains corporations are expected to see from the tax cuts. In terms of the bonus that corporate America received versus the crumbs that they are giving to workers to kind of put the schmooze on is so pathetic, Pelosi told reporters. Its pathetic. Varney shot back Sunday that the bonuses, along with explosive stock market growth, are enriching all Americans. This is a huge shot in the arm, its the result of this tax cut deal and I think President Trump should get the credit for it, he said. .@Varneyco Sets the economic record straight after Nancy Pelosi calls U.S. mass bonuses crumbs pic.twitter.com/BvjIHGm3HE  FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 14, 2018 The sweeping tax plan passed last month lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and cuts personal income taxes. Analysts say the benefits will largely flow to corporations and the wealthy, as theyre more likely to be in positions to share in corporate profits. For instance, Wells Fargo & Co., which responded to news of the tax overhaul by announcing it will raise workers pay to at least $15 an hour, also reported that it expects to pay an effective tax rate of 19% this year, down from about 31% in previous years. That should amount to tax savings of more than $3 billion annually. On average, middle-class Americans are expected to see a very small tax cut in the near term and a tax increase after 2025, when all of the tax cuts for individuals expire. The tax cuts for corporations, however, are permanent.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer James Rufus Koren. Facebook

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Trump touts MLK proclamation in tweet, but ceremony is overshadowed by reports of racist remarks By Associated Press President Trump signed a proclamation Friday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, noting the contributions of a great American hero. Today, it was my great honor to proclaim January 15, 2018, as Martin Luther King Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service activities in honor of Dr. King's life and legacy. pic.twitter.com/samlJsz1Nt  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 Overshadowing the event was mounting backlash from Trumps comments during a private meeting with lawmakers the day before. A short time after the meeting, which was called to discuss a possible immigration deal, reports emerged that Trump had asked participants why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin, the Senates second-ranking Democrat, appeared to confirm those reports on Friday. Trump did not respond Friday to several questions about the incident, including whether he actually used vulgar language to describe African nations, or if he is racist. The president said at the White House that love was central to the slain civil rights leader. Trump said the nation celebrates King for standing up for the self-evident truth Americans hold so dear, that no matter what the color of our skin or place of our birth, we are all created equal by God.  This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump criticizes Democrats in tweet calling for stricter immigration rules President Trump hit out at Democrats on Thursday night in a tweet calling for stricter immigration rules. Trump wrote that members of the party seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the border with Mexico: The Democrats seem intent on having people and drugs pour into our country from the Southern Border, risking thousands of lives in the process. It is my duty to protect the lives and safety of all Americans. We must build a Great Wall, think Merit and end Lottery & Chain. USA!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2018 It wasnt immediately clear exactly what prompted the tweet. Earlier Thursday, Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise to resolve the standoff over so-called Dreamers, young immigrants who were brought to the United States illegally as children but have temporary permits to work, attend school or serve in the military. The president drew widespread condemnation after reports emerged that he had asked participants in an Oval Office meeting about the proposal why the United States should accept immigrants from shithole countries in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts bill aimed at improving border screening for fentanyl By Associated Press President Trump signed legislation Wednesday aimed at giving Customs and Border Protection agents additional screening devices and other tools to stop the flow of illicit drugs. Speaking at a surprise bill-signing ceremony while flanked by members of Congress from both parties in the Oval Office, Trump described the bill as a significant step forward in the fight against powerful opioids such as fentanyl, which he called our new big scourge. He echoed that language Thursday in a tweet: Yesterday, I signed the #INTERDICTAct (H.R. 2142) with bipartisan members of Congress to help end the flow of drugs into our country. Together, we are committed to doing everything we can to combat the deadly scourge of drug addiction and overdose in the United States! pic.twitter.com/ELZvFol5Lo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 The legislation will pay for new portable and fixed chemical screening devices to detect and intercept fentanyl at ports of entry and in the mail, along with other laboratory equipment and personnel, including scientists. Trump has made fighting the opioid epidemic a centerpiece of his administration, though critics say he hasnt dedicated nearly enough money or resources to make a difference. Trump suggested during his remarks on Wednesday that hed like to take a more aggressive approach to the drug crisis  but the countrys not ready for what he has in mind. So were going to sign this. And its a step. And it feels like a very giant step, but unfortunately, its not going to be a giant step, because no matter what you do, this is something that keeps pouring in, he said. And were going to find the answer. There is an answer. I think I actually know the answer, but Im not sure the countrys ready for it yet, he added. Does anybody know what I mean? I think so. Facebook

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Trump applauds news that Toyota-Mazda plant is slated for Alabama By Associated Press Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a mammoth, $1.6-billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. President Trump lauded the news in a tweet: Cutting taxes and simplifying regulations makes America the place to invest! Great news as Toyota and Mazda announce they are bringing 4,000 JOBS and investing $1.6 BILLION in Alabama, helping to further grow our economy! pic.twitter.com/Kcg8IVH6iA  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Good news: Toyota and Mazda announce giant new Huntsville, Alabama, plant which will produce over 300,000 cars and SUVs a year and employ 4000 people. Companies are coming back to the U.S. in a very big way. Congratulations Alabama!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2018 Several states had competed for the project, which will be able to turn out 300,000 vehicles per year and produce the Toyota Corolla compact car for North America and a new small SUV from Mazda. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and company executives held a news conference to announce that the facility is coming to the Huntsville area not far from the Tennessee line. Production is expected to begin by 2021. The decision to pick Alabama is another example of foreign-based automakers building U.S. factories in the South. To entice manufacturers, Southern states have used a combination of lucrative incentive packages, low-cost labor and a pro-business labor environment, because the United Auto Workers union is stronger in Northern states. Read More Facebook

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Trump highlights call for border wall in tweets on visit with Norways prime minister By Associated Press President Trump praised Norways prime minister in a tweet on Wednesday after Erna Solberg became the first foreign leader to visit with the president in 2018. Today, it was my great honor to welcome Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway to the @WhiteHouse - a great friend and ally of the United States! Joint press conference: https://t.co/qWR1BhfQZI pic.twitter.com/PJvwznjRCO  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Trump also shared via Twitter a video clip of a joint news conference he held with Solberg on Wednesday afternoon. In the clip, Trump responds to a question from a reporter by saying there can be no bipartisan immigration deal absent funding for his long-promised wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been seeking a solution for hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, young people who were brought to the United States as children and are living here illegally. The United States needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval. The safety and security of our country is #1! pic.twitter.com/4CFzQXb5aS  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 We need the wall for security, we need the wall for safety, we need the wall for stopping the drugs from pouring in, Trump said Wednesday.  Any solution has to include the wall because without the wall, it all doesnt work. On Tuesday, Trump drew widespread attention when he said during a meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers that he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. That contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill in subsequent tweets and public comments. Read More This post contains reporting from Los Angeles Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump praises Cabinet in tweet touting meeting By Associated Press President Trump promoted a meeting of his Cabinet on Wednesday, sharing via Twitter a link to a video of the session posted on the White House YouTube account. In his tweet, Trump thanked his Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country and wrote that the last year has been one of monumental achievement. I want to thank my @Cabinet for working tirelessly on behalf of our country. 2017 was a year of monumental achievement and we look forward to the year ahead. Together, we are delivering results and MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! https://t.co/ptXa1hAPwW pic.twitter.com/yv6RALkQf3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The former reality television star continued to dispense accolades at the meeting Wednesday, greeting reporters in the Cabinet Room by saying: Welcome back to the studio. Then he proceeded to relive a Cabinet Room session from the prior day, when he had allowed reporters and TV cameras to stick around for much of his meeting with a bipartisan group of legislators on the thorny issue of immigration. It was a tremendous meeting. Actually, it was reported as incredibly good. And my performance  you know, some of them called it a performance  I consider it work, Trump said. Trump went on to say he had received letters from news anchors calling it one of the greatest meetings theyve ever witnessed. He added that the media will ultimately support Trump in the end, because theyre going to say, if Trump doesnt win in three years, theyre all out of business. Asked for examples of letters received from news anchors, the White House said it had received private communications. It also offered a series of positive on-air comments and tweets from journalists about the unusual access to the meeting. During his remarks, Trump swung from praising his own meeting coverage to telling journalists that they were dependent on his presidency for ratings to threatening a strong look at libel laws. Still, Trump thanked the journalists in front of him, joking: Youve gotten very familiar with this room. I appreciate your nice comments yesterday. Facebook

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Trump blasts DACA ruling in tweet calling courts broken and unfair By Lisa Mascaro President Trump denounced the federal courts Wednesday as broken and unfair after a district judge in San Francisco issued a nationwide injunction keeping protections in place for so-called Dreamers. Trump tweeted: It just shows everyone how broken and unfair our Court System is when the opposing side in a case (such as DACA) always runs to the 9th Circuit and almost always wins before being reversed by higher courts.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 On Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco temporarily blocked the Trump administrations decision to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, which has protected from deportation some 700,000 people who came to the country illegally as children. Alsup granted a request by the state of California, the University of California and other plaintiffs to stop Trump from ending DACA on March 5. The administrations decision to end DACA, which was announced in September, was based on a flawed legal analysis, Alsup wrote in his decision. Dreamers would be irreparably harmed if their DACA protections, which allow them to live and work legally in the U.S., were stripped away before the courts had a chance to fully consider their claims, he ruled. The action is the mirror image of a ruling in 2015 by a federal judge in Texas who ruled in favor of that state when it sought to block President Obama from expanding DACA to include the parents of Dreamers. Trump administration officials praised that judicial ruling. By contrast, they sharply criticized Alsups decision. Read More Facebook

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Trump thanks lawmakers for productive immigration meeting, says deal must include border wall President Trump thanked a bipartisan group of lawmakers for participating in a meeting on immigration legislation on Tuesday. Much of the discussion involved so-called Dreamers, an estimated 700,000 young people who were brought to the country illegally as children and are now facing deportation. In a tweet, Trump wrote that there was strong agreement to negotiate a bill to protect Dreamers, as well as put into place some of the reforms favored by Republicans. Thanks to all of the Republican and Democratic lawmakers for todays very productive meeting on immigration reform. There was strong agreement to negotiate a bill that deals with border security, chain migration, lottery and DACA. https://t.co/SdqAQ3aL3z pic.twitter.com/8DYHZHspAy  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 The most notable exchange of the meeting came when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the San Francisco Democrat, asked Trump whether he would be agreeable to signing a stand-alone bill to protect the Dreamers, before moving on to a more comprehensive immigration bill. Yeah, I would like to do it, Trump responded. The statement drew widespread attention because it contradicted the Republican consensus that Dreamers fate needed to be part of a broader immigration bill that would include some version of Trumps promised border wall and other immigration reforms. Trump later backed away from a stand-alone Dreamer bill, tweeting that a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico must be part of any deal: As I made very clear today, our country needs the security of the Wall on the Southern Border, which must be part of any DACA approval.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 Pressure has been mounting for Congress to broker an immigration deal by Jan. 19 as part of a must-pass budget package to fund the government. This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Noah Bierman. Facebook

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Trump thanks officers and veterans in tweets President Trump doled out a slew of accolades Tuesday via Twitter. He thanked the nations law enforcement officers, including in his message a hashtag denoting a day of appreciation organized by a national support group for law enforcement families. On behalf of the American people, THANK YOU to our incredible law enforcement officers. As President of the United States - I will fight for you, and I will never, ever let you down. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue! #LawEnforcementAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/Qb4uxB4JRm  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trump later expressed gratitude for federal immigration agents, in particular: .@ICEgov HSI agents and ERO officers, on behalf of an entire Nation, THANK YOU for what you are doing 24/7/365 to keep fellow Americans SAFE. Everyone is so grateful!#LawEnforcementAppreciationDay

President @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/HXCpTlruVo  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018 The president thanked veterans as he cited his administrations efforts to curb the number of veteran suicides by improving mental health treatment for the high-risk group: Today, it was my great honor to sign a new Executive Order to ensure Veterans have the resources they need as they transition back to civilian life. We must ensure that our HEROES are given the care and support they so richly deserve! https://t.co/0MdP9DDIAS pic.twitter.com/LP2a8KCBAp  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 Trumps tweet included photos of the president signing an executive order Tuesday directing the secretaries of Defense, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs to develop a plan to provide seamless access to mental health and suicide prevention resources for 12 months for members leaving the armed forces. Also on Tuesday, Trump touted a law he signed the day before designating the birthplace of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. a national historic park: It was my great honor to sign H.R. 267, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park Act, which redesignates the Martin Luther King, Junior, National Historic Site in the State of Georgia as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. https://t.co/Qe0b6HBFTY pic.twitter.com/QTgaqTawPT  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2018 And he thanked House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) for sharing a video compilation comprised of clips of politicians and commentators praising the GOPs tax cut bill: Thank you @GOPLeader Kevin McCarthy! Couldnt agree w/you more. TOGETHER, we are #MAGA https://t.co/QaxtqpyXTR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 10, 2018  This post contains reporting from the Associated Press and Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump hails tax bill in tweets recapping speech to farmers By Associated Press Connecting with rural Americans, President Trump on Monday hailed his tax overhaul as a victory for family farmers. Farm country is Gods country, Trump told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Trump became the first president in a quarter-century to address the federations convention. His Southern swing also included a stop in Atlanta for the national college football championship game. Cant wait to be back in the amazing state of Tennessee to address the 99th American @FarmBureau Federations Annual Convention in Nashville! #AFBF18



On my way now - join me LIVE at 4:00pmE: https://t.co/QaljAqekdD. pic.twitter.com/Wm7Io0hYT8  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and a group of Tennessee lawmakers, Trump said most of the benefits of the tax legislation are going to working families, small businesses, and who  the family farmer. The package Trump signed into law last month provides generous tax cuts for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, and more modest reductions for middle- and low-income individuals and families. In every decision we make, we are honoring Americas PROUD FARMING LEGACY. Years of crushing taxes, crippling regs, & corrupt politics left our communities hurting, our economy stagnant, & millions of hardworking Americans COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN. But they are not forgotten ANYMORE! pic.twitter.com/MdYS7xnukQ  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The president vastly inflated the value of the package in his speech, citing a total of $5.5 trillion in tax cuts, with most of those benefits going to working families, small businesses and who? The family farmer. The estimated value of the tax cuts is actually $1.5 trillion for families and businesses because of cuts in deductions and the use of other steps to generate offsetting tax revenue. We have been working every day to DELIVER for Americas Farmers just as they work every day to deliver FOR US. #AFBF18 pic.twitter.com/QDH7fvFkZ7  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 From Nashville, Trump traveled to Atlanta to watch Alabamas Crimson Tide and Georgias Bulldogs face off Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. We are fighting for our farmers, for our country, and for our GREAT AMERICAN FLAG. We want our flag respected - and we want our NATIONAL ANTHEM respected also! pic.twitter.com/16eOLXg6Fi  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Before departing for the game, Trump referenced his ongoing defense of the American flag and the national anthem, saying there was enough space for people to express their views. We love our flag and we love our anthem, and we want to keep it that way, he said. Facebook

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Trump tweet hails drop in unemployment rate for African Americans By Associated Press President Trump touted a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans on Monday in a tweet. African American unemployment is the lowest ever recorded in our country. The Hispanic unemployment rate dropped a full point in the last year and is close to the lowest in recorded history. Dems did nothing for you but get your vote! #NeverForget @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 The rate fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Trump also hailed the development via Twitter on Saturday. His latest tweet on the topic came about an hour after it was discussed during an episode of Fox & Friends, according to Mediaite. Facebook

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Trump talks up the economy and dresses down the media in Sunday tweets With President Trump cheering from the sidelines, the White House on Sunday pressed its defense of the presidents fitness to govern, as fired former aide Stephen K. Bannon reversed course and apologized for his role in a new books explosive portrait of Trump. The presidents critics, meanwhile, said Trumps stream of taunts and insults in response to the book  Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, released last week  served only to underscore the authors unsettling portrayal of Trumps year-old presidency, depicting a leader whose own aides consider him childish, ignorant and dangerously erratic. Trump provided more ammunition Sunday morning, as he continued to attack the book via Twitter while preparing to depart Camp David for the White House: Leaving Camp David for the White House. Great meetings with the Cabinet and Military on many very important subjects including Border Security & the desperately needed Wall, the ever increasing Drug and Opioid Problem, Infrastructure, Military, Budget, Trade and DACA.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Ive had to put up with the Fake News from the first day I announced that I would be running for President. Now I have to put up with a Fake Book, written by a totally discredited author. Ronald Reagan had the same problem and handled it well. So will I!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 The most vehement defense of Trump on Sunday came from senior advisor Stephen Miller, a onetime Bannon acolyte who distanced himself from his former mentor. In a combative appearance Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Miller called the book grotesque and writer Michael Wolff the garbage author of a garbage book. Trump is known to closely monitor aides televised performances in putting forth his case, and he gleefully weighed in within moments of Millers televised clash with host Jake Tapper. CNN has long been a particular target of Trumps ire. Jake Tapper of Fake News CNN just got destroyed in his interview with Stephen Miller of the Trump Administration. Watch the hatred and unfairness of this CNN flunky!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trumps reaction, however, seemed to bolster Tappers on-air depiction of Miller as using his appearance on the show to play to the president rather than addressing questions put to him. I get it  theres one viewer that you care about, the host said exasperatedly after Miller turned the discussion repeatedly to negative news coverage of the president while deflecting specific queries. Later on Twitter, Trump took up two themes that have been prevalent on his social media feeds recently. The president again went after the news media, tweeting that the recipients of his self-proclaimed most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year, which he promised earlier in the week to announce on Monday, would actually be revealed the following Wednesday: The Fake News Awards, those going to the most corrupt & biased of the Mainstream Media, will be presented to the losers on Wednesday, January 17th, rather than this coming Monday. The interest in, and importance of, these awards is far greater than anyone could have anticipated!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 Trump later lauded a New York Post opinion piece that compared him favorably with his predecessor, President Obama, as well as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In quoting the op-ed, Trump initally misspelled consequential as consensual, but he deleted those tweets and re-sent the messages. His is turning out to be an enormously consequential presidency. So much so that, despite my own frustration over his missteps, there has never been a day when I wished Hillary Clinton were president. Not one. Indeed, as Trumps accomplishments accumulate, the mere thought of...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 ...Clinton in the WH, doubling down on Barack Obamas failed policies, washes away any doubts that America made the right choice. This was truly a change election  and the changes Trump is bringing are far-reaching & necessary. Thank you Michael Goodwin! https://t.co/4fHNcx2Ydg  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2018 Trump also continued talking up the economy, which has been enjoying a period of strong gains. The Stock Market has been creating tremendous benefits for our country in the form of not only Record Setting Stock Prices, but present and future Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Seven TRILLION dollars of value created since our big election win!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2018 In addition to Miller, other senior administration officials made the rounds of Sunday news talk shows to decry the claims made in Wolffs book. CIA Director Mike Pompeo said Wolffs characterization of Trump as averse to digesting classified briefing material was ludicrous, and the ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, insisted that that those around Trump love their country and respect their president. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Laura King. Facebook

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Responding to book that mocks his intelligence, Trump tweets hes like, really smart By Tracy Wilkinson President Trump declared himself a very stable genius on Twitter on Saturday and later in a televised news conference called the author of a book that questioned his mental fitness a fraud. His comments came on a bone-cold day at Camp David during a weekend retreat with top administration officials and Republican congressional leaders strategizing on the years legislative agenda, including matters such as infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and national security. Now that Russian collusion, after one year of intense study, has proven to be a total hoax on the American public, the Democrats and their lapdogs, the Fake News Mainstream Media, are taking out the old Ronald Reagan playbook and screaming mental stability and intelligence.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. Crooked Hillary Clinton also played these cards very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star.....  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 ....to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart, but genius....and a very stable genius at that!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Still, Trumps explosive rebuttal to author Michael Wolffs claims not only opened the day, but it also ensured the presidents capability to fill the highest office in the land was a topic that would not go away. In his early-morning tweets, Trump said two of his greatest assets have been mental stability, and being, like, really smart. He noted that his former Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, played these cards [about competence] very hard and, as everyone knows, went down in flames. I went from VERY successful businessman, to top T.V. Star to President of the United States (on my first try). Read More Facebook

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In morning tweets, Trump touts job numbers and takes digs at news media By Associated Press President Trump used Twitter on Saturday morning to tout a drop in the unemployment rate for African Americans. He also used the tweets as an opportunity to take digs at media outlets whose past coverage he has found to be critical. The African American unemployment rate fell to 6.8%, the lowest rate in 45 years. I am so happy about this News! And, in the Washington Post (of all places), headline states, Trumps first year jobs numbers were very, very good.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The unemployment rate for African Americans fell to 6.8% in December, the lowest level since the government began tracking such data in 1972. The reasons range from a greater number of black Americans with college degrees to a growing need for employers in a tight job market to widen the pool of people they hire from. Still, the rate for black workers remains well above those for whites and some other groups, something experts attribute in large part to decades of discrimination and disadvantages. Robust job creation has lowered unemployment for all Americans. U.S. employers added nearly 2.1 million jobs in 2017  the seventh straight year that hiring has topped 2 million. In his tweet, Trump praised a report that noted the numbers, touting the fact that it appeared in the Washington Post (of all places). Minutes later, Trump renewed his attack on an ABC News reporter who was suspended last month after filing an erroneous report on Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security advisor. Brian Ross, the reporter who made a fraudulent live newscast about me that drove the Stock Market down 350 points (billions of dollars), was suspended for a month but is now back at ABC NEWS in a lower capacity. He is no longer allowed to report on Trump. Should have been fired!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 The reporter, Brian Ross, was reportedly reassigned within ABC News upon returning from his unpaid suspension. But on Saturday, Trump wrote that he should have been fired. Trumps tweets came hours before he was set to host congressional Republicans and administration officials at Camp David. The meeting scheduled to begin at midmorning Saturday was expected to touch on the budget, infrastructure, immigration, welfare reform and the shape of the midterm election this fall. Facebook

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Trump commends Sen. Rand Paul after he proposes eliminating all U.S. aid to Pakistan President Trump commended Sen. Rand Paul after the Kentucky Republican announced plans to introduce legislation that would eliminate all U.S. aid to Pakistan. Trump tweeted Friday night: Good idea Rand! https://t.co/55sqUDiC0s  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 On Thursday, the Trump administration announced it was suspending security assistance to Islamabad until the country moves aggressively against local militants who have attacked U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan. Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration at the apparent inability of Pakistani authorities to rein in militants who cross out of the countrys rugged tribal areas to attack U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson. Facebook

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Trump continues to lash out at Sloppy Steve Bannon in tweets on tell-all book By Associated Press President Trump is praising a major Republican donor family for distancing themselves from his former advisor Steve Bannon. Trump tweeted Friday: The Mercer Family recently dumped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Smart!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trump has continued to lash out at Bannon over an explosive new book that quoted his former aide as questioning Trumps competence and describing a June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower among Donald Trump Jr., Trump campaign aides and a Russian lawyer as treasonous and unpatriotic. On Thursday, billionaire GOP donor Rebekah Mercer issued a statement distancing her family from Bannon. Mercer is a co-owner of Breitbart, the populist website Bannon helps run. I support President Trump and the platform upon which he was elected, Mercer said. My family and I have not communicated with Steve Bannon in many months and have provided no financial support to his political agenda, nor do we support his recent actions and statements. The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, quickly shot atop Amazons best-seller list, and the publisher moved up its release date by four days, to Friday. Trump took up the topic again on Twitter on Friday night, denouncing both Bannon and the books author, Michael Wolff, in starkly personal terms: Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book. He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad! https://t.co/mEeUhk5ZV9  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2018 Trumps message linked to a meme depicting a parody book cover titled, Liar and Phony, that featured a photo of Wolff and disparaging quotes about the author. In a tweet sent earlier Friday morning, Trump suggested the book was intended to serve as a distraction from the FBIs investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, which Trump wrote is proving to be a total hoax. Well, now that collusion with Russia is proving to be a total hoax and the only collusion is with Hillary Clinton and the FBI/Russia, the Fake News Media (Mainstream) and this phony new book are hitting out at every new front imaginable. They should try winning an election. Sad!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 That came amid reports that Trump directed his White House counsel to tell Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to not recuse himself from the Justice Departments Russia investigation. Trumps effort to keep Sessions, a vocal and loyal supporter of his election bid, in charge of an investigation into his campaign offers special counsel Robert Mueller yet another avenue to explore as his prosecutors work to untangle potential evidence of obstruction. Read More Facebook

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Trump praises the economy ahead of meetings at Camp David By Associated Press President Trump is praising the strength of the U.S. economy ahead of meetings at Camp David with congressional Republicans. Trump tweeted early Friday: Dow goes from 18,589 on November 9, 2016, to 25,075 today, for a new all-time Record. Jumped 1000 points in last 5 weeks, Record fastest 1000 point move in history. This is all about the Make America Great Again agenda! Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. Six trillion dollars in value created!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The president also told reporters on the South Lawn that the tax cuts are really kicking in after Congress passed a package of tax cuts at the end of 2017. And the president praised the December jobs report, which found U.S. employers added 148,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.1%, the lowest level since 2000. The modest but steady pace of hiring is a reassuring sign for investors who have been buoyed by the just-passed Republican tax plan and have been sending stock market indexes roaring to uncharted heights. The president is meeting with Republican congressional leaders and members of his Cabinet on Friday and Saturday to discuss the 2018 agenda. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets as Dow crashes through 25,000 By Associated Press President Trump dispatched a congratulatory tweet as the Dow Jones industrial average rose above the 25,000-point mark Thursday, just five weeks after its first close above 24,000. Dow just crashes through 25,000. Congrats! Big cuts in unnecessary regulations continuing.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 After the Dow closed above 25,000, Trump shared a graphic depicting the stock indexs record-setting rise. MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/iONbr1DkVk  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Later in the day, the president was back on Twitter, complaining that news outlets had barely covered the stock market milestone. He suggested that the strength of the economy would be the biggest story on earth, had it unfolded during the presidency of his predecessor. The Fake News Media barely mentions the fact that the Stock Market just hit another New Record and that business in the U.S. is booming...but the people know! Can you imagine if O was president and had these numbers - would be biggest story on earth! Dow now over 25,000.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 The Dow broke past 1,000-point barriers in 2017 on its way to a 25% gain for the year, as an eight-year rally since the Great Recession continued to confound skeptics. Strong global economic growth and good prospects for higher company earnings have analysts predicting more gains, although the market may not stay as calm as it has been recently. The Dow has made a rapid trip since it reached 24,000 points Nov. 30, partly on enthusiasm over passage of the Republican-backed tax package, which could boost company profits this year with across-the-board cuts to corporate taxes. Read More Facebook

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Trump reacts to Fire and Fury book in tweet lashing out at author and Sloppy Steve President Trump lashed out at the author of a soon-to-be-released book about the chaotic first year of his presidency Thursday night. In a tweet, Trump called Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, a phony book and claimed that hed never spoken to its author, Michael Wolff. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve! Trump wrote. He appeared to be referring to former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, whose stunning criticisms of Trump and his circle figure prominently in the title. I authorized Zero access to White House (actually turned him down many times) for author of phony book! I never spoke to him for book. Full of lies, misrepresentations and sources that dont exist. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2018 Trumps tweet came hours after he had his lawyer demand that Henry Holt & Co. and Wolff stop publication the book. Instead, the publisher expedited the books release to Friday, four days before it was slated to hit bookstore shelves, in response to unprecedented demand. Published excerpts on Wednesday and Thursday whetted that appetite and roiled Washington. Bannons comments, including that it was treasonous and unpatriotic for Trumps son Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign manager Paul Manafort to have met in 2016 with Russians said to have dirt on Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, prompted Trump on Wednesday to rebuke his former advisor, saying Bannon had lost his mind. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Brian Bennett and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump thanks senators who attended meeting on immigration President Trump tweeted thanks to Republican senators who attended a meeting about possible immigration legislation on Thursday. In his message, Trump also listed his top priorities when it comes to any type of overhaul of the nations immigration system. Thank you to the great Republican Senators who showed up to our mtg on immigration reform. We must BUILD THE WALL, stop illegal immigration, end chain migration & cancel the visa lottery. The current system is unsafe & unfair to the great people of our country - time for change!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Trumps tweet echoed his remarks at the beginning of Thursdays meeting, when he insisted again that constructing a border wall and overhauling two legal immigration programs must be part of any deal with Democrats to protect the so-called Dreamers from deportation. Two-year deportation protections and work permits given under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program begin to expire March 6 under an executive order. Trump announced in September that he was ending the Obama-era program, but told Congress to draft a law to continue protections for people brought to the country illegally as children  a group that has widespread public support. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writer Brian Bennett. Facebook

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Trump resumes Twitter war against kneeling NFL players President Trump has resumed his Twitter war against NFL players who kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice and racial inequality. In a tweet early Thursday, Trump replied to a supporter who shared a meme that appears to depict family members lying on the grave of a fallen soldier with the caption: This is why we stand. Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! Trump wrote. So beautiful....Show this picture to the NFL players who still kneel! https://t.co/tJLM1tvbvb  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The president has denounced players who kneel during the anthem in previous tweets. Hes also called for the firing of players who do so. His latest message came amid news that the NFL finished the regular season with TV ratings that fell nearly 10% below the previous season. Analysts attribute the drop to controversies facing the league, as well as changing viewing habits and a possible saturation point in the number of games available. Read More This post contains reporting from Times staff writers Stephen Battaglio and Alex Wigglesworth. Facebook

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Trump credits himself with facilitating talks between North and South Korea By Associated Press President Trump says his tough stance on nuclear weapons on the Korean peninsula is helping push North Korea and South Korea to talk. Trump tweeted early Thursday: With all of the failed experts weighing in, does anybody really believe that talks and dialogue would be going on between North and South Korea right now if I wasnt firm, strong and willing to commit our total might against the North. Fools, but talks are a good thing!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 That assertion is in conflict with some of the presidents own statements. Last year, he ridiculed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for talking about negotiations with the North. This week, Trump seemed open to the possibility of an inter-Korean dialogue after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare overture toward South Korea in a New Years Day address. But Trumps ambassador to the United Nations insisted that talks wont be meaningful unless the North is getting rid of its nuclear weapons. The overture about talks came after Trump and Kim traded more bellicose claims about their nuclear weapons. In his New Years Day address, Kim repeated fiery nuclear threats against the United States. Kim said he has a nuclear button on his office desk and warned that the whole territory of the U.S. is within the range of our nuclear strike. Trump mocked that assertion Tuesday evening in a tweet. Facebook

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After disbanding his vote fraud panel, Trump still says voting system is rigged By Brian Bennett One day after disbanding his troubled voter fraud commission without any findings of fraud, President Trump continued to call the U.S. voting system rigged and said states should require that Americans have voter-identification cards. In two tweets on Thursday morning, Trump blamed the commissions failure on the lack of cooperation from mostly Democrat States that refused to hand over voter rolls because they know that many people are voting illegally. However, voting supervisors in Republican-led states refused as well, objecting on privacy and other grounds. Many mostly Democrat States refused to hand over data from the 2016 Election to the Commission On Voter Fraud. They fought hard that the Commission not see their records or methods because they know that many people are voting illegally. System is rigged, must go to Voter I.D.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 As Americans, you need identification, sometimes in a very strong and accurate form, for almost everything you do.....except when it comes to the most important thing, VOTING for the people that run your country. Push hard for Voter Identification!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Despite Trumps assertions, analysts have not found evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity in May after alleging, without proof, that millions of illegal votes were cast for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election. Trump was elected after winning a majority in the electoral college, but the nationwide count showed Clinton received nearly 3 million more votes. The commission sought personal data on voters across the country and faced mounting lawsuits in recent months over privacy concerns. Read More Facebook

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Trump touts another good day for stocks, credits tax cut By Associated Press President Trump touted another good day for the stock market Wednesday in a tweet. Stock Market had another good day but, now that the Tax Cut Bill has passed, we have tremendous upward potential. Dow just short of 25,000, a number that few thought would be possible this soon into my administration. Also, unemployment went down to 4.1%. Only getting better!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Big gains for technology and healthcare stocks helped U.S. indexes set records again Wednesday. Some analysts attributed the surge to investor enthusiasm for Trumps $1.5-trillion tax cut. All told, Wall Street analysts estimate the tax package should boost earnings for companies in the Standard & Poors 500 index by roughly 8% this year. Thats much more generous than the average tax cut of 1.6% that middle-class families will receive, according to the Tax Policy Center. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 The public has been less enthusiastic about the tax law. A Monmouth University poll last month found that nearly half of Americans disapproved of it, with only 26% in support. Still, as Trump also noted on Twitter, some workers have seen a benefit: So far, dozens of companies have announced bonuses and higher minimum wages as a result of the tax cut. AT&T, Comcast, Bank of America, and American Airlines have all pledged to pay $1,000 bonuses to their employees. Some 40 U.S. companies have responded to President Trumps tax cut and reform victory in Congress last year by handing out bonuses up to $2,000, increases in 401k matches and spending on charity, a much higher number than previously known. https://t.co/bmWrwWzxMR  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 Investors also appear less concerned than many politicians about how the additional profits will be used. The Trump administration says it expects companies will plow much of the extra profit back into their businesses, purchasing more software, machinery, and other equipment. Those investments will make workers more productive and provide a key boost to the economys long-run growth. They should also boost wages and salaries for employees. Opponents of the tax law respond that companies are more likely to pass the windfall on to shareholders in the form of higher dividend payments and share buybacks, which raise the price of those shares still in investors hands. Previous cuts in corporate tax rates, in the United States and overseas, havent always led to higher wages. For Wall Street, its all good, at least in the short run. Most analysts take the view that either way, companies and the economy will benefit. Facebook

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Trump reacts to death of Mormon Church president By Associated Press President Trump mourned the death of Mormon Church leader Thomas S. Monson on Wednesday evening. Trump tweeted a link to a statement in which he said that Monson demonstrated wisdom, inspired leadership, and great compassion and delivered a message of optimism, forgiveness, and faith. Melania and I are deeply saddened by the death of Thomas S. Monson, a beloved President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...https://t.co/ETD3fWtfU3  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2018 A church bishop at the age of 22, Monson became the youngest church apostle ever in 1963 at the age of 36. He served as a counselor for three church presidents before assuming the role of the top leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in February 2008. After a life of church service, Monson died Tuesday at his home in Salt Lake City, according to church spokesman Eric Hawkins. He was 90. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets that Iranian protesters will see great U.S. support at the appropriate time By Associated Press President Trump continued to express support for Irans anti-government protesters on Wednesday. In a tweet, Trump commended the protesters and pledged that the United States will support them at the appropriate time. Such respect for the people of Iran as they try to take back their corrupt government. You will see great support from the United States at the appropriate time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Trumps tweet Wednesday morning came as Iranian Ambassador Gholamali Khoshroo sent a letter to United Nations officials complaining that Washington was intervening in a grotesque way in Irans internal affairs. The President and Vice-President of the United States, in their numerous absurd tweets, incited Iranians to engage in disruptive acts, the ambassador wrote to the U.N. Security Council president and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The U.S. didnt immediately respond to the letter, which maintains that Washington has crossed every limit in flouting rules and principles of international law governing the civilized conduct of international relations. At least 21 people have been killed and hundreds arrested in Iran during a week of anti-government protests and unrest over economic woes and official corruption. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took part in counter-demonstrations Wednesday backing the clerically overseen government, which has said enemies of Iran are fomenting the protests. Trump has unleashed a series of tweets in recent days backing the protesters, saying Iran is failing at every level and declaring that it is time for change in the Islamic Republic. Facebook

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Trump congratulates Sen. Orrin Hatch upon news of his retirement By Associated Press President Trump congratulated Sen. Orrin Hatch for an absolutely incredible career upon news of Hatchs impending retirement. In a tweet Tuesday afternoon, Trump called Hatch a tremendous supporter and wrote that he will be greatly missed in the Senate. Congratulations to Senator Orrin Hatch on an absolutely incredible career. He has been a tremendous supporter, and I will never forget the (beyond kind) statements he has made about me as President. He is my friend and he will be greatly missed in the U.S. Senate! pic.twitter.com/0VjzLEeHTl  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Hatchs decision to retire from the Senate after four decades lets the Utah Republican walk away at the height of his power after helping to push through an overhaul of the tax code and persuading Trump to downsize two national monuments. Retirement also preserves the 83-year-olds legacy by allowing him to avoid a bruising reelection battle that would have broken his promise not to seek an eighth term. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweet exaggerates progress in improving veterans care By Associated Press President Trump played up tremendous progress in improving care for veterans in his first year on Tuesday in a tweet. His message linked to an Instagram video describing eight accomplishments that show Trump is fighting for our veterans. But it overstates the impact of these steps. We will not rest until all of Americas GREAT VETERANS can receive the care they so richly deserve. Tremendous progress has been made in a short period of time. Keep up the great work @SecShulkin @DeptVetAffairs! https://t.co/ir25vW15hx pic.twitter.com/OtuzIgxMn6  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Of the eight achievements cited, two are ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Veterans and Military Families Month and National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Two are pieces of legislation that extended the troubled Veterans Choice program on a temporary basis. This became necessary because the Trump administration repeatedly miscalculated the amount of taxpayer dollars available to pay for care from private doctors outside the Veterans Affairs system when veterans had to endure long waits for treatment at VA medical centers. The departments poor budget planning caught lawmakers off guard. A fifth claim involves telehealth, a step letting doctors practice medicine across state lines using digital technology. Announced in August, it has yet to take full effect because a proposed VA regulation hasnt been completed. The VA wants authority to practice across state lines to come from legislation, not a regulation. On Wednesday, the Senate approved a telehealth measure that now goes to the House. A sixth claim refers to legislation that streamlines the appeals process for disability compensation claims within the VA. This step has had limited effect so far because it applies to new disability claims, not the 470,000 pending claims. The last two initiatives make it easier for the VA to discipline employees. The department has pointed to more than 1,300 employees who have been fired under Trumps watch. Because their infractions are not detailed in public documents, the effect on veterans care is not fully known. Facebook

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Trump unleashes his first tweetstorm of 2018 By Noah Bierman President Trump clearly didnt resolve to change his Twitter habits this year. With nine disparate tweets over three hours on Tuesday morning, the first working day of 2018, Trump continued to exploit social media to be the most aggressive commentator in chief in American history. For any other president, his posts would have made for a monumental day of (mis-)statements. Yet for Trump, the series  attacks on political foes and media, provocations of foreign leaders and self-praise for events he had nothing to do with  was all but unremarkable. His Twitter barrage  sent between 7:09 a.m. and 10:16 a.m.  reflected a familiar gamut after nearly a year in office: Attacks on political foes: Nearly 14 months after his election, Trump called for the jailing of Huma Abedin, Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid (his misspelling, another occasional feature of Trump tweets). Crooked Hillary Clintons top aid, Huma Abedin, has been accused of disregarding basic security protocols. She put Classified Passwords into the hands of foreign agents. Remember sailors pictures on submarine? Jail! Deep State Justice Dept must finally act? Also on Comey & others  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 In the same tweet, he disparaged the Deep State Justice Dept, headed of course by his appointees, calling on it to act against James B. Comey, the FBI director he fired for investigating the Russia thing. Diplomatic provocations: Trump again called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un Rocket man, ridiculed the volatile nuclear-armed foe for recent military defections and openly speculated about potential talks between North and South Korea. Sanctions and other pressures are beginning to have a big impact on North Korea. Soldiers are dangerously fleeing to South Korea. Rocket man now wants to talk to South Korea for first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not - we will see!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not  we will see! Trump wrote. Later Tuesday, Trump tweeted: North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Also later Tuesday, Trump tweeted an attack on Pakistan, his second in as many days, and added a new one against Palestinians: It's not only Pakistan that we pay billions of dollars to for nothing, but also many other countries, and others. As an example, we pay the Palestinians HUNDRED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS a year and get no appreciation or respect. They dont even want to negotiate a long overdue...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ...peace treaty with Israel. We have taken Jerusalem, the toughest part of the negotiation, off the table, but Israel, for that, would have had to pay more. But with the Palestinians no longer willing to talk peace, why should we make any of these massive future payments to them?  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Undermining media: Trump offered Congratulations! to A.G. Sulzberger, who took over as publisher of the New York Times this week. The Failing New York Times has a new publisher, A.G. Sulzberger. Congratulations! Here is a last chance for the Times to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Adolph Ochs, to give the news impartially, without fear or FAVOR, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved. Get...  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 ....impartial journalists of a much higher standard, lose all of your phony and non-existent sources, and treat the President of the United States FAIRLY, so that the next time I (and the people) win, you wont have to write an apology to your readers for a job poorly done! GL  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the two-part post was really yet another slam against a perceived media foe: Trump said the paper had a last chance to fulfill its journalistic mission, and accused it of relying on phony sources and substandard reporters  just days after he granted another exclusive interview to the paper. As a bonus, the tweet contained a recycled falsehood, that the paper apologized after the election for reporting on him unfairly. It didnt. Trump later said on Twitter that he would soon announce the most dishonest & corrupt media awards of the year. Stay tuned! I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 oclock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 The president also tweeted a quote from Fox Business Networks Lou Dobbs Tonight, which aired a segment praising Trumps first-year accomplishments. Dobbs reportedly joined Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for a gala to celebrate New Years Eve. President Trump has something now he didnt have a year ago, that is a set of accomplishments that nobody can deny. The accomplishments are there, look at his record, he has had a very significant first year. @LouDobbs Show,David Asman & Ed Rollins  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 Taking credit: Trump congratulated himself for policing the border with Mexico, an area where his policies and anti-immigration rhetoric are believed to have had some effect on reducing illegal crossings. Thank you to Brandon Judd of the National Border Patrol Council for your kind words on how well we are doing at the Border. We will be bringing in more & more of your great folks and will build the desperately needed WALL! @foxandfriends  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 He took credit for employee bonuses by companies after he signed Republican tax cuts into law last month. Companies are giving big bonuses to their workers because of the Tax Cut Bill. Really great!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 But the jaw-dropper was Trump congratulating himself for planes not crashing. Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 It was the safest year on record worldwide, but the American streak without commercial jet passenger deaths goes back to 2009. Trump, who has promoted deregulation as one of his top accomplishments, has not signed off on any new airline safety regulations. The White House pointed to new security screening of passengers, to electronic devices to prevent terrorist attacks and to Trumps support for privatizing air traffic control  a proposal that has gotten nowhere in Congress. Falsehoods: Trump said President Obama, in brokering the 2015 nuclear arms limitation deal with Iran, foolishly gave money to the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. He didnt. The people of Iran are finally acting against the brutal and corrupt Iranian regime. All of the money that President Obama so foolishly gave them went into terrorism and into their pockets. The people have little food, big inflation and no human rights. The U.S. is watching!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 The nuclear deal, which included major U.S. allies as signators, released Irans own funds that had long been frozen. Trumps art of the deal: When Trump sees a big deal looming, he often blasts the other side  to gain leverage, as hes written. This week he resumes a showdown with Democratic lawmakers over funding the government and immigration protections for so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the country illegally as children. Democrats are doing nothing for DACA - just interested in politics. DACA activists and Hispanics will go hard against Dems, will start falling in love with Republicans and their President! We are about RESULTS.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018 Trump, who in September ordered a gradual end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, sought to shift blame for the resulting controversy, saying Democrats are doing nothing for DACA and are just interested in politics. Trump has insisted that any help for Dreamers be paired with funding for a border wall and a crackdown on legal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, are opposed. Read More Facebook

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In tweet, Trump suggests U.S. will withdraw financial assistance to Pakistan By Shashank Bengali Pakistan lashed out Monday after President Trump accused its leaders of lies & deceit and suggested the United States would withdraw financial assistance to the nuclear-armed nation it once saw as a key ally against terrorism. It was the presidents latest broadside against Pakistan after a speech in August in which he demanded its leaders crack down on the safe havens enjoyed by Taliban militants fighting U.S.-backed forces in neighboring Afghanistan. The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018 U.S. Ambassador David Hale was summoned to the Foreign Ministry to discuss the presidents statement, U.S. Embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. Pakistan lodged a strongly worded protest and asked for clarification about Trumps comments, according to two foreign office officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Pakistans prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, called a Cabinet meeting for Tuesday and a meeting of the National Security Committee on Wednesday to discuss Trumps New Years Day tweet. Read More Facebook

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Trump continues to tweet in support of Iranian protesters By Laura King President Trump expressed renewed support Sunday for protesters in Iran, declaring that people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. In a tweet from his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, the president said the nationwide economic protests that began on Thursday  and have taken on wider political overtones as they have grown in size  were a signal that Iranians will not take it any longer. Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer. The USA is watching very closely for human rights violations!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Trump has tweeted about the protests for three days straight as Iranians took to the streets despite a heavy police presence, tear gas and scores of arrests. The defiance gained urgency after two people were reported shot to death in the city of Dorud, about 200 miles southwest of Tehran. As the conflict escalated, Iranian authorities on Sunday slapped a temporary ban on Instagram and the messaging app Telegram, which were widely used to fan protest fervor. Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Irans leaders already are casting Trumps increasingly effusive expressions of support for the demonstrators as opportunistic meddling and are painting the demonstrators as foreign pawns, adopting a strategy that some analysts say could jeopardize the legitimacy of the nascent antigovernment protests. Read More Facebook

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Trump tweets condolences after Colorado deputies are shot in ambush, one fatally By Associated Press A man fired more than 100 rounds at sheriffs deputies in Colorado early Sunday, killing one and injuring four others, before being fatally shot himself in what authorities called an ambush. Two civilians were also injured. President Trump expressed sorrow, writing on Twitter: My deepest condolences to the victims of the terrible shooting in Douglas County @DCSheriff, and their families. We love our police and law enforcement - God Bless them all! #LESM  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017 Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock said deputies came under fire almost
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
More than 50 years ago, American social psychologist Stanley Milgram found that, when prodded by someone in charge, just about every one of us would do something that most would find deeply disturbing: comply with an authority figures stern directive to deliver painful electric shocks to an unseen (but loudly protesting) person who answered a question incorrectly.

Thanks to a new study, we now know that this was true in 2015 as well. In Poland.

In research that sought to replicate and broaden Milgrams findings, psychologists at Polands University of Social Sciences and Humanities found that 72 out of 80 research subjects complied with experimenters directions to administer a series of electric shocks to a supposed research subject in the next room, culminating in a shock of 450 volts.

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During the experiment, participants could hear screams of increasing distress from a person in the next room who they understood to be the recipient of their punishment. After the final 450-volt shock, participants were asked, Do you think it hurts? All but one (who suspected the screams were a ruse) said yes.

The Polish studys subjects had been told they could end their participation in the study at any moment. And yet, nearly all of them complied with the authority figures stern reminder that another, stronger shock was required.

People always say, I would refuse! That is totally against the rules! But ... 90% of them are willing to deliver a painful shock.  Social psychologist Tomasz Grzyb

The results are in line with those generated by some of Milgrams experiments, in which participants escalated up a scale of 10 shock levels. In what is referred to as Experiment No. 2, 34 of 40 people  85% of participants  did not quit before delivering what they thought was the most powerful shock.

After 50 years, it appears nothing has changed, said social psychologist Tomasz Grzyb, an author of the new study, which appeared this week in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.

People always say, I would refuse! That is totally against the rules! Grzyb said. But when we create the same situation, 90% of them are willing to deliver a painful shock.

With some tweaks here and there, the obedience experiments conducted by Milgram have been repeated  and their findings replicated  many times since they were first published in 1963.

And still, they never fail to amaze, said Santa Clara University psychology professor Jerry M. Burger, who replicated Milgrams findings in 2009.

When his students learn about the Milgram experiments for the first time, they invariably protest that the study subjects were unique to their time and place, Burger said. Those subjects came from a generation of conformists, the students say, a generation that came before civil rights.

Weve changed, Burger says they tell him. Were better than that now.

Burger tells them theyre wrong.

Milgrams work reveals little about individual differences in, say, empathy. In Burgers experiments, even subjects that scored high on empathy obeyed the authority figures and delivered harsh shocks.

Nor does Milgrams work reflect the values Americans embrace as a culture, Burger said. The Polish authors are merely the latest researchers to replicate Milgrams work outside the United States.

However shocking and ethically fraught Milgrams experiments were, they reveal the power of a distinctive social situation to override our individual inclinations and even our cultural norms, Burger said. Caught in the middle  between the power of an authority figure and our own qualms  we are more often creatures of expectation than we are creatures of personal conviction.

When we stand at a distance, we say, I think Id never do that. But weve done the studies, he said. And we know that the average person does do these horrible things, in certain social situations.

The new study also explored a new dimension of social conformity: whether participants  male or female  would deliver painful shocks to subjects they believed were women.

Though participants were a little less likely to shock someone they thought was a woman, the difference was not large enough to hold up to statistical scrutiny.

Grzyb pointed to one bright light in the Polish experiment. One of the eight participants who declined to obey the experimenters and quit before delivering the harshest shocks was a political prisoner of Polands repressive pre-1989 government. This individual was an early adherent of the Solidarity Party, which spearheaded Polands break from the Soviet Union.

After delivering three graduated shocks, and after four exhortations to continue, he absolutely calmly said, No, I wont do that, Grzyb said. The subject said he had been ordered to do many things  including spying against Solidarity  and had refused.

Not 30 years after Poland threw off the Soviet Unions yoke, its citizens are leaning ever closer to authoritarianism, Grzyb noted. At this moment, he added, its very important to show people like him and tell their stories.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

@LATMelissaHealy

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Nine more Navy officers, including an admiral who was the director of naval intelligence operations before retiring, were indicted Tuesday on conspiracy, bribery, obstruction of justice and other charges in the ongoing Fat Leonard bribery scandal.

An indictment unsealed in federal court in San Diego accused the group of current and retired officers of receiving a stream of gifts beginning in 2006 from Leonard Glenn Francis, who was known as Fat Leonard because of his size. In return Francis, who owned the ship servicing company Glenn Defense Marine Asia, got access to classified information such as ship schedules and to the services of the officers who used their position to steer Navy business to his company.

Among the indicted was Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless, who was once the Navys director of intelligence operations. Loveless retired in October but had been under investigation for his role in the scandal for several years, at one time losing his access to classified material while the probe continued.

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Also named in the indictment was Navy Capt. David Newland, former chief of staff to the commander of the Seventh Fleet, the services largest fleet and the center of the bribery scheme.

Others indicted from the Navy were Capt. Donald Hornbeck, Capt. James Dolan, Capt. David Lausman, Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shedd, Cmdr. Mario Herrera and Chief Warrant Officer Robert Gorsuch. Also named in the indictment was Marine Col. Enrico DeGuzman.

Federal agents arrested Loveless Tuesday morning at a penthouse apartment in Coronado he is renting. It has a sweeping view of the ocean he once sailed upon.

Just after 2:40 p.m., he appeared in a small federal courtroom in downtown San Diego clad in the same white jail-issue overalls donned by accused drug runners, human smugglers and other defendants charged with federal crimes.

A pair of ankle shackles jingled slightly as he shuffled to a seat in the courtroom.

This defendant abrogated his official duties over and over again.  Prosecutor Patrick Hovakimian, referring to retired Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell Dembin entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He also ordered that Loveless could be released on his own recognizance and not have to post a bond. Loveless said little during the brief hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Hovakimian said Loveless should be required to post a $50,000 bond. The prosecutor said the retired admiral had shown a callous disregard for the authority the government had conferred upon him, saying he had participated in wild sex parties while assigned to the Seventh Fleet  all paid for by Francis.

This defendant abrogated his official duties over and over again, Hovakimian said.

The judge also allowed DeGuzman to be released on his own recognizance without having to put up money for a bond. The Marine colonel appeared in court on Tuesday as well, but he was not in custody, having flown in for the appearance from his home in Hawaii.

Related: How Fat Leonard fleeced the fleet 

Federal agents fanned out across the country Tuesday arresting others named in the indictment, Hovakimian said. Navy Capt. Hornbeck lives in the United Kingdom and arrangements were being worked out to get him to appear in court in San Diego.

Two defendants, Shedd and Herrera, are both on active duty. The others indicted are retired, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The indictment also names several other people with Navy ties who have been charged in related Fat Leonard cases. They are Edmond Aruffo, a former Navy officer who went to work for Francis and was a key liaison for him in recruiting people into the bribery ring; Cmdr. Jose Sanchez, who has pleaded guilty to his role and is awaiting sentencing; Capt. Daniel Dusek, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced last year to four years in prison; and retired Capt. Michael Brooks, who pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

The indictment also references someone in the Royal Australian Navy, identified only as AG, as a member of the conspiracy.

Francis has pleaded guilty to orchestrating the scheme that overbilled the Navy by at least $20 million. For more than a decade, the Singapore-based contractor bribed Navy officials in the giant Seventh Fleet to use their influence to steer ships to ports that his company controlled. Once they were there, he systematically overbilled the service for fuel, water, transport and many other services.

The indictment contains what is now a familiar litany of misdeeds  lavish meals, the services of prostitutes and gifts all paid for by Francis. One meal in February 2006 that Francis paid for in Hong Kong cost $20,435.

Another incident a year later involved Francis paying for a stay  and prostitutes  at the MacArthur Suite of the Manila Hotel in the Philippines. During the party, historical memorabilia related to General Douglas MacArthur were used by the participants in sexual acts, the indictment said.

The defendants also referred to themselves as the Cool Kids, the Band of Brothers, the Brotherhood and The Lion Kings Harem, the indictment said. Francis, who was well known for his girth and outsized personality, was called the Lion Man by Sanchez and others.

During the party (at a Manila hotel), historical memorabilia related to General Douglas MacArthur were used by the participants in sexual acts.  Federal indictment

The indictment describes the benefits Francis showered on them  from $2,000 boxes of Cuban cigars to a $30,000 stay at a Park Avenue hotel in New York to a multi-day stay in the Presidential Suite at a Manila hotel in May 2008.

Loveless, Hornbeck, Dolan, Lausman and Shedd drained the hotel of all its Dom Perignon champagne during a raging multi-day party, with a rotating carousel of prostitutes, according to the indictment.

Through it all, the defendants maneuvered ships to ports favored by Francis, where it was easier for him to overbill the Navy, and helped him secure lucrative military contracts. They bad-mouthed Glenn Defense Marine Asia competitors to give Francis an advantage with the U.S. government.

They also helped the years-long conspiracy along by recruiting new members into the group, after cautious vetting for their perceived discretion as well as their ability to perform official acts to benefit GDMA, according to the indictment.

The indictment said some of the defendants lied about their relationship with Francis, deleted email accounts that carried incriminating messages about the bribery scheme, and destroyed a hard drive from the George Washington aircraft carrier in an effort to impede the probe and cover up their actions.

Loveless is the second admiral who has been charged in the case, following retired Rear Adm. Robert Gilbeau, who pleaded guilty in June to a charge of lying to federal investigators.

The latest indictment represents a new level of investigation in the Fat Leonard scandal, now in its fourth year, by charging a network of officers for working together in a wide-ranging conspiracy.

In addition to federal criminal charges such as bribery and honest services wire fraud, the officers are accused of breaking official Navy rules they are sworn to abide by as officers, such as handling classified information and acting with good virtue and honor.

The scandal has now ensnared 25 people, including 20 Navy officers and enlisted men as well as employees of Francis company.

Twitter: @gregmoran

greg.moran@sduniontribune.com

UPDATES:

5:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 1 p.m.
Some time ago, a whale inadvertently got caught in the nets of a Massachusetts fisherman, who immediately worked to free the struggling mammal. Eventually, the fisherman was able to untangle the whale, which swam away unharmed.

The fisherman, of course, felt better about himself because now he could tell a whale of a story.

That is until a U.S. District Court fined the fisherman $500 because what he should have done, the court said, was call official wildlife authorities and have them do it. Of course the whale would have probably died by the time they arrived, but thats beside the point.

I mention this story because it reminds me of something that the Laguna Beach Planning Commission recently did: penalized someone for doing the right thing, then justified it with heavy-handed bureaucracy.

Heres what happened:

About two years ago, Melissa Martinez opened a marketing consulting business, Pelt Inc., at 305 N. Coast Hwy., across the street from the Laguna Art Museum in a small, second-story office.

Martinez doesnt really need to advertise her business with traditional signage because shes busy enough as it is, she said. But she does have this bare office window, and one day she felt a little creative.

So on Dec. 17, 2015, she put up a modest sign  using a changeable display  that said, Today is the present, tomorrow is the gift.

Martinez went on to rotate the sayings about once a month or so. They were never political or controversial. She just posted what she believed were thoughtful quotes by artists, thinkers and creatives like Henry Miller, Buckminster Fuller, Albert Einstein and others.

Essentially, she tried to tap into Lagunas artistic zeitgeist in order to give back something to the community.

For me it was just a way to put some positive things out in the world, Martinez said. They were mostly about art but also work ethic and drive and little pick-me-ups.

Ironically, however, an artist complained. Downstairs is Virga Gallery, owned by husband and wife team Roger Cantrell and Virga Siauciunaite. They thought the sign was inappropriate and complained to the city.

It is hard to imagine that an upscale community such as Laguna Beach, with its unparalleled history and reputation as a prestigious retail destination focused on art, would allow such signage in any location, Cantrell wrote to the city.

Cantrell cited several concerns, including the possibility of distracting drivers and sowing confusion over who owned the sign because of its proximity to the gallery.

The city was obligated to respond to the complaint and told Martinez she had to go through proper channels and get a sign permit. After several months of paperwork and negotiations, Martinez found herself in front of the Planning Commission on March 1.

By this time, the city had assigned the case to assistant planner Anthony Viera, who felt comfortable with the conditions and recommended the sign be approved.

But the commissioners thought otherwise.

In a remarkable display of disdain, they basically ripped into the project, calling it inappropriate and a waste of their time.

One commissioner called the signs quotes tired aphorisms.

Whats interesting is that in my experience, author Henry Millers writings  his ground-breaking and provocative literature banned in its day  were never described as tired aphorisms.

Other commissioners piled on, saying they worried about setting a precedent, opening the doors to every other business posting sayings. Another said the sayings could promote a dangerous philosophy.

It became clear there was a witch hunt underway, and it would be best to kill the witch now, so to speak, before she could cast her evil spells.

So they unanimously denied permission, 5 to 0.

Martinez was stunned. In her mind it was just a little sign with cool sayings.

Laguna Beach calls itself an arts town, but you do anything out of the norm and they dont like it, she said afterward. I didnt expect that all five of them would turn me down in such a violent way. It was a learning experience, definitely. I got to see up close and personal the bad part of our city.

For Martinez, it was a loss of innocence, perhaps, and a realization that Laguna  the self-proclaimed world-famous art community  was not as supportive of the arts and creativity as she thought.

I had never, ever gotten one complaint about the sign, she said. Ive only gotten positive feedback  really sweet messages. Ive had people come upstairs and say, Im having a horrible day so thank you so much for putting that out there. 

Unfortunately, the city doesnt know when to get out of its own way.

This case is like the whale story: Red tape bloodies the waters.

You can either let the whale swim free amid cheers and YouTube videos, or you can be the life-sucking bureaucrat who kills the spirit of everything it touches.

Time and again, Laguna is making clear its choice.

DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.
Newspapers and other publications that use sidewalk distribution racks in Corona del Mar will get more time to meet with city and neighborhood representatives to work out a compromise before the Newport Beach City Council makes a decision on regulating the racks design and placement.

The council voted Tuesday night to delay a decision on consolidating and standardizing newsracks into a handful of gangbox-style units in the neighborhoods commercial corridor.

Though the council did not vote on the proposed rules  which would group newsracks into newly created fixed pedestal zones  Mayor Kevin Muldoon said he would not support the regulations as written. He said he would support a voluntary transfer, or perhaps a moratorium on new publications distributing from their own stands, but that he didnt want to force existing publications out of their current spots.

Managers from the vending and distribution departments of the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register spoke against the proposed regulations, saying the consolidated boxes would hurt sales and, based on similar racks in other cities, could become magnets for trash.

Resident Mike Glenn sided with the publications, saying they have invested money into branding and making their racks easily recognizable and that consolidating the boxes would essentially sterilize them.

Glenn said the city should just enforce the current code, which allows the city to reach out to publications if their racks are deemed to be in poor condition. Currently, newsracks are owned and maintained by the publications.

The Corona del Mar Business Improvement District suggested and would fund the proposed change, saying its members are dissatisfied with the assortment of smaller, freestanding newsracks in varying styles and, they say, states of repair.

The city suggests dark green, two-level, three-tower modular newsracks with enclosed spaces for paid and free publications. The units would be installed at six designated high-activity areas along East Coast Highway between Avocado and Poppy avenues.

Currently, 47 racks dot that stretch, and a city review concluded that many of them dont meet code guidelines for maintenance.

The fixed pedestal zones, so called because the units are affixed to the sidewalk, would preserve the areas safety and aesthetics, the city says.

Each publication seeking a box in a new fixed unit would need a city permit, as required with existing racks. The new racks would have enough slots for publications already being distributed along Coast Highway in Corona del Mar, including the Daily Pilot and Los Angeles Times.

Bernie Svalstad, the business improvement districts chairman, said the proposed regulations are similar to the controls on Balboa Island. There, freestanding racks are clustered in a few tourist-heavy areas along the 200 and 300 blocks of Marine Avenue.

City resident Jim Mosher disagreed that the regulations would be much like those on Balboa Island, pointing out that the racks on the island are the property of the publications. The proposed stands in Corona del Mar would be city-owned.

Of all the things in the world, Im not sure that the appearance of newsracks is at the top of the list of things one has to worry about, Mosher said.

The council agreed to take up the issue again in April.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @DailyPilot_HD
The Newport Beach City Council made its decision to revoke approval for the Museum House condominium project official Tuesday night.

The council affirmed its Feb. 28 vote to rescind the entitlements for the 25-story, 100-unit tower rather than send it to an election. The council approved the development last year.

The councils vote Tuesday was 4-2, with Councilman Marshall Duffy Duffield absent and members Scott Peotter and Will ONeill again dissenting.

The procedural second vote was the councils final one on the matter, and it drew no comments from the audience and no discussion among council members.

Museum House developer Related California declined to say earlier this month whether the company would abandon the project or submit another proposal to City Hall.

The council decided to revoke Museum Houses entitlements following a petition effort organized by local activists who called for a public vote on the project. The petition, organized by the group Line in the Sand, collected close to 14,000 signatures and was certified by the Orange County registrar of voters office in January.

The project was proposed to replace the Orange County Museum of Art at 850 San Clemente Drive in Newport Center. The museum would move into a newly built facility at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa.

An Orange County Superior Court judge last week cleared the way for Tuesdays final council vote on Museum House by denying a request from the art museum for a temporary restraining order that would have delayed the vote.

OCMA filed a lawsuit in January contending that Line in the Sands petition should be voided because it didnt comply with state elections law. The suit argued that the petition didnt contain all necessary documents and that its font size was virtually unreadable.

Committee to consider elections issues

Three City Council members will study potential local election reforms.

The council agreed Tuesday to form a committee composed of members Diane Dixon, Jeff Herdman and Scott Peotter to study possible reforms in response to concerns about fundraising limits, use of the city seal and other issues.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @DailyPilot_HD
Hes calling it, at least unofficially, the Amazon of transportation.

Last year, Costa Mesa resident Michael Pappas had an idea: Create a new app thats competitive with ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft but puts drivers at the helm.

Thus, the drivers, not the companies they contract with, could set prices. They could determine their own value and, like Amazon Marketplace, put their transportation services online, letting consumers choose.

Enter RydenGo.

Its basically giving drivers the empowerment, Pappas, RydenGos co-founder and chief executive, said in an interview. Its ride-share version 2.0.

RydenGo, based in Newport Beach, is still in its development stage, but Pappas, 47, hopes to begin operations this fall. The company has some seed money but is looking for angel investors, he said.

Sanchez Torres, a recent Cal State Fullerton graduate with a masters degree in software engineering, is the other co-founder. Hes helping with software development, website support and research.

I was fascinated from the first time Michael told me about his vision for RydenGo, Torres said in a news release. We are not building just a simple app, but a whole new ride-sharing concept. I knew I wanted to be on this ride and help him change the world of transportation.

With RydenGo, users would first request a ride. Nearby drivers would respond with their pricing, allowing the user to pick one.

By contrast, Uber and Lyft set prices and take commissions from the drivers.

RydenGo wont do either. Drivers will keep all of their earnings and tips, Pappas said.

Instead, the companys profit will be derived from a subscription fee  initially set at $20 a month  that drivers pay to be in RydenGos system.

RydenGo plans to open throughout Southern California and in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Seattle, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami, Portland, Denver, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C., markets, according to its website.

Pappas said his app has an added safety feature. To avoid getting in the wrong car, RydenGo vehicles will display a four-digit code. Users will have the code and can match it to their requested vehicle.

Pappas, who attended Costa Mesa High School and Orange Coast College, comes from an artistic background. In the art world, he goes by Mikos, a name hed had since childhood. He works in several mediums, including oil painting, photography and film. He has also consulted for film studios and other businesses

Rydengo will also have a social aspect, which could be used to arrange carpools, and a playground feature.

Pappas described the playground as a mix between Craigslist and Yelp where people can post unique vehicles or boats.

An example, Pappas said, could be finding a fire engine for an event or even a DeLorean for a Back to the Future"-themed party.

Pappas said he comes from an admittedly pro-union background, which is why he wants Rydengo to be very worker-focused.

A company doesnt need to exploit its drivers to profit, he said.

Companies like Uber and Lyft consider their drivers independent contractors. Pappas contends that their model is faulty because the independence comes with severe controls.

Its like telling someone they have freedom within a prison cell, he said.

RydenGos subscription model " gives people the sense that they are in charge, Pappas said, which is very important if you want to be self-employed.

bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint
Seal Beach rescinded its ordinance placing housing restrictions on registered sex offenders after facing a lawsuit from a reform group.

In a reluctant but unanimous vote Monday night, the City Council decided that Seal Beach will no longer impose a residency restriction of 2,000 from a public or private school, park, childcare facility or multifamily housing. The city will now enforce California standards.

The state Supreme Court decided unanimously in 2015 that statewide restrictions on where sex offenders may live violate their constitutional rights. The court said the restrictions have made it more difficult to monitor offenders, some of whom have become homeless, and that more flexibility in determining residency requirements is needed.

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Councilwoman Ellery Deaton said she supported the decision to rescind the ordinance but only under duress.

I want to make it known Im very unhappy we have to do this, Deaton said Monday night. It seems to be courts and legislation have taken much and eroded much of our local control, and it seems we citizens in Seal Beach should be allowed to be determine these things.

Seal Beach is among the 20 cities recently targeted in a string of lawsuits filed by Janice Bellucci, a Sacramento-based attorney and founder of the The Alliance for Constitutional Sex Offense Laws, a group that believes, according to its website, that sex offense laws and policies should be based on sound research and common sense, not fear, panic or paranoia.

The complaint filed in the Orange County Superior Court in January alleges that Seal Beachs residency restrictions for registered sex offenders violates the 14th Amendments due process guarantee because the residential exclusion zones virtually cover the entire city and accomplishes the unconstitutional goal of banishment.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff, registered sex offender Frank Lindsay, would like to live in Seal Beach because his occupation in the water treatment industry requires travel into the city. The complaint alleges that even in temporary quarters like a hotel or motel Lindsay would face incarceration and a fine.

Bellucci called the 2,000-foot residency restriction ineffective because it sets too great a distance to be able to see anything or anyone in a meaningful way, citing reports by the California Sex Offenders Management Board, which was born during Arnold Schwarzeneggers term as governor to address concerns related to community management of adult sex offenders.

In addition, Bellucci said in the complaint, there is no evidence that residency restrictions are related to preventing or deterring sex crimes against children. On the contrary, Bellucci said, evidence suggests residency restrictions are likely to have the unintended effect of increasing the likelihood of sexual re-offense.

Twenty lawsuits have been filed against cities throughout California, including Fullerton and Desert Hot Springs. Bellucci said Tuesday that the latest lawsuits filed were against Monrovia in February and Temecula in March.

In 2006, California voters passed Proposition 83, also known as Jessicas Law. Named for 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, the victim of a convicted sex offender who had failed to report his whereabouts despite a legal requirement to so, it granted cities greater authority to regulate registered sex offenders residencies.

But the 2015 California Supreme Court decision questioned additional enforcement placed on registered sex offenders by local government.

Seal Beach is home to 12 registered sex offenders, most having been convicted of child molestation and rape, according to a recent search on Megans Law.

priscella.vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @VegaPriscella
A Riverside man was arrested early Wednesday on suspicion of trespassing at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa and telling campus janitors he had a gun, police said.

OCC public safety officers called Costa Mesa police at about 12:30 a.m. to report a man trespassing in the campuss math and business computer building, said police Sgt. Dan Miles.

Miles said police received a report about 10 minutes later that the man told janitors he had a firearm but that they didnt see a weapon.

Costa Mesa police and a Huntington Beach helicopter crew responded, evacuated the security office and the janitors and gave the man multiple orders to leave the building. The man refused, and officers entered the building and took him into custody, Miles said.

Officers did not find a weapon on the man, Miles said.

Sunny Thompson Greensky, 37, was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and making criminal threats, according to police.

hannah.fry@latimes.com

Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
A federal court on Friday convicted a former branch manager of a Glendale Wells Fargo of money laundering in connection with a $1.66-million mass-mailing scam, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A jury found Albert Yagubyan, a 37-year-old Burbank resident, guilty of one count of conspiracy to launder money, four counts of concealment of money laundering and one count of entering false bank entries.

Yagubyan had laundered over $1 million from a mass-mailing scheme in which he participated with two Glendale men, according to the Department of Justice. The two men  37-year-old Artashes Darbinyan and 42-year-old Orbel Hakobyan  were convicted for their parts in the scam late last year.

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The scheme, which stretches back to 2013, involved soliciting money through the mail using a pair of fake companies that offered potential victims trademark-infringement monitoring and help with registering a trademark in return for $385.

For his part in the scheme, Department of Justice officials said Yagubyan helped launder the money by instructing bank employees to open fake accounts, where the money collected from the mailers would then be deposited.

In a statement, the Department of Justice said the funds were then used to purchase gold. Darbinyan also paid Yagubyan a percentage of the laundered money.

Yagubyan, in turn, made payments and promises of promotion to subordinates to induce them to conduct the fraudulent transactions, according to the statement.

Wells Fargo eventually discovered the bogus accounts, and the former manager tried to keep them open. Yagubyan was then arrested this past July.

He is scheduled to appear in court on May 22 for sentencing.

--

Grant Gordon, grant.gordon@latimes.com

Twitter: @TCNGrantGordon
An enclosed laboratory, called a hot room, is one of several at the Santa Susana facility of Atomics International, a division of North American Rockwell Corp. After company mergers, the Santa Susana facility was operated by Rockwell Internationals Rocketdyne division.

In a Dec. 21, 1989, Los Angeles Times story, staff writer Myron Levin reported on the closure of the hot lab:

In its heyday, Santa Susana was a flourishing center for nuclear work. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Atomic Energy Commission and its successor, the U.S. Department of Energy, contracted with Rockwell to build and run 16 small nuclear reactors, to fabricate nuclear fuel, and to salvage plutonium and uranium from spent fuel rods for use in atomic weapons and as fuel for nuclear-powered ships.

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But in recent years, nuclear work fell off sharply and several key buildings were decommissioned. The only active nuclear job site has been the hot lab, a heavily shielded workshop where radioactive materials are handled by remote control.

Rockwells request last summer to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a 10-year renewal of the hot labs special nuclear materials license brought a chorus of protest from neighborhood and anti-nuclear activists.

Then, on Oct. 20, the company stunned and delighted its foes by announcing that it would scale back its request for relicensing to one year  enough time to finish pending work and begin decommissioning the hot lab.

With the hot lab the only building equipped to handle highly radioactive materials, the announcement seemed to spell the end of nuclear work at Santa Susana. But until Saturdays interview, company officials refused to discuss the future.

Set on a rugged plateau in the Simi Hills, the Santa Susana site occupies 2,668 acres, of which 290 acres have been devoted to nuclear and other energy programs. ...

Cleanup of the Santa Susana facility continues today. In 2007, Boeing, the current owner of the site, announced that the facility will become state parkland.

This photo by Tony Barnard was published in the July 11, 1971, Los Angeles Times.

Levins story Hot Lab Closure to End Nuclear Work at Rockwell Site is online.
Chinas premier Li Keqiang cautioned the U.S. against starting a trade war and positioned Beijing as a leading proponent of globalization at a press conference Wednesday, underscoring the extent to which Donald Trumps presidency has pushed the country into a global leadership role.

We dont want to see a trade war breaking out, Li said at the news conference, a highly scripted annual ritual in a gold-bedecked meeting room at Beijings Great Hall of the People. American companies, he said, would suffer the most in a trade battle between the worlds two largest economies.

Li, Chinas second-highest-ranking official after President Xi Jinping, framed the U.S.-China relationship as having bright prospects, adding that officials were working to arrange a meeting between Xi and President Trump. (He did not confirm media reports that it would take place at Trumps Florida resort Mar-a-Lago in early April).

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His rhetoric marked a stark departure from last years news conference, when Li barely mentioned globalization and took only one question in regard to Chinas role in the global economy.

As for how to ensure the healthy development of China-U.S. ties, I believe both countries need to act in keeping with the principles of equality and mutual benefit, he said, reiterating a long-held party line.

I believe both countries need to act in keeping with the principles of equality and mutual benefit.  Li Keqiang, Chinas premier

The premiers news conference, held every year, is at its heart an act of political theater  questions are pre-selected, Lis responses well-rehearsed. Yet the governments choice of topic matter provides some insight into its most pressing concerns.

Li, in a question-and-answer session that lasted nearly two hours, downplayed fears about structural risks to Chinas economy, pledged to fight and win a battle on smog, and advocated for economic cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong. He also projected an image of China as open to foreign investment, and as a leader in globalization and free trade.

China will continue to remain engaged in the liberalization of global trade, he said. We believe that it is important for one to see the opportunities of opening up in globalization.

China faces a slew of domestic problems  critics say that its human rights record, censorship, and business environment for foreign enterprises have worsened since Xi took power in late 2012. Tensions over the South China Sea and Taiwan continue to escalate.

Trumps America First foreign policy doctrine  and his harsh tone on China, both as a presidential nominee and now as president  have sparked fears of an economic showdown.

Trump has accused China of manipulating its currency, economically raping the U.S. and creating the concept of global warming as a hoax to undercut U.S. manufacturing. His top advisor on trade is Peter Navarro, a hawkish business professor at UC Irvine who directed a documentary called Death by China.

Moreover, Trumps public disparagement of multilateral institutions such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the United Nations, and the Paris Climate Change Pact have pushed China into a role as the worlds foremost defender of multilateral institutions, global trade, and the fight against climate change.

China, a major beneficiary of international trade, has sought to present itself as a force for global stability. In January, Xi called for openness and economic integration at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, marking the first time Chinas top leader has addressed the meeting of global elites.

The state-run New China News Agency, in an editorial on Monday, took a thinly veiled swipe at the Trump administration. Xis experience, commitment, determination and ability to govern and lead have become something of a rarity on the global political stage, it said.

Lis press conference capped off Chinas annual Two Sessions, a concurrent meeting of the countrys top legislature  the National Peoples Congress  and the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body.

Steve Tsang, Director of the China Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said that this years meetings were reassuringly dour, a reminder that the partys greatest dramas are playing out behind the scenes.

At Lis press conference, no reporters addressed Internet censorship or human rights. Li also made no mention of the 19th Party Congress, a major Communist party meeting to be held later this year which will see changes in the top leadership.

Xi is already Chinas most powerful leader in decades. If he does not promote a clear successor this year, Tsang said, he may be gearing up to extend his tenure beyond 2022. This is an arrangement thats facing a lot of resistance within the party, he said.

Nothing much actually happened [at the Two Sessions], and thats what was meant to be, Tsang continued. The big event this year is the 19th Party Congress. Its going to be so big  and so much is not yet decided  that nobody really wants to take any risks.

Meyers is a special correspondent.

jonathan.kaiman@latimes.com

For more news from Asia, follow @JRKaiman on Twitter
With its disgraced former leader ousted from office, South Koreas attention is shifting to a presidential election that could reshape the nations policy on North Korea and its relationship to the United States.

Last weeks removal of the countrys conservative president, Park Geun-hye, amid a corruption scandal that has upended the political order could create an opening for liberal parties for the first time in nearly a decade, analysts say.



For the record: This article quoted Lee Ji-soo, a spokesman for Moon Jae-in, calling North Korea a partner of South Korea. Lee, a native Korean speaker who was being interviewed in English, said he meant to call North Korea a counterpart, not a partner.

Recent public opinion polls show that the top two contenders in the May election  at least for now  are from the center-left Democratic Party. Its candidates in some cases differ from the conservatives, in substance and tone, on dealing with the threat of North Koreas advancing nuclear program and South Koreas security relationship with Washington, which has been its closest ally.

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American and South Korean ideological labels dont always correlate. In the last decade, the United States  under both Republican and Democratic administrations -- has been more aligned with South Korean conservatives than with liberals on North Korea policy.

The conservatives generally favor a tougher stance concerning their neighbor, with principled engagement and pressure on the communist regime. Liberals might seek to revive cross-border ties and seek increased engagement, with fewer or no preconditions.

The polls suggest that support for conservatives has collapsed. The Park corruption drama prompted millions of frustrated South Koreans to attend massive rallies, energizing the liberal opposition.

The former ruling party is now split over support for its ousted leader, and its prospects dimmed further when two leading figures  former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the current prime minister and acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn  decided against a run. Both had been expected to seek the office as a member of a conservative party.

This election is the liberals to lose, said Bong Youngshik, a research fellow with the Institute for North Korean Studies at Yonsei University in Seoul. The conservative parties, because of their ties to Park Geun-hye, do not have any strong candidates.

South Korean presidential candidate Moon Jae-in speaks during a news conference in Seoul on March 12. (AFP/Getty Images)

The conservative disarray creates an opening for former National Assembly member and Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-in, the leading candidate in polls. A former top aide to late President Roh Moo-hyun, Moon ran was narrowly defeated by Park in 2012.

The election has been set for May 9, the latest date it can be held under the impeachment law, and it feels as though the campaign has already begun. In recent days, Parks conservative Liberty Korea Party blasted Moon for a willingness to change direction on security. The barrage of criticism includes Moons desire to delay the installation of a U.S.-supplied missile defense system designed to counter North Korea.

The system, THAAD, has angered China so much that it has retaliated economically, blocking tourist groups from visiting and removing South Korean programming from streaming services. Park wanted the system installed by summer, but Moon would prefer to wait for a new government before deciding how to proceed. The United States has already delivered the hardware.

Other high-profile potential candidates include An Hee-jung, a provincial governor from the Democratic Party who is more moderate on some security issues; Ahn Cheol-soo, a software executive turned National Assembly member from the more liberal Peoples Party; and Rep. Yoo Seong-min, a lawmaker from the conservative Righteous Party, which split from the ruling party over Park.

South Korean acting leader Hwang Kyo-ahn speaks during a news conference in Seoul on Jan. 23. (Ahn Young joon / Associated Press)

Hwang Kyo-ahn, the prime minister who is serving as acting head of state in Parks absence, announced Wednesday that he would not run. Other than Hwang, the conservatives have few other candidates who have registered statistically in public opinion polls.

For the management of the stability of the state and a fair presidential election, Ive decided that it is inappropriate for me to take part in the election, Hwang said.

The parties are expected to name their candidates by late March or early April, allowing for a monthlong sprint to the election. On Tuesday, the liberal candidates met for a policy forum billed as a debate. The candidates were mostly amicable, questioning THAAD and suggesting that they would seek to improve relations with China.

Meanwhile, the national elections commission has expressed concern that the shortened election schedule could allow chicanery to skew the outcome. It warned in a statement that false facts, slander, propaganda, voter buying or gift giving will be strictly punished  and it asked South Koreans to carefully examine the candidates and their positions before voting.

Whoever runs, its clear that Park will cast a shadow on the race. State prosecutors announced Wednesday that they summoned the former president to appear on March 21 as a criminal suspect in a corruption case. She faces numerous charges, including bribery and abuse of power.

The race, which before the scandal might have focused on national security, could also now be an ultimatum on Parks legacy  and perhaps the growing list of domestic issues that worry many, such as youth unemployment, family debt and corporate influence.

The conservatives, who recently split into factions concerning whether to support their troubled leader, seem to recognize that their chances have deteriorated  for now.

Korea Liberty Party will have to reach out from the lowest position ... to secure the highest position in the hearts of the people, said In Myeong-jin, a Presbyterian pastor acting as an emergency leader for the party.

Moon is polling ahead of other candidates by double digits, according to survey firms Gallup Korea and Korea Research. His ascent, or that of another liberal candidate, likely would represent a marked change over the last two presidents, Park and Lee Myung-bak, also a conservative.

The North and South, divided since the Korean War, have had tense relations for almost seven decades. But two previous South Korean presidents, both considered liberals, have sought reconciliation. One, Kim Dae-jung, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his Sunshine Policy, which led to summit meetings between the nations and reunions for some split families. The other was Roh, Moons former boss.

A spokesman for Moon, Lee Ji-soo, called North Korea a partner in a recent interview.

If Moon Jae-in is elected, he would want to engage North Korea and adopt a reconciliatory approach, said Duyeon Kim, a Seoul-based researcher at Georgetown Universitys Institute of the Study of Diplomacy. But its currently unclear whether he would swing back to the old sunshine policy in its entirety, given how todays security situation is much worse.

The Moon spokesman, Lee, said his candidate would represent a change in the way of thinking about how to deal with the North, with a willingness to try diplomacy but an understanding that a tougher approach might ultimately make more sense. He also said the candidate would like to delay the missile defense system until its merits can be weighed more closely, both in terms of Sino-Korea relations but also based on its necessity.

The North Korea of today is much different than that of a decade ago, when the sunshine policy faded into history. The rogue nations leader, Kim Jong Un, grandson of its communist patriarch, has supervised missile launches and nuclear tests in recent years that violated United Nations resolutions. The regime is now seen by most security experts as a nuclear state with a growing technological capacity to deliver the weapons on missiles.

That behavior  as well as the Norths confrontational rhetoric  could also temper the policy positions Moon or others might pursue, experts say.

Political observers such as Bong, the Yonsei researcher, expect the conservative parties to hammer their liberal counterparts on security. This might be an election cycle, however, in which that tactic isnt as effective.

They will do everything to color Mr. Moon Jae-in, or any presidential candidate from the liberal faction, as pro-North Korea, dangerous, socialist, whatever, he said. National security will be up front as the most divisive issue, for sure, but that campaign strategy will not be enough to derail a candidate from the opposite side.

Stiles is a special correspondent.

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The Afghan defense ministry said Wednesday that two dozen army personnel have been arrested for questioning following the security breach that allowed four assailants to enter the countrys main military hospital and kill 50 people a week earlier.

Defense officials issued the new death toll  nearly twice as high as what they initially reported  while disclosing that investigators were examining whether hospital staff helped the attackers, who opened fire inside medical wards on March 8 in one of the deadliest attacks in Kabul in recent months.

For the record: An earlier version of this article identified a lawmaker from Paktika province as Nader Khan Katawazi. He is Nader Khan Katawazai.

The Afghan security establishment has been facing intense criticism in the wake of the devastating assault against the countrys largest military hospital, which treats officers, soldiers, their families and senior government officials.

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Lt. Gen. Helaludin Helal, deputy defense minister for strategic affairs, told a news conference that the gunmen rode in a vehicle with fake license plates that was allowed to enter Sardar Mohammad Dawood Khan military hospital because of the negligence of the personnel at the gate.

One detonated a suicide bomb while three others  dressed in lab coats to impersonate medical personnel  attacked doctors, hospital staff and patients with firearms, grenades and knives. Approximately 50 people were killed and 31 wounded, Helal said.

Survivors and lawmakers have raised questions about how the assailants were able to breach the heavily guarded compound and move through the multistory building with a familiarity that suggested detailed planning or  to some  collusion from hospital staff.

There is no doubt that some top officials of the hospital were linked with the attackers.  Jawed Kohistani, Afghanistan security analyst

A senior surgeon who escaped the attack unhurt said in an interview that two hospital interns had collaborated with the assailants, although he did not provide details, saying the defense ministry had told him not to speak to the media.

The attackers knew every clue about the hospital roads and buildings, said the surgeon, who requested anonymity to protect his job. I think [the interns] drew a map for the other attackers to carry out the carnage easily.

Islamic State claimed responsibility within hours of the attack, but over the past week some Afghan officials have raised doubts about the claim. Abdullah Abdullah, the Afghan governments chief executive, told a meeting of senior officials this week that Taliban militants are the main reason for such incidents.

A police official said a preliminary investigation had shown that the hand grenades used by the assailants were already inside the hospital.

We found out that two boxes full of hand grenades were brought into the hospital building by unknown individuals, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

The official also said the attackers vehicle had a hospital entry pass bearing the signature of the defense minister and they had obtained weapons from soldiers guarding the gate. It was not clear whether the gate pass had been forged or how the weapons were taken.

Analysts and some Afghan lawmakers have been scathing in their criticism of the security breach at the 400-bed hospital.

It was a well-planned attack, said Jawed Kohistani, an independent security analyst, who blamed an intelligence failure by the top military brass who run the hospital and are supposed to gather intelligence on threats.

There is no doubt that some top officials of the hospital were linked with the attackers, Kohistani said.

Others blamed a culture of corruption for allowing militants to infiltrate the departments responsible for Afghan security, as happened during a spate of so-called insider attacks several years ago, when Afghan soldiers and police opened fire on U.S. and international troops they were serving with.

If members of parliament really want security in the country, then they should protect the security departments from powerful individuals, said Nader Khan Katawazai, a lawmaker from the eastern province of Paktika.

Afghan defense officials admit they struggle to meet the demands of securing the large hospital, which has some 2,000 personnel and recruits interns from universities nationwide.

Around 4,000 people  including doctors, patients and other staff  go back and forth on a daily basis to the hospital, Helal said. Considering the crowd, its challenging to fill the security gaps.

Special correspondent Faizy reported from Kabul and Times staff writer Bengali from Mumbai, India.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia
An envoy for President Trump finished two days of talks with leaders in Jerusalem and Ramallah as the new administration launched into the nitty-gritty of advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts.

Jason Greenblatt, the U.S. special representative for international negotiations, met for about two hours Tuesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas at his headquarters in the West Bank, a day after talking late into the evening with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

The statements after Greenblatts meetings said the U.S. seeks to encourage a genuine and lasting peace, although they contained scant mention of the longtime goal of establishing a Palestinian state.

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Greenblatts shuttle diplomacy is part of an effort to see whether the new administration can revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process and succeed in brokering what Trump has described as the ultimate deal.

In a tweet shortly after meeting Abbas, Greenblatt, a former real estate lawyer with the Trump Organization, described the discussion as a positive, far-reaching exchange. A statement released later by the U.S. consul general in Jerusalem said the sides discussed reining in anti-Israeli rhetoric and incitement in the Palestinian territories, something cited by Israeli officials and international diplomats as an obstacle to a peace deal.

U.S. and Palestinian statements also quoted Abbas as saying that a historic peace deal is possible under Trump. Abbas spokesman, Nabil abu Rudaineh, said the talks were positive and encouraging, according to the official Palestinian news service, Wafa.

The meetings come just days after Trump held his first conversation with Abbas and invited him to visit the White House. That call came only after Trump had warmly received Netanyahu at the White House and held several phone conversations with the Israeli leader.

Shaking hands before the start of their talk Monday, both Netanyahu and Greenblatt expressed hope to do great things.

They met for five hours before releasing a joint statement saying they had discussed a joint approach on Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank. According to the statement, the construction is consistent with a peace deal.

The Trump administration is starting its peace effort at a time when the outlook for an accord is dim and direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians have been mothballed for more than three years. While Abbas is contending with growing pessimism among Palestinians about the prospects for a peace deal, along with public pressure to end cooperation between his security forces and the Israeli army, Netanyahu is grappling with right-wing ideologues in his coalition who are pushing to annex parts of the occupied West Bank where Jewish settlements have been built.

At his White House news conference with Netanyahu, Trump seemed to back off a decades-long U.S. commitment to establishing a Palestinian state. He said he would accept any peace formula agreed to by the two sides, including one that envisioned a single state of Palestinians and Jews.

Opponents of such a state say the only way it could maintain the Jewish nature of the state of Israel would be to deny democratic rights to Palestinians.

In the statements after Greenblatts meetings, reference to a Palestinian state was nearly absent except for a reference to Abbas remark that the goal of a two-state solution still remains the preferred choice of the Palestinian leadership.

Trumps campaign rhetoric  later softened  about moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem soured already skeptical Palestinian attitudes about U.S. mediation efforts. So did his choice of an ambassador, David Friedman, who is a patron of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and an opponent of Palestinian statehood.

A poll of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip released Tuesday found that only 9% expect that the president will restart peace talks, while nearly 38% believe that the new administration could help foment violence between the sides.

Greenblatts maiden trip as a peace envoy has spurred Israeli media reports that the new president seeks to arrange a regional summit to help kick off a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. But State Department spokesman Mark Toner sought to lower expectations, saying that no breakthroughs were expected because Greenblatt was coming primarily to listen to what the sides had to say.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.

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The informant began to beg as soon as he was pulled from the police truck, which was painted hot pink, blue and black in a poor attempt at military camouflage.

Where are their places? officer Abdullah Waisi demanded, holding four arrest warrants for the suspects sought.

In the safety of the police station the accused thief had been willing to give up his fellow criminals. But taken along by heavily armed officers to this busy cobblestone street in the historic Bab al Hadid neighborhood of Aleppos Old City, he was clearly scared.

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I dont know, I dont know, the man whined, holding his head and cowering as an officer grabbed him by the arm. Around them militia police fanned out, rifles aimed at a five-story building, ready to raid one of the apartments.

Its not perfect, but God willing it is a good beginning, Ahmad Istaini, a former factory worker turned rebel turned police commander, said of the nascent force at work in opposition-held Aleppo.

Not long after Syrian opposition fighters began seizing control of entire neighborhoods and towns, they established administrative councils and courts to impose a measure of order in lawless locales. Of late they have begun forming civilian police forces as the latest step in creating a civil society even as the Syrian conflict drags on into a fourth year.

The policing efforts face some of the same shortcomings that have beset the fragmented oppositions attempts at self-government: lack of experience and funds, questions of legitimacy and conflicts between competing rebel groups.

But as one man involved in Aleppos law enforcement noted, If we disappeared for 10 days, Aleppo would become a jungle.

The large swaths of Syria under the control of myriad opposition factions have become fertile ground for criminals taking advantage of a law-and-order vacuum.

These days there is no security among people, and everyone is armed and everyone is claiming they are with the [opposition] Free Syrian Army, said Mudaar Najjar, who heads the security establishment for the rebel Islamic Front, which includes the militia police. These are people who were originally criminals.

Even as forces loyal to President Bashar Assad recapture key parts of the country, rebels continue their struggle for independence and self-governance in areas they control.

We are trying to do the same work as the regime, said Ali Abu Hussein, who heads the militia police, before quickly correcting himself: Not like the regime, like a government. Building a country that is safe and modern.

The Islamic Fronts militia police force was established in 2012, before the newer civilian forces, as rebels first entered the city of Aleppo and the new territory saw an increase in crime among opposition fighters.

Until this year, the police force dealt mostly with crimes committed by rebels. Then the extremist Islamic State, an Al Qaeda breakaway group, withdrew from Aleppo and much of the surrounding countryside.

Through brutal tactics, the groups fighters had cracked down on anything they deemed un-Islamic, including theft and kidnapping. They routinely executed accused criminals or cut off their hands in town squares.

Initially, residents welcomed this security enforcement from the group known at the time as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. But they soon began to chafe under harsh laws that banned various things, such as smoking and music.

After ISIS pulled out, some of these criminal gangs returned, said Najjar, who owned a cellphone shop before the uprising. But we are ready for them. We dont have the experience or knowledge; we are learning as we go.

In deserted Aleppo neighborhoods, from which residents have fled as a result of the governments airstrikes, the opposition police officers conduct nightly patrols to discourage thieves from raiding empty homes and businesses or attacking remaining civilians. They also find themselves increasingly having to resolve disputes among neighbors and even families.

The militia police had already established a legal system to prosecute rebels and are now developing one specific to civilian matters under the guidance of criminal attorneys and experts in sharia, or Islamic law, said Abu Hussein, a former agricultural engineer.

But the expansion has been met with criticism that the rebels have no business policing civilians.

Abu Hussein didnt want his full name published for fear that he and others could face international prosecution once the conflict ends. He acknowledged that they commit some violations, possibly including blindfolding defendants during interrogations and making them kneel on the floor.

Days before, a man had been arrested for attacking guards at the opposition police headquarters with a knife. Even after being thrown into one of six detention cells  classrooms retrofitted with thick metal doors  the man refused to stop screaming.

In response, one of the judges ordered the man whipped repeatedly, Abu Hussein said.

Are we up to the responsibility? he said. No, not for civilian or military matters, but we work within our abilities.

Syrias opposition has been marked by competing and redundant efforts from the battlefield to civil administration, each rebel force claiming to be more effective and more honest than the others. When the militia police became involved in civilian criminal matters, it did so after accusing the local opposition sharia committee, which had already set up a court system and police, of taking bribes and losing the public trust.

Yaser Ataee, the committee spokesman, acknowledged that there had been some corrupt officials but insisted that the institution, which also oversees water and electricity utilities in opposition-held areas, had been reformed.

The rebels should leave the civilian matters to us and go fight on the front lines, he said. If every side makes its own police force then there will be chaos.

In addition to the Islamic Front, other rebel groups have formed their own police force. Most recently there has been a renewed push for a civilian police department with funding from Western countries funneled through the Syrian National Coalition, the political umbrella group based outside Syria.

But that civilian force, the Free Aleppo Police, has struggled to gain authority, surrounded as it is by better-armed rebel groups. In addition, the Syrian National Coalition is largely dismissed inside the country as a Western-controlled organization dominated by expatriates.

In one small town near the Turkish border, the Free Aleppo Police set up a police station, only to be quickly raided by residents and rebel groups and banished, an Aleppo-based lawyer said. The police force met with similar fates in surrounding towns.

The Free Aleppo Police, which draws its ranks mostly from officers who defected from the government, must contend with Syrian law enforcements reputation for corruption. And like other opposition projects orchestrated from abroad, its chances for success could be undermined by financial assistance that is fickle and often compared to the output of an eyedropper.

The Free Police needs the funding that meets their needs, and secondly they need the opportunity to prove themselves, said Maher Nana, a family practice doctor in Florida and an unofficial liaison between the Aleppo police force and the coalition.

The department has been given new uniforms, and began receiving money during the spring for salaries, which range from $100 to $300 a month, depending on rank. Since May, 14 patrol cars have been delivered for the entire province of Aleppo. About 80 laptop computers were provided, along with a few scanners and printers.

Most notably, the force lacks a key tool: guns. Western backers will provide nonlethal aid but draw the line at supplying weapons.

I tell them, Are there police in the world who dont have weapons? said Brig. Gen. Adeeb Shallaf, who commands the provincial force. But in the end I cant say anything but thank you for what they have given us.

What few weapons the force wields are members personal handguns, shotguns and Kalashnikovs.

Among the 1,300 officers spread out in 60 police stations, that amounts to a total of 120 firearms.

raja.abdulrahim@latimes.com
All material is subject to strictly enforced copyright terms & conditions and cannot be repurposed or reproduced.  19882022 Latin American Financial Publications Inc.
Zika Vaccine News and Update: DNA may be the Key For Its Quick Development

staff@latinoshealth.com By Enzo Hao Mar 15, 2017 06:41 AM EDT

The Zika virus propagated like wildfire tearing across multiple countries. During its early days, women of child-bearing age were at the mercy of the virus' virulence. The scientists developing the vaccine for preventing congenital Zika infection suggest that using DNA may be the key to the quick development of a Zika vaccine.

According to Science News, DNA-based vaccines are quicker to develop when compared to traditional methods. In fact, last August 2016, scientists have infused a potential Zika vaccine into a human being, just three and a half months after they had concocted a recipe for the Zika vaccine.

The key for the quick development of Zika vaccine, according to Anthony Fauci, is by using DNA. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland said that by using DNA, scientists just have to get the right sequence to tailor a vaccine.

Back in 2015, an outbreak of Zika virus spread through the Caribbean and the Americas. The Zika virus was identified as a cause of a congenital disease that affected pregnant women. Scientists raced to develop a DNA-based Zika vaccine to prevent viremia in women of child-bearing age and their partners.

A study published in ScienceMag suggests that using DNA may be the key to the quick development of a Zika vaccine. The study concludes that "DNA vaccination could be a successful approach to protecting against Zika virus infection." Using DNA-based vaccines would also help in preventing viremia following acute infection, the study further states.

Last Feb. 6, 2017, vaccine clinical researcher Julie Ledgerwood revealed that the clinical trials of the Zika vaccine candidate are in its second phase. Ledgerwood announced the news while speaking at the American Society for Microbiology convention in Washington, D.C.

According to Julie Ledgerwood, they are working on a Zika vaccine that can prevent congenital Zika infection and that the key to the quick development of a Zika vaccine is through DNA. However, the US government has other ongoing studies with regards to the development of a Zika vaccine. Anthony Fauci says that they have other potential Zika vaccine candidates that are being developed using traditional and new techniques.

Another Zika vaccine candidate being developed is based on RNA. In a study published in Cell, the researchers revealed that in their clinical trials, the RNA-based Zika vaccines protected mice against the virus. The RNA-based Zika vaccine candidate has even reduced the virulence of subsequent dengue infection, the study announced.

These multiple studies concerning the development of a Zika vaccine are heading in the right direction. The more studies the researchers can offer could mean that the public health officials will have flexibility when combating the virus. It would also mean that these researchers would have an opportunity to tailor an accurate response based on demographics.

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Mexico's famous Round One series of oil auctions has ended after the government presided by the National Hydrocarbons Commission (CNH) signed a seven deepwater exploration and production contracts on Friday.

According to Petroleum World, the contracts in Mexico deepwater exploration includes three in the Perdido Fold Belt, 40,000 square kilometer area that is located in the northwestern part of the Gulf, and four in the Salin Basin that is located in the south of the Gulf of Mexico.

The three blocks were awarded in Mexico last December. The seven contracts were added together with the other contract signed by the Mexican State Oil Company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Japan's Impex, and American Oil Supermajor Chevron Corp. It marked the first time that PEMEX Company formed a consortium that would compete for a block under the 2013 energy-sector overhaul.

Each of the contracts mentioned above signed by Mexico has a 35-year life span. However, they can also be extended to have additional periods of five to ten years. In the Perdido Fold Belt, China National Offshore Oil Corporation signed contracts for the Block 1 and Block 4.

According to Offshore, the signing ceremony of the contracts in Mexico City was attended by Chevron Africa, Clay Neff, and the Latin America incoming president, Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, Managing Executive Officer of INPEX, and PEMEX CEO, Shuhei Miyamoto. The Mexico energy sector that suffered the steady decline in crude output for almost a decade is expected to receive a boost from oil production giants as a result of the Round One Auctions.

Mexico's consortium which is made up of the local unit of France's Total, as well as the United States Exxon Mobil Exploration, signed a contract for Block 2. In the Salin Basin, on the other hand, a consortium which is made up of Norway's Statoil, the United Kingdom's BP Exploration and the Total's local unit signed the contracts for Block 1 and Block 3.
Charlie Hunnam who was supposed to play Christian Grey in the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise has admitted to having not seen any of the films. The actor apparently backed out of the project and Jamie Dornan was cast in his place. He admitted in an interview that he hasn't seen any of the movies and admits that he is a germophobe or someone who has an irrational fear of germs.

Before the filming of "Fifty Shades of Grey," it was reported that Hunnam dropped out of the movie. During that time the actor cited that he had scheduling troubles and is unable to commit to the film.

In a recent interview, Hunnam revealed that he is reluctant to talk about his brief time as Christian Grey for the "Fifty Shades of Grey" franchise. Vanity Fair reports that the "Sons of Anarchy" actor says he became friends with Sam Taylor-Johnson and added that he did not have fond memories of that time.

When asked if he had seen any of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movies, Hunnam quickly admits that he hasn't seen any. He didn't expound further on why he had decided to drop the film entirely apart from his crammed schedule.

In the same interview, Hunnam also revealed that he is a germophobe for all his life. E! News notes that the actor actually didn't like kissing other people like his co-stars except for his girlfriend. His dropping out of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie would make sense now that he admits to the phobia.

Hunnam adds that his irrational fear for microbes started when he was a little child. Hunnam details that he learned about a canine parasite that could inflict blindness among children. Germophobia aside, do you think Charlie Hunnam would have been a great Christian Grey for "Fifty Shades of Grey"? Tell us what you think below.
Two people have already died while several others are hospitalized after eating cheese infected with listeria. The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now investigating an outbreak of listeria after eating cheese manufactured by Vulto Creamery headquartered in Walton, New York. The deaths were both from the state of Connecticut while a number of hospitalized cases were from Vermont. A cheese product recall has been started by Vulto to avert the situation.

The culprit is cheese described as soft raw milk cheese which was recalled on March 7, Fox News reported. Vulto has already recalled its products namely Oulet, Mirand, Heinennellie and Wilowemec soft wash-rind raw milk cheese after results for listeria turned positive. These results were compared to cheese remnants collected from the homes of victims and have identified that these were cheeses made by Vulto and were also infected with listeria. Vulto continued a cheese product recall on March 8 from nine of its outlets found in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Maine.

Listeriosis could be deadly and is caused by ingesting contaminated food, CNN reported. It is particularly serious for pregnant women, in very young children, the elderly and in people who have weak immune systems. People who have eaten listeria-infested food just like cheese products that are part of the recall, can expect symptoms to appear within a few days to a few weeks. Those who are healthy can expect high fever, stiffness, nausea, headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

In pregnant women, listeria could cause miscarriage, stillbirth, serious complications for the newborn and even premature birth or death. The CDC advises anyone who experiences any of the mentioned symptoms should see their doctor immediately. The first case of listeria due to ingesting cheese products were in September 2016. Investigations were not immediately done until January 2017 when the sixth case was reported.

The CDC said that victims of the cheese products consist of five females and one male with ages ranging from 1 to 89 years old. Everyone is advised not to purchase or eat cheese made by Vulto Creamery. Restaurants and retailers are also advised not to use this brand of cheeses. Investigations are still being done and updates will be provided said the CDC.
Samsung users and tech-savvy just can't wait for the South Korean multinational conglomerate to release its upcoming flagship mobile. Leakages of its features and specifications have already spread and the updates keep coming as it entices buyers. With its variety of colors to go with fashion and taste of its users, Galaxy S8 will be a promising trend in the mobile market.

At this point, video and photos of the actual Galaxy S8 have already been teased, but recently Forbes reported how colorful this new smartphone will be. Now, consumers can now choose not from the only available color of white, black or gold but it will have a range of seven colors. It is not only another exciting news for those who are already anticipating for Samsung's upcoming flagship mobile for 2017, but it is a daring step by the company.

Rumors have it that seven colors consisting of gold, silver, bright black, matte black, blue, orchid and pink will be available, apart from the usual rose gold, the pink color will be something to watch out for. However, Galaxy S8 release date has not been made official, other than that it will be introduced on March 29 in Samsung's Unpacked Event. And a report from Yahoo News confirms that it will be made available for pre-ordering in Canada only on April 28.

For US markets, it will be most likely be at a later date from April 28 although simultaneous release for US and Canada can happen due to previous sale events on flagship smartphones. Seemingly because of Canada's small population compared to the US, these two locations will be lucky enough to have their first touch of Galaxy S8. It has been a long wait in line for Samsung's flagship mobile for 2017 as the company slowly stands up from a great fall that Galaxy Note 7 has caused.
Mar 15, 2017, 12:14pm ET

Lithium-ion pioneer shifts focus to solid-state batteries

Researchers claim the new technology offers higher energy density and long cycle life,

The co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, 94-year-old John Goodenough, has turned his sights to solid-state battery technology.

Goodenough teamed with University of Texas at Austin senior research fellow Maria Helena Braga to create the first all-solid-state battery cells. The technology is claimed to be safer and faster-charging than lithium-ion, with energy densities three times higher.

"Cost, safety, energy density, rates of charge and discharge and cycle life are critical for battery-driven cars to be more widely adopted," Goodenough says. "We believe our discovery solves many of the problems that are inherent in today's batteries."

Detailed in a recent paper published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science, the solid-state batteries use a glass electrolyte instead of the liquid electrolyte employed by lithium-ion cells. An alkali metal anode can then be used without forming dendrites, which can lead to explosions and fires in lithium-ion cells.

Other solid-state batteries are said to have been sensitive to temperature, requiring operation above 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit), but glass electrolytes can maintain high conductivity at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit).

Braga suggests the glass electrolyte also allows lithium to be replaced by sodium, which can be extracted from seawater.

Goodenough and Braga are working on several patents and collaborating with battery makers to continue development. Most battery 'breakthroughs' fail to materialize as viable products. Goodenough is an icon in the battery research world, however, so his latest work will likely be closely followed by the auto industry.
Mar 15, 2017, 5:25am ET

Production Porsche Mission E getting 590 hp?

Porsche badly wants a piece of Tesla\'s market share.

Porsche has released more details about the production version of the Mission E concept.

Positioned a notch below the Panamera, the company's first-ever all-electric model will be available in several states of tune ranging from approximately 400 to 600 horsepower. That's nothing new; the Panamera's engine options range from 330 to 680 horsepower. However, Porsche is considering letting buyers unlock more power by purchasing over-the-air software updates.

"It will be possible to work with over-the-air options. It isn't decided yet, but it could be possible to charge up with more power. For example, when you have 400 bhp, it could be possible to upgrade to 450 bhp," said Porsche boss Oliver Blume in an interview with British magazine Autocar.

The top-spec Mission E -- a name that most likely won't be retained on the production model -- will boast over 590 horsepower. It will be capable of silently sprinting from zero to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds. Whether Porsche is planning to tussle with Tesla for the world's fastest EV crown is up in the air at this point.

An 800-volt charging system developed with input from Hitachi will provide the Mission E with an 80-percent charge in only 15 minutes, essentially eliminating range anxiety. The Mission E will ride on the Volkswagen Group's J1 platform, and it will likely use a lithium-ion battery pack. However, technical specifications haven't been finalized yet because engineers still have a lot of fine-tuning to do.

Porsche is currently building the first road-going Mission E prototypes, according to Autocar, and testing will begin this summer. The sedan is still on track to make its debut in the first half of 2019, and it will go on sale before the end of the decade. Pricing hasn't been announce yet.
Mar 15, 2017, 11:12am ET

Trump to give automakers one year to review CAFE standards

President Trump is reinstating a previous deadline for review.

President Donald Trump is expected to extend the review period for the Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy regulations by about a year, inside sources have revealed.

Such a review was widely expected after it was announced earlier this week that the President would be traveling to Michigan. Although technically a reversal of the rules that were locked into place by the previous Obama administration, the original agreement between the automakers and the federal government called for a review period to last through April 2018. The automakers will now have until April of next year to debate what the fuel economy rules should be for 2022 through 2025.

Automakers have agreed that cheap gas and the rise in popularity of utility vehicles will make the current standards nearly impossible to achieve. In fact, the 2016 model year is projected to be the first in more than a decade to fall short of CAFE averages.

Automakers seem to be confident of a rule change under current EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. Pruitt has long been critical of the EPA and has been an outspoken critic of man-made climate change.

However, a rule change is far from a slam dunk. California's influential Air Resources Board is steadfast in its support of electrified vehicles.

"We have the technical and legal ability to run a program that recognizes where electrification of vehicles is headed, Mary Nichols, chairman of California's Air Resources Board, told Automotive News. "We're trying to put together a mix of incentives and regulations to move the entire industry in this direction. This is what we're going to do.
Late Kathleen O'Neill - Kilkenny & Camross

The death has occurred on of Kathleen O'Neill (nee Tobin) of 12 Upper New Street, Kilkenny City, Kilkenny formerly of Camross who died March 13 peacefully, at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.

Beloved wife of the late Ned and much loved mother of Michael, Mary, Helen, Joan, Geraldine, Kay, Bernie and Eddie, sadly missed by her loving family, sister Margaret, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at her home from 4 o'clock on Wednesday evening with Rosary at 8 o'clock. Funeral Prayers on Thursday morning at 11.15 o'clock followed by removal to St. Patrick's Church for Requiem Mass at 12 o'clock. Funeral afterwards to Foulkstown Cemetery. House private on Thursday morning please.





Margaret Dunlea - Cork and Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, March 12 of Margaret (Peggy) Dunlea (nee Fitzpatrick) of St. Jospeh's Park, The Lough, Cork and formerly of Dysart, Portlaoise.

Peacefully at Cork University Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Eddie. Deeply regretted by her nieces, nephews, Martin, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Fordes Funeral Home, South Gate Bridge. Removal on Monday at 7.45pm to Church of the Immaculate Conception, The Lough. Funeral on Tuesday after 12.30pm Requiem Mass to Lisgoold Cemetery.

Margaret O'Callaghan - Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, March 12 of Margaret O'Callaghan (nee Lonergan) of Borris Road, Portlaoise and Clonmel.

At Ballard Lodge Nursing Home, Portlaoise. Peacefully surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Tom, and dearly loved mother to Martin, T.J, Eamonn, and Margo. Deeply regretted by her family, sister-in-law, Bridie, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, cousin, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Keegans Funeral Home Portlaoise, from 6pm on Monday evening with rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Tuesday in SS Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise followed by interment in Ballyclerihan, Co. Tipperary at 2.30pm approximately.

Jack Dempsey - Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, Match 12 of Jack Dempsey of Tallaght and formerly Rathcoole, and Main St. Portlaoise.

Peacefully at St Vincents Private Hospital. John (Jack) beloved son of the late Sean and Sarah Dempsey. Deeply regretted by his loving partner Una O'Higgins, brother Ger, sisters Ann and Mary, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Keegan's Funeral Home, Portlaoise, from 6pm on Tuesday evening with rosary at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday morning to arrive at SS Peter and Pauls Church for 12 noon requiem Mass. Interment afterwards in SS Peter and Pauls Cemetery, Portlaoise.

Michael Lalor - Portlaoise

The death took place on Friday, March 10 of Michael Lalor of Ballycarnan, Portlaoise.

Beloved husband of Peig and much loved father of Matthew, Rena, Esther, Geraldine, Rosemary and PJ. Deeply regretted by his family, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family relatives and friends.

Reposing at his home on Saturday from 6pm with rosary recital at 9pm. Removal on Sunday at 5.45pm to arrive at SS Peter & Paul's church Portlaoise for 6.30pm. Requiem Mass on Monday at 12 noon. Interment afterwards in SS Peter & Paul's cemetery

Peter Daly - Rathdowney

The death took place on Friday, March 10 of Peter Daly of High Street, Rathdowney.

Peacefully, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Predeceased by his wife Bridie. Deeply regretted by his son Peter-Paul and his daughter Ann-Marie, his beloved grandchildren Tara, Shane, Shannon, Ciara and Jessica, daughter-in-law Geraldine, son-in-law Liam, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at O' Sullivan's Funeral Home, Rathdowney on Saturday evening from 7pm with rosary at 8.30pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday at 11am in the Church Of The Holy Trinity, Rathdowney followed by burial in Rathdowney Local Cemetery.

Margaret Donoghue - Portlaoise

The death took place on Thursday, March 9 of Margaret Donoghue (nee Phelan) of Market Square, Portlaoise.

In the care of Oakdale Nursing Home, Portarlington, Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of the late Daniel, and dearly loved mother to Sheila (Stack), Mary, Sean, Seamus and Catherine (Browne). Deeply regretted by her family, brother Jack, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends

Reposing at her residence from 4pm on Saturday with rosary at 8pm. Removal at 2pm on Sunday to arrive at SS Peter and Pauls Church for 2.30pm Requiem Mass. Interment will follow afterwards in SS Peter and Pauls Cemetery, Portlaoise.

James Horan - Ballyfin

The death took place on Tuesday, March 7 of James (Jim) Horan of Deerpark, Ballyfin.

Peacefully in the care of the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick. Deeply regretted by his brother and sisters Mary, Betty and Sean, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Reposing in Moloney's Funeral Home, Mountmellick from 6pm on Wednesday, Funeral Prayers at 7pm. Removal at 7.45pm to St. Fintan's Church, Ballyfin arriving at 8.15pm. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11am. Burial after in St. Fintan's Cemetery.
A saga that began with clogged up washing machines and a contaminated domestic water supply in Portlaoise has revealed shortcomings in Irish Water's knowledge of its own water metering programme in the town.

Last week the Leinster Express reported on a 'hornets nest' in the town centre's water supply system because Irish Water does not know how water is used in older properties which, it claimed, were on shared supplies.

The problem came to light because of the contamination of a supply on Peppers Lane.

Then, late last week, the water company issued an updated statement to the Leinster Expess.

Irish Water has carried out further investigations into the water supplies at Pepper Lane and Main Street Portlaoise and can confirm that the properties are un-metered. At the time that properties such as those at Pepper Lane and Main Street were built, they often were built to have shared or connected water supplies, it said.

The company re-iterated the problem with shared supplies to older homes and also that it was not responsible for the contamination of the water in Karl and Katie Meehan's home.

However, the Leinster Express subsequently visited the lane where 16 water meters were clearly visible. This was reported on our website.

At the start of this week Irish Water issued a new statement.

The meters on Peppers Lane are non-domestic meters, they are for business customers and not for domestic customers, said the company.

The statement reiterated that the domestic properties on Peppers Lane and Main Street are not metered and have shared water supplies. It repeated that shared water supplies can result in a private home sharing the supply with a property that it is either above, below or beside them.

However, on Monday morning, a employee from Irish Water's metering subcontractors GMC Sierra visited the site leading to another statement.

Following further investigations, we can confirm that the domestic property at Main St does not have an Irish Water meter attached to it. The Irish Water meters in the area are non-domestic meters for business customers and were not installed as part of the non-domestic metering programme.

Historically a number of local authorities including Laois installed non-domestic meters as part of water conservation measures in some areas . Some of the meters on Peppers Lane were installed in 2008 and were part of this non-domestic metering programme, said the statement.
Margaret Dunlea - Cork and Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, March 12 of Margaret (Peggy) Dunlea (nee Fitzpatrick) of St. Jospeh's Park, The Lough, Cork and formerly of Dysart, Portlaoise.

Peacefully at Cork University Hospital. Beloved wife of the late Eddie. Deeply regretted by her nieces, nephews, Martin, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Fordes Funeral Home, South Gate Bridge. Removal on Monday at 7.45pm to Church of the Immaculate Conception, The Lough. Funeral on Tuesday after 12.30pm Requiem Mass to Lisgoold Cemetery.

Margaret O'Callaghan - Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, March 12 of Margaret O'Callaghan (nee Lonergan) of Borris Road, Portlaoise and Clonmel.

At Ballard Lodge Nursing Home, Portlaoise. Peacefully surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Tom, and dearly loved mother to Martin, T.J, Eamonn, and Margo. Deeply regretted by her family, sister-in-law, Bridie, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, cousin, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Keegans Funeral Home Portlaoise, from 6pm on Monday evening with rosary at 8pm. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Tuesday in SS Peter and Paul's Church, Portlaoise followed by interment in Ballyclerihan, Co. Tipperary at 2.30pm approximately.

Jack Dempsey - Portlaoise

The death took place on Sunday, Match 12 of Jack Dempsey of Tallaght and formerly Rathcoole, and Main St. Portlaoise.

Peacefully at St Vincents Private Hospital. John (Jack) beloved son of the late Sean and Sarah Dempsey. Deeply regretted by his loving partner Una O'Higgins, brother Ger, sisters Ann and Mary, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at Keegan's Funeral Home, Portlaoise, from 6pm on Tuesday evening with rosary at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday morning to arrive at SS Peter and Pauls Church for 12 noon requiem Mass. Interment afterwards in SS Peter and Pauls Cemetery, Portlaoise.

Michael Lalor - Portlaoise

The death took place on Friday, March 10 of Michael Lalor of Ballycarnan, Portlaoise.

Beloved husband of Peig and much loved father of Matthew, Rena, Esther, Geraldine, Rosemary and PJ. Deeply regretted by his family, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family relatives and friends.

Reposing at his home on Saturday from 6pm with rosary recital at 9pm. Removal on Sunday at 5.45pm to arrive at SS Peter & Paul's church Portlaoise for 6.30pm. Requiem Mass on Monday at 12 noon. Interment afterwards in SS Peter & Paul's cemetery

Peter Daly - Rathdowney

The death took place on Friday, March 10 of Peter Daly of High Street, Rathdowney.

Peacefully, at the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Predeceased by his wife Bridie. Deeply regretted by his son Peter-Paul and his daughter Ann-Marie, his beloved grandchildren Tara, Shane, Shannon, Ciara and Jessica, daughter-in-law Geraldine, son-in-law Liam, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Reposing at O' Sullivan's Funeral Home, Rathdowney on Saturday evening from 7pm with rosary at 8.30pm. Funeral Mass on Sunday at 11am in the Church Of The Holy Trinity, Rathdowney followed by burial in Rathdowney Local Cemetery.

Margaret Donoghue - Portlaoise

The death took place on Thursday, March 9 of Margaret Donoghue (nee Phelan) of Market Square, Portlaoise.

In the care of Oakdale Nursing Home, Portarlington, Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of the late Daniel, and dearly loved mother to Sheila (Stack), Mary, Sean, Seamus and Catherine (Browne). Deeply regretted by her family, brother Jack, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends

Reposing at her residence from 4pm on Saturday with rosary at 8pm. Removal at 2pm on Sunday to arrive at SS Peter and Pauls Church for 2.30pm Requiem Mass. Interment will follow afterwards in SS Peter and Pauls Cemetery, Portlaoise.

James Horan - Ballyfin

The death took place on Tuesday, March 7 of James (Jim) Horan of Deerpark, Ballyfin.

Peacefully in the care of the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick. Deeply regretted by his brother and sisters Mary, Betty and Sean, nieces, nephews, neighbours, relatives and friends.

Reposing in Moloney's Funeral Home, Mountmellick from 6pm on Wednesday, Funeral Prayers at 7pm. Removal at 7.45pm to St. Fintan's Church, Ballyfin arriving at 8.15pm. Requiem Mass on Thursday at 11am. Burial after in St. Fintan's Cemetery.
A one day workshop to allow 5th class children to try out Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM subjects), is taking place next Monday March 27 at Portlaoise College.

Children and their parents will get to experience hands-on STEM subjects in state of the art laboratories, with experienced teachers at the evening event, which runs from 6pm to 8pm.

It is free of charge and each pupil will receive a Certificate of Participation and a STEM Resource Pack.

The experience is aimed at helping students prepare for secondary school, and follows on a successful event last year, organised by Laois Education Centre in partnership with Portlaoise College.

There will be presentations on the Transition from Primary to Post-Primary, the Transition to Project Maths by a Dept of Education Inspector, Career Opportunities by STEPS, and an exhibition area by Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI).

Noel Daly is Principal ofPortlaoise College.

Our teachers are passionate about their subjects and although we always promoted STEM subjects with local primary schools we are delighted this year to expand the experience for students across Laois, he said.

The 5th class pupils attending the workshops will be entering third level in 6 to 7 years. We in schools need to further and promote their interest in STEM subjects so as the courses they choose for 3rd level will leave them well placed to capitalise on this demand, the principal said.

Jim Enright is Director of Laois Education Centre.

We are delighted to bring this STEM experience. It is a wonderful opportunity for young students to gain first hand exposure to skills which they will need if they were to consider a future in science, technology, engineering or maths, he said.

Fewer students are choosing STEM subjects resulting in a skills shortage.

The key to reversing this trend is to inspire and enthuse young people in school, Mr Enright said.

Early booking is essential. Email info@laoisedcentre.ie or phone Marie 057 8672400 by Wednesday March 22.
A blanket that helps people with Dementia, Autism or sensory issues, has won the Laois final of the 2017 Student Enterprise Awards.

Four girls from Heywood CS are behind 'SenseAbility', a sensory blanket already in demand in the marketplace.

"The biggest problem now isn't getting in orders, it's keeping up with production," beamed Ruth Bergin, speaking after the group accepted their award.

"The standard is so high, I'm glad we qualified, Everyone has been so supportive," said Ellen McWey, thanking their teachers, mentors from Laois Local Enterprise Office and Dragon Alison Cowzer for support.

With Arianna Mezzapelle and Megan Walsh, they came up with the idea after seeing a loved one with Alzheimers. Each blanket is custom made to order by a dressmaker.

Co-ordinator for Laois Enterprise Board Sean Ryan, said it was chosen out of 70 projects across seven Laois schools, because of the work put in by the girls, and the product's potential.

Their teacher Paul Broderick is proud.

"They are the most caring bunch I've ever come across. From September they have drived this forward. They put everything into it," he said.

SenseAbility will now represent Laois at the National Student Enterprise Awards in Croke Park on May 3.

Second prize went to Lockers Logic, from Mountrath CS. Third went to HRM Model Farms, from St Fergal's College Rathdowney.

The Most Innovative Award went to Iomha, from St Mary's CBS. The Best Display Stand was awarded to Dressing Room One also from CBS, and the Most Promising Concept went to Smartsock, from Mountrath CS.

Merit awards went to the two junior entries.

There were 32 stands from seven Laois schools at the event, with enthusiastic students explaining their businesses to the judges, and viewing each others' stands.

A team from Clonaslee College printed a guidebook to the Slieve Blooms, Snap & Go, on sale in shops for 10.

We asked photography clubs for photos, and the county councils for maps. Its our home, so we wanted to share it, said Roisin Scully.

Bully Busters from St Marys CBS created primary school teacher packs to tackle bullying. It is already selling to schools, sponsored by EdCo, with 25 percent of profits going to Childline.

We want to try and cut the route of bullying before it gets really serious in secondary, where it can lead to suicides, explained Leon Holland.

Iomha, the SciFest winner in St Marys CBS, is a discussion forum website that went live a day before, at iomha.ie

We have 42 users already, mostly from the US. We will launch a smartphone app next, we think it will be huge in a year, said Robert Hayes, co-founder with Caolan Fleming and Matthew Cotter.

Honor Deevy is Senior Enterprise Development Officer with Laois LEO.

"Our role is to foster a culture of entrepreneurship in Laois, so it's important to start with schools. To help them look at setting up a business as a viable career option," she said ,

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Cllr Tom Mulhall praised the new ideas.

This is what we need in Laois, to compliment what is already there. These students are gifted, professional and confident. I wish them all great success, he said.
A man with a number of previous convictions who called his mother a prostitute when she asked him to leave her house in the Curragh has been jailed for three months.

At Naas District Court on March 9, the court was told that on October 3 2016, Alan Fegan (25), with an address at St Vincents Hostel, Anglesea St, Cork, was asked to leave a house at Brownstown, The Curragh, around 10.40pm.

But he became abusive towards her and started calling her names, shouting at the 50 year old woman that she was a prostitute.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was told that Mr Fegan had 45 previous convictions including 27 for public order. On February 9 last he received a three year suspended sentence for attempted burglary at Cork Circuit Court.

 I think I have heard enough, said Judge Zaidan.

Matthew Byrne, solicitor, representing Mr Fegan, said his client had done a programme for his addictions. Mr Fegans partner was due anytime soon. I would ask you to be as lenient as possible," said Mr Byrne.

Judge Zaidan imposed a three month sentence.
I back Ruby when he rode his first Cheltenham winner, Alexander Banquet, in 1998.

Everyone will tell you now they picked Alexander Banquet over the favourite Joe Mac. But trust me, in Bruces that afternoon, less than half the proletariat were on board.

I remember it being nothing but smoke and then bad language when Joe Mac fell off the pace on the run in.

The floor was already a graveyard of dockets and enough fag butts to make it look like a mistaken delivery of wood chippings from Gouldings.

By 2010, Ruby had clocked up 24 Festival winners and any local who had backed Joe Mac 12 years previous had been compensated handsomely.

Then, Ruby equalled Pat Taaffes record by winning the Mares Hurdle on Quevega.

I was in the Winners Enclosure for the Irish Post newspaper but heard everyone was on board back home.

Naass correspondent

We didnt know what access was when we were seven-years-old. But we had it.

Damien McElroy was a racing correspondent for the Irish Independent and he lived around the back of us in Lakelands.

He was always covering important races and wed down spuds mid-dinner to see if we could find him on the telly at Cheltenham.

It didnt matter that Dawn Run had just won the Gold Cup. Or Granville Again the Champions Hurdle.

Wed look beyond the horse and jockey to get a glimpse our neighbour, scribbling furiously in the Winners Enclosure.

Flying horses

Strangely enough, Brendan Bashfort lived right next door to Damien McElroy and one down from us.

Hed be in and out of Hong Kong with horses.

Occasionally the phone in our hall would ring, the line would be all of a crackle and wed have to run next door and tell Brendan there was an important message from God knows who in God knows where. Probably Hong Kong.

At Cheltenham in 2014, I met the now bloodstock agent in the Winners Enclosure after Quevega won her fifth Mares Hurdle in a row.

Howya neighbour, he winked. Then he was gone, swept away by the crowd.

Peoples champions

I remember the year of Danoli and Tom Foley and watching in the old Powers beside the Paddock.

I knew the regulars by sight, because we were in Powers most Saturdays then, like Marco from the Capri whod sweep in dressed in that dark blue darts shirt and concentrate on the TV like some forensic scientist.

Everyone backed Danoli that afternoon and there was the feeling of unity in victory, lots of shoulder slapping and copious handshakes.

It was a kinship until Marco returned back behind the counter of the Capri and you were a customer again.

A tip from Ivan Yates

Before Hardy Eustaces attempt to retain the Champion Hurdle in 2005, Ivan Yates was on the radio advising the Irish Government to lump onto the Dessie Hughes trained horse in a bid to solve their budget deficit.

Irelands economic problems would be sorted in five minutes, not five years.

His argument was so convincing a friend listening on the way out the Kilcullen Road abruptly turned the car at Two Mile House, sped back and placed the kind of bet that might have plugged a small hole in the budget deficit.

Hardy Eustace won of course.

Later, Ivan Yates opened Celtic Bookmakers where the old Powers used to be.

On-course connections

Gill Woodcock does a B&B down the back of the Cheltenham Racecourse.

Kildare connections sorted me a bed in there one year.

I met Joe Byrne from Naas over breakfast in the dining room.

Another year Paul Swan from Sallins took the room.

I bumped into Charlie McCreevey outside the Weigh Room two years ago and Niall Cronin from the Herald inside the Media Room last year.

Not so long ago it used to feel like only Damien McElroy had access to Cheltenham.

Robert Mulhern is contracted to RTE's Doc On One programme. To contact our columnist, email mulhernrobert@hotmail.com
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter which went missing off the west coast of Ireland earlier this week paid a visit to Kill village last year for a family fun day at Kill GAA.

Local man James Brady, who lives at Gaelic View in the village, remembers meeting winchman Paul Ormsby on the day. Mr Ormsby tragically lost his life, along with Ciaran Smith, Mark Duffy and Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, when Rescue 116 crashed off the Mayo coast last Tuesday morning. Captain Fitzpatrick was also present in Kill on the day.

Mr Brady said many local people in the area came out to see the Sikorsky S92 rescue helicopter.

The crew members were very active around the helicopter, and allowed children in around the doorway, he said.

Mr Brady also captured some footage of the ill-fated helicopter taking off over Kill and departing back towards Dublin.

It is very sad and hard to believe, he said.

The Coast Guard helicopter has been a frequent visitor to events in Kill GAA over the past couple of years, due to the connections of a coast guard crew member living locally.

Watch: Footage of the Coast Guard helicopter leaving Kill/James Brady
Nurney man Dermot Sexton will blow the ceremonial silver whistle to start the 256th New York City St Patricks Day Parade this Friday.

But it will be a bittersweet moment for the Kildare emigrant, who has been awarded the honour to mark his 50th year as a volunteer with the historic parade.

The Nurney native lost his wife of 55 years, Kathleen Garvin Sexton, after a long battle with cancer, on January 17 last.

I hope I can pull it off, Mr Sexton said in a statement issued by the Parade organisation today. Im praying to Kathleen to help me.

The Kildare man will blow the whistle at 11am sharp, New York time, this Friday, and the Fighting 69th, the 69th Infantry Regiment, will start the parade from 44th Street and Fifth Avenue.

More than 100,000 marchers are expected to follow parade up Fifth Avenue.

Mr Sexton, said the organisation, went to New York on a lark as a 20-year-old in 1957. He had planned to return to Ireland, but instead, he married Kathleen Garvin, from Carratigue, County Mayo.

In 1967, his brother-in-law, Frank McGreal Sr, brought him to work in the Parade.

I was running around like a crazy man, it was years before they even knew my name, he recalled, but when you work hard, they dont let you go.

In 1992, Mr Sexton, who lives in Hawthorne, NY, was given one of the Parades most challenging jobs, running the East Side Formation area of the Parade. As Chairman of East Side Formation, he supervises a team of a dozen workers, who are responsible for moving thousands of marchers and hundreds of bands across Madison Avenue, through traffic and onto Fifth Avenue, while trying to avoid gaps in the Parade.

Hes the grand old man, said Reilly J. Dundon, the Chairman of West Side Formation. Dermot brings an air of stability to the scene. There isnt anything he hasnt seen before, from near-riots in the 1970s, to extremes in weather, like the snow and ice storm that struck mid-Parade in 2003.

When asked which of the 50 Parades was the most memorable, Mr Sextons answer was swift. It was the 2002 parade, just six months after 9/11.

The Parade had been dedicated to the Heroes of 9/11 and at noon, the entire Parade halted and the 100,000 marchers and two million spectators on Fifth Avenue turned south to face Lower Manhattan, where the World Trade Centers Twin Towers once stood, and observed two minutes of silence.

It was unbelievable, how they just stopped New York City and it was so quiet," he said "I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck.
Launching IFAs policy 'Brexit: The Imperatives for Irish Farmers'; the Agri-Food Sector' in Dublin last week, IFA President Joe Healy said the implications for Irish agriculture are so serious that farming has to be first in the Governments negotiating position.

Mr Healy said the threat of Brexit is the most significant challenge facing our farming and food sector in the history of the State, with 40% of our food exports going to the UK and farmers expect the Government to launch a major diplomatic offensive at EU level to ensure farming issues are at the heart of the negotiations.

Simply put, no other member State and no other sector is as exposed in these negotiations, said the IFA leader.

The UK is our closet market, of high value with similar preferences. The implications of a hard Brexit are stark: the ESRI estimates a potential reduction of EU trade to the UK of over 60% for dairy and 85% for meat. Translating this to an Irish context would mean a fall of 1.5bn in meat exports, with dairy exports falling by over 600m.

Irish farming and the agri-food sector is particularly vulnerable to Brexit because of high EU tariff protection applying to major agricultural products and the fact that we share a land border with Northern Ireland. This means a hard Brexit has the potential to disrupt trade flows, and undermine animal health co-operation.

Mr Healy also stressed the importance of the CAP budget to farm income noting the UK are a net contributor.

With 22 million farmers and 40 million related jobs, there is a wider strategic objective here to maximise the future value of the EU farming and food sector, acknowledged Mr Healy.

The key priorities for the farming and the food sector are the maintenance of the closest possible trading relationship between the UK and EU, while preserving the value of the UK market; and ensuring a strong CAP budget following the UKs departure.

Specifically, IFA say if the UK exits the Single Market and Customs Union, there must be a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the EU and UK, which would include tariff-free trade for agricultural products and food; the maintenance of equivalent standards on food safety, animal health, welfare and the environment; and the application of the Common External Tariff for imports to both the EU and UK.

The full IFA paper on Brexit can be downloaded here
Local postmasters were among those who protested outside the GPO in Dublin last Tuesday saying that they will resist any Post Office closures driven by An Post.

Those present said that postmasters were prepared to mobilise a national campaign to support communities and keep Post Offices open.

The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) is calling on politicians, communities and social organisations to give their support. As well as the protest on Tuesday, a larger protest rally is being planned for next month.

The IPU pointed out all political parties pledged their support to maintaining and supporting the Post Office Network at election time adding they must now live up to their promises.

General Secretary Ned OHara demanded immediate implementation of the completed Post Office Network plan  and called on Government to stop An Post from planning hundreds of Post Office closures.

An Post CEO David McRedmond wrote directly to all Postmasters late last week about plans for a major re-organisation of the Network without, says the IPU, first consulting its members.

The IPU is now seeking an urgent meeting with An Post management.
I recently revisited an article that I wrote ahead of Autumn Conference in 2015. My article opened with the line, Another Lib Dem conference and we find ourselves talking about our nuclear deterrent once more.

And they say politics has changed in the last eighteen months!

In York this week, we will again debate the future of the UKs nuclear deterrent. At conferences request, the FPC has commissioned a policy paper on nuclear weapons (pdf). The paper, written by party members after long consideration, advocates a step down the nuclear ladder by moving to a medium-readiness posture, and proposes an end to continuous at-sea deterrence. It also calls on the UK to become a leader in the disarmament and control of nuclear weapons. This position reflects the UKs continued need for a minimum nuclear deterrent, suitable for the 21st century, which sits alongside the Liberal Democrats commitment to working for a world free of nuclear weapons, working within international institutions, particularly the UN.

Eighteen months ago, I asked those advocating a one-sided UK nuclear disarmament to answer a series of questions. Those questions are still relevant today, and Ill be backing the policy motion at conference, because it provides credible answers to them.

In that article, I wrote, We need to be absolutely sure that neither our security, nor that of our neighbours is compromised. We are living in a world that is more volatile than in 2013, when the partys current policy was written. The challenges the UK faces include Putins aggressive build-up of the Russian military, a potential fracturing of the European Union, and a volatile and unpredictable President in the White House, to name just a few.

NATO is an avowedly nuclear alliance, and the policy paper argues, correctly, that now, more than ever, the UK needs to be a fully committed member of NATO. President Trump has already said he considers NATO to be irrelevant. Im sure Putin would be delighted if the UK were to get rid of its nuclear weapons, but our allies, and in particular the Baltic states, would be dismayed.

However, I do not believe that like-for-like replacement of the Trident programme, as the government is now pursuing, is needed to address all the threats the UK faces. Lib Dems have been arguing against a continuous deterrent for many years, and last autumn, our MPs voted against the governments planned Successor programme.

And what about the UKs international obligations? As the policy paper states, the UK has a legal responsibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty to reinvigorate international nuclear disarmament initiatives.

So I was delighted to see that the paper advocates a leading role for the UK in the creation of a nuclear weapons-free world and strengthens our commitment to using international institutions to promote global security and stability. If we genuinely want a world without nuclear weapons then we will only do so by taking other nuclear powers with us. Otherwise the British people would feel their government is making them vulnerable whilst not actually making any real steps towards peace and a world free of nuclear weapons.

The paper sets out a range of measures the UK should take, including strengthening the legal framework around nuclear weapons, using the UKs expertise in verification to build confidence between states.

As an outward looking, internationalist party, Liberal Democrats want the UK to work closely as part of the UN, NATO and the EU to reduce global weapons stocks. We dont want to walk away from our international commitments.

I am under no illusion about the seriousness with which we as a party must treat the question of the UKs possession of nuclear weapons. I want us as a party to have a credible policy which keeps the UK safe, but which also makes the world safer. This policy paper, and its motion, does that.

Liberal Democrats are internationalists, and the proposed policy sets out a progressive framework for making the world a safer place.

At this Spring Conference we have an important opportunity to lay the foundation for a vision which all Liberals can support: a nuclear weapons-free world. Lets take it.

* Tim Farron is Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Agriculture and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
THE Irish Coast Guard pilot killed as a result of a tragic accident off the coast of Mayo has been remembered in Limerick - where she lived during her training - as incredible and full of life.

Captain Dara Fitzpatrick died this Tuesday after being recovered near the wreckage of the Dublin-based Rescue 116, which went missing off the Mayo coast at 1am on Tuesday.

Capt Fitzpatrick began her extensive career as a helicopter pilot in Shannon and lived in Knock Hill on the Ennis Road, across from the Greenhills Hotel, for a number of years in the late 90s.

It is understood that the other crew members lost in the crash may have also trained at Shannon.

Capt Fitzpatrick had over 20 years' flying experience and had returned again to Shannon in 2005 to train on the new SikorskyS92 helicopter for a time.

The Leader understands that she helped out in Milford Care Centre as a volunteer during her various stints in Limerick.

She was remembered by former Knock Hill neighbours Declan Carey and Harry Dickinson as full of life; she was incredible.

We knew her really well - myself and Harry who work together, I saw it this morning and I was sure it wasnt her. I said to my wife that she would be out looking for her friends. We just got the shocking news that it was her, said Declan.

"I remember one day she took a whole load of us up in the helicopter and we went from Coonagh to Shannon. She was full of life, she was incredible.

She was stunningly beautiful, and she was not afraid of anything, she was full of life, confidence - an incredible lady, he said.

Harry said: It is very sad, she was a lovely girl, a really, really nice girl. I remember her as being very driven, she was determined.

Gerard OFlynn, operations manager with the Coast Guard, said she was was a very popular figure because of her sheer professionalism and her love of aviation and search and rescue.

"Outside of that, her willingness to support any water safety initiative and her willingness to show off the aircraft, particularly to young people, I think she was very much a people person, but a very professional aviator."

He added that she was probably the most experienced pilot in CHC, the company which provides helicopter Search and Rescue services for the State and has a base in Shannon.

President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to Capt Fitzpatrick. He said the incident marked a dark day in the history of the Coast Guard, with a member of this important service losing her life while providing assistance to others.

On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I pay tribute to Captain Dara Fitzpatrick who died today. We are all grateful for the courage, resolution and exemplary commitment to the aims of the Coast Guard that Captain Fitzpatrick and her colleagues have consistently displayed.

My thoughts are with her family at this difficult moment and also with the families of the missing crew. It is appropriate that we acknowledge and pay tribute to the efforts of her colleagues at the Coast Guard who have been working at a time, which must be for them, a time of great grief and uncertainty.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny extended his "deepest sympathy" of the Government to Capt Fitzpatrick's family.

Speaking in the US, Mr Kenny said: "Obviously the search continues and on behalf of the Government again we pay our respects to the family of Dara Fitzpatrick. The search continues for other crew members.

"Clearly in the analysis and investigation into this we want to uncover what exactly happened in respect of the lack of communications and loss of contact with Rescue Helicopter 116," he added.

The Shannon-based Rescue 115 was involved in the extensive search operation for its missing sister crew, the Dublin-based Rescue 116 helicopter which vanished overnight at 1am this Tuesday while it was providing cover for another crew on a rescue mission.
GARDAI in Limerick are appealing to householders to be vigilant following several reports of bogus callers over the past week.

While the callers will always offer a genuine reason for calling, gardai say they should not be given access to homes.

I would always advise against letting any callers who are not known to you into your house. They may be legitimate, but there are always some who are trying to see what you have or what they can get from the house owner, said Sergeant Kevin Balfe of the community policing section at Henry Street garda station.

Householders are being advised to ask any callers for business cards or contact details and to make further enquiries about their credentials before letting them into their homes.

If they are genuine they wont mind. If your listeners need work done to their house, they should get some they know or someone recommended to them, added Sgt Balfe.

One example of a bogus caller in recent days was when a man called to a house in the Abbeyfeale area purporting to be repair man for a kitchen appliance.
A YOUNG man who featured in RTEs reality series Bressies Teenage Kicks has appeared in court accused of stealing hundreds of euro from an office at Limerick Institute of Technology.

Calvin McNamara, aged, 21, who has an address at Dalglish Park, Moyross was brought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court at the weekend after he was charged with a single count of burglary relating to an incident on the evening of March 7, last.

Objecting to bail, Detective Garda Mairead Reidy said it will be alleged by the State that Mr McNamara entered an office on the campus of LIT at around 5.30pm.

She said it will be further alleged that once inside the office, which was unoccupied at the time, the defendant proceeded to unlock the safe before taking around 420 in cash.

Detective Garda Reidy told Judge Mary Larkin that CCTV footage has been obtained as part of the investigation and that she believes the evidence in the case is quite strong.

Mr McNamara, who is not working, was granted legal aid and solicitor Sarah Ryan was assigned to represent him.

Opposing the bail application which was made by Ms Ryan, Detective Garda Reidy said she was concerned the accused would commit further offences, if released.

She added that she did not believe the 21-year-old would abide by any bail conditions and that he would not attend court for the case.

Ms Ryan rejected this saying her her client was welcome at home. She added that he had assured her he would abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

Despite the garda objection, Judge Mary Larkin said she was willing to grant Mr McNamara conditional bail.

The 21-year-old must live at his home address in Moyross and he was ordered to stay out of the Caherdavin area of the city as a condition of his bail.

Judge Larkin also ordered that he sign on at Mayorstone garda station three times a week and that he surrender his passport to gardai pending the conclusion of the proceedings against him.

The defendant must also stay alcohol and drug-free while in public as a condition of his bail.

Mr McNamara has given his mobile phone number to gardai and he is required to keep it charged, in credit and turned on at all times as a condition of bail.

In addition to the defendant entering a bond, Judge Larkin requested that an independent surety be lodged with the court.

Seeking to have the matter adjourned, Inspector Liz Kennedy said directions are to be sought from the DPP in relation to the matter.
THE Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) initiated enforcement proceedings against three retailers in Limerick city last year, it has been revealed.

According to its Consumer Protection List for 2016, which has just been published, Compliance Notices were issued in relation to two stores in Limerick for breaches of consumer protection legislation.

The stores named in the report are Heatons at Childers Road Retail Park and New Look at Cruises Street.

According to the commission, such notices are issued to traders, under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, for providing false information in relation to the price of products.

It has not been disclosed in the report if the breaches were detected following complaints from consumers or following inspections which were conducted by the CCPC.

Separately, a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) was issued to a hardware store in the city centre over its failure to indicate the price of certain products.

The notice, one of 27 served across the county, related to J.C. Daly (Hardware) Company Limited trading as Dalys, William Street.

Again, details of the specific breach have not been included in the report.

Under consumer protection law, the selling price of every item offered for sale must be displayed clearly and accurately. In 2016 we carried out 150 unannounced inspections of trader premises across Ireland to assess compliance with price display legislation. The majority of those inspected were found to be compliant with consumer protection legislation, said Isolde Goggin, chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission at the launch of the report.

Ms Goggin is encouraging consumers to come forward if they believe retailers are in breach of consumer protection laws or regulations.

The information on traders practices which we receive from our consumer contacts are very important as they help to inform our work by identifying companies and sectors that engage in unfair commercial practices. We encourage any consumer who has a question about their rights or who believes that they have been misled by a business to contact us, she said.

For more information, see the commissions website, www.ccpc.ie or call its dedicated helpline on 1890 432 432.
OVERCROWDING at University Hospital Limericks emergency department dramatically increased overnight, according to new figures released by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation this week.

The new statistics show that there were 49 patients being treated on A&E trolleys, and on additional beds, trolleys or chairs in the wards at the Dooradoyle facility, this Wednesday morning.

This follows a week of generally low levels of overcrowding at UHL, with just 17 patients on trolleys on Monday, followed by 19 patients on Tuesday.

This week, Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan condemned the Governments spend on agency staff at UHL, versus its spend on emergency departments nationwide.

According to information, obtained by Deputy Quinlivan, more than 47m was spent on agency staff at UHL since January 2013.

He said that the spend on agency staff is contrasted with the pitiful investment in alleviating the overcrowding in Irish hospitals.

Spending on agency staff has reached a persistently unacceptable level, we need proper investment in our health institutions and to ensure quality treatment for patients and a reduction in the numbers on waiting lists, he stated.

A total of 7,032,979 was spent in 2013. This doubled to 15,297,447 in 2014. In 2015, there was a 3.5m drop, at 11,875,439; and a total of 12,194,323 was spent on agency staff last year. In January alone, 965,013 was spent.

While we all accept that hospitals must be properly staffed, this is an outrageous waste of public money.

This is a damning indictment of the Governments shambolic health policy and its indifference to universal public health provision.

The reliance on agency staff has increased due to the mismanagement of hospitals across the country by the HSE and the Government, and the failure to attract Irish graduates to the health system here, who are being lost to well-run health systems abroad. It also illustrates the ongoing privatisation of the health service and the erosion of working conditions for medical professionals committed to working in the public sector.
Apr 30, 2021, 7 AM

By Michael Baadke

The first president of the West African nation of Liberia, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, was born March 15, 1809, in Norfolk, Va. His mother, Amelia, was a freed slave, and it is believed that Josephs father was the white slave owner who released her from bondage.

James Roberts, a freed black man who operated a business transporting goods by boat on the James River, married Amelia and became the father to her children. As a youngster, Joseph worked with James in the family business, but James died after the family moved to Petersburg, Va.

In 1829, the extended family that included Joseph, his new wife Sarah and their infant child, plus Josephs mother and younger siblings, all emigrated to Liberia, where a colony of free blacks from America had been established by the American Colonization Society.

Josephs wife and child died not long after arriving in Africa, but Joseph established a successful business and remarried. He became sheriff and then governor of the colony, and when Liberia declared its independence in 1847, he was elected president.

Roberts traveled to Europe and the United States, seeking trade opportunities and recognition for Liberia from other countries. He served as the countrys president until 1856, and co-founded Liberia College in the capital, Monrovia. He later served again as president, from 1872 to 1876, but died at age 66 soon after leaving office.

Several stamps from Liberia have honored the nations American-born first president, including a 1 green and black stamp with engraved design issued in 1950 (Scott 328).
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Moto G5 and G5 Plus: All you need to know Motorola has updated the Moto G line-up of phones with the new Moto G5 and G5 Plus /smart-living/innovation/moto-g5-and-g5-plus-all-you-need-to-know-111646892355023.html 111646892355023 story

Motorola is launching the Moto G5 and G5 Plus smartphones in India. Unveiled last month at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2017 Barcelona, the two new smartphones will be succeeding the Moto G4, G4 Plus and G4 Play smartphones. The Moto G5 Plus will be available exclusively on Flipkart.com.

The big difference between this years Moto G phones and their predecessor is the shift in design language: the new phones will not carry the plastic body and removable back cover design of its predecessor. Instead they will have a unibody design and full metal finish like the Moto M. The two phones will continue to be splash- and dust-resistant.

The screen factor

A major difference between the Moto G5 and G5 Plus is the screen size. The Moto G5 has a 5-inch full HD display, while the Moto G5 Plus offers a slightly bigger 5.2-inch full-HD screen. There is no 5.5-inch display variant this time, but we cant rule out the possibility of a third Moto G Plus being launched afterwards, considering the fact that the three Moto G4 phones were released separately.

Also read | Moto G5 Plus: Lenovos weapon against

Improved innards

The Moto G5 runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 octa-core chip, while the Moto G5 Plus runs on a more powerful Snapdragon 625 octa-core processor. The two phones will be available in multiple variants based on the RAM size and internal storage. The minimum storage capacity in the Moto G will be 16GB and 2GB RAM, while the Moto G5 Plus will start with 16GB storage and 3GB RAM. The battery size also varies, but slightly. The Moto G5 has a 2,800mAh battery and the G5 Plus is powered by a 3,000mAh battery.

Still weighs the same

Though the Moto G5 Plus has a smaller display, yet it weighs 155g, as much as the Moto G4 Plus. The Moto G5 weighs 145g. Motorola hasnt given up on the microUSB and headphone jack in the Moto G series phones yet. The speaker is placed on the front panel and so is the fingerprint scanner. It continues to be a non-clickable touch button and cannot be used as a home button. Its rectangular shape doesnt clash with the phones rounded appearance.
EPA landmarks

(Image credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

Since its establishment in 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented acts to protect America's great outdoors, including its air, water and wildlife. However, the agency's future is in peril: During his campaign, President Donald Trump suggested eliminating the EPA, and more recently his administration suggested cutting the EPA's staff by 20 percent and its budget by 25 percent.



Here are 10 landmark acts and programs that the EPA has implemented over the years to help make the country more energy efficient and more environmentally safe. [Read the full story on what life would be like without the EPA]

Clean Water Act of 1972

(Image credit: Belovodchenko Anton/Shutterstock)

Years ago, people and companies could pollute U.S. waterways without a second thought.



But now, there are consequences to polluting water. The Clean Water Act (CWA) ensures that people and industries don't contaminate American waters with substances that are harmful to human health or wildlife. If a company does have polluted wastewater, it can apply for a permit through the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).



The Clean Water Act also enables partnerships  it made it possible for the United States and Canada to sign the Great Lakes Critical Programs Act of 1990, which required the two countries to reduce certain toxic pollutants in the Great Lakes, the EPA said.

Safe Water Drinking Act of 1974

(Image credit: Mikkel Bigandt/Shutterstock)

The Office of Water (OW) safeguards the nation's drinking water with the Safe Water Drinking Act.



In addition to sustaining clean drinking water, the office restores and protects oceans, watersheds and other aquatic ecosystems with the goal of guarding the health of humans and wildlife and promoting recreational activities, such as fishing.



The office also monitors for the improper disposal of chemicals, animal waste and pesticides, as well as any wastes injected underground and naturally occurring substances that may be harmful, including Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaire's disease, the office said.

Clean Air Act of 1970

(Image credit: Tatiana Grozetskaya/Shutterstock)

The Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates air emissions. More important, it allowed the EPA to set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)  a policy that protects air quality for the public and regulates hazardous air pollutants.



The EPA also worked with states to develop improvement plans specific to their regions. However, because so many states missed their deadlines, the act was amended in 1977 and 1990 to set new goals for achieving NAAQS, the EPA said.



These laws apply to "major sources" of pollution, which can emit 10 tons or more per year of a hazardous air pollutant, or 25 tons or more per year of multiple hazardous air pollutants.



CAA programs have decreased levels of six common pollutants, including particles, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, all while the U.S. economy grew, the EPA said.

Superfund Redevelopment Initiative

(Image credit: Felix Lipov/Shutterstock)

In an effort to stop the "midnight dumping" of toxic waste, Congress passed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976. The act gave the EPA the authority to establish controls over hazardous waste.



But it took two more acts  the Toxic Substances Control Act in 1976 and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act in 1980  before the EPA got the go-ahead to manage cleanup at Superfund sites  the nation's most hazardous waste sites, the agency said.



Several toxic disasters propelled these acts forward: In 1977, a series of chemical reactions ignited a chemical-waste treatment facility in Bridgeport, New Jersey, killing six and hospitalizing 35; in 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared a state of emergency at Love Canal, New York, after people reported having skin rashes, miscarriages and birth defects; and in 1980, toxic waste burst into flames at a waste storage facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the EPA said.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1996

(Image credit: Jinning Li/Shutterstock)

Pesticides can protect plants from pests, but what's to stop them from harming the health of people and animals?



Rigorous testing, according to the EPA. The agency evaluates new pesticides before they can enter the market, and re-evaluates existing pesticides regularly to make sure they are still safe to use, the agency said.

Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program of 1990

(Image credit: Degtyar Viktor/Shutterstock)

Since 1990, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has provided official annual estimates on nationwide greenhouse gas emissions.



Some of the places that report their emissions to the program include power plants, petroleum and natural gas systems and landfills.



"The data are also being used to inform regulatory actions and voluntary emission reduction efforts," the EPA said.

National Listing of Fish Advisories

(Image credit: Cybercrisi/Shutterstock)

The EPA began posting fish and shellfish advisories in 1993. These advisories tell consumers about contaminants in seafood, including mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordane, dioxins and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT).



"These contaminants accumulate in fish tissue at concentrations many times higher than concentrations in the water and can persist for years in sediments, where bottom-dwelling creatures eat them and pass them to larger fish," the EPA said.



The number of safe-eating guidelines has risen from 20 in 1993 to 1,040 in 2011, the EPA reported.

Insect repellents

(Image credit: Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock)

The EPA ensures that EPA-approved insect repellents  including roach sprays, mosquito repellants, flea collars and other insect-killing products  actually work and don't poison people or pets.

The Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act of 2000

(Image credit: Titood99/Shutterstock)

Beachgoers usually want to sunbathe and swim rather than deal with nasty pathogens and sewage in the water. The BEACH Act of 2000 addresses that by requiring states, territories and tribes to have stringent water-quality standards and notification systems in case there is a dangerous situation at a beach.



The act also provides grants to help local governments "protect beachgoers from contaminated water at coastal beaches," with beach monitoring and notification programs, the EPA said.



For instance, EPA grants fund the Florida Healthy Beaches Program, which posted 153 water-quality advisories in 2016, according to the Tallahassee Democrat.



"In case you need a reminder of why water quality monitoring is important: During Hurricane Sandy, 172 million gallons of waste spilled into Tampa Bay and adjacent waterways," Holly Parker, a regional manager at the Surfrider Foundation, an environmental nonprofit, wrote in the Tallahassee Democrat. "In May 2016, more than 1 million gallons of raw sewage spilled into the Banana River in Brevard County. In June 2016, 800 gallons of raw sewage spilled in Mexico Beach in Bay County."

Energy Star

(Image credit: Suwandichandraphotography/Shutterstock)

The EPA runs Energy Star, a program that helps people find the most energy-efficient appliances and equipment that can save energy and money, the Natural Resources Defense Council said.



The EPA began Energy Star as a voluntary labeling program in 1992 with the goal of helping consumers decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In 2012, Energy Star helped save businesses, organizations and consumers $24 billion, the EPA said.



[Read the full story on what life would be like without the EPA]
Bond, James Bond

(Image credit: Stokkete/Shutterstock)

Killer umbrellas, stick-on fingerprints and lock-picking cellphones  James Bond and his nemeses certainly used their share of bizarre spy gadgets over the years.

But many of the most far-out devices seen in old movies have been made obsolete by incredible leaps in today's consumer technology, said Vince Houghton, a historian and curator at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C.

"A modern smartphone does more than most people could do 10 years ago on 10 different things," Houghton told Live Science.

For instance, nowadays, "wires," like those used to catch mobsters plotting on tape, are now entirely wireless, and they're so tiny that they can be concealed in earrings, buttons and even patches under the skin, Houghton said.

And although most of today's cutting-edge spy technology is classified, knowledge of a few bizarre techniques does get leaked. From eavesdropping techniques to programmed kitties, here are some of the most incredible real-world spy technologies.

Cold War-era gadgets

(Image credit: Denis Rozhnovsky/Shutterstock)

Spying is almost as old as human civilization. Both the ancient Babylonian law called Hammurabi's Code and the Bible's Old Testament described espionage as a way to gain an edge on adversaries, Houghton said. The rise of modern nations, however, caused espionage gadgets to flourish.

During the Cold War, the golden era of James Bond's spy gadgets, a real-life Bulgarian assassin used an umbrella to fire a toxic pellet of the poison ricin into a Soviet defector in London. The Soviets also developed a lipstick gun known as the "kiss of death," which fired a single bullet at close range, Houghton said.

Oops, kitty kitty

(Image credit: Win Chen/Shutterstock)

During the Cold War era, a few outlandish ideas made it past the drawing board. Unlike animals, which have cochleae in their ears that filter out noise, listening devices were historically bad at filtering out background noise. So, in the 1950s and 1960s, U.S. spies got the bright idea to use an animal's cochlea to spy on the Soviets. They implanted a microphone into a cat's ear canal, a radio transmitter next to the skull, and a battery into its abdomen, and turned its tail into an antenna. Then, they spent hours training it to hop through obstacle courses. Unfortunately for the spies, the high-tech kitty often wandered off in search of food.

"Cats don't really do what you want them to," Houghton said.

So the team went back to the drawing board, retrained the cat to ignore its hunger signals and plopped it down in a park across from the Soviet embassy in Washington, D.C. As soon as it tried to cross the street, it got run over by a taxi.

"They had their multimillion-dollar cat there, smooshed on the street," Houghton said.

For decades, the CIA also spent millions to fund Operation Stargate, which aimed to use psychics to reveal Soviet secrets. The program was disbanded during the Clinton administration. The agency also funded the notorious MKULTRA program, which aimed to harness psychedelic drugs like LSD for mind control, Houghton said.

Visual microphone

(Image credit: ESB Professional/Shutterstock)

The government doesn't develop all the strangest spy technologies.

Scientists at the University of Texas created a way to reconstruct conversations simply by taking pictures of the environment in which the words were spoken, according to a presentation at the 2014 SIGGRAPH conference. The sound spying system takes advantage of the fact that sound waves produce minute, invisible-to-the-naked-eye vibrations that can still be caught on camera. These vibrations can then be analyzed to recreate the original sounds. The new technique now means that, theoretically, anyone who can snap photos or video of a room could recreate conversations that occurred there  without having to bug the place or put their ear to the door.

Hacked medical implants

(Image credit: khuruzero/Shutterstock)

It's not just a plot point on Showtime's "Homeland"; medical devices that can be wirelessly controlled and battery operated  such as insulin pumps, implantable defibrillators and pacemakers  can be hacked. At a 2011 Black Hat Security Conference in Las Vegas, hacker Jerome Radcliffe showed that it was possible to hack his own insulin pump. A few years earlier, hackers raised the possibility that wirelessly controlled pacemakers could also be hacked. So far, no one has documented a case where malicious forces have fiddled with someone's implanted medical device  at least that we know of. But the risk has spurred the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a watchdog agency within the government, to urge the Food and Drug Administration to require the companies that make such medical devices to eliminate these vulnerabilities.

I see you

(Image credit: Carlos Amarillo/Shutterstock)

International spies aren't the only ones who have an interest in watching other people. Companies that want to know more about the people who buy their products could one day use a creepy combination of tailored marketing and surveillance. The company Almax has developed a bionic mannequin called EyeSee that could be placed in clothing stores. Behind the mannequin's dead eyes hides a camera that uses facial-recognition software that can identify a shopper's age, race and gender. The idea is to deduce what kinds of consumers buy certain products.

Unbreakable codes?

With quantum encryption, in which a message gets encoded in bits represented by particles in different states, a secret message can remain secure even if the system is compromised by a malicious hacker. (opens in new tab) | Shutterstock (opens in new tab) ) (Image credit: margita

Ultimately, the goal of most espionage organizations around the world is to create perfectly secure communications. Some think that quantum encryption  which uses the principles of particle physics to ensure that a message is readable only to its intended recipient  may be the key to creating codes that can't be broken.

"At this point, the [National Security Agency] can listen to anything they want to, regardless of what encryption is used," Houghton said. "Quantum encryption would be the first time you could create a completely unbreakable code."

Today, quantum encryption is still in the proof-of-concept phase, as far as we know. However, the technology is now getting practical enough that governments are probably very interested, he said.

"The first country to pull that off is going to be way ahead of everyone else," Houghton said.
For the first time, robots have successfully performed a tricky, delicate operation that helped implant a hearing device into a deaf woman's ear, according to a new study.

A 51-year-old woman who was completely deaf in both ears due to a rare autoimmune disease underwent an operation to receive a cochlear implant in her right ear to help her hear again, the researchers said.

"The patient is progressing well with speech and language training, and is expressing high satisfaction on the benefits of having a cochlear implant," said study lead author Stefan Weber, director of the ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research at the University of Bern in Switzerland. "Six months after the surgery, she is even able to partially communicate via telephone, which is a big step for her personal freedom." [The 6 Strangest Robots Ever Created]

Whereas a hearing aid amplifies sounds so damaged ears can detect them, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged portions of the ear to directly stimulate the auditory nerves responsible for hearing. As of December 2012, more than 324,000 cochlear-implant surgeries have been performed worldwide, according to the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

A cochlear implant consists of a microphone that picks up sound from the environment, a speech processor that filters these sounds to focus on speech, a transmitter that converts these sounds into electrical impulses, an implanted receiver that picks up these electrical signals, and an implanted electrode array that collects this electrical data and stimulates the auditory nerve.

"The auditory sensation is not comparable to normal hearing," Weber told Live Science. "However, after a certain amount of training, the brain is able to interpret the stimuli as speech and understand the sounds as language for communication."

The most delicate, trickiest part of implanting this hearing device involves placing the 0.01-inch-to-0.04-inch-wide (0.3 to 1 millimeter) electrode array in an opening that is typically 1.2 inches (30 mm) in diameter, according to the researchers. The slightest mistake can lead to irreparable damage, they said. As a result, about 30 to 55 percent of the 65,000 or so patients who receive cochlear implants each year worldwide continue to suffer significant hearing loss.

Tricky procedure

Now, Weber and his colleagues have developed what they say is the first robot-assisted cochlear implantation system to help overcome the challenges that human surgeons face when performing the procedure.

"When discussing much-needed surgical innovations for use in ear, nose and throat procedures, our surgeon colleagues would repeatedly mention that gaining access to the inner ear in a minimally invasive manner was a major hurdle that had not been resolved," Weber said. "This spurred us on to research and design a way to enable ear, nose and throat surgeons to perform keyhole surgery to access the inner ear."

According to the new study, most of the procedure is still completed manually by humans. However, the robot is responsible for one of the operation's riskiest steps: drilling a microscopic hole in the skull bone surrounding the ear without causing heat-related injury to nearby nerves. "The drill needs to pass between nerves at a distance of less than 1 millimeter," Weber said.

Cochlear implantation is an extremely delicate surgery. The surgical robot (in teal) must work within the tiny space between the facial and taste nerve. (Image credit: Weber et al.)

The researchers developed a robotic drill with the highest degree of accuracy reported yet for such a medical device, straying as little as about 0.015 inches (0.4 mm) in 99.7 percent of all drilling attempts, the scientists said. A camera also helped track the robot with 25-micron accuracy; in comparison, the average human hair is about 100 microns wide.

Moreover, the research team designed stainless-steel drill bits with grooves and cutting edges that are optimized for cutting into bone and transporting away bone chips, thus helping to minimize the amount of heat generated during drilling. A rim on the outside of the drill also reduces friction between the bit and the surrounding tissue while it rotates. During the procedure, there were several pauses during drilling to limit the accumulation of heat, and during each pause, bone chips were washed off the drill bits to keep them from adding to friction during drilling, the researchers said.

Next steps

In addition, before surgery, the researchers used computed tomography (CT) scans of the patient's skull before, during and after the surgery to verify that the robot would steer clear of delicate areas. During surgery, the scientists also used electrodes attached to facial muscles to look for any damage to facial nerves.

"We are very excited about the results and that we were able to demonstrate such a complex technology in the operating room," Weber said. "It adds to the mounting evidence in many other areas that robots can potentially do things in surgery in a way a human surgeon would not be able to carry out without technology."

The researchers are working with a surgical robotics manufacturer and an implant manufacturer to begin commercial development of their technology. "This will allow the development of the surgical robotics platform into a medical technology product that hospitals can buy for their surgical departments," Weber said.

However, Weber cautioned that this new approach is only "the very first stage of changing how hearing surgery is done by ear, nose and throat surgeons. We think there is plenty of potential, but it will take lots more work before more hard-of-hearing people can have their hearing restored with new technology."

The scientists detailed their findings online today (March 15) in the journal Science Robotics.

Original article on Live Science.
Three women went blind after receiving an unproven stem cell treatment on their eyes at a Florida clinic, according to a new report of the cases.

The women, in their 70s and 80s, all had macular degeneration, a progressive eye disease that leads to damage of the retina, and can cause vision loss. They underwent the stem cell therapy in 2015, in the hopes that it would treat their disease.

However, there's no evidence that the stem cell treatment the women received can help restore vision in people with macular degeneration, wrote the authors of the new report. Several of the report's authors treated the women for complications after the stem cell treatment; none of the authors were involved in the original treatment.

In addition, there is a lack of information on the safety of this treatment, and some of the techniques used by the Florida clinic were unsafe, the report said. Shortly after the procedure, the women experienced a number of complications, including vision loss, detached retinas and bleeding. [7 Medical Myths Even Doctors Believe]

"There's a lot of hope for stem cells, and these types of clinics appeal to patients desperate for care, who hope that stem cells are going to be the answer," Dr. Thomas Albini, an associate professor of clinical ophthalmology at the University of Miami and a co-author of the report, said in a statement. "But in this case, these women participated in a clinical enterprise that was off-the-charts dangerous," Albini said.

What's more, some of the patients believed they were participating in a clinical trial of the stem cell treatment, according to the report. And they had good reason to think so  a trial describing this treatment was listed on the website ClinicalTrials.gov, a registry database run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. However, the consent forms that the women signed before they underwent the procedure did not mention the trial, and the patients were required to pay $5,000 for the procedure. Patients who participate in clinical trials typically do not need to pay to do so, the researchers said.

"I'm not aware of any legitimate research, at least in ophthalmology, that is patient-funded," Albini said.

The researchers wrote that they hope their report raises awareness about the potential risks of these types of procedures performed at for-profit stem cell clinics that lack data to support their practices. The report is published today (March 15) in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In recent years, there has been a rise in clinics offering unproven stem cell treatments in the United States. There are now calls for more regulation of these clinics, and last year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed new rules that would require a more rigorous approval process for using such treatments in patients.

At the Florida clinic, called U.S. Stem Cell, Inc. (formerly BioHeart, Inc.), the three patients received a treatment that uses cells called adipose tissue-derived stem cells. For this treatment, the patients had fat cells removed from their abdomens, and this tissue was then processed with enzymes, which the company said would isolate stem cells. These cells were then mixed with a sample of the patient's own blood plasma that was enriched with platelets (a component of blood that aids in blood clotting). This mixture was then injected into the patients' eyes.

Each patient had both eyes treated at the same time, but this protocol is unsafe, the new report said. Most doctors using any experimental eye treatment will treat only one eye at a time, to see how the eye responds to the treatment, the researchers said.

All three patients are now blind, and it is extremely unlikely that they will regain their vision, Albini said.

The complications seen in these patients are likely due to the stem cell preparation they received, the report said. For example, it could be that the material injected into the patients' eyes was contaminated with an enzyme that can damage the eye. Another possibility is that, when they were injected into the eye, the stem cells transformed into myofibroblasts, which are cells that are linked with scarring, the authors said.

In a statement to Live Science, U.S. Stem Cell said it could not comment on specific patients' cases due to "patient confidentiality or legal confidentiality obligations." The company said that since 2001, its clinics have conducted "more than 7,000 stem cell procedures with less than 0.01 percent adverse reactions reported." The company also noted that it does not currently treat eye patients.

In 2013, the company listed a trial on ClinicalTrials.gov titled, "Study to Assess the Safety and Effects of Cells Injected Intravitreal in Dry Macular Degeneration," according to the ClinicalTrials.gov site. However, the current listing for this trial says, "This study has been withdrawn prior to enrollment." In other words, the company claims the study was stopped before patients were enrolled.

It's important to note that stem cell therapies do hold promise for treating a number of human diseases, the case reports' authors said. And there are numerous institutions conducing legitimate clinical trials on stem cell therapies that have appropriate safety and regulatory oversight. However, it can be difficult for patients to distinguish between trials that are legitimate, and those that are not, the authors wrote.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg, a professor and chair of ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, who co-authored the new report, recommended that patients considering stem cell treatments consult the website A Closer Look at Stem Cells. It is maintained by the International Society for Stem Cell Research and contains information on stem cell therapies.

Goldberg also recommended that patients check if a trial is affiliated with an academic medical center.

Original article on Live Science.
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.

Thursday

Anti-travel ban rally: A protest against President Trumps travel ban, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the San Francisco Federal Building, 90 Seventh St.

Friday

Community forum: A conversation on civic engagement with elected officials, business leaders and community activists, hosted by Golden Gate University. The event is from 5 to 8 p.m. at 536 Mission St., San Francisco. Purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/2n3L87U.

Sunday

Forum: A Jewish Community Forum to discuss the political climate and how it affects the Bay Area Jewish community, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay, 1835 Ellis St., San Francisco. Tickets available: http://bit.ly/2mSh7qK.

Author series: A conversation with Aya de Leon, a local poet, author and performance artist, and Kate Raphael, author and producer of the KPFA FM radio show Womens Magazine, on how to organize against President Trump. The talk will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eric Quezada Center for Culture and Politics, 518 Valencia St., San Francisco.

Community conversation: Sierra Club San Francisco chapter leader Arthur Feinstein leads a discussion on local and statewide environmental issues, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Northern Police Station Community Room, 1125 Fillmore St., San Francisco. RSVP: www.sierraclub.org/san-francisco-bay/activities.

Monday

Political discussion: A panel discussion on how to be involved at the local, state and federal level, hosted by the United Democratic Club. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6 union, 55 Fillmore St., San Francisco.

March 25

Danville town hall: Hosted by Mayor Renee Morgan with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, state Sen. Steve Glazer, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker and Contra Costa County Supervisor Candace Andersen. The event is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 400 Hartz Ave. Contact Nat Rojanasathira, assistant to the town manager, at (925) 314-3328 or nrojanasathira@danville.ca.gov for more information.

March 26

Womens rally and march: A Walk for Equality, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rinconada Park, 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto.

March 29

Immigration panel: A discussion with immigration attorneys on sanctuary cities, hosted by the United Democratic Club. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 6 union, 55 Fillmore St., San Francisco.
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A Salinas pastor was stabbed to death Tuesday night, allegedly while praying with one of his parishioners.

Victory Outreach Church pastor Herbert Valero, 68, was slain outside his home on the 1500 block of Verona Court just before 8 p.m., Salinas Police Department Sgt. Christopher Lane said.
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The strangest drug-smuggling tactics used along the border Border Patrol

The strangest drug-smuggling tactics used along the border

The strangest drug-smuggling tactics used along the border Ignacio Adasme Photography/Getty Images
California State University students are fighting a proposed 5 percent tuition increase for next fall which, if approved next week by the trustees, would be the first for CSU since 2011.

The proposal would add $270 to the undergraduate price and bring tuition to $5,472 a year. Graduate students would pay an additional $438 a year for an annual tuition of $7,176. This is the first year since 2011 that CSU can raise tuition under Gov. Jerry Browns multiyear funding plan for the university, which guaranteed funding increases of at least 4 percent from 2013 to 2017 if the trustees kept tuition flat.

Now, although the price hike might sound small, students say it will be hard for those from families that earn too much to qualify for financial aid to pay for school on top of books and living costs.

So dozens of students demonstrated at San Francisco State on Wednesday, using their bodies to form the words NO HIKES on Malcolm X Plaza. Hundreds more lobbied in Sacramento this week to urge state lawmakers to give CSU an extra $168 million  above the $157 million Brown has recommended for the university  to close its shortfall. And busloads of students are expected to show up at CSUs Long Beach headquarters next Wednesday to ask the trustees to vote no.

CSU leaders say that only 40 percent of the universitys 425,000 undergraduates on 23 campuses would have to pay the higher price. The rest, about 255,000, are covered through financial aid.

That leaves about 170,000 middle-class students who would have to pay it. And many of them  like Alison Sexson, 20, a junior majoring in political science and psychology at San Francisco State  say it will add to their student debt.

I have about $20,000 in student loans this year, Sexson said. If tuition goes up, next year, itll probably have to be around $25,000. Even though the tuition increase doesnt seem like that much, with the cost of housing and food going up, itll be necessary.

Sexson and several other students active in student government set up a table outside the student union Wednesday to answer students questions about the tuition proposal. The free pizza didnt hurt, and business was brisk.

The more you pay, the longer you stay, said Nathan Jones, 21, a sophomore majoring in business management who helped at the information table. Thats because when students pay more, they often have to take another job and less (academic) units, so theyre not graduating as fast. Jones, who works for the student government and in the recreation department, said hell have to take on a third job if the price rises. Because I dont want any more loans.

Celia LoBuono Gonzalez, 24, a communications major, already works three jobs  as a caregiver, as a babysitter and with student government  and has been at San Francisco State for seven years. Although tuition had been stable, its been difficult to find classes to get through my major because San Francisco State doesnt offer enough courses for the people who need them, she said.

Gonzalez joined about 300 other students, including Cal State East Bay graduate student David Lopez, president of the Cal State Student Association, on Monday and Tuesday to lobby state lawmakers.

We made it very personal and told stories of how price hikes affect students, said Lopez, adding that lawmakers declined to make any promises as they try to work out next years budget by the June 15 deadline and wrestle with uncertainties in federal funding to the state.

Next week, Lopez, Gonzalez and many others say theyll charter buses to Long Beach to try to persuade the trustees to reject the tuition proposal.

CSU leaders unveiled it in January and said it would raise $77.5 million to eliminate nearly half of the anticipated $168 million shortfall in their 2017-18 budget.

CSUs financial administrators Steve Relyea and Ryan Storm say in their tuition proposal that monthly student-loan payments would increase by $13 on average if the price goes up. Just less than half of CSU students graduate with loan debt that in 2013-14 averaged $14,388, they said.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
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Photos: Hundred of demonstrators converged at the Donald Trump fundraiser in San Antonio
Bay Area residents who receive federal subsidies to buy plans on Covered California would see much larger increases in health care costs under the newly proposed Republican bill than their counterparts in other parts of the country, because the plan would not factor in the greater cost of care in the Bay Area.

House Republicans last week introduced a bill, the American Health Care Act, to replace the Affordable Care Act. It aims to change the ACAs subsidies to a flat tax credit based primarily on age for individuals who buy health insurance on exchanges like Covered California. The ACA, by contrast, calculates subsidies based on income and what the cost of insurance is in the region where you live.

The change would mean people would receive a tax credit between $2,000 and $4,000, no matter where they live and the cost of health care in that area.

The proposed changes would affect a relatively small slice of Californians. Of the 1.2 million Californians who use ACA subsidies to buy plans on Covered California, about 233,000 live in the nine Bay Area counties, according to Covered California enrollment data as of November.

Northern California has higher health care costs than most of the rest of the country, largely because there is less competition among health systems and providers, said Micah Weinberg of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, who has studied Covered California extensively.

Miami, Alaska and parts of Massachusetts also have high health care costs for different reasons, and people living in those areas also would be disproportionately hurt by the GOP proposal because they would receive less in financial help relative to the cost of health care in their area, he said.

This is a proposal that would really disadvantage them, Weinberg said. Youre going to be creating a newly unequal system that will disadvantage folks all across the country.

Health care premiums are about 30 percent higher in Northern California than they are in Southern California, according to an analysis released last month by the Center for Health Policy at the Brookings Institution.

Youd get the same $4,000 if you live in Los Angeles as if you live in San Francisco, even though your dollars dont go as far in San Francisco because health care costs 30 percent more in San Francisco, said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, in a presentation to the agencys board of directors on Tuesday.

Spokespeople for House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, who are helping lead the push for the Republican health plan, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Covered California released a report Tuesday showing that Covered California enrollees living in the San Francisco area would see premiums rise significantly more than their counterparts of the same age and income level living in the Los Angeles area.

For example, a 27-year-old in the Los Angeles area earning $17,000 a year would see his or her premium tick up slightly from $52 to $55 a month under the Republican plan, the analysis found. By comparison, a 27-year-old in the San Francisco area with the same income would see the premium jump from $52 to $199 a month.

Similarly, a 62-year-old in the L.A. area earning $30,000 would see a 30 percent rise in premium cost, from $207 to $275 a month. But a 62-year-old in the San Francisco area earning the same salary would see the monthly premium jump nearly 230 percent from $209 to $688 a month.

Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com

Twitter: Cat__Ho
The now-suspended police chief in the district of Yongsan has been booked for an investigation, along with the head of the Yongsan Ward office and two others, on charges of profess...
The Texas Supreme Court granted a motion Tuesday to extend the time allotted for the City of Laredo to file a new brief regarding the city's plastic bag ban.

The court issued a request for a new round of briefs in February, saying the city's petition for review remains under consideration. The Supreme Court's request for a brief on merits allows the parties an opportunity to file more extensive arguments with the court, increasing the page limit from 15 to 50 pages.
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Each year, about 3,000 Clear Creek ISD students board buses to downtown Houston to take in a performance from the Houston Symphony - an experience many might not get if not for the Houston Symphony League Bay Area.

The league's main focus is on music education, and the group sets up yearly forums that bring symphony musicians to district elementary schools.

"These are wonderful programs with professional musicians," said Nina McGlashan, the league's education vice president. "Part of how that is funded is by the annual home tour."

Conducted for 16 years, the annual tour showcases a handful of Bay Area homes that the owners have volunteered to display for two days. Docents show tour guests around the homes.

On average, the event snares about $20,000 and draws 400 to 500 visitors.

This year's event, themed "A Day by the Bay," will take place from noon to 5 p.m. April 1-2 and includes five homes.

"The homes typically have either architectural or historical significance," McGlashan said.

Homes include a 10,000-square-foot building with white cedar shingles shipped from Nantucket, Massachusetts to a structure made from wood salvaged from the 1900 storm. One home reflects the owners' passion for Texas art, another factors in how a resident helped save longhorn cattle from extinction.

Typically, McGlashan said, those who volunteer their homes for the tour have connections to the league, such as Connie Franco and her husband Frank Weary.

"I'm new to this area," Franco said, "Frank's been around here a long time and has always been involved in musical things. We had some friends who came by and liked the house and suggested we be (a stop) on the tour. We had actually taken the tour before. We enjoyed it and thought it would be a great way to give back to the community. So, when they asked if we'd like to do it, we said 'I think we can do that.' "

Weary added, "It's a way for us to give back to the community."

"My background is art," Franco said, "We enjoy collecting art from different artists and have several pieces up in the house."

The couple, who have been married about five years, said that they have worked constantly to renovate their Georgian/Colonial house in Bay Oaks to match their personalities.

"This is definitely a joint effort," said Franco, whose home is at 14823 Tumbling Falls Court, Houston. "We've both thoroughly enjoyed it and we're good at compromising; so we talk out renovation ideas and come to a reasonable decision in most cases."

McGlashan, a former educator herself, said the tour plays a huge role in enabling the music education program with Clear Creek ISD students.

"It's our biggest fundraiser of the year," she said.

McGlashan believes that people will find interest in the back stories of the older homes.

"One of the homes on the tour had to be physically moved some years back," she said. "It's a home located in League City, and the trees there made it impossible to move the home down the street intact; so they had to take the top of the house off, move the house and then reassemble it."

Other homes on the tour are as follows:

2909, Seargent, Seabrook - A three-story home that the owners remodeled with a Tuscan flair after traveling to Italy. With art, views of the water and outdoor exits from every floor.

1255 Kipp, Kemah - Owned by an architect and an interior designer, this 10,000-square-foot home is reminiscent of houses commonly found on the East Coast. White cedar shingles were flown in from Nantucket for the exterior, with views of Galveston Bay.

721 Third St., League City - This Victorian residence, built in 1905, was made from wood salvaged from the 1900 storm. The owners moved it from its original location a few years ago, and the whole top story had to be removed and reassembled.

1220 Coryell Street, League City - The Butler Longhorn Museum, another historic home on the tour, seeks to preserve the history of the longhorn in Texas. Milby Butler is credited with helping save the cattle and provided some for filming of the the Joyhn

Tickets to the event are $20 and include entrance into each home on the tour. They can be purchased online at hslba.org/HomeTour2017/hometour.htm.

Tickets are also on sale at the following establishments:

Adelaide's (14870 Space Center Blvd., Houston)

Annette's Emporium (501 E. Main St., League City)

Arlan's (4614 NASA Road 1, Seabrook)

Butler Longhorn Museum (1220 Coryell Street, League City)

Casanova's Downfall (4630 NASA Pkwy, Seabrook)

Clothes Horse Boutique (809 E. Main Street, League City)

Craved Creations (812 E. Main Street, League City)

League City Chamber of Commerce (319 E. Galveston Street, Ste. B, League City)

Nassau Postal (957 E. NASA Pkwy, Houston)

Upper Bay Frame and Gallery (2450 E. Main Street, League City)

Vintage Revival (18073 Upper Bay Road, Suite B, Nassau Bay)
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The leading roles in Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple" were female characters when Seth Heideman saw the 1985 distaff version onstage as a high school student in Denver, Colorado.

"I am a late bloomer when it comes to Neil Simon," explained Heideman, now a Shadow Creek High School color-guard teacher.

Through April 2, he plays fussy Felix Unger in his debut at the Pearl Theater, opposite Vincent Tortorice as messy Oscar Madison, in a production of the original 1965 Broadway script.

The play was made into a popular 1968 movie that starred Oscar winners Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau, and it's been a TV sitcom twice.

"I want to watch the movie, but now I'm putting it off until once the play is done so I won't be copying that performance," said Heideman, a Pearland resident, who is 34 and single.

Tortorice, who lives in Fort Bend County's Sienna Plantation subdivision, said his character, Oscar, is widely known as "the slob in the story" of two men - one divorced, one separated from his wife - who share an apartment in New York City in the 1960s.

The director, Curtis Barber of Houston, said that Heidman and Tortorice "have such a natural and engaging chemistry onstage," that he was surprised to learn the actors had not met before tryouts in January.

Gage Cattoni of Pearland claimed a role as a cigar-chomping, poker-playing buddy of Oscar's, along with Trevor VanAuken Sr. of Manvel, Chris Blanford of Katy and David Wertz of Sugar Land.

Pigeon sister parts played by Pearland residents

Pearland resident Robyn LeGris and Penny Rieger of Houston were cast as the giggly Pigeon sisters, a pair of daffy upstairs neighbors invited to dine at the apartment of Felix and Oscar.

In "The Female Odd Couple," which Heideman saw as a teenager, the Pigeon sisters became "the Costazuela brothers," hosted by downstairs tenants Florence Ungar and Olive Madison.

Heideman starred in high school productions of both "The Pajama Game" and Pippin" before leaving Denver to study musical theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Upon graduating from the two-year college conservatory, Heideman was cast as a member of the Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang, in a professional production of "West Side Story" in South Carolina.

Next, he entertained passengers on a cruise line before performing for three years at Hong Kong Disneyland theme park.

Heideman acted in film and television programs for two years before his arrival last fall at new Shadow Creek High.

The school's nine-member color guard is participating in University Interscholastic League competition, he said. For further information, contact Texas Color Guard Circuit, 512-829-8242.

"The Odd Couple" is being performed 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sundays, through April 2 at Pearl Theater, 14803 Park Almeda Drive, Houston. Tickets are $16 general admission and $14 for senior adults and students. Tickets are buy one, get one free on for the 7:30 p.m. March 23 show. The March 28 show tickets are pay what you can.

Don Maines is a freelance writer who can be reached at donmaines@att.net
University of Houston-Clear Lake has named Professor of Reading and Language Arts Kathryn I. Matthew of Sugar Land as interim associate vice president for Academic Affairs as of Feb. 1. She takes over following the departure of former Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Mrinal Mugdh Varma, who resigned to become provost and senior vice chancellor at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama.

Matthew will now oversee the Center for Faculty Development and the Offices of Institutional Effectiveness, E-Learning Services, Sponsored Programs, Pearland Campus Operations, Transition Programs  Title III Grant. She will also serve as chief academic officer in the absence of the provost.

"I am pleased that Dr. Matthew accepted this position. Her ability to see both the big picture and the small details make her right for this role," said A. Glen Houston, interim senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost.

"In 2010, she graciously stepped into the role of interim associate dean of what is now the College of Education. She held this position for four years before stepping down to return to the classroom. During those four years she more than proved her leadership qualities."

Matthew says those years as associate dean prepared her for her current role, as it allowed her to work with faculty and administrators.

"The fact that I know all the people in this office on a personal basis, and that they are all very supportive of me and have been over the years, is why I can take this position and know that I've found the support that I need," Matthew said.

One aspect of her stint as associate dean that she hopes to carry over to the vice presidency is "finding people who don't hesitate to come in my office and give me advice or offer me constructive criticism," she said.

Ultimately, she said, it was the university's culture that cemented her decision.

"The fact that we all are very concerned about each other personally. That's important to me: the family atmosphere; the support; and that people are so open and down-to-earth."

Matthew joined UH-Clear Lake in 2005 from the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center. Prior to that she was at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La. Author and co-author of nine books, from 2005 to 2010 she was also director of the Greater Houston Area Writing Project.

Matthew received a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master's of education from the University of New Orleans. She received her doctorate in education from the University of Houston.
A 34-year-old federal prison correctional officer, formerly at the federal prison in Beaumont, pleaded guilty bribery of a public official, which could send her to prison for up to five years for her part in smuggling in watches with cellular capabilities to inmates.

Anqunett Vernetta Lewis, of Houston, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Zack Hawthorn.
College Station Police

A female student at Texas A&M said she saw a man place a cell phone behind a stall divider when she was in a restroom Saturday.

She said that she was twice recorded by Sammy Tawakkol, 19, while in a campus facility, KTRK reports.
The local branch of a Muslim civil rights advocacy group on Wednesday called for a review of the Houston Independent School District's social media policy after they said a school teacher posted anti-Islamic messages on Twitter.

The Council on American Islamic Relations-Houston said the tweets, which included the phrase "Embrace Islam and you embrace death" and photos of mutilated children with a comment stating "Islam did this," could make Muslim students feel unsafe and discriminated against at school.

"For anyone, but especially students, to see something like that, is just unconscionable," said Ruth Nasrullah, a spokeswoman for the group.

HISD officials did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Nasrullah said her group has not yet heard back from HISD and would not reveal the name or any more details about the teacher until speaking with administrators.She said the tweets come at a time of increased Islamophobia in Houston and across the country, highlighted by the election of President Donald Trump, who openly called for a travel ban against Muslims during his campaign. Trump has since limited travel from several Muslim-majority countries.

Based on surveys last year, CAIR estimated that half of all Muslim students in the United States had reported being bullied. According to Georgetown University researchers, anti-Muslim violence was "higher in 2015 than pre-9/11 levels with American Muslims approximately 6 to 9 times more likely to suffer such attacks."

Nasrullah said the local group's call also follows a series of anti-Muslim incidents in local schools in recent years.

A senior government and economics teacher at Foster High School in Richmond resigned in 2015 after handing out materials to students that called Muhammad a "false prophet" and described Islam as an "ideology of war."

In 2014, a third-grade HISD teacher was accused of making profane and anti-Muslim remarks on a public access television show.

Nasrullah said her group is not seeking the teacher's resignation.

"We're not looking to be the police of social media," she said. "We don't want to violate anyone's First Amendment rights either. What CAIR is here to do is protect people from this sort of thing."

Nasrullah said her group is also asking HISD to implement diversity and cultural sensitivity training for its employees.

A Texas Education Agency spokeswoman said there are no current state regulations requiring local school districts to address disparaging racial or religious comments, or even adopt a social media policy - some have them, some don't.

TEA has asked the legislature this year to pass a law requiring school districts to adopt an electronic media policy.
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In between calls for service, amid a dozen reminders of the tragedy that left Fire Capt. William "Iron Bill" Dowling mortally wounded, the firefighters and paramedics at Houston Fire Station 68 watched the two-hour funeral service Wednesday morning on a TV in the upstairs common area.

On either side of the TV hung fire axes memorializing the two first responders from this station who died on May 31, 2013. A third axe might join them soon with the name of Dowling, who died this month, nearly four years after he was badly injured in a 2013 blaze.

Dowling had been based at Station 68 when he and other firefighters responded to the five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn motel. But as they searched for people who might have been trapped inside, a roof collapsed on top of them, killing four firefighters and seriously injuring Dowling, who was pinned beneath the burning rubble.

On Wednesday, as hundreds of firefighters and dignitaries gathered at Houston Baptist University for a memorial service celebrating Dowling's life, firefighters from Sugar Land and other Houston stations stepped in to cover Station 68 so the crew there could attend the memorial. Six first responders from Sugar Land joined a dozen Houston FD volunteers to cover the 24-hour shift at Station 68.

Houston Chronicle

The volunteers were among nearly 200 firefighters from departments across Texas who covered shifts so friends and colleagues could attend the service.

Near the donated doughnuts sitting on the long wooden table, a plaque on the wall listed every Station 68 crew member who responded to the deadly 2013 fire. Black memorial ribbons hung from the plaques with the names of the two from Station 68 who died that day. The ribbon hasn't been added yet for the captain of their engine company, Dowling.

Houston Chronicle

The Houston union had asked other departments to send volunteers to cover the funeral shift, drawing about 190 firefighters, many of whom donated their time, said HFD spokesman Capt. Ruy Lozano.

"As soon as that message comes through, it's an instant response and we step up," said Sugar Land Fire Capt. Randy Bates, who said he's filled in for Houston shifts several times before in his 15 years with the Sugar Land department.

Aside from a few small differences with hoses and tool placement that Houston firefighters told them about, Bayes said there was not too much different from his home station.

"It's been a typical fire-station day," he said, even though it was "a very emotional day for all of us."

Houston Chronicle

The Sugar Land crew held back and let the Houston firefighters take the couches near the TV to watch the service. They watched in stoic silence, quiet for most of the two-hour except for the hum of the four shift refrigerators in the corner, on one of which hung a child's colored-pencil drawing of a red firetruck.

After the final bell sounded, the bagpipes played and taps sounded, the 15 or so firefighters and paramedics stood up all at once. Back to work at Station 68.

andrew.kragie@chron.com
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A San Antonio Police Department sergeant is being booked into jail Tuesday evening on a charge relating to domestic violence, records show.

David Maurice Perry, 47, was arrested at about 5 p.m. and charged with assault causing bodily injury - married, according to the Bexar County Central Magistrates website.

SAPD spokesman Sgt. Jesse Salame confirmed the arrest Tuesday evening.

RELATED: San Antonio jail guard admits performing oral sex on inmate

The department was aware of, and had investigated the allegation against Sergeant David Perry, Salame said.

Perry was placed on administrative duty during the investigation, police said.

Now that he has been arrested, he has been placed on administrative leave pending the formal outcome of the case, Salame said.

RELATED: SAPD, Crime Stoppers offering reward for man who robbed a furniture store

Perry is a 21-year veteran of the force, according to the Texas Tribunes Government Salaries Explorer database.

Details about the alleged assault were unavailable Tuesday evening.

jbeltran@express-news.net

Twitter: @JBfromSA
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The San Antonio lawyer known as the "DWI Dude" and "420 Dude" for his defense of clients charged with drunken-driving or marijuana possession has been charged by the FBI with conspiracy to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice in an alleged plot that scammed about $1.2 million from Colombian clients.

Jamie Balagia, a former Austin cop who ran for Texas Attorney General in 2014, was arrested late last week in McKinney, near Dallas, and is being held without bond near there pending a bail hearing Thursday.
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The Government is on the brink of shaking hands on a deal to extend the national gas pipeline to Longford.

Talks aimed at brokering a deal with Leinster House bosses and Gas Networks Ireland have been ongoing for close to a year.

Much of those discussions centred on fears the pipeline would only extend as far as Ballymahon due to the impending arrival of UK leisure giant Center Parcs in 2019.

Now those anxieties appear to have all but dissipated following fresh talks involving Energy Minister Denis Naughten and Longford Westmeath Independent TD Kevin 'Boxer' Moran.

The Independent Alliance politician revealed that agreement on extending the gas pipeline to Longford had been sanctioned in principle subject to final approval from government chiefs.

Both myself and Minister Naughten are proposing a transmission line from Athlone that will be able to serve Centre Parcs as well as Longford, he said.

Mr Moran said news of the impending gas expansion to Longford would open up umpteen opportunities to the county both from an economic and infrastructural standpoint.

The benefit of gas opens up immediate growth potential for Longford in terms of economic expansion for local businesses but also for those interested in future inward investment to Longford town, he said.

The former Westmeath councillor also revealed Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe had played a part in recent meetings, adding the measure constituted a top priority for the Fine Gael-Independent Alliance coalition.
Gardai have launched an appeal for information into the circumstances behind a number of break-ins over the past seven days.

Two houses in the Terlicken area of Ballymahon were targeted by thieves last Wednesday (March 8).

It's believed both properties were broken into sometime after 3pm with jewellery having been taken from one residence.

The following day, a house located at Oakland Green, Ballinalee Road, Longford town was similarly raided.

On this occasion, the culprits gained entry by prising open a lock at a rear door.

A set of car keys belonging to a grey coloured Audi A6 was duly taken as a result.

The car, registered as 09-KE-16199 remains unaccounted for.

Gardai have managed to ascertain that the raid took place sometime between 12 midnight and 7am on March 9 last.

They are hoping neighbours and people living close by who might have noticed anything untoward will come forward and assist them with their enquiries by contacting Longford Garda Station (043) 3350570.
Local politicians have given the green light to plans to offload Longford town's vacant shopping centre and part of Connolly Barracks.

Councillors sanctioned the move following positive talks with NAMA and receivership officials over the future of the unoccupied 10,000 sq m premises and recently dubbed 'Northern Quarter' of town.

Director of Services Barbara Heslin said the Council's executive had secured the go ahead from both parties to seek out a sales agent with a view to fielding offers on the open market.

She also revealed discussions had likewise taken place with other key stakeholders including officials from Longford Westmeath Education Training Board.

The statutory body occupy a section of the council owned ten acre site after purchasing around four acres back in 2009.

Listening on, councillors one by one, gave their backing to the news.

Cllr Gerry Warnock, who originally championed the idea of regeneration upon his elevation to Cathaoirleach in 2015, said the possibility of securing outside interest in that end of town was key to the project's long term sustainability.

Cllr Seamus Butler was another to speak glowingly of the strides council officials had managed to secure in an era of rigid financial flexibility and heightened focus on public service accountability.

This is an historic step, he maintained, but warned of the added onus that wa s now placed on elected members to deliver on those plans.

We must get a community and social dividend from it (regeneration of Northern Quarter) because I don't think Longford will ever forgive us if we don't get that for the people of Longford and surrounding regions.

Cllr Mae Sexton agreed, saying it was now up to the Council to get on with it and determine what, if any, interest comes from potential investors in the private market.
Longford postmasters and their colleagues from across the country protested outside the GPO today saying that they will resist any Post Office closures driven by An Post, and are to mobilise a national campaign to support communities and keep Post Offices open.

The Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) called on politicians, communities and social organisations to give their support, while a more comprehensive Dail rally is planned for April.

IPU Western spokesman, Granard Postmaster Padraig McNamara said: Postmasters will not support a solo run by An Post. We fully understand that the role and services of the Post Office Network need to change due to increasing use of technology, demographic changes and falling use of traditional mail services.

The IPU understands that re-organisation and planning for the future is necessary, but we do not support major closures as part of this. We want to provide additional financial, State and social services and ensure that Post Offices continue to serve the economic and social needs of as many communities as possible.

The Post Office Network is a national asset belonging to the people of Ireland and it must be valued and invested in. Shutting hundreds of Post Offices will only serve to accelerate rural decline and removal of services from communities.

A social and community perspective needs to be taken into account, and decisions cannot be driven purely by An Posts commercial mandate.

Politicians across all political parties, as well as Independents, have always voiced their support and must now intervene and act in the public interest.

We believe that the key solutions we need are already contained within the Post Office Network Strategy Board report (Chaired by businessman Bobby Kerr), which was completed before Christmas, includes a structured plan to sustain and develop the Post Office Network over four years and earmarks a Government investment of 56m.

The IPU does not accept An Posts position of abandoning the vast amount of work done over the last two years and overriding this with its own new commercial plan being developed by McKinsey Consultants. This is ignoring Government, unfair to Postmasters  and not representative of community concerns.

Amid all of the focus on Post Offices closures in the past week  where are Ministers Naughten, Humphreys and Ring? They must speak up and represent the will of the people and concerns of communities, Mr McNamara concluded.

Postmasters presented half a million voter signatures to Government calling for greater action in 2015 and an online poll of 7,000 people in 2016 showed that 82% wanted Government to do more to support Post Offices.
Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Transport Robert Troy TD has expressed his condolences to members of the Irish Coast Guard and the wider emergency services community following the loss of Rescue 116.

Deputy Troy says the tragic accident reminds us all of the dangers faced by members of the emergency services as they work to serve communities.

I was deeply shocked to learn of this tragic accident overnight. I wish to send my condolences to the family of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and all those involved in the Irish Coast Guard. My thoughts are also with the families of the three crew members - Captain Mark Duffy and winchmen Paul Ormsby and Ciaran Smith - who remain missing, said Deputy Troy.

This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers that face members of the emergency services as they respond to calls for assistance by those in need. The Irish Coast Guard plays an invaluable role in serving communities and today four of its members have paid the ultimate sacrifice as they sought to rescue others.

These are the unspoken heroes of Irish life. Its important that we recognise the enormous sacrifices that members of the Irish Coast Guard, and other emergency services, make on a daily basis. The Irish Coast Guard needs the support of the public at this difficult time.

Its important that an investigation gets underway without delay to help identify what caused this tragic accident. The Irish Coast Guard needs to know what steps can be taken to prevent a similar accident from occurring in the future and the families of the four crew members need closure.

On behalf of myself and Fianna Fail, I would like to extend sincerest condolences to the family of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and her colleagues at this difficult time. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
Pets & Animal, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases, Seasonal & Current Events

By Long Island News & PR Published: March 15 2017

New York State Senator John Brooks today announced he is hosting a Pet Food Drive in partnership with Baxters Pet Pantry, operated by Long Island Cares, Inc.

Long Island, NY - March 13, 2017 - New York State Senator John Brooks today announced he is hosting a Pet Food Drive in partnership with Baxters Pet Pantry, operated by Long Island Cares, Inc. Long Island Cares started Baxters Pet Pantry in 2009, and has since distributed over one million pounds of pet food to pets in need.

Senator Brooks is asking residents of the 8th Senate District to participate by bringing any pet food or related items to local pet supply stores, including:

Mutts & Butts, located at 2076 Merrick Road in Merrick

Petco Animal Supplies, located at 5500 Sunrise Highway in Massapequa

Petco Animal Supplies, located at 806 Sunrise Highway in Baldwin



Photo by: Office of Senator John E. Brooks.



The participating stores will be accepting donated items during business hours until March 31st .

I am happy to partner with Long Island Cares on this pet food drive which not only benefits pets in need, but also the families who need this extra help to take care of their beloved pets. These donations become the difference between a beloved pet staying with its family or being overturned to an animal shelter, said Senator Brooks.

Animal rights activist Dianne Madden added, "Through the collection of pet food, the effort of Senator Brooks goes far beyond feeding hungry animals. This drive allows struggling families trying to overcome hard times to keep their beloved pets at home which greatly reduces the amount of dogs and cats who would otherwise be considered homeless then surrendered to local shelters. I thank Senator Brooks for not only helping animals but for reducing taxpayer costs which fund overcrowded government shelters. This is a win-win for all.
Music, Movies & Entertainment

By Tom Needham Published: March 15 2017

International Superstar Aloe Blacc, wife Maya Jupiter and legendary actor, Bill Irwin, will be Tom Needhams special guests this Thursday at 6 P.M. on WUSBs the Sounds of Film.

Stony Brook, NY - March 15, 2017 - Best-selling artist, Aloe Blacc, wife Maya Jupiter and Tony-Award-winning actor Bill Irwin will Tom Needhams guests this Thursday on the Sounds of Film.

Actor, record producer, businessman and musician, Aloe Blacc, is one of the worlds most popular musical artists. Some of his biggest hits include I Need a Dollar, The Man,Candyman, and Avicils Wake Me Up, which topped the charts in 22 countries. His song I Need a Dollar was the theme song to HBOs How To Make It in America. He is married to Maya Jupiter, a Turkish-Mexican Australian rapper, a popular radio host, and former member of the hip hop group Foreign Heights with MC Trey.

Aloe and his wife, Maya, perform the closing song, Smile in the award-winning documentary, Uncondemned, which will be playing at the Port Jefferson Documentary Series on March 20th at 7 P.M. at Theater Three. The film tells the story of young international lawyers who fight to have rape considered a war crime, and the brave women from Rwanda who decide to testify. The screening will feature a Q and A with director Michele Mitchell.
Local News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: March 15 2017

The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) announced that comprehensive traffic ticket data is now available in an online system called the Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR).

Albany, NY - March 9, 2017 - The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced that comprehensive traffic ticket data is now available in an online system called the Traffic Safety Statistical Repository (TSSR) , which provides the public with access to New York State's traffic safety data. Through this new system, users can view interactive reports about tickets that were issued to motorists on New Yorks roadways starting in 2009 for violations of the states Vehicle and Traffic Law. Since March 2016, the system has also provided reports on New York State crash-related data. The TSSR project was designed and implemented by the University at Albanys Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) and funded by GTSC.

This newly-expanded database will enable both the public and traffic safety professionals to quickly find statistical data about traffic tickets as well as crash information, said Terri Egan, GTSC Acting Chair and DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner. This database continues to evolve and provide broad access to timely information that we hope will help reduce motor vehicle crashes, fatalities and injuries.

The ticket data provided through the TSSR reflects information captured by three ticket reporting systems. The NYS Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) m aintains two systems: Traffic Safety Law Enforcement and Disposition (TSLED) and Traffic Violations Bureau (TVB). The third system, maintained by the NYPD, captures data about impaired driving tickets issued in New York City. The ticket data on the TSSR will be updated at least twice a year.

The TSSR generates ticket reports at the statewide and county levels, showing the overall numbers of traffic tickets issued and separate totals for speeding, cell phone, texting, safety restraints, and impaired driving citations. For selected types of tickets a variety of information is displayed, including:



Adjudication status and conviction rates

Enforcement agencies that issued the tickets

Driver age and gender

Region

Day of week/time of day

Month

Tickets issued for companion violations

Driver license jurisdiction

Driver penalties, sanctions and fines

The TSSR system is both dynamic and interactive. Users are able to customize reports by choosing to display data for one or multiple years, for example, and one or multiple counties. Users can also save, print and email reports.

The TSSR has already proven to be an important resource for getting up-to-date facts about New Yorks crash data, said ITSMR Director Debra Rood. With the latest release, users can find the traffic ticket data they need at their fingertips, without having to submit special requests to different agencies. Many of the details about New Yorks traffic tickets are available publicly for the first time.

The TSSR was released in March 2016, providing the public with interactive reports about motor vehicle crashes from the DMVs Accident Information System. During the next few months, ITSMR plans to create new reports and add other types of traffic safety data to the system.
Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: March 15 2017

On March 13, 2017, at about 8:00 pm, a Brentwood trooper was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle, traveling on the eastbound Southern State Parkway.

Long Island, NY - March 14, 2017 - On March 13, 2017, at about 8:00 pm, a Brentwood trooper was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle, traveling on the eastbound Southern State Parkway, that had reportedly been following another vehicle from a residence in Queens. The trooper established a stationary patrol in the area of exit 29 (State Route 107) and was able to identify the suspicious vehicle, a 2006 Volvo S60, that was following a family in their Toyota. The trooper attempted to conduct a vehicle and traffic stop on the Volvo, but it failed to comply and began to flee. The trooper pursued the Volvo, until it exited the Southern State Parkway at exit 33 (State Route 109), where it attempted to pass in between two vehicles that were stopped at the end of the exit ramp. This resulted in the Volvo getting wedged in between the two vehicles.

The driver, who was identified as Mohamed Z. Rahman, age 31, of Jamaica, Queens, was subsequently taken into custody by the trooper. Investigation revealed that Mr. Rahman was impaired by drugs and was in possession of synthetic methamphetamine.



Mr. Rahman was charged with Unlawful Fleeing from a Police Officer 3rd (A Misd.), DWAI-Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th (A Misd.) and traffic violations. Mr. Rahman will be arraigned at Suffolk County 1st District Court on March 14, 2017 at 9:00 am.
Properties

Mar 15, 2017 | By Teri Chong

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Baan Maprao







Perched atop a hill, the Baan Maprao estate is a contemporary four-bedroom villa that overlooks the scenic view of Phang Nga Bay. Surrounded by lush greenery, the estate draws inspiration from traditional Thai temples with wooden wing-tipped roofs. Its wooden elements meld with the amazing view to provide a sense of tranquility. Steeped in culture, Baan Maprao is perfect for a family getaway.

Naam Sawan







Picture waking up to the sight of the sparkling ocean, amazing sunrise views and sound of waves: Afinis Naam Sawan will bring you that, and then some. The sprawling property features four master bedrooms, along with glass walls throughout the estate to create an airy, open concept. The living room area is dressed in earthy accents and natural lighting, making it a cosy spot for group gatherings.

Amanzi







A contrast to the earthy concepts of many villas in Phuket, Amanzi boasts a sleek contemporary exterior with clean lines and grey-white colour palette. While the estate provides a breathtaking view of crystal waters, its 15-metre infinity pool creates the illusion that it is one with the ocean. Located in Cape Amarin along the west coast of Phuket, the estate weaves itself into nature with a majestic granite rock formation located along its north boundary. Surrounded by palm trees, the villa boasts six bedrooms, each with their own ensuite bathrooms.

Lom Talay







A jewel along the Andaman Sea, Lom Talay is another cliff-side sanctuary. Another perk is that it offers an unobstructed view of the horizon. With an open concept thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and large patios, this property is one driven on wellness. The estate consists of four spacious bedrooms, each complete with their own view on the shimmering ocean beyond. Theres an infinity poolperfect for an evening.

Go on, explore Phuket

Besides relaxing in these luxury residences, step out to the many beaches filled with powdery white sand. Beef up your travel experience with visits down to the many villages of Phuket and soak in the vibrant culture of the country. The Afini properties are available for booking for the upcoming Easter weekend, do visit Afini for more information.

If youll like to get in touch with Afini to find out more, leave your personal details below and someone from the team will reach out to you shortly.

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The great Gold Rush Music Festival returns to the township of Waihi, with the first nuggets of gold dropping for the highly anticipated return of the 2023 festival.
Desperate Saudi Arabia Turns to Asia for Investment

BY XANDER SNYDER : King Salman of Saudi Arabia visited Malaysia on February 26. It was the first trip to the country for a Saudi monarch in over a decade. In his tour through Asia, visits also included Brunei, Japan, China, and Indonesia. Jakarta has not received a formal Saudi visitation in nearly five decades.

The kings decision to tour these countries did not come out of nowhere. It was driven by Saudi Arabias increasingly challenging economic situation. As weve written about before, he is trying to find more capital to sustain the regime.

He went looking for it in Asia in the form of participation in Saudi Aramcos initial public offering (IPO).

Depressed Oil Prices Demand Extreme Measures

Saudi Arabia is a petro-state. The nations major oil company, Saudi Aramco, is the source of the countrys oil wealth. That wealth is funneled to the royal family and the state. The state is highly dependent on oil revenues. The petroleum sector accounts for about 87 percent of its 2015 budget.

Depressed oil prices mean theres less money available to pay for social programs. There is less money for commodities subsidies funded by oil revenues. This has put the regime in a dangerous position.

Stopping payment on social spending risks creating a crisis of confidence among elites. That would challenge the regimes position and the countrys stability. Saudi Arabia has so far avoided this problem by digging into its foreign exchange reserves.

But these continue to fall and wont last forever.

Selling the Kingdoms Most Valuable Asset

To refill the state coffers, King Salman last year announced that Aramco would go public. The ruling family had resisted an IPO since Aramco was fully nationalized in 1980.

The regime wanted to avoid this because an IPO entails disclosure requirements. That would make Aramcos operations more transparent.

Selling shares also represents a small step toward the royal family losing control of the company. But harsh economic realities have forced its hand.

Saudi Aramco will now seek capital for up to 5 percent ownership of the company. Thats a large enough share to bring in cash proceeds and small enough for the royal family to retain control. That King Salman personally traveled to Asia to seek investment is a sign the kingdom really needs the money.

Given the lack of detail about Aramcos finances, its difficult to determine what a 5 percent equity sale represents in dollars. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman claimed the company will be valued at $2 trillion. But these statements need to be taken with a grain of salt. The royal family obviously has a vested interest in inflating the companys value.

Wood Mackenzie, a consultancy group, estimated that Aramco may only be valued at $400 billion. (This excludes the companys downstream business.) If Aramco does sell 5 percent of stock, it leaves a wide range of potential capital the IPO may raise. Figures vary from $20 billion to $100 billion.

Why Asia

Aramcos operations are not widely publicized, and the royal family wants to keep it that way. This explains the turn to Asia. While Saudi Arabia would like to have investment capital from the West, it knows it would come at a high price. That price is a greater transparency that the kingdom isnt willing to pay.

Aramco could float some of its shares on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange. But the sheer size of Aramcos IPOperhaps the biggest in historymeans it will need support from other exchanges.

The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has already begun to court the bankers leading the process. Some Asian stock exchanges are less stringent than US-based ones. Seeking capital in parts of the world with fewer disclosure requirements would suit the royal family just fine.

Saudi Arabias Asian customers have a vested interest in keeping Aramco up and running. Japan, a country weve discussed before which is highly dependent on foreign resources, imports 34 percent of its oil from Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh is Japans biggest supplier. Saudi Arabia is also the largest exporter of oil to Indonesia and China. They receive 28 percent and 16 percent of oil imports, respectively, from the kingdom.

These three countries are economically vulnerable to Saudi Aramcos financial problems. If they end up committing capital to Aramcos IPO, it wont be because theyre seeking investment yield. They must keep the supply of oil flowing, and if that means kicking up some cash now to do it, theres a good chance they will.

Time Is Running Out

At the 2016 annual rate, a best-case valuation would provide the kingdom with about a year of additional time. Then, its reserves would run out.

Saudi Arabia may be gambling on a resurgence in oil prices. But even if this did happen, it wouldnt fix the challenge that the kingdom has limited productive alternatives to fund social payments.

In 2015, the International Monetary Fund predicted that if oil prices did not recover and state expenses remained, foreign exchange reserves would empty by 2020.

King Salmans tour isnt important in itself. But the underlying imperatives that caused him to feel compelled to make these visits personally are.

Saudi Arabia is currently facing struggles. Those struggles are a result of a political economy built on a shaky foundation hardwired in petroleum exports. Seeking a one-time cash infusion alone will not solve its problems. The kingdom is a house built on sand.

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MARTINSVILLE-James Hagwood, a co-founder of Gospel Five, said he had to be down in order to rise up.

Now that hes planning on Gospel Fives first anniversary celebration, he feels like hes there.

In March 2016, he was recuperating from surgery on five blood clots at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab in Rocky Mount when he reexamined a dream hed had for 10 years.

His decade-long prayer was, Lord, if its your own will, let me raise a group up. I reckon I had to get sick, get down, to get the rest of the group.

It was the third time hes been on his death bed, Hagwood said. He nearly didnt survive a car accident in 1975, and another time he was badly burned by hot chemicals.

When I was in the nursing home He came to me and said, Its time. I saw my cousin (Ben Legans of Rocky Mount) in the room. I said, Ben, Ive been praying to the Lord for 10 years to start a group.

Surprised, Legans looked at Hagwood and replied that hed been praying for the same thing, both men said.

We started right then and there, Hagwood said. The Lord has blessed us ever since.

It took us two weeks to get everything started, Legans said. We went around and asked people to join our group. We started singing; we started multiplying, started getting musicians, started singing for the Lord.

They got to join them Donna Finney of Rocky Mount, quartet vocals; Ray Brandon of Rocky Mount, drums; Gary Jones of Rocky Mount, lead and quartet vocals; Neil Trotter of Rocky Mount, quartet vocals and bass; Willie Johnson and Alonzo Wimbush, both of Bassett, both on lead guitar; Wallace Norman of Bassett, quartet vocals; and Mary Mack of Rocky Mount, quartet vocals. Hagwood sings quartet, and Legans sings lead and quartet.

There were plenty of naysayers, Hagwood said: When we first started, they said, Yall would never do nothing, but weve been together a year, by Gods grace.

The group has sung in many churches, including Hagwoods church, Shiloh Baptist in Fieldale, and Rock Ridge in Rocky Mount, which Legans calls home. They rehearse on Tuesdays and Saturdays at Rock Ridge.

We go where people ask us to go, Legans said. If they want us to sing at a nursing home, school, it doesnt matter. We like to try to go out and help people.

Hagwood describes their style as just plain old gospel  and we love to have a good time when were singing.

Some of the popular songs they sing are Fix It Jesus, Trying to Make Heaven My Home, I Want to Go Higher, Jesus, Youve Been Good to Me, On My Way Home, Lord, Youve Been So Good and Traveling Shoes.

Hagwood wrote Its Praying Time. He was just sitting in his chair at home when the Lord told me, Its praying time, he said. He kept saying Its praying time, and I started, I asked, Lord, You want me to write this song, You give it to me again.

The Lord did, and when it came to writing the lyrics, where I stopped at, He continued it.

Legans wrote Trying to Make Heaven My Home.

I just started singing a song, he said, telling a story about an old lady who wants to get in a choir, and they say shes too old to get in the choir. She says, The only thing I want to do is try to make heaven my home.

He said it came to him while he was just at home laying in the bedroom  I said, This is what the Lord had on my heart. I added my own words to it and just started singing it.

Both men said that when they come up with a song, they just sing it to the group, and the rest of the members pick right up on the vocals and music to go with it.

Gospel Fives first anniversary celebration will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1, at Rock Ridge Church, 5824 Hog Patch Road, Ferrum.

On April 15, they will sing from noon to 3 p.m. at an event at Church Without Walls. On April 22, they will sing for a mens program at Rock Ridge; on April 29, they will sing at a church in Greensboro, North Carolina; and then on June 10, they will sing at the Pigg River Association Center.
To be immediately and fully executed by all men in the Guards, army, artillery and navy and to be made known to the Petrograd workers.

The Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies has resolved:

1. In all companies, battalions, regiments, batteries, squadrons and separate services of various military departments and on board naval ships committees shall be immediately elected from among representatives of the rankers of the foregoing units.

2. In all units which have not yet elected their representatives to the Soviet of Workers' Deputies, one representative from each company shall be elected. All representatives, carrying appropriate identity cards, are to arrive at the building of the State Duma by 10 a. m., March 2, 1917.

3. In all their political actions, units are subordinated to the Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies and their own committees.

4. All orders issued by the Military Commission of the State Duma shall be carried out, except those which run counter to the orders and decrees issued by the Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.

5. All kinds of weapons, namely rifles, machine-guns, armoured cars and so forth, shall be placed at the disposal and under the control of the company and battalion committees and shall by no means be issued to the officers, not even at their insistence.

6. In formation and on duty, soldiers shall strictly observe military discipline; however, off duty and formation, in their political, civic and private life, soldiers shall fully enjoy the rights granted to all citizens.

In particular, standing to attention and obligatory saluting off duty shall be cancelled.

7. Likewise, officers shall be addressed as Mr. General, Mr. Colonel, etc., instead of Your Excellency, Your Honour, etc.

Rudeness towards soldiers of all ranks and, in particular, addressing them as `thou' shall be forbidden. Any violation of this rule and all cases of misunderstanding between officers and soldiers shall be reported by the latter to the company committees.

This order shall be read out in all companies, battalions, regiments, ship crews, batteries and other combat and non-combat detachments.

Petrograd Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies.
hannamarcus6.jpg

Hanna Perlstein Marcus has written "Surviving Remnant," a sequel to her award-winning "In Sidonia's Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America."

(Republican file)

In "Sidonia's Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America" Hanna Perlstein Marcus shared her memories of growing up in Springfield with her Hungarian-born mother, Holocaust survivor Sidonia Perlstein, who worked as an area seamstress before her death on Mother's Day in 2006 at the age of 93.

Marcus, who was born in a displaced persons camp, had come to Springfield, in 1949, when she was 22 months old and her mother was 36. Her book about their relationship and assimilation in the United States was named Best Kindle Book of 2014 for Non-Fiction, and that success prompted the Connecticut resident, with a background in social work, to write its sequel, "Surviving Remnant."

"The theme is acculturation and maturation," said Marcus, who was born in Bergen Belsen, the largest displaced persons camp in Germany and the only one in the British zone where Jews had their own portion of the camp.

"Just as the characters become acculturated in Springfield and in America, become citizens, and mature as individuals and families, the child at the center of the story also matures and comes of age among them."

She feels the story is a timely one, as well as one that puts the journey of refugees and reaction to it in perspective, and also answers questions raised by readers of the first book.

She said one early reviewer wrote the book "helps us understand the struggle of any survivor of trauma, but also shows readers the great importance of community."

A book launch party for Marcus' "Surviving Remnant" will be held March 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Rockville Public Library, 52 Union St, Vernon, Conn. She can be reached at info@hannamarcus.com.

Marcus was asked further about her new book in the following interview:

Q. What prompted the sequel? Is it a novel or autobiography?

A. As I traveled around the United States talking about my first book, "Sidonia's Thread," many people at my author talks wanted to know more about the community of immigrant refugees with whom I grew up in the north end of Springfield. How did they adapt to a new life in America? What were some of the struggles and successes they achieved during the first few years after they arrived? What were your feelings as a child living among this singular community?

I realized that this was a part of the story in "Sidonia's Thread" that was worthy of a new book, focusing on a child's observations of the ambitious and resilient community that surrounded her in her early years in America.

The book is still basically a memoir, written in a literary style. However, I took a little bit of literary license in sometimes merging a few of the characters into one and slightly embellishing or partially fictionalizing some of the episodes in the book to fit a child's eyes. Also, most of the names, except for a few, are fictitious.

Q. How does "Surviving Remnant" continue the story"



A. The theme of "Sidonia's Thread," about my ambivalent relationship with my talented, seamstress mother, is "stand up straight." It describes how a mother, through the metaphor of clothes design and dressmaking, teaches her daughter to be self-confident and strive for excellence in life, no matter the odds.

My mother and I are still at the center of the story in "Surviving Remnant," but this time, we are surrounded by a full community of Jewish Holocaust survivors, who live in the North End, specifically in an apartment building on Osgood Street. The apartment building is a character in and of itself.

Q. How much research did you do for the book, and how challenging was it to write? How did your background in social work give you perspective?

A. Although most of the story stems from my repository of memories about growing up among my community in Springfield, it also required some research into some of the aspects of the story.

For example, one chapter describes a couple of families whose members may have participated in partisan activities during World War II, risking their lives to resist the Nazis.

To discover more about the partisan activities in Lithuania and Poland, I delved into research about the nature of partisan efforts during the war and the history of the area of Europe from which they originated. I also read first- or second-hand accounts written by partisans themselves or by their children who were familiar with their parents' background.

In writing memoirs, I tend to tell the story from my own perspective, from my own personal observations and viewpoint. My stories, up to now, have neither included interviews with nor the perspective of any other person.

My social work background has been invaluable in helping me to understand human behavior and to empathize with individuals, who have been affected by trauma and loss, yet somehow find the resilience to move on with their lives and build decent homes for their children.

Back in the 1950s, society was not aware of the phenomenon of post-traumatic stress, so the ability of my community to become strong members of the American society and economy is even more amazing.

Q. What are some of the takeaways you hope readers will get from the book?

A. The issues of immigrants and refugees seem so contemporary in our country at the moment. However, there have been a number of times in American history when immigration and taking in refugees met with significant resistance -- most recently after World War I, during and after World War II, and now with the turbulence in the Middle East and in parts of South America and Africa and other areas.

"Surviving Remnant" is a reminder of the positive contributions that many immigrants have provided to our country. Their patriotism, devotion, ambition, and even humor after horrific experiences make us a better country. As for me as an individual, I have been undeniably shaped by my experiences growing up with my prideful mother and my community, all of whom had high expectations of their offspring in order to ensure their stable future lives in America.

Q. What feedback have you gotten from the first book? What did readers like about it?

A. "Sidonia's Thread" has had a remarkable reception from readers around the United States and in some other countries, like the United Kingdom and Canada. By far, the strong character of my mother, Sidonia, has been the factor that has attracted many readers, who identify with her courage and pride. She has been called "one of the first feminists."

Also, in my travels, I have heard from many who are seamstresses or whose mother or grandfather could sew. Many talk about their immigrant ancestors. Some tell me familial secrets that I can never reveal.
cousin at the Road race Lisa Smith, left, and cousin Rachael Goodrow at a previous Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race.

Adoption is the most planned parenthood of all.

But that's not why Lisa Smith, who was adopted as an infant from Seoul, South Korea, is running in this year's 42nd annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Road Race to raise funds for Planned Parenthood.

"Planned Parenthood helps millions of women and men each and every year to get access to services that can be life saving--it's far too long of a list to write down--and I have used these services," she said. "With the threat of defunding looming I think it's important to raise awareness for them and what they do; to show people that this organization is doing so many good things and so much more than what they assume. Raising money is a way for me and others to give back so more can continue to benefit from them."

Smith will join thousands of other runners at the 42nd annual race, which will be run on Saturday, March 18, in downtown Holyoke beginning at 1 p.m.

As Smith noted, she has used Planned Parenthood services herself.

"They are not at all limited to women's reproductive health, for example, they offer cancer screening. I for one know first hand how attentive they are when it comes to that," she said. "I came out on the healthy side but had it been the other way, I would have not known because I was uninsured and things could be much different for me now."

Now, you may think a St. Patrick's Day race may not seem a natural place for a Korean-born woman, but you'd be wrong. Smith considers herself as Irish as St. Patrick himself. It turns out that Smith was adopted by a couple that included Dublin-born Rita Smith, who came here when she was 18. After marrying, the Smiths adopted Lisa.

"I grew up an only child with a large family of amazing people. I have always identified as Irish though, had I ever wanted to look into the culture I was born in, I would have been encouraged to do so," she said. "I grew up listening to the Irish Hour every weekend on the radio --and my dad gave me my love for rhythm & blues. I started Irish step dancing in the second grade and competed for 8 years culminating with a top 10 finish for my age group in the New England Oireachtas (the All-New England)."

Smith enjoys all aspects of Irish culture, including the music, literature and art such as that from the Book of Kells. She also isn't shy about other Celtic traditions.

"Well, I do enjoy a pint or two with a friend. That's a big part of Irish culture--some people get coffee, I grab a beer and a whiskey and catch up with a friend," she said. "In addition that, the traditional Irish breakfast--nothing beats that. Nothing."

Smith has been running in the race since 2009. She previously has run to raise funds for such causes as the Arthritis Research Foundation, local animal shelters, and Best Buddies.

Unlike most who enter the road race, Smith is not a runner.

"I don't run regularly, or at all really. I joke it's the only 6.2 miles I run each year," she said. "It functions as an annual fundraiser. I beat myself up on the Holyoke Hills to raise money for a worthy cause."

Smith has been to Ireland twice, and enjoyed the trips. But why wouldn't she? She may have been born in South Korea, you'd be hard pressed to find someone with more Irish pride.

"I grew up in a unique, loving, accepting environment and of course it's fun and warrants a chuckle when people find out my background but it's also important to show that regardless of your race and ethnicity, it's what's inside that makes you who you are," she said. "I may appear to be Korean, but really I'm an Irish girl raised in the small town Hilltowns of Massachusetts. Half of my family and I are immigrants, and I am so fortunate to be where I am with my family and friends surrounding me, and I wouldn't change a thing."
longmeadow adult center logo.jpg

(Longmeadow Adult Center)

LONGMEADOW  From photography to music, there are a number of events and activities coming up at the Longmeadow Adult Center, 231 Maple Road.

Longmeadow Photography Club

The kickoff meeting for the Longmeadow Photography Club will be held at the Longmeadow Adult Center on March 29 at 12:30 p.m. The club is open to those interested in photography looking to meet others with the same interest. Those who attend are encouraged to bring their camera and user manual. Those interested in attending may sign up by calling the Adult Center at 413-565-4150.

Live Your Life Well

On April 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Longmeadow Adult Center will host a full-day workshop geared toward healthy aging. The workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss with peers and professionals topics that can help participants lead a healthy, happy life. A catered lunch will be provided. The event has been produced in full from a grant awarded to the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Those interested in attending may call the Adult Center at 413-565-4150.

Tanglewood rehearsal

On Aug. 12, a group from the Longmeadow Adult Center will take a trip to Tanglewood to watch a morning rehearsal featuring Joshua Bell on violin. After the rehearsal, the group will have lunch at Michael's Restaurant in Stockbridge. The $111 cost covers travel, tickets and lunch. Those interested in attending should call the Adult Center at 413-565-4150.

Line dancing

Each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., Lynn Connolly will lead a line dancing group. Connolly, whose resume includes more than 30 years teaching line dancing, gears the low-impact dancing to beginners. Participants do not need to bring a partner, just $4 to cover the cost of the class.
West Springfield Public Library.jpg

WEST SPRINGFIELD  From movies to Middle Eastern dancing, there are a number of events and activities coming up at the Teen Room of the West Springfield Public Library, 200 Park St.:

Collectible Card Game Group

On March 21 the West Springfield Public Library's Teen Room will host gatherings for collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering, Dice Masters and Yu-Gi-Oh. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. Players under 13 must come with a parent.

Movie Monday

On March 27 the West Springfield Public Library's Teen Room will screen "Panihari: The Water Women of India" at 6 p.m. "The film centers around the life of Paru, one of the Panihari (women who fetch water) as she struggles against nature and society to attain self-reliance for her family and herself," according to a description of the film. The screening is part of the library's celebration of Women's History Month.

Middle Eastern dance with Hadama Seshat

Hadama Seshat, a member of the Crescent Dancers and founder of the band Shalom Habibi, will instruct a Middle Eastern dance class in the library's Teen Room on March 28 at 6:30 p.m. Seshat has performed at Jacob's Pillow, the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts and schools and libraries around Massachusetts. Participants in the class are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.

All programs are open to teens ages 13 to 17. Those seeking more information on the programs may call 413-736-4561, ext. 6, or stop by the library's young adult services or adult services desks.
A person has been hospitalized for serious injuries early Wednesday morning after a car crash in Dorchester.

Mass. State Police told media the driver's car closely trailed a plow truck that was placing salt along Morton Road on the American Legion Highway after 3 a.m.

NECN reports the truck was traveling at a slow speed, and the plow truck driver was not injured. The collision between the car and the back of the plow truck reportedly spilled salt all over the road.

Two occupants were taken to a nearby hospital, one for treatment of serious but not fatal injuries.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation repeatedly warns drivers to "Not Crowd the Plow" because of similarly-reported incidents between vehicles.

MassDOT crews are treating icy road conditions Wednesday morning after thick, dense snow changed to freezing rain in many areas in eastern Massachusetts Tuesday night.
SPRINGFIELD - A Florida man wanted in connection with four weekend armed robberies was arrested Monday night and charged with holding a family hostage as he hid in their Dunmoreland Street house.

The man, Anthony Magri, 42, of Palm Bay, Florida, was taken into custody shortly after 8 p.m. Officers found him hiding in a child's bedroom, said police spokesman Sgt. John Delaney

When taken into custody, Magri reportedly told officers "Just leave me along. I have not slept for 2 days."

Hours before his arrest, Springfield police broadcast to area media and over social media that Magri had been identified as a suspect in four separate armed robberies in Springfield over the weekend.

He had been staying in a hotel on Boston Road. Police had found his room and confiscated his car but he remained at large. At the time of the broadcast, the public was encouraged to call police if they spotted him.

Delaney said that shortly after 8 p.m., police dispatch received a 911 call from a child who said Magri was hiding at her house "and my mom is frightened."

The child told police that she was out of the house and not in danger, Delaney said.

Several police responded to the scene, led by sergeants Reggie Miller, Vincent Spagnola and Daniel Reigner, responded to the scene. They were allowed inside and during a search found Magri in a bedroom, Delaney said.

Magri was arrested without resistance, he said.

He is charged with four counts of armed robbery, two of which involved a handgun, assault with a dangerous weapon with a dangerous weapon in connection with the weekend robberies.

Police added four additional charges related to his hiding out on Dunmoreland Street, Delaney said.

Those charges are assault and battery with a knife, four counts of kidnapping, intimidation of a witness and threatening to murder.

He is also wanted on a fugitive warrant in Florida for armed robbery.

Delaney said Mangri did not know anyone in the Dunmoreland Street residence prior to his going there. He was introduced to residents by a mutual friend, Delaney said.

Residence of the house told police that once they learned he was wanted, he refused to leave and threatened them.

Mangri is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in Springfield District Court.
PITTSFIELD - A 52-year-old Arkansas man was sentenced to between 6 and 9 years in state prison after he was found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting girl in Lee over a 3-year-period beginning when she was 6 years old, according to the office of Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless.

A jury deliberated about 8 hours before returning a guilty verdict a Michael Cowan, a former Lee resident who now resides in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was found guilty on seven counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under age 14.

Judge John Agostini ordered Cowan to serve 6 to 9 years at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Cedar Junction in Walpole.

According to the Berkshire Eagle, the prosecution said charged that Cowan sexually assaulted the girl, now 15, in his home between 2008 and 2011.

Cowan's defense argued that the girl made up the assaults in 2013 because she had been assigned by a teacher to describe a traumatic memory and she did not want to get in trouble by not doing her homework.

The investigation was conducted by the Lee Police Department.
Baystate Franklin Medical Center

The main entrance to Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.

(MassLive file photo)

Nurses at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield voted this week to authorize a one-day strike.

The vote by nurses represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association was 93 percent in favor of the action.

"Nurses voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call a one-day strike because they want to provide the best possible patient care in a safe environment," said Donna Stern, a nurse who has worked in the hospital's psychiatric unit for 11 years.

The Massachusetts Nurses Association, which represents about 200 nurses at the hospital, alleges Baystate Franklin has declined to negotiate over nurse workload, health insurance and retirement plans offered to employees.

Hospital officials have denied such allegations and claim the union has sought to undermine the hospital's ability to reach a fair agreement.

"At a time when healthcare costs are one of the most difficult issues confronting families in our community, we would hope that the MNA would work collaboratively with us to maintain our culture of safety and quality and create a fair benefits package, without creating a financially unsustainable model," said Cindy Russo, RN, president of Baystate Franklin Medical Center and chief administrative officer of the Baystate Health Northern Region.

Contract negotiations between the hospital and union began in November. Russo said the hospital has offered "increases in wages, and a strong and competitive overall benefits package," though both sides say the other is holding up negotiations.

A federal mediator joined negotiations last month.

Stern and other nurses allege unsafe staffing levels within the hospital, saying that too often nurses are called in or required to work overtime due to staffing shortages.

On the day of the strike vote, Stern claims the hospital was understaffed. In the mental health unit, where she works, Stern said there were two nurses on Monday working with 19 patients. "So each nurse was responsible for caring for 9 or 10 patients at the same instant."

That same day, Stern said, "There were only two RNs in the emergency room in the morning when there needed to be four to five."

She added, "On the day of the strike, of all days, I would have thought that Baystate would have been concerned that there was enough staff."

Russo said the union's attempt to maintain "rigid staffing ratios" between nurses and patients is not the "right response to the major changes taking place in healthcare, nationally, regionally and in our community," and that the hospital is committed to providing individualized care to patients.

Baystate Franklin nurses and their union says more nurses are needed to ensure patient safety. "We've been sounding the alarms for months that they need to hire more nurses," Stern said, Wednesday, shortly after arriving home from working a double shift. When nurses are overworked, she said, patients are at higher rates of danger due to fatigue or accidents.

More than a dozen times -- the union alleges, citing Massachusetts Department of Public Health records -- nurses were mandated to work past their scheduled shifts to ensure safe staffing levels were met.

The union claims registered nurses at the hospital were asked to pick up additional shifts more than 100 times since August due to staffing shortages.

If the strike is scheduled, Baystate Franklin will be given at least 10 days notice of the date, as required by law to ensure the hospital is staffed.

"We remain hopeful that our ongoing negotiations, supported by a federal mediator, will reach a successful resolution," Russo said. "However, we are preparing for a potential strike to ensure that we continue to provide high-level and reliably safe care to the community without interruption."
chicopee city hall.JPG

CHICOPEE - The city will hold a meeting to discuss the city's Hazard Mitigation Plan and is asking residents, business owners and representatives from surrounding communities to attend to give their input about lessening the impact of natural hazards.

An update of the plan is currently being produced by city officials with the assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

The planning is designed to help city officials assess the risks faced from natural hazards, identify action steps that can be taken to prevent injury to people and damage to property and prioritize funding for mitigation efforts.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., March 27 at the Chicopee Public Library on Front Street. There will be time for public input and questions during the forum.

For more information, please contact PVPC's Ashley Eaton at aeaton@pvpc.org or 413-781-6045.
Citgo sign

Courtesy Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism

(Courtesy Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism)

The Citgo sign above Boston's Kenmore Square is staying.

The sign had faced a situation familiar to many city residents: A landlord interested in raising the rent in an increasingly popular neighborhood.

But Boston Mayor Marty Walsh's office said Wednesday that Citgo Petroleum Corp. and Related Beal, the owner of the building below the sign, reached an agreement that allows the sign to stay put. Walsh had offered space inside City Hall as a place for the two sides to hash out the agreement.

"Like many of the communities in which we operate, CITGO has a deep connection with Boston, and the CITGO Sign is an important part of that history," Rick Esser, vice president of supply and marketing for Citgo, said in a statement.

"We are proud that the CITGO sign has become a beacon in the Boston skyline and we are grateful to Mayor Walsh for his leadership in bringing the parties together," he added. "This agreement ensures that the sign will continue to shine brightly for years to come. "

Built decades ago, the sign, which measures 60 feet by 60 feet, received an upgrade in 2005. It's located at 660 Beacon Street.

Kimberly Sherman, president of Related Beal, said the sign will remain "for decades to come." Related Beal bought the building from Boston University, and reportedly wanted to increase the amount Citgo pays to lease the space for the sign.

The details of the agreement were not immediately available.

Walsh, in his own statement, called the Citgo sign an "important part of the community."
What if everyone on the planet received a guaranteed income whether or not they worked?

Thats the idea behind the universal basic income (UBI)  and it is gaining ground globally. Government officials, some technology executives, philanthropists and academics from every continent are championing the idea as a way to combat rising wealth inequality and provide an income floor as new technologies are seen decimating jobs in the future. However, the programs effectiveness and affordability are far from settled discussions. Political hurdles must also be overcome for it to become reality.

Full Story: http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/universal-basic-income-good-idea/
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The Montana Department of Commerce works with statewide and local partners, private industry and small businesses to enhance and sustain economic prosperity in Montana. - Montana Is On The Move
The McDowell County Commissioners agreed Monday to cooperate with the city of Marion in getting a grant for a sewer line along N.C. 226 South which could go to serve a new hotel.

Last month, the Marion City Council agreed to annex the 30-acre property on N.C. 226 South and Interstate 40, which is across from McDowell Technical Community College. City officials also approved the submission of a $120,000 grant application to the N.C. Department of Commerces infrastructure program. If awarded, this grant would support the extension of sewer service to that site on N.C. 226 South and I-40. City Manager Bob Boyette said last month the site is now vacant but property owner Prakash Kadire of New Jersey asked for the annexation to get city services so it can be developed. Boyette added Kadire has received confirmation of a franchise from a major hotel chain but he declined to name which one. The new hotel is expected to create 24 full-time jobs.

On Monday, the McDowell County Commissioners took action on this matter. The estimated cost for the sewer line is $293,300. The state grant would be for $120,000, but would leave a local match of $173,300. City officials asked for a local 50/50 cost share with the county on this match.

The commissioners agreed to provide the countys part of the local match in the form of $85,650 over a two-year period.

We definitely have a need for another hotel, said Commissioner Matthew Crawford.

A sewer line along there would benefit the county government operations as well.

The county would also benefit from the sewer extension since it would allow for the animal shelter and facility maintenance building to connect to sewer service, said County Manager Ashley Wooten.

The animal shelter is on a septic system, which has to be pumped frequently.

The animal shelter would very much like to be on sewer rather than septic, said Wooten.

In other business, the McDowell County Commission:

 Heard about plans for The McDowell House.

 Heard an update on water projects. Wooten said the Harmony Grove Road water line extension is complete. He added the board should have a workshop in April to discuss the future growth of this system. County officials can also hear an update on the Lake James reclassification/water intake permitting process.

 Heard an update on the countys greenway project, which is being headed up by Planning Administrator Ron Harmon and staff member Randall Conley.

 Approved some budget amendments and ordinances.

 Heard an update on the budget process. Wooten said he plans to present the county budget for 2017-2018 before the regular May 8 meeting.

 Held the first reading for two vacancies on the Planning Board. The terms for both Vice Chairman Dennis Whitson and member Arvin Hicks will expire in May.
Morgan County Veterans Day Parade slated Nov. 11 Audio Article The Morgan County Veterans Day Parade will be held on Friday, Nov. 11. The parade will form at the Commons, in McConnelsville, at 9:30 a.m. and set out at 10 a.m. The American Legion Post 24 will render honors at the monuments at the Commons, Riecker Building, the Square, at...

A concert with two purposes Audio Article Wednesday, Nov. 30, a concert with dual purposes is being held at the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville, Ohio. Its a thank-you to healthcare workers, who can attend for free, and its a benefit for the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. In September 2021, Rick Shriver contracted COVID-19. He collapsed...

BOE reminder of early voting hours and polling location change Audio Article Remaining early voting hours at the Morgan County Board of Elections are as follows: from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov, 2 through Friday, Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5; from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6; and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m....

Lions Club announces annual Wreaths Across America Audio Article On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Chesterhill Lions Club will be joining with National Wreaths Across America in the laying of wreaths at each of the seven cemeteries located in Marion Township. The mission is to honor the local veterans who have served our nation so their families can rest assured...

Governor DeWine awards $6.7 million for domestic violence survivor programs Audio Article Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that he is awarding $6.7 million to support the work of the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) to offer mobile and health advocacy services and temporary residential services for domestic violence survivors across the state. The announcement comes during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month....

CDC committee vote wont change Ohio school vaccine requirement Audio Article Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA has released the following statement: The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation for the COVID-19 vaccine to be added to the formulary or schedule of vaccines for children does not mandate this vaccine for school children. Ohio law determines...
by Jess Nelson , March 15, 2017

Amplify Credit Union significantly boosted its annual profit and email marketing engagement by implementing Salesforce to unify siloed data sources and optimize customer engagement.

Amplify boosted annual profit 400% after partnering with Salesforce last year, as well as increasing email open rates by 45% and click-through rates by 20%.

Based in Austin, Amplify Credit Union is a financial cooperative serving 57,000 members through eight Texas locations. The company turned to the Salesforce Marketing Cloud last year to streamline data and increase lead generation with personalized customer communications.

Each time a customer clicks we learn what they are interested in, says Lisa Nicholas, SVP and CDO at Amplify. Were listening to them and then serving them other pieces of information. That was impossible for us before.

Previously, Amplifys customer data was stored across 80 separate systems. Amplify used its own homegrown CRM system, but it just wasnt very easy to use, says Nicholas. You had to know query language and you would have to upload every email list every time, so we couldnt leverage things like send-time optimization.

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Since implementing Salesforce, Nicholas says her team has access to more data insights than ever before. Being able to bring data into one place we can really map out the customer journey, says Nicholas, citing how she now has an understanding of whats driving conversions instead of just simply tracking engagement.

Amplify has also leveraged the Salesforce Marketing Cloud to drive digital leads to the companys physical office branches. Amplify builds out phone queues attached to specific actions, and Nicholas says the sales team has been more efficient since implementing Salesforce.

We can now leverage those resources elsewhere, building out member journeys and creating a better customer experience, says Nicholas.

An independent study by Nucleus Research found that Amplify saw a 1079% return on investment after implementing Salesforce last year, with an annual benefit of almost $2.8 million. The research firm estimates that Amplify would have needed to double the advertising spent of its previous program to achieve the same results.

Amplifys lead generation has increased by 50% while CPA has decreased to the same degree, according to the company. In addition, reporting time has decreased by 98% since employees are now able to pull reports from a unified source.

Amplify Credit Union plans to expand its Salesforce partnership by deploying Mobile Studio. Nicholas looks forward to investigating Einsteins artificial intelligence capabilities as well.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 15, 2017

Search engine optimization company e-ventures Worldwide will ask the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to restore a lawsuit against alleging that Google wrongly removed e-ventures' sites from the search results.

e-ventures initiated the appellate process last week, but has not yet made its arguments to the 11th Circuit.

The company is seeking to revive a lawsuit against Google that was dismissed last month by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson in the Middle District of Florida, who ruled that the company has a free speech right to decide which search results to display.

"Googles actions in formulating rankings for its search engine and in determining whether certain websites are contrary to Googles guidelines and thereby subject to removal are the same as decisions by a newspaper editor regarding which content to publish, which article belongs on the front page, and which article is unworthy of publication," Magnuson said in a ruling issued last month.

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The battle dates to 2014, when e-ventures alleged that Google removed 231 sites associated with e-ventures' Webmaster tools. Google allegedly notified e-ventures that the sites would be de-listed because they were "pure spam."

Magnuson noted in his decision dismissing the case that e-ventures' consultant told the company its sites were spam.

Google has prevailed in prior lawsuits brought by companies who alleged they were wrongly demoted in the search results. In 2003, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit about that issue brought by SearchKing, and three years later a different judge threw out a similar lawsuit by KinderStart.
Whether you are a first-time parent-to-be or a parenting expert, pregnancy often throws up a million and one questions that we depend on online pregnancy resources to answer. Pregnancy blogs cover anything and everything from weekly development guides to personal birth stories, so how do you know which ones are worth reading? We have trawled through hundreds of blogs to give you our six pregnancy blog must-reads. Share on Pinterest Every year, the U.S. sees around 4 million births. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 4 million births in the United States every year. The journey to each one of these births is vastly different from one person to the next and can sometimes throw in a few challenges along the way. Reading pregnancy blogs on the run-up to the big day may give some insight into the emotional and physical changes that are happening inside the body, help prepare you for the inevitable birthing process, and provide engagement with like-minded people who are going through similar experiences. So, without further ado, here is Medical News Todays pick of the best pregnancy blogs, a behind-the-scenes look at the people behind them, and their most popular articles.
A breakthrough study looking at how the brain repairs itself could revolutionize treatments for multiple sclerosis. The research, performed on mice and tissue cultures, reveals for the first time that a type of cell involved in immune control also releases a protein that triggers regrowth of myelin. Share on Pinterest The new study takes treatment research into the area of reversing myelin damage. This picture shows myelin (in red) and myelin-producing cells (oligodendrocytes, in green).

Image credit: Queens University Belfast The international study  led by Queens University Belfast in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom  is published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Senior author Dr. Denise Fitzgerald  of the Universitys Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine  describes the findings as an important step forward in understanding how the brain and spinal cord is naturally repaired. Worldwide, more than 2.3 million people are affected by multiple sclerosis (MS)  a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the tissue of the central nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, the immune system attacks and destroys myelin  the fatty, protective sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers. As the myelin damage increases, it disrupts the signals that travel to and from the brain along the affected nerve fibers. This results in a range of symptoms that include impaired mobility, extreme fatigue, vision problems, pain, and altered sensation.

Study takes research into area of reversing myelin damage Although anyone can develop MS, it is the most common neurological disease in young adults and it affects two to three times more women than men. Fast facts about MS MS gets its name from the scar tissue (sclerosis) that forms from myelin damage

The majority of people with MS do not develop severe disability

MS is difficult to diagnose; there is no single test that can prove or rule out the disease. Learn more about MS There is no evidence that MS is hereditary, but it is thought that genes play a role, as well as certain environmental factors such as low vitamin D and smoking tobacco. There is currently no cure for MS, although some approved drugs appear to reduce frequency of relapses and delay disease progression to some extent. The researchers are excited about their discovery because it takes treatment research into the area of reversing myelin damage. Dr. Fitzgerald has a personal as well as a professional interest in MS  when she was 21, she had to learn to walk again after experiencing a similar condition called transverse myelitis. The study concerns a type of immune cell called T cells, which, in cases of MS, are known to cross over from the bloodstream into the central nervous system. Dr. Fitzgerald and colleagues discovered that a subtype of T cells called regulatory T cells  which are already known to be involved in regulating the immune system  also have a role in promoting myelin regrowth. The regulatory T cells promote myelin regrowth through their effect on oligodendrocytes  the cells that make myelin. The process of myelin regrowth requires oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to mature into oligodendrocyte cells.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet collaborating in the large-scale Karolinska Schizophrenia Project are taking an integrative approach to unravel the disease mechanisms of schizophrenia. In the very first results now presented in the prestigious scientific journal Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers show that patients with schizophrenia have lower levels of the vital neurotransmitter GABA as well as changes in the brain's immune cells.

Schizophrenia is one of the most disabling psychiatric diseases and affects approximately one per cent of the population. It commonly onsets in late adolescence and is often a life-long condition with symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and anxiety. The disease mechanisms are largely unknown, which has hampered the development of new drugs. The drugs currently available are designed to alleviate the symptoms, but are only partly successful, as only 20 per cent of the patients become symptom-free.

The Karolinska Schizophrenia Project (KaSP) brings together researchers from a number of different scientific disciplines to build up a comprehensive picture of the disease mechanisms and to discover new targets for drug therapy. Patients with an acute first-episode psychosis are recruited and undergo extensive tests and investigations. Cognitive function, genetic variation, biochemical anomalies as well as brain structure and function are analysed using the latest techniques and then compared with healthy peers.

The first results from the project are now presented in two studies published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. One of the studies shows that patients with newly debuted schizophrenia have lower levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in their cerebrospinal fluid than healthy people and that the lower the concentration of GABA the more serious their symptoms are.

GABA is involved in most brain functions and along with glutamate it accounts for almost 90 per cent of all signal transmission. While glutamate stimulates brain activity, GABA inhibits it, and the two neurotransmitters interact with each other.

"Over the years, animal studies have suggested a link between decreased levels of GABA and schizophrenia," says Professor Goran Engberg at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. "Our results are important because they clinically substantiate this hypothesis."

The other study used the imaging technique of positron emission tomography (PET) to show that patients with untreated schizophrenia have lower levels of TSPO (translocator protein), which is expressed on immune cells such as microglia and astrocytes.

"Our interpretation of the results is an altered function of immune cells in the brain in early-stage schizophrenia," says Senior lecturer Simon Cervenka at Karolinska Institutet's Department of Clinical Neuroscience.

The results of the two studies provide new clues to the pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia, but it is unclear if the changes are the cause or the result of the disease. Follow-up studies are now underway to examine what causes the anomalies and how these biological processes can be influenced to change the progression of the disease.

KaSP is a collaboration between clinical and preclinical research groups at Karolinska Institutet and four psychiatric clinics under Stockholm County Council.

The study led by Goran Engberg was supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Brain Foundation, Ahlen-siftelsen, the Swedish Society of Medicine, Petrus och Augusta Hedlunds Stiftelse, Torsten Soderbergs Stiftelse, the AstraZeneca-Karolinska Institutet Joint Research Program in Translational Science, Soderstrom Konigska fonden, Professor Bror Gadelius Minne, Knut och Alice Wallenbergs stiftelse, Stockholm County Council and KID-funding from Karolinska Institutet.

The study led by Simon Cervenka was supported by grants from The Swedish Research Council, Stockholm County Council, the Swedish Society of Medicine, PRIMA Barn- och Vuxenpsykiatri AB, Torsten Soderbergs Stiftelse, Soderstrom Konigska fonden, the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme, and Centre for Psychiatry Research at Karolinska Institutet. One of the co-authors is employed by AstraZeneca, a couple of them have received grant support from AstraZeneca and served as one-off speakers for Roche and/or Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, and one has participated in workshops organized by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

Article: CSF GABA is reduced in first-episode psychosis and associates to symptom severity , G Engberg et al., Molecular Psychiatry, doi: 10.1038/mp.2017.25, published online 14 March 2017.
Findings highlight the importance of genomic studies in diverse populations.

An international team of researchers has conducted the first study of its kind to look at the genomic underpinnings of obesity in continental Africans and African-Americans. They discovered that approximately 1 percent of West Africans, African-Americans and others of African ancestry carry a genomic variant that increases their risk of obesity, a finding that provides insight into why obesity clusters in families. Researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their African collaborators published their findings in the journal Obesity.

People with genomic differences in the semaphorin-4D (SEMA4D) gene were about six pounds heavier than those without the genomic variant, according to the study. Most of the genomic studies conducted on obesity to date have been in people of European ancestry, despite an increased risk of obesity in people of African ancestry.

Obesity is a global health problem, contributing to premature death and morbidity by increasing a person's risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers. While obesity mostly results from lifestyle and cultural factors, including excess calorie intake and inadequate levels of physical activity, it has a strong genomic component.

The burden of obesity is, however, not the same across U.S. ethnic groups, with African-Americans having the highest age-adjusted rates of obesity, said Charles N. Rotimi, Ph.D., chief of NHGRI's Metabolic, Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease Genomics Branch and director of the Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health (CRGGH) at NIH. CRGGH examines the socio-cultural and genomic factors at work in health disparities - the negative health outcomes that impact certain groups of people - so they can be translated into policies that reduce or eliminate healthcare inequalities in the United States and globally.

This is the first study to use a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) to investigate the genomic basis of obesity in continental Africans, said Guanjie Chen, M.D., study co-lead and a CRGGH staff scientist. A GWAS compares the genomes of people with and without a health condition - in this case, people who are obese and those who are not - to search for regions of the genome that contain genomic variants associated with the condition. Most previous studies on obesity using a GWAS have been conducted with populations of European ancestry; these studies wouldn't have found the SEMA4D genomic variant, which is absent in both Europeans and Asians.

"We wanted to close this unacceptable gap in genomics research," Dr. Rotimi said.

"By studying people of West Africa, the ancestral home of most African-Americans, and replicating our results in a large group of African-Americans, we are providing new insights into biological pathways for obesity that have not been previously explored," said Ayo P. Doumatey, Ph.D., study co-lead and CRGGH staff scientist. "These findings may also help inform how the African environments have shaped individual genomes in the context of obesity risk."

Dr. Rotimi and his colleagues plan to replicate these findings in more populations and conduct experiments using cell lines and model organisms such as zebrafish to identify the role of genomic variants in SEMA4D in obesity and obesity-related traits. (The SEMA4D gene plays a role in cell signaling, the immune response and bone formation.) Available data show that the newly identified genomic variant overlaps a region of DNA called an "enhancer" that can be activated to increase the work of a particular gene, he said. They plan to conduct larger studies of DNA sequencing of this gene in different human populations with the hope of identifying other genomic factors that may be associated with obesity.

"Eventually, we hope to learn how to better prevent or treat obesity," Dr. Rotimi said.
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Encephalitis (brain inflammation)

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Ear infections

Respiratory infections such as pneumonia

Pregnant women are not recommended to have the MMR vaccine as it might harm the baby.

People with a weakened immune system

People with life -threatening allergic reactions

Around one in a million people may have encephalitis (brain inflammation)

Less than 2% have a vaccine-associated rash

In India, the first dose of measles vaccine is given at 9-12 months of age and the second dose is given at 16-24 months of age.Measles is caused by a contagious virus that belongs to the paramyxovirus family. The virus usually spreads through direct contact (when the infected person sneezes or coughs) and through air. Measles virus can cause infections in the respiratory tract that spreads throughout the body.Symptoms of measles include high fever that may begin after 10-12 days of exposure to the virus. It may also result in cold, redness of the eyes and rash.Most of the deaths that occur due to measles are because of its dangerous complications. This usually occurs either in children below the age of 5 or adults at the age of 20.Some of the serious complications include:During pregnancy, measles may also increase the risk of miscarriage.Around 90% of the population will have had measles by the age of 20 if they are not vaccinated.Measles has no cure and immunization is the best way to prevent the infection. MMR vaccine is an attenuated live viral vaccine that is administered subcutaneously.It is used as a primary vaccine for children and adults to protect against measles, mumps and rubella.Around 90-95% of people who had taken one dose of MMR are found to be protected from measles.Two doses of MMR vaccine are found to be 97% effective in preventing measles, and one dose is found to be 93% effective, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.However, some people are restricted from using Measles vaccine:Measles vaccine is found to have few side effects which include:There may also be few cases of seizures and anaphylaxis.Getting immunization with MMR vaccine is the only way to prevent measles.Source: Medindia
A group of former drug addicts and ex-convicts from Norway have set up base in Mumbai to construct public toilets for women. As part of their reformation, the group called Back in the Ring, turned into yoga devotees and have now also turned to social work.

The toilets in question are being constructed near the Bombay Central Railway Station and would most probably be accessible to the common public by next month.

 Twitter

The group is being led by Alexander Medin, who took up this initiative as part of karma yoga, and has also worked on similar projects in Goa and Karnataka during their previous tours in the country. The whole initiative is jointly funded the Norwegian Chari table Organization-BITR along with the JSW Group. The corporate group will take up maintenance of the toilet on completion and Back in the Ring is supposed to head back to Norway on 15th March.

The group stayed at the red-light area of Grant Road in Mumbai for most of their time in the city, only shifting to a modest hotel at Crawford Market recently. The horrible conditions also took a toll on their health as many suffered from dysentery and exhaustion, and one member even contracted pneumonia."The heat, the noise, and pollution - it all took a toll on us. However, we continued working on constructing the toilet. Each of us would reach the site at 10 am every day (from February 17) and finish our work at 5 pm," said Medin, founder of the group.

 Twitter

Medin also is hoping that this project would also get some much needed attention from corporates and politicians who will realize the need of improvement in hygienic conditions and would grant the necessary funds to take this forward. "I wanted to use this project as an example. If some people from Norway, especially former drug addicts, can give their own time, energy and money to people they don't even know, we hope it will have a ripple effect among Indians," Medin said.

Another member of the group, Albin Bendu showed his appreciation for the project saying, "To be a part of this project has been a very rewarding experience. I am honoured to do this for the women of Mumbai."
The Moto G5 Plus and G5 were recently announced at MWC 2017 and it was shortly followed by the Indian launch of the G5 Plus today. The company boasts that the Moto G5 Plus has a premium design, fast processor and long-lasting battery life. The smartphone also comes with rapid charging, a finger reader and a decent camera for an affordable price.

 BCCL

The Moto G5 Plus finally comes with a metal body i.e. an aluminium finish to be more precise. From our initial experience, the phone has a strong finish and is quite appealing to the eye.

 Motorola

The Moto G5 Plus will be available in two variants i.e. 3GB RAM/16GB internal storage which will retail at Rs 14,999 whereas the 4GB RAM/32GB internal storage variant will retail at Rs 16,999. The Moto G5 Plus will be available exclusively on Flipkart tonight at 11:59 PM.

 Motorola

Flipkart has also introduced attractive buyback options for customers where they can purchase the Moto G5 Plus tonight and get a further discount of Rs 7,000 if they wish to upgrade to another Moto smartphone in the near future.

The Moto G5 will sport a 5.2-inch Full HD display and will have the octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor on board. The phone has a dual-sim slot and a separate microSD slot for expanding storage. The smartphone also comes with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box with future support for Google Assistant.

The primary camera has a 12-megapixel sensor with dual autofocus, f/1.7 aperture for better low light imaging and 4K video recording. The smartphone also has a battery capacity of 3,000 mAh, which is non-removable, but supports fast charging.

For readers interested in detailed specs, you can have a look at the chart below:

Technical specifications for Moto G5 Plus
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At 11:00 on Wednesday, 15 March 2017, Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Amanatidis is to attend a joint session of the Parliamentary Committees on Educational Affairs, the Parliament Library, and Greeks Abroad.

The topic of the joint session, which is to take place in the Senate Hall, will be cooperation between the Library of the Hellenic Parliament and the Library of the Theological School of Halki - Reorganising, cataloguing, and publicising the priceless documents of the Theological School of Halki.

It is to be recalled that the Hellenic Parliament, through the Directorate of its Library, began its collaboration with the Holy Theological School of the Holy Trinity of Halki in 2014, with the goal of restoring, reorganising, and promoting the wealth of books and cultural documents on its premises, in accordance with international standards and the potential provided by modern technology.
Honourable Mayors,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with particular pleasure that I am present today at the signing ceremony of the Charter of the Global Network of Ancient Asclepeia, an effort which we have been following with great interest for approximately one and a half years now, since Professor Lambrinoudakis, then an excavator at Epidaurus and the Secretary-General of the Diazoma association, presented to us, for the first time, the ambitious plan for promoting the role of the ancient Asclepeion in the history and development of modern Medicine.

I am particularly delighted to note the collaborative effort on the part of elected local-administration representatives in this Network, and specifically the Mayors of the three participating municipalities of Epidaurus, Trikala, and Kos, the heads of Antiquity Ephorates, representatives of University Institutions, as well as the Diazoma association. Cooperation on the part of all of us, wherever each of us may originate from, constitutes a necessary prerequisite for achieving our common goal; namely, promoting our ancient heritage as the cradle of Western culture.

Its signing on the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is significant in that it serves as a declaration of the future development of this Network abroad, with participation in this endeavour of municipalities in the wider Mediterranean region where the Asclepeia operated in Antiquity.

We know that roughly 400 Asclepeia operated in the ancient world, offering citizens their valuable services. As Pausanias states, they originated in Epidaurus.

Cities such as Marseilles, Rome, Taranto, and ancient Pergamon were home to notable Asclepeia, which disseminated medical science, as developed in the original Asclepeion of Epidaurus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with its network of Embassies and Consulates, as well as the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad, will stand beside your effort to secure the participation of organizations abroad that are associated with the activities of the ancient Asclepeia as centres of medicine and culture.
N. KOTZIAS: I think the two-day visit to the U.S. was very successful. We met with the Secretary of State, we met with the National Security Advisor and his deputy. We also saw the White House Chief of Staff and a number of other officials who deal with foreign policy. We had meetings with Senators and with a team of journalists -- I would say that the most interesting was this morning's meeting, with Reuters. I think what was made clear to the American side is our particular geostrategic analysis of our region, and we agreed on the great need for stability and security in this region. Our country's special role is a role of responsibility. We have put together a number of institutions, like the trilateral cooperation schemes we have with countries such as Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. We have quadrilateral cooperation schemes in the Balkans, as well as the cross-border cooperation scheme. We are in the process of forming a new quadrilateral cooperation scheme with Georgia and Armenia. All of this shows Greece's potential and special role in the region.

JOURNALIST: Regarding the meeting with the National Security Advisor, Mr. McMaster?

N. KOTZIAS: The meeting was scheduled to last 40 minutes, but it went on for an hour and a half. We talked about very specific issues concerning the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans.

JOURNALIST: The Cyprus issue?

N. KOTZIAS: We didn't spend much time on the Cyprus issue, beyond my explaining what the condition is for successful negotiations. The condition is the definition of the Cyprus problem; that is, Cyprus's being rid of foreign troops and Turkey's understanding that it cannot ask for special privileges, like the rights of intervention it wants.

JOURNALIST: What is your view of the new U.S. Administration's priorities in our region?

N. KOTZIAS: I can see that the U.S. Administration is looking for ways to upgrade the role and importance of American foreign policy, in cooperation  as far as I understand, in a different way than in the past, more intensive and equal  with states with which it has very friendly relations.

JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, under president Obama, Greece had support on the issue of the eurozone, the debt and the economy.

N. KOTZIAS: And this will continue. Having had an initial conversation on the subject, I think this support will continue and perhaps be even greater.

JOURNALIST: Regarding the ongoing face-off between Turkey and Western European countries, today Mr. Erdogan attacked Angela Merkel and the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized the EU announcement that supported Holland. Would you like to comment on that?

N. KOTZIAS: I told you yesterday that Turkey is exporting its restlessness. Perhaps some circles in the Turkish leadership think that a verbal altercation of this kind helps Mr. Erdogan's election campaign.

JOURNALIST: What is Greece's position on visits by Turkish politicians to our country before the referendum?

N. KOTZIAS: The Greek Foreign Minister's position is that he doesn't talk before specific requests are made and specific procedures are in place.

JOURNALIST: And one last question: At the Delphi Conference, U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt said that he fears an accident in the Aegean. Was this fear verified in the talks you had here?

N. KOTZIAS: We didn't have those kinds of talks. Our talks were more about what the country's role is, and not about blaming or talking about third parties.

JOURNALIST: Did they say anything about the Turkish standoff with Europe?

N. KOTZIAS: No, we didn't talk about that.


Even as the U.S. Army prepares to grow, Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson still worries about units not having enough time to recover between deployments amid a rising demand for the service to take on more missions.

President Donald Trump's pledge to increase defense spending by $54 billion in fiscal 2018 will allow the Army to go to a 476,000-soldier active force by Oct. 1.

The move will also give leaders some flexibility to meet demands around the globe since it reverses the plan to shrink the service to 450,000 active force.

Despite the increase, Anderson, the Army's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and training, said Tuesday he's concerned that the increasing demand for the service to take on more missions is placing too much strain on operational units.

"I still worry about our demands," he told an audience at the Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium and Exposition in Huntsville, Alabama. "We have got to find a way for people to reset."

Anderson said he recently talked to soldiers deployed in Poland who "weren't really sure what their objectives were."

"When I got a kid looking at me telling me 'I enjoyed Kuwait better than Poland,' I say, 'Are you kidding me son?'" he said. "He said, 'I'm not kidding you. I knew what I was doing. We were very focused, and we knew what our task and purpose was.'"

The Army is now juggling deployments using a "sustainable readiness model," Anderson said.

"That does not mean after you come back from a rotation everybody PCSs, ETSs," he said, referring to permanent changes of station and expirations of term of service. "You park the vehicles in the motor pool and nobody does anything for six months and a unit goes kaput."

Under sustainable readiness, a unit coming back will very quickly fall into a training plan to prepare them for the next rotation, which could be drastically different than the previous deployment.

As with 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, returning from Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait, "now you are going to Atlantic Resolve in Europe. What things and tasks do you have to do to go from one type of fight to the next type of fight?" Anderson said.

"Available windows don't mean as much anymore. If we need you -- then based on how we assess you -- you may find yourself going," he said. "We keep getting the calls to go in and do stuff; it takes everything we've got to get out there, so you may not be 'in the available window' when you get told to go."

Eventually, the Army's active force may grow to 540,000, but for now the service will have to cope with this increasing demand with 476,000, Anderson said.

"As the numbers go up, as we keep sending more [soldiers] incrementally into Iraq, it adds up fast, and my issue is the sustainability," he said, stressing the importance of the service's Total Army Concept, which depends on the National Guard and Reserve, not just the active force, to fulfill national-security needs.

"Without everybody in, we ain't going to make it," he added. "The 476,000 gives us a little bit of flex, but like I said it still keeps us in a moderate risk arena. It doesn't change it. It doesn't solve everything."

Anderson said, "A little bigger would be better, but something has got to give. At some point, you got to raise the end-strength or you've got to meter the demand."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
The Marine Corps has taken the brunt of the scrutiny for a scandal in which active-duty Marines apparently exploited and targeted female service members online. But in a message to Navy commanders Tuesday, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson made it clear that the root cause of the bad behavior is the Navy's problem, too.

The message, which came just hours after acting Navy Secretary Sean Stackley testified alongside Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller on Capitol Hill about their response to the scandal, challenged the notion that only a few bad apples were to blame for the uproar.

"I've heard hundreds of times that 'these actions are being taken by only a small minority,'" Richardson said. "Prove that."

The discovery of the offending Facebook pages had "shined a light" that a problem persists within the military, Richardson said.

"But we get reminders of it every day, when we disrespect women by crude jokes, wisecracks, sexual harassment, and in its worst manifestation, sexual assault -- a serious violent crime," he wrote in the message. "Despite a steady effort to get after this, we're not making progress."

He called on rank-and-file sailors to "become intolerant" and openly denounce sexist and degrading behavior, and do what they could to put a stop to it when they observed it. Commanding officers and other leaders, he wrote, should challenge their command leaders at the small team level to discuss what respect for fellow troops means in every setting, including online.

"Make it clear that individuals who can't live up to our professional standards in competence and character are not welcome in our Navy," he wrote. "Make it clear that our standards call us to a higher commitment than the law -- we are better than that."

It's not clear how many sailors may have been caught up in the current Facebook group investigation. It emerged in congressional testimony last week that Navy corpsmen were among the service members participating in the photo-sharing ring. But reports indicate that the activity has now spread to all service branches through a forum called Anon-IB, known for anonymous sharing of nude celebrity photographs.

Richardson's message was one of zero tolerance.

"There is no room in our Navy for toxic behavior," he wrote. "It makes us weaker, and cedes advantage to the enemy. Direct involvement of commanders and small unit leaders will help us stamp this out."

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Camp Lejeune Town Halls Aim to Help Those Exposed to Toxic Water. Heres How You Can Go.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger made it his mission to tell the world that if they lived or served on Camp Lejeune...
A California lawmaker plans to announce legislation tomorrow that would make it a crime for service members to share nude photos and other intimate images without consent, her office announced Wednesday.

Rep. Jackie Speier, a Democrat, will introduce the bill Thursday in a Capitol Hill press conference, joined by high-profile women's rights attorney Gloria Allred and Marine veteran Erika Butner, a self-identified victim of nonconsensual photo sharing.

The move comes after the Marine Corps was rocked earlier this month by revelations that active-duty Marines were implicated in a Facebook page, Marines United, that circulated a link to a folder of nude and compromising images of female service members.

Naval Criminal Investigative Service is investigating the page, which has since been shut down, and Marine Corps officials have said that those found guilty of participation in the illicit activities face prosecution under general misconduct orders and an order forbidding "indecent broadcasting" of images.

But in a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, lawmakers queried Commandant Gen. Robert Neller on whether the current statutes within the Uniform Code of Military Justice were enough to deal satisfactorily with the alleged crimes.

"That's something we're going to get into with this task force, if there are provisions within UCMJ that may need to be more specific about this particular type of potential offense," Neller told Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, referring to a task force the Marine Corps organized this month to determine next steps in the wake of the scandal.

Asked by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, if a code specifically addressing "revenge porn" was called for, Neller said it might be, though it wouldn't address the whole problem.

"I think that would be helpful in the accountability process," he said. "But again, some of these pictures of these women, they were fully clothed, and it's the commentary."

Speier's bill, the Servicemembers Intimate Privacy Protection Act, or SIPPA, would prohibit service members from sharing intimate images without the consent of the individual or individuals depicted, according to a release from her office. She plans to introduce the bill following a closed-door briefing on the Marines United fallout and investigation.

Erika Butner, the 23-year-old Marine veteran who will be appearing alongside Speier, went public in a March 8 press conference with Allred to self-identify as a victim of the Marines United page.

"I can tell you that this exact behavior leads to the normalization of sexual harassment and even sexual violence," she said, according to a Reuters report.

Speier has been a longtime advocate for female service members and civilians targeted my unofficial Marine Corps Facebook pages like Marines United. In 2013, she wrote a letter to then-Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Jim Amos demanding that he take action to stop the online targeting, objectification and harassment of women.

"The military cannot eradicate this problem without fundamentally changing its approach, including its tolerance of participation in these kinds of websites," she wrote at the time.

-- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck.
Three U.S. airmen were killed after a U-28 single-engine turboprop aircraft crashed during a training flight in New Mexico, Air Force officials announced Wednesday.

The airmen were assigned to the 318th Special Operations Squadron, an operational flying squadron part the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The crash occurred one quarter-mile east of Clovis Municipal Airport at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a release from the base. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss within our Air Commando family," Col. Ben Maitre, the installation commander, said in a release. "Our sympathies are with the loved ones and friends affected by this tragedy, and our team is focused on supporting them during this difficult time," he said.

The Air Force said identities of the aircrew are being withheld until their family members have been notified.

The 318th was activated in 2008 under Air Force Special Operations Command to provide "battlefield mobility for our special operations forces," according to then-Col. Timothy Leahy, the former wing commander. The unit is tasked to "fly a variety of light and medium aircraft known as Non-Standard Aviation," according to a service release. The squadron operates PC-12 aircraft -- designated as the U-28A in the Air Force -- for intra-theater airlift missions, the release said.

The U-28A is operated by the 319th, 34th and 318th Special Operations squadrons, according to the Air Force. Training is conducted by the 5th and 19th Special Operations squadron. The units are located at Cannon and Hurlburt Field, Florida.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
The estimated 400 U.S. Marines sent into Syria earlier this month to set up a firebase near Raqqa have yet to fire their M777 .155mm howitzers in support of Syrian Democratic Forces closing on the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State, a coalition spokesman said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, about 70 miles north of Raqqa, Army Rangers in the flashpoint town of Manbij have been eyeballing Russian troops on the city's outskirts daily but there have been no contacts between the Americans and the Russians, said Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for Combined joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.

Both the Rangers from the famed 75th Regiment and the Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were deployed into Syria as part of the plan by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, even as several forces with conflicting agendas converge in northeastern. Syria.

Last week in Turkey, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford met with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the Russian general staff, and Gen. Hulusi Akar, chief of the Turkish general staff, in an effort to iron out how their forces and the varying militias they support will proceed in what Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of CJTF-OIR, has called an increasingly "complicated battlefield."

Around Manbij, the Turkish military and the Free Syrian Army it supports, the forces of the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad backed by Russia, and the mostly Arab Manbij Military Council supported by the U.S. have all converged "within hand grenade range of one another," Townsend said earlier this month in a briefing to the Pentagon.

The volatile situation in northeastern Syria led the Trump administration to approve sending the conventional Marine force to bolster the mostly Special Forces contingent of about 500 already in Syria. Near Raqqa, the Marines were setting up a firebase similar to the one another Marine unit put in place last year in north-central Iraq to support the initial advance by the Iraqi Security Forces toward Mosul.

The Marines have yet to fire a round from their .155mm howitzers -- "not to my knowledge, I don't believe so," Dorrian said in a video briefing from Baghdad to the Pentagon.

However, the "all weather" fire support from the Marines' firebase was expected to come into play as the mixed Syrian Arab and Syrian Kurdish SDF completes the isolation phase of the operation against Raqqa, Dorrian said.

In Manbij, the Rangers and Stryker combat vehicles flying U.S. flags moved in earlier this month to provide a "visible presence" of U.S. forces as the Turkish military and Assad's troops backed by Russian ground elements advanced on the city.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to attack Manbij to eliminate any presence of the Syrian Kurdish YPG, or People's Protection Units, from the city.

Dorrian said the U.S. was daily using the "deconfliction channel" -- the hotline set up by the U.S. and Russia to avoid mishaps in air operations over Syria -- to avoid any "miscalculations" by the Russian ground troops and the Rangers.

"Both our forces and theirs (the Russians) are visible," Dorrian said. "They can and do see each other," but "they're not talking to each other. They're not hanging out together."

Through the deconfliction channel, "they tell us where they're going to be, we tell them where we're going to be and our forces do what they can to just stay away from each other," Dorrian said.

However, Dorrian said he could not rule out the risk of a clash between the Rangers and the Russians through misunderstanding or miscalculation.

"Certainly it's a concern. That is the reason we have this deconfliction channel," he said. "It's a concern of ours, it's quite clear it's a concern of theirs."

In Iraq, Dorrian said elements of the Iraqi forces were advancing in west Mosul against the Grand Mosque, where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in 2014.

"Momentum is clearly on the side of the ISF who are imposing their will" against the increasingly fractious ISIS defenders, Dorrian said. The coalition has seen signs of ISIS disarray in mounting a defense because of infighting between foreign-born ISIS fighters and the Iraqi militants of the terror group, he said.

"We do see them turn on each other on some occasions," he said.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

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When President Donald Trump arrives in Michigan on Wednesday, he'll find a state eager to cement its role as the heart of the U.S. automobile industry as it heads into its autonomous and connected vehicle revolution.

Trump, in turn, is signaling to the automotive leaders gathering with him for a conversation on jobs and emission standards that he's elevating mobility as a national business issue.

He's doing that through his choice of venue: The American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township.

The location also is notable, in the months after a contentious election that's left many people polarized along party lines, for its ability to pull officials in Michigan into bipartisan support as they seek federal funding.

The American Center for Mobility site evolved from a World War II bomber plant to a 5 million-square-foot factory for General Motors, before it was closed, razed and then sold to the state. The property, its remaining structures, and its infrastructure - like freeway access - are beginning a transformation into the country's first ground-up testing facility for automated and connected vehicles.

While a few other states have testing, "We're the only one that is purposely designed and constructed and ... (will be) operated as a connected and autonomous vehicle proving ground," John Maddox, CEO of the American Center for Mobility, said early this year.

Construction should start soon, as the ACM lines up private funding and partners.

Just as the mobility race is pushing the world's automakers quickly toward autonomous vehicles, setting up the testing infrastructure is critical for the U.S., Maddox said. That ensures that the investment, the creativity, the engineering work - and often the manufacturing - remains here, too.

"My biggest worry is that the U.S. will fall behind," Maddox said in the earlier interview. "And that other countries will leapfrog in front of us."

He continued: "The U.S. transportation system is the lifeblood of our economy."

With advances in vehicle communication and autonomous development, "we'll see reductions in costs of moving goods and people. If we don't (realize that potential), other countries will.

"That could make us less competitive internationally."

After the election Trump was critical of both the auto industry for its non-US manufacturing expansion and of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which affects many US automakers with significant facilities and supplier systems in Canada and Mexico.

Since then, he's met with auto leaders and forged relationships. Also since the first of the year, several automakers have announced shifts to more US-centered investment and production. In early January, that totaled $2.7 billion - with more following, including cross-company collaborations for autonomous vehicles and alternative fuel development.

Michigan is benefitting from that, notably through General Motors and Ford production changes for electric vehicles and innovation.

"This state has always been a trailblazer in the automotive industry," said Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, who will join Trump in meetings and other events associated with the president's visit.

Today, Snyder said, it's doing that by creating places where the auto industry - notably its engineering base, which is growing in Michigan - can advance its vehicle technology. That includes business collaboration tools, the branding of the state's mobility efforts under the Planet M brand, and the development of M-City at the University of Michigan.

Meanwhile, Trump is coming to a community that's long celebrated its blue collar roots, thanks in large part to the influx of factory workers to the former Willow Run plant. It employed 42,000 at its peak during World War II, with many people staying in the community. Today, Ypsilanti Township is the second-largest municipality in Washtenaw County, with 53,000 people living there amid region-leading residential growth.

While the township voters most recently cast nearly three times as many votes for Hillary Clinton as for Trump, the streets of Ypsilanti Township closest to the former Willow Run plant voted 4.5 times more for the Democratic challenger in the 2016 presidential election.

Yet it's not a place where politics got in the way of the state's plans for the ACM. Trump's visit - his first to Michigan as president - comes just a few months after the Willow Run groundbreaking. Snyder shared a stage with the state's top Democrats and sat next to Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Brenda Stumbo as all celebrated the potential of the closed factory site.

She said that on that day, no one put politics over passion for the creation of the America Center for Mobility. She hopes that spirit will be present on Wednesday as Trump gets his up-close look at the facility and hears about its potential.

"It takes a team to work together toward goals, regardless of the political part," Stumbo said. "This has everything to do with the future of our community and our state."

Stumbo said this history of the factory makes it a fitting place for an event where Trump will talk about US auto manufacturing and its future.

More than 70 years ago, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited the site as the giant factory turned out B-24 bombers for World War II.

At that time, he was a Democratic president serving a nation united in a war effort. Willow Run, built in Washtenaw County by Henry Ford because it was Republican territory, was becoming crucial to the defense of the U.S.

The country, along with Ford and Roosevelt, united over the priority for the U.S. on that property: Building the Liberator planes.

Today's leaders have a chance to unite over the future of the nation's auto industry and how connected and autonomous will change transportation - and save lives.

"I hope they can see and learn the history of what it was," Stumbo said, citing the 59-minute production cycle for the B-24 in the 1940s.

"It was so innovative and visionary," she said, noting that's happening with the site's repurposing.

The technology is close; so is the opportunity to set the ACM on the track the US auto industry - and Michigan - needs.

"It takes everyone working together to make something happen regardless of politics," Stumbo said.

"President Trump needs to see the vision and value from having the proving ground and testing facility in our community," she continued. "And I think he will."
BIRMINGHAM, MI - Metro Detroit native Dax Shepard tells us some of the places he likes to go to when he's back home visiting.

Shepard was born in a hospital in Ypsilanti and raised in Highland and Milford. He graduated high school from Walled Lake Central in 1993. Shepard is married to actress Kristen Bell. She's from Huntington Woods, Michigan. The two actually met at a Detroit Red Wings game against the Kings in Los Angeles.

Shepard stars in the upcoming movie "CHiPs." He also wrote and directed the film, which is in theaters on March 24, 2017. You also know Shepard from such movies as "Without a Paddle," "Idiocracy," "Employee of the Month," "Baby Mama," "The Freebie," "The Judge" and "This Is Where I Leave You." He also portrayed Crosby Braverman for six seasons on the hit NBC series "Parenthood."

Prior to "CHIPS," Shepard wrote, directed and starred in two feature films: "Hit & Run" and "Brother's Justice."

Among the places Shepard says he loves in the 30 second video above are Highland House ("best salad and breadsticks on the planet") and Lafayette Coney Island. We also talked to Shepard and fellow "CHiPs" star Michael Pena about the movie and will bring you that interview next week on MLive.com.
AAPD Twitter

A screenshot shows the Ann Arbor Police Department's new Twitter account.

(Darcie Moran | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR, MI - The Ann Arbor Police Department helped themselves to a slice of Pi Day fun when they joined Twitter on Tuesday, March 14.

In perhaps the ultimate dad joke, the department's inaugural tweet was both a salute to the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and fellow, though fictional, crime-fighter Thomas Magnum.

In short, using the handle @A2Police, the department tweeted a drawing of the Greek letter for pi adorned with a moustache and the label "MAGNUM PI."

"What better day than #PiDay for our #firstTweet," the tweet read.

Magnum was a private investigator played by actor Tom Selleck in the 1980 Hawaii-based television series "Magnum, P.I."

Ann Arbor police Sgt. William Clock, who helps handle the department's social media presence, said the department decided to join Twitter in part to further its direct contact with city residents.

While the department started a Facebook page and joined the neighborhood-focused website Nextdoor in March 2016, Clock says police know younger audiences - including their own kids - are frequently on Twitter.

"The Facebook pages work pretty well, but I know Twitter gets used," he said.

When the department first dipped its toes into the waters of social media, Ann Arbor Police Chief Jim Baird said the move would allow the department to address rumors or safety concerns more publicly and at a faster pace.

Clock said the Twitter account will be used in similar fashion to the department's Facebook page, and may be used to release information on traffic incidents and road closures.
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - Washtenaw County Commissioner Michelle Deatrick is helping organize a protest of President Donald Trump when he visits Ypsilanti Township on Wednesday, March 15.

"We are expecting several hundred people, which is a big number on such short notice," said Deatrick, a Democrat from Superior Township and lead organizer with a group called Michigan to Believe In.

Trump's visit was announced Monday and organizers have acted quickly to plan a peaceful protest, details of which are now available.

Protesters are expected to arrive by 12:45 p.m. or so and gather at 1 p.m. across from 2601 Airport Drive off Wiard Road.

Trump is expected to meet with automakers Wednesday afternoon and speak at the site of a future autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility known as the the American Center for Mobility, otherwise known as the former Willow Run auto plant. He's expected to announce a new review of federal fuel-economy and emissions rules in response to concerns from automakers that they might not be able to meet longterm goals set by the Obama administration.

Michigan to Believe In is encouraging protesters to carpool, as their options for parking near the site along the side of the road are limited.

The group's Facebook page for the protest, as of early Tuesday night, indicated more than 300 were going, and 1,200 were interested.

The group expressed thanks to the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office for helping to find an effective and safe gathering spot.

A map shared by the group indicates parking will be available along the side of Wiard Road and the exit to Airport Drive, as well as along the north side of Airport Drive. The Tyler-Airport Drive loop is expected to be partially closed off by Secret Service, so protesters are told they must arrive by driving north on Wiard Road and then exiting onto Airport Drive.

Protest organizers also have arranged two carpool lots with sympathetic business owners, Deatrick said. The map shows one of those lots nearby at 1620 Beverly Ave. and another nearby at Airport Industrial Drive.

"We hope to have a shuttle car going back and forth from the one on Airport Industrial Drive if traffic isn't too bad," Deatrick said.

"Because it's come up with a few people, I do want to be clear that, of course, I'm not organizing this event in any kind of official capacity for the county."

Michigan to Believe In is a grassroots coalition of progressive activists based in the Ann Arbor area and is dedicated to furthering Bernie Sanders' vision of social, economic and environmental justice.

The coalition of organizations led by Michigan to Believe In that is coordinating the protest includes Progressive EMU, Progressives at the University of Michigan and We the People of Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor.

In a media release Tuesday afternoon, the group indicated it expects protesters from around Michigan to greet Trump when he arrives in Ypsilanti Township.

The coalition is stressing the environmental importance of retaining stronger fuel-efficiency standards put in place under the Obama administration to increase fuel economy to 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks by 2025.

Those standards, the group argues, represent the single-largest action by any country to address climate change, and Trump's apparent willingness to consider rolling back those standards has the group worried.

"It's tragic that President Trump is treating our beautiful planet with such disdain and short-sightedness," Deatrick said. "Michigan to Believe In stands in support of President Obama's increased fuel-efficiency standards, and we are demonstrating in hope that our elected officials and business leaders will realize that Michigan is more than ready to end our devastating dependence on fossil fuels. Green energy is our future, and we should be embracing it."

Ginny Rogers, chairwoman of the Ann Arbor Citizens' Climate Lobby, also expressed disappointment in the Trump administration's consideration of relaxing fuel-efficiency standards, saying she's dismayed the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, disputes basic scientific facts about the impacts of carbon emissions on climate.

"Climate change is the most urgent problem our country faces and we must work to quickly reduce emissions," Rogers said in a news release. "Relaxing fuel-efficiency standards will take us in the wrong direction."
Chelsea Entrance.jpg

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Michigan Medicine have announced plans to establish a joint venture for the 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital (pictured).

CHELSEA, MI - Saint Joseph Mercy Health System and Michigan Medicine have announced plans to establish a joint venture for the 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital, located in Chelsea.

The two parties have signed a letter of intent launching a due diligence period during which final details of the joint venture are determined, the health systems announced in a joint release Wednesday, March 15.

"Michigan Medicine wants to partner with health care organizations that deliver high quality and high value," said Dr. David Spahlinger, president of the University of Michigan Health System, in a news release.

"Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has a long-standing, positive reputation for delivering high-quality care to their communities. We look forward to working together on improving health care access and quality for the local community and the entire state."

With the signing of the letter of intent, the two parties will begin working out the terms of a definitive agreement under which both SJMHS and Michigan Medicine will have an interest in St Joseph Mercy Chelsea. SJMHS will maintain control and manage hospital operations, including appointing its leaders.

All St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea hospital staff will remain SJMHS employees, and no staff reductions will take place as a result of this agreement. SJMC also will retain its Catholic identity and continue to abide by the Ethical and Religious Directives.

The joint venture allows the two health systems to join forces and strengthen care delivery between the statewide network of Trinity Health's tertiary and health care facilities, and the center's highly specialized, complex care cases.

"This emerging relationship is groundbreaking in Michigan, " said Rob Casalou, regional president and CEO, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, in a news release. "Patient-centered collaboration is in the best interests of our communities. Together we can offer high-quality care locally and higher levels of specialized care when necessary."

If approved, the potential agreement would expand the surgical procedures Michigan Medicine provides at the Chelsea hospital. The agreement also would increase access to UM physicians for patients in Chelsea and elsewhere in western Washtenaw County.

"We are excited to bring our capabilities closer to patients," said Dr. Spahlinger. "We have long cared for patients who live in the greater Chelsea area - but who travel to and from Ann Arbor for their care. With this affiliation, Chelsea-area patients will have expanded care choices closer to home."

"The planned joint venture expands upon years of successful collaboration between our two organizations with the inpatient family medicine teaching service and faculty practice on the St Joseph Mercy Chelsea campus," said Nancy Graebner, president and CEO, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.

This agreement is part of a larger statewide strategy between Trinity Health-owned Mercy Health, Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, and Michigan Medicine. These expanded relationships follow the February announcement of a professional services agreement between Mercy Health cardiothoracic surgery and the department of cardiac surgery at Michigan Medicine.


PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI - Police have identified a 16-year-old Pittsfield Township boy as a suspect in an arson Saturday, March 11 at a mosque in the Ypsilanti area.

The fire at about 5 p.m. Saturday destroyed the Islamic Center of Ypsilanti, 5909 W. Michigan Ave. in Pittsfield Townsip. The center also serves as a mosque.

The Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and FBI in a joint investigation identified a teen as a suspect in both the March 11 fire at the Islamic Center and another fire early Feb. 27 at a vacant house at 5875 W. Michigan Avenue.

Police do not believe it was a hate crime.

"After thorough review of evidence and investigative information...the two fires are not considered to be motivated by a bias against any race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity and are therefore not hate crimes," Pittsfield Township Police said in a release.

The teen and his parents cooperated with investigators and agreed to an interview, said Pittsfield Township Director of Public Safety Matthew Harshberger. He was released into the custody of his parents pending charges.

Police submitted both incidents to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for review.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and Pittsfield Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal spoke in support of Muslims after the fire.
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - Hundreds of sign-carrying demonstrators gathered Wednesday afternoon near the former Willow Run auto plant in Ypsilanti Township to protest Donald Trump's first visit to Michigan as president.

Standing in the freezing cold along Airport Drive, protesters loudly chanted "love trumps hate" and voiced a wide range of objections to Trump, including on issues of immigration, health care, civil rights and climate change.

"Climate change is real. Most scientists agree," said Ann Arbor resident Richard Gaeth, who carried a sign with a similar message. "To question that, to question science as a basis for policymaking, is asinine."

At times, the protesters' drumming and chanting was drowned out by patriotic music blasting from speakers on the back of a trailer hauled in by Trump supporter Rob Cortis, who made the drive from Livonia with his "Trump Unity Bridge."

20 protest signs from Trump's first Michigan visit as president

University of Michigan student detained after damaging Trump supporter's flag

Cortis was joined by a small handful of other Trump supporters. Though small in numbers, they were by far the loudest with their PA system.

Cortis' trailer was decked out with pro-Trump messages and American flags, as well as a replica of the Statue of Liberty and a motorcycle that Cortis, who wore a Make America Great Again hat, revved loudly.

Later, as protesters booed and shouted at him, Cortis spoke from the PA system, his voice echoing through the crowd.

A coalition of organizations led by Michigan to Believe In organized the protest and coordinated parking along roadways and at nearby lots. The Sheriff's Office was on hand keeping an eye on the protest, which mostly remained peaceful, other than some shouting at the Trump supporters. Cortis also alleged that some protesters who had their faces covered were trying to steal items from his trailer, including flags.

The protest group's lead organizer, Washtenaw County Commissioner Michelle Deatrick, said they were demonstrating in hopes that elected officials and business leaders will realize Michigan is ready to end dependence on fossil fuels.

Some of the protesters were there to voice opposition to rolling back federal fuel-efficiency standards, stressing the environmental importance of retaining standards put in place under the Obama administration.

Those standards, the protesters argued, are important to lower vehicle emissions, reduce pollution and address climate change.

But some of the sentiments expressed by protesters also were about larger concerns with Trump and the direction he's taking the country.

Jason Morgan, a Washtenaw County commissioner from Ann Arbor, attended the protest, saying Trump has consistently shown disregard for American workers and families, the environment and any sense of honesty.

While he hopes Trump's visit will highlight the importance of federal support for the American Center for Mobility, near where Trump was speaking Wednesday, Morgan said he protested because Trump needs to know the community will stand up and stand together against his effort to "rip healthcare away from 24 million Americans."
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, MI - President Donald Trump recalled the history of the Willow Run site, home of the iconic Rosie the Riveter, during his stop in Ypsilanti Township Wednesday.

After a roundtable with automotive officials, Trump took to the stage under a banner that said "Buy American-Hire American" and flanked by automobiles like the Ford F-150 and University of Michigan's MCity autonomous vehicle.

He spoke to a crowd of around 3,000 made up of autoworkers and local and state officials in Hangar 1 of Willow Run Airport, near the future site of The American Center for Mobility's autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility.

"There's nothing more beautiful than an American-made car," he said, prompting a roar from the crowd.

After announcing a review of vehicle emission standards, one of the last executive acts made by former President Barack Obama, Trump touched on the site of his first visit to Michigan since being inaugurated as 45th president.

Willow Run's original purpose was a manufacturing facility created by Henry Ford ahead of World War II and has long been recognized as the home of Rosie the Riveter, the iconic figure of the war effort, when the factory built bombers.

"Thousands of American workers filled this very building to build the new airplanes, the B-24 liberators," said Trump.

Some of those thousands were women who joined the war effort, including Rose Will Monroe, the inspiration for the Rosie the Riveter character pictured flexing her muscles under the slogan: "We can do it!"

"So I ask you today to join me in daring to believe that this facility, this city and this nation will once again shine with industrial might," Trump said. "I'm asking all of the companies here today to join us in this new industrial revolution. Let us put American workers, American families and American dreams first again."

Trump left the stage about 20 minutes after his entrance, and is scheduled for events in Nashville, Tenn. later today.

Willow Run was later sold to General Motors, which operated an automotive factory there, and it closed in 2010.

The property is now being leased to The American Center for Mobility, an organization first introduced by Gov. Rick Snyder in January 2016. It is a joint initiative of the State of Michigan, including the Michigan Department of Transportation, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor SPARK and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

Six members of the Ypsilanti Township Planning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary site plan submitted by ACM at the regular meeting Tuesday, March 14, which includes a concept plan and details on what construction will take place over the next five years at the facility at 2930 Ecorse Rd

Phase 1 includes a 2.5-mile test track with tests speeds up to 65 to 70 miles per hour, a testing area and limited campus improvements. The property would also include a tech park with buildings designed for operational and testing support and a cyber security lab, with support from AT&T.

The concept plan for the facility shows sections offering different traffic scenarios, such as a rural section with trees lining the street and an urban section featuring buildings, variable lighting, traffic signals and a six-lane intersection with test speeds up to 50 miles per hour.

The site, estimated to be open Dec. 1, has already been named a national proving ground by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Mike Radzik, the township's director of community standards, said it was the first proposal for the site brought to the planning commission and the plans for Willow Run are a reminder of its first purpose.

"It was originally constructed by Henry Ford, as part of the war effort, at a critical time in our country's history, in an effort to win World War I," Radzik said. "Now it's come full circle, because it was demolished and now here we have the future of automotive technology back in the forefront as a national proving ground."

The planning commission had some specific questions about the confidentiality screening to go around the perimeter of the site to protect the intellectual property of ACM and its customers, Radzik added, but was overall satisfied with the information ACM representatives provided at an earlier work session.

"It's fair to say the planning commission hasn't seen a project as unique as the American Center for Mobility," Radzik said. "We're very, very happy this is moving forward."
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Protesters gather outside of Willow Run Airport on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, where President Trump met with auto executives to announce that he is challenging current auto emission standards put in place by the Obama administration. Hunter Dyke | The Ann Arbor News

ANN ARBOR, MI - President Donald Trump told the audience at the American Center for Mobility in Ypsilanti Township he wants the United States to be the "car capital of the world again."

Trump announced Wednesday, March 15, that he is planning to make good on that goal in part by challenging the current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) emissions targets that were a centerpiece of former President Barack Obama's strategy to combat global warming.

"We're going to work on the CAFE standards so you can make cars in America again," Trump said. "There is no more beautiful sight than an American-made car."

University of Michigan professors believe Trump's announcement to re-examine federal requirements that regulate the fuel efficiency of new cars and trucks could benefit the auto industry - particularly in Michigan - but would stunt progress in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

The EPA under Obama's stewardship had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 54.5 mpg by 2025, according to the Associated Press.

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

Back in 2012, the Obama set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025. The administration agreed to complete a midterm evaluation in 2018.

But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025, according to The Associated Press. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump announced Wednesday that he's putting that midterm review back on track, so that officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

Don Grimes, a senior research specialist at the UM's Institute for Research on Labor, Employment and the Economy, said Trump's challenging of the CAFE emissions targets would likely be beneficial to Michigan's economy.

"Michigan makes a lot of trucks and SUVs, so that would probably help the Michigan economy and in particular, the auto industry overall," Grimes said. "The fuel standards are very expensive in terms of the technology involved, and are adverse for the product mix.

"The auto industry wants to be able to respond to the consumer and not government references," he added. "The problem with the CAFE targets is that the number of people buying larger vehicles, especially SUVs and pickups, has increased over time. So if you're running a business, you want to sell a product that people want to buy, not one that is mandated by Washington."

Barry Rabe, a professor at UM's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, agreed that loosening fuel economy standards would benefit the economy in Michigan on a short-term basis, but wondered how changes to emission targets would impact automobile manufacturing in the long haul.

"I think short-term, this could indeed deliver significant benefits for Michigan, because so much of the manufacturing here is concentrated on less fuel-efficient vehicles," Rabe said. "The long term is more uncertain. You have to wonder what happens with energy prices and consumer demand. Do electric vehicles have a future, or do they fade away?

"The danger is if the Big Three double down on SUV and truck production because of the profits," he added. "Long-term, it's more difficult to know if that's going to be beneficial. Is low fuel efficiency really the wave of the future?"

Rabe said Trump's announcement affects more than CAFE emission targets, including a tailpipe emissions program of the Clean Air Act, which was integrated with CAFE standards by Obama in 2010.

Trump's decision, Rabe said, reflects a major reversal for American vehicle production from its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continues a recent pattern of relying on executive agency actions rather than involving Congress or the states.

"It's a very interesting pivot in terms of policy, moving away from a hallmark move by the Obama administration to bring together the tailpipe emissions program and push that aggressively in their climate strategy," Rabe said. "That was done without Congress. So what we have is one executive perhaps reversing what his predecessor did a few months ago."

While the Trump administration has not said explicitly it wants to weaken the standards, a senior White House official said the Obama-era EPA had ignored reams of data cited by the automotive industry, according to The Associated Press.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents a dozen major car manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota, last month urged EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to relax the standards, saying they will drive up car costs, price customers out of the market and depress the industry. Obama's EPA had argued the costs to consumers were mitigated by gas savings and that the rules would decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Andre L. Boehman, a UM professor of mechanical engineering and director of the W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory, said this development opens the door for the EPA under Pruitt to reject the standards on a variety of bases.

Boehman said it makes sense to support strict fuel economy standards regardless of Trump's stance on global warming, because they lead to savings in fuel costs and improvements in the nation's energy security.

"These fuel economy standards are aggressive, but the automakers have made really significant strides toward increasing fuel economy in passenger cars, SUVs and other light duty vehicles in recent years," Boehman said in an email. "The pressure put on the industry to meet these future greenhouse gas emissions standards has resulted in the implementation of many innovations -- high efficiency gasoline direct injection engines, lightweighting of vehicles, start-stop and other hybridization technologies -- some of which were on their way into the market already, but some of which were accelerated by this pressure."

As a member of the committee of stakeholders appointed by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Science that initially investigated CAFE standards costs, UM Professor of Mechanical Engineering Anna Stefanopoulou said the committee's report in 2015 essentially concluded that advances in technology would come down in price enough for automakers to economically meet the targets.

Stefanopoulou, the director of the UM Automotive Research Center, said loosening the CAFE emission targets will provide a "breathing break" to automakers, particularly those that are behind or struggling to achieve the proposed fuel economy standards.

"Staying behind a well laid out schedule that has many global players is inconsistent with growing economy," she said. "The right thing to do is to recognize the problem, embrace new technology and become the leaders instead of complaining about the targets."
Essexville-GarberSchool.JPG

Garber High School.

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ESSEXVILLE, MI -- In a show of solidarity, the entire Essexville-Hampton Public School District has sent a letter to state officials opposing any and all modification of the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement system.

In a 7-0 vote, the Essexville-Hampton Board of Education on Monday, March 13, affirmed a letter drafted by the Essexville-Hampton Education Association, the Essexville-Hampton Administrative Association, Essexville-Hampton Educational Support Personnel, Essexville-Hampton Custodial Maintenance, Essexville-Hampton Bus Drivers, and other non-bargaining staff.

"We have decided that the time has come for all of us to stand together and advocating for our students to have the best possible education," said Superintendent Matthew T. Cortez. "That education has been and needs to continue to be in public schools. This letter has been emailed to our state representative, senator, governor, lieutenant governor, state superintendent, State Board of Education, and some various other groups and people."

In bullet-point format, the letter addresses several issues its authors feel deal with "the war on public education."

The letter reads as follows:

The defunding, removal, underfunding, or modification of the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement system is unwarranted and unacceptable in any way, shape, or form. In 2012, Michigan Legislature passed reforms and revisions that were meant to stabilize and fund our retirement system. These measures were not easily afforded by our employees and has helped to fuel a teacher shortage. A career in education in Michigan is no longer a "desired" pathway, any further cuts have the potential to make our shortage a crisis. Please leave the retirement fund alone.

The continued underfunding and increasing of mandated reports within public education has to stop. We are wasting valuable time and money on reporting various items to comply with the law, which is outdated and antiquated. Our children deserve a proper public education, which has long been defined as the great equalizer of the social class system. Studies, commissions, and reports have, and continue to indicate the tremendous lack of funding in public education. We ask for you to be bold and take action to rectify this situation.

Charter schools are not working on a large scale. They need to be held as equally accountable as their public school counterparts are held. Despite being held less accountable, yet receiving the same amount of funding, the majority of charter schools fail to properly educate our children. Please undo the tremendous harm that has been done to public schooling by holding any publically funded school equally responsible for their students' education. If the schools have not, are not, and have no solid plan to perform better, then they should be closed.

We thank you all for your time, dedication, and understanding. The war on public education needs to end. We must allow for our public schools to become the learning institutions and providers of knowledge that our children deserve. We must bring Michigan back as one of the top states in our country for education and this cannot be accomplished without your help and positive leadership.

The letter ends with the signatures of Cortez and 12 others.
CANTON TOWNSHIP -- Busch's Fresh Food Market is opening a new location in Canton Township on Wednesday with, for the first time, a restaurant inside.

The 54,000-square-foot store at 225 S. Canton Center Road will host a grand opening on Friday, marking the Ann Arbor grocery chain's 16th location.

The opening comes more than three years later than expected.

Late 2013 was the initial target, but a company executive said last year the project was delayed because other Busch's stores needed upgrades.

The new Busch's will open inside a former Farmer Jack location, which closed in 2007 when that Michigan grocery chain shut down.

The store will offer an expanded produce department, more than 200 locally sourced products, baked breads, bulk food stations, fresh sushi, a hot Asian bowls stand, a hot food and salad bar, a gelateria with authentic Italian gelato, a juicery, Indian and Halal cuisine and a Starbucks kiosk.

"We are providing opportunities to 200 employees," said Busch's Chairman John Busch. "We look forward to seeing the community come together, while enjoying all the new selections our one-of-a-kind store has to offer."

The chain's very first restaurant, J.B.'s Smokehouse, seats 170 people and will be open on Wednesday, featuring St. Louis-style barbecue ribs, Texas-style beef brisket, North Carolina-style pulled pork, mac 'n cheese, sweet potato coins and fried McClure's pickles.

"We proudly use ingredients you can pronounce and when we say locally made, we mean it," Executive Chef Todd Buchanan said in a news release. "Our barbecue is smoked for hours on local Michigan hardwoods, in our very own building, with flavors you'll fall in love with."

The restaurant features a full bar with 22 Michigan draft beers and happy hour prices running Monday through Friday from 3p.m. to 6 p.m. It will also offer outdoor patio seating during warmer months.

A ribbon cutting with the Canton Chamber of Commerce will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday. The first 150 shoppers will receive local goodie bags and anyone who signs up for Busch's "MyWay" program will receive a free case of water and an entry to win free groceries for a year.
ROMULUS -- President Donald Trump arrived at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Wednesday afternoon for his first visit to Michigan since taking office.

Trump is scheduled to meet with automotive leaders at the American Center for Mobility at 2 p.m. in Ypsilanti Township.

He is expected to announce a new review of vehicle fuel efficiency rules after concerns from automakers about meeting goals set by the Obama Administration.

The site of the visit, known as the former Willow Run auto plant, is the future home to an autonomous and connected vehicle testing facility.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said she plans to meet the president during the visit to talk about infrastructure and water funding.

"Infrastructure - I hope," Weaver said. "He said infrastructure was a priority for him and it is a priority for us here in Flint. I would hope that would be a big part of the conversation."

Trump's visit is expected to bring in hundreds of protesters to the site.

When the visit was announced, organizers immediately planned for a demonstration to take place between 12:45 p.m. and 1 p.m. across from 2601 Airport Drive off Wiard Road.

The former Willow Run property's initial purpose was a country retreat created by Henry Ford for inner-city youth, and later housed production facilities for Ford Motor Co.

It was then owned and operated by General Motors, however, after decades of manufacturing there, including B-24 bomber planes during World War II and GM vehicle parts, the site closed in December 2010.

The site remained empty for several years after closing. More on the Willow Run history here.
In this Monday, March 13, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump listens during a meeting on healthcare in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington.

FLINT, MI -- Mayor Karen Weaver says she has accepted an invitation to meet with President Trump in Ypsilanti Township during his visit today, March 15.

Weaver issued a statement on the meeting, which says the Flint water crisis will be a topic of discussion.

"I'm thankful that President Donald Trump reached out to me to discuss the Flint Water Crisis. I will be asking the President to do all things within his power to make our city whole and great again after the horrific man-made injustice that was caused here," the statement says.

"I will not rest until the residents and businesses that I have the pleasure of serving are able to drink, cook and bathe with water straight from the tap which is a basic human right."

Trump visited Flint during the 2016 presidential campaign, stopping at a local church and the city water plant.
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MLive.com File Photo

(Sean Work | The Flint Journal)

Story submitted by George Jaksa

FLINT -- The Ancient Order of Hibernians are skipping their annual Irish food fare this year as they prepare to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March 17.

Instead of the typical corned beef and cabbage led-menu, the Hibernians will offer meatless mostaccioli and ravioli and tuna casserole at the top of their offerings for followers when they celebrate the feast day of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.

Since St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday this year and since Catholics are asked to abstain from eating meat on the six Fridays of Lent, the Hibernians have come up with a menu that recognizes the Lenten instruction.

Meanwhile, to still sell corned beef and Swiss sandwiches on rye, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties has moved up its annual fundraiser in Flint to Thursday, March 16, to keep its traditional fare.

The meatless menu is not the only change in this year's Hibernians' celebration. Because the former St. Michael and Schools of Choice building, where the Hibernians' celebrated after Mass for the last three years, is under renovation, the venue is moving several blocks south to the St. Matthew Catholic Church Hall where the 36th annual party will be held.

But those changes aren't stopping the Irish and not so Irish from a full-throated celebration beginning with the traditional 12:02 p.m. Mass in St. Michael Catholic Church, North Saginaw Street at West Fifth Avenue. Bishop Earl Boyea of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and area priests will offer the liturgy honoring St. Patrick.

After Mass, participants will walk three blocks south to McFarlan Park where Patrick Fergerson, this year's grand marshal, will lay a wreath and offer a few remarks.

Then, it's on to St. Matthew Church Hall for Irish scones, rolls, juice and coffee at 1:30 p.m. before the dinner menu is rolled out and the party hits full stride. Music will be offered by Equinox, there will be Irish dancers and a cash bar to go along with the food.

The formal program will wrap up with the annual Pot 'O Gold four-mile run and walk which will begin and end at the Masonic Temple at South Saginaw and Fourth Streets in downtown Flint. The race begins at 6 p.m., preceded at 5:30 p.m. by a Little Blarney Kids run. After the race through downtown, Flint participants will return to the Masonic Temple for an awards program and party.

Registrations for the race are being taken at Complete Runner, 915 S. Dort Highway, Flint.

There will be other awards and citations during the day, starting at Mass where winners of the Miss Hibernia contest will be introduced and given their scholarships. A panel of five judges chose the top three finishers from a field of 11 candidates at a pre-St. Patrick's Day party February 11 at Dom Polski Hall in Mt. Morris Township.

Jenna Holt, 21, a 2013 graduate of Davison High School and now a senior at Northwood University, was chosen as Miss Hibernia. She is the daughter of Timothy and Rebecca Holt of Davison Township and will receive a $1,300 scholarship.

First runner-up is Madeline Rasberry, 18, a 2016 graduate of Davison High School and now a freshman at University of Michigan-Flint. She is the daughter of Tim and Margaret Rasberry of Davison Township and will receive a $700 scholarship.

Second runner-up is Francine Staudacher, 18, a senior at Powers Catholic High School who plans to study business at Loyola University in Chicago in the fall. She is the daughter of Thomas and Regina Staudacher of Fenton and will receive a $500 scholarship.

Also to be honored are Jim Petroskey, of Clio, chosen as Irish Father of the Year, and Margaret McGovern Daly, of Grand Blanc Township, chosen as Irish Mother of the year.

Petroskey is the grandfather of Grand Marshal Fergerson and a member of the Sullivan & O'Sullivan Division of the Hibernians of Genesee County. Although his father was Polish, Petroskey, a widower for almost three years, said his mother was Irish.

"My mother's maiden name was Fitzgerald. You can't get any more Irish than that," he said.

Daly's late husband, Dick, was a founding member of the Sullivan & O'Sullivan Division of the Hibernians and the 1985 grand marshal of the local St. Patrick's Day celebration.

Margaret Daly designed and painted the cover for the annual St. Patrick's Day Mass program for about the first 15 years of the celebration's 36 years.

The Hibernians are reviving giving a local Hibernian of the Year award and this year will give it to Joseph Dunn of Grand Blanc for his longtime service to the local group. The Hibernians also are expected to make a community award again this year so there will be plenty of honors to go around along with the annual celebration.
Shautez Lawson

FLINT, MI - A Flint man has been found guilty of killing a man when no one would play a dice game with him.

On Tuesday, March 14, in Genesee County Circuit Court, a 12-person jury convicted Shautez James Lawson, 29, of five felony charges in relation the August 2015 fatal shooting of 28-year-old Edward Johnson Jr., including:

Involuntary manslaughter

Assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder

Carrying a concealed weapon

Felon in possession of a firearm

Felony firearm.

According to testimony at trial, Lawson and a group of others were gambling with dice at a home on East Baltimore Boulevard in Flint when Lawson left to get more money.

When he returned, he challenged others to continue the gambling, but nobody was interested, prosecutors said.

As the group was getting ready to leave and began to scatter, prosecutors said Lawson pulled a gun and began shooting.

Johnson was found at the home shot to death, while several others were injured -- including one person who was listed in critical condition at Hurley Medical Center.

Lawson's attorney, Christopher J. McGrath, was not immediately available for comment.

Police also arrested Shonbria McMillian, 22, in relation to the shooting. She pleaded guilty to a charge of lying to a peace officer in late February and is scheduled for sentencing before Judge Judith Fullerton on Monday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m.

McMillian is currently out on bond.

"Obviously, we are pleased with today's verdict," said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. "Shautez Lawson has a violent criminal past and for the safety of our community, he needs to be locked up in state prison for a very long time," he said.

In 2007, Lawson - a teen at the time - faced the possibility of life in prison for carjacking and kidnapping.

He was released from the Michigan Department of Corrections in August 2013, records show.

Due to his status as a habitual offender, Lawson faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m. in Judge Judith Fullerton's courtroom.
WARNING: Graphic images in the story.

FLINT, MI -- Two people have been arraigned on charges related to a dog found dead with its face and feet bound with electrical tape.

Jessica Lou Brown, 18, and Nathan Chase McCue, 21, were arraigned by Genesee District Judge Mark McCabe via video from the Genesee County Jail on Wednesday, March 15, on one felony charge each of killing and torturing an animal.

The pair faces a potential sentence of up to four years each in state prison.

During the subsequent hearings, both Brown and McCue spoke only briefly to answer the judge's questions and request court-appointed attorneys. McCue appeared on-screen wearing an anti-suicide smock.

Bond for both is set at $10,000 each, with the stipulation of zero contact with, ownership of, or possession of any animal, McCabe said.

A passerby spotted the deceased mixed-breed Shih Tzu on March 8, approximately 40 yards from the South Creek Mobile Home Park in Vienna Township.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell launched an investigation into the case and said the animal appeared to have been in the area for a length of time before it was found.

"It is imperative the individual responsible for this gruesome act is caught, and not allowed to do this to another defenseless animal," Pickell previously said. "This is truly one of the most disturbing cases I have seen in my years of law enforcement."

A probable cause conference for Brown and McCue is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 before Judge Vikki Bayeh-Haley.
FLINT, MI - Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said she plans to talk about infrastructure and water funding with President Donald Trump during his visit to Michigan today.

"Infrastructure - I hope," Weaver said. "He said infrastructure was a priority for him and it is a priority for us here in Flint. I would hope that would be a big part of the conversation."

President Trump is in Ypsilanti Township for a visit today, March 15.

Weaver issued a statement on the meeting, which says the Flint water crisis will be a topic of discussion.

"I'm thankful that President Donald Trump reached out to me to discuss the Flint Water Crisis. I will be asking the President to do all things within his power to make our city whole and great again after the horrific man-made injustice that was caused here," the statement says.

Weaver spoke to the media on Wednesday during a news conference about the city's community outreach and resident education program.

"I know one of the other things that is on his agenda is public safety and I'd like to talk about that as well," Weaver said of his visit with President Trump. "I also want to let him know I appreciate the money not being held up from the federal government that we're supposed to get."
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A desire to own a sleek, expensive and near petrol-like electric machine is something not restricted to the car market alone. Home-grown two-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto seems to be extremely keen on launching an electric-powered motorcycle before the turn of the decade.

Speaking exclusively to Moneycontrol, Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto said that his company is ready to do something remarkable in the electric vehicle space before 2020.

Pune-based Bajaj Auto, which is Indias most valued two- and three-wheeler company, built its fortunes on petrol and diesel-powered scooters, motorcycles and commercial and passenger three-wheelers. It also test-marketed CNG-powered bikes in the recent past but since the market was underdeveloped the company withdrew it subsequently.

In the near future and by near future what I mean is definitely before 2020 we will do something remarkable in this area (electric vehicles). It is very important to look at this very holistically, said Bajaj.

But that does not mean Bajaj intends to launch an electric bike under its own brand. The company is exploring ways to enter this space through a new identity which could be independent of Bajaj. This is done in order to maintain the sanctity of the new brand and its perception.

Consumers are not really getting excited about getting an existing vehicle and shoving a battery into it. That looks like patchwork to people. The perception created about Tesla, first and foremost, is that here is a company that is visionary enough to place its bets on electric vehicles and create electric vehicles that are bought not only because they are green but they are sexy as well, said Bajaj.

Bajaj is steadily moving up the value chain after having just launched the Dominar 400, its most expensive bike priced at Rs 1.4 lakh. A high-powered electric-motor powering a stylish and sleek motorcycle whose performance is no less than a petrol-engined bike is most likely the vision of the company in the coming 2-3 years. But the company is keen to get the brand right before getting the product right

Electric vehicles (EV) can be sleek, high performance, extremely aspirational. Tesla has the same image of a German (petrol/diesel powered) car. So it is very important to create the right desire to own or purchase an EV. That means it starts right from the brand. Tesla is a brand which is purely electric. Now if tomorrow Tesla launches a diesel or petrol car with an electric motor it would make no sense. Tesla can turn around and ask that when Toyota does it whats the problem? The problem here lies in the perception. Tesla stands for something, added Bajaj.

A Tesla logo is seen at its planned store in Hanam, South Korea, December 22, 2016 -- Reuters

So is it that in the Bajaj brand if I make a product with a battery in it it will succeed? I am not very comfortable with that. So the solution is not the battery. The solution always starts with the brand, because thats what drives perception. Once you get that right then you think about the product  design, performance and price, added Bajaj.

Therefore, it needs a very big solution but we are working on it in a very practical way. The minute there is a new set of people and new brand, the perception changes. This is very important otherwise for existing legacy organization like ours the perception is very fuzzy. That does not help because even if you make a nice vehicle it is just a product and there is no story behind the product. It has to have its own identity, added Bajaj.
Mr. Ciruli is the Director of the Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Denvers Josef Korbel School of International Studies. He is an adjunct professor teaching public opinion and foreign policy. The Crossley Center conducts research and presents live and virtual programs on foreign policy, politics, public policy and public opinion.





Mr. Ciruli holds a law degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and a bachelors degree cum laude in political science from UCLA. He is a member of the American Association of Public Opinion Research (AAPOR), and is the past-president of the Pacific Chapter of AAPOR (PAPOR). Mr. Ciruli is a board member of the Social Science Foundation of the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies and past-president of the Georgetown Law Alumni Board and the Denver Athletic Club.




Chinese Premier Li Keqiang today warned the US against any trade war, saying American firms would be the first to "bear the brunt" if such a war breaks out.

His comments came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's key summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has labelled China a currency manipulator and threatened to slap hefty tariffs on its imports.

"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament.

Last year, the United States' deficit in trade in goods with China reached USD 347 million and Trump has promised to close that gap, which he has also attributed to what he calls China's rigged currency exchange policies.

Li said that a trade war of tit-for-tat protectionist measures would ultimately damage the American economy.

"If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt," he said, citing an article written by an international think-tank.

Li's comments came as officials of both the countries said the first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida. Trump plans to host Xi for a summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Li said the diplomats of both the countries are preparing for the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.

"No matter what bumps the China-US relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in the positive direction," Li said.

He said China believes the people of both countries have the wisdom to properly manage their differences, adding that "there is a need and there are also conditions for us to continue to expand our common interests."

About differences between the two countries, he said.

"Whatever differences we may have we can sit-down and talk to each other to find solution. For those differences which cannot be resolved for the time being and anytime soon we can shelve them to continue to focus on expanding our common interests which I believe is the right choice".

In the process, the percentage of differences overall China US relations will continue to come down, he said.

Chinese Premier also spoke about the Taiwan issue.
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The Indian tractor industry could clock strong double-digit volume growth this year provided monsoons pan out as well as expected, said Bharat Madan, CFO of Escorts in an interview to CNBC-TV18.

Apart from monsoons, government policies that benefit the agricultural sector like higher minimum support prices could also boost sales, he said.

The companys stock price has seen a phenomenal run over the last one year from roughly Rs 129 to Rs 520. This has also been backed by good sales numbers due to good monsoon last season after two drought years.

Madan said the company is now internally working on cutting costs and targeting double-digit margins too over the next couple of years. In nine months this year, the company has done margin of nearly 8 percent.

The company is also looking to increase export volumes and aims to hit nearly 10,000 units in tractor sales in the long term, he said.

With utilisation levels of the tractor unit at close to 65 percent and construction equipment at 30-35 percent, Madan said there would be no need for capacity enhancement over the next 3 years.
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The Halol unit of Indias largest drugmaker Sun Pharma, which has not received new product approvals from US regulators ever since getting warning letters from them in 2015, is unlikely to see a resolution of the problem this calendar year, contrary to many analysts expectations.

Production at Halol, one of Suns largest manufacturing facilities, accounted for 40 percent of US sales, and the action by the US Food and Drug Administration has hit the companys stock price over the last two years.

A Sun spokesman said in an emailed response to a Moneycontrol News questionnaire: We are fully committed to bringing Halol back into compliance. For this, we have submitted our response and corrective action plan to the US FDA. We are now in the process of implementing the corrective steps. We are working towards addressing this over the next few quarters; however, we have not given any specific timeline as it is difficult to do so.

The Halol unit, which manufactures injectibles and oral solids, was issued the letters following a surprise inspection carried out by the US FDA in September 2014. The company roped in consultants to address the concerns and after a lengthy remediation process invited the regulator for another round of inspections in November 2016. The second inspection also resulted in nine observations under Form 483.

Experts say that since the second inspection also resulted in some observations, the company will not invite a third inspection in a hurry. While none of the nine observations are repeat observations, a resolution would definitely take longer than six months. Globally, resolutions typically take at least 500 days and the data for India and China is worse. So far, only one warning letter has seen a resolution out of 64 issued to Indian and Chinese companies in the last 52 months. As the table below shows, resolution at Wockhardt is still pending, over 1,300 days since warning letters were issued.

Several analysts are factoring in a revival in Suns base business in FY18 as Halol would see resolution. For instance, IIFL Research says, We believe Sun can resolve Halol issues in six months, which will lead to resumption of product approvals and will enable it to grow US revenues from a shrunken base.

Sales of Sun Pharmas FY16 US sales fell to USD 2.06 billion from USD 2.24 billion in FY15, as production at Halol dropped due to remedial action undertaken by the company at the production unit.
Pawan Goenka, President of Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors at Mahindra & Mahindra, poses with the newly-unveiled Mahindra Verito Vibe compact car in Mumbai June 5, 2013. Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd , India's largest sports utility vehicle maker, has made its first push into the country's small car market a week after warning that fierce competition could erode its dominant SUV position. REUTERS/Vivek Prakash (INDIA - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

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Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to cash onto Indias fast growing taxi segment by revamping its Verito, reports todays Livemint. The company plans to fill the void created by Ambassador.

Ambassador, which was sold-off by the Hindustan Motors to a French company PSA Group in February, was the first choice for taxi for its ruggedness and ability to maneuver on Indian roads.

It was also a preferred model by the government. Since its ban, Marutis SX4 has replaced Ambassador in the government.

Pawan Goenka, MD of M&M said the company is planning to make Verito the next Ambassador in the taxi space. Verito can be made more desirable than its counterparts by cutting price.

Verito was initially a joint venture between Mahindra and Renault SA and was called Logan. It was rechristened Verito after Mahindra got the full control.

According to Goenka, the car meets all the requirements for taxi  it is spacious, comfortable and economical. It only loses out on the looks parameter.
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State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya today blamed the governance at public sector banks for poor investor appetite for them and their resultant inability to raise cheaper funds from markets.

"State-run banks cannot have a default fall-back on the government for capital. If you are looking to raise capital. The one thing that investors always talk about is the board governance," Bhattacharya told reporters on the sidelines of a CII event.

Noting that the government has been providing capital to public sector banks whenever they required, she said, "I think it's time PSBs get out of this. But now government is very clear that it will give money only if the banks are actually efficient in all they do."

Out of the Rs 25,000 crore that the government has earmarked for recapitalising its banks this financial year, SBI alone has got over Rs 7,000 crore so far. Last year also it had received a similar amount.

Ruing the fact that many banks and organisations consider compliance of corporate governance regulations as a secondary activity, she said, "I must say it is very short-sighted way.

In fact the activities that you consider as your priority are not your priority, regulations and compliance are your priority because when you fall short of regulations and compliance, your main activity will also be sorely impacted."

Talking about the boards, she said, "The role of the board and management and how they intersect is very important for organisations to future-proof themselves from regulatory and market changes."
Private life insurance company Edelweiss Tokio Life is betting big on its agency channel to drive growth. In an interaction with M Saraswathy of Moneycontrol, Deepak Mittal, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Tokio Life talks about achieving profitability and new product areas. Excerpts:-

Did demonetisation have any impact on the business?

Things are back to normal. The industry did see some impact in November but by the end of December, the situation was back as usual. What we noticed was that banks as a distribution channel had good growth during this period of demonetisation. While we do not have a bank promoter, our bancassurance partner Catholic Syrian Bank has performed well.

Are you looking to increase the number of bank tie-ups?

For us, the agency channel has been the main area of focus for us. It is good to have a core distribution platform. Due to the emphasis on need-based selling and appropriate training, the number of active agents have also gone up. Now that agency has seen stability, we are in a position to look at other channels like bancassurance and direct business.

Bancassurance will be a huge advantage in an open architecture model. There is also an implied trust in the bank. We will be very selective but will put in our best efforts.

When do you aim to become profitable?

We are still in our growth phase. Currently, this is an investment period for three to four years. After that, we will reach break-even. The additional capital that came in from the foreign partner after they increased their stake to 49 percent has gone into expanding our footprint in the country. Overall, the brand is also beginning to get acceptance among the public.

When you talk about direct buying, will it still be an assisted model of insurance purchase?

Sales which are infrequent tend to be assisted. Given the nature of the product, there is some amount of advice in the product. That said, new age-technology like artificial intelligence and chat-bots are also coming in.

What are the new segments that you are looking to enter?

We will have to open new market segments for growth. Goal-based planning has led to higher ticket sizes. Further, we do see a good growth from rural areas. Almost 17-20 percent of our policies are from rural areas.

Going forward, we would also like to participate in the governments term insurance scheme under the Jan Suraksha Yojana. Presently, we are in discussions with our partner banks with respect to the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
Mcnally Bharat Engineering buzzing in trade on the back of its big order win in Andhra Pradesh.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Srinivash Singh, MD of McNally Bharat Engineering said that the order received is to build solar plant for Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Company.

He said that the timeline for completion of order is 15 months. However, will enjoy 7-8 percent profitability on the order, said Singh.

McNally Bharat's objective is to turn around in next one-two years.
The Union Cabinet is likely to consider tomorrow a draft amendment bill which seeks to double the ceiling of tax-free gratuity to Rs 20 lakh under the Payment of Gratuity Act.

Besides, the bill seeks to enable the central government to change the ceiling for tax free gratuity after factoring in rise in income levels by an executive order bypassing Parliament route to amend the law.

"The bill to amend the Payment of Gratuity Act is likely to be considered and approved by the Union Cabinet in its meeting scheduled tomorrow," a source said.

After the amendment in the Act, formal sector workers would be eligible for up to Rs 20 lakh tax-free gratuity. Last month, the central trade unions had agreed on the proposal in a tripartite consultation with the Labour Ministry.

However, the unions had demanded the removal of conditions asking to have at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

At present, as per the Payment of Gratuity Act, an employee is required to do minimum service of five years to become eligible for gratuity amount. Moreover, the Act applies to those establishments where the number of employees is not less than 10.

Trade unions had demanded that the amended provision regarding maximum amount should be made effective from January 1, 2016, as done in the case of central government employees.

Besides that rate of 15 days wages for each completed year of service be raised to 30 days wages, the unions had said during the tripartite meeting.

The proposed amendment to the Payment of Gratuity Act as circulated by the government only deals with enhancing the ceiling of maximum amount under Section 4(3) of the Act from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

The proposed amendment is being brought to bring the maximum ceiling amount to Rs 20 lakh in line with the 7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations as accepted by the government.

The relevant amendment for central government employees was notified on July 25, 2016 and the enhanced amount ceiling was made effective from January 1, 2016.

The unions were of the view that the delay of eight months for employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act should not result in adversely affecting the interest of the concerned employees.

The employers as well as state representatives had also agreed to the proposal of raising the amount of gratuity to Rs 20 lakh in the tripartite meeting held last month.
The Centre has asked state governments to ensure that all individual bank accounts are seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile numbers, Union Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha said.

Sinha was speaking during a meeting chaired by him to review the growth of digital payments and status of Aadhaar seeding with Union secretaries and Chief Secretaries of various states via video conferencing.

He asked the state governments to ensure that target are achieved, officials spokesman said.

To promote digital payment mode across the Country, the state governments were requested to ensure that all individual bank accounts are seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile numbers, he said.

For the purpose, role of District Magistrates and banks was highlighted with instructions to monitor on regular basis, the progress, so that this important task is completed by March 31, the spokesman said.

Emphasis was laid to prioritise holding of digital camps & melas in the districts to achieve the targets of seeding.

It was informed that unless individual bank accounts are not seeded with Aadhaar and Mobile Number, the government will not be able to transfer entitled benefits through DBT under various schemes to the beneficiaries.

The banks were advised to utilise existing banking channels and other media communication channels to inform the account holders in regard to Aadhaar and Mobile number seeding, the spokesman said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Commissioner Secretary, IT, Sanjeev Verma and other officers of the state government also participated in the meeting.

Sharma briefed the Union Cabinet Secretary on the progress of Aadhaar enrolment and status of connectivity and reach of internet, mobile and banking in the state.

To fast track completion of Aadhaar enrolment process in J&K, the Chief Secretary requested the Union Cabinet Secretary to support the state government in eliminating dark spots viz-a-viz connectivity and to also take up with the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL), the issues regarding re-starting of Aadhaar generation by the vendors for the left out population.
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"Real talk: Daniel Rubin has a great little piece up wherein he chats with The Field Negro, the Philly-based blogger who sharply ponders all things black on a daily basis. (Seriously, if youve never checked in with TFN, you should: Its author, Wayne Bennett, is a fantastic read who can cut through bullshit like a hot knife through butter, which is a far grosser analogy than I wanted to make, but there you have it.)"

~Philebrity~



"One of the most precocious and hilarious Black political minds on the net. Ive been a long-time fan!" ~Asad Malik~









"..While most of what he writes is tongue-in-cheek, his space is a safe house for candid discussions about race, especially in the comments section, where people of all colors meet."



~~Daniel Rubin, "The Philadelphia Inquirer"~~



"To white people, Bennett's musings are like kitchen-table talk from a kitchen they may otherwise never set foot in. To African Americans, he is part of a growing army of black Internet amateurs who have taken up the work once reserved for ministers and professional activists: the work of setting a black agenda, shaping black opinion and calling attention to the state of the nation's racial affairs."



~~Richard Fausset, "L.A. Times"~~~











~Erik Hare, "The Twin Cities Daily Planet"~



"That's why I love the blog " Field Negro " so much. Field, as he's known to his fans, has the sense of reality that it takes to call out the ( CowPuckey ) of blame beating by those who are in positions of power and their lackeys. Because of his handle and his unabashed way of writing about racial issues, Field is often cited as a "Black blogger." What he is, however, is a first-class detector of blame deflection and an excellent student of history. If you want to write about the past and future of repression there's really no other perspective to take - which is why everyone should read Field."~Erik Hare, "The Twin Cities Daily Planet"~





411 On The Field field negro Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Raised in the house, but field certified. Jamaica is the land of my birth, but I consider myself a citizen of the world. I currently practice law in the city of "brotherly love". View my complete profile



"Half a century after Little Rock, the Montgomery bus boycott and the tumultuous dawn of the modern civil rights era, the new face of the movement is Facebook, MySpace and some 150 black blogs united in an Internet alliance they call the

AfroSpear.



Older, familiar leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, are under challenge by a younger generation of bloggers known by such provocative screen names as Field Negro, thefreeslave

and African American Political Pundit. And many of the newest struggles are being waged online."



~Howard Witt-The Chicago Tribune~



"I had no idea, for example, of the extent of the African-American blogging world out there and its collective powers of dissemination.But now, after reading thousands of anguished, thoughtful comments posted on these blogs reflecting on issues of persistent racial discrimination in the nation's schools and courtrooms, what's clear to me is that there's a new, "virtual" civil rights movement out there on the Internet that can reach more people in a few hours than all the protest marches, sit-ins and boycotts of the 1950s and 60s put together." ~Chicago Tribune Reporter, Howard Witt~

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New Delhi: Minister of State for Commerce & Industry (Independent Charge), Nirmala Sitharaman addresses at an Interactive Session with the Startup Ecosystem Stakeholders, during the first anniversary of Start Up India, in New Delhi on Monday. PTI Photo (PTI1_16_2017_000067B)

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will launch today a new scheme for creating export infrastructure in the states.

The Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) would primarily focus on projects like customs checkpoints, cold storages at ports and last mile connectivity, an official said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the Budget announced a new central scheme TIES to develop export infrastructure in the states.

Unlike Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) Scheme, which was funded by the Centre, the cost of projects under TIES would be equally shared between the Centre and the states.

However, for north-eastern and the Himalayan region states, the centre may bear 80 per cent of the cost.

The government announced TIES as the ASIDE scheme was shifted to the states on the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

States have time and again raised issues that the export infrastructure should be looked after by the Centre.

Exporters face huge challenges in terms of infrastructure. Inadequate infrastructure increases their transactions costs, impacting competitiveness of goods in the global market.
Indian Railways along with seven other countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will explore the possibility of a transcontinental rail freight service connecting India with Iran and Turkey tomorrow.

Besides the three countries, high-level delegations comprising railway and custom officials from Russian Federation, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar will attend the two-day meet beginning here today.

While China has already run a freight train connecting Europe and attempts are being made to run a demonstrative run from Dhaka to Istanbul connecting Howrah, Delhi, Lahore and Tehran.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will address the conference tomorrow highlighting the need for such rail connectivity for the development of the region, according to railways.

Considered to be a major boost for trade and economic development of the Asia Pacific region, a trans-container goods train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is being considered to establish rail connectivity.

Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Railways Ministry, the meeting will take forward the proposed railway transport connectivity in South and South-West Asia.

The meeting will seek to review and identify innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South and South-West Asia; which is one of the least connected and integrated sub-regions in the world despite its vast contiguous landmass.

Strengthening railway connectivity is central to boosting economic growth, enhancing trade and transport connectivity and improving lives in the sub-region.

The meeting will bring together government officials and policy makers from nine countries in South Asia and South-West Asia and Central Asia, along with representatives from various international and regional organizations, railway and connectivity experts and academia, as well as the private sector.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today pitched for rail connectivity with neighbouring countries to boost trade and eliminate poverty in the region.

Highlighting the need for physical connectivity with neighbours for trade growth, he advocated work on rail link from Kathmandu to Delhi and Kolkata shortly.

"Asia is going to be the next futre growth centre of the world. Asia being the large continent, it is going to be very interesting to see how all countries of the region participate in the growth," Prabhu said while inaugurating the global conference on transcontinental rail connectivity here.

Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in coordination with the Railways Ministry, the conference aims at taking forward the proposed railway transport connectivity in South and South-West Asia.

Considered to be a major boost for trade and economic development of the Asia Pacific region, a trans-container goods train from Dhaka to Istanbul covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey is being considered by Indian Railways along with neighbouring countries.

However, Prabhu said there is also a need to have political understanding for achieving physical connectivity for economic growth.

"It is a very interesting idea to bring rail connectivity in South and South West Asia... and to have this, proper political understanding is a prerequisite," he said.

Even if we work on this idea, it will ensure benefit of the region, he added.

The two-day conference will explore the way forward to establish rail connectivity from Dhaka to Istanbul.

"We already have rail connectivity with Dhaka. We will have an international agreement for this to go up to Istanbul," he said.

Prabhu said, "Connectivity and integration of trade bring about huge economy growth. Integration of market can happen through trade policy and other means like investment. But unless you bring in physical connectivity trade potential cannot be realised."

On Indian Railways' plan, he said, "We want to start with our neighbouring countries first, like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan. We have decided to connect all our neighbours. We already have some and wherever there is a need we will work it out."

On Nepal, he said, "We must ensure there is a connectivity between Kathmandu and New Delhi and Kathmandu and Kolkata."

Prabhu said GDP will grow through expansion of rail network.

"We are also working in a big way in Sri Lanka in the rail sector. This will pave the way for connecting the entire world through railways. It will benefit the country in eliminating poverty. Development will pick up."

On Pakistan, he said, "With Pakistan, we already have rail connectivity. We are working very actively in Bangladesh.

"In Myanmar, we are already working. That will ensure the important missing link between South-East Asia and India. It will happen through Myanmar."
A Japanese state-backed fund may invest in Toshiba Corp's memory chip business as a minority partner - a move that would help the government prevent a sale to bidders it deems risky to national security, sources familiar with the matter said.

Discussions on a potential investment are, however, at a very early stage and may not develop further as some people within the government are concerned it could be seen as a publicly funded bailout, one of the sources said.

If the fund, the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), teamed up with a bidder that would give the suitor a major advantage as it would represent a government stamp of approval, the sources said, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

Cutting-edge chips are at the heart of robotics, artificial intelligence and connected devices and the government is worried that key technology could be transferred to China, people with knowledge of the matter have said previously.

The government is prepared to use Japan's foreign exchange and foreign trade laws to control the auction if need be, they said.

Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko has said the ministry, which oversees INCJ, has no plans to rescue Toshiba. An INCJ spokesman said on Wednesday the fund would not comment on speculation.

Toshiba said it would not comment on specifics of the sale process. Chief Executive Satoshi Tsunakawa said on Tuesday, however, that it would take national security concerns into account.

In crisis over its Westinghouse nuclear business, Toshiba has put up most or even all of its prized memory chip business for sale to cope with an upcoming $6.3 billion writedown and to create a buffer for potential losses down the road.

Separately a person with direct knowledge said that the government-backed Development Bank of Japan would be willing to lend support. It was not immediately clear what form that support would take.

A spokesman for the bank declined to comment.

Sources have said potential bidders include Western Digital Corp which operates a Japanese chip plant with Toshiba, rivals Micron Technology Inc and SK Hynix Inc. They also include Taiwan's TSMC and Foxconn as well as financial investors such as Bain Capital.

Toshiba has so far received bids that value the entire unit as high as 2 trillion yen ($17.4 billion), said a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Bidders have been asked to present their offers by March 29, he said.

INCJ was involved in an attempt to rescue liquid crystal display maker Sharp Corp about a year ago with the government aiming to broker a merger between it and Japan Display Inc. Sharp, however, reached an agreement to be bought by Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has expressed concerns over a few mutual fund houses allowing investors the option of instant withdrawal from their liquid schemes.

A SEBI official has expressed reservations over management of liquidity demand. We need to think what parameters that go along with instant redemption. Are we going to provide instant redemption if a person clicks and we get the amount credited to the bank account? Mutual funds need to see how much of liquidity demand can be managed, said G Mahalingam, whole-time member, SEBI said.

He further questioned whether mutual funds are prepared to keep a portion of the total assets in the liquid form to honour instant redemption.

In the recent past, a few fund houses have begun offering retail investors an option to withdraw upto Rs 2 lakh in a day. Investors who opt for this facility get the money in their bank accounts via the IMPS (immediate payment service) route.

The regulator feels instant redemption is akin to a bank account dispensing money on demand.

Currently, Reliance Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund offer instant redemption facility for their liquid funds, while Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund launched instant redemption facility under Birla Sun Life Cash Plus Fund two weeks ago.
The Congress party is in fight mode. But it is not to win elections. Its the old versus young fight within the grand old party.

Satyavrat Chaturvedi was one of the first to speak out. He told Network18 that a cardiac surgery was required. When asked if Rahul Gandhi should give way, Chaturvedi said Rahul should take a decision for the sake of the party. His view was echoed by others.

On the other side were those who defended Rahul saying his hands were tied as the seniors refused to give up.

It was almost a solo fight by the Captain while Rahul Gandhi was concentrating on Uttar Pradesh. And this victory in Punjab is what the seniors are throwing back at Rahul and his team when they complain about resistance from the old guard.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had the knack to balance all generations within the party. Many feel Rahul hasn't yet learnt this trait from her. He came in with the promise of changing the Congress culture. More inner party democracy, youth and merit to be the yardstick. But as Rahul moved from one experiment to another, all of Rahul's commitments changed.

And defeat after defeat led to increased disillusionment within the cadre. It's been three years since the Lok Sabha elections and Congress is yet to hold a stock-taking meeting. An All India Congress Committee (AICC) reshuffle is waiting to happen. In fact, a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held three months ago accepted Rahul to be party president.

It's yet to be endorsed. Rahul has dodged questions on the subject.

Sachin Pilot was appointed the Pradesh Congress chief of Rajasthan over two years ago. He shifted base to Jaipur and is virtually in control of the state. But even he knows that when elections come, the powerful old warhorse Ashok Gehlot cannot be ignored.

The story is similar in Haryana and many other states.

Ahmed Patel still is the ultimate pillar the Congress needs to fall back on when in trouble. In the case of Goa, it was AP, as Ahmed Patel is known, who suggested approaching the court. But by then, Rahul looked out of control of the situation.

While the BJP has begun to look at the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as the big challenge, the Congress is still trying to figure out how to cope with the 2014 loss.

And Rahul is paying the price with a perception crisis.
Stayzilla founder Yogendra Vasupal

Yogendra Vasupal, the Founder and Chief Executive of the now shuttered hotel room aggregator Stayzilla, has been taken into custody by Chennais police commissioner after advertising firm Jigsaw Advertising slapped charges of fraud against the company. He is currently locked up in the Puzhal Central Prison.

Vasupal, who had shut Chennai-based Stayzilla last month, was arrested in the Tamil Nadu capital on complaint by Jigsaw over pending dues of Rs 1.7 crore.

According to Rupal Yogendra, co-founder Stayzilla and wife of Vasupal, he was taken to the magistrate around 10 pm.

The issue became public when an emergency email by co-founder Sachit Singhi to investors Nexus Venture Partners and Matrix Partners asking for help was made public on social media.

Co-founder gets anonymous veiled threats

Singhi himself had received veiled threats to his family. According to a blog post earlier written by Vasupal, Sachit got some scary dolls delivered to his home on March 9 with the image of his son.

Stayzilla office was rented. After disclosures to the landlord that the company will be shutting down, disputes arose. In a video posted by Stayzilla, a man is seen allegedly seen assaulting one of Stayzilla's staff.

Vasupal said that the dispute with Jigsaw Advertising was because of a severe deficiency of services, even though Stayzilla had already paid it about Rs 6.5 crore.

The dispute began with a severe deficiency of services and we have repeatedly asked the other party to go to court if they felt there was anything wrong, he said.

There were also veiled threats over phone by the vendor and Vasupal, uploaded the same on soundcloud here.

Support from startup investors and CEOs

Various startup CEOs and investors from firms such as Matrix Partners, MobiKwik, Freshdesk and others have come forward to expressed support for Vasupal on social media.

Vasupal pointed the deficiencies in the system when a company tried to wind down operations in India. About 90 percent startups fail in the country; however, winding down is a painful procedure which can take up to three years.

There is no use of having jumped so many hoops to be a private limited company thinking that it will limit individual liability, when people at senior levels in police dont even understand the differenceor can pretend not to know it, Vasupal said, in the blog which was saved as draft and published today by his wife.

He remains in custody.

Vasupal's wife Rupal Yogendra told Moneycontrol: "What should have at the max been a civil court case is turned into something else altogether. Being treated as criminals for years of an earnest effort to run a Pvt Ltd. Please note that Yogi has not confessed to any of these false allegations despite all day's grilling at the station yesterday. Family in distress. Prayers needed."
Ashwani Gujral, ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, " Repco Home is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 650, target of Rs 685. JK Tyre is also a buy with a stop losss of Rs 124, target of Rs 136."
An under construction high-rise residential tower is pictured behind an old residential building in Mumbai, India, February 8, 2016. The Indian government on Monday forecast annual economic growth to accelerate to 7.6 percent in the fiscal year ending in March 2016 after Asia's third-largest economy grew 7.3 percent in the quarter to end-December. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - RTX25Z75

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Share price of Indiabulls Real Estate added nearly 3 percent intraday Wednesday as it has signed an agreement to acquire India Land & Properties for Rs 685 crore.

The company's wholly owned subsidiary Indiabulls Infrastructure has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent share capital of India Land and Properties (ILPL), for an aggregate consideration of Rs 685 crore, from Indiabulls Distribution Services, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Indiabulls Ventures.

The deal is expected to be completed in the current financial year and post the completion of the deal ILPL will become 100 percent wholly owned subsidiary of the company.

ILPL owns a commercial complex of 3 towers with total constructed area of 2.67 million square feet and leasable area of 1.94 million square feet, spread over total land of over 8.84 acres at Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai.

At 12:23 hrs Indiabulls Real Estate was quoting at Rs 83.75, up Rs 2.20, or 2.70 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, SP Tulsian of sptulsian.com, explains why he likes Century Textiles and Adani Ports. He also gives his views on various other stocks like M&M Financials, Shriram Transport and MRF.

Below is the verbatim transcript of SP Tulsians interview to Sonia Shenoy and Anuj Singhal on CNBC-TV18.

Anuj: I first wanted your thoughts on couple of these NBFCs, I know you have a favourable view on the sector as a whole but what have you made of the big move in Shriram Transport and M&M Financials today?

A: Yesterday also we have discussed on this and I have said that keep an eye on the rural NBFCs. If you see first on M&M Finance, M&M Finance has been correcting for quite some time, maybe for last one month and it has not seen having participated in the rally. However, the kind of rural presence they have, and the Q4 numbers are seen to be better because of the good realisations. What happens with the company is that they have the delayed payments, so, in one quarter the provisions go high and in the next quarter they come down substantially. So, what is likely to happen in Q4, that they will be going to see a good amount of collection taking place which did not happen in Q3 and Q3 had a higher provisions.

Coming on Shriram Transport, again because of this Euro BS IV norms getting implemented from April 1, people are very much buying trucks and commercial vehicles ahead of March 31 because once BS IV comes in, the cost of commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles will start increasing and Shriram Transport have a very good presence in that space and that is a reason -- in fact if you see in this last couple of days, yesterday it was up by about 4-5 percent, today it is up by 7 percent. In fact Shriram Transport has seen a rise of about 3 percent in this last half an hour.

So, we have discussed yesterday also and I have been keeping my positive stance on all these NBFCs since middle of November, maybe for first three to four days post demonetisation the cautious view was kept, but thereafter I have said that look for all these NBFCs, the best is yet to come and I keep maintaining my same view on all these NBFCs.

Anuj: What are your thoughts on MRF, it has come a long way since the Madras Rubber Factory days, the kind of market cap it has now, at current levels how is risk reward stacked up?

A: I wont be advising investment in MRF because this is a very expensive stock and the kind of volatility which we see -- yesterday again we have discussed on the tyre stocks and I have said that they are looking very good and maybe in a range because even if you want to take a call on Ceat or maybe MRF, Apollo Tyres, JK Tyres, in fact take all the tyre stocks in that space, probably at the current level they dont deserve an investment call. Probably yes, as a trader you may see those things coming in, largely the stocks are moving up on the natural rubber prices having fallen and the crude having corrected below USD 50 is seen quite beneficiary because if you see crude  raw material of the company is crude derivatives and that is like a synthetic rubber and all that and that is seen quite positive.

So, you never know when the things will -- because the commodity is a very unpredictable animal, you just cant make a call on the rubber price movements. Once you have that then -- and in fact all these stocks are seeing trading in that kind of range, maybe about couple of weeks back Ceat was ruling 11-12 percent lower than what it is ruling now, similar was the case with MRF. So, I wont be initiating my investment call because now they deserve more from the trading angle. If you want to initiate the investments, then probably look for correction and enter at that point of time again.

Anuj: Century Textiles is stock that you track and you have been recommending. In fact this was your Diwali pick as well, what is going on in Century Textiles the market is getting excited, the stock is up 4 percent?

A: Lot of news flow, but what we are getting from the reliable sources that the promoters are looking to increase their stake by 5 percent in this financial year. If you see the track record in FY15 the promoters have raised their stake by 5 percent. In FY16 they have raised their stake by 5 percent; in FY17 the financial year which is expiring now after 15 days I dont think that they will be losing this opportunity. Even last time couple of years back in this FY15 they raised their stake on March 30th itself. If you go by the track record of the company or the business divisions the construction is going on at the Worli Land and where they need a fund of about Rs 1,000 crore plus as a construction finance because work is going on at its full pace. If promoters raise their stake by 5 percent they need to infuse about Rs 1,300-1,400 crore. Stock having hit the Rs 1,000 mark in fact the stock has breached earlier also the Rs 1,000 mark maybe in the month of October, but then thereafter it has corrected to a level of Rs 875-880, but now I think this time it is on sustainable basis number one.

Number two - market is also going on with a rumour that company is looking to monetise their paper division. In fact I see huge value in the paper division because if you go by their Nainital plant they have 2 lakh tonne of writing and printing paper, 36,000 tonne of tissue paper and apart from that they have the board making facility of 1,80,000 tonne plus pulp making facility, the paper division has been created at Vilayat in Bharuch also. So, they have two locations and street is expecting valuation expectation of about Rs 5,000-5,500 crore. For some reason if it goes through because if you take EBIT for paper division for FY18 is expected to be about Rs 375 to 400 crore.

For any reason if that monetisation of paper plant happens then company virtually can become debt free and that will be seen hugely positive. I have been keeping a positive stance and I continue to have that because if you go on the real estate development stock portfolio company eventually will be having about 30-40 lakh square feet which will get leased out in next four to five years. So, huge value cement, textile, denim, paper, real estate and all sort of things so I am keeping a positive stance on the Century Textiles at the current level also.

Sonia: What is your opinion on the Adani Group stocks? Adani Enterprises has given a great returns over the last six months do you think that this stock could scale higher levels?

A: Having positive view on all Adani Group stocks except Adani Power because my pecking order will be Adani Ports because the kind of growth the cargo handling expansion which we have been seeing at their various port that is number one. Then followed by Adani Enterprise because the kind of trading potentials, coal trading potentials and the positive things from Australia that is a second and third is the Adani Transmission. In fact Adani Transmission seems to have, in fact they have not shown any kind of financial performance all along but the kind of infrastructure in the T&D space the kind of they have created and now with the UP going the priority of this government will be to provide 24x7 power to UP state.

T&D companies definitely that will be helping the power generation companies as well as power financials. But T&D will be playing a very important role and that is what I have been saying for six months and we have been giving the buy call on the transformers space also. So the third would be Adani Transmission because that seems to be on a take off stage now having created a huge infrastructure in T&D space after Power Grid, so that could be the third. Only Adani Power I am not comfortable because I dont see any light at the end of the tunnel the kind of viability of their Mundra Power plant not seeing existing, so I am not keeping a positive stance on that but on other three companies I have a positive stance.

Anuj: Do you have any thoughts on Balasore Alloys?

A: I wont be keeping positive view on Balasore because of the track record and maybe concern on the promoter. However, keeping a positive view on Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys i.e. IMFA because if you see the company having posted an earnings per share (EPS) of Rs 25 for Q3, and even if you take 7 percent fall in the ferrochrome prices having fixed, you can easily expect an EPS of closer to about Rs 22-23.

So, maybe FY18 is seen quite robust for Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys and because of the strength and the advantage, they have their own captive mines, that will be going in favour of them. So, maybe FY18 one can expect an EPS of closer to about Rs 70-75 for the company.

Sonia: I wanted your views on the possibility of this Namami Gange project sort of taking some steps forward and what are the companies that could really benefit from this in the medium to longer term?

A: This project is now very prestigious for Narendra Modi personally also because since he is MP from Varanasi and we have seen some kind of criticism seen coming in from some of the opposition quarter, so, he will see to it that in one year we see a good progress coming in. Now if you take that call, probably three or four stocks comes to my mind because people generally take a call on VA Tech Wabag which is definitely seen a beneficiary.

However, apart from that maybe stocks like Ion Exchange or maybe stocks like Triveni Engineering because they are into the water solutions and all that, or maybe Mercator because even Mercator has dredging division along with them which is doing quite well and lastly could be Dredging Corporation. So, these are the four-five stocks which have a small presence where the sub-contracting work can be given to them by the main companies and this can be small beginning for these companies to take a plunge into Namami Gange project.
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Shares of Rupa and Company surged more than 16 percent intraday Wednesday as it has entered into license agreement with Fruit of the Loom.

Oban Fashions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company has entered into a license agreement with Fruit of the Loom, Inc., a New York Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Company.

Oban Fashions has acquired the exclusive license from the Fruit of the Loom, Inc., to manufacture, distribute, advertise and sell innerwear and outerwear products for men, boys, women, girls and toddler in India, under their brand names and marks.

At 09:46 hrs Rupa and Company was quoting at Rs 305.05, up Rs 30.25, or 11.01 percent on the BSE.

Posted by Rakesh Patil
The Centre today increased dearness allowance and dearness relief to 4 percent from existing 2 percent from January 1, 2017, benefiting 48.85 employees and 55.51 lakh pensioners.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved release of an additional instalment of dearness allowance to central government employees and dearness relief to pensioner with effect from January 1, 2017," an official statement said.

The DA/DR has been increased by 2 percent over the existing rate of 2 percent of the basic pay/pension to compensate for price rise and it is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendation of 7th pay commission, the statement said.

This hike in DA/DR will benefit 48.85 lakh central government employees and 55.51 lakh pensioners, it said.

The statement said that the combined impact on the exchequer on account of both dearness allowance and dearness relief would be Rs 5,857.28 crore per annum and Rs 6,833.50 crore in the Financial Year 2017-18 (for a period of 14 months from January, 2017 to February, 2018).

The hike in the DA/DR is as per the agreed methodology of taking average of Consumer Price Index-Industrial Workers for the past 12 months.

The Confederation of Central Government Employees had termed it as a meagre hike in view of actual rise in cost of living index saying the CPI-IW was far from reality.

The union had also said that there was a lot of variation in the rates of price rise of commodities by Ministry of Agriculture and CPI-IW.
The Cabinet has approved a National Health Policy, people privy to the development told CNBC-TV18. This will be the first such healthcare related policy that the government will approve since 2002.

The focus of the policy is going to be affordable healthcare. It may also provide for assured basic healthcare for everyone.

The Health Minister will address the Parliament with the details of the new policy.
Electronic voting machine

First Mayawati, then Harish Rawat, and now Arvind Kejriwal. The list of leaders who blame the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for their electoral loss is long. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also demanded that the upcoming polls for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) be done via ballot papers and not EVMs. So just what is this beast and why is it making so much noise? Here is a primer:

What is an Electronic Voting Machine?

It is a simple electronic device used to record votes. EVMs have been part and parcel of elections in India since 1999 and was adopted across all polls from 2004. It seeks to reduce time in casting vote and declaring results. Of course, from an environmental point of view, it helps save paper.

When were EVMs first used in India?

The machines were first introduced in 1982 in the bye-election to Parur Assembly constituency of Kerala for 50 polling stations.

Whats the machine made of?

Its a single unit machine, which works on batteries without any network connectivity. They are made up of two machines, one is the control unit and the other is the balloting unit. A presiding officer is in charge of the control unit and once the vote is ready to be cast, the officer activates the balloting unit. The voter then presses a button to register their vote for a particular candidate. The machine can record 64 different candidates at one point of time. The maximum number of votes that can be recorded in one machine is 3,840.

How does counting happen with EVM machines?

Votes can be recorded only through the Balloting Unit. When polls draw to an end, the presiding officer hands over an account of votes recorded to each polling agent. During counting, the agents tally the total with these accounts to not any discrepancy. During the phase of counting, results are displayed by pressing the Results button. This button is usually sealed and cannot be pressed unless the presiding officer presses the Close button at his end.

How are EVMs safeguarded against fraud?

Every EVM has an identity number attached to it, which is recorded in the Election Commissions database. This ID is cross-checked against the database when it is being transported to and from the election booth. This process is done before the counting of votes begin. The machines are guarded by central forces between the period of voting and counting.

How did Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) come into the picture?

The Supreme Copurt in October 8, 2013, on a PIL by Subramanian Swamy, directed the EC to introduce the VVPAT system in a phased manner so that full implementation is achieved by 2019. It was done to ensure free and fair polls as it would aid is resolving disputes, if any. On a national level, the system was introduced in 8 of 543 parliamentary constituencies during the 2014 general elections. It was used in 516 polling stations across eight states. The system was first experimented in 2013 Nagaland by-polls.

For the uninitiated, VVPAT is a printer-like machine which is attached to every EVM machine. When a voter casts their vote on EVM, the VVPAT unit flashes the serial number, name of the candidate and the party symbol to confirm the voter's choice. The generated paper slip is shown in the drop box for a few seconds, so that the voter can cross-check the details. However the voter does not get to keep the receipt and if there is any discrepancy, then counting of such slips could be ordered.

What are the various complaints against EVM machines?

The first widely reported irregularity with the EVM emerged in Florida during the 2000 elections. In 2006, a Dutch TV channel went on to air a documentary showing proof as to how easy it is hack these EVM machines. The machines were soon withdrawn and Netherlands went back to the traditional paper ballot system. Germany and Ireland too have scrapped the use of these machines.

In India it has been alleged that EVM machines are not tamper-proof and several private research units and bloggers have come out with posts as to how EVM machines can be hacked into. A 2010 report by a team of experts led by Professor J Alex Halderman of University of Michigan and Indian scientist Hari Prasad cited numerous vulnerabilities with the EVM machines, especially if a malicious user had access to the EVMs in advance. The technologys promise was that attacks on the ballot box and dishonesty in the counting process would be more difficult. Yet we find that such attacks remain possible, while being potentially more difficult to detect, said the report.

Professor Halderman said in 2010 that results could be changed in the EVM through mobile phones. He demonstrated that signals could be linked up to EVMs to get desired results. ECI denied all these allegations and reiterated their stand that the machines were tamper-proof and met highest security standards. During the course of this controversy, Indian scientist involved in the experiment, Hari Prasad, was arrested on ECIs complaint for stealing an EVM from District Collectors office in Mumbai. Prasad was later released after a court order where the Magistrate observred Prasad had done a great service for the country.

Have anyone approached courts so far on this? What was the courts stand?

In 2004, this matter was placed before the Delhi High Court by advocate Pran Nath Lekhi who had alleged that EVMs were tampered with to favour UPA in the election results. But HC found no merit in the petition. However, in a 2005 verdict, the Karnataka High Court held that the use of EVMs was a great achievement and source of national pride. The order was delivered on a plea filed in 1999 by a failed candidate who had challenged the role of EVM machines in Yelahanka parliamentary constituency. The court studied the safety features and examined BEL scientists and ruled that machines were tamper-proof and any attempt to doctor them cannot be kept away from the public eye.

Heres a timeline of elections when allegations against EVMs surfaced:

- 2009 General Elections: BJP, through Subramanian Swamy, had alleged that if the party doesnt perform well then it would, primarily be due to the fact that the EVMs could have been tampered with. When BJP was defeated, party leader LK Advani had raised his issue again stating that EVM machines were tampered.

- 2009 Odisha elections  Senior Congress leader JB Patnaik alleged that the BJD had won the election by bribing candidates and tampering EVMs.

- In 2014 General elections, Congress leader and Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said that BJP indulged in EVM fraud. Even social activist Medha Patkar filed a complaint in May 2014 alleging possible rigging of votes through EVMs.

- In the latest, after 2017 UP assembly polls, Mayawati has claimed that it was only because of EVM machines being tampered with that BJP has emerged victorious. In Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat hinted at the same while in Punjab, Kejriwal blamed EVMs for the Congress win.
Friends In Pink is still on the radar and growing every year
Letter to editor: Voting is necessary to protect democracy
Rabbis installation at Keneseth Israel will get a boost of student creativity
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The jury in the Cody Flores murder trial delivered a split verdict for the two defendants Friday, March 10 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.

<

Chase Benoit, 22 of Morgan Hill, was found guilty of second degree murder and personal use of a knife, according to Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Pandori.

<

The jury found Spencer Smith, also 22 of Morgan Hill, not guilty of murder.

<

Smith previously pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm and possession of an unregistered firearm, Pandori said. The firearm charges are not directly related to the stabbing death of Flores, also of Morgan Hill.

<

The verdicts on the murder charges were delivered after the jury deliberated for about two and a half days. The trial lasted about two months, and ended with attorneys closing arguments March 7.

<

Both Benoit and Smith testified during the trial. Benoit testified he alone killed Flores, 23, with a knife outside a house party on East Main Avenue May 31, 2015. He claimed he killed him out fear for his own life as the two had a long-standing dispute going back to 2011, when Flores stabbed Benoits brother during a fight.

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Benoit also claimed he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder since he witnessed his father stabbed multiple times outside a Morgan Hill apartment complex in 2010. A doctor who evaluated him testified during the Flores trial, and claimed his lethal reaction when he saw Flores the night of May 31, 2015 was a result of PTSD symptoms, Benoits attorney Daniel Olmos said.

<

Flores was stabbed at least 14 times before he died. When Benoit saw him at the party that night, the two had a brief confrontation before Flores ran away through a dark, vacant field between East Main and Diana avenues. Benoit caught up to him and stabbed him multiple times, according to Pandori and police investigators. A stab wound to Flores chest proved to be the fatal cut.

<

Flores died at the hospital shortly after the stabbing. No witnesses claimed to have seen the actual stabbing or physical contact between Benoit and Flores.

<

Smith, a longtime friend of Benoits, testified that he did not have anything to do with the stabbing, and didnt know anything about it. Smith and other witnesses testified that the two were friends, and had in fact been hanging out amicably at the party before the stabbing.

<

Pandori tried to convince the jury that a series of seemingly paranoid text messages between Smith and Benoit just hours before the stabbing indicated he had a grudge against Flores, and later encouraged Benoit to assault him.

<

Smiths attorney Stu Kirchick said in closing arguments that Pandoris accusations against Smith are based on speculation and assumption, and said his client was cooperative with police when they questioned him about Flores death.

<

After the verdict was announced, Kirchick said on the phone that he was incredibly relieved that an innocent man was not convicted of murder. He said both he and Smith were in tears as soon as the verdict was read aloud in the courtroom March 10.

<

His family is thrilled theyre going to have him home, Kirchick said.

<

Judge Griffin M. J. Bonini ordered Smith to be released from custody after the verdict. Both he and Benoit have been in jail since their arrest just days after the 2015 stabbing.

<

Smith will return to court May 12 to face sentencing on the firearms charges, but Kirchick said he has already served close to the maximum penalty for those offenses while waiting for the murder trial to end. The firearms charges are related to a stolen gun in a backpack that Smith dropped off at the home of Shyann Surber, who hosted the May 31, 2015 party. He left the backpack at the home earlier that evening, but the weapon inside was not related to the death of Flores.

<

Olmos declined to comment on the verdict.

Friends, family remember

<

Before paramedics arrived to the scene of the stabbing, Flores lied in a puddle of his own blood next to a chain-link fence, on the side of a private farm road where Benoit stabbed him. A roughly 30-foot section of that fence has been transformed into a memorial for Flores since his death. The memorial is decorated with photos of Flores, flowers, balloons, handmade signs and messages honoring the young man, crosses, seashells, candles and some of Flores personal belongings.

<

Some of the memorial items were placed on top of the puddle of Flores blood from May 31, 2015 in order to cover up the carnage, said one of Flores best friends, Amanda Kefalinos. She and her mother were at the memorial site the evening of March 10, adding more flowers shortly after the jury delivered the verdict in the case. Kefalinos said the size of the memorial shows how much Flores was loved and cherished by those who knew him.

<

Cody Flores was so caring, kind-hearted, loving and honest, courageous and strong, Kefalinos wrote in an email to the Times. Cody was so funny and silly, he had a goofy little laugh that would instantly make you laugh along with him, and he would do anything possible to make someone feel better.

<

She added that Flores absolutely loved fishing and going to the beach with his friends and family. He adored his little sister, and looked up to his older brother.

<

Cody wasnt my actual brother but he was the big brother I never had, taught me right from wrong and showed me how strong a person can truly be on the inside, Kefalinos email continued.
The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, has said he will not proceed with plans to raise National Insurance Rates for the self-employed  because this went against the spirit of the last Conservative manifesto.

This was one of the key proposals of Philip Hammonds first Budget, delivered just one week ago. Although many pundits predicted that this change may be watered down in the Autumn, the speed of this u-turn has caught many by surprise. It has also left a 500 million hole in the Chancellors spending plans.

In last weeks Budget, Hammond proposed to increase Class 4 National Insurance contributions  paid by the self-employed  by 2% over two years.

Currently the self-employed pay NICs at 9% of earnings, while employees pay 12%. But plans to align them have now been dropped, at least for this Parliament. It remains to be seen whether this loss or revenue will impact on other spending plans in the Budget.

Hammond had faced a backlash by Conservative backbenchers, who accused him of breaking a general election manifesto commitment not to put up National Insurance, income tax or VAT.

In a letter explaining this u-turn, Hammond said: "It is very important both to me and to the prime minister that we are compliant not just with the letter, but also the spirit of the commitments that were made.

"In the light of what has emerged as a clear view among colleagues and a significant section of the public, I have decided not to proceed with the Class 4 NIC measure set out in the Budget.

While many welcomed this change of heart, they criticised the Government for not considering the implications of this proposed change.

Rob Lankey, chief executive of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, says: "Hammond's swift about-turn on the subject of NICs will rally the self-employed who might have felt unfairly targeted in last week's Budget.

"Working attitudes have shifted over the last couple of years to allow for increasingly flexible employment types  the upturn in the number of self-employed workers in the economy is just one of the benefits of this.

"Last week's decision to increase national insurance contributions for this group of workers was a low-blow to businesses that rely on these innovative ways of working, such as companies within the gig economy, as well as the likes of buy-to-let property investors.

Nigel Green, chief executive of the deVere Group said: This is a stunning u-turn by the Chancellor, just a week since his Budget. Whilst we welcome this climbdown, it does show just how out of touch this government is with Britains hardworking, already-squeezed and over-taxed entrepreneurs  the lifeblood of the UK economy.

Government Needs "Better Long-term Planning"

Steve Webb, the former Liberal Democrat Pensions Minister, and now director of policy at Royal London said this highlighted the need for better long-term planning within Government  particularly on issues related to financial planning.

He said: "It is time for an end to the roller-coaster of policy making from the Treasury. First we had a dividend tax break introduced and slashed a year later. Then we had a National Insurance rise for the self-employed reversed within days of being announced. What is needed is a long-term strategy for tax, not a series of short-term announcements.

Now that the Chancellor has pledged to leave NICs for the self-employed alone, we also need a long-term commitment to stop meddling with pension tax relief. That would provide savers with the certainty that they urgently need. We also need a strategy to tackle the pensions saving crisis amongst the self-employed which remains unaddressed.

Steve Cameron, pensions director for Aegon said this was good news for millions of self-employed people in the UK. However, he warned that the Chancellor may now be looking at other ways to level the playing field between employed and self-employed workers.

It was thought that this change was to stop abuses in the system, where some employed people switch to self-employed status, although are working only for one company. This costs the exchequer money through lost NI payment, as the employer no longer has to pay NICs at 13% of salary, and the contracts NI rates fall from 12 to 9%.

However, raising Class 4 NICs across the board caught far more people, who do not have the paid holiday, annual leave or job security that comes with being an employee.

Cameron added: While the u-turn is likely to be welcomed by many self-employed people, the policy has put the spotlight on the issue of NICs and the rights and benefits of those working in the gig economy. We hope that the government will look more closely at what can be done to close disparities between the employed and the self-employed.
More and more Canadians are improving their understanding of financial fraud and how to defend themselves against such occurrences, according to Equifax Canada.In a news release earlier this week, the credit reporting agency announced the results of its consumer survey in support of Fraud Prevention Month. The study found that in 2016, fully 91 per cent of Canadians have taken a concrete step in protecting their personal data, including double-checking card/bank statements, shredding vital documents, updating passwords, installing security software, and using social media less.Meanwhile, 81 per cent of the surveyed Canadians have implemented two or more of the aforementioned security measures, the Kingston Herald reported.Scammers dont discriminate. They prey on people from all economic backgrounds trying to gain access to their personal information, Equifax Canada vice-president of fraud prevention and identity management Tara Zecevic said. Sometimes it could be a sophisticated hack of your data, while other times it could be as simple as someone stealing your mail or your wallet.While financial institutions and credit card companies are getting better every day at helping consumers spot and prevent fraud, the end consumer must remain vigilant in this fight, Zecevic argued. Credit card fraud can be identified by checking a statement, but in the case of someone taking out a loan in your name  thats a lot more difficult. Thats identity fraud and the best way to detect it early is through more regular monitoring of your credit report.On the flip side, in a data release earlier this year, Equifax noted that instances of mortgage fraud in Canada have risen along with the runaway prices in the countrys hottest real estate markets, with the number of potentially dishonest mortgage applications growing by 52 per cent over the past 4 years, and majority of the red flags originating from Ontario and British Columbia.It could be investing in the market as a way to cleanse money. It could be: I really want that home and Im getting into a bidding war and even though I make $60,000, Im going to say that I make $90, 000, Zecevic stated in the January report.
We have a situation where home prices are high relative to average hourly earnings and were pushing 5%-down mortgages, and thats a bad idea, Hans Nordby, chief economist of real estate research firm CoStar, told USA Today.

Risky mortgages are making up a larger share of new home loans, raising worries that defaults could spike and stymie the housing recovery, according to a USA Today report.The trend in riskier loans seems to be concentrated in mortgages insured by the FHA, according to USA Today. FHA loans normally require down payments as low as 3% to 5%  an enticing percentage to first-time buyers. And many nonbank lenders are offering these loans with less-stringent credit standards than banks.The issue when home prices peak and dip  homeowners who only have a 5% down payment and are less creditworthy would suddenly find their homes underwater. The temptation would be to default, and foreclosures would set off price declines, triggering more defaults, and so on.Money for nonbank lenders would dwindle, making FHA loans harder to attain, which would further dampen the housing market.
GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP)  American oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. has asked Guyana's government for a production license to let it start pumping oil from the seabed by late 2019, though company officials have said operations are likely to start in 2020.

Guyana Geology and Mines Commissioner Newell Dennison on Wednesday confirmed the application, saying it would be the first time the small South American country has issued an oil and gas license.

Exxon Mobil said last year that exploratory wells off Guyana discovered a "world-class" reservoir that could hold up to 1.4 billion barrels of oil.

The discoveries add to a maritime rights dispute with Venezuela, which also claims the area where they are located. The UN has given both nations until year's end to solve the dispute.

Dennison said the company has also submitted its general production plan alongside its application for a production permit. The firm has so far drilled five wells and is currently completing work on a sixth. Only one has come up dry so far.

"I can confirm that they have applied for the permit," said Dennison, who indicated it would allow operations by late 2019.

Exxon Mobil announced on March 1 that "Guyana startup is expected by 2020, less than five years after the initial discovery well - a rare occurrence in the industry in terms of development time."

Guyana, which relies heavily on products like gold, rice sugar, bauxite and timber, is scrambling to prepare itself for oil production. Several other companies, including Spanish-owned Repsol and Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas, are also exploring Guyanese concessions near Exxon's Stabroek Bloc.

Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has said that government is planning to contract international firms to help it in negotiations with Exxon Mobil because the country has no expertise in this area. He did not identify any of the firms.

Guyana's parliament is planning to update legislation to cover issues including oil production and potential spills.

Authorities have already sent a number of professionals overseas, many to Spanish schools, to qualify as petroleum attorneys and engineers.
The Trump administrations plan to slash corporate tax rates could free up more than $10 billion a year for U.S. oil explorers, opening new opportunities to boost drilling at a time of uncertainty in the marketplace.

Crude prices in New York have fallen 10 percent since the end of 2016 as added drilling in Americas shale fields offset an OPEC-led drive to raise prices by cutting production. The U.S. push has spurred concern that another price rout could be just around the corner, following a two-year decline that saw prices fall as low as $26.05 a barrel in February 2016.

Republicans led by President Donald Trump have said they want to cut the top corporate rate to 15 or 20 percent, from 35 percent now. That could mean more than $10 billion in savings for oil producers that are one of the countrys most-heavily taxed industries, according to Bloomberg Intelligence research. The final number will hinge on whether drillers surrender other tax breaks in exchange, said Vincent Piazza, a senior analyst at BI.

In theory, explorers would divert tax savings to more domestic drilling, Piazza said in a telephone interview But nothing is ever one-for-one.

West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.2 percent on Monday to $48.47 after it hit a high of $55.24 on Jan. 3.

The number of rigs drilling U.S. fields for crude almost doubled to 617 since the end of May, when the full impact of the oil-market collapse shrank the fleet to a 6 1/2-year low, according to Baker Hughes Inc. The oil rig count has advanced in 18 of the past 19 weeks as explorers coped with reduced cash flows by finding cheaper ways to pump each barrel from the ground.

U.S. drillers lifted crude production more than 3 percent since the end of 2016 to 9.088 million barrels a day as of March 3, according to the Energy Department in Washington.

Its not clear when a tax cut plan might be finalized by Congress and signed into law by the president. A reform bill faces stiff challenges, and would likely come with tradeoffs such as fewer tax breaks, the Bloomberg Intelligence report said.

Still, the discussion comes as the future of the global industry is under debate. At CERAWeek by IHS Markit, the largest annual gathering of industry leaders, some top executives warned against overindulgence by U.S. drillers.

Harold Hamm, the billionaire shale oilman, said the U.S. industry could kill the oil market if it embarks into another spending binge.

U.S. production could go pretty high, Hamm, the chairman and CEO of Continental Resources, said at the meeting. But its going to have to be done in a measured way, or else we kill the market.

Saudi Arabias oil minister, Khalid Al-Falih, told the conference that global oil stockpiles havent drained as quickly as expected, opening the door for an extension to OPEC production cuts that were originally due to expire at mid-year.

Without such an extension, the price of oil could drop to $40 a barrel, said Scott Sheffield, chairman of Pioneer Natural Resources.






Restaurant owner Michael Hochman is on a mission to recognize unsung workers in Midland. When he launched an appreciation campaign with nurses at Midland Memorial Hospital, the act had personal significance.

My late wife was a nurse of 30 years, Hochman said. I always want to acknowledge them and thank them. I want to show my appreciation for nurses and how special they are.

Hochman gave each nurse a certificate to redeem for a free meal at his business, Luigis Italian Restaurant.

The restaurant owner plans to deliver additional certificates to local teachers and first responders. He hopes the message of gratitude extends beyond his efforts.

We want it to grow in the community to show appreciation and respect of police and firemen, Hochman said. They put their lives on the line every day for us. People take it for granted and dont think about it until something happens. We lost five police in Dallas and a sheriffs deputy locally. They work hard for their money and are passionate about their jobs.

When Hochman shared the concept with restaurant workers, many were on board.

We thought it would be an exceptional idea, said Julian Delgado, assistant general manager. He mentioned nurses, and I thought that was a really good thing to do. My mom was a nurse, and nurses do a lot. They dont get a lot of appreciation.

Delgado said staff members talk to nurses who redeem their certificates. He said some previously visited the restaurant but others are new customers.

A lot of responses have been great, Delgado said. They feel a lot of emotion, especially nurses who have worked with Patsy.

Patsy Hochman, Michaels wife, was killed when a driver struck her car in 2008. After the tragedy, Luigis adopted a two-drink alcohol limit to encourage safe driving.

A few people dont like that, Hochman said. After they read why we do that, theyre understanding. Maybe when they go to another restaurant and have drinks, they dont go out and put others at risk.

A contribution to the Midland Memorial Foundation established the Patsy Hochman, R.N., Nursing Scholarship Endowment Fund. The program is open to nurses in various degree programs and requires them to work for the hospital for two years after graduation, according to the foundation.

Hochman said hes grateful for support from foundation contributors and others in the community. As he prepares to distribute more certificates throughout Midland, he wants the gesture to inspire others to do good deeds.

Were telling them we appreciate them, Hochman said. Were planting the seed.
Planning your wedding at an all-inclusive resort can eliminate the stress out of your big day. Your guests can plan their vacation around your nuptials, and you can rest assured that key wedding details (think: catering, flowers and a gorgeous ceremony backdrop) are steps away. Plus, a variety of all-inclusive retreats have introduced special packages to make hosting a wedding even more seamless and affordable. With that in mind, here are top Caribbean resorts offering enticing, cost-effective wedding packages.

[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean.]

Palace Resorts

Mexico and Jamaica

Palace Resorts, which boasts eight oceanfront properties overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea, features locations in Jamaica and Mexico. Palace properties offer a five-star experience with extravagant spas and unparalleled service. What's more, Palace properties offer wedding planners available to personalize your wedding day. Palace Resorts' complimentary wedding benefits package includes a complimentary room as well as a free room upgrade per every 10 paid rooms in your wedding party, in addition to private cocktail hours based on the number of booked guests.

You can also earn a $1,500 resort credit for you and your guests, along with special discounts for booking early or midweek. As an added bonus, Palace Resorts lets you visit its properties for free to explore your options ahead of time, provided you book and pay for your stay for your destination wedding.

Breezes Resort

The Bahamas

Breezes Resort in the Bahamas offers a complimentary Endless Love wedding package for guests. The free package includes a wedding planner, a marriage license, a photo, an online registry and honeymoon T-shirts. For $999 or $1,599, respectively, you can upgrade to their Timeless Love or Eternal Love packages, which include additional perks such as spa services, a marriage officiant, a wedding cake and a private cocktail party.

With the Eternal Love package, you can also enjoy a four-night stay on your wedding anniversary, a private candlelit dinner and breakfast in bed. What's more, Breezes Resort is conveniently located only 15 minutes away from the airport, which means getting your guests to the property will be a cinch.

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[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico 2017.]

Hedonism II

Jamaica

While a clothing-optional resort may not be the dream setting for every couple, Hedonism II in Jamaica provides the ideal backdrop for those yearning for an adult-only experience. This all-inclusive, adults-only resort offers complimentary on-site weddings and vow renewals. What's more, the wedding package includes a personal wedding planner, your choice of ceremony location, a minister, a marriage license, Champagne, a wedding cake, flowers and music.

Sonesta Resorts

St. Maarten

The family-friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa, the adults-only Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort offer a free wedding package. At any of the three Sonesta properties, you can book the Marry Me for Free package provided you book at least 10 rooms for a minimum stay of five nights.

This complimentary wedding package includes discounted room rates for your party, along with your choice of ceremony location, dressing rooms, discounted spa services, a plated dinner, an open bar, a wedding cake and even a sparkling wine toast and day-of wedding coordinator. The bride and groom will also receive a suite upgrade and a welcome amenity, along with a free two-night stays at their preferred Sonesta property for their anniversary.

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

The all-inclusive Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas offers an all-inclusive package that is both convenient and cost-effective. The basic Paradise Wedding package includes a ceremony, a free room upgrade, a welcome amenity, a wedding consultation and coordinator, a non-denominational officiant, one hour of professional photography, flowers, music and up to 20 chairs for guests. This package costs $2,100, along with an 18 percent service charge, and is in addition to the price of all-inclusive lodging.

East Winds

St. Lucia

East Winds Inn is a romantic boutique all-inclusive property. With the complimentary wedding package, you can get a marriage license and certificate, a dedicated ceremony location and a bouquet and boutonniere, among other amenities and services, for free. Plus, St. Lucia is known as one of the most beautiful wedding destinations in the Caribbean, thanks to its lush green landscape and rolling hills. And since the property is small, a party of 70 guests can take over the entire retreat for complete privacy and relaxation.

[See: 10 All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free.]

Sandals Resorts

Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia

At Sandals properties, located in Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, and Antigua, a basic wedding package is free with a paid stay of three nights or longer. With the Beautiful Beginnings package, you can get a bouquet and boutonniere, a wedding table for eight, a romantic centerpiece and a white wedding cake. Plus, you can customize your wedding from there, adding special touches based on your preferred flowers, wedding colors and personal style. Free wedding packages can also include everything from document preparation to an on-site wedding coordinator, music, a registry website and more.





More From US News & World Report


Apple Inc. (AAPL) had an excellent 2016 holiday season, thank you very much. In the three-month period from November 2016 through January 2017, Apple's iOS-powered smartphones accounted for 42% of all U.S. sales, a year-over-year gain of 2.9%.

The Android operating system from Google/Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) captured 56.4% of the U.S. smartphone market to maintain its lead over Apple, but Android's share dropped 1.8% year over year.

The data were reported Wednesday by Kantar Worldpanel and showed that Apple posted gains in many regions of the globe, not including, however, urban China or Japan.

Android captured 74.3% of the European Union's five big markets  the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Spain  compared with 22.7% for Apple's iOS. The iPhone remains the top-seller in Britain, Germany and France.

ALSO READ: 23% of Owners Say They Plan to Upgrade to New Apple iPhone in the Fall

In urban China, Android accounted for 83.2% of all smartphone sales, a gain of 9.3 percentage points. Chinese maker Huawei accounted for 26.6% of all smartphones sold in urban China during the three-month period, with Apple nabbing 16.6% and Xiaomi accounting for 14.5%.

Kantar Worldpanel global consumer insight director Lauren Guenveur also commented on the recent Mobile World Congress 2017 show in Barcelona:

Februarys Mobile World Congress 2017 demonstrated the true state of the market, with re-emerging brand names Nokia and Blackberry capturing a lot of attention, but now operating on Android rather than on their own legacy operating systems.

ALSO READ: Apple One of the Most Underappreciated Stocks in the World

Even the new Nokia 3310 feature phone gets a mention, but no one really expects that to make a big dent in sales of Android and iOS devices. As Guenveur pointed out:

Seventy percent of the US domestic market is dominated by Apple and Samsung, and the third largest manufacturer, LG, accounted for an additional 11.1% of sales in the three months ending January 2017.

Related Articles
Archer Daniels Midland Company ADM continues with expansion plans in China. This time the company is keen on enhancing footprint in the Animal Nutrition space, particularly marking its entry into the growing Chinese high value specialty aquafeed market.



As part of this effort, the company announced plans to build a new feed-premix facility in Xiangtan in the Hunan Province as well as the expansion of its Nanjing complex in the Jiangsu Province, which will now include the aquaculture feed production line.



Located in central China, the Xiangtan facility will be the companys fifth animal feed plant in the nation. The plant with a production capacity of 120,000 metric tons of animal and fish feeds annually will enable the company to efficiently cater to the growing animal feed demand in central China. The facility, which will employ nearly 120 persons, will be strategically positioned to meet the demand of customers in the Hunan, Hubei and Guangxi Provinces in central China.



The capacity expansion of the existing Nanjing facility in eastern China will enable the plant to produce 50,000 metric tons of extruded and pelleted feeds in the aquaculture season that extends for six months between April and September. This plant will add four aquafeed lines as part of the expansion. The company expects to complete the aforementioned projects by early 2019.



These projects will reinforce the companys position in the Chinese animal nutrition market. It already operates three such facilities in the country including the Dalian and Tianjin premix facilities in northern China and the Nanjing facility in the east. Further, the company is on track with the opening of a new plant in Zhangzhou, in southern China by summer of 2017.



The companys aforementioned expansions are in line with its strategy of enhancing presence in regions with growing demand in order to boost shareholder value. Currently, there happens to be a growing market for animal feed in China driven by population growth and higher disposable incomes.



Coming back to Archer Daniels, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has substantially outperformed the broader Consumer Staples sector in the last six months, mainly driven by focus and progress on such strategic initiatives. The companys shares have jumped 6.3% in the last six months, outshining the Zacks categorized Consumer Staples sector that grew just 1.7% in the same time frame.

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Stocks to Consider



Better-ranked stocks include Adecoagro S.A. AGRO, Conagra Brands Inc. CAG and Pinnacle Foods Inc. PF, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.



Adecoagro has gained 11.3% in the past six months. Further, the companys estimates for the current fiscal have seen positive estimate revisions in the last 30 days.



Conagara, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 8%, has gained 21.4% in the past six months.



Pinnacle Foods has jumped nearly 17.2% in the last six months. Also, it has a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.3%.



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Sacramento, CA  A letter sent today by Governor Jerry Brown to the head of the Environmental Protection Agency has placed the Trump administration on notice that a federal challenge is in the works.

The official communication, sent to EPA head Scott Pruitt as President Donald Trump was addressing automakers in Detroit, was co-signed by Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, calls President Donald Trumps decision and restated position to rollback emission standards in vehicles an unconscionable gift to polluters that puts the interests of big oil ahead of clean air and politics above science.

Among the included attachments were three reports providing analysis that indicates the US is already on track to meet the 2022-25 EPA-determined standards and would save consumers more than $1650 per vehicle; reduce oil consumption by nearly 40 billion gallons of fuel and greenhouse gas emissions by 540 million metric tons.

In tandem, court documents were filed on behalf of the State of California through the offices of Governor Brown, Attorney General Becerra and the Air Resources Board, requesting that US Court of Appeals grant a motion that would allow the state to intervene in a related lawsuit. Filed by the automobile manufacturers alliance against the EPA, it argues that the 2022-25 standards are not feasible.

If the states motion is granted, it will be able to help defend that they are, and so should remain in place.
A new lawsuit claims residents of the Grasslands and Oakbridge developments in Lakeland have been exposed to dangerous levels of radiation left over from the phosphate mining process.

The Drummond company purchased what was called the Poseidon mine in 1978 but stopped mining in 1982. That's when it started developing the property for subdivisions.

Lawsuit seeks class action status on behalf of residents

Drummond company stopped mining in 1982



Read summary of mining reports (.pdf)



Read the complete lawsuit (.pdf)

The lawsuit claims Drummond knew about research that showed higher that acceptable levels of naturally occurring radiation being emitted from the property but developed it for homes anyway. The suit also claims Drummond didn't properly warn residents of potentially cancer-causing emissions that could be in their homes.

"What we are saying is that once they mine the property they should reclaim it, remediate it and if there is a problem with the land, warn about it, said attorney Richard Meadow with the Lanier Law Firm of Houston, Texas. It is one of several law firms filing the lawsuit in Tampa federal court.

The lawsuit names one victim. It is resident John "Jeff" Jerue, who lives in Oakbridge. But the lawsuit seeks class action status on behalf of the other residents of Grasslands and Oakbridge, where about 1,500 homes have been built over the past three decades.

The suit seeks compensation to monitor the health of residents and potentially tens of thousands of dollars a home for remediation work to prevent radiation emitting gasses from getting inside. It also seeks funding to remediate any land with high levels of radiation.

Some residents are not only not concerned about the potential radiation -- they are upset by the lawsuit. They believe it will harm property values more than anything.

"What we are saying is that once they mine the property they should reclaim it, remediate it and if there is a problem with the land, warn about it." - Attorney Richard Meadow

"But for the first five years you are going to have a hard time selling your home, even if it's not accurate," said home owner Carl Lewis.

"The only thing I can say is the publicity over this lawsuit has negatively affected the home owners," said Dr. William Malzone. Malzome said he would have his home tested for radiation producing gas but wasnt too worried. "Theres very little evidence that any harm has been done," he said.

Jim Verplank was the community development director for the city of Lakeland when Drummond first started developing the former mine property. He said there were discussions of the radiation issue. But he understood home buyers were notified and the concrete slabs of homes were designed to minimize radiation from getting inside.

Verplank was so unconcerned about the safety of homes in the development that he purchased a home in Oakbridge and has lived in it for 25 years.

"I've never had it. We have never had an evidence of it," he said about the fear of radiation or proof it was a problem.
Forestry officials are conducting burnout operations for a brush fire at the Orange-Brevard county line that''s grown to 7,300 acres.

Brush fire in east Orange prompted closure of SR 50



Large fire is about 7,300 acres, 80% contained

Crews from Orange County Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are battling the brush fire, which spans an area near East Colonial Drive and the St. Johns River. The fire is 80 percent contained.

The Florida Forest Service is urging drivers to monitor updates from Florida Highway Patrol for local road conditions on State Roads 46 and 50 at the county line and on I-95.

The fire, which the forest service has named the "North Cane" fire, is in the Seminole Ranch Wildlife Management area, north of East Colonial Drive.

#USFWS firefighters are assisting .@SJRWMD & .@FFS_ORLANDO on the North Cane Fire along SR50 near St Johns NWR fire is 700+ acres #FLfire pic.twitter.com/Z2IGlrNDIc  USFWS Fire SE (@USFWSFireSE) March 15, 2017

Large smoke plumes could be seen in the direction of east Orange County from as far away as downtown Orlando.

Florida Forest Service sais the cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no prescribed burns in the area at the time.



Florida Forest Service workers arrive at State Road 520 in Brevard County to battle a 40-acre vegetation fire Wednesday. (Brevard County Fire Rescue)
By Benjamin Weir and Byron Kaye SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's biggest domestic beer maker has pulled off the unthinkable, driving thirsty customers away from drink after it supported a church-run debate about same-sex marriage with beer bottles featuring bible verses. The family-owned Coopers Brewery Ltd had so far managed to avoid scandal during its 155 years of business but quickly learned a lesson about the power of social media. Coopers, a regular donor to religious charities, said a week ago it would celebrate the Bible Society's 200th anniversary by selling 10,000 cases of beer with Bible verses on the label. As part of the celebrations, the brewery and the Bible Society released a video in which two beer-drinking politicians debated same-sex marriage. One of the politicians, Tim Wilson, has said he wants to marry his long-term male partner, while the other, Andrew Hastie, said he supported "traditional marriage". A backlash quickly followed, with the Coopers Facebook page flooded with complaints. Some pubs in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two biggest cities, said they would stop serving the company's beer because of its light-hearted approach to same-sex marriage, which is illegal in Australia but has wide community support. "We will be taking their Pale Ale off tap after our current kegs are blown," Sydney's Union Hotel said in a Facebook message. "Their views on marriage equality are at odds with not only those of our staff, but our locals and the broader community," it said. Mike Bennie, a Sydney beer and wine critic, said: "Making light of any social justice issue in Australia right now is not particularly helpful." One Melbourne nightclub manager posted footage online of him smashing bottles of Coopers. Coopers said in a statement on Sunday the video was a "light-hearted but balanced debate about an important topic". It later denied authorising the video. Managing director Tim Cooper and finance director Melanie Cooper issued a video on Tuesday apologising for causing offence and saying the company "supports marriage equality". (http://bit.ly/2mYL08H) Hastie and Wilson both said they were disappointed by the backlash. Coopers has so far defied a steady downturn in Australian beer consumption because of its reputation as an independent brewer and its strategy of building a presence in inner-city pubs, where upmarket ales are popular. The company says its sales have grown 16 percent a year since 2003, while at the same time Australian per capita beer consumption has fallen every year but one. (Reporting by Benjamin Weir and Byron Kaye; Editing by Paul Tait)
One of the most popular attractions at this years CON/AG Expo on March 10-14 in Las Vegas, Nev., didnt have anything to do with the latest innovations in the construction industry. Instead, it was a 90-year-old classic used to highlight the fact that the company it represents  Solomon Colors, Inc., is celebrating its own 90th anniversary.

Adam Solomon and his mother, Gina Garrison Solomon, stopped in Plainview Tuesday on their way back to Springfield, Illinois, to visit Ginas mother, Marion Garrison, and to show off their newly-restored 1927 Chevrolet LM Capitol dump truck. They rolled the truck out of its trailer during a stopover at Allstar Fuel, which is operated by Ginas older brother Gary Garrison.

We found this truck in a barn in Southern Illinois, explained Adam Solomon. It hadnt been driven in at least 30 years, but it was basically intact with almost all the parts there. And for the past year, our staff has been working to restore it with all the work done on-site at Springfield. We plan to use it as our mascot since it was manufactured the same year our company was founded.

Gina Solomon adds that its the same model as her mother, who will soon celebrate her 90th birthday as well. Were going to use it at the State Fair and other parades, and we hope that mother will ride in it with us. Were trying to use that to get her to visit Springfield.

The truck, with a dump bed operated with a hand-crank, was the centerpiece of Solomon Colors booth at the Las Vegas trade show. It attracted a lot of attention, and lots offers to buy it on the spot, but its not for sale, Adam explains. We worked too hard to restore it, and plan to use it for a long time. And the car guys -- those who know about old trucks and such -- were surprised that almost everything is original, including the engine and the radiator cap with a built-in thermometer. Just inside the passenger door are the original manufacturer metal plates showing model and serial numbers and date and place of manufacture.

The 1927 Chevrolet dump truck is the same type vehicle that Solomon Colors used when it began operation in 1927 as Solomon Grinding Service. The company now is the largest independent decorative concrete products supplier in the world. Its synthetic-based pigments are used to add colors to masonry and concrete. The first large-scale project using its newly developed synthetic formulations was the pecan-color floors in Plainviews Walmart Supercenter.

Solomon Grinding Service was established 90 years ago to process coal mining waste materials and other minerals for pigments, most of which were sold to the George B. Smith Chemical Works. It continued as a processor of various minerals for the next half-century. In 1972, the company launched SGS Mortar and Concrete Colors, marketing directly to dealers for the first time.

Over the next 30 years, new mortar colors, liquid color for concrete, and dispensing equipment were developed. By 2002, the company sold the grinding operation and became Solomon Colors, focusing on the concrete industry. Its the industry leader in decorative and architectural concrete markets. Solomon Colors has facilities in Springfield, Illinois, and Rialto, California.

The 1927 Chevrolet Capitol is the type of truck Solomon Grinding Service used to move a mining byproduct, black carbonaceous slate, from the coal mines to its plant, Adam adds.

This particular truck was manufactured by Chevrolet in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1927. New, it would have cost $610 (approximately $8,500 today). The 170.9 cubic inch, inline 4-cylinder engine produces 21.7 hp through a 3-speed manual transmission. It has a payload capacity of 2,000 lbs. in its wooden, manually-cranked dump bed. It sat in a bard in Alhambra, Illinois, for almost two decades before Solomon Colors purchased it in December 2015 and began the restoration.

We had to send it off to get painted, Adam said. Otherwise, we did most of it in-house, including taking it apart and putting it back together. As you can imagine we have some very talented maintenance guys at the plant who did a wonderful job with the restoration. The bed is all cut to specification from a single tree. We all worked on it off and on for a whole year. We didnt get finished with everything in time for the trade show. The truck still needs a fuel pump. We had to roll it in, but those at the show didnt mind. They enjoyed just seeing it.
BURNABY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2017 / Bayhorse Silver Inc. (TSXV: BHS) (the "Company" or "Bayhorse") has commissioned the crusher/upgrader equipment at its Bayhorse Silver Mine and commenced crushing and upgrading silver bearing mineralized material ("Material") recently extracted from the Mine.

The upgraded material will be stockpiled at the mine in 1,000 kilo (2,200 lb) supersacks, that will be individually assayed. Samples of the material and the assays will be submitted to interested potential purchasers.

The Company anticipates that up to 10,000 kilos of sacked upgraded material will be available for shipping by the end of April, 2017, with increasing quantities available as upgrading operations ramp up.

Three supersacks containing 3,000 kilos (6,600lb) of crushed mineralization will be shipped to Steinert US to refine the Ore-Sorting equipment algorithm settings to ensure maximum Ore-Sorting separation of non-mineralized from mineralized material. By removing non-mineralized material from the process stream, substantial processing cost savings can be achieved.

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With the crushing/upgrading plant commissioned, the Company will now focus on extracting up to 30,000 tonnes of mineralized material from the intermediate and upper workings of the Bayhorse Silver Mine for upgrading.

Bayhorse CEO Graeme O'Neill comments, "This milestone could not have been achieved without the support of its stakeholders, shareholders and the dedication and professionalism of its consultants and on-ground personnel who are committed to bringing the Bayhorse Silver Mine to an operational state."

Historically, Silver King Mines drilled 90 underground drill holes in 1984 totaling 15,000 feet. Using a 6 oz/ton silver cut off grade, mining of 5,718 tons averaging 16.7 oz/t silver (572.5 g/t silver) was accomplished. Historic records indicate that of the 5,718 tons produced, 23% graded between 21 - 100 oz/t silver, 71% graded between 6 - 20 oz/t silver, and 6% graded less than 6 oz/t silver. On an overall basis copper averaged 1% . The highest grade sample reported from the 1984 drilling, sampling and mining program assayed 691 oz/t silver (23,691 g/t) and 15.72% copper from a mined round containing a tetrahedrite-tennantite-rich vein.

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Minerals Production Yearbook (Jacobsen, 1959), reported total historic production from the Bayhorse Mine through 1959 as 286,000 ounces of silver from 8,300 tons of mineralization for an average of approximately 34.5 oz/t silver (1,183 g/t silver). Herdrick (1981) estimated remaining shipping material to be 166,208 tons at an average grade of between 17 and 20 oz/t, at a 7.5 oz/t silver cutoff, of which Silver King mined 5,718 tons at an average grade of 16.7 oz/t silver using a 6 oz/ton silver cut-off. No mining has been conducted at the Bayhorse Silver Mine since Silver King ceased its 1984 mining program.

The Company advises that this information is of a historic nature. Historic production estimates, drill information and grades reported have not been verified; A qualified person has not done sufficient work to verify the historical estimates nor classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

The Company advises it is not basing its decision to produce on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and also advises there is increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risks of failure associated with its production decision.

This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its contents Dr. S. A. Jackson, P.Geo., a Qualified Person has prepared, supervised the preparation of, or approved the technical content of this press release.

On Behalf of the Board

Graeme O'Neill, President

Bayhorse Silver Inc., a junior exploration company, is earning an 80% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine, Oregon, USA. Bayhorse is also earning a 75% interest in the past producing Bridging the Gap Project, consisting of ASARCO's historic Crown Point, Silver King, Ranger, Wyoming, Curlew, and Blackhawk silver/lead/zinc mines in Idaho's Silver Valley. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive exploration and mining expertise.

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: Bayhorse Silver Inc.
The extraordinary volume of water pouring through Californias rivers and reservoirs this winter appears to be behind more damage to the states water infrastructure.

State officials said Tuesday that an intake structure at Clifton Court Forebay, a 2 mile-wide reservoir in eastern Contra Costa County, would be shut down because it needs repairs after heavy inflows.

Although officials did not disclose the exact nature of the problem, they said the fix would mean temporarily halting the pumps that send delta water to Silicon Valley and across much of Southern California. The disruption, though, will not be felt in these areas because water can be delivered from other sources, the state Department of Water Resources said.

The damage at the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta facility represents a second major blow to the State Water Project this year. Near-record snow and rain totals contributed to high flows through Lake Oroville that caused a crisis last month when two of the reservoirs spillways suffered severe damage. Concerns that a wall of water would gush out uncontrollably prompted the temporary evacuation of 180,000 people downstream of the lake.

State water officials have since patched up some of the erosion that impaired the spillways and have kept water flowing safely out the reservoir.

The Clifton Court Forebay, just south of Discovery Bay, is a key link in the State Water Project. Water is channeled to the reservoir from the delta, where it is then piped to the nearby Banks Pumping Plant and delivered through the California Aqueduct to urban water agencies and farms to the south.

State officials were not immediately available for comment Tuesday, but said in a statement that flows of 10,000 cubic feet of water into Clifton Courts concrete intake structure  much more than normal  were a likely cause of the damage.

Officials said the radial gates would be closed Wednesday so repair work could begin. They did not provide a timeline for completion.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
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President Trump took to Twitter Wednesday to pan Snoop Doggs latest music video, which depicts the West Coast rapper shooting a prank gun at a clown resembling Trump.

Trump took time to criticize Snoop between a tweet calling NBC News Fake news for MSNBC revealing two pages of his 2005 income tax returns, and another tweet about revitalizing car production in Detroit.

Trump tweeted: Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg , failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!

The video in question is for the song Lavendar, a collaboration between Snoop Dogg and the Canadian group BADBADNOTGOOD, which denounces officer-involved shootings.

Most of the actors in the video have clown paint on their faces, including a figure resembling the president. At one point, Snoop fires a gun at the Trump clown as the character raises his hands in a dark parking lot. When the gun fires, a Bang flag pops out of the barrel.

After the gun scene, the clown resembling the president is still alive, but is tied up and standing in front of a car as Snoop smokes a blunt next to him.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Michael Cohen, Trump's personal attorney, have also publicly slammed the video.

Snoop is not the first rapper to oppose Trump musically. The song, FDT (F Donald Trump) by artists YG and Nipsey Hussle became a regular tune at Bay Area protests throughout the winter.

Production artist Young Metro  whose producer motto is If Young Metro Dont Trust You Imma Shoot You  held a concert in November titled, Young Metro Dont Trust Trump.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
Dallas

American Airlines said Tuesday that it plans to offer free meals to everyone in economy on two cross-country routes starting May 1.

The decision by the world's biggest airline comes a month after Delta Air Lines announced that it would restore free meals in economy on a dozen long-haul U.S. routes this spring.

Airlines dropped free sandwiches and other meals in economy on domestic flights after brutal downturns in 2001 and 2008. They have been slow to bring back food despite rising profits, leading to grumbling by some passengers.

Fares on transcontinental flights can be very similar  five airlines are offering the same $184 price for a one-way nonstop flight from New York to Los Angeles on June 1. So airlines are looking for an edge with touches such as better seats and, now, free food.

Fernand Fernandez, vice president of marketing, said some of American's best customers fly those transcontinental routes and the airline wants to give them better service "in this competitive market."

It's unclear how far the food trend will go, but airlines can afford a few sandwiches and cheese platters after posting huge profits in recent years due to strong travel demand and cheaper fuel. American Airlines Group Inc. earned $2.7 billion last year.

American said it will open the kitchen on nonstop flights between New York and both Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline says that passengers will get a continental breakfast or a sandwich wrap, chips and dessert, or they can pick a vegetarian meal or a fruit-and-cheese plate.

That leaves United Airlines as the biggest U.S. carrier with no plans yet to bring back free meals in economy on any domestic flights.

Last month, after Delta's food announcement, United's second-ranking executive suggested that his airline wasn't thinking about adding free meals.

On Tuesday a spokesman said United is always looking at opportunities to stay competitive.
Comerica Bank and Iron Mountain, a storage and information management services company, will host their fifth annual Shred Day Houston on April 8.

The free shredding helps raise awareness of identity theft and how to prevent it, the companies said. Shred Day Houston will be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Comerica Bank's Mangum Banking Center, 2201 Mangum Road.
The ongoing saga with the family of murdered trucking tycoon Bill Hall Jr. has taken another twist.

Halls two children, Justin and Dominique, are now fighting in court over the Bill Hall Jr. Truckings assets.
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Local business leaders trying to attract young tech talent are running into a bit of a problem at this weeks South by Southwest Festival in Austin: Many of their target recruits have never heard of San Antonio.

Some even think the Alamo is in Dallas.

Kevin Peckham  co-founder of Choose San Antonio, a nonprofit geared at attracting residents to the city  said roughly 4 in 10 visitors to the organizations trade show booth at last years festival had never heard of the seventh-largest city in the nation and many dont know where the Alamo is located.

People have heard of it, but most people dont know its in San Antonio, Peckham said Sunday, standing outside of the organizations booth at SXSWs job market in the Austin Convention Center. I think thats shocking to a lot of San Antonians. When Ive asked people to guess, theyd say Dallas. They know its in Texas.

Earlier, Peckham asked Michael Mahony  a 37-year-old software engineer at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California  to name a band from San Antonio.

After a beat, Mahony offered, I know Pee-Wee Herman visited San Antonio, a reference to the 1985 Tim Burton film Pee-wee's Big Adventure.

Thats a knowledge gap Choose San Antonio sought to remedy with an enlarged presence at the 10-day film, music and tech festival. The nonprofit pitched a tent at Half Step Bar in Austins Rainey Street bar district for a three-day event dubbed Casa San Antonio, intended to showcase the citys growing tech and cybersecurity industries, music and culinary scenes and cheap real estate market while treating attendees to Alamo City eats and drinks.

Click here for the full story at ExpressNews.com or read Wednesdays edition of the Express-News.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
The legal fight involving the family that owns San Antonios The Southwell Co., which has produced thousands of state historical markers, was short-lived.

Attorneys for the family members confirmed on Wednesday that the family feud has been settled  three weeks after a lawsuit was filed in Bexar County district court. Settlement terms are confidential.
For the second year in a row, Steve McHugh, chef-owner of Cured restaurant, has been named a finalist for Best Chef-Southwest from the James Beard Foundation.

The foundation just announced its list of award finalists. McHugh is San Antonio's only Beard nominee this year. The Esquire Tavern was a semifinalist this year for Outstanding Bar Program this year, but did not advance.
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Putting even greater emphasis on technology in the classroom, Kountze ISD next year plans to supply all 1,100 of its students with personal laptops loaded with digital editions of textbooks, educational software and the capability to move standardized testing completely online.

The district this spring leased 1,300 computers, enough for each student from kindergarten through high school to have their own to bring to and from school each day. Teachers also get one, and schools will have spares on campus in case students

forget theirs or laptops break.

Superintendent John Ferguson said the district is one of the first in Southeast Texas to have a 1 to 1 student-to-computer ratio. Sabine Pass ISD has a similar program, he said.

"What a lot of places aren't doing is preparing kids for jobs in the future," said Patti Crouch, the district's director of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

"They need to learn how to learn, not just studying facts but learning how to arrive at an answer and enhance their own learning," she said.

Parent-principal excited

The laptops have a system of filters to restrict internet use, and teachers can see what programs or sites students are using in the classroom or at home.

"As a parent, I'm excited," said Kountze Elementary principal Shane Reyenga, though as an administrator, she said, it can be nerve-wracking to "now be responsible for not just 400 souls, but also their internet use."

Kindergarten through third-graders will receive computers with touchscreens, which he said most children are familiar with.

Teachers will receive their computers in April to have time to prepare before the district-wide rollout for the next school year.

The computers will be used differently, according to age.

Elementary students' laptops will have programs that enable them to read at their own pace, for instance.

Meanwhile, middle school principal Thomas Cooley said teachers will be able to assess work more quickly, helping them know what needs to be reviewed or retaught.

"They'll be nice to have for distance learning," said senior Miley Overstreet, who is disappointed to be missing out on the new program.

Enhance, not replace

She will start at Lamar in the fall with five college classes already completed through online distance learning.

Overstreet said it was sometimes frustrating when she needed to do work for the college class during the high school's spring break.

Students enrolled in online courses through Lee College or other area schools currently use desktop computers during the school day, but junior Reagan Mathews said the laptops will make finishing online work easier.

"It's not meant to replace the traditional classroom, it's meant to enhance them," said Chet Deaver, Kountze High School's principal. "We can use the same interest that (students) already have in technology and harness that and channel it."

Some things won't change, administrators said - math problems will still require pencils and paper, and many of the district's textbooks already come with digital editions, so students are used to reading them on screens.

The Chromebooks cost the district about $292,000, which was covered by state and federal funding for instructional materials, as well as grants from the state for career and technical education and for low-income students, technology director Spencer Mathews said.

About 45 percent of the district's students were considered economically disadvantaged in 2015-16, according to Texas Education Agency data.

Upgrading the district's internet to prepare for more than 1,000 simultaneous users was another $238,000, mostly covered by grants as well.

Only $55,000 in district budget funds were used for the upgrades, he said.

Deaver said most of the district's students have internet access at home, and he pointed to public places including libraries and restaurants that offer wi-fi as well.

"Almost every public place has some form of internet," he said.

"When I was in school, we'd gather up all our notes and papers and go to Waffle House or Denny's and have a study session. They can do the same thing with the laptops," Deaver said.

In 2015, 75 percent of Texas households had internet subscription, according to U.S. Census data, and 86.7 percent had a computer.

Lower income households were less likely to have access, with nearly half of households earning under $20,000 per year without an internet subscription.

Kountze students without access at home will be able to use the laptops before the school day begins, Reyenga said.

Addressing issues as they arise "is just going to be a process," Reyenga said.

"We'll jump off that bridge when we get to it," Reyenga said.

LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/LizTeitz
Diana Schneider, a teacher at Henderson Middle School in Hardin-Jefferson ISD, is among the finalists for the 2017 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, the largest monetary awards program for educators in Texas and among the largest in the nation.

San Antonio-based H-E-B representatives visited her classroom and school with balloons, cookies, and flowers last week. Scheider was presented with a $1,000 check for herself and a $1,000 check for her school. The finalists are:
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Editors Note: This is the first installment of a series of stories on this historic Monte Vista house as construction continues through November.

After splitting time between two cities  Austin and San Francisco  for several years, Robert Kevin Brown and Dennis Karbach were ready to move back home to San Antonio, where both attended Ridgeview Elementary School near North Star Mall, and find a home where they could grow old.

They targeted the Monte Vista historical district, and after months of searching, found the perfect house: a 1923 two-story stucco home designed by renowned San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres in an Italian Renaissance Revival style.

We loved the home from the start and saw the potential to bring it into a different chapter, said Brown, 53, a fundraiser for nonprofit organizations. Shes grand and was preserved beautifully  and she was ready for a bit of a refresh.

One of the key points of relocating to San Antonio was to become stewards of one of these hallmark properties, which always need love, attention and a budget.

The house, appraised at $1.4 million by Bexar Appraisal District, is undergoing a yearlong renovation that includes a 75-foot lap pool in the back, totally new master and guest suites upstairs and a bocce ball court surrounded by an orchard of olive and citrus trees.

They are calling the property Tres Robles, Three Oaks in Spanish, after three huge oak trees in the propertys east yard that were probably planted a the time of construction.

This is one of those old Hollywood moments, architect Don McDonald, who designed the renovation, said of the house. You dont often see this much glamour in San Antonio, so the house really stands out.

In her own quiet way, added homeowner Brown.

To read more about the Tres Robles house renovation, and to see an expanded photo gallery and watch a video of homeowner Robert Kevin Brown talking about the house, please visit our subscriber site at Express-News.com.

sbennett@express-news.net
As spring break heads into its final stretch, tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers is just winding up.

After a six-day hiatus due to heavy rain and debris, the Comal River reopened Tuesday for recreation, New Braunfels police said. Tubers and those looking to relax in the sun on both rivers had a myriad of outfitters open Wednesday available for rentals.
/ Connecticut States Attorney

Doctors who treated victims of four of the nations deadliest mass shootings are siding with Sandy Hook families that are asking the state Supreme Court to reinstate their lawsuit against the maker of the worlds largest dealer of AR-15 rifles.

Lawyers for 10 doctors said they will ask the court to overturn a lower-court ruling in October that dismissed the lawsuit against Remington, the Associated Press reported.
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GREENWICH  Two Greenwich High students will take the stage in San Diego in April to deliver Ted Talk-style lectures on their cutting edge science research.

Junior Shobhita Sundaram and senior William Yin collected Oral Presentership awards at the Connecticut Junior Science and Humanities Symposium at the University of Connecticut, UConn Health in Farmington, Conn. on Saturday.

Sundaram collected the first place Oral Presentership award for her invention of a new computer program that analyzes patient data to determine if he or she has pancreatic cancer years before symptoms appear or a malignancy forms. In addition to her trip to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium in San Diego, Shobhi was awarded a $2,000 cash prize and a $65,000 four-year scholarship to the University of Connecticut.

Yin finished second place for his research on developing a band-aid like sensor to detect the build up of plaque in the carotid artery, allowing treatment to be administered long before a heart attack takes place. Yin will present in San Diego in April and received a $1,500 cash prize.

GHS senior Connor Li also collected an Oral Presentership award. He will not present in San Diego as only the top two students in the Symposium  Sundaram and Yin  advance to nationals.

Sundaram, Yin and Li are students in GHS science teacher Andrew Bramantes independent science research course.

With regards to why these three students were chosen, it was a blend of their amazing speaking skills, but also their tremendous creativity and genius in the work that each has done, in order to provide workable solutions to problems that we as a society face, said Bramante. All are compelling in their work, delivery, and ability to capture an audience, regardless of their technical expertise.

Sundaram, Yin and Li were three of 16 students in the state chosen as oral presenters, out more than 200 who applied.

Students apply to the Connecticut symposium by submitting a three minute video in which they explain their research. The top students are invited to give oral presentations to judges. These judges selected the first, second and third place finishers.

This is the first year Bramantes students have swept the first and second place spots in the symposium. He has a first place finisher only one other time in his twelve years with the school.

emunson@greenwichtime.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson
On this date in ...

1917: State Assemblymen Clarence F. Welsh, John G. Malone and William C. Baxter banded together to defend the reputation of the girls of Albany and refute the accusations of the man who said that they were free and easy drinkers. During a hearing on the McNab prohibition bill before the legislative excise committee, the Rev. Milton C. Buck, an upstate clergyman and Anti-Saloon League member, claimed he counted 63 girls drinking in Albany in one night.

1967: Cohoes had been named an All-America City by the National Municipal League for its reform efforts the past three years. The Spindle City was one of 11 in the country to be so honored by the league, which sponsored the contest in conjunction with Look magazine. It had to compete against 350 entries with successes ranging from urban renewal to municipal planning, from government efficiency to major clean-up campaigns.

1992: About 24,000 pounds of milk spilled onto a rural road early Sunday in Kingsbury after a tractor-trailer skidded and rolled over, according to Washington County sheriff's deputies. Authorities said a pin in a wheel hitch sheared off, causing the trailer to separate from the truck. The trailer smashed into a power pole, interrupting power and telephone service for several hours, deputies said. The road was closed for more than five hours. The driver, who was uninjured, was hauling milk for Holden Inc. of Bennington, Vt.

Want to read more about the Capital Region's past? Have any memories or thoughts about how our history relates to today's events? See http://blog.timesunion.com/history/.
Lake Livingston State Park has partnered with EarthQuest to offer a one-of-a-kind Birds of Prey program April 1.

An experienced falconer will give two presentations on these magnificent and amazing birds throughout the day. During each presentation, the falconer will showcase several different birds of prey and the adaptations that enable these birds to be masters of the sky. The birds may even take to the sky to show off their skills of flight and demonstrate how they spot and catch their prey.

The first presentation begins at 10 a.m. and second will be at 3 p.m.

Falconers and rangers will be on hand for photos, to answer questions and share information on the birds. EarthQuest is providing the park visitors this experience at no cost to the park and will be accepting donations to further their mission of education, and to provide for the rescue and care of birds of prey.

EarthQuest is a nonprofit environmental education organization, dedicated to the education of the public as to their impact on the natural world.

Regular park entrance fees of $5 per adult will apply for admission into the park. Children 12 and under are always free.

For more information on this and other programs at Lake Livingston State Park visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.
According to Nikolaus Naerger, Bank of America Corporations BAC head of corporate banking in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, the banking giant might move to Dublin for its business operations in the European Union (EU) as a result of Brexit, Bloomberg reports. "Dublin is an emergency, a default option that the bank has," he said.



The main reason for the move is the UKs exit from the EU, which led to the cancellation of Passporting Rights. The rights allowed banks to provide services to other member countries of the EU from London. The bank might have to move some jobs from London across the EU, including Frankfurt, Madrid, Luxembourg and Amsterdam.



However, BofA has not finalized Dublin as a destination. The process of moving operations into the EU will initialize once the British Prime Minister  Theresa May  concludes Brexit issues, expected by the end of March.



Why Dublin?



BofA prefers Dublin as it follows similar laws and regulations, and stands as the only other English speaking center in the EU, attracting London-based banks for post-Brexit operations.



Notably, BofA already operates a fully licensed operation in Dublin. Moreover, the bank will continue to retain its significant presence in London.



BofAs efforts to realign its balance sheet, focus on core operations and prudent cost management will likely support bottom-line growth.

BofA currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Shares of the bank gained 63.6% over the last six months, outperforming 36.5% growth of the Zacks categorized Banks  Major Regional industry.





Other Banks Considering Relocation



HSBC Holdings plc HSBC was the first company to echo the thoughts of BofA. In January, it confirmed moving approximately 1000 jobs from its London office to Paris.



UBS Group AG UBS also expects moving nearly the same number of employees.



Further, JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM seems to have been affected more by Brexit as it is expecting to relocate about 4000 employees currently working in the UK.



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Lutheran High North

Former students, parents and friends are invited to Lutheran High North, 1130 W. 34th St., Houston, TX on Friday, March 24, to celebrate 42 years of teaching ministry of Dorothy Pralle Burroughs.

For the past 29 years, Burroughs has taught in the Middle School-Instrumental Music Program at Lutheran High North.
The amount of money the state pays per student will be cut without the passage of House Bill 21, State Rep. Dan Huberty emphasized at a Public Education Committee meeting Tuesday.

"The reason is we're not funding enrollment growth," said Huberty, R-Humble. "I understand this does not fix the entire system. I get that. But what it does do is take a first step, something that we haven't done in a long, long time."

Huberty, chairman of the committee, presented HB 21 on March 6 and held the first committee hearing on the bill March 7, drawing criticism from some that he wasn't giving those affected enough time to research the bill.

If approved, the bill would put an additional $1.6 billion into the public education system. The bill increases the basic allotment (a number used to calculate how much state funding districts receive) and simplifies transportation funding to allow charter and schools under recapture to receive funds.

It also provides funding to help districts educate students with dyslexia, but many school districts have signed on in support of the bill because it would decrease the amount of money districts under recapture (also known as the Robin Hood system) pay to the state and repeal extra funding some school districts receive through a program called Additional State Aid for Tax Reduction, or ASATR.

ASATR is scheduled to expire this year, meaning the districts that rely on its funding will lose that revenue if nothing is changed.

The discussion Tuesday, at the second hearing on the bill, centered on a change Huberty suggested after hearing from several school officials March 7 concerned about which districts would receive priority as the Texas Education Agency awarded the hardship grants.

Huberty said $200 million would be budgeted for the grants, and they would be split into three categories: those who are losing ASATR, those would lose transportation funding and districts that received money under a "hold harmless" provision that would cease to exist.

Of the total $200 million, 85 percent would be set aside for ASATR, 15 percent for schools affected by the "hold harmless provision" and 5 percent for transportation funding.

Huberty also suggested decreasing the amount of grant funding over the next few years - $125 million in 2018 and $75 million in 2019 - to give districts a chance to plan for the lack of funding.

Most who have spoken on the bill supported it, praising Huberty for taking a step to fix the school funding system. Some, however, pushed for more reform, asking the committee to look at the weight formulas that determine some financing and increase funding for dual enrollment.

But Huberty changed a few minds.

Jesse Romero, president of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, said he was speaking on, the bill, not for or against it, because it did not address funding for dual language programs. In 1984, Romero said, the weight placed on bilingual education was set at .1 over a recommendation for it to weigh .4. That was because there were only 200,000 English language learners at the time, and now there are more than a million.

"We should be funding programs that work," Romero said. "Dual language is best practices because it works."

"You really need to think about your support on this," Huberty cautioned Romero. "Because if you don't like this bill and don't figure out a way to get your group and organization to be supportive as we move forward, I think that's a concern for perhaps many of your members.

"We're the only game in town giving you money," Huberty said. "We've been very thoughtful about the way we spent this money to help a lot of districts. If we don't pass this bill, school districts would receive $140 less per pupil."

Romero acquiesced, changing his position to "for" the bill.

"The 140 reasons and the only game in town - it's really sinking in," Romero said.

Huberty is working on a substitute to the original bill and hopes to have it voted out of committee at next week's meeting.
Pink Martini, the internationally celebrated "little orchestra" that blurs the barriers between classical, Latin, jazz and classic pop music, returns to the Houston Symphony with special guest Ari Shapiro, co-host of National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," at 8 p.m. March 17-18 and 7:30 p.m. March 19.

Led by Principal POPS conductor designate Steven Reineke, Pink Martini returns with lead vocalist China Forbes and Shapiro to put a festive spin on favorites like "Brazil," "Donde Estas, Yolanda?," "Yo Te Quiero Siempre" and "Hey Eugene."

Also on the program are songs from the group's most recent studio album, Je dis oui!, which features songs in English, Arabic, Armenian, Farsi, French, Xhosa, Portuguese and Turkish. Houston is the only city on Pink Martini's American Heartland Tour that will include performances by Shapiro.

Founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, Portland, Oregon-based Pink Martini draws inspiration from music from all over the world, crossing genres and languages. As a 12-piece ensemble, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on stages throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America.

The band has performed with more than 50 orchestras around the world including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Pops and the BBC Orchestra, and has appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and BBC Two's "Later with Jools Holland."

Shapiro, a longtime Pink Martini collaborator and co-host of NPR's flagship evening news program, "All Things Considered," made his singing debut with the band at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009 before an audience of nearly 18,000 people. Since then, he has regularly joined them in concert around the world and recorded songs on the group's albums "Splendor in the Grass," "Joy to the World," "Get Happy" and "Je dis oui!"

The concert will take place at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana St., in Houston's Theater District. For tickets and information, visit www.houstonsymphony.org or call 713-224-7575.

Tickets may also be purchased at the Houston Symphony Patron Services Center in Jones Hall - MondaysSaturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All programs and artists are subject to change.
Work has stopped in Pasadena on almost a dozen projects valued at approximately $15.7 million after the city's public works director notified contractors that payments are on hold until the city approves a new board for its economic development corporation, which cannot function because all its members' terms recently expired.

The corporation, known as the Pasadena Second Century, remains without leadership after Mayor Johnny Isbell on March 7 decided to defer presenting City Council with nominations to fill the seven board seats. The two-year terms for all board members had expired five days before.

"The PSSC board member terms have expired, and therefore PSCC will not be able to issue payments related to operating and capital project expenses," Public Works Director Robin Green wrote in a March 10 email to all contractors on the corporation's projects.

Those nominated on Isbell's list included four whose terms had just expired, plus three new ones.

During pre-council discussion at the March 7 City Council meeting, Councilwoman Pat Van Houte pointed out that the mayor's resolution to nominate new board members was dated Jan. 19 but was not presented to the council until March.

"We had two meetings in February. Why did this not come before the board before the appointments expired?" Van Houte asked.

"If there's a question, you can come to me any time in my office and ask me a question," Isbell replied.

Isbell later declined to return a reporter's call. An email sent from his office relayed that the mayor had mistakenly thought the board appointments expired later in March.

Several council members have accused the PSCC board of mismanagement and argued that no one should be appointed from among those with expired terms.

"We recently had to take an emergency loan to keep the board in existence. This past Friday, (March 3) there was a (Second Century) meeting, but the terms were expired for all the board members. Then, there was a secret meeting at the end of last year," Councilman Cody Ray Wheeler said.

"There was no secret meeting," Isbell countered.

"There was a secret meeting. There was not a public notice given, and they attempted to circumvent that by having a walking quorum. I don't trust this board to do the right thing," Wheeler said.

The PSSC board was recently accused of violating the Texas Open Meetings Act after members divided into two groups and held back-to-back meetings with a Pasadena-based contractor on Nov. 28 without giving public notice. The incident has been referred to the Harris County District Attorney's office for review.

The Second Century board's former president, Roy Mease, said in February that engineers from a firm had made presentations to his board on Nov. 28 at the city's convention center. In an attempt to avoid violating state open meeting laws, Mease said he had scheduled two back-to-back meetings so half of the board members could attend each.

City Councilman Ornaldo Ybarra has argued that the council should step in and take over because of the alleged board mismanagement. Appointments to the board should wait until a new mayor is elected in May, he said. Isbell cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

"Over the last eight years I've been on the City Council, time after time and project after project this board has disappointed the council and really has disappointed the citizens of Pasadena," Ybarra said during pre-council meeting discussions on March 3. "I believe until the new mayor gets elected, the City Council can act as the PSCC board. I think it's time the council stepped up and took over those responsibilities because of the fiasco going on at (Pasadena) Second Century."

Ybarra's comments come on the heels of the PSSC's near-collapse before the City Council approved an emergency $1 million loan agreement required by state law, the recent failure of a high-profile project that would have renovated a former AT&T building and allegations brought before Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan about the alleged Nov. 28 secret meetings.

According to council agenda documents, Isbell proposed replacing Mease, board president and board treasurer Brad Hance and executive director Paul Davis with Steve Cote, Brad French and Rich Lord. Isbell nominated the other four board members for reappointment: Jim Harris, Emilio Carmona, Jackie Welch, Ernest Paredes.

In an email, Assistant City Controller Jomie Blumreich informed the council that payments for Second Century operating expenses and project costs were on hold as of March 8.

"In absence of PSCC Board Members, we will not be able to issue payments related to PSCC operating and capital project expenditures until the Board Members are appointed," Blumreich wrote.

In addition, Blumreich wrote that questions had arisen related to the legality of the Second Century meeting held the day after the members terms expired and that state officials had been contacted for clarification.

"I have corresponded with Ben Morse at Andrew & Kurth (a legal firm on retainer with the city) concerning the legality of the meeting and the answer he provided was inconclusive. I feel it is important to seek further guidance from the Texas Comptroller office on this issue," Blumreich wrote.

Cory Chandler, media relations manager for the state comptroller's office, which handles PSCC sales tax revenues, said, "By statute (Second Century is) still able to collect sales taxes. However, without a board in place, the (economic development corporation) is not able to conduct regular business such as initiating new projects."

The City Council is expected to consider the board appointments on March 21.
The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office has shut down another illegal game room, the latest coming Tuesday afternoon. The closure is also adding money to the Sheriff's Office coffers to help with law enforcement efforts.

Detectives with the Sheriff's Office shut down the seventh illegal game room on Tuesday. According to a news release, detectives executed a search warrant and one arrest warrant at the Lucky 777 game room in the 600 block of Crabb River Road in the Richmond area. More than 40 machines were found along with $7,200 in cash.
The city of Montgomery is calling on State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, to speak out against a controversial bill that lawmakers say could offer residents property tax relief, but may limit local government's abilities to raise revenues.

Montgomery councilmembers voted unanimously to pass a resolution which will allow City Administrator Jack Yates to ask Nichols to oppose State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston's Senate Bill 2, which is co-authored by Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe.

The property tax reform bill requires the rollback tax rate to be lowered from 8 percent to 4 percent and would require an automatic election if the year-over-year rate exceeded 4 percent. It also calls for the creation of a Property Tax Advisory Board at the Comptroller's Office, according to the author's statement of intent in the bill analysis.

The bill would mandate all members of appraisal district boards to be elected officials, set deadlines for all property tax protests, and establish review panels in counties with populations of 120,000 or more to hear more complex taxpayer protests, according to a previous Courier article.

"It is a way to slow the growth of government and a way to slow the growth of tax bills," the Texas Tribune reported Bettencourt said in the Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday where he faced fierce bipartisan opposition from his finance committee colleagues.

The city of Montgomery would not be affected by the bill at this time, according to Yates.

"This is not a problem for us because right now our tax rate is at .4155 and our roll back rate is .5583 so we could go up from .4155 to .5583 without citizen approval at all," Yates said. "But the reason we have been able to keep this low rate is because of our (increased) growth."

However, the Montgomery City Council took a united philosophical stance against the legislature's degree of involvement in the management of the cities, which has been a point of debate in Austin.

"Although we haven't had a need for raising our taxes in several years we just think the city should have the tools to finance their projects as the need arises and we don't want the state putting limitations on us," said Montgomery Mayor Kirk Jones who shared it is rare for the council to be involved in such matters during the meeting. "It doesn't affect us now or in the past, but it technically could in the future and we just want that tool to be there."

The Montgomery County Commissioner's Court does not specifically support Senate Bill 2, but unanimously passed a resolution in support of "reasonable" property tax reform in February, according to Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal.

"Our court has not supported SB 2," Doyal said. "We do support reasonable tax reform and appraisal reform but not to the point that it prevents counties from being able to provide services to the community that is growing as rapidly as we are."
The Plainview City Council took just 24 minutes to work through its agenda Tuesday before adjourning so members could crowd around City Secretary Belinda Hinojosas computer to see streaming video of Mayor Pro Tem Charles Starnes testify in a hearing at the Texas Capitol on the states property tax system.

Starnes along with City Manager Jeffery Snyder, Police Chief Ken Coughlin and Fire Chief Rusty Powers were in Austin on Tuesday. According to Snyder, Starnes was providing testimony advocating for local control, and to allow locally-elected officials to work with their constituents on city service levels and the revenue needed to support them.

In addition to Starnes, who represents District 1, two other council members were absent Tuesday. Both District 6 Representative John Gatica and District 7 Representative Oliver Aldape received excused absences.

The remaining council members voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve on first reading updates to the electrical and electrical codes. Specifically, they voted to adopt the National Electrical Code (2014 Edition) and the International Plumbing Code (2015 Edition). They replace the 2008 Edition electrical and 2009 Edition plumbing codes now used by the city.

The National Electrical Code is published by the National Fire Protection Association and updated every three years by issuing a new edition, Community Development Manager Cris Valverde told the council. The City of Plainview is currently operating under the 2008 Edition of the NEC. A state-mandated code, city staff recommended no local amendments. He said most of the changes in the updated code are designed to provide increased clarity on code provisions.

The 2015 International Plumbing Code also contains changes that provide clarity to content and resolve common interpretation problems, Valverde said. The scope of the 2015 IPC continues to encompass the initial design of the plumbing system, the installation and construction of plumbing systems, and the maintenance of operating systems. All plumbing systems which are provided for utilization by and for the general safety and well-being of the occupants of a building are intended to be governed by the code. Plumbing installations associated with one- and two-family dwellings are regulated by the International Residential Code.

One proposed change applies to drainage and vent water tests. Instead of a 10-foot head test, city staff recommended that the code require a 5-foot head test in accordance with normally accepted practices. The test, during the plumbing rough-in inspection, requires pressure be maintained for at least 15 minutes.

The council also unanimously approved, on first reading, the creation of an Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund Account which will be governed by a seven-member trust panel to oversee the in-and-out account. This adds a step in the citys employee health benefit fund. According to staff, the added layer sets up a tax exempt trust under IRS codes. The trustees will include the mayor, mayor pro tem, city manager, assistant city manager, finance director, personnel specialist and city secretary. It will administer the citys health insurance program. The process wont add any costs. Instead, it will result in an annual savings of about $38,000 or 1.75 percent of taxes applied to health premiums.

The council also unanimously approved on first reading a negotiated settlement between Atmos Energy and the Atmos West Texas Cities Steering Committee on a 2016 utility rate request. Under the settlement, residential customers will see an average 5.3 percent increase in natural gas costs, or about $2.25 per month. Their average monthly bill will rise from $42.42 to $44.66. Atmos originally sought a $5.15 million increase. The negotiated settlement brings that down to $4.2 million.

The council also awarded the bid for a new 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe police patrol unit to Caldwell Country in Caldwell. That firm was low bidder, at $31,490, for the SUV to replace a 2015 Chevrolet Impala that was a total loss after being involved in a weather-related crash in January. The city will apply the $14,604 insurance settlement to the purchase price. No local car dealers submitted bids.
By Marcela Ayres and Maria Carolina Marcello BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's top public prosecutor asked the Supreme Court to open 83 new investigations into senior politicians on Tuesday, reportedly including five ministers and leading lawmakers, in a dramatic escalation of a graft probe threatening the government. Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot also requested that the Court send 211 other requests to lower courts based on much-anticipated testimony by dozens of executives of engineering group Odebrecht SA [ODBES.UL] in Brazil's biggest-ever corruption scandal. Brazilian newspapers reported that Janot called for an investigation of five members of President Michel Temer's cabinet, along with his most senior allies in Congress, raising concerns about the stability of his administration and the fate of fiscal reforms cheered by investors. Temer said last month that he would suspend any cabinet member who is placed under investigation and would dismiss them only if they are indicted for corruption. Under Brazilian law, cabinet ministers, federal senators and lower house lawmakers can be tried only in the Supreme Court, where cases often take years to come to trial. Janot could not disclose the names of the politicians and others covered by his request as the Odebrecht testimony and related investigations are still under seal. He asked Supreme Court Justice Edson Fachin to lift the judicial secrecy on the case for the sake of transparency and the public interest. In a letter to explain the operation, Janot said his actions on Tuesday will remind Brazilians "of the sad reality of a democracy under attack by the corruption and the abuse of political and economical powers." President Temer himself has not been directly implicated in illicit party funding and has denied any wrongdoing in the sprawling three-year corruption scandal centered on overpriced contacts at state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA . Dozens of politicians reportedly named for taking kickbacks in the testimony by Odebrecht executives included senators in Temer's Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PDMB) and the allied Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which led the impeachment of leftist Dilma Rousseff last year. Janot called for lower courts to investigate Rousseff and her predecessor and political mentor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, according to newspapers O Globo, O Estado de S.Paulo and Folha de S.Paulo. Both former presidents have repeatedly denied any involvement or knowledge of alleged corruption. TEST FOR TEMER The new investigations will be a test for Temer as he strives to pull Latin America's largest nation out of its worst recession in more than a century. Temer succeeded Rousseff in May, vowing to eliminate corruption and restore fiscal discipline, but he has already lost several ministers to bribery allegations. His chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, a key organizer of political support in Congress for a crucial reform of Brazil's costly pension system, is on thin ice after an Odebrecht executive was reported to have said he asked for a cash donation for Temer's 2014 campaign. Newspapers Globo, Folha and Estado reported that Padilha and four other members of Temer's cabinet were on Janot's list: Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes, Science Minister Gilberto Kassab, Cities Minister Bruno Araujo and Wellington Moreira Franco, the head of Temer's high-profile infrastructure privatization program. Janot also called for the investigation of key Temer allies in Congress, according to the newspapers, including lower House Speaker Rodrigo Maia and the three most senior PMDB senators: Senate President Eunicio Oliveira and senators Romero Juca and Renan Calheiros. Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes said he required access to Janot's accusations and will only comment when he is aware of the content. Cities Minister Araujo said he has asked for campaign donations from Odebrecht in the past, but did so in accordance with the law. Senator Romero Juca said he is available to collaborate with investigations and believes facts will be clarified. Reuters was not able to confirm the media reports. The other politicians cited were not immediately available for comment, but they all have consistently denied wrongdoings. The PMDB released a statement on Tuesday expressing support for the investigations and calling for "the clarification of the facts of the matter." PSDB said it has always defended the Car Wash investigation, believing that it is the only way to separate guilty from innocent. Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles said news of the investigation should not hurt progress on the government's pension reform. Janot first opened investigations of seated politicians implicated in the kickback scandal in March 2015, but only five have been indicted and none convicted. The new round of investigations fueled by the Odebrecht testimony follows 10 months of negotiations with the family-owned firm, Latin America's largest engineering group. In December, Odebrecht signed a leniency accord with prosecutors, agreeing to pay 6.7 billion reais ($1.9 billion), admit guilt and offer details of bribes it paid. Seventy-seven of its executives, including family patriarch and Chairman Emilio Odebrecht and his jailed son and former Chief Executive Marcelo Odebrecht, made some 950 statements to a team of 116 prosecutors across the country, Janot's office said. ($1 = 3.17 reais) (Reporting by Marcela Ayres and Maria Carolina Marcello; Writing by Brad Haynes, Anthony Boadle and Marcelo Teixeira; Editing by Daniel Flynn, Dan Grebler and Lisa Shumaker)
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A Willis-area family with three sons in the Civil War continues to leave an impact on Montgomery County today.

Not only did the Lewis family have three sons in the Civil War, son John Lewis Jr. returned to the area and became very active in politics serving as county judge, county attorney and Precinct 1 justice of the peace in the late 1800s.

Also of note, father John Lewis Sr. was the last speaker of the House for the Republic of Texas. The family homesite, which at one time showcased the plantation home Elmwood, today sits beneath the waters of Lake Creek Reservoir, which plays a role in Entergy's Lake Creek Power Plant.

The Lewis family comes to Texas

John M. Lewis Sr. was born in Virginia in 1802. In 1831, he married Susan Madison Boyer in Fincastle, Virginia, according to research by local historian Frank Johnson, an expert in Montgomery County's Civil War veterans.

Soon, they moved to Franklin County, Alabama, where they had four children, Eldon, Clint, John Jr. and daughter Iantha.

The family moved to Montgomery County in 1842.

Johnson suspects an attractive offer of sizeable land in the Willis area drew Lewis to the county.

The land Lewis bought was previously owned by Neal Martin, one of Texas' earliest settlers.

According to Johnson's research, the Martin League land grant (4,428 acres) stretched from the West Fork of the San Jacinto River, eastward to present-day Willis.

Johnson explained Martin never really lived on the Willis-area land, having three or four times as much land in the Nacogdoches area.

"Trying to get that large of a chunk of land was almost impossible at the time," Johnson said.

"Early records and accounts by friends and neighbors indicate that Lewis Sr. was a wealthy and well-respected man. Man referred to him as Gen. Lewis," Johnson noted from his research.

Lewis was the last speaker of the House for the Republic of Texas and he ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives, but was defeated by local icon Charles B. Stewart.

A highlight of the Lewis land was the plantation home Elmwood, which Lewis Sr. had built there.

An article by Josie Patrick in a Willis Centennial periodical gives this account of the home:

"Though there were no sawmills and hauling was laborous, there was timber on Lewis' land and he was determined to reproduce a mansion from his virgin pine forests that would rival the finest in Virginia.

The highest knoll was chosen for the homesite and the slaves were set to work. A couple of years they spent building Elmood (also referred to as Elmswood in the article.) Everything was handhewn and nothing but the finest craftsmanship was accepted. Spikes and nails were so scarce, wooden plugs were substituted. The few bricks that were used came from Holland.

The entire front wing of the third story of the house was a ballroom. General Lewis' socials were quite famous and guests came from far and near on carriages and on horseback."

War takes a toll on the family

John Lewis Sr. died March 8, 1862, and was buried near the Elmwood home.

After their father's death, Eldon and John Lewis Jr. joined Company B, 24th Texas Cavalry. Another brother, Clint, was severely wounded at the Battle of Gaines' Mill in Virginia and died July 28, 1862, according to Johnson's research.

Eldon Lewis and John Lewis Jr. were captured in the Battle of Arkansas Post. They were separated and sent to prison camps up north.

John Lewis Jr. was released and took command of Company B due to the failing health of Dr. Wooldridge, who previously led the unit.

Lewis Jr. was captured again on July 21, 1864. Eldon Lewis died after being wounded in Georgia.

The only remaining Lewis son returned home to Willis and wed Martha Woodson, the daughter of well-known doctor Creed Woodson.

"The tragic deaths and the war took their toll on mother Susan Lewis," Johnson said in his research. "Following the war, debt forced her to mortgage her property. The property was also tied up in lawsuits, including one with Peter Willis, a major entrepreneur of the time."

She died Feb. 6, 1883, and was buried at Elmwood beside her husband.

Lewis Jr. went on to have a successful career in law and politics in Montgomery County as county judge, county attorney and Precinct 1 justice of the peace in the late 1800s. He was also involved in an attempt to move the county seat from Montgomery to Willis in the 1870s.

He died in April 1908 and is buried in the Willis City Cemetery.

Remains of the property and home

According to Johnson, the plantation home fell into disarray and was later taken down to salvage the lumber.

The article in the 1970 Willis Centennial publication states that the mansion became the property of daughter Iantha Lewis Woodson. They later sold the plantation to the Burke family from Alabama. The Burkes sold it to Mr. Green and it was later bought by John Hulon and finally by Thomas Cluxton in 1898.

Accounting to the article, during the Cluxton's residency, many visitors came to the old house. Among them, now and then was a Lewis or Burke descendent with dreams of buying the old home back, but this never happened.

The property remained in the Cluxton family until it was purchased by Gulf States Utilities in the 1960s.

The reservoir is now owned and operated by Entergy (formerly Gulf States Utilities Company) mainly for condenser cooling in the steam electricity generation plant adjacent to the reservoir and for recreational use.

Preserving history

Currently, historian Frank Johnson, a member of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, is working on a project through the Historical Commission to place a Montgomery County historical marker on FM 1097 or Longstreet Road west of Willis recognizing the Lewis family's contribution to the area.

For more information about Montgomery County history, visit the Montgomery County Historical Commission at www.montgomerycountyhistoricalcommission.com or the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County at heritagemuseum.xclaimmedia.com.
 Rapson Sportsman's Club's all-you-can-eat fish fry from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Friday at 3155 Minnick Road, Bad Axe. Featuring Alaskan pollock, scallped or cheesy potatoes, french fries, green bean casserole, baked beans, salads, coleslaw, rolls and dessert. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for kids ages 5-12, and kids under age 5 eat for free.

 Grindstone Port Hope Sportsman's Club's fish fry from 4 to 8 p.m. March 17 and April 21 at 6101 Huron City Road, Port Hope (two and a half miles north of Louisville). Featuring all-you-can-eat fish, salad bar, potatoes, vegetable, bread and deserts plus a full cash bar. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children ages 5-12, and children under age 5 eat for free.
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In the 1890s, Willis grew 90 percent of the tobacco in Texas within five miles of its town, with a population of only about 800 people. While the city's rapidly growing population shot up to more than 6,000 people, its tobacco crops have since wilted, the factories have fallen and the memories of a once-thriving industry have begun to fade.

Grown on the large plantations, harvest leaves were cured in barns and processed at one of seven cigar factories, such as its first brick factory founded and built by Capt. T.W Smith and his son Owen Smith after the Civil War, according to information from Montgomery County Historical Commission Chairman Larry Foerster and Heritage Museum Board member Sue Ann Powell.

"The tobacco industry became pretty popular in Willis," Foerster said. "There was an embargo by the United States on Cuban tobacco during this period of time. Some of the local farmers began raising tobacco, 1,500 acres or so in the greater Willis area.

They would ship the tobacco down the railroad to Galveston and from there they would ship it over to the East Coast."

It all began in 1891 when John Blum started growing cigar tobacco in Willis, followed by Owen Smith, and then the Carson-Morris company. The seeds these men planted led to the explosive growth of Cuban "Vuelta Abago" tobacco cash crops, according to a historical timeline provided by Foerster.

By 1893, the tobacco grown in the Willis area earned national recognition with a first-prize win at the Columbian World's Expo in Chicago. That same year in October, the first edition of the Willis Index reported on the newly opened Willis Opera House. The article described the Opera House as "an attractive public hall and Thespian temple," located in the Caldwell Building on the Texas Montgomery Grey's Veterans' organization, the Powells' information from a Willis Centennial and Willis 125 Year Collector's Edition publications stated.

In 1900, at the peak of its tobacco boom, Willis paved its way to the international scene with another first prize, this time at the World Fair in Paris, France.

But everything started to come to a halt when Congress lifted the tariff and by 1901 Willis took a hard hit.

"Once the Cuban embargo on tobacco was lifted by the United States, then the manufactures started going back to Cuban tobacco," Foerster said. "But at one time, it was a pretty thriving industry in the Willis community and to a lesser degree in the rest of Montgomery County."

Crops shrunk to only 70 acres of tobacco. Tobacco businesses began to disappear and truck farming began to replace the crops with a variety of vegetables, cotton and fruit with the main market in nearby Houston, according to a timeline provided by Foerster.

Melville Paddock, 78, who is in charge of the Willis Cemetery on FM 1097 East where he said Capt. T.W Smith is buried in the Smith Family Mausoleum, had a great grandfather, Tom Paddock, who sold vegetables by the railroad during the time period.

"It was kind of thought of as a loss to the area because they counted on that for income," Paddock said.

Powell's great-grandfather, William P. Powell, was a doctor in Willis during the time of the tobacco farms. Many years later, her father, Lee Cargill, owned a grocery store where there were "still remnants of drying sheds."

She recalls hearing stories from her father about the life the industry breathed into the social scene, which she says has since declined in Willis.

During the first economic boom in Willis from the 1890s to early 1900s, information from Powell stated that tobacco led to the establishment of mercantile stores, hotels, a saloon, dry-goods stores, the Opera House built in 1893, and a male and female college built in 1880, which did not open until it was paid for in 1885. It was sold to the citizens of Willis for a public school in 1901.

"There was more social life going on than there is now that is centered in the town," Powell said. "The big deal for people then is they would get dressed up, meet the train as it came through each day and there was a lot of activity in the town."

She shares a concern with others about the city's lack of a museum and fears people will forget its local history.

"Willis has changed so much really," said Powell, who is also a member of the Montgomery County Historical Commission. "There isn't the cohesive feeling of downtown Willis anymore. ... I don't think that very many people know that Willis won those prizes or take any interest in the tobacco industry. I would hope there would be some pride and interest in the history, but Willis is fading away fast with people that are getting older and dying."

Today, the historical marker for the old brick Cigar Factory, which once employed 100, can be viewed at Bell Street and MLK Street.
BRASILIA, March 15 (Reuters) - Brazil's federal audit court TCU on Wednesday allowed state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA to proceed with its divestment program, but required the company to restart the process except for two projects.

Petrobras had been prevented from signing any new asset sales while TCU reviewed its procedures. The two assets that Petrobras will be able to sell without restarting the process from scratch were not disclosed by court.

(Reporting by Leonardo Goy; Writing by Silvio Cascione; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The coincidences are piling up.

After disavowing any contact with President Donald Trump last week, Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev's state-of-the-art yacht Anna sat anchored in the British Virgin Islands on Friday night when another equally resplendent luxury liner, the Sea Owl, sidled up, according to a website that tracks the movement of yachts.

The owner of the dark-hulled yacht? President Donald Trump's biggest financial supporter and Breitbart News moneyman, Robert Mercer.

Rybolovlev has repeatedly said he has never met Trump or had any dealings with anyone in his campaign. The oligarch did purchase a Palm Beach mansion from the developer in 2008 through a family trust, Rybolovlev's spokespeople say.

Within days of the election last year, Trump's and Rybolovlev's jets were parked on the airport apron in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 3. Trump had a campaign rally that day in Concord, N.C. Rybolovlev said he was there for business.

The two planes were also in Las Vegas at the same time in October.

Since the CIA and FBI said Russia launched a campaign to interfere with the U.S. election in an attempt to benefit Trump, ties between one of America's longtime nemeses and the president have surfaced on several fronts, including Rybolovlev.

Russia is the top suspect in hacking the emails of the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign, which were released through WikiLeaks.

The president's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, his former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former campaign adviser Carter Page all have had interactions with Russian officials. Trump has business ties with Russians who developed properties with him in Fort Lauderdale and New York.

There is also a possible connection through Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who has part ownership in the Bank of Cyprus, which has ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Rybolovlev also owned shares in the bank. Ross also has a home on Palm Beach where Trump owns Mar-a-lago, now dubbed the Winter White House.

Then there is the Deutsche Bank connection. The former CEO now runs the Bank of Cyprus. Deutsche Bank is Trump's top creditor to the tune of around $300 million. Deutsche just paid $425 million in fines to the state of New York for laundering $10 billion in Russian money.

Now one of the president's chief financial backers during the campaign has been spotted within one-tenth of a nautical mile of oligarch Rybolovlev in the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean. The yachts stayed near each other on Saturday then later motored away from each other, but were in the same vicinity over the weekend.

A source provided The Palm Beach Post photos of Mercer's Sea Owl and Rybolovlev's Anna anchored off the North Sound near Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. One photo shows the two yachts separated only by a few sailing vessels between them.

The two vessels were a couple hundred feet away from each other on Friday and about 1,000 feet apart as late as Monday, according to data from www.marinetraffic.com obtained by The Palm Beach Post.

Besides taking photos of the boats up close and from a distance, the source did not reveal any other information or the motivation in reaching out to The Post. Neither Rybolovlev or Mercer were observed on the vessels.

"Mr. Rybolovlev has never met Robert Mercer and has no relationship with him whatsoever," said Brian Cattell, the oligarch's spokesman, said Tuesday.

A staffer at Mercer's residence in Suffolk County, N.Y., answered the phone and took a message, but no call was returned for comment.

How important was Mercer to Trump being elected president? He supported U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, before throwing his support to Trump.

Along with Mercer's support came Steve Bannon, the man who ran the right-wing website Breitbart News. Bannon took over Trump's campaign and engineered the biggest upset in American politics in decades. Now Bannon serves as chief strategist to President Trump.

Cattell, Rybolovlev's spokesman, used to write for Breitbart. He said he never met Mercer.

Rybolovlev's known tie to Trump is the purchase of a 62,000-square-foot mansion in 2008 on North County Road in Palm Beach for $95 million, the highest price paid at the time for a residence in the U.S.

The oligarch's jet showed up in places where Trump just happened to be campaigning, Las Vegas in October and Charlotte, N.C., in November. Last week, for the first time, Rybolovlev through a spokesman said he and his plane did share the airport apron at the same time as Trump but it was purely coincidental.

"Particular attention has been focused on a trip made by Mr. Rybolovlev to North Carolina," said Sergey Chernitsyn, an adviser to Dmitry Rybolovlev. "He was in North Carolina for a business meeting and we can state categorically that he did not have any contact with Mr. Trump or any of his advisers at the time he was there."

The statement did not address the time when the president and the oligarch were both in Las Vegas or why his plane was in Miami on the weekend of Feb. 11 when Trump was at Mar-a-Lago entertaining the Japanese prime minister.

Now enter Robert Mercer, who along with his daughter Rebekah, have supported right-wing causes, whether it be Breitbart or Super PACS, including Make America Number 1, which supported Cruz before getting behind Trump.

In December, Trump, Bannon and senior aide Kellyanne Conway attended a lavish Christmas costume party Heroes and Villains at the Mercers' Long Island family estate.

Mercer worked for IBM for two decades before getting wealthy when he joined the hedge fund Renaissance Technologies.

The political clout, though, tends to be wielded through his daughter, Rebekah. Politco in November reported that she was playing a major role in shaping Trump's administration.

Cattell, Rybolovlev's spokesman, did not respond to emailed questions about whether the oligarch knew Mercer's daughter.

The Mercers have poured at least $1.4 million into organizations that cast doubt on climate change science and $34.6 million to 30 conservative non-profits from 2011-2014, according to Politico.

Last Month, the Guardian profiled Robert Mercer, noting he had a $10 million stake in Cambridge Analytica, that specializes in "psyops" _ "election management strategies" and "messaging and information operation."

Also reportedly on the board of Cambridge Analytica: Steve Bannon.

The company can psychologically analyze Facebook users _ reportedly without their knowledge _ based on their activity.

"We are thrilled that our revolutionary approach to data-driven communication has played such an integral part in President-elect Trump's extraordinary win," Alexander James Ashburner Nix, the CEO of Cambridge Analytica, said after the election.

___

(Staff writer Mike Stucka and staff researcher Melanie Mena contributed to this story.)

___

(c)2017 The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.)

Visit The Palm Beach Post (West Palm Beach, Fla.) at www.palmbeachpost.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A man standing near an intersection died after he was thrown into the air after being struck by a Ford Expedition Tuesday night on the North Side, according to authorities.

San Antonio Police Department Sgt. Martin Landgraf said the man, 40, was struck at about 9:30 p.m. standing by San Pedro and McCarty roads.
In Texas latest lawsuit against the federal government, the state is trying to force a decision on a centralized resting place for the nations nuclear waste.

The suit filed Tuesday by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeks to kick-start a stalled process of licensing a Department of Energy site in Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to store highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel from at least 62 active or closed nuclear power plants across the country.
SAN ANTONIO  A 45-year-old San Antonio man received a lengthy prison sentence Tuesday after being convicted in 2015 on armed bank robbery charges, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Joseph Krist was sentenced to more than 41 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He must also pay a combined $17,833 in restitution for two bank robberies he committed in San Antonio, a news release said Tuesday.
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SAN ANTONIO  A driver was hospitalized Wednesday after being hit by a man in a pickup truck who ran a red light at a West Side intersection, according to police.

Officers and first responders arrived to the scene of the three-vehicle crash around 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of Culebra Road and NW 36th Street, near St. Mary's University.
(Adds White House declines to comment, details on shifts in Trump's environmental policies)

By Emily Flitter

NEW YORK, March 15 (Reuters) - Seventeen congressional Republicans signed a resolution on Wednesday vowing to seek "economically viable" ways to stave off global warming, challenging the stated views of President Donald Trump, who has called climate change a hoax.

Republicans Elise Stefanik of New York, Carlos Curbelo of Florida and Ryan Costello of Pennsylvania introduced the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, pledging to "study and address the causes and effects of measured changes to our global and regional climates" and seek ways to "balance human activities" that contribute.

Several Republicans who signed the resolution, which is non-binding, represent parts of the country most affected. Curbelo hails from Miami, where streets regularly flood at high tide due to rising sea levels.

"This issue was regrettably politicized some 20 or so years ago and we are in the process of taking some of the politics out, reducing the noise and focusing on the challenge and on the potential solutions," Curbelo said in a call with journalists on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the White House declined to comment.

Jay Butera, a congressional liaison for the non-partisan group the Citizens Climate Lobby, called the resolution "an important step toward getting both parties focused on finding solutions."

A similar resolution was introduced by Republicans in the previous Congress, with 17 signing. Some of those lawmakers lost their re-election bids.

Trump's newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Scott Pruitt, said in a CNBC interview on Thursday that he did not believe carbon dioxide was a major contributor to climate change. The Sierra Club on Tuesday asked the EPA's inspector general to investigate whether Pruitt violated agency policy by making the comments.

"The head of the EPA's comments were disconcerting," Curbelo said. "What he said was akin to saying the earth is flat in 2017. We must insist on evidence-based and science-based policies."

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Curbelo said some Trump allies were ready to work on fixing climate change but he declined to identify them.

The resolution came amid growing concern and confusion over the way Trump's environmental policies were taking shape. After calling climate change a hoax and vowing during the 2016 presidential race to pull the United States out of Paris climate accord if elected, Trump asked energy companies for advice on whether to indeed withdraw.

And his call on Wednesday for a new review of U.S. vehicle fuel-efficiency standards put in place under former President Barack Obama drew criticism from Democrats and environmental groups who accused him of risking more carbon emissions and higher fuel costs.

Two sources told Reuters the administration has been contacting U.S. energy companies about the climate agreement and would consider their input in making a decision on it shortly.

An overwhelming majority of scientists say human activity - including the burning of oil, gas and coal - is the main driver of rising global temperatures. Most Republicans either dispute that or disagree that it is an urgent problem.

Melinda Pierce, the Sierra Club's legislative director, said her group would keep an eye on how Republicans who signed the resolution voted on more impactful legislation.

"We've seen that many of the Republicans sponsoring this resolution have voted against climate action in the past, so their real commitment will be measured by how they vote on legislation that undermines climate progress or promotes fossil fuel projects moving forward," she said.

(Reporting by Emily Flitter; Editing by Howard Goller, Bill Trott and Lisa Shumaker)
President Donald Trump promises to help lower Americas prescription drug bills. How? By allowing patients to buy medicines from overseas pharmacies.

Though intended to help everyday Americans, legalizing drug importation would actually harm them. It would force American pharmacies to compete on a deeply uneven playing field. Foreign companies, benefiting from the socialist price controls of their home governments, could destroy middle-class jobs all over the country.

The policy shift would hit Texas particularly hard. The drug industry is a central pillar of our economy, contributing $52 billion to our annual economic output. Today, drug firms support over 36,000 local jobs, which are generally high-skilled, immune to outsourcing and pay middle-class wages that can support a family.

And this work can profoundly improve human life. For instance, Austin-based Xeris Pharmaceuticals just announced it raised $41 million to fund research into a new, cutting-edge treatment for hypoglycemia, a condition afflicting millions of diabetics. In total, Texas drug firms invest nearly a billion dollars every year to finance some 3,000 clinical trials.

This industry would be put in jeopardy if drug importation were legalized. President Trump won the White House in large part because he promised to protect American workers from unfair foreign competition. Drug importation is unfair foreign competition at its worst.

Right now, federal law significantly restricts purchases of imported prescription medicines. Overturning those restrictions has obvious appeal: Drug prices in Canada and Western Europe are generally lower than they are here in America.

But medicines are cheaper in foreign markets because governments in those countries impose price controls. The Canadian government, for instance, sets low price ceilings on drugs sold through its national health program and fines companies for breaking them. British authorities tightly limit the profits drug companies can make through the National Health Service.

This socialist tinkering is strikingly similar to currency manipulation, the practice perfected by the Chinese, in which a countrys central government keeps its currency artificially weak to boost exports. President Trump has repeatedly denounced that abuse and rightly pointed out that it undermines American manufacturing.

He should take a similar stance here. Legalizing importation would flood the domestic market with artificially cheap drugs. Texas firms wouldnt stand a chance  they have to charge genuine market rates to have any chance of covering the billions of dollars they typically have to spend to develop just one new medicine.

There are better ways to drive down domestic drug prices that dont put our economy at risk.

For starters, the White House and Congress should work together to reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. Passed in 1992, this law creates what amounts to user fees for the Food and Drug Administration. Drug companies have to pay a set amount every year to ensure the agency has the resources it needs to quickly and accurately assess new medicines. This legislation has helped usher more than 1,500 new drugs into the American market, but the current iteration expires in September. Reauthorizing the act would keep new medicines flowing and fuel competitive pressures in the drug market.

Next, as part of his effort to renegotiate Americas trade deals, the president should ensure that our trading partners respect intellectual property law. China, India and other major global economies routinely violate our patent protections and illegally produce generic knockoff medications.

Cutting drug prices by importing foreign medicines may sound promising. But it would expose Texas employers to unfair foreign competition and wipe out local jobs. And thats no way to keep an economy like Texas great.

Thomas R. Kowalski is president and CEO of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute.
White supremacism was never banished from American political thought, just shoved to the fringe and hushed to a whisper. Now, in the Age of Trump, its back in the mainstream and ready to roar.

Witness the words of Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on the subject of immigration: Culture and demographics are our destiny. We cant restore our civilization with somebody elses babies. King offered these sentiments Sunday in a tweet expressing solidarity with Geert Wilders, the openly Islamophobic Dutch politician. Wilders is someone who understands, King wrote.

And we understand just what King meant. Former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke certainly got the message, using his vile Twitter account to proclaim, GOD BLESS STEVE KING!!!

Just so theres no confusion, King went on CNN Monday to say that I meant exactly what I said.

He added: Ive been to Europe and Ive spoken on this issue and Ive said the same thing as far as 10 years ago to the German people and to any population of people that is a declining population that  isnt willing to have enough babies to reproduce themselves. Ive said to them, You cannot rebuild your civilization with somebody elses babies. Youve got to keep your birth rate up and that you need to teach your children your values.

Why am I not hearing a loud chorus of condemnation from Kings Republican colleagues?

King told CNN he is merely a champion for Western civilization, which he called a superior civilization. Which means, of course, that he considers other civilizations inferior. But we knew that.

After all, King has a history of inflammatory immigrant-bashing. In 2013, he said that for every undocumented immigrant who becomes a valedictorian, theres another hundred out there that  they weigh 130 pounds, and theyve got calves the size of cantaloupes because theyre hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.

And as for race, a guy from Iowa who keeps a Confederate flag on his desk is definitely sending some kind of message. He tried unsuccessfully to block the federal governments plans to remove Andrew Jacksons image from the $20 bill and replace it with that of Harriet Tubman.

We should pay attention to his lexicon, however, because todays white supremacism tends to shy away from overtly racial terminology. Listen instead for words such as culture and civilization.

The idea is that the United States is the land of the free and the home of the brave because its civilization is European or Western  euphemisms, basically, for white.

According to this view, immigrants have been assets to the country only to the extent that they have fully assimilated into the dominant culture. And while previous waves of immigrants may have become part of the fabric of our society, recent Latino immigrants are not blending in. And as for Muslims, well, forget about it; the Constitution may forbid the establishment of any official religion, but our civilization is resolutely Christian. African-Americans are OK so long as they accept the foregoing as true  and do not assert any sort of distinct African-American identity.

I think thats a fair reading of modern white-supremacist doctrine. Of course, its a bunch of racist, ahistorical claptrap.

Immigrants  both voluntary and involuntary  have shaped this nation since long before its founding. The first Africans were brought here in bondage in 1619, one year before the Mayflower. Americans have never been a single ethnicity, speaking a single language, bound by the centuries to a single patch of land. We have always been diverse, polyglot and restless, and our greatness has come from our openness to new people and new ideas.

Kings distress about birth rates can only be read as modern-day eugenics. If he is worried about the coming day when there is no white majority in the United States, he has remarkably little faith in our remarkable society  or in the Constitution that he, as a member of Congress, is sworn to support and defend.

eugenerobinson@washpost.com
Time to trade in those red #MAGA caps, Trumpkins. If you want your headgear to fit in with the latest White House fashions, invest in some tinfoil.

From top to bottom, the Trump administration has been infested with conspiracy theorists. Most appear to be true believers. Take Stephen Bannon and his anxieties about the deep state, or the recently ousted Michael Flynn and his propagation of suggestions that Hillary Clinton was tied to a child sex ring run out of a D.C. pizza parlor.

Others, such as Kellyanne Conway, appear to just be paranoiacs for pay.

Conway seems convinced that the best way to stay in her bosss good graces is to spread parody-defying crackpot theories, or at least add a dash of color to President Donald Trumps own crackpottery.

You may recall that Trump, with zero evidence, accused President Barack Obama of having the wires tapped at Trump Tower. Trump then called for a congressional witch hunt to find proof that the unfounded allegation is true. Over the weekend, Bergen Record columnist Mike Kelly asked Conway point-blank, Do you know whether Trump Tower was wiretapped?

Conways response: What I can say is there are many ways to surveil each other now, unfortunately.  There was an article this week that talked about how you can surveil someone through their phones, through their  certainly through their television sets, any number of different ways. And microwaves that turn into cameras, et cetera.

Yup, Conway suggested that Team Trump may have been surveilled via microwaves and televisions. To be fair, though, if one were to spy on Trump, through the TV would be a good place to start.

In subsequent interviews, Conway acknowledged that she had no evidence for this claim and that she is not in the job of having evidence and is not Inspector Gadget.

On Sunday, budget director Mick Mulvaney added his own screwball spin to the latest jobs report.

Weve thought for a long time, I did, that the Obama administration was manipulating the numbers in terms of the number of people in the workforce to make the unemployment rate, that percentage rate, look smaller than it actually was, Mulvaney told CNNs Jake Tapper. Mulvaney declined to say exactly how the numbers were being manipulated, saying the explanation might bore people.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has been calculating the unemployment rate the same way since 1940. But Mulvaney nevertheless supports the theories of his tinfoil-hat-wearing boss, who throughout the presidential campaign called the unemployment rate a hoax and totally fiction. Most recently Trump relayed through his press secretary that the jobs report may have been phony in the past, but its very real now.

Just a few days before Mulvaneys latest bout of irresponsible conspiracy theorizing, Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt suggested that  despite the overwhelming scientific consensus  carbon dioxide may not be a primary contributor to climate change.

Its hardly just coincidence that the Trump executive branch is rife with beliefs that are wholly disconnected from reality. Such beliefs were a foundation of his campaign. Of course this would be the talent he attracts. Not scientists, experts or others who believe in weighing evidence, but people who heard Trumps many malicious lies and reckless insinuations  that vaccines cause autism, that Ted Cruzs dad was connected to the JFK assassination, that Mexicans are flooding over the border to rape and kill, that Antonin Scalia and Vince Foster may have been murdered, that 3 million people voted illegally, that our first black president was born in Kenya  and said: Sign me up!

That includes people such as Curtis Ellis, a Labor Department appointee who previously argued that Democrats were engaged in ethnic cleansing of working-class whites. Or Sid Bowdidge, the massage therapist who landed a job as a political appointee at the Energy Department, despite tweeting that Muslims ought to be exterminated.

For this administration, only one political premise is beyond the pale: that the Russians maybe, just maybe, intervened in the 2016 election to help put Trump in the White House.

Whoa, lets not get carried away.

crampell@washpost.com
SANTIAGO, March 14 (Reuters) - Chile's Escondida copper mine, the world's largest, will look to restart operations after striking employees rejected an invitation to return to negotiations, the mine's president, Marcelo Castillo, said on Tuesday.

The mine controlled by BHP Billiton was legally allowed to hire temporary workers 15 days after the strike started on Feb. 9 but had said it would wait for 30 days to show its commitment to dialogue. Tuesday marked day 34 of the strike.

(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Caroline Stauffer Editing by Sandra Maler)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang stressed the need for healthy Sino-U.S. relations and reiterated the domestic economy's stability at a news conference on Wednesday.

Speaking at the conclusion of the nation's annual 'Two Sessions' meetings, Li said that Beijing and Washington should strengthen dialogue to resolve differences and achieve common ground on trade relations. "China doesn't want to see a trade war with the U.S.," Li said.



His remarks come ahead of scheduled talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month . The summit would be Trump's latest attempt to ameliorate bilateral ties after he criticized the Asian giant on a range of issues, including currency, North Korea and the South China Sea.

The bilateral relationship is also in close focus as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in Asia this week. The former Exxon executive will touch down in Beijing on Saturday, where he is expected to build a framework for talks ahead of Trump and Xi's meeting.

In a potential reference to Trump's controversial stance on free trade , Li said Beijing supported globalization and is committed to opening up its economy.

"All countries must work together on global trade," Li said, noting that Beijing will participate in regional free-trade pacts. China has, in fact, already joined trade talks with member states of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in Chile this week.

Li was speaking at the conclusion of two major Chinese political events that were closely followed by global markets: the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People's Congress (NPC).

The CPPCC, the mainland's top political advisory body, is branded as a type of consultative democracy, in which the body's 2,200 members, who come from various private-sector and cultural backgrounds, share suggestions with policymakers. The NPC, meanwhile, is a meeting of China's parliament , in which 3,000 delegates review the government's annual work report, draft provisions of civil law and release economic blueprints.

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This year's work report , presented on March 5, set the nation's 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) target at 6.5 percent, below 2016's year goal of between 6.5 and 7 percent.

Li defended the 2017 target on Wednesday, saying the figure was not low and will not be easy to meet amid domestic and external risks. But the country still plenty of policy tools at its disposal and will push ahead with reforms, he added.

"It's time to stop talking about a China economic hard landing."

Pressure to create more jobs will be big this year, he said, warning that Beijing would not allow mass unemployment. Economists have long warned of job cuts as the country embarks on supply-side structural reforms, such as slashing overcapacity in steel and coal industries as well as reducing real-estate inventories.

In regards to local financial markets, Beijing is fully aware of threats in China's financial system, Li said, adding that the sector was generally stable, with no systemic risks.

On the topic of Asian geopolitics, Li said tensions in the Korean peninsula could lead to conflict, referring to North Korea's latest missile launches . Dialogue is key to easing tensions, Li noted. "Nobody wants to see chaos on their doorstep."

China traditionally has been North Korea's biggest trading partner and main source of aid but it recently suspended North Korean coal imports to comply with international sanctions.

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THE late former President Robert Mugabes family yesterday rubbished moves by a Zvimba traditional leader to summon former First Lady Grace Mugabe to appear before his traditional court on a charge of improper burial of the countrys former strongman.

Mugabe, who was deposed by the military in a coup in November 2017, died a bitter man in September 2019 at a hospital in Singapore.

The period leading to his burial was marred by haggling over his place of interment between his family and the government. The family buried him at his rural home in Zvimba, insisting it was his wish, while the government wanted him buried at the National Heroes Acre, where its centre-piece marque depicts him as the ultimate hero.

Chief Zvimba has summoned Mugabes widow Grace to his village court at Murombedzi Growth Point to answer to a charge of burying her husband at his homestead.

You are facing charges of burying the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe at his homestead. This is unheard of in Chief Zvimbas area, summons by Chief Zvimba to Grace dated April 29, 2021 read in part.

This was after a Zanu PF official identified as Tinos Manongovere approached the court demanding that Grace be tried for the irregular burial of Mugabe.

Grace is also accused of abandoning Mugabes properties which are scattered nationwide.

Chief Zvimba said he wanted Grace to bury the late President in accordance with our traditions and in Zvimba at a place designated by the family and his late mother.

These charges you are facing attract a fine of five cattle and a goat, Chief Zvimba, who is a brother to the late leader, said.

Chief Zvimba warned that a ruling will be made even if Grace snubs the summons.

Grace was asked to propose a date with appropriate authorities if she was unable to attend the village court next week.

But the Mugabe family spokesperson and nephew to the late feared former ruler, Leo Mugabe, said it was improper to summon Grace since the burial of his uncle was a done and dusted issue.

No one will force us to change even if they come up with many court cases. They can go to hell, Mugabe said.

Our position as a family is that we will not entertain this issue. We buried Mugabe and thats all. This person who is complaining is not part of the family and we dont know why he is doing that.

We dont know why the chief is summoning Grace on his charge sheet. Grace is not a Mugabe, she is an in-law in the family and the decision to bury him was a Mugabe family decision, he said.

He vowed that no one would attend the court session and he cared less about a default judgment.

In any case, what will happen even if the complainant wins the case? It is an exercise in futility because as far as we are concerned, we are done and nobody can force us and we cannot say he was buried in a house when we all know he was buried in a courtyard.

Had we gone to the National Heroes Acre he was going to be buried in a proper room they call a mausoleum and was the chief going to summon President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa over that?

Government has distanced itself from the Mugabe family feud despite accusations that the issue was being pushed by some senior government officials who are keen on having the late nationalists body exhumed and buried at the national shrine.

Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana took to micro-blogging site Twitter to say: Whatever it is, leave us alone.

A Mugabe family friend, who is also opposition National Patriotic Front spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire, accused the Mnangagwa government of pushing for the exhumation of the remains of the late former President.

The junta occult comedy around the burial and envisaged exhumation of late President Mugabe continues with Mnangagwa office representative Jeremiah Moyo accompanying a team comprising Borrowdale police, Chief Zvimbas representative and a messenger of court to Blue Roof to administer summons on Grace accusing her of improperly burying the late RGM (Mugabe) in contravention of some dubious chieftainship burial rites claimed by a Zanu PF DCC (district co-ordinating committee) member, Tinos Manongovere, Mawarire tweeted.

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NEARLY 200 000 Zimbabweans working in South Africa face deportation and loss of jobs upon expiry of their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) on December 31 this year if they do not migrate to other eligible permits.

There are four different permits available namely, student visa, business visa, spousal visa and work permit visa and applicants must find one that best suits their situation.

However, there are strict conditions for getting the permits. This has led to the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa holding marathon meetings with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) as well as members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs in an effort to find common ground and avert a potential deportation disaster.

The ZEP cancellation and requirement to apply for a new visa aligns with the departments review of all visas issued from as far back as 2004, but Zimbabweans are the only ones who have to reapply for a visa at the moment.

For one to get a student visa, they ought to provide proof of being admitted to a registered learning institution in terms of section 1 of the South African Schools Act, 1996 as well as a college established in terms of the Further Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006.

Students are required to provide proof of medical cover renewed annually for the period of study with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act.

To get a work visa, the applicant must prove they are filling a critical skill post and that their employer cannot find an equally qualified South African for the job.

Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Community in South Africa, Mr Ngqabutho Mabhena, said talks with the ANC party and parliamentarians were underway.

As Zimbabwe community in SA, working with the African Diaspora Forum, we are in talks with the ruling ANC as well as the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs because these are policymakers. You will note that the ANC is going for a policy conference in July and we are raising these issues with them to highlight that while we respect the ANC-led Governments position, we believe there is room to review that decision given that maybe there was no proper analysis, he said in an interview.

We believe perhaps there was an assumption that everyone would be able to move to other permits with no regards to people with no skill and these are issues we are raising with the ANC as a political party, said Mr Mabhena.

He said while there has not been tangible positions from the talks, they shall continue with engagement and keep communication lines open.

We also understand the pressure on the ground because unemployment is rising and stands at 35 percent while we are also alive to the fact that some political parties used these statistics to win votes in the 2021 local government elections so I can not say for certain that they are listening to us or not but what is key is that we are talking, said Mr Mabhena.

The South African Home Affairs department estimates that 178 412 Zimbabweans were granted exemptions.

According to a critical skills list released by the Home Affairs Minister Dr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi on February 2 this year, there are 101 jobs that meet the set requirements. The jobs and are mostly sciences-related and the qualifications needed make it almost impossible for the generality of Zimbabweans working in South Africa to get the visa.

According to the South African Department of Home Affairs website, from time to time the Minister of Home Affairs publishes a Critical Skills list in a Government Gazette. Prior to submitting an application for a Critical Skills Work Visa, the applicant is required to have his or her foreign qualification(s) translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic and to have such qualification(s) evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

The applicant is also required to obtain written confirmation(s) from a professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA or any relevant government department confirming the skills or qualifications of the applicant and appropriate post-qualification experience.

In the event that any law in South Africa requires one to be professionally registered in order to practice ones profession, the application must contain proof of an application made for a certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA.

Business visa applicants need to have a certificate showing that they have at least R5 million available in cash, or at least R5 million in cash and capital to be invested in South Africa.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Mark Wohltmann, the new director of NACS Europe, recently sat down with Petrol Plaza News to discuss whats going on in convenience retail on the European continent and Convenience SummitEurope.

Here is a brief excerpt of Wohltmanns interview. Read the entire interview here.

On the goal of NACS in coming to Europe. Convenience is a very connected global industry and as NACS we have always been very engaged in the different markets to provide knowledge, identify best practices, meet with industry leaders to learn and connect, and to support local associations in their local advocacy efforts by being an advocate for the industry ourselves. And this is not going to change, we will just intensify what we already are doing, together with our partners.

On how the convenience community brings the industry closer. One key task of any association is to help connect people. If you are a single-store operator, the owner of a small chain or the CEO of a multi-country operation, you have a limited amount of time to spend networking, so it is necessary to spend it on meeting with the right and relevant people in an efficient way. You want to meet your peers to discuss trends and learn from others experience. We are helping to connect our members with their relevant counterparts and make the most of their time spent.

On where the European convenience store industry might be going. The anonymity of hypermarkets is being rejected by more and more consumers and they are looking for advanced, modern, local neighborhood storesa place where they know who is selling and where they sourced it from. Market data shows growth in Europe for e-commerce, discount and small stores, the latter basically meaning convenience-retail.

On the future of the European convenience store industry. In Europe, we face many unknowns: politically, economically and fiscally. Our society is changing. Hot topics are basic salary algorithms that will take over white collar jobs, and how far globalization should go. So it is going to be a bumpy ride. Things will change, but if there is one sector that has shown in the past how to successfully deal with change, that is convenience retail. But we need to get ready for it  get prepared, be informed, get connected and stay engaged.

Join Mark Wohltmann at the NACS Insight Convenience SummitEurope on June 11-16 in Zurich and London. The Summits agenda is quickly developing; for more information on the event, visit conveniencesummit.com.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Protecting data has become a top concern for any retailer in todays technical environment. Two panelists answered retailer concerns during yesterdays NACS Show Speaker Chat: Technical Tools for Data Protection.

Paul Truitt, chief security officer at SageNet, recapped the key takeaways from the popular NACS Show educational session. The top four things to keep in mind in data protection are:

Understand the threats

Gooey middles are bad

Layer your security

People and process are important too

One chat attendee asked how retailers know if the data protection tools employed are working. Mark Carl, CEO of EchoSat, Inc., reiterated that the No. 1 thing was to know where your threats are.  Remote access is one of the biggest threats out there, so having someone assigned specifically to review security and to moderate logging is crucial.

Truitt added that by the time you see data exiting your firewall, its too late. Having the right tools and logging in place as well as having the right people reviewing those loggings is critical.

Another attendee wanted to know the No. 1 emerging threat to the convenience store industry. Truitt pointed to the Internet of Things, which connects everything from appliances to HVAC systems to computers. There is a full set of potential risks involved but those risks arent treated as such, he said.

On March 21, tune into our last NACS Show Speaker Chat on The Impact of FDA Deeming Regulations on the C-Store Tobacco and Vapor Business for a chance to ask speakers your questions on how the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations Deeming Regulations will significantly impact the c-store tobacco and vapor businesses.
Yves here. For those of you who are late to this series, the underlying reason that Uber is not a bona fide tech success is that the fact that it has cars available at affordable (cheap) prices is solely the result of massive, unsustainable investor subsidies. There are no network economies in running any transportation network because beyond a baseline service level, there is an inherent tradeoff between service frequency (size of fleet and staff) and profits. Ubers app is trivial technologically and does not create a barrier to entry or confer scale advantages.

Even though Ubers long-term investment success would require it to achieve a monopoly or dominant position in an oligopoly, local transportation services do not have high barriers to entry. In fact, ironically, Ubers war against local licensed cabs is lowering barriers to entry. But if Uber were to achieve a dominant position in some markets, its end-game would require it to jack up prices considerably to cover its full current costs plus recoup past losses plus achieve an adequate profit level. That level of price would drive many current users away plus create a price umbrella that would encourage new competitors to jump in.

By Hubert Horan, who has 40 years of experience in the management and regulation of transportation companies (primarily airlines). Horan has no financial links with any urban car service industry competitors, investors or regulators, or any firms that work on behalf of industry participants

Ubers business model is radically different from past tech unicorns and has (and will continue to) massively reduce overall economic welfare

Most of this series has focused on the economics of Uber, and how the growth of Uber has, and will continue to massively reduce overall economic welfare. Earlier posts presented a wide range of evidence documenting Ubers hugely unprofitable operations and how its growth had been driven by predatory behavior, its uncompetitive costs, its false claims about innovation and competitive advantage, and that investor returns always depended on industry dominance and anti-competitive market power.

The growth of Uber is massively misallocating resources because Uber is a less efficient producer of urban cars services than the operators it has been driving out of business. Uber cannot achieve sustainable profits or investor returns without achieving the quasi-monopoly industry dominance it has been aggressively pursuing and exploiting anti-competitive market power

The original growth of companies like Google, Amazon, Ebay and Facebook was driven by powerful competitive efficiency advantages and natural scale/network economies that generated massive consumer welfare benefits, although these welfare gains were somewhat offset by the ability to exploit market power once they achieved industry dominance.

Uber is radically different from these past unicorns because its business model is focused entirely on the second (exploit anti-competitive market power) part of this equation[1]. It skipped the difficult first part, which requires creating a totally new product that consumers value, or finding major efficiency breakthroughs so consumers can enjoy much more service at much lower cost.

As a result, Uber required a massively greater investment base than any prior unicorn in order to fund years of predatory subsidies. Amazon could fund much of its growth out of the positive cash flow generated by legitimate competitive advantages and scale/network economies. Ubers growth required $13 billion in cash  1600 times Amazons pre-IPO investment funding.

While these massive subsidies may have provided some temporary benefits to consumers and drivers they are not sustainable. In reality, they are hugely welfare-reducing because they are designed to destroy more efficient industry capacity and create the anti-competitive market power Ubers investors need in order to eventually earn returns on that $13 billion.

Achieving sustainable profits requires going beyond taxi deregulation so that Ubers investors seize full control over the laws governing taxi markets

Since its inception, Uber has understood that its biggest challenge was not the marketplace battle between Uber and Yellow Cab over taxi passengers, but between Ubers Silicon Valley investors and local citizens over control of the laws governing the urban car service market. Given the billions in profit improvement Uber needs just to reach breakeven, its investors cannot take the risk that cities respond to Uber dominance by reimposing pricing and service requirements, or other steps designed to restore meaningful competition.

Many have incorrectly referred to this process as a fight for taxi deregulation. In past transport deregulation processes, industry and government officials debated whether alternate industry structures (levels of competition and government oversight) would maximize overall economic welfare. Past reforms considered the needs of operators (taxi owners and drivers needed to make money) but also recognized that unregulated taxis would underprovide welfare enhancing benefits such as safety, insurance and access to jobs and housing that were poorly served by public transit.

In certain cases reforms designed to increase competition between independent providers subject to level playing field rules were judged to be the best way to increase industry efficiency and overall welfare. However, the importance of the government oversight to protect the public interest in maximizing welfare was never questioned.

Ubers objective was not to maximize competition subject to level playing field rules, but to seize control of the entire playing field and to eliminate meaningful competition. Uber was not presenting evidence showing how an unregulated monopoly provider would greater overall economic welfare than a competitive industry subject to regulations. It wanted to establish the absolute preeminence of its pursuit of shareholder returns over any public interest, such as protecting competition, safety, consumer protection, employee rights, or any other welfare enhancing benefits.

Ubers quest for market control faces both factual economic and democratic process obstacles. No one can legitimately claim that consumers would achieve Google/Amazon type service/pricing gains under Uber dominance. Uber dominance cannot be defended as something that resulted from the impartial judgement of the market since Uber has not shown that it can profitably produce better taxi service under competitive conditions. A battle between fragmented, poorly capitalized incumbents and Silicon Valley billionaires supplying billions in predatory subsidies is not neutral market competition.

All independent academic analysis has rejected the hypothesis that Uberesque laissez-faire taxi competition would improve industry efficiency or consumer welfare, findings that were confirmed when test cases of milder forms of deregulation in 17 cities failed to produce any public benefits.[2]. No democratically elected city government accountable to voters would openly eliminate all citizen oversight of local taxi service (including protections against monopoly power abuses) and grant total control of that service to private investors.

How could Ubers investors seize full control of urban taxi markets given uncompetitive economics, given the clear evidence that taxi deregulation would not benefit consumers, and given that no government accountable to voters would openly agree to major industry changes without compelling evidence of consumer pricing and service benefits?

The answer is that Uber is attempting to implement an innovative and disruptive strategy for achieving market control  a strategy radical different from every prior tech oriented startup  but those disruptive innovations have nothing to do with technology or the efficient production of urban car services.

From its inception, Uber correctly understood that the battle between its Silicon Valley investors and local citizens over control of the laws and regulations governing the urban car service market was a political fight, and had to be fought using the techniques that had proven successful in political fights.

Luckily for Uber, pro-corporate/libertarian/objectivist oriented think tanks had conducted a major taxi deregulation campaign in the 1990s advocating the same complete elimination of all forms of legal/regulatory restrictions on the freedom of capital accumulators that Uber is seeking, and laid out a detailed communication program that Uber copied, almost word-for-word, when it began its fight for market control.

Most tech companies have origin stories; Uber usually points to times when Garrett Cook and Travis Kalanick could not immediately summon a taxi (a Paris tech conference, the Obama inaugural) when the idea push a button, get a car crystalizes. Brad Stone points to the time Cook noticed the graphical tracking software on James Bonds phone in the movie Casino Royale.

But Ubers growth was not driven by the user interface on its app; it was driven by its political strategy to take over an industry that it could not win on the basis of competitive economics. Thus Ubers real origin dates to the political strategy these think tanks established when they set out to eliminate all forms of government oversight over the taxi industry.

The 90s think tanks based their campaign on the type of political propaganda commonly found in large scale partisan campaigns, designed to obscure underlying agendas and motives. Relevant definitions of propaganda include a deliberate, systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognition and direct behavior in ways that block interactive discussion in order to further the objective of the propagandist,[3] and communications designed to win over the public for special interests through a massive orchestration of attractive conclusions packaged to conceal both their actual purpose and lack of sound supporting reasons.[4]

Other tech companies convinced the world they would achieve industry dominance by providing independent outsiders with objective evidence of huge efficiency and scale advantages and demonstrating that they could profitably produce better service at lower cost.

Uber used its massive predatory subsidies to create the appearance of better service at lower cost, and a propaganda narrative that convinced journalists and industry analysts that not only was it hugely competitive but its eventual success was so inevitable that there was no need to investigate its actual competitiveness or financial results. Uber supplemented its propaganda narrative with actions establishing a hyper-ruthless corporate image, designed to convince any competitors, local governments or unconvinced journalists that any efforts to resist Ubers inevitable dominance would be futile.

The think tank taxi deregulation campaign blocked discussion of industry reforms based on economic evidence of potential impacts on efficiency and welfare with an emotive/tribal battle framing that precluded compromise.

Neither the think tank campaign nor the earlier 17 city deregulation push was the result of local citizens organizing to address local transportation issues. Both were entirely organized and financed by external interests who systematically repeated its key messages across a range of contexts and publications.[5]

The descriptions of the think tank taxi deregulation campaign below are based on twenty-nine articles from this period, twenty of which were published between 1993 and 2000.[6] Twenty-two of the pieces were published by pro-corporate/libertarian/objectivist oriented advocacy groups that received major funding from Charles and David Koch, including 6 by Reason and 5 by the Institute for Justice and 8 by similar state-level groups.[7] The others were opinion pieces in mainstream outlets that uncritically publicized the claims of those advocacy groups.

The higher-level political objective these papers was defined as the liberty principle ,[8] a belief that only a very narrow range of governmental activities were legitimate, fully consistent with the Uber/Silicon Valley political view that any governmental actions limiting the freedom of capital accumulators are illegitimate.[9]

The campaign worked to shift all industry discussion from a technical economic efficiency/consumer welfare frame based on industry economic evidence to a narrative where a single simplistic change could solve all industry problems. Attractive conclusions were highlighted  their central claim that regulation is the cause of all of the industrys problems is endlessly repeated  but none of the papers presented any supporting evidence based on actual taxi industry economics. For instance: [M]ore could be done to improve the quality of urban transportation and perhaps abate the current fiscal shortfall through the process of deregulation than through almost any other policy strategy.[10]

The papers all claim that ending economic regulation of taxis will lead to better quality service, lower fares, shorter wait times and increased employment. But since none of the papers even mentions concepts such as operating efficiency, utilization or productivity, they fail to consider, much the less explain, where these gains will come from, or how existing regulations might have caused these problems.

The papers assert that deregulation will solve the problems of long wait times in peak periods and poor service to lower-income neighborhoods, but none of the authors had any understanding of the actual costs of those services and nor made an attempt to explain how deregulation would reduce those costs. Regulation is attacked as an obstacle to innovation, but no one can cite any specific innovations that have been blocked.

The papers reframed all industry issues around an emotive black-and-white, us-versus-them ideological/tribal battle narrative. The fictional hero was the entrepreneur, often portrayed as a struggling immigrant anxious to embrace the free market, who would transform taxi service but for the evils of regulation. This reimaged a fight for greater corporate freedom, funded by billionaires, into a fight to help an oppressed underdog. The impact of regulation on these storybook entrepreneur wannabes is devastating. It impairs their ability to earn a decent living for themselves and for their families. It limits their opportunity to work for themselves, instead of for others. It destroys their dream of a brighter future.[11]

In reality these thwarted entrepreneurs were close to non-existent and consumers had not been harmed, since the few that did enter were not competitive with incumbents and quickly went out of business.[12] The fictional villains were the malicious forces of the Cab Cartel working in cahoots with corrupt government regulators. The current regulatory scheme in Boston benefits no one but the existing medallion holders, their lobbyists, and their lawyers.[13] Framing the heroic entrepreneur vs corrupt regulator fight as a battle for progress, innovation and economic freedom precluded reasoned, factual discussion about alternate paths forward based on actual industry economics.

Having first reframed regulatory issues into a moral battle where data was irrelevant and compromise was unacceptable, the think tanks then expanded the scope of supposedly deleterioius regulations from the pricing and entry restrictions that had been the focus of every previous deregulation debate to any rule that might ever constrain the freedom of capital.

These papers specifically rejected calls for more or better regulations [but] that an improved taxicab market can arise by removing regulation[14] including regulations designed to prevent monopoly or protect public safety.[15] The think tanks insisted that giving the owners of capital complete, unfettered control of the industry would automatically eliminate any externalities and inefficiencies, implying there was no actual need to protect competition. If it werent for government interference, the laws of supply and demand would govern the taxi trade with almost frictionless efficiency: cabs would be plentiful, fares would be reasonable, and service would be available nearly everywhere it was wanted.[16]

The think tanks claimed they were just like the airline deregulation reforms of the 80s in order to obscure their much different objectives and to falsely imply taxi deregulation would produce the same large efficiency and consumer benefits. The papers included assertions such as eliminate medallions and fares would drop, just as they did when the airlines were deregulated[17]and there is no reason, however, why the same [airline deregulation] principles cannot be successfully applied to urban transportation as well.[18] In addition to the false claim that medallion values had been directly extracted from consumers[19] (claims refuted in part six of this series), it claimed that the failed 17 city taxi deregulation test had actually been a great success.[20]

The 90s think tank taxi deregulation campaign failed to generate any support outside the ideological/political circles already predisposed against most forms of governmental activity, and thus failed to overcome the democratic process obstacles. Local governments and taxi industry participants may not have grasped the radical nature of the changes proposed in these papers, but knew that past deregulation efforts had failed to produce any benefits, knew that these papers had not provided any credible evidence of potential public benefits, and knew that any explicit political decision to totally abandon public oversight of taxis would be rejected by the public.

Uber adopted the think tank propaganda approach almost word-for-word as the foundation for its market control battle

Uber immediately adapted the 90s think tank propaganda narrative as its communication template because it directly addressed the obstacles Uber would face in its pursuit of full market control.

Uber needed to reframe all public discussion around an emotive, ideological/tribal narrative that would limit scrutiny of its uncompetitive economics and would also enlist a base of dedicated supporters, who would see Ubers battle against longstanding laws and regulations as a moral battle where compromise was unacceptable.

Uber needed a simple regulation-based explanation for the industry problems it would allegedly solve, but did not want anyone to reexamine the actual history of taxi deregulation, or to understand the huge difference between pricing/entry liberalization and the total market control they were seeking.

Uber needed to establish the image of a battle between cutting-edge technologists fighting to disrupt a backward industry so that people outside of its core of supporters would view Uber as the heroic good guys.

Uber needed to create a strong association between its disruptive innovation and its meteoric growth in order to create the impression they were following the proven model of Amazon and other successful unicorns and thus would inevitably achieve strong profitability and industry dominance just as they had. Establishing Uber as an innovative good guy with a business model just an innovative as Amazon would eliminate the need to investigate whether they actually had similarly powerful inventions, or to figure out why the losses investors were subsidizing were so large and persistent.

To build a base of ideological/tribal supporters Uber CEO Travis Kalanick emphasized the companys affinity with the tech industry and its libertarian/objectivist values. He highlighted his famous Silicon Valley investors, his use of Ayn Rand as his Twitter avatar, and described himself as a trustbuster and a freedom fighter. Its like Braveheart. Like, freeeeeduuuuuuuuum.[21]

Uber evoked the same us-versus-them imagery with entrenched and corrupt political forces, but substituted the heroic technology innovator for the heroic entrepreneur the think tanks had used. Kalanick described Uber as an avatar of progress a transportation technology innovator, boldly going where no man has gone before; its loyal supporters would be amply rewarded in the end because ultimately, progress and innovation win.

Despite massive funding from Silicon Valley billionaires, Uber faced overwhelming disadvantages in its battle against a powerful Taxi Cartel (alternatively the Taxi Medallion Cartel). Over the years, what Ive come to realize is that this controversy exists because we are in the middle of a political campaign and it turns out the candidate is Uber and the opponent is an asshole named taxi. Our opponent  the Big Taxi cartel  has used decades of political contributions and influence to restrict competition, reduce choice for consumers, and put a stranglehold on economic opportunity for its drivers. When we do so, we dont do so fighting anybody. The fight is brought to us by those who dont want to have to compete, dont want to innovate and who like the status quo for what it is, which is not to the benefit of consumers or drivers.

Given the long-term objective of total market control, the propaganda narrative made the uphill battle with the evil Taxi Cartel into a struggle over core values where total annihilation of the enemy was a moral imperative. Nobody likes him, hes not a nice character, but hes so woven into the political machinery and fabric that a lot of people owe him favorsWe have to bring out the truth about how dark and dangerous and evil the taxi side is. Kalanick made it clear that truth and justice were totally on Ubers side and any accommodation with incumbent operators or taxi regulators was out of the question. If youre operating from strong principles, you can compromise when the person on the other side is operating from principles you respect, he says.

Despite Ubers transparent interest in destroying all incumbent operators in order to establish global industry dominance, Kalanick insists Uber is just trying to increase competitive options. When its about protecting incumbent industry, when its about providing less choices for citizens to get around the city, then theres less to talk about.

Following the think tank template, Uber emphasized attractive outcomes (e.g. hiring Uber would soon be cheaper than buying a car, Uber would eliminate waiting for cabs on Saturday night, and the company had generat[ed] 20,000 new driver jobs every month that had no factual basis and were totally inconsistent with actual industry economics.

Uber insisted that the emergence of an unregulated, Uber dominated industry had nothing to do with multi-billion dollar subsidies but was strictly the result of the free choices of consumers in a competitive market and therefore must reflect the efficient results that markets always produce. But as law professor Eric Posner points out, [this] is a response that any monopolist could makeBut whether or not Uber does overcharge people now, sooner or later  once it displaces taxis and dominates markets it will.[22]

Echoing the struggling immigrants in the think tank narrative, it valorized its driver-partners as small business entrepreneurs who had been generously granted a unique opportunity. Uber forced drivers to bear much greater costs than traditional taxi drivers faced, could fire their driver-partners at will, and aggressively lied to them about their true earnings potential. In 2016, once drivers were locked into vehicle financing obligations, Uber slashed their compensation by over $1 billion.[23]

But Kalanick perversely defended a business model whose economics and service standards are controlled tightly by Uber as a way to empower workers. When you empower drivers to own and operate their own vehicles, they can take control over their own income, their hours, and they can improve their lives.

Ubers public claims quickly coalesced into a PR/propaganda[24] narrative that can be readily summarized. Ubers huge valuation was justified by its powerful business model that was based on cutting-edge technological innovation; it has created a totally new product category (ridesharing) an industry (the on-demand or sharing economy) that is totally different from traditional taxis; its meteoric demand growth was the result of consumers freely choosing their vastly superior product in open, competitive markets; resistance to Ubers growth was due to the coalition of the evil Taxi Cartel and corrupt regulators who were willing to block major innovations and job creation in order to protect an inefficient status quo; that startup losses will soon give way to strong profits, just like past unicorns that rapidly grew into profitability; robust long-term growth is certain because its business model is so powerful that it can overwhelm competition in any city and any country and inevitably achieve global industry dominance and because it will become so efficient that it will significantly displace car ownership.

Ubers PR/propaganda narrative was powerfully amplified by journalists following the tech industry

There is no legitimate, verifiable economic evidence supporting any part of Ubers PR/propaganda narrative. But the effectiveness of propaganda campaigns does not depend on analytical rigor. It depends on their ability to get seemingly objective outsiders to amplify the message and give it greater credibility.

The media had completely ignored the 1990s think tank propagandists explicit attacks on all aspects of taxi regulation, but when the exact same narrative was repackaged in the context of an epic power struggle where cutting edge technologists backed by the best and brightest in Silicon Valley would inevitably overwhelm a backward industry, it became widely repeated in the tech industry and mainstream business press as if it was established truth that had been independently verified.

Ubers narrative exploited the myopia of tech industry journalists embedded in a Silicon Valley tribal culture that sees itself as the avatar of economic progress, who readily embraced Ubers framing of a heroic battle against a backward industry.

Given the awesome benefits that Silicon Valley-led disruptive innovation would inevitably bring, there was never any need to interview anyone knowledgeable about the industry being disrupted, or consider whether the Ubers claimed innovations had ever transformed any other industry.

Journalists focused on the wealth and status of Ubers Silicon Valley investors within the venture capital world. The presumption they must know what they are doing eliminated the need to find evidence that would explain how they had found tens of billions of economic value no one else had ever seen, or whether their interests coincided with any broader economic interests.

Part eight of this series uses Brad Stones recent Uber/Airbnb book as an example of tech journalist bias. Stone, the senior executive editor for technology at Bloomberg News, manages to endorse every element of Ubers narrative while finding excuses for everything contradicting it (e.g. the massive failure of Uber China). Stone fails to mention Ubers multi-billion dollar losses or any other aspect of its uncompetitive economics, and cannot explain where profits or returns to investors might come from. Part seven of this series provides examples of much more open-minded, independent tech journalists, willing to acknowledge contradictory evidence and obvious Uber flaws Yet even they maintained that Uber it an ideal example of how the tech industry is the avatar of innovation and progress.

Since Ubers narrative provided a fully self-contained explanation of its inevitable success, even journalists without strong tribal tech industry ties had little need to undertake any independent investigation. Given Ubers overwhelming financial advantage, one could assume the battle had been decided before it started, and thus there was no need to dig into complicated competitive issues. The press treated Lyft (with a mere $2 billion in funding) as an also-ran and the entire incumbent taxi industry as a complete irrelevancy. Given its rapid growth, journalists accepted the Uber narrative implication that it was following the exact model that Amazon and Ebay had followed.

The huge industry-wide losses caused by the massive increase in less efficient capacity was never considered newsworthy, and was never blamed on Uber; since Amazon and Ebay had converted large initial losses to sustainable profits there was no reason to doubt that Uber would as well.

Ubers successful creation of the perception that it was the new Amazon/Ebay caliber tech winner created a virtuous circle, increasing the amount of highly favorable press Uber received. Aside from being locked out of access on one of the biggest stories on their beat, Silicon Valley journalists would also risk reputation in fighting the image version of a massive momentum trade.

It also meant that the press ignored the question of whether Uber actually had the Amazon-like scale economies needed to eventually achieve profitability, and ignored the arithmetic showing that an Uber recovery from its multi-billion dollar losses would constitute one of the greatest corporate turnarounds in history.

Ubers us-versus-them narrative also provided built in-responses to critics; people who raised questions about reduced driver earnings or whether the app was actually a technological breakthrough or Ubers eventual profitability could be dismissed as an Luddites who opposed empowerment and progress. Those who complained about Ubers ruthless behavior and disregard for legal requirements were bleeding hearts who did not understand what was required to create billions in corporate value. The combination of Ubers aggressive PR efforts, and a weak, disorganized and marginalized opposition created the impression that there was only one side to this story.

Of the thousands of Uber stories in the mainstream press, none included any interviews with independent experts on urban transport, none investigated the pros and cons of the longstanding taxi regulations Uber was disobeying, and none investigated whether innovations like Ubers app or surge pricing practices had ever driven major competitive changes in any other industry.

Since Uber was popular (and traditional cab service was decidedly unpopular) with many of the urban elites who were a major audience for these media outlets, there was little motivation to expose the unsustainable subsidies that popularity possible, or to point out that the service they liked was reducing the already poor working conditions of drivers and also threatened affordable late night taxi service for low-wage workers.

Ubers hyper-ruthless corporate behavior powerfully complemented its PR/propaganda strategy

Space does not allow the full story of Ubers strategy for market control to be told here, but its highly effective PR/propaganda program was the key (in conjunction with its $13 billion investment base) to convincing the world that success was inevitable. By capturing the tech industry and mainstream business media, Uber rendered any local politicians that might have wanted to enforce longstanding regulations powerless, and ensured that outside critics questioning Ubers business practices or competitive economics were never taken seriously.

To summarize briefly, the other key component to Ubers market control strategy was the development of a highly ruthless corporate image. While the PR/propaganda campaign told the world that success was inevitable, Ubers vicious behavior towards local politicians, competitors and critical journalists told the world that resistance was futile.

Recent articles about Ubers rogue culture, exemplified by Susan Fowlers descriptions of systemic protections for sexual harassers within management, the Greyball software used to obstruct local law enforcement and the Google/Waymo intellectual property theft lawsuit treat this type of behavior as aberrant and fixable because they consider it totally outside the context of Ubers operations. In fact, this behavior and Ubers monomaniacal focus on total market control is an absolutely central part of its business model. Change the culture, and you destroy what made Ubers growth to date possible.

In an ideal world, competitive markets help allocate resources efficiently because consumers, workers and investors respond to information indicating which companies have better products, efficiency and profit potential. Ubers pursuit of industry dominance and market control has been based on massive distortions of market information. Its multi-billion dollar predatory subsidies grossly distort competitive pricing and service information. It has gone to great lengths to hide the financial and competitive information capital markets require, and in several cases it has resorted to blatant dishonesty about things like driver earnings potential and market performance. Its PR/propaganda program was designed to replace legitimate economic evidence markets need with a narrative explaining its inevitable success that had been manufactured out of thin air.

_______________

[1] The outside returns Silicon Valley venture capital community that funded Uber seeks has always focused on the monopoly power that could support significant rent-extraction and supra-competitive profits. For example Peter Thiel said Always aim for a monopoly. Its one big transgressive idea, and youre not allowed to talk about it From societys perspective, its complicated. But from the inside, I always want to have a monopoly. Cook, J., Peter Thiel: Always aim for a monopoly. I always want to have a monopoly, Business Insider, 2 May 2015 Separately Thiel argued that Actually, capitalism and competition are opposites. Capitalism is premised on the accumulation of capital, but under perfect competition, all profits get competed away. Thiel, Peter, Competition Is for Losers, Wall Street Journal, 12 Sep 2014

[2] The history of academic taxi deregulation analysis and test cases, with citations to original sources can be provided on request

[3] Jowett, Garth & ODonnell, Victoria, Propaganda and Persuasion, Sage Books, 1,6,24 (1999).

[4] Sproule, J.M., Channels of Propaganda ERIC Press Indiana University, 8 (1994).

[5] A review of deregulation in Seattle noted that no local consumer or civic groups had been advocating deregulation; the chief proponent was a libertarian-leaning City Council member who argued that the best way to improve taxi service to the public wasfor the government not to interfere with private industry and justified the move in terms of the recent success of airline deregulation. Leisy, C., Taxicab Deregulation and Reregulation in Seattle: Lessons Learned, International Association of Transportation Regulators (2001).

[6] Berliner, D., How Detroit Drives Out Motor City Entrepreneurs, Institute for Justice, (1996); Boroski J, & Mildner G., An Economic Analysis of Taxicab Regulation in Portland, Cascade Policy Institute (1998); Bullock, S. G., Baltimore: No Harbor for Entrepreneurs, Institute for Justice (1996); Cervero, R., Deregulating Urban Transportation, Cato J., 5, 219 (1985); Corcoran, T., Taken For A $1 Billion Taxi Ride, Toronto Globe and Mail, 5 May1997 (author was employed by the Consumer Policy Institute); Filley, D., Taken for a Ride: How the Taxi Cartel and the State Are Disserving Denvers Economy. Independence Institute Transportation Policy Center (1993); Goldsmith, S., Regulation and the Urban Marketplace, Regulation, 17, 76 (1994); Gordon, P. & Richardson, H. W., The Counterplan For Transportation In Southern California: Spend Less, Serve More, Reason Foundation (1994); Hardaway, R., Taxi and Limousines: The Last Bastion of Economic Regulation, Hamline Journal of Public Law and Policy, 21(319) (2000); Harris, L., Taxicab Economics The Freedom to Contract for a Ride, 1 GEO. JL & PUB. POLY, 195 (2002); Jacoby, J., Break Open The Taxicab Monopoly, Boston Globe, 5 Dec 1995; Kramer, J. E., & Mellor, W. H., Opening Bostons Taxicab Market, Institute for Justice (1996); Lephardt, G. & Bast J., The Economics of Taxicab Deregulation, The Heartland Institute (1985); Lopez, N. Barriers to Entrepreneurship: How Government Undermines Economic Opportunity, Institute for Policy Innovation (1999); Mellor, W. H., Is New York City Killing Entrepreneurship?, Institute for Justice (1996); Mellor, W & Kramer, J., Open the Door To Portlands Taxi Entrepreneurs, Cascade Policy Institute (1997); Moore, A. T. Indianapoliss Road to Regulatory Reform: A New Path in Licensing and Permits, Regulation, 21, 49 (1998); Moore, A. T., Competition and Entry in the Market for Taxis, Limousines, For Hire Vehicles and Related Services, Liberty Justice Center (2013); Moore, A. & Balaker T., Do Economists Reach a Conclusion on Taxi Deregulation?, Econ Journal Watch, 3(1), 109-132 (2006); Moore, A., & Rose, T., Regulatory Reform at the Local Level, Reason Public Policy Institute Policy Study, (1998); Novack, J., Regulation at its Worst, Forbes (1988); Selzer, I., Abolish The Taxi Medallion System, American Enterprise Institute (1996); Seymour, D., The Case For Taxi Deregulation, Frontier Center for Public Policy (2009); Staley, S., Taxicab Regulation in Ohios Largest Cities, Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions (1996); Staley, S., How Cities Put the Brakes on Taxicabs: Stifling Regulations Thwart Entrepreneurs and Economic Growth, Foundation For Economic Education, 48, 147-150 (1998); Staley, S., Toward A 21st Century Taxicab Regulatory Framework: The Case of Madison, Reason Foundation (2000); Staley, S., Taxi Regulation and the Failures of Progressivism, Foundation for Economic Education (2012); Staley. S.,Husock, H., Bobb, D. J., Burnett, S., Crasy, L., & Hudson, W., Giving a Leg Up to Bootstrap Entrepreneurship: Expanding Economic Opportunity in Americas Urban Centers, Reason Public Policy Institute (2001); Styring, William, How Indianapolis won the War of the Taxis, Indiana Policy Review, 31-35 (Spring 1994).

[7] The establishment of these think-tanks as political advocacy groups by the Koch Brothers is described in chapter 5 of Mayer, Jane, Dark Money, Random House (2016); the role of Mellor in the establishment of the Institute for Justice is described at 232-3.

[8] The liberty principle, and the role these papers played in supporting it was defined by the editor of the Moore & Balaker paper (supra note 117) as the belief that any governmental activity outside the realm of police and military protections (including taxi regulation) must bear the full burden of justifying their existence, while any reduction in government activity (such as taxi deregulation) does not bear any burden of proof. Certain interventions [including taxi regulation] that are hallowed and important to statist ethos and mythos are wrongheaded and fail to meet the liberal burden of proof. Klein, D. B., The ForsakenLiberty Syndrome: Looking at Published Judgments to Say Whether Economists Reach a Conclusion. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 71(5), 1250 (2012)..

[9] Supra notes 77 and 78.

[10] Cevero,

[11] Mellor & Kramer, but every article discussing entrepreneurs uses similar language.

[12] And could not have existed, given the dominant industry model of taxi owners leasing to independent contractors. When Indianapolis allowed open entry, only one person that wasnt already working in the industry applied for a license.

[13] Kramer & Mellor

[14] Boroski & Mildner

[15] Berliner, Bullock and Kramer attack regulations for mechanical inspections of taxicabs and the requirement that cab drivers obtain commercial licenses.

[16] Jacoby.

[17] Seltzer and Hardaway also argued that taxi regulation was justified by the success of airline deregulation.

[18] Cevero

[19] Kramer, Hardaway, Moore & Balaker;

[20] Most papers ignored the 17 city tests, but the ones that mentioned them cited the initial expansion of capacity, but failed to mention that the new entry was unsustainable, and that almost every city restored previous regulations. Cevero, Moore (1998), Seymour, Styring,.

[21] Citations for Ubers public statements are omitted here but are available on request

[22] Posner, Eric, Why Uber Willand ShouldBe Regulated, Slate, 5 Jan 2015. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/view_from_chicago/2015/01/uber_surge_pricing_federal_regulation_over_taxis_and_car_ride_services.html

[23] See 2016 financial data summarized in part six

[24] The focus on propaganda is designed to highlight the enormous differences between Ubers communication program, designed to serve broad objectives related to industry structure and control and marketing-based corporate communication, focused on tangible product attributes (price, features) serving much narrower objectives related to consumer purchase decisions in competitive markets, or investor decisions in capital markets. The term propaganda is often misused to disparage communication serving objectives one dislikes, even though it is commonly deployed on behalf of all types of political objectives, likeable or not. Edward Bernays argued that propaganda was simply the mechanism by which ideas are disseminated on a large scale, was central to all public relations practices, and (like all of education, business and politics) was not inherently ethical or unethical. Bernays, Edward, Propaganda, Routledge (1928) 20, 133.
Yves here. Yet more confirmation that the elites, even low level elites, are a protected class, and crimes versus black/largely black communities are treated as less serious than those against largely white and/or more affluent populations. Imagine what would have happened if you had had the same level of water contamination in, say, San Francisco or Darien, Connecticut. First, the locals would have gotten serious investigations of what was happening way sooner. And being of a higher social class than the water officials, the locals would have successfully strung the parties in charge up.

Now we have the appearance that the party in question, Corrine Miller, copped a plea bargain, pleading guilty for the supposedly lesser offense of covering up for the role of the Flints water in Legionnaires disease death, in return for help on the lead-related case. But (and experts like Sluggeux please pipe up), my understanding is that sentencing breaks for cooperation are based not merely on the fact of cooperation, but of the cooperation being substantively valuable (like giving important depositions or testimony). Miller was not one of the named main targets, who are Mike Glasgow, Flints former laboratory and water quality supervisor and two state official, Mike Prysby and Stephen Busch.

On the one hand, flipping lower level officials to go after the big dogs is a classic prosecution strategy. But on the other (and this may be a gap in the reporting, not in the actual deal-making), the prosecution seems to be going awfully slowly, which is never a good sign for prosecutors and plaintiffs. And more specifically, my impression is that there are usually carve-outs in cooperation deals, whereby if the party ceases being helpful, other charges may be levied. I dont see any sign that that happened here.

Originally published at Grist

This former official dodged jail time in the Flint water crisis, just has to write an apology letter.

A Michigan district court judge ordered that Corinne Miller, the former director of epidemiology at the states Department of Health and Human Services, publicly apologize to the residents of Flint for withholding information about the presence of the Legionella bacteria, the microbe that causes Legionnaires disease, in the citys drinking water.

After pleading no contest to a charge of neglect, Miller also got a years probation and 300 hours of community service  essentially a slap on the wrist. She is cooperating with special prosecutors pursuing cases against several former employees of the health department and the states Department of Environmental Quality for their role in Flints water crisis.

Twelve Flint residents were confirmed to have died in 2014 and 2015 from Legionnaires disease, an extreme type of pneumonia. But in January, statistics released by Genesee County, where Flint is located, appeared to confirm public health experts suspicions that the citys water in fact caused additional pneumonia deaths.

Millers attorney argued against her having to make a public mea culpa, but Judge Jennifer J. Manley said the demand was perfectly appropriate in this case. Considering that even more people were sickened than previously believed, its the least she could do.
Yves here. One thing that bothers me about the caliber of the discussion is the way economists like to use words like innovation to shut down disagreement. If they can put a social or political issue in the innovation space, being against it depicted like being against clean water.

If participants used words that were descriptive and have not been successfully marketed into have a sheen of unalloyed virtue, say like automation, it might be possible to have a more clear-headed discussion.

One elephant in the room is that automation has not been an unalloyed plus. Think of what has happened to interactions with big companies. In the stone ages, you got live humans. Even if the live humans misdirected your call or managed to blow you off, it was less unsatisfactory than the tax on your time of listening to lots of prompts, sometimes getting no prompt that corresponded to your situation, having to wrestle with the system to get a person, and then too often having that person be a call center respondent in India who had a very limited script and was unhelpful. Not only have automated phone systems innovated by shifting corporate costs on to consumers, but they have significantly degraded the service.

And the article (aside from the Varoufakis idea at the end) doesnt address at all the distributional issues, that a fair bit of robot-related tech is government sponsored by being either direct or by-products of defense/communications R&D. So for those who believe in ever-virtuous markets, taxes are desirable to offset this market-distorting gimmie.

By Silvia Merler, an Affiliate Fellow at Bruegel and previously an Economic Analyst in DG Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission. Originally published at Bruegel

Whats at stake: More human than human, was the motto guiding the Tyrell Corporations engineering of biorobotic androids, in 1982s Blade Runner. Fast forward to 2016, and Bill Gates argues that if robots perform human work, they should be taxed like humans. We review what economists think about this idea.

In a recent interview, Bill Gates discussed the option of a tax on robots. He argued that if today human workers income is taxed, and then a robot comes in to do the same thing, it seems logical to think that we would tax the robot at a similar level. While the form of such taxation is not entirely clear, Gates suggested that some of it could come from the profits that are generated by the labor-saving efficiency there, and some could come directly in some type of a robot tax.

The idea of regulating robotics also has appeal on the other side of the Atlantic, where the European Parliament (EP) has been discussing these issues over the past months. Earlier in February, the EP called for EU-wide legislation to regulate the rise of robots, including an ethical framework for their development and deployment, and the establishment of liability for the actions of robots including self-driving cars. But the EP rejected a proposal to impose a robot tax on owners, to fund support for retraining of workers put out of a job by robots. According to the Reuters report, the decision to reject the robot tax was hailed by the robotics industry, which says it would stunt innovation.

Noah Smith says the main argument against taxing the robots is that it might impede innovation. Stagnating productivity in rich countries, combined with falling business investment, suggests that adoption of new technology is currently too slow rather than too fast and taxing new technology could make that slowdown worse. Smiths argues that the problem with Gates basic proposal is that it is very hard to tell the difference between new technology that complements humans and new technology that replaces them, and proposes alternative options to deal with the disruption.

One idea is a wage subsidy for low-income workers, which would have the effect of making human workers cheaper. The easiest way to do that is to cut payroll taxes, which disproportionately fall on low earners. Another idea is to simply redistribute capital income more broadly. Income from capital gains, land rents and dividends now is highly concentrated among the wealthy, but policy could change that. Overall, instead of slowing innovation, the government should think about taxing humans less and redistributing the income of robots more.

Lawrence Summers thinks that robots are wealth creators, taxing them is illogical and Gates robot tax would amount to protectionism against progress. First, Summers disagrees with the singling out of robots as job destroyers, when there are many different kinds of innovation that allow the production of more or better output with less labour input.

Second, he argues that much innovative activity, even of a robot-like variety, involves producing better goods and services rather than simply extracting more output from the same input, and because of emulation and competition, innovators capture only a small part of the benefit. It follows that there is as much a case for subsidising as taxing types of capital that embody innovation. Third, a sufficiently high tax on robots would prevent them from being produced but Summers thinks it would be better for society to instead enjoy the extra output and establish suitable taxes and transfers to protect displaced workers.

Tyler Cowen wonders whether we should be taxing robots or rather subsidize wage labour. He argues that one reason not to tax the robots is that employers might substitute away from robots and toward natural resources rather than toward domestic human labor: for example, we could think of paying the energy costs to outsource to another nation and transport the outputs back home. A second issue is that of incidence: a general problem with a wage subsidy is that sometimes much of its value its captured by employers.

Coming to the incidence of a tax on robots, if the elasticity of the demand for robots is high, there will be a big shift away from robots and toward labor. It is at least possible that workers capture more of the gains this way than from the direct subsidy to their wages. On the downside, the employer fares less well under this scheme. So ultimately it depends on how labor and robot elasticities relate to each other: the robot tax would seem to do best when the elasticity of demand for robots is high, but the corresponding elasticity of demand for labor is low. As robots and labor become more substitutable, that difference in demand elasticities is likely to diminish.

Izabella Kaminska on FT-Alphaville argues that a call for robot income tax is really just a call for more corporation tax and/or a wealth tax, and it seems strange then for Gates to forget the argument against higher corporate taxes, just because the nature of the capital investment is now anthropomorphised. Kaminska highlights two paradoxes connected with Gates reasoning  a capitalist and a Marxist paradox  and concludes that a simple moratorium on robot development would spare us all the angst.

The Economist Free Exchange blog thinks that Bill Gates is an unlikely Luddite, however much Microsoft may have provoked people to take a hammer to their computers. His tax on robots is is an intriguing if impracticable idea, which however reveals a lot about the challenge of automation. Gates worries about a looming era of automation in which machines take over driving or managing warehouses.

Yet in an economy already awash with abundant, cheap labour, it may be that firms face too little pressure to invest in labour-saving technologies. When faster automation does arrive, robots might not be the right tax target: as machines displace humans in production, their incomes will face the same pressures that afflict humans. The share of total income paid in wages  the labour share  has been falling for decades: abundant machines will prove no more capable of grabbing a fair share of the gains from growth than abundant humans have.

Yanis Varoufakis also picked up the topic in Project Syndicate. He argues that the only way to simulate an income tax on robots is to use the corresponding workers last annual income as a reference salary, and extract the equivalent income tax and social security charges. This presents a number of problems, both in the need of a reference salary  which will be entail a degree of arbitrariness that will make it subject to disputes between producers and the tax authorities  and in the philosophical incongruence in taxing the robots but not the mechanical tools that the robot itself operates. The alternative is Gates idea to tax the installation of robots, but a lump-sum tax on robots would merely lead robot producers to bundle artificial intelligence within other machinery, so either the robot sales tax should be dropped or it should be generalized into a capital goods sales tax (which would generate an uproar).

Varoufakis argues instead for a universal basic dividend (UBD which hepreviously discussed), financed from the returns on all capital. A fixed portion of new equity issues (IPOs) would go into a public trust that, in turn, generates an income stream from which a UBD is paid. Effectively, society would become a shareholder in every corporation, and the dividends are distributed evenly to all citizens. To the extent that automation improves productivity and corporate profitability, the whole of society would begin to share the benefits.
Two-dimensional MXene materials get their close-up (Nanowerk News) Researchers have long sought electrically conductive materials for economical energy-storage devices. Two-dimensional (2D) ceramics called MXenes are contenders. Unlike most 2D ceramics, MXenes have inherently good conductivity because they are molecular sheets made from the carbides and nitrides of transition metals like titanium.

MXenes were co-discovered by Michael Naguib, now a Wigner Fellow at the Department of Energys Oak Ridge National Laboratory, while pursuing his PhD at Drexel University in 2011. MXene layers can be combined to engineer ultrathin electronics, sensors, batteries, supercapacitors and catalysts. About 20 MXenes have since been reported.

Recently, ORNL scientists using state-of-the-art scanning transmission electron microscopy, or STEM, provided the first direct evidence of the atomic-defect configurations in a titanium-carbide MXene synthesized at Drexel University. Published in ACS Nano ("Atomic Defects in Monolayer Titanium Carbide (Ti 3 C 2 T x ) MXene"), the study coupled atomic-scale characterization and electrical property measurements with theory-based simulation.

Using atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging, we visualized defects and defects clusters in MXene that are very important for future nano electronic devices and catalytic applications, said lead author Xiahan Sang of the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), a DOE Office of Science User Facility at ORNL.

Atomic-level defects can be engineered into materials to enable new functionalities, said senior author Raymond Unocic of CNMS. Understanding these defects is critical for advancing materials.

ORNLs Xiahan Sang unambiguously resolved the atomic structure of MXene, a 2D material promising for energy storage, catalysis and electronic conductivity.

Atomic imaging from different perspectives was the key to revealing MXenes structure. When the sample is aligned with the electron beam within a STEM instrument, the viewer cannot tell how many sheets lie under the top layer. But simply tilt the sample, and differences readily appear. For example, a multi-sheet layer is made of stacked atoms, a structure that forms a blurred image when the layer is tilted. The appearance of sharp atomic images under different tilting conditions unambiguously proved the single-layer structure of the MXene.

Easy mass-production of a good 2D conductor

MXenes are made from a three-dimensional (3D) bulk crystal called MAX (the M denotes a transition metal; A, an element, such as aluminum or silicon, from a specific chemical group; and X, either carbon or nitrogen). In the MAX lattice from which the MXene explored in this study emerged, three layers of titanium carbide are sandwiched between aluminum layers.

The Drexel researchers improved a technique developed in 2011 and altered in 2014 to synthesize MXene from the bulk MAX phase using acids. The improved method is called minimally intensive layer delamination, or MILD. By going with MILD, we ended up with large flakes of high-quality MXene, said Mohamed Alhabeb, a PhD student in materials science at Drexel University, who accomplished this feat with another PhD student, Katherine Van Aken, under the leadership of one of the co-discoverers of MXenes, Distinguished University Professor and Director of the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute Yury Gogotsi.

To synthesize free-standing MXene flakes, the Drexel team first treated bulk MAX with an etchant of fluoride salt and hydrochloric acid to selectively remove unwanted layers of aluminum from between titanium carbide layers. Then they manually shook the etched material to separate and collect the titanium carbide layers. Each layer is five atoms thick and is made of carbon atoms binding three titanium sheets. Etching and exfoliating MAX produces many of these free-standing MXene layers. This relatively simple technique may enable manufacturing-scale production.

Etching creates defectsvacant spaces that emerge as titanium atoms are pulled from surfaces. Defects are actually good in many applications of materials. They can be introduced into a material and manipulated to enhance its useful catalytic, optical or electronic properties.

The greater the concentration of etchant, the larger the number of defects created, the study found. We have the capability to tune the defect concentration, which could be used to tailor physicochemical properties for energy storage and conversion devices, Sang said.

Moreover, the number of defects did not strongly affect MXenes electrical conductivity. At CNMS, Ming-Wei Lin and Kai Xiao measured physical properties, including electrical conductivity, of various promising 2D materials. They found MXene was an order of magnitude less conductive than a perfect graphene sheet but two orders of magnitude more conductive than metallic molybdenum disulfide.

Using modeling and simulation, ORNLs Paul Kent and Yu Xie calculated the energy needed to create atomic configurations of defects that Sangs STEM showed were prevalent.
Creating protein crystals from gold (Nanowerk News) Scientists from the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) have revealed how materials such as gold can help create protein crystals. The team hope their findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports ("Protein crystal nucleation in pores"), could aid the discovery of new medicines and treatments. The Lead author; Professor Naomi Chayen states that Gold doesnt react with proteins, due to its inert nature, which makes it an ideal material to create crystals".

Crystals of an antibody peptide complex related to AIDS research.

Proteins are crucial to numerous functions in the body  yet scientists are still in the dark about what most of them look like. This is because the most powerful way of revealing the structure of proteins is to turn them into crystals, and then analyse these with X-rays.

However, persuading proteins to turn into useful crystals is notoriously difficult. All crystals start from a conception stage when the first molecules come together; this is called nucleation. But reaching nucleation is often difficult as it requires a lot of energy  and many proteins simply can't overcome this barrier. Scientists also struggle to create medicines that bind to particular proteins  for instance a protein involved in cancer formation, if they don't know the protein's structure.

"How can you target a protein if you have no idea what it looks like? Its like recognising a face in a crowd - you need a picture," explained Professor Naomi Chayen, lead author of the research.

Forcing molecules together with gold

One technique for allowing proteins to reach their nucleation point is to trap them in tiny holes. This forces the molecules together, which helps them overcome the energy barrier needed to trigger the first crystal. One material that scientists have found to be effective at growing crystals is gold.

Creating many holes in the metal creates a substance called porous gold, which acts as a perfect environment for growing crystals, explained Professor Chayen: Gold doesnt react with proteins, due to its inert nature, which makes it an ideal material to create crystals. Creating holes in the metal enable it to act a bit like coral, with each hole providing an ideal environment to harbour crystals.

Creating crystals

In the latest research, the team investigated the best size hole needed to create crystals. They found that a variety of different sized holes produced the highest quality crystals. Most holes were around 5-10nm.

Professor Chayen explained: Imagine walking down a street with many potholes  some of the holes will be big enough for me to step out of, while some will be too small for my foot to fall into. "However, some will be the exact size of my foot, and will trap me in them. This is the same principle as having different pore sizes  it allows us to trap different size protein molecules, enabling them to form crystals.
From space to the streets: New battery model also makes electric cars more reliable

(Nanowerk News) Nano satellites weighing just a few kilograms orbit the Earth. Pivotal point of these miniature computers are their solar-powered batteries. Computer scientists at Saarland University have now developed a procedure that allows for better planning of solar battery operations. They are able to predict how much the on-board battery will in fact be utilized in the course of the satellites mission. The efficiency achieved here is about five times greater than with conventional systems. And electric cars on Earth are already benefiting from the procedure as well.

The researchers will present their methods at the Cebit computer fair in Hannover (Hall 6, Stand E28).

As far as we know, there is nothing like it in Earth orbit so far, says Holger Hermanns, professor of Computer Science at Saarland University.

In collaboration with his doctoral student Gilles Nies and student Marvin Stenger, Hermanns has developed a procedure that allows for far more accurate predictions of the amount of battery power needed for a particular operation in space.

Gilles Nies and Professor Holger Hermanns with the replica of a nano satellite, whose performance can now be determined thanks to their research.

Until now, space logisticians have tended to plan with overly large and heavy batteries, conceding valuable space needed for other equipment and experiments.

Amongst other things, not enough attention has been paid to the recovery effect, a phenomenon well-known from mobile phones. If the phone dies due to an empty battery, it often takes just a few minutes of waiting, then you can turn the phone back on again and use it, for a short time at least, Hermanns says.

The new battery model can be used to monitor the exact amount of energy currently available, and determine how much of it is present in chemically bound form, that is, not immediately usable. This lets the computer scientists calculate the probability of the battery being discharged at any given moment.

The Saarbruecken computer scientists findings ("Battery-Aware Scheduling in Low Orbit: The GomX3 Case") can also be applied on Earth.
John Murray, a teacher in Cashel Community School, is the very popular choice as Cashel Person of the Year for 2017.

He was presented with his trophy at an enjoyable event in Halla na Feile on Wednesday last.

Organised by Cashel Lions Club, John became the 31st recipient of the honour, which was first presented to Maura McHugh in 1987. The award honours members of the public who contribute in a significant way to the social, sporting, artistic, economic life of the community during the previous 12 months.

John Murrays contribution was is the musical life of the parish and while that contribution has been major since his arrival in the town in 1994, it was particularly significant in 2016, when he was the initiator of a musical tribute to the events of 1916.

Cashel Community School, in conjunction with Cashel Arts Festival, presented a unique event commemorating the centenary of 1916. The commemorative programme aspired to recall many aspects that were familiar in the lives of the people of Cashel during the era of 1916 and embraced many of the artistic strands outlined in the National Centenary Programme including remembering, celebrating, recalling and imagining. Most of all it was an opportunity for young people to collaborate and participate in being part of an event that linked them with their great grandparents and hopefully something they will recall in many years to come.

This event took place on Sunday, May 15, in St. John the Baptist Parish Church, Friar Street and was funded under the 1916/ 2016 Centenary Programme.

Later in the year Cashel Community School Choir were invited by the County Tipperary N&B Association of New York to commemorate the 1916 Rising in a once off concert.

Nomination

A very important part in selecting the Cashel Person of the Year is the nomination process. A person decides that somebodys contribution to the community deserves recognition and that the Person of the Year Award is the best way of giving that recognition. The nominator sends the nomination to the secretary of the Cashel Lions Club and is then invited to come before an adjudication panel and expand on the information in the nomination, in order to convince the panel that the nominee is the most deserving of the award.

In this case the nominator was Johns daughter, Johanna, who secretly nominated him and advanced his cause before the adjudication panel. As she said at the presentation, she had appreciated the huge amount of work that he did, the amount of time he spent and the level of perfection he achieved with his students. She herself saw his work at first hand having had him as a father, teacher, class head, producer of musicals in which she played a part, and believed she had an insight greater than most into his work, commitment and achievements.

He deserved the recognition and the Person of the Year award was the best way of doing it.

Acceptance

In his acceptance speech, following the presentation of the perpetual trophy by Lions President, D.J. Horan, John said he was humbled by the award and it had never figured in his sights. He was self-effacing about his achievements, emphasising that he has always been only one among many in everything he does. He paid a particular tribute to the help and encouragement he received from his wife, Karen, and his daughters, Johanna and Rose. Also from his colleagues in the school and in the wider community through the Cashel Arts Fest. Above all he was helped by the huge natural talent of young people.

The final part of the celebration was the presentation of a memento to last years winner, Pat Flynn, whose name is now inscribed on the perpetual trophy as the 30th recipient of the Cashel person of the Year.
Clonmel Rotary Clubs 'Bikes for Africa' appeal is back and the organisation is hoping for a response similar to previous years.

The club is appealing for old bikes that are no longer being used and that are in good condition.

The old bikes will be made roadworthy and safe by inmates at Loughan House Prison, Co. Cavan, before being sent to Africa to be used by children going to and from school.

A similar appeal last year had a wonderful response with a lorry load of over 200 bikes collected in Clonmel.

"It was absolutely fantastic and we are so grateful to the people of Clonmel", says organiser Joe O'Sullivan.

"It just shows the generosity of people in the town to those who are much less well off, he continues.

Joe and Rotary Club president Peter O'Donnell ask that bikes are brought to Dudleys Mills on the Coleville Road this Saturday, March 25, between 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Joe pays tribute to local businessman Larry O'Keeffe for sponsoring the transport of the bikes to Loughan House.

"This is a very worthwhile project that I'm sure will generate a response as generous as the past", president Peter O'Donnell believes.

"I'm sure that people who have unused bikes would love to see them put to such good use", he adds.
A defiant junior debating team from St. Annes Secondary School in Tipperary Town were runners-up at the All-Ireland Final of Comortas Diospoireachta an Phiarsaigh 2017 on Wednesday, March 15.

The St. Annes team, consisting of Eve Ni Dhonnabhain (captain), Ciara de Burca and Ellie Ni Dhonnchu, progressed to the national final following their win at the regional final in Mallow, Co. Cork.

St. Annes Eve Ni Dhonnabhain, Ciara de Burca, Ellie Ni Dhonnchu being presented with their runners-up prizes by Irish language commissioner Ronan O Domhnaill.

Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles students were also runners up at the the Athlone Springs Hotel, County Westmeath, held event.

Sadhbh Ni Dhonnabhain, Alannah Breathnach, Caitriona Ni Shuilleabhain represented the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, at the All-Ireland final of the Gael Linn debating competition.

The popular debating competition, organised annually by Gael Linn for second level schools nationwide, attracted a high level of entry again this year, with over 150 schools taking part in various heats since October last.

It was a great achievement for the eight teams - four junior and four senior - who hail from Castlebar to Carlow to have reached the final.

In the junior section of the competition, the topic for debate was Is tir mhaith i Eire le conai inti! (Ireland is a good country to live in!). St. Annes and the Ursuline teams spoke in favour of the motion, while teams from Sandford Park School, Dublin, and St. Geralds College, Castlebar, opposed. The young orators were well-informed on the topic and put their respective arguments across to the large audience comprehensively, having been prepared by teachers Maire Ni hAodha (St. Annes) and Aine de Barra and Beartla O Dochartaigh (Ursuline).

St. Annes debating team surrounded by their supporters after the debate.

There were five adjudicators on the panel, some of them former speakers in the competition including Bairbre Ni Thuairisg, Seosamh O hEanaigh, Gerry Motherway, Feilim Mac Donnchadha and Aine Ni Ghlinn. The standard of debating was so high that they took some time in coming to their decision.

It was a great achievement for two Tipperary schools to have reached the final. Both the St. Annes and Ursuline students did their respective schools proud on the day, but were pipped at the post by the team from Sandford Park School, Dublin.

As the saying goes, Beidh la eile ag an bPaorach!
B-25 Mitchell bombers from around the country will once again take to the skies before landing at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force as part of a two-day tribute commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid, April 17-18.

Current plans call for 17 B-25 bombers to land on the runway behind the museum on April 17 and be placed on static display from 10 a.m.  4:30 p.m. The aircraft will remain available for public view on April 18 from 9 a.m.  12 p.m., before departing for a flyover prior to the start of a memorial service in the museums Memorial Park at 2:15 p.m.

The memorial service is scheduled to conclude with a flight of two B-1 bombers from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, which were two of the four Army Air Corps Squadrons from which the B-25 aircrews were selected for the Doolittle Raid. These events are free and open to the public. (Note: All outdoor events are weather dependent. The memorial service will still take place indoors in the event of inclement weather.)



Of the 80 Raiders led by James H. Jimmy Doolittle in 1942, only one survives today - Lt. Col. Richard Dick E. Cole - who served as Doolittles co-pilot on Crew No. 1. Cole, now 101 years old, plans to be at the museum to commemorate the anniversary and will privately honor fellow Raider SSgt. David Thatcher, who passed away last year.



On the evening of April 18, the Air Force Museum Foundation will present Doolittles Raiders: The Final Toast, as part of the Living History Film Series presented by Mr. W. Craig Willan in the Air Force Museum Theatre at 6:30 p.m. The event will be opened by Cole and following the film screening, two of the Raiders children - Cindy Cole Chal and Jim Bower - will share stories and insight and conduct a question and answer session with the audience. (Please note: This is Sold Out) A limited number of packages, which include the book Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando, signed by Cole and an event ticket are also available for sale.



In addition, the Air Force Museum Store will host several authors including Stan Cohen (Destination Tokyo); Frank Goldstein (The Last Reunion: A Salute to The Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo Raiders); and Dennis Okerstrom (Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando), who will be available to sign copies of their books. The store will also have commemorative merchandise available to purchase. (Federal endorsement is not implied.)



Additional information on the entire event schedule, along with photos and videos of past Raider events at the museum is available at: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/DoolittleTokyoRaid75thAnniversary.aspx.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, America's morale had slumped from numerous Japanese successes, and the country desperately needed a victory. President Franklin Roosevelt wanted to strike Japan as quickly as possible to bolster American spirits, and U.S. Navy and Army Air Forces planners settled on a bold plan to launch large bombers from an aircraft carrier to attack the Japanese mainland.

The top secret plan called for 16 B-25s to take off from the USS Hornet about 450 miles from Japan, bomb targets at locations such as Yokohama and Tokyo, and then fly another 1,600 miles to friendly airfields in China. At dawn on April 18, 1942, the task force encountered and sunk an enemy patrol boat 650 miles from Japan, forcing the raid to launch early in case the boat had radioed a warning. The Raiders dropped their bombs on Japanese oil storage facilities, factories, and military installations, then headed out across the East China Sea. With the help of the Chinese people, most of the Raiders safely reached friendly forces. However, eight were captured by the Japanese and held as prisoners of war and three of the eight were executed.

News of the attack lifted American optimism significantly and stunned the Japanese populationtheir embarrassed leaders had promised the mainland would never be attacked. The Japanese shifted forces to protect their home islands, which foretold increasing Allied pressure in the Pacific, the eventual turn of the tide against Japan, and its final defeat in 1945.

According to National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Historian Dr. Doug Lantry, the Raiders were given a bold and unprecedented mission. However, the daring raid greatly succeeded in uplifting the nation.



The Raid was an extremely risky operation because medium bombers had never been flown from a carrier before, and the fact that they were so far into enemy territory endangered the entire task force, said Lantry. While the attack caused little physical damage, its psychological impact on the Japanese military and American public was immense and provided Americans with a much-needed morale boost.

Each year since the end of World War II, with the exception of 1951, the Doolittle Raiders held an annual reunion. The museum had the privilege of hosting the Raiders in April 1965 (23rd), 1999 (57th), 2006 (64th), 2010 (68th) and 2012 (70th), before Cole, Thatcher and Lt. Col. Ed Saylor had a final toast to their fallen comrades on Nov. 9, 2013. On April 18, 2015, Cole and Thatcher returned to the museum and were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal, which is now on display as part the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders exhibit in the museums WWII Gallery.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the worlds largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 360 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

The theatre and store are operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., a Section 501(c)(3) private, non-profit organization that assists the Air Force in the development and expansion of the facilities of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit www.airforcemuseum.com. The Air Force Museum Foundation is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and it has no governmental status.



NOTE TO PUBLIC: For more information, contact the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at 937-904-9881.



NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information, contact Rob Bardua in the National Museum of the United States Air Force Public Affairs Division at (937) 255-1386.
(Natural News) As reports of mumps continue to spread across the United States, particularly in schools, it seems that even the pro-vaccine crowd has been forced to reluctantly admit that many of the people being stricken by the disease are, in fact, vaccinated. For example, Pennsylvania State University recently noted that the majority of their students who have contracted mumps are those who had already received the two CDC recommended vaccine doses. The college also warned that the vaccines are not 100 percent effective  just in case that hadnt already become clear.

The CDC itself is aware that the MMR vaccine is not infallible. Their page on mumps explains, Two doses of the vaccine are 88% (range: 66 to 95%) effective at protecting against mumps; one dose is 78% (range: 49% to 92%) effective. They go on to note, Outbreaks can still occur in highly vaccinated U.S. communities, particularly in close-contact settings.

Even the left-wing Washington Post has admitted that many of the mumps cases being seen this year are occurring in populations with a high vaccination rate. But, the mainstream media is still singing the praises of vaccines, persisting that these inoculations are the best way to fend off disease.

Of course, as this chart from the CDC shows, some years are better than others for mumps:

As you can see, over the last ten years or so, there have been years where there were relatively few cases of mumps and years where there are quite a number of them.

But still, the vaccine-obsessed are crying for more: U.S. officials are now considering adding a third vaccine dose to the current recommended MMR vaccine schedule.

The irony of it all is the fact that Mercks MMR vaccine is truly nothing more than a hoax. As Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, first reported in 2012, two of the companys former employees filed a federal complaint against the company for their misconstruction of data related to their vaccine and its effectiveness.

Virologists Stephen Krahling and Joan Wlochowski, who filed the complaint, explained that Merck had to re-certify the mumps portion of the MMR vaccine in 2000, but that the component failed to pass testing. This prompted the company to change their testing parameters and procedures multiple times to ensure that they would get the desired result of 95 percent efficacy.

Essentially, the vaccine failed to pass their regular testing protocol, and rather than work to fix the vaccine  Merck chose to tweak their testing protocols and abandon gold standard scientific methods to make it look like the mumps portion worked better than it really did.

As Rosemary Mathis from Sane Vax, Inc. reports, By combining the very low levels of human antibodies with animal antibodies, a much higher total level of virus neutralization was obtained than could occur from human antibodies alone. The human antibody levels alone would never protect in the real world against wild mumps. By adding animal antibodies and doctoring their testing protocols, Merck was eventually able to manipulate the results to show ample efficacy.

Drs. Krahling and Wlochowski say that when they attempted to stop what they saw as wholesale fabrication of test data to reach its preordained 95% efficacy threshold, they were met with fierce and formidable opposition from Merck, and Dr. Krahling was even threatened with jail time if he informed the FDA of what was going on. [RELATED: Learn more about fraudulent science research at FakeScience.news.]

There is even reason to believe that the vaccine itself could be contributing to the repeated outbreaks that are occurring across the U.S.

Merck still continues to purport that their MMR vaccine is 95 percent effective to quash competition and keep their position in the marketplace  even though they know that simply isnt true. While the court case is still ongoing, we can only hope that justice will eventually be served.

Sources:

CDC.gov

CentreDaily.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

AHRP.org
(Natural News) A 35-year-old woman from Texas, Sandy Simonson, experienced a near-fatal reaction to a round of prescription anti-depressants. Sandy Simonsons body reacted viciously to the increased dosage of a bipolar drug. She swelled up internally and a burning red rash covered her body.

In October 2016, Sandys doctor changed her prescription and started her on a low dose of a new bipolar drug. Her body didnt react at first but when her doctor started to increase the dose, a reaction began to take place. After three weeks on the bipolar drug, Sandy started getting a cold and a fever.

I started to notice my arms and legs were swelling and I itched all over terribly, Sandy said. My skin was raised and everything felt swollen  my face, my arms, my fingers. I looked like a burns victim on my face, she recalled. The rest of my body was covered in a really bad rash, which felt like I was burning up.

Her husband rushed her to the emergency room. After the assessment, she was sent home. They didnt investigate the cause and she stayed on her prescription drugs. It only got worse from there.

The vicious rash spread across her body, overtaking her arms and legs. The skin became sensitive and painful to touch. I told my husband that something isnt right. Two days later, we went back to the hospital and Id got a lot worse, she recalled. My esophagus was so swollen it started closing up and my skin felt like it was on fire.

In December 2016, the doctors tagged her with a disorder, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. The doctors said this rare disorder was the problem that was affecting her skin, mucous membranes, genitals, and eyes. Even though the bipolar drug sparked the reaction, the problem of course, wasnt the medication. The problem was Sandys rare Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

As she struggled to breathe with a swollen esophagus, she was told that the painful rash would spread and blister until the top layer of the skin died off. She was administered steroids and a cooling lotion to stop the burning sensation. The intensive care unit also started her on a morphine drip.

Now in critical condition, she waited for answers. About this time the doctors finally told her that the bipolar medication was causing the reaction, which was called Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. The long term effects of this drug reaction include fatigue and visual problems. In the aftermath, the doctors gave Sandy a new prescription psyche med to swallow.

So often, the medical establishment rushes to prescribe a cornucopia of mind-altering pills, never allowing patients the time to heal inside. The sudden, synthetic alteration of brain chemicals leaves patients dependent, and never allows the brain to adjust on its own. In many cases, this leaves people worse off than before, detached from reality and convinced they have a condition. When it comes time to wean off the drugs, the side effects of withdrawal can be severe. The mood changes caused by the drugs can spur patients to do things that further impound into their minds that they are crazy.

But in the eyes of psychiatrists, its never the drugs fault. Even when the drug causes a severe, near fatal reaction, the problems with the drugs are never addressed. Its always the fault of some other new disorder or mental condition that the patient must mentally accept. In the aftermath, more pills are prescribed and the negative chain of effects goes on. There are many better paths and nutrients that improve mental health; they just arent found in a hasty medical system that doesnt have the time to truly listen and respond in a holistic manner.

Follow more news about the adverse effects of psychiatric drugs at Psychiatry.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The use of human cell cultures in the production of various vaccines has raised both safety and ethical concerns over the years. The scientific community, the Catholic Church and many other organizations have discussed and debated the fine line between scientific breakthrough and ethical dilemma concerning human diploid cell cultures WI-38 and MRC-5, both of which were extracted from aborted fetuses.

The human diploid WI-38 cell line was first developed by Dr. Leonard Hayflick at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia, PA in July 1962. The culture was extracted from a therapeutically aborted female fetus of about three months gestational age. Lung tissue samples from the aborted fetus were used in creating the culture. The fetus specimen came from a Swedish woman who underwent a legal abortion due to an unwanted pregnancy.

The cell strain is considered a pioneer in normal human cell strains, which experts have since used to safely culture viruses and develop vaccines. Researchers have been able to develop vaccines against more than 10 diseases  including measles, mumps, polio, rubella, varicella, rabies and hepatitis A  from the WI-38 cell strain, preventing nearly 200 million incidences of disease and approximately 450,000 deaths in the U.S. between 1963 to 2015.

The human diploid MRC-5 cell line was developed in 1966 by researchers at the National Institute for Medical Research. The strain was also derived from foetal lung tissue, taken from a 14-week male foetus removed for psychiatric reasons from a 27 year old woman with a genetically normal family history and no sign of neoplastic disease both at abortion and for at least three years afterward, researchers noted. Vaccine manufacturers at the time put more focus on working with the alternative fetal cell strain for fears of not having enough stock of the WI-38 strain for future needs.

Consent, ownership and compensation

While the human diploid cell cultures WI-38 and MRC-5 were extracted from legally aborted fetuses, issues surrounding ownership and compensation for the derived strain remain in question.

In the case of the WI-38 strain, it remains unclear whether the Swedish woman gave her consent to use the aborted fetus for research purposes. It is also highly unlikely that she received any compensation for the procedure. It seems that we will never have the answers to these questions because some of the key figures involved in the development of the strain have passed away  the gynecologist who performed the abortion and the virologist who arranged the transfer of the fetal lung sample to Dr. Hayflick. The woman involved has also made it clear that she cannot be bothered to discuss the abortion. On the other hand, Dr. Hayflick was compensated very well for selling the samples to hundreds of scientists at US$15 per ampoule, before eventually going broke over legal disputes.

The use of cells from aborted fetuses, and the dubious donor-researcher transactions if and when they happen, seem to only worsen biopiracy to the benefit of big pharmaceutical companies. Currently, the vaccine industry is projected to have a market value of $48.03 billion by 2021. Increased funding for research, greater immunization efforts and more investments are likely to drive vaccine production and revenues for the pharmaceutical industry.

Vatican raises ethical concerns over fetal cell strains

The Vatican released a statement in 2005 condemning the use of human cell line from aborted fetuses, and called for rigorous legal control of the pharmaceutical industry producers. The Vatican has also expressed support for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children. As regards the diseases against which there are no alternative vaccines which are available and ethically acceptable, it is right to abstain from using these vaccines if it can be done without causing children, and indirectly the population as a whole, to undergo significant risks to their health, the Vatican statement said.

The statement, entitled Moral Reflections on Vaccines Prepared from Cells Derived from Aborted Human Fetuses, was published in Medicina e Morale by the Center for Bioethics of Catholic University in Rome.

Sources:

Nature.com

Nature.com

RTL.org

EurekAlert.org

MarketsAndMarkets.com

Immunize.org
Wednesday, March 15, 2017 by: Jonathan Landsman Tags: cannabis , chronic pain , marijuana This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author

(Natural News) In the 1970s, comic duo Cheech and Chong had fun with their dead-on impressions of two chronically stoned potheads. But, in 2017, it appears that marijuana is beginning to lose its Cheech and Chong associations. The use of medical cannabis is currently legal in 28 states, and proponents say the herb is changing lives by granting relief to people suffering from such problems as chronic cancer pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety and sleep disorders.

In fact, according to medical marijuana expert Dr. Rachna Patel, scientific studies have supported the effectiveness of cannabis-derived products in relieving pain and emotional distress. A knowledgeable medical marijuana doctor can help you explore the potential of this intriguing natural treatment  and help you decide if its right for you.

Discover how medical cannabis can reduce anxiety and improve the quality of your sleep. On the next NaturalHealth365 Talk Hour, Jonathan Landsman and medical marijuana doctor Dr. Rachna Patel discuss the benefits of medical cannabis  and how to use it safely and effectively. If you are plagued by chronic pain, neuropathy or sleep disorders  and want to avoid taking toxic, addictive drugs  you wont want to miss this life-changing program.

To hear this FREE show  visit http://www.naturalhealth365.com/free-shows and enter your email address for show details plus some great gifts!

Non-toxic, non-addictive medical cannabis lacks the dangers of prescription drugs

According to Dr. Patel, the use of medical cannabis can help patients eliminate or sharply reduce their use of prescription drugs  many of which have dangerous and even life-threatening adverse effects.

Narcotic pain-killing drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine, as well as anti-anxiety medications like diazepam, not only create tolerance  meaning you need higher and higher doses to get the same effect  but also have the potential for deadly overdose or debilitating addiction. In addition, they may feature unpleasant side effects such as sedation, blurred vision, nausea, loss of sex drive and severe constipation.

Medical cannabis, on the other hand, lacks the toxic and addictive qualities of opioid drugs, while still helping to ease a multitude of ills  including chronic pain, insomnia, arthritis, nightmares, PTSD, migraines and anxiety. Medical cannabis can also help greatly alleviate symptoms of serious chronic diseases  such as suppressing tremors in Parkinsons disease, reducing pain in cancer patients and decreasing spasticity in multiple sclerosis.

To hear this FREE show  visit http://www.naturalhealth365.com/free-shows and enter your email address for show details plus some great gifts!

Cannabinoids hold the key to relief

Cannabinoids, the constituents found in marijuana, actually exist naturally in the human body in the form of endocannabinoids  which regulate pain management and mood. Marijuana works with the endocannabinoid system in the body to modulate levels of pain and anxiety, which gives it the ability to alleviate symptoms of a wide range of disorders.

In addition, medical cannabis can reduce inflammation by suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines, while activating T-regulatory cells that help to control immune response. Research into medical marijuana is ongoing, but many reputable studies have already confirmed significant therapeutic effects.

The research is stunning  yet, ignored by Western medicine

In a 2014 study, researchers at Vanderbilt University found that cannabinoids in marijuana reduce anxiety by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the amygdala  a part of the brain that interprets pain.

In a two-month study of patients with Chrohns disease that had become resistant to treatment, 10 out of 11 reported enhanced quality of life, with improved sleep and appetite. And, almost half of the participants experienced total remission of their symptoms  which had included painful cramps, nausea, and an uncomfortable sensation of urgency.

In yet another study, medical marijuana outperformed the usual go-to prescription medications, including Reglan, Compazine and Phenergan, in relieving nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.

Another advantage of using medical marijuana is that the different cannabinoids are measured and identified  making it easier for your doctor to target your symptoms with the proper combinations and dosages.

Join us, this Sunday, to discover the uncensored truth about how to naturally relieve pain with medical marijuana. The facts revealed in this show will surprise you.

This weeks guest: Dr. Rachna Patel, medical marijuana doctor and leading authority on cannabis-based therapies

Find out how medical marijuana can reduce chronic pain symptoms + much more  Sun. Mar. 19

Dr. Rachna Patel received her medical degree from Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, after performing undergraduate work at Northwestern University. Dr. Patel, who has been practicing in the area of medical marijuana since 2012, operates within legal guidelines set forth by the state of California and the standards of care established by the state medical board.

She specializes in showing her patients how to use cannabis safely and effectively, and uses personal, face-to-face consultations, comprehensive histories and full physical examinations to assess how she can best help each patient.

To hear this FREE show  visit http://www.naturalhealth365.com/free-shows and enter your email address for show details plus some great gifts!
After Piketty: The Agenda for Economics and Inequality Edited by: Heather Boushey,

J. Bradford Delong &

Marshall Steinbaum Harvard University Press: 2017. 9780674504776 | ISBN: 978-0-6745-0477-6 Edited by:

Toxic Inequality: How America's Wealth Gap Destroys Mobility, Deepens the Racial Divide, and Threatens Our Future Thomas M. Shapiro Basic: 2017. 9780465046935 | ISBN: 978-0-4650-4693-5

Basic Income: A Radical Proposal for a Free Society and a Sane Economy Phillipe Van Parijs and Yannick Vanderborght. Harvard University Press: 2017.

9780674052284

Donald Trump's election to the US presidency and Brexit  Britain's impending divorce from the European Union  have both been read as populist rejections of rising inequality, driven by economic and political elites. But democracies do not necessarily reduce inequality. Nor is it clear that Trump or UK Prime Minister Theresa May (or French presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen, for that matter) will disentangle elites, state power and money. Indeed, a number of Trump's Cabinet appointments  such as Wilbur Ross, commerce secretary and billionaire businessman  merely replaced Washington insiders with corporate insiders, whose vested interests have been vigorously questioned.

However much it is in the news, income inequality is an ancient and intractable social, economic and political condition. Now, five books examine its inevitability, in terms of both political economy and consequences. They take up the baton from social scientists Thomas Piketty, Tony Atkinson, Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, whose books have reignited this global debate in the past decade. Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century (Belknap, 2014) tries to hold economics and politics together. He argues that inequality is a product of fundamental laws of capitalism, and would be amenable to change through a global tax on financial transactions. Atkinson's Inequality (Harvard University Press, 2015), with Wilkinson and Pickett's The Spirit Level (Allen Lane, 2009), contends that inequality can be curtailed through greater government intervention in technological development and labour markets. What do the five new studies add? A girl in a London slum in the 1960s. Credit: Popperfoto/Getty

After Piketty, edited by Heather Boushey, Bradford Delong and Marshall Steinbaum, responds to what the editors describe as academic economists' less-than-healthy reaction to Piketty. It asks an interdisciplinary crowd of social scientists to tug at the various threads of his argument to see whether it unravels. (It also includes a fascinating essay from an emboldened Piketty on issues such as the potential of collective bargaining to reduce inequality generated by capitalism.) The book serves as a fantastic introduction to Piketty's main argument in Capital, and to some of the main criticisms, including doubt that his key equation  r > g, showing that returns on capital grow faster than the economy  will hold true in the long run.

It also contains thoughtful interventions in debates about the political economy of inequality. Economist Branko Milanovic, for instance, documents how sharing capital more equally across the population could weaken the impact of a rising capital share (when those who own capital gain more of an economy's income). Stemming the tide of rising inequality in a period of slow growth may require redistribution of capital, not just income.

This idea also lies at the heart of sociologist Thomas Shapiro's Toxic Inequality. Shapiro, a public-policy specialist, explores the fault lines of race in the landscape of inequality. The book draws on two sets of interviews with 137 US families of different ethnicities and levels of income over a decade, and argues that class must not eclipse race as an explanation of wealth inequality. The gap in median net wealth between white and African American households almost trebled between 1984 and 2013. Piketty's equation is not race-neutral. Navigating upheavals such as illness or job loss was much harder for the African American families Shapiro studied: many of their parents had been locked out of opportunities for wealth accumulation, such as home ownership. Shapiro argues that virtues such as thrift or dedication are not enough to overcome these disadvantages  especially when policy (that is, health-care coverage and housing regulations) makes it harder to build wealth. Yet he doesn't fully explore whether interventions such as reforming private-pension policy would overcome decades of accumulated advantage.

One possible policy solution is basic income, under which all citizens of a country are regularly issued an unconditional cash payment. This is not a new idea, as social ethicist Phillipe Van Parijs and political scientist Yannick Vanderborght demonstrate in Basic Income, but it has been much discussed in recent years, and social experiments pop up with some regularity. Finland, for example, is running a trial in which 2,000 unemployed people are being paid 560 (US$590) per month  and the payments will continue even if they find work.

Compressing the bottom of the income distribution is not enough. You need to compress the top as well.

The book is likely to become a primer on core debates, such as the scheme's overall feasibility, but its most striking aspect is how the authors make their argument. They justify a basic income not as a tool with which to address inequality, but rather as an instrument of freedom. Theirs is not an economic argument, although they explain the disincentives lucidly. Nor is it a social-justice argument, although a basic income would reduce most measures of inequality if set (as they suggest) at 25% of gross domestic product per capita (which would work out to $1,163 per month in the United States). It is a philosophical argument driven by concerns about liberty, and it cuts across the political spectrum.

A basic income, however, would not necessarily solve the problems that Keith Payne documents in The Broken Ladder. Drawing on experimental psychology, Payne argues that the amount of money you have is not the main determinant of well-being; what matters is how you feel about it. The problem of inequality is relational, not economic. Poverty unquestionably harms health, encourages bad decisions and creates instability. But the key message of Payne's book is that people who are not deprived may act as if they are  because they feel relatively poor.

Compressing the bottom of the income distribution through, for example, a basic income is not enough. You need to compress the top as well. When it comes to how this should be done, however, the implications of Payne's experiments are less clear. They hint at why inequality harms people, but they do not demonstrate that merely shortening the ladder (that is, reducing inequality) will improve well-being. Consider a society that taxes the rich and simply throws their money into the sea. Will this society be better off, healthier and happier? If not, then how societies reduce inequality matters.

Charles Edward lives in a factory in Michigan. Credit: Espen Rasmussen/Panos For historian Walter Scheidel, this is precisely the problem. In his magisterial sociopolitical history The Great Leveler, inequality is shown as preferable to the alternative: society levelled by vast upheavals. As he shows in a narrative spanning the whole Holocene epoch (starting 11,700 years ago), the rich have been dispossessed only by wars, plagues or cataclysms such as the French Revolution. And deliberate levelling programmes, including welfare states and the deepening of democracy, are the product of conflict. It was the Second World War that spawned the British National Health Service. Scheidel concludes that ridding ourselves of inequality inevitably involves great suffering.

Scheidel also shows that the pressures that drive inequality pre-date not only capitalism, but the state itself. They began with the shift towards agriculture that ignited the Great Disequalization of the Holocene, manifested in the elaborate burials of the few. Later, inequality actually contributed to the development of the state, allowing elites to create collectivized mechanisms of extraction and accumulation, for example through slavery.

Scheidel's political economy of inequality is remarkably consistent across eras, despite dramatic shifts in configuration. Political and economic elites have always had close ties, and  for Scheidel  the difference between Trump's Cabinet and the senate of ancient Rome is only a matter of degree.
The year 2017 may not be a good year for climate change critics, and for the Earth in general. Experts have reported that the rise of atmospheric carbon dioxide has hit record levels.

The Denver Channel reported that a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which conducted experiments in the the Mauna Loa Baseline Atmospheric Laboratory in Hawaii, made alarming discoveries.

The team revealed that the carbon dioxide level in the site hit 405.1 parts per million in 2016, which is 3 parts per million higher than in 2015.

The recent data marks the fifth consecutive year that carbon dioxide is on the rise. However, what's more concerning is the consistent level of increase at at least 2 parts per million.

According to Peter Tans of NOAA, the recent data is unprecedent and shocking. He added that this is 100 to 200 times faster than the transition from the last Ice Age.

The new report confirms to scinetists' theories that carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere contributes to the warming of the planet. To lessen global warming, some countries have decided to lessen their coal use and emission and increase using renewable energy sources.

According to Scientific American, the data is important, considering that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 100,000 years ago was just 280 parts per million. When the Industrial Revolution began, it suddenly increased, and at a faster rate.

Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program and a leading greenhouse expert, said this means carbon dioxide emissions have increased due to current developments.

It can be noted that the United States EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt recently said that humans are "not the primary" contributor to climate change. This sparked a lot of criticisms from climate change experts, environmental groups, and scientists that have been researching on the matter.

In fact, a group of more than 24 climate scientists sent Pruitt a letter that criticized his comments. The letter added that much of the climate change and the warming of the atmosphere in the previous years is precisely because of increasing carbon dioxide levels.
A British cruise ship called Caledonian Sky crashed and damaged one of the most pristine coral reefs located in Indonesia's Rajah Ampat Islands during a low tide last week.

According to the report from Fox News, the total damage stretched over 145,000 square miles and costs approximately $18 million. Investigation conducted by the Papua State University, Regional Technical Implementing Unit and Conservation International Indonesia revealed that the crash also damaged several reefs that are endemic in Indonesia's Raja Ampat island chain.

"The types of reefs that were damaged by the ship are Genus Porites, Acropora, Poicilopora, Tubastrea, Montipora, Stylopora, Favia and Pavites," said Ricardo Tapilatu, lead researchers of the investigation, in a report from The Jakarta Post. "It will take decades to restore the reefs."

The 295-foot cruise ship weighs about 4,200 tons and has 102 passengers aboard. It was reported that the ship was just finishing up with its bird-watching trip on Waigeo Island when it veered slightly off course, running aground during the low tide and crashing through the coral reefs.

Investigators revealed that the cruise ship allegedly conducted their trip in the area without consulting local guides. Furthermore, the crew in the crew ship is reported to rely solely on GPS navigation without considering the tide.

Noble Caledonia, which operated the cruise ship, considered the accident as "unfortunate" accident. The company assured that they will completely cooperate to the investigation.

The Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry already send their staff in the accident area to assess the damage done to the coral reefs and to collect evidence. Officials said evidence collected in the area will be used to later to identify the amount of compensation Noble Caledonia must pay to Indonesia.

Locals were upset and enrage by the damaged done to the corals. One of the main income-generating activities in the area is their tourism, which relied heavily to the pristine coral reefs. Now that the reef is badly damaged, locals are worried that it will greatly impact the appeal of their island to tourists.
Asteroid impact might have obliterated not just the dinosaurs but an ancient native American civilization, too. This is based on a new study conducted by researchers from the University of South Carolina.

The Clovis people, a Native American civilization from the prehistoric era that existed from 13,200 to 12,900 years ago. The civilization was wiped out during the end of the last Ice Age together with a great number of species. The mystery of their demise is the focus of the study that claims to have an explanation as to what caused the extinction of the said species and the Clovis people.

Researchers studied 11 dig sites in North America to come up with their findings. The elevated levels of platinum led the researchers to their findings. Moore further added that platinum is rare in the Earth's crust, however asteroids and comets contain great amounts of the said element.

"The presence of elevated platinum in archaeological sites is a confirmation of data previously reported for the Younger-Dryas onset several years ago in a Greenland ice-core," Christopher Moore, the lead author of the study, said in an interview.

The fact that the Clovis culture and the 35 species including mammoths, mastodons, and saber-tooth tigers already survived ice age but became extinct during the "Younger-Dryas" period baffled scientists. The Native American civilization and the extinct species were able to survive the ice age, how come they, all of a sudden, died?

The study suggests that an asteroid impact may have been responsible for the mass species extinction in North America including the Clovis people. The extinction-level asteroid impact is about one-third the size of the one that killed the dinosaurs.

"Our data show that this anomaly is present in sediments from U.S. archaeological sites that date to the start of the Younger-Dryas event. It is continental in scale -- possibly global -- and it's consistent with the hypothesis that an extraterrestrial impact took place," Moore said in a statement.

The anomalous platinum levels at dig sites may not yet directly prove that an extinction-level asteroid impact occurred. However, it is a logical theory to work with since there are no fitting explanations to the platinum anomaly discovered in dig sites.
In a simple trip to the dentist gone wrong, four-year-old Mykel Wayne Peterson from Portland, Oregon, who has autism, died after a routine dental procedure at Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver.

During their dental visit at Must Love Kids on March 10, FOX News said that the boy had trouble keeping his mouth open.

As a solution, the dental center, which has a certified anesthesologist, gave the four-year-old boy a common anesthesia called Ketamine, so that his dentist could check if Mykel's teeth needed filling or crown. To ensure that Mykel will keep still, the center's anesthesologist gave the boy another shot of Ketamine.

The dentist was telling me everything she did with his teeth, and she was going to check to see if he was awake yet," Thmeka Curry, Mykels mother, told KGW8. "The anesthesiologist started to check his pulse and was shaking him and at this point I am still not aware anything happened to my son."

Mykel was declared dead upon arrival at a nearby hospital. A medical examiner is still determining the cause of his sudden death while the family needs to wait for up to eight weeks for the result of Mykel's toxicology report.

Meanwhile, Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry has not released a comment regarding the matter, except for an official statement saying that the institution hires highly qualified and certified anesthesologists who have performed more than 1,900 procedures involving anesthesia and deep sedation in the last three and a half years.

"He will be forever loved for the way that he selflessly loved them and for the memories he left...He was loved by all and will be truly missed," the family wrote on Mykel's Go Fund Me page, where people can donate to cover the costs of Mykel's funeral.
A former Central County Fire Department chief has pleaded no contest to felony grand theft, tax evasion and filing a false tax return in what has been described as an elaborate credit card scheme, San Mateo County prosecutors said Tuesday.

Mark Steven Ladas and his wife Peta Ladas opened a number of credit cards under false names, then used them to make purchases totaling $34,980 from a fake business using a point of sale machine, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

Wagstaffe said the couple also failed to claim those transactions as income for tax purposes in 2011 and 2012.

Peta Ladas remains at large in Canada with their daughter despite a warrant out for her arrest, but Canada has declined to extradite her, Wagstaffe said.

Mark Steven Ladas visited her while out on bail using income from the credit card scheme, according to Wagstaffe.

Prosecutors sought a sentence of three years and eight months in state prison, but as a result of a plea agreement with the judge, he has agreed to pay full restitution and now faces no more than 90 days in county jail when he is sentenced on May 5.

His defense attorney Eric Hove did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A norovirus outbreak at Dublin Elementary School has raised the alarm for parents and county health officials, according to the Alameda County Public Health Department.

At least 32 students and staff from the elementary school have reported suffering from norovirus symptoms, and one child has reportedly tested positive for the illness, Alameda County Public Health Department spokesperson Sherri Willis said in a statement.

The school since Friday has been in contact with the health department in an attempt to halt a potential spread. Cleaning crews have been working around the clock to stop the severe stomach bug from spreading.

"We are cleaning computer keyboards and playground balls," Dublin Unified School District spokesperson Michelle McDonald said. "(Anything) that's a touch point on this campus is being thoroughly cleaned."

Health officials said so far the outbreak has been contained to the elementary school.

Parents, especially with multiple kids, hope it stays that way.

"We just don't want it to spread to the rest of the kids," parent Rebecca Smith said.

School officials sent a letter to parents warning them about the outbreak and the necessary steps that need to be accomplished in the event that a child falls ill.

Any child exhibiting norovirus symptoms, which include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, pain, low fever, headache and muscle aches, is instructed to seek medical attention and completely recover for at least two days before returning to the classroom or any other public event, such as birthday parties, sporting events or other social gatherings.

In order to prevent catching the bug, youngsters are encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly with warm water for several seconds after visiting the restroom and especially before eating.

For more information regarding norovirus, visit the CDC website.
Oakland Fire Chief Teresa Deloach-Reed, who has been under fire since the deadly Ghost Ship warehouse fire in December, has announced that she will retire in May, according to the city's mayor.

Deloach-Reed headed a department that dealt with the city's deadliest fire in its history, the Dec. 2 blaze at the Fruitvale district warehouse where 36 people perished during a concert.

The property was being used illegally as a residential space and the fire fepartment has been criticized for not checking it for safety violations.

According to Mayor Libby Schaaf, Deloach-Reed, 59, has lived in Oakland for 22 years but began her fire service career as a firefighter in 1986 with the city of San Jose, where she rose through the ranks before being appointed to the top job in Oakland in 2012.

In securing the job, Deloach-Reed became the first African American woman in the country to lead a big city fire department, Schaaf said.

Deloach-Reed earned many awards for her leadership, including the NAACP Henry Gage Senior Excellence in Leadership award, the IABPFF Black Chief Officers' Committee Metro Lifetime Achievement award and the Martin Luther King Association's Public Safety and Service award, according to Schaaf.

"Chief Reed has been a role model to many," Schaaf said in a statement. "I thank her for her dedication and service to the department and this community."

The mayor said deputy chiefs Mark Hoffmann and Darin White will head the department while the city launches a nationwide search for a permanent fire chief.

Deloach-Reed wasn't immediately available for comment.
One suspect in the East Bay on Wednesday remains at large following a deadly officer-involved shooting near the Cal State East Bay campus that began Tuesday when a driver rammed a police vehicle with a stolen car, according to Hayward police.

The chaotic manhunt began about 5:20 p.m. when Fremont police detectives spotted a car in Hayward that was believed to be connected to a slew of armed robberies in the East Bay city and across the Bay Area, Hayward police said.

When police approached the vehicle located at an apartment complex at 25200 Carlos Bee Blvd., the driver rammed the detectives' vehicle before fleeing the scene with three other people, according to Hayward police.

The Fremont detectives responded by firing at the car, striking one female inside, Hayward police said.

The car eventually crashed near the intersection of Campus Drive and Oaks Drive and one male passenger ditched the scene on foot, Hayward police said. Two other people inside the car, a man and a woman, were taken into custody. The man was arrested on robbery charges, and the woman was interviewed before being released.

The second female passenger, who was struck by gunfire, was treated at the scene by firefighters, but she later died at the hospital. Police said the victim is a 16-year-old girl from Antioch.

The two injured Fremont police detectives were treated and released from a nearby hospital, Hayward police said.

"There lot's of inate dangers with being a police officer," Hayward Police Department Sgt. Ryan Cantrell said. "We try to our best tactically to take down people and take people into custody as safely as we can. It's a dangerous job and there's officers that are shot and run over and hit by cars all over the country. It's just part of the job. It's what we sign up for. It's tragic."

Residents in the area are still in shock over the incident.

"I was watching TV and I heard four gunshots, and then I heard a car skid off," Hayward-resident Afua Adih said.

By late Tuesday night, two police forces, using a helicopter and SWAT teams, were still searching a neighborhood at Campus Drive and Second Street for the male suspect. Several officers could be seen walking the streets toting rifles.

The outstanding male suspect is described as being roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall with a heavy build and short hair, according to Hayward police.

Campus Drive and Second Street were shut down during the search and investigation. Police were checking vehicles leaving the area and telling residents who want to get in to find somewhere else to stay. They said it was for their own safety.

University police issued a shelter-in-place order for University Village earlier Tuesday evening as police investigated the scene. The order was lifted about 90 minutes later.

University spokeswoman Natalie Seulner said students and staff at the nearby student housing village on Carlos Lee Boulevard were told to shelter-in-place a little after 6 p.m., per campus police instructions, but she did not provide details.

Police added that students on the Hayward campus were not at risk.

The Hayward Police Department, which has been named as the primary investigative agency for this case, is continuing to piece together details as of Wednesday afternoon. The Alameda County District Attorney's Office is also conducting a parallel investigation.
A Redwood City mother who pleaded no contest to leaving her two children unsupervised in a hotel bathtub while she had sex in another room.

Mindy Trinh, 21, on Monday pleaded no contest to felony child endangerment, the East Bay Times reports. She could get up to one year in jail when she is sentenced in May.

Prosecutors say the Fresno mother was staying at a Comfort Suites in South San Francisco on Sept. 3 when she left her 10-month-old and 3-year-old children unsupervised in a bathtub while she had sex in another room. At some point, the 3-year-old called out to Trinh and the 10-month-old was found unconscious in the water.

The baby was resuscitated.
San Rafael police arrested a Petaluma man Tuesday on suspicion of participating in the robbery of a bank where he worked as a teller, police said.

Javier Corona-Leyva, 19, was arrested at his Petaluma apartment and booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of felony robbery, burglary, embezzlement of more than $400, grand theft, receiving stolen property and conspiracy.

The alleged bank robber, Cedric Ray Vincent, 21, of San Rafael, was arrested in downtown San Rafael on Saturday morning for the robbery of the Westamerica Bank at 1 Mitchell Blvd. in San Rafael around 9:40 a.m. Friday. His arraignment was scheduled for this morning.

Police were conducting an alcoholic beverage sting Saturday morning when a police decoy saw what she believed was a drug deal involving three people, one of whom resembled the photo of the male bank robber.

Vincent, who was recently released from prison and was on parole for robbery, was in possession of a large amount of currency and he agreed to be questioned at the San Rafael Police Department, police said.

During the questioning, bait money taken from the robbery was found in Vincent's pockets, according to police.

San Rafael police detectives Scott Ingels and Alex Holm searched Vincent's cellphone over the weekend and they recognized Corona-Leyva as someone police had previously contacted. The detectives wondered if it was a coincidence that Corona-Leyva was the target of the bank robbery, police said.

The detectives used contact information Corona-Leyva provided at the time of the robbery to search Vincent's phone call logs and they determined Corona-Leyva had communicated wth Vincent more than once within 48 hours of the bank robbery, police said.

One message on Friday indicated both men were communicating about the robbery that was to occur that day.

Corona-Leyva was arrested at his Petaluma apartment at 5:14 p.m. Tuesday.
Hayward and Fremont police late Tuesday night were still searching for a third suspect in a shooting earlier in the evening involving Fremont police officers near the Cal State East Bay campus, according to Hayward police.

The manhunt began about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday after a shooting at an apartment complex near the Hayward campus, and by late Tuesday night, two police forces, using a helicopter and SWAT teams, were still searching a neighborhood at Campus Drive and Second Street. Several officers could be seen walking the streets toting rifles.

Campus Drive and Second Street were shut down during the search and investigation. Police were checking vehicles leaving the area and telling residents who want to get in to find somewhere else to stay. They said it's for their own safety.

Earlier Tuesday, police said they had two suspects in custody and the third suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous, remained at large.

Police chased one suspect through Steve Beaty's neighborhood on Highland Boulevard.

"Cops were out with guns drawn, and I told my wife and kid to get inside," Beaty said.

University police issued a shelter-in-place order for University Village earlier Tuesday evening as police investigated "an incident" at the City View Apartments on Carlos Lee Boulevard. The order was lifted about 90 minutes later.

University spokeswoman Natalie Seulner said students and staff at the nearby student housing village on Carlos Lee Boulevard were told to shelter-in-place a little after 6 p.m., per campus police instructions, but she did not provide details.

Police added that students on the Hayward campus were not at risk.

Police did not provide details on what led to the shooting or why Fremont officers were involved.
Two members of Russia's intelligence agency are among four people charged in a huge recent hack of Yahoo, U.S. law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.

Two criminal hackers also were part of the data breach that affected at least 500 million accounts and millions of user contacts, according to a federal indictment.

The agents, Russian FSB officers Dmitry Aleksandrovich Dokuchaev and Igor Anatolyevich Sushchin, are involved in work for the Russian Center for Information Security, which is the FBI's point of contact for cybercrime, said Mary McCord, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's National Security Division.

"There are no free passes for foreign, state-sponsored criminal behavior," McCord said.

NBC News has not received a response to the allegations from the Kremlin, spy agency FSB or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Though the Justice Department has previously charged Russian hackers with cybercrime  as well as hackers sponsored by the Chinese and Iranian governments  this is the first criminal case brought against Russian government officials.

"This is an unprecedented indictment," said John Bennett, FBI special agent in charge in San Francisco. "We take this seriously and the FSB should take this very seriously."

The announcement comes as federal authorities investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election through hacking, which Russia has denied but is widely accepted in the U.S. intelligence community.

"This is explosive," retired U.S. Navy admiral James Stavridis, once NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said on MSNBC, adding that the cyberattack "demands a response."

McCord, the Justice Department's top official on national security, said earlier Wednesday that Yahoo was hacked "with the backing of a nation-state," NBC News reported. She did not offer specifics at a seminar, sponsored by the Financial Times.

The FBI has had limited cooperation from the FSB's Center for Information Security in the past, including in requesting the return of one of the hackers on different charges in 2014, FBI Executive Assistant Director in Charge Paul Abbate said.

"We expect and hope for their cooperation here," Abbate added.

The other two named in the federal indictment are Alexsey Alexseyevich Belan, who has been indicted twice before and is on the FBI's "cyber most wanted" list, and Karim Baratov.

Baratov was arrested Tuesday in Canada, officials said.

The FSB agents allegedly paid Belan and Baratov to hack into emails in the U.S. and elsewhere. They broke into Yahoo in November or December 2014, taking user names, recovery email accounts, phone numbers and more.

The information had intelligence value to the FSB, while the hackers were able to use it to "line their own pockets," McCord said.

The indictment is a message to criminal hackers as well, Bennett said: "You can try and hide out in the corners of the dark web, but we will hunt you down."

Officials commended Yahoo and Google, whose customers were targeted in the breach, for being cooperative in the investigation.

"When you are going against the resources and backing of a nation-state, it is not a fair fight and not a fight you are likely to win alone," McCord said. "But you don't have to go it alone."

In a statement, Chris Madsen, Yahoo's assistant general counsel and head of global security, thanked law enforcement agencies for their work.

"We're committed to keeping our users and our platforms secure and will continue to engage with law enforcement to combat cybercrime," he said.
The guy hired to run what's left of Yahoo after it imploded under Marissa Mayer will get twice her salary, according to a new filing.

The company named board member Thomas McInerney, 52, as the head of its new spinoff company, Altaba, NBC News reported.

McInerney, former CFO at IAC media company - which owns brands such as Tinder, OKCupid, and the Princeton Review - is to get $2 million base pay, the company announced in an SEC filing Monday.

Mayer will get a $23 million golden parachute, as well as around $57 million in stock options.
The father of actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry is OK after a fire destroyed his Louisiana home.

Officials in Greensburg, Louisiana, tell WAFB-TV that Emmett Perry was home at the time the fire was reported about 8 Monday night. St. Helena Parish Sheriff Nat Williams says Perry heard cracking or popping sounds coming from the attic.

The older Perry made it out of the home safely.

Williams says several fire departments responded to the scene and the house is a total loss.

Tyler Perry was born in New Orleans and now lives in Atlanta.
A barricade situation between a man in a vehicle and a Chicago Police Department SWAT team ended late Wednesday morning more than 12 hours after it began on the citys Northwest Side.

Police said the SWAT unit was dispatched to the 6500 block of North Onargo in the citys Edison Park neighborhood just after 11:30 p.m. after receiving reports about a distraught man in a vehicle.

The SWAT team remained on the scene for several hours, with the man being "detained" and the situation "resolved without incident" just before noon Wednesday, authorities said.

Multiple SWAT vehicles, police cruisers and firetrucks could be seen surrounding the incident, blocking off areas nearby, including a portion of Harlem Avenue. [[416223933, C]]

One neighbor who lives on the block, Josh McGregory, told NBC 5 he was still unable to return to his home as the standoff entered its ninth hour.

They said they have no idea how long it was going to be, McGregory said. I even asked if I could just park down over here and walk home but they wouldnt let me walk down the street or alley to enter through the backside of my house. So all I can do is just wait.

SWAT team responds to 'distraught' man in car on Chicago's Northwest Side. @LaurenPettyNBC reports: https://t.co/66BvMAGyvO pic.twitter.com/U96POXVpQs  NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) March 15, 2017

Police have not released if the man at the center of the barricade situation was armed, but said they didnt believe anyone else was in the vehicle with him.

Ive never seen anything like this, McGregory said. Not even remotely close.

Check back for details on this developing story.
A serial shoplifter from Florida known as the "Toys 'R' Us Kid" and the "Lego Bandit" has been found guilty of stealing art supplies in northeast Illinois.

Ignatius Pollara, 51, was convicted Monday on burglary and retail theft charges in DuPage County, the Daily Herald reported. Police said he was arrested on July 3, 2015 after stealing about $80 in art supplies from a Hobby Lobby in Lombard.

Pollara was convicted in 2012 in Florida, where authorities allege he stole more than $2 million in Lego sets and Toys "R'' Us toys.

More than 10 police officers followed Pollara after they were tipped off on July 1 that he would be flying into Chicago from Florida the next day, Downers Grove police Sgt. Jeremy Thayer testified. Police obtained a search warrant for his rental car and found receipts for several small purchases, as well as items that appeared to be stolen.

The Tamarac, Florida, resident has been held on $125,000 bond since his arrest in Illinois.

Pollara declined to testify at a hearing Friday. He has been citied three times during the case for criminal contempt of court, often for profane courtroom outbursts.

His sentencing is scheduled for April 24.
A federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's revised travel ban hours before it was to take effect, marking the second time courts have thwarted Trump's efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations.

This time, the ruling came from a judge in Hawaii who rejected the government's claims that the travel ban is about national security, not discrimination. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order constricted the flow of students and tourists to the state, and that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination.

Early Thursday morning, a second block on the order came down, brought in a ruling from U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland in a challenge brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups.

Both rulings mentioned a 2015 statement from Trump's website in which he called "for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States," and senior policy adviser Stephen Miller's public defense of the second travel ban as mostly similar to the first.

In Hawaii, Watson criticized what he called the "illogic" of the government's arguments and cited "significant and unrebutted evidence of religious animus" behind the travel ban. He also noted that while courts should not examine the "veiled psyche" and "secret motives" of government decision-makers, "the remarkable facts at issue here require no such impermissible inquiry."

"For instance, there is nothing 'veiled' about this press release: 'Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States,'" Watson wrote, referring to a statement Trump issued as a candidate.

Trump called Watson's ruling an example of "unprecedented judicial overreach" and said his administration would appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court. He also called his new travel ban a watered-down version of the first one, which he said he wished he could implement.

"This ruling makes us look weak  We're going to win. We're going to keep our citizens safe," the president said at a rally in Nashville. "The danger is clear. The law is clear. The need for my executive order is clear."

Chuang's decision also took Trump's intent into consideration: "When President Trump discussed his planned Muslim ban, he described not the preference for religious minorities, but the plan to ban the entry of nationals from certain dangerous countries as a means to carry out the Muslim ban. These statements thus continue to explain the religious purpose behind the travel ban in the Second Executive Order."

The Department of Justice released a statement Wednesday night saying it "strongly disagrees with the federal district court's ruling, which is flawed both in reasoning and in scope."

"The Presidents Executive Order falls squarely within his lawful authority in seeking to protect our Nations security, and the Department will continue to defend this Executive Order in the courts," said Sarah Isgur Flores, DOJ spokesperson.

If the administration seeks an emergency stay of Watson's decision at the 9th Circuit, the matter would be heard by different judges from the three who ruled on the case last month. That's because the panel of judges assigned to such cases rotates every month, said court spokesman David Madden.

The 9th Circuit on Wednesday declined to reconsider the 3-0 decision not to reinstate the original ban. In a dissent, five judges said they considered that decision incorrect and wanted it vacated.

"Whatever we, as individuals, may feel about the president or the executive order, the president's decision was well within the powers of the presidency," Judge Jay Bybee wrote for the five.

Watson issued his 43-page ruling less than two hours after hearing Hawaii's request for a temporary restraining order to stop the ban from being put into practice.

The hearing was one of three held Wednesday in federal courts around the country. U.S. District Judge James Robart in Seattle, who blocked the initial travel ban last month, did not immediately rule on a request from an immigrant-rights group to block the revised version.

In all, more than half a dozen states are trying to stop the ban. A case brought by Washington state argues that the new order harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon, which rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Trump's initial travel ban, issued on a Friday in late January, brought chaos and protests to airports around the country as travelers from seven nations  Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen  were barred from entering even if they had prior permission to come to the U.S. The State Department canceled up to 60,000 visas, but later reversed that decision.

Robart ordered the government to stop enforcing the ban, which also suspended the nation's acceptance of refugees from around the world, and a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously declined to reinstate the ban.

The administration subsequently rewrote the ban, emphasizing more of a national security rationale, dropping Iraq from the list of banned countries and spelling out some reasons that travelers from the listed nations might be granted waivers allowing them into the U.S. despite the policy. The new ban does not apply to travelers who already have visas.

Critics of the ban said the changes made it more palatable, but they still argued that it violated both the Constitution and federal immigration law, and they tweaked their lawsuits to target the revised order.

Watson is a 2012 appointee of President Barack Obama. He is the only Native Hawaiian currently sitting as a federal judge and the fourth in U.S. history. He received his law degree from Harvard in 1991.

In his order, he found little evidence the travel ban would aid national security, noting a point brought up by the state: that a draft report from the Department of Homeland Security found nationality to be an "unlikely indicator" of terrorism threats.

Watson made it clear that his decision applied nationwide, ruling that the ban could not be enforced at any U.S. borders or ports of entry or in the issuance of visas.

In the Hawaii case, the federal government said there was no need to issue an emergency restraining order because Hawaii officials offered only "generalized allegations" of harm.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who filed the lawsuit that succeeded in blocking the first ban, cheered the Hawaii judge's ruling.

"It's very exciting," Ferguson said. "At this point it's a team effort  multiple lawsuits and multiple states."
Hundreds of school districts are closed or opened late today, the day after a blizzard dumped more than a foot of snow in many towns.

Non-essential state employees had the day off work Tuesday, but Gov. Dannel Malloy directed all state employees to return to work today.

"We urge residents to allow for extra travel time today to ensure that they arrive at their destinations safely," Gov. Dannel Malloy said in a statement. "Road conditions may be icy this morning and motorists are reminded to use their winter driving skills--slow down and allow for extra space between vehicles. I want to especially thank the road crews as well as the first-responders for the job they have done around-the-clock on behalf of the residents of our state."

Connecticut State Police said that between 5 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday they responded to 66 accidents - two with minor injuries - and 280 motorist assists. There were no fatal accidents during the storm.

AAA said that their emergency rescue crews received more than 1,000 calls for service in the greater Hartford area Wednesday.

While many people are back to work today, residents are also continuing to cleanup, especially in the northwest corner, where some locations got two feet of snow. Click here to check out snowfall accumulations throughout the state.

If you plan to fly, check ahead with your carrier after hundreds of flights at Bradley International Airport were cancelled yesterday. Metro-North schedules are also affected by yesterday's storm.

We're forecasting mostly cloudy skies today, with blowing snow and temperatures well below normal.

Winds will be out of the west at 10 to 20 mph. Temperatures for inland Connecticut will only rise into the middle to upper 20s. Temperatures along the shore will also be on the chilly side with highs near 30 degrees. The average high temperature for this time of the year is 47 degrees for inland Connecticut.

The rest of the work week will remain relatively quite with partly cloudy skies Thursday and mostly sunny skies on Friday.

We're also keeping our eyes on some wintry weather for the weekend. Light snow is expected Saturday morning which will transition to rain showers by the afternoon. Another round of snow showers are expected on Sunday.

Get the full forecast online here.
Norwich police have identified the suspect in the robbery of a local bank back in October and authorities have secured an arrest warrant.

Police allege that Stephen J. Silva, 45, of Springfield, Mass., robbed the Eastern Savings Bank at 257 Main Street on Oct. 17, 2016. No weapon was shown and no injuries were reported in the robbery.

During the investigation detectives identified seven other similar robberies and two attempted robberies at banks in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont ranging from Sep. 30 through Dec. 10, 2016.

On Dec. 12 Silva was arrested by Vermont State Police for a bank robbery in Hartland, VT. He remains in their custody.

Norwich police hold an arrest warrant for Silva charging him with second-degree robbery and third-degree larceny and intend to serve it to the suspect at a later date.
An 83-year-old man died after being hit by a plow driver in the parking lot of his apartment building, Willow Arms Apartments in East Hartford, during the blizzard Tuesday afternoon.

The victim, Daniel Baerga, was cleaning off his van in the parking lot of the apartment complex at 446 Main St. around 3 p.m. Wednesday when a private snowplow driver backed up and hit him, according to officials.

Baerga was taken to Hartford Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not released the mans name.

"The fatal accident late this afternoon during the storm is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with the deceased family at this time," Mayor Marcia Leclerc said in a statement.

The private plow contractor, a 47-year-old Broad Brook man, was driving, according to police. Officials from the plow company said the driver was distraught and their prayers go out to the family.

Police are investigating.
A retired Navy admiral is among nine military officers indicted in the U.S. Navy bribery scandal.

Bruce F. Loveless was expected to appear in front of a federal judge Tuesday in downtown San Diego to face criminal charges in connection with a widespread bribery scheme that has resulted in more than a dozen convictions involving senior U.S. Navy officials.

Then-Rear Admiral Loveless was under investigation as early as November 2013 when he was Director of Intelligence Operations. Prior to that he served as the N2 for CTF70, aboard USS Kitty Hawk.

Loveless is accused of accepting extravagant gifts from "Fat" Leonard Francis, a Singapore-based businessman who bribed senior naval officials with travel, food, wine, cigars and prostitutes in exchange for specific Navy warship movements so his company could overbill the Pentagon by millions of dollars.

When interviewed as part of the federal investigation, Loveless used the word never when asked if he had received anything of value from Francis.

In an indictment unsealed Tuesday, federal prosecutors state Loveless attended several "guys' trips" or "boys' nights out" with other naval officials paid for by Francis's company GDMA.

Court documents allege Loveless was a guest at a dinner paid for by GDMA in Hong Kong in January 2008. The bill for the dinner was allegedly $18,000. Four months later, prosecutors allege Loveless and other officers stayed at a Bangkok hotel, during which they were entertained by numerous prostitutes paid for by Francis.

Other defendants named in the indictment include Donald Bubbles Hornbeck, Enrico Rick DeGuzman, David Newly Newland, James JD Dolan, David Too Tall Lausman, Stephen Shedd, Mario Choke Herrera and Robert Gorsuch.

The naval officers referred to their group as "the Cool Kids," "the Band of Brothers," "the Brotherhood," "the Wolfpack," or the "familia," federal prosecutors state in court documents.

All defendants face conspiracy to commit honest service fraud. Newland, DeGuzman, Hornbeck, Dolan, Loveless, Lausman, Shedd, Herrera and Gorsuch face bribery charges.

Lausman faces additional charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice.

The indictment states Lausman and his wife received travel and other expensive gifts from Francis when Lausman was Commanding Officer of USS Blue Ridge and USS George Washington.

He's accused of writing to Francis and describing himself, the commanding officer of U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, as the businessman's "obedient and humble servant."

In a 2013 interview with NCIS, Lausman denied GDMA had ever paid for a hotel room for him. The following year, Lausman told federal prosecutors the same.

Court documents allege Lausman had been receiving hotel stays and other perks from Francis as early as 2006. In exchange, he allegedly wrote letters endorsing Francis' ship husbanding business to top Navy brass.

Hes also accused of destroying computer files linking him to GDMA.

Federal Magistrate Mitchell Dembin entered not guilty pleas for both Loveless and DeGuzman, who are scheduled to appear in court again later this month.

Prosecutor Patrick Hovakimian asked Dembin to require both defendants post a $50,000 personal appearance bond. Hovakimian argued that DeGuzman had committed extensive, serious and prolonged illegal acts. The prosecutor noted that Loveless was in a position of immense authority, acting as the 7th Fleets intelligence officer, when he allegedly took part in wild sex parties and accepted other illegal favors from Francis. He abrogated his official duties over and over again, Hovakimian said. He showed callous disregard for his duties. The prosecutor said Loveless, who was in custody and wore prison scrubs and shackles during his court appearance, currently lives in a rented luxury penthouse in Coronado, with panoramic ocean views.

Magistrate Dembin did not impose the requested $50,000 bond, and allowed both defendants to remain free on their own recognizance at this point in the case. But the magistrate did impose travel restrictions and other conditions of release on DeGuzman and Loveless.

The defendants all held "secret" or top secret clearances in order to perform their duties, according to the indictment.

They are accused of sharing confidential ship schedules for aircraft carriers, ships and submarines through personal email servers cooltoad, Hotmail and msn, among others.

After receiving one emailed schedule, Francis replied, Thanks for the updates. Outstanding. 'Choke' has secured 3 hrs 10 of Lap Dancing in [Tokyo]" according to court documents.

Lap dances were just a few of the perks Francis used to court the naval officers. From February 2006 to at least February 2014, the defendants received everything from cash and gifts to lavish meals and services of prostitutes, according to court documents.

Among the gifts to the naval officers and/or their wives were boxes of steak, cases of wine, Ulysse Nardin watches, a John Paul Jones fountain pen and a Versace handbag, federal prosecutors allege.

The indictment alleges the naval officers would then overlook inflated invoices or quashed bids from competitors.

The indictment alleges a party in the MacArthur Suite of the Manila Hotel took place in February 2007 during which Historical memorabilia related to the infamous General Douglas MacArthur was used in sex acts.

In April 2007, Francis paid at least $13,000 for one of Hornbecks relatives to receive a culinary internship at a restaurant within the Equatorial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to court documents.

At a June 2007 dinner (with a tab of approximately $11,000), federal prosecutors allege Gorsuch handed Francis two disks containing classified port visit information on many U.S. ships.

It was in the summer of 2007 that GDMA employees and Francis began asking the defendants to find other naval officers willing to participate in the bribery scheme.

In April 2008, Francis asked two of the defendants  Hornbeck and Dolan  to pressure other U.S. navy officials to pay bills suspected of fraudulent charges.

Newland served as Chief of Staff to the Commander of the Seventh Fleet.

DeGuzman was a Fleet Marine Officer who served as the civilian Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations for U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific after he retired from active duty.

As Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Hornbeck was responsible for directing operations of all combatant chips in the Seventh Fleet AOR.

Dolan served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics for the Seventh Fleet.

Stephen Shedd served as the Commanding Officer of USS Milius.

Herrera reported to Hornbeck and was responsible for scheduling port visits for ships and subs. Gorush served as administrative support for the commander of the Seventh Fleet.
Virtually everything has shut down in New Hampshire due to the storm  even the state-run liquor stores.

The state Liquor Commission shut down all 79 New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets as of 3 p.m. Tuesday. They will reopen Wednesday morning.

Chairman Joseph Mollica said the safety and well-being of store workers and consumers "is of paramount importance" and he encouraged everyone to travel safely.

In January 2015, Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan declared a state of emergency during a storm and shut down a number of agencies, including the liquor stores.
By Mica Rosenberg

March 15 (Reuters) - Court hearings in Hawaii and Maryland on Wednesday could decide the immediate fate of President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, which is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Thursday.

The courts have been asked in lawsuits challenging the ban to issue restraining orders that would prevent it from taking effect pending resolution of the litigation.

The new order, which temporarily bars the entry of most refugees as well as travelers from six Muslim-majority countries, was signed by the president on March 6, with a 10-day lag before it took effect.

It replaced an earlier, broader order that was signed amid much fanfare a week after Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration. The first order temporarily banned travelers from seven countries in addition to most refugees and took effect immediately, causing chaos and protests at airports across the country and around the globe.

States and civil rights groups filed more than two dozen lawsuits against the first order, arguing it discriminated against Muslims and violated the U.S. Constitution.

In response to a lawsuit by Washington state, a federal judge in Seattle last month issued a nationwide halt to the first order. That decision was upheld by a U.S. appeals court.

The Trump administration made changes in an attempt to address the judges' concerns. But the states and civil rights groups went back to court arguing the new ban did not solve the problems and should be stopped.

'WHO WOULD BE HARMED?'

One central question likely to be raised at the hearings is who would be harmed by the new ban. The administration in its new order explicitly exempts legal permanent residents and existing visa holders and provides a series of waivers for various categories of immigrants with ties to the United States.

While the new order still bars citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days, Iraq is no longer on the list. Refugees are still barred for 120 days, but an indefinite ban on all refugees from Syria was deleted.

Story continues

To succeed, the plaintiffs must show they have "standing" to challenge the ban, which means they must have been harmed by the policy.

If they get past that hurdle, the plaintiffs will argue that both the new ban and the old discriminate on the basis of religion and are unconstitutional.

The Trump administration disputes that allegation, citing as evidence that many Muslim-majority countries are not included in the ban.

In the Hawaii case, the island state says its universities and tourist economy would be harmed by the restrictions on travel.

Hawaii also sued in conjunction with a plaintiff named Ismail Elshikh, an American citizen from Egypt who is an imam at the Muslim Association of Hawaii. Elshikh says his family will be harmed if his mother-in-law, who lives in Syria, is prevented from visiting because of the restrictions.

The government in its response to Hawaii said Elshikh had not been harmed because the ban allows for waivers, and his mother-in-law could apply for one.

In the Maryland case, the American Civil Liberties Union is representing refugee resettlement agencies it says will be hurt by the ban because it affects their operations. The ACLU adds that some of the agencies' clients are in conflict zones and face imminent danger even if they are only temporarily barred from the United States.

"All of those exemptions and waivers were an effort to shore up this discriminatory order after the fact," said Cecillia Wang, ACLU deputy legal director told reporters on a conference call with reporters.

(Reporting by Mica Rosenberg in New York and Dan Levine in Honolulu; Additional reporting by Ian Simpson in Greenbelt, Md.; Editing by Sue Horton and Peter Cooney)
While officials across the tri-state area urged everyone to stay off the roads Tuesday as a powerful nor'easter pummeled the region with strong winds, whiteout conditions and flooding, some New York City residents simply said "neigh."



Two runaway ponies took to the streets of Staten Island, amusing people who snapped photos of the animals prancing in snow-covered intersections near Hylan Boulevard and Richmond Avenue.

Photos: Nor'easter Cripples the Tri-State Tuesday

One photo posted on Community Education Council President's Mike Reilly's Facebook page showed the duo calmly crossing the street in front of an MTA bus. NYPD officers eventually corralled the ponies.

They were safely returned to their owners.

Snow-dorable! Kids and Pets Playing in the Snowstorm
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the administration will re-examine federal requirements governing the fuel efficiency of cars and trucks, moving forcefully against Obama-era environmental regulations that Trump says are stifling economic growth.

Trump revealed his plans during a speech at an automotive testing center near Detroit after discussing the issue during a round-table meeting at the American Center for Mobility with auto company executives and workers.

"This is going to be a new era for American jobs and job creation," Trump said at the meeting.

Will be going to Detroit, Michigan (love), today for a big meeting on bringing back car production to State & U.S. Already happening!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

The EPA under Obama had promulgated a rule for cars and trucks requiring a fleet-wide average of 36 mpg in real-world driving by 2025.

Trump's decision, while having no immediate effect, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to determine no later than April 2018 whether the 2022-2025 standards established are appropriate. If the EPA determines they are not appropriate, the agency will submit a new proposal next year.

"My administration will work tirelessly to eliminate the industry-killing regulations, to lower the job-crushing taxes and to ensure a level playing field for all American companies and workers," Trump said at the center, which produced B-24 bombers during World War II and is being converted into an automotive testing and product development facility.

Trump's announcement is expected to set the stage for weaker fuel efficiency standards as well as drawn-out legal battles with environmental groups and states such as California that adopted their own tough tailpipe standards for drivers.

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. He promised a "thorough review" that will "help ensure this national program is good for consumers and good for the environment."

Scott Pruitt was confirmed and sworn-in as the newest EPA administrator on Friday, despite strong objections from environmentalists and conservation groups. The Senate voted 52-46 to confirm Pruitt.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers  which represents a dozen major car manufacturers including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and Toyota  praised Trump's action. It said he was creating an opportunity for federal and state officials to "reach a thoughtful and coordinated outcome predicated on the best and most current data."

Environmental groups said Trump and his team appeared intent on easing gas-mileage requirements set by Obama.

"If they succeed we'll pay more at the pump, depend more on oil from bad countries, drive up the trade deficit and pollute our kids' atmosphere," said Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign.

As a practical matter, Trump's announcement will target the Obama administration's January decision to lock in strict gas mileage requirements for cars and light trucks, ending a review process before the Democrat left office.

Back in 2012, the Obama administration set fuel-economy regulations for model years 2017-2025 and agreed to complete a midterm evaluation by 2018. But seven days before Obama left office, the EPA decided to keep the stringent requirements it had set in place for model years 2022 to 2025. The industry balked at the decision, insisting it was rushed through to beat the change in administrations.

Trump said he's putting that midterm review back on track, so officials can spend another year studying the issue before setting new standards in 2018.

Trump delivered a campaign-style speech in which he railed against big trade agreements, specifically NAFTA and the recent Trans-Pacific Partnership, laying out in stark terms his view of how the pacts had hurt the U.S. auto industry and its workers.

Trump said he had kept his promise to withdraw the U.S. from the TPP, an agreement that former President Barack Obama pursued with 11 other Pacific Rim nations. Trump also wants to renegotiate NAFTA, which includes Canada and Mexico, but he did not mention those plans in Wednesday's remarks.

"The assault on the American auto industry is over," he declared.

While the administration has not said explicitly it wants to weaken the standards, a senior White House official said the Obama-era EPA had ignored reams of data cited by the automotive industry. The official spoke on condition of anonymity at a White House briefing in order to outline the action, despite the president's criticism of the use of unnamed sources.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers last month urged EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to relax the standards, saying they will drive up car costs, price customers out of the market and depress the industry. Obama's EPA had argued the costs to consumers were mitigated by gas savings and that the rules would decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.

Trump told the auto executives that while he's attuned to concerns about the environment, he doesn't want to stifle jobs.

"We want you to make great cars. And if it takes an extra thimble full of fuel, we don't want that to stop making it," he said. "Sometimes it's a tiny amount of fuel. It's a very small thing we're talking about."

Trump campaigned on eliminating "job killing" regulations, and the administration is expected to take additional steps in the coming days to roll back environmental regulations.

Rhea Suh, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the change "makes no sense."

"Mileage standards save consumers money at the gas pump, make Americans less dependent on oil, reduce carbon pollution and advance innovation," she said.

Looking forward to a big rally in Nashville, Tennessee, tonight. Big crowd of great people expected. Will be fun!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2017

After the speech, Trump headed to Nashville, Tennessee, to lay a wreath at President Andrew Jackson's tomb to mark what would have been Jackson's 250th birthday, before holding a campaign-style rally in the city.

Trump toured Jackson's home, according to Howard Kittell, president and CEO of the Hermitage mansion. Jackson has enjoyed something of a resurgence thanks to Trump. During the campaign, some of Trump's aides took to comparing him to the former president  a fellow populist outsider who took on a member of the Washington establishment and ran a campaign railing against corrupt elites.

Trump mused during his first days in Washington that "there hasn't been anything like this since Andrew Jackson" and hung a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office.

Trump later tweeted from his @POTUS account about Andrew Jackson: "We thank you for your service. We honor your memory. We build on your legacy & we thank God for the USA!"

The 45th @POTUS lays a wreath and pays tribute to the 7th president, Andrew Jackson, on his 250th birthday in TN pic.twitter.com/dDMbj4oREx  Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) March 15, 2017

Historians had been souring on the slave-owning president whose Indian Removal Act of 1830 commissioned the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands. More than 4,000 died during their journeys west.

At his rally in Nashville, Trump reacted to Hawaii judge's decision to put the Trump Administration's revised travel ban on hold.

"This ruling makes us look weak, which by the way we no longer are, believe me, just look at our borders," Trump said after boasting about his plans to build a wall at U.S. southern border.

"We're going to take our cases as far as it needs to go including all the way up to the Supreme Court," he continued.

Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold Wednesday by a federal judge in Hawaii who questioned whether the administration was motivated by national security concerns.
Join NBC 5 and the Alzheimer's Association - North Central Texas Chapter at the Alzheimer's Association Spring Symposium: Translating Knowledge Into Treatment, Care and Prevention Wednesday, March 29, from 8:30 a.m.  5:00 p.m. at the Arlington Convention Center.

The day-long event for family caregivers and health care professionals is the chapters largest education event of the year, offering up-to-date, useful information on a variety of topics pertaining to care and support from experts in the field. The symposium will offer CMEs, CNEs and continuing education for a variety of other disciplines with the goal of providing timely information regarding dementia care to improve patient outcomes.

The keynote address will be given by Pamela Duncan, family caregiver and Alzheimers advocate. Duncan will share her story of raising teenagers while caring for her husband, Scott Duncan, who is now in the late stages of the disease. Duncan is also the mother to the Duncan Twins who made world-wide news coverage about their journey as young caregivers and their wedding dress photo shoot with their father, Scott Duncan.

The correlation between traumatic brain injury and dementia will be highlighted and discussed by Dr. Holly Hinson. Hinsons research at Oregon Health and Science University is focused on inflammation of the brain after TBI and helping clinicians provide the correct medical therapy for those affected.

Dr. Heather Snyder, Ph.D, senior director of medical and scientific operations for the Alzheimers Association, will present sessions about the impact that the disease has on women and updated research on prevention studies. Snyder will also explain the role of vascular factors, such as heart disease and stroke related disorders in Alzheimers and dementia patients.

In addition, local experts in Alzheimers disease, law, psychology, dementia care and more will offer breakout sessions on topics of interest to family members who are caring for a loved one with Alzheimers and for healthcare workers who specialize in dementia care. Representatives of the Alzheimers Association and businesses serving the needs of caregivers and persons with dementia will have information available from symposium attendees.

Registration fees are $100 for professionals needing continuing education credit and $50 for professionals that do not need CEs. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. There is no charge for family caregivers to attend. There is a suggested donation of $25 to cover the cost of food and materials.

The Arlington Convention Center is located at 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, Texas 76011. For more information or to register, call 1.800.272.3900 or visit www.alz.org/northcentraltexas.

14th Annual

Alzheimers Association Spring Symposium

Wednesday, March 29

8:30 a.m.  5:00 p.m.

Arlington Convention Center

1200 Ballpark Way

Arlington, TX 76011

www.alz.org/northcentraltexas

1-800-272-3900



About the Alzheimer's Association



The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit www.alz.org or call 1.800.272.3900.

The Alzheimers Association - North Central Texas Chapter is one of 81 local chapters of the Alzheimer's Association, headquartered in Chicago. The chapter covers a 40-county service area and Fort Worth serves as headquarters for the chapter, which has regional offices in Abilene, Waco and Wichita Falls.

The programs and services are made possible through contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.




Police said two people were killed and two children were injured in a wrong-way crash in Kaufman County Tuesday night. [[416200763,C]]

Crandall police said a white Chevy pickup traveling the wrong way on Farm-to-Market Road 741 crashed into a black Ford F-150 near Blackland Road at about 9:30 p.m.

"Preliminary investigation does indicate that his lights were off," Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Kyle Bradford said. "Basically, we do know that he was driving [in the] northbound lane without his lights."

Authorities said the man driving the Chevy and the woman driving the Ford died in the crash.

The driver's daughter and her friend were in the back seat of the Ford. Both were taken to Children's Medical Center of Dallas  one by ground and the other by air  with injuries that police said were not life threatening.

Police said the road was closed until about 1 a.m. Wednesday while the Department of Public Safety investigated the crash.
American Airlines has apologized to a blind woman who says she and her guide dog were removed from a flight after she asked for a new seat.

Our partners at The Dallas Morning News report Sue Martin was booked on a connecting flight from Washington, D.C. to D/FW International Airport March 1 and discovered her guide dog, a German shepherd, couldn't fit in her assigned row.

WCSH-TV reported a flight attendant told her to speak with an airport agent, who claimed it was against airline regulations for a service dog to be in first class, and she could not move to another row.

Martin returned to the plane, where a first class passenger offered to swap seats with her. Another American employee boarded the plane and asked her to leave, the DMN reported.

The Fort Worth-based airline told the DMN it was investigating the incident. A company spokesman emailed NBC DFW the following statement:

"We apologize to Ms. Martin for the recent experience she had on American Airlines. We take these allegations very seriously, and are thoroughly investigating. We are also in contact with Ms. Martin to gather additional details of what transpired during her recent journey with us."

"Service animals are welcome on all of our flights. American is also a proud supporter of the Puppies in Flight (PIF) program. In conjunction with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), our team members volunteer to become trained to work with assistance dogs and take them on transports and test flights  short turnaround trips. This helps acclimate service animals to air travel."

Click here to read more from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.
Video of North Texas Congressman Joe Barton is going viral after he was caught on camera telling someone in a crowd of a town hall to "shut up."

Barton, who represents the 6th District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives, was at a town hall meeting in the Navarro County town of Frost just south of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Barton was responding to a question on a bill regarding violence against women when the exchange with some audience members got heated.

When Barton said he felt it was a state issue not a federal issue, the audience voiced opposition to his response. But when one man exclaimed "you represent Texas first," Barton then pointed at the man and said "You sir, shut up."

The crowd reacted, a few clapping and some in shock.

NBC 5 reached out to Barton about the heated exchange and received this response:

I appreciate the interest and participation at every town hall meetings I host. These meetings give constituents the opportunity to hear directly from their Congressman on issues important to them and I consider it an obligation to hold several each year. All town hall begin with ground rules, which include that you must be recognized in order to speak. These are unscripted live meetings. Over the weekend in Frost, one gentlemen continued to speak over myself and many others who were seeking recognition in orderly fashion. I did, however, return to him for the last question of the meeting and allow him the opportunity to voice his concerns.

As of this writing, the video posted on YouTube has received more than 80,000 views.


Executives with cell phone provider T-Mobile joined Dallas city officials Wednesday to accept responsibility for a 911 problem blamed since last fall on the company's equipment.

"Clearly we share this obligation, this responsibility with the city management leadership as well as the mayor's office in a very sincere and deep way," said T-Mobile Executive Vice President David Carey.

Attention to the problem peaked with Saturday's death of 6-month-old Brandon Alex.

The child died after his babysitter could not reach 911 operators for nearly an hour. The babysitter had no car, and when the mother returned from a funeral, she raced the child to a hospital. He later died.

His mother, Bridget Alex, blames the 911 problem.

"This has been going on since November. It took me to lose my son for y'all to call extra people, extra techs to be here. It took me to lose my six-month-old son? Why did my child have to be the example?" Alex said.

Wednesday, another person came forward claiming his loved one also died after being on hold with 911.

Brian Cross stopped breathing while taking a nap on March 6, according to his husband, David Taffet. The couple married in June.

Taffet says he dialed 911 while starting CPR but says he was cut off and had to call back. He says he was on hold for 20 minutes until he finally reached an operator.

"Get it right and fix it. I just don't want this to happen to somebody else," Taffet said.

Taffet, a writer for Dallas Voice magazine, confronted city leaders at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

City officials do not accept responsibility for the deaths, but Mayor Mike Rawlings did issue an apology for the problem.

"I'm sorry and we are going to do better as a city," Rawlings said. "We need immediate answers and we need to do everything we can to fix this."

Officials said the troublesome 911 calls was first detected in October and spiked in November. The call center has been flooded with what appear to be hang up calls. Operators must call the numbers back to be sure there is no emergency, wasting valuable time.

"So when somebody with a legitimate 911 call tries to get in a call for service usually, they're made to wait an extended period of time," said Deputy Police Chief Jesse Reyes.

The calls are coming from T-Mobile equipment.

"We thought we had the issue resolved in January, but then February it became even worse, and we have been dealing with it since then," Reyes said.

Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax officially started his new job in February, but he said the buck stops with him on this. He said the staff of call takers is being increased with police officers who have experience in dispatch.

"I want to assure and share with the public that I take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the city and our 911 call center," Broadnax said.

The problem was not fixed Wednesday, but the T-Mobile people promise it will be.

"We will stay on this until it is fully resolved and everybody can rest comfortably that when they call 911, that their call and emergency request for help will be addressed immediately," Carey said.
A former guard at a private immigrant detention center in San Antonio has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a detainee.

Barbara Jean Goodwin worked at the Central Texas Detention Facility, which The GEO Group operates near downtown San Antonio for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The 35-year-old woman entered her plea Tuesday before a federal magistrate in San Antonio. She could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for having sex with a federal inmate between February and August 2016.

Goodwin is scheduled to be sentenced June 12.
Police said they're searching for a gunman who shot an acquaintance in Dallas Wednesday morning. [[416216923,C]]

Dallas police said they responded to a shooting call in the 5800 block of Logancraft Drive at about 2:45 a.m. and found a man with a gunshot wound on his leg.

Investigators said the two men knew each other and were involved in an altercation. The shooter then shot the victim with a shotgun and drove away in a silver Honda.

The victim was transported to a hospital with injuries that police said were not life threatening.

No further information was released.
The family and friends of a young Dallas woman who was abducted and killed three years ago are once again pushing to create the "Kelley Alert" to prevent similar tragedies.

"They have the Amber Alert, and that covers 17 and under. The Silver (Alert) is 64 and over. But in between there's no alert," said the Rev. Ronald Wright, with the group Justice Seekers Texas.

D'Lisa Kelley, a pregnant mother of young child, was abducted not far her South Dallas home on March 7, 2014.

Her phone dialed a relative, who heard Kelley screaming at someone to get off her.

Kelley's grandmother soon reported her missing, but Dallas police didn't start looking for the 24-year-old until days later.

Her beaten body was found a week after Kelley disappeared, a short mile from where she was last seen.

"If the law would've came out when the grandmother made the call, she could have still been here today," said Jennifer Smith, with the Kelley Alert Foundation. "But because there was a delay, it caused a problem and she's no longer with us now."

The bill to create the Kelley Alert  first introduced in Austin two years ago  was filed for the second time last week, three years to the day after Kelley disappeared.

"We're going to continue to advocate for it until it gets passed," said Dominique Alexander, founder of the Kelley Alert Foundation.

An internal police investigation led to the dispatcher who took the 9-1-1 call to be suspended for one day.

The family filed a lawsuit against the police chief, city of Dallas, the 9-1-1 operator and multiple cell phone providers and manufacturers. They claim the grandmother's 9-1-1 call was improperly handled and assistance was ignored.
A funeral procession for Houston Fire Captain Bill Dowling was held on Wednesday morning in Houston.

Dowling died last week after he was seriously injured in a 2013 fire at a hotel and restaurant that killed four firefighters and injured 13 others, according to KPRC.

The fire is considered the deadliest in the Houston Fire Department's history.

Dowling was 43 years old and passed away in Colorado, KPRC reported.

More than 2,000 people are expected to attend his service, KPRC said.
Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban said Wednesday he would consider a run at the White House in 2020 if he thought he could help.

In February, President Donald Trump tweeted Cuban isnt smart enough to be president.

The two traded barbs during the campaign and it didn't stop after the election.

If you have been spam-trolled on the Internet, particularly by the president, you are like, 'How I am going to reply?' I went through like five different things and kind of settled on 'LOL,' which I found was brief and to the point, Cuban said at a Washington, D.C. event on the future of communication.

Speaking at the Axios Event, the "Shark Tank" investor shared his thoughts on Trump.

He is oblivious to everything. He reminds me of the coddled athlete, that the athlete just worked their way up without really having to go to school. They are one and done. They kind of faked it 'til they made it to get through. They just ask a lot of questions, because they dont have answers to anything. That is our president," said Cuban.

Cuban said he doesn't necessarily want to be in politics, but if he thought he could help he'd be up to the challenge.

I dont have an aspiration to be a politician. I dont have this government service gene, so it's not a compelling part of me. It would have to be something where I thought I could fix something in a manner that other people couldnt. If it was broken. If its not broken ... you know what, Ill get out the way. Im not going to run for President just to make a point, he said.

When asked if he was "clearly thinking about" running for president, Cuban said, Yea, because Im an American citizen. I care about this country and I want to do right by it. Look, no one has been more blessed by the opportunities this country creates than me. And so I feel an obligation that if I can contribute I will.

He also added he hopes the President does well, and is not thinking about a time frame.

"I dont know. We will find out. There is no rush. Again, its only 60 days in and there is still the opportunity that he'll do a great job. Again, sometimes being oblivious, sometimes the best deals are the ones you dont do, right, and being oblivious allows other people to do their jobs, and maybe it will turn out great. You know, I want him to succeed. I want to be very clear on that. I want him to succeed. If he succeeds, if his programs succeed, we all succeed," he added.

Cuban seemed most concerned about technology and where it may be headed with Trump in the White House.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think wed have a president who not only has never sent an email, but thinks its too hard to learn how to Google," Cuban said. "I was willing to send my 7-year-old to help him but (laughs), thats scary to me."

"You know when I talk about the AI (artificial intelligence) stuff, deep learning, machine learning, Im not saying theres a chance. Ya know, this isnt a Jim Carrey movie. Im saying this is real. Its going to happen. Theres no doubt," Cuban said. "So if you have somebody in office who doesnt understand technology at all and we miss these things, we could have real problems. So if he lasts four years, the question is what type of situation are we in? And if you dont account for disruption and the change of nature in work, I think theres a lot of potential problems that were going to have to address.
The New York attorney general says that while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was CEO of Irving-based Exxon he used an alias in emails to talk about climate change.

The attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, made the accusation in a letter from his office to a New York court Monday.

He is investigating whether the company deceived investors and the public by hiding for decades what it knew about the link between fossil fuels and climate change.

Schneiderman said Exxon failed to disclose that Tillerson used an account named "Wayne Tracker" to send and receive emails about issues including risk management related to climate change. Wayne is Tillerson's middle name.

The account was used from at least 2008 through 2015, he says.

Exxon Mobil spokesman Alan Jeffers said Tillerson's regular email address received a large number of emails, including from outside the company, and the Wayne Tracker account was created for secure and quick communication between Tillerson and senior executives over a broad range of topics.

Tillerson resigned as chairman and CEO of Exxon Mobil Corp. at year end, after then-President-elect Donald Trump picked him to become the nation's chief diplomat.

The State Department declined to comment on Tillerson's use of an alias for email while at Exxon, but spokesman Mark Toner said Tillerson only uses a State Department email address to conduct government business and an official phone number for work-related calls.

In a letter submitted by one of his deputies, Schneiderman said investigators found the Wayne Tracker account on about 60 documents but that neither Exxon nor its lawyers ever disclosed that it was used by Tillerson. He said that Exxon has failed to give his office all documents covered by a court order in response to his investigation.

Exxon disputed this.

"The very fact the attorney general's office has these emails is because they were produced in response to the subpoena," Jeffers said in a statement.

He said the company has provided more than 2.5 million pages of documents to Schneiderman's office.

Tillerson would not be the first chief executive to use an alias in electronic communications.

A notable case was John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc., who used a pseudonym to post messages on investor websites criticizing another company and suggesting that its stock was overpriced.

Austin-based Whole Foods later bought the rival over objections by federal antitrust regulators.
Lawmakers began their debate on property tax reform Tuesday, during the first week of votes in the Texas Legislature.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called property tax reform one of his priorities going into this session.

State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, introduced Senate Bill 2, which brought on hours of testimony Tuesday.

The bill says that when a tax burden goes up by four percent or more, an election is required to approve it.

Read the full Senate Bill 2 here.

The Texas Municipal League has slammed the bill, saying it will affect emergency services if passed.

"The largest budget item for every city in Texas is public safety  police, fire fighting and emergency medical services," said Bennett Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League. "Politicians can't proclaim their support for first responders and then turn around and vote to restrict the funding that pays for the salaries, equipment, vehicles, health insurance and pensions of the men and women who protect our communities."
Border Patrol agents have tracked and seized an ultralight aircraft seen flying into the U.S. over the international border Monday night.

Agents from the El Centro Sector first saw the object fly over the border from Mexico into U.S. airspace at approximately 10:45 p.m.

Authorities tracked the aircraft, flying without lights at the time, to its landing spot: an agricultural field road near Holtville, California.

When agents arrived, they could not find the pilot, who abandoned the aircraft.

No drugs or other contraband were found.

The ultralight aircraft was not outfitted to transport narcotics, said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent, David S. Kim, in a statement. Our agents were able to detect, track, and ultimately seize this ultralight by being vigilant in their duty to keep the people of this country safe.

In the past, similar aircrafts have been used to smuggle narcotics across the border. However, the aircrafts pose a "grave danger" to legitimate aircraft flying in the area. Kim said.

The incident is under investigation.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco has rejected a lawsuit by members of a California Native American tribe who were temporarily banned from tribal land.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday the federal Indian Civil Rights Act does not give U.S. courts the authority to review such decisions.

The ruling came in a lawsuit by members of the United Auburn Indian Community who were excluded from tribal lands by the tribe's Council. The tribe owns the Thunder Valley Casino Resort outside Sacramento.

The members argued that their exclusion amounted to detention under the Indian Civil Rights Act and was therefore reviewable by a federal court.

The 9th Circuit in a 2-1 decision rejected that argument.

Andrew Stroud, an attorney for the tribal members, says he's heartbroken for his clients.
A Fallbrook man who drowned along with a 5-year-old boy when their car was swept into a rain-swollen creek in Southern California had methamphetamine in his system at the time of the accident, an autopsy report confirms.

The report, completed by the San Diego County Medical Examiners (ME) office and obtained by NBC 7 on Tuesday, states that contributing factors to 73-old-year-old Roland Phillips death included alcohol and methamphetamine use, and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including a slightly enlarged heart.

The toxicology portion of the report states that samples of Rolands blood, urine and gastric contents were tested and yielded positive for a small level of alcohol and 1.8 milligrams of methamphetamine per liter.

Phillips cause of death was drowning, due to his vehicle possible overturning into the overflowing creek during heavy rainfall. The report concludes that his manner of death was accidental.

On Jan. 22, Roland and 5-year-old Phillip Campbell -- the child of family friends under Roland's care -- were driving to Riverside County to look at a car that was for sale. It was the weekend that a series of powerful winter storms hit San Diego County, causing flooding and dangerous conditions in many parts of the county.

As Roland's Toyota Camry approached the area of Fifth Street, east of Interstate 15 in Rainbow, California, the car was carried away by rising water from Rainbow Creek -- a normally small creek running across San Diego's North County to the Pacific Ocean.

The boy and Roland disappeared into the water.

Cal Fire and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) launched an extensive search for them that lasted five days. Winter storm conditions and water levels in the creek made the first few days of the search extremely difficult and dangerous.

The following day, Jan. 23, Rolands body was pulled from the creek. However, Phillip was nowhere to be found.

One Rainbow resident told NBC 7 that she saw the boy clinging to a tree limb before disappearing downstream on Jan. 22. The ME's preliminary report said other witnesses called 911 to report the child floating in the creek.

Rolands autopsy states that a witness who lives in an apartment on Fifth Street called 911 to report she had seen the little boy floating in the creek. A second witness reported seeing the boy further south in the creek screaming for help. That witness, according to the autopsy, tried to help Phillip by extending a broom handle out into the water for the boy to grab, but the child was swept away by the rushing waters.

The searched pressed on  by ground and air  over the next five days. On Jan. 24, SDSO officials searched by helicopter from the point where Rolands vehicle was believed to have entered the creek to the ocean. A crew flew low enough for searchers to try and spot any sign of the child.

Again, nothing.

Deputies said their mission was a recovery effort, not a rescue, as Phillip was presumed dead. As the rain stopped and water levels dropped, the search resumed on Jan. 25 and again on Jan. 26.

Four swift water teams moved up and down the creek. SDSO search and rescue teams canvassed the area.

Finally, on Jan. 26, just after 11 a.m., Phillip's body was found in the water, buried under 6 to 8 feet of debris.

Cal Fire Division Chief Nick Schuler said the boy was found in very thick brush and trees, in an area referred to by officials as a strainer.

Schuler said strainers are areas where large trees have fallen across the creek and where debris and brush has gotten hung up as the water rushes through.

He said Cal Fires inmate hand crews were removing debris and brush in a heavily-wooded strainer area when they noticed a small shoe lying in the brush. As they removed more debris, they uncovered the body of a little boy.

The area where Phillip's body was found is near Moon Valley Nurseries on the west side of Interstate 15. Schuler said the area was difficult to access, making for a very technical search  very complicated and dangerous.

[The creek] probably flowed in excess of 15 to 18 feet deep and 80 feet wide, he explained. He was buried in approximately 6 to 8 feet of debris.

It literally was like a needle in a haystack to try and find this little boy, he added.

In early February, family and friends gathered in Fallbrook to lay Roland and Phillip to rest. In an emotional "Celebration of Life" ceremony, relatives remembered how much Roland and the boy loved one another.

Phillip endearingly called Roland by the nickname "Pappy."

Although Phillip and Roland weren't related by blood, the pair were best friends. Roland and his girlfriend, Tracy, helped care for Phillip.

Phillip's family told NBC 7 the boy and his "Pappy" were inseparable and did everything together.

"He followed him everywhere, everywhere," Phillip's grandmother said of the boy's friendship with Roland.

Phillip's uncle, Anthony Campbell, said Roland was "a very good man" who dedicated a lot of time, along with Tracy, to helping raise Phillip. Roland was kind and generous, and those traits rubbed off on Phillip.

He called the connection between Phillip and Roland unique and their bond unbreakable.

"It was an awesome relationship. They went everywhere together," he added. "They were two great people."

On Tuesday, NBC 7 spoke with neighbors in Fallbrook who knew Roland and Phillip. They called this case a tragedy.

"He [Phillip] had no say so in the matter," one neighbor lamented. "The only thing you can think of from my belief, is that the Lord wanted to take him home."

"I've prayed for him many times and I will probably pray many more times," another neighbor said. "It was too close to home, way to close to home."
A 19-year-old man, suspected of fatally injuring a 5-year-old boy in a hit-and-run crash in South Los Angeles, apologized to the family before he surrendered to police Wednesday.

Anguished family members and police asked for help earlier in the day in the search for the driver who struck Ronald Neal twice, fatally injuring him Tuesday in the Florence area of South Los Angeles.

The crash was reported about 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of 82nd Street and Towne Avenue, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Sal Ramirez.

Homer Watford, 19, was accompanied by family when he went to the LAPD 77th Street station Wednesday and admitted that he was the driver of the suspect vehicle, authorities said. He was booked on charges of felony hit-and-run.

Jaychele Turner, Neal's mother, said Watford was a family friend and apologized to her before he went to the police.

"I feel bad for him. But moreso my son," she said. "I'm here for him if he needs me. He's my friend you know? Despite what happened. I can't hold a grudge. My heart won't let me do that."

A neighbor's surveillance cameras captured the suspected vehicle speeding away from the scene, which was a mid-1990s, faded dark green Chevrolet Suburban SUV with tinted rear windows and front end damage from the crash. Police said Watford's vehicle had damage consistent with what was shown in the video.

Ronald was playing with others when he ran across the street toward his house and was hit by the sport utility vehicle, police said. Family members at a Wednesday morning news conference pleaded with the driver to contact authorities.

A $50,000 reward for information was announced at Wednesday's news conference.

Ronald was taken to a hospital, where he later died, according to the LAPD's South Traffic Division. The victim was likely struck twice by the SUV, police said.

"We just want whoever did this to, please, turn himself in," Turner had pleaded earlier. "It just doesn't make any sense to hit him, to stop and then hit him again and run him over, drag my baby. It's just not right."

Family members described Ronald as a "bubbly," friendly and outgoing child who was deeply loved. Family members did not confirm reports that Ronald was attempting to help a dog get out of the street.

Adrian Arambulo contributed to this report.
A husband and wife from Taiwan found stabbed to death in their home in a Diamond Bar neighborhood in October were probably robbery victims, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said Wednesday.

Cheng Long Wang, 60, and his wife, Mei Chu Chung, 57, were found slain in their Diamond Bar home on Oct. 20, 2016 after family members could not reach the couple, who immigrated to the US in 2000.

"This couple was married for 30 years and were a classic example of the American success story," Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell told reporters.

Investigators suspect the couple had been victims of a robbery and about $15,000 had been taken from the home, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Capt. Steve Katz.

Officials would not say whether they believed the couple was targeted, but investigators believe the assailant knew the couple kept large amounts of cash in the home, Katz said.

The slaying was "extremely unusual" for the Sothern California community and appears to have been an isolated incident, Katz said.

Cheng Long Wang worked as a computer programmer and Mei Chu Chung had taught art to children and offered lessons in a studio she had in their home, the couple's adult son said. Both were very active in their community, he said.

"They didn't deserve a death like this," said their son, Dr. Gary Wang, who flew in from Iowa to attend a news conference Wednesday. "They were just honest people who lived within their means."

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell and County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced a $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
The LA Conservancy is known for supporting a number of different causes and missions around the region related to our shared past, future, and the character of the place we call home.

But it isn't always about defending a vintage building from demolition for the preservation-passionate group. Sharing major and moving elements of our community's history is also at the heart of what the organization does.

And what's next up for the group is an excellent example of just that: The LA Conservancy's newest project, LGBTQ Historic Places in LA, is "...a short film series aimed to bring together a diversity of stories, perspectives, and experiences that revel in the layered historic and cultural importance of LGBTQ places" around our area.

A "special outdoor screening" at the Viaduct @ Los Angeles State Historic Park is just ahead, on Thursday, March 16.

On the screen? Look for a trio of short films focusing on The Woman's Building in Chinatown, Plummer Park Great Hall/West Hollywood, and The Black Cat in Silver Lake, three prominent sites in the movement for LGBTQ civil rights in the Los Angeles area.

A panel of artists and activists will convene to peer more deeply into the significance of the sites featured in the films, as well as the prominent figures related to the history of each location.

Admission? It's five dollars, which will fully go to helping the LA Conservancy expand upon its commitment to honoring the history of gay rights in Southern California, through the places where those important stories unfolded.
Actress Mischa Barton said Wednesday she is taking action to stop the potential sale of a sex tape made against her will in a so-called "revenge pornography" case.

Barton held a news conference with her attorney to announce that she has obtained a restraining order, and that cease-and-desist letters were sent to those believed to be participating in attempts to buy or sell the images.

"I just want to say that I have been put through an incredibly hard and trying time," said the 31-year-old actress best known for appearing on "The O.C." television show that aired on Fox from 2003 to 2007.

"This is a painful situation, and my absolute worst fear was realized when I learned that someone I thought I loved and trusted was filming my most intimate and private moments without my consent, with hidden cameras," she said, reading from a prepared statement.

"And then I learned something even worse, that someone is trying to sell these videos and make them public," Barton said. "I came forward to fight this, not only for myself but for all the women out there. I want to protect them from the pain and humiliation that I have had to go through."

Barton's lawyer, Lisa Bloom, said someone the actress once dated is shopping the tape for a half-million dollars. She called it a form of sexual assault and said anyone who buys the tape could be prosecuted.

"There's a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography," Bloom said in a statement Tuesday. "Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it."

Bloom said the images were recorded sometime in the last year, but she refused to identify the ex-boyfriend, citing an ongoing police investigation.
A male student was wounded in a Reseda shooting Tuesday, prompting a lockdown of a nearby school campus, police said.

Gunfire was reported at 12:45 p.m. in the 18400 block of Vanowen Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The victim, a Zane Grey Continuation student, was taken to a hospital, where he was in stable condition. Detectives tell NBC4 the student was shot in the leg.

Officers were searching the area for the shooter, according to the LAPD.

Reseda High School was placed on lockdown as a precaution. The lockdown was lifted before 3:45 p.m.

Adrian Arambulo, Rosa Ordaz and City News Service contributed to this report.
A South Florida McDonald's worker jumped into action to save the life of an off-duty police officer Tuesday.

What started as a regular breakfast order at a McDonald's in Doral quickly turned into an emergency as Pedro Viloria was serving an off-duty Miami-Dade police officer and her two children through the drive-thru window. He says the customer ordered and paid without a problem but when he went to hand her the food, something was wrong.

"I see she hardly breathing and I thought that's not normal," Viloria said.

And then he says the vehicle started moving and it was clear the driver no longer had control.

"Her kids were screaming," he said. "I thought I gotta get to that car."

So the 22-year-old McDonald's worker did what he had to do.

"I ran as fast as I could, put myself in front of the car," he said.

Luckily the curb stopped the vehicle from going into traffic. All of a sudden, help was there, Viloria said.

"When I looked back there was all these rescue workers," he said.

Surveillance video from the McDonald's shows a woman and an officer who had come in for breakfast around the same time running to help.

"I was with the kids - I was trying to tell them it will be all right, the kids were breaking my soul," he said.

The off-duty officer was rushed to a nearby hospital.

"She's alive and that's enough, if I had to die to save that woman I would have," Viloria said.

As for why he jumped to help a perfect stranger?

"My brain was on hero mode!" he said.

What he didn't know at the time was who he was helping.

"What! I saved an officer's life? I can't believe this," he said.

Alex Menendez, the owner of the McDonald's, said his thoughts and prayers are with the officer and added that he was proud of his employee.

"He is an excellent employee, so it didn't surprise me that he took immediate action and jumped through a window to help save this woman," he said in a statement. "And he was not the only member of the team that played a pivotal role in ensuring she received the medical attention she needed. A second employee, who asked to remain unnamed, assisted with CPR."
On his first trip to Asia as top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson wants to forge cooperation with Japan, South Korea and China against the nuclear threat from North Korea and demonstrate "America First" does not mean a U.S. diplomatic retreat from the volatile region.

Tillerson will find shared anxiety at the North's saber-rattling but less agreement about how to deal with it, and unresolved questions about how the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, can manage growing differences.

Japan and South Korea, which host American troops and are already within range of North Korean missiles, support U.S. efforts to increase diplomatic and economic pressure on Pyongyang. The three navies were also conducting drills Wednesday in seas east of the divided Korean Peninsula and north of Japan to promote interoperability, the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said.

As NBC News reported, China is Pyongyang's most important diplomatic ally and economic partner, and has been under pressure from the U.S. to use its influence to rein in actions by the North seen as provocative.

But China remains conflicted about how to treat its traditional ally for fear of triggering its collapse.

Adding to the combustible mix of military tension and the region's historic rivalries is another factor  uncertainty about U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration.

Tillerson, who arrives in Tokyo late Wednesday at the start of his four-day, three-nation tour, could provide some reassurance to nervy allies. He will meet Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

The former Exxon Mobil CEO has adopted a low profile during his six weeks as secretary of state. The State Department Correspondents' Association expressed disappointment Wednesday that Tillerson was traveling to Asia without a full contingent of the diplomatic press corps or even a pool reporter on his plane  although it is taking a reporter from the conservative-leaning website, the Independent Journal Review.

President Donald Trump's rise to power has raised anxiety in Asian capitals. During last year's election campaign, Trump asked whether allies like Japan and South Korea contribute enough for their own defense or should get their own nuclear weapons. He also questioned the fundamentals of four decades of U.S. diplomacy with China.

Trump has allayed some of those concerns since taking office. Trump hosted Abe at his Florida resort last month, and when Tillerson goes to Beijing Saturday, he is expected to arrange a much-anticipated visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S.

"The U.S. allies, Japan and South Korea, want to know that the United States is going to continue to defend them but also is going to show a certain amount of finesse and diplomatic skills in dealing with China and with North Korea," said Robert Dujarric, the director of the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies at Temple University's campus in Tokyo.

North Korea will be a top priority on all Tillerson's stops. The State Department says Tillerson wants to discuss "fresh" approaches. Administration officials say all options are on the table, including military ones, but signs are that the U.S. for starters wants to see rigorous implementation of existing sanctions against Pyongyang.

There appears to be little desire for now to negotiate with North Korea, unless it commits to denuclearization, which it shows no sign of doing.

The North conducted two nuclear tests and 24 ballistic missile tests last year, deepening concern in Washington that it could soon develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the U.S. mainland  something Trump has vowed won't happen.

The U.S. is currently involved in annual military drills in South Korea that North Korea regards as rehearsal for invasion. In a show of defiance, the North fired four ballistic missiles into ocean off Japan last week. The next day, the U.S. began bringing in equipment for the long-planned deployment in South Korea of a missile defense system, known by its acronym, THAAD.

That has raised tensions with China, which says the THAAD's radar could peer into Chinese territory, weakening its own nuclear deterrent. The U.S. says the system is intended to be used only against North Korea.

After Tokyo, Tillerson visits South Korea, caught up in political upheaval after last week's ouster of its president, Park Geun-hye, over a corruption scandal. Park had been in lockstep with Washington's efforts to isolate Pyongyang. The favorite to succeed her is Moon Jae-in, a moderate who wants to engage North Korea's government.

Tillerson's final leg involves meetings with several senior Chinese officials in Beijing. China recently announced it was suspending for the rest of the year coal imports that are an important source of revenue for North Korea. That is to comply with U.N. sanctions aimed at restricting the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called for all parties to return to talks. Aid-for-disarmament negotiations have been stalled for years. Last week China's foreign minister warned the U.S., South Korea and North Korea could be heading for conflict.
Authorities in Florida are searching for a college student on spring break and a charter boat crew member who went missing in turbulent Tampa Bay-area waters.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said 15 Colorado State University students were on a charter boat anchored Tuesday evening off Shell Key when five male students went swimming off its side.

Four students made it back. Coast Guard officials said Wednesday a crew member saw the fifth student struggling and jumped into the water to help.

The Coast Guard identified the crew member as 27-year-old Andrew Dillman of New York, and the student as 21-year-old Jie Lou of China.

Deputies told the Tampa Bay Times that neither man wore a flotation device.

Colorado State University spokesman Mike Hooker expressed concern for the students and Dillman in a statement Wednesday.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is sidestepping questions on a Republican health care bill that has set off an intense reaction in Washington.

But Scott is also so far refusing to endorse the measure crafted by top GOP legislators in the U.S. House as a replacement to President Barack Obama's health care law.

Scott previously urged President Donald Trump to move quickly on health care. He would only say Tuesday that he's encouraged that there's a real good conservation going on up in D.C.

Scott also would not answer specific questions on the new study by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office that estimates the GOP plan would increase the ranks of the uninsured by 14 million people next year alone, and 24 million over a decade.
Police are searching for a woman who pulled off an escape from a Pembroke Pines hospital where she had been admitted involuntarily for mental health issues.

Genevieve Mittermaier, 47, was able to escape the South Florida State Hospital facility at 800 East Cypress Drive with the help of a man around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Pembroke Pines Police said.

Mittermaier, who was a patient at the hospital and had been court-ordered to stay there, received help from a man in a black BMW sedan with a California license plate, police said.

According to police, Mittermaier was seen on a wireless phone shortly before the car pulled up and the man tossed a rope ladder over a fence at the hospital. Mittermaier used the ladder to climb over the fence and escape, police said.

The relationship between Mittermaier and the man is unknown. Police say she is endangered.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call police at 954-431-2200.
The World Bank announces the addition of Dr. Luis A. Murrain Jr., M.D., D.O., FACMG, FACOG to oversee egg donor monitoring and retrieval in their state of the art laboratory and egg retrieval center in Arizona



PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2017 / Dr. Luis A. Murrain Jr., M.D., D.O., FACMG, FACOG has joined The World Egg Bank (TWEB) as Medical Director. In this role, Dr. Murrain is responsible for all egg donor monitoring and retrievals ensuring TWEB's proven quality and outcomes, and extraordinary egg donor care.

Dr. Murrain has been helping men and women realize their dream of building a family using 24-chromosome genetics testing of infertility and treatment for over a decade. He is a graduate of Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. In 2002, he completed his internship at Genesys Regional Medical Center. His Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Summa Health Systems, Akron City Hospital was completed in 2006. After serving as Chief Resident, he received additional training by completing a fellowship in Reproductive Genetics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York and received extensive training in the genetics of infertility and became board-certified. He has also received training in In-Vitro Fertilization, Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection and Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis. In 2008, Dr. Murrain joined the GYFT Clinic, a fertility clinic in Tacoma, WA and later became the medical director. In 2013, Dr. Murrain opened his first clinic, Genetics & Fertility Centers in Vancouver, WA.

"It is an exciting time in the Fertility Industry with the advancement and impressive outcomes seen specifically with the use of donor eggs. The World Egg Bank's data is remarkable and I look forward to being part of their recent expansion to a singular focus, state of the art retrieval center", said Dr. Murrain.

TWEB's corporate headquarters in Phoenix, AZ hosts an onsite state of the art laboratory and egg retrieval facility. Performing egg retrievals in-house is unique to TWEB and provides a level of quality control and transparency unmatched by other egg banks. TWEB is the only egg bank that controls all egg banking, from egg donor recruiting, stimulation, retrieval, vitrification, patient donor selection and shipping, from a single location with the same, experienced staff, for each ova banked.

Story continues

Diana Thomas, CEO stated "We are honored to have Dr. Murrain join our team and believe his expertise as a board certified geneticist will allow us to remain at the forefront of genetics as it begins to have more of an impact on our field."

TWEB is the industry leader in oocyte cryopreservation. TWEB is the largest and longest operating donor egg bank in the world, freezing oocytes since 2004. With over 450 donors available in an online database, best in industry pregnancy rates, worldwide shipping available, and clinics trained throughout the world, TWEB offers convenience, reliability and expertise to couples and individuals facing infertility. TWEB does not require clinic contracts or exclusivity and TWEB will train and verify new clinics at no cost. Intended parents can register for free to view complete donor profiles.

Contact Info:

Name: Tonya



Email: tonya@theworldeggbank.com

Organization: The World Egg Bank

Address: 7227 North 16th Street #160, Phoenix, AZ 85020, United States

Phone: +1-602-678-0328

For more information, please visit http://www.theworldeggbank.com/

SOURCE: The World Egg Bank
Florida deputies say the victim of an attempted rape was saved by a snake she found inside her bathroom moments before the attack.

According to NBC affiliate WBBH-TV, the Lehigh Acres woman called the Lee County's Sheriff's Office after finding the reptile in her home. While she waited for officers to arrive, 28-year-old Malcolm Porter came up behind the victim, grabbing her by the neck and choking her while demanding she have sex with him.

Porter removed the victim's underwear and allegedly threatened to kill her, according to a police report, WBBH reported. The woman asked Porter to get condoms from another room, and when he stepped away from her, she ran outside to find deputies responding to the snake call.

Porter was arrested and charged with battery by strangulation. He was ordered held without bond.

The victim told deputies she knew Porter and thought he may have been high on the drug "Molly."
What to Know Investigators launched the probe, dubbed "Operation Sticky Fingers," nearly a year ago

The suspects, men and women from New York to Las Vegas who range in age from 22 to 64, were arrested Tuesday

They are charged with enterprise corruption, money laundering, criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy

Twelve people have been indicted in a multimillion-dollar scheme to steal merchandise from retail stores in 28 states, including New York, and resell the stolen products on Amazon and eBay, officials said Wednesday.

The alleged thieves resold at least $12 million in merchandise stolen from stores like Staples, Best Buy and Office Depot in New York City and across the nation since 2012, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.

He called the takedown one of the "largest-ever busts of a retail theft ring."

Over the course of the 10-month probe, dubbed "Operation Sticky Fingers," investigators seized more than 5,300 stolen electronics and ink cartridges from alleged members of the criminal enterprise. Nearly $8 million was taken from the defendants' homes, banks and Amazon and PayPal accounts.

The accused kingpin of the scheme, 64-year-old Richard Rimbaugh, who goes by the name "the General," has allegedly been directing theft crews and reselling stolen goods for more than two decades, Schneiderman said.

According to the indictment, Rimbaugh allegedly instructed crews of thieves to steal specific printer cartridges, computer software and other retail electronics based on their resell value. He typically paid the crews 30 to 50 percent of the retail value for the stolen merchandise, the indictment alleges.

Rimbaugh then allegedly resold the stolen merchandise on the internet through his illegitimate business, American Media Soft, which he operated out of his Manhattan apartment. Five packages of stolen merchandise arrived at Rimbaugh's home as investigators executed the search warrant, Schneiderman says.



Over the 20 years of the rings operation, Rimbaugh is accused of reinvesting roughly half of the proceeds into the criminal enterprise in the form of cash payments to the theft crews.

Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available.

The suspects, men and women from New York to Las Vegas who range in age from 22 to 64, were arrested Tuesday in connection with the sweeping 41-count indictment. They are charged with enterprise corruption, money laundering, criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy, and face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by the attorney generals Organized Crime Task Force with support from the New York State Police. Neither Amazon nor eBay could immediately be reached for comment on the takedown.

One of the main suspects named in the indictment is also charged in a separate case with welfare fraud conspiracy for allegedly helping a woman illegally obtain housing benefits from the Nassau County Department of Social Services.
As the city slowly crawls back to normal following Tuesday's fierce nor'easter, straphangers can expect lingering problems during their commutes.

See the latest transit updates after the storm here.

The shovels were out on the platforms of New York subway stations Wednesday, but not fast enough to keep up with the return of commuting crowds.

Though MTA service above ground returned by Tuesday evening, the agency reported delays on at least nine subway lines Wednesday morning, including the B, D, F, 7, and Q, while customers griped about packed platforms at several stations along the L line throughout Brooklyn.

https://twitter.com/fibosequence/status/841995054818447360

Keep raising fares @mta. You're doing a great job! pic.twitter.com/bQzTYNgfwF  Jonah Bayer (@mynameisjonah) March 15, 2017

Getting into subway stations was hazardous for commuters and train engineers as the transit agency dealt with snow removal issues. Ice glazed the stairs and train yards, while piles of snow hardened into ice on platforms hours after the storm began to make its way out.

At the outdoor stations along the 7 subway line in Queens, riders waited on snow-covered platforms and delicately navigated ice-covered steps, 24 hours after the snow stopped.

"It's pretty bad," said Eduardo Garcia of Jackson Heights. "Anyone could just slip. There's people that could be harmed because of this, it's dangerous."

The MTA said they are working to clear all subway stations as fast as possible.

"Our snow fighting crews have been working non-stop since the onset of the storm to clear snow and ice from stairs and platforms," an MTA spokesman told NBC New York in a statement. "We urge customers to use caution at stations given the weather and we thank them for their patience as we work to clear every station as quickly as possible."

[[4166171994, C]]

Many riders aren't satisfied with the transit agency's response. More than 110 of the 472 stations throughout the city hadn't been cleared Wednesday morning, including some underground stations where stairwells needed cleaning.

"I think it's horrible and dangerous at the same time," said Maria Idarrago of Corona. "They're just waiting for an accident to happen."

New Yorkers Navigate Monster Piles of Midtown Slush, Muck After Nor'easter

Meanwhile, riders along the N and R lines should be aware that southbound N trains are running local from 36th Street in Brooklyn to 59th Street in Manhattan due to New York City Transit's cold weather plan. Expect delays in R train service.

Similarly, northbound E trains are running local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer in Queens due to the agency's cold weather plans. Southbound A trains are running local from 168th Street to 145th Street, and C train service is delayed.

As an alternative, customers should take the N and W trains to and from Queens to Queensboro Plaza or the E, F, M or R trains to and from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue.

City residents weigh in on how New York City responded to the storm. Melissa Russo reports.

Historic Images of NYC Snowstorms
Authorities broke up a major drug-dealing operation in the Bronx on Wednesday, arresting dozens of people on charges ranging from heroin trafficking to firearms possession to murder.



Most of the 40 people arrested are gang members who were allegedly trafficking cocaine, heroin and marijuana, according to law enforcement sources and charging documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan.

The defendants -- with street names like "Floss," "Chuck Dollarz," "Green Eyes," "All In," "Chunky" and "Dayday" -- conspired from 2010 through as recently as this month to traffic and distribute drugs, the government said. (The indictment bore the signature of Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney who was fired by President Trump last week.)

In addition to the broader drugs and weapons charges, four of the defendants also face murder charges over the Dec. 11, 2016 shooting death of a man in the Bronx.



The NYPD worked alongside Homeland Security Investigations in the probe.

The bust comes just two days after Mayor de Blasio unveiled a new plan to cut opioid-related deaths in the city by more than a third over five years, using a combination of law enforcement and treatment.

The law enforcement sources said, however, that Wednesday's takedown was not tied to the mayor's initiative.
What to Know Dangerous black ice poses a threat to travelers as the Northeast continues to dig out from Tuesday's storm

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is vising Asia, where he'll find tensions are high

A record was set at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Dangerous Ice, Plunging Temps After Storm

Concerns about falling temperatures and icy conditions on roads and sidewalks across the Northeast followed a late-season storm that plastered the region with sleet and snow. Tuesday's powerful nor'easter paralyzed much of the region from Washington northward, but fell short of the predicted snowfall totals in New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Plunging overnight temperatures threatened to turn the snow, sleet and sloppy mix into a slippery mess, raising fears of black ice for morning motorists and slick sidewalks for pedestrians. Boston canceled school for a second day as cleanup efforts continued.

Trump Paid $38M in Taxes in 2005

President Trump earned more than $150 million and paid $38 million in income taxes in 2005, paying a roughly 25 percent effective tax rate thanks to a tax he has since sought to eliminate, according to highly sought-after tax documents. The two 1040 pages from Trump's federal tax return, the first federal return to be seen by the public, show the then-real estate mogul also reported a business loss of $103 million that year, although the documents don't provide detail. The forms show he paid an effective tax rate of 24.5 percent, a figure well above the roughly 10 percent the average American taxpayer forks over each year, but below the 27.4 percent that taxpayers earning 1 million dollars a year average, according to data from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. The form was obtained by Pulitzer prize-winning journalist David Cay Johnston.

Government: New Travel Order 'Substantially Different'

President Trump's revised travel ban is "substantially different" from the original and a judge shouldn't apply a previous restraining order to the new version, federal lawyers said in a court filing. Justice Department lawyers filed the documents in U.S. District Court, two days before the executive order is set to go into effect. Washington and several other states are trying to block the revised ban that affects six mostly Muslim nations, saying it's unconstitutional. Government lawyers say the new version removed provisions that "purportedly drew religious distinctions  erasing any doubt that national security, not religion, is the focus." Trump's revised ban applies to Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program.

Secretary of State Heads to Asia

On his first trip to Asia as top U.S. diplomat, Rex Tillerson wants to forge cooperation with Japan, South Korea and China against the nuclear threat from North Korea and demonstrate "America First" does not mean a U.S. diplomatic retreat from the volatile region. Tillerson will find shared anxiety at the North's saber-rattling but less agreement about how to deal with it, and unresolved questions about how the United States and China, the world's two largest economies, can manage growing differences.

Man Breaks Iditarod Record

Mitch Seavey became the oldest and fastest musher to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, in year marred by an abnormally high number of dog deaths. After bringing in his dog team off the Bering Sea ice and under the famed burled arch on Front Street in Nome Tuesday, the 57-year-old winner greeted each of his dogs and thanked them with a frozen snack. He later posed with his two lead dogs, Pilot and Crisp. Seavey set a time record of eight days, three hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, the Iditarod said. That shaved several hours off the record his son set last year: eight days, 11 hours, 20 minutes and 16 seconds.

Loud Sounds May Be More Harmful Than We Thought

Scientists have been finding evidence that loud noise  from rock concerts, leaf blowers, power tools and the like  damages our hearing in a previously unsuspected way. It may not be immediately noticeable, and it does not show up in standard hearing tests. But over time, a Harvard researcher says it can rob our ability to understand conversation in a noisy setting. It may also help explain why people have more trouble doing that as they age.

Misusing Dogs Causes Harm: Advocates

There are many benefits to service and therapy dogs for those who really need them, but it becomes a problem when people start abusing the system. It's really easy to buy a service vest and throw it on your dog, it's also illegal. The President of BioScent K9 says misusing any of the four types of support dogs hurts those who need one.

Ben Affleck Says He's Finished Alcohol Treatment

Ben Affleck says he has recently completed treatment for alcohol addiction. The actor and director said in a Facebook post that it's the first of many steps toward a positive recovery. He added that he wants to be the best father he can and show his kids there's no shame in getting help. He also thanked Jennifer Garner for supporting him and caring for their three kids. Affleck previously entered rehab for alcohol addiction in 2001.
Police are searching for a man who allegedly abandoned his brother following a fatal car crash in Queens.

Authorities said Aidan Camacho, 19, was speeding along Atlantic Avenue in a 2008 Acura with his brother Angel Camacho Jr., 21, last Sunday.

Camacho allegedly lost control of the Acura, then struck a parked vehicle and a tree before coming to a halt near Atlantic Avenue and 85th Street in Woodhaven.

Authorities said Aidan Camacho fled the scene, leaving his critically injured brother in the vehicle.

Paramedics rushed Angel Camacho to Jamaica Hospital. Police said he sustained serious, life-threatening injuries, which he succumbed to Monday.

The reckless driver has been on the loose since the accident, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the crash should call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website.

The investigation is ongoing.
Police following up on a call about an emotionally disturbed person shot and killed a 56-year-old man in New Jersey as a nor'easter bore down on the tri-state area Tuesday, authorities say.



Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said two Toms River police officers went to Silver Ridge Apartments around 12:30 p.m. to follow up on an earlier report of a "person believed to be in need of professional mental health services." The officers encountered Christopher Apostolos, and a physical altercation ensued in the course of their investigation, Coronato said.



At some point during the altercation, one of the officers' weapons fired. It wasn't clear if the gun was fired intentionally, nor was it known how many shots went off. Coronato said Apostolos was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.



"At this time the investigation and scene processing are the priority," Coronato said. "When all the facts and circumstances surrounding the event are definitively confirmed a full account will be issued ... This will not take place today."



Prosecutors said nothing about whether Apostolos may have had a weapon.
The powerful March storm packing cold air to portions of the nation's Southeast and Midwest is becoming a menace to farmers.



"We'll definitely have temperatures that are dangerous to tender blossoms," said Al Pearson, who runs a peach farm operation in central Georgia.

Peaches and other stone fruits are notoriously early bloomers and makes them especially vulnerable to frost damage. A report released at the end of February by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that as a result of warmer winter weather "many fruit crops were in full bloom" in Georgia.

"There are a lot of things that are in jeopardy, including peaches in the Southeast," said Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the USDA. "When you start temperatures getting below 28 for any length of time for a couple hours or more, that can wipe out a peach crop in just a night or two."

The Southeast region accounts for more than a quarter of the U.S. peach crop, with Georgia among the biggest producers.

According to Rippey, the huge nor'easter will "help drain the cold air across the Southeast." The meteorologist said there are a variety of freeze warnings up as far south as Arkansas, as well as a good chunk of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina.

Freeze conditions are expected to peak Wednesday morning and on into Thursday.

Weather impacts also were felt to agriculture in the East Coast region where as much as 2 feet of snow fell in some places.

"The real question is if the weight of the snow will be a concern on barns and outbuildings and on fruit trees and vines," said Steve Ammerman, a spokesman with the New York Farm Bureau.

Even so, Ammerman said it's still too early in the storm to know the full extent of any damage. He also said farmers were helped because they had plenty of notice to prepare for the monster storm.

That said, the loss of power to some farm communities could present issues.

"A lack of power can also be of concern for dairy farms that need to run a milking parlor," said Ammerman. "However, farms hopefully have generators."

Story continues

The strong winds and low temperatures also pose a risk to livestock. Last year, a blizzard killed thousands of dairy cows in parts of Texas and New Mexico.

Ahead of a cold weather forecast, livestock producers typically will move cattle to wintering areas away from the wind and to where they can reduce the chance of animals getting injured. Also, cows are sometimes given extra feed to withstand the low temperatures.

Elsewhere, the cold snap is being closely watched for any impact on wheat. A freeze forecast issued for portions of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky could cause permanent damage to the crop and reduce yields.

"The one area that will see damage is to the soft red winter wheat crop," said David Streit, co-founder and COO of Commodity Weather Group in Bethesda, Maryland. "With the lows getting into the teens the next couple of nights that crop will see some damage inflicted on it."

The area with the biggest risk represents about 10 percent of the national soft red winter wheat area. That variety of wheat is used primarily for bread and cake flour.

The nation's winter wheat crop is especially vulnerable given the unseasonably warm weather in January and February, which resulted in the crop running about three weeks ahead in its normal development.

"The cold temperatures later this week are definitely something we're going to keep an eye on," said Terry Reilly, a grains analyst with Futures International in Chicago.

The nation's wheat futures markets in Minneapolis, Kansas City and Chicago were lower across the board Tuesday but only showed marginal declines.

"I think it's one of those things that there's so much wheat in the world that until we start seeing some major problems where we are actually seeing damage that the markets are going to be slow to react," said Ted Seifried, an analyst at the Chicago brokerage Zaner Group.

A global wheat glut has depressed prices for several years. However, the outlook for wheat prices might be changing, according to analysts.

Figures from the USDA show more than 20 percent of the nation's winter wheat production is within areas experiencing drought conditions, including Oklahoma, Colorado, Missouri and Kansas.

Overall, U.S. wheat acreage is lower this year and the crop in Australia is struggling. Also, damage to the nation's wheat crop from the frost or drought conditions could further reduce supplies and ease the downward pressure on prices.

"We're kind of fixing the problem with too much wheat," said Seifried. "It's just going to take some time to do it."
Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone says he believes his contacts with a Russian-linked hacker who took credit for breaching the Democratic National Committee may have been obtained through a special warrant that allows the government to collect the communications of people suspected of being agents of a foreign nation.

Stone is among a handful of President Donald Trump's associates who are under scrutiny for possible links to Russia during the presidential race. In a statement to The Associated Press, Stone said he's retained two attorneys to explore whether he can compel the government to "either charge me or admit they have no case whatsoever."

The FBI, as well as House and Senate committees, is investigating Russia's interference in the 2016 election and possible contacts between Trump associates and Russians. The House Intelligence Committee announced Wednesday that FBI Director James Comey and Admiral Mike Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, will testify in public hearings next week.

Trump has asked the congressional committees to also investigate his explosive claims that President Barack Obama wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the election. The Justice Department missed a Monday deadline to provide evidence to the House committee and now has until next Monday to respond.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., said Wednesday that if Trump's allegations, which were made on Twitter, are taken literally, then "clearly the president was wrong."

In a joint news conference, Nunes and Rep. Adam Schiff, the committee's top Democrat, each reiterated that they had seen no evidence that Trump Tower was wiretapped during the campaign. However, Nunes said that communications from Americans, including Trump, may have been picked up through ongoing surveillance of foreigners.

Stone said he is willing to testify in any hearings that occur "in public and not behind closed doors."

The Republican operative has acknowledged having a Twitter exchange with "Guccifer 2.0," a hacker that U.S. officials believe has ties to Russia. Stone said he was "unaware at the time of the brief exchange of allegations that the hacker in question is suspected of being a Russian asset."

"I have no relationship with the Russian state, Russian Intelligence or any other Russians," said Stone, who split with Trump's campaign in August 2015 but remains in touch with the president.

Stone's messages with Guccifer 2.0 were first reported by the website The Smoking Gun. He said the information contains information that "could only be learned by surveillance of my domain and eavesdropping on my email, phone calls and texts."

"If these where obtained through a FISA warrant as I believe and the information was leaked to the Smoking Gun, that would constitute a felony," Stone said. He also suggested, without evidence, the government had Trump under surveillance during the presidential campaign. FISA stands for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Trump himself has provided no evidence that Trump Tower, where he lived and ran his campaign, was wiretapped by Obama. On Monday, the White House started softening his claims, with spokesman Sean Spicer saying the president was referring to general surveillance that may have been approved by the Obama administration.
Nearly 250 people were arrested in the last two weeks in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a press release issued by the federal agency this week.

Few details about individual arrests were released, though ICE did provide information about broader reasons for the arrests and detainments.

Fifty people arrested previously have been removed from the United States.

One hundred twenty have a conviction on their record and/or pending charges.

The agency's active field office director, Jennifer Ritchey, said in a statement that several of those arrested had detainers issued for them that the city of Philadelphia "failed to honor."

In the Philadelphia area, ICE arrested several at large criminal aliens in which the agency had issued detainers but the City of Philadelphia failed to honor them and released the individuals from custody  a situation that puts the public at unnecessary risk," she said. ICE will continue to conduct targeted enforcement operations, whether local jurisdictions intend to cooperate with ICE or not.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Jim Kenney, who has long objected to federal demands that Philadelphia law enforcement hold undocumented immigrants, said "ICE continues to ask us to hold people without probably cause or without a warrant."

"Like ICE, we want to keep Philadelphians safe but we can't do that if we are asked to violate the Constitution and if we are asked to destroy the trust our officers have built with communities," Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said.

Hitt added that ICE did not provide specifics about those arrested, so it remains unclear exactly who had been detained or where they were arrested.

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The largest number of those arrested in the three-state operation that began Feb. 27 and ended March 10 were reportedly in Pennsylvania.

Some arrests occurred in Bucks County, according to photos provided by ICE, and some of those detained are now being held at York County Prison, one of the region's federally-designated immigrant detention centers.
A major heroin bust in Bucks County led to charges for 13 people and the dismantling of a large drug operation responsible for several fatal overdoses, according to officials.

Investigators announced charges against three brothers, Sheamus McCarthy, 27, Casey McCarthy, 22, and Thomas McCarthy, 25, as well as ten other suspects.

The 13 suspects are charged with running or participating in the drug operation as well as several drug-related felonies and misdemeanors.

Police say the McCarthy brothers led an organization that sold as many as 400 bundles of heroin, each containing 10 to 14 bags, per week in the Quakertown area from late 2013 through late 2016. Sheamus and Casey McCarthy ran the operation from a remote, wooded family compound in Richland Township and also had locations in Springfield Township and Quakertown, Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub said. The organization made almost $1 million in annual business, according to Weintraub.

Sheamus McCarthy was known around town as not only a high-level drug dealer, but someone who others described as an enforcer-type, involved in fights and acts of violence, investigators said. He was considered the `mastermind of the organization while Casey McCarthy frequently made trips to Philadelphia to acquire the heroin to be distributed to heroin dealers who would in turn sell the heroin to users.

Police say the drug operation led to widespread addiction amongst young citizens of the Quakertown area. At least two people who bought drugs from the McCarthy organization died of overdoses, according to investigators.

Heroin kills, Weintraub said during a news conference Wednesday. It has no redeeming value. Its poison. And those who peddle this poison to our citizens  to our children  must be incapacitated.

The McCarthy brothers began their operation on a large, rural property in Richland Township where they grew up, investigators said. The property, located on Cherry Road, has a driveway three-eighths of a mile long in a wooded area, making it incredibly difficult for police to conduct surveillance on it, according to officials.

While the McCarthy brothers began their business in late 2013 they capitalized on the arrest of another drug dealer in Upper Bucks County in early 2014, filling the void he left behind and cementing a business relationship with the main supplier, according to investigators.

Officials identified the main supplier as Antoine Harris, 28, of Philadelphia. Harris allegedly provided heroin to Casey McCarthy every few days, normally in 100-bundle increments sold for $5,300 to $6,300, investigators said. The drugs flowed from Harris through the McCarthy organization through a network of drug dealers and users, according to the grand jury.

Sheamus and Casey McCarthy both made trips into Philadelphia to buy the heroin from Harris though Sheamus eventually withdrew from day-to-day activities and became more of a financial manager and overseer, according to officials.

Investigators said the organization used follow cars during their trips to and from Philadelphia to tail Casey McCarthys vehicle. The driver of the follow car drove erratically to divert attention from McCarthys Jeep if a police car followed, according to officials.

The McCarthy organization used names such as Bueno, Miami, Protocol, Panela, and Fresh, to identify their heroin bags, investigators said.

Officials said the McCarthy organization issued death threats against anyone who owed them money, including their own relatives.

Investigators say the third McCarthy brother, Thomas McCarthy, eventually broke off from the organization and ran his own smaller operation with locations in Quakertown, Richlandtown and Allentown.

Police say several incidents helped draw their attention to the McCarthy organization, the first being the fatal overdose of Daniel Killion, of Bucks County, on June 7, 2014. Bags of heroin with the Miami stamp were found on his body. One day later a woman named Kristine Turner suffered a non-fatal overdose in Milford Township after using the Miami brand, according to investigators. Police say both Killion and Turner purchased heroin from the McCarthy organization.

On December 6, 2014, a man named Sean Brzyski suffered a fatal overdose in Quakertown. Police determined Brzyski bought heroin from Jillian Betts, 25, who is accused of selling drugs for the McCarthy organization.

In September, 2015, a woman named Hillary Lauchmen was arrested for allegedly crashing her vehicle while high on heroin with her eight-month-old baby in the backseat. Police say several bags of the Panela heroin were thrown from her vehicle and she identified a member of the McCarthy organization as her supplier.

Officials say 11 of the 13 suspects are in custody. Antoine Harris and Ryan Mokrynchuk, 24, of Quakertown, remain on the loose.

You can view all 13 suspects and the specific charges against them in the gallery embedded above.




Twenty-three years after a psychologist first diagnosed Ben Rzucidlo with severe infantile autism, his mother Susan still remembers the heart-breaking prognosis as if she heard it yesterday.

I was told he would never learn to use a spoon, or tie his shoes, be toilet trained or speak. I was told he would never even know I'm his mother, the Chester County, Pennsylvania, woman said. Well, he can tie his own shoes. He can speak. And he damn well knows Im his mother.

Rzucidlo credits Medicaid with her son's improbable achievements.

Now, she and thousands of other parents of children with special needs who receive wide-ranging treatment and therapies through the federal program face a worrisome future as the Republican-controlled Congress pushes forth major health care reforms.

A proposal passed by two House committees last week includes an overhaul of Medicaid both in funding and in formula. It would trim $880 billion over the next decade by ending Obamacares Medicaid expansion, and converting the federal programs payments to the states from reimbursement-based to a capped annual amount based on current average individual expenses.

Health advocates and Democratic lawmakers say that all Medicaid recipients, including children with the most severe physical and mental disabilities, are at risk of losing often costly and extensive services.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), in an exclusive interview with NBC10, said the Republican proposal to cap state Medicaid funding through pre-determined lump sums, often called block grants, mask a basic hostility to these programs.

Pennsylvanias Democratic U.S. senator described the healthcare reform proposals from the Republican-controlled Congress as devastating to older Americans and adults and children with disabilities. He said the proposal to overhaul healthcare is a transfer of wealth and resources to the wealthy over the next decade. Its a several hundred billion dollar transfer, and its unacceptable and we have to stop...

They give it all this benign terminology: Flexibility. Block grant. Doesnt block grant sound nice? Youre giving this big grant. It all sounds so benign, Casey said at his Center City office. But itll decimate the program.

Medicaid, which last year was roughly $575 billion, has long been a target for Republican downsizing, Casey said.

There is a basic far-right philosophy that is no longer on the ascendancy -- it is driving the bus -- which is the federal government should be basically about the business of national defense and a few other things, he said. I think a lot of people dont know how dependent and how important Medicaid is to peoples lives, even a lot of people who voted for the president by the way.

Provided

Gabrielle Kaplan-Mayer, a part-time writer and director of a non-profit said her familys middle-class life relies on Medicaid. Her son, George, is a 14-year-old with autism and intellectual disabilities who is able to attend a special needs school in Lansdale thanks to the federal program. The cost of the school as well as his busing each day to and from their Elkins Park home is paid for through the Cheltenham School District, which is reimbursed by Medicaid.

Even though were a middle-class family, we require Medicaid to help pay for all of his services, and we know that we will need it when he is an adult to help pay for housing and therapeutic supports, Kaplan-Mayer said.

Like so many parents with dependent children, she now worries his sons future is in jeopardy.

Our country has made wonderful progress in how we care for people with disabilities in the last 30 years, she said. The Medicaid block grants could turn that progress backwards.

Many advocates in the medical and educational fields agree. The PolicyLab of the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute wrote in an analysis last week that current proposals to simultaneously repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reform the federal Medicaid program would be devastating to children and young adults with disabilities and complex medical needs.

The PolicyLab estimates that caps based on the average annual cost for a child eligible for Medicaid may leave insufficient funding for medically complex children whose health care costs are significantly higher than those of other children.

The federal funding, according to Dr. Sophia Jan of CHOP, provides for smarter spending on special needs, including in-home and in-school treatment.

Having the nurses in the home not only allows children to interact with community settings and socialize instead of being institutionalized but also allows parents to work, Jan said. (And) the cost for providing services in community-based settings instead of institutional settings is much cheaper.

If Medicaid shrinks to levels that do not sufficiently cover costs for those often defined as traditional recipients -- children and adults with special needs, the elderly and the poor -- states would be left to pick up the difference.

Most, however, don't see a scenario in which states could afford to fill a hole in Medicaid funding.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, a Republican from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was on one of the two House committees that last week approved sending the Medicaid overhaul to the full House for debate.

Discussion on Medicaid, as well of Republicans overall health care reform bill called the American Health Care Act, is expected to take the next two or three weeks before a version is sent to the Senate.

Costello said he does not favor any cuts in funding or services to traditional Medicaid. The target for cuts, instead, is the programs expansion through Obamacare, which he said would explode to $1 trillion by 2026.

When states face budget crunches in coming years, I dont want special needs children, the aged, the blind, to be waiting in long lines competing for aid, Costello said.

The Republican proposal, he argued, would halt the expansion, which through the Affordable Care Act now covers health care costs for American households making up to 138 percent of the poverty line.

The GOP plan takes the expansion population and instead gives them a tax credit, Costello said.

In that scenario, a Medicaid-reimbursed program like Pennsylvania's ACCESS that school districts use for special needs services not only persists, but from a funding perspective, doesnt have to compete with expansion costs, Costello said.

It remains unclear how -- or why -- funding for those covered by Medicaid expansion will be interwoven with traditional recipients in any legislation that gets sent to the Senate for consideration.

Casey, who voted for the ACA in his first term, believes that Republicans are still grappling with the challenge of co-mingling good health care policy, right-wing policy, and promises theyve made.

"Its like running after a car and they never thought theyd catch it, he said of the years that GOP congressional leaders have pushed to repeal the ACA. But in this case the dog, figuratively speaking, Im not saying Republicans are dogs, but the dog caught the car. And theyve had to throw it together pretty quickly.

Provided

Inside her Avondale, Chester County, home, Lisa Lightner effortlessly pivots from a conversation about Medicaid to opening the door for a milkman to feeding her son, Kevin, 10. In a moment she looks away, Kevin pushes a small bowl of macaroni off the tray of his specialized wheelchair. Now, Mom is cleaning up his mostly uneaten dinner from the floor.

Three friends who live with the same struggle -- running a household and caring for a disabled child -- sit nearby and each testify to Lightner's unique ability to juggle tasks.

"She's unbelievable," one friend, Lynn Thomas Guidetti, says. "I don't know how she does it."

Guidetti is referring to how Lightner also writes an advocacy blog about special needs children and volunteers as a Democratic committeewoman in Chester County.

Lightner then puts into words what she and her friends, Guidetti, Susan Rzucidlo and Laura Boyer, now confront more than ever.

"What will happen to him after I'm gone? This is something I ask myself all the time."

Her son lives with severe forms of epilepsy and intellectual disability. He will depend on his mother and father for the rest of his life.

"Why is all this being done on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens?" Lightner asked.

She and the other women have vowed to fight any legislation that would decrease Medicaid's ability to those most vulnerable Americans. All see the federal program as greatly improving their children's lives.

"All budgets reflect values and if youre cutting Medicaid, what do you really value? Rzucidlo said.
Two high school students in Lower Merion Township were taken into custody by local police this week after separate threats were directed at each of the town's high schools, according to local and county officials.

The first incident occurred Monday at Harriton High School when a 15-year-old student posted an alleged threat on Snapchat, officials said.

The second alleged threat at Lower Merion High School occurred the following day in which a student at that school "essentially copied what the Harriton student had done and posted it on Snapchat with the words 'just joking,'" according to an email sent to parents by Harriton High School principal Scott Weinstein.

A spokesman for the Montgomery County Public Safety Department said Wednesday that the students were identified and taken into custody by police, but no additional information would be released because they are juveniles.

Lower Merion High School principal Sean Hughes also wrote an email to parents of students at his school. Both emails from Hughes and Weinstein said the Lower Merion student in the alleged copycat threat will not be allowed to return to school "until resolution of the investigation and any school-based actions."

Both principals also gave strong personal statements reinforcing safety as the most important priority at the schools.

"In turn, we have implemented additional safety precautions, including an increased police presence at school. We also want to make clear that there are serious consequences for those who attempt to threaten, disrupt or violate our school environment," both emails said.
President Donald Trump's explosive allegation that Barack Obama wiretapped his New York skyscraper during the presidential campaign has left him increasingly isolated, with allies on Capitol Hill and within his own administration offering no evidence to back him up.

On Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions said he had not given Trump any reason to believe he was wiretapped by President Obama. Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, chairman of the House intelligence committee, said he had seen no information to support the claim and then went further. He suggested the U.S. president's assertion, made in a series of March 4 tweets, should not be taken at face value.

"Are you going to take the tweets literally?" Nunes said. "If so, clearly the president was wrong."

Trump, in an interview Wednesday with Fox News, predicted there would be "some very interesting items coming to the forefront over the next two weeks." The president said he'd learned about the alleged wiretapping from news reports referencing intercepted communications, despite the fact that he and his advisers have publicly denounced stories about government agencies reviewing contacts between Trump associates and Russians.

Trump's allegations have put him in a potentially perilous position as congressional investigations into Russia's involvement in the 2016 election  and possible Russian contacts with Trump associates  ramp up. The FBI is also investigating.

If no evidence of wiretapping at Trump Tower emerges, his credibility would be newly damaged. If there is proof that the Obama administration approved monitoring of Trump or his associates, that would suggest the government had reason to be suspicious of their contacts with Russia and a judge had approved the surveillance.

The president, who appears to have made his allegation in a burst of anger, has asked lawmakers to investigate the claim. Lawmakers have since turned the question back toward the administration, asking the Justice Department to provide evidence of wiretapping activity.

The Justice Department missed a Monday deadline for providing the information to the House and was given a one-week extension.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who heads the Judiciary Committee's crime and terrorism subcommittee, said the FBI will provide a classified briefing on the matter "at some time in the future." Graham has previously said he would use subpoena power to get information from the FBI about whether a warrant was issued allowing the Obama administration to tap Trump's phones during the campaign.

Longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone told The Associated Press Wednesday that he believes his own online exchanges with a Russian-linked hacker were obtained through a special warrant that allows the government to collect the communications of people suspected of being agents of a foreign nation. Stone communicated through Twitter direct messages with Guccifer 2.0, a hacker who has claimed responsibility for breaching the Democratic National Committee.

Stone said he was unaware at the time that U.S. officials believed the hacker had ties to Russia. He said he is willing to testify before any congressional committee that holds its hearings "in public and not behind closed doors."

The House intelligence committee will begin holding public hearings on Monday. Nunes said FBI Director James Comey and Adm. Mike Rogers, the director of the National Security Agency, will testify.

Ahead of the hearing, the committee sent a letter to the FBI, CIA and the National Security Agency requesting details by Friday about Americans who surfaced in intelligence collections last year.

Identities of Americans who show up in U.S. surveillance against foreign targets are generally concealed, but can be unmasked by intelligence agencies in certain circumstances. Those include situations when the communications contain information that a crime has or is about to be committed, when the Americans' identity is necessary to understand the importance of the foreign intelligence collected or when the communication provides information that an American may be an agent of a foreign power.

Asked whether Trump's communications may have been swept up in surveillance, Nunes said it was "very possible."

Sessions, a staunch supporter of Trump during the campaign, recused himself earlier this month from the Russia investigations after it was revealed that he did not disclose his own contacts with Russia's ambassador to the United States. Asked Wednesday if he had ever briefed Trump on the investigation or given the president any reason to believe he had been wiretapped by the Obama administration, Sessions said, "The answer is no."

Trump has said little about his allegations against Obama, largely leaving it to White House aides to explain his inflammatory statements.

The White House appeared to be backing away from Trump's claims on Monday, with spokesman Sean Spicer saying the president was referring to general surveillance that may have been approved by the Obama administration. On Tuesday, Spicer said the president was "extremely confident" the Justice Department would provide evidence vindicating him.

Graham and Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley have both said they will hold up hearings for Rod Rosenstein, Trump's nominee to serve as deputy attorney general, unless they get more information from the FBI. Given Sessions' recusal, Rosenstein would take over responsibility for any probes touching the Trump campaign and Russia's election meddling if he's confirmed.

"It's just too bad that we have to go to this length," Grassley said.
The professor who tried to shoo his children away during a BBC interview gone hilariously awry thought the same thing as everyone else once he watched the video, "Today" reported.

"It was a mixture of sort of surprise and embarrassment and amusement," Robert Kelly told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday. "It was terribly cute. I saw the video just like everyone else, and it is really funny."

Kelly, who is originally from the Cleveland area, also shot down the theory that he didn't get up from his desk to grab his children because he was wearing only pajama pants or underwear during the interview.

"Yes, I was wearing pants,'' he joked in a follow-up interview with the BBC on Tuesday (in fact, he was wearing jeans, according to the Journal).

Kelly and his wife, Kim Jung-A, have spoken for the first time since the clip of Kelly's interview went viral as millions delighted in the scene of his daughter, Marion, 4, and 8-month-old son, James, barging into the room.
Perhaps now is a good time to plan that vacation.

Alaska Airlines and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority announced Wednesday that the airline will add six new nonstop destinations this year from the San Diego International Airport.

This includes the following daily flights: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Omaha, Nebraska; and St. Louis. Heres a look at the break-down:

Alaska Airlines

By late August, Alaska will fly 40 daily departures to 28 destinations from San Diego, including the most nonstop flights to Mexico and Hawaii, the company said.

The new routes will be served by the 76-seat Embraer E175 jets. The aircraft include 12 first-class seats, 12 premium-class seats and 52 seats in the main cabin.

Alaska Airlines has been heavily focusing on expanding its service in California; last week the airline announced the addition of 13 new nonstop routes from the Bay Area.

The company says its the fastest-growing airline in San Diego, in recent years.

"We strive to make flying in and out of San Diego as convenient and enjoyable as possible," said Thella Bowens, San Diego Airport Authority President and CEO. "We're delighted to see Alaska Airlines continue to grow its presence here at SAN, giving travelers more options to explore and connect than ever before."

Previously announced Alaska Airlines routes include daily nonstop flights between San Diego and Baltimore, which start Wednesday, and service three times a day between San Diego and Sacramento starting Thursday. Theres also daily service between San Diego and Mexico City; those flight schedules will be announced in the coming months, the company said.

Other airlines have also added new nonstop flights from San Diego this year, including Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / March 15, 2017 / As the sole licensed importer and supplier of jet fuel to China's civil aviation industry, China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corporation (CAO) (SES: G92) is a direct play on the rapidly rising demand for air travel in China, augmented by both international and product expansion. While a healthy dividend income from a joint venture at Shanghai's rapidly expanding Pudong Airport provides the bulk of earnings, the growing trading and supply of oil is supportive of our 14% EPS CAGR over the next two years. Our cash and peer-based fair value of US$1.45 (S$2.04) suggests potential for investors.

CAO is trading on 9.2x our FY17e EPS, at a 32% discount to its closest peer World Fuel Services. While some disparity can be justified by global scale, the exposure to Chinese growth warrants a closure of CAO's relative rating.

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A former defense contractor from Camp Pendleton pleaded guilty to stealing and selling medical equipment intended to be shipped overseas to treat injured Marines.

On Tuesday, John Montano, 44, admitted to conspiring to steal over $250,000 worth of medical equipment from warehouses aboard USMC Camp Pendleton.

Montano used his position as a civil defense contractor to access expensive medical equipment from the 1st Medical Logistics Company (1st MEDLOG).

According to his plea agreement, he stole ultrasound machines, ventilators, autoclaves, defilbrillators, laryngoscopes and anesthesia machines.

All of the equipment was then sold in an open-market by Montano's co-conspirators.

As part of his plea agreement, Montano was ordered to pay a restitution of $250,000 to the U.S. Marine Corps.
The price of prescription drugs could go down while the amount of investment in San Diegos biotech industry could increase. Just a few things that may change now that President Trump said he intends to nominate Scott Gottlieb as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

Biocoms Jimmy Jackson said he is pleased with President Trumps choice because Dr. Gottlieb has a long history of being knowledgeable about the agency.

We have someone who will strike a balance between what the industry needs to survive, what doctors need to get drugs to the patients, and what the FDA staff needs as far as support, Jackson said.

Jackson is the Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at Biocom, a trade association located in La Jolla that advocates for San Diegos life sciences industry. Founded in San Diego, Biocom now has over 850 members throughout California.

He said he considers Dr. Gottlieb a good choice for several reasons: Gottlieb has experience with the agency, having served as deputy commissioner of the FDA under President George W. Bush.

Jackson added that President Trump's pick also has experience dealing with patients and knows how patients feel, since he is a doctor and cancer survivor and he has the ability to affect change within the agency.

Dr. Gottlieb has been a prolific writer since leaving the FDA, which gives Jackson and other industry leaders a good sense of what he will do as commissioner.

Gottlieb has written about getting generic drugs approved faster.

We may see faster, innovative products, we may see the backlog of generics, solved, Jackson said.

Jackson is optimistic that San Diegos life sciences industry will see the same level, if not an increased level of investment now that there is a level of comfort with the knowledge base the commissioner is bringing into the office.
An Armenian citizen wanted in Los Angeles for attempted murder was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents Monday at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Mexican officials turned 36-year-old Gevork Simonian over to CBP agents at around 5 p.m.

A fingerprint scan revealed he was wanted by the Los Angeles Police Department on a warrant for attempted murder with bail set at $1.2 million, officials said.

Simonian was also wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department for public order crimes with bail set at $500,000.

CBP agents confirmed the warrants and booked Simonian into the San Diego County Jail to await extradition.

According to the CBP, Simonian was paroled into the United States pending criminal inquiry and disposition of his warrants. He will be turned over to the Department of Homeland Security.

CBP officers remain vigilant in securing our Nations borders, said Pete Flores, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. Our efforts, in coordination with Mexican officials, are part of an ongoing objective to keep binational communities safe.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the United States will not continue participating in the Human Rights Council unless the U.N. rights agency undergoes "considerable reform."

He gave no time frame for reforms to take place, saying in a letter to eight non-governmental organizations obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press that the U.S. will continue to participate in the council's current session in Geneva.

The eight organizations, which focus on human rights and support for the United Nations, wrote to Tillerson asking the United States to maintain its engagement with the rights council. He urged them to encourage reforms in the council, saying that "would be most helpful."

The secretary of state's letter was first reported by Foreign Policy magazine.

The United States has long complained that the Geneva-based Human Rights Council unduly focuses on Israel and includes member countries with poor rights records.

The United Nations and human rights groups said it would be a mistake for the U.S. to leave the council.

"The United States is an integral part of the Human Rights Council," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Wednesday. "It's important that every country participate in its work."

Felice Gaer, director of the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, a signatory, told the Associated Press: "Secretary Tillerson should appreciate that walking away will not 'delegitimize' the council's bad decisions; rather, it will give the foxes free reign in the henhouse as America retreats from the fight to defend our values on the world stage."

And Kenneth Roth, the head of Human Rights Watch which didn't sign the letter, told AP: "If the Trump administration is genuinely committed to human rights rather than just making a political statement on behalf of Israel, it would have the courage to stay and fight rather than flee in a cowardly retreat."

Responding to questions about U.S. intentions, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday "I'm not predicting we're going to walk away from the council." But he acknowledged the U.S. would be working "to urge greater accountability and greater transparency."

In a Feb. 9 letter to Tillerson, the eight organizations said that since the United States began participating in the rights body in 2009 "it has been instrumental in making the council a more effective body."

They pointed to the council's shift from disproportionate attention to Israel and inadequate attention to some of the worst human rights violations and violators to its "spotlight on rogue regimes and terrorists" and its commissioning of independent investigations that have exposed "serious human rights abuses" by North Korea, Iran, Syria, the Islamic State extremist group and Boko Haram.

The proportion of council resolutions and special sessions devoted to Israel has "significantly declined," the organizations said.

The United States served two consecutive terms on the Human Rights Council from 2009-2015, took a mandatory year off, and was elected to a three-year term in October 2016.

In that election, Russia was defeated for a seat on the 47-member body. But its members include many countries with poor rights records including Burundi, Congo, Cuba, Venezuela, China and Saudi Arabia.

The organizations said that however "imperfect" the council is, "this is a critical time for the United States to continue its participation and funding, while redoubling efforts to strengthen the council's performance."

"Disengagement from the council would leave a vacuum," their letter said, "and states that do not share our nation's interests and values would fill it, resulting in less condemnation of the world's worst human rights abusers, more action directed against Israel, and more repressive governments gaining membership in the council."

It stressed that "none of these outcomes serves America's interests."

In his March 8 letter of reply, Tillerson said "we continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the U.N. Human Rights Council."

"We may not share a common view on this, given the make-up of the membership," he said. "While it may be the only such organization devoted to human rights, the Human Rights Council requires considerable reform in order for us to continue to participate."

But Tillerson said the United States will pursue its "priority objectives" in the current session  renewing the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria and mandates for special investigators on Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, torture and freedom of expression.

It will also seek to renew the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, ensure continued U.N. assistance to promote accountability in Sri Lanka for crimes during its civil war, promote freedom of belief and combat religious intolerance, and oppose the council's "biased agenda" on Israel, he said.

The seven other organizations that sent the letter were the Better World Campaign, Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Freedom House, Freedom Now, Human Rights First, Human Rights Campaign and the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
A Maryland woman accused of suffocating her two young children pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of first-degree murder.

Sonya Spoon, of Cheverly, was arrested on Sept. 7, 2014, after admitting to police that she suffocated 1-year-old Ayden Spoon and 3-year-old Kayla Thompson.

A family member found the children unresponsive in the Cheverly home. Bags had been placed over the children's heads and secured with duct tape, police said.

Both children were taken to Children's National Medical Center, where they died.

Sonya Spoon, then 24, was arrested at the scene and admitted to suffocating the children, Prince George's County police said.

Just six days before the killings, Spoon had received a mental evaluation after her mother called Cheverly police and told them she was worried because Spoon was threatening to kill Kayla and herself.

Following the evaluation, Spoon was released and allowed back home with her two children. Cheverly Police say they did all they could do, legally.

"Nobody helped. Nobody reached out to anybody. Nobody reached out to anybody to help. They just let her out two days later to kill my daughter and her brother," said Lester Thompson, Kayla's father, outside the courthouse on Wednesday.

Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks has been fighting to change Maryland law to require that social services be alerted when a child is threatened -- not just when they are harmed as the law currently states.

"To ask that we have laws in place that would require individuals in the medical profession, educators and others who learn of a threat against a child to report that threat not only to law enforcement but to the department of social services, to the State's Attorney's office to allow us as many opportunities as possible to do what we can to protect our children," Alsobrooks said.

Spoon was indicted in the children's deaths in October 2014.
A man has been arrested nearly two weeks after police say he broke into a military career center in Maryland and stole a car and a United States Army uniform.

The theft happened about 4 a.m. on Thursday, March 2 at the U.S. Army Career Center in the 5400 block of St. Barnabas Road in Oxon Hill, Prince George's County police said.

Kyle Pedigo, of Norwich, Connecticut, was arrested on Wednesday when he allegedly tried to break into a pool and spa company in the 4800 block of Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, according to police.

Pedigo is facing numerous charges, incluidng burglary and felony theft. He also faces charges in Connecticut, police said.

Police did not say if the government-owned car or Army uniform have been recovered.
Suicide bombers hit the main judicial building and a restaurant in Damascus Wednesday, killing at least 30 people and spreading fear across Syria's capital as the country's civil war entered its seventh year with no end in sight.

The attacks reflect a renewed effort by militants to use insurgent tactics against President Bashar Assad's forces in a bid to recover lost momentum.

The first attacker, reportedly dressed in a military uniform, struck inside the Justice Palace, located near the famous and crowded Hamidiyeh market. The explosion left bodies lying amid pools of blood and shattered glass in the building's main hall, where a picture of President Bashar Assad hung on one of the walls.

The official news agency, SANA, said another suicide explosion about an hour later struck a restaurant in the Rabweh district of Damascus, an area known for its restaurants and cafes, leading to multiple casualties, mostly women and children. Syrian TV showed overturned plastic chairs and tables at the restaurant with bloodstains on the floor.

The Ikhbariyeh TV channel said the attacker was being chased by security agents when he ran into a restaurant and detonated his explosives' vest there.

The bombings were the latest in a spate of deadly explosions and suicide attacks targeting government-controlled areas in Syria and its capital. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either attack, but other, similar attacks in recent weeks were claimed by al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, which has come under pressure lately amid infighting with other insurgent factions in Syria and airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition.

The al-Qaida branch in Syria, The Levant Liberation Committee, denied responsibility for the attacks late Wednesday. In a statement released on its Telegram channel, it said that its targets are restricted to security and military installations.

The attacks came as Syrians mark the sixth anniversary of the country's civil war, which has killed more than 400,000 people and displaced millions of others. The conflict began in March 2011 as a popular uprising against Assad's rule but quickly descended into a full-blown civil war that has left large parts of the country in ruins. The chaos allowed al-Qaida and later the Islamic State group to gain a foothold in the war-torn nation.

Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, told The Associated Press Wednesday following a three-day trip to Syria that what he has seen is "unprecedented," even in comparison to conflict zones like Yemen, Sudan, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.

"I have never seen a level of destruction so big as I have been seeing over the last few days," he said.

Russia and Turkey, who back opposing sides of the conflict, have been working together to launch a political track focused initially on a cease-fire in Syria, and the U.N.'s Syria envoy held another round of peace talks in Geneva recently, but the talks have gone nowhere. Militant groups such as the Islamic State group and the Nusra Front, now known as the Levant Liberation Committee, are not part of those talks.

The recent attacks have struck at highly symbolic targets, and may mark the start of a new insurgency campaign by insurgents to try and counter recent military advances by Assad's forces, backed by Russia and Iran.

"Deploying sleepers as suicide bombers deep behind enemy lines is (al-Qaida's) way of telling Syrians that it remains an invaluable component of the revolutionary struggle against the Assad regime and that the armed struggle is far from over, despite losses in Aleppo and elsewhere," said Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which has sent thousands of its fighters to shore up Assad's forces, said the attacks were a "futile response to the great victories that the Syrian army and its allies are achieving on more than one front in Syria."

Wednesday's bombings followed twin attacks on Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in Damascus that killed at least 40 people.

On Feb. 25, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria's central city of Homs, clashed with government troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others in a major security breach. Both attacks were claimed by the Levant Liberation Committee.

There was no claim for Wednesday's attack.

According to Damascus police chief Mohammad Kheir Ismail, the Justice Palace attacker struck in the early afternoon  at 1:20 p.m. A man wearing a military uniform and carrying a shotgun and grenades arrived at the entrance to the palace, the police chief told state TV.

The guards stopped the man, took away his arms and tried to search him. At that point, the man hurled himself inside the building and detonated his explosives, the chief said.

Syria's attorney general, Ahmad al-Sayed, who was in the building just a few meters away from the explosion, confirmed that account to state TV, saying that when the security guards tried to arrest the man, he threw himself inside the palace and blew himself up. He said 30 people were killed and 45 others wounded.

"This is a dirty action as people who enter the palace are innocent," he said, noting that the timing of the explosion was planned to kill the largest number of lawyers, judges and other people who were there at the time.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to transfer casualties to hospital.

Elsewhere in Syria, at least 15 children and seven other civilians were killed in an airstrike on the rebel-held city of Idlib, according to Civil Defense search-and-rescue group. The group, also known as the White Helmets, said its rescuers worked all day to reach victims in the rubble.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said 21 civilians were killed. It said the aircraft behind the attack were believed to be Russian. Syrian government aircraft are also known to fly raids over Idlib.

Wednesday's attacks also came during a new round of peace talks in the Kazakh capital of Astana that was boycotted by Syria's armed opposition due to what they say are ongoing government military offensives across the country.

Syria's U.N. ambassador said earlier Wednesday that he was concluding his participation in the latest round after two days of meetings without rebels. Bashar Jaafari said discussions were "constructive" but only one official paper was produced  about demining Palmyra, the historic Syrian town that pro-government forces recaptured from the Islamic State group two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, taking stock of six years of Syria's civil war, the U.N. health agency said in Geneva on Wednesday that over half of all hospitals and public health centers in the violence-wracked country have closed or are partially functioning, and nearly two-thirds of health-care workers have fled.

The head of the World Health Organization's emergencies program, Peter Salama, said resources to help the health care system are "stretched to the limit," citing security threats to health care workers and a lack of access to medicines and medical equipment.

Salama called for "systematic and unhindered access" for life-saving materials like vaccines and medical supplies "on this sad anniversary of the start of war in Syria and before more lives are lost."

___

Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Philip Issa in Beirut and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report.
Police have identified a 19-year-old motorcyclist who died after colliding with a vehicle in Colchester, Vermont.

Officers were called to the scene around 4 p.m. Monday and found Adam-Michael Ploof, of Colchester, facedown in the roadway. Efforts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Police say the vehicle was headed northbound when the motorcycle crossed into its lane after turning onto the road. They don't believe alcohol or impairment was a factor in the crash.
Tattoos were at the center of the trial against Aaron Hernandez Wednesday, with prosecutors trying to prove he memorialized the double murder in his body art.

By the words "God forgives," five bullets are in the revolver tattooed on Hernandez's arm, allegedly symbolizing what it took to kill Safiro Furtado and Daniel de Abreu in 2012. The two men were gunned down in a car in Boston's South End, and Hernandez is charged in their murder.

With no jurors present Wednesday, David Nelson, the artist who designed several of Hernandez's tattoos, testified before a judge that the former Patriots tight end determined the number of bullets in the cylinder.

The defense, however, says the ink does not amount to guilt, and they say Nelson's changing story only adds to why they don't want a jury to hear from him.

Prosecutors say the blood doesn't lie, and family members of the victims were emotional as articles of clothing from the scene were presented. A detective said the bullets that pierced the shirt matched the murder weapon.

A fingerprint analyst also testified that while no prints were found on the alleged getaway car, it appears someone touched it. Prosecutors say it shows signs of a cover-up.

Hernandez is already serving a life sentence without parole for the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. Testimony resumes Thursday at 9 a.m.
Elon Musk 's SpaceX has a new mission: Launch a military satellite into orbit.



The U.S. Air Force announced Tuesday that it had awarded the company  a relative newcomer to military space launches  a $96.5 million dollar contract to support the launch of a next generation global positioning system satellite called GPS III.

SpaceX beat out another contractor for the work, according to a Department of Defense press release, and will provide "launch vehicle production, mission integration, launch operations, spaceflight worthiness and mission unique activities for a GPS III mission."



The work, which is expected to be completed by April 2019, will take place at SpaceX's Hawthorne, California headquarters, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and in McGregor, Texas.

The press release does not give details on which GPS III satellite SpaceX will launch and gives no launch date.

Gwynne Shotwell, President & COO at SpaceX said in a statement: "SpaceX is proud to have been selected to support this important National Security Space Mission. We appreciate the confidence that the U.S. Air Force has placed in our company and we look forward to working together towards the successful launch of another GPS-III mission."









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Massachusetts police are investigating an attempted kidnapping at a hotel in Sharon.

Police said they were called to the Best Western Hotel on Route 1 at 3 a.m. Wednesday after a woman reported the incident.

The woman said a white sedan with several men inside had pulled into the lot when one of them attempted to grab her arm through an open car window to try and pull her inside.

The woman was able to break free and run inside the hotel for help.

Police said the car, with a possible New York license plate, fled the scene.

The woman was said to have suffered minor injuries.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Sharon police.
An agreement has been reached that will ensure that the landmark Citgo sign remains in Boston's Kenmore Square.

Mayor Marty Walsh announced Wednesday afternoon that a deal has been reached between new building owner Related Beal and Citgo to keep the 3,600-square-foot sign in place.

"I applaud Related Beal and Citgo for their willingness to come together in a collaborative way that will benefit the entire city," Walsh said in a statement. "The Citgo sign has become an important part of the community and I am delighted that both sides were able to agree on terms that will allow the sign to stay where it is."

.@CITGO sign will be staying!  Dan Koh (@dank) March 15, 2017

Walsh said he met with both parties on Tuesday and offered space in City Hall as a neutral negotiation location. The agreement was reached on Wednesday afternoon.

"We are pleased to have reached a resolution where the sign will remain in place for decades to come and are grateful for the Mayor's leadership," said Kimberly Sherman Stamler, president of Related Beal. "We look forward to again collaborating with the City of Boston on plans for the redevelopment of Kenmore Square and to bringing increased economic activity, hundreds of jobs and a marquee office location to the area."

"We are proud that the Citgo sign has become a beacon in the Boston skyline and we are grateful to Mayor Walsh for his leadership in bringing the parties together," added Rick Esser, Citgo's vice president of supply and marketing. "This agreement ensures that the sign will continue to shine brightly for years to come. "

A Citgo sign has been part of Boston's skyline since 1940. The current sign atop 660 Beacon St. dates to 1965 and is visible over the famed left field wall at nearby Fenway Park.

Boston University agreed last summer to sell the building that houses the sign to Related Beal, a local development firm. Terms of that deal have not been disclosed.

Prior to the sale of the building, there had been concerns that new owners might decide to remove the sign.
Neighbors are stunned by an investigation unfolding inside a home in Franklin, Massachusetts, where hazmat crews worked Wednesday to remove suspicious chemical items.

"I am absolutely flabbergasted," said Jessica Tolmie. "I've lived here my whole life."

Responders were on Stewart Street for hours removing the chemicals from the house. Fire crews first arrived at the home at 8 a.m. for a medical emergency, where they first observed the suspicious items.

"A little concerning," said neighbor Sean Davey. "I have four kids in the house."

"This is, like, really blowing my mind, especially in this neighborhood. We're filled with kids," said Tolmie. "Everybody knows each other."

Neighbors say an older couple lives in the home with their son, who's in a wheelchair because he lost a leg from diabetes.

"I see the woman walking her dog every day, I've seen the son moving his wheelchair up and down the street, walking the dog. You never think this could happen in your own neighborhood," said Davey.

What kind of chemicals are in the home is still unknown, but one source close to the investigation says they're looking at a possible meth lab, something neighbors doubt, as it's not in line with the family they know.

The bomb squad was on the scene for a while, but police now say there is no danger to the neighborhood.
Tens of thousands of people in Maine lost power during a powerful blizzard Tuesday night, with the majority in York County. In Ogunquit, strong winds and heavy, wet snow took down tree limbs and power lines, creating concerning conditions for longtime residents.

"I've seen a lot of winter storms, but nothing this ferocious," said Charlie Wilson, who has visited and lived in the beach town for more than 25 years.

"Everything is howling and crackling," he said. "It's an amazing experience to be in this."

Ogunquit Police had to close parts of Shore Road after a large tree fell down on power lines.

Wind gusts as strong as 59 miles per hour were recorded along the Southern Maine coast Tuesday evening, as parts of the state received more than a foot of snow.

"It's worse than most normal winter storms, with the high winds coming off of the ocean," said Ogunquit Fire Chief Mark O'Brien. "We have lots of concerns for more trees and more wires down."

Multiple car accidents were reported along the Maine Turnpike Tuesday. Flights out of the Portland Jetport were cancelled, and airport officials expect limited operations Wednesday morning.
Tuesday's blizzard brought lots of snow to Connecticut and one special delivery for a North Stonington family.

The Hardee family welcomed their third child, Harrison Everett Hardee, at Backus Hospital at 8:29 a.m. Tuesday.

A statement from the hospital says the hours leading up to the birth were a bit stressful for mom Lisa Hardee because her husband, Joseph, is in the Navy and currently deployed.

The staff was wonderful. Everyone was so accommodating, Hardee said, according to the hospital.

The bundle of joy, born at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, is a younger brother to 4- and 6-year-old sisters.
This week's mega-storm produced the most snow ever in the month of March, since record-keeping began, for the city of Burlington, Vermont.

By mid-afternoon, Burlington had tallied 29.7 inches of snow, but the flakes were still falling.

Other communities reported even greater accumulations.

The area around Jay Peak woke up to an incredible 34 inches of snow. Large, fluffy flakes kept falling there, too, throughout the day Wednesday.

All that snow is making for a difficult clean-up job in many communities, and is contributing to some problems.

In Jay, a car slid off Route 242 early Wednesday afternoon. Driver Bryce Hanrahan said he had a frantic split-second decision on the snow-covered road.

"It was either put the car into the ditch or put the car into the cars ahead of me," Hanrahan explained, noting he and a friend were uninjured in the slide-off.

Bubba LaClair, a roadside assistance provider who came to haul the vehicle out of the ditch, said he had a busy morning.

"We did probably one rollover this morning and six or seven different pull-outs," LaClair said.

In East Berkshire, Robin Wells was blazing a path through the deep snow in her driveway with a shovel.

"This is the most snow we've gotten since I've lived here," Wells sighed.

At the Jay Peak Resort, more than 40 inches of fresh powder made for a business boost from skiers and riders, according to a resort spokesman.

"As soon as word got out about the snowfall here, around 5 o'clock yesterday, our phone started ringing off the hook at the Hotel Jay," JJ Toland said. "We went from 85 percent booked to just about 99 percent right now."

And Vermont's higher elevations are not done with winter weather just yet. There is more snowfall in the forecast over the next several days.
A puppy with what officials at Bostons MSPCA-Angell are calling the "worst ever" case of mange they've ever seen is seeking a new home.

MSPCA officials said a Boston animal control official found the 4-month-old bulldog/pit bull mix shivering on a Dorchester street on Feb. 22 and rushed her to the Jamaica Plain facility.

All of the dogs fur had been stripped away and she was covered in painful, oozing sores.

A veterinary technician at the clinic said she had never seen such a severe case of mange in her 11 years of practice.

The dog, now named "Sheba," was too weak to stand or walk when she was first admitted, and was placed on antibiotics and pain medicine. Dr. Klaus Loft of Angells Dermatology practice has also been treating Sheba with a special drug to boost her immune system.

Officials say she still has a ways to go, but is doing well.

Anyone who is interested in adopting Sheba can visit the MSPCA shelter during open hours to apply for her.
The second wave of 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, primarily distinguished by new MIMO capabilities, bigger channels and the general ability to handle larger and denser groups of connections, is starting to make its way into enterprises.

MU-MIMO is the piece thats got everyone excited for wave 2  it stands for multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output, meaning that access points use larger numbers of antennae that can be managed algorithmically to provide a more flexible distribution of wireless resources. In essence, these are smarter access points that are better able to handle large numbers of users at any given time, and feature more advanced ways to manage different kinds of wireless links.

There still arent a lot of endpoints out there that use wave 2  most laptops and smartphones, even near the top of the market, still ship with first-wave 802.11ac technology  but some businesses are opting to catch the second wave in the interest of future-proofing, addressing densification and more. Wave 2 endpoints arent needed to take advantage of some of the advantages provided by MU-MIMO.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD:Study shows 802.11ac wave 2 APs gaining sales ground+

Dr. John Layke, DO, is a plastic surgeon and a partner in the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group, which also sells Layke and partner Dr. Payman Danielpours line of Beverly Hills MD cosmetics. In their small southern California office, their group uses four 802.11ac wave 2 access points from Linksys for both Wi-Fi connectivity and a couple of specialized services.

The practice uses a 3D imaging system to scan detailed pictures of all its patients, and an advanced Wi-Fi system is important for moving those files around the office to various places at top speed  wave 2 is capable of nearly 7Gbps of theoretical throughput, though, obviously, practical speeds will be much lower.

Once [the 3D pictures] are uploaded, we can discuss and alter the image and even display it on the computers back in the operating room to ensure that were giving them the result that we discussed, Layke told Network World.

Its a change from the groups previous wireless infrastructure, which couldnt even stream music from the front desk into a spa area, according to Layke.

The ability now is far superior to what we had, he said.

Learning to wave 2

The St. Vrain Valley School District serves nine high schools, nine middle schools and 23 elementary schools just north of Boulder, Colo., mostly in the suburb of Longmont. Thats about 32,000 students, each of whom has their own iPad issued by the school, to say nothing of the individual devices they bring in.

We saw our sites needing that density with the ac 2 and going to 5GHz only, just because of our client density and our iPads, said district CTO Joe McBreen. The transition to 5GHz  which does not propagate as far as 2.4GHz  means that its easier for access points to avoid interfering with each other, opening up more channels for potential use.

The district landed on Cisco gear, after a competitive bidding process, replacing older Ruckus equipment in St. Vrains 41 schools. Theyre up to 360 wave 2 access points currently, a number that will grow to 2,000 or so by the time the project is complete.

Aside from some early software hiccups that Cisco fixed, the transition has been going really well, according to McBreen and network engineer Greg Martien.

We have some challenges right now  we use Bonjour and AirPlay, just like every other user out there using those types of services with Apple, trying to departmentalize that by site, but other than that, its working, Martien said.

St. Vrain is also a Google Apps for Education customer, and sees a lot of students and staff using video Hangouts, which can be a bandwidth hog. In the future, multiplayer VR simulations and further growth in video-based lessons could continue to raise throughput demands.

The combination of improved throughput and a stronger ability to handle the aforementioned densification of client devices have meant that the upgrade has been worth the money for St. Vrain.

Were really pleased with the functionality of it, McBreen said. Its working as advertised  as a matter of fact, some people in another department have codenamed it HOF wireless, for Hair On Fire.

Wave 2 goes nuclear

Its not your average Wi-Fi use case by any stretch of the imagination, so the news that the European Organization for Nuclear Research  better known as CERN  has been a bit of an early adopter where new wireless technology is concerned isnt actually that surprising. CERN has users who need to deliver giant chunks of information to things like physics datasets, which places big demands on the institutions network.

Tony Cass is the group leader for communications systems at CERN, and he said that the access points and densification considerations themselves arent the main reason that CERN has begun with a trial deployment of wave 2 technology.

Its the controllers and the features they have that allow us to set up dedicated SSIDs and sub-networks and so on, he said, citing new capabilities that equipment vendors can build into wave 2 controllers. CERN uses Aruba equipment for its wave 2 experiments, but Cass warns that there are parts of the groups infrastructure that wont go wave 2  or even wireless  in the near future.

We have a very high number of users, but on the other hand, were talking about coverage on  something thats equivalent to a university campus, he said. We probably imagine that the very demanding requirements that we have, they will stay on wired connections.

According to Cass, theres even been a little institutional resistance where making the CERN campus as wireless as possible is concerned, particularly in non-mission-critical settings. But thats changing, as well.

Were trying to convince people that they dont need to worry about structured cabling, that Wi-Fi will deliver, for most office purposes, more than adequate bandwidth, Cass said.
The personal identifying information (PII)names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses, employers and job titlesfor 33,698,126 Americans has been leaked online.

The data, a 52.2GB CSV file, came from a commercial corporate database. Security researcher Troy Hunt determined that the breach came from NetProspex, a service provided by Dun & Bradstreet, which ironically was named as a 2017 worlds most ethical company.

The leaked database is currently listed as the 16th biggest breach on Have I Been Pwned, meaning more people were affected than in the Ashley Madison breach and fewer than in the Last.fm breach. Hunt wrote on HIBP:

In 2016, a list of over 33 million individuals in corporate America sourced from Dun & Bradstreet's NetProspex service was leaked online. D&B believe the targeted marketing data was lost by a customer who purchased it from them. It contained extensive personal and corporate information including names, email addresses, job titles and general information about the employer. Compromised data: Email addresses, Employers, Job titles, Names, Phone numbers, Physical addresses

NetProspex describes what it does as:

We help marketers develop and manage their B2B data. Our multi-faceted data quality processes  backed by the world's largest commercial database and seamless integration into your marketing systems  enables you to identify the best opportunities, build stronger relationships and accelerate growth for your company.

All the records are from the U.S., Hunt said, with the most  over 4 million records  coming from California, followed by 2.7 million from New York and 2.6 million from Texas.

Hunt further provided a breakdown of the top 10 companies in the data set, listing how many records were from each:

DOD Cce.: 101,013

United States Postal Service: 88,153

AT&T Inc.: 67382

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.: 55,421

CVS Health Corporation: 40,739

The Ohio State University: 38,705

Citigroup Inc.: 35,292

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association: 34,928

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals: 34,805

International Business Machines Corporation: 33,412

Regarding the Department of Defense, there were over 10,000 unique job titles such as Soldier (which was the most common with 2.7k entries), but also titles like Ammunition Specialist (91 people) and Chemical Engineer (32), along with the sorts of roles you'd expect in the army such as Intelligence Analyst (715) and Platoon Sargent (670).

Hunted added, When you look at that list and ask How would the US military feel about this data - complete with PII and job title - being circulated, you can't help but feel it poses some serious risks. (The ISIS kill list of last year was one of the first things I thought of.)

After ZDNets Zach Whittaker, whose PII was also included in the leaked corporate database, reached out to Dun & Bradshaw, the company said, We've carefully evaluated the information that was shared with us, and it is of a type and in a format that we deliver to customers every day. Based on our analysis, it was not accessed or exposed through a Dun & Bradstreet system.

It was not saying the 6-month old bulk data did not originally belong to Dun & Bradshaw, just that its own systems were not compromised. It claims to have sold the data to thousands of companies. It was attempting to determine which third-party company exposed the copy of the database, but that it was difficult. Lastly, it emphasized that the data collection complied with U.S. laws, but contained no PII data.

Hunt disagrees, writing, When you have someone's first and last names, their job title and their email address along with the company they work for, you have PII. And that's really what makes this a highly volatile collection of data; this much personal information on this many people and set in the context of their professional roles poses numerous risks to the organizations involved here.

Hunt pointed back at what Tim Berners-Lee recently said on the 28th anniversary of the web, agreeing that we have lost control of our personal data.
Microsoft intends to run an AI Immersion Workshop in Seattle on May 9, a free pre-event to Microsoft Build developer conference.

The workshop is a special opportunity for advanced developers looking to create the next generation of scalable, real-world intelligent apps that use the very latest AI and machine learning techniques.

The workshop will feature hands-on tutorials using Microsoft and open-source technologies. Microsoft developers will be there, and the workshop is said to be an opportunity to connect with developers and data scientists working on Microsofts products and services, as well as to connect with industry peers.

There will be a keynote on Microsofts AI vision and roadmap, followed by technical sessions on the following:

New artificial intelligence/cognitive apps

Deep learning

Applied machine learning for developers

Big AI, i.e. the intersection of big data and AI

From BI to AI, i.e. evolving relational databases and data warehouse solutions into the new world of AI

The AI Immersion Workshop is being held at the W Hotel Seattle, a few blocks from the Washington State Convention Center, which is the venue for Microsoft Build 2017.

Attendees who are already confirmed to attend Microsoft Build 2017 will still be required to register at a special registration page for the AI Immersion Workshop, but the registration site won't be open until late March.
(Adds union comment)

SANTIAGO, March 14 (Reuters) - The Escondida copper mine in Chile plans to restart operations after striking workers again rejected an invitation by controlling owner BHP Billiton to return to negotiations, an executive told reporters late Tuesday.

The world's largest copper mine will first resume work in two areas of the mine that are unrelated to the current talks, Escondida Mine President Marcelo Castillo said at a news conference in the city of Antofagasta.

The company will then begin to do additional maintenance work, before finally re-establishing mining operations and restarting copper production.

"We hope that in some way opportunities for dialogue come about...but with the posture that we saw yesterday (from the union) and that all of you saw yesterday, it's difficult to be able to hope for a conversation in the short term," Castillo said.

Under Chilean law the mine was allowed to hire temporary workers 15 days after the strike started on Feb. 9, but had said it would wait for 30 days to show its commitment to dialogue. Tuesday marked day 34 of the strike.

In response to BHP's statement late Tuesday, the union said it was taking a level-headed approach to the latest development.

"We are calm, and we are reviewing the (company's) statements with calm," a union spokesman told Reuters.

Copper production has been halted since the 2,500-member union went on strike. On Monday, workers rejected a company invitation to return to the table, saying the invitation did not take into account workers' pre-conditions for dialogue.

Union demands include that BHP agrees not to trim benefits in the existing contract, that shift patterns should not be made more taxing for workers, and new workers be offered the same benefits as those already employed at the mine.

It was the third failed attempt to restart dialogue during the strike, which has pushed global copper prices higher due to supply concerns.

On Friday, BHP invited the union to return to negotiations, but the union rejected that invitation on the same grounds.

Story continues

Throughout the process, negotiations have been tense, with the company at times accusing the union of violence, and the replacement of workers could lead to additional confrontation.

Escondida produced slightly more than 1 million tonnes of copper in 2016, making it the world's largest copper mine.

Rio Tinto and Japanese companies such as Mitsubishi Corp hold minority interests in the mine.

(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing and additional reporting by Gram Slattery; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Lisa Shumaker)
Issues affecting Thatcham's elderly discussed at Thatcham Vision event

THE good work of voluntary organisations and joined-up local thinking is needed to tackle the biggest issues facing Thatchams elderly population, Newbury MP Richard Benyon has said.

Addressing an audience of around 50 people at a event held by Thatcham Vision at Kennet School last Friday, Mr Benyon said that elderly people were vulnerable to loneliness and social isolation, which could have a significant effect on their health.

Loneliness increases the likelihood of mortality by 26 per cent, the same as smoking 15 cigarettes a day  thats a staggering statistic, Mr Benyon said.

And with the number of people aged over 85 living in West Berkshire increasing from 5,000 to more than 25,000 since 2011 and set to increase by more than a third by 2020  Mr Benyon said that tackling isolation and loneliness was a massively important issue.

He added that a fear of crime among older people was another concern, but that the perception did not always meet the reality.

The MP praised the work of local organisations in West Berkshire, such as Thatcham Vision, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire and The University of the Third Age, who offered different ways to tackle isolation.

Theres a lot happening and theres a lot to be proud about, Mr Benyon said.

Theres fantastic work being done by local groups, but sometimes they need to be connected and recognise that if someone is lonely there could be different reasons behind that. Its all about human contact and technology can help with that.

Mr Benyon was then interviewed by Kennet School Sixth Form pupil Brandon Hale on topics ranging from independence for the elderly and how local and central government could help with the issues they face.

And following West Berkshire Councils decision to increase its adult social care precept by three per cent to cover spiraling costs to look after the elderly, Mr Benyon said that there should not be a reliance on statutory organisations.

He said: It comes down to that innate British value of care for your neighbour. Im not saying that Britain alone does this.

In some former Soviet states theres no civic society to speak of, everything was owned by the state.

It comes down to ourselves, just being aware of people you know who may need a knock on the door or a kind word.

He added that organisations ranging from Thatcham Town Council, Thatcham Vision and the Newbury and District Care Commissioning Group could help co-ordinate what was needed in the community.

The mayor of Thatcham, Ellen Crumly, suggested that every household in Thatcham be leafleted with details of local organisations that could help.

The event was filmed by Kennet School pupils and will be condensed into a YouTube video to be screened on Thatcham Visions website at a later date.

The talk was signed for the hard of hearing by Diane Donohue.

The chairman of Thatcham Vision, David Conquest, said: I think that its highlighted some issues that we will take back to our senior citizens action group to see if theres anything we can do; particularly focusing on the issue of social isolation and crime to see if theres anyway we can address this on a local level by working with partners and other organisations.

He added that he was pleased with the turnout and thanked Mr Benyon for subjecting himself to the people of Thatcham and to Mr Hale for doing such a great job as our interviewer for the day.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The BJP's thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh and substantial gains made in other states will facilitate reforms as the ruling party inches closer to a majority in Upper House, Moody's Investors Service said today.

"The 2017 state election results in India demonstrate broad-based popular support for the Indian government's policy agenda and will facilitate the implementation of further reforms, a credit positive for the sovereign," it said in a statement.

While the ruling NDA has an absolute majority in Lok Sabha, it currently does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha.

"...the party will increase its share of seats in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of India's Parliament," it said. However, the changes will not be immediate, Moody's said.

"The ruling party will not feel the benefit of electoral gains immediately, because the changes in the upper house will only occur next year, when some members retire," says William Foster, Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer.

"Nevertheless, electoral support at the state level should translate into broader support for government policy in the upper house, facilitating the passage and implementation of additional reforms," Foster added.

In its report, 'Government of India: State Elections Demonstrate Broad Support for Reform Agenda, a Credit Positive', Moody's said the BJP has won a net 294 seats in the five state assembly elections held over the past month.

"The BJP's solid gains were despite the negative economic hit from demonetisation in late 2016," it said. In 2018, 69 seats in Rajya Sabha, including 10 from UP and one from Uttarakhand, will come up for re-election.

"If the BJP-led coalition increases its seat tally to or close to an outright majority, passage of policies will become easier, helping to accelerate reform," it said.

Also, collaboration between the central government and the new BJP-led states could improve, partially circumventing impediments to reform at the federal level on politically sensitive issues like land and labour reforms.

BJP-led states like Gujarat and Rajasthan have already amended some land and labour laws.

In UP, BJP secured 312 of the 403 state legislative assembly seats, up from just 47 in 2012.

Unlike rival parties in UP, the BJP did not nominate a local chief ministerial candidate but focused on the leadership of Modi himself.

"The BJP's success reflects strong popular support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his national policy agenda.

By contrast, the 2012 UP election outcome reflected popular support for individuals in the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party," Moody's said.

In addition to UP, the BJP also took majority of the seats in Uttarakhand.

In Goa, Manipur and Punjab, the opposition Congress party won the largest number of seats, although the BJP did increase its share in Manipur.

Currently, the NDA government, led by the BJP, hold about 30 per cent of the total seats in Rajya Sabha.

"Therefore, the ruling party will continue to rely on alliances with representatives of other parties to push through policy measures," it said.

NEW DELHI: The BJP's thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh and substantial gains made in other states will facilitate reforms as the ruling party inches closer to a majority in Upper House, Moody's Investors Service said today. "The 2017 state election results in India demonstrate broad-based popular support for the Indian government's policy agenda and will facilitate the implementation of further reforms, a credit positive for the sovereign," it said in a statement. While the ruling NDA has an absolute majority in Lok Sabha, it currently does not have a majority in Rajya Sabha. "...the party will increase its share of seats in the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of India's Parliament," it said. However, the changes will not be immediate, Moody's said. "The ruling party will not feel the benefit of electoral gains immediately, because the changes in the upper house will only occur next year, when some members retire," says William Foster, Moody's Vice President and Senior Credit Officer. "Nevertheless, electoral support at the state level should translate into broader support for government policy in the upper house, facilitating the passage and implementation of additional reforms," Foster added. In its report, 'Government of India: State Elections Demonstrate Broad Support for Reform Agenda, a Credit Positive', Moody's said the BJP has won a net 294 seats in the five state assembly elections held over the past month. "The BJP's solid gains were despite the negative economic hit from demonetisation in late 2016," it said. In 2018, 69 seats in Rajya Sabha, including 10 from UP and one from Uttarakhand, will come up for re-election. "If the BJP-led coalition increases its seat tally to or close to an outright majority, passage of policies will become easier, helping to accelerate reform," it said. Also, collaboration between the central government and the new BJP-led states could improve, partially circumventing impediments to reform at the federal level on politically sensitive issues like land and labour reforms. BJP-led states like Gujarat and Rajasthan have already amended some land and labour laws. In UP, BJP secured 312 of the 403 state legislative assembly seats, up from just 47 in 2012. Unlike rival parties in UP, the BJP did not nominate a local chief ministerial candidate but focused on the leadership of Modi himself. "The BJP's success reflects strong popular support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his national policy agenda. By contrast, the 2012 UP election outcome reflected popular support for individuals in the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party," Moody's said. In addition to UP, the BJP also took majority of the seats in Uttarakhand. In Goa, Manipur and Punjab, the opposition Congress party won the largest number of seats, although the BJP did increase its share in Manipur. Currently, the NDA government, led by the BJP, hold about 30 per cent of the total seats in Rajya Sabha. "Therefore, the ruling party will continue to rely on alliances with representatives of other parties to push through policy measures," it said.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Cellular operators body COAI on Tuesday expressed hope that Trais review of bottlenecks in the telecom sector will help iron out the outstanding issue of computation of gross revenue and streamline multiple audits that companies face.

Multiple agencies conduct audits...Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) of billing systems and tariffs, the Telecom Department conducts audit on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and eKYC...then there are CAG audits for AGR. Sebi audits for compliance on audited financial statements.

The audit process by multiple agencies in areas like revenue, billing accuracy and customer acquisition costs can be streamlined, said COAI Director General Rajan Mathews.

He suggested that a single agency can be selected for conducting audits on behalf of all other agencies, as this will simplify the entire process. Mathews comments come in the backdrop of Trai initiating the process of identifying bottlenecks that impede telecom business in India. Trai said it will look at simplifying procedures on licence acquisition, spectrum allotment and mergers.

The issue of adjusted gross revenue (used for calculation of revenue share) has been subject to many orders...The matter pertaining to classification of items that will go into computation of AGR also needs to be looked into, such that a clear definition can emerge, Mathews said. He said that the entire audit and verification process relating to AGR can also be automated.

Earlier, the telecom regulator said it is important to identify the bottlenecks, obstacles or hindrances that are making it difficult to do telecom business in India and thus, require regu latory intervention. Other issues outlined by Trai for review include spectrum allotment and use, clearance process for airwaves.

NEW DELHI: Cellular operators body COAI on Tuesday expressed hope that Trais review of bottlenecks in the telecom sector will help iron out the outstanding issue of computation of gross revenue and streamline multiple audits that companies face. Multiple agencies conduct audits...Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) of billing systems and tariffs, the Telecom Department conducts audit on Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and eKYC...then there are CAG audits for AGR. Sebi audits for compliance on audited financial statements. The audit process by multiple agencies in areas like revenue, billing accuracy and customer acquisition costs can be streamlined, said COAI Director General Rajan Mathews. He suggested that a single agency can be selected for conducting audits on behalf of all other agencies, as this will simplify the entire process. Mathews comments come in the backdrop of Trai initiating the process of identifying bottlenecks that impede telecom business in India. Trai said it will look at simplifying procedures on licence acquisition, spectrum allotment and mergers. The issue of adjusted gross revenue (used for calculation of revenue share) has been subject to many orders...The matter pertaining to classification of items that will go into computation of AGR also needs to be looked into, such that a clear definition can emerge, Mathews said. He said that the entire audit and verification process relating to AGR can also be automated. Earlier, the telecom regulator said it is important to identify the bottlenecks, obstacles or hindrances that are making it difficult to do telecom business in India and thus, require regu latory intervention. Other issues outlined by Trai for review include spectrum allotment and use, clearance process for airwaves.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Jayant Sinha today said the government is working on "appropriate policies" related to 100 per cent FDI in airlines, amid local carriers opposing the move.

The Minister of State for Civil Aviation also said the Ministry has not yet received any formal application from any airline with respect to 100 per cent FDI. His remarks come against the backdrop of Qatar Airways recently announcing its plans to set up an airline in India after the Indian government allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the airlines segment last year.

The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) -- comprising Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir -- have been vociferous about their opposition to foreign entities being allowed to invest in local carriers. "There are various opinion on this matter of 100 per cent FDI. We are considering what the Indian airlines through FIA are saying. Of course, the government's policies are such that we do welcome 100 per cent FDI but we are working through the exact registration process and all of the appropriate policies around that. That is under evaluation," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told reporters here.

Noting that the policy to allow 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines is "probably not appropriate", SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said that such kind of policies must be allowed on a reciprocal basis.

"If an airline of a particular country wants 100 per cent FDI in our country then they must also be prepared to give 100 per cent FDI in their own countries... If that is not allowed then it is an unfair situation and it is not a level playing field," he said. He also noted that there is a huge shortage of airport infrastructure and foreign airlines entering the Indian market would add to that burden.

There is a need to develop Indian metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad into international hubs but with foreign carriers coming in "they will shift traffic to their hubs and develop those hubs and that is not in the long-term interest of this country", Singh said.

FIA has already raised its concern with the government over the move. "We have conveyed to them that we are opposed to 100 per cent FDI... We have given our views and it is for them to take appropriate steps," Singh said.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Baker Al-Baker, on March 8, announced in Berlin plans to establish an airline in India.

"We are joining hands with the investment arm of State of Qatar to start a domestic airline in India with a 100 per cent investment," Al Baker had said.

On whether the Civil Aviation Ministry has received any application from Qatar Airways, Sinha said, "as of now, we have not received any formal application from any airline about 100 per cent FDI".

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Jayant Sinha today said the government is working on "appropriate policies" related to 100 per cent FDI in airlines, amid local carriers opposing the move. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation also said the Ministry has not yet received any formal application from any airline with respect to 100 per cent FDI. His remarks come against the backdrop of Qatar Airways recently announcing its plans to set up an airline in India after the Indian government allowed 100 per cent foreign direct investment in the airlines segment last year. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) -- comprising Jet Airways, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir -- have been vociferous about their opposition to foreign entities being allowed to invest in local carriers. "There are various opinion on this matter of 100 per cent FDI. We are considering what the Indian airlines through FIA are saying. Of course, the government's policies are such that we do welcome 100 per cent FDI but we are working through the exact registration process and all of the appropriate policies around that. That is under evaluation," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha told reporters here. Noting that the policy to allow 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in domestic airlines is "probably not appropriate", SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh said that such kind of policies must be allowed on a reciprocal basis. "If an airline of a particular country wants 100 per cent FDI in our country then they must also be prepared to give 100 per cent FDI in their own countries... If that is not allowed then it is an unfair situation and it is not a level playing field," he said. He also noted that there is a huge shortage of airport infrastructure and foreign airlines entering the Indian market would add to that burden. There is a need to develop Indian metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad into international hubs but with foreign carriers coming in "they will shift traffic to their hubs and develop those hubs and that is not in the long-term interest of this country", Singh said. FIA has already raised its concern with the government over the move. "We have conveyed to them that we are opposed to 100 per cent FDI... We have given our views and it is for them to take appropriate steps," Singh said. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Baker Al-Baker, on March 8, announced in Berlin plans to establish an airline in India. "We are joining hands with the investment arm of State of Qatar to start a domestic airline in India with a 100 per cent investment," Al Baker had said. On whether the Civil Aviation Ministry has received any application from Qatar Airways, Sinha said, "as of now, we have not received any formal application from any airline about 100 per cent FDI".
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi police has arrested a 32 year-old man for allegedly gang-raping a Uzbekistan national along with four other friends. According to the police, a case, on the basis of her complaint has been registered under sections 376D (Gangrape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code against the five men.

"On 14th March, an Uzbekistan national lady reported that her ex-boyfriend came to her room situated in Masoodpur area in the intervening night of 9-10 March. Main accused Anubhav Yadav along with his four friends entered forcefully into her room. She fell unconscious as the accused thrashed her badly. Anubhav was not happy as she was not responding to his calls," Delhi police said.

"She was half naked when she gained consciousness. She went to the Fortis hospital in the morning but left without medical advice," police added. Delhi police has arrested Anubhav Yadav and raiding places in Delhi NCR to arrest other accused.

NEW DELHI: Delhi police has arrested a 32 year-old man for allegedly gang-raping a Uzbekistan national along with four other friends. According to the police, a case, on the basis of her complaint has been registered under sections 376D (Gangrape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code against the five men. "On 14th March, an Uzbekistan national lady reported that her ex-boyfriend came to her room situated in Masoodpur area in the intervening night of 9-10 March. Main accused Anubhav Yadav along with his four friends entered forcefully into her room. She fell unconscious as the accused thrashed her badly. Anubhav was not happy as she was not responding to his calls," Delhi police said. "She was half naked when she gained consciousness. She went to the Fortis hospital in the morning but left without medical advice," police added. Delhi police has arrested Anubhav Yadav and raiding places in Delhi NCR to arrest other accused.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad has emerged as the best city in India for the third time in Mercers Quality of Living rankings 2017. However, this is just a silver lining. Of the 231 cities from across the world that Mercer has ranked for quality of living, Hyderabad ranked 144 which shows the poor state of affairs of Indian cities when compared to other cities in the world. The citys ranking slipped by five places as it bagged 139 position last year. Fol lowing Hyderabad are Pune(145), Bengaluru(146), Chennai( 151), Mumbai(154), Kolkata( 160) and New Delhi(161).

The slipping of Hyderabads ranking as compared to last year has been attributed to irregular power supply, frequent voltage changes, restricted water supply in some areas. Mercers media release also cited the severe water crisis due to drought as one of the reasons affecting rankings. Hyderabad police makes the city best in India The positives that have helped Hyderabad get best ranking among Indian cities have been cited as low crime rate. It said that in comparison to other Indian cities, Hyderabad is better on account of lower crime rate.

It also said that the police force in Hyderabad is efficient and reliable. Hyderabads schools also have a role to play. The report said that over time cities like Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai have emerged as cities of choice even for the reason that they provide options for international and reputable English speaking schools. Less air pollution in these cities is also a reason. Infrastructure wise too Indian cities need to improve. Mumbai was ranked best, followed by Kolkata at 149 and Pune at 151, which showed that Hyderabad has still lot to improve.

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad has emerged as the best city in India for the third time in Mercers Quality of Living rankings 2017. However, this is just a silver lining. Of the 231 cities from across the world that Mercer has ranked for quality of living, Hyderabad ranked 144 which shows the poor state of affairs of Indian cities when compared to other cities in the world. The citys ranking slipped by five places as it bagged 139 position last year. Fol lowing Hyderabad are Pune(145), Bengaluru(146), Chennai( 151), Mumbai(154), Kolkata( 160) and New Delhi(161). The slipping of Hyderabads ranking as compared to last year has been attributed to irregular power supply, frequent voltage changes, restricted water supply in some areas. Mercers media release also cited the severe water crisis due to drought as one of the reasons affecting rankings. Hyderabad police makes the city best in India The positives that have helped Hyderabad get best ranking among Indian cities have been cited as low crime rate. It said that in comparison to other Indian cities, Hyderabad is better on account of lower crime rate. It also said that the police force in Hyderabad is efficient and reliable. Hyderabads schools also have a role to play. The report said that over time cities like Hyderabad, Pune and Chennai have emerged as cities of choice even for the reason that they provide options for international and reputable English speaking schools. Less air pollution in these cities is also a reason. Infrastructure wise too Indian cities need to improve. Mumbai was ranked best, followed by Kolkata at 149 and Pune at 151, which showed that Hyderabad has still lot to improve.
By Associated Press

NEW YORK: Orson Welles' last film finally has a home.

Netflix has acquired the global rights to Welles' "The Other Side of the Wind" and will finance its completion and restoration.

Netflix's announcement Tuesday brings to a close the decades-long mystery surrounding one cinema's greatest filmmakers. Welles began shooting the film in 1970 but never completed it. The "Citizen Kane" director died in 1985.

"The Other Side of the Wind" is a Hollywood satire about a filmmaker attempting a comeback. Its stars include John Huston, Dennis Hopper and Peter Bogdanovich, who has helped in its editing.

Producer Frank Marshall will oversee the film's completion.

Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos says he grew up worshipping Welles so releasing Welles' last film "is a point of pride" for him and for Netflix.

NEW YORK: Orson Welles' last film finally has a home. Netflix has acquired the global rights to Welles' "The Other Side of the Wind" and will finance its completion and restoration. Netflix's announcement Tuesday brings to a close the decades-long mystery surrounding one cinema's greatest filmmakers. Welles began shooting the film in 1970 but never completed it. The "Citizen Kane" director died in 1985. "The Other Side of the Wind" is a Hollywood satire about a filmmaker attempting a comeback. Its stars include John Huston, Dennis Hopper and Peter Bogdanovich, who has helped in its editing. Producer Frank Marshall will oversee the film's completion. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos says he grew up worshipping Welles so releasing Welles' last film "is a point of pride" for him and for Netflix.
By BNS

The team of Dutt Biopic has wrapped up the Bhopal schedule of the film that stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead. The filmmaker shot for the jail sequences in an abandoned jail in Bhopal. After Sanjay told me his story we did a lot of research. We even spoke to the police officers and his family members to know other side of the story. When we finished the script, we narrated it to Sanju. Trust me, I have worked with Sanjay Dutt thrice and never has he cried during a narration. But after listening to this script, he broke down and told me Dhai ghante main tumne meri saari zindagi bata di.

Writer Abhijat Joshi believes that Ranbirs performance in the film will be remembered for long. Dutt Biopic is one of our greatest works till date. Each and every incident in Sanjay Dutts life deserves a different film. We have rolled everything into one and this is the greatest challenge of our lives; this would be the greatest direction of Rajkumar Hiranis life.After the film everybody will talk about Ranbirs performance, said Joshi.

WATCH VIDEO:

Hirani also shared that he wanted to make Munnabhai 3 after PK (2014). We had started working on Munnabhai 3 and at that time, Sanjay Dutt came out on parole and narrated his story which was very engaging. It has several relationships like father-son and friendship, which excited me as a director. But I promise that after Dutt Biopic, my next film would be Munnabhai 3. Abhijat is writing the script of Munnabhai currently, said Hirani. The Dutt Biopic is slated for a Christmas 2017 release.

The team of Dutt Biopic has wrapped up the Bhopal schedule of the film that stars Ranbir Kapoor in the lead. The filmmaker shot for the jail sequences in an abandoned jail in Bhopal. After Sanjay told me his story we did a lot of research. We even spoke to the police officers and his family members to know other side of the story. When we finished the script, we narrated it to Sanju. Trust me, I have worked with Sanjay Dutt thrice and never has he cried during a narration. But after listening to this script, he broke down and told me Dhai ghante main tumne meri saari zindagi bata di. Writer Abhijat Joshi believes that Ranbirs performance in the film will be remembered for long. Dutt Biopic is one of our greatest works till date. Each and every incident in Sanjay Dutts life deserves a different film. We have rolled everything into one and this is the greatest challenge of our lives; this would be the greatest direction of Rajkumar Hiranis life.After the film everybody will talk about Ranbirs performance, said Joshi. WATCH VIDEO: window.__ventunoplayer = window.__ventunoplayer||[]; window.__ventunoplayer.push({video_key: 'OTM3ODUyfHw4fHw2fHwxLDEsMQ==', holder_id: 'vt-video-player', player_type: 'vp', width:'100%', ratio:'4:3'}); Hirani also shared that he wanted to make Munnabhai 3 after PK (2014). We had started working on Munnabhai 3 and at that time, Sanjay Dutt came out on parole and narrated his story which was very engaging. It has several relationships like father-son and friendship, which excited me as a director. But I promise that after Dutt Biopic, my next film would be Munnabhai 3. Abhijat is writing the script of Munnabhai currently, said Hirani. The Dutt Biopic is slated for a Christmas 2017 release.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Forces frontline Sukhoi fighter jet crashed in Rajasthans Barmer district, barely few kilometers from Pakistan border. Fleet of Russian made Su-30 MKI inducted into IAF in early 2000 and so far only six such accidents involving twin-seater jet happened, as it is the costliest fighter jet in IAFs inventory.

Defence ministrys spokesperson Lt. Colonel Manish Ojha, while confirming that both pilots ejected safely during the crash happened which jet was on a routine training sortie from Utarlai airbase in Barner said that an inquiry has been ordered to establish cause of accident.

However, according to local administration, three villagers were also injured in the crash.

According to sources, IAF has nearly 230 Sukhoi in its inventory and orders have already been placed for another 42 with coast of Rs. 250 crore per aircraft. Su-30 is the only jet which has twin pilot feature, as the aircraft is for air dominance category.

Since its induction into the fleet in early 2000, six such accidents have taken place and an inquiry into those crashes has primarily indicated technical failure cause of it including glitch in fly-by wire of the warplane. But during investigation Russian technicians keep blaming Indian pilots for crashes.

Indian air forces, which is already operating with it depleting fleet as it is decommissioning ageing fleet of MiG-21, which has been termed as flying coffin. IAF has 34 operational squadrons in place of 45 squadrons required to meet two front war scenarios.

As per information submitted by defence ministry in the Parliament, as many as 22 fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force have crashed since 2013-14 and human error and technical defects were the main reasons for the accidents.

In a written reply on Tuesday in Rajya Sabha, junior minister in the defence Subhash Bhamre said the current year, five fighter jets have crashed against four in 2015-16. He said seven jets had crashed in 2014-15 while the number was six in 2013-14.

"Main reasons for these accidents were human error and technical defect," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, early on Wednesday, a Chetak helicopter of the IAF too crash landed in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh today minutes after it took off from an airbase on outskirts of Allahabad. Light utility Cheetah and Chetak helicopters are considered as lifeline for remotely located military posts, which are inaccessible by road. Since 2013-14, there have been four accidents involving Cheetah helicopters in which there were seven fatalities.

Crashes involving Su-30 fighter jet's 1) April 2009: The first Su-30MKI crashes in the Pokhran region. IAFs Court of Inquiry establishes human error as one of the pilots mistakenly switched off the warplanes fly-by-wire system.

2) November 2009: crashed near Jaisalmer, after a fire warning. Investigation attributes it to accidental ingestion of a foreign object in the engine intake.

3) December 2011: crashed 20 km from Pune. Inquiry says crash happened due to a malfunction in the fly-by-wire system.

4) February 2013: Jets right wing explodes over Pokhran soon after completing a training mission.

5) October 2013: Fly-by-wire system malfunctions, led to crash of Sukhoi near Pune.

6) May 2015: Jet develops a technical snag while flying in Tejpur, Pilot forced to eject.Cause is yet to be established.

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Forces frontline Sukhoi fighter jet crashed in Rajasthans Barmer district, barely few kilometers from Pakistan border. Fleet of Russian made Su-30 MKI inducted into IAF in early 2000 and so far only six such accidents involving twin-seater jet happened, as it is the costliest fighter jet in IAFs inventory. Defence ministrys spokesperson Lt. Colonel Manish Ojha, while confirming that both pilots ejected safely during the crash happened which jet was on a routine training sortie from Utarlai airbase in Barner said that an inquiry has been ordered to establish cause of accident. However, according to local administration, three villagers were also injured in the crash. According to sources, IAF has nearly 230 Sukhoi in its inventory and orders have already been placed for another 42 with coast of Rs. 250 crore per aircraft. Su-30 is the only jet which has twin pilot feature, as the aircraft is for air dominance category. Since its induction into the fleet in early 2000, six such accidents have taken place and an inquiry into those crashes has primarily indicated technical failure cause of it including glitch in fly-by wire of the warplane. But during investigation Russian technicians keep blaming Indian pilots for crashes. Indian air forces, which is already operating with it depleting fleet as it is decommissioning ageing fleet of MiG-21, which has been termed as flying coffin. IAF has 34 operational squadrons in place of 45 squadrons required to meet two front war scenarios. As per information submitted by defence ministry in the Parliament, as many as 22 fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force have crashed since 2013-14 and human error and technical defects were the main reasons for the accidents. In a written reply on Tuesday in Rajya Sabha, junior minister in the defence Subhash Bhamre said the current year, five fighter jets have crashed against four in 2015-16. He said seven jets had crashed in 2014-15 while the number was six in 2013-14. "Main reasons for these accidents were human error and technical defect," the Minister said. Meanwhile, early on Wednesday, a Chetak helicopter of the IAF too crash landed in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh today minutes after it took off from an airbase on outskirts of Allahabad. Light utility Cheetah and Chetak helicopters are considered as lifeline for remotely located military posts, which are inaccessible by road. Since 2013-14, there have been four accidents involving Cheetah helicopters in which there were seven fatalities. Crashes involving Su-30 fighter jet's 1) April 2009: The first Su-30MKI crashes in the Pokhran region. IAFs Court of Inquiry establishes human error as one of the pilots mistakenly switched off the warplanes fly-by-wire system. 2) November 2009: crashed near Jaisalmer, after a fire warning. Investigation attributes it to accidental ingestion of a foreign object in the engine intake. 3) December 2011: crashed 20 km from Pune. Inquiry says crash happened due to a malfunction in the fly-by-wire system. 4) February 2013: Jets right wing explodes over Pokhran soon after completing a training mission. 5) October 2013: Fly-by-wire system malfunctions, led to crash of Sukhoi near Pune. 6) May 2015: Jet develops a technical snag while flying in Tejpur, Pilot forced to eject.Cause is yet to be established.
By IANS

PANAJI: After failing to act quickly to form a government in Goa, the Congress now stares at a revolt as a senior legislator said he and other "like-minded lawmakers will be forced to re-think our remaining with the Congress in future".

Senior Congress leader and legislator Vishwajit Rane sought party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's intervention and action against those he claimed "mishandled" the government-formation fiasco.

"Two days were taken to choose a Congress Legislature Party leader. Those in charge indulged in mismanagement. The Supreme Court also said so. They are experienced people, but they did not know what to do, what step to take to form the government. Parrikar came from Delhi and swiftly spoke to everyone concerned, got the numbers and formed the government," the Congress legislator from Valpoi told the media here.

Top Congress leaders have been accused of delaying the process of staking claim to form the government through Saturday and Sunday, after the party with 17 lawmakers emerged the largest single party in the 40-member Goa assembly.

The BJP had 13 legislators, but acted quicker in forming an alliance with three elected members each from the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independent legislators.

"The Congress handled the situation in such a way that it feels they did not want a party government in Goa. I will meet Rahul-ji and eventually decide on my future in the Congress after the meeting," Rane said.

"If Rahul Gandhi does not respond within two days, I will feel I am not the right fit in the party. I will have to decide along with my fellow legislators and people about the next step. I hope Rahul Gandhi will reply. Let us see what happens in two days," he said.

PANAJI: After failing to act quickly to form a government in Goa, the Congress now stares at a revolt as a senior legislator said he and other "like-minded lawmakers will be forced to re-think our remaining with the Congress in future". Senior Congress leader and legislator Vishwajit Rane sought party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's intervention and action against those he claimed "mishandled" the government-formation fiasco. "Two days were taken to choose a Congress Legislature Party leader. Those in charge indulged in mismanagement. The Supreme Court also said so. They are experienced people, but they did not know what to do, what step to take to form the government. Parrikar came from Delhi and swiftly spoke to everyone concerned, got the numbers and formed the government," the Congress legislator from Valpoi told the media here. Top Congress leaders have been accused of delaying the process of staking claim to form the government through Saturday and Sunday, after the party with 17 lawmakers emerged the largest single party in the 40-member Goa assembly. The BJP had 13 legislators, but acted quicker in forming an alliance with three elected members each from the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independent legislators. "The Congress handled the situation in such a way that it feels they did not want a party government in Goa. I will meet Rahul-ji and eventually decide on my future in the Congress after the meeting," Rane said. "If Rahul Gandhi does not respond within two days, I will feel I am not the right fit in the party. I will have to decide along with my fellow legislators and people about the next step. I hope Rahul Gandhi will reply. Let us see what happens in two days," he said.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideens Kashmir chief, Zakir Rashid alias Moosa, has released a new video in which he terms nationalism and democracy as un-Islamic and asks militants and stone pelters to fight for supremacy of Islam.

He also warned policemen and informers and asked them to repent.

In the 6 minute 14 seconds video, Zakir said nationalism and democracy are un-Islamic

He asked the stone pelters to introspect. They (stone pelters) should introspect why they are pelting stones at Indian force personnel.

I see many people in Kashmir are engaged in war of nationalism, which is totally forbidden in Islam, he said, adding Nationalism and democracy are un-Islamic.

Zakir, who took over as Hizb chief after killing of his predecessor and Kashmir militancys poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 last year, said stone pelters and militants should fight for supremacy of Islam.

Our intent should not be that we are fighting for Kashmir's freedom. Instead, it should be that we are fighting for supremacy of Islam. We want to introduce Sharia here, he said.

It is for the first time that any Hizbul Mujahideen commander has talked beyond Kashmir.

The Hizb chief said this message should have been given by ulemas of Kashmir. However, they are silent because they fear they would be arrested if they talk about it.

On killing of militants in encounters with security forces, Zakir said, They think by killing militants, they are defeating us. We get martyred and infact it is a victory for us.

We are victorious alive and even after death, he said adding, There is no question of defeat because we are fighting for supremacy of Islam.

He warned policemen saying, India is using policemen as a shield in Kashmir to fight militants. They should understand it.

The Hizb chief also warned police informers.

They are living in total fear. They know they will be targetted if militants known about them, he said and asked policemen and informers to repent.

In the video released on December 1, 2016, Zakir had warned policemen not to harass the families of the militants otherwise they would have to face severe consequences.

Zakir was an engineering student before joining Hizb four years back.

SRINAGAR: The militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideens Kashmir chief, Zakir Rashid alias Moosa, has released a new video in which he terms nationalism and democracy as un-Islamic and asks militants and stone pelters to fight for supremacy of Islam. He also warned policemen and informers and asked them to repent. In the 6 minute 14 seconds video, Zakir said nationalism and democracy are un-Islamic He asked the stone pelters to introspect. They (stone pelters) should introspect why they are pelting stones at Indian force personnel. I see many people in Kashmir are engaged in war of nationalism, which is totally forbidden in Islam, he said, adding Nationalism and democracy are un-Islamic. Zakir, who took over as Hizb chief after killing of his predecessor and Kashmir militancys poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 last year, said stone pelters and militants should fight for supremacy of Islam. Our intent should not be that we are fighting for Kashmir's freedom. Instead, it should be that we are fighting for supremacy of Islam. We want to introduce Sharia here, he said. It is for the first time that any Hizbul Mujahideen commander has talked beyond Kashmir. The Hizb chief said this message should have been given by ulemas of Kashmir. However, they are silent because they fear they would be arrested if they talk about it. On killing of militants in encounters with security forces, Zakir said, They think by killing militants, they are defeating us. We get martyred and infact it is a victory for us. We are victorious alive and even after death, he said adding, There is no question of defeat because we are fighting for supremacy of Islam. He warned policemen saying, India is using policemen as a shield in Kashmir to fight militants. They should understand it. The Hizb chief also warned police informers. They are living in total fear. They know they will be targetted if militants known about them, he said and asked policemen and informers to repent. In the video released on December 1, 2016, Zakir had warned policemen not to harass the families of the militants otherwise they would have to face severe consequences. Zakir was an engineering student before joining Hizb four years back.
By Express News Service

SALEM: The parents of deceased JNU scholar Muthu krishnan demanded a CBI probe into the alleged suicide. Muthu krishnan (30), son of Dalit couple Jeevanandam and Alamelu, was pursuing his MPhil in Modern History at JNU. The couple also has three daughters. Jeevanandam, a resident of Saminathapuram near Arisipalayam in Salem was working as a security guard.

Speaking to mediapersons before leaving to Delhi on Monday night, Jeevanandam, said, I do not think that my boy committed suicide. He was not a coward and had participated in various protests while studying in Hyderabad University. We suspect foul play.

Interacting with media on Tuesday, Muthukrishnans mother Alamelu said, My son was a brilliant student and he got seat in JNU on merit. On Monday evening, his friends called me and told about the suicide. He was a very bold person and we cannot believe that he committed suicide. The Union government should order a CBI inquiry. Until our demands are fulfilled, we will not receive his body and also wont allow authorities to conduct postmortem.

Also, the body should be brought to Salem and the postmortem should be conducted here by a special team of doctors, she added.

Meanwhile, Salem North MLA and DMK central district secretary Panamarathupatti R Rajendran visited Muthukrishnans house on Tuesday and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to Alamelu.

Speaking to mediapersons, the MLA said, It is unfortunate that he is no more. The Union government should investigate the death. The deceased himself mentioned in his Facebook page that caste discrimination prevails in JNU.

Similarly, cadre of VCK staged a hunger strike before Muthukrishnans house on Tuesday seeking an inquiry.

On Monday, members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and VCK staged a road roko at Four Roads.

They wanted the government to provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the kin of the deceased and also a judicial inquiry into the death.

SALEM: The parents of deceased JNU scholar Muthu krishnan demanded a CBI probe into the alleged suicide. Muthu krishnan (30), son of Dalit couple Jeevanandam and Alamelu, was pursuing his MPhil in Modern History at JNU. The couple also has three daughters. Jeevanandam, a resident of Saminathapuram near Arisipalayam in Salem was working as a security guard. Speaking to mediapersons before leaving to Delhi on Monday night, Jeevanandam, said, I do not think that my boy committed suicide. He was not a coward and had participated in various protests while studying in Hyderabad University. We suspect foul play. Interacting with media on Tuesday, Muthukrishnans mother Alamelu said, My son was a brilliant student and he got seat in JNU on merit. On Monday evening, his friends called me and told about the suicide. He was a very bold person and we cannot believe that he committed suicide. The Union government should order a CBI inquiry. Until our demands are fulfilled, we will not receive his body and also wont allow authorities to conduct postmortem. Also, the body should be brought to Salem and the postmortem should be conducted here by a special team of doctors, she added. Meanwhile, Salem North MLA and DMK central district secretary Panamarathupatti R Rajendran visited Muthukrishnans house on Tuesday and handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to Alamelu. Speaking to mediapersons, the MLA said, It is unfortunate that he is no more. The Union government should investigate the death. The deceased himself mentioned in his Facebook page that caste discrimination prevails in JNU. Similarly, cadre of VCK staged a hunger strike before Muthukrishnans house on Tuesday seeking an inquiry. On Monday, members of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and VCK staged a road roko at Four Roads. They wanted the government to provide Rs 25 lakh as compensation to the kin of the deceased and also a judicial inquiry into the death.
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Amid speculations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the process of zeroing in on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the senior party leader while continuing to maintain a rhetoric silence on the same stated that such discussions were futile.

"These discussions are futile and unnecessary," Rajnath told ANI when asked about him being in the race for becoming UP Chief Minister.

After an astounding victory in the Assembly polls, the BJP is in the process of deciding the chief ministerial candidate for the politically crucial state.

According to reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the most favoured in the party to be their representative in UP.

Apart from him, the other name that was speculated to be the chief minister was of BJPs prominent Hindutva force Yogi Adityanath. The firebrand leader is an unchallenged MP from Gorakhpur.

Another name that came up was BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is a popular face amongst the backward classes in the state.

NEW DELHI: Amid speculations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the process of zeroing in on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the senior party leader while continuing to maintain a rhetoric silence on the same stated that such discussions were futile. "These discussions are futile and unnecessary," Rajnath told ANI when asked about him being in the race for becoming UP Chief Minister. After an astounding victory in the Assembly polls, the BJP is in the process of deciding the chief ministerial candidate for the politically crucial state. According to reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the most favoured in the party to be their representative in UP. Apart from him, the other name that was speculated to be the chief minister was of BJPs prominent Hindutva force Yogi Adityanath. The firebrand leader is an unchallenged MP from Gorakhpur. Another name that came up was BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is a popular face amongst the backward classes in the state.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Looking forward to increase regional connectivity, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that talks are on to have rail connectivity between New Delhi-Kathmandu and Kolkata-Kathmandu and other neighbouring nations.

Speaking at the two-day meeting on Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia, Prabhu said that connectivity and integration of trade gives huge growth, it is interesting to see how we can participate in this process.

Physical connectivity is required for market integration and Railways can transport huge capacity as compared to other modes of transport. South Asia is most populous and when goods and services will grow, GDP will also grow in this region, said the minister.

He said that the idea is to bring rail connectivity in South Asia which will be beneficial for the economy and Centres priority is to develop connectivity between Kathmandu and New Delhi, Kolkata & Kathmandu.

We are exploring the connectivity between India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Connectivity between the countries in South Asia and South East Asia will be helpful for poverty alleviation and economy in this region, he added.

Emphasising on cooperation of the partner countries, Prabhu said that the international rail transport proposals of ESCAP under the Trans-Asian Railway network assumes special significant in this context.

Of particular importance is the proposal of an Istanbul to Dhaka rail route, also known as the ITI-DKD rail corridor, he said.

India hosts an important segment of this rail route.

The most important feature of this proposal is that while this main rail corridor traverses the length of Southern Asia, it offers multimodal linkages with neighbouring sub regions, particularly catering to the transit requirements of landlocked countries of our neighbourhood, he added.

The meeting sought to review and identify innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South and South-West Asia; which is one of the least connected and integrated sub regions in the world despite its vast contiguous landmass.

NEW DELHI: Looking forward to increase regional connectivity, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said that talks are on to have rail connectivity between New Delhi-Kathmandu and Kolkata-Kathmandu and other neighbouring nations. Speaking at the two-day meeting on Strengthening Railway Transport Connectivity in South and South West Asia, Prabhu said that connectivity and integration of trade gives huge growth, it is interesting to see how we can participate in this process. Physical connectivity is required for market integration and Railways can transport huge capacity as compared to other modes of transport. South Asia is most populous and when goods and services will grow, GDP will also grow in this region, said the minister. He said that the idea is to bring rail connectivity in South Asia which will be beneficial for the economy and Centres priority is to develop connectivity between Kathmandu and New Delhi, Kolkata & Kathmandu. We are exploring the connectivity between India, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Connectivity between the countries in South Asia and South East Asia will be helpful for poverty alleviation and economy in this region, he added. Emphasising on cooperation of the partner countries, Prabhu said that the international rail transport proposals of ESCAP under the Trans-Asian Railway network assumes special significant in this context. Of particular importance is the proposal of an Istanbul to Dhaka rail route, also known as the ITI-DKD rail corridor, he said. India hosts an important segment of this rail route. The most important feature of this proposal is that while this main rail corridor traverses the length of Southern Asia, it offers multimodal linkages with neighbouring sub regions, particularly catering to the transit requirements of landlocked countries of our neighbourhood, he added. The meeting sought to review and identify innovative measures to strengthen cross-border railway transport within South and South-West Asia; which is one of the least connected and integrated sub regions in the world despite its vast contiguous landmass.
By Express News Service

MUMBAI: After a former employee accused him of sexual harassment, Arunabh Kumar, founder of YouTube channel The Viral Fever (TVF), found himself at the receiving end, with other female associates claiming that he assaulted them as well.

The saga began when a woman wrote about how Kumar allegedly harassed her while she was working at TVF. Soon, the blog post began trending across several platforms, and former TVF staff Aayushi Agarwal and external agency staff Reema Sengupta, who directed a web series for TVF, came out in support of the writer, alleging that they too were sexually assaulted by Kumar.

The TVF team put out a statement dismissing the allegations, but this response caught eyeballs due to its tone. We will leave no stone unturned to find the author of the article and bring them to severe justice for making such false allegations, it read.

The writer of the blog post claimed that Arunabh initiated leading conversations on several occasionstalking about Chaturbhuj Sthan, the red-light district of Muzaffarpur, indulging in role play and so on. She alleged that even the threat of a police complaint didnt stop him from making such statements.

Police to meri pocket me hai. (The cops are on my payroll), she quotes Kumar as responding.

MUMBAI: After a former employee accused him of sexual harassment, Arunabh Kumar, founder of YouTube channel The Viral Fever (TVF), found himself at the receiving end, with other female associates claiming that he assaulted them as well. The saga began when a woman wrote about how Kumar allegedly harassed her while she was working at TVF. Soon, the blog post began trending across several platforms, and former TVF staff Aayushi Agarwal and external agency staff Reema Sengupta, who directed a web series for TVF, came out in support of the writer, alleging that they too were sexually assaulted by Kumar. The TVF team put out a statement dismissing the allegations, but this response caught eyeballs due to its tone. We will leave no stone unturned to find the author of the article and bring them to severe justice for making such false allegations, it read. The writer of the blog post claimed that Arunabh initiated leading conversations on several occasionstalking about Chaturbhuj Sthan, the red-light district of Muzaffarpur, indulging in role play and so on. She alleged that even the threat of a police complaint didnt stop him from making such statements. Police to meri pocket me hai. (The cops are on my payroll), she quotes Kumar as responding.
S Gurumurthy By

Satta bazaars seem to have a larger reach among the people than exit polls or journalists who haunt dhabas and tea stalls to feel the pulse of the voter. More than the exit polls which predicted a BJP lead in the UP polls, it was the satta bazaar, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi, which foresaw Narendra Modi topping 300 seats in the state. If the UP polls brought out anything spectacularly, it was the disconnect of not just the opposition which thought that it had Modi cornered but also of the media. The media almost unanimously reported that in this waveless election, there was discernible Jat anger, sharp demonetisation hostility against Modi and that the Mini Mahagatbandhan of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress would be a threat to Narendra Modi. It even made it a point to report Ahmed Patel as saying that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra intervened and sewed up a tie-up after talks between the SP and Congress had hit a rough patch over seat-sharing - so as to credit her with the possible victory over Modi in UP. The SP-Congress strategy was that as neither could be credibly seen as a victor over Modi, they should ally and the alliance should be projected as a winner from day one. The media virtually volunteered to be co-opted into the strategy.

Jat anger or Jat wave?

See how the media began its campaign against Modi in UP. Angry Jats have moved away from BJP- this was the unanimous report of all media, visual and print, weeks ahead of the poll. But what happened in the poll? In the first phase in Jatland, the BJP won 66 of the 73 seats -a strike rate of over 90 per cent. The BJP performed best in Jatland where the media reported that it would lose. In the second phase, it won 50 out of 67 seats; in the third, 55 out of 69; in the fourth, 40 out of 53; in the fifth, 44 out of 52; in the sixth, 32 out of 46; When the sixth phase closed, it is now known that the BJP had won 287 seats. It was at this point Narendra Modi said that the BJP had already won and he was a going through the motions of the seventh phase, in which, eventually, the BJP got 25 more out of 40 seats - making a final tally 312, not including its allies share of 13 more. When Modi campaigned for three days in the last phase, the media went to the extent of saying that he was perhaps uncertain about winning and so he was straining and risking himself so much. The SP-Congress alliance was bound to claim that Modi would be defeated. But it was silly to see the media almost trumpeting for them. Finally the report of Jat anger against Modi only concealed the fact that the 2014 Modi magic was still on, including the Jat wave in his favour.

Modis de-mon, Sastrys fast

How wrong the media could get on Modi was self-evident even earlier, in its assessment of the impact of demonetisation. The media was overwhelmed by visuals of millions queuing up before banks shown by TV channels. When crores of people had stood in queues for days and hours, many had died while in the queue, even the Supreme Court talked of anarchy, and TV channels were showing the opposition crowding the well in Parliament and shutting down a whole session on the issue of mass suffering for cash, the media and opposition parties concluded that Modi had lost the demonetisation game and wrote his political obituary. But the point they missed was that unless the crores of people who stood in the queue and suffered hardship were convinced that Modi was doing the right thing, they wouldnt have been as enduring and peaceful as shockingly they were. Despite the media, opposition and even the Supreme Court saying and warning - as if they were wanting - there could be riots, there were none. This ought to have given a deafening message to them that the people willingly suffered the hardship and supported demonetisation. It needed trans-political, sociological and psychological perspective to know that the people also can endure suffering for the good of the nation even in normal times, not just in war time. But they would suffer hardship only when they see the leader who asks them to suffer, also works hard and suffers selflessly, for them. But when they see, as they normally do, leaders looting the nation, the very same people would not want to undergo hardship for the nation. Todays father and grandfathers of the present generation would recall why crores of people did happily forego one meal a week and fasted on Monday nights when Lal Bahadur Shastri asked them to do so in the larger national interest. Many continue to do so even now, five decades after the short little honest man departed. Only morally upright and confident leaders can ask the people to suffer for the nation. The current example of such leadership is Modi asking the people to undergo suffering which was much worse than the one weekly meal that Sastry asked them to forego - to suffer for want of cash for two months, and the people enduring the suffering as he wanted them to.

Hostility to de-mon or support?

But see how the media projected demonetisation. Take just a few anecdotes. A well-known journalist tweeted a day before the sixth phase (Feb. 7) on his behalf and on behalf of fellow journalists, most jurnos travelling in UP say notebandi and its negative impact remains a big issue. Economic realities are dawning. Another journo tweeted, Travelling in UP and the anger with demonetisation is one thing that consistently stands out. Wonder how Delhi analysts missed that. Another retweeted that and commented, The mood seems to have evolved. From euphoria in Nov, to no euphoria, no hostility in Dec, to sharp hostility now. This report of hostile anger was when the ground reality was entirely the other way. It was clear that the 2014 NaMo wave was turning into a tsunami in 2017. How did that escape the keen eyes of the journos and how, on the contrary, they discerned, sharp hostility to Modis demonetisation? Hostility to de-mon and wave for Modi cannot coexist. Now look at how a well-known writer wrote in a leading English newspaper that the SP-Congress alliance was bound to give BJP a run for its money. He listed the reasons why the BJP would lose. One, Congress vitality was bound to come to the fore if Priyanka took up the campaign in right earnest; two, the BJP was up against two major obstacles - rejuvenated Akhilesh and the political astuteness of the Congress to decide to play a secondary role; three, the main advantage of the secular SP-Congress combine was that the Muslims would see them as the only one who could defeat the BJP and block-vote for them; four, the BJP suffered the disadvantage of not having a leader of stature in UP and having to rely on only Modi; five, the failure of the economy to generate employment had dampened Modis chances; six, demonetisation had complicated Modis task and jury was still out whether the people have forgiven Modi for their inconveniences; seven, Modi would be pitted against Akhilesh, a young leader who had understood the value of economic growth and was not hamstrung by the BJP's communal tag or his own party's caste-based approach to politics. These are only a sample of the media promotion of the SP-Congress combine. The largest circulated English daily in Delhi headlined: Congress fails in UP but Rahul Gandhi succeeds in Dalit mission. What was the result? BJP won 76 of the 86 SC/ST reserved seats, and 325 of the total 403 seats. Now these journos are in purdah.

An Epilogue

Now the very media that reported Modi was in distress in UP has U-turned, at least for the time being. It is now talking of a mysterious invisible Modi wave, expounding on the scale of the BJPs victory in UP and Uttaranchal, on how it has shocked even its admirers, on how Narendra Modis stunning victories have silenced his adversaries, on how he did he achieve it, on the causes of his success, on the reasons of his adversaries failure, on whether Akhilesh Yadav was right in aligning with the Congress, or splitting with his father, to almost wailing about how the split in the opposition led to the BJP win, and about how the secular vote - read block Muslim votes - got divided and enabled the BJP win even in Muslim majority seats. The media analysis goes on endlessly. But what most media has missed - seemingly deliberately - are the news of visible Muslim, particularly Muslim women, support for Modi even in Muslim-dominated constituencies in UP. Otherwise the BJP could not have won most of them. Some media opine that the BJP won because the Muslim votes split between SP-Congress alliance and BSP. But the presumption of two way split is only partially true. There was a three way split with the BJP getting a significant stream of Muslim votes. This should have been welcomed instead of being suppressed by the media. But if they admit it how to call the Muslim votes secular votes, as they normally do? So much for the media reportage before and after the UP polls. Even now the media disconnect from the people seems too continue. Will they introspect?

S Gurumurthy is a political and economic analyst

Satta bazaars seem to have a larger reach among the people than exit polls or journalists who haunt dhabas and tea stalls to feel the pulse of the voter. More than the exit polls which predicted a BJP lead in the UP polls, it was the satta bazaar, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi, which foresaw Narendra Modi topping 300 seats in the state. If the UP polls brought out anything spectacularly, it was the disconnect of not just the opposition which thought that it had Modi cornered but also of the media. The media almost unanimously reported that in this waveless election, there was discernible Jat anger, sharp demonetisation hostility against Modi and that the Mini Mahagatbandhan of the Samajwadi Party and the Congress would be a threat to Narendra Modi. It even made it a point to report Ahmed Patel as saying that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra intervened and sewed up a tie-up after talks between the SP and Congress had hit a rough patch over seat-sharing - so as to credit her with the possible victory over Modi in UP. The SP-Congress strategy was that as neither could be credibly seen as a victor over Modi, they should ally and the alliance should be projected as a winner from day one. The media virtually volunteered to be co-opted into the strategy. Jat anger or Jat wave? See how the media began its campaign against Modi in UP. Angry Jats have moved away from BJP- this was the unanimous report of all media, visual and print, weeks ahead of the poll. But what happened in the poll? In the first phase in Jatland, the BJP won 66 of the 73 seats -a strike rate of over 90 per cent. The BJP performed best in Jatland where the media reported that it would lose. In the second phase, it won 50 out of 67 seats; in the third, 55 out of 69; in the fourth, 40 out of 53; in the fifth, 44 out of 52; in the sixth, 32 out of 46; When the sixth phase closed, it is now known that the BJP had won 287 seats. It was at this point Narendra Modi said that the BJP had already won and he was a going through the motions of the seventh phase, in which, eventually, the BJP got 25 more out of 40 seats - making a final tally 312, not including its allies share of 13 more. When Modi campaigned for three days in the last phase, the media went to the extent of saying that he was perhaps uncertain about winning and so he was straining and risking himself so much. The SP-Congress alliance was bound to claim that Modi would be defeated. But it was silly to see the media almost trumpeting for them. Finally the report of Jat anger against Modi only concealed the fact that the 2014 Modi magic was still on, including the Jat wave in his favour. Modis de-mon, Sastrys fast How wrong the media could get on Modi was self-evident even earlier, in its assessment of the impact of demonetisation. The media was overwhelmed by visuals of millions queuing up before banks shown by TV channels. When crores of people had stood in queues for days and hours, many had died while in the queue, even the Supreme Court talked of anarchy, and TV channels were showing the opposition crowding the well in Parliament and shutting down a whole session on the issue of mass suffering for cash, the media and opposition parties concluded that Modi had lost the demonetisation game and wrote his political obituary. But the point they missed was that unless the crores of people who stood in the queue and suffered hardship were convinced that Modi was doing the right thing, they wouldnt have been as enduring and peaceful as shockingly they were. Despite the media, opposition and even the Supreme Court saying and warning - as if they were wanting - there could be riots, there were none. This ought to have given a deafening message to them that the people willingly suffered the hardship and supported demonetisation. It needed trans-political, sociological and psychological perspective to know that the people also can endure suffering for the good of the nation even in normal times, not just in war time. But they would suffer hardship only when they see the leader who asks them to suffer, also works hard and suffers selflessly, for them. But when they see, as they normally do, leaders looting the nation, the very same people would not want to undergo hardship for the nation. Todays father and grandfathers of the present generation would recall why crores of people did happily forego one meal a week and fasted on Monday nights when Lal Bahadur Shastri asked them to do so in the larger national interest. Many continue to do so even now, five decades after the short little honest man departed. Only morally upright and confident leaders can ask the people to suffer for the nation. The current example of such leadership is Modi asking the people to undergo suffering which was much worse than the one weekly meal that Sastry asked them to forego - to suffer for want of cash for two months, and the people enduring the suffering as he wanted them to. Hostility to de-mon or support? But see how the media projected demonetisation. Take just a few anecdotes. A well-known journalist tweeted a day before the sixth phase (Feb. 7) on his behalf and on behalf of fellow journalists, most jurnos travelling in UP say notebandi and its negative impact remains a big issue. Economic realities are dawning. Another journo tweeted, Travelling in UP and the anger with demonetisation is one thing that consistently stands out. Wonder how Delhi analysts missed that. Another retweeted that and commented, The mood seems to have evolved. From euphoria in Nov, to no euphoria, no hostility in Dec, to sharp hostility now. This report of hostile anger was when the ground reality was entirely the other way. It was clear that the 2014 NaMo wave was turning into a tsunami in 2017. How did that escape the keen eyes of the journos and how, on the contrary, they discerned, sharp hostility to Modis demonetisation? Hostility to de-mon and wave for Modi cannot coexist. Now look at how a well-known writer wrote in a leading English newspaper that the SP-Congress alliance was bound to give BJP a run for its money. He listed the reasons why the BJP would lose. One, Congress vitality was bound to come to the fore if Priyanka took up the campaign in right earnest; two, the BJP was up against two major obstacles - rejuvenated Akhilesh and the political astuteness of the Congress to decide to play a secondary role; three, the main advantage of the secular SP-Congress combine was that the Muslims would see them as the only one who could defeat the BJP and block-vote for them; four, the BJP suffered the disadvantage of not having a leader of stature in UP and having to rely on only Modi; five, the failure of the economy to generate employment had dampened Modis chances; six, demonetisation had complicated Modis task and jury was still out whether the people have forgiven Modi for their inconveniences; seven, Modi would be pitted against Akhilesh, a young leader who had understood the value of economic growth and was not hamstrung by the BJP's communal tag or his own party's caste-based approach to politics. These are only a sample of the media promotion of the SP-Congress combine. The largest circulated English daily in Delhi headlined: Congress fails in UP but Rahul Gandhi succeeds in Dalit mission. What was the result? BJP won 76 of the 86 SC/ST reserved seats, and 325 of the total 403 seats. Now these journos are in purdah. An Epilogue Now the very media that reported Modi was in distress in UP has U-turned, at least for the time being. It is now talking of a mysterious invisible Modi wave, expounding on the scale of the BJPs victory in UP and Uttaranchal, on how it has shocked even its admirers, on how Narendra Modis stunning victories have silenced his adversaries, on how he did he achieve it, on the causes of his success, on the reasons of his adversaries failure, on whether Akhilesh Yadav was right in aligning with the Congress, or splitting with his father, to almost wailing about how the split in the opposition led to the BJP win, and about how the secular vote - read block Muslim votes - got divided and enabled the BJP win even in Muslim majority seats. The media analysis goes on endlessly. But what most media has missed - seemingly deliberately - are the news of visible Muslim, particularly Muslim women, support for Modi even in Muslim-dominated constituencies in UP. Otherwise the BJP could not have won most of them. Some media opine that the BJP won because the Muslim votes split between SP-Congress alliance and BSP. But the presumption of two way split is only partially true. There was a three way split with the BJP getting a significant stream of Muslim votes. This should have been welcomed instead of being suppressed by the media. But if they admit it how to call the Muslim votes secular votes, as they normally do? So much for the media reportage before and after the UP polls. Even now the media disconnect from the people seems too continue. Will they introspect? S Gurumurthy is a political and economic analyst
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Two contract sanitation workers died of suffocation after descending into a manhole to clean a sewer in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Another worker who went to their rescue fell unconscious and has been shifted to the New Government General Hospital where his condition is critical.

The incident, coming just a week after the death of three workers in a manhole in Bengaluru, underlines serious breach of the Supreme Court ban on manual scavenging in India.

The incident in Vijayawada took place in the cental locality of Bhavanipuram. A group of sanitation workers went there to clean a sewer on Wednesday morning. Another worker, K Rambabu (40) also went there to invite fellow sanitation workers to his daughter's marriage to be held next month.

But due to staff shortage, municipal officials requested Rambabu to have a look at a clogged drainage pipeline. Rambabu went down into the sewer but did not respond after a few minutes. Another worker P Venkateswarlu (30) went down to check and also did not return.



Suspecting trouble, a third worker K Durga Rao (27) went down and found Rambabu and Venkateswarlu unconscious in the sewer, While trying to rescue his fellow workers, he too fell unconscious. He was pulled up and rushed to hospital. Later, the bodies of Rambabu and Venkateswarlu were retrieved from the sewer.

The workers went down an 18 ft manhole without taking any precautions or safety gear. Their contractor D Srinivas blamed the municipal authorities for conducting the drainage cleaning work without his knowledge. He told media persons that his contract with the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation did not hold him responsible for the safety of workers. He said the municipal authorities are to be blamed for not providing safety equipment to sanitation workers.

Families of the deceased sanitation workers staged a protest in front of the new government hospital mortuary. They denounced the indifferent attitude of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation Employees Union in association with the CPM demanded compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved families, a job and a house under JNNURM. The unions demanded that municipal commissioner Veerapandian and mayor Koneru Sreedhar must respond to the incident.

VIJAYAWADA: Two contract sanitation workers died of suffocation after descending into a manhole to clean a sewer in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Another worker who went to their rescue fell unconscious and has been shifted to the New Government General Hospital where his condition is critical. The incident, coming just a week after the death of three workers in a manhole in Bengaluru, underlines serious breach of the Supreme Court ban on manual scavenging in India. The incident in Vijayawada took place in the cental locality of Bhavanipuram. A group of sanitation workers went there to clean a sewer on Wednesday morning. Another worker, K Rambabu (40) also went there to invite fellow sanitation workers to his daughter's marriage to be held next month. But due to staff shortage, municipal officials requested Rambabu to have a look at a clogged drainage pipeline. Rambabu went down into the sewer but did not respond after a few minutes. Another worker P Venkateswarlu (30) went down to check and also did not return. Suspecting trouble, a third worker K Durga Rao (27) went down and found Rambabu and Venkateswarlu unconscious in the sewer, While trying to rescue his fellow workers, he too fell unconscious. He was pulled up and rushed to hospital. Later, the bodies of Rambabu and Venkateswarlu were retrieved from the sewer. The workers went down an 18 ft manhole without taking any precautions or safety gear. Their contractor D Srinivas blamed the municipal authorities for conducting the drainage cleaning work without his knowledge. He told media persons that his contract with the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation did not hold him responsible for the safety of workers. He said the municipal authorities are to be blamed for not providing safety equipment to sanitation workers. Families of the deceased sanitation workers staged a protest in front of the new government hospital mortuary. They denounced the indifferent attitude of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Corporation Employees Union in association with the CPM demanded compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved families, a job and a house under JNNURM. The unions demanded that municipal commissioner Veerapandian and mayor Koneru Sreedhar must respond to the incident.
Suraksha P By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Even as the police made its first arrests in the manual scavengers case in the city on Monday, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told Express he was planning to introduce a new legislation in the State. It would allow these scavengers to enter manholes in presence of police, fire department personnel, an ambulance and officers of civic agencies.

This was decried by activists who claimed the minister cannot attempt to give legal sanction to something that has been deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, and also the 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation and Rules Act.



Anjaneya said, In emergency situations, if they are required to enter manholes, well bring in a legislation mandating the presence of the police, ambulance and fire department.



Asked about legality of such a legislation, he added, Itll be formulated only after consulting the the Law Department.



K B Obalesh, state convenor, Safai Karamchari Kaval Samiti Karnataka, said, The preamble of the 2013 Act says that manual scavenging is illegal, and the Social Welfare Ministry is the nodal agency for prohibiting manual scavenging, not promoting it. We are fighting for complete eradication of this activity. Whether there is insurance or ambulance is irrelevant.



This practice should not be there at all. In any case, theres a clause in the 2013 Act that says in absolutely necessary situations, people can enter a manhole but with 44 types of safety devices. We didnt want this clause to be added, he noted.



Rules crystal clear

In the gazette notification of the 2013 Act, Chapter II is titled Obligations of Employer towards Employees engaged in the cleaning of sewer or septic tank.



Rule 3 (1) states, No person shall be allowed to clean a sewer manually with the protective gear and safety devices under these rules.

Clause e states, Any circumstance, when it is absolutely necessary to have manual sewage cleaning, after the CEO of the local authority has permitted to do so after recording in writing the specific valid reasons for allowing such cleaning.



Bezawada Wilson, National Convenor, Safai Karamchari Andolan, said, Even in case of emergency, the SC judgement says you cannot allow any human being inside a manhole. As a minister, he should prohibit it. What if there is no ambulance, what will the minister do?



Moreover, the 2013 rules already specify whatever he is proposing in a new legislation. How does one define an emergency? India is one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world. He is giving regressive proposals instead of coming up with an action plan that prohibit manual scavenging. We dont need human intervention in sewers, said Wilson.

BENGALURU: Even as the police made its first arrests in the manual scavengers case in the city on Monday, Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya told Express he was planning to introduce a new legislation in the State. It would allow these scavengers to enter manholes in presence of police, fire department personnel, an ambulance and officers of civic agencies. This was decried by activists who claimed the minister cannot attempt to give legal sanction to something that has been deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, and also the 2013 Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation and Rules Act. Anjaneya said, In emergency situations, if they are required to enter manholes, well bring in a legislation mandating the presence of the police, ambulance and fire department. Asked about legality of such a legislation, he added, Itll be formulated only after consulting the the Law Department. K B Obalesh, state convenor, Safai Karamchari Kaval Samiti Karnataka, said, The preamble of the 2013 Act says that manual scavenging is illegal, and the Social Welfare Ministry is the nodal agency for prohibiting manual scavenging, not promoting it. We are fighting for complete eradication of this activity. Whether there is insurance or ambulance is irrelevant. This practice should not be there at all. In any case, theres a clause in the 2013 Act that says in absolutely necessary situations, people can enter a manhole but with 44 types of safety devices. We didnt want this clause to be added, he noted. Rules crystal clear In the gazette notification of the 2013 Act, Chapter II is titled Obligations of Employer towards Employees engaged in the cleaning of sewer or septic tank. Rule 3 (1) states, No person shall be allowed to clean a sewer manually with the protective gear and safety devices under these rules. Clause e states, Any circumstance, when it is absolutely necessary to have manual sewage cleaning, after the CEO of the local authority has permitted to do so after recording in writing the specific valid reasons for allowing such cleaning. Bezawada Wilson, National Convenor, Safai Karamchari Andolan, said, Even in case of emergency, the SC judgement says you cannot allow any human being inside a manhole. As a minister, he should prohibit it. What if there is no ambulance, what will the minister do? Moreover, the 2013 rules already specify whatever he is proposing in a new legislation. How does one define an emergency? India is one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world. He is giving regressive proposals instead of coming up with an action plan that prohibit manual scavenging. We dont need human intervention in sewers, said Wilson.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to present a sop-laden Budget on Wednesday amid no-holds-barred campaigning for the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypoll. Faced with the challenge of winning the 2018 Assembly election, Siddaramaiah is all set to dole out goodies, especially for farmers, students and unemployed youths.

CM Siddaramaiah prepares for the

Budget on Tuesday | nagaraja gadekal

However, the two-week Budget session, scheduled to conclude on March 28, is likely to witness heat over the diarygate, poll politics, law and order in Bengaluru and lapses in implementing drought relief works.

Political observers are also curious about BJP state president B S Yeddyurappas threats to corner Siddaramaiah over a scam when the session is on. If Yeddyurappa keeps his word, it could hijack the agenda of the Budget session. The opposition already has the diarygate issue to pound the ruling Congress in both Houses of the legislature.

Siddaramaiahs 12th budget and the fourth of this government is being seen as a poll budget ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections. Carrying the responsibility of retaining power in the only major state in the country where the Congress is in power, Siddaramaiah is said to have something for every caste and class, departing from his previous budgets which had a distinct AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) flavour.

He is gearing up to wield the last full-fledged budget ahead of the next Assembly election as his lethal weapon to take on the opposition with 50 per cent waiver of farm loans availed through co-operative bodies. It is expected to cost the exchequer about `5,000 crore, sources close to the chief minister told Express. The CM is also keen to see his budget touch `2 lakh crore mark.

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to present a sop-laden Budget on Wednesday amid no-holds-barred campaigning for the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypoll. Faced with the challenge of winning the 2018 Assembly election, Siddaramaiah is all set to dole out goodies, especially for farmers, students and unemployed youths. CM Siddaramaiah prepares for the Budget on Tuesday | nagaraja gadekalHowever, the two-week Budget session, scheduled to conclude on March 28, is likely to witness heat over the diarygate, poll politics, law and order in Bengaluru and lapses in implementing drought relief works. Political observers are also curious about BJP state president B S Yeddyurappas threats to corner Siddaramaiah over a scam when the session is on. If Yeddyurappa keeps his word, it could hijack the agenda of the Budget session. The opposition already has the diarygate issue to pound the ruling Congress in both Houses of the legislature. Siddaramaiahs 12th budget and the fourth of this government is being seen as a poll budget ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections. Carrying the responsibility of retaining power in the only major state in the country where the Congress is in power, Siddaramaiah is said to have something for every caste and class, departing from his previous budgets which had a distinct AHINDA (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and dalits) flavour. He is gearing up to wield the last full-fledged budget ahead of the next Assembly election as his lethal weapon to take on the opposition with 50 per cent waiver of farm loans availed through co-operative bodies. It is expected to cost the exchequer about `5,000 crore, sources close to the chief minister told Express. The CM is also keen to see his budget touch `2 lakh crore mark.
A Satish By

Express News Service

PALAKKAD : She fasted for 16 years to protect the rights of her countrymen to lead a dignified life. 90 votes - that was all she got for her 16 years of struggle. The bitter experience forced the Iron Lady of Manipur to quit politics and travel south to calm her mind.



After realising that politics is not her cup of tea, the feisty fighter, who seldom travelled outside Manipur, arrived at the tribal village of Attappadi in Kerala on a soul searching mission.



It was a different day for the gritty fighter, who celebrated her 45th birthday along with her activist friends at Attappadi on Tuesday.



For a woman, who spent most of her life fasting within the dingy walls of a prison, the lush green forest, the streams and Malleswara Mudi, the hillock of Lord Shiva, presented an ideal place for a truly relaxing break.



Sharmila landed at Coimbatore Airport at 6.15 am and started for Attappadi by road at 8 am.

Speaking to media persons enroute to Attappadi, Irom Sharmila said the people of Manipur need to wake up to the reality.



She said the victory of the BJP was a victory of money and muscle power. The defeat was not unexpected. There was no vote bank for me to bank upon. The Aam Admi Party workers helped me in my campaign, she said.



Upset over the poll results, Irom Sharmila said she has decided to stay away from electoral politics. But the fight against violation of human rights and army excess will continue.

My intention is to put the past to rest and take a rest for which I have come to Kerala. I will chalk out my future plans in due course of time, said Irom Sharmila.



Speaking to Express Uma Preman, a philanthropist, who runs Shanthi Medical Information Centre in Attappadi said, When Irom Sharmila expressed her desire to spend a month with us we were elated.

She had informed that she will not eat rice. So we dropped the idea of serving a sadya on her birthday and limited it to a payasam.



In the morning, she had chappathi and had puri masala in the afternoon. In the evening, she took a stroll arround the 16-acre farm where we grow fruits and vegetables.



She also spent some time with the inmates make napkins and palm leaf plates.

Basheer Madala, who invited her to Attappadi, said Irom Sharmila was happy with the love and support the people of Kerala had showered on her.



She will spend a month at Shanthi Medical Information Centre in Mattathkad, a hamlet in Sholayur panchayat of Attappadi. In the morning, she had chappathi and kadala curry which she relished, he said.



Irom Sharmila was accompanied by Najima Bibi, the first Muslim woman in Manipur to contest the elections.



Defying a fatwa issued by her community against contesting elections, Najima Bibi plunged into the struggle against domestic violence and for ensuring the uplift of Muslim women.

Najima had contested elections on a PRJA ticket from Wabagai constituency and lost.



Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) was the party floated by Irom Sharmila.

Najima, who runs a home for destitute women in Manipur defied the orthodox leaders of her community to fight the elections.

PALAKKAD : She fasted for 16 years to protect the rights of her countrymen to lead a dignified life. 90 votes - that was all she got for her 16 years of struggle. The bitter experience forced the Iron Lady of Manipur to quit politics and travel south to calm her mind. After realising that politics is not her cup of tea, the feisty fighter, who seldom travelled outside Manipur, arrived at the tribal village of Attappadi in Kerala on a soul searching mission. It was a different day for the gritty fighter, who celebrated her 45th birthday along with her activist friends at Attappadi on Tuesday. For a woman, who spent most of her life fasting within the dingy walls of a prison, the lush green forest, the streams and Malleswara Mudi, the hillock of Lord Shiva, presented an ideal place for a truly relaxing break. Sharmila landed at Coimbatore Airport at 6.15 am and started for Attappadi by road at 8 am. Speaking to media persons enroute to Attappadi, Irom Sharmila said the people of Manipur need to wake up to the reality. She said the victory of the BJP was a victory of money and muscle power. The defeat was not unexpected. There was no vote bank for me to bank upon. The Aam Admi Party workers helped me in my campaign, she said. Upset over the poll results, Irom Sharmila said she has decided to stay away from electoral politics. But the fight against violation of human rights and army excess will continue. My intention is to put the past to rest and take a rest for which I have come to Kerala. I will chalk out my future plans in due course of time, said Irom Sharmila. Speaking to Express Uma Preman, a philanthropist, who runs Shanthi Medical Information Centre in Attappadi said, When Irom Sharmila expressed her desire to spend a month with us we were elated. She had informed that she will not eat rice. So we dropped the idea of serving a sadya on her birthday and limited it to a payasam. In the morning, she had chappathi and had puri masala in the afternoon. In the evening, she took a stroll arround the 16-acre farm where we grow fruits and vegetables. She also spent some time with the inmates make napkins and palm leaf plates. Basheer Madala, who invited her to Attappadi, said Irom Sharmila was happy with the love and support the people of Kerala had showered on her. She will spend a month at Shanthi Medical Information Centre in Mattathkad, a hamlet in Sholayur panchayat of Attappadi. In the morning, she had chappathi and kadala curry which she relished, he said. Irom Sharmila was accompanied by Najima Bibi, the first Muslim woman in Manipur to contest the elections. Defying a fatwa issued by her community against contesting elections, Najima Bibi plunged into the struggle against domestic violence and for ensuring the uplift of Muslim women. Najima had contested elections on a PRJA ticket from Wabagai constituency and lost. Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) was the party floated by Irom Sharmila. Najima, who runs a home for destitute women in Manipur defied the orthodox leaders of her community to fight the elections.
By Express News Service

BARGARH : Three persons were arrested by Bargarh police and fake currency notes amounting to Rs 18,000 in Rs 2,000 denomination were seized from them on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Manoj Sahu, Sudam Dansena of Patharla and Aditya Bag of Khuntpali.



Sources said Manoj had come to State Bank of India in Personal Banking Branch here to deposit `18,000 in the cash deposit machine. A bank employee got suspicious and informed the Branch Manager, who alerted the police.



Police rushed to the spot and caught Manoj and his accomplices. After ascertaining that the notes were fake, the three were taken into custody for interrogation.



Preliminary investigation revealed that Aditya had handed over the amount to his brother-in-law Sudam, who in turn had given the counterfeit notes to Manoj, said police sources.



It is learnt that Aditya had sold his goat in Jaring Weekly Market in Bijepur, where he was paid the counterfeit notes. This raises suspicion that fake notes have penetrated into rural markets, where it is easy to transact.

BARGARH : Three persons were arrested by Bargarh police and fake currency notes amounting to Rs 18,000 in Rs 2,000 denomination were seized from them on Tuesday. The accused have been identified as Manoj Sahu, Sudam Dansena of Patharla and Aditya Bag of Khuntpali. Sources said Manoj had come to State Bank of India in Personal Banking Branch here to deposit `18,000 in the cash deposit machine. A bank employee got suspicious and informed the Branch Manager, who alerted the police. Police rushed to the spot and caught Manoj and his accomplices. After ascertaining that the notes were fake, the three were taken into custody for interrogation. Preliminary investigation revealed that Aditya had handed over the amount to his brother-in-law Sudam, who in turn had given the counterfeit notes to Manoj, said police sources. It is learnt that Aditya had sold his goat in Jaring Weekly Market in Bijepur, where he was paid the counterfeit notes. This raises suspicion that fake notes have penetrated into rural markets, where it is easy to transact.
S Senthil Kumar By

Express News Service

COIMBATORE: A three-year-old male calf was tranquilised on Tuesday by the Forest Department at Mangkarai after it repeatedly entered houses and hotels in the area. According to sources, the reason the calf could not chew grass and had entered several buildings looking for softer food around Periya Thadagam was due to a severe infection around its mouth.

While the mother elephant stood outside the house and hotels, the calf would enter in search of food. Over the last week, there were repeated incidents of the calf damaging houses in Periya Thadagam and Mangakarai, said sources.

The residents and farmers in the locality appealed to the Forest Department to help them with the situation. The District Forest Officer (DFO), S Ramasubramaniam, took the issue to the Chief Wild Life Warden, V K Melkani, who subsequently issued an order to treat the animal at the earliest. The Forest Department convened a meeting with the Osai, WWF and Nature Conservation Society (NCS) before deciding to tranquilize the animal. Deputy Director of Forest Veterinary, NS Manokaran, tranqulised the animal near Mangakarai Forest Guest House around 1.30pm.

The calf was also given long acting antibiotic. In a semi conscious state, the animal was tied with a rope and transported to Chadivayal Elephant Camp. The animal is healthy now. We will continue to provide treatment to the animal in the coming days. We have yet to decide about releasing the animal into the forest again, said the DFO.

COIMBATORE: A three-year-old male calf was tranquilised on Tuesday by the Forest Department at Mangkarai after it repeatedly entered houses and hotels in the area. According to sources, the reason the calf could not chew grass and had entered several buildings looking for softer food around Periya Thadagam was due to a severe infection around its mouth. While the mother elephant stood outside the house and hotels, the calf would enter in search of food. Over the last week, there were repeated incidents of the calf damaging houses in Periya Thadagam and Mangakarai, said sources. The residents and farmers in the locality appealed to the Forest Department to help them with the situation. The District Forest Officer (DFO), S Ramasubramaniam, took the issue to the Chief Wild Life Warden, V K Melkani, who subsequently issued an order to treat the animal at the earliest. The Forest Department convened a meeting with the Osai, WWF and Nature Conservation Society (NCS) before deciding to tranquilize the animal. Deputy Director of Forest Veterinary, NS Manokaran, tranqulised the animal near Mangakarai Forest Guest House around 1.30pm. The calf was also given long acting antibiotic. In a semi conscious state, the animal was tied with a rope and transported to Chadivayal Elephant Camp. The animal is healthy now. We will continue to provide treatment to the animal in the coming days. We have yet to decide about releasing the animal into the forest again, said the DFO.
By AFP

GENEVA: The UN rights chief warned Tuesday that a "tidal wave of bloodshed" over more than six years of war in Syria had effectively turned the country into a "torture chamber".

"As the conflict enters its seventh year, this is the worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II," said Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes since the conflict erupted in March 2011, as protests against President Bashar al-Assad morphed into war following a government crackdown.

In an address to the UN Human Rights Council, Zeid said that his office had been refused access to the country and that no international human rights observers had been admitted to places where "very probably tens of thousands of people are currently held. They are places of torture."

"Indeed, the entire conflict, this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity, began with torture," he said, citing as an example the torture of a group of children by security officials over anti-government graffiti six years ago.

'Savage horror'

"Today, in a sense, the entire country has become a torture chamber, a place of savage horror and absolute injustice," he said.

The UN and other organisations have repeatedly accused the Syrian authorities of widespread torture.

Amnesty International said in a report last August that an estimated 17,700 people had died from torture in custody since the beginning of the conflict, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number at at least 60,000.

Many others have been executed, and far more have simply disappeared, according to the reports.

"We're speaking of a daily continuous massacre that has been going on for six years," Mazen Darwish, a Syrian lawyer who was detained for more than three years, told the UN rights council.

"While we are here today, there are civilians, women, children, innocent people who are being killed under torture," said Darwish, one of several Syrian victims and activists who spoke to the council during a special session on Syria.

Zeid criticised international leaders for failing to act decisively to ensure accountability for the abuses.

"Vetoes have repeatedly pushed back hope for an end to this senseless carnage and for referral of alleged international crimes to the International Criminal Court," he said.

He was referring to a blocked UN Security Council, where Russia in particular has vetoed several attempts to bring a case against Syria before the ICC in The Hague.

But Zeid welcomed the UN General Assembly's agreement in December to set up a body to gather evidence on war crimes in Syria, which would build up "the basis for criminal proceedings against individual perpetrators."

"Ensuring accountability, establishing the truth and providing reparations must happen if the Syrian people are ever to find reconciliation and peace," he said.

GENEVA: The UN rights chief warned Tuesday that a "tidal wave of bloodshed" over more than six years of war in Syria had effectively turned the country into a "torture chamber". "As the conflict enters its seventh year, this is the worst man-made disaster the world has seen since World War II," said Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. More than 320,000 people have been killed and millions forced to flee their homes since the conflict erupted in March 2011, as protests against President Bashar al-Assad morphed into war following a government crackdown. In an address to the UN Human Rights Council, Zeid said that his office had been refused access to the country and that no international human rights observers had been admitted to places where "very probably tens of thousands of people are currently held. They are places of torture." "Indeed, the entire conflict, this immense tidal wave of bloodshed and atrocity, began with torture," he said, citing as an example the torture of a group of children by security officials over anti-government graffiti six years ago. 'Savage horror' "Today, in a sense, the entire country has become a torture chamber, a place of savage horror and absolute injustice," he said. The UN and other organisations have repeatedly accused the Syrian authorities of widespread torture. Amnesty International said in a report last August that an estimated 17,700 people had died from torture in custody since the beginning of the conflict, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the number at at least 60,000. Many others have been executed, and far more have simply disappeared, according to the reports. "We're speaking of a daily continuous massacre that has been going on for six years," Mazen Darwish, a Syrian lawyer who was detained for more than three years, told the UN rights council. "While we are here today, there are civilians, women, children, innocent people who are being killed under torture," said Darwish, one of several Syrian victims and activists who spoke to the council during a special session on Syria. Zeid criticised international leaders for failing to act decisively to ensure accountability for the abuses. "Vetoes have repeatedly pushed back hope for an end to this senseless carnage and for referral of alleged international crimes to the International Criminal Court," he said. He was referring to a blocked UN Security Council, where Russia in particular has vetoed several attempts to bring a case against Syria before the ICC in The Hague. But Zeid welcomed the UN General Assembly's agreement in December to set up a body to gather evidence on war crimes in Syria, which would build up "the basis for criminal proceedings against individual perpetrators." "Ensuring accountability, establishing the truth and providing reparations must happen if the Syrian people are ever to find reconciliation and peace," he said.
By Associated Press

ANKARA: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says it is far too early to start mediating between the Netherlands and Turkey to contain the fallout from their unprecedented diplomatic spat.

Speaking after the last debate on the eve of the Dutch elections, Rutte said, "The soup is so hot, that if someone puts his lips to it, it will go wrong."

He promises, though, that his government will not seek to worsen the situation by, for example, expelling the Turkish ambassador. It says that would only "be escalating things."

Rutte notes his government already took "an unprecedented step" against Turkey last week by refusing permission for a Turkish Cabinet minister to enter the Netherlands. The official wanted to address Turks living in the Netherlands who are eligible to vote in Turkey's April 16 referendum on expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

___

5:35 p.m.

The governor of a German state says that she wants to prevent Turkish government officials from holding political rallies there before Turkey's constitutional referendum.

The western state of Saarland said it would use "all opportunities" to prevent such rallies. Governor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in a statement that "Turkish domestic conflicts have no place in Germany. Campaign appearances that threaten the domestic peace in our country should be banned."

The move would mirror a similar move by the Netherlands that has stoked tensions between Turkey and Western Europe.

So far, Germany's federal government has said that it won't impose a blanket ban on members of the Turkish government holding political rallies in the country.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, who faces a state election on March 26, is a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union.

It's unclear whether Turkish officials had any plans to campaign in Saarland, a small state on the French border.

___

4:25 p.m.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has condemned comments by Turkey's president holding Dutch U.N. peacekeepers responsible for the massacre by Serb forces of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, in 1995.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there."

Speaking to Dutch broadcaster RTL Z on Tuesday, Rutte called the comment a "disgusting distortion of history."

Rutte added: "We will not lower ourselves to this level. It is totally unacceptable."

___

4:05 p.m.

Germany's top security official says his country needs no "extra tuition" from Turkey on fighting terrorism or countering the activities of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday renewed accusations that Germany supported "terrorists" battling Turkey.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere noted Tuesday that the PKK is banned in Germany and "we don't tolerate terrorism, including by the PKK."

He added: "Any leads from Turkey on such activities in Germany that are usable in court are very welcome  but we don't need extra tuition on how to deal with fighting PKK terrorism that is supported and organized from Germany."

De Maiziere said that "Turkey itself remains an important partner for us in the fight against international terrorism."

___

4 p.m.

Germany's interior minister is appealing to residents of Turkish origin not to regard people who disagree with them as traitors, Nazis, terrorists or enemies of Turkey.

Thomas de Maiziere said Tuesday: "We will not tolerate it if representatives of other states try to position whole groups of the population against the country in which they have lived freely for many years or since their birth, where they work, go to school, bring up their children, in which they are at home."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany of "Nazi practices" after local authorities blocked appearances by Turkish officials campaigning ahead of a referendum on giving Erdogan more extensive powers. That drew a rebuke from German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

De Maiziere said: "We should not endanger the integration successes of the last decades for a short-term, questionable success."

___

3:30 p.m.

Italy's foreign minister has urged for calm in the ongoing diplomatic spat between the Netherlands and Turkey, saying further confrontation is in no one's interest.

Angelino Alfano, on a visit to Serbia, says that "we have an obligation to ask the parties involved to tone down the rhetoric, to bring the level of argument down."

But Alfano adds that "we can however understand the decisions taken by certain countries, starting with Holland."

He says Italy's good cooperation with Turkey "does not mean we should close our eyes on certain questions that our tradition and the history of our country will not allow us to close our eyes to."

Alfano spoke after meeting Serbia Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. His comments were translated from Italian to Serbian.

___

3:10 p.m.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Germany and the Netherlands "bandit states" that are harming the European Union. His remarks came amid Turkey's growing tensions with the two countries over Turkish ministers' plans to hold campaign meetings there.

In an address to health sector workers that was televised live on Tuesday, Erdogan said the two countries' reluctance to let Turkish ministers attend political rallies there was diminishing the EU as a symbol of laws, human rights and freedoms.

He said: "Europe is too important a continent to be abandoned to the mercy of the bandit states."

Erdogan said Turkey would seek the help of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other organizations to intensify the fight against what he called hatred against foreigners, racism and anti-Islam trends.

Erdogan said Turkey would consider other sanctions against the Netherlands, but did not elaborate.

___

2:15 p.m.

In a new verbal attack against the Dutch amid their growing diplomatic spat, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held the Netherlands responsible for Europe's worst mass killing since World War II.

Erdogan was referring to a Dutch battalion of United Nations peacekeepers who failed to halt the slaughter by Bosnian Serb forces of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, in 1995.

In a speech televised live on Tuesday Erdogan said: "We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there."

___

12:25 p.m.

The mayor of Rotterdam says that specialized armed security forces he sent to a standoff with a Turkish minister on Saturday night had permission to open fire if necessary.

Speaking late Monday night on a television talk show, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said he sent the special armed intervention unit to the Turkish consulate amid fears that a 12-man security detail that had driven to the Netherlands from Germany with Turkish Family Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya could be armed.

Aboutaleb said on the Nieuwsuur show that it was important to "be sure that if it came to a confrontation that we would be the boss" and that the unit had been given "permission to shoot."

The Turkish minister was eventually escorted out of the Netherlands in the early hours of Sunday. Earlier, the Dutch also had refused Turkey's foreign minister permission to visit. Both ministers wanted to address rallies about next month's constitutional reform referendum on giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more power.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte repeated Tuesday, on the last day of campaigning for Dutch elections that have been overshadowed by the diplomatic crisis that Dutch authorities are working to de-escalate tensions with Ankara.

___

10:10 a.m.

Turkey has criticized the European Union for siding with the Netherlands in a diplomatic dispute over Turkish ministers' plans to hold campaigns there, saying the EU's position "lends credence" to extremists.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement Tuesday said the EU's stance on Turkey was "short-sighted" and "carried no value" for Turkey. It said the European bloc, which called on Turkey to cease excessive statements, "ignored the (Netherlands') violation of diplomatic conventions and the law."

The spat is over the Netherlands' refusal to allow two Turkish ministers to campaign and court the votes of Turks eligible to vote in an April 16 referendum on expanding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Turkey on Monday slapped a series of political sanctions against the Netherlands, including halting political discussions between the two countries.

ANKARA: Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says it is far too early to start mediating between the Netherlands and Turkey to contain the fallout from their unprecedented diplomatic spat. Speaking after the last debate on the eve of the Dutch elections, Rutte said, "The soup is so hot, that if someone puts his lips to it, it will go wrong." He promises, though, that his government will not seek to worsen the situation by, for example, expelling the Turkish ambassador. It says that would only "be escalating things." Rutte notes his government already took "an unprecedented step" against Turkey last week by refusing permission for a Turkish Cabinet minister to enter the Netherlands. The official wanted to address Turks living in the Netherlands who are eligible to vote in Turkey's April 16 referendum on expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers. ___ 5:35 p.m. The governor of a German state says that she wants to prevent Turkish government officials from holding political rallies there before Turkey's constitutional referendum. The western state of Saarland said it would use "all opportunities" to prevent such rallies. Governor Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in a statement that "Turkish domestic conflicts have no place in Germany. Campaign appearances that threaten the domestic peace in our country should be banned." The move would mirror a similar move by the Netherlands that has stoked tensions between Turkey and Western Europe. So far, Germany's federal government has said that it won't impose a blanket ban on members of the Turkish government holding political rallies in the country. Kramp-Karrenbauer, who faces a state election on March 26, is a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union. It's unclear whether Turkish officials had any plans to campaign in Saarland, a small state on the French border. ___ 4:25 p.m. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has condemned comments by Turkey's president holding Dutch U.N. peacekeepers responsible for the massacre by Serb forces of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, in 1995. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there." Speaking to Dutch broadcaster RTL Z on Tuesday, Rutte called the comment a "disgusting distortion of history." Rutte added: "We will not lower ourselves to this level. It is totally unacceptable." ___ 4:05 p.m. Germany's top security official says his country needs no "extra tuition" from Turkey on fighting terrorism or countering the activities of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday renewed accusations that Germany supported "terrorists" battling Turkey. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere noted Tuesday that the PKK is banned in Germany and "we don't tolerate terrorism, including by the PKK." He added: "Any leads from Turkey on such activities in Germany that are usable in court are very welcome  but we don't need extra tuition on how to deal with fighting PKK terrorism that is supported and organized from Germany." De Maiziere said that "Turkey itself remains an important partner for us in the fight against international terrorism." ___ 4 p.m. Germany's interior minister is appealing to residents of Turkish origin not to regard people who disagree with them as traitors, Nazis, terrorists or enemies of Turkey. Thomas de Maiziere said Tuesday: "We will not tolerate it if representatives of other states try to position whole groups of the population against the country in which they have lived freely for many years or since their birth, where they work, go to school, bring up their children, in which they are at home." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Germany of "Nazi practices" after local authorities blocked appearances by Turkish officials campaigning ahead of a referendum on giving Erdogan more extensive powers. That drew a rebuke from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. De Maiziere said: "We should not endanger the integration successes of the last decades for a short-term, questionable success." ___ 3:30 p.m. Italy's foreign minister has urged for calm in the ongoing diplomatic spat between the Netherlands and Turkey, saying further confrontation is in no one's interest. Angelino Alfano, on a visit to Serbia, says that "we have an obligation to ask the parties involved to tone down the rhetoric, to bring the level of argument down." But Alfano adds that "we can however understand the decisions taken by certain countries, starting with Holland." He says Italy's good cooperation with Turkey "does not mean we should close our eyes on certain questions that our tradition and the history of our country will not allow us to close our eyes to." Alfano spoke after meeting Serbia Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic. His comments were translated from Italian to Serbian. ___ 3:10 p.m. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Germany and the Netherlands "bandit states" that are harming the European Union. His remarks came amid Turkey's growing tensions with the two countries over Turkish ministers' plans to hold campaign meetings there. In an address to health sector workers that was televised live on Tuesday, Erdogan said the two countries' reluctance to let Turkish ministers attend political rallies there was diminishing the EU as a symbol of laws, human rights and freedoms. He said: "Europe is too important a continent to be abandoned to the mercy of the bandit states." Erdogan said Turkey would seek the help of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other organizations to intensify the fight against what he called hatred against foreigners, racism and anti-Islam trends. Erdogan said Turkey would consider other sanctions against the Netherlands, but did not elaborate. ___ 2:15 p.m. In a new verbal attack against the Dutch amid their growing diplomatic spat, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held the Netherlands responsible for Europe's worst mass killing since World War II. Erdogan was referring to a Dutch battalion of United Nations peacekeepers who failed to halt the slaughter by Bosnian Serb forces of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, eastern Bosnia, in 1995. In a speech televised live on Tuesday Erdogan said: "We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there." ___ 12:25 p.m. The mayor of Rotterdam says that specialized armed security forces he sent to a standoff with a Turkish minister on Saturday night had permission to open fire if necessary. Speaking late Monday night on a television talk show, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb said he sent the special armed intervention unit to the Turkish consulate amid fears that a 12-man security detail that had driven to the Netherlands from Germany with Turkish Family Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya could be armed. Aboutaleb said on the Nieuwsuur show that it was important to "be sure that if it came to a confrontation that we would be the boss" and that the unit had been given "permission to shoot." The Turkish minister was eventually escorted out of the Netherlands in the early hours of Sunday. Earlier, the Dutch also had refused Turkey's foreign minister permission to visit. Both ministers wanted to address rallies about next month's constitutional reform referendum on giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan more power. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte repeated Tuesday, on the last day of campaigning for Dutch elections that have been overshadowed by the diplomatic crisis that Dutch authorities are working to de-escalate tensions with Ankara. ___ 10:10 a.m. Turkey has criticized the European Union for siding with the Netherlands in a diplomatic dispute over Turkish ministers' plans to hold campaigns there, saying the EU's position "lends credence" to extremists. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement Tuesday said the EU's stance on Turkey was "short-sighted" and "carried no value" for Turkey. It said the European bloc, which called on Turkey to cease excessive statements, "ignored the (Netherlands') violation of diplomatic conventions and the law." The spat is over the Netherlands' refusal to allow two Turkish ministers to campaign and court the votes of Turks eligible to vote in an April 16 referendum on expanding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers. Turkey on Monday slapped a series of political sanctions against the Netherlands, including halting political discussions between the two countries.
Donald Trump in the Oval Office

The White House has become a "hostile environment," with staffers at all levels concerned that they are being spied on by fellow staffers and government bureaucrats, according to a Wednesday Politico report.

Almost a dozen White House staffers and federal agency employees told Politico that they are increasingly fearful of being exposed, embarrassed, or undermined by a "deep state" of career military and intelligence officials opposed to President Donald Trump's agenda or even by other Trump appointees and loyalists seeking influence.

People are scared, a senior administration aide told Politico, adding that the White House had become a pretty hostile environment to work in.

Aides are using encryption apps on their personal devices, turning off government-issued cell phones and putting them in drawers when they get home from work, refusing to speak up during meetings, and thinking twice about what they write and say on the phone.

Im paranoid, a Trump aide told Politico. Anything significant seems to be on the front page the next day.

The fear of being surveilledand of subsequent leaks to the pressstems from the highest levels of the White House and has intensified since Trump tweeted unsubstantiated claims that president Barack Obama wire tapped his phones in the run up to the election.

Last month, White House press secretary Sean Spicer instituted phone checks of his own staff in an attempt to identify internal leakers. Spicer has since said that the phone checks were a one-off and are not administration policy.

But much of the suspicion is directed towards the intelligence agencies, who Trump staffers believe are attempting to bring down appointees they don't like with damaging leaks. Some blame the Central Intelligence Agency for reports concerning National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's communications with the Russian ambassador, which helped lead to his resignation last month.

Story continues

There is also a widespread belief among Trump officials that career agency employees loyal to Obama are working to undermine the administration.

I wouldn't call it paranoia under the circumstances, a Republican, who uses encryption when talking with administration officials, told Politico. Its not paranoia if people really are out to get you, and everybody actually is out to get everyone else.

NOW WATCH: A body-language expert analyzes Trump's unique handshakes





More From Business Insider


By AFP

THE HAGUE: Millions of Dutch voters were going to the polls Wednesday in key elections overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right MP Geert Wilders.

Following last year's shock Brexit vote, and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls, the Dutch general elections are seen as a litmus test of the strength of far-right and populist parties ahead of other ballots in Europe this year.

Amid the tussle between outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte and his anti-Islam rival Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running.

Most polling stations opened at 0630 GMT, although a few such as at Eindhoven airport were allowed to open earlier.

Polling booths set up in schools, town halls as well as shops, bowling alleys and swimming pools will close at 2000 GMT with exit polls expected shortly after.

"When people look for leadership, they look to me," Rutte told a final debate late Tuesday.

The leader of the Liberal VVD party, he is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17 million people -- one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union.

- Wilders slipping -

Final polls appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats -- well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament.

Wilders was seen as slipping, barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs -- well up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before.

"I am hoping for a strong centre" coalition with Rutte joining forces with other traditional parties, said Alexander van der Hooft.

He was the first person to cast his ballot at the Wolters School in a leafy suburb in The Hague, where Rutte was expected to vote later.

"But I'm afraid it's going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government," he told AFP.

Rutte and his government officially resigned late Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's vote.

Seeking to mark his differences with the fiery, Twitter-loving Wilders, Rutte has been highlighting the country's economic growth and stability during his six years at the helm.

Complicating the political landscape, Turkey has gatecrashed the scene with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashing a string of invective at the Dutch for barring his ministers from addressing a pro-Ankara rally in Rotterdam.

Rutte's firm handling of the crisis -- barring one Turkish minister from flying into the country, and expelling another -- appears to have boosted his image here.

Snapping at the heels of Wilders are long-standing Dutch parties such as the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs, the polls said.

Both the CDA and D66 would be natural coalition partners for Rutte, who like most Dutch parties, has refused to work with Wilders, turned off by his incendiary rhetoric.

"Netherlands does not belong to all. Do you hear me? The Netherlands belongs to the Dutch," Wilders said in Tuesday's debate.

Wilders has pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques and ban sales of the Koran. He also wants to pull the country out of the EU in a so-called Nexit.

- Angry tweets -

The Dutch pride themselves on their consensus politics, and reportedly it takes an average of three months to cobble together a coalition. Observers predict this time round however, four or even five parties may be needed to reach the 76-seat majority.

The leader of the Labour Party, Rutte's coalition partner in the outgoing government, hit out at Wilders in some of the fiercest exchanges late Tuesday.

"You've been a member of parliament for 20 years. You've sent thousands of angry tweets, but you have provided zero solutions. You weaken and divide The Netherlands," said Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher.

While traditional Labour appears to be sinking this year, the left-wing GroenLinks and its charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver are enjoying a huge boost.

His party may win 16 to 18 seats, which could place him in a powerful kingmaker role.

THE HAGUE: Millions of Dutch voters were going to the polls Wednesday in key elections overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right MP Geert Wilders. Following last year's shock Brexit vote, and Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential polls, the Dutch general elections are seen as a litmus test of the strength of far-right and populist parties ahead of other ballots in Europe this year. Amid the tussle between outgoing prime minister Mark Rutte and his anti-Islam rival Wilders, many of the 12.9 million eligible voters were still hesitating between the 28 parties in the running. Most polling stations opened at 0630 GMT, although a few such as at Eindhoven airport were allowed to open earlier. Polling booths set up in schools, town halls as well as shops, bowling alleys and swimming pools will close at 2000 GMT with exit polls expected shortly after. "When people look for leadership, they look to me," Rutte told a final debate late Tuesday. The leader of the Liberal VVD party, he is bidding for a third term as premier of the country of 17 million people -- one of the largest economies in the eurozone and a founding father of the European Union. - Wilders slipping - Final polls appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats -- well down on its 40 seats in the outgoing parliament. Wilders was seen as slipping, barely clinging on to second place with between 19 and 22 MPs -- well up on the 12 MPs his Freedom Party (PVV) had before. "I am hoping for a strong centre" coalition with Rutte joining forces with other traditional parties, said Alexander van der Hooft. He was the first person to cast his ballot at the Wolters School in a leafy suburb in The Hague, where Rutte was expected to vote later. "But I'm afraid it's going to be very fragmented and difficult to form a government," he told AFP. Rutte and his government officially resigned late Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's vote. Seeking to mark his differences with the fiery, Twitter-loving Wilders, Rutte has been highlighting the country's economic growth and stability during his six years at the helm. Complicating the political landscape, Turkey has gatecrashed the scene with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unleashing a string of invective at the Dutch for barring his ministers from addressing a pro-Ankara rally in Rotterdam. Rutte's firm handling of the crisis -- barring one Turkish minister from flying into the country, and expelling another -- appears to have boosted his image here. Snapping at the heels of Wilders are long-standing Dutch parties such as the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), credited with 19 to 21 seats, and the Democracy Party (D66) with around 17 to 19 MPs, the polls said. Both the CDA and D66 would be natural coalition partners for Rutte, who like most Dutch parties, has refused to work with Wilders, turned off by his incendiary rhetoric. "Netherlands does not belong to all. Do you hear me? The Netherlands belongs to the Dutch," Wilders said in Tuesday's debate. Wilders has pledged to close the borders to Muslim immigrants, shut mosques and ban sales of the Koran. He also wants to pull the country out of the EU in a so-called Nexit. - Angry tweets - The Dutch pride themselves on their consensus politics, and reportedly it takes an average of three months to cobble together a coalition. Observers predict this time round however, four or even five parties may be needed to reach the 76-seat majority. The leader of the Labour Party, Rutte's coalition partner in the outgoing government, hit out at Wilders in some of the fiercest exchanges late Tuesday. "You've been a member of parliament for 20 years. You've sent thousands of angry tweets, but you have provided zero solutions. You weaken and divide The Netherlands," said Labour leader Lodewijk Asscher. While traditional Labour appears to be sinking this year, the left-wing GroenLinks and its charismatic young leader Jesse Klaver are enjoying a huge boost. His party may win 16 to 18 seats, which could place him in a powerful kingmaker role.
By AFP

BERLIN: Germany's biggest-selling daily Bild on Wednesday lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, branding him persona non grata and accusing him of "endangering Europe's stability through his lust for power".

"Bild tells the truth to Erdogan's face -- you are not a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not welcome here!," the tabloid-style newspaper said on its front page.

The outburst accompanied with an article headlined "the little man from the Bosphorus" came as Ankara is locked with several European nations, including Germany, in a bitter row over Turkish ministers' plans to hold rallies abroad.

Ankara had reacted with fury after several German towns blocked Turkish politicians from holding rallies in Germany ahead of a crucial referendum that could vastly expand Erdogan's powers.

With eligible voters numbering some 1.4 million in Germany alone, Erdogan's government is eager to tap the diaspora vote in the April 16 poll.

Erdogan has accused Germany of "Nazi practices" for blocking his ministers from speaking.

Turkey has also suspended top-level ties with The Netherlands, and has shut out the Dutch ambassador to Ankara until The Hague meets its conditions over the rallies.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Ankara was playing the role of the victim with its broadsides against NATO allies, as it seeks to galvanise support ahead of the referendum.

BERLIN: Germany's biggest-selling daily Bild on Wednesday lashed out at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, branding him persona non grata and accusing him of "endangering Europe's stability through his lust for power". "Bild tells the truth to Erdogan's face -- you are not a democrat! You are hurting your country! You are not welcome here!," the tabloid-style newspaper said on its front page. The outburst accompanied with an article headlined "the little man from the Bosphorus" came as Ankara is locked with several European nations, including Germany, in a bitter row over Turkish ministers' plans to hold rallies abroad. Ankara had reacted with fury after several German towns blocked Turkish politicians from holding rallies in Germany ahead of a crucial referendum that could vastly expand Erdogan's powers. With eligible voters numbering some 1.4 million in Germany alone, Erdogan's government is eager to tap the diaspora vote in the April 16 poll. Erdogan has accused Germany of "Nazi practices" for blocking his ministers from speaking. Turkey has also suspended top-level ties with The Netherlands, and has shut out the Dutch ambassador to Ankara until The Hague meets its conditions over the rallies. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Ankara was playing the role of the victim with its broadsides against NATO allies, as it seeks to galvanise support ahead of the referendum.
By AFP

CAMEROON: Cameroon said its troops had rescued 5,000 civilian "hostages" held by Boko Haram Islamists in a cross-border operation that left scores of militants dead.

Cameroonian troops carried out "a vast operation all along the Cameroon-Nigeria border and in Nigeria," from February 27 to March 7, government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday.

The operation, dubbed Thunder 2, "led to the liberation of more than 5,000 people taken hostage by the terrorists", he said, referring to Boko Haram.

"The freed hostages -- most of them women, children and elderly people -- were taken to a camp for displaced people in Banki, Nigeria," he added.

"More than 60 terrorists" were killed, he said, adding that "21 suspects were arrested".

Boko Haram, which wants to establish a caliphate in northern Nigeria, has been waging an insurgency since 2009.

Though it was born in Nigeria, the Islamic State-affiliated group has also carried out frequent attacks on "soft" targets in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting them to form a regional force to fight back.

Some 200,000 Cameroonians from the Far North region near Nigeria have fled their villages in fear of the violence carried out by Boko Haram militants.

The UN Security Council earlier this month vowed to turn the spotlight on a "neglected crisis" affecting 21 million people in the Lake Chad region that straddles Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

CAMEROON: Cameroon said its troops had rescued 5,000 civilian "hostages" held by Boko Haram Islamists in a cross-border operation that left scores of militants dead. Cameroonian troops carried out "a vast operation all along the Cameroon-Nigeria border and in Nigeria," from February 27 to March 7, government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement seen by AFP on Wednesday. The operation, dubbed Thunder 2, "led to the liberation of more than 5,000 people taken hostage by the terrorists", he said, referring to Boko Haram. "The freed hostages -- most of them women, children and elderly people -- were taken to a camp for displaced people in Banki, Nigeria," he added. "More than 60 terrorists" were killed, he said, adding that "21 suspects were arrested". Boko Haram, which wants to establish a caliphate in northern Nigeria, has been waging an insurgency since 2009. Though it was born in Nigeria, the Islamic State-affiliated group has also carried out frequent attacks on "soft" targets in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, prompting them to form a regional force to fight back. Some 200,000 Cameroonians from the Far North region near Nigeria have fled their villages in fear of the violence carried out by Boko Haram militants. The UN Security Council earlier this month vowed to turn the spotlight on a "neglected crisis" affecting 21 million people in the Lake Chad region that straddles Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger.
By PTI

KATHMANDU: An alliance of Madhes-based political parties has withdrawn its support to Prime Minister Prachanda-led Nepal government after it failed meet a seven-day ultimatum to fulfil their demands that included endorsement for the revised Constitution amendment bill.

The United Democratic Madhesi Front withdrew support to the government as it failed to address its concern within the seven-day ultimatum that expired yesterday.

The Front has been demanding government's endorsement for revised Constitution amendment bill and withdrawal of the decision to conduct local polls in May.

"Our support to the government automatically expired on Tuesday," said Keshav Jha, General Secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party.

"The government did not discuss with the Front leaders their concerns after they served the ultimatum," he said.

The Front had said that it could not support the government as it had been preparing to hold local level polls without addressing the issues raised by them.

Even after the withdrawal of support by the Madhesi Front, the ruling coalition has the backing of more than 320 members in the 601-member Constituent Assembly.

The incumbent government led by CPN-Maoist Centre has got the support from Nepali Congress, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and other fringe parties.

Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had launched a six-month-long agitation against the implementation of the Constitution without amending its provisions that would address the demands for more representation and re-demarcation of state boundaries.

KATHMANDU: An alliance of Madhes-based political parties has withdrawn its support to Prime Minister Prachanda-led Nepal government after it failed meet a seven-day ultimatum to fulfil their demands that included endorsement for the revised Constitution amendment bill. The United Democratic Madhesi Front withdrew support to the government as it failed to address its concern within the seven-day ultimatum that expired yesterday. The Front has been demanding government's endorsement for revised Constitution amendment bill and withdrawal of the decision to conduct local polls in May. "Our support to the government automatically expired on Tuesday," said Keshav Jha, General Secretary of National Madhes Socialist Party. "The government did not discuss with the Front leaders their concerns after they served the ultimatum," he said. The Front had said that it could not support the government as it had been preparing to hold local level polls without addressing the issues raised by them. Even after the withdrawal of support by the Madhesi Front, the ruling coalition has the backing of more than 320 members in the 601-member Constituent Assembly. The incumbent government led by CPN-Maoist Centre has got the support from Nepali Congress, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and other fringe parties. Madhesis, mostly of Indian-origin, had launched a six-month-long agitation against the implementation of the Constitution without amending its provisions that would address the demands for more representation and re-demarcation of state boundaries.
By AFP

WASHINGTON: The head of the Organization of American States called on members Tuesday to suspend crisis-hit Venezuela's membership unless the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro quickly holds credible elections.

OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro called on Venezuela "as soon as possible" to hold "free, just and transparent" elections that can be observed by international monitors.

If not, "it would be the right time to suspend Venezuela from OAS activities in accordance with Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Almagro said in a 75-page letter to the group's Permanent Council.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests as it struggles to emerge from a deep crisis under Maduro, who was elected with a razor-thin majority in 2013.

The leftist regime -- which Maduro inherited from the late Hugo Chavez, who came to power in 1999 -- has systematically thwarted efforts by an emboldened opposition to hold a recall referendum.

Venezuela's economic plight is largely due to falling prices for its oil exports, contributing to food shortages and economic disarray.

Maduro however says the crisis is a US-backed capitalist conspiracy, and claims the opposition is working on their behalf. Several opposition leaders have been jailed, while others have been harassed or forced into exile.

- 'Torture ... drug trafficking' -

Almagro said diplomatic efforts to broker government-opposition talks "have not resulted in any progress."

Venezuelans have "lost even more faith in their government and in the democratic process," said Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister.

He said the Venezuelan government "violates the rights of its nationals with impunity," holds political prisoners just for showing dissent, and engages in "torture, theft, corruption (and) drug trafficking."

Almagro demanded "concrete results" from the 34-member Permanent Council to "restore democracy" in Venezuela. Anything less would make the organization an "accomplice" with the Venezuelan government.

"The voice of the Venezuelan people has been silenced and jailed, and corruption and drug trafficking has spread across the country," the letter read.

In years past leftist governments in Brazil, Argentina and Peru were reluctant to criticize Venezuela. With new, more conservative governments these countries are now stepping up their criticism.

Almagro's letter is an updated version of a report he presented to the Permanent Council in June 2016. There was plenty of debate over that report, but no agreement on what to do.

- 'Sad evildoer' -

In Caracas, the Venezuelan foreign ministry reacted by claiming that Almagro's goal was to encourage foreign intervention.

"Almagro, a known enemy of the people of Venezuela, has forged false assumptions against the republic with the sole objective of encouraging international intervention... heightening the economic war," the foreign ministry said.

The statement claims that Almagro's actions are guided "by his hatred towards Venezuela" and his alleged support for the "pro-coup, extremist and anti-democratic" Venezuelan opposition.

It then dismissed the OAS head as a "sad evildoer."

Venezuelan presidential elections are scheduled for December 2018, while a vote to elect state governors, originally set for late 2016, was postponed to an undetermined date this year.

WASHINGTON: The head of the Organization of American States called on members Tuesday to suspend crisis-hit Venezuela's membership unless the leftist government of President Nicolas Maduro quickly holds credible elections. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro called on Venezuela "as soon as possible" to hold "free, just and transparent" elections that can be observed by international monitors. If not, "it would be the right time to suspend Venezuela from OAS activities in accordance with Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter," Almagro said in a 75-page letter to the group's Permanent Council. Venezuela has been rocked by protests as it struggles to emerge from a deep crisis under Maduro, who was elected with a razor-thin majority in 2013. The leftist regime -- which Maduro inherited from the late Hugo Chavez, who came to power in 1999 -- has systematically thwarted efforts by an emboldened opposition to hold a recall referendum. Venezuela's economic plight is largely due to falling prices for its oil exports, contributing to food shortages and economic disarray. Maduro however says the crisis is a US-backed capitalist conspiracy, and claims the opposition is working on their behalf. Several opposition leaders have been jailed, while others have been harassed or forced into exile. - 'Torture ... drug trafficking' - Almagro said diplomatic efforts to broker government-opposition talks "have not resulted in any progress." Venezuelans have "lost even more faith in their government and in the democratic process," said Almagro, a former Uruguayan foreign minister. He said the Venezuelan government "violates the rights of its nationals with impunity," holds political prisoners just for showing dissent, and engages in "torture, theft, corruption (and) drug trafficking." Almagro demanded "concrete results" from the 34-member Permanent Council to "restore democracy" in Venezuela. Anything less would make the organization an "accomplice" with the Venezuelan government. "The voice of the Venezuelan people has been silenced and jailed, and corruption and drug trafficking has spread across the country," the letter read. In years past leftist governments in Brazil, Argentina and Peru were reluctant to criticize Venezuela. With new, more conservative governments these countries are now stepping up their criticism. Almagro's letter is an updated version of a report he presented to the Permanent Council in June 2016. There was plenty of debate over that report, but no agreement on what to do. - 'Sad evildoer' - In Caracas, the Venezuelan foreign ministry reacted by claiming that Almagro's goal was to encourage foreign intervention. "Almagro, a known enemy of the people of Venezuela, has forged false assumptions against the republic with the sole objective of encouraging international intervention... heightening the economic war," the foreign ministry said. The statement claims that Almagro's actions are guided "by his hatred towards Venezuela" and his alleged support for the "pro-coup, extremist and anti-democratic" Venezuelan opposition. It then dismissed the OAS head as a "sad evildoer." Venezuelan presidential elections are scheduled for December 2018, while a vote to elect state governors, originally set for late 2016, was postponed to an undetermined date this year.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, a move that may raise concerns in India as it borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan's minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada told Geo TV that a committee headed by Advisor of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the status of a province to Gilgit-Baltistan.

"The committee recommended that Gilgit-Baltistan should be made a province of Pakistan," Pirzada said yesterday.

He also said that a constitutional amendment would be made to change the status of the region, through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.

Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister.

Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.

The move may raise concerns in India as the disputed region borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

It is believed that China's concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.

According to an earlier report in Dawn newspaper, Pakistan was mulling to elevate the constitutional status of the region in a bid to provide legal cover to the CPEC.

The move could signal a historic shift in the country's position on the future of the wider Kashmir region, the paper had quoted experts as saying.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is planning to declare the strategic Gilgit-Baltistan region as the fifth province, a move that may raise concerns in India as it borders the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan's minister for inter-provincial coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada told Geo TV that a committee headed by Advisor of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had proposed giving the status of a province to Gilgit-Baltistan. "The committee recommended that Gilgit-Baltistan should be made a province of Pakistan," Pirzada said yesterday. He also said that a constitutional amendment would be made to change the status of the region, through which the USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes. Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. It has a regional assembly and an elected Chief Minister. Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan. The move may raise concerns in India as the disputed region borders Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It is believed that China's concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status. According to an earlier report in Dawn newspaper, Pakistan was mulling to elevate the constitutional status of the region in a bid to provide legal cover to the CPEC. The move could signal a historic shift in the country's position on the future of the wider Kashmir region, the paper had quoted experts as saying.
P K Balachandran By

Express News Service

COLOMBO: Sri Lankas transitional justice system, which goes into the question of war crimes, will not benefit any one particular group and will certainly not single out and target the armed forces, Foreign

Minister Mangala Samaraweera said in a statement here on Wednesday.

The transitional justice mechanisms to be implemented will not benefit one group or community above others, and will certainly not single out and target the armed forces, he said, rejecting the thesis

propounded by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the government and the international community are in cahoots to persecute the Sri Lankan armed forces which liberated the country from the clutches of the LTTE.

This (charge) is opportunistic, and especially ironic, coming from the person who imprisoned the commander who led the armed forces to victory, the Foreign Minister said, recalling the arrest and subsequent jailing of then Army chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka by Rajapaksa on some corruption

charges and a trumped up allegation that he tried to stage a coup.

About Rajapaksas criticism that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) is meant to fix the troops, Samaraweeera said that the families of more than 5000 missing military personnel and the families of missing policemen will also benefit from the OMP.

The Minister said that Rajapaksa has no right to complain about the possibility of foreign involvement in the judicial mechanism when he himself had used them.

It was under his leadership that multiple transitional justice processes were initiated, and international prosecutors were engaged. The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP)

established by him engaged foreigners invited by him, and also those nominated by Australia, Canada, the European Commission, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, the USA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and a Cypriot nominated by the Government of Sri Lanka. International prosecutors were also engaged in connection with the Paranagama Commission [on missing persons], Samaraweera said.

On Rajapaksas view that the government has given in on the demand for devolution of power to the Tamil minority, the Minister said: Implementation of the thirteenth amendment to the constitution

(devolving power to the provinces) was for the first time made into an international pledge under his leadership through the much touted victory resolution S-11/1 sponsored by Sri Lanka and adopted on 27th May 2009 by the UN Human Rights Council.

The resolution welcomed the reassurance given by the President of Sri Lanka that he does not regard a military solution as a final solution, as well as his commitment to a political solution with

implementation of the thirteenth amendment to bring about lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

On Rajapaksas opposition to the move to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act by a more humane one as per international standards, Samawraweera asked whether Rajapaksa thinks that Sri Lankans are not entitled to decent treatment while in custody.

On the report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation, Samaraweera said that no decision has been taken and that due constitutional process will be underwent. The report had given the

views of every section of society, he pointed out.

The National Unity Government makes no apologies for choosing the path of transparency, truth, justice, and reconciliation, upholding the dignity of all citizens. The future of our great nation will not

have walls of fear and doubt that separate communities. Rather, it will be a bright, open and inclusive path that invites all to walk together side-by-side as equal citizens, Samaraweera said.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankas transitional justice system, which goes into the question of war crimes, will not benefit any one particular group and will certainly not single out and target the armed forces, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said in a statement here on Wednesday. The transitional justice mechanisms to be implemented will not benefit one group or community above others, and will certainly not single out and target the armed forces, he said, rejecting the thesis propounded by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the government and the international community are in cahoots to persecute the Sri Lankan armed forces which liberated the country from the clutches of the LTTE. This (charge) is opportunistic, and especially ironic, coming from the person who imprisoned the commander who led the armed forces to victory, the Foreign Minister said, recalling the arrest and subsequent jailing of then Army chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka by Rajapaksa on some corruption charges and a trumped up allegation that he tried to stage a coup. About Rajapaksas criticism that the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) is meant to fix the troops, Samaraweeera said that the families of more than 5000 missing military personnel and the families of missing policemen will also benefit from the OMP. The Minister said that Rajapaksa has no right to complain about the possibility of foreign involvement in the judicial mechanism when he himself had used them. It was under his leadership that multiple transitional justice processes were initiated, and international prosecutors were engaged. The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) established by him engaged foreigners invited by him, and also those nominated by Australia, Canada, the European Commission, the UK, Japan, the Netherlands, the USA, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and a Cypriot nominated by the Government of Sri Lanka. International prosecutors were also engaged in connection with the Paranagama Commission [on missing persons], Samaraweera said. On Rajapaksas view that the government has given in on the demand for devolution of power to the Tamil minority, the Minister said: Implementation of the thirteenth amendment to the constitution (devolving power to the provinces) was for the first time made into an international pledge under his leadership through the much touted victory resolution S-11/1 sponsored by Sri Lanka and adopted on 27th May 2009 by the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution welcomed the reassurance given by the President of Sri Lanka that he does not regard a military solution as a final solution, as well as his commitment to a political solution with implementation of the thirteenth amendment to bring about lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. On Rajapaksas opposition to the move to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act by a more humane one as per international standards, Samawraweera asked whether Rajapaksa thinks that Sri Lankans are not entitled to decent treatment while in custody. On the report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation, Samaraweera said that no decision has been taken and that due constitutional process will be underwent. The report had given the views of every section of society, he pointed out. The National Unity Government makes no apologies for choosing the path of transparency, truth, justice, and reconciliation, upholding the dignity of all citizens. The future of our great nation will not have walls of fear and doubt that separate communities. Rather, it will be a bright, open and inclusive path that invites all to walk together side-by-side as equal citizens, Samaraweera said.
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US forces in Syria are 'invaders': Assad

New York [U.S.A.], Mar. 13 : Syria's President Bashar al-Assad called US military action in Syria as invaders because he hadn't given permission for them to enter the country.





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According to CNN, Assad added that there's been no "concrete action" from the Trump administration toward ISIS."Any foreign troops coming to Syria without our invitation or consultation or permission, they are invaders, whether they are American, Turkish, or any other one. The Americans lost nearly every war. They lost in Iraq, they had to withdraw at the end. Even in Somalia, let alone Vietnam in the past and Afghanistan, your neighbouring country," CNN quoted Assad as saying.He added that anywhere U.S. sent troops, it only create a mess and remarked that US is very good in creating problems and destroying, but they are very bad in finding solutions.In Syria, it is working with an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias. Their current focus is to encircle and ultimately capture Raqqa - Islamic State's base of operations in Syria.China and Russia last month blocked U.N. sanctions on Syria over accusations of chemical weapons attacks during the war.The new 400 troops, who are also set to help rebels take back Raqqa from ISIS, won't breach any caps because the assignment will last for no more than 120 days. There are already 500 U.S. troops stationed in Syria.Peace talks have fallen through in Geneva, giving Assad a strong edge in the conflict on the ground.This week, the U.S.-led coalition announced that around 400 additional U.S. forces had deployed to Syria to help with the Raqqa campaign and to prevent any clash between Turkey and Washington-allied Syrian militias that Ankara sees as a threat.
Mandate is fractured, Congress could not stake claim to form govt.: Lalu Yadav

Patna (Bihar) , Mar. 13 : Taking a jibe at the Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Monday said although the mandate is fractured, the grand old party could not stake claim to form government in Goa.





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"The mandate is fractured but Congress could not stake claim to form government, neither they were able to elect a legislative leader," Lalu told ANI.He also supported the allegation put forth by Bahujan Samaj party (BSP) chief Mayawati in connection to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) being tampered.On the occasion of Holi, Lalu sent out wishes to everyone including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
BJP stakes claim to form new government in Manipur

Guwahati, Mar 13 : : Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) coup on Sunday night has dramatically changed the political scenario in Manipur as the saffron party is all set to form the next ministry in the state.





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BJP has secured the support of 32 MLAs after getting the backing of NDA and North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) allied parties and two other legislators.Meanwhile, Manipur governor, Najma Hetullah, has asked incumbent Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of Congress to submit his resignation immediately.The governor asked Ibobi to submit his resignation for starting the process of new government formation.A highly placed source said that the Manipur governor met the incumbent CM in a meeting held at Rajbhawan on Sunday night along with his deputy Gaikhamgam and state Congress president TN Haokip.The source further said that Ibobi Singh and Congress had staked claim for the next ministry by showing a list of 38 Congress MLAs and also showing the names of four National Peoples Party (NPP) MLAs in an ordinary piece of paper, claiming to have support from these MLAs.But the governor rejected Ibobis claim after seeing the ordinary piece of paper and asked his to resign immediately, the source said.On the other hand, BJP has started the process of forming the next government.The saffron party has 21 MLAs of its own and secured support of 11 others including 4 MLAs each of Naga Peoples Front (NPF), NPP and one legislator of LJP.Assam finance minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a Congress MLA and the lone MLA of AITC had joined BJP taking the party number to 32.BJP needs 31 MLAs to form the government in the 60-member Manipur assembly.After securing the support of 32 MLAs, a delegation team consisting of BJP and its allies met Manipur governor Najma Heptullah and staked their claim to form the next ministry.Himanta Biswa Sarma further said that the legislature party leader would be elected on Monday.On Sunday, the political drama in Manipur got a new twist after Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh, one of the 28 Congress legislators, who won from the Adro constituency and the lone AITC MLA Tongbram Robindro joined the BJP.Sources said that apart from Shyamkumar, 19 others Congress MLAs are likely to join the BJP within a short period.(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)Image: Himanta Biswa Sarma
PM Modi expresses his gratitude to Harper for lauding BJP's win in UP

New Delhi (India), Mar. 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his gratitude to former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper, who congratulated him on the BJP's decisive victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.





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The BJP emerged victorious in Uttar Pradesh by a resounding margin. The BJP along with its alliances won 324 seats out of 403 in the state assembly, the biggest majority for any party in Uttar Pradesh since 1980.
Afghanistan: At least 70 Taliban insurgents killed in Laghman

Kabul, Mar 13 : The Taliban's attempt to capture Laghman province in Afghanistan turned out to be fatal as 70 insurgents were gunned down by forces, local Khaama Press reported.





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The Incident also left 50 other insurgents wounded.The news was confirmed by the provincial government.Many senior Taliban leaders, including Khalis, Khalid, Janat Gul, Mohammad and Atal Omarzai were also killed in the encounter, the agency quoted officials as saying.
State budget will strengthen rural economy: Telangana CM

Telangana (Hyderabad) , Mar. 13 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has described the budget presented by Finance Minister Etela Rajender as the one useful for welfare of the people and for the progress of the state's economic development.





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He said that the budget is a deviation from the traditional budget, based on the ground realties and is a perfect match to the needs of the state.The Chief Minister is hopeful that the budget will strengthen the rural economy.He hailed the Finance Minister for giving equal importance to all sectors and for giving justice to all thereby balancing all sections.He is also happy that the Budget allocations are made for the betterment of the lives of the poor, women and small level employees.The Chief Minister is particularly happy the way large funds are given to the SC/ST/BC/Minorities/ people in hereditary professions.He also congratulated the Finance Minister for giving more allocations to the sectors that were neglected under the united AP rule.The budget is formulated after properly estimating the financial resources in the state, having a good understanding of the actual needs and to utilise the human resources.Though the Centre made changes, the state Finance Ministry quite efficiently had allocated funds for the progress and administrative heads.He said it is a good development that an effort is made to reduce the administrative expenditure and instead increase expenditure on welfare, development and progressive schemes.He congratulated Rajender, Principal secretary (Finance) Ramakrishna Rao, Finance Secretary Sandeep Sultania, Advisor G.R. Reddy and the CMO officials for preparing such a good budget.Several ministers and MLAs have met the Chief Minister in his Chambers in the Legislative Assembly and congratulated him on the budget which is aimed at strengthening the rural economy.Under the leadership of minister T. Srinivas Yadav, leaders of Yadav and Kuruma Community have gifted the Chief Minister with a flock of sheep and the fishermen presented the Chief Minister with a fishing net.The women legislators have congratulated and thanked the Chief Minister for enhancing the funds under Kalyan Laxmi/Shaadi Mubarak schemes and for announcing special cash money for delivery of the pregnant women.
Brexit Bill: Theresa May to begin talks as British Parliament gives final nod

New York [U.S.], Mar. 14 : The United Kingdom Parliament has passed a bill, allowing Prime Minister Theresa May to begin the crucial talks on Britain's exit from the European Union.





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The House of Lords voted not to insist on its original amendments giving protections to EU citizens in a post-Brexit Britain and calling for a "meaningful vote" on any divorce deal, instead, passed the House of Commons' original proposals and the Queen will now sign the bill into law, reports CNN.The development now paves the way for May to trigger Article 50 and commence the process by which Britain will give up its membership of the European Union.Members of the House of Commons had already voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill to kick off Britain's divorce from the European Union in its initial readings, and a seven-hour debate on amendments preceded the final vote, which was 494 MPs in favor and 122 against.Earlier, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, said she would lay the groundwork for a split from the United KingdomAsserting that it was clear the United Kingdom was heading for a "bad deal" on Brexit, Sturgeon said she plans to seek the legal authority next week to hold a new independence referendum before Britain leaves the European Union.Sturgeon said May had failed to engage with her call for Scotland to remain in the European single market after Brexit, and that Scotland risked being taken out of the European Union against its will.
AAP misusing Delhi taxpayers' money through 'self-promoting' advertisements: BJP

New Delhi , Mar. 14: A few days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was slammed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?of India for violating the Supreme Court's regulation on expenditure on advertising, the Bharatiya Janata Party expressed its concern over the matter indicating it to be a 'misuse of Delhi taxpayers' money'.





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On Friday, the CAG presented its report on social sector for the financial year 2015-16 in the Delhi Assembly, where it was highlighted that over Rs. 28 crore was spent on advertisements in areas outside of Delhi, which do not fall under the government's jurisdiction.Additionally, the AAP government was also pulled up for violating the Supreme Court's 'political neutrality' clause by highlighting the name and symbol of the party in official advertisements, and also for terming the Delhi Government as 'Kejriwal sarkar' or 'Jhadu sarkar'.To this regard, BJP's R.P. Singh noted that the lack of proper documentation is a clear indicator of Kejriwal's Government indulging in promotional activities to highlight the AAP."The AAP is only using advertisements to promote its ideologies. There are ads in Mumbai, Chennai, Ranchi and Punjab, states which have no connection with the programs being advertised. This clearly shows that the party is only interested in promotional activities rather than substantial schemes. This is how taxpayers in Delhi are being looted," Singh told ANI.The CAG's report also highlighted the presence of unverified content on the advertisement campaigns. In terms of budget allocation on Mohalla clinics, the Delhi budget highlighted that the expenditure has been reduced from Rs. five crore to Rs. 20 lakh. However, the Governemnt was not able to present any document in support of this claim."There were advertisements regarding expenditure on flyovers which are not even built. This is a serious lapse," added Singh.The auditing body further stated that the expense report has been drafted based on assessment of estimated expenditure and not on real expenditure itself.Furthermore, the auditor highlighted the failure of Shabdarth, a registered society set up under the department of information and publicity, in rationalising the costs incurred on advertisements.
Following visit to Haiti, UN expert urges more aid for Hurricane Matthew victims

New York, Mar 13 : An independent United Nations expert on human rights is calling for redoubling of efforts to help Haitians affected by Hurricane Matthew.





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Following his sixth official mission to Haiti to monitor human rights,Gustavo Galln, reiterated his solidarity to the victims of theOctober 2016 cyclone.Their situation is similar to the situation of internally displacedpeople living in camps since the 2010 earthquake, of people deportedfrom the Dominican Republic settled along the border, or of detaineesin the countrys prisons, said Galln.His comments came after visit to the High School Nord Alexis inJrmie, in the GrandAnse department, where some 525 familiesaffected by Matthew are sheltering.In addition to shelter and immediate needs, the Hurricane will alsoimpact peoples ability to vote in the presidential election that waspostponed from last October to 20 November of this year.I hope that these elections will be held without any surprises andthat there will be a new President elected in February next year aswell as stable State institutions, said Galln, whose position as aUN expert is honorary.He noted that the Government has a duty to hold the elections underdifficult circumstances but expressed optimism that the newProvisional Electoral Council and the more relaxed politicalenvironment compared to last year will allow the electoral process tobe concluded.Among other needs noted during his visit, Galln called for more tobe done to tackle illiteracy among the general population within fiveyears, and to improve prison conditions in order to guaranteedetainees rights.He also reiterated his past recommendations to create a commission oftruth, justice and reparation of violations of the past, and a similarcommission to compensate victims of cholera.We must bring justice to victims of past violations and to people whohave suffered the consequences of cholera to achieve a more equalsociety, based on justice, said Galln.In addition, the independent expert voiced outrage over verbal andphysical attacks against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender and/or intersex community.These attacks are contrary to the rights to equality andnon-discrimination which are recognized in international treaties towhich Haiti is a party. I urge both the authorities and society torespect them. Galln said.He is due to present his report to the Geneva-based UN Human RightsCouncil this month.Photo: UNICEF/UN035877/LeMoyneSource: www.justearthnews.com
CPEC is a military project by China: Mehran Marri

Geneva [Switzerland], Mar. 14 : Representative of Balochistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Mehran Marri dubbed the multi-billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a military project by Beijing which it would later use against the United States and gulf nations.





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"The CPEC is nothing more than a military project by China to have its footprint and have a listening post at the Strait of Hormuz to threaten and blackmail the U.S., the gulf states, all the OPEC nations in the future. CPEC is a disaster in the making," Marri told ANI adding that they have been vehemently opposing this project for for the past 10 years.He added that the project is also causing a humanitarian crisis as it is having a detrimental effect on the locals of Balochistan."It's a joint exploitation project by Pakistan and China not only for exploiting our natural resources, but, also exploitation of our human resource. The Baloch people have been displaced without any provision to make way for the CPEC projects," said MArri.Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf, Director of Research, South Asia Democratic Forum expressed similar concerns saying the project will lead to militarisation of Balochistan."The CPEC has a multi-layered, multi-dimensional impact in Balochistan. First of all, due to the security situation, it will lead to the militarisation of Balochistan. High number of military personnel is already there and we can expect much more. This thing is already going on as we all know that there are additional security forces dedicated for the situation in Balochistan. We will perhaps have more Chinese security personnel," Wolf told ANI.He added the project will also lead to severe economic distortion as there will be a lot of new foreign companies coming in which will of course be a competition for local companies."These will have a negative impact on the local traders. Also, there will be more people coming from outside (migrate) which can lead to outnumbering of Baloch people," he added.The CPEC is a 51.5 billion dollar project that aims to connect Kashgar, in China's western province of Xinjiang, with the port of Gwadar in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.People in the resource-rich province strongly believe that the CPEC will only result in the economic exploitation of Balochistan, with the people being reduced to a minority in their own land.
Goa govt. formation: Congress' Rane expresses ire over delay in decision making

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Goa Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said held indecisiveness and breakdown of decision making process on part of the grand old party's central leadership for the present situation regarding government formation in the coastal state.





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"We were unable to form the government as there was some delay in the decision making process in the Congress leadership. Some discussions were taking place due to which we remained indecisive," Rane told ANI.Rane further said Governor Mridula Sinha should have invited the Congress first to form government and prove majority in the assembly."But indecisiveness on our part was a major setback," he said.Congress leader Digvijay Singh-led delegation would be meeting the Governor today at 1.30 p.m.Singh said that they would express their displeasure to the Governor for not inviting the Congress Party first."She said that she would meet us at 1.30, we would have been happy had she met us earlier," Singh said."We wrote a letter to the Governor asking for invitation to form the government, but we were not invited. We were waiting till yesterday. We also informed her about the petition filed in the Supreme Court, but our main concern is that despite established norms, she did not invite the single largest party to from government without hearing us," he added.Parrikar has claimed the support of 13 MLAs of the BJP, three MLAs of Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), three MLAs of Goa Forward Party (GFP) and two independent MLAs, thus having a total of 21 MLAs in the 40-member Assembly.The Congress won 17 seats with the BJP finishing second in the state with 13 seats.
Arvind Kejriwal urges EC to use ballot papers, not EVMs in MCD polls

New Delhi,Mar 14 : : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urged the Election Commission not to use electronic voting machines in the upcoming Delhi municipal polls, reports said.





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In his letter to the poll panel, the CM, who is also chief of the Aam Aadmi Party, said ballot papers and not EVMs should be used for voting.His move came amid allegations by certain sections of EVM tampering in Uttar Pradesh elections, where the BJP scored an astounding victory.On Monday, Congress leader Lalit Maken had advised Kejriwal to hold the MCD elections through ballot papers.The MCD elections are due in April.
BJP won UP courtesy polarisation: Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that one of the main reasons for the astounding victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently conducted Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was polarisation.





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"The BJP won the elections in Uttar Pradesh. I would like to congratulate them. There are many reasons why they won it, one being polarisation," Gandhi told the media outside Parliament here.Downplaying the allegations levelled against the Congress that they are not allowing the regional leaders to come up and the party's top brass was disconnected with them, he said, "We formed the government in Punjab. We won the elections in Manipur and Goa. That's not a bad result.""It's true that we lost in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. If you look at our Uttarakhand elections and in Punjab, who are running these elections? It's the regional leaders, who are running it. They are the people, who fight the elections and they have been successful in Punjab, Goa and Manipur," he said.The Congress vice-president also admitted that various structural and organizational changes need to be brought in within the party.The BJP won 312 of the 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and its allies emerged victorious in 13 seats. In Uttarakhand, the BJP won 57 of the 70 seats at stake.
I try not to bring in emotions in my work: Aamir Khan

Mumbai , Mar. 14 : Kangana Ranaut's blaming Karan Johar for nepotism in Bollywood has created a huge storm in the industry with many reacting very strongly to it.





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On his 52nd birthday, while speaking to the media here, when Aamir Khan was asked to share his thoughts on the same, he preferred giving a generalised answer, instead of reaction to one specific issue.Terming "helping your loved ones" to be "very normal human nature," the 'Dangal' actor said that he tries "not to allow that to interfere" in his work."It is a very normal human nature to try and help people who you love and care for. It is a very natural thing. It doesn't need to be part of your family. It can be anyone you care for. In my work, I try not to allow that to interfere. I think, my responsibility as an actor is towards my audience and I give that the most importance. I try not to bring in emotions in my work," said Mr. Perfectionist.Further when he was asked about the four 'Dangal' girls- Fatima Sana Shaikh, Zaira Wasim, Sanya Malhotra and Suhani Bhatnagar- Aamir said, "they will be big assert to the industry.""All four of them are very talented, bright and intelligent girls. I don't think they need my advice. If they do, I am always there for them, I think they will be big assert to the industry," he said.
NE business summit attracts potential investors in the northeast region

By Vangamla Salle K S, New Delhi , Mar 14 : Blessed with rich natural resources and having diverse culture, northeast region is unique in their own way from the rest of the country. And to utilize the region's untapped potentials in order to transform the region into a flourishing business hub and fulfill its role as the 'gateway to South East Asia, recently Indian Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India organized the eleventh edition of NE Business Summit at Shangri-La's Eros hotel in New Delhi.





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The two day long summit brought industrialists, businessmen, corporate honchos and potential investors from across the country under one platform and discussed various areas under the theme 'Make in North East'.Addressing at the summit, Minister of DoNER, Dr. Jitendra Singh says that instead of northeast region comes closer to the rest of the country; the country should come closer towards the northeast region as there are plenty of things ought to learn from the region.The two-day event is an initiative to facilitate investment, highlight strengths of the northeast region and business opportunities which the northeast region has to offer."If we are able to promote growth and development in the northeast states, then alone we will be engaging in a position to business and trades with the countries located in with the NE borders, whether it's Myanmar, Bangladesh. You cannot carry groundnuts and sell over there. It's a produce from Arunachal or Nagaland, goods which you would find natural acceptability in the countries across. So by all means, we have a stake in promoting business, trade and commerce in NE and this is one of the initiatives in that direction", said Dr. Jitendra Singh, DoNER Minister.Announcing at the summit in a video message delivered, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu says an e-commerce portal will soon be launched to sell north-eastern handicrafts and handloom worldwide on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website.Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day conclave, DoNER Secretary Naveen Verma also proposed a Green Corridor based on the Indian Railways broad gauge network to give a fillip to industry in the region."The main focuses in these summits are to tell people what the NE has to offer in various sectors for investment especially in tourism, IT, Industry as a whole and sectors like food processing, medicinal plants, bamboo, services sector as well as the opportunity for investment in infrastructure, hydro-power, connectivity, petroleum and natural gas. In addition, summit like this also are able to get the neighboring countries ASEAN people were there, so we are able to see the NE investment not only for domestic market but also the market for the neighboring countries," said Naveen Verma, Secretary, DoNER.The conclave focuses on enhancing economic and social development through services sector in the northeast region. It also stressed upon on development of power and energy through proper utilization of the resources in the region.Moreover, proper connectivity and logistics, development of Agri and Food processing in the region were also discussed during the concurrent sessions."The conference is a very good reminder to everybody that let us care about road and development, water waste development, connectivity of northeast with the rest of the country. And many things have already been done and it has been just told by the minster that there's a direct flight from Delhi to Dimapur and Delhi to Aizawl also. So it is also general information for the common man, specialists, experts and the public as to what the country owes to NE and what NE owes to India", said Prof. S. S. Bhakri, Institute of UN and UNESCO Studies.During the two-day summit, Lt. Gen. Nirbhay Sharma, Governor of Mizoram, PB Acharya, Governor of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, delegates from ASEAN countries and other dignitaries from the country were also attended at the event."You (investor) come to Nagaland and invest it. Whatever situation in the region, you have to accept it. I can't change it and you can't run away from the problems because it is not solving the problem. Northeast is also part of the country. How many people (Investor) come and invest it? That is the question I am asking them. I salute them. Please come and invest and create wealth. If circumstances are bad, feel them because that situation is not their creation", added PB Acharya, Governor, NagalandSuch initiative and summit will help highlight the vast unexplored potential to bring about the quantum jump in the economic growth of the northeast region particular.It also gives an insightful and a clearer picture of the region's untapped resources to the potential investor which eventually enhance for generating revenue, employment and economic upliftment.
Border issues should be resolved diplomatically, politically: Nepal Dy PM

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Tuesday said that border issues between Kathmandu and New Delhi should be resolved diplomatically and politically.





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He made the remarks while commenting on the alleged killing of a Nepali citizen by the Indian security force."Whatever happens at the border should be resolved diplomatically and politically. For this there is a joint technical team between India and Nepal," Nidhi, who is presently in New Delhi, told ANI while urging India to investigate the matter seriously and punish those at fault."I have said to the Government of India from Nepal and I will say it from here also that once his (the deceased's) post-mortem and forensic investigation is done the truth will be known. There should be action," he added.India has already launched an inquiry into the death of a Nepalese citizen, Govinda Gautam, during a clash on the border.According to media reports, the local residents said Gautam, 20, of Kanchanpur district in southwestern Nepal, was hit by shots allegedly fired by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel after a dispute over the construction of a culvert by the Nepalese authorities.Officials from both sides have been in touch to carry on with the investigation.
SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwired - Mar 15, 2017) - KEY CAPITAL CORPORATION (OTC PINK: KCPC) with regard to the Company's interest in GeoGlobal Resources, Inc. (GeoGlobal) advises:

The Company is engaging legal counsel to proceed legal claim to management and control of GeoGlobal.

GeoGlobal has interests in major Oil & Gas properties in India, and contingently a potential interest in a significant oilfield in Colombia. The Company's interest in GeoGlobal is contested by its former Chairman, as has been previously advised.

GeoGlobal has a 10% carried interest in the Krishna Godavari NELP-III block KG-OSN-2001/3 oil and gas field in which to date about $3.5 billion has been spent on exploration, discovery, and production infrastructure development field. An 80% interest has recently been agreed to be sold at a discounted price of total $1.195 billion, to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). This would value the GeoGlobal interest at approximately $149.4 million.

Background:

In April 2014 the Company entered into a binding Agreement with GeoGlobal, at the urgent request of then GeoGlobal Chairman, Jean Paul Roy, as GeoGlobal at the time was: facing imminent bankruptcy; in dispute with each of its partners; delisted from the NYSE; de-registered in Delaware; delinquent in all its reporting and filing requirements; and had no employees, funds, or other support resources. The terms of the agreement with GeoGlobal were offered by GeoGlobal to other parties who had all rejected the offer (including Israeli-based Israel Land Development Company - Energy Ltd, (ILDE), GeoGlobal's major holder of Common Stock). On acceptance of the agreement by the Company it was subsequently ratified by the GeoGlobal Board.

Following Agreement with GeoGlobal, two Key Capital representatives and an independent director were appointed to the GeoGlobal Board. On subsequent GeoGlobal Board resolution, Convertible Preference shares providing voting control of GeoGlobal, and a future control shareholding on conversion were issued to Key Capital. Immediately from the April 2014 Agreement, the Company provided intensive and extensive support and involvement, including provision of accounting, analytical and legal personnel, and expertise. The Company further successfully resolved major GeoGlobal issues, partner related disputes, and especially resolution of a long-outstanding impasse with Indian partner Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) regarding withheld revenue and ongoing revenue sharing from producing oil and gas fields. On resolution of these matters, Jean Paul Roy traveled to India, and contrary to Board and partnering authorities, unlawfully assumed control of GeoGlobal's India subsidiaries. Without any Board or Shareholder approvals or authority, he then purported to terminate the Company's Agreements; ignore the issued Preference Shares and their rights; and dismiss the existing board and appoint a new one.

Story continues

Subsequently, Jean Paul Roy discontinued the corporate re-instatement of GeoGlobal in Delaware, which the Company had commenced to proceed. He continues to operate the GeoGlobal subsidiaries in India largely, in the considered opinion of Key Capital, unlawfully and predominantly for self-enrichment, to the detriment of the Company's interests and other GeoGlobal shareholders. Jean Paul Roy is further responsible for the establishment in early 2015 of grossly misleading website content at www.geoglobal.com, including numerous false claims and statements, and advice that GeoGlobal is a US publicly traded oil and gas company whose stock is traded on the OTC Markets under symbol GGLR. The Company has repeatedly advised Jean Paul Roy and ILDE of this ongoing deliberate misrepresentation and ignorance of corporate responsibility and governance.

Current Events:

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), in India on December 24, 2016, announced the acquisition of 80% of the GSPC offshore Krishna Godavari oil and gas project at a discounted price of total $1.195 billion. ONGC is India's largest oil and Gas Company having a market capitalization of over $36 billion and revenue last year of a reported $21.83 billion.

The Company formally advised ONGC of its interest in GeoGlobal Resources on January 3, 2017.

On February 23, 2017, in a Press Release, ONGC advised: "ONGC Board has approved execution of Farm-in / Farm-out agreement with M/s GSPC in respect of acquisition of 80% Participative Interest and Operatorship in the NELP-III block KG-OSN-2001/3. Following ONGC Board's decision in its 287th meeting held on 23.12.2016 to acquire 80% Participative Interest and Operatorship in the block, the two companies, after several rounds of discussions and legal due diligence, have agreed to the terms and conditions to be incorporated in the Farm-in / Farm-out agreement. The Farm-in / Farm-out agreement sets forth the modalities to be followed to effect the assignment of Participative Interest and change of Operatorship with the approval of the Government as per the existing Production Sharing Contract and Joint Operating Agreement of the block." See: www.ongcIndia.com under Press Releases Item 3.2.

The Company is currently in discussion regarding the appointment of legal counsel to seek lawful remedy, together with other options available to it and, also on behalf of GeoGlobal shareholders.

About Key Capital

Key Capital is an Investment Banking Group, with its major focus being on building a Mineral Bank that will accrue accretive streaming interests in diverse commodities. Through the provision of structured financing of mining and energy production projects, Key Capital retains life-of-mine interests in the production of mines containing gold, silver, base or other industrial metals, or in energy products.

For further information regarding Key Capital:

See www.keycapitalgroup.com

Disclaimer: Statements made in this press release that express the Company or management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of future events, are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "will" and similar expressions are intended to further identify such forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Those statements are based on many assumptions and are subject to many known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual activities, results or performance to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in such forward-looking statements. The Company cannot guarantee future financial results, levels of activity, performance or achievements and investors should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.
FDI in trading of Food Products

New Delhi, Mar 14 : Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha the steps her department has taken recently regarding Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).





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She said that her department has held three meetings on Mar 17 and August 3 last year and on Feb 27 this year with various countries on the issue of FDI.She said that meeting were held with India-based Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various foreign countries, namely, Australia, China, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Netherland, Poland, Russia, Singapore, UK, New Zealand, UAE, Thailand, Germany, Belgium, Brazil, USA, Malaysia, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain and Italy.These meetings were facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs.In the first two meetings, the foreign Missions were apprised about the Governments policy initiatives such as allowing 100% FDI in manufacturing under automatic route and 100% FDI in trading, including e-commerce, in respect of food products manufactured and/or produced in India.The Ministry of Food Processing Industries further explained opportunities existed in the Food Processing sector for exploring new food business tie-ups as well as expansion of their food business already existing in India. They were also asked to further disseminate the information in this regard to the investors of their country.In the latest meeting, the minister said that Ministry of Food Processing Industries has invited all the foreign Missions present in the meeting to participate in the mega international food event, World Food India 2017, to be held in New Delhi from November 3-5, 2017, to showcase the various investment opportunities in India in the food processing and food retail sectors.Ministry of Food Processing Industries has already sanctioned new Mega Food Parks, Cold Chains infrastructure and Food Testing Laboratories, which are normally equipped with latest technology and modern infrastructure in their units/plants.The Ministry is also encouraging organization of seminars, workshops and conferences to exhibit opportunities in the food processing sector and Make in India initiative in all fields including latest equipment and technologies.New policy initiatives such as Ease of doing business, Make in India and 100% FDI policy in manufacturing of food products and trading of food products manufactured/produced in India, will also help to bring latest technologies to this sector, the minister said.
Real Estate body NAREDCO urges Haryana Government to expedite work on KMP Expressway

New Delhi , Mar 14 : Real Estate Industry body, NAREDCO has urged the Haryana Government to speed up work for completion of the much awaited Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway (KMP). The work on the proposed expressway was supposed to get completed by 31 March of this year. The date has now been postponed to mid of June 2017.





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According to officials of the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (HSIIDC), about 70 percent of the civil work on the 83-km stretch between Manesar and Kundli has been completed and the remaining construction is expected to be done by mid of June. KMP, which is also called the Western Peripheral Expressway, is around 136 km long expressway and connects Kundli in Sonepat district, Manesar in Gurugram District with Palwal District. The entire construction has been delayed by over seven years for several reasons including the operational inefficiencies, controversies around land acquisition and various other litigations. After much delay, on 5 April 2016 the 53 km stretch between Manesar and Palwal was opened for public use.When completed, the Expressway will vertically connect Gurugram to Sonepat and Kundli which are the emerging as residential hubs on NH1.Commenting on the advantages of the completion of the mega project, Parveen Jain President NAREDCO said, "The opening up of the Expressway will provide a plethora of socio-economic development opportunities to the entire region. The completion of the remaining stretch is the key to unlock the growth potential in the region. A number of housing, commercial and infrastructure projects have been planned along the route. Completion of the entire project within the stipulated timeframe will help the region to prosper."NAREDCO plans to submit its request to the Haryana Government. "Very soon we will be sending our submission to the state government. Hopefully, government will look into our long pending demand. The completion will positively impact the development of Sonepat-Gurugram, stretch, which is now becoming a prime real estate destination in the region," added Jain."Sonipat, a satellite city of Delhi and located 20 km from North of Delhi, is already witnessing large-scale developments in all sectors - residential, commercial and retail. It has been marked as one of the prominent industrial zones of Haryana. With sky-rocketing property rates of Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida, real estate in Sonepat offers good options to all sections of buyers.With completion of KMP, the city is set to become another real estate hub like Gurugram and Noida" disclosed Vijay Arora, Vice President, Jindal Reality Pvt. Ltd. who is developing 650 acre Sonepat Global City on the stretch.The Sonepat-Gurugram stretch in particular has seen massive development. But in comparison to Gurugram and Noida, prices have remained low. With the current average rate in Sonepat being in the range of Rs 2,700-2,900 per sq ft, property rates in the region has remained stable and firm over the past two to three years. On account of the stability in prices, the region has seen residential and infrastructural development. A number of developers have already brought their projects in the region.The biggest positive about the region will be its connectivity. While a transit oriented development is already being planned, the Expressway itself will reduce the travel time drastically. Due to low price points, smooth connectivity with North and West Delhi, the city offers good potential in the near future. Serving to the basic day-to-day needs, social infrastructure and amenities including educational institutions, hospitals and markets are abundant in the region.The city is also being developed as an international-level education hub due to The Rajiv Gandhi Education City, a futuristic project by the Government of Haryana, hosting 10 universities. This has given a lot of importance to the area. Spread over an area of 2,500 acres with investment of nearly Rs. 15,000 crore and creating job opportunities for about 50,000 people, this educational hub is touted to give a boost to the real estate sector in the region. Besides being an educational hub, Sonepat is also being developed as one the largest industrial zones of Haryana. Leading brands like Atlas Cycles, Hilton Rubber, ECE, Hindustan Everest Tools and Satnam Overseas already have their units in the city and many more are planning to come here. This is definitely leading to a lot of job opportunities and attracting many people to the region. Hence, the real estate sector in the region is touted to grow.
Our motto is 'United Manipur', says Biren Singh

Imphal (Manipur) , Mar. 14 : Urging the people of Manipur to cooperate with his party in forming a new government in the state, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief ministerial candidate N. Biren Singh while assuring to provide good governance on Tuesday said his party's only motto is 'United Manipur'.





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"Legally we have the right. We have to form the government in Manipur. My message to Manipur is please cooperate with the coming BJP government. We will serve the people of Manipur without making any difference, all will be treated equally. Basically our motto is united Manipur," Singh told ANI.Lauding the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said the 'Modi magic' is driving the people of Manipur 'crazy'."More responsibility will be there because the magic of Modi ji is making the people crazy. What he said he did. He thought for the poor of the poorest," said Singh."Right now, the state is bankrupt. So, our plan is to seek everything from the Centre because we do not have our own resources," he added.Singh was elected at a legislature party meeting in Imphal yesterday in the presence of central observers - Piyush Goyal and Vinay Sahasrabuddhe.Meanwhile, outgoing Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh resigned yesterday after Governor Najma Heptullah said she cannot start the process of government formation in the state till he quits.Both BJP and Congress have staked claim to form the government in the state.BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the party has secured the support of 32 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.
Congress uses money power in politics: Mahesh Sharma

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Slamming Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi over his assertion that one of the main reasons for the BJP's astounding victory in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was polarisation, Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Tuesday alleged that the grand old party has always used its money power in politics.





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"Congress has always used money power. Raising questions on such an honest man like Manohar Parrikar is not accepted, but we can't help it as it has been in their culture. Manohar Parrikar is the right man to head the state of Goa, no one better than him can take his position," Sharma told ANI.Earlier today, Gandhi alleged that one of the main reasons for the BJP's victory in Uttar Pradesh was polarisation."The BJP won the elections in Uttar Pradesh. I would like to congratulate them. There are many reasons why they won it, one being polarisation," Gandhi told the media outside Parliament here.Downplaying the allegations levelled against the Congress that they are not allowing the regional leaders to come up and the party's top brass was disconnected with them, he said, "We formed the government in Punjab. We won the elections in Manipur and Goa. That's not a bad result.""It's true that we lost in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. If you look at our Uttarakhand elections and in Punjab, who are running these elections? It's the regional leaders, who are running it. They are the people, who fight the elections and they have been successful in Punjab, Goa and Manipur," he said.The Congress vice-president also admitted that various structural and organizational changes need to be brought in within the party.The BJP won 312 of the 403 assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh and its allies emerged victorious in 13 seats. In Uttarakhand, the BJP won 57 of the 70 seats at stake.
Sikh bodies launch Nanakshahi original calendar

Amritsar (Punjab) , Mar. 14 : The Sikh bodies on Tuesday launched an original Nanakshahi Calender around the world, to restore the original Nanakshahi Calender (2003) and appeal to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to take consensus of the Sikh bodies and adopt the original calendar and not the distorted one.





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At Akal Takhat the highest temporal seats of the Sikhs, the Sikh leaders assembled and after performing they released the Nanakshahi Calander for the year 549."We are determined to restore the Nanakshahi calendar to its pristine glory. The Bikrami khichdi will not work for long," said Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema.Party's spokesperson Kanwerpal Singh said that the dates of Guru Nanak Sahib's Gurpurab, Bandi Chor and Hola Mohalla were not fixed as per Nanakshahi at the time of its launch in 2003 under pressure from non Sikh lobby, they will build consensus amongst the community to fix these dates too.Notably, the calendar was designed and prepared by Canada-based Pal Singh Purewal, accepted by the SGPC general house and ratified by the Akal Takht Sahib in March-April 2003 but debunked by the SGPC in 2010.Interestingly, it was during the tenure of Kirpal Singh Badungar the calendar was launched in its original form in 2003 and few month back Badungar reappointed the President of SGPC the premier bodies of the Sikh.Various Gurdwaras in USA also lunched the original Calendar.American Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) coordinator informed that they have rejected the amended Nanakshahi Calender which is distortion of the original Calendar adopted by the SGPC and approved by the Sikhs' highest temporal seat Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 2003."We follow the original 2003 version of the calendar and reject the distorted one which has been released by the SGPC now'', said Dr. Pritpal Singh.He said all the dates including the Gurpurabs and other related historical days would be observed by most of the Sikhs in US as per the original Nanakshahi Calender."The present SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badungar was the Chief of the SGPC when the Calendar was adopted in 2003. So he should honour the Sikh sentiments and only the original Calendar should be adopted'', they said in the statement.The U.S. Sikh leaders also said that the SGPC chief must take the lead and hold dialogue with the other Sikh bodies as the community is divided over the issue of the Calendar and thus strike a consensus to adopt the original Calendar. They also congratulated the Sikh community members on the eve of the New Year today.The Pakistan Sikh Committee also launched the Original Calander on yesterday.Permit Singh Sarna, former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee while favouring the original Nankshahi Calander, ruled that the SGPC has been working under some outside influence and wrongly made unwanted ammedments in the original calendar.He appealed to the Akal Takht to call a meeting of Sikh scholars and the creator of the calendar the after making consensus resolves the confusion.
Bangladesh PM Hasina to visit India from Apr. 7-10

Dhaka [Bangladesh], March. 14 : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a four-day state visit to India from April 7 to 10 following an invitation extended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.





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The trip will include official talks between the two leaders in New Delhi on April 8.Dhaka Tribune quoted the official statement as saying that the upcoming visit is expected to "further expand the cordial and cooperative relationship" between India and Bangladesh and "build on the strong ties of friendship and trust between the two leaders".Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla yesterday said that Bangladesh Prime Minister Hasina's visit to India is of high importance to his country."From the Indian side, we are giving the highest importance to the honourable Prime Minister's visit to India," the Indian envoy told the reporters after a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque.He said that Hasina has been invited by Prime Minister Modi to stay at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, where usually no head of state gets the opportunity to stay.Shringla said this visit is very important in many aspects for both the countries as the two neighbouring countries have demonstrated cooperation in settling land and maritime boundaries within a short period of time under the leadership of both Hasina and Modi.India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar last month had called Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and briefed her on the recent developments in India-Bangladesh relations.He had also discussed preparatory aspects of the proposed visit of Prime Minister Hasina to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had paid a state visit to Bangladesh on June 6-7, 2015.During the visit, 22 bilateral documents were concluded, including the exchange of instrument of ratification for India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).Hasina had recently visited India on October 16-17 last year to participate in the BRICS-BIMSTEC Outreach.She had also met Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the Summit.
Jaitley lashes out at Cong., calls its claims 'baseless'

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Adding on to his Facebook post on the Congress Party 'complaining too much', Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday lashed out at the grand old party's claims of not being given an opportunity to form the government in Goa and Manipur, in spite of being the leading party in both the states.





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Jaitley called the aforementioned claims 'baseless' and said that the MLAs have submitted letters to the Goa Governer extending their support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in order to form the state government.To this regard, Jaitley clarified that despite the Congress being the single largest party with 17 seats in the 40-seat assembly, the BJP has gathered 21 seats after the MLAs supported them, which is a clear indicator of the formation of a BJP government in the state."The Congress has neither staked claim to form a government nor elected its leader. It is difficult to understand the reason behind the party's retaliation," he said.Commenting on the Supreme Court's verdict on the petition that was filed by the Congress earlier this week, Jaitley supported the apex court's decision, stating that this would further prevent horse trading.Speaking on Manohar Parrikar's swearing-in as the Goa Chief Minister, Jaitley said that a procurement report has been filed with regards to expenses and management of safety measures."I will start off where Parrikar left," he added.The recently concluded assembly elections in five states saw the Congress taking centre stage in Punjab with 77 seats in the 117-seat assembly.However, the BJP established a clear majority in Uttar Pradesh, with 325 seats out of 403, and 57 seats out of 70 in Uttarakhand.In Goa and Manipur, although the Congress was ahead, independent MLAs and other regional parties in the two states have announced to enter into an alliance with the BJP, thus giving them an opportunity to form the Government.
Election Commission rejects AAP's plea to use ballot papers in MCD elections

New Delhi, Mar 14 : The Election Commission on Tuesday rejected the plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to use ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines in the upcoming Municipal Corporation election of Delhi.





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Earlier in the day, the AAP pleaded to the Election Commission to use ballot papers over EVMs for fair election.Rejecting the plea, the election commissioner in a press conference said: EVMs have been used in earlier elections and they are secured. We cannot change the rules now since the elections are declared already. It needs the change of rules.Later, the Congress too joined the plea of AAP of using ballot papers instead of EVMs in MCD elections.The Election Commission informed that the election would take place on April 22 while the results would come out on April 25.
Finova Capital to disburse Rs. 100 Crore worth of loan to Indian MSMEs

New Delhi , Mar. 14 : Finova Capital, the NBFC licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced its target of disbursing loans worth Rs. 100 Crore in 2017 to the Indian MSME sector.





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Within the past one year of its launch, the company has already disbursed loans worth Rs. 20 Crores to over 220 small scale merchants, with the ticket size of Rs. nine lakh."The MSME sector in India is a strong contributor to country's GDP, along with creating employment opportunities. Despite their efforts, the sector often finds it challenging to access the traditional financial services, due to various factors, including lack of documentation, tedious paperwork and others," said Mohit Sahney, MD and CEO, Finova Capital.The target loan will be disbursed by Finova Capital among small business owners, with primary focus on electricians, plumbers, carpenters, hairdressers and food kiosk owners."While most banks were willing to offer me a loan, I realised that the terms for repaying the same within 2-3 years with high EMIs could become immensely difficult for me in the long run. Finally, I found out about Finova Capital and the long reimbursement tenures they offer. I availed a small business loan worth Rs. 6.40 Lakh for seven years with EMIs at half the prices. It is certainly the best decision I ever made," said Narayan Singh Negi, a Paan-vendor from Jaipur, on his experience with Finova Capital's services.Bringing about financial innovation and transforming credit delivery, Finova Capital offers flexible ticket size of the loans between a minimum of Rs. two lakh to maximum Rs. 20 lakh, depending on the requirements.Within just a year of its operations, Finova Capital has emerged as one of the most preferred financial services providers amongst MSMEs in India.
Omar Abdullah seeks safe, conducive elections for J-K by-polls

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) , Mar. 14 : Asserting that the security of its leaders are not in safe hands, National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for by-polls to two Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir.





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"As far as the current situation is concerned, we see that the security of our party leaders is being scaled down rather than being increased. Questions over security to sarpanches had been raised but I am telling you that the security of my former legislators and former ministers is being withdrawn," said Abdullah.Abdullah further stated that when former ministers wish to visit their areas, they get security only after repeated requests."The EC expects us to fight elections. It should ensure that the atmosphere is conducive for elections, and those who want to take part in the elections as candidates or campaigners should get full security," said Abdullah.Referring to Army Chief General Bipin Rawat's remarks, Omar said that he had said that such people be treated as anti-nationals."He had perhaps hoped that people after listening to this will prefer to sit in their houses. But even after his threat, perhaps people in large numbers (than earlier) came out of their houses. This issue won t get resolved by issuing threats," he added.The National Conference working president said the PDP-BJP government should try to understand the sentiments of the people.He also hit out at the Centre as well as the state government over the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for the past week."This is very disappointing, we know no one has control over weather, but after (bad) weather the highway can indeed be cleared. Also one side it's about the four-laning of the highway, and we got to know that Prime Minister is coming to inaugurate the (Chennani-Nashri) tunnel, but from past five to six days the people are not able to travel on the highway and passengers are stranded," he added.The Srinagar parliamentary constituency will go to polls on April 9 and polling in Anantnag will be held on April 12.
Research security partnerships connect India, Australia and the UK

New Delhi, Mar 14 : Academic experts from India, Australia and the UK researching key global and regional security issues gathered in New Delhi to forge new research partnerships.





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Following a one-week intensive module as part of relevant Masters courses at the Universities of Birmingham, Melbourne and Delhi, researchers from the three institutions took part in a one-day academic networking workshop.Researchers from all three countries joined forces to discuss general funding opportunities and key questions around security key themes included gender and conflict, knowledge production on security, and regional security.Dr Jonathan Fisher, Senior Lecturer in African Politics, at the University of Birmingham said: We had lots of interesting discussion around the global and regional security issues at hand. The participants really got their teeth into the task and it was a great way to develop potential research project bids.We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with our partners in Melbourne and Delhi. As a civic university in the 21st century, Birminghams responsibilities include contributing to enriching the life of our home city and the wider world. The Masters module and workshop present another exciting opportunity for our researchers to foster strong partnerships across the globe, Fisher said.The research workshop stemmed from our existing collaboration across the three institutions in teaching the module and included module co-ordinators from Delhi, Birmingham and Melbourne.The events brought together scholars and PhD students from all three countries and opened up opportunities for further partnerships with universities in Melbourne and New Delhi. Researchers and students are now looking for opportunities to bid for future Global Challenge Research Fund and Newton Fund monies, as inter-group networks and collaborations flourish.Each year, a group of Masters students from across the School of Government and Society at Birmingham has the opportunity to travel to New Delhi, India, to take part in the week-long international module entitled Traditional and New Security Challenges: South Asia in Global Perspective.The intensive module explores the evolving international security agenda and encourages students to consider if security and insecurity have fundamentally transformed in recent decades. Students explore how challenges such as weak and failed states, environmental degradation, terrorism, underdevelopment, migration, and ideas such as human security have changed the way we think about, and respond to, insecurity.The module is convened and taught by staff from Birminghams International Development Department, and partners from the University of Melbourne and the University of Delhi and is supported by Birminghams International Office and School of Government and Society.
Canada: Indigenous woman promotes indigenous culture in U of T

Toronto, Mar 14 : A free event was organized by the Indigenous Studies Student Union at the University of Toronto (U of T) featuring dancing, singing, food, and workshops, media reports said.





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Besides celebrating past and present indigenous students, the main motive of the event was to educate people about Indigenous traditions.When Eileen Antone, an indigenous person came to the University of Toronto (U O T) in the early 90s, there was only one other Indigenous student.My mantra became, Where are the aboriginal students? Where are the aboriginal faculty? Where are the aboriginal staff?, Antone was quoted as saying by CBCNews reports said.Her goal was to see the growth of Indigenous community at the university and after years of hard work there was the first 500-person in the school gymnasium on Saturday, said Antone.Julie Blair, the finance coordinator of U of T said the powwow celebration enabled everyone to gather together to share their cultureOne of Blairs post in her Facebook reads: What a great day! I kept looking around in awe at what we accomplished by working together in a good way. Thanks to everyone who came out to the Honouring our Students Pow Wow and Indigenous Festival at U of T! Indigenous Studies Students UnionYet another post by Indigenous Studies Students Union (ISSU) - University of Toronto reads,ISSU will be forever grateful to everyone who helped make this event happen. We are all still in awe from yesterday. Well see everyone next year! #HOSPW2017 #IndigenizeURCampus.Following the 2014 federal Truth and Reconciliation Report (TRC), the University of Toronto released its own report in January recommending more spaces for Indigenous people and promotion of Indigenous employees.Since the TRC report came out, there had been more awareness on campus about Indigenous issues, said BlairIndigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett and a U of T alumna was also present at the powwow and said, We never had anything that really taught us about, not only this history of Indigenous people in our country, but the presence of Indigenous people right now, CBCNews reports said.While stressing the need of the personal cultural identity for Indigenous students to succeed, it was also important, Bennett said that non-Indigenous people recognize and learn about Indigenous culture in Toronto.(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)Image of Indigenous people in Canada: Wikipedia
Tata Steel bags 'Most Ethical Company Award' for fifth time

Jamshedpur, Mar 14 : Tata Steel has been recognised by Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as the World's Most Ethical Company for the year 2017.





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The steel giant has received the coveted recognition for the fifth time.Speaking on the recognition, TV Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel India SEA said: Its a great privilege for us at Tata Steel to have been recognised amongst the Worlds Most Ethical Companies by the coveted Ethisphere Institute. The recognition achieved for the fifth time recognises the strong ethical practices and guidelines followed by the Company and the Tata Group.Tata Steel has been recognised by Ethisphere Institute four times earlier, in 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016. It is also one of the two companies from India to receive the honour, there underscoring its commitment to ethical business practices.Congratulating Tata Steel on being recognised as a Worlds Most Ethical Company, Ethisphere Institutes Chief Executive Officer Timothy Erblich said: Ethisphere recognises those companies who align principle with action, work tirelessly to make trust part of their corporate DNA and, in doing so, shape future industry standards by introducing tomorrows best practices in business today. Companies rely on Ethisphere to continually raise and measure the standards of corporate behaviour. Those that demonstrate in areas of citizenship, integrity and transparency create more value for their investors, customers, communities and employees, thus solidifying a sustainable business advantage.
S.M. Krishna heads to Bengaluru, meeting with BJP leadership postponed

New Delhi , Mar. 15 : Former external affairs minister S.M. Krishna, who was supposed to meet the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership here this week in order to formally join the party, today headed back to Bengaluru as his sister has passed away.





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The meeting now stands postponed until further notice.A day before, the former Congress leader alleged that the grand old party does not want interference in its "hereditary" leadership."The Congress needs no interference. There is hereditary leadership present. I will go to Delhi and see what happens. The people will have the final say in this matter," Krishna had said.Krishna resigned from the Congress earlier in January this year. Ever since then, speculations had been rife that he would join the saffron party. But, he was reportedly told to wait, in the wake of Assembly elections in five states of the country.The 84-year-old first became a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mandya in 1968.Krishna led the Congress to victory in Karnataka in 1999 and served as the chief minister till 2004. He also served as the governor of Maharashtra from 2004-2008.
UP: Chetak helicopter develops snag, pilots safe

Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) , Mar. 15 : A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday toppled after a technical failure while the pilots were trying to land the airplane on an uneven field.





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According to the Indian Air Force officials, the aircraft was on a routine training sortie at Bamrauli Air Base in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad district.Both pilots are reportedly safe.A Committee of Inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident.
World's oldest plant fossil discovered in India

Washington D.C. [U.S.A.], Mar. 15 : A team of researchers has discovered fossils of 1.6 billion-year-old probable red algae in India, indicating that advanced multicellular life evolved on earth much earlier than previously thought.





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The study, appeared in the open access journal PLOS Biology, found two kinds of fossils resembling red algae - first type is thread-like, the other one consists of fleshy colonies - in uniquely well-preserved sedimentary rocks at Chitrakoot in Central India.The scientists were able to see distinct inner cell structures and so-called cell fountains, the bundles of packed and splaying filaments that form the body of the fleshy forms and are characteristics of red algae."You cannot be 100 percent sure about material this ancient, as there is no DNA remaining, but the characters agree quite well with the morphology and structure of red algae," said Stefan Bengtson.The earliest traces of life on Earth are at least 3.5 billion years old. These single-celled organisms, unlike eukaryotes, lack nuclei and other organelles.Discoveries of early multicellular eukaryotes have been sporadic and difficult to interpret, challenging scientists trying to reconstruct and date the tree of life.The oldest known red algae before the present discovery are 1.2 billion-year-old.The Indian fossils, 400 million years older and by far the oldest plant-like fossils ever found, suggest that the early branches of the tree of life need to be recalibrated."The 'time of visible life' seems to have begun much earlier than we thought," Stefan Bengtson stated.The presumed red algae lie embedded in fossil mats of cyanobacteria, called stromatolites, in 1.6 billion-year-old Indian phosphorite.The research group was able to look inside the algae with the help of synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy.Among other things, they have seen regularly recurring platelets in each cell, which they believe are parts of chloroplasts, the organelles within plant cells where photosynthesis takes place.They have also seen distinct and regular structures at the centre of each cell wall, typical of red algae.
'Unnecessary talks': Rajnath on his name being considered for UP CM

New Delhi , Mar. 15 : Amid speculations that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in the process of zeroing in on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to be the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, the senior party leader while continuing to maintain a rhetoric silence on the same stated that such discussions were futile.





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"These discussions are futile and unnecessary," Rajnath told ANI when asked about him being in the race for becoming UP Chief Minister.After an astounding victory in the Assembly polls, the BJP is in the process of deciding the chief ministerial candidate for the politically crucial state.According to reports, Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the most favoured in the party to be their representative in UP.Apart from him, the other name that was speculated to be the chief minister was of BJP's prominent Hindutva force Yogi Adityanath. The firebrand leader is an unchallenged MP from Gorakhpur.Another name that came up was BJP state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, who is a popular face amongst the backward classes in the state.
Films should be close to reality: Maha Minister on 'Padmavati' sets attack in Kolhapur

Mumbai (Maharashtra) , Mar. 15 : Commenting on the attack on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Padmavati' sets in Kolhapur last night, Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde has advised the filmmaker to solve the rift cordially with people having varied opinions on the historic film.





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"This matter is related to law and order but the makers should make sure that their movies should be less of fiction and more close to reality. And if a movie is based on such matter, both the parties should first sit together and discuss," Tawde said."Bhansali's films are based on history and the society is bound to have different opinions. Hence, people should solve the matter amicably," he added.For the unversed, months after the attack on the sets of 'Padmavati' in Jaipur, it has yet again been vandalised and set on fire in Kolhapur last night. Reportedly, a few cars parked outside the sets were also damaged.The movie has been under the radar ever since its announcement. After the Jaipur attack, Bhansali shifted the base to Kolhapur, Maharashtra, to resume the shooting.
Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) launched

New Delhi, Mar 15 : Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES) on Wednesday, in New Delhi. The Scheme is focused on addressing the needs of the exporters.





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Sitharaman said the focus is not just to create infrastructure but to make sure it is professionally run and sustained.The Minister added that there will be an Empowered Committee to periodically review the progress of the approved projects in the scheme and will take necessary steps to ensure achievement of the objectives of the Scheme.She said the proposals of the implementing agencies for funding will be considered by an inter ministerial Empowered Committee specially constituted for this scheme and chaired by the Commerce Secretary.While appraising the project, its justification, including the intended benefit in terms of addressing the specific export bottlenecks, would be evaluated, the Minister said.Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia said the scheme would provide assistance for setting up and up-gradation of infrastructure projects with overwhelming export linkages such as the Border Haats, Land customs stations, quality testing and certification labs, cold chains, trade promotion centres, dry ports, export warehousing and packaging, SEZs and ports/airports cargo terminuses.She said the last and first mile connectivity projects related to export logistics will also be considered.After delinking of the ASIDE Scheme in 2015, the state governments have been consistently requesting the support of the Centre in creation of export infrastructure. This support is imperative to act as an inducement to the states to channelize funds from their increased devolution towards creation of export infrastructure.The objective of the proposed scheme is to enhance export competitiveness by bridging gaps in export infrastructure, creating focused export infrastructure, first mile and last mile connectivity for export-oriented projects and addressing quality and certification measures.The Central and state agencies, including Export Promotion Councils, Commodities Boards, SEZ authorities and Apex Trade bodies recognised under the EXIM policy of Government of India are eligible for financial support under this scheme.Central government funding will be in the form of grant-in-aid, normally not more than the equity being put in by the implementing agency or 50 per cent of the total equity in the project.In case of projects located in north eastern states and Himalayan states, including JK, this grant can be upto 80 per cent of the total equity, the release said.The grant in aid shall, normally, be subject to a ceiling of Rs 20 crore for each infrastructure project.The implementing agencies shall provide details of the financing tie-ups for the projects which will be considered before approval of the project. Disbursement of funds shall be done after financial closure is achieved.Image: PIB
Spice Money clocks four billion in February 2017, post demonetization

New Delhi , Mar 15 : Spice Digital Limited, a subsidiary brand of Spice Connect Group has announced a record of four billion GMV in Fintech services, for the month of February, 2017. Despite demonetization, Spice Digital has had an outstanding monthly business growth of 100 percent.





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SDL is the market leader of Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS), mobile applications, Internet products and services, and fintech services. "Spice Digital is committed to serving the underserved rural population in the country," Spice Digital, Global CEO, Saket Agarwal said.Spice Money, the fintech wing of Spice, aims to make the banking process an easier and a hassle-free experience for all. SDL one of the few companies which have access to the maximum number of fintech service license like PPI, BBPS, AEPS, to name a few. With the entire nation progressing toward digitization, spice money services are committed to bringing the nation closer to basic banking rights of Individual adults."Spice Digital's fintech services have seen a remarkable journey by enabling hassle-free payment methods. We have added over 20 percent transacting counters in a single month and have witnessed the phenomenal acquisition for AEPS products. So far, we have over 20,000 direct retail points and over 100,000 counters of alliance partners and these numbers are increasing," said Global CEO Spice Digital Limited, Saket Agarwal."In the span of two months (Dec-Feb), we have jumped from 225 crore to 400 crore, which itself shows our growth rate," added Agarwal.So far, the company has launched numerous services like eKYC, AEPS, BBPS alongside Motor insurance and PAN card application. eKYC, which is a paperless Know Your Customer (KYC) process, where your identity and address are verified electronically. This process is secure, error proof and quick. Spice Money uses India Stack-based electronic Know-Your-Customer process (eKYC) to verify users' and onboard merchants/retailers credential.Whereas, AEPS service allows payments and cash out using Aadhaar and biometric authentication. AEPS is a unique service that allows an individual to carry out the financial transaction on a Mini-ATM provided by a banking correspondent.Another key service by Spice Money, is 'Bharat Bill Payment System' (BBPS), a RBI mandated system, which offers integrated and inter-operable bill payment services to customers across geographies with certainty, reliability, and safety of transactions. It's worth knowing that, Spice is one of the first operating units to commence BBPS operations. Operated by over 3500 agents, it is characterized by the presence of a large number of billers, that include BSES Rajdhani, Tata Power, Torrent Power, Reliance Energy, Tata Sky, Sun Direct, Delhi Jal Board, MTNL Mumbai etc.As far as the PAN card application is concerned, any applicant can come in and get Pan card form filled for enrollment. And those who are seeking motor Insurance, for them, Spice Money is offering best rate on insurance through EasyPolicy web aggregator.Fintech Services by SDL empowers the customer to use basic banking functionalities such as balance enquiries, cash withdrawals, cash deposits along side Aadhaar to Aadhaar funds transfers and remittances across banks (both intrabank and interbank). With an impressive product portfolio, Spice Digital Limited continues to cater to a diverse set of customer needs and build a strong customer relationship.
On the second day of the Countess Sophie's visit to Malawi, the Countess visited the Kasungu district. The Countess met with a family affected by trachoma in their home. The Countess of Wessex, Vice Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, visit the Malawi to see the work being done to end avoidable blindness and champion youth leadership.
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Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
Columnist

Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich).
Leprosy has historically been a dreaded skin disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which has been associated with ostracism, poverty, and progressive disabling disfigurement. However, there have always been some famous public figures that were also lepers, yet reached distinction with this great handicap.

3D illustration of Mycobacterium leprae bacteria Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock.com

Some of them were Otani Yoshitsugu (a 16th century Japanese hero), a poet Nguyen Trong Tri, king Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, and the only voluntary leper of them all, Father Damien of Molokai.

Otani Yoshitsugu

Born in 1559, Otani Yoshitsugu became a trusted lieutenant of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the daimyo (feudal lord) and chief Imperial minister who was deeply involved in the unification of Japan begun by another daimyo, Oda Nobunaga.

He is legendary in Japan for two reasons: namely, his leprosy and his tenacious friendship with Ishida Mitsunari. Ishida was, with Yoshitsugu, one of the three generals who commanded the ill-fated Japanese campaign in Korea. The story goes that once during a secret tea party where all shared the same tea cup, pus from an ulcer on Yoshitsugus face fell into the cup. Though others in the circle showed revulsion at having to drink from the cup after this, Mitsunari is said to have not only calmly accepted the drink but to have drained the cup, praising the tea.

In return, Yoshitsugu stood fast with Mitsunari at the battle of Sekigahara, though almost blind and very ill at the time. Having tried in vain to persuade his friend of the folly of the battle, he finally gave in to the call of his friendship and joined him. As they faced treachery and were badly outnumbered, he fought back valiantly, but finally lost the battle. He killed himself when his faithful retainer finally told him that they had lost.

Nguyen Trong Tri

Another famous figure is Nguyen Trong Tri, who wrote under the name Han Mac Tu. Born in 1912, he died early, in 1940. He was a Catholic and a poet of the colonial era. He grew up poor, and without a father. His versification showed itself when he was still a boy. Fortunately, he came under the notice of the better-known literary figure Phan Boi Chau, who praised and encouraged him, bringing him into the public eye.

Nguyen Trong Tri wrote many love poems as well as poems based on folk lore, which are still popular today. However, he became a leper in 1937, and according to the practice of the time, was sent to Quy Hoa hospital in 1940. He survived only two months there.

Baldwin IV of Jerusalem

Another great leper was King Baldwin IV, who lived during the Crusader era, as King of Jerusalem. He developed leprosy while still young, and the anesthesia which afflicted his right hand and arm was described graphically by his tutor. Though treated with all the physic of his time, he could not be cured.

Symptoms of leprosy were all too evident, and both the face and the limbs bore the marks. As King, he suffered greatly, becoming blind and developing severe ulceration of the extremities, which rendered him unable to stand or handle things. Finally he died at the age of 24, in 1185 AD. His sickness undoubtedly contributed to the rise of various factions among his noblemen which led to the weakening of the kingdom and permitted the sweeping conquests of Saladin.

Father Damien of Molokai

Greatest among the lepers of history is possibly the only voluntary leper of them all, Father Damien of Molokai. Born Joseph de Veuster in 1840 (in Belgium), he sailed for Hawaii in 1863, in the place of his brother Father Pamphile who had fallen ill. In 1864 he became a priest.

At the time, the Hawaiian government moved all lepers to the isolation camp at Kalapapa on Molokai. Touched by the helpless and lonely condition of the lepers there, he elected to take oversight of the leper camp. He served as priest, doctor, administrator, and orphanage founder. He spent a total of 16 years there, mostly alone.

In 1884 he discovered that he had developed signs of leprosy, which he bore with his characteristic equanimity. He refused to be treated since that would have meant he had to leave his flock; therefore he died in 1889 and was buried there. In 1936 his remains were reburied in Leuven, and in 2009 he was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

References

Further Reading
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An international research team, led by scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, has created the first cellular model of anorexia nervosa (AN), reprogramming induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from adolescent females with the eating disorder.

Writing in the March 14th issue of Translational Psychiatry, the scientists said the resulting AN neurons -- the disease in a dish -- revealed a novel gene that appears to contribute to AN pathophysiology, buttressing the idea that AN has a strong genetic factor. The proof-of-concept approach, they said, provides a new tool to investigate the elusive and largely unknown molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the disease.

"Anorexia is a very complicated, multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder," said Alysson Muotri, PhD, professor in the UC San Diego School of Medicine departments of Pediatrics and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program and a member of the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine. "It has proved to be a very difficult disease to study, let alone treat. We don't actually have good experimental models for eating disorders. In fact, there are no treatments to reverse AN symptoms."

Primarily affecting young female adolescents between ages 15 and 19, AN is characterized by distorted body image and self-imposed food restriction to the point of emaciation or death. It has the highest mortality rate among psychiatric conditions. For females between 15 and 24 years old who suffer from AN, the mortality rate associated with the illness is 12 times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death.

Though often viewed as a non-biological disorder, new research suggests 50 to 75 percent of risk for AN may be heritable; with predisposition driven primarily by genetics and not, as sometimes presumed, by vanity, poor parenting or factors related to specific groups of individuals.

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But little is actually known about the molecular, cellular or genetic elements or genesis of AN. In their study, Muotri and colleagues at UC San Diego and in Brazil, Australia and Thailand, took skin cells from four females with AN and four healthy controls, generated iPSCs (stem cells with the ability to become many types of cells) from these cells and induce these iPSCs to become neurons.

(Previously, Muotri and colleagues had created stem cell-derived neuronal models of autism and Williams syndrome, a rare genetic neurological condition.)

Then they performed unbiased comprehensive whole transcriptome and pathway analyses to determine not just which genes were being expressed or activated in AN neurons, but which genes or transcripts (bits of RNA used in cellular messaging) might be associated with causing or advancing the disease process.

No predicted differences in neurotransmitter levels were observed, the researchers said, but they did note disruption in the Tachykinin receptor 1 (TACR1) gene. Tachykinins are neuropeptides or proteins expressed throughout the nervous and immune systems, where they participate in many cellular and physiological processes and have been linked to multiple diseases, including chronic inflammation, cancer, infection and affective and addictive disorders.

The scientists posit that disruption of the tachykinin system may contribute to AN before other phenotypes or observed characteristics become obvious, but said further studies employing larger patient cohorts are necessary.

"But more to the point, this work helps make that possible," said Muotri. "It's a novel technological advance in the field of eating disorders, which impacts millions of people. These findings transform our ability to study how genetic variations alter brain molecular pathways and cellular networks to change risk of AN -- and perhaps our ability to create new therapies."
The rate of US drug-related fatalities fell 30.4% nationwide from 2007 to 2010 due to the reductions in societal stress and increased alertness in the individuals in society created by a large group practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique and its advanced program, the TM-Sidhi program, a new study shows.

The hypothesis: the reduction comes not from drug abusers using meditation to get off drugs, but from a TM-Sidhi group large enough to create an effect in the environment due to a hypothesized "field effect of consciousness."

"It's a bold claim," said lead author Michael Dillbeck, "but there are now 14 peer-reviewed published studies that suggest that one's individual consciousness is directly connected to an underlying, universal field of consciousness, and that by collectively tapping into that universal field through Transcendental Meditation, we can have a positive effect on the environment."

26,425 drug-related fatalities averted

The surge in drug-related deaths began in 1990, fueled by skyrocketing rates of drug overdose, largely from prescription painkillers and anxiety drugs. Drug deaths exceeded motor vehicle accidents as a cause of death in 2009, killing more than 37,000 people a year nationwide.

The study found that during the four-year period 2007 through 2010 this upward trend in the rate of drug-related deaths was interrupted by a highly significant shift to a greatly reduced, flatter trend. As a result, the drug-related fatality rate was reduced 30.4% relative to the 2002-2006 baseline average. The researchers estimated that 26,425 drug-related fatalities were averted by the significantly reduced trend in fatality rates.

The probability that the reduced trend in rates of drug-related fatalities could simply be due to chance was reported to be 3.1 in 10 billion.

During 2007-2010, the size of the TM-Sidhi group located at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, was above or near 1,725 participants, the size predicted to have a positive influence on the US quality of life. This predicted threshold represents the square root of 1% of the US population.

Time series analysis shows a reduction

The researchers first calculated a baseline trend for monthly fatality rates during 2002-2006, and then used time series intervention analysis to compare that baseline with the corresponding trend for the intervention period 2007-2010. A rapidly rising trend in the drug-related fatality rate (see Figure 1) during the baseline period leveled out and slowed significantly when the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi group exceeded 1,725 participants beginning in January 2007 (vertical dashed line). This flatter trend continued through 2010. (The irregular ups and downs of the fatality rate shown in the graph are largely due to seasonal fluctuations around the trend.)

Change produced by enlivening "field of pure consciousness"

How could this change in society be produced by the meditation practice of participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi group. Published research has shown that Transcendental Meditation creates a state of restful alertness, increases brain integration, reduces individual stress, and enables greater use of one's inner potential.

"These benefits are the natural by-product of the experience during Transcendental Meditation practice of a silent, wakeful state of the mind known as 'pure consciousness'," Dr. Dillbeck said.

According to coauthor Kenneth Cavanaugh, the basis for the effect on society is that pure consciousness has a field-like character and is a universal field at the basis of everyone's thought and behavior. When the participants in a group equal to or exceeding the square root of one percent of the entire population are experiencing pure consciousness during group practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program, the field of pure consciousness is enlivened in the entire population.

"This field effect positively influences the quality of consciousness in the individuals in society in much the same direction as that experienced by those practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique," Dr. Cavanaugh said. "It's as if the non-meditating populace experienced the same benefits of those meditating."

Reduces social stress

This research tests the hypothesis that practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program by a group of sufficient size will result in reduced stress and increased alertness in the individuals in society, thus contributing to reduced trends of these two stress-related public health indicators.

"Chronic stress contributes to increased likelihood of illness as well as to the use and abuse of illicit and prescribed drugs," Dr. Dillbeck said. "Stress can reduce the degree of conscious alertness and vigilance necessary to avoid drug misuse, especially highly potent and potentially addictive narcotic painkillers."

Alternative explanations ruled out

The prediction of improved public health and reduced illness and fatalities was lodged in advance with the press and other scientists. The authors noted that reductions in the trends of both fatality rates occurred at the predicted time and in the predicted direction, and neither reduction could be predicted from baseline trends or seasonal cycles. The researchers also were able to rule out other alternative explanations. For example, the reduction in drug-related death rates could not be explained by such factors as unemployment and national economic conditions, increased public and professional medical awareness of the hazards of opioid painkillers, and sales of such painkillers.

Reduction in infant mortality

This study of stress-related public health indicators also found that during the same period the rate of infant mortality was reduced by 12.5%. The researchers found a highly significant shift from a flat or slightly declining trend in 2002-2006 to a substantially faster declining trend in 2007-2010. An estimated 992 infant deaths were averted. The probability that the reduced trend in rates of drug-related fatalities could simply be due to chance was reported to be less than 2.1 in 100,000.

Third study in a series

The study, titled "SAGE Open, Mar 2017, 7(1).

This article is the third in a series that comprehensively evaluates the impact of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi group on US quality of life and public health. The first in the series, published in 2016 in SAGE Open journal, reported a highly significant 21.2% reduction in US homicide rates during the same 2007-2010 period, resulting in the prevention of an estimated 8,157 homicides. A reduction of 18.5% in violent crime rates in 206 urban areas was also found, thus averting an estimated 186,774 violent crimes.

The second article in the series, published in the January/February 2017 issue of the

A total of fourteen peer-reviewed articles have now been published validating the prediction by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Founder of the Transcendental Meditation program, that a TM-Sidhi group of this size would lead to reduced societal stress, as reflected in reduced crime, violence, accidents, illness, and increased positive trends in society.

The authors call for governments to implement and evaluate this approach as the natural next action step.
In this interview, Dr. Rich Jones introduces bacterial cell counting and an example of when the Multisizer 4e from Beckman Coulter has been used for this application.

What are the main applications of bacterial cell counting and sizing?

Two application areas seeing a major surge for the multisizer are in environmental research and for optimization of recombinant protein expression in the lab.

An example of the former is work published last year by researchers at the University of Aalborg in Denmark. They used the Multisizer 4e instrument to count and size pathogenic E. coli and to study the ability of another environmental organism D. magna to reduce this pathogenic E. coli strain in the environment.

Image credit: Beckman Coulter

Similarly, researchers at the University of Groningen used the Multisizer to count the oceanic microbe E. huxleyi. E huxleyi is an important producer of dimethylsulfide and the team used the MS4e to standardized microbial titers and subsequently to investigate the influence of CO2 levels on dimethylsulfide (DMS) gas.

Closer to home, researchers at the Coastal Studies Center in Brunswick, ME have used the Multisizer to monitor laboratory growth of F. cylindrus. In this case the group was studying the influence of salt on the production a DMS (precursor).

Back in the old days, bacterial concentrations were typically assessed by measuring optical density which provided quite a crude assessment of concentration. Alternatively, microbiologists might have performed a serial dilution of bacterial cultures and then transferred these to Petri dishes in order to have a more accurate determination of cell counts. Unfortunately, many microbial types are not easily cultured in the laboratory in plates. Environmental microbes often live in communities and cannot be cultured by themselves. In such cases, the Multisizer is a lifesaver. Because it simultaneously counts and sizes each individual microbe, one-by-one, the researcher can track the influence of environmental perturbations such as pH, gasses, sampling source, etc. on the size and proliferation rate of bacteria and have a better understanding of how these variables may influence microbial communities and the environment as a whole.

Because of the exquisite ability of the Multisizer 4e to size and count cells, it has been used by many groups to optimize conditions for producing recombinant proteins. In order for mammalian, insect, or bacteria cells to express high amounts of protein they must proliferate, but they must also grow and be maintained at an optimal size. Researchers at the University of Brisbane used the MS4e to study the relationship of cell size, and density with baculovirus production levels in insect cells.

How have advances in coulter counter technology impacted these applications?

Several aperture tubes of different size ranges are available for the instrument. Each aperture tube is able to measure particle sizes ranging from 2 to 80% of the aperture tube diameter. For example the newest aperture tube with a 10 micron diameter can measure particles from .2 micron to 8 micron; on the other end of the size range, the 2000 micron aperture is able to size particles from 40 to 1600 microns.

Can you please give an overview of the Multisizer 4e from Beckman Coulter?

The Multisizer 4e represents the latest in a long series of cell and particle analysers originally developed by Wallace Coulter in the 1940s. Similarly as in the original analyser, the MS4e counts particles using a glass aperture tube that contains a small orifice through which particles pass, termed an aperture. On each side of the orifice are electrodes that apply an electrical potential. In the absence of particles, a low impedance is measured across the orifice. Upon application of a vacuum, particles are pulled through the aperture orifice which results in electrical pulses that are proportional to the volume of electrolyte displaced.

The instrument measures particle volume which is a cubed function of the radius. Small changes in cell volume therefore result in large changes in electrical conductivity. The MS4e is therefore much more sensitive than image-based instruments at monitoring cell size. Because it operates on the principal of volume displacement, it doesnt require staining of particles. They can be invisible to light but still result in a measurable signal by the instrument.

How does the Multisizer 4e differ from previous versions and what impact has this had on the applications in research?

The Multisizer 4e offers a variety of improvements over the previous version known as the Multisizer 4. Firstly, the Multisizer 4e has greater range, is now offered with a 10 micron aperture tube extending the lower range down to .2 micron. This has resulted in a dramatic increase in microbial and virus titering applications in the basic research laboratory as well as in quality control laboratories.

Can you please explain how the Multisizer was recently used by Kirkitadze et al. in a biopharma QC environment?

Marina Kirkitadze and her colleagues at Sanofi Pasteur recently used the Mutisizer instrument to assess the manufacturing consistency of Bacillus of Calmette and Guerrin (BCG) immunotherapeutic.

Although they previously used a laser diffraction instrument for quality control purposes, they found that the Multisizer had several important advantages for them.

Biosafety

The Multisizer design allowed samples to be measured in a confined chamber that prevented biohazardous aerosol release. This was in contrast to their laser diffraction instrument which was not able to prevent the production of aerosols and the potential exposure of quality personnel to biohazardous material.

Diluent usage and cleaning frequency

The Multisizer required much lower diluent than their previously used laser diffraction instrument and they found that fewer cleaning steps were required with the Multisizer because of its use of IsotonII electrolyte solution which prevented adsorption of their material.

Measurement of both particle count and size

In contrast to their previously used laser diffraction instrument, the Multisizer was able to measure both particle size and count. Using the 280 and the 1000 micron apertures, the team was able to monitor the relevant size range of their particles. Using the Multisizer the group was able to assess both the BCG size distribution of several production lots (expressed as d10, d50, and d90) as well as the concentration. The polydispersity was analysed across 20 lots of material. The group qualified the instrument to support comparability studies. They have plans to use the instrument to assess the impact of process change on product quality attributes.

In summary, this was an elegant report that described enhanced safety, increased productivity, and greater control of production process that was afforded by the advantages of the Multisizer instrument.

What feedback have you received from Multisizer users?

Over the past several months, I have spoken with dozens of Multisizer users. Several common themes have emerged from the conversations. The Multisizer is in a league of its own when it comes to applications that require either the counting or the high resolution sizing of particles in the 200 nm - 1600 micron size range. The Multisizer is often used to calibrate or verify the size and/or particle counting accuracy of other instruments such as flow cytometery, laser diffraction, light scattering or size exclusion HPLCs.

At one of my recent visits to a manufacturer of diagnostic kits employing gel resin, the quality director indicated that the multisizer had saved his company about 10 million dollars. A quality check with the multisizer revealed subtle changes in the size distribution of gel beads from a supplier. This change in distribution triggered an investigation that revealed a change in process by their supplier. Had the user not been checking the sizing distribution of their beads with the multisizer, the quality of their kits would have been in jeopardy and tracking down the source of the changes in kit performance would have been much more tedious, and costly.

In what ways does the Multisizer differ from other products on the market?

Because the Multisizer instruments employ the Coulter (also known as electrical sensing zone) principle, they provide a view of particles that is orthogonal to many other light-based methods and an added level of risk mitigation for quality control of processes and products. The Multisizer does not require labelling of particles, and does not rely on the refractive index properties of particles. Lastly, the Multisizer simultaneously counts and sizes each particle, one-at-a-time within the sample, and does it very quickly. Unlike ensemble approaches such as DLS and laser diffraction, the Multisizer instruments can detect single outlier particles throughout the size analysis range of an experiment.

What do you think the future holds for bacterial cell counting?

As more scientists, engineers, and quality personnel become aware of the advantages of the Multisizer 4e and its extended range, I envision dramatic expansion in the following areas.

Quality control of process and bacterial product for vaccine manufacture; Process research for optimization of recombinant protein expression; Basic research analysis of microbial communities; Environmental research; Research of water purification processes including analysis of filtering processes;

What is Beckman Coulters vision for cell counting and what advances are in the pipeline?

For over 80 years Beckman Coulter has been at the forefront of Cell Counting and Cellular Analysis innovation. Today Cellular Research continues to expand at a furious pace and we have entered the era of Cell Engineering for the production of drugs and Cell-based Therapies for the treatment of diseases. Beckman Coulter is committed to providing our customers with innovative tools to meet their cellular analysis needs by delivering the technologies, answers and solutions they seek.

Where can readers find more information?

https://www.beckman.com/cell-counters-and-analyzers/multisizer-4e

About Dr. Jones

Dr. Jones has a long-standing interest in the development and application of automated protein analysis technologies and workflows for interrogating protein systems in human biology and pharmacology. He has over 20 years of experience in the field of protein and cell biotechnology.

While an Assistant Professor in the Ben May Department for Cancer Research at the University of Chicago, Dr. Jones developed micro-western arrays for studying the responses of cancer cells to therapeutics and for understanding chemotherapeutic resistance mechanisms. In addition to being an Assistant Professor, he was a Core Fellow and founding member of the Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology and was founder and director of the University of Chicago Micro-western array Protein Analysis Core Facility.

He trained at Harvard University as a Kirchstein honorary Postdoctoral Research and Teaching Fellow where he participated in the development of protein microarray approaches for mapping human protein interaction networks in breast cancer.
"These actions led to seizure of valuables of more than Rs 610 crore which includes cash of Rs 513 crore and admission of undisclosed income of more than Rs 5,400 crore till January 10, 2017," he said.

"About Rs 8,400 crore have been brought to tax on account deposits made in unreported foreign bank accounts in HSBC cases in last about 2 years and about Rs 8,500 crore of credits in the undisclosed foreign accounts of Indians whose names were disclosed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) have been detected," he said.

The income tax department has issued about 5,100 notices for high-value suspicious deposits post demonetisation and people have admitted to undisclosed income of over Rs 5,400 crore, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.The department has conducted more than 1,100 search and survey operations and issued about 5,100 notices for verification of suspicious transactions of high-value cash deposits, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.The department has identified 17.92 lakh individuals whose tax profiles were not in line with the cash deposits made by them during the 50-day demonetisation window that ended on December 30, 2016. As part of the initial phase, it had sought online response on source of cash deposits made by these people.To another query, Gangwar said enforcement actions of the tax department during April 1, 2014 to December 21, 2016, have led to admission of undisclosed income of more than Rs 60,000 crore and seizure of undisclosed assets worth Rs 2,607 crore.In another reply, Gangwar said the tax department has conducted 848 searches during April-December 2016 and seized assets of Rs 1,133 crore. The undisclosed income admitted to in the said searches was Rs 11,856 crore.Further, 5,015 surveys were conducted in April-December which brought to light undisclosed income of Rs 9,454 crore.
Bengaluru: Karnataka's development in all sectors has taken a hit this year with the IT and services sector in particular seeing a 2% fall in growth rate in the fiscal year ending March 2017 as against the previous year. Other sectors, too, have been pulled down because of the central government's move to demonetise high-value currency notes last November.



The services sector, which includes IT services and hospitality, will grow at 8.5% as against 10.4% the previous year. The overall Gross State Domestic Product in 2016-17 grew at 6.9% as against 7.3% in 2015-16.



Agriculture, which has seen consecutive droughts in the last four cropping seasons, is estimated to grow by just 1.5%. The industry is expected to grow at just 2.2%, compared to 4.9% the previous fiscal.



The services sector that has seen a higher growth every year in at least the last eight fiscals is likely hit by a cascading effect of the decline in growth in other sectors, IT Minister Priyank Kharge told News18. "Karnataka is still better off than other states," he said.



The effect of demonetisation pulled down overall growth, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in his budget speech.



"Demonetisation caused a huge amount of distress to the public, but the Union goverment is yet to disclose what outcome has been achieved by it. The entire cooperative sector that is so critical in servicing the farmers and rural folk virtually came to a stand-still. The manager of implementation betrayed a lack of preparedness, with the banking system just not geared up for this. The goal posts were changed mid-way and rules repeatedly modified," he said.



Revenues in the Stamps and Registration Department will also take a hit. While a target of Rs 9,100 crore was fixed earlier, there is a likely shortfall of Rs 1,350 crore as the number of registrations have come down at least 25% since November.



Siddaramaiah also said the decline in growth is reflective of what's being seen in the rest of the country. Overall growth in the country has fallen from 7.9 to 7.1 per cent, while industry sector has come down from a projected growth of 8.9 to just 5.8 per cent.

The services sector in the country too has come down from 9.8 per cent to 7.9 per cent.
Brazil's first and only chef to unlock two Michelin stars for his Sao Paulo restaurant D.O.M. will be opening a new, casual, healthy organic restaurant in the city.



After teasing the opening on Instagram one week ago, chef Alex Atala has revealed more details on his latest project set to open next month.



In an interview with Eater, the chef said his next restaurant will feature a mix of table service, counter service and take-out.



Like his culinary philosophy at D.O.M., the menu will promote and highlight traditional ingredients indigenous to Brazil, including tapioca, Brazilian cheeses, acai berries and traditional fruit juices.



Atala is often described as the unofficial ambassador of native Brazilian cuisine.



In 2013, D.O.M. took the second spot on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants awards, and Atala received the lifetime achievement award.



Gastronomes around the world may also be familiar with Atala who was most recently featured in the Netflix series "Chef's Table," which spotlights some of the most innovative and exciting chefs in the world.



Aside from his flagship restaurant, Atala's other projects include restaurant Dalva e Dito, and Acougue Central (Central Butchery), a butcher-restaurant that specializes in Brazilian steak and beef.



His casual eatery is expected to open in April.
New Delhi: As many as 22 fighter aircraft of Indian Air Force have crashed since 2013-14 and human error and technical defects were the main reasons for the accidents, government has informed Rajya Sabha.



The details were given by Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre in a written reply yesterday. Meanwhile, a Sukhoi aircraft of the IAF crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district today, leaving three villagers injured. Both the pilots ejected safely.



A Chetak helicopter of the IAF too crash landed in Kaushambi in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday minutes after it took off from an airbase on outskirts of Allahabad.



The Minister, in his reply to a query in the Upper House, said in the current year, five fighter jets have crashed against four in 2015-16.



He said seven jets had crashed in 2014-15 while the number was six in 2013-14.



"Main reasons for these accidents were human error and technical defect," the Minister said.



Bhamre said every accident is throughly investigated by a Court of Inquiry (CoI) to ascertain cause of the accident and recommendations of the CoI are implemented.



To a separate question, he identified operational hazards, weather conditions, human error and technical defects for accidents of Cheetah helicopters.



Since 2013-14, there have been four accidents involving Cheetah helicopters in which there were seven fatalities.



In reply to another query, Bhamre said the contract for 12 VVIP helicopters with Agusta Westland International Ltd, signed in 2010, was terminated with effect from January 1, 2014.



Asked about the alleged irregularities in purchase of 197 Light Utility Helicopters, he said the CBI has instituted a regular case in January, 2014 in the matter.



"As per decision of the Defence Acquisition Council on August 29, 2014, the RFP (request for proposal) for 197 reconnaissance and surveillance helicopters has been retracted," he said.



Replying to another query, he said US defence major Lockheed Martin has shown interest in setting up manufacturing facilities for F-16 jets in India under the 'Make in India' initiative. However, he said, no concrete proposal has been received from the company.



The Minister said Boeing and Sweden's Saab have also shown interest in setting up manufacturing facilities for fighter aircraft in India.



Responding to a query on terrorist attacks against Army in Jammu and Kashmir, he said there were 31 army casualties in nine such incidents in 2016. The number of terrorists killed was 10.



In the current year so far, he said there have been three army casualties in two militant attacks.
First Mayawati, then Harish Rawat, and now Arvind Kejriwal. The list of leaders who blame the electronic voting machines (EVMs) for their electoral loss is long. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also demanded that the upcoming polls for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) be done via ballot papers and not EVMs. So just what is this beast and why is it making so much noise? Here is a primer:It is a simple electronic device used to record votes. EVMs have been part and parcel of elections in India since 1999 and was adopted across all polls from 2004. It seeks to reduce time in casting vote and declaring results. Of course, from an environmental point of view, it helps save paper.The machines were first introduced in 1982 in the bye-election to Parur Assembly constituency of Kerala for 50 polling stations.Its a single unit machine, which works on batteries without any network connectivity. They are made up of two machines, one is the control unit and the other is the balloting unit. A presiding officer is in charge of the control unit and once the vote is ready to be cast, the officer activates the balloting unit. The voter then presses a button to register their vote for a particular candidate. The machine can record 64 different candidates at one point of time. The maximum number of votes that can be recorded in one machine is 3,840.Votes can be recorded only through the Balloting Unit. When polls draw to an end, the presiding officer hands over an account of votes recorded to each polling agent. During counting, the agents tally the total with these accounts to note any discrepancy. During the phase of counting, results are displayed by pressing the Results button. This button is usually sealed and cannot be pressed unless the presiding officer presses the Close button at his end.Every EVM has an identity number attached to it, which is recorded in the Election Commissions database. This ID is cross-checked against the database when it is being transported to and from the election booth. This process is done before the counting of votes begin. The machines are guarded by central forces between the period of voting and counting.The Supreme Copurt in October 8, 2013, on a PIL by Subramanian Swamy, directed the EC to introduce the VVPAT system in a phased manner so that full implementation is achieved by 2019. It was done to ensure free and fair polls as it would aid in resolving disputes, if any. On a national level, the system was introduced in 8 of 543 parliamentary constituencies during the 2014 general elections. It was used in 516 polling stations across eight states. The system was first experimented in 2013 Nagaland by-polls.For the uninitiated, VVPAT is a printer-like machine which is attached to every EVM machine. When a voter casts his vote on EVM, the VVPAT unit flashes the serial number, name of the candidate and the party symbol to confirm the voter's choice. The generated paper slip is shown in the drop box for a few seconds, so that the voter can cross-check the details. However the voter does not get to keep the receipt and if there is any discrepancy, then counting of such slips could be ordered.The first widely reported irregularity with the EVM emerged in Florida during the 2000 elections. In 2006, a Dutch TV channel went on to air a documentary showing proof as to how easy it is hack these EVM machines. The machines were soon withdrawn and Netherlands went back to the traditional paper ballot system. Germany and Ireland too have scrapped the use of these machines.In India it has been alleged that EVM machines are not tamper-proof and several private research units and bloggers have come out with posts as to how EVM machines can be hacked into. A 2010 report by a team of experts led by Professor J Alex Halderman of University of Michigan and Indian scientist Hari Prasad cited numerous vulnerabilities with the EVM machines, especially if a malicious user had access to the EVMs in advance. The technologys promise was that attacks on the ballot box and dishonesty in the counting process would be more difficult. Yet we find that such attacks remain possible, while being potentially more difficult to detect, said the report.Professor Halderman said in 2010 that results could be changed in the EVM through mobile phones. He demonstrated that signals could be linked up to EVMs to get desired results. ECI denied all these allegations and reiterated their stand that the machines were tamper-proof and met highest security standards. During the course of this controversy, the Indian scientist involved in the experiment, Hari Prasad, was arrested on ECIs complaint for stealing an EVM from District Collectors office in Mumbai. Prasad was later released after a court order where the Magistrate observed Prasad had done a great service for the country.In 2004, this matter was placed before the Delhi High Court by advocate Pran Nath Lekhi who had alleged that EVMs were tampered with to favour UPA in the election results. But HC found no merit in the petition. However, in a 2005 verdict, the Karnataka High Court held that the use of EVMs was a great achievement and source of national pride. The order was delivered on a plea filed in 1999 by a failed candidate who had challenged the role of EVM machines in Yelahanka parliamentary constituency. The court studied the safety features and examined BEL scientists and ruled that machines were tamper-proof and any attempt to doctor them cannot be kept away from the public eye.- 2009 General Elections: BJP, through Subramanian Swamy, had alleged that if the party doesnt perform well then it would, primarily be due to the fact that the EVMs could have been tampered with. When BJP was defeated, party leader LK Advani had raised his issue again stating that EVM machines were tampered.- 2009 Odisha elections  Senior Congress leader JB Patnaik alleged that the BJD had won the election by bribing candidates and tampering EVMs.- In 2014 General elections, Congress leader and Assam CM Tarun Gogoi said that BJP indulged in EVM fraud. Even social activist Medha Patkar filed a complaint in May 2014 alleging possible rigging of votes through EVMs.- In the latest, after 2017 UP assembly polls, Mayawati has claimed that it was only because of EVM machines being tampered with that BJP has emerged victorious. In Uttarakhand, Harish Rawat hinted at the same while in Punjab, Kejriwal blamed EVMs for the Congress win.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Government has ordered a CID probe into alleged irregularities in real estate firm Dreams Infra for cheating thousands of people.



Dreams Infra, proprietor Sachin Naik along with nine of his associates were arrested by Madiwala police on Monday and are now in Police custody. Naik floated three real estate companies - Dreams Infra, TGS Construction and Gruh Kalyan Properties, conned people by collecting advance money and never allotted a flat. When confronted to show the progress, victims alleged that Naik showed random under construction buildings to mislead his customers.



Karnataka Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, tweeted, I am concerned over 2000 people are affected by Dreamz Infra Co case. All accused were arrested. Case being given to CID for further action.



According to Police Naik and his associates were started duping people from 2011. He would sign a MoU with the customers and collect the amount and few years later there would be no progress in construction. Police suspect over 5000 people were duped by Naik and Co.



A Resident of Bangalore, Naik was arrested in late 2016 on cheating cases. But he was out on bail. Police had to arrest him now as fresh cases were registered against him.



Sachin Naik has been cheating people since last 5 years, there were 60 cases registered just in Madiwala and more across the city. He would sign agreements with people and collect the cash and there would be no construction. The last 3 months there were fresh cases registered against him, said, Boralingaiah, DCP South East. 
New Delhi: Delhi police is all set to deal with the Jat agitation which will begin from March 20 onwards.



Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik held a meeting with all the senior police officers including the special commissioners, joint commissioners and deputy commissioners of districts along with SHOs to review arrangements.

They have adopted a strategy under which no vehicle with protestors will be allowed inside the capital.



"There's a Supreme Court directions as well which says no tractor and trolley will be permitted inside Delhi. It will be strictly implemented. If any protestor tries to enter the capital, his vehicle will be impounded and the vehicles will not be released as it will be violation of Supreme Court directions," DCP Madhur Verma said.



Delhi Police will also require additional forces, which will be provided to them along with anti-riot squads, he said.



The arrangements will be kept in mind that Delhi residents don't face any inconvenience because of the Jat agitation, Verma added.



According to the plan, outer districts of Delhi and adjoining borders will see maximum deployment of anti-riot companies. Suspicious vehicles will be stopped at the border itself. No one will be allowed inside the capital with lathis or any other weapons.



Anti-riot equipment will be used and proportionate use of force will be used if required, an officer said.
With opponents like this, who needs Democrats to defeat repeal of Obamacare?

Nearly 60 Republican members of Congress have serious concerns with the leading plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, despite the fact that the bill is being pushed by GOP leadership, a new report reveals.

That high number of potential opponents  20 senators and 36 members of the House of Representatives  could present GOP leaders with a mathematically impossible task of getting their American Health Care Act in front of President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The Republican caucus currently has 237 member in the House and Democrats have 193 members, giving the GOP fewer than two dozen votes to lose.



And Republicans can afford to lose just two votes of their 52 seats in the Senate, the Washington Post noted in a story about the number of concerned GOP lawmakers.

Democrats in both chambers of Congress are strongly against the GOP bill, and are unlikely to see any significant defections during a vote.

The Post, which is keeping a running tally of worried Republicans, said there are three senators and 13 House members who either oppose the GOP bill, or who are "leaning no."

Another 17 senators and 23 House members have "serious concerns about the bill," according to the newspaper.

Complicating the problem for GOP leaders is the fact that the potential Republican "no" votes on the bill are based on a range of concerns  some of which conflict with each other.

Some Republicans want a more aggressive repeal, which would lead to sharper reductions in federal aid for people getting health coverage.

Other lawmakers are worried that millions of people, including many who would have tended to vote for Trump as president, will lose private insurance or Medicaid coverage as a result of those funding reductions and other changes.

A number of GOP conservatives, including Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, immediately opposed the AHCA when it was introduced in the House last week, saying the bill does not go far enough in repealing Obamacare.

Story continues

Another Republican senator, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, told the Post in recent days, "I can tell you a number, if not a majority, of Republican senators think that this process has been too breakneck, too slapdash, and they do not see a good solution for the American people coming out of the House bill as drafted."

Worries among the GOP caucus have grown since Monday when the Congressional Budget Office estimated that 14 million more people would become uninsured next year than would be under Obamacare if the Republican bill becomes law. The CBO said that by 2026, there would be a total of 24 million more uninsured under that scenario.

A spokesman for Rep. Patrick Meehan, R-Pa., told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the CBO estimates "gives Rep. Meehan pause." The spokesman noted that while there "are important reforms in this bill ... there are problems with it too."
Hum keh rahe hain iss ghatna ka narco test ho, narco test se doodh ka doodh or paani ka paani ho jaega: Gayatri Prajapati after arrest pic.twitter.com/qFw71BU1Sp  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

Uttar Pradesh: Rape accused Gayatri Prajapati arrested from Lucknow pic.twitter.com/3hwqgICVIM  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

After 17 days of evading arrest, rape-accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati has been arrested from Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh police confirmed on Wednesday morning."It's confirmed. Prajapati has been arrested," ADG Daljeet Chowdhary told CNN-News18.Soon after his arrest, Prajapati said, "I am being framed. I will get justice and I have faith in judiciary. I want Narco test in this case so that people should know the truth."Prajapati, 49, was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and attempting to rape her minor daughter.His arrest comes four days after he lost the Assembly election from Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Soon after the arrest, he was taken for medical examination and later sent to 14-days judicial custody by a Lucknow court.Sources said the SP leader was in Kolkata till Tuesday and Lucknow in the early hours of Wednesday. He wanted to surrender, but was arrested instead, sources added.He had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking protection from the arrest, saying he was always available to be examined by the state police. He was last seen in public on February 27.A Look Out notice and a non-bailable warrant were issued against Prajapati, while his passport was also impounded. Airports across the country were alerted about the possibility of Prajapati trying to flee the country.In 2016, Prajapati had been sacked by then chief minister Akhilesh Yadav during the Samajwadi Party family feud, but was later reinstated in the council of ministers.Prajapati had earlier denied the charges against him, calling them politically motivated.Former Uttar Pradesh DGP Vikram Singh questioned the delay in the arrest. Why has he been arrested after such a delay? UP police have a lot of explaining to do. This arrest happened only because of political intervention, he told CNN-News18.The case had become a cause for major embarrassment for the Samajwadi Party which was fighting the BJP and the BSP to remain in power. The BJP had accused chief minister Akhilesh Yadav of shielding his minister, while Governor Ram Naik had questioned why Prajapati was still part of the state cabinet.Reacting to Prajapatis arrest on Wednesday, BJP state chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, one of the CM probables in the state, said: I want to assure the people of UP that we will take stern action against crimes and criminals.(With agency inputs)
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday rejected suspended IAS officer Pradeep Sharma's application seeking bail in a money laundering case against him being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.



Justice A J Desai turned down Sharma's plea. Sharma's lawyer R J Goswami submitted that a charge sheet has already been filed by the probing agency in the case, in which the maximum imprisonment is of seven years.



He said Sharma has already been granted bail in related offences on the basis of which the ED made out the case against him.



He also argued that Section 45 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, which requires government pleader to submit evidence against the accused before the court that is hearing the bail plea, does not apply to Sharma.



The lawyer also submitted that there is no evidence on record to show that Sharma transferred the money in question into the account of his US-based wife.



The ED opposed the contention and said since this is a case of money laundering, Section 45 of the PMLA is applicable and the HC should hear the government pleader and consider evidence against Sharma while deciding on his bail plea.



Sharma, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer, was arrested on July 31 last year under the provisions of PMLA after the Supreme Court vacated an interim stay on his arrest.



He is presently lodged at Sabarmati Central Jail here. The ED registered a case against Sharma on the basis of cases lodged by CID (crime) and Anti-Corruption Bureau of state government.



The cases were related to alleged sanctioning of government land at cheaper rate to Welspun India Ltd and its group companies, Welspun Power and Steel and Welspun Gujarat Style Roharan in Kutch district, as part of a suspected quid pro quo, the ED said.



The probing agency said Sharma sanctioned land to the company in 2004 when he was the Collector and Chairman of District Land Evaluation and Pricing Committee of Kutch

district.



This allegedly caused a loss to the government exchequer to the tune of Rs 1.2 crore.



Against this favour, he received a gain to the tune of Rs 22 lakh in the name of his wife Shyamal P Sharma, the ED alleged.



He allegedly transferred the money to his wife's account using hawala channel with the help of five persons, who are also named in the ED's charge sheet.



Sharma had earlier filed a petition in the Supreme Court alleging that he was victimised by the then Narendra Modi government in Gujarat and had sought a CBI inquiry into the cases against him.



The apex court had, however, rejected his application.




Allahabad: Chetak helipcopter toppled during training sortie in Bamrauli, due to technical glitch;both pilots safe; Court of Inquiry ordered pic.twitter.com/58vyHSIyKH  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

A Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force toppled while making an emergency landing during a training sortie from Bamrauli near Allahabad on Wednesday.Both the pilots are safe.The chopper toppled when the pilots tried a forced landing after it developed a technical snag, sources in IAF said.The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry (COI) to ascertain the cause of the accident.The sources said the aircraft toppled while the pilots tried to force land it on an uneven field. The helicopter was on a routine training sortie from Bamrauli.
What the data shows is that democracy is being mocked by political parties when they give tickets to people with criminal cases against them, Jagdeep Chhokar, a founding member of the Association for Democratic Reforms, told News18.

Rape accused Samajwadi Party leader Gayatri Prajapati has been arrested after evading arrest for 17 days. However, 26% of MLAs just elected have serious criminal cases registered against them.As many as 107 of the 403 Members of the Legislative Assembly have cases ranging from murder and attempt to murder, according to data released by the Association for Democratic Reforms. Moreover, 143 MLAs (or 36%) have criminal cases registered against them.What distinguishes a criminal case from a serious criminal case are the following: offence for which the maximum punishment is five years or more; a non-bailable offence; assault, murder, kidnap, rape related offences etc.Chhokar said that it is not necessary that an MLA with a serious criminal case must necessarily be under bars because they may have obtained bail or the arrest may not have been called for. The person may have been convicted and acquitted or served his sentence.As many as 34 MLAs have declared attempt to murder cases while eight have murder cases against them. One MLA has a case related to crimes against women. A party-wise breakup of serious criminal cases reveals that 83 of the Bharatiya Janata Partys 312 legislators have serious criminal cases, while the figure for the Samajwadi Party stands at 11 out of 46 MLAs. The corresponding figures for the BSP are four out of 19 and Congress one of seven MLAs.The data was compiled from the affidavits that the candidates filed along with their nominations.
Mumbai: Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, who has worked towards devising a system of online censor certification, says no matter what he does, people feel he's on the "banned-wagon".



Excerpts from the interview:



Q. So, is the censor board going digital?



That's right. We're going online, any time. All the spadework is done. We're just waiting for the green signal from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry which should come any time now. We're going online in the next week or maximum two weeks.



Q. Considering how hard you worked to get this going, are you feeling triumphant?



Am I going to be allowed to feel anything good? No matter what I do, my friends and well-wishers jump on the bandwagon to pull me down. They think I am constantly on the 'banned-wagon'.



Q. You sound persecuted?



It's the way things are. Anyway, I will have to do what I've to do. We've worked very hard towards online certification. Now producers would not have to submit DVDs of their films to the CBFC. Everything, including their films, will be submitted for certification online.



Q. Is this online certification applicable only to Hindi films?



No. It is applicable in all languages. From now on, every film in every language -- Hindi or regional -- would be certifiable online. Also, filmmakers are now restricted from advertising their films' release dates before they get a censor certificate.



Q. But release dates are announced months before release, sometimes even before the film is shot?



Filmmakers would be free to choose their dates and even announce it in the early stages of their film's development. But once the release approaches, you can't put out advertisements with release dates, until you have the censor certificate in your hands.



Q. This sounds like a tough call to take?



It can't be helped. How can producers be confident of meeting their release dates until they have the censor certificates in their hands? And if they are still announcing their film when they have no censor certificates, then they're fooling the public.



Q. You seem to be marching ahead regardless of the flak and scorn?



I don't pay attention to the people who criticise me. I do my work honestly. The CBFC office now moves to a new location in Mumbai. With this change in address, comes a big change in the certification policy. No more paper work. No more producers queuing up at our office to get their films certified on priority. From now on, it's strictly first-come-first-serve. And it's all on the internet. No ambiguity anywhere.






New York: Indian actress Priyanka Chopra says her life has been full of serendipitous moments, so she will let fate take control even of her love life.



In an interview to Marie Claire magazine, the 34-year-old said that she believes that her romantic life will fall into place naturally, reports dailymail.co.uk.



"I'm not someone who looks for love. I don't believe in making it happen. My life has been shaped by so many serendipitous moments so far, I feel like, 'Why screw with a good thing?'," Priyanka said.



Priyanka said she didn't even consider herself beautiful when, as a teenager, her mother entered her into the Miss India competition -- which she won.



The actress went on to have a very successful career as a Bollywood star before moving to the US, where she earned a gig starring in Quantico, which airs in India on Star World and Star World HD.



She is also set to star in the remake of Baywatch, and covers this month's Marie Claire magazine -- which calls her "Hollywood's most bankable badass".



The star said she wants to have as many kids as she can, and added: "I love kids. Love, love kids. I prefer their company to the company of adults, actually."


Literally!  A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Dec 10, 2016 at 8:29pm PST

Go somewhere  A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Oct 9, 2016 at 4:47am PDT

NO NEED FOR THIS DEAR BUDDY!!!  haha I've totally caught the Pari-Lingo @parineetichopra #DreamTeam #girlstalk  A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Aug 19, 2016 at 9:45am PDT

A moment of quiet amidst the noise. #DreamTeam A post shared by Alia  (@aliaabhatt) on Aug 17, 2016 at 3:49pm PDT

She started off as a rich, snooty High School girl with a tender heart in flossy Student of The Year and went on to play a sexually abused drug addict in dark and gritty Udta Punjab. In just a little more than five years, Alia Bhatt has become nation's sweetheart, primarily for the kind of roles she has chosen to do on the big screen. From being a prodigy of the elite Dharma Productions, Alia has also become a favourite of many off-beat directors like Abhishek Chaubey, Imtiaz Ali and Zoya Akhtar, making her one of the most sought-after talent in the industry.She's 24, already has 2 Filmfare Awards resting on her shelf and a life anyone would envy looking at. Despite being a 'star-kid', Alia has a familiar air around her that makes her connect to the younger generation of the country. Be it her films or a glimpse of her real life through social media, Alia connects with the youth like no one other can, and thus deserves the title of 'Star for the Millennials'.While it is a known fact Alia started her career as Shanaya, a typical Karan Johar character, not many know that she signed Imtiaz Ali's Highway much before SOTY released. At the age of 19, Alia decided to be Shanaya and Veera in the same year, working with two completely different directors who belong to different schools of thought. But she has had the maturity to experiment right from the beginning, never sticking to one particular genre only and balancing commercial and art cinema with much ease. Alia opted for typical Bollywood romance with a fun twist and an edge of reality attached, in 2 States and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. Both the films ensured Alia commercial viability which is important to survive in Bollywood.Then came 2016, the best year in Alia Bhatt's career. From playing a much real Tia in Kapoor and Sons to a gritty Bihari immigrant who is sexually assaulted for months before seeking refuge in drugs in Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab, Alia did it all. Her character in Udta was so challenging that all other actresses in the industry refused to take up. Alia did complete justice to a rural role which was completely away from her real life- a privileged girl who grew up in Mumbai in an affluent, protective household. Thus, her character of an abused Bihari immigrant struck a chord with the audience because of the genuine pain she managed to evoke. Credits to Alia to bring the gritty side of the menace so well onscreen. She got a role of her career and we found an actress who could multitask as a 'Star'.Within a year, Alia shed her tolling character of Udta and took another refreshing role as Kaira for Gauri Shinde's slice of life film Dear Zindagi. Playing a role much closer to her own self and with people her age, the film dealt with this generation's emotional detachment and how it leads to depression and anxiety. Kaira's vulnerabilities, passion and insecurities were adopted by Alia, making it another memorable film.While Kiara and Tia might be the most real characters played by Alia, connected to urban youth, her real life is seems just as complicated as any of us. The 24-year-old actress is figuring out life, just like most millennials despite being one of the most sort after faces in Bollywood.As her Instagram bio reads, "Moody, Floaty, Fire and Desire", Alia is every emotion. She's dreamy like any 20 something would be, loves to sleep in on days wishing to skip her work (or workout), gets awestruck whenever a phrase/line of fellow actors strikes a chord and loves to take selfies! While the world wants to swap its life with Alia, the girl herself wants to swap her life with popular model Gigi Hadid.In an interview given to a popular magazine, Alia dwelled a little more into her personal space and revealed some quirky answers, something most of the urban millennial will relate to. From spying on Ryan Gosling to taking a selfie on Mars, even the golden girl of Bollywood has a few fetishes. It is her charm, that makes her relatable to a generation who identifies with nothing or no one.Remember when Alia made a fool out of herself on Koffee With Karan Season 4? Well, the actress doesn't. After a big goof up on national television and becoming the joke of the country, Alia moved on with her much glorious life as people behind her kept talking about her 'dumbness' and a typical 'star-kid' attitude with no knowledge of the real world.When rumours about her dating Sidharth Malhotra emerged she kept quiet and yet was clicked on lunch dates and parties with him. Never to deny or accept, Alia doesn't bother to feed the paparazzi anything. Although, she has her own way to get back at the rumours. When people started talking about her cold-war with Parineeti Chopra and Shraddha Kapoor, instead of giving a statement, Alia opted for a smarter move and posted pictures of herself hanging out with Chopra and promoting Shraddha's film.Her motto: staying away from controversy, her goal: keep working and let the paparazzi construct anything they wish to. She has better work to do than pay heed to negativity in her life. Isn't that we all do? *Peace Out*Making people laugh is an art, but laughing at yourself while the world watches is a talent not everybody possesses. While, the world called her names for confusing the name of the President of India, Alia made sure that the nation had a good laugh over her goof-up. She collaborated with AIB to poke fun at herself and her general knowledge. She sportingly took jibes by journalists as she went on to promote her films and even in the latest Koffee With Karan Season, she took it all in her stride as she beat SRK in the Quiz and declared that her GK is now improving.This sporting quality of hers just reveals how confident she is about her art and doesnt care about her image, which otherwise, industry people are so conscious about. This temperament of hers makes her a youth favourite, because for a generation which has grown up watching Lizzie McGuire, 'perfect' doesn't exist and every flaw is beautiful.From her personality to her fashion choices everything about Alia is breezy. She is a terrific performer, an ever amused dreamer and an extremely hard-working actor, all these qualities not only make her an industry favourite but also a mass favourite. Her 'demotional' personality, millennial vibe and devil may care attitude makes her a face of this new wave of stardom that has entered the industry. Very rightly, she is the star of this generation that feeds on dreams and live to work.
Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday claimed that the results of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls will echo in Gujarat later this year.



The BJP will capture more than 150 seats in the Gujarat Assembly polls, scheduled for the later part of the year, he claimed, not ruling out the possibility of an early election.



"We are prepared even if the election is held early," said Rupani.

Assembly polls are scheduled to be held in Gujarat in December. The Gujarat Assembly has a strength of 182.



"We are going to capture 150 seats in Gujarat. This is not a mere statement, this will be the reality," Rupani told reporters here.



"We had won 71 Lok Sabha seats in UP and now, we have won 325 Assembly seats (in that state). In Gujarat, we had won all the 26 (Lok Sabha) seats and when we translate that into Assembly seats, it comes to 150," he added.



"The fantastic win in UP has proved that the people are in favour of the BJP. The echo of that win, the atmosphere will have an effect on Gujarat too," the BJP leader said.



"Our party workers have been given a slogan: 300 in UP, 150 in Gujarat. They have started working on this theme," he added.



In reply to a question on the possibility of an early election, Rupani said his party was ready if the polls were held in December or even earlier.



"The win in UP is not a momentary outpour of peoples sentiments for the BJP, but the wind is blowing in favour of the party as the people have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his pro-people governance.



"Modi is the pillar on which the party is based in Gujarat. So, the state BJP will fight the election under his leadership and support."



In reply to a question on the anti-incumbency factor going against the BJP government in Gujarat, Rupani denied there was any such factor.



"Our government has done nothing wrong which can turn the people against us. Development work carried out by us are in front of the people and so, there is no such thing in Gujarat," he claimed.


: Anti-graft activist and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's former mentor Anna Hazare voiced support for the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in elections on Wednesday.This comes after Kejriwal alleged that EVMs were tampered with in Punjab.In an interview to TimesNow, Hazare criticised Kejriwal's demand of using ballot papers in elections and said that in a fast-paced world, use of ballot papers in elections is outdated.The world is progressing at a fast rate and here we are discussing of going back in time to ballot papers. EVMs must be used, also, totaliser machines should be used which would ensure no mistakes in counting votes, he said.Manual counting of ballot papers take more time compared to counting of votes on EVMs. This is a sheer waste of time and money. On the contrary, EVMs give us accurate numbers within a short span of time, he added.Speaking about the importance of totaliser machines, the octogenarian leader said, "In the past, he had written to the Election Commission and the government to procure these machines to use them in counting booths for faster and accurate results."Kejriwal on Wednesday had alleged that EVMs were tampered with in Punjab, resulting in 20-25 percent of AAP votes getting transferred to the SAD-BJP alliance and thus propping up the Congress to power.The AAP leader told the media here that there were numerous booths where his party got only "two, three or four" votes when though the party had several activists and their families in the area.He said there was widespread suspicion that "20 to 25 percent of votes polled in favour of the AAP had been transferred to the Akali Dal-BJP alliance" by tampering the Electronic Voting Machines.The issue has been raked up BSP chief Mayawati in UP as well. Her claims that EVMs were tampered and it needed to be investigated found support from her rival and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.Mayawati alleged that the BJP victory in UP polls smacked of dishonesty and fraud.However, the Election Commission on Saturday rejected Mayawati's claim that EVM were rigged in the Uttar Pradesh elections and said her demand for a repoll using ballot papers was legally untenable.
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday said the Bharatiya Janata Party had become experts in making governments in states through Governors.



Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi also called Manohar Parrikar a "sultan of two days".



"Of the three states the BJP lost, they tried to subvert the people's mandate... Unfortunately, the BJP is now becoming an expert in creating governments through Governors, whereas government creation is the work of the people who vote," Singhvi said.



"The basic structure of the Constitution cannot be changed even by Parliament of India. But the BJP is managing it successfully in state after state through Governors and through a complete wholesale violations, complete jettisoning of all constitutional principles," he said.



"How can the Governor appoint a CM within 24 hours and notify it via a press release," the Congress leader wondered.



Asked if the Congress could approach the court of law on the formation of new government in Manipur, Singhvi said: "We are keeping all our options open."



Asked about the Supreme Court's order to conduct a floor test on Thursday in Goa, Singhvi said: "So if you want to be a 'do din ka sultan' then you are welcome to do so. He is the Chief Minister for two days beginning this evening. This swearing in is a ministerial act, it is of no constitutional significance. It will be nullified in a floor test in 48 hours."


New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik for allegedly violating foreign exchange rules.



Malik, chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, has been asked to appear before the agency on March 28, while Geelani, chairman of the hardline Hurriyat faction, has been summoned on April 3.



In June 2002, $10,000 was found during searches by the Income Tax department at Geelanis residence in Hyderpora. The separatist leader was unable to declare the source of funds and was not able to give a satisfactory answer to the I-T department. He was summoned by the I-T department in 2003, but failed to appear. The case has been pending with the I-T department and the ED since then.



The Yasin Malik case dates back to 2001 when the police seized $1 lakh from one Mushtaq Ahmad Dar and his wife Shazia Rasool. During examination, Dar had said that the money was handed over to him by Nepal-based Altaf Qadri and was to be handed over to Yasin Malik. Qadri works for the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. Malik was arrested but was later released on bail.



The agencies have been finding it difficult to investigate the cases since important documents were washed away during the 2014 flash floods.
Hyderabad: The opposition parties and civil organisations are up against Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao once again. This time over TRS government's attempt to gag and suppress the voices of dissent.



In a shocking move, the Telangana chief minister has decided to shift Dharna Chowk, which has been venue of thousands of protests for several years, out of Hyderabad citing law and order issues. As an alternate, four locations at four different corners of the city are given as option.



The State BJP has decided to stage symbolic protest against the autocratic attitude of the TRS Government on March 16th. The opposition has alleged Chief Minister of trying to stiffle voices that raise questions against ruling government and curtailing the constitutional right of the people to protest. The BJP MLAs will also carry out march from Indira park to Assembly demanding the Government to withdraw its orders.



An all party delegation including members of civil organisations have also decided to meet the Governor to submit a memorandum against shifting of Dharna chowk from Indira Park. Calling KCR a dictator, TPCC Chief Uttam Kumar Reddy said ,"We will oppose any move of the government to shift Dharna Chowk ".



An online petition has already been started on Change.org against the decision. The petition addressed to K Chandrashekhar Rao says, " I would like to remind you that Dharnas organised at Dharna Chowk are by activists and leaders like you, who had helped in achieving Telangana state. It is against the spirit of constitution to suppress the voices questioning government. Any democratically elected government should respect people's right to agitate lawfully. Kindly reconsider your decision."



Earlier this year, after permission was denied to TJAC, who wanted to carry out protest at Dharna Chowk highlighting the rising problem of unemployment of youth in state, resulted in massive outrage.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is currently addressing the Lok Sabha and is speaking on the issue of racially motivated attacks against Indian-origin people abroad.

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The problem now is that Punjab, the partys face-saver in recent elections, has reinforced the belief that its old warhorses like Captain Amarinder Singh who can deliver.

On the other side, the young, waiting to get a chance to be a part of Rahul's Congress, complain that their wait may be endless as the old guard isnt ready to make space and, in some cases, act spoiler.

Sources said the real impediment is Sonia Gandhi. Worried that the old could make things rough for her son, she has resisted any complete overhaul. This makes Rahul look like a bag of contradictions. While Sonia wants to give up, she can't as Rahul is yet to fall back on an experienced team.

The Congress party is in fight mode. But it is not to win elections. Its the old versus young fight within the grand old party.Satyavrat Chaturvedi was one of the first to speak out. He told Network18 that a cardiac surgery was required. When asked if Rahul Gandhi should give way, Chaturvedi said Rahul should take a decision for the sake of the party. His view was echoed by others.On the other side were those who defended Rahul saying his hands were tied as the seniors refused to give up.It was almost a solo fight by the Captain while Rahul Gandhi was concentrating on Uttar Pradesh. And this victory in Punjab is what the seniors are throwing back at Rahul and his team when they complain about resistance from the old guard.Congress chief Sonia Gandhi had the knack to balance all generations within the party. Many feel Rahul hasn't yet learnt this trait from her. He came in with the promise of changing the Congress culture. More inner party democracy, youth and merit to be the yardstick. But as Rahul moved from one experiment to another, all of Rahul's commitments changed.And defeat after defeat led to increased disillusionment within the cadre. It's been three years since the Lok Sabha elections and Congress is yet to hold a stock-taking meeting. An All India Congress Committee (AICC) reshuffle is waiting to happen. In fact, a Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting held three months ago accepted Rahul to be party president.It's yet to be endorsed. Rahul has dodged questions on the subject.Sachin Pilot was appointed the Pradesh Congress chief of Rajasthan over two years ago. He shifted base to Jaipur and is virtually in control of the state. But even he knows that when elections come, the powerful old warhorse Ashok Gehlot cannot be ignored.The story is similar in Haryana and many other states.Ahmed Patel still is the ultimate pillar the Congress needs to fall back on when in trouble. In the case of Goa, it was AP, as Ahmed Patel is known, who suggested approaching the court. But by then, Rahul looked out of control of the situation.While the BJP has begun to look at the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as the big challenge, the Congress is still trying to figure out how to cope with the 2014 loss.And Rahul is paying the price with a perception crisis.
Beijing: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday warned the US against any trade war, saying American firms would be the first to "bear the brunt" if such a war breaks out.



His comments came ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's key summit with his US counterpart Donald Trump, who has labelled China a currency manipulator and threatened to slap hefty tariffs on its imports.



"We do not want to see any trade war breaking out between the two countries. That would not make our trade fairer," Li said at his annual news conference at the end of the annual meeting of China's parliament.



Last year, the United States' deficit in trade in goods with China reached USD 347 million and Trump has promised to close that gap, which he has also attributed to what he calls China's rigged currency exchange policies.



Li said that a trade war of tit-for-tat protectionist measures would ultimately damage the American economy. "If there were a trade war, it would be foreign-funded companies, particularly US firms, that would first bear the brunt," he said, citing an article written by an international think-tank.



Li's comments came as officials of both the countries said the first meeting between Xi and Trump may take place next month in Florida. Trump plans to host Xi for a summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate.



Li said the diplomats of both the countries are preparing for the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders. "No matter what bumps the China-US relationship may run into, we hope this relationship will continue to move forward in the positive direction," Li said.



He said China believes the people of both countries have the wisdom to properly manage their differences, adding that "there is a need and there are also conditions for us to continue to expand our common interests."



About differences between the two countries, he said. "Whatever differences we may have we can sit-down and talk to each other to find solution. For those differences which cannot be resolved for the time being and anytime soon we can shelve them to continue to focus on expanding our common interests which I believe is the right choice".



In the process, the percentage of differences overall China US relations will continue to come down, he said. Chinese Premier also spoke about the Taiwan issue. (more)



Li, the second ranking official of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), said both Trump and Xi have spoken to each other over phone during which the US President had "explicitly" said that US will continue to follow the 'One China' policy.



"This policy constitutes the political foundation of the China-US relations which has remained unshaken in-spite of the changing circumstances and nor this foundation is undermined," he said.



"With that foundation in place, we believe there are bright prospects for China-US cooperation," he said.



Trump had earlier riled China by saying he would negotiate with Beijing on its 'One China' policy.



Xi spoke to Trump only after he agreed to abide by the policy followed by all the US administrations in recent years on Taiwan. China views Taiwan as a rebel province and wants reunification of the island with the mainland.




Istanbul: The European Union on Wednesday warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to avoid inflammatory rhetoric as a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands deepened over the blocking of Turkish ministers from holding rallies to win support for plans to expand his powers.



Erdogan at the weekend twice accused NATO ally Netherlands of acting like the Nazis, comments that sparked outrage in a country bombed and occupied by German forces in World War II.



Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who faces a major challenge from the far-right in a key general election Wednesday, said Erdogan's comments were unacceptable and it was Ankara that should apologise.



In an escalating standoff that risks damaging Turkey's already deteriorating relations with the European Union ahead of the April 16 referendum on constitutional change, Brussels sternly warned Ankara to avoid making the situation worse.



In apparent reference to Erdogan's comments, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn called on Turkey to "refrain from excessive statements and actions that risk further exacerbating the situation.



"Tt is essential to avoid further escalation and find ways to calm down the situation," their statement added.



NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also urged Turkey and its NATO allies to "show mutual respect, to be calm and have a measured approach to contribute to de-escalate the tensions".



The Dutch authorities had at the weekend prevented the plane of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from landing and blocked Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from holding a rally in Rotterdam.



The ministers had been seeking to harness the support of an estimated 400,000 people of Turkish origin living in the country ahead of the April 16 referendum on constitutional changes giving Erdogan greater powers.



The Turkish foreign ministry today summoned the Dutch envoy to Ankara for the third day in a row, handing two separate protest notes over The Hague's behaviour.



The Netherlands today also issued a new travel warning to Dutch citizens in Turkey, urging them to stay "alert across the whole of Turkey".



Turkey has already responded furiously to fellow NATO ally Germany's refusal to give permission for ministers to hold rallies there, with Erdogan comparing such action to "Nazi practices".



Denmark has also asked Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim to postpone a visit planned for later this month.



The issue risks spiralling into a crisis with the EU as a whole, which Turkey has sought to join for more than half a century in a so far fruitless membership bid.



Erdogan, who has indicated he may attempt to address rallies in EU states in a move that could inflame the situation further, said Sunday that the West was showing its "true face" in the standoff.
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has used a DNA sample from one of Kim Jong-Nam's children to confirm the identity of the assassinated half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un, the deputy prime minister said on Wednesday.



Investigators "confirmed the identity of the body as Kim Jong-Nam based on the sample obtained from his child", said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, without elaborating further.



The 45-year-old was poisoned with the deadly nerve agent VX in a brazen Cold War-style assassination on February 13 in Kuala Lumpur International Airport.



Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for his death, but the North has rejected those claims and has never confirmed the identity of the victim, who was carrying a passport bearing the name of Kim Chol when he was attacked.



Malaysia officially confirmed his identity on Friday, but refused to say whether authorities had obtained a DNA sample from next-of-kin.



Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said at the time that concerns "for the security of the witnesses" prevented him from revealing further details.



The killing triggered a bitter row between Malaysia and North Korea, which have expelled each other's ambassadors and refused to let their citizens leave.



Pyongyang has denounced the Malaysian investigation as an attempt to smear the secretive regime, insisting that he most likely died of a heart attack.



Kim's wife and children, who were living in exile in the Chinese territory of Macau, staged a vanishing act after the murder. There are fears his 21-year-old son, Kim Han-Sol, could be targeted next.



Three Malaysian embassy staff and six family members are stranded in Pyongyang after North Korea barred Malaysians from leaving the country last week, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Kuala Lumpur.



Two women  one Vietnamese and one Indonesian  have been arrested and charged with the murder. Airport CCTV footage shows them approaching the victim and apparently smearing his face with a piece of cloth.




Beirut: Syrian rebel factions will not attend a new round of negotiations with government figures in the Kazakh capital, an opposition delegation spokesman said today.



"Rebel groups have decided not to participate in Astana," said Osama Abu Zeid, saying one reason for the boycott was "unfulfilled pledges related to the cessation of hostilities."



The third round of talks in Astana, sponsored by government ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey, is scheduled to begin tomorrow.



The Astana track has aimed to reinforce a fragile ceasefire deal brokered by Moscow and Ankara in December.



"We decided not to participate in Astana because the reinforcement of the ceasefire was not implemented," said Ahmad Othman, commander of the Ankara-backed Sultan Murad rebel group.



"The regime and the militias are continuing to bomb, displace, and besiege," he told AFP today, saying rebel groups had informed the talks' sponsors of their decision.



According to Syrian daily Al-Watan, which is close to the government, the regime's delegation was scheduled to arrive in Astana today.



The delegation will be headed once again by Syria's representative to the UN Bashar al-Jaafari, who has also led the government's representatives in parallel UN-backed talks in Geneva.



A fresh round of negotiations in Switzerland is set to begin on March 23 and will focus on governance, constitutional process, elections, counter-terrorism and possibly reconstruction.
Downtown Appomattox is on the path to revitalization and some needed upgrades thanks to a grant application to be filed later this month.

The Appomattox Town Council unanimously approved a grant application that would help the town improve its downtown streetscape and building facades and renovate a park at its Monday meeting.

The application is due to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on March 31.

The finalized grant application seeks a roughly $700,000 Community Development Block Grant.

If the town receives the money, it will be used to pay for building facade improvements; streetscape improvements such as new street lights, crosswalks, and trees along Main Street, Court Street, part of Church Street and Harrell Street; parking on Harrell Street; and a marketing plan to increase visibility of the town.

Councilman Steve Conner questioned the bike lanes included in the conceptual plan for Court Street because several business owners told Conner it would restrict their parking.

It is conceptual, just to show what can be done. The final design process wouldnt begin until the grant is awarded, said Kelly Hitchcock, senior planner with Region 2000 Local Government Council and the downtown project manager.

Conner also asked why some businesses along Lee and Atwood streets were not included in the downtown project. The grant application covers a specific area of downtown Appomattox including part of Highland Avenue, Court Street, Main Street, part of Lee Street, Harrell Street and Church Street.

The business owners who complained to Conner about not being included reside along a portion of Lee Street not included in the project boundary and Atwood Street, both of which are in the downtown Appomattox area.

Hitchcock said only streets considered main thoroughfares to downtown Appomattox were included in the project, a recommendation from DHCD.

As for improvements at Courtland Field, the park currently is just a grassy parcel of land with a small stage in the corner of the property. The county hosts special events such as the Railroad Festival at the park.

The money would go toward construction of two pavilions at the park, a performing arts stage, extensive landscaping, a water fountain, removable fencing, signage and other furnishings such as stationary exercise equipment.

A local citizens group has committed to landscaping and improving the park for $600,000, with requested help from the town and county. About $140,000 of the downtown grant application is earmarked for Courtland Field. The group also has asked for $150,000 from Appomattox County.

The citizens group has committed to providing $300,000 of the $600,000 cost estimate.

It will benefit us economically and [provide] beautification of life, Conner said about the Courtland Field revitalization at the meeting.

Sam Carter, chairman of the Appomattox County Board of Supervisors, was the sole person to speak during the public hearing Monday about the grant application, before the councils vote on the application.

He asked if the town would participate in renovating Courtland Field as long as the county does too.

If Appomattox County decides not to participate in the project, the Local Government Council was instructed to submit an application to DHCD that does not including a funding request for Courtland Field.

At the countys next meeting March 20, supervisors are expected take up the funding request.

Councilwoman Claudia Puckette said she thought improvements to Courtland Field would be a great idea, but she had concerns about the town maintaining the park if the county owns the land.

Appomattox Interim Town Manager Clarence Monday said Monday there will be a meeting with county administration and the town to clear up those details.

If the grant application is approved, it will be announced in July.
Community members with varying perspectives learned more about the U.S. refugee admission process at a brown bag session at Central Virginia Community College on Wednesday afternoon.

Alyson Ball, volunteer with the Charlottesville chapter of the International Rescue Committee, hosted the session and took questions from about 20 to 30 people.

Ball defined a refugee using United Nations guidelines: that a person is outside of their home country cannot return and is in danger or has a fear of persecution based on any number of factors.

Citing statistics from agencies like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the U.S. State Department, she said the number of refugees worldwide has jumped from about 10 million in 2010 to more than 15 million in 2015, with about 4.2 million people driven out of Syria since 2011 due to its civil war.

She also put a much more localized perspective on the global issue. Charlottesville is home to one of 29 International Rescue Committee offices in the U.S., and she said a number of Charlottesville agencies, departments and organizations work in tandem to help refugees placed in the city. Case managers with the International Rescue Committee Charlottesville office helped 284 refugees start new lives and look for work in 2016, she said.

Over the course of 18 years, Charlottesville has resettled over 3,400 refugees  and Richmond is a new office, she told attendees.

Urban settings are ideal for refugees with jobs, affordable housing and public transportation. Answering attendee questions, she said she isnt aware of any organizations settling refugees in Lynchburg. But she said volunteer efforts in Charlottesville have increased exponentially in the past year or so.

People are really coming out of the woodwork, wanting to help settle these refugees more effectively in our community, she said.

Seth Grutz said hes done more independent research on the topic of refugees than some. He said he came to the session hoping to connect with others who would be interested in outreach from Lynchburg and the immediately surrounding areas.

Myself, my wife, a lot of my friends have expressed a certain degree of interest in serving refugees, he said.

Those in the informal group  some looking to organize their churches  have contacted organizations already assisting refugees to learn what it takes, he said, moving forward as faithfully as we can.

The last topic Ball tackled was the revised version of President Trumps executive travel ban, which was set to go into effect Thursday before a federal judge in Hawaii put it on hold Wednesday evening. Ball detailed the different portions of the ban and what aspects have changed since the original version.

Steve Troxel, who sits on the colleges board, said Wednesdays event was about educating the public and was not a propaganda session.

We got some information about it that is more than we had before, he said.

Gene Thurston, of Goode, sparked discussion during the Q&A session by mentioning his concerns about the effectiveness of the vetting process. He said he audits classes at the college where he saw a flier for the event.

Im interested in the truth [of] whats going on, he said after the session. Im an American first. Im concerned about whats going on in this country.

During the session, he said hes sympathetic to the refugee plight, having witnessed his wifes work with a charity group operating in disadvantaged countries, but said hes concerned about refugees coming from majority Islamic countries with a culture thats antithetical to American culture.

Christina Wade, who works in Lynchburg with Adult and Career Education of Central Virginia and has taught English language acquisition for about 13 years, said she and other English as a second language teachers have a vested interest in seeing their communities support immigrants.

Ive just been aware of the needs that they have and the conversations surrounding their presence in our community, so thats what sparked my interest in being here, she said.

Even within the classes she teaches in Lynchburg, she said she teaches 25 actively registered adult students from about 10 different countries.

After the session, Ball said despite doing most of her work in Charlottesville, shes visited other surrounding areas because of interest in the topic.

Im trying to get the word out. Im trying to educate people about the facts so they can make their own conclusions about what we want to do as a society, she said.

The back-and-forth discussion was welcome, she said.

What I liked was the diversity  that there were community people as well as students as well as people from the administration, she said.
tastemade cofounder steven kydd

Facebook and Snapchat are in an all-out war over the "story" format, but for publishers it doesn't make sense to choose sides.

Tastemade is one of Snapchat's biggest publishers, and it was an early partner in the Discover section of the app. The Facebook-owned Instagram is actually its fastest-growing platform, however, cofounder Steven Kydd told Business Insider. It now has 4.1 million followers there and averages 1 million to 1.5 million views for its stories.

"In TV, you shoot once and give everyone the same" video, Kydd said. "We shoot once" in 4K, he continued, "and edit into multiple formats, then take all the data back" from the platform after it's published. The system is designed to be flexible to various platforms, and for good reason.

"People miss the rapid pace of change of the product side" of platforms like Facebook and Snapchat, Kydd said. Publishers must be able to adapt to the quirks of a company whose goals are not fully aligned with their own. And it is also unclear at any given time which platform will leapfrog the competition in its ability to deliver eyeballs or rise in the esteem of advertisers.

Back when Tastemade was founded in 2012 as a mobile video producer focused on food and travel, the online video landscape was a one-horse town: YouTube. That changed dramatically as Facebook and Snapchat became power players, and it will most likely continue to change as they battle over ad revenue  especially if TV ad money arrives on mobile.

In fact, a study by RBC Capital Markets and Ad Age published Wednesday found that marketers were seeing worse return on investment for Snapchat versus Google and Facebook, and one factor cited was increasing competition from Instagram.

tastemade

Discover moment

But even though Tastemade isn't betting the farm on just Snapchat, Kydd did describe getting on Snapchat Discover as a seminal moment for the company. That's because it led Tastemade to create a daily edition, which now regularly gets over a million views.

Story continues

"Discover is like cable but mobile and for millennials," Kydd said. That thinking echoes Snapchat's pitch to TV advertisers, though some, including me, have questioned the quality of programming on Discover.

But there's a big difference between Snapchat and cable that Kydd pointed to: Snapchat is instantly global. The various versions of Snapchat Discover have helped fuel Tastemade's global expansion to Santa Monica, California; London; Sao Paulo; Tokyo; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and so on. Tastemade's sales team has grown by 10 times in the past 18 months, according to Kydd.

As to when the TV advertising dollars will actually shift to mobile video  a move tech companies have promised investors for years  Kydd said it would catch the world by surprise. He thinks it will mimic the flow of consumption of mobile video.

"It took longer" to get going, he said, "then happened way faster." Now he's waiting for a similar dynamic to play out with the money.

NOW WATCH: Winter Storm Stella could turn into a weather bomb  heres what that means





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BEDFORD  An area homeless man authorities accused of soliciting sex from a minor online was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday.

Michael Scott Capley, 49, entered a guilty plea to two felony child solicitation charges under a plea agreement in Bedford County Circuit Court.

Capleys arrest last May followed an investigation conducted by Bedford County authorities working for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force out of Forest. A sheriffs deputy posing as a 14-year-old girl earlier testified Capley communicated with him after the deputy posted a personal ad on Craigslist.

Judge James Updike Jr. sentenced Capley to 20 years in prison, suspended after eight years, on each count, with the terms running concurrently.

The plea agreement involved prosecutors revising the second charge to remove second or subsequent offense, a charge calling for a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars.

Along with prison time, the judge ordered 10 years of good behavior and four years of supervised probation for Capley. He also must register as a sex offender, have no unsupervised contact with minors and cannotuse the internet without probation officer approval.

Capley, who has been held in Blue Ridge Regional Jail since his arrest last year, had no comment for the judge prior to sentencing.

His attorney, Nathaniel Moger, of the public defenders office, noted in court Capley has a history of mental health issues. Before he was prosecuted, Capley underwent a mental health evaluation and was found competent to stand trial.

Prosecutors earlier decided not to pursue a third, misdemeanor charge of using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse.

Authorities said after Capleys arrest last year he told them he was living out of his vehicle. He also was living at a Lynchburg shelter shortly before his arrest.
Lynchburg City Council, members of the Lynchburg Economic Development Authority and other city officials got a glimpse into the long-running renovation of The Virginian hotel Tuesday afternoon.

Developers George Stanley and Blair Godsey walked a few dozen officials and members of the media through all sections of the hotel, showcasing how far the project has come and also how much work still needs to be done.

Its been an overwhelming project, but everything is coming together, Godsey said. We see a light at the end of the tunnel. We are proud of our progress and looking forward to finishing late in 2017.

Construction mostly has taken place from the top down, according to Stanley. The most historic areas of the hotel on the first and ground levels still are heavily in need of new plaster, large sections of the ceiling have gaps revealing piping and the original floors remain dirt-encrusted from construction. A majority of the work on those levels has been dedicated to installing all new heating and air conditioning, electrical and mechanical systems.

The second through sixth floors, where guest rooms will be located, are 100 percent done and are awaiting decorative light fixtures, furniture and wallpaper. Some rooms and suites have been fully decorated as model rooms. Officials from Hilton Hotels toured the property two weeks ago and gave their thoughts on design, which went very well, Stanley said. The property will be part of the Hilton Curio Collection and marketed as a one-of-a-kind property.

The resurrected Virginian will feature a sit-down restaurant on the ground floor, a coffee shop and artisanal bakery in the lobby, and a roof-top bar and restaurant on the 1,500-square-foot deck. The developers added a partial floor on the rooftop so diners can sit outside or inside depending on the weather and extended the elevator shafts so guests can go straight to the top floor.

Guests can choose from rooms with a king-size bed, queens or suites to accommodate larger groups. The second floor at the top of the grand ballrooms staircase will have guest rooms as well as a rotating art collection from regional artists.

Lynchburg Mayor Joan Foster was delighted with the progress and said she looked forward to being able to visit the hotel once it opened.

I think its amazing what theyre doing to this building, Foster said during Tuesdays tour. Im really blown away that theyve done so much. It was in such disrepair, and it looks like they have met the challenges head on.

Originally opened as a luxury hotel in 1913, the property served the high society of Lynchburg for decades until closing in 1969 after downtowns long downward slide into decline.

Following the closure of the hotel, it was purchased in 1973 by Lynchburg Baptist College  now Liberty University  and used as a dormitory for students. Afterward, it was converted into apartments, and the cavernous ballroom was sealed off and left to deteriorate by subsequent owners for the last 40 years.

A decade later, in 1982, it was renovated the Lynchburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority into Section 8 housing. The building later transferred to private ownership in 1988, but remained low-income apartments until 2014 when the building went up for sale due to declining Section 8 subsidies and rising maintenance costs for the aging building.

Stanley and Godsey successfully secured a $5 million loan from the Lynchburg EDA in order to complete the project, which will be paid back with taxes generated by the hotel. Vice Mayor Treney Tweedy said she is glad the deal with the city came through in order to help launch the restoration.

I think its incredible, and its going to be a wonderful addition to the city, Tweedy said. Anytime you can leverage your resources to get great use and renovation out of existing buildings, its incredible to be able to do that.

Previously, Stanley and Godsey worked together to develop several downtown buildings into loft apartment buildings. Those were not nearly as complicated as The Virginian has proved to be, according to Stanley.

A hotel is just so much more complex than these apartment projects weve been doing, Stanley said. This is our first hotel, and it is just another level of design work that is needed.
Randolph College aims to bring science to the Lynchburg community through a week of on-campus events at its ninth annual Science Festival of Central Virginia.

Its supposed to show people the beauty of science, the connection of science to their lives, said Peter Sheldon, a Randolph physics professor and organizer of the event.

The Science Festival kicked off Tuesday with a Pi Run, a 3.14-mile fun run that drew 181 participants. An American Ninja Scientists obstacle course in the evening drew another 20 people.

Kacey Meaker, a visiting physics professor and 2008 Randolph graduate, designed the obstacle course that featured a variety of science-related challenges for students and faculty to conquer.

Meaker has a history with the event, which has been a feature of Randolph College for nearly a decade. In 2005, when she was an undergraduate, Meaker helped to launch a Science Day at Randolph. The goal was to bring science to the public by inviting K-12 students onto campus.

That single-day event has evolved to more than a full week of speakers, panelists and science-themed activities planned for this years event.

The idea for kids is to get them interested and keep them interested in science, Meaker said.

For adults, she hopes it encourages them to explore the fun side of science.

Though many of the activities are aimed at the Lynchburg community outside of campus, some Randolph students got in on the action Tuesday night at the American Ninja Scientist competition.

Eric Huber, a junior from Cleveland with a double major in physics and philosophy, said he came out to join in the fun and to support the overall efforts of Science Festival on campus.

The obstacle course featured various scientific challenges that required students to flex their mental muscles on topics such as circuitry, biology, math, chemistry and a logic test at the finish line.

With day one in the books, SciFest  as it is informally known  will continue March 23 with a variety of activities, including a presentation from keynote speaker Greg Kennedy. A professional juggler who has performed with Cirque Du Soleil, Kennedy will discuss how physics and geometry fits into his juggling routine and show off his techniques in a performance in Smith Hall Theatre.

Sheldon described SciFest as by the community and for the community.

He said thanks to sponsors, Randolph is able to put on the event at no cost to the college.

The Science Festival is entirely funded by the community, Sheldon said.

Other highlights listed by Sheldon include events March 24 including a Women in Science Panel featuring Randolph alumna, a K-12 poetry jam and a showing of the 2016 film Ghostbusters.

Ive watched that movie way too many times and looked up all the science behind it, said Meaker, who will discuss the film as part of an event titled A Scientist Goes to the Movies.

SciFest continues March 25 with Science Day Fun for Little Scientists and Science Day for 3rd-6th Graders and an open-to-all glowstick party at the Winfree Observatory from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Sheldon noted both offerings for children March 25 already are full of pre-registered students.

The Randolph College Science Festival comes to an end March 26 with a wide-range of on-hand activities and exhibits across campus designed to reach an audience of all ages. Highlights include a petting zoo, a planetarium show and a Science Cafe to engage scientists on various topics.

For the full schedule of Randolph SciFest, visit randolphscience.org.

The News & Advance is a sponsor of the Science Festival of Central Virginia.
President Trump has been a boon for angry women. He excites their troops and animates their causes, no matter how diffuse. In turn, they have turned him into a pinata, a uuuuge target for thwacking. With his coarse verbal machismo, he has become a greater-than-lifesize quarry for blaming the man.

This made it easy for feminists and certain other women to focus their fury on the president on International Womens Day. But even Donald Trump being Donald Trump wasnt a big enough a target for some of them on the global stage. They want to use the energy of despising the Donald to organize a new wave of militant feminist struggle.

Some politically unsavory women attempted to influence the direction of A Day Without a Woman here and across the world to expand the day to make war against the presidents aggressively misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic and racist policies, as they explained to the Guardian newspaper of Great Britain, and move it to a more inclusive agenda that is at once anti-racist, anti-imperialist, anti-heterosexist and anti-neoliberal. Have they left anybody out?

They might have added anti-Israel, since one of the authors of this manifesto is Rasmea Yousef Odeh, a Palestinian convicted of terrorism in Israel in 1970 for participating in two bombings, one of which killed two Israeli students who were innocently shopping for groceries in a Jerusalem market. She was sentenced to life imprisonment, but she served only 10 years and was released as part of a prisoner swap. She came to the United States and became an American citizen in 2004, which says a lot about the quality of vetting prospective immigrants. Its part of herstory, we suppose.

Flourishing in the American democracy, Odeh was not discovered as having lied about her past for a decade. She was subsequently convicted of immigration fraud, but she won a new trial, set for later this year, with the explanation that the trial court did not consider that she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. This disorder is commonly invoked by combat veterans suffering memories of horrors on the battlefield. (We cant make this stuff up.)

Odeh joins others with notorious resumes to attempt to infuse new energy into the feminist movement. Her sister-signers of the International Womens Day manifesto include Angela Davis, the Stalinist queen of the Black Panthers who was tried in 1972 for buying the guns that were used in a courtroom shootout that ended in the death of the judge. After she was acquitted, she ran twice as the vice presidential candidate of the Communist Party USA. She was cheered at the Womens March on Washington against Donald Trump the day after his inauguration, along with Madonna and Gloria Steinem, calling for resistance on the ground, resistance in the classroom (and) resistance on the job.

Perhaps the most radical recommendation for celebrating International Womens Day was proposed by Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of the Canadian prime minister, who dared adding the boys and men in our lives who encourage us to be who we truly are. She created an avalanche of criticism on social media.

The American contingent calling for A Day Without a Woman demonstrations urges women to play hooky from their jobs to draw attention to women in the workplace. But it actually reflects the class divisions that have always divided the womens movement in the United States. Playing hooky from the job demonstrates the widening gap between college-educated women and women working at lower-paying jobs, between those who lean in with an assertive pose of authority and those who lean in with an aching back.

Staying home from the job naturally falls hardest on women dependent on a regular paycheck who cannot risk opting out. Three school districts in Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina shut down on A Day Without a Woman because there werent enough teachers and support staff. Working mothers could not depend on the schools to occupy their children for part of the day, while their affluent lean in sisters enjoyed a day off. A day care worker in Chapel Hill, N.C., where classes were cancelled, said, If I dont work, they dont work, and if they cant work, they dont get paid.

The organizers of A Day Without a Woman urged women taking the day off to avoid shopping with kind, thoughtful exceptions shopping at small, women-and minority-owned business. This sets apart  segregates, you might say  the owner of that little shop around the corner. So much for Martin Luther King Jr.s dream of judging not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Organizers mock not only Kings dream but also the American dream. It was just this out-of-touch elitism that got Donald Trump elected, with millions of working womens votes. He didnt have to feel the pain of an Election Day without a woman.

Fields is a columnist for The Washington Times. Email her at suzannefields2000@gmail.com.
MARTINSVILLE  After a staffing cut, Virginia Museum of Natural History Executive Director Dr. Joe Keiper is hopeful that the museum will continue to offer the same services.

In a recent interview with the Martinsville Bulletin, Keiper said that the museum would be forced to cut several staff members due to the 7.5 percent state budget cut, which lowered the museums appropriation by $215,000, reducing it from $2.9 million to about $2.7 million.

Keiper said in that interview that the staff cuts would come prior to the new fiscal year  which begins July 1  because it would 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.

In a follow-up interview on Friday, Keiper said that the staffing cuts occurred Thursday. While he legally cannot discuss individual past employees, he said that the museum lost one member of its education staff, one member of its customer service staff, and three members of its exhibit staff.

In making the cuts, Keiper said that he had to weigh the amount of money the museum would receive from the state against the museums missions and purposes as outlined by the Code of Virginia.

Thats the rule, he said. You get a certain amount of money, and youve got to work with it and be responsible with it.  I worked to find the balance: The right sized staff with the right talent set to allow us to meet our mission and purposes in the Code of Virginia.

With no fat left to trim in the budget, Keiper said, there was no choice but to cut staff members in order to maintain the museums goals with the reduced budget.

However, he said, the hope is that the average museum attendee will not notice any change in the museums programming or operations.

We have made the commitment that we are going to serve as many children as we always have, he said. Well be doing as much outreach as we did before. Were going to stick to our exhibit schedule. And our curators will still be making new scientific contributions to their disciplines.

In order to accomplish that goal after a large reduction in full-time staff, the roles and job descriptions for remaining staff are going to evolve.

Were going to be short-staffed as far as full-time exhibit professionals, so were going to have to make some adjustments there, Keiper said. We have a talented set of scientists who can help there, and we also have other staffers whose roles will evolve somewhat. Theyre going to be given the opportunity to contribute in new ways. Theyll receive in-house training to learn how to handle specimens and artifacts, how to display them, and how to contribute overall as part of an exhibits team.  Instead of having people in their particular little categories of contribution at the museum, its going to be a lot of cross-pollination. Were all going to be helping each other out, and the ebb and flow of the work that goes on is going to involve larger groups of people.

The money saved through staffing cuts will also put the museum in a less vulnerable position next year than it would have been in otherwise.

For example, Keiper said, earlier this year a lightning strike damaged part of the museums HVAC system, which resulted in increased utility costs until the system could be repaired. When situations like that arise without warning, he said, it can wreak havoc on a tight budget.

Suddenly, youre having to make drastic changes on the fly to make sure that at the end of the fiscal year, you are within budget, he said. But now, we will be in a position where we wont be that vulnerable. Were doing this to protect the agency.

The odds of a significant change to the museums state budget allotment prior to July 1 are not realistic at this point, Keiper said.

Were hoping that  when we start the fiscal year for 2018/2019, that things will be in better shape, that well be stable or requesting funds to try to bring us back up, he said. We were around $3.3, $3.4 million just a short time ago. Now were down to $2.7 million at this point. We would like to see some of that come back, and we think we deserve it. We think the services we provide make a difference. It makes a difference in peoples education, and it makes a difference in their quality of life.

A total of 52 percent of visitors to the museum come from outside of Martinsville and Henry County, he added, and when they come to visit the area, they tend to leave some money behind. The museum is good for tourism, he said, but frustratingly, it has had to scale back its marketing efforts due to the reduced funding.

Again, were not trying to place blame, but when you have the budget cuts, somethings got to give, he said.

The five staff members who were cut will receive a separation package including a year of insurance, Keiper said.

However, he said, that hasnt made the situation any easier.

It is one thing, he said, when somebody loses their job for a good reason  perhaps they didnt do their job, or they did their job poorly. Even in situations like that, he said, its still painful to cut people, because it is still somebodys livelihood.

The recent situation at VMNH is much worse, Keiper said, because the five staff members who were cut were all excellent employees.

Change is hard, he said. Nobody likes change. The worst part here is that our change came about not because of performance or talent level or achievement. We lost talent, skill sets and institutional memory.

Keiper said that since the initial story ran in the Martinsville Bulletin, he has heard comments from the community that underscore how much the community values the services VMNH provides.

To those who are concerned, he offers the following assurance:

We are prepared to offer the same quality of service to the communities we already serve, Keiper said. Museum folks are rather ingenious people, and well find ways to continue to achieve.  There will be some areas of the museum that will be hard-pressed to meet all of their needs, but again, I really believe that with this strategy, our customers and members and participants wont feel the difference.

VMNH is not the only Martinsville institution facing a state budget reduction. New College Institute (NCI) faces a 5 percent reduction in its state budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. However, Sen. Bill Stanley  who is also the chairman of the NCI board  recently introduced an amendment to the budget that would increase NCIs state funding by $100,000, putting it at $3.59 million, for the biennium that runs through June 2018. That amendment has seen support from state lawmakers.
OPEC's oil production alliance appears to be on shaky ground, and crude prices continued a weeklong dive, as Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited the White House on Tuesday.

Bin Salman represents the new face of Saudi Arabia, and he is the draftsman of a plan to reform the kingdom and diversify it away from oil. He is also seen as a key figure backing the deal between OPEC members and nonmembers like Russia to curb production and stabilize the market price. In Washington, among the topics he was expected to discuss were the war in Yemen and the Iranian nuclear deal.

Analysts say while it appears to be frayed, there is a good chance OPEC and its partners will ultimately keep their deal intact and extend it, because oil in the low $40s per barrel would strain the budgets of producing nations and make it much more difficult for the types of reforms that the deputy crown prince is trying to achieve. But between now and then, oil prices could be rocky. OPEC members have said they would assess extending the agreement to cut 1.8 million barrels in production when they meet in May.

"If MBS is here to talk about broader economic issues, selling the Saudi IPO, selling the broad Saudi Vision 2030 plan, the reality is Saudi Arabia looks more economically attractive in a higher oil price environment," said Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC. "This is the tension. In a lower oil price environment, the math on that becomes more challenging."

Known as MBS, bin Salman is the favorite 31-year-old son of King Salman and is seen as a contender for the throne.

On the surface, the market bought the idea that the OPEC production plan was working well  and oil prices were holding in the $50s. That was until Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih revealed at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference in Houston last week that he was not happy with the compliance of some producers and that Saudi Arabia would not carry an unfair amount of the cuts or be used by others.

Story continues

He also said OPEC was more aligned than ever and said Saudi Arabia was producing below the key psychological 10 million barrels a day level.

"Coming after Khalid Al-Falih's deliberate comments about compliance, his criticism of some other parties keeping up their end of the agreement, it feeds a narrative of Saudi backing away from the agreement. If Saudi backs away, there is no agreement. Saudi drives the OPEC bus. I do think this is more a shot across the bow," said Croft.

At the same CERAWeek conference last week, Iraqi Oil Minister Jabbar Ali Al-Luiebi said that Iraq would be producing 5 million barrels a day by the second half of the year, after just reaching 4 million barrels a day in mid-2016. He also said export capacity could ultimately get to 7 million barrels a day, but he told CNBC after his remarks in Houston that Iraq does not want to "unsettle" the market.

"I think that Iraq production is not really coming off. They seem to be focused on exports and even the export numbers are not really coming off. I think a little bit of this is the Saudis are probably tacitly OK with the narrative that they're not going to shoulder the burden on their own," said Michael Cohen, head of energy research at Barclays. "They're also concerned about non-OPEC compliance, namely Russia and they're not seeing the cuts coming through."

Another thorn in the side of the deal between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other producers has been the U.S. shale industry, which has turned the pumps back on as the production deal pushed oil above $50. The U.S. is now producing more than 9 million barrels a day. A surge in supply in the weekly U.S. inventory data helped kick off what's been a more than 10 percent decline in oil prices. Al-Falih last week said OPEC welcomed shale drillers back to the market. But he also said he is monitoring the activity.

"Green shoots are here in the U.S. and maybe growing too fast. I am moderating the watering of green shoots," he said.

Cohen said he expects OPEC to ultimately extend some sort of deal. "Our view is still one that sees an agreement in some form in place and we have not really wavered from that view," he said. "The reason is based on the fact that completely taking their hand off the wheel again is not something consistent with what many OPEC leaders want."

Oil tanked on Tuesday, after a report from OPEC showed higher global inventories despite the deal. "That OPEC report was a bit of a shock with the Saudis self-reporting a 10 million barrel a day production number. The secondary sources had them producing under 10 million. The market reacted badly to that and the acknowledgement that global inventories were rising," said John Kilduff of Again Capital.

"There was the headline acknowledgement and prices sold off ... I think they're going to engineer another price collapse, they've got to do more than that. It's got to be in everybody's face. I think the real wake-up call is when you break $35."

Croft said oil prices will be more volatile until there are more signs of harmony among the key producers. Crude could also take another down leg if the U.S. weekly supply data released Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET shows another big build. West Texas Intermediate futures (New York Mercantile Exchange: @CL.1) were down for a seventh day Tuesday, falling 1.4 percent to $47.72 per barrel. Brent, the international benchmark was at $50.90 per barrel.

"I kind of feel like this is Saudi cracking the whip ... not threatening to pull out of the deal but leaving roll over up in the air," said Croft.

Russia's energy minister, Alexander Novak, also said last week that it was too soon to say whether the deal, agreed to in December, would be extended but he and others all spoke in support of it. "They don't want $60 [oil] but firming the case for $50 makes sense for their key policy priorities. Are you going to pick keeping as much shale as you can on the sidelines? Or are you going to pick your key economic priorities? If it's sub $50, or $50, I think they roll this over."

Watch: Oil driving market sentiment
Revisit the founding of the JSA and foreshadow its future in The New Golden Age #1 preview

And see what lies ahead in the future of the DC Universe
Home News Sports Social Obituaries Events Letters UI steaming ahead with biodiesel March 14, 2017 The University of Idaho steam plant, which heats the Moscow campus with wood chips, is reducing its emissions, eliminating waste on campus and providing students with a learning opportunity all at the same time.



By fueling their semi-truck and front-end loaders with biodiesel made on campus from used cooking oil, the Steam Plant discovered they could easily reduce harmful emissions from their operation while generating several other benefits to the University.



It's a great deal all the way around for all of us," said Scott Smith, UIs steam plant manager.



Smith first started investigating biodiesel as a way for the plant to comply with the Universitys goal to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2030. Using a 20-percent blend of biodiesel, or B20, at the steam plant would reduce carbon dioxide by an estimated 10 tons annually, according the National Biodiesel Boards emissions calculator.



The used cooking oil is from the University of Idaho Dining Services, operated by Sodexo, at the Commons Building on the Moscow campus.



Using biodiesel made from campus generated waste cooking oil does so much more than just give us cleaner air and minimize our carbon emissions according to Smith.



The used cooking oil is processed into biodiesel on campus at the Biological Engineering Biodiesel Lab and provides a hands on opportunity for students to learn how to make biodiesel from a waste product.



In addition to reducing our environmental impact and providing students with actual production experience, it also reduces the Steam Plants operating costs, Smith said.



Sodexo is also using biodiesel made in the Biodiesel Lab according to John Crockett, UIs Biodiesel Education Program manager. Using waste oil as a fuel base - or feedstock - means that waste cooking oil, previously dumped as waste into landfills, can instead be converted into a better diesel engine fuel.



Crockett said that biodiesel improves fuel lubrication, known as lubricity, and eliminates the need for another additive required in straight petroleum diesel.



Using biodiesel should make their diesel engines last longer, according to Crockett.



The University of Idaho began researching using vegetable oil for diesel fuel in 1979 and is recognized worldwide as the pioneers in biodiesel research. Questions or comments about this article? Click here to e-mail!
PAY ME MY $5M

Duprey, who initially accepted liability, is now denying owing John any money and is calling on him to provide proof. But before Duprey can change his defence, he first has to convince Justice Frank Seepersad that he can do so.

When the lawsuit came up for hearing at the Hall of Justice in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Dupreys lawyer Michael Coppin indicated that his client wanted to withdraw his initial position of having accepted liability but not quantum.

Coppin said his clients defence was now based on the statute of limitation, while Industrial Commercial Development (Trinidad) Limited - which John is also suing - has amended its defence on a breach of contract principle.

But Justice Seepersad questioned whether Duprey can now withdraw his defence. Under what circumstances can you withdraw an appearance? I am not aware of any provision (under the Civil Proceedings Rules) to do so. It cannot be that the first defendant can just say, Oops. I want to withdraw my defence, the judge said.

Coppin admitted while the rules were silent, it has been done in the past. Johns attorney Asha Watkins- Montserin, who appears with attorney Keith Scotland and Sheriza Khan, said there was no rule permitting Duprey to withdraw his defence. She also expressed surprise at the move as her client was not served with the application.

Coppin was given until March 28, to file submissions on the issue and the judge is expected to give his ruling on whether it can be done on May 16. Courts must jealously guard its processes against abuse of process. You have to convince me that that course of action is proper, the judge said. This court is moving on as if there is an admittance of liability, Justice Seepersad noted.

Both John and Duprey have also been told by the judge that they must attend court when the matter comes up next for hearing. They were not in court yesterday and although John was said to be ill, no reason was given for Dupreys absence.

In his lawsuit, John, who was a former government minister, said that in 2012, Duprey, on various occasions, requested loans which John provided.

He said there was an oral agreement between them for Duprey to repay these loans. John also alleged that Duprey used ICDL as a shell company to avoid personal liability.

In all, John said, he lent Duprey $5,166,125 and used his property to secure the amounts he borrowed from the bank. He also provided a table of wire transfers made to Dupreys bank account in Florida over the period March to September 30, 2012.

John said he was expected to be repaid in October 2013, pending a real estate transaction but received no money. He also said that in January 2015, Duprey acknowledged the loan amount and assured he would repay John, when he sold his 418,880 shares in MotorOne Insurance Company, which is owned by ICDL.

According to John, ICDL entered into a sale agreement for the sale of Dupreys shares in MotorOne in December 2015, and he was expected to receive an initial $24 million, with the balance to be paid over one year. He said even with the deposit of $12 million paid to Duprey for the sale of MotorOne shares, he (John) was not paid as promised.

John also said he has learned that there has been a revision of the terms of the MotorOne share sale with Duprey set to receive more than $54 million.

Although admitting the situation has been compounded by pending legal action relating to the MotorOne sale share agreement and a dispute as to the directorship of ICDL, John says there are no other assets known to him in Dupreys name in Trinidad and Tobago and he is concerned that he will not receive the money owed to him.

John also said Duprey communicated directly with him in November 2015 and acknowledged the loan debt and made a promise to liquidate. Later that month he received $500,000 and in February 2016, another payment of $90,000 but none since. The balance of the loan owed is $4.5 million, Johns lawsuit alleges. He is seeking repayment of the amount owed as well as interest.

Duprey in his defence denied Johns claims and also denied that ICDL was his shell company. He said he was one of two shareholders who collectively hold 100 percent of ordinary shares in ICDL. The other shareholder is Dalco Capital Management Company, which although not admitted in his claim, is said to be owned by Duprey.

Duprey admitted that there was a series of agreements, over time, between himself and John for different sums of money but does not admit to owing him $5.1 million.

He also contends that Johns action is statute barred as four years have expired from the date of the cause of action in 2012 to the filing of the claim in 2016. Duprey also says the wire transfers exhibited by John in the lawsuit were not related to a loan from John but to the sale of a property. ICDL in its defence has denied knowledge of any promises to repay any loan incurred by Duprey.
Cut and paste deeds

Justice Ricky Rahim ordered a Fyzabad man to return a lot of land in Gulf View, La Romaine valued approximately $5 million in, to the rightful owner, saying an attempt to take it away by a false Deed, smacked of fraud. Justice Rahim ordered the Registrar General to cancel and expunge from the records, the Deed in question.

The judge said that based on his discovery during the trial, fraud has reached deep into the public records of the Land Registry, affecting peoples right to their land. The case was that of two families engaged in a land battle, both sides walking with their own Deeds and claiming ownership of the land situated at Parson Avenue in Gulf View.

In a judgement in the San Fernando High Court, after a trial in which personnel from the Ministry of Legal Affairs were called to produce and testify on which of the two Deeds were real, Justice Rahim found that a set of Deeds were doctored in order to claim ownership of the land in Gulf View. He launched a stinging attack on what he discovered as an interference with the, physical manipulation of original Deeds in the custody of the Registrar Generals Department by persons unknown, in order to create a chain of title. Rickey Deyal of Delhi Road, Fyzabad claimed he was the beneficial owner of a lot of land at No. 446 Parson Avenue, Gulf View, via the estate of his deceased mother Admarine Rampersad and firstly, a woman named Lenora Iris Joseph. Deyal was appointed executor of his mothers estate by a Will in 2012. As such, he claimed ownership of the land.

In 2013, Chaitram Ramrattan, wife Omelia and son Amrit, bought the land from Gulf View Limited and in May 2013, began construction and excavation work, for their new house. In August 2013, Deyal obtained an injunction forcing the Ramrattans to cease construction. Former House Speaker and attorney Nizam Mohammed defended the Ramrattans in the injunction.

Justice Rahim conducted a trial, in which he had to decide whether Deyal or the Ramrattans, hold title to the land.

The judge referred to the evidence of Deyal who claimed he derived title to the land via Deed No. 1164 of 1927, Deed No. DE 2011019959553D001, conveyed to Iris Joseph by Deed DE 201301543211D001, in which Joseph agreed to transfer various parcels of lands, including the disputed lot to Admarine Rampersad.

The judge stated that in Deyals evidence, he denied the lot in question was ever bought by Gulf View Ltd but that the parcel of land existed since 1922 and was known as Parson Avenue.

Justice Rahim, however stated that Licensed surveyor and photogrammetric engineer Paul Anthony Williams, submitted a report to the court in which he found that Parson Avenue did not exist even in 1969, but the lands were coconut estate and in 1978, was a road reserve. The judge then referred to the evidence of Sharlene Karim, a title examiner with the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, who produced a true copy of Deyals Deed No 1164 of 1927, but it was pointed out by the judge that no certification of registration was attached to that Deed.

Its absence, the judge stated, means Deyals Deed No 1164 of 1927 was not part of the official records of the Registrar Generals Department.

Calling into question the authenticity of that Deed, Justice Rahim stated that the stamps on that Deed appeared to have been stuck onto the Deed, having been cut from elsewhere.

The judge stated that it was noticed that staple marks and holes appear on the pages of the Deed and some of the wording of the said Deed appears to be of lighter ink. But even more telling, Justice Rahim stated, was the courts view that the parcel of land in the said Deed produced by Karim to the court, refers to land sold in 1957 and located in San Juan.

He said that a reasonable conclusion, was that several pages were removed from a valid form of Deed 1164 of 1927, and ten pages of false information inserted to produce Deed 1164 of 1927. The judge stated, This demonstrates quite adequately to this court that all pages of the Deed save and except the last, were in fact fraudulently inserted into the volume long after the Deed purports to have been registered.

It is the evidence that the Registrar Generals Department has serious concerns about the authenticity of this Deed. Justice Rahim added, The documents tells a tale of wanton interference with and physical manipulation of the original Deed in the custody of the Registrar Generals department, by persons unknown in order to create a chain of title which is clearly false. Justice Rahim dismissed Deyals claim to the land and declared that the Ramrattans are the lawful owners of the Parson Avenue lot in Gulf View.

He ordered that Deed 1164 of 1927 and Deeds E201101959553D001, DE201102051860, DE201501574348D001 ,DE201501574469D001 be expunged from the registry.

He ordered Deyal to pay Ramrattan $10,000 in damages for trespass to the land and invited attorney Mohammed and Deyals attorney, to make oral submissions on legal cost.
AG: Trial by jury not a right

The AG made this point as he opened debate on the Trial by Judge Alone Bill 2017 in the Senate. Referring to Section 5 of the Constitution, Al-Rawi stated, There is no direct reference to a trial by jury. He said this position was reinforced by Chief Justice Ivor Archie in his speech at the opening of the law term on September 16, 2015.

Al-Rawi said on that occasion, Archie indicated, There is no right to a jury trial. He explained that Archie said, There is a right to a public and fair trial before an independent and impartial tribunal. Listing several other eminent jurists and legal entities which Government consulted with on this legislation, Al-Rawi declared, Not a soul has said that the bill requires a three fifths majority or in fact is unconstitutional. Al- Rawi said the Privy Council also indicated in one of its judgements, There is no entrenched right to a trial by jury. He described attempts by the Opposition to allege that the bill required a special majority for passage as the United National Congress (UNC), trying to build up a straw man to beat it down again. Al-Rawi disclosed that unlike the former Peoples Partnership (PP) government which sought to totally abolish trial by juries, this legislation offered a choice between trial by judge alone or trial by judge and jury.

Noting that Archie has also said the jury system is not working, Al-Rawi said this is reflected in the statistics. He said as of March 9, the convicted, together with the Remand population stands at 3,634 (people). Al-Rawi said the Remand population is 2,159 people and within that figure, 839 have been granted bail but are still in prison because they cannot access bail.

Al-Rawi said 8,600 jurors were summoned last year. However 1,170 applications for exemptions were presented, 1,195 were granted and 75 were refused. According to Al-Rawi, the data suggested that the manpower hours spent with respect to juries from 2011 to 2014 could cost $10.3 million.

Cutting through the statistics, Al-Rawi said what cannot be denied is that a murder is a murder is a murder. He also said what the bill seeks to advance, along with other pieces of legislation which Government has brought or is in the process of bringing to Parliament is that, there must be some consequence to criminality. Noting that 22 Commonwealth countries no longer do trials by jury, Al-Rawi said, Judges are not necessarily persons born with gold and silver spoons in their mouths. He added that judges, have the ability to have proper minds when considering matters.

Explaining that a judge is required to give written reasons on facts and on the law, Al-Rawi said, Those written reasons take one to a better position because juries, when they come up with their determination are not required to say
More drugs found, but no Nyasha

While police officers did not locate the missing officer, they again came across quantities of illicit drugs as was the case on Monday, when officers who were searching a mangrove in the Sea Lots area, came across 21 packets of compressed marijuana. Yesterday at 2 pm, officers in Sea Lots arrested four men and seized a kilo of compressed marijuana.

The men were taken to the Central Police Station where they were later charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. They are expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate today.

As curious residents looked on, while police with sniffer dogs combed the area, under the glare of media personnel, some said that after five consecutive days of futile searches, it was time for the police to search areas outside of Sea Lots for WPC Joseph.

She ent here. Its time for the police to search elsewhere, a resident said.

That man has a car.

If he did kill her, I think he would have dumped her body somewhere far, said another resident alluding to the fact that a man from Sea Lots, who was intimately involved with WPC Joseph, remains in police custody.

Joseph, 22, of Marie Road in Morvant, was last seen alive last Thursday in the company of a 32-year-old male companion who remains in police custody.

She is feared dead based on reports that the man confided to Sea Lots residents that he had killed and buried WPC Joseph in a shallow grave in the area. The search continues.
British national crushed to death

Dead is civil engineer John Morris, 56, of Scotland. According to a police report, at about 11 am, Morris was working at Lutchmeesinghs Contractors asphalt plant, along the M1 Ring Road, Princes Town when the incident occurred.

Reports are that Morris was attempting to fix a problem at the aggregate mixing bin when he fell inside. Morris co-workers heard his screams and rushed to his assistance.

The employees also reported to police that they dug for several minutes before they were able to pull Morris out of the pile of aggregate.

He was rushed to Princes Town Health Facility where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Science Centre. Morris lived alone along Matilda Road, Princes Town near to the asphalt plant. He had no relatives living in the country.

Efforts to contact officials at Lutchmeesinghs Contractors proved futile as calls went unanswered. Several persons at the company have since been questioned. Princes Town Police are continuing investigations.
Violent protests at Ste Madeleine Sec

This was announced yesterday by Education Minister Anthony Garcia during a press conference at his office in Port-of-Spain. Arising out of the investigation, several recommendations have been made which will involve possible disciplinary action against teachers. We have done the first stage of the process, Garcia said. A number of areas of teachers behaviour have been identified and these recommendations will be made to the TSC for possible disciplinary action against some teachers who fell short of their responsibilities and their duties. Regarding the incident in which bottles were thrown at a group of protesting teachers, Garcia said two Form Three students have been identified and sent on seven days suspension.

It does not end with this suspension. After they have served the required period, they will be enrolled at a Learning Enhancement Centre where hopefully, they will undergo sessions aimed at behavioural modification, so they will know that those types of behaviour are not going to be condoned. Garcia said the ministry has commissioned a thorough, comprehensive and complete investigation. We are doing everything possible within the remit of the law to ensure the school returns to normalcy in a short space of time. The school has assumed some degree of order and discipline and we want to ensure that is maintained. Garcia said that in an effort to make the school an interesting environment where learning and teaching can take place without any major disruptions, they have asked one of their senior school supervisors to be stationed at the school for a considerable period of time. The school supervisor will lend support to the schools administration.

Garcia said it was unfortunate that teachers saw it fit to protest against the principal outside the school.

However, he said the ministry recognise the right of any individual to protest. We recognise the right of any individual to protest but no right is unfettered.

No right is absolute and every right, even those enshrined in the Constitution are subject to certain standards of decency, Garcia said.
Schools to review discipline plans

The Ministry of Education has always had a system to address indiscipline and violence in schools. Bullying is one aspect of indiscipline.

Incidents of indiscipline and violence have been on the wane for some time. However, recent incidents have told us we need to look again, more closely at plans to reduce violence and indiscipline, he said during a press conference at his Port-of-Spain office.

He said it is important to address the issue before it attains proportions that will negatively affect the entire school system. Garcia said the ministry has asked all principals to pay close attention to a number of aspects of the discipline plans and review where necessary. The ministry will be giving teachers and principals certain skills on how to deal with conflict and anti-bullying sessions will be done with students.

We have asked teachers and principals to engage in greater communication exercises.

The ministry and will continue to encourage students to always seek help. The ministry will also focus on parenting workshops. Garcia said the ministry will be working to improve reading and writing skills to all students by launching a programme aimed at improving penmanship.

As part of this project, the ministry has identified the need for students at primary level to master the skill of handwriting. When we look at the reports that come to us that are written by students, very often it is difficult to decipher what is written. He added, We realise because of the widespread use of technology, in particular, the use of the cell phones and computer by our students, writing itself is being placed on the back burner. It is important therefore to ensure those skills are returned to our students.
South lawyers threaten election boycott

The threat to boycott Fridays election came after the Law Association refused to entertain any voting in San Fernando. The Association, in correspondence to the ASL, informed the Assembly that the High Court Registry in Port-of-Spain was unable to guarantee the technology to supply a reliable audio-visual link between venues in San Fernando and Tobago and Port of Spain.

In a letter to his membership on Monday, Khan said the ASL sought to provide an alternative to the Law Association Executive which was rejected.

He said the association was told that the Election Notice detailed that the meeting will be held in Port of Spain.

The LATT has also sought to rely on Rule 24 of the Rules of the Council of the Law Association.

We find that in that Rule, no support for the LATTs position.

It is our view that the inconvenient truth is that our LATT for reasons unknown to us, is not prepared to facilitate our request or take into account the effect of its unilateral decision has on a large scale of its membership, Khan told his members. He said the ASL represent over 500 members.

In his letter to Armour, Khan said the ASL noted with disappointment the decision taken to have only one general council meeting and no live stream of the proceedings or voting in San Fernando as the Assemblys views or input were not sought.

He also said he knew of no basis where members of the association will seek to challenge the results of Fridays election or have invalidated the ballots cast by lawyers in San Fernando.
Prison inmates urged to participate in programmes

Speaking at the launch of Vision on Missions 2017 Preparation for Release Programme at the Youth Training Centre, Arouca, Stewart said the programmes within the prison were meant to renew and change the mind.

Without programmes, there is no change in behaviour, there is no transformation.

Our purpose here is to prepare you for reintegration into society as productive law abiding citizens, valuing not only yourself but other citizens, he said.

Stewart said correctional programmes are about the inmates and their development.

Programmes help you to think before you act, it helps you to understand your responsibility as a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, he said. Speaking about Vision on Missions pre-release programme, Stewart said the programme was meant to inspire those inmates who were about to be released into society. These programmes are supposed to inspire you, motivate you to deviate from the ways that would have caused you to be here in the first place, and to make our neighbourhoods and society safer because the seed would have been sown. If you believe in that seed and you put it into action then surely you can put a full stop on prison life because you have the ability. Perseverance never failed. He said he has served in the prison for 39 years and seven months and he has seen miracles worked within the prison environment.

That is why the work that Wayne Chance and the Vision on Mission are doing is so important, he said.

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon yesterday urged the inmates to soak in everything that they learn while in the programme so they can live a productive life after leaving the prison.

He said every one has the power of choice and for those who made the choice to be incarcerated, they should put that behind them.

Lets focus on the future, the fact that you have entered into the programme is a positive choice.

The fact that you are here today is a positive choice, but choices by themselves wouldnt make it happen.

After you make the choice, you must be able to continue the journey. To do so you must begin with the end in mind. What do you want to be, what do you want to achieve. After you have left the prison walls, set your goals from now, make the choices that allow you to make those goals. One of those goals is I will not return to these walls whatsoever and therefore that will condition your behaviour, he said.
OPEC vs US shale showdown is biggest oil risk of 2017, says energy investor

The biggest oil market risk for 2017 is the prospect of a market share war  or at least a showdown  between OPEC and U.S. shale drillers, said Kate Richard, CEO of energy investment firm Warwick Energy.

Richard offered her view after U.S. crude (New York Mercantile Exchange: @CL.1) futures ended Tuesday's trading lower for a seventh straight session , hitting their weakest closing level since November.

OPEC's effort to draw down brimming global crude inventories through production cuts bolstered oil prices above $50 through last week. But that rebound made more high-cost U.S. output profitable, leading to a recovery in American drilling that threatens to spoil the cartel's bid to balance an oversupplied market.

It also threatens the oil-dependent economies of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

"What OPEC has shown is that it clearly cannot stomach $40 to $50 oil, whereas the U.S. producers over the past two years have gotten more and more efficient," Richard told CNBC's "Power Lunch," referring to American shale drillers who rely on expensive enhanced drilling methods to squeeze oil and gas from shale rock.

"We've retooled our cost structure. We've become cheaper. We've become more efficient, and we can now make really good money in the core plays in the U.S. at $40 to $50 oil."

Still, Richard noted there is a huge dispersion in potential returns between the haves and have-nots in America's oil patch. Drillers with the best acreage in Texas' Permian Basin and Oklahoma's Scoop and Stack regions can make money with oil prices at $40 to $50 a barrel, while producers in the southern expanse of the Permian and parts of the Rockies will struggle at that level.

Brenda Shaffer, an energy specialist at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, sees lower odds of a market share battle erupting between U.S. and OPEC producers. That is because the types of crude grades produced in the United States have a limited number of markets, she told CNBC's "Closing Bell" on Tuesday.

Story continues

As such, she sees the gap between U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude and international benchmark Brent crude (Intercontinental Exchange Europe: @LCO.1) widening, with Brent trading at a growing premium to WTI.

While the amount of U.S. crude in storage is rising and Saudi Arabia reported that it increased production last month , there are indications that oil prices will rebound beyond the short term, Shaffer said. Those include OPEC's upward revision on Tuesday for global oil demand and moderating stockpiles outside the United States.

Francisco Blanch, head of global commodities and derivatives research at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, said he too sees the so-called WTI-Brent spread widening. A lower WTI price should incentivize traders to sell more U.S. crude overseas, which would help draw down inventories, he told "Closing Bell."

At the same time, the price of oil for delivery in 2018 and 2019 is falling relative to front-month crude prices, giving U.S. producers a reason to put fewer oil rigs to work drilling new wells, according to Blanch. That aligns with plans by top oil exporter Saudi Arabia under OPEC's production cut agreement, he said.

"The last few days have been a little bit off  but I do think the objective hasn't changed. They want to achieve higher spot prices, lower forward prices," he said.

Now is an ideal time to achieve that goal because crude stockpiles in Europe and Asia have declined, he explained.

"We just need the U.S. inventory piles that we have to come down, and again, that requires a wider WTI-Brent spread," Blanch said.


It May Not Be the Time

You Think It Is
Radio Shack

RadioShack's recent discounts aren't the price cut they appear to be, Consumerist reports, citing employees who've grown tired of their "dysfunctional" employer's actions.

Last month, before the retailer filed for bankruptcy on March 8, RadioShack management instructed workers in at least some locations to raise prices prior to sales, the employees told Consumerist.

"A couple of weeks ago we raised the prices of every item in the store by 20-50% and now our clearance sale is 20-50% off," one worker told the consumer advocacy website.

Business Insider's Mary Hanbury recently visited a Manhattan RadioShack location where Beats headphones were being sold at a "20% discount" that brought the price to $159.99, which is the same price they fetch on Amazon  without a discount. RadioShack didn't immediately reply to Business Insider's phone call and e-mail for comment.

Marking up before cutting prices is a not uncommon practice in the retail industry, as customers are increasingly unwilling to pay full price for items. However, such practices have led to some shoppers filing lawsuits against companies including Macy's, J.C. Penney, and Kohl's for what they argue is "deceptive and unlawful" marketing.

Radio Shack

Employees told Consumerist that, in addition to RadioShack's price cutting schemes, they'd been forced to deal with uncertainty regarding if their stores would stay open as the retailer closes roughly 200 locations and general corporate disorganization.

"Everything seemed very dysfunctional from the higher ups," one worker said to Consumerist. "We'd get one days notice for massive sales and rearrangements."

To read Consumerist's full article about employees dishing on RadioShack's struggles, click here.

NOW WATCH: REPORT: Some chicken sandwiches from popular fast food chains may not be what you think they are





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A woman allegedly encouraged her daughter to commit suicide with comments posted on a live stream before the 14-year-old hanged herself in a bathroom, according to a horrifying report from the Florida Department of Children and Families. But an attorney for Naika Venant's mother calls the allegation "absolutely false." He says Gina Caze commented on the Facebook Live video only after Naika's death, which she thought was a hoax. Naika first entered foster care in 2009 at age 6 after she was beaten with a belt for engaging in a sex act at a male babysitter's house, reports WPLG. The Miami teen later told a therapist she slept in the same room as her mother's boyfriends and watched "sex movies," a DCF report states, per the Miami Herald. Her mother gave up custody in April 2016.

Before her death, Naika told a case manager she missed her mom, who opted to contact her through social media rather than attend court-ordered weekly visits, per DCF. As Naika contemplated suicide on Facebook Live on Jan. 22, officials say Caze, using the name "Gina Alexis," was one of hundreds watching. But while many tried to dissuade Naika, Caze posted comments that could be "mentally injurious to her suicidal child," the DCF says, per the Tampa Bay Times. In one, she allegedly called Naika a "sad little DCF custody jit," jit meaning young gangster. "U keep crying wolf u dead u will get buried life goes on," she added, according to DCF. A friend of Naika's saw the video and called 911, but it was too late. Caze's attorney blamed the girl's death on a series of bad foster-care placements. (Read more suicide stories.)
A right-wing candidate for French president was placed under formal investigation Tuesdaymeaning there's "serious or consistent evidence" of wrongdoingin an unprecedented move, the Guardian reports. Francois Fillon allegedly misused public funds, specifically by paying his wife more than $720,000 over 15 years to be a parliamentary assistant. According to CNN, the former prime minister allegedly did the same for his two children, bringing the total amount of taxpayer money that went to his immediate family to more than $1 million. In France, it's legal to employ family members as parliamentary assistants, but allegations against Fillon claim these were fake jobs for which no work was done.

Fillon, who is currently trailing in third place in the presidential race, claims he's the victim of "political assassination," Reuters reports. He says his wife (who also may or may not have made more than $3,700 a month for a fake job at a literary magazine) did legit work as a parliamentary assistant, keeping track of his schedule and appearing for him at cultural events. Fillon had previously said he would drop out of the presidential race if there was a formal investigation; he now says otherwise. The former presidential front-runner is facing up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. Voting starts in less than six weeks. (Read more Francois Fillon stories.)
Giving new meaning to "fashion police," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is drawing criticism from its own deputies over the decision to replace their uniforms' silver-colored belt buckles for gold-colored ones. The Los Angeles Times reports the department is spending $300,000 to replace belt buckles, belt snaps, baton rings, and key holders to make them better match the bronze badges, lapel pins, and tie clips worn by deputies. Sheriff Jim McDonnell says the change from silver to gold will make deputies look more professional, which will in turn lead to suspects giving them more respect. "They need to exude command presence, McDonnell says of his deputies.

But those deputies aren't so sure new belt buckles are the way to do it. The president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs says the department is "in turmoil" and has more pressing needs. The union issued a statement against the new belt buckles on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Daily News reports. The union says the sheriff's department has an annual budget deficit of $250 million, which has left it with 300 deputy positions and 1,000 professional staff positions unfilled. Deputies work back-to-back shifts, and detectives and administrators are pulled away from their regular work and sent out on mandatory patrols. While the union understands the "desire to have a professional uniform appearance," it says this is not the time to do it. (Read more Los Angeles Sheriff's Department stories.)
A pregnant woman in Alabama has been charged with raping the underage father of her unborn son. AL.com reports 19-year-old Mekenzie Guffey applied for Medicaid this month and listed a 14-year-old boy as the father. Authorities say Guffey was introduced to the boy by a mutual friend at a McDonald's in December. Police chief Jason Hepler tells WAAY that Guffey estimates she had sex with the boy about 20 times since then. Guffey would allegedly pick up the boy from his house, drive to a remote area near a nuclear power plant, and have sex in her car, according to WAFF. Police say she and the boy also exchanged nude photos.

Guffey was arrested on Friday and charged with rape, sex abuse, enticing a child for immoral purposes, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, possession of child pornography, and dissemination of child pornography. She faces up to 20 years in prison. Hepler tells AL.com that Guffey "was proud of [the boy] being the father"until police got involved. (A man who allegedly posed as Justin Bieber has been charged with 900 sex offenses.)
A mother in Washington state is searching for answers after her 4-year-old son died Friday following a routine dental procedure, KATU reports. Mykel Peterson didn't like the dentist. Thmeka Curry tells KGW her son was on the autism spectrum and had a hard time keeping his mouth open. That's why she says the dentist had an anesthesiologist put Mykel under Friday, giving him a dose of Ketamine. After the procedure, Mykel was breathing but wasn't waking up. Then he wasn't breathing. Dental staff started CPR and called 911, but Mykel was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital, the Columbian reports.

The medical examiner has yet to determine a cause of death, and the Washington State Department of Health is reviewing the incident to determine if it will investigate. "I just need to know what happened so I can have that closure for my son," Curry tells KATU. "I've never heard of a child losing their life at a dentist." In a statement released Monday, the dentist office says it's "heartbroken and devastated." It says it's used sedation and anesthesia "more than 1,900 times without incident" over the past 3.5 years. Mykel was remembered as "happy, loving, energetic, and smart" on a GoFundMe page set up for his family. At least three children died while under dental anesthesia last year in the US. (Read more anesthesia stories.)
A familiar scene played out on Capitol Hill Tuesday in the form of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand expressing anger at the harassment of women in the military. This time, she was grilling Marines chief Gen. Robert Neller in the wake of the revelation that photos and videos of female Marines, sometimes nude, had been widely shared in online groups. One exchange, via ABC News, sums it up:

Gillibrand: "It is a serious problem when we have members of our military denigrating female Marines who will give their life to this country in the way they have, with no response from leadership. So if you're dedicated to fixing the culture of the Marines and all the services, what do you plan to do to hold commanders responsible who fail to get this done?"

"It is a serious problem when we have members of our military denigrating female Marines who will give their life to this country in the way they have, with no response from leadership. So if you're dedicated to fixing the culture of the Marines and all the services, what do you plan to do to hold commanders responsible who fail to get this done?" Neller: "I'm responsible. I'm the commandant. I own this, and we are going to have to, you know, you've heard it before, but we're going to have to change how we see ourselves and how we dohow we treat each other. That's a lame answer, but ma'am, that's the best I can tell you right now. We've got to change, and that's on me."

The New York Times, meanwhile, has the story of one of the women victimized. Savannah Cunningham, a 19-year-old in Phoenix, made a nude video for a Marine she was dating in a long-distance relationship, and it surfaced in the online forums. Cunningham wasn't in the military at the time, but, despite the harassment she endured over the video, ships out for basic training next month. Someone needs to stand up and say this does not represent the values of the Marine Corps, she tells the newspaper. If not me, then who? A story in the Navy Times shows the challenge: It confirms that the scandal is not confined to the Marines, with women from at least a dozen Navy commands also specifically targeted in the online forums, likely by other sailors. (Read more Kirsten Gillibrand stories.)
A horrific find in Mexico: Authorities say they've found more than 250 skulls in a clandestine burial ground on the outskirts of the city of Veracruzand they have yet to excavate two-thirds of the area. State attorney general Jorge Winckler Ortiz said the bodies are drug cartel victims murdered while authorities in previous administrations turned a blind eye. He described Veracruz state, a cartel battleground for years, as a giant mass grave. "When they finish opening the clandestine cemetery in the state it will be seen as the largest grave," he told the Televisa network, per NPR, "because for years organized crime has disappeared and murdered people with the complicity of the authorities."

The graves were found with the help of Colectivo Solecito, an activist group formed by the mothers of some of the state's estimated 2,400 missing people, the New York Times reports. Lucia Diaz, a spokeswoman for the group, says that after a cartel member handed them a map to the graves during a Mother's Day protest last year, they raised money for excavations by holding bake sales and raffles. Her own son, who disappeared in 2013, is still missing. She tells the AP it isn't clear who dumped the bodies in the clandestine graves. "It is either the criminals, or police, or both," she says. "In Veracruz, it's kind of hard to tell the difference." (These Mexican vigilantes kidnapped a drug kingpin's mom.)
The first person in America to be convicted of female genital mutilation has been kicked out of the country. Khalid Adem, 41, who used scissors to remove his 2-year-old daughter's clitoris at their Atlanta-area home in 2001, was deported to Ethiopia on Monday after finishing a 10-year prison sentence, the New York Times reports. "A young girls life has been forever scarred by this horrible crime," Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Sean Gallagher said. "The elimination of female genital mutilation/cutting has broad implications for the health and human rights of women and girls, as well as societies at large," he said in an ICE news release that described the practice as a serious human rights violation.

Adem was found guilty in 2006 of aggravated battery and cruelty to children. His daughter, then a 7-year-old, testified on video that her father "cut me on my private part," the BBC reported at the time. The conviction led to Georgia's first law against the practice. It was already illegal under federal law, though the Times notes that it remains disturbingly common: The CDC estimates that more than 500,000 women in the US have undergone or are likely to undergo female genital mutilation, sometimes in "vacation cutting" during family visits to countries in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East. The most common countries of origin for American girls at risk are Egypt, Ethiopia, and Somalia, the CDC says. (Read more female genital mutilation stories.)
But it could peak at 11.5% this year.

The number of unsold private residential inventory indicates that 2018 is likely the year where vacancy could reverse its upward trend as supply tapers, according to a report from UOB KayHian.

However, vacancy rates could see their peak this year at 11.5% before beginning to improve next year to 2020, where rates are expected to go down to 10.1%.

"This will be propelled by tapering private residential supply, as even we forecast muted residential demand of about 8,200 units p.a. from 2015 to 2020, by incorporating conservative population growth estimates at a CAGR of 1.2%," said UOB.

In this case, the firm puts its bets on City Developments Ltd to benefit, as it derives about 30% of its value from the residential segment. CapitaLand is also cited as a benefactor, given its diversification across geographies and asset classes.







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If Yahoo's sale of most of its business to Verizon goes through, the man hired to run what little remains of the company will receive double the salary of female predecessor Marissa Mayer, according to an SEC filing. Board member Thomas McInerney will receive $2 million base pay, twice what Mayer received, plus an annual bonus up to another $2 million, NBC reports. The disparity has raised some eyebrows, especially since McInerney will apparently have a much easier job than Mayer: At new spinoff company Altaba, he will be overseeing the company's stake in Chinese Internet firm Alibaba in what Fortune describes as a "practically no-show job" taking care of a fund that "almost runs itself."

McInerney, former CFO at media company IAC, may also be eligible for up to $24 million in long-term incentive grants, more than Mayer's last such grant. A source tells Fortune that his job at Altaba will be trickier than it might seem, since he will have to untangle the firm from "a long and significant tail of Yahoo operating company liabilities." Mayer, meanwhile, won't exactly be going home empty-handed: She is expected to get a $23 million severance package and around $60 million in stock options. If she leaves the company, she will also be free to sell the estimated $97 million in Yahoo stock she already owns. (Verizon is now getting a discount on the Yahoo deal.)
Officers in a burgeoning Navy bribery scandal called themselves the Lion King's Harem, the Wolfpack, the Cool Kids, and the Brotherhood. They scouted for others who might also accept sex, trips, and other lavish perks from a Malaysian defense contractor known as "Fat Leonard" in exchange for classified information. Allegations outlined in an indictment unsealed in San Diego on Tuesday give more details in the 3-year-old scandal that had appeared to be fading before re-emerging even bigger and more sordid than before, per the AP. Nine current and former military officers were charged in the latest indictment, including a recently retired rear admiral, Bruce Loveless, who collected foreign intelligence for the Navy's Seventh Fleet.

It gives an extensive list of bribes to the officers from 2006 to 2012 from Leonard Francis in exchange for classified shipping schedules and other information to help his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia. In one example, a party with prostitutes at the Manila Hotel's MacArthur Suite during a 2007 port call to the Philippines included sex acts using historic MacArthur memorabilia. One meal during a 2006 port visit to Hong Kong cost $20,435. A dinner during a port call to Singapore that year featured foie gras, oxtail soup, cognac that cost about $2,000 a bottle, and cigars at $2,000 a box. Prosecutors say Francis, who is nicknamed Fat Leonard for his wide girth, bilked the Navy out of nearly $35 million, largely by overcharging for his company's services supplying Navy ships in the Pacific with food, water, fuel, and other necessities. (Read more Navy stories.)
Malaysian police were able to confirm the identity of Kim Jong Nam, who was killed last month at Kuala Lumpur's airport, using a DNA sample from one of his children, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Wednesday, per the AP. Zahid also said negotiations began Monday to resolve a diplomatic standoff over the death the estranged half brother of North Korea's leader, who was carrying a passport bearing the name Kim Chol at the time of his death on Feb. 13. North Koreawidely suspected of being behind the attackcontinues to call the victim Kim Chol and has rejected autopsy findings that Kim was killed by nerve agent VX. Malaysian police said last week they had confirmed the victim was Kim Jong Nam, but refused to say how.

Kim is believed to have two sons and a daughter with two women living in Beijing and Macau, but it is unclear where they currently are. Malaysian officials say Kim's body has been embalmed to better preserve it and that Kim's relatives will be given two to three weeks to claim it. In the meantime, Zahid said formal talks between Malaysia and North Korea are ongoing at the "secretary-general level" and that Malaysia is keeping an "open heart and open mind" in negotiations centering on seven North Korean suspects in the attack, including three believed to be in the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Asked if Malaysia will exchange the Korean suspects for nine Malaysians blocked from leaving North Korea, Zahid said "we are looking at all possibilities." (Read more Kim Jong Nam stories.)
While there's a lot of worry about robots replacing American workers, a paper by Harvard economist James Bessen found automation has made humans obsolete in just one job over the past 67 years. Of 270 occupations listed in the 1950 US Census, only elevator operator no longer exists due to automation, Quartz reports. Another 32 jobs were done in by a loss of demand, and five became technologically obsolete. And while machines eventually replaced human operators in the country's elevators, it took them a while. According to NPR, the automated elevator was invented in 1900, but Americans didn't become comfortable with using them for another five decades.

While most of today's jobs could be partially automated in the future, it's unlikely many could be completely taken over by machines. Manufacturing and food service face the greatest threat from automation; management and educational services face the least. Howeverand while it's not technically an occupationthe American driver could soon go the way of the elevator operator, PC Magazine reports. Surveys have found that less than half of US consumers trust self-driving cars and 25% of US drivers would never ride in one. This sounds an awful lot like the reaction to early automated elevators. In fact, a leading elevator historian calls an elevator without an operator "the Google car of its era." (A robot programmed to avoid humans roams the deserts of California.)
"For the sake of rhino safety," a Czech zoo plans to take a chainsaw to its rhinos' faces. The goal is to make the herd of rare black and southern white rhinos unattractive to poachers, who last week shot and killed a white rhino at a French zoo before making off with its horns. "The attack [in France] put us on alert, the danger is really intense," says a rep for the Dvur Kralove zoo. She explains 18 of the 21 rhinosthe number excludes three calveswill be put under and then have their horns chainsawed off and filed. It's a process that has been done before, she says, but never for this reason.

Its rhinos' horns would be worth a pretty penny: They can go for $25,000 a pound on the black market, per the AFP. How that translates: The BBC reports that 21 rhino horns recently seized at Bangkok's international airport are worth an estimated $5 million. Per the International Rhino Foundation, half a million rhinos "roamed the wild" in the early 1900s; today that number has dwindled to 29,000. In China and Vietnam, the creature's horn is prized as having medicinal value and is used as an aphrodisiac, though there is no scientific evidence of either. The foundation points out that consuming horn is basically akin to eating your own hair or fingernails; all three are made of keratin. (Read more about the brutal death of "Vince" the rhino in France.)
The Justice Department is set to make a big announcement Wednesday about the massive 2014 Yahoo data breach, which affected 500 million users: the indictment of Dmitry Dokuchaev and his boss Igor Sushchin, both Russian spies from the Federal Security Service intelligence agency, as well as Russia-hired hackers Alexsey Belan and Karim Baratov, anonymous officials tell the Washington Post. A person "briefed on the matter" tells Bloomberg that three of the suspects are thought to be in Russia, while the fourth was being sought for arrest in Canada. Charges that shed light on what an ex-FBI special agent tells the Post is the "murky world of Russian intel services" are said to include hacking, economic espionage, trade secret theft, and wire fraud. Per the Post, this would be the first time Russian government officials have had US cybercrimes charges filed against them.

What irks US officials most is that the FSB employees implicated in this case work for a division within the agency that's akin to the FBI's own cybercrime unit, which one official tells the Post is "pretty sad." If any of the suspects are indeed in Russia, there's no extradition treaty that the US can tap into to haul them to the States, but the Post notes charges such as these, plus possible sanctions, can still wield a "deterrent effect" against future criminality (and the suspects can still get busted if they visit countries that will ship them to the US). CNN reports both the DOJ and the San Francisco office of the FBI (neither of which are commenting) have Wednesday press conferences scheduled; the DOJ's presser is set for 11:30am in Washington, DC, Bloomberg notes. (Verizon got 7% knocked off the sale price of Yahoo because of the data breach.)
Within a half-hour span on the morning of March 4, President Trump laid out a stunning series of tweets that made some serious accusations: namely, that then-President Obama had tapped his phones in Trump Tower shortly before the election. On Wednesday, the head of the House Intelligence Committee offered that panel's official take on any wiretapping evidence they've been presented with, which has amounted to exactly  none, per the Hill. "I don't think there was an actual tap of Trump Tower," the GOP's Devin Nuneswhom the Washington Post says has been "one of the few defenders of Trump's claims"told reporters. To add to the "how do we take what the president tweets?" debate, Nunes added that should anyone take Trump's tweets literally, then "clearly the president was wrong" in this case.

The Post notes others who've disputed Trump's wiretapping allegations, including ex-director of national intelligence James Clapper (who insists that a FISA warrant, which would have been required to make the wiretapping legal, was never issued), FBI chief James Comey (who will be heading to Capitol Hill on Monday to testify about this), and Obama himself, whom Trump called a "bad (or sick) guy" in one of the tweets in question. Comey had wanted the DOJ, which Monday asked for more time to come up with proof to present to the HIC, to publicly rebuke Trump for his claims, which it has so far declined to do. On Tuesday, press secretary Sean Spicerwho tried to explain to reporters that his boss didn't mean wiretapping when he said "wiretapping"said Trump was "extremely confident" the DOJ would prove him right and that the evidence would "vindicate" him. (Read more wiretapping stories.)
A lawsuit filed by a woman in defense of her farting husband was full of beans, according to a judge, who tossed the suit earlier this year. Louann Clem filed the lawsuit after her husband was fired from the Case Pork Roll Co. in New Jersey, allegedly for farting too much, NJ.com reports. Richard Clem had gastric bypass surgery in 2010. That's when the "extreme gas and uncontrollable diarrhea" started. According to LawNewz, the lawsuit claimed Case Pork Roll president Thomas Dolan told Richard Clem to work from home because of the smell he was creating. Louann Clem, who also worked at Case Pork Roll, says Dolan and business owner Thomas Grieb repeatedly made comments to her about her husband's flatulence.

The lawsuit claimed Richard Clem was eventually fired in 2014 because of his farting; Louann Clem quit the same day. She filed the lawsuit, alleging discrimination against her husband, in 2015. A judge rejected it last July, but she submitted a revised version. The revised version of the lawsuit claimed the "insulting and humiliating" comments made by Dolan and Grieb caused Louann Clem mental and physical anguish, the AP reports. But in January a federal judge rejected the new lawsuit, ruling the alleged comments were inappropriate but failed to constitute a hostile work environment. (Read more fart stories.)
A federal judge in Hawaii blocked President Trump's revised travel ban just hours before it was set to go into effect across the country, the Washington Post reports. Hawaii had filed a lawsuit over the new executive order, which halted visas for citizens from six Muslim-majority nations for 90 days and stopped new refugees for 120 days, claiming it hurts tourism, business, and universities and would keep people from those six countries from visiting family in Hawaii. The state alleged the order, which also cuts the number of refugees allowed in the US next year in half, was essentially a Muslim ban. US District Judge Derrick Watson froze the order Wednesday, saying Hawaii has a "strong likelihood of success on their claim," according to Politico.

More than six states are currently trying to halt the new travel ban, the AP reports. Arguments against it were also scheduled to be heard in Maryland and Washington state on Wednesday. Trump issued the revised travel ban after his first attempt was blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. Justice Department lawyers defending the new executive order said the ban was well within the president's power and claimed its potential harms were only speculation. (Read more Trump travel ban stories.)
DUBAI, March 15 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's central bank said on Wednesday that it had raised its reverse repo rate, the rate at which commercial banks deposit money with the central bank, by 25 basis points to 1.00 percent.

But the central bank said it was keeping its repo rate, which it uses to lend money to banks, unchanged at 2.00 percent.

A central bank statement said the decisions were in response to developments in domestic and international financial markets; it did not elaborate.

(Reporting by Andrew Torchia, editing by Larry King)
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John McCain

Republican Sen. John McCain slammed his GOP colleague, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, on Wednesday after Paul blocked the passage of a treaty that would allow Montenegro to move forward with joining NATO, Defense News' Joe Gould reported.

McCain warned before the vote that If theres objection, you are achieving the objectives of Vladimir Putin...and I do not say that lightly.

Paul then entered the Senate chamber, voted against the accession protocol, and exited.

The only conclusion you can draw when he walks away is he has no argument to be made, McCain said after Paul walked out abruptly, according to The Washington Examiner. "The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin."

Russian President Vladimir Putin is staunchly opposed to Montengro's accession to NATO, which he views as a threat to Russian sovereignty. Albania and Croatia joined the alliance 2009.

"Senator McCain believes that the person who benefits the most from Congresss failure to ratify Montenegros ascension to NATO is Vladimir Putin, whose government has sought to destroy the NATO alliance, erode confidence in Americas commitments to its allies, overthrow the duly-elected government of Montenegro, and undermine democratic institutions throughout Europe," McCain's spokesperson, Julie Tarallo, told Business Insider on Wednesday.

"The overwhelming majority of senators who support this treaty, and certainly the people of Montenegro, deserved an explanation from Senator Paul on the Senate floor as to why he sought to prevent this small, brave country from joining in the defense of the free world," Tarallo added.

For Montenegro to move forward with the accession process, which was approved in May, the treaty has to be ratified by the US Senate by unanimous consent. Twenty-one of 28 NATO allies have already backed Montenegro's accession.

Asked about McCain's comment, Paul stood by his decision to block the treaty and said it would be "unwise to expand the monetary and military obligations of the United States given the burden of our $20 trillion debt."

Story continues

"Currently, the United States has troops in dozens of countries and is actively fighting in Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Yemen (with the occasional drone strike in Pakistan)," Paul told Business Insider in a statement provided by his office. "In addition, the United States is pledged to defend 28 countries in NATO."

McCain promised Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic in January that the Senate would ratify the treaty soon, according to Radio Free Europe.

Markovic was the target of a coup plot, allegedly orchestrated by Russian intelligence agents, to overthrow Montenegro's pro-NATO government and replace it with a Russia-friendly regime, The New York Times reported. The plot was uncovered in November after the pro-Russian mercenary who helped organize it was arrested by Montenegrin police.

NOW WATCH: Watch Trump surprise the first White House tour group





More From Business Insider


New Delhi:

An Uzbek national filed an FIR against her ex-boyfriend and for others on Tuesday accusing them of gang-rape in Delhis Masoodpur area on Saturday. The five accused have been booked under sections 376-D (gang-rape) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of Indian Penal Code.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that her ex-boyfriend Anubhav Yadav along with his four friends came to her room in Masoodpur in the intervening night of March 9 and March 10 at around 2am.

She fell unconscious when the accused thrashed her brutally. After gaining consciousness, the complainant found her clothes missing. She rushed to the Fortis Hospital in the morning but left without undergoing medical check-up. She didn't report the matter to the police for three days.

On Wednesday, one of her friends suggested her to seek help from the Delhi Police in this regard.
By Jessica Jaganathan SINGAPORE - South African petroleum company Engen is set to export a gasoil cargo to Singapore, according to trade sources and shipping data. The company has provisionally booked the Torm Horizon to transport 35,000 tonnes of gasoil to Singapore from Durban, shipping fixtures showed. The move would be unusual as South Africa rarely exports gasoil. Engen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The cargo likely comprises high sulphur gasoil whose premium has risen to a more than three-month high this month due to prompt demand in Southeast Asia, four traders and shipbrokers said. "South Africa is exporting 500 ppm (sulphur gasoil) and importing the lower sulphur grades," a Singapore-based middle distillates trader said, declining to be identified as he was not authorised to speak with the media. South Africa consumes diesel with 10 parts-per-million (ppm) sulphur in its domestic market, he added. A refinery typically exports high sulphur gasoil when a secondary unit is under maintenance and is unable to process the fuel to make low sulphur diesel, traders said. The price spread between diesel with 10 ppm sulphur and 500 ppm sulphur gasoil narrowed to 5 cents a barrel in late November, its tightest in more than three years, before widening slightly this year, Reuters data shows. The gap between the two grades narrowed due to a flood of supply of low sulphur diesel from China, while Southeast Asian countries are still consuming the higher sulphur grade, traders said. This in turn is pulling gasoil cargoes from the Middle East and India into Singapore, when they typically used to head to Europe or Africa, they added. (Reporting by Jessica Jaganathan; Editing by Joseph Radford)
New Delhi:

Popular actor Diljit Dosanjh has refuted the reports of collaboration with Akshay Kumar in his upcoming movie which is being jointly produced by Salman Khan and Karan Johar.

It was reported that the 'Udta Punjab' actor will play a pivotal role in the movie which is said to be based on the 'Battle of Saragarhi'.

However, Dosanjh cleared the air saying that while he is not a part of the movie, he is excited about it because of the director of the movie Anurag Singh.

"Those are wrong reports. I am not doing anything in it. It's a big film and a big subject. I am not in the film but there is excitement for Anurag. He is an amazing person and I am very happy for him," Diljit was quoted as saying.

Interestingly, Diljit and Anurag have given several hit Punjabi movies together like 'Punjab 1984', 'Disco Singh', 'Jatt and Juliet' and 'Jatt and Juliet 2'.

Also Read | Salman Khan opens up on walking out of Akshay-KJo's movie

Notably, the actor, who is just one film old in Bollywood, has created a space for himself in the industry with his first release 'Udta Punjab'.

Currently, Diljit Dosanjh is busy with his upcoming Hindi movie 'Phillauri' opposite Anushka Sharma. The movie is slated to release on March 24.

Besides, there are also reports of him being a part of Anushka's next production 'Kaneda'.

In fact, filmmaker Navdeep Singh too had dropped hints about the Diljit being a part of the movie along with Arjun Kapoor.

However, the Punjabi actor maintained the suspense over it and stated, "Till the time things don't go on floors, I don't think about it at all. I am only thinking about my next Hindi release 'Phillauri' right now and a Punjabi film that I am doing".

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New Delhi:

Prabhas, who happens to be the most eligible bachelor of B-town, is making the headlines for his wedding now. According to the media reports, the 'Baahubali' actor is all set to get married this year.

It is said to be an arranged marriage and the girl has been finalised by his family.

The media reports suggest, that Prabhas' wedding date is almost fixed and the family is waiting for the right moment to announce the big news.

While no details have been revealed about the actor's lady love, it is being reported that the wedding will take place soon after the release of his much-awaited movie 'Baahubali 2'.

Also Read| 'Baahubali 2': This new poster of Prabhas starrer drops major hints about the story

The SS Rajamouli directorial will hit the theatres in April end and it is being speculated that Prabhas will announce the big news before he begins his next project.

Apparently, no confirmation has been made by Prabhas or his family in this regard so far.

Currently, Prabhas is busy with the promotions of 'Baahubali 2'.

Also starring Rana Daggubati, Tamannah Bhatia and Anushka Shetty, the movie is slated to release on April 28.

For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

An eleven-year-old Pakistani girl congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for receiving massive mandate in Uttar Pradesh, urging that the India PM should focus to bridge the gap between two nations by winning peoples hearts of both the countries.

In a letter accessed to Pakistani media, Aqeedat Naveed voiced on the need of peace and hoped that Prime Minister Modi can put effort for the same by expediting the process.

"Once my father told me that winning of hearts is a marvelous job. Perhaps you have won the hearts of Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace. Both countries need good relation. Let's make a peace bridge between India and Pakistan. Let's decide that we will not buy bullets, will buy books. We will not buy the guns, will buy the medicine for the poor people," Aqeedat wrote in her letter addressing to the Prime Minister.

Pakistani girl congratulates PM Modi for UP victory, calls for turning focus on 'peace'

Read ANI storyhttps://t.co/wrea7IkJwz (file pic) pic.twitter.com/snJZjvvLDk  ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 15, 2017

She stressed that bot the enations can come forward and it depends on their effort to bring peace in the region.

Also Read | Modi favourite for 2019 Lok Sabha elections: US experts

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New Delhi:

Absconding rape accused Gayatri Prajapati was arrested from Lucknow on Wednesday. Prajapati was brought to Alambagh police station in Lucknow after his arrest. After being produced before sessions court, Prajapati was sent to 14-day judicial remand.

Former SP minister has expressed his wish for a narco test to ascertain truth. Soon after his arrest, Prajapati said that he was going to surrender.

UP DGP Javeed Ahemd informed that Prajapati had stayed in Delhi and Haryana, and the UP police was regularly tracking him. Prajapati was arrested from Lucknow on Wedensday morning, he said.

Earlier, Lucknow Police had nabbed three accomplices of SP leader and interrogated his two sons and nephew to get clues about Prajapati. It was said that Prajapati had fled to West Bengal.

Prajapati was booked on a Supreme Court directive and an FIR was lodged on February 17 against the minister and six others for allegedly gang-raping a woman and alleged attempt to rape her minor daughter.

The apex court had asked the UP Police to submit an action taken report regarding the incidents in eight weeks.

ALSO READ | Three more accomplices of Gayatri Prajapati held; sons, nephew quizzed

Following which a Look Out notice was issued against him and also a Non-Bailable Warrant. His passport too had been impounded.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

Setting aside the bedlam over government formation in Manipur, BJP's N Biren Singh took oath as the Chief Minister of Manipur. The oath was administered by Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah on Wednesday.

BJP president Amit Shah congratulated Singh and his cabinet colleague on formation of new government in the state.

It was also expected that Shah will hold a road show (Abhinandan Samaroh) in Imphal with other senior party leaders, but due to technical snag in aircraft, he returned to Delhi. The saffron party won 21 seats for the first time in state where it had no representation in the assembly in past.

#ExpectToday: Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to hold road show in Imphal (Manipur), today. pic.twitter.com/RrxtdaFSPr  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

The possibility emerged after the four Naga Peoples Front (NPF) MLAs had met Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla and extended their support to the BJP for the formation of the new government in the state.

On Monday, outgoing Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had submitted his resignation after Governor Najma Heptullah said she could not start the process of government formation in the state that has got a hung Assembly, till he quits.

Also Read: Governor Najma Heptulla invites BJP to form government in Manipur; Oath taking ceremony today

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Panaji:

Police have launched a murder investigation after the disrobed body of a British woman tourist was found near a beach in south Goa. The police have also detained a man in connection with the case.

The body of the woman, who had a British passport, was found on Tuesday at an isolated spot near a beach in Devbag village, located about 80km from Panaji, deputy superintendent of police, Canacona, Sammy Tavares said.



He said the woman was holidaying in Goa since February 23.



"Hours before her corpse was found, she was seen playing Holi with locals in Canacona," the officer said.



The woman's face was smashed with a blunt object. It is a case of murder, Tavares said.



The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) to ascertain the exact cause of the death.



Vikas Bhagat, a history-sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devbag, was arrested in this connection, the official said.



"Bhagat was earlier arrested several times in connection with cases of theft and other petty offences," he said. Meanwhile, police have requested the Dean of GMCH to form a panel of doctors to conduct the postmortem of the British woman.



They are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain if she was raped before being killed.



"Only after it is medically proved that she was raped, we will add the (relevant) sections," Tavares said. "Prima facie it looks like a case of rape," he said.



Meanwhile, police produced Bhagat before a local court, which remanded him to seven-day judicial custody. "We are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder," they said.



The incident has brought back memories of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling's death in the coastal state.



The 15-year-old's bruised, semi-nude corpse was found on Goa's famous Anjuna beach in February 2008. Two men were arrested in connection with the case, but they were acquitted by Goa Children's Court last year.



The CBI, which investigated the case, had moved the Bombay High Court in February this year challenging the verdict.

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New Delhi:

The Congress on Wednesday said the Election Commission should probe into the EVM tampering charges made by some parties to ensure that voters confidence is not shattered and there is no blot on Indias democracy.

If any party has doubts over efficacy of EVMs, it is the Election Commissions duty to hold a probe. The ECs first responsibility is the voters should have confidence that the vote cast by them reaches the person they want, Congress spokesperson Sushmita Dev said.

India is the largest democracy and we take pride in that. We should not allow any blot on it. The Election Commission should hold an investigation and we do not have any objection, she said.

Asked if the Congress is ready for a probe in Punjab too where the AAP is alleging EVM tampering, she said her party has the confidence and does not fear any investigation.

Besides AAP, the BSP has made similar allegation in Uttar Pradesh and demanded a thorough investigation, even though the EC has debunked the charge.

The Congress as a party has confidence. It is the mandate of the people. If the EC wants to hold any investigation, we do not have any objection to it, Dev said.

She said the Congress has a very clear stand, that it will not oppose any investigation into booth capturing, tampering of EVMs or into a complaint by any party on use of unlawful or illegal means.

Because we are damn confident that we are not a party to do any such thing in any state, be it Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur or any other state, Dev said.

She said India takes pride in its democracy and electoral system and if any party casts a doubt on it, the Congress fears no investigation because it has not used any such means to get any result.

Asked about its leader Ajay Maken writing to the EC, the Congress leader said her party believes in itself when it is about peoples confidence that their vote is going to the one they want.

Why should Congress stand in the way of any party seeking an investigation into it. Let the truth come out. We have no problem with that, Dev said.

The question is not of technology but it is the Election Commissions job to ensure smooth elections and see that there is transparency, she said, adding EVMs were introduced to ensure that there was no use of muscle-power or money-power or booth capturing.

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New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Jammu and Kashmir-based separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik in connection with its probe against them in two separate FEMA cases. While Malik has been asked to appear before the central probe agency in state capital Srinagar on March 28, Geelani has been summoned on April 2.

Offifcials said Geelani is required to be questioned by its sleuths with regard to a 2002 case when the Income Tax department had recovered 10,000 dollar from a house in Hyderpora area Srinagar belonging to Geelani.

They said Geelani's statement would be recorded under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) once he deposes.

The FEMA case pertaining to Malik is based on a 2001 FIR of local police where they seized 0.1 million dollar from a person identified as MA Dar and his wife.

Dar had reportedly told the police that he was handed over the money by a person in Nepal to be further handed over to Malik.

Malik was arrested in this case by the police but was later let off on bail. They said the agency has booked two separate FEMA cases in these instances and the probe has been delayed as a number of papers were destroyed during the 2014 floods in the valley. Some other accused in these cases have also been summoned, they said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

BSP supremo Mayawati on 83rd birth anniversary of party's founder Kanshi Ram addressed a press conference in Lucknow on Wednesday. After paying tribute to Kanshi Ram, she enlisted the works of Kanshi Ram for the empowerment of Dalits.

BSP supremo had called party cadres to Lucknow on the 83rd birth anniversary of its founder to address them on the occasion.

Here are the Live updates:

#BJP's UP victory smacks of "dishonesty" and "fraud". It is a murder of democracy

#Why didn't BJP give ticket to Muslim women?

#How come Muslims voted for BJP? They would never ever support this party

#BJP knew that to govern centre, their path goes through Uttar Pradesh

#People are not fools, they understand that it has been a victory of falsehood and deceit

#Narendra Modi led govt has won all votes using fraud

#He used to remember Dr Ambedwar's words of encouragement towards all sections of society

#His life was dedicated to upliftment of Dalits and other tribals

#Kanshi Ram did a lot to empower Dalits

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi:

The government has permitted five public sector banks to raise about Rs 950 crore from markets, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Government has allowed five banksAllahabad Bank, Bank of India, United Bank of India, Central Bank of India and UCO Bankto raise Rs 949.27 crore from markets via preferential shares, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said in written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Replying to another question, Gangwar said that total accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) in the country were 27.83 crore as on March 1.

The balance of deposits in PMJDY accounts as on November 9, 2016 was Rs 45,636.60 crore and as on January 4 was Rs 70,070.79 crore, he said.

Jan Dhan accounts which fulfil Know Your Customer requirements may be converted into savings bank accounts at the request of the account holders, and such conversion is not linked to deposit of more than Rs 50,000, he said.

In a separate reply Gangwar said, the number of customers who have opened e-insurance account with four insurance repositories as on March 7 is 9.70 lakh.

The Insurance and Regulatory Development Authority of India has permitted crediting of electronic insurance policies to the electronic insurance accounts and not the funds, he said.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Mar 14, 2017) - John Cumming, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar AfricaGold Inc., (TSX VENTURE:SPX) ("Stellar" or the "Company") is pleased to announce:

SALE OF EASTMAIN RIVER CLAIMS

Stellar has agreed to sell its Eastmain River claims, Quebec, to Amex Exploration Inc. for 350,000 shares and a 1.5% Net Smelter Return royalty of which 50% (0.75%) may be bought back for $750,000. The transaction is subject to required TSX Venture Exchange approvals.

BALANDOUGOU ACQUISITION CLOSED

The Company has issued 750,000 shares completing the acquisition of UltraGold Holding LLC's ("UltraGold) 49% interest in the Balandougou Gold Project properties. The shares are subject to a four-month hold period expiring July 14, 2017. (see news release January 25, 2017)

COMMENTARY

"Stellar's primary focus is and will continue to be its now wholly-owned Balandougou gold project in Guinea where the 15,000 tonne bulk sample program (news release March 1, 2017) is proceeding on time and on budget" said Stellar president John Cumming. "The two Eastmain River claims blocks, the 1,950 hectares 37 claim Eastmain South and the 840 hectares Eastmain North, are a non-core asset that competes for available exploration funds with our core project, Baladougou. The conversion of the Eastmain River claims into marketable securities will strengthen Stellar's balance sheet. Finally, Stellar retains a royalty and will participate in any ultimate exploration success at Eastmain."

ABOUT STELLAR AFRICAGOLD INC.

Stellar AfricaGold Inc. is a Canadian gold exploration Company based in Montreal, Quebec, with operations concentrated mainly in West Africa and in Quebec.

The Company is currently developing the promising gold potential of the Balandougou project in Guinea, which is at an advanced exploration stage, as well as of the Namarana project in Mali.

In Quebec, the Company owns 100% of the Opawica Project in the Chibougamau mining camp.

Story continues

The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by independent consultant Greg Isenor, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.

On Behalf of the Board

John Cumming, LLM, President & CEO
New Delhi :

An Indian Air Force chetak helicopter on Wednesday crashed due to technical snag in Gasauli-Kathaula village of Bamarauli area in Allahabad. The incident took place when a training sorties was conducted. Both pilots are safe in the incident.

The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry in the incident.

On March 5, a Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force had crashed close to Shahbad town in Haryanas Kurukshetra district. The pilot had ejected safely in the incident.

The fighter aircraft crashed in the fields. According to preliminary information, the pilot ejected from the plane before it fell in the fields. He was reported to have sustained injuries, Kurukshetras Superintendent of Police, Simardeep Singh had informed.

An IAF spokesperson had said the pilot gave a distress call before ejection. The pilot is safe, the spokesperson had said.

Allahabad: Chetak helipcopter toppled during training sortie in Bamrauli, due to technical glitch;both pilots safe; Court of Inquiry ordered pic.twitter.com/58vyHSIyKH  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

Also Read: IAF Jaguar aircraft crashes near Kurukshetra, pilot ejects safely

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New Delhi:

Three terrorists were neutralised after an encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Kupwaras Kalaroos area on Wednesday. They were reported to be hidden in the area.

Gunshots are being exchanged in the North Kashmiri district. One policeman got injured in the encounter.

This comes a few days after militants had attacked a CRPF camp in South Kashmir's Pulwama district but fled after the security forces retaliated. There were no casualties in the incident however, firing was halted after the CRPF team had retaliated.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
New Delhi :

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addressed media on Wednesday after witnessing defeat in Goa and Punjab assembly polls. He questioned that how it was predicted that there was an anger against Akali Dal and AAP would sweep the polls but Akali's got 31 per cent vote share while AAP got only 25 per cent vote share.

Aam Aadmi Party secured 20 seats in Punjab elections while it failed to open its account in Goa assembly polls.

#Here are the live updates-

#11:37am

-We accept the results of Goa elections: Arvind Kejriwal-ANI



##11:36am

-Our vote share went to Akalis & Cong won in Punjab.Akali's victory would've made it too obvious.They only wanted to keep AAP out: Kejriwal-ANI



#11:35am

-People who tamper EVMs, they should answer why they didn't do so in Delhi & Bihar?: Arvind Kejriwal-ANI



#11:33am

-Developed countries have given up EVMs should we not rethink. Even the BJP including Advaniji had said EVMs can be tampered: Arvind Kejriwal-ANI



#11:31am

-Supreme Court has said that EVM is vulnerable to tampering, we aren't saying it. I know you will all make fun of me, hash tag me: Kejriwal-ANI

#11:29am

-EC should count slips of VVPAT and match it with figures of EVM results if it matches people's trust will increase: Kejriwal-ANI

#11:27 am

-We know it is too late to declare Punjab Goa elections void but this is for future, faith has to be restored in electoral process: Kejriwal-ANI

#11:26am

Our vote share went to Akalis & Cong won in Punjab.Akali's victory would've made it too obvious.They only wanted to keep AAP out: Kejriwal-ANI

#11:25 am

-Through the EVM is it possible that 20-25% vote share meant for AAP was transferred to SAD-BJP alliance: Arvind Kejriwal-ANI

#11:23am

-Election Commission's responsibility to keep people's faith in EVM. They cannot shirk responsibility. : Arvind Kejriwal-ANI

#11:22 am

-Many said that there is anger against Akali's & AAP is sweeping polls, still AAP got 25% votes & SAD got 31%, how is it possible?: Kejriwal-ANI





On Tuesday, the Delhi Chief Minister had raised doubts over EVMs and pitched for ballot usage in upcoming MCD polls which will be held on April 22.

Kejriwal wrote a letter to the Election Commission, stating that EVM machines should not be used in upcoming MCD elections. Several other political parties have been pressing for the usage of ballot paper instead of EVMs.

The Delhi CM said that they have prepared to convene MCD polls on ballot paper if EC nods for the same. The MCD poll can be held in the month of April or May.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh had said that if polls could be conducted in UP through ballot paper, the same can be applied in Delhi.

Also Read | Delhi Municipal elections 2017: EC rejects Congress, AAP's demand, Voting by EVMs only

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New Delhi:

Proceedings of Rajya Sabha were washed out on Wednesday as the Congress protested against the formation of BJP governments in Goa and Manipur, even as the ruling party asserted that the democratic norms were followed.



Raising the issue as soon as the House met for the day, the Congress members created ruckus and forced repeated adjournments by demanding sacking of the governors in the two states and installing of Congress governments there.



In view of the continuing protests and uproar, the House was adjourned prematurely for the day at around 3.10pm.



While raising the issue, leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Congress had emerged as the single-largest party in Goa and Manipur but the BJP installed its governments through their governors.

Read | N Biren Singh takes oath as Chief Minister of Manipur in Imphal; BJP president Amit Shah extends wishes



"The BJP has formed its governments in both Goa and Manipur after violating the Constitution and the Supreme Court judgment. We oppose it. Status quo should be maintained. "We demand that the governors of Goa and Manipur be removed and Congress chief ministers in both the states should be allowed to take oath," Azad said.



Asserting that the Congress party will not accept the BJP governments in these two states, deputy leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha demanded that the House adopt a resolution against the role of the two governors.



Finance minister and leader of the House Arun Jaitley, however, maintained that the governments in Goa and Manipur are being formed as per the democratic norms. He said after the assembly polls gave a hung verdict in these two states, the BJP formed the governments after firming up coalitions.



Jaitley said there are only two options before the governor -that of inviting the single-largest party or the alternative coalition. Rejecting any wrong doing by the BJP, Jaitley cited the example of Jharkhand where his party, despite getting 30 seats in the 81-member Assembly some years back, was not invited to form the government and instead JMM with 17 seats formed the government along with some other parties.



Jaitley also said that in 1998 when the Vajpayee government was formed, the then President had also spelt out the option of an alternative coalition to be taken into account in government formation.



"The argument given by Mr Azad has been given on Tuesday (by the Congress) before the Supreme Court which has rejected it and instead said that the Congress should prove its numbers when the floor test is held.... "When the alternative coalition has a clear majority and they have written to and presented themselves before the Governor, there is no scope of inviting a minority in a democracy.



The principle of democracy is to have a government of a majority and not a minority," Jaitley said. He also said that the Congress had not even staked its claim of forming a government in Goa and had past midnight only thrown a letter into the Raj Bhawan premises to seek time from the Governor.

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New Delhi:

Former Congress minister SM Krishna who was likely to join BJP on Wednesday has left for Bengaluru from Delhi, after his sister passed away.

Krishna was to meet BJP leaders in Delhi and likely to be inducted into BJP today. The 84-year-old Krishna had announced his resignation from the Congress on January 29, saying the party was in a state of confusion on whether it needs mass leaders or not.

Krishna, who was Karnataka chief minister from 1999 to 2004, had returned to state politics after stepping down as the minister for external affairs in 2012. He had also served as Governor of Maharashtra.

Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa had announced Krishnas forthcoming induction in his speech during a rally earlier.

ALSO READ | Former Congress minister S M Krishna to join BJP on March 15

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New Delhi:

Operations at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport were suspended after a suspected bomb threat was reported at the airport area on Wednesday.

Authorities raised the alarm after an unidentified briefcase was found in the airport's parking area. The bomb disposal squad was dispatched to the airport after an unidentified briefcase was found in parking area of Amritsar Airport.

A bomb disposal squad had been called in to examine the briefcase and neutralise it in case of an actual threat.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Pathankot airbase on Tuesday was put on high alert as they intelligence agencies had given inputs of the presence of suspicious men in the vicinity. The whole area was then searched thoroughly with the joint effort of Army, Punjab police, the Air Force and the Himachal Pradesh police.

Also Read: Massive search operation at Pathankot airbase station, high alert issued amid tight security

More is awaited on the same



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New Delhi:

Suspense continued over who will be the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, four days after the BJP's resounding triumph in the key Hindi heartland states.



While the BJP scrambled to form its governments in Goa and Manipur, where it was not even the single largest party, hurriedly cobbling together post-poll alliances, amid the charge of "stealing" the mandate, the party leadership is taking its own sweet time to decide the chief minister of the country's most populous and politically significant state.

Similarly, efforts are on to decide the new chief minister in Uttarakhand where the saffron party won 57 seats. In the hilly state, several senior leaders are being considered as front-runners for the post.

Read | UP election results: Rajnath, Adityanath or Maurya- who will be the CM as BJP sweeps Uttar Pradesh



Union home minister Rajnath Singh, the tallest party leader from Uttar Pradesh and a former chief minister to boot, is said to be among the front-runners for the coveted job, but he was dismissive about the possibility.



"Kya faltu baat kar rahe hain (what nonsensical talk are you doing)," he retorted when asked by reporters outside Parliament House whether he was a contender.



Rajnath described the speculation about his return to state politics "unnecessary and futile". Singh has vast administrative experience, including as UP chief minister in 2000-02.



As speculation swirled about the possibility of a BJP legislature party meeting on Thursday, the party's state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said, "The picture will be clear in the next two to four days."



When asked whether all 312 newly elected BJP MLAs will meet here on Thursday as reported in the media, Maurya, a Lok Sabha MP and himself in the running for the top job, said, "No such meeting has been convened in the first place. So, there is no question of holding or putting it off."

Read | UP, Uttarakhand election outcomes make President poll easy for BJP



Maurya said the meeting will take place whenever the party leadership decides. However, at the daily media briefing of the home department, IG (Special Task Force) Ram Kumar, while responding to a question said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Lucknow on March 17.



"Prime Minister Modi may visit Lucknow on March 17. Preparations are going on (in anticipation). IG (Lucknow Zone) is monitoring all the preparations," he said.



He, however, maintained he had no knowledge of whether it was in connection with the swearing-in of the new government. The names of a host of leaders, including some sitting MPs are doing the rounds in political circles. Among them is that of Manoj Sinha, an upper caste Bhumihar from the 'Poorvanchal' belt where Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi is also located.



Sinha, MP from Ghazipur, is serving his third term in the Lok Sabha and was given independent charge of communication ministry by Modi last year after he impressed him with his performance as minister of state for railways.



While Singh and Sinha are upper caste Thakur and Bhumihar respectively, Maurya has emerged as the OBC face of the party. His elevation as state BJP chief, many feel, helped rally non-Yadav backward castes around the party.



Given the sheer sweep of BJP's victory which extended beyond geographical and caste boundaries, the party can have the luxury of nominating a person for the top job who can deliver on Modi's development agenda and the promise of putting down alleged lawlessness in the state under Samajwadi Party.



Rajnath Singh, a senior leader said, fits the bill because of his stature and administrative experience. He was also capable of bridging caste faultlines. Top party sources told PTI in the national capital that barring Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, who have been holding consultations over government formation, hardly anybody had any real clue as to what was happening behind the scene.

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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:

#10:30 PM

Uzbek national allegedly gangraped and assaulted in Delhi's Masoodpur. One person has been arrested - ANI

#9:50 PM

Bengaluru: Of the 5 people arrested for murder of BJP member Kithaganahalli Vasu, one of them is a woman councillor - ANI

#9:30 PM

Activists of World Sindhi Congress protest against Pakistan outside UN in Geneva - ANI

#9:00 PM

Mumbai: AIU CSI Airport arrested 6 Chinese nationals with 6.176 Kgs crude gold worth Rs. 1.85 crore in the form of chain, pendant & buckle - ANI



#8:40 PM

Manmohan Singh & Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh to also attend swearing-in ceremony of Captain Amarinder Singh in Chandigarh - ANI

#8:30 PM

National Health Policy has been approved by Union cabinet: Govt sources - ANI

#8:15 PM

Cabinet approves revised MoU and Mode of Operation between India and Bangladesh for establishing Border Haats on India-Bangladesh Border - ANI

#8:00 PM

CBI arrested then CMD & then MD of a West Bengal based Group of Companies in an on-going investigation of a chit fund case - ANI



#7:58 PM

CCEA approves sale of 24% of equity holding in Lubrizol India Private Limited by Indian Oil to Lubrizol Corporation USA - ANI

#7:54 PM

Navjot Sidhu, Manpreet Badal, Charanjit Channi among the MLAs who would be taking oath as ministers tomorrow - ANI



#7:45 PM

Cabinet approves Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Public- Private Partnership) Bill, 2017 - ANI

#7:40 PM

Cabinet approves additional 2% Dearness Allowance / Dearness Relief due from January, 2017 - ANI

#7:35 PM

ED attaches assets worth Rs 414.62 Crore of Lakshmi Group under PMLA in NSEL Scam. Total attachment in NSEL case now is Rs 2554 Crore. - ANI

#6:45 PM

Customs at Delhi airport seized 10 kg gold from a passenger with Indian passport who came from Hong Kong- ANI

#6:42 PM

Union Cabinet meeting begins in Parliament library - ANI

#6:34 PM

Second blast hits Damascus after court attack - AFP

#6:00 PM

Apart from becoming world's terrorism factory, Pak has also alienated it's own ppl through continued mistreatment of minorities: India at UN - ANI

#5:50 PM

First Sindh Hindu population was forcefully exiled,then youth systematically radicalized by School syllabuses and Madrasas: Rubina Greenwood - ANI



#5:40 PM

Damascus court house suicide bombing kills at least 25- AFP

#5:30 PM

BJP parliamentary party meeting to be held tomorrow at 09:30 am - ANI

#5:18 PM

EVMs must be used, also totaliser machines should be used which would ensure no mistakes in counting votes: Anna Hazare - ANI

#5:06 PM

Kangra (Himachal Pradesh): 3 leopards escape from Gopalpur zoo. Wildlife department declares alert, registers FIR as the cage had been cut - ANI

#4:48 PM

JNU student Muthukrishnan suicide case- Police sources say there are no injury marks on the body - ANI

#4:40 PM

Bhopal: ATS handed over case diary & other related documents to NIA in Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train blast - ANI

#4:12 PM

Sidharth Kuncalienker, BJP MLA from Panaji sworn in as Protem Speaker for Goa Assembly floor test - ANI

#4:04 PM

Separatists Yasin Malik & SAS Geelani summoned by Enforcement Directorate in different money laundering & FEMA cases - ANI

#3:20 PM

JNU student Najeeb case: Delhi court reserved order for March 20 on students' plea against police move to conduct lie detector test on them - ANI

#3:14 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow - ANI

#3:03 PM

Kupwara, J&K encounter ends; three terrorists killed. - ANI

Read More | Jammu: Encounter between security forces and militants in Kalaroos, 2 terrorists neutralised

#2:57 PM

Sasikala 's family is repeatedly taking wrong steps, I am trying to ensure that party and Govt doesn't go in their hands: O Panneerselvam - ANI



#2:45 PM

Agusta Westland case: Delhi High Court adjourns bail cancellation hearing for 12 April - ANI

#2:37 PM

It is better if we move from it, in the past instances such as this has been stretched too long: Virat Kohli on Brainfade issue.

#2:33 PM

We certainly dont want to think of one issue all the time; there is cricket to be played.Need to focus on 2 games that are left: Virat Kohli - ANI

#2:29 PM

People should accept defeat with grace. When you win EVMs are fine when you lose there is a defect in EVMs?: Venkaiah Naidu - ANI

#2:28 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 3 pm today. - ANI

#1:59 PM

Delhi Police registers FIR under section 306 IPC ion 3 (x) of SC&ST Prevention of Atrocities Act in alleged suicide case of JNU student - aNI

#1:58 PM

All is well internally Mr.Rane (Cong MLA) should explain what he was doing with Mr.Parrikar in a hotel having coffee: Digvijay Singh - ANI

#1:54 PM

Bhopal (MP): Fire breaks out in Modern Bread factory in Govindpura Industrial area. 20 fire tenders on spot. - ANI

#1:48 PM

Kanpur: Building collapses after blast following Ammonia gas leak in Shivrajpur area, no casualties reported so far, rescue op underway. - ANI

#1:44 PM

Imphal: NPP's Y.Joykumar sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur - ANI

#1:37 PM

Sidharth Kuncalienker BJP MLA from Panji appointed as Protem Speaker for Goa Assembly floor test; will be sworn in by Guv today - ANI

#1:30 PM

French President, Francois Hollande called PM Narendra Modi today to convey his felicitations at the election results - ANI

#1:25 PM

BJP's N.Biren Singh sworn in as Chief Minister of Manipur - ANI

#12:58 PM

Raj Babbar offers to resign from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president. - ANI

#12:55 PM

Shashank Manohar steps down from the post of ICC chairperson due to personal reasons. - ANI

#12:36 PM

We lost the elections, yet we have a 31% vote share at the end of it, it means the people of Punjab still believes us: Harsimrat Kaur Badal - ANI



#12:19 PM

K'taka govt allocates Rs 100 crores for setting up of Namma Canteens in Bengaluru, it'll provide breakfast for Rs.5, lunch/dinner for Rs.10 - ANI

#12:18 PM

Safety and security of Indians is our top most priority: Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha on attacks on Indians abroad - ANI

#12:14 PM

US authorities including Pres Donald Trump have strongly condemned these incidents: Sushma Swaraj in Lok Sabha on attacks on Indians abroad - ANI

#12:12 PM

I talked to families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla & Deep Rai,also raised these issues with highest authorities in US: EAM Sushma Swaraj in LS - ANI

#12:06

Kolhapur (Maharashtra): Sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati vandalised and torched by unknown people, last night. - ANI

#12:05 PM

I was going to surrender: Gayatri Prajapati

#11:52 AM

There should be a narco test in this case which will unveil the truth: Gayatri Prajapati after arrest - ANI

#11:49 AM

On 11th midnight Gadkari came there(Goa), forensic investigation of his aircraft should be done: Shantaram Naik, Congress - ANI

#11:43 AM

It is party's internal matter & we are dealing with it: Rajeev Shukla, Congress on Goa Congress MLAs claiming to leave the party. - ANI

#11:38 AM

I could not live up to the expectation, I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it: Raj Babbar UP Congress President - ANI

#11:32 AM

Wrote to Rahul ji; have faith he'll respond; if he doesn't then me&some others will decide if it is ideal to stay in party-Rane Cong Goa MLA - ANI

#11:28 AM

We accept the results of Goa elections: Arvind Kejriwal - ANI

#11:27 AM

Delhi Police to file a FIR of abatement to suicide in alleged suicide case of JNU student - ANI

#11:16 AM

Mallikarjun Kharge to replace KV Thomas as Public Accounts Committee(PAC) chairman. He will take charge from 11 May.

#11:15 AM

EC should count slips of VVPAT and match it with figures of EVM results if it matches people's trust will increase: Kejriwal - ANI

#11:14 AM

We know it is too late to declare Punjab Goa elections void but this is for future, faith has to be restored in electoral process; Kejriwal - ANI

Read More: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to address media post debacle in Punjab, Goa assembly polls

#11:13 AM

Through the EVM is it possible that 20-25% vote share meant for AAP was transferred to SAD-BJP alliance: Arvind Kejriwal - ANI

#11:13 AM

Election Commission's responsibility to keep people's faith in EVM. They cannot shirk responsibility. : Arvind Kejriwal - ANI

#11:12 AM

Many said that there is anger against Akali's & AAP is sweeping polls, still AAP got 25% votes & SAD got 31%, how is it possible?: Kejriwal - ANI

#11:07 AM

Operations at Amritsar airport resume. Area outside airport still under security agencies as checking of suspected briefcase is on - ANI

#11:00 AM

South Korea says it will hold an election on May 9 to choose successor for ousted President Park Geun-hye. - AP



#10:59 AM

Amit Shah comes back to Delhi after technical glitch in his flight; he was to attend N.Biren Singh's oath taking ceremony in Imphal - ANI

#10:53 AM

"All these talks are futile & unnecessary: Rajnath Singh on question of his name being in the running for Uttar Pradesh CM - ANI

#10:48 AM

Shocking how despite having mandate of 17 situation was mismanaged by people in charge of state of affairs in Goa: Vishwajit Rane, Cong MLA

#10:43 AM

Rape accused Gayatri Prajapati sent to 14-day judicial remand after being arrested - ANI

Read More | Video: Former SP minister and rape accused Gayatri Prajapati arrested from Lucknow, sent to 14-day judicial remand

#10:38 AM

Fact that many ministers lost indicates there was something wrong in governance in last 2.5 years, let me identify that aspect: Parrikar - ANI

#10:36 AM

Congress needs to change their techniques; defeat is not a big thing, comeback is still possible: S Chaturvedi, Congress



#10:10 AM

Bomb Disposal Squad on its way after unidentified briefcase was found in parking area of Amritsar Airport - ANi

#10:07 AM

Operations at Amritsar Airport suspended after suspected bomb threat as an unidentified briefcase was found in parking area - ANI

#9:47 AM

All 7 accused hv been arrested,matter will be forwarded to the Court for final decision: Daljeet Chaudhary, ADG, Law&Order on G Prajapati case - ANI

#9:28 AM

Two terrorists gunned down by security forces in Kupwara's Kalaroos (J&K); encounter underway. - ANI

#9:12 AM

Chetak helicopter toppled during training sortie in Allahabad's Bamrauli, due to technical glitch; both pilots safe; Court of Inquiry ordered - ANI

#9:08 AM

BSP leader Mayawati pays tribute to Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary in Lucknow, UP. - ANI

#8:53 AM

Assam:42 clerics issue fatwa against young singer Nahid Afreen as the venue of her program was in vicinity of a mosque & a graveyard - ANI

#8:42 AM

Rape accused Gayatri Prajapati arrested from Lucknow - ANI

#8:31 AM

1-2 instances where they(Pak) tortured women&threw bodies in mountains from helicopters-Khan of Kalat AS Daud,Baloch leader in exile - ANI

#8:06 AM

Goa: 28-year-old Irish woman was found dead near Canacona Beach in South Goa, yesterday; 1 arrested. - ANI

#7:49 AM

J&K : Encounter b/w security forces & Terrorists underway in Kupwara's Kalaroos area; 2-3 terrorists believed to be hiding. One policeman injured

#7:29 AM

SM Krishna has left for Bengaluru from Delhi, after his sister passed away. He was to meet BJP leaders in Delhi. - ANI

#7:25 AM

Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to hold road show in Imphal (Manipur), today. - ANI

#7:18 AM

BJP CM candidate N.Biren Singh to take oath as CM of Manipur, today

#6:41 AM

S.Korean prosecutors summon Park for questioning on Tuesday - AFP

#6:00 AM

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow says the network has obtained Donald Trump tax documents from 2005. - AP



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New Delhi :

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Raj Babbar on Wednesday offered his resignation owing poll debacle in the state where party has won only seven seats.

Babbar said he failed to live up to the expectation as he was given the responsibility to which he did not fulfil.

I could not live up to the expectation, I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it,Raj Babbar, UP Congress President, said.

On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi had dubbed the partys performance a little down and vowed that their fight against BJPs ideology would continue. The Congress vice-president had blamed that BJP has used financial power and money in both the states.

While congratulating the BJP, he had said polarisation is one of the major reasons of their victory. "BJP won elections in UP, I'd like to congratulate them. Why they won it has multiple reasons, one being polarisation," he had said.

I could not live up to the expectation, I was given responsibility but I could not fulfil it, I accept it: Raj Babbar UP Congress President pic.twitter.com/3i96TMETQX













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Sydney:

A woman suffered face and burn as her headphones caught fire during a flight to Australia, officials told on Wednesday as they warned about the dangers of battery-operated devices on planes.

The passenger was listening to music on her own battery-operated headphones as she dozed on the flight from Beijing to Melbourne on February 19 when there was a loud explosion.

As I went to turn around I felt burning on my face, she told the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) which investigated the incident.

I just grabbed my face which caused the headphones to go around my neck. I continued to feel burning so I grabbed them off and threw them on the floor.

They were sparking and had small amounts of fire.

Flight attendants rushed to help and poured a bucket of water on the headphones, but the battery and its cover were both melted and stuck to the floor.

Pictures show the woman, who was not named, with a blackened face and neck and blisters on her hands, with passengers having to endure the smell of melted plastic, burnt electronics and burnt hair for the remainder of the flight.

People were coughing and choking the entire way home, the woman added.

The transport safety bureau, which did not identify which airline was involved, assessed that the lithium-ion batteries in the device likely caught fire.

As the range of products using batteries grows, the potential for in-flight issues increases, it said, reminding travellers using battery-powered devices they must be kept in an approved stowage unless in use.

Spare batteries should be kept in carry-on luggage, it added.

Many airlines in 2016 barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones over fire risk concerns, following reports of exploding batteries.

The South Korean electronics giant recalled all its Note 7s, costing it billions of dollars.

There have been several incidents involving lithium batteries in recent years with a flight due to leave Sydney in 2016 disembarked when smoke was seen coming from a passengers hand luggage.

It was later found that lithium batteries had ignited.

Also last year, a personal electronic device began belching smoke then caught on fire on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles to New York, the ATSB reported.

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STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden will put forward plans for a tax on air travel before summer and will use the revenue to lower taxes for small companies, Financial Markets Minister Per Bolund said on Wednesday.

The government said it expected to raise around 1.7 billion crowns a year starting next year from the air travel tax, which would be used to cut payroll taxes on small businesses.

"We plan to send a proposal for a tax on airline travel ... before summer," Bolund said in a statement.

"In this way, we are creating a shift toward green taxes where we raise taxes on emissions and cut taxes on labour."

(Reporting by Simon Johnson; Editing by Daniel Dickson)
March 15 (Reuters) - TransCanada Corp plans to build a new crude oil storage facility in Cushing, Oklahoma in partnership with M2 Infrastructure LLC, an affiliate of U.S. private equity firm Lone Star Capital, M2 said on Wednesday.

The facility will be able to store 6.2 million barrels of crude oil and will be located at TransCanada's terminal in Cushing, M2 said, adding TransCanada will operate the storage.

M2, which provides storage options to oil and gas producers and refiners, will own the storage. The project is expected to begin in late 2017, M2 said.

The deal between M2 and TransCanada includes an option to build up to 20 million barrels of storage, M2 said.

Macquarie Capital is M2's financial adviser.

(Reporting by John Benny in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
By Nick Carey and David Shepardson

DETROIT/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered a review of tough U.S. vehicle fuel-efficiency standards put in place by the Obama administration, handing a victory to auto industry executives and provoking criticism from Democrats and environmental groups.

In a move widely seen as a preamble to loosening fuel standards, Trump told an audience of cheering union workers, he would "ensure that any regulations we have protect and defend your jobs, your factories," and promised he would encourage growth in the U.S. auto sector.

"The assault on the American auto industry is over," Trump said, standing in front of a banner that read "Buy American-Hire American."

Trump added that the White House is "setting up a task force in every federal agency to identify and remove any regulation that undermines American auto production."

The backdrop and message underscored Trump's efforts to lock down support in industrial states such as Michigan that put him in the White House. Trump spoke at the site of the former Willow Run bomber factory in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which won fame for building an operational B-24 heavy bomber every 59 minutes during World War Two. Now, the site is being redeveloped as a testing ground for autonomous vehicles.

At a roundtable with industry leaders Trump made clear he expected automakers to hire more Americans in return, a theme that dominated his election campaign.

"We're going to do some wonderful work with you, but you're going to have to help us with jobs," he said.

Trump's event was attended by around 1,000 people, including automotive executives, United Auto Workers union President Dennis Williams - who sat next to Trump - and workers from Detroit's "Big Three" automakers: General Motors Co , Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) . Automakers lined up examples of vehicles they build in the United States for the president to see.

Auto industry executives have said they are hopeful the Trump administration will pursue tax and regulatory policies that would benefit U.S. manufacturers.

Story continues

Reopening the fuel efficiency rules put in place by Democratic President Barack Obama days before he left office is one of the top items on the industry's agenda. Automakers, through their lobbying groups, have said the Obama rules were too expensive and could cost American jobs.

"These standards are costly for automakers and the American people," said Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt.

After one participant in Wednesday's meetings mentioned environmental concerns, Trump said he agreed but did not want an "extra thimbleful of fuel" to get in the way of growth.

In a meeting with top auto executives from U.S. and foreign automakers, Trump said the government needs to get out of the way of the auto industry building vehicles, a person who attended the meeting said.

Automakers are wary of being seen as out of touch with environmental concerns, or unwilling to invest in new technology. Ford, for example, used its Twitter account on Wednesday to highlight previously announced commitments to develop electric vehicles.

It could take a year for the review process to play out, and Wednesday's event was effectively a starting gun for intense lobbying efforts over how government policy will drive technology investment decisions in the auto sector.

Critics like Democratic U.S. Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts said Trump's move could hurt consumers.

"Filling up their cars and trucks is the energy bill Americans pay most often, but President Trump's roll-back of fuel economy emissions standards means families will end up paying more at the pump," Markey added.

The president is not seeking to revoke California's authority to set vehicle efficiency rules even stricter than federal rules, including mandated sales of electric vehicles, as part of this move, a White House official said. The official did not rule out seeking to withdraw California's authority in the future. Pruitt, an ally of the fossil fuel industry, would not commit during his Senate confirmation hearing to allowing California to continue its own clean vehicle rules.

A group of 10 state attorneys general led by California and New York said on Wednesday they would fight attempts to weaken the rules.

Californias attorney general late Tuesday filed legal papers in a federal court defending the Obama administrations decision to finalize the determination in January.

Barclays auto analyst Brian Johnson said in a research note that he expects the Trump administration review will lead to reductions in planned hikes in fuel efficiency standards after 2021.

The Obama administration's rules, negotiated with automakers in 2012, were aimed at doubling average fleetwide fuel efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025, although the real-world mileage figures would be lower.

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'THOUGHTFUL AND COORDINATED'

Automotive industry executives and lobbying groups were quick to praise the administration's announcement.

"The Trump administration has created an opportunity for decision-makers to reach a thoughtful and coordinated outcome predicated on the best and most current data," said Mitch Bainwol, chief executive of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an industry lobbying group.

Automakers have signaled they want the government to give manufacturers more credit toward achieving fuel efficiency targets for technologies such as "stop-start" systems that shut down a cars engine at a traffic light.

Regulators should also look at whether ride hailing and vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems designed to prevent accidents and alleviate road congestion could be counted toward the industrys greenhouse gas emissions goals, the automaker group proposed in comments to the EPA last year. The group represents a dozen automakers, including GM, Ford and FCA.

Under the 2012 agreement with the industry, the EPA was given until April 2018 to decide whether the standards were feasible under a "midterm review," but the agency moved up its decision to a week before Obama left office in a bid to maintain a key part of his administration's environmental legacy.

An EPA analysis indicated that compared with previous rules, the 2025 standards would result in savings of between $1,460 and $1,620 over the lifetime of a vehicle and payback for new technology required to meet the new standards of around five years.

The Obama administration said the rules would cost the auto industry $200 billion over 13 years, but save motorists $1.7 trillion over the life of the vehicles.

(Additional reporting by Bernie Woodall, Emily Stephenson and Susan Heavey; Writing by Will Dunham; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Jonathan Oatis)
By Tom Miles GENEVA (Reuters) - Negotiations to end the war in Syria must speed up, U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told Reuters on Wednesday, on the sixth anniversary of the start of the conflict. So far talks to end the war, which has killed hundreds of thousands, driven 5 million into neighbouring countries and left 13.5 million in urgent need of humanitarian aid, have gone almost nowhere. "Its becoming one of the longest and most cruel wars of recent years," de Mistura said. "Thats why there is a need for an acceleration of any type of negotiations - in Astana, in Geneva, in New York, wherever." De Mistura is trying to mediate a political agreement between Syria's warring sides, and after a procedural round of talks in Geneva ended on March 3, he plans to bring the negotiators back for in-depth discussions on March 23. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called for a negotiated "path to peace" on Wednesday and said Washington stands beside de Mistura's efforts to end the war. "A political solution must bring the Syrian people peace and stability, free from the threat of terrorism, the despotism of their own government, and interference from self-serving foreign states," Haley said in a statement. Complementary talks on Syria's shaky ceasefire and confidence-building measures such as prisoner releases are now nearing the end of a third round in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. They have made no real progress either. The Astana talks are run by Russia, Turkey and Iran, backers of the warring sides, and have little U.N. involvement. Britain's special representative for Syria Gareth Bayley said the Astana talks were never meant to replace Geneva, but were a good thing if they reduced violence, improved the humanitarian situation and freed detainees. "That means the pressure is now on the Astana process to ensure any ceasefire holds," Bayley said in an emailed statement to mark the anniversary. Rebel groups say they cannot be expected to negotiate if the ceasefire is not observed. They blame forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for continually breaking it. "The forced surrender deal on the besieged areas of Al-Waer this week, as well as continued pressure on opposition-held areas in the Damascus suburbs, are not encouraging. They highlight the need for Russia to pressure the Assad regime to uphold the ceasefire," Bayley said. Assad has made major advances on the battlefield with Russian and Iranian help, but the U.N. has repeatedly warned there can be no military solution to the war, and U.N. investigators say pro-Assad forces have continued to commit war crimes despite the supposed ceasefire. De Mistura has said the Geneva talks are not hostage to progress in Astana, but they go hand-in-hand: the ceasefire needs to take hold to support the political process, and political progress is needed to make the ceasefire last. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the warring sides to "enhance (the ceasefire) further" and to make the Geneva talks succeed, while U.N. humanitarian chief Stephen O'Brien urged them to "regain their sense of humanity". "We join Syrians in hoping that 2017 will be the year the carnage finally ends," O'Brien said in a statement to mark the anniversary. (Additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the UNITED NATIONS; Editing by Toby Davis and Phil Berlowitz)
A 13-year-old found sexting could be charged with a misdemeanor in Connecticut. But a 12-year-old committing the same crime could end up with a felony.

How could there be such an unfair difference in treatment? When the sexting law was passed in 2010 lawmakers did not expect that pre-teens would engage in such behavior. Oh, but they do.

It is a dismal indication of the pressures, and opportunities, children face today. Reality dictates that the law must be updated.

The Judiciary Committee is considering lowering the age for sexting crimes in a bill introduced by state Rep. Steven J. Stafstrom, a Democrat from Bridgeport. House Bill 6002, An Act Concerning Sexting by a Child, ensures that children younger than 13 would be charged with a misdemeanor for sexting instead of a felony for child pornography.

Sexting, a word coined only a dozen years ago, pertains to sending sexually explicit images or messages by cell phone or social media. Both the sender and the recipient can be charged.

The behavior reaches into middle school, with 56 percent of children aged 8 to 12 having their own cell phones, according to the website Growing Wireless. Inappropriate photos may be taken and sent on a dare, or to impress a boyfriend or girlfriend or in a misguided attempt to seem sophisticated.

Regardless, children who are still immature can be harmed.We have witnessed the consequences of what some people have written about others and then shared, Liisa Balazs, of the Center of Youth Leadership and the Stamford Youth Services Bureau, told the Judiciary Committee in a public hearing Monday. Sexting can have a devastating impact on social, emotional and academic health, she testified, and urged the committee to include messages in the definition of sexting, not just images.

Punishment for the misdemeanor can be up to a year in prison, but generally is handled through juvenile review boards. With the bill, first-time offenders could go through a community-based diversionary program, an alternative approved by the Bridgeport-based Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance to avoid the stigma of entering the juvenile justice system. It is not clear how many juveniles in the state have been charged with sexting.

Note that while the proposal lifts a minimum age for 13- to 16-year-olds sending inappropriate pictures of themselves  which reasonably removes the disparity  it remains a felony for the receiver to share them, such as on social media. We agree that the charge should be greater for sharing as that is the path for bullying, intimidation, harassment and trafficking. There is a difference between pre-teen naivety and darker intent.

The General Assembly can try to legislate all it wants, but parents bear responsibility here, too. They need to have conversations with their teenagers  and pre-teens  about the inappropriateness and lasting consequences of sexting. They need to monitor cell phone use and social media sites. Growingwireless.com is one place where parents can find suggestions on how to respond.

At its heart, the bill brings fairness to an unintended inequitable situation. But it is a sad commentary on childhood today that it is needed.
Competition offers entrants tens of thousands in prizing and a chance to be featured on Google.ca

TORONTO, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Google announced the launch of Doodle 4 Google, a nationwide competition that invites kindergarten to Grade 12 students to redesign the Google logo.* To celebrate Canada's 150th birthday, Google is inviting students in Canada to submit a doodle based on the theme "What I see for Canada's future is"

The winning student's doodle will be displayed on the Google.ca homepage for a day; the champion "doodler" will also win a $10,000 scholarship, a $10,000 technology grant for his/her school and a paid trip to the finale event in Toronto in June. See full details here.

"Doodle 4 Google is a chance for young Canadians to dream and think big. At Google, we are trying to make the future world a better place, by building new technologies, investing in initiatives and making the internet more accessible," said Google vice president and Google Canada managing director, Sam Sebastian. "This year's competition is all about celebrating the future of Canada. We're excited to see how students imagine the next 150 years!"

Students' doodles will be judged on artistic merit, creativity and originality, and representation of the theme. A panel of guest judges and Google employees, including YouTube stars Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown of AsapSCIENCE, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, En Masse co-founder Jason Botkin, president of the National Inuit Youth Council Maatalii Okalik and Google Doodler Sophie Diao, will select the top doodles across grade groups. Following a public vote, four grade group finalists will receive a trip to Toronto, where the first place winning doodle will be announced.

This year, students can submit a doodle made from almost any medium.including code! Ladies Learning Code created an online tutorial offering inspiration and a step-by-step guide to coding a Google doodle.

All throughout the month of April, parents and kids can visit the Art Gallery of Ontario to get inspired and create a doodle during Family Sundays.

Participating classrooms can use accompanying lesson plans to help guide students, while also integrating the project into classroom learning.

Interested students, parents and teachers can visit g.co/d4gcanada for contest rules, more information and to download entry forms.

The last day to submit a doodle is May 2, 2017.

For images and additional info, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/d4gcanada/home

*Entrants need a parent or legal guardian's permission (and signature on the entry form) in order to participate. Residents of Quebec must be at least thirteen years of age. Please see full terms and eligibility requirements here.

AUDIO CLIPS - in and out points.

Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown of YouTube's AsapSCIENCE

Question 1: Greg, what is Google Canada announcing today?

IN: 00:00:00

So, we're really excited because submissions are now open for the Doodle for Google competition. thinking about what the future of Canada is going to look like.

OUT: 00:00:21

Length: 21 seconds

Question 2: Mitch, what can they win?

IN: 00:00:23

So one lucky Canadian will get the chance to have their doodle featured on Google.ca ..and there will also be prizes for the other finalists, as well.

OUT: 00:00:37

Length: 14 seconds

Question 3: Greg, how are you two involved in this year's Doodle 4 Google contest

IN: 00:00:40

We, Mitch and Greg of ASAP Science, are actually going to be judging this year's competition we are so excited to be involved in that.

OUT: 00:01:13

Length: 33 seconds

Question 4: Mitch, how will you pick this year's winner?

IN: 00:01:15

So, we'll be judging the doodles on artistic merit but we also really want people to be creative.those four get to come to Toronto where we'll reveal the winning doodle to the rest of Canada.

OUT: 00:01:40

Length: 25 seconds

Question 5: Greg, how do people enter the contest?

IN: 00:01:42

It's super easy to submit a doodle. You simply just download an entry form for your child or student on the Doodle for Google site we are both so excited to see all your doodles.

OUT: 00:02:06

Length: seconds

Interview - full transcript

Question 1: Greg, what is Google Canada announcing today?

So, we're really excited because submissions are now open for the Doodle for Google competition. Google Canada is asking students from across Canada from kindergarten to grade 12, using any medium they want, to redesign the Google logo for a chance to win. Because it's the 150th birthday of Canada, we want this year's theme to be thinking about what the future of Canada is going to look like.

Question 2: Mitch, what can they win?

So, one lucky Canadian will get the chance to have their doodle featured on Google.ca for the day as well as winning a ten-thousand dollar scholarship for themselves and a ten thousand dollar grant for their school and there will also be prizes for the other finalists, as well.

Question 3: Greg, How are you two involved in this year's Doodle 4 Google contest?

We, Mitch and Greg of ASAP Science, are actually going to be judging this year's competition along with some other awesome Canadians. What we do on our channel is we make animation about science and we try to make it as interesting and accessible to as many people as possible. We make episodes like "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" or "How much sleep to you actually need?" and a big part of what we try to do is make sure that people realize that art and science can go together. They're really important. They help each other out. Doodle for Google is doing that exact thing. Taking art, taking innovation and science and blending it together so we are so excited to be involved in that.

Question 4: Mitchell, how will you pick this year's winner?

So, we'll be judging the doodles based on artistic merit but we also really want people to be creative and stick with the theme of "What I see for Canada's future" as we celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary. On May 22nd, we're going to announce the 12 grade group finalists which we open up to a public vote so the public gets to vote on them and help to pick the final four and from there, those four get to come to Toronto where we'll reveal the winning doodle to the rest of Canada.

Question 5: Greg, how do people enter the contest?

It's super easy to submit a doodle. You simply just download an entry form for your child or student on the Doodle for Google site g.co/d4gcanada again, you can use any medium you want, including code and if you want information about how to do that on the website there are tutorials and lesson plans. You can also actually mail them in directly if that's easier for you, as well. The submission period closes May 2nd and we are both so excited to see all your doodles.

SOURCE Google Canada

For further information: Wendy Manton, [email protected], 416-342-1834
TORONTO, March 14, 2017 /CNW/ - Home Capital Group Inc. (the "Company", TSX: HCG) today made the following disclosure regarding legal and regulatory matters.

On February 10, 2017 the Company disclosed it had received an enforcement notice from staff of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) relating to the Company's disclosure in 2014 and 2015 regarding the impact of the Company's findings that income information submitted on some loan applications had been falsified, and the subsequent remedial steps taken by the Company, including the suspension of mortgage brokers and brokerages.

Subsequently, staff of the OSC has issued enforcement notices to several current and former officers and directors of the Company, relating to that disclosure and, in some instances, trades in the Company's shares. The individuals have the opportunity to respond to the notices before OSC staff determines whether to commence proceedings.

As previously stated, the Company believes that its disclosure satisfied applicable disclosure requirements.

The Company also announced that a Statement of Claim and Notice of Action have been filed with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against the Company and three of its officers or former officers regarding a proposed class action lawsuit. The Statement of Claim seeks permission of the Court to commence a class action proceeding for alleged misrepresentations in the Company's public disclosure in 2014 and 2015. This proposed class action has been previously disclosed by the law firm seeking to pursue it.

The Company believes the claim is unfounded and intends to vigorously defend the claim.

Home Capital Group Inc. is a public company, traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (HCG), operating through its principal subsidiary, Home Trust Company. Home Trust is a federally regulated trust company offering residential and non-residential mortgage lending, securitization of insured residential first mortgage products, consumer lending and credit card services. In addition, Home Trust offers deposits via brokers and financial planners, and through its direct to consumer deposit brand, Oaken Financial. Home Trust also conducts business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Home Bank. Licensed to conduct business across Canada, Home Trust has offices in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Manitoba.

SOURCE Home Capital Group Inc.

For further information: Media: Boyd Erman, Longview Communications Inc., (416) 649-8007, [email protected]; Investors: Laura Lepore, Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations, (416) 933-5652, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.homecapital.com


VANCOUVER, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (TSX: ITH, NYSE-MKT: THM) ("ITH" or the "Company") today announced that is has filed its audited year-end financial statements and associated management discussion and analysis and year-end report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company's working capital at December 31, 2016 was USD 7.6 million (after allowing for payment of the derivative liability of USD 14.7 million in January 2017) which is expected to allow ITH to advance the Livengood Gold Project through 2017.

Shareholders can obtain copies of the Company's annual financial statements and associated management's discussion and analysis and Form 10-K on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, EDGAR at www.sec.gov and on ITH's website at www.ithmines.com. ITH will also provide hard copies of these documents, free of charge, to shareholders who request a copy directly from the Company.

About International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. controls a 100% interest in the Livengood Gold Project, located along the paved Elliott Highway, 70 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

On behalf of

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

(signed) Karl Hanneman

Chief Executive Officer

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements with respect to the proposed use of the proceeds of the December 2016 private placement by the Company, the ability of the Company to carry out and complete optimization studies with respect to the Livengood Gold Project, the potential for the results of the 2017 work program to have a positive effect on the 2016 PFS economics, and the magnitude of the anticipated effects, the ability of the Company to advance the Livengood Gold Project, the potential development of any mine at Livengood, business and financing plans and business trends are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, proposed, planned, potential and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, risks associated with the outcome of the expected remedial de-listing review by the TSX, the use of proceeds from the December 2016 private placement, the potential inability of the Company to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and certain securities commissions in Canada and other information released by the Company and filed with the appropriate regulatory agencies. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and its United States public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sec.gov, and readers are urged to review these materials, including the latest technical report filed with respect to the Company's Livengood Gold Project.

This news release is not, and is not to be construed in any way as, an offer to buy or sell securities in the United States or Canada.

SOURCE International Tower Hill Mines Ltd.

For further information: Richard Solie, Jr., Manager - Investor Relations, E-mail: [email protected], Direct line: 907-328-2825 / Toll-Free: 1-855-428-2825

Related Links

http://www.ithmines.com


Full Payment for Oil Export Sales through February 2017 and Reduced Costs; Major Shareholders have conditionally agreed to equity funding of $30 million

CALGARY, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Oryx Petroleum Corporation Limited ("Oryx Petroleum" or the "Corporation") today announces its financial and operational results for the year ended December 31, 2016. All dollar amounts set forth in this news release are in United States dollars, except where otherwise indicated.

2016 Financial Highlights:

Total revenues of $22.8 million on working interest sales of 593,300 barrels of oil ("bbl") and an average realised sales price of $34.61 /bbl for 2016 The Corporation has received full payment in accordance with production sharing contract entitlements for all oil sale deliveries into the Kurdistan Export Pipeline during 2016

on working interest sales of 593,300 barrels of oil ("bbl") and an average realised sales price of /bbl for 2016 Operating expenses of $12.6 million ( $21.28 /bbl) and a negative Oryx Petroleum Netback 1 of $0.54 /bbl 37% decrease in operating expenses in both absolute and per barrel terms versus 2015 Oryx Petroleum Netback 1 of $6.37 /bbl in Q4 2016 versus $4.59 /bbl in Q3 201

( /bbl) and a negative Oryx Petroleum Netback of /bbl General and administrative expenses of $9.4 million 30% reduction versus 2015 36% reduction in headcount versus year end 2015

Net loss of $65.7 million ( $0.31 per common share)

( per common share) Net cash used in operating activities was $11.5 million versus $22.0 million in 2015 including negative Operating Cash Flow 2 of $9.2 million and a $2.3 million increase in non-cash working capital

versus in 2015 including negative Operating Cash Flow of and a increase in non-cash working capital Net cash used in investing activities was $34.7 million including payments related to drilling and facilities work in 2016 in the Hawler license area, the finance lease obligation related to the Demir Dagh production facilities, technical support costs and payments for capital investment in prior periods

including payments related to drilling and facilities work in 2016 in the Hawler license area, the finance lease obligation related to the Demir Dagh production facilities, technical support costs and payments for capital investment in prior periods $40.7 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016

2016 Operations Highlights:

Gross (100%) oil production of 904,000 bbl (working interest 588,000 bbl) for the year ended December 31, 2016 versus gross (100%) oil production of 922,000 bbl (working interest 599,000 bbl) for the year ended December 31, 2015 Average gross (100%) oil production of 2,500 bbl/d (working interest 1,600 bbl/d) for the year ended December 31, 2016 Commencement of sales via pipeline on March 14, 2016 Successful re-completion of the Zey Gawra-1 well in the Cretaceous reservoir

versus gross (100%) oil production of 922,000 bbl (working interest 599,000 bbl) for the year ended Gross (working interest) proved plus probable oil reserves of 202 million barrels as at December 31, 2016 versus 238 million barrels as at December 31, 2015

_____________________ 1 Oryx Petroleum Netback is a non-IFRS measure. See the table below for a definition of and other information related to the term. 2 Operating Cash Flow is a non-IFRS measure. See the table below for a definition of and other information related to the term.

2017 Operations Update:

Average gross (100%) oil production of 2,900 bbl/d and 3,100 bbl/d in January and February 2017 , respectively The Corporation has received full payment in accordance with production sharing contract entitlements for all oil sale deliveries into the Kurdistan Export Pipeline for the months of January and February 2017

, respectively Completed acquisition of 1,921 km2 of 3D seismic data in the AGC Central license area

2017 Forecasted Work Program and Capital Expenditures:

2017 capital expenditure forecast of $45 million (versus $94 million budget). Most expenditures will be dedicated to the Hawler license area in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq with the development of the Zey Gawra field the key focus. Forecast activities consist of: Four wells to be spudded at the Zey Gawra field in 2017 with associated field infrastructure Re-completion of the Demir Dagh-8 well targeting the Cretaceous reservoir Processing of recently acquired 3D seismic data covering a portion of the AGC Central license area

(versus budget). Most expenditures will be dedicated to the Hawler license area in the Kurdistan Region of with the development of the Zey Gawra field the key focus. Forecast activities consist of: The Corporation expects the four Zey Gawra wells and the re-completion of the Demir Dagh-8 well to enable it to achieve production and cash flow levels that will fund its operations and allow it to meet its obligations

Proposed Shareholder Funding and Balance Sheet Restructuring:

The Addax and Oryx Group P.L.C. ("AOG") and Zeg Oil and Gas Ltd ("Zeg Oil") have conditionally agreed to subscribe for approximately 90 million shares of the Corporation for cash consideration of $30 million (the "Shareholder Subscription")





(the "Shareholder Subscription") AOG has conditionally agreed to extinguish $24.1 million of the outstanding principal and interest due under the AOG Credit Facility, representing 25% of that facility as of December 31, 2016 , in consideration for approximately 72 million common shares of the Corporation. The maturity date of the remaining balance due of $72.4 million (as of December 31, 2016 ) is proposed to be extended from March 2018 to July 2019 (collectively, the "AOG Credit Facility Restructuring")





of the outstanding principal and interest due under the AOG Credit Facility, representing 25% of that facility as of , in consideration for approximately 72 million common shares of the Corporation. The maturity date of the remaining balance due of (as of ) is proposed to be extended from to (collectively, the "AOG Credit Facility Restructuring") Completion of the above transactions will be subject to finalization and execution of definitive agreements, acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange, approval of shareholders (excluding AOG and Zeg Oil), restructuring of the contingent consideration obligation and certain other obligations on terms satisfactory to AOG and Zeg Oil, and other customary conditions





Negotiations with the vendor of the Hawler license area with regards to the contingent consideration obligation are ongoing but have yet to produce an agreement





All share issuances in connection with the aforementioned agreements are proposed to be based on an Oryx Petroleum share price of C$0.45 per common share and the Bank of Canada Canadian Dollar-United States Dollar noon rate on March 14, 2017 , being 0.7428





per common share and the Bank of Canada Canadian Dollar-United States Dollar noon rate on , being 0.7428 Pro forma for the closing of the Shareholder Subscription and AOG Credit Facility Restructuring the Corporation would have approximately 431 million shares outstanding of which AOG and Zeg Oil would own 61% and 25%, respectively





The Shareholder Subscription and AOG Credit Facility Restructuring are expected to close in June 2017 provided final agreements are reached and conditions satisfied





provided final agreements are reached and conditions satisfied Definitive agreements have not yet been executed and it is uncertain if final agreements can be reached. If definitive agreements are entered, the transactions may nonetheless fail to be completed if any of the conditions to closing fail to be satisfied





On March 15, 2017 the Corporation issued 15.5 million shares to a contractor to settle a $4.8 million trade payable.

Liquidity Outlook:

The Corporation expects cash on hand as of December 31, 2016 , expected proceeds from the anticipated Shareholder Subscription, and cash receipts from net revenues and export sales exclusively through the pipeline, will allow it to fund its forecasted cash expenditures and operating and administrative costs and to meet its obligations into the first half of 2018. Without the proceeds from the anticipated Shareholder Subscription Oryx Petroleum would be unlikely to be able to continue development of the Hawler license area and the Corporation would be required to consider divestiture or relinquishment of the license area.

CEO's Comment

Commenting today, Oryx Petroleum's Chief Executive Officer, Vance Querio, stated:

"2016 was a year of transition for Oryx Petroleum. We completed the restructuring of our organisation, reducing its cost dramatically, and have focused our remaining resources on core assets. We welcomed a strategic investor, Zeg Oil, who provided us with funding for our capital program and operations. In March we began delivering all of the Hawler Area production to the Kurdistan Export Pipeline at Demir Dagh, with such sales largely uninterrupted and all invoices paid for 2016. In the Hawler license area, we shifted our near term focus to the Zey Gawra field and in December 2016 we began exploration activities in AGC Central, our most promising license area in West Africa, with the acquisition of 3D seismic data.

With the success of the Zey Gawra-1 recompletion we have developed and are starting to implement a capital program focused primarily on the Zey Gawra field in the Hawler license area. The program includes four new wells at the Zey Gawra field and the recompletion of the Demir Dagh-8 well. A successful recompletion of the Demir Dagh-8 well, high in the Cretaceous reservoir, will provide important validation of our horizontal well development plan for the Demir Dagh Cretaceous reservoir. We expect our program will provide us with production and cash flow by early 2018 that can sustain our operations and allow us to meet our obligations.

In order to create the liquidity and financial flexibility needed to execute our capital program and fund our operations we have been working to restructure key liabilities and secure equity funding from our shareholders. To that end we have recently satisfied a significant trade payable with the issuance of common shares, and AOG and Zeg Oil have conditionally agreed to subscribe for additional common shares. The agreed equity subscriptions by AOG and Zeg Oil are conditioned upon the satisfactory restructuring of the contingent consideration obligation related to the Hawler license area and certain other obligations on terms satisfactory to AOG and Zeg Oil.

With our organisational restructuring now complete, we look forward to finalising our balance sheet recapitalisation and implementing our 2017 plans for continued appraisal, development and exploration of our core assets."

Selected Financial Results

Financial results are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and the reporting currency is US dollars. References in this news release to the "Group" refer to Oryx Petroleum and its subsidiaries. The following table summarises selected financial highlights for Oryx Petroleum for the year and three month periods ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.









Three Months Ended

December 31 Year Ended December 31 ($ in millions unless otherwise indicated) 2016 2015 2016 2015









Revenue 7.8 1.5 22.8 20.5









Working Interest Production (bbl) 186,000 75,000 588,000 599,000 Average WI Production per day (bbl/d) 2,000 800 1,600 1,600 Working Interest Sales (bbl) 182,000 68,000 593,300 588,200 Average Sales Price ($/bbl) 38.75 19.37 34.61 29.20









Operating Expense 3.1 4.4 12.6 19.9 Field production costs ($/bbl)(1) 12.88 49.00 16.28 25.83 Field Netback ($/bbl)(2) 6.04 (39.54) 0.63 (11.56) Operating expenses ($/bbl) 16.85 64.06 21.28 33.77 Oryx Petroleum Netback ($/bbl)(3) 6.37 (51.43) (0.54) (13.92)









Net Loss 26.2 91.5 65.7 423.6 Loss per Share ($/sh) 0.10 0.75 0.31 3.43









Operating Cash Flow(4) (1.7) (5.6) (9.2) (18.3) Net Cash used in operating activities 0.6 7.2 11.5 22.0 Net Cash used in investing activities 5.3 23.6 34.7 133.0 Capital Expenditure(5) 10.5 9.7 36.3 108.7









Cash and Cash Equivalents 40.7 54.2 40.7 54.2 Total Assets 766.4 779.7 766.4 779.7 Total Liabilities 237.9 240.5 237.9 240.5 Total Equity 528.6 539.1 528.6 539.1

(1) Field production costs represent Oryx Petroleum's working interest share of gross production costs and exclude the partner share of production costs carried by Oryx Petroleum. (2) Field Netback is a non-IFRS measure that represents the Group's working interest share of oil sales net of the Group's working interest share of royalties, the Group's working interest share of operating expenses and the Group's working interest share of taxes. Management believes that Field Netback is a useful supplemental measure to analyse operating performance and provides an indication of the results generated by the Group's principal business activities prior to the consideration of production sharing contract and joint operating agreement financing characteristics, and other income and expenses. Field Netback does not have a standard meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. (3) Oryx Petroleum Netback is a non-IFRS measure that represents Field Netbacks adjusted to reflect the impact of carried costs incurred and recovered through the sale of cost oil during the reporting period. Management believes that Oryx Petroleum Netback is a useful supplemental measure to analyse the net cash impact of the Group's principal business activities prior to the consideration of other income and expenses. Oryx Petroleum Netback does not have a standard meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. (4) Operating Cash Flow is a non-IFRS measure that represents cash generated from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital and changes in the retirement benefit obligation balance. The term Operating Cash Flow should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than "cash flow from operating activities" as determined in accordance with IFRS. Management considers Operating Cash Flow to be a key measure as it demonstrates the Group's ability to generate the cash flow necessary to fund future growth through capital investment. Operating Cash Flow does not have any standardised meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

Revenue for the year increased to $22.8 million in 2016 versus $20.5 million in 2015 due to a 19% increase in average oil sales prices and a modest increase in oil sales volumes. Gross (working interest) production and sales of oil in 2016 were 588,000 barrels and 593,300 barrels, respectively, versus 599,000 and 588,200 barrels, respectively, for 2015. The average oil sales price realised in 2016 was $34.61 per barrel versus $29.20 for 2015. In addition to oil sales, revenue includes the recovery of carried costs.





in 2016 versus in 2015 due to a 19% increase in average oil sales prices and a modest increase in oil sales volumes. Gross (working interest) production and sales of oil in 2016 were 588,000 barrels and 593,300 barrels, respectively, versus 599,000 and 588,200 barrels, respectively, for 2015. The average oil sales price realised in 2016 was per barrel versus for 2015. In addition to oil sales, revenue includes the recovery of carried costs. Operating expenses in the year decreased 37% to $12.6 million in 2016 from $19.9 million in 2015 due to the implementation of a cost reduction program that has resulted in lower personnel, security, camp and facilities operating costs. Operating expenses on a per barrel basis remain significantly higher than expected over the longer term due to low production levels relative to expected field plateau production levels. Per barrel operating expenses are expected to improve in the near term but will continue to be at elevated levels prior to achieving production and sales levels closer to expected field plateau production levels. Oryx Petroleum currently carries the Kurdistan Regional Government's share of production costs. The Oryx Petroleum Netback achieved in 2016 of negative $0.54 per barrel reflects the Field Netback plus adjustments for carried costs.





in 2016 from in 2015 due to the implementation of a cost reduction program that has resulted in lower personnel, security, camp and facilities operating costs. Operating expenses on a per barrel basis remain significantly higher than expected over the longer term due to low production levels relative to expected field plateau production levels. Per barrel operating expenses are expected to improve in the near term but will continue to be at elevated levels prior to achieving production and sales levels closer to expected field plateau production levels. Oryx Petroleum currently carries the Kurdistan Regional Government's share of production costs. The Oryx Petroleum Netback achieved in 2016 of negative per barrel reflects the Field Netback plus adjustments for carried costs. Net loss for the year decreased to $65.7 million in 2016 as compared to net loss of $423.6 million in 2015 due primarily to an aggregate of $397.5 million in impairment charges in 2015 (representing impairment charges recorded on the Hawler, Wasit, OML 141 and Haute Mer A license areas) versus a $18.8 million impairment charge in 2016 (primarily representing an impairment charge recorded on the Haute Mer B license area), and significantly lower operating, general and administrative and depletion expense in 2016 versus 2015. These positive factors were partially offset by higher financial expenses in 2016 versus 2015 and higher other expenses in 2016 versus 2015 related to an impairment of materials inventory, revision to the fair value of contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of the Hawler license area, and a restructuring charge.





in 2016 as compared to net loss of in 2015 due primarily to an aggregate of in impairment charges in 2015 (representing impairment charges recorded on the Hawler, Wasit, OML 141 and Haute Mer A license areas) versus a impairment charge in 2016 (primarily representing an impairment charge recorded on the Haute Mer B license area), and significantly lower operating, general and administrative and depletion expense in 2016 versus 2015. These positive factors were partially offset by higher financial expenses in 2016 versus 2015 and higher other expenses in 2016 versus 2015 related to an impairment of materials inventory, revision to the fair value of contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of the Hawler license area, and a restructuring charge. Operating Cash Flow was negative $9.2 million for 2016 compared to Operating Cash Flow of negative $18.3 million in 2015. The reduction in negative Operating Cash Flow is primarily due to higher revenues and lower cash operating and general and administrative expenses.





for 2016 compared to Operating Cash Flow of negative in 2015. The reduction in negative Operating Cash Flow is primarily due to higher revenues and lower cash operating and general and administrative expenses. Net cash used in operating activities decreased to $11.5 million in 2016 as compared to $22.0 million in 2015. The decrease reflects a smaller increase in non-cash working capital in 2016 versus 2015, higher revenues and lower cash operating and general and administrative expenses.





in 2016 as compared to in 2015. The decrease reflects a smaller increase in non-cash working capital in 2016 versus 2015, higher revenues and lower cash operating and general and administrative expenses. Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $34.7 million in 2016 as compared to $133.0 million in 2015 reflecting reduced cash outflows for capital investment during the period.





in 2016 as compared to in 2015 reflecting reduced cash outflows for capital investment during the period. Capital expenditures in 2016 totalled $36.3 million as compared to $108.7 million in 2015. $31.2 million of the 2016 capital expenditures were incurred in the Hawler license area including $7.1 million for production facilities and related infrastructure, $15.7 million for drilling activity and $6.9 million for technical support and license maintenance costs. West Africa capital expenditures included $1.1 million related to the acquisition of 3D seismic data in the AGC Central license area sponsored by the Corporation, a $2.3 million non-cash adjustment to previously impaired capitalised costs related to the OML 141 license area, and $2.4 million for technical support and license maintenance costs.





as compared to in 2015. of the 2016 capital expenditures were incurred in the Hawler license area including for production facilities and related infrastructure, for drilling activity and for technical support and license maintenance costs. capital expenditures included related to the acquisition of 3D seismic data in the AGC Central license area sponsored by the Corporation, a non-cash adjustment to previously impaired capitalised costs related to the OML 141 license area, and for technical support and license maintenance costs. Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $40.7 million at December 31, 2016 from $54.2 million at December 31, 2015 reflecting negative Operating Cash Flow, capital expenditures, and movements in non-cash working capital offset by the proceeds of the Zeg Oil strategic investment.





at from at reflecting negative Operating Cash Flow, capital expenditures, and movements in non-cash working capital offset by the proceeds of the Zeg Oil strategic investment. In March 2015 , Oryx Petroleum entered into a Loan Agreement with AOG whereby AOG committed to provide a $100 million unsecured credit facility to Oryx Petroleum. As of December 31, 2016 principal plus accrued interest under the facility totalled $96.5 million . The credit facility matures in March 2018 .





, Oryx Petroleum entered into a Loan Agreement with AOG whereby AOG committed to provide a unsecured credit facility to Oryx Petroleum. As of principal plus accrued interest under the facility totalled . The credit facility matures in . The Corporation is obligated to pay a total of $71 million plus accrued interest of consideration to the vendor of the Hawler license area contingent upon declaration of commerciality of a second discovery in the Hawler license area. The total amount of the potential obligation including accrued interest as of December 31, 2016 is $75.5 million .





plus accrued interest of consideration to the vendor of the Hawler license area contingent upon declaration of commerciality of a second discovery in the Hawler license area. The total amount of the potential obligation including accrued interest as of is . As at March 15, 2017 , 269,110,336 common shares are outstanding including 15.5 million shares recently issued to a contractor to settle a $4.8 million account payable. As at March 15, 2017 , there are unvested Long Term Incentive Plan awards which will result in the issuance of up to an additional 5,404,508 common shares upon vesting and the Corporation has issued warrants to AOG to purchase twelve million common shares as part of the unsecured credit facility provided by AOG in March 2015 .

2017 Capital Expenditure Forecast

Oryx Petroleum re-forecasted capital expenditures for 2017 are $45 million, reduced from the previously announced budget of $94 million. The reduction reflects revised plans at the Zey Gawra field including drilling of additional wells and deferment of a tie-back line to the Demir Dagh field, the deferment of drilling activity at the Demir Dagh and Banan fields, and the deferment of expenditures related to a commitment well in the AGC Shallow license area into 2018. The following table summarises the Corporation's 2017 forecasted cash capital expenditure program against budget:









Location License/Field/Activity 2017 Budget 2017 Forecast



$ millions $ millions Kurdistan Region Hawler







Zey Gawra-Drilling 16 26



Zey Gawra-Facilities 22 1



Demir Dagh-Drilling 9 3



Demir Dagh-Facilities 13 9



Banan-Drilling 8 -



Other 3 3

Total Hawler 72 42 West Africa AGC Shallow 21 1

Other 1 3 Capex Total 94 45

Note: (1) The above table excludes license acquisition costs. Totals may not add-up due to rounding.

Hawler License Area

At the Zey Gawra field planned drilling expenditures include the sidetrack of the ZAB-1 well targeting the Cretaceous reservoir, two new wells targeting the Cretaceous reservoir at least one of which is expected to be a horizontal well, and one new horizontal well targeting the Tertiary reservoir. Planned Zey Gawra facilities expenditures include flowlines and field infrastructure. A planned tie-back pipeline from the Zey Gawra field to the Hawler production facilities at the Demir Dagh field has been deferred.

At the Demir Dagh field planned expenditures are comprised primarily of the recompletion of the Demir Dagh-8 well and lease payments related to the Hawler production facilities. Previously planned drilling of a new horizontal well at the Demir Dagh field has been deferred.

Previously planned drilling at the Banan field has been deferred.

West Africa

Forecasted expenditures in West Africa consist of processing the 3D seismic data recently acquired in the AGC Central license area and technical support and license maintenance costs related to the Corporation's licenses in the AGC administrative area offshore Senegal and Guinea Bissau and in Congo (Brazzaville). Expenditures related to the Corporation's drilling commitment in the AGC Shallow license area have been deferred into early 2018.

Regulatory Filings

This announcement coincides with the filing with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities of Oryx Petroleum's audited condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 and the related management's discussion and analysis thereon. Copies of these documents filed by Oryx Petroleum may be obtained via www.sedar.com and the Corporation's website, www.oryxpetroleum.com.

ABOUT ORYX PETROLEUM CORPORATION LIMITED

Oryx Petroleum is an international oil exploration, development and production company focused in Africa and the Middle East. The Corporation's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "OXC". The Oryx Petroleum group of companies was founded in 2010 by The Addax and Oryx Group P.L.C. Oryx Petroleum has interests in six license areas, two of which have yielded oil discoveries. The Corporation is the operator or technical partner in four of the six license areas. One license area is located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and five license areas are located in West Africa in Nigeria, the AGC administrative area offshore Senegal and Guinea Bissau, and Congo (Brazzaville). Further information about Oryx Petroleum is available at www.oryxpetroleum.com or under Oryx Petroleum's profile at www.sedar.com .

Reader Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information", including reserves estimates and statements related to forecast capital expenditure for 2017, drilling plans, development plans and schedules and chance of success, future drilling of wells and the reservoirs to be targeted, approach to the development of the Hawler license area, expectations that all future production will be exported through the KRI-Turkey pipeline, expectations that future revenue from sales will be split in accordance with the production sharing contract applicable to the Hawler license area, ultimate recoverability of current and long-term assets, guidance regarding operating expenses on a per barrel basis, plans to process and interpret 3D seismic data from the AGC Central license area, possible commerciality of our projects, future expenditures and sources of financing for such expenditures, expectations that the forecast work program will enable the Corporation to achieve production and cash flow levels that will fund operations and allow the Corporation to meet its obligations, expectations that cash on hand as of December 31, 2016, expected proceeds from the anticipated shareholder subscription, and cash receipts from net revenues and export sales exclusively through the pipeline will allow the Corporation to fund forecasted cash expenditures and operating and administrative costs and to meet its obligations into the first half of 2018, the proposed shareholder subscription and balance sheet restructuring including expected conditions, pricing terms and closing date, the issuance of shares and pro forma ownership figures as a result of the vesting of Long Term Incentive Plan awards, exercise of outstanding warrants and the proposed shareholder subscription and balance sheet restructuring, estimates for the fair value of the contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of OP Hawler Kurdistan Limited in 2011, the expected timing for settlement of liabilities including the credit facility with AOG and the contingent consideration arising from the acquisition of OP Hawler Kurdistan Limited in 2011, and statements that contain words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "expect", "plan", "estimate", "potentially", "project", or the negative of such expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical fact, constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation.

Although Oryx Petroleum believes these statements to be reasonable, the assumptions upon which they are based may prove to be incorrect. For more information about these assumptions and risks facing the Corporation, refer to the Corporation's annual information form dated March 24, 2016 available at www.sedar.com and the Corporation's website at www.oryxpetroleum.com. Further, statements including forward-looking information in this news release are made as at the date they are given and, except as required by applicable law, Oryx Petroleum does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. If the Corporation does update one or more statements containing forward-looking information, it is not obligated to, and no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Reader Advisory Regarding Production Figures

Unless provided otherwise, all production and capacity figures and volumes cited in this news release are gross (100%) values, indicating that figures (i) have not been adjusted for deductions specified in the production sharing contract applicable to the Hawler license area, and (ii) are attributed to the license area as a whole and do not represent Oryx Petroleum's working interest in such production, capacity or volumes.

Reserves Advisory

Oryx Petroleum's reserves estimates have been prepared and evaluated by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., an independent oil and gas consulting firm, with effective dates as at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as indicated, in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook.

Proved oil reserves are those reserves which are most certain to be recovered. There is at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated proved oil reserves. Probable oil reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved oil reserves. There is at least a 50% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated proved plus probable oil reserves. Volumes are based on commercially recoverable volumes within the life of the production sharing contract. See the Material Change Report filed by the Corporation on February 22, 2017 for more information regarding Oryx Petroleum's reserves estimates.



SOURCE Oryx Petroleum Corporation Limited

For further information: about Oryx Petroleum, please contact: Scott Lewis, Head of Corporate Finance and Planning, Tel.: +41 (0) 58 702 93 52, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.oryxpetroleum.com/


shovel.jpg

Doug Rice shovels snow at his home on South Jefferson St., Mexico, in this 2016 file photo.

(Gary Walts | gwalts@syracuse.com)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Use a small shovel or a snow blower and take frequent breaks to avoid having a heart attack while digging out from the nor'easter.

That advice comes from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Snow shoveling may not lead to any health problems for most people.

But for individuals with heart conditions like heart failure, high blood pressure or cholesterol, the increased workload on the heart from activities like shoveling heavy snow can put them at higher risk for heart attack, according to the association.

Here are some other tips from the association:

Don't eat a heavy meal before shoveling. After a meal, the heart has to do more work to pump blood to the gastrointestinal tract to help with digestion. Shoveling immediately after a meal puts an extra load on the heart.

Don't drink alcohol before or after shoveling. Alcohol can increase a person's sensation of warmth and cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.



Dress appropriately. Wear layers of warm clothing, a hat and a scarf over your mouth and nose.

Here are signs that you may be having a heart attack:



Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.



Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.



Other symptoms. Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Call 911. If you're having symptoms, don't drive yourself to the hospital unless you have no other option. Patients with chest pain who arrive at the hospital by ambulance usually receive faster treatment.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245
According to French newspaper Le Figaro, Israel has already put its tiny F-35 Lightning II fleet to use as early as mid-January of this year, having only taken full delivery of the first F-35s in their 75-strong order in mid-December of last year. Reporter Georges Malbrunot, Le Figaros Middle East correspondent, the F-35s supposed initial foray into combat occurred in the late night/early morning hours of January 12-13 in an airstrike on Mezzeh Military Airport, Syria, where facilities housing surface-to-air missiles destined for use with Hezbollah, an Islamist terror organization based in Lebanon.

Mezzeh, located just outside of Damascus, has been the frequent target of Israeli strikes over the past four months. Claims cross between Israel using both aircraft and surface-to-surface missiles to attack the site,and the Israeli government has admitted to carrying out occasional strikes in Syria to deny the transfer of weaponry to Lebanon, where Hezbollah would likely attempt to use said arms to attack Israel, as it has done in the past.

In January, Israel only had just two F-35Is in their possession. These F-35s have been based at Nevatim Airbase with the Israeli Air Forces 140 Squadron. Ever since the IAF received their first F-35Is, known as Adirs (Hebrew for awesome or mighty one), theyve been flying and training in tandem with F-16I Fighting Falcons.

If the F-35I did actually carry out its first combat mission, which is still very difficult to believe, it would be the second fifth-generation fighter to make its combat debut over Syria, after the F-22 Raptor in late 2014. The F-22 also participated in air-to-ground strikes, carried out at nighttime. US Air Force officials touted the Raptors stealthiness and radar-evading technologies as being the primary reason behind the advanced multirole air superiority fighters deployment to the skies over Syria.

Conversely, combat testing isnt actually unheard of at all. In fact, the US Air Force did just that with the General Dynamics F-111A Aardvark between March and November, 1968, when it deployed six F-111As to Southeast Asia as part of the Combat Lancer test plan.
2022 will be the year of decision for the Armys nascent Next Generation Combat Vehicle, officials told the Association of the US Army conference here today. Thats when at least two NGCV demonstrators get field-tested by real troops. Those soldiers feedback, in turn, will inform Army leaders decision: whether to fund a full-up program to field a new armored vehicle by 2035, or put off a fresh start  again  and just keep updating 1970s designs.

Next month, the Army will begin characterization of how three off-the-shelf Active Protection Systems work on the M1 tank, said Col. Kevin Vanyo, program manager for emerging capabilities at TARDDEC. (Thats the Armys Tank-Automotive, Research, Development, and Engineering Center). Testing on the M2 Bradley and eight-wheel-drive Stryker will start soon after. Work on all three vehicles  about a $75 million effort all told  should be done about this time next year (specifically, the second quarter of fiscal year 2018).

We have a decision point at the end of our characterization phase (in 2018), Vanyo said. Do we need something now or are we just going to sit on this and wait until MAPS is here?

MAPS is the Modular Active Protection System, the Armys from-scratch effort to develop something more sophisticated and adaptable than the off-the-shelf APS that Vanyo is testing. A TARDEC briefer at AUSA said elements of MAPS will be tested on the Abrams and Bradley in 2018 and 2019.

By 2022, contractors will build at least two tech demonstrators  less full-up prototypes than the armored equivalent of concept cars  and have them in the hands of real soldiers for evaluation.

The US Army has previously said they want the Next Generation Combat Vehicle to serve as pack master to a swarm of crawling and flying robots. It wants lighter weapons with heavier firepower, able to aim almost straight up to shoot drones out of the sky and hit rooftop snipers. It wants miniaturized missile defenses to shoot down incoming anti-tank weapons. It wants suspension, underbody, and crew compartments designed from the ground up (literally) to resist landmines and roadside bombs. It wants diesel-electric engines  like a giant Prius  or other advanced motors that can power an array of jammers, sensors, and drone-killing lasers.
In June of 2016, China newest supercomputer, the Taihu Light system, nearly triple the previous record-setting numbers of another Chinese supercomputer, Tianhe -2. These results were achieved using a Chinese designed and fabricated 28nm System -on -Chip (SOC) architecture. This announcement was coupled with impressive advancements in indigenously developed system software and high performance computing ( HPC) applications , as shown by having three Chinese research teams as finalists for the 2016 Gordon Bell prize. These results indicate that China has attained a near -peer status with the U.S. in HPC. The U.S. asserted its intention to maintain a leadership position in HPC in the July 2015 Executive Order establishing the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI).

It is now clear that future U.S. leadership will be challenged by the Chinese. The 2012 Net Assessment of Foreign HPC noted the aggressive development of Chinese HPC capabilities, and , in particular , the accelerated rate of investment that China was making in these areas . In September 2016, experts and leaders from the U.S. HPC community convened to update that assessment in light of the recent Chinese results. Meeting participants expressed significant concern that  absent aggressive action by the U.S.  the U.S. will lose leadership and not control its own future in HPC. There was broad support for maintaining HPC leadership, and a common belief in the importance of that leadership, as well as wide agreement on key steps to maintain this leadership position.

National security requires the best computing available, and loss of leadership in HPC will severely compromise our national security. HPC plays a vital role in the design, development or analysis of many  perhaps almost all  modern weapon systems and national security systems: e.g., nuclear weapons, cyber, ships, aircraft, encryption, missile defense, precision  strike capability, and hypersonics. Loss of leadership in HPC could significantly reduce the U.S. nuclear deterrence and the sophistication of our future weapons systems. Conversely, if China fields a weapons system with new capabilities based on superior HPC, and the U.S. cannot accurately estimate its true capabilities, there is a serious possibility of over  or under  estimating the threat. Either possibility leads to unwelcome situations such as distortions in the allocation of R and D resources and strategic planning for defense, uncertainty in national policy -making, and incorrect responses to world events. The U.S. enjoys relatively cost effective HPC due to our indigenous ecosystem and trusted access. Loss of leadership could easily require the USG to acquire HPC capabilities in much the same way it acquires aircraft carriers, at vastly increased cost.

HPC leadership has important economic benefits because of HPCs role as an enabling technology. A loss of leadership will be felt beyond the HPC vendor community, which would be significantly impaired: HPC resources are required for the development of a variety of military, scientific , and industrial capabilities. Loss of a U.S. leading position would threaten our ability to compete internationally in all of these fields. The effects of losing leadership can be expected to be long -lived; HPC help s drive the development of talent in math, science, and engineering. The economic and social benefits of the Post Moores Law  era may very well be concentrated where HPC leadership exists. For industrial applications, reliance on foreign HPC resources could threaten the loss of intellectual property and competitive edge. Personal email and private information, social networks, and the emerging Internet of Things are all subject to even greater privacy risks if offshore entities have superior HPC analytics or control the data / information markets.

Leadership positions, once lost, are expensive to regain. To maintain U.S. leadership in HPC, a surge of USG investment and action is needed to address HPC priorities. Many of these priorities have been out lined by the NSCI and some are clearly under way, in particular , DOE efforts in accelerating delivery of a capable exascale computing system (Objective #1) , and some aspects of establishing post -Moores Law computing (Objective #3), led by IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity ) and other agencies.
By GMM 15 March 2017 - 08:00





A dark cloud has moved above the future of Azerbaijans grand prix.

Under ousted F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestones leadership, a street circuit in the historic capital Baku made its debut on the calendar last year.

The Azerbaijan race is back for 2017, but it is now under fire from Greg Maffei, the chief executive of the sports new owners Liberty Media.

He criticised the way Ecclestone used to select races for the calendar, saying that strategy was to say "How much can I extract? How much upfront?

"So we end up with races in places like Azerbaijan where they paid us a big race fee but it does nothing to build the long-term brand and health of the business," Maffei is quoted by Forbes F1 business journalist Christian Sylt.

"Our job is to find partners that pay us well but also help us to build the product," he added.
operation teapot met burst

In its quest for Cold War military superiority, the United States detonated more than 1,000 nuclear weapons.

Government researchers blew up many of the bombs on the ground and others in ocean atolls. Yet as threats moved into space and concerns increased about fallout  soil and other material that's sucked into a blast and becomes radioactive  the US exploded 210 of the terrifying devices high in the atmosphere.

Thousands of films of such blasts, made from 1945 through 1962, were analyzed and locked away in high-security vaults. It's likely no one has seen the footage for decades.

But on March 14, after more than 55 years of collecting dust, the US declassified 750 of the high-speed films  and released dozens of the digital scans on YouTube. We first heard about the movies from the writer Sarah Zhang on Twitter.

A team of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists led the rescue effort over the past five years. The films are made of nitrate cellulose and slowly decompose in the air while releasing a vinegar smell, according to an LLNL release.

"This is it. We got to this project just in time," Greg Spriggs, a nuclear-weapons physicist at LLNL, said in a video about the digitization effort. "We know that these films are on the brink of decomposing, to the point where they will become useless."

The project isn't just about shedding daylight on the controversial start of the nuclear age.

Spriggs said it's also about getting lost data about high-altitude test blasts, which are prohibited around the world by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty yet poorly understood. (The US, however, has yet to officially sign the treaty.)

"We don't have any experimental data for modern weapons in the atmosphere," he said. "The only data we have are the old tests, so it gets a little bit more complicated."

Story continues

The data may help researchers better understand the effects of nuclear explosions and manage the thousands of the weapons in the US's stockpile.

"We found out that most of the data published was wrong," Spriggs said. "We decided we need to re-scan and reanalyze all of the films."

nuclear weapons blast movies llnl youtubeScreen Shot 2017 03 15 at 1.42.23 PM

About 10,000 of the movies were made, at speeds of thousands of frames per second to slow down fast-expanding explosions.

However, it took LLNL roughly five years to locate about 6,500 of the films, then digitally scan 4,200 of those. Spriggs said that, so far, the team has reanalyzed between 400 and 500 films.

Jim Moye, a rare-films expert and movie-industry veteran, helped scan and archive the footage.

"It is going to be gone at some point, and we don't have forever to do this," Moye said in the video.

The project is important to "help certify that the aging US nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective," LLNL wrote in its YouTube video description.

Spriggs said the team was learning new details about the detonations  lessons he hopes to pass on to future generations.

"It's just unbelievable how much energy's released," Spriggs said in the release. "We hope that we would never have to use a nuclear weapon ever again. I think that if we capture the history of this and show what the force of these weapons are and how much devastation they can wreak, then maybe people will be reluctant to use them."

You can watch all of the newly declassified movies in LLNL's YouTube playlist:

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When the Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun announced the establishment of the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) late last year, many stakeholders heaved a sigh of relief. This is because with the establishment of the bank, it is hoped that there will be increased access to finance for the MSMEs through eligible financial intermediaries.The DBN will provide loans to all sectors of the economy including, manufacturing, services and other industries not currently served by existing development banks thereby filling an important financing gap.However, the operations of the DBN will not in any way result in the elimination of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Bank of Agriculture (BOA) or any other existing development bank.The question however is, what is BOI and BOA not doing right and which informs the establishment of the DBN?Some MSMEs operators bared their mind to Daily Trust on the matter thus:The Bank of Industry needs experts in different sectors who understand the business environment to help it serve MSMEs better, says Mr Abiodun Folawiyo, CEO of Shoespeed Interglobal Services Limited.BOI does not understand the practical challenges we have in our various sectors. As a shoemaker, if I want a loan from BOI and I tell a BOI official that I want to bring in machine from Italy for N60 million to scale up my business, the question he will ask is where is your collateral. But, what I expect such official to talk about is, can you give us the link or the contact of the company. Let us talk to the manufacturer to know what quantity the machine can produce per day; and what is the cost of maintenance, so that they know what I am talking about is realistic.So, the BOIs rule that all businesses must always meet a particular criterion of collateral may not be proper.So if the Development Bank must work, they must get experts on investment techniques who understand how different sectors work and not just financial managers alone.Another entrepreneur, Anthea Peteru, CEO of Moin Moin Expresso, said though the Bank of Industry was doing a great job, it has not been able to reach those at the grassroots effectively hence the Development bank should fill that gap.BOI has empowered a lot of entrepreneurs but there should be a way they can reach those at the grassroots. They should find a way to give concessions to those in the rural areas who may not know how to write a business plan but have thriving businesses.If the new Development bank can find a way of developing people at the grassroots, it will help a great deal. For some of them, if they can get little financial assistance it will give their business a boost and by that we are growing the micro sector and the problem of hunger and poverty in the rural areas will be reduced, Peteru said.Though the main focus of the DBN is MSMEs, the bank, which is a wholesale one, will lend money to microfinance banks which will then lend on medium to long-term to MSMEs, experts say.MSMEs contribute 48.47 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria but have access to only about 5 percent of lending from Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).However, the DBN will have access to US$1.3 billion (N396.5 billion), which will be provided by the World Bank, KfW (German Development Bank), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Agence Francaise de Development (French Development Agency).As the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) begins the final processes of take-off, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said the DBN would be positioned to galvanise the SMEs sector for the overall development of the nations economy.With these words, MSMEs are eager to see the take of the bank, with the hope that it will solve the problem of lack of access to loans which has been a major challenge for most of them.
A 50-year-old grandmother, Rita Eze, has confessed to being a member of a syndicate that allegedly involved in abducting children from L...

A 50-year-old grandmother, Rita Eze, has confessed to being a member of a syndicate that allegedly involved in abducting children from Lagos and selling them in Anambra State.Eze was paraded along with one Ogochi Nwekei and Gladys Augustine at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Tuesday. The fourth suspect, Elizabeth, who was said to be ill, was not paraded.Augustine, who claimed to be Mary John, connived with one Samuel, who is at large, to abduct three-year-old Oluwasemilore Adebiyi, from her parents residence in the Alagbado area of Lagos.To hatch the plan, 28-year-old Augustine enrolled for beads-making apprenticeship at Oluwasemilores mothers shop in January, giving her name as Mary John. She fled to Anambra with the girl seven days after.The girl was handed over to Eze, who confessed to selling her to Elizabeth through Nwekei, for N500,000. Oluwasemilore was, however, recovered by the police after Augustine was arrested in the Badagry area of Lagos on February 23.Some parents from different parts of the state had stormed the command and identified Augustine as the abductor of their children, saying the suspect adopted the same gimmick with which Oluwasemilore was abducted.The victims included four-year-old Farouk and his sister, Kafayat, 6, who were allegedly abducted in the Okokomaiko area in November 2016. The children had yet to be found.But Augustine denied abducting the kids, saying, Oluwasemilore was her first abduction. She said Samuel had lied to her that he and Oluwasemilores mother, Tobiloba Adebiyi, gave birth to the girl, but she (Tobiloba) denied him access to the girl.The Cross River State indigene stated that Samuel introduced Eze to her as his mother and promised her N50,000 if the plan worked out.She said, I came to Lagos in 2010 and I worked as a housemaid. I used the money I got to open a shop. Eventually, I was sent away from the shop and I needed money to start another business. I met Samuel at Mowo bus stop in Badagry in January.He said he impregnated a woman and the woman (Tobiloba) left him to marry another man. He said he wanted to get back the child, but the woman refused. He asked me to work for the woman in order to snatch the child and he promised to give me N50,000. On the day I snatched the girl, I took her to a bus stop and bought her a snack.When I took the girl to Samuel, he said I should take her to his mother, Mrs. Eze, in Anambra. He said he would tell the girls mother that he was the one who took her. I later returned to Lagos, thinking he had told the woman. I was surprised when the police arrested me.The grandmother, Eze, told newsmen that she took N40,000 from the proceed, gave Augustine N60,000 and sent the remaining sum to Samuel. She added that she used the money to pay the rent on her apartment.She said, I met Michael in December 2016 at a party in Awka through a secondary school friend, who is an aunt to him. He told me that he impregnated a woman in Lagos and that he would send the child to me to help take care of her. When Gladys (Augustine) brought the girl, Samuel told me to sell her for N500,000.I informed Ogochi (Nwekei) and she said one of her friends, Elizabeth, wanted to buy a child. Elizabeth paid N500,000. Samuel told me to give Augustine N50,000 and another N10,000 for her transport back to Lagos, while I got N40,000. I sent the remaining N400,000 to Samuel. I used the money to pay my house rent. I have five children and grandchildren.Sixty-year-old Nwekei said she only facilitated the sale of the girl, claiming that she did not receive anything from the money.I told Rita (Eze) that a friend, Elizabeth, wanted to adopt a child and she promised to call me whenever she got one. One day, she called me that a child was brought to her. I asked her whether there would not be any problem and she assured me that there would be none. I didnt know it would turn out this way, she added.The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, while briefing journalists on the arrest, said the suspects would subsequently be charged to court.
Honey Phoenix Evarist, a staff of the AIT, on Tuesday evening said she was sexually assaulted by a pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries (OF...

Honey Phoenix Evarist, a staff of the AIT, on Tuesday evening said she was sexually assaulted by a pastor of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM).She however didn't mention whether the Pastor involved was Apostle Johnson Suleiman or one of his other pastors. Evarist wrote, ''In 2013, my mom told me I needed deliverance because I refused to act like a Christian. She took me to the pastor of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM). He said I would do a retreat with him for one month, so I went back home to pack my stuff.''This man would always enter my room without knocking. His hands would linger around my breasts when he hugged me. I was uncomfortable but I tried to bring my 'mind out of the gutter'. We used to have night prayers and he would prolong the prayers till his heavily pregnant wife got tired and he'd encourage her to go to bed and rest.''Once she left, he would start to tell me how much he loved me and how I didn't need deliverance because there was nothing wrong with me, and how I was a nice girl whose parents misunderstood.I was not all that surprised and I tried to take advantage of the situation. I would miss prayers or evening service because I knew he would not do anything about it. But then, his wife started to notice that I had too much freedom and what surprised me was that he did not seem to care.''He would try to kiss me when his wife was just one room away. He would wink at me when her back was turned; he would hold my hand at the back seat of the car when we were returning from night vigil. He was like a love struck teenager. I began to avoid him and it made him more desperate. One time, he asked if I was avoiding him and I made him know I did not like what he was doing and he told me if I wanted, his P.A could arrange for us to have a quiet time somewhere.''I had to tell the assistant pastor all that was going on. I still recall the tears and the look of unbelief on his face that night. The assistant did nothing about it but advised me to pack my stuff and leave before things get out of hand. But I couldn't leave because the retreat was not over. One night at the night vigil at OFM headquarters in Auchi, I went to confide in a friend and my father's driver overhead everything and told my dad once we returned to Abuja.''The sad part about it all was that my parents called the pastor and his wife to ask them instead of me. And they heaped it all on me. They said I had been misbehaving because I was tired of the retreat and I slept during prayers, that I did not go for the evening services and I always come up with accusations because I wanted to go. The good thing was that I moved back home. Till today, I wonder what sort of brains the pastor's wife had in her head."
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the adultery allegation against Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Power Ministry b...

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has described the adultery allegation against Apostle Johnson Suleman of the Omega Power Ministry by one Miss Stephanie Otobo as high-level conspiracy meant to destroy the integrity of the pastor and silence his critical and principled voice of truth and dissent in a nation fast becoming a one-party state.He said; This was the same way they tried to drag the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christians Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in the mud. The whole world was aghast at how they insulted and ridiculed the highly-revered RCCG General Overseer. But for the outcry from all over the world, they almost bundled out Pastor Adeboye from his position as RCCG General Overseer and could have even arrested the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo.In a statement issued on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor declared unequivocally that; I stand by Apostle Suleiman and other men of God being directly or indirectly persecuted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) cabal.The governor said; their evil plan is to destroy the Church so as to silence every perceivable strong voice of opposition. And their mode of operation is to take on every vocal, principled, and popular man of God one after the other.Should it not interest Nigerians and the international community that up till today, none of those herdsmen that killed thousands of Nigerians in Benue, Enugu, Delta, Ogun, Plateau and Kaduna States have been arrested? Even those arrested in connection with the murder n Abuja-based female pastor, Eunice Elisha have been released.Governor Fayose wondered why all the adultery allegations and blackmail against Apostle Suleiman surfaced only after he spoke out against the reckless and indiscriminate killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna and his subsequent encounter with the Department of State Services (DSS).This, no doubt, is a continuation of the desperate but despicable and condemnable attempts to destroy opposition and the voices of reason in this country so as to subjugate every decent Nigerian and turn the country into a banana republic.After politically subjugating many Nigerians, including a section of the Judiciary that refused to do their bidding; they have now turned on men of God, this is condemnable, the governor said.Governor Fayose charged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other Christian bodies not to stay aloof but to stand up resolutely and speak out vociferously against what he called orchestrated attempt to destroy the Church and respected Church leaders in Nigeria.He berated those behind the travails of Apostle Suleiman as confirmed polygamists, serial adulterers, and others whose holier-than-thou attitude was sheer hypocrisy.Anyone who has a case against any man of God should swear an oath, proceed to the law court and face the rigours, rather than engage in media trial and character assassination, which have become the hallmark of this administration.Governor Fayose wondered why the perpetrators of the wicked scheme against Apostle Suleiman were not relenting even after the father of the woman making the wild allegations had punctured her loathsome and outrageous claims.The family of Stephanie Otobo has disclaimed her and her claims. Rather than own up and recant, those paying for the entire drama are making her to keep changing and modifying her claims, with they all still collapsed like a pack of cards. All other efforts to enlist other blackmailers against this man of God have likewise collapsed irretrievably.I therefore make bold to say that I stand by Apostle Suleiman. I also call on all those who believe in me to do likewise and carry the message abroad. To me, this plot against Apostle Suleiman is madness carried too far.One wonders why this same resources and vigour with which Apostle Suleiman is being blackmailed have not been deployed into confronting those murderous herdsmen that are slaughtering Nigerians like animals across the country, Fayose concluded.
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Wednesday, refused to confirm Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Finan...

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Wednesday, refused to confirm Mr. Ibrahim Magu as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).President Muhammadu Buhari had late last year submitted the name of Mr. Magu to the Senate, for confirmation as substantive Chairman of EFCC, having served in acting capacity since November, 2015.The Senate however, turned down his confirmation, citing security reports as reason why it would not go ahead to confirm Magu.President Buhari, however, resubmitted Magus name on the 23rd of January, 2017, after consulting with the leadership of the Senate.While answering questions from the Senators on the allegations preferred against him by the security agencies, Magu said he was arrested and detained by the Nigerian Police for over 2 weeks, over the allegation that he was carrying official files and documents.I was locked longer than necessary for over 2 weeks, I was detained with armed robbers at Area 10.Another allegation was that, I was living in an apartment which belongs to Air Commodore Mohammed Umar. The truth was that, I was staying in Karu and was almost late for official assignment, so the authority got a new place for me, Magu explained.He gave a brief scorecard of his regime as acting Chairman of the EFCC, which includes, the $153m, $927m, 74,000 recently recovered from Andrew Yakubu and others, as well as the N49m recovered at the Kaduna Airport on Tuesday.A mild drama however, turned out when the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, drew the attention of the Senate to a security report submitted to the office of the Clerk on Tuesday, 14th March 2017.Paragraph 14 of the said report reads in part: In the forgoing, MAGU has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-graft agency.The letter which emanated from the office of the Department of State Security (DSS), was however faulted by Magu and some Senators.
Senator Dino Melaye has announced that notwithstanding the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari urging the Senate to confirm Magu despit...

Senator Dino Melaye has announced that notwithstanding the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari urging the Senate to confirm Magu despite his disqualification by the DSS, the secret service has written another letter to the legislature to disqualify the Acting EFCC Chairman.Melaye, during the confirmation hearing for Magu, said the letter was sent to through the Clerk to the Senate on Wednesday.Melaye said: "You speak the truth you die, you lie and die, I am going to speak the truth. I love you, I appreciate your sagacity."Every nominee before Nigerian Senate we do request for screening by DSS, it did not start with you, it won't end with you"Melaye also read Paragraph 14 of the DSS letter on Magu which says "In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test.In his reply, Ibrahim Magu says two reports were submitted in one day about him and that questions the integrity of the DSS as well.
The Kano state Government has approved more than N37 million for the purchase and distribution of JAMB forms to 5,000 prospective candidat...

The Kano state Government has approved more than N37 million for the purchase and distribution of JAMB forms to 5,000 prospective candidates in the State.The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly states Executive Council Meeting in Kano on Tuesday.He said the council had also approved more than N30 million for the renovation of Dandalama Secondary School at Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state.Garba added that the council approved more than N247 million for the rehabilitation of Niger, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo roads in Sabon Gari area of Fage Local Government area. 
77 min GOAL! As Monaco 3-1 Manchester City (Bakayoko)

71 min GOAL! As Monaco 2-1 Manchester City (Sane)









29 min GOAL! AS Monaco 2-0 Manchester City (Fabinho)

8 min GOAL! AS Monaco 1-0 Manchester City (Mbappe)

Hello, and welcome tolive coverage of the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie between AS Monaco and Manchester City.Three weeks ago, the fixture at the Etihad Stadium served up an all-time European classic as City prevailed 5-3 in a back-and-forth game which also saw Monaco miss a penalty.That result means that City are the marginal favourites to progress in Monte Carlo, but they will have to be wary of a Monaco team who already have three away goals to their name.City will be hoping to become the second Premier League club to reach the last eight after Leicester City overcame Sevilla last night.Subasic, Jemmerson, Raggi, Sidibe, Mendy, Bakayoko, Fabinho, Lemar, Silva, Germain, MbappeDe Sanctis, Diallo, Toure, Jorge, Moutinho, Dirar, CardonaCaballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Sterling, Silva, De Bruyne, Sane, AgueroBravo, Zabaleta, Navas, Delph, Otamendi, Yaya Toure, IheanachoThe full-time whistle goes in Monte Carlo and City are out of the Champions League on away goals. They improved during that second half but based on the tie as a whole, Monaco deserve to go through to the quarter-finals. Huge disappointment for Guardiola and his players. Thanks for joining our live coverage of the match!It goes straight to Subasic. That's surely game over.! Lemar is now booked for a foul on De Bruyne. This free kick is likely to be City's last chance.There will be three minutes of added-on time.BOOKING! Germain receives a yellow for a lunge on a City player. It's purely out of exhaustion.I'm not too sure City have much left. Even with another man in attack, Monaco are in control of this game now and if anything, they are going to score on the break.Kelechi Iheanacho has been introduced by Guardiola, with Clichy making way.Monaco make a second alteration with Joao Moutinho replacing Mbappe. City have offered nothing since conceding a third.As Monaco are back in front in the tie! Their third goal has come from a set piece, too, with Lemar's inswinging free-kick finding the run of Bakayoko and his header into the bottom corner leaves Caballero with no chance.Sterling is rather harshly booked for a tackle on Bernardo Silva when he got the ball. He will miss the first leg of the quarter-finals should City get through.City are back in front in this tie! It all comes through Sterling, who dances his way into the box before seeing a low shot saved by Subasic but the ball falls to Sane who shoots high into an empty net. All the pressure is now on Monaco.! Monaco decide to make their first change after an injury to Raggi. Almamy Toure is on in his place.Now Sane gets played through on goal down the left but his effort towards the near post goes into the side-netting. You can't blame him for going it alone with Aguero and Sterling failing to make the most of opportunities since the restart.City were abysmal during the first half but I have no idea how they haven't scored in this second period. Silva produces a mesmeric piece of play to set up Aguero but despite being able to take a touch, he fires too close to Subasic from 12 yards.City are definitely improving but they can't make the most of any of their few openings. Sane did brilliantly down the left before fizzing a ball into Aguero. However, the pass is too fast and Aguero can only direct his effort high over the crossbar.Bakayoko follows him in being cautioned after a foul on Fernandinho. Should Monaco progress, he will be out of the first leg.De Bruyne goes into the book for pulling back Fabinho in the middle of the pitch.Raheem! Sterling beats the offside trap and has all the time in the world to either shoot or pass to Aguero. Instead, his attempted cutback to his teammate was intercepted and Monaco cleared. That was a huge opening.In all fairness, City are showing a bit more intent but I don't think it was possible to play any worse. It will be interesting to see how long Guardiola leaves it until he turns to Toure, although I'm not sure who he would replace.I'm surprised to see no changes from Guardiola. He probably wants to keep faith in his initial selection but how can you keep everything the same when you haven't had a shot? It's been a quiet start to the second half.City get us back underway.The half-time whistle goes at Stade Louis II and Monaco deservedly lead thanks to those two goals from Mbappe and Fabinho. They could be further ahead, too, although they still lead on aggregate through away goals. Guardiola must change things at the break or else his time are heading out of the Champions League with a whimper.This isn't quite as bad as Arsenal's two performances against Bayern Munich or Leicester City's capitulation in Porto, but it isn't far off. Still no shots for City. They've not even come close to one.City are defending for their Champions League lives. Kolarov and Stones both have to make goal-stopping blocks in the space of a few seconds. Guardiola surely has to change things at half time.More attacking play from Monaco earns them a free kick in the corner. The set piece which is delivered into the box is punched clear by Caballero but the home side soon reclaim possession. City must reach half time without conceding a third.Fabinho's goal means that City must score to have a chance of going through. They are yet to have a shot so you have to question whether they have it in them to do that, as well as not conceding another.Man City are in a right mess. Monaco continue to pressurise the Premier League side and they eventually net a second through Fabinho, who slots the ball into the net from 12 yards after an excellent driven cross from Mendy.City are trying to work the ball out from the back but they can't have had much more than 40% possession in this game. They have lost the ball on countless occasions. The exclusion of Toure looks to be the wrong call.As we reach the end of the opening quarter of this game, we are still yet to see anything from City in the final third. They've been extremely poor. Sane or Aguero have barely had a kick. Monaco are pressing for a second in a calculated manner.What are City playing at? They again over-play it in their own half and Monaco have another chance to score a second. This opening falls to Germain but his long-range effort goes over.Subasic in the Monaco goal is yet to touch the ball with his hands, I think. City are being dispossessed far too easily when they try to create something inside the Monaco half. Mbappe has the ball in the net again but he is adjudged to be offside by half a yard.BOOKING! Caballero throws a silly ball out to Sagna and it's too far in front of him. He proceeds to commit the foul and it's a definite yellow. City are doing themselves no favours here.Moments after Mbappe saw a one-on-one chance saved by Caballero, the dynamic youngster puts his side ahead. Stones did well to block a shot from Mendy but after Bernardo Silva drilled in a low cross from the left, Mbappe converted the ball past Caballero from close range.It's been a lively start from both with passes being sprayed about in all areas of the pitch. No chances to speak of this far but it's warming up nicely.Monaco get us underway.
The President General of Yoruba Community Council in Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulganiyu I. Oguntoyimbo, has said no Yoruba man is prayin...

The President General of Yoruba Community Council in Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulganiyu I. Oguntoyimbo, has said no Yoruba man is praying that Yemi Osinbajo succeeds Muhammadu Buhari as President.Speaking during a prayer session for Buhari who just returned from medical vacation from London in Abuja, Oguntoyimbo said nobody from the South West was interested in dragging leadership role with Buhari.According to Oguntoyimbo, There is no Yoruba man that is praying for Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to succeed Buhari. The relationship between the two of them is very cordial.As a matter of fact, Yorubas relationship with Buhari administration is cordial. We support him totally and if we support anybody we dont go back.We are with Buhari yesterday, today, tomorrow and always. We believe that what he is doing is not just for today but for tomorrow.It would be recalled that before embarking on his medical vacation in London, Buhari transferred powers to Osinbajo.Osinbajo had received a lot of commendations from Nigerians for his performance while the President was away.Recall that before traveling to the United Kingdom on medical vacation, President Buhari transmitted power to Osinbajo to act as the acting president of Nigeria.During the period, Osinbajo handled the affair of the country by improving on the economy.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Frontier (NYF) has described the 63 latest appointees of Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, i...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Frontier (NYF) has described the 63 latest appointees of Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, including Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson as political jobbers, hangers on, marauders who have nothing to offer the state.The group made the allegation in a statement signed and issued to the media by the National Coordinator of PDPNYF, Usman Austin Okai, on Wednesday.The opposition youth group also condemned governor Bellos appointment of such a large retinue of aides added to the 120 he already appointed, stressing that a reduction in their number would cut-down the cost of governance and freed up state resources for the payment of workers salaries and pensions.While describing the recent appointments as irrational, uncoordinated, a waste of public funds, and wanton disservice to the state, the PDP youths challenged the governor to withdraw the unacceptable list of aides.The statement reads in part: The appointees of Governor Yahaya Bello are political jobbers, hangers on, and marauders; who have constituted themselves as nuisance to the government with nothing to offer to drive the regime.Asides the governor appointing the largest retinue of aides in the North central zone of the country, at the expense of payment of workers salaries and pensions, the new appointees have little knowledge or nothing to contribute to oil the wheel of governance in the state.With over 30 Special Advisers (SAs), 90 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), and an unspecified numbers of Special Assistants; the recent addition of 63 aides is outrageous.It is particularly condemnable to attract Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson into Kogi governance just for the sake of settling personal scores. The state cannot afford to comfortably pay N350, 000 monthly to an artiste based in Lagos.We advise Mercy Johnson and others to turn down their appointments.
The Federal government has approved the sum of N4,500 for each of the 200,000 beneficiaries of N-Power Volunteer Corps jobs for the purc...

The Federal government has approved the sum of N4,500 for each of the 200,000 beneficiaries of N-Power Volunteer Corps jobs for the purchase of an enhanced electronic device.To further improve the skills of the beneficiaries and afford them additional training opportunities during the two-year duration of the job program. Also, a total of 149, 669 Nigerian graduates of the 200,000 are now collecting their monthly stipends of N30,000 monthly having been physically verified and deployed across the 36 states and FCT. Mr. Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the disclosure while giving update on the Social Investment Programmes of the present administration. According to Akande who issued a statement, the device grant was in conjunction with the Bank of Industry (BoI) which has extended an asset finance of 20 months to each of the 200,000 N-Power beneficiaries.He explained: While each of the beneficiaries after being verified would select their choice of device amongst nine different BOI pre-approved vendors, the price ranges from N3,000 to N6,700 monthly deductions for the next 20months. Therefore in some cases the N4,500 device grant would cover the full monthly deduction cost while in other cases the graduate authorizes BOI to deduct the additional differential cost from their monthly stipends depending on the device chosen.The Vice Presidents Spokesman also noted that 6 of the 9 BOI pre-approved vendors are indigenous local brands in pursuit of the Buhari administrations push for Local Content. He said almost 100,000 graduate N-Power beneficiaries have completed their orders for the devices, adding that the Bank of Industry is in charge of affecting the orders made. The plan is to conduct the order of the devices in two batches of 100,000 each, one after the other. It was further disclosed that all the 149,669 N-Power beneficiaries now collecting their stipends have been physically verified and deployed, while their given bank account information have also been matched with the Bank Verification Number.The SSA said that in December, about 112,475 of the N-Power graduate beneficiaries received the N30,000 monthly stipends, and the number came close to 150,000, both in January and February meaning about that number are now receiving their up-to-date stipends from the N-Power Volunteer Corps. Akande also noted that now beneficiaries across the 36 States of the Federation, and the FCT have been verified, totaling the 150,000 figure. He said the balance 50,000 of the 200,000 beneficiaries engaged by the FG are those who so far could not be paid for various reasons. This includes those who were disqualified during verification on the basis of age-over 35, and inadequate academic qualification.The N-Power is for university, polytechnics and College of Education graduates only. There were also some of the selected 200,000 who were ano showsa meaning they simply did not report for verification at all. Others who could not be paid were those whose personal information details were faulty, including those whose marital status have changed. There are also those who used different names and differing personal information. And lastly there are also those whose banking information simply do not match with their BVN banking records.In the case of those whose marital status have changed, Akande explained that their information is now being updated through the various States and FCT Focal Persons and then they would be represented for payment. He also disclosed that those who have sought redeployment to other states are among the 50,000 and in such cases, they will be considered alongside those to be replaced from the N-Power waiting list where necessary.The process for the replacement of those who did not show up and those disqualified would also resume shortly to bring the number back to 200,000 for the first batch of the 500,000 promised by the Buhari administration, he said.
Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of EFCC today appeared before the senate a second time for confirmation and chairman.

Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of EFCC today appeared before the senate a second time for confirmation and chairman.Magu went through a series of questioning in which he responded to.Below are his responses:1. How will EFCC under Magu fight corruption within the law  Ike Ekweremadu\- Magu says the EFCC is not always right on its decisions, but the agency strives to do its best.2. Ekweremadu also asked about the operations of the EFCC on disobeying court orders and cases of human rights abuse and asked Magu to respond the last DSS report.- Magu said he did not come with the DSS report on the investigation carried out.3. You need to expatiate on your activities on human rights, What are your findings and activities on the Paris Club fund"- Sen. Shehu Sani- Magu said EFCC cells are like hotels and there is too much comfort.4. Dasuki took money illegally and not a single person from the CBN has been investigated or prosecuted so far"  Sen Isah Misa- Magu responded that EFCC has invited all who needs to be invited.5. How much funds has been recovered since you took charge of the commission. - Sen. Duro Faseyi.- Magu: It is very difficult for me to say.6. What led to the death of Mr. Desmond and why was the body was taken to the mortuary before contacting the family. -Sen.Ben Ajumogobia.Other responses:- On the house bought for him, he said he only stayed there because of its close proximity to work and to avoid late night movement.- Magu said EFCC doesn't fight corruption alone that he is aware that the Senate fights corruption as well.- Magu said Deizani went 2 London with her clique that perpetrated the crime to defraud Nigeria. That they are on the run and he will get them- He said they are still fine tuning the whistle blowers act.- - Magu said he will not be surprised if whistle-blowers are to take the security agents to his house because he now has a big house- Ibrahim Magu said two reports were submitted in one day about him and that questions the integrity of the DSS as well.- "Myself and Dino Melaye have been fighting corruption before he became a Senator" - Ibrahim
The House of Representatives moved on Wednesday to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fight corruption by proposin...

The House of Representatives moved on Wednesday to strengthen the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to fight corruption by proposing fresh amendments to the EFCC Act, 2004.Among others, lawmakers want to insulate the anti-graft agency from the influence of the Presidency, enhance its financial autonomy, prescribe tougher penalties for stealing public money and create a special court for speedy trial of cases.Four consolidated bills seeking to further empower the commission, passed second reading at a session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, in Abuja.The bills were co-sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Financial Crimes, Mr. Kayode Oladele; Mr. Bassey Ewa; Mr. Oladipupo Olatunde; and Mr. Bede Ucehenna-Eke.One of the key amendments seeks to remove the power of appointing the chairman of the EFCC from the President, to be vested directly in the hands of Nigerians.Under the extant provisions, the President appoints the chairman and forwards the name to the Senate for approval.But, in the new proposal, which the House described as more stringent in appointing or removing the chairman, members of the public are to appoint the commissions chairman.Leading the debate on the proposal, Ewa explained, This amendment will open up the EFCC so that the President will not be the sole person to either remove or appoint the chairman.In this new proposal, it will require a petition from the public to the National Assembly for a resolution.This resolution, when passed, will be forwarded to the President. Mr. President shall within one month, either accept the resolution or reject it.The National Assembly reserves the power to override his veto of the resolution.Ewa noted that this was to guard against the current practice whereby the President would want the chairman to be removed if he was not comfortable with the officer.
(Deletes extraneous letter in 3rd paragraph)

By Dan Freed

MEXICO CITY, March 14 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart de Mexico , Mexico's biggest retailer, plans to increase spending by nearly 19 percent in 2017, upgrading and adding new stores and investing in e-commerce, a top executive said on Tuesday.

Walmex, as the company is known, will spend 17 billion pesos ($864.80 million) in 2017, above the 14.3 billion pesos they spent last year, Chief Financial Officer Pedro Farah told investors during a company presentation.

Walmex continues to see opportunities to add stores and has become more efficient with its construction projects, according to Gaston Wainstein, Walmex head of real estate.

However, Central America head Carlos Arroyo said the region is not growing as quickly as the company would like, which is limiting the number of stores it is prepared to build there.

Walmex also said it is paying 35 percent more in bonuses to its low-level employees this year than it did a year ago. It also plans to open a second meat-cutting plant in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey, executives said on Tuesday.

Executives from the retailer, controlled by Wal-Mart Stores Inc, repeatedly emphasized investments in e-commerce.

"We don't think e-commerce is a loss leader," said Todd Harbaugh, head of Mexico operations, calling it a driver of growth, profit and capital efficiency. ($1 = 19.6577 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Dan Freed in Mexico City; Editing by Leslie Adler)
For a second time, the senate on Wednesday rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Co...

For a second time, the senate on Wednesday rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).This was the climax of weeks of anxiety and speculations.However, signs that Magus nomination as EFCC chairman would be rejected became clear on Tuesday when the Department of State Services (DSS) wrote to the senate affirming its security report, which indicted him of corruption.A source had told TheCable Magus appointment as EFCC chairman would not be confirmed owing to the DSS report.On Tuesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki announced that a confirmation hearing would be held for him.This was weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the senate to reconsider its decision to reject Magus nomination.The senate first rejected Magus appointment on December 15, 2016, citing the DSS security report.In the report, Magu was accused of living in a house paid for by a corrupt businessman. He was also accused of extorting money  through a proxy  from suspects.Investigation on the chairmanship of Magu revealed that in August 2008 during the tenure of Farida Waziri as the commissions chairman, some sensitive documents which were not supposed to be at the disposal of Magu were discovered in his house. He was subsequently redeployed to the police after days of detention and later suspended from the police force, the report read.In December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security  withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.Notwithstanding, sequel to the appointment of Ibrahim Lamorde as chairman, he made the return of Magu to the EFCC a top priority. Magu remained a top official of the commission until he was appointed to succeed Lamorde.Magu is currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commissions finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service.For the furnishing of the residence, Magu enlisted the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m.The report also said Magu regularly embarked on official and private trips through a jet owned by the corrupt businessman.Investigations show that the acting EFCC chairman regularly embarked on official and private trips through a private jet owned by Mohammed.In one of such trips, Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June, 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr Presidents directive to all public servants to fly economy class.Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns.Owing to the development, the president had directed Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to investigate the allegations.Malami submitted his report at the end of the assignment. The president then wrote to the senate re-nominating Magu.However, the details of the investigation were not revealed in the presidents letter to the senate.Also, the president did not say why the rejection of Magus appointment should be reconsidered in view of the allegations.After Magus re-nomination, the senate, on March 7, wrote to the DSS for another security report on him.But the secret police re-sent its earlier report indicting the anti-graft czar of corruption. The report got to the upper legislative chamber at 5pm on Tuesday.The 14th paragraph of the report read: In light of the foregoing, Magu has failed integrity test.TheCable learnt that the senate was hamstrung because of the DSS insistence that Magu was not fit to head the anti-corruption agency. Hence, it rejected his nomination a second time.
The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that the N450 million allegedly received by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mohammed ...

The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday heard that the N450 million allegedly received by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mohammed Dele Belgore and former Minister of National Planning Prof. Abubakar Suleiman was brought to the bank from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in a bullion van.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the sum was part of $115,010,000 (about N37 billion) allegedly shared by former Petroleum Resources Minister Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke to different individuals in 36 states.The first prosecution witness, Mr. Timothy Olaobaju, a banker, said among those who allegedly benefited from the money were Belgore and Suleiman, who are on trial for alleged money laundering.Asked under cross-examination by Belgores lawyer, Chief Ebun Shofunde (SAN), what the denomination of the money was, the witness said: I cant remember vividly but I remember there were N1,000 and N500 bills.He said the money was offloaded from the bullion van into his banks loading bay, where it was manually counted.The witness said though the bank was ready to deliver the money to Belgore and Suleiman on March 26, 2015, when it arrived from the CBN, Suleimans failure to release his identification card delayed the process.He added that the transaction was captured on the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera mounted in the bank.Shofunde said: I suggest to you that none of the defendants collected one kobo out of the N450 million.The witness answered: That is not true.Olaobaju added: The money was counted by way of bundle counting, and they were in N1,000 and N500 denominations. The money was kept overnight and in the vaults.That very day, before the beneficiaries came, we had already stacked the money for them to pick. But there was a delay because the minister refused to show his identity card.The beneficiaries said they could not carry the money that night because it was late. It is not true that none of the beneficiaries collected a dime, he said.When Shofunde suggested to Olaobaju that it took two days to count the money, the witness disagreed. He said: As a professional banker, I can count N1billion in 20 minutes.Shofunde then put it to him that it was different individuals who came to the bank on March 27, 2015 to sign and collect portions of the N450 million, but the witness said: That is not true.The defendants objected to the tendering of a list showing they allegedly received N450 million from Mrs. Alison-Madueke.EFCC re-arraigned Belgore and Suleiman on an amended money laundering charge in which Mrs. Alison-Madueke was included as a defendant, though at large.Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo sought to tender the list, but Suleimans lawyer, Mr. Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN), argued that the document did not fully comply with Section 84 of the Evidence Act.He urged Justice Riwan Aikawa to reject it.Belgores lawyer Ebun Shofunde (SAN) said the list emanated from the makers mail box.The document sought to be tendered has not met the conditions made out in Section 84 of the Evidence Act. It shows that the list was made from the mail box of nnamdi@yahoo.com.The certificate itself was not made by the witness. That makes it more yahoo, yahoo and I urge your lordship to rejection same, he said.Oyedepo said the document substantially satisfied Section 84 of the Evidence Act, and urged the judge to admit it.According to him, there was a certificate attached to the document, which came from the bank where the money was lodged, signed by its Chief Compliance Officer.EFCC accused the defendants of conspiring to directly take possession of the N450 million, which they reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.The commission said they directly took possession of the sum and conspired to make cash payment of N450 million, which exceeded the amount authorised by law without going through financial institution.Belgore and Suleiman pleaded not guilty to all the counts.Justice Aikawa adjourned till March 23 for ruling on the lists admissibility.
One week after it started operations as a replacement airport for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kaduna International Air...

One week after it started operations as a replacement airport for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the Kaduna International Airport has come into the news for a strange reason.The sum of N 49 million was intercepted by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as it was being ferried out through the airport.A man believed to be the owner ran away before EFCC operatives could question him.According to a statement released by the Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the cash was found during a routine baggage screening. According to the information, the money was contained in five unmarked and unaccompanied large black coloured Buhu sags.Upon examination, the bags were found to contain fresh crispy Naira notes of N200 denomination in 20 bundles totaling N40 million and N50 denomination in 180 bundles totaling N9 million with seal purportedly emanating from the Nigeria Security and Minting Plc (NSPM) as seen in the labeled sealed packs.The EFCC spokesman said investigation into the case was in top gear to unravel the culprits behind the attempted illegal movement of the cash.We will get to the root of this crime. There is a way we can collaborate with some agencies to trace the source of the N49million.We will also deploy forensic equipment and retrieve CCTV footage at the airport to identify the suspect, the source said, pleading not to be named so as not to jeopardise the investigation.
The blizzard that swept through the region Tuesday compelled tens of thousands of people to stay off the roads -- including crew members working for NJ Transit.

The agency was forced to cancel at least seven trains -- including a 6:13 p.m. scheduled to depart from Hoboken and a 3:05 p.m. train out of Port Jervis, N.Y. -- due to manpower shortages, NJ Transit said in alerts issued Tuesday.

"Many of our crew members reside in areas that are heavily impacted by the storm and have great difficulty getting to locations in order to report for work," spokeswoman Nancy Snyder said.

"Our crew members are making every effort to get to their locations. In the case where we don't have enough staff to operate the train safely we are going to cancel that train."

Although Tuesday's storm ended up following a track that blunted its impact, with less snow than forecast in many areas, some corners of New Jersey were hit as hard as expected. Some school districts have cancelled classes for Wednesday as those towns continue to dig out.

NJ Transit rail service will also continue to be affected on Wednesday, when it will run on a President's Day schedule. The agency also advises that bus and light-rail service, while operating on normal weekday schedules, may be subject to delays.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEWARK -- The storm may be moving out, but the problems may be just beginning at Newark Liberty International and other area airports, officials said.

More than 3,000 flights were cancelled at Newark Liberty, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport as the snowstorm slammed the region Tuesday with snow, sleet and rain.

Travelers should expect "significant vehicular traffic" at the airports on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as they try to get on rescheduled flights, said officials from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agency that oversees the airports.

Passengers should not attempt to go to the airport unless they have called their airline and rebooked their canceled flight, officials said.

"Many flights on Wednesday are already fully booked, and prior to traveling to the airport, passengers are urged to call their airlines. Travelers without confirmed flights should not come to LaGuardia, Kennedy or Newark Liberty airports," Port Authority officials said in a statement.

Traffic is expected to be especially difficult at LaGuardia, where construction has caused severe problems on airport roadways in recent weeks. Airport traffic conditions are being regularly updated by airport officials on Facebook, on Twitter at @LGAairport and at LaGuardiaAirport.com.

Port Authority officials urged travelers to try to use mass transit to get to the area airports.

With today's storm winding down, Delta Flight 499 to Minneapolis just left @JFKairport #JFK as regional flight activity resumes. pic.twitter.com/m7rs0JFGYC  Port Authority NY&NJ (@PANYNJ) March 14, 2017

Nearly 6,000 U.S. flights were canceled Tuesday, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking website. Newark Liberty had the most cancelations in the nation, with more than 1,000 flights canceled on Tuesday alone.

As of 6 p.m., about 88 incoming flights and 73 incoming flights scheduled for Wednesday were canceled, according to FlightAware. However, more than 80 percent of the day's flights remain on the schedule for Wednesday.

Newark Liberty began getting back on track late Tuesday afternoon when Delta Flight 1724 arrived from Salt Lake City and landed on the newly-plowed runway, Port Authority officials said.

Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at " on Facebook.
NEWARK -- As Jamie Schare Friedland waited for her 30-year-old husband Dustin in her father-in-law's Range Rover just before 9 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2013, she thought the muffled talking she heard outside the vehicle was just her husband making friends with someone, she told an Essex County jury on Wednesday.

Instead, she turned around to see her husband struggling with two men inside the parking deck at The Mall at Short Hills in Millburn.

The man on the passenger's side of the car was shorter, the one on the driver's side taller, she said.

"I saw the taller man who was beside the driver's side door -- I saw him put the gun to Dustin's head," Friedland said, making the sound of gunshots and the SUV's glass breaking.

After the taller of the two men leaned in and ordered her out of the Range Rover, they sped off with the vehicle, she said.

"I knew, I just knew when I turned around what I was going to see," Friedland said, choking back tears. "I saw Dustin lying in a pool of blood."

Jamie Friedland's testimony was the first presented Wednesday following opening arguments in the trial of Basim Henry, one of four men charged in the carjacking and the murder of her husband, before Superior Court Judge Michael L. Ravin.

Henry, 36, of South Orange, is charged with murder, felony murder, carjacking, conspiracy and weapons offenses.

Friedland said the couple, who lived in Hoboken, had gone to the mall that night to buy her a new laptop and cellphone from the Apple store, and had dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary and a new condominium they'd purchased.

Assistant Prosecutor Ralph Amirata showed her an enlarged photo from one of the mall's surveillance cameras and asked her what it depicted. "Us, walking through the mall, holding hands," she said, smiling sadly.

But later the same night that image was captured, Friedland found herself beside her bleeding husband, his eyes following her as he gasped for air, she testified.

"I leaned down ... on the floor, covered in his blood and he was covered in his blood," she said. "I'm screaming, 'Stay with me, stay with me."

Friedland said emergency personnel separated her from her husband after they arrived on scene. He was later pronounced dead at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

Henry, who has a prior robbery conviction and was on probation at the time of Dustin Friedland's slaying, was arrested less than a week after the carjacking by a federal fugitive task force in Easton, Pa.

He was later indicted in September 2014, along with Karif Ford, Kevin Roberts and Hanif Thompson. Thompson was identified as the man who shot Friedland, according to Assistant Prosecutor Brian C. Matthews, who is trying the case with Amirata.

Roberts, Ford and Thompson will be tried separately, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

In the state's opening arguments, Matthews told the jury that while Henry -- the alleged getaway driver -- wasn't the one who pulled the trigger or physically took control of the Range Rover, he was guilty of the murder, carjacking and weapons charges as an accomplice and participant in the conspiracy.

After Henry's capture in Pennsylvania, Matthews said, he gave a statement to investigators largely admitting his involvement in the crime.

"What corroborates his statement are the four phones taken from the four individuals who went to the Short Hills mall ... to steal a Range Rover," he said, explaining the phones' location data put all four men at the place authorities say they hid the SUV.

Location data for two of the phones, he said, also put their owners at the mall at the time of the carjacking.

Henry's attorney, Michael Rubas, acknowledged in his opening arguments that Jamie Friedland's testimony would be "gutwrenching," but they hadn't gathered in the courtroom "to let emotions get the best of us."

What Matthews had told them were arguments, not facts, Rubas said.

"I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen, the facts are going to show something different," he said.

Rubas declined to cross-examine Friedland. As she left the courtroom with family, she could be heard sobbing in the courthouse hallway.

Friedland is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the mall's owners, who her lawyer has alleged could have prevented Dustin Friedland's death with better security practices.

Surveillance footage obtained by Jamie Friedland's lawyer, Bruce Nagel, allegedly shows the suspects' SUV stalking another Range Rover in the mall's parking lots just days before the fatal carjacking, and later racing out of the parking structure the night of the shooting.

The trial is scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Thomas Moriarty may be reached at tmoriarty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ThomasDMoriarty. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
White House on Obamacare repeal: 'This is it,' passing another plan will be 'unbelievably difficult'





The White House has a message for Republicans who oppose Obamacare: This is the best chance you'll get.

Pockets of the GOP who want to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act oppose the plan backed by President Donald Trump and House Republican leaders. The bill, the American Health Care Act, faces hurdles in passing without changes, especially in a Senate in which three GOP defections kill it.

Press secretary Sean Spicer contended Tuesday that lawmakers fighting the current bill may not get a better chance to repeal President Barack Obama's landmark law.

"This is the only vehicle that seeks to achieve what people on our side of the aisle have been talking about since 2010. This is it," Spicer told reporters at his daily briefing. "If we don't get this through, the goal of repealing Obamacare and instituting a system that will be patient-centered is going to be unbelievably difficult."

For the bill to pass the House, where it already cleared hurdles in two key committees, its supporters need to convince skeptical conservatives, who have said it too closely resembles Obamacare. Spicer said Tuesday that the White House is helping with a "manager's amendment" to appease conservatives. One possible provision is moving the phasing out of Medicaid expansion to the beginning of 2018, rather than 2020, according to Politico.

The plan faces an even tougher time in the Senate, where several moderate GOP senators have already raised concerns about the Medicaid plans and where conservative Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has dubbed it "Obamacare Lite." Spicer said the White House is working with both chambers of Congress to resolve concerns and hear ideas.

Some Republican senators, including Ted Cruz of Texas, will attend a meeting at the White House Tuesday in an effort to compromise on the bill, NBC News reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

A score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has added to some senators' qualms. The report estimated that 24 million more people will be uninsured under the plan in 2026 than under current law. While the federal deficit is expected to shrink, older, poorer Americans are estimated to take the worst hit from the changes.

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While Spicer said the White House does not have its own estimate of coverage changes, he contended that the CBO is "historically wrong." He said the score did not include the two remaining "phases" of health-care reform Republicans have promised, which he argued would increase consumer choices and drive down costs.

But the GOP has not made specific proposals for the second and third parts of its plan. Spicer said it would include executive branch changes like speeding up the FDA approval process and a legislative change allowing insurance sales across state lines.

He said he would ask Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about the proposals for administrative changes and referred questions about future legislative action to House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Still, at least one GOP senator thinks the "three-phase" rhetoric may not hold any weight. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a conservative skeptical about the current bill, called the three-step plan "political talk" and "spin."

He argued that executive branch action may get hung up in court. He also said that Republicans may not get the Democratic support needed to reach 60 votes and pass a bill to allow sales across state lines.

Republicans are trying to pass the current bill through budget reconciliation, which only requires a majority vote in the 100-seat Senate. Republicans hold 52 seats.

Spicer said he was "confident" the GOP could muster 60 votes for the second piece of legislation.

Watch: Who wins, who loses in new health care bill
Remembering the Kenner plane crash and the 'miracle baby' pulled from the wreckage
A look at the recovery and damage Tuesday, March 7, 2017, one month after a EF-3 tornado devastated parts of New Orleans East. According to the National Weather Service, it was the strongest tornado to hit the New Orleans area since 1950. (David Grunfeld)
Experience in public office or the need for change. Voters in District 9 are being asked at Tuesdays election to judge what they value more when it comes to who will represent them on the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board.
Danny Boyle Ewan McGregor Eric Chabonneau Getty final

With the release of "T2 Trainspotting" in the US on Friday, we're brought back into the lives of the drug-crazed, down-and-out friends from Edinburgh, Scotland, played by Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, and Robert Carlyle. It's 20 years after they embodied the characters in the original Danny Boyle-directed movie that became a cultural phenomenon.

But along with the obvious challenges of creating a worthy sequel to a classic like "Trainspotting," Boyle also had to patch things up with one of his stars.

Boyle, an English filmmaker, cast McGregor, who's Scottish, in his first three movies, "Shallow Grave" (1994), "Trainspotting" (1996), and "A Life Less Ordinary" (1997). But when Boyle released his fourth film, the thriller "The Beach," in 2000, his muse was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Leonardo DiCaprio took the lead of the movie, marking his first major role after becoming an international sensation in "Titanic."

the beach fox

Boyle's snubbing of McGregor led to the two not speaking to each other until 2009.

I handled it very, very badly, and Ive apologized to you, Boyle told McGregor on "The Graham Norton Show" back in January. The director admits that he gave McGregor the impression that he was going to cast him in "The Beach."

"I felt a great shame about it. I was not proud of the way I handled it," Boyle said.

McGregor added: Its a big regret of mine that it went on for so very long. It's a shame we didnt work together all those years. It wasn't about 'The Beach,' it was about our friendship and I felt I was in Danny's first three movies... and then I wasnt in his fourth and it made me a bit rudderless. I didn't quite get it and, yeah, we didn't speak for a long time, which was a waste.

The mending of the friendship began when McGregor presented an award, along with a moving speech, to Boyle at 2009's BAFTA Britannia Awards. Now it seems things are very good with the two as they travel the globe promoting "T2 Trainspotting."

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They even hinted at possibly working together again soon in a recent interview with Business Insider.

"I would love to do a play with Ewan because he does them now and again. So put in a good word for me," Boyle told Business Insider, while sitting next to McGregor, who laughed.

But Boyle does recall a project he tried to get off the ground while the two weren't talking to each other and thought it would have been perfect for McGregor.

trainspotting 2 sony

"It's called 'Ingenious Pain,' an amazing novel, and it's about a doctor in the early days of surgery," Boyle said. "I tried to adapt it and I was thinking of Ewan for it, but I could never get it  the third act was always terrible."

"And I would have said it was terrible," McGregor added, which made the two laugh.

"Yeah, he would have said, 'It's interesting, but that third act,'" Boyle said.

It certainly seems the two are making up for lost time. But their careers have greatly evolved since they made the first "Trainspotting." McGregor is starring in Disney's live-action remake of "Beauty and the Beast" the same weekend "T2" comes out and will be in the next season of FX's "Fargo" (starting April 19). Meanwhile, Boyle, an Oscar winner, has his own upcoming FX series "Trust." Hopefully the two can find time in their schedules to make magic happen again.

NOW WATCH: Oscar nominees receive a $100,000+ swag bag  here's what's inside





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Florida linebacker James Miller has LSU as his leader and is planning to visit on Thursday. (Twitter)
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Come rain or shine, well be out reporting on the latest non league fixtures. Well also be scouring the news, refreshing social media, and sourcing information from team websites in the hopes of finding the latest breaking non league daily news for our readers.

As youll soon see, weve got exclusive match reports on the Vanarama National League, weve got transfer speculation thatll affect the National League South, weve found great stories thatll spice up the National League North, and weve even got news on the latest giant killers of the FA Cup.

We may not be able to agree on who is going up this year, but we can all agree that any news on the NLS worth knowing will be published here, at Non League Daily.
Kristen Blum, clinical program coordinator in administration, has worked at CHI Health for almost four years, a year and a half of which at CHI Mercy Hospital.

She completed an internship at Mercy while pursuing a masters degree in health administration. Among other projects, she was involved with work in the community, including the formation of Live Well Pottawattamie County.

It was a perfect fit for me as I had developed an interest in exploring how private sector healthcare organizations can improve the overall health of communities in addition to their traditional role of treating patients when they are ill, she said. I was enamored with Mercy and the CHI Health system for how they took their role seriously in the communities they serve, so I was thrilled when I was able to work here full-time after completing my degree.

Her current role is different, but shes been lucky enough to continue her involvement with the community, serving on the board of The 712 Initiative, actively participating in work led by the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Network and partnering with many community organizations on our Community Health Improvement strategies related to obesity, mental health and substance abuse, maternal/child health and injury prevention.

Blum is originally from Missouri and has lived in Council Bluffs for three years with her husband, Bryan. They have an 8-year old basset hound, Maggie, and are expecting their first child in May.

The Heritage Awards Dinner will be held March 25, at the Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way.

For more information, contact Christine Gochenour at 712-328-5141.
All Care Health Center is reaching out to MICAH House guests with health care services.

The center opened a satellite clinic this month at the emergency family shelter, where it offers care from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Its a critical service to have for the people that are staying with us, said Jaymes Sime, executive director at MICAH House. Its going to be a huge benefit.

The weekly clinic is staffed by family nurse practitioner Christy Quillen, certified medical assistant Skyler Marshall and CMA/patient registration clerk Stacy Wooley.

We can do just about anything we can do at the main clinic except perform lab tests and take X-rays, Quillen said.

That includes treating illnesses, performing physical examinations, bandaging minor lacerations and administering immunizations, she said.

We have a lot of women who actually come to MICAH House while theyre pregnant so they can have their babies, Sime said.

We are going to explore the idea of having dental services here, too, said Bill Wypyski, executive director of All Care.

Last week, Quillen saw six patients, and she expects that to grow as more people become aware of the clinic. Ailments were pretty typical  ear infections, stomach flu and colds, she said.

In addition, Kristen Hendershot, All Cares director of access services, will visit the shelter periodically to help guests fill out applications for Medicaid, Quillen said.

Dr. Scott Bomgaars, who recently retired, donated the exam table, some chairs and a small refrigerator for the clinic, Sime said.

All Care and MICAH House came up with the rest.

All Care also operates weekly satellite clinics at MOHMs Place and Carter Lake Elementary School and offers dental care two days a week at MOHMs Place, Wypyski said.
Lexy Mayo, Zoe Herren and Liam Merk are budding artists.

The College View Elementary fifth-graders were among a throng of students who attended Wednesdays unveiling of a mural at the Google data center on Bunge Avenue. The event also featured the announcement of a partnership between Google and the Council Bluffs Community School District on a virtual technology art program.

I have a passion for art, Merk said. Its amazing to see this mural, to think about the effort put in to this.

The work by Cedar Falls artist Gary Kelley stands 80-feet high and 300-feet wide on an outer wall at the data center that faces Interstate 29 and depicts the evolution of information sharing in Council Bluffs. Moving from right to left, the mural depicts explorers Merriwether Lewis and William Clark conferring with a member of the Otoe Native American tribe, a man using a telegraph, a land surveyor and Google employees working in the data center. The background features a locomotive with boxcars, bison and a Native American.

The project took about one year from concept to completion.

I love the narrative of making pictures, Kelley said in a video played during the ceremony. I like to do people and I like to tell stories.

The event featured words from Mayor Matt Walsh, Gov. Terry Branstad, Chris Russell, Googles Council Bluffs operations manager and Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Googles parent company Alphabet and the former CEO of Google. During the ceremony, Google announced a $50,000 grant to the Council Bluffs school district for arts education.

Superintendent Martha Bruckner explained that Google approached the district to come up with a project that would integrate technology and art. Michaela Hill, an art teacher at Longfellow Elementary and the district visual arts specialist, developed a virtual reality art component into the districts art program.

With the grant funding, the district will buy a Google Tilt Brush, which will allow students to create virtual works of art. Hill said the district will work with virtual artists  either in person or in a Google Hangout setting  to help the students.

*Read more about the event in Thursday's edition of The Daily Nonpareil and NonpareilOnline.com.
By Joe Bavier and Ange Aboa ABIDJAN (Reuters) - The world's cocoa sector may be facing a structural surplus that risks depressing global prices and dealing a blow to producer country and farm revenues in the coming years, a senior official with International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) said on Wednesday. After rising steadily for several years, cocoa futures have tumbled since September with New York cocoa falling to its lowest level in nearly a decade earlier this month on the back of bumper crops around the world. Global production is set to climb by almost 15 percent in 2016/17, according to the ICCO. Demand is failing to keep pace, resulting in a projected global surplus of 264,000 tonnes. "Our fear is that the world cocoa sector has entered a period of structural surplus that is likely to last for some time to come," ICCO Executive Director Jean-Marc Anga told Reuters during an interview in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Expectations of rising global chocolate consumption coupled with ageing farmers and plantations in top producing countries in West Africa has long raised concern over the potential for a structural cocoa deficit. "I would like to see the person who would stand tall and say that theory still holds. Our view over the past five to ten years has never been that of a structural deficit," Anga said. Ivory Coast, the world's top producer, has been the hardest hit by the rapid drop in prices over the past six months. A wave of export contract defaults along with higher than expected production there have caused a glut of beans at ports and in upcountry warehouses, leaving farmers struggling to sell their crops and fuelling social unrest. "From where I'm sitting, all the noises I am getting from producer countries are of serious concern because the current global price is affecting revenue at the government level," Anga said. ICCO officials will meet with its members, which include both producer and consumer countries, in April to seek solutions that will help reverse the slide in prices. The International Cocoa Agreement, the body's founding document, contains a provision that allows producer countries to discuss and coordinate their production policies, and Anga said he expected them to take advantage of it. "I don't really see the logic of continuing to increase production when we see the effects this has on countries," he said. "I think they are all aware of the need to have a more rational approach to their production policies." The ICCO will also discuss ways to increase consumption. With traditional markets in Western Europe and North America close to saturation, Anga said it was weighing strategies for penetrating markets in the developing world and discussing bringing China and Indian into the ICCO as members. (Editing by Mark Potter)
A Moline, Illinois, man pleaded guilty to amended charges Tuesday after police found more than 3 pounds of marijuana in his car last December  which he said he purchased legally in Colorado for medicinal use.

Christopher Caldwell, 56, pleaded guilty to a controlled substance violation  a Class D felony  and was given a suspended sentence of five years in jail and two years of probation. His sentence will be transferred to Illinois.

Caldwell declined to address the court during sentencing.

According to the police report, officers pulled him over Dec. 5, 2016, for speeding while driving eastbound on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs.

While officers spoke with Caldwell, they became suspicious about his reason for traveling, they said.

I began a conversation with Christopher concerning the details of his trip and explained my suspicions, the officer said.

Caldwells information didnt hold up under scrutiny, investigators said. So they deployed a K-9 officer to check the car for the scent of narcotics. Caldwell consented to the search, police noted.

Inside the car, police found an electronic cigarette and several cartridges of THC oil for the e-cig.

THC oil is made from an extract found in marijuana plants.

Caldwell confessed the e-cig was his and that the THC oil was for his personal use. Continuing their search, police found 3.3 pounds of marijuana in the trunk in vacuum sealed bags. Five more THC oil cartridges were found along with 8.8 grams of hash oil  also made from marijuana plant extracts  in a suitcase and a heat gun used for sealing plastic packages, the report stated.

Caldwell told police he purchased the $3,000 in marijuana from a dispensary in Colorado and that it was for medicinal purposes and he was bringing the marijuana back for three patients in Illinois.

Police found the receipt for the dispensary regarding the THC oil purchases. All the contraband was confiscated by police for safekeeping, they said.
DailyFX.com -

Talking Points

New Zealands current account balance of payments deficit was smaller than forecast in the old years last quarter

Indeed, it was the smallest since late 2014

But a Fed-focussed NZD didnt gain much

The New Zealand Dollar gained just a little on Wednesday following news that the countrys current account balance of payments deficit shrank a little more than expected.

The balance for the final calendar quarter of 2016 was a deficit of NZ$2.335 billion (US$1.62 billion). That was below the NZ$2.425 billion deficit expected and less than half of the third quarters NZ$4.89 billion gap.

Indeed it was the smallest deficit since the third quarter of 2014.

As a proportion of New Zealands Gross Domestic Product, the deficit was 2.7%, as expected and below the previous quarters 2.9% level.

NZD/USD rose a little, to 0.69222 from 0.69180 just before the release. However, this pair like most others is fixated on the US Federal Reserve policy decision due later in the global session and widely expected to include an interest-rate rise.

The current-account data so serve as curtain raisers for New Zealands fourth-quarter Gross Domestic Product numbers which are due on Thursday. Growth is expected to have run at 0.7% on the quarter for an annualized gain of 3.2%. If realized these figures would evince a slower pace of growth than the previous quarter, but probably not a worrying one for markets.

Modest Gains: NZD/USD

New Zealand Dollar Ticks Up as Current Account Gap Shrinks

Chart Compiled Using TradingView

Would you like to know more about trading the financial markets? The DailyFX trading guide could be a great first stop.

--- Written by David Cottle, DailyFX Research

Contact and follow David on Twitter: @DavidCottleFX



original source

DailyFX provides forex news and technical analysis on the trends that influence the global currency markets.

Learn forex trading with a free practice account and trading charts from IG.
A NEW route is being considered which would take the proposed 5.6 billion Central Railway line and its freight trains away from the High Wycombe area.

Consultants have been commissioned by the South East England Development Agency (Seeda) to draw up an alternative line for the southern end of the north-south route. This would go east of London, not west. Its report should be ready in about three months.

The decision to reconsider the Central Railway route was taken after a meeting of county council leaders and officers at Gerrards Cross a few weeks ago.

It was hosted by David Shakespeare, leader of Buckinghamshire County Council and chairman of the South East Regional Assembly, and Seeda chairman Allan Willett.

They realised they must support the strategy of getting heavy freight traffic off roads and on to rail, but if they were not to have a route they didn't like they would have to come up with their own.

The current proposed route travels through the middle of Buckinghamshire and along the Chiltern Line through Haddenham, Princes Risborough and High Wycombe. The proposal created an outcry from people along this part of the line, who say they gain no immediate benefit, only noise.

After the Gerrards Cross meeting, Cllr Shakespeare told the Free Press the feedback he had from it was that the line went round the wrong side of London. It should go through Milton Keynes and via the area known as Thames Gateway a growth area.

Regional assembly leaders in the north of England are in favour of the Central Railway project with only the south-east region against it.

Central Railway wants the Government to introduce another bill in the Commons. People would give evidence at the committee stage and there would be no need for two or three years of planning inquiries.

Chris Williams, the council's chief officer, said there was lots of pressure for the scheme from northern regions. "They get lots of benefits from it, which is the opposite of the south, which gets disbenefits," he said.

County councillor David Rowlands, vice-chairman of a consortium of county councillors looking at public transport, said he had discussed the idea with members.

"I am pleased that Seeda has commissioned W S Atkins to review the route," he said. But he said leaders in the north wanted it to go west of London so that there would be good links to the M25 and the motorways to the west of the country.

A Central Railway spokesman said: "Central Railway has undertaken extensive engineering studies using international consultants, and the route to the west of London emerged as our preferred route."
4 Reviews

Oppo's upcoming "selfie expert" smartphones, the Oppo F3 and F3 Plus, will launch on March 23. The date was confirmed earlier today in an official message from the Chinese company. Both smartphones will be released in five Southeast Asian markets: India, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The five countries were shown in teaser images on a post on Oppo's Facebook page. Interestingly, a photo of New York City was also posted; it suggests an important announcement for the US market is also coming.

The launch date for the Oppo phones is not a complete surprise. Official invites were sent to members of the Philippine press a few days ago, and ads on that country's streets suggested an imminent launch date. A recently-leaked photoagain in the Philippines revealed the Oppo F3 Plus' specs. They include a 6" FHD screen, Snapdragon 653 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage space, and a dual 16MP/8MP front camera setup along with a 16MP rear camera. According to the leak, the F3 Plus will run on Android 6.0 and will be available in gold and black colors.

Oppo's announcement follows hot on the heels of ZTE's upcoming Nubia unveiling scheduled for March 21. That phone, like other recent smartphones, features a dual rear camera setup. The setup on the new Oppo phones instead resembles the LG V10 or Vivo V5 Plus, which also feature dual front cameras.
St. Pats church to host brunch Sunday

Wearin O the Green is the theme for St. Patricks Brunch from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Parish Hall at the corner of East Fourth and Chestnut streets in North Platte.

This hearty all-you-can-eat brunch features real scrambled eggs, French toast, biscuits and gravy, ham and sausage, homemade fruit breads and beverages. Cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children younger than 10. All doors to the hall will be open.

Construction begins on Interstate 80 west of Minden interchange

Weather permitting, construction work has begun on Interstate 80 just west of the Minden interchange extending approximately 4.2 miles towards the Gibbon interchange.

The job will consist of the routing and sealing of cracks to prevent the entry of moisture and debris in to the pavement, according to the Nebraska Department of Roads. Midwest Coatings Company Inc. of Modale, Iowa, has the $43,473 contract. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during daylight hours in both the east and westbound lanes between the Minden and Gibbon interchanges. The project is anticipated to be completed the end of March.

The Department of Roads manager for this project is Eric Klein of Grand Island. Motorists are urged to watch for directional and information signs and to drive with extra caution near all highway work zones.

Veterans Claims Clinic to help veterans with disabilities claims

Department of Veterans Affairs Lincoln Regional Benefit Office will be hosting a Veterans Claims Clinic in North Platte.

On March 22, the Lincoln Regional Benefit Office will partner with the Mid-Plains Community College, Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart to have the clinic from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The claims clinic will be on the campus of the North Platte Mid-Plains Community College at 1101 Halligan Drive.

The clinic will allow veterans, their families and survivors to file disability claims, submit evidence and speak with a claims processor. Veterans service officers will also be available to assist the veterans with claims.

In addition to the claims clinic, Lincoln Regional Benefits Office Director Kerrie Witty will hold a town hall with veterans from noon to 1 p.m. The director will give updates on the Veterans Affairs Regional Benefits Office and take questions related to veterans benefits.

UP Employees Club No. 8 to meet Thursday

Union Pacific Employees Club No. 8 will be meeting on Thursday at the North Platte Eagles Club at 620 N. Chestnut St.

Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., with the meeting and the meal starting at 6 p.m. Ham and beans will be served. Please bring a covered dish and table service. A charge of $3 will be taken at the door.

For more information, contact Lynn Steinbeck at 308-530-7653.

St. Patrick Catholic Church to host fish dinners every Friday during Lenten season

St. Patrick Knights of Columbus will host a community fish dinner every Friday in Lent except on Good Friday, April 14.

The fish dinner is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the St. Patrick Church Parish Hall at the corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets.

The menu includes baked or battered pollock or salmon patty, green beans, baked potato, cole slaw and dinner roll for $7. There is a childrens menu of cheese quesadilla, macaroni and cheese and fries for $3. Desserts are available from the Catholic Daughters. Dinners may be taken to go.
Beware of documents that appear to be bills

Businesses that advertise in The Telegraph may receive what appears to be an invoice from a company called Employment Publishing. The Telegraph is not affiliated with this company.

Some advertisers who post their employment openings in the Telegraph have reported receiving a document from Employment Publishing, which is located in Wayne, Pennsylvania.

The Telegraph obtained a copy of a document sent to a local business that includes information about an employment listing as well as the statement, Your advertisement to be listed as follows with your approval, and a total amount of more than $948. At first glance, the document looks like a typical invoice; however, bold print on the bottom states: THIS IS NOT A BILL THIS IS A SOLICITATION.

Employment Publishing calls itself an independent classified employment service. According to the Better Business Bureau, the company may also go by Employement911 and EPI.

The company has 21 complaints listed on the Better Business Bureaus website, on which the company has a B- rating. Most complaints were classified as advertising/sales issues.

One complaint states that a company received what appeared to be a bill from Employment Publishing on four occasions and ended up paying nearly $1,400. Another organization filed a complaint after placing a job listing in a local paper and receiving what it believed was an invoice from Employment Publishing. That organization paid $790.

The company has responded to the complaints, saying that Employment Publishing is not a scam and that we feel we are operating ethically and in full compliance with the law.

The Telegraphs publisher, Terrie Baker, advises advertisers to keep an eye out for communications that may look like invoices.

If you advertise with us, you will get an invoice from The North Platte Telegraph, Baker said. Telegraph invoices will include the Telegraphs North Platte address.

Advertisers with questions related to billing should call the Telegraph at 308-532-6000.
The west end of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites sustained significant damage after an electrical issue led to a fire on Tuesday morning.

Fire marshal George Lewis said the fire started in a wall cavity in the western portion of the hotel. It burned through the top of the wall and into the attic space. He said the fire was contained to the attic, due to the hour rated ceiling in the corridor and rooms. There were also draft stops in the attic that prevent the fire from spreading farther in that area.

Can't see the video? Click here.

In an interview on Tuesday, North Platte Fire Chief Dennis Thompson said the fire was called in about 3:45 a.m. As his battalion chief crossed the bridge over Interstate 80, he could see flames coming out of the building's roof.

All three local stations responded and mutual aid was requested, bringing crews from Maxwell and Hershey to the scene.

"We committed crews to the inside with hand lines immediately," Thompson said.

The ladder truck was set up on the north side of the structure, allowing crews to spray the roof directly.

Thompson said fires such as this one can be difficult to get under control.

"There's just no good access to them," he explained. "These roofs are multiple layers - rubber, foam, plastic ... of course that stuff burns like crazy."

Thompson said the fire ended up hitting a layer of "firestop" up in the attic area of the building, allowing crews to get the fire put out more quickly. Firestop is a system of various components that impedes the spread of flames through a building.

"The crews, especially those interior crews, just wouldn't give up," Thompson said. "They stayed with it and eventually got ahead of it and knocked it down."

Can't see the gallery? Click here.

In an interview on Tuesday, Clarine Eickhoff, general manager at the Holiday Inn Express, said the hotel has 152 rooms. The 80 rooms in the west end of the building, where the fire occurred, were unoccupied because of an ongoing construction project.

Were fully renovating those 80 rooms, Eickhoff said.

The west end of the building connects to the east end with a walkway on the ground floor. The east end houses the hotel's conference center as well as 72 guest rooms, which were all occupied when the fire occurred. Eickhoff said many of the rooms were housing students who are in town to participate in a district speech meet.

All of the fire alarms went off as they should have, Eickhoff said.

She said that guests were transferred to the Best Western Plus, which is the Holiday Inn Express sister hotel.

Thompson commended hotel staff for making sure everyone was out of harms way.

"Their first priority was to make darn sure there was nobody left," he said. "They did a fantastic job of making sure there were no life/safety issues."

Most of the fire crew was out of the building by 7 a.m., with a few members checking individual rooms for hot spots. Crews were fueled by coffee provided by local businesses and the American Red Cross.

Thompson said there is significant smoke and water damage on all three floors of the building, which is owned by Wilkinson Cos.

Eickhoff said staff members went to work preparing rooms for Tuesday evening's guests. She said events booked in the conference center will go on as planned.

The investigation was turned over to the city and state fire marshals.

"It's a matter of getting in there, starting to sift through it and figuring out where it started," Thompson said on Tuesday. "It's going to be a long process. They're going to be digging for a long time."
As the deadline to file taxes gets closer, instances of tax fraud are on the rise. According to AARP, filing your taxes earlier could help reduce fraud.

AARP recommends that taxpayers file their returns as soon as they receive all of the necessary paperwork, said Devorah Lanner, communications director for AARP Nebraska. By waiting close to the filing deadline you are giving an identity thief the maximum amount of time to steal your personal information and file a fraudulent return.

According to the Internal Revenue Service, taxpayers lost more than $3 billion to tax-related identity theft in 2014. This occurs when someone steals a Social Security number and files a fake tax return under someone elses name, in order to claim a fraudulent refund.

In a statement issued earlier this month, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen urged taxpayers to be cautious with their personal information.

The IRS works year-round to protect taxpayers against scams and identity theft, Koskinen said. But we cant do this alone. Taxpayers can do their part by taking certain precautions to stay ahead of these would-be con artists.

The agency said personal information should be treated like cash  you wouldnt hand cash out to just anyone. Numerous steps can be taken to prevent personal information from getting into the wrong hands.

Taxpayers shouldnt open unsolicited emails from the IRS, as phishing scams continue to be on the IRS list of scams to avoid in the 2017 filing season.

During the 2016 tax season, the IRS saw a 400 percent surge in phishing and malware incidents. Scammers use emails designed to trick taxpayers into thinking the message is an official IRS communication. In some cases, scammers use text messages instead of emails. The messages contain links to websites that ask for information including Social Security numbers, which are then used to file fake tax returns.

These email schemes continue to evolve and can fool even the most cautious person. Email messages can look like they come from the IRS or others in the tax community, Koskinen said in a February statement. Taxpayers should avoid opening surprise emails or clicking on web links claiming to be from the IRS. Dont be fooled by unexpected emails about big refunds, tax bills or requesting personal information. Thats not how the IRS communicates with taxpayers.

The sites can also carry malware, which can be used to infect a computer and install software on the machine, including key loggers that track keystrokes to obtain personal information.

The IRS also recommends watching out for advertisements and pop-up ads that appear to be reputable. Its recommended that people never download anything from a security pop-up, which may tell the user that their computer is infected with a virus and will offer up malicious software to fix the problem. Reputable security software companies dont use that method of advertising, according to the IRS.

These scams can be reported to phishing@irs.gov.

AARP cautions taxpayers about keeping personal information somewhere that is easily accessible. Dont write down bank account numbers and keep them in a wallet. Dont carry a Social Security card in a purse. Dont store important, private data on a smartphone.

Dont enter personal data haphazardly online, either. According to the IRS, online shopping should only be carried out on websites that use encryption to protect data. If a website is encrypted, https will be at the beginning of the web address.

The IRS also recommends utilizing long, secure passwords. Passwords should be at least 10 characters long, although 12 is better. Mix numbers, letters and special characters and avoid using predictable things such as names, birth dates or the word password.

Use different passwords from one account to the next. That way, if one password is stolen some accounts will stay secure.

AARP also warns against the IRS impostor scam. In this scam, a criminal impersonates an IRS agent over the phone. Theyll call and tell an individual that theyre in serious trouble for nonpayment, threaten police action and demand money immediately.

Its important to remember that IRS representatives dont call demanding immediate payment nor do they threaten arrest.
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Kelly Shikanys childhood was filled with memories of her father on the Chicago Board of Trade's trading floor  a mostly-made-of-men-world, but one that she adored.

Eventually, her father secured her a summer job between semesters at Indiana University Bloomingtons Kelley School of Business. Then, after college, she landed a job at Northern Trust as a financial futures officer.

I did that for a few years. Ive always been interested in the trading and investing. Thats how I got into this, Shikany said, now a certified financial planner and financial adviser at Lakeside Wealth Management in Chesterton.

Once she had a family and moved from Chicago to Northwest Indiana, Shikanys focus shifted to a career in personal financing planning  and more importantly, she said, a career devoted to making women a part of the conversation.

Women live longer than men, yet they tend to be overlooked when it comes to personal finances, said Shikany, 52, of Michigan City.

Women are really smart. But for whatever reason, we've decided we just dont have what it takes to handle the money, Shikany said. So I have just made it my lifes mission to reach out to women, and to take them by the hand, to say we can do it, that weve got what it takes. They just need that extra push.

Women in the U.S. are often paid less than their male counterparts, and Indiana fits that trend. In 2015, Indiana women who were full-time wage and salaried workers had median weekly earnings of $687  or 79.8 percent of the $861 median usual weekly earnings for their male counterparts, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nationally, women earned an average of $726 per week, or 81.1 percent of the $895 median for men.

Shortly after she joined the staff at Lakeside Wealth Management in November 2014, Shikany was instrumental is launching one of the companys new initiatives aimed at getting women to talk about money  which, for many, is unfamiliar territory.

She is a powerhouse when it comes to being a woman in a male-dominated world, said Jennifer Brown, a Lakeside colleague who nominated Shikany to be spotlighted in The Times' Progress edition for her work in the Region.

At that the center of the companys initiative are quarterly financial circles, where Shikany leads group discussions with 10 to 12 women on various topics about finance  such as how to save for retirement, encourage children to save for college, and weather difficult life transitions.

Shikany has helped countless women navigate the world of finances  whether they are college graduates, widows, empty nesters or the recently divorced. The circle gives women a chance to share stories about successes and failures and build a support group from within, Shikany said.

We step out of careers to take care of people. Its that break in our career, one that we want to do. We want to raise children. We want to care for our parents, but when we do that, were not saving money. Were not contributing to 401ks, she said. But we cant say for our retirement if were taking breaks in our career to take care of generation below and the generation above us.

Her advice to women juggling a career and a family?

Find a balance  buy also learn how to do your taxes and manage a 401k, she said.

Financial circle discussions like the one she leads at Lakeside are a growing trend across the U.S., she said.

It builds a community and I think when we give people, especially women, confidence, they can go about their lives and be a stronger more empowered person, she said. Thats what I want to do, even if its just here in Northwest Indiana.

At Lakeside, she has devoted her time, energy and talents to nonprofits like Financial Planning Association. She's also on the board for the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Indiana and is a member of the Michigan City Rotary Club.
Cottage Inn Pizza is planning to come to Northwest Indiana, where it's looking to open a few locations.

The Michigan-based restaurant chain, which was established in Ann Arbor in 1948, has grown internationally and is looking to establish more of a presence in neighboring Indiana. The family-owned pizzeria hopes to open 10 locations in the Midwest by the end of the year, and has identified the Gary metro area as a priority target for growth.

Our pizza is a mainstay of both college students and families in Michigan and now were ready to bring our brand over the border to pizza lovers in Indiana, Senior Vice President Deborah Masse said. Were already Michigans favorite gourmet pizza restaurant, and now were looking forward to making our brand the go-to option for customers in the northwest of the state and beyond.

It's the latest in a series of chain restaurants eyeing multiple locations in the Region in recent years, including McAlister's Deli, Noodles and Company, Meatheads Burgers and Fries, Which Wich, MOD Pizza, The Simple Greek, and Buffalo Wings and Rings. Most of those have already opened here and the others are under construction or have solid plans.

Suburban Detroit-based burger concept Bagger Dave's already came and went, closing after a year in Schererville. The invasion of chain restaurants has come as longtime establishments like Strongbow Inn and the Bread Basket have been closing. The influx of chains has even sparked a backlash, prompting the Munster Town Council to briefly consider an ordinance that would have placed restrictions on new franchises opening in town.

Cottage Inn Pizza has been rapidly growing, and now has more than 50 locations across Michigan, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and China, where it's looking to add 200 locations over the next 15 years.

The chain is now actively seeking franchisees in Northwest Indiana, who would have to invest between $200,000 and $350,000 to open a restaurant.

The pizzeria offers an array of gourmet, gluten-free, thin crust and Detroit-style deep style pizzas for pickup and delivery. The restaurants have all-you-can-eat pizza buffets, beer and wine. It also offers subs, salads and buffalo wings, and a number of specialty offerings such as a Cuban with pulled pork and pickles, Masse said.

"We're known for gourmet ingredients and clean food," she said.

For more information, visit cottageinnfranchise.com.
Innovations in technology have improved operations and created efficiencies at companies big and small across the Region.

But how have advances in technology helped companies whose business IS technology? Three Valparaiso-based tech companies say those advances affect their day-to-day operations in a number of ways.

9magnets LLC, of Valparaiso, builds mobile apps for the iPhone's iOS operating system and for Android-based devices. One of its founders, Cameron Banga, said one thing that has changed drastically since they created their first app in 2009 is access to affordable or even free advanced educational materials.

"When we started, there wasn't a whole lot of resources on iPhone programming," Banga said.

Banga said the few that were available, such as an Apple video series, cost them $500 for 30 or 40 videos in 2009.

"Which is a huge investment for a bunch of college kids," he said.

Banga said today there are better educational tools than ever before, and their cost has dropped dramatically.

"That has been a huge boost," he said.

Banga said there also are new tool chains, which would typically be a handful of software products that go hand in hand. These tools help them get a project started and off the ground much more quickly.

"When we started, 15 or 20 percent of that startup time might have taken a day or two to get it isolated and off the ground," he said.

"Now, there are tools where we can get started in an hour and more quickly jump into the more complicated ideas. It encourages you to try more risks than you would have in the past."

At Snapdragon Studios, which designs and builds experiences for the web, mobile, and motion, owner and lead developer Matt Fiocca said advancements in the cloud (network of servers) has been great for industries like his, because "you no longer have to just have racks of actual hardware."

"Everything has kind of been virtualized," he said.

Snapdragon senior developer Haden Staab said in their industry it's kind of a unique situation when it comes to tools. He said there are things that make their jobs easier, but the reason the tech industry is growing so much is because a lot of the time they are able to make their own tools.

Staab said if Snapdragon has a particular need for something there is a community that can help. They can post on GitHub, where programmers collaborate on projects. Other people can read the code and take examples of it and branch off.

"So what you end up with is a lot of technology born from that," he said.

"That's why the industry is growing, because (almost anyone) can pick up a computer and contribute to that. We don't have to wait for a company like Amazon to create something."

Adjunct Professor Link is an online matchmaking service for college instructors and universities. CEO Kathleen Gipson said we all now live in an era where it's easier to start a business because of all the available digital tools.

"You don't have to have the same kind of capital you had to have 15 years ago when there weren't digital tools available," she said. "It makes starting a business when capital is limited a lot easier."

Digital tools also increase a startup's or company's ability to hire remote workers.

"Being able to use web conferencing and technology allows you to have a workforce that's not necessarily where the company is located," Gipson said.
HAMMOND  Police say they had to use a Taser to subdue a shoplifting suspect who tried to run over officers twice with her vehicle Tuesday night during a police pursuit that began at Dick's Sporting Goods and ended in the 7800 block of Kennedy Avenue in Hammond.

Highland police responded a little before 6 p.m. to the parking lot at Dick's Sporting Goods, 10251 Indianapolis Blvd., for a report of a shoplifting incident, Highland police Cmdr. George Georgeff said.

When officers asked the suspects to get out of the vehicle, the driver tried to run an officer over with her vehicle.

"One of our officers fired into the car and the car left the parking lot," Georgeff said.

The suspect's vehicle  a four-door Sedan  struck a squad car near 40th and Kennedy Avenue before continuing northbound on Kennedy into Hammond, he said.

An officer was able to stop the vehicle again along northbound Kennedy when the female driver tried to strike the officer, who fired into the vehicle, Georgeff said.

"No one was struck (by gunfire.) Nobody was shot," Georgeff said.

Police later discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Chicago.

Officers had to use a Taser on the female driver, Georgeff said. She was allegedly combative with officers once her vehicle became stuck in the median in the 7800 block of Kennedy Avenue. The driver was transported to an area hospital for unknown injuries and the passenger was taken into custody, he said.

The westbound ramp from Kennedy Avenue to Interstate 80/94 is blocked as police investigate.

Two people were charged last month with reckless homicide in a two-vehicle crash that killed a 13-year-old Whiting girl and injured her grandmother in Hammond.

In that case, both the East Chicago and Hammond police departments are investigating whether their agencies violated their policies in continuing the pursuit. It started with a shoplifting case and reached high speeds in crowded rush-hour traffic.
CROWN POINT  A budget-busting court mandate was on the minds of the Lake County Council as it met Tuesday to fill county government job vacancies.

Some 14 Superior Court judges last month filed suit against the council seeking thousands of dollars in raises for each of more than 350 secretaries, bailiffs, office managers, stenographers and other court administrators listed on their payroll.

It worried Councilman Eldon Strong, R-Crown Point, so much he moved to delay requests to hire seven new employees for the courts, county assessor and parks department whose salaries will cost a combined $307,000 a year.

Strong said at the morning meeting, "We are under a court mandate, and I'm concerned about what our future will be. I'm concerned about having to raise county taxes, lay off people or raise our insurance rates to meet this mandate."

However, Strong got little support from his five other colleagues present Tuesday, who voted to fill those jobs. Councilwoman Elsie Franklin, D-Gary, was absent.

Later, the council met behind closed doors to plan their defense. Strong referred all further comment to the council's attorney, Ray Szarmach, who said they are assembling a legal team to prepare their defense.

The council voted to take the first step in creating a cumulative capital expenditure fund that could allow the county to raise as much as $6 million in new property taxes for road and drainage projects, government building improvements, or economic development. Councilwoman Christine Cid, D-East Chicago against the measure.

The county dissolved a previous cumulative capital fund in 2011 when the county was facing a revenue crisis because of the economic recession and state laws limiting how much property taxes could be assessed against individuals.

The county currently uses about $2 million in local income tax, paid by county residents and workers, to support such infrastructure projects.

Council members said their vote Tuesday only authorizes the advertising of public notices the fund could be created. The public will have a 30-day period to object to fund creation. The council would have to authorize any new tax during the next budget planning session, later this year.

Councilman Jamal Washington, D-Merrillville, voted against a $63,000 money transfer that is part of the county's $2.5 million contribution to the South Shore commuter train West Lake expansion.

Washington said that money is needed for present infrastructure needs and shouldn't be earmarked for train tracks that won't be used for several years in the future.

Washington also wanted more detailed information of how the county will spend $400,000 earmarked for bridge repair and $311,000 in road reconstruction.

Larry Blanchard, an administrative assistant for the county, said the county highway department is going over the latest studies of road conditions to decide which highways most need the work.
GARY  A group of Miller residents Tuesday applauded the denial of a permit that would allow another strip club to open near an entrance to their community, but their fight may be far from over.

Gary's Board of Zoning Appeals unanimously voted against a petition for a special use permit for an adult cabaret at 3201 E. Dunes Highway, a vacant building that has housed strip clubs in the past. The permit was being sought by Man Cave Niteclub LLC, which is owned by Donald Schilz of Northbrook, Illinois.

Zoning Board Administrator Mary Hurt said the matter automatically goes to the City Council, which has the final say on the issue. Schilz's attorney Eric Neff indicated if the permit is ultimately denied by the city a federal lawsuit would be filed.

George Rogge, head of the Miller Citizens Corp., said the organization would continue to fight any attempts by Schilz to obtain a permit.

Members of the organization spoke out against the petition and said adult cabarets bring with them a host of negative secondary effects, including prostitution and drug use.

Zoning administrator Mary Hurt cited studies stating an adult business can bring crime and impact property values. Based on those factors, and that the establishment would be less than 1,000 feet from an area zoned for residential use, Hurt said the staff was recommending denial.

On Monday night, Schilz told people attending a meeting of the Miller Citizens Corp. that he would opt instead for a train-themed bar if they didn't oppose his request for a full liquor license.

Under the proposal, Schilz said he would withdraw his petition for a special use permit for an adult cabaret. Instead, he talked about having bartenders and waitresses dressed up in outfits similar to those worn by the operators of the train in Petticoat Junction.

Some of the people in attendance said Schilz's plans for the place have changed a number of times in the past and questioned his honesty. Moderator Eric Reaves, Vice President of the Gary Redevelopment Commission, was among those who stated their extreme skepticism of Schilz.

Schilz, however, indicated he has made changes based on the feedback he has received from the community and didn't originally plan to open an adult cabaret.

Schilz did say he previously managed adult cabarets in the Milwaukee area, although he said that wasn't the case with a nightclub he owned in McHenry County, Illinois.

Longtime Miller resident Jennifer Fredericks pointed out that at first Schilz said he didn't own any nightclubs before correcting himself later and once again questioned his credibility.

"What am I Donald Trump here?" he said as some people responded "yes."

"I'm Donald Trump and these are all Democrats," Schilz continued.

Reaves said it wasn't a matter of political party, but that Schilz had misrepresented himself "on so many different points and in so many different ways."

Schilz offered to draw up papers that he wouldn't open an adult cabaret as part of a deal where the people would not oppose his request for a full liquor license. Some attendees, however, speculated he might sell the place to someone else once he got the liquor license.

In the end, the people at the meeting voted 34-3 against the proposed deal.

As a result, Schilz said Monday he would go forward with his petition for a special use permit to operate an adult cabaret at the site.

"And they will get exactly what they didn't want," Schilz said. He contended he had offered the group an olive branch.

Fredericks, a longtime resident of the Miller community, contended that Schilz had not even been forthright with his statements at the meeting. Instead of a bar or adult cabaret, Fredericks said she would like to see some type of welcome and information center at the site, which is near the entrance to the community.
MERRILLVILE  The Town Council has decided to significantly reduce its investment in the South Shore Lines West Lake Corridor project.

A resolution the panel approved Tuesday will decrease Merrillville's annual contribution of its County Economic Development Income Tax proceeds from 22 percent to 8 percent for the project. Clerk-Treasurer Eugene Guernsey didn't immediately have the monetary amount of the funding change Tuesday night.

Councilman Shawn Pettit abstained from voting on the reduction, and the remainder of the panel supported it.

The council initially discussed the matter last month but decided to table voting on it then to have additional discussion about the issue. At that time, the council indicated it wanted to meet with U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, to have conversations about the reduction. Council President Richard Hardaway said that meeting hasn't occurred, but Merrillville officials are expected to meet with Visclosky in April.

The resolution wasn't on the council's agenda prior to Tuesday's meeting, but it was later added to it toward the end of the session.

When it was discussed in February, Visclosky said an interlocal agreement Merrillville approved for its 22 percent investment is binding and can't be legally changed.

Visclosky said there has to be certainty for the project to gain all necessary approvals.

Hardaway said councilmen received a legal opinion they are well within our rights to reduce the CEDIT contribution.

We wouldn't have done it if counsel would've told us we couldn't, Hardaway said.

A spokesperson for Visclosky could not be reached late Tuesday night.

Councilwoman Chrissy Barron said Tuesday's action is out of no disrespect to Visclosky or the South Shore Line extension.

Councilmen cited financial reasons for the decision to reduce Merrillville's pledge to the project.

We have to live within our means, this is not living within the town of Merrillville's means, Barron said of the annual 22 percent investment.

Making an annual contribution for 30 years was another concern for some councilmen, who indicated they were uncomfortable making a commitment beyond their terms.

Merrillville officials said they plan to use the town's CEDIT funding for infrastructure work, but specific projects weren't discussed Tuesday.

Guernsey said some residents had expressed objections to the 22 percent pledge Merrillville initially approved.

Hardaway didn't go as far as to say constituents have told him they opposed that amount, but he indicated he had conversations with residents about the issue.

We have to do what we think is best for the residents, Hardaway said.
GARY  Indiana University Northwest will host an open house starting at 4:30 p.m. April 6 in the Savannah Center, located at 3400 Broadway. High school students, adult learners and other students of all ages and interests are invited to speak with faculty members, learn about campus groups and programs, tour the campus, and attend a financial aid presentation.

Following a brief presentation, the open house will feature an academic and student services fair in the Savannah Gymnasium as well as campus tours.

IU Northwest offers a wide range of academic programs and disciplines for Northwest Indiana students wishing to earn their Indiana University degrees close to home. IU Northwests academic units include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education.

IU Northwests open house is open to students and their families. RSVPs are required by calling 219-980-6991. Learn more and RSVP by March 31 at www.iun.edu/openhouse.
Though property crimes were up slightly in the Region in 2016 over the previous year, the 10-year trend is that such crimes are fewer and far between, compared to a decade ago.

Last year, property crimes  which include burglary, larceny, vehicle theft and arson  were down compared to 2015 in Crown Point, Dyer, East Chicago, Griffith, Hobart, Lake Station, Michigan City, Whiting and Lake County's unincorporated areas for which the Sheriff's Department is responsible.

Gary, Hammond, Highland, LaPorte, Merrillville, Munster, Portage, Schererville, Valparaiso, along with unincorporated areas of LaPorte and Porter counties, saw increases for property crimes, according to the data from local police agencies and the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting database.

From 2006 to 2016, all but one community  Merrillville  experienced declines in property crime, according to the FBIs UCR database.

In communities where property crimes were down, law enforcement officials are crediting solid relationships with communities, partnerships with federal agencies and improved technology.

'Facebook has helped'

While Hobart ranks high for its property crime rate per capita, the city experienced the most significant decrease in property crimes in 2016 from the year before, compared to neighboring communities.

Hobart police Lt. James Gonzales said he credits the department's social media presence and strong relationship with the community in officers' efforts to solve crimes. Gonzales postings of suspect photos to social media are often shared hundreds of times in a matter of hours.

Absolutely, Facebook has helped, Gonzales said.

Hobart was one of the key agencies that helped bring down a burglary ring responsible for a string of daytime break-ins that spanned Lake and Porter counties last year, he said.

Gonzales said one Hobart woman's tenacity helped crack the case after her home was burglarized May 5. Two large containers of change went missing, so she called a Strack & Van Til store manager and asked that they check surveillance footage, he said.

The manager, who discovered two women on surveillance footage cashing the change, handed the evidence over to the Hobart Police Department.

We blasted them all over the media, and had calls within an hour. We knew we had opened up Pandoras box," Gonzales said.

"Burglaries are very difficult to solve, but because of this womans initiative, her tenacity, we learned the suspects were responsible for more than 70 burglaries in Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties.

Among the burglaries that have been solved by the Lake County Sheriff's Department, investigators often find that stolen goods are being pawned for cash to buy heroin, said department spokesman Mark Back.

The department solved nearly 21 percent of its 97 burglaries last year, which is above the national average of 13 percent. Burglaries are difficult to solve due to lack of evidence, he said.

In Schererville, where property crimes were up in 2016 compared to the previous year, Police Chief Dave Dowling said his officers are doing exceptionally well, given they are responsible for patrolling one of Northwest Indianas larger shopping corridors. The department's Crime Reduction Enforcement Unit will "go wherever we're having a problem," he said.

"We want to be proactive and not just react and take a police report," Dowling said.

Dowling said his CREU team's work on a drug case last year helped St. John police secure drug charges recently against a 58-year-old St. John man after $28,000 in cash and narcotics operations were found in his home.

An easy target

While burglaries are down considerably in Highland compared to a decade ago, the town had 67 burglaries last year, up from 48 in 2015.

Our increase in burglaries were attributable to one individual whom, due to a drug addiction, preyed upon his neighbors and friends, striking his own parents' home on three occasions alone, Highland Police Chief Pete Hojnicki said.

Griffith reported 42 burglaries in 2016, down from 65 the year before. Griffith Police Chief Greg Mance said much of the decline can be attributed to the department's initiative to actively engage with residents living in the community who are on probation after serving time for burglary or theft.

"At least once a month, we make contact. What that does is, it lets people on probation know we're being proactive. If someone is on probation, and we see them in an area that's outside of their own neighborhood, that gives us cause to make a consensual stop," Mance said.

Mance also credited outgoing U.S. Attorney David Capp for his work on the federal level. Capp was among the 46 U.S. attorneys appointed under then-President Barack Obama who was asked to resign last week by the Donald Trump administration.

"Gang members use a wide menu of crimes to support their criminal enterprise. Capp has done a good job of going after them in a manner that, locally, we haven't been able to."

In Merrillville, the departments FBI crime report shows an increase in larceny thefts last year, but a 13.7 percent decrease in burglaries, and a 13.4 percent decline in vehicle thefts. Merrillville Police Chief Joe Petruch said he credits strong communication with other local agencies and targeted patrols in neighborhoods once crime patterns are discovered.

Its mostly people from out of town. Youll see them hit a couple of houses on the south side of town or on the west side, and well jump on that pattern, Petruch said.

The Munster Police Department recorded 472 property crime reports last year, down from 547 in 2006, but law enforcement saw a slight increase  432 to 472  between 2015 and 2016. Munster Police Chief Steve Scheckel said he wouldn't consider that a sign of any wider trends, noting the decadelong downward trend.

LaPorte, Porter counties

Police say at least part of the problem is kept alive as a result of illegal drug use, with many thefts and burglaries throughout the Region being committed by people seeking items to help support drug habits.

If a television shows up missing from a home, it's not because someone wanted to watch a game, said LaPorte County Sheriff's Capt. Mike Kellems.

The Porter County Sheriff's Department reported that most of its unsolved burglaries last year involved non-forced entry and the theft of pharmaceutical drugs, especially opiates. The department made 19 arrests last year, clearing about half the 82 reported burglaries.

Portage Police Chief Troy Williams said a small increase in property crimes last year after a decadelong fall is likely the result of an unusual number of shifts lost to major illness, workers' compensation, sick days and other excused absences among officers.

"Overall, we have drastically reduced the bulk of those specific categories through what I believe is a more proactive approach to addressing crimes," he said.

These proactive approaches include "more community interaction/involvement, providing better equipment for our officers and the hiring of quality officers," Williams said.

The department has hired 23 new officers since January 2012.

The Michigan City Police Department experienced a drop in theft cases last year, but saw increases in burglaries and motor vehicle thefts that were not significant enough to be alarming, Chief of Services Royce Williams said.

The crimes may not be as random as some may think, with acquaintances or relatives being behind the large number of theft reports, Williams said.
Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is celebrating Womens History Month the remainder of March with a variety of public events on its Westville and Hammond campuses.

The months events center on the theme, Living and Working in a Political World. Events are free and open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

Women of Character Courage & Commitment  March 23, 27 and 28

The Office of Student Life will have displays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union & Library concourse at the Hammond Campus and the Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 144 at the Westville Campus.

Presentation and Book Signing with Susan Neustrom - March 21

Susan Neustrom, author of the book, The Comfort Zone, will discuss how to work through times of ambiguity and change. Her presentation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. with a book signing from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Student Union & Library, Alumni Hall, at the Hammond Campus, 2233 173rd St. She will be at the Westville Campus for a presentation from 3 to 4 p.m. and a book signing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Library-Faculty-Staff Building, Room 170A.

Womens History Month Leadership Luncheon  March 22

This invitation-only annual luncheon will honor and highlight the accomplishments and successes of female PNW students who are the leaders of tomorrow.

Film screening and discussion  March 23

The Department of History and Philosophy and the Womens Studies Program will present a screening and discussion of the film, Shes Beautiful When Shes Angry, at 7 p.m. in the Gyte Building, Room 103, at the Hammond Campus, 2200 169th St.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Leadership Lessons  March 27

Nine outstanding Purdue Northwest alumnae will discuss Sallie Krawchecks book, Own It" from noon to 1:30 p.m.. in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex, Great Hall at Westville and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Union & Library, Room with a View (Room 150D) at Hammond.

Literary Celebration  March 28

The First Friday Wordsmiths will have a writing contest and open mic is from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union & Library, Room 321 at the Hammond Campus.

College of Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences Lecture Series March 30

Melissa E. Sanchez, associate professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, will present "Aint I a Ladie?: Race, Sexuality, and Early Modern Women Writers" at 4:30 p.m. in the Student Union & Library, Room with a View (Room 150D) at the Hammond Campus.
VALPARAISO  Valpos Graduate School will welcome prospective applicants to campus on April 8 at the Duesenberg Welcome Center, 1620 Chapel Drive. Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with activities starting at 10:30.

Graduate school admissions staff will be available to inform, guide and answer questions about pursuing your specialty within a graduate program. Financial aid staff will also be present to discuss ways to pay for graduate school. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet current graduate students and learn about their experiences and engage with professors during lunch from 11:45 a.m.12:45 p.m. Campus tours are available upon request and begin at 1 p.m.

The university offers more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs integrated within the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and within the Graduate School. Dedicated faculty and small cohorts allow students to complete a masters degree (in most programs) within 1218 months with class options available full time, part time and online. Valpo graduate students flourish in an environment that emphasizes strong mentoring and collaboration with faculty as they develop their sense of identity within their program and enhance the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly globalized workforce.

For more information, contact the Graduate School and Continuing Education by phone at 219-464-5313 or by email at graduate.school@valpo.edu.
NAPA, Calif.  Rescue workers had to remove part of a wall to pull a naked man out of a sandwich shop where he spent the night trapped inside a narrow passage.

San Francisco television station KRON-TV reported (https://tinyurl.com/hcght2z) that a construction crew arriving at a Napa job site Tuesday heard faint calls for help coming from the closed shop.

Authorities say it appears the man fell into the shaft from the roof of the building.

A construction worker told the television station the man said he was looking for a wishing well when he became trapped.

Workers removed a portion of the shop's front wall to rescue the man. He was not identified and taken to a hospital for treatment.
The controversy surrounding Vice President Mike Pence using a private email account to conduct state business when he was Indiana governor, somewhat reminiscent of Hillary Clinton using a private server to conduct her own state business, is all about public access to government business.

This being Sunshine Week, a time for an especially sharp focus on public access to the public's business, that case is worth remembering.

When Pence's attorneys turned over his emails for archiving, they gave 13 boxes of printouts to sort through. Why paper? Why not turn over electronic forms of the data that could be searched more quickly, more easily and more inexpensively?

We are in the information age, when data are kept in digital format and not primarily on paper.

When I was a Boy Scout, Troop 429 recycled punch cards that had been used at a local factory. We made money for the troop by hauling drawer after drawer of those cards to the local paper mill.

But who uses punch cards anymore? Transferring data is as simple as burning a DVD or putting it on a flash drive or, better yet, using Dropbox, Google Drive or any of a number of similar services.

So why should members of the public, or archivists, have to get paper copies instead of in their original digital format?

There has been a long tussle over government records, with some of the bureaucrats who create them not wanting to share their work product with the public they represent. That's just wrong. That's the bureaucrats forgetting they serve the public, not the other way around.

Then there's the cost of accessing those records. Even at a nickel a page, a lengthy document or series of documents can quickly get too expensive for the average person.

The utility of those documents should be considered, too. It's a lot easier to sort and analyze data already in digital form than for a citizen to have to go back and recreate a spreadsheet  most likely the original form for the data in the first place.

The Indiana General Assembly is considering a plan to charge search fees for public records requests that take more than two hours to fulfill. Pence vetoed this legislation when he was governor.

The Hoosier State Press Association is in favor of this legislation, realizing that lengthy searches to comply with public records requests take time, and therefore cost the government (and taxpayers) money.

The smart approach is to abandon the shotgun approach  give me all your records on this very broad topic  and use a rifle approach instead. Target a more narrow range of records and pursuing additional requests, if necessary, based on what you find from the initial search. That saves the government money, and it makes the citizen's search less burdensome, too.

Visualize the bulk of 13 boxes of paper records compared to a small flash drive, then remember it all boils down to this: These are public records, meaning they belong to the public. Make those records more easily accessible to the public who paid for them.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind.  An Indiana man accused of spreading HIV has been ordered to serve 20 years in prison.

The Terre Haute Tribune-Star reports that 32-year-old Isiah Benford was sentenced Tuesday.

Benford of Terre Haute was charged in 2015. Police said at the time they had interviewed 11 females who reported they had sex with Benford.

Court records said he either never discussed his HIV status with those sex partners or "taunted them with it and then claimed it was a 'joke.'"

Court documents showed three of the women have been diagnosed with HIV.

Benford had been charged with 27 criminal counts, including robbery, aggravated battery and failure to warn his partners of his HIV-positive status.

His sentence is for 30 years. The final 10 years can be served on probation.
Lingering snow related issues remain at city airports.

With thousands of flights cancelled during the storm, airport officials are now trying to play catch-up.

The Port Authority has asked travelers to check with their carriers before heading out. And if their flight is canceled, the Port Authority says they should stay home.

NY1 spoke with some flyers who say they'll be stuck at the airport for hours, while others were concerned about making it to the airport at all.

"We were supposed to go out this morning, but the flight was cancelled, the plane wasn't able to make it. But now we're able to get on one in the afternoon," said one traveler.

"A little anxious. Our flight isn't until 11, so we left home at 7 to make sure we get here with the construction and everything. I didn't want to miss my flight," said another.

Travelers are being advised to stay off the roads and get to the airport via mass transit.

More than 3,000 flights were cancelled at LaGuardia, JFK and Newark airports Tuesday.
At the recent AMP Awards, AMP Financial Services celebrated the positive impact that expert financial advisers make in Kiwi lives.



AMP managing director Blair Vernon says, We are proud to celebrate excellence across our industry, because it is a key part of promoting best practice and integrity in financial services.



It is also recognition of the importance of New Zealanders having access to quality advice backed by high-quality products and services. A great adviser will enable you to make the right choices, empower you to take control of your financial wellbeing and help you to protect your family from unforeseen tragedy.



AMP Adviser of the Year was awarded to Brendon White, director of Certus Financial Group, of which also received AMP Adviser Business of the Year honours  each for the third consecutive year.



Brendon and the Certus Financial Group team lead the way in building a more robust profession and continue to raise the bar for the industry through their conduct, professionalism and commitment to help their customers realise their financial goals  and thats more important today than its ever been, said Vernon.



White had been an AMP adviser for almost 20 years and with Certus Financial Group since 2008. The entire team is delighted and humbled to be recognised amongst such talented and dedicated advisers and adviser businesses, he said.



We are proud to continue to evolve our business to support the ever changing needs of our customers and all they aspire to achieve  thats what gets us out of bed every day.



Certus Financial Group is AMPs largest adviser business, situated in Northland, Auckland and Franklin.


In September last year, top officials of SAEMS, the company building a 9.2MW power plant along river Nyamwamba in Kasese district, found themselves in some sort of dilemma.

Some imported equipment they needed for the power plant were stuck at the port of Mombasa because they needed a tax incentive from Ugandas ministry of finance in order to get them on site.

Short of a tax incentive, and by extension the equipment, work was going to come to a standstill. My friend and old boy Dennis Kakembo, in his column above, has made a strong argument for tax incentives for infrastructure projects.

Like the Nyamwamba power example shows, he is right to say that infrastructure projects need a fair tax policy system in order to thrive. However, I disagree with him on how much weight he has placed on tax being a panacea to the success of big-ticket projects.

While tax remains a critical component to attracting investments, there are far more important considerations that investors look at before committing funds to a project, outside tax.

Investors look at the political climate, the predictability of a countrys legislation, infrastructure network such as road and rail transport, the availability of skills, an easy access to a ready market, and so much more before they make a final investment decision. That is what the officials at the power plant in Kasese should concern themselves with.

URA commissioner general Doris Akol

No investor will come to Uganda because of its fair tax system if there is a continuous shift in investment policies or a questionable security system. The extractive industry, especially the mining industry, does not necessarily need a fair tax policy, rather an updated mapping of the countrys mining areas and the availability of critical information to commit funds.

For example, Australian firm Black Mountain Resources is trying to turn around the vermiculite mine at Namekara in Mbale district, but the company lacks a credible estimate of the resources in the area simply because the information is not there.

A country with the fairest tax system does not necessarily mean it will attract the most amount of investment. Mauritius, for example, quite possibly has more multinationals than any other African state. From large companies such as MTN to Airtel, nearly every multinational worth its name has set up shop in Mauritius.

However, Mauritius, with a population of about 1.3 million people, has a Gross Domestic Product of about $11 billion. The reason is simply that the large multinationals have only set up shell companies in Mauritius because of its sweet tax system, and are not investing any money there. Instead, they use Mauritius conducive tax system, where income tax rates are almost zero, as a launch pad into economies such as Uganda.

Yet, a rogue state such as the oil-rich Equatorial Guinea, with the thuggish Nguema family firmly in control of the reins there, and one that many multinationals have shunned, has a bigger economy of about $15 billion with a population of less than 800,000 people! Go figure. Its the oil, stupid.

So, Uganda needs to take caution if it is to consider tax incentives. The country needs to understand that it is dealing with strong multinationals that are masters of skirting rules and cutting corners.

Already, the Uganda Revenue Authority continues to contest the management fees that MTN said it paid to a company in Mauritius that has no staff, while government officials at the ministry of energy are trying to figure out how some lousy and cheap equipment got to the Isimba dam site, which is against the bill of quantities that the company agreed with government.

My intention is not to undermine the importance of tax to the project costs. Instead, my argument is that Uganda does not have to put up sweet tax incentives to lure investors into the country. If anything, there have been reports from the IMF that showed that some of the tax incentives that Uganda had accorded to some investors had been abused and were simply ineffective.

Uganda is already offering a solid return on investment on some of these infrastructure products. Surely that should be enough to attract the money into the country.

jeff@observer.ug



The author is the business editor of The Observer.
Three Anaheim men were arrested Monday, March 13, on suspicion of setting up a device that steals credit card information at an ATM in Temecula, according to the Riverside County Sheriffs Department.

Staff at a Pacific Marine Credit Union in Temecula contacted deputies in February about a device they believed to be stealing credit card information on an ATM at the business. Deputies removed the device, called a skimmer, and waited for someone to come back to retrieve it, according to a sheriffs news release.

When three men arrived and tried to remove the skimmer, they were detained but released because deputies hadnt taken all the necessary steps of investigation to arrest them, the release said.

Then, on Monday, Riverside County deputies and officers from the Anaheim Police Department served two search warrants in Anaheim and arrested Florin Dumitru, 21; Ionut Dumitru, 18; and Stefan Dumitru, 21. The three men are all suspected of impersonating someone to get money or property, receiving stolen property and conspiring to commit a felony, jail records show.

All three were booked into the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley, then released Tuesday after posting $10,000 bail each, records show.

Anyone with information about the case or who thinks they may have been a victim may contact the Temecula sheriffs station at 951-696-3000.
SEATTLE  President Donald Trumps revised travel ban will be scrutinized in federal courtrooms across the country on Wednesday  the day before it is supposed to go into effect.

More than a half-dozen states are trying to derail the executive order affecting travelers from six Muslim-majority nations.

Hawaiis lawsuit is heading to federal court in Honolulu, while Washington state, which successfully sued to block the original ban, wants its own hearing before a federal judge in Seattle. Five other states have joined Washingtons challenge.

In Maryland, a U.S. judge will hear arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union and others who want to stop the new order.

Heres a look at whats going on and the hurdles the new ban faces:

BUSY DAY IN COURT

Hawaii will argue that the new order will harm its Muslim population, tourism and foreign students. Ismail Elshikh, a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said the ban will prevent his Syrian mother-in-law from visiting.

The federal government will argue that the allegations are pure speculation. Justice Department lawyers also say the president is authorized to restrict or suspend entry into the United States.

In Washington state, Attorney General Bob Ferguson is pushing for a hearing before Judge James Robart, who halted the original ban last month. Ferguson wants Robart, who has not yet scheduled a hearing, to apply the ruling to the new ban.

Ferguson says the new order is unconstitutional and harms residents, universities and businesses, especially tech companies such as Washington state-based Microsoft and Amazon who rely on foreign workers. California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Oregon have joined the claim.

Immigrant advocacy groups and the ACLU are suing in Maryland. They will ask a judge there early Wednesday to issue an injunction, saying its illegal to reduce the number of refugees in the middle of a fiscal year. The lawsuit is broader, but the ACLU expects a ruling on that part of the case even if other aspects of the ban are blocked elsewhere.

OLD VERSUS NEW BAN

Washington and Hawaii say the order is an effort to carry out the Muslim ban he promised during his campaign and is a violation of the First Amendment, which bars the government from favoring or disfavoring any religion. On that point, they say, the new ban is no different than the old.

They point to statements by Trumps advisers, including former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who said Trump asked him how to implement a Muslim ban legally, and Stephen Miller, who said the revised order was designed to have the same basic policy outcome as the first.

The new version tries to erase the notion that it was designed to target Muslims by detailing more of a national security rationale. It is narrower and eases some concerns about violating the due process rights of travelers.

It applies only to new visas from Somalia, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Libya and Yemen and temporarily shuts down the U.S. refugee program. It does not apply to travelers who already have visas.

The states First Amendment claim has not been resolved. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to reinstate the original ban but didnt rule on the discrimination claim.

Some legal scholars have said the order does not apply to all Muslims or even all predominantly Muslim nations  a point 9th Circuit Judge Richard Clifton made during arguments in Washingtons case.

DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE THE AUTHORITY?

The administration says the travel ban is about national security. The revised order specifies that people from the listed countries warrant additional scrutiny in connection with our immigration policies because the conditions in these countries present heightened threats.

But intelligence analysts at the Department of Homeland Security have questioned that rationale, concluding that citizenship is an unlikely indicator of terrorist ties.

In addition, the states and civil liberties groups say U.S. immigration law generally prohibits the government from discriminating based on nationality when issuing immigrant visas. The president cannot rewrite that law by executive order, the states say.

ARE THE STATES THE RIGHT ONES TO SUE?

Some legal scholars have questioned whether states have standing to bring their cases, citing limits the Supreme Court has placed on when states can sue the federal government.

Michael McConnell, a constitutional law professor at Stanford Law School, has said he is highly skeptical that states can sue over this issue.

The 9th Circuit panel found that Washington and Minnesota, which is part of the original lawsuit, did have standing, at least at that early stage. The judges noted that some people would not enroll in universities or join the faculty, causing real harm for the states.

Hawaii focuses on an additional aspect: the loss of tourism, and thus tax dollars, in the heavily travel-dependent state.

I dont think standings a serious problem, said Rory Little, a former Supreme Court clerk who teaches at the University of California Hastings College of the Law. Theres clearly harm to state budgets, harm to state universities.

Associated Press writers Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu and Ben Nuckols in Washington contributed to this report.
Without changes in public attitudes toward homebuilding, it will be difficult for California to pull itself from its housing crisis. Thats the takeaway message from a new report from Californias nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office titled, Do Communities Adequately Plan for Housing?

The report, which assesses local barriers to development, makes clear that local community plans and zoning laws are often outdated, restrictive and difficult to change, both procedurally and politically.

Although we offer a few changes the Legislature could consider, real improvement can come only with a major shift in how communities and their residents think about and value new housing, the LAO says. Unless Californians are convinced of the benefits of significantly more home building  targeted at meeting housing demand at every income level  no state intervention is likely to make significant progress on addressing the states housing challenges.

The scale and depth of the housing crisis has been quantified a number of ways. According to a draft Statewide Housing Assessment produced through the California Department of Housing and Community Development in January, over the past decade production averaged less than 80,000 new homes annually, short of the 180,000 new homes needed annually. The sharp drop-off in housing production since the period from 1955 to 1989, when California produced an average of 200,000 new homes a year, has contributed to rising rents and longer commutes for people looking for affordable homes.

The LAO notes residents often disfavor updates to plans and zoning to accommodate more housing because many see the changes new housing would bring to communities as a threat to their well-being. This mindset cannot be legislated away  it must be understood and engaged.

There are signs people are beginning to realize that few are served by making California an unaffordable place to live. On March 7, Los Angeles voters rejected the anti-development Measure S, the Neighborhood Integrity Initiative, by more than 2 to 1.

To solve our housing crisis, and make California an affordable place to live, we must remove excessive and duplicative barriers to homebuilding and allow the market to work.
Sure, the sand castle contest will make for a fun-filled morning to raise funds for a good cause.

But dont be fooled  theres some serious bragging rights on the line.

Newport Beach lifeguards, police officers and firefighters will compete Saturday morning in the contest, which will have an added twist of an obstacle course. Funds raised will be split between a nonprofit formed in honor of Ben Carlson, a lifeguard who lost his life during a rescue in big surf in July 2014, and the police relay race Baker to Vegas to be held later this month.

Its for fun, but its still competition, said Newport Beach lifeguard supervisor Gary Conwell. Were on our home turf, so well see how they can compete with us.

The competition was the brain-child of police Officer Chris Kimble, who wanted to raise funds for Baker to Vegas, a 120-mile relay that brings officers from around the world to compete. Officers also wanted to find a local nonprofit to benefit from fund-raising efforts.

The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation was a good fit because its a Newport Beach charity, and because Carlson was a public servant who lost his life protecting others, Kimble said.

Ben Carlson was a Newport Beach lifeguard and made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of his duty, Kimble said. That hits home for us. Hes part of the Newport Beach family. It was a no-brainer.

The three teams are made up of five sand castle builders who will be getting creative starting at 9 a.m. at tower 17 in Newport Beach. Kimble heads the police team, Conwell is captain of the lifeguard team, and firefighter John Testa is leading the fire department group.

But this will be no ordinary sand castle contest. There will be an obstacle course set up, and participants can only get sand from a certain area of beach  forcing them to haul heavy buckets of sand to the competition area  and can only use tools provided to them.

What started out as a silly idea morphed into exactly what we wanted to do, something fun, family-orientated but physically challenging, Kimble said. Its going to play to some peoples physicality, but it will also come back to creativity.

Competitors will have 30 minutes to finish. They will be judged by Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation boardmembers.

Conwell said he cant give away the plans lifeguards have for their sandy artwork.

Its a secret, I cant let that out, said Conwell, a member of the foundation board.

The hope is that this will spawn future events involving all three public safety sectors, Kimble said.

Thats my goal, I want this trophy to kick things off and maybe pull the groups together, pull us closer to the community, he said. The next time they have something going on, they can challenge us.

After the sand castle building, there will be a raffle for prizes, and food and coffee available for donations at Marina Park on the harbor. The public is invited to come and cheer on competitors.

After Carlsons death, the community has given back in many ways  from fundraisers at local bars and restaurants to art shows  to raise money in his name.

One of the main goals of the nonprofit was to build a bronze statue of Carlson, which was put in place last July near the pier. The funds also help with two $10,000 college scholarships each year and other ocean-related educational programs.

More info: bencarlsonfoundation.org

Contact the writer: lconnelly@scng.com
Orange County supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel a contract with a jail kiosk operator over concerns that family members and friends of inmates were being charged too much to use the companys services, including posting bail money and adding funds electronically to commissary accounts.

In recent years, the Federal Communications Commission and attorneys general for six states have accused the contractor, Virginia-based Global Tel-Link Corp., and other companies of charging excessive rates on jailhouse phone calls. In Orange Countys jail, the company charged for use of their kiosks and online payments system, including $8 to deposit $51 into an inmates commissary and from 5 to 8 percent for most bail payments.

Supervisor Shawn Nelson said family members, including parents whose adult children were in jail, had complained to him of the high costs.

Weve allowed someone to gouge  every participant, Nelson said. These fees are not appropriate.

Supervisor Andrew Do said surcharges meant people might lose $500 simply to bail someone out of jail.

The countys contract with Global Tel-Link was through the companys subsidiary TouchPay Holdings, which could not be reached for comment.

Sheriffs department representatives who spoke at the meeting Tuesday said the kiosks and their corresponding online payment system offered a convenient way to transfer money to the jails and noted that people could avoid the fees by making in-person payments during set times. But they also noted the kiosk operators were out to make a profit.

County officials said they didnt know how much the company earned in the jails in 2016. But last year, county staff revealed the company has grossed $215,000 in 2015 from the contract. The county doesnt charge Global Tel-Link to operate in its jails but also doesnt make money from the deal.

Ron Shevlin, director of research at Cornerstone Advisors, a consulting firm serving the financial services industry, said during an interview last year that Global Tel-Links fees and revenue did not seem excessively high or out of line with other municipal payment systems.

But Nelson and Do, who came a vote shy last year in their effort to end the kiosk contract, on Tuesday criticized the sheriffs department for failing to address their concerns and seek out cheaper payment systems.

Can you imagine a 20 percent surcharge to buy anything? Nelson asked. There are systems available for every small business that wants to (sell) something online that dont charge these high fees. Were just raking people over the coals.

Nelson also noted that paying bail or fueling commissary accounts in person isnt an option for some inmates family members who live outside the county or far from the county jails.

Yet the boards decision to end the contract without having a replacement vendor has left some people limited options in how to send money to inmates.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, the lone vote against ending the contract, said she wanted to give Global Tel-Link an opportunity to lower its rates and worried that the board would end up inconveniencing inmates families by abruptly terminating the service.

Sheriffs department spokesman Lt. Lane Lagaret said people now have the option to pay bail and add commissary funds only in person and during limited times.

While the kiosks were available for use around the clock, the cashier window at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange is open from 10 a.m. to midnight on Tuesday through Thursday, and the window at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana is open from 8 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Friday.

Lagaret said electronic services that work well for businesses might not work in a jail setting, where there are security concerns, though he didnt offer specific examples of how problems might arise.

Esther Lim, the director of jails at the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, praised the boards decision to end the Global Tel-Link contract.

We know that those who are incarcerated are predominantly people of color or people who are considered poor, and the fact that we have these companies that are profiting off these vulnerable families, its something that shouldnt be happening, Lim said.

In recent years, supervisors have chastised Global Tel-Link Corp., the nations largest provider of calling systems in jails and prisons, for its phone fees in county jails, during the same time that the FCC was reviewing the industrys practices.

In 2014, Nelson and Supervisor Todd Spitzer said the companys high phone rates made it difficult for inmates to remain in contact with their loved ones. Yet the supervisors voted to renew the contract at the time, noting that the FCC was looking to regulate jail phone services providers.

In October 2015, the FCC capped rates for jail phone calls, though a federal court granted a stay to block that decrease. Last year, an inmate and his mom sued the county, claiming its jailhouse phone rates were still too high at $4 flat for local collect calls and 50 cents per minute for local calls charged on a debit card.

Most recently, in January, several inmate phone service providers asked a Washington, D.C. Circuit court to delay its review of the FCCs rate caps, saying they anticipated a Republican-majority commission might reverse the policy.

Contact the writer: jgraham@scng.com or 714-796-7960
Powerless against voters

Re: What is causing the upticks in crime? [Opinion, March 14]. Crime rates in California went down in the 1990s and began rising recently leaving policymakers grasping for explanations and solutions.

Many of them probably think its merely a natural cycle like the cooling and warming of the earth. However, it is blatantly obvious that the California voter caused both trends.

The voters approved the Three Strikes law in 1994 and criminals were kept off the streets behind bars. To counter that, George Soros contributed $1 million to the 2012 passage of Prop. 36, and those felons whose third strike was not a serious or violent felony were re-sentenced. In 2014, our states very discerning voters passed Prop. 47 reclassifying many crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, resulting in less or no jail time. Most recently, the California Democratic Party contributed $2.1 million to 2016s Prop. 57, which reclassified many felonies as nonviolent  such as rape of an unconscious person or use of a date rape drug, domestic violence, exploding a destructive device with intent to cause injury and assault with a deadly weapon  thus avoiding the third strike. The police are powerless against the voter.

 Jack Kirby, Trabuco Canyon

Not so common sense

Crime rates are increasing because more and more people lack simple common sense and decency. It runs the gamut from parents who think their children can do no wrong to college professors who think that every problem can be solved by talking about it, and governments that set poor examples by thinking they dont have to obey the law. Political correctness has replaced the adage, do the right thing, with the hedonistic, do what you want. The result is a California that is marching its way toward anarchy.

In my 30 years of police work, the population broke down like this: 85 percent of people were generally decent; 10 percent were fence sitters that would commit a crime when they thought they could get away with it; 4 percent were just plain bad; 1 percent of the population was so dangerous that they should be locked away to never see the light of day again. In the last 10 years, because of political correctness, those numbers have been sliding backwards with fewer decent people and a rapid growth in the number of those in the other categories. An increased crime rate is just a natural by-product.

 Harald G. Martin, Anaheim
It is hardly news when some politician or special-interest group demonizes a certain group or business or industry to score political points or advance their agenda. But facts and evidence should still mean something.

One group that has been particularly targeted in recent years is the electronic cigarette industry. Last year, California enacted a measure to regulate e-cigarettes like tobacco products  including imposing bans on them in workplaces, schools, restaurants and public buildings  despite the fact that they contain no tobacco and do not produce smoke.

Whether you get people hooked on e-cigarettes or regular cigarettes, its nicotine addiction, and it kills, then-state Sen. Mark Leno, who led the anti-e-cigarette charge, told Reuters in 2015. Were going to see hundreds of thousands of family members and friends die from e-cigarette use, just like we did from traditional tobacco use.

Except that nicotine does not kill. While it may be addictive, the effects of nicotine itself are negligible. It is all the toxins and carcinogens in combustible cigarettes that cause major health problems  substances that are absent in e-cigarettes. On the contrary, e-cigarettes are likely to save many lives because they are frequently used to quit smoking.

The Royal College of Physicians, a respected British doctors group that helps establish national medical standards, concluded in a study published last year that the long-term health hazards of vaping are unlikely to exceed 5 percent of the harm from tobacco smoke. These results were similar to a 2013 study published in the peer-reviewed journal Tobacco Control that found that the levels of potentially toxic compounds in e-cigarette vapor are nine- to 450-fold lower than those in the smoke from conventional cigarettes.

The media are guilty of perpetuating e-cigarette misconceptions, too. Consider, for example, a recent Orange County Register news article with the foreboding title, E-cigarettes easier to get than fresh produce in Southern California stores.

The claim was based on a survey of 7,100 stores across the state conducted by the California Department of Public Healths Healthy Stores for a Healthy Community campaign. As the article explained, The survey included pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores and smoke shops.

How shocking it is that fresh produce is not available in pharmacies, convenience stores and smoke shops! The title might just as well have been Childrens toys easier to get than fresh produce in Southern California stores.

But the demonization did not end there. A lot of these stores are located in close proximity to schools, Ravi Choudhuri, advocacy manager for the American Lung Associations Orange County chapter, told the paper. We know from all different types of research that its a gateway to tobacco use.

Ah, yes, the for the children card, which has been used to justify all manner of government regulations, taxes and bans. But the gateway theory, too, has proven to be a myth. As the Royal College of Physicians study concluded, there is no evidence that such a thing is occurring to any significant degree in the U.K. Similarly, researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University noted in a study published in December that Current e-cigarette users at baseline were no more likely to progress to current smoking than young adults who were not using e-cigarettes.

The U.K.s Centre for Substance Use Research came to the same conclusion last year, but it did try to raise awareness of another alarming trend: Its more concerning, particularly for the young people who currently smoke, that inaccurate perceptions of e-cigarettes could result in the persistent use of combustible tobacco, irrespective of the fact that Public Health England has concluded vaping use is 95 percent less harmful than conventional cigarettes, lead researcher Dr. Neil McKeganey said.

In their zeal to punish the evil tobacco industry, many have thrown the baby out with the bathwater by ignoring scientific evidence, mislabeling e-cigarettes as dangerous tobacco products and stifling, and restricting access to, a technology that helps tens of thousands of people  perhaps more  safely and effectively quit smoking every year. After all, without a crisis  even an imagined one  how would politicians and government agencies justify their campaigns and taxpayer funding?

Adam B. Summers is a columnist with the Southern California News Group.
The woman who Riverside police say deserted her 2-year-old daughter at a grocery store was so troubled that her parents had kicked her out of the home, the detective investigating the case said Wednesday, March 15.

Chiengkham Cindy Vilaysane, 31, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of child endangerment and child neglect, Detective Paul Miranda said. Jail records show Vilaysane was denied bail. Charges have not been filed; if they are, she would likely appear in court Thursday.

From what it sounds like, her family was saying she is having a lot of problems, and one is a drug problem, Miranda said. They are fed up with her, and they have changed the locks on their house and they do not want her back.

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The toddler who was seen wandering around a Food 4 Less and its parking lot Sunday is in the custody of Child Protective Services.

CPS had multiple contacts with Vilaysane before this incident, Miranda said.

He confirmed that Vilaysane has a second child who lives with her father.

Police said a woman and child entered the grocery store at 4250 Van Buren Blvd. on Sunday evening. While the woman was shopping, the toddler wandered off, and when a good Samaritan brought the child back to her, the mother said, Oh, just leave her, Riverside police said in a news release.

Surveillance video shows the woman going through the checkout line alone and leaving.

Miranda, citing the criminal investigation, declined to share what Vilaysane told him about the incident.

During his interview with Vilaysane, Miranda said, he did not see any signs that she should be placed on a mental-health hold for an examination.

Vilaysane has about a half-dozen Facebook pages, Miranda said, some with fictitious information. One lists her employer as Riverside County Sheriffs Department  which sheriffs officials said was untrue; another says she works for the U.S. Department of Defense; another says shes a dental assistant in Hemet.

Miranda said Vilaysane last worked at a Chinese restaurant in Riverside in 2016.

Once police released the surveillance video Monday night, seeking the publics help identifying the woman pictured, tips came in that helped officers determine it was Vilaysane. Police then released her name and sought additional help tracking her down.

Late that afternoon, Vilaysane went into the Chase Bank at 10355 Magnolia Ave. for a transaction. The teller asked for her identification, then recognized Vilaysanes name and face and called police.

Vilaysane was arrested at 5 p.m. Tuesday and booked into jail three hours later, according to the jail log.

The bank teller declined to be interviewed for this story, Chase spokeswoman Suzanne Alexander said.

Miranda said police were appreciative of the communitys help.

It is a testament to show we have a good working relationship with the public, Miranda said. This would not have been solved so soon if not for the publics assistance.

Anyone with additional information on the case can contact Miranda at 951-353-7945 or pmiranda@riversideca.gov.
COSTA MESA  The former president of the Orange Coast College Republicans says he feels threatened after profanity-laced graffiti surfaced over the weekend on campus buildings describing him and the campus GOP organization as fascists.

It has really shaken me, said Joshua Recalde-Martinez, an 18-year-old sophomore majoring in political science and business administration. Its obvious that its a very politically motivated attack.

The graffiti was applied at about 4:45 p.m. Saturday to the Forum Lecture Hall, the bookstore, the Classroom and Labs building, the Student Success Center, and the Music building, an OCC police report says.

Photos accompanying the report show stickers bearing the slogan Support Your Local Antifa, apparently short for anti-fascists, on the windows of the bookstore.

Video surveillance captured an individual wearing a black hoodie, black pants, a hat and carrying a skateboard vandalizing the buildings, but the individuals identity could not be determined, the report says.

Recalde-Martinez said when OCC officials notified him Monday, the graffiti mentioning him had been removed. They should have been proactive and notified me Saturday, he said. They washed the graffiti away over the weekend before I could hire a private investigator to inspect it.

Recalde-Martinez believes the tagger targeted him because of his support of Caleb ONeil, an OCC student who in November secretly video-recorded his instructor, Olga Perez Stable Cox, making disparaging remarks about President Donald Trump.

The video went viral and prompted strong public reaction from those supporting the teacher, and from those saying her views shouldnt have been made during a class.

Juan Gutierrez, director of Marketing and Public Relations for OCC, said college officials followed standard procedure in documenting and removing the graffiti and notified Recalde-Martinez as soon as possible.

The biggest focus for us is the safety of our students, staff, and faculty, Gutierrez said.

Republican Party of Orange County Chairman Fred M. Whitaker on Wednesday condemned the tagging incident.

I am sickened by what appears to have been a hate crime that occurred at Orange Coast College over the weekend, he said in a statement. These despicable actions targeted at former Orange Coast College Republican President Joshua Recalde-Martinez are completely reprehensible and the person responsible needs to be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I call on the campus administration to do a full investigation into this incident and unequivocally condemn this hateful and threatening vandalism.

OCC officials have asked Costa Mesa police to assist in the investigation.
A manager at a downtown Huntington Beach restaurant was upgraded to critical but stable condition Tuesday in a Newport Beach hospital after being knocked unconscious Saturday morning during a fight, a family member said.

Garret Petersen had been in an induced coma and undergone surgery at Hoag Hospital after being assaulted outside the restaurant where he works, said Kelly Bennett, Petersens aunt.

Bennett said she was told Petersen had refused to give away free pizza to a man who came in the restaurant, Thunder Burgrz and Pizza on Main Street.

He goes in an out of consciousness, Bennett, of Newport Beach, said Tuesday. Hes better, but hes not out of the woods.

Bryce Anthony Mezich, 21 and Austin Wright Callan, 22, both of Anaheim, were taken into custody shortly after the fight and later released, police said. Mezich faces one count of assault with serious bodily injury, a felony, and battery on a person as well as fighting in public. Callan faces one count of battery and one of fighting in public, police said.

Mezich posted bail and Callan was cited.

A witness told Huntington Beach police that a man, later identified as Callan, entered Thunder Burgrz and Pizza and caused a disturbance at about 1 a.m. Saturday. Petersen, 33, asked the man to leave and then followed him outside, where a fight ensued, police said.

It was then that Mezich got involved, police said, knocking Petersen unconscious with a punch to the face.

Bennett said family members were shocked at the amount of damage done to Petersen, whom she said was not prone to violence.

Its just the severity of what happened, she said. It didnt need to happen. When someone does something like this its just really sad.

Bennett said the outpouring of support from the community has been touching, adding that she has received messages from as far away as Russia sending good wishes and support.

She said she is hoping to arrange for Rosie, Petersens dog, to be allowed to visit him at the hospital.

Police are still investigating the case. Anyone with information should call police at 714-536-5951.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Petersen with his medical bills.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7964, gmellen@scng.com
Its all in the family.

South Coast Plaza, the high-end, internationally known mega-mall in Costa Mesa, turns 50 on Wednesday. The anniversary is remarkable on many fronts, none more noteworthy than that the retailing giant has successfully navigated the challenging shopping world still owned by the same family that tore up farmland to build what became a retailing mecca half a century ago.

In the much-challenged mall game, where shuttered stores are as much news as openings, South Coast Plaza appears to be doing as well as any other operator around. The Segerstrom familys singular focus on just one mall is a key part of South Coast Plazas secret sauce.

Just ponder a list of the 20 most valuable mall operators in America, compiled by Green Street Advisors of Newport Beach. The Segerstroms rank 19th, worth an estimated $3 billion. That lofty rank is accomplished by owning just one mall. Among this top 20 list, the largest mall portfolio belongs to General Growth, with 117 malls, and Simon Property Group, with 112.

Family ownership allows us flexibility to accomplish things that shopping centers that are part of a broader portfolio are not be able to do, says Anton Segerstrom, a South Coast Plaza partner and son of family patriarch and mall visionary Henry Segerstrom, who died two years ago. We have one location, and we devote all of our resources to providing an incomparable shopping experience that embodies high standards of quality.

See: South Coast Plaza: From lima beans to $2 billion in sales

This is no cookie-cutter mall like those crafted by huge corporations running dozens of retail centers. South Coast Plazas unique collection of luxury shops and eclectic food options makes a visit more than simply about buying goods or a meal.

And that oddity comes from, in good part, being a private company. So there are financial secrets. All Im told is that sales in 2016 hit a record, nearing $2 billion, and occupancy is also at an all-time high. (Green Street Advisors says occupancy at the 2.7 million-square-foot center is 96 percent). Private ownership also produces the joy of not regularly reporting to a huge flock of shareholders or being a slave to Wall Streets fickle demands.

Business is very strong, Segerstrom says of the financial picture. Were off to a strong start this year and expect that to continue. The fact that were celebrating our 50th anniversary is generating tremendous excitement.

The distinctiveness is nothing new. Jim Doti, the former Chapman University president whos now simply an economic professor, has been watching South Coast Plaza literally for decades.

He recalls working on a study of the malls emergence from the typical retailing mold in the late 1970s and seeing how the Segerstroms were then successfully attracting a distinct audience  broad in diversity and geography, and both spenders and window shoppers.

Its almost like a theme park, an adult Disneyland, Doti says. Henry had an incredible vision to do it differently than others. And that helped put Orange County on the map. It is difficult to overestimate the impact that South Coast Plaza had on Orange County, far beyond sales numbers and sales taxes generated.

And the malls success challenged competitors. The Irvine Co.s Fashion Island mall now has a prestigious A++ rating by Green Street, joining South Coast Plaza as the only Orange County centers with this industry badge of honor.

South Coast Plaza has always been one of the worlds most popular shopping destinations, a true testimony to the Segerstrom familys commitment to delivering an unrivaled luxury shopping experience, says retailing consultant Stacie Ellis, who previously competed against the Segerstroms as an Irvine Co. vice president of marketing. They continually raise the bar that the rest of the retail industry respects, and tries to achieve.

No guarantees

Iconic.

Thats how Dixie Walker, a retailing expert for Cushman & Wakefield, summed up South Coast Plazas stature in the retail world as purveyor of top-of-the-line goods.

They do better than just about anybody in the upper-end demographics, Walker says.

But South Coast Plazas much-chronicled success is not without numerous current strains.

For starters, many merchants that fill the halls of malls are in financial trouble. Online shopping has stolen sales volumes at physical stores and cut profit margins on most goods sold. Very problematic is that the so-called mall anchor stores  the big-name chains that are a major draw of shoppers  are in shrink mode.

Just look down the 405 freeway to the Irvine Co.s Irvine Spectrum, where a shuttered Macys has been torn down and is being replaced by an esplanade of smaller shops. And South Coast Plaza has its own big challenge  its Sears, a legacy anchor, run by a company thats retrenching amid a cash crunch.

Its a good bet that Sears and South Coast Plaza are talking about some friendly split. In Hawaii three years ago, one mall operator bought out Sears space for a reported $200 million-plus.

We have a great respect for Sears and because of that decline to speculate. We will continue to monitor their situation as the year unfolds, Segerstrom told me.

If Sears is the only challenge at South Coast Plaza, life will be easy.

Every retailer sweats the broad economic prospects. The long-running economic recovery, though modest to many folks, has greatly helped the upper crust who are prime customers of South Coast Plaza. Segerstrom doesnt seem worried, even with numerous critics questioning the durability of the California business climate.

Our family has been in Southern California for almost 120 years. South Coast Plaza has been in California for half a century, He says. We love California and enjoy doing business here.

But todays business climate has a political cloud. South Coast Plazas rise is heavily tied to a decision made decades ago to appeal to a global audience.

The mall is often filled with tourists, primarily Asian, who come to shop at boutiques that are only found at a handful of places around the globe. The attempt by President Donald Trumps new administration to crack down on potentially problematic visitors and immigrants could harm the entire tourism trade  and South Coast Plaza.

When investing, theres something to be said about having a diversified portfolio. The same concept applies to our shoppers, Segerstrom says. We work hard to position ourselves to be prepared for any changes in the market. We weathered the recession, thanks in part to our diversified domestic and international markets.

Next steps

All of retailing, including South Coast Plaza, is at a crossroads.

Some of the difficulties are timeless. Consumer tastes change. Fashion styles change. But speed of change has increased.

Much of todays retailing headaches, though, are technology making a typical trip to the store a relic. South Coast Plaza knows it must remain atypical.

Lets not forget that shopping is a social experience, Segerstrom says. With the growth of e-commerce, having a distinct identity is important. Our unique mix of retailers, from luxury and fashion names to contemporary brands, is part of our identity. Maintaining that collection means working hard to anticipate changes in fashion and shopping habits and being prepared to adapt to those changes.

South Coast Plaza has been at the forefront of turning retailing from acquisition to experience  but todays successful lineup is zero guarantee of future prosperity.

Think of the many retail concepts that are no longer with us or dramatically downsized. Surfwear, for example, grew from local niche gear to international mainstream clothing to, after a wave of bankruptcies, a more limited slice of the fashion pie. Smartphones were decimating the watch business  South Coast Plaza has numerous luxury watch shops  until timepieces again became a must-have fashion accessory.

So keeping any mall lineup fresh is no easy chore. But its hard to bet against South Coast Plazas eye for whats hot.

We have a list of retailers that are waiting for a space at South Coast Plaza, and its a matter of making sure we select the right ones, Segerstrom says. Curating the right store selection is an art that we continue to refine.

And food? Imagine guessing how the palette changes. Think of farm-to-table demand for freshness. Or could you ever imagine poke seafood salads being sold on almost every street corner?

South Coast Plaza is a place where theyll boot out McDonalds and add an internationally renowned Asian dumpling restaurant. The latest catch is a hot ramen noodle concept  Tsujita  that will debut later this year.

Its an evolution, Segerstrom told me. Youre right about dining trends coming and going. Thats why its important for us to be selective about concepts that we add to our collection. We always ask ourselves what a restaurant would add to our mix, how it would address our customers needs, how it would complement our current dining options, how stable and strong its business model is and whether the concept has longevity.

Running just one mall has its risks. Like no sister malls to smooth out financial ebbs and flows or the pain of a costly mistake. But the Segerstroms singular focus on South Coast Plaza appears to have given the family the flexibility to quickly morph itself in the experiential shopping genre it helped invent. That makes for a good bet that they can continue to succeed.

As Chapmans Doti put it, as e-commerce draws even more dollars from brick-and-mortar merchants, the amenities offered will become even more important to a shopping centers bottom line. He thinks a mall will become more a showcase for product lines rather than a selling space, and that might work well with a high-end collection of shops and boutiques like seen at South Coast Plaza.

This actually increases the importance of the South Coast Plaza brand, Doti says. I see a bright future if the challenges are met creatively.

Contact the writer: jlansner@scng.com
Hate to burst your bubble, but the exuberant St. Patricks Day celebrations we all know and love began not in Ireland, but America.

St. Patrick never drove the snakes out of Ireland; and he wasnt even Irish. One thing, however, that decidedly is not blarney is the Irish love of all things potato, and dishes for the holiday are definitely potato-centric.

A new cookbook by chef, master teacher and award-winning cookbook author Raghavan Iyer, Smashed, Mashed, Boiled and Baked  and Fried, Too (Workman, $16.95), tackles the trusty tuber with 75 tempting, easy-to-follow recipes running the gamut from finger foods to soups and salads, entrees, side dishes and even desserts. This is the first international cookbook for Iyer, whose previous books explored the flavors and diverse cuisine of his homeland, India.

Why the potato? he was asked at a recent demonstration and book signing at Melissas Produce in Vernon.

Why not? he responded. I noticed that the first recipes I ended up creating for all my cookbooks were recipes with potatoes in them. I still eat potatoes once or twice a day. If I could eat them three times a day Id be very happy.

What is it about potatoes, that culinary chameleon, whether served plain and homey or fussy and elegant, that never grows tiresome?

There are over 5,000 varietals of potatoes, Iyer said. Theyre versatile, accessible and affordable. Theres a reason why theyre the fourth largest crop in the world.

Iyers explicit instructions leave little room for guesswork. My job as a teacher is to give you a visual cue, he said, Not heat the oil for five minutes, but heat it until it begins to shimmer.

The biggest mistake people make is using the wrong potato, he added. The workhorse is the russet Burbank, a floury potato high in starch and low in moisture. Use it for baking, mashing and deep-frying. Waxy potatoes are high in moisture, low in starch and lend themselves beautifully for boiling because they hold their shape better. Unsure whether your potato is floury or waxy? Slice it. If it sticks to the knife, its starchier; if it slides off the knife, its waxy.

Fingerling potatoes form the creamy backdrop for this Irish lamb stew, braised in a succulent, assertive beer and beef stock gravy flavored with pungent onions and fresh herbs.

For pure Irish soul food, try the colcannon. So common is the dish in Ireland that it is not unusual to find a colcannon recipe printed on the back of a sack of potatoes. In this updated version, mashed potatoes mingle with sauteed cabbage and kale in all their creamy, cheesy lusciousness. Iyer calls it his tribute to the memory of those who perished during the famine.

Although unrelated to the potato, sweet potatoes are thankfully included in the book.

Who can resist the addictive aromas of baking cinnamon rolls? A mash of antioxidant-rich sweet potatoes makes this version even more appealing, Iyer writes, And that Cointreau glaze? A little morning booze wont hurt you. Its five oclock somewhere.

Irish lamb stew

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

2 pounds baby red potatoes, well-scrubbed with skins

2 tablespoons canola oil

About 3 pounds bone-in lamb shoulder roast or leg, in 1 piece

1 large yellow or white onion, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 large carrots, peeled, ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves and tender stems

1 teaspoon coarse sea or kosher salt, or to taste

1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns, or to taste

2 cups beef stock

2 cups dark beer, such as stout

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh curly parsley

Procedure

1. Position rack in lower half of oven. Preheat to 375 degrees.

2. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat. Once oil appears to shimmer, add lamb and sear each side to a reddish-brown color, 3-5 minutes per side. Remove lamb from pan; set aside on large plate.

3. Lower heat to medium-low and add onion and garlic. (No need to add more oil.) Stir-fry until pungent aromas mingle with roasted perfume from meaty browned bits and onion and garlic brown nicely along edges, 5-8 minutes.

4. Stir in potatoes, carrot, thyme, salt, and peppercorns. Cook vegetables, stirring occasionally, to allow medley to acquire aroma and flavor of thyme, 3-5 minutes.

5. Pour in stock and beer, scraping bottom to release any browned bits. Return lamb to pan along with juices. Anoint roast with boozy broth if not already submerged in it.

6. Place pot in oven and braise roast, uncovered, periodically ladling liquid over meat and vegetables to keep them all succulent, until potatoes are

tender when pierced with a fork or knife and meat is super tender and easy to pull apart or cut, 1 1/4-1 1/2 hours. If liquid starts to dissipate, cover pan. Insert an instant-read thermometer into thickest part of lamb (not touching bone) and roast to between 125 and 130 degrees for medium-rare, and between 135 and 145 degrees for medium.

7. Lift roast from pan onto clean cutting board. Cover with foil and allow to rest 15 minutes. Meanwhile, remove as much fat as possible with spoon or fat separator, if you have one. Taste and add salt and pepper, if necessary. Slice meat off bone; transfer slices to lipped platter. Serve hot, sprinkled with parsley.

Irish colcannon

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

1 pound assorted fingerling potatoes (red, purple, and white) or Yukon Gold potatoes, well-scrubbed and quartered

2 or 4 tablespoons salted butter

12 ounces green cabbage, shredded (2 cups)

8 ounces kale, tough stems discarded, leaves finely chopped (2 cups)

1 cup half-and-half

4 ounces soft creamy cheese, such as Boursin, plain or flavored

1 teaspoon coarse sea or kosher salt

1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black peppercorns

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Procedure

1. Place potatoes in medium-size saucepan. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium, cover pan and boil potatoes until fall-apart tender, 15-20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Once foam subsides, pile in cabbage and kale, cover pan and allow them to wilt, stirring occasionally, 5-7 minutes.

3. Stir in half-and-half, cheese, salt, peppercorns, and nutmeg; recover pan. Allow cheese to melt, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.

4. Once potatoes are tender, drain in colander. Shake colander to rid potatoes of excess water. Transfer to large bowl. Mash with potato masher. Stir in cheesy cabbage and kale medley. Dollop with extra 2 tablespoons butter, if you like, letting it melt and pool on the bumpy surface. Serve hot.

Sweet Potato Rolls with a Creamy Cointreau Glaze

Yield: 20 rolls

For the Dough

8 ounces orange or purple sweet potatoes (Jewel or Stokes, if possible)

1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing the bowl and pans

4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon coarse sea or kosher salt

1 large egg, slightly beaten

For the Filling

1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

For the Glaze

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

2 tablespoons Cointreau or other orange liqueur

1 tablespoon confectionerssugar

Procedure

1. To make dough, peel sweet potatoes; rinse well under running water. Cut into large chunks and place in small saucepan. Cover with cold water by a few inches and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to medium and partially cover pan. Boil chunks until they are fall-apart tender when pierced with a fork or knife, 10 to 12 minutes.

2. About 5 minutes after sweet potatoes have been cooking, scoop out 1/4 cup of cooking water into a small heatproof bowl. Allow to cool until tepid. Sprinkle in yeast and whisk to make sure there are no yeasty lumps. Let it foam and activate, about 5 minutes.

3. When sweet potatoes are tender, scoop them out and set aside another 1/4 cup of cooking water. Pour the rest out. Drain sweet potatoes in a colander, giving it a good shake or two to rid them of excess water. Return them to empty saucepan and add the 4 tablespoons of butter. Mash well with potato masher or fork so you have no lumps. No need to rice them in fact, it doesnt work very well; too much fiber from the potatoes gets left behind in the ricer, and you want that in the dough.

4. Spoon 2 cups of the flour, sugar, and salt into bowl of stand mixer and attach paddle. Run mixer briefly on low speed to mix dry ingredients well. Stop mixer and add yeast, sweet potatoes, egg, and reserved 1/4 cup water. Mix on medium speed, scraping insides of bowl as needed, until wet dough comes together, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in another 1 1/2 cups flour and continue to mix until dough feels soft to the touch.

5. Lightly flour a clean countertop or large cutting board with some of the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Transfer dough to the floured counter and knead until soft and pliable, making sure you incorporate some of the flour. The dough should not feel sticky.

6. Lightly grease a large bowl (large enough to allow the dough to double in size) with a bit of the 1 tablespoon of butter and use the rest to grease insides of two 9-inch-round cake pans. Place dough in bowl, turning to coat it with the butter. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let it stand in warm spot until the dough doubles in volume, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

7. When dough has doubled in volume, punch it down to release excess carbon dioxide. Lightly flour countertop again and transfer dough. Roll and pat dough to a rectangle roughly 20 by 10 inches, sprinkling flour as needed to keep it from sticking.

8. Make filling by combining brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and pepper in small bowl. Spread the 4 tablespoons butter on dough as evenly as you can to cover entire surface. Sprinkle spiced sugar evenly over butter.

9. Roll dough into fairly tight 20-inch-long log. Cut log crosswise in half, then slice each half into 10 equal portions to yield a total of 20 rolls. Place 10 of the rolls in each of the cake pans, pressing against each other. Cover the pans lightly with plastic wrap. Allow them to rest in a warm spot until rolls have doubled in size and are puffy, about 1 hour.

10. When rolls are almost ready, position a rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

11. Remove plastic wrap and bake until brown all over, about 30 minutes.

12. Make glaze as rolls bake. Whisk together cream cheese, Cointreau and confectioners sugar in small bowl.

13. Set wire rack on cookie sheet to catch any drips. Remove rolls from oven and turn them out of pans onto rack. Spread glaze evenly over rolls.

14. When rolls are cool enough to handle, but still warm, pull them apart and dig in. There is nothing like fresh-out-of-the-oven rolls to make the inner kid in you sing with joy. If you have any leftovers (yes, its possible), store them at room temperature, in a covered container, for up to 2 days. After that, refrigerate them.

Judy Bart Kancigor is the author of Cooking Jewish (Workman) and can be reached via cookingjewish.com.
Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto may be taking a cautious stance in his public comments on U.S. President Donald Trump, but the man who currently figures to be his successor is showing no such restraint.

In a 90-minute interview Tuesday, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the radical outsider whos the early front-runner in next years election, blasted Trumps campaign of hatred against Mexican immigrants, accused him of violating human rights laws, called his border wall plan a propaganda tool and said he couldnt wait to handle the renegotiation of NAFTA himself.

Pena is too quiet. And Donald Trump speaks very loudly, Lopez Obrador said. One doesnt beg for liberty, one seizes it.

It could be a foretaste of clashes to come. Mexico and the U.S. have enjoyed a cooperative relationship for decades. Trump has changed the dynamic. Hes gotten Mexicans so mad that, if the polls are right, theyre ready to elect a fiery nationalist of their own, a politician whos spent years denouncing the way the economy is run in the interests of foreigners  in some ways, a Mexican anti-Trump.

Lopez Obrador, known simply as Amlo to compatriots, said that Mexico should have brought a complaint against Trump at the United Nations as soon as his wall was announced  vowed to take legal action himself, once hes president. He said its unlikely that NAFTA will be renegotiated anytime soon, and thats fine because it would be better if were in power when it happens.

First, Lopez Obrador has to win the presidency, which hes twice failed to do, although he came within a percentage point of the prize in 2006. And the national mood is more favorable now. Pena Nietos PRI party  which has held power for most of Mexicos modern history  has seen its popularity eroded by a series of corruption scandals, the police-abetted killing of 43 students, and surging gasoline prices. And thats without counting the Trump effect.

Lopez Obrador said hed expected the U.S. president would soften his xenophobic campaign rhetoric once in office. I was wrong about that, he said. This campaign of hatred has no justification, even knowing that it worked for him because he won the presidency. Its not only inhumane, its irresponsible.

As a result, his line has hardened. After Trumps election in November, Amlo posted a video calling for calm. Hes still promising to behave respectfully toward the U.S. president  but also to file a complaint against him on Wednesday with the Inter-American Human Rights Commission in Washington. Trump referred to Mexican immigrants as rapists during the campaign, and has promised wide-scale deportations. The White House declined to comment on Lopez Obradors remarks.

Insisting that he supports free trade, Lopez Obrador said it makes no sense to insert tariffs into NAFTA. But he also didnt appear too concerned about the risk that the trade pact could break down completely, saying NAFTA is not Mexicos salvation. Since the agreement came into force in 1994, Mexicos industrial output and exports have surged, without denting the countrys poverty rate.

I think one has to find a policy of equilibrium, and not opt for an indiscriminate trade opening without limits, Lopez Obrador said. Each country has rights that it needs to protect, he said. We have to take care of strategic areas.

The current government has also warned that it would walk away from NAFTA talks if the U.S. demands tariffs, and Pena Nieto  who cant seek re-election  has himself pushed back against Trump. After catching flak locally for hosting the Republican candidate on a pre-election visit, Pena Nieto canceled a proposed trip to Washington in January.

When it comes to broader economic policy, though, theres a distinct Amlo message. Like Trump, he hammers at the theme of unfair trade and the damage its done to swaths of the economy. In Mexicos case, farms were among the worst-hit, and Lopez Obrador said hell revive them through subsidies  thats what the U.S. does with its own agriculture, he pointed out.

He said Mexico can raise its growth rate by cracking down on corruption, cutting government salaries and setting up public-private partnerships  including in energy. Lopez Obrador has criticized the decision to open the industry to foreign investment, and said hell seek to reverse it via a referendum and not by some authoritarian action.

That kind of talk may be aimed at reassuring markets. The peso has recovered after its initial post-Trump plunge, but Mexican brokers say theyre receiving a growing number of calls from investors concerned about the prospect of an Amlo presidency.

Lopez Obrador, who was mayor of Mexico City in the early 2000s, said the times right for the kind of economic overhaul hes been advocating for decades.

Theres a consensus, which was missing before, to change Mexico for good, he said. Our agenda will be accepted by the vast majority of Mexicans.
If youre into crazy taste combinations like peanut butter&jelly or pineapple pizza, youre probably going to love this wine-infused coffee that combines the taste and health benefits of two of the worlds most popular drinks.

Molinari Private Reserve artisan coffee is the brainchild of Rick Molinari, the owner of Molinari Caffe in Napa Valley, California. He claims to have come up with the idea for a wine-infused coffee in 2013, after talking with his friend and fellow coffee roaster, John Weaver, of Wild Card Roasters LLC. Born and raised among the vineyards of Napa Valley, Molinari was convinced that bringing together the best of both worlds in one unique drink was bound to be a success, so he started researching ways of making it happen.

Molinari came up with a working formula within a year, and in 2014 he actually started selling his unique blend of roasted coffee and red wine, but a magnitude-6.0 earthquake that shook Northern California that year forced him to put the process of perfecting his idea on hold. He never gave up on it, though, and after teaming up with several vineyeards around Napa Valley, the cafe owner recently launched an improved version of his wine-infused coffee, and is already struggling to keep up with demand.

To create his intriguing wine-infused coffee, the Californian entrepreneur hand-selects and imports coffee beans from south of the equator, roasts them and then rehydrates them to a certain percentage in a unique blend of red wine created by notable Napa Valley wineries. The beans are then dried and hand-roasted again.

According to how you decide to prepare it, the coffee&wine combination of Molinari Private Reserve artisan coffee can take on different flavors. The company website claims that adding more milk to your coffee brings out the taste of wine more, while using a French press to prepare it brings out a delicious blueberry flavor. You can also use the coffee to make lattes, espresso shots or cold brews, for different flavor variations.

Apart from the unique flavor combination, theres apparently an added health benefit to drinking wine-infused coffee, as it offers a double boost of antioxidants. Whether that played a part in the success of the coffee is hard to say, but one thing is for sure, Molinari is having a hard time keeping up with demand.

I knew that this would get big, but I didnt think it would get to this point, Rick Molinari told FOX News. He has already exhausted the supply of wine-infused coffee and is now waiting on a new batch. The product is out of stock in the Molinari Private Reserve website, but if you keep an eye on it, you might be able to snatch a half-a-pound bag for $19.95 before it runs out again.

If youre excited by the idea of being able to literally get drunk on coffee, Im sorry to break it to you, but wine-infused coffee, has an alcohol content of only .005 percent. The good new is that the combination of caffeine and sugar from the wine can make you feel a bit tipsy after drinking it. You might think youre tipsy, but its the combination of the sugar and the caffeine, Molinari said.
A luxury flower company in London is selling one hundred percent natural Beauty and the Beast roses that it claims last forever if kept in their original glass domes, or up to three years if exposed to air, without requiring sunlight and water.

Like the magical flower that became synonymous with the 1991 Disney animation movie Beauty and the Beast, the roses sold by London-based Forever Rose seem to defy all logic. As long as they are kept under their protective glass covers, they never whither, regardless of the conditions they are kept in. They dont require any water or sunlight.

Even if you were to take them out of the provided glass dome, for some reason, Forever Rose claims that the roses, which come in 30 colors and several types of arrangements, will last for up to three years. But having your own enchanted rose isnt cheap, as these preserved flowers cost between $200  $4,000, depending on the size and complexity of the arrangement.

So whats the secret behind these real Beauty and the Beast roses? Forever Rose says that they are one hundred percent natural flowers derived from the mineral rich volcanic soils of Ecuador in South America and set themselves apart with their uniquely strong petals which grow up to ten times thicker and five times larger than any other blooms available on the market.

Ebraheem Al Samadi, a brand ambassador of Forever Rose London in the Middle-East, told The National that the company uses a secret potion to preserve the flowers, but would not reveal any of the ingredients. My Modern Met says that its most likely a mixture of glycerin and other oils.

The companys most popular flower arrangement is the Bella Rose, a single stem red rose preserved under a glass dome, just like the one in Beauty and the Beast. Prices for it start at $200.

Forever Rose London was founded in the UK and made a name for itself in the luxury custom flower arrangement sector, catering to several royal families and castles throughout Europe. Now, thanks to its immortal flower, the company is having great success in the Middle-East.

Photos: Forever Rose/Facebook
Facebook will continue to dominate the U.S. digital ad market this year, with display ad-related revenues expected to jump more than 32 percent to $16.33 billion in 2017, according to the latest ad spending forecast by digital market research company eMarketer.

Facebooks impressive gains, which includes advertising on desktop and laptop computers, as well as mobile phones, tablets and other Internet connected devices, will bring the social network giant to account for nearly 40 percent of the U.S. display market this year.

According to eMarketer, the gains are attributable to growth in overall use and the time users will spend on the site. Facebooks photo-sharing service Instagram is also expected to drive at least some of this growth, accounting for 20 percent of Facebooks U.S. mobile revenue this year, an increase of five percent from 2016, according to the eMarketer report.

eMarketer expects Google to account for nearly 41 percent of U.S. search ad revenues this year, more than double Facebooks share. The Alphabet Inc. unit, which continues to lead the search market, is expected to grow 16.1 percent to $28.55 billion in 2017, primarily the result of growth in mobile search, and should claim about 78 percent of the total search-related ad revenues in the U.S. this year.

Googles display business is also expected to rise to $5.24 billion, but its share of the display market will drop to 12.5 percent as a result of Facebooks historic gains in this sector.

The forecast also predicted that messaging app Snapchat is poised for strong growth this year, with ad revenue expected to surge about 158 percent in the U.S. to $770 million. The app, which claims 158 million daily users and whose parent company Snap Inc. went public last month, is now expected to account for nearly three percent of the U.S. mobile ad market by 2019, according to the eMarketer forecast, more than double its current 1.3 percent.

In total, U.S. digital ad spending will account for an $83 billion business in 2017, representing an increase of 15.9 percent from 2016.
Entries in more than 100 categories are due Friday by 6 p.m. for the 2017 Big Apple Awards of the New York Chapter of PR Society of America, biggest single city chapter with 600+ members.

An online entry portal aligned with PRSA nationals Silver Anvil Awards provides an easy way to enter the program, said chapter president Olga Gonzalez, founder/CEO, Pietra PR.

This years program has 20 new award categories including brand engagement, content marketing, diversity and inclusion, marketing for the arts, culture and media, beauty, fashion, real estate, restaurants and bars, retail and sports.

Gonzalez said the scope of the 100+ award categories was carefully reviewed and more carefully defined and in many cases expanded to better represent the work of communications professionals in the Tri-State region.

Olga Gonzalez

Budget information is no longer required in the two-page summary reports. Confidential information may be excluded from the reports. Budget info is required in the online form but it will be considered confidential for review only by Big Apple judges, she said.

Entries may provide supplemental information such as text, graphics, presentations, research or other assets.

Member entries are $400 for one, $725 for two and $1,015 for three. Non-member entries are $450 for one, $725 for two and $1,200 for three.

The chapters website provides for member log-in as well as a register button to set up new accounts. The new accounts will be set up as non-members.

Invited are entries from in-house corporate, government, and association communications teams, agencies of all size, and independent practitioners.

Diversity & Inclusion Debuts

The 2017 Big Apple Awards includes a Diversity and Inclusion Campaign Award (Category 25) and a corresponding Spotlight Award (Category 33). There are subcategories for business, government, associations and non-profit groups and for campaigns of $150K or less.

The awards recognize and showcase the investments of time, creativity, resources and the long-term commitment that agencies and firms are making in D&I, said the chapter.

D&I must be the key actor who remained center stage throughout the campaign, demonstrating a unique ability to collaborate, identify problems, develop solutions and make recommendations with confidence, it said.

The Spotlight Award focuses on a specific D&I activity that could be part of a larger campaign that embraces differences in ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, education and religion.

Angela Chitkara, associate director, Big Apple Awards and assistant professor, PR Track director, Branding and Integrated Communications program at City College of New York, is working on research with The Holmes Report involving the role of the CEO in D&I.

Ketchum & Michelin Won in 2016

Ketchum and Michelin took top honors at the Big Apple Awards June 2, 2016 for the "Beyond the Driving Test" campaign. More than 250 attended the event at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

(L to R) Joe Cohen, Grace Leong & Art Stevens

Other top winners included Butler Assocs. and the Uniformed Firefighters Assn. of Greater New York for a campaign marketing the restoration of disability benefits for city firefighters.

Coyne PR and Just Born Quality Confections/PEEPS won for best use of research, measurement and evaluation for a campaign highlighting how PEEPS candy moved beyond Easter into other holidays.

The chapter honored Hunter PR CEO and partner Grace Leong with the John W. Hill Award for lifetime achievement in PR. KIND Healthy Snacks senior VP of communications Joe Cohen took home the Philip Dorf Award for leadership and mentorship.

Stevens Group managing partner Art Stevens was given the president's award for ethical conduct and service to the chapter and PRSA national.

"WPIX 11 Morning News" reporter Kirstin Cole presented awards in 44 categories.

MasterCard was the first recipient of the Outstanding PR Leadership Award, which recognizes a corporate contribution to PR. Also new is the "15 Under 35" award that goes to "the most inspired and inspiring young talent" in PR in the New York metro area.
There are reports this evening that the Army's Bomb Disposal Unit are dealing with a suspicious device found in the village of Derrinturn in Kildare, close to the Offaly border, less than five miles from the town of Edenderry.

Motorists on the M7 motorway reported seeing the Army Bomb Disposal Unit being escorted by Garda vehicles in the direction of Prosperous, where the convoy was later spotted at Dagweld's crossroads on its joureny.

Locals have now reported the arrival of the unit to the Ashgrove Housing Estate on the Carbury side of the village.

It is understood the Army personnel are dealing with a suspect device found in that area.

The Army Bomb Disposal Unit have been called out to the Midlands and Kildare area on numerous occasions in recent weeks, including a viable device found in Tullamore on Friday last, March 10, and a false alarm in Rathangan last month when a machinery part was mistaken for a bomb.

SEE ALSO: Device found in Tullamore has been declared a viable bomb

Tonight's call-out is continuing and we will bring you more news on the discover as we get it.
Agricultural News

Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma Help Aid Wildfire Victims - Now Collecting Donations

Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, along with the other Oklahoma Farm Credit Associations, recently announced plans to aid those affected by the wildfires that have devastated many areas of northwestern Oklahoma and the Oklahoma panhandle.







With help from other Farm Credit associations, CoBank and area individuals and companies, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma has set up a fund to support fire victims and rural fire departments alike. Total donations to date, including fuel cards, are at $35,500.







"Our thoughts and prayers go out to these families. The four Farm Credit Associations in Oklahoma - Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Oklahoma Ag Credit, Farm Credit of Enid, and AgPreference along with CoBank, have come together and have taken immediate action to assist with rural fire departments, hay haulers and farm families to hopefully give financial help. We realize they have a long road ahead, but Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are resilient, hard-working people, and they will survive this," said John Grunewald, CEO of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma.







Donations to the fund can be made by anyone at any of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma's seven branches - Woodward, Guymon, Alva, Elk City, Clinton, Anadarko and Tuttle.







In addition to the fund for donations, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma has also rolled out a loan program specifically for wildfire victims. With the idea in mind that operators affected by the fires may be in need of immediate operating money, Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma has set up a loan program with 0% interest for six months which will help provide quick, immediate funds for operating needs.







"We understand there will most likely be government aid for those suffering losses of this tragedy; however, we also understand that, for many, operating funds are needed now. That is where we can help," said Grunewald. "The Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma Board of Directors approved this program and told us to do whatever it takes to help these farm families."







Donations can be made payable to - 2017 Fire Loss Fund.







Donations can be mailed to the following Farm Credit office:





Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma

c/o 2017 Fire Loss Fund

3302 Williams Ave.

Woodward, OK 73801





Source - Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma















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Top Agricultural News
An Omaha-based cancer research network that over the past 20-plus years has administered clinical trials at hospitals and clinics in eastern Nebraska has reorganized as a statewide group.

The network has connected more than 8,000 patients with 725 national trials involving treatment, prevention and symptom management.

Previously known as the Missouri Valley Cancer Consortium, the organization is transitioning to the Cancer Alliance of Nebraska. Organizers have been recruiting cancer specialists across the state.

The organization has eight partner organizations from Nebraska Cancer Specialists in Omaha and Fremont to Regional West Cancer Center in Scottsbluff. Organizers plan to contact other hospital systems and seek public support.

Our new mission is to bring NCI trials to every community in the state, so its kind of a lofty goal, said Dr. Gamini Soori, the cancer alliances president and principal investigator and a cancer specialist in Omaha, referring to the National Cancer Institute, the federal governments lead agency for cancer research and training.

Clinical trials help researchers determine whether new tests and treatments work, and they also give eligible patients access to the newest and potentially best therapies. Local networks such as the cancer alliance help make trials available to patients close to home, Soori said, so they dont have to leave their communities. Hospitals and clinics also benefit by keeping revenues in the community.

You want something local, especially in rural areas where transportation is a problem, said Dr. Rabih Fahed, a medical oncologist and hematologist at Faith Regional Carson Cancer Center in Norfolk. The cancer center, which previously was involved in the Missouri Valley consortium, has 29 patients in trials through the cancer alliance.

The cancer alliance now is affiliated with the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, a nationwide clinical trials group funded by the National Cancer Institute and industry partners. The network includes about 13,000 doctors and about 150 sites, including the Nebraska group.

Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, the groups chairwoman, said the Nebraska group is an important part of the network. Half of the networks sites are large academic medical centers, such as MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. But half are community networks like the Nebraska alliance. The mix helps to diversify the network and the pool of patients participating in trials.

Its important that patients who want to have their treatment in a local center dont miss out on the opportunity to participate, said Bertagnolli, a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School and chief of surgical oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston.

Making trials available close to home was one of the goals of the founders of the Missouri Valley group. Soori; the late Dr. James Mailliard, a longtime Creighton University professor; and a third doctor who later left the area began the group in 1993.

Soori said the nonprofit organization was funded over the years by community-focused National Cancer Institute grants and local partners, one being the former Alegent Creighton Health.

Mary Beth Wilwerding, the alliances executive director, said the Missouri Valley organization received about $15 million in federal cancer research funds over 20 years. Then and now, the organization takes care of monitoring and compliance for all of the partner groups.

Over the years, Soori said, the organization has been involved in large trials that helped change the standard of care for a number of cancers, including improving chemotherapy regimens for colon and rectal cancer and introducing the drug Herceptin as a treatment for certain types of breast cancer.

In 2014, Catholic Health Initiatives Institute for Research and Innovations Oncology Research Alliance received a grant to conduct multisite trials under a new community-based National Cancer Institute program. The sites under that grant included Alegent Creighton Health, which had become part of CHI Health.

Soori said the Missouri Valley group cut its budget and kept going, eventually deciding to seek new partners. The organization plans to apply for federal funding again in two years.

Were deeply committed to bringing clinical trials all across Nebraska, he said.

As cancer doctors, Soori said, their first job is to take care of patients. But they also have an obligation to advance the standard of care. That includes not only treatment, but also managing the side effects of treatment. We cant think of a world without clinical trials, because otherwise wed be practicing yesterdays medicine, Soori said.

Wilwerding said the organization works hard to be different from, rather than compete with, other organizations. Systems such as Nebraska Medicine, Methodist Health System and CHI Health still will do their own clinical trials. Nor is the cancer alliance equipped to do the kind of research the University of Nebraska Medical Center can do. Its goal, she said, is to bring trials that complement the ones other systems offer or that they dont have access to.

Were going to promote this as a statewide program that can benefit patients, she said. Hopefully, that will be an opportunity people will take advantage of.
When Savannah Laughlin arrived for a routine physical at CHI Health Clinic Millard, staff explained that her doctor would be wearing a Google Glass headset during the visit.

There would be no recording, they assured her, and Dr. Dawn Malene would shut off  or take off  the glasses connecting her via streaming audio and video to a medical scribe off-site during the physical exam.

I was raised on technology, so its not anything new or surprising to me, said Laughlin, who works behind three computer monitors at a grain trading company.

In the end, however, it wasnt the technology that she noticed but the lack of it. Instead of spending time entering information into Laughlins electronic health record on a computer, Malene described her findings and the scribe did the typing.

It makes me feel like shes paying attention more  less typing, more eye contact, Laughlin said.

Doctors in recent years have expressed frustration  too little patient contact, too much time added to the day and even weekend  with electronic health records. Adoption was driven by a push to increase coordination of care and improve patient outcomes.

The federal government initially provided incentives for doctors and health systems to convert paper files to electronic charts. More recently, it has begun to penalize those who havent made the switch. Now, a new system of paying doctors and hospitals based on quality of care also is coming into play. Health systems need data not only to track the care theyre providing, making sure theyre not duplicating tests or missing key follow-ups, but also to demonstrate that theyre meeting the marks.

To get around such concerns, doctors and health systems increasingly have turned to medical scribes, who either work remotely or sit in exam rooms.

CHI Health began piloting the marriage of Google Glass, software and scribes offered by a San Francisco firm called Augmedix in August 2015. Now, 29 CHI Health doctors, from primary care physicians like Malene to specialists such as surgeons and orthopedists, are using the technology in 17 CHI locations across Nebraska and western Iowa, said Shannon Naprstek, administrator of the Millard clinic and the project administrator.

Twenty more are expected to don glasses by the end of the year. Some Lincoln doctors who are part of The Physician Network are working with CHI Health doctors in the metro area to explore the option.

While CHI Health is the first in Nebraska to tap Google Glass, its just one of many models in use. Most still use computers and laptops or dictation and transcription services. At Think Whole Person Healthcare, doctors can choose an in-room scribe or whats known as an angel scribe  doctors wear an earpiece and communicate with scribes in a room upstairs.

Google Glass, of course, famously flopped on the consumer market. But John Goldwood, Augmedixs enterprise manager, said the startups founders  two Stanford graduates, one an MBA and the other an M.D.  and others in the tech world recognized the technologys potential business applications. At Boeing, for example, engineers are using the headsets to help visualize wiring in airplane manufacturing.

Its essentially a wearable computer, Goldwood said. Were at the very early stages of that development.

Two years after rolling out the service, the privately held Augmedix now has clients in 40 states and serves about 400 physicians. Goldwood said the company estimates that the system saves physicians an average of two hours a day on charting.

Naprstek said that matches what shes seen. The time saved also has improved access for patients. Doctors can see more patients, meaning the clinic can take virtually everyone who calls or comes in.

Its that walk-in service, she said.

Goldwood stressed that the technology isnt focused on increasing caseloads but instead is directed at bolstering physician satisfaction. Keeping up with electronic records is seen as a significant factor in physician burnout, a growing concern in health care nationwide.

CHI Health Clinics currently covers the cost of Augmedix. Goldwood said the company charges a monthly subscription fee per provider that covers software and support. He declined to specify the cost, but said its much less than in-house scribes. Augmedixs scribes, based in the U.S. and other locations around the world, are employed by the company. In the United States, many are pre-med students. All are versed in medical technology. At the end of the day, physicians rate the days service on a five-star scale. The companys average is 4.8 stars.

As for patients, only 3 percent refuse the service, Naprstek said. Once a doctor dons the glasses, video and audio stream in real time through a secure Wi-Fi network. Scribes follow the same privacy rules doctors and other health care providers follow.

Malene, however, said the scribe cant see much. Before she enters a room, she tells the scribe  her regular partner, Manmeet, is based in India  who shes seeing. The scribe pulls up the chart and adds information as the visit proceeds. If Manmeet has a question, she texts Malene. The text message appears in Malenes eyepiece. I am very happy with Dr Malene, she wrote recently.

Malene said she previously had a scribe in the room. CHI Health Clinics still employs more than a dozen. But she didnt always have a backup. There was a delay while the scribe brought up the chart.

Now I just have somebody with me on my head all the time, she said.

Doctors go back later and read the charts and co-sign them to ensure accuracy. Malene enters her own orders for lab tests, X-rays and medications. CHI requires doctors to check off on medications.

Laughlin, a relatively new patient, said she had one appointment with a scribe in the room. She said she thinks she prefers the remote scribe to having another person there.

Dr. Bill Weeks, a family practice physician at Think, used the clinics angel scribe system for about a year. Now the scribe is his practice nurse and works in the room. All but a few of the practices doctors use one or the other, split about 50-50.

Weeks said he finds hes more focused on his patients because he doesnt have his nose in his computer. After the clinic opened, he asked one patient how he liked the scribe setup. The man told him he hadnt talked that much to Weeks in the 15 years hed been seeing him.

That really hit home, Weeks said. I think a lot of people notice that.

But some say the industry should focus on improving electronic records rather than changing technologies.

Dr. Corey Joekel, Childrens Hospital & Medical Centers chief medical informatics officer, said his job is to make the electronic system as efficient and easy to use as possible. Physicians can check commonly used phrases rather than typing and bring up information as needed. Authors of a 2015 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association made a similar call to improve the systems.

If we build and utilize the tools we have more effectively and efficiently, said Joekel, a former emergency room doctor, then we dont need the alternative technology.

Malene said she had her doubts initially. But experience changed her mind.

Its helped my life, she said. I wouldnt go back.
An armed man whose well-being was in question was involved in a standoff Tuesday with police in Bellevue.

Police first encountered the 35-year-old man about 2:30 p.m. when they forced their way into his house on Kountze Memorial Drive. They believed he was in danger, the Police Department said.

The man, who was armed with a rifle, declined to follow officers' directions. Officers left the house and established a perimeter around it, police said.

Attempts to communicate with the man were unsuccessful, so the South Area Metro SWAT Team was called to the scene.

After about an hour, a police negotiator was able to reach the man via telephone, and he agreed to leave the house. He was taken into custody.

Police closed direct street access to the neighborhood for a brief period and made certain the neighboring homes were not occupied. The man was taken into protective custody. He will not be charged with a crime, police said.
LINCOLN  A key state senator called Wednesday for the Trump administration to reverse a decision labeling election systems as critical infrastructure.

State Sen. John Murante of Gretna said the designation could allow federal intervention in Nebraskas election system, violating state sovereignty and increasing security risks.

The designation represents a drastic federal overreach into our elections, he said. The (U.S.) Constitution explicitly grants authority to conduct elections to the states.

Murante said he sent a letter Tuesday to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, with copies to the president, vice president and members of the states congressional delegation.

He also introduced a legislative resolution that, if adopted, would put Nebraska lawmakers on record in opposition to the designation.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced the designation on Jan. 8, in the waning days of the Obama administration.

Kelly, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, told a congressional committee last month that he intends to continue the policy. A top DHS official reiterated that position in a March 6 letter to the Connecticut secretary of state.

In the letter, David Hess, a senior DHS official, said the designation allows state and local governments to get priority assistance from the federal government to manage the security of election systems.

The assistance could include sharing information about security threats and vulnerabilities, along with guidance and best practices to avoid problems.

Hess said participation by states is voluntary and does not involve federal intrusion, takeover or regulation of any kind.

During the 2016 elections, he said, the federal government shared such cyberthreat information with states. He said the agency also did voluntary vulnerability scanning of state election systems. Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale said his office inquired last year about having federal DHS officials do a security scan of the state election websites.

He wound up working with the states Office of the Chief Information Officer instead, which was able to do the same type of scanning that the federal government offered.

The security of election equipment became a major issue last year, following reports of hacking into various state election systems.

U.S. intelligence officials found that some attempts were made by Russian hackers.

In February, however, the National Association of Secretaries of State approved a resolution opposing the federal designation.

Gale said the designation was a concern because there was very little information about what it entailed.

If it involved any type of networking of election systems, that could increase security risks, he said. The decentralized nature of United States elections reduces the potential damage from major cyberattacks.

Gale also said he has concerns about what voluntary federal involvement now might lead to in the future.

Bri McLarty of Nebraskans for Civic Reform, a group that advocates on election issues, backed Murantes concern for maintaining state control over election technology.

Any solution brought forth for Nebraskas aging equipment needs to be crafted by the Nebraskans that use it, she said.

Murante chairs the Legislatures Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Election Technology.
Jeannette Maxwell was supposed to get her taxes done Tuesday. It didnt happen.

A sewer trench near her home had collapsed. A worker was trapped. The soil was unstable, and emergency officials didnt want her moving her vehicle.

We dont want to even rattle the street, she said firefighters told her.

The instability of the soil in the roughly 12 foot deep trench slowed efforts to rescue the worker because additional, small cave-ins would occur as rescuers worked, said Acting Battalion Chief Steven Thornburg.

For nearly seven hours, firefighters struggled to free the man who had been trapped up to his waist, according to emergency dispatchers, in front of 13019 Hawthorne Court. Identified by KMTV as 23-year-old Drew Johnson, he was taken to Nebraska Medical Center, alert but with pain in one of his legs.

Johnson was listed in good condition Wednesday morning.

While rescuers worked, neighbors did what they could, with some intent on fueling up emergency workers, news reporters and others with coffee, cookies and snacks.

Everybody is working so hard, Martzie Lynch said.

About 30 firefighters were at the scene, Thornburg said.

Omaha Fire Battalion Chief Kathy Bossman said Johnson, who works for Utility Trenching, was the only person in the hole when one side collapsed about 9:45 a.m.

Crews first set up a tripod pulley system with a rope to hoist Johnson out of the hole.

The biggest challenge is the safety of the patient, Bossman said about two hours in. Its a slow process.

Despite being trapped, Johnson was in good spirits, Bossman said.

Hes tired, and hes working hard. He is able to help us with his rescue, Bossman said. He is able to tell us when its OK to pull and when to stop ... We have given him warm IV fluids and oxygen to help keep him medically stable.

Wooden planks were brought in to stabilize the walls of the hole, which limited the space rescuers could work in.

Once the trench was somewhat stabilized, crews were able to use equipment provided by Metropolitan Utilities District to loosen and suck dirt from the hole, Thornburg said.

By mid-afternoon, Bossman could declare this progress: We finally see his boots.

Even then, the work was laborious.

The trench was fairly unstable, Thornburg said. They would free one foot, dirt would slough off, and it would trap him again.

At least two buried shovels from the sewer work laid across Johnsons feet, hindering rescue.

Cave-ins are extremely dangerous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration notes that a cubic foot of soil can weigh more than 100 pounds, and a cubic yard can weigh more than 3,000 pounds. A person buried under only a few feet of soil can experience enough pressure in the chest to prevent the lungs from expanding, OSHA said. In this case, Johnsons chest wasnt compressed by the dirt.

A man who answered the phone at Utility Trenching declined to comment.

Johnson was lifted from the hole about 4:15 p.m.

Im thrilled. I hope that hes OK. Ive been saying a prayer for him all day, said Jackie McLellan, whose home was across the street from the collapse.

McLellan watched the recovery effort from her window, which she described as very slow. Very methodical and very careful.

Two mud-covered boots were cast from the back of the ambulance after he was placed inside.

After Johnson was gone and some of the police tape was down, McLellan walked out with the pot of coffee, offering it up to the firefighters who had worked all day in the cold.

Johnsons mother, Joan Johnson, tearfully thanked those who labored throughout the day to free her son.

It was a huge blessing, she said to KMTV. Thank you, Jesus. He saved him.

Joan Johnson asked an acquaintance, Wendy Keeler, to release this statement around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday:

Andrew is resting in ICU. ... There are no visitors allowed at this time.

Joan wants to thank all the fire and rescue personnel who stepped up to save her son and she understands the time involved in his rescue was due to the danger of compartment syndrome and further trench collapse. ... The time involved in his rescue was very reasonable. Rescue staff was only concerned with Drews health and welfare, along with their own safety.

The family appreciates your respect for their privacy at this time.
Blow to Nitish Kumar as 5 of 6 MLAs from JD(U) join BJP in Manipur

All's not well in Manipur as NPP's pullout threat looms large

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Imphal, March 15: Even as N. Biren Singh was sworn in as Manipur's new Chief Minister on Wednesday, the threat of BJP ally National People's Party to pull out in case portfolios of its choice are not given loomed large.

The NPP is an ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in Manipur and has four members in the 60-member assembly.

NPP president Thangmilien Kipgen wrote to the BJP national leadership on Tuesday that the party will pull out if the agreement between the two parties is not honoured.

A meeting between NPP and BJP leaders was held in Imphal on March 12, wherein it was agreed that all four NPP MLAs will be made cabinet ministers.

The NPP is demanding the home department for deputy chief minister Y Joykumar, health and family welfare department for L Jayentakumar, Public Works Department for N Kysii and Rural Development and Panchayats Department for L. Haokip. All four were sworn in on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister has been unable to decide on portfolios since many other ministers too are demanding the same.

BJP leaders in charge of Manipur had reportedly assured the allocation of these portfolios to the Naga People's Front, which too has four MLAs.

Informed sources said the lone independent MLA Asabuddin was now in the company of Congress leaders in Assam.

He arrived in Imphal but was not allowed to come out of the international airport but whisked away to Guwahati.

Though the BJP-led government claims his support, he was absent at Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony.

IANS
Amit Shah's victory march to announce BJPs dominance in Manipur

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Imphal, March 15: According to reports, on Wednesday when the Bharatiya Janata Party will form its first government in the hill state of Manipur in the northeast India, party president Amit Shah and his colleagues are likely to hold a massive roadshow in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur. "Amit Shah and other BJP leaders to hold a roadshow in Imphal, Manipur, on Wednesday," reported ANI.

The BJP party cadres are euphoric across the region, after reports came in on Tuesday that the saffron party is all set to form the government in the state. The BJP members have started celebrating the party's 'victory' after the BJP won 21 seats in the recently concluded assembly elections in the state. In the last assembly polls, held in 2012, the party failed to win even a single seat.

In five years, the party not only won 21 seats out of 60 that went to polls, but is all set to form its government in Manipur. "It is a huge victory for the BJP. We are celebrating," said a local BJP leader to a television channel.

On Wednesday, the first BJP-led government in Manipur will be sworn-in when N Biren Singh will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Najma Heptulla. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at 1 pm on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Heptulla invited Singh, who was unanimously elected the leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party, to form the government. Both the BJP and the Congress had put up their best efforts to form the government in the hill state. Finally, the governor decided to invite the BJP as it has the largest number of seats, supported by smaller parties.

In the 60-member Manipur Assembly, a party (with or without allies) needs the support of 31 MLAs to stake its claim to form the government. Although the Congress has secured 28 seats, getting the maximum seats in the 60-member Manipur Assembly in the recently concluded elections, the BJP with 21 seats has staked its claim to form the next government in the state. On Sunday, the BJP submitted a list of 32 legislators to Heptullah, claiming the support of 11 other MLAs -- four of Naga People's Front, four National People's Party, one Lok Janshakti Party, one Independent and one Trinamool Congress Party. Earlier, the BJP unanimously elected Singh as the leader of the legislature party on Monday.

According to reports, after forming elected-governments in Assam and Manipur, the BJP is preparing to win the Meghalaya Assembly elections, scheduled in 2018. After Goa, Manipur would be the second state among the five where elections were held recently where the BJP would form a government despite not being the single largest party by cobbling together a post-poll alliance. BJP runs a coalition government in Assam and has its own government in Arunachal Pradesh crafted through defection.

OneIndia News
Make in India: Not Spain, Gujarat facility to build C-295 for Indian Air Force now

Chetak helicopter topples in Allahabad

India

oi-Lisa

Allahabad, March 15: Two pilots of a Chetak helicopter of the Indian Air Force are safe after their chopper toppled as they attempted to land in Allahabad on Wednesday.

The chopper had taken off from Bamrauli air base of Allahabad and was on a routine sortie. The pilots detected a technical snag during the sortie and reported it to the ground crew.

As the pilots tried to crash-land on the uneven field the helicopter it toppled. The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Chetak helipcopter toppled during training sortie in Allahabad's Bamrauli, due to technical glitch;both pilots safe;Court of Inquiry ordered pic.twitter.com/b4mlfDBftz  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

Allahabad: Chetak helipcopter toppled during training sortie in Bamrauli, due to technical glitch;both pilots safe; Court of Inquiry ordered pic.twitter.com/58vyHSIyKH  ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) March 15, 2017

OneIndia News
Dear Bhakts, let Rahul rest in peace, he was never relevant and would perhaps never be

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

It's a very Indian tradition, even when you are suffering from a mild bout of viral fever, from your relatives to neighbours, all will have a piece of advice for you as how to get relief from the malady. And when the Indian prince (yes, we mean charming Rahul Gandhi), who looks completely distraught these days, is down with 'cancer' called the art of losing elections, even his fierce rivals, the BJP netas are doling out free and earnest advices to Rahul and his grand old party, the Congress. The Congress looks really old like a nonagenarian struggling to stand on its own feet. The Congress house is in a 'mess' facing one of its worst crises since it was formed in 1885.

In such a pathetic situation, advices for Rahul are flying thick and fast, like the hero of the Bollywood movie, Flying Jat, who goes by an unusual name, Tiger Shroff. Yes, some die-hard loyalists of the Congress want the scion of the Gandhi family to grow up (we don't know how does one grow up when one is 46 years) like a tiger. His detractors--who have lately taken a slightly magnanimous view on Rahul--had asked him to take permanent sanyas from politics.

Rahul, currently, is leading the most miserable life in India, even miserable than the suicide prone farmers of Andhra Pradesh. At least, they can choose death, when neither the state nor the Centre governments come to their rescue, but Rahul in spite of all the riches can't afford to do so. He like the poor farmers is bereft of friends, but have all the riches (remember all the scams during the UPA-II government?).

Now, all Rahul baba needs is an end of pestering (Rahul do this, Rahul do that...). Maybe, once all these constant 'bullies' and 'advices' stop he might leave the fertile land of politics and become a traveller (one of the many career options for a rich person). Otherwise, what else could he do? His family business of politics has made severe losses after the rival business house has started the factory called Modi wave.

The Modi wave has grown into a pan-Indian conglomerate. The powerful conglomerate is swallowing one state after another (look carefully, the Indian map is soaked in saffron colour, these days). Instead of giving Rahul one more chance in the field of statecraft or warning him to leave his political career at once, why not ask him to travel around the world.

Or, let us narrow down the geographical vastness. Let Rahul, like a fakir travel across the country. When we say fakir, we mean a real mendicant, minus the stooges and luxuries, the lonely man on a march to understand the country and its vastness. During his journey he might learn why the country after almost seven decades of the Congress' rule has totally rejected the dreams weaved by the party.

The country really needs a change. Otherwise why from north, east to west, every voter is rejecting the Congress? The answer is written on the wall. It is just that Rahul is living in denial. We hope some travelling will clear his mind. Moreover, he loves to take regular breaks even when Parliament is in session. Happy travelling, Rahul ji!

OneIndia News
From slaying terrorists to paralysing Yasin Malik, NIA is India's answer to terror and threat

ED summons Geelani, Yasin Malik over money laundering, FEMA cases

India

oi-Madhuri

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday has summoned Kashmiri separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik for allegedly violating foreign exchange rules.

Separatists Yasin Malik & SAS Geelani summoned by Enforcement Directorate in different money laundering & FEMA cases.

(file pics) pic.twitter.com/7vHnZFkpEy  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik has been asked to appear before the agency on March 28, while Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, has been summoned on April 3.

The I-T sleuths, who had swooped on residences of Geelani and his family members in 2002 and seized valuable items including a diamond-studded watch gifted by Pakistan Government, had raised a tax demand of over Rs 1.5 crore.

The case dragged on for nearly three years and recently the appeal was dismissed after which he was asked to deposit Rs 1.73 crore as tax liabilities by the end of 2010. The case has been pending with the I-T department and the ED since then.

It was also found that Yasin Malik, another separatist, had received funding of USD 1 lakh and the money was being carried by a woman called Shazia.

The agencies have been finding it difficult to investigate the cases since important documents were washed away during the 2014 flash floods.

OneIndia News
Ex-Congressmen run the BJP government in Manipur

India

oi-Anusha

Imphal, March 15: The BJP is all set to form its first-ever government in Manipur as Nongthombam Biren Singh is all set to be sworn in as the Chief Minister. While Biren was chosen the leader of the legislative party in Manipur, the man behind the BJP's success in consolidating the magic number to form the government was undoubtedly Himanta Biswa Sarma . The health and education minister of Assam emerged the key player in ensuring BJP its first government in Manipur.

Apart from the fact that one is the king and the other a king-maker among the two leaders, the fact that both are former Congressmen unites them. Until 2015, Himanta Biswas was a Congress man and N Biren Singh was with the Congress till 2016. Both, ex-Congressmen who quit the party over differences and with the kind of politicking they have done in the last 5 days, the Congress should have been regretting letting both these leaders go.

The Congress' loss is now the BJP's gain. The hit is more personal for Congress leader and former Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh simply because Biren Singh walked out of the Congress revolting against him.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 9:11 [IST]
Failure of Congress in Goa, Manipur being questioned

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 15: While the Congress is accusing the BJP of subverting democracy and nullifying people's mandate by staking claim to form new governments in Manipur and Goa before it could do so as the single-largest party, many, within and outside the Congress, are questioning its own failure to seize the opportunity.

Despite winning the most number of seats in both the states -- 28 in 60-member Manipur Assembly and 17 in 40-member Goa Assembly -- the Congress failed to form government in any of the states.

In Goa, the Congress was outsmarted by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which won only 13 seats but managed to cobble a majority by garnering the support of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and the Goa Forward Party with three lawmakers each and two of the three elected Independent MLAs.

In the meanwhile, the leaders of the Congress were busy squabbling over the choice of it's legislative party leader.

The Congress leaders, including party General Secretary Digvijaya Singh and top state politicians, camped at the iconic Mandovi hotel in Panaji, where for five hours they wrangled over the choice of the CLP leader, apart from waiting for Vijai Sardesai of the GFP and other Independents.

The Congress' state unit President Luizinho Faleiro, former Chief Ministers Digambar Kamat and Pratapsingh Rane, were potential candidates for the post, but each camp and their proxies rejected each other, wasting precious time.

There was even a secret ballot to select the CLP leader -- an exercise results of which were incidentally kept a secret from the media and the party's junior MLAs.

By the evening, frustrated Congress leaders stepped out of the hotel, with Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate even blaming the party's Delhi leaders for losing the opportunity to select a CLP leader and forge a ruling coalition.

Vishwajit P. Rane, the Congress MLA from Valpoi and son of Pratapsingh Rane, had also announced that he was quitting the party. He blamed the party leaders for not moving fast and scuttling the Congress' chances of forming the government in Goa.

He asked: "Nitin Gadkari could take the decision, why not our seniors?"

Congress General Secretary in-charge of Goa Digvijaya Singh had in the morning tweeted: We have been requesting Governor of Goa (Mridula Sinha) for appointment since March 12 night but were not given. Today (Tuesday) we sought appointment for 10:30 a.m., but she has given us time for 1.30 p.m."

"She didn't even meet the single-largest party elected by the people of Goa before calling Parrikar to take oath. Is it justice? Is it Constitutional? Doesn't it violate the Sarkaria Commission guidelines? Is it Moral," asked Singh.

Refusing to interfere with the Goa Governor's decision to appoint Manohar Parrikar as the new Chief Minister, the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed that a floor test be held in the assembly on Thursday to determine if Parrikar enjoyed the majority support.

Parrikar was sworn in as the Goa Chief Minister for the fourth time on Tuesday by the Governor Mridula Sinha in state capital Panji. Nine ministers were also sworn in.

The Congress had accused Mridula of acting unilaterally and inviting the BJP to form a government in Goa, without even meeting the 17 elected leaders of the Congress.

Meanwhile, in Manipur, where the Congress ruled for three consecutive terms, despite winning 28 seats, just three seats short of the majority mark in the 60-member assembly, the party failed to form a government.

"Governor's new role, first certify the majority of party who appoints them, later invite their leader to form government. Democracy Subverted," Congress General Secretary in-charge of Manipur C.P. Joshi had tweeted.

"An MLA was abducted from the airport. The government is using all the machinery. We will fight the anti-democratic action of the government," Joshi told IANS on Monday.

The BJP, which won 21 seats, staked claim for form government with the support of four MLAs each of the Naga People's Front and the National People's Party, one MLA each of the All India Trinamool Congress, the Lok Janshakti Party and one Independent.

Nongthombam Biren will be sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday morning, according to Raj Bhavan sources.

He will be sworn-in at Raj Bhavan at 10.30 a.m., the sources said. Biren and one or two elected members may take oath.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who tendered his resignation on Monday night, said: "We had staked our claim to form the next ministry."

However, that hope is fading away as all other members of the non-Congress parties and the lone Independent MLA have extended support to the BJP.

Ibobi Singh had pinned his hope on the NPP, which has four MLAs. However, the NPP General Secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said, "We have extended support to the BJP and it is final."

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singvi said: "Unfortunately the BJP is now becoming an expert in creating governments through Governors whereas government creation is the work of the people who vote."

"Government creation is neither for the Governor, nor for the Party to whom the Governor earlier belongs and still appears to be acting for. Therefore, this is a clear attempt to nullify peoples' mandate," he added.

IANS
Goa: Man arrested for recording video of girl in hostel bathroom in Panaji

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Goa: British woman found dead, one arrested

India

pti-PTI

Panaji, Mar 15: A 28-year-old British woman tourist was found dead near a beach in south Goa, following which a man was arrested on Wednesday for his alleged role in the crime.

The disrobed body of the woman, who had a British passport, was found on Tuesday at an isolated spot near a beach in south Goa's Devbag village, located about 80 km from Panaji, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Canacona, Sammy Tavares said.

He said the woman had arrived in Goa on February 23 this year and since then she was holidaying in south Goa.

"Hours before her corpse was found, she was seen playing Holi with locals in Canacona," the officer said.

The woman's face was smashed with a blunt object. It is a case of murder, Tavares said.

The body has been sent to the Goa Medical College and Hospital to ascertain the exact cause of the death. Vikas Bhagat, a history-sheeter from Canacona village, located near Devbag, was arrested on Wednesday in this connection, the official said.

"Bhagat was arrested by police within 24 hours of the woman's body being found at an isolated spot in Devbag village, located between the beaches of Canacona and Agonda," Tavares said.

"Bhagat was earlier arrested several times in connection with cases of theft and other petty offences," he said.

Meanwhile, police have requested the dean of GMCH to form a panel of doctors to conduct the postmortem of the British woman. They are waiting for the postmortem report to ascertain if she was raped before being killed.

"Only after it is medically proved that she was raped, we will add the (relevant) sections," Tavares said.

"Prima facie it looks like a case of rape," he added.

Meanwhile, police produced Bhagat before a local court, which remanded him to seven-day judicial custody.

"We are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder," they said.

The incident has brought back memories of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling's death in the coastal state. The 15-year-old's bruised, semi-nude corpse was found on Goa's famous Anjuna beach in February 2008. Two men were arrested in connection with the case, but they were acquitted by Goa Children's Court last year. The CBI, which investigated the case, had moved the Bombay High Court in February this year challenging the verdict.

PTI
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HS Phoolka to be Leader of Opposition in Punjab

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 15: Senior AAP leader H.S. Phoolka was on Wednesday elected the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab assembly. Aam Aadmi Party leader Sukhpal Khaira was elected the Chief Whip, AAP's Punjab convener Gurpreet Ghuggi told reporters here.

The decision was taken at a meeting at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence where all Punjab AAP MLAs were present.

Phoolka said the party would keep a close watch on all decisions taken by the newly-elected Congress government in Punjab and would perform the role of a constructive and an active opposition.

While the Congress swept to power in Punjab winning 77 of the 117 seats, the AAP came second with 20 seats. AAP ally Lok Insaaf Party won another two seats.

IANS


More proof that IM had hand in RSS worker's murder

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

There is more proof that has emerged to suggest that killers of RSS worker, Rudresh in Bengaluru had links with the Indian Mujahideen. Rudresh was killed on October 16 in Bengaluru. After an initial probe by the Bengaluru police, the National Investigation Agency took over the probe.

The NIA which is probing the alleged role of Asim Shariff, leader of the Popular Front of India says that records have revealed he was in touch with the Indian Mujahideen. It is not just this case, but the NIA is also looking into 17 other cases in which Hindu leaders were murdered.

The NIA and the ministry for Home Affairs contended that the 17 murders of Hindu leaders in South India are interlinked. They bear a similarity and could be part of the same modus operandi, the NIA has contended.

The NIA, however, made it clear that all angles probed suggest that the killers of Rudresh were linked to both the Indian Mujahideen and the al-Ummah. It is said that the killers are targeting Hindu leaders in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. These are trained assassins, the NIA contended.

The NIA states that links have been found between the killers and an IM operative Syed Islmail Afaque who was arrested in January 2015. Afaque was associated with the PFI at one time, the NIA has also learnt.

OneIndia News
In Karnataka BJP will win 129-150 seats says survey

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Bengaluru, March 15: It is mission 150 for the BJP in Karnataka. On the map of India the saffron colour is missing in Karnataka and the BJP which has won this state in the past will look to take it again.

A few days back, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa had said that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah will win, Karnataka and I am just an excuse. Looking at the wave in the nation and an internal survey conducted by the BJP, the party is looking to bag anything between 150 and 160 seats in the Karnataka assembly elections of 2018.

In all there are 224 seats up for grabs in Karnataka. The BJP's survey indicates that it may peak at the 150 mark. The survey also indicates that the party would however not win anything less than 129 seats which is comfortably ahead of the magic mark. For the Congress the survey gives around 50 seats and in the case of the JD(S) it would be 22. The rest would be won by the independents, the survey indicates.

The BJP's push would be to form the government on its own without any outside support. Moreover it would ensure that the party remains united and not fumble like it did after the 2008 elections. The party's top brass has already issued a stern warning to all its members in the state to stay united or face the music.

OneIndia News
IS suspect held in Madhya Pradesh

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

A person with suspected Islamic Sate links was held in Madhya Pradesh by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad. The suspect was tracked down on the basis of intelligence inputs after it was found that he had links with some handlers and operatives of the IS in India.

The suspect who is being taken to Maharashtra for questioning was held at Khargone district in Madhya Pradesh. It is suspected that he was in touch with some persons in Maharashtra and was attempting to set up a module in the state.

Several operatives have been arrested from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra in the past for their alleged IS links.

The extent of this suspect's involvement with the IS is yet to be ascertained. "The intelligence on him was concrete, following which, we carried out the arrest," an ATS official informed OneIndia.

OneIndia News
ED is 'completely independent' in what it does: Nirmala Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman hints at possibility of Centre considering restoration of state status to J&K

JNU suicide case: Nirmala Sitharaman meets family of J Muthukrishnan

India

oi-Madhuri

Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday met the family of deceased JNU student J. Muthukrishnan, who allegedly committed suicide in south Delhi's Munirka Vihar. The minister met the family at All India Institue of Medical Sciences.

Delhi: Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman meets family of deceased JNU student, who allegedly committed suicide, at AIIMS. pic.twitter.com/Waoaef7UP0  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

According to the latest reports, Delhi police will file an FIR of abetement to suicide in alleged suicide case of JNU student.

The father of the deceased JNU scholar J. Muthukrishnan has demanded a CBI probe into the events leading to the death of his son. Also, he called his son's death as a 'murder'.

The 27-year-old Ph.D student allegedly committed suicide in south Delhi's Munirka Vihar on Monday evening. The student from Tamil Nadu was found hanging from a ceiling fan inside his friend's house.

The incident took place on Monday evening, and the police have said that the student Muthukrishnan killed himself over personal reasons, after discovering a post which his friends shared, stating that he was discriminated in MPhil and PhD admissions.

While police said he was depressed over personal issues, his friends shared his Facebook post in which he had alleged discrimination in MPhil and PhD admissions.

"When Equality is denied everything is denied," he wrote in a Facebook post on March 10. No suicide note has been found till now, police said. Till now no evidence has been found that the extreme step was taken by the student owing to any issues at the university, said a senior police officer. He is said to have been depressed for sometime over some personal issues, he added.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 11:51 [IST]
Karnataka Budget 2017: Govt wants 100% 'preference' to Kannadigas in private sector

India

oi-Anusha

The Karnataka government during its budget 2017-18 proposed to move towards ensuring 100 percent preference for Kannadigas in private sector. The preference is only applicable to group C and group D categories of posts in all private companies that have established businesses in the state.

According to the government's announcement, steps will be taken to ensure that the local population is accommodated into Group C' posts that ideally includes posts that perform supervisory as well as operative tasks. It could also include clerical assistances in organisations. The proposal also includes group D' posts are meant for carrying out routine duties of office assistant, housekeeping etc.

The budget also proposed to push private sector organisations to dedicate 5 percent of posts to employ differently-abled persons. To help employ candidates from the SC and ST community, the government has agreed to pay administration's contributions towards ESI. Accident cover and security funds through smart cards were announced for hawkers, household helps and ragpickers at the cost of Rs 10 crore.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced 61 new ESI hospitals, development of 100 ESI hospitals in Davangere, Hubballi and Belagavi. The budget also proposed to modernise the ESI hospital in Indiranagar with super speciality wards.

OneIndia News
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Mumbai railway stations get a colourful makeover

India

oi-Shubir

By Shubir Rishi

Scores of artists came together recently visits various railway stations in Mumbai to put their creative skills on display, while beautifying the stations.

25,000 volunteers have worked through the night to give Mumbai's local train stations a colourful facelift. Artists from tribal groups in Dahanu and foreign artists also took part in the drive. Volunteers had a chance to choose from 21 stations on the Western Line and 15 on Central.

In 2015, around 500 volunteers had set out to paint Khar and Borivali stations and completely changed them over.

'Hamara Station Hamari Shaan' The Beautification programme, called Hamara Station Hamari Shaan' is part of a voluntary initiative in collaboration with the western Railway and Central Railway. All photographs: Ministry of railways/Twitter A 100% volunteer-driven initiative Daan Utsav (formerly known as the Joy of Giving Week) is the festival of giving. It is a 100% volunteer driven initiative that encourages people to do any act of giving of their choice. The railways has said that it will revamp 36 stations in a week. Beautifying the entire railway station premises Beautifying the entire railway station premises which include staircases, foot over bridges, booking windows and area adjoining, entrances, signage's and the platforms. Stations on the western suburban railway network The beautification through painting will imply giving the foot-over-bridges and entrances of the railway stations a look with a theme and design which resonates with each station and the surrounding geography. Andheri, Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Dahisar. Matunga, Khar, Borivali,Churchgate, Marine Lines, Charni Road, Grant Road, Mumbai Central, Mahalaxmi, Lower Parel, Elphinstone Road, Dadar, Bandra, Santacruz, Vile Parle. Stations on the central suburban railway network Masjid Bunder, Sandhurst Road, Byculla, Chinchpokli, Currey Road, Parel, Sion (Sheev), Kurla, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg, Bhandup, Nahur, Mulund, Thane. Daan Utsav (formerly known as the Joy of Giving Week) is the festival of giving. It is a 100% volunteer driven initiative that encourages people to do any act of giving of their choice.
#NotMyCM protest rocks Goa against BJPs money, muscle power

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

During the swearing-in ceremony of Manohar Parrikar as the new chief minister of Goa on Tuesday, protest broke outside Raj Bhavan in Dona Paula, Panaji--the beautiful capital city of the coastal state. Protesters holding placards stating 'NotMyCM' chanted slogans against the former defence minister and his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, for allegedly using 'money' and 'muscle' power to form government in the state.

The protest against the BJP to form the government in Goa was brewing on social media since Sunday. However, on Tuesday after the Supreme Court cleared the deck for the swearing-in ceremony of Parrikar and his cabinet colleagues, voters of Goa expressed their resentment on the streets.

Women police push back #NotMyCM protestors. "You can't force your govt on us. We voted for freedom from BJP," they claim. pic.twitter.com/s6RCdgsCrT  Ashwini Kamat (@AshwiniKamat1) March 14, 2017

Goa protesting! People are in the street against @manoharparrikar BJP murdering democracy. No Media wl show this #NotMyCMpic.twitter.com/IG29PjrxnA  Jothimani (@jothims) March 14, 2017

The main grouse of the protesters is that voters of the state have voted against the BJP and the Congress with 17 seats (the party with largest number of seats in the 40-member Goa Assembly) should have been allowed by the Governor Mridula Sinha to form the government.

The BJP which came second by winning 13 seats in the 40-member assembly managed to garner support from other parties and Independents to attain majority and derail the Congress, which had emerged as the largest party with 17 seats. Three MLAs from the Goa Forward Party, three from the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and two Independents have pledged their support to Parrikar. The lone Nationalist Congress Party MLA was also claimed to have extended support.

Here we bring you a glimpse of the protest through pictures...

Angry Goans chant slogans against Parrikar According to local media reports, more than a hundred protesters vented their anger against the newly-formed government outside the Raj Bhavan. Picture credit: Social Media Women power outside power corridor Several women protesters were seen arguing with police personnel after they were stopped from entering the premises of raj Bhavan. Picture credit: Social Media Not too old to protest Here we can see a senior citizen holding a placard-NotMyCM-at the protest venue. Picture credit: Social Media Goans want Parrikar to go back to Delhi While many a Goans want Parrikar to head the state once again, there are others who are miffed with him. Picture credit: Social Media

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 7:38 [IST]
Karnataka Budget 2017: Your movie now costs Rs 200

India

oi-Anusha

Cine-goes may have a lot of reason to smile if they are visiting cinema halls in Karnataka. Chief minister Siddaramaiah while presenting the annual budget proposed to cap pricing of cinema tickets at a maximum of Rs 200. The cap will be applicable to all cinema halls including multiplexes where ticket prices have reached well beyond Rs 500 in the past.

The move comes after much contemplation and opposition by theatre owners. Bengaluru has seen prices of film tickets hit the ceiling, costing up to Rs 700 depending on the language and the stars in the movie. With this cap, a theatre can't charge customers more than Rs 200.

Along with the cap on film tickets, the budget also proposed to set up a film city in Mysuru for the development of the Kannada film industry. The decision comes after a committee headed by Rajendra Singh Babu had recommended that ticket pricing be capped. The announcement on mandatory screening of Kannada films in at least one screen of multiplexes between 1.30 pm and 10 pm was also made.

OneIndia News
Rahul Gandhi out as Congress chief? Party hints at change in leadership

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, March 15: After the Congress' humiliating defeat in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand assembly elections, followed by missing the opportunity to form governments in Goa and Manipur, several Congress leaders have openly voiced their discontentment against the party's top leadership in the last few days.

Senior leaders of the Congress including Renuka Chowdhury had raised questions over the party's top leadership in handling elections and results. Many also suggest that the party leadership might be handed over to a non-Gandhi. Currently, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi is at the helm of party affairs.

On Wednesday, a senior Congress leader told ANI that talks of change in leadership is on. "We are hearing about the possibility of change in leadership in the party. But it is yet to take place. If it happens now then it will be for the good of the Congress. (Sunte toh aa rahe hain ki badlaav hoga, abhi tak toh hua nahi. Ab hoga toh derr aaye durust aaye)," Satyavrat Chaturvedi of the Congress told ANI.

He added that the Congress should have a chief who has got good understanding of 'grassroot-level politics'. "Those persons should be brought in who do grassroot-level politics (Woh log laye jayen jo log zameen se judi rajneeti karna jante hon)." Chaturvedi said that the Congress needs to change its condition and direction. "I don't think it is a big defeat, we can make a comeback."

Even son of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Sandeep, had suggested change in the party leadership. On Tuesday, an angry Chowdhury called Goa loss 'stupid' and demanded sacking of Digvijaya Singh from the Congress.

Singh is in charge of the Goa Congress. In spite of winning 17 seats (highest) in the recent assembly polls, the party lost the number game to the Bharatiya Janata Party as the saffron party formed its government in the coastal state on Tuesday. A similar situation happened in Manipur. In Manipur elections, the Congress won 28 seats (highest), but the BJP is set to form its government on Wednesday.

OneIndia News
How the numbers add up in UP: This is what BJP's win percentage was

Raj Babbar offers to resign as UP Congress president

India

oi-Lisa

Lucknow, March 15: Raj Babbar has on Wednesday offered to resign from the post of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee president after the Congress was badly defeated in the UP assembly election. The Congress performed very badly despite allying with the Samajwadi Party.

Raj Babbar said that he was not able to successfully fulfil the responsibilities that he was assigned with and he was ready to take responsibility of the poor show by his party in UP. After the results were declared he had told reporters that the alliance had tried to defeat the BJP but they were not successful in it and that gadha pehlwan ho gaya (Thanks to good luck undeserving won).

In the recent election, the Congress could just win seven seats of the 105 seats it contested. In 2012 the Congress had won 28 seats and the party has been out of power from UP since 28 years.

Interestingly, Babbar, after the conclusion of the election campaigning in UP on March 8, had said that Congress-SP alliance has given a united and fierce fight to the BJP. He had confidently added that "Our sixer shot is reserved for the 2019 match."

The election results, however, went overwhelmingly to the BJP's favour and the Congress is facing aggressive resentment from party members for the debacle in elections since 2014 Lok Sabha election.

OneIndia News
Rape accused Gayatri Prajapati arrested, sent to judicial custody

India

oi-Anusha

Samajwadi party leader and former minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government, Gayatri Prajapati was was arrested has been sent to 14 days judicial custody. After being on the run for weeks, the Uttar Pradesh politician, accused in a gang rape case was arrested in Lucknow on Wednesday morning. He was taken to a hospital for medical check up as part of procedure after which he was produced before a magistrate.The Samajwadi party leader was sent to judicial custody later.

The rape accused former Uttar Pradesh minister had absconded after the police had initiated action to arrest him. The Uttar Pradesh police had arrested 6 people including Gayatri Prajapati's son and nephew in connection with the case. The leader who lost the election from the Amethi assembly constituency seat had been on the run for 17 days.

A woman had alleged that the neta and his accomplices had gang raped her and had also attempted to molest her teenage daughter. Action against Prajapati came only after the Supreme Court intervened and directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure action against him. Apart from cases pertaining to rape, Gayatri Prajapati also faces charges under the POCSO act.

OneIndia News
Acs, TVs may be licensed by govt to discourage entry of foreign goods

Rijiju for better monitoring of foreign accounts

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, March 15: The Home Ministry has been in touch with the RBI to enable better monitoring of foreign accounts, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The ministry has requested the Reserve Bank of India to integrate FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) accounts with Public Financial Management System for this purpose, he said in a written reply.

"It will enable the ministry to monitor receipt and utilisation of foreign contributions credited such bank accounts," Rijiju said.

IANS
Shiv Sena slams BJP, says murder of democracy in Goa

India

ians-IANS

By Ians English

Mumbai, March 15: Terming the formation of a BJP government in Goa as nothing short of "murder of democracy", the Shiv Sena on Wednesday said it was a fraud on people's mandate. In an editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana and Dopahar Ka Saamana, it pointed out that even the majority support in the 40-member Goa assembly claimed by the BJP before forming the government appeared to be fixed.

"The smaller parties gave letters of conditional consent to the Governor that they would support the BJP only if Manohar Parrikar became the Chief Minister... Though it would been difficult for the BJP to select a CM from among its 13 elected legislators," the Sena said.

The sad part was that the parties which have extended support to the Bharatiya Janata Party have been elected on an "anti-BJP plank" in the assembly election in which the BJP trailed the Congress.

While admitting that people in Goa had selected the "unworthy" Congress, it said the party was "slow to react" and lost out in the numbers game to the BJP which acted quickly.

On Parrikar, the Sena opined that either he had become a liability in the Modi government or he himself felt disillusioned by national politics and sought the comfort of his home state.

"Even when Parrikar was the Defence Minister, he spent more time in his home state and would issue empty threats to Pakistan."

The Sena asked Parrikar to remember that the BJP had been voted out by the people in the state and the latest developments were simply beyond the public expectations.

"While the result of the vote of confidence on Thursday appears inevitable, all this can only be termed as a 'murder of democracy' in Goa."

IANS
Sushma back in LS, pitches for safety of Indians in the US

India

oi-Lisa

New Delhi, March 15: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj spoke in Lok Sabha on Wednesday about the attacks on Indians in the US. The opposition has been accusing the government of keeping silent on the hate crimes committed against Indians in the US.

Swaraj said that she had talked to families of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Deep Rai, also that the ministry had raised these issues with highest authorities in the US. She said that NDA Government doesn't take it lightly when Indian are in any sort of trouble wherever they may be.

She also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was busy campaigning for the assembly elections when the incidents of attack on American-Indians happened, used to inquire about how the ministry of external affairs was helping those affected in the US.

She also read out in the Lok Sabha few lines from the thank you letters that her ministry had received from wife of Srinivas and Rai's father. She also said that it is not true that US authorities have not condemned the incidents. She informed LS that US Secretary John Kerry and President Donald Trump had condemned these attacks on Indians in America.

OneIndia News
Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh

Talk of me becoming UP CM is futile and unnecessary: Rajnath Singh

India

oi-Lisa

New Delhi, March 15: The Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said that all the talks of his name being in the running for Uttar Pradesh chief minister are futile and unnecessary.

Since the assembly elections results were out there has been a lot of speculation going on about who will be the new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. BJP with allies won the state election with record 325 seats.

#WATCH: HM Rajnath Singh says talks about his name being in the running for Uttar Pradesh CM are, "unnecessary & futile" pic.twitter.com/o24cxRxwTS  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

After defence minister Manohar Parrikar resigned and headed to Goa as chief minister, speculations of Rajnath Singh heading to UP became louder. Rajnath Singh's name started doing rounds as next CM of UP as BJP won a huge mandate and would not want to hand over such an important state to someone who doesn't have experience. Also the party would want a candidate who can take along all the communities.

Rajnath Singh has been the CM of UP from October 28, 2000 to March 8, 2002. The BJP has been considering various names for CM of UP including BJP state chief Keshav Prasad Maurya, Manoj Sinha, Yogi Adityanath and Mahesh Sharma. The party is to decide on the candidate on Wednesday.

OneIndia News
Karnataka Budget 2017: Tipplers laugh all the way to the bar, Alcohol to be cheaper

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

Tipplers in Karnataka have happy hours ahead. Alcohol is set to become cheaper in the state according to the Karnataka budget. The 2017-18 budget announced by state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that value added tax or VAT on liquor will be removed from April 1 onwards.

In the budget, Siddharamaiah, who is also the finance minister of Karnataka, announced that VAT would not be applicable on wine, beer and hard liquor. "The VAT has been lifted on liquor," Siddaramaiah announced. He said that the administrative fee of Rs 2 per litre on export and Rs 1 per litre on spirit excluding ethanol is proposed to be withdrawn.

This would be the last budget as the state goes to polls in 2018. Many have termed it by Siddaramaiah as an election budget as several sops have been announced across various sectors.

OneIndia News
Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh

Rajnath's security personnel visit UP. Will he be next CM?

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

5-It is Rajnath Singh who may just be appointed as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. After a massive win in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to live up to the expectations of the people in this kingmaker state and hence the name of Rajnath has been doing the rounds.

Many in the BJP and RSS feel that Rajnath who has had the experience of running UP in the past may be the best choice. Both Amit Shah and Rajnath have discussed this issue and there is a possibility of the latter being relieved of his responsibility as home minister and being sent to UP.

On Tuesday Modi met with another frontrunner Keshav Prasad Maurya. Sources say that the discussion was related to who would be the next CM of UP. The BJP feels that UP should be run by an experienced person. Moreover the BJP wants a face in UP who can cater to all communities and Rajnath fits the bill well.

The others in the race are Mauyra, Manoj Sinha, Yogi Adityanath and Mahesh Sharma. The BJP is expected to make its decision on its UP candidate on Wednesday.

OneIndia News
UP CM to be sworn in on March 17

India

oi-Vicky

By Vicky

The new chief minister of Uttar Pradesh will be sworn in on March 17. Although the BJP has not announced a CM candidate as yet, it has set the date of March 17 for the swearing in ceremony.

There have been several names doing the rounds for the post of UP CM. Home Minister Rajnath Singh despite denying the news continues to be the frontrunner for the post. Many in the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh feel that Rajnath, who has had the experience of running UP in the past may be the best choice. Both BJP president Amit Shah and Rajnath have discussed this issue and there is a possibility of the latter being relieved of his responsibility as Home minister and being sent to UP.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met another frontrunner Keshav Prasad Maurya. Sources say that the discussion was related to who would be the next CM of UP. The BJP feels that UP should be run by an experienced person. Moreover, the BJP wants a face in UP who can cater to all communities and Rajnath fits the bill well.

The others in the race are Mauyra, Manoj Sinha, Yogi Adityanath and Mahesh Sharma. The BJP is expected to make its decision on its UP candidate on Wednesday.

OneIndia News
Indian-origin Seema Verma takes charge as head of top US health care agency

International

pti-PTI

Washington, Mar 15: Indian-American Seema Verma has been sworn-in as the head of a key healthcare agency in the Trump administration. "President Trump has chosen one of the leading experts in America on state-based healthcare solutions to lead this important agency," US Vice President Mike Pence said at the swearing-in ceremony at the White House on Tuesday.

As the head of the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services she would be heading the USD 1 trillion federal agency that provides health services to 130 million Americans. Verma is the second Indian-American to be inducted into the Trump administration.

[Also read: The United States government has confirmed Verma to run Medicare and Medicaid]

The US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was the first cabinet rank official from the community to serve in any presidential administration. Verma was elevated to the top federal position after her successful career in private health sector, spanning two decades. In the recent years she had played a key role in health care reforms in Indiana, where Pence was the Governor, and few other states such as -- Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.

"Seema, President Trump has now asked you to bring your expertise to Washington, DC. As Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, we're confident that you'll help restore health care decision-making to the states, and in the process, help make the best health care system in the world even better," Pence said. Noting that Verma's extraordinary record stretches back for over 20 years, Pence said that after graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a master's degree in public health, she went to work in Indiana for the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County.

As a result of her efforts, Pence said today Indiana's program is leading the nation with its emphasis on personal responsibility and effective care for people who need it most.

Verma's family arrived here on Tuesday by road after their Monday flights were cancelled due to an impending snow storm.

"I'm grateful and appreciative of President Trump not only for asking me to be the administrator but for putting together an incredibly talented group of individuals that he's brought from the private sector into government service, people like Dr Tom Price. "And I am proud to be a part of this team," Verma said. S

he said that today the country's health care stands at a crossroad and they have no choice but to fix it. "Under President Trump's leadership and vision, we finally have an incredible opportunity to move our health care system into one that puts Americans in charge of their health care and will ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care that they can afford," she added.

PTI
Pak girl, 11, writes to Modi: Buy books instead of bullets

International

oi-Shubir

By Shubir Rishi

An 11-year-old girl from Lahore, Pakistan has writer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his party's victory in the recently-concluded Uttar Pradesh assembly. Aqeedat Naveed, a class V student has urged Modi to 'take steps towards friendship and peace'.

"You have won the hearts of the Indian people, therefore you won the election in UP. But I must tell you, if you want to win more Indian and Pakistani hearts, you should take steps towards friendship and peace," the letter says.

The young girl had earlier written a letter External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and had also received several responses from officials in New Delhi.

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Story first published: Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 10:49 [IST]
No one has guts...: Junior defence minister's reply to China question

Twitter down as several users report login issues on website

Talented, driven and great potential: President Putin is all praise for India and Indians

Pak has become world's terrorism factory: India

International

oi-Vikas

By Vikas

Lashing out at Pakistan for interfering in India's internal matters, India on Wednesday said that Pakistan has become 'world's terrorism factory' and alienating its own people by mistreating minorities.

Speaking at a United Nations meeting, India's representative said that Pakistan was misusing the United Nations Human Rights Council meetings to speak on internal matters of Jammu and Kashmir.

A part of the territories of our state remain under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan: India at UN pic.twitter.com/aquKaX27ce  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Pakistan's continued support for terror groups in J&K is main challenge to protecting human rights of our citizens in the state: India at UN  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

Apart from becoming world's terrorism factory, Pak has also alienated it's own ppl through continued mistreatment of minorities: India at UN pic.twitter.com/y4cwf2U3iT  ANI (@ANI_news) March 15, 2017

At the 34th session of the UNHRC in Geneva last week, India said that the core problem of Jammu and Kashmir was the terrorism backed by Pakistan.

Asserting that the entire Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of the nation, India on March 9 reiterated that Pakistan had illegally occupied parts of the state.

The 34th session of the UNHRC began on February 27. Pakistan's Law Minister Zahid Hamid on March 1 said that India was violating UN Security Council resolution by claiming that deteriorating human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir was an internal affair.

[Pak illegally occupying parts of J-K: India at UNHRC session]

According to reports, Hamid had disputed India's statement that the Kashmir issue was about cross-border terrorism.

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Environment minister Mark Spencer jokes that "some little man in China" is listening to his phone calls with his wife when asked on..
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Global Infusion Pumps Market- Industry Analysis and Market Forecast 2016-2024

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Infusion Pumps - Infusing the Care in HealthcarePatient-controlled analgesia infusion pumps are commonplace in healthcare settings and are widely used to transfer medications, nutrients, and fluids to the patient body at preset intervals in accurate dosages. The infusion of fluids and medication into the patient venous system play a vital role in current therapeutic regimens and are used across the length and breadth of healthcare settings right from inpatient, outpatient, and private clinics to at-home settings. A myriad range of infusion pumps such as peripheral venous catheters, central venous catheters, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), implants and epidural catheters are used as per requirement. The type of delivery or the device used for fluid and medication delivery mainly depends on the condition of the patient receiving the therapy. The adoption of such devices in different application is expected to fuel growth of the infusion pumps market.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:Infusion pumps have revolutionized the administration of intravenous medications with potentially game changing programming features such as intermittent and preprogramming, bolus dosing, and standby mode. According to a featured article by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc., in 2007, around 90% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. received IV medications, most being delivered by an infusion pump. This trend argues favorably for growth of the infusion pumps market in the foreseeable future. In spite of being a precise fluid and medication transferring devices still, 35%-60% of the 700,000 adverse drug events (ADEs) annually reported in the U.S. are related to delivery through infusion pumps, which can further cause morbidity and mortality. This has necessitated extensive focus by players in the global infusion pumps market on R&D to reduce error rates associated with infusion pumps and introduce further advancements in existing products. For instance, according to Qual Saf Health Cares research paper, in 2009, there were recommendations to use smart infusion devices to overcome the errors in infusion and favor the growth of the global infusion pumps market. Manufacturers have developed devices that have dose error reduction systems (DERS) with dosing limits and clinical advisories under hospital-defined drug libraries. Smart pumps are now being designed with safety software that are drug-specific.To know the latest trends and insights prevalent in the infusion pumps market, click the link below:The global infusion pumps market was valued at US$ 5,016.1 million in 2015 and is expected to witness a moderate CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period (2016  2024).Reducing error rates is a key focus of major players in the global infusion pumps marketMarket players are making major investments in advancements of products used in the infusion pumps devices, owing to rise in number of application and better return on investment. For instance, an update from VertMarkets, Inc., revealed that Baxter is developing a new infusion pump platform, reinvigorating bio-surgery sector. Also, companies are inclined towards product advancements to increase application area of infusion pumps for analgesic applications. According to Journal of Emergency Medical Services, in 2017, there has been suggested the need for an infusion pump system can be an important breakthrough for ketamine delivery, which is to begin with a bolus dose, followed by a drip. Furthermore, factors such as increasing prevalence of chronic pain and rise in population suffering from various types of cancer creates a conducive environment for infusion pumps market growth. Also, rise in prevalence of gastroenterological procedures worldwide are expected to underpin the infusion pumps market growth. In 2016, according to National Cancer Institute, around 1,685,210 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the U.S., which are projected to lead to around 595,690 fatalities.Application-specific products an emerging strategy adopted by infusion pumps market playersWell managed and schematic approach towards integration of major players followed by various acquisitions in infusion pumps market is expected to fuel the product advancement and product introduction in the infusion pumps market. According to CareFusion Corporation, in 2013, around 61% of most costly and serious medication errors were related to intravenous infusions in the U.S., which was the major concern of the hospitals to make the system error free and effortless. To address the same, CareFusion Corporation introduced a new system named Alaris System, having Guardrails Suite MX software and combines a single point-of-care unit. This is expected to minimize the infusion errors in the future. As statistics suggest, there were significant number of mergers and acquisition that have added to the development and advancement of new infusion pumps products. For instance: In 2015, Becton Dickinson acquired CareFusion Corporation  a provider of large volume infusion pump  this acquisition is expected to favor the growth in product portfolio of Becton Dickinson & Company In 2015, Medtronic  a medical device company with extensive product line  acquired Covidien  a health care products company and global manufacturer of medical devices. This is expected to favor the companys expansion in terms of geographyIncreasing number of research collaborations are expected to improve the time-to-market of highly effective and advanced products.Ask for FREE Request Customization: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.comWebsite:
CMI Releases New Report on the Synthetic Biology Market, 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.Additional Information on such Research Findings can be Availed At: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 NovozymesAbout 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 @
CMI Releases New Report on the Medical Computer Cart Market, 2016-2024.

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Fragmented MarketThe global medical computer cart market is highly fragmented due to the participation of many established and local players in the medical computer cart industry. Major players involved in the medical computer cart market include Ergotron, Inc., Capsa Solutions LLC, Enovate Medical, InterMetro Industries, Rubbermaid, JACO Inc., STANLEY Healthcare, and Advantech Co., Ltd.Additional Information on such Research Findings can be Availed At:Market OverviewMedical computer carts are designed to reduce workload of healthcare professionals and enhance patient care. It is used for different applications such as in medical training, charting, medical recording, medicine dispensing, and surgeries. There are different types of medical computer cart products differentiated by their feature set with varying heights and prices depending on their intended application base for small, medium or large hospitals, clinics, pharmacies. Medical computer cart includes features and workflow solutions to assist day to day task associated with patient care. Medical computer carts are mounted with drawers, trays, cabinets, and shelves along with computer and its components.Medical computer cart market is segmented based on the powered or non-powered medical cart. Powered medical cart are the major revenue contributors to the global market due to its high usage for the surgical procedures and medical documentation. Based on the type of monitor the market is segmented into one or two monitor, laptop or tablet. One monitor and laptop segment is expected to contribute major share to the medical computer cart industry.Global Medical Computer Cart Market TaxonomyThe global market is classified on the basis of the following segments:Product Type:Powered Medical CartsNon powered Medical CartsOthersMonitor Type:One MonitorTwo MonitorLaptopTabletApplication:Medical DocumentationMedical EquipmentMedication DeliveryTelehealth WorkstationOthersEnd UsersHospitalsClinicsAmbulatory Surgical CentersOthersPrevalent Scenario in Medical Computer Cart MarketProper dispensing of important medicines and surgical tools supplies plays an instrumental role in helping nurse and doctors to perform surgeries. The evolving medical technology is creating wide range of new medical devices for various critical procedures. Inclusion of new medical devices is increasing demand for medical computer carts for convenience. Increasing surgical procedures due to accidental cases requiring immediate medical attention is also fueling growth in demand for medical computer carts. Increasing healthcare facilities and setting up of new specialized hospital by various governments creates significant growth opportunity for the medical computer cart manufacturers. As per the WHO report published in 2013, in the U.S. hospital expenditure, per capita healthcare spending was around US$ 9,146 and is expected to increase by 4.6% owing to expanded insurance coverage.Browse Global Strategic Business Report :Providers of medical computer cart are focusing on providing various features such as TAA compliant, sit to stand height adjustment and adjustable backtilt keyboard tray features etc. in their product, owing to the increasing preference of mobile computer carts for critical surgical procedures. The global medical computer cart is facing hurdles due to increasing cases of contamination, allergies due to sterilization issues, and risks associated with hazardous interaction between drugs kept in the cart. The increasing awareness about e-commerce is allowing companies to extend their market through online retailing. Manufacturers of medical computer cart are focusing on online bulk orders for market exposure. Governments and medical organizations initiatives for paperless procedure in healthcare facilities are expected to create opportunity for medical computer cart providers. In February 2016, the U.K. government announced NHS funding to support paperless system.North America and Europe is expected to hold maximum share of overall market, owing to the growing healthcare facilities and setting up of new ambulatory surgical centers in these regions. On the other hand, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World provides opportunity to medical computer cart manufacturers due to the increasing focus towards advanced hospitals infrastructure for better treatment and patient care.Major Medical Computer Cart in the market: StyleView Tablet Cart, SV10 (Ergotron, Inc.), StyleView S-Tablet Cart, SV10 (Ergotron, Inc.), StyleView Laptop Cart, SV10 (Ergotron, Inc.), Zido Ultrasound Cart Package (Ergotron, Inc.), Avalo Med/Surg Cart (Capsa Healthcare), Emergency Cart  Blue (Capsa Healthcare), and MobiusPower 4.0 (Enovate Medical.).Devices with Comprehensive Range of FeaturesIn order to differentiate their product offerings, manufacturers are focusing on introducing products with innovative features to provide more help to healthcare providers. In October 2015, Ergotron, Inc., launched its SV10 series of its StyleView Medical Carts, its lightest cart for a wide array of laptop and tablet developed exclusively for all surface device. In February 2013, JACO Inc. launched its 300 UltraLite Series of carts, featuring Power Blade, a mobile and computer mounting cart. It featured swappable system that enabled 24/7 hrs runtime that optimized cart usage and enables uninterrupted workflow of nurses in any shifts. It can be equipped with JACOs patent pending TRAC Steering system that enabled safer and productive usage.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 @
Radiopharmaceuticals Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast to 2016 to 2024

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Application of Radiopharmaceuticals across the GlobeRadiopharmaceuticals are widely used in North America, mainly due to availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure, technological advancements, superior medical facilities, and supportive government support. These are also widely used in Europe due to new procedures for diagnosis of diseases and robust medical infrastructure in the region. Radiopharmaceuticals market is projected to witness rampant growth in Asia due to rapid rise in research work in the sector and rising public awareness.Browse Market Research Report:Key players involved in radiopharmaceuticals marketThe market is fragmented, with the presence of various major players such as Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Eli Lilly and Company, Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc., Ampio Pharmaceuticals Inc., GE Healthcare, Piramal Imaging, Covidien Plc., Cardinal Health, Iso Tex Diagnostics, Inc., Jubilant DraxImage Inc., Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bracco Diagnostic Inc., Navidea Biopharmaceuticals, Nordion Inc., Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mallinckrodt Plc., Bio-Nucleonics Inc., and IBA-Molecular.ConclusionGrowth of the radiopharmaceuticals market is projected to witness rapid traction in the near future due to its high potential in diagnosis and detection of diseases related to cardiology, neurology, and oncology. Developed regions are expected to be highly lucrative markets for this technology, due to the high capital investment involved and availability of advanced medical facilities in these regions. Major players in the global Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners market are concentrating on enhancing their global and regional presence through strategic operational expansion and collaborations with regional players.Radiopharmaceuticals are unique medicinal formulations that contain radioisotopes and are used in clinical applications for diagnosis and therapy. The facilities and procedures for production, use, and storage of radiopharmaceuticals are subject to license approval either by national or regional authorities such as Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of U.S, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) of U.S., or Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) of India. Licensing includes compliance regarding pharmaceutical preparations and use of radioactive materials.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:A radiopharmaceutical preparation is a medicinal product in a ready-to-use format containing a radionuclide suitable for human use. A kit for radiopharmaceutical preparation encloses a vial containing the non-radionuclide components of a radiopharmaceutical preparation in a sterilized and validated form, to which the appropriate radionuclide is added. Radiopharmaceuticals derived from the kits are intended to be used within 12 hours of preparation.Technetium-99m  Widely used Radioisotope in Diagnostic Procedures fueling growth of the radiopharmaceuticals marketThere are over 40 radioisotopes available for use in different therapies. Technetium-99m is the most widely used radioisotope in the diagnostic procedures. Technetium-99m is used as a radioactive tracer, and can be detected in the body by medical equipment (gamma cameras). It is well suited to the role, as it emits readily detectable gamma rays with photon energy of 140 keV. According to International Atomic Energy Agency, over 80% of the total nuclear diagnostic procedures performed worldwide use Technetium-99 as a radiotracer each year and hence, propels the radiopharmaceuticals market growth.Radiopharmaceuticals use in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Application fuels growth of the radiopharmaceuticals marketThe chemical and physical identity is of vital importance, as during administration it targets certain tissues, binding sites, and biochemical pathways. The radiopharmaceuticals market is divided into two major areas, namely, diagnostic and therapeutic. Therapeutic applications of radiopharmaceuticals market include cardiology (myocardial perfusion), oncology (tumor imaging and localization), and neurology (cerebral perfusion). Radiopharmaceuticals such as iodine-131 or iodine-125 labeled m-iodobenzyl guanidine (MIGB) are used to treat pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. The therapeutic segment radiopharmaceuticals market can be further sub-segmented on the basis of procedure into beta emitters, alpha emitters, and brachytherapy.The diagnostic segment of radiopharmaceuticals market is classified into SPECT and PET. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) adoption has grown steadily over the last decade and is used in the study of cerebral blood flow imaging. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique used to observe metabolic processes in the body. System detects pairs of gamma rays emitted by a positron emitting radionuclide. SPECT radioisotopes are used for diagnosis of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and thyroid and neurological disorders.Radiopharmaceuticals  Used in Hospitals for DiagnosisEnd users of radiopharmaceuticals include hospitals, research institutes, and diagnostic labs. These can be used in hospitals for diagnosis and detection of various diseases such as bone-related pathology, bone pain, stress fracture, bone infections, and spread of cancer in the bone. They are also used in detection and scanning such as in neurology and cardiology.Get 10% Discount For First Time Buyers: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.comWebsite:
Global Food Colors Market Drivers and Restraints Analysis

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According to the report Global Food Colors Market published by Market Data Forecast, the global market is projected to reach USD 3544.33Million by 2021, at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2016 to 2021.View report atNatural or synthetic food colours can be used in several food industries. Primarily, synthetic colours lead the market, though natural colours were at a preliminary phase. Players in the market contend on the basis of aspects such as quality, sturdiness, flavour and the colour variations and brightness of the product.Get free sample report atRising consumption for packed, ready-to-eat meals, confectionery and baked goods, particularly in the developing countries is driving the use of food colours. The market is driven by the natural colours and is anticipated to grow faster than the synthetic and nature identical colours. The market is also fuelled by effortlessly available raw materials which comprises of fruits & vegetables.Product Segmentation:By Type:Natural ColoursAnthocyaninsCarotenoidsCaramelSynthetic ColoursRedYellowBlueGreenNature-IdenticalBy Application:BeveragesBakery and ConfectioneryDairyMeatBy Form:LiquidLiquid GelGel PastePowderBy Solubility:DyesLakesBy Geography:North AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificLatin AmericaMiddle-East and AfricaVarious companies are contributing for this market such as LycoRed, DD Williamson, Archer Daniels Midland Company (U.S.), Sethness Products,Fiorio Colori, Chr. Hansen S/A (Denmark), RohaDyechem, Sensient Technology Corporation (U.S.), Koninklijke DSM N.V. (Netherlands), San-Ei Gen F.F.I. Inc., WILD, DSM, Naturex, Phytone, GNT Group and FMC Corporation (U.S.).About Market Data Forecast:Market Data Forecast is a firm working in the areas of market research and business intelligence. We have rich experience in research across major industry segments like Healthcare, Agriculture, Food & Beverages etc. and we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our research services contribute to key business areas like business process improvement, key decision making and developing appropriate corporate strategy. We are truly committed to our clients and other stakeholders for providing customized research services of the highest quality all the while being an organisation thats trusted for its integrity, respected for its accountability, and admired for its excellence, by both clients and competitors alike.Contact Us:Market Data Forecast, Inc.+1-888-702-9626 (U.S. TOLL FREE)abhishek@marketdataforecast.com
Global Interventional Neurology Market Size, Share and Forecast upto 2024

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The Global Interventional Neurology Market is projected to reach USD 2,684.6 million by 2024, according to a new report by published by Coherent Market Insights. Recommendations from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to use neurointerventional devices in stroke is a major factor boosting market growth.Increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures is one of the prime factors driving adoption of neurointerventional devices worldwide. The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recommends use of neurointerventional devices in treating stroke, due to which there has been an augmented demand for these devices in the recent past. In order to capitalize on this highly lucrative growth opportunity, a range of new products such as Solitaire stent retriever, EmboTrap stent retriever, and Penumbra 3D Revascularization Device have been launched in the recent past.Request a sample copy of this report @Developed economies such as the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, Japan, and Germany are witnessing rapid shift from conventional surgical methods to minimally invasive therapies. Moreover, there is a shift towards adopting detachable and bare platinum coils as against the highly priced coated coils. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, around six million people in the U.S. i.e. one in 50 people suffer from brain aneurysm every year. High incidence rate of stroke and aneurysm is expected to continue strengthening demand for neurointerventional devices in the U.S. market.The global Interventional neurology market is witnessing strategic agreements among leading players focusing on diversifying their product portfolio and increasing their market presence.In 2016, Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. inked an exclusive distribution agreement with InNeuroCo, Inc. for its intermediate catheter and super distal access device in the U.S. and European marketsIn 2015, Medtronic PLC acquired Lazarus Effect, a California-based medical device company engaged in development of acute ischemic stroke products for around US$ 100 million. Lazarus Effect was acquired with an aim to enhance Medtronics neurovascular business and related portfolio.Advent of innovative solutions that enhance the outcomes of surgeries are fueling demand for neurointerventional devicesMedical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is investigating the safety and success rate of ADAPT - direct-aspiration first pass technique that removes the clot in a single-passFDA expanded the approval of Solitaire stent retriever device of Medtronic PLC for reduction of stroke-related disability. This device can now be used in patients with large vessel occlusion, proximal anterior circulation, and smaller core infarcts to reduce paralysis, and other stroke-related disabilities.CE approved EmboTrap stent retriever platform, the EmboTrap II Revascularization Device from Neuravi Ltd. This new device enables removal of clots of different lengths with ease.Get discount on this exclusive report by CMI @Key takeaways of the market include:There are a range of neurointerventional devices such as embolic coils, carotid stents, intracranial stents, neurovascular thrombectomy devices, embolic protection devices, and flow diverter devices available in the market. Embolic coils was the largest segment and accounted for 32.5% share (in terms of revenue) in 2015. This is mainly due to these being the mainstay of endovascular treatment for brain aneurysms and hemorrhage.Demand for stent retrievers is anticipated to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period (2016  2024). This is mainly attributed to these being used as a one-step technique for device deployment and clot retrieval. The launch of this device in Japan is anticipated to also contribute towards the market growth in Asia Pacific.Introduction of new techniques such as flow disruption and ADAPT aspiration technique is expected reduce the revenue share of coiling technique segment, and is projected to account 34.3% of the total market revenue by 2024Demand for neurointerventional devices is analyzed to be high in hospitals as compared to ambulatory centers, due to growing number of surgical procedures in hospitals. The hospitals end use segment is analyzed to expand at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period.In 2015, North America dominated the global Interventional neurology market, with the contribution of the region estimated at US$ 701.9 million. Increasing incidence rate of brain aneurysm and ischemic strokes along with favorable government policies such as Medicare and Medicaid is expected to bolster sales of interventional neurology devices over the forecast period.Growing focus on introducing technological advanced devices is expected to drive market growth in the long runStryker Corporations subsidiary Concentric Medicals Trevo XP ProVue Retriever received FDA approval for its use in strokes in November 2016Penumbra 3D Revascularization Device Trial successfully met the primary trial endpoints in 2016Click here to know more about this report @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 Blog:
Global 3D Printing for Medical Sector Market Forecasts up to 2024, Research Report - Coherent Market Insights

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The Global 3D Printing for Medical Sector Market is projected to reach US$ 1,109.2 million by 2024 experiencing market growth at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2016 to 2024, according to a new report published by Coherent Market Insights. 3D printing has revolutionized the way medical procedures are performed, medical training is provided, and cost-effective medical products are being developed. Improved clinical outcomes is attracting the medical community to explore various avenue of 3D printing in the medical sector.3D printing has been around since 1984. However, until recent advancements in technology which attracted peoples attention, 3D printing also gained traction for applications in healthcare. This includes development of surgical implants, biological prototypes, artificial organs, and dental implants. Innovation in 3D printing technology is expected to drive down healthcare costs much lower than current levels and increase medical product accessibility. Also, increasing demand for personalized medicines, and reduction in manufacturing cost and time would propel demand for 3D printed medical products in the near future. Wiiva Vancouver-based startupuses 3D printing technology to create customized insoles for patients suffering from joint discomfort, plantar fasciitis pain, and general foot fatigue.Request report sample for more professional and technical insights @3D printing is a disruptive technology for conventional manufacturing process that involve major input costs, time, high amount of waste, and high error rate. This is owing to the fact that 3D printing involves layer by layer printing which eliminates waste generation and allows error-free process. Furthermore, the polygel technology enables producing product or device in desired color utilizing different materials.3D printing in the medical sector has gained significant success in the dental and orthopedic implant segments. Currently, there is inadequate reimbursement for dental procedures in the U.S. 3D printed dental implants and products would lower the cost of dental procedures, making it more affordable and accessible to patients.Various technologies such as electron beam melting, laser beam melting, photo polymerization, droplet deposition, and laminated object manufacturing are implemented in 3D printing of healthcare products. These technologies are gradually evolving with increasing knowledge about 3D printing products and demand for innovative and personalized medical products. However, clarity on regulatory aspects on manufacturing and approval process of 3D printed products is sought for the technology to be implemented on a large scale. This would also enable pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to focus on development of innovative healthcare products at low costs without compromising on profit margins.Despite significant advantages of this technology, 3D printing for medical sector technology is facing challenge in terms of high installation cost of the machine in order to achieve desired operational efficiency. Moreover, lack of trained professionals is also acting as a key challenge for its adoption. However, with the focus on introducing cost effective products, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers are expected to invest a huge amount of capital in research and development related to 3D printing.Ask for discount on customization @Key takeaways of the market:The droplet deposition technology is a principle technology used in 3D printing primarily due to high heat and chemical durability. This technology segment held a market share of around 35% (in terms of revenue) in 2015.The surgical implants application segment dominated the market in 2015, value of US$ 265.0 million. Large pool of patients suffering from dental issues, cardiovascular, metabolic and bone disorders, is attributable to this dominant market value.Currently, 3D printing is highly used in the academic and research institutes for creating 3D printed biological models which are used for training and pre-operative preparation purposeIn 2015, North America dominated the global 3D printing for medical sector market (in terms of revenue) owing to favorable government policies for 3D printing and also rapid adoption of 3D printing in improving health outcomes. However, demand for 3D printing for medical application is expected to increase rapidly in the Asia Pacific region owing to favorable government policies propelling investments and use of 3D printing in medical sector For instance, Shanghai Children's Medical Center opened Chinas first pediatric-specific 3D printing medical research unit in 2015. Furthermore, Chinese government, in July 2016, announced the establishment of its first 3D printing factory specifically for medical products in Chongqing, Southwest China.Market players are collaborating for conducting research and developing 3D printed products at affordable price. Johnson & Johnson collaborated with Organovo in January 2016 to study the viability of bioprinted human tissue in testing new drugs. Also, Stratasys, Inc. partnered with a New York-based Jacobs Institute in April 2016 to establish a new Center of Excellence (COE) at the institute. This COE will be aimed at using 3D printing to develop and assess new medical devices and promote clinical education and training.Browse Research Report @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.com
Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Industry Insights 2024

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The Global Deep Brain Stimulation Market was valued at US$ 720.9 Million in 2016, according to a new report by published by Coherent Market Insights. Increasing Parkinsons disease prevalence rate along with product innovation is expected to boost overall demand for deep brain stimulation systems across the globe in the near future.Deep brain stimulation market has gained traction owing to technological advancements and high prevalence rate of Parkinsons disease and dystonia disease. Most of the device sales are concentrated in developed regions namely North America and Europe. Emergence of deep brain stimulation market has revolutionized the overall treatment approach to mental health care. These devices are can improve motor functions by 70% in Parkinsons patients.For more information request free sample PDF brochure @The economic impact of mental illness is long lasting. As per Coherent Market Insights, there are over 7 million people suffering from Parkinsons disease as of 2015, with around 1.7 million and 60,000 cases diagnosed each year in China and the U.S., respectively. Over half of the deep brain stimulation market share is currently captured by the U.S. Industry players are expected to establish their footprint in emerging markets by creating awareness among patients and healthcare providers. This would help them expand their business presence and generate high return on investment (ROI). Some of the ongoing clinical research suggests deep brain stimulators to be highly effective in treatment approach towards Alzheimer patients. Positive FDA nod for Alzheimer treatment could further commercialize the deep brain stimulation market size. Many more players are expected to enter the market in near future.Key takeaways of the market are:North America was estimated to account for around 53% of overall deep brain stimulation market revenue in 2015. However, the market in the region is expected to lose considerable market share to emerging regions  Asia Pacific and Latin America. There is high market opportunity and large un-met need for brain aneurysm treatment in Asia Pacific.Asia Pacific is the only market projected to register a double-digit growth rate of 13% over the forecast period. Prevalence of Parkinsons disease is relatively low compared to Europe however, patient count suffering from Parkinsons disease in the region is expected to reach around 5.1 million by 2024. Sales of brain stimulators is expected to witness steep rise over the forecast period. Most of the demand is expected to be generated from China, followed closely by Japan.Deep brain stimulators finds application widely in treatment of Parkinsons disease. This application segment is expected to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. However, other application segments such as essential tremor and dystonia are also expected to gain significant market share over the forecast period.Medtronic Inc, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation are the leading deep brain stimulation market players. Medtronic Inc., dominated the deep brain stimulation market size (in terms of revenue) in 2015. According to statistics released by the company in 2016, over 140,000 patients has received Medtronic deep brain stimulator for Parkinsons disease and dystonia. All leading players are focusing on introducing product innovations in order to differentiate their offerings to remain competitive in this industry. Also, leading players are focusing on obtaining certifications and accreditations in order to build brand value among their customers. This is projected to help these companies capture a greater chunk of deep brain stimulation market in the long run. In 2015, while Boston Scientific received CE mark for Vercise Primary Cell (PC), Medtornic Inc. received FDA approval for its full body MR conditional deep brain stimulation systems.New entrants are expected to intensify the industry rivalry in near future. NeuroPace, Inc., Adaptive Neuromodulation GmbH (ANM), NeuroSigma, Inc., and Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA are few of the key players that are expected to commercialize their deep brain stimulators in the near future.Visit for more information @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.com
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Energy-Based Therapeutics" to its huge collection of research reports.The Energy-Based Therapeutics is the target of analysis presented in this research report which is a highly descriptive and insightful publication. It chalks out a detailed, all-inclusive, and logical perspective of the market, casing all crucial categories and their pieces, along with the aspects that have so far shown the potential of having a deep influence on the market over the coming years. The report is therefore a 360-degree representation of the analysis of the current state of market.The market has been quarried to its microscopic nuances, where rudimentary data and key, industry-specific classifications of the market and its elements that are being defined in the overview. The report then moves ahead into a 360 degree analysis of the Energy-Based Therapeutics, while sticking to phrases of the market, such as specific definitions, applications, industry chain structures, government policies, and recent developments.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The large volumes of data presented in this report, on the Energy-Based Therapeutics, have been garnered with the aid of different research methodologies, both primary and secondary. This data is further concentrated by means of standard analytical processes based on industry practices, and therefore only the significant sections of information are provided to the readers of this report.The governing and competitive landscape of the Energy-Based Therapeutics are studied in this research report. The different stages and their details, such as rules, protocols, procedures, and strategies are also included in addition to an analysis of their effect on the overall growth rate of the market. The report also contains a comprehensive analysis of the business profiles of the most influential vendors in the Energy-Based Therapeutics.Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Energy-Based Therapeutics1.1 Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Overview1.1.1 Energy-Based Therapeutics Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Energy-Based Therapeutics Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 32 Global Energy-Based Therapeutics Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Johnson & Johnson3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Lumenis3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Syneron Medical3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Abbott Medical Optics3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 AngioDynamics3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Bovie Medical3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Boston Scientific3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Cardiogenesis3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Dornier MedTech3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 InSightec3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Energy-Based Therapeutics Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Sichuan Jinjiang Electronic Science and Technology3.12 SonaCare Medical3.13 Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems3.14 StarMedTec3.15 IRIDEXBrowse full table of contents and data tables of Report @4 Global Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.1 Global Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.2 Potential Application of Energy-Based Therapeutics in Future4.3 Top Consumer/End Users of Energy-Based Therapeutics5 United States Energy-Based Therapeutics Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Energy-Based Therapeutics Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Energy-Based Therapeutics Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size, Status and Forecast 2021

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Qyresearchreports include new market research report "Healthcare IT Outsourcing" to its huge collection of research reports.The report on the Healthcare IT Outsourcing deals with the all its critical facts and figures that will help in creating an in-depth and insightful analysis. The market is elucidated in a holistic fashion that allows the users to gain a thorough analysis of the market, as developed using the factors that are likely to have a significant effect on its development over the coming years.The report offers an illustrative overview of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing and its competitive set-up as well as the regulatory framework surrounding the market. This provides a reader with a richer understanding of the state of major opportunities, threats, competition, and the major plans, regulations, rules, and policies impacting the market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The report provides valuable data to all its readers that may aid businesses as well as investors in taking advantage of the markets stronger suits and handle key problems with relative ease. The report additionally provides a colorful assessment of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing in a qualitative and quantitative manner, pertaining to the precise elements responsible for the progress of the market. This data is something that organizations and players of all sizes will be interested in. An organization using this report can have gain easy access to the nuances of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing and knowing these details are a reinforcing way to have a very visible and significant bearing on its overall development. The report is created with the vision of gratifying and customizations and other needs that vendors and readers may require. The report thus generates a highly practical repository of information that allows top decision makers to form highly effective business strategies.Table of ContentsUnited States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size, Status and Forecast 20211 Industry Overview of Healthcare IT Outsourcing1.1 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Overview1.1.1 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market by Type1.3.1 Provider (EHR, RCM, LIMS)1.3.2 Payer (CRM, Claims Management, Fraud Detection, Billing)1.3.3 Life Science (ERP, CTMS, CDMS)1.3.4 Operational (SCM, BPM) & Infrastructure (IMS, Cloud Computing)] & Industry1.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Application 11.4.2 Application 21.4.3 Application 32 Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size (Value) by Players (2015-2016)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 Accenture PLC3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Accretive Health3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Allscripts3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.3.5 Recent DevelopmentsBrowse full table of contents and data tables of Report @3.4 Anthelio3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Cognizant3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Dell3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 HCL Technologies3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Hewlett-Packard3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 IBM Corporation3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Infosys Limited3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Healthcare IT Outsourcing Revenue (Value) (2011-2016)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Mckesson Corporation3.12 Siemens3.13 Tata Consultancy3.14 Wipro Limited3.15 Xerox Corporation4 Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size by Type and Application (2011-2016)4.1 Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size by Type (2011-2016)4.2 Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size by Application (2011-2016)4.3 Potential Application of Healthcare IT Outsourcing in Future4.4 Top Consumer/End Users of Healthcare IT Outsourcing5 United States Healthcare IT Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook5.1 United States Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size (2011-2016)5.2 United States Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)6 EU Healthcare IT Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook6.1 EU Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size (2011-2016)6.2 EU Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)7 Japan Healthcare IT Outsourcing Development Status and Outlook7.1 Japan Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size (2011-2016)7.2 Japan Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Size and Market Share by Players (2015-2016)About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact Us1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Wireless Visual Cortical Stimulator Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 20162024

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Increasing Incidence of Diabetic Retinopathy Provides Positive Future Outlook for Wireless Visual Cortical Stimulator MarketThe global wireless visual cortical stimulator is expected to witness significant growth in the near future due to increasing number of diabetic retinopathy cases reported worldwide. It is the fifth-most common cause of preventable blindness and moderate to severe visual impairment. In 2010, an estimated 285 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes. The increasing trauma cases and cancer cases are expected to create lucrative growth opportunity for wireless visual cortical stimulator manufacturers and developers.The growing concern with blindness due to diabetes and governments or organizations initiatives to grow awareness among patients related to blindness treatment through campaigns and national diabetes awareness programs to act as a fuel to the growth of wireless visual cortical stimulator market. In October 2016, Kasturba Heath Society, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in India initiated diabetic care program to prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy aimed to create awareness and prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy. The CDCs Vision Health Initiative (VHI) is one such initiative started by Center for Disease Control and Prevention aimed to create more effective network for vision loss prevention and eye health promotion. The presence of other alternative treatment methods like medication, visual cortical stimulator device will hamper the growth of wireless visual cortical stimulator. The time span for FDA approval and time required for adoption of device is expected to hamper the overall growth of wireless visual cortical stimulator industry. North America and Europe are expected to be major revenue contributors towards the market due to these regions being early adopters of novel technologies.Click here to know more about this report @Global Wireless Visual Cortical Stimulator Market TaxonomyThe global market is classified on the basis of following segments:Indication Type:CancerDiabetic RetinopathyTraumaGlaucomaOthersEnd Users:HospitalAmbulatory Surgical CentersEmergency Care UnitsSpecialized ClinicsOthersWireless visual cortical stimulator devices are visual prosthetics used to restore functional vision of a blind user. It provides electrical stimulator that bypasses defected retinal cells and stimulates viable cells to induce visual perception. On October 26, 2016, Second Sight, announced its first implantation in a 30-year blind patient to provide human proof for the ongoing development of Orion I Visual Cortical Prosthesis (Orion I), wireless visual cortical stimulator. In 2013, the U.S. FDA approved Second Sights Argus II System, a visual cortical stimulator that provides electrical stimulation that bypasses defunct retinal cells to stimulate viable cells. The difference between Orion I and Argus II System is that Orion I uses wireless technology. The device allows restoring vision to patients completely blind due to glaucoma, cancer, diabetic retinopathy or trauma cases. The first implantation proved that the device perceive and localize individual light spots with no side effects associated with it. It is rare that all technological development offers string opportunity, though the first human test of Orion I, wireless visual cortical stimulator proved to be able to treat visually impaired patients with no side effects. The company expects to submit the application to the FDA in early 2017 for the initial completion of clinical trial of the complete system.Download Sample Report @Wireless visual cortical stimulator market is segmented on the basis of indication type and end users. On the basis of indication type, the market is segmented into cancer, diabetic retinopathy, trauma, glaucoma, and other indication. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma segments are expected to contribute major share to the overall market. ON the basis of end user, the visual cortical stimulator market is segmented into hospital, ambulatory surgical centers, emergency care units, specialized clinics, and others.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 Blog:
Infant Radiant Warmer Market  Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 20162024

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Infant Radiant Warmer Market TaxonomyThe infant radiant warmer market is segmented on the basis of type and geography. By product type, infant radiant warmer market can be segmented into mobile radiant warmer, wall-mount radiant warmer and cot type radiant warmer.In terms of geography, the global infant radiant warmer market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. The North America market accounts for the highest market share owing to the established healthcare infrastructure, increased healthcare expenditure and high disposable income. Also, major players in the infant radiant warmer market are based in North America. However, Asia Pacific market is projected to grow at a faster rate owing to the rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure and rising prevalence of premature births in the region. For instance, according to a survey conducted by WHO in 2010, out of 27 million babies born in India, over 3.5 million were born premature. Also, an increase in healthcare spending in countries such as China and India is analyzed to boost growth of the infant radiant warmer market during the forecast period.Request a sample copy of this report @Some of the prominent players in the infant radiant warmer market are Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited., General Electric Company, Neotech Medical Pvt. Ltd, Phoenix Medical Systems (P) Ltd., Natus Medical Incorporated.,Ardo, Fanem Ltda., and Draeger, Inc.Infant care equipment is used for newborn or preterm infants in order to provide accessibility for resuscitation or procedures without jeopardizing thermal stability .This equipment helps to provide heat, supply oxygen, and monitor vital parameters. Cardiopulmonary monitors, blood pressure monitors, endotracheal tube, bililights, nasal cannula, incubators, radiant warmer, pulse oximeter, and ventilators are among the various types of infant radiant warmers.Infant radiant warmer, also called neonatal warming equipment, offers heat to infants suffering from severe heat loss. The body surface area of infants is large as compared to volume and they have very little fat content in their body. While in most cases basic clothing and mothers warmth would suffice to complement the heat produced in the body of a healthy new born baby, for premature babies and those suffering from debilitating conditions, artificial heat needs to be provided to ensure proper bodily functions of the baby and is crucial for its survival. Infant radiant warming equipment is an open bed, provided with a heat source to keep the baby warm. The source of heat is infrared (IR) radiations that are beamed from quartz heater via parabolic reflector.Get discount on this exclusive report by CMI @The infant radiant warmer market is projected to grow at steady state during the forecast period (20162024). Increasing prevalence of premature birth is expected to drive growth of the infant radiant warmer market. For instance, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2015, approximately 15 million babies are born premature across the globe. Almost 1 million babies die every year due to the complications of premature birth. Furthermore, increasing incidence of hospital acquired diseases, further creates an acute need for proper care and sterile environment for the baby, something that is provided by infant radiant warmers. For instance, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2011, about 1 in every 25 was infected with at least one hospital acquired infections.The introduction of innovative products is expected to increase their application and in turn fuel growth of the global infant radiant warmers market. For instance, GE Healthcares commercially available product, Lullaby Warmer, can uniformly distribute heat to ensure easy positioning of the baby, visually coded control panel and color coded safety alarms  simple to understand and language independent and has 69% faster warm up. Also, growing number of infant radiant warmer manufacturers is expected to propel market growth over the forecast period. Furthermore, rise in government funds is analyzed to support growth of the infant radiant warmer market. For instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has added a level (level IV) in infant nursing which in turn may increase growth of the infant radiant warmer market. Moreover, rise in number of hospitals across the globe is expected to increase demand for infant radiant warmer market. According to WHO data, yearly around 20 million premature and low birth weight babies are born and out of which 3 million babies die in the first four weeks of life. Hence, it is recommended that every hospital must essentially have at least one infant intensive care unit, which must comprise of all infant care equipment. However, high costs associated with the warmer and risk of high exposure to heat is likely to restraint growth of the infant radiant warmer market to a certain extent.Click here to know more about this report @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 Blog:
Global breast lesion localization methods market

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Rising focus on early detection to combat growing incidence of breast cancer to fuel growth of breast lesion localization methods marketGrowth in adoption of breast lesion localization methods is directly related to steep rise in incidence of breast cancer and subsequently increasing focus on early detection of related symptoms in order to ensure timely treatment and in turn increase survival rate. As per statistics released by World Cancer Research Fund International, breast cancer was the most common type of cancer among women, with around 1.7 million new cases detected in 2012, accounting for 25% of cancer among women. According to American Cancer Society, around 40,290 deaths were reported in the U.S., related to breast cancer. Increasing number of breast awareness campaigns such as Breast Awareness Campaign by The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., Think Before You Pink by Breast Cancer Action, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October 2017) by National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. promotes uptake of breast cancer screening test and thus creates a highly conducive environment for growth of the breast lesion localization methods market. Favorable reimbursement scenario such as coverage under Medicare further fuels market growth.Radio-guided occult lesion localization is increasingly being preferred over conventional wire-guided localization. This is mainly attributed to better outcomes of ROLL technique as it reduces localization and operation time, prevents healthy tissue excision and helps achieve clearer margins as compared to wire-localization techniques as revealed by statistics released by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. However, concerns regarding exposure to radiation and stringent and time consuming regulatory approval process inhibit market growth to a certain extent.Request a sample copy of this report @Breast lesion localization method is used to diagnose breast lesion through various methods. Lesions may be benign or malignant. Breast lesion can lead to various symptoms such as tenderness, soreness, discharge and in some cases lumps. Breast lesion and lumps may occur gradually and may be accompanied with several symptoms such as pain, changes in skin and changes in nipple. Breast lesion can be caused by breast cyst, mastitis, lipoma, Fibroadenomas, and Phyllodes tumor, among others. Certain proliferative breast lesions can lead to breast cancer. Thus, increasing incidence of breast cancer necessitates early detection of symptoms, with breast lesion localization being among the very basic tests conducted for the same. Increasing incidence of breast cancer and rising focus on early detection of the same is in turn expected to lead to rapid growth the global breast lesion localization market.Global breast lesion localization methods market taxonomyThe global breast lesion localization methods market is classified on the basis of the following segments:Product Type:Wire LocalizationCore Biopsy NeedlesFine AspirationRadioisotope LocalizationRadioactive Seed LocalizationRadio Occult Lesion LocalizationOthersMagnetic TracersOther Localization MethodsEnd Users:HospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersDiagnostic CentersOncology CentersOthersGet discount on this exclusive report by CMI @Major Breast Lesion Localization Method: Temno biopsy device (Becton, Dickinson and Company.), Adjustable Coaxial Temno biopsy device (Becton, Dickinson and Company), SAVI SCOUT (Cianna Medical) , Repomark (MDL), Kopans (Cook Medicals), Mark (MDL), Hawkins (Argon Medical).Developed Markets still not achieved Maturity for breast lesion localization methodDeveloped economies such as the U.S., U.K. and Germany experience high rate of adoption due to growing concern towards breast cancer and high concentration of experienced practitioners in these countries. The trend is expected to continue in the near future. As per the report of the Breast Cancer organization about one in every eight women in the U.S. are expected to develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Low awareness among the populace in emerging economies constrains market growth in the region, though increasing awareness programs being initiated in the region along with increasing incidence of breast cancer is projected to position these regions as lucrative markets over the forecast period (20162024).Devices with Comprehensive Range of FeaturesThere are new devices being launched with additional features and technology. Cooks breast lesion localization product was launched with procedural precision. The product is used preoperative marking of non-palpable breast lesion. In 2009, Dilon Diagnostics cornerstone received U.S. FDA approval for its GammaLMc, which could locate lesion through gamma guided biopsy. Companies are focusing on introducing new products with innovative features and technology in order to overcome complications such as infections and genetic mutations due to radiations, associated with breast lesion localizations.Access Full Report @Fragmented MarketThe global breast lesion localization methods market is highly fragmented owing to the participation of many established and emerging players in the breast lesion localization methods market. Major players involved in the breast lesion localization methods market include SOMATEX Medical Technologies, Tsunami Medical, Sterylab, MDL, Biomedical, Cook Medical, and Argon Medical.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 Blog:
Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Erectile Dysfunction Devices Market OverviewErectile dysfunction (ED) also known as impotence, is the inability to get an erection during sexual intercourse. It is a common medical condition in men. Though less common among the younger age group, erectile dysfunction affects 5%10% of men under 40 years of age. A recent study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that one in four patients who sought medical help for erectile dysfunction are under the age of 40 years. Men undergoing cardiovascular or diabetes treatment are at higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction. The condition is strongly related to physical and psychological health. Treatment options include ED drugs, injectable, penile implants, surgery, and vacuum constriction devices. Usually medications such as Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Avanafil, Alprostadil, and Udenafil are prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. However, a very small percentage of men are aware of the prevalence of the condition and lower still are the number of people who opt to consult an urologist about it, mainly due to social stigma attached to it. As per a study conducted by the European Association of Urology, only 25% of the men estimated to be suffering from the condition seek medical treatment.Request a sample copy of this report @Wide availability of advanced technology devices drives growth of erectile dysfunction devices marketThe global erectile dysfunction devices market can be analyzed on the basis of type of device and geography. On the basis of type of device, the global erectile dysfunction devices market is classified as vacuum pumps, penile implants (internal penile pump/inflated pump), vibrators, ED rings, and medicated urethral system (MUSE). Some of the major bands available in the market are Erektor, Viberect, SomaTherapy-ED, Encore, Bonro Medical, and Vacurect.Vacuum pump, also known as Vacuum Erection device (VED), requires no medication or surgery and is also reimbursed in the U.S. According to the National Health Services, nine out of ten men using vacuum pumps are able to have sex regardless of the underlying cause of ED. Penile implants are medicated devices, which further requires research on its efficacy and safety.Alternative treatment options hindering growth of erectile dysfunction devices marketWide availability of effective OTC oral medication such as Viagra adversely impacts demand for erectile dysfunction devices. Also, lack of awareness about proper usage of these devices and pain associated with use, inhibit the growth of erectile dysfunction devices market. Besides, alternative treatment options such as low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy, herbal medicines, and lifestyle changes also limit the demand for ED devices. New technologies such as tissue engineering and nanotechnology are being explored to develop more effective solutions for treatment of erectile dysfunction.Request for Complete TOC before buying this exclusive Report by CMI @Regional Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction Devices MarketAmerica, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Middle East are major global markets for erectile dysfunction devices. Growing prevalence of ED, increasing awareness about treatment, and high disposable income in developed regions propel the growth of erectile dysfunction devices market. Major marketing activities carried out by various players in the market have contributed largely in creating awareness among the population. However, various device types and their advantages are still not known to healthcare professionals, which in turn results in lower adoption among the general population.Get 10% Discount for First Time Buyers @Key Players involved in the erectile dysfunction devices marketThere are many regional players operating in this market owing to low entry and exit barriers. Being class 1 and 2 devices and fueled by increasing awareness levels, various players are entering this market. Some of the major players in the global erectile dysfunction devices market are Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Coloplast, Global Life Technologies, Reflexonic, LLC, Augusta Medical Systems, and Boston Scientific Corporation.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 @
Big Data in Healthcare Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Big data in healthcare market revenue is expected to grow at lucrative rate over the forecast period primarily due to increased digitalization in industrial process. Digitization is transforming industrial processes, functions, products, and services. Advent of e-commerce has resulted in a sudden spurt in data being generated by various companies. Also, with decades of research and development activities across the healthcare industry, there is a large amount of data, referred to as 'big data', piled up with host organizations. It is therefore essential to ensure optimum utilization of this data for reducing costs, providing targeted products and services, and avoiding duplication of work. Big data solution helps simplifying and analyze complex and diverse data, a task that cannot be achieved using conventional software and hardware. Moreover, such kind of data cannot be managed with trivial data management tools and methods. Various tools such as Pentaho, Hadoop, Cloudera, and MongoDB are available in the market for the same. These tools help in data cleaning, mining, and analyzing of big data. There are also various data visualization tools such as Tableau, Silk, and Chartio that help in presenting the data in a more convenient and readable form.Download Sample Report @Big data helps healthcare companies to mitigate the risk of losing millions of dollars in revenue and profits through their conventional strategic decision making methods. Globally, big data in healthcare market scenario can be segmented on the basis of application, analytics type, delivery model, and end users.Big Data in Healthcare Market, by Analytics TypeDescriptive AnalyticsPredictive AnalyticsPrescriptive AnalyticsBig Data in Healthcare Market, by ApplicationClinical AnalyticsFinancial AnalyticsOperational and Administrative AnalyticsPopulation Health AnalyticsBig Data in Healthcare Market, by Delivery ModelOn-premiseOn-demandBig Data in Healthcare Market, by End UserPayersProvidersThird party care OrganizationsPharmaceutical companies, payors, and experts are using big data analytics/solutions to analyze and obtain insights about industry trends and accordingly make detailed and accurate projections about the market. Based on the insights from big data solutions, various recipients can make informed decisions to improve their products or services.Get discount on this exclusive report by CMI @Dearth of Skilled Manpower to Inhibit Growth of Big Data in HealthcareAlthough, the market is huge in the developed nations, particularly in the U.S., dearth of trained personnel for analyzing big data is projected to limit the growth of this market in North America. Moreover, factors such as decreasing profit margins, slowdown in the global economy, and lack of skilled manpower is inhibiting growth of big data implementation in the healthcare industry. Some of the other challenges for big data in healthcare include data fragmentation, security issues, and lack of standardization. Furthermore, big data solution providers need to ensure compliance with regulations laid by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These factors are especially prevalent in developing economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America due to lack of effective healthcare infrastructure and inadequate supportive government regulations. Increasing cost pressure and lack of trained professionals dissuades healthcare providers from implementing expensive systems supporting big data solutions. However, improvement in IT infrastructure in developing economies over the near future is expected to be a major contributor for increase in demand for big data.Fragmented MarketThere are various small and global players offering big data software and services. The small regional players offer big data services at low costs, which creates a high entry barrier for global players looking to establish their footprint in emerging markets. The market is highly fragmented, with various players offering services differentiated in terms of pricing and inclusions. Some of the key companies in the global big data in healthcare market include Hewlett-Packard Co., Teradata Corporation, Opera Solutions, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Siemens Healthcare Gmbh, Mu Sigma, Splunk Inc., Cloudera, EMC, IBM, Calpont Corporation, and Oracle Corporation.Click here to know more about this report @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 Blog:
Healthcare Analytical Instrumentation and Systems Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Analytical instruments and systems are devices that are used to for product analysis across various industries. There are different types of analytical instruments such as chromatography, electrophoresis, PCR, flow cytometers, and many others used across different industries. Application in chemical and healthcare research is extensive of these analytical instruments. These devices aid in substance separation, identification, and evaluation with different techniques. With increasing research and development across the globe, demand for analytical instruments is growing rapidly. Moreover, with increasing sample size and data generation through these samples, managing information has become crucial. Laboratories generate tons of information annually which need to be documented for further processes. Therefore, there are information systems developed that aids in managing the process and outcomes of the analytical tests.Request a sample copy of this report @Market TaxonomyThe global healthcare analytical instrumentation and systems market is characterized by a range of analytical devices and systems. Therefore, based on different parameters, the global healthcare analytical instrumentation and systems market is analyzed in following segment:Based on the type of analytical instruments: Chromatography Spectrophotometer Electrophoresis PCR Flow cytometers Microscopy Microarray Membrane separation/Filtration X-ray Crystallography Protein Fractionation Analyzers OthersBased on the technology: High-throughput Medium throughput Low ThroughputBased on the end-user: Research Laboratories Diagnostic Laboratories Academic InstitutesRequest for Complete TOC before buying this exclusive Report by CMI @Increase in Contract Research Activities to Fuel Growth in the Developing EconomiesWith rapid adoption of new technologies owing to easy availability of funds, demand for advance analytical instruments and systems is high in the developed economies such as the U.S., U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Canada, Japan, and Australia. However, other regions such as Middle East, Latin America and South East Asia are expected to be the prospective markets in the near future. Major pharmaceutical companies are outsourcing their drug research and development services (CRO) to various countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia and India, which is propelling the growth of the analytical instrumentation and systems market. This results in high adoption rate of precise analytical instruments in these countries. Moreover, highly developing biotechnology industry, is also contributing to the demand analytical instruments and systems.Get 10% Discount for First Time Buyers @Stringent Regulatory Standard for Healthcare Products to Drive the Development of Advance and Precise TechnologiesThe global healthcare analytical instrumentation and systems market is witnessing a commendable growth due to the rising demand for process automation technologies and continuing product innovations. Furthermore, stringent regulatory and testing standards are expected to boost the growth of advance analytical instrumentation and systems in the near future. Additionally, increasing usage of analytical instruments in biotechnology is further driving the growth of this market.The global healthcare analytical instrumentation and systems market is highly fragmented due to the participation of many global as well as regional players in this market. The market is expected to witness a high growth rate due to the growing demand for finer process analyses and stringent regulatory policies. Some of the key players involved in the analytical instrumentation and systems market are ABB Ltd., Analytical Systems International / Keco, Electro-Chemical Devices, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Honeywell Process Solutions (HPS), Mettler-Toledo International Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. and Yokogawa Electric Corporation.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 @
Malaria Vaccines Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 2016-2024

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Mosquirix  the First Malaria Vaccine in the Global Malaria Vaccines MarketMost major drug manufacturers have been constantly striving to develop a vaccine for this deadly disease. Among the pioneers in this field is GlaxoSmithKline, which has been working towards developing a malaria vaccine since 1984. In collaboration with the non-profit PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative and funding from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GlaxoSmithKline developed the first malarial vaccine.Mosquirix, also known as RTS,S, was in development for around 30 years, with an investment of around US$ 565 million. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributed over US$ 200 million towards this project. Mosquirix received marketing approval from the European authorities in July 2015. However, the WHO has recommended examination of the vaccine in a pilot study before introduction on a large scale. The study is being carried out in Africa, and has received a funding of US$ 25 million from Gavia global Vaccine Alliancebringing together public and private sectors towards a common goal. Successful trials will lead to global launch of Mosquirix and boost the malaria vaccines market size.Download Sample Report @Significant Potential for Malaria Vaccines Market in Africa, Latin America and AsiaMalaria vaccine seems to be the best solution to prevent the spread of malaria, especially considering increasing number of drug resistance cases and high fatality reported. People use bed nets and indoor residual spraying (IRS) to fight against mosquito infestation. Therefore, there is immense opportunity globally for malaria vaccines among the demographic group most at riskinfants (23 million births annually), pre-adolescent and early adolescent girls, pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, and population in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. Furthermore, risk of transmission of the disease increases from the traveller and military population travelling from the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Australia, a malaria free zone to the highly prone emerging economies. The global malaria vaccines market dynamics are mainly shaped by major purchasers, namely healthcare and non-profit organizations.Malaria Vaccines Market OverviewMore than 40% of the global population is at risk of malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) malaria fact sheet and World Bank estimates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were around 214 million malaria cases reported in 2015, leading to 438,000 deaths worldwide. Over 70% of these deaths occur in children under 5 years of age. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the highest share of global malaria burden, with around 89% of malaria cases and 91% of malarial deaths in 2015. Such high impact of this life threatening disease is influencing governments across various countries, companies, investors, and non-profit organizations to contribute towards curbing spreading of this disease. Treatment therapies include Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), chloroquine, and primaquine. Recurrence of this disease can lead to drug resistance and in severe cases can prove fatal. Therefore, prevention is the major focus of government, researchers, and drug companies. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that increase in prevention control and other measures has led to 60% reduction in malaria mortality since 2000. High prevalence and preventive measures initiated by global and national organizations would favor growth of the global malaria vaccines market.Access Full Report @Malaria Vaccines Market Future OutlookMosquirix is a great boon for population in the highly prone regions of malaria infection. However, accessibility and low cost of this vaccine is essential to serve the large population in the highly prone emerging economies. Sanaria Inc. is a biotechnology company which aims to develop and commercialize whole-parasite sporozoite vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum that causes 95% of malaria cases. Mymetics Corporationa Switzerland-based vaccines developeruses its virosome platform technology to develop vaccines. There are two vaccine candidates in its pipeline, of which one cleared the phase 1b clinical trail, while the other is in the preclinical stage. Moreover, use of new technologies such as Nucleic acid vaccines, Proteosomes, and several new adjuvants could lead to development of next-generation malaria vaccines.Such global commitments will encourage investors around the world to contribute towards a global malaria eradication mission. Further, the malaria vaccines market outlook for future holds much promise, with new vaccines being developed mainly focused on improving effectiveness of products.Get discount on this exclusive report by CMI @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 Blog:
Global Static Mixer Market 2017 : Verdermix, StaMixCo, Chemineer, Lenntech, Fluitec, Admix

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A market study based on the "Static Mixer Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Static Mixer Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Static Mixer industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Static Mixer market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This Research ReportChemineerLenntechSPXKomaxNordson XaloyNoritakeStatiflo InternationalVerdermixStaMixCoCharles Ross & Son CompanyFluitecAdmixThe report studies the industry for Static Mixer across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Static Mixer market & dynamics of demand and supply of Static Mixer into consideration. The 'Static Mixer' research study covers each and every aspect of the Static Mixer market globally, which starts from the definition of the Static Mixer industry and develops towards Static Mixer market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Static Mixer market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Static Mixer market. The geographical segmentation of the Static Mixer industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Static Mixer is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Static Mixer market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Static Mixer market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Static Mixer market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Static Mixer production volume, data regarding demand and Static Mixer 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 Static Mixer across the globe.About Us :Business Worldwide are a trusted brand in the research industry with capability of commissioning complex projects within a short span of time with high level of accuracy. At Business Worldwide, we believe in building long term relations with our clients. Our services cover a broad spectrum of industries such as Automotive and Aerospace, Medical Devices, Technology, Machinery & Manufacturing.Contact Us :Business WorldwideUnited States
Edupliance Webinar To Cover Employer Obligations Towards Employee Mental Health

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Edupliance announces webinar titled, Employer Obligations Towards Employee Mental Health where attendees will get to know the ADA requirements regarding mental impairments, significant mental illnesses, the symptoms associated with them and how it applies to employees in the workplace.Psychiatric illnesses are not visible. These illnesses are based on symptoms and behaviors which are often progressive in nature. Medications to deal with the symptoms or behaviors are very much trial and error. Yet, sometimes individuals with strange behaviors dont have a psychiatric illness at all. Employers are not psychiatrists but employers are required to accommodate individuals with mental impairments that substantially limit a major life function. How do you know when someone has a psychiatric illness or is just plain strange? And, when someone does have a psychiatric illness, what are your obligations?The 90-minute webinar will be conducted by Susan Desmond, an expert with over 30 years of representing management in all areas of labor and employment law. She is a principal with Jackson Lewis PC. A frequent author and speaker, Ms. Desmond is listed in Best Lawyers in America and has been named by Chambers USA as one of Americas leading business lawyers for labor and employment law. She is also listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers and Louisiana Super Lawyers.Webinar attendees will learn:- The ADA requirements with regard to mental impairments- The most significant mental illnesses and symptoms associated with them- How to hold those with psychiatric illnesses to the same standards as those without these illnesses- The interactive process an employer should engage in while dealing with an employee with a psychiatric illness- What types of accommodations can an employer expect to be asked to consider with regard to an employee with a psychiatric illness?- When can an employer deny an individual employment or accommodation because the individual poses a direct threat to the safety of himself or others? What do we mean by direct threat?- What to do if an employee refuses to take his/her medication- Can you force an employee to seek help through an EAP or get an evaluation through a psychiatrist?Registration for the webinar can be completed here:Media Inquiriessupport@edupliance.comEdupliance is an online information and compliance training provider which offers webinars (Live and On-Demand), DVDs and downloadable resources that cover concurrent topics pertaining to various industries. With an expert panel of guest speakers, Edupliance brings state-of-the-art virtual technology solutions and industry-leading training sessions that are easy to learn, easily accessible and cater to people with varied interests. Edupliance is privately held and located in Hillsboro, Oregon. For more information, visitEdupliance101, 4660, NE Belknap Court, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124Ph: +1-(844) 810-1151Email: support@edupliance.com
Asia-Pacific gastric cancer market set to experience strong growth to $2.7 billion by 2022

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Report Title: Gastric Cancer Therapeutics in Asia-Pacific Markets to 2022 - Growth Driven by Increasing Prevalence and Launch of Targeted Therapies.The Asia-Pacific (APAC) gastric cancer market is set to rise from $1.3 billion in 2015 to $2.7 billion by 2022, at a strong compound annual growth rate of 11.4%, according to business intelligence provider GBI Research.Gayathri Kanika, Analyst for GBI Research, states: In line with improved diagnosis rates, the anticipated approval of various monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) over the forecast period will drive treatment rates across all lines of therapy and generate higher sales in the gastric cancer market.Currently, the gastric cancer treatment landscape largely comprises generic chemotherapies, which provide limited clinical benefit and cause serious side effects. However, the current pipeline is strong, with targeted therapies expected to be launched during the forecast period.A new class of drug approved for the treatment of gastric cancer, targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, is Cyramza (ramucirumab), a mAb used for second- and third-line therapy for gastric cancer. GBI Research expects Cyramza to garner rapid uptake, as it is being established as the standard of care for the second-line advanced setting, with its label expected to expand to cover the HER2-negative first-line setting within the forecast period.Perjeta (pertuzumab) is being developed in combination with Herceptin for the treatment of gastric cancer, on the assumption that the combination will yield superior results. The response rate shown in a Phase II trial  which compared the efficacy of Herceptin/Perjeta combination with that of Herceptin plus chemotherapy  was higher for the Herceptin/Perjeta combination. Perjeta, once approved, will likely replace the current standard of first-line treatment for HER2-positive gastric cancer.Kanika concludes: Despite their promise, the anticipated premium pricing of mAbs will make affordability a barrier for the marketing of these drugs in India and China, where there are no strong reimbursement frameworks and most expenses are paid out-of-pocket by the patient.Moreover, increasing cost-consciousness in the other major Asian markets, such as Japan and South Korea, will limit premium pricing opportunities for pipeline agents. Drug companies will need to consider the changing reimbursement landscape when determining the pricing strategies for their drugs in these markets.To purchase online Request free report preview -GBI Research is a market-leading provider of business intelligence reports, offering actionable data and forecasts based on the insights of key industry leaders to ensure you stay up-to-date with the latest emerging trends in your markets.John Carpenter House, John Carpenter Street, London EC4Y 0AN, UK.
Nanomedicine 2017 Global Key Players - GE Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt plc, Merck & Co. Inc. Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

Nanomedicine

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1051673-global-nanomedicine-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1051673-global-nanomedicine-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022

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NanomedicineReport Details:This report studies the global Nanomedicine market, analyzes and researches the Nanomedicine development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeGE HealthcareJohnson & JohnsonMallinckrodt plcMerck & Co. Inc.Nanosphere Inc.Pfizer Inc.Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc.Smith & Nephew PLCStryker CorpTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.UCB (Union chimique belge) S.AClick here for sample report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, Nanomedicine can be split intoRegenerative MedicineIn-vitro & In-vivo DiagnosticsVaccinesDrug DeliveryMarket segment by Application, Nanomedicine can be split intoClinical CardiologyUrologyGeneticsOrthopedicsOphthalmology......Some Major Points from Table of content:Global Nanomedicine Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Nanomedicine1.1 Nanomedicine Market Overview1.1.1 Nanomedicine Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Nanomedicine Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.2.1 United States1.2.2 EU1.2.3 Japan1.2.4 China1.2.5 India1.2.6 Southeast Asia1.3 Nanomedicine Market by Type1.3.1 Regenerative Medicine1.3.2 In-vitro & In-vivo Diagnostics1.3.3 Vaccines1.3.4 Drug Delivery1.4 Nanomedicine Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Clinical Cardiology1.4.2 Urology1.4.3 Genetics1.4.4 Orthopedics1.4.5 OphthalmologyFor Detailed Reading Please visit @3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 GE Healthcare3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Johnson & Johnson3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Mallinckrodt plc3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Merck & Co. Inc.3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Nanosphere Inc.3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Pfizer Inc.3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Sigma-Tau Pharmaceuticals Inc.3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Smith & Nephew PLC3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Stryker Corp3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Nanomedicine Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 UCB (Union chimique belge) S.A...ContinuedBuy 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.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, IndiaPh: +91 841 198 5042info@wiseguyreports.com
Electrical Submersible Pump Cables Market to Reach US$ 4 Billion Globally by 2022

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/electrical-submersible-pump-cables-market

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New York, March 14: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Electrical Submersible Pump Cables Market by Application (Onshore, Offshore), by Technology (Polypropylene, EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer), Others) and by Geography - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2023How Big is the Electrical Submersible Pump Cables Market?The Electrical Submersible Pump Cables Market is envisioned to cross US$ 4 Billion by 2022; Growing at a CAGR of more than 4.5% in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report:The electrical submersible pump cables transmit the specified surface power to the electrical submersible pump cables motors. Typically, it's clamped or banded to the construction tubing from below the wellhead to the electrical submersible pump cables unit as a result it's not designed to support its own weight. Its a specially created three phase power line designed specifically for down hole well environments.The cable design should be small in diameter, protected against mechanical abuse, and impervious to physical and electrical deterioration due to aggressive well environments. Theyre offered during a big selection of conductor sizes or gauges. Theyll be manufactured in either spherical or flat configurations, exploitation many completely different insulation and metal armor materials for various hostile well environments.The major driving factors of electrical submersible pump cables market are as follows:1. Growing in depth of oil well.2. Rise in requirement of electrical submersible pump.3. Increase in the depth of Oil Well.The restraining factors of electrical submersible pump cables market are as follows:1. Currently fall in oil costs resulting in cutback in offshore investigation and production expenditure.2. Restricted deploy ability in shale gas fields.The electrical submersible pump cables market is segmented on the lines of its application, technology and regional. Based on application segmentation it covers onshore and offshore. Under technology segmentation the electrical submersible pump cables covers polypropylene, EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer) and others. The electrical submersible pump cables market's geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geographic 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 electrical submersible pump cables 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 electrical submersible pump cables.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 Electrical Submersible Pump Cables 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 Hitachi Metals Ltd., Borets Co. LLC, GE Oil & Gas, Kerite, Schlumberger Ltd., Prysmian Group, Halliburton Co., Weatherford Int., and General Cable Corp. 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 Electrical submersible pump cables Market has been segmented as below:By Application AnalysisOnshoreOffshoreBy Technology AnalysisPolypropyleneEPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer)OthersBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all electrical submersible pump cables globally.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of electrical submersible pump cables data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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
Excipients Market in Latin America to Exceed US$ 626 Million Globally by 2023

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/reportdetails/excipients-market-latin-america

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New York, March 14: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Excipients Market By Product Segment Analysis, By Route of Administration Analysis and By Function Analysis - Latin America Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2023How Big is the Latin America Excipients Market?The Latin America excipients market is expected to exceed more than US$ 626 million by 2023; Growing at a CAGR of more than 6% in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report:The flourishing pharmaceutical trade in geographical area has been driving the excipients market within the region due its growing usage in producing medicines. Excipients area unit more and more are getting used by pharmaceutical corporations for coating, binding as diluents and filters, solvents and as colorants for creating tablets, capsules and alternative varieties of medication. Therefore the progress of the pharmaceutical trade is directly proportional to the success of the excipients market in geographical area The increasing expenditure on attention and also the up disposable incomes that enable customers to pay on medicines in geographical area is additionally chargeable for the increase of excipients within the region.The major driving factors of Latin America excipients market are as follows:Growing consumption of oral solid dosage drugsDevelopment in pharmaceutical market in Latin AmericaThe restraining factors of Latin America excipients market are as follows:Use of excipients in other end user industriesHigh manufacturing priceThe Latin America excipients market is segmented on the lines of its product, route of administration, function and country. Based on product segmentation the market covers gelatin, sugar and other, minerals, polymers and alcohols. Sugar and other is further divided into lactose, sucrose, maltitol, glucose and others. Under minerals segmentation it covers calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, clay, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide and others. Based on polymers segmentation it covers MCC, HPMC, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, CMC, croscarmellose sodium, povidone(binders), crosspovidone(disintegrants), pregelatinized starch, sodium starch glycolate, polyethylene glycol, acrylic polymers and others. Under alcohol segmentation it covers glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, mannitol and others.The Latin America excipients market is based on route of administration segmentation covers tropical, parenteraloral and others. Under oral segmentation is further segmented into tablets, capsules (Hard & Soft) and liquids and semisolids. Based on function segmentation flavors & sweeteners, viscosity agents, film coating, controlled release, fillers & diluents, disintegrants, binders & adhesives, lubricants & glidants and others. Under country segmentation the Latin America covers Caribbean, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Argentina and rest of South America.Download Free Sample Report:This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for Latin America excipients 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 2023.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for Latin America excipients.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 Latin America excipients market 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 Ashland Inc., BASF SE, FMC Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Merck KGaA, Evonik Industries AG, and Croda International Plc, CP Kelco, JRS Pharma, Roquette Pharma, Avantor Performance Materials Inc., Colorcon Inc., Innophos Holdings Inc., Cargill Inc., The Lubrizol Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Asahi-Kasei Corporation, Cabot Corporation, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Company. 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 Latin America Excipients Market has been segmented as below:By Product Segment Analysis Gelatin Sugar & Othero Lactoseo Sucroseo Maltitolo Glucoseo Others Mineralso Calcium phosphateo Calcium carbonateo Clayo Silicon dioxideo Titanium dioxideo Others Polymerso MCCo HPMCo Ethyl celluloseo Methyl celluloseo CMCo CroscarmelloseSodiumo Povidone(binders)o Crosspovidone(disintegrants)o Pregelatinized starcho Sodium starch glycolateo Polyethylene glycolo Acrylic polymerso Others Alcoholo Glycerino Propylene glycolo Sorbitolo Mannitolo OthersBy Route of Administration Analysis Tropical Parenteral Oralo Tabletso Capsules (Hard & Soft)o Liquids and Semisolids OthersBy Function Analysis Flavors & Sweeteners Viscosity Agents Film Coating Controlled Release Fillers & Diluents Disintegrants Binders & Adhesives Lubricants & Glidants OthersBy Country Analysis Latin Americao Caribbeano Colombiao Chileo Mexicoo Central Americao Brazilo Argentinao Rest of South AmericaReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all Latin America excipients.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of Latin America excipients data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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
Sun Windows Technologies Appoints Solar PV System Design and Installation Expert to Board of Advisors

He is one of the most respected and highly certified solar PV Installers and Trainers in ShanghaiSun Windows Technologies, a pioneer in the development of solar photovoltaic energy, specializing in development, financing and administration, construction, operation, maintenance and consulting, today announced the appointment of Mr. Jack Mingbo, a Certified Professional, solar PV design and installation expert, to the Companys Board of Advisors.Mr. Mingbo has nearly 20 years of expertise, period in which he has designed and installed over 100kW of battery-based PV systems, and has designed, installed or advised on over 10MW of interactive PV systems grid. He provides design consulting and inspection services to PV installation professionals, holding three certifications as a Certified PV Installation Professional, Certified PV Technical Sales Professional and Certified Solar Thermal Installer. He is a Licensed Master Electrician and has a Marketing and Management degree from Beijing University.He has become one of the most respected and highly certified solar PV Installers and Trainers in Shanghai, and is one of a small number of people who holds three industry certificates. He was also awarded a Master Certified PV Trainer status, making him one of the first PV Trainers in China to achieve all four certifications.Im pleased to welcome Jack to the team, as we continue advancing Sun Windows Technologies operations in China, stated Mr. Liang B. Xiulian, President and CEO of Sun Windows Technologies. Jack has an intimate knowledge of electrical systems design and installation. His expertise in solar PV will be invaluable to our efforts in developing commercially viable products and systems, utilizing our see-through technology in commercial glass products and integrating them with building infrastructures, to provide a source of renewable electricity generation.About Sun Windows TechnologiesSun Windows Technologies is a Shanghai based developer and operator of utility-scale photovoltaic solutions. It vertically integrates all the necessary components for a successful solar plant and photovoltaic windows. Our main focus are solar windows, solar fields and industrial roof solar installations. Sun Windows Technologies has created one of the industrys most respected portfolios, with hundreds of patents encompassing materials, processes, applications, products, manufacturing automation and equipment. Sun Windows Technologies is a pioneer in the development of solar photovoltaic energy, specializing in development, financing and administration, construction, operation, maintenance and consulting.Shanghai World Financial Center, 100 Century Avenue, 200120, ShanghaiChina
ATEN Can Help Data Companies to Operate More Smoothly

Visit ATEN UK on stand B10 at Data Center World 2017

www.aten.com/gb/en

www.aten.co.uk

Berkshire, UK, 01.02. 2017  ATEN, the leading provider of IT connectivity and total management solutions, returns to Data Centre World this year presenting the latest generation of intelligent green energy solutions, data centre centralised management solutions and the world's smallest portable laptop USB console adapter at the world's largest and most influence gather of Data Centre expertise.Occupying stand B10, ATEN UK will be liaising with attendees to demonstrate, and explain why adopting a centralised and control management solution, locally or over IP, can help data companies to operate more smoothly by controlling the entire IT installation.On the day, ATEN will also demonstrate the latest generation of intelligent eco PDUs with the ability to monitor data centre power usage, featuring Proactive Over-current Protection (POP), supplemented with the perfectly synergised DCIM software to report critical indexes such as rack cooling (RCI) and return cooling index (RTI), and remote real-time monitoring to optimise data centre energy and minimise further costs.It is important for data centre professionals to monitor the data centre environments in real-time. highlights Nicolas Jaud, the Product Marketing Manager at ATEN UK. "Without this capability - time, energy and money are wasted. We want to provide the professionals with the correct tools to help them with their day-to-day work!"The highlight of the show will be the latest addition to the ATEN product range - the World's smallest portable laptop USB console adapter. The device connects a laptop directly to any server, allowing users instant access to perform data maintenance and local operations for quick troubleshooting, updating, service and repair. The solution significantly reduces maintenance time for IT engineers and administrators in a mobile age, especially in situations where no Internet access is available or permitted.Further information on the intelligent Power Distribution Units, KVM over IP rack consoles, data centre management software and the world's smallest portable laptop USB console adapter is available onwebsite. Alternatively call +44 (0)1753 539121 or via sales@aten.co.uk. Or visit Data Centre World London, on the 15th and 16th March at the ATEN UK stand B10. # # #About ATENATEN International Co., Ltd. (TWSE: 6277), established in 1979, is the leading provider of IT connectivity and management solutions. Offering integrated KVM, Professional Audiovisual, and Intelligent Power solutions, ATEN products connect, manage, and optimize electronics in corporate, government, industrial, educational, and retail environments. ATEN has 500+ issued international patents and a global R&D team that produces a constant stream of innovative solutions, resulting in a comprehensive portfolio of products available worldwide.Headquartered in Taiwan, ATEN International Co., Ltd. has grown to include subsidiaries in China, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Australia, the U.S., the U.K., and Russia  with R&D centers in Taiwan, China, and Canada.For more information about ATEN, please visit466 Malton Avenue,Slough,Berkshire,SL1 4QU
Hearable Devices Market - Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2022

https://www.marketresearchengine.com/upcommingreport/hearable-devices-market

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New York, March 14: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Hearable Devices Market By Technology (Headphones or Earbuds, Personal Sound Amplifiers (PSAPs) and Hearing aids)  Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2022Hearable Devices Market is the next Multi-Billion Dollar industry. Many technology companies are heavily investing in this sector.Browse Full Report:The hearable is as yet being created in light of the fact that while some do exist in the commercial center, we are a long way from immersion. In this manner, to a few people hearables may simply be remote earbuds with cutting edge highlights, however to others it might be much more the same as a listening device. A hearable is a remote in-ear computational earpiece. Basically you have a smaller scale PC that fits in your ear trench and uses remote innovation to supplement and improve your listening knowledge. Numerous hearables will likewise include extra components, for example, heart rate observing.To start with, amplifier organizations are starting to perceive that clients need a gadget that accomplishes more than right and enhance sound. They need to have the capacity to adjust flawlessly with remote gadgets, for example, their cell phone, for phone calls, music, recreations, and that's only the tip of the iceberg. Second, business gadgets organizations (all the more particularly earphone makers) are understanding the capability of "bionics," or making in-ear buds that measure biometrics, yield incredible quality sounding music, and (this is the most current part) can possibly increase sound.The hearable devices market is segmented on the lines of its technology like headphones or Earbuds, personal sound amplifers (PSAPs) and hearing aids. The hearable devices market covers the geographic segmentation in various regions such as North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Europe & APAC. Each geographic market is further segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, India, Brazil, U.K. Germany, and GCC countries.This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for hearable devices 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 hearable devices.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 Hearable Devices with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers information regarding 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 Apple, Zen Sensor, Valencell, Sony, BitBit, Samsung, Bose, Skullcandy, Panasonic, Apply, Koss, Harman Kardon, LG, Doppler Labs, Huawei and Invensense etc. Company profile includes assign such as company summary, SWOT analysis and current developments, financial summary, business strategy and planning.The Top Companies Report is intended to provide buyers with a snapshot of the industrys most influential players.The Hearable Devices Market has been segmented as below:By Technology AnalysisHeadphones or EarbudsPersonal sound amplifiers (PSAPs)Hearing aidsBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all hearable devices.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of hearable devices data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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
AMCI's New Rotary Shaft Encoders Surpass Expectations

AMCI's NR60 Networked Rotary Shaft Encoder with Embedded Ethernet Switch & DLR

https://www.amci.com/plc-automation-products/nr60-networked-absolute-rotary-shaft-encoder

http://www.amci.com

Terryville, CT  March 14, 2017  Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI), has released the NR60 series of networked absolute rotary shaft encoders. These rotary sensors provide an overall measuring range of 16 bits (single-turn resolution) plus 14 bits (number of revolutions), or 30 bits total. With both single-turn and multi-turn versions available, AMCIs networked encoders are ready for any application. The AMCI NR60 networked encoders are 100% compatible with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and Schneider PLCs that support EtherNet/IP or Modbus TCP/IP.NR60 Networked Absolute Rotary Shaft Encoder Features:- Built-in EtherNet/IP & Modbus interface- Embedded switch- EtherNet/IP offers DLR (Device Level Ring)- Single-turn resolution up to 16 bit- Multi-turn resolution up to 30 bit- IP67 Ingress Protection Rating- Solid shaft and hub shaft versionsEmbedded SwitchThe NR60 has a built-in Ethernet switch. This embedded switch provides a network connection for additional devices without the need for a separate Ethernet switch. For those using EtherNet/IP, DLR topology provides a fault tolerant connection that can detect a break in the network and redirect the traffic to maintain communication and system up-time.The PackageThe ODVA compliant NR60 Ethernet Encoders are offered in a 60mm diameter package, and are available with either flange or servo mounting styles. There are three M12 connectors supplying power and network connectivity, with the option of either end or side connect versions.The NR60 networked encoder is resolver based and supplies absolute position feedback without glass discs or sensitive LED components, enabling it to withstand high levels of shock and vibration. The IP67 rated package is the solution for single-turn and multi-turn position applications requiring protection from dust and water ingress. Solid shaft and hub shaft versions are also available to satisfy a variety of applications.For more information, view the product page:About Advanced Micro Controls Inc.Founded in 1985, Advanced Micro Controls, Inc. (AMCI) is a leading U.S. based manufacturer with a global presence. AMCI industrial control products improve PLC-based automation systems with specialized position sensing and motion control technology that simplifies automation and adds reliability to manufacturing processes. AMCI designs and manufactures all of their products, enabling superior quality and innovation. The company provides 24/7 technical support staff, ready to answer questions about installation, configuration and operation of all AMCI products.Media Contact: Rachael NovakTelephone: (860) 585-1254 ext-132Email: rnovak@amci.comAdvanced Micro Controls Inc.20 Gear DrivePlymouth Industrial ParkTerryville, CT 06786 USATelephone: (860)-585-1254Facsimile: (860) 584-1973###
Global Anchor Windlass Sales Market Report 2017 Market Shares and Trends

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Anchor Windlass 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, coveringCompany 1Company 2Company 3Company 4Company 5Company 6Company 7Company 8Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with sales (consumption), revenue, market share and growth rate of Anchor Windlass 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 Anchor Windlass in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Table of ContentsGlobal Anchor Windlass Sales Market Report 20171 Anchor Windlass Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Anchor Windlass1.2 Classification of Anchor Windlass1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.3 Application of Anchor Windlass1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.4 Anchor Windlass 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 Anchor Windlass (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Anchor Windlass Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Anchor Windlass Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Request sample copy at:2 Global Anchor Windlass Competition by Manufacturers, Type and Application2.1 Global Anchor Windlass Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1.1 Global Anchor Windlass Sales and Market Share of Key Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Anchor Windlass Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Anchor Windlass (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Anchor Windlass Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Global Anchor Windlass Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Global Anchor Windlass (Volume and Value) by Regions2.3.1 Global Anchor Windlass Sales and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.3.2 Global Anchor Windlass Revenue and Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)2.4 Global Anchor Windlass (Volume) by ApplicationAbout UsWe are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis and opportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact UsPune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaCall-:+1-312-604-7084Email-:sales@reporthive.com
How the Media Box helps publishers to attract new readers

Media Box by Media Carrier

www.media-carrier.com

Media Carrier gives US media immediate, profitable access to new international markets(New York, 14 March 2017)  By establishing a subsidiary in the US, Media Carrier has underlined its position as one of the most successful companies for digital newspaper and magazine distribution. US publishers in particular will benefit from the digital specialists new presence in North America. Through its Media Box, Media Carrier gives them easy access to new target groups and international readers: passengers of prestigious airlines such as Lufthansa or discerning guests of exclusive hotel chains.The Media Box is a powerful digital media library that tourism companies frequently use as a special service for their customers. Hotel guests or airplane passengers only need a web-enabled device. With it, they can conveniently download their favorite newspaper or magazine from a digital portfolio of hundreds of international media publications.US publishers benefit from Media Carriers reference list. For example, the distributor is a service partner of Virgin Atlantic, multiple airlines operated by the Lufthansa Group, the Radisson Blu and Mandarin Oriental hotel chains as well as train, bus and cruise operators. Over 120,000,000 passengers per year can already access the Media Box service, which is currently available in over 30 countries worldwide.By digitally distributing newspapers and magazines through the Media Box, US publishers can extend their reach and raise their visibility outside of their regular readership.In addition, Media Carrier and its affiliate also distribute print editions to airlines such as Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic as well as at major international events such as the World Economic Forum (WEF) or the G20 summit. The newspapers or magazines are presented in attractive displays or shelves.Were thrilled to be present in the tremendously important US market. We want to show US publishers that Media Carrier is the ideal distribution partner for bringing new and existing readers in contact with their publications where demand is particularly high: on journeys, says Philipp J. Jacke, Managing Director of Media Carrier. Media Carriers Media Box simplifies the global distribution of publications, reduces logistics costs and enables controlled distribution by providing detailed download statistics for individual publications, Jacke adds.About Media CarrierEstablished in 2011, the company is a subsidiary of the Munich-based MELO Group, whose central divisions are built on the two pillars: media and logistics. Media Carrier specializes in marketing and distributing digital content. It supplies the travel industry with e-papers through the Media Box. Passengers of Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic or Oman Air but also guests of over 1,000 hotels worldwide are able to use the innovative e-paper service from Media Carrier.Media Carrier USA Inc.1440 Broadway 23rd floorNew York NY 10018USAJennifer BingmannMarketing & Communication+49  89  32471 4538jennifer.bingmann@media-carrier.comGabrielle SarmientoKey Account Manager+1 646 512 5131gabrielle.sarmiento@media-carrier.com
Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market Market Research Report 2017 Analysis & Forecast to 2022

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Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market Research Report 2017SummaryIn this report, the global Industrial Plugs & Sockets market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Industrial Plugs & Sockets in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest for Sample report visit@Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer;the top players includingABBSchneider ElectricLegrandAmphenolLewden Electrical IndustriesEmerson Industrial AutomationGeneral ElectricLevitonEatonMENNEKES?Andeli GroupSPS electronic GmbHHengtong ElectricManlakis ElectricOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoStationary TypeMobile TypeOn 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 Industrial Plugs & Sockets for each application, includingArchitectureChemical IndustryElectronicsOthersTo get complete report visit@Key Points in Table of Content:Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market Research Report 20171 Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Industrial Plugs & Sockets1.2 Industrial Plugs & Sockets Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Stationary Type1.2.4 Mobile Type1.3 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Segment by Application1.3.1 Industrial Plugs & Sockets Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Architecture1.3.3 Chemical Industry1.3.4 Electronics1.3.5 Others1.4 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets 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 Industrial Plugs & Sockets (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)..3 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Industrial Plugs & Sockets Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Industrial Plugs & Sockets Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)6 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Industrial Plugs & Sockets Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesBuy this report @Continued...Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @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 LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Multitone to Present Fire Crew Mobilisation and Management Solutions at British APCO Exhibition and Conference 2017

www.multitone.com

Multitone Electronics plc, a specialist in the design, manufacture and implementation of integrated communication systems, announces its forthcoming appearance at the British APCO 2017 conference and exhibition on stand A2  which is being held at The International Centre in Telford, from 21st-22nd March 2017.Amongst the highlights on the Multitone stand for 2017 will be the companys powerful i-Console and FireCoder combined fire station management and communications solution. Multitone will also be showcasing its latest mobile app technology, based around its highly successful @ppear mobile platform, and is targeting the emergency services to further develop this highly reliable and secure messaging solution.The new Multitone Fire app is being developed with fire services specifically in mind, as Multitones Emergency Services Major Accounts Manager, Peter Eborall commented, We are excited to be showcasing the abilities of the new app at this years show. Using a dedicated app is the perfect way to assist the mobilisation and management of each fire station. To develop the app further, we are keen to work with interested fire services to trial the system and to harvest feedback from the fire crews and service operators that will be using it.Peter continued, As a complement to a pager, the Fire app registers a response from each crew member and tracks their progress to their station from whichever location they are at, helping to effectively manage the teams response. The system can also be used to track the movement of the individual team members, right to the fire station, showing locations on a map. This allows the Command and Control team to ensure everyone is accounted for when required.Once installed on a fire fighters mobile smart device, the Multitone Fire app will simultaneously receive an alert along with their pager. The crew member simply has to tap an accept button to start the process. Using the devices GPS tracker, the Command and Control team can ascertain exactly where every individual is on their journey to the station.If there are traffic delays which are causing problems for one or more of the responders for example, the whole team is alerted. This allows for a contingency plan to be put into operation, such as another officer or alternative team being alerted and mobilised. The system can easily be rolled out to retained and non-retained members of staff, offering complete flexibility and an overview of the staff movements and needs.As well as reaching out to visitors with the exciting new Fire app opportunities, the Multitone stand will also include a display of its powerful but intuitive i-Console and Firecoder fire station management and communications offering. This provides a flexible station-end system that provides a managerial overview of the facilities, as well as providing a continuous visual status of the station end equipment. The system enables crews to manage fire station functions from one place, thereby providing a convenient way to monitor mobilising activities.Peter concluded, This will be another exciting year at the British APCO event, with a huge array of technology on show which can help the emergency services save lives, whilst reaching targets to make the most of critical budgets. We are particularly keen to speak to fire service representatives about the opportunities to partner with us on the Fire app trials, but equally we are keen to speak to all visitors and would be delighted to offer you a demonstration of our latest innovative communications solutions.To find out more about Multitones fire service solutions please visit the website:or telephone 01506 418198As a pioneer of wireless messaging, Multitone Electronics plc is a specialist developer of integrated communication systems for on-site and global use. The organisation; which is best known for its supply of critical communications, continues to explore and develop reliable communications and controls, whilst offering robust, targeted systems that effectively and reliably integrate with customers existing systems and technologies.The product offering combines the best in wireless telephony, radio-paging systems and personal security systems with professional services and tailored software to create a truly cohesive communication platform.Multitone is part of Champion Technology Holdings, with a turnover in 2016 in excess of 498M.Multitone House,Shortwood Copse Lane,Basingstoke RG23 7NL
Global Acne Medication Market Research Report 2017 Key Plyares  Allergan, Johnson & Johnson, Galderma, Stiefel, Bayer HealthCare Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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Acne Medication Market Research Report 2017SummaryIn this report, the global Acne Medication market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Acne Medication in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest for Sample report visit@Global Acne Medication market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer;the top players includingAllerganGaldermaStiefelValeantBayer HealthCareBioPharmXCeltaxsysJohnson & JohnsonInnovative SciencesParatek PharmaceuticalsPromius PharmaTevaVersapharmOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoInjectionOralOn 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 Acne Medication for each application, includingHospitalClinicTo get complete report visit@Key Points in Table of Content:Global Acne Medication Market Research Report 20171 Acne Medication Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Acne Medication1.2 Acne Medication Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Acne Medication Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Acne Medication Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Injection1.2.4 Oral1.3 Global Acne Medication Segment by Application1.3.1 Acne Medication Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital1.3.3 Clinic1.4 Global Acne Medication Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Acne Medication 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 Acne Medication (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Acne Medication Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Acne Medication Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022).7 Global Acne Medication Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Allergan7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Allergan Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Galderma7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Galderma Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Stiefel7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Stiefel Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Valeant7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Valeant Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Bayer HealthCare7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Bayer HealthCare Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 BioPharmX7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 BioPharmX Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Celtaxsys7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Celtaxsys Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Johnson & Johnson7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Johnson & Johnson Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Innovative Sciences7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Innovative Sciences Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Paratek Pharmaceuticals7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Acne Medication Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 Paratek Pharmaceuticals Acne Medication Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 Promius Pharma7.12 Teva7.13 VersapharmBuy this report @Continued...Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @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 LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Global Thermal Printers Market Research Report 2017 Key Players  HP, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Epson America, Seiko Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022

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Thermal Printers Market 2017SummaryWiseguyreports.Com Adds Thermal Printers -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Suppliers and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research DatabaseIn this report, the global Thermal Printers market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Thermal Printers in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest for Sample report visit@Global Thermal Printers market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer;the top players includingFujitsuEpson AmericaSeikoHPPrintronixToshibaDYMO BVBABrotherZebraStar MicronicsDascomNCR CorporationDatamaxOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDirect ThermalThermal TransferOn 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 Thermal Printers for each application, includingPOS Terminal SystemBanking SystemMedical InstrumentOthersTo get complete report visit@Key Points in Table of Content:Global Thermal Printers Market Research Report 20171 Thermal Printers Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Thermal Printers1.2 Thermal Printers Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Thermal Printers Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Thermal Printers Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Direct Thermal1.2.4 Thermal Transfer1.3 Global Thermal Printers Segment by Application1.3.1 Thermal Printers Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 POS Terminal System1.3.3 Banking System1.3.4 Medical Instrument1.3.5 Others1.4 Global Thermal Printers Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Thermal Printers 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 Thermal Printers (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Thermal Printers Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Thermal Printers Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022).7 Global Thermal Printers Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Fujitsu7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Fujitsu Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 Epson America7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 Epson America Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Seiko7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Seiko Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 HP7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 HP Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Printronix7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Printronix Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Toshiba7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Toshiba Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 DYMO BVBA7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 DYMO BVBA Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 Brother7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 Brother Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Zebra7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Zebra Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Star Micronics7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Thermal Printers Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 Star Micronics Thermal Printers Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.11 Dascom7.12 NCR Corporation7.13 Datamax..Buy this report @Continued...Contact Us:NORAH TRENTSales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)Follow on LinkedIn @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 LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Planetary Design & AIRSCAPE Unveils New Corporate Website

www.planetarydesign.com

www.planetarydesign.com

March 14, 2017  Missoula, Mont (USA)  Planetary Design, LLC, unveiled its new corporate website design at, giving it a major facelift in both style and content. The new site features the three main product lines including: AIRSCAPE coffee and food storage containers  including the brand new AIRSCAPE Bucket Lid, Planetary Design single and multi-serve, double-walled insulated French Presses, Tea Tumblers and Tumblers, and Big Sky Bistro, the original personal, outdoor French Press coffee maker on the planet  which is slated to be relaunched this summer!Over the course of the next few months, Planetary Design will add a Custom Imprint ordering and logo upload service to its site. This will make it easy for customers to place their custom logo product order anytime and anywhere they have an internet connection.Planetary Design will be exhibiting its AIRSCAPE containers and complete line of single and multi-serve French Press coffee makers and beverage ware at the upcoming International Home & Housewares Show, Booth #S3949, in Chicago, IL, from March 18  21, and the Specialty Coffee Expo, Booth #901, in Seattle, WA, on April 20  23.Planetary Design, LLC, is a Montana-based company that prides itself on designing products for pursuing lifes passions. Its product lines include insulated single and multi-serve French Press coffee makers, beverage ware and patented AIRSCAPE coffee and food storage containers. Its high quality products are known for both design and functionality, offering insulated and highly durable French Press coffee makers and Tumblers, in addition to its patented Tea Tumbler. The AIRSCAPE coffee and food storage containers have become the coffee connoisseurs #1 choice to keep whole beans and ground coffee fresher longer. The patented inner plunger lid allows most of the oxygen to be pushed out of the storage container and locked out to keep your favorite beans fresher longer.For more information on PLANETARY DESIGN and AIRSCAPE products go toPlanetary Design LLC4685 ExpresswayMissoula, MT 59808 USA
Germany ranks 1st for international students before UK, Netherlands, in Study.EU Country Ranking 2017

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http://www.study.eu/article/the-study-eu-country-ranking-2017-for-international-students

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- Germany ranks 1st for international students, among 30 European countries- United Kingdom ranks2 nd overall; most expensive country in sample; best for Life & Career- Netherlands, France and Sweden follow in the top 5Hamburg, Germany, 15 March 2017. In the newly published Study.EU Country Ranking 2017, Germany ranks as the most attractive country for international students, followed by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.Thirty European countries were ranked based on scores in three dimensions: Education, Cost, and Life & Career. Germany achieved high ranks across the board, offering high-quality teaching at many well-ranked universities. While the UK scored well for academic reputation and the number of available study programmes, it was the most expensive country in the sample. The Netherlands, France and Sweden follow in the top 5.Quality & availability of education are the most relevant factorsThe ranking addresses the specific needs of students seeking high-quality, accessible and affordable education abroad. Based on a range of carefully selected input factors, countries were given scores of up to 100 points in three areas:- Education (up to 50 points), considering the presence of a country's universities in established international university rankings (THE, QS, ARWU and US News), indicators of teaching quality as well as the general availability of English-taught-programmes;- Cost (up to 30 points), considering the average cost of living in a country plus tuition fees for EU/EEA citizens as well as for non-European students; lower cost indicated by a higher score;- Life & Career (up to 20 points), considering the country's score in the UN's World Happiness Report, the local unemployment rate among the tertiary educated as well as the local proficiency in English, to judge both the quality of life as well as the chances of international students breaking into the labour market after graduation.Continental Europe is becoming more attractive to studentsThe ranking is published against the backdrop of major political shifts in Europe and the world. Two significant political developments will influence global higher education for years to come. First, there is the Trump presidency, driving international students away from the US to other countries  in many cases, Europe, says Study.EU CEO Gerrit Bruno Bloss. And then there is the upcoming Brexit, of which neither the time line nor the consequences are foreseeable. Many prospective students expect deteriorating conditions in the UK, and they start looking for study-abroad experiences elsewhere in Europe.Twice as many students expected to study in English by 2021In recent years, the number of students enrolled in English-taught programmes in continental Europe has been growing at an annual rate of 13%. With the US and UK  the world's two most popular destinations  becoming less attractive to international students, Bloss expects the continental growth to accelerate: We have seen tremendous growth over the past decade, but still only 2% of all university students in continental Europe study in English. We expect this ratio to double over the next three to four years, fuelled by a growing demand from students. This is a chance for smaller, often overlooked countries to gain a stronger international presence as alternative study destinations. At the same time, a British Pound weakened by Brexit may improve the UK's attractiveness to non-European students. We certainly have exciting years ahead of us.Study.EU:Study.EU Country Ranking 2017:Study.EU () is the gateway to universities in Europe. As one of the leading information providers for study choice in Europe, it offers students information about more than 7,000 study programmes all over Europe. The Hamburg-based company connects students from around the world with European universities, enabling them to pursue the academic path they aspire. Study.EU closely cooperates with institutions of higher education as well as governmental organisations throughout Europe.Emilia Lofgrenpress@study.euStudy.EU - Curt-Bar-Weg 25 - D-21035 Hamburg
LINE CAMERA AND ULSEE TEAM UP FOR NEW ANIMATED CAMERA EFFECTS

LINE Camera Animated Stamps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaTMOooBNvg

BEIJING, March 14, 2017  LINE Camera, popular photo editor and filter app by LINE Corporation, features new animated stamps using ULSees face tracking technology. LINE Camera has been downloaded over nine million times at Baidu.com, and today, the app offers new and exciting ways to edit photos with over 5000 stamps and customizable filters  a great way to spice up photos!Check out the video:Today, over 80% of mobile users use camera apps to enhance photos. Applications from animated stamps and AR interactive games to virtual try-on are based on face detection and tracking, face recognition, and 3D rendering. With LINEs new animated masks, users can add accessories and transforming effects to their faces, instantly.What sets ULSee apart? ULSees face recognition technology is first in its class, having achieved a remarkable rate of up to 99.8% on the LFW benchmark dataset.- Tracking with occlusions - ULSees face tracker can maintain tracking through occlusions- Tracking facial expressions  ULSees face tracker can continue tracking facial landmarks even through challenging facial movements- Varying lighting conditions  ULSees face tracker can detect and track facial landmarks in diverse and sub-optimal lighting situationsULSee is the leading face tracker on the market based on key measures including core facial landmarks, frames per second, performance in low light, trackable jawline and maximum face roll angles.ULSee technology guarantees high stability and precision for exceptional user experience.In 2016, ULSee participated in the "Star of Qiantang" innovation competition, and under the guidance of Chris, CTO of ULSee, ULSees face tracking and recognition programs won first place out of over 1000 contestants from Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, and UK. ULSee was awarded a prize of 10 million RMB. Mr. Nan Cun Hui, the competitions chief judge, evaluated ULSee at $200 million.ULSee's marker-less facial tracking technology, which tracks 66 -150 facial points in real-time, allows companies like LINE to create fun and immersive products for their apps, said Chris, CTO of ULSee. Users love them, too  they can create playful photos seamlessly with myriad special effects, stickers and masks at their fingertips. We can even do animation gaming, virtual makeup, and avatar video chat.About ULSeeFounded in 2014, ULSee is a steadfast and trusted company dedicated to innovating technologies in artificial intelligence and machine learning. A leader in computer vision, ULSee is revolutionizing the way humans and computers interact by delivering breakthrough solutions spanning across tracking, detection, recognition, analysis, 3D re-construction, and image pre-processing. ULSees award-winning face tracker is implemented in a wide range of applications from 3D face masks and virtual try-on to advanced surveillance and intelligent driving. ULSees face recognition technology is also first in its class, having achieved a remarkable rate of 99.8% on the LFW benchmark dataset. ULSees leading SDKs and APIs are easy to employ, exceptionally accurate and robust, and available on multiple platforms including Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Linux. With offices in Taipei, Hangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and San Francisco, ULSee is quickly expanding to better cater to its global clientele. (ulsee.com/en/)3F, No. 28, Lane 128, Jingye 1st Road, Zhong Shan District, Taipei, TaiwanTel: +886-2-8502-2798Email: sales@ulsee.com
Polypropylene Market 2015-2025 Shares, Trend and Growth Report

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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.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.Request For Report Sample@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.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market Shares, Strategies and Forecast Worldwide, 2015 to 2025

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In global information and communication industry one of the significant trend is shifting of internet services from computers to mobile devices. As the penetration of smart phone is increasing exponentially, most of the companies around the world is focusing to deliver their services with enhanced user experience over the mobile platforms. User experience (also UX) is all about how convenient a person feels while interacting with a system, this system could be a utilization of hardware, web application or a software. User centered designs is one of the key ingredient of digital services and devices and by creating it as differentiator can become the companys competitive advantage in market place while increasing the operational performance at the same time. The user experience includes various functions such as media, visuals, information and functional architects, etc.Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe global advanced mobile UX design services is increasing exponentially due to various driving factors such as increasing smart phone penetration in developing economies such as Brazil, Russia, India and China, increasing mobile banking, mobile shopping, gamming social media browsing, etc. Also, growing penetration of 4G LTE infrastructure is supporting the growth of the advance mobile UX design services market. However, some security factors such as data security and cyber-crime are posed to be major restrains towards the growth of the global advanced mobile UX design services market.Request For Report Sample@Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market: SegmentationThe global advance mobile UX design services market is broadly segmented into geography and type of services. There are various advance mobile UX design services are available nowadays such as, voice over internet protocol, video on demand, web browsing, micro-blogging, live tv streaming etc. Some of the major service type segment included in the global advance mobile UX design services market are;Web browsingStreamingVoIPMicro-blogOthersAdvanced Mobile UX Design Services Market: OverviewWith rapid technological advancement and wide acceptance of smartphones, the global advance mobile UX design services market is expected to expand at healthy CAGR of around 10% during the forecast period (2015-2025). Some of the latest trends identified in the global advanced mobile UX design services market are enhancing personalization features such as rearranging tabs and functions within the mobile app, Date/Time format, themes (color, image, etc.), and preferred language etc.Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global advanced mobile UX design services market is expected to register a double-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global advanced mobile UX design services market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. As of 2014, North America, and Western Europe dominated the global advanced mobile UX design services market in terms of market revenue. Asia Pacific & Japan are projected to expand at a substantial growth and will contribute to the global advanced mobile UX design services market value exhibiting a robust CAGR during the forecast period, 2016?2025.Visit For TOC@Advanced Mobile UX Design Services Market: Key PlayersThe rapid technological changes such as change in operating system, communication technology are pushing advanced mobile UX design services providers to go extra mile for technological advancement to meet the demand of future. Some of the key market players in global advanced mobile UX design services market are Mindtree Ltd., Infosys Limited, RapidValue Solutions, AKTA, Sourcebits, Feathersoft Info Solutions Private Limited, Space Chimp Media, Computer Sciences Corp. and SoftServe Inc.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Cloud Business Email Market 2015-2025 by Segmentation Based on Product, Application and Region

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With the increasing usage of the social networks, chat, conferencing on the web, instant messaging and various other means of communications that are being used by the businesses, the E-mails are the most formal communication form and have remained the most prevalent form of business environment. Cloud business E-mail is an effective business email service that allows access, storage, sending and receiving of emails without the use of hardware or complex software. The global cloud business email market is growing at a good pace holding the fact that the number of small and medium sized businesses are increasing.Cloud-based business e-mails are getting greater importance and are seeing tremendous growth year after year. Most of the providers of these services provide more than just the mails and collaboration facility that includes Unified Communications, extra storage, Social Networking, File Sync and Share and instant messaging. The email services at first were targeted only to smaller organizations of limited funds, but now cloud email is seeing strong acceptance with businesses of all sizes across globe which is raising the global cloud business e-mail market.Request For Report Sample@The developing industry of cloud computing has largely affected the global cloud business email market. A lot of small business technology needs are being taken care of by the cloud computing which is growing the cloud adoptions now a days.Cloud Business Email Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing focus of the business on the cost and succeeding diversion to the agile solutions has raised the market of cloud computing at an increasing rate which has led to the global cloud business email market penetration. The most inducing factor for the growing cloud business email market is ease of access, rapidity, and collaboration. Increasing SOHOs (Small Offices/Home Offices) and SMBs (Small and Medium Businesses) may be a driving force for the global cloud business email market. The demographic structure of the global cloud email market has shifted recently that is inducing more and more mid-sized and large organisations that are migrating to this cloud email services which is raising global cloud business email market.Apart from the countless benefits of the cloud based business emails there are some major whys and wherefores that the consumers can restrict them from using it. The major restraint in the global cloud business email market implies to be the data security problems when compared to the commonly used hardware and software systems for managing data. Personal data such as addresses, banking details, photographs and telephone numbers are examples of information that can approve somebodys individuality and is quite often confined in an email. Increasing cyber-attacks, insider threats, government intrusions, and lack of standardization of the cloud computing may pose a threat to this well growing market.Cloud Business Email Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product/service type, the global cloud business email market is segmented as Cloud Business Email Providers and Hosted Microsoft Business Partners.On the basis of application type, the global cloud business email market is segmented as Dedicated Cloud Business Email and Multi-Tenant Cloud Business EmailCloud Business Email Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global cloud business email market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. North America (United States) is expected to be the largest regional market with reference to the global cloud business email market. Europe is projected to be the second largest market followed by Asia-Pacific and ROW. Asia-Pacific is projected to endure its control on the global cloud business email market in terms of growth rate. The key countries in the mentioned region are likely to be India and China as an outcome of the increasing pace of progresses in the enterprise sector and also the need for more efficient solutions into the IT services. Japan also contributes to the global cloud business email market remarkably.Visit For TOC@Cloud Business Email Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global cloud business email market are Apptix, Google, AppRiver, NaviSite , Intermedia, Microsoft, , Rackspace, SherWeb, GoDaddy, and SilverSkyABOUT 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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Research report covers the Arthroscopy Devices Market share and Growth, 2015-2025

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Surgeons use arthroscopy as a means of seeing inside joints. During an arthroscopic surgery a small device is implanted into a joint through a small cut. The tiny lens and fibre optic light of the arthroscope is connected to a camera and monitor which allows the orthopaedic surgeon to observe inside the joint and perform variety of different procedures. Each year orthopaedic surgeons perform more than five million arthroscopies. Due to the continuous growth and aging of global population, there will be a steady demand for both emerging as well as established arthroscopy devices. Knee and shoulder arthroscopy remain most common arthroscopic procedures worldwide. Most large or medium size joints, such as knees and shoulders are repaired by arthroscopic approaches. Surgery that years ago was able through an open approach now can be done via an arthroscopic approach, with similar long term outcomes, low post-operative pain, and reducing hospital stays.Global Arthroscopic Devices Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe arthroscopic devices market has emerged as one of the attractive industries in the medical equipment sector. In the recent past, the orthopaedics industry has seen major private equity transactions, several mergers and innovative product launches which acts as a key driver for global arthroscopic devices market. Rise of aging population along with advancement in technology especially in medical and healthcare sector is likely to fuel arthroscopic devices market. As consumers have become more health conscious and prefer high layout for orthopaedic treatments, global arthroscopic devices market is likely to project a promising future over the forecast period. A growing geriatric population worldwide has boosted the demand for arthroscopic devices and treatment globally. Increasing use of robotics creates more potential for arthroscopic devices market.Request For Report Sample@Global Arthroscopic Devices Market: SegmentationOn the basis of product type, the global arthroscopic devices market is segmented intoArthroscopesArthroscopic ImplantsShoulder ImplantsKnee ImplantsHip ImplantsSmall joint ImplantsArthroscopic shaver systemsArthroscopic visualizationFluid management systemsArthroscopic Radio Frequency DevicesArthroscopic Radio Frequency SystemsArthroscopic Radio Frequency WandsOn the basis of procedures, the global arthroscopic devices market is segmented intoShoulder Arthroscopic procedureKnee Arthroscopic procedureHip Arthroscopic procedureOthersGlobal Arthroscopic Devices Market: Region-wise OutlookIn terms of geography, the global arthroscopic devices market has been divided in to seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Middle East & Africa and Japan. The global arthroscopic devices market is expected to register healthy CAGR during the forecast period and offers considerable commercial potential. However regions of Latin America and emerging economies of Asia-Pacific are major hotspots for global arthroscopic devices market. Technological advancement have brought rapid growth in the Europe and North America market.Asia-Pacific countries such as India and China have high growth rate due to low taxation, rise in disposable incomes and investment friendly environment accelerating the growth of arthroscopic devices market in Asia-pacific.Visit For TOC@Global Arthroscopic Devices Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global arthroscopic devices market are ConMed Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Arthrex Inc, Stryker Corporation and DePuy Synthes.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:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Ferroalloy Market Deep Research Study with Forecast by 2025

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Global Ferroalloy Market: OverviewFerroalloys are studied to hold a high fraction of one or more types of substances such as silicon, manganese, and aluminum and form a wide range of iron alloys. These alloys are used for the eradication of oxygen during the manufacture of iron and steel. They could also be employed for the manufacture of watch bodies, hand railings, dairy equipment, cutlery, automobile bodies, and road rails. Electric arc and blast furnace are the two key methods utilized for producing ferroalloys. Out of the principal sorts of ferroalloy, ferromanganese, ferrosilicon, and ferrochrome are prominently used.Global Ferroalloy Market: Key TrendsFerroalloy is involved in the manufacture of various steel grades, including stainless steel and carbon steel. In the years to come, the demand in the world ferroalloy market is prognosticated to thrive significantly as it looks to ride on the availability of abundant iron ore and need for practicable substitutes in the steel sector. It is estimated that the production volume of the worldwide steel industry could rise considerably. Some of the other important factors of growth are anticipated to take birth from other sectors such as construction, shipbuilding, and automotive.Request a Brochure of the Report @The demand for ferromanganese alloy is prophesied to gain strength, owing to its easy availability, low cost, and application in foundry sectors for the purpose of improving physical properties. The ferrochrome alloy market could rake in a handsome revenue growth in respect of its ability to enhance physical properties, offer rust-proof features, and provide stainless characteristic to steel.Global Ferroalloy Market: Market PotentialThe ferroalloy market in India is engaged in a close combat with the Malaysia and Indonesia markets as they allow for cheap imports into the Indian land. While an additional capacity of 180,000 tons of ferroalloy is scheduled to hit the market in 2017, a whopping 365,000 tons was brought in the previous year. Besides this, the power tariff in India is extortionate compared to that of the other markets producing ferroalloy. This is likely to put the non-captive producers in a challenging position. There is an upward pressure expected on the part of ferroalloy production because of the anti-dumping duty on phos coke in China. The challenge is anticipated to aggravate with the less availability of low phos coke in India.Howbeit, the growth in the stainless steel sector displaying a decent percentage is predicted to cover up for the losses. On the backs of India and China alone, the stainless steel market is forecasted to be backed by a telling advancement. Moreover, a differentiating increase in the supply of silico manganese is envisaged to raise the hopes of the global ferroalloy market players.Request for TOC of the Report @Global Ferroalloy Market: Regional OutlookThroughout the span of the forecast period, Asia Pacific is envisioned to not lose hope in the light of aggressive construction and industrialization activities. The demand in this ferroalloy market could be catapulted as shipbuilding and automobile sectors see a rise and pave way for pronounced infrastructural developments. All of these factors are expected to help Asia Pacific gain a higher share in the world market.The Europe ferroalloy market is foreseen to witness a steady growth because of the significant presence of automobile manufacturing firms and strong industrial population in countries such as France, the U.K., and Germany.Read Complete Report @Global Ferroalloy Market: Competitive LandscapeThe top five companies slated to make a difference in the international ferroalloy market could be Shanghai Shenjia, China Minmetals, S.C. Feral, Sinosteel Jilin, and Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. Due to the presence of a multitude of small, medium, and large scale manufacturers, the global market is projected to possess a highly fragmented nature.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todayas supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clientsa 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
Industrial Safety Gloves Market Research Study For Forecast 2025, Challenges, Demand, Woldwide Overview

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Global Industrial Safety Gloves Market: OverviewThe global market for industrial safety gloves is predicted to grow at a healthy pace in the next few years. The rising awareness among workers concerning their safety while at workplace is estimated to fuel the growth of the overall market in the next few years. In addition, the strict rules and regulations for the use of safety devices are likely to create promising opportunities for key players operating in the global industrial safety gloves market in the coming years. The rising demand from diverse industries is anticipated to bolster the global market.Global Industrial Safety Gloves Market: Key TrendsThe rising technological advancements in order to offer safety devices for workers and the increasing rate of industrialization are estimated to encourage the growth of the global industrial safety gloves market in the next few years. In addition, the rising awareness regarding the safety and security of workers and the occupational safety regulations are predicted to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the coming few years. On the flip side, the increasing issues to the skin allergies owing to the use of latex is likely to restrict the growth of the market in the near future.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Industrial Safety Gloves Market: Market PotentialThe global market for industrial safety gloves is anticipated to grow significantly in the coming years, with the introduction of non-latex alternatives. The rising concern of infections related to the use of gloves is being focused, which is expected to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the coming years. The expansion of the application base is another major factor projected to supplement the growth of the market in the near future.The use of safety gloves helps in avoiding injuries to workers as well as contamination of products. As a result, industries and manufacturing units across the globe are anticipated to rise the demand for industrial safety gloves across the globe.Global Industrial Safety Gloves Market: Regional OutlookAccording to the research study, North America is estimated to experience a strong growth throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the rising construction sector in the U.S. In addition, the increasing rate of industrialization and the growing focus on health awareness in industries are estimated to encourage the growth of the North America industrial safety gloves market in the next few years.Request for TOC of the Report @Furthermore, strict regulatory framework for the use of industrial safety gloves is projected to fuel the growth of the Europe market in the coming years. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is likely to register a substantial growth rate throughout the forecast period, thanks to the increasing contribution from China, India, Japan, and South Korea.Global Industrial Safety Gloves Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global market for industrial safety gloves is anticipated to witness a increasing level of competition throughout the forecast period. At present, the market is consolidated in nature with a few players accounting for a key share of the overall market. In order to maintain a leading position in the global market, the key players in the market are making remarkable efforts to create an awareness regarding the importance of using industrial safety gloves.Read Complete Report @Some of the prominent players operating in the industrial safety gloves market across the globe are Riverstone Holdings, Honeywell International, Latexx Partners, Towa Corporation, Rubberex, Dipped Products, Supermax Corporation, Longcane Industries, Top Gloves, RFB, Acme Safety, Kossan, Showa, Ansell, MCR Safety, and Hartalega. The research study offers a detailed overview of the competitive scenario of the market, emphasizing on the key aspects that are encouraging the growth of the market.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todayas supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clientsa 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
Lignosulfonates Market - Industry Shares, Market Strategies and Key Players 2025

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Global Lignosulfonates Market: OverviewLignosulfonates is one of the most abundantly available wood chemicals across the globe. Lignosulfonates is majorly obtained as a by-product from a sulfite processing of wood pulp. The rising emphasis of key players on the expansion of the application base is anticipated to encourage the growth of the global lignosulfonates market throughout the forecast period. Some of the key industries boosting the demand for lignosulfonates, such as oil and gas, chemicals, construction, animal feed additives, and ceramics.Global Lignosulfonates Market: Key TrendsThe rising demand from the animal feed industry is one of the key factors expected to encourage the growth of the global lignosulfonates market in the next few years. In addition, the rapid growth of the construction industry is anticipated to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the forecast period. On the other hand, the potential threat from product substitution is anticipated to restrict the growth of the global lignosulfonates market in the coming years. Nevertheless, the rising demand for animal feed binder, especially from developing economies is projected to generate promising opportunities for key players operating in the market across the globe.Request a Brochure of the Report @Global Lignosulfonates Market: Market PotentialThe growing demand for oil well additives, especially in the Middle East and Africa is expected to create promising opportunities for the prominent players operating in the global lignosulfonates market. Furthermore, the commercialization of key products of lignosulfonates is projected to fuel the growth of the overall market in the next few years. The increasing competition in the market is estimated to enhance the product portfolio and attract a large number of consumers in the near future.Global Lignosulfonates Market: Regional OutlookIn the last few years, North America held a massive share of the global lignosulfonates market and is projected to maintain its topmost position throughout the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the presence of a large number of animal feed mills in the U.S. As a result, the production of the finished animal feed is anticipated to increase tremendously, which is likely to encourage the growth of the North America market in the near future.Request for TOC of the Report @On the other hand, the Asia Pacific market for lignosulfonates is likely to witness a substantial growth in the next few years. The rising contribution from Japan and India is estimated to augment Asia Pacific market in the forecast period. Moreover, the rising demand for animal feed from China is predicted to accelerate the growth of the market in the near future.Global Lignosulfonates Market: Competitive AnalysisThe global lignosulfonate market is characterized by a high level of consolidation, owing to a few prominent players who are accounting for a key share of the global market. These players are making remarkable efforts to maintain their position in the global market and expand the application base across diverse industries. In addition, the enhancement of their distribution channels so as to reach a large scale of audience is projected to encourage the growth of the overall market in the next few years.Read Complete Report @Some of the leading players operating in the lignosulfonate market across the globe are Domsjo Fabriker AB, Shenyang Xingzhenghe Chemical Co., Ltd., Green Agrochem, Flambeau River Papers LLC, Tembec Inc., Burgo Group S.p.A., Sappi Limited, Borregaard LignoTech, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., and Qingdao New World Material Co. Ltd. A rise in the number of players in the coming years is expected to increase the competition among the leading players across the globe.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todayas supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clientsa 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
Metalworking Fluids Market - Complete Study of Current Trends and Growth Drivers For 2025

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Global Metalworking Fluids Market: OverviewMetalworking fluids is a term used for a range of fluids such as oils that are used for reducing fiction and heat, apart from removing metal particles in industrial processes. Primarily used as lubricity bases in formulation of water-soluble grinding and cutting fluids, metalworking fluids are deployed in forming operations such as rolling, stamping, and drawing. These fluids can be mixtures of anti-weld agents, oils, corrosion inhibitors, emulsifiers, biocides, extreme pressure additives and buffers.Global Metalworking Fluid s Market: Key TrendsThe usage of metalworking fluids in several end-use industries such as appliances, aerospace, machinery and automotive are likely to result in increased demand. Presently, there has been a rising preference for synthetic fluids. As against conventional fluids, synthetic fluids possess advanced functions and forms, providing precise concentration measurements and reducing the chances of oil contamination. The growing demand for these metalworking fluids is expected to accelerate the market expansion.Request a Brochure of the Report @On the other hand, the occupational and environmental hazards posed by these fluids are considered key factors restricting the growth of the market. Workers who are exposed to these fluids might develop respiratory disorders such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and chronic bronchitis apart from skin related conditions.However, the negative impact of these deterrents can be counterbalanced by the introduction of bio-based metalworking fluids. These are obtained from natural materials such as plant oil and animal fats. As bio-based metalworking fluids are not only cost-efficient, but also environment friendly and safe for workers, this segment is slated for stupendous growth.Global Metalworking Fluids Market: Market PotentialA number of product innovations in the field of metalworking fluids have cropped up over the last few years. For example, in February 2017, TRIM MicroSol 590XT, a new metalworking fluid launched by Master Chemical Corporation, received the approval of Boeing, a leading aerospace company. The product is to be used in the making of aircraft families such as 767, 737, and 777.Request for TOC of the Report @In the same month, a nitrate-free acid mixture possessing extraordinary resistance to ferrous corrosion was launched by Verdezyne Inc., in partnership with Aceto Corporation. This product can be used in the production of metalworking fluids.Similarly, Milacron Holdings Corp. announced the launch of CIMPERIAL 35-880, a highly efficient emulsion fluid designed for heavy-duty machine operations, in early February 2017. Aimed at catering to the needs of aerospace sector, the product can also be used in automotive and industrial applications. The product claims to have high resistance to corrosion, apart from boasting CimShield technology.Global Metalworking Fluids Market: Regional OutlookThe metalworking fluids market in North America is expected to display tremendous growth. Benefitted by the increasing opportunities in the U.S., this region is likely to emerge at the fore of the global landscape. Steady recovery of the automotive manufacturing and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) from economic downturn is likely to aid expansion. Europe might also witness considerable growth, driven by the presence of leading automotive manufacturers in Germany.Asia Pacific promises great potential for further expansion owing to the flourishing automotive sector, large scale industrialization, growing infrastructural development, and beneficial policies of the governments. The Asian countries such as India, China, Indonesia, and Japan are likely to emerge as the key contributors.Read Complete Report @Global Metalworking Fluids Market: Competitive AnalysisIn terms of competition, the market appears to be highly fragmented, with smaller players catering to a majority of end users. Some of the major companies operating in the global market for metalworking fluids are Castrol Limited, FUCHS, The Lubrizol Corporation, Apar Industries Ltd, Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Lukoil Oil Company, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, Total S.A., and Chem Arrow Corporation.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todayas supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clientsa 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
Silver Nanoparticles Market Deep Research Study with Forecast by 2025

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Silver Nanoparticles Market: OverviewSilver nanoparticles exhibit distinct electrical, thermal, and optical properties and are amongst the most widely used nanoparticles for consumer products. They find application in a wide range of products such as chemical and biological sensors and photovoltaics. For instance, silver nanoparticles are used in photonic devices and molecular diagnostics, which make use of novel optical properties of these materials. Additionally, they are extensively used in cosmetics, healthcare, chemical industries, electronics, nonlinear optical gadgets, food and feed, textiles, electronics, and electrochemical applications.Silver Nanoparticles Market: Key TrendsThe rising application scope of silver nanoparticles in healthcare and food and beverages due to its antimicrobial properties is expected to drive the global silver nanoparticles market. Silver nanoparticles improves product shelf life and prevents pathogens from infesting them.Request a Brochure of the Report @Silver nanoparticles are the most used commercially amongst all nanoparticles and accounted for more than half of the consumption of overall nanoparticles in the recent past. The advanced catalytic and optic properties of silver nanoparticles make them highly suitable for electronic goods. Silver nanoparticles are preferred in various applications including food packaging, wound healing, and plastic bags owing to its ability to destroy bacterial cells and weaken the cell membrane.Top beauty products companies around the world are using silver nanoparticles in their products for added offerings. For instance, Dior has introduced a nano-based product Diorskin Forever for improved skin. The roll out of differentiator products gives a competitive edge for product manufacturers over their peers, which is leading to the increased demand for silver nanoparticles.Request for TOC of the Report @Strict regulations pertaining to the use of silver nanoparticles, particularly in North America and Europe is countering the growth of this market. However, research is underway to find out if silver nanoparticles have a detrimental effect on the environment.Silver Nanoparticles Market: Market PotentialNanoparticles are at the forefront of biological research is well established in a recent industry development. Researchers at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University have reported the design and development of the most complex crystal made from nanoparticles.The work demonstrates that nanotechnology can bring together materials in new ways, forging new design capabilities. For instance, crystals made of nanoparticles, such as the newly developed ones, can be used to control light  this is because nanoparticles display coordinated interaction with light waves due to their similar sizes.Silver Nanoparticles Market: Regional OutlookNorth America, led by the U.S. is a major regional market for silver nanoparticles. The flourishing food and beverage industry along with regulations to adhere to food safety standards has positively impacted the growth of the regional market. Moreover, clothes sterilization is increasingly being adopted due to the increasing health safety considerations among workers.In Europe, Germany contributes significant revenue to the regional market due to the growth of the healthcare industry. Moreover, increasing healthcare expenditures combined with regulatory compliances for safe healthcare practices is contributing to the growth of this regional market.Read Complete Report @China and South Korea are key contributors to the growth of the Asia Pacific silver nanoparticles market. The presence of some of the top electronic goods manufacturing companies along with favorable FDI policies are the major factors supporting the industrys growth in the region.The Middle East and Africa is expected to exhibit significant growth in healthcare and life sciences segment.Silver Nanoparticles Market: Competitive LandscapeKey participants in the global silver nanoparticles market include Emfutur Technologies, Nanocs, Cima Nanotech, American Elements, NanoHorizons, Nanoshel, Cline scientific, and Applied Nanotech. Some other prominent companies in the market are Bayer, Ames Goldsmith, Meliorum Technologies, and Advanced Nano products.R&D initiatives and mergers and acquisitions for strong presence across the value chain and for strong distribution networks is among the key growth strategies.About TMR ResearchTMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in todayas supercharged economic climate. Armed with an experienced, dedicated, and dynamic team of analysts, we are redefining the way our clientsa 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
Physiotherapy Equipment Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Analysis, Trend & Forecast 2017-2021

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The Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market 2017 Industry Research Report is a professional and in-depth study. This study covers, Global Physiotherapy Equipment Sales and Global Physiotherapy Equipment Revenue by Regions and industrial review, market analysis, market demands, opportunities and forecast. Market overview is provided on the basis of definition, product overview, applications and future scope of Global Physiotherapy Equipment.The Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market report provides Production and Revenue Data of Global Physiotherapy Equipment Industry. Production means the output of Global Physiotherapy Equipment and Revenue means the sales value of Global Physiotherapy Equipment.This report provides comprehensive analysis of1. Key market segments and sub-segments2. Evolving market trends and dynamics3. Changing supply and demand scenarios4. Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market5. Forecasting6. Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges7. Competitive insights8. Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsRequest for Sample of Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market Report @Some Major Key Points Covered in this report: This Report Studied on the basis of types, application, products, technology, etc. The Report Covered Market Segments by region:1. North America2. Europe3. China4. Japan5. Southeast Asia6. India This Market Research Report of 2017 Global Physiotherapy Equipment provides market demand, market size and forecast for different regions. This Report Divides by product type, with production, revenue, price, consumption, market share and growth rate of each type can be divided into:1. Type 12. Type 23. Type 3 This Report Divides by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Global Physiotherapy Equipment in each application, can be divided into :1. Application 12. Application 23. Application 3Browse The Complete Report @Topmost Leading Manufacturer Covered in this report:1. A. Algeo Limited (UK)2. Beijing Health East Technology & Development Co., Ltd. (China)3. DPE Medical Ltd. (US)4. BTL (Czech Republic)5. Bharat Medical Systems (India)6. Whitehall Manufacturing (US)7. Chungwoo Co., Ltd. (South Korea)8. DJO Global, Inc. (US)9. EMS Physio Ltd. (UK)Some Points Covered In List Of Tables:Chapter 1 Physiotherapy Equipment Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Physiotherapy Equipment1.2 Physiotherapy Equipment Market Segmentation by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Physiotherapy Equipment by Type in 20151.2.1 Type 11.2.2 Type 21.2.3 Type 31.3 Physiotherapy Equipment Market Segmentation by ApplicationChapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Physiotherapy Equipment Industry2.1 Global Macroeconomic Environment Analysis2.1.1 Global Macroeconomic Analysis2.1.2 Global Macroeconomic Environment Development Trend2.2 Global Macroeconomic Environment Analysis by RegionsChapter 3 Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market Competition by Manufacturers3.1 Global Physiotherapy Equipment Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)3.2 Global Physiotherapy Equipment Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)3.3 Global Physiotherapy Equipment Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)3.4 Manufacturers Physiotherapy Equipment Manufacturing Base Distribution, Production Area and Product Type3.5 Physiotherapy Equipment Market Competitive Situation and TrendsReason to Purchase this Report:1. The report of Global Physiotherapy Equipment Market provides the detailed segmentation in terms of types, applications, manufacturers and regions.2. The current market scenario and future growth has also covered in this report.3. The research also offers manufacturing cost analysis, industry chain analysis in terms of upstream raw material sourcing and downstream buyers.4. Moreover, an extensive analysis of production, consumption, and revenue for each segment is offered for the forecast period.Enquiry about this 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 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; +912064101019Email ID: sales@orbisresearch.comFollow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:
Global Air Purifying Mask Market 2017- 3M, Avon Rubber , Bullard Honeywell and Kimberly-Clark

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Air Purifying Mask 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, covering3MAvon RubberBullardHoneywellMine Safety AppliancesHelmet Integrated SystemsIntech SafetyKimberly-ClarkOcencoRPB SafetyThe market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Air Purifying Mask market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Air Purifying Mask market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Click Here to Request Sample Report @The qualitative segmentation of Air Purifying Mask market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Air Purifying Mask report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Air Purifying Mask market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report at @The overall information of the Air Purifying Mask market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Air Purifying Mask market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
US Capital Advises on $5 Million Equity Raise for Illuminergy, Inc.

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USCapital Partners Inc. supports the continued expansion of a developer and distributor of innovative, high-value LED lighting products.San Francisco, CA, USA, March 15, 2017 -- US Capital Partners Inc. has advised on an equity raise of up to $5 million for Illuminergy, Inc. (dba Illuminer), an expanding developer of LED lighting products. Illuminer is preparing to launch its innovative LED street and parking light system called Cobratech in the United States.Headquartered in San Francisco, US Capital Partners is a full-service private investment bank that provides private placement services and has wide distribution for debt and equity private placements.Michael Ernst, Chief Executive Officer at Illuminer, said: We approached US Capital Partners to complete some due diligence work in preparation for a future equity raise, to create an overall capital formation plan, as well as to provide introductions to strategic investors and other potential partners. We were extremely pleased with the first-class service, process, and results.We are extremely pleased to have advised on this capital raise for Illuminer, said Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO at US Capital Partners. Its a pleasure to work with an innovative company such as Illuminer, which is at the cusp of expansion. US Capital Partners completed due diligence and provided strategic advisory for Illuminer, to support the company in its product development and expansion in the United States.About Illuminergy, Inc.Illuminergy, Inc. is a privately owned company that designs, produces, and distributes innovative, high-value LED lighting products manufactured in China. Illuminers products are used for the interior and exterior illumination of residential, office, and commercial facilities, as well as of industrial, outdoor, and architecture facilities across the United States. The companys LED products result in significantly lower facility energy costs, while meeting the expectations of environmentally conscientious purchasers. For more information, visitAbout US Capital Partners Inc.Since 1998, US Capital Partners has been providing well-structured, custom finance solutions to private and public companies in the United States and abroad. Headquartered in San Francisco, US Capital Partners, operating with its affiliate US Capital Global Securities, LLC, is a full-service private investment bank with a wide distribution for debt and equity private placements. The group makes debt investments between $500,000 and $100 million, participates in debt facilities, and offers asset management, financial advisory services for buy-side and sell-side engagements, and capital formation, including early-stage financings requiring equity or debt. For more information, visitTo learn more about this engagement or about how a business can secure the investment banking services it needs, email Jeffrey Sweeney, Chairman and CEO, at jsweeney@uscapitalpartners.net or call +1 (415) 889-1010.Since 1998, US Capital Partners has been providing well-structured, custom finance solutions to private and public companies in the United States and abroad.Contact:Fana RichardsonUS Capital Partners Inc555 Montgomery Street, Suite 1501San Francisco, CA 94111415-889-1010media@uscapitalpartners.net
Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market share to grow 34.9% CAGR from 2016 to 2024

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The technology research report Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA) Market Size By Technology (Speech Recognition, Text-To-Speech, Voice Recognition), By Service (Customer Service, Marketing Assistant), By Application (Automotive, BFSI, Retail, IT & Telecom, Healthcare, Education), By End-Use (SMBs, Large Enterprises, Individual Users), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024 by Global Market Insights, Inc. says Intelligent Virtual Assistant Market size was USD 800 million in 2015, and expected to reach USD 11 billion by 2024; fuelled by growing global mobile device adoption.Growing focus on customer engagement to enhance user experience is expected to drive the intelligent virtual assistant market size in the future. Virtual assistants are deployed in mobile devices, enterprise websites, and social media that enable them to have constant communication with clients. For instance, companies install them to provide brand or product information to clients. In addition, it helps in promotions by asking new users to sign in to the company's loyalty account. Customer engagement solutions emphasize on providing enhanced direct experience and help companies to increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction and retention.Request for a sample of this research report @Growing focus on streamlining business activities to lower the overall operating cost will also propel the intelligent virtual assistant market size. IVAs have application across several business processes such as interviewing, employee training and advertising that allow enterprises to minimize the cost.With the help of smartphones and other mobile devices, tasks such as checking in with staff, location based reminders, searching through emails, and scheduling meetings makes the work life of the employee more efficient. Thus, the increasing penetration of mobile devices is expected to provide a fillip to the intelligent virtual assistant market share.Key insights from the report include: Speech recognition is expected to witness significant growth with a CAGR of over 37% from 2016 to 2024 owing to the high demand for speech recognition technology across the medical and automotive applications. Moreover, increasing focus of technology giants including Microsoft and IBM to minimize the error rate is expected to significantly contributes towards high intelligent virtual assistant market share. The ability to covert a person's voice into a recognizable data pattern is projected to propel the demand for voice recognition over the coming years. IVA market share as service assistant is anticipated to witness high adoption over the future as it is capable of assisting businesses on customer requirements and work flow balance, thereby, delivering immediate productivity. Intelligent virtual assistant market share as customer assistants is projected to grow considerably at nearly 35% CAGR over the forecast timeline. The technology provides advantages such as enhance support, low operating cost, high customer satisfaction, personalized service to customers, multiple language & device support. Furthermore, it proves to be a key differentiator that increases consumer loyalty, income and sales. Intelligent virtual assistant market size is expected to witness significant demand across the retail industry owing to the features they offer such as responding efficiently to consumers queries and issues in a cost-effective manner. IVA offer personalized and expert service to customers irrespective of time, geography and channel without any sale support. This increases consumer satisfaction and lowers cost, which is expected to impel demand over the next few years. Enterprises are witnessing high adoption rate as it provides user friendly self-service feature which is much faster and convenient as compared to talking to a live agent. High IVA market adoption rate is further accredited to increasing focus on customer satisfaction and cost reduction. For instance, Nuances Nina is the first virtual integrated assistant in the UK insurance sector. Dominos Pizzas Dom, ING Banks Inge, and JetStar Airlines Jess are virtual assistants designed to deliver a convincing, multi-channel, automatic customer service experience for the enterprise and consumer segment. U.S. intelligent virtual assistant market size contributed significantly to the overall revenue in 2015, with CAGR forecast to exceed the global average. Companies contributing to the intelligent virtual assistant market share include IBM Corporation, Nuance, Clara Labs, InteliWISE, eGain Communications, Creative Virtual, CX Company, 24/7 Customer Inc., Artificial Solutions and Anboto among others.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Browse Related Reports:Mobile Virtualization Market Size, Industry Analysis Report, Regional Analysis (U.S., Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa), Application Area Opportunities, Competitive Market Growth & Forecast, 2016  2024About Global Market InsightsGlobal 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.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:
In-Depth Insights of Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay Success Story

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Albany, New York, March 15, 2017: With increasing popularity of smartphones and proximity mobile payments since 2014, the app-based ordering service is gaining momentum among American consumers especially within the quick-service restaurant sector. A latest report labeled as Success Case Study: Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay has been added to the vast collection of Market Research Hubs online research offerings. The report studies the details and reasons behind the success of Starbucks app-based proximity ordering service in the US. It answers critical questions related to the market like what?, why? and "so what?" in the thorough analysis that increases your chances of launching a successful product.Request For Sample Report In PPDF Format:Firstly, the report provides a summary for Starbucks mobile order & pay system. Mobile based remote ordering has established itself as a powerful instrument for food and other FMCG services. Their growing demand reflects that consumers are looking for solutions to minimize the time and effort spent on ordering food and complement on-the-go needs. The proximity mobile payments have tripled since 2014 and businesses should seek to add ways for consumers to pay using their mobile apps. Starbucks mobile order & pay service has proved to be a success because it took advantage of increasing consumers in the US, utilizing proximity mobile payments to settle bills. Growth drivers of the market are high mobile loyalty and quick ordering without coming to the store. Starbucks has worked hard at developing its digital strategies and improving the user experience of its mobile app. This reduced abrasions, increases traffic in the app and increases revenue.This report reduces the risk of failure by analyzing about brands/products that have under-performed or failed. It provides understanding about consumer trends and attitudes so that one can realize and tap into the opportunities thats really impacting the market. Drive and support innovation in the fast-moving consumer goods industry by analyzing insights from both within and outside the industry, help future investment and decision-making to become successful.Click here to get more info with TOC in a PDF Format:In the end, the report makes some important business proposals for new investors, existing companies and individuals. Risks and opportunities related to app-based ordering service are discussed. A feasibility report and information about new product development are provided. Overall, the report provides a detailed insight of Starbucks Mobile Order & Pay by covering all important parameters and research findings.About Market Research Hub: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.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (US-Canada)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Email: press@marketresearchhub.comFollow us on:Twitter: twitter.com/MktResearchHubLinkedIn:Facebook:
Attend Our Workshops at IDS Colgne, Germany

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At IDS Cologne (March 21-25, 2017 at Cologne Germany), we will be part of a global dental realm that will be present there to showcase the latest advancements, topics-of-interest and innovations in the dental industry. All the companies, professionals, and leaders of dental arena will be discussing the present and future of the oral health realm. IDS will further include lectures, workshops, symposia and various conferences along with a host of fun-filled events. This international platform will serve as a beacon of light for this years dental education and research.Zolartek will also be there to showcase our latest products namely Photon and Photon+ dental lasers. Our continuing education will focus on teaching our visitors about the right dental laser implementation. We will also be giving lectures on low level laser therapies that can be accomplished using our products. A healthy discussion on laser in dental realm will be a given. We will also be interacting with the industry giants and exploring the latest developments in the dental industry.Our researchers will present practical clinical techniques and cutting-edge methods based upon widely accepted laser technologies and emerging research. Dentists are welcome at our designated place, Hall 4.1, Aisle D No. - 053, to witness a rapidly accelerating pace of dental and oral health changes happening in the world today.For more please visit our website :Zolartek provides transformational medical technologies and services that are shaping a new age of patient care at a lower cost. Our aim is to provide surgeons with high quality, next-gen, precise and reliable dental lasers. Our team is dedicated to providing more clinical value to dentists, high safety in dental procedures, and improving surgical outcomes for patients through our advanced laser products.Zolar Technology & Mfg Co. Inc#3725 Walden Avenue, Unit 13Lancaster, New York, USA 14086ContactAshvath V. KulkarniBusiness Development Consultant905-593-3605 | 1-800-426-7728 | info@zolartek.com
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Atomic Spectroscopy Market 10-Year Market Forecast and Trends Analysis Research Report

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Study of electromagnetic radiations that is emitted or absorbed by atoms is known as atomic spectroscopy.When electrons are excited, they move from higher valence bond to lower valence bond and emit radiations (emission). However, a relaxed electron moves from lower valence bond to higher valence bond resulting in absorption of energy.Atomic spectroscopy market can be segmented as below based on technologies:X-ray Fluorescence SpectroscopyX-ray Diffraction SpectroscopyInductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS)Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) SpectroscopyAtomic Absorption SpectroscopyElemental AnalyzersRequest For Report Sample@Among all aforementioned technologies, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy market accounts for the largest share to the atomic spectroscopy market. This is due to the fact that they are efficient in analyzing solid samples precisely. Also, procedures performed via X-ray fluorescence are user-friendly in nature along with being cost efficient.Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) market is expected to show the highest growth rate during the forecast period 2015 to 2025. This growth is attributed to revision in various regulations (chapter 231) of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention. The revised regulation mandates the utilization of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy by pharmaceutical companies, which will propel the overall growth of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy market.Atomic spectroscopy is utilized in various institutes (applications):Food and Beverage TestingPharmaceuticalIndustrial ChemistryEnvironmental TestingBiotechnologyAmong all these, application of atomic spectroscopy in pharmaceutical market accounts for the largest share of total market. This large market size is due to increased utilization of atomic spectroscopy in the various pharmaceutical activities such as drugs manufacturing.Their efficiency helps develop and manufacture drugs precisely, that increases the uptake of atomic spectroscopy while manufacturing drugs by pharmaceutical companies. Hence, atomic spectroscopy market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period 2015 to 2025.Stringent safety regulations regarding the drug safety, and food and beverage testing by regulatory authorities across the globe will drive the growth of atomic spectroscopy market at a high CAGR during the forecast period. Safety regulations will propel the demand for the utilization of atomic spectroscopy in industrial chemistry sector along with environmental testing since; it will help monitor the volume of metal in any sample. Likewise, increasing application of atomic spectroscopy in medical research and drug safety will also boost the growth of atomic spectroscopy market.However, lack of trained professionals for handling atomic spectroscopy devices and technology may restrain the growth of atomic spectroscopy market.Request For TOC@Domicile of large pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry companies in North America have supported the region to contribute the largest share of total atomic spectroscopy market. Also, stringent government regulations regarding safety of drugs, food and beverages has also supported the large market size in the region. Asia-Pacific is expected to foresee the highest CAGR during the forecast period 2015 to 2025. This is due to the fact that major players such as Agilent Technologies are intending to expand their business in the emerging nations like India and China, which will drive the growth of atomic spectroscopy market. The major players operating in the atomic spectroscopy market include Agilent Technologies, Aurora Biomed, Bruker Corporation, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Shimadzu Corporation, GBC Scientific Equipment Pty Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific, PerkinElmer, Inc., Analytik Jena AG and Rigaku Corporation among other significant players.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:
Whole Genome Amplification Market size and Key Trends in terms of volume and value 2016-2026

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Whole genome amplification was being developed in 1992. This technique is used for amplifying the entire genome from very small amount of genomic DNA; this helps in increasing the quantity of limited DNA samples, and so any gene can be studied in the organism by preserving the limited sample. Whole genome amplification is a useful technique and has various applications such as forensics and genetic disease research, apart from this, there are new techniques such as array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and next-generation sequencing, where a few DNA quantities but analyses is required. There are also various whole genome amplification techniques that are developed wherein they differ both in the protocol as well as replication accuracy. Whole genome amplification techniques utilize the principals of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) so as to copy enzymatically the DNA contained within a sample. Moreover, the amplification of the whole genome is non-specific and theoretically provides an increased amount in the copy number of all genomic sequences. The application of whole genome amplification is mostly in research studies where small DNA samples are regularly encountered. These applications comprise creation of probes from microdissected or flow-sorted chromosomes, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and study of ancient DNA samples.Whole Genome Amplification Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global whole genome amplification market is driven by the rising incidence of genetic disorders owing to rising population. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the study conducted by National Center for Health Statistics the estimated prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 22.4 per 1,000 children in the age group of 3 to 17 years in 2013. In addition to this the whole genome amplification kits are easier and faster, apart from this only small amount of DNA is required for multiple samples. Growing awareness of applications of whole genome amplification techniques is expected to provide high growth opportunities for the whole genome amplification products such as kits manufacturers over the forecast period. Moreover, technological developments and emphasis on specificity and sensitivity of the kits is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for whole genome amplification product manufacturers. However, the whole genome amplification makes it difficult to derive accurate genomic information from single-cell genomes is expected to hamper market growth over the forecast period.Request Report Sample@Whole Genome Amplification Market: SegmentationThe global whole genome amplification market are segmented into product type and end userSegmentation based on product typeKitsSingle Cell WGA KitWGA and ChIP DNAWGA Reamplification KitComplete WGA KitDNA Amplification KitOthersSegmentation based on applicationMedical ApplicationsGenetic disordersForensicsPaternityFood safetyVeterinaryAgriculture researchSegmentation based on end userResearch CentersAcademic InstitutesHospitalsClinicsPharmaceutical and Biotechnology CompaniesWhole Genome Amplification Market: OverviewGlobally the whole genome amplification market is expected to witness robust growth over the forecast period owing to forensics labs trying to genotype five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), and researchers collecting DNA from a buccal swab that only contains a few cells. The procedure is fast--six hours from start to finish are expected to gain traction over the forecast period, moreover increasing distribution network of manufacturers is expected to create high growth opportunities for the stakeholders of whole genome amplification market.Visit For TOC@Whole Genome Amplification Market: Region  Wise OutlookRegionally, whole genome amplification market is segmented into seven key regions, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ (Asia-Pacific excluding Japan), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA)North America is expected to dominate the whole genome amplification market over the forecast period. Western Europe is expected to follow next after North America owing to increasing awareness of whole genome amplification in this region. Increasing application of whole genome amplification in forensic and genetic disorders in Japan is expected to boost demand for whole genome amplification in this country. APEJ is expected to follow next regarding revenue growth owing to technological developments and the introduction of new products from the local players. Latin America and MEA regions are also expected to witness significant growth in whole genome amplification market over the forecast period.Whole Genome Amplification Market: Key PlayersSome key players in peripheral embolization market are Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC., QIAGEN, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., New England Biolabs., General Electric Company, LGC Limited, Genetica DNA Laboratories - a LabCorp brand, NuGEN Technologies, Inc., Illumina, Inc. and others. The companies are focused on understanding the fundamental epigenomic and genomic regulatory pathways underlying normal cell growth and tissue differentiation.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Organic Milk Market Volume Forecast and Value Chain Analysis 2016-2026

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The organic milk market encompasses all milk and milk products derived from animals that are fed organic feed that is devoid of any animal by-products, have access to fresh pastures, and are not treated with any synthetic hormones or antibiotics. The term organic only refers to the process in which the milk is prepared and has no relation to the end-product nutrient profile. The market for organic milk is expected to grow at a rapid pace with the mainstreaming of natural and organic foods.Market Dynamics of Organic Milk MarketSimilar to all organic foods, the demand for organic milk is closely tied to the increasing consumer preference for naturally and organically grown products. This positive view of organics is due to several factors such as the perception of anything organic as healthy and pure, increasing care for environment and concern for farm animals. All these factors are crucial for the acceptance of organic milk products, thereby leading to the popularity of labels such as grass-fed and pasture-raised.Request Report Sample@Price is an important constraining factor for organic milk market as organic milk is almost thrice as costly as regular milk. This high difference limits the scope of the market only to urban and high-aware consumers.The consumer shift towards organic dairy products is also influenced by the large scale food adulteration scandals that have occurred recently. For instance, the 2008 Chinese milk scandal wherein a large number of children were hospitalized due to an excessive amount of melamine in the milk and infant formulas, has led to a great number of regulations, import restrictions and price fluctuations in the market. Events such as these have increased consumer interest in what the animal is fed, how it is raised and processing methods.The regulatory aspects of the organic milk market are mostly centered on the use of the organic label. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that apart from the use of organic feed, cows should have access to fresh grass and spend at least four months a year grazing in pastures. The crucial aspect of organic milk market is a lack of use of synthetic hormones such as rBGH, a growth hormone given to almost 30% of the dairy cows in the US. These ingredients are considered very negatively by most consumers.Visit For TOC@Market Segmentation of Organic Milk MarketThe organic milk market is segmented on the basis of application, packaging type, distribution channel, and geography.On the basis of application, the organic milk market is segmented as milk, dairy products and milk-based beverages and others. The majority of organic milk is consumed directly in the form of boiled milk, coffee, tea, and in cooking certain dishes at home. The use of organic milk is particularly increasing in households with kids due to extra concerns about food safety and health. The dairy products segment is further segmented into butter, cheese, desserts, and others. The dairy products segment is expected to gain market share with the growing consumer interest in healthy indulgent foods. Further these products are used in some bakery and confectionery good like milk toffies, bars and cakes and cookies.On the basis of packaging type, the market can be segmented into pouches, cartons, bottles, and cans. The use of any specific packaging type depends on the end-purpose and use. For instance, pouches offer a relatively cheap way and easy way to pack milk and are therefore very popular in emerging nations such as India. Cartons are an important packaging type in terms of the longer shelf life and convenience. Bottles can be of both glass and plastic and are heavily used for packing milk and beverages. Cans are mainly used to transport heavy loads of organic milk and in the case of many dairy products.On the basis of distribution channels, the market is segmented into hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience and grocery stores, specialty stores, the internet and direct selling. The use of internet limited in the case of organic milk market as the products are easily perishable. Hypermarkets and supermarkets occupy the dominant market share mainly because a significant number of organic products are concentrated in large stores. Direct selling in the form of home deliveries is also an important and growing distribution channel because such delivery systems usually source the organic milk from local sources thereby ensuring freshness and quality.Regional Outlook of Organic Milk MarketThe United States occupies the dominant market share in the organic milk market. The increasing consumer awareness about natural consumer goods and increase in the incidence of lifestyle conditions such as obesity. Europe is another very important region in the organic milk market due to the high-income levels, easy product accessibility and strict regulations against synthetic food ingredients. U.K is a major consumer of organic milk and also houses many producers and suppliers. Despite occupying small market share at the current time period, the organic milk market is expected to grow at a significant level in emerging nations such as India and Brazil. This is due to the increasing awareness levels and fears of food adulteration among consumers.Key Market Players in Organic Milk MarketSome of the key players in the organic milk market include Danone (WhiteWave Foods Company), Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Organic Valley, OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative), Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Arla Foods Amba, Donegal Investment Group plc. , etc. among the others.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Revenue, Opportunity, Forecast and Value Chain 2016-2026

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Every person who is born must eventually grow old at some point. Considering how busy we have all become, it can often seem that life passes us by in a blur. When we do age, though, we usually have only one wish  to live out the rest of our years in safety and comfort. Most of us would also like to live in our own homes if we can make that choice. That is where the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market comes into play. In-home senior care is a perfect fit for the franchising model since it is highly regulated, systems-oriented and highly personal. It enables franchise owners to develop strong ties with both their clients and the community at large. The long-term prospects of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market are very bright indeed.In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market DriversAn ageing population in the west will be the main driver of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market. The Baby Boomer generation born immediately following World War II are expected to demand greater medical care and attention. Elderly care in the U.S alone is expected to be worth more than $300 billion in 2016. There is also a major shift towards ageing in place. Most adults like living in the comfort & privacy of their own homes for as long as is possible. Even after they cross the age of 65, people prefer living on their own or with family members rather than in an old-age home. The In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is also expected to get a boost from improving technology. Assistance & safety monitoring equipment has taken a dramatic leap in recent times driven by advances in sensory networks, bio-sensing, robotics, cloud computing and telecommunications. Another factor boosting the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is the high revenue. In-home senior care requires very low initial investment and the earning opportunities are immense. Franchise owners are likely to earn more than independent providers improving the attractiveness of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market.Request Report Sample@In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market RestraintsOne of the biggest constraints in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is that of cost. In-home care facilities can cost anywhere from $3000 to $6000 a month. This makes it prohibitively expensive even for those families that are insured by insurance companies since they will almost certainly not cover the entire expense. The second challenge is a lack of trained professionals. It can be very difficult for in-home senior care franchises to find qualified nurses, staff or medical professionals to assist their patients. The demand for these individuals is anticipated to be much more than the supply in the years ahead. The third barrier to the growth of the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is a lack of regulation in the industry. While it might be comforting to think of home health aides as certified professionals, the truth is that they have usually gone through a small training program for the company which hires them. There is no standardisation leading to great confusion about what these individuals are able and unable to do. One more challenge is the intense competition in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market. This is a 24/7, 365 days a year business which requires franchisees to always be on call. Incumbent companies may offer additional benefits for holding on to their clients, making it difficult for newcomers to the field.In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Key RegionsThe global In-Home Senior Care Franchises market is divided into North America, E.U, Asia, MENA and the rest of the world. North America is the largest market followed by the E.U. A large geriatric population, technological improvements and government reimbursement for health care are the primary reasons that it is dominant. Asia led by China, Japan and Korea are anticipated to outpace Europe in this decade due to their economic heft and a greater focus on domestic healthcare. Companies would be well advised to focus on the Asian In-Home Senior Care Franchises market for their future growth prospects.Visit For TOC@In-Home Senior Care Franchises Market Key Market PlayersSome companies in the In-Home Senior Care Franchises market are BrightStar, Synergy HomeCare & Right at Home.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Iron Oxide Market is Projected to be Valued at over US$ 2.8 Bn by 2025

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Iron oxides are chemical compounds bounded together by molecules of iron and oxygen. Iron oxides are produced by natural as well as synthetic methods. Synthetically produced iron oxides are more preferred, as they offer enhanced properties and high purity in comparison to naturally produced iron oxide. Iron oxides are widely used in construction, paints and coatings, plastics and pulp & paper industries.Market DynamicsIron oxides find wide application in the construction industry both directly and indirectly. Iron oxide pigments (IOP) are used to colour various construction materials, including concrete block and brick, ready-mixed concrete and roofing tiles. Growing construction industry output is expected to be one of the most significant drivers for the global iron oxide market.Rising environmental concerns has led to implementation of stringent regulations worldwide regarding manufacturing process of iron oxides. Effluents released during production of iron oxides pose severe disposing concerns to manufacturers. To overcome this challenge, market players need to replace conventional methods of production with more environment-friendly and sustainable production processes. Due to high costs involved, this transition has led several market players to exit from the market, which has impacted global supply of IOP.Request For Sample@Over the years, intensive R&D activities have led to enhancements in physical and chemical properties of iron oxides. These products are increasingly finding wide applications across various industries such as use of iron oxide in water treatment & purification and in chemical processing as catalyst are anticipated to offer new opportunities of growth of value-added iron oxide products.The global iron oxide market is going through a phase of consolidation due to stringent environmental regulations. The market in China is most affected in this transition, since small players are finding it difficult to adopt to changes due to high investment costs.Product Type AnalysisOn the basis of product type, the global iron oxide market is segmented into red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, black iron oxide, orange iron oxide, brown iron oxide, green iron oxide and other blends. In 2014, the red iron oxide segment dominated the global iron oxide market and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period. Yellow iron oxide and black iron oxide segments are expected to contribute significantly to the iron oxide market revenue from 2015 to 2025.Application AnalysisOn the basis of application, the global iron oxide market is segmented into construction, paints & coatings, plastics, chemicals, paper & pulp manufacturing, textile, ceramics, leather and others (fertilizers, cosmetics and rubber). In 2014, the construction industry segment dominated the global iron oxide market. Among applications, construction industry segment is expected to account for largest market share in the global iron oxide market throughout the forecast period. Strategy of iron oxide producers to develop new and niche applications for these products would further assist to increase market value of iron oxide products.Send An Enquiry@Regional AnalysisGlobally, iron oxide market is segmented into Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa and Japan.Key PlayersKey players profiled in the study of the global iron oxide market include LANXESS AG, Huntsman International Inc. Cathay Industries, Alabama Pigments Company LLC, Shenghua Group Deqing Huayuan Pigment Co LTD, TODA KOGYO CORPORATION, Jiangsu Yuxing Industry and Trade Co., Ltd., Hunan Three-ring Pigments Co., Ltd., Yaroslavsky Pigment Company and Tata Pigments Company.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:
Automotive Lead Acid Battery Market Slated to Surpass US$ 33.14 Bn in Revenues During 2016 - 2026

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Over the years, the lead acid battery market has witnessed various product innovations including advanced lead acid batteries, absorbed glass mat, valve regulated lead acid batteries, sealed lead acid batteries, and others. The global automotive lead acid battery market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.2% in terms of value during the forecast period (2016 - 2026).In this report, Future Market Insights (FMI) examines the factors impacting market growth and offers detailed insights for informed decision making.Key market drivers and trendsThe growth of the global automotive lead acid battery market is influenced by a number of factors including increasing vehicle production resulting from a promising vehicle sales outlook in developing economies, increasing production of hybrid and electric vehicles, rising vehicle electrification, research and development collaborations, and stable automobile production. Low maintenance and replacement costs and growing adoption of advanced automotive technologies such as start-stop further contribute to the growth of the market. Key trends observed in the global automotive lead acid battery market include advancements in lead acid battery technology, reduction in battery size, and long-term supply contracts between battery suppliers and automotive OEMs.The overall market approach adopted by manufacturers of automotive lead acid batteries includes strengthening of the supply chain particularly in regions such as Asia Pacific andRequest For Sample@Latin America. Manufacturers are also focused on developing high-quality automotive lead acid batteries adhering to regulations and OEM specific requirements. Suppliers of automotive lead acid batteries cater to the specific requirements of automakers, while adhering to high quality standards of production. A number of automotive lead acid battery suppliers have long-term suppliers contracts with OEMs for providing automotive lead acid batteries as per the specific requirements.Market projections based on regionThe global automotive lead acid battery market covers five major regions -- Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). In terms of value, Asia Pacific has been estimated to account for the largest share in the global automotive lead acid battery market  with over 33% market share in 2015  followed by Europe and North America. Among all the regions, the Asia Pacific market is anticipated to register the highest CAGR over 2016 - 2026, followed by Middle East & Africa (MEA). The market in MEA is in the nascent stage, primarily due to low automotive production and vehicle parc.Send An Enquiry@The Asia Pacific region is expected to emerge as the fastest growing market in the global automotive lead acid battery market over the forecast period. The market in the region in terms of value is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period. The Middle East & Africa automotive lead acid battery market is expected to expand significantly in terms of revenue after Asia Pacific. The market in the region is slated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. The markets in Latin America and North America are expected to expand at moderate CAGRs of 3.07% and 3.05% over the forecast period. The North America automotive lead acid battery market is expected to reach a value of US$ 6,720.4 Mn by 2026. In Europe, the automotive lead acid battery market is expected to be the slowest growing in the global automotive lead acid battery market. The market in the region in terms of value is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.0% between 2016 and 2026.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Ceftobiprole Medocaril Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021

Ceftobiprole Medocaril Market

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The report, titled Global Ceftobiprole Medocaril Market 2017 is a methodical research study based on the Ceftobiprole Medocaril market, analyzing the competitive framework of the industry in the world. Using efficient analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the Ceftobiprole Medocaril market.The report estimates the market size in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$) produced, whereas, the key segments and the geographical subdivision of the Ceftobiprole Medocaril market are also analyzed in detail. The market drivers, limitations, and growth prospects of each segment are discussed in this report and, based on that, analysts have determined the future of the market for Ceftobiprole Medocaril in the global arena.Get full report with TOC @The report covers each aspect of the market for Ceftobiprole Medocaril in globally, starting from the basic information about the market and advancing to the various criteria on the basis of which the market is classified. The major applications of the Ceftobiprole Medocaril market are also discussed in the report.The report studies the Ceftobiprole Medocaril market by evaluating the market chain, prevalent policies, and regulations as well as the manufacturers, their manufacturing chain, cost structures, and contribution in the industry. The regional markets for the global Ceftobiprole Medocaril market are examined by analyzing the pricing of products in the region compared to the profit generated. The production capacity, demand and supply, logistics, and the historical performance of the market in the given region is also evaluated in this market report.Get Free sample report @The report determines the leading players in the global market. The company profiles of the major participants operating in the global Ceftobiprole Medocaril market have been reviewed in this study.Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact UsJoel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.com
Global Earth Leakage Protection Market 2017- Schneider Electric, Eaton, Siemens, ABB and Fuji Electric

Earth Leakage Protection

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This report studies sales (consumption) of Earth Leakage Protection 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, coveringSchneider ElectricEatonSiemensABBFuji ElectricHitachi IndustrialMeba ElectricSL Power ElectronicsThe market research report by QY Research provides detailed study on the overall Earth Leakage Protection market size, its financial positions, its unique selling points, key products, and key developments. This research report has segmented the Earth Leakage Protection market based on the segments covering all the domains in terms of type, country, region, forecasting revenues, and market share, along with analysis of latest trends in every sub-segment.Click Here to Request Sample Report @The qualitative segmentation of Earth Leakage Protection market covered in the report gives in-depth information of the overall market. Furthermore, the market size, share, forecast trends, analysis, sales, supply, production, demand, major manufacturers, end-users, and many other vital factors are comprised in the Market Research Earth Leakage Protection report by QY Research. By these comprehensive data, it is simple to take and make precise and accurate decisions taking into consideration the present market situation and the forecasts of the global market, which in turn may result into profitable step for our clients.A competitive landscape that identifies the major competitors of the global market and their market share are further highlighted in the research report. A deliberate profiling of major competitors of the Earth Leakage Protection market as well as a inclusive analysis of their current developments, core competencies, and investments in each segment are also elaborated in the research report.Browse Full Report at @The overall information of the Earth Leakage Protection market provided in the report helps our client to make precise and accurate decisions in order to gain maximum profit in this cutthroat competition in the global market. The report comprises various elements such as table, figure, charts, TOCs, chapters, and so on so as to provide a crystal clear data to the client giving a brief of the market and its trends. Thus, the report provides in-depth information of the Earth Leakage Protection market in terms of revenue, value, volume, region, and many more.About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651
Global Telecom Cloud Market Research Report Forecast 2017-2021

Telecom Cloud Market

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The report, titled Global Telecom Cloud Market 2017 is a methodical research study based on the Telecom Cloud market, analyzing the competitive framework of the industry in the world. Using efficient analytical tools such as SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the Telecom Cloud market.The report estimates the market size in terms of volume (kilo tons) and revenue (US$) produced, whereas, the key segments and the geographical subdivision of the Telecom Cloud market are also analyzed in detail. The market drivers, limitations, and growth prospects of each segment are discussed in this report and, based on that, analysts have determined the future of the market for Telecom Cloud in the global arena.Get full report with TOC @The report covers each aspect of the market for Telecom Cloud in globally, starting from the basic information about the market and advancing to the various criteria on the basis of which the market is classified. The major applications of the Telecom Cloud market are also discussed in the report.The report studies the Telecom Cloud market by evaluating the market chain, prevalent policies, and regulations as well as the manufacturers, their manufacturing chain, cost structures, and contribution in the industry. The regional markets for the global Telecom Cloud market are examined by analyzing the pricing of products in the region compared to the profit generated. The production capacity, demand and supply, logistics, and the historical performance of the market in the given region is also evaluated in this market report.Get Free sample report @The report determines the leading players in the global market. The company profiles of the major participants operating in the global Telecom Cloud market have been reviewed in this study.Market Research Store is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact UsJoel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-4651Email: sales@marketresearchstore.com
Global Functional Flours Market accounting a higher growth by 2016  2024

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled "Smart Grid Analytics Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024"Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: OverviewSmart grid analytics are solutions used to examine the data generated from the smart grid networks. They are also known as Big Data analytics solutions utilized for utilities and energy. The main agenda behind the utilization of smart grid analytics solutions for utilities and energy sector is to allow the utility providers to enhance their efficiency and reduce the losses that occur while generation and distribution of electricity.Request Free Sample Report @Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: Growth FactorsThe global smart grid analytics market is likely to have a huge elevation in coming period. Rising levels of investment on smart grid systems are the main reason that has driven the growth of the global market. Further, ever-escalating demand for electricity is also driving the global market growth. In addition to this, utility providers are seeking reliable solutions to enhance their grid performance which in turn is lowering the growth of the global market. Besides this, increasing adoption of smart grids is also fueling the growth of global smart grid analytics market. Moreover, rising advancements in Internet-of-Things and Big Data analytics plays a vital role in the elevation of the global market. Additionally, growing awareness among consumers about the advantages of smart grid analytics is one of the main reasons powering the growth of the global smart grid analytics market. Further, low cost for maintenance is also driving the global smart grid analytics market growth. In addition to this, rising usage of smart meters worldwide is also powering the growth of the global market.On the contrary, high costs of smart grid systems are hampering the growth of global smart grid analytics market. Moreover, lack of awareness and interoperability plays a vital role in the decrement of the global market. Additionally, lack of enthusiasm in utility providers to modify the existing infrastructure is one of the main reasons hindering the growth of the global smart grid analytics market.Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: SegmentationOn the basis solution type, the global smart grid analytics market is mainly classified as demand response analytics, AMI analytics, analytics for grid optimization, asset analytics, load forecasting, energy data forecasting, visualization tools, and others.Based on service type, the global market is bifurcated into professional services and support and maintenance services.On the basis of deployment model, the global market for smart grid analytics is divided into on premises and on demand (cloud based).Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: Regional AnalysisRegionally, the global market for smart grid analytics is bifurcated into Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Africa, and Europe. Rising levels of investment on smart grid systems are boosting the global market in Canada and the U.S. Ever-escalating demand for electricity has elevated the global market in the China, India, and Japan.Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: Competitive PlayersSome of the key players in the global market for smart grid analytics are IBM Corporation, Accenture Plc., SAS Institute, Inc., Siemens AG, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, EMC Corporation, Opower, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., and Capgemini SA.Browse detail report @Global Smart Grid Analytics Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaWhat 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 marketAsk for a customized report @About 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:
Ready-to-use Therapeutic Foods Market to Expand at 10.7% CAGR by 2024

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The global ready-to-use therapeutic food market is segmented on the basis of Product Type into Solid (Powder/Blends, Biscuits/Bar), Semi-solid Paste, and Drinkable Therapeutic Food; and on the basis of Region into North America, Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The Powder/Blends solid segment is estimated to create incremental $ opportunity of US$ 1.5 Mn between 2016 and 2024, registering a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period. The Biscuits/Bar solid segment is estimated to create incremental $ opportunity of US$ 7.8 Mn between 2016 and 2024, witnessing a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. The Semi-solid Paste segment is expected to retain its dominance in the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market throughout the forecast period, with 90.7% value share by 2024.Among regions, Europe is estimated to account for a maximum revenue share of 62.0% of the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market by the end of 2016. The MEA market is expected to account for 19.1% market share of the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market by the end of 2016. The Europe ready-to-use therapeutic food market is estimated to be valued at US$ 171.0 Mn by 2016 end and is expected to increase to US$ 355.7 Mn by 2024 end, registering a CAGR of 9.6% during the forecast period.In a new report titled Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024, Persistence Market Research delivers key insights on the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market and analyzes the key factors and trends impacting market performance over an eight-year forecast period (2016  2024). In 2015, the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market was valued at US$ 249.2 Mn, and this is estimated to increase to US$ 276.0 Mn by 2016 end, reflecting a Y-o-Y growth rate of 10.7%. In terms of value, the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market is expected to register a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period.Increasing government as well as NGO focus on the treatment of malnutrition is expected to drive revenue growth of the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market over the forecast period. Also, an increasing demand for drinkable ready-to-use therapeutic foods and rising global emergencies and disasters is expected to further fuel market growth. Demand for semi-solid paste therapeutic food products as a result of easy storage and distribution is fueling the demand for ready-to-use therapeutic food products to manage people suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Demand for ready-to-use drinkable therapeutic food is increasing with the government focusing on increasing the procurement of drinkable ready-to-use foods for small children. Rise in regional government bodies and global manufacturers planning to establish local manufacturing facilities is another major driving factor fueling the growth of the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market. However, increasing consumer/local government shift towards local ingredients and inconsistencies in ready-to-use therapeutic food milk products thereby creating a risk of contamination are factors likely to restrict market growth during the forecast period.Request to view table of content @The global ready-to-use therapeutic food market offers great opportunities for market players with UNICEF encouraging the domestic production of ready-to-use therapeutic foods.A sample of this report is available upon request @This report covers detailed profiles of key players operating in the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market  Insta Products (EPZ) Ltd., MANA, Nutrivita Foods Pvt Ltd., Power Foods Industries Ltd., Tabatchnick Fine Foods, HILINA Enriched Food Processing Center P.L.C., GC Rieber Compact AS, Diva Nutritional Products, Edesia, Inc., Nutriset, and InnoFasoSA. Ease of product availability, rising malnutrition population in developing nations, and an easy storage and distribution network are factors encouraging new players to venture into the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market. Established players in the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market are expanding production facilities and are focusing on product innovations, which is creating robust competition in the global ready-to-use therapeutic food market.Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report @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.comContact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Bioelectric Medicine Market Forecast By End-use Industry 2017-2027

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Technology is changing the world and bioelectric medicine is fore front of technological revolution in medical sciences. The pharmaceutical industrys history is based on therapies that target molecular mechanism. Bioelectric medicine has different treatment therapy that is based on electrical pulses instead of drugs to trigger the body. Bioelectric medicine develops nerve stimulating and sensors activation technologies to regulate biological functions and treat diseases by combining bioengineering, neuroscience, molecular medicines, electronics and computing these technologies may change the future of therapies for wide range of diseases. Bioelectric medicine act through targeted mechanism of action to treat diseases. Though the concept of using bioelectric medicines to treat the patient has been around decades, technological advancements are driving the market to grow in near future. Bioelectric medicine is the field where devices are made to treat various kind of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, paralysis and cancer as well.Bioelectric Medicine Market: DynamicsIncreasing research and development in bioelectric medicals with rising number of organizations investing for development of bioelectric medicines are primary driving factors for the growth of bioelectric medicine market. Bioelectric medicines or electroceuticals are new trend in therapy of treating disease. Though these therapies are expensive, often toxic and difficult to administer, continuous scope for technological advancement and ground breaking discipline is targeted at electronics with nerves to specially aim the biological processes to various diseases. Pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology entities, research institutes, and laboratories are increasingly adopting bioelectric medicine technology. As bioelectric medicine are small devices there is huge scope for companies having product pipeline into medical device industry.Request Report Sample@Bioelectric Medicine Market: SegmentationOn the basis of device type global bioelectric medicine market is segmented intoImplantableNon implantableOn the basis of product type global bioelectric market is segmented intoDefibrillatorsPacemakersStimulatorsSpinal Cord StimulatorsDeep Brain StimulatorsVagus Nerve Stimulatorssacral Nerve StimulatorsothersImplantsRetinal Implantscochlear ImplantsOtherOn the basis of application global bioelectric medicine market is segmented intoArrhythmiaChronic PainParkinsons DiseaseEpilepsyUrinary IncontinenceMenstrual migraineFecal IncontinenceRetinitis PigmentosaDepressionSpinal Cord InjuryObesityOthersOn the basis of end user global bioelectric medicine market is segmented intoHospitalsAmbulatory surgical centersSpecialty clinicsHome care settingsOtherThe adoption of bioelectric medicines is leading to change the trend in pharmaceutical industry, it will give lead to technological innovation in medical device industry.Request For TOC@Bioelectric Medicine Market: Region-wise OutlookRegionally, global bioelectric market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East Africa. North America is likely to dominate the bioelectric medicine market since there is presence of several organizations operating in these region. Rising prevalence of chronic diseases, expected approvals of retinal implant in the U.S., rising geriatric population are the other key factors responsible for the growth of market in North America. Additionally, Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at highest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing diabetic population and frequency of hearing loss in region. There are substantial R&D projects carried out in institutes resulting its high demand, affecting the revenue growth significantly. Moreover, positive R&D outcomes encouraging the incorporation of bioelectric market is expected to impact this sector with potential opportunities for growth.Bioelectric Medicine Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in bioelectric market are GlaxoSmithKline, Medtronic Plc., Boston Scientific Corporation, Set Point Medical, Siemens AG, Biotronic, Nevro Corporation, Liva Nova Plc., Cochlear limited and Electro Core LLC. These companies are involved in research and development of bioelectric medicines along with the investment and marketing of the products. The increasing competition in key players will drive the market of bioelectric medicine in forecast period.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Bone Metabolism Test Market Value Chain and Forecast 2017-2027

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Conflicting to the repeatedly held misinterpretations, bone is a comparatively active organ that experience notable changes as contrast to other organs in the body. Bone metabolism is related with diseases impacting bone and mineral metabolism that includes a wide range of skeletal and soft tissue infection. In general, these infections may be combined as Paget disease of bone, osteoporosis, developmental disorders of bone and hyperparathyroidism. Geriatric population that is nearby 28 million in America get influenced by osteoporosis, and the fetch to treat for osteoporosis-associated fractures was evaluated to be about $14.8 billion every year a short time before. Other metabolic bone diseases are comparatively lacking, but anyhow are a source of notable cost to society and morbidity. Bone is a specific tissue intended to deliver enough potency to resist involuntary forces, but still to be light enough to permit flexibility. It has a complicated composition and experience constant remodeling or metabolism. To treat bone metabolism diseases there are several tests available in market and cost for treatment is much higher as most of the population in the world is threatened by bone metabolism diseases the market will drive towards growth for bone metabolism tests.On the basis of test types global bone metabolism test market is segmented into:Bone marker testC-telopeptide marker testP1NP marker testN-telopeptide marker testOsteocalcin testOthersImmunoassayELISARIAOn the basis of application types global bone metabolism test market is segmented into:HyperparathyroidismHypoparathyroidismOsteoporosisPaget's diseaseKidney diseaseOn the basis of end users global bone metabolism test market is segmented into:HospitalsReference laboratoriesSpecialty clinicsOtherRequest Report Sample@On the basis of test types global bone metabolism test market can be segmented into bone marker test and immunoassay where, bone markers are related with biochemical marker that specify breakdown of bone that can be used to estimate individuals bone fracture risk at the moment when density of mineral measurement does not specify the results and immunoassay is related with a laboratory technique that recognize and evaluate a protein like hormone or enzyme based on capacity to act as an antibody or antigen in chemical reaction. Furthermore, Bone marker tests are categorized into C-Telopeptide marker test, P1NP marker test, N- telopeptide marker test and osteocalcin test. C-Telopeptide marker test used to monitor anti-restoratives therapies like hormone replacement therapy in people with low bone mass and in women with menopause and is peptide fragment from the carboxyl terminal end of the protein matrix. P1NP Marker is for bone formation occurred from osteoblast and it is recommended that the test should be performed before the treatment of osteoporosis and again after 3 to 6 months. N-telopeptide is a peptide fragment used to monitor another marker therapy from amino terminal end of the protein matrix and osteocalcin is form of protein formed by osteoblast this test may be simulated by using drug warfarin. Moreover, Immunoassay is categorized into ELISA and RIA where enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used to detect the presence of antibody and antigen through a biochemical mechanism and radioimmunoassay (RIA) is in-vitro assay technique to detect antigen in the body with the help of antibody present in the body.On the basis of application types global bone metabolism test market is segmented into hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, osteoporosis, Pagets disease and kidney disease. Hyperparathyroidism mostly occur in people having age more than 50 while neonatal or new born babies are highly threatened by hypoparathyroidism. Osteoporosis has dominated the market in bone metabolism diseases and is the most common disease occurring in women on in tenth will have osteoporosis at the age of 60, more than 8.9 million fractures are recorded yearly due to osteoporosis throughout the world. Rising penetrance rate of osteoporosis is driving the bone metabolism test market towards the growth in the forecast period. Pagets disease is most common in men than women in that bone growth is too large and weak.Request For TOC@On the basis of geography, global bone metabolism test market is segmented into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East Africa. North America and Latin America are the dominating market in global bone metabolism test market followed by Europe as penetrance of osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism is increasing in large amount. Asia pacific and Middle East Africa is rising market for bone metabolism test market as volume has increased in last few years. Hence, companies are making strategies to enter in the market.Some of the major players in global metabolism test market are: Siemens Healthcare GmbH, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Abbott GmbH & Co. KG, DiaSorin, bioMerieux SA and Quidel Corporation. Siemens Healthcare GmbH Has largest market share in bone metabolism test market. The increasing competition in key players to develop new therapy and technology for bone metabolism test will drive the market globally.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comPress: press@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Dairy Blends Market to register high demand rate by 2024

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Zion Market Research, the market research group announced the analysis report titled "Dairy Blends Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecasts 20162024"Global Dairy Blends Market: OverviewA mixture of concentrated cream mixed with butter is known as dairy blends. They are made up of butter blends or processed butterfat, which is free from saturated fat. Dairy blends contain vegetable oil, hence it is spreadable and can consume with bread. They can blend with other ingredients such as sugar, salt, aroma, flavorings, and vegetable oils that depend on taste and preferences of the consumers. Dairy blends enhance the absolute and real taste of the products. However, blending with other protein sources offers nutritional benefits to consumers.Request Free Sample Report @Global Dairy Blends Market: Growth FactorsDairy blends are cost-effective in nature; hence, this is a major driving factor of the market. It contains less fat as compared to margarine and butter. Import of the dairy products involves high price but dairy blends involve much lower price comparatively. Dairy blends also used in the other ingredients such as vegetable fats, butter, sugar, dextrin, and cocoa powder are expected to boost the global dairy blends market growth. Many soy proteins are very cost-effective compared to dairy proteins. Hence, various dairy manufacturers mix dairy blends with soy or other proteins in order to improve the flavor of the product. This is anticipated to foster global market growth.Global Dairy Blends Market: SegmentationThe global dairy blends market is classified based on application, type, and form. The application segment includes chocolates, ice cream, bakery products, infant food, dairy products, and others. The formed segment comprises liquid and powder. Moreover, the type segment includes milk concentrate blends, whey protein blends, skim milk blends, and whey protein concentrate blends.Request Report TOC (Table of Contents) @Global Dairy Blends Market: Regional AnalysisThe geographical segment in the global dairy blends market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for the largest market share in the global market. The United States shows considerable growth in the global market as it is anticipated to be the largest dairy commodity exporter across the world. Asia-Pacific and South America are emerging niche markets for dairy blends. Service of whey in these regions may also boost the growth of global dairy blends market. However, South Korea, China, and Thailand are growing markets for dairy blends owing to their large customer base. Additionally, Japan, Canada, and Mexico may follow the same trend in the future.Global Dairy Blends Market: Competitive PlayersLeading players operating in the global dairy blends market are All American Foods, Inc., Hormel Specialty Products, Anchor, Lactopur, Advanced Food Products, Friesland Campina, Landell Mills-sure, and Abbott Nutrition. Other players include Agri-Mark Inc., Cargill, VIV Buisman, Agropur Ingredients, Pacificblends, Cape Food Ingredients, SPX Flow, Bakels Edible Oils, and others.Browse detail report @Global Dairy Blends Market: Regional Segment AnalysisNorth AmericaU.S.EuropeUKFranceGermanyAsia PacificChinaJapanIndiaLatin AmericaBrazilThe Middle East and AfricaWhat 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.Ask for a customized report @About 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:
PCB design software market is anticipated to grow from US$ 1,409.3 Mn in 2016 to US$ 4,755.1 Mn by 2026

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PCB design software is used by engineers for designing the printed circuit board on a device, using various features that aim to address issues an engineer faces such as those related to signal and power integrity, while designing a PCB and ease the overall designing process. PCB design software is integrated with other related software such as PLM, which helps engineers to better understand designs and layouts of PCBs. FMI forecasts the global PCB design software market to increase at 12.9% CAGR during the forecast period 2016-2026, and reach US$ 4,755.1 Mn in revenues by 2026 end.Ease of designing a circuit and savings in cost and time are the main factors stimulating the use of PCB design softwareNeed to reduce time and eliminate issues faced during product development are factors that are driving the demand for global PCB design software market. Consumer electronics industry dominates in the end-user segment, because of rising popularity of smartphones and smart wearable devices globally. Before designing a PCB, an engineer must consider a number of aspects such as input signals, desired output and error tolerance. With PCB design software, an engineer can simulate the circuit design and can get an idea about real-time issues associated with applying the circuit. This saves time for the engineer, as potential errors can be addressed before building the physical prototype. These are features and benefits driving increasing adoption of PCB software in the global market.Request Report Sample@Building a circuit involves implementing multiple wires and components. When the circuit built is complex, the number of wires and components also increases, which increases the probability of introducing errors. Using a PCB design software with features such as auto-placement, auto-routing and auto-tuning can reduce errors to a great extent and make PCB fabrication easier.Oftentimes, after the circuit is fabricated, the engineer realizes that a component has been placed incorrectly and has to rebuild the entire prototype, which takes additional time and resources. With PCB design software, an engineer can modify the design or replace components at any time, without incurring additional loss, which is a primary factor expected to continue drive adoption of PCB software over the forecast period.While designing PCBs using software reduces efforts significantly, the software fails to meet every engineers expectations owing to varying requirements related to power and signal integrity etc. Software offering capability to address all required features are significantly complex to operate, and understanding them can be a very time consuming process.Many PCB design software are available online for free and offer a variety of features. Moreover, in countries such as China, Russia and the U.S., use of pirated software is relatively common, which is resulting in companies being forced to offer software at lower prices. This is a major factor expected to restrain growth of the global PCB design software market.Mainstream software is estimated to account for a maximum market share due to its advanced features and affordabilityAmong all the types, mainstream software is estimated to account for maximum market revenue share by 2026, owing to the fact that it advanced features in the software at an affordable price. Moreover, demand for mainstream software is estimated to witness highest growth rate by 2016, followed by high-end software.Revenue generated by global PCB design software market is estimated to reach US$ 1,409.3 Mn by 2016, witnessing an increase of 10.7% over 2015. Mainstream software is estimated to hold the largest share among the different types of PCB design software, for global PCB design software market by value by 2016, accounting for US$ 669.1 Mn by 2016, up from US$ 599.9 Mn in 2015.Defence industry is poised to register the highest growth rate during the forecast periodIn the end-user segment, defence industry is estimated to register the highest growth rate in the forecast period, followed by automotive industry. Increasing adoption of UAVs in defence industry and introduction of automated cars in automotive industry are factors expected to drive the growth of global PCB design software market in the respective industries.North America region is expected to the largest revenue generator for global PCB design software marketMarket in North America region is expected to be the largest revenue generator for global PCB design software market by 2026, and is expected to account for a revenue share of 37.0% by 2016, owing to the increasing investments in research and development. Region-wise, market in Asia Pacific excluding Japan, is estimated to be the second largest global PCB design software market with market revenues expected to be worth US$ 261.3 Mn by year 2016.Send An Enquiry@Key market players are adopting partnerships and mergers as a strategy to strengthen their foothold in the marketSome popular vendors such as Cadence Design Systems, Inc., Mentor Graphics Corporation, Zuken Inc. etc. are focusing on partnerships and acquisitions & mergers to consolidate their position in the market. PCB design software vendors are coming up with innovative features in the software which are designed to ease the PCB design process, and distinguish their product from competitors products.About Us  Future Market Insights is the premier provider of market intelligence and consulting services, serving clients in over 150 countries. FMI is headquartered in London, the global financial capital, and has delivery centers in the U.S. and India.Contact Us:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way,Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage,New York 10989,United StatesTel: +1-347-918-3531Fax: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Global Superconductors Market Analysis, Share, Trends and Forecast by 2022

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According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Superconductor market is accounted for $0.82 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $2.71 billion by 2022 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.6%. Growing demand from medical industry for MRI, booming market for electric motors are the major factors propelling the market growth. In addition, increasing research & development activities, innovative technological developments are the other factors bolstering the market growth during the forecast period. On the other hand, fluctuating raw material prices is hindering the market growth.Browse the report:The widespread research involved in the development of high temperature superconductors (HTS) will also boost up the demand for superconductors in the power industry. The magnetic resonance imaging sector holds the leading share by consumer applications, and the electronic devices sector is anticipated to experience the fastest growth due to the rising applications of superconductors in this segment. Asia-Pacific is the primary regional market for this industry and is predictable to dominate in the future with the expected positive economic outlook in upcoming markets such as India, China, and Japan.Some of the key players in global superconductor market include American Superconductor, Evico GmbH, Hitachi, Ltd., Hyper Tech Research, Inc., Metal Oxide Technologies, Inc., Siemens AG, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd., Superconductor Technologies, Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Bruker Corporation, Ceraco Ceramic Coating Gmbh, Deutsche Nanoschicht Gmbh, Fujikura Ltd., and Furukawa Electric Co. Ltd.Request a sample of the report:Products Covered:High temperature superconducting materialsLow temperature superconducting materialsApplications Covered:ElectronicsMedicalResearch & DevelopmentOther ApplicationsRegions Covered:North AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceItalyUKSpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificJapanChinaIndiaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of Asia PacificRest of the WorldMiddle EastBrazilArgentinaSouth AfricaEgyptBuy the report@What our report offers:Market share assessments for the regional and country level segmentsMarket share analysis of the top industry playersStrategic recommendations for the new entrantsMarket forecasts for a minimum of 7 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional marketsMarket Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimationsCompetitive landscaping mapping the key common trendsCompany profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developmentsSupply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancementsAbout 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 Information:Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas  75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Email: sales@orbisresearch.com
Fire Trucks Market Value Share, Analysis and Segments 2017-2027

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Fire Truck or Fire Engine is a vehicle primarily designed for firefighting operations. Many fire and safety companies employ these vehicles for various other applications such as rescue purposes and emergency medical purposes. Fire Engines transport firefighters to the sites, providing water and other necessary equipment to fight the fire. Generally, a fire truck carry equipment such as hydraulic rescue tools, ladders, ventilating equipment, a self-contained breathing apparatus and first aid kits. Growing demand for multi-tasking trucks is a new trend in the global fire trucks market.Global fire trucks market is expanding widely owing to the modern day fire and safety issues arising from new design infrastructures, rapid development of huge and complex buildings, and larger residencies in lesser spaces especially in developing countries. Global fire trucks market finds opportunity for fire trucks with advanced digital technology tools for supporting performance-based design, and field surveys are improving the quality and teamwork in the built environment.Request Report Sample@The flat and mall culture in both developing and developed countries compelled the governments to declare stringent safety regulations. The growing population along with changing demographics as well as psychographics of the modern day society resulted in surge in the number of tall residential buildings. The result is the demand for more fire trucks to enforce the safety 24x7, and this is expected to drive the global fire trucks market over the forecast period.Global Fire Trucks: Market DynamicsDrivers:In the global fire trucks market, new and advanced technology acceptance is the key driver for the market growth. Use of modern electronics and advanced digital tools will enhance the quality, efficiency and capability of the fire truck.Development in the fire and safety departments and municipal budgets of governments are also projected to fuel the global fire trucks market growth. Moreover, economic growth in developing countries is estimated to create new opportunities for global fire trucks market.Restraints:In the global fire trucks market, low rate of replacements is a factor hampering the market growth. Though the fleets are ageing, the fire trucks are not being replaced easily. This may hinder the growth of fire trucks market.Global Fire Trucks Market: SegmentationThe global fire trucks market is segmented on the basis of types as follows: Rescue, Mini Tanker and all other Pumpers (mini pumpers, multi-tasking trucks).On the basis of application, fire trucks are segmented as follows: Conventional, rescue, wild land, airport application and othersRequest For TOC@Global Fire Trucks Market: Regional OutlookOver the past few years, the developing countries such as China, India and South Korea have witnessed a stable growth in the infrastructure coupled with rising awareness about safety. This is expected to boost the demand for fire trucks over the forecast period. Fire Trucks are a necessity in airports and other enterprises to ensure public safety. The strengthening of governmental regulations regarding the matter is also a positive factor for the growth of global fire trucks market. The high production capacity in China coupled with lower labour charge contribute to the expansion of fire trucks market in the country. Moreover, the technological advancements and growing application in the manufacturing sector fuel the fire trucks market growth. In North America, stringent regulations and large number of fire stations are the key growth factors driving the market. The Middle East and Africa fire trucks market is expected to witness a significant growth over the forecast period owing to the product innovation coupled with technological advancements in the region.Global Fire Trucks: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants in the global fire trucks market identified are:W.S. Darley & Co.Oshkosh CorporationZiegler FirefightingMagirus GmbH (CNH Industrial Group)Rosenbauer International AGGimaex GmbHMorita Holdings CorporationE-oneHME IncorporatedSmeal Fire ApparatusFuture 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.compress@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite:
Sleep Apnea Diagnostic System Market Projected to Register a Promising 7.3% Value CAGR Between 2016 and 2026

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Obstructive sleep apnea is a common form of sleep apnea disorder across the worldSleep disorders are highly prevailing in majority of regions globally and is affecting the population health severely. Troublesome ill effects of the disorder are important cause for increase in rate of adoption for sleep apnea diagnostic systems. Sleep apnea is a chronic disorder that can be bifurcated in two different types- obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. Among the two, obstructive sleep apnea is a common form of sleep apnea and around 3%  4% of the population is affected.In terms of revenue, the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period and is expected to be valued more than US$ 600 Mn by the end of 2026.Request Report Sample@Obesity and rapidly rising aging population play a crucial role in the growth of the global sleep apnea diagnostic system marketRobust growth of wearable sleep apnea diagnostic devices is expected in the near future due to risein adoption of home sleep testing services. Rising prevalence of obesity and rapidly ageing population in developed countries plays a crucial role in supporting growth of the market of sleep apnea diagnostic systems market. Introduction of novel technologies such as wireless screening devices and cloud based recording system are driving growth of the sleep services market. This in turn is expected to create a favourable environment for the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market over the forecast period.Polysomnography segment will be able to achieve moderate growth in the forecast periodAlthough actigraphy monitoring devices of product type segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment over the forecast period, in terms of revenue share, currently the polysomnography monitoring devices sub-segment of product type segment offers the highest contribution in the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market. Polysomnography devices segment holds the largest market opportunity, accounting for a market share of approximately 40%. However, the polysomnography segment is experiencing moderate growth due to its nature and availability as an ambulatory testing device in future.High obesity rate makes North Americas sleep apnea diagnostic market more lucrative than other regional marketsIn terms of value, North America is expected to be the dominant regional market by 2016 end, and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% over the forecast period. Western Europe is expected to be the fastest growing market in terms of revenue growth in the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market, registering a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. Adoption of sleep services is higher in North America due to high obesity rates and prevalent haphazard lifestyles. Also, new device development and their easy regulatory approval makes the North America sleep apnea diagnostic system market more lucrative as compared to other regional markets.Send An Enquiry@Company share analysis of the global sleep apnea diagnostic system marketGlobal sleep apnea diagnostic system market is consolidated and the introduction of novel technologies such as wireless screening devices and cloud based recording systems are driving growth of the global sleep services market. This in turn is expected to create a favourable environment for the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market over the forecast period. In 2015, Koninklijke Philips N.V., ResMed Inc., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Natus Medical Incorporated, MGC Diagnostics Corporation were the top five players dominating the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market contributing to around 83% of the total market share of sleep apnea diagnostic systems. In 2015, Koninklijke Philips N.V. dominated the market with around 38% market share of the global sleep apnea diagnostic system market followed by ResMED Inc. Koninklijke Philips N.V. has a strong foothold in the domestic market of North America, particularly in the rapidly growing respiratory and sleep disorder devices 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:
Global Commercial Vehicle Remote Diagnostics Industry Will Grow Steadily At A CAGR Of 19.28% During The Period 2017-2021

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Commercial Vehicle Remote Diagnostics Market 2017-2021" to its huge collection of research reports.Technavio defines automotive remote diagnostics or remote vehicle diagnostics as a solution that enables automation of vehicle health and diagnosis using a wireless network. Vehicle health check refers to monitoring vehicle performance by continuously checking and assessing real-time data of certain parameters. This process helps to identify any deviation against expected vehicle performance. Diagnosis refers to the investigation based on real-time vehicle data associated with vehicle performance parameter deviation and the determination of root causes of the deviation. This technology offers several business benefits to both customers and OEMs by enabling an effective vehicle health planner.Technavios analysts forecast the global commercial vehicle remote diagnostics market to grow at a CAGR of 19.28% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global commercial vehicle remote diagnostics market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the penetration of remote diagnostics as a connected service offering/telematics application in commercial vehicles.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Commercial Vehicle Remote Diagnostics Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendorsContinentalBoschVector InformatikVidiwaveOther prominent vendorsActiaAutomaticAVL DITESTBenedixCarShieldCarvoyantContinentalDash LabsDelphiDelphiDSAEASE DiagnosticsEatonEmotiveGeotabHickok IncorporatedMagneti MarelliMojioMovimentoNoregonOpenbaySnap-onSoftingSontheimTexaTomTomVoxx InternationalWabcoZonarZubieMarket driverExpanding used commercial vehicles marketFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeData security in telematics industryFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncreasing mobile phone integration with the telematics system and vehicle diagnostics based insurance programsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this reportWhat will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?What are the key market trends?What is driving this market?What are the challenges to market growth?Who are the key vendors in this market space?What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key vendors?What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?Make 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 @
North America Printing Inks Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Research Report 2016 - 2024

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Printing Inks Market - North America Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.North America Printing Inks Market: SnapshotThis research study analyzes the market for North America printing inks in terms of revenue (US$ Mn) and volume (Kilo Tons). The North America printing inks market has been segmented on the basis of product, application, end-use, and country. The report features a detailed segmentation with market growth forecasts from 2016 to 2024. 2015 has been considered the base year and 2016 the estimated year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the submarkets and country-specific levels from 2016 to 2024.North America Printing Inks Market: ScopeThe report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the production and distribution of printing inks in North America. The report also includes key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the North America printing inks market. These are analyzed in detail and illustrated in the report with supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of the market with the help of the Porters Five Forces Analysis model, which helps in understanding the factors that affect the structure and profitability of the North America printing inks market. These are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @North America Printing Inks Market: Drivers and TrendsThe report provides detailed insights into the North America printing inks business. Currently, numerous factors drive the North America printing inks market. The most prominent drivers include growth of renewable energy, volatility in crude oil prices, bio-based raw materials, oil & gas industry outlook, North America printing ink production facilities, growth rate of end-user industries, and others. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the North America printing inks market on the basis of product, application, end-use, and country. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market.Flexographic and gravure printing inks are primarily used with solvents as base materials. Flexographic and gravure printing methods are widely employed in flexible packaging, especially in food and beverages industries. Solvent-based inks consist of inorganic solvents and toxic metals such as cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury. These lead to various health hazards if they come in direct contact with edibles. The number of safety regulations in North America has been increased in order to avoid adverse health consequences resulting from intake of toxic substances. This is likely to hamper the printing inks market in the next few years. In North America, demand for VOC-free printing inks is gaining momentum. Increased environmental regulations regarding usage of VOC inks are driving the market for UV-cured printing inks.Packaging is considered one of the highly important marketing aspects that influence the consumers purchasing decision. In North America, the packaging industry is one of the major consumers of printing inks. Expansion of the food & beverages industry along with increased demand for flexible packaging from the health care sector is expected to boost the demand for printing inks in the next few years.North America Printing Inks Market: SegmentationThe North America printing inks market has been segmented into four categories: product, application, end-use and country. In terms of product, the North America printing inks market has been classified into solvent-based, water-based, oil-based, and UV-cured. In terms of application, the North America printing inks market has been classified into flexographic printing, gravure printing, offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, and specialty printing. In terms of end-use, the North America printing inks market has been classified into publication & commercial printing, packaging, textiles, metal cans, and others (decorative printing etc.). In terms of country, the North America printing inks market has been segmented into the U.S. and Canada.Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Major players operating in the North America printing inks market include Sun Chemical Corporation, Flint Group, Wikoff Color Corporation, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG & Co. KgaA, Toyo Ink America, LLC, American Ink and Coatings, INX International Ink Co., and others. The North America printing inks market has been segmented as follows:North America Printing Inks Market: By Product- Solvent-based- Water-based- Oil-based- UV-CuredNorth America Printing Inks Market: By Application- Flexographic Printing- Gravure Printing- Offset Printing- Digital Printing- Screen Printing- Specialty PrintingNorth America Printing Inks Market: By End-Use- Publication & Commercial Printing- Packaging- Textiles- Metal Cans- Others (Decorative Printing, etc.)North America Printing Inks Market: By Country- The U.S.- CanadaMake 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 @
Temperature Sensor Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024 | Now Available at Researchmoz.us

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Temperature Sensor Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Temperature Sensor Market: OverviewTemperature sensors refer to devices which helps in recording data related to temperature. A temperature sensor helps in converting any voltage or current into a specific numerical value. Advanced temperature sensors are also used in research and development facilities with various scientific uses. The contact and non-contact temperature sensors form the different types of temperature sensors. These contact temperature sensors have been used in different industry verticals owing to the low cost. These sensors are used when the thermal equilibrium needs to be maintained and there is no flow of heat between the objects where the sensor needs to be in contact with the object to measure the temperature. The non-contact temperature sensor helps in measuring temperature when the surface is moving and measures temperature with the help of heat radiation emitted from the surface or object.Temperature sensors have different product types, such as thermistors, thermocouple, infrared temperature sensor, fiber optic temperature sensor and bimetallic temperature sensors among others. These different type of temperature sensors include both simple and complex applications. Growth in automation, across verticals such as aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor and electronics and healthcare among others, has been some of the primary reason for the growth of temperature sensor market globally. The increasing importance for advanced healthcare equipment has also been boosting the growth of temperature sensor market.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Other than this, the rise in demand for electronic products has also helped the global temperature sensor market to grow. Increasing use of thermistors, resistance temperature detectors, and infrared temperature detectors has also led to the rise in demand for automotive and healthcare sector enhancing the growth of these industries. Considering the positive impacts of the factors mentioned above, the temperature sensor market globally has been anticipated to grow at a good pace during the forecast period with the market being more or less stable. The growing demand for body worn temperature sensor also provides many opportunities for the growth of temperature sensor market.Global Temperature Sensor Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type, the global temperature sensor market has been segmented into thermistor, resistance temperature detectors, thermocouple, infrared temperature sensor, fiber optic temperature sensor, bimetallic temperature sensor and others. The global temperature sensor market is further segmented on the basis of sensing method which includes contact and non-contact temperature sensor. The market revenue for temperature senor has been provided in USD million in terms of revenue and million units in terms of volume, along with the CAGR for the forecasted period from 2016 to 2024.Different end use industries which are segmented under the scope of this report includes food and beverage, aerospace and defense, chemicals, oil & gas, semiconductor and electronics, automotive, healthcare and others. Each of these segments are provided with market size and forecast for the period 2016 - 2024, further highlighting the different key trends which act as influencing factors for each segment provided under the scope of this report.The region wise market analysis provides the in-depth analysis of the current trends available in these regions which is further segmented into different countries covered under these regions. The different regions covered under the scope of this report includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.Global Temperature Sensor Market: Scope of the StudyThis report provides strategic analysis of the global temperature sensor market, and the growth forecast for the period 2016 to 2024. The scope of this report includes analysis of different market segments which are differentiated on the basis of product type, sensing method and end use industry of the global temperature sensor market across countries. To aid in proper decision-making, the report includes the profiling of top players in this industry, their respective market share along with various business strategies which are adopted by them as well as the recent developments.The key trends analysis and market opportunity map provided in the report discusses the various upcoming trends and current end use industries. Other than this, the scope of the report also focuses on the future penetration of various temperature sensor related products. The market opportunity map and market attractiveness analysis included in this report provides overall insights into various market dynamics, industry competition, along with providing the most profitable segments within the global temperature sensor market. Additionally, the Porters five forces analysis aids in better understanding of the level of competition present in the market. Top players of the global temperature sensor market are also being profiled and included in the report.The report also provides breakdown and assessment of various factors impacting the growth of market, which are classified as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities in this report. These factors determine the different trends and their impact on the overall market growth. Overall, after taking into consideration the different factors which affects the global temperature sensor market along with providing a holistic analysis of the global temperature sensor market, and also provides an estimation of growth for the forecast period during 2016 to 2024.Companies mentioned in the reportSome of the leading players in the global temperature sensor market are Texas Instruments Inc. (U.S.), Analog Devices Inc. (U.S.), Microchip Technology Inc. , Honeywell International Inc. (US), STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland), Infineon Technologies AG (Germany), General Electric Company (U.S.), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (U.S.), ON Semiconductor (U.S.) and Panasonic Corporation (Japan) among others.The market has been segmented as follows:Global Temperature Sensor Market  By Product Type:- Thermistor- Resistance Temperature Detectors- Thermocouple- Infrared Temperature Sensor- Fiber Optic Temperature Sensor- Bimetallic Temperature Sensor- OthersGlobal Temperature Sensor Market  By Sensing Method:- Contact Temperature Sensor- Non-contact Temperature SensorGlobal Temperature Sensor Market - By End Use Industry:- Food and Beverage- Aerospace and Defense- Chemicals- Oil & Gas- Semiconductor and Electronics- Automotive- Healthcare- OthersGlobal Temperature Sensor Market - By Region:- North America- U.S.- Canada- Mexico- Europe- UK- Germany- France- Russia- Rest Of Europe- Asia Pacific- China- Japan- Taiwan- India- South Korea- Rest Of APAC- Middle East and Africa- UAE- Saudi Arabia- South Africa- Others- Latin America- Brazil- OthersMake an Enquiry of this report @About ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @
New Study Reveals Global Solar Charger Market Research Report 2016 | Researchmoz.us

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Solar Charger Industry 2016 Market Research Report" to its huge collection of research reports.The Global Solar Charger Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Solar Charger industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Solar Charger market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions development status.Secondly, development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures. This report also states import/export, supply and consumption figures as well as cost, price, revenue and gross margin by regions (United States, EU, China and Japan), and other regions can be added.Then, the report focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specification, capacity, production, price, cost, revenue and contact information. Upstream raw materials, equipment and downstream consumers analysis is also carried out. Whats more, the Solar Charger industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Finally, the feasibility of new investment projects is assessed, and overall research conclusions are offered.In a word, the report provides major statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of Solar Charger1.1 Definition and Specifications of Solar Charger1.1.1 Definition of Solar Charger1.1.2 Specifications of Solar Charger1.2 Classification of Solar Charger1.3 Applications of Solar Charger1.4 Industry Chain Structure of Solar Charger1.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Solar Charger1.5.1 Industry Overview of Solar Charger1.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Solar Charger1.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Solar Charger1.7 Industry News Analysis of Solar Charger2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Solar Charger2.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Solar Charger2.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Solar Charger2.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Solar Charger2.4 Other Costs Analysis of Solar Charger2.5 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Solar Charger2.6 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Solar Charger3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Solar Charger3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Solar Charger Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Solar Charger Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Solar Charger Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Solar Charger Major Manufacturers in 20154 Capacity, Production and Revenue Analysis of Solar Charger by Regions, Types and Manufacturers4.1 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Solar Charger by Regions 2011-20164.2 Global and Major Regions Capacity, Production, Revenue and Growth Rate of Solar Charger 2011-20164.3 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Solar Charger by Types 2011-20164.4 Global Capacity, Production and Revenue of Solar Charger by Manufacturers 2011-20165 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Solar Charger by Regions, Types and Manufacturers5.1 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Solar Charger by Regions 2011-20165.2 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Solar Charger by Types 2011-20165.3 Price, Cost, Gross and Gross Margin Analysis of Solar Charger by Manufacturers 2011-20166 Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Sale Price Analysis of Solar Charger by Regions, Types and Applications6.1 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Solar Charger by Regions 2011-20166.2 Global and Major Regions Consumption Volume, Consumption Value and Growth Rate of Solar Charger 2011-20166.3 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Solar Charger by Types 2011-20166.4 Global Consumption Volume and Consumption Value of Solar Charger by Applications 2011-20166.5 Sale Price of Solar Charger by Regions 2011-20166.6 Sale Price of Solar Charger by Types 2011-20166.7 Sale Price of Solar Charger by Applications 2011-20166.8 Market Share Analysis of Solar Charger by Different Sale Price LevelsMake 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 Fan Coils Market Forecast Report 2017-2021  Production, Revenue and Cost Analysis with Key Company Profiles

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DecisionDatabases.com adds a Fan Coils market report which is an end to end market guide. This report includes historic, current and future market scenario giving the reader a holistic as well as an atomistic view of the industry. The Fan Coils market research report anticipates the industry growth curve to go uphill under the study period of 2016  2022. The consumption, sales, revenue, gross margins are collected and analyzed at the regional level across the value chain.The Fan Coils market is segmented by application, raw material, and technology (as applicable).These segments and its market share are analyzed region wise. The anticipated growth is evaluated till 2022 regionally. These details are then analyzed by industry experts and their insights are also covered in the report.Access the Report and full TOC @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Fan Coils in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), covering* North America* Europe* China* Japan* Southeast Asia* IndiaGlobal Fan Coils market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including* Daikin(McQuay)* Johnson Controls(York)* Carrier* Ingersoll Rand(Trane)* Panasonic* Gree* Midea* Bryant* WILLIAMS* SABIANA* AERMEC* DIFFUSION* Quartz* SDBZDownload Free sample Report @On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split into* Wall Mounted Fan Coils* Horizontal Concealed Fan Coil* Horizontal Exposed Fan Coil* Cassette Type Fan Coil* Vertical Concealed Fan Coil* Vertical Exposed Fan CoilOn 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 Fan Coils for each application, including* Central Air-conditioning Manufacturers* Hospitals* OfficePurchase 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 @Europe Fan Coils Industry 2016 Market Research ReportAbout 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:
Flame Retardant Chemicals Market - New Business Opportunities & Investment Research Report 2024

Flame Retardant Chemicals Market

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Flame retardant chemicals are phosphorous, nitrogen, and halogen that contain compounds which are mixed with rubber and plastics for the purpose of reducing the magnitude of inhibit and burning flames. Flame retardants are type of components that are known for further reducing the effect of fire and can be also added to textiles for treating flammable substances.These flame retardants are being incessantly employed in the manufacturing of textiles, automobile and electronic parts, and construction of buildings. Flame retardant chemicals do not modify the properties of the parent component but delays the burning of the material if it cannot completely stop it. The use of these flame retardant chemicals is rising substantially and it has gained importance over the past few years owing to the rising safety regulations implemented by governments with regards to the high use of flammable materials and the risk of fire.Obtain Report Details @The report is an enquiry in the growth of the global flame retardant chemicals market over the last few years and in the upcoming years. The market research study further reasons out the causes of the alterations in the market worldwide. It performs this task by presenting a valuation of the dynamics and the trends ubiquitous from the last few years and the ones that are likely to keep hold of a strong presence during the forecast period. The Porters five forces analysis has been taken into consideration by the analysts to offer a clear view of the vendor landscape to the readers. Mergers, agreements, acquisitions, and other partnerships have also been highlighted in the market research report. The study also delves into the working of several major companies along with information on their products, strategies, and shares in question.Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market: Trends and ProspectsThe global market for flame retardant chemicals is likely to grow exponentially over the coming years owing to several advancements being made in fire safety standards and solutions. The market is likely to benefit from the growing demand from several end-use industries. The global flame retardant chemicals on the products can be classified into phosphorous, antimony oxide, brominated, and chlorinated. On the basis of end user, the market can be segmented into textiles, electronics, electric , wires and cables, automobiles, and buildings and construction.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @ :Construction industry is likely to emerge as one of the prime consumers of flame retardant chemicals owing to the rising development activities in developing countries. The growing demand from transportation and automobile industry is also a driving aspect for the growth of the global flame retardant chemicals market. The demand from home furnishing industry is also expected to intensify over the coming years. The steady growth of several other application sectors such as electronics and wires and cables is also anticipated to bode well for the market in the near future.Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market: Regional OutlookAsia Pacific is expected to emerge as the leading region in terms of consumption owing to exponential growth in the manufacturing industry and rising construction in developing countries. Developed regions such as Europe and North America may also witness growing demand due to renovation of existing infrastructure.Global Flame Retardant Chemicals Market: Companies Mentioned in the ReportSome of the companies striving to gain a leading position in the market are Lanxess AG, DuPont, Dow Chemical Company, Albemarle Corp., Clariant AG, BASF SE, and AkzoNobel N.V.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 insights for 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, TMR employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop 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:Visit Blog:
Global Biogas Power Plants Industry 2016 Market Services & Environmental Solutions in Livestock Farms, Sewage Treatment Plant, Winery, Sugar Refinery : CEZ Group, Tropical Power

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This report studies Biogas Power Plants in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2011 to 2015, and forecast to 2021.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringCEZ GroupTropical PowerMengniu DairHangzhou Environmental GroupBeijing DQY Agriculture Technology...By types, the market can be split intoSingle FuelDouble FuelType IIIBy Application, the market can be split intoRural AreasLivestock FarmsSewage Treatment PlantWinerySugar RefineryOthersBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaGet a Free Sample Copy of this Report here @QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Camping Cooler Market: Global Industry Key Manufacturers Analysis and Forecasts to 2021

Camping Cooler Market

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DecisionDatabases.com adds a Camping Cooler market report which is an end to end market guide. This report includes historic, current and future market scenario giving the reader a holistic as well as an atomistic view of the industry. The Camping Cooler market research report anticipates the industry growth curve to go uphill under the study period of 2016  2022. The consumption, sales, revenue, gross margins are collected and analyzed at the regional level across the value chain.The Camping Cooler market is segmented by application, raw material, and technology (as applicable).These segments and its market share are analyzed region wise. The anticipated growth is evaluated till 2022 regionally. These details are then analyzed by industry experts and their insights are also covered in the report.Access the Report and full TOC @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Radome in Global market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversGeneral Dynamics, Saint-Gobain, Cobham, Nordam, ATK, AVIC, L-3 ESSCO, Harris, Raytheon, Kelvin Hughes, Royal Engineered Composites, Infinite Technologies, CPI, Finmeccanica, Jenoptik, HTC.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers* North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)* Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)* Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)* Latin America, Middle and AfricaDownload Free sample Report @Market Segment by Type, covers* Shell Structure* Spherical Structure* OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into* Airborne Radomes* Ground-Based Radomes* Shipboard RadomesPurchase 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 @About 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:
United States Alkaline Battery Market Report: Industry Manufacturers Analysis 2017

Alkaline Battery Market

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DecisionDatabases.com adds a USA Alkaline Battery market report which is an end to end market guide. This report includes historic, current and future market scenario giving the reader a holistic as well as an atomistic view of the industry. The United States Alkaline Battery market research report anticipates the industry growth curve to go uphill under the study period of 2016  2022. The consumption, sales, revenue, gross margins are collected and analyzed at the regional level across the value chain.The Alkaline Battery market is segmented by application, raw material, and technology (as applicable).These segments and its market share are analyzed region wise. The anticipated growth is evaluated till 2022 regionally. These details are then analyzed by industry experts and their insights are also covered in the report.Access the Report and full TOC @This report studies sales (consumption) of Alkaline Battery in the United States market, focuses on the top players, with sales, price, revenue, and market share for each player, covering* Duracell* Energizer* Rayovac* Eveready* Hitachi Maxell* Sony* Toshiba* Panasonic* FujitsuMarket Segment by States, covering* California* Texas* New York* Florida* IllinoisDownload Free sample Report @Table of Contents - Snapshot1 Overview2 United States Competition by Manufacturers3 United States Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by States (2011-2016)4 United States Sales (Volume) and Revenue (Value) by Type (2011-2016)5 United States Sales (Volume) by Application (2011-2016)6 United States Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7 Manufacturing Cost Analysis8 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers9 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders10 Market Effect Factors Analysis11 United States Market Forecast (2016-2021)12 Research Findings and Conclusion13 AppendixPurchase a copy of Report @View Related Reports @About 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:
Plasticizers Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 2.2% by 2022

Plasticizers Market

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Market research future will be publishing a cooked research report on Global Plasticizers Market that contains the information from 2016 to 2022. Global Plasticizers Market is expected to grow with the CAGR 2.2% of more than from 2016 to 2022, and with this it is predictable to cross USD 18,500 Million by 2022.Market Highlights:Plasticizers are organic ester additives, which are added to polymers to enrich the performance of the polymeric material, by enhancing various properties such as, flexibility, diffusivity, heat resistance, stability and toughness. Most commonly used plasticizers are dialkyl phthalates, due to its low cost and optimum properties when incorporated into the polymer matrix.The increasing use of PVC as a commercially used polymer is attributed to the growth of global plasticizers market. The use of plasticizers in the automotive industries for its wide range of applications in the automotive parts is anticipate to augment the market for plasticizers market. Furthermore, the extensive use of plasticizers for building & construction applications is anticipated to fuel the market for plasticizers market mostly in the developing markets. Apart from the above mentioned factors, macroeconomic factors such as increased consumer spending, rise in disposable income and GDP can be attributed to further growth of global phthalates market.Request a Sample Copy @Based on varying applications, plasticizers market can be segmented into, flooring, wall coverings, roofing membranes, electrical wires & cables, automotive applications, medical devices and others. Plasticizers market can be segmented into various groups depending on the type of additive present in that plasticizer. Some examples of additives used are as follows: phthalates, adipates, trimellitates, epoxy, polymerics and phosphates.Key Player of Plasticizers Market: Nan Ya Plastics Union Petrochemical Corp. Dahin Co. Aekyung Industrial Co. LG Chemical Exxon Mobil Corporation Eastman Chemical Company BASF, Evonik Industries Bluesail ChemicalScope of the study:The scope of the study categorizes the Plasticizers market as type, and application.By Type Phthalates Adipates Trimellitates Epoxy Polymerics PhosphatesBy Application Flooring Wall covering Roofing Membrane Electrical Cables & Wires Automotive Applications Medical Devices OthersBrief TOC for Plasticizers Market:1 Executive Summary2 Scope of The Report2.1 Market Definition2.2 Scope of The Study2.2.1 Research Objectives2.2.2 Assumptions & Limitations2.3 Markets Structure3 Market Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Secondary Research3.3 Primary Research3.4 Forecast Model4 Market Landscape4.1 Five Forces Analysis4.1.1 Threat of New Entrants4.1.2 Bargaining power of buyers4.1.3 Threat of substitutes4.1.4 Segment rivalry4.2 Value Chain/Supply Chain of Global Plasticizers Market5 Industry Overview of Global Plasticizers Market5.1 Introduction5.2 Growth Drivers5.3 Impact analysis5.4 Market Challenges5.5 Impact analysisContinueRegional Analysis:Asia Pacific is projected to be the largest market during the forecast periodGeographically, Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market for plasticizers accounting more than one third of the total market. Asia Pacific is most prominent market and its market share has accounted for nearly 45% of the total market in 2016, Asia Pacific has been growing at faster pace due to rising industrial sector in the region propelling the growth of plasticizers market in the region, wherein, China dominated the Asia Pacific plasticizers market in terms of value and volume.Developed regions such as, North America and Europe witnessed sluggish growth in 2016 due to regulations prohibiting the use of phthalate plasticizers in these regions restricting the growth of plasticizers market. Inclination towards bio-plasticizers is also anticipated to hamper the growth of plasticizers market in these regions. While, Latin America, Middle East & Africa regions are anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities in the plasticizers market.Access Report Details @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.ContactAkash Anand,Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Silent Cancer Therapeutic Market to Witness an Outstanding Growth by 2021

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The Silent Cancer Therapeutic Market report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.Silent cancer refers to those types of cancer which are undiagnosed in early stages. This is due to asymptomatic nature of the disease which makes it difficult to identify the disease till it progresses to advanced stages. Major silent types of cancer include brain, cervix, esophagus, mouth and larynx, ovarian, pancreatic, kidney, and liver cancer. Some silent types of cancer such as ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer show symptoms in their early stages. Ovarian cancer occurs in epithelium or lining cells of the ovary. Major signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include pain or cramps in the belly, nausea, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and bloating. Pancreatic cancer is one of the fastest growing types of cancer worldwide. Esophagus cancer is more common among the older population, compared to adults. This cancer is mainly treated by chemotherapy, surgery, and radiosurgery. Moreover, physicians also use combination therapy for the treatment of silent cancer. For instance, the combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is very effective in the treatment of silent cancer.A sample of this report is available upon request @The global silent cancer therapeutic market is categorized based on type, and mode of treatment. Based on type, the report covers tumors, brain, mouth and larynx, esophagus, liver, renal, pancreatic, cervix, and ovarian cancer. Based on mode of treatment, the report covers chemotherapy, targeted therapy, pharmaceutical drugs, surgery, and radiotherapy.North America has the largest market for silent cancer therapeutic, followed by Europe. This is due to technological advancements in cancer treatment devices, increasing prevalence of cancer, rise in aging population and improved healthcare infrastructure in the region. The silent cancer therapeutic market in Asia is expected to experience high growth rate over the next few years. This is due to evolving R&D activities in the field of cancer, increasing government support for research, rise in number of cancer patients, growing awareness about various types of silent cancer, increasing elderly population and developing healthcare infrastructure in the region. Moreover, growing demographics and economies in developing countries such as India and China are expected to drive the silent cancer therapeutics market in Asia.Technological advancements such as non-invasive radiation therapy and increasing prevalence of cancer are key drivers for the global silent cancer therapeutics market. Also, increasing government support in the form of funding and research in oncology has fueled the market growth. Furthermore, growing aging population and rising obesity are driving the growth of the silent cancer therapeutics market.However, high costs involved in research activities and the expiry of patents of some blockbuster drugs (drugs that have an annual sale of USD 1.0 million and above) are hindering the growth of the market. Despite the high costs involved in R&D, pharmaceutical companies are showing interest in this field, which, in turn, has increased investment in the development of novel therapeutics for silent cancer.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Increasing number of mergers and acquisitions and rapid product launches are some of the latest trends in the global silent cancer therapeutic market.Some of the major companies operating in the market are Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Inc., Bayer AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, GE Healthcare, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., GlaxoSmithKline plc, CTI BioPharma Corp. and AstraZeneca plc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Retort Packaging Industry Bemis Company Inc., Coveris Holdings S.A., Mondi PLC, Sonoco Products

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Market HighlightsRetort Packaging Market will be driven by growth in the flexible packaging market and the rise in demand for ready-to-eat food with extended shelf life due to the changing lifestyle of the people. The market will also be driven by the increased adoption of the packaged baby food products and the increase in demand for pet food. The technological advancements and extensive research & development in the field of packaging are also expected to drive the demand in the retort packaging market.Request a Sample Report@Scope of the ReportThis study provides an overview of the Global Retort packaging Market, tracking three 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.By Packaging Type Pouches Cartons Trays OthersBy Material Used Polypropylene Polyester Aluminum foil Food Grade cast polypropylene Biomaterials Paper board Nylon OthersBy End user Food Beverage Pharmaceutical OthersBy Region North America Asia Pacific Europe Rest of the WorldMarket Research AnalysisThe packaging type is the most important for packaging of food, beverages, pharmaceutical and others. Among all types of packaging, pouches are the most commonly used. The pouches are light weight and provide the advantage of compact packaging for the purpose of logistics. The pouches are being used extensively for storing frozen food and even for packaging of beverages. Therefore, growth in the use of flexible packaging will directly influence retort packaging market.Browse Full RP Market @Key Players Amcor Ltd.( Australia) Berry Plastics (U.S.) Ampac Holdings, LLC (U.S.) Clondalkin Group (Netherlands) Sealed Air Corporation(U.S.) Astrapak Limited (South Korea) Bemis Company Inc. (U.S) Coveris Holdings S.A. (U.S.) Mondi PLC (Austria) Sonoco Products (U.S.)Regional AnalysisAsia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the retort packaging market with highest CAGR due to the rapidly changing lifestyle, increase in disposable income, extensive growth in population, and the constantly growing packaged food industry. The rise in demand of pet food in Russia and Poland is very fast, which contributes to the growth of the retort packaging market.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 Retort packaging Market Information from 2016 to 2022"Table of Content1 Executive Summary2 Research Methodologies3 Market Dynamics4 Global Retort packaging market, By Packaging type4.1 Pouches4.2 Cartons4.3 Trays4.4 Others5 Global Retort packaging market, By Material used5.1 Introduction5.2 Polypropylene5.3 Polyester5.4 Aluminum foil5.5 Food Grade cast polypropylene6 Global Retort packaging market, By End Use6.1 Food6.2 Beverage6.3 Pharmaceutical7 Regional Market AnalysisContinuedLIST OF TABLESTable 1 Global Retort Packaging Market, By Packaging TypeTable 2 Global Retort Packaging Market, By Material UsedTable 3 Global Retort Packaging Market, By End-UseTable 4 Global Retort Packaging Market, By RegionsTable 5 North America Retort Packaging Market, By CountryAbout Market Research FutureAt 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 AnandMarket Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comWeb:
U.S. Construction Equipment Rental Market to cross USD 23 billion by 2024 : Global Market Insights Inc

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The research report Construction Equipment Rental Market Size By Product (Earthmoving Machinery, Material Handling Machinery, Concrete & Road Construction), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024 Construction Equipment Rental Market size is expected to reach USD 75.18 billion by 2024; according to a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.The practice of leasing instead of purchasing heavy machinery has proven to be beneficial for companies of all sizes across numerous industries. Lower administrative overhead coupled with reduces expense and maintenance will drive construction equipment rental market size. Since industry vendors need to comply with the pervasive regulatory landscape, buyers benefit from elimination of replacement costs and associated expenditure. Other trends positively impacting revenue include growing technological advancements ranging from multifunctional machinery to apps for monitoring fuel consumption.Request for a sample of this research report @Key product development and innovation features include remote monitoring, ergonomic controls, quick-change attachment couplers, etc. GPS-equipped machines that can be tracked with ease on site have significantly improved fleet management. The presence of the leasing channel has also helped enhance overall customer service by ensuring high product quality, improved response time, on-time delivery, scheduled pick-ups, etc.The industry is characterized by increasing natural gas drilling activities coupled with augmentation of the highway network and formation of smart cities. This will lead to a corresponding demand in the construction equipment market, and also give impetus to the rental sector.The real estate industry that comprises commercial and residential real estate has also driven construction equipment rental market size. Developing technology with greater efficiency and accuracy in material handling has placed high emphasis on safety and productivity at the workplace; for instance, the development of automatic height-adjusting carts which has enabled the operators to work at optimal heights without aids from hydraulic, electrical or pneumatic tools. This has benefitted the material handling machinery industry to a considerable extent.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @Rising population and growing urbanization along with increasing income levels and growth in IT/ ITeS sector will propel India construction equipment rental market share.Browse key industry insights spread across 110 pages with 29 market data tables & 29 figures & charts from the report, Construction Equipment Rental Market Size By Product (Earthmoving Machinery, Material Handling Machinery, Concrete & Road Construction), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, India, China, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Key insights from the report include:Earthmoving Machinery Market contributed considerably to the global construction equipment rental market share in 2015, with the segment set to surpass USD 40 billion in revenue by 2024. This mainly includes products such as excavators and loaders, which witness considerable demand on a global scale.Concrete and road construction segment was valued at over USD 10 billion in 2015, the industry is forecast to witness growth due to new infrastructure projects.U.S. construction equipment rental market size is set to exceed USD 23 billion by 2024. Rising safety and security concerns are likely to drive installation of smart sensors in workers hard hats, boots, wristwatches and other safety equipment such as rooftop harnesses. Boot sensors helps in tracking the time duration between breaks, whereas wristwatch sensors monitor workers body temperature.Key construction equipment rental market players are United. Rentals, Hertz, Neff, Sunbelt, Ahern, etc. United Rentals acquired RSC Holdings in 2012 to accelerate the combined companys potential for growth with industrial customers and provide a lower cost base. Hertz entered into a joint venture with Dayim Holdings and Phoenix Project development in 2014 to improve the overall service offering.Other notable participants are Gemini Equipment and Rentals (GEAR), Aggreko, Terex Corporation, Maxim Crane Works, Komatsu, Liebherr and Weldex International Offshore Ltd.Suppliers offer autonomous and semi-autonomous machines to suited for the target application, which further improves the performance and helps reduce energy consumption.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.Contact Us:Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Global Gamma Knife Market Expected to Hit US$ 651,241.9 Thousand by 2020

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According to a new market report published by Persistence Market Research Global Market Study on Gamma Knife: Asia to Witness Highest Growth by 2020, the global Gamma Knife market is valued at USD 526,733.2 thousand in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2014 to 2020 to reach an estimated value of USD 651,241.9 thousand in 2020.Radiation therapy is a procedure entailing the precise delivery of high doses of radiation to tumors and other relevant anatomical targets. Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a major form of radiation therapy. It is mainly used to treat brain tumors, arteriovenous malformations, trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuroma, and pituitary tumors. Globally, the Gamma Knife market is witnessing significant growth due to increasing prevalence of cancer and obesity and growing aging population. In addition, rising number of initiatives undertaken by various government associations and the advanced features of Gamma Knife systems are also driving the growth of the market. However, stringent regulatory requirements and prolonged approval time for Gamma Knife systems and a high cost of implementation and shortage of skilled manpower inhibit the growth of the market. The global Gamma Knife market is anticipated to grow from an estimated USD 526,733.2 thousand in 2014 to USD 651,241.9 thousand by 2020 at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period.In North America, the Gamma Knife market is growing due to the rising incidence of cancer in the region. In addition, increased awareness about Gamma Knife technology for cancer treatment is also boosting the growth of the market in the region. According to WHO, approximately 2.8 million people had cancer, including brain cancer, in the U.S. in 2000. Moreover, according to the Hindawi Publishing Corporation, an international journal of surgical oncology, approximately 98,000 to 170,000 new brain metastases cases occur every year in North AmericaIn Europe, increasing prevalence of cancer is boosting the growth of the Gamma Knife market in the region. According to WHO, Europe accounts for only one-eighth of the worlds population. However, the region records around a quarter of global cancer cases. Several government associations, such as the Women Against Lung Cancer in Europe (WALCE) and European Head and Neck society (EHNS), are trying to increase awareness about breast cancer, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer and their brain metastases effects in Europe.However, Asia represents the fastest growing region in the Gamma Knife market due to the rise in cancer patients in various countries such as India, China, and Japan. According to WHO, the occurrence of cancer in India and China is set to climb at a rate of 78% from 2013 to 2030. In addition, growing aging population is also supporting the growth of the Gamma Knife market in the region.In Latin America, construction of manufacturing and research facilities by many companies is driving the Gamma Knife market in Latin America. Furthermore, the governments of Latin American countries have recognized the growing epidemic of cancer and are actively devising several patient awareness programs to raise awareness of signs and symptoms of cancer, including brain cancers.A Sample of this report is available upon request @Elekta AB, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., and Hokai are some of the leading players in the Gamma Knife market. Other major players in the Gamma Knife market include Huiheng Medical, Inc., Cyber Medical Corporation Limited, Masep Infini Global, Inc., Nordion, Inc., ET Medical Group, and American Shared Hospital Services.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Flexible display technology Market is estimated to grow by 21% of CAGR by 2022

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Market HighlightsThe study reveals that flexible display technology is trending the electronic market. The updated display technology with better features is the flexible display technology. Flexible display technology has many benefits as rugged, lightweight, non-breakable, portable and many more. Rapid IT modernization, investment in technological developments and others are the key factors driving flexible display technology market.Layers of organic compound materials are used in flexible technology; these materials have a low temperature resistance which results as a restraining factor for flexible technology market. The study indicates that continuous advancements in the technology would overcome it. Many organizations are still trying to develop the capability to infiltrate the flexible display technology in their applications such as smartphone, smart watches, tablets and many more. It has been observed that the costs for adopting flexible technology are presently high, which results as a limitation to use of flexible technology.The Flexible display technology Market is growing rapidly over 21% of CAGR and is expected to reach at USD 36 billion by the end of forecast period.Request a Sample copy of Report @Major Key Player: Samsung Display (Korea), LG Display Co. Ltd. (South Korea), Hewlett-Packard Company (U.S.), Sony Corporation (Japan), Atmel Corporation (U.S.), Kent Displays Inc. (U.S.) Universal Display Corporation (U.S.), Novaled AG (Germany), Dupont Display (U.S.), Corning Inc. (U.S.), Philips Electronics (Netherlands), Materion Corporation (U.S.), AU Optronics (Taiwan), E Ink Holdings Inc. (Taiwan)The Flexible display technology market is growing rapidly. Innovation, investment in R & D and IT modernization is a key driver in flexible display technology. The flexible display technology market is globally emerging across world. The study shows a recent trend of adopting flexible display technology. The numerous benefits of flexible display technology as thinner, portable, power saving and others have been the key drivers for the growth of flexible display technology market.The study indicates that there are still many organizations figuring out ways to develop the capability of adopting flexible display technology into their display applications. Also, the flexible display technology market as a few restraints related to cost. The study also indicates that the incapability of resisting the high temperature has been a major restraining factor for flexible display technology. The key players like Samsung, LG electronics and others are rapidly developing display technologies. The study reveals that recently Samsung is leading the flexible display technology market.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 30 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Flexible display technology Market Research Report -Forecast to 2022.Access Report Details @Market Research Analysis:Market Research Future Analysis shows that there are many companies like Samsung and LG Electronics have adopted flexible display technology. The major benefits of flexible display technology lightweight, flexible, brighter, less power consumption and others. These factors would definitely increase the flexible display technology market very soon.On geographic basis, Flexible display technology market is studied in different regions as Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of world. It has been observed that North America region is leading in the flexible display technology market. Many companies like Samsung Display, LG Display Co. Ltd. are the major contributors to the flexible display technology in the Asia-Pacific region. Study shows that European region has a positive growth in the flexible display technology market.Flexible display technology Market SegmentationThe Flexible display technology Market has been segmented on the basis of technology, application, component, material, end-user and region. Looking through the technology segment it has been observed that Organic light emitting diode (OLED) has shown a substantial increase in Flexible display technology market. Considering the applications of flexible display technology the smartphone and smart watches applications are extensively adopting the flexible display technology.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 STRUCTURE2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY2.1 RESEARCH NETWORK SOLUTION2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCH2.4 FORECAST MODEL2.4.1 MARKET DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS & FORECAST.....LIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY TECHNOLOGYTABLE 2 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY APPLICATIONTABLE 3 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY COMPONENTTABLE 4 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY MATERIALTABLE 5 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY END-USERTABLE 6 FLEXIBLE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY MARKET, BY REGIONSContinued.Browse Related ReportGlobal Smartphone screen protector Market, By Material (Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), tempered glass material, Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)), by size (0.21mm, 0.26mm, 0.33mm, 0.48mm), By Application (Smartphones, Tablets) - Forecast 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
Vehicle camera Market registers a significant growth of 10% in the next five years

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Market HighlightsVehicle camera is an onboard camera that continuously records the view through a vehicles windscreen. It may attach at top of the vehicle or in the car. Vehicle cameras also provide evidence in case of accident. Increasing the number of accidents boosted the demand of vehicle camera.Raising the customer focus on safety in parking lot as well as protection from thieves propelled the demand of this market. Also Government regulations related to safety, driving the Vehicle camera market. It is expected to register a significant growth of 10% in the next five years.North America region is a major shareholder of the Vehicle camera market. APAC region is expected to grow at good pace during the forecast period.Major Key Players Qrontech Co. Ltd. GoPro Inc. Falcon Electronics LLC DCS Systems Ltd., Continental AG., Transcend Information Inc., Pittasoft Co. Ltd., S.Will Industrial Ltd., Hyundai MnSoft.Request a Copy of Sample Report @Intended Audience Vehicle camera manufacturers Distributer & Supplier companies consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesScope of the reportThis study provides an overview of the Vehicle camera industry, tracking market segments across the categorized five geographic regions. The report provides a six-year forecast for the market size in terms of value for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The scope of the study segments the Vehicle camera market based on Vehicle Type, Camera Type, & TechnologyTaste the market data and market information presented through more than 40 market data tables and figures spread over 100 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Vehicle camera Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2022Access Full Report Details @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.Front & Rear View camera is the fastest growing type CameraDual channel i.e. front and rear view camera segment has a high growth potential and is projected to gain traction over the forecast period. Such camera offer front and rear protection to the automobile and collect all-round evidence in the case of road mishaps.Together the market data comprise and discuss with the basic assessments on the competitive scenarios & strategies, of the global cold insulation 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 @Market Segments:Segmentation by Vehicle Type Commercial Vehicle Passenger VehicleSegmentation by Camera Type Front view Rear View Front & Rear View Interior ViewSegmentation by Technology Night Vision Recording Accident Sensor Built-in GPSThis 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.Browse Related ReportGlobal Industrial hand gloves Market, by product (Reusable gloves, Disposable gloves), by material (Natural rubber, leather gloves, polyethylene gloves, nitrile gloves, neoprene gloves, metal mesh gloves) by application (automotive, healthcare, chemical, construction, food & beverage) - Forecast 2016-2022.About Market Research FutureAt 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 Biorefinery Products market is expected to reach $1128.17 billion by 2022

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Global Biorefinery Products market is accounted for $485.70 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $1128.17 billion by 2022 growing at a CAGR of 12.57%. Supportive government initiatives, advancements in technology, volatile fossil fuel prices, limited fossil fuels, increasing use of bio fuels and rising investments are some of the factors fueling the market. However, High initial investment and shortage of suppliers are the factors limiting the market growth.Industrial biotechnology segment accounted for the largest share during the forecast period. North America and Europe leads the Biorefinery market. Moreover, Asia pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.Request a sample copy of Report @Some of the key players in global biorefinery products market include Bayer Material Science LLC, Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc., Lanxes A.G, Dominion Energy Services Company, Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Valero Marketing and Supply Company, Du Pont de Nemours and Company, DSM NV, SINOPEC Beijing Yanshan Company, Abengoa Bioenergy SA, Neste Corporation, Pacific Ethanol Inc., , Renewable Energy Group Inc.,UOP LLC, Aventine Renewable Energy, POET LLC and Cargill, Inc.Feedstock Covered:Whole cropGreen bio refineriesLignocellulosicProducts Covered:EnergeticBiodieselEthanolElectricity/heatPetroleumNatural GasCoalNon EnergeticComposite MaterialsPlasticsResinsChemicalsSolventsAcidsAlcoholsSurfactantsHerbal/BotanicalsBody careDrugsAromaPharmaceuticalBrowse Full Report with TOC@Technologies Covered:Industrial BiotechnologyPhysico-chemicalThermochemicalRaw Materials Covered:Industrial biomassMarine biomassAgricultural biomassOther Raw materialsRegions Covered:North AmericaUSCanadaMexicoEuropeGermanyFranceItalyUKSpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificJapanChinaIndiaAustraliaNew ZealandRest of Asia PacificRest of the WorldMiddle EastBrazilArgentinaSouth AfricaEgyptEnquiry 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.comFollow Us on Linkedin:
Global Universal Testing Machine Market- INSTRON, JINAN SHIJIN GROUP, Jinan Fine, Jinan Kehui, Jinan Liangong, Keysight Technologies

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Global Universal Testing Machine Market report 2017 is an in-depth research on the current situation of the Universal Testing Machine industry.The Scope of the Universal Testing Machine research report:The Global Universal Testing Machine Market primarily includes a basic overview of the Universal Testing Machine industry. It also includes Universal Testing Machine definitions, classifications and applications. It segments the market by applications, types, regions, competitive players and also analyzes Universal Testing Machine market size, business share and Universal Testing Machine revenue, price and sales. The report mainly covers the Universal Testing Machine market in North America, the Universal Testing Machine market in Europe, the Universal Testing Machine market in Asia-Pacific, the Universal Testing Machine market in Latin America, Middle as well as Africa.Enquire Here Before Purchasing The Global Universal Testing Machine Market Report with TOC:Global Universal Testing Machine Market Segment By Key Players/Manufacturers ADMET AMETEK(Lloyd) Applied Test Systems Changchun Kexin Test Instrument ETS Intarlaken HRJ Hegewald & Peschke Hung Ta INSTRON JINAN SHIJIN GROUP Jinan Fine Jinan Kehui Jinan Liangong Keysight Technologies Laizhou Huayin MTS Qualitest International Shandong Drick Shanghai Hualong Shenzhen Reger Shimadzu Suns TENSON Tianshui Hongshan Tinius Olsen Torontech Group WANCE Group Zwick/RoellGlobal Universal Testing Machine Market Segment By Type Single Column Testing Machine Dual Column Testing Machine Other (Four Column Testing Machine, etc.)Global Universal Testing Machine Market Segment By Applications Scientific and Education Industrial ApplicationMarket Segment by Regions, regional analysis cover up1. North America Universal Testing Machine Market (Canada, Mexico and USA).2. Latin America Universal Testing Machine Market (Middle and Africa).3. Universal Testing Machine Market in Europe (Germany, France, Italy, UK and Russia).4. Asia-Pacific Universal Testing Machine Market (South-east Asia, China, India, Korea, and Japan).Request Sample Universal Testing Machine market Research Report atThe report (Universal Testing Machine market) focuses on worldwide major leading Universal Testing Machine industry players, which further includes information like company profiles, Universal Testing Machine price, Companys Universal Testing Machine market revenue etc. Growth prospects of the overall Universal Testing Machine industry have been presented in the report. However, to give a detailed view of the readers, detailed geographical segmentation within the globe Universal Testing Machine market has been covered in this study. The key regions along with their revenue forecasts are included in the report.Report on (Universal Testing Machine Market Report) mainly covers 15 Topics acutely display the global Universal Testing Machine market.Topic 1, to describe Universal Testing Machine market Introduction, Scope of the product, Universal Testing Machine market overview and market opportunities, Universal Testing Machine market risk, market driving force;Topic 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and Universal Testing Machine market share by key countries in these regions;Topic 7, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Universal Testing Machine, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Topic 8, analyzes the top manufacturers of Universal Testing Machine, with sales, revenue, and price of Universal Testing Machine, in 2016 and 2017;Topic 9 and 10, shows the Universal Testing Machine market by type and application, Universal Testing Machine market share, with sales and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Topic 11, Universal Testing Machine market forecast, by regions, application and type, with revenue and sales, from 2017 to 2022;Topic 12, to display the competitive situation among the top leading manufacturers, with sales, revenue and Universal Testing Machine market share in 2016 and 2017;Topic 13, 14 and 15, to describe Universal Testing Machine sales channel, distributors, dealers, traders, Conclusion and Research Findings, data source and appendix;About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact Us:James JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Global Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market- Toku, Tabe, Soosan, Rammer, NPK, Montabert

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Global Market Study Evaluate on Hydraulic Hammer Sales Industry by Type, Manufacturers, Application, Type, and Regions, Forecast up to 2022The scope of the global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market report is:This report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Hydraulic Hammer Sales market. It does so by in-depth qualitative insights, historical Hydraulic Hammer Sales market data, and verifiable projections about global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market size. The projections featured in the Hydraulic Hammer Sales market report have been derived using proven research assumptions and methodologies. By doing so, the Hydraulic Hammer Sales market research report serves as a repository of analysis and Hydraulic Hammer Sales industry information for every facet.The global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market can be segmented on the basis of Type, Hydraulic Hammer Sales Manufacturers, Regions, and Applications. Geographically, Hydraulic Hammer Sales market can be divided into Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East & Africa (MEA), and South America.Enquire Here Before Accessing the Hydraulic Hammer Sales Report with complete TOC atGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market Segment: By Key Players/Manufacturers Analysis* Toku* Tabe* Soosan* Rammer* NPK* Montabert* Metso* MSB* MKB?KONAN)* Liboshi* Italdem* Indeco* Giant* Furukawa* Eddie* EVERDIGM* Daemo* Changzhi* Atlas-copcoGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market Segment: By Applications Analysis* Construction Industry* Municipal Engineering* Mining Industry* Metallurgical Industry* OthersGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market Segment: By Type Analysis* Light Duty Hydraulic Hammer* Medium Duty Hydraulic Hammer* Heavy Duty Hydraulic HammerGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales market regional analysis covers:* Latin America Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market (Middle and Africa)* EuropeHydraulic Hammer Sales Market (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)* Asia-Pacific Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)* North America Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market (Canada, Mexico and USA)Highlights of Global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market report:Global Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market includes Manufacturers Profiles in Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market with their Business OverviewIt also includes Hydraulic Hammer Sales market by Type and ApplicationHydraulic Hammer Sales Market by Price, Revenue, Sales and Hydraulic Hammer Sales Business ShareGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market Competition, by manufacturer, Hydraulic Hammer Sales Sales and Hydraulic Hammer Sales Revenue by Regions (2012-2017)Request Sample Hydraulic Hammer Sales Research Report atGlobal Hydraulic Hammer Sales Market report mainly covers 12 sections. They are as follows:Section 1 gives us Hydraulic Hammer Sales Introduction, market overview, product scope, Hydraulic Hammer Sales market opportunities, market threat, Hydraulic Hammer Sales market driving force;Section 2 shows the global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market by regions, with sales, Hydraulic Hammer Sales market share and revenue of Hydraulic Hammer Sales, for each region, from 2017 to 2022;Section 3 and 4 displays Hydraulic Hammer Sales market forecast, by regions, application and type, with revenue and sales of Hydraulic Hammer Sales market, from 2017 to 2022;Section 5 shows the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share of Hydraulic Hammer Sales market in 2016 and 2017;Section 6 covers the global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market key regions, with sales, market share and revenue by key countries in these regions, from 2012 to 2017;Section 7, 8 and 9 analyzes the top manufacturers of Hydraulic Hammer Sales, with revenue, sales and price of Hydraulic Hammer Sales, in 2016 and 2017;Section 10 shows the global Hydraulic Hammer Sales market by type and application, with sales Hydraulic Hammer Sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Section 11 and 12 at last, gives details about Hydraulic Hammer Sales sales channel, traders, distributors for Hydraulic Hammer Sales industry, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source;About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact Us:James JohnsonS. no. 51/14 First Floor,Office No. 4, Vishwa Arcade,Near Navale Lawns, Pune.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis, Growth, Trend and Professional Survey Report 2016

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Professional Survey Report 2016" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies Telehealth and Telemedicine in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2011 to 2015, and forecast to 2021.This report focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringAerotel Medical SystemsInTouch HealthHoneywell Life Care Solutions HealthcareMedtronicTunstall HealthcareCerner CorporationCisco SystemsGE HealthcareMckesson CorporationMedvivo GroupBiotronikTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @By types, the market can be split intoType IType IIType IIIBy Application, the market can be split intoApplication 1Application 2Application 3By Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaTable of Contents1 Industry Overview of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.1 Definition and Specifications of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.1.1 Definition of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.1.2 Specifications of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.2 Classification of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.2.1 Type I1.2.2 Type II1.2.3 Type III1.3 Applications of Telehealth and Telemedicine1.3.1 Application 11.3.2 Application 21.3.3 Application 31.4 Market Segment by Regions1.4.1 North America1.4.2 China1.4.3 Europe1.4.4 Southeast Asia1.4.5 Japan1.4.6 India2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Telehealth and Telemedicine2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Telehealth and Telemedicine2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Telehealth and Telemedicine2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Telehealth and Telemedicine3 Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis of Telehealth and Telemedicine3.1 Capacity and Commercial Production Date of Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Major Manufacturers in 20153.2 Manufacturing Plants Distribution of Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Major Manufacturers in 20153.3 R&D Status and Technology Source of Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Major Manufacturers in 20153.4 Raw Materials Sources Analysis of Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Major Manufacturers in 20154 Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Overall Market Overview4.1 2011-2016E Overall Market Analysis4.2 Capacity Analysis4.2.1 2011-2016E Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Capacity and Growth Rate Analysis4.2.2 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Capacity Analysis (Company Segment)4.3 Sales Analysis4.3.1 2011-2016E Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales and Growth Rate Analysis4.3.2 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Analysis (Company Segment)4.4 Sales Price Analysis4.4.1 2011-2016E Global Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price4.4.2 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis (Company Segment)5 Telehealth and Telemedicine Regional Market Analysis5.1 North America Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.1.1 North America Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.1.2 North America 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.1.3 North America 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.1.4 North America 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share Analysis5.2 China Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.2.1 China Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.2.2 China 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.2.3 China 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.2.4 China 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share Analysis5.3 Europe Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.3.1 Europe Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.3.2 Europe 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.3.3 Europe 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.3.4 Europe 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share Analysis5.4 Southeast Asia Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.4.1 Southeast Asia Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.4.2 Southeast Asia 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.4.3 Southeast Asia 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.4.4 Southeast Asia 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share Analysis5.5 Japan Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.5.1 Japan Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.5.2 Japan 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.5.3 Japan 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.5.4 Japan 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share Analysis5.6 India Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Analysis5.6.1 India Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Overview5.6.2 India 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Local Supply, Import, Export, Local Consumption Analysis5.6.3 India 2011-2016E Telehealth and Telemedicine Sales Price Analysis5.6.4 India 2015 Telehealth and Telemedicine Market Share AnalysisMake 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 Infrared Filters Market 2016 focuses on top manufacturers Andover Corporation, Sense-tech Innovation Company, Prazisions Glas & Optik, Nantong Yinxing Optical

Global Infrared Filters Market 2016

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The latest report Infrared Filters Market by QY Research added to it's database and brings to light the comprehensive study and factual information of global market. The report also provides the global market segmentation based on applications, end-users, technology, and geography. The Infrared Filters research report offers a comprehensive assessment of the Infrared Filters market and consists of historical data, scope, significant approaches and statistical data of the global market. Besides these, it also includes anticipated facts that are assessed with the aid of an appropriate set of postulations and techniques.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 Infrared Filters market.To Request Sample Copy Of This Report @The report includes rigorous data, in-depth analysis in two ways, namely, quantitative and qualitative, industry professionals inputs and data given by the industry members and industry analysts involved in the complete value cycle. The report features thorough study of important market and their current trends, coupled with respective market segments. Information about the numerous factors and their influence on the global market and its segments is also mentioned in the Infrared Filters report.The study report evaluates the range of factors of the Infrared Filters industry, such as definition, demands, share, analysis, supply, sales, size, specification, forecast trends, production, classification, industry policy, news, and application. The global Infrared Filters market report will provide significant and reliable information on the market clearly in structured format. The report will offers you a key manufacturer of the products, applications, DROS and others.Browse Complete report With TOC available @Moreover, the report assessed key market features, including price, revenue, capacity utilization rate, growth rate, capacity, production, gross, supply, consumption, cost, market share, demand, import, gross margin, export, and much more.The Infrared Filters report is a useful documentation that aids distributors, manufacturers, suppliers, customers, investors & individuals who are interested in this market.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.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
The Reasons for the Rise in Global Thermal printing market In Recent Period.

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Global Thermal printing Market Research Report 2016 Purchase This Report by calling ResearchnReports.com at +1-888-631-6977.This report studies Thermal printing in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringZebra Technologies Corporation.Honeywell International IncSeiko Epson CorporationSATO Holdings CorporationStar Micronics Co., Ltd.Bixolon Co., Ltd.Brother International CorporationCitizen Holdings Co., Ltd.TSC Auto ID Technology Co., LtdToshiba TEC CorporationEnquiry for Buying:Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Thermal printing in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, and market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoLabel & Tag PrinterMobile PrinterPoint of Sale PrinterKiosks & Ticket PrinterCard PrinterRFID PrinterSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Thermal printing in each application, can be divided intoRetailTransportation & LogisticsHealthcareManufacturingOthersGet Discount on Thermal printing market report at USD 2900 (Single User License):Table of Content:-Global Thermal printing Market Research Report 20161 Thermal printing Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Thermal printing1.2 Thermal printing Segment by Type2 Global Thermal printing Market Competition by Manufacturers3 Global Thermal printing Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2011-2016)4 Global Thermal printing Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2011-2016)5 Global Thermal printing Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type6 Global Thermal printing Market Analysis by Application7 Global Thermal printing Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis8 Thermal printing Manufacturing Cost Analysis9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders11 Market Effect Factors Analysis12 Global Thermal printing Market Forecast (2016-2021)13 Research Findings and Conclusion14 AppendixComplete Report available at:Company Overview:Research N Reports is a new age market research firm where we focus on providing information that can be effectively applied. Today being a consumer driven market, companies require information to deal with the complex and dynamic world of choices. Where relying on a sound board firm for your decisions becomes crucial. Research N Reports specializes in industry analysis, market forecasts and as a result getting quality reports covering all verticals, whether be it gaining perspective on current market conditions or being ahead in the cut throat United States and Global and Global competition. Since we excel at business research to help businesses grow, we also offer consulting as an extended arm to our services which only helps us gain more insight into current trends and problems. Consequently we keep evolving as an all-rounder provider of viable information under one roof.Contact us:Mr. Sunny DenisContact No. +1-888-631-6977sales@researchnreports.com(ResearchnReports)
Renewable Materials in Construction Market to Reap Excessive Revenues by 2024

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/13072

http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13072

Global Renewable Materials in Construction Market: DynamicsThe global construction industry is growing with growing urbanization and population. Upsurge in end-use industry (i.e. construction) is a crucial factor boosting the demand for global renewable materials in the construction market. In the growing global construction industry, the green construction segment holds a significant share. Renewable materials play a vital role in the green construction segment where they help to reduce carbon foot print, enhance the life of building structures and rehabilitate aging structures. Due to environmental friendly characteristics of renewable materials and government regulations that support the use of renewable materials by providing incentives, the global renewable materials in construction market is expected to show significant growth in future.A sample of this report is available upon request @Higher costs and market barriers (i.e. less investment by property owners as occupants get comparatively more benefits) are the two major restraining factors affecting the growth of global renewable materials in the construction market.Now a days, end users prefer renewable materials for their homes to transform their homes into an energy saving zone.Global Renewable Materials in Construction Market: SegmentationThe global renewable materials in construction market can be segmented on the basis of type, application and end use. On the basis of type, the global renewable materials in construction market can be segmented into crop-based materials and non-crop based materials. Crop-based materials segment is further divided into insulation material (sheep's wool, hemp, flax), light structural walls (straw bale, straw-clay, hemp-lime), natural paints and finishes, wall and floor coverings, geotextiles, thatch and timber and timber products. Non-crop based materials are further segmented into recyclable metals, plastics, composites, concrete and others. On the basis of application, the global renewable materials in the construction market can be segmented into exterior products (windows, green roofing, green doors and green siding), interior products (green floor coverings, green insulation and green gypsum board), building systems (HVAC systems, nonresidential glazing, water-efficient plumbing fixtures & fittings and residential lighting fixtures), solar power products, structural products (recyclable concrete, lumber and wood) and permeable pavement. On the basis of end use, the global renewable materials in the construction market can be segmented into residential and non-residential segments. The non-residential segment is further divided into office & commercial, institutional, industrial and other non-residential construction sites.Global Renewable Materials in Construction Market: Region-wise OutlookStrict government regulations in the North America region encourage people to use renewable materials in the construction segment. Hence, the demand for renewable materials in the construction market in North America is expected to grow at a relatively higher rate and account for a maximum share of the global renewable materials in the construction market. European countries have started implementing green building technology for retrofitting and renovating purposes. Renewable materials market in Asia Pacific and rest of the world also shows high growth due to adverse climatic conditions and favorable government initiatives.Request to view Table of content @Global Renewable Materials in Construction Market: Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants involved in the manufacturing of renewable materials in construction include BASF SE, Alumasc Group Plc., Binderholz GmbH, Bauder Limited, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Interface Inc., Forbo International SA, Kingspan Group plc., Surfaces, Inc., Cold Mix Manufacturing Corp., Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., Green Fiber, LLC, National Fiber Technology, LLC, Sika AG, ZinCo USA, Inc., PPG Industries, Inc., Soben International Eco Ltd., Sunlight Electrical Pte Ltd. GE Sealants and Adhesives, Inc., Madar Emirates, UAE Enterprises, Calvert Company, United Agencies, Bena German Emarati Co., Hydro-turf International, Scheuten Solar, etc.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Medical Nonwoven Disposables Market to be Driven by Increased Chance of Prevalence of Epidemic or Pandemic Disease

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The technological advancement in healthcare and increasing demand for advancement in the wound dressing technique are driving the growth of the global medical nonwoven disposable market. The rising government initiatives for manufacturing nonwoven medical fabric is also anticipated to be a crucial factor in determining the progress of the overall market.The report states that the global medical nonwoven disposables market will be worth US$18.4 bn by the end of 2024 as compared to US$12.9 bn in 2015. Between the forecast years of the period of 2016 and 2024, the global market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4%. The monumental demand for polyethylene due to its low cost is yet another key factor assessed to be responsible for the strengthening of the global medical nonwoven disposables market.Obtain Report Details @Surgical Products to Remain in High Demand as their Quality ImprovesThe global medical nonwoven disposable market is segmented according to the type of products, materials used, end users and geography. According to the type of product, the market is segmented into surgical products, wound dressing, and incontinence products. Further, the surgical products are further segmented into drapes, gowns, caps, masks and others. Technological advancement in the healthcare is a major factor driving the growth of the surgical products.In surgical products, drapes are the widely used products and followed by gowns. The gowns caps and masks are expected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period. The wound dressing segment, which is further segmented into bandages, tapes, post  operative wound dressing, operative wound dressing, and dressing pad. The wound dressing segment is driven by post-operative wound dressing products. On the other hand, demand for incontinence products will remain high ambulatory surgical centers and diagnostic centers.Increasing Mergers and Acquisitions Put North America in the LeadIn terms of geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa. North America dominates the medical nonwoven disposables market and is expected to continue to dominate during the forecast period. Increasing number of mergers and acquisitions and technological advancement are major factors contributing to the growth of the medical nonwoven disposables in North America. Europe follows the lead due to the increasing adoption of the usage of medical nonwoven disposables.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Asia Pacific is expected to project a significant growth during the forecast period especially due to increasing awareness in countries like China, India, and Japan. Increasing government expenditure in healthcare is an important factor contributing to the growth of medical nonwoven disposables market in Asia Pacific.International trade development and improving economic condition across countries of Latin America are major factors responsible for the growth of medical nonwoven disposables market in this region. The Middle East and Africa is expected to project a significant growth due to increasing government initiatives and rising awareness regarding the use of medical nonwoven disposables in this region.The important players shaping the growth of the global medical nonwoven disposables market are Kimberly-Clark Corporation Medline Industries, Inc., Paul Hartmann AG, Molnlycke Health Care, Ahlstrom Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Medtronic, Inc., Svenska Cellulosa, Freudenberg & Co. KG, Aktiebolaget SCA, and Domtar Corporation.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. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market 2017 :Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Bruker Optics, HORIBA Scientific, Phenom-World, Felles Photonic

High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market

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https://goo.gl/24dwQi

Report covers High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy global sales and global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market growth rate [2011 to 2021]. Below is the list of some key points of High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market report.The QY Market research study convey remarkable naturalistic facts and statistics of the worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market. The report presents a deep study of the market growth factors and drivers. In-depth research of the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market limitations and the opportunities enable the user to make the future projection. The report also covers proceeding Market trends depends on the technological advancements, innovations and manufacturing procedure.Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report Here:Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Manufacturers Analysis/Key Competitors :-Carl Zeiss MicroscopyBruker OpticsHORIBA ScientificMatsusadaPhenom-WorldRigaku CorporationNikonFelles PhotonicGlobal High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market 2017 report also has a explanation of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in % value for the particular period for High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market that will assist the user to conclude the decision based on a futuristic chart. The High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market report also contains detail information of the key Manufacturers along with suppliers as well as vendors. The report also focuses on the geographical distribution of the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market across the globe with the analysis done by our qualified researchers.The High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market report provides an in-depth overview of various segments based on product type, technology, end-users and application. The regional analysis of the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market is developed by considering the performance of the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy industry in the particular region. Thus, the similar analysis is used to estimate the upcoming forecast of the global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market.Get Free Sample of Report:A] High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market by Regions:-1. North America High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)2. China High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)3. Europe High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)4. Japan High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)5. South east Asia High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)6. India High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market Status, Prospect (2011-2021)B] Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market Size (Value and Volume) [2011 to 2021].C] Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Manufacturers Analysis/Key Competitors :-D] Global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy sales and High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market share by type [2011 to 2017].E] Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy revenue and growth rate [2011 to 2021].F] Global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy [Volume and Value] by Regions  USA High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy , China High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy , Europe High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy , Japan High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy (Volume, Value and Sales Price).The report also produce extensively details about the description, definitions which are associated to the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy industry and also highlights the modification and changes made to ease the productivity. These company chain and government permission applicable to the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market are also included in the report.The characteristics of the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy industry are evaluated in a qualitative and quantitative way to compare the High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market regionally and globally. Moreover, the report is designed with many graphical presentations that include chart, figures, and graphs which are depend on the statistical data along with exact pricing and revenue of the products.G] Global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Manufacturing Cost Analysis 1. Price Trend of High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Key Raw Materials.2. Key Suppliers of High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Raw Materials.3. High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials.H] Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers  [on High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market scenario].I] High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy market report also covers:-1. High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Marketing Strategy Analysis,2. Distributors/Traders of High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy ,3. High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market Positioning,J] High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Market Effect Factors Analysis also covered.K] Worldwide High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Sales, Revenue Forecast:-1. High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Sales Forecast (2017 to 2021) by Regions,2. Global High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Sales Forecast (2017 to 2021) by Type,3. High Resolution 3D X-Ray Microscopy Sales Forecast by Application.About Us:Industry Report 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.Contact US:Florida, United States
Business Intelligence Market worth USD 34.3 Billion by 2022: Industry Application and Forecast

Business Intelligence Market

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2299

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/business-intelligence-market-2299

https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/2299

Market HighlightsBusiness Intelligence Market is expected to grow at CAGR of ~11.0% from 2016 to 2022 and expected to reach market size of US ~$34.3 Billion by the end of forecast period.Business Intelligence Market is growing rapidly with the emerging need of market intelligence. The growing demand of the business intelligence solutions among the small and large enterprise companies help to increase the utilization of their data in the optimum way. The usage of these solutions helps to simplify association, sharing and upgrade alignment with a single source for meticulous financial and operational information. Business Intelligence also boost insights to understand and analyze business completion and opportunities on profound level.Business intelligence is unable to deliver self-service analysis or reporting, the BI tools are complicated and can be used by professionals within the organization. Analysis across multiple system also challenges the business intelligence tools as the data is often is across collection of different system and software. To unlocking the hidden data in system is also the major challenge faced by the business intelligence. The growing demand of business intelligence and analytics software is significant in large enterprises; however, small and medium organizations are also looking for investing in this software as the benefit associated with it encourages its adoption.Request a Sample Copy of Report @Key Players:The prominent players in the market of Business Intelligence (BI) are  Verizon wireless (U.S.) Rackspace (U.S.) AT&T (U.S) Cisco Systems (U.S.) IBM Corp. (U.S.) Juniper Networks (U.S.) VMware (U.S.) SAP SE (Germany) Microsoft Corp (U.S) SAS Institute (U.S)Access Report Details @Business Intelligence MarketThe Global Business Intelligence Market has been segmented on the basis of, technology, service, component, deployment, organization, and industry. By technology involves mobile BI, Cloud BI, Social BI and others. By Service includes managed service, hosted service and others. By Deployment includes On-Cloud and On-Premises. Whereas, by organization it includes small business units, by component it include hardware and software and large business units and by industry it is segmented into Telecom & IT, education, manufacturing, retail, banking and others.Market Research Analysis:Market Research Future Analysis shows that the growing demand of intelligence service in small and medium business units acts as a major contributor in the growth of global business intelligence market, due to its deployment and cost effective features. The implacable rise in large amount of data and customer interest in mobile mechanism has achieved new pathways which helps in the growth of this market. Cloud based business intelligence demand has significantly grown due to cost effective and easier classification features. Business intelligence has given the industry dynamic tool to improve operational efficiency. Business intelligence identify and develop the new cross sell and upsell opportunity and carry more online marketing campaigns. Business intelligence market is likely towards completion in North America and Europe. However emerging in the APAC and Latin America regions as they are investing in business intelligence for strategic decision making in the business process.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
Takeda, Janssen and Vericel Corporation discuss Rapid Microbial Methods at Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA

Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA 2017

www.pharma-microbiology-usa.com/openpr

www.pharma-microbiology-usa.com/openpr

http://www.smi-online.co.uk

After the success of SMis Pharmaceutical Microbiology UK shows, the event will launch stateside in San Diego, USA on the 8th and 9th June 2017 for Pharmaceutical Microbiology USA.The two day conference will discuss: Environmental monitoring, endotoxin recovery, sterility assurance, data integrity, biofilms and the hot topic of rapid microbial methods.Rapid microbial methods will be explored on day two of the conference by Takeda, Janssen and Vericel Corporation as they look at the challenges involved, validity and US approval.Kevin Luongo, QC Sr. Scientist (Microbiology) from Takeda will present on Challenges involved with microbial control. He will speak on: A CMO-focused microbial control strategy, the challenges with managing an external manufacturing program and the future of microbial control.Ron Smith, Director, External Supply Integration Quality from Janssen will be providing attendees with his presentation on Validation of a rapid microbial method: case studies for microbial limits and sterility testing . Ron will provide an overview of the approach for testing equivalence of a qualitative method and case studies on demonstrating equivalence to pour plate method for Microbial Limits testing of betamethosone suspension and demonstrating equivalence to membrane filtration sterility test method for a saline product.John Duguid, Senior Director, Research & Development from Vericel Corporation will discuss US approval of three rapid microbiological methods for MACI product release. He will speak about: Same day product release is needed for MACI autologous cultured chondrocytes on porcine collagen membrane) Automated rapid microbiological methods enable test results within hours Regulatory requirements are continuing to evolveThey will be joined by GSK, Bimeda, Sanofi, Amgen, Microrite, Excellent Pharma Consulting, Renaissance Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Merck and many moreRunning alongside the conference will be two pre-conference workshops held on the 7th June.WORKSHOP A: Technologies for Monitoring Contamination Control and Case Studies on Contamination Control. Hosted by Jim Polarine Jr, Senior Technical Service Manager, STERIS Corporation and Andrew Bartko, Research Leader, Battelle Memorial Institute.WORKSHOP B: Microbial Required Use for Terminal Sterilization. Hosted by Jerry Dalfors, Principal, JD TechnologiesFor those wanting to attend, there is currently an early bird offer available; book by 31st March to save $200 off the conference price. Register atPharmaceutical Microbiology USA is sponsored by Charles River, Rapid Microbiosytems and BiomerieuxFor sponsorship packages: Contact Alia Malick +44 (0) 207 827 6168 or e-mail amalick@smi-online.co.uk.For delegate enquiries: Contact Fateja Begum on +44 (0) 20 7827 6184 or email fbegum@smi-online.co.ukFor media enquiries, contact Zoe Gale on +44 (0) 20 7827 6138 or zgale@smi-online.co.ukPharmaceutical Microbiology USA8 - 9 June 2017San Diego, California, USAContact e-mail: zgale@smi-online.co.ukContact tel: +44 (0) 207 827 6184#smimicrobiology---- END ----About SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atGround & First Floor1 Westminster Bridge RoadLondon, SE1 7XW
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Market to grow at over 29.3% CAGR from 2016 to 2024

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The Research Report on Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) Market Size By Vehicle Type (Commercial Vehicles, Passenger Vehicles), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2024, (AEB) Automatic Emergency Braking Market size will cross USD 15 billion by 2024, as per a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc. Worldwide installations are forecast to exceed 45 million units by 2024.Growing awareness about vehicle safety among customers and manufacturers will drive the AEB market. Governments and other organizations are actively involved in introducing and mandating the utilization of these technologies in vehicles. Rear end collisions that occur due to tailgating are the most common types of accidents. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that rear-end collisions represent one-third of the vehicle crashes. While few accidents cause human losses, some involve major injuries and property damages.Request for a sample of this research report -The European Commission has adopted road safety programs aimed at reducing road deaths in Europe between 2011 and 2020. These programs set various initiatives focusing on improving vehicle safety, infrastructure, and road user behavior. From 2014, Euro NCAP mandated vehicles in the EU were to be equipped with active safety systems, which avoid or mitigate collisions with low and intermediate speed to achieve a 5-star rating. This assessment particularly focused on the quality aspect of how well driver assistance systems perform in a given test scenario.AEB market adoption depends upon the nature of the road conditions. Real-time up-to-date information is a critical element of the system, which includes information about dynamic road conditions, intended action of other vehicles, and environmental or road infrastructure. The economic factors associated with the AEB market growth include decreasing the severity of accidents, which reduces the vehicle damage and reduces insurance claims. Moreover, insurance companies are also lowering their premiums.High acceptance rates in developed countries are likely to encourage the adoption of autonomous vehicles. However, the lack of penetration in emerging countries is restricting the automatic emergency braking market growth despite the high willingness to buy AEB-enabled vehicles. The growth of the ADAS component suppliers depends on its penetration, regulations, and availability.Mandatory governmental regulations drive the AEB market demand in Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). Rising road crashes and fatality chances by HCVs create demand for AEB installation to avoid property and human losses that occur due to accidents. The EU region has currently mandated technology incorporation for commercial vehicles as a high priority.Make an inquiry for purchasing this report @EMEA automatic emergency braking market share was over 45% in 2015. Consumers in the EU are focused towards adopting advanced safety technologies thus driving the AEB market demand.The APAC automatic emergency braking market will show future growth prospects during the forecast period owing to the rising infrastructure development required for installation. Growing infrastructure and highway development are likely to present considerable growth opportunity for the application of these technologies in inter-city and city traffic.The willingness to adopt these systems among consumers is high in developing countries, but the price and infrastructure required for this technology are restricting the adoption. Companies succeeding in providing cost-effective and need-specific features are likely to get economic benefits and brand differentiation.Some AEB market participants are Bosch, Autoliv, Mobileye, Continental, and ZF-TRW. Frequent mergers and acquisitions along with collaborations are among the major trends. For instance, Bosch in collaboration with Land Rover has developed stereo vision camera, which can operate AEB stand-alone with no extra sensors. It eliminates the use of radar combination and video sensors.AEB market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD billion from 2014 to 2024, for the following segments:AEB Market By Vehicle Commercial PassengerThe above information is provided on a regional basis for the following: North America U.S. Canada EMEA Germany UK France Italy Russia Asia Pacific China Japan South Korea Latin America Brazil MexicoBrowse Related Reports: Automotive Air Filters Market Size By Application (Light & Heavy Commercial Vehicles, & Two Wheelers, Passenger Cars), By Product (Cabin, Intake), By End-Use (Aftermarket, OEM), Industry Outlook Report, Regional Analysis, Application Development, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2015  2022Global 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.Arun HegdeCorporate Sales, USAGlobal Market Insights, Inc.Phone: 1-302-846-7766Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688Email: sales@gminsights.comWeb:Blog:Connect with us: Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter
Vacuum supply with 70 per cent less energy consumption

Packaging line with tray sealer for packing olives in trays

www.buschvacuum.com

Antipasti and delicatessen products have been the speciality of the Feinkost Dittmann delicatessen company for over one hundred years. At the production site in Taunusstein, Germany, various products are manufactured as preserves in glasses or as fresh products packed in plastic trays. Vacuum supply for the packaging machines has been performed by a central vacuum system by Busch for over a year [installation 12/2013]. It is considerably more economical than the vacuum technology used previously. The energy consumption alone was reduced by more than 70 per cent.The history of Feinkost Dittmann (Reichold Feinkost GmbH) goes back to 1901, when Carl Dittmann opened a delicatessen business in Wiesbaden, Germany. Today, Feinkost Dittmann is the German market leader for olives, antipasti, capers, garlic and anchovy specialities and the most popular delicatessen brand in the German trade market. The family-run business has its headquarters in Diez, Germany near Limburg an der Lahn. The German production plant is in Taunusstein near Wiesbaden, where a total of 320 employees produce different antipasti specialities made, for example, from olives, feta cheese, garlic, pepper or dried tomatoes and many other delicacies. In turn, these are sent to national and international retail store chains and discount stores under the company's various own brand names. The family business currently exports its diverse specialities to over 30 countries worldwide. Feinkost Dittmann also produces delicatessen products at its own facilities in Spain, Greece and Turkey.Products in the so-called "fresh department" are packed in plastic trays in the production building in Taunusstein. During this process, air is sucked out of the packaging trays before a CO2N2 protective gas mixture is added to the package. Synthetic material foils are then used to give the packaging a gas tight seal before the packaging is closed with an additional plastic cover. This type of packaging guarantees that the oxygen content is under one per cent thanks to the evacuation of air and use of protective gas in the packaging. This dramatically increases the products' shelf life. The product presentation with transparent packaging is also ideal because foil does not lay directly on the product or even perhaps crush the product due to the negative pressure in the packaging.In total, four packaging machines (tray sealers) are used for packing during two-shift operation. The vacuum required for this is generated by six oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps with 5.5 kilowatts of motor power each. They were originally installed directly on the packaging machines. For hygienic reasons and to reduce the thermal load in the production rooms, these vacuum pumps were later installed in a separate room above the production room and connected to the packaging machines using a pipe network. Andreas Lutz, the technical project manager in the production plant, was not very happy with this solution because the vacuum pumps still required high levels of maintenance. Also, fluctuations or failures in the vacuum network were first noticed if one of the packaging machines showed an error message and automatically shut down when the vacuum level was not reached quickly enough or was not reached at all. This led to repeated production downtimes on individual packaging lines.In 2013, Andreas Lutz contacted the vacuum specialists from Busch. They were tasked with offering a more reliable and efficient solution. At the same time, continued use of the existing pipe network was to be integrated. In addition, the vacuum supply was to be designed in such a way that connection of further packaging machines would be possible if production capacity were to grow. Busch analysed the conditions on site and all technical parameters in detail and worked together closely with the project manager from Feinkost Dittmann and the in-house laboratory. The result of this analysis and comprehensive consultation was a central vacuum system with four Mink claw vacuum pumps.These have the basic advantage that they do not require an operating fluid such as oil in the compression chamber. This makes all maintenance work that has to do with oil unnecessary; for example, oil checks, oil changes, oil filter changes and the costs for procuring and disposing of oil and filters. Mink claw vacuum pumps also use non-contact operation. This means that there are no parts in the compression chamber that come into mechanical contact and thus cause wear. This renders the exchange of wear parts and the associated working hours and costs unnecessary. The non-contact operation method of claw vacuum technology also enables a high degree of efficiency and thus requires less motor power than conventional vacuum pumps.This central vacuum system was installed at the end of 2013. Three vacuum containers with a volume of 3,000 litres each are upstream from the Mink claw vacuum pumps. This ensures that sufficient vacuum levels are immediately available at the machines when they are needed.Previously, all six rotary vane vacuum pumps were in operation an average of 15 hours per day. The Mink vacuum pumps in the new central system are controlled so that only those currently needed for the actual vacuum requirements are running.Two of the vacuum pumps with standard motors are responsible for the so-called base load. The other two vacuum pumps are frequency controlled and ensure fine adjustment of the vacuum requirements by adjusting their speed. With this intelligent solution, the pumping speed of the central vacuum system adjusts itself precisely to the current requirements.These controls drastically reduce the actual operating times of the individual vacuum pumps because, during normal operation, all four vacuum pumps never need to operate at full load. So Feinkost Dittmann's central vacuum system has sufficient power reserves to connect further packaging machines. There is a plan to additionally connect a vacuum filler for glass preserves, which would eliminate the need for the current decentralized liquid ring vacuum pump installation with 7.5 kilowatt drive and thus create further energy savings.After more than two years of operation, project manager Andreas Lutz is extremely positive when he takes stock of the situation:- Reduction of energy requirements by more than 70 per cent- Drastic reduction of maintenance efforts- Increased reliability- No failures or breakdownsMaintenance of the new central vacuum system is performed by service technicians from Busch. However, this is limited to annual measurements of the ultimate pressure and current consumption at each of the individual vacuum pumps as well as changing the upstream particle filters and an oil change in the gearbox.Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems is one of the largest manufacturers of vacuum pumps, blowers and compressors in the world.With a lot of experience and top qualified personnel, we are forward-looking and strive to improve our products and ourselves. We are constantly at work developing innovative technologies that will define the vacuum world of the future.Our manufacturing plants utilize the most modern manufacturing techniques, machinery and equipment under very strict quality controls, which surpass DIN EN ISO 9001 requirements.As of 2016, Busch Vacuum Pumps and Systems employs more than 3000 people and features the largest selection of vacuum pumps for the industrial applications in the world. Due to its immense line of vacuum pumps, expertise and experience in the building of vacuum systems and the extensive service network, Busch is capable of providing ideal comprehensive solutions.With 60 companies in 42 countries and sales agents in over 30 countries, we are strategically positioned throughout the world to provide our customers with the essentials for success.Our goal always is to provide the customer with the highest possible return on investment. Personal consulting, choice of the optimum product and prompt service on site are key features of our comprehensive service that make the achievement of this goal reality. Our experience and know how in broadly diversified applications and product design furnish the basis.Buschs headquarter is located in Maulburg, Germany. Besides Busch Holding, the German manufacturing plant, Busch Produktions GmbH, the sales organization, Dr.-Ing. K. Busch GmbH and service company, Busch Dienste GmbH are headquartered here. In addition, Busch operates production plants in Switzerland, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Korea and the USA.Uli MerkleHead of Marketing ServicesTelephone: +49 (0)7622 681-144E-Mail: Uli.Merkle@busch.deWebsite:
Global Aquarium Market 2017 - EHEIM, Juwel Aquarium, Hagan, Marukan, D-D, TMC, OASE, PHILPS, Tetra

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The recent report on Aquarium market offers insightful information about the present scenario of the market across the globe. The report, titled Aquarium points out the key factors affecting the growth of the market. Latest market trends as well as the future growth opportunities have been mentioned in the report. The report takes into account the various micro- and macro-economic factors governing the overall growth of the Aquarium market and assesses the valuation and size of the market in the coming years.Download Free Sample Report @The report talks about the distinct traits of the Aquarium market and provides in-depth study of the various segments of the market. The report especially focusses on the development of the Aquarium market in China owing to the increased demand from the region which has attracted the attention of the key manufacturers. Various regulations directly or indirectly affecting the Aquarium market in the region have been discussed in the report. The report takes note of the present state of the global economy, which after witnessing double-digit growth for three decades, is slowing down. Governments efforts to push the economy is expected to positively affect the various sectors and increase demand from the market.The report discusses the competitive vendor landscape of the Aquarium market in the globe. Some of the key players in the market have been profiled in the report and crucial information about them such as their business overview, revenue segmentation, and product segmentation have been mentioned in the report. The report takes note of the market share held by the key players and estimates their future growth through SWOT analysis. It serves as a useful guide for the new entrants in the Aquarium market.Access Full Report With TOC @Several analytical tools such as market attractiveness analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis are employed to study the global Aquarium market, whereas SWOT analysis and Porters five forces analysis are utilized to evaluate the major players in the Aquarium market in this report.This report not only provides a complete picture of the overall condition of the Aquarium market, but also assists the players in this market to create profitable market strategies in order to gain a competitive edge.Fior 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.Contact UsMark StoneSales ManagerPhone: (201) 465-4211Email: sales@fiormarkets.comWeb:Blog:
Ethyl Ascorbic Acid Market Estimated to Flourish by 2026

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Ethyl ascorbic acid is a derivative of vitamin C.It exhibits properties which are excellent for skin brightening activity. The chemical structure of ethyl ascorbic is unique, in the chemical structure, the ethyl group forms an ether with the 3-hydroxy group of the ascorbic acid, resulting in much higher stability. Whereas other commercialized ascorbic acid derivatives are ethers at the 2-hydroxy position. Ethyl ascorbic acid acts as a potent inhibitor of melanogenesis. Owing to properties of ethyl ascorbic acid it is mostly incorporated into cosmetic products. And over the forecast period, it is anticipated that ethyl ascorbic market is expected to register a healthy CAGR.A sample of this report is available upon request @The growth of the global ethyl ascorbic acid market is driven by growing the cosmetic industry and pharmaceuticals industry. The macroeconomic factor responsible for the growth of the global ethyl ascorbic acid market is the rapid rate of urbanization, rising disposable income, and changing the lifestyle of consumers. With the rise in literacy level and awareness consumers now look for a product which can meet their required demands. The key factor restraining the global ethyl ascorbic acid market is an adverse effect of ethyl ascorbic acids such as loosening, peeling, and blistering of the skin, joint, muscle, and bone pain. The company providing the ethyl ascorbic acid have significantly high opportunity in regions such as Asia-Pacific, MEA, etc. owing to the significant demand for ethyl ascorbic acid with rising demand for skin whitening products. The ethyl ascorbic acid market also has a significant opportunity in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa region as these are the emerging market, attributed to rising disposable income of consumers in this region.The global ethyl ascorbic acid market is segmented by application, end user, and region. By application global ethyl ascorbic acid market is segmented as chemicals, medical formulations, cosmetics. The chemical segment is further segmented as chemical industry, fertilizers, and metallurgy. The detergent segment is further segmented as metal and non-metal depending on the application. Among the application segment, chemicals contribute to the significant revenue share over the forecast period in the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to increasing demand for ethyl ascorbic acid in various segments of the chemical industry. By end-user, the global ethyl ascorbic acid market is segmented as the pharmaceutical industry, dyeing industry, cosmetic industry, chemical industry, and others; wherein the pharmaceutical segment is growing at a significant CAGR.Request to view Table of content @Based on the geographies, the global ethyl ascorbic acid market is fragmented into seven key regions -- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Japan, and the Middle East & Africa. Among the regions mentioned above, North America accounts for a significant share of the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to relatively high-value share of the region in the global pharmaceutical industry. Western Europe is followed by North America region in the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to the substantial growth of chemical industry in the region. The Asia-Pacific except Japan region accounts for significantly high volume share in the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to the substantial growth in the cosmetic industry in this region. Eastern Europe and Japan also accounts for significant value share in the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to the significant growth of the cosmetic industry over the forecast period. The developing economy such as Middle East Africa and Latin America have a moderate opportunity in the global ethyl ascorbic acid market, owing to the moderate growth rate in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry and growing population. Overall, the outlook for the global ethyl ascorbic acid market will have a positive growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing demand for the pharmaceuticals as an anti-counterfeiting measure.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Nuclear Medicine, Proton Therapy, Brachytherapy reports and directories

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Nuclear medicine, proton therapy and brachytherapy are niche markets which together represents less than 0.1% of the global health expenditures but should grow three times faster. While the global expenses on health reached some US$ 7,500 billion in 2016 and should growth by 3-4% a year to 2030, the nuclear medicine, proton therapy and brachytherapy markets reached over US$ 6 billion in 2016 and are expected to growth more than 10% annually till 2030.These exciting healthcare technologies are covered in several reports and directories with over 1,900 pages of unbiased and factual intelligence from experts, including comprehensive profiles of the hundreds of companies active in nuclear medicine, cyclotrons, proton therapy and brachytherapy. Each report can be customized to specific geographic areas, indications or modalities upon request. Sample pages and complete table of contents are available upon request. MEDraysintell also welcomes your requests for specific intelligence needs in these areas.The global radiopharmaceuticals market has entered an era of high potential for growth, involving new technologies and a high number of products close to being marketed or under advanced stage development. Radiotherapeutics are key drivers of this growth with several blockbuster radiotherapeutics to be marketed in the coming years.The proton therapy market has been very active during the last two years, with many treatment rooms ordered worldwide. There is now a clear positive stance on the future of the proton therapy market, and this technology is becoming a real part of the global radiotherapy world.The global market for brachytherapy is expected to grow by 8% a year to 2030 mainly driven by the microspheres and electronic brachytherapy and with the LDR brachytherapy seeds market mainly growing in emerging regions.About MEDraysintellStrategic intelligence for the radiation healthcareBringing value to Businesses and Investors!MEDraysintell is a team of international experts providing first-rate strategic intelligence in nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, proton therapy and brachytherapy.We offer the most comprehensive set of reports and directories, with over 1,900 pages of unrivaled intelligence covering some of the most exciting healthcare technologies using radiation for diagnosis and treatment. We offer client-specific intelligence in the field of radiation healthcare, with the upmost knowledge leveraging our extended network of worldwide contacts. We are proud to support numerous companies globally, helping them better understand the markets, competitive environment as well as the potential of merger and acquisitions (M&A) and technology development. We have repeat satisfied clients operating in the field of medical radiation, investment banks and institutional investors, large international consulting firms and universities research laboratories.MEDraysintell was created in 2013 by Paul-Emmanuel Goethals and Richard Zimmermann. It combines over 40 years of experience in radiation healthcare.Paul-Emmanuel Goethals, MBAChemin du Cyclotron, 61348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgiumpeg@medraysintell.comMobile: +32 491 080 968Richard Zimmermann, PhDLalaye, Francerz@medraysintell.comMobile: +33 6 82 80 06 00
Maetrics launches Swiss seminar series

www.maetrics.co.uk

www.thoughtsparkagency.com

Maetrics, a global management consulting firm providing life sciences companies with deep quality, compliance, and regulatory solutions has launched a series of training seminars in Basel, Switzerland, as part of its new Seminars and Training Course offering for 2017. The new series of 4 training courses provides added service to clients continental branches and further cements Maetrics position as a global partner.The Risk Management EN ISO14971 course will take place over a two day period and aims to provide Quality Assurance, Design Engineering, Clinical, Product Management and Regulatory affairs professionals as well as all staff involved in risk assessment and management with an overview of the EN ISO 14971:2012 standard, including definitions, terms and annexes (especially ZA, ZB and ZC) confirming harmonisation to the Medical Device Directives. This practical course provides delegates with the tools and techniques to understand and apply EN ISO 14971 and shows how to effectively integrate risk management and EN ISO 14971 into an organization to enhance and complement existing quality systems.The two-day CE Markings 93/42/EEC and the new MDR training course aims to provide businesses a practical guide to the major features of the Medical Devices Directive and explain how it compares with the new Medical Device Regulation, focusing on terminology, product classification, conformity assessment routes, Technical Files and Essential Requirements.Finally, two one-day courses are also planned. The Clinical Evaluation Reports course will help businesses understand how to structure and collate a fully compliant clinical evaluation report. Specifically, the course will focus on identifying areas that require support from clinical data, research methodology and data sourcing and how to identify instances when a clinical investigation is required. The Process Validation: IQ, OQ, PQ course aims to help businesses understand statistical processes and interpretation involved in process validation.Course dates in Basel are as follows:Risk Management EN ISO14971- 10/11th May 2017The Process Validation: IQ, OQ, PQ- 29th JuneCE Markings 93/42 ECC and the new MDR  20/21st September 2017Clinical Evaluation Reports  12th October 2017Peter Rose, Managing Director of Maetrics, comments: Many of the businesses we work with have branches in the EU and there is growing demand for us to provide our services to continental firms. This first series of Basel-based training courses responds to clients demand to bring our services closer to their various locations. Given the impending changes to EU regulation it is not surprising that the appetite for training courses to help educate staff are increasing in popularity. Visitfor more information or contact us on +44 (0)115 921 6200 for dates and venues.--- end ---Founded in 1984, Maetrics is a global life sciences consulting firm focused exclusively on regulatory, quality, and compliance solutions for Medical Device, Diagnostic, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies. With offices throughout Europe and North America, Maetrics can assist with local, regional, or global compliance needs.Emma RamsayT: +44 (0)20 7402 0510E: emma@thoughtsparkagency.comW:ThoughtSpark79 Praed StreetLondon W2 1NJ
North America Ventricular Assist Device Market to Expand at 9.20% CAGR from 2016 to 2024

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=16508

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Advance Heart Failure is characterized as weakening of the heart caused due to failure of the left ventricle, due to which the heart is unable to pump blood to different parts of the body. According to the AHA (American Heart Association), 5.7 Mn people in the U.S suffer from heart failure and 300,000 die each year of heart failure. Moreover, the AHA predicts that advance heart failure will become the most common cause of death globally.However, these statistics have already materialized in the U.S. and Canada, where advance heart failure is currently said to be the leading cause of mortality. In Canada, the figures are rising day by day. In Canada nearly 600,000 of the total is affected by heart failure. A large proportion of these population can be saved with proper treatment and care. Thus, the existence of an unmet medical need is clearly evident and is anticipated to augment the ventricular assist device market.Browse Market Research Report @This report on the ventricular assist device market in the North America analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section.Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2014 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year. Market related factors such as technological developments, patent expiry, recent approvals, investment in clinical studies and acquisitions by leading players in the market, and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size.Growth rates for each segment within the North America ventricular assist device market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, drug development life cycle, and regulatory requirements. These factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their share in the ventricular assist device market in North America.Based on product type, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD), Biventricular Assist Device (Bi-VAD) and total artificial heart (TAH).Fill the Form for an Exclusive Sample of this Report @Based on indication, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into bridge to transplant (BTT), destination therapy (DT) and bridge to recovery (BTR). The American Heart Association reported that 2.6% of the total population is suffering from cardiovascular disease and heart failure is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and around 1.6% in Canada suffer from heart failure, and the number is rising each year. Therefore consequently driving the ventricular assist device market in North America during the forecast period.Geographically, the North America ventricular assist device market has been segmented into two countries: the U.S. and Canada. These countries have been further segmented by indication and product type. The competition matrix section included in the report is likely to assist the existing players to increase their market shares and new companies to establish their presence in the ventricular assist device market in North America.The report also profiles major players in the market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Key companies profiled in the report include ABIOMED, St. Jude Medical, HeartWare, SynCardia Systems LLC, Sunshine Heart, Inc., Berlin Heart GmbHAbout 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. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Sustainable Insulation Market Progresses for Huge Profits During 2016-2026

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http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/13225

Sustainable Insulation Market: Drivers & RestraintsAlthough sustainable insulation market has variety application among them urbanization in developing countries, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to improve the energy efficiency for low-income households in U.S and awareness among people for better residential, commercial and public building infrastructure are the three large factors majorly driving the global market of sustainable insulation market. Rise in income and living standard of the middle-class population worldwide, raise the demand for sustainable insulation for comfort living.A sample of this report is available upon request @Besides experiencing unprecedented market growth, sustainable insulation market is facing two primary restraints; first, volatile prices of essential raw materials such as pyrene which is used in manufacturing plastic foams. Second, proper installation of insulation is crucial. These two factors act as a restraint on the growth of sustainable insulation market.Sustainable Insulation Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, sustainable insulation market is segmented into seven regions - North America sustainable insulation market, Latin America sustainable insulation market, Eastern Europe sustainable insulation market, Western Europe sustainable insulation market, APEJ sustainable insulation market, Japan sustainable insulation market and the Middle East & Africa sustainable insulation market. Among the regions mentioned above, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is leading the global market of sustainable insulation. Speedy growth of industrialization and construction in emerging countries such as China, India along with Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia is a reason for Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) leading the market globally. U.S government initiated Weatherization Assistance Program especially for the low-income household; this promotes thermally sustainable insulation; making North America growing region in sustainable insulation market, followed by Eastern and Western Europe.Request to view Table of content @Sustainable Insulation Market: Key PlayersFew of the market players accounting for global sustainable insulation market includes Bonded Logic Inc., Ecovative Design, Green Fibers, Saint-Gobain, Rockwool, Johns Manville, Uralita, Knauf Insulation, Huntsman Corporation, ABB Ltd., Alstom, Siemens, General Electric, Schneider Electric and many others.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Global Cervical Dysplasia Market to be Driven by Increasing Cigarette Smokers around the Globe

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Cervical dysplasia is one of the fastest growing market in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cervical cancer is a precancerous stage and it can be completely cured by early detection. Rising consumer awareness in this regard has led to an increased demand for cervical screenings in the past few years.Government bodies in several developed countries conduct screening programs in order to improve the quality of life of population by reducing the mortality rate. Furthermore, recommendations from government organization for early detection of chronic diseases including cervical dysplasia is one of the major factors that is expected to drive the overall cervical dysplasia market over the forecast period.Transparency Market Research states that the global cervical dysplasia market was valued at US$349.0 mn in 2015 and will expand at a CAGR of 7.0 % during the period between 2016 and 2024, to reach US$ 640.2 mn by 2024.Browse Full Research Report @Thanks to High Accuracy and Low Cost, HPV Tests to See Vast Rise in DemandBased on diagnosis, the market has been segmented into diagnostic tests and diagnostic devices. Furthermore, the diagnosis test segment is examined for Pap smear (Papanicolaou) test, HPV (human papillomavirus) test, and biopsy. Colposcope devices are considered as diagnostic devices for cervical dysplasia market in this report. Of these, the segment of diagnostic tests accounted for around 86.3% of the market in terms of revenue in 2015. Availability of reimbursement for cervical dysplasia screening tests in mature markets such as North America and Europe is one of the key factors expected to fuel the sales of cervical dysplasia diagnostic tests market in the next few years.Of the key cervical dysplasia diagnostic tests analyzed in the report, the segment of HPV tests is expected to grow at a higher CAGR over the forecast period owing to the rising aversion to Pap smear tests and advancements in HPV testing technologies. The significant false-negative rate and high costs of Pap smear tests have resulted in a vast decline in their demand, with the more accurate and cost-effective HPV testing emerging as one of the primary screening tool recommended by healthcare providers these days.Fill the form to gain deeper insights on this market @Developed Economies to Continue Being Most LucrativeGeographically, North America was the dominant market for cervical dysplasia in 2015. The region accounted for a share of over 55.2% of the global cervical dysplasia market in the said year. Rising awareness about cervical dysplasia screening programs and technological advancements in screening devices and other supporting equipment are the key factors fueling the growth of the North America cervical dysplasia market.The diagnosis test segment in North America dominated, accounting for over 85% in the regional market in 2015. The increasing incidence rate of cervical cancer in women above the age of 50 years and favorable reimbursement policies supported by federal organizations such as Medicare are also expected to drive the market in North America in the next few years.The cervical dysplasia market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the most promising growth rate during the forecast period, chiefly owing to the improving healthcare infrastructure and encouraging government funding on cancer research in the region. The markets in emerging economies such as India and China are expected to exhibit significant expansion in the next few years. Several government-funded cervical dysplasia screening programs in these countries, initiated with the aim of reducing the mortality rate by improving the quality of life of the population will be a key driver of the market.Some of the key players operating in the global cervical dysplasia market are F. Hoffmann La-Roche Ltd., QIAGEN, Becton, Dickinson and company, OncoHealth Corporation, Quest Diagnostics, Inc., Hologic, Inc., and Abbott Healthcare Pvt Ltd.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. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global N-Hexane Market Will hit at a CAGR 5% by 2024 End

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According to the latest report published by Persistence Market Research titled, Global Market Study on n-Hexane: Oil Extraction End-Use Segment to Dominate Consumption over the Forecast Period , the global n-Hexane Market is anticipated to witness a Y-o-Y growth of more than 3% in 2016. Increasing population coupled along with shooting refined oil demand is expected to propel the demand for n-Hexane. As a special-purpose solvent, n-Hexane has applications across a diverse set of industries which is expected to boost demand of n-hexane.A sample of this report is available upon request @Demand for n-Hexane, especially in developing region such Asia Pacific, is expected to boost the demand of the global n-Hexane market over the forecast period. Excellent properties of n-Hexane to remove odor and unwanted taste are expected to propel the demand of n-Hexane from the edible oil industry. n-Hexane has the ability to remove unwanted taste and odor and this is the precise reason that the demand for n-Hexane has increased in edible oil industry. However, the consumers from developed regions are shifting from refined oil to cold-pressed oil owing to its superior health benefits. Cold pressing is a natural way to produce oil which does not contain solvent residues, no preservatives with natural antioxidants. In addition, Isohexane, a hexane isomer is used as a substitute of n-Hexane in few oilseed extraction applications. Due to toxic nature of n-Hexane, it has been substituted by n-heptane in some pharmaceutical applications. This may retard the growth of the n-Hexane market.Based on application, oil extraction will continue to lead the market share, representing nearly 57% of total revenues in 2016. High demand for n-Hexane in oil extraction owing to its effectiveness and high yield is expected to propel the global n-Hexane Market. Polymerization is expected to reach more than 200KT in 2016. Oil Extraction, Pharmaceutical, and Polymerization will remain top 3 end-users in global n-Hexane Market.Grade wise, oil extraction followed by industrial will dominate the Global n-Hexane Market in 2016 and is anticipated to reach more than US$ 600 Mn in 2016. Demand for industrial grade n-Hexane is expected to reach closed to 560 KT in 2016.On the basis of the region, APAC has the largest market in n-Hexane market across the world. China recorded a dominant market share of more than 40% in 2015. Asia-Pacific is estimated to lead the market in 2016, followed by Europe and North America. Moderate growth is expected from the mature markets such as North America and Europe. Europe will witness sluggish growth owing to the gradual economic recovery. In addition, important players in the market have been shifting their production bases to Asia Pacific region in order to capitalize on scale economies. Rising environmental concerns in developed regions over the use of n-Hexane and its adverse impact on health and environment may inhibit the growth of the n-Hexane market. APAC is expected to drive the global n-Hexane market and is expected to register closed to 5% of volume CAGR over the forecast period 2016-2024.Request to view Table of content @...Key participant of global n-Hexane market are Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd., Sak Chaisidhi Company Limited, Liangxin petrochemical company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron Philips Chemicals LLC, Indian Oil Corp. Ltd., , Royal Dutch Shell plc., Rompetrol Rafinare S.A, DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, Dongying Liaoning Yufeng Chemical Co., Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
VRLA Batteries Market 2017-2022 Global Forecast Research Report

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A VRLA battery, more commonly known as a sealed lead-acid (SLA), gel cell, or maintenance free battery, is a type of lead-acid rechargeable battery. Due to their construction, the Gel and AGM types of VRLA can be mounted in any orientation, and do not require constant maintenance. The term maintenance free is a misnomer as VRLA batteries still require cleaning and regular functional testing. They are widely used in large portable electrical devices, off-grid power systems and similar roles, where large amounts of storage are needed at a lower cost than other low-maintenance technologies like lithium-ion.Scope of the Global VRLA Batteries Market ReportThis report focuses on the Global VRLA Batteries Market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.This report covers Analysis of Global VRLA Batteries Market Segment by Manufacturers- Exide Technologies- GS Battery- Panasonic- Vision Battery- SBS Battery- Fiamm- MCA- Power-Sonic Europe- Southern BatteryRequest a Sample of this Report @Global VRLA Batteries Market Segment by regional analysis covers- North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)- Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)- Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)- South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)- Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Browse the complete report @Global VRLA Batteries Market Segment by Types- Absorbed Glass Mat Battery- Gel BatteryGlobal VRLA Batteries Market Segment by Applications, can be divided into- Telecommunications industry- Electricity Industry- UPS- OtherMake an enquire before buying this report @Some of the Points cover in Global VRLA Batteries Market Research Report is:Chapter 1: Describe VRLA Batteries Industry Introduction, Product Scope, Market Overview, Market Opportunities, Market Risk, Market Driving ForceChapter 2: To analyze the top manufacturers of VRLA Batteries Industry in 2016 and 2017 Sales Revenue and priceChapter 3: Competitive analysis among the top manufacturers in 2016 and 2017 Sales Revenue and market shareChapter 4: Global VRLA Batteries Market by regions from 2012 to 2017 Sales Revenue and market shareChapter 5, 6, 7 and 8: Global VRLA Batteries Market by key countries in these regions Sales Revenue and market shareChapter 9 and 10: Global VRLA Batteries Market by type and application from 2012 to 2017 Sales Revenue and market share Growth rateChapter 11: VRLA Batteries Industry Market forecast from 2017 to 2022 Regions Type and application with sales and revenueChapter 12 and 13: VRLA Batteries Industry Sales channel Distributors Traders and dealers Appendix Data sourceOrbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager  Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas - 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +912064101019Follow Us on LinkedIn:Follow us on Twitter:Follow us on G+ :
Holographic Films Market to Raise at a US $11,775 Million by 2024 End

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For every consumer goods product that has ever hit the shelves of retail outlets, a percentage of its production cost gets spent on branding the product by sticking a holographic film on its packaging label. Accordingly, billions of consumers goods sold daily from all parts of the world necessitate the expansion of global production capacity for holographic films. In 2015, global sales of holographic films exceeded US$ 5 billion, attesting the universal demand for iconic branding techniques. According to a recent research conducted by Persistence Market Research, the global holographic films market revenues are estimated to reach US$ 11,775 million in value by 2024.Persistence Market Research's report titled "Global Market Study on Holographic Films: Pharmaceuticals End Use Industry Segment Estimated to Increase 2.2X in Terms of Value over the Forecast Period ," projects the US$ 5,767.3 million global holographic films market will expand at an impressive CAGR of 9.3% during the period of forecast  2016-2024. Besides the branding demands, the active use of Fresnel lens technology in designing flexible packaging surfaces has become a proponent for consumption of holographic films, the combination of which is likely to create 3D effect for customers viewing the products stacked on store shelves. While secured packaging and anti-counterfeit measures promote the use of holographic films, volatile costs of film materials are likely to hamper the growth of the global holographic films market.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Demand for Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) film materials to remain high through 2024, accounting for almost half of the global market revenuesBranding measures undertaken by pharmaceutical and drug manufacturers, and companies in the FMCG sector will render them largest end-user industries for holographic filmsThe need for customer-centric designs and patterns on films will gain traction during the projected period, effectuating a higher market presence for customized offerings of holographic filmsThrough 2024, the value share ratio of lamination and printing as two main end uses in the global holographic films market is anticipated to be an estimated 60% to 40% respectivelyAPAC Holographic Films Market to Expand at Highest CAGRBy the end of forecast period, the holographic films sales from Asia Pacific (APAC) region will rake in revenues worth over US$ 4.3 billion. The APAC holographic films market is anticipated to be fastest growing region in the global market, registering an estimated CAGR of 10.8%. In 2016, the region accounted for one-third share of the global market value, followed by North America  which secured over 25% share of the global holographic films market size. Europe's holographic films market is likely to join North America and APAC as regions lucrative for expansion of holographic films businesses. Meanwhile, the holographic films market size is to expand at a modest rate in regions such as Latin America and the Middle East & Africa (MEA).Sales of holographic films in the world have been largely concentrated towards two aspects  the type of film material preferred and its application. Product manufacturers and packaging industry players prefer using metallized holographic films over transparent films. Similarly, the use of such films finds greater application in anti-counterfeit measures of packaging companies. Surging instances of product duplicity have integrated holographic films into packaging operations that label symbols for identifying authentic products. Independently, metallized holographic films and anti-counterfeit applications are expected to account for over 70% of global market revenues throughout the forecast period.Request to View Tables of Content @While local manufacturers of holographic films are expected to collectively account for over half of the global market, companies such as Uflex Limited and Polinas Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. will jointly hold company share of 14.2%. Leading holographic films manufacturers namely Toray Industries Inc., SRF Limited, and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, are expected to exclusively focus on business expansion in regions such as North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. Strategic acquisitions is pegged to be a top priority for Jindal Poly Films Ltd., API Group Plc., and Avery Dennison Corporation, while Cosmo Films Limited and K Laser Technology Inc. are expected to increase their global presence through product launch.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA - Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
Major Driving Factors for Organic yeast Market

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Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, is a single celled yeast broadly formed by two distinct methods namely brewing where it is a by-product of beer making and by growing on molasses. In beer making, the yeast is removed and heated to deactivate it, which is then dried and made into a powder or flakes whereas in baking, the yeast remains in the bread but is deactivated while in the baking process. The organic form of yeast is significant in terms of value of nutrition provided, as it contains nucleic acid it is great source of protein, to add to this it also consists of trace minerals making it a perfect heath supplement. The involvement of no chemicals ensures purity of organic yeast and assures consumes safety in use.Obtain Report Details @A significantly high amount of organic yeast is used in baking industry and is expected to further grow. The global organic yeast market is anticipated to achieve high growth attributed to the multiple implications of organic yeast and the growing demand from health conscious consumers.Organic yeast Market SegmentationOrganic yeast market is segmented on the basis of form, type, application, distribution channel and by regions. On the basis of form, organic yeast market is segmented as powders, flakes and extract. Among these the powder form finds its use in majority of products attributed to the nutritional benefits and ease of use. While flakes are equally popular as a flavor for seasoning, the organic yeast extracts are gaining popularity and are expected to generate high demand in the global organic yeast market.Furthermore, on the basis of type, the organic yeast market is segmented into main segments nutritional and brewers. Brewers yeast, a variety of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a byproduct of beer making. Brewers yeast is an excellent source of nucleic acid making it a significantly nutritious supplement, whereas nutritional organic yeast is used in bakery and is grown on molasses or some other medium.Make an Enquiry @Organic yeast market is further segmented on the basis of applications in pharmaceuticals industry (supplement/ nutraceutical), food and beverage, brewing industry. The organic yeast is mostly concentrated in food and brewing industry although a growing demand by health conscious people for organic yeast supplement is expected to drive the market growth in the forecast period. On the bases of distribution channel the organic yeast market is segmented as wholesale, supermarkets/hypermarkets, retail stores and online retails. Manufacturers of organic yeast are flooding the market with numerous product lines on the internet and for this reason organic yeast market is expected to show a rise in terms of sales derived from this segment of sales channel.Based on region the global organic yeast market is segmented as North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa. In regional segments Europe and North America have a significant prospect whereas rise in market demand originating from developing countries, Asia Pacific regions are expected to grow to a substantial fraction in the forecast period.Organic yeast Global Market Trends and Market Drivers:The organic food market remains persistent in growth in the food sector this is due to the attractiveness of healthier and safe to use products. The growing concern among consumers regarding non-organic/conventional food products using chemicals processing is expected to further increase the organic market growth. Organic yeast provides a lot of health benefits including powerful nutrition source which is expected to fuel the growth. The organic yeast form is versatile in use and the wide range of applications in pet food snacks, brewing, baking and flavoring are expected to drive the global organic yeast market and grow in terms of both volume and value in the forecast period.Organic yeast Market Key Players:Key global market players manufacturing different types of organic yeast for different applications include Lesaffre, Martin Braun-Gruppe, Bobs Red Mill Natural Foods, Rapunzel Naturkost GmbH, Imperial Yeast, Solgar Inc., Doves Farm Foods Ltd., Marigold Health Foods Ltd. Sari Foods Co., Now Foods.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:
Converting Paper Market Drivers, Restraint & Future Growth

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The dynamics of the paper industry is challenging in nature wherein the producers have to be adapt to the changing demand of the consumers. The per capita consumption of paper is relatively high in the developed region such as North America and Europe. Out of which converting paper market segment is expected to witness a higher CARG in the near future. Some of the commonly preferred types of converting paper are an envelope, laser bond, mocr bond, river jet amongst many others which are of a superior quality.The top players in converting paper market face a very competitive landscape in which their primary focus strategy are three R which stands for Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. While serving the demand of the market they even have to ensure that they maintain the environment quality standard of products which is quite stringent. So due to the availability of required resources developed regions are in a better position to serve the demand of potential market at a competitive price.Obtain Report Details @The demand for converting paper market are affected by many industries such as food and beverage, textile and garment, logistics and transportation, etc, so these industries act as a positive driver which directly influence the demand for paper industry market.Converting Paper Market- Market DynamicsThe highlighting features of converting paper are such that it is essential in daily operational purpose across multiple industries. As the demand for logistics & delivery of goods is expected a high growth potential in coming years, which will significantly impact the growth of converting paper market in years to come. Moreover, changing consumer lifestyle coupled with higher disposable income of youths will further accelerate the demand for converting paper bags, ultimately creating demand for converting paper over the forecast period.Enter your information below to receive a sample copy of this report @Paper industry accounts among the top in toxic release and also solid waste pollution accounted from paper industry are significantly high. The production of converting papers escalates harmful gases such as greenhouse gases and other hazardous air pollutants. A major challenge faced by the converting paper industry is to produce the maximum output of paper with minimum impact on the environment. Due to which stringent quality checks are conducted by local and international government administrations. So this acts as a major barrier for converting paper industry to follow all the laws and regulations of government while producing paper, and at the same time satisfy the changing needs of the industries which rely on converting paper.Comparatively the demand for converting paper are quite high in North America region. Which is followed by region of eastern and western Europe. But a noticeable change over the years are that the emerging regions such Asia are expected to attract the market share of converting paper market.Countries such as North America and Europe follow an impeccable standard, in the production of converting paper from where most of the export takes place to other regions around the world. While countries such as Australia, China and India are expected to have a positive CAGR over the next decade.Some of the key players in the global paper market are:Finch Paper, LLCInternational paperNorthwoods paper convertingAsia pulp and paperFraser papersPaper ArabiaAbout 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:
Opportunities for the global small diameter pipe market to reach $103.8 billion by 2021

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According to a new market report published by Lucintel, the future of global small diameter pipe market looks good with opportunities in potable water and wastewater pipe, oil and gas, and industrial pipe segments. The global small diameter pipe market is expected to reach an estimated $103.8 billion by 2021 and it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2016 to 2021. The major drivers for market growth are increasing urban population, construction and infrastructure development, and recovery in oil and gas industry.In this market, metal, plastic, and concrete materials are used in the manufacturing of small diameter pipe for different applications. On the basis of comprehensive research, Lucintel forecasts that plastic pipe segment is expected to show above average growth during the forecast period.Within the global small diameter pipe market, the metal pipe segment is expected to remain the largest segment by value and by volume. High strength, rigidity, and pressure tolerance in expanding oil and gas, water, and wastewater pipe applications are the major driving forces that would spur growth for this segment over the forecast period.APAC is expected to remain the largest market and is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period due to infrastructure development, and construction of new pipelines.For business expansion, Lucintels report suggests innovation and new product development which are easy to install and have low maintenance and high quality.Emerging trends which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the industry include the increasing use of premium and technically advanced with high efficient small diameter pipes and development of multilayer material in small diameter pipes. United States Steel Corp., Tenaris SA, Vallourec SA, OAO TMK, and ArcelorMittal SA are among the major suppliers of small diameter pipe.Lucintel, a leading global strategic consulting and market research firm, has analyzed growth opportunities in the global small diameter pipe market by material, application, diameter type, and region, and has compiled a comprehensive research report entitled Growth Opportunities in the Global Small Diameter Pipe Market 2016-2021: Trends, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis. The Lucintel report serves as a springboard for growth strategy by providing comprehensive data and analysis on trends, key drivers, and directions. The study includes a forecast for the global small diameter pipe market by material, application, diameter type, and region, as follows:By Material [Volume (Million Tons) and Value ($ Billion) from 2010 to 2021]: Metal Pipe Plastic Pipe Concrete Pipe FRP Pipe OthersBy Application [Value ($ Billion) from 2010 to 2021]: Potable Water Pipe Wastewater Pipe Oil and Gas Pipe Industrial Pipe OthersBy Diameter Type [Value ($ Billion) from 2010 to 2021]: 0 to 5 Inches 6 to 10 Inches 11 to 15 InchesBy Region [Volume (Million Tons) and Value ($ Million) from 2010 to 2021]: North America Europe APAC ROWThis 288-page research report will enable you to make confident business decisions in this globally competitive marketplace. For a detailed table of contents, contact Lucintel at +1-972-636-5056 or helpdesk@lucintel.com. Lucintel offerings include Construction Market Report, Construction Reports, Market Research Report, Capital Investment Feasibility and SWOT Analysis.About LucintelLucintel, the premier global management consulting and market research firm, creates winning strategies for growth. It offers market assessments, competitive analysis, opportunity analysis, growth consulting, M&A, and due diligence services to executives and key decision-makers in a variety of industries. For further information, visitThis report addresses the following key questions:Q. 1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for global small diameter pipe market by material (metal pipe, plastic pipe, concrete pipe, FRP pipe and others), application (potable water pipe, wastewater pipe, oil and gas pipe, industrial application pipe, and others), diameter (0 to 5 inches, 6 to 10 inches, and 11 to 15 inches), and region (North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific (APAC) and the Rest of the World (ROW)?Q. 2. Which product segments will grow at a faster pace and why?Q. 3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in this market?Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?Q.6. What are emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?Q.8. What are the new developments in the market and which companies are leading these developments?Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are being taken by key companies for business growth?Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by product substitution?Q. 11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years?Lucintel, the premier global management consulting and market research firm, creates winning strategies for growth. It offers market assessments, competitive analysis, opportunity analysis, growth consulting, M&A, and due diligence services to executives and key decision-makers in a variety of industries. For further information, visitLucintel222 Las Colinas Blvd West, Suite 1650, Irving, TX 75039, USAPh: +1-972-636-5056 Fax: +1-877-883-5140marketing@lucintel.com
Molecular Diagnostics Market Worth US$ 10 Billion Globally by 2021

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New York, March 15: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Molecular Diagnostics Market by Application, Technology (PCR, Microarray, DNA Sequencing), End User (Hospital, Laboratories), Product (Instruments, Reagent, Software) - Forecast to 2023The molecular diagnostics market is expected to exceed more than US$ 10 Billion by 2021 growing at around 9% CAGR during the forecast period.Browse Full Report:Molecular diagnostics is a technique used to analyse, diagnose, monitor and treat disease. Using molecular diagnostics process it identify a disease by examining different molecules such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), protein and in tissue. Molecular diagnostics are primarily used for healthcare diagnosis and also used for research purpose. Molecular diagnostics provide more accurate results and they are playing a vital role in health care system.The main driving factors for molecular diagnostics market are increased awareness and usage of personalized medicine. The companion diagnostics will grow eventually with growth of personalized medicine which in turn will drive the molecular diagnostics products and services market. It contains high prevalence rate of infectious diseases and various types of cancer. The new biomarkers are developed using molecular techniques which are applied in molecular diagnostics. It increases the growth in proteomics and genomics research. The molecular diagnostics market has some restraints such as it require new tools which contain complex platforms which require skilled and experienced workers. Because of mandatory training and complex regulatory framework gives delay approvals of new molecular diagnostic tests.Download Free Sample Report:The molecular diagnostics market is segmented by product, by technology, by application and by end user analysis. Under the product and service segmentation it contains instruments, reagents and services & software. It uses different technologies such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology (INAAT), hybridization, DNA sequencing and next-generation sequencing, microarrays, mass pectrometry, flow cytometry, and electrophoresis. Molecular diagnostics techniques are used in different application such as infectious diseases, oncology, genetics, blood screening, microbiology, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, and DNA fingerprinting. The end user of molecular diagnostics are reference laboratories, hospital laboratories, blood banks, local public health laboratories, home health agencies, nursing homes, point-of-care settings, and self-testing. The molecular diagnostics market is 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.This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for molecular diagnostics 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 2023.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for molecular diagnostics.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 molecular diagnostics 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 Roche Diagnostics (U.S.), QIAGEN N.V. (Netherlands), Hologic Inc. (U.S.), Grifols (Spain), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), Siemens Healthcare (Germany), Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Beckman Coulter Inc. (U.S.), bioMerieux SA (France), and Cepheid Inc. (U.S.). 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 Molecular diagnostics Market has been segmented as below:By Product and service Segment AnalysisInstrumentsReagentsServices & SoftwareBy Technology AnalysisPolymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)Isothermal Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (INAAT)HybridizationDNA Sequencing and Next-generation SequencingMicroarraysOthers (Mass Spectrometry, Flow Cytometry, and Electrophoresis)By End-user AnalysisReference LaboratoriesHospital LaboratoriesOthers (Blood Banks, Local Public Health Laboratories, Home Health Agencies, Nursing Homes, Point-of-care Settings, and Self-testing)By Application AnalysisInfectious DiseasesOncologyGeneticsBlood ScreeningMicrobiologyOthers (Cardiovascular Diseases, Neurological Diseases, and DNA Fingerprinting)By Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all active and planned molecular diagnostics industry globally.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of molecular diagnostics industry and unit capacity data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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
Biomimetic Aircraft Market 2017 - GSE, Airbus, 3D Robotics, EADS, Hirobo, ENFICA, Boeing, HobbyKing, Northrop Grumman, Ricardo, ETH Zurich

Biomimetic Aircraft Market

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A market study based on the "Biomimetic Aircraft Market" across the globe, recently added to the repository of Market Research, is titled Global Biomimetic Aircraft Market 2017. The research report analyses the historical as well as present performance of the worldwide Biomimetic Aircraft industry, and makes predictions on the future status of Biomimetic Aircraft market on the basis of this analysis.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here :Top Manufacturers Analysis Of This Report3D RoboticsBoeingHobbyKingAirbusNorthrop GrummanBoston EngineeringLockheed Martin CorporationAtlas Elektronik GmbhGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsGossamer PenguinENFICAGreen Pioneer ChinaETH ZurichEADSGSERicardoKrossbladeTurtle AirshipsHiroboThe report studies the industry for Biomimetic Aircraft across the globe taking the existing industry chain, the import and export statistics in Biomimetic Aircraft market & dynamics of demand and supply of Biomimetic Aircraft into consideration. The 'Biomimetic Aircraft' research study covers each and every aspect of the Biomimetic Aircraft market globally, which starts from the definition of the Biomimetic Aircraft industry and develops towards Biomimetic Aircraft market segmentations. Further, every segment of the Biomimetic Aircraft market is classified and analyzed on the basis of product types, application, and the end-use industries of the Biomimetic Aircraft market. The geographical segmentation of the Biomimetic Aircraft industry has also been covered at length in this report.The competitive landscape of the worldwide market for Biomimetic Aircraft is determined by evaluating the various industry participants, production capacity, Biomimetic Aircraft market's production chain, and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Biomimetic Aircraft market worldwide.Enquire Here :The global Biomimetic Aircraft market 2017 is also analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Biomimetic Aircraft production volume, data regarding demand and Biomimetic Aircraft 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 Biomimetic Aircraft 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
The Global Immunoassay Instruments Market Was Valued At US$ 16,970 Mn In 2016 And Expected To Grow To US$ 24,200 Mn By 2021

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Immunoassay instruments are used for measurement of molecules and pathogens, and are adopted significantly in disease diagnostics. The immunoassays instruments are majorly used in areas of pharmaceutical analysis, diagnosis of diseases, therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical pharmacokinetic among other research avenues. This report by SA-BRC focuses on the global immunoassay instruments market used for diagnostics and research across several major medical specialties. The report presents a lateral perspective on the global market through nine chapters covering immunoassay techniques by product type, end-users, applications and geography. The analysis covers various market drivers that are pushing growth of the market such as the rising demand of field deployable instruments, technological advancements, rising incidence of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension among others and also provides notable factors hindering the growth. The global immunoassay instruments market was valued at US$ 16,970 million in 2016 and expected to grow to US$ 24,200 million by 2021 at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2017 to 2021.Key players such as Hoffman La-Roche, Siemens Healthineers, Abbott Laboratories, Danaher Corporation, BioMerieux SA, DiaSorin, Becton Dickinson & Company and Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. Abbott Laboratories continued to lead in the global immunoassay instruments market in 2016. Launch of new and innovative products and expanding geographic presence are some of the key growth strategies adopted by the company to retain their market presence.The report covers following major segments and sub-segments:The report segments the global immunoassay instruments market as follows:Market by ProductsChemiluminescence AnalyzersEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Analyzers (ELISA)Immunofluorescence Assay AnalyzersRadioimmunoassay AnalyzersMultiplexed Assay SystemsRequest Free Report Sample@Market by ApplicationsOncologyCardiologyEndocrinologyInfectious DiseasesAutoimmune DiseasesHematologyOthersMarket by End-UsersHospitalsLaboratoriesAcademic InstitutionsPharmaceutical IndustryOthersMarket by GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificLatin AmericaMiddle-EastAfricaFor each of these segments and sub-segments, market estimates have been provided from 2015 to 2021 (historic data for 2015 and 2016, and forecast from 2017 to 2021)The immunoassay instruments market report emphasizes on various products, applications and end-users:The report segments the immunoassay instruments market in 3 broad perspectives, namely; product type, applications by medical specialty and end-users. Each segment provides qualitative and quantitative details on merits and demerits, growth drivers, and market trends.More Report Description@Extensive geographical analysis on the immunoassay instruments market:The global immunoassay instruments market is segmented into six major geographies, namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Market for each of these regions is analyzed by immunoassay product types.The report also explains other factors impacting the immunoassay instruments market:Various factors driving and impeding the growth of the immunoassay instruments market are explained in the report. It also includes mentions of new regulatory policies, recent developments in the market and upcoming technologies expected to launch in the near future.About UsSpearhead Acuity Business Research & Consulting Private Limited (SA-BRC) is a premium Life Science business intelligence and data analytics firm. SA-BRC team offers a wide range of business intelligence services to multiple stakeholders such as Medical Device Manufacturers, Service Providers (Hospitals, Payers, etc.), Suppliers, Group Purchase Organizations, Distributors and all other individuals in the entire value chain of healthcare industry. Our research and consulting capabilities extend across several sub-domains within the sphere of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, Veterinary Sciences, Wellness Products and Pharmaceuticals.Contact UsJohn Whitmore10685-B Hazelhurst Drive,Suite 17411Houston, Texas 77043,United StatesPhone: +1(832)-426-3701Email: sales@sa-brc.comWebsite:
2017 Fan Market Analysis, Market Size, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts to 2022

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Orbisresearch.com a leading business Intelligence Provider, released its latest Research report on Global Fan IndustryIn our aim to provide our erudite clients with the best research material with absolute in-depth information of the market, our new report on Global Fan Market is confident in meeting their needs and expectations. The 2017 market research report on Global Fan Market is an in-depth study and analysis of the market by our industry experts with unparalleled domain knowledge. The report will shed light on many critical points and trends of the industry which are useful for our esteemed clients. The report covers a vast expanse of information including an overview, comprehensive analysis, definitions and classifications, applications, and expert opinions, among others. With the extent of information filled in the report, the presentation and style of the Global Fan Market report is a noteworthy.Request a sample of this report @The Global Fan Industry report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. Not only does the report cover a holistic view of the industry from a global standpoint, but it also covers individual regions and their development. The Global Fan Industry market report showcases the latest trends in the global and regional markets on all critical parameters which include technology, supplies, capacity, production, profit, price, and competition. The key players covered in the report provide a detailed analysis of the competition and their developments in the Global Fan Industry. Accurate forecasts and expert opinion from credible sources, and the recent R&D development in the industry is also a mainstay of the Fan Market report.Browse the full report @The report also focuses on the significance of industry chain analysis and all variables, both upstream and downstream. These include equipment and raw materials, client surveys, marketing channels, and industry trends and proposals. Other significant information covering consumption, key regions and distributors, and raw material suppliers are also a covered in this report.Purchase a copy of this report @Finally, the Fan Market report ends with a detailed SWOT analysis of the market, investment feasibility and returns, and development trends and forecasts. As with every report on Orbis Research, the Fan Industry is the holy grail of information which serious knowledge seekers can benefit from. The report which is the result of ultimate dedication of pedigree professionals has a wealth of information which can benefit anyone, irrespective of their commercial or academic interest.Some Points From Table of ContentsChapter One: Fan Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Fan1.2 Fan Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Fan Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Fan Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Centrifugal Fan1.2.4 Axial Fan1.2.5 Rotary Fan1.3 Global Fan Segment by Application1.3.1 Fan Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Metallurgy1.3.3 Petrochemical1.3.4 Electricity1.3.5 Urban Rail Transit1.3.6 Textile1.3.7 Shipbuilding1.4 Global Fan Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Fan 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 Fan (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Fan Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Fan Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)For 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:
Plasma Protein Therapeutics Market to Reach US$ 31 Billion Globally by 2024

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Florida, March 15: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Plasma Protein Therapeutics Market by Product Type (C1 esterase Inhibitors, Albumins, Immunoglobulins & Coagulation Factors), by Application Type (Hereditary Angioedema, Hemophilia, Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder) - Global Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Market is expected to exceed more than USD 31 Billion by 2024; Growing at a CAGR of more than 7.5% in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report here:Plasma is the liquid parts of blood that residue once platelets, white and red blood cells and various other cellular components are detached. In human blood only plasma is largest component and contains proteins, antibodies, enzymes, salts and water. Plasma is the protein rich fluids that defer cells in human blood and achieves various essential transport functions. The proteins that originate in plasma plays important function in clotting and provide immunity to diseases. Plasma proteins are used in many conditions for treatment such as shocks & burns, neurological & bleeding disorders, autoimmune and immune deficiencies.Plasma protein therapies is a unique biological medicine which contains biological starting material called plasma which have unique bio chemical profile which differs in processing methods and production methods. Plasma protein therapies are used to treat various genetic, chronic, life threatening and rare diseases.The plasma protein therapeutics market is segmented on the lines of its product type, application and regional. Under product type segmentation it covers C1 esterase inhibitors, albumins, immunoglobulins and coagulation factors. Based on application segmentation the plasma protein therapeutics covers hereditary angioedema, hemophilia, primary immune deficiency disorder, secondary immune deficiency, idiopathic thrombocytopenic and others such as Kawasaki disease, GBS, CIDP etc.The plasma protein therapeutics market's geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geographical region 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 plasma protein therapeutics 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 plasma protein therapeutics.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 .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 Baxter International, Biotest, CSL Behring, Grifols, S.A., Kedrion, Octapharma USA, Inc., Shire Plc. and China Biologics. CSL Behring is the market leader in the plasma protein therapeutics market, while GRIFOLS, S.A leads the global market for IVIG and Alpha 1 antitrypsin. 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 Plasma Protein Therapeutics Market has been segmented as below:By Product Type AnalysisC1 esterase InhibitorsAlbuminsImmunoglobulinsCoagulation FactorsOthersBy Application AnalysisHereditary AngioedemaHemophiliaPrimary Immunodeficiency DisorderSecondary ImmunodeficiencyIdiopathic ThrombocytopenicOthers (Kawasaki disease, GBS, CIDP etc)By Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all plasma protein therapeutics market .2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of plasma protein therapeutics market data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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, +91-860-565-7204Website:Address: 3422 SW 15 Street, Suite #8942, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442, United States
Windshield Wiper Blades Market, Growth and Forecast up, 2017-2021 by QY Research Reports

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In this report, the global Windshield Wiper Blades market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Windshield Wiper Blades in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaIndiaGlobal Windshield Wiper Blades market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingTricoFederal-MogulBoschSample Copy Of This Report @GatesValeoITWDensoMitsubaHellaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBoneless Wiper BladesBone Wiper BladesOn 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 Windshield Wiper Blades for each application, includingOEMs MarketAftermarketEnquiry Before Buying:Table of ContentsGlobal Windshield Wiper Blades Market Research Report 20171 Windshield Wiper Blades Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Windshield Wiper Blades1.2 Windshield Wiper Blades Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Boneless Wiper Blades1.2.4 Bone Wiper Blades1.3 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Segment by Application1.3.1 Windshield Wiper Blades Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 OEMs Market1.3.3 Aftermarket1.4 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU 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 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Windshield Wiper Blades (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Windshield Wiper Blades Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Related Reports: China Windshield Wiper Systems Market Research Report 2017 United States Windshield Wiper Blades Market Report 2016 Europe Windshield Wiper Systems Market Report 2017Contact Us:11323 136th Ave EastPuyallup, Wa 98374United StatesEmail  Sales@Qyresearchreports.UsQY Research is your exclusive destination for the entire spectrum of Market Research and Business Solutions. Depending upon the clients, we provide customized as well as syndicated reports. Our market intelligence covers industries like technology, food and beverages, chemical materials, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, agriculture, consumer goods, among others. Irrespective of your businesss state as of today, we have a team of industry specific experts who will provide tailor-made market research surveys and solutions. Is the process of researching for your product proving to be a task for you? Or if you are unable to gather sufficient data which you can use to strategize your next move in the market. Whatever your business query might be, with a well-established knowledge and understanding of various businesses, QY Research Reports provide insights that are strategized.Contact Us:11323 136th Ave EastPuyallup, Wa 98374United StatesEmail  Sales@Qyresearchreports.Us
Global Turmeric Market Research Report 2017 Industry Analysis of Growth, Consumption, Types, Price, Demands, Production : Kraft Heinz, Givaudan, Nestle, Unilever

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Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Turmeric in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Turmeric market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingKraft HeinzGivaudanNestleUnileverConAgra2 Sisters Food GroupThe Hain Celestial GroupITC SpicesEverest SpicesGandhi SpicesGeneral MillsDr. ScharOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoFood Grade TurmericPharmaceutical Grade TurmericCosmetic Grade TurmericOtherOn 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 Turmeric for each application, includingFood UseMedicinal UseCosmetic UseOtherGet a Free Sample Copy of this Report here @QYresearchreports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations.QYResearchReports1820 AvenueM Suite #1047Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com
Global Vanilla Market  Share, Size, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017-2025

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IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Vanilla - Market Report. Analysis And Forecast To 2025" (This report provides an in-depth analysis of the global vanilla 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:VanillaData coverage: Vanilla market size and value; Per Capita consumption; Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term; Global vanilla production, split by region and country; Global vanilla trade (exports and imports); Producer, export and import prices for vanilla; Vanilla 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:
Royal Danish Air Force Continue to Enhance Their Helicopter Fleet and Will Now Present at the Future Helicopter Technology Conference

Future Helicopter Technology 2017

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http://www.futurehelicopter.co.uk/openpr

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Royal Danish Air Force will speak at Romes Future Helicopter Technology conference on 18-19 May 2017.Future Helicopter Technology 2017 will deliver real insight and learning experiences through its expertly selected speakers, who have been recommended through extensive research and consultation carried out across the industry.In recent news: "Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a seven-year contract with Denmarks Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization, to support 14 RTM 322-powered EH101 Merlin operated by the Royal Danish Air Force." * Source: Safran 2016The Royal Danish Air Force continues to enhance their helicopter fleet, maintaining their status as one of the world leaders in helicopter technology. For this reason SMi is pleased to announce attendees of Mays Future Helicopter Technology conference will have the opportunity to hear from:Colonel Henrik Kanstrup, Commander Helicopter Wing Karup, Royal Danish Air ForcePresenting: Helicopter Wing Karup: Ready to Deploy in Any Environment Operational capabilities from the Artic to Afghanistan Efficient search and rescue and surveillance capacity inside and outside national boundaries The importance of joint exercises to face growing threatsA detailed agenda and full speaker line-up can be viewed on the website:Event highlights: More helicopter platforms represented than any other 2017 military event: NH90, TIGER, Sikorsky UH-60, Bell UH-1Y, CH-53E Super Stallion, Merlin Mk3 A detailed focus on Maritime Helicopter Optimisation with briefings from USMC, Royal Navy and Commander Italian Naval Aviation Top military rotary commanders presenting from: Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark and Belgium, giving you essential access to strategic and equipment decision makers Key focuses include: updates from Europe, special operations and rapid deployment, fleet modernisation, naval helicopter perspectives, updates on global and strategic projects, next generation rotary developmentThe event will feature speakers from Germany, Spain, USMC, France, the Royal Navy, NATO, Belgium, Austria and OCCAR. Along with our host nation keynote speakers from the Italian Army, Air Force, Navy and Special Operations command.SMi are delighted to offer reduced rates to Military, Government & Public Sector representatives. A 100 early bird booking discount is also valid until the 31st March 2017, delegates can register on the event website.Future Helicopter Technology 2017Rome, Italy18-19 May 2017* Source:---- END ----About SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the worlds most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found atSMi Group:1 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7XWFor sponsorship enquiries, contact Sadia Malick on: +44 (0) 207 827 6748, smalick@smi-online.co.ukFor media enquiries, contact Shannon Cargan on +44 20 7827 6138 or scargan@smi-online.co.uk
Global Interventional Cardiology Devices Market by Product Types, Growth Trends and Forecast to 2020

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The global interventional cardiology devices market is estimated to reach USD 9.6 Billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 8.8% from 2016 to 2020, due to higher prevalence of coronary artery diseases worldwide.Browse Interventional Cardiology Devices Market by Device Type (Stents  Bare Metal, Bio-Absorbable, Drug Eluting; Catheters  Angiography, Guiding, IVUS, Pulmonary Arterial Catheters; PTCA Balloons  Normal, Drug Eluting, Cutting, Scoring; Imaging Systems  FFR, IVUS, OCT; PTCA Guidewires) 2016-2020 atInterventional cardiology devices are minimally invasive devices used in the detection and treatment of coronary artery disease. Interventional cardiology involves various non-surgical procedures for treating cardiovascular disease by using drug-eluting stents, bare-metal stents, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and cutting balloon catheters. Interventional cardiology is a minimally invasive catheter based technology that enables treatment of coronary artery disease (coronary blockages or narrowing of the coronary artery restricting normal blood flow). Rising incidences of coronary artery disease, increasing lifestyle disorders such as obesity and growing disposable income are primarily leading to increase in the number of percutaneous interventions.The global interventional cardiology devices market report provides market size estimates (Revenue USD million - 2013 to 2020) for key market segments based on the type of device used (stents  bare metal, bio-absorbable, drug eluting; catheters  angiography, guiding, IVUS, pulmonary arterial catheters; PTCA balloons  normal, drug eluting, cutting, scoring; imaging systems such as FFR, IVUS, OCT; PTCA guidewires, etc.), and forecasts growth trends (CAGR% - 2016 to 2020). The global interventional cardiology devices market research report is divided by geography (regional and country based) into North America (U.S., Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of LA), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of EU), Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Rest of APAC), and Rest of the World. The global interventional cardiology devices market report also provides the detailed market landscape, market drivers, restraints, opportunities), market attractiveness analysis and profiles of major competitors in the global market including company overview, financial snapshot, key products, technologies and services offered, and recent developments.Major players operating in the global interventional cardiology devices market and included in this report are Abbott Laboratories, Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical, Cordis Corporation, Medtronic, plc, St. Jude Medical, Inc., Smiths Medical, and Terumo Medical Corporation.To request Table of Contents and Sample Pages of this report visit:iHealthcareAnalyst, Inc. is a global healthcare market research and consulting company providing market analysis, and competitive intelligence services to global clients. The company publishes syndicate, custom and consulting grade healthcare reports covering animal healthcare, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, healthcare informatics, healthcare services, medical devices, medical equipment, and pharmaceuticals.In addition to multi-client studies, we offer creative consulting services and conduct proprietary single-client assignments targeted at clients specific business objectives, information needs, time frame and budget. Please contact us to receive a proposal for a proprietary single-client study.Ana AitawaiHealthcareAnalyst, Inc.2109, Mckelvey Hill Drive,Maryland Heights, MO 63043United StatesPhone: (314) 500-7508Email: sales@ihealthcareanalyst.com
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Taipei, March 15 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday that its representative office in Malaysia will gain a better understanding of the detention of a Taiwanese woman by that country's customs authorities last week for presenting a damaged passport, while the Malaysian government said it has launched an investigation into the case.
Foam Blowing Agents Market to cross $1.1 billion by 2024.

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Foam blowing agents have major applications in polyurethane foams. Polyurethane foams are used in industries such as automotive, construction, flooring, furnishing, medical devices, and packaging. Rapid industrialization coupled with infrastructural development has boosted the construction industry globally.Foam Blowing Agents Market size is set to reach USD 1.1 billion by 2024; as per a new research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.The polymer foam industry was more than 1.9 million tons for 2015 and will cross 2.9 million tons by 2024. Foam blowing agents are majorly used in polymeric materials such as PU foam, with diversified foam applications in packaging, automotive, construction, and furniture industries. Strong growth indicator in these above mentioned end-user industries will positively influence the foam blowing agents industry size over the estimated timeframe. For instance, the global automotive production, including both personal and commercial vehicles, was approximately 90 million units in 2015.Strong residential & commercial spending trends along with positive infrastructure outlook has driven flooring and furnishing material usage. For example, the global construction spending by 2024 is likely to exceed USD 13 trillion. PU and polystyrene foam blowing agents market was valued over USD 450 million in 2015. PU foam will exhibit significant growth rate among all the application segments, due to increasing demand from automobile and interior decoration.Request for a sample of this research report @Packaging industry and medical devices are other evolving application avenues. Medical device industry, valued at over USD 300 billion, for 2016 has seen an upsurge in international trade mainly due to increasing consumer awareness along with rising expenditure towards health. This opens up opportunities for the foam blowing agents market, particularly for packaging during transit.Browse key industry insights spread across 110 pages with 144 market data tables & 13 figures & charts from the report, Foam Blowing Agents Market Size By Product (Hydrocarbons, Hydrofluorocarbons [HFC], Hydrochlorofluorocarbons [HCFC]), By Application (Polyurethane, Polystyrene, Polyolefin), 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, 2013  2024 in detail along with the table of contents:Polyolefins is the next upcoming segment that will drive global foam blowing agents market size by 2024. Polyolefins has witnessed an increasing adoption in packaging industry for shock absorbent product packing. The segment generated more than USD 90 million in 2015 and will have a significant growth during the forecast period.Hydrocarbons accounted for more over 50% of the global market share in 2015 and is projected to expand at over 7% CAGR by 2024. Increasing product usage in polyurethane foam, which finds widespread applications across end-user industries including appliances, flooring, furnishing, automotive and construction will positively influence the business growth in the near future.Asia Pacific accounted for substantial demand in 2015 with nearly 50% foam blowing agents market share. Improving medical infrastructure across India and China makes APAC a high growth potential region in the coming years. Regional revenue is likely to cross USD 550 million by 2024 on account of robust automotive production and sales growth due to improved consumer lifestyle dynamics.U.S. foam blowing agents market could be valued at more than USD 100 million by 2024. Well-established healthcare industry, consumer awareness regarding medical devices and improved living standards are the factors favoring market demand.In 2015, the global foam blowing agents market share was consolidated. The key industry players accounted for more than half of the market share. Some of the major industry contributors are AkzoNobel N.V., Haltermann GmBH, Honeywell International Inc., Solvay S.A., Exxon Mobil Corporation, Sinochem Group, ZEON Corporation, Daikin Industries Ltd, Arkema S.A., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Major companies the industry have multiple presence across various stages of the value chain, which makes the industry highly competitive.About Global Market Insights, Inc.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.29L Atlantic Avenue, Suite L 105
Fast Food Market - Drivers, Restraint & Future Growth

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Global Fast Food Market: SnapshotThe global fast food market has gained traction and demonstrated resistance even in the time of recession to grow as one of the leading drivers responsible for the worldwide rise of the consumer foodservice sector. Finding its roots in North America, fast food is mainly accepted based on its quick availability and taste factor. The global vendors have successfully managed to reach out to new consumers through product innovations, quick-fire international expansion, and upgrades in dining experience. With colossal investments by giant operators, the worldwide market is expected to exhibit dominance for more years to come.Obtain Report Details @Transparency Market Research (TMR) predicts the global fast food market to rise to US$617.1 bn by 2019 at a moderate CAGR. The radical change in food preference and eating habits and surging demand for healthy and convenient fast foods have promised sturdy growth for the market.Pizza/Pasta and Burger/Sandwich Ride over Chicken and Latin American FoodOne of the key parameters that the global fast food market is categorized on is product type. Out of all the different forms of fast food, the burger/sandwich and pizza/pasta segments are projected to inflate their market size at a sweeping CAGR. This growth of the aforementioned giant segments is calculated to shy away the markets for chicken and Latin American food. However, with the coveted health boons and bold and spicy flavors offered, these fast food markets are foreseen to climb on a growing trend in the developed regions. The other critical segments of the global market by type are sea-food, snacks, and Mexican.Make an Enquiry @If the types of delivery chain are considered, the classification of the international fast food market follows as quick service restaurants (QSR) and street vendors. In terms of distribution channel, local fast food chains are foretold to take advantage of their cost-effectiveness and unique taste to thrive significantly in their respective regions with a greater market share. By the end of the forecast period, chained fast food outlets are envisaged to take hold of a dominant share in the global market while emerging as the most preferred distribution channel.Asia Pacific and Other Emerging Regions Run Toward a Brighter FutureNorth America and Europe as the conventional markets for fast food have clasped a stupendous market share in the recent past, owing to heavy dependence on convenience owing to a busy lifestyle and high demand for convenient restaurant food. Moreover, the healthy changes in fast food menus and introduction of unprocessed cheese, organic vegetables, hormone-free meat, and natural ingredients have contributed toward the maturation of these markets. Such brilliant transformations with changing fast food preferences of consumers and the transparency in fast food chain operations have proved to be significant for growth.Nevertheless, emerging regions such as Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America are poised to seize the fast food market at a rapid pace in the near future. Favorable demographics, increasing disposable income and purchasing power, greater urbanization, and fast adoption of the Western lifestyle have substantially made the future brighter for the developing markets. With the preference for offers, proximity, and easy prices, the developing regions have proposed a change in the global market.Howbeit, North America still dominates the global market with more number of fast food consumers than the other regions. North America and Asia Pacific had collectively dominated the market with a share of over 60.0% in the past.The list of the prominent players in the global fast food market incorporates Wendys International Inc., Doctors Association Inc., Burger King Worldwide Inc., Jack in the Box Inc., Yum! Brands Inc., Dominos Pizza Inc., and McDonalds Corporation.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:
Gunjan Aggarwal of Esquared lifts the 2017 award of 4thWorld Women Leadership by WORLD HRD CONGRESS& FEMINA

Gunjan Aggarwal, co-founder of Esquared was awarded in the category of "WORLD WOMEN LEADERSHIP" by the WORLD HRD CONGRESS& FEMINA (Indias No. 1 Women Magazine), in its fourth edition.With women being selected and nominated across categories for their relentless commitment to make a difference in the world through meaningful changes and innovation, the World Women Leadership Award 2017 edition, had some distinguished women professionals recognised.Gunjan Aggarwal has been awarded in the category of World Women Leadership.The award was presented at the Congress celebratory event on 17 February, 2017 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. The primary objective of this annual ceremonyhas always been about recognizing individuals in various award categories with the objective of benchmarking talent & HR practices.The Key Note Address for the event was delivered by Dr. RL Bhatia, Founder, and World CSR Day. The award was presented to Gunjan by Dr. Michelle Reina, Co-Founder, Reina, A Trust Building Consultancy.Speaking at the event, Gunjan talked about the need for encouragement of women entrepreneurs, saying, Women workers and entrepreneurs are getting their much deserved encouragement and recognition across all strata of society. Unless this 50% of the workforce is productive, India cannot continue the giant strides to progress. In her appreciation for the recognition, she noted- I thank the World HRD Congress and the sponsors of this event for the recognition they have conferred on me and do hope that this inspires others.This is yet another achievement for Gunjan who previously has also received the 50 Most Talented Social Media Professionals of India citation from the prestigious CMO Asia & Youth Marketing Forum. This honor is meant for a Digital & Social Media Leader, mentor and master collaborator whose work has earned them exceptional repute, and whose contributions, ingenuity and commitment pushed Social Media to new levels of excellence through their outstanding achievements.About the World HRD Congress 2017:The Congress was an Executive Level Retreat in which participants reviewed Evolving Trends in HRM that could change their paradigm on leading people at work. It provided an opportunity to acquire skills to maximize competencies and become a more knowledgeable contributor in the organization. Besides networking opportunities, the conference offered unique in-depth approaches to understanding important workplace issues that affect an organization's viability in today's fast-paced business environment. The WORLD HRD CONGRESS was governed by Global Advisory Council which guided the strategic intent of the congress to its logical success.Esquared is an award winning digital media firm with a direct focus on the educational sector. Working with top-tier educational institutes throughout India, E-Squared delivers high-impact results in digital branding, online PR, content creation, design, student recruitment, alumni and corporate engagement.About Gunjan AggarwalGunjan Aggarwal is the co-founder of E-Squared. A teacher at heart, Gunjan has been invited to train online editors for Times of India and performed multiple workshops for executives in digital media analytics. Additionally, Gunjan is the co-founder of the 9.9 School of Convergence. While there, she has been instrumental in launching Indias first Post Graduate Diploma in Digital Media Communication.Gunjan is a Chartered Accountant and MBA from the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, where she was a Citi Bank scholar. She has worked in advisory roles for Arthur Anderson and Citibank and helped assist Fortune 500 companies to develop business strategies for entering the Indian market. She has also served as a consultant for the Indian School of Business and helped the institution to establish its Corporate Relationship team for North India.News-pr.in is a self-made ocean of current news, press release and updates coming from varied nooks and corners of the global society. With the sheer assistance of numerous news suppliers, we serve our readers with hottest news and happenings.C 21 A Anand Vihar, Uttam NagarNew Delhi, Delhi, India 110059
Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market to Witness Significant Growth in the Years to Come

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Non-Alcoholic Drinks Market: SnapshotThe shifting lifestyles of consumers and the growing per capita income are amongst the prime factors positively impacting the global non-alcoholic drinks market. Due to the changing preferences of consumers, numerous flavors and variants of drinks have been introduced in this market which will bring in new growth opportunities in the global non-alcoholic drinks market. The increasing temperatures owing to global warming will also drive the growth of this market. This market is concentrated in nature and hence a couple of players hold a key share within this market. Due to the fact that the market is led by the changing tastes and preferences of consumers, this is why even smaller players are tapping into this market by catering to the needs of local residents and by keeping the prices competitive.Browse Market Research Report @The global non-alcoholic drinks market stood at US$1,435.25 bn in 2013 and is anticipated to touch US$1,937.73 bn by 2020, expanding at a 4.30% CAGR from 2014 to 2020. Volume-wise, this market is poised to rise at a 4.90% CAGR in the forecast period and will fuel the non-alcoholic beverages consumption to 1,289.03 bn liters by 2020, starting from 912.77 bn liters in 2013. The increasing disposable income of consumers, the tastes of local consumers, and demographics will also bode well for the development of the non-alcoholic drinks market. On the other hand, the rising awareness on health is amongst the prime factors impeding the development of the global non-alcoholic market.Tea and Coffee to Gain Demand Due to Rising Disposable Income of ConsumersProduct-wise, the non-alcoholic drinks market is segmented into dairy drinks, juice, tea and coffee, bottled water, soft drinks, and others. Of these, the segment of soft drinks held a dominant share and stood at 471.07 bn liters in 2013. On the other hand, the segment of tea and coffee is poised to emerge as the most swiftly developing segment due to swift industrialization and the growing disposable income of consumers. This segment is predicted to rise at a healthy 7.0% CAGR between 2014 and 2020.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @In terms of geography, the report segments the global non-alcoholic drinks market into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, the North America non-alcoholic drinks market emerged as the top market and was valued at US$220.79 bn in 2013. This is due to the growing awareness on health amongst individuals of all age groups in North America over the forecast period.Increasing Count of Young Consumers to Positively Impact Asia Pacific Non-Alcoholic Drinks MarketOn the other hand, Asia Pacific has also emerged as amongst the key markets for non-alcoholic drinks. The Asia Pacific non-alcoholic drinks market stood at US$332.22 bn in 2013 and is predicted to grow exponentially over the forecast period. This is due to the rising disposable income of consumers in developing nations of India and China and the increasing count of young consumers. In addition, the launch of Make in India campaign in India will also provide impetus to the development of the non-alcoholic drinks market in Asia Pacific.The prime players operating in the global non-alcoholic drinks market are A.G. Barr, plc. (U.K.), Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (U.S.), Dydo Drinco, Inc. (Japan), Attitude Drinks, Inc. (U.S.), LiveWire Ergogenics, Inc. (U.S.), Calcol, Inc. (U.S.), Danone (France), Nestle S.A. (Switzerland), PepsiCo, Inc. (U.S.), and The Coca-Cola Company (U.S.) 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:
Guyson Appoint New Dutch Distributor

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Leading industrial finishing equipment manufacturer Guyson International is pleased to announce the appointment of Blasteq, as Guysons new finishing equipment distributor for the Netherlands.Blasteq already have several years experience of selling soda blasting equipment and its blast media in and around the Netherlands from their base in Lisse, so they are well placed to represent Guysons range of manual bead blast cabinets and ultrasonic cleaning equipment to the Dutch industrial sectors.Mr Mark Viner, Guysons Commercial Director stated that Blasteq have been appointed to sell the entire Guyson range of Formula (light industrial) and Euroblast (industrial) blast cabinets (both suction and pressure fed) and Guysons Kerry-branded ranges of KC & MKC ultrasonic cleaning baths and KS & UCR range of ultrasonic cleaning tanks throughout the Netherlands.We are confident that this distributor appointment can bring about an increase in the installed customer base in the Netherlands and enable Guyson to further expand its European sales operations. Previously this market was dealt with from the UK, which is not ideal if you want to urgently meet with someone face-to-face to talk through a project and get samples processed. It always involved a time lag organising international visits, but now we can respond directly with feet on the ground either the same day or the next to enable a much faster customer sales response.Mark goes on to confirm that Guysons demonstration and test centre is available for Blasteq to offer all their prospective customers free component trials and process evaluation at the Skipton factory, so reassuring new customers that they have the best of both worlds, namely local sales support backed by all the manufacturers own facilities and technical knowledge. Blasteq are contactable by telephone on +31 (0) 252 797 935, by email at info@blasteq.nl and their website address isAbout GuysonGuyson International Limited is a privately owned family company with a world-wide reputation for excellence in the design and manufacture of blast finishing, spray wash and ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Formed in 1938, the company is registered to BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 and its head office is located at Skipton, North Yorkshire, in the north of England. Guyson has four international subsidiary companies: Guyson Corporation of the USA, located in Saratoga Springs, New York State; Guyson SA, situated near Paris, France; Guyson Sdn Bhd in Penang, Malaysia; and Guyson CN, in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.Guyson International LimitedSnaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Road,SKIPTON, North Yorkshire, England BD23 2QR
Positive Airway Pressure Devices Market driven by increasing healthcare awareness for sleep apnea

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Positive airway pressure devices keep pressured air flowing through the airways of the throat and is one of the common treatments for sleep apnea. The patient wears a face mask which is attached with a tube and a machine that blows pressurized air through the mask into the airway to keep it open. The air acts like a balloon holding the relaxed muscles of the throat open. Positive airway pressure (PAP) is a treatment method that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways sufficiently open. PAP devices are specially used by patients that have breathing issues, such as sleep apnea. These devices are broadly categorized as continuous positive airway pressure devices (CPAP), bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), and automatic positive airway pressure devices (APAP). The growing prevalence of sleep apnea and co-morbidities related to PAP have propelled the use of positive airway pressure devices. The global positive airway pressure devices is anticipated to witness a trend of devices that are compact and comfortable through 2024.Obtain Report Details:Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic medical condition requiring night application of therapy to efficiently limit the number of apneas and hypopneas that would occur without intervention. The gold-standard treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure therapy (PAP), which offers a pneumatic splint of the soft tissue in the upper airway. PAP devices can measure and record airflow and pressure levels whenever the device is worn. They contain internal, proprietary algorithms that identify breathing disturbances and whether these disturbances are due to persistent obstructive or non-obstructive events. Generally, the average duration of CPAP use is approximately five hours per night across numerous studies. Studies indicate that greater than six hours per night results in normal levels of objectively measured and self-reported daytime sleepiness, as well as significantly improved memory and daily functioning.Variable positive airway pressure (VPAP) or bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), is a newer type of machine that reduces the amount of pressure when a person breathes out. The device uses an electronic circuit to monitor the person's breathing. Having less pressure in the moment when a person is exhaling may make it more comfortable for the person with sleep apnea. This type of machine is used for people who have other breathing problems or who can't sleep if they have to breathe out against a stream of air.The U.S. accounted for the largest market share in positive airway pressure devices market. This is due to the increasing healthcare awareness for sleep apnea, improving healthcare infrastructure, rising disposable incomes, increasing obesity adding to the pool of sleep apnea patients and economic growth favored by broadening insurance coverage. Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides cover for sleep apnea products, including a capped rental on CPAP/BiPAP equipment and other supplies. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 36% of the adults in the U.S. were obese in 2010, and nearly 42% will be obese by the year 2030. Furthermore, according to National Sleep Foundation, in 2012, around 40 Mn Americans were reported to suffer from chronic sleep disorder.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:Geographically, North America occupies the substantially larger market share, which is followed by Europe. The high attentiveness level in this region will lead the expansion of positive airway pressure devices market significantly. However, affordability has become a restraining factor for the global market in developing regions such as, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Asia Pacific is expected to demonstrate healthy CAGR in the global positive airway devices market. Increase in disposable income, rising aging population, and growing awareness level are some of the key factors driving the Asia Pacific market. The Asian market is expected to witness entry of higher number of new players compared to those in developed regions.Some of the market players who are competing to bring new technologically advanced products in the market are CareFusion Corporation, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, ResMed, Inc., Teleflex, Inc., and othersThe 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:
Food Certification Market Driven by Top Major Drivers  A Review

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The demand for food certification is increasing in response to the rising prevalence of food-borne diseases. The recent instances of food contamination reported across emerging economies have compelled governments to mandate food certifications. Currently, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 22000), Safe Quality Food Certification, International Food Standard, British Consortium Standard, Halal Certification, and Kosher Certification are the most popular certifications in the international market, states Transparency Market Research (TMR). The demand for these certifications is expected to increase in the forthcoming years as food trade across developing nations rises.Obtain Report Details @Besides this, the changing consumption pattern and the subsequent demand for convenience food will fuel the demand for food certifications. However, the high cost of a majority of these certifications will inhibit their proliferation in small businesses. Nevertheless, TMR expects the market to report a CAGR of 5.3% between 2015 and 2021.The global food certification market stood at US$11.25 bn in 2014 and is expected to reach US$16.09 bn by the end of 2021.Rising Awareness about Food Contamination to Fuel Demand for Food CertificationsBased on application, poultry products and processed meat, organic food, dairy products, infant food products, beverages, and others packaged food segment (comprising bakery products) constitute the key segments in the global food certification market. Of these, the others packaged food segment held the dominant share of 23.4% in the market in 2014. Increasing brand consciousness among consumers and the rising awareness about food hazards are the key factors fuelling the demand for food certification in this segment.For more information on this report, fill the form @The market is also expected to witness increased demand from the processed meat and poultry and dairy products segments. However, TMR projects that their market share will decline over the course of the forecast period.In the forthcoming years, food certification in the beverage segment is expected to increase considerably. Beverages include both carbonated and non-carbonated drinks. Certified manufacturers of beverages provide quality assurance, which is the key factor fuelling the demand for food certification in this segment.Changing Consumption Patterns to Boost Demand for Food Certification in EuropeRegionally, Europe led the global food certification market in 2014, followed by North America. Consumers in the region exhibit high consciousness about the food they eat. This, combined with the rising standards of living, is fuelling the demand for food certification in Europe. Furthermore, the region is witnessing a growing inclination of consumers towards healthy food products, which is expected to give significant impetus to the regional market. Germany, France, and the U.K. are currently demonstrating the most lucrative opportunities in the market. According to TMR, the Europe food certification market is expected to reach US$5.77 bn by the end of 2021.North America is also a significant market for food certification. However, TMR expects Asia Pacific to report the fastest growth during the course of the forecast period. The rising standards of living and recent incidences of food contamination across emerging economies will fuel the demand for food certification in Asia Pacific. The prevalence of food-borne diseases has significantly increased in Asia Pacific and such concerns will also drive the need for food certification in the region.Some of the players operating in the food certification market are ALS Limited, Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Dekra SE, Bureau Veritas, SGS SA, AsureQuality Limited, Lloyd's Register Group Limited, Intertek Group plc., TUV SUD AG, and DNV GL Group AS.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:
Harvard + Vienna = Economics at International Top

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Harvard, Hong Kong, Berlin: Economist with excellent international connections accepts post at MODUL University ViennaThe new head of the Department of International Management will begin researching and teaching immediately at Austria's leading private English-language business universityThe internationally active economist Professor Horst Treiblmaier has been appointed the new head of the Department of International Management at MODUL University Vienna. After holding academic posts in several countries, including at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) and Purdue University in Indiana, the expert in gamification and value-added networks has accepted a post at Austria's leading private English-language business university. His decision was influenced by the favorable research climate and outstanding international outlook of MODUL University Vienna.The Department of International Management of the renowned MODUL University Vienna now has a new department head. Professor Horst Treiblmaier is a highly active economic researcher with excellent international connections. "We're thrilled that Professor Treiblmaier has joined our university. His preeminence in the field of economics and his expertise in teaching and research will make an important contribution to strengthening our reputation as Austria's leading private English-language business university", explains Christian Hoffmann, Managing Director of MODUL University.Having held academic positions in the USA, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan and Austria, Professor Treiblmaier is an internationally sought-after cooperation partner in the fields of gamification and the physical internet. Gamification is a new research field in economic informatics that is concerned with the use of elements typical of games, for example in teaching and training applications with the aim of boosting motivation and promoting learning. The physical internet is a supply-chain concept whose aim is to develop highly efficient and resource-sparing value-added networks through the use of the internet of things and cross-company cooperation.In his research into the physical internet alone, Professor Treiblmaier is currently involved in three international projects. Besides the practical implementation of this future-oriented concept in Austria, his projects have dealt with prediction models for industrial partners. His international cooperation partners include colleagues at Harvard University in the USA, City University of Hong Kong, the Copenhagen Business School and the Technical University of Berlin. He is also working on a project concerned with information visualization together with a colleague at Oxford University in the UK. The passionate researcher, who has also worked for many years at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, says that his decision to accept the post at MODUL University Vienna was prompted by the outstanding climate there for productive academic activity: "Here at MODUL University, teaching is done in small groups. That has two advantages: Our students receive highly individualized education, and at the same time we are allowed ample time to pursue intensive, high-caliber research. The research is closely intermeshed with the teaching, so that our students often work at the cutting edge of scientific research", he says.Another reason influencing Treiblmaier's decision is the excellent international outlook of the private university. "Foreign students are the largest group, making up over 70 percent of the student body," he explains. "They come from around 70 different countries, and this promotes vigorous intercultural exchange." Such intercultural exchange is particularly important for the Department of International Management, because in an increasingly global world, management solutions always involve interacting with various cultures. Students at MODUL University Vienna learn this first hand during their studies.Most recent publication:Breaking Free from the Limitations of Classical Test Theory: Developing and Measuring Information Systems Scales Using Item Response Theory. Rusch, T., Lowry, P. B., Mair, P. and Treiblmaier, H. (2017), Information & Management, Vol. 54, No. 2, 189 - 203.About MODUL University ViennaMODUL University Vienna, the international private university of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, offers courses (BBA, BSc, MSc, MBA and PhD programs) in the areas of international business and management, new media technology, public governance, sustainable development, tourism and hospitality management (). The study programs meet strict accreditation guidelines and are held in English in keeping with the university's international orientation. The university campus is located at Mount Kahlenberg in Viennas 19th district.For queries please contact:Andreas Eder, MAHead of University CommunicationMODUL University ViennaAm Kahlenberg 11190 AustriaT +43 / 1 / 3203555 104,E andreas.eder@modul.ac.atEditing & distribution:PR&D  Public Relations for Research & EducationMariannengasse 81090 ViennaAustriaT +43 / 1 / 505 70 44E contact@prd.at
Hearing Amplifiers Market is expected to witness a healthy CAGR in terms of revenue

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Hearing loss can occurs when inner ear or nerve is damaged, which may be caused due to diseases, aging, loud noise, and medications. Hearing amplifier is a small part of hearing aid which makes the sound louder. Hearing amplifiers increase the power of signals and then send them to the ear through speakers.Hearing aid is useful in improving the hearing and speech of patients. An otolaryngologist investigates the cause of the hearing loss. An audiologist is a hearing health professional who identifies and measures hearing loss and will perform a hearing test to assess the type and degree of hearing loss.Obtain Report Details:Increase in number of hearing impairment cases coupled with rising costs of hearing aids are expected to drive the growth of the global hearing amplifiers market during the forecast period. Majority of the consumers use hearing amplifiers or personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) as they are considered cheaper alternatives of hearing aids. Hearing amplifiers or PSAPs, are designed to amplify sounds in any recreational environment and are exempt from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hearing amplifiers are sold directly to consumers as electronic devices without the requirement of a physician prescription. According to National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), approximately 324,200 cochlear implants have been implanted worldwide. About 15 percent of Americans (26 million people) between the ages of 20 and 69 have high frequency hearing loss due to exposure to noise at work or during leisure activities. Major driving factors for the growth of the global hearing amplifiers such as an increase in the number of prevalence of hearing impairment patients in old and young population, increasing investment in research and development in ENT field among others.Based on styles or design types of hearing aid products the global market of hearing amplifiers can be segmented as follows:Behind-the-ear (BTE)Mini BTEIn-the-ear (ITE)In-the-canal (ITC)Based on function the global hearing amplifiers market can be segmented as follows:Analog hearing aidsDigital hearing aidsBased on distribution channels the global hearing amplifiers market can be segmented as follows:Hospital PharmaciesOnline PharmaciesIndependent Pharmacies and Drug storesHearing amplifiers market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. In 2015, North America lead the global market of hearing amplifiers followed by the Europe in terms of revenue. According to statistics compiled by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 37.5 million adults aged 18 and older in America report some form of hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 28.8 million U.S. adults could benefit from using hearing aids and more than 90 percent of deaf children are born to parents suffering from some kind of hearing disorder. Globally, the hearing amplifiers market is expected to witness a healthy CAGR in terms of revenue during the forecast period.Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report:Latin America, Middle East & Africa and Asia Pacific regions are the emerging markets in the global hearing amplifiers market. Increasing awareness among the various distribution channels as well as consumers in these regions is anticipated to propel global market growth of hearing aids and amplifiers during the forecast period.The key players in the global market develop hearing amplifiers in analog and digital forms. Some of the top companies in the global hearing amplifiers market are Sound Hawk, Resound, Foshan Vohom Technology Co. Ltd., Sound world solution, Shenzhen LA Lighting Company Limited, Austar Hearing Science and Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd., Huizhou Jinghao Electronics Co. Ltd., Ziphearing among 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:
Cecil Launcher 2.5.3 Launched

http://cecil.ciacob.ro/site/index.php/2016/12/24/version-2-5-3-launched/

http://cecil.ciacob.ro/

Cecil Launcher 2.5.3 launched on 2016/12/24, bringing you the most stable and fast Cecil so far. This is a bug-fix version.This is just a quick note that the bug fix version 2.5.3 was launched toward the dawns of the Christmas Eve, to fix an unfortunate memory leak introduced by the last patching session (2.5.2). I take this opportunity to wish a Happy Christmas to all fellow Christians celebrating it.Read more here:Claudius Iacob is a musician and a programmer based in Bucharest, Romania. He currently is a PhD student in musicology, having graduated in music composition from the Bucharest National University of Music, where he studied with Dan Dediu, Doina Rotaru and Mihaela Vosganian, to name a few.He began programming as a hobby, and eventually specialized in front-end web technologies, earning IT certifications and working for renowned software firms, such as Adobe Romania, XL Team, or Senior Interactive. While generally a freelancer programmer, he often bides his time as a full time employee, which he regards as a chance of growing better discipline, making new connections and learning new technologies.Claudius Tiberiu IacobRomania Bucharest 3rd of Dumbravita st., 6th districtClaudius IACOB claudius.pad@submitpad.org
Smart Home Medical Device Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends 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.Request a sample copy of this report @Global smart home medical device market taxonomyThe global smart home medical device market is classified on the basis of following segments: Product Type:o Detection and monitoring systems Asthma detection kit Glucose monitoring system Others (blood pressure, weight variations)o Back therapy kito Digital pillso Wearable Clothes Wrist watches Alert patch Smart contact lenso Others Mattress Bathroom accessorieso Applications: Medication Management Glucose management Diagnoses Therapy Assistance Infant care Telehealth management Others (feeding, voiding)o Data Storage Cloud On-premiseso Modality Benchtop Wearable StandaloneRequest for Complete TOC before buying this exclusive Report by CMI @Growing 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.Get Discount for First Time Buyers @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.Click here to know more about this report @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 @
Seminar on Implementation of GST in Insurance Industry

www.ifingo.org

www.ifingo.org

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a ground-breaking reform for the Indian economy's indirect tax regime. GST will change the tax architecture between the state and the centre.The Goods and Services Tax(GST) is a value added tax that will replace all the indirect taxes levied on goods and services by the government, both central and states, once it is implemented.The basic idea of this taxation reform is to create a single, cooperative and undivided Indian market to make the economy stronger and powerful.GST is a value-added tax, which will eliminate the cascading effect or double-taxation effect on the cost of goods and services down the value chain. GST will certainly impact the structure, incidence, computation of indirect taxes leading to a comprehensive restoration of the current tax regime in the country.The insurance industry of India consists of 53 insurance companies of which 24 are in life insurance business and 29 are non-life insurers. The insurance industry is growing at fast pace. The domestic life insurance industry registered 22.55 per cent growth for new business premium in financial year 2015-16, generating a revenue of Rs 1, 35,546 Crores largely due to the high growth in the group single premium policy and the non-life insurance premium market grew at a CAGR of 12.1 per cent over FY04-16 from Rs. 22,658 Crores in FY04 to Rs. 1, 20,000 Crores in FY17 (estimated).The insurance industry is also not going to remain untouched from the impact of GST. It will certainly be going to have an impact on the insurance industry as well as policyholders. Seeing the importance of the subject the Insurance committee of PHD Chamber is organizing a Seminar on Implementation of GST in Insurance Industry on 7th April 2017 at PHD HouseDetails are also available on http://www.ifingo.org/seminar-implementation-of-gst-in-insurance-industry.phpThe Seminar will feature and address the following issues Need for GST registration for insurance related stakeholders Process for GST registration Points to be kept in mind Avoid mistakes/ delays to avoid penalties Points for companies having multiple branches in a state/ all over India/ providing interstate insurance related services. Software required catering to the changes so that all stake holders can benefit.Stake Holders: Governments Officials Insurance Companies Insurance Intermediaries Insurance Institutes/ Academic Faculty/ Students Members from Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chartered accountants/ Tax Consultants Insurance Surveyors/ ValuersObjective of the Seminar:The conference will feature and address the following issues: To provide a platform for open house discussion between Government and stakeholders Smooth transition from present taxation regime to GST is important. Are software Companies ready to provide support to large nuclear Insurance Companies, Insurance Intermediaries & others? Set off of GST paid at source  What is not covered?Who Should Attend the Seminar (Target Participants)?This is a good opportunity for: Insurance Companies Insurance Intermediaries  Insurance Broker firms, Corporate Agents, Agents, Insurance Marketing Firm, Web Aggregators, Surveyors, Loss Assessors, Valuers Chartered Accountants/ Tax Consultants Surveyors/ Loss Assessors Insurance Institutes/ Academic Faculty/ Students Media Personnel NGOs Members from Chambers of Commerce and Industry Associations Representing Various Segments Connected with this industryWhat you can expect from the Seminar?Success lies in Smooth transition so that all stake holders can be benefitted from GST. Objective to avoid penalties.Some Key Take away for Various Stake Holders will be: Understanding of GST rules/ regulation is important. Smooth transition from present taxation regime to GST is importantEminent Speakers addressing this Seminar will be from: Insurance Industry Policy Regulators from IRDA General Insurance Council Law Firms/ Lawyer Insurance Brokerage Firms Chartered Accountants Insurance Surveyors/ Valuers Experts on GSTAccording to Shri S. K. Sethi, Vice President, Insurance Foundation of India. We invite all such stakeholders to participate and enrich their concept and awareness regarding implementation of GST in Insurance industry to impart and share their knowledge.Insurance Foundation of India (IFI) is set up under Trust Registration Act 1882 of Government of India as a not for profit organization. The main objective of IFI is to promote awareness of Insurance among masses. It also focuses on education/ seminar programmes to improve capabilities of those working for Insurance industry.In past IFI has successfully organized various Executive Development Programmes of International standards in India with world-class faculty.The main objectives and purpose of this NGO are1. Growth of Insurance Industry in the country as this can assist in infrastructure development with investment and hence create employment opportunities for large number of youngsters, who are entering the employment market.2. Assist the Insurance consumers of India3. Organize skill development programmes4. Undertake Micro Insurance Projects for those who need these products5. To set up facilities for online education, training, dissemination of Insurance and Insurance related subjects/ information among students, as well as professional specialists working in Insurance Industry (Companies, Intermediaries, TPAs, Surveyors, and Actuaries), masses and general public.6. To bring out Newsletter/ Publications/ Books/ Studies/ reports in media like print, copy, electronic, TV, web based7. To publish/ translate books in English/ Hindi and all regional as well as vernacular languages so that masses living in urban/ semi urban/ rural parts of India can use Insurance as part of their financial planning/ risk management.Objectives and further details are available onReleased on 14th March, 2017Released by:Rajesh KumarInsurance Foundation of IndiaOm Plaza (1st Floor), 430/7, Sant Nagar,East of Kailash, New Delhi-110065Mob: 9015406030Phone: 011  46581577Web:Email: vp@ifingo.org
Copper Foil Global Market 2017 Focuses on Top Manufacturers OAK-MITSUI, 3M, FURUKAWA ELECTRIC, JX Nippon, CIRCUIT FOIL, LS Mtron

Copper Foil Global Market 2017

http://www.mrsresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-copper-foil-market-2016-production-sales-supply.html

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The Global Copper Foil Market 2017-2022 industry, Starting with a broad overview, the report by Qy Research narrows down to offer an overview of the Copper Foil Industry globally as well as with a specific focus on Manufactures. By conducting a check of the current status of the Copper Foil in Globe 2017-2022 Industry, the report is able to then delve deeper into the various forces that directly and indirectly impact the Industry.Read Complete Report @The Research report explores the global Copper Foil market size (volume and value), and the segment markets by regions, types, applications and companies are also discussed. Global Copper Foil Market 2017-2022 Forecast industry statistics, valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market 2016-2022Research Report Given the ever-shifting and ever-evolving nature of the technologies that enable the products and services contributing to the growth of the Copper Foil in global Industry, the report conducts a detailed analysis of the technological trends, Market Size, Market Share and Market developments. Global Copper Foil Market 2017 Research report moves ahead to focus on the various global players in the Copper Foil Industries in 2011-2016. In order to obtain specific information about the global Industry participants, the report focuses on the following key aspects: Company Profiles, product/services information, contact information, as well as production/revenues, Market Share, Market Opportunity.Check Free Sample Research Report @Global Copper Foil Industry Segments are based on the analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data. For this, specific data has been gleaned from journals, trade magazines, revenues of leading Industry participants, as well as news reports. The impact of the economic condition prevailing in Globe is assessed in the context of the Copper Foil in Global 2017-2022 Industry. Both macroeconomic and microeconomic outlooks have been taken into consideration for this purpose. The report then goes on to offer countermeasures to mitigate any adverse impacts of unfavorable economic conditions. The report ends with definitive and authoritative conclusions about the Copper Foil in Global 2017-2022 Industry.Send us your Enquiry @MRS Research Group provides a range of marketing and business research solutions designed for our clients specific needs based on our expert resources. The business scopes of Prof Research cover more than 30 industries including energy, new materials, transportation, daily consumer goods, chemicals, etc. We provide our clients with one-stop solution for all the research requirements.Joel John3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442United StatesToll Free : +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Email: sales@mrsresearchgroup.com
Growth Opportunities For Magneto Resistive RAM (MRAM) Global Market During The Forecast Period 2017 - 2024

Market Research Report

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Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Growth Opportunities For Magneto Resistive RAM (MRAM) Global Market During The Forecast Period 2017 - 2024" to its huge collection of research reports.Global Magneto Resistive RAM (MRAM) Market: OverviewMRAM or Magneto-resistive random-access memory technology has been under development since the 1990s. MRAM is a non-volatile random access memory technology that utilizes magnetic charges for storing data instead of electric charges as in the case of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) and SRAM (static random access memory) technologies. Unlike DRAM and SRAM technologies, that requires constant flow of electricity to maintain data integrity, MRAM retains data even if power is turned off and requires very less amount of electricity in order to store data bits in it.MRAM, by combining the inherent advantages of both DRAM in terms of density and SRAM in term of read and write speed has the potential of becoming a universal memory in the coming years. The global MRAM market is predicted to have tremendous growth opportunity in the coming years as a nonvolatile solid state memory in order to replace other electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and flash memory where high write endurance is required.Surge in the demand of flexible and wearable electronics market is the primary factor predicted to boost the demand of MRAM during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. Currently rapid technological advancements is taking place in the field to flexible and wearable consumer electronics. Flexible magnetic memories forms an integral part of the flexile and wearable consumer electronic devices for storing and processing data.Moreover, the major challenge of fabricating high performing memory chips on soft flexible substrates without reducing the performance is also eliminated by technologically advanced MRAM technology. MRAM outperforms the traditional NAND memory used in wearable and flexible electronics in terms of data retention capacity after power cut off, low power consumption along with increased processing speed. In addition, MRAM has the capability of operating in extreme temperature condition and can resist very high radiation. Thus, MRAM is also predicted to witness huge demand from various aerospace and military applications in the coming years.Global Magneto Resistive RAM (MRAM) Market: SegmentationFor the purpose of providing detailed study of the market, the global MRAM market has been segmented on the basis of product type, application and geography. MRAM is available in two different product types including toggle MRAM and second generation MRAM (STT-MRAM). In order to track the market accurately, the third generation MRAM that is predicted to get commercialized by the beginning of 2019, has also been considered within the scope of research. MRAM also finds its application across different product segments such as consumer electronics, robotics, automotive, enterprise storage, aerospace and defense and others. The others segment includes application of MRAM in sensing devices, medical devices and smart meters.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Geographically, the market has been segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Middle-East and Africa (MEA). In terms of revenue and growth, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to drive the market of MRAM in the coming years due to rapid growth in computationally intensive applications and rising demand for highly scalable memory solutions. Global MRAM market report provides an in-depth study of the current market trend and future forecast during the period from 2016 to 2024 in terms of revenue (USD Million).Global Magneto Resistive RAM (MRAM) Market: Competitive LandscapeThis report also provides an exhaustive study of the global MRAM market including the key strategies adopted by leading players, market attractiveness analysis by product type, value chain analysis, industry evolution and comparative advantage of MRAM over other memory solutions.Moreover, the penetration rate of MRAM across various industry verticals during the period from 2014 to 2018 is also highlighted in this report. In addition, detailed analysis of the drivers, restraints and opportunities that are predicted to affect the market in the coming years is provided in this report. Some of the major players operating in the global MRAM market includes Everspin Technologies Inc. (U.S), Avalanche Technologies (U.S) and Spin Transfer Technologies (U.S) among others.Global MRAM market is segmented into:-By Product TypeToggle MRAMSecond Generation MRAM (STT-MRAM)By ApplicationConsumer ElectronicsRoboticsAutomotiveEnterprise storageAerospace and DefenseOthersBy GeographyNorth AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle-East and Africa (MEA)Latin AmericaMake 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 @
Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare Market By Solution ( In-House, Hardware, Software & Services) 2017-2024

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ALBANY, NY, March 15, 2017 : ResearchMoz presents professional and in-depth study of "Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare Market - Global Industry, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2024".Global Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare: Scope of the ReportThis report provides forecast and analysis of the technology spending on core administration in healthcare on the global and regional levels. It provides historical data of 2015 along with forecast from 2016 to 2024 in terms of revenue (US$ Mn). The report also includes macroeconomic indicators along with an outlook on core administration systems in healthcare. It includes drivers and restraints of core administration in healthcare and impact on each region during the forecast period. The report also comprises the study of applications and opportunities for core administration solutions and services vendors. It also includes detailed analysis by deployment, solution, end users and the workflow process.Get PDF for more Professional and Technical insights @In order to provide users of this report with a comprehensive view of the core administration landscape, we have included a detailed competitiveness analysis and company players with unique propositions. The dashboard provides a detailed comparison of core administration solution and services vendors on parameters such as revenue sales, ranking of global players, strategic consolidations, i.e. mergers & acquisitions, licensing activities, and R&D activities. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, by solution, deployment, end-user and region.Global Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare: SegmentationThe report includes the revenue generated from sales of core administration solutions in all regions and important countries in these regions. By solution, the technology spending on core administration in healthcare has been segmented into in-house and outsource. The in-house segment is further divided into hardware, software, and services. By deployment, the technology spending on core administration in healthcare is segmented into cloud-based and on-premise. On the basis of end users, the technology spending on core administration in healthcare is segmented into payers and providers. The payer segment is further divided into insurance companies, government, and others and the provider segment is further divided into hospitals and others. On the basis of region, the technology spending on core administration in healthcare is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East and Africa.Global Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare: Research MethodologyMarket numbers have been estimated based on technology spending on core administrative solutions in healthcare by solution, and the revenue is derived from regional pricing trends. Technology spending and forecasts for each segment have been provided in the context of global and regional markets. The technology spending on core administration in healthcare has been analyzed based on expected demand. Prices considered for the calculation of revenue are regional average prices obtained through primary quotes from numerous regional core administration solutions vendors, suppliers, and system integrators. All key end users have been considered, and potential applications have been estimated on the basis of secondary sources and feedback from primary respondents. Regional demand patterns have been considered while estimating the spending on various solutions marketed in different regions. Top-down approach has been used to estimate the technology spending on core administration in healthcare by regions. Market numbers for solution, deployment, end-user and regional segments have been derived using the bottom-up approach, which is cumulative of each regions demand. The company-level market share has been derived on the basis of revenues reported by key vendors. The market has been forecast based on constant currency rates.A number of primary and secondary sources were consulted during the course of the study. Secondary sources include Factiva, press releases, company news, Google Books, company annual reports, white papers, other websites, and publications.Global Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare: Competitive DynamicsThe report provides detailed competitive and company profiles of some of the key participants operating in the global market. Some of the players in core administration systems in healthcare include Plexis Healthcare Systems, DST Systems, Inc., HealthEdge Software, Inc., ikaSystems Corporation, TriZetto Corporation, Health Solutions Plus, Inc., Aldera Holdings, Inc., Wonderbox Technologies, UPP Technology, Inc., and HealthAxis Group, LLC.Make an Enquiry of this report @The market has been segmented as below:Global Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare  By SolutionIn-HouseHardwareSoftwareServicesOutsourceGlobal Technology Spending on Core Administration in Healthcare  By DeploymentCloud-BasedOn-PremiseResearchMoz 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.ResearchMoz90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United States
Assembly 4.0 with SAP

Assembly 4.0 with SAP Leonardo

www.t-h.de/hannovermesse

Live demo of assembly activities in the smart factory with SAP Leonardo at the Hannover Trade FairSchwerin, March 15, 2017  Trebing + Himstedt, expert for SAP-based MES and IoT solutions, presents concrete use cases demonstrating connected production can be implemented using the SAP Leonardo portfolio. The many live demos can be seen at the Hannover Trade Fair from April 2428, 2017, in Hall 7 at the Trebing + Himstedt stand B12.Networked machines and production processes, as well as the integration of a human-centric Assembly 4.0, are the main focus of Trebing + Himstedt, the expert for SAP-based MES and IoT solutions and strategic SAP Silver Partner for SAP Connected Manufacturing and IoT Services from SAP.The new SAP Leonardo portfolio for IoT and connected assets offers numerous solution scenarios for smart production in Industry 4.0. At the stand, solution examples and architectures, including concrete live demos such as 3D work instructions, will be shown. In addition, interested people can learn about the Predictive Maintenance & Service scenario based on the SAP Cloud Platform.Learn more about the trade fair topics and live demos, and get your free tickets for the Hannover Trade Fair, atAbout Trebimg+HimstedtTrebing + Himstedt is an expert in creating MES and IoT solutions on SAP technologies and a strategic SAP Silver Partner for SAP Connected Manufacturing and IoT services from SAP.Trebing + Himstedt places special emphasis on the core topics of plant performance management with KPIs, variant production, product traceability, and predictive maintenance.As an SAP silver partner, Trebing + Himstedt implements and licenses the SAP Leonardo solutions: SAP Manufacturing Execution (SAP ME), SAP Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence (SAP MII) and SAP Plant Connectivity (SAP PCo) as well as SAP Predictive Maintenance and Service based on the SAP Cloud Platform.Trebing & Himstedt Prozeautomation GmbH & Co. KGWilhelm-Hennemann-Str. 1319061 Schwerin | GermanyPhone: +49 385 39572-0Telefax: +49 385 39572-22E-mail: info(at)t-h.dePress ContactUlf KottigSenior Marketing Manager
Dermal Regeneration Template Market - Global Industry Insights, Trends and Opportunity Analysis, 20162024

https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/118

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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. 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.Request a sample copy of this report @Global Dermal Regeneration Template Market TaxonomyThe global market is classified on the basis of following segments: Indication Type:o Burn Injurieso Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcerso Trauma Injurieso Others End Users:o Hospitalo Ambulatory Surgical Centerso Emergency Care Unitso OthersRequest for Complete TOC before buying this exclusive Report by CMI @Future 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 industry. 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.Get Discount for First Time Buyers @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.Click here to know more about this report @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 @
The shopping centre market in Europe: increasingly sustainable.

Elnos, Brescia

http://www.climaveneta.com/EN/Projects/By-Application/34/shopping-centre/

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New shopping centre developments in EuropeAccording to the latest European Shopping Centre Development Report there is an increasing number of new shopping centre developments, after a weak first half of the year in 2016. If the entire expected built area in Europe will be delivered on time, the total number of the shopping centres will increase from 156.3 million square meters  recorded at the end of the first half of 2016  to 164.4 million square meters by the end of 2017. In a ranking of European countries with the greatest square metres of new space, Italy ranked fourth, after Turkey, Russia, and France, with 93,000 square meters of new GLA completed in the first half of 2016. The capitalization rates are currently low, promising an appreciation of the assets over time, and are attracting many investors in Italy. A representative case of this trend is the newly opened ELNOS Shopping in Roncadelle, the largest center in Brescia.Not only new shopping mallsThe slowness of the scheduling process and the difficulties related to the implementation of new malls has led to an increase in the expansion of existing centres. In the second half of 2016, 1 out of 5 interventions in Europe covered the renovation and expansion of existing centres. Real estate owners are committed to make their shopping centres continually attractive to end users, by placing elements that can add value to their customer experience. An example of this trend is the refurbishment of the shopping centre OParinor, opened in 1974, it is now one of the five largest centres in the Ile-de-France area, Paris. It has just been renovated and enlarged through a major restructuring program, concerning the building, the systems and the opening of new interior spaces.Sustainability and green certificationsBoth in new and in refurbished shopping malls there is an increased attention to topics related to respecting the environment and sustainability. If, on one hand, more and more brands choose the most suitable shopping center to meet the requirements of their environmental policies, on the other, real estate owners tend to invest more in sustainability to add value to their developments. An example is the new Adigeo mall. Built in the refurbished industrial site, Office Adige, and being a part of the Adige City masterplan, the new Adigeo shopping centre has a total gross built area of 72,000 sqm and more than 140 shops. It will open at the end of March. In line with the social responsibility policy of the property, Adigeo is undergoing LEED GOLD certification.The importance of technological systemsAs a result, technological systems today are playing a key role in the development of a successful shopping center. LED lighting, innovative lift systems, efficient air conditioning and treatment systems, photovoltaic panels, rainwater collection, and BMS systems have quickly become key elements to make buildings efficient and well performing, while ensuring at the same time the best customer experience to their visitors.Focus on HVACWhen talking about technological systems, something worthy to note is the air conditioning system, specifically for the benefits it can bring both in terms of interior comfort and energy efficiency. In modern shopping centers it is in fact necessary to design high performance and flexible HVAC systems, able to offer the ideal temperature in the malls and in public spaces, in small, medium, and large shops, both in summer and in winter, during the relative calm throughout the week or during the crowded weekends. The same system has to reduce energy consumption and on site CO2 emissions, exploiting renewables if possible, and granting the highest acoustic comfort to the end users. Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics and IT Cooling Systems, thanks to the vast experience of its brand Climaveneta, designs, manufactures, and markets high efficiency, reliable, economically viable, eco-sustainable air conditioning solutions for shopping centres.ELNOS, Adigeo, OParinor: Climaveneta is there!So it is not by chance that the main new shopping centers in Italy; ELNOS Shopping and Adigeo are both air conditioned by Climaveneta units. The HVAC system of the ELNOS Shopping is based on Climaveneta air conditioning units: 6 NECS N/B1716 reversible heat pumps, 10 WET/RTF water source roof top with variable water flow system. In addition, 10 WIZARD air handling units, for a total air flow of about 250.000 m3/h, have been installed to grant perfect comfort all year round. The Climaveneta units are linked to the BMS to improve the management of energy consumption.At the Adigeo Mall the HVAC system has been designed following the LEED prerequisites, with a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. 16 WHISPER ENTHALPY air source roof top units by Climaveneta have been installed, for a total air flow of 500.000 m3/h, and 1 air to air reversible heat pump NECS-N/CA in Class A efficiency.Furthermore, even the new HVAC system of the refurbished OParinor shopping centre is based on 2 high efficiency Climaveneta water cooled chillers; FOCS2-W/CA/S 9003, for a total cooling capacity of 4.470 kW. The units have been selected in high efficiency version: with innovative optimized compressors and high performing heat exchangers, which enhance EER values up to 5,1 for Eurovent standard conditions.There are hundreds of shopping centers all over the world with Climaveneta units installed, click this link to learn where they are:Follow Climaveneta:youtube.com/user/climavenetaweb, @ClimavenetaHVAC, linkedin.com/company/climaveneta, facebook.com/climavenetahvac/Media RelationsSara Di Clementesara.diclemente@melcohit.comClimaveneta, a leading brand in HVAC and HPAC with more than 40 yearss experience provides energy efficient heating, air conditioning and data center cooling solutions that enhance everyones comfort, improve the profitability of a building and do not contribute to an increase in CO2 levels.Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling SystemsClimavenetaPlant of via Sarson, 57/c36061 Bassano del Grappa (VI)Italy+390424509500
Schlemmer Group Goes Digital and Stengthens Global Procurement

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Global Purchasing Project Supports International Expansion and GrowthVienna | Stuttgart | Munich, March 15th, 2017 The Schlemmer Group is an internationally successful tech company that specializes in highly specific synthetic and metal solutions. The Group has decided to re-structure its purchasing organization and will now direct the purchasing activities for international production plants and buyers centrally, using a digital procurement platform. The first phase of this operation will focus on supplier relationship management, including supplier registration and calls for bids for tools and parts. The company has selected POOL4TOOL, the market leader in the field of direct procurement, as their partner in this project. POOL4TOOL managed to set up a system based on best-practice standards within a few short weeks. (While the Schlemmer Group has traditionally been most closely associated with the auto industry, the company is also active in many other sectors. With more than 60 locations worldwide, 30 production plants in strategic locations, and a mobile factory, the company is able to implement global strategies and be present locally for development, production and sales operations. In order to direct purchasing activities for production sites and international buyers centrally and more efficiently, the company opened the Global Supply Chain Department in Poing, in Upper Bavaria. Schlemmer chose POOL4TOOL, the market leader in direct procurement, as a partner to implement a new global purchasing platform for the Schlemmer Group.With the increasing level of digitization in our company, it was only logical to also implement a high-performance technology solution in Procurement. With the POOL4TOOL platform, we will increase transparency within the Schlemmer Group. Our goal is to make it easy for all of our buyers across the globe to access all of the supplier information within the Group, and to see offers in different locations, says Stefanie Schilhab, the Supply Chain Manager for the Schlemmer Group and the project leader for the procurement project. This not only provides us with a better overview of each plants demands, it also allows us to collect and share our experiences with the suppliers in our different locations. This raises the efficiency of our global procurement organization to a whole new level.Global Implementation of Procurement Strategy (Schlemmers high quality standards for their own products as well as those provided by their suppliers lie at the heart of the companys purchasing policy. In order to address and evaluate these standards early on during the supplier selection process, supplier registration has now been integrated into the procurement platform. Suppliers now enter their information online and the data is reviewed and released by the Category Managers. This allows Schlemmer to increase efficiency in supplier management by creating standardized processes that are used in all of their locations. The company was also able to implement global standards in Sourcing by creating standard templates for purchasing tools and parts. This guarantees that all of Schlemmers buyers in all of the companys locations adhere to the set processes.Schlemmer chose POOL4TOOL based on the tools user-friendly interface, flexible solution, and the option to make individual adjustments even after the go-live thanks to cooperation with the supply chain risk experts at riskmethods. Further activities are planned for the future. After the successful implementation of the tool at Schlemmers centrail location, POOL4TOOL will gradually be rolled out at other Schlemmer locations. The procurement platform will also be connected to Schlemmers ERP system so that additional modules can be implemented later. (About Schlemmer: Schlemmer is a worldwide operating manufacturer and development partner of international industry and automotive groups specializing in plastic and metal solutions. With 60 years of experience in cable protection, the company has grown from its headquarters in Poing, Upper Bavaria to a leading global distributor. The company supports its clients with intelligent consulting and services. While the Schlemmer Group has traditionally been most closely associated with the auto industry, the company is also active in many other sectors. With more than 60 locations worldwide, 30 production plants in strategic locations, and a mobile factory, the company is able to implement global strategies and be present locally for development, production and sales operations. More than 2,500 employees reached a net turnover of 263 million euros in 2015. Find out more at:andPOOL4TOOL AG is the global market leader for electronic process optimization in "direct procurement", with locations in America and Asia and over 300 clients. The only worldwide All-in-One Supply Collaboration Platform brings together all process from product development through strategic procurement (sourcing), supplier management (SRM), indirect procurement (procurement), Supply Chain Management (SCM) up to Quality Management in one workflow-based solution. POOL4TOOL offers best practices from successful projects with global market leaders from the automotive, engineering and equipment construction, serial production and medical technology branches, as well as a unique supplier network with over 300,000 connected companies. Learn more atPOOL4TOOL AG | Kathrin Kornfeld | Corporate Communications Manager | Wienerbergstr. 11 | A-1100 Vienna |Telephone: +43 (1) 80 490 80 | Email: kathrin.kornfeld@pool4tool.com
yStats.com report tells of growth of mobile wallets

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A new report from Hamburg-based online payments and E-Commerce research firm yStats.com, Global Mobile Wallets 2017: Market Opportunities and Competition profiles three major mobile wallets and cites relevant market data and consumer surveys.New payment options such as mobile wallets are the result of rapid growth globally of mobile payments. As detailed in the yStats.com report, even though Apple and Google chose the USA for the initial launch of Apple Pay and Android Pay, respectively, more consumers in the Asia-Pacific region have adapted the use of wallets than in North America and Europe. Samsung Pay, another major wallet provider, was introduced in South Korea slightly ahead of the U.S. launch. Surveys cited in the yStats.com report show that smartphone owners in emerging markets are more disposed to future use of mobile wallets than mobile users in some advanced economies.The yStats.com report provides details on the geographic spread of the three Pays, their main service features, plus some of the leading partnerships with merchants, banks and card networks that support these mobile payment solutions. Charts showing the usage rates and supported features facilitate comparison of the three wallets.For further information, see:About yStats.comFounded in 2005 and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, yStats.com is one of the world's leading secondary market research companies. We are committed to providing the most up-to-date and objective data on Global B2C E-Commerce and Online Payment markets to sector-leading companies worldwide.Our multilingual staff researches, gathers, filters and translates information from thousands of reputable sources to synthesize accurate and timely reports in our areas of expertise, covering more than 100 countries and all global regions. Our market reports focus predominantly on online retail and payments, but also cover a broad range of related topics including M-Commerce, Cross-Border E-Commerce, E-Commerce Delivery, Online Gaming and many others. In addition to our wide selection of market reports, we also provide custom market research services.We are proud to cooperate with companies like Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters. Given our numerous citations in leading media sources and journals worldwide, including Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, we are considered one of the most highly-reputed international secondary market research companies with an expertise in the areas of B2C E-Commerce and Online Payment.Press Contact:yStats.com GmbH & Co. KGBehringstrasse 28a, D-22765 HamburgPhone: +49 (0)40 - 39 90 68 50Fax: +49 (0)40 - 39 90 68 51E-Mail: press@ystats.comInternet:Twitter:LinkedIn:Facebook:
Kenya identifies automobiles by using RFID technology from Germany

The Kenyan RFID windshield label, called IDeSTIX by TONNJES C.A.R.D. /  TONNJES C.A.R.D.

Bremen, March 2017. Almost 47 million people are registered citizens of Kenya. However, the government has no backed record on the total number of car owners on Kenyas streets. As a consequence, the state misses out on tax revenues that are essential to enhance the countrys traffic infrastructure. The Kenyan National Transport & Safety Authority (NTSA) wants to change this situation. Its aim is to create a nationwide vehicle register. For that reason, the German based company TONNJES C.A.R.D. supplies Kenya with about 3.3 million windshield labels that entail an integrated UCODE DNA RAIN RFID chip from NXP Semiconductors. The technology allows the secure identification and authentication of vehicles. Over the next three years, all Kenyan car owners are obligated to switch to the new technology. We have several projects in Africa. However, the partnership with the NTSA is an important milestone for our company. We do not just deliver the UCODE DNA based RFID windshield labels, we also help and advise the authorities during the implementation of the system, explains Jochen Betz, Managing Director of TONNJES C.A.R.D. The central automobile database, called traffic information & management system (TIMS), is planned to be fully updated and vetted until 2020.We are excited that our latest RAIN RFID UHF chip technology, which includes cryptographic authentication, is enabling Kenyan government to securely identify their vehicle population, boost their tax revenue and support the safety of their traffic network, said Markus Staeblein, VP and General Manager of NXPs Secure Mobility and Retail business.In addition to the stickers for the windshield, the IDeTRUST security solution is also part of the partnership between TONNJES C.A.R.D. and the Kenyan government. The system gives users the ability to identify vehicles using their smartphone. In case of traffic or access controls, the IDeTRUST verification app decrypts the data from the tag and verifies vehicle details like the car plate number, the cars colour or information on the vehicle owner. This way thefts and misuses become a lot more difficult, because anyone with a smartphone can instantly see, whether the vehicle is registered with the correct license number or not, Jochen Betz explains. Stripping off the tag, for example to obscure a car theft, is impossible. Jochen Betz: IDeSTIX is a double secured system. On the one hand the label destroys itself when being removed from the windshield. On the other hand information on the UCODE DNA chip is protected by cryptography following highest functional security standards. This technology is provided by our business partners NXP and Kathrein, specialists in secure RAIN RFID chip technology and RFID reading equipment.With the nationwide introduction of the RFID-Windshield label and the IDeTRUST verification system, Kenya is using only a part of the solutions offered by TONNJES C.A.R.D. The portfolio also includes IDePLATE, a microchipped number plate, mobile and stationary readers with identification software as well as IDeSTIX, electronically readable labels. In addition to secure vehicle identification, a range of other possible applications can be realized using all solutions offered by TONNJES C.A.R.D. Even well-developed toll or traffic control systems can be improved by increasing their detection accuracy. We see good opportunities for the deployment of our system, particularly in countries that are currently developing a new or more efficient vehicle management scheme, comments Jochen Betz.About TONNJES C.A.R.D. INTERNATIONAL GmbH:As a leading provider of secure vehicle identification, TONNJES C.A.R.D. offers customized solutions for different requirements. Products are deployed to protect from manipulation, misuse and thefts. Equipped with newest technologies, the company delivers modular systems and individual complete solutions for local admission boards via global joint venture companies and branches.TONNJES C.A.R.D. INTERNATIONAL GmbH press contact:Thorsten PreisDENKBAR  PR & Marketing GmbHGuntherstrae 13/1528199 Bremenphone: +49 (0) 421-699 255-10mail: tpreis@denkbar-pr.de
Precision Medicine Market is Estimated to be Valued at US$ 172.95 Bn by 2024 End in Terms of Global Market Value

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The latest report published by Persistence Market Research titled Global Market Study on Precision Medicine: Drug Discovery Technology Segment Estimated to Witness 0.1% Decline in Market Share Between 2016 and 2024. projects some of the crucial aspects of the global precision medicine market after an in-depth research. The report assures that the market will grow manifold and it will register a 14.7% CAGR between 2016 and 2024.Global Precision Medicine Market: The PropellersThe global expansion of the medicine industry will expand the canvas of the global precision market. Larger investments, better infrastructure, simplified approval process of drugs along with companion diagnostics will impact the structure of the entire climate of the global precision medicine market. The affordable DNA profiling, the bloating cancer population of the globe will create a favorable condition of growth for the global precision medicine market. The proper storage of genome data plays a crucial part in this segment. The emergence of data backed medicare will also drive the global precision market ahead.But the market is combating acute data storage and data privacy issues and it also lacks in systematic approach towards funding and soaring prices of personalized drugs is also creating a blockade in the expansion of the global precision medicine market.Global Precision Medicine Market: Market AutopsyThe global precision medicine market is bifurcated into multiple parent segments which are further sub-categorized. The primary division of the market is an assimilation of three, region, technology and application. The major technologies which will define the market character in the forthcoming years are bioinformatics, next-gen sequencing and drug discovery technology. The applications segment will showcase fruitful results and oncology will act as the showstopper. The market prediction shows that this segment will bloom and will touch an approximate value of US$ 69 Bn by the end of the assessment period. The approximate registered CAGR of this segment within the assessed period will be above 13.5%. The global population is struggling with some of the acute diseases such as arthritis. A large slice of the aged population is an easy prey of this crippling ailment. The immunology segment will reap maximum benefits from the population affected by arthritis. The immunology segment will gain revenue from the market and the market worth will cross US$ 34 Mn by the end of 2024.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Global Precision Medicine Market: Regional ScrutinyThe regional market arena has penetrated through different key regions of the globe. The global precision medicine market has extended its boundaries in the last few years. The product has a massive global presence and it is expanding steadily. Apart from North America, Europe, MEA, Latin America and Asia Pacific regions are other major pockets which are expected to show fruitful outcome in the forthcoming years. The global precision medicine market is expected to perform well in the North American region and it will occupy more than 35% of the market share within the period of prediction. The global precision market in North America will flourish and will probably touch the approximate market value of more than US$ 60 Mn by 2024 end. With a stupendous performance the US and Canada will conquer a lion share of the global precision medicine market of this region predicts the report. The Europe is a consistent market and will crawl up the revenue chart within the forecast period. The global precision market in Europe will ride an estimated CAGR of more than 13% to sew up an average worth of more than US$ 40 Mn by the end of 2024. In Europe the markets spread across Germany and France will shape the destiny of this market. Apart from this the countries such as Spain, UK and Italy will also follow the leading pack during the period of assessment. The APAC region is the rising star of the global precision medicine market. The region will project a CAGR of more than 14% during the period of projection. The market will witness a staggering hike and will touch approximately US$ 35 Mn by the end of 2024. In the APAC region Japan will spearhead the market, China and India will lock horns to accumulate maximum market share during the projected period. The region of Latin America will score considerable revenue during this period. MEA will be a sulking market as less of research activities will dampen the spirit of the precision medicine market.Request to View Tables of Content @Global Precision Medicine Market: Comparative LandscapeThe market is evolving fast with the better and bigger market tie-ups. The bonhomie between IT and healthcare is also expediting the market and providing a bigger playground to the stakeholders. Novartis AG, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Eli Lilly And Company, AstraZeneca are contributing massively in the overall development of the global precision medicine market.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
Bone Glues Market Expected Revenue is Expected to Reach US$ 1,032.9 Million by 2024

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The reluctance of orthopedic patients towards the use of conventional cementing materials for surgical adhesion procedures is influencing the development of organic alternatives. Globally, the consumption of bone glue in hospitals is on an upsurge, owing to their widespread acceptance by both healthcare professionals and patients. The global market for bone glue is currently valued at US$ 600.6 million, and is expected to reach US$ 1,032.9 million in revenues by the end of 2024.Persistence Market Researchs report titled Global Market Study on Bone Glue: Rising Adoption of Bone Glue for Orthopedic Surgeries Expected to Boost Demand for Bone Glue over the Forecast Period, has estimated that the global market for bone glue will register a CAGR of 7.0% during the assessment period of 2016-2024. Prevalence of bone related disorders continues to be on a rise, urging manufacturers to come up with advanced glues. Preference to bone glue remains higher for adhesion procedures in arthroplasty surgeries. By the end of 2024, the application of bone glue in arthroplasty surgeries is slated to surpass 40% share of global market value, rendering it as the most prominent application for bone glue adhesives.Key end-use segments of the market include hospitals, specialty clinics and ASCs. High costs of orthopedic surgeries and growing number of accidents have increased the influx of orthopedic patients in hospitals. Since treating such patients requires the inclusion of bone glue as surgical adhesives, manufacturers are likely to concentrate their supply more towards hospitals and similar medical organizations. Specialty clinics are expected to be the second-most prominent end-user in the global bone glue market. On the account of their individual value share, specialty clinics and ASCs are projected to attribute to 17.9% and 10.9% share of the global bone glue market by 2024 end.Regional OverviewIn terms of value share, North Americas bone glue market accounts for half of the global market value, primarily due to advanced pharmaceutical production and robust healthcare infrastructure in the US. The bone glue market in the Asia Pacific region is expected to surge at the highest CAGR of 7.6% during the projected period. Latin Americas bone glue revenues are likely to surpass US$ 50 million by 2024, while bone glue sales in Middle East & Africa (MEA) region will expand sluggishly. On the other hand, revenues generated from bone glue sales in Europe are expected to be worth over US$ 150 million by the end of the forecast period.A Sample of this Report is Available Upon Request @Higher Demand for Synthetic Bone GlueThe production of bone glue through synthesis of constituent adhesive elements becomes more cost-effective and practical for manufacturers. Over 80% of global revenues estimated in 2016 and beyond are projected to be accounted by synthetic bone glue over natural bone glue. Revenues from global sales of synthetic product called methacrylate will incur a rise of estimated US$ 23.8 million between 2016 and 2017, while global cyanoacrylate revenues are likely to surpass US$ 250 million by 2024 end.Request to View Tables of Content @Ethicon & Baxter International: Key Market PlayersAs a manufacturer and supplier of bone glue adhesives, Ethicon, Inc. (US) is estimated to hold 40% revenue share of the global market. Baxter International Inc. is the other leading player in the global bone glue market. Companies such as Cryolife are expected to expand their market presence through increasing distribution. C. R. Bard, Inc., Luna Innovations Incorporated, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cohera Medical, Inc., Tissuemed Ltd., Chemence Medical, Inc., Integra LifeSceinces Corporation, and DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc., are also some of the prominent companies participating in the growth of the global bone glue market.To Buy Full Report for a Single User @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated re-search, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Con-sumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs en-gagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA  Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb:
2017-2020 - Power - Global Elderly Care Services In-Depth Industrial and Market studies: Trends and Opportunities

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Albany, New York, Jan 27,2017"Global Elderly Care Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2017-2020)" The Report covers current Industries Trends, Worldwide Analysis, Global Forecast, Review, Share, Size, Growth, Effect.Description- Scope of the ReportThe report titled Global Elderly Care Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2017 - 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.Get Full Report with Other Report ListThe market size and forecast in terms of value for the market has been provided for the period 2017 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 2017 to 2020. In the forecasted period global elder care services market is expected to achieve a double-digit growth.The world's quickest developing gathering of statistical surveying reports around the world. Our database is made out of current market thinks about from more than 100 included distributers around the world. Our statistical surveying databases coordinate measurements with examination from worldwide, provincial, nation."3422 SW 15 Street,Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach,Florida 33442, USA"
Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices Market to Cross US$ 4.5 Billion Globally by 2024

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New York, March 15: Market Research Engine has published a new report titled as Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices Market By Product Type (Embolization Coils, Embolization Particles, Coiling Assist Devices, Flow Diverter Devices, Liquid Embolics, and Accessories); By Application (Peripheral Vascular Disease, Neurology, Oncology, Urology); By End-users - Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 2016 - 2024How Big is the Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices Market?The Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices market is expected to exceed more than US$ 4.5 Billion by 2024; Growing at a CAGR of more than 7.5% in the given forecast period.Browse Full Report:Transcatheter embolization is a method of insertion synthetic material or medication called embolic agent into blood vessel during catheter to block the blood flow in the direction of a specific area of the body. Embolization is a very efficient method to prevent anomalous bleeding and is simply enveloping as compared to open surgery. The transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices market have observed physically powerful development in the past few years because of the increasing focus on improvement, resulting in superior product approvals and product launches around the word. The market is also differentiating by considerable research and progress leading to numerous technological innovations.The major driving factors of Transcatheter Embolization & Occlusion devices market are as follows: Increasing prevalence of cancer Rising approval of minimally invasive surgeriesThe restraining factors of Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion devices market are as follows: High rate of the products. Need of skilled professionalsThe transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices market is segmented on the lines of its product, end user, application and regional. Product is further segmented into accessories, embolization particles, embolization coils, liquid embolics and flow diverter devices. Accessories consist of catheters, guidewires and others. Under embolization particles segmentation it covers drug eluting beads, microspheres, radio embolization particles and others. Under embolization coils segmentation it covers balloon assisted coiling, stent assisted coiling, coiling assist devices, detachable and pushable. Based on end user segmentation it covers hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and clinics. Based on application segmentation it covers peripheral vascular disease, neurology, oncology, urology and others. The transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices market on geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geographic 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 transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices 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 2024.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices.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 Transcatheter Embolization and Occlusion Devices Market with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.The report covers detailed competitive outlook including the market share and company profiles of the key participants operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include St. Jude Medical, Inc., Abbott Laboratories,Medtronic plc, BTG plc, Boston Scientific Corporation, Cook Medical, Inc., Edwards Lifesciences, Johnson & Johnson, Merit Medical Systems, Inc., Penumbra, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., Sirtex Medical Limited, Stryker Corporation, and Terumo Corporation. 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 Transcatheter Embolization & Occlusion Devices Market has been segmented as below:By Product Segment Analysis Accessorieso Catheterso Guidewireso Others Embolization particleso Drug eluting beadso Microsphereso Radioembolization particleso Others Embolization coilso Balloon assisted coilingo Stent assisted coilingo Coiling assist deviceso Detachableo Pushable Liquid embolics Flow diverter devicesBy End-user Analysis Hospitals Ambulatory Surgical Centers ClinicsBy Application Analysis Peripheral Vascular Disease Neurology Oncology Urology OthersBy Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaEuropeAsia-PacificRest of the WorldReasons to Buy this Report:1) Obtain the most up to date information available on all transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices.2) Identify growth segments and opportunities in the industry.3) Facilitate decision making on the basis of strong historic and forecast of transcatheter embolization and occlusion devices data.4) Assess your competitors refining portfolio and its evolution.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
Impact of Recent Trends on Stem Cell Isolation Devices Market

http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Stem-Cell-Isolation-Devices-and-Technologies-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2017-2021/up35

http://www.sa-brc.com/Global-Stem-Cell-Isolation-Devices-and-Technologies-Market-Assessment--Forecast-2016---2020/upcomingdetail35

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Stem cells are present in several areas of the body such as the bone marrow, adipose tissue and cord blood. Until recently embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells were the only two natural-state cells available for research and treatment. These cells have a remarkable potential of developing into a variety of other cells with a specific function. They operate as a repair and replacement system to replenish spent cells within the body. They are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division. In recent times, ongoing research has enabled scientists to artificially induce stem cells into becoming cells with specific functions. Due to low scalability, scientists had to look for other alternative sources of creating similar cells as well which led to the introduction of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs.Stem cell isolation has risen in the past several years due to research on scalability of stem cells and trend away from autologous stem cell treatment. BMT or bone marrow transplant was the first initiative that provided an allogenic treatment with stem cells as matching donors were searched for treating severe debilitating conditions. Current devices are majorly targeted for adipose derived stem cells. Conventional treatments focused on using mesenchymal stem cells that were isolated from bone marrow and other tissues including cord blood, peripheral blood, fallopian tube, fetal liver and lung. Autologous iliac crest bone graft continues to be the gold standard because it provides osteoprogenitor cells, an osteoconductive matrix, and osteoinductive molecules that are the three essential elements for bone formation.Request Free Report Sample@The isolation and purification of stem cells along with therapeutic delivery requires specialized devices for accurate transplantation. This is due to the requisite for achieving high cellular retension for damage repair. This ongoing research focuses on the existing market and the upcoming devices for stem cell isolation from various tissues and delivery of stem cells through various modes such as trans-coronary, trans-endocardial and intracoronary delivery among other on-site delivery.There are several companies operating in this highly competitive market. The top players include Cytori (Celution), Tissue Genesis (Incellator), Stempeutics (Stempeutron), Cellular Biomedicine Group (A-Stromal ProCeller), SynGen (SynGenX-1000), BioSafe (Sepax-2), PNC International (CHA-Station) and Neogenesis (UNiStation). Along with isolation devices, the market demand is also rising for support devices such as those for photo-activation prior to injecting stem cells. Currently adipose derived stem cells are getting the greatest attention primarily due to the relative ease of extraction and isolation using normal minimally invasive liposuction procedures.Request For TOC@Stem cell therapy and isolation devices are gaining great demand in South-East Asia?s emerging economies such as Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. The regions are also known for their budding medical tourism market. Very soon hospitals in the regions are expected to offer breakthrough stem cell therapy for a fraction of the cost paid in developed countries. North America and Europe are currently the largest markets for stem cell isolation devices. However, being a naive market, Asia-Pacific is expected to catch up very quickly to international markets. China and Japan represent significant opportunities with several universities and research institutes developing better and more innovative technologies. Current ongoing research estimates peg the market for stem cell extraction and isolation devices to be approximately US$ 1.2 billion across the world and growing fast. With increasing applications and research in therapeutics, the demand from hospitals, cosmetic clinics and other office (out-patient) settings will soon be procuring licensed devices for expanding operations.About UsSpearhead Acuity Business Research & Consulting Private Limited (SA-BRC) is a premium Life Science business intelligence and data analytics firm. SA-BRC team offers a wide range of business intelligence services to multiple stakeholders such as Medical Device Manufacturers, Service Providers (Hospitals, Payers, etc.), Suppliers, Group Purchase Organizations, Distributors and all other individuals in the entire value chain of healthcare industry. Our research and consulting capabilities extend across several sub-domains within the sphere of Life Sciences such as Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Medical Devices, Veterinary Sciences, Wellness Products and Pharmaceuticals.Contact UsJohn Whitmore10685-B Hazelhurst Drive,Suite 17411Houston, Texas 77043,United StatesPhone: +1(832)-426-3701Email: sales@sa-brc.comWebsite:
CHETU TO EXHIBIT AT 2017 INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION

www.chetu.com/solutions/franchise-management

Plantation, Fla. (January 25th, 2017) -- Chetu Inc., a leading developer of custom software for the franchise industry is proud to announce its participation in the International Franchise Association's 2017 Convention. Running from January 29th through February 1st, the convention will be hosted at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada."It's important for a franchise company's business systems to work as intended," says Jane Powell, Global Sales Director for Retail, Marketing Technology, Supply Chain, and Strategic Solutions at Chetu, "It takes a lot of time and energy to successfully manage a franchise operation, and no one has time to mess around with systems that poorly address business needs, or worse, don't even work at all. This is why I'm proud of Chetu's ability to provide clients with software that is custom-designed to the specifications of the client's business processes, rather than a client forcing their business processes to work with a poorly-fitting off-the-shelf platform."Over the course of the 4-day show, attendees will have the opportunity to network with over 4,000 of their peers, meet with over 300 suppliers and exhibitors, and learn from world-class franchise-business leaders, while attending more than 50 unique educational sessions.About Chetu, Inc.:Founded in 2000, Chetu offers custom software development services for the franchise industry, with expert developers experienced in building Point-of-Sale and payment processing software, 3rd-party API integrations, employee scheduling and management platforms, customer loyalty software, and order management systems, plus centralized data repositories, enterprise-level operations management platforms, and data mining modules integrated to real-time executive reporting dashboards. For more information, visit us online atAbout IFA:Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world's oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising around the world. IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.Media Contact:Ashley Stagray and/or Seth Burgerpr@chetu.com954-342-5676Chetu is a custom software development company servicing startups, SMBs & Fortune 500 firms worldwide with specialized technology solutions. We provide on-demand programming from senior-level software developers who are dedicated to advancing your business technology objectives.Chetu Inc.10167 W Sunrise Blvd,Suite 200, Plantation,FL 33322
Why Laboratory Science Market is Good Business for Architectural Firms

Common lab design

https://vimeo.com/183227940

http://www.payette.com/project/2198764-kimball-hall-renov

http://www.hdrinc.com/markets/architecture/healthcare

http://www.clarknexsen.com/expertise/science-technology/

https://www.crbusa.com/clinical-manufacturing-facility

http://energyarch.com/projects/market/laboratories/

https://formaspace.com/articles/architect/lab-design-architect-vs-interior-design-architects/?utm_source=openpr&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=article-120616

If you are an interior architect, you might have dismissed the niche laboratory design market as overly technical and inherently less interesting than working on projects of similar magnitude in the fields of residential or office design.You think Laboratory Design is Too Boring? Too Technical? Too Dull?You might want to think twice before making these kinds of assertions about today's laboratory design projects.Stunning designs like the new JLABS facility at the Texas Medical Center in Houston will challenge any stereotypes you may still hold that laboratory design projects are inherently uninteresting, dull or boring.San Francisco-based architectural giant Gensler partnered with the Houston-based PhiloWilke Partnership to design the new Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS) life science incubator at the Texas Medical Center. Gensler was responsible for the interior design, while PhiloWilke designed the laboratory spaces.The JLABS project is not just a one-off example. The world of laboratory design is really reaching new heights. To illustrate the point, we turn to R&D Magazine and their annual laboratory design awards.The R&D Magazine 2016 Lab of the Year award went to the Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) facility at the University of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign campus. Designed by Omaha-based national firm Smithgroup JJR, the ECE has outstanding energy savings characteristics and expects to achieve a Net Zero Energy rating as well as LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.Not all lab design projects are new construction; renovations are common in this market sector. An excellent example is R&D Magazine's recipient for Renovated Laboratory of the Year: a major lab project at Cornell University, designed by the Boston-based architecture firm Payette (...).Rounding out this year's R&D Magazine awards is their Special Recognition for Design, which went to a new patient facility at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, designed by Omaha-based HDR, an architecture and engineering firm with over 10,000 employees worldwide. (The Laboratory Science Market is Good Business for Architectural FirmsWhile there are relatively few firms nationwide that offer laboratory design services, those that do are part of a multi-million dollar market. As an example, Clark Nexsen, a national architectural firm with locations that include Austin, Raleigh and Richmond, VA (), announced that they reached a milestone of projects totaling more than 20 million square feet of work in the broader scientific and technology market space (including tech education facilities).Other architecture design firms that are punching above their weight in the laboratory science field include: The Cooper Carry's Science + Technology studio (offices in Atlanta, Wash. DC and New York City) which designed the Emory University Atwood Chemistry Building and Addition in Atlanta. CRB, the global consulting, design and construction services firm, which designed the Andover Clinical Manufacturing Facility () for the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Houston-based EnergyArchitecture, which has designed laboratory testing facilities around the world () for the energy market. Svigals + Partners Architects, based in New Haven Connecticut, designers of the new Yale University Integrated Science Technology Center.What's Stopping You from Taking a Dive into Laboratory Design?Have these examples whetted your appetite for pursuing laboratory design projects?Perhaps you're interested, but concerned that it's a step too far into the unknown.Read more...Formaspace advances the spirit of discovery and creation through the design and manufacture of custom business furniture. Our furniture marries form to function with flexible solutions for clients in the laboratory, industrial, and office environments.Formaspace serves over 80% of the Fortune 500, as well as universities, governments, small businesses, and individuals.800.251.1505design.consultant@formaspace.com1100 E. Howard Lane, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78753
eSentire Managed Detection and Response Wins Best Security Solution in HFM U.S. Hedge Fund Technology Awards for Third Consecutive Year

Chris Siclare, director of sales, North America and Peter Brookman, senior territory manager of eSentire  pose with the award.

www.esentire.com

Three-peat Award Win Demonstrates Continued Success in Hedge Fund Cybersecurity LandscapeCAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO  March 15, 2017  eSentire, Inc., the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, today announced it was awarded Best Security Solution in the 2017 U.S. Hedge Fund Technology Awards by HFM for the third year in a row. The annual awards recognize and reward IT and software providers serving the hedge fund sector that have demonstrated exceptional customer service and innovative product development over the past 12 months. Winners were announced during a February 13th awards luncheon in New York City, NY.Were honored to receive Best Security Solution for the third year in a row, said eSentire Founder and Chief Security Strategist Eldon Sprickerhoff. The hedge fund cybersecurity landscape is complex and ever changing. We pride ourselves on our unique alignment with governing bodies to ensure that our clients cybersecurity initiatives in the many industry segments we service  including the financial sector  keep pace with shifting regulatory measures. Any financial services firm, regardless of its size, should ensure that the appropriate measures are put in place to defend against cyber-attacks.eSentires award-winning Managed Detection and ResponseTM (MDR) service has propelled the companys success, cementing its leadership position within the MDR marketplace. As the largest pure-play MDR vendor, eSentire concluded a record year in 2016, and was included in Gartners 2016 Market Guide For Managed Detection And Response Services  a list of service providers that can support organizations seeking to improve their threat detection and incident response capabilities.About eSentire:eSentire is the largest pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) service provider, keeping organizations safe from constantly evolving cyber-attacks that technology alone cannot prevent. Its 24x7 Security Operations Center (SOC), staffed by elite security analysts, hunts, investigates, and responds in real-time to known and unknown threats before they become business disrupting events. Protecting more than $3 trillion in corporate assets, eSentire absorbs the complexity of cybersecurity, delivering enterprise-grade protection and the ability to comply with growing regulatory requirements. For more information, visitand follow @eSentire.Angela TuzzoMRB Public Relations for eSentire2 East Main StreetFreehold, NJ 07728+1 732.758.1100, x. 105atuzzo@mrb-pr.com
Radiopharmaceutical Market Future Trends And Industry Analysis To 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.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :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 Global Strategic Business Report: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.The global radiopharmaceutical market has been segmented as follows:Global Radiopharmaceutical Market, by RadioisotopeTechnetium-99Gallium-67Iodine-12318FRubidium-82Yttrium-90Lutetium-177Global Radiopharmaceutical Market, by SourceNuclear ReactorsCyclotronsGlobal Radiopharmaceutical Market, by End-userHospitalsAmbulatory Surgical CentersDiagnostic CentersOthersGlobal Radiopharmaceutical Market, by ApplicationCardiologyGastroenterologyOncologyBrachytherapyOthersNephrologyNeurologyImmunologyOthersGlobal Radiopharmaceutical Market, by RegionNorth AmericaU.S.CanadaEuropeGermanyU.K.FranceItalySpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificIndiaChinaJapanAustraliaRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & AfricaSaudi ArabiaSouth AfricaRest of Middle East & AfricaAbout UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector - such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMRs syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Allergy Diagnostics Market - Detailed Study Analysis and Forecast by 2024

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http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/allergy-diagnostics-market.html

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Allergy Diagnostics Market: SnapshotThe global allergy diagnostics market is poised to witness healthy growth during the next few years, driven primarily by the rising instances of allergies around the world and significant growth in diagnostic and treatment options for the same. The opportunity presented by the global market was pegged at US$1.3 bn in 2015 and is projected to be worth US$3.8 bn by 2024, expanding at a strong CAGR of 12.8% therein.The market is characterized by extensive research efforts and technological advancements and manufacturers have been focused on conducting R&D activities to develop more effective diagnostic techniques, optimized allergens, and automated systems.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Allergy Diagnostic Consumables Hold Dominant Share in 2015By product, the consumables segment held the dominant share in the global allergy diagnostics market in 2015 and is likely to continue its lead throughout the forecast period. The low cost and high volume of consumables such as reagents and pipettes is the main factor responsible for the growth of the consumables segment.Based on allergen type, inhaled allergens led the global allergy diagnostics market. Factors such as increased hygiene, especially in western countries, the lack of exposure to allergens at an early age, changing climatic conditions leading to strong and longer pollen seasons, the rise in tobacco smoking, and increased air pollution around the world are expected to drive the inhaled allergens segment during the forecast period. However, changing food habits and the increased consumption of packed and processed foods will lead to phenomenal growth in the food allergens segment by 2024.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Alarming Levels of Asthma and Inhaled Allergies Driving North America and Europe MarketNorth America led the global allergy diagnostics market with a share of more than 40% in 2015. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), approximately 26 million people in the U.S. suffered from allergic rhinitis in 2015, while around 15 million suffered from food allergies the same year. The lack of exposure to allergens in the early ages owing to increased hygiene levels in developed countries has led to the rising prevalence of inhaled allergies in the country. In addition to this, longer and stronger pollen seasons, technological advances in the field of allergy diagnostics, high per capita healthcare expenditure, and the increasing demand for better healthcare facilities are expected to drive the allergy diagnostics market in North America.Europe is also a prominent market for allergy diagnostics in terms of revenue. According to the Allergy Organization of U.K., an estimated 150 million people in Europe suffered from allergies in 2015, of which, around 17 mn were diagnosed with food allergies. In the U.K. alone, approximately 5.4 million people were suffering from asthma in 2015. This growing prevalence of various types of allergies is expected to boost the demand for allergy diagnostics in the region.The market in Asia Pacific is likely to expand at a phenomenal CAGR during the course of the forecast period. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR), in 2014, around 17 million people in India suffered from asthma. Food allergies are the most prevalent form of allergies in Asia Pacific. According to the World Bank, around 84 million people in Asia Pacific suffered from food allergies in 2011. This will provide the allergy diagnostics market significant impetus during the forecast period.Key players in the allergy diagnostics market include Thermo Fischer Scientific, Inc., Quest Diagnostics, Inc., BioMerieux SA, Stallergenes Greer, Omega Diagnostics Group Plc, Siemens Healthineers, and HAL Allergy Group.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:
Polyurea Coatings Market 2017 - Armorthane, Tecnopol, Rhino Linings, SWD, Huate

Polyurea Coatings

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https://goo.gl/pvLUVo

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Polyurea Coatings Market - Global Industry Analysis by type, regions, applications and manufacturers, Industry Forecast, Supply and Demand upto 2022Products Coverage in this report,By TypePure Polyurea CoatingHybrid Polyurea CoatingBy MaterialsTitanium Oxide TypeZirconia TypeApplications Coverage in this report,Building & ConstructionTransportationIndustrialOthersDo Inquiry Before Buying Report Here:Scope of the ReportThis report "Worldwide Polyurea Coatings Market 2017" also states import/export, supply and consumption figures and Polyurea Coatings market cost, price, revenue and Polyurea Coatings market's gross margin by regions (North America, Europe, China, Japan & Korea, India, Middle East, RoW), as well as other regions can be added in Polyurea Coatings Market area.Key Companies covered in this report are,SPIVersaflexPPG IndustriesPolycoat ProductsKrypton ChemicalSupeSherwin-WilliamsKukdo ChemicalsWasser CorporationArmorthaneTecnopolNukote Coating SystemsRhino LiningsSWDHuateQingdao Air++ New MaterialsFeiyangBASFRequest For Report Sample Here:Finally, "worldwide Polyurea Coatings market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market. It also includes Polyurea Coatings market price ,capacity, production, revenue and contact information.About UsWe provide global enterprises and businesses across different industry verticals comprehensive market research services from off-the-shelf research reports to customized research conducted by our highly experienced industry analysts.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development HeadEmail id - sales@apexresearch.bizWebsite -
The Goddard School's Dynamic Learning Through Play Curriculum Comes to Lee's Summit, MO KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 15, 2016) Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School preschool system, announces its latest school in Lees Summit, MO is open. Located at 1000 SW Longview Park Drive, the new school operated by franchisee Veena Dontharaju.



Prior to joining The Goddard School, Veena worked in the telecom and software programming fields as an engineer. While researching preschools for her son, Veena came across The Goddard School in Overland Park and was immediately impressed with the holistic learning philosophy that the preschools teachers wove into their curricula. Always looking for a new business venture, Veena began looking into owning her own location of The Goddard School after hearing about the exceptional support GSI provides its franchisees from a former colleague. She ultimately chose to expand The Goddard Schools footprint in Lees Summit to offer families in the surrounding communities a higher quality option for early childhood education.



The Goddard School preschool system prides itself on its unique dual-management system, a distinguisher in the early childhood education industry. Franchise owners are onsite at each location and work alongside an educational director, whose focus is to communicate and work with teachers, as well as to implement The Goddard School curriculum. This system ensures a hands-on, community-focused approach when it comes to early childhood education. With each school opening, The Goddard School also has a local economic impact, creating an average of 20 to 25 jobs within the community.



The Goddard Schools play-based approach, called Fun, Learning Experience (or F.L.EX.), is grounded in research on how children learn best: children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun.



At The Goddard School, the focus is on building each childs emotional, academic, social, creative and physical skills to provide a well-rounded experience and ensure each one becomes confident, joyful and fully prepared in school and in life.



With nearly 30 years of experience in early childhood education, The Goddard Schools unique dual-management system creates lasting community bonds as owners are on-site at the Schools to provide support to the communities they serve, said Joe Schumacher, Chief Executive Officer of Goddard Systems, Inc. One area that truly sets us apart from other childcare systems is our philosophy based on learning through play, designed to teach and reinforce 21st century skills, including social behaviors such as communication, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration. This philosophy fosters a lifelong love of learning and creates meaningful connections at an early age.

Jobs relating to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) are currently the fastest growing segment of the U.S. economy, and a focus on developing 21st century skills such as creativity and innovation, as well as the abilities to collaborate, communicate and think critically, is expected to increase over time. By introducing 21st century skill concepts early on, children develop a strong foundation and a passion for STEAM at the very beginning of their education.

Based on my sons experience, I have been extremely impressed with The Goddard Schools program, and the positive impact it has made on his current successes in and outside of the classroom, said owner Veena Dontharaju. We are looking forward to making a similar impact on families in the area, and providing children with an unmatched hands-on learning experience.



The Goddard School located in Lees Summit can be found at 1000 SW Longview Park Dr., Lee's Summit, MO 64081. Please call 816-600-0700 or email LeesSummit2MO@goddardschools.com. For general information and franchising opportunities, please visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com .



ABOUT THE GODDARD SCHOOL FRANCHISE



The Goddard School Franchise, franchisor of The Goddard School preschools, is consistently named one of the top childcare franchises in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine, and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales) by Franchise Times. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, The Goddard School franchise currently licenses more than 460 franchised Schools with more than 65,000 students in 36 states. The Goddard School's AdvancED- and Middle States-accredited F.L.EX. Learning Program (Fun Learning Experience), a comprehensive play-based curriculum developed with early childhood education experts, provides the best childhood preparation for social and academic success. With a proven system in place and a strong network of dedicated franchisees, The Goddard School Franchise is the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare and a premier educational childcare provider. For more information, visit www.goddardschoolfranchise.com .



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Global Clinical Nutrition Market, by Type (Infant, Enteral, Parenteral Nutrition) - Forecast 2027

Clinical Nutrition Market

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Market Synopsis of Clinical NutritionMarket ScenarioWith the increasing aged population, the Clinical Nutrition spends are estimated to increase in the future. Due to the weak digestive framework at an old age, it becomes difficult for human body to digest all the required nutrients, rom food. Among aged population, the loss of appetite is considered a major issue; due to which, the elderly population does not get necessary amount of nutrients.Therefore to get sufficient supplements, the confidence of the aged population towards Clinical Nutrition support, is growing. The global Clinical Nutrition market is going up because of high birth rate, rise in the number of victims receiving malnutrition treatment, and high number of premature births.Key FindingsAsia-Pacific dominated the global Clinical Nutrition market in 2014; however it is expected to grow during 2016 2027.The infant nutrition segment hold the largest share, with billion value of the total market in 2014; while it is expected to reach billion in 2027, 2016-2027.Market SegmentsSegmentation by Product On the basis of product the market is segmented into: Infant Nutrition (Milk Based, Soy Based, Organic, Others and Probiotic/Prebiotic) Enteral Nutrition (Standard and For Chronic Illness) Parenteral NutritionRequest Sample Report as per your Requirement @Key PlayersThe key players that are involved in Global Clinical Nutrition market are Baxter International, Inc, Abbott Laboratories, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Nestle S.A, GroupeDanone, Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, Fresenius Kabi AG, Hospira, Inc, Perrigo Company Plc.Browse Report @Study Objectives of Clinical Nutrition 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 Clinical Nutrition Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Clinical Nutrition 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 product types and their 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 Clinical Nutrition MarketMake an enquiry before buying this Report @Regional Analysis of Clinical NutritionIn 2014, North America was the third-largest market for Clinical Nutrition products, which accounted for 23.1% of the global market share. The U.S. dominates the market in the North American region. The growth in consumer awareness about health and wellbeing, along with the increasing healthcare cost is driving the demand for Clinical Nutrition products in the region. Additionally, high birth rate is one of the major drivers,in the region. In 2013, the birth rate in the U.S. was 13 per thousand people, as compared to less than 12 per thousand people in many European countries.Americas North America US Canada Latin AmericaEurope Western Europe Germany France Italy Spain U.K Rest of Western Europe Eastern EuropeAsia Pacific Asia China India Japan South Korea Rest of Asia PacificThe Middle East& AfricaThe report for Clinical Nutrition 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.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+16468459312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com
Digital Impression Standalone Scanners Market 2017 - Danaher, Dentsply Sirona, Carestream Health, 3Shape, 3M ESPE, Planmeca

Digital Impression Standalone Scanners

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Digital Impression Standalone Scanners Market - Global Industry Analysis by type, regions, applications and manufacturers, Industry Forecast, Supply and Demand upto 2022Products Coverage in this report,By TypeConfocal Microscopic Imaging ScannersOptical Wand ScannerApplications Coverage in this report,HospitalsClinicsOthersDo Inquiry Before Buying Report Here:Scope of the ReportThis report "Worldwide Digital Impression Standalone Scanners Market 2017" also states import/export, supply and consumption figures and Digital Impression Standalone Scanners market cost, price, revenue and Digital Impression Standalone Scanners market's gross margin by regions (North America, Europe, Asia, RoW), as well as other regions can be added in Digital Impression Standalone Scanners Market area.Key Companies covered in this report are,Align TechnologyDanaherDentsply SironaCarestream Health3Shape3M ESPEPlanmecaRequest For Report Sample Here:Finally, "worldwide Digital Impression Standalone Scanners market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market. It also includes Digital Impression Standalone Scanners market price ,capacity, production, revenue and contact information.About UsWe provide global enterprises and businesses across different industry verticals comprehensive market research services from off-the-shelf research reports to customized research conducted by our highly experienced industry analysts.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development HeadEmail id - sales@apexresearch.bizWebsite -
Held Pulse Oximeters Market 2017 - Nihon-Kohden, Philips, GE Healthcare, Konica Minolta, Mindray, Heal Force

Held Pulse Oximeters

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Held Pulse Oximeters Market - Global Industry Analysis by type, regions, applications and manufacturers, Industry Forecast, Supply and Demand upto 2022Products Coverage in this report,By TypeDisposable SensorReusable SensorsApplications Coverage in this report,HospitalAmbulatory Surgical CenterHome CareDo Inquiry Before Buying Report Here:Scope of the ReportThis report "Worldwide Held Pulse Oximeters Market 2017" also states import/export, supply and consumption figures and Held Pulse Oximeters market cost, price, revenue and Held Pulse Oximeters market's gross margin by regions (North America, Europe, China, Japan, RoW), as well as other regions can be added in Held Pulse Oximeters Market area.Key Companies covered in this report are,MasimoMedtronicNonin MedicalSmiths MedicalNihon-KohdenPhilipsGE HealthcareKonica MinoltaMindrayHeal ForceContecJerry MedicalSolarisRequest For Report Sample Here:Finally, "worldwide Held Pulse Oximeters market" report is a valuable source of guidance for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, customers, investors and individuals who have interest in this market. It also includes Held Pulse Oximeters market price ,capacity, production, revenue and contact information.About UsWe provide global enterprises and businesses across different industry verticals comprehensive market research services from off-the-shelf research reports to customized research conducted by our highly experienced industry analysts.Contact UsFrank ValadezBusiness Development HeadEmail id - sales@apexresearch.bizWebsite -
Composite Pin Insulator in China market, focuses on the top players in China market

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This report studies Composite Pin Insulator in China market, focuses on the top players in China market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringCTCBeimco FRP ProductsWuhan Line Power Transmission EquipmentWortai ElectricGK Xianghe ElectricalsMarket Segment by Regions (provinces), coveringSouth ChinaEast ChinaSouthwest ChinaNortheast ChinaNorth ChinaCentral ChinaNorthwest ChinaFor Sample Report Request:Split by product Type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoFXBWFPQFZSWFSFCGWFQEFQJSplit by Application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Composite Pin Insulator in each application, can be divided intoApplication 1Application 2Table Of Content:China Composite Pin Insulator Market Research Report 20171 Composite Pin Insulator Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Composite Pin Insulator1.2 Composite Pin Insulator Segment by Type1.2.1 China Production Market Share of Composite Pin Insulator Type in 20151.2.2 FXBW1.2.3 FPQ1.2.4 FZSW1.2.5 FS1.2.6 FCGW1.2.7 FQE1.2.8 FQJ1.3 Applications of Composite Pin Insulator1.3.1 Composite Pin Insulator Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Application 11.3.3 Application 21.4 China Market Size (Value) of Composite Pin Insulator (2012-2022)1.5 China Composite Pin Insulator Status and Outlook1.6 Government Policies2 China Composite Pin Insulator Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 China Composite Pin Insulator Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 China Composite Pin Insulator Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 China Composite Pin Insulator Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)About Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
GCC Paints and Varnishes Consumption Market Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Paints and Varnishes market

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Description:The GCC Paints and Varnishes Consumption Market Report 2016 is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Paints and Varnishes marketThe report provides a basic overview of the Paints and Varnishes industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states importexport consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.For Sample Report Request:The report then analyzes the GCC Paints and Varnishes market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, applications and region.The major Paints and Varnishes market (including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain) is analyzed, data including market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and applications. Then we forecast the 2017-2021 market size of Paints and Varnishes.The report focuses on GCC major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.Table Of Content:1 Industry Overview 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Paints and Varnishes 11.1.1 Definition of Paints and Varnishes 11.1.2 Specifications of Paints and Varnishes 21.2 Classification of Paints and Varnishes 31.2.1 Decorative Paints and Varnishes 41.2.2 Performance Paints and Varnishes 41.3 Applications of Paints and Varnishes 51.3.1 Construction 51.3.2 Industrial Application 51.3.3 Transportation 61.3.4 Consumer Goods 61.4 Industry Chain Structure of Paints and Varnishes 71.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Paints and Varnishes 91.5.1 Industry Overview of Paints and Varnishes 91.5.2 GCC Major Regions Status of Paints and Varnishes 91.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 101.7 Industry News Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 112 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 122.1 Raw Material Suppliers and Price Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 122.1.1 Paints and Varnishes Body 132.1.2 Paints Pigment 172.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 192.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Paints and Varnishes 20About Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
Global Anthracite Consumption Trends and Forecast

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Description:Global Anthracite Consumption 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Anthracite marketThe report provides a basic overview of the Anthracite industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and cost structures are also analyzed. This report also states importexport consumption, supply and demand figures, cost, price, revenue and gross margins.The report then analyzes the global Anthracite market size (volume and value), and the sales segment market is also discussed by product type, applications and region.The major Anthracite market is analyzed, data including market size, import and export, sale segment market by product type and applications. Then we forecast the 2017-2022 market size of Anthracite.The report focuses on global major leading companies providing information such as company profiles, sales, sales revenue, market share and contact information.Finally the marketing, feasibility of new investment projects are assessed and overall research conclusions offered.With 206 tables and figures the report provides key statistics on the state of the industry and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.For Sample Report Request:Table Of Content:1 Industry Overview 11.1 Definition and Specifications of Anthracite 11.1.1 Definition of Anthracite 11.1.2 Specifications of Anthracite 11.2 Classification of Anthracite 21.3 Applications of Anthracite 21.3.1 Electricity Industry 31.3.2 Chemical Industry 31.3.3 Cement Industry 41.3.4 Steel Industry 41.4 Industry Chain Structure of Anthracite 51.5 Industry Overview and Major Regions Status of Anthracite 51.5.1 Industry Overview of Anthracite 51.5.2 Global Major Regions Status of Anthracite 61.6 Industry Policy Analysis of Anthracite 61.7 Industry News Analysis of Anthracite 72 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Anthracite 82.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) of Anthracite 82.2 Equipment Suppliers and Price Analysis of Anthracite 82.3 Labor Cost Analysis of Anthracite 102.4 Other Costs Analysis of Anthracite 13About Us:We are a leading repository of market research reports and solutions from the top publishers and market research companies across globe, catering to various industries. This large collection of reports assists organizations in decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, competitive analysis, product portfolio analysis andopportunity analysis among others. We also assist in determining the best suited and targeted report from our large repository of global reports, company-specific reports and country-level reports.Our custom research services help clients to meet specific market research requirements by coordinating with our esteemed research partners. Our experienced analysts are always available to cater to your queries pre- and post-purchase. We believe in providing best-in-class after-sales service to our clients and wish to build a long-term and a mutually fruitful relationship.Contact Us:Pune, Maharashtra - 411 014IndiaEmail: sales@reporthive.comCall: +1-312-604-7084
Baby Scale Market : Future Demand and Growth Analysis with forecast 2024

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Baby Scales are commonly used to determine the weight of infants and toddlers. Weight of a baby is an indication of the growth, it should be within the standards and hence, it is important to check the weight gain during the growth process and also ensure that it follows a regular trend. A sudden increase or decrease in the weight points out an anomaly. These baby scales replace the traditional methods of weighing. They are designed in a manner that they are equipped with secure baby trays or seats that allows for comfort to the baby and convenient readings to the physicians or nurses working with the infants or newborns. The baby scales are useful as they offer reliable height and weight measurement for assessment of growth and nutrition. With the advancement in technology, various shapes and sizes of scales are available that could weigh with better accuracy and precision. Baby scales vary in their make, capacities, design etc, however, an ideal baby scale need to precise, easy to use, highly portable, durable and of low cost. It should be made up of material that provides stability and support during the weighing process. Baby scales have been customized in a way that they could be programmed to measure and record the data.Global baby scale market has been segmented by product type, type of material, end user, and geography. In term of product type, the market has been categorized into Digital balances and Electronic Balances. The digital balances can further categorized as Beam balances and spring balances. The beam balances are more preferred than the spring balances owing to its better holding capacity and design. The Electronic baby scales provide an accurate measurement and is also often accompanied with self-calibration capability. Based on the type of material used for baby scale, the market is segmented into Plastic, steel and others like glass. The Plastic type such as polystyrene baby scales are more prevalent and considered by majority of people owing to its enhanced safety and other features associated. End users for the Baby scale market consist of hospitals, neo-natal care centers, clinics and home-care settings.Geographically, the Baby Scale market has been segmented into five regional markets, namely, North America (United States and Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, etc.), Asia-Pacific (Australia, China, Japan, India, etc.), Latin America (Mexico, Brazil etc.) and Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa etc.). Asia pacific region with high birth incidences is expected to register a higher growth. North America and Europe regions is anticipated to lead the market due to the advancement in technology. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are expected to record robust growth during the forecast period 2016-2024 due to growing health care industry.Browse full report on Baby Scale Market -The baby scales market is an uprising market with addition of new technologies and features in the product that better serves the intended purpose. For example, the Withings Smart Baby scale by Withings SA, was awarded with CES Innovations Award in the year 2012 for its ability to connect with Wi-fi the weight measurements of the infants and toddlers. In addition to this, there are other factors that affect the growth of the Baby scales market such as rising awareness amongst parents and technological advancements such as development of Baby scales that could communicate through a wireless network. The convenience of having a baby scale at home-care settings avoids the frequent visit to the doctor. The market is also experiencing certain restraints, such as, the lack of guidelines and information about which type of baby scales to be used.Baby Scale Market : Key playersThe major players operating in the neuroendovascular coil market include DETECTO Scale Company, seca, Zhejiang Conqueror Weighing Apparatus Co.,Ltd, DUCK image, Salter Housewares, Sunbeam Products, Inc, Binatone Global, Withings SA., TanitaThe 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)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:
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Global Color Masterbatch Market Competitor Analysis, Forthcoming Developments, Business Opportunities Research Report - Forecast to 2027

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Market Synopsis of Global Color Masterbatch MarketColor masterbatch is a mixture of pigments or additives which are compressed during heat process into a carrier resin. Then the mixture is cooled and cut into granular shape. Masterbatch is solid additive which is processed to color raw polymer during plastic manufacturing process. There are three types of masterbatch which include white masterbatch, standard color masterbatch, black masterbatch, additive masterbatch and others. In which the black masterbatch accounted for largest market share of 30 % in 2015, with market value of USD 1,140 million and is projected to grow at the higher CAGR of 5.60% during forecasted period. Standard color masterbatch was the second largest market in 2015, valued at USD XX million in 2015, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.91%.Sample Report @On the basis of region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa. Globally, Europe holds largest market share with increase in development of application industry. Europe accounted for largest market share of 35% in 2015, with market value of USD 1,330 million and is projected to grow at CAGR of 5.91% during the forecasted period. Asia-Pacific was second largest market in 2015, valued at USD XX million in 2015 and is projected to grow at CAGR of 6.63%. However, Asia-Pacific is sharing highest CAGR of 6.63%.Key Findings: Europe accounted for the largest market share of 35.00% in 2015, with a market value of USD 1,330.0 million and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.91% during the forecast period Black Masterbatch accounted for the largest market share of 30.00% in 2015, with a market value of USD 1,140.0 million and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.60% during the forecast period Packaging accounted for the largest market share of 34.00% in 2015, with a market value of USD 1,292.0 million and is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 6.42% during the forecast periodBrowse Report @Study Objectives of Color Masterbatch Market: To study market overview of the Color Masterbatch To estimate market size by type, by application and region. To provide insights about market drivers, restrains and opportunities of Color Masterbatch market. To provide geographically market analysis and outlook for North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) and their countries. To analyze the Global Color Masterbatch Market based on various factors- supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide strategic profiling of the key players in the market, broadly analyzing their core competencies. To evaluate competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments in the Global Color MasterbatchMarket Segmentation By Types: White Masterbatch, Standard Color Masterbatch, Black Masterbatch, Additive Masterbatch and others. By Application: Packaging, Automotive, Consumer Goods And Retail, Textile and othersKey PlayersThe key players of Global Color Masterbatch Market are A Schulman Europe, Tosaf Compounds, Polyplast Muller, Polyone Corporation, Hubron, Clariant Masterbatches, Cabot Plastics International and others.Reasons to buy This report includes in-depth study analysis of Color Masterbatch market It covers market segmentation by type, by application and by regions. It helps in identifying region-wise major suppliers and understand consumption patterns. The report will provide useful and premium insights that will support in investments of Color Masterbatch and allied companies providing details on the fast-growing segments and regions. In addition, it will provide key findings that will help the companies to improve profitability by using supply chain strategies, cost effectiveness of various products mentioned in the report. The data used in the report is primarily based on primary interviews with the major producing companies and industry experts and supported by authentic industry data from secondary sources.Target Audience Color Masterbatch producers Traders and distributors Association and government bodies. Application industries Research instituteThe report for Global Color Masterbatch 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.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.comAbout 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.MARKET RESEARCH FUTUREAmanora Town Centre, Office No. 528,, Amanora Chambers, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra 411028
Advanced Wound Care Management Market Research Report by Geographical Analysis and Forecast upto 2024

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Advanced Wound Care Management Market: OverviewThe market for wound care is growing phenomenally, due to growing advancement is treating complex wounds. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market.Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Growth and Competitive DynamicsThe driving factors for advanced wound care market are mainly increasing demand for faster recovery, decrease in healthcare cost by decreasing average length of stay in hospital, rising population falling for trauma, etc. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market.Geographically, the global advanced wound care market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The applications of advanced wound care are rapidly growing in North America due to increasing direct and indirect investments by the U.S. Government and private companies in wound care. Increasing investments and penetration by key market players in Asia Pacific are likely to drive the advance wound care market during the forecast period.Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Key PlayersMajor players in the advanced wound care management market are 3M, Acelity L.P. Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, BSN medical GmbH, Coloplast A/S, ConvaTec Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., Medtronic, Molnlycke Health Care, Organogenesis, Inc., and Smith & Nephew plc.Browse full report on Advanced Wound Care Management Market -Advanced Wound Care Dressings Gain Dominant Share among Key Product VarietiesBased on type of product, advanced wound care dressings was the largest segment of the global advanced wound care management market, accounting for share of 62.4% in the market in 2015. The segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2016 to 2024. The market is primarily driven by rising risk factor rates and the need for cost-efficient treatments. The foam dressings segment held the major share of the advanced wound care dressings market in 2015. High flexibility and effectiveness of foam dressings have ensured significant support from medical practitioners and consumers alike. Due to their cost effectiveness, alginate dressings have steadily gained popularity over the past few years.However, the segment of advanced wound care dressings is expected to lose to the segment of active wound care in terms of rate of growth over the forecast period. Although the active wound care segment will continue to account for a relatively lower share in the market, it will exhibit a CAGR of 8.0% from 2016 through 2024. Companies operational in the segment will, therefore, witness highly lucrative growth opportunities and will be able to strengthen hold on the market over the said period. The segment of antimicrobial dressings will grow at a sluggish pace over the forecast period because these dressings are primarily used to treat infected wounds rather than preventing infection.North America and Europe to Continue to Dominate Global MarketNorth America leads the overall advanced wound care market, followed by Europe. These regions are expected to remain the dominant contributors to the global markets revenue throughout the forecast period as well. The wound dressings market in North America will be driven by growth opportunities such as introduction of wound care diagnostics to identify microorganisms and pathogens and the rapidly developing advanced wound care products segment. Owing to the rising number of patients with diabetes and other vascular diseases, the demand for advanced wound care products has continued to increase across all countries in North America.The Europe advanced wound care market will be chiefly drive by new product launches in fields such as foam dressings. Rise in the geriatric population, encouraging government initiatives and policies, approval of advanced and more effective products, and rising incidence of diabetes are also driving the Europe advanced wound care market.The Asia Pacific advanced wound care market is, however, the most attractive regional market in terms of market investment and opportunities. The key factors driving the growth of the advanced wound care management market in Asia Pacific include increase in the geriatric population and the number of patients suffering from chronic diseases. Furthermore, the increased adoption of better quality wound care management products by health care professionals and favorable government reimbursement policies will also support the development of the wound dressings market in Asia Pacific in the near future.Request for sample 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. 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Latex Medical Disposables Market by Application, Types, End-User, Regional Analysis and Forecast upto 2024

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Latex Medical Disposables Market: SnapshotThe global latex medical disposables market has witnessed significant growth over the last decade primarily owing to the urgent need for infection control. The demand for latex medical disposables is not just limited to super specialty hospitals but has, of late, expanded to rural hospitals and clinics.The opportunity in the global latex medical disposables market is expected to amount to US$6.4 bn by 2024, rising from a value of US$4.1 bn in 2015 at a modest CAGR of 4.9% therein. The growth in this market can be attributed to an expanding medical tourism industry across developing countries, vigorous growth of the healthcare sector, rising focus of the government toward the medical devices market, and growing healthcare awareness among the population.Hospitals Emerge as Leading End User of Latex Medical DisposablesBy product, latex gloves emerged as the leading segment of the latex medical disposables market, accounting for a 60.4% share in terms of revenue in 2015. Latex foley catheters and latex probe covers also show significant scope for growth and the trend is likely to continue through 2024.The key end users latex medical disposables include hospitals (private and public), ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and diagnostic centers. Hospitals formed the dominant segment in terms of revenue in 2015, attributed to a significantly high demand. The consumption of latex medical disposables is high in hospitals because of the increased number of procedures carried out and the growing preference of patients toward public and private hospitals. The hospital segment is expected to account for a 28.7% share in 2024, closely followed by diagnostic centers.Latex Medical Disposables Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also profiles major players in the latex medical disposables market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Key players profiled in this market report include B. Braun Melsungen, Medtronic plc. (Covidien), C.R. Bard, Ansell, Hartalega Holdings Bhd., Top Glove Corporation, Supermax Corporation Berhad, and Dynarex Corporation.Browse full report on Latex Medical Disposables Market -Latex Medical Disposables Market: Scope and MethodologyThis report on the global latex medical disposables market analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments.The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts along with information collected from telephonic interviews and interactions via e-mails. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, stock analysis presentations, and various international and national databases. The report provides market size in terms of US$ Mn for each segment for the period from 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro environmental factors. Growth rates for each segment within the global latex medical disposables market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, and regulatory requirements.A detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and future opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. This section of the report also includes market attractiveness analysis that provides a thorough analysis of the overall competitive scenario in the global latex medical disposables market.Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year. Market size estimations involved in-depth study of services and product features. Additionally, market related factors such as increasing preference for technologically advanced services, product innovation, and growing number of acute and chronic diseases in various geographies and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size.Latex Medical Disposables Market: SegmentationBased on product type, the global latex medical disposables market has been segmented into latex gloves, latex foley catheters, latex probe covers, urine bags and others. Based on end users, the market has been segmented into hospitals (public & private), ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, diagnostic centers and others.Geographically, the global latex medical disposables market has been segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. In addition, the regions have been further segmented by major countries from each region. These include the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico.Request for sample 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:
United States Connected Car Ecosystem Market Research Report Forecast 2016-2021

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ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title United States Connected Car Ecosystem Market Research Report Forecast 2016-2021 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The United States Connected Car Ecosystem Market Research Report Forecast 2016-2021 is a valuable source of insightful data for business strategists. It provides the Connected Car Ecosystem industry overview with growth analysis and historical & futuristic cost, revenue, demand and supply data (as applicable).This report provides comprehensive analysis of Key market segments and sub-segments Evolving market trends and dynamics Changing supply and demand scenarios Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive insights Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsTo view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:The Major players reported in the market include: 21ViaNet Group 3GPP Abalta Technologies Accenture Acura Aeris Communications Agero Airbiquity Alcatel-LucentReasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments It provides distinctive graphics and exemplified SWOT analysis of major market segmentsTo 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 StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Global Waste to Energy (WTE) Sales Market Report Forecast 2016-2021

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ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Global Waste to Energy (WTE) Sales Market Report Forecast 2016-2021 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.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.This report provides comprehensive analysis of Key market segments and sub-segments Evolving market trends and dynamics Changing supply and demand scenarios Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive insights Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsTo view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:Global Waste to Energy (WTE) Sales Market Analysis by Countries : United States China Europe Japan India Southeast AsiaThe Major players reported in the market include: Abu Dahbi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) Babcock & Wilcox V?lund A/S China Everbright International Limited CISC Covanta Energy Corporation Hitachi Zosen Inova AG Hunan Yonker Environmental Protection Co. Ltd Keppel SeghersReasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments It provides distinctive graphics and exemplified analysis of major market segmentsTo 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 StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Steam Autoclave Market: Evolving Market Trends & Dynamics 2024

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Steam Autoclave Market: SnapshotThe global steam autoclave market is extremely consolidated and intensely competitive. The presence of a very small number of companies commanding a vast share in the global market has rendered the market difficult to penetrate for new companies. Despite this fact, the market presents promising growth opportunities for companies introducing technologically advanced products, a trend evident from the high consumption of products based on E-beam and gamma irradiation technologies in the past few years.The vast rise in the global demand for steam autoclaves in the past few years can be attributed to the increased prevalence of a number of infectious diseases, a huge surge in surgical procedures, and an alarming rise in the numbers of hospital-acquired infections. Rising demand for improving healthcare services across developing regional markets such as Asia Pacific, owing majorly to rising healthcare expenditures and an expanding base of geriatric population.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Transparency Market Research suggests that the global steam autoclave market will expand at a healthy 5.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2024. The market, which had a valuation of US$1.57 bn in 2015, is expected to rise to US$2.57 bn by 2024.Developed Economies to Remain DominantNorth America emerged as the clear leader in the global steam autoclave market in 2015, accounting for a nearly 40% share in the markets overall revenue. Estimates suggest that in U.S. alone in the region, nearly 5 million endoscopies and about 46.5 million surgeries are undertaken every year. The severity of hospital-acquired infections in the country can be estimated from the fact that nearly 8.3 patients out of every 1,000 patients admitted in New York state hospitals in 2012 acquired hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infections (CDI). The numbers are rising at an alarming pace.These factors have collectively influenced the increased adoption of effective sanitization practices and devices in healthcare settings in North America. Strict rules aimed at enhanced safety of patients at healthcare facilities is also a major factor influencing the increased adoption of steam autoclaves in Europe, the second-largest steam autoclave regional market in 2015.Emerging Economies to Present Most Promising Growth OpportunitiesThe high prevalence of infectious diseases, a vast and alarmingly rising population base of geriatric people in Asia Pacific are expected to help the steam autoclave develop on a promising scale in the region in the next few years. The rising demand for high-quality healthcare services from the increasingly affluent consumer base will stimulate the improvement of healthcare infrastructure in countries such as India, China, and parts of Latin America, further driving the market.The market for steam autoclave in Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 7.9% CAGR from 2016 to 2024 among other key regional markets. The market in Latin America is expected to exhibit the second-largest CAGR of 6.9% over the same period.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Sales of Traditional Steam Autoclaves Continue to RiseOf the two key varieties of steam autoclave systems available in the market  traditional steam autoclaves and tabletop steam autoclaves, the segment of traditional steam autoclave is presently leading the global market. The segment accounted for a share of over 91.7% in the global market in 2015 and is projected to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecasting horizon, maintaining its dominance in the near future as well.The prominence of these product types can be attributed to their extensive usage in almost all major application areas such as pharmaceutical laboratories and medical devices. Additionally, traditional steam autoclaves are also considered highly efficient for sterilizing a large number of medical devices at the same time, making them more practical in large medical setups.The top three companies, which accounted for a share of over 70% in the global steam autoclave market in 2015, are STERIS, Getinge Group, and Johnson & Johnson. Other prominent vendors in the market include 3M Health Care, Matachana Group, Belimed Group, CISA Group, CISA Group, and SAKURA SI CO., LTD.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:
Latex Medical Disposables Market: Latest Trends & Insights 2024

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Latex Medical Disposables Market: SnapshotThe global latex medical disposables market has witnessed significant growth over the last decade primarily owing to the urgent need for infection control. The demand for latex medical disposables is not just limited to super specialty hospitals but has, of late, expanded to rural hospitals and clinics.The opportunity in the global latex medical disposables market is expected to amount to US$6.4 bn by 2024, rising from a value of US$4.1 bn in 2015 at a modest CAGR of 4.9% therein. The growth in this market can be attributed to an expanding medical tourism industry across developing countries, vigorous growth of the healthcare sector, rising focus of the government toward the medical devices market, and growing healthcare awareness among the population.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Hospitals Emerge as Leading End User of Latex Medical DisposablesBy product, latex gloves emerged as the leading segment of the latex medical disposables market, accounting for a 60.4% share in terms of revenue in 2015. Latex foley catheters and latex probe covers also show significant scope for growth and the trend is likely to continue through 2024.The key end users latex medical disposables include hospitals (private and public), ambulatory surgical centers, clinics, and diagnostic centers. Hospitals formed the dominant segment in terms of revenue in 2015, attributed to a significantly high demand. The consumption of latex medical disposables is high in hospitals because of the increased number of procedures carried out and the growing preference of patients toward public and private hospitals. The hospital segment is expected to account for a 28.7% share in 2024, closely followed by diagnostic centers.Developing Markets of Asia Pacific and Latin America Show Immense PromiseNorth America leads the global latex medical disposables market and factors such as the increasing geriatric population and the introduction of new material variants by global players for the betterment of healthcare professionals can be attributed to the regions dominance in the global market. In addition, a rise in infection control awareness has played a vital role in increasing healthcare expenditure in the region. The U.S. accounts for a major share in the North America as well as worldwide latex medical disposables market.Europe is also a prominent contributor to the global latex medical disposables market due to a well-established healthcare network in the region. The demand for latex disposables is increasing owing to the rising number of ambulatory surgical centers as well as their growing use in home-care settings. Despite the ongoing debate about latex allergies, the size of this market is likely to expand during the course of the forecast period.The Asia Pacific latex medical disposables market is projected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, with China as its lead contributor. Increasing population and consumption of latex products in the country is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for global players. Moreover, a rise in the demand for other latex products such as probe covers and foley catheters in Japan and India is likely to complement the growth of the latex medical disposables market in Asia Pacific.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Players in the latex medical disposables market have been focused on strengthening their presence in Latin America due to the rising number of private hospitals in Brazil, Mexico and other countries in the region.Key players in the latex medical disposables market include B. Braun Melsungen, Medtronic plc. (Covidien), C.R. Bard, Ansell, Hartalega Holdings Bhd., Top Glove Corporation, Supermax Corporation Berhad, and Dynarex Corporation.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:
Global Surgical Power Tools Sales Market Report Forecast 2016-2021

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ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Global Surgical Power Tools Sales Market Report Forecast 2016-2021 to its growing collection of premium market research reports.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.This report provides comprehensive analysis of Key market segments and sub-segments Evolving market trends and dynamics Changing supply and demand scenarios Quantifying market opportunities through market sizing and market forecasting Tracking current trends/opportunities/challenges Competitive insights Opportunity mapping in terms of technological breakthroughsTo view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:Global Surgical Power Tools Sales Market Analysis by Countries : United States China Europe JapanThe Major players reported in the market include: CONMED DePuy Synthes Medtronic Stryker Zimmer Biomet Adeor Medical Aesculapius Anthrax Aygun Surgical InstrumentsReasons for Buying this Report This report provides pin-point analysis for changing competitive dynamics It provides a forward looking perspective on different factors driving or restraining market growth It provides a six-year forecast assessed on the basis of how the market is predicted to grow It helps in understanding the key product segments and their future It provides pin point analysis of changing competition dynamics and keeps you ahead of competitors It helps in making informed business decisions by having complete insights of market and by making in-depth analysis of market segments It provides distinctive graphics and exemplified analysis of major market segmentsTo 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 StreetBoston, MA 02110USPhone +1 (617) 398-4994Fax +1 (617) 398-4995abigail@reportsworldwide.com
Cytology and HPV Testing Market: Future Demand and Growth Analysis

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Cytology and HPV Testing Market: SnapshotOver the years, the level of awareness among the global population regarding the various types of cancer has increased tremendously. The significance of early detection and diagnosis is not lost on them, resulting in the increased adoption of screening tests such as cytology and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.The global market for cytology and HPV testing is presented with a host of sustained growth opportunities arising mainly from several emerging economies, where factors such as rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure and a strong local manufacturing base serve as major advantages. In addition to this, these markets still have immense scope for growth, unlike the near-saturated markets in developed countries.Download Exclusive Brochure of This Report :Low-cost Labor in APAC a Major Attraction for Cytology and HPV Testing CosThe cytology and HPV testing market can be geographically segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is by far the largest market for cytology and HPV testing accounting for a 52.5% share in 2015. This can be attributed to the rising incidence of HPV infections and cervical cancer, the increasing number of awareness programs by government and private organizations, and the availability of technologically advanced diagnostic test kits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that an estimated 79 million people in the U.S. are infected with HPV, with around 14 million people newly infected each year. Each year, more than 11,000 women in the country are diagnosed with cervical cancer.The rising adoption of cytology and HPV testing is driven by the same factors as those fueling the North America market. In addition to these, the soaring demand for advanced imaging modalities and sensitive screening tests such as liquid-based cytology are anticipated to further accelerate the Europe market. Germany is the largest contributor to the Europe cytology and HPV testing market owing to the recent introduction and enhancement of various new technologies in the field of diagnostics. Government screening programs have also favorably benefited this regional market.Emerging as one of the most attractive destinations for cytology and HPV testing as well as for the manufacturing of testing kits and systems, Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness immense growth during the forecast period. Thanks to the availability of low-cost and highly-skilled IT labor, leading companies such as Qiagen N.V. and Hologic Corporation have been setting up shop in APAC to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this region.Although the RoW segment is also anticipated to witness a rise in the demand for cytology and HPV testing, especially in Africa, the narrow distribution network as well as the low awareness and adoption rate in several underdeveloped regions are likely to hamper market growth.Browse Global Strategic Business Report:Modest Growth on the CardsHPV testing services dominate the HPV testing market, accounting for a whopping 78.2% share in 2015 owing to an increasing number of women undergoing HPV tests for the detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer. Similarly, cytology testing services led the cytology testing market with a 78.7% share in 2015. This is due to the large number of PAP tests performed across the globe.The soaring incidence of HPV infections and cervical cancer can be attributed to several risk factors, including the weakening of the immune system due to illness and a high number of sexual partners. Technological advancements in healthcare and growing awareness among the general population are also encouraging people to opt for high-accuracy diagnostic tests. Driven by these factors, the HPV testing market is expected to grow from US$7.9 bn in 2015 to US$10.5 bn by 2024 at a 2.9% CAGR therein.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:
Off-Grid Solar Lighting Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size &Forecast : 2024

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This research study analyzes the off-grid solar lighting market in terms of volume (million units) and revenue (US$ Mn). The market has been segmented on the basis of type and geography. For the research, 2015 has been taken as the base year, while all forecasts have been given for the period from 2016 to 2024. Market data for all the segments has been provided at the regional and country level from 2015 to 2024. The report provides a broad competitive analysis of companies engaged in the off-grid solar lighting business. The report also includes the key market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities affecting the off-grid solar lighting market. These market dynamics were analyzed in detail and are illustrated in the report with the help of supporting graphs and tables. The report also provides a comprehensive industry analysis of off-grid solar lighting with the help of Porter's Five Forces model. This analysis helps in understanding the five major forces that affect the market structure and profitability of the off-grid solar lighting market. The forces analyzed are bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition.Browse Market Research Report @The high-level analysis in the report provides detailed insights into the off-grid solar lighting business globally. There are currently numerous drivers of the market. One of the most prominent drivers is decreasing cost of off-grid solar lighting products. Market attractiveness analysis was carried out for the off-grid solar lighting market on the basis of revenue realization and industrial growth. Market attractiveness was estimated on the basis of common parameters that directly impact the market in different regions.The off-grid solar lighting market was analyzed across four regions: Asia Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. These regions are further segmented by country and type of installed off-grid solar lightings globally. Segmentation on the basis of types (solar lantern system (SLS), solar home system (SHS), and large solar home system (LSHS) has been provided for each country and region. Regional data has been provided for each sub-segment of the off-grid solar lighting market.The leading market players are aggressively participating in acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, and alliances in order to gain competitive edge. In February 2015, for example, Koninklijke Philips N.V. acquired Volcano Corporation. In March 2014, Tata Power Solar Systems acquired U.S.-based Ideal Energy's 540 MW thermal plant, while in 2011, it merged with Sunengy Pty Ltd.Product launches have also become a key business strategy among the market players. For instance, in March 2014, Koninklijke Philips N.V. expanded its portfolio with the launch of zero-energy solar powered LED lighting systems for off-grid rural communities. In 2016, Niwa Solar announced the launch of the world's brightest solar lamp, Multi 300 XL.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global market for off-grid solar lighting market was pegged at US$13.81 mn in2015, and is expected to attain US$91.47 mn by the end of 2024. By the end of 2024, the off-grid solar lighting market in Asia Pacific will have attained over 50.51% share of the global market. By product, the solar lantern systems segment is exhibiting great demand. It is slated to achieve US$2360.16mn in terms of revenue by the end of 2024.Untapped Opportunities in Emerging Economies Waiting in the WingsBased on geography, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa are the key segments. Asia pacific accounted for a maximum amount of share in 2015. A high degree of dependence on off-grid systems in countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Cambodia, and Kenya, represents the immense potential for the expansion of this market. Apart from the governments of numerous countries, some international organizations have also been encouraging the deployment of off-grid solar lighting. For instance, the World Bank, in collaboration with International Finance Corporation, has been promoting off-grid lighting in Africa.The Brazilian development Bank (BNDES), the Institute for Planning and Promotion of Energy Solutions (IPSE) in Columbia, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in India are some other entities assisting the advancement of the global off-grid lighting market.Based on product type, the global market for off-grid solar lighting has been segmented into solar large solar home systems (LSHS), lantern system (SLS), and solar home systems (SHS). Of these, the solar lantern systems, by virtue of their zero emissions and low maintenance costs, accounted for maximum share of the global market.Energy Conservation, Long-term Illumination to Fuel DemandThe declining costs of components used in off-grid solar lighting products such as photovoltaic chips, batteries, and LEDs are likely to fuel the demand for these systems, as the manufacturing costs will also reduce. The switch from low utility products to multi-functional solar home systems, the rising volume of investments in R&D projects, technological advancements, government initiatives such as tax holidays, subsidies, and interest free loans have been some of chief the growth drivers of the global off-grid solar lighting systems market.As almost 18% of the global population has no access to electricity and instead use kerosene as a fuel, government bodies in several countries have introduced subsidies to hike the prices of these fuels, thereby promoting the adoption of cleaner energy sources such as solar lighting systems. Reduced household expenses, better, long term illumination, and eco-friendly generation of electricity are some of the key advantages of adopting off-grid solar lighting systems. All this is likely to boost the expansion of the market.The information presented in this review is based on a Transparency Market Research report, titled, 'Off-Grid Solar Lighting Market (Type-Solar lantern System (SLS), Solarr Home Systems (SHS), and Large Solar Home Systems (LSHS)) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024.?Fill the form for an exclusive sample of this report @Key segments of the Global Off-grid Solar Lighting marketOff-grid Solar Lighting Market: By TypeSolar Lantern System (SLS)Solar Home Systems (SHS)Large Solar Home Systems (LSHS)Off-grid Solar Lighting Market: By RegionAsia PacificAfricaLatin AmericaMiddle EastAbout 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:
Bills release multiple artist renderings of new stadium The morning of Oct. 27 was a day Buffalo Bills fans have been patiently waiting for  a reveal of what the new stadium will potentially look like. The team...

County officials, law firm representatives host public hearing on new stadium SEQR Erie County officials, representatives from Phillips Lytle LLP, power players for a new stadium and interested Buffalo Bills fans packed into one of the community rooms of the Brush Mountain...
Murel Johnson arrives at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center at 10:30 a.m. and, clipboard in hand, reviews her deliveries for the day.

She's driven this Friday route for the local Meals on Wheels program, hand-delivering hot meals to seniors and residents with disabilities, for 16 years.

She knows the route by heart and by all accounts she's one of the program's most reliable drivers. Over the winter, program supervisor Maria Bigelow said, Johnson missed only one day because of snow.

She's also the oldest driver in a fleet of volunteers.

In fact, at 93, she's older than all of her clients.

On Friday, Johnson let me join her for her weekly delivery: 20 meals over 10 stops. I loaded two coolers of the day's special - fish tacos and salads - into the back of her Mercedes station wagon and hopped into the passenger seat.

"You've got your belt on?" she asks. And off we go.

Smooth elevator jazz and classical music plays in the car as Johnson deftly navigates the bumpy backroads of old Lake Oswego. I ask what we're listening to and she's not sure.

"I've got six CDs in the glove compartment that have been there since I bought the car in 2004 and I've never changed them," she says.

As we drive, Johnson peppers me with questions: Where am I from? How long have I worked at The Oregonian? Do I have any siblings?

The social aspect of volunteering is a big part of the draw for her.

"You make friends, you know," she said. "You get interested in people and their lives and how they're doing."

Johnson is an enthusiastic volunteer. She's often the first driver to arrive at the senior center, and she'll bake her own goodies to add to clients' meals for holidays.

I'm told she makes excellent banana bread.

"They're nice people to do something for them for the holidays," she said. "Something special."

Johnson was born in Illinois and grew up in Berkeley, California. That's where she met her future husband, in the University Christian Church choir.

"I was 15 and David was 20 and he didn't know I was alive. And then I got to be 18 and all of a sudden I was alive," she said.

"He went into the service and our friendship developed and we were married in 1943."

David had family in Portland and when he returned home after World War II, they moved to Oregon. She's lived in Lake Oswego since 1948.

It's surprising, perhaps, that this affluent Portland suburb even needs a Meals on Wheels program. The poverty rate here is about half the state average at 7.3 percent, according to the 2015 census.

But we make several deliveries at the city's two affordable housing complexes. And as we drive the old First Addition neighborhood, we see where modest homes from the 1940s and 1950s have been demolished to make way for two story, five bedroom mini-mansions.

It's inside these older, original houses where most of Johnson's clients live. Seniors on fixed incomes who have lived in their homes for decades may not be able to afford the upkeep or the cost to move.

And not everyone who receives a meal is financially strapped. Those who live alone like the social interaction of meal deliveries. Other clients are unable, perhaps temporarily after a medical issue, to prepare a hot meal.

Bigelow said about 60 percent of Lake Oswego's meal recipients are able to pay the suggested donation of $4 a lunch.

Lake Oswego's Meals on Wheels was founded in 1972. Today, volunteers deliver an average of 90 hot meals three days a week.

The city fronts the annual budget for the program, which was $143,000 in 2016. The Meals on Wheels board holds fundraisers throughout the year to pay that money back and make it cost-neutral to taxpayers.

Johnson heard about Meals on Wheels from her daughter, who had volunteered with the Portland program.

"For 25 years I was a volunteer in the Shriners Hospital in the outpatient clinic and my husband had a stroke, so for four years I was home with my husband until he passed away with a heart attack," Johnson said. "Then, I thought I need to get busy again."

Her daughter had done her meal deliveries with an infant strapped in a car seat.

"I thought, if she can do that with Elizabeth as a baby, surely I can do that," Johnson said. "So I called here and they said yes, they needed help on Fridays."

That was 16 years ago. She's been at it ever since.

And if Johnson can do it at age 93, surely you can too.

-- Samantha Swindler

@editorswindler / 503-294-4031

sswindler@oregonian.com
Seafood exports slowed by high tariffs

Workers process steelhead during a shift at Pacific Seafood in Clackamas, Oregon on March 12, 2010.

(The Oregonian/File/2010)

A former Pacific Seafood executive is accused of stealing more than $310,000 from the Clackamas-based company over three years to spend on luxury vacations, guns, electronics, "gold trinkets" and several extramarital trysts.

Andrew Henry Jacobs faces federal charges of wire fraud and willfully subscribing to a false tax return for allegedly misusing a company credit card between July 2012 and July 2015 and not disclosing or falsely characterizing his additional personal income.

The charges against Jacobs, 49, were filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland. He isn't in custody, jail records show.

Jacobs was hired by Pacific Seafood in 2004 and was fired in 2015, when he held the job as the company's director of leadership and development, according to information filed by prosecutors.

Jacobs referred to the unauthorized spending on his expense reports as training-related materials, incentives for Pacific Seafood staff and other explanations, prosecutors allege. He is accused of creating fake receipts or altering real ones to include in expense reports he filed online.

The servers that house the company's expense reporting data were out of state, leading to the wire fraud charge, prosecutors said.

Jacobs stole at least $85,123 in 2014 and didn't report the income to the Internal Revenue Service, the government alleges.

Pacific Seafood is one of the largest seafood processing and distributing companies in the country. It employs more than 2,500 people and owns and operates more than three dozen processing and distribution facilities from Oregon, Washington and California to Florida, Canada and Chile.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
The Elliott State Forest's fate will have to wait until May.

Oregon's State Land Board, comprising Gov. Kate Brown, Secretary of State Dennis Richardson and Treasurer Tobias Read, won't meet again until May 9.

The three-person body usually meets every other month, Department of State Lands Spokeswoman Julie Curtis said Tuesday, but the April meeting was rescheduled because Richardson was invited to join a U.S. delegation traveling to Taiwan. Richardson has not officially committed to the trip, which takes place the week of April 10.

The board last met Feb. 14, when Richardson and Read signaled support for a plan to sell the forest land to the only bidder, Lone Rock Timber Management, for $221 million. The Douglas County timber company would be the majority owner under the proposed deal with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians also chipping in to buy the land.

The new owners plan to log the forest, while maintaining public access on half of the property.

Despite a majority of land board members supporting the proposed sale, it isn't a done deal.

Curtis said the agency has not finalized a sale agreement with the prospective buyers. "It will take many months," she said," adding it was not going to be finished before the May meeting.

The Elliott is constitutionally required to make money for the Common School Fund, a state account that distributes millions to K-12 education across the state each year. That revenue plunged in 2012 amid environmental lawsuits and the land's management began to cost the state, prompting the state to consider a sale. But some groups, as well as the governor, have pushed for an 11th-hour compromise.

State Sen. Arnie Roblan, D-Coos Bay, introduced a bill that would make it possible to transfer state lands that are not producing revenue to other public agencies. Roblan, followed by Rep. Tobias Read, backed a so-called trust land transfer bill last year that went nowhere in the Legislature.

At the February meeting, Brown introduced a separate last-ditch effort to keep the 82,500-acre forest in public hands. Brown had previously said the state would need to issue $100 million in bonds to decouple part of the land from the Common School Fund.

Curtis said the land board will be briefed on what the public option may look like at the May meeting.

The Elliott's timber revenues declined in recent years. Environmental groups sued the state, arguing Oregon was illegally logging the forest, which is home to threatened species like the marbled murrelet sea bird. Oregon cancelled dozens of timber sales in response to a legal settlement with conservation groups in 2014, and state revenue from the forest has plummeted.

-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen
E. coli O157:H7

A virulent form of E. coli -- O157:H7 -- is involved in an outbreak of soy nut butter.

(Janice Carr/CDC)

UPDATE: 7 now sick in E. coli outbreak in N.E. Portland school

The E. coli outbreak at a Portland school has grown, with six people sick.

Multnomah County Health officials said Tuesday they were part of a nationwide outbreak of E. coli linked to a soy nut butter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this month that nine states were affected with 16 sick, including two in Oregon.

Now it appears Oregon has eight cases, the most of any state. Two of them were siblings in Clackamas County. The latest six are linked to Montessori of Alameda in Northeast Portland.

The county announced the school outbreak last week, saying Friday that four people were sick and that two others were being tested. Five of the patients are young children.

Health officials confirmed all six cases on Tuesday. Lab tests are still ongoing. Results show that two of the six were infected by the same genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 that was found in the soy nut butter.

The county is investigating how this strain sickened people at Montessori of Alameda.

"We are working closely with families, staff, and school administrators to stop the spread of this infection and understand how this outbreak happened," said Dr. Jennifer Vines, Multnomah County deputy health officer.

The school did not serve soy nut butter though Tammy Kennedy, who owns the school, told The Oregonian/OregonLive that one family had it at home.

The county did not release any details about the patients in its latest release. Dr. Paul Lewis, the tri-county health officer, said one person had been hospitalized.

E. coli O157:H7 is a particularly virulent strain, causing kidney failure and even death. Anyone who has the recalled products should thow it away or return it to the store where it was purchased. The manufacturer SoyNut Butter Co. has issued a nationwide recall.

-- Lynne Terry
When it comes to dying, people are better off in Oregon.

Two-thirds of Oregonians die at home compared with about half in Washington state and nearly 40 percent nationwide, according to findings published Wednesday.

People want to be in their home - not hooked up to machines in a hospital, said co-author Dr. Susan Tolle, head of the Center for Ethics at Oregon Health & Science University.

"Whenever anyone does a Gallup poll, a majority say they want to die at home," Tolle said. "Yet in much of the rest of the country that happens much less than in Oregon."

The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, relied on Medicare statistics and defined "home" as wherever the person was living at the time of death.

They showed that Oregon has a relatively high rate of hospice use - 42 percent. That compares with 31 percent in Washington state and 17 percent in the rest of the country.

The study also found that Oregon tends to have less intrusive end-of-life care than elsewhere.

In the last month of life, for instance, 18 percent of Oregonians spend at least some time in intensive care units, compared with 23 percent in Washington and 29 percent in the rest of the country.

Though the research doesn't discuss the reasons behind the numbers, Oregon has long been a national leader in end-of-life care, physicians say, with providers emphasizing good palliative care - essentially controlling pain and making someone comfortable as they near death.

The state was the first in the nation to legalize assisted suicide two decades ago. But the most important, the study said, appears to be Oregon's creation of a POLST program in 1995. POLST, or physician orders for life-sustaining treatment, is a medical order that details end-of-life treatment according to a patient's wishes.

Jimmy Duty suffered a stroke in October 2015 when he died. His wife Pat says she was thankful he had filled out a POLST form which details end-of life wishes and is a medical order. POLST, or physicians orders for life-sustaining treatment, is filled out by patients with their doctors.

The form was a blessing for Pat Duty and her husband, Jimmy, who had a stroke in 2002 and recovered but then developed lung cancer in 2013. He beat that back but then dementia took hold. In 2014, he filled out a POLST form.

That process forced the family to discuss his end-of-life treatment.

"It takes the emotional burden off everyone," said Pat Duty, who lives in Beavercreek near Oregon City. "In a crisis situation like a heart attack, I wouldn't have to wonder what he wanted. I knew what he wanted."

Jimmy Duty died in October 2015 at the care center where he was living, his family around him.

More than 100,000 people have a POLST form in Oregon.

The study's other co-author, Dr. Joan Teno of the University of Washington, sees Oregon as a model in end-of-life care.

"We in Washington should learn from the experience in Oregon," Teno said in an email. "We need efforts aimed to improve care through education."

Tolle has championed POLST in Oregon and throughout the country. The Oregon program has a robust electronic registry of POLST forms. Medical centers and providers throughout the state can access it to check on a patient's wishes at the end of life. That helps ensure that they're met, Tolle said.

Washington has a POLST program and had a registry but scrapped it because it wasn't widely used, Tolle said.

"You can do these things but do them in a way that doesn't work as well," Tolle said.

Teno said if she were dying and comfort care were important, she would move to Oregon.

But the state still needs to do more work, the study says. For example, POLST forms still aren't uniformly part of a patient's medical record. That means that physicians in intensive care units might have to call the POLST registry to check on a patient's form.

Dying well requires that the system is aligned to respect a patient's wishes, Tolle said.

-- Lynne Terry

lterry@oregonian.com; 503-221-8503
Marine Alexander Blackman conviction reduced to manslaughter

BBC News15 March 2017A Royal Marine jailed for shooting an injured Taliban fighter in Afghanistan has had his murder conviction reduced to manslaughter by an appeal court.Sgt Alexander Blackman, 42, from Taunton, Somerset, has already served three years of a life sentence.Five judges at the Court Martial Appeal Court in London ruled the conviction should be "manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility".A further hearing will now decide what sentence Blackman should serve.Blackman was not in court to hear the decision.The marine had a recognised mental illness at the time of the shooting in 2011, the hearing had been told.His defence team argued that fresh psychiatric evidence, if available at the time, would have provided him with the "partial defence of diminished responsibility".The panel of judges were urged to overturn the "unsafe" murder conviction.Sgt Blackman's wife, Claire, said she was "delighted" with the ruling."This is a crucial decision and one which better reflects the circumstances my husband found himself in during that terrible tour in Afghanistan," she said.In Afghanistan in 2011, Blackman shot an insurgent, who had been seriously injured in an attack by an Apache helicopter, in the chest at close range with a 9mm pistol.Footage of the incident was captured on a camera mounted on the helmet of another Royal Marine.A court martial heard that Blackman used abusive language and said: "There you are. Shuffle off this mortal coil."It was then alleged that he then turned to his comrades and said: "Obviously this doesn't go anywhere, fellas. I just broke the Geneva Convention."During his trial, Blackman, who denied murder, said he believed the victim was already dead and he was taking out his anger on a corpse.
Its the little things that count. Greatness is in the details. These wise words hold true in so many areas of life, from family to health to personal finance.

It also holds true for government finance. Here, the little things, those obscure accounts tucked away in Washingtons cobwebby corners, can swell into some very big, very bad things.

One such obscure account is the Judgment Fund.

The Judgment Fund is a little-known account within the U.S. Treasury Department. Created more than 60 years ago, its used to pay certain court judgments and settlements against the federal government. Most Americans have never heard of it. Though rarely seen in headlines, this one account pays out billions of taxpayer dollars each year.

This fund does not fall under Congresss annual appropriations process. That is, the Treasury Department has no binding reporting requirements. Money from the Judgment Fund is paid out with scant scrutiny, and theres no limit on how much money can flow from it.

In government, thats never a good thing.

In 2016, the Obama administration used the Judgment Fund to deliver $1.3 billion to Irans Central Bank. Ransom for American hostages was coordinated with this payment. The Obama administration also considered bailing out failing ObamaCare insurance companies with funds from this unlimited pot of money.

The lack of oversight of the Judgment Fund is bad enough. Abuse of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars is even worse. In the case of the Iran deal, the Obama administration delivered cash to a regime that actively supports terrorist groups, some of which, like Hezbollah and Hamas, have killed Americans.

This is why I have reintroduced two bills to promote transparency of this fund and strengthen oversight of taxpayer dollars.

The first is the Judgment Fund Transparency Act. I first introduced this bill in the 113th Congress and then again with Colorado Senator Cory Gardner in 114th Congress. In 2016, we were successful in getting it passed in the Senate as part of the Energy Policy Modernization Act. Unfortunately, the Energy Bill did not reach a consensus with the House before the end of the last Congress.

We are bringing it back now.

The Judgment Fund Transparency Act would require a public accounting of taxpayer funds distributed to parties that bring successful claims against the federal government. Specifically, it would require the Treasury Department to post publicly the claimant, counsel, agency, fact summary, and payment amount for each claim from the Judgment Fund.

I have also joined my colleague from Oklahoma, Senator James Lankford, to reintroduce another bill: the Judgment Fund Transparency and Terrorism Financing Protection Act.

We first introduced this bill last year, after journalists discovered the murky money the Obama administration had paid to Iran. Our bill would require that information on payments for domestic or international court judgments be made public. Through this more tailored effort, we aim to prohibit taxpayer-fund payments to foreign nations that sponsor terrorism.

This was good policy in 2016; we are continuing these same efforts in the new Congress.

These bills call for an increase in transparency and oversight of the Judgment Fund. They would provide Members of Congress and hardworking Americans with the ability to see exactly how taxpayer dollars are being spent. With a new president and a new Congress, I am hopeful that these common-sense, open government measures can become law.

Congress has a responsibility to ensure citizens hard-earned dollars are used responsibly. With these bills, Congress has a chance to pay attention to the obscure, forgotten things in government. Like many so-called little things, they can become far bigger problems down the road.

Thank you for your participation in our democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department.

Monday, March 13

12:08 p.m.  Police were sent to an Oak Court address for a domestic assault.

10:08 a.m.  Detectives received a referral from the Department of Health and Human Services about an incident involving an 8-year-old girl.

10:34 a.m.  A Jerome Township woman, 46, reported someone used her bank account information to charge $1,603.68 for purchases made in New York.

11:42 a.m.  A Jerome Township man, 47, reported someone used his bank account information to charge $80.04 at a Meijer store.

12:03 p.m.  Police investigated a case of fraud in the 4500 block of Hancock Drive.

1:24 p.m.  A Geneva Township man, 44, reported someone used his personal information to file for unemployment insurance benefits.

3:51 p.m.  Police investigated a case of fraud in the 900 block of Baker Street.

8:04 p.m.  A Greendale Township man, 24, was arrested in Midland for driving while his license was suspended.

8:29 p.m.  A deputy conducted a civil standby at a Warren Township home, and issued a trespass notice.

11:29 p.m.  A Bay City woman, 25, was arrested in Midland for driving while her license was suspended.

Sunday, March 12

3 a.m.  Police were sent to a report of an assault in the 100 block of East Main Street.

9:39 a.m.  Deputies were sent to a report of a bicyclist being hit by a vehicle in Lincoln Township. It was found the bicyclist was not struck, but instead was intoxicated and fell off the bike. He was taken to the emergency room for treatment.

12:21 p.m.  A Greendale Township man, 56, reported someone placed trash bags at the end of his driveway overnight and he was concerned the bags might contain an explosive. A deputy checked the bags and found someone had cleaned out a refrigerator.

5:22 p.m.  Police were called to the 500 block of South Saginaw Road to investigate a case of retail fraud.

10:48 p.m.  Property in the 3600 block of Cambridge Street was damaged.

Saturday, March 11

2:50 a.m.  A 27-year-old Midland County Jail inmate kicked a cell door, which damaged the glass. The repair cost is $200.

3:57 a.m.  A Saginaw man, 31, was arrested in Lee Township for driving while his license was suspended.

4:38 a.m.  A Saginaw man, 35, was arrested in Greendale Township for driving while his license was suspended.

11:55 a.m.  A 32-year-old woman reported someone broke her vehicles windshield. Damage is set at $250. The case is being investigated.

1:15 p.m.  A Jerome Township woman, 62, reported someone used her credit card without permission to charge $750.

3:12 p.m.  A Flint man, 25, was arrested in Lee Township for driving without a valid license. He was stopped for speeding.

4:03 p.m.  A Midland man, 30, was arrested in Lee Township for driving while his license was suspended and for drug possession.

5:47 p.m.  A Homer Township man, 17, was arrested at his home for domestic assault.

6:10 p.m.  A 53-year-old man stole items valued at a total of $2 from a Greendale Township store. The man agreed to return to the store and pay for the item. Criminal charges are not being pursued.

11:48 p.m.  A deputy assisted Midland Police look for a retail fraud suspect at an Eastman Avenue store.

Friday, March 10

12:10 a.m.  Deputies were sent to a Greendale Township home for a report of drug use occurring in front of a young child. They found no drug use occurring. A 32-year-old man was arrested on a warrant.

1:31 a.m.  Deputies were sent to a domestic dispute at a Jerome Township home. A report is being sent to the prosecutor.

10:38 a.m.  A Gladwin County man, 54, reported a road rage incident that occurred at M-30 and East Shearer Road. A man in a black Jeep threw a rusty bolt and the Gladwin County mans Ford F-150, causing damage in two spots. The incident is being investigated.

12:35 p.m.  Two trash cans, valued at $65 each, were stolen from a Warren Township home.

2:23 p.m.  A Lee Township woman, 22, reported $223 worth of unauthorized debit card charges.

10:43 p.m.  Deputies are investigating a report of a sexual assault involving two juveniles and possibly a woman, age 26, in Lincoln Township.
First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg announced the kickoff of the NEST on the Farm Fun Photo $1,000 Drawing Tuesday at the 29th annual Nebraska Governors Ag Conference in Kearney.

From now until June 30, Nebraska residents can submit farm- or ranch-themed photos taken of or by children 13 years old or younger to be eligible to win one of six $1,000 NEST College Savings Plan contributions.

To enter the NEST on the Farm drawing, the beneficiary must be age 13 or younger as of June 30, 2017. Submissions will be split into two age groups: newborn to 5 years old and 6 to 13 years old. On or about July 15, NEST will randomly select one winner from each age group in each of Nebraskas three congressional districts. A total of six winners will receive $1,000 each in a NEST College Savings Plan contribution.

Winners will be recognized at the 2017 Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.

Photos may be submitted by email at NEST@fnni.com, following the official guidelines, available at NEST529.com/scholarships and at treasurer.nebraska.gov/csp/scholarships/.

To find out more about NEST College Savings Plans, visit www.NEST529.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov.
The following column was provided by the Michigan Press Association in conjunction with Sunshine Week, March 12-18, which is designed to shed light on the need for government transparency.

Our nations 13th annual Sunshine Week kicked off Sunday, March 12, with a gala event at the Department of Commerce Research Library in Washington, D.C.

But most of us didnt attend. In fact, most of us dont have a clue what Sunshine Week is or what it is all about. So heres the background.

Started in 2005, Sunshine Week encourages openness in government. All government. At the national level, in your state government, and all the way down to your county board, your city council, your township trustees.

Sunshine Week was started by press-types. Reporters organizations, including the Society of Professional Journalists and the American Society of Newspaper Editors, were among the founding forces. But Sunshine Week is really about you. Your access to government meetings. Your access to government information.

Elected or appointed, government is, after all, about you. You are We the People.

Government doesnt spend any of its own money. It spends your money. Government works for you at all levels.

The same is true of government information. In most cases, that information belongs to you, the taxpayer.

And that is what Sunshine Week is all about. Open government.

Citizens are encouraged to recognize units of government or government officials that practice open government. And citizens are also asked to encourage those in office to be even more open with public records, which, after all, belong to the public.

In Lansing, legislation has again been introduced that would open government information and records at the state level by subjecting the Office of the Governor and all elected State Senators and Representatives to the public. The Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) and changes to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws were introduced in the House late last year. These changes moved through the House with nearly unanimous support only to die in the Senate in the lame duck session.

Early this year, a similar package of bills, which included LORA and FOIA changes, was introduced in the House with bi-partisan support. A press conference at the introduction featured more than 100 state representatives who support the changes.

This marks a great change for openness in Michigan. We are one of only two states that exempt the Governors Office and the State Legislature from FOIA. This legislative class seems to get it  that being able to hide the publics information is wrong.

There are still exemptions to complete transparency in the new LORA and FOIA legislation. Communications between you and your representatives are still considered confidential, as are several categories of work product and deliberative information.

But in all, these steps are being taken in the proper direction. Citizens are soon to be that much closer to full and complete access to all the workings of their government.

So, how best to celebrate Sunshine Week, you ask? Sunshine Week is best observed when local citizens share their concerns and kudos with elected members of their governments  at all levels of government. Thank them for their openness. Encourage them to be even more open. Praise them for their hard and thankless work.

And let them know you are watching.

During Sunshine Week. And every week.

Dirk Milliman is owner of Milliman Communications in Michigan.
BLOOMINGTON  History has a way of repeating itself.

A wave of civic engagement has rolled over the Twin Cities over the last year in the form of rallies, protests and a rise in political involvement.

Mike Matejka of Bloomington said the surge in national and local activism reminds him of similar movements in the 1960s and 1970s.

I was a student at Illinois State University in 1973 and there were plenty of issues about race and class in America that I thought needed attention, said Matejka. In the turmoil of that time, we learned to be more aware of womens rights, race minorities and the emerging LGBTQ movement. Positive change came from that realization.

Matejka is the governmental affairs director for Great Plains Laborers District Council and a member of Bloomington-Normals Not In Our Town (NIOT), an anti-hate group. He believes activism has grown locally and nationally, especially following the presidential election.

Though (President Barack) Obama didnt do everything he promised, he was very successful at the politics of hope and promoting a vision that inspired people, said Matejka. Many seem to have found the current political rhetoric very discouraging in contrast to that.

Matejka said he believes President Donald Trump has been successful at tapping into the frustration" of economic distress felt by many Americans.

"We should go forward with that recognition and improve economic equality in this country, but it should be used as an instrument to lift up all people, no matter their agenda or race, said Matejka.

Economic, social and political change doesn't happen overnight, he added.

"If you look across American history, changing laws and societal attitudes often takes years, decades or even a whole generation, he said.

Matejka said he has been inspired by younger generations and local political groups lead by high school students.

I find it very edifying that young people are not afraid to come out of their shell and stand up for each other, he said.

At 16 years old, Emma Spader said she has always had an interest in social activism but has become more involved in recent months, attending marches for womens rights and rallies against hatred and bullying.

Everything that has been happening in recent months has caused a tension that is bringing us together because we want to ensure an inclusive environment for all, said Spader, a junior at Normal Community High School.

Emma is involved in the Peace and Justice Committee at NCHS, a group of students with a desire for political engagement. She said many of her peers value a community that "prioritizes safety for minority students."

Its important to get the message out there that all of our voices matter, especially those who havent been heard because theyve been intimidated by this wave of naivety, said Spader. Those involved in activism are really inclusive people. We arent just representing a portion of the community, but everyone as a whole.

Melle Hany of Bloomington also believes that activists are striving for inclusiveness.

Before the presidential election, I think there was a lot of interest in individual activist groups. Because of the way the election went and the rise in people pushing for social change, those specific groups have become one giant group, said Hany.

Hany organize the February march in Bloomington in support of funding for Planned Parenthood. About 1,000 people joined the peaceful rally. The large turnout inspired Hany to form a local group called Feminists Instigating Social Transformation.

I didnt want to roll over and let louder voices being the ones making the change, said Hany. A lot of my role models are activists. I used to envy them from afar, but now its nice to join the activist community and try to make a difference.

Jeff Schwartz, director and founder of the McLean County Diversity Project, said he doesnt believe the level of activism has risen, but that the media has put a bigger spotlight on rallies and marches.

It might seem like theres more, but things like this have been going on for a long time, said Schwartz. Maybe whats going on now represents a different set of values than what has happened in the past.
CHICAGO  The federal court sentencing for former McLean County Board Chairman Matt Sorensen has been postponed until September as the legal case against his co-defendant on wire fraud charges may be headed in a new direction.

Sorensen will be sentenced Sept. 12 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District on a single count of wire fraud. The charge relates to an August 2015 indictment of Sorensen accusing him of wire fraud while he worked as an internal consultant for State Farm.

Meanwhile, Sorensen's co-defendant Navdeep Arora has an April 10 court date to determine if a hearing will be scheduled for him to change his not guilty plea on wire fraud charges.

Arora's lawyer Darryl Goldberg said Tuesday that "there are real issues being investigated and explored and we may very well go to trial."

The defense in Arora's case previously filed its intent to hire a psychiatrist as an expert witness, stating that the former partner with McKinsey & Co., a Chicago consulting firm, may use the doctor's report as "evidence relating to a mental disease or defect or other mental condition bearing on the issue of guilt."

No reason was given for the six-month delay in Sorensen's sentencing.

According to the federal charges, Arora supervised consulting services provided by McKinsey to the Bloomington-based insurance firm. The two men used two companies  Gabriel Solutions and Andy's BCB  to defraud their employers of unearned consulting fees, according to charges.

Sorensen billed McKinsey for the false claims and Arora allocated the fees to the State Farm projects to which he was assigned, said federal charges.

Sorensen's plea agreement approved in November says both men would be equally responsible for $490,975 in restitution to McKinsey.

In its advisory sentencing guidelines, the federal government recommended 21 to 27 months in prison for Sorensen as part of the plea agreement. The judge is not required to follow the sentencing calculation that also may be challenged by Sorensen's lawyer, Stuart Chanen.

The government noted in its plea agreement that the former McLean County official has no prior criminal history and has accepted responsibility for his conduct.

Arora faces eight counts of wire fraud accusing him of taking more than $890,000 through false invoices, an amount that includes the $490,000 allegedly taken by Sorensen and funds Arora spent on personal travel claimed as business expenses.
BLOOMINGTON  Since the Affordable Care Act took effect, Dr. Catharine Crockett, a Bloomington ophthalmologist, has seen patients she hadn't seen before.

Diabetics with eye disease. People going blind from cataracts.

"They came in because they had a card (insurance)," Crockett said.

"I'm interested in taking care of people," she continued. "Trumpcare won't do that."

Crockett was among several speakers at a Tuesday evening rally opposing the proposed American Health Care Act, sometimes called Trumpcare, which is intended to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.

During a January rally also regarding ACA repeal and replacement  organized by the same group at the same location (in front of the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts) and in similar cold weather  about 30 people attended and several passing drivers honked their horns in support.

On Tuesday evening, more than 70 people attended and the honking by passing drivers was frequent as attendees held up signs such as "ACA Saved My Life" and "Save Our Health Care" and as they chanted "Health care is a human right" and "This is what democracy looks like."

"I'm seeing people the past couple of years who I didn't see before because now they have a card," Crockett told The Pantagraph after the rally. "They needed care before and weren't getting it."

Crockett is concerned that the proposed American Health Care Act supported by Republicans in Congress and President Donald Trump will reduce the number of insured. Several speakers at the rally cited a Congressional Budget Office analysis, released Monday, that said 14 million Americans would lose health care next year under the legislation.

"Every American has a right to basic health care," Crockett said. "You can't have a workforce without people being healthy."

But U.S. Rep Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, released a statement earlier saying that the CBO report "proves what our constituents already know, that Obamacare has increased their costs, limited options and forced them to purchase insurance that they can't afford. While at the same time, it provides them hope that things will improve under our plan that lowers premiums, gives them more options, provides tax relief" and reduces our nation's deficit.

Dr. David Gill, an emergency department physician and Democrat who is running against Davis, said at the rally that he has treated patients without insurance.

"They end up sicker than they should have been," Gill said. "Obamacare was a step in the right direction."

Julie Riffle, 50, of Bloomington held up a sign that read "4-time Cancer Survivor. Rodney, may I please survive #5?"

"I don't want to see health care go backward," she said.

Linda Unterman, 69, of Bloomington among rally organizers, said, "We want our representatives in Congress to pay attention to what we are saying and to vote 'no' on the GOP bill."
PONTIAC  Inmates who assault staff at Pontiac Correction Center will face legal consequences, Livingston County State's Attorney Randy Yedinak said Wednesday, starting with felony charges filed against four inmates involved in an August incident that injured six officers.

The union representing correctional officers applauded the charges in the August incident and pledged support for possible charges against an inmate involved in a February incident where an officer was struck with a crudely made shank.

Speaking ahead of a rally Wednesday outside the prison to raise awareness of prison assaults, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 President William Lee attributed an increase in assaults to the reduction of segregation time for Pontiac prisoners.

"We want people to know that the state is cutting segregation time and sending guys back into general population who should not be there," said Lee.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is obligated under a settlement agreement reached in a federal lawsuit in 2016 to review the segregation terms of all mentally ill inmates to determine if reductions may be made.

IDOC spokeswoman Nicole Wilson said Wednesday that 68 Pontiac offenders had segregation time reductions in January but 45 of those remain in solitary confinement. Of the 23 who were released to general population at other prisons, only two have committed new offenses, including the prisoners who assaulted the officer in January, according to the IDOC.

Some of the 68 offenders who saw cuts in their segregation were seriously mentally ill, said Wilson.

In addition to the requirement to comply with the federal mandate, IDOC also considers the segregation cuts to be an incentive to change inmate's behavior, said Wilson.

"The culture of corrections is absolutely changing. Ninety-six percent of the people in our custody will go home. If we don't modify their behavior before they are released, we increase their chances of coming back," said Wilson.

The union representative said the Pontiac prison leads all other state facilities in inmate assaults on correctional officers. The facility, which houses the state's most violent prisoners and holds the majority of its inmates in segregation, saw a 50 percent increase in assaults last year, according to the union.

The IDOC will refer the January assault to Yedinak for consideration of charges, according to Wilson, who added "no staff assault is acceptable."

Yedinak said he has filed a total of 14 criminal cases against inmates and will consider charges that involve nonphysical but equally unacceptable conduct such as inmates tossing urine on officers  a common occurrence in prisons.

Yedinak said some inmates may be acting under the assumption that "they get a free shot at correctional officers and that can't be."
When liberals are concerned about four Americans being murdered in Benghazi, Ill try to care that Trump puts ketchup on his steak. When liberals want to know why Obama lied about the $2,500 annual premium decrease if Obamacare passed, Ill try to care that Kellyanne mentioned Ivankas clothing line. When liberals want Hillary held accountable for using her private server for official business and deleting over 30,000 emails, Ill care that Trump is rich.
Kal Penn highlighted the rampant bias in Hollywood casting yesterday by sharing excerpts of stereotypical Indian character descriptions in his early audition scripts.

Found a bunch of old scripts from some of my first years trying to be an actor. pic.twitter.com/GydOwlUKGW

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Penn, best known for his roles in House and Harold & Kumar, posted shots of scripts that called for a "Gandhi lookalike" and a "Pakistani computer geek...in a perpetual state of perspiration."

Whoa I remember this! This was one of my first commercials. The makeup people would use Vaseline to get the sweaty unwashed look going pic.twitter.com/X7z4EI4drQ

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Penn also recalled several occasions of pushing back against having to use over-the-top and unnecessary Hindu accents and being asked to make an accent "more authentic." "That usually meant they wanted Apu [from The Simpsons]," he said.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch! Man. We got INTO it about why he had to have an accent. I'm laughing about it now but they were such dicks  pic.twitter.com/kXdHjVsqvT

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Jeez I remember this one! They were awful. "Can you make his accent a little more AUTHENTIC?" That usually meant they wanted Apu pic.twitter.com/3F5XRORO3n

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Friggin King of Queens man! I used to love that show until I got to audition for it lol pic.twitter.com/2BYu0nnd57

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Penn noted that some shows were better to work for than others, but still said that if he posted every problematic script he had, he'd be on Twitter all day.

There are too many in this stack to tweet, I'll be here all day. That said, there were also some wonderful 1st audition & work experiences!

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Stuff like Steve Harvey, Buffy, Angel, 24, really smart, creative people who didn't have to use external things to mask subpar writing

 Kal Penn (@kalpenn) March 14, 2017

Penn has used his platform to shine light on the otherization of people of color before, famously raising more than $800,000 in January for Syrian refugees after receiving racist abuse from an Instagram troll. "To the dude who said I don't belong in America, I started a fundraising page for Syrian refugees in your name," he wrote on Twitter at the time.

He's also the latest actor to speak out against biased casting in Hollywood. Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani of Silicon Valley recently told Vulture, "For brown guys, we're still in the phase where we're stereotyped as either nerdy dudes or terrorists, and I think we're transitioning out of it, hopefully."

Conversation around limited roles for Asian-American actors has also been brewing lately, with comedian Margaret Cho posting an email conversation with Tilda Swinton over her role as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange, backlash against the casting of Scarlett Johansson in the Japanese manga classic Ghost in the Shell and Matt Damon in Great Wall, and last year's viral Internet campaign #StarringJohnCho, which creatively reimagined popular films with John Cho as the leading man.

[h/t The Guardian]

Splash image via Facebook
Paris Jackson, the 18-year-old daughter of the late music industry icon Michael Jackson, is on the cover of April's issue of Harper's Bazaar and the accompanying cover story provides significant insight into what it means to navigate your own world as the child of one of America's most celebrated celebrities.

Amongst the tales about the young ingenue's obsession with music from the '70s (oddly enough, decades before she was born), why she was driven to tears when paparazzi chased her through LAX after a trip to Paris, and how the death of her father at such a young age (she was only 11) caused her to attempt suicide multiple times throughout her own teenage years, the middle Jackson child spoke about what it was like growing up as a child when Michael Jackson was still alive.

Mentioning that Michael Jackson's unceasing overprotective nature resulted in her not leaving the house much, Paris said, "When I was a kid, I was with my dad and my two brothers. Growing up, I was treated as the favorite because I was the only girl. I was the princess; I was perfect in my dad's eyes."

It would seem that being the perfect princess to Michael Jackson would imbue any child with loads of self-confidence, but it wasn't that way for Paris. Instead, the IMG-signed model says she "didn't have social skills. I had to force myself to learn so fast." But, now that she's "gotten pretty good at it," we can hope to expect really big things from the star.

[h/t Harper's Bazaar]

Splash photo via Instagram


Fans will finally have the opportunity to celebrate the lives of dream mother daughter duo Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, who tragically passed away within days of each other in December last year.

Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood, the burial site of both actresses, will hold a public memorial on March 25 for the stars. Held in the 1,200-seat theater, the event will feature performances by Fisher's close friend James Blunt who will play a new song during the photo montage, as well as the Gay Men's Choir of Los Angeles and Reynolds' dance school.

Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd will also be attending, though she reportedly will not be making a statement to the crowd. Costumes and memorabilia associated with the two actresses will also be on display.

Debbie Reynolds died of a stroke one day after Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher passed away after suffering from a heart attack while traveling from London to Los Angeles.

For those unable to make it, the memorial will be live streamed on Carrie and Debbie's website so many can still be with them in spirit.

They will be forever missed.

[h/t TMZ]

Image via John Salangsang/BFA.com




Research by the National Foundation for American Policy showed that most of the top-performing high school students in the United States are children of immigrants. The study found out that 33 out of 40 or 83 percent of the 2016 Intel Science Talent Search finalists were children of parents who migrated to the United States. The study concluded that the next generation of mathematicians, engineers and scientists could be Americans with foreign roots.

The science competition was renamed the Regeneron Science Talent Search, which was considered the Junior Nobel Prize. High school students competed in the Search.

Study author Steve Anders said 75 percent of the Search finalists had parents who came to work in America with H-1B visas, according to Independent. These immigrants, who originated from countries like Japan, Singapore, China, South Korea, Iran, Cyprus and India, later became green card holders.

The study found that over 95 percent of the Search winners pursued science-related careers. No less than 70 percent of these science students with immigrant roots earned PhDs or MDs.

"Sixty percent (24 of 40) of the finalists of the 2004 Intel Science Talent Search had at least one immigrant parent. In 2011, that proportion rose to 70 percent (28 of 40) who had at least one immigrant," Anders said. "And in 2016, the number rose again to 83 percent (33 of 40) of the finalists of the Intel Science Talent Search who had at least one immigrant parent."

International students preferred the United states as an education destination since the middle of the 20th century, as per Migration Policy. These students were attracted to the quality of the American higher education system. They also considered the prospects of joining the labor market in America after graduation.

The Pew Research Center projected that over one-third of schoolchildren in the United States by 2050 will be immigrants or will have at least one immigrant parent, according to Harvard. Associate Professor Natasha Kumar Warikoo said schools should rethink strategies in the classroom to overcome the cultural divide and allow these students to thrive in the American educational system.
A mom from Virginia is hoping lawmakers will review a law banning convicted parents or adults from adopting or fostering children. Laura Tarantino wants to expand her family but because of her past drug record, she cannot adopt a child as the state ban remains enforced.

Tarantino, then 21-years-old, went to prison in 2009 for a drug conviction for 15 months but she turned her life around upon her release. Now at 28, Tarantino, who is raising a 5-year-old son with husband Frederick, said they want to adopt.

Under West Virginia laws, however, individuals convicted of a drug-related felony are automatically denied the right to adopt or foster children for 10 years, according to Child Welfare. The state's stipulation is two times longer than federal standards for adoption bans.

Tarantino, who was also adopted as a baby, has written state's lawmakers many times to reconsider her case and she has yet to get a favorable reply. Rep. Robert B. Bell said the 10-year ban for drug convicts is reasonable.

"The paramount concern for adoption is to make sure that we find the safest and best placement for these children," Bell said, per The Washington Post. "The person who was convicted of the crime is obviously not just in a short-term better place but actually on an entirely new path," he added.

In other words, the state's ban was to ascertain drug convicts who have changed won't relapse. If they relapsed, it would have an effect on their adopted children.

How likely will Tarantino and other individuals like her relapse, though? Ten years is not a certain number and there is no specific number at all, meaning Tarantino could be of sound mind and body to raise kids now.

"I'm sure it's arbitrary in that I'm not aware of a study that says a person is truly clean at a certain point," toxicology expert Dr. Glen Hanson told ATTN. "The further you're away from drug use the more likely you are to stay away from it," he said.

Tarantino and her husband have other options, such as moving to another state where adoption bans are more relaxed. They have chosen to fight for the revision of the state's law instead.

"Make it so families like mine can have a chance at adopting without waiting arbitrarily," Tarantino challenged lawmakers. Watch her statement in the video below.
Angelina Jolie went to London with her children as she spoke for the course Women, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics. Before she went to the university to speak for the first time, she took her children at a bookstore and witnesses said she told them she wants her children to enjoy reading and that London has so many good bookstores.

Jolie only had four children in tow with her when she visited the bookstore on Monday. An insider said the family bought 30 books including coloring books, a "Harry Potter" book, book markers and Easter-themed project books. An onlooker said the three girls with Jolie were Shiloh, Vivienne and Zahara and one boy but they did not identify who among Maddox, Pax and Knox, People reported.

Another witness said the son that Jolie was with during with shopping spree wanted the last copy of "Deathly Hallows." However, another customer already had it but the latter gave it up so the actress thanked the person for being considerate and sweet.

The person who gave the last copy of the famous J.K. Rowling novel added that Jolie was lovely and her kids were polite. The son of Jolie thanked the customer for the book he wanted because it was for a school project. An onlooker also said, "She was talking to the girl at the counter about how she loves to get her kids to enjoy books and loves London, as there are so many good book stores."

The 41-year-old actress-turned-filmmaker was in London for her first appearance as a lecturer at the London School of Economics. She talked about her experiences, women's human rights and what motivated her to work as a United Nations special envoy. The director also answered questions from the students after her lecture, as per BBC.

Aside from that, Jolie was also in London for the fifth anniversary of Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative. She helped launch the organization in 2012 and worked with former British foreign secretary William Hague to start the initiative in an attempt to curb the use of rape and sexual violence as a means of terror during the war.

Meanwhile, Jolie and her kids will travel to Geneva on Wednesday. She will deliver the Annual Sergio Vieira de Mello Memorial Lecture at the United Nations Assembly Hall.
Florida experienced a Zika virus outbreak last year and scientists claimed recently the sperm donations made during the outbreak could be infected. This meant even if Florida was cleared by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last year, women could still be at risk now.

Florida Public Health Department announced there were no local transmissions of Zika virus since last December when the state was cleared. Initially, scientists did not consider the transmission of the virus via bodily fluids as a strong possibility to spread the disease but because of further research, scientists believed the sperm donations given since last year were contaminated with the virus.

Some people who contracted the virus could not have shown symptoms but scientists cautioned Zika virus could stay in the sperm for at least three months. The affected areas are Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.Scientists from CDC said the donations made since June 15 could be infected, Romper shared.

The sperm donations are yet to be tested as researchers are still developing ways to screen the samples to determine if the donations have the virus. If the sperm donations will be used to get a woman pregnant, it poses the risk for the baby to be infected and suffer from microcephaly, which is the most common side effect of having Zika virus. There is no evidence yet suggesting that infected sperm donations could pass the Zika virus to a woman, Newsweek reported.

Aside from sperm donations, experts advised would-be parents should also consider the risk since their male partner could also have the virus in their system. Scientists also advised sperm banks to make background checks when accepting sperm donations. They should not accept donations from men with the virus or from men who came from areas where there is a Zika outbreak both in Florida and internationally.
A Congressman in Chicago recently protested when an undocumented mother-of-six from Mexico was told last week she has to go back to Mexico by summer. Unfortunately, he got arrested, which made the mother feel hopeless.

The mother, Francisca Lino, waited for seven hours outside the Chicago federal building for great news along with others who also have to go back to their country of origin. Lino contended she checked in with immigration officials for the past 12 years and has a clean record. Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez, D-Illinois, tried to reason out with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and asked for a reprieve on behalf of Lino and others with certain circumstances but he failed, CNN reported.

Gutierrez said in a statement, "The only thing that has changed is that we have a new president of the United States. And we want to ask them why are they targeting the mom of American citizens, the wife of an American citizen." Authorities arrested Gutierrez after he protested the deportation.

Lino used a fake visa to try to get into the country and got married to an American citizen. When officials found out, she had to check in with an immigration officer twice a year. During the routine check-in with immigration, Lino said she received news she can stay for one more year but it changed later when she knew she had to leave U.S. this July.

In the past, Lino did not face any deportation issues because of President Barack Obama's policies. Lino said if she will be deported, her kids will have to come with her, The Washington Post shared.

Deportation of immigrants was one of the promises made by President Donald Trump during his campaign. When he announced his presidential bid, he talked about Mexicans as the reason for violence and crime in the United States.

Along with the project to deport illegal migrants in the country, Trump also ordered a travel ban from six Muslim-majority countries. He also expressed his hopes to build a wall at the Mexico border to prevent immigrants from coming back to the country.
A Vancouver boy, four years old, died after his routine dental visit last week. The boy had anesthesia in his system during a dental filling procedure but never woke up.

The child, Mykel Peterson, underwent a procedure to fill a cavity and the dentist used anesthesia. The dental clinic called Must Love Kids closed on Monday and an employee said they closed for the day to support the family of the boy. The Washington State Dept. Of Health said they reviewed the case but have not decided yet if they will open an investigation on the matter.

Peterson's cause of death remained unknown. The expected toxicology results might be finalized in a month or two.

The family of Peterson said he attended a Vancouver, Washington pre-school and was a happy boy who liked to joke around. He also made big differences in his speech and behavior as he is on the autism spectrum, KTLA 5 shared.

However, he never liked going to the dentist. The mother of the boy, Thmeka Curry, shared that last week when they went to the dentist, her son initially did not want to go and cried about it. The mother continued to reveal the dentist told her everything went smoothly and talked about what they did on the child. Minutes later, the dentist told her they will check on Peterson to see if he already awoke.

Peterson still breathed but minutes later he no longer did. The dentists administered CPR on Peterson and subsequently called 911, First Coast News reported.

Dentists from Must Love Kids released a statement saying in part they have always been passionate with their profession and have "taken the utmost care of our patients and their families, and provide the highest standard of care in a safe environment." They added they used anesthesia more than 1,900 times without incident for the last three years.
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Back in November Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple Reportedly Preparing a Responsible U.S. iPhone Plant Back-Up Business Plan." In that report we noted that "Apple asked both Foxconn and Pegatron, the two iPhone assemblers, in June 2016 to look into making iPhones in the U.S." Reportedly "Foxconn complied, while Pegatron declined to formulate such a plan due to cost concerns." Since that time a lot has changed.

Foxconn appears to have lost interest in the project and Apple's CEO decided to open a plant instead in India where they could access slave-like wages and work with a government that would close a blind eye to their use of materials from slave camps.

So as the dream of an iPhone plant in the U.S. fades into the sunset, Pegatron appears to want a little good PR and is now open to the idea of an American iPhone plant. The catch in this make believe offer is the punchline. They're open to starting a U.S. iPhone plant if Apple would absorb the costs of such a plant. Ha! I needed a good laugh today, and this news just hit my funny bone dead on.

Pegatron currently has iDevice plants in Taiwan, China, Mexico and the Czech Republic. If for any reason Apple products are actually made in Mexico for the American market, then it's here where it could force Apple to support a U.S. Plant. That's the only thing that may put a plan into real action.

But on the surface, the report from the Focus Taiwan today is rather humorous considering Pegatron's initial revulsion to the idea of a U.S. Plant.

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There was a time when Blackberry OS, Symbian and Windows Mobile ruled the smartphone world and like dinosaurs they're now found in museums as relics of a bygone era. Today it's a two OS world owned by iOS and Android. In earnest, it's Apple versus Android OEMs. Unfortunately smartphone statistics don't breakout direct comparisons as needed.

With that said, the latest smartphone OS sales data from Kantar shows that iOS achieved continued growth across most regions tracked, except for Japan, Spain, and Urban China.

Android continued to post market share increases in all regions but the US, as no other ecosystem is challenging the two giants  iOS and Android.

Apple's iPhone is still a top seller in large markets such as the U.S. Great Britain, Germany, France and Urban China. Kantar noted that Android lost 1.8% in the U.S. while Apple gained 2.9% year-on-year. In the EU5 market Android accounted for 74.3% of smartphone sales in the three months ending in January 2017. Apple's iOS held a 22.7% share. In Urban China Android gained 9.3% bringing the total to 83.2%.

Beyond stats, Kantar noted a few trends but focused on one: the return of the Nokia brand via HMD in Europe. Kantar expects to see the Nokia brand make a big comeback in Europe and is likely to challenge Huawei over the next few years with an ex-loyal fan base returning to the brand due to quality builds, Android OS and best of class pricing at US$245 (233 Euro) and lower.

Patently Apple posted a report on the return of the Nokia brand in early January covering their true comback at CES 2017. The Nokia brand and pricing could be the one to watch for in the coming years.

Overview of OS Stats Worldwide





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Our first report of the day was titled "Kantar: Apple's iOS Achieved Continued Growth Across most Major Regions while Nokia's Comeback Could Impact Europe." In Kantar's second report published today titled "An Incredible Decade for the Smartphone: What's Next," they begin by noting that 2016 will go down as the year when the smartphone market stopped growing. As the smartphone industry matures, fewer consumers are moving between brands and ecosystems  and market growth has increasingly relied on replacing existing devices, rather than bringing in large numbers of new buyers.

Kantar notes that success in the new smartphone economy will require fundamental changes in tactics used by vendors to market devices and services to potential customers.

Services have been a huge focus at Apple and in fact Apple's CEO Tim Cook noted during their latest financial conference back in January that it was Apple's "best quarter ever for services with almost 7.2 billion dollars in revenue. App store customers broke all-time records during the holiday quarter including $3 billion dollars in purchases in December alone, making it the App Stores single best month ever. Our innovative and vibrant developer community has created over 2.2 million apps for doing almost anything that you could imagine. Apple's developer community has now earned over $60 billion dollars including over $20 billion in 2016 alone.

Revenue from our music business grew for the third quarter in a row and our Apple Care and iCloud storage services have all-time record results.

Services are becoming a larger part of our business and we expect the revenues to be the size of a Fortune 100 company this year. Our service offerings are now driving over 150 million paid customer subscriptions. This includes our own services and third party content that we offer on our stores. We feel great about this momentum and our goal is double the size of our services business in the next four years."

So yes, services, as Kantar points out, is going to play a huge roll in helping to retain iOS loyalty and market share, and Apple saw that trend happening well ahead of market analysts.

Apple's Amazing Customer Loyalty Record

Kantar's report went on to point to Apple's amazing customer base. They noted that among iPhone owners in the US in 2016, loyalty to the Apple iPhone was 92%. For those consumers who also owned an iPad, iPhone loyalty increased to 96%.

On the Android side, the best showing came from Samsung where loyalty to their smartphone alone was 67%, increasing to 74% if the consumer owned both a Samsung phone and tablet. That probably explains why Samsung released their largest tablet upgrade ever late last month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Smartphone Trends

The first trend that Kantar sees is that consumers are opting to purchase premium models. This has become a hot area for competition and innovation, in terms of quality of material and design. For 2017, Apple's Anniversary iPhone is likely to be the runnaway winner in terms of bringing new style and features.

A second trend is the shift to Larger screen devices. They're in popularity with 46% of Chinese smartphone sales now dominated by devices with a 5.5" or larger display. In the U.S. market over a quarter of smartphones sold had a screen size of 5.5" or larger.





The leading driver of purchase across US, China, and Europe is the size of the screen, followed by the quality of the camera.

The one trend that could potentially hurt Apple is consumers wanting better pricing for premium phones. In the U.S. (43%) and Great Britian (36%) buyers cited that pricing was becoming their leading criterion for making a purchase.





Getting customers to upgrade more regularly is important and currently manufacturers feel that the carriers have not worked hard enough to convince customers to take advantage of the carrier's own upgrade offers.

In response, both Apple and Samsung now offer branded upgrade plans directly to consumers. These programs enable manufacturers to earn higher gross margins through direct-to-consumer sales, but as sales from these channels remain a small part of the overall smartphone business, sales momentum still rests firmly with the carriers rather than the manufacturers.

The Disappointment in Wearables

Wearables were expected to be the next big mobile technology, promising to expand the smartphone ecosystem to the wrist. However, judging from disappointing sales results, vendors were far more excited by the potential than were consumers.





Sluggish sales of smartwatches have resulted in Lenovo's Moto and Microsoft both announcing in late 2016 that they would stop production of their wearables. Jawbone ceased production in May 2016, and early-riser Pebble was acquired by Fitbit, which recently announced it is laying off 6% of its workforce.

As disappointing as the wearables have been, Apple's Q4 performance in the pure smartwatch category was a 'magnificent success' according to IDC's March report.

Virtual/Augmented/Mixed Reality Not Moving the Needle

Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual assistants may help stimulate future growth. But without more compelling applications for these technologies, they may end up being more hype than substance. What the market needs is a satisfying combination of technology, content, and services that make consumers lives easier, rather than adding complexity with no significant benefits.

Projects to date include Google's Daydream virtual reality and Project Tango, Facebook's Oculus Rift and Microsoft's HoloLens.

While Apple's CEO has talked up Augmented Reality, it remains a much longer term project for Apple. True there's a constant string of patents and rumors of a future headset but nothing that points to such a device being close to coming to market. A killer app is needed to spark real interest in this area of the consumer market and Apple may be the one to once again lead the way.

How low is the interest in such gadgets at present? Well, in Scandinavia virtual headsets hit 3% of the market while in Sweden it's at a whopping rate of 4%. It's barely better than smartwatches which are at 5%. So at present, smartphones and tablets are still the kings of consumer gadgetry.

Innovations on the Horizon

The Promise of a Full-Fledged Virtual Assistant Personal assistants like Siri, Google Now, and Cortana have been available in smartphones for a few years, but usage beyond settling bar room arguments has been limited.

The introduction of the Amazon Echo and Google Home over the past couple of years has reinvigorated this space, with the promise of a truly intelligent machine that makes it easier to do everything from playing music to buying home supplies.

In the US and EU5, fewer than 25% of smartphone owners used a virtual assistant in the past month. In China, however, usage hovers around 63%, offering a glimpse of what the future can hold if the assistant concept is done well.





With the integration of Amazon Alexa no longer limited to the Echo, along with a partnership with Huawei, and the indication that Google Assistant, currently limited to the Home and Pixel line of products, will replace Google Now across Android devices, this space can be expected to become an important battleground for vendors in 2017.

As for Apple, there have been rumors and a spattering of patents about Apple's Siri being a part of an in-home automation system that could be a part of Apple TV.

During Apple's last financial conference call in January, Apple's CEO talked up Siri and the smart home. Cook noted that "I'm personally using HomeKit accessories and the Home App to integrate iOS into my home routine. Now when I say good morning to Siri my house lights come on and my coffee starts brewing. When I go io the living room to relax in the evening I use Siri to adjust the lighting and turn on the fireplace. And when I leave the house, a simple tap on my iPhone turns the lights off, adjusts the thermostat down and locks the door. When I return to my house in the evening as I near my home, the house prepares itself for my arrival automatically by using a simple geofence. This level of home automation was unimaginable just a few years ago and its here today with iOS and HomeKit." If Cook is talking it up it's because more advances with Siri on this front are probably in the works.

Kantar's special report ends by noting that "For companies in the mobile space, the days of business as usual are gone. If mobile manufacturers want to preserve the global brands they have worked so hard to build, they must trail blaze new, innovative offerings, and nurture fertile, new partnerships. If they fail to do this, they can be sure that a rival will. The opportunity is there for the taking."

Apple has led the way with the iPhone and iPad, is the leader in the smartwatch arena with little to no competition to speak of, is constantly advancing Siri even though it needs a major boost in the arm in the not-too-distant future and Augmented Reality is something that Apple is working hard on.

Apple has a lot of work going on in the 3D space for an in-air gesturing interface that may play well in the headset space down the road.

Without a doubt Apple still has the most solid round of consumer gadgets and we're constantly told that Apple has a deep pipeline of products in the works. No one to date but Apple has had success and profits from their smart devices even if they're not first at everything.

While Google, Amazon and Microsoft have introduced interesting new products ahead of Apple, nothing has been a market killer despite the hype in the press. It's true that the market is getting a little bored waiting for a new exciting trend to emerge but it may take a year or two more before we see the next iPhone or iPad type of gadget emerge.

For now, the best thing to look forward to is Apple's anniversary iPhone and that's unfortunately six or more months away. If we're lucky Apple may surprise us with exciting new iPads shortly and maybe something new to shake things up  like an all-new Apple Music-TV service.

Until that rolls out, do you see any new emerging trend that has a chance for a knockout product in 2017? Send in your comments below.

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I recently finished A Miracle, A Universe: Settling Accounts with Torturers, Lawrence Wechslers 1990 reports on post-dictatorship attempts at truth-telling and justice-seeking in Brazil and Uruguay. Wechsler is mostly an excellent writer; the book is really well-paced and there are sharp little descriptions (his commanding wreck of a voice) and insightful uses of poetry. The afterword is overwritten but mostly Wechsler restrains the ego-driven need to assure his readers that he knows what hes describing is horrifying.

Catholic readers will be especially intrigued at the role of the Church in both countries. The secret documentation project that forms the core of the Brazil section was spearheaded by a Presbyterian minister and a Catholic archbishop. The Church in Brazil was tied both to the powerful and to the powerless. In highly secular Uruguay the Church appears (in Wechslers account) both less complicit and less capable of resistance, although we do get one brave Jesuit priest. The political-theological struggles within the Catholic Church surface here and there, especially in conflicts over liberation theology, which Wechsler doesnt actually bother to define or assess. Which is fine, its not a Catholic book.

Things I noticed:

# the distinction between knowing, which most people in repressive societies already do, and acknowledging crimes. For what its worth this distinction also helps make sense of what happens in sacramental confession, I think.

It also reminded me of some of whats happened as I edit this anthology, Staying Catholic When Youve Been Hurt in the Church. Several essays talk about practical remedies, including how the Church can make it easier for people who have been harmed to receive justice. Some people name the priests, etc, who harmed them. But many dont. For a lot of reasons, many people just wanted to acknowledge what happened and honestly depict how it shaped their spiritual lives. A couple people mentioned to me that the chance to sit down and write out their story was in itself healing and liberating.

# Part of the Uruguay section describes a prison, Libertad (.thats the real name), where policies and practices were intentionally devised to break prisoners psychologically. And heres a thing I really was not expectingthis was not the result of that awful hot-take instinct, the desire to find an anglemany of the practices Wechsler cites to show how abusive the prison was, are used today in US jails and prisons. The arbitrary restrictions on and rejections of visitors, the physical separation of visitors and inmates; the selection of cellmates as punishment; the destruction of cherished and hard-won possessions; all of that and more is us too.

# Here and there you see a political ideology of national security or internal security, fostered in the United States and spread through explicit classroom instruction of the military, begin to shimmer into a religion. Wechsler at one point attributes this religion of violence to the legacy of the Inquisition; that seems like an uncharacteristically silly move for him, since I think in general humans try to hallow violence. (A good war hallows any cause, as Nietzsche says.) People generally, across societies and specific religions, link bloodshed and sacredness.

Speaking of explicitly training officers to escalate violence, to kill more than theyd otherwise try to, and to rejoice in killing, heres one small piece of the warrior cop puzzle.

# Jimmy Carter does some good work in this book. John Kennedy sure doesnt.

# Wechsler never hammers on this, but every time he draws a parallel with Poland under Communist rule its really powerful.

#Wechsler is committed to exploring ambiguity and conflicttheres an especially good section about ethical vs political frameworks. Do you hold on to uncompromising principle, or do you seek stability and slow progress even at the expense of truth and justice? Do you argue that each human life is of infinite worth, and anyway consequences are always unpredictable so how can you sacrifice principle for some imaginary future? Or do you accept that most human undertakings are compromised by fear and abuse of power, and just try to wrangle a few concessions, a few reasons for hope?

And all of these answers carry dangers, often ironic ones: Ethical stances can become ways for compromised people to purify themselves; political stances can become an ethics of their own, with all the self-righteousness associated with a quest for utopia, even when the utopia here is a future where people just calmly accept that theyll never get justice.

Theres a great sequence in the afterword (written in 1998) where Wechsler describes taking classes through a series of case studies in post-dictatorship reckonings: first they all want truth and justice without compromise, then they see places where the quest for justice destabilized nascent democracies and they say, Okay, maybe just truth?, then they see how truth and open files can themselves be abused or become the cause of a frenzy of blame, then they want everybody to forget and move on, then they see how openly-acknowledged truth can heal a society Wechsler confronts the students with the failures of every rule or norm, every philosophyand yet he knows that dont have any non-negotiables, judge every case by intuition is itself an ideology, an oversimplification. He holds on to the value of truth-telling, even in the unfixable, unhealable world we all try to inhabit.

# Toward the end Wechsler talks about moving from the concept of individualized, therapeutic healing for specific victims of torture or repression, to political healing of a society. So it is all the more striking that he doesnt describe any ministry or attempt to reach the torturers. We see one, through the eyes of his former victim, and this former torturer is obviously confused and suffering. Theres a really breathtaking passage in which that former victim describes the forgiveness he extended his torturer: why he did it, why he had to do it himself (no outside agent could do it for him), what it cost him.

But the internal life of the torturer remains opaque. Did anybody try to offer him the healing found in confession and repentance? Can you really heal a society if you dont even try to heal the killers and the jailers?

The two people who confess Jesus as Lord, when He is on the cross, are a condemned thief and the centurion set to guard the dying, tortured prisoners. In this mirrored confession I think we are supposed to see something of what Christian society is: Felicity the slave martyred alongside Perpetua the aristocrat, the tax collector for the Romans alongside the zealot against them.

There are patron saints of prison guards: Sts Processus and Martinian, who were converted by their prisoners, the apostles Peter and Paul. To bring this back to an earlier point, Im trying to find out whether there is any specific Christian ministry to corrections officers in the USA. If you know of one, email me eve_tushnet@yahoo.com . Its been surprising to me how hard this is to find.
Thereve been a number of opinion pieces again recently on the question of whether its appropriate for health insurance plans to pay for routine expenses. To a certain degree, high deductible plans attempt to return health plans to a true insurance model, covering the heart attack but not the doctors visit for the flu, but even these plans, under ACA regulations, and, previously, in order to qualify for HRA status with a pre-tax reimbursement account for pre-deductible expenses, are required to cover various preventive care items, which were expanded under the ACA to include such predictable expenses as contraception. And the notion of a health insurance plan covering routine expenses came from HMOs, which were technically labelled as prepaid health plans rather than insurance because of how they were structured. (Oh, and I miss the HMO! Everything was covered with tiny co-pays and the nuisance of having only in-network providers didnt really matter much, except that the practice group for my OB/GYN switched to a hospital a 1/2 hour drive rather than the one down the block for my second kid, and, for a brief period, that practice dropped out of network entirely.)

But anyway: consider dental plans. The twice-annual check-up should likewise be a forseeable expense, no different than regular oil changes. And fillings and extractions are probably about the cost of a typical minor car repair bill; as to more extensive dental procedures Im not sure, a bridge seems to be, at the lower end, about the cost of what Id pay for new brakes on the car.

Do you need dental insurance? Or are you better of taking care of your teeth, budgeting for regular dental check-ups, and using your rainy-day savings for any more expensive procedures that might be needed, in the same way as you would for other unexpected expenses?

Note that the ACA considers dental coverage for children as an essential health benefit. But this plays out differently than other EHBs; each exchange is required to offer dental for children, either included in health insurance policies or as a separate dental policy, but there is no requirement that a family purchase it along with the health insurance itself. (See here, for instance.) But from what I can piece together, dental care is included in the way that subsidies are priced, so that its subsidized, though a family could choose to spend their subsidy on a higher-benefit purely-medical plan instead.

Heres my personal experience: when I first started working at my current employer, back nearly 20 years ago, the company didnt offer dental insurance. They said, dental care is a predictable, and not very high, expense, so we actuaries know that insurance doesnt make sense. Some years later, they said, OK, well offer dental, but we wont subsidize it, because we think you, our employees, would rather we spend our benefit dollars on medical subsidies. And later on, they said, OK, fine, to avoid issues of anti-selection, well begin to subsidize dental coverage, too. Now, somewhere along the way, we did the math and concluded that the basic plan which covered regular exams, X-rays, and routine fillings, was cheaper than the two dental appointments per year paid on a self-pay basis. Now we are ourselves the anti-selecting customers, since weve upgraded to the comprehensive plan for as long as weve got kids in braces, but the additional benefits only just barely make up for the increase in premiums anyway.

Heres a news report: ER visits for dental problems on the rise, in the USA Today, back in 2015.

Just over a third of working-age adults nationally, and 64 percent of seniors, lacked dental coverage of any kind in 2012, meaning they had to pay for everything out of pocket. And the 10 percent of American adults with Medicaid dental plans often cant find dentists to take them. The ADA says thats partly because reimbursements are so low  41 percent of private insurance reimbursement in Kentucky last year. . . . People pay a price for going without dental care. Federal figures show that about four in 10 adults nationally had no dental visit in the past year, and more than a quarter of working-age adults, and one in five seniors, have untreated cavities. When poor people do get care, dentists say, the uninsured usually opt for the cheapest available and Medicaid patients usually choose only basic, covered services such as extractions.

And heres a report, Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Adults (Age 20 to 64). 26% of adults ages 20  64 have untreated cavities. And while rates of tooth decay are lower for younger adults  an average of 6.16 missing, decayed, or filled teeth for the age group 20  34 years, vs. 15.05 for the age group 50  64 years  its hard to know how much of this is because of the impact of fluoride toothpaste and fluoridation of drinking water, vs. just the fact that the younger group has had fewer years in which to acquire tooth decay. A Today article based on this report also says that rates of tooth decay among children are increasing, possibly due to the increase in bottled-water (vs. tap water) consumption.

The problem is, then, ultimately, not a matter of dental insurance. Its a matter of providing government-paid dental care to low income people, because in some cases, they may well do whatever it takes to get that car repair taken care of, whether its a payday loan or borrowing from whoever they can or pawning an item, but they wont treat their teeth as such an urgent need, or because, in other cases, they genuinely dont have any money at all, and there exists no dental stamps to pay in the way that food stamps pays for food for the cashless.

Exactly where the cut-off is between too poor to self-pay dental expenses and responsibly writes the check to the dentist twice a year is, I dont know. The report above says that 43.88% of those below the poverty line have untreated tooth decay, vs. 39.31% of those with incomes 100%  200% of the poverty line, and only 17.97% of those above 200%. How much of a further drop-off wed see if the report showed further gradations of income, I dont know. Blacks also had twice the rate of untreated tooth decay as whites  40.45% vs. 20.84%.

And the USA Today article reports that the consequences of lack of dental care can be substantial; in extreme cases, untreated cavities produce infections which send people to the ER. In other cases, people end up with missing teeth because dental treatment is delayed for so long.

(Ugh! Just typing this makes me want to go upstairs and brush my teeth!)

So what do we do? Do we say, people should be responsible enough to take care of their teeth? Do we say, the government should pay for everyones dental care because too many people will not, or cannot, self-pay?

In any event, I thought it would be useful to think about dental care, as a different way of thinking about even the more predictable elements of healthcare.

Image: https://pixabay.com/en/dentist-pain-borowa%C4%87-cure-nfz-428645/; public domain
US President Donald Trump has found his match across the big pond thousands of miles away at India's capital city of Delhi. Mr. Trump, meet Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Both are constant whiners and proponents of wild conspiracy theories. Trump whined about losing to Hillary Clinton in popular votes by nearly 4 million votes saying that many illegal aliens voted for the former First Lady. When asked to provide evidence, he basically said he doesn't have to. We should just take his words!

Then he groaned and moaned about the size of crowd during his inaugural ceremony saying the media was lying when it said that the crowd was nowhere any close to the size of the crowd during Barack Obama's first inaugural. Again, he refused to offer any proof.

There are many examples of this man-child President of the US of making allegations without any evidence. He told his fellow party member and also a Presidential candidate Ted Cruz that his father was involved in the assassination of former US President John F Kennedy. Yes, that's what he did!

He also famously once said that his 'investigators' were searching for Obama's birth certificate in Hawaii. Turns out after nearly nine years, they are still searching for any evidence the 44th President was born in Kenya and not in Hawaii! Wouldn't you love to be one of those 'investigators' who spend their entire life in a paradise like Hawaii searching for something that never existed in the first place? All expenses paid?

However, the Orange businessman who needed Russia to help him beat Hillary Clinton, outdid himself with his penchant for conspiracy theories when he tweeted that Obama had ordered a wiretap on his Trump Tower to derail his campaign.

Again, when asked to prove the allegation, he sent his imaginary 'investigators' on a wild goose chase who have yet to come up with any evidence that, in all likelihood, do not exist in the first place.

Meet Arvind Kejriwal, a man who has concocted more conspiracy theories in his brief political life than any other politician in the modern history of India.

Like Trump's baseless, eye-roll-worthy allegations, Kejriwal earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking a bribe of Rs. 25 crore from the Aditya Birla Group when the latter was serving Gujarat as its Chief Minister.

Again, like Trump, no evidence required!

The Chief Minister of Delhi (sorry Delhi'ites, we feel for you), also alleged that BJP leaders and their industrialist friends knew about the demonetization move before the announcement on November 8 allowing them to invest their ill-gotten money in land purchases and other money-laundering schemes.

Again, like Trump, no evidence required!

The man with a flair for drama also accused senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari of massive corruption without ever providing a scintilla of evidence.

As if that was not enough, Kejriwal recently went on a tirade saying his life was in danger and he might be killed by the BJP goons. When asked to provide evidence of his paranoia, the Delhi CM went silent!

Now, four days after his party's humiliating defeat in Punjab where Congress won the majority seats with 77, followed by Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (20), and SAD alliance (18), the drama queen is blaming the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for his party's poor show in the state.

Unable to grasp reality, a word obviously foreign to the AAP chief, Kejriwal blamed the EVMs for his party's debacle in Punjab saying about 20 to 25 percent of AAP votes were transferred to SAD and its ally BJP.

"All the exit polls were showing we were winning and were going to form the next government in Punjab so what went wrong? The only answer is that votes that were to be registered for AAP were somehow transferred to SAD due to manipulation with the electronic voting machines," the Alex Jones of India said.

If Kejriwal's logic was true (one can't lose an election if the exit polls were saying otherwise and if one still loses then EVMs must have been tampered) then obviously, the NDA should have won in Bihar in 2015 Assembly elections when most exit polls were giving clear, uncontested edge to the BJP and its allies. Remember the election result night when NDTV declared a clear victory for the NDA only to retract their words a few hours later?

Darn it! And here I thought that Nitish had formed the government with the RJD and Congress fair and square! I did not know that Nitish-Lalu had fixed the voting machines in their favor. That must be the only explanation why NDA lost in Bihar when all exit polls were saying it would form the new government in the state. Poor Sushil Modi! He should be sitting in the Chief Minister's chair instead of Nitish Kumar - according to Mr. Kejriwal.
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Patna: Once known for his 'kapda-phaad' Holi along with the customary 'launda naach' on the occasion  a personal favorite of the RJD chief - Holi at Lalu Prasad Yadav's household this year was a very low key affair as the family limited itself to using only 'abir' (colored powder) in honor of the victims of severe hailstorm in the state that destroyed crops to the tune of several.

"Hundreds of thousands of farmers and families have been affected by hailstorm in Bihar and that is why we decided to not celebrate Holi as we have done in the past," said the RJD chief.

Opposition leaders, however, paint a different picture for the subdued Holi at Lalu residence.

"This has nothing to do with the hailstorm. Bihar has seen many hailstorms in the past but not once Mr. Yadav has cancelled his Holi plan on account of it. The fact of the matter is, the Uttar Pradesh poll debacle has sent the RJD chief and his allies in Uttar Pradesh in a state of shock. He was very confident Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) would emerge the biggest winner in the state poll. This over-confidence fueled all the insults against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now that Mr. Yadav has been proven wrong, he is embarrassed and is in a state of mourning for his 'samadhi's loss in UP," said senior party leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.



Holi at Yadav's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav's home, however, was full of festivity as both dry and wet colors were used to celebrate the event. There were plenty of food along with music and dance as the Health Minister personally welcomed his supporters and party workers who were earlier turned away from the Lalu-Rabri residence.
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Two Iranian Navy Ships Enter Gulf of Aden

03/14/17

Source: Tehran Times

Iranian Navy has announced that two of its warships have entered the Gulf of Aden in recent days, Tasnim news agency reported. The two warships will be protecting Iran's cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb, the navy said on Monday.







Commercially, Tehran attaches great importance to the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb as they connect Iran to neighboring countries as well as other regions across the world.



In recent years, the country's navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for cargo ships and tankers.



On Sunday, a senior Iranian commander said the navy has so far escorted more than 2,100 cargo ships and tankers.



"Such achievements are because of the powerful presence of the navy in international waters," Deputy Navy Commander for Coordination Admiral Peiman Jafari Tehrani stated.



Jafari Tehrani further said that the navy's presence in international waters boosts the security of the Islamic Republic and improves intelligence sharing between Iran and neighboring countries.







In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008.



In July 2016, it fought off two consecutive pirate attacks on an Iranian merchant vessel in Bab el-Mandeb Strait.



Iran has in recent years made great breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and hardware.



The Islamic Republic asserts that its military might poses no threat to other countries and will only act as a deterrent to others.
Iranian Opposition Leader Mehdi Karroubi Under Extrajudicial House Arrest for Six Years Denied Emergency Care

03/14/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

An elderly opposition leader who has been kept under extrajudicial house arrest in Tehran since 2011 is being denied access to timely emergency medical services, his son told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI).





Mehdi Karroubi



The Intelligence Ministry agents who are guarding former presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi are only allowed to take the 79-year-old to a distant hospital run by the ministry should he require emergency medical care.

"Regarding the impact of six years of house arrest on someone of my father's age, all I can say is that the regime will be held responsible if anything happens to him because of these restrictions," said Taghi Karroubi. "The distance to the Intelligence Ministry's hospital is too far."

He spoke to CHRI after the publication of a letter on March 8, 2017 by his mother, Fatemeh Karroubi, condemning the policy.

"The ministry's security agents are still present inside our home and every basic domestic task is in their hands," said Fatemeh Karroubi, who lives with her husband but is allowed to leave the house. "That's not the definition of 'house arrest.'"

"Ever since the house arrest began, we have been very worried about not being able to contact Tehran Emergency Center when necessary," she wrote. "Unfortunately, this is the order given to the agents stationed at our home in violation of the most basic human rights."

Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard were put under house arrest without trial on February 13, 2011 for publicly disputing the results of Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election and leading peaceful mass demonstrations against the results.

The widespread protests, which were violently repressed by the state, came to be known as the Green Movement.

The media have been instructed not to raise the issue of the house arrests, and the 2009 protests continue to be referred to as the "sedition" by authorities in Iran.

Constantly Monitored

Taghi Karroubi described his father's living situation to CHRI, adding that Intelligence Ministry agents are based on the first floor of the house and that Mehdi Karroubi and his wife live on the second floor.

"The agents have to be aware of everything, even the purchase of the simplest of things for the house," he said. "They have to see everything and approve it before it's taken upstairs."

"The upstairs' phone is disconnected," he continued. "My mother and father don't have a mobile phone and so if anything happens, the agents have to be informed first."

"Last week, my father's blood pressure dropped sharply and he was sent to the Intelligence Ministry's hospital upon the advice of doctors, and came back after a few hours," he added. "As my mother said in her letter, the hospital is too far from our home."

"By putting him under house arrest, the ruling establishment wants to cut my father off from the political and social currents of the country," Taghi Karroubi told CHRI. "And it did so. The authorities have disconnected the phone and internet. They even cut off the satellite dish that my mother always used for listening to BBC news (banned in Iran)."

"They control all comings and goings," he said. "My father is only allowed to go to the courtyard for a walk, but he doesn't do that anymore since his knee operation."

"When security agents are constantly present inside your home for six consecutive years, that's not called a 'house arrest' anymore," he said. "I don't know what to call it. The agents can be stationed outside by the entrance gate, for instance, but they have been inside for six years controlling every personal affair."

"We want the regime to be accountable," he added. "If the authorities want to put someone in house arrest, they need a court order. They have to hold a trial."

"My father, Mr. Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mrs. Zahra Rahnavard have been held all these years without a trial," Mehdi Karroubi told CHRI. "They have asked to be tried in court many times."

"It's like the three are in a legal limbo," he added. "It's a situation without legal precedence and therefore you can't seek justice for them through normal judicial channels."

"The problem is that they are being punished without being sentenced in court (according to the wishes of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei)," he said. "But the law says no one is above the law, not even the supreme leader."
Over the last two years, Nebraska has hit some key growth benchmarks. In 2015, for the first time, Nebraska had over one million non-farm jobs. Our population hit an all-time high of 1.9 million people last year. And just a few weeks ago, Nebraska won the Governors Cup for the most capital investment projects per capita in the nation. Over 100 new investments helped Nebraska garner this coveted award.

Even with all these successes, Nebraska should not rest. We must continue to look for ways to become more competitive nationally. Other states are constantly working to develop new competitive edges to attract more people, jobs, and investment.

One significant area that Nebraska is not competitive in is taxes. We are a high tax state. Bloomberg ranks Nebraska 16th highest for income taxes and USA Today rates us 5th highest for property taxes. Recently, the Tax Foundation released a new study showing Nebraska ranks 14th highest nationally for income tax collections per capita. High taxes stifle growth, hinder job creation, and burden family budgets. Our tax rates also matter because site selectors in charge of picking venues for new investments screen out high tax states for new projects, meaning Nebraska can miss out on even being considered for some investments.

If we are going to stay competitive, we must make progress in bringing our tax rates down. Over the past two years, we successfully delivered over $400 million in direct property tax relief for all property owners across the state, and an additional $40 million in property tax relief targeted at ag land taxpayers. Additionally, we worked with the Legislature last year to put more resources towards state aid to K-12 schools along with new spending controls on school spending.

This year, we are working with the Legislature on new reforms to income and property taxes to make our state more tax competitive.

In the area of income tax, I am working with Revenue Committee Chairman Jim Smith to bring down our top tax rate from 6.84 percent to under six percent. Bringing down the top tax rate is critical because 90 percent of income taxes are paid by Nebraskans who pay in the top tax bracket. This includes solidly middle class families making more than $29,831 of taxable income. Additionally, 90 percent of Nebraska businesses pay individual income taxes, according to the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce. Cutting income taxes will give more money back to family budgets, help Main Street grow job opportunities, and make our state more attractive to job creators.

On property taxes, I am working with Ag Committee Chairwoman Lydia Brasch to change the way ag land is valued for taxation purposes. With the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act, we are proposing to move assessments for ag land from a market-based system to an income-potential approach. This will help valuations to better reflect the income of Nebraskas ag producers. This is long-term, structural reform that will help ensure our states number one industry remains strong. This system has been suggested to me by ag producers across the state, because of the success other ag states have experienced. If the Agricultural Valuation Fairness Act were in place for 2017, it would have reduced ag land valuations by about $2.2 billion.

Getting both income and property tax reform done this year is critical for growing both Main Street and agriculture, and key to bringing together both urban and rural senators in the Unicameral.

While many senators are focused on getting tax reform done this year, a small minority have suggested no tax relief is needed. Last week, one senator even suggested that the Legislature should consider raising taxes instead of providing tax relief. Our income tax rates are already uncompetitive. Raising our income tax would put an additional burden on our middle class families and small businesses. Right now, our sales tax is middle-of-the-pack. Raising our sales tax even a penny would give Nebraska the 14th highest sales tax in the nation, according to the State Chamber.

As you can see, we need to focus on bringing tax rates down if we want to ease the burden on our families and grow Nebraska. Raising taxes would make us less competitive and less attractive to job creators as well as to families looking to move here. If you have feedback on what you would like to see the Legislature do on tax reform, I encourage you to contact your senator. You can find all their information at www.NebraskaLegislature.gov. If you have feedback for me, I hope you will contact my office by emailing pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2244.
IRAN: IRGC Violently Arrests Reformist Editor One Month After Release From Evin Prison

03/15/17

Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran

Ehsan Mazandarani Starts Hunger Strike





Reformist editor Ehsan Mazandarani was shocked with a Taser stun gun while being returned to Evin Prison in Tehran by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC) Intelligence Organization on March 11, 2017, less than a month after he was released.

"Around noon an agent contacted him and said he wants to go inside Ehsan's garage," Sam Hosseini, Mazandarani's brother-in-law, told the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI). "When Ehsan went outside to see what was going on, he saw several agents of the IRGC's Intelligence Organization, who then entered his home."

"An argument followed, and one of the agents, who said his name was Mehdi Bahari, gave Ehsan an electric shock and dragged him away," he added.

Mazandarani began a hunger strike to protest the "illegal, political and arbitrary action" upon entering the prison, said Hosseini.

"When the agents were asked why they were arresting Ehsan again, all they said was that there had been a mistake and he shouldn't have been freed," he said, adding that it was actually the IRGC who made the mistake.

Following his trial, Mazandarani was verbally informed that he would have to serve two years in prison, but says he received a shorter sentence-the one he actually served before being released-in writing.

"The first court sentenced Ehsan to seven years in prison and then he and his lawyer were told that the Appeals Court reduced the sentence to two years in prison," Hosseini told CHRI. "But when Ehsan received the actual court ruling, it said he had been sentenced to one year, one month and 12 days."

"Ehsan twice corresponded with Ms. Fattaneh Fattahi, the court's clerk, and said that the ruling was different than what was told to him before," added Hosseini. "She replied that the ruling was what it was."

Before his arrest in November 2015, Mazandarani was the editor-in-chief of the reformist Farhikhtegan newspaper. He had not returned to work after his release, Hosseini told CHRI.

Mazandarani was released from Evin Prison on February 11, 2017 after serving a little over 13 months for "assembly and collusion against national security" and "propaganda against the state." He was also banned from working as a journalist for two years.

In 2016, Mazandarani was hospitalized on at least two occasions to receive emergency treatment for the life-endangering health effects of the hunger strikes he underwent to protest his unjust sentence.

When the agents of the IRGC's Intelligence Organization first arrested Mazandarani on November 2, 2015, they also arrested three other journalists: Issa Saharkhiz, Ehsan (Saman) Safarzaei and Afarin Chitsaz in the largest wave of arrests by the IRGC since 2009.

Marketing manager Davoud Assadi, the brother of Paris-based dissident journalist Houshang Assadi, was also arrested that day.
Iran trade with Russia grew largest in 2016: Envoy

03/15/17

Source: Press TV

Iran's trade with Russia saw the highest growth in 2016, says Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Sanai as the two countries are gearing up for President Hassan Rouhani's imminent visit to Moscow. "I believe this trend will be maintained in the next two or three years and bilateral trade volume will reach $10 billion," Russia's Rossiya Segodnya quoted him as saying on Wednesday.



Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin

Summits of BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Ufa, Russia

(July 9, 2015 file photo by IRNA)

According to Russian Foreign Ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, trade turnover between Iran and Russia rose 80% to more than $2 billion in 2016, with energy, agriculture and defense sales forming the bulk of the transactions.



President Rouhani is about to visit Moscow soon, during which 11 documents are expected to be signed for cooperation, Iran's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mahmoud Vaezi has said.



Vaezi said the two sides were attempting to put into operation an energy agreement under which Iran would export 100,000 barrels per day of oil to Russia.



According to Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak, Iran would supply the oil within the framework of the "oil-for-goods" arrangement between the countries.



Russian officials have said the total value of the goods that Russia could deliver to Iran under the "oil-for-goods" deal would reach $45 billion annually.



The arrangement calls for 50% of payment in the form of goods such as railroad items, heavy trucks and aviation industry and another 50% in cash.





Iran-Russia trade forum in Tehran - December 2016



The two countries are also due to discuss the creation of a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Iran during President Rouhani's visit.



The EAEU is a regional political and economic bloc that aims to optimize the flow of goods and services between its members. Its current member states are Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
mSecure password manager review TechRadar Pro

Updated In our mSecure password manager review, we take an in-depth look at this password manager to help you decide if its the most secure way to handle your sensitive data.
While Google Hangouts is making a shift to serve enterprise users, it wont be vanishing for consumers.

Last week, the company announced that it would be splitting the chat and videoconferencing service into Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat, which raised questions about what would happen for those people who still use it in their personal lives.

Consumers will still be able to access Hangouts using their personal Google accounts. Hangouts will still appear in the Gmail sidebar on the desktop, even after it splits into Chat and Meet, according to Scott Johnston, director of product management for Hangouts.

Right now, the chat service is in a closed beta program for Googles enterprise customers, but once it becomes generally available, consumers and enterprise users will be prompted to upgrade.

When Google releases it to general availability, the company will upgrade Hangouts, both in G Suite and in the current Hangouts apps, to Meet and Chat, he said during a press briefing at the companys Google Cloud Next conference in San Francisco last week.

In other words, the company isnt going to cut consumers off from a product that theyre still using to communicate with one another. Consumers will be able to start video and audio meetings using Hangouts Meet, plus have group chat conversations using Chat.

Consumers who prefer the classic Hangouts will be able to hang onto it for awhile after the new Chat service becomes generally available. Google plans to operate Meet, Chat, and classic Hangouts all at the same time during a transition period, while allowing users to choose to upgrade at their leisure. At some point, consumers will be moved over to Chat and Meet.

That said, Google isnt exactly encouraging people to keep using Hangouts for consumer messaging. Last year, the company introduced Allo, a new mobile-first messaging app that includes access to the Google Assistant and other features that havent been added to Hangouts.

By contrast, Google will focus on giving Hangouts users features that are focused on serving the needs of businesses, like team chats and integrations with work software like Asana, Box, Smartsheet, and Zendesk. Both products will have enterprise-specific features.

Its unclear what exactly that means for Hangouts chances as a consumer product in the long run. Right now, theres not an easy migration path from Hangouts to Allo, since one requires users log in with mobile phone numbers, and the other requires Google account log-ins.

Allo also isnt available outside of Android and iOS yet, though Google is working on a desktop experience. Google also has a handful of other messaging apps, too. But at least for now, Allo and Hangouts will continue their coexistence.
Nvidia will work with automotive supplier Bosch to mass-produce self-driving car systems using the upcoming Xavier chip.

Bosch provides automotive parts and in-vehicle technologies used by automotive companies worldwide. For example, Bosch supplies sensors and automotive parts to Teslas cars with self-driving technology.

Nvidia last year announced that its Drive PX board product line will use the powerful Xavier chip, but didnt provide a shipment date. Bosch will be one of the first companies to develop a computer using that board. The joint development project was announced Wednesday.

Nvidia packs parallel programming and machine learning software development platforms into the Drive PX boards. Bosch will also use those technologies with the car computer, and it will supply the end product to car makers.

Thats a positive development for Nvidia, which is competing with car and chip makers in the emerging autonomous car market. Intel this week made a big splash, saying it would pay $15.3 billion to acquire Mobileye, which develops sensors, chips and software for self-driving cars. Nvidias self-driving car technologies are mostly homegrown, and the chip maker is working with a wide range of car makers including Volvo, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

The Drive PX with Xavier will be the third model in Nvidias car computer lineup, designed to allow cars to recognize images and quickly draw up accurate maps. That will help develop self-driving cabs, in which accurate point-to-point driving is paramount. The Drive computers are also mean to help avoid collisions and make smart driving decisions.

Nvidia has already developed a self-driving car based on the first Drive PX model that can change lanes, stop at signals, ride highways and go from one point to another by drawing up maps. The Drive PX systems collect data from GPS, radar, lidar, cameras and other sensors to make driving decisions.

The computer being built by Bosch and Nvidia will be like a supercomputer in a car. Nvidia has said that its Drive PX computers will ultimately have the ability to recognize everything in sight as a car is moving, which will help autonomous vehicles make driving decisions.

The delivery date for the computer made by Bosch and Nvidia wasnt announced. But getting a big car parts supplier is a good way for Nvidia to get its technology into autonomous vehicles. Intel is also working with car parts supplier Delphi in a similar fashion.
Most small businesses are all too aware that cyber criminals are becoming more inventive in their hunt for vulnerable or accessible financial information. Theyre targeting individual consumers and small businesses, and the costs for businesses can be high.

For small businesses looking to combat online fraud, it can really help to have an understanding of todays fraud landscape; the fraud-screening tools available right now; practical tips to mitigate fraudulent transactions; and an understanding of tokenized payments, which is a great way to improve security and customer convenience.

The face of online fraud today

Sage Payment Solutions recently surveyed 1,110 U.S. business decision makers and 1,062 US consumers about payment security, among other topics. We found that for both businesses and consumers, security remains a huge issue when making or receiving payments.

More than three-quarters (78%) of consumers have concerns about fraud when paying for goods or services online, and 65% of businesses are concerned about cyber security. Moreover, 89% of the general public believes online payment providers should do more to protect people from fraud. (Download Sages exclusive 2017 Payments Landscape Report for the full story.)

Today, online fraud comes in many forms including stolen cards, identity theft, and hacked customer information. One current trend is vishing over the telephone, whereby fraudsters are tricking consumers into parting with personal or financial information. Similarly, fraudsters often take advantage of websites that lack proper security measures and obtain sensitive customer details.

Business email compromise (BEC) scams are a rapidly growing source of online fraud. In one type of BEC scam, criminals conduct extensive research and create fake profiles of business owners. By mimicking a business owners style, criminals can deceive their targets into making payments to fraudulent accounts.

Another source of online fraud can be poor IT security in your office, which means a simple break-in can escalate into a full data breach, whereby customer credit card numbers are compromised.

Know your weapons in the battle against fraud

The first step you can take in the battle against fraud is to configure the correct fraud screening tools on your payments account. Most payment service providers offer basic fraud tools that are easy to implement.

These include:

AVS, or Address Verification System

This security tool checks the numerics in the billing address of the card against the address at which the card is registered.

CVV/CV2, or Card Verification Code:

This is the three/four digit authentication code on the back of credit or debit cards.

3D Secure

This tool is similar to an online version of chip and PIN, where instead of a PIN, a user-generated password is required. It reduces the possibility of fraudulent card use by authenticating the cardholder at the actual time of the transaction. Subsequently, this reduces the business exposure to disputed transactions and charge-backs of this type.

Practical tips for strengthening your defenses against online fraud

Despite the worrying numbers of businesses hit by fraud, the 2017 Sage Payment Solutions Payments Landscape Report found that 20% of businesses dont spend anything on fraud prevention and instead rely on the free tools provided by their payment gateway. If youre ready to strengthen your business defenses against fraudsters, Sage payments experts recommend you:

Analyze customer information and purchasing behavior

Your goal here is to be able to assess a customers profile, order, and delivery details before accepting a transaction. Similarly, orders placed early in the morning, of high quantity or high value are also red flags, particularly if the product can be easily resold.

Always check the delivery address is valid

You could use the banking industrys Address Verification System, which compares the delivery address provided for the order with the billing address details for the payment card held by the card issuer.

Invest in geo-location technology

Geo-location will help you find the shoppers location and help identify if the order is coming from a high-risk country. Then, you can check the location of the order against the type of order and the customers profile.

Maintain a customer database

It is generally a good idea to identify the customer by name, email address, delivery and billing address, and telephone number. It is also helpful if your server records the IP address from which the customer is accessing your system.

You should store these details in your database alongside details of the customers basket contents or other ordered goods.

Similarly, a fraud database will help you close loopholes, because criminals will continue to target a business until the window of opportunity is closed.

While these tips are sufficient for smaller businesses, larger businesses need to consult a third party and implement a custom fraud prevention solution.

Tokenized payments: the next step?

The token system allows customers to register their cards on the business website to use for future purchases. This allows customers to log on to the website, select the card they would like to use for the purchase, and proceed to the checkout pages.

When using a provider like Sage Payment Solutions, our system captures all of the shoppers card details in our secure system and provides the business with a token that the business stores on its system (in place of the card details). This way, the business avoids storing payment data that could be compromised by criminals.

Tokenized payments are the natural next step for merchants looking to restrict their exposure to card data. This technology facilitates a range of payment methods including:

Delayed or deferred payments: this allow a merchant to take payment on delivery, but to collect and store the card details securely when the initial ordered is processed.

Repeat orders: for businesses offering subscription-based models for their products and services.

Single-click payments: as the payment processor already stores the customers details securely, the merchant just needs the customer to enter their card security code (also known as CV2 or CVV) to validate the payment.

No matter the size of your business, if you sell products or services online, fraud isnt something worth sticking your head in the sand about. The good news is by taking the right steps today, you can protect your customers and concentrate on growing your business.

Visit Sage Payment Solutions site to learn more.
Two San Bernardino men, including one on community supervision, were arrested early Tuesday, March 14 after they were reportedly found in a stolen vehicle, officials said.

Ernie Mesta, 32, and Leslie Johnson, 36, were booked into Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department press release. Mesta was found to be on probation through Assembly Bill 109, which complies with a U.S. Supreme Court Decision requiring the state to lower its prison population. Under the bill, offenders with non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious convictions serve their sentences in county jails and could be placed on local supervision through local probation offices.

Just after 2 a.m., a deputy stopped the vehicle near University and Hallmark parkways and discovered it was reported stolen out of San Bernardino, officials said.

The men inside, later identified as Johnson and Mesta, were arrested. Deputies later learned Mesta also had a warrant out for his arrest for not complying with the terms of his probation.

Anyone with information about the arrests can call the sheriffs central station in San Bernardino at 909-387-3545. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME(27463) or leave information on the website at wetip.com.
Fifteen motorists in Moreno Valley were cited Tuesday, March 14, for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk  in this case, a Riverside County sheriffs deputy dressed as an orange traffic cone.

Deputies staked out a crosswalk at Eucalyptus Avenue and Sunnymeadows Drive after receiving complaints about motorists who were endangering students using the crosswalk near schools, a news release said.

The goal was to make motorists more aware of their surroundings and exercise more caution, especially near schools and crosswalks.

The Sheriffs Department encouraged drivers to watch out for pedestrians and slow down and prepare to stop when entering a crosswalk.

Pedestrians were urged to cross at crosswalks or intersections and pay attention to traffic around them  and not be distracted by texting or talking on a phone.
Riverside Public Utilities will get about $1.1 million from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries related to the 2013 closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, of which the city utility owned a small portion.

The new steam generators Mitsubishi built for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station failed after little more than a year of operation, leading to the early shuttering of the plant in 2013 and more than $4 billion in premature-shutdown costs to buy replacement power and the like.

Southern California Edison, the plants majority owner, and Riverside filed complaints and lawsuits against Mitsubishi and other entities over the plants closure.

A Monday, March 13, arbitration decision from the International Chamber of Commerce determined Edison would get $125 million, far less than it had sought, and Riverside would get $1.1 million. The citys legal fees in the case totaled $488,000, a city news release issued Tuesday, March 14, stated.

That amount is in addition to $7.16 million Riverside was awarded in the settlement of a 2015 lawsuit against Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited.

Riverside bought a 1.79 percent stake in the San Onofre plant in 1977, said Daniel Garcia, Riverside Public Utilities assistant general manager of resources. The plant provided Riverside with 40 megawatts of power, which the city utility replaced with renewable sources  geothermal, solar and wind  when San Onofre shut down unexpectedly.

Garcia did not know whether other cases involving Riverside and the plant remain pending. Deputy City Attorney Susan Wilson was unavailable for comment Wednesday.

In this weeks arbitration announcement, Southern California Edison hoped to get billions of dollars from Mitsubishi, but the utility and its customers will get much less.

Edison asked the International Chamber of Commerce to go above and beyond the $125 million liability limit specified in its contract with Mitsubishi. A chamber arbitration tribunal decided that Mitsubishi is indeed liable for breach of contract  but it rejected Edisons other claims in a 2-1 decision.

San Onofres owners will get just the $125 million, the tribunal decided.

Thats in addition to $45 million paid previously by Mitsubishi. But the tribunal sliced deeply into that award, ordering San Onofres owners to pay the $58 million in legal costs Mitsubishi incurred fighting off the bigger claim.

That leaves Edisons net recovery at about $52 million, it said in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The companys customers are to get about half of that in the form of credits.

We had hoped the award would more accurately reflect the true magnitude of damage caused by Mitsubishis defective steam generators, Edison President Ron Nichols said in a prepared statement. Unfortunately, the arbitration panel concluded that the contracts prescribed liability limit should be respected and no additional award can be granted despite the harm caused.

One of the three tribunal members felt San Onofres owners established a basis under California law to overcome the contracts liability limitation, and should have recovered more than $1 billion, Edison said. That member apparently failed to convince the other two.

The decision will not be published until confidential information is redacted. It is the final award of the tribunal, but can be challenged in court on limited grounds, Edison said in its SCE filing.

Reach the reporter:

951-368-9461, arobinson@scng.com or @arobinson_pe on Twitter
A man was shot and injured in the parking lot of a Corona restaurant Tuesday night, March 14.

Corona police officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Lucky Greek restaurant at 2490 Wardlow Road about 10:25 p.m., said Sgt. Paul Mercado.

They arrived to find a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound. He was hospitalized in stable condition, Mercado said. The man was not being cooperative with investigators.

Police have a photograph of the suspect vehicle  a dark compact sedan  leaving the business. It was taken by a camera on a nearby business, he said.

Police asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Jesse Jurado at 951-279-3628.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.
Jurupa school officials want to assure parents that immigration agents arent welcome at their kids schools.

All campuses have been declared safe learning zones for students regardless of their immigration status, under a resolution unanimously passed Monday, March 13, by the Jurupa school board.

The Jurupa Unified School District joins Riverside Unified, San Jacinto Unified and San Bernardino City Unified, which have all passed similar resolutions.

The decision comes nearly a month after six Rubidoux High educators posted Facebook messages that many said disparaged students who skipped school for the national A Day Without Immigrants boycott. Angered by the posts, about 150 students walked off their Jurupa Valley campus. People packed a board meeting days later to denounce the educators, who are on paid leave. A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union and others urged Jurupa school trustees to adopt a safe haven resolution as a commitment to protect immigrant students, limit district cooperation in federal immigration enforcement and bar discrimination.

The ACLU sent the district a Dec. 12 letter asking for such a resolution to address what the group called an increase in politically motivated on-campus bullying targeting immigrant students and other vulnerable groups. The ACLU sent another letter in response to the Rubidoux High educators Feb. 16 Facebook posts.

Its a good first step, but we believe much more needs to be done, Victor Leung, deputy director of advocacy for the ACLU of Southern California, said of the resolution. We hope the district will do more to address the long-standing inequities particularly for immigrants, English learners and students of color.

Superintendent Elliott Duchon said the resolution has been in the works for months and isnt a response to the Rubidoux High situation.

Duchon said hes heard from students and parents at several schools who expressed fear that they or their family members might be deported, he said.

People are anxious about whats happening in the country and the community, he said. We will do everything we can to keep schools a safe place.

Board President Robert Garcia said the measure reinforces the message that we stand behind our students and the community.

Jurupas measure reaffirms existing federal law that bars officials from asking about students immigration status. The district embraces diversity and values the contributions of Dreamers  people brought illegally to the United States at a young age by their parents and who received a reprieve from deportation under an Obama Administration program, the policy states.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in December wrote a letter to all 1,025 California school districts and urged them to adopt safe haven resolutions.

Leslie Altamirano, who has one daughter at Rubidoux High and another at Mission Middle School, applauded the move.

I think the only reason they are actually moving forward is because the district is under the spotlight, Altamirano said. But its a great start and it shows they are paying attention and addressing the needs of the community they serve.

Reach the reporter:

951-368-9292, stwall@scng.com or @pe_swall on Twitter
The family of the Riverside woman who police say callously deserted her 2-year-old daughter at a supermarket is wrestling with the contradictions in her life as they also struggle to understand what could have prompted the actions ascribed to her.

Chiengkham Cindy Vilaysane, 31, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of felony child endangerment and child neglect, Detective Paul Miranda said. Charges could be filed Thursday, March 16. Jail records indicate Vilaysane was not eligible for bail.

UPDATE: Riverside mother charged with deserting, endangering child

Riverside police said a woman and child entered the Food 4 Less grocery store at 4250 Van Buren Blvd. on Sunday evening. While the woman was shopping, the toddler wandered off, and when a good Samaritan brought the child to her, the mother said, Oh, just leave her, a news release said.

Surveillance video shows the woman going through the checkout line alone and leaving.

We dont know why she did that. It was random, a brother, Anthony Vilaysane, said Wednesday.

Thats not (like) her, said a sister, Amanda Vilaysane.

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Amanda Vilaysane described an older sister who will work day and night and has worked two jobs to support her two children, one of whom, an 8-year-old daughter, has been living with her father. But Amanda Vilaysane acknowledged that her sister has not worked recently.

Cindy Vilaysane is a really good mother, Amanda Vilaysane said. But she noted that her sister has had trouble kicking a drug habit. She suggested that peer pressure or drugs may have contributed to the actions that brought on the arrest.

I hope she gets the help she needs. I think more like rehab than jail, she said.

Miranda said the family told police that Cindy Vilaysane is having a lot of problems, and one is a drug problem. They are fed up with her, and they have changed the locks on their house and they do not want her back.

However, in an interview Wednesday afternoon, Amanda Vilaysane denied her sister had been kicked out and said she had been living there as recently as Saturday.

A neighbor who declined to be identified said she saw Cindy Vilaysane playing with her 2-year-old in the front yard.

Child-welfare issues

The toddler was put into the custody of Child Protective Services after Sunday nights incident.

CPS had multiple contacts with Cindy Vilaysane before, Miranda said.

Miranda, citing the criminal investigation, declined to share what Vilaysane told him about the incident.

During his interview with Vilaysane, Miranda said, he did not see any signs that she should be placed on a mental-health hold for an examination.

Vilaysane has about a half-dozen Facebook pages, Miranda said, some with fictitious information. One lists her employer as Riverside County Sheriffs Department  which sheriffs officials said was untrue; another says she works for the U.S. Department of Defense; another says shes a dental assistant in Hemet.

Family members Wednesday said they couldnt explain those Facebook pages.

Cindy Vilaysane last worked at Ho Ho Chinese Food on Madison Street in Riverside, Miranda said. The manager there declined to comment Wednesday.

Community helps solve case

Once police released the surveillance video Monday night, seeking the publics help identifying the woman pictured, tips came in that helped officers determine it was Cindy Vilaysane. Police then released her name and sought additional help tracking her down.

Late that afternoon, Vilaysane went into the Chase Bank at 10355 Magnolia Ave. for a transaction. The teller asked for her identification, then recognized Vilaysanes name and face and called police.

Vilaysane was arrested at 5 p.m. Tuesday and booked into jail three hours later, according to the jail log.

The bank teller declined to be interviewed for this story, Chase spokeswoman Suzanne Alexander said.

Miranda said police were appreciative of the communitys help.

It is a testament to show we have a good working relationship with the public, Miranda said. This would not have been solved so soon if not for the publics assistance.

Anyone with additional information on the case can contact Miranda at 951-353-7945 or pmiranda@riversideca.gov.
Riverside County educators see strengths and weaknesses in how their schools fared on the states new report card unveiled Wednesday morning, March 15.

Generally, we seem to be making progress in a lot of areas, said Elliott Duchon, superintendent of the Jurupa Unified School District.

The California School Dashboard, available at CASchoolDashboard.org, replaces the former Academic Performance Index score with color-coded charts that look at more than just the standardized test scores on which the API score was based.

RELATED: How to use the new California School Dashboard to compare school test scores

In addition to looking at student performance in English language arts and mathematics, the new dashboard measures chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, the progress students who dont speak English at home made in learning English, graduation rate, what the school does to prepare students for colleges and careers, and more.

Higher graduation rates and more students passing college-level courses are positives in Jurupa Unified, Duchon said. But English and math scores, while improving, remain low, he said.

API scores disappeared in 2014, as California switched to the new Smarter Balanced tests, which are designed to match up with the Common Core academic standards. So, instead of looking at a score between 200 and 1,000 points  and hoping to see a number above 800  those using the new California School Dashboard see grids that show districts and schools rated on a color scale that goes from red  the worst  through orange, yellow, green and blue, the best.

Unlike the API number, the new scores arent static. In addition to reflecting the current score, schools and districts go up or down the color scale based on whether those scores are rising or falling in recent years, and by how much.

The old system rated schools based on a single number, said Patricio Vargas, the Corona-Norco Unified Schools District director of assessment and accountability. It was an unfair evaluation.

Vargas said the district is improving in several areas, including reduced suspensions and fewer chronic absences  students who miss at least 10 percent of the school year.

The district is focused on long-term English learners, socioeconomically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. Schools plan to use online tools to give them more one-on-one help, Vargas said.

PREVIOUSLY: State math, English test scores are in; how did students do?

Were definitely encouraged by the results, but we have work to do, Vargas said.

Officials in other districts say they like the new accountability system.

We feel like this is going to be a great tool to give parents a more complete picture of schools progress and growth, said Karen Parris, spokeswoman for the Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

Academic signs are positive, she said. State test scores of English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students increased from 2015 to 2016, Parris noted.

Principals sent letters to parents about the new system. The district put information on its website and schools posted their own results, she said.

Laura Boss, Temecula Valley Unified School District spokeswoman, said officials will be explaining the results to parents and others in coming weeks.

The district is pleased with improved English language arts and math scores as well as its dropping suspension rate. Graduation rates remain high, but English learner scores declined. Officials are looking at why that happened, Boss said.

We see some successes and opportunities for celebration, Boss said. There are also areas in need of improvement.

Staff writer Beau Yarbrough contributed to this report.
History shows that when people unite, they can make America a more just, equal and peaceful place  and quicker than you might think  Jill Stein told an audience at Riverside City College on Wednesday.

Noting how people thought the Berlin Wall would stand for years and how public protests led to the South Korean presidents recent ouster, Stein, the 2016 and 2012 Green Party presidential candidate, said: Dont for a minute drink this Kool-Aid that theyre trying to force down our throats that we are powerless. We are powerful.

Progressive gains, including the Environmental Protection Agency, came under Richard Nixon, one of the most corrupt, authoritarian, repressive presidents weve had up until now, Stein told at least 100 people on the steps of the Martin Luther King Learning Center.

According to Stein, those progressive wins came about due to public activism and pressure.

In 2016, Stein, a physician, won roughly 1.4 million votes nationwide  about 1 percent of the total  including just under 279,000 votes in California. She received 11,500 votes in Riverside County and 10,600 votes in San Bernardino County.

Her speech, which came as part of a campus speaking tour in California, combined an explanation of the Green Party platform with a path for progressives to move forward in the Donald Trump era.

We can have an economy, an education system, a health care system, a food system  we can have an international relations system that builds an America and a world that works for all of us, she said. The good news is that these are majoritarian ideals.

To a cheering audience, with some holding signs such as Free Your Mind, Think Jill Stein, Stein, 66, called for debt-free public education as a right.

Its time to bail out the younger generation, she said. If they bailed out the crooks on Wall Street who crashed the economy, its time to bail out the victims of that waste, fraud and abuse.

Money for free public college can be found by shifting funds spent on a needless new generation of nuclear weapons, said Stein, who called for de-militarizing the federal budget and a war on poverty that she said would make Americans more secure than a war on terror that fuels extremism.

Stein also supports universal, single-payer health care and a green jobs program to counter what she described as a climate emergency.

We need to get off that wartime (economic) footing and we to do it in a hurry, she said. We need to get off of the fossil fuel footing as well  in Pearl Harbor, we lost one harbor. But with the climate emergency we have now, we are about to lose all harbors all around the world.

Democrats, Stein said, need to stop taking corporate money and looking for people to blame for losing the election.

Theyre saying we interfered with the election by standing up for real democracy? Stein said. Its hard to say it without laughing.

Trump got votes from working Americans because so many people have just had it up to here with the deregulation of Wall Street brought to us by the Clintons, with the off-shoring of our jobs brought to us by the Clintons, Stein said, adding the solution is not more of this neoliberal centrist Democratic Party that caused the right-wing extremism to start with.

Stein described Trump as living on borrowed time, because he is a walking minefield of legal, constitutional and ethical liabilities.

This is crazy enough that even the Republican establishment is quaking in their boots about this monster that they have allowed to be created, she said. So we could see things turn around rather quickly.
Juan Perez, chief information officer for United Parcel Service, will be the keynote speaker at the third annual Southern California Logistics & Supply Chain Summit, according to the events website.

It will take place April 20 at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center, Pomona.

It is hosted by Inland Empire Economic Partnership and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. UPS is also a presenter.

Tickets for early registration are $125.

Information: socalsupplychainsummit.com/summit
Investigations conducted by Today have it that Ghana will soon lose its position as the second largest Cocoa producing country in the world as many cocoa farmers in the Western Region are cutting down their cocoa trees, and replacing them with rubber.



The development, Today learnt if not halted will affect the the countrys economy.



A cocoa farmer from Wassa Nsuaem in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem municipality, one Bismark Arthur, who spoke to Today noted that, the situation was so alarming that it needed governments intervention.



He explained that, the cocoa farmers were being offered very attractive incentives to go into rubber plantation since cocoa farmers are highly overburdened with huge operational cost including high price of farm inputs especially fertilizer among others.



Our findings further revealed that the situation was even worse in the Wassa East District, Amenfi West and East districts where more farmers were converting their farms to rubber plantation.



Apart from the fact that this would have a serious toll on the countrys cocoa production, according to agricultural experts, it would also lead to food shortage if measures are not taken to reverse the trend.



They explained that rubber cannot be cultivated simultaneously with other staple food like cassava and others unlike cocoa.





Source: Today









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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Scores of government workers in the Banda Ahenkro district in the Brong Ahafo region are reported to have fled from the area following some xenophobic threats on their lives by unidentifiable persons.



A letter from the unknown faces sent to one of the government schools in the district warned the workers to seek shelter elsewhere.



A group calling itself, Concerned Members of Banda Ahenkro, is said to have gone angry and taken over public offices in the area.



"If you don't leave the district, then we cannot guarantee your safety here . . . What is happening to strangers in South Africa will happen to you," portions of the letter read.



Interviewing a teacher at a government school in Ahenkro who spoke on condition of anonymity, he noted that his colleagues and him have filed a complaint to the District Police.



"We are leaving because we don't want to take risks," he told Henryson Okrah, Peace FM's Regional Correspondent.



According to ASP Asamoah Agyekum, the Wenchi Municipal Police Commander, the security has been beefed up at the area to protect lives and properties.



Read letter below:



CONCERNED MEMBERS OF BANDA AHENKRO



TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN





This is to inform all strangers working in this community/school that we are not ready to stay peacefully with you in this community.



If you do not leave this district then we cannot guarantee your safety here.



What is happening to strangers in South African will happen to you or what happened in Faith school in 2016 will repeat itself.



Thank you.





Source: Henryson Okrah









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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Gender Minister Otiko Afisa Djaba has ordered a probe into the inhumane treatment inflicted on a Ghanaian worker at the Abelenkpe branch of Marwako by a Lebanese supervisor.



Otiko who was accompanied by the Labour minister on a visit to the premises of Marwako Tuesday said she has given the labour ministry a week to submit their report on the incident.



A kitchen staffer, Evelyn Boakye, who works at the Abelenkpe branch of Marwako Fast Food Limited, had her face dipped into pepper paste by her boss Jihad Chaaban last week.



The treatment has attracted widespread condemnation, especially on social media, leading to the creation of a hashtag #boycottMarwako.



Meanwhile, the expatriate has in a statement apologized to Ghanaians for his conduct and asked for forgiveness.



I wish personally to sincerely apologise to you for the incident on the night of 26 February 2017 at our Ablenkpe place of work, he said in a letter.



True to God, all I sought to do was to point you to something I found wrong. I admit I was angry a bit at the moment and saw you panic and accidentally resulting in the pepper splashing onto your face.I very sincerely regret the incident and apologise to you, he said in a statement.

video-









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 Greater Fremont Development Council continues to seek information from Dodge county residents for a housing study. The study is funded with a housing grant provided by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, with matching funds from local public and non-profit entities, including the City of Fremont, Dodge County, Fremont Area Community Foundation, Fremont Public Schools, Greater Fremont Development Council, and Midland University. The housing study will include important population, income and economic data, a housing stock analysis, strategies for affordable housing development, a five-year Housing Action Plan and funding options for future owner and rental housing development and housing rehabilitation projects, released information says. Also included in the study will be a comprehensive citizen participation program, consisting of citizen housing listening sessions, where Dodge County residents will have the opportunity to meet with local elected officials and Hanna:Keelan representatives to discuss area housing opportunities. These listening sessions will be scheduled at a later date. The survey can be found online at www.dodgecountyhousingstudy.com. It closes March 31. Hanna:Keelan Associates, P.C., a Nebraska based community planning and research consulting firm, will assist in the study, according to released information. Hanna:Keelan is in its 39th year serving Nebraska communities and counties. They prepare comprehensive plans, zoning regulations, housing studies, downtown and redevelopment plans and assisting communities in building both family and elderly housing.
A Lagos High Court has ordered the National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to immediately direct the manufacturers of soft drinks; Fanta and Sprite (Nigeria Bottling Company PLC) to include a written warning that the content of the bottles cannot be taken with Vitamin C.



This was the result from a suit filed against the NBC and NAFDAC by Lagos businessman, Dr Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo and his company, Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited.



His lawyer alleged that sometime in March, 2007, his client's company purchased large quantities of Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Sprite, Fanta Lemon, Fanta Pineapple and Soda Water from NBC for export to the UK for retail purposes and supply to their customers. When the packages arrived there, fundamental health related matters were raised on the contents and composition of the Fanta and Sprite products by the UK Health Authorities, specifically the Stockport Metropolitan Borough Councils Trading Standard Department of Environment and Economy Directorate.



The findings from the United Kingdom were corroborated by the Coca-Cola European Union and products were found to have excessive levels of Sunset Yellow and Benzoic Acid which are unsafe for human consumption. Due to the irregularities and harmful content of the soft drinks which can cause cancer to the consumer, the claimants could not sell the Fanta and Sprite products resulting in appreciable losses, as they were certified unsuitable for consumption and were seized and destroyed by the United Kingdom health authorities



Adebo's Lawyer urged the court to declare that the Nigeria Bottling Company was negligent and breached the duty of care owed to their valued customers and consumers in the production of contaminated Fanta and Sprite soft drinks with excessive benzoic acid and sunset addictive. They also urged the court to direct NAFDAC to conduct and carry out routine laboratory tests of all the soft drinks and allied products of the company to ensure and guarantee the safety of the consumable products, produced from the Nigeria Bottling Company factory.



Although the Nigeria Bottling Company contended that the claimants claims are speculative, frivolous and vexatious and should be dismissed with substantial costs, NAFDAC did not file any defence.



In a judgment delivered by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji declared that NAFDAC has failed Nigerians by its certification as satisfactory for human consumption, products which in the UK failed sample test for human consumption and which became poisonous in the presence of Vitamin C. He therefore ordered:



That NAFDAC shall forthwith mandate Nigeria Bottling Company to, within 90 days hereof, include on all the bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks manufactured by the company, a written warning that the content of the said bottles of Fanta and Sprite soft drinks cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same becomes poisonous if taken with Vitamin C.



In consideration of the fact that this case was filed in 2008 and that it has been in court for 9 years, costs of N2 million is awarded against NAFDAC. Interest shall be paid on the costs awarded at the rate of 10% per annum until liquidation of the said sum.

Source: pmnewsnigeria









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The Kassena-Nankana Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service, Ann Kye-eebo has confirmed knowledge of the sacking of over 300 final year students of the Navrongo Senior High School, indefinitely.



According to her, she received a complaint from the Headmistress of the School on Tuesday afternoon, over the misconduct of the final year students towards their Masters and school properties.



The Headmistress wanted the Directorate of Education to intervene to calm the angry students down.



Madam Kye-eebo told the media that, her advice to the students to rescind their decision so as to get their academic work going peacefully till they finish writing their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, did not yield any positive result, as they continued threatening mayhem.



I had no option than to agree with the leadership of the School, to sack the final students to ease the tension in the school and also to protect lives and property in the school. So, from Wednesday morning, the final year students have been out of the school.



Daily Guide has gathered that, the School Prefects and other Students Representative Council members are still on campus, because they were seen calming down their colleagues and advising them to eat their meals.



Now the worry of many concerned persons is how the students, especially those from outside the Upper East region, will survive throughout the period they will be staying outside campus to prepare to write their final examination.



Some female students who spoke with the Daily Guide said, suddenly young men in the Navrongo town have started being nice and promising to help them with accommodation and daily feeding so long as they continue to stay out of campus.



As for me, I tell them I dont need their help; my mother has called her friend to help me with accommodation and food. I have asked for money for transportation to school to write all my exams.  but sir the problem is that, some of my friends are not lucky like me, I know the small boys and men will get them by all means. A final year female student noted.



If the situation does not change anytime soon and the students remain out, many of the female students will fall victim to the many destructive traps in the Municipality.



Navrongo is a busy town from morning to night, with many genuine economic activities, but could become dangerous for these stranded girls, especially at night. It is an open secret that, there are lots of promiscuous activities in the area at night, due to its closeness to the Ghana-Burkina-Faso border.

Source: Daily Guide









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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Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has supported the call of the Ghana Charismatic Bishops' Conference (GCBC), saying if the leaders of the country want Ghanaians to accept the free SHS policy; they should show leadership by example.



The GCBC has called on government to scrap the Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS) education systems.



They have asked the government to replace it with the 'O' and 'A' level system and describing JHS and SHS as an inferior form of education.



The Bishops argued that politicians and wealthy people do not allow their students to pass through JHS and SHS but "instead, they take their children to schools that undetake O and A level courses because they can afford it. If JHS and SHS were not an inferior form of education, why do they take their children out of them when they have the money to do so?".



In a communique issued by the General Secretary of the Conference, Rev. Kwasi Deh; the Bishops called for a reintroduction of the 'O' and 'A' level education to help Ghanaians.



Contributing to a panel discussion on Peacefm's Kokrokoo", he noted that it is erroneous for the leaders not to take their children through JHS and SHS as claimed by the Charismatic Bishops.



Mr. Pratt held strongly that "if JHS is something good and SHS is also something good, our leaders should allow their children to attend too...I agree with the Bishops on this subject."



According to him, the leaders cannot encourage Ghanaians to take their children through those two educational systems while they decide to take theirs to special schools.



"When you prepare soup, are you not the one to first taste it? Youve prepared soup but you dont want to taste it but then youre saying, Kwami, come and taste my soup to see whether its salty. So, those who are preparing the soup, they should equally taste it and we will follow suit.



Kwesi Pratt further stated that though the free SHS policy is a good initiative, he agrees with some stakeholders in Ghana's education system that the timing might be wrong.



He added that a study by the stakeholders in the education sector indicates that government needs about 1.6 billion cedis to implement the free SHS for the first year.



Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta presenting the 2017 Budget before Parliament however told the house that the government had apportioned about 400 million cedis to carry out the project.



This, to Mr. Pratt, means the country will be in deficit of GHC 1.2 billion in order to effectively implement the policy.



He therefore wondered why government is in a hurry to roll out the project this year and advised that it takes time to review the policy.



Also touching on the issue of the free SHS, Deputy Communications Director of the opposition NDC, Fred Agbenyo called for a clear-cut blueprint of the kind of education the country wants to be drawn for every government.



He said governments should not be allowed to determine the type of education the citizenry desire.



There should be a clear-cut blueprint that this is the kind of education we desire as a country. So, when you come as government, what methodology will you use to achieve that result? You must not determine the result you want for the nation. No!





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi /Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Information reaching The aL-hAJJ indicates the task of forming government to deliver on President Akufo-Addos mouthwatering promises is gradually becoming an unbearable cross for the President to carry as hardliners in the governing New Patriotic Party are worsening his already precarious plight dictating who gets appointment.



Already battling with how to meet the expectations of many Ghanaians following his resounding victory as a result of lofty campaign promises, President Akufo-Addo, this paper is reliably informed, is facing strong opposition from hawks in the NPP over his preferred candidates for various portfolios.



Whilst the President is said to have promised some kingpins of the NPP juicy positions in his government prior to his victory in the December 2016 elections, some of Akufo-Addos unrepentant loyalists are reported kicking against most of the people he (President Akufo-Addo) had penciled.



Before the elections, Nana promised almost all the big men in the party positions. He tasked them to give their all in the campaign to ensure we win the election. They (bigwigs) were assured of appointments so they also worked tirelessly leading to our resounding victory, an NPP insider told The aL-hAJJ.



According to the source when we won the election, some of our party people who are very close to Nana have suddenly become so powerful that they are preventing him (Nana) from redeeming his pledge to some of these bigwigs he had promised ahead of the elections. That is the cause of the simmering tension in most of the constituencies because those who were promised positions are not being considered.



Even though President Akufo-Addo, the source intimated, is still committed to fulfilling his pledge to the NPP kingpins brooding over neglect, those who now call shots in government have sworn never to let Nana have his waythey claim they know what is good for the party and those who can help the government deliver on its promises.



The tussle between the President and the unseen hands in the party mounting road blocks against President Akufo Addos preferred choices led to an unhealthy scene at the head office of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) last week.



Apparently, outgoing NADMO boss, Brigadier-General Francis Vib Sanziri had been instructed to hand over to one Brigadier-General Kwame Oppong Kyekyeku who, it was alleged, was appointed as acting head of the state-owned disaster management outfit.



Brigadier-General Kwame Oppong Kyekyeku, a source told this paper, recently stormed NADMO headquarters with an appointment letter as successor to Brigadier-General Francis Vib Sanziri.

This, the sourced narrated, forced the management of NADMO to arrange a handing over ceremony for Brigadier-General Kwame Oppong Kyekyeku to takeover.



After all arrangements had been done and we were in the process of kick starting the handing over process, word came from the Flag Staff House that we should halt the process. No explanation was given we were just asked to call off the ceremony and we obliged, a staff at NADMO told The aL-hAJJ.



Moments after the handing over ceremony was cancelled, a letter came from the seat of government signed by the President, announcing one Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh, a former DCE in the Kufuor admiration, as new head of NADMO; effectively nullifying the earlier arrangement to have Brigadier-General Kwame Oppong Kyekyeku man the outfit.



The unfortunate episode, a source in government told this paper was as a result of disagreements between the President and his men over who heads NADMO. While the president was rooting for someone, his men were also rooting for another person. That is why we had two people named as NADMO boss.

However, government has since come up with a feeble defense to deny reports that there was confusion in the appointment of a new NADMO boss. According to Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, there ought not to be any confusion with the two appointments since their appointment letters clearly states their various positions.



Im surprised you are saying there is confusion. Their appointment letters state clearly what each of them is going to do, he said.

According to the Information Minister, Brig. Gen. Opong-Kyekyeku was appointed as Chairman of the Governing Council of NADMO whilst Mr Eric Nana Agyeman-Prempeh has been appointed as acting Director General, responsible for the day to day administration of NADMO



Meanwhile, our sources at the seat of government disclosed to this paper, There are some powerful figures who are appointing people to positions on the blind side of Nana. Not all the appointment letters bearing Nanas signatures were signed by him. Some of them were forged by these people just to get their preferred candidates appointed.



There has been disquiet within the governing NPP over absence of some kingpins of the party in appointments made so far by President Akufo-Addo. Director of Communications, Nana Akomea; former General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie and current deputy General Secretary, Nana Obiri Boahen are among persons who have been penciled for positions in government but have so far been left out.



While Nana Akomea is still hopeful President Akufo-Addo will find him a place in his government, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John, who recently complained bitterly over neglect, is reported to have been appointed Executive Director of Forestry Commission.



It is thus unclear what becomes of the former MP for Bantama, Hon Henry Kwabena Kokofu, who was only last month reported to have been appointed Executive Director of the same Forestry Commission.

Reacting to Sir Johns appointment, Hon Kokofu said he is not disappointed his post has been given to the former NPP General Secretary. Sir John is my senior at law and a senior member of the party. I will call him to congratulate him. Appointments are the sole prerogative of the president who knows who is best for which job to help his administration. I am not ready to disclose who said I was going to the Forestry Commission, he stated.



Hon Kokofus supposed appointment came together with Stephen Amoah and Osei Prempeh who were reported to have been appointed to head Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) and GOIL respectively.

While Stephen Amoah has succeeded in assuming duty without hitches, the presidency was subsequently forced to deny Mr Osei Prempehs appointment after the Board of Directors of GOIL, challenged the Presidents move and accused him of sidestepping due process in the appointment.



The inconsistencies and alleged forgery of appointment letters provoked the Presidents nephew, Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere Darko who took to twitter to share his frustration. He wrote so what is the sense in leaking an appointment letter? Not the content, which is newsworthy, but the actual letter? Pretty childish



On his part, former Okai Koi South MP and former Employment Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Nana Akomea, is also said to have his eyes firmly fixed on grabbing the vacant Chief Executive Officer post at the National Health Insurance Authority.



But, the hawks close to the President are reported kicking against it hence the delay in announcement it. In a recent reaction to delay in his appointments, Nana Akomea said I have seen a few posts on social media wondering about what role I might play in this new promising NPP government.



I am truly touched by all these sentiments from all of you my good friends (and from some not so good friends as well) I assure all of you that the president has graciously discussed with me a role he is keen to see me play in his government.

When he is ready, the president will announce it like he is doing for other roles. I thank all of you ladies and gentlemen so much.



Acting National Chairman of NPP, Freddy Blay who was promised Speaker of Parliament post and former Director of School Feeding Program, Dr Amoako Tuffour, who was also assured of the post of Chief of Staff at the Flagstaff House and others have so far been swerved with no indications of any appointments awaiting them.



Sensing similar calamity befalling their indigene, a youth group in the Ayawaso North and East constituencies in the Greater Accra region, have threatened to demonstrate if President Akufo-Addo does not consider the NPP Greater Accra Communications Director, Alhaji Yusif Fofana for any position in his government.



Posters calling for his appointment have popped up around the Nima-Maamobi area, asking residents to rise up and defend their cause. They claim President Akufo-Addo is refusing to appoint their son who has worked tirelessly for NPP over the years.



Similar threats of naked demonstrations by NPP women groups in the Ejisu constituency in Ashanti region have been issued to impress upon President Akufo-Addo to appoint their preferred candidate as Municipal Chief Executive of the area.



There is also tension in the Northern regional capital over nomination of one of the Presidents trusted lieutenants, Mr Iddisu Musah Superior, as Mayor of Tamale. Those opposed to his nomination claims his name was not part of those shortlisted for the post and hence did not attend the interview leading to the nomination.

Source: The Al-Hajj









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Just a friendly heads up: the following story is quite graphic and discusses violence and sexual assault, if this might be a bit too much for you, this would be the perfect time to click away.

A South Australian court has today been presented with evidence of an alleged Wolf Creek-style attack on two backpackers that took place on a remote beach in Coorong National Park in February last year.

The court has heard that the two backpackers, one German and one Brazillian, were attacked by a 60-year-old man they came into contact with after arranging a trip from Adelaide to Melbourne on the ride-sharing section of Gumtree.

The man allegedly drove them out to an isolated 4WD-access-only beach before luring one of the backpackers away from the camp site to attempt to attack her.

The Brazilian woman, a 24-year-old whose name has been withheld, told the court today that she thought she was going to die:

I actually thought I was going to die. I imagined my mum going there  and seeing my dead body, coming to recognise my body. I thought no, I cant do this, I came to Australia, I came to live my dream, Im not going to die today, Im going to do something and Im going to get away from here. I was feeling like I was in the horror movies and I needed a strategy to get away.

She told the court that she and the other woman became suspicious after the man suggested they move on after finding another four-wheel-drive at the initial campsite. When the German backpacker, whose name was also withheld, went to have a sleep, the man suggested to the other woman that they go looking for kangaroos in the dunes:

I said that would be really nice  you come to Australia, you want to see kangaroos. He was just, like, normal  nothing stood out to me  (his demeanour) was just regular, normal, nothing negative or positive. I didnt see any kangaroos so I said lets go back  suddenly, I felt him on my back and he had his arm along my neck. I was just saying no, stop that, its not cool, its not fine but he kept doing it so I couldnt walk.

The court heard that the man then pushed her down, throwing a knife into the sand near her and binding her wrists and ankles with nylon cord before cutting off her bikini and sexually assaulting her:

He didnt threaten me with the knife or anything but for me, I felt like he was saying Im the power, I have a knife  I felt genuinely threatened. Something was happening, something dangerous (to) my life.

The woman told the court that the lengths of nylon used to bind her wrists and ankles were pre-cut to exact lengths, saying it looked like he had planned.

The court heard that she then began trying to get the man to stop by talking him out of it:

He was around my mouth saying kiss me back and I started giving him excuses (saying) my hands are tied, so sore, I cant kiss you. He started getting really angry with me  he spat on me, he spat on my face  he started punching me on my left side, maybe five to 10 times. I dont think he wanted to listen to what I was saying so he got the bottom of my bikini and tried to put it in my mouth and tie it, but he couldnt do it.

She then attempted to lure the man back to camp by telling him to would be more pleasurable if they went back to tents, after briefly entertaining the idea he appeared to change his mind, so she began screaming for the German woman:

I started screaming (the German womans name) because it could be my last opportunity. He got really angry and pushed me down into the sand  he punched me again maybe five times. He grabbed some sand and said if you do that again, youre going to eat sand.

At this point, the German woman woke up, allegedly leading to a confrontation between her and the man, although the Brazilian woman told the court she does not know what transpired between them as she was attempting to slip her bonds, only managing to untie her wrists.

The court heard that at this point the German woman, who was bleeding after being hit by the man, untied the Brazilian womans wrists. The pair began to run as the man chased them down in his car:

It was the exact moment when youre watching a horror movie and the guy is going to follow the girls and they do that stupid thing At that moment we saw him coming with the car, he was inside the car. We thought we need to go in separate directions, otherwise hes going to just come and get both of us.

The Brazilian woman allegedly hopped into a passing car and told the drivers that a man was trying to kill her and they needed to go back for the German girl, telling the court She was there by herself, she was on the trip because I invited her.

After encountering some off-duty policemen who were fishing nearby, she was taken back to the Salt Creek roadhouse.

The man was arrested two hours later after he was found bogged down in his blood-covered four-wheel-drive by police.

The court was presented with several pieces of evidence from the alleged attack:

#SaltCreek EVIDENCE: the bikinis allegedly cut from the Brazilian, with a knife, by the accused. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/ZVHF02Hjt0  Sean Fewster (@SeanFewster) March 15, 2017

#SaltCreek EVIDENCE: Blue nylon rope the accused allegedly used to bind the Brazilian backpacker. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/dKtTh9HtiL  Sean Fewster (@SeanFewster) March 15, 2017

#SaltCreek EVIDENCE: a blood-soaked towel recovered from the sand dunes following the alleged incident. @theTiser pic.twitter.com/sRqp5ateTp  Sean Fewster (@SeanFewster) March 15, 2017

The trial is still ongoing.

Source: Daily Telegraph / ABC News.

Photo: ABC News.
Firstly, somehow The Matrix is now just on 18 years old. Seriously.

The red pill/blue pill sci-fi masterpiece is now old enough to get into a pub by itself. Un-bloody-real.

Secondly, Hollywoods ever-present reboot cannon is now aiming squarely at the film series that not only helped establish Keanu Reeves as a bonafide megastar, but launched a swathe of philosophical and inventive technical effects that have been imitated and picked apart in the almost two-decades since.

Warner Bros is reportedly extremely keen to relaunch The Matrix as a feature film series in some form, with a new project based on the world created by the Wachowski siblings said to be in the early stages of development.

The film franchise was at one point being circled for some sort of TV adaptation, but that idea has been nixed in recent months in favour of extending the original films universe with additional full-length films.

WB head honchos are said to be quite interested in hooking the original Matrix trilogy onto an extended universe story series, much like the one being explored by Star Wars at present, with side-stories detached from the main narrative serving as jumping-off points for spinoff films.

Writer Zak Penn (who you might recognise as the scribe behind films like X-Men: The Last Stand, Behind Enemy Lines, Last Action Hero, as well as co-creating the SyFy series Alphas) is in talks to pen a treatment for the new project. Studio execs have apparently shown some interest in Michael B. Jordan for a role, though nothing is set in concrete at this extremely early stage.

What form a potential reboot of the series will take remains up in the air, but the potential to explore character back stories (like, for example, a young Morpheus) is quite obviously ripe.

The Wachowski siblings are not, at this stage, involved with the reboot project, but with fandom for the trilogy quite rabid, youd expect WB to chase at least a blessing of any reboot from the original films writers and directors.

For what its worth, Keanu Reeves was recently asked about being involved with a potential Matrix reboot, and his response was 100% classic Keanu:

They [the Wachowskis] would have to write it and direct it. And then wed see what the story is, but yeah, I dunno, thatd be weird, but why not?

Thatd be weird, but why not? just about sums up every reboot pitch ever, TBH. The wisdom of Keanu strikes the bullseye once again.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter.

Photo: The Matrix.
Just when we thought we were ready to pack away those countless Dashboard Confessional and From First To Last shirts, Im here to tell you dear friends that emo fuckin LIVES, and its taking back Sydney with a brand spankin new monthly party.



Same, Jesse Lacey. Same.

Yes you read that correctly, and yes, the following is best viewed with AFI blaring. (Preferably the greatest album, Sing The Sorrow. Cheers.)

If youre like me and look fondly back on nights in punk clubs, singing your heart out to various mid-00s emo bangers, youre going to be stoked as hell to know that a few of the mates from the golden years have banded together to create AM//PM  and theyre going to bring the party to The Burdekin, starting on Good Friday Eve (thats April 13 FYI).

Theyve grabbed Our Past Days, Between You And Me, Rumours and Whatever, Forever to launch the monthly nostalgia-heavy nights, and tbh Im extremely ready for this.

After the closure of one of the citys home for live alternative music (Im talking about QBar/Spectrum here, R.I.P.) the folks from The Neighbourhood are hella keen to get bands back and playing shows in inclusive, safe spaces where a community of people can come together and celebrate the most important things to them  Pete Wentz and punk jumps.

Toby Bramley, co-founder of The Neighbourhood, felt the loss of spaces like Spectrum and Q-Bar provided a gap for AM//PM to take the lead and start something new.

We really just feel that we have lost a venue to call home, and after years of waiting for something to pop up, we realised we needed to do it ourselves, Toby says.

It really means a lot to us that everyone, especially the younger kids who never experienced what it was like before, can come to a venue and feel safe, feel like they really belong in our little community.

Prep your best mic-grabs, mates. (Photo: Pat OHara/POH Photography.)

The launch of AM//PM comes off the back of The Neighbourhoods popular Haus Party earlier this year, which locked in the idea that its time to bring the party back for good.

Its also undoubtedly a bold move against the Sydney lockout laws, which has pretty much turned the CBD into a bloody ghost town of a night time.

Grab your tickets for the event over here, and then get out your old iPod and memorise all the lyrics to The Black Parade again.

Photo: Pat OHara / POH Photography.
The first thing youll notice about A Cure For Wellness is the breathtaking visuals.

The latest thriller from visionary director Gore Verbinkski (The Ring, the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies) is a masterclass in cinematography. The opening scenes  set in the corporate American heartland  are so sickeningly claustrophobic, that when the plot finally moves to the wide expanse of Switzerlands alps, its like an actual breath of fresh air.

Thats exactly what Verbinskis aiming for, of course, and tbqh hes goddamn nailed it.

This thing is immersive cinema, plain and simple. Its like were performing a treatment on the audience, Verbinski told PEDESTRIAN.TV via phone.

Without giving anything away, the basic plot for A Cure For Wellness is this: a young hot shot detective (played by the aesthetically perfect Dane DeHaan) travels to Switzerland to pick up his reluctant boss from a fancy pants wellness retreat. Naturally, he runs into trouble executing this simple task, and begins to uncover the sinister underbelly of the seemingly idyllic spa.

Head honcho Dr. Heinrich Volmer (Jason Isaacs a.k.a. Lucius Malfoy but without his blonde wig and daddy-issues son) is constantly battering on about the cure for the sickness, which seems to be a general illness brought on by the rat race and capitalism (same), the cure for which is. water.

Nah, but for real. The treatment makes no sense (intentionally, of course).

When Lockhart (DeHaan) arrives at the spa, he is in denial, he doesnt think there is anything wrong with him, says Verbinski. But he has this disease worse than any of the other patients. He is diagnosed with the same mysterious illness and becomes a patient at the sanitarium himself. He starts to investigate the deeper, darker secrets of the place. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more his grasp on reality begins to slip.

And yeah, Verbinski is hoping youll get a little fucked up by watching it.

Whats nice is that were perpetrating crimes upon the audience, he says.Theres a treatment that is happening to Lockhart and you are observing what is happening to him with the treatment, with the experiments at the sanitarium. But the question is: who is the patient?



He likens it to the infamous 1963 Milgram experiment at Yale University, where researchers measured the patients willingness to obey an authority figure who instructs them to perform acts against their personal conscious  i.e. torture. (The slightly more famous version, the Stanford Prison experiment, came later in 1971.)

Is the patient Lockhart or is it the audience? he says. Thats what fascinates me about this genre; were taking people into a darkened room and performing a psychological experiment on them. Ive set out to analyse the moviegoer; I wanted to diagnose the audience and then offer a cure. And were giving them a good story to keep them involved.



Again  without giving anything away  the ending is long. The full run of this thing is two and a half hours, and it reaches its dramatic crescendo over so many minutes, it feels that theres a thousand different ways the story could turn.

It begs the question: is there an alternative ending? In the fundamentally opposed options Verbinski presents  of ultimate financial success vs ultimate health  is there more than one possible winner?

Nope, says Verbinski. The ending is the only cure hes offering.

A Cure For Wellness opens in Australian theatres March 16.



Photo: Supplied.
corned beef and cabbage

Corned beef and cabbage is typically served for St. Patrick's Day in the United States. Flickr photo by Craig Dugas, www.flickr.com/photos/crd/

Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional dish served on St. Patrick's Day in the United States.

The hearty dish has its roots in Ireland but the recipe has been slightly altered. It's actually the creation of Irish immigrants who, in search of "bacon joints" to simmer with cabbage, turned to cured beef.

The corned beef was accessible and plentiful in New York's Jewish delis and markets where many of the immigrants first lived.

As for corning, it has nothing to do with corn and is a form of curing. The process originated in Anglo-Saxton times when meat was dry-cured in coarse "corns" of salt, some the size of corn kernels, that were rubbed on the meat to prevent it from spoiling.

Here are recipes from the PennLive archives:

Corned Beef Dinner

Ingredients:

2 1/2-3 pound corned beef brisket

1 medium onion, sliced

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 clove garlic

1 teaspoon celery seed

6 medium onions, whole 6 medium carrots, halved 6 medium potatoes 1 small turnip, cut in sixths

1 small cabbage, cut in sixths

Instructions:

Simmer brisket, onion and seasonings in 6 cups of hot water for 3 to 4 hours. Add vegetables, except cabbage, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Add cabbage and simmer 10 minutes more.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients:

1 (3-pound) corned beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat

10 baby carrots, peeled and trimmed

12 small new potatoes or 5 baking potatoes peeled and halved

1 head green cabbage, cut into 6 wedges and core remove

Instructions:

The pot you use needs to be big enough to hold meat, vegetables and simmering water without crowding and overflowing. This is especially important if you're adding more vegetables. You can add more cabbage, potatoes or baby carrots.

Mustard and Horseradish Sauce makes a tangy accompaniment. To prepare it, combine 2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard, 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish and 2 tablespoons sour cream.

Place beef in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add enough cold water to cover the meat by 2 inches. Bring just to boil on high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Skim and discard froth that rises to the top. Cover and simmer for 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Add vegetables and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. If you want the cabbage cooked tender-crisp, cook the potatoes for 10 minutes, then add the cabbage for about 15 minutes of cooking.

Transfer beef to a cutting board and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Slice across the grain into 1/4-inch slices.

To serve, arrange beef slices on serving platter. Remove vegetables from pot with slotted spoon and surround beef on platter. If desired, serve with Mustard and Horseradish Sauce on the side.
Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Independence Hall in Philadelphia is part of Independence National Historic Park, it is not among the buildings being shut down in the park due to the hiring freeze. Photographed Feb. 20, 2017. Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com

Philadelphia's Independence National Historic Park is feeling the chill from President Donald Trump's federal hiring freeze.

Visitors to park will find closed doors at several attractions in the upcoming months. The reason, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, is the National Park Service being "severely understaffed" as a result of President Donald Trump's hiring freeze of federal employees.

The seven buildings affected are Franklin Printing Office, Declaration House, Fragment Museum, New Hall Military Museum, Todd House, Bishop White House and Thaddeus Kosciuszko House.

Bathrooms at Independence Square have also been closed. Those restrooms will be closed throughout the summer, meaning visitors will have to relieve themselves at the Independence Visitor Center a few blocks away.

Because of the understaffing, the National Park Service is unable to maintain those areas for visitors.

The federal hiring freeze went into effect at noon on Jan. 22 and will continue until the Director of the Office of Management and Budget releases a long-term plan to cut the size of the federal government workforce. That plan has to be delivered within 90 days of that Jan. 22 date.

Read the Presidential Memorandum Regarding the Hiring Freeze

Agencies are able to request exemptions to the freeze during that time. The National Park Service has already done so and been granted the ability to hire seasonal employees, according to Philly.com. But those seasonal employees may not end up in Philadelphia.

During the off-season, the park often limits hours of some of the less popular historic buildings or makes them available by appointment only. But the closures this time are unlike those in the past, according to David Fitzpatrick, the president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2058.

"I've been here 17 years," he told Philly.com, "and I can't recall anything like this before."

Many of the attractions at Independence National Historic Park remain open, including Independence Hall, the Benjamin Franklin Museum and Carpenters' Hall.

The National Park Service celebrated its 100th birthday last year.

Want more Philadelphia stories? Click here for all our coverage of the City of Brotherly Love. You also may enjoy these videos from our Life and Culture Team:
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Back in the day, you got married at 22, owned a house by 25 and were fully insured. But as college debt has increased and major life events are being pushed back, a younger generation of millennials are forgoing buying car, homeowners and life insurance.

(Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock)

Back in the day, you got married at 22, owned a house by 25 and were fully insured. But as college debt has increased and major life events are being pushed back, a younger generation of millennials are skipping car, homeowners and life insurance.

A survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates International found that millennials have much less insurance compared to older generations. About 64 percent of millennials have auto insurance, 10 percent have homeowners insurance and 36 percent have life insurance.

It's a trend being closely followed by those in the insurance industry, including Jamie Mowery Lewis and Gary Harshbarger, with Gunn Mowery insurance agency.

Lewis and Harshbarger spoke to a personal financial class at Penn State Harrisburg about the importance of insurance recently. Throughout their talk, they found that many millennials knew next to nothing about insurance.

"They don't have any educational background with insurance," said Lewis, a 26-year-old millennial. "I think it's really common. I didn't really know much about insurance before working [at Gunn Mowery]."

What Lewis and Harshbarger have found is that a number of factors are keeping most millennials from owning insurance policies.

A student that graduated from college in 2016 owes $37,172 in student loan debt.

College debt crisis

Millennials are being saddled with more debt when they graduate from college compared to older generations.

The amount of college debt a graduate owes has tripled in just two decades. A student that graduated from college in 2016 owes $37,172 in student loan debt.

College debt, Harshbarger said, places significant financial constraints on millennials. And that is affecting their ability to do a number of things like purchase a home.

"It not only delays the purchase, it delays the need," Harshbarger said.

Troy Marx, 26 of Allentown, said cost is the main limitation that keeps millennials from purchasing insurance.

Marx said the majority are in serious student loan debt that creates a burden on them to be able to want to or to be able to pay for the various insurances. Many millennials have $1,250 college debt payment they have to make every month after getting an education at a state school.

Currently, Marx said he has health, vision and dental insurances through his employer. His car insurance is covered under his parents' policies. He lives at home.

It's a situation, he said, a lot of millennials are facing.

No house, no car, no insurance

While a lack of money does contribute to why millennials don't have many forms of insurance, it's also because they don't need it.

Lewis said a number of millennials don't need car insurance because they don't own a car. They use public transportation or ride-hailing services like Uber. Apps and services have been developed that make owning a car obsolete.

"A lot of my friends live in Philadelphia and New York City," Lewis said. "They don't even need a car."

The same goes for house insurance. If someone doesn't own a house, there's no reason for them to own home insurance.

Homeownership rates among Americans under age 35 are at 34.1 percent, according to the Washington Post. That was a record low in 2016.

Mike Wilson, 35-year-old co-owner of The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey, said owning certain kinds of insurance depends a lot on what stages of life people are in.

If they do not own a lot of assets, there's not much reason to own a bunch of different policies.

"If a millennial is living downtown in the city with roommates than they wouldn't need home insurance," Wilson said. "If they're in an urban setting and walking downtown, they wouldn't need a car [or car insurance]."

Wilson said he's always been fastidious about owning insurance -- whether it be for health, homeowners, car, life or business. That attitude helped him greatly when his townhouse was burnt down around 2001.

Wilson said he had renter's insurance, which helped him recover the cost of everything he lost.

"I was really thankful I had renter's insurance," he said. "I do believe the rest of the people in the townhomes next to me got it after the fire that I had."

A survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates International found that 10 percent of millennials have homeowners insurance.

Millennials don't need insurance, yet

There is a delay among millennials for getting certain kinds of insurance because they are not doing the same things older generations were doing at their age.

Millennials aren't getting married and owning homes in their 20s as much as generations were in the 1950s and 1960s. They're waiting until their 30s before owning a home and settling down.

Some of that has to do with a lack of money and some of it has to do with a generational change.

"30 is the new 20," Lewis said. "What Baby Boomers were buying at age 25 -- homeowners, life, auto policies -- we're seeing that more in 30 year olds."

Harshbarger said it's not that millennials will never get insurance. It's that most just don't need it at the current moment in their lives.

However, Harshbarger said, that trend will change as more millennials buy houses, purchase vehicles and start families.

That's a sentiment shared by Zach Johns, 29 of Mechanicsburg.

Johns, who has multiple forms of insurance, considers himself a "non-typical millennial" as he is already married, a father and a homeowner.

Johns said he thinks that as millennials continue to get older, have families and purchase homes, more and more will begin to buy insurance plans and policies. It's a part of growing up.

Should colleges and high schools teach students more about money management?

Are millennials being educated enough about insurance?

While kids are taught in school basic money management skills -- such as balancing a checkbook -- many millennials have been taught very little about the subject.

Harshbarger said kids don't pay attention to learning about insurance. Most only begin caring about the issue when a need arises.

Jason M. Staloski, 29 of Tamaqua, said colleges and universities spend enough time financially educating students. Ultimately, he said, it is up to the students to make the decision to put that knowledge to use.

"I hate the sentiment of 'why don't they teach tax in school or finances,'" Staloski said. "School isn't for real life situations, it teaches you how to learn yourself. If you can understand algebra you should be able to figure out how to read a W2."

Lewis disagrees. Lewis said she would have learned more about money management while she was in high school and college.

"Think about all the kids that are 18 years old opening credit cards and they have no idea," Lewis said. "They think they can spend $3,000 a month and only pay the $30 a month."

Marx said he can explain the Pythagorean theorem, but he can't tell you how to itemize his taxes.

"Neither high school or college prepares you for life," Marx said.

While in college, Marx said he wrote a paper the benefits of creating a class called "Life 101" where it was a mandatory class for high school seniors. The class would teach lessons in topics such as taxes, student loans, home purchases, insurance, car maintenance and more.

"This would be great if they offered it so #adulting can be a thing of the past," he said.
Donell Talley

Donell Talley, 47, is charged with the vicious beating of Adam Jones of Hanover just after 3 a.m. on March 27, 2016. Talley allegedly beat Jones so bad that surgeons had to remove part of his skull to relieve brain swelling.

(Harrisburg Bureau of Police)

Harrisburg police Lieutenant Dennis Sorensen had a bad feeling when he first saw Adam Jones lying in the bloody back seat of an SUV.



"I felt like this guy was going to die," Sorensen told a Dauphin County jury Wednesday.



It was a near thing.



Jones, who was attacked after coming to Harrisburg in March 2016 to attend a rally for then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, required major surgery to survive what police say was a brutal mugging.



Doctors even had to remove part of the 36-year-old Hanover man's skull to relieve pressure on his injured brain.





Adam David Jones came to Harrisburg for a Bernie Sanders' voter registration rally. The photo at left was taken March 26, 2016, the day of the rally. The photo at right is his professional headshot for his acting career.

Sorensen was one of the first witnesses Deputy District Attorney Kristie Falbo called Wednesday during the trial for Donell Talley, the 47-year-old the Lower Paxton Township man accused of attacking Jones. Talley, who is representing himself, faces charges of robbery and aggravated assault.



Prosecutors claim Talley assaulted Jones, possibly by hitting him with a discarded toilet bowl, in the 2100 block of trash-strewn Orange Alley around 3 a.m. last March 27. Talley met Jones and two of Jones' friends at the Sanders rally and offered to take them to a party, investigators contend.



One of Jones' friends testified earlier that Talley told the three, who are all white, that he had to take them one at a time to the party with primarily black patrons. Jones went first into the alley, the woman said, then Talley returned and said Jones needed medical attention.



Jones testified Monday that he can't recall what happened.



Sorensen said police found the injured Jones, his two friends and Talley in the woman's parked SUV. The officer said Talley told him he had met the trio at the rally and agreed to help them buy drugs. Talley claimed he took Jones to a party, where Jones was drunk and obnoxius and was beaten by patrons after shouting racial epithets, Sorensen said.



Talley claimed he actually was trying to save Jones' life by dragging him back to his friends. the lieutenant said.



Sorensen said he went to the location Talley gave for the party and found nothing, not even a scent of alcohol or marijuana. He said he did, however, find blood in the alley near a smashed toilet bowl.



"What that meant to me was that Mr. Jones was assaulted there," he said.



On cross-examination, Talley asked Sorensen if he recalled that he had asked the lieutenant, "Why I was in handcuffs when I was the one who tried to save him?" Sorensen said he recalled Talley saying that.



Forensic Investigator Karen Lyda testified that blood and Jones' glasses and keys were found in the alley where police believe the assault took place. Jones' blood also was on Talley's face, hands and sweater, she said.



Talley told Judge Deborah E. Curcillo he will testify once the prosecution case is completedWednesday afternoon.
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A state appeals court refused to void the life prison sentence for a burglar convicted of a torture-murder.

(PennLive file photo)

A state appeals court panel on Tuesday upheld the life prison sentences for two burglars convicted in the torture-murder of an 81-year-old man during a home invasion.



In rendering that decision, the Superior Court judges rejected claims by step-brothers Joseph M. Arlott and Beau Chermer that the victim, Daniel Santia, died of a heart attack that was unrelated to the beating he received from them.



Santia died three weeks after the attack by the McKees Rocks men.



According to the state court opinion by Judge Paula Francisco Ott, Arlott and Chermer forced their way into Santia's Beaver County home in April 2012. When Santia fought back, the pair pushed him down the cellar steps.



They later tied Santia up, beat him with a miniature bat and sliced his arm, investigators said. His caretaker found Santia the next day.



During the murder trials, forensic pathologist James Smith, testified for the prosecution that Santia died of brain trauma that was linked to the abuse the step-brothers inflicted. A defense medical expert, former Allegheny County Medical Examiner Cyril Wecht, contended the brain injury didn't contribute to Santia's death.



Citing that disagreement, Arlott, 29, and Chermer, 26, argued in their unsuccessful appeals that prosecutors had not sufficiently proven their actions had caused Santia's death. They cited Santia's history of heart disease in contending the death was due to natural causes.



Ott disagreed. She found that Smith, the prosecution medical expert, "drew an unbroken chain of events from the beating to the death" that justified Arlott's and Chermer's convictions for second-degree murder.








Two federal lawmakers have urged the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to determine during its investigation if a hoverboard that may have caused a deadly house fire in Harrisburg had previously been recalled.

U.S. Senators Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., sent an open letter to the commission's Acting Chairwoman Ann Marie Buerkle regarding the incident. The commission is investigating the March 11 fire that resulted in the death of 2-year-old Ashanti Hughes and several others injured.

The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire has said the cause of the fire was a hoverboard. The commission has yet to make that determination.

The letter encouraged the commission to determine if the hoverboard involved was one of the 500,000 that were recalled in 2016.

If it turns out that it was a recalled model, the senators asked the commission to take the appropriate action -- like expanding the recall -- to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

The senators said they urged the commission to "continue to work with hoverboard manufacturers to increase recall compliance and educate consumers about the fire risk associated with defective hoverboard batteries."

Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson said an investigation began Sunday after the Friday night fire in the 2500 block of Lexington Street in Harrisburg.

If the commission determines that the hoverboard caused the fire, Hughes would be the youngest and first fatality directly linked to a hoverboard fire in the United States.

Read the full letter below:

Dear Acting Chairman Buerkle:

We write to you today regarding the fire hazard posed by the batteries in certain self-stabilizing scooters, often called hoverboards, which were the subject of a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall in July. Last week, on March 10, 2017, a fire started by a charging hoverboard in a home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, killed a three-year-old girl and left three other children in serious and critical condition. A firefighter was also killed in a vehicle crash while responding to the fire. We are glad to hear the CPSC is investigating this tragic incident. We encourage the Commission to determine if the hoverboard involved was a recalled model and take appropriate action to help prevent incidents like this in the future, including expanding the recall if necessary.

The fire in question began on the night of Friday, March 10, as a hoverboard that was charging on the first floor of a row house in Harrisburg sparked a fire that soon engulfed the entire floor. According to the Harrisburg fire chief, family members who were present "heard some sizzling and crackling in the hoverboard and shortly thereafter, it exploded in flames." The house fire claimed the life of three-year-old Ashanti Hughes, who died in the hospital the following day. Three other girls, a three-year-old and two ten-year-olds who were upstairs at the home, were sent to the hospital in serious and critical condition, while a fifteen-year-old boy and Ashanti's father were treated for smoke inhalation.

While we understand that according to CPSC data this was the first fatal fire caused by a hoverboard, the dangers of defective hoverboard batteries are well known and have caused serious injuries and property damage. Senator Klobuchar highlighted these safety hazards in a January 2016 letter to the CPSC that urged a thorough investigation and quick action to alert consumers to the dangers of defective hoverboard batteries. Subsequently, then-Chairman Elliot Kaye provided a public update on the investigation, including safety tips for consumers who own hoverboards, and, on July 6, 2016, CPSC announced a recall of over 500,000 hoverboards from ten different manufacturers. This recall was based on more than 99 incident reports of hoverboard batteries overheating and dangerously malfunctioning.

As part of your investigation into the March 10 fire in Harrisburg, we urge you to identify whether the hoverboard involved was included in the July 2016 recall and whether the hoverboard was manufactured in compliance with the voluntary standard announced by Underwriters Laboratories on May 10, 2016 (UL 2272). Based on the results of its investigation, CPSC should consider whether the July 2016 recall needs to be expanded and if the current voluntary standard adequately protects consumers. Finally, we urge you to continue to work with hoverboard manufacturers to increase recall compliance and educate consumers about the fire risk associated with defective hoverboard batteries.

Ashanti Hughes's tragic death and the injuries suffered by other victims of this fire are all the more heartbreaking because they may have been preventable. We must do everything we can to get dangerous products off the shelves, out of Americans' homes and away from young children. Thank you for your time and attention, and we look forward to hearing from you regarding any steps the CPSC takes to increase safety as a result of your investigation. We also look forward to working with you in your new role as CPSC Acting Chairman to protect U.S. consumers from unsafe products.

Sincerely,

United States Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.

United States Senator Amy Klobuchar
The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission is still investigating whether a child's hoverboard caused a fire that resulted in the death of a 2-year-old girl.

Spokesman Scott Wolfson said an investigation began after a fire Friday night in the 2500 block of Lexington Street in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Bureau of Fire said the fire was started by a hoverboard.

Ashanti Hughes, 2, died of complications from 95 percent full thickness burns on her body. Two other girls were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest for treatment. The girl's father and a teenage boy were treated for smoke inhalation at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and released.

If the commission determines that the hoverboard caused the fire, Hughes would be the youngest and first fatality directly linked to a hoverboard fire in the United States.

"We are taking this tragic incident very seriously as an agency," Wolfson said.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission aims to interview those that were in the house at the time of the fire. The investigators may speak to those involved over the phone or in-person. Wolfson said investigators are sensitive to the still-fresh tragedy.

"We have a great deal of sensitivity at a moment like this to be respectful of a grieving family while trying to take steps to advance our investigation," he said.

Wolfson said they will work with the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire to obtain the hoverboard involved in the fire. That way, he said, field investigators can determine if the product had any outstanding recalls or not.

If it hasn't been recalled in the past, Wolfson said investigators will determine if the product needs to be investigated for safety concerns.

In July 2016, the commission announced the recall of more than 500,000 hoverboards because their batteries were a fire concern. The recall -- which involved numerous companies -- offered customers refunds or replacement batteries.

Wolfson said the commission conducted more than 60 hoverboard fire investigations across the United States. Because of these incidents, the commission recommends checking to make sure the self-balancing scooters meet the UL 2272 fire prevention safety standard. A sticker on the board denotes if it meets the standard.

"If you are a consumer in the market, today, seeking to buy a hoverboard, make sure it meets that standard," he said. "If you bought a hoverboard in 2015 or the early part of 2016, check to see if it's been recalled. The recall is still active."
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and regional subsidiary SilkAir have signed an agreement to codeshare on Indian domestic flights operated by Vistara, with effect from 14 March 2017.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its SQ designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Mumbai and New Delhi to 10 destinations (1) within India. SilkAir will add its MI designator code to Vistara-operated flights beyond Bengaluru and Kolkata to six destinations (2) within India.

The codeshare agreement is Vistaras first with another airline group, as well as SIAs and SilkAirs first with an India-based domestic carrier. As a result of the agreement, four new destinations will be added to the SIA Groups India network, namely Bhubaneswar, Goa, Guwahati and Port Blair. SIA Group airlines currently serve 15 destinations in India from Singapore.

Members of SIAs and Vistaras frequent flyer programmes, KrisFlyer and Club Vistara, will also enjoy additional tier benefits as a result of the new codeshare partnership. PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members will enjoy lounge access, increased baggage allowance, and priority baggage handling, check-in and boarding when travelling on Vistara-operated flights. Likewise, Club Vistara Platinum and Gold members will enjoy the same benefits when travelling on SIA- operated flights. PPS Club and KrisFlyer members will also earn Elite miles when travelling on SIA codeshare flights operated by Vistara.

Vistara is a New Delhi-based joint venture between Tata Sons and SIA. It marked its second anniversary of operations on 9 January 2017.

The codeshare flights will be progressively made available through SIAs and SilkAirs various booking channels.

1 Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Kolkata and Port Blair.

2 Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, New Delhi and Port Blair.
When Khanyae Kendall went to a hospital Friday night, she denied being involved in the wreck that mortally wounded a Harrisburg firefighter.

Khanyae Kendall

But she later recanted that statement and provided details about the collision, according to the criminal complaint written by police to support charges against her.

PennLive obtained the complaint, which provided some new details about the crash that resulted in the death of Lt. Dennis DeVoe, who was driving to a fire station to help his comrades at a fatal house fire.

According to the report:

Kendall was driving a 2013 Hyndai Accent, which had been stolen under unknown circumstances. The car was reported stolen prior to the crash.

Kendall was traveling south on North 14th, approaching the intersection of Walnut Street at a "high rate of speed." She was facing a stop sign at the intersection, but failed to stop. The car she was driving then slammed into the passenger side of DeVoe's personal vehicle.

While DeVoe sustained lethal injuries, Kendall fled from the scene, without rendering aid, providing information or reporting the crash.

Lt. Dennis Devoe

She later arrived at the hospital, where she asked to be checked out after being involved in a minor wreck, police said. But she initially denied being involved in the crash at 14th and Walnut involving the firefighter.

A police officer put Kendall, 18, through a series of standard field sobriety tests at the hospital and the teen displayed multiple indicators of impairment, according to the complaint.

"It was my determination that she was under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the degree that she was not capable of safely operating a motor vehicle," the officer wrote.

She was arrested at 10:20 p.m. Friday.

Kendall refused a chemical test of her blood, which under Pennsylvania law automatically suspends her driving privileges for one year and subjects her to more severe penalties if she is found guilty.

Kendall was not properly licensed at the time of the crash.

Police charged her with four felonies, two misdemeanors and six summary offenses.

The criminal charges are: aggravated assault while driving under the influence; receiving stolen property; not properly licensed while in an accident involving injuries/death; not stopping or rendering aid after an accident involving injuries/death; failing to identify herself before fleeing the scene; and driving while under the influence.

Specifically, the DUI charge accused Kendall of driving "after imbibing a sufficient amount of alcohol that the defendant was rendered incapable of driving safely."

The summary violations are: failing to provide information or render aid; driving at an unsafe speed; failing duties at a stop sign; careless driving; giving false information and driving without a license.

Kendall remains in jail with a $200,000 bond. Her next court date was set for Tuesday. She lived in the 1900 block of Bellevue, which is one mile from the crash scene.

A LinkedIn page for Khanyae Kendall listed employment as a cashier at a fast food restaurant in Harrisburg, but no other information.
ICE/ raids

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended 248 foreign nationals across the region, including Pennsylvania, in the past two weeks, according to the agency. This photo, provided by ICE, shows an operation underway. (Submitted: ICE)

A total of 248 foreign nationals were arrested over the last two weeks across the region, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reporting.

According to ICE, about a third of those apprehended in operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Delaware - which have been under targeted enforcement operation -had criminal convictions.

Jennifer Ritchey, a director in the Philadelphia Acting Field Office, said that while the targeted enforcement operation is aimed at apprehending felons, immigration fugitives, re-entrants, and other violators of immigration laws, the arrests have at times resulted in the apprehension of people outside those bounds.

"These regional operations may result in arrests of individuals other than those initially targeted," Ritchey said in a written statement. "Many of these individuals were criminals, who had illegally re-entered the United States, which is a crime under federal law. One of the most egregious individuals encountered during this operation that had not initially been targeted had been deported from the United States on two prior occasions and had a conviction for sexual abuse of a minor."

According to ICE, 88 of the 248 individuals arrested in the past two weeks had criminal convictions; 32 of those arrested have pending criminal charges.

Of the 248 apprehended:

88 had criminal convictions

32 have pending criminal charges

120 had a conviction and/or pending charges

50 had been previously removed from the U.S. and subsequently illegally re-entered.

6 have been accepted for prosecution by United States Attorneys' Offices for charges including re-entry after removal and document fraud

18 were immigration fugitives with outstanding final orders of removal issued by a federal immigration judge

"ICE officers make extraordinary efforts to keep our communities safe, and this operation is just a small example of what they do every day," Ritchey said. "This operation resulted in multiple arrests of individuals with violent criminal arrests or convictions in the three state region."

Across the region in recent weeks, advocates for immigrants have charged ICE with racial profiling and instilling fear and panic among immigrant communities.

In her written statement, Ritchey said that ICE does not conduct sweeps, checkpoints or raids that target undocumented immigrants indiscriminately.

She said the current enforcement operation targets individuals deemed a public safety threat, such those with criminal convictions, gang members and individuals who have violated immigration laws, including unlawful re-entry.

"Reports of ICE checkpoints and sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible," Ritchey said. "These reports create panic and put communities and law enforcement personnel in unnecessary danger. Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support."

Several of the individuals arrested in the Philadelphia area, were considered "at-large criminal aliens" - meaning the agency had issued detainers for them.

The agency will continue to conduct targeted enforcement operations.

According to the statement from ICE, the arrests included:
carlisle-regional.jpg

Carlisle residents and elected officials see PinnacleHealth's planned acquisition of their local hospital, now the for-profit Carlisle Regional Medical Center, as mostly a positive development for the community.

(File photo/PennLive.com)

To say former longtime Carlisle Mayor Kirk Wilson is not a fan of Carlisle Regional Medical Center is putting it mildly. Ever since it was first sold to a for-profit out-of-state company in 2001, Wilson, like some others in the Carlisle community, found its quality of care to be, as he said, "disappointing is probably the best way to put it."

But news of PinnacleHealth System's intent to buy the 11-year-old, $68 million facility, along with three other hospitals, and later pursue an affiliation with Pittsburgh-based UPMC health system, could make Wilson consider using his local hospital again for future health care needs, he said.

"If PinnacleHealth is able to acquire the facility, they will do what's right for the area. They've done what's right for me," he said.

Wilson, who has been very satisfied with care he has received at PinnacleHealth hospitals over the years, said his beef with Carlisle Regional was not as much with the doctors, nurses and staff there, but "the overall operation of being part of big business."

Not everyone in the Carlisle community shares those misgivings about their local hospital, which has been among the most profitable in the state since becoming for profit. In 2013, the current owner was one of few hospitals to emerge from a three-day inspection by the state Department of Health with no "deficiencies."

But some just can't shake from their memory the facility's run of bad publicity in the preceding years for its high charges, its long emergency room wait times, incidents of people leaving without treatment, and its fine for mishandling three cases of possible sexual assaults involving children.

Marring its reputation further was its inclusion in a "60 Minutes" report on inappropriate admissions by its first for-profit owner Florida-based Health Management Associates.

No matter which view the people interviewed for this story take of the hospital located in South Middleton Township that has been owned since 2014 by Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, most are looking at the proposed acquisition as mostly positive.

"No matter what you say, to have in the community a health system that meets the needs of the community and is easily accessible within a few minutes is an asset," said Michelle Crowley, president and CEO of the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce.

While personally satisfied with services that she and her husband have received from Carlisle Regional, Crowley said she is hoping that becoming part of the PinnacleHealth fold will continue to strengthen the quality of care for the region as a whole.

Current Carlisle Mayor Tim Scott said for the borough, the hospital is more than a health care provider that serves its residents. It's a corporate partner and as much an institution as the Army War College, Dickinson College, and the Dickinson School of Law.

"They do a lot to give back and support events we have in the region," Scott said.

He is encouraged that officials have expressed a desire to maintain a solid relationship with the borough moving forward. Scott also is hopeful PinnacleHealth does more than stand by its commitment to rehire Carlisle Regional employees in good standing.

"I hope it adds more jobs," he said.

PinnacleHealth confirmed Carlisle Regional will become a non-profit hospital when the sale is finalized, which won't be until sometime this summer or later. That will deal a blow to Cumberland County and South Middleton School District's tax base, which was the most definitive negative aspect anyone shared about the hospitals' sale.

Vince DiFilippo, chairman of the Cumberland County commissioners, estimates it will mean a loss of $180,000 in property tax revenue for the county. For the school district, which was closed on Wednesday due to the snow, he estimates it could represent a loss of four times that amount.

"Certainly we are concerned about how this will impact us," said South Middleton School Board President Mike Berk. "In fact, the board's finance committee will be discussing this on the agenda on Monday night. We obviously need to be prepared for any impact this might have."

Berk was unfamiliar with how much tax revenue the for-profit hospital generates for the school district. However, he said given the constraints of Act 1 - which limits the size of real estate tax increases a school board can impose without going to a voter referendum for approval, "anytime one of your major employers undergoes a takeover or any kind of change, it's always a concern to the district."

Less concerned about the tax impact is South Middleton Township Supervisor Tom Faley since the township has no real estate tax but does have a small fire service tax. He is unsure what that will mean for the fire services.

But on a more positive note, he said the realty transfer tax would produce a one-time windfall for the township and school district.

He noted the hospital property has an assessed value of $71.5 million. He estimates PinnacleHealth will buy it for about $75 million. With the 1 percent realty transfer tax revenue split evenly between the municipality and school district, that would mean a one-time injection of $375,000 for each.

On a personal note, Faley said he is elated over PinnacleHealth's planned acquisition of Carlisle hospital and believes it will expand the breadth of services it provides. Like others interviewed, he had high praise for care he received in the past at PinnacleHealth's Harrisburg Hospital.

"I see this in a good light," Faley said. "I have no heartburn with Carlisle. Being in my 70s, I used Carlisle. Their services are good too. But this should raise the ability within Pinnacle to serve you here in the local area, the central Pennsylvania area, with greater ease with more medical assets."

Others remain a bit skeptical about what this acquisition will mean, indicating only time will answer the questions they have.

"When it comes down to it, I hope this acquisition will improve the quality of health care, improve access to health care, and also provide more choice for people," DiFilippo said "Will this big acquisition really improve the quality of health care or will it possibly create a monopoly? We don't know."

But DiFilippo, who also had a favorable health care experience with PinnacleHealth, said his gut feeling tells him this acquisition is a good thing.

An official at Carlisle Health Care Alternatives, a physician network organization affiliated with Carlisle Regional, also is left with questions. Its executive director Larry Fosselman wonders whether CHCA, as it is known, and its network of 105 doctors will continue to have privileges at that hospital when it becomes part of PinnacleHealth.

"We don't know the answer to any questions but we're going to pursue them and meet with Pinnacle and talk this through," Fosselman said. "I think it'll work out."

Fosselman, the former vice president for planning for Carlisle Hospital when it was still a nonprofit, said based on the way hospital acquisitions have worked in Central Pennsylvania and other parts of the nation, he doesn't expect any immediate changes.

Still rumors are running rampant, some said, suggesting PinnacleHealth plans to narrow the focus of Carlisle Regional to handle outpatient surgeries or urgent care or become an osteopathic hospital. Some also worry Pinnacle might even shut it down since it just opened the West Shore Hospital in 2014.

Fosselman said his educated guess is that nothing will change for quite a while until PinnacleHealth figures out the lay of the land.

"Anything could happen but I seriously doubt in the next several years that Carlisle Hospital will be closed," he said. "I expect it will be business as usual. I could be totally wrong but that would really amaze me."
scott perry

Some residents of Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district are befuddled that their congressman - Scott Perry - is requiring them to show proof of residency in order to attend his upcoming town hall.

(Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com)

A Congressional lawmaker from Pennsylvania is coming under some heat from district residents who say they never stood a chance to get into his upcoming town hall.

Rep. Scott Perry, a Republican whose 4th congressional district includes York and Adams counties, is scheduled to hold a town hall event on Saturday.

Some district residents say that by the time they heard about the event, tickets were gone. That in itself - the fact that Perry is requiring tickets and even proof of residency to gain entry to the event - have some district residents peeved.

"My sense is that he wants to have these town halls but he doesn't want the situation to be as open as it should be," said Steve Snell, a resident of the 4th congressional district who lives within walking distance of the event's venue - the Red Lion Junior High School in Red Lion.

"He's seen what has happened in other districts where town halls have been confrontational. I think he wants to control that."

Snell said he tried to register for the event on Tuesday, the same day Perry's website posted information on the town hall, but he said that he was informed that all the tickets had been distributed.

"I'm suspicious," said Snell, a member of the activist group Rise Up York. "I suspect the invitation went out to a select list first and when I tried to register, I was told they had exceeded capacity."

According to Perry's website, only residents of the 4th congressional district will be admitted, and attendees will be required to show a valid photo ID to gain admittance.

"Information listed on ID must match the information provided on RSVP," the website states.

Perry spokeswoman Brandy Brown said tickets for the town hall sold out in three hours, taking everyone by surprise.

"The intention is not to be exclusionary," she said. "It's more so that we need to make sure if we have a venue that only allows 400, that we don't have 2,000 show up. That's not productive to anyone's time."

Brown added that concerns over safety and fire safety codes necessitated that capacity be capped.

"We want to make sure this is an effective forum and that people have the opportunity to have a dialogue," Brown said.

She said Perry is planning other town hall events, but dates have not been set.

The Dillsburg Republican was among the scores of congressional lawmakers who recently came under fire from constituents for avoiding the traditional town hall meetings. Perry held an electronic town hall on Feb. 15 during the middle of a session week. Congress recessed the following week. Traditionally lawmakers spend the recess in their home districts meeting with constituents.

Brown noted that the congressman held a number of meetings with constituents during that time but the details of those meetings are kept confidential to protect the privacy of the constituents.

During his first term in office, Perry, who has been a House Representative for four years, has held 18 in-person town hall meetings in all four counties, as well as Facebook and telephone town halls, according to his website.

Perry, who is a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, in December came under fire from critics after he met with the head of ACT for America, which the Southern Poverty Law Center lists on its "hate watch" list. The organization calls ACT - which stands for American Congress for Truth and compares itself to the National Rifle Association - "far and away the largest grassroots anti-Muslim group" in the country and its founder a "radical Islamaphobe."

Perry told the York Dispatch that he considers ACT an anti-religious discrimination and anti-radical terrorism group.

Brown said she has been with Perry's office only a few weeks and could not say with certainty if the congressman had required proof of residency in the past for events.

"We want to make sure residences of the 4th district are coming to the event," she said. "We want to make sure constituents are given priority."

Mary Barnes, a resident of the 4th congressional district, said she is concerned that her congressional representative believes that some of the people who attend town halls are not constituents but people bused in from other areas.

She agrees with Snell that Perry may be trying to control the tenor of the crowd.

"It's just my paranoia," she said.

Barnes said she got an email newsletter alert about the town hall but she won't be able to attend.

Perry's town hall will be held at the 'Cafetorium' from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

on Saturday, March 18 at Red Lion Area Junior High School, 200 Country Club Rd, Red Lion.

This report has been updated to clarify the date of Perry's February electronic town hall.
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Plow on I-83 outside Lemoyne.

(PennLive)

Speeds are being reduced on parts of Interstate 80 today due to high winds and blowing snow, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says.

The speed limit is being reduced to 45 mph on a section of I-80 in Clinton County through 4 p.m. The section is between milemarkers 174 near Lamar to mm 197 near the Clinton/Union County line.

A 45 mph restriction is also still in effect on I-81 north /south from Exit 89: I-78 East-Allentown to Exit 151A: I-80 East-Stroudsburg; I-81 north from exits 151-188; I-81 south from exists 187-151A; I-84 east/west to the New York line; I-380 north/south.

Check weather anytime at PennLive.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department's primary goal is keeping roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT said it will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions visiting www.511PA.com.

For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources.

Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here.

Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.
health bill

Seniors would be charged five times more than others from insurance companies under the Republican health care plan. The plan would drastically cut subsidies for seniors, especially those with fixed or low incomes and in rural areas.

(Matt Rourke/AP)

Pennsylvania's Democratic senator on Wednesday reiterated his concerns over what he says will be the adverse effect that the proposed Republican-backed health care bill will have on seniors.

In a press conference, Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, said the American Health Care Act would dramatically cut health care for Americans 60 and older while giving breaks to the wealthy and health care industry executives.

"The most important point to make is that President Trump with the far right in Congress are breaking promises both to older Pennsylvanians and others who need benefits. President Trump said he would not touch Medicaid or Medicare yet his scheme decimates Medicaid and undermines Medicare."

Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., says older Pennsylvanians stand to lose the most under the GOP health bill. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

The GOP health care plan would allow health insurance companies to charge older Americans as much as five times more for coverage than younger adults while losing benefits.

"Older Americans get robbed while insurance companies get rich and wealthy people get even richer," Casey said.

Who wins; who loses under the GOP bill?

The so-called "Trumpcare" bill - which is intended to replace the Obama-era Affordable Care Act - on Monday came under the scrutiny of the Congressional Budget Office, which projects 24 million Americans would lose their health insurance under the GOP plan - 14 million of them immediately. The CBO also found that Americans covered on the individual market would see premiums rise.

Average premiums would rise by as much as 20 percent in 2018 and 2019 before decreasing in later years, the CBO estimates.

The analysis found the GOP-backed bill would lower federal deficits by $337 billion over 10 years as a result of cuts to Medicaid.

The CBO estimates that a 64-year-old could see her premium on the individual market increase by as much as 25 percent under the GOP's plan. Insurers would be able to charge older enrollees more compared to what the so-called Obamacare allows.

Older Americans with lower incomes would be hardest hit; refundable tax credits for this group are higher under the Obama-era law.

"This is a scheme by extreme Republicans in Congress and the president and his team and I use that word purposefully - scheme - an action meant to mislead," Casey said. "I think that's what they are trying to do here... to take health care away from people and give to the rich."

Pennsylvania's Senate Republican, Pat Toomey, who favors replacing the ACA, has in the past indicated he would like to see a two- to three-year window for implementing health care reforms in hopes of easing the transition for consumers.

At a recent electronic town hall, Toomey said that under the bill's provisions, people would have plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments. Overall, most of the Republican members of Pennsylvania Congressional delegation remain unclear as to their support of the plan.

Citing analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation, Casey noted that under the Republican plan:

a Dauphin County family of four with $40,000 income would pay $10,620 more for health care (the same estimate applies to a family in Cumberland and Perry counties)

a 60-year-old in Dauphin County with the same income would pay nearly $10,000 more

a York County family of four making $40,000 would see a $13,380 increase

a 60-year-old York County resident making the same amount would pay $11,800 more

The estimates are based on the tax credits received under the bill. In general, people who are older, lower-income, or live in high-premium areas (like Alaska and Arizona) receive larger tax credits under the ACA than they would under the GOP replacement plan.

"It is tragically ironic that where the adverse impact will be felt most are the counties were President Trump either won the county or did particularly well," Casey said.

A Luzerne County resident, Charlotte Kitler, who is 60-plus, participated in Casey's press conference, saying seniors are perennially concerned about cuts to services and increases to premiums.

"They are afraid those concerns can only increase with the proposed legislation," said Kitler, who volunteers to advise seniors on health care. "It is going to hit seniors very hard."
Carlisle Hospital

Carlisle Regional Medical Center in South Middletown Township just outside Carlisle as seen in late 2013.

(SEAN SIMMERS)

Employees of Carlisle Regional Medical Center have been told they will soon become PinnacleHealth System employees.



In an email to employees Tuesday, Carlisle Regional CEO David Steitz wrote "All active employees in good standing will be hired. You will become an employee of PinnacleHealth System and continue to work at this hospital and/or clinic, providing the same quality care and service to your patients."



Carlisle Regional doctors also will have privileges at the PinnacleHealth-owned facility, the email said.



The sale, which will require government approval, is expected to become final sometime this summer, Steitz told the staff. Until then, Carlisle Regional will continue to be owned by its parent, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems.





Carlisle Regional was a non-profit hospital until it was bought by Florida-based Health Management Associates in 2001. HMA sold it to CHS in 2014.



Upon completion of the sale, Carlisle Regional will revert to non-profit status, Steitz told employees. That will have at least one major impact: Carlisle Regional will no longer pay local taxes to South Middleton Township, where its campus is located.



No financial details of the sale were disclosed. HMA paid $43 million for Carlisle Regional in 2001.



But Carlisle Regional is a much different hospital today. In 2001, the former Carlisle Hospital consisted of an outdated, landlocked facility located within the Borough of Carlisle. HMA subsequently built a $68 million replacement hospital just across the borough line in South Middleton. The new hospital opened in 2006. Its campus also includes a cancer center and an outpatient surgery center, both part of Carlisle Regional.



Moveover, the hospital industry has changed dramatically since 2001, and in recent years has been undergoing a wave of mergers, acquisitions and other forms of consolidation. That fact was abundantly clear in the actions announced by PinnacleHealth on Tuesday. In addition to Carlisle Regional, PinnacleHealth also announced it will buy three other hospitals owned by CHS: Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center, and Memorial Hospital of York.





At the same time, PinnacleHealth announced plans to affiliate with the vast Pittsburgh-based UPMC health system, which has about 25 hospitals. PinnacleHealth, which will have seven hospitals after the CHS acquisitions, says it will serve as UPMC's "hub of operations" in central Pennsylvania. UPMC. UPMC -- the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center -- is known as a world leader in organ transplants and considered one of the best hospitals in the United States.



One thing that will change for Carlisle Regional employees is their benefits. They will become PinnacleHealth employees and thus will receive its benefits package, Steitz told them. PinnacleHealth staff will soon hold meetings at Carlisle Regional to discuss the benefits changes.



In written answers to frequently asked questions, Steitz addressed whether any Carlisle Regional services will be changed or closed: He wrote to employees: "PinnacleHealth will work with the medical staff and leaders of the hospital to create and implement a plan that will enhance patient services and further improve quality."



Regarding the reasons PinnacleHealth is acquiring Carlisle Regional, he wrote: "Bringing [the four CHS hospitals] into PinnacleHealth's network is a significant opportunity to serve more communities and achieve its mission of providing the highest quality care at the lowest cost in the region. As PinnacleHealth moves forward to serve a larger population in central Pennsylvania, it plans to expand as a regional network that will strengthen the four organizations' positions as vital health resources for local communities."
prison bars hands.jpg

(File photo)

By Amasa Miller

At this time last year, I was in my ninth year at Graterford State Prison. My crime was dealing drugs. I was a nonviolent, low-level offender. I was an addict, but I'm not making excuses.

I have always accepted full responsibility for my crime and know that I deserved punishment that fit my crime. What I got instead was a mandatory minimum sentence of nine to 25 years.

I had never heard of the term "mandatory minimum" before I was arrested. When my lawyer told me that the judge would have to give me all those years because of the weight of the drugs involved, I couldn't even speak.

The first thing I did when he left the visitors' room that day was to head to the law library at the jail where they had me. I found out what the term meant, and how these sentencing laws were intended to catch drug lords and kingpins.

I had to face the reality that not only was I stuck, so was the judge. He had no discretion. I'm no drug lord. I'm a recovering drug addict who made some really lousy choices. Last summer, I was released.

A lot happened out here while I was in there. My girlfriend, also an addict, fell apart. She was unable to take care of our daughter, Azlyn, who was almost 5 when I was sentenced, so Azlyn lived for all those years with her maternal grandparents, in a household that was by all accounts toxic.

For my mother, those years were pure misery. It's no news flash, but prison is pretty much as hard on families as it is on prisoners.

That's on me: I shouldn't have sold those drugs. But for my whole family to pay for that for nine years? I don't think that's what lawmakers intended.

I was happy when I heard that many of Pennsylvania's mandatory minimum sentences were ruled unconstitutional in 2013.

Now, I hear that lawmakers are pushing to bring them back. They say we need these laws to keep us safer, despite the fact that there is no evidence that these sentences keep us safer at all.

They say mandatory minimums deter people from committing crimes, but everyone I served with was like me and had no idea what a mandatory minimum sentence was.

It's crazy to think we would be deterred by something we didn't even know existed.

Some legislators also are saying that bringing back mandatory minimum sentences will help keep recidivism rates down. I know firsthand that this isn't true. Many of the guys I served with at Graterford were right back in after having already served a mandatory sentence the first time around.

Recidivism happens because people don't have the right tools for living when they get out. Also, the longer the sentence, the weaker any support systems get -- year after year.

Girlfriends leave, job opportunities dry up, family members die. The longer you're in, the harder it is when you get out. And the next thing you know, you're making a stupid and devastating choice for quick money. That's how recidivism works.

I was lucky: When I got out of Graterford, a close family friend set me up with a steady job.

My daughter, now 14, and I live with my mother. And although adjusting to life after nine years away is tough, I've got a lot of people cheering for me.

And I've got a purpose. I know that what I did was wrong, and I never want to go back down that path again.

I'm sober, and I'm no criminal.

In fact, I'm anti-crime: I know that the best way to fight crime is with the right kind of anti-crime tools, like more effective policing and more drug and mental health treatment.

Lawmakers should spend funds on these kinds of things, not on sentencing laws that cost millions of dollars without making us safer.

Now that I am free, I am using my voice to try to help others avoid the mistakes I made. But I also plan to use my voice to fight sentencing laws that do more harm than good.

I'm going to tell my story to anyone who will listen--for the guys I left behind who are still serving absurd sentences, for my mom, and for Azlyn and all the other kids out there trying to understand why the time doesn't fit the crime.

Listen up, lawmakers. Mandatory minimum sentencing laws won't help Pennsylvania.

Don't bring them back.

Amasa Miller was released from prison in July of 2016. He lives in Warminster, Pa. and works full-time for a carpet cleaning company.
shutterstock_558637540.jpg

The weather forecast may call for more snow and rain, but it's Sunshine Week all across the nation.

This annual observance champions freedom of information and the importance of transparency in government - from the smallest rural municipality to the halls of Congress and the White House.

Media associations, open records coalitions and librarians are spearheading the 12-year-old non-partisan campaign. But Sunshine Week benefits everyone interested in the cause of good government.

Pennsylvanians' ability to obtain information improved with the 2008 passage of a strengthened Right-to-Know Law.

However, many roadblocks still stand between the public and government accessibility.

The PA Freedom of Information Coalition, founded in 2005, is dedicated to serving the public in First Amendment-related issues.

While it offers a wealth of information on its website, the citizen's group was forced to scale back operations earlier this year due to lack of funds.

"The whole purpose of the FOIC is to be a resource for the regular guy or gal looking for information about their government" says coalition president Donald Gilliland. "Local government, school boards, state government - it doesn't matter. To the extent our funding allows, we try to help people navigate the law.

"Now, more than ever, focusing on transparency is important."

The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association's legal hotline continues to average 2,000 calls a year, according to counsel Melissa Melewskey. Callers - primarily journalists - ask for help with a variety of problems. They include chronic impediments such as lack of access to information packets used by officials during meetings and the legality of closed door sessions.

PNA often ends up referring callers to the state Office of Open Records, which was created to enforce the Open Records Law.

But Right-To-Know issues can still end up in court.

PennLive/The Patriot-News is currently involved in several proceedings in search of sunshine.

They include requests to unseal documents from the Kathleen Kane e-mail investigation and a call for Impact Harrisburg - a non-profit controlling $13 million in public funds - to operate under open meetings rules.

More sunshine - it's what we all need.
Millersville University

The universities in The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which includes Millersville University in Lancaster County, range in size from Cheyney University, with just over 700 students, to West Chester University, with more than 15,000 full-time students.

(DAN GLEITER, THE PATRIOT-NEWS)

By Colin McNickle

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education must reduce capacity and/or consolidate degree programs at its 14-member schools if they are to survive and prosper, says a scholar at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy.

Colin McNickle (PennLive file)

The system is a state-owned group of universities. Its schools range in size from Cheyney University, with just over 700 students, to West Chester University, with more than 15,000 full-time students.

But enrollment has been flagging. The number of Pennsylvania high schoolers graduating each year -- which represents the largest pool of State System students -- has plateaued and is expected to fall.

That, and graduation rates at some of the State System schools, raise interesting questions, Jake Haulk, president of the Pittsburgh think-tank, says in a new policy brief.

Combined enrollment at the 14 schools fell 11.1 percent between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 school years.

"All schools except West Chester experienced declines, ranging from less than one percent at Slippery Rock to a 43 percent drop at Cheyney," Haulk says.

Eight schools had decreases of 15 percent or more while four saw enrollment down more than 20 percent. Mansfield and Clarion recorded huge losses with enrollment down just shy of 30 percent.

"More importantly, the enrollment drops have been accompanied by very high acceptance rates," Haulk says; 10 of the schools accept 80 percent or more of their applicants, with five of those accepting more than 90 percent.

And while most of the graduation rates at the State System schools (with the notable exception of Cheyney) are in line with or better than the national average rate for both four and six years, Haulk says the rates at several schools are higher than expected based on the academic readiness of enrollees.

Which prompts this question: "Does that mean the schools have far superior instruction compared to other schools across the country or are the curricula and courses not sufficiently rigorous?"

Bloomsburg University's four-year graduation rate was 43.3 percent, 20 percent above its projected rate. Slippery Rock was 19 percent higher. California University was 17 percent higher than projected while Millersville and Mansfield universities had graduation rates more than 14 percent higher than expected, again, based on enrollees' academic preparedness.

All told, Haulk says the State System schools "present a mixed but generally unhealthy picture with nearly half the schools facing serious difficulties."

"In short ... the last five years have been a time of struggle."

Also factoring in high faculty costs, Haulk says the situation "points to a need to rethink the (State System) model."

"It is reasonable to say that the severe problems faced by several of the schools cannot be solved absent a large increase in the number of graduates and improvement in the academic readiness of graduates leaving the state's high schools," he says.

Noting it is unreasonable to think either of those "desirables" will occur any time soon, Haulk says it becomes incumbent on the State System to begin reducing capacity and/or consolidating degree programs.

"There is no defensible purpose in having each of the universities to offer the same wide range of degree majors," he says. "It would be far more rational to have the schools use a focused approach and become very good and well known for their limited offerings."

Among other things, Haulk suggests the roundly failing Cheyney be sold to another predominately black university or a group of investors in order to best preserve and further promote its mission of minority education.

And he says a few of the other troubled State System schools could become two-year "feeder schools" for other four-year institutions.

Unfortunately, Haulk says, with all the tenured faculty, alumni and entrenched interests at each school, "meaningful change coming from the system itself is very unlikely."

Thus, "Without question, it is time for the Legislature and the governor to start looking for answers. It will take a lot of time, so they should begin now," he says, adding that state-related universities receiving state funding also should be included in the study.

Colin McNickle is a senior fellow and media specialist at the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, a conservative think-tank in Pittsburgh. His work appears frequently on PennLive Opinion. Readers may email him at cmcnickle@alleghenyinstitute.org.
Longevita, Europe's leading medical travel group that attracts patients from over 100 countries to Turkey out of offices in London, Istanbul and Izmir, started to offer interest free installment plans for medical tourists seeking hair transplant, plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry.

Longevita's payment plans prepared in liaison with UK's consumer finance firms, help position Turkey as the leading destination for affordable high quality private healthcare. Longevita provides all inclusive medical travel packages comprising private medical procedures, luxury hotel accommodation, VIP private transfers, hosting and translation services to international patients who can now spread the cost over 12 months interest free.

Longevita Executive Director Kagan Seymenoglu stated "We are proud to be the first and only medical travel provider offering interest free payment plans to international patients. It is no question that price is one of the most important decision factors in medical travel. Financial institutions in Turkey would not lend to international patients because they would not be able to chase nonresidents to claim losses if the loans are not repaid. Similarly financial institutions in the UK would not lend against medical procedures performed in Turkey, because the qualifications of the healthcare providers are not valid in the UK. Longevita is a bridge between the UK and Turkey, addressing the differences in legal, health and financial systems across these countries. For example with our 1400 hair transplant package, patients can pay 200 upfront deposit and spread the rest of the cost over 12 months for only 100 a month interest free. In other words, it is now possible to get a FUE hair transplant in Turkey at Longevita for only 100 a month. The exact same procedure would cost 10000 in London, 6000 in Manchester or 10000 in Dublin. Similar 0% APR payment plans are available for other types of procedures such as breast surgery, rhinoplasty or dental implants. We are also pleased to contribute to the Turkish economy by attracting foreign capital through these loans originated in the UK while promoting the credentials of our doctors overseas. The plan in the near future is to benefit from the low interest environment in Europe and start offering longer terms in these payment plans. For example over 48 months, one should not be surprised to see Longevita offering hair transplant in Turkey for only 1 a day, less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks."
Afghanistan Daily Life

A woman carries chimneys on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

(Rahmat Gul)

By John McCain and Lindsey Graham

On Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaida terrorists murdered 3,000 innocent civilians on American soil while under the sanctuary of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

In response to that attack, U.S. and NATO forces deployed to Afghanistan to hunt down those responsible and ensure that Afghanistan would never again be a haven for terrorists. Since then, more than 2,000 Americans and more than 1,000 troops from our NATO allies have given their lives to that mission.

But after more than a decade-and-a-half of war, Gen. John W. Nicholson, commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last month that the war in Afghanistan is in a stalemate. President Donald Trump and his administration must treat Afghanistan with the same urgency as the fight against the Islamic State, or this stalemate risks sliding into strategic failure.

This month, two simultaneous suicide attacks by the Taliban in Kabul killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 40. In northern Afghanistan, the Taliban overran another district. These setbacks came on the heels of disturbing losses across the country.

Nicholson recently confirmed an inspector general report that the Afghan government controls or influences just 57 percent of the country's districts, down from 72 percent just over a year ago.

Make no mistake: Afghans are fighting ferociously to defend their country from our common enemies. At the same time, we must recognize that the United States is still at war in Afghanistan against the terrorist enemies who attacked our nation on Sept. 11 and their ideological heirs. We must act accordingly.

Unfortunately, in recent years, we have tied the hands of our military in Afghanistan. Instead of trying to win, we have settled for just trying not to lose.

Time and time again, we saw troop withdrawals that seemed to have more to do with U.S. politics than conditions on the ground. The fixation with "force management levels" in Afghanistan, as well as in Iraq and Syria, seemed more about measuring troop counts than measuring success.

Authorities were also tightly restricted. Until last summer, our military was prohibited from targeting the Taliban, except in the most extreme circumstances, taking the pressure off the militants and allowing them to rebuild and reattack.

Indeed, while we were fighting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, authorities in Afghanistan were so restrictive that it took an entire year before U.S. forces were finally given authority to strike the group's fighters in Afghanistan.

While we have settled for a "don't lose" strategy, the risk to U.S. and Afghan forces has only grown worse as the terrorist threat has intensified.

The Taliban has grown more lethal, expanded its territorial control and inflicted heavy casualties on Afghan forces. And it is reportedly doing so with help from Iran and Russia, who want nothing more than to see the United States fail in Afghanistan.

Al-Qaida and the Haqqani network continue to threaten our interests in Afghanistan and beyond.

The Islamic State is trying to carve out another haven from which it can plan and execute attacks.

Moreover, U.S. efforts to confront these terrorist threats are continually frustrated by terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan used to attack across its border and kill U.S. forces. Deteriorating relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan only make this problem more difficult.

Trump has an important opportunity to turn the page, seize the initiative and take the fight to our terrorist enemies. To do this, the United States must align ends, ways and means in Afghanistan.

The U.S. objective in Afghanistan is the same now as it was in 2001: to prevent terrorists from using the country's territory to attack our homeland.

We seek to achieve this objective by supporting Afghan governance and security institutions as they become capable of standing on their own, defending their country and defeating our common terrorist enemies with less U.S. assistance over time.

Doing this successfully requires the right number of people in the right places with the right authorities and the right capabilities.

Our assessment, based on our conversations with commanders on the ground, is that a strategy for success will require additional U.S. and coalition forces and more flexible authorities. It will also require sustained support of the Afghan security forces as they develop key capabilities, especially offensive capabilities such as special operations forces and close air support needed to break the stalemate.

The United States has been at war in Afghanistan for nearly 16 years. Weary as some Americans may be of this long conflict, it is imperative that we see our mission through to success.

We have seen what happens when we fail to be vigilant. The threats we face are real. And the stakes are high - not just for the lives of the Afghan people and the stability of the region, but for America's national security.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is a member of the committee. They wrote this piece for The Washington Post, where it first appeared.
PITTSBURGH -- All charges against Darrelle Revis were dismissed by Judge Kevin Cooper Jr. in Pittsburgh Municipal Court on Wednesday afternoon.

At the end of a two-plus hour preliminary hearing that included the testimony of four witnesses from the prosecution and one in defense of Revis, Cooper ruled that there was no "prima facia" case against Revis.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, robbery, criminal conspiracy and the making of terroristic threats following an incident around 2:35 a.m. on East Carson Street on Feb. 12. Dallas Cousins told arresting Officer Anthony Burke, who also testified Wednesday, that Revis took his cell phone and threw it into East Carson Street after he followed the former Aliquippa, Pitt and New York Jets cornerback before he and Zacheriah Jarvis were knocked out.

A previously unidentified man, Rashawn Bolton, said under oath that he had punched Cousins and Jarvis in defense of Revis.

After witness testimony, prosecution argued that in the early morning hours of Feb. 12, Revis had called, Bolton, and encouragement him to hit Cousins and Jarvis. Cousins said he got no such direction.

Bolton testified that Jarvis and Cousins were draped around Revis when he saw his friend, Revis, near the Birmingham Bridge on the city's South Side.

A police report filed following interviews with Jarvis and Cousins on the afternoon of Feb. 12 stated that Revis threw Cousins' phone into East Carson Street,

Cousins, Jarvis and a third witness, Nathan Watt all testified that they did not know who hit Revis. Watt, on cross examination, said the same person noted in the report as having threatened "Do you want to be next?" was the man who hit Jarvis and Cousins.

Bolton was sequestered during the prosecution's witnesses' testimony, but later confirmed that he hit Cousins and Jarvis and said that he didn't hit a third man because he backed off. He also said the voice in a TMZ video in which a man boasts that he knocked Jarvis and Cousins out, was his.

Two people followed Revis and Bolton across the street, Bolton said, after Cousins and Jarvis were knocked out and that one of them apologized for their friends' actions.

"A neutral, detached, disinterested judge determined that there isn't even probably cause for this case to warrant further trial consideration," Robert Del Greco Jr., Revis' attorney said afterward.

Del Greco said he and his client would consider further legal action against Jarvis and Cousins.

Want more news from in, around Pittsburgh? Check out PennLive's Pittsburgh coverage.
Election Day is Tuesday: Your last-minute guide to voting

How do I register to vote? How do I vote at the polls? Here's your guide to voting on Election Day 2022 in Michigan.
Canadian shippers back Transcanada Mainline in boost for Canada natgas

CALGARY, Alberta

Petroleumworld.com 03 15 2017

Shippers have taken up Transcanada Corp's sweetened offer to move natural gas on its Mainline pipeline, the company said on Monday, granting Canada's remote western plays a boost against more easily accessible American counterparts.

Western Canadian shippers have been increasingly squeezed out of the Ontario natural gas market by eastern U.S. shale basins like the Marcellus and Utica. They have comparable production costs to Canada's remote Montney and Duvernay gas plays, but lower delivery costs.

The resulting lack of movement on the Mainline in the last decade caused tolls to rise even more. That further reduces the competitiveness of Canadian gas, causing more shippers to leave in what the industry calls a "death spiral," according to an internal government briefing note seen by Reuters under access-to-information laws.

In its latest terms, TransCanada offered lower tolls at a 10-year term for 1.5 petajoules of capacity per day on its Mainline system to southern Ontario.

Such a move could have a "positive effect on the competitiveness" of Canadian natural gas, federal government officials told Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr in the November 2016 note, after TransCanada first offered its lower tolls.

In a statement, the Natural Resources Canada federal department said shippers' backing the new toll "highlights the ability of Canada's natural gas industry to adapt to an ever evolving competitive environment."

TransCanada said it intends to file an application for approval with the National Energy Board (NEB) regulator in April and hopes to have an in-service date of Nov. 1, which would be before rival pipelines from U.S. shale basins come online.

Energy Transfer Partners LP's Rover and Spectra Energy Partners LP's Nexus lines both have targeted in-service dates to Ontario's Dawn hub in November.

Energy infrastructure development has faced strong opposition in Canada among environmental and aboriginal groups, who may seek intervener status before the NEB to block TransCanada's application.

For its part, TransCanada will move "fairly quickly," said Tracy Robinson, the company's senior vice president of Canadian natural gas pipelines.

"There's no requirement for any build, so our producers can access the market upon the NEB approval," she said in an interview. "We believe it puts them in there competitively, regardless of the various options."

TransCanada's current terms allow shippers to exit after five years, but they must temporarily pay higher tolls than the 77 Canadian cents per gigajoule offered.

Robinson said the company does not yet know how many will trigger that option.


Tesla batteries won't solve Australia's power problems: Russell

LAUNCESTON, Australia

Petroleumworld.com 03 15 2017

Australia is becoming an interesting microcosm on how to, or how not to, transition an economy from being predominantly powered by coal to more climate-friendly alternatives.

The dramatic intervention by Tesla Inc Chief Executive Elon Musk last week is just the latest twist in an ongoing saga that pits business, government, farmers, government and environmentalists against each other.

Musk, in an exchange of tweets with software billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, chief executive of Atlassian Corp, offered to fix the electricity supply problems of South Australia state within 100 days of signing a contract.

Musk's plan is to install 100 megawatts (MW) of grid-connected battery storage, which would be available to meet peak demand and would be charged with surplus electricity from other generating sources in periods of low demand.

It's a bold offer and would most likely provide a quick fix to Australia's fourth-largest state, which suffered a blackout last November and has been dealing with power shortages over the peak summer period.

Businesses like BHP Billiton, which operates the giant Olympic Dam copper mine in the state, have been pushing for the government and other stakeholders to ensure stable electricity supply, saying the cost of blackouts runs into millions of dollars in lost output.

Musk, whose Tesla Corp is ramping up output of its battery storage packs at its Gigafactory in Nevada, held talks with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the weekend, as well as with South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill.

The politicians will no doubt be tempted to Musk's offer to install batteries, especially since the electric car pioneer said if he didn't meet his 100 day deadline, he wouldn't charge anything.

But while Musk's offer, if taken up, would provide a quick fix, it would not do enough to mend the underlying problems at the heart of Australia's electricity woes.

It's worth looking at how Australia got itself to the point where virtually all players can agree that the nation is facing something approaching an energy crisis.

After all, the country is not short of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, and its climate and low population density outside the major cities are ideal for renewables such as solar and wind power.

The country is heavily reliant on an ageing fleet of coal-fired power stations, which makes Australia one of the highest polluters per capita.

These coal power stations are starting to close down, with one shutting in South Australia last year and another planned to close in Victoria state at the end of this month.

The problem is that the coal-fired power stations' role as providers of base load electricity cannot be taken over by wind and solar, and the role is falling to natural gas.

But natural gas is also the most expensive method of generating electricity in Australia, so utilities are reluctant to run their gas-fired plants until prices are high enough to justify the cost.

South Australia has a gas-fired plant that was mothballed until last year's power supply crisis, but even with the higher prices for electricity, the operator is struggling to make the plant profitable.

The state moved on Tuesday to try and address its energy security issues, announcing it would build a 250 MW gas-fired plant and help the private sector build a 100 MW battery, at a total cost of A$510 million ($385 million).

GAS SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS

Natural gas supply is becoming a problem in Australia, which may seem ironic given the country is on the verge of becoming the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the last of eight new plants come closer to completion.

In fact, the new LNG plants are copping some of the blame for the tightening natural gas market, especially the three in eastern Queensland state based on using coal-seam gas as the feedstock.

These are being blamed for sucking domestic natural gas out of the market and into the export LNG industry.

What hasn't helped is that some of Australia's state and territory governments are also pursuing policies that will restrict future natural gas supplies.

Victoria state has banned hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, as well as shale and coal-seam gas exploration, while the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Tasmania have various moratoriums on fracking.

This leaves Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia as the remaining states where onshore natural gas supplies can be developed, and they are now in the cross-hairs of the environmental lobby, which is opposed to any and all new natural gas wells.

Politicians across the traditional Labor-Liberal divide are increasingly giving in to demands to restrict natural gas exploration, while pretending that this won't have a negative impact on energy security and electricity prices.

But the costs are starting to become apparent, with spot electricity prices surging over the Australian summer and natural gas suppliers warning that they will be unable to meet the needs of industrial customers without action being taken.

It's often the case politicians only take action when the point of crisis is reached, and this appears to be the case in Australia.

What's needed is a holistic approach to energy supply as Australia transitions away from coal-fired power.

This means ensuring enough natural gas is available to provide base load generation, while scaling up renewables such as solar, wind, pumped hydro and battery storage.

Forging enough common ground with the various stakeholders will be the main obstacle, but more than anything else, Australia is showing how difficult it is to end the age of coal.


Blizzard shuts northeast U.S.; flights canceled, schools out

NEW YORK/BOSTON

Petroleumworld.com 03 15 2017

Snow began blanketing northeastern United States on Tuesday as a winter storm packing blizzard conditions rolled into the region, prompting public officials to ask people to stay home while airlines grounded flights and schools canceled classes.

The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of eight states including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, with forecasts calling for up to 2 feet (60 cm) of snow by early Wednesday, with temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal for this time of year.

Some 50 million people along the Eastern Seaboard were under storm or blizzard warnings and watches.

"If you must go out, do so for as limited time period as possible ... but the best thing to do is stay in," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday.

Above-ground subway service will be suspended at 4 a.m. local time as transit officials in the New York metro area warned that more bus and train routes could be suspended throughout the day.

"It's a good day to stay home," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on CBS Radio. "It is going to be a dangerous, dangerous situation."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey readied hundreds of pieces of snow equipment at the three major New York area airports. Thousands of tons of salt and sand were prepared for airport roads, parking lots, bridges and tunnels. Airlines preemptively canceled more than 4,000 flights ahead of the storm, according to tracking service FlightAware.com. The airports with the most cancellations were Newark International Airport in New Jersey and Boston Logan International Airport.

American Airlines canceled all flights into New York's three airports - Newark, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport - and JetBlue Airways reported extensive cancellations.

Delta Air Lines canceled 800 flights for Tuesday for New York, Boston and other northeast airports. United Airlines said it would have no operations at Newark or LaGuardia.

"We're keeping a close eye on things and depending on how things go, will plan to ramp back up Wednesday morning," United said in a statement.

Governors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia declared a state of emergency.

"When this thing hits, it's going to hit hard and it's going to put a ton of snow on the ground in a hurry," Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said, urging people to consider working from home if they could.

New York City public schools - the largest school system in the United States - canceled classes on Tuesday.

Districts in Boston, Fairfax County, Virginia, and Philadelphia also canceled school on Tuesday.

BOSTON BRACES FOR SNOW

The storm comes near the end of an unusually mild winter along much of the East Coast, with below-normal snowfalls in cities such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

Boston was braced for up to a foot (30 cm) of snow, which forecasters warned would fall quickly during the storm's expected peak. Washington D.C., which often bogs down with even low levels of snow, was expecting 5 inches (13 cm) and twice that in outlying areas.

Snow fall will be heavy at times with as much as 4 inches (10 cm) per hour expected to fall with winds reaching up to 60 mph (100 kph) in parts of the northeast, the National Weather Service warned.

"Visibilities will become poor with whiteout conditions at times," the service said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who was due to meet President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, postponed her trip until Friday, the White House said.

The United Nations headquarters said it would close on Tuesday, but the New York Stock Exchange vowed to remain open.
Libya and Nigeria still on slow oil recovery path but output rising

LONDON

Petroleumworld.com 03 15 2017

When OPEC reached a deal last year to cut oil output, the decision to exclude Nigeria and Libya from the restrictions was seen as a risk to the group's efforts to curb a global crude glut.

An oil price rally has already stumbled since the deal, but Nigeria and Libya are not to blame. Output from both nations has slipped since December and violence in the two African states makes their ambitions to hike production look optimistic.

"The success of these cuts, debatable as they may be, will not hinge on Nigeria and Libya," said ING analyst Hamza Khan.

OPEC members and non-OPEC producers agreed to cut output by 1.8 million bpd for six months from Jan. 1. OPEC has broadly cut the amount pledged, while others have not delivered in full.

After rallying above $58 a barrel in January, Brent has now slipped to around $51, under pressure from bulging U.S. inventories and rising U.S. shale production.

Since the OPEC deal, Libyan production has dipped to 615,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 630,000 bpd in December, as militias battle to control export sites in the east of the country. Libya was producing 1.6 million bpd in 2011. PRODN-LY

In Nigeria, militant attacks in the oil-producing Niger Delta have hobbled output, forcing the closure of the Trans Forcados Pipeline for all but a few weeks since February. Maintenance on the Shell-operated Bonga field has also weighed.

Nigerian output in March is now expected to be about 1.43 million bpd, down from 1.54 million bpd in December, after February's brief rise to 1.65 million bpd. Nigeria is chasing a target of 2.2 million bpd, last achieved in 2012, according to Reuters calculations. PRODN-NG

Morgan Stanley forecasts Libyan production could rise to 900,000 bpd in the second half of 2017, while Nigeria could produce 1.6 million bpd in the same time frame. But the U.S. bank says unrest could undermine both those targets.

"It is possible that unplanned disruptions increase further," Morgan Stanley said in a March 10 research note.

UNPREDICTABLE

Libya's prospects look particularly unpredictable. Since Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011, the North African nation has fractured as militias battle for power.

"With three rival governments, extremely weak state institutions, and an abundance of armed actors, Libya is anything but a stable and reliable producer," Royal Bank of Canada analysts wrote in a note.

In Nigeria, industry sources have told Reuters that repairs are nearing completion on the Trans Forcados Pipeline, which could swiftly add 250,000 bpd to output.

But attacks have repeatedly put the pipeline out of action and could do so again if peace talks with militants seeking a bigger share of oil revenues fail.

Even if Nigeria and Libya deliver on production goals -adding a combined 550,000 bpd, based on the most optimistic forecasts - it will still pale compared to the challenge OPEC faces from U.S. shale oil producers, who are adding capacity.

Buoyed by the price revival since OPEC agreed cuts, U.S. shale firms are expected to add 79,000 bpd of extra production in March alone, reaching total output of 4.87 million bpd.

Meanwhile, rising U.S. inventories are overshadowing OPEC's efforts, with the U.S. Energy Information Administration reporting a rise in the week to March 3 of 8.2 million barrels to a record 528.4 million barrels.

"Storage numbers out of the United States, that's what would be keeping the bulls up at night," said ING analyst Khan.
I just read one of your black-eyed people stories. I thought I'd write to you about an experience I had.



One evening during the Summer of 2009 I went outside on my porch to smoke a cigarette. It was still light out. I live near Rochester, Minnesota. There is a small hill directly across the street from my house, and I noticed two kids (young boy and girl) walking up the hill. They stopped and looked back at me, but I got a bad feeling about them. They were wearing dark blue vinyl windbreakers with hoods and as I looked closer, I could see that their eyes were black. They started to walk down the hill and come across the street walking directly towards me. I was cordial and introduced himself to them. They continued to advance towards me. I was getting scared, so I quickly went back into the house. I asked my wife if she heard me talking to the kids. She heard nothing, so I just put it out of my mind.



The evening was quiet and my wife and I went to bed around 11 PM. After several minutes laying in bed, I started to feel strange. I looked towards the window (we have a one-floor ranch style house) and saw the girl standing outside his window. I freaked out and went to make sure the doors were bolted. When I got to the kitchen door, I could see the boy standing on the back porch. I ran back to the bedroom and grabbed my my 45. automatic. I just assumed that they were attempting to break in. By that time I was extremely scared. I went to pick up the telephone to call 911, but the next thing I remember was waking up in bed the next morning. It was just after 6 AM.



My wife was awake and looked at me 'where did you go last night?' I told her I didn't go anywhere. She said that she heard the back door close around midnight, and that she went to see what was going on. She said that she couldn't find me. I told her what had happened and she thought that I hiding something from her. I still don't know what happened. I've read about 'lost time' and 'alien abduction.' But I always believed it was bunk. I still don't really believe it. Were these black-eyed kids aliens? BTW, I no longer smoke. I just don't have the urge anymore. Why? I have no idea, but I had smoked for almost 30 years. KL

St. Louis, Nov. 26--Mrs. Terence O'Grady, who until last week was Miss Gertrude Arnoldy, and is now the wife of the "human ostrich," said today that she had fallen in love with O'Grady when she saw him eating tacks at one of his exhibitions.



"I thought I would like to cook for a man like that," she said. "He can't fuss at what I prepare for the table."



Mrs. O'Grady says her husband has promised to teach her the art of eating tacks and glass.

St. Louis, Mo.--Terence O'Grady's fondness for glass, tacks, tenpenny nails and other dishes of which he partakes when performing his "human ostrich" stunts on the stage, has parted him from his bride of two months and landed him in the hands of the police. His bride's cooking did not please him and his persistent complaints led to quarrels which culminated in a separation.



Mrs. O'Grady likes juicy steaks and milk toast. The "human ostrich" cannot eat a piece of meat until it has been cooked so dry and hard it lacerates his gullet when he swallows it. Milk toast also is to him an abomination. When he has toast it must be done to a brown or a black and be as hard as fire can make it.



Coarse sandpaper for dessert is another dish which Mrs. O'Grady never could learn to prepare for her husband or enjoy herself. In fact, the tastes of the two were found to be so far apart that they simply were irreconcilable. The understanding here is that when Mrs. O'Grady served ice cream to her husband he threw the cream out the window and ate the saucer with relish, and that caused the first quarrel.



Friends of Mrs. O'Grady also say that another cause of complaint she has against her husband is that he returned home one night feeling hungry and went to the sideboard, ate three cut-glass dishes which she had received as wedding presents, and completed his repast by eating a hand-painted plate which she prized highly because it had been painted by a schoolgirl friend who has died since the wedding.



These accusations may be overdrawn, but that there was something radically wrong with O'Grady's appetite was asserted in the Central district police station. O'Grady and his bride met casually in the street. They resumed their debates on gastronomic questions. Finally O'Grady said things which mad his bride angry and she had him arrested.



"Why, he wants steak cooked so hard you have to break it with an ice pick," Mrs. O'Grady told the desk sergeant. "He says he gets so used to eating glass and tacks that he isn't happy unless his food scratches when he swallows it. When I tried to make toast for breakfast he would stand at the fire and burn it hard and crisp, so I pretty nearly starved."



O'Grady was discharged after he had told his side of the story.

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********************On the plate, a single banana seems whimsicalyellow and sweet, contained in its own easy-to-open peel. It is a charming breakfast luxury as silly as it is delicious and ever-present. Yet when you eat a banana the flavor on your tongue has complex roots, equal parts sweetness and tragedy.In 1950, most bananas were exported from Central America. Guatemala in particular was a key piece of a vast empire of banana plantations run by the American-owned United Fruit Company. United Fruit Company paid Guatemalas government modest sums in exchange for land. With the land, United Fruit planted bananas and then did as it pleased. It exercised absolute control not only over what workers did but also over how and where they lived. In addition, it controlled transportation, constructing, for example, the first railway in the country, one that was designed to be as useless as possible for the people of Guatemala and as useful as possible for transporting bananas. The companys profits were immense. In 1950, its revenues were twice the gross domestic product of the entire country of Guatemala. Yet while the United Fruit Company invested greatly in its ability to move bananas, little was invested in understanding the biology of bananas themselves.United Fruit and the rest of the banana industry did what industries do. They figured out how to do one thing wellin this case, grow one variety of banana, the Gros Michel. Moreover, because it is difficult to get domesticated bananas to have sex (they are puritan in their proclivities, blessed with virtually no seeds), the Gros Michel was reproduced via suckers, clonally. Cuttings from the best specimens were replanted. As a result, virtually all bananas grown in Guatemala, in Latin America in general, and around the world for export were genetically identical. Identical in the way that identical human twins are identical and even a tiny bit more so. For industry, this was great. Bananas were predictable. Each was like each other. No banana was ever the wrong size, the wrong flavor, the wrong anything.********************
Vegan eating has skyrocketed in popularity over the course of recent decades, with more than 1,400 plant-based restaurants opening all across the US. While Philadelphia is historically known for cheesesteaks, countless vegan restaurants now call the city home. This is
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan -- A bomb disposal squad comb the dusty streets of a southern Afghan city for hidden explosives and booby traps.

They are clearing the Bolan neighborhood of Lashkar Gahs third district after recently reclaiming it from the Taliban. The teeming city of 200,00 residents is the provincial capital of Helmand.

This southern province, Afghanistans largest, has been the scene of considerable Taliban advances. Since the departure of most NATO troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, the Taliban have overrun most districts in the arid, agricultural region and have virtually besieged Lashkar Gah for months.

Nasibullah Zaheen, an Afghan police officer, says their forces are now clearing hundreds of bombs and explosives found in Bolan after taking it back from the Taliban, who overran it six months ago. He says the Taliban had dug long tunnels in the neighborhood to store supplies and target Afghan military posts.

God willing, the enemy cannot resist us any longer, and our forces are marching forward, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. Our forces have high morale. They are bravely making progress despite the enemy using civilian properties to attempt to hit them.

Government forces say they are making advances in the neighboring district of Nad-e Ali and closing in on the district center.

Zahir Gul Muqbil, an officer of the Afghan Border Police in Helmand, says the advance has been slowed by the fear of civilian casualties from hidden mines and the Talibans use of civilian homes as trenches.

As you can see, we have overrun their frontline and the enemy cannot be seen anywhere close, he says. The enemy are very meticulous about reinforcing their frontline trenches. But whenever we break through their formations, they quickly disappear into the countryside.

Nad-e Alis ravaged crumbling mud houses, dry fields, and burnt trees have formed a backdrop to intense fighting. With weapon fire still echoing in the distance, Ali Mohammad, a farmer, says there is a glimmer of hope now that the Afghan forces have reclaimed their village from the Taliban.

We now think that the end of our miseries might be in sight, he said.

Gul Mohammad, another villager, says they feel safe under the shadow of government forces.

One of my brothers works for the police, so the Taliban were very hard on us, he told Radio Free Afghanistan. They tortured us, beat us and did everything to harass us.

Provincial spokesman Omar Zhwak claimed that the government forces have also made advances in Garamser district as part of a broader offensive named Maiwand 17.

We have made advances and have killed numerous fighters loyal to the [armed] opposition, he said.

In a statement on March 12, Afghan forces claimed to have killed 31 Taliban militants, including a local commander. Afghan special forces also freed up to 32 people, including four policemen, from Taliban captivity in Nad-e Ali late on March 12.

But the Taliban claimed it was a facility for drug addicts. They thought they were raiding a mujahedin prison where army and police personnel were being detained, A Taliban statement said on March 13. However, they misjudged, and none of the people taken away had any ties with the Kabul regime (Afghan government).

It was, however, not possible to independently verify the claims made by the warring sides.

During the past two years, the Talibans advances in Helmand have been extensive. From controlling just two remote districts in late 2014, the Taliban had overrun most of the regions 14 districts by the end of last year.

Most of the worlds illegal opium is grown in Helmand. At nearly 60,000 square kilometers, the province is comparable in size to Switzerland. The province borders Pakistan and is in close proximity to Iran. During the past quarter-century, Helmand has been a key recruiting ground and revenue source for the Taliban.

Kabul is keen on reclaiming the province from Taliban clutches. Earlier this year, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah promised a new push against the insurgents.

You will soon see the results of our resolve, he told provincial leaders.

Abubakar Siddique wrote this story based on Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Mohammad Ilyas Dayee's reporting from Lashkar Gah, Helmand.
Indescribable! Indestructible! Nothing Can Stop It!

So said the posters for The Blob, the locally made cult-horror hit produced by Philadelphia native Jack Harris, who died Tuesday. He went to produce other movies (like The Eyes of Laura Mars starring Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones), but his biggest hit was The Blob, filmed at Valley Forge Studios and in Chester Springs, Royersford, and Downingtown, and at the Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, which famously holds a Blobfest every year, with fans running out of the theater, re-enacting the movie's most famous scene.

The Blob become an indestructible hit when released in 1958. Made for a few hundred thousand, it grossed $4 million in Eisenhower-era dollars. You can  and should  still watch it; it's available on Amazon and iTunes.

Its success is describable, and has to do with other blobs of its day  the growing mass of teen Baby Boomers who needed something to do, and the corresponding ooze of movies that catered to them.

These movies had titles like Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), The Wasp Woman (1959), and A Bucket of Blood (1959). As film historian Tim Dirks notes: "Young people attended outdoor drive-ins that showed exploitative, cheap fare."

Drive-ins peaked in the late 1950s, when there were more than 4,000 operating in the United States. They were called "passion pits," and the teens who frequented them found things to do in the privacy of the front seat that were not necessarily related to their passion for cinema.

The Blob originally was intended to be the also-ran in a double feature headlined by I Married a Monster From Outer Space, but proved so popular it quickly vaulted to top billing.

Its reception with critics was cool. The New York Times said the picture "talks itself to death" and described the special effects as "phony." Take that with a grain of salt: The reviewer also didn't think much of the young star, Steve McQueen, who'd be a major international star within a decade.

McQueen stars in the film (his character is imaginatively named Steve) as a teen  though he was 28 at the time  who is making out with his girlfriend (Aneta Corsaut), activity interrupted by the crash of a meteor. (The movie originally was titled The Molten Meteor.)

The meteor contains a gelatinous alien amoeba (during production, it variously was called "the mass," then "the glob," and, finally, "the blob") that engulfs humans, growing as it does, consuming doctors, nurses, a guy in a grocery store, folks in a diner, a movie theater. Eventually, Steve deduces the blob can't handle cold and subdues it with fire extinguishers, and the government drops it well above the Arctic Circle.

That's that, someone says. To which McQueen replies: 'Yeah, as long as the Arctic stays frozen."

The movie, like many of its day (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), has been cast as a Cold War metaphor, playing on cultural fears of Soviet communism. The movie's screenwriters found this idea laughable. More likely, there is a primal, durable appeal in the idea of an all-consuming entity like the blob  it inspired a sequel in 1972 and a remake in 1988.

Nothing can stop it, because it's endlessly adaptable. The blob absorbs and consumes everyone it touches, and the more people it touches, the more it spreads, the bigger and more inexorable it becomes.

Today, we know it as Facebook.

This article draws on material found in the digital archives of The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. Search the archives for yourself and subscribe for full access.

EndText
An Australian aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan last year has been released, according to an Afghan official and the Australian government.

The woman, whose identity has not been revealed, was kidnapped in Kabul in November.

Mohammad Salim Almas, the head of criminal investigations in Kabul, said the woman was handed over to the Australian Embassy late on March 14.

The Australian department of foreign affairs confirmed her release in a statement on March 15.

Kidnapping are common in Afghanistan, where wealthy Afghans and foreigners are targeted by criminal gangs and militant groups.

Several Australian aid workers have been kidnapped in recent months.

In August, an Australian aid worker, Katherine Jane Wilson, was rescued by Afghan special forces. She was kidnapped in the eastern city of Jalalabad.

Timothy Weekes, an Australian professor at the American University of Afghanistan, remains a hostage after he was captured last August along with an American colleague. They both appeared in a Taliban video in January.

Based on reporting by AFP and dpa
Federal immigration police described the sweep as routine: 248 alleged "criminal aliens" arrested since the start of this month  an average of 21 a day  in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and West Virginia. Hauled off to jail, they face deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"ICE officers make extraordinary efforts to keep our communities safe, and this operation is just a small example of what they do every day," Jennifer Ritchey, acting director of ICE-Philadelphia, the local field office, said in a statement Monday.

However, a web search of ICE news releases suggests that the action may be more than a small, everyday example. It appears the previous largest "targeted enforcement operation" by Philadelphia-based agents netted 99 suspects over 12 days in 2008.

Of the 248 apprehended this month, ICE said, 197 were in Pennsylvania, 42 in West Virginia, eight in Delaware, and one in New Jersey. While ICE officials maintain the number of those nabbed was unremarkable, some advocates for immigrants see the agency ramping up in response to President Trump's call for a crackdown on illegal immigration, as well as new guidelines for ICE operations issued last month by the Department of Homeland Security.

Among those arrested, 88 had convictions on unspecified criminal charges; 32 had pending criminal charges; an additional 50 were previously deported and reentered illegally; and 18 are fugitives with outstanding final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge, according to ICE.

Left unanswered in Monday's announcement of the arrests were questions about who was arrested, on what charges, and their ages and countries of origin. On Wednesday morning, ICE officials said only that most of the detainees were taken to the York and Pike County Prisons. Some were transferred to correctional centers in Youngstown, Ohio, and San Antonio, Texas. Others were released on bail or their own recognizance. Obtaining further details would require the submission of a Freedom of Information Act request, ICE said.

In its Monday news release, ICE also stressed the importance of rumor control, with a slap at some immigrant-advocacy organizations: "Reports of ICE checkpoints and sweeps are false, dangerous and irresponsible. Any groups falsely reporting such activities are doing a disservice to those they claim to support."

For example, she said, she heard of three cases in the last week in which immigrants were grabbed by ICE agents just outside the Criminal Justice Center in Center City. The immigrants had appeared for court on relatively minor charges. Their cases were heard, and they were allowed to leave. When they stepped outside the building, Almiron said, they were arrested by ICE.

"That hasn't happened in a long time," she said. Agents "are looking for new ways to get people."

House raids seem to be happening less often, she said  in part because wary immigrants, having received know-your-rights training from Juntos' community leaders, are refusing to open their doors.

That means arrests are happening elsewhere, including a bodega near Seventh and Reed Streets in South Philadelphia, where a Salvadoran man was taken into custody last week, said Almiron.

According to witnesses, ICE arrested Alejandro Ramos at El Primo Food Market, where he worked. In a brief interview on Wednesday, his son, Manuel Diaz Ramos, 24, who along with his sister has been running the market, said only their father was taken to York Prison.

Peter Pedemonti, director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, an interfaith, immigrant advocacy group, said his organization recently established a hotline for tips about where arrests are happening.

Of about 25 calls to the hotline in the last month, he said, his office confirmed eight arrests.

"We've heard about people being followed and arrested when they leave their homes," he said. "But from what we've seen, ICE is looking for specific individuals, not doing dragnet-type sweeps."
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered that "blasphemous" content on social media websites be removed or blocked.

Sharif also said those responsible for posting such material will be "strictly punished."

"Effective steps must be taken immediately to remove and block such content," Sharif said in a March 14 statement.

Blasphemy is a criminal offense in Pakistan and can carry the death penalty. It is also a highly sensitive issue in a country where dozens have been murdered over blasphemy allegations, according to the Center for Research and Security Studies.



Sharif instructed Pakistan's Foreign Ministry to demand the blocking of blasphemous content by foreign social media companies. No company was mentioned by name, but social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are popular in Pakistan.

"All relevant institutions must unite to hunt those who spread such material and to award them strict punishment under the law," Sharif said.



Sharif's move is likely to appeal to his conservative voter base ahead of elections next year.

Based on reporting by Reuters and dawn.com
Chicago Police recruits have little reason to worry about washing out, according to statistics gathered by the Chicago Tribune.

In fact, all but a relative handful of trainees graduate from the academy and become cops, raising concerns about how rigorous and selective the department is in inducting new officers.

Over a recent four-year period, the academy graduated more than 97 percent of its recruits, according to department figures obtained by the Chicago Tribune through a public records request.

By comparison, a U.S. Department of Justice study of some 600 police academies across the country found about 86 percent of recruits graduated between 2011 and 2013.
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Rachel Maddow had a terrifying message for Donald Trump. The 2005 tax return that was leaked to her may be the first, but it wont be the last.

Video:

Maddow said, The greater concern. The worry that this president may be financially beholden to an individual, to an institution, to a country, and now that hes president we wont know if he tries to use the resources and power of our country to pay off that entity to whom he is beholden. We cant know any of that without getting his tax returns. Thats why presidents release their tax returns. Thats why there will continue to be unrelenting pressure to find Donald Trumps tax returns, to expose Donald Trumps tax returns, and that pressure will remain every single day that he is president and until he releases them that pressure will never let up, and thats why somebody has decided to leak this portion of his 2005 tax return, which is how and why we got it tonight, and I am sure it is only the start, but its a start.

The news isnt what is on Trumps 1040 from 12 years ago. The big story is that a tax return was published. Every news organization in the United States and others around the world have been trying to get their hands on Trumps tax returns.

The fact that somebody was able to get one of Trumps returns out to the public suggests that there are more of them out there, and it is only a matter of time before others reveal the secrets that this president has worked so hard to keep hidden.

Maddow got a 1040, but eventually, a whole tax return or returns will be made public. Trump isnt worried about the details of what Rachel Maddow made public. What terrifies Trump is that his tax return secrecy has been shattered and the real damage is yet to come.
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Appearing on the Hugh Hewitt show today, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-AK) said that Paul Ryans claim that the GOP is engaging in a three-phase repeal and replace of Obamacare, is a lie:

There is no three-phase process. There is no three-step plan. That is just political talk. Its just politicians engaging in spin.

Cotton was responding to a tall tale spun by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price on Tuesdays Today show on NBC:

WATCH: "Are you saying no one is going to lose coverage under this plan? That's what the president promised." @savannahguthrie to Tom Price pic.twitter.com/IitStdeqaf  TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 14, 2017

According to Price, the CBO looked at only one-third of our plan:

What the report looked at was only one-third of our plan. And thats why you cant look at this in isolation, Price said. The fact of the matter is, with our whole plan, every single American will have access to coverage.

The three phases are supposed to be:

1) Repeal and replace;

2) Deregulation; and,

3) Legislative: Republican reforms to make health care even better

However, Cotton cautioned that the second step will be challenged in court and perhaps the whims of the most liberal judge in America. He characterized the third step as some mythical legislation in the future that is going to garner Democratic support and help us get over 60 votes in the Senate.

If we had those Democratic votes, we wouldnt need three steps. We would just be doing that right now on this legislation altogether. Thats why its so important that we get this legislation right, because there is no step three. And step two is not completely under our control.

And while Cotton was not wholly behind the CBO reports dire projections, he did admit,

Theyre right that coverage levels will go down in the coming years under the House bill. Theyre also right, Im afraid, that insurance premiums will continue to go up in the near term, for three to four years, before they start perhaps falling in the long term. However, I suspect that the political consequences of those near-term changes means that the long term will never actually arrive.

Paul Ryan is already under fire for his creative PowerPoint presentation and imaginative interpretation of the CBOs findings, as though they fully support Ryans claims (they do not).

Tom Cotton has poured oil on the fire with his revelation that any talk of a three-phased plan is nothing more than another fantasy in the minds of GOP leaders.

Stay the course, they tell us. Trust us. The rest of our plan will make it better. But its all a lie. There is no rest of their plan and nothing is going to make Trumpcare better.
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Rachel Maddow refused to bow to Donald Trumps baseless threats. After the Trump White House had threatened her, the MSNBC host reported on a leak of Trumps 2005 tax return.

Video:

Maddow said, The White House confirmed to us tonight that this return is real. They threatened us and said it is illegal for us to publish it. It is not illegal for us to publish it.

Its true that the unauthorized release of federal tax returns is a criminal offense, however Maddow argued on the air that releasing the tax returns was a matter of public interest, given that every single president has done so since Nixon except for this one, who just so happens to be under scrutiny for his foreign ties. Thus MSNBC was exercising its First Amendment right.

Trump promised to release his tax returns if elected, and then once elected had his surrogates announce that no one cared. Polls disagree with the Trump administrations claims on the matter of his tax returns. Americans think they do matter and they want to see them.

You know you are desperate for ratings when you are willing to violate the law to push a story about two pages of tax returns from over a decade ago and said it was totally illegal to steal and publish tax returns, a statement from the White House charged oddly, given that Rachel Maddows ratings are skyrocketing right now given her coverage of Trumps Russia scandal.

Maddow discussed a 2 page 1040 tax filing said to be Trumps and confirmed by the White House, produced by David Cay Johnston, who noted that it could have been Trump himself who leaked the documents to him because Trump has a habit of doing that.

The Trump White House picked the worst enemy in Rachel Maddow. They seem to have a real feel for making enemies of media outlets  like the New York Times and Washington Post  that will not back down to them.

Rachel Maddow is the last person Donald Trump should want to get into any kind of pissing match with, and if hes looking for a liberal to kick around, an easy foil if you will, he picked the wrong one. Maddow is way, way, way too smart and knowledgeable to be intimidated by Donald Trumps White House.
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Press Secretary Sean Spicer stumbled over his words during the White House press and admitted the truth, Trumps goal on health care isnt to provide health insurance to everyone, but to allow people to buy the insurance, which means that no money equals no insurance.

Video:

.@PressSec tells @CeciliaVega that Pres. Trump's goal is to ensure every American has "a plan that they can afford." https://t.co/GguwDKwMJq pic.twitter.com/BsFF5aCwJi  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 14, 2017

Spicer was asked about Trumps promise to provide healthcare for everyone.

The White House Press Secretary answered, I think the presidents goal is to provide insurance, make insurance available to everybody. Yes. I think that is the goal of this to make sure that every American has access and a choice of an affordable plan that they can buy, and thats not what they have now.

The point of Trumpcare isnt to provide health insurance, but to provide access to health insurance, and the quality of the coverage will depend on what a person can afford to pay. If a person can afford to pay nothing, they will have no insurance. With Trumpcare both ending the Medicaid expansion and cutting federal payments to the program itself, it means millions of children, seniors, people with disabilities and financially struggling Americans will have nowhere to go for their healthcare.

Somebody has to pay for that big tax cut for the wealthy in the Republicans health care bill, and the people who are going pay are those who can least afford to lose their coverage.

Donald Trump doesnt believe that healthcare is a human right, so by design, the Republican health care bill will take coverage away from poor people.

Americans will get the healthcare that they can afford to buy, and if a person cant afford to buy it, they wont have coverage.
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Richard Painter, ethics lawyer for George W. Bush from 05-07 and current vice chairman of CREW, was having none of it when Rachel Maddow revealed Donald Trumps 2005 tax return Tuesday night.

After asking how he could get into Trumps tax bracket, Painter tweeted,

It is marked client copy. It is not the copy filed with the IRS. Did he leak it himself? Lets see 2006-2016https://t.co/KQcPBsxrLd  Richard W. Painter (@RWPUSA) March 15, 2017

You can see for yourself in this closeup:

The problem is that the return revealed by Rachel Maddow were mailed to investigative journalist David Cay Johnston and they were marked client copy. They were not to the copy mailed to the IRS.

Johnston admitted to CNN this morning that he believes it is possible Trump himself sent the return to him:

Journalist who obtained President Trumps 2005 tax return says it is possible the President sent it to him https://t.co/4rh8YhhI4m  CNN (@CNN) March 15, 2017

Donald has a long history of leaking things about himself and doing it directly or indirectly, so its a possibility.

Johnston believed Trump would have reacted with less anger if he had leaked it himself, but CNNs Gloria Borger asked, Is this a conspiracy too far to think that this was something he released himself?

The client copy stamp also had NBC News Brad Jaffy giving a speculative Hmm

Did Trump do it? One the one hand, it appears to hurt him. On the other, Trump is a master manipulator of the media. As well as serving as a distraction, the release would be a way for Donald Trump to head off further speculation about his tax returns.

Having paid 0 income taxes in 1996 and drawing a lot of heat for it, he can now show he did pay income taxes (admittedly, far too little) in 2005, putting an end to speculation that his returns would prove he hasnt been paying any income taxes.

The problem is that while the released return doesnt make Trump look good by any means, it fails to provide a smoking gun because so much is missing from it. As CBS News explained,

CBS MoneyWatch had a heyday, even while noting they needed much more information from elsewhere in the 2005 tax filing to really understand his tax liability completely.

We all saw Trumps hysterical response. The leaked return could be the tip of the iceberg, as some are saying.

However, New York Daily News writer and Young Turks commentator Shaun King points out that,

I absolutely believe Trump released this tax return himself. Anything to distract people from the countless other scandals he's mired in.  Shaun King (@ShaunKing) March 15, 2017

The moment, if it was indeed calculated, also gave Trump the opportunity to freak out, to feign outrage again at the dishonest media for illegally doing what it had a right to do. More political theater from the president.

We may or may not ever find out the truth. Maddow hinted at further tax returns. All this speculation may fall to the wayside if she is able to do as she says and produce another, far more incriminating, tax return from 2006 to 2016.
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Indiana-hating President Donald Trump is going to visit the grave of Indian-hating President Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans and seventh President of the United States. It is the 250th anniversary of Jacksons birth.

As an analysis in The Washington Post explains,

Jackson was a rabble-rousing egalitarian, a war hero, an early American nationalist and ruthless persecutor of indigenous peoples. His legacy matters a great deal to Trump  or, we should say, to a coterie of his close advisers, who styled Trumps unlikely rise in the vein of Jacksons populist insurgency. Like Jacksons populism, were going to build an entirely new political movement, said Stephen K. Bannon, now the White Houses chief strategist, in an interview last November.

Jacksons election in 1828 heralded the end of the aristocratic phase of the American presidency and heralded the advent of the rule of the common man.

It is easy enough to see the appeal of a fake populist like Donald Trump, who hung a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office, even though Jackson was a Democrat at a time when Americas political parties were still forming.

Jackson, like Trump, was rich. As Mary Jordan wrote in The Washington Post in January,

Jacksons mansion includes, according to a tour guide in 19th Century dress, the drawing room where Jackson ushered guests in to brag about himself.

Yes. Its easy to see the appeal.

Ironically, Jackson favored elimination of the Electoral College because it got in the way of simple democracy while Donald Trump is president only thanks to the Electoral College, having lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton.

In his veto message regarding the Bank of the United States, Jackson said, almost as though imagining the future Donald Trump,

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government.

Jackson also said, and this was a chord struck as well by Trump in 2016,

[T]he humble members of society  the farmers, mechanics, and laborers  who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government.

Trump the false populist sold the idea to his base that he would be the champion of those humble members of society, right before he created the richest collection of white men he could find to form his cabinet. right before he proposed making those rich men richer at the expense of those humble members of society.

Donald Trump has a fixation for Jackson that is as false as Jackson himself. When Ishaan Tharoor asks in the Post,

What does it mean, though, to have a Jacksonian president in the 21st century? There has been a lot of commentary on the Trump-Jackson analogy, with some historians deeply opposed to the parallel.

We could argue that Jackson himself was not a Jacksonian president. So said one of his most ardent supporters in the 1830s. David Crockett.

Frontiersman David Crockett, congressman from Tennessee and future defender of the Alamo, was a Jackson man. He said so on every occasion the question came up. But he noticed something about Jackson as time went on, and that was that Jackson had ceased to be:

I thought with him, as he thought before he was President: he has altered his opinion  I have not changed mine. I have not left the principles which led me to support General Jackson: he has left them and me.

According to Crockett, Jackson had become a Van Buren man:

I am yet a Jackson man in principles, but not in name. I shall insist upon it that I am still a Jackson man, but General Jackson is not; he has become a Van Buren man.

Crockett came to fear Jackson might exercise dictatorial power by starting a foreign war, the same fear many today have of Donald Trump.

While Jackson looked to removing friendly Indian tribes to free their land for White settlement, Crockett opposed this act, which led to the infamous Trail of Tears.

He felt sympathy for the poor and oppressed, be they White or Indian. For Crockett, Martin Van Buren was what Steve Bannon is today, the evil genius behind the president.

As historian William C. Davis writes (Three Roads to the Alamo, 1999),

When the Cherokee mounted a challenge to the Indian Bill in the Supreme Court, Jackson forces got up a bill to repeal part of the 1789 Judiciary Act so that the Court would not actually sit on the matter. Such tampering with the basic law of the land, and the balance of power, incensed Crockett.

According to Crockett,

This is what we call going the whole hogg to nullify the whole powar of the Supreme Court of the united states. I do believe it is a political manuver of this adminestration which will destroy the whole powar of the genl government.

When he ran afoul of Jacksons supporters, his tale began to sound a lot like that of Trump critics today, lamenting that he was hunted down like a wild varment.

The truth is the Jackson worshippers became desperate and had to resort to any and everything.

It might be too much to say that Trump has become a Bannon man, but it is also perhaps not entirely false. But Trump is no more who he says he is than Jackson is in Republican myth.

And Trump is at least a great a threat to the Supreme Court as David Crockett imagined Jackson to be, and no less a threat to the whole power of the general government that Trumps own Van Buren, Steve Bannon, has vowed to destroy.
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Donald Trump whines a great deal about imagined persecution from the mainstream media, for example, the other day complaining about the media being rude to his representatives.

One thing, however, the rest of us notice, is that far from persecuting the would-be tyrant, theyre still reluctant to even to report on Donald Trump accurately. For want of a better word, to call a spade a spade; to call Donald Trump a liar.

Guantanamo prosecutor Col. Morris Davis made a point of this reluctance with a Washington Post headline, and remember, it is the Washington Posts new slogan, Democracy Dies in Darkness that is seen as being anti-Trump by the likes of Fox & Friends.

Media still having a hard time using the word "lied." https://t.co/iTipjNpWzi  Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) March 15, 2017

The headline used by WaPo is Sean Spicer is wrong about deductibles under Obamacare.

Sean Spicer was not wrong. The Washington Post is wrong. Because Sean Spicer lied.

There is a difference. The one implies an honest mistake. The other implies knowledge aforethought. Does anyone even at The Washington Post imagine Spicer did not know he was speaking a falsehood?

In the article referenced by Davis, writer Carolyn Johnson does not use the word lied even once.

In another Wonkblog post yesterday, we learn that Trumps budget chief says Obama fudged jobs data. If that were true, hed be able to prove it.

It would be just as easy, and far more accurate, to say Trumps budget chief lies about Obama fudging jobs data. Its not a matter of him being able to prove it. He cant prove it because its a lie.

Democracy dies in darkness. And failure to shine a light on the Trump administrations lies does nothing to illuminate that darkness. Rather, because darkness is an absence of light, it creates it.

We all look to intrepid Trump fact-checker Daniel Dale of the Toronto Star to illuminate Trumps many lies. The Toronto Star maintains Dales growing list of them, after all. Yet the Star boasts headlines like,

Donald Trump said 11 false things in his first major TV interview as president. Its not 11 false things. Its 11 lies. Lets be frank and honest about this. You can say something somebody said without outright saying theyre lying.

A lie is, according to the dictionary, a deliberately false statement whereas false means only not correct, wrong, or invalid. And given the Trump administrations track record  and that of Donald Trump himself  nobody should be under any illusion at this point that all of them are lying.

There are numerous examples. The media also refused to say Trump was lying about his inaugural attendance numbers. The New York Times, another outlet regularly attacked by Trump as fake news, also preferred the word false to lie:

With False Claims, Trump Attacks Media on Turnout and Intelligence Rift was their headline. False claims, yes, but knowingly false, and therefore, more accurately, lies.

This is despite a call by Dan Barry back in January in that same paper to call a lie what it is, that words like falsely or wrongly tend to weaken the impact of what is said. As Barry concluded, words matter.

We see far too little evidence of this belief, however, from mainstream media outlets, and including the Times, who by and large prefer what Barry calls less muscular terminology.

The media has to stop excusing not only Donald Trumps behavior and rhetoric, normalizing both, but it has to start telling the truth about Trumps lies. Trump may well keep himself ignorant  but even when he clearly knows the truth, he prefers to lie.

Rule of thumb: if Trumps lips are moving, hes lying. Lying shamelessly, like when he lied that he would release his tax returns. Or when he lied about not knowing the journalist who revealed his 2005 tax returns on Maddow last night.

Shame on Donald Trump. And shame on the mainstream media for refusing to say so. And dont give us all this grand talk about democracy dying in darkness if youre refusing to turn on your flashlight.
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Its come to this for Republicans charged with defending Donald Trump and his crazy tinfoil claims.

House Intel Chair Devin Nunes went for the Donald Trump uses words but they dont mean anything defense on Wednesday, saying, Are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president is wrong.

Oh, are you?

Are you meanies going to take Trump literally?

Heres the gold, But if youre not going to take the tweets literally and theres a concern that the president has about other people, other surveillance activities looking at him or his associates we want to find that out. I think its all in the interpretation of what you believe.

Literally, Nunes made no sense.

House Intel Chair Devin Nunes: "Are you going to take the tweets literally? And if you are, then clearly the president is wrong."via @MSNBC pic.twitter.com/6inD1Nd89J  Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 15, 2017

Who is going to tell Republicans that the problem is a president has only words with which to communicate with other leaders and so words matter. Yeah, accusing a former President and your predecessor of a crime with no evidence is a problem. It wasnt a joke.

There is no other way to take those claims but literally because language.

Because words.

Because when given chance and chance again to walk it back, the Trump administration fell over itself with Obama is in your microwave conspiracy beliefs to soothe the wild beast inside of the President.

All of Trumps problems are Obamas fault. This is a narrative Trump relies on so heavily that he (inaccurately and falsely) blamed Obama for his own failed Yemen raid.

Accusing a former world leader of a crime with no evidence isnt a matter we should take figuratively. What would that even mean?

The scariest thing here is that this is all real. Donald Trump is this paranoid and obviously unaware of how evidence and facts work. He just makes things up and believes things he reads that make him feel good.

Donald Trump has the red button, so yes, were going to be taking his words literally. Perhaps he might want to start doing the same by thinking before he speaks or tweets.

Nunes said, Its all in the interpretation of what you believe.

Because for Republicans, beliefs are now on par with evidence and facts.

Republicans are doing their very best to defend the indefensible, now resorting to you shouldnt take the president literally but his concerns should be addressed while we ignore his accusations.

Put another way, Republicans will be going on the witchhunt, with your tax dollars, to look for the Obama boogeyman under Trumps bed that we all know does not exist. Is not, if you will, literal.

The Obama boogeyman is in Trumps head, and so Nunes will be having a fine figurative time tracking that down on your dime, while ignoring the Presidents charges.

It should be noted that Republicans do not think Trump owes Obama an apology for this, or the birther fever that drove Trump for eight years. So when they whine about Obama, its more offensive than it even appears on the surface.
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Car companies offered to feed and pay union autoworkers to attend Donald Trumps speech in Detroit, Michigan.

The Detroit Free Press reported, The Detroit Three are offering to bus workers from auto plants across southeast Michigan to President Donald Trumps rally in Ypsilanti on Wednesday  a move that is drawing criticism from at least two union officials who say the president doesnt really support American workers, and that they dont want UAW members to become political props. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and General Motors told workers they will transport them to and from Trumps rally, provide lunch and cover their pay for the day if they miss a shift at their plant. Ford will do the same, but will not cover their pay.

Trump is an anti-union president. The Trumpcare plan would be horrible for autoworkers. Trump keeps talking about building plants and creating manufacturing jobs, but he never discusses pay and benefits. Trump tried to appoint an enemy of labor to be Labor Secretary.

This is not a president who will fight for the rights of workers. Trumps Michigan speech itself was a rehash of the 2016 election and empty promises.

Trump is so unpopular that the auto companies had to bribe workers to attend his speech. To put it mildly, the Trump presidency is not going well.
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Attorney General Jeff Sessions was asked by reporters if he gave Trump any information that Trump Tower was wiretapped during the campaign. He answered by saying, um, no.

Video:

AG Sessions was just asked if he ever gave Trump a reason to believe he was wiretapped. "Um, look, um, answer's no." pic.twitter.com/QUp70g6nIy  Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) March 15, 2017

Here is a transcript of Sessions answer:

Um, no, but I really cant comment on that is another kill shot to an idea that it seems only President Trump believes. When Trumps own Attorney General is telling reporters that he didnt give the President the idea that Obama wiretapped him, it is clear signal that even his own administration is trying to run away from the crazy.

If the DOJ wont investigate the allegation, and Congress has been saying that they will lump it in with other topics they are looking at, President Trump is not going to get the distraction away from the Russia scandal that he deeply desires.

When even his Attorney General pal bails on him, things have taken a major wrong turn for Donald Trump.
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Donald Trumps personal lawyer threatened Joe Scarborough after the MSNBC host suggested that Trump leaked his own tax return to distract from Trumpcare and the Russia scandal.

Scarborough tweeted:

The Trump camp released one positive tax return to distract from Russia hearings and the Trumpcare meltdown. That's painfully obvious. https://t.co/NLBVPJhwg6  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 15, 2017

This one tax return is not bad for him because he cherry picked one return from over a decade ago and had it leaked to the press. https://t.co/P5cMuApGVe  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 15, 2017

Trumps personal attorney tweeted a threat to Scarborough:

This one tax return is not bad for him because he cherry picked one return from over a decade ago and had it leaked to the press. https://t.co/P5cMuApGVe  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 15, 2017

The Morning Joe host reminded Trumps lawyer about that pesky First Amendment:

And by the way "attorney": 1. Read the First Amendment

2. Save your dumb thug routine for someone who gives a damn. https://t.co/EZfiaEq2yp  Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) March 15, 2017

If one buys what Scarborough is selling here, Trump cherry picked a tax return and leaked two pages to the press to distract from the fact that he is going to take health care away from many of the rural and red state voters who supported him. Also, Trump is looking for a distraction on the Russia scandal.

What Scarborough is suggesting makes sense because only the first two pages of the return were leaked, and it was from almost 12 years ago. The more damaging information, if any exists, is will be found in the Presidents more recent returns. Who was the president in business with while he was a candidate? What potential conflicts of interest exist now that he in the White House?

These questions cant be answered by a couple of pages from a 2005 tax return.

The Trump circle doesnt understand how the First Amendment works. Joe Scarborough has a constitutionally protected right to express his opinion about the President Of The United States. Rachel Maddow has a constitutionally protected right to report on Donald Trumps 2005 tax returns.

Threatening the press is a great tactic to motivate journalists to keep digging on a story. People who dont have anything to hide dont threaten reporters.

Joe Scarborough expressed an opinion, but in Trumps America, thats enough to earn a threat from the Presidents lawyer.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Plentiful sunshine. Near record high temperatures. High 81F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph.
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
At the northeastern tip of the Grand Strand lies a hidden sanctuary  an undeveloped maritime forest and beach in an area where nearly every acre of oceanfront land has been converted to condominiums, hotels and residential subdivisions. The soon-to-be designated state heritage preserve is c Read moreCommentary: Saving Waties Island is South Carolina conservation at its best
The oft-told story of a frog perishing in a pot as the water slowly warms and then cooks him is not actually based in fact; the metaphor persists because it describes something that is true: We are less aware of change that occurs gradually than when it happens all at once. Read moreEditorial: Referendums based on slow evolution: Berkeley, Dorchester aren't so rural anymore
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
One morning as the rains moved out, the majestic mountain was unveiled. It was framed in a gold hue from the sun's rays. Ruth, her daughter Karen and those with them stopped to appreciate its beauty.

Ruth Squillace, 77 years old, was standing on the trail in the Solu Khumbu region of the Himalayas. Ruth was looking up at Mount Everest.

She shared this extraordinary moment in 2007 with Karen, other members of the group, guides and Sherpas. Ruth would climb to over 14,000 feet, but at that point realized that she had reached her limit.

Karen climbed farther, reaching the promontory of Kala Pattar at 18,400 feet. Her hard work came with a big reward; an even more extraordinary view of Everest.

Ruth's love for the beautiful Nepal region began when she and her husband, Zanti, took a two-week trek to Nepal and the central Himalayas in 1992. Ruth was a sprightly 62 for that trip. She can still remember the Rhododendron trees in full bloom with beautiful dark red and pink blossoms. In the 1992 expedition, they hiked 130 miles and climbed to an altitude of 12,500 feet.

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An elevated sense

For Ruth and Zanti, it was a unique and intimate experience to share. Their story has been one of love and family. Ruth first met Zanti at Virginia State Junior College in 1950. They both ended up attending the University of Minnesota as well. A cup of coffee one evening was a catalyst moment that led to 64 years of marriage, five children and 10 grandchildren

Ruth thought Zanti was one very handsome young Italian man, and he could play a mean trombone. Ruth would finish her degree in home economics and Zanti would receive a mechanical engineering degree that would eventually land them in Rochester when Zanti went to work for IBM in 1962.

In the '92 trek, Ruth remembers looking at the beautiful Annapurna South and Machapuchare mountains. As breathtaking as they were, they weren't Everest. Ruth had a goal and a dream to return and the next time to see Everest.

In 2007, Ruth realized it was now or never to head back to the Himalayas. Her daughter made the decision to accompany her. Once they signed up for the trek, Zanti helped Ruth train by strapping on loaded backpacks and hiking every steep hill they could find in Rochester. Both Ruth and Karen would spend a couple of weeks preparing by hiking in the Colorado mountains as well.

Two angels

As the trip unfolded in Nepal, Karen told me what a remarkable gift it was to witness her mom accomplish this dream. Ruth's desire and grit were on display. Karen was proud to be standing with her mom during this "once-in-a-lifetime" journey.

Karen said that her mom and dad were remarkable role models and she simply described them as two angels walking on earth. They always looked out for others. Growing up she remembers how hard they both worked and their sacrifices in ensuring all five kids could attend college.

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Former Mount Olive Lutheran Church Pastor Peter Nycklemoe (now at Central Lutheran Church) said to me that the very definition of "gracious people" would be Ruth and Zanti together. Serving and aiding is part of their very existence.

Despite the remarkable scenery of the Himalayas and the Nepal region, Ruth left with a deep love for the people. Both Ruth and Karen described the people as kind and gentle. They worked hard, appreciated much and had little. The women traveled through a number of Nepalese villages. Karen said the people that lived there seemed to carry a grace in their heart.

The trek wasn't easy. They both struggled at times and Ruth had to push herself to the limit of her physical endurance. Ruth had a kind Sherpa near her side and her daughter kept a close eye on her, just a tad behind her on the trails.

'One step at a time'

While still on the trail after accomplishing her goal, Ruth reflected. She wrote that her trek was much like life. Ruth said, "In difficult times, we sometimes feel we cannot go on, yet we must, if only one step at a time." She was thankful that she was encouraged and supported by everyone. Ruth realized how essential it is to stop and appreciate the miracles around us.

Both she and her daughter have kept track of the region since the trip and were saddened by the 2015 earthquake in Nepal that killed nearly 9,000 people. She wondered about the Sherpas, guides and other families she had met.

Today, Ruth and her family's trail is again difficult. Almost daily, she visits Zanti, who is in a memory care facility. Ruth and Zanti's children and grandchildren gather as well on a regular basis to support them both. Ruth's memories are rich.

She will never forget hiking the trail toward Mount Everest. During our lives we are challenged in different ways. We all hope that at some point our view will be spectacular.

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Like on the mountains and difficult trails, Ruth gathers her strength and continues to take one step at a time.
When the Rochester Area Keyboard Club first organized, a worker at Bach Music Co. was convinced that it wouldn't last  he thought piano teachers were too independent to work together.

That anecdote has been repeated lately with the teachers, performers and music lovers who belong to the Keyboard Club as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary this Saturday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Rochester.

The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Sons of Norway Piano Competition, with middle-school and high-school students playing works of Scandinavian composers. Immediately afterward will be the Hoffman Senior Awards, a contest for graduating seniors. The competitions are expected to be done by 11:30 a.m.

An honors recital, which includes contest winners and other students chosen by their teachers, is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. The competitions, recital and reception are free and open to the public.

"The Keyboard Club was conceived by teacher Marguerite Hoffman as a means to unify private piano teachers at a time when they were very competitive for business," said Karen Vinje , a longtime member who's one of the organizers of the anniversary celebration. "Over the years we have provided many growth opportunities for both teachers and students."

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David Shaffer-Gottschalk , the Keyboard Club's secretary, agrees. He found camaraderie with the group when he returned to Rochester in 2013 after teaching at Virginia State University for more than 20 years.

"The private music teacher's profession is kind of a lonely thing," he said, adding that Keyboard Club fosters a solidarity with other teachers that helps him grow professionally. And the benefits he receives are passed down to his students.

"One of the reasons why I think it's important is that we have a diversity in styles of teaching, a diversity of the kind of music that's taught by members, and that makes it a worthwhile clearinghouse for teachers to come and share ideas."

The Keyboard Club offers a variety of music instruction that belies its name. Its members not only include piano teachers, but people who offer lessons in voice, violin, guitar, oboe, bassoon, saxophone and flute.

All music teachers, regardless of the instrument they teach, help their students learn the importance of a long-term commitment, Shaffer-Gottschalk said.

"One of things we offer is that reward has a delayed gratification," he said, "which personally I think is so needed in our culture. It's also needed in our young people to be able to realize that this investment of time that I'm putting in isn't going to reap its reward tomorrow. It's going to reap its reward if I stick with it over a long period of time."

Curtis Baum, a 2015 recipient of the Hoffman Award, echoes that belief.

"For me, the reward is spread out over a long time," Baum said. "It's not often working toward a definite goal, it's a constant reward over the little things. I can see the results of a long string of days of practice."

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Now a sophomore at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Baum said his music training has taught him discipline, but the value goes beyond that.

"As a music major, and also as a lifelong musician, there is a constant need to practice, but my time at the piano also keeps me sane as I navigate daily life," Baum said. "Training in music forces me to know myself and what I am capable of, whether or not to spend another hour practicing until the buildings close, or acknowledge that my mind needs to rest. Making music with others is also a very relational art. My experiences in choirs, orchestra, and accompanying vocalists or instrumentalists have taught me to listen, follow, and communicate with others in ways that carry over into broader life."

Shaffer-Gottschalk said music teachers make a greater contribution to culture than any sociologist could measure. While it's evident when we listen to a musician perform, he thinks about the influence a teacher had on someone who entered another field.

"I would love to see a survey of the highest-functioning doctors at Mayo and see how many of them are amateur musicians or were highly proficient musicians in their day, even if they're not doing it anymore," he said. "I think that would be a very interesting statistic. These are the people who are making scientific contributions. I wonder with all of their degrees and everything, have they stopped to credit their music teacher?"

They can on Saturday.
Home. The place you go at the end of the long work or school day to spend time with your family and relax.

A simple Google search of the word "home" brings up approximately 25 definitions! Home means something different to each person. If you think about the word "home," what comes to your mind?

It's interesting to think about how the word "home" has developed and changed meaning over time. The first recorded definition of home is "the place where one lives." Today, it has become something so much more than that. Home is where your heart wants to be. Home is where you have a support system; somewhere that you can always go whenever you need something.

As I prepare to leave for college in the fall, I've been thinking more and more about the word "home." I always say that I can't wait to call the University of Minnesota "home" someday, but I'm beginning to think more about what that entails.

Although high school was an amazing experience that taught me so much about myself and others, I am ready for the next chapter. But do I have to call college "home"? By calling it "home," am I leaving behind the home that I've known for my entire life in Southeast Minnesota?

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I've been asking myself this question and I've come to an answer that sort of makes sense to me, although I am still figuring it out.

Just because I'm starting a new chapter in my life, doesn't mean I must leave behind everything I've known before that. In fact, I don't want to leave all of that behind. I want to remember the memories, the people, the opportunities and things that I experienced. My life before college doesn't have to disappear just because I'm starting something new.

Yes, college is going to be my new home. Yes, I am going to make many new friends and experience so many new things that I've never even dreamed of.

But if there's one thing I know, it's that I will never ever forget high school. I will never forget about my life before college because it is the first place that I've ever called home.

Think about what home means to you. Figure that out for yourself, because once you do, I promise that you will never want to let go of your "home."
Bond has been set at a half-million dollars for a man who was convicted in 2010 of attempted second-degree intentional murder and is now charged in an armed robbery.

Emanuel Chol Alfred, 24, of Rochester, was arrested Saturday afternoon at 6520 Clarkia Drive NW; he was charged Monday with two counts of aid/abet first-degree aggravated robbery, one count of aid/abet second-degree assault and one count of aid/abet threats of violence, all felonies. He also faces one count of misdemeanor fifth-degree assault.

He's due back in Olmsted County District Court on March 27.

The case began early Friday in the 4900 block of 19th Avenue Northwest, where a group of people were partying and gambling on "beer pong."

One of the party-goers, a 23-year-old man, left about $160 in cash on a table; after turning away for a moment, he saw that someone had taken the money. The others refused to say who took it, the complaint says, and he became angry, calling them names and demanding the money be returned.

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Alfred came up behind the victim, put his arm around his neck and pulled the man to the ground, the report says, then held him down while he and the others kicked and punched the victim in the stomach, back and head.

Another suspect  who has been identified but not located  grabbed a semi-automatic rifle from another room, pointed it at the victim and asked, "should we shoot him?"

The group then held the man down and went through his pockets, taking about $400 in cash, court documents say.

The victim was made to strip so the others could make sure he wasn't wearing a "wire" or other recording device, the complaint says, then was allowed to dress and leave.

Alfred was 16 when he was arrested for his role in a December 2009 shooting, court records show.

He and three other teens were originally charged in juvenile court; prosecutors asked that they be tried as adults.

The four were accused of going to an apartment in the 1500 block of Third Avenue Northeast shortly after midnight on Dec. 13 to collect money allegedly owed for drugs.

Authorities say a 47-year-old man who was visiting his friends jumped in front of a 20-year-old woman to protect her when gunfire erupted. The man was shot once in the left elbow and once in the left ankle.

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Alfred was sentenced in March 2010 to 130 months in prison, stayed for 20 years, and 22 days in jail with credit for 22 days served.

He was also convicted in 2016 of misdemeanor fifth-degree assault for his role in a February 2015 assault in a downtown Rochester parking ramp. Alfred was sentenced to 90 days in jail in that case.
A Rochester man made his first appearance Monday in Olmsted County District Court, where he's been accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

Antonio Desean Howard, 36, faces one count each of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and third-degree criminal sexual conduct, both felonies. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court March 27.

The charges come from an alleged incident Aug. 29, when Rochester police were called to an assault between Howard and another man. During the investigation, a woman told officers that the incident may have been related to a sexual assault that had occurred early that morning, the complaint says.

She didn't know much about it, but referred the officer to a friend of the alleged victim, who confirmed the allegation.

The next day, an officer contacted the victim, who had gone to a local hospital for a sexual assault exam. The exam indicated cervical bleeding, a medical report says.

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The woman said when she got home about 11:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Howard was sitting in a chair in her bedroom, "which was unusual," smoking a synthetic marijuana cigarette, court documents say. Later, he crawled into bed with her, waking her when he dropped a cigarette on her. He tried to pull her shorts down, the report says, but she told him not to touch her.

The woman went to the bathroom, then returned and sat in the bedroom chair. Howard soon left the bedroom, so the woman went back to bed. He returned and began to smoke synthetic marijuana again, the complaint says, and once again got into the bed and began pulling at the woman's shorts.

He put his hand around her throat and pushed her head into the pillow, "making it hard to talk or breathe," the documents say, and pulled her shorts off.

The victim was crying and telling Howard "no," the complaint says, but Howard didn't stop the sexual assault.

When questioned, Howard reportedly acknowledged the two had had sex, but claimed it was consensual.

He was charged in the original assault call with one count each of third- and fifth-degree assault, both felonies. Howard has pleaded not guilty in that case.
A La Crosse, Wis.-based accounting firm is preparing to compound its interest in Rochester by building a new 10,133-square-foot office complex here.

Hawkins Ash CPAsis gearing up to build a 10,133-square-foot, elbow-shaped building, just north of the parking lot of Think Mutual Bank's headquarters, at 5200 Members Parkway NW.

The Med City's TLS Cos.has been chosen to lead the Hawkins Ash project with CRW Groupof Rochester designing the building.

While no one at Hawkins Ash's Rochester office was available to discuss it Tuesday, it looks as if construction will begin in the spring.

Hawkins Ash, which has eight offices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, has its Rochester location in the Olmsted National Bankat 975 34th Ave. NW. The Wisconsin firm entered this market in 2013, when Wolter & Raakwas absorbed by Hawkins Ash, along with its Rochester and Winona offices.

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Wolter & Raak first opened its doors in the Med City in 2006, soon after the bank complex was built.

This Hawkins Ash project appears to be the first of five proposed new commercial buildings to be constructed in four phases around Think's West Circle Drive campus. A development plan created by CRW and Minneapolis-based WSBwas submitted to the city planners last summer. That plan shows substantial change to the area.

Phase II includes an 8,700-square-foot building and a 7,200 building, both for "office use," on either side of the Phase I.

An L-shaped, 25,000-square-foot building for "Restaurant, retail and/office uses" is shown being constructed behind the nearby bank branch as "Phase III."

The final phase of the proposed development plan shows a 10,000- to 60,000-square-foot building to be built along West Circle Drive, just south of the Think Bank headquarters.

Think Mutual Bank says it is selling the property to a developer, but declined to name them.
PRESTON  Fillmore County's feedlot program scored well in its compliance with state standards, according to a report from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

In the MPCA's report, the county satisfactorily met 19.5 out of a possible 20 of its non-inspection minimum program requirements.

In addition, the county satisfactorily conducted 74 inspections of the 737 registered feedlots, for an inspection rate of 10.04 percent.

Since 1995, the Minnesota Legislature appropriated funding to support county feedlot programs. Reviews of annual county feedlot officer reports from a previous year's performance are considered a significant portion of the grant evaluation process from the MPCA.

From the review, Fillmore County performed well in 2016. This would secure additional funding in conjunction with its appropriated funding to support the county feedlot program, said Commissioner Duane Bakke.

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Back in 2001, southeast Minnesota had around 3,500 feedlots that needed to be "fixed," according to the MPCA. Simply put, it meant bringing feedlots up to compliance with standards in place at the state level.

For 2017, it's projected that the region still has between 300 to 500 feedlots that still fall short of meeting regulations. "Fixes might just mean a multitude of different things like," Bakke said. "It still shows that since then there has been progress."

Fillmore County Feedlot Officer Mike Frauenkron said he was pleased with the county's assessment in the report.

"More people are definitely understanding more about feedlot compliance as well as about the feedlot program," he said. "Everything has gotten more routine."
PLAINVIEW  The Plainview-Elgin-Millville School Board voted Monday on the "decision of termination in lieu of alternate disciplinary action" of a teacher the board voted to terminate in December.

Because the decision is a reaction to a settlement between the teacher and the school district, P-E-M Superintendent Bill Ihrke said he cannot confirm the name of the teacher, but a petition on the website Change.org, started by P-E-M graduate Megan Dahling, indicates that teacher is Scott Kromminga.

Kromminga, a history teacher, was let go after he used an expletive in front of students in the classroom, according to the online petition. The conversation was recorded on a student's cell phone.

An apology letter from the teacher read at Monday's meeting admits the teacher "used language and behaved in such a way that I am ashamed." The letter also indicates that a previous incident occurred, and the teacher had been given a directive regarding his behavior from that incident.

Furthermore, when questioned about the more recent incident, the teacher did not take responsibility for his actions.

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"I have taken many steps and made many changes that affect my life both personally and professionally," the letter states. "Those words or actions will not be something that I will let into my classroom or life ever again."

Dahling's petition, which had amassed 1,170 supporters and was delivered to the board, said Kromminga was a 19-year veteran of the district. An update Monday from Dahling declared victory. "Mr. Kromminga will be returning to his position with PEM at the start of the next school year," she wrote. "An agreement was recently reached with the district after Mr. Kromminga and his family kept fighting."

Irhke said the reversed decision comes with a disciplinary action, namely a 30-day unpaid suspension effective immediately. "He's been on administrative leave," Ihrke said, not verifying who "He" is. "We reached a compromise settlement."

The terms of that settlement include not being able to confirm the identity of the teacher let go and brought back, he said.

While the vote Monday  a 6-1 vote, with board member Stacy Fox casting the no vote  brings the teacher back; whether he returns to the classroom has yet to be determined, Ihrke said.
ST. PAUL  Gov. Mark Dayton said Tuesday that congressional Republicans' plan to replace the Affordable Care Act would reduce health insurance access and increase costs in Minnesota, citing state estimates that the replacement's changes to Medicaid funding could trigger more than $2 billion in lost federal funding by 2018.

The Democratic governor's critique comes on the heels of a recent federal estimate that 14 million people would lose insurance coverage in the first year under Republicans' health care bill  a sum that may grow to 24 million in the following decade. Democrats and conservative Republicans alike have criticized the plan.

In Minnesota, state officials largely have focused on the bill's effects to Medicaid, the program for low-income residents that drastically was expanded  and funded  by President Barack Obama's health care law. More than 900,000 Minnesota residents are covered on Medical Assistance, the state's name for the program.

An analysis by the state's Department of Human Services suggests they would lose more than $2 billion by 2018, triggering cuts to services for seniors, children and adults with disabilities. By 2030, the federal government's funding for Medicaid in Minnesota would be down by more than $4.3 billion per year. Meanwhile, the proposed federal changes would entirely eliminate MinnesotaCare, the state's supplemental program for working poor residents that covers about 90,000.

"This would put coverage at risk for 1.2 million Minnesota seniors, children and people with disabilities," Dayton said in a statement on Tuesday. "Changes are needed, at both the state and federal level, to make health care more affordable and accessible to Minnesotans, not less."

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Minnesota has struggled with rising premiums and instability in the individual market, where shoppers who aren't covered by employers or on public programs can buy insurance. After several years of steady rate increases, premiums jumped by as much as 67 percent for 2017 as insurance companies considered leaving the market altogether.

Dayton has proposed creating a public health care option to allow all residents to buy into MinnesotaCare. But the Republicans who control the Legislature are advancing a new $400 million reinsurance program to help hold rising costs down by covering insurers' heavy losses from expensive medical claims.
MINNEAPOLIS  Environmentalists say Republicans who control the Minnesota Legislature and their allies are pressing a slate of bills that add up to bad news for the environment.

Those bills include one to eliminate the state Environmental Quality Board. Another would create new ways to challenge environmental regulations. Others would weaken one of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton's signature environmental accomplishments, a law requiring buffer strips of vegetation between farm fields and waterways to trap pollutants.

"This is the week where all the policy bills are going to get hashed out," said Aaron Klemz, spokesman for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.

The GOP controls both the House and Senate for the first time since 2012. That's given Republicans new opportunities for advancing legislation, and they're hoping to use this session to push back against what they say is overregulation and governmental overreach.

Their majority in the Senate is only seat, and the governor can veto any bill he thinks goes too far.

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The bill to eliminate the quality board came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. It's already passed five committees in the two chambers and faces a sixth today. The board is made up of nine agency heads and five citizens. Its duties include coordinating state agencies on environmental issues and creating opportunities for the public to be involved, such as the Minnesota Environmental Congress it organized last month.

The board probably was a good idea when it was created 44 years ago, but it's now "duplicative and redundant," said Tony Kwilas, director of environmental policy for the Chamber. State agencies give ample opportunity for public input, he said, and if a governor wants more coordination among agencies on a particular issue, he can just order it.

But Klemz said the board provides a "critical function" for dealing with environmental issues across agency lines and as a place where citizens still can weigh in.

"I've always supported the theory that if it ain't broke, don't fix it ... and I don't believe the Environmental Quality Board is broken at all," Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson, who chairs the board, said at a recent hearing.

The bill on challenges to environmental rules is backed by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. It would allow new ways to force reviews of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency decisions. The Senate's version also would suspend until 2019 water quality standards adopted in 2014 that require some local governments to upgrade or replace their wastewater treatment facilities.

Several measures seek to change the 2015 buffer strips law, which is unpopular among farm groups. The Department of Natural Resources has said those several measures could weaken protections for more than 48,000 miles of streams and ditches. One version already awaits a Senate floor vote.

But Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, who chairs the Senate environment policy committee, said she's not sure what lawmakers ultimately will decide to do about buffers.

"At the end of the day, it has to be something the governor will sign, and it has to be something that makes sense," Ruud said.

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Some legislation that environmentalists hoped to enact this session already has been defeated. Agricultural committees in both the House and Senate last week stripped provisions from their main policy bills that would have given the state authority to regulate seed coatings that use neonicotinoid insecticides, a proposal Dayton made last August to protect bees and other pollinators.

But some ideas that environmentalists support are making headway. Ruud is sponsoring the Senate's main overall environmental policy bill, which gets a hearing today. It includes a proposal Dayton made at the quality board congress for a nonbinding goal of improving water quality by 25 percent by 2025.
We wrote here (per Eliana Johnson) about White House pushback against the selection of Anne Patterson for the position of undersecretary of defense for policy. As ambassador to Egypt in the Obama administration, Patterson strongly backed Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood government.

Im happy to report (per the Washington Post) that Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has withdrawn Patterson as his choice for the Pentagon policy post. Mattis did so after Senators Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton, two key members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, expressed strong opposition to Pattersons selection.

In reporting this news, Karen DeYoung makes no effort to hide her disappointment. Her article contains a spirited defense of the Muslim Brotherhood, which she describes as a longtime target of the U.S. far right.

The Muslim Brotherhood is the progenitor of the Islamic terrorism that hit us on 9/11. As recently as 2010, its leader declared:

Arab and Muslim regimes are betraying their people by failing to confront the Muslims real enemies, not only Israel but also the United States. Waging jihad against both of these infidels is a commandment of Allah that cannot be disregarded. . . . All Muslims are required by their religion to fight.

Yet, DeYoung tries to pass the Brotherhood off as a widespread, loosely organized religious and social movement across the Arab world. Nice try.

But even if the Brotherhood were the Muslim equivalent of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Pattersons closeness with Morsi puts her at odds with the current Egyptian government. And her decided tilt towards the PLO puts her at odds with Israel. Being at odds with two key regional allies  as President Trump views the situation  made Patterson a bad choice for the top policy position at the Defense Department.

Secretary Mattis seems determined to fill at least one top position with a member of the center-left foreign policy establishment. Reportedly, he wanted Michelle Flournoy, who served under President Obama, to be deputy secretary. She is said to have withdraw from consideration after meeting with White House officials.

I dont view Mattis desire as objectionable. There should be room in the administration for diverse vocies.

But Michelle Flournoy and the center-left foreign policy establishment is one thing. Anne Patterson would have been another.
I have written about how congressional Republicans are subscribing to the view that key parts of Obamacare cannot be repealed through reconciliation  i.e., without 60 votes. This view  reflected in the House replacement legislation  holds that the GOP cannot repeal the price-hiking, competition-destroying regulations that form the core of Obamacare because the parliamentarian, pursuant to the Byrd Rule, wont allow such repeal through the budget reconciliation process.

I call this the parliamentarian dodge. By embracing it, congressional Republicans put themselves in an untenable position. Without overturning the Obamacare regs, Republicans cannot repeal Obamacare, as they repeatedly promised to do, without seeing rising insurance premiums and, very likely, a death spiral for which they will be held responsible.

But Republicans need not put themselves in this box. The view that Obamacare regulations cant be repealed through reconciliation is highly debatable. As I said here, the regs in question are part of a single, integrated Obamacare scheme. It is the scheme, not each and every element of it, that must pass the Byrd Rule test for what can be done through reconciliation by having a budget effect  and surely it does.

In addition, I noted (per Daniel Horowitz) that the current repeal bill being pushed by Speaker Ryan repeals certain Obamacare regulations. This undercuts any claim that the Byrd Rule precludes repealing Obamacare regs.

Yesterday, in his interview with Hugh Hewitt, Sen. Tom Cotton pushed back against the parliamentarian dodge. He told Hugh:

I think we should take a bolder stance about the number of those regulations that can be included inside this [reconcilation] process, because those regulations clearly have a huge budgetary impact. They are driving up the price of premiums by billions and billions of dollars in the aggregate, which means taxpayers are paying billions and billions of dollars in the aggregate on the individual market and through the Obamacare subsidies. So rather than pick and choose, and say we think this regulation fits within the Senate rules, or we think that one does not, we should take a bolder view. We should make that case, and we should proceed on that manner. I simply dont understand why the House bill has tried to repeal. . .some of the regulations of Obamacare. It modifies some of the other regulations, although it doesnt repeal them, and then it leaves others in place on the grounds that they cant be touched through this process. I dont see why that is a consistent view. I think we need to just focus on the entire regulatory scheme that has driven up premiums for so many Americans, and therefore has cost billions and billions of dollars to the taxpayers, which is perfectly suitable for the reconciliation process.

Exactly.

A ruling by the Senate parliamentarian can be rejected without a super-majority. Thus, Republicans have the power to dodge the parliamentarian. They also have a principled argument for doing so.

This is the only exit from the trap the GOP finds itself in. Sen. Cotton has pointed the way.
Nigerian telecom consumers spent a $6.6 billion in 2016, Umar Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said.

Mr. Danbatta disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during the launching of the NCC Year of Consumer.

He said that in 2015, the Nigerian telecom consumers spent $5.6 billion.

Thats why todays event is remarkable. More remarkable is that the year 2017 is dedicated to the Nigerian Telecom Consumer, he said.

He said that NCC intends to inform and educate consumers with the aim of protecting and empowering them to make the right decisions.

He said a robust media programme would accompany the initiatives in this campaign through the year providing unique and timely information to all.

That is why in 2017, and I dare say and even beyond, the consumer will be our focus.

The NCC is mandated to monitor the quality of service and ensure it conforms to acceptable standard.

A management decision that compelled us to seek to amplify our activities toward ensuring that the consumer enjoys a customer experience that is enhanced and consistent in time and quality.

We must remember that these consumers together have made all the success stories speak about in the telecom industry today, he said.

According to him, the event is remarkable because the Nigeria Telecom Consumer is centre stage.

As part of the launch, the commission unveiled Ali Nuhu, an actor and producer popularly known as King of Kannywood of Hausa movies, and Helen Paul, a broadcaster and stand-up comedian, as the Face of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer.

The Ministry of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, said the ministry was working on formulating policies frameworks and guidelines on protecting ICT consumers.

Mr. Shittu said the government had actively engaged key stakeholders working to ensure quality of service and consumer right.

Our goal is to fully balance between consumer rights and right to privacy.

Also to facilitating inter-Governmental Consultations on ICT matters to avoid unnecessary disparities in developmental structures and standards in Nigeria.

Government is also working to create digital awareness with the objective of increasing the capacity, confidence and trust Nigerians have in digital lives.

ICTs are invaluable to the process of governance, business, education, health among others, he said.

Mr. Shittu said the government was increasing its adoption of ICT to provide better response to the citizens demands and improve service delivery to make administration more efficient.

I am delighted to be invited to be part of the celebration of the flagging off of the NCC 2017 year of the consumer.

This is timely in view of the fact that the date coincided with the Wold Consumer Right Day (WCRD) celebration.

(NAN)

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International oil companies and promoters of new deep-water projects in Nigeria must henceforth deliver Nigerian content milestones that would exceed in-country integration of floating, production, storage and offloading, FPSO, platforms by Total Nigerias Egina Deepwater project.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Simbi Wabote, said the Egina project has come to represent the benchmark other operators in the industry would have to beat in projects execution.

Mr. Wambote said the project, which would be integrated at the LADOL Free Trade Zone in Lagos, has become the standard bearer for Nigerian content on deep-water projects.

The Executive Secretary spoke in Lagos after inspecting facilities of Samsung Heavy Industries, the main contractor for the engineering, procurement, construction and installation contract of the FPSO scope on the Egina project.

In-country integration of the FPSO and fabrication of six modules of the vessel, Mr. Wambote said, created 5,000 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs so far.

Increased domiciliation of future FPSO projects through the fabrication of more modules, he said, would create additional jobs, estimated to reach 30,000.

He said the Board would continue to implement the Nigerian Content Act, saying new projects must look at doing FPSO integration and more and add something to the achievements so far.

Six modules of the Egina FPSO were fabricated in-country across some yards whereas 12 modules were welded at Samsungs base, Geoje, South Korea, affirming that more modules must be fabricated locally for next FPSO.

Mr. Wabote, who expressed delight with the level of investment and the utilisation of local workforce in the execution of contracts, described the project as an example of possibilities.

He assuring that the board would continue to work with industry interest groups to develop new projects and domicile more work in-country.

In his presentation, the Chief Operating Officer, SHI Nigeria, Frank Ejizu, explained that the quay side was ready to receive the FPSO, noting that the tracks have been certified.

Dwelling on the workforce, Mr. Ejizu said that 364 Nigerian welders have been qualified and awarded international certifications, that would enable them work anywhere in the world.

Earlier, the NCDMB boss had visited the facilities of Dover Engineering, JC International and Thompson and Grace Limited, all located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He explained that his visits to oil and gas facilities across the country were aimed at assessing capacities and confirming that Nigerian companies have firm footing in their areas of operations.

Information gathered from the visits, he explained, would be used during tenders and in planning for capacity development.

He also promised to enlighten international oil companies and project promoters on existing in-country capacities and ensure their utilization during projects.

At Dover Engineering, Mr. Wabote equally noted that experts in offshore designs, FSPO designs and detailed engineering were in high demand and engineering companies must develop strategies to retain them so their competences would not be lost.

He commended the company for forming a consortium with other engineering firms to deliver major projects, charging other service companies to emulate the model.

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Uganda acknowledged on Wednesday that its security forces killed more than 100 people in an assault on a tribal leaders palace in 2016.

The country revised the death toll upwards by dozens, but denied a rights groups accusation that children were among the dead.

Security forces killed scores of people in November when they stormed the palace of Charles Wesley Mumbere, a tribal leader of the Bakonzo people, who was later accused of leading a secessionist movement.

The palace was torched and Mumbere was detained along with dozens of his guards.

He and some of the guards have since been charged with treason, murder, terrorism and other offences, allegations they deny. Mumbere is free on bail.

Officials had previously said 62 people died in the assault, but government spokesperson, Ofwondo Opondo, now says that 103 people had been killed.

However, he denied the findings of a new report by Human Rights Watch that the death toll was even higher, at least 155, including 15 children between the ages of 3 and 14.

Human Rights Watch found evidence, including accounts by confidential sources and medical personnel who witnessed the events that security officials misrepresented the number of people killed and eliminated evidence of the childrens deaths.

A report released earlier on Wednesday by the New York-based watchdog noted that the children were last seen in the palace compound, according to their families.

The accounts of violence worse than previously reported could raise concern among Ugandas Western allies.

The United States and Britain help fund Ugandan security forces and see the country as a reliable bulwark against militant Islam in East Africa despite frequent complaints of abuses by state forces.

In a statement responding to the Human Rights Watch report, Opondo denied children were killed.

There is no evidence to back this falsehood, he said.

The population of the area near the palace, in the foothills of Mt Rwenzori in western Uganda, favours the opposition.

Ugandas veteran leader, President Yoweri Museveni lost to his rival, Kizza Besigye, there in the last polls in February 2016.

Mr. Museveni, 72, has been in power for more than three decades, and his critics accuse his government of deliberately stoking violence in the region as retribution for its residents rejection of the ruling party, a charge the government denies.

A group of Ugandan legislators have petitioned the Hague based International Criminal Court to investigate the violence that one lawmaker accused the security forces of committing which is crimes against humanity.

Opondo ruled out an international investigation since the attack is the subject of an ongoing criminal trial.

(Reuters/NAN)

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Scores of Ogun State doctors under the banner of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, on Wednesday occupied the governors office in Abeokuta to protest the unfulfilled promises Governor Ibikunle Amosun made to the health sector.

The doctors carried placards with inscriptions such as We need standard healthcare sector, Fulfil your promise of quality healthcare, Doctors are dying of work overload, and Governor Amosun Bring back our Interns and Health NYSC health workers.

The protesters waited at the gate for the governor, insisting that they would not leave until he addresses them.

They also embarked on solidarity songs, as well as mock medical consultation of patients in front of the governors office

The chairman of the association, Abayomi Olajide, who led his colleagues on the protest, said they took the step to avoid embarking on strike if the government does the needful.

They alleged that the governor has reneged in his electoral promises in the healthcare sector. They listed the areas where the administration has failed as manpower capacity building, recruitment of doctors and other health workers, infrastructural development and provision of adequate welfare for staff.

The gross shortage of medical personnel/health workers in the local government areas and all health institutions under the Hospital Management Board, this portends great danger for the state, Mr. Olajide stated

The Ogun doctors said the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta has more specialists and medical officers than the Ogun State Hospitals Management Board, under whom all the state employed doctors are.

The level of infrastructural decay ranging from old dilapidated structures, obsolete equipment, inadequate security, poor drug supply chains to mention a few. There is no single CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) machine owned by the state. It negates the Ogun standards we all clamour for.

Non-payment of corrected consolidated Medical Salary Scale as obtainable in other South-Western states and federal health institution as a way of stemming the tides of internal brain drain in the state

Non-recruitment of House Officers for the compulsory internship in the last three years but rather taking of such young doctors on supernumerary basis does not speak well of your government. As an extension, NYSC doctors are not being deployed into the state especially our rural areas, the protester said.

However, after about one hour of their protest, the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, attended to the protesters on behalf of the governor, who was not in the office.

He admitted that the state government had failed the health sector and that the protesters have a genuine cause.

He promised that government would improve on the lapses.

We are not where we should be, I agreed with you. Your protest is to draw our attention to what yet to be done. I know almost everything you said are correct, Mr. Adeoluwa said.

On infrastructure decay, it is true. We know there are lot of things to be done in health sector. We dont derive joy in telling lies, but for constraint of cash, we still have some challenges. Give us six weeks we shall look into all these. We want to assure that we are partners.

Mr. Adeoluwa told the protesters that he would deliver their letter to Mr. Amosun

The protesters later took their grievances to the State House of Assembly, but the speaker and his colleagues were not available. The protest letter was received by the Clerk of the House, Olanrewaju Bisiriyu, for onward transmission to the assembly.

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The Nigeria Customs Service has announced the suspension of its new policy on payment of import duties on vehicles.

Customs gave car owners one month to pay duties for their vehicles  for those who had not done so vowing to prosecute defaulters.

The plan sparked controversy as many Nigerians complained about paying for cars that had already found their ways into the country.

The Customs Service initially defied a Senate demand the policy be put on hold, resulting in a standoff between both sides.

But a statement released Wednesday by Customs spokesperson, Joseph Attach, said the plan has been put on hold after a meeting between Customs and the leadership of the National Assembly.

Read the statement below:

MOTOR DUTY PAYMENT PUT ON HOLD

Following the unnecessary tension generated as a result of misconception and misrepresentation of the Nigeria Customs Service planned motor duty payment, the leadership of the National Assembly and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) met with a view to resolving the impasse. They both agreed that the proposed motor duty payment, though in line with the provision of Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C.45, LFN 2004 should be put on hold while the Senate Committee on Customs & Excise interfaces with the NCS for further discussions.

2. While payment of duty on vehicles or indeed any dutiable imported item remains a civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian, NCS Management has directed that the exercise be put on hold while expressing readiness to engage the Senate Committee on further discussions to bring them on board to understand the importance of the exercise to national security and economy.

Signed

Joseph Attah

Ag. Public Relations Officer

For: Comptroller-General of Customs

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The Senate has again rejected the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, after the State Security Service reaffirmed its position that the nominee lacks integrity to lead the countrys anti-corruption agency.

Mr. Magu was rejected on Wednesday, after appearance before the Senate for his confirmation hearing during which Dino Melaye raised the SSS report dated March 14.

In the light of the foregoing, Magu has failed the integrity test and will eventually constitute a liability to the anti-corruption stand of the current government, the SSS report, read by Mr. Melaye, stated.

Although Mr. Magu had answered to the satisfaction of lawmakers earlier questions he was asked, senators challenged his suitability given the report against him by the SSS.

Mr. Magu questioned the credibility of the SSS which he said dispatched two reports on him with varying contents same day.

What do you say about credibility of that agency? he queried.

PREMIUM TIMES had in December reported how the SSS had earlier submitted two contradictory reports, one approving Mr. Magus confirmation and the other asking he be rejected.

The Senate had then rejected Mr. Magus confirmation based on the latter report.

President Muhammadu Buhari in January resubmitted Mr. Magus name to the Senate for confirmation as EFCC chief.

On Wednesday, Mr. Magu said he was never invited by the SSS to defend the allegations against him.

There was no fair hearing, he said.

Facing Mr. Melaye, he said, We were fighting corruption together before you came to this house and turned against us.

Mr. Melaye raised the SSS report after Mr. Magu had answered wide range of questions and it appeared he was going to scale the Senate hurdle.

As if the Senate was staging a drama already well-rehearsed, the body then moved away from seemingly soft questions, leaving the ground for questions relating to the SSS report.

Barnabas Gemade and Abiodun Olujimi, among others, asked Mr. Magu to defend his suitability and explain why he should be confirmed after all these allegations.

The fresh report was basically reaffirmation of the earlier one, containing same allegations that bother on the nominees residence, relationship with Mohammed Umar and past record as head of the EFCCs economic governance unit.

PREMIUM TIMES had fact-checked the SSS report, and found most of the content to be false.

Earlier before the fresh report was raised, Mr. Magu had absolved himself of culpability in respect of the SSS allegations in the earlier report  though he had wanted to dodge the question that he should defend himself.

I would answer but I dont want to say something that will cause bad relationship between sister agencies, said Mr. Magu, explaining he had responded to the allegations in writing.

However, Senate President Bukola Saraki insisted he must answer so that we will be guided.

Then, Mr. Magu said it was true he was reprimanded and detained after official documents were found with him outside office.

If you dont carry official files (to your house), you cant do the work, said Mr. Magu, explaining the nature of his work, heading two offices at the time.

He said after his travail he had been promoted twice.

Also on the allegation that he resides in a house rented for him by Mohammed Umar, a retired air commodore accused of corrupt practices, Mr. Magu said thats not true.

He said his official residence at Maitama was rented for him by the FCT authorities for ease of his work, following intervention of an undisclosed senior official in the presidency.

I was not part of the process and I dont know how much was paid. I dont even know when the rent started or will expire, he said.

The fresh report was brought up nevertheless.

Mr. Magu also told the lawmakers he could not specifically give the actual amount the EFCC had recovered to date.

After the questioning, the Senate President put Mr. Magus confirmation to a voice vote. Majority of the lawmakers said No to his confirmation and the Senate therefore rejected it.

The presidency will now have to decide the next line of action, either to replace Mr. Magu, re-nominate him again or leave him in acting capacity as EFCC chairman.

Read our earlier report here and our story on Magus arrival at the Senate here.

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Some Nigerian lawyers have reacted to the rejection by the Senate for the second time of the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Senate hinged its decision on Wednesday on a letter by the State Security Service, SSS, which reaffirmed its earlier position that Mr. Magu lacks the integrity to lead the anti-corruption agency.

Lawyers accuse the presidency of having a hand in the impasse.

They said although President Muhammadu Buhari has the prerogative to re-nominate the same person again, he has a duty to first put his house in order.

Last December, the Senate through its spokesperson, Abdullahi Sabi, announced that Mr. Magus nomination for the EFCC leadership by President Buhari had been rejected based on available security report.

Lagos-based lawyer and rights activist, Femi Falana, said that the Senate has performed its constitutional duty on the matter.

It is left for the president either to represent the nomination or to ask him to continue in acting capacity by invoking his own power under section 171 of the Nigerian Constitution or appoint another person so that this matter does not in any way distract the anti-corruption crusade.

Its not the first time that names are being rejected. Under Obasanjo, a ministerial nomination was rejected and was re-presented two or three times.

But when you look at the entire scenario, I am of the strong view that the government clearly played into the hands of the Senate. The government didnt handle the matter in a matured manner, apparently. This is the first time in the history of our country that the nomination of the presidency is being shot down by an arm of the presidency.

It is the height of ridicule of the office of the president, Mr. Falana said.

Similarly, Jiti Ogunye, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, said there is no provision in law that says the Senate cannot refuse to confirm a presidential nominee.

This particular refusal is predicated on a so-called security report that says that the nominee does not have integrity. So the questions is; what will the president do? Is the SSS not part of the presidency? Mr. Ogunye queried.

The report actually emanated from the presidency. Go and check the budget, the SSS budget is passed as part of the budget of the presidency. That is how it is categorised. In actual fact and by law, the SSS is constituted basically in terms of leadership by the presidency.

So if you have a president nominating a candidate to head the EFCC with one hand and with another hand saying that the same candidate doesnt have integrity, what do they now want Nigerians to do?

This is the worst dysfunction I have seen in any government in decades in Nigeria. There is no coherence, things are like in a state of flux. On what basis was the presentation made if the president has not put his house in order? They are just subjecting governance and government protocols to ridicule. If I am to be the president of the country, I would be ashamed of myself, Mr. Ogunye said.

Another lawyer, Nzube Akunne, stated, With a clear look at the Constitution, section 154 and section 2[3] of the EFCC Act, it is crystal clear that the president can only appoint on the confirmation of the Senate.

In line with the foregoing, Im of the candid opinion that upon rejection of the person nominated by the president for the position of the Chairman of EFCC, the president cannot appoint but shall only nominate the person again and again.

This only shows the lacuna in our laws, of which in this case, the only institution that can step in to resolve same is the court to determine whether the confirmation by the Senate was unjustly withheld, pending when the lacuna is filled up by a legislation.

The president can also keep the person in acting capacity whilst he continues to nominate him as the Senate continues to reject him.

Mr. Akunne however stressed that in such a case where there are issues of integrity on the part of a presidential nomination, it is unwarranted for the president to be insisting that someone of questionable integrity be confirmed as the EFCC chief.

EFCC chairperson is appointed for a four-year renewable term.

Mr. Magu has held the office in acting capacity since November 2015 when Ibrahim Lamorde was sacked.

The presidency made the request for Mr. Magus confirmation for the first time in July 2016 through a letter signed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his capacity as acting president when Mr. Buhari traveled abroad for medical treatment.

But it was after one month of seeking the confirmation  and after eight months of holding the office in acting capacity  that the presidency sought security vetting for Mr. Magu.

By standard practice, nominees of the president get security clearance before their names are sent to the National Assembly for confirmation.

Since Mr. Magus nomination did not come with security clearance, the Senate, whose members, including its president, Bukola Saraki, have at different times been investigated by Mr. Magu, approached the SSS for security vetting.

Mr. Magu was rejected in December by the Senate but was re-presented by the Presidency in January.

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A former Vice President and chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, has endowed an education fund for the children of his late aide, Adinoyi-Ojo Onukaba.

Mr. Onukaba, who died on his way back from former President Olusegun Obasanjos 80th birthday celebration was an associate of the former Vice President for over three decades.

He was survived by a wife and four children.

Mr. Abubakar made the announcement through his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, on Tuesday during a condolence visit and Islamic prayer in honour of the late Onukaba.

According to Mr. Ibe, the purpose of the Education Endowment Fund was to support the education of the deceased children up to university level.

His Excellency, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked me to announce to the bereaved Onukaba family that he is setting up an education endowment fund that will serve the need of providing education to the children of late Dr. Adinoyi-Ojo Onukaba up to the university level, Mr. Ibe said.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, said no fewer than 16,000 passengers were transported through the Kaduna International Airport, KIA, within the first five days of its replacing the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, NAIA.

Ibrahim Bwala, Head, Corporate Affairs of FAAN at the Kaduna International Airport, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Kaduna.

This data was recorded within the first five days (March 8 to March 12) when flight operations switched from the NAIA to Kaduna, he said.

NAN reports that flight operations, both domestic and international, shifted to the Kaduna International Airport, following the closure of the Abuja airport for runway repairs that would last six weeks.

Mr. Bwala said that the airport successfully recorded 352 aircraft that landed and departed from both the airports domestic and international terminals within the period.

A breakdown showed that 7,230 passengers on domestic flights from different Nigerian cities, arrived at the Kaduna International Airport, while7, 726 passengers departed through the airport from March 8 to March 12.

According to the records, the airport made 162 landings, while 166 others departed to various destinations within the country through the airport.

According to the data, 878 passengers arrived and departed the airport to Ethiopia and Ghana through Ethiopian Airlines and Arik Air.

A breakdown showed that the two airlines recorded 24 landings and departures within the period.

Meanwhile, the FAAN official said other businesses had fully picked up at the airport, with taxi operators conveying passengers from the airport to their various destinations.

(NAN)

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The University of Ilorin Students Union, has called on the university authority to suspend a lecturer from office for allegedly assaulting the president of the union, Shobowale Lukman.

The call was made in response to the alleged assault of the union president by a lecturer of the university and Sub-Dean of its Faculty of Engineering, T.K Abioye, at the institutions Computer-Based Test, CBT, centre on Monday.

Trouble started on Monday when Mr. Abioye, a lecturer in the department of Mechanical Engineering, allegedly slapped Mr. Shobowale during a CBT exam.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Shobowale had gone to the centre to assist in the co-ordination of the examination process, due to certain logistic issues that had hampered the smooth conduct of the examination at the centre on Thursday, March 2.

While speaking with PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday evening, Mr. Shobowale disclosed that he had made moves to intervene on behalf of some students from the universitys Teaching Hospital, Oke-Oyi, who could not write their examinations after being at the centre for hours.

He explained that on approaching the lecturers in charge of the centre, he was directed to the secretary of the centre, one Mr. Tomori, who was having a discussion with one Mr. Abdulrahaman and the said Mr. Ajiboye.

I stood by the side at an appropriate distance, Mr. Shobowale said, adding that after a while, he indicated his intention to speak with Mr. Tomori, but was greeted with harsh response.

The officials demanded to know whom he was, Mr. Shobowale said, and he identified himself as the students union president. He was, however, asked to move away from the officials.

Mr. Shobowale explained further that after moving away without getting any response from them, he moved closer and explained to them again that he would like to speak with the officials, after which he then moved away from them again.

He, however, said that while discussing with other members of the union afterwards, Mr. Ajiboye approached him, sought to know what they were discussing, then slapped him on the face and proceeded to seize his students identity card.

The incident drew the ire of the students present at the centre, who threatened to go on the rampage. They were, however, implored to exercise patience by the union leaders.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of the university, Kunle Akogun, he confirmed the incident and explained that the university has set up a committee to look into it.

The Vice chancellor has set up a committee to look into the matter and we are awaiting the report of the committee, Mr. Akogun said in a telephone interview Wednesday afternoon.

He, however, noted that the university frowns at such development but it would still want to take action based on thorough investigations.

Definitely, the university frowns at such but we await the report of the committee. The result will be communicated once it is concluded, he told PREMIUM TIMES.

Efforts to speak with Mr. Ajiboye, however, proved abortive as he was not reachable via his telephone line.

Meanwhile, according to a statement released by the students union leadership, which was made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday, the union has called on the university authorities to relieve the lecturer of his position as sub-dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

The statement was signed by Omotosho Damilare, the unions Public Relations Officer, and Mr. Shobowale.

We stand in solidarity with our president and make the following demands, the statement reads in part.

Dr. Ajiboye be relieved of his duties 24 hours from the submission of our official report; Dr. Ajiboye must make a public apology to the president, Com. Shobowale Lukman within 24 hours of this release; He must also apologise to the entire students of the University of Ilorin whose sensibilities have been offended, the unionists said.

(Dr.) Ajiboye must be declared a persona non grata at any examination venue until further notice; he must be relieved of his duties as Sub-dean of the Faculty of Engineering.

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The Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in West Africa, GIABA, an arm of ECOWAS, on Wednesday announced its plans to engage Nigerian religious leaders as whistle blowers.

GIABAs Information Manager in Nigeria, Timothy Melaye, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the organisation would bring together 50 Nigerian religious leaders for that purpose next month.

GIABA, as an ECOWAS institution, is aware that religious leaders in Nigeria do have a great role to play in promoting peace, unity, fight against violence and terrorism, money laundering activities and corruption in the country.

We strongly believe that these religious leaders from the Christian and Muslims communities, with their influence and followership, must be instrumental in all of these issues.

GIABA has, therefore, decided that these religious leaders be made to become whistle blowers for exposing corruption, violence and terrorism financing and money laundering activities across Nigeria, he said.

Mr. Melaye said that his organisation had concluded arrangements for about 50 religious leaders from different denominational churches and Muslim organisations to converge in Kaduna next month.

The GIABA representative in Nigeria said that the conference in Kaduna would provide the appropriate platform for the organisers to further sensitise the selected religious leaders on their roles.

He enjoined religious leaders to always ensure that they thoroughly investigated the sources of money contributed to their churches and mosques by local or international contributors or donors.

As religious leaders, be you Christian or Muslim, it is important that you investigate or seek to know who sent money from where, and ensure that such transferred funds are not meant for arms procurement or terrorism financing.

It is our belief that after this conference in Kaduna, many more of these religious leaders would go back to their followers and really become the agents of change, he added.

(NAN)

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The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has risen in defence of the embattled founder of the Omega Fire Ministry, Johnson Suleman, saying the allegations of adultery against him by a Canada-based Nigerian, Stephanie Otobo, was a product of a high level conspiracy.

Apostle Suleman as he his fondly called, has been embroiled in a sex scandal, following Ms. Otobos allegations that she had sexual relationship with the married, outspoken cleric.

Ms. Otobo has since called for police investigation accusing the cleric of deceptively making her lose a pregnancy she had for him.

Mr. Suleman has consistently denied the allegations, saying it was a witch hunt following his comments against the killing of Christians by herdsmen in Kaduna State.

In a statement on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the Ekiti governor claimed that there was a conspiracy against Mr. Suleiman which was meant to silence his critical and principled voice of truth and dissent in a nation fast becoming a one-party state.

This was the same way they tried to drag the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christians Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye in the mud, Mr. Fayose, a critic of Nigerias ruling All Progressives Congress, said.

The whole world was aghast at how they insulted and ridiculed the highly-revered RCCG General Overseer. But for the outcry from all over the world, they almost bundled out Pastor Adeboye from his position as RCCG General Overseer and could have even arrested the General Overseer of Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo.

I stand by Apostle Suleiman and other men of God being directly or indirectly persecuted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) cabal.

The governor alleged that there were plans to destroy the church by challenging every vocal, principled, and popular Christian cleric one after the other.

He charged the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and other Christian bodies to speak out against the orchestrated attempt to destroy the Church and respected Church leaders in Nigeria.

He also called for the arrest and prosecution of herdsmen involved in killings across the country.

Should it not interest Nigerians and the international community that up till today, none of those herdsmen that killed thousands of Nigerians in Benue, Enugu, Delta, Ogun, Plateau and Kaduna States have been arrested? Fayose said.

Even those arrested in connection with the murder of an Abuja-based female pastor, Eunice Elisha, have been released.

Mr. Fayose said he wondered why all the adultery allegations and blackmail against Mr. Suleman surfaced only after he spoke against the killing of Christians in Southern Kaduna and his subsequent encounter with the State Security Services, SSS.

Anyone who has a case against any man of God should swear an oath, proceed to the law court and face the rigours, rather than engage in media trial and character assassination, which have become the hallmark of this administration, he said.

Mr. Fayose, who has in the past prevented the arrest of Mr. Suleman, also asked his supporters to declare their support for the cleric.

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The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, has arrived the National Assembly complex ahead of his screening as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency by the Senate.

Mr. Magu arrived 10:54 a.m. in company of associates and staff of EFCC.

But Hameed Ali, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, is yet to arrive to brief the Senate on the retrogressive duty payment on vehicles in Nigeria.

The Customs on Wednesday morning said it has suspended the payment.

Mr. Magu was asked to appear before the Senate 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

However, the Senate started Wednesdays session after 11 a.m.

Mr. Alis hearing is the first on the Senates order paper for Wednesday, after which the confirmation hearing of Mr. Magu follows.

The Customs boss sparred with Senate on Tuesday, before he made a surprise visit to Senate President Bukola Saraki Tuesday evening.

Mr. Magu was re-nominated by Mr. Buhari this year, after the Senate rejected his earlier nomination late last year citing security report from the State Security Service.

Details later

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Six students of the University of Lagos, Unilag, who allegedly gang-raped a 17-year-old female colleague, were on Wednesday granted reprieve by a Surulere Chief Magistrates Court in Lagos.

They were released on a N6 million bail.

The accused  Simeon Omowole, 18; Randy Chukka, 17; Samuel Oyefara, 18; Peter Adeboyega, 17; Chuka Chukwu, 19; and Peace Nwakanma, 18 (a female)  pleaded not guilty to a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape and sexual harassment.

The prosecutor, Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the offences were committed sometime in January at High-Rise, University of Lagos.

She alleged that that the accused with another man still at large conspired and raped a 17-year-old fellow student (name withheld).

Ms. Osayande said that Ms. Nwakanma, the only female among the accused persons, was the one that lured the girl to where she was raped.

The six students sexually harassed the girl with video clips in order to intimidate her.

They all had sexual intercourse with the 17-year-old without her consent, she said.

The offences contravened Sections 137, 140, 260 (2), 264 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015 (revised).

The Chief Magistrate, A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum.



Mrs. Ipaye-Nwachukwu said one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused, while the second surety should be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14.

She also directed the sureties to provide evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The magistrate adjourned the case to May 18 pending advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions.

(NAN)

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The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says helicopters are now free to fly in and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

Mr. Sirika made this known while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, had on Monday announced the ban on helicopter services in Abuja.

The minister, however, said the office of the National Security Adviser has already modified its earlier directive banning the helicopters from the NAIA.

On the helicopter issue the National Security Adviser has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by Mr President to advise the President on National security matters. Within his wisdom, he had earlier on sent out letters banning the helicopters operation into the airport, Mr. Sirika said.

But the National Security Adviser announced earlier this morning that helicopters will of course continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever, then the procedure that they will use to approach the airport under landing spot will be advised accordingly before the end of today, which means that helicopters can come into Abuja and out bearing in mind that within the metropolitan city of Abuja, there are no-fly zones and this is very normal in every country.

They have areas where there are no-fly zones but the National Security Adviser this morning approved that helicopters should enter Abuja airport in and out, but the procedures in which helicopters should enter into Abuja and the spot which the helicopters will land will be advised in due course and it shall be before the end of today, he said.

The minister further revealed that Nigeria would provide alternative flights to London and other European countries if the British Airways and other foreign airlines continue to reject Kaduna airport during the six weeks closure of NAIA.

According to him, Nigerian officials are still in talks with the foreign airlines, including British Airways to patronise Kaduna International airport.

The minister reassured that everything needed for safety and reliability in Kaduna airport had been provided, saying that there is no need for any airline to refuse to do business in Kaduna.

Mr. Sirika noted that the Ethiopian Airlines had agreed to fly into Kaduna airport and is coming with its sophisticated aircraft to do business.

He announced that arrangements have reached advanced stage by a private airline to run Kaduna-London and other international routes every day, so as not to disrupt the businesses of those that had been flying the routes.

(NAN)

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The House of Representatives has urged the military to desist from destroying illegal refineries in the country and adopt a global and a more standard system of dealing with it.

The lawmakers made the call on Wednesday after adopting a motion by Chidi Wihioka (Rivers-APC) on the need to address the menace of hazardous soot causing panic in Port Harcourt.

In the motion, Mr. Wihioka said that burning of the illegal refineries was partly responsible for the soot challenge.

Mr. Wihioka said soot could cause a wide array of health challenges to humans.

In his contribution, Deputy Speaker of the House, Yussuf Lasun, said that burning illegal refineries was not a solution to the problems in the coastal areas.

Mr. Lasun said that no Nigerian had complained that the petrol, kerosene, diesel and other products from the illegal refineries were inferior to the imported products.

He said it was high time the government sat with the operators of the illegal refineries to develop modalities for standardising them.

According to him, if the technology is developed, local companies could independently take over the oil sector without depending on foreigners.

Mr. Lasun said that a country could develop either through agriculture, technology transfer or development of local technology.

After the debate and adoption of the motion, the legislators urged the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Federal Ministry of Health to constitute an emergency team of experts to identify the source of the soot and propose remedy.

They asked the ministries to create awareness on the effect of the soot, adding that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) should offer first aid measures to the people.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, mandated the Committees on Environment and Habitat and Healthcare Services to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks.

(NAN)

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The United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF, said on Wednesday at least 50,000 malnourished children are in dire need of food and medical care in Borno State.

The international aid agency said it would be scaling up its intervention for malnourished children in the state.

UNICEF said it is presently caring for 12,000 children per month, but with the number of severely malnourished children increasing by the day, it is targeting about 48,000 to be provided with food and medical care every month.

UNICEFs Deputy Executive Director of Programmes, Omar Abdi, told PREMIUM TIMES in an interview that the agency was worried by the rising number of famished children in the conflict zone.

He said urgent steps must be taken to provide help for them in order to secure their lives.

Mr. Omar, who had led a UNICEF delegation to Maiduguri, said they were in Borno state to see the situation of the affected children and to talk to all stakeholders in the humanitarian business.

This region, particularly the Northeast Nigeria has been affected by protracted conflict and a massive displacement that resulted in people not being able to do their farming for several years and hence facing food security, he said.

Last year, the government issued food security emergency that affected nearly five million people in this region and asked humanitarian organisations globally to respond and come to support Nigerian government.

As UNICEF, we have been seriously concerned with the situation of children as a result of the conflict here.

We estimate that nearly 50,000 children are severely malnourished as a result of food insecurity. We have scaled up our programmes, we have been working with other partners and supporting government efforts.

So far we have scaled up our response of the nutrition community that have reached 12,000 children that are severely malnourished per month and we need to quadruple that number in order to reach those children that are severely malnourished.

Children that are severely malnourished, if they are not treated quickly, risk dying, not only for malnutrition, but also of other diseases like diarrhoea and malaria.

We are equally being concerned about the protection of children that have been affected by the war.

We have been concerned about their education that have been disrupted even though government has brought back nearly two million in the school. But there is still one third of kids that are out of school. And those that are in school require supplies, they are studying in overcrowded classes, so they need space and learning materials as well.

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The father of 14-year-old Junior Secondary School female student whose eye was damaged by her teachers whip has cried for justice and assistance for her medical treatment.

The right eye of Ralia Suleiman, a JSS3 student and the deputy head girl of the Government Junior Secondary School, Kachia, was hit and damaged when her teacher allegedly used a horsewhip embedded with iron pellets to beat her.

Her father, Suleiman Umar Kachia, a farmer in Kachia, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, narrated the incident on Monday to PREMIUM TIMES at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna where she is receiving treatment.

Mr. Suleiman said the teacher, Moses Auta, who doubles as the schools discipline master, on February 23 used a koboko with several iron balls tied to it to beat his daughter.

In the process, the cane hit her right eye and destroyed it, the man said.

I reported the case to Kachia Police Division. He (the teacher) took her to Kachia General Hospital, where we were referred to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.

The National Eye Centre said her eye lens has been destroyed and she cannot see from the eye. The only treatment they gave was to adjust the eyeball from falling into her skull and to stop the bleeding, he said.

Mr. Suleiman, however, said experts at a private eye clinic in Kaduna, Thelish Eye Clinic, said they can restore the eyesight, but they demanded a deposit of N1million.

Where do I raise N1million? Even if I will sell my house and the whole of my harvest, it cant be up to that amount. It is even my relations that are paying the bill for the National Eye Centre treatment now.

I am appealing to the Kaduna State Governor, the police and other relevant agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to please come to our aid.

We are also seeking justice for the unjust treatment by the teacher who purposefully rendered my daughter one eyed and is roaming about freely as if nothing happened, he added.

Miss Ralia, her right eye covered with cotton wool while narrating the incident, told PREMIUM TIMES that the teacher, who also teaches Basic Technology, had on the fateful day called 20 of them, including the Head Girl, to meet him in the schools laboratory.

He ordered all of us to roll on the dusty bare floor of the laboratory, and started beating each of us with the cane attached with iron balls.

I told him I was sick and had injuries on my back, but he insisted on beating me until the cane hit me on my right eye and blood started gushing out of it. Other students started shouting, but he didnt stop until a female teacher rushed in and stopped him.

Even other teachers in the school have been complaining about the way he has been indiscriminately beating and injuring students, Miss Ralia stated.

The doctor said I will never see from the eye again, unless I am taken abroad for proper medical attention.

I am missing school because of our frequent visits to hospital for follow up, she said, with tears oozing from her left eye.

The police spokesperson Kaduna State Command, Aliyu Usman, an assistant superintendent, confirmed the incident.

The case was reported at Kachia Police Division and is currently under investigation, Mr. Usman said.

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The West African Examination Council, WAEC, has indicted 121 Schools in Kano over allegations of examination malpractice in 2016.

The council issued letters of warning to 97 of the schools and banned 24 others as venues for its examinations.

The Council has also called on authorities in the state to check the worrisome development of examination malpractice, which it explained may affect WEAC results of students in Kano.

The Director, Kano Educational Resources Department, KERD, Garba Gombe, disclosed this during a consultative meeting in Kano.

He said recent statistics have shown that examination malpractice is a very serious issue in the state.

Mr. Gombe warned at the meeting with WAEC, principals, proprietors of private and public schools in Kano that the problem should be given urgent attention.

He said no fewer than 97 schools had received warning letters, while 24 were derecognized by the examination body due to examination malpractice last year.

In a speech during the meeting organized by WAEC, the branch controller of the council for Kano, Zubairu Ayodele, said WAEC would henceforth release results within 60 days after the examinations.

Mr. Ayodele further disclosed that WAEC certificates would now be available for collection annually.

He explained the new examination procedures and innovations adopted by the Council were designed to safeguard the credibility of the examinations.

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The Kebbi Government has set up a committee to investigate the recent clash between farmers and herdsmen in the Aljannare district of Suru Local Government Area.

Lawali Muhammad, the acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin-Kebbi on Wednesday.

Mr. Muhammad warned both parties to abide by the laws and adopt dialogue in efforts to settle their disputes.

He said that farmers and herdsmen should see themselves as members of the same family, stressing that crops cultivation and livestock breeding were different forms of farming.

He expressed dismay at the level of damage during the clash, saying that the government would take appropriate measures to prevent the re-occurrence of such lawlessness in any part of the state in future.

Mr. said both farmers and herdsmen had been contributing to the socio-economic development of the state, urging both parties to desist from using violence to settle disputes.

He urged the farmers and herdsmen to embrace peace and toe the path of dialogue, describing peace as a necessary tool for any meaningful progress and development of the society.

(NAN)

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Despite the efforts of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to mediate in the crisis rocking the state house of assembly, a faction of the house has maintained that the impeachment of the speaker and other principal officers is sacrosanct.

The 13-member faction led by Malachi Coker, said the meetings with the governor and the efforts to resolve the crisis would not change the position already taken by the group in removing the speaker, Jumoke Akindele, and her principal officers.

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on the phone on Tuesday, Iroju Ogundeji, a leading member of the Coker faction, said the impeachment remained sacrosanct..

He explained there was a case of fraud on the part of Ms. Akindele and others who were accused of withdrawing about N15 million from the coffers of the assembly without due process.

Mr. Ogundeji said no truce had been reached with the Jumoke Akindele group, even though there were reports that she had withdrawn a case in court challenging her impeachment.

He said the former speaker, went to court to challenge her impeachment and by the rule of the house, she remains suspended until the matter was dispensed with in favour or against the complainant.

According to Mr. Ogundeji, a committee of the house is currently investigating the impeached speaker, noting that if found guilty, she would be sanctioned, but if innocent, her impeachment could be commuted to resignation.

On the efforts of the governor to resolve the crisis, he said the legislature is an independent arm of the government which should not be subservient to the executive.

Another member of his group, Sunday Olajide, also told PREMIUM TIMES that nothing much has changed, since the discussions started on resolving the crisis.

He noted that he heard of the withdrawal of the court case by Ms. Akindele, but discussions would continue.

For now nothing much has changed, we are still discussing, hoping that the problem will be resolved very soon, Mr. Olajide said.

However, the Akindele group is optimistic that the matter would be resolved with the intervention of Mr. Akeredolu.

The House chairman on Information, Siji Akindiose, told PREMIUM TIMES that his faction was committed to resolving the matter, and the efforts had led to the withdrawal of the case to challenge the impeachment from the court.

Mr. Akindiose noted that further meetings were expected with the governor who is currently not in Akure.

The case has been withdrawn from the court following the meetings and persuasions from the governor, Mr. Akindiose said.

Discussions will continue and I hope that very soon the issues will be resolved.

Mr. Akeredolu had earlier refused to back any of the sides, recommending that a political solution be adopted to resolve the crisis in the house.

He held meetings with the factions separately, and had planned to meet both factions together to fashion out a lasting truce between the factions.

Meanwhile, the police in Ondo beefed up security at the assembly complex on Tuesday after information filtered in that one of the factions was making attempt to conduct a siting in the house.

Both factions however, denied that they had any plans to sit on Tuesday, saying the rumour was untrue.

The police spokesperson, Femi Joseph, disclosed that the police intervention was strictly to ensure peace not to stop anyone from functioning within the assembly complex.

Our men went there today to preserve peace, Mr. Joseph said. Police did not prevent anybody from entering the place.

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The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu, has identified inefficient leadership as the major challenge retarding the growth and development of Nigeria after 56 years of independence.

Mr. Ribadu, who delivered the convocation lecture of the 11th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, in Anambra State on Wednesday, also stated that the nation had grappled with challenges of mutual suspicion and ethnic jingoism, which he said had deprived the people of reason, fairness and sense of justice.

Speaking on the topic, Leadership and Challenges of National Unity in Nigeria, Mr. Ribadu highlighted the hypocrisy of leaders who pretend unity in the open, but fan the embers of disunity behind the scenes.

We laugh and hug in public and plot against each other when we retire to our ethno-religious enclaves, he said.

Once in a while, this mistrust finds grotesque expression among our people as we witness bloodbaths premeditated by ethno-religious contempt for each other.

According to him, development is low in almost all parts of the country and there appears to be nothing to be proud of in almost all spheres aside cases of personal achievements of resilient citizens.

He said basic amenities were lacking, while Issues that other nations had long taken care of were still hard for Nigeria.

Nigeria still ranks poor in many development indices while the menace of corruption is threatening to choke the country to death due to the excessive stealing of our resources by some handlers of our affairs, he said.

Clearly, our challenges of nationhood are linked to the inadequacies of some of our leaders at all levels. Yet, another compelling argument explaining our developmental backwardness is failure by citizens to take ownership of their country.

A lot of us, to quote late Chief Bola Ige, prefer to adopt a siddonlook attitude in the affairs of our nation. Therefore, addressing the leadership question without tackling the absence of this fundamental emotional investment in the country, would not be enough answer to our challenges.

He quipped that while other countries were afflicted by natural disasters, Nigerias own disaster is leadership failure, noting that the metaphor might be exaggerated, yet it is certainly not too far from the truth.

We have burned out decades of self-rule moving in circles from one problem to the other, often caused by poor leadership challenges, Mr. Ribadu lamented.

This leadership inadequacy has contributed in compounding a number of our problems, from widening the parochial divisions among the citizens to active participation in plundering our patrimony.

What we missed at independence and for most of the years that followed is a true national leader with a clear determination and focus to unify the country.

Having such a unifying person would have been one big leap because it would have taken care of the most central challenges of our country.

Mr. Ribadu argued that leadership was key to whatever social change is desired, while advocating a top-bottom approach to solving societal problems.

It is the leader that charts and navigates the way for the flock to follow and it is the leaders action, inaction and body language that dictate the tunes for the dance steps of the public, he submitted.

As I have noted before, if a leader eschews corruption, it will be difficult for those below him to indulge in such practice; and if the leader is deep neck in it, it becomes a free-for-all.

Mr. Ribadu rejected the notion that Nigeria is an artificial creation, arguing that the nation would benefit more from its ethno-religious diversity, as homogenous countries such as Somalia and South Sudan had proved wrong the idea that the nation would be better if the people were of a less diverse state.

He said the challenges of a diverse society like Nigeria have not been confronted in a way that is enduring and holistic, saying the situation raised the question of effective leadership.

The leader of the Nigerian renaissance must therefore be strong, tough, and inclusive in his or her own capacity, he said.

He or she must not be an opportunist who grows on the back of citizens to entrench a regime of dictatorship that weakens our institutions and in turn end up annulling our democracy and its values of freedom.

Mr. Ribadu, while offering his opinion on the way forward, noted that the nation needed a paradigm shift in governance that would urgently tackle the alarming inequality in the country as well as the mass poverty and misery it nurtures.

This really is the ticking time bomb that is about to unravel our common destiny, and our collective future, he said. History is rich of great civilizations and nations who ignore to address the social compact and ended up in regret.

If we have a society of one religion, one ethnicity but ignore to address the ravaging threat of inequality and poverty, the outcome will be worse than Somalia, more so in a diverse society like ours.

He said attempts at continuous tinkering with the national architecture through policies like state creation and micro-ethnicity will not get Nigeria to the promise land.

The truth is that the minute after a new state is created, the agitation for smaller unit is triggered, he said.

Breaking states into small entities have not helped much in this country. Agitations that triggered the formation of new states have largely remained in the entities created.

According to Mr. Ribadu, the answer to the problem is to invest heavily in social justice; political justice; and in the promotion of a regime of freedom as broadly as possible.

He recommended that the country should celebrate shared experiences, connections and togetherness, which, he said, far outweigh the differences among the people, while resisting the influences of hate mongers who might be politicians or religious leaders.

This approach should include investment in law and order to ensure that there is zero tolerance for violence and hate speech, he submitted.

On the other side, fairness and justice should not be only notional abstracts, it should be seen to be on display through every action of the state and our individual leaders.

He called for the strengthening of unity schools and the NYSC scheme as a way to building more bridges across nationalities and sustaining existing ones.

The demography in our universities should also as much as possible reflect our ethno-cultural diversities, Mr. Ribadu advised.

 I am sad to note how our universities are becoming increasingly provincial in terms of students and teachers population, thereby ending up producing narrow-minded graduates.

It is therefore right to say that what the country needs is honest and modern leadership that would be a rallying point for citizens, one that can tame the consuming tides of corruption and evolve creative solutions to our myriad of problems.

It is my belief that firm and sincere leadership is the precursor for industrious and patriotic followership.

This will enhance national development and bring an end to current mutual mistrust that is shaking the foundation of our nation.

Managing Nigerias diversity in the context of justice and fairness is a pathway to progress. If we address these existential and leadership challenges, we are more than half-way into addressing all our problems.

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"Let's remember that big global firms (...) have not grown from large companies. They grew from small garage firms set up by friends", President Andrzej Duda said at a meeting of Polish start-up companies in the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

"If we want to build our own innovative economy, if we want to manufacture highly-processed products in Poland in the future, ones that will place us at the level of the world's most developed countries, we need to invest in just these elements, and the most important of them is the human factor", the president said.

Andrzej Duda said that only one in ten start-up firms could turn out successful but stressed that this small percentage determined whether the economy was a developed one and whether the country was a European and world leader.

In this context, the president mentioned the need for the government to ensure favourable conditions for newly-formed companies. According to president it is necessary to join "start up" with "scale up", which is a programme of adjusting innovative concepts to appropriate scale.

The president also encouraged entrepreneurs to show investment courage, create start-ups and mobilise young people by offering them support and conditions for development. (PAP)
Because artist Elise Bond frequently felt lesser as a woman in what she believes is primarily a mans field, she focused her latest series on classic Hollywood movie stars on the women of that era.

Im a lover of old movies  the glamour and the costumes and the settings and the style, Bond says. I saw pictures of old movie stars and something about them really captured me  really grabbed me.

So I started researching different ladies starting with the 1920s. My plan was to do a women-through-the-ages series  a woman from each decade. But I havent really gotten past the 30s and 40s because theyre so awesome.

So far, Bond has completed four of classic Hollywoods leading ladies: Renee Adoree, a French-born silent film star active from 1918 to 1930; Marion Davies, a comedienne active from 1914 to 1937 who was perhaps best known as the mistress of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst; Hedy Lamarr, once touted the most beautiful woman in film; and Ingrid Bergman, most known for her role as Isla in Casablanca. A fifth portrait of the exquisitely stunning Ava Gardner is presently in the works.

The coolest part (of this series) is getting to know them. I started to really research the history. They were strong, brave, compassionate people, says Bond, whose work on these actresses will be on display among other artists works 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts during Millvilles Third Friday celebration. Unfortunately a lot were miscast because of their looks. But it didnt stop them.

Bond had been a public school teachers assistant from 2010 to 2015, teaching art through different mediums.

Wedding professionals flock to annual Wildwoods Spring Bridal Fair The stress of planning a wedding has lead many a couple to fantasize about eloping. When one

It was so cool and so touching, especially because so many of these kids suffered in other subjects, but thrived here (in art), she says. I thought, thats great, then thats what their journey should be.

School cutbacks in art coincided with a fall off a boat that caused Bond a serious injury. She looked at the fall as a blessing.

It was as if angels pushed me, says Bond almost literally, as she believes the resulting injury caused her to seriously rethink her career choice, pushing her to officially become a full-time artist one month ago.

This was when she started her movie star series, the primary intention of which is to highlight women in the arts.

Its a topic that seems to be overshadowed.

Each movie star is carefully chosen by Bond for their back stories, as well as their striking looks. She paints each as more than just colorful portraits. In fact, Bond purposely leaves the figures themselves sepia toned because it feels vintage, while the background and eyes are colored brightly.

I looked through pictures of period wall coverings, craftsman doors, stained glass windows (for the backgrounds). Its like piecing a puzzle together  putting the right background with the right person, she says. Marion Davies felt soft and feminine, so I found a curly, floral pattern and it worked for her. For Ava, her background is very Art Deco with arches and everything. It will be a bugger to paint.

Through this series, it feels like I have had an invitation into the souls of these women, she continues. I wanted to give the viewer a window into their souls, too. And once I painted the eyes, I could see into them. It brought them to life.

Admittedly, the series has been special for Bond, who previously created a series on dancers that only hit certain people.

This (series) has hit a lot of people, primarily women  which is who Im trying to hit, says Bond, who has at least a dozen more movie star portraits in the making. Theres too much complaining these days. My feelings are, if you are unhappy about something then do something positive to encourage change.

Im a big advocate for art awareness  I want viewers to be captured by the people that I paint. I try to do things to create awareness that art matters.
School districts that participate in the states free public school choice program also would like to accept students who pay tuition as long as a state cap on choice enrollment remains in effect.

Robert Garguilo, chairman of the board of the New Jersey Interdistrict Public School Choice Association, said the group is asking the Department of Education to change state regulations.

The group also is talking to state Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, about sponsoring legislation to modify the current law, which prohibits choice districts from also accepting tuition students.

Started as a pilot program in 2000 with just one choice district per county, the Legislature expanded the program in 2010 to allow more students to attend approved public schools outside their hometowns. The state provides extra state aid for each choice student, currently about $55 million per year for about 5,500 students.

West Cape May loses school choice complaint Two small school districts have lost their fight to lift the cap on the states popular Publ

The program grew so fast that in 2013 the state limited enrollment and capped increases at 5 percent per year over concerns about the growing cost. Districts can also replace students who graduate or leave. This year there are 129 districts in the program.

Garguilo, who is interim superintendent in Estell Manor, a choice district, said the district has more applicants than he is allowed to take under the choice program.

Students are chosen through a lottery process, but some parents whose children did not get accepted have said they would be willing to pay tuition.

Nonchoice districts are allowed to charge tuition and accept students from other towns. Tuition districts can set their own tuition and enrollment limits.

Both the Avalon and Stone Harbor school districts have accepted tuition students since 2006, said Superintendent Stacey Tracy, who supervises both districts. The tiny shore districts started with grades K-4, then expanded to K-8 a few years later.

School funding likely flat next year, but could change in 100 days Despite meetings, hearings and legislative angst, it appears New Jerseys school districts w

Tracy said tuition enrollment makes up almost half of the total population, which was about 120 students in both districts in 2015-16. They charge $2,800 per year, with discounts for additional children in the same family.

Northfield also takes tuition students and has two this year, Superintendent Pete Bretones said. This year, the tuition is $6,000 for the first child and $4,000 for a second child.

Garguilo, who testified at a hearing on school funding in Hammonton, said they believe not allowing choice districts to also accept tuition students discriminates against the districts and parents who want their child to attend a choice school.

Im not saying we would get a lot of students, but we could get a few, he said. We do have parents who want it.

School officials in choice districts said they would support the change but have concerns.

West Cape May Superintendent Fred Savio said allowing tuition students would be a way for choice districts to generate extra revenue and help control property taxes. The district can charge for preschool, which is not included in the choice program.

Middle Township Superintendent David Salvo said he would support allowing districts to accept tuition students up to the number of seats they were originally approved for in the choice program. Middle Township was approved for 29 seats, then got reduced to 17.

I dont think its fair for a choice district that was awarded the maximum amount of seats to be permitted to charge tuition for additional enrollment, he wrote in an email.

Hammonton Superintendent C. Dan Blachford said currently the law allows tuition students to convert to choice students the following year. His concern is whether parents would pay tuition one year as a way to get a guaranteed free choice placement the next year.

School choice interest strong, but state program still capped Mainland Regional High School will accept 31 students from other municipalities in 2017-18. 

This would be unfair to parents that cannot afford to pay tuition, he said.

One option would be to allow tuition students to apply for the choice program the next year but not guarantee enrollment. By law, if more students apply than there are available seats, choice districts must hold lotteries to determine who is admitted.

Lower Cape May Regional Superintendent Chris Kobik supports the concept but worries combining choice and tuition could encourage the state to phase out choice seats.

We have 64 choice students, and the program has helped balance our budget, he said.

Van Drew said he supports the choice program and knows school districts are struggling to balance their budgets. He said he is willing to look at modifying the law and will work with the Choice Association on the wording of a bill to make sure all concerns are addressed.

DOE spokesman David Saenz said the department cannot modify the regulations until the law is changed.
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WILDWOOD CREST  A Lower Township man was charged with theft after he stole more than $23,000 worth of jewelry from a vacation home while working for a local painting company, police said.

Joseph Bimbo, 39, of the North Cape May section of the township, was arrested and charged with third-degree theft in the incident, which was reported March 10, police said.

The owners of the vacation home hired a painting company to work at the property in late February and early March, police said.

After returning to the home, the owners noticed jewelry was missing from a bedroom, according to a news release.

An investigation led authorities to Bimbo, who worked for the painting company, police said. He was arrested and charged, but the jewelry has not been recovered.

Bimbo was put in the Cape May County jail pending court proceedings, police said.

In New Jersey, third-degree crimes are punishable by three to five years in state prison.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Jonathan Greene.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo is urging his fellow Republicans to end the debate on climate change.

On Wednesday, LoBiondo, R-2nd, introduced a resolution that calls on lawmakers to accept that climate change is real and that it poses a serious threat to the country. The resolution said lawmakers need to preserve the economy and the environment and base our policy decisions in science and quantifiable facts on the ground.

From the devastation of Superstorm Sandy to being surrounded by rising sea waters on three sides, South Jersey is keenly aware of the precarious environment for which we live, LoBiondo said in a statement. While at times at odds with some of my colleagues, I have long worked to protect the natural treasures of our region and nation for future generations. It is far past time we moved beyond the debate from if our climate is changing  it is  to identifying and promoting solutions to mitigate potentially catastrophic effects.

LoBiondo has had a positive track record with environmental groups. Last year, Environment America, one of the largest environmental lobbying groups in the country, endorsed LoBiondo for re-election over Democrat David Cole.

Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club, said its good to see a Republican stand up against climate change.

Climate change has been a bipartisan issue before, he said, citing President Richard Nixons creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and attempts by President George H.W. Bush to reduce acid rain. Its really just been the last seven or eight years when this has become such a hot partisan issue.
MAYS LANDING  Damon Tyner made history Wednesday morning at the Atlantic County Criminal Court Complex.

Tyner officially left his job as a New Jersey Superior Court judge to become the first black Atlantic County prosecutor. The state Senate confirmed him Monday.

With his family by his side, Tyner, 46, of Egg Harbor Township, raised his right hand and took the oath of office in front of a packed courtroom.

The Atlantic City native attended Holy Spirit High School before getting his undergraduate degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He then earned his law degree at Widener University in Pennsylvania.

I know Damon Tyner as a person of high integrity and great work ethic, which is what you want in a prosecutor, said state Sen. Jim Whelan, who attended the ceremony with Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, Freeholder Earnest Coursey and Senate candidate Colin Bell.

Whelan, D-Atlantic, said hes known Tyner since he was a kid. He called Tyner a conscientious student growing up. The two men ran together for the Assembly in 2005. After finishing third, Tyner ran again in 2011 while Whelan ran for re-election in the state Senate.

Whelan also knew Tyners father, Hank, a former Atlantic City Council president who died in 2012.

Shortly after Tyner took the oath of office, the assistant prosecutors and county investigators were sworn in. Diane Ruberton, who was the countys acting prosecutor, will remain in the office as first deputy assistant prosecutor.

Tyner said some of his top priorities as prosecutor are opioid addiction, gang violence and human trafficking.

Addressing the assistant prosecutors and investigators in the room, Tyner said it is his mission to put them in the best position to do their jobs.

I look forward to working with all of you to make this county healthier and safer for all our families, Tyner said. Lets get to work.
A Virginia man who previously served time for robbing banks to feed a drug addiction was charged in two local bank robberies Wednesday in federal court in Camden.

Bruce Wayne Higgins, 43, of Herndon, is accused of robbing a TD Bank in Ocean City and a Wells Fargo in Atlantic City on Dec. 15 and 16, acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick said in a statement.

Higgins served four years in federal prison after robbing banks in Virginia and Washington, D.C. He was once an IT professional with a six-figure salary, but in 2009, he became hooked on cocaine and heroin and began robbing banks, according to a Washington Post story from that year.

According to court documents, a man walked into the TD Bank in Ocean City and gave a teller a note that read, GUN IN Pocket, MONEY NOW or BANG-. The teller handed him cash and the man fled, but bank surveillance recorded him.

Virginia man charged in Atlantic City bank robbery, wanted for several others A Virginia man with a history of bank robberies and drug abuse was arrested and charged with

A bulletin was issued with his photograph, and police identified the suspect as Higgins, according to court documents.

The next day, a man fitting Higgins description walked into a TD Bank in Atlantic City. A bank employee recognized Higgins from the bulletin and triggered an alarm. Higgins left and got in a taxi. Atlantic City police found the taxi near a Wells Fargo Bank while Higgins was inside allegedly robbing it.

Higgins entered the Wells Fargo and presented a teller with a note that read, Gun in Pocket, Money Now or Bang now. After Higgins took the money and fled the bank, officers arrested him.

Higgins was held at the Atlantic County jail on state charges relating to the bank robberies.

Authorities investigate bank robbery in Ocean City OCEAN CITY  Authorities are investigating a bank robbery at a TD Bank branch Thursday after

Each bank robbery count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
A: Many people are surprised by recent reports that younger Americans rank among the fastest growing segment of the nations population to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. People in their 20s and 30s were found to experience a sharp uptick  by about one to two percent per year  for colon cancer and an even bigger rate increase for rectal cancer. To put that in perspective, about three in 10 new cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed in patients younger than age 55. Thats double the ratio from 30 years ago. To be sure, the findings serve as a wake-up call for Millennials and the Gen-X generation. Although it remains inconclusive as to what is definitively causing early incidence of the disease among younger generations, the case is clear that better public awareness will help protect public health. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 95,000 new cases of colon cancer and nearly 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year. By years end, 50,000 people in the U.S. will die from colorectal cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the third most common and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for cancers affecting both men and women.

A: As with many cancers, early detection, treatment and prevention are the medical trifecta to survive diagnosis. My wife Barbara is a 30-year breast cancer survivor and attributes early detection for saving her life. The month of March is set aside for public health advocates, policymakers and medical professionals to raise public awareness about colon cancer and early screening. It is an important opportunity for education and outreach and to remind Americans to take symptoms seriously. Although not every symptom will translate into a colorectal cancer diagnosis, its better to be safe than sorry. According to the CDC, colorectal cancer typically starts from precancerous polyps, an abnormal growth in the colon or rectum. With early detection, they can be removed before turning into cancer. I encourage Iowans to be your own advocate and talk with your health care provider about this disease. Dont dismiss symptoms, such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or a change in bowel habits. The CDC reports that ones risk for colorectal cancer may be higher for those with a close relative diagnosed with the disease, for those with inflammatory bowel disease, Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. Studies show that early screening can detect colorectal cancer when its still more likely to be curable. And with the recent revelation that colorectal cancer incidence is surging among young Americans, its critical for the word to get out that its never too early to start eating healthier, commit to regular physical activity, keep on top of symptoms and keep up on regular wellness exams and recommended health screenings. Talk with your health care provider about whats right for you. Whether its a diagnostic colonoscopy or other less invasive screening, there are several options for patients and their doctors to consider for colorectal cancer screening. Medicare recently added a stool-based screening test approved by the FDA for eligible patients once every three years. I encourage Iowans to take advantage of National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and take a gut check. In other words, take stock of your colorectal health.
WATERLOO -- Four teenagers were taken into custody after police say they refused to pull over for police, wrecked a car in a train yard and fled on foot early Wednesday.

A 16-year-old boy, two 15-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl, all of Waterloo, were taken into custody after a brief vehicle and foot chase and charged with interference with official acts. They were all then released to their parents.

Waterloo Police believe two others, including the driver of the vehicle, were still at large.

According to police, they tried pulling over a white Chevrolet Tahoe traveling at 47 mph in a 30-mph zone in the 1100 block of Franklin Street just before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

The driver did not stop for police and drove to the 200 block of Nevada Street, where the vehicle became stuck on train tracks in the train yard, according to police.

All six occupants of the vehicle then fled on foot, police said.

Amie Steffeneicher writes for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach her at amie.steffeneicher@wcfcourier.com.
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.




STORM LAKE | A Storm Lake man is facing a pair of child endangerment felony charges after police say he physically abused his two teenage daughters.

Jose Fernandez, 38, was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail Tuesday on two counts of child endangerment causing bodily harm and is being held on $5,000 bond.

According to a Storm Lake Police news release, police received a report around noon Tuesday that between 2:30 a.m. and 5 a.m., Fernandez had physically abused his 15- and 14-year-old daughters by pulling their hair, grabbing and pushing them.

A 7-year-old boy was also present, according to the police, but was not reported to have any injuries.

The 14-year-old was taken to Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, where she was treated for injuries and released.

The Iowa Department of Human Services assisted in the investigation, and all three children have been placed into foster care, according to the release.

Fernandez was arrested without incident.

Ian Richardson writes for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach him at irichardson@siouxcityjournal.com.
MASON CITY | Nearly half of city money that would go toward the Gatehouse Capital hotel proposal will eventually be refunded to the city, a Gatehouse official said Wednesday.

Gatehouse is proposing to build a 100-room hotel in the south parking lot of Southbridge Mall and potentially connect it to The Music Man Square via a skywalk. The company is also proposing to build a conference center and ballroom in The Music Man Square and rebuild the museum.

The city would be required to put up "gap financing" money  the difference between bank financing and owner equity  which city officials estimate to be between $3 million to $3.5 million.

City Administrator Brent Trout has said voters would have to pass a bond issue to fill that requirement.

Gatehouse official David Rachie said the company will pay back that money after 20 years. It is not an additional cost to the city.

The city would have to put up about $4 million toward the remodeling of The Music Man Square and the skywalk.

The total city investment of about $7.5 million (prior to the reimbursement) matches what the city investment would be in a parking ramp that is part of the other hotel proposal the city is considering  from G8 Development.

Proponents of the Gatehouse proposal point out there is no reimbursement in the G8 proposal and, at the end of 20 years, G8 would own the parking structure.

Either project needs $10 million in private investment to qualify for state funding through the Iowa Reinvestment Act. The hotel fulfills that requirement in the G8 proposal.

Rachie said Wednesday preliminary estimates put the total for the Gatehouse project at $15 million. So the project qualifies for the state funding even after subtracting the $3.5 million in city investment.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on which project it wants at its March 21 meeting.
- New Financial Services Subcommittee to Be Formed with Aim of Boosting Awareness of Blockchain Technology among Financial Institutions -

TOKYO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Blockchain Collaborative Consortium (BCCC) was inaugurated on April 25, 2016, with 34 founding member companies. The consortium's Chairman is Yoichiro Hirano, CEO, Infoteria Corporation. Leading companies promoting the use of blockchain technology have also since joined, expanding BCCC membership to the current 109 companies and organizations. A decision was also reached to inaugurate the Financial Services Subcommittee in March 2017. The aim is to boost awareness of blockchain technology among financial institutions, where consideration of the adoption of blockchain technology is rapidly progressing.

- BCCC Member Companies and Organizations Reach 109 in Number:

The BCCC promotes the spread of blockchain technology in Japan. It was inaugurated with objectives that included spreading and building awareness of blockchain technology, promoting its research and development, encouraging related investments, and collaborating with overseas blockchain organizations. When the BCCC was first inaugurated, members consisted primarily of companies that promoted blockchain technology. However, it has since been joined by blockchain user companies that are exploring the use of blockchain technology -- such as financial institutions, manufacturing companies and companies in the service industry -- and system integrators who would apply blockchain technology to the information systems of user companies. With the addition of 75 member companies and organizations, total membership reached 109 as of December 15, 2016. The additions included financial institutions, such as Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, Aozora Bank and Awa Bank, as well as Marubeni, Gurunavi and NCR Japan.

- Financial Services Subcommittee to Be Formed with the Aim of Boosting Awareness of Blockchain Technology among Financial Institutions:

As more companies consider the adoption of blockchain technology, there has been a recent increase in the number of financial institutions joining the BCCC. Many inquiries are also being received every day by the BCCC and member companies. In consideration of these circumstances, a decision was made to inaugurate the Financial Services Subcommittee in March 2017.

While supporting the provision of technology and information that match the needs of financial institutions, the Financial Services Subcommittee will operate as a forum for considering and spreading the application of blockchain technology to financial services operations. Activities that will commence in February will be specialized to the financial services industry to spread the use of blockchain technology as well as building awareness. They will include holding regularly scheduled study sessions, the provision of required information to financial institutions, information-sharing between participating subcommittee members, and the provision of technical advice from BCCC member companies possessing blockchain technology.

- Outline of the Financial Services Subcommittee:

Name: Financial Services Subcommittee of the BCCC Promotion Committee

Subcommittee Chair: Yoshinari Matsuda, President and CEO, Unitedly Co., Ltd.

Date of Inauguration: March 2017

(A briefing was held on January 20 in advance of inauguration)

Purpose: To consider and spread the application of blockchain technology to financial services operations.

Subcommittee Members: Financial services companies, such as banks, securities brokerages and insurance companies; system integrators applying blockchain technology to the information systems of financial institutions; and other members.

Activities: Holding regularly scheduled study sessions and sharing information among subcommittee members. The subcommittee will also carry out activities as a blockchain community specialized in the financial services industry.

- The BCCC Going Forward:

Upon its inauguration, the BCCC announced that it would be calling for participation by companies in a wide range of industries, with the aim of achieving a membership of 100 companies and organizations by December 2016.

With interest in blockchain technology mounting, the BCCC achieved its goal at a faster speed than expected. Furthermore, although the BCCC started as a private organization, its achievements were recognized, and the BCCC was authorized as and became an incorporated foundation on November 29, 2016.

Going forward, the BCCC will also be developing measures and policies through its committees. It will continue hosting Blockchain Daigakko seminars and an educational program for blockchain technology as well as various seminars for the general public, engineers and mass media. Subcommittees specialized in industries and themes are also scheduled to be inaugurated. The BCCC will consider and promote the practical application of blockchain technology in accordance with the needs of various industries and themes.

Photo: Scene from a Blockchain Daigakko seminar, which commenced in August 2016

"Daigakko" means university in Japanese

http://prw.kyodonews.jp/prwfile/release/M104316/201703149876/_prw_PI1fl_Nm7X6YYs.jpg

- About the Blockchain Collaborative Consortium (BCCC):

Blockchain technology is not just at the heart of the FinTech (financial technology) revolution. It is also about to make a significant contribution to the evolution of information systems, irrespective of industries. Japan is on a par with the rest of the world in terms of blockchain technology development and related demonstration experiments. However, the scope of blockchain technology application is limited in the country because achievements and technical information are not being shared. The objective of the BCCC is to contribute to the enhancement of the international competitiveness of Japanese industries as well as the advancement of blockchain technology. Like-minded volunteer members, who firmly believe in the future of blockchain technology, share information with each other, engage in friendly competition to learn from each other, and apply themselves to promoting the spread of and building awareness regarding the technology. They work to expand the scope of blockchain application and support funding in the area of blockchain technology. What is more, the BCCC collaborates with blockchain organizations around the world, and disseminates obtained information in Japan. As a leading country in blockchain technology, expertise and experience nurtured through the BCCC will be presented from Japan to the world.

(BCCC became an incorporated foundation on November 29, 2016.)

To apply for membership in the BCCC or for all other inquiries:

- Webpage for submitting applications: http://bccc.global/ja/application

- Call the BCCC Secretariat (located within Infoteria)

Phone: +81-3-5718-1255 / E-mail: bccc@bccc.global

"BCCC" is currently under application as a registered trademark of the Blockchain Collaborative Consortium.

The names of companies, products, etc., contained in this news release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective organizations.

SOURCE Blockchain Collaborative Consortium
PEORIA, Illinois, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT/Euronext: CATR) informs its stockholders that today, in accordance with Section 16(a) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 6 Forms 4 (the report on Form 4 being a statement of beneficial ownership of its officers, directors and 10% owners) were filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

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

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

CONTACT: Rachel Potts, Corporate Public Affairs, +1-309-675-6892

This is a disclosure announcement from PR Newswire.

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.
NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Every year, the world suffers billions of dollars in economic losses entailing natural calamities or premeditated incidents. Governments from all parts of the world are keeping sizeable wealth as a reserve for dealing with aftermath of such emergency situations. Reimbursing millions among families who lost their members and controlling the property damage by extending redevelopment budgets sounds reasonable, but needs to be carried out effectively. In situations when every penny is worth more than a dollar, organizations are compelled towards a hard-and-fast implementation of efficient crisis, emergency & incident management platforms. Considering the rising incidence of such crisis situations, Persistence Market Research believes that by the end of 2024, around US$ 102 Bn worth of crisis, emergency & incident management platforms will be deployed across the globe.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )



According to its report, titled "Global Market Study on Crisis, Emergency and Incident Management Platforms: North America Anticipated to be the Most Attractive Regional Market During 2016 - 2024 (http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/crisis-emergency-and-incident-management-platforms-market.asp)," Persistence Market Research estimates that till 2016, the global market for crisis, emergency & incident management platforms raked in a little over US$ 68 Bn in revenues. Henceforward till the end of 2024, the market is projected to soar at a steady CAGR of 5.9%.

The report reveals that factors necessitating the adoption of efficient crisis, emergency and incident management platforms include:

Complex challenges occurring in security-related events, and rising threats faced by cyber security taskforce of any organization

Outbreak of genocidal or pandemic diseases in densely-populated regions

Rising number of calculated attacks disguised under religious terrorism

Extensive exploitation of Earth's environment, which further imbalances the natural order

Severe concerns related to dumping industrial, hazardous, and non-decomposable waste that incidentally give rise to natural calamities

Incidents when conventional disaster management regime & counter measures further implicated chaotic situations, and failed to deliver effective & steadfast support

The report predicts that the global market or crisis, emergency & incident management platforms will be fragmented across various systems and platforms. Among which, the demand for web-based emergency management software, geospatial technology, emergency notification system, hazmat technology, seismic warning systems, and remote weather monitoring systems is expected to gain traction throughout the forecast period. These systems are also predicted to be demanding greater incorporation of communication technologies. Through 2024, satellite phone, vehicle-ready gateways, and emergency response radars will be the most dominant type of communication technologies used in working of any crisis, emergency & incident management platform.

A sample of this report is available upon request @ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/14533

Likewise, the report also expects that during the stipulated forecast period, professional services such as consulting and emergency operation center (EOC) design & integration will be in great demand. By the end of 2024, crisis, emergency & incident management platforms will be actively adopted across industry verticals such as BFSI, energy & utility, government & defense, and telecommunication and IT. A regional analysis of the global crisis, emergency and incident management platform market indicates that North America will dominate by accounting for over US$ 36 Bn revenues by 2024-end. Adoption for such platforms will also be high in Asia-Pacific, and the region is expected to showcase a 6% value CAGR.

The Leading providers of crisis, emergency & incident management platforms in the world include Honeywell International, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Motorola Solution, Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc., Siemens AG, Iridium Communication Inc., Guardly, Environmental System Research Institute, Inc., and Intergraph Corporation.

Request to View Online Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/crisis-emergency-and-incident-management-platforms-market/toc

Persistence Market Research Overview

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

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SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
PORTLAND, Oregon and PUNE India, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "Digital Power Management Multi-Channel IC Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014 - 2022," the global digital power management multichannel IC market is expected to reach $35,109 million by 2022 from $11,861 million in 2015, growing at a CAGR of 16.3% from 2016 to 2022.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140911/647229 )



Summary of the Digital Power Management Multi-Channel IC Market Report can be accessed on the website at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/digital-power-management-multi-channel-IC-market

Digital power management multi-channel IC's are vital part of electronic devices which provide power management to internal electronic parts. The global digital power management multi-channel IC market is poised to witness significant growth during the forecast period. In 2015, Asia-Pacific dominated the market and contributed more than 41% of the overall market revenue, followed by North America. Presence of key market players in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific, rapid industrialization, primarily in manufacturing sectors, and increase in demand for high-performance devices have fueled the growth of digital power management multichannel IC market. However, complexity with integration of ICs for wide range of applications is one of the key restraints of the market.

Voltage regulators segment dominated the market, accounting for about 27% of the overall market share in 2015, owing to their increase in requirement for various functions, such as step-up, step-down, and voltage inverting. However, battery management IC segment is expected to register a CAGR of 16.4%, and is projected to demonstrate significant growth during the forecast period due to increased demand for small and low-cost products with a long battery life. Moreover, effective battery management has become increasingly important, as portable applications extend into more industries.

Although, Asia-Pacific contributed toward the maximum revenue share in 2015, North America is expected to show high CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to various factors, including increase in demand for electronic products and numerous government initiatives. Moreover, development in digital power management multichannel IC technologies has fueled the market growth in Asian countries, particularly in China, Japan, and India.

According to Komal Sharma, Research Analyst, Semiconductor & Electronics Research at Allied Market Research, "Digital power management multichannel IC technology is rapidly adopted in semiconductor and electronics sectors. In addition, scalable and distributed power management of this technology is estimated to fuel the market growth in both non-industrial and industrial sectors."

Connect to Research Analyst: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/connect-to-analyst/1938

Asia-Pacific is projected to show highest growth rate throughout the analysis period. The surge in manufacturing industry activities and increased expenditures in Japan and India, to cater to the exponential growth for emerging consumer electronics have boosted the growth. Technological advancements for cost-effective digital power management multichannel IC in these nations offer lucrative opportunity for the market.

Check offers and discount on Digital Power Management Multi-Channel IC Market Report:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/get-discount/1938



KEY FINDINGS OF THE DIGITAL POWER MANAGEMENT MULTI-CHANNEL IC MARKET STUDY:

The consumer electronics application led the overall market revenue in 2015, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.6%.

Automotive application segment is expected to exhibit rapid growth during the forecast period.

In 2015, Asia-Pacific led the global market, however, North America is expected to show the highest CAGR.

led the global market, however, is expected to show the highest CAGR. In 2015, China led the overall Asia-Pacific market with about one-third of the market share.

Key players adopted acquisition and product launch as their prominent strategies to expand their business operations in the emerging countries. The major players profiled in this report include STMicroelectronics N.V. (Switzerland), Texas Instruments Inc. (U.S.), Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (U.S.), Renesas Electronics Corp. (Japan), Analog Devices, Inc. (U.S.), Dialog Semiconductor Plc. (UK), NXP Semiconductors (Netherlands), ON Semiconductor Corporation (U.S.), Qualcomm, Inc. (U.S.), and Linear Technology Corporation (U.S.).

Summary of similar reports can be viewed at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/semiconductor-and-electronics/semiconductors-market-report

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
The deal paves the way for hedging based on the supply and demand dynamics of the Black Sea wheat market

Ameropa AG and Solaris Commodities S.A. are the counterparties in a trade arranged by SCB & Associates.

LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Platts, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets, today announced that its Black Sea Wheat price assessment has been used as the settlement price for the first ever swap contract for Black Sea wheat. The swap was traded between Ameropa AG and Solaris Commodities S.A.

Thierry Bessede, grain trader at Swiss-based trading house, Ameropa AG said: "We're always looking to manage our risks efficiently and this deal structure facilitates hedging in whatever volume and time frame the counterparties agree to and reduces the costs and risks involved in physical trades execution, which makes it a great hedging tool."

Swithun Still, Director at Solaris Commodities S.A., a trader in specializing in Russian grain, also based in Switzerland added: "Solaris trades significant volumes of physical wheat via Novorossisk and can use this product as a hedge for our physical book. This swap settled against Platts' price gives the opportunity to market participants to access this dynamic 12.5% protein Russian wheat market, which is such a benchmark for cash prices worldwide nowadays."

Joachim Emanuelsson, Chief Operating Officer, SCB & Associates said: "SCB Group works hard to develop new hedging tools and markets for our customers worldwide. These swaps are flexible, effective and efficient hedging instruments that allow our clients to avoid the correlation exposure that exists using other methods. Financially settled swaps also allow access to hedging without exposing the trader to the risks and logistical constraints that come with a physical contract."

The swap, which was traded over-the-counter, was brokered by SCB & Associates and will be financially settled against the April average of S&P Global Platts' FOB Black Sea wheat (Russia, 12.5%) price assessment. Wheat with 12.5% protein content is considered the benchmark quality wheat in the Russian and Black Sea market as a whole, as it is the most actively traded. The swap will be settled against the April average of the Platts Black Sea Wheat price assessment. This assessment reflects Black Sea wheat exports, normalized to a standard definition of Russian 12.5% protein, loading on a FOB Novorossiisk basis in 28-42 days.

The Black Sea wheat swap is dollar denominated and is based on Russian milling wheat, loading in Deep Sea ports (FOB) and normalized to Novorossiisk, the value of which is tracked daily by S&P Global Platts on the export market. It comes just five months after a similar cash-settled swap traded for the first time for Australian wheat exports, using the Platts APW wheat price for settlement purposes.

The Black Sea region is a major global wheat trading hub. The region's exports amount for 47.9 million mt in 2015-16 marketing year and are more than twice as much as exports from the United States and 1.4 times more than EU exports. Russian wheat exports accounted for 53% of Black Sea wheat exports and act as a pricing reference for Ukrainian, Romanian and Bulgarian wheat exports to third countries. Black Sea wheat is widely sold across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, and cash prices in this region are increasingly seen as a key bellwether in the global market.

Ian Dudden, Global Content Director, Agriculture, S&P Global Platts said: "this deal is a significant step towards the emergence of a new regional futures market for Black Sea wheat. In spite of its size, this major trading hub does not have a dedicated derivatives market reflecting its own supply and demand dynamics meaning physical market participants wishing to hedge are exposed to significant basis risk when using traditional risk management tools."

S&P Global Platts does not sponsor, endorse, promote or sell third party contracts or financial products.

About S&P Global Platts

At S&P Global Platts, we provide the insights; you make better informed trading and business decisions with confidence. We're the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. Customers in over 150 countries look to our expertise in news, pricing and analytics to deliver greater transparency and efficiency to markets. S&P Global Platts coverage includes oil and gas, power, petrochemicals, metals, agriculture and shipping.

S&P Global Platts is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.platts.com.

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SOURCE S&P Global Platts
Steven Webb in the UK and Hendrik Malan in South Africa have made invaluable contributions to the success of the growth partnership company

LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Global growth partnership and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan announced today the appointment of two new partners.

Steven Webbwho heads the Aerospace, Defence and Security group in Europewas named partner for his dedication, hard work and invaluable contributions to making Frost & Sullivan a success. Based in the firm's London office, he joined Frost & Sullivan 20 years ago and has held sales, research and consulting positions throughout his time at the company.

"Steve is always striving to improve the business, constantly reviewing and coming up with ideas on how to enhance our value proposition and leading from the front in delivering it to clients. His contribution to the company has been phenomenal," said Senior Partner Sarwant Singh.

Hendrik Malan is director of Frost & Sullivan's Africa Operations and is based in Cape Town. He also has been named a partner. Hendrik has been with the company for over 10 years, and his skills and in-depth knowledge of the region have improved growth and client value for the company.

Senior Partner Phil Howarth, who hired Hendrik and worked with him for several years in Africa, commented: "Since joining in 2006, Hendrik has brought a consistent focus on quality and delivery. His skill set won us several early projects, which helped build confidence in investing in Africa. This resulted in us creating the most consistently successful office globally for many years."

These two appointments confirm Frost & Sullivan's commitment to recognising and rewarding loyal employees who are dedicated to growing the company and enhancing relationships with our clients.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, works in collaboration with clients to leverage visionary innovation that addresses 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:

Chiara Carella

Corporate Communications

P: +44 (0) 20 8996 8585

M: +44 (0) 753 301 7689

chiara.carella@frost.com

Twitter: @Frost_Sullivan

Facebook: FrostandSullivan

Linkedin: FrostandSullivan

http://ww2.frost.com

Related Links

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan
DUBLIN, Mar. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global and China Wind Farm O&M Industry Report, 2017-2021" report to their offering.

As the wind power installed capacity grows and the warranty period of a large number of wind turbines is coming to an end, wind farm O&M has become the focus of the industry. In 2016, the global wind farm O&M market size jumped 12% year on year to about USD10.75 billion; in 2021, the size will rise to USD18.612 billion.

China is the world's largest wind farm O&M market, with the market size of about USD2.716 billion and making up 25.3% of the global total in 2016. Given a rising number of wind turbines whose warranty period expires, China's wind farm O&M market size is anticipated to keep an AAGR of 13% during 2017-2021 and hit USD5.021 billion by 2021.

At present, Chinese wind farm O&M market still centers on regular maintenance and breakdown maintenance, which share more than 45% together. With the continuous introduction of new technologies and products, state maintenance will be the main development trend of the future wind farm O&M.



Currently, players in the Chinese wind farm O&M market can be mainly divided into three types: wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers and third-party O&M companies. In 2016, wind farm developers represented by Concord New Energy and Longyuan Power enjoyed the lion's share --74%, followed by wind turbine manufacturers such as Goldwind, Ming Yang Wind Power, United Power and SinovelWind Group with 15% and third-party O&M companies (still a small scale) including EULIKIND, Han Energy Technology and CLCP with 11%.

Additionally, under the impetus of the Internet, big data, intelligent manufacturing and other policies, the major companies have begun to deploy wisdom O&M systems in the past two years. Goldwind launched the integrated digital wisdom wind farm O&M management model in 2016 to serve a number of wind farms around the world with operational services. United Power has built a remote data monitoring center based on the cloud platform in Beijing. Sharing, intelligence and concentration will be the main direction of the future wind farm O&M.

Global and China Wind Farm O&M Industry Report, 2017-2021 focuses on the following:



- Global wind power installed capacity and distribution; China's wind power installed capacity, regional structure, offshore wind power development and corporate structure;

- Global wind farm O&M market size and geographical distribution; development of European wind farm O&M market;

- Chinese wind farm O&M market size, cost analysis and competitive landscape and development trends;

- Operation and development strategies of 18 major global and Chinese wind farm O&M companies.



- The Chinese Version of this Report is Available on Request.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Overview of Wind Farm O&M

1.1 Definition

1.2 Classification



2 Global and Chinese Wind Power Market

2.1 Global Wind Power Market

2.1.1 Wind Power Installed Capacity and Distribution

2.1.2 Germany

2.1.3 Spain

2.1.4 USA

2.1.5 India

2.2 Chinese Wind Power Market

2.2.1 Overview

2.2.2 Installed Capacity and Grid Connection

2.2.3 Offshore Wind Power

2.2.4 Feed-In Tariff

2.2.5 Pattern of Wind Turbine Manufacturers

2.2.6 Pattern of Wind Farm Developers



3 Global Wind Farm O&M Market

3.1 Market Size

3.2 Regional Structure

3.3 Cost Analysis

3.4 European Market

3.4.1 Market Size

3.4.2 Competitive Landscape

3.5 Corporate Pattern



4 Chinese Wind Farm O&M Market

4.1 Development

4.2 Market Size

4.3 Cost Analysis

4.4 Competitive Landscape

4.5 Offshore Wind Farm O&M

4.6 Development Trends

4.6.1 Market Trends

4.6.2 Development of Wisdom O&M



5 Major Global and Chinese Wind Farm O&M Companies



- CLCP

- Concord New Energy

- EULIKIND

- EUM Wind Power Technologies Service (Beijing)

- East Environment Energy

- GE

- Gamesa

- Gideon

- Goldwind

- Han Energy Technology

- Longyuan Power

- Ming Yang Wind Power

- Sharpower

- Siemens

- Sinovel Wind Group

- Suzlon

- United Power

- Vestas

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/dq2lx7/global_and_china

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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SOURCE Research and Markets
MASON CITY | An executive with Gatehouse Capital said Tuesday the Gatehouse hotel/conference center project can be built with little cost to taxpayers and will bring in $40-$60 million in tourist money in the next 10 years.

David Rachie, who oversees public/private partnerships and works out of the company's Minneapolis office, spoke to a crowd of about 70 people at The Music Man Square, the setting that is at the heart of the Gatehouse proposal.

Gatehouse and G8 Development have each submitted proposals for a downtown hotel.

The Gatehouse proposal is to build a 100-room hotel in the south parking lot of Southbridge Mall with a skywalk connecting it to The Music Man Square which will have a conference center with pre-function and post-function space as well as breakrooms.

The conference center would host up to 1,000 people, he said. A ballroom would be built where the museum is now that could handle 600. The museum would be rebuilt elsewhere on the property.

He said the money the city would have to put into the Gatehouse project, about $7.5 million, matches what the city would be putting into the parking ramp in the G8 proposal.

The Streetscape and Reunion Hall would be unchanged.

Rachie said city officials had concerns about an agreement the city has with mall management guaranteeing more than 900 parking places for mall use, in exchange for the mall taking care of snow removal and other maintenance. The proposed hotel would take up some of that parking

Rachie said he has been in contact Michael Kohen, the new mall owner, who assured him there was no problem with the hotel being built in the mall lot.

"I'm not sure we articulated our plan well enough," said Richie.

The G8 plan is to be a hotel in the parking lot west of City Hall. It is part of the city's River City Renaissance project that also includes a music pavilion, parking ramp, mixed-use building and ice arena/multipurpose center.

Residents have petitioned to have a referendum on the ice arena because the city is proposing to build it with up to $18 million in bonds. That election is scheduled for Aug. 1.

Rachie said the Gatehouse proposal does not include an ice arena and he has no interest in building one.

He said there is a 4 percent developer's fee the city would be responsible for but that is included in the overall cost.

City Administrator Brent Trout, who was in the audience, said two bond issues would be required with the Gatehouse proposal. One of for "mezzanine financing"  often called "gap financing"  which fills a financing gap between an owner's equity and bank financing. The city estimates that could be $3-$3.5 million.

The other is for the building of the skyway, museum and convention center, which were not included in the application for state funding.

Trout said the bond issues would be required. "That's not me, that's the state," he said.

Rachie said if all details can be worked out, he would hope to have construction under way by the end of the year.
DUBLIN, Mar. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Semiconductor Chip Packaging Market 2017-2021" report to their offering.

The global semiconductor chip packaging market to grow at a CAGR of 31.1% during the period 2017-2021.

Global Semiconductor Chip Packaging Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.



The growth in the applications of semiconductor chips in industries such as the power, energy, medical, electric vehicles, automobiles, networking and telecommunications, consumer applications, military, aerospace and defense, motor control applications, and robotics is driving the market. Thus, the market for packaging equipment is expected to gain substantial ground during the forecast period, as packaged chips are used to improve functionality and performance of the devices in which they are applied.

According to the report, the demand for semiconductor chips and memory devices from consumer electronics is increasing due to the growing popularity of IoT-connected devices. Due to its cyclical nature, the semiconductor industry slowed down in 2016. The Chinese economy is also growing at a sluggish rate.



Market Dynamics

Market drivers



Growing number of fabs

Increase in miniaturization of electronic devices

High adoption of semiconductor ICs in automobiles

Increase in number of fabless semiconductor companies

Market challenges



High initial investment

Increasing complexity of semiconductor IC designs

Rapid technological changes

Market trends



Development of 3D chip packaging

Growing popularity of FOWLP technology

Increase in wafer size

Key vendors



Applied Materials

ASM Pacific Technology

Kulicke & Soffa Industries

TEL

Tokyo Seimitsu

For more information about this report visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/k8n88z/global

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
AXON Predict becomes the first integrated analytics engine for VxWorks; developer community invited to learn more at Embedded World

NUREMBURG, Germany, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenwave Systems, Inc. the global managed services and Internet of Things (IoT) software leader, announced a collaboration with Wind River to deliver its AXON Predict engine for Wind River's VxWorks real-time operating system (RTOS) developer community. By leveraging AXON Predict, developers will be able to capitalize on a valuable market opportunity with a customized analytics solution that adds computational power and real-time intelligence throughout Industrial IoT (IIoT) segments. It extends analytics and machine learning capabilities down to the chip level  and at all points in between.

"We sought to give VxWorks developers a tool with the prowess to analyze and autonomously respond to high-volume streaming sensor data at the source; our partnership with Greenwave will enable us to do just that," said Michel Genard, general manager of operating system platforms, Wind River. "AXON Predict will provide developers with embedded analytics that learn patterns, provide insights and take actions inside connected device operations and behaviors. We're very pleased to be working with Greenwave to offer a compelling solution to advance IIoT."

This visual edge analytics engine, AXON Predict, will allow VxWorks developers to build a set-and-forget application with intelligence and process critical data at the edge of a network in real-time. This enables machines and smart sensors to collect information at every step of the network, automatically detect anomalies and take immediate action right at the source of input. Enhanced security features bolster the analytics engine and will provide enterprises with yet another layer of data and device protection.

"We're excited to deliver Wind River security and predictive maintenance solutions that its VxWorks developer community can embed on their devices," said Simon Arkell, general manager of software platforms and analytics at Greenwave Systems. "Our technology will enable them to build secure, smart things that reduce asset maintenance costs and add new functionality across myriad industries. As the first analytics solution to integrate with VxWorks, AXON Predict will automate operational efficiency in a way that was previously unattainable by those building connected devices and systems within the RTOS."

Demo at Embedded World

To learn more about AXON Predict for VxWorks, visit Wind River at booth #158, Hall 4 during Embedded World.

About Greenwave Systems

Greenwave Systems is a global software and managed services company for IoT dedicated to empowering market-leading brands to profitably deploy their own managed services and products, foster deeper customer relationships and grow their businesses. Mobile carriers, telecommunications operators, semiconductor manufacturers, utilities and all manner of service providers use Greenwave's award-winning AXON Platform to safely integrate data and communications from a variety of existing and emerging digital protocols and swiftly create vanguard IoT and M2M services via managed networks. Learn more about Greenwave at www.greenwavesystems.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn here and follow us on Twitter at @GreenwaveSys.

2017 Greenwave Systems, Inc. Greenwave Systems AXON Platform and AXON Predict are registered trademarks of Greenwave Systems, Inc. Other brand names may be trademarks of their respective owner(s). Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

Greenwave Media Relations:

Lloyd Berry

Sterling Communications

Email: greenwave@sterlingpr.com

Tel.: 408-395-5500

Wind River Media Relations:

Jessica Miller

Email: jessica.miller@windriver.com

Tel.: +1 510-749-2727

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Related Links

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SOURCE Greenwave Systems
MILAN, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions (ICS), a privately held medical device company pioneering novel solutions for embolic protection during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), announced today successful first European clinical cases using the EMBLOK Embolic Protection System in patients undergoing TAVR procedures. The cases were performed by Drs. Azeem Latib and Matteo Montorfano under the direction of Dr. Antonio Colombo at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy.

TAVR is indicated for use in intermediate, high, and extreme risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. Its efficacy is currently being tested in low risk patients. However, numerous studies confirm that these procedures are associated with increased risk of neurological events as compared to conventional surgery, due to the embolic debris that enters the cerebral, abdominal and distal vasculature during the procedure. The EMBLOK system is the first circumferential aortic filter designed to fully capture and prevent embolic debris from reaching the brain and other vasculature during transcatheter valve procedures.

"The EMBLOK system is intended to provide complete cerebral protection during valve implantation and is very easy to position, deploy and retrieve," said Dr. Latib. "It is the most intuitive filter I have ever used," added Dr. Montorfano. Dr. Colombo further commented, "Of all the filters, this is the one I like the most, it is very straightforward to use."

The company's multi-center non-randomized feasibility study will evaluate subjects with severe native aortic valve stenosis who meet the commercially approved indications for TAVR. Study endpoints will include acute cerebral embolic burden and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) at 30 days.

"We're very encouraged the device exceeded physician expectations and performed well in the first clinical cases," said R. Kevin Plemmons, ICS's co-founder and CEO. "Interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons who perform left heart structural procedures demand the best care for their patients. We are pleased to meet this need with the first embolic system designed to offer both full collection and circumferential protection."

The EMBLOK system is currently available for investigational use only and is not approved for sale.

About the EMBLOK Embolic Protection System

The EMBLOK system is the world's first and only embolic protection device designed to offer full circumferential aortic collection while protecting the cerebral, abdominal and peripheral vasculature from embolic debris. In addition, the EMBLOK system incorporates an integrated 4 Fr radiopaque pigtail catheter which provides the physician constant visualization, while eliminating the need for constant dye injections to verify positioning. The entire system is 11 Fr and allows two devices (i.e., embolic filter and pigtail catheter) to be deployed through a single puncture site.

About Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions (ICS)

ICS strives to develop novel solutions that offer full capture and protection from embolic material released during left-sided heart procedures. With the first product, the EMBLOK Embolic Protection System, the goal is to improve patient quality of life and lower overall healthcare costs that are associated with embolic risks.

Media Contact

R. Kevin Plemmons

CEO, Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions

kevin@emblok.com

SOURCE Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions
GENEVA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The International Development Forum organized an International Conference in the United Nations on 14th March 2017 to discuss the current human rights atrocities in Iran.

Mr. Przemyslav Czasnecki, Member of Parliament, Poland and Vice Chairman for Foreign Affairs Committee, Polish Parliament, said that, "Iran is the fountain of terrorism in the Middle East and we know that Iran has a major human rights problem with strong Shia leaders talking the power of Iranians."

Mr. Taker Fatah, Author and Columnist, Canada, mentioned, "It is not Iran that is the problem, it is the ideology that is a problem." He said, "The West made a pick on which part of extreme Islamic countries it wants to target, and which is to make an ally and Iran is not the product of the isolation, it became a product of the regime imposed. People are coming back to haunt the west including United States and Canada, the same people they welcomed."

Mr. Paulo Casaca, Executive Director, South Asia Democratic Forum said that he created the "Friends of Free Iran" in the European parliament and further said that, "The real islamophobes are those female Swedish parliament members, who visited Iran and wore the veil on their heads. They betrayed the Muslim women who are fighting for their rights, their freedom of wearing whatever they want in Iran and internationally."

SOURCE International Development Forum
TOKYO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Itoki Corporation has won the top-ranking gold award in the product design category of the prestigious international iF DESIGN AWARD 2017 of Germany. Its winning product is the FLIP FLAP Chair.

FLIP FLAP Chair

The idea for this multifaceted design came from "origami," the Japanese art of paper folding. The chair bends in three dimensions to support a range of postures. With a straightforward and simple structure, the chair offers a new sensation, and prevents the user from tiring easily, even when working long hours.

Product website: http://www.itoki-global.com/products/flip_flap.html

iF DESIGN AWARD

The globally influential design award was established in 1953 by the Industry Forum Design Hannover (iF), an organization based in Hannover, Germany, which aims to promote design internationally.

iF DESIGN AWARD's official site: http://ifworlddesignguide.com/

About Itoki Corporation

Head office: Osaka, Japan

President: Yoshiro Hirai

Official website: http://www.itoki-global.com/

Related Links

http://www.itoki-global.com/



SOURCE Itoki Corporation
HACKENSACK, New Jersey, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

New Discovery Pack provides full visibility into different conversion routes to reduce delivery time, risk of data loss and cost overruns

Panaya, an Infosys company, and a leader in ERP change analytics and cloud-based testing revealed that based on a survey of over 200 SAP managers from large enterprises around the globe, a majority (51%) have committed to move to S/4HANA, yet most of them (69%) still trying to define the business case.

The survey conducted by Panaya, found that more than one third (35%) who have committed to make the change have not decided on the best implementation approach. Close to one third (31%) of those who have decided, chose system conversion or a brownfield approach over SAP's recommended re-implementation, due to the high cost of new installations and their reluctance to throw away decades of customizations embedded in existing systems.

To address the concerns of enterprises who are inclined to make the shift to S/4HANA, Panaya has created the Panaya SAP S/4HANA Discovery Pack which provides SAP customers the insights they need to identify the optimal conversion path that meets their organization's needs. Provided as part of the Panaya CloudQuality Suite for S/4HANA, the Discovery Pack incorporates experience gained from over 80 HANA migrations and over 9000 successful SAP migration projects, to evaluate and compare the different migration routes to HANA DB, S/4 Finance, and S/4HANA. The Discovery Pack also includes a full impact report and simulation tools to ensure that code will work fast and optimally on the new HANA database. Proven to reduce time and effort by 50%, and ensure zero defects at go live, Panaya delivers a safe and clear path to S/4HANA with prioritization and acceleration for all SAP changes.

"Many SAP customers are slow to move to S/4HANA as it is still considered uncharted territory and the associated costs and impact on existing systems are unknown," said David Binny, VP of Product at Panaya. "However, by using the Discovery Pack to simulate each path and assess the resource requirements and associated risks, organizations can build a stronger business case for S/4HANA with a better understanding of how to manage the transition effectively."

Infosys as a strategic consulting partner for SAP, advises clients on how to undertake their digital transformation journeys adopting S/4HANA. Our end-to-end service offering for S/4HANA includes value discovery, S/4HANA assessment, business case development, data foot print reduction services, migration to SoH, S/4HANA conversions and S/4HANA brownfield/ greenfield implementations. Leveraging our unique differentiators like the Value Realization Model (VRM), Business Profiler, Infosys HANA CMO tool and the S/4HANA Functional Assessment Accelerator tool, Infosys and Panaya are able to accelerate S/4HANA assessment assignments for our clients.

About Panaya

With Panaya, an Infosys company, organizations reach ERP agility faster - with zero time to change, zero risk, and zero defects. Panaya CloudQuality Suite enables all types of SAP and Oracle EBS changes. Panaya CloudQuality Suite delivers insights that tell you what will break, how to fix it, and what to test, helping organizations manage the testing process and collaborate between IT and business during the entire release process. Since 2008, 1,600 companies in 62 countries, including a third of the Fortune 500, have been using Panaya CloudQuality Suite to achieve ERP agility. www.panaya.com

CONTACTS

Panaya

Rafi Kretchmer

VP of Marketing

Mobile: +972-52-619-4112



Spicetree Communications

Wes Rogers

Mobile: +1-912-506-0869

wes.rogers@spicetreecom.com



SOURCE Panaya
DUBLIN, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The new research portal has an extensive collection of company research on the Unilever, including in-depth analysis of their current market position and future outlook within the food, personal care, refreshment and home care markets.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160330/349511LOGO )



One such research report available on the portal, Global Beauty and Personal Care Products Market, has identified Unilever as a key market player. It forecasts the market to grow at a CAGR of 7.10% to reach USD 699.45 billion by the end of forecasted period of 2023. But it does warn that the sales of the products in the market is being threatened by the emergence of substitute products and competitive rivalry within the industry.

Another segment of the market that is forecast to grow is the Global Men Personal Care Market, which is expected to reach $166 billion by 2022. Constant change in lifestyle and rise in disposable income have increased the demand for the men personal care products. Moreover, increase in the number of product offerings to tap the fluctuating grooming habits of men and organized retail further fuel the market growth.

"The portal is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking information on Unilever and their activities in various industries. It provides quick, and easy access to information on their performance as a company and their overall impact on the market," says Ross Glover, CEO of Research and Markets.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/companies/unilever-n-v?cid=h9c52q

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading market research store.

With more than 1.5 million research resources, we deliver the largest collection of business information products on the market. We offer the most in-depth market analysis across a multitude of industries. Our products provide clients with an unrivalled understanding of their chosen market. No matter how specialist your field, we have the insights and market data to help you make efficient and effective decisions.

Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T. Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: +1-646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716



SOURCE Research and Markets
STOCKHOLM, Mar. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2017 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research goes to Hernando de Soto, President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy (ILD), in Lima, Peru. The Global Award is the most prominent international award in entrepreneurship research with a prize sum of  100,000. De Soto is awarded for developing a new understanding of how institutions underpin the economy as well as the role of property rights and entrepreneurship in transferring economic activity from the informal to the formal sector.

Hernando de Soto has been a leading intellectual engaged in academic and public policy discussions on global development for the last 30 years. His analyses have led to new ways to alleviate poverty and underdevelopment by reforming property rights systems, business legislation and regulations.

His contributions have:

Led to a new and better understanding of the role of institutions for entrepreneurship, especially in developing countries.

Influenced policy worldwide, both in terms of conceptual understanding and practical policy measures.

Paved new ways to assess and measure how difficult it is for people to enter the formal sectors. This has been done by painstaking empirical field work.

Shown that the main problem in many developing countries is not capital per se but lack of property rights. De Soto argues that poorly defined property rights prevent people from making productive use of assets they control but may not formally own.

Hernando de Soto's analyses have had tremendous influence on policy throughout the world and were a main source of inspiration for the World Bank's reports Doing Business around the world.

The Award ceremony will take place in Stockholm on May 15. For further information please visit our website, www.e-award.org.

For information please contact:

Pernilla Norlin, for the Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, +46-70-144-55-64.

Charlie Karlsson, Professor emeritus Jonkoping International Business School, JIBS, and Chairman of the Prize Committee +46-70-582-06-77.

About Global Award For Entrepreneurship Research

The Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research was established as the foremost global award for research on entrepreneurship. The Award honours significant contributions to theory-building on entrepreneurship and small business development. The Award consists of the statuette "The Hand of God" by the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and a prize amount of 100 000 Euros. The Award was instituted in 1996 and re-launched under a new name in 2008.

Founder of the Award: Swedish Entrepreneurship Forum. Co-founder: The Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN). Sponsor: VINNOVA - Sweden's Innovation Agency. Donor: Stockholms Kopmansklubb.

For more information, please visit www.e-award.org or contact Britt-Marie Nordstrom.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/global-award-for-entrepreneurship-research/r/research-on-the-role-of-institutions-rewarded-with-100-000-euros,c2214757

The following files are available for download:

http://mb.cision.com/Main/2418/2214757/642699.pdf PDF http://news.cision.com/global-award-for-entrepreneurship-research/i/webbild-award2017-96px-3-003,c2097895 webbild award2017 96px 3 003

SOURCE Global Award For Entrepreneurship Research
Leading mobility software platform boosts efficiencies of driverless, electric shuttle services on university and corporate campuses.

BERLIN, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RideCell, Inc., an innovator in carsharing and ridesharing services, and Auro Robotics, maker of driverless zero-emission shuttles, have announced today at City Car Summit in Berlin that they have partnered to deliver exceptional autonomous transportation solutions to universities and corporate campuses. By combining the ridership growth made possible by the RideCell platform with the cost savings of Auro's driverless shuttles, the partnership improves the efficiency of operating campus mobility services. RideCell also provides a fleet management infrastructure that enables Auro to maintain its autonomous fleets across multiple university and corporate customers.

"RideCell has the leading platform for carsharing and ridesharing in university settings, making them a natural partner for Auro," said Nalin Gupta, CEO of Auro Robotics. "The RideCell mobility platform allows students and faculty to request a shuttle on demand, and also provides important benefits for our campus customers behind the scenes. In addition to automated scheduling and dispatch, RideCell makes it easy for Auro to manage and maintain our growing fleet of driverless shuttles."

An autonomous mobility platform is much more than a ride-request app. The RideCell solution optimizes the productivity of each vehicle in the fleet and has been shown to quadruple ridership without increasing the number of shuttles. The intelligent RideCell infrastructure ensures that Auro shuttles are in the right place at the right time. Built-in alerts instruct shuttles when it's time to head to a charging station and inform shuttle operations of the optimal low-use time for maintenance. With remote tracking and monitoring integrated into each shuttle, Auro can flawlessly manage campus fleets, utilizing real-time analytics to allow customers to reduce wait time and serve more riders, while staying within budget.

"Auro's state-of-the-art driverless shuttles dramatically improve accessibility and movement across campuses," said Aarjav Trivedi, RideCell founder and CEO. "We are delighted to partner with them to expand RideCell-powered shuttle programs at campuses across the U.S. with autonomous, zero-emission Auro vehicles."

Customers at universities and corporate campuses benefit from the RideCell/Auro partnership, as they can now offer reliable, convenient mobility services at a significantly lower cost.

About RideCell

Headquartered in San Francisco, RideCell is on a mission to change the way people move from point A to point B. Our intelligent software platform runs new mobility services, such as carsharing, ridesharing, and other innovative transportation offerings. End-to-end integration and automation accelerate time to market, enabling RideCell customers to launch mobility services quickly, operate efficiently, and scale revenues as business grows. Founded in 2009, RideCell has already processed 15 million rides and has a team of more than 60 professionals. The company now powers more than 15 mobility offerings including new mobility solutions for BMW, UC Berkeley, UCSF, 3M, and SouthWest Transit.

About Auro Robotics

Auro Robotics builds driverless, zero-emission shuttles that provide accessible transportation around university and company campuses, as well as to and from transit centers. Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, Auro strives to reduce the costs associated with on-campus mobility by replacing traditional vehicles with driverless electric shuttles, while addressing the "last-mile" challenge in public transit systems. Auro currently powers an autonomous shuttle service at the University of Santa Clara and has multiple campus trials under way.

2017 RideCell is a registered trademark of RideCell, Inc. Other brand names may be trademarks of their respective owner(s). Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

RideCell Media Contact:

Kacey Heller

ridecell@allisonpr.com

+1.415.277.4917

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161024/431959LOGO

Related Links

http://www.ridecell.com



SOURCE RideCell
LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The Access Group, one of the UK's leading providers of software to mid-market customers, has completed the acquisition of Safe Computing.

With revenues of 18 million in 2016 and around 500 customers, Safe Computing (http://www.safecomputing.co.uk ) becomes Access' biggest acquisition to date. Safe adds significantly to Access' existing recruitment sector capabilities and will be an obvious extension with its market leading Tempest 'Pay and Bill' solution. Safe's other products in the HCM (Human Capital Management) and FMS (Financial Management System) space focus on functionality and market segments that compliment the existing Access portfolio.

Safe's recent growth in HCM has been supported in part by its new SaaS deployed Employee Screening platform which offers companies piece of mind, efficiency and compliance management around the onboarding of new staff. Safe continues to be a successful software company that has attracted a number of marquee customers to its stable over the years including Adecco, Impellam, Alexander Mann, Leicester City Council and ADM Milling.

"The addition of Safe to The Access Group is a game-changer for us and greatly increases the value we can deliver to our customers. Safe have a number of best-in-class solutions, an excellent customer base and an experienced team, and there's a great alignment in our cultures and the way we do business," said Chris Bayne, CEO of Access Group.

"Access is a high growth company and we're confident that this acquisition will help us further accelerate, particularly into markets where Safe has particular strength, like recruitment. Our customers tell us that they need capabilities in these domains so with Safe on board, we'll be extremely well placed to help them."

Sandy Scott, Safe CEO, is leaving the business and Paul Vogel, an executive with more than 30 years in the enterprise software industry, has joined Access as Managing Director of the Safe subsidiary.

"The Access Group is a natural fit for our culture and capabilities and throughout the acquisition process I have been impressed with the team and their vision. I am immensely proud of Safe and what we've built together and though I have taken the decision to move on I am confident, I leave our customers in good hands," said Sandy Scott, CEO of Safe Computing.

For more information on Access Group and its complete software portfolio visit: http://www.theaccessgroup.com.

Alternatively, keep up-to-date by following Access on:

Blog: http://www.theaccessgroup.com/news--events/blog.aspx

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/theaccessgroup

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/accessgroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/theaccessgrouptv



About Access Group:

Access Group is a leading provider of fully integrated business management software. Its portfolio spans ERP, finance, HR, Payroll, recruitment, warehousing, business intelligence, professional service automation and manufacturing.

More than 10,000 UK businesses and not-for-profit organisations use products and services provided by Access to improve their performance, profitability and drive growth, unlocking their business potential through improved business insight.

Access Group is one of the top five fastest growing UK software developers, on-going commitment to excellence, customers and employees has also placed the company among the UK's top employers.

Accreditations and memberships:

Microsoft Gold Certified Pa r tner

tner Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

and (ICAEW) Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA)

Access' software is recognised by HM Revenue & Customs

http://www.theaccessgroup.com

SOURCE The Access Group
Alliant Energy's electrical customers can expect to rate increases beginning in April, officials say.

The company will file with the Iowa Utilities Board next month for a rate increase of 10 to 12 percent for $2.5 billion in investments into power grid upgrades and the recently built Marshalltown natural gas generating station.

Alliants Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Joel Schmidt said the company understands the rate increase may cause customers frustration on the heels of a summer billing issue and delays surrounding the Pierce Avenue gas line project in Mason City.

We own that history, Schmidt said. We also own what our power grid does.

The average residential Alliant bill is about $114. Beginning in April, customers can expect their electric bills to increase by $3 to $5 per month. By 2018, monthly rates for the average customer are estimated to increase $12 to $14.

Notices on the rate increases will be sent to customers April 3, and Alliant will file the same day with the Iowa Utilities Board for the rate increases.

There will be several town hall customer comment sessions throughout the state in May and June for customers to share their thoughts with representatives from Alliant, the Office of Consumer Advocate and the Iowa Utilities Board.

One of those sessions will be in Mason City  5:30 p.m. May 25 at NIACCs Muse-Norris Conference Center.

Rough year

The rate increase follows months of bad headlines in North Iowa for the company.

Alliant Energy and the Office of Consumer Advocate reached a settlement agreement on a summer billing issue for some Iowa customers.

The company said high bills sent to some Iowans were caused by higher energy use due to a hotter summer and problems with Alliant's new billing system.

The billing system caused some customers to receive bills with their usage estimated based on the previous years use. Customers later received high bills adding in actual usage.

The company took steps to work with those affected by higher bills by spreading the additional charges over 12 months with no negative impact to the account or credit score.

At the same time, construction on a new natural gas pipeline in Mason City hit several delays since it began in August.

The company is installing a pipeline along both sides of Pierce Avenue from 12th Street Northwest to 19th Street Southwest. It was originally slated for completion in December.

Alliant Spokesman Justin Foss said the project is scheduled to be completed by April 21 and work repairing yards will be completed by May 1, weather permitting.

On the increase

This will be the first base rate increase in six years.

Base rates are not the total bill, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said the company doesn't increase rates until two things happen.

First, the utility or equipment must be in power and in use. Second, changes must be approved by the Iowa Utilities board, Schmidt said.

Updates to the power grid are expansive and important, Schmidt said.

Iowa is No. 1 for grid reliability, Schmidt said. It costs about $100,000 per mile to replace grid.

Iowa had 20,493 miles of line in 2016.

Alliant serves customers in 83 of Iowas 99 counties. Base rate increases are for Alliants electricity customers only. The base rate covers service costs, maintenance and equipment costs.

The Utilities Board hearing is expected to be held in October, Schmidt said. The board will then approve or deny Alliants request based on testimony from parties involved. The full rate increase would then go into effect if approved, or customers would be rebated if it is denied.
EDE, The Netherlands, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

TRS, Group, Inc. is proud to announce the formation of Thermal Remediation Services Europe B.V. dba TRS Europe, which provides in situ thermal remediation services. Formerly known as HMVTRS, the new rebrand and registration is a continuation of a joint venture that now provides a framework for more flexibility, global expansion, and additional services.

(Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478497/TRS_Logo.jpg )



TRS Europe's Co-Managing Directors, Marco van den Brand of The Netherlands and Timothy Warner of the U.S., released the following joint statement:

"Based on the success of our existing partnership, we have established a more permanent, growth-oriented entity. TRS Europe is currently forming strategic expansion plans to provide our unique, patented process of Electrical Resistance Heating (ERH) thermal remediation throughout Europe and worldwide. The TRS Europe advantage is the safety, speed, and certainty with which we remediate and monetize dormant land and assets."

TRS Europe recently completed a successful ERH project in Belgium, with another installation currently underway at a site in France. An additional project is under contract and scheduled for remediation in 2017.

About TRS Europe & TRS Group, Inc.

TRS Europe provides thermal in situ remediation services throughout the European Union and globally through individual joint venture partners in North America, South America, and China. TRS Group, Inc. has successfully completed more than 130 ERH remediation projects in the United States since its launch in 2000. Many sites have required heating beneath, or immediately adjacent to, a building or an open area to direct public access. Completed projects include commercial properties, retail shopping centers, industrial manufacturing facilities, military locations, empty warehouses, active fire lanes, and railway maintenance yards. The company has resolved a variety of unique site conditions across the broadest range of subsurface conditions and logistical challenges.

To learn more about the company, please visit http://www.thermalrs.com .

SOURCE TRS Europe
COLERAINE, Ireland, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Over 250 iconic landmarks and sites around the world will be illuminated green over the coming days - as part of Tourism Ireland's 2017 Global Greening initiative to celebrate the island of Ireland and St Patrick.

The annual initiative, now in its eighth year, which sees a host of major landmarks around the world turn green for St Patrick's Day, has grown from strength to strength, with many new landmarks signing up to take part this year.



Stadiums, statues, castles and towers will go green to celebrate our national day (17 March) with exciting additions for 2017 including the One World Trade Center in New York - the main building of the re-built World Trade Center in New York and the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, said: "This is the eighth year of Tourism Ireland's Global Greening initiative and each year I am delighted to see even more well-known attractions and landmark sites wishing to get involved. The eagerness of cities and countries everywhere to take part underlines the strength of the deep connection that people all over the world feel to Ireland. More than 70 million people around the world claim links to the island of Ireland and St Patrick's Day is a truly unique opportunity to reconnect them with their heritage."

Of course, the 'greenings' are just one part of the St Patrick's Day celebrations. The place to be on 17th March is Ireland where there are two festivals which shouldn't be missed.

In Dublin, Ireland's capital city, the 'St Patrick's Festival' will last for four great days, taking in the weekend and running from 16-19 March. The city will be alive with music, film, arts, dance, culture, fun and even international rugby.

Each year the festival has a different theme with this year's 'Ireland We Are' giving the city a chance to showcase all that Ireland stands for today. Festival favourites include the world's largest outdoor ceili, world-class museums hosting free workshops and guided historic walks including famous sites such as the Guinness Storehouse. The main event, the St Patrick's Festival parade, is held on Friday 17 March in Dublin's city centre.

In Northern Ireland, the newly curated 'Home of St Patrick Festival' celebrates St Patrick, the man and the saint, as one of the world's most inspiring and loved saints of all time. Taking place in the beautiful landscape of Counties Armagh and Down, which was once Patrick's home, the festival will culminate on Sunday 19 March with 'The Voice of the Irish' closing concert in spectacular Newry Cathedral.

SOURCE Tourism Ireland
LEEDS, England, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

WhichBingo (https://www.whichbingo.co.uk/) launch their annual Online Bingo Report today, revealing a real snapshot of online bingo in the UK.

The report reveals:

Almost half of UK players do not label themselves as 'gamblers'

One in four players admit to not understanding wagering

Half of all online bingo players fail to withdraw winnings

Almost a third of players admit to playing every day

The WhichBingo report provides valuable insight into players perceptions of themselves. The fact that 47% of players do not describe online bingo as 'gambling' is a particular eye opener.

This year's report also delivers strong evidence that bingo players are getting younger, with a 20% increase across both 25-34 and 35-44 age groups.

Simon Jones, Commercial Director of WhichBingo said: "It is vital for us to monitor the changes that are happening in our industry so that we can adapt and change to match player expectations."

The results of the report call for significant changes to be made in the technology that underpins the online bingo industry.

Online bingo websites need to adapt and provide solutions for the ways that players are consuming their games. The survey reveals that mobile play has increased by more than 100% over the last 12 months.

Jones continues: "Whilst a 'mobile first' approach has been standard for a number of years across the industry, we have seen a significant switch to a 'mobile only' approach. Larger online bingo sites looking to capitalise on this increase in mobile play are taking the lead here.

"It is interesting to note that 70% of the online bingo sites surveyed have been built for scalability across mobile, tablet and desktop devices."



Notes to editors

Survey of WhichBingo.co.uk visitors in December 2016. The survey received a total of 606 responses.



About WhichBingo

The WhichBingo 2017 Online Bingo Report is available to download here: https://www.whichbingo.co.uk/reports/

Website: https://www.whichbingo.co.uk/

Founded in 2000, WhichBingo is the longest running independent online bingo reviews website.





For further information please contact

Rebecca Moss

0161 222 8655

rebecca@firecask.com



Simon Jones

0113 393 0500

simon@whichbingo.co.uk





Simon Jones Commercial Director from WhichBingo is available for interview.

SOURCE WhichBingo
MADRID, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian data communications company NetComm Wireless Limited, has reached an agreement with Spanish distributor ZOOStock for the commercialisation of its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) devices in EMEA. The agreement includes distribution to Grupo Telefonica.

The alliance involves both logistical and technical support to assure delivery and after-sales service. ZOOStock will also provide engineering services for software development kit (SDK) tools that permit the creation of applications.

ZOOStock was chosen by NetComm Wireless thanks to its knowledge of, and experience in, the European telecommunications market.

The new collaboration will strengthen NetComm Wireless' position in the region and stimulate further M2M market growth through the delivery of innovative open source M2M devices designed to offer seamless connectivity and global interoperability.

"We look forward to working with ZOOStock to expand our reach in the European market, and build value for customers through the delivery of leading-edge M2M devices that offer universal connectivity and advanced remote management for diverse applications in areas such as industrial machines, security, retail and manufacturing," said Timo Brouwer, Chief Operating Officer, NetComm Wireless.

ZOOStock, which is specialized in the distribution of electronic components, thus becomes the primary distributor of one of the leading manufacturers of M2M technologies in the world.

About NetComm Wireless Limited

NetComm Wireless Limited (ASX: NTC) is a leading developer of Fixed Wireless broadband, wireless M2M/Industrial IoT and Fibre and Cable to the distribution point (FTTdp / CTTdp) technologies that underpin an increasingly connected world. Our Listen. Innovate. Solve. methodology supports the unique requirements of leading telecommunications carriers, core network providers, system integrators, government and enterprise customers worldwide. For over 35 years, NetComm Wireless has engineered new generations of world first data communication products and is now a globally recognised communications technology innovator. Headquartered in Sydney (Australia), NetComm Wireless has offices in the US, Europe/UK, New Zealand and Japan. Visit: www.netcommwireless.com.

About ZooStock

ZooStock was founded in 2006 specialising in reselling telecommunication products. As a leading supplier in network equipment ZooStock, is transforming how companies buy, maintain and upgrade IT equipment support through hardware procurement options and a third-party IT maintenance as an alternative. ZooStock has become an international force in delivering technical solutions and services.

With offices in Spain and UK, ZooStock can reach the needs of organisations internationally. For more information please visit: www.zoostock.com.

SOURCE ZOOStock
IRVINE, Calif., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Proove Biosciences, Inc. announces publication of a case study in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Case Reports. This study, A Case Report Describing a Precision Medicine Approach to a Patient with Unresolved Pain Following Orthopedic Surgery, underscores the benefits of using Proove precision medicine technology  analyzing genetic, clinical, lifestyle and other data through predictive analytics - to assist in accurately guiding clinicians toward more effective treatment decisions.

"Building on the studies supporting the accuracy of Proove's technology published in the journals Science, Pain, Human Molecular Genetics, Journal of Psychiatric Research, and others, we are pleased to add one of our many successful case studies to this body of peer-reviewed published evidence," says Proove's Director of R&D, Dr. Svetlana Kantorovich. "Led by one of our orthopedic collaborators, Dr. David Gazzaniga of the Hoag Orthopedic Institute, this peer-reviewed case study shows how Proove's precision profiles analyzing pain perception, opioid risk, opioid response and more, come together in the hands of a clinician to improve outcomes."

In this study, researchers report on a 54-year-old female who suffered from uncontrolled chronic pain, following an accident. Despite receiving a knee-replacement surgery, the pain remained and she was subsequently labeled a "drug seeker". With Proove's technology, Dr. Gazzaniga and his team realized that the patient was at low risk of opioid use disorder, had moderately low pain sensitivity, and a genotype that was incompatible with favorable response to her current medications. Following treatment changes guided by Proove profiles, the patient's uncontrolled pain was resolved, her function and quality of life improved, and the costs of care dropped substantially.

According to Dr. Gazzaniga, "Proove's state-of-the-art profiles proved to be incredible indicators of individualized pain, and strong drivers of the most effective and least harmful treatment options. The resulting information was used to improve treatment decisions and outcomes." Proove CEO Brian Meshkin, states "We're proud that our award-winning research continues to be validated through peer-reviewed publications, and most importantly in the lives of individual patients. In 2017, our tremendous research engine will be publishing many more peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the solid evidence behind Proove's technology."

About Proove Biosciences: Proove Biosciences is the leader in precision medicine for the condition that lies at the nexus of health  pain. Proove delivers precision medicine solutions for the nation's most prevalent and expensive health condition by investing heavily in research that has won awards from leading medical societies and been published in peer-reviewed journals. Discovered by NIH-funded scientists, Proove has translated into clinical practice the genetic variants and phenotypic factors contributing to pain sensitivity and chronic pain risk. Proove's medical advisory board is led by those NIH-funded researchers and the company has licensed some of its technology from leading academic centers, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Utah, and other institutions. Positioned as The Healthcare Decision Company, Proove's patented technology platform combines genetic, clinical, environmental and lifestyle information to help clinicians better evaluate pain sensitivity, assess risk for opioid use disorder, predict therapeutic response to pain medications, and assess drug metabolism for the many medications used in chronic pain patients. Based in Irvine, California, Proove has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and the Deloitte Technology Fast500 as one of the fastest growing companies in North America. For more information, please visit www.proove.com or call toll free 855-PROOVE-BIO (855-776-6832).

SOURCE Proove Biosciences, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.proove.com


ROANOKE, Va., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- President Trump's nomination of Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court has generated heated discussion on Capitol Hill. But regardless of one's political views, long-term care facilities would likely benefit from having him on the high court bench, says Nancy Reynolds, a shareholder in national law firm LeClairRyan's Roanoke, Va. office and co-leader of the firm's Long Term Care Industry team. In particular, she points to the conservative jurist's opinions on federal agencies overstepping their mandates, a perspective that may be very helpful to the highly-regulated long-term care industry.

Nancy Reynolds

As one example of government overreach, "in October 2016, the long-term care industry saw the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") squeeze in a re-write of its regulations just before a change in administration," Reynolds writes in a recent blog, How a Justice Neil Gorsuch May Benefit Long Term Care Facilities. "Some of those new regulations can be considered of questionable relevance to the mission of CMS, particularly the prohibition on pre-dispute arbitration."

Released by the outgoing Obama administration and designated as effective on Nov. 28, 2016, the rule was preliminarily enjoined by a Mississippi federal trial court on November 7, 2016. However, that trial court ruling was not specifically identified as applicable nationally. The Obama rule is important because it seeks to ban pre-dispute agreements that require binding arbitration with any resident or resident's representative, or that require a prospective resident to sign an arbitration agreement at the time of admission to a long-term care facility.

According to Reynolds, those regulations trample Section 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act. The Act mandates that "arbitration agreements shall be 'valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract,'" she writes.

Although the 1935 Social Security Act gives the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services the authority to promulgate regulations for the purpose of administering the Act, it is silent on dispute resolution, arbitration and private rights of action. "Further, the (final) regulations ignore decades of United States Supreme Court precedent on enforcement of the FAA, including Marmet Health Care Center, Inc. v. Brown, 132 S.Ct. 1201 (2012), in which the United States Supreme Court struck down statutes prohibiting pre-dispute arbitration contracts," adds Reynolds. "The similarities with the CMS regulations cannot be more apparent, requiring that they also be struck down."

So how does Judge Gorsuch figure into the mix? On August 23, 2016, he wrote a concurring opinion in Gutierrez-Brizuela v. Lynch, 834 F.3d 1142 (10th Cir. 2016) that involved apparent over-reaching by the Board of Immigration Appeals, which insisted on its interpretation of a statute over the court's interpretation. In his remarks on the roles of each branch of government, Judge Gorsuch noted that the executive agencies "were created to ensure execution of legislation. The agencies neither legislate nor adjudicate."

Judge Gorsuch further stated that the regulatory agencies have been allowed to "swallow huge amounts of core judicial and legislative power and concentrate federal power in a way that seems more than a little difficult to square with the Constitution of the framers' design. Maybe the time has come to face the behemoth."

Reynolds agrees that it is indeed time to confront the issue of agency overreach, adding, "The nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court may be just what the long-term care industry needs."

In the meantime, she is surprised that long-term care facilities across the country are relying on a Mississippi trial court opinion when it comes to moving ahead with their arbitration clauses, since doing so means that they may risk a funding withdrawal from Medicare and Medicaid. "My advice to clients is to proceed with caution; they know where the money comes from," Reynolds counsels.

"Trial courts typically do not set precedent for the rest of the country," Reynolds adds. "For federal cases, the only real precedent is at the appellate level, and primarily the U.S. Supreme Court, which is why Judge Gorsuch can be so important for this and other regulatory overreach issues confronting the long-term care industry."

The full column is available at: https://ltccounsel.com/how-a-justice-neil-gorsuch-may-benefit-long-term-care-facilities/

About LeClairRyan

As a trusted advisor, LeClairRyan provides business counsel and client representation in corporate law and litigation. In this role, the firm applies its knowledge, insight and skill to help clients achieve their business objectives while managing and minimizing their legal risks, difficulties and expenses. With offices in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C., the firm has approximately 350 attorneys representing a wide variety of clients throughout the nation. For more information about LeClairRyan, visit www.leclairryan.com.

Press Contacts: At Parness & Associates Public Relations, Bill Parness, (732) 290-0121, or Lisa Kreda, [email protected]

NOTE TO MEDIA: Nancy Reynolds and other members of LeClairRyan's Long Term Care industry team are available as resources for bylined articles or interviews on various issues impacting the industry.

SOURCE LeClairRyan

Related Links

http://www.leclairryan.com


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Statement by American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) President and CEO Chet Thompson following President Donald Trump's visit to Michigan where he announced the Administration would reopen the current evaluation of auto efficiency standards for Model Year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles:

"AFPM is encouraged by President Trump's announcement that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reopen its midterm review of Model Year 2022-2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for light-duty vehicles.

"In rushing the midterm final determination out the door more than a year early, the Obama Administration short-circuited significant technical, economic, and policy analyses, and the full public debate that this issue warrants. Today's decision will allow EPA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), California, and other stakeholders to work together to make a transparent decision grounded in factual analyses rather than ideology."

About AFPM

The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) is a national trade association representing more than 400 companies that encompass virtually all U.S. refining and petrochemical manufacturing capacity.

Follow us on Twitter @AFPMonline

Learn about us at Industry 101 - http://education.afpm.org/

Like us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AFPMOnline

Media Contacts:

Rebecca Adler - 202-552-8485

Diana Cronan - 202-552-4362

[email protected]

SOURCE American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wound Care Management Market: Overview





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4415268/





The market for wound care is growing phenomenally, due to growing advancement is treating complex wounds. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market.



Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Scope of the Report



The report is a combination of primary and secondary research. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts, with information collected from telephonic interviews and interactions via e-mail. Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, stock analysis presentations, and various national and international databases. The report provides market size in terms of US$ Mn for each segment for the period from 2014 to 2024, considering the macro and micro-environmental factors. Growth rates for each segment within the global advanced wound care market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, vaccination expenditure, and regulatory requirements.



The market overview section of the report includes qualitative analysis of the overall advanced wound care market including the determining factors and market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities, along with white space analysis. In addition, market attractiveness analysis by geography, technique, product type, type of wounds, end-user, and competitive landscape by key players have been provided which explain the intensity of competition in the market considering different geographies. The competitive scenario between market players has been evaluated through market share analysis. These factors would help the market players take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and increase their shares in the global market.



Advanced Wound Care Management Market: Growth and Competitive Dynamics



The driving factors for advanced wound care market are mainly increasing demand for faster recovery, decrease in healthcare cost by decreasing average length of stay in hospital, rising population falling for trauma, etc. Advanced wound care market is anticipated to grow in forecasted period, as the products has been a promising solution for faster recovery and wound healing. These products offer superior solution than traditional products by offering desired outcome and effectiveness in healing wounds. The increasing incidences of chronic wound has aggravated the need for the products that offers faster and efficient wound healing. Thus, majority of hospitals have shifted their preferences towards the advanced wound care products. It helps to decrease the average length of stay in hospitals through early recovery from wounds. This assists to decrease the length of hospital stay in order to reduce surgical costs. Thus the rising need and demand for advanced products that increases therapeutic outcome drives the advanced wound care market.



Geographically, the global advanced wound care market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. The applications of advanced wound care are rapidly growing in North America due to increasing direct and indirect investments by the U.S. Government and private companies in wound care. Increasing investments and penetration by key market players in Asia Pacific are likely to drive the advance wound care market during the forecast period.



Major players in the advanced wound care management market are 3M, Acelity L.P. Inc., B. Braun Melsungen AG, BSN medical GmbH, Coloplast A/S, ConvaTec Inc., Medline Industries, Inc., Medtronic, Molnlycke Health Care, Organogenesis, Inc., and Smith & Nephew plc.



The global advanced wound care management market has been segmented as follows:



Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by Product Type

Advanced Wound Dressings

Foam dressings

Hydrocolloid dressings

Hydrofiber dressings

Film dressings

Alginate dressings

Hydrogel dressings

Collagen dressings

Active Wound Care

Artificial skin and skin substitutes

Growth Factors

Antimicrobial dressing



Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by Type of Wound

Diabetic foot ulcers

Pressure ulcer

Venous leg ulcer

Arterial Ulcer

Surgical and Traumatic wounds

Burns

Other chronic wounds



Global Advanced Wound Care Management Market, by End-user

Hospital inpatient settings

Hospital outpatient settings

Community medical centers

Home healthcare

Others (private nursing home, pharmacies)



Global Advanced Wound Care management Market, by Geography

North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

South Africa

Turkey

Saudi Arabia

Rest of MEA

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SOURCE ReportBuyer

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MONUMENT, Colo., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisors Asset Management (AAM) has been recognized as an industry leader in Structured Products by mtn-i, a London-based global provider of market information for structured notes, private placements and MTN market coverage.

AAM received prominent distinctions in two categories: Structured Investment Advisor of the Year and U.S. Deal of the Year. The award for U.S. Deal of the Year was given to AAM and Citi for its successful partnership developing the USD4m Infrastructure Stock Basket-Linked Notes, due 2020.

"AAM has a strong track record in helping advisors and their clients meet a wide range of financial goals by offering innovative portfolio and risk management solutions, including structured products," said John Radtke, Executive Vice President and Head of Capital Markets. "These accolades are a testament to our commitment to providing clients with best-of-breed solutions and services. We are honored to be recognized for our innovation and achievements in this space."

The awards will be presented to AAM at the annual mtn-i Americas Structured Note Showcase & Awards Gala on April 6, 2017 in Miami. Matt Lloyd, AAM's Chief Investment Strategist, and Rob Sowinski, Managing Director, Structured Products, will be in attendance at this gala to accept the awards on behalf of AAM.

About Advisors Asset Management

For more than 35 years, AAM has been a trusted resource for financial advisors and broker/dealers. It offers access to UITs (unit investment trusts), open- and closed-end mutual funds, separately managed accounts (SMAs), structured products and the fixed income markets, as well as portfolio analytics. For more information, visit www.aamlive.com.

As of December 30, 2016, the brokerage and advised business at AAM represents approximately $19.8 billion in assets. (Assets under supervision represent $8.0 billion in UIT assets. The firm has $10.7 billion in assets under administration that represents the non-proprietary assets for which AAM provides various levels of service, but not management. The firm's $1.1 billion in assets under management represents AAM's proprietary separately managed account and mutual fund assets.)

Advisors Asset Management, Inc. (AAM) is a SEC registered investment advisor and member FINRA/SIPC. | 18925 Base Camp Road | Monument, CO 80132 | www.aamlive.com

CRN: 2017-0310-5861 R

CONTACT:

Catherine Drury

JConnelly

(646) 922-7773

[email protected]

SOURCE Advisors Asset Management
"AFSP is committed to working with the legislature and other state departments and agencies to ensure that quality mental health services are accessible to all who live in New Jersey," said Nicole McQueen, volunteer with AFSP. "Suicide, and the heartache it causes to families, loved ones and coworkers, is something we can prevent if we work together."

The advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting 35 state capitols across the United States in spring 2017 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators.

Suicide in New Jersey

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death overall in New Jersey. For people aged 10-34 in New Jersey, it is the third leading cause of death. For those aged 35-44, it is the fourth leading cause of death. On average one person dies by suicide every 11 hours in the state.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. AFSP celebrates 30 years of service to the suicide prevention movement. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Related Links

http://www.afsp.org


NORA SPRINGS | Geraldine L Stiles (Gerry), 88, of Rudd, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Nora Springs Care Center.

Per her request there will be no funeral services.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Rudd United Methodist Church, 611 Sixth St., Rudd, IA 50471, in memory of Gerry Stiles.

Gerry was born on May 30, 1928, the second of three children born to Elmo and Erma Smith of Volga, IA.

After high school graduation Gerry went to Cedar Falls and attained her teaching certificate. Gerry began her teaching career in Rudd and remained teaching fifth grade there for the next three decades.

On Aug. 8, 1949, Gerry married Boyd Stiles and together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Boyd passed away on July 2, 2000. During their marriage Gerry continued teaching at the school while raising their three sons and taking on the chores of a farmers wife.

Gerry never met a person she thought could not be a friend. She easily fit into the retirement community she and Boyd joined in the early 1980s in Bonita Springs, FL. One could always count on Gerry to help at the retirees events and never hesitated to arrive in full-themed costume while encouraging others to do the same. When there were groups of retirees going on excursions Gerry always arrived with newspaper clippings and magazine articles to stimulate conversation and to ensure newer members always felt included.

Throughout her adult life Geraldine remained a devoted member of the Rudd United Methodist Church where she participated as a Circle member, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school for over 20 years. She was also an active member at the Bonita Springs Methodist Church in Florida.

Gerry never met a stranger and touched many hearts throughout her life. It was not unusual to find her at the Nora Springs Care Center going room to room getting to know each resident and their interests personally; only to arrive a few days later with a clipping or article for one of them. It was her self-appointed mission to share pieces of knowledge and bits of happiness with everyone who crossed her path.

Spring was Gerrys favorite time of year. She always kept an eye out for the first burst of color indicating the cycle of life beginning anew. She loved the fresh blooms in springtime, her excitement of singing birds and wildlife was quite contagious. One could always count on Gerry to share her love and excitement upon spotting a momma deer and her newborn fawn right outside her bedroom window on the Rudd farm.

Geraldine is survived by her three sons, Bruce Stiles and wife Christina of Broken Arrow, OK, Mark Stiles of Providence, RI and Paul Stiles of Rudd, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth and Donald Smith and husband, Boyd.

Gerry will always be loved and greatly missed. She is beginning a new life with freedom from pain in a place where birds sing happily and colors glisten their brightest hues and God will surround her with comfort and love.

Sheckler Colonial Chapel, 114 N. Hawkeye Ave., Nora Springs. 641-749-2210. ColonialChapels.com.
BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading private equity software provider Altvia Solutions, LLC, (Altvia) announced today that their Vice President Jeff Williams will join the panel discussion "Monitoring PE: Transparency and Fair Reporting" at the 2017 PartnerConnect East conference, now in its 29th year. The panel, which takes place on March 22, 2017, at the Hyatt Regency in Boston, will be moderated by Chris Witkowsky, Private Equity editor of Buyouts Insider. For more information about Jeff Williams and Altvia, click here.

"PartnerConnect East represents an ideal opportunity to share knowledge among the private equity community and gain insights into key market trends," comments Williams. "I'm eager to discuss new developments in relation to transparency and reporting, and what this means for fund managers and institutional investors. There are a number of market dynamics at play - from regulatory requirements to operational efficiency and investor relations - that are ushering in the need for new solutions to better manage reporting and transparency."

In connection with this market trend, Altvia is focused on the development of a powerful analytics solution and an enhanced user interface for its cloud-based platform, AIM, which enables fund managers and institutional investors to efficiently manage the increasing volume of data in disparate systems and complexities of relationships in private equity. "Facing a challenging environment, private equity firms are recognizing the competitive advantages to be garnered by turning their data into intelligence that can be leveraged to manage risk and enhance every aspect of the business. And with tools designed for ease-of-use, firms can more readily adopt the technology and processes that enable new insights for better decision making," shares Williams.

About Altvia:

Altvia translates data into intelligence for Alternative Asset Fund Managers, Institutional Investors, and Impact Investors. As the premier provider of flexible, web-based software solutions in private equity, Altvia combines technology with proven processes to fundamentally improve the communication and relationship between GPs, LPs, and Portfolio Companies. Founded in 2006, Altvia has grown to serve customers on six continents, and continues to expand its operations across the globe. To learn more, visit altvia.com.

SOURCE Altvia Solutions, LLC

Related Links

https://altvia.com


SUNNYVALE, California and RA'ANANA, Israel, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Anodot, the real time business incident detection and analytics company, today released important indicators regarding its 2016 performance, far outpacing typical business-to-business startups in their first year of sales and suggesting significant market need and acceptance of Anodot's product.

Since entering the market slightly more than a year ago, Anodot has added new marquee customers to its roster, significantly increased bookings, and expanded operations and personnel.

Anodot's key measurements and milestones include:

Multi-million-dollar bookings since launch

40% of Anodot customers are publicly traded companies

More than doubled the data analyzed by the company's proprietary machine learning algorithms in less than six months to 5.2 billion data points per day

Expanded global presence with new offices in Silicon Valley and Europe

Tripled headcount and appointed two key management members

Named a Cool Vendor in Analytics in the 2016 Gartner report

"Anodot's rapid pace of growth is correlated to the existing dissatisfaction in the market with static business intelligence tools," said David Drai, CEO and co-founder of Anodot. "We knew from our beginning that we needed to develop a cutting-edge product that can lead the industry, offering a new standard of truly autonomous BI that finds the needle in the haystack of business data, instead of leaving data analysts guessing where to look for insights. Our rapid customer acquisition is a testament to our ability to answer the needs of data-driven companies and help them succeed."

"With over 55,000 CPUs across seven data centers, and more than 900 partners, we're constantly analyzing a ton of data," said Rich Galan, Director, Analytics at Rubicon Project, one of the largest ad exchanges in the world. "Before we used Anodot, we'd miss partner integration problems. If we were lucky, we'd see the issue in our aggregated reports a day later, and then it would take us another day or two to isolate the root cause. Now Anodot puts data science in the hands of our business users so we can identify and resolve problems much faster."

Anodot is disrupting the static business intelligence world with a completely new paradigm to suit today's online industries. In traditional BI, users need to ask the questions of the data, but knowing what to ask of big data is nearly impossible. The possibilities are nearly infinite, resulting in delayed - or missing - business insights. Anodot uses patented machine learning algorithms to ask all the possible questions, and then provide insights based on what it surfaces as interesting or unusual. Its patented machine learning algorithms learn the normal behavior of every data series to identify abnormal behavior like major spikes or drops. It then correlates related metrics automatically, illustrating a comprehensive story of what is happening with a business in real time.

Scores of data-driven companies in fields like online retail, financial technology (fintech), adtech, online/ mobile games, and industrial Internet of Things are using Anodot, with hundreds of internal users that benefit from Anodot's anomaly detection and alerts daily.

Anodot's growth is further enhanced by its expansion in key markets in the US and Europe, its major headcount growth, and the appointment of key management members. Einat Paz, Anodot's recently appointed CFO was previously CFO at Earnix, a leading SaaS fintech company. Avi Avital, the company's new VP of Customer Success, previously led the logging and monitoring product team for PayPal, where he was building a large scale real-time monitoring platform.

Gartner Cool Vendor Disclaimer

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

To read the full report "Cool Vendors in Analytics, 2016," authored by Gareth Herschel, Whit Andrews, Rita L. Sallam, Lisa Kart, Marc Kerremans and Cindi Howson, 19 May 2016, click here (requires Gartner subscription).

About Anodot

Anodot provides valuable business insights through anomaly detection. Automatically uncovering outliers in vast amounts of time series data, Anodot's real time business incident detection uses patented machine learning algorithms to isolate and correlate issues across multiple parameters in real time, supporting rapid business decisions. Anodot customers in fintech, ad-tech, web apps, mobile apps and other data-heavy industries use Anodot to drive real business benefits like significant cost savings, increased revenue and upturn in customer satisfaction. The company was founded in 2014, is headquartered in Ra'anana, Israel, and has offices in Silicon Valley and Germany. Learn more at: http://www.anodot.com.

Contact

Marissa Shapiro

[email protected]

+1-914-336-4051



SOURCE Anodot
LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the discovery of penicillin in 1948, antibiotics have emerged as a crucial class of pharmacological interventions responsible for treating several infectious conditions. In addition, antibiotics are also used for prophylactic purposes in patients who have undergone surgery, or immunocompromised patients (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy). However, the inappropriate use of antibiotics, both in healthcare and food production, has rapidly accelerated an evolutionary response of antibiotic drug resistance in bacteria, rendering most existing antibiotics ineffective. In addition to high mortality rates, antibiotic drug resistance adds considerable costs to the healthcare system, thereby, significantly increasing the economic burden. In the US, antibiotic resistance leads to a loss of USD 20 billion in direct healthcare costs, with additional costs, as high as USD 35 billion per year, to society in terms of lost productivity.





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Several companies have made an attempt to develop new generation antibiotics that can combat the widespread antibiotic drug resistance. These antibiotics are either the improved derivatives of existing antibiotics or combination products of antibiotics and ?-lactamase inhibitors. In addition, several players are actively involved in the development of alternative therapies, such as phage based therapies, vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, which can potentially be utilized to target drug-resistant bacteria.



To safeguard the use of antibiotics and support the development of new generation molecules, a myriad of initiatives have been taken by government bodies across the globe. Examples include the Biopharmaceutical companies from Europe innovating in Anti-Microbial resistance (BEAM) Alliance, Driving Reinvestment in Research and Development and Responsible Antibiotic Use (DRIVE-AB), Global Antibiotic Research and Development (GARD, partnership between DNDi and WHO), Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (GAP-AMR), National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria (NAP-CARB), and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). In September 2016, leaders from across the globe decided to meet at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss health concerns related to anti-microbial resistance (AMR).



Various initiatives to classify drug resistant bacteria have been undertaken to assess the varying levels of threats posed by such pathogens and establish appropriate treatment regimens for infections caused by them. For this purpose, the IDSA has identified a set of bacterial pathogens, dubbed ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.) pathogens, which are known to be responsible for high risk and other life threatening conditions. Similarly, the CDC has come up with its own system of categorizing high risk bacterial pathogens; in this system, bacteria are classified as urgent, concerning and serious threats depending upon the severity of infections that they are known to cause. With a considerable number of candidate drugs in the late stages of clinical development and given the existing government support, the new generation antibiotics market is expected to witness significant growth with the launch of multiple drugs over the next decade.



SCOPE OF THE REPORT

The "Antibacterial Drug Resistance: Market Landscape, Challenges and Upcoming Opportunities, 2016-2026" report provides an extensive study of the current landscape and the growing pipeline of new generation antibiotics targeting drug-resistant bacteria. As indicated earlier, owing to the over-prescription of antibiotics due to improper diagnosis, lack of adherence to proper dosage regimens, their widespread availability as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and overuse in agriculture and poultry farming, most antibiotics have been rendered ineffective. Moreover, there currently exists an expanding lag between the pace at which drug resistant bacteria evolve and the time taken for new drugs to reach the market. As a result, antibiotic drug resistance has escalated into a global threat. There are concerns that the lack of effective drugs in this domain may soon trigger the relapse of the pre-antibiotic era, in which individuals died due to day-to-day bacterial infections. According to certain studies, currently, an estimated 700,000 deaths annually are known to occur due to anti-microbial resistance worldwide. In future, the growing threat of antibiotic resistance is anticipated to prove to be more fatal than cancer.



The current scenario depicts an urgent need for new antibiotics with novel mechanisms of action, having the ability to combat antibiotic resistance. The US and EU governments have amended their action plans and conducted many conferences to raise awareness about the situation among both experts in the domain and the general public. Such initiatives are addressed to support R&D strategies of companies engaged in the development of drugs to combat antibiotic resistance. Efforts are underway to assist drug developers in their clinical trial design issues, and even the simplification of regulatory pathways to expedite the time to market for such drugs. In addition, such initiatives endorse public-private partnerships in advancing scientific and clinical efforts in this domain, aid the setting up of surveillance programs to track the widespread use of antibiotics and the development of resistance, and track the growing economic burden due to this phenomenon as well.



The new generation antibiotics pipeline comprises of several molecules that target infections caused by deadly pathogens classified under ESKAPE or as urgent threats by the CDC. Several start-ups have entered the market and undertaken various initiatives to develop novel antibiotics with unique mechanisms of action. The report features:

- An overview of the current state of the market with respect to the key players involved, phase of development of pipeline products (clinical and preclinical / discovery), target classes of pathogens (Gram-negative versus Gram-positive), drug classes and key disease indications. In addition, we have included an insightful representation of the developer landscape, highlighting the geographical presence of key players in the industry.

- Detailed profiles of approved drugs, as well as those in phase III of clinical development, highlighting information on clinical trials, their current status of development, recent developments and associated collaborations.

- Insights on novel alternative therapies that are being explored / evaluated to target antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria; these include teixobactin, anti-microbial peptides, antisense antibacterials, quorum sensing inhibition, nano-metal based therapies and anti-biofilm agents.

- Details on the most popular therapeutic areas, namely acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs), complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs), complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and hospital-acquired pneumonia / ventilator-associated pneumonia (HAP / VAP). For each indication, we have provided a brief description of the disease, information on its epidemiology, available treatment plans and active comparator studies of approved drug candidates that are prescribed for the aforementioned indications.

- An illustrative grid representation and a bulls-eye analysis of the pipeline molecules, based on their development stage, spectrum of activity and the key indications.

- Future commercial potential of the market based on a detailed opportunity analysis, for the period between 2016 and 2026. The research, analysis and insights presented in this report include potential sales of approved antibiotics and those in late stages of development.



The opinions and insights, presented in this study, were also influenced by discussions conducted with experts in this field. These included contributions from senior representatives at Aequor, Cantab Anti-infectives, Da Volterra, Morphochem and NovaBiotics. All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.



RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Most of the data presented in this report has been gathered via secondary and primary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews with experts in the area (academia, industry, medical practice and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw out our own opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Where possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information. The secondary sources of information include

- Annual reports

- Investor presentations

- SEC filings

- Industry databases

- News releases from company websites

- Government policy documents

- Industry analysts' views



While the focus has been on forecasting the market over the coming ten years, the report also provides our independent view on various non-commercial trends emerging in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information.



CHAPTER OUTLINES

Chapter 2 presents an executive summary of the report. It offers a high level view on the research and analysis presented in the report, highlighting where the new generation antibiotics market is headed in the mid-long term.



Chapter 3 provides a general introduction to antibiotics, featuring information on their serendipitous discovery, their use, a detailed classification of the various types of antibiotics based on multiple parameters and information on their respective mechanisms of action. Additionally, the chapter highlights the underlying concepts related to the development of antibiotic drug resistance and how it spreads. The chapter also includes a discussion on the most hazardous pathogen species, such as the ones categorized under ESKAPE pathogens and those considered as urgent threats. Further, it presents details on the global prevalence of antibiotic resistant disease, highlighting the geographies where they occur most frequently, and the important government initiatives undertaken to address this global threat.



Chapter 4 provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of the new generation antibiotics market. It includes information on potential drug candidates that are currently marketed and those that are in different stages of development (both clinical and preclinical / discovery). It presents a detailed analysis of the pipeline of products in this domain, including information on the most commonly targeted indications, current stage of development of pipeline molecules, highlighting their spectrum of activity, the drug class they represent and the key players involved in their development.



Chapter 5 presents detailed illustrations on active comparator studies of approved and phase III drugs that have been / are being developed for various indications, such as respiratory disorders (CAP, HAP / VAP), gastrointestinal disorders (cIAIs, CDIs), skin infections (ABSSSIs / cSSSIs), CRE infections and UTIs. The chapter includes a detailed bull's eye analysis on the late stage clinical molecules and a grid analysis of the pipeline, highlighting the most popular infectious diseases against which new generation antibiotics are being developed. It also presents a detailed developer landscape, highlighting the start-ups, small / mid-sized companies and the pharma giants that are involved in this field.



Chapter 6 is focused on the new generation antibiotics that have been recently approved. It provides comprehensive profiles, containing a brief description of the drugs, geographical areas where they are approved, their respective mechanisms of action, dosage regimens, information on revenues generated on product sales and current status of development. In addition, the chapter also offers details on the recent collaborations that have been inked related to each of the profiled drugs.



Chapter 7 provides in-depth information on the antibiotics that are in phase III of clinical development. It features drug profiles highlighting relevant information on licensing, drug class, mechanism of action, route of administration, current status of development, key insights from clinical studies, recent collaborations and specific designations or statuses granted to each drug (if any).



Chapter 8 elaborates on the various alternative forms of treatment that are being explored to combat antibiotic drug resistance. These emerging therapies include teixobactin, anti-microbial peptides, antisense antibacterials, quorum sensing inhibition based therapies, nano-metals and anti-biofilm agents. The chapter provides brief overviews of the different types of therapies and details on their respective mechanisms of action.



Chapter 9 provides information on the most popular disease indications in this space. These include ABSSSI, CAP, CDI, IAI, HAP / VAP, and UTI. The chapter presents brief descriptions of the aforementioned diseases, their epidemiology and current treatment plans for each indication. In addition, the chapter highlights the names of the various pathogens that have been shown to cause these diseases. It also includes a detailed comparison of the dosage regimens of the approved drugs that are currently prescribed for the treatment of each of the aforementioned disease indications.



Chapter 10 provides a comprehensive market forecast analysis, highlighting the future potential of the market till 2026. The analysis takes into consideration the molecules that are approved and those that are in advanced stages of development (phase III, phase II/III and phase II). Projections of the future sales potential and growth opportunity are based on target patient populations, existing / future competition, likely adoption rates and the overall market size of each therapeutic area.



Chapter 11 summarizes the overall report. In this chapter, we have provided a recap of the key takeaways from the study and also presented our independent opinion based on the research and analysis described in the previous chapters.



Chapter 12 is a collection of interview transcripts of the discussions that were held with key stakeholders in this market. In this chapter, we have presented the details provided to us by Dr. Marilyn Bruno (CEO, Aequor), Dr. Mike Dawson (CEO, Cantab Anti-infectives), Dr. Kristin Thompson (Business Development Manager, Da Volterra), Elhan Webb (Business Development / Investor Relations, Morphochem) and Dr. Deborah A O'Neil (CEO & CSO, NovaBiotics).



Chapter 13 is an appendix, which provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures provided in the report.



Chapter 14 is an appendix, which provides the list of companies and organizations mentioned in the report.



EXAMPLE HIGHLIGHTS

1. There are close to 200 new generation antibiotics that are currently approved (after 2010) or in clinical / preclinical stages of development; of these, 70% molecules demonstrate activity against IDSA identified resistant ESKAPE pathogens, while 22% of candidate drugs are being developed against infections caused by CDC-identified urgent threat bacteria, namely CRE, Clostridium difficile and drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

2. 16% of the pipeline represents late stage products (phase III and phase II), while only 11% products are in phase I of clinical development. It is worth noting that drug candidates in the preclinical and discovery stages make up the major proportion of the new generation antibiotics pipeline.

3. It is important to highlight that even though a significant number of the late stage antibiotic candidates target infections primarily caused by Gram-positive bacteria, more than 50% of the antibiotic drugs in the preclinical and discovery stages are being developed for the treatment of infections that are caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

4. The innovation in this emerging field is primarily being led by start-ups / small companies. Notable examples include (in alphabetical order) Alaxia Pharma, Allecra Therapeutics, Biocidium Biopharmaceuticals, Cellceutix Corporation, Cempra, ContraFect, EYDO Pharma, Kyorin Pharmaceutical, Melinta Therapeutics, MerLion Pharmaceuticals, MGB-Biopharma, MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, Paratek Pharmaceuticals, Phico Therapeutics, Summit Therapeutics and Zavante Therapeutics. In addition, a number of large companies are also developing assets in this field. Prominent players under this category include (in alphabetical order) AstraZeneca, Allergan, Actelion, Daiichi Sankyo, GSK, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, R-Pharm and Shionogi.

5. Several mid-sized pharma players are also making notable contributions in this domain; examples include (in alphabetical order) DebioPharm, Evotec Pharmaceuticals, Galapagos, Meiji Seika Pharma, Northern Antibiotics, The Medicines Company and Theravance Biopharma. In addition to the developers of new generation antibiotics, some industry players, such as Aequor, Bugworks and SinSa Labs, are attempting to develop novel anti-biofilm agents to prevent bacteria from forming biofilms and, thereby, developing resistance to the host's immune system, as well as antibiotics.

6. With close to 10 commercialized products (approved after 2010) and over 30 in higher stages of development (phase II and above), we anticipate the new generation antibiotics market to grow at an annualized rate of over 30% till 2026. Specifically, the CAP market is likely to capture the maximum market share in 2026, owing to a large patient population and high incidence of treatment failure (10%-15%). This is likely to be followed by the ABSSSIs market that is expected to capture a 24% share of the overall new generation antibiotics market.



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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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LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Asset Management IT Solution Market: Overview





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Asset management refers to managing tangible or intangible assets. An asset management company serves as an advisor to clients, with a goal to maximize returns. Asset management firms are hired by institutional investors such as pension funds, corporations, and high net worth individuals. The asset management firms need IT solutions for managing assets such as equity, fixed income, real estate, commodities, and international investments. These IT solutions consist mainly of software solutions for business operations including portfolio management, compliance, and trade execution among others.



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market: Scope and Methodology



The U.S. asset management IT solution market report provides an analysis of the U.S. asset management IT solution market for the period 2014  2024, wherein 2015 is the base year and the period from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period. Data for 2014 has been included as historical information. The report covers all the prevalent trends playing a major role in the growth of the asset management IT solution market over the forecast period. It also highlights various drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the market growth during the said period.



The study provides a holistic perspective on market growth, throughout the above forecast period in terms of revenue estimates (in US$ Mn), across different geographies in the U.S., which include Northeast, Midwest, West and South. The report provides cross-sectional analysis of the U.S. asset management IT solution market in terms of market estimates and forecasts for all the segments across different geographic regions. This research report provides in-depth analysis of the U.S. asset management IT solution market on the basis components, deployment model and geography. The report also includes U.S. asset Management player profile and asset manager's IT viewpoint deploying IT solutions and services for managing assets.



Some of the key analytical pointers in the research study include Porter's Five Force Analysis, and key market indicators which include industry outlook of investment management firms (asset managers) in the U.S. and key mergers and acquisition in the field of asset management IT solutions from vendor as well as buyer's point of view.



Applications encompassed in the research study include portfolio management, compliance, risk management, client statements & reporting, trade order management, workflow automation, benchmarking, and cash flow & accounting. Whereas services encompassed in the report scope include enterprise data management, data integration, reporting solutions & services, operation support & monitoring, application development and maintenance, and resource management



This research study on the U.S. asset management IT solution market provides a detailed analysis of various components and their respective applications and services. The report also offers in-depth analysis of various factors such as market drivers, restraints, and growth opportunities affecting the market dynamics. These factors enable the analysis of various trends that would impact the market during the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. The report includes a comprehensive coverage of the underlying economic and technological factors under key trend analysis influencing the asset management IT solution market.



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market: Competitive Dynamics



The report aims to provide strategic insights about the investment management firms deploying IT solutions with the detailed analysis of their requirements pertaining to IT solutions. Some of the key industry players in the asset management IT solution include Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, FundCount, SoftTarget Inc., SimCorp Inc, QED Financial System, eFront Financial Solutions, Broadridge Investment Management Solutions, ProTrak International, SunGard Financials and CreditPoint Software.



Key asset managers profiled in the research study along with their IT viewpoints and requirements include Barings Corporate Investors, Geode Capital Management, The Carlyle Group LP, Voya Investment Management, Lazard Asset Management, Bridgewater Associates and Hartford Investment Management. Co among others.



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market Segmentation:



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market, by Component



Application

Portfolio Management

Compliance

Risk Management

Client Statements & Reporting

Trade Order Management

Workflow Automation

Benchmarking

Cash Flow & Accounting

Service

Enterprise Data Management

Data Integration

Reporting Solutions & Services

Operation Support & Monitoring

Application Development and Maintenance

Resource Management



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market, by Deployment Model



On-premise

Cloud-based

Hybrid



U.S. Asset Management IT Solution Market, by Geography



Northeast

Midwest

West

South

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ARLINGTON, Va., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear announced that the trucking group has promoted four longtime staffers and hired a new vice president of creative services and creative director and a new director of marketing as part of the federation's continued retooling.

"ATA's members count on the professional staff in Washington to be an advocate on their behalf and on behalf of the industry," Spear said. "Being able to recognize and promote people  and add to our roster of first-class staff is an important part of representing this industry. I'm proud of the work our staff does, and will do in being the leading voice of the trucking industry."

ATA promoted four staffers: Dan Duggan, Henry Hanscom, Joe Hite and John Lynch to new leadership positions within the association.

Lynch was named new senior vice president of federation relations and industry affairs. Lynch has been with ATA since 2006 in a variety of positions, most recently as vice president of federation relations and intergovernmental affairs. He holds a bachelor's degree from Providence College and an MBA from George Washington University .

and an MBA from . Hanscom was named new vice president of legislative affairs. An ATA staffer since 2013, Hanscom has been promoted twice, starting as a manager of legislative affairs and has been since 2014 director of legislative affairs. Prior to joining ATA, Hanscom worked for Senator Olympia Snowe for eight years. He holds a degree from Colgate University .

for eight years. He holds a degree from . Hite was named new vice president of business development. He has been with ATA since 2007, working with ATA's councils and events staff, most recently as director of event development. Hite is a graduate of West Virginia University .

. Duggan was promoted to director of sponsorships and exhibits from his previous position of manager of sponsorships and exhibits. Duggan came to ATA in 2013 and recently received his Certification in Exhibition Management. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte .

In addition to these promotions, Spear announced the hiring of Tim Smith as ATA's new vice president of creative services and creative director and Julia Grove as director of marketing.

Smith was previously an award-winning art director with the National Restaurant Association where he spent two decades. He has a bachelor's degree from Messiah College.

Grove comes to ATA after spending more than seven years at member company SkyBitz Inc., where she was most recently the telematics company's senior marketing manager. She has a bachelor's degree from James Madison University.

"ATA's members benefit greatly from the efforts of the top notch team these people belong to," said ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express, Dayton, Ohio. "I'd like to thank these individuals, and the entire staff at ATA, for the work they do for us and our industry."

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward

SOURCE American Trucking Associations

Related Links

http://www.trucking.org


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "We welcome the Trump Administration's decision to return the greenhouse gas standards' midterm evaluation back to the process that was agreed to in 2012. We look forward to working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the California Air Resources Board on a review of the standards that is data driven and accounts for the needs of American consumers without locking in a prejudged outcome."

The Association of Global Automakers represents international motor vehicle manufacturers, original equipment suppliers, and other automotive-related trade associations. We work with industry leaders, legislators, and regulators to create the kind of public policy that improves vehicle safety, encourages technological innovation, and protects our planet. Our goal is to foster a competitive environment in which more vehicles are designed and built to enhance Americans' quality of life. For more information, visit www.globalautomakers.org.

Contact: Annemarie Pender

202.650.5548 | [email protected]

SOURCE Global Automakers

Related Links

http://www.globalautomakers.org


New Innovative Daily Disposable Contact Lens Designed to Provide Astigmatic Patients

Consistently Clear Vision and Comfort Throughout the Day

LAVAL, Quebec, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.'s (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) ("Valeant" or the "Company") wholly owned subsidiary Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health company, today announced the introduction of Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism daily disposable contact lenses. Approximately 73.2 million people in the U.S. are astigmatic, but only 8.8 million people are currently wearing toric contact lenses.1 Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism helps eye care practitioners capture this astigmatic opportunity by offering patients the convenience of a daily disposable contact lens with the innovation of an evolved peri-ballast design for stability and a unique dehydration barrier to help the lens maintain 98% of its moisture for up to 16 hours.1

Biotrue ONEday features a bio-inspired design that starts and ends the day with more moisture than the leading daily disposable contact lenses.1 The advanced technology of Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism provides today's patients with consistently clear vision and comfort throughout the day.1

"Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism contact lenses were designed to provide eye care practitioners an innovation that meets the lifestyle demands of their astigmatic patients today," said Joseph C. Papa, Chairman and CEO of Valeant. "The introduction of this lens also completes the Biotrue ONEday portfolio, joining Biotrue ONEday and Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia contact lenses in

Bausch + Lomb's U.S. Vision Care portfolio."

As part of the lens development process, Bausch + Lomb scientists assessed blink patterns across a wide range of patients to design a lens that works with the eye for stable, clear vision.1 Similar to Biotrue ONEday and Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia, Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism utilizes Surface Active TechnologyTM, which provides a unique dehydration barrier helping the lens maintain 98% of its moisture for up to 16 hours.1

For more information on the new Biotrue ONEday for Astigmatism contact lenses, visit the Newsroom section at www.bausch.com.

About Valeant



Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX:VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, gastrointestinal disorders, eye health, neurology and branded generics. More information about Valeant can be found at www.valeant.com.



Forward-looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "will," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's most recent annual or quarterly report and detailed from time to time in Valeant's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Valeant undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.

References

Data on file. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Rochester, NY ; 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016.

Contact Information:

Elif McDonald

514-856-3855

877-281-6642 (toll free)

[email protected]

Media:

Renee Soto

Or

Chris Kittredge/Jared Levy

Sard Verbinnen & Co.

212-687-8080

SOURCE Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.valeant.com


WASHINGTON, Mar 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

Elo Mutual Pension Insurance, Forsta AP-fonden (AP1) and Trevian Asset Management Oy have agreed to establish a joint venture company which invests in the Finnish real estate market. The joint venture will focus on commercial real estate, mainly city centre retail and office properties in major cities with good growth prospects primarily outside Helsinki area.

The joint venture will start with a portfolio worth approximately  160 million. The aim is to actively seek further investment opportunities to significantly expand the portfolio size in accordance with the investment strategy.

"Elo is very keen to work together with AP1 and Trevian. Our aim is to create a company that provides commercial premises in the best locations of the cities with solid growth potential. The future investments support also keeping the city centers attractive and lively, which is important for the whole society", says Antti Muilu, Head of Domestic Real Estate at Elo Mutual Pension Insurance.

The company will have significant resources for further investments and its current commitments enable the total portfolio size to exceed  400 million.

"Finland is an interesting market for real estate investments with a positive urban development for larger cities outside the Helsinki area", says Johan Temse, Investment Manager at AP1. "Forsta AP-fonden is also pleased to enter a co-operation with both an investor as Elo, who shares AP1's long-term perspective, and a professional asset manager as Trevian."

Trevian will be responsible for the management and the deal sourcing of the joint venture.

"It is an honor to Trevian to be able to build up a real estate investment company together with such well-established investors as Elo and AP1 who understand the great potential underlying in the growing cities outside Helsinki. We are also satisfied to get one of the biggest pension funds in Sweden and the Nordics as a partner investing in Finnish real estate markets", says Reima Sodervall, CEO of Trevian Asset Management Oy.

The establishment of the joint venture is subject to the approval of the competition authorities.

For further information:

Antti Muilu,

Head of Domestic Real Estate,

Tel +358-40-749-8283,

E-mail: [email protected]



Maria Soderman,

Portfolio Manager,

Tel +358-50-549-7490,

E-mail: [email protected]



Johan Temse,

Investment Manager,

Tel +46-709-68-12-79,

E-mail: [email protected]

Elo Mutual Pension Insurance Company is a customer-owned employment pension company that manages the statutory employment pension provision for employees in its client companies as well as self-employed persons. Elo manages the pension security of about 700.000 people. The total premium income of Elo is approximately 3 billion euro annually. The market value of Elo's investments is about EUR 21.5 billion.

Trevian Asset Management Oyis a Finnish investment and asset management company specializing in commercial properties. The company was established in 2012 and is owned by its key personnel. The company produces actively managed real estate equity funds and asset management services optimized for its customers. The services are focused especially for institutional real estate investors, banks and other professional investors. Trevian's assets under management exceed 600 M.

Forsta AP-fondenis one of five AP-funds which ensures stability in the Swedish national income pension system. Through long-term investments and the employees' professionalism, Forsta AP-fonden is committed to be a world class pension fund. The fund's assets under management totals SEK 311 billion (31 December 2016) and the global portfolio consists of equities, fixed income securities and alternative investments. The Fund's mission is to generate the highest possible return, while maintaining a low level of risk, and thus contribute to a high and predictable income pension for current and future pensioners.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/b-b-communications/r/elo--forsta-ap-fonden-and-trevian-establish-a-joint-venture-to-invest-in-finnish-real-estate,c2215149

SOURCE B&B Communications
AUSTIN, Texas, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chase Ink Business Preferred card, which was introduced in October 2016 with a lucrative sign-up bonus and plentiful points on common expenses, is the best business credit card, according to CreditCards.com. Click here for more information:

http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/best-business-credit-cards.php

The judges particularly liked the Chase Ink Business Preferred card's expansive rewards program and hefty sign-up bonus (80,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months), which they say more than makes up for its $95 annual fee. The card offers triple points on a bevy of business-related expenses, such as shipping, Internet, phone, cable and travel. It also offers three points for every dollar spent on social media and search engine advertising  a unique benefit for businesses that are spending more resources on the web.

The Capital One Spark Cash for Business card, with its generous two percent cash back on every purchase and hassle-free rewards program, finished a close second. The card's flat rewards rate saves precious time that business owners might otherwise have to spend learning how to navigate a card's complicated rewards program. It also offers a relatively generous $500 sign-up bonus for spending $4,500 in the first three months, business-friendly benefits such as free employee cards, downloadable purchase records and no foreign transaction fees.

The Starwood Preferred Guest Business card from American Express, a favorite in travel and rewards circles, placed third. While it doesn't offer as many earning opportunities as other business rewards cards, Starpoints are significantly more valuable than the average rewards point. Starwood has boosted the value of its points by offering 1:1 transfers with a wide range of travel partners and a 5,000-point bonus when transferring points. The card offers a 25,000-point sign-up bonus for charging $5,000 in the first three months and an additional 10,000 points for spending another $3,000 in the first six months.

To help consumers pick the right business card for their company or small business, CreditCards.com evaluated some of the top-rated cards in the business card category and asked a panel of judges to rate the CreditCards.com staff's top three picks. Judges for the Best Business Credit Cards of Winter 2017 were business consultant Barry Moltz, financial planner Harriet J. Brackey, Money magazine staff writer Taylor Tepper, CreditCards.com Editor-in-Chief Daniel P. Ray and CreditCards.com senior industry analyst Matt Schulz.

About CreditCards.com:

CreditCards.com is a leading online credit card marketplace, bringing consumers and credit card issuers together. At its free website, consumers can compare hundreds of credit card offers from America's leading issuers and banks and apply securely, online. CreditCards.com is also a destination site for consumers wanting to learn more about credit cards. Offering advice, news, features, statistics and tools, CreditCards.com helps consumers make smart choices about credit cards. In 2016, over 35 million unique visitors used CreditCards.com to find the right credit card to suit their needs.

For More Information:

Ted Rossman

Public Relations Director

[email protected]

917-368-8635

SOURCE CreditCards.com

Related Links

http://www.creditcards.com


PHOENIX, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Brighter Way Institute has secured a $270,000 grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation to expand critically needed oral healthcare services to uninsured and underinsured adults and children throughout metropolitan Phoenix. Operating under the mission to be a leader in providing outstanding dental care to the community's most vulnerable populations, Brighter Way focuses many of its services on veterans, homeless adults and uninsured/Medicaid-ineligible children.

"Dental care can often be overlooked for those in our community who need urgent support, but we are working to change that as it greatly impacts a person's overall health and quality of life," said philanthropist and businesswoman, Renee Parsons. "Bob and I believe that everyone deserves access to healthcare and dental services, and the Brighter Way Institute is providing critical care to those most in need."

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has a history of supporting life-changing dental care and funded the expansion of the Brighter Ways' pediatric dental clinic, Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry at Murphy, through over $1.9 million in previous grants.

This latest grant comes as Brighter Way launches into a major partnership with national dental brand, Affordable Dentures & Implants, to deliver free dental implant, oral surgery and prosthetic treatment to hundreds of U.S. military veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness. About 400 volunteers  including affiliated practice owners, dental technicians and other auxiliary staff members  will travel from throughout the United States to Phoenix for six pro bono sessions in 2017.

Additionally, the recent grant will support operations of Brighter Way's three dental clinics: The Brighter Way Dental Center (formerly known as the CASS Dental Clinic), the Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry at Murphy and Canyon State Academy Dental Center. Launched in 2001, The Brighter Way Dental Center is the organization's main clinic and offers comprehensive oral healthcare to homeless, underinsured and uninsured adults. Canyon State Academy Dental Center opened in 2015 and provides a dental home for hundreds of at-risk children in foster care who are receiving services at Canyon State Academy's residential program.

"Bob and Renee Parsons have the biggest heart for those among us who have nowhere to turn for oral healthcare. They have a deep understanding of how a lack of dental care can undermine one's health, self-esteem and employability," said Dr. Kris Volcheck, CEO and Founder of Brighter Way Institute. "Because of their generosity, our community's veterans, LGBT youth, homeless population, uninsured children, patients with HIV and foster children have access to transformative dental healthcare."

In the past five years, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has given more than $120 million to nonprofits addressing critical needs in their communities.

To learn more about Brighter Way Institute visit: https://www.brighterwaydental.org/

About Brighter Way Institute

The Brighter Way Institute comprises three dental programs that were previously under the auspices of Central Arizona Shelter Services. Brighter Way Dental Center, the Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry at Murphy, and the Canyon State Academy Dental Center now comprise Brighter Way Institute's programs. Brighter Way Institute offers dental homes to uninsured and underinsured men, women, and children, delivering comprehensive dental care.

About The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation

The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers support to nonprofit organizations successfully working to empower, educate, nurture and nourish people during what is often the darkest times of theirs lives. Founded in 2012 by philanthropists and business leaders Bob and Renee Parsons to provide hope and life-changing assistance to the country's most vulnerable populations, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation offers critical funding at critical times to those in need. Driven by the core belief that all people  regardless of race, status or income level  deserve access to quality healthcare, education and a safe place to call home, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has exceeded $120 million in giving over the past five years. Follow @WeDealInHope on social media, or visit TBRPF.org, to learn more about partner organizations and the important work being done in the community.

SOURCE Brighter Way Institute

Related Links

https://www.brighterwaydental.org


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Networking and promotion opportunities are in high gear at Seatrade Cruise Global, and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is helping its members reach top speed through a series of events to develop relationships and business between them and key cruise executives from FCCA's 19 Member Lines, those who decide where ships call, what sells on board and how to invest in products and infrastructure.

"The FCCA is crucial to maximizing time and opportunities during this busy week," said Adam Golstein, President & COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Chairman of the FCCA, who will be on-hand during a networking reception this afternoon at the FCCA's booth (#2721). "Time becomes extremely limited, and the FCCA's meetings and events make it possible to meet with stakeholders who have ideas and projects I wantand needto hear about."

"Seatrade Cruise Global gathers more cruise executives than any other event, and the FCCA provides direct access to them," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "We do this through a series of meetings and events that discuss crucial operational issues and develop relationships that pave the way for future business between our members, partners and executives from our 19 Member Lines."

The series of events began Sunday evening at Fort Lauderdale Boatyard at a private meeting between cruise executives like Goldstein and Platinum Members. And the events will continue throughout the week, with many taking place at the FCCA booth. The booth will host a series of meetings between FCCA Member Line executives and destinations' private and public sectors, including a meeting between FCCA Member Line CEOs and FCCA partner destinations' ministers of tourism.

The FCCA booth will also host private receptions throughout the event for Platinum Members and guests to target the attending executives, enabling discussions ranging from business operations and recent happenings to family and plans for the week.

Events will also take place a stone's throw away from the convention center. This evening, the crowd of executives and members will loosen their ties for the Welcome Aboard VIP Reception, a more laid-back affair between Platinum Members and executives to help unwind from the busy week while developing invaluable relationships and business opportunities.

Tomorrow will feature the FCCA's keynote Seatrade event, the 23rd annual FCCA Gala. Taking place at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, it will welcome attendees for a networking reception, silent art auction and sit-down dinner with FCCA Member Line executives, presidents and CEOs. And all proceeds will benefit the FCCA Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization that funds humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Latin America, including disaster relief, funding for institutions like hospitals and orphanages, and annual projects benefitting educational and children's causes.

For more about the FCCA Gala, which still has limited availability, and other FCCA events, please visit https://2017fccagala.eventbrite.com.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issues and builds bilateral relationships with destinations' private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

Contact: Vena Vongachariya, [email protected]

SOURCE Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)
JUPITER, Fla., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier and Goodman Manufacturing Co., L.P. are pleased to announce a settlement of Carrier's patent infringement lawsuit against Goodman, and Goodman's counterclaims, concerning Carrier's Infinity technology, which automatically configures heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to work together upon installation. The agreement resolves litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The specific terms of the agreement are confidential.

About Carrier

Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier is a world leader in high-technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.carrier.com or follow @Carrier on Twitter.

SOURCE Carrier

Related Links

http://www.carrier.com


MONTREAL, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Today, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ) announced an investment in Datamars, a leading player in the identification of animals and textiles. CDPQ will become the company's largest shareholder, alongside Datamars' senior management and Columna Capital, who have been invested in the company since 2011.

Datamars is a global company based in Switzerland whose technology is used to identify and track livestock, companion animals and textiles. Through its emphasis on constant innovation and its ability to successfully acquire and integrate other companies, it has grown to be one of the leaders in each of the three segments in which it operates.

Operating in an industry driven by fundamental trends, such as increasing global concerns regarding food safety, Datamars offers strong growth opportunities and is well-aligned with CDPQ's long-term investment strategy.

"Datamars' management has been very successful in developing the company into a global leader in animal identification. Traceability has become an indispensable part of the agri-food sector given increasing food safety concerns worldwide, with identification as its linchpin. We are delighted to join forces with Klaus Ackerstaff and his team to support the company's growth strategy," said Stephane Etroy, Co-head of Direct Investment, Private Equity at CDPQ.

"I am delighted to have CDPQ on board as strong long term investors and supporters of our continued sustainable growth strategy, together with Columna we are positioned very strongly for the future," said Klaus Ackerstaff, CEO of Datamars.

"Columna Capital is delighted to continue its investment in Datamars. We have found an excellent partner in CDPQ to support the next phase in the development of the company," said Rory Devlin, Managing Partner of Columna Capital.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.

ABOUT CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBEC

Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (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. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter @LaCDPQ or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

ABOUT DATAMARS

Datamars is the global leader for high performance RFID solution for the companion animal, livestock and textile identification markets. Our expertise, track record of technological innovation and profound understanding of customers' needs have earned Datamars a reputation for unsurpassed quality and performance. Datamars employs more than 800 people with offices in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Datamars is a private company, headquartered in Bedano, Switzerland. For more information, please visit www.datamars.com.

ABOUT COLUMNA CAPITAL

Columna is an entrepreneurial and operationally engaged European private equity firm focusing on investments in small to mid-market companies with growth potential. Columna's strategy is to identify off-market opportunities and invest in a limited number of attractive companies where it actively works with management and other stakeholders to drive long-term value creation. Founded in 2009, with offices in London and Lugano (Switzerland), Columna has more than 200 million of assets under management. For more information, please visit www.columnacapital.com.

SOURCE Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec

Related Links

http://www.cdpq.com/


Colorado Department of Human Services takes modular approach to upgrading case management technology serving at-risk children and families statewide

Stock Market Symbols

GIB (NYSE)

GIB.A (TSX)

www.cgi.com/newsroom

FAIRFAX, VA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced its selection by the State of Colorado to lead the next two phases of the modernization of its Trails system, the state automated child welfare information system used primarily by employees with the CDHS divisions of child welfare and youth corrections and 64 county human and social services departments serving at-risk populations statewide.

Accessed by approximately 6,000 users through 87 unique interfaces, Trails integrates with 11 other state systems that track child abuse and neglect cases, care provider licenses, children and youth in the Youth Corrections system, foster and adoptive services and data required to gauge program effectiveness and adherence with government safety standards. Leveraging its ModernSI approach, CGI was previously selected to lead phase one of the project, modernizing the foundational Intake and Resource module, and will continue this work while undertaking the next two phases of the Trails system modernization.

"Trails is the backbone of Colorado's child welfare system. The existing, 13-year-old system is a critical component in desperate need of a major overhaul," said Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director for the CDHS Office of Children, Youth and Families. "Partnering with CGI, this modernization will improve caseworker productivity, reduce data duplication and redundancy and streamline intake processes."

This Trails modernization project will rebuild the system using web technology over a two year period through an innovative phased roll out approach unprecedented in the field. Caseworkers will begin to see changes and improvements long before the project is fully complete. Modernization will also make the system mobile-friendly, with a new mobile platform that uses cameras and GPS location capabilities, and remote system integration and secure access management  allowing workers to document cases offline and synch to the Trails system at their convenience.

"Our solution is focused on prioritizing the needs of caseworkers, agency users, providers, and most importantly, the children and families of Colorado," said Dave Delgado, Senior Vice-President, U.S. West Operations, CGI. "End users of Colorado's Trails system are ready for new technology that will digitally transform the way they do business by eliminating duplicate data entry, providing simple navigation, granting access to mobile technology and providing enhanced reporting. Most importantly, caseworkers want a tool that allows them to ensure the health and safety of Colorado's children and respond quickly when emergencies arise."

Reflecting CGI's experience on similar projects, the Trails solution also includes upgrades to the Assessment/Commitment and Case modules and will leverage existing technology investments, use industry-proven software and follow agile processes to deliver modular functionality throughout the project. The approach aligns with the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) regulations set by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

"To the team supporting this project, safeguarding the health and well-being of Colorado's children and families takes on a personal dimension," said Delgado. "With a CGI workforce of nearly 300 living and working in Colorado, the services supported by Trails could well impact our own families, friends, neighbors and communities. We are proud to have been selected for a project so vital to the State of Colorado and the people it serves."

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services, including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance and infrastructure management, as well as 150 IP-based services and solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Group Inc.

Related Links

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GENEVA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

An event titled "Christians in Pakistan under Threat" was organized on March 14, on the sidelines of the 34th UNHRC session in Geneva. Representatives from the Christian community in Pakistan including Naveed Walter, Human Rights Defender and founder of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, Rev James Luke, retired Captain of the Pakistani Army and Javed Baksh, a retired Major of the Pakistani Army and former Vice President of the Canadian Christian Association, spoke at the conference. Przemyslaw Czarnecki, member of the Polish Parliament was a special invitee at the event, which was moderated by Mario Silva, Executive Director, and International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS).

Speaking on the occasion, James Luke expressed grave concern about the systematic oppression of Christians in Pakistan. He recounted numerous instances over the last few years when Christians were targeted and killed by Sunni extremist forces and no action was taken by the Pakistani government to protect the Christian community. He also stated that the blasphemy law was being used as a tool to persecute the religious community.

Javed Bakhsh, while speaking at the event, emphasised that there was a need for the civilised world to take notice of the persecution of Christians in Pakistan. He highlighted how institutionally, the Christians were being deprived of job opportunities, economic benefits and were also facing social ostracism in Pakistan. He called on the Western world to put pressure on Pakistan to stop the genocide of Christians.

In his statement, Przemyslaw Czarnecki, Parliamentarian from Poland, charged the Pakistani government of repeatedly failing to take steps to protect the rights of Christians in the country. He stated that the list of cases of Christian persecution in the country was endless, and even lawyers and human rights activists who spoke on the issue of Christian rights were being targeted. He also held Pakistan's blasphemy law as an easy tool that was used to persecute Christians. He concluded by stating that there was a serious need for European countries to re-consider their bilateral cooperation with Pakistan and put pressure on the country to take effective measures to improve the condition of Christians.

Naveed Walter, who has been working with the civil society in Pakistan to improve the condition of Christians, touched upon the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was facing the death penalty under the blasphemy law. He stated that the human rights conditions of minorities in Pakistan was worsening, especially because they were not given political rights, like those enjoyed by Muslims. He stated that the only way the Pakistani government could be forced to grant minorities equal rights was through international pressure.

A documentary on the dismal condition of Christians in Pakistan administered Kashmir was also screened at the event.

SOURCE European Organization for Pakistani Minorities
NEW YORK, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) today announced that CIT Capital Equipment Financing, a leading provider of equipment financing, has added several new members to its team.

"We continue to build our team to be a best-in-class originations group in the capital equipment sector," said Eric Miller, group head and managing director of CIT Capital Equipment Finance. "We increased direct originations 400 percent in 2016. These additional hires with regional expertise should position us well to continue to provide financing solutions to meet the needs of our valued middle market customers. We expect to continue to grow in 2017."

These new hires build on last year's announcement that CIT Capital Equipment Finance expanded its market presence:

Robert Haynes joins as director of originations, Mountain region, based in Denver. Before joining CIT, Haynes held positions of increasing responsibility at NHB Bank, Bank of the West and Transamerica Finance Corporation where he focused on direct originations and relationship management. Haynes can be reached by emailing [email protected].

David Hicks joins as director of originations, Mid-South region, based in Nashville, Tenn. Hicks has held origination roles at GE Capital, Macquarie Equipment Capital, and the former Banc One Leasing (JPMorgan Chase), as well as, managerial roles at Fifth Third Bank and Cadence Bank. Hicks can be reached by emailing [email protected].

Tim McNeely joins as director of originations, Pacific Northwest region, based in Sacramento, CA. Prior to joining CIT, McNeely held roles of increasing responsibility with GE Capital, Siemens Financial Services, Capital One, AIG, and Rabbank. McNeely can be reached by emailing [email protected].

Michael Ollio joins as director of indirect originations, based in Pittsburgh, PA, where he will cover banks, captives, and independents. Before joining CIT, Ollio held roles at PNC Bank and PNC Equipment Finance, as well as Siemens Financial Services. Ollio can be reached by emailing [email protected].

Jason Sullivan joins as director of originations, Southeast region, based in Charleston, SC. Before joining CIT, Sullivan held positions of increasing responsibility at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and GE Commercial Finance where he focused on direct originations and relationship management. Sullivan can be reached by emailing [email protected].

EDITOR'S NOTE:

CIT thought leadership content can be found at the Knowledge Center on CIT.com (cit.com/knowledgecenter) and our CIT Point of View blog (cit.com/pov). View our corporate video (cit.com/corporatevideo) and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook. Register to receive press releases at cit.mediaroom.com/email-alerts.

About CIT

Founded in 1908, CIT (NYSE: CIT) is a financial holding company with more than $65 billion in assets. Its principal bank subsidiary, CIT Bank, N.A., (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender) has more than $30 billion of deposits and more than $40 billion of assets. It provides financing, leasing, and advisory services principally to middle-market companies across a wide variety of industries primarily in North America, and equipment financing and leasing solutions to the transportation sector. It also offers products and services to consumers through its Internet bank franchise and a network of retail branches in Southern California, operating as OneWest Bank, a division of CIT Bank, N.A. cit.com

SOURCE CIT Group Inc.

Related Links

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TYLER, Texas, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitas Senior Living today announced the acquisition of The Hampton's Senior Living Community from previous owner. The agreement adds 120 independent and 56 assisted living apartments, 30 cottage-style residences and 38 memory care suites to the company's expanding East Texas presence that also includes recently acquired communities in Athens, Longview and Kilgore.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to bring The Hampton's residents, their loved ones and wonderful staff into the Civitas family," Civitas Founder and CEO Powell said. "Our company was born in East Texas, so we truly understand the people, culture and values that make this such a great region in our state."

As The Hampton's new owner and operator, Powell said Civitas will manage the community's full range of operations, including the implementation of its resident-focused, signature Passion Program, a comprehensive continuum of care designed to inspire healthier, more active and higher quality of lives for its residents.

"I've spoken with many of our families who are excited about the programming Civitas is bringing to our community," said Ashley Bulman, a Tyler, Texas native who has also served as The Hampton's Executive Director for the past 10 years. "I'm thankful for the support and commitment they have already shown us and am excited about the future, both for our residents and staff."

The addition of The Hampton's Senior Living Community adds to Civitas' growing portfolio of senior living communities throughout the Unites States. The Hampton's is located in Tyler, Texas.

About Civitas Senior Living, LLC

Civitas Senior Living is a Fort Worth, Texas-based management company that specializes in development, acquisitions, operational management, and consulting for senior housing properties, including assisted living, retirement centers, and independent senior living properties. For more information about Civitas, please visit www.CivitasSeniorLiving.com, or call 817.386.8888. www.passionseniorliving.com

Media contact:

Andrea Owen

Advertising Coordinator

[email protected]

817-386-8888

SOURCE Civitas Senior Living

Related Links

http://www.CivitasSeniorLiving.com


To mitigate this risk and associated expense, Drug Research Advisor, a new suite of pre-clinical workflow tools from Clarivate Analytics, is now available. Drug Research Advisor integrates the major steps of preclinical research into a single, cloud-based workflow, enabling faster access to information allowing improved decision-making. With Drug Research Advisor, users can now interrogate crucial manually-curated content types from Clarivate Analytics Integrity SM and MetaCore TM products with one tool, using the latest visualization and analytics.

The first app within Drug Research Advisor, Target Druggability supports target identification and selection research by integrating drug, biological, experimental and competitive intelligence into a single interactive search tool. Clarivate data scientists built in a specific scoring algorithm that assesses a selection of targets for a specific disease, and scores them in order of their potential to be best- or first-in-class. This scoring system helps reduce the selection process from 12 weeks down to less than 30 minutes.

With increased efficiency, companies can now review more targets and select the ones most appropriate for their portfolios, eliminating time and money spent on the unqualified ones; thus saving millions of dollars in costs and, more importantly, allowing companies to bring more lifesaving medicines to market.

"Considering the many factors to evaluate when identifying opportunities for the next development of a first- or best-in-class treatment, researchers are regularly challenged to rapidly evaluate the target landscape surrounding an indication or pathway," said Leo Lafferty-Whyte, Head of Discovery & Translational Science Products for Clarivate Analytics. "The Target Druggability application simplifies our customers' day-to-day workflows by making increasingly complex data more visual and, therefore, usable."

How the app works

With Target Druggability, users begin searching by condition, target or drug, and immediate results show the number of targets associated with that condition. Accompanying those results are visual analytics by type of molecule and target family. Useful color-coding, grouping and sizing can also be used to show metadata surrounding these targets, such as the highest phase a drug has reached for that target, active vs. non active programs, target molecule type, biomarkers, animal models and genetic evidence levels.

From here, users can begin evaluating levels of risk  novel versus proven targets  and ranking the results based on the proprietary scoring algorithm, which interrogates the evidence around the targets.

Going to a single target level, users can also begin reviewing related information for the targets, including accompanying summaries of manually curated information.

What customers are saying

With 58% of targets with drugs in active development having two or more companies already researching them, selecting a new target to research has become a risky business with the need to genuinely differentiate from the competition and find a niche at the very start of the process.

This is why Clarivate engaged with customers in the design of the product. Their feedback was incredibly positive.

One participant, Patrick Sieber, Senior Lab Head Cardiovascular and Fibrosis R&D Biology at Actelion, said "With Target Druggability I am able to quickly have an overview of the target landscape, including conditions and competition."

"Target Druggability can support researchers with the process of selecting a target for the development of new drugs by providing the right context for decision making," said Dave Deninger, Senior Research Scientist at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, who also participated in the pilot.

DRA Drug Research Advisor  Target Druggability was recently recognized as a Top five finalist in the Fierce Innovation Awards.

For more information about Target Druggability or to schedule a demo, click here.

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

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CHICAGO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CNA today announced it has launched a new Lawyers' Data Breach and Network Security Endorsement. The new endorsement is available as part of CNA's Lawyers' Professional Liability (LPL) policy.

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned law firms that they are a major target of hackers," said Michael Furlong, Esq., Vice President, Underwriting, CNA Lawyers' Professional Liability Program. "CNA has responded to the increasing pressures of protecting sensitive data by creating this endorsement, which affords small law firms competitive insurance coverage for cyber-related events."

The CNA LPL policy provides coverage for client network damage claims up to the policy limit, as well as coverage up to $20,000 for certain costs associated with regulatory investigations arising from actual or alleged violations of privacy breach notice laws that occurred in the rendering of legal services.

For law firms with five or fewer attorneys, the Lawyers' Data Breach and Network Security Endorsement covers:

Network damage claims, up to the limit specified in the endorsement, brought by non-client third parties

Reimbursement of certain expenses incurred in response to a privacy event, including forensics, notification, privacy breach notice compliance and credit monitoring services costs, up to the limit specified in the endorsement (10 percent of the network damage claim limit liability)

As the nation's leading insurance provider of Lawyers' Professional Liability insurance, CNA insures more lawyers than any other insurer. Insuring more than 50,000 law firms and 155,000 lawyers nationwide, CNA is the bar-endorsed Lawyers' Professional Liability insurer in Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.

For more information on the CNA Lawyers' Professional Liability policy and the new Lawyers' Data Breach and Network Security Endorsement, please contact Michael Furlong at 913-661-3159 or via email at [email protected].

About CNA

Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's eighth largest commercial insurance writer and the 14th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a registered trademark of CNA Financial Corporation. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" trademark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.

Follow CNA (NYSE: CNA) on: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube

CONTACTS:

Brandon Davis, 312-822-5167 / 312-834-6091

Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394 / 312-607-5544

SOURCE CNA

Related Links

http://www.cna.com


RESTON, Va., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- comScore today announced that its Chief Research Officer Josh Chasin has been elected to the Advertising Research Foundation's (The ARF) Board of Directors. In addition, Vice President of Analytics Ray Pettit has been renominated to The ARF's Board of Curators.

The ARF Board of Directors is made up global industry leaders in advertising, marketing and media-tech insights and analytics. The Board's responsibilities include anticipating industry needs in order to drive advocacy, creating content for the industry and the organization's members, and providing strategic counseling that heightens The ARF's intellectual capital. This team effort gives The ARF the ability to tackle more critical issues for a heightened level of impact.

"The ARF has provided trusted research to the advertising and marketing industries for many decades," said Chasin. "It is an honor to be elected to its board."

"I am excited to be part of an organization that continues to contribute to the research industry," added Pettit.

The ARF Annual Conference on March 20 and 21 will feature speaking appearances by comScore executives. On March 20, comScore Co-Founder and CEO Gian Fulgoni will lead a breakfast session called A New Model for Cross-Platform Measurement at 8:15 a.m. Later that day, Senior Vice President of Advertising Anne Hunter will be part of a presentation titled, The Halo Effect at 3:10 p.m. For more information, go to http://thearf.org/event/arf-annual-conference-2017.

About comScore

comScore, Inc. (OTC: SCOR) is a leading cross-platform measurement company that precisely measures audiences, brands and consumer behavior everywhere. comScore completed its merger with Rentrak Corporation in January 2016, to create the new model for a dynamic, cross-platform world. Built on precision and innovation, our unmatched data footprint combines proprietary digital, TV and movie intelligence with vast demographic details to quantify consumers' multiscreen behavior at massive scale. This approach helps media companies monetize their complete audiences and allows marketers to reach these audiences more effectively. With more than 3,200 clients and global footprint in more than 75 countries, comScore is delivering the future of measurement. For more information on comScore, please visit comscore.com.

SOURCE comScore

Related Links

http://www.comscore.com


As if Iowa's embattled Medicaid system needed more stress.

U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan's pitch to replace the Affordable Care Act is already in trouble. House conservatives are blasting it from the right, dubbing it "Obamacare-lite." Democrats are decrying the bill's potential to strip millions of Americans of their health insurance, a claim that will next week be tested when the Congressional Budget Office issues its analysis. President Donald Trump's enthusiasm is, at best, inconsistent. Powerful lobbies representing the elderly and physicians are lining up against it. And four center-right Republicans in the Senate immediately panned it because it would end federal funding for Medicaid expansion, which 31 states have done since ACA's adoption.

It's this last point of contention in which Iowa and Illinois  both states that expanded Medicaid  could end up in dire financial straits. The bill, as it now stands, would end federal matching funds for Medicaid expansion in 2020, replacing them with bloc grants. The rollback is essential to pay for the hundreds of billions in tax cuts that are at the core of Ryan's bill, which even Fox News admitted would disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

Iowa's Medicaid program is already in free-fall after last year's privatization. Recent filings from two of the three providers, showing huge financial losses, is evidence that Gov. Terry Branstad should have listened to federal regulators last year and applied the brakes. The third company has said in the past that Iowa's payments simply aren't enough to make it whole.

Medicaid in Iowa is already nearing a tipping point.

And it's within this ecosystem where Ryan, and to a lesser extend Trump, find themselves. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, admitted as much when he immediately panned Ryan's bill after last week's rollout. Illinois "won't do very well," under the House draft, Rauner told the Chicago Tribune. Rauner's comments echoed Ohio's GOP governor, John Kasich, who recently lobbied the White House to salvage the Medicaid funding.

Branstad, who is set to accept a diplomatic job with the Trump administration, was more, well, diplomatic. Branstad, also a Republican, said he wanted to read the bill before commenting.

The fact is, Iowa's Medicaid system has more than doubled since the state expanded Medicaid to include those making up to 138 percent of the poverty level, or $26,000 for a family of three. About 70,000 relied on the program prior to 2013's state expansion, a Department of Human Services spokeswoman told us. Now, between 145,000 and 150,000 Iowans are in the program on any given week. That's 5 percent of the state's population now relying on Medicaid. In Illinois, 650,000 were added after Medicaid expansion.

Does anyone actually believe that, when the federal funds dry up, the state is going to let those people languish? Lawmakers could, but it would be cruel and politically problematic. And, as that population again flees to emergency rooms over primary care, everyone will pick up the tab.

Ryan and Trump are feeling it from all sides. Both men made huge promises, after Republicans spent years lampooning President Barack Obama's premier domestic achievement. House Republicans ceremonially voted dozens of times to repeal the law while Obama was in office. And now, House conservatives  especially the Freedom Caucus  are looking to make good on pledges to kill the troubled program once and for all. Meanwhile, the GOP's center is rightly fretting the human and political costs that could accompany such aggressive and swift action.

A lot has been said about ACA's shortcomings. A lot was done to assure Obama's health insurance program failed. A lot has been promised to voters, many of them benefiting from the ACA.

But, as it now stands, states like Iowa and Illinois stand to pay if Ryan gets his victory.

This editorial appeared in the March 10 edition of Quad-City Times, another Lee Enterprises publication.
Under the agreement between the companies, CorVascular will exclusively market the IV-eye to national and large regional distributors. A key component of the arrangement makes CorVascular responsible for introducing the IV-eye to resellers throughout all healthcare segments of the US market.

"We have been looking at vascular visualization technologies with the goal to broaden our product line, and the IV-eye is the perfect solution," said Spencer Lien, CEO of CorVascular. "We now have the ideal product for distribution into several market segments: long-term care, surgery centers, hospitals, and teaching institutions. All of which can benefit from a low cost, simple to use vein finder to help any staff member quickly obtain access."

Patients with difficult IV access are frequently subjected to repeated attempts by multiple practitioners due to failed IV attempts and are more likely to experience treatment delays. The average time requirement for peripheral IV cannulation has been reported at 2.5 to 16 minutes, with difficult IV access requiring as much as 30 minutes1. A delay in establishing vascular access can result in a delay in the administration of fluids and/or medications as well as delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Multiple attempts at attaining vascular access result in frustration and a loss of productivity by the treating team as well as a poor patient experience.

John Scott, President and CEO of Novarix, says, "We are proud to be partnered with CorVascular. Their proven ability to successfully introduce new products into the US market was a key factor in choosing them. They have the right distribution experience to quickly get the IV-eye into the hands of American distributors, while we continue to build momentum for the product around the world."

About Novarix

Novarix is a collaborative medical device development company, delivering innovative new products in the field of intravenous (IV) therapy to the worldwide healthcare sector. Based in the UK and in North Carolina, USA, Novarix develop products which demonstrate the company ethos of practicality, simplicity and performance for both healthcare professionals and patients. Key target markets include hospitals, homecare, clinics, remote healthcare and IV training centers. Visit www.novarix.com for more information.

Contact:

Rod Thomson, VP Sales and Marketing

[email protected]

About CorVascular

CorVascular is a privately held healthcare technology and medical device supplier to hospitals, clinics and mobile testing centers in the United States. CorVascular's sister company, Vitacon US, markets healthcare technology primarily into transitional and long-term care centers in the US. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota's "Medical Alley", the companies are committed to providing the hands-on, high-touch experience customers expect. Together they partner with the leading designers and developers around the world to deliver the most sophisticated and cost-effective solutions to the US market. Visit www.corvascular.com and www.vitacon.us for more information.



Contact:

CorVascular Diagnostics, LLC

Mary Riebe

[email protected]

1Leidel, B. A., Kirchhoff, C., Bogner, V., Braunstein, V., Biberthaler, P., & Kanz, K. G. (2012). Resuscitation, 83(1):40-5. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2011.08.017

SOURCE CorVascular Diagnostics, LLC
ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Control Systems (ACS), a global provider of advanced grid automation technology, announced that it received an order from Crisp County Power Commission (CCPC) for a new PRISM SCADA system with advanced network topology model via the Company's DASmap application. The ACS system will provide a convenient migration path for CCPC to add Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) applications and an Outage Management System (OMS) as needed.

This award is significant because CCPC is a new ACS customer and represents the latest affirmation of ACS' award-winning PRISM real-time software platform. It also reinforces the trend of modernization and automation at all levels throughout the electric utility industry.

Michael Ivey, Technical Services Manager at CCPC said, "We are looking forward to moving to the ACS PRISM platform. We expressed to ACS our need to modernize our SCADA system to enable integration with our Geographic Information System (GIS) distribution network maps and our upcoming Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) project. ACS impressed us not only with the ability of PRISM to provide exactly what we wanted, but also with how easy the system is to operate and expand with advanced functionality."

"ACS is honored to have been selected by CCPC for this important project," said Kevin Sullivan, ACS' CEO. "We view this as the start of a long-term partnership, and we will do everything that we can to help CCPC deepen their use of technology as they provide expanded service to their electricity customers."

About Crisp County Power Commission:

The Crisp County Power Commission (CCPC) was formed by an amendment to the Georgia State Constitution in 1925. CCPC delivers power to 12,000 customers in a service area of 330 square miles covering Crisp County in central Georgia. It owns and operates the 8,700-acre Lake Blackshear reservoir, as well as a hydroelectric dam/plant, a coal-fired power plant, and a natural gas-fired turbine. CCPC is one of the founding members of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG), a joint action agency providing generation and transmission services to its 49 Georgia members.

About Advanced Control Systems:

ACS is a leading power grid control software solutions and advanced automation technology to enhance the operational performance of the global electric power industry. For over 40 years, ACS has been a trend-setter in power grid control. With its PRISM software platform, ACS has been at the forefront of virtually every advancement in SCADA, Advanced Distribution Management (ADMS), outage management (OMS), energy management (EMS), simulation & optimization, and network visualization. The ACS Centrix and NTX portfolio also provides utilities with state-of-the-art solutions for intelligent substation and distribution automation. The ACS PRISM Mobility suite brings rich, real-time technical and operational content directly into the hands of utility crews, engineering personnel, and management so teams can act quickly and decisively to serve their customers under any circumstances. Learn more at www.acspower.com.

SOURCE Advanced Control Systems (ACS)

Related Links

http://www.acspower.com


NORTH YORK, Ontario, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Elleffe Design, the luxury boutique home accent brand offering 100 percent made in Italy fine home accents and serveware, will make its official debut in the North American market at the International Home + Housewares Show 2017 being held at Chicago's McCormick Place March 18 - 21. Elleffe Design can be found in Booth #N7926, which is located in the North Building discover|DESIGN expo.

Elleffe Design specializes in 18/10 certified stainless steel in various finishes and a unique aesthetic called Expressive Modern. The eight collections (World, Ypsilon, Alzate, Mosaico, Bubble, Ciocco, Ventaglio, and Candelieri) that will be spotlighted at the show have been designed to meet the desires of modern households, hospitality professionals, interior designers and event planners. All pieces deliver the highest standard of design, manufacturing and quality control discerning consumers can trust.

"Our collections are on trend, offering a differentiating expressive modern aesthetic that serves the young modern dwellers need for luxury home accent pieces," says Rami Izadyar, Marketing Director for Elleffe Design. "We continually sense aneed for new options in the market for those tired of merchandise sameness across retail distribution. We think of it as jewelry for the tabletop."

The material for the eight collections being exhibited at the show is certified 18/10 stainless steel in various finishes which guarantees an enduring high quality product that will last for decades, is non-corrosive, is resistant to absorbing any odor or taste, will not react chemically with foods of any kind, and can be used indoors and outdoors.

All Elleffe Design collections are handcrafted and produced in a family owned and operated environment outside of Milan, Italy.

The home accent and serveware make a perfect wedding gift, anniversary gift, hostess gift, housewarming gift, or corporate gift.

For more information about Elleffe Design, visit elleffedna.com or check out http://housewares_show.vporoom.com/ElleffeDesign

Elleffe Design

Elleffe Design North America is the exclusive distributor of Elleffe Design, a manufacturer of fine housewares products based in Milan, Italy. Elleffe Design's family owned and operated factory has a long history of manufacturing in 18/10 stainless steel. Six years ago, after decades of manufacturing for most major brands, their love of the craft and design gave birth to the Elleffe Design brand. In this short amount of time, Elleffe Design has expanded to Asia, Europe and Middle East and now Elleffe Design is looking forward to serve the needs of households, hospitality, interior design and event planners in United States, Canada and Mexico.

Note: Photos are available upon request

http://housewares_show.vporoom.com/ElleffeDesign

SOURCE Elleffe Design
ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Endeavor is celebrating its 20th anniversary and expanding its U.S. presence with the launch of Endeavor Atlanta. The program will leverage the region's entrepreneurial spirit to drive job creation, sustained economic growth and a culture of paying it forward to future generations of startup founders. Endeavor Atlanta's launch is made possible by seed funding from Cox Enterprises, a leading communications, media and automotive services company, along with strong community support from local entrepreneurs. Cox has operated in Atlanta for more than 75 years and has been a leader in bolstering the region's startup scene.

All Endeavor offices are spearheaded by a local board of entrepreneurial leaders and a managing director experienced in the local ecosystem.

The Endeavor Atlanta founding board will be co-chaired by WebMD and Sharecare Founder Jeff Arnold and PGi Founder Boland T. Jones. Other Endeavor Atlanta board members include: Neurosurgeon and Emmy award-winning chief medical correspondent for CNN Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chik-fil-A, Inc. VP of Community Affairs and Foundation Executive Director Rodney Bullard, Cox Enterprises Senior VP of Corporate Strategy and Investments Duncan O'Brien, H.J. Russell & Company President and Chief Operating Officer H. Jerome Russell, Rubicon Global and QuarterMoore Founder Lane Moore, and Atlanta Ventures CEO David Cummings. Read more about the Endeavor Atlanta board here.

"Each of us on the Endeavor Atlanta board has experienced firsthand the wealth of talent and resources our city offers, and we are committed to paying that forward by investing in Atlanta's entrepreneurial future," said Endeavor Atlanta Co-Chairman Jeff Arnold. "Our city has grown into a hotspot for high-growth companies - and the entrepreneurs that build them - and establishing Endeavor Atlanta will create opportunities for even more innovators, more ideas and more industries."

The new office will be run by Aaron Hurst, who joins Endeavor Atlanta from the global technology company Ceridian, where he most recently served as vice president of global solutions.

Atlanta is home to a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, with strong universities, headquarters of prominent large corporations, and a growing tech scene with innovative startup accelerators and incubators. Yet, while the rate of startup growth is rapidly rising, with an increase from 35% in 2015 to 44% in 2016,* the share of scaleups  those companies that have passed the start-up phase and who demonstrate the potential for rapid expansion -- in the ecosystem has largely remained static. Endeavor's support model will target these companies poised to scale, helping build up an extensive pipeline of high-potential companies to contribute to economic growth, while encouraging reinvestment in the city's future entrepreneurs.

"After 20 years of bringing Endeavor's model to countries around the world, we're thrilled to open our fourth U.S. office and help Atlanta's promising founders scale, stay and strengthen the area's entrepreneurial ecosystem," said Endeavor Co-Founder and CEO Linda Rottenberg. "With strong support from the area's leading founders and executives on Endeavor Atlanta's board, we're confident of the impact that the new office will have on Atlanta's innovators and the city as a whole."

Endeavor is a 20-year-old, nonprofit organization that facilitates long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs around the world. Founded in 1997 by Linda Rottenberg and Peter Kellner, Endeavor has helped over 1,400 of these entrepreneurs build more than 800 companies across 25 markets, which generated combined revenues of $8.1 billion in 2015. To date, companies led by Endeavor Entrepreneurs have created more than 600,000 jobs, and often go on to mentor and invest in the next generation of founders, or serve on the boards of Endeavor offices.

"Endeavor's unparalleled global network will equip the city's best entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and continue putting Atlanta on the map as a hub for entrepreneurship," said Endeavor Atlanta Co-Chairman Boland T. Jones.

Endeavor Atlanta will work to identify high-impact entrepreneurs in the region and provide them access to a global network of markets, industry leaders, investors, and talent, helping to expand their ventures into enterprises that can propel the local economy. The new office will be Endeavor's fourth affiliate in the U.S., with offices previously launched in Detroit, Louisville, Ky., and Miami.

For entrepreneurs interested in learning more about Endeavor Atlanta, please contact [email protected]. For more information visit www.EndeavorATL.org and Endeavor.org.

*As measured by changes in employment on average five years after founding, as presented in the Kauffman Foundation's High Growth Index.

SOURCE Endeavor; Cox Enterprises

Related Links

http://www.endeavor.org


DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ensono, a leading hybrid IT services provider, offers a managed solution that enables clients to upgrade to the latest IBM i v7.3 system, providing its users with more support for running critical applications. The addition of a fully managed IBM i suite of services, including remote infrastructure management (RIM), Cloud and Dedicated, is a pivotal step forward in expanding Ensono's hybrid IT capabilities.

Ensono walks clients through the process of shifting from older i/OS systems such as IBM i v5.4 to its fully supported IBM i service platform. By switching to the latest IBM i v7.3 system through Ensono's managed IBM i services, clients are on an IBM supported platform while being in a flexible use environment. Ensono scales resources based on applications' needs, offering processing power based on an organization's application requirements.

For clients not ready to upgrade to the latest version of IBM i, Ensono can still support older versions and help clients upgrade as appropriate. For example, a client can start by using Ensono's RIM capability having their existing environment managed in their data center. Ensono would then help the client optimize their environment and upgrade it to move to Ensono's IBM i cloud environment using newer versions and taking advantage of the scalable capabilities of Ensono's cloud offering.

"Our IBM i users continue to look to add increased value to their organization by deploying scalable and resilient solutions that give them the tools they need to move towards a hybrid environment," said IBM Manager of Business Partner Programs for Power Systems, Brett Flory. "Ensono's products and services that support IBM i showcase how IBM i on Power enables higher performance and optimization for top-quality hybrid IT operations."

Through Ensono, users can avoid making upfront hardware purchases, freeing up CapEx dollars for new business investments. Ensono's support model offers IT teams more flexibility to focus on innovation to help their company tap into new opportunities.

"Reducing risk and driving higher efficiencies in infrastructure and applications is critical for businesses today working to self-fund new innovation projects," said Tim Beerman, CTO at Ensono. "With IBM i offerings, Ensono can continue to help enterprise CIOs reduce cost and risk by enabling them to seamlessly operate and optimize their infrastructures. Ensono clients can leverage IBM i without the costs and manpower associated with running this mission-critical system."

The combination of these services provides clients the flexibility to outsource IBM i without significant constraints

Ensono will also showcase its IBM mainframe solutions innovations later this month at IBM InterConnect in Las Vegas. Ken Harper, a director of mainframe services at Ensono, will present on March 22 at 8 a.m. PT for the InterConnect audience. His presentation, "Staffing Strategies to Address the Mainframe Talent Drain," will explore tactics around attracting and retaining mainframe talent.

For more information about Ensono's IBM i infrastructure support solutions, please visit https://www.ensono.com/mainframe-midrange/ibm-i.

To learn more about Ken Harper's session at IBM InterConnect, you can go to https://www.ensono.com/insights/mainframe-talent-drain-interconnect.

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


TYSONS CORNER, Va., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aptify, a leading provider of software and services to mid- to large-sized member-based organizations, today announced the release of a new version of its flagship product that will have associations providing Amazon-like online experiences to their members.

The Aptify association management software (AMS) system has been integral in the association industry for more than two decades, helping more than 150 associations serve their members worldwide. With this latest release, Aptify offers its clients a totally revamped e-commerce suite, greater processing speed, and a deeper feature set that gives users more power to control their data and work free of distraction.

"Aptify is constantly working to keep our AMS on the cutting-edge of technology, while listening to our clients about their changing needs. This release captures both technological evolution and client requests in a single product update," Krishna Raman, Vice President of Aptify R&D, says.

Speed, performance, and functionality drive Aptify's e-Business suite, the e-commerce portal that connects an association's database to its members. Upgraded features in e-Business now provide members a shopping cart experience on par with online shopping best practices, including customer reviews and order renewals.

"From setting up membership auto-renewal through the shopping cart to managing their own preferences and profiles, members have enhanced power to manage their experience with the organization," says Ajaypal Singh, Aptify Product Manager.

Faster performance extends well beyond the e-Business suite. Aptify's latest release will have associations working up to 200% faster than before throughout the entire system.

"Our software and coding is now leaner and more efficient than ever, meaning less time loading screens and more time achieving your mission," Sapna Bhat, Aptify Product Manager, says.

In addition to the next level performance gained by faster processing, the Aptify AMS now includes an Aptify Outlook Add-In that combines both email and contact log functionality. With the Outlook Add-In, clients can create, open, and add to records in the Aptify system straight from Outlook. This eliminates both having to change focus between the two systems as well as repeating data entry.

The Aptify team also has upgraded form functionality to save its users time. Separate departments now can have individual and unique summary forms so that, depending on group function, users have direct access to the top-level summary information they need the most. Plus, new country fields transform based on the country input in a form, saving the frustration of having to force fit addresses into one country-specific form.

A full set of features associated with this release are available.

The launch comes just weeks after Aptify unveiled the Aptify Mobile App for iOS, which combines the performance and innovation of Aptify with the ability to work from anywhere. The mobile app is compatible with the new release and is available for free in Apple's app store.

About Aptify

Founded in 1993, Aptify pairs flexible membership management software with a complete suite of strategic and professional services, making it the go-to technology partner for member-based organizations. Aptify's products and services are centered around providing expert solutions to enterprise-level, member-based organizations, giving them what they needin whatever format they need itto help them make better decisions. With offices in Tysons Corner, Va.; Chicago, Il.; New Orleans, La.; Sydney, Australia; Dublin, Ireland; and Pune, India, Aptify supports the missions of organizations worldwide. Aptify is a proud member of the Association Success family of companies.

Media contact:

Jennifer Barrell

[email protected]

312.345.9005 x2034

Related Links

Aptify Cairo Release Features

Aptify website

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

SOURCE Aptify

Related Links

http://www.aptify.com


NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A fixture of Manhattan neighborhoods for 90 years, Cohen's Fashion Optical is celebrating its legacy with empowerment initiatives that give back to its customers.

With the long-standing credibility of a family name and the principles of its founder, Jack Cohenwhose pushcart frame business on the Lower East Side advanced into the first fashion eyewear retail location in New YorkCohen's is expressing gratitude to the city that has supported it's philosophy for nearly a century.

Building upon its roots of providing sight with style, New Yorkers can expect even more from Cohen's with an added level of attention this year:

Style Days at Cohen's Featuring GlamSquad

With the help of stylists from the city's coveted GlamSquad network of makeup artists, Cohen's is welcoming glam stations into select stores for two hours on Saturdays throughout the year. Customers will look and feel their best with makeup tips from experts who know how to make eyes shine. To complete the look, Cohen's offers an array of designer frames for any face shape, personal style, or hair and eye color. Visit www.cohensfashionoptical.com for dates and locations.

Empowering Customers Through Sight

Whether it's providing free eyeglasses to people who need them in communities near and far, giving free eye exams for kids, or donating to hospitals in local NY neighborhoods, Cohen's has been dedicated to making a difference worldwide. This year, customers will be able to touch people's lives just by purchasing eyewear and receiving an eye examThanks to recent partnerships with iHeartRadio, RestoringVision and EcoMedia, and the Mount Sinai Hospital Adolescent Health Center's Ophthalmic Suite complete with a Cohen's Fashion Optical store, thousands of people in local communities and beyond will receive free glasses to help them live full, productive lives. Cohen's wants all customers to participate in vision for the greater good: Whether it's school children in their neighborhood, a veteran in the Bronx, or a craftsmen in Guatemala, clear vision can be life-changinghelping people rejoin the workforce or continue their education.

Celebrating New Yorkers

Cohen's want to share a little more of its story and how it creates connections in the communities it serves. By empowering independent business owners who in turn assist thousands of New Yorkers a day, Cohen's keeps commerce local. With a new ad campaign that celebrates everyday New Yorkers looking for value, style, and benefits of insurance plans, Cohen's will introduce an exclusive 90th Anniversary offera pair of frames complete with prescription lenses for only $90. It's Cohen's way of saying thank you.

Look for "90 Years" in the windows of your nearest Cohen's location, keep an eye out for panel discussions, follow 90 years @cohensfashionoptical on Instagram and Facebook, and don't forget to check out stylists and special promotions in-store.

With a rich heritage of personal attention, comprehensive care, and enterprising value as far back as 1927, Cohen's is honored to express its gratitude to customers.

"My Father envisioned an environment where he would help people see better and look better, too," said company President Bob Cohen. "We have never wavered, but we have invested even further in his vision and we are proud to evolve it in a way that matters today."

About Cohen's Fashion Optical

90 Years of Quality Eyecare & Eyewear

Ninety years ago, our founder, Jack Cohen, pioneered a new philosophy in the retail eyewear business. His vision was, everyone who needed prescription eyeglasses wanted to look better, see better, and feel better about themselves. In 1927, Cohen's became the only fashion eyewear retail location to be found in New York. Cohen's Fashion Optical quickly became a New York City retail landmark. Today, with over 130 stores in the US and Puerto Rico, Cohen's is one of the top ten optical retailers in the country and one of the longest operating optical franchise companies in the country.

SOURCE Cohen's Fashion Optical
CHICAGO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (Bank) is pleased to announce the first recipient of its 2017 Community First Awards today at its member meeting in O'Fallon, Illinois. The awards recognize outstanding achievements of the Bank's member institutions and their local partners as they work together to strengthen their communities through affordable housing and economic development initiatives. Award categories include partnership, project or program, pioneer, and emerging leader. Award winners identify a nonprofit organization to receive up to $10,000.

Partnership Award

Housing Action Illinois (HAI) is the recipient of a $10,000 partnership award recognizing the Organizational Leadership Development Initiative it created with Midland States Bank (www.midlandsb.com) in 2015. The initiative offers a specific Organizational Leadership workshop track at HAI's annual Housing Matters! conference for housing advocates and practitioners, and it provides scholarships for nonprofit leaders throughout Illinois  especially those in non-metropolitan areas  to attend.

"Midland States Bank and Housing Action Illinois believe that to create positive, long-lasting change in the affordable housing sector, there must be high-functioning nonprofit organizations led by effective, dynamic, well-trained leaders, and we agree with them," said Suzi Thackston, FHLBC Community Investment Officer. "The Organizational Leadership Development Initiative invests in the human capital necessary to advance the social goals of our member institutions and the communities they serve."

Later this month, the Bank will announce three more Community First Award winners at its member meetings in Oak Brook, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Bank also supports the community investment activities of its members by offering:

Forgivable grants for eligible projects through its competitive Affordable Housing Program

Down payment and closing cost assistance through its Downpayment Plus  Programs

Programs Favorably priced loans and credit products through its Community Investment Cash Advances

Lower-interest-rate, longer-term financing for community development organizations through its Community First Fund

Grants to grow and strengthen nonprofit lenders through its new Community First Capacity-Building Grant Program

Direct relief funding to members' communities through the Community First Disaster Relief Program

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

For more information on the FHLBC and its full range of Community Investment programs, please visit www.fhlbc.com or @FHLBC. "Community First" and "Downpayment Plus" are registered trademarks of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago.

SOURCE Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

Related Links

http://www.fhlbc.com


GAINESVILLE and BOCA RATON, Fla., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research (the Florida Institute) announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with Candidate.Guru, a Boca Raton-based company with technology developed at the Florida Institute for Human Machine and Cognition (IHMC). The Florida Institute supports new company creation based on publicly-funded research, and bridges early funding gaps for companies spinning out of Florida-based universities and research institutions.

Studies show that 60% of new hires who fail, fail because of a bad match with their manager. These mismatches can cost companies 2.5xs salary lost in productivity. Candidate.Guru solves this problem with an artificial intelligence solution that can predict a culture fit between companies and prospective job candidates without the need for surveys and assessment tools.

"The idea for the company was born out of my own frustration with many of the recruiting tools and technologies in the marketplace," said Christopher Daniels, Candidate.Guru Chief Executive Officer. "Prior to Candidate.Guru, the only way a company would know whether job applicants were a culture fit was to speak with all of them which isn't realistic for companies that get hundreds if not thousands of job applicants. Our customers can easily submit job candidates to Candidate.Guru via LinkedIn, job boards and human resource systems, and we then return them in rank order based on strength of the culture fit with a specific hiring manager, team or the company itself. This enables our customers to prioritize thousands of job candidates instantly and reach out to the best culture fits first."

"Candidate.Guru is improving the hiring process by enabling companies to hire the best candidates more efficiently, thereby increasing long term employee productivity," saidJackson Streeter, MD, Florida Institute Chief Executive Officer. "The Institute looks forward to supporting Candidate.Guru as the company provides companies with the tools they need to build world-class teams."

About the Florida Institute

Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida's state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2.5B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. With funding from the State of Florida through the Department of Economic Opportunity, and through the generosity of mentors, advisors and donors, the Institute provides company building services, and seed funding through the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund, to promising Florida startups. Sixty-five companies have been funded to date, and the Institute's economic impact through June 30, 2016 in the State of Florida was $630 million.

About Candidate.Guru

Founded in 2014, Candidate.Guru has a patent pending cloud-based solution that can predict a culture fit between job candidates and companies without the need for surveys and assessment tools. The Candidate.Guru Culture Fit Prediction Engine combines machine learning, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to help recruiting organizations curate and prioritize massive candidate pools based on the best possible fits for their companies. Candidate.Guru is proud to have been chosen as the #1 start-up in Florida by the Miami Herald and win first prize in the Florida Early Stage Venture Capital Forum annual conference. Please visit www.candidate.guru to learn more.

CONTACT:

Jane Teague

Chief Operating Officer

Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research

561-368-8889

[email protected]

SOURCE Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research

Related Links

http://www.florida-institute.com


RALEIGH, N.C., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) has announced regional leadership for its commercial credit function serving the Company's new markets in North Carolina and South Carolina, entered through the recently completed acquisition of Yadkin Financial Corporation (Yadkin).

Stephen Grossbauer will lead FNB's regional credit team in the role of Senior Vice President and Senior Credit Officer. To be based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Grossbauer brings to the position over 30 years of financial services experience in a variety of credit-related roles, most recently as a Senior Credit Officer for FNB and including more than 20 years at one of the nation's largest commercial banks.

Maintaining FNB's emphasis on local decision-making, a number of experienced Yadkin professionals have additionally been named to roles managing regional credit processes. Responsibility for FNB's credit portfolio in its regions across North Carolina and South Carolina will be shared by Regional Credit Officers Mason Hawfield, Larry Clark, Jeffrey Cramer, Edwin Shuford and Michael Hendricks. Additionally, Kirk Beason and Craig George will serve as Investment Real Estate Credit Officers and will partner with Investment Real Estate and Builder Finance lending teams across the state.

"Leveraging FNB's regional model, our credit professionals in North and South Carolina will work with our local banking teams to provide timely in-market credit decisions," said Gary L. Guerrieri, Chief Credit Officer of F.N.B. Corporation. "We are confident that Steve's experience with FNB and our regional teams' extensive knowledge of the market will be an ideal combination to further our efforts to deploy capital efficiently, responsibly and in line with our strong credit culture."

FNB previously announced details regarding its divisional and regional leadership structure for North Carolina and South Carolina. The FNB-Yadkin merger was completed on March 11, 2017.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE:FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in eight states. FNB holds a significant retail deposit market share in attractive metropolitan markets including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; and Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina. The Company has total assets of nearly $30 billion, and more than 400 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, international banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance. The Company also operates Regency Finance Company, which has more than 75 consumer finance offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com .

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation

Related Links

http://www.fnbcorporation.com


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas M. Reynolds, who served 10 years in Congress, and Sally Vastola, his chief of staff for all five terms, have joined Holland & Knight as senior policy advisors in its Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group in Washington, D.C. Joining the firm with them are Douglas Dziak and Jodi Richardson as senior counsel and public affairs advisor respectively. All were previously with Nixon Peabody.

Mr. Reynolds served in Congress from 1999 to 2009 representing western New York's 26th District, which includes the Buffalo and Rochester areas, a seat once held by Jack Kemp. During his tenure, he was elected to the Republican leadership team and was a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rules Committee and Administration Committee, as well as the House Republican Steering Committee. He also served as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2003-2006.

As chief of staff, Ms. Vastola worked closely with the members and staff of the Ways and Means Committee and of the House leadership. She was named one of The Hill's top 50 staffers four years in a row. In addition, she served as executive director and chief executive officer of the National Republican Congressional Committee during Mr. Reynolds' term as chairman.

"We are delighted to welcome Tom Reynolds to the firm," said Steven Sonberg, Holland & Knight managing partner. "Tom's elected experience at every level of government and political knowledge, combined with his private sector business background, will be a great asset to our clients as they seek assistance dealing with the complexities of navigating the legislative and regulatory process."

"Tom has a distinguished 35-year career of elected service in public office, with Sally at his side for much of it," said David Whitestone, the leader of Holland & Knight's Government Section. "Their ability to create bipartisan relationships and connections will be invaluable as they advise clients on legislative and regulatory policies in such areas as tax, international trade, healthcare, financial services and energy."

"I came to know Holland & Knight when I served in Congress and have been impressed with it ever since," said Mr. Reynolds. "The firm has a strong bipartisan team with deep ties throughout Washington and a reputation for nurturing longstanding relationships on both sides of the aisle while advocating for clients."

"Tom and I look forward to working alongside such an outstanding group of lawyers and policy professionals to provide strategic counsel to clients as they address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the new administration," added Ms. Vastola.

About the Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group: Holland & Knight's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group includes more than 100 lawyers and other professionals engaged in federal, state and local government affairs and regulatory counseling and related disciplines. With 13 teams including Government Representation, Environment, Telecommunications, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Transportation, Federal Practice & Appropriations, Government Markets and State and Local Procurement, State Capitals and High-Stakes Communications, our attorneys and professionals manage complex client problems and opportunities involving local, state and federal government regulatory, transactional and legislative matters.

About Holland & Knight LLP: Holland & Knight is a global law firm with more than 1,200 lawyers and other professionals in 27 offices throughout the world. Our lawyers provide representation in litigation, business, real estate and governmental law. Interdisciplinary practice groups and industry-based teams provide clients with access to attorneys throughout the firm, regardless of location.

SOURCE Holland & Knight LLP
NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- telephone, also known as a satphone, is a type of mobile phone that enables the user to communicate with each other by connecting directly to orbiting satellites, instead of terrestrial cellular telephone sites. The ability to allow the user to stay in touch with one another at the time of any emergency is boosting the demand for satellite phones across the world. Satellite phones can also be used in areas where the government has restricted the access to internet and calls. In addition, they can be used in areas affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunami, etc. Moreover, growing satellite industry coupled with increasing defense expenditure is also aiding global market of satellite telephones. Furthermore, increasing ship and aircraft movements across various regions of the globe coupled with growing oil & gas production are expected to positively influence global satellite telephones market in the coming years. However, increasing government regulations over the use of satellite phones in various countries across the globe is expected to boost the sales of satellite telephones across the world in the coming years.





Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04772327-summary/view-report.html





According to "Global Satellite Telephones Market, By Satellite Type, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2011  2021", the global market of satellite telephones is anticipated to cross $5.5 Billion by 2021. On the basis of satellite type, global satellite telephones market has been broadly segmented into Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). Among these categories, geosynchronous orbit dominated global satellite telephones market in 2015, and the segment is expected to maintain its dominance over the next five years as well. North America is the largest consumer of satellite telephones across the globe. "Global Satellite Telephones Market, By Satellite Type, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2011  2021" discusses the following aspects of global satellite telephones market:



- Global Satellite Telephones Market Size, Share & Forecast

- Segmental Analysis  By Satellite Type (Geosynchronous Vs. Low-Earth Orbit), By End User (Defense, Maritime, Aviation, Energy, Government & Others)

- Regional Analysis  North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America

- Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

- Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations



Why You Should Buy This Report?



- To gain an in-depth understanding of global satellite telephones market

- To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years

- To help industry consultants, satellite telephones 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 satellite telephones manufacturers, distributors, channel partners and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and proprietary databases.



Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p04772327-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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LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

New online social platform celebrates all things gaming in one place

Green Man Gaming, a global e-commerce technology company in the video games industry, has announced the launch of its new community platform - Green Man Gaming Community BETA. From today, gamers across the world can enjoy the new community, which offers in-depth game stats, the latest news, and the ability to connect with other gamers and watch popular Twitch streamers - all in one place.

Community BETA allows gamers to chat to each other by posting their latest gaming stories on the Buzzfeed, and team up together through personal messaging. Moderators from around the world and a dedicated Community Manager will ensure the Buzzfeed is a safe and lively place for all users. On top of this, members can view the community's game statistics, and watch top Twitch streamers play the biggest games live on game pages. Gamers can also keep track of their own personal Steam library and get up to date stats on play time, completion rates and game achievements.

The latest news, insights and interviews from the gaming world will be shared from the Green Man Gaming blog, newsroom and game hubs, whilst community activity updates will be shared through optional notifications and update emails.

Green Man Gaming Community is open to all gamers who visit www.greenmangaming.com from today and members will be able to join the community by creating a Green Man Gaming account and becoming a member. Existing Green Man Gaming and Playfire members will be able to log in with their current details and view their profile, game statistics and live chat with other players right away.

As the community is still in BETA, Green Man Gaming will continue to update the platform with more features throughout the year. The company is keen to work with members to offer the best social network for gamers, and welcomes feedback on the website.

"We're extremely excited to finally share the new Green Man Gaming Community with everyone today. We think it's just the start of what will be the ultimate destination for gamers worldwide. Our team have worked tirelessly to create an experience that's immersive, informative and seamless for all types of gamers to enjoy. We will continue to work closely with community members to improve it further so watch out for new features coming very soon," said Paul Sulyok, CEO and Founder of Green Man Gaming.

About Green Man Gaming

Green Man Gaming is a global e-commerce technology company in the video games industry and the first choice for millions of gamers around the world.

We offer a wide range of digital games that our customers can play on their favourite platforms including PC, Mac, Sony Playstation and Nintendo. Working directly with over 500 publishers, developers and distributors, we offer gamers in 190 countries a large catalogue of multi-platform games at competitive prices. Green Man Gaming is an official distributor of Sony PS4, Nintendo, Steam, Uplay, Rockstar Social Club and many more PC platform products.

Green Man Gaming's Publishing arm works with developers to help publish and market their own games, supporting them every step of the way. Our vibrant online community also connects gamers and rewards them for in-game activity. This gameplay data allows us to further improve the overall gaming experience.

Our passion for games and strong community platform provides gamers with the ultimate multi-platform destination to shop, connect and get the best insights online.

www.greenmangaming.com

SOURCE Green Man Gaming
WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Greystones Group was awarded a prime contract with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to support the Visual Media Reasoning (VMR) Program at the National Media Exploitation Center (NMEC). Under this program, Greystones will optimize VMR to deploy as both a standalone configuration and in an elastic cloud environment, developing multiuser capability, data compartmentalization and hardening the system for operational use. Greystones will also provide system integration, testing, Installation, Operations and Maintenance as well as system Training and Documentation.

Why digital media reasoning? Our adversaries use digital photos and videos on social media and other networks, whether authentic or made up, to claim responsibility for events or to illustrate capabilities directly intended to recruit, instill fear and cause social outcomes that supports their intent. The sheer volume of this visual media has outpaced an analyst's ability to review, analyze, synthesize and understand, to make actionable recommendations.

Upon award, Greystones CEO, Ms., Sheila Duffy stated:

"Our company understands, to engage the threat requires a full understanding of the operational environment. Adversary access to cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) challenge our operations every day and we cannot fall behind. VMR will enable operational commanders to better understand the threat to their operations and ensure that they make more informed decisions for their mission success."

The VMR application, when fully developed and deployed will extract operationally relevant mission and operational information from the expanse of photos and video in order to support development of actionable intelligence. This program supports the transition of the VMR from a successful R&D program to an operational, visual product at the national-level media exploitation centers that provides those commanders and leaders a full understanding of the threat.

Who we are.

Greystones (www.greystonesgroup.com) is an ISO 9001:2015 certified, certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) headquartered in the Washington, DC area, with offices in Ft. Leavenworth, KS, Ft. Gordon, GA, and Huntsville, AL. Since being founded in 2000, Greystones has supported a wide variety of commercial, DoD, Intelligence Community and other Civilian Government clients.

With a mission first approach, Greystones applies cutting edge technology and industry-leading expertise to partner with our Federal customers in solving critical national security challenges. Integrating a deep understanding of military and intelligence operations with our technical capabilities we create solutions that improve our National Security and enable our National Defense. Greystones' core capabilities include a complete understanding of full spectrum cyberspace and electronic warfare operations, their planning, execution, analytics and assessments. Greystones specializes in cybersecurity operations, full threat analysis and assessment, requirements definitions and determination, software development, leader development and education, data analytics and decision support, and mission planning and operational support.

Contact Cameron Raithel Telephone (202) 777-1403 Cell (404) 277-9784 Email [email protected] Website www.greystonesgroup.com

SOURCE Greystones Group

Related Links

http://www.greystonesgroup.com


CHICAGO, March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Grubhub, the nation's leading takeout marketplace, today announced it is partnering with the National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI), an organization whose mission is to improve student performance in the critical subjects of STEM, in honor of Pi Day. On March 14, Grubhub users will be empowered to contribute to NMSI and show their support for STEM education by entering 'PIDAY2017' at checkout. When users do so, Grubhub will donate 3.14 percent of these users' order totals to benefit NMSI, up to $40,000.

As a technology company that values STEM education and the importance of preparing the next generation of leaders in the technology space, contributing and giving back to NMSI was a natural partnership for Grubhub.

"We are excited to partner with NMSI to help further American education in the crucial areas of science, technology, engineering and math," said Barbara Martin Coppola, CMO, Grubhub. "By helping NMSI further STEM education, today's children will have the opportunity to become the next great engineers, mathematicians, scientists and technology leaders of tomorrow."

NMSI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming math and science education in today's classrooms with proven, effective programs that can be replicated nationwide. By providing training and support for teachers and students beginning in elementary school through college, NMSI programs have a lasting, positive impact on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes. To date, NMSI's programs have positively impacted more than 1.5 million students and 50,000 teachers at 1,000 high schools and 45 universities in 40 states coast to coast.

To find takeout restaurants available in your area, check out grubhub.com. If you are interested in becoming part of the Grubhub Delivery team, please visit driver.grubhub.com. To find out how your restaurant can join Grubhub, check out get.grubhub.com. To learn more about Grubhub and its portfolio of brands, please visit newsroom.grubhub.com.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is the nation's leading online and mobile takeout food-ordering marketplace with the most comprehensive network of restaurant partners and largest active diner base. Dedicated to moving eating forward and connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, the company's platforms and services strive to elevate food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub is proud to work with more than 50,000 restaurant partners in over 1,100 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, AllMenus, MenuPages, LAbite, Restaurants on the Run, DiningIn and Delivered Dish.

About the National Math + Science Initiative

Launched in 2007, the National Math and Science Initiative increases students' access and achievement in rigorous math, science and English courses through engaging programs that are rooted in local partnerships. The nonprofit organization is nationally recognized for providing programs proven to benefit students, teachers, schools and communities in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at nms.org.

SOURCE Grubhub

Related Links

https://www.grubhub.com


ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. ("Hannon Armstrong," or the "Company") (NYSE: HASI), a leading investor in sustainable infrastructure markets, including energy efficiency and renewable energy, announced today its quarterly dividend, the addition of Rebecca A. Blalock, the former chief information officer of Southern Company, as a new Board member and a new Deputy Chief Financial Officer and a new Chief Accounting Officer. "We are investing in our growth with additional electric power, cyber security, risk, finance and accounting capabilities," said Jeffrey Eckel, Chairman, President & CEO of Hannon Armstrong. "These changes further solidify the base from which we intend to grow the business."

Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.33 per share of common stock payable on April 13, 2017, to stockholders of record on April 5, 2017. Based upon the Company's common stock closing price of $18.42 per share on March 14, 2017, the dividend represents an annualized yield of 7.2%.

Board of Director Expansion, Creation of Finance and Risk Committee and Committee Realignment

The Company announced the appointment of Rebecca A. Blalock as an independent member to its Board of Directors. "Becky Blalock brings significant energy market and cyber risk management expertise to the Board," said Jeffrey Eckel, Chairman, President & CEO of Hannon Armstrong. "Her work on the EPRI Board, among others, will bring incremental insight on the continued evolution of the U.S. power sector, and we are pleased to welcome her to Hannon Armstrong's Board of Directors." With the addition of Ms. Blalock, the Board of Directors now consists of seven members, six of whom are independent members.

Ms. Blalock has extensive experience in the energy and information technology industries, having served in a variety of roles for over 30 years at Southern Company and its subsidiaries, most recently as its Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 2002 to 2011. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Aspen Aerogels, Inc., an energy efficiency technology company and the Electric Power Research Institute, a non-profit electric industry research institute and is presently the Managing Partner at Advisory Capital, a firm that provides strategic insights for companies involved in the energy, information technology, healthcare and telecommunications industries. Ms. Blalock holds a BBA in Marketing from the State University of West Georgia, an MBA in Finance from Mercer University and completed the Program for Management Development (PMD) at Harvard Business School.

The Company also announced its Board of Directors has established a Finance and Risk Committee, consisting of Mr. O'Neil (Chair) and Ms. Blalock, with responsibility for overseeing the Company's financing objectives and related risk exposures. Effective May 15, 2017, Mr. O'Neil will rotate off the Compensation Committee and be replaced by Mr. Osgood and Ms. Blalock with Mr. Cirilli remaining the Chair. There were no changes to the Audit Committee (Osgood (Chair), O'Neil, Osborne) or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (Brenner (Chair), Cirilli).

Finance Team Expansion

The Company also announced that Justin Cressall has joined the Company as Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Charles Melko has been appointed Chief Accounting Officer. "The addition of Justin and Chuck to the team expands our expertise in the areas that will be critical as we continue to grow," continued Eckel.

Mr. Cressall has extensive capital markets and asset management experience, having previously served as Managing Director in the Ares Credit Group of Ares Management, L.P. and at American Capital, Ltd. Previously, Mr. Cressall was a Senior Vice President and Treasurer at Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd., a publicly traded reinsurance company. In addition, Mr. Cressall was a Director in the Transaction Services Division at KPMG LLP, where he focused on financial services. Mr. Cressall holds a B.A. from Tufts University in Economics. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Toronto in management and professional accounting. Mr. Cressall is a Chartered Accountant.

Mr. Melko joined Hannon Armstrong in 2016 as a Senior Vice President and Controller of the Company. Prior to this role, he served in a number of roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), including as a Senior Manager in the National Professional Services Group where he focused on complex financial instruments accounting issues for energy clients. Mr. Melko received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy, a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Science degree in Accountancy from Wheeling Jesuit University. He holds a CPA license in West Virginia and Maryland.

About Hannon Armstrong

Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI) invests in sustainable infrastructure markets, including energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Company focuses on providing preferred or senior level capital to established sponsors and high credit quality obligors for assets that generate long-term, recurring and predictable cash flows. The Company is based in Annapolis, MD.

Forward Looking Statements

Some of the information in this press release contains forward-looking statements and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this press release, words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "target," or similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on such statements. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements include those discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as in other reports that we file with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations as of the date of this press release. We disclaim any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements reflecting new estimates, events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Contact: Investor/Media Relations

Phone: 410-571-6189

Email: [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160125/325673LOGO

SOURCE Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.hannonarmstrong.com


STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleet Owner, the trucking industry's leading information source for more than 90 years, will see its long-time Editor-in-Chief Jim Mele step into the role of editor emeritus on May 5, and Executive Editor Sean Kilcarr will take the editor-in-chief role.

Mele joined Fleet Owner as its news editor in 1985 and led the brand through its transition from the leading print monthly for trucking to a fully featured media outlet with complementary digital properties. Over the decades Fleet Owner has been embraced by the industry as the go-to source for insights that help trucking operations run their fleets more efficiently and profitably, a testament to Mele's editorial leadership. During Mele's tenure, Fleet Owner earned more than 30 honors from the Jesse H. Neal Awards and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE).

"Jim has been a guiding force behind Fleet Owner's success for more than three decades," said Managing Director Reggie Lawrence. "He has not only steered the editorial team through countless industry shifts with clear vision, but he has also guided Fleet Owner into a new era of digital engagement, helping build our website, newsletters and webinars into vibrant channels embraced by our readers. He hands editorial leadership of the properties over in great shape, poised for ongoing growth, and I'm confident that Sean, whom we have just named to be the new editor-in-chief, will continue effectively where Jim leaves off. Sean is widely known and respected by the market, and he brings his own unique voice and vision to his expanded role. We all look forward to more great things to come from Fleet Owner with Sean at the editorial helm."

Kilcarr joined Fleet Owner in 2000, has authored the title's popular "Trucks at Work" blog for the past ten years, and has earned multiple Jesse H. Neal Awards and ASBPE Editorial Excellence Awards for his writing for Fleet Owner. While serving as Fleet Owner's executive editor, he also served as an editor of sister brand American Trucker since 2009.

Kilcarr will oversee a wide range of new engagement initiatives at Fleet Owner, including the recently launched Fleet of the Year Awards ceremony and reception, the Fleet Owner 500 awards ceremony and reception, the new HD Pickup & Van brand, the ongoing Fleet Owner webinar series and a wide range of other channels and venues that connect fleet owners and managers with the information and services they need to run profitable businesses.

"I'm excited about this opportunity as I truly enjoy covering the trucking industry," Kilcarr said. "Jim has been my mentor at Fleet Owner all these years and is certainly leaving some big shoes to fill. But he's left an excellent roadmap for me to follow and for keeping Fleet Owner on the path of success."



ABOUT FLEET OWNER AND PENTON COMMERCIAL VEHICLE GROUP

Fleet Owner is part of the Penton Commercial Vehicle Group, the leading provider of essential business information, data and marketing services for the trucking industry, providing end-to-end market coverage of commercial vehicle operators. Our brands connect manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, and technology developers with commercial truck fleets, owner-operators, professional drivers, and aftermarket service decision makers. Our suite of products serves multiple touch-points across the industry  from design and manufacturing to equipment usage and repair  for people running all sizes of fleets to those whose businesses rely on one vehicle. Titles include Fleet Owner, FleetSeek, American Trucker, Trailer/Body Builders, Refrigerated Transporter, Bulk Transporter, and HD Pickup & Van. Learn more at http://trucking.penton.com.

About Informa

Fleet Owner and the Penton Commercial Vehicle Group are part of Informa, the international business intelligence, academic publishing, knowledge and events group. Informa serves commercial, professional and academic communities, helping them connect and learn, and creating and providing access to content and intelligence that helps people and businesses work smarter and make better decisions faster.

Informa has over 7,500 colleagues in more than 20 countries and a presence in all major geographies. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100.

Media Contact

Chris Lamphear

Director of Marketing

Fleet Owner

248 799 2658

[email protected]

SOURCE Fleet Owner

Related Links

http://www.penton.com


Composed of nearly 20 million homes, the single-family rental home market is increasingly becoming an integral part of America's housing economy, helping to meet the growing demand for rental housing that has been driven by a confluence of factors, including an increase in lifestyle flexibility provided by leasing, declining home investment across the U.S., and tighter housing markets that have been influenced by credit availability.

These trends have presented an opportunity for operators to professionalize the single-family rental home market, bringing expanded leasing options to renters and a better and more consistent resident experience. HouseCanary will help accelerate efforts to advance an industry that has historically been fragmented and lacking a consistent way to benchmark returns for single-family rental investors.

"Given the massive size of the SFR market, separating the wheat from the chaff can be hard. The precision and richness of HouseCanary's data will help investors zero in on the areas that make the most sense for their investment strategies," said Gary M. Beasley, industry veteran and co-founder and CEO of Roofstock. Availability of information to all industry participants is expected to drive investor interest in rental properties, accelerate financing, increase competition, and give renters more choice and better quality as more individual owners improve homes to compete with institutional owners.

The HCRI Index measures Effective Gross Yield for the industry, computed as the current fair market annualized rent minus estimated property tax, divided by the current fair market home value. Effective Gross Yield is an important profitability metric for single-family rental home lenders and investors, who have historically only been able to calculate gross yields for individual properties or their own portfolio of properties. Single-family rental lenders and investors have been largely unable to benchmark their respective returns against the rest of the single-family rental home market. HouseCanary's vast, granular dataset of rent and home values enables the company to compute Effective Gross Yield at the national, state, and zip code level, and for 3 million census blocks across the country. HouseCanary is committed to refining the index over time and will introduce other industry metrics to serve single-family rental stakeholders.

Jeremy Sicklick, CEO and Co-Founder of HouseCanary, said, "We believe that making this information widely available will increase transparency, improve the availability of financing, and drive further investment in the single-family rental asset class, ultimately benefiting the millions of Americans who are choosing to rent and the U.S. housing market more broadly."

The HCRI Index will be calculated and available by state and metro area on a quarterly basis through a scheduled press release, with zip code and census block level data available on the company's website www.housecanary.com/rental-investment-index.

Effective Gross Yield by State

The United States National Effective Gross Yield as of March 15, 2017 is 7.7 percent (more information on methodology available in the Methodology section below). The state-by-state view reveals substantial regional differences in Effective Gross Yield, with the Western states and New England trailing the rest of the country. Accelerated home price appreciation in the Western U.S. has contributed to weaker yields. Home price appreciation nationally (and in these states) is expected to continue to outpace rent appreciation over the next quarter, with a geographically diverse real estate cycle continuing to further the imbalance across the country.

This trend is particularly strong in California, the state with the lowest Effective Gross Yield in the country at 5.2 percent. Conversely, Indiana and Mississippi, at 11.8 percent, are the states with the highest Effective Gross Yield. Throughout the Midwest and South, Effective Gross Yield has continued at elevated levels, fostering continued industry growth. Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas  hotspots for investment from major institutional and public portfolios  remain among the highest-performing markets. States showing the highest potential Effective Gross Yields are Alabama, Ohio, and Louisiana.

Methodology

HouseCanary's data analytics group has indexed, normalized, and analyzed 40 years of U.S. residential property data, spanning over 1 billion transactions and 100s of macroeconomic and local data points, to derive an accurate view of current home values and rental values nationally. The single-family, non-owner-occupied portion of these home and rental values is used to derive the Effective Gross Yield discussed in this document. Effective Gross Yield is defined as the current fair market annualized rent minus estimated property tax, divided by the current fair market home value. Effective Gross Yield can be computed for individual homes, U.S. census blocks, zip codes, states, and the national level. Homeowner association (HOA) fees and insurance costs are not included, as investors are able to add those costs at an individual portfolio level.

About HouseCanary

Founded in 2014, HouseCanary's mission is to help people make better real estate decisions. Built on a foundation of great data, powerful models, and predictive analytics, the HouseCanary platform aggregates millions of data elements, including more than four decades of property data and a rapidly expanding arsenal of proprietary calculations and analytics, to accurately define and forecast values and market influences. HouseCanary is financed by notable investors including Hillspire (Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt's family office), Alpha Edison, ECA Ventures, Raven Ventures and others top Silicon Valley investors. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. Visit the company's website www.housecanary.com.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/housecanary

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/3615103/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HouseCanary

SOURCE HouseCanary, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.housecanary.com


"MassMutual has long believed that both financial and physical health are important, inextricably linked components of individual well-being," said Gareth Ross, MassMutual's Chief Digital and Customer Experience Officer. "Our cutting-edge agreement with HLI  which is unlike anything else in our industry  may better enable our customers, employees and financial professionals to see the benefits of a long and healthy life."

HLIQ Whole Genome, which is ordered by a client's physician, includes comprehensive sequencing and analysis of the individual's whole genome. The report may give insight into health status and risk for disease, details on which pharmaceuticals may work better for individuals, carrier status for family planning decisions, along with ancestry and personal traits. Clients and their doctors will receive an electronic version of the genome report and their entire genome in a printable poster format.

HLI's data security standards are designed to fully protect client data. MassMutual will not receive from HLI any data, including genomic data, on these policy owners, customers, employees or financial professionals. MassMutual does not pay for or otherwise subsidize the cost of the HLIQ Whole Genome. This voluntary program is available to existing MassMutual customers as of March 14, 2017.

Cynthia Collins, HLI Chief Executive Officer stated, "Current practice of medicine is reactive, focused on management of disease and costly. The HLIQ Whole Genome is one of HLI's novel solutions to help make healthcare more predictive, proactive, and preventative. We continue to believe that genomics will play an increasingly important role across a variety of business sectors including insurance and look forward to working with MassMutual."

HLI has developed one of the world's largest databases, which currently has approximately 40,000 genomes and related phenotype (physical trait) data. This distinct database, combined with HLI's proprietary tools and machine learning capabilities, may enable HLI to make new discoveries from the genome, which could lead to more novel insights for customers. Clients also have the added benefit of knowing that their genomic data is helping to enhance the overall understanding of health and disease.

The offer is available through March 14, 2018. To learn more about HLIQ Whole Genome, customers should start by visiting MassMutual's website at www.massmutual.com/HLI. More information about HLI and HLIQ Whole Genome can be found at www.humanlongevity.com.

About Human Longevity, Inc.

Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) is the genomics-based, health intelligence company creating the world's largest and most comprehensive database of whole genome, phenotype and clinical data. HLI is developing and applying large scale computing and machine learning to make novel discoveries to revolutionize health. In addition to the HLIQ Whole Genome and HLIQ Oncology, HLI's business also includes the HLI Health Nucleus, a genomic powered clinical research center which uses whole genome sequence analysis, advanced clinical imaging and innovative machine learning, along with curated personal health information, to deliver the most complete picture of individual health. For more information, please visit http://www.humanlongevity.com or http://www.healthnucleus.com.

About MassMutual

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policy owners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com. MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives.

SOURCE Human Longevity, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.humanlongevity.com


English German

ALLSCHWIL/BASEL, SWITZERLAND - 15 March 2017 - Actelion Ltd (SIX: ATLN) today issued the formal invitation to the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders on behalf of the Board of Directors. The meeting to approve the Business Report of the year ending 31 December 2016 will be held on 05 April 2017 at 10.00 CEST at the premises of Actelion, Hegenheimermattweg 95, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.

NOTES TO SHAREHOLDERS

The invitation was published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt) on 15 March 2017 and is available, together with the Company's Annual Report and Compensation Report, on www.actelion.com.

In order to attend and vote at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, Shareholders must have been registered in the Company's shareholder register by 31 March 2017 at the latest.

As previously announced, Janssen Holding GmbH, Zug, an indirect subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, (the "Offeror"), made a public tender offer for all of the shares of Actelion Ltd. (the "Offer"). The Board of Directors is recommending to the shareholders of Actelion Ltd (the "Shareholder(s)") to accept the Offer in the Report of the Board of Directors, which is available on www.actelion.com/proposed-transaction. In connection with the Offer, Actelion's drug discovery and early clinical pipeline business shall be demerged and transferred to a newly-created entity, Idorsia Ltd, Allschwil (the "Demerger", and together with the Offer, the "Transactions"). For a detailed description of the Transactions, please refer to the Shareholder Information Brochure, which can be downloaded from Actelion's website under www.actelion.com/agm.

As part of the Offer, the Offeror nominates candidates to Actelion Ltd's Board of Directors to take office with effect from the settlement of the Offer, while the term of the existing members of the Board of Directors to be re-elected shall expire as per the same date (agenda items 4 and 5). For the purposes of the Demerger, the Board of Directors proposes to distribute the shares in Idorsia Ltd to the Shareholders by way of a dividend in kind (agenda item 6).

Shareholders should note that the settlement of the Offer is, inter alia, conditional upon the Shareholders having approved the election of the candidates nominated by the Offeror (agenda item 5.1) as well as the distribution of the shares in Idorsia Ltd to the Shareholders (agenda item 6). If these agenda items are not approved and such conditions are not waived in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the Offer will be declared unsuccessful and will, thus, terminate. The Board of Directors, therefore, strongly recommends that Shareholders vote in favor of these agenda items if they wish for the Offer to proceed and complete.

Note for Shareholders who have tendered their shares into the Offer: Please note that the tendering of your shares does not affect your entitlement to participate in the Annual General Meeting and to exercise your voting rights.

###



NOTES TO EDITORS

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Shareholder,

Actelion is undergoing an exciting period of development and change.

As you are aware, we were approached last year by Johnson & Johnson, who proposed that together we explore the rich strategic opportunities for collaboration between our two companies. A truly innovative proposal has come out of these extensive discussions. We are proud to have now reached an agreement that allows you to realize substantial value from Actelion's products and late-stage pipeline assets through the sale of your Actelion shares for cash, while at the same time retaining a significant stake in the future potential upside of Actelion's early stage pipeline through ownership of Idorsia Ltd, a new independent biopharmaceutical company that will specialize in the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics to address significant unmet medical needs.

OUR PROPOSAL HAS TWO CONSTITUENT PARTS: A TENDER OFFER AND A DEMERGER.

 THE TENDER OFFER: Janssen Holding GmbH, an indirect subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has already made an offer to acquire all of the shares of Actelion at an all cash price of USD 280 per share. Subject to extensions, the main offer period is expected to remain open until 30 March 2017. In the report of Actelion's board of directors contained in the tender offer prospectus, we have already recommended to the shareholders of Actelion to accept the offer and Actelion's board and I encourage you to participate and tender your shares. Actelion will retain its current marketed products as well as certain late-stage product candidates.

 THE DEMERGER: Actelion's drug discovery and early clinical pipeline business will be separated into a newly-created entity, Idorsia Ltd. As part of the demerger, we propose to distribute the ownership of Idorsia to shareholders by way of a dividend in kind (one Idorsia share for each Actelion share held), and at Actelion's general meeting on 5 April 2017, we will ask you to vote to approve this dividend in kind.

It is important to bear in mind that if the dividend in kind is not approved at this general meeting, the tender offer and the demerger will not complete.

As a shareholder of Actelion who has invested in the company and supported the development of its pipeline, you have the opportunity to continue to share in future successes through the unique structure of the proposed transaction. Led by Jean-Paul Clozel and the experienced and proven scientific team of Actelion, I have high expectations for this new biopharmaceutical company with access to over CHF 1 billion in cash, equipped with state of the art technology and benefitting from a broad portfolio of innovative drugs in its pipeline inherited from Actelion. Assuming the tender offer is successful and you approve the demerger, Idorsia shares are expected to be listed on SIX and to commence trading in the second quarter of 2017.

In the event that the tender offer and demerger are successful, Actelion will become a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. It is also envisaged that following completion of the tender offer and the demerger, Johnson & Johnson will hold 16% of the shares of Idorsia through the conversion of the first tranche of a convertible loan, with the right to increase its shareholding to 32% (based on the number of Idorsia shares as of the first day of trading, on a post-conversion basis) in the future through the conversion of the second tranche of the same convertible loan.

We have described the proposed transaction structure and the benefits that you will receive in a shareholder information brochure. The brochure is available to download from www.actelion.com and may be printed upon request to investor.relations@actelion.com. We are confident that you will share our view that the transaction is in the best interests of all parties involved and recommend you vote to approve the proposals put to you at the general meeting on 5 April 2017.

For the board of directors of Actelion Ltd

Jean-Pierre Garnier

Chairman of the board of directors





AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS 2017

1. Annual Report 2016, Consolidated Financial Statements 2016, Statutory Financial Statements 2016 and Compensation Report 2016

1.1 Approval of Annual Report 2016, Consolidated Financial Statements 2016, Statutory Financial Statements 2016

1.2 Consultative Vote on the Compensation Report 2016

2. Appropriation of Available Earnings

3. Discharge of the Board of Directors and of the Executive Management

4. Re-election of the Current Board of Directors

4.1 Re-election of the Board of Director

4.2 Re-election of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors

4.3 Re-election of the Compensation Committee

5. Election of the New Board of Directors

5.1 Election of the Board of Directors

5.2 Election of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors

5.3 Election of the Compensation Committee

6. Distribution of all Shares in Idorsia Ltd to the Shareholders of Actelion by Way of a Dividend in Kind for the Purpose of Implementing the Demerger

7. Election of the Independent Proxy

8. Election of the Statutory Auditors

9. Reduction of Share Capital by Cancelation of Repurchased Shares of Actelion Ltd



Actelion Ltd.

Actelion Ltd. is a leading biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative drugs for diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

Actelion is a leader in the field of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Our portfolio of PAH treatments covers the spectrum of disease, from WHO Functional Class (FC) II through to FC IV, with oral, inhaled and intravenous medications. Although not available in all countries, Actelion has treatments approved by health authorities for a number of specialist diseases including Type 1 Gaucher disease, Niemann-Pick type C disease, Digital Ulcers in patients suffering from systemic sclerosis, and mycosis fungoides in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Founded in late 1997, with now over 2,600 dedicated professionals covering all key markets around the world including the US, Japan, China, Russia and Mexico, Actelion has its corporate headquarters in Allschwil / Basel, Switzerland.

Actelion shares are traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol: ATLN) as part of the Swiss blue-chip index SMI (Swiss Market Index SMI). All trademarks are legally protected.

For further information please contact:

Andrew C. Weiss

Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gewerbestrasse 16, CH-4123 Allschwil

+41 61 565 62 62

www.actelion.com

The above information contains certain "forward-looking statements", relating to the company's business, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "believes", "expects", "may", "are expected to", "will", "will continue", "should", "would be", "seeks", "pending" or "anticipates" or similar expressions, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. Such statements include descriptions of the company's investment and research and development programs and anticipated expenditures in connection therewith, descriptions of new products expected to be introduced by the company and anticipated customer demand for such products and products in the company's existing portfolio. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fcb250c6-7d41-4796-a9e1-7534888422e3
NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunter Roberts Construction Group (Hunter Roberts) is pleased to announce the firm will undertake a two-story overbuild project for Inspira Health Network, a charitable healthcare non-profit serving communities in south New Jersey. The expected completion date of this project is 2018.

Hunter Roberts Overbuild Location

Hunter Roberts has been awarded the pre-construction and construction management services for the 62,568-SF overbuild project. Construction is taking place at Inspira Health Network's Regional Medical Center in Vineland, New Jersey- one of the Inspira Health Network's 100-plus locations. This network also includes three hospitals, a comprehensive cancer center, and several multi-specialty health centers, as well as other facilities.

New and Improved Center for Patients

The newly constructed second floor will be fitted with 36 patient rooms and support areas, and the third floor will be built as a shell space for future fit-outs. Hunter Roberts is working with Array Architects, who are self-described healthcare architects focused on creating better environments for patients, staff, and families. A 2,000-SF addition to the Central Utility Plant to house a new 1,500 KW generator and 1,000-ton chiller are among the infrastructural upgrades to be completed by Hunter Roberts. The Medical Center's parking lot will also be expanded, creating more spaces for patients and visitors. Through this overbuild and infrastructural upgrades project, the Inspira Health Network will be able to expand their mission  "To provide high quality health services that improve the lives of all we serve"  to include an even greater number of New Jersey residents.

SOURCE Hunter Roberts Construction Group

Related Links

http://www.hrcg.com


NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffe S.p.A., the global coffee industry leader in quality, direct trade and ethical supply chain practices, has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as a 2017 World's Most Ethical Company. iIlycaffe has now been recognized for five consecutive years, underscoring the company's commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices.

"Companies are the bricks of modern society and in order to make positive change happen throughout the world, ethics and sustainability must form the core of private enterprise," said Andrea Illy, chairman of illycaffe S.p.A. "The Ethisphere Institute's work inspires companies to be and do their best, and we are honored to have earned their recognition as a World's Most Ethical Company for a fifth consecutive year."

Twenty-seventeen is the eleventh year that Ethisphere has honored those companies who recognize their role in society to influence and drive positive change, consider the impact of their actions on their employees, investors, customers and other key stakeholders and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day.

"Over the last eleven years we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of laws and regulations and the geo-political climate. We have also seen how companies honored as the World's Most Ethical respond to these challenges. They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage," explained Ethisphere's Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. "Congratulations to everyone at illycaffe for being recognized as a World's Most Ethical Company."

Methodology & Scoring

The World's Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute's Ethics Quotient (EQ) framework which offers a quantitative way to assess a company's performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics.

Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%) and provided to all companies who participate in the process.

Honorees

The full list of the 2017 World's Most Ethical Companies can be found at http://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/.

About illycaffe s.p.a



Best practices and insights from the 2017 honorees will be released in a series of infographics and research throughout the year (view or download the 2016 insights). Organizations interested in how they compare to the World's Most Ethical Companies are invited to participate in the Ethics Quotient.

illycaffe is an Italian family business, founded in Trieste in 1933 and committed to offer the greatest coffee to the world. illy is the world's most global coffee brand, producing the unique illy 100% Arabica blend made of nine of the world best Arabica, served in more than 7 million cups in over 140 countries in the finest cafes, restaurants and hotels. As a leader in the science and technology of coffee - with three radical innovations - illy is the forerunner of espresso. With the first Brazilian award for the best coffee quality for espresso in 1991, illy also pioneered direct sourcing, sharing know-how and paying a premium price for the best quality, based on partnerships underpinned by the principles of sustainable development. The company established and runs the University of Coffee with the aim to foster and spread coffee culture, providing comprehensive academic and hands-on training for coffee growers, baristas and coffee lovers to cover every aspect of the product. Everything 'made in illy' is enhanced by beauty & art, which represent founding values of the brand, starting from its logo  designed by artist, James Rosenquist  in addition to the renowned illy Art Collection, comprised of over 100 cups designed by international artists. As of 2015 the company employed 1,177 people, and posted consolidated revenues of 437 million. There are approximately 230 mono-brand illy shops across 43 Countries.

About the Ethisphere Institute

The Ethisphere Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World's Most Ethical Companies recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA) and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with the publication of Ethisphere Magazine. More information about Ethisphere can be found at: http://ethisphere.com.

SOURCE illycaffe
"IMAESTRI is pleased to partner with such a talented list of professionals, our ambassadors are exceptional interior designers and leaders in their industry," says Paolo Timoni, founder of IMAESTRI. "Their discerning insights, will further allow IMAESTRI to create an engaging shopping experience for our community, which provides easy access to a distinct selection of hard-to-find, artisanal furnishing products with a true white glove beginning to end service experience."

IMAESTRI understands that design professionals need access to a curated yet comprehensive assortment of unique catalog products, the possibility to source bespoke products, excellent services, and terms compatible with their profitability goal. The market solutions currently available --working directly with the makers, traditional showrooms-- too often fall short on one or more of those requirements.

IMAESTRI is working with its ambassadors to create an atmosphere that best serves design professionals in a rapidly changing and challenging market.

www.imaestri.com provides design professionals a proprietary platform to discover master artisanal producers, shop collections, collaborate, and manage their projects with ease and convenience. Registered users can search and source products, share them directly with their clients, mark favorites, and place orders with just a few clicks. Paolo Timoni, an Italian entrepreneur and marketing innovator, created IMAESTRI in 2014 in order to offer unprecedented access to some of Italy's most exclusive manufacturers.

IMAESTRI represents more than fifty vendors and brands, with new manufacturers and products added each month. Among the impressive list, Antrax IT, Cantori, De Castelli, De Vecchi, Lapelle Astico, Midsummer, Morelato, NEUTRA, Oluce, Ulivi and Vaselli offer a wide selection of in-demand products, from fireplaces and bathroom fixtures to furniture, textiles, lighting, wall and floor coverings, and tabletop goods.

New furnishing from Ulivi and NEUTRA will be unveiled at IMAESTRI Booth 119, during the Architectural Digest Design Show at Pier 94 in NYC from Thursday, March 16th through Sunday, March 19th: www.addesignshow.com

CONTACT: Katharina Plath, [email protected], 646-732-2240

SOURCE IMAESTRI

Related Links

https://www.imaestri.com


DALLAS, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recently issued letter ruling (STARS Number 201701013L), the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ("Comptroller") determined that an insurance monitoring service was not subject to sales tax. Texas imposes sales tax on several services, including data processing and insurance services. Taxable data processing services include data entry, retrieval, and search and information compilation, storage, or manipulation. Data processing does not include the use of a computer to facilitate the performance of another service. Taxable insurance services include insurance inspection service (any activity to evaluate risks or to value property in connection with insurance coverage), insurance investigation (any activity to evaluate eligibility for insurance coverage or for the payment of benefits), and insurance loss prevention service (any activity to identify, analyze, evaluate, control, anticipate, or eliminate the occurrence losses or damages).

The service provider worked for lenders and ensured that borrowers maintained sufficient insurance coverage on properties subject to loans. The service included reviewing loan documents and insurance policies, maintaining the information, providing borrowers online access to review and submit documents, sending periodic reports to lenders, and providing online access to lenders to obtain customized reports.

The Comptroller determined that service provider's data processing activities were ancillary and incidental to the professional service provided. In addition, although the service provider reviewed insurance policies to ensure sufficient insurance coverage, the Comptroller determined that this service was not a taxable insurance service.



About Ryan

Ryan is an award-winning global tax services firm, with the largest indirect and property tax practices in North America and the seventh largest corporate tax practice in the United States. With global headquarters in Dallas, Texas, the Firm provides a comprehensive range of state, local, federal, and international tax advisory and consulting services on a multi-jurisdictional basis, including audit defense, tax recovery, credits and incentives, tax process improvement and automation, tax appeals, tax compliance, and strategic planning. Ryan is a five-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryan's multi-disciplinary team of more than 2,100 professionals and associates serves over 12,000 clients in more than 40 countries, including many of the world's most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Jeremiah T. Lynch

Principal

Ryan

212.871.3901

[email protected]

Adina Christian

Director

Ryan

512.476.0022

[email protected]

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Jerry Lynch

http://www.profnetconnect.com/jeremiahlynch

SOURCE Ryan

Related Links

http://www.ryan.com


SEATTLE, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring Break often conjures up images of college students on the beach and late night parties. But for many college students, Spring Break is an opportunity to work full-time seeking a summer internship.

CollegeGrad.com, the #1 Entry Level Job Site, has released its annual ranking of the top internship employers across the US. The list includes more than 65,000 internships throughout the country in 2017 and shows an average increase per employer of more than 7.3% above 2016 intern hiring.

CollegeGrad.com Top Intern Employers - Award Graphic

"Internships are key to getting a great entry level job after graduation," said Brian Krueger, CEO of CollegeGrad.com. "If college students do not yet have their summer internship secured, finding that internship should be first priority during Spring Break and during the remainder of the Spring semester. Now is the best timing to start an internship search."

The Top Intern Employers list, released today, represents more than 65,000 internships for current college students and is available online at CollegeGrad.com/topemployers/internships. It details the 2017 internship hiring plans for more than 200 employers and includes links to internship and entry level job postings for each employer.

"Internships are the connecting point between academic studies and practical experience," said Krueger. "Having a great internship sets apart college students looking for an entry level job after graduation. In addition, employers often use internships to conduct a full summer interview of potential entry level candidates. The best interns will get offers to return the following summer if still in college or even entry level job offers for those entering Senior year."

The Top Internship Employers list includes numerous brand name companies like KPMG, Liberty Mutual, Caterpillar, Macy's and Intuit. It also includes lesser known employers that are actively hiring interns. Many of these employers are hiring hundreds or even thousands of interns. "If a college student is looking for the definitive list of who is hiring interns, this is the list that will jump start their search by quickly connecting them to employers that are hiring," said Krueger. "If you want to help out a college student friend or family member, let them know about this list."

Krueger reminds college students that although the 2017 internship outlook is highly favorable, the time to act is now. "Many of the internship openings have already been filled. Don't wait until summer to start your internship search. CollegeGrad.com is the best place to find your internship online."

About CollegeGrad.com

CollegeGrad.com is the #1 entry level job site on the Internet and is the leader in the field of entry level job search since 1995. Brian Krueger is CEO of CollegeGrad.com, author of the best-selling book for entry level job search, College Grad Job Hunter, and former VP Global Talent Acquisition for Amazon. Brian is available for interviews and additional quotes upon request.

Contact:

Brian Krueger, CEO

CollegeGrad.com

206-569-4010

[email protected]

Related Links

https://CollegeGrad.com

SOURCE CollegeGrad.com

Related Links

http://CollegeGrad.com


ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ionic Security Inc., a pioneer of high-assurance data protection and control, today announced Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage is now available with support for Google Customer-Supplied Encryption Keys, or CSEK, for Google Cloud Storage. CSEK allows you to provide a third party 256-bit string, such as an AES encryption key, for use in protecting your data at rest in Google Cloud Storage. Typically, CSEK is used by customers with stricter regulatory needs, or a need to provide their own key. Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage allows you to easily manage these keys in a scalable way and in a consistent method across your enterprise.

"We are excited to announce the first of many powerful Customer Supplied Encryption Key (CSEK) capabilities. Our new Ionic Protect for Cloud Storage solution enables developers to simply and seamlessly use their own one-time use encryption keys with the full capabilities of the Ionic platform while natively leveraging Google Cloud Storage," stated Adam Ghetti, Ionic's Founder and CEO.

About Ionic Security

Ionic Security accelerates Internet trust by protecting and controlling data everywhere it travels and anywhere it resides, whether on the corporate network, in the cloud or on mobile devices. The industry's first high-assurance data protection and control platform, Ionic Security takes a comprehensive approach to protecting distributed data in today's borderless enterprise without proxies or gateways or changes in user behavior. The Ionic platform has been licensed to enterprises representing millions of users worldwide in a wide range of industries including Financial Services, Public Sector, Retail, Healthcare, Enterprise Software and Manufacturing.

The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is backed by leading firms including Amazon.com, Inc., Goldman Sachs, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Icon Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Meritech Capital Partners, TechOperators, and Hayman Capital Management, L.P. More information can be found at Ionic.com.

SOURCE Ionic Security

Related Links

http://www.ionicsecurity.com


Most recently, Denise served as Vice President, Partner Solutions for First Data Corporation, where her numerous accomplishments included re-engineering the product, service and support offerings within the ISO program and re-launching the new program to attract and sign new ISO partners. She met or exceeded her annual performance objectives each of her three years in the role. Tahali joined First Data in 2002, first leading the FDC RSA Southeast Sales team, which consisted of more than 225 business consultants representing large bank partners, then undertaking an expatriate assignment as FDMS Director of UK Sales. Denise began her career with SunTrust Bank, where she worked for 11 years, holding a variety of sales and sales leadership roles in and around merchant acquiring.

Denise has been recognized throughout her career with numerous accolades including the 2015 First Data Way Award, which is awarded annually to one individual out of more than 23,000 employees. She also received the 2007 First Data Product Cornerstone Award, was a seven-time President's Club Winner (First Data) and was named Merchant Services Employee of the Year award during her tenure with SunTrust Bank.

"After 20 plus years in payments and merchant acquiring, I was looking for a role with an organization where I could make both an immediate and long-term impact and I feel 100 percent confident that I have found that with iPayment," commented Denise Tahali, iPayment's new SVP, ISO and Direct Agent Sales. "After meeting with numerous members of the management committee and leadership team, I felt the energy and momentum and immediately recognized that this was the perfect fit for me. I'm excited to get started, working with the existing team and building a sales and partner management structure that positions us for expansive growth in 2017 and beyond."

"I had the distinct pleasure of working with Denise at First Data Corporation and we could not be more thrilled to add her skills, talents and expertise to a senior leadership team we feel is 'best in class' in the payments industry," said O.B. Rawls IV, CEO and President of iPayment. "Denise's experience in payments, her aptitude with Agent and ISO Partners and the depth of her sales leadership will make an immediate impact to our team and the value we bring to new and existing Agent and ISO Partners."

About iPayment

iPayment is a trusted provider of payment processing solutions in the U.S. With over 18 years of experience and more than 140,000 SMB customers, the company is consistently recognized for its depth of payments experience, breadth of product offerings, and commitment to transparency and SMB support. From new product innovation to customer service satisfaction, iPayment is an organization focused on small business enablement and delivering relevant and impactful services and solutions that help partners and SMB customers grow their individual businesses. For more information on iPayment, please visit http://www.ipaymentinc.com .

SOURCE iPayment, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.ipaymentinc.com


Several new furry friends have already hopped into stores, and more will hatch later in March or April. To make these springtime gifts even more fun, Guests can add a personalized voice message to any Make-Your-Own furry friend by creating a Build-A-Sound recordable sound chip , available in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online.

Grab your Easter basket and get ready to hunt for these great gifts:

Available Now

Build-A-Bear Workshop continues the tradition of Make-Your-Own Easter fun by introducing five new Make-Your-Own Easter furry friends! Spring Splash Bunny, Cocoa Creme Bunny and Spotty Dotty Bunny are ready to pounce into your Easter celebration, and the vibrant Cheerful Chirps Chick is sure to put a smile on your face. The online-only Vanilla Swirls Lamb is soft, cuddly and sweet as can be, and Guests can customize the paw pad with embroidery for an extra-special gift. Guests can also add a Hide & Go Beep sound chip to any furry friend to experience the fun, classic game with sound! Squeeze your furry friend to start the beep  then, hide it, find it, and squeeze it again! Hide & Go Beep sounds are available in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online.

The weather is perfect for a walk in the park with a pet. Experience the fun of pet ownership with our newest Promise Pets  Shih Tzu, Tuxedo Cat and Copper Golden Retriever  now available in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and at buildabear.com! A cuddly Lop Bunny is also available online. The latest Promise Pets accessories  such as hair extensions and a new sparkling leash and collar (all sold separately)  offer even more ways to play.

Raise your pinky and put on your fancy dress  it's time for tea! Host an elegant afternoon tea party with friends and furry friends alike, including the new Make-Your-Own Time for Tea Bear, and let your imagination soar. Satin pink paw pads and a flower print on its white fur make this furry friend the perfect tea companion. Complete its party look with a sequin dress and pink floppy hat accessory  and don't forget the pretty pink tea party set! All available in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and online.

My Little Pony fans know that ponies stick together always. Starlight Glimmer has joined forces for good with the ponies of Equestria; and just in time for spring, she has joined the My Little Pony collection at Build-A-Bear Workshop! The beautiful unicorn pony has a shimmering purple and teal mane and a pink coat complete with her signature cutie mark. Guests can personalize Starlight Glimmer with My Little Pony outfits and accessories, sold separately in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and at buildabear.com.

Debuting in March

For Guests who've caught spring fever, baby fever, or something in between  new Build-A-Bear Workshop baby animals will arrive later this month! With big, youthful eyes and adorably fuzzy fur, the gentle Panda Cub and fiercely cute Tiger Cub  coming soon to Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and buildabear.com  will be ready to explore. Cuddle with them, care for them and play with them, and they'll love you right back!

Springtime is the best time to go horseback riding with the Build-A-Bear Workshop Horses & Hearts Riding Club. This March, a Grey Arabian Horse  one of the world's oldest breeds  joins the club and will be available at buildabear.com! With a snow white coat and exceptional speed and endurance, this breed stands out from the rest. Add hair extensions, a saddle and bridle, and more to learn what it's like to care for your own horse! View the full Horses & Hearts Riding Club collection and watch the new Bearville Alive! episode at buildabear.com. The Grey Arabian Horse will be available online in March and will roll out to Build-A-Bear workshop stores later this year.

Arriving in April

Aspiring bakers won't be able to resist Cakes N' Treats Bear, a furry friend who's ready to whip, stir and whisk its way into the Build-A-Bear Workshop baking collection this April. With bright blue fur, pink ears and paw pads and cupcake emblems on its chest and paws, this bear will be ready to help with the next baking adventure  especially when accompanied by dessert-inspired outfits and accessories!

Guests who love playtime, cuddles and beautiful pastel colors will love the adorable Pastel Swirl Kitty. This fancy feline with soft pink, purple and blue fur is swirling into Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and buildabear.com this April. Make your own Pastel Swirl Kitty and add cute new outfits and accessories to give her a unique springtime style for sunny day adventures.

Real Life Furry Friends: Supporting Happy Homes for Pets

This spring, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Build-A-Bear Foundation have partnered with Petfinder Foundation to help teach children about the kindness, compassion and responsibility associated with owning a pet.

April 1  May 31, Build-A-Bear Workshop Guests can make a donation in stores or online to support Petfinder Foundation's local outreach programs that educate children about pet ownership. All money collected will go directly to the national grant program administered by Petfinder Foundation.

'Hoppy' 20th Birthday, Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Save the date: Build-A-Bear Workshop continues the 20th birthday celebrations this spring with monthly in-store Parties on the 20th! The next event will be held on Monday, March 20. Visit buildabear.com/20th-birthday for more information.

For more information about Build-A-Bear Workshop, visit buildabear.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.

About Build-A-Bear

Celebrating 20 years of business in 2017, Build-A-Bear is a global brand kids love and parents trust that seeks to add a little more heart to life. Build-A-Bear Workshop has approximately 400 stores worldwide where Guests can create customizable furry friends, including company-owned stores in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom and China, and franchise stores in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico and the Middle East. The company was named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list for the ninth year in a row in 2017. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE:BBW) posted a total revenue of $364.2 million in fiscal 2016. For more information, visit buildabear.com.

SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.buildabear.com


BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Hugh Kaul Foundation, which has funded many worthy programs in the Birmingham region, is supporting Southern Research's wide-ranging economic development efforts with a $100,000 gift.

The Kaul Foundation's donation is the charitable organization's first to Birmingham-based Southern Research, which is involved in activities including infectious disease research, drug discovery, and solar energy technology.

The foundation, created by businessman and philanthropist Hugh Kaul in 1989, has a long history of supporting area landmarks such as the Birmingham Zoo, the Altamont School, Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

"The unique capabilities of the world-class scientists and engineers at Southern Research are leading to advances in disease treatment, new technologies, and more," said Sam Yates, a member of the Kaul Foundation's distribution committee.

"The Kaul Foundation is pleased to support this meaningful work, which aligns perfectly with the foundation's overall mission," he added.

Kaul was a highly regarded lumber industry executive, civic leader and four-term member of the Alabama Legislature. He was a founder and president of the Alabama Forestry Council and served as president of Kaul Lumber Co. from 1931 until his retirement.

The Hugh Kaul Foundation supports cultural, educational and civic endeavors in Birmingham, as well as Coosa and Clay counties. The foundation's giving has exceeded $70 million since its inception.

The foundation's gift to Southern Research will be placed in the endowment, with annual earnings used to support the non-profit organization's ongoing projects in economic development in the Birmingham region. Examples include:

A thermochemical energy storage system that enables solar power facilities to provide reliable energy when the sun isn't shining.

Research advancing the understanding of the Zika virus, which emerged just last year as a public health threat.

Extensive drug discovery efforts targeting new therapies for cancer and other diseases.

Southern Research was founded in Alabama in 1941 with a goal of improving the region's economy through the development of new technologies and technical innovations.

"Southern Research has long been a catalyst for economic development in Alabama through high-level research, collaborations, talent recruitment and commercialization," Art Tipton, Ph.D., president and CEO of Southern Research, said. "The Kaul Foundation's generous gift will add vitality to these efforts."

About Southern Research

Founded in 1941, Southern Research (SR) is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and engineering research organization that supports clients and partners in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries. SR's staff of nearly 500 works across four divisions: Drug Discovery, Drug Development, Engineering, and Energy & Environment. We pursue entrepreneurial and collaborative initiatives to develop and maintain a pipeline of intellectual property and innovative technologies that positively impact real-world problems. Learn more at www.SouthernResearch.org.

Media contact: Rossi Carlson, 205-581-2266

This news release was issued on behalf of Newswise(TM). For more information, visit http://www.newswise.com.

SOURCE Southern Research

Related Links

http://www.southernresearch.org


15 March 2017

Breda, the Netherlands - argenx (Euronext Brussels: ARGX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a deep pipeline of differentiated antibody-based therapies for the treatment of severe autoimmune diseases and cancer, today announces that an annual general meeting of shareholders will be held on Wednesday 26 April 2017.



The shareholders and all other persons with meeting rights are invited to attend the annual general meeting of shareholders, to be held at 9:00 AM on Wednesday 26 April 2017 at Sheraton Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Schiphol Boulevard 701, 1118 BG Schiphol, the Netherlands.

The formal notice of convocation (including information on attending the meeting in person or by proxy, requirements for notification and registration for the meeting and regarding the e-voting system) is available on the Company's website www.argenx.com.

Agenda

The full agenda for the meeting as well as all ancillary documents relevant for the meeting are available via the company website, and are also available for inspection at the Company's offices. A free copy thereof may also be obtained by e-mailing annualmeeting@argenx.com.

Next to recurrent items on the agenda such as the discussion and adoption of the 2016 Annual Accounts, discharge of the directors for their duties performed in 2016 and the authorisation of the board of directors to issue shares and to limit or exclude pre-emptive rights in relation thereto, the following is, amongst other, proposed:

Approval of the proposed amendment of the articles of association of the Company, converting the Company into a European legal entity of the SE type;

Granting a specific authorization to issue shares to the board of directors in relation to a possible NASDAQ listing of the company in 2017;

Appointment of A.A. Rosenberg as non-executive director to the board of directors of the Company;

Appointment of Deloitte Accountants B.V. for the 2017 financial year.

About argenx

argenx a clinical-stage biotechnology company with a deep pipeline of differentiated antibody-based therapies intended for the treatment of severe auto-immune diseases and cancer. We are focused on developing product candidates that are either first-in-class against novel targets or best-in-class against known, but complex, targets to treat diseases with a significant unmet medical need. Our ability to execute on this focus is enabled by our suite of differentiated technologies. Our SIMPLE AntibodyTM Platform, based on the powerful llama immune system, allows us to exploit novel and complex targets, and our three antibody engineering technologies enable us to expand the therapeutic index of our product candidates.

www.argenx.com

For further information, please contact:

Joke Comijn, Corporate Communications Manager

+32 (0)477 77 29 44

+32 (0)9 243 40 70

info@argenx.com

Forward-looking Statements

The contents of this announcement include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will," or "should," and include statements argenx makes concerning the intended results of its strategy; its financial condition, results of operation and business outlook; the sufficiency of its cash, cash equivalents and current financial assets; and the momentum of its product candidate pipeline as well as the advancement of, and anticipated clinical development and regulatory milestones and plans related to, argenx's product candidates and clinical trials. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. argenx's actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. argenx undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise the information in this press release, including any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
CHICAGO and BOSTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Astor Investment Management, a macroeconomics-based asset allocation firm, and O'Shares ETFs, a provider of ETFs for conservative long-term investors, have teamed up to create the Astor O'Shares Chairman's Portfolio. The strategy for investing in U.S. and global equities combines a blend of O'Shares exchange traded funds (ETFs) with a proven strategy for limiting exposure to market risk managed by Astor as determined by its proprietary Astor Economic Index.

The Astor O'Shares Chairman's Portfolio provides a combination of core equity ETF products that are diversified by geography, sector, currency, and size. It is designed to be a truly global product that aims to provide stable returns over various economic cycles for long-term investors. The Chairman's Portfolio combines years of "bottom up" investment management experience held by members of the O'Shares team with Astor's extensive experience employing a "top down" discipline to dynamic ETF portfolio construction.

Rob Stein, CEO and Founder of Astor stated, "The Astor O'Shares Chairman Portfolio brings together the best of both firms, with a conservative, risk-first approach that gives investors access to O'Shares' unique suite of ETFs and Astor's decades of expertise in fundamental analysis, the result, we believe, will be an 'all-weather' portfolio that seeks to offer benefits in all economic conditions, with the goal of reducing risk through economically-driven equity allocation."

Connor O'Brien, CEO of O'Shares ETF Investments, is excited about the partnership with Astor. He added, "Astor's economic driven approach to ETF portfolio construction is a perfect fit with our global suite of core equity offerings that are focused on high quality stocks. Combining OUSA, OUSM, OEUR, OEUH, OASI, and OAPH offers investors a diversified portfolio of investments selected using a rules-based discipline designed to offer attractive long-term, risk adjusted returns compared to generic market-cap weighted index products. This partnership gives advisors a 'one-stop shop' option to their equity allocation with potentially less exposure to overall market risk. We believe investors may benefit from Astor's expertise in 'top down' analysis and a 'bottom up' discipline that is the foundation of O'Shares ETFs."

Kevin O'Leary, Chairman of O'Shares ETF Investments added, "I am a long-term investor who wants less risk. I want a diversified equity portfolio invested in the highest quality, large cap and small cap companies in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. If I want true diversification and risk mitigation, my portfolio cannot be diversified by sector alone, but also by region, currency and market cap. This is what the Astor O'Shares Chairman's Portfolio provides for me."

Each O'Shares ETF owns a portfolio of more than 100 dividend-paying stocks, primarily of large-cap companies, selected using investment rules developed by FTSE Russell for O'Shares, to measure and select stocks for quality, lower volatility, and dividend yield. The Astor O'Shares Chairman's Portfolio will be constructed to provide exposure to U.S. large cap, U.S. small cap, and international (hedged and unhedged), using O'Shares ETFs:

O'Shares ETF Ticker: 1 OUSA OUSM OEUR / OEUH OASI / OAPH Number of Positions 153 336 190 280 Average Market Cap ($B) $180.5 $4.3 $79.3 $38.4 Number of Sectors in Portfolio 11 11 11 11

Astor will manage the Chairman Portfolio using its Astor Economic Index to adjust overall beta2 (equity exposure) and risk. Astor will rebalance the portfolio to adjust for correlation and volatility. Astor's economically driven investment approach increases and decreases overall asset allocation depending on the current stage of the economic cycle. It makes gradual adjustments in its portfolios in an attempt to decrease volatility and reduce drawdown3, while remaining invested during periods of economic growth.

For more information, visit http://go.astorim.com/astor_solutions

About O'Shares ETF Investments:

O'Shares provides ETFs for conservative long-term wealth management, using FTSE Russell Quality/Volatility/Yield rules-based indexes across the family of O'Shares ETFs investing in equities, across the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. O'Shares ETFs are designed to be core investment holdings providing cost-efficient long-term investment performance, with less risk and more yield, by holding portfolios of large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap companies that meet financial criteria for quality, low volatility and yield. http://oshares.com

About Astor Investment Management:

Astor Investment Management is a macroeconomics-based investment management firm. Using its proprietary Astor Economic Index, the firm allocates assets in its portfolios based on the strength or weakness of the U.S. economy. It offers several investment portfolios focused on dynamic asset allocation, sector allocation, and active income. Through analysis, Astor's objective is to mitigate portfolio risk and reduce client participation in substantial stock market drawdowns. http://astorim.com

For Further Information:

Kevin Beadles

[email protected]

1. Source: Bloomberg. Data as of 1/31/2017.

2. Beta estimates the degree a stock's price will fluctuate based on a given movement in the representative market index.

3. Maximum Drawdown Percentage: Largest drop from a peak to a bottom in a subperiod over time frame. It measures the magnitude of the worst loss an investor could have incurred by investing in that security.

Before you invest in O'Shares Investments Funds, please refer to the prospectus for important information about the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To obtain a prospectus containing this and other important information, please visit www.oshares.com to view or download a prospectus online. Read the prospectus carefully before you invest. There are risks involved with investing including the possible loss of principal.

Concentration in a particular industry or sector will subject the Fund to loss due to adverse occurrences that may affect that industry or sector. The Fund may use derivatives which may involve risks different from, or greater than, those associated with more traditional investments. The Fund's emphasis on dividend-paying stocks involves the risk that such stocks may fall out of favor with investors and underperform the market. Also, a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend after a Fund's purchase of such a company's securities. Returns on investments in foreign securities could be more volatile than, or trail the returns on, investments in U.S. securities. Exposures to foreign securities entail special risks, including political, diplomatic, economic, foreign market and trading risks. In addition, unless perfectly hedged, the Fund's investments in securities denominated in other currencies could decline due to changes in local currency relative to the value of the U.S. dollar, which may affect the Fund's returns. The Fund's hedging strategies may not be successful, and even if they are successful, the Fund's exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is not expected to be fully hedged at all times. See the prospectus for specific risks regarding the Fund.

The securities of small capitalization companies are often more volatile and less liquid than the stocks of larger companies and may be more affected than other types of securities during market downturns. Compared to larger companies, small capitalization companies may have a shorter history of operations, and may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Shares are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), are not individually redeemable, and owners of the Shares may acquire those Shares from the Funds and tender those Shares for redemption to the Funds in Creation Unit aggregations only, consisting of 50,000 Shares. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

O'Shares Investments Funds are distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with O'Shares Investments or any of its affiliates.

All information contained herein is for informational purposes only. This is not a solicitation to offer investment advice or services in any state where to do so would be unlawful. Analysis and research are provided for informational purposes only, not for trading or investing purposes. All opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and subject to change. Astor and its affiliates are not liable for the accuracy, usefulness or availability of any such information or liable for any trading or investing based on such information.

The Astor Economic Index is a proprietary index created by Astor Investment Management LLC. It represents an aggregation of various economic data points: including output and employment indicators. The Astor Economic Index is designed to track the varying levels of growth within the U.S. economy by analyzing current trends against historical data. The Astor Economic Index is not an investable product. When investing, there are multiple factors to consider. The Astor Economic Index should not be used as the sole determining factor for your investment decisions. The Index is based on retroactive data points and may be subject to hindsight bias. There is no guarantee the Index will produce the same results in the future. The Astor Economic Index is a tool created and used by Astor. All conclusions are those of Astor and are subject to change.

SOURCE O'Shares Investments

Related Links

http://www.oshares.com


HARRISBURG, Pa., March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- PennDOT continues to post 45 mph speed restrictions on Interstates 78, 81, 83, portions of Interstate 80, and all of Interstates 176, 180, 283 and 380 and Routes 22, 33, 283 and 581.

Vehicle restrictions also continue on Interstate 81 north of the junction with Interstate 80 and Interstate 84 remains closed to all truck traffic. The speed restriction on Interstate 80 runs from the junction with Interstate 180 to the New Jersey line.

All restrictions were lifted earlier from Interstates 70, 95, 99, 76 (the Pennsylvania Turnpike) and Interstate 476, the Blue Route in suburban Philadelphia. Restrictions continue on the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

On Interstate 81 north of Interstate 80, the restriction bans tandem trailers, empty trailers, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and towed non-commercial trailers. Loaded single trailer, tractor trailers are not covered by the restrictions.

Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.

MEDIA CONTACT: Rich Kirkpatrick, 717-439-1787

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Related Links

http://www.state.pa.us


Laura has spent the last two decades shaping global talent management strategies for Fortune 500 corporations. Prior to Workfront, Laura was the Vice President of Talent Management and Chief Diversity Officer for Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). During her tenure at PG&E, Butler championed growing leaders from within the company, increasing succession plan utilization by nearly 20 percentage points. In addition, Butler developed robust and diverse talent pipelines, which resulted in improved minority, women and veteran hire rates. One of the workforce development programs she oversaw focused on veterans, and garnered recognition from The White House, earning a face-to-face visit from former Vice President Joe Biden. She also led the branding and implementation of a cloud-based talent solution to better connect onboarding, performance management and leadership development.

Under Laura's leadership, her teams received multiple awards and industry recognition including Diversity Inc. Top 5 Utilities, 2016 ERG Above & Beyond Award for PG&E Woman's Network, Human Right's Campaign's Best Places to Work and the #14 spot on the Training Top 125 in 2017 for strategic leadership development. In 2015, Laura was recognized as a global thought leader in Human Capital Management and was named to the San Francisco Business Times Most Influential Women list.

"Laura is a great addition to the Workfront team due to her proven success in creating a dynamic, diverse culture that people look forward to working in," said Alex Shootman, CEO of Workfront. "Laura's leadership will be a driving force in the retention and growth of Workfront's employee base so that we can continue to hire the brightest and best in the industry and be one of the best companies to work for nationwide."

Butler joins Workfront at an exciting time, as the company continues its strong growth pace. As evidence of its performance in the market, Workfront was listed as a Leader in the Gartner Inc. 2016 Magic Quadrant for Cloud-Based IT Project and Portfolio Management Services for the fifth consecutive year, and was also listed as a Leader in the Gartner Inc., 2016 Magic Quadrant for Marketing Resource Management.

To find our more about Workfront, visit www.Workfront.com.

Follow us on social:

Follow @Workfront_Inc on Twitter

Like Workfront on Facebook

About Workfront

Workfront is a cloud-based Enterprise Work Management solution that helps marketing, IT and other enterprise teams conquer the chaos of excessive email, redundant status meetings and disconnected tools. Unlike other tools, Workfront Enterprise Work Cloud is a centralized, easy-to-adopt solution for managing and collaborating on all types of work through the entire work lifecycle, which improves team productivity and executive visibility. Workfront is trusted by thousands of global enterprises, like Cars.com, Cisco Systems, Comcast, iProspect, Schneider Electric, and Trek. To learn more, visit www.workfront.com or follow us on Twitter @Workfront_Inc.

Contact: Shelbi Gomez

[email protected]

801-477-9813

SOURCE Workfront

Related Links

https://www.workfront.com


CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company is creating a limited-edition Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager with Munich-based Hofbrau Munchen to celebrate its 150th anniversary this year. The collaboration brew is one part of a year-long celebration that includes new packaging, a slate of summer programs and a party in Chippewa Falls for the Wisconsin-based brewery.

Set to arrive on draft at select bars in April and available in six-packs in June, Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager incorporates American hops and some German malt. Further, the Mrzen-style lager is brewed in the spirit of Reinheitsgebot, the German Beer Purity Law dating back to the 1500s that regulated what was allowed to go into beer, to commemorate Leinenkugel's brewing heritage while looking toward its future. Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager will be brewed in Chippewa Falls, with a limited amount of draft being brewed in Germany.

"As we discussed how to celebrate this incredible milestone for our brewery, we wanted to ensure whatever we did was truly genuine and in the spirit of what we've been doing for a century and a half," said Dick Leinenkugel, president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. "Partnering with Hofbrau Munchen was a natural fit because of the similarities between our two breweries - German brewing history, innovation and a commitment to providing fans with the best beer possible."

Drinkers able to get ahold of the collaboration brew will notice a subtle, toasty sweetness upfront as a result of the malt character with tropical notes from added Mosaic hops. Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager comes in at 5.4 percent ABV and 25 IBUs.

"Leinenkugel's envisioned a beer that honored its storied history, so that is exactly what we've helped create with the Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager," said Dr. Michael Moller, director of Hofbrau Munchen. "The beer has more than 550 years of combined experience behind it, is brewed in the spirit of Reinheitsgebot and has equal influence from their innovative flavors and our tried-and-trued traditions. We like to think of this as a 'cheers' that crosses the Atlantic."

Before the collaboration brew is officially available nationwide, Leinenkugel's will introduce new packaging for its entire portfolio for the first time in 10 years. The new look highlights Leinenkugel's proud family name and brings the signature outdoorsy feel and an eye-catching color to the forefront. The new packaging will be seen as the brewery's flagship Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy hits shelves in March and will ramp up as more beers arrive throughout the year.

Along with several initiatives currently being planned across the country, the celebration will culminate with an official anniversary party at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in Chippewa Falls the weekend of August 11. Leinenkugel's fans of legal drinking age are invited to join the family as they toast their milestone moment.

"The celebration will begin with our biggest collaboration brew in history and a complete packaging refresh across our entire portfolio, but we have a lot more on the way and recognize a proper cheers with our fans is the only way to cap it off," said Leinenkugel. "For those unable to make it to the official celebration in August, thank you for your continued support of our family's beers."

To learn more about Leinenkugel's and upcoming events, the Leinenkugel's Anniversary Lager and new packaging, please visit Facebook.com/Leinenkugels or follow the brewery on Instagram and Twitter via @Leinenkugels and #Leinie150th.

About MillerCoors:

Through its diverse collection of storied breweries, MillerCoors brings American beer drinkers an unmatched selection of the highest quality beers, flavored malt beverages and ciders, steeped in centuries of brewing heritage. Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company brew national favorites such as Miller Lite, Miller High Life, Coors Light and Coors Banquet. MillerCoors also proudly offers beers such as Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy from sixth-generation Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, and Blue Moon Belgian White from modern craft pioneer Blue Moon Brewing Company, founded in 1995. Beyond beer, MillerCoors operates Crispin Cider Company, an artisanal maker of pear and apple ciders using fresh-pressed American juice, and offers pioneering brands such as the Redd's franchise, Smith & Forge Hard Cider and Henry's Hard Sodas. Tenth and Blake Beer Company, our craft and import division, is the home to craft brewers Hop Valley Brewing, Revolver Brewing, Saint Archer Brewing Company and the Terrapin Beer Company. Tenth and Blake also imports world-renowned beers such as Italy's Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the Czech Republic's Pilsner Urquell and the Netherlands' Grolsch. MillerCoors, the U.S. business unit of the Molson Coors Brewing Company, has an uncompromising dedication to quality, a keen focus on innovation and a deep commitment to sustainability. Learn more at MillerCoors.com, at facebook.com/MillerCoors or on Twitter at @MillerCoors.

SOURCE MillerCoors

Related Links

http://www.millercoors.com


MIAMI, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Longeveron, a leading stem cell research company focused on biological solutions for age-associated diseases, announced today the successful completion of enrollment in the first phase of its clinical research trial of Longeveron allogeneic human mesenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) to treat Alzheimer's disease.

The fifth and final patient needed for the initial safety "run-in" phase was infused last week. The Company will review the safety data prior to proceeding with the second phase: a 25-subject randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of LMSCs in early-stage Alzheimer's disease. The trial is taking place at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine.

"The impact of Alzheimer's disease is vast, far exceeding the medical community's current ability to treat it," said Joshua M. Hare, M.D., Longeveron's Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer. "Regenerative medicine and cell-based therapies offer a promising new approach to close this gap and address the urgent need for effective therapies to combat the condition."

An important component in the progression of Alzheimer's disease is neuroinflammation. Longeveron was recently awarded a $1 million Part the Cloud Challenge on Neuroinflammation grant from the Alzheimer's Association to help support this research.

"Adult stem cells are very potent anti-inflammatories. The characteristic amyloid plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients produce inflammation, and stem cells can reduce inflammation," explained Bernard S. Baumel, M.D., Principal Investigator for the trial. "Alzheimer's also impairs the brain's ability to adequately produce new brain cells in the memory area known as the hippocampus. Stem cells can stimulate the brain to produce these new cells needed to form memory. We believe that an infusion of LMSCs may improve the condition or at least halt the progression of the disease."

Prior research shows that adult MSCs target and reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair and improve brain function in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Longeveron's trial is the first U.S. clinical study of exogenously administered mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow of healthy adult donors for treating Alzheimer's disease.

To learn about participating in the clinical trial, visit: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02600130

About Longeveron

Longeveron is a regenerative medicine therapy company founded in 2014. Longeveron's goal is to provide the first of its kind biological solution for aging-related diseases, and is dedicated to developing safe cell-based therapeutics to revolutionize the aging process and improve quality of life. The company's research focus areas include Alzheimer's disease, Aging Frailty and the Metabolic Syndrome. Longeveron produces LMSCs in its own state-of-the-art cGMP cell processing facility. www.longeveron.com

Contact:

Suzanne Liv Page

[email protected]

305.342.9590

SOURCE Longeveron
EYERIS system focuses on driver and passenger safety

Industry-first video child-monitoring

Rearview camera meets 2018 mandate

AURORA, ON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Ask most parents, and they'll tell you an extra set of eyes would generally come in very handy, especially when driving.

Magna International Inc. listened to those parents and today gives them that extra set of eyes with a video-based child-monitoring system, an industry-first feature to increase safety for drivers and passengers based on Magna's EYERIS camera technologies. The system recently debuted on a new minivan at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.

Magna International Inc. gives parents an extra set of eyes with an in-car, video-based child-monitoring system, an industry-first feature to increase safety for drivers and passengers. A digital, megapixel camera over the rear seat gives parents a clear view of children traveling in the rear of the vehicle. (CNW Group/Magna International Inc.)

The child-monitoring feature provides front passengers with a clear, undistorted view of the backseat area on a display screen. A digital, megapixel camera located over the rear seat provides parents and other caregivers a top-down view of children in the rear seats. Even at low-light or dark conditions, passengers are illuminated by an infrared LED light and can clearly be seen on the screen.

In addition, the minivan includes an EYERIS rearview camera, which assists the driver while reversing the vehicle. Rearview cameras will become mandatory in the United States for all light-passenger vehicles in 2018.

"The in-cabin child-monitoring feature is a great example of how Magna applies technology to meet the needs of specific lifestyles and vehicles  in this case it's families with children and minivans," said Swamy Kotagiri, Magna's Chief Technology Officer and President of Magna Electronics. "With today's drivers facing more distractions than ever, our goal is to continue to develop new driver-assistance features to enhance vehicle functionality, improve safety and provide peace of mind."

Magna is a pioneer and the world leader in camera-based driver-assistance systems, and has been developing innovative driver-assistance systems for more than 25 years. In-cabin passenger monitoring is the latest driver-assist technology from Magna, which supplies systems to more than 60 percent of major automakers around the world. Magna's complete portfolio of camera and driver-assistance systems includes rearview, side-view and front-facing cameras that support features such as adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, 360 bird's-eye view and automatic emergency braking.

TAGS

EYERIS, ADAS, child-monitoring system, rearview cameras

ABOUT MAGNA

We are a leading global automotive supplier with 317 manufacturing operations and 102 product development, engineering and sales centres in 29 countries. We have over 155,000 employees focused on delivering superior value to our customers through innovative products and processes, and world class manufacturing. We have complete vehicle engineering and contract manufacturing expertise, as well as product capabilities which include body, chassis, exterior, seating, powertrain, active driver assistance, vision, closure and roof systems. We also have electronic and software capabilities across many of these areas. Our common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA). For further information about Magna, visit our website at www.magna.com.

THIS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" UNDER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO, AND EXPRESSLY QUALIFIED BY, THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS THAT ARE SET OUT IN MAGNA'S REGULATORY FILINGS. PLEASE REFER TO MAGNA'S MOST CURRENT MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL POSITION, ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM AND ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 40-F, AS REPLACED OR UPDATED BY ANY OF MAGNA'S SUBSEQUENT REGULATORY FILINGS, WHICH SET OUT THE CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMERS, INCLUDING THE RISK FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL EVENTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE INDICATED BY SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW ON MAGNA'S WEBSITE AT WWW.MAGNA.COM.

SOURCE Magna International Inc.

Related Links

http://www.magna.com


RICHMOND, Va., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Specialty, a division of Markel Corporation, has signed an agreement with Wright Specialty Insurance, a managing general underwriter and program administrator focused on meeting the needs of schools and colleges, municipal governments, and the food industry. Markel has been in business since 1930 and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Wright Specialty Insurance is based in Uniondale, New York.

Wright Specialty's education insurance program features a comprehensive suite of property and casualty coverages and related services for K-12 private independent schools, public schools outside of New York State, and accredited colleges and universities. Wright Specialty is well known and respected for its experienced underwriting and claims teams and industry-leading risk management and loss control services. They also have an education-specific retail distribution network consisting of carefully selected and appointed insurance agencies across the country.

Underwriting more than $1 billion in gross written premium annually, Markel Specialty has over 70 years of experience in niche markets with a product focus on commercial and personal lines insurance.

Matt Parker, President of Markel Specialty, commented, "This partnership puts Markel in a very strong position within the educational segment. It is a testament to the Markel culture and organization that a team can come together and complete this complex transaction that combines the best of our organizations."

Steve Leeret, Managing Director of Programs, stated, "Our new relationship with Wright Specialty is exciting to us because they bring the values alignment, track record of success, scale, and focus on the customer experience that we look for in program administrators. Wright Specialty is a quality organization with a corresponding reputation. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to meet the needs of this dynamic and important market segment."

Kevin Beer, President of Wright Specialty Insurance, added, "Wright Specialty's partnership with Markel is a great fit for both companies. Markel's financial strength and resources, commitment to corporate culture and specialty business, and ability to write business in all 50 states, makes them uniquely qualified as our carrier partner. We look forward to working with Markel and trust this partnership will benefit both our current and future customers."

About Markel Specialty

Markel Specialty, a division of Markel Corporation, provides innovative insurance solutions for both commercial customers and individuals. Types of insurance offered include property and casualty, workers compensation, accident, and programs featuring industry or risk-specific coverage packages.

About Markel Corporation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. The Company's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. In each of the Company's businesses, it seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader. The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value. For more information about Markel Corporation, visit markelcorp.com.

About Wright Specialty Insurance

Wright Specialty Insurance is a leading managing general underwriter and program administrator specializing in the unique exposures faced by the education, government, and food service entities. The company and its predecessor companies have been providing underwriting, claims, risk management, and litigation management services to these sectors for almost three decades. Wright's industry-focused programs are designed to enable brokers and agents to deliver comprehensive, quality insurance coverages and services more efficiently to their clients. Wright Specialty Insurance is a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc. More information about Wright Specialty is available at wrightspecialty.com.

SOURCE Markel Corporation

Related Links

http://www.markelcorp.com


AUSTIN, Texas, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tracye McDaniel announced plans to depart her position as President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation effective March 22, 2017. She will launch McDaniel Strategy Ecosystems LLC, a specialized consulting firm that will work with businesses, government and non-profit organizations.

"It's been an exciting opportunity to work with Governor Abbott and his executive team. We've had some dramatic successes together," said Tracye McDaniel. "But after thirty-plus years managing public and private economic development organizations in and outside of Texas, I'm ready for a change."

Her new company, McDaniel Strategy Ecosystems, will focus on advising leaders on their organizations' most critical issues and opportunities. She said that the company's priority is to position its clients for "epic" success and help differentiate them from their competition.

Sanjiv Yajnik, Chairman of the Board of Texas Economic Development Corporation and President of Financial Services at Capital One, praised McDaniel's service to the Lone Star State. "Tracye is one of the most active and respected professionals in her field. She has been a driving force in bringing local economic development professionals and businesses together, creating an environment that attracts business nationally and internationally to Texas. She has also led our international trade visits strategy, which has been very successful. I am confident that Tracye's great knowledge and her passion for economic development will help her be tremendously successful in her future endeavors."

A search is underway for a new President and CEO. "The Board aims to identify and hire a new President and CEO as quickly as possible," according to Yajnik.

About Texas Economic Development Corporation and TexasOne

Texas Economic Development Corporation is an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, whose mission is dedicated to economic development, business recruitment and job creation in the State of Texas. TexasOne is a public-private partnership of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, which coordinates efforts with the Office of the Governor to market Texas globally as a premier business destination. For more information about Texas Economic Development Corporation and TexasOne, visit www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com.

SOURCE Texas Economic Development Corporation

Related Links

http://www.texaswideopenforbusiness.com


LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Market: Scope of the Study





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4415264/





Methanol is primarily used as an antifreeze solution in automobiles and as fuel in vehicles. It is also used in manufacturing of many products such as formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE, DME, MTO/MTP and others. It is a volatile, colorless, toxic, and flammable liquid manufactured through oxidization of methane or through synthesis of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.



The report estimates and forecasts the methanol market on the global, regional, and country levels. The study provides forecast between 2016 and 2024 based on volume (Kilo Tons) and revenue (US$ Mn) with 2015 as the base year. The report comprises an exhaustive value chain analysis for each of the product segments. It provides a comprehensive view of the market. Value chain analysis also offers detailed information about value addition at each stage. The study includes drivers and restraints for the methanol market along with their impact on demand during the forecast period. The study also provides key market indicators affecting the growth of the market. The report analyzes opportunities in the methanol market on the global and regional level. Drivers, restraints, and opportunities mentioned in the report are justified through quantitative and qualitative data. These have been verified through primary and secondary resources. Furthermore, the report analyzes substitute analysis of methanol and global average price trend analysis.



The report includes Porter's Five Forces Model to determine the degree of competition in the methanol market. The report comprises a qualitative write-up on market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users and countries have been analyzed based on attractiveness for each region. Growth rate, market size, raw material availability, profit margin, impact strength, technology, competition, and other factors (such as environmental and legal) have been evaluated in order to derive the general attractiveness of the market. The report comprises price trend analysis for methanol between 2016 and 2024.



Methanol Market: Segmentation



The study provides a comprehensive view of the methanol market by dividing it into end-user and geography segments. The methanol market has been segmented into formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE, DME, gasoline and others based on application. Application segment have been analyzed based on historic, present, and future trends.



Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for methanol in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). Additionally, the report comprises country-level analysis in terms of volume and revenue for application segment. Key countries such as the U.S., Germany, France, the U.K., Spain, Italy, India, China, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, etc. have been included in the study. Market segmentation includes demand for individual applications in all the regions and countries.



Methanol Market: Research Methodology



Secondary research sources that were typically referred to include, but were not limited to company websites, financial reports, annual reports, investor presentations, broker reports, and SEC filings. Other sources such as internal and external proprietary databases, statistical databases and market reports, news articles, national government documents, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market have also been referred for the report.



In-depth interviews and discussions with a wide range of key opinion leaders and industry participants were conducted to compile this research report. Primary research represents the bulk of research efforts, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Key players' product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents were reviewed for competitive analysis and market understanding. This helped in validating and strengthening secondary research findings. Primary research further helped in developing the analysis team's expertise and market understanding.



Methanol Market: Competitive Landscape



The report covers detailed competitive outlook that includes market share and profiles of key players operating in the global market. Key players profiled in the report include Methanex Corporation, Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Reliance Industries Limited, AR-RAZI Saudi Methanol Company, RAMA Petrochemicals Ltd., Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals Limited, and Others. Company profiles include attributes such as company overview, number of employees, brand overview, key competitors, business overview, business strategies, recent/key developments, acquisitions, and financial overview (wherever applicable).



The global methanol market has been segmented as follows:



Methanol Market - Application Analysis



Formaldehyde

Acetic Acid

MTBE

DME

Gasoline

Others



Methanol Market - Regional Analysis



North America

U.S.

Canada

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

India

Japan

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

GCC

Egypt

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4415264/



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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ST. PAUL, Minn., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) has long advocated for health care coverage for all Minnesotans. With that principle in mind, MHA supported the opportunities presented by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Minnesota expanded Medicaid early, providing nearly 200,000 additional Minnesotans with Medical Assistance coverage. Minnesota was one of just two states to implement a Basic Health Plan  enhancing our MinnesotaCare program, which now provides nearly 100,000 people with low premiums, low copays and a good benefit set.

In addition, approximately 110,000 Minnesotans have purchased insurance through our state insurance exchange, MNsure, with more than 60 percent of them receiving federal subsidies to lower their premiums.

As a result, Minnesota is now among the top five states for insurance coverage, with only 4 percent of residents uninsured.

The American Health Care Act (AHCA) in its current form would cut the federal funding that supports the Medicaid expansion and this year funded nearly 90 percent of MinnesotaCare. Thousands of Minnesotans would lose access to meaningful health care coverage, with a sizeable new funding burden falling on the state.

On behalf of our 142 hospitals and health systems, MHA places a priority on preserving health care coverage for low-income Minnesotans. In addition, we want Minnesotans to have meaningful insurance coverage for all essential health care services. We cannot support a return to a system that increases our rate of uninsured; re-creates a reliance on the emergency room; and discourages preventive care, mental health care, routine screenings and other health care throughout a person's lifetime.

We agree that the ACA is in need of improvement; however, the AHCA is not a solution that will benefit our state or its residents. MHA cannot support the AHCA. We are committed to assisting policymakers in discussing health care legislation that will preserve meaningful health care coverage for Minnesotans.

Lawrence J. Massa, M.S., FACHE

President & CEO

Minnesota Hospital Association

The Minnesota Hospital Association represents 142 hospitals and health systems, which provide quality care for their patients and meet the needs of their communities.

SOURCE Minnesota Hospital Association
SYDNEY, Australia, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today revealed its latest capabilities for end-to-end hybrid IT management through key updates to its modular and scalable SolarWinds Orion platform and related products. With these updates, SolarWinds enables complete cloud visibility along with deep on-premises monitoring and a new, dynamic drag-and-drop dashboard to visualise infrastructure and application relationships. These new features help IT professionals monitor, troubleshoot, and improve hybrid IT performance with a simplicity like never before.



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/93ac2ed5-4e44-48b3-bcd4-28a2988c4b3f

For all of its benefits, the nearly universal shift to a hybrid IT strategy that links internal and external IT services can lead to complex, multi-faceted performance issues that span across systems and networks owned by an organisation, their service providers, and their cloud vendors, said Christoph Pfister, executive vice president, products, SolarWinds. As a result, IT professionals need comprehensive visibility into every aspect of their hybrid environments that may impact application performance. They then need a way to correlate that data so they can break down the walls between functional roles, service providers, and cloud vendors; eliminate finger pointing; and solve hybrid performance problems faster. Todays SolarWinds Orion platform and product enhancements enable just that: end-to-end hybrid IT management.

End-to-End Hybrid IT Management from SolarWinds

According to the SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2016: The Hybrid IT Evolution, a mere 5 percent of Australian organisations have not migrated any infrastructure or applications to the cloud, yet 61 percent stated they will likely never transition all services offsite, making hybrid IT the reality for IT departments today and for the foreseeable future. The survey also found that, while the cloud is key to business success, the challenges of hybrid IT environments are many. Increased management complexity brought on by combining cloud and on-premises services, along with a lack of control over and visibility into cloud services, ranked among the most prevalent issues faced by IT professionals.

To help overcome these challenges, the SolarWinds Orion platform enables unified monitoring and management of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid IT services. This is accomplished through products such as SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM), which provides deep visibility into the performance of business-critical applications and the infrastructure that supports them on-premises and in the cloud; SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM), which provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with the NetPath feature for critical path visualisation on-premises and in the cloud; and SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), which features unique Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis across on-premises and cloud database environments.

The latest enhancements to these products, powered by the SolarWinds Orion platform, include:

Cloud infrastructure monitoring from within the SolarWinds SAM module. The SolarWinds Orion platform now monitors Amazon  Web Services (AWS  ) instances and volumes via the Amazon CloudWatch API, providing more visibility into cloud applications and the cloud infrastructure that supports them. This enhances what is already provided by the agent-based and agent-less capabilities in the product.

from within the SolarWinds SAM module. The SolarWinds Orion platform now monitors Amazon Web Services (AWS ) instances and volumes via the Amazon CloudWatch API, providing more visibility into cloud applications and the cloud infrastructure that supports them. This enhances what is already provided by the agent-based and agent-less capabilities in the product. Support for Microsoft  Azure  SQL and AWS Aurora  RDS databases within SolarWinds DPA, enabling database administrators and developers to get maximum performance from their cloud databases and reduce infrastructure requirements using Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis.

within SolarWinds DPA, enabling database administrators and developers to get maximum performance from their cloud databases and reduce infrastructure requirements using Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis. Support for Cisco  Meraki  wireless access points within SolarWinds NPM. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviors rather than individual network components. SolarWinds NPM now provides a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points.

within SolarWinds NPM. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviors rather than individual network components. SolarWinds NPM now provides a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points. Enhanced network path monitoring within NetPath in SolarWinds NPM, which provides visibility into network performance and path analysis across the internet. View devices, applications, networks, and vendors in single-page path analysis to track every hop, and view latency historically or in real-time.

Drag-and-Drop Correlation in a Powerful Dashboard for Hybrid IT Environments

Also, new today is the general availability of the SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard, enabling next-generation capabilities for hybrid IT troubleshooting. PerfStack is a significant new capability available in the SolarWinds Orion platform. It is a highly customisable, yet simple-to-build dashboard. PerfStack allows IT administrators to selectively drag and drop critical real-time and historical metrics from virtually any SolarWinds Orion-based product, including cloud and on-premises performance data, into a single customisable chart to visualise the relationship between suspect elements. This enables IT professionals to identify, isolate, and troubleshoot hybrid IT performance problems in ways never before possible with this level of simplicity.

Making PerfStack even more powerful is the ability for administrators to collaborate with others by easily sharing the custom PerfStack charts they have created, helping break down the functional silos within their IT organisations and solve performance problems faster.

As a new component of the SolarWinds Orion platform, PerfStack is included in the latest versions of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (12.1), SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (6.4), SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (4.2.2), SolarWinds Virtualization Manager (7.1), SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor (6.4), and SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor (2.2.1).

Additional Quotes

As we accelerate our investigation of cloud technologies, providing a converged view of both our on-premises and cloud environments is critical in maintaining the high level of operational transparency we enjoy today, said Joshua Biggley, engineer, enterprise applications, Cardinal Health. Leveraging the new cloud infrastructure monitoring features in SolarWinds SAM will give us visibility into our AWS environment using a common dataset that is already familiar and known to our cloud engineering team. That standard of a familiar dataset is also extremely valuable to our database performance teams as we explore the use of cloud-based database technologiesSolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is our trusted performance monitoring platform for our on-premises databases and has provided critical visibility into our RDS-based deployments.

In spite of our successes, the number one ask from our infrastructure and application teams is, How can we leverage the data SolarWinds collects to reduce our mean time to repair?, Biggley added. In the past, weve relied on static dashboards that required teams to pre-emptively guess what metrics might be required to investigate an issue. While static dashboards will continue to exist for operational awareness, the new SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard is the dynamic analytics tool weve been waiting for. It will empower operational teams to perform real-time analytics of data across multiple platforms and SolarWinds modules. This converged view of metrics, driven by the users who know their applications, infrastructure, and the issues they are trying to solve, is exactly the kind of data liberation our monitoring team has been working towards.

Modern application environments are increasingly complex, spanning varied on-premises infrastructure, public cloud, private cloud, and combinations of the above, said Nancy Gohring, senior analyst, 451 Research. Correlating operations data generated by each piece of the puzzle is key to offering developers and operations staff the insights they need to quickly solve problems that emerge in this new, complex environment.

Pricing and Availability

All products referenced in this press release are currently available. The starting price* for each, including the first year of maintenance, is as follows:

SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor: $4,215 AUD

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: $3,900 AUD

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer: $2,525 AUD

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer: $2,525 AUD

SolarWinds Virtualization Manager: $4,215 AUD

SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor: $3,410 AUD

SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor: $2,525 AUD

For more information, including a downloadable, free 30-day evaluation, visit the SolarWinds website, or call:

1800 783 955 (Australia)

0800 885 017 (New Zealand)

*Prices as of March 14, 2017. Pricing may vary based upon the jurisdiction and applicable currency. Please contact a local SolarWinds sales representative to find pricing specific to your jurisdiction.

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.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SoFi, a modern finance company taking an unprecedented approach to lending, wealth management, and insurance, announced today the election of Mike Bingle, Steven Freiberg, and Robert L. Joss AC to its Board of Directors.

"We're extremely fortunate to have Mike, Steve, and Bob join the Board," said Mike Cagney, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of SoFi. "Each of them brings deep experience in financial services that will be extremely useful as we embark on SoFi's expansion into new product areas and new geographies like Australia and Canada."

Bingle is a Managing Partner and Managing Director at Silver Lake. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ancestry.com, Fanatics, Gartner, and SolarWinds. Bingle has been a private equity investor for over 20 years, and he has invested in numerous financial technology companies, including having served as a Director of: TD Ameritrade, Datek Online Holdings, Inc., Interactive Data Corporation, IPC Systems, Instinet, Mercury Payment Systems, and Virtu Financial. Prior to joining Silver Lake, Bingle was a principal at Apollo Management; he also worked in the Investment Banking Division of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Bingle holds a BSE in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University.

"SoFi's platform -- equal parts technology, community, and exceptional customer experience -- is rapidly transforming personal finance," Mike Bingle said. "I am thrilled to partner with Mike Cagney and his talented team and Board of Directors, as we help SoFi achieve its long-term vision of offering a broad suite of financial services around the world."

Freiberg is also a long term veteran of the financial services sector, having held multiple positions at Citigroup over a 30 year period including serving as the Co-Chairman and CEO of Citigroup's Global Consumer Group, and most recently as the CEO of E*TRADE Financial Corporation where he led the company back to profitability in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. He is currently a Board member of Fair Square Financial, MasterCard, OANDA, Purchasing Power, and Regional Management, and a senior advisor to several companies including The Boston Consulting Group and Verisk Analytics. Freiberg holds a BS in Finance as well as an MBA in Finance from Hofstra University.

"I'm honored to join SoFi's Board at this time, and to contribute my industry knowledge and experience in support of the company's objective of reshaping personal finance," said Freiberg.

Joss, whose career in finance and economic policy spans five decades, is currently the Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean, Emeritus of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, having served as the school's Dean from 1999 through 2009. Prior to Stanford, he was chief executive officer of Westpac Banking Corporation, one of Australia's largest banks. Before Westpac, Joss spent 22 years with Wells Fargo, holding a variety of positions including Vice Chairman for his last seven years. He is currently a Board member of Makena Capital and C.M. Capital, and past Board member of Agilent Technologies, Bechtel Group, Citigroup, SRI, and Wells Fargo. Joss holds a BA in Economics from the University of Washington, and an MBA and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

"This is an exciting time in SoFi's young history, and I look forward to aiding the company's healthy development and growth any way I can," said Joss.

Additionally, SoFi announced Board adviser Anshu Jain has stepped down from his role at his request as he pursues other projects. Jain, who joined as an adviser in February of 2016, recently joined Cantor Fitzgerald as President.

"Anshu has been a great adviser and friend to me and the rest of the Board. We have been very pleased to have his help and insight on a range issues, most recently on our successful fundraising round. He leaves SoFi in a great place, and we wish him all the best in his new role at Cantor Fitzgerald," said Cagney.

Jain added, "I have greatly enjoyed my time working with Mike and the team at SoFi and have been glad to make a contribution the company's growth and recent successful capital raise. SoFi continues to be a dynamic force in an evolving sector, and I look forward to watching the company go from strength to strength."

About SoFi

SoFi is a new kind of finance company taking a radical approach to lending, wealth management, and insurance. From unprecedented products and tools to faster service and open conversations, we're all about helping our members get ahead and find success. Whether they're looking to buy a home, save money on student loans, ascend in their careers, or invest in the future, the SoFi community works to empower our members to accomplish the goals they set and achieve financial greatness as a result. For more information, visit SoFi.com.

Media Contacts

Laurel Toney

415-735-4044

[email protected]

SOURCE SoFi

Related Links

http://www.sofi.com


SAN FRANCISCO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the world's #1 CRM company and Intelligent Customer Success Platform, announced that Mount Sinai Health Systeman integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research and advancing biomedical educationis using Salesforce to coordinate and manage the care of Medicaid recipients in its Performing Provider System (PPS).

The Mount Sinai PPS was formed under New York State's Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program (DSRIP), a multi-year, multi-part overhaul of the Medicaid system that began in 2015. The program aims to reach the most vulnerable populations in New York City and reduce avoidable hospital use by 25% for the next five years. The Mount Sinai PPS includes more than 10,000 Medicaid service providers and 200 community organizations, from large area hospitals, to private medical practices, nursing homes and substance abuse treatment centers, to soup kitchens, homeless shelters, housing agencies and faith-based service groups. Collectively, these groups are responsible for more than 350,000 Medicaid recipients across the New York Metro area.

The Health System needed a way to effectively connect every provider and organization across its vast ecosystemsomething that had never formally been done beforeand easily provide individual caregivers with complete views of their patients, including medical histories, treatments, medications and other clinical data plus insights into social determinants. With this information at their fingertips, caregivers can better understand their patients' needs and provide more proactive and personalized care.

Salesforce aligned with Mount Sinai to tackle this challenge and streamline the way communities are served. Using Health Cloud and Community Cloud, the health system is establishing a mobile, real-time care coordination program so everyone in the Mount Sinai PPSfrom doctors and physical therapists to case managers and social workerscan help patients along every step of their care journey. For example, if an individual today fails to take medication at the right frequency because of issues at work, a doctor may only see the lapse in medication adherence, whereas a case manager may only see the employment concerns. The result is a disconnected look at the patient's life, which can impact care and lead to more expensive emergency room visits down the road. Health Cloud makes it possible for everyone involved to get a complete, up-to-date view of the patient so that they can help keep the patient on track with the goal of preventing an unnecessary trip to the hospital.

Comments on the News

"Too often, we see patients delay their care and end up in the emergency room, which is both difficult for the patient and costly for taxpayers," said Kash Patel, Vice President, IT Department, Mount Sinai Health System. "With the right technology, in the hands of the right people, we can break this cycle and help Medicaid patients get quality care, while reducing high-cost and avoidable emergency room visits."

"With Salesforce, Mount Sinai is arming thousands of Medicaid providers and community organizations with a more precise view of the demographics, lifestyle and health histories of patients," said Dr. Joshua Newman, chief medical officer at Salesforce. "As a result, they'll be able to collaborate more closely and put their patients at the center of care."

About the Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research, and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient servicesfrom community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.



The System includes approximately 7,100 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is in the "Honor Roll" of best hospitals in America, ranked No. 15 nationally in the 2016-2017 "Best Hospitals" issue of U.S. News & World Report. The Mount Sinai Hospital is also ranked as one of the nation's top 20 hospitals in Geriatrics, Gastroenterology/GI Surgery, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, Diabetes/Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology/Neurosurgery, and Ear, Nose & Throat, and is in the top 50 in four other specialties. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked No. 10 nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai St. Luke's, and Mount Sinai West are ranked regionally. Mount Sinai's Kravis Children's Hospital is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report in "Best Children's Hospitals."

For more information, visit http://www.mountsinai.org/, or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Salesforce Health Cloud

Salesforce Health Cloud is a cloud-based patient relationship management solution, built on Salesforce Service Cloudthe world's #1 customer service and support applicationthat enables healthcare providers to get a complete view of the patient, drive smarter care management and enable connected patient engagement across devices.

About Salesforce

Salesforce, the world's #1 CRM company and Intelligent Customer Success Platform, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. For more information about Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), visit: www.salesforce.com.

Any unreleased services or features referenced in this or other press releases or public statements are not currently available and may not be delivered on time or at all. Customers who purchase Salesforce applications should make their purchase decisions based upon features that are currently available. Salesforce has headquarters in San Francisco, with offices in Europe and Asia, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CRM." For more information please visit http://www.salesforce.com, or call 1-800-NO-SOFTWARE.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." All statements other than historical facts included in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the timing and the closing of the transaction, the financing for the transaction, the expected benefits of the transaction, prospective performance and future business plans, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown, or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the parties' expectations and projections. These forward-looking statements reflect Salesforce's expectations as of the date of this press release. Salesforce undertakes no obligation to update the information provided herein.

SOURCE Salesforce

Related Links

http://www.salesforce.com


Myomo is seeking to become the first Company to launch a Regulation A+ IPO with listing on the New York Stock Exchange MKT (NYSE MKT). TriPoint Global Equities, LLC, working with its online division BANQ  ( www.banq.co ), will act as the lead managing selling agent and bookrunner for the offering. Myomo intends to use the proceeds from the offering to fund sales and marketing, product development, repayment of debt, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

"We are very excited to share our vision of restoring upper limb mobility to millions of Americans and others worldwide with a broad set of individual investors that now have the opportunity to invest in our Company, alongside accredited investors and institutions, to acquire shares at the initial offering price," said Paul R. Gudonis, CEO of Myomo. "While a traditional public offering is generally reserved for large institutions and the Wall Street elite to invest at this stage, we are taking advantage of new SEC regulations to level the playing field for all investors to participate concurrently in our IPO."

"I am thrilled that Myomo is planning to become the first Company to ever bring a Regulation A+ offering to the NYSE MKT," said Mark Elenowitz, CEO of TriPoint. "It has been 84 years since the Securities Act of 1933 was enacted, but with the Title IV of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act, Myomo leads us into exciting new territory where Main Street meets Wall Street."

Myomo Allows Patients to Regain Essential Mobility

Myomo's core technology was originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with medical experts affiliated with Harvard Medical School. In 2006, the Company was spun out from MIT and became the exclusive licensee of two patents owned by MIT that are behind the myoelectric technology. Since then, Myomo has launched three generations of its technology and expanded its patent portfolio. The latest generation MyoPro custom-fabricated orthosis is specified for each patient and easily donned by the patient to perform everyday functional tasks at home or at work.

The MyoPro is a myoelectric arm orthosis designed to support a weak arm. It can enable individuals to self-initiate and control movements of a partially paralyzed or weakened arm and hand using their own muscle signals. When the user tries to bend their arm, sensors in the MyoPro brace detect the weak muscle signal, which activates the motor to move the arm in the desired direction. The user is completely controlling their own arm and hand; the brace amplifies their weak muscle signal to help bend and move their arm. With the orthosis, a paralyzed individual, such as one who has suffered a brachial plexus injury, stroke or other neuromuscular disorder, can perform activities of daily living including feeding themselves, carrying objects, and doing household tasks.

Due to the large number of strokes, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological conditions which occur each year, the potential market opportunity worldwide may consist of millions of individuals and is growing each year.

The Opportunity to Invest in Myomo

Myomo has previously raised more than $20 million from management, individual investors with healthcare and high-technology experience, and Mountain Group Capital. The Company seeks to raise up to $15 million in its IPO under Regulation A+ and then, in succession and subject to NYSE requirements, be listed on the NYSE MKT as "MYO." Individuals interested in learning more about the Myomo Regulation A+ investment opportunity can visit banq.co/listings/myomo.

About Myomo, Inc.

Myomo, Inc. is a commercial stage medical robotics Company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. Based on patented technology developed at MIT, Harvard Medical School, and by the Company, Myomo develops and markets the MyoPro product line of lightweight, non-invasive, powered arm braces to restore function in the paralyzed or weakened arms and hands of individuals that have suffered a stroke, spinal cord or nerve injury such as brachial plexus injury, or other neuromuscular disability such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or multiple sclerosis (MS). It is provided through clinical relationships with VA medical centers, leading rehabilitation hospitals, and Orthotics and Prosthetics ("O&P") practices. Several hundred have been successfully used by patients. It is the only device that, sensing a patient's own neurological signals through non-invasive sensors on the arm, can restore their ability to use their arms and hands so that they can return to work, live independently and reduce their cost of care. Myomo is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with sales and clinical professionals across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.myomo.com.

Legal Disclaimer

Myomo Inc.'s offering statement for its initial public offering under Regulation A has been qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The securities offered by Myomo Inc. are highly speculative. Investing in shares of Myomo Inc. involves significant risks. The investment is suitable only for persons who can afford to lose their entire investment. Furthermore, investors must understand that such investment could be illiquid for an indefinite period of time. No public market currently exists for the securities, and if a public market develops following the offering, it may not continue. To obtain a copy of the Offering Circular, go to https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1369290/000121390017001690/f1a2016a2_myomoinc.htm or click here to download directly.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements regarding projected business performance, operating results, financial condition and other aspects of the Company, expressed by such language as "expected," "anticipated," "projected" and "forecasted." Please be advised that such statements are estimates only and there is no assurance that the results stated or implied by forward-looking statements will actually be realized by the Company. Forward-looking statements may be based on management assumptions that prove to be wrong. The Company and its business are subject to substantial risks and potential events beyond its control that would cause material differences between predicted results and actual results, including the Company incurring operating losses and experiencing unexpected material adverse events.

Media Contacts:

Lana Rushing, [email protected], (310) 428-1805

Janel Steinberg, [email protected], (310) 994-9818

More Information: http://myomo.tritium.co/myomo-launches-ipo

SOURCE Myomo, Inc.

Related Links

http://myomo.tritium.co/myomo-launches-ipo


"My father's determination, vision, brilliant mind and tremendous work ethic are the foundation of Bisk," said his son, Michael Bisk, who took the reins as the Tampa, Fla.-based company's chief executive officer in November 2016. "He leaves behind a pioneering education company that only he could have built. We will all honor his legacy by working with dedication, passion and purpose to continue his vision."

Born into a close-knit family in Newark, N.J., in 1940, Nathan Bisk early on displayed the tenacity for self-improvement that would come to define his career as an entrepreneur and business owner. The Bachelor of Arts in Accounting he earned from Franklin & Marshall College meant that, along with his sister, Irene, he was the first in his family to graduate college.

Through the 1960s, Bisk, who also served in the National Guard, built his professional resume as a member of the auditing staff at major firms such as Ernst & Young, S.D. Leidersdorf & Co., and Arthur Andersen. He would eventually join Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, where he specialized in sales, and mergers and acquisitions.

At Merrill Lynch, Bisk again demonstrated his continuous drive, graduating from the firm's exclusive two-year Executive Management Program.

In 1971, he moved from New York to Gainesville, Florida, to earn his law degree at the University of Florida. While attending law school, he had the idea that would ultimately be the start of his company. Like many entrepreneurial success stories, it began with a need.

In preparing for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam, Bisk found there was little access to effective test prep materials. So, in 1971, with just a few blank audio cassettes, he founded Bisk Education to offer exam prep via recorded lectures and textbooks. In the beginning, Bisk taught most of the courses himself.

As the company grew, its distance learning offerings evolved from audio cassettes to video cassettes to computer software and, eventually, to online learning. In 1987, Bisk moved its headquarters to Tampa.

"We had a very successful business but this was not enough for Nathan," said Andy Titen, who worked with Bisk for more than 30 years and has held several executive positions at the company.

"Nathan dreamed big and wanted us to become a great company that would leave its mark on the world. He came up with the idea to convert ground-based college programs into self-study degree programs that would be marketed to working adults," Titen recalled. "It was the early 1990s then and people thought that this was a preposterous idea that would never work. However, Nathan was a visionary and knew that this idea would work no matter what other people said."

In the mid-1990s, Bisk partnered with Regis University to launch one of the first fully online MBA programs in the United States.

Soon, Bisk Education was blazing a trail in developing internet-based, instructor-led online programs for regionally accredited and nationally ranked universities nationwide. The company harnessed evolving technology to provide 24/7 access to undergraduate and graduate degree programs and professional certificate programs.

"Our intent is to provide people with an education and give people the American Dream," Nathan Bisk once told his alma mater Franklin & Marshall College.

Today, the company is recognized as the nation's leading provider of online program management services, with more than 750 employees at its offices in Tampa and Orlando. Bisk has facilitated more than 1 million enrollments for university partners including Villanova, Notre Dame, Florida Tech, Jacksonville University, New England College and Michigan State.

In 2009, Nathan Bisk presented Florida Tech with a $5 million gift to support its College of Business, which was named in his honor. Bisk also served on Florida Tech's Board of Trustees for almost eight years, a role now held by his son.

"I'm not sure which was more impressive with Nathan: his peerless vision to enhance the power and reach of education through technology, or his significant generosity," Florida Tech President T. Dwayne McCay said. "Though his impact at Florida Tech remains strong, Nathan will be sorely missed."

"My father changed thousands of lives by giving people the opportunity to earn a college degree online," said his daughter, Alison Bisk, the company's vice president and corporate counsel. "This will be his lasting legacy and is a testament to the enduring impact he will have on the world."

For more information

Victoria Raymer

Public Relations

813-621-6200 Ext. 6257

[email protected]

About Bisk

Founded in 1971, Bisk partners with leading universities and organizations to deliver online degree and certificate programs to learners around the world. For the last 20 years, Bisk's online program management services have helped universities and corporations expand their institutional reach and deliver quality programs at scale. Bisk has facilitated more than 1 million enrollments for clients including Villanova, Notre Dame and Michigan State. Bisk is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with more than 750 employees. Learn more at Bisk.com.

SOURCE Bisk

Related Links

http://www.bisk.com


NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FAIR Health announced today that as a result of its designation last year by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Qualified Entity (QE), it is adding four full years of Medicare claims data to its database of more than 23 billion private healthcare claims. FAIR Health is one of only four organizations certified by CMS under its Qualified Entity Certification Program (QECP) to receive Medicare Part A (hospital and facility services), Part B (medical services) and Part D (prescription drug services) claims data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To date, FAIR Health has received from CMS 100 percent of claims for Parts A and B services rendered nationwide from January 2013 through September 2016, and all Part D claims from 2013 through 2015. FAIR Health expects to receive the balance of the data by April 2017, giving the organization all Parts A, B and D claims from 2013 through 2016. Moving forward, FAIR Health is scheduled to receive Parts A and B data quarterly and Part D data annually.

CMS is providing FAIR Health with claims that represent the experience of more than 55 million individuals enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B coverage. These claims will supplement FAIR Health's collection of private claims from both fully insured and self-insured plans that represent more than 150 million individuals. FAIR Health regularly receives private claims from approximately 60 of the country's national and regional commercial insurers and thus holds data assets offering a uniquely comprehensive record of healthcare costs and utilization across the country. FAIR Health's private claims database now includes more than 23 billion medical and dental records dating back to 2002, with more than 2 billion private claims added each year.

Public and Non-Public Reports to Include Medicare and Private Claims Data

As part of its QE responsibilities, FAIR Health will produce and publish public quality reports and data analyticsbased on its database of private insurance claims, in combination with Medicare informationto support efforts to promote transparency, improve the quality of care and reduce costs. FAIR Health also plans to use the Medicare data for internal analyses that will contribute to the evolution of its products and analytics and enrich its offerings in support of transparency in policy making and health systems research.

In addition, with its QE designation, FAIR Health is able to create, for clients who contribute their private claims data to FAIR Health, non-public aggregate reports that reflect information from Medicare Parts A, B and D claims data. The reports will incorporate data from the privately billed claims from the vast FAIR Health repository and/or the client's own data. These types of comprehensive analyses can open up a broad range of opportunities for an organization to evaluate its claims data for strategic, operational, clinical, budgetary and other purposes.

FAIR Health President Robin Gelburd remarked, "FAIR Health's QE certification demonstrates the trust the healthcare sector places in our data security and mission-driven activities. It also gives us the opportunity to conduct analyses incorporating vast amounts of Medicare and private claims data, offering a unique, overarching perspective on the workings of the healthcare system today."

About FAIR Health

FAIR Health is a national, independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing transparency to healthcare costs and health insurance information through data products, consumer resources and health systems research support. FAIR Health oversees the nation's largest repository of private healthcare claims data, comprising over 23 billion billed medical and dental charges that reflect the claims experience of over 150 million privately insured Americans. FAIR Health licenses its data and data productsincluding data visualizations, custom analytics, episodes of care analytics and market indicesto commercial insurers and self-insurers, employers, hospitals and healthcare systems, government agencies, researchers and others. FAIR Health has been certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Qualified Entity, eligible to receive all Medicare Parts A, B and D claims data for use in nationwide transparency efforts. FAIR Health data are referenced in statutes and regulations around the country and have been designated as the official, neutral source of cost information for a variety of state health programs, including workers' compensation and personal injury protection (PIP) programs. Many states have approached FAIR Health with respect to proposed consumer protection laws governing balance billing for surprise out-of-network bills and emergency services, and two states have made FAIR Health a standard in their balance billing legislation. FAIR Health uses its database to power a free consumer website, available in English and Spanish and as an English/Spanish mobile app that enables consumers to estimate and plan their healthcare expenditures. FAIR Health also offers a rich educational platform on health insurance on its website and app. The website has been honored by the White House Summit on Smart Disclosure, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), URAC, the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, appPicker, Employee Benefit News and Kiplinger's Personal Finance. For more information on FAIR Health, visit fairhealth.org.

Contact:

Dean Sicoli

Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations

FAIR Health

646-664-1645

[email protected]

SOURCE FAIR Health

Related Links

http://fairhealth.org


President Shaun McAlmont welcomed the distinguished guest and opened the ceremony on behalf of Neumont's administration , noting that the purpose "is to honor you with this ceremony; to motivate you go on and do great things; to remind you that the path will be tough; to listen and keep learning; to be grateful to those who got you here; and most importantly, to be proud of this accomplishment and have it serve as the foundation for the successes to come in your lives."

The sentiment was echoed in Alexandrov's address, as he reflected on his time at Neumont and the impact it had on his achievements and contributions to science and research. "A decade later, I have absolutely no doubt, I know for sure, the foundation that Neumont gave me was not only sufficient to make me an exceptional employee of a fortune 500 company, but this education also gave me the necessary courage and vision to apply what I have learned at Neumont into completely different fields." He explained, "Indeed, I was able to take the project-oriented mentality and use it in all parts of my life including in my education and scientific research."

After earning a bachelor's degree in computer science, Alexandrov went on to University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England where he earned both masters and doctorate degrees in computational theory and biology. He currently works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico as an Oppenheimer Fellow furthering his cancer research.

Alexandrov also encouraged the graduates to look forward to the future with great optimism. "I want to challenge you to not be afraid to follow your dreams no matter how crazy these dreams might be and no matter where these dreams might take you," he said.

The ceremony honored approximately 170 new alumni who have earned their bachelor's degrees in the computer sciences. Students earn their degrees in three years by attending classes year-round.

For more information about Neumont, visit www.neumont.edu.

SOURCE Neumont University

Related Links

http://www.neumont.edu


SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HelloBible launches a Christian subscription box committed to spark faith in kids. Monthly boxes empower families to explore the Bible in a fun, hands- on way. Each box features a Bible story, engaging crafts, and ideas for discussion and prayer. Subscriptions are already on sale via their website at hellobible.org.

Includes fun activities to explore the Bible Story of Noah's Ark.

HelloBible is charmingly presented to appeal to parents and children alike. Materials and instructions are packaged like a gift. Kids love to receive packages, and will be delighted to discover the monthly Bible story. A suggested timeline guides families through different activities every week. Reading and creating keepsake craft projects allows families to dig deeper into the Bible. The activities also prompt deeper questions and important conversations about the Christian faith. This puts each Bible story into the hearts of children.

HelloBible was founded by two moms who are passionate about inspiring faith in young children. They use their backgrounds in education to design the HelloBible boxes in a clear, organized manner. "As Christian parents, we are the primary spiritual leaders in the lives of our children. Thus, we need to integrate faith into our busy family routines," said Connie Brantner, founder and CEO of HelloBible. "We want to help fellow Christian families develop their children's faith in a convenient and fun way. This fosters faith that grows for the rest of their lives."

HelloBible offers month-to-month, six-month or twelve-month subscriptions. They are available online at hellobible.org and start at $16.90 per month. For every box purchased, HelloBible donates up to $2/month to the The Kilgoris Project. This project supports education for children in rural Kenya. In each box, HelloBible highlights special events in the lives of these children. This allows young Bible explorers to learn about their peers and teaches them the importance of giving.

To learn more or to subscribe to HelloBible, visit the website at hellobible.org.

About HelloBible:

Founded in 2016 by two Christian moms, HelloBible sells monthly boxes to spark faith in kids and empowers families to explore the Bible in a fun way. With monthly deliveries of a Bible story, engaging crafts and related ideas to share and pray, HelloBible brings hands-on faith right to your door. To learn more, visit hellobible.org.

Media Contact:

Connie Brantner

Phone: 650.495.0197

Email: [email protected]

Related Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bGF5PBkMF8

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE HelloBible, LLC.

Related Links

http://hellobible.org


PAINESVILLE, Ohio, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Garden City Group, LLC ("GCG") regarding Beck v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc.

PLEASE READ - NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT

A COURT ORDERED THIS NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED. YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION FILED ON YOUR BEHALF. YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT.

A class action settlement has been reached in the lawsuit Beck v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., Lake County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas No. 15CV00598. Class Members may ask for a payment, exclude themselves from the settlement, object to it, or ask to speak at the upcoming final approval hearing. More detailed information about the settlement and your options is available at www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com.

What is the Case About?

Plaintiff contends that Harbor Freight improperly advertised merchandise at a "sale" or "comp at" price when the same items had not been sold at the advertised regular or "comp at" price for at least 28 of the preceding 90 days. Harbor Freight disputes this and contends that it has always complied with applicable laws.

Who is Included?

Members of the Settlement Class are individuals in the United States who between April 8, 2011 and December 15, 2016 purchased any product from Harbor Freight which was advertised with a higher reference price (e.g., "reg. $XXX," "only $ XXX ," or "comp. at $XXX") adjacent to a lower current offering price, but which was not sold by Harbor Freight at the higher reference price for at least 28 of the last 90 days prior to purchase, excluding Harbor Freight's employees, representatives, court officials in this case, and those already a party to a suit against Harbor Freight challenging advertised pricing.

What Does the Settlement Provide?

If approved, eligible Class Members who timely file claims may receive either a check or a Harbor Freight gift card. The amount of compensation Class Members are eligible for will depend on the amount of their Harbor Freight purchases; whether they have supporting documentation (i.e., itemized receipts or credit/debit card statements) for those purchases; whether they opt for a check or a gift card; and the number of Class Members who submit valid claims. Visit www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com for more details about available compensation.

Plaintiffs will ask the Court for attorney's fees and expenses of up to $10,000,000 on behalf of the counsel who represented plaintiffs and the Class. Plaintiffs will also ask the Court for $10,000 in incentive compensation for Class Representative Beck.

How Do You Ask for a Payment?

To receive a payment, you must complete a Claim Form and mail it, or submit it online, no later than August 7, 2017. To download a Claim Form or to submit a claim online, and to view instructions on how to submit a Claim Form, visit www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com.

What Are Your Other Options?

If you don't want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself from the Class by mailing your request to National Sale Price Settlement, c/o GCG, PO Box 10351, Dublin, OH 43017-5551 by June 7, 2017. If you timely exclude yourself, you can't get a payment from this settlement. If you have not excluded yourself from the Class, you may also object to the settlement by filing a notice of intent to object with the Clerk of Courts by June 7, 2017. Visit www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com for details on how to exclude yourself or to object.

The Court will hold a hearing on July 7, 2017, at 1:15 p.m., at the Lake County Court of Common Pleas, 47 North Park Place, Painesville, Ohio 44077, to consider whether to approve the settlement and the requests for attorney's fees, incentive payment, court costs, and expenses to be paid by Harbor Freight. You or your own attorney may ask to appear and speak at the hearing, at your own cost. If the settlement is approved, Class Members will release Harbor Freight from liability for the claims in this case.

To learn more, visit www.nationalsalepricesettlement.com or call 1-888-321-0482. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COURT, CLASS REPRESENTATIVE BECK, HARBOR FREIGHT, OR HARBOR FREIGHT'S COUNSEL REGARDING THIS MATTER.

SOURCE GCG
GREENFIELD, Mass., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 200 registered nurses of Baystate Franklin Medical Center, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, voted on Monday 93 percent to authorize a one-day strike.

"Nurses voted to authorize their bargaining committee to call a one-day strike because they want to provide the best possible patient care in a safe environment," said Donna Stern, a psychiatric RN and chair of the BFMC RN Bargaining Committee. "Unfortunately, Baystate is taking a different path. By refusing to negotiate in good faith and refusing to consider nurse proposals to improve patient care and security, Baystate is failing our community."

"Even on the day of the strike vote, there were only two RNs in the Emergency Room in the morning when there needed to be four to five," Stern said. "There were only two nurses in the Mental Health Unit for 19 patients  so each nurse was responsible for caring for 9 or 10 patients at the same instant. Our manager, who also manages the Emergency Room, left the critical staffing situation there to help take care of the patients on the MHU until another nurse could be found. The nurse who agreed to come in proceeded to work a 13-hour shift. That's all wildly inappropriate, and yet that was the best Baystate management was willing to do on the day of our strike vote. You can imagine how bad things get on days when we weren't voting to strike!"

The BFMC RN Bargaining Committee will discuss if and when to set a date for a one-day strike. Baystate Health continues to bargain in bad faith. If scheduled, that date will be announced to the public once the hospital has been given a 10-day notice required by law. BFMC nurses will then plan for a 24-hour strike, unless the hospital agrees to a fair contract settlement by that date. If a one-day strike happens, nurses will be prepared to return to work after the 24-hour period.

"At this point only Baystate can avoid a strike, by bargaining in good faith to reach a fair agreement which respects all hospital employees and our patients," said Jillian Sicard, RN and junior co-chair of the BFMC RN Bargaining Committee. "By withholding our labor for one day, nurses will force Baystate to listen to our concerns and treat our community with respect."

On March 3, BFMC nurses filed six unfair labor practice charges against Baystate with the National Labor Relations Board. The charges assert that Baystate has engaged in a pattern of unfair and illegal bargaining. Baystate has repeatedly failed to provide information requested by nurses, shown a pattern of delays and refused to negotiate over mandatory bargaining subjects such as nurse workload, health insurance, and health and safety language.

For more details, see this previous press release: www.massnurses.org/BFMCcharges. For a copy of the NLRB charges, contact Joe Markman at 781-571-8175 or [email protected].

Negotiations between BFMC/MNA nurses and Baystate Health began in November 2016 over a new contract to replace the agreement that was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2016. There have been 13 sessions held to date. A mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service joined the bargaining process on February 21. The next session is scheduled for March 16.

Key outstanding issues include safe patient limits for nurses targeted to BFMC patient needs, security improvements and making sure Baystate does not erode nurses' health insurance benefits and working conditions.

Read more details about the negotiations and Baystate's financial ability to provide a safe patient care environment at www.massnurses.org/BFMCcharges.

Receive documentation supporting nurses' staffing concerns from Joe Markman at 781-571-8175 or [email protected]. Documentation includes state Department of Public Health reports that show BFMC is breaking the law against mandatory overtime and dozens of text messages from BFMC management requesting nurses come to work when they were scheduled to be off because of staffing shortages.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Related Links

http://www.massnurses.org


BEACHWOOD, Ohio, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- OMNOVA Solutions (NYSE: OMN) will hold its conference call to discuss first quarter 2017 results on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 11:00am ET. The call will be hosted by OMNOVA Solutions' President and Chief Executive Officer Anne Noonan, and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Paul DeSantis. OMNOVA will release earnings before the market opens on March 29 for the quarter ending February 28, 2017.

The call will be webcast and participants may log on from OMNOVA's website at www.omnova.com. OMNOVA will archive the call on its website until noon ET, April 18, 2017. Or, to listen to a digitized telephone replay (1:00pm ET, March 29 until 11:59pm ET, April 18, 2017), callers should dial:

(USA) 800-475-6701, Access Code 420270

(Int'l) 320-365-3844, Access Code 420270

OMNOVA Solutions Inc. is a global innovator of performance-enhancing chemistries and surfaces used in products for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential applications. As a strategic business-to-business supplier, OMNOVA provides The Science in Better Brands, with emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and functional and decorative surfaces that deliver critical performance attributes to top brand-name, end-use products sold around the world. OMNOVA's sales for the last 12 months ended November 30, 2016, were $760 million. The Company has a global workforce of approximately 2,000. Visit OMNOVA Solutions on the internet at www.omnova.com.

SOURCE OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

Related Links

http://www.omnova.com


SYDNEY, Australia, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SolarWinds, a leading provider of powerful and affordable IT management software, today revealed its latest capabilities for end-to-end hybrid IT management through key updates to its modular and scalable SolarWinds Orion platform and related products. With these updates, SolarWinds enables complete cloud visibility along with deep on-premises monitoring and a new, dynamic drag-and-drop dashboard to visualise infrastructure and application relationships. These new features help IT professionals monitor, troubleshoot, and improve hybrid IT performance with a simplicity like never before.



For all of its benefits, the nearly universal shift to a hybrid IT strategy that links internal and external IT services can lead to complex, multi-faceted performance issues that span across systems and networks owned by an organisation, their service providers, and their cloud vendors, said Christoph Pfister, executive vice president, products, SolarWinds. As a result, IT professionals need comprehensive visibility into every aspect of their hybrid environments that may impact application performance. They then need a way to correlate that data so they can break down the walls between functional roles, service providers, and cloud vendors; eliminate finger pointing; and solve hybrid performance problems faster. Todays SolarWinds Orion platform and product enhancements enable just that: end-to-end hybrid IT management.

End-to-End Hybrid IT Management from SolarWinds

According to the SolarWinds IT Trends Report 2016: The Hybrid IT Evolution, a mere 8 percent of organisations in Singapore have not migrated any infrastructure or applications to the cloud, yet 62 percent stated they will likely never transition all services offsite, making hybrid IT the reality for IT departments today and for the foreseeable future. The survey also found that, while the cloud is key to business success, the challenges of hybrid IT environments are many. Increased management complexity brought on by combining cloud and on-premises services, along with a lack of control over and visibility into cloud services, ranked among the most prevalent issues faced by IT professionals.

To help overcome these challenges, the SolarWinds Orion platform enables unified monitoring and management of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid IT services. This is accomplished through products such as SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (SAM), which provides deep visibility into the performance of business-critical applications and the infrastructure that supports them on-premises and in the cloud; SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM), which provides comprehensive network performance monitoring with the NetPath feature for critical path visualisation on-premises and in the cloud; and SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer (DPA), which features unique Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis across on-premises and cloud database environments.

The latest enhancements to these products, powered by the SolarWinds Orion platform, include:

Cloud infrastructure monitoring from within the SolarWinds SAM module. The SolarWinds Orion platform now monitors Amazon  Web Services (AWS  ) instances and volumes via the Amazon CloudWatch API, providing more visibility into cloud applications and the cloud infrastructure that supports them. This enhances what is already provided by the agent-based and agent-less capabilities in the product.

from within the SolarWinds SAM module. The SolarWinds Orion platform now monitors Amazon Web Services (AWS ) instances and volumes via the Amazon CloudWatch API, providing more visibility into cloud applications and the cloud infrastructure that supports them. This enhances what is already provided by the agent-based and agent-less capabilities in the product. Support for Microsoft  Azure  SQL and AWS Aurora  RDS databases within SolarWinds DPA, enabling database administrators and developers to get maximum performance from their cloud databases and reduce infrastructure requirements using Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis.

within SolarWinds DPA, enabling database administrators and developers to get maximum performance from their cloud databases and reduce infrastructure requirements using Multi-Dimensional Performance Analysis. Support for Cisco  Meraki  wireless access points within SolarWinds NPM. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviors rather than individual network components. SolarWinds NPM now provides a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points.

within SolarWinds NPM. Cisco Meraki wireless access points are 100 percent cloud-managed, enabling network engineers to focus on configuring network behaviors rather than individual network components. SolarWinds NPM now provides a single robust tool for monitoring both locally managed and Cisco Meraki cloud-managed wireless access points. Enhanced network path monitoring within NetPath in SolarWinds NPM, which provides visibility into network performance and path analysis across the internet. View devices, applications, networks, and vendors in single-page path analysis to track every hop, and view latency historically or in real-time.

Drag-and-Drop Correlation in a Powerful Dashboard for Hybrid IT Environments

Also, new today is the general availability of the SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard, enabling next-generation capabilities for hybrid IT troubleshooting. PerfStack is a significant new capability available in the SolarWinds Orion platform. It is a highly customisable, yet simple-to-build dashboard. PerfStack allows IT administrators to selectively drag and drop critical real-time and historical metrics from virtually any SolarWinds Orion-based product, including cloud and on-premises performance data, into a single customisable chart to visualise the relationship between suspect elements. This enables IT professionals to identify, isolate, and troubleshoot hybrid IT performance problems in ways never before possible with this level of simplicity.

Making PerfStack even more powerful is the ability for administrators to collaborate with others by easily sharing the custom PerfStack charts they have created, helping break down the functional silos within their IT organisations and solve performance problems faster.

As a new component of the SolarWinds Orion platform, PerfStack is included in the latest versions of SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (12.1), SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor (6.4), SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (4.2.2), SolarWinds Virtualization Manager (7.1), SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor (6.4), and SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor (2.2.1).

Additional Quotes

As we accelerate our investigation of cloud technologies, providing a converged view of both our on-premises and cloud environments is critical in maintaining the high level of operational transparency we enjoy today, said Joshua Biggley, engineer, enterprise applications, Cardinal Health. Leveraging the new cloud infrastructure monitoring features in SolarWinds SAM will give us visibility into our AWS environment using a common dataset that is already familiar and known to our cloud engineering team. That standard of a familiar dataset is also extremely valuable to our database performance teams as we explore the use of cloud-based database technologiesSolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer is our trusted performance monitoring platform for our on-premises databases and has provided critical visibility into our RDS-based deployments.

In spite of our successes, the number one ask from our infrastructure and application teams is, How can we leverage the data SolarWinds collects to reduce our mean time to repair?, Biggley added. In the past, weve relied on static dashboards that required teams to pre-emptively guess what metrics might be required to investigate an issue. While static dashboards will continue to exist for operational awareness, the new SolarWinds PerfStack dashboard is the dynamic analytics tool weve been waiting for. It will empower operational teams to perform real-time analytics of data across multiple platforms and SolarWinds modules. This converged view of metrics, driven by the users who know their applications, infrastructure, and the issues they are trying to solve, is exactly the kind of data liberation our monitoring team has been working towards.

Modern application environments are increasingly complex, spanning varied on-premises infrastructure, public cloud, private cloud, and combinations of the above, said Nancy Gohring, senior analyst, 451 Research. Correlating operations data generated by each piece of the puzzle is key to offering developers and operations staff the insights they need to quickly solve problems that emerge in this new, complex environment.

Pricing and Availability

All products referenced in this press release are currently available. The starting price* for each, including the first year of maintenance, is as follows:

SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor: $2,995 USD

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor: $2,895 USD

SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer: $1,995 USD

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer: $1,875 USD

SolarWinds Virtualization Manager: $2,995 USD

SolarWinds Storage Resource Monitor: $2,935 USD

SolarWinds Web Performance Monitor: $1,995 USD

For more information, including a downloadable, free 30-day evaluation, visit the SolarWinds website, or call +65 6422 4123.

*Prices as of March 14, 2017. Pricing may vary based upon the jurisdiction and applicable currency. Please contact a local SolarWinds sales representative to find pricing specific to your jurisdiction.

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.
BRASILIA, Brazil, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In this release, we registered annual gross revenues of R$450.9 million, an increase of 14.9%, compared to the same period in 2015, reaching record levels in our historical series. Net income reached R$148.2 million in 2016, a growth of 13.9%, compared to the previous year.

The result was released today (15th) after the market had closed and tomorrow (16th) there will be the conference call (English and Portuguese) for analysts and investors.

All information about the release is available at the Company's web page.

About us

We went through a rebranding process  we are now Wiz. Beyond an insurance brokerage company, we will be a solution provider focused on identifying opportunities and implementing precise solutions to enhance businesses, by combining financial and insurance services with client's needs. The core pillar of this evolutionary process is to provide the right service at the exact moment to create remarkable connections. For this, we will continue to heavily invest in people and technology to support our digital transformation.

We currently count on more than 1,600 employees and our major shareholders are CAIXA's Employees Work Federation (FENAE), Caixa Seguradora and GP Investments. On June 5, 2015, we have proudly executed our IPO (Initial Public Offering) and today we disclose our results for 2016 fiscal year.

CONTACT

Marcus Martino

Chief Financial and Investor Relations Officer

Guilherme Aguiar

IR Superintendent



Phone: +55 (61) 3426-9524

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://ri.wizsolucoes.com.br/

SOURCE PAR Corretora

Related Links

http://ri.wizsolucoes.com.br


LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- polyurethane composites market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2016 to 2026 in terms of value"

The global polyurethane composites market is projected to reach USD 909.8 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2016 to 2026. Increase in demand of polyurethane composites from the transportation, building & construction, electrical & electronics, wind power energy industries propelling the growth of this market. Polyurethane composites are being widely used in the transportation industry for making various automotive parts and components due to its light weight and superior mechanical & physical properties.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4477046/





"Glass fiber polyurethane composites is the largest fiber type available in the global polyurethane composites market"

The fiber glass polyurethane composites segment is estimated to account for the largest share to the polyurethane composites market, by fiber type in 2016, and is projected to be the fastest-growing fiber type segment from 2016 to 2026. Features such as superior strength, flexibility, durability, stability, light weight as well as resistance to heat, and moisture to that of the carbon fiber and other polyurethane composites type is fueling the growth of this segment.



"Lay-up manufacturing process is anticipated to capture the largest share in the global polyurethane composites market in 2016"

The lay-up segment of the polyurethane composites market is estimated to account for the largest share in 2016. In lay-up manufacturing process, the cost and processing technique are low as compared to that of the other manufacturing processes, which make it one of the most preferred manufacturing process for polyurethane composites.



"Transportation segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global polyurethane composites market in 2016"

The transportation segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global polyurethane composites market in 2016, and is projected to be the fastest-growing segment from 2016 to 2026. Polyurethane composites are used in the transportation industry due to its light weight and superior mechanical and physical properties. The growing automobile industry across the globe is anticipated to drive the demand for polyurethane composites in the coming years.



"Asia-Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for polyurethane composites in 2016"

Asia-Pacific is estimated to account for largest share in 2016, owing to the rise in demand for polyurethane composites in this region. The major end-use industries of the polyurethane composites are transportation, building & construction, electrical & electronics, wind power energy, and aerospace & defense, are growing at a rapid pace in the Asia-Pacific region. This ultimately has attributed for the growth of polyurethane composites market in this region. China, India, and Japan are the leading countries in terms consumption of polyurethane composites in the Asia-Pacific region.



Profile break-up of primary participants for the report:



- By Company Type - Tier 1  57 %, Tier 2  29%, Tier 3  14%

- By Designation  C level  55%, Director level  36%, Others  9%

- By Region  North America - 57%, Europe  14%, Asia-Pacific  22%, Middle East & Africa- 7%



Furthermore, as a part of qualitative analysis, the research provides a comprehensive review of major market drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. It also discusses competitive strategies adopted by different market players, such as BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), Hexcel Corporation (U.S.), Huntsman Corporation (U.S.), SGL Group (Germany), Toray Industries, Inc. (Japan), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. (China), Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. (Japan), Owens Corning (U.S.), and SGL Group (Germany) among others.





Research Coverage:

This report offers an overview of market trends, drivers, and challenges with respect to the polyurethane composites market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market across five regions, namely, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, and South America. The report categorizes the polyurethane composites market on the basis of fiber type, manufacturing process, end-use industry, and region. A detailed analysis of leading players, along with key growth strategies adopted by them, are also covered in the report.





Key Benefits of Buying the Report:

The report will help the market leaders/new entrants in this market by providing them the closest approximations of the revenue numbers for the overall polyurethane composites market and the subsegments. This report will help stakeholders to better understand the competitor landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and make suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps the stakeholders to understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4477046/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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"We began with the realization that most music games don't teach you how to play a real instrument," says Popuband VP of Strategy Evan Staff. "They haven't kept up with trends in social media, something we've addressed with the instrument's record and share functionality." The accompanying app also features a music library through which users can learn their favorite songs.

The Populele can be preordered on IndieGoGo via the link below: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/populele-the-world-s-first-smart-ukulele/

The ukulele, which also serves as a standalone instrument, links with smart devices via Bluetooth to teach the user how to play, using LEDs that light up onto the fretboard. "It's a really good entry-level uke in its own right," YouTube star The Ukulele Teacher remarked in a recent review.

In a crowdfunded collaboration with Chinese unicorn Xiaomi last month, the startup sold out their inventory in less than six hours and raised over $400,000. "We were blown away by the latent interest in a gamified experience that teaches a real skill," said CEO Martin Chen. "These days people are looking for something more meaningful than wasted hours mashing buttons."

Slated for production in May, first units of the Populele will begin shipping out this June and will retail for $199, though early backers on IndieGoGo can preorder for $149.

About Popuband Music.

Popuband was founded in NYC last December by entrepreneur Martin Chen. In addition to its ukulele, the startup is currently developing a smart guitar with an anticipated release later this year.

Contact: Evan Staff, (210) 464-2304, [email protected]

SOURCE Popuband Music

Related Links

https://www.popuband.com


SAN JOSE, Calif., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prysm, Inc., has reaffirmed its commitment to Microsoft Azure with the announcement that its upcoming Q1 2017 evolution of the Prysm Application Suite will be the first Prysm cloud offering to implement Microsoft Azure Service Fabric. Azure Service Fabric provides Prysm the enterprise-grade reliability, scalability and ease of operation needed for a rapidly growing company to service the needs of its multiple Fortune 1000 customers. As a function of Prysm's ongoing Azure integration, it has achieved Co-Sell status with Microsoft's Managed ISV team.

Prysm Visual Workplace is an enterprise-ready solution that combines content, applications and communication tools together into an interactive, visual environment for real-time collaboration. Powered by Azure, these interactive workspaces provide a highly available environment for enterprise teams to access and collaborate from any device or geographical location.

"Prysm is proud to provide enterprise collaboration solutions that enable digital transformation for its customers," said Amit Jain, CEO, Prysm. "Prysm Visual Workplace delivers secure and reliable collaboration experiences with Microsoft Azure as its cloud foundation, enabling us to deliver differentiated solutions to discerning enterprise customers."

"Microsoft provides its partners the industry-leading technologies, resources and programs to deliver on the needs of their customers today, while providing the vision and capabilities for them to innovate into the future," said Ron Huddleston, corporate vice president, One Commercial Partner, Microsoft. "The Microsoft Partner Network delivers a partner success-driven channel program that is focused on one goal: the growth and success of our partners, including Prysm."

Learn more:

About Prysm

Prysm is a leading provider of cloud-based, digital-canvas solutions to many of the world's largest global enterprises. The Prysm Visual Workplace platform drives a new era of digital transformation and enterprise agility. By enabling individuals and teams to explore all their data, content, applications and tools on hyper-visual, always-on digital canvases, Prysm ignites innovative thinking, drives decisions, accelerates productivity and transforms presentations into experiences. Customers using Prysm benefit from an open, enterprise-grade solution that integrates with existing collaboration tools and scales to hundreds or thousands of users, while meeting advanced security requirements.

Founded in 2005 in the Silicon Valley, Prysm has over 500 employees with offices worldwide. Learn more at prysm.com.

Visual Workplace is a trademark and Prysm is a registered trademark of Prysm, Inc.

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact

Shannon Lyman

Director of Communications

+1 859-699-6891

[email protected]

SOURCE Prysm, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.prysm.com


ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, recently announced Purchasing Power, LLC as a Top 20 Finalist among its annual naming of the Top 40 Most Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia. TAG will recognize this prestigious group at the 2017 Georgia Technology Summit (GTS) on March 23, 2017, at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

TAG'S Top 40 Awards recognize Georgia-based technology companies for their innovation, financial impact, and their efforts at spreading awareness of Georgia's technology initiatives throughout the U.S. and globally. Among those 40 honorees announced Feb. 15, 20 companies are then cited as finalists to be considered to make live, onstage presentations to the entire Summit audience.

"The 2017 Top 40 companies are an elite group of innovators who represent the very best of Georgia's Technology community," said Larry Williams, president & CEO of TAG. "Within that assembly, the 2017 Top 20 finalists are shining examples of what makes our state such a hotbed for technology and we applaud them for standing out as leaders in Georgia's technology community."

This year's Top 40 Companies were selected from among over 110 applications submitted by companies from across Georgia. Companies selected for the "Top 20" are showcased in an exhibition at The 2017 Georgia Technology Summit.

"An extraordinary number of truly innovative technology companies participated in this year's Top 40 competition, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Georgia's technology community," said Dennis Zakas, managing partner of Zakas & Leonard, LLP, CEO of Zinc., and chairperson of the Top 20 Selection Committee. "In fact, based on the quality of the contestants, we could have had a 'Top 60' without losing a beat."

"Purchasing Power presents a unique business model that we pioneered within the benefits industry. Not surprisingly, the technology platform and tools we developed to support it are also innovative," said Prakash Muthukrishnan, Chief Technology Officer for Purchasing Power.

"From our e-commerce storefront customized for each client and the rules-based decision system for controlling risk, to the cloud-based document processing system for shipping and the Payment platform based on payroll deductions, Purchasing Power continually seeks ways to improve and provide a best-in-class user experience for both our direct customers and business clients. We're very honored that these efforts have been recognized by TAG for their effectiveness and innovation, and thrilled to be cited among the Top 20 finalists," he concluded.

The 2017 Georgia Technology Summit is expected to draw a crowd of more than 1,300 C-level executives, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and academia to celebrate and recognize Georgia's technology community. In addition to presentations from some of the top technology influencers in the nation, the newest member of the Technology Hall of Fame of Georgia will be inducted.

For more information about TAG and the Georgia Technology Summit, visit http://www.tagonline.org/events/georgia-technology-summit.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)

TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 30,000 members through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia, and Savannah. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

About Purchasing Power, LLC

Purchasing Power, LLC, is one of the fastest-growing voluntary benefit companies in the industry, offering a leading employee purchase program for consumer products and services as well as providing financial tools and resources to improve employee financial wellness. Purchasing Power is available to millions of people through large companies including Fortune 500s, associations and government agencies. Headquartered in Atlanta, Purchasing Power is 'Powering People to a Better Life' through its employee purchase program, financial literacy efforts and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Purchasing Power is a Flexpoint Ford, LLC company. For more information, visit www.PurchasingPower.com.

Media Contacts:

Joe Swaney, 404.609.5630 Juliann Kaiser, 770.643.0615 Purchasing Power, LLC Kaiser Marketing Group [email protected] [email protected]



Tony Cooper, 404.920.2008

Technology Association of Georgia

[email protected]



SOURCE Purchasing Power, LLC

Related Links

http://www.PurchasingPower.com


REI reported annual revenues of $2.56 billion in 2016, a 5.5 percent increase from $2.42 billion in 2015. Comparable store sales, which include direct to consumer sales, were up nearly 4 percent and digital sales grew by nearly 18 percent. The co-op invested a record $9.3 million in nonprofit partners in 2016 and opened the country's most sustainable distribution center. Since 2008, REI's demand for energy from the grid has grown only 4 percent while sales have grown 78 percent.

"There is no doubt that the current retail landscape is challenging, but we had another good year," said Stritzke. "I am grateful to our employees, our members and our customers for their passion and commitment to the co-op community. Your involvement and commitment to REI allows us to do things like help build the nation's trail network, protect public lands, and innovate in sustainability. Together we can continue to keep the outdoors healthy and accessible for the next generation."

Giving back to the Co-op Community

This year, REI members received a record $193.7 million in annual dividends and credit card rebates. Members have the option of donating their dividend to The REI Foundation, if they choose. REI shared $57 million with employees through retirement and incentive program contributions, and the co-op's record $9.3 million investment in more than 300 nonprofit partners benefited more than 1,000 outdoor places across the country. Many of the co-op's community partners were among 700 organizations that joined the #OptOutside movement to inspire more than 6 million people to get outside last Black Friday.

Advancing Sustainability

REI prioritizes advancing sustainability in the co-op's day-to-day business operations and throughout the industry. In 2016, REI established partnerships with 66 of its largest outdoor brands to advance product sustainability and gave more than 1 million products a second life through used gear sales, repair workshops and gear swaps. The co-op shared details about the design of its new distribution center in Arizonathe first in the country to achieve LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energyto make it easier for other companies to build sustainability into their operations. REI also continued to operate 100 percent on renewable energy at all stores, distribution centers and headquarters.

Rewilding Projects

For nearly eight decades, REI has been committed to creating outdoor access for all. The co-op has helped build the nation's trail network by investing more than $77 million in nonprofits that create access to and steward outdoor places across the country. As part of its investment in communities, the co-op launched five Rewilding Projects  a multi-year, multi-million dollar program focused on reshaping how people in large urban and suburban areas connect with the outdoors. REI is collaborating with nonprofits in five cities to help provide millions of people with easier access to nearby outdoor places.

The first set of Rewilding Projects include:

Bay Area Ridge Trail  When complete, the Bay Area Ridge Trail will total 550 miles and circumnavigate the Bay Area, surrounding 8 million people. Currently, 365 miles of the trail are open to the public. REI's investment is helping accelerate completion by increasing the Bay Area Ridge Council's capacity and supporting efforts to convene key stakeholders.

When complete, the Bay Area Ridge Trail will total 550 miles and circumnavigate the Bay Area, surrounding 8 million people. Currently, 365 miles of the trail are open to the public. REI's investment is helping accelerate completion by increasing the Bay Area Ridge Council's capacity and supporting efforts to convene key stakeholders. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument  The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in the Angeles National Forest provides recreational opportunities for millions of people in the Los Angeles area. REI's investment in the National Forest Foundation and The Wilderness Society supports sustainable access, restoring and rerouting trails, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing connectivity between the city and the national monument by linking urban trails and developing alternate transportation.

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in the Angeles National Forest provides recreational opportunities for millions of people in the area. REI's investment in the National Forest Foundation and The Wilderness Society supports sustainable access, restoring and rerouting trails, enhancing infrastructure, and increasing connectivity between the city and the national monument by linking urban trails and developing alternate transportation. Seattle Duwamish River Valley Trail Connectivity  This project will create a 15-mile mixed-use trail from the Seattle waterfront to South Park and Georgetown when complete. In partnership with the Seattle Parks Foundation, Forterra, Cascade Bicycle Club, Trust for Public Land and Mountains to Sound Greenway, this project seeks to advance environmental justice, address racial and neighborhood-level disparities, reduce health inequities and create economic opportunities through trail and open space connectivity.

This project will create a 15-mile mixed-use trail from the waterfront to South Park and when complete. In partnership with the Seattle Parks Foundation, Forterra, Cascade Bicycle Club, Trust for Public Land and Mountains to Sound Greenway, this project seeks to advance environmental justice, address racial and neighborhood-level disparities, reduce health inequities and create economic opportunities through trail and open space connectivity. Southeast Chicago  REI is partnering with the Chicago Parks Foundation, Active Transportation Alliance and Friends of Big March to support the long-term transformation of the Calumet area into a thriving outdoor recreation hub. This project will develop a brand and raise awareness for the area, plan and implement transportation that will improve access for the community, and develop the Big Marsh property to include one of the largest mountain bike parks in the country, with mixed-use trails and paddling opportunities.

REI is partnering with the Chicago Parks Foundation, Active Transportation Alliance and Friends of Big March to support the long-term transformation of the Calumet area into a thriving outdoor recreation hub. This project will develop a brand and raise awareness for the area, plan and implement transportation that will improve access for the community, and develop the Big Marsh property to include one of the largest mountain bike parks in the country, with mixed-use trails and paddling opportunities. Washington, D.C. , Capital Trails Coalition  In partnership with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land, REI's investment is supporting the completion of a multi-use trail network in the Washington, D.C. , region. This project will connect existing trails with new ones to provide outdoor recreation and alternative transportation to more communities.

As a member-owned co-op, REI's board of directors is selected by active members, who can exercise their rights to vote for the board March 17 through April 24.

REI's 2016 audited financial report is available at REI.com/about-rei/financial-information, the 2016 stewardship report is available at REI.com/stewardship/report and additional details on the co-op's stewardship efforts are available at REI.com/stewardship.

About REI

REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 16 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 147 stores in 36 states. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI.com/REI-Garage or the free REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs 170 custom-designed itineraries on every continent. REI's Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner- to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access toand stewardthe outdoor places that inspire us.

SOURCE REI

Related Links

http://www.rei.com


78 Red Ketchup is one of the most tomato rich ketchups available anywhere. All of the rapidly growing company's products are non GMO and gluten free and unlike many brands they don't contain high fructose corn syrup.

Co-founder Patrick Pilewski said, "We are proud to make products that not only taste great but are better for you. They're healthier ketchups and mustards. And they are affordable."

Added co-founder Bernard Utrata, "Our unique taste separates us from the herd and shakes up a market that's stayed the same for the past one hundred years. We are reinventing how condiments should be viewed."

The 78 Brand Co. not only insists on using only natural ingredients but also clean production practices. Mostly available in major retailers in the Midwest its products have a presence in more than twenty states.

With a background in food service, food production, brand development and marketing, Pilewski and Utrata literally began building their business from the trunk of their car selling ketchup to restaurants in the Chicago area. The original 78 Red made its national debut at the National Restaurant Association show in May 2013. And was an instant hit.

Utrata said, "There was a great response from restaurant operators and chefs, and it was confirmation that we'd developed something special."

Added Pilewski, "We are two driven entrepreneurs who pride ourselves on being unique and creative in life and in business and are very passionate about healthy eating and healthy living. We are what we eat."

As The 78 Brand Co. continues to grow the two founders say they're determined to develop more innovative products for the condiments market.

Stores that already carry 78 Brand products include HyVee, Kroger / Roundy's, Jewel Osco, Dierbergs Markets, Pick 'N' Save, Remke Markets, Pete's Market , Mariano's. and many other independent retailers in the Midwest region

For more information please visit: www.78Brand.com

About Us

The 78 Brand Co. is an innovative developer of all natural condiments based in Chicago, Illinois. Founders Patrick Pilewski and Bernard Utrata launched the business with two flavors of ketchup and have expanded with two lines of mustard. Focused on quality and innovation, The 78 Brand products can be found in over 500 restaurants and major retailers across the Midwest region

SOURCE The 78 Brand Co.

Related Links

http://www.78Brand.com


LAS VEGAS, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SAVO has won 2 Silver Stevie Awards in the Virtual Technology Sales Enablement and Pre-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 world's top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes several of the world's 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 year's competition, an increase of 10% over 2016. Finalists were determined by the average scores of 77 professionals worldwide, acting as preliminary judges.

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 in February. Finalists were determined by another 77 judges.

SAVO Group worked closely with GMC Software and Zebra Technologies to create solutions that were not only enjoyable for their sellers; but also a highly effective sales tool. The Stevie Award judges agreed.

"We are thrilled to congratulate GMC Software and Zebra Technologies and proud to work with them," said Jason Liu, SAVO CEO. "Both customers had unique and very different challenges. GMC Software was bridging the gap between the proliferation of new content and the sales teams who needed to sell them. Using SAVO technology, Zebra Technologies accelerated its sales enablement strategy across a newly combined global sales organization following its acquisition of Motorola Solutions' Enterprise business in 2014," said Liu.

"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 enablement, 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."

Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/sales.

About SAVO

SAVO is the leader in the sales enablement market having pioneered the sales enablement category since its founding in 1999. SAVO provides the most insightful, prescriptive and secure sales enablement platform for global use, delivering content to sellers within the context of their selling situation. With SAVO, companies achieve their revenue initiatives by aligning their sales, marketing and operations to work together with focus on the customer and greater results in the field. Learn about how more than one million sales and marketing professionals leverage SAVO today at www.savogroup.com.

About GMC

GMC Software is recognized as a global leader in the Customer Communication Market. They help companies manage customer experience with consistent, timely communications. They operate in 26 countries, supporting over 1,600 customers.

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 www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors and supporters of the 11th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc. and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.

Media Contact:

Amanda Wynne, SAVO

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 312-506-1700

SOURCE SAVO Group

Related Links

http://www.savogroup.com


NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

New Offering Aims to Solve the Biggest Challenges in Digital Commerce by Providing Customized Insights Into Audience Behavior, Conversions, Marketing Effectiveness, and More

SimilarWeb, the leading digital market intelligence company, today announced the release of SimilarWeb Digital Insights, a highly customized solution that disrupts the way online businesses address their most critical challenges. SimilarWeb Digital Insights complement SimilarWeb PRO, the company's flagship SaaS platform, and further leverage the company's massive volume of data covering hundreds of millions of devices across more than 190 countries. With this new product, SimilarWeb provides an exclusive, granular view into key market signals, including: purchase intent, brand share, channel conversion, and product category performance.

"SimilarWeb enables us to uncover our competitors' online strategy, benchmark ourselves, and grow our digital market share. From unparalleled on-site search, to accurate conversion metrics, SimilarWeb's new insights into consumer intent take us way beyond our current bandwidth and scope," said Nicolette Harper, Worldwide Director of Retail Marketing at Microsoft. "These insights are a crucial part in enhancing both our retailer strategy and our brand strategy. Simply put, SimilarWeb Digital Insights is a game changer." Other brands that have been using SimilarWeb Digital Insights in beta include Reckitt Benckiser, and Galeries Lafayette.

To showcase the new product's capabilities, SimilarWeb analyzed the overall performance and marketing channel effectiveness for men and women's apparel on Amazon during the 2016 holiday season. For the first time, the market has visibility of consumer behavior down to a brand and product category level. SimilarWeb Digital Insights revealed that buyers not only shop more for men's jeans on Amazon - with 75% more product views, but that men's jeans also convert at a significantly higher rate than women's on the site. Additionally, SimilarWeb revealed that during the holiday season the conversion rate from referral traffic to women's jeans doubled from 8% to 16%, quantifying the effectiveness of affiliate marketing. With these new insights, brands and retailers can make data-driven decisions about product strategy, marketing spend, and brand messaging. To learn more about consumer behavior and how buyers shop, search and purchase products on Amazon, download the full sample report here.

"Given the breadth and depth of our digital data, as well as the feedback from thousands of global customers, SimilarWeb is poised to truly disrupt the way businesses leverage market intelligence to tackle the most critical challenges of digital commerce," said Carla Bourque, CCO of SimilarWeb.

SimilarWeb's new product enables businesses to better attract, convert, and retain customers:

Benchmark conversion metrics and identify the forces that influence them

Spot the highest-performing channels across the competition, down to the conversion rate by search term or affiliate

Reveal online consumer behavior, such as the conversion overlap between two sites

"SimilarWeb provides unparalleled visibility into our competitors' online strategies. Our strategic teams utilize SimilarWeb Digital Insights in order to benchmark conversion trends and identify the forces that influence them. These insights then power our marketing team's efforts to optimize our online acquisition strategies and grow our market share in France," said Silvia Gamboa, Head of Online Traffic at Galeries Lafayette. "By understanding how our business performs in the context of our competition, we are able to make strategic decisions and decide which competitors and online channels to focus on. SimilarWeb's market intelligence insights play a vital part in our day to day work."

About SimilarWeb

SimilarWeb is the standard for understanding the digital world. With the largest international online panel consisting of hundreds of millions of devices, SimilarWeb provides granular insights about any website or app across industries. Global brands such as Google, HSBC, eBay, L'Oreal, and Adidas rely on SimilarWeb to understand, track and grow their digital market share. The company has raised $65M and has 350 employees across eight global offices. SimilarWeb has been named one of JMP Securities Hot 100 Best Privately Held Software Companies and one of Business Insider's 50 Enterprise Startups to bet your career on. Learn more at http://www.similarweb.com.

SOURCE SimilarWeb
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Urban Communications Inc. (TSX-V:UBN) is pleased to announce that, subject to regulatory approval, the Company has closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement announced March 6, 2017, raising $725,500.50. The TSX Venture Exchange initially gave conditional approval for the Company to raise $500,000, and then to increase the financing to $1,500,000 based upon demand, and the Company will continue through a second tranche in order to raise additional equity capital.

The Company will issue 10,364,293 units at a price of $0.07 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant which will entitle the holder to purchase one common share for $0.12 within 24 months from the closing date. The funds raised will be used for working capital during the next 12 months. Management has participated in the private placement to the extent of $96,500.50.

A finders fee of 7.0% of the proceeds received by the Company from investors introduced by the finder, and non-transferrable finders warrants equal to 7% of the proceeds received by the Company to purchase shares for $0.07 within 24 months from the closing date will be paid to eligible agents in connection with the financing.

All securities issued pursuant to the financing will be subject to a statutory four month hold period and may not be traded in British Columbia until July 17, 2017, except as permitted by the British Columbia Securities Act and Regulations made thereunder. In addition, without prior written approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and compliance with all applicable securities legislation, the shares may not be sold, transferred, hypothecated or otherwise traded on or through the facilities of the TSX Venture Exchange or otherwise in Canada or to or for the benefit of a Canadian resident until July 17, 2017.

ABOUT URBAN COMMUNICATIONS INC.

Urban Communications Inc. (TSX-V:UBN) is a telecommunications company providing a full suite of Internet, voice, video and broadband application products over its 300 km. state-of-the-art carrier grade fibre optic network in Metro Vancouver and Victoria to commercial, residential and public sector customers. Urban has recently launched high-speed Internet service to residential and commercial subscribers on its network at 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps).

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 American Astronomical Society (AAS) has chosen Columbia as the site of its fifth and final eclipse planning workshop, to be held Friday, March 31st, at the South Carolina State Museum and Saturday, April 1st, at the University of South Carolina's Amoco Hall. Each day's program will begin with presentations designed especially for the public, which is invited to attend one or both mornings at no charge. Here's your chance to learn directly from scientists and other experts about why eclipses happen, what we can learn from them, what to look for on August 21st, and how to view the eclipse safely. Workshop participants will be coming from the AAS, NASA, the National Solar Observatory, the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and universities across the country.

More information about the Columbia workshop is available at https://aas.org/eclipse; general information about the August 21, 2017, solar eclipse is available on the website of the AAS Solar Eclipse Task Force at https://eclipse.aas.org

"Going through life without ever seeing a total eclipse of the Sun would be like going through life without ever falling in love," says Rick Fienberg (AAS). "It would be a shame. Everybody should see at least one." Come to Columbia, South Carolina, on March 31st and/or April 1st to learn what all the excitement is about and why you should make plans to stand in the Moon's shadow on August 21st.

The AAS, established in 1899 and based in Washington, DC, is the major organization of professional astronomers and planetary scientists in North America. Its membership of about 8,000 also includes physicists, mathematicians, geologists, engineers, and others whose research interests lie within the broad spectrum of subjects now comprising contemporary astronomy. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity's scientific understanding of the universe.

SOURCE American Astronomical Society

Related Links

http://www.aas.org


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This March 22, the United Nations World Water Day, individuals, schools and community groups around the world will take a stand for clean water and healthy waterways by participating in the EarthEcho Water Challenge (formerly the World Water Monitoring Challenge). Through the simple actions of testing and sharing data about a community's water, EarthEcho Water Challenge participants become part of a growing movement of 1.4 million citizens in 143 countries who are working to conserve and protect water resources around the globe. This year's Challenge kicks off with youth-led virtual events, a new awards program and a special event in Miami, Florida with EarthEcho Co-Founder and President Philippe Cousteau, Jr.

"Our health depends on access to clean water and preserving and protecting our water resources," said Cousteau. "These waterways and water systems are literally the lifeblood of our communities and everyone can play an important role in protecting them. The EarthEcho Water Challenge is designed to equip, individuals, groups and communities to be advocates for their local and regional water sources."

The EarthEcho Water Challenge runs annually from March 22 through December 31st and is comprised of three easy steps:

Test  It all begins by understanding the state of water quality in your community. Get started by purchasing a simple test kit at www.monitorwater.org;





 It all begins by understanding the state of water quality in your community. Get started by purchasing a simple test kit at www.monitorwater.org; Share  Participants can enter their data online through Earth Echo's international database and share their stories and photos on our website at www.monitorwater.org or though social media; and





 Participants can enter their data online through Earth Echo's international database and share their stories and photos on our website at www.monitorwater.org or though social media; and Protect  Armed with knowledge about your local water resources, you can use the information and tools available at www.monitorwater.org to protect your community's water every day.

As part of this year's Water Challenge, EarthEcho's Youth Leadership Council (YLC) will livestream water monitoring activities from across the United States to show you how we can work together to test, share, and protect our local water resources. Representing 15 diverse leaders from across the country, ages 15-22, YLC members will broadcast live focusing on the water conservation challenges in their home towns - from Florida to Michigan and North Carolina to Washington State. Tune in on March 22 at www.facebook.com/earthecho!

Philippe Cousteau, Jr. and EarthEcho will also host a special Water Challenge event at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center in Crandon Park, Key Biscayne, Florida, on March 22. Cousteau and the EarthEcho team aided by Miami Waterkeeper and educators from the Biscayne Nature Center will work with 125 5th grade students from Citrus Grove Elementary School and the American Heritage School to test and better understand their local water resources. These local youth will learn about the value of Miami's water and the water cycle as well as some of the most common indicators of water health so they can participate in helping to improve water quality.

For the first time, all participants are eligible to win rewards in recognition of their community contributions through the EarthEcho Water Challenge Awards Program simply by sharing their data and stories on the Water Challenge website. The EarthEcho Water Challenge Awards Program encompasses several categories and includes cash prizes as well as water monitoring kits. Please go to www.monitorwater.org for more information.

The EarthEcho Water Challenge is made possible through the generous support of Xylem, Inc. In addition, the following organizations are collaborating with the EarthEcho Water Challenge through outreach, resources and events: Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center; LaMotte Company; Love A Sea Turtle; Miami Waterkeeper; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Southwest Airlines; Tennessee Valley Authority; The Sink or Swim Project; and Youth Service America.

For more information, visit www.monitorwater.org and follow us on social media:

Facebook: WaterChallenge

Twitter: @MonitorWater, #MonitorWater17

Pinterest: @MonitorWater

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonitorWater

SOURCE EarthEcho International
CLEVELAND, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a comprehensive procurement process, the Earthquake Commission (EQC), a natural disaster insurer that also provides research and education to New Zealand residents, has selected OnBase by Hyland, hosted in the Hyland Cloud.

EQC will leverage OnBase as the content management component within its claims management system, Guidewire ClaimCenter. The OnBase integration with ClaimCenter will provide staff with a more efficient way to manage customer claim documents and communications.

"We sought an enterprise information platform that would continue to enhance EQC's future capabilities," said Linda Smith, manager business enablement at EQC. "By extending our Guidewire ClaimCenter functionality and automating the entire claim process, customer information is linked in a secure, centralized system. This new functionality will provide efficiencies for both customers and our staff."

EQC is the first customer using Hyland's new secure data centers in New Zealand. The co-located data centers in Auckland and Wellington meet the rigorous standards for data sovereignty and encryption required by New Zealand's government, ensuring EQC's data is protected by the highest levels of digital and physical security protocols.

"By choosing to host its OnBase solution within the Hyland Cloud, EQC adheres to strict compliance requirements to keep data localized  with secondary locations, multiple copies and N+1 redundancy  while ensuring content is always available to process claims faster and deliver resolutions to customers," said Ruth Fisk, director of global insurance sales at Hyland.

To learn more about the benefits of integrating Guidewire ClaimCenter with OnBase, visit OnBase.com/Insurance.

About OnBase by Hyland

OnBase is a single enterprise information platform for managing content, processes and cases deployed via mobile, on-premises or in the Hyland Cloud. Providing enterprise content management (ECM), case management, business process management (BPM), records management and capture all on a single platform, OnBase transforms organizations around the globe by empowering them to become more agile, efficient and effective. Enterprise file sync and share (EFSS) for the OnBase platform is available with our complementary offering, ShareBase by Hyland.

Seamless integrations with policy, billing and claims management systems speed processing times across the entire insurance lifecycle from underwriting to claims, increasing the quality and efficiency of work and customer service. Using OnBase, nearly 600 carriers have achieved results by increasing profitability through accurate and consistent underwriting decisions while decreasing response times and costs associated with claims. For more information about Hyland's solutions for the insurance industry, please visit OnBase.com/Insurance.

Media contact:

Megan Larsen

+1 440-788-4988

[email protected]

SOURCE Hyland Software

Related Links

http://www.hyland.com


LONDON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- new Pharmaceutical report 'The India Medical Devices Market to 2026', released today, discusses the India Medical Device Market in detail across the next decade.





Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4336529/





The report covers who the main customers are, which companies will cater to that need and how the companies will go about it.

The report describes the current medical devices scene, one of the most populated nations globally.



Key questions such as how will new governmental rules effect the market, how easy is it for foreign companies to enter the market are discussed with support from charts, graphs and tables and by exclusive expert opinion.

India constitutes 17% of the global population and 20% of the global disease burden, but spends only 1.3% of GDP on healthcare; far below other emerging markets.



Given the rising proportion of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), that are typically treated or ameliorated with medical devices, the India medical devices segment reflects a high-growth market when compared to other healthcare markets globally.

The India medical device market is constrained by a number of barriers, notably, challenging regulations, unfavourable policies and industry anomalies.

Learn, by reading this report, how foreign companies have gained a foothold in this key emerging market; what actions have produced positive results; who has made the break through and why.



India constitutes 17% of the global population and 20% of the global disease burden, but spends only 1.3% of her GDP on healthcare; far below other emerging markets. Dependent on political will to spend there is clearly a huge potential for the India healthcare market. Given the rising proportion of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), that are typically treated or ameliorated with medical devices, the 'India medical devices' segment reflects a high-growth market when compared to the healthcare markets globally.

Although the macro-drivers and potential for the Indian medical devices market appears huge, the market players/stakeholders have not been able to release the full potential of the market. This is due to varied - some unique (to Indian market) systemic and structural anomalies that have marred the potential; for instance only in India medical devices are classified as "drugs". The tax and duty structures are 'inverted' that increase the cost of inputs/raw materials that render 'making of products i.e. medical devices in India' un-economic.



Additional regulatory restraint includes multiple authorising bodies i.e. no single-window clearance that dis-incentivises many companies to manufacture medical devices in India. India also does not support/follow any 'Domestic Preferential Public Procurement Policy' wherein countries such as China and the U.S. give 15% to 20% price preference to domestically manufactured medical devices in public procurement.



Therefore, many medical devices companies simply prefer importing medical devices ~80% of highend medical devices (constituting ~70% of India's medical device market) are imported to India.



Quite unlike the healthcare systems across the world, the Indian healthcare system i.e. the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, classifies medical devices as 'drugs'. Hence medical devices in India fall under the purview of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Although classified as drug, medical devices produced/marketed in Indian healthcare market have a well-structured definition:



Chapter 2 - Introduction to the India Medical Devices Market2.1 Definition of Medical Devices in India 'Medical devices' include any instrument, apparatus, appliance, implant, material or other article, whether used alone or in combination, including the software, intended by its manufacturer to be used specially for human beings or animals for one or more of the specific purposes of:

- diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or alleviation of any disease or disorder

- diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation or assistance for, any injury or disability

- investigation, replacement or modification or support of the anatomy or of a physiological process

- supporting or sustaining life

- disinfection of medical devices

- control of conception



'Medical devices' are such products that do not achieve primary intended action in or on the human body or animals by any pharmacological or immunological or metabolic means, but which may be assisted in its intended function by such means:

- an accessory to such an instrument, apparatus, appliance, material or other article

- in vitro diagnostic medical device including a reagent, reagent product, calibrator, control material, kit, instrument, apparatus, equipment or system, whether used alone or in combination



4.1 Diagnostic Medical Devices Market, 20162026

Private hospitals typically purchase high-end medical devices such as diagnostic medical devices; for instance, Radio Imaging equipment. The share (in terms of number) of private hospitals is low in India but is high ~40% in terms of number of beds (capacity). Along with hard-infrastructure (high-end diagnostic medical devices), private hospitals are more likely to embrace / enable soft-infrastructure - training by external technical professionals.



By 2026 the India Diagnostic Medical Devices sector will reach $XXbn occupying XX% of the India Medical Devices Market. This growth will be driven by factors such as; increased levels of screening for NCD's, which are expected to increase significantly in India, alongside the key factors that have driven the sector in the preceding decade, increased health education / access to health professionals / health services.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4336529/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com



For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

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NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The foreign minister of Togo, Professor Robert Dussey, will address the AJC Global Forum 2017, which will take place June 4-6, in Washington, D.C.



The AJC Global Forum is the advocacy organization's signature annual event, bringing together more than 2,500 participants from across the United States and 70 countries around the world.



AJC has long recognized the importance of Africa, and maintains close partnerships with Togolese diplomats through our Africa Institute, founded in 2006, chaired by Marion Bergman, and directed by Eliseo Neuman.



"Togo's steadfast partnership with the United States and Israel is deeply appreciated and valued by our organization," said AJC CEO David Harris. "We are honored and delighted that Minister Dussey, a long-time friend of the Jewish people, will share his perspectives, and his own role, in the increasingly robust engagement between Israel and Africa."



In October, Togo will host the Africa-Israel Summit. "This summit inaugurates a new era of multilateral partnership between Africa and Israel," Dussey said after he visited Israel in January. Prime Minister Netanyahu and the heads of 25 African countries are expected to attend the summit, which will focus on high technology, security, and development.



Other world leaders confirmed to address the AJC Global Forum 2017 include the President of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


DOVER, Del., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TransPerfect minority owner Shirley Shawe has elected to vote her 1% ownership interest with co-owner Elizabeth Elting to break the board deadlock and effectively permit Ms. Elting to elect her own slate of candidates to the Board of Director of TransPerfect Global. Ms. Shawe has simultaneously has proposed changes to the director election process which permanently eliminate the possibility of board deadlock and render a sale of the company unnecessary, thereby protecting 4000 jobs. The process supported by Ms. Shawe will enable Ms. Elting to elect five new board members with staggered terms and the ability to break shareholder deadlock in future elections. Not only will current deadlock be defeated, but there will never be any potential for future deadlock.

Ms. Shawe said, "This is one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make, but this has gone on for too long, and there are too many people's lives on hold. The obvious answer lies in my share, so in the spirit of compromise and for the benefit of the corporation I will vote with Liz to elect directors and adopt a plan to ensure that director deadlock can never exist in the future. It is my hope that today's decision will allow the company to move forward. I hope that Ms. Elting will embrace this offer."

To remove the underlying justification for the Court's application of 226 of DGCL, Ms. Shawe confirmed that she will vote as necessary to adopt the changes and ensure that there will be no further director deadlock now or in the future.

The Board will be meeting shortly, and Ms. Shawe will call for a Shareholder Meeting to put forth her plan to support to Elting. If the Chancery allows this plan to move forward, it will not only end the deadlock, but end the Delaware litigation once and for all.

SOURCE Shirley Shawe
TROY, Mich., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Underscoring the company's commitment to mobility innovation, Schaeffler has been named an Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award finalist for the ninth time in 11 years.

In fact, for the 2017 competition, two of the global auto supplier's technologies  its electromechanical active roll stabilizer and automatic transmission one-way clutch assembly  have made the finalist list. Winners will be announced on April 3 at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

"Our 'Mobility for Tomorrow' strategy is driven by the demand for next-generation innovations, so we're especially honored to have two finalist technologies this year," said Jeff Hemphill, chief technology officer for Schaeffler Americas. "The market has been quick to respond to the performance advantages offered by our electromechanical active roll stabilizer and automatic transmission one-way clutch assembly."

Electromechanical Active Roll Stabilizer

Schaeffler's electromechanical active roll stabilizer is the first mechatronic anti-roll system in the market. Apart from reduction of fuel consumption and emissions compared to hydraulic systems, its "plug-in-play" feature simplifies the assembly process. Integrated into the vehicle's existing chassis control systems, the highly-dynamic and precise regulation allows the electromechanical active roll stabilizer to increase driving stability in curves, as well as agility and ride comfort on bad roads. In November 2015, the 48-volt version of system was applied in a luxury SUV, marking the world's first 48-volt chassis application, which illustrates the trend of higher voltage automotive applications. It is the only electro-mechanical system on the market.

Automatic Transmission One-way Clutch Assembly

By utilizing industry-leading riveting and stamping technologies, Schaeffler has transformed the automatic transmission one-way clutch. The result: a completely new design that is lighter, more durable and more cost-effective than traditional transmission one-way clutches. By stamping the majority of the unit's components, Schaeffler's innovation not only meets the demanding performance specifications of today's transmissions with their ever-increasing number of gear ratios, but also reduces the weight and inertia by 13 percent while delivering lash-free shifting. Schaeffler anticipates its automatic transmission one-way clutch assembly will be installed in more than 11 percent of all rear-wheel drive vehicles by 2022.

This is the ninth time in the past 11 years that Schaeffler has been named a finalist or winner in the PACE Awards:

2017: finalist for its electromechanical active roll stabilizer and automatic transmission one-way clutch assembly systems;

2016: finalist for its laser etching process as applied to clutch plates;

2015: finalist for its torque converter with piston back pressure compensation;





2014: won for its torque converter with centrifugal pendulum absorber;





2012: won for its UniAir fully variable engine valve lift system and also earned an Innovation Partnership Award along with Fiat Powertrain and Chrysler Group;





2011: won for its lightweight balance shaft with roller bearings;





2010: finalist for its face spline wheel hub;





2009: winner for its dry double clutch; and





2007: finalist for its tandem ball bearing.

The PACE Award program, now in its 23rd year, honors superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. This prestigious award is recognized around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation.

About Schaeffler

The Schaeffler Group is a leading global integrated automotive and industrial supplier. The company stands for the highest quality, outstanding technology, and strong innovative ability. The Schaeffler Group makes a key contribution to "Mobility for tomorrow" with high-precision components and systems in engine, transmission, and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a large number of industrial applications. The technology company generated sales of approximately EUR 13.2 billion in 2015. With around 85,000 employees, Schaeffler is one of the world's largest family companies and, with approximately 170 locations in over 50 countries, has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, and sales companies.

Schaeffler is a recognized development partner for global automakers and suppliers. To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 600 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 6,700 global R&D engineers, drive development in the region by utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us.

SOURCE Schaeffler Group

Related Links

http://www.schaeffler.us


u-blox achieved solid top-line and bottom-line growth:

Consolidated revenue of u-blox was CHF 360.2 million in 2016, a growth of 6.5% as compared to 2015.

in 2016, a growth of 6.5% as compared to 2015. Gross profit improved from CHF 155.0 million to CHF 167.1 million , with a continued strong gross profit margin of 46.4% in 2016.

, with a continued strong gross profit margin of 46.4% in 2016. Operating profit (EBIT) increased from CHF 51.3 million to CHF 59.0 million , a growth of 15.0% as compared to 2015.

to , a growth of 15.0% as compared to 2015. EBITDA margin of 22.7%, EBIT margin of 16.4%.

Net profit increased by 24.5% from CHF 37.1 million to CHF 46.2 million , representing a 12.8% net profit margin for 2016.

to , representing a 12.8% net profit margin for 2016. Strong net cash generated from operating activities was CHF 93.6 million , representing 26.0% of revenue.

, representing 26.0% of revenue. Healthy balance sheet with a high equity ratio of 67.0%.

The payout of a dividend of CHF 2.10 per share from capital reserves is to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting.

Overall growth continues

Consolidated Group revenues in 2016 showed continued growth, rising by CHF 21.9 million to CHF 360.2 million, or the equivalent of a 6.5% increase over the previous year. EBIT was up strongly by 15.0% compared with 2015 and stood at CHF 59.0 million. Nevertheless, revenue progress differed markedly from one geographical region to another.

Markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) reported strong growth of 18.5%, with expansion across all areas and product ranges, especially for asset tracking and infrastructure applications. Europe, in particular, benefited from a notable upturn in demand for mobility solutions and smart metering, as well as telematics units for cars and trucks. The latter is driven by lively demand for in-vehicle connectivity and, on the automotive front, will undoubtedly profit from the upcoming mandatory eCall function in the car.

The Asian markets continued to benefit from a positive economic climate and reported a growth of 9.1%, especially in the consumer markets for wearables and personal trackers, where u-blox continued to develop new business. u-blox has also established a leading position in the region for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones) and continued to play a pioneering role in automotive applications for telematics and navigation. The industrial side of the operations profited from expansion in the telecoms industry.

Business in the Americas was negatively affected by events that included political uncertainty and slow business progress in the USA. Customers there delayed further investments into mobility solutions, and generally took a more prudent approach in launching new products. Despite this temporary setback, u-blox is confident that the design of several promising new products and ongoing demand for IoT solutions will see the region revert to robust growth in the months ahead.

Firmly on course towards intermediate goal

u-blox remains on course to achieve its medium-term goal of half-billion-dollar annual revenues. u-blox continuously expanded its workforce, particularly in R&D, to boost the innovation rate. The resulting capacity provided the impetus needed to create and announce a number of market leading new products.

Product highlights

One of the central reasons for u-blox's ongoing success is the company's ability to develop and market products that are geared precisely to the needs of specific markets. In this respect, 2016 was a milestone year: never before had the company announced so many new products. Last year's highlights included:

LARA-R3121: the first module and chipset from a single supplier. This product expressly underlines the strategy to become a leading semiconductor supplier in the wireless communication market.

UBX-R3: a low-cost, low-energy consumption chip for a vast range of narrow-band IoT applications  and the chipset at the heart of LARA-R3121.

NEO-M8U: the industry's first untethered dead reckoning module, which addresses the automotive sector and combines easy installation with optimum positioning capability.

NEO-M8P: centimeter-level positioning accuracy for the mass market.

NINA-B1: a Bluetooth-capable module that tracks mobile devices and equipment moving in confined spaces, such as at healthcare facilities and industrial plants.

Strategy

u-blox is pleased to report that it remains firmly on course with its well-established strategy, which is founded on four discrete pillars: consolidation of its market position; ongoing technological development and innovation; operational excellence and strategic partnerships. u-blox continues to grow its business with regular launches of new and more sophisticated products. These include the launch of first LTE chipset for Category 1 and the LARA-R3 module based on this chipset. u-blox also announced the NANO-S100 module for wireless applications in the unlicensed spectrum, the new u-blox 8 platform together with high-precision products for positioning, and the expansion of its short-range product line for IoT applications. u-blox works untiringly to strengthen its global presence, in the quest for operational excellence and the increased efficiency that comes with economies of scale.

On the acquisition front, in January 2017 u-blox announced an asset deal with Shanghai-based SIMCom that expands ublox's existing cellular product range and makes it a major supplier of cellular modules worldwide. The asset deal is due for completion in spring 2017.

Revenue breakdown

u-blox operates in two segments:

Positioning and wireless products

u-blox develops and sells chips and modules for positioning and wireless connectivity that are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications.

Revenue was CHF 360.1 million for 2016 as compared to CHF 338.0 million in 2015.

u-blox develops and sells chips and modules for positioning and wireless connectivity that are used in automotive, industrial and consumer applications. Revenue was for 2016 as compared to in 2015. Wireless services

u-blox also offers wireless communication technology services in terms of reference designs and software.

In 2016, revenue for wireless services was CHF 26.0 million compared to CHF 26.1 million in 2015 (including intra-group revenue).

In 2016 based on billing location, Asia-Pacific generated 49.5%, EMEA 25.5% and Americas 25.0% of total revenue. u-blox was able to grow revenues in Asia Pacific by 9.1% to CHF 178.4 million and EMEA by 18.5% to CHF 91.7 million. In the Americas revenue decreased by 7.4% to CHF 90.2 million due to delayed investments of customers into mobility solutions and a more prudent approach by its customers in launching new products.

In 2016, the company made about 80% of its total revenue from 71 customers. u-blox's largest customer accounted for less than 6% of revenue. u-blox served over 5'700 customers and achieved global expansion into new regions and markets.

Increased gross profit

Gross profit increased by 7.8% to CHF 167.1 million in 2016 from CHF 155.0 million in 2015. Gross profit margin was 46.4% for 2016, increasing from 45.8% in 2015 because of a more favorable product mix.

Distribution and marketing activities

Distribution and marketing expenses increased in 2016 due to the expansion of the business. In 2016, distribution and marketing activities were CHF 32.0 million as compared to CHF 27.7 million in the previous year. As a percentage of revenue, distribution and marketing expenses were 8.9% in 2016 compared to 8.2% in 2015.

Research and product development

R&D expenses in 2016 were CHF 63.5 million as compared to CHF 65.0 million in 2015. As a percentage of revenue, R&D expenses in 2016 were 17.6% as compared to 19.2% in 2015. The percentage decreased because contrary to the previous year, there was no impairment of capitalized R&D expenses in 2016.

Share based payment

The share-based payment expenses recognized in 2016 were CHF 7.0 million as compared to CHF 4.4 million in 2015.

Growth of operating profit (EBIT)

Operating profit (EBIT) was CHF 59.0 million in 2016 as compared to CHF 51.3 million in the previous year. The growth rate from 2015 to 2016 was 15.0%. Operating profit (EBIT) margin was 16.4% and EBITDA margin was 22.7% in 2016.

Finance income and costs

Finance income was CHF 4.3 million. Finance costs were CH 1.7 million, mainly due to foreign exchange effects and interests for the bond.

Strong net cash generated from operating activities

In 2016, u-blox generated cash from operating activities in the amount of CHF 93.6 million as compared to CHF 74.7 million in 2015. A strong growth of 25.3% compared to previous year. Due to strict management inventory level and trade receivables decreased despite of the expansion of the business and higher revenues.

Main investing activities

Investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets increased to CHF 49.5 million in 2016 (2015: CHF 43.0 million). As a percentage of sales, the investment ratio remained stable at 13.7% in 2016 (2015: 12.7%).

With the continued expansion of the R&D pipeline and the increased number of development projects for all product categories, the investments into capitalized development costs increased to CHF 37.2 million (2015: CHF 27.0 million). Additionally CHF 1.2 million (2015: CHF 5.9 million) was invested into intellectual property rights and CHF 1.4 million (2015: CHF 1.6 million) into software. In 2016, CHF 9.7 million of investments were used for property, plant and equipment (2015: CHF 8.4 million).

u-blox invested 77.5% of total investments (2015: 76.7%) into the development of new products and 2.9% of total investments were invested into capacity expansion (2015: 0.9%).

Financing activities

In 2016 u-blox paid dividends of CHF 12.9 million and received proceeds from the issuance of ordinary shares connected with the employee share option plan of CHF 3.4 million.

Strong financial position

u-blox has a very strong balance sheet with an equity ratio of 67.0%. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities amounted to CHF 157.1 million at December 31, 2016, compared to CHF 124.0 million at December 31, 2015.

Goodwill decreased due to changes in EUR/CHF exchange rate from CHF 56.7 million in 2015 to CHF 54.1 million or 12.7% of total assets in 2016.

On the basis of this strong financial position and the positive outlook, the Board of Directors proposes at the Annual General Meeting to pay out dividends. For this year an increased dividend of CHF 2.10 per share is suggested, which represents a payout ratio of 31.1% of consolidated net profit, attributable to owners of the parent.

Challenges and risks

The risks that confront a high-technology company like u-blox in a global environment are many, and u-blox takes prudent measures to safeguard its own operations and those of its customers. First and foremost of these is the continued development and marketing of the leading products its customers can rely on to meet their precise needs, which means keeping a close eye on and predicting technological development. Secondly, u-blox is keenly aware of the repercussions of currency exchange movements and ensures as far as possible that its production and operational expense in specific currencies is commensurate with revenues. And thirdly, u-blox has an extensive and expanding base of over 5700 customers, with no single one of them accounting for more than 6% of sales.

Board and management

During the period under review, Soo Boon Koh retired from the board. Her seat was taken by Gina Domanig, who holds triple (Swiss, US and French) nationalities. Gina Domanig is Managing Partner of Emerald Technology Ventures AG, a Member of the Board with Die Mobiliar Genossenschaft, Switzerland, and Chairman of the Board at the Energy Venture Forum, Switzerland.

Outlook

u-blox plans to maintain its aim of continued profitable growth. To achieve this, u-blox needs to invest in new products and offer a wide range of chips and modules that meet the many needs of customers. These will consolidate its leading position and help to accelerate growth. As the Internet of Things continues to transform the course of the industry, u-blox is forging ahead with the development of the low-power, low-price modules required in countless applications with strong, continuously growing demand, while focusing on the three areas that cover the entire spectrum of communication needs: positioning, cellular and short range technology.

For positioning, u-blox has four primary lines designed for: standard precision (meter-level accuracy), high precision (centimeter to decimeter accuracy), dead reckoning (coverage in tunnels and urban canyons), and timing and frequency requirements.

For the cellular sector, u-blox offers an extensive range of modules covering all major standards: GSM; UMTS; CDMA; high-performance, multi-mode LTE modules; low data-rate, single-mode LTE; NB-IoT and RPMA. The integration of SIMCom's products will further enhance its market position.

The third element in its product strategy is short-range technology, covering low-energy Bluetooth for low data rates, Wi-Fi for high data rates and V2X modules for automotive safety applications.

For the current year, u-blox is targeting revenues of between CHF 485 million and CHF 515 million including the acquisition of SIMCom, with an operating profit (EBIT) of between CHF 60 million and CHF 65 million. These expectations exclude unforeseen economic adversity and budgeted exchange rates (USD/CHF: 1.00; EUR/CHF: 1.10).

u-blox plans to launch its second bond issue in 2017. The net proceeds of the issue will increase ublox's financial flexibility, ensuring the Group's financing for the coming years.

Table 1: consolidated income statement

http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478921/u_blox_consolidated_income_statement.jpg

Table 2: consolidated statement of cash flows (condensed)

http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478922/u_blox_consolidated_statement_of_cash_flows.jpg

Table 3: consolidated statement of financial position (condensed)

http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/478923/u_blox_Table_3_consolidated_statement_of_financial_position.jpg

For more information, please view the Annual Report 2016 and presentation slides online at:

Online annual report: https://report.u-blox.com/

Annual report (PDF): https://www.u-blox.com/en/investor-relations/reports

Presentation: https://www.u-blox.com/en/investor-relations/presentations

About u-blox

Swiss u-blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips for the automotive, industrial and consumer markets. u-blox solutions enable people, vehicles and machines to locate their exact position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks. With a broad portfolio of chips, modules and software solutions, u-blox is uniquely positioned to empower OEMs to develop innovative solutions for the Internet of Things, quickly and cost-effectively. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, u-blox is globally present with offices in Europe, Asia, and the USA.

(www.u-blox.com)





u-blox contacts

Thomas Seiler, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +41 44 722 74 22

E-mail: [email protected]

Roland Jud, Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +41 44 722 74 25

E-mail: [email protected]

Financial calendar

Annual general meeting: April 25, 2017

Half year results 2017: August 26, 2017

Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the u-blox Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group's products, the potential for the Group's products to become obsolete, the Group's ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group's ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group's ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group's ability to realize its expansion projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this report. u-blox is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release is published in German and English. Should the German translation differ from the English original, the English version is binding.

SOURCE u-blox

Related Links

http://www.u-blox.com


MEXICO CITY, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leaders of three major U.S. dairy organizations Wednesday promised to continue a strong commitment to their time-tested partnership with Mexico's dairy industry and consumers.

"We have always seen Mexico as a partner first and a customer second," U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) President and CEO Tom Vilsack told Mexican dairy leaders attending the National Dairy Forum in Mexico City. "That's why we intend to continue working with you and your industry to expand the consumption of dairy products in a way that benefits both countries."

"Mexico is our friend, ally and most important trading partner," said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. "Our goal this week in visiting Mexico is to communicate our steadfast commitment to our partnership with the Mexican industry, even as we continue to explore ways to deepen that relationship by working on issues of mutual benefit."

"The United States proudly provides the majority of imported dairy products to Mexican consumers," said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, which represents dairy foods companies and their suppliers. "We strongly believe that it's in the best interest of both countries to preserve and enhance our excellent trade relationship, now and in the future."

Vilsack and Mulhern spoke at the Femeleche conference here, which brought together Mexican dairy industry leaders, farmers and government officials. As part of the coordinated message of collaboration and partnership with Mexico, the three CEOs of the leading U.S. dairy policy organizations are also meeting with a variety of government officials, including the Mexican Minister of Agriculture and the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

The reassurance from U.S. dairy leaders comes during a time of political uncertainty on both sides of the border.

Since NAFTA became law in 1994, U.S. dairy exports to Mexico have more than quadrupled to $1.2 billion. That makes Mexico the U.S. dairy industry's No. 1 export market, accounting for nearly one-fourth of all U.S. dairy exports last year.

Put another way, exports to Mexico require the milk of 345,000 American cows. They create approximately 30,000 U.S. jobs, according to USDA, and $3.6 billion in U.S. economic impact.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, Va., develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of U.S. dairy producers and the cooperatives they collectively own. The members of NMPF's cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S, milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF's activities, visit www.nmpf.org.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) is a non-profit, independent membership organization that represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers and export traders. Its mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and assist the U.S. industry to increase its global dairy ingredient sales and exports of U.S. dairy products. USDEC accomplishes this through programs in market development that build global demand for U.S. dairy products, resolve market access barriers and advance industry trade policy goals. USDEC is supported by staff across the United States and overseas in Mexico, South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe.

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), Washington, D.C., represents the nation's dairy manufacturing and marketing industries and their suppliers with a membership of nearly 525 companies within a $125-billion a year industry. IDFA is composed of three constituent organizations: the Milk Industry Foundation (MIF), the National Cheese Institute (NCI) and the International Ice Cream Association (IICA). IDFA's nearly 200 dairy processing members operate more than 600 manufacturing facilities and range from large multi-national organizations to single-plant companies. Together they represent more than 85 percent of the milk, cultured products, cheese, ice cream and frozen desserts produced and marketed in the United States. Visit IDFA at www.idfa.org.

SOURCE International Dairy Foods Association; National Milk Producers Federation; U.S. Dairy Export Council

Related Links

http://www.idfa.org/


"Winter is the best time to start thinking about sunshine and Vacation Express' charters make it easy to plan a getaway," said Airport Director Robert Kennedy. "And for the first time in over a decade, Clevelanders can easily get to Jamaica using a Vacation Express charter."

"We're pleased to welcome this new charter service from Vacation Express, offering travelers from the Cleveland area interested in visiting Jamaica, nonstop service," noted Paul Pennicook, Jamaica's Director of Tourism. "In the past few months, we have noticed increased interest in visitors from the Ohio area and are confident that this new weekly service will boost our arrivals from the Midwest."

Special Early Booking Deals are available now to Clevelanders for one of Vacation Express' 6-night all-inclusive vacation packages bundling air and resort. These flights begin just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, giving families and couples alike the opportunity to celebrate the beginning of summer by relaxing in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean.



Flights to Jamaica and Punta Cana will be operated by Swift Air, LLC. on a 737 series aircraft. The value-packed flights will enable travelers to sit back and relax while enjoying a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and snack. Each traveler will be permitted one free carry-on bag and the option to purchase add-ons like Preferred Seating starting at $20 or Elite Plus starting at $39 each way and can bundle options which include checked luggage for the best value.

Travelers can purchase roundtrip airfare, but most are booking 6-night packages with air and staying at all-inclusive resorts starting at $849* in Jamaica and $899* in Punta Cana, with kids under 12 staying free at some resorts. Packages to both destinations can be booked on line at VACATIONEXPRESS.com, by calling 1-800-309-4717 or through a local travel agent.

About Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica's national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2016. Also in 2016, Jamaica earned the WTA's vote for the Caribbean's Leading Destination and the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination for the tenth consecutive year. Jamaica was named the top three island in the world by TripAdvisor in 2016. Additionally, Ocho Rios was named the Caribbean's Leading Cruise Port; Sangster International Airport was voted the Caribbean's Leading Airport; Club Mobay was named the Caribbean's Leading Airport Lounge; Dolphin Cove was voted the Caribbean's Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction; the Montego Bay Convention Center was named the Caribbean's Leading Meeting & Conventions Center; and GO! Jamaica Travel was named the Caribbean's Leading Tour Operator.

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai and Tokyo.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB's Web site at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.

About Vacation Express:

Based in Atlanta, Vacation Express, part of Sunwing Travel Group, is a tour operator specializing in quality, affordable vacation packages to over 30 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Costa Rica and most recently, Cuba! Now in business for over 25 years, Vacation Express is one of the country's largest and most trusted tour operators. Travelers looking for the most affordable, all-inclusive vacations may book Vacation Express' exclusive, non-stop packages through their travel agent, directly by phone seven days a week at 1-800-309-4717 or online at vacationexpress.com. Exclusive charter flights are operated by Swift Air, LLC. See operator/participant agreement for details.

Additional Notes: Kid's offer based on one child per full paying guest and offered on select departures only; qualifying ages and maximum number of kids vary by resort and apply to hotel cost only. Airfare, transfers & booking fees not included.*Flight only price based on lowest season travel. Package price reflects hotels that feature all-inclusive plans. Prices are per person, based on double occupancy. Advertised prices available for bookings made electronically or through your travel agent; small service fee of $10 applies when booking through Vacation Express Call Center. For full terms and conditions, hotel and description of all services, please refer to the Vacation Express 2017 Brochure, www.vacationexpress.com or call 1.800.309.4717. Vacation Express now accepts debit cards that offer the same consumer protection as credit cards. See operator/participant agreement for details. Public charter flights are operated by Swift Air, LLC. All flights subject to DOT approval. Packages are limited and subject to change without prior notice. Airfares are per person, reflect lowest available airfare at time of printing, are subject to change and based upon availability of class of service. Mandatory $10 Tourist Card must be purchased upon arrival to Punta Cana and is not included in above airfare or package prices. Book by 5/8/17. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Registered Florida seller of travel no. St 38441. State of California Seller of Travel Certificate of Registration #2107538-40.

SOURCE Vacation Express
IRVING, Texas, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Power Equipment Group Inc. (OTC:GLPW) (Global Power or the Company) will release its 2015 results and restated prior periods after the close of financial markets on Wednesday, March 15, 2017.



The Company will host a conference call and webcast to review these results and restated prior periods, as well as its key market initiatives and business strategy.

2015 Results and Restated Prior Periods Conference Call and Webcast

Thursday, March 16, 2017

11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:00 a.m. Central Time

Phone: (201) 493-6780

Internet webcast link and accompanying slide presentation: http://ir.globalpower.com/

An archive of the call will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call until Thursday, March 23, 2017. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter conference ID number 13657573, or access the webcast replay via the Companys website at http://ir.globalpower.com/, where a transcript will also be posted once available.

About Global Power

Global Power Equipment Group Inc. is a design, engineering and manufacturing firm providing a broad array of equipment and services to the global power infrastructure, energy and process industries. The Company reports in three operating segments: The Mechanical Solutions segment (formerly Auxiliary Products) designs, engineers and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of equipment for utility-scale natural gas turbines. The Electrical Solutions segment provides custom-configured electrical houses and generator enclosures for a variety of industries. The Services segment provides lifecycle maintenance, repair, on-site specialty support, outage management, construction and fabrication services for the power generation, industrial, chemical/petrochemical processing, and oil and gas industries. The Company provides information at its website: www.globalpower.com.
TOKYO, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "Vacation Rental EXPO 2017" submissions are now available for companies looking to apply for a booth. The event will be held on May 27th, 2017, in Shinjuku NS Building, located at NishiShinjuku 2-4-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 163-0820. To ensure a diverse section for 2017, the EXPO office is limiting the number of companies that can participate per industry. In order to secure the place, it is recommended that companies apply early. Attendees can join the industry experts to get the tools and inspiration needed to make their vacation rental business more successful.

Vacation Rental EXPO Layout

Vacation Rental EXPO is Japan's largest vacation rental exhibition with an estimated 4,000 visitors anticipated. Attendees gather to meet the leading companies operating in the vacation rental area. Companies that participate come from recognized brands in the business such as OTAs (i.e. Expedia Homeaway), IOT SmartLock, Airbnb management agents, smart-lock, IOT services, Web services, data analytics, Hotel tool companies etc.

During the EXPO event, a number of seminars are held with two large seminar rooms. Selected companies may have the opportunity to present their product at the seminars.

Join the experts and get the tools, information and inspiration you need to make your vacation rental business more successful. Whether the business is new to renting or have been managing properties for years, all attendees can enjoy the benefit from the EXPO.

EXPO Detail

Event name: Vacation Rental EXPO 2017

Visitors: 3,000-4,000

Companies: 50-60

Location: Shinjuku NS Building, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Size: 2637sqm

Visitor Entrance: Free

Seminar room: 200 people seat x1, 150 people seat x1 (slots available for sale on request)

Media coverage: Newspapers, Japan-wide TV, various online media articles

First cut-off date: 2017/March/20

Contact

Email: [email protected]

WEB: http://minpaku-expo.com

Applications:http://minpaku-expo.com/#contact

Related Images

image1.jpg

image2.png

Related Links

Exhibition WEB Page

Metroengines Web site

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE Vacation Rental EXPO
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This spring, the Fort Lauderdale Water Shuttle will be offering a new kind of tour with an environmental twist. The Blue Discovery Tour kicks off on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11 a.m. and will then be held every fourth Saturday of the month.

Passengers will be able to enjoy a two-hour narrated boat ride led by marine biologist and photographer Paola Espitia, Co-founder of Ola'pi Creative. Espitia will offer a local perspective of the importance of the coastal ecosystem on the history, culture and everyday lives of south Floridians. Guests may also be able to spot and photograph marine life such as stingrays, ospreys, manatees and the occasional pod of dolphins.

"The health and long-term safety of our planet is vital to our livelihood," said James Campbell, Owner of the Water Shuttle. "With more than 10 years of experience studying and photographing coral reefs, Paola is the perfect environmental guide. This tour will provide guests with an inside look at life on and under the water from past to present."

The tour will launch from the Riverwalk at Riverfront Plaza (300 SW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33301), in front of Briny's Irish Pub, at 11 a.m., then head south and continue down the Intracoastal Waterway. The boat will travel under the 17th Street Causeway before passing the ocean access of Port Everglades. It will then cruise by the Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Natural Sciences and Oceanography, the Port Everglades seaport and mangrove forests that make up the edges of Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach. The boat will then head back to Briny's Irish Pub.

"My fins are full of stories I can tell from long days underwater," Espitia said. "Leading the Blue Discovery Tour is my way of sharing what I've learned about our local ecosystem and inspiring people to live a more sustainable, 'blue-minded' lifestyle. This tour is a great excuse to sit back, relax and have fun while minimizing your carbon footprint."

The Blue Discovery Tour starts at 11 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of every month beginning Saturday, March 25, 2017. Alcoholic beverages are allowed on the shuttle, but glass is not permitted; only reusable containers. Tickets cost $35 per person and can be purchased online by visiting http://bit.ly/BlueDiscoveryTour or at the Water Shuttle and Riverfront Cruise kiosk located on the Riverwalk in Riverfront Plaza (300 SW 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale).

About Water Shuttle Fort Lauderdale

Water Shuttle Fort Lauderdale is a water taxi service that transports locals and tourists along Fort Lauderdale's New River and Intracoastal Waterway. Once onboard the Water Shuttle, guests enjoy classic Fort Lauderdale views and easy access to some of the Fort Lauderdale's best restaurants, shops and activities. The floating flamingo-pink shuttles run daily, rain or shine. For more information about Water-Shuttle Fort Lauderdale, visit www.water-shuttle.com. Like the pink boats? Show it by liking the Water Shuttle Facebook page.

MEDIA RELEASE CONTACT

Laurie Menekou Ernest-Jones, (954) 732-0754

[email protected]

SOURCE Water Shuttle Fort Lauderdale

Related Links

http://www.water-shuttle.com


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Weather Analytics, the leading provider of weather and predictive risk software for the insurance industry, announced today that global insurers Tokio Marine HCC and W. R. Berkley Corporation together have funded a $17 million Series B financing round. With the new capital, Weather Analytics' total funding now exceeds $30 million.

"This financing will accelerate scientific and technical innovation that vastly improve decision support in risk selection, pricing and policyholder services for insurance companies across the globe," said Bill Pardue, Chairman & CEO of Weather Analytics. "Established providers are charging insurers too much and delivering too little. Weather Analytics is disrupting that equation."

Chris Williams, CEO of Tokio Marine HCC, which led Weather Analytics' Series A funding in 2015, said, "We are delighted to continue investing in technology that differentiates our capabilities and the products we offer to our customers. Weather Analytics leadership and innovation within the Big Data space will help push the insurance industry into the future."

"W. R. Berkley is proud to expand our relationship with Weather Analytics by becoming investors," said W. Robert Berkley, Jr., President & CEO of W. R. Berkley Corporation. "As a client of Weather Analytics, we already are seeing concrete benefits by leveraging transformational technologies originally developed for the national intelligence and defense communities. From underwriting, to actuarial sciences, to claims  the potential for better decision-making and improved services to insureds is tremendous."

Chris Skarinka, President & Chief Operating Officer of Weather Analytics, said, "These investments speak volumes about the vision and commitment of our investors." Besides Tokio Marine and W. R. Berkley, Skarinka noted, Weather Analytics investors include In-Q-Tel, the non-profit strategic fund that identifies and accelerates development of innovative technologies to support the U.S. Intelligence Community. "Together, we are leading the change that delivers highly cost-effective and transformational solutions."

About Weather Analytics

The weather impacts everything  from underwriting property and insuring against rainfall, to forecasting crop yields and planning exercises for national security. Our foundation at Weather Analytics is reliable, rationalized, gap-free weather data. By leveraging the world's best information, cleansed by a team of experienced meteorologists, we build rich, predictive insights based on the atmosphere's best data collection. For more information, please visit weatheranalytics.com.

About Tokio Marine

HCC Tokio Marine HCC is the marketing name used to describe the affiliated companies under the common ownership of HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., a Delaware-incorporated insurance holding company. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Tokio Marine HCC is a leading specialty insurance group with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. Tokio Marine HCC's major domestic insurance companies have financial strength ratings of "AA- (Very Strong)" from Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, "A++ (Superior)" from A.M. Best Company, Inc., and "AA- (Very Strong)" from Fitch Ratings; its major international insurance companies have financial strength ratings of "AA- (Very Strong)" from Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. Tokio Marine HCC is a member of the Tokio Marine Group, a premier global company founded in 1879 with a market capitalization of $31 billion as of December 31, 2016. For more information about Tokio Marine HCC, please visit www.tokiomarinehcc.com.

About W. R. Berkley Corporation

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates worldwide in two segments of the property casualty business: Insurance and Reinsurance. For further information about W. R. Berkley Corporation, please visit www.wrberkley.com.

Contact:

Weather Analytics

888-320-7693

[email protected]

SOURCE Weather Analytics

Related Links

http://weatheranalytics.com


An antidote to the "app fatigue" that plagues today's online sellers, Webgility's virtual ERP will bring efficiency and order to otherwise chaotic workflows and business operations. Made up of the optimum tech stack for e-commerce ease and success, the virtual ERP will empower retailers to focus on doing the things they love while scaling more easily than ever. In addition, until businesses reach revenue of $50 million, the virtual ERP will provide all the business intelligence, financial insight, and operational stamina of a larger, complex, and costlier integrated system.

"ShopTalk is all about next-gen e-commerce, so it's the perfect place for us to share our virtual ERP," said Parag Mamnani, Founder and CEO, Webgility. "With this new technology stack, we'll work with trusted partners like ShipStation to bring scale and simplicity to online retailers, letting them focus on business aspirations rather than operational headaches. We look forward to seeing you all in Vegas."

The Webgility team welcomes all to Booth #642 to enter their LEGO game "Build a Better Business" and win big. To schedule an on-site 15-minute demo with our sales team and earn a $50 gift card, go to calendly.com/michael-webgility/shoptalk, or email the sales team to schedule a live demo over the phone: [email protected]. For interviews with Webgility leadership, contact Eileen Conway at [email protected] or (650) 245-9015.

ABOUT WEBGILITY

Webgility, Inc. is the leading provider of e-commerce automation software for multichannel companies, managing millions of transactions for 10,000-plus online stores every month. Webgility's mission is to empower online retailers to focus on their passion by simplifying operations. Its Unify software connects all revenue streams, expenses, and business systems so businesses can have better perspective, make smarter decisions, lower costs, and streamline operations. Webgility is a certified partner of Intuit, QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite, and works with more than 85 e-commerce platforms and SaaS providers (including Amazon, eBay, BigCommerce, Shopify, and Magento), payment processors (PayPal, Stripe, Shopify Payments, Square), and hosting providers. Founded in 2007, the company is headquartered in San Francisco with an international branch in Indore, India. For more information about Webgility, visit http://www.webgility.com.

For more information, please contact:

Eileen Conway

Zealot Communications for Webgility

650-245-9015

[email protected]

SOURCE Webgility

Related Links

http://www.webgility.com


WASHINGTON, March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students in West Virginia will speak with NASA astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station at 10:25 a.m. EDT Friday, March 17. The 20-minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

The event will be hosted by the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in Charleston, West Virginia, in partnership with U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough and Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson, both of NASA, will answer questions from students throughout West Virginia in grades seven through 12.

Kimbrough launched to the space station Oct. 19, 2016, and will return next month. Whitson launched to the space station Nov. 17, 2016, and is scheduled to return to Earth later this spring.

Bryan Hughes of WOWK-TV and Sen. Manchin, along with other West Virginia officials, will open the downlink with a voice check call-up to the station. Before and following the live downlink, students will have the opportunity to attend an "Out of this World Career Fair" and interact with a variety of West Virginia colleges and universities including West Virginia University, Marshall University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology, West Virginia State University, the University of Charleston, and BridgeValley Community and Technical School.

Students and guests also will have the opportunity to speak with a wide variety of state businesses and organizations in the fields of engineering, aeronautics, mathematics and science, including Orbital ATK, NASA's Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) Facility, Bombardier, Toyota, Mined Minds Computer Coding, West Virginia University Amateur Radio Club, the West Virginia Army and Air National Guard and Sen. Manchin's Military Service Academy Nomination Committee.

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.

Media interested in covering the event must contact Morgan Robinson, director of communications at the Clay Center, by calling 304-561-3586 or email [email protected]

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 school met or exceeded state performance expectations in English language arts, math, science and social studies averaged across all grades tested on the Wisconsin Forward exam. Additionally, the school's college acceptances include several state and private colleges across Wisconsin. According to the school's annual parent satisfaction survey, 97 percent of parents agree the curriculum is high quality, and overwhelmingly parents say they would recommend the school to other families.

"My daughter is able to complete schoolwork at her own pace and has never been happier. The helpful teachers and easy-to-understand lesson plans make WCA a perfect fit for our family and ever-changing schedule. I would tell any parent who is considering this program to give it a tryit was one of the best decisions that we have ever made," said Melissa Gruber, WCA parent.

The Wisconsin public school open enrollment period for the 2017-18 school year is currently open, closing on April 28. Parents interested in enrolling their child can visit www.wisconsinconnectionsacademy.com/enroll or call 920-993-7076 for more information and for details about submitting their Open Enrollment Application.

To learn more about the academic achievements and parent satisfaction of WCA, view the school's infographic.

About Wisconsin Connections Academy

Wisconsin Connections Academy (WCA) is a tuition-free K12 public online school that students attend from home. WCA brings a fully accredited public education and top educational resources directly to your family's dooranywhere in Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.WisconsinConnectionsAcademy.com.

SOURCE Wisconsin Connections Academy
Warriors arrived armed with bows and flood lights. They took to the water in search of Belton Lake fauna, including longnose gar, sunfish, crappie, and largemouth bass. Driven by the excitement of a new sport and making several catches, the group did not return to shore until almost midnight.

"Going into this event, I didn't know any of the warriors, and yes that did make me a bit nervous," said Army veteran Luke Morgan. "But I couldn't resist the chance to go bowfishing. I am definitely glad I went. Building relationships with other warriors helps us feel less alone throughout our recoveries."

These connection activities support the recovery needs of warriors by reintroducing them to the bonds experienced during military service. In a WWP survey of the injured warriors it serves, more than half of survey respondents (51.7 percent) talked with fellow veterans to address their mental health issues.

"Bowfishing was something I had never done before, so I decided to give it a try," said Army veteran Douglas Shreve. "We had a blast; it was one of the best Wounded Warrior Project experiences I've ever had. And I got to spend time with other veterans in a comfortable environment."

Before getting out on the water, WWP staff members advised attendees of additional services to aid their recovery processes. WWP offers programs that assist injured veterans with mental health, physical health and wellness, career and benefits counseling, and connecting with other warriors and their communities. Generous donors make it possible for wounded warriors to benefit from program resources at no cost to them.

To learn and see more about how WWP's programs and services connect, serve, and empower wounded warriors, visit http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/, and click on multimedia.

About Wounded Warrior Project

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) connects, serves, and empowers wounded warriors. Read more at http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us.

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project

Related Links

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org


TRENTON, N.J., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Drivers at XPO Logistics in Trenton, N.J. filed for Teamster representation today, the latest action by workers across the U.S. who are banding together to fight for fair treatment at one of the largest transportation and logistics companies in the world.

The 33 drivers at the former Con-way Freight want to join Teamsters Local 701 in North Brunswick, N.J. and are planning to join workers in Miami, Laredo, Texas; Vernon, Calif.; Aurora, Ill.; North Haven, Conn.; and King of Prussia, Pa. who have already formed their union with the Teamsters.

"The freight workers in Trenton are united, strong and focused on forming their union with the Teamsters so that they can address the issues that are important to them -- better and affordable health insurance, retirement security and a voice on the job," said Ernie Soehl, Director of the Teamsters National Freight Division and President of Teamsters Local 701.

"The XPO drivers in Trenton have worked hard to get to this point and they are excited to be part of the workers' nationwide campaign that is gaining momentum," said Ron Lake, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 701.

Port, freight and warehouse workers at XPO are coming together across the country in their fight for a more secure future.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.teamster.org.

Contact:

Ted Gotsch, (202) 624-6111 [email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Related Links

http://www.teamster.org


EVANSTON, Ill., March 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States, recently named global sales and marketing firm ZS a 2016 Partner of the Year. Awarded in the service category for its long-standing support of Aflac's sales and marketing operations, ZS was recognized at an event on Feb. 16 in Columbus, Georgia.

"This is a well-deserved recognition for ZS," said Jeramy Tipton, vice president of marketing and business development at Aflac. "They are a valued partner with a strong commitment to Aflac. ZS has helped us develop and implement innovative solutions that set the stage for continuous improvement in our sales and marketing performance."

Most recently, ZS played a key role in helping Aflac increase adoption of its Everwell platform, which offers businesses direct online access to benefit and insurance options. The firm used forecasting and agent analytics, as well as innovative marketing outreach and sales contests to help Aflac exceed its ambitious adoption and sales goals for the platform in 2016.

"We have enjoyed and benefitted from our relationship with Aflac for more than a decade," said Peter Manoogian, associate principal in ZS's financial services practice. "Our work in 2016 demonstrated how fusing customer insight, analytics, incentive design and tailored salesperson outreach can drive significant impact in a key strategic initiative. This award is a great honor for our firm. We look forward to continuing to help Aflac achieve sustainable and profitable growth."

ZS's financial services practice works with leading insurers, asset managers, and financial institutions to create personalized customer and intermediary experiences, optimize marketing and distribution operations, and drive sales performance.

About ZS

ZS is the world's largest firm focused exclusively on helping companies improve overall performance and grow revenue and market share, through end-to-end sales and marketing solutionsfrom customer insights and strategy to analytics, operations and technology. More than 4,500 ZS professionals in 22 offices worldwide draw on deep industry and domain expertise to deliver impact for clients across multiple industries. To learn more, visit www.zs.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Aflac

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite. Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one business day. In Japan, Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac individual and group insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 11 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2017, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 19th consecutive year and included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 16th time. In 2015, Aflac's contact centers were recognized by J.D. Power by providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" for the Live Phone Channel. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.

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Finnish English

Sp Mortgage Bank Plc: Savings Banks Group's Annual Financial Statement 2016

Sp Mortgage Bank Plc

Stock Exchange Release

15 March 2017 at 2 pm (CET +1)

Savings Banks Group's Board of Director's Report and Consolidated IFRS Financial Statements 1 January - 31 December 2016 has been published.

A pdf-document containing the Board of Director's Report and Consolidated IFRS Financial Statements for 1 January - 31 December 2016 is attached to this release. The Report in PDF format can be also found at www.saastopankki.fi.

SAVINGS BANKS GROUP

Further information:



Pasi Kamari, Managing Director, Savings Banks' Union Coop

pasi.kamari@saastopankki.fi



Sp Mortgage Bank is part of the Savings Banks Group and the Savings Banks Amalgamation. The role of Sp Mortgage Bank is, together with Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland Plc, to be responsible for obtaining funding for the Savings Banks Group from money and capital markets. Sp Mortgage Bank is responsible for the Savings Banks Group's mortgage-secured funding by issuing covered bonds.

Read more at www.saastopankki.fi/debtinvestors, www.saastopankki.fi
ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UPS (NYSE:UPS) today announced plans to build an additional six compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations and add 390 new CNG tractors and terminal trucks and 50 liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles to its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. UPS further cements its leadership in the alternative fuel market while continuing to reduce its environmental footprint with this more than $90 million investment in natural gas.

With more than 4,400 natural gas vehicles and a network of fueling stations, UPS has had great results using natural gas as an alternative fuel in our fleet, said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president global engineering and sustainability. We know the importance of investing in natural gas globally for our fleet and the alternative fuel market. In 2016, we used more than 61 million gallons of natural gas in our ground fleet, which included 4.6 million gallons of renewable natural gas. This helped us to avoid the use of conventional gas and diesel, and decreased CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons.

The six new CNG stations will be built in Ontario, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Salina, Kan.; Louisville, Ky.; Greensboro, N.C; and Vancouver, B.C. Renewable natural gas (RNG) will be used at the station in Ontario to fuel UPS vehicles in the area with renewable compressed natural gas (RCNG).

In 2016, UPS invested $100 million in CNG fueling stations and vehicles. UPS currently operates 31 CNG fueling stations in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, and West Virginia and runs CNG vehicles in 38 states in the U.S. in addition to vehicles in Germany, the Netherlands and Thailand.

The use of natural gas reduces greenhouse gas emissions six to 11 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.[1]

RNG, also known as biomethane, can be derived from many abundant and renewable sources, including decomposing organic waste in landfills, wastewater treatment and agriculture. It is then distributed through the natural gas pipeline system, making it available for use as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG).

UPS also purchased 50 additional LNG vehicles that were deployed in Indianapolis, Ind.; Chicago, Ill.; Earth City, Mo.; and Nashville, Tenn., where UPS has existing LNG stations.

The company has driven more than one billion miles since 2000 with its alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. Through its Rolling Laboratory, UPS uses a research-based approach to determine the right alternative fuel solutions for the location, route and driving environments.

Since 2009, UPS has invested more than $750 million in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and fueling stations globally. UPS deploys the more than 8,100 vehicles in the Rolling Lab to determine what works best in each situation. From old-fashioned pedal power and electric-assisted bicycles in dense urban areas like London and Hamburg to electric and hybrid electric vehicles in the U.S., and natural gas, renewable natural gas and propane globally, UPS puts sustainability innovation into action, all over the world.

About UPS

UPS (NYSE: UPS) is a global leader in logistics, offering a broad range of solutions including transporting packages and freight; facilitating international trade, and deploying advanced technology to more efficiently manage the world of business. UPS is committed to operating more sustainably  for customers, the environment and the communities we serve around the world. Learn more about our efforts at ups.com/sustainability. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. The company can be found on the web at ups.com and its corporate blog can be found at longitudes.ups.com. To get UPS news direct, visit pressroom.ups.com/RSS or follow @UPS_News on Twitter.





[1] United States Department of Energy, Natural Gas Vehicle Emissions. Accessed 03/31/2015
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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
Kolkata, March 7 : National Award-winning filmmaker and actor Goutam Ghose has almost wrapped up shooting for Iranian director Majid Majidi's India-set movie "Beyond the Clouds".

The ace filmmaker told IANS over the phone from Mumbai: "I have almost finished my part in Majidi's film."

Goutam, the critically acclaimed Indian film director, has previously appeared in Srijit Mukherjee's movies "Baishe Srabon" and "Chotushkone."

Currently being filmed in Mumbai, "Beyond the Clouds" is Majidi's first-ever movie in India and it also marks the debut of Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor's younger brother Ishaan Khatter.

Produced by Zee Studios and Eyecandy Films, the film dwells on nuanced human relationships.

A.R. Rahman will be working on the score of the project, which will mark his second association with Majidi after "Muhammad: The Messenger of God".
Washington, March 8 : Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE Corp has pleaded guilty to violating US sanctions on Iran and obstructing justice and agreed to pay $892 million in fines, a media report said.

The settlement is expected to end a five-year probe that raised trade tensions between the US and China, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The penalties, among the largest ever in a sanctions case, were imposed on China's largest publicly traded telecom manufacturer for its orchestration of a six-year-long conspiracy to acquire US technology, send it to Iran and mask its involvement through a network of front companies, officials said.

"The highest levels of management within the company approved the scheme and the company repeatedly lied to and misled federal investigators," said Mary McCord, who runs the Justice Department's national security division, according to the report.

"ZTE acknowledges the mistakes it made, takes responsibility for them, and remains committed to positive change in the company," said ZTE Chairman and CEO Zhao Xianming in a statement detailing changes the company has made to ensure compliance with the US regulations.

The investigation into ZTE - one of the few Chinese consumer brands to break into the US market - had deeply alarmed Chinese policy makers.

Following Apple Inc, Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Inc, ZTE is the fourth-largest smartphone vendor in the US based on number of units sold.

The steep penalties -- imposed by the Justice, Commerce and Treasury Departments -- will nearly wipe out the equivalent of the past two years of ZTE's net profits, the WSJ report said.

The company could be forced to pay an additional $300 million if it violates its pact with the Commerce Department, the report added.

In a Wednesday filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange, ZTE reported a net loss of $342 million in calendar year 2016 and said that, had it not been for the provisions for the US penalties, its 2016 net profit would have risen 19 per cent.

Although ZTE managed to avoid a much more devastating outcome: prolonged trade sanctions blocking companies from exporting US goods to it.

Without the ability to get key components for its smartphones such as processors from the US company Qualcomm Inc, ZTE's ability to produce some of its major products could have been crippled in a matter of months, putting it at risk of bankruptcy, the WSJ report said.
Srinagar, March 8 : Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police S.P. Vaid on Wednesday warned militants to leave families of policemen out of conflict.

"This is between police and militants and families should not be brought into this conflict," he told TV channel NDTV in a response to the ransacking of a senior police officer's house by militants in Shopian district last week and threats to his family members.

He wondered what would be the reaction of militants if police started threatening and intimidating their families.

"If the police start doing this, what will happen to their families?" he asked.

A group of heavily-armed militants had entered the house of the police officer in Shopian and after ransacking it, warned the family members of serious consequences if the officer did not quit his job.

Militant groups have been issuing threats to policemen in Kashmir not to associate with anti-militancy operations in the past, but the Shopian incident is the first of its kind.

Sources said the militants had justified ransacking by telling the officer's family that the security forces also did the same to those families who gave shelter to militants in the state.
Los Angeles, March 9 : Actress Scarlett Johansson, who will be seen hosting "Saturday Night Live" for the fifth time later this week, is training hard like a fighter for it.

"Hosting 'SNL' is a big deal and I know how to prepare for a role," Johansson, who earlier filed for divorce from Roman Dauriac, said in a promo of the show, reports aceshowbiz.com.

"I have to look the part. I have to transform my body and my mind," she added.

Actors Pete Davidson and Aidy Bryant, who watch Johansson's training process, are seen discussing how it's unnecessary for a host to prepare so physically.

Johansson returns as the host of "Saturday Night Live" for the fifth time on Saturday with musical guest Lorde.
STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mischler Financial Group (MFG), the veteran-owned boutique investment bank and institutional brokerage announced the further expansion of the firms agency-only equities execution team with the hire of two additional global trade execution specialists. With the new hires, minority-certified Mischler now boasts ten dedicated equities trading professionals specializing in US Domestic and International Equities.



The new members of the Mischler equities trading desk team include Matthew Horan, a 15-year industry veteran who joins from global investment bank Goldman Sachs, where he was VP International Equity Sales/Trading. Based in Goldmans Taipei office for the last 3 years, Horan covers long-only and hedge fund accounts in the U.S., Hong Kong, and Singapore. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Mr. Horan was Senior Vice President Equity Sales/Trading for BNP Paribas Securities. Earlier in his career, Mr. Horan was the Pan Asia Equity Trader for The Boston Company Asset Management, one of the industrys leading fund management firms. Also joining Mischler is John Barone, a 25-year US equities trading market veteran who was previously Head of Equity Sales/Trading for agency brokerage Cheevers & Co. and prior he was a Principal and Head of Equity Trading at William Blair & Company. Barone has served as President of the Security Traders Association of Chicago and on the Board of Governors of the National Security Trader Association.

Matthew Horan will be based in Mischlers Boston office, where the firms international equities execution team is overseen by Managing Director Larry Peruzzi. Mr. Barone will operate from Mischlers Chicago trading desk and work with the firms Midwest area institutional clients.

Dean Chamberlain, Chief Executive of Mischler Financial Group stated, Were very happy to add two more formidable veterans to our global equities execution platform. Both Matt Horan and John Barone are uniquely talented equities execution specialists with long-standing relationships and deep fluency in high-tech and high-touch execution. Added Chamberlain, Of greater importance, the institutional clients that Matt and John have worked with over several decades can now benefit from a bespoke approach that delivers true best execution in both US domestic and international equities to the industrys most demanding investment managers.

About Mischler Financial Group

Established in 1994, Mischler Financial Group, Inc. (Mischler) is FINRAs oldest minority firm owned and operated by military veterans. A federally certified Service Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (SDVBE), Mischler is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA and operates 10 regional offices in major cities throughout the United States. Mischler clients include leading institutional fund managers, Fortune corporate treasurers, public plan sponsors, endowments, and foundations. Mischler specializes in primary debt and equity capital markets, provides corporate share repurchase services and agency-only best execution within the global equities and fixed income markets. In addition to new-issue underwriting and syndication, Mischler provides asset management for liquid and alternative investment strategies. The firms website is located at http://mischlerfinancial.com
New Delhi, March 9 : The Indian Army on Thursday conveyed its concerns to Pakistan on the movement of terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-held Kashmir, informed sources said.

The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhat, spoke to his Pakistani counterpart to share his concerns, the sources said.

The LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

The two DGMOs also discussed the repatriation of two Pakistani teenagers apprehended in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir last year.

The two will be handed over to Pakistani authorities at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar in Punjab on March 10.

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday released Faisal Hussain Awan and Ahsan Khursheed, who were arrested on September 21 after a terror attack on an Indian Army base in Uri town that left 19 soldiers dead.
Imphal, March 13 : The BJP on Monday deftly outmanoeuvred the Congress to clinch power in Manipur and was set to form its first government in the northeastern state, headed by Nongthombam Biren, a former minister who quit the Congress last year.

Biren was to meet Governor Najma Heptulla on Monday night to stake claim to forming the new government.

In a day of fast-paced developments, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost no time to cobble up the numbers required to form government. The BJP, which was at second spot in the state, winning 21 seats to the Congress party's 28, did not waste time in getting four MLAs each of the National People's Party and the Naga People's Front (NPF), which is also one of NDA's alliance partners at the Centre, to its side, plus three other lawmakers. The BJP now has the support of 32 members in the 60-seat assembly.

Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, in his attempt to hold on to power, refused to step down when asked by Governor Najma Heptulla, saying the numbers were on his side. However, later in the day, Ibobi Singh announced that he would step down in 24 hours. He resigned on Monday night.

Biren, a former editor who joined the BJP last year, was elected legislature party leader under the watch of Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal here.

His name was proposed by Thongam Bishwajit, MLA, and seconded by Radheshyam and Nemcha Haokip, besides several others.

All the 21 BJP MLAs were present in the crucial meeting. Earlier, Bishwajit was one of the contenders. But he later withdrew to allow Biren's unanimous election.

Biren had been editor of Maharolgi Thoudang, a vernacular daily. Later he joined politics and got elected from his Heingang constituency. He had been a cabinet minister in the Congress government for over 10 years holding important portfolios.

He got elected from Heingang in the March elections.

Biren told IANS that people had voted against corruption and atrocities, including staged shootouts.

"Our government shall probe various incidents of corruption and book those guilty of fake encounters (shootouts). We are thankful to the people for voting us to power and we will not let them down," Biren said.

He was one of the Congress ministers who were critical of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh who had faced several ouster campaigns.

Earlier, Ibobi Singh claimed that he enjoyed the support of the four MLAs of the National People's Party on the basis of a letter he got from the party soon after the declaration of the assembly results. But, Heptulla pointed out to him that just a letter of support would not suffice and insisted on the physical presence of the four NPP MLAs.

However, NPP General Secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said: "There have been changes. We have decided to support the BJP. This is final. There is no question of our party supporting the Congress even if Ibobi is given a chance."

Criticising the developments, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that the party that came at second spot has no right to form government, and slammed the BJP for "stealing elections" in Goa and Manipur.

"A party that comes second has no right to form the government. BJP stealing elections in Goa and Manipur," said Chidambaram on his official Twitter account.

In Goa, where too the BJP came second after the Congress, is set to have a BJP government under Manohar Parrikar.
Seoul, March 14 : South Korean prosecutors on Tuesday said they planned to summon former President Park Geun-hye this week for questioning over a corruption scandal for which she was impeached.

Park will be summoned as a suspect over allegations that she colluded with her friend Choi Soon-sil to extort money from Samsung Group, Yonhap News Agency reported.

"We will decide tomorrow (Wednesday) when to summon former President Park and inform her," an official of a special prosecutors told the media.

"We will let you know once we are prepared."

The decision comes after Park was dismissed by a court last week over the scandal and thus stripped of her presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.
Ankara, March 14 : Turkey will not allow the Dutch ambassador to Ankara to return to Turkey and has suspended high-level diplomatic relations between the two countries, a top government official has said.

Deputy Turkish Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced the freeze in Ankara Monday amid an escalating row over Turkish officials' access to the Netherlands, CNN reported on Tuesday.

Over the weekend, the Netherlands refused to allow Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to visit Rotterdam for a political rally.

Soon after Cavusoglu was refused entry, the Dutch stopped Turkey's Family Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam. She was later escorted out of the country.

Violent clashes erupted after the two ministers were prevented from addressing rallies in Rotterdam, where they hoped to drum up support for an April 16 referendum to give greater power to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan warned the Netherlands it will "pay the price" for harming ties by barring his ministers and compared the Dutch government to Nazis. In response, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Erdogan's remarks were inflammatory and demanded an apology.

The Dutch government cited "risks to public order and security" as reasons for blocking the Turkish rallies and said such events would stoke tensions days before the Netherlands' general election on March 15.

Meanwhile, according to a report in Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey will file a complaint against the Netherlands with the United Nations, the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and to the Council of Europe (CoE) on the grounds that the Dutch government violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also rejected a call by top EU officials to show restraint in the row.

It described as "worthless" an appeal by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

Relations between the EU and Turkey, a predominantly Muslim country regarded as crucial to tackling Europe's migrant crisis, have long been strained, reported BBC.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said it was "grave" of the EU to stand by the Netherlands. On Monday, Mogherini and Hahn had called on Turkey to "refrain from excessive statements and actions that risk further exacerbating the situation".

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had also rallied to the Netherlands, condemning the Nazi analogies made by Erdogan as "completely misguided".

The Dutch issued travel advice via Twitter for its citizens in Turkey telling them to "avoid demonstrations and be alert".

However, responding to the diplomatic sanctions announced by Turkey, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said they were "not too bad".
New Delhi, March 14 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday asked the State Election Commission to conduct the upcoming civic polls through ballot paper instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Kejriwal's demand comes amid allegations by some political leaders that EVMs were tampered with in the just-concluded assembly polls.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader directed the Chief Secretary to ask the State Election Commission to conduct municipal polls using paper ballot, AAP sources said.

The municipal polls are due in April and the Election Commission is expected to make the poll announcement on Tuesday evening.

Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also wrote to the Commission over the matter.

Earlier, Maken had made a similar request to Kejriwal saying the Chief Minister was empowered to hold civic polls on ballot paper.

"Many are doubting EVMs. Not prejudiced-nor casting aspersions on results. I want Arvind Kejriwal to hold MCD elections through ballot papers," Maken had tweeted.

After her Bahujan Samaj Party was decimated in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, party chief Mayawati was the first to allege the voting machines had been "managed" to favour the Bharatiya Janata Party.

She asked the poll panel to do re-polling using paper ballots in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Election Commission subsequently rejected her allegations.
Imphal, March 14 : Nongthombam Biren will be sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Manipur on Wednesday morning, Raj Bhavan sources said.

He will be sworn-in at Raj Bhavan at 10.30 a.m., the sources said. Biren and one or two elected members may take oath.

A formal communique is yet to be received.

National and regional BJP leaders are expected to be present during the swearing in ceremony.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders are keeping their fingers crossed. Former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who tendered his resignation on Monday night, said: "We had staked our claim to form the next ministry."

However, that hope is fading away as all other members of the non-Congress parties and the lone independent have extended support to the BJP, and the Congress has not been able to increase its strength from 28.

Ibobi Singh had pinned his hope on the National People's Party, which has four MLAs. However, the NPP general secretary Vivekraj Wangkhem said, "We have extended support to the BJP and it is final."

The BJP ministry is also facing troubles since the Naga People's Front has demanded that its four MLAs should be given ministerial berths. The earlier understanding was that it would support the BJP from outside. The NPF further said that four other Naga MLAs should also be accommodated with important portfolios.

The BJP had bagged 21 seats. But the NPF and NPP with four MLAs each supported it. Besides one MLA each of the AITC, LJP and independent had supported it. Congress has been in power for three consecutive terms.
The Hague, March 15 : Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched a fresh verbal attack against the Netherlands, accusing the European Union member of state-sponsored terror.

Erdogan's latest inflammatory interjection was made during a speech in Ankara on Tuesday and further exacerbated the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the Netherlands that arose when Dutch officials clamped down on Turkish referendum campaigning aimed at voting Turks abroad.

"By displaying state-sponsored terror on Saturday, the Netherlands has greatly damaged the EU, its values which are no longer a bloc of laws and freedoms," Efe news quoted Erdogan as saying.

"The Netherlands did not surprise us, we already knew the low morality, the civilization level and manners of the Dutch. We know it from their role in the Srebrenica massacre. We know how rotten their character is from their massacre of 8,000 Bosnians there," he told the crowd.

"Nobody should try to give us morality lessons, especially not those who have blood on their hands," added Erdogan.

The President was referencing the 1995 massacre during the Bosnian war, when Dutch soldiers deployed by the UN failed to prevent the Serbian Army from entering the UN-designated Bosnian safe area of Srebrenica leading to the massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks.

Dutch officials have since recognized partial responsibility for the circumstances leading to the massacre, and have paid out compensation to the affected families.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte accused Turkey of falsifying history, adding that Erdogan's tone was becoming more and more hysterical.

This new spat comes after supporters of the Turkish president burned a French flag after mistaking it for Holland's in Samsun in Turkey, Daily Mail online reported.

The flag went up in flames as protesters recited the Turkish national anthem amid heightened tension after the Netherlands refused to allow two Turkish ministers to enter the country for campaign rallies.
Washington, March 15 : US President Donald Trump's oldest daughter Ivanka Trump will shut down her brand's fine jewellery line, media reports said.

According to the President of Ivanka's brand Abigail Klem, brand has discontinued its line of high-end bracelets, necklaces and rings. Instead, it will focus on more affordable fashion jewellery, CNN reported.

The fine jewellery line, whose website featured black and white portraits of Trump modelling her pieces, encompassed rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings and necklaces. On the high-end is a woven diamond necklace for $19,500, and the lower side, a simple rose gold ring with a price tag of $940.

Ivanka's shoes, handbags and clothing lines have become targets for both supporters and detractors of her father, President Trump, in his political rise to the White House, the New York Times reported.

Representatives for Ivanka have said that the overall sales of her products increased 21 per cent in 2016 compared with 2015.

In a statement, Klem said that February this year saw some of the "best performing weeks in the history of the brand."
Islamabad, March 15 : Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold high-level talks in London on Wednesday to ease the current tensions, the Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal said has announced.

"I will join our National Security Adviser Hanif Atmar at the high-level Afghanistan-Pakistan meeting to be hosted by the British government in London tomorrow (Wednesday)," the Afghan ambassador said on Tuesday.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz, and British National Security Adviser Mark Lyall Grant will attend from Pakistan and Britain respectively, Zakhilwal said on his official Facebook page.

The meeting will focus on a mechanism for genuine Pakistan-Afghan cooperation on fighting terrorism, the current tense bilateral relations and the closures of crossing routes between the two countries, he said.

The meeting will be held at a time when relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan is on the lowest ebb following last month's bomb blasts in Pakistan.

The British ambassador in Kabul had been involved in efforts to broker the talks between the uneasy neighbours in recent weeks. He had visited Pakistan and met senior Pakistani leaders.

The attacks were claimed by the Pakistani militant groups, which officials said now operate from the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistan closed its main border crossings on February 17 over security concerns, pushing for its longstanding call on Afghanistan to agree on a border monitoring system to stop the cross-border movement of the militants.
London, March 15 : Although parenthood may have its share of woes, it could also hold the key to long life, particularly in older age, when health and capacity may start to decline, finds a new study.

The findings suggested that the risks of death were lower among those who had had at least one child than they were among those who were childless -- and more so among men than among women -- and were not affected by the sex of the child(ren).

"We started first at the age of 60 and we looked all the way up to the age of 100," Karin Modig from Karolinska Institute Sweden was quoted as saying by guardian.com.

At age 60, the difference in the one-year risk of death was 0.06 per cent among men and 0.16 per cent among women.

The one-year risk of death for an 80-year-old man with a child was 7.4 per cent, for example, compared with 8.3 per cent for a childless man of the same age.

The gap in absolute death risks between the two groups rose with increasing age, and was somewhat larger for men than it was for women.

By the age of 90, these differences had risen to 1.47 per cent among men and to 1.10 per cent among women.

Further, the difference in death risk was 1.2 per cent among unmarried men and 0.6 per cent among those who were married.

"Our finding that the association grew stronger when parents became older is further in agreement with study suggesting that childless people face support deficits only towards the end of life," the researchers noted, in the paper published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

For the study, the team tracked the lifespan from the age of 60 onwards of all men (704,481) and women (725,290) in Sweden.

-- With inputs from IANS
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Santa Fe Gold Corporation (OTC:SFEG), a U.S.-based mining and exploration enterprise with emphasis on Gold, Silver, Copper, Precious, Industrial and Base metals and owner of multiple claims, including the Malone Mines complex incorporating 20 associated mine sites, the Playas Lake Bed area of Hidalgo County, New Mexico and recently optioned silver mine with a potential major Porphyry Silver discovery, is pleased to announce it is preparing to mine and stockpile ore from its newly optioned high grade silver mining property, Malone Mines Complex and several other properties as yet unannounced. Preliminary studies indicate the presence of a significant vein system above a possible major Porphyry Silver Deposit located beneath and adjacent to the upper epithermal vein system as well as economically viable grades at the Malone Mines Complex and other mining properties now under Santa Fe Gold's control.



Santa Fe Gold is currently developing feed stock to begin production efforts utilizing various types economically viable ore deposits, as well as some uncommonly high grade ores over the coming months. Production methods contemplated to begin during 2017 include conventional mining and milling, placer production (both wet and dry) and underground mining with direct smelting and leaching.

Mining, Stockpiling and Production Rates

All of the material being acquired, researched, analyzed and assembled during this phase of the restart of operations are located in the South Western US and are easily accessible with excellent transportation links.

Available ore for milling operations will primarily come from the Malone Mines Complex, the Porphyry Silver Mine Deposit and several other recently acquired additional mining properties, as yet unannounced.

The all important near term objective is to have 200 tons per day of mill feed ready for processing for the 2nd half 2017, expected to begin mining operations for startup in Santa Fe's fiscal year 2017 - 2018.

Daily feed needs will increase to 400 tons per day in due course thereafter as higher levels of production and processing allow for increasing maximum efficiency through gradual scaling up to full optimization.

Ore availability at the Malone Mines Complex is currently being evaluated for their suitability for near term production. Management has acquired all of the cores and extensive data from a major drilling program undertaken during 2008 and 2009. Indications and analysis from the drilling results, suggest that economically minable quantities of both gold and silver exist in size at the historic site. Ore grades as high as 0.60 ounces per ton gold and 11.6 ounces per ton silver are indicated in this drilling and study. Larger portions of the ore body range from .08 to .21 ounces per ton Gold and 1 to 4 ounces per ton silver.

Once the geophysical information is completely analyzed and ore body sizes are established, an outside professional mining contractor will be employed to open the property and ensure that maximum production is achieved rapidly and propitiously. Permitting is also expected to be completed within the anticipated time line ahead of operations and preparations for commencement of production.

High Grade Silver Mine and Porphyry Silver Deposit

A second property, located above and adjacent to a potentially sizable Porphyry Silver discovery is currently under evaluation for start up of mining operations. The analysis will include trenching of a vein that is at the surface followed by further drilling once the vein directions and dimensions can be determined. Management is currently evaluating the most efficient use of available new funding to ensure that the drilling program is focused primarily on known and recently identified veins. The geology of the district has historically demonstrated unusually high grade vein structures near the surface as well as underground. Preliminary exploration and excavation work on the property yielded samples with over 400 ounces per ton of Silver within the epithermal vein system. More detailed research and analysis of the property has further indicated the existence of ore samples in excess of 2,000 ounces per ton silver concentrated within the particularly promising exceptionally high grade vein structures, as is common in epithermal systems.

Production Methodology

The most favored production methods available for processing such high grade ore would likely be direct smelting of higher grade material (ore in excess of 200 ounce per ton silver). A cost analysis of the direct smelting approach is currently underway. Lower grade ores (< 200 opt ounces per ton) will be available to feed a mill or direct sale to known outsider purchaser(s).

Additional Properties and Revenue Opportunities

Two other properties, as yet unannounced, are also being considered for development of feed stock for milling. As ore types are identified and become available for production, the most applicable and efficient methods of production will be employed. In addition to conventional mining and milling, management is researching leaching methods that fit the ore types along with gravity treatment of the available placer ores, with emphasis on direct smelting as the leading production method for treatment of all higher grade ores.

Later this year, it is anticipated that substantial production will be sourced from all of these properties and additional revenues are contemplated from other sources, including direct sale of high yield tailings that Santa Fe Gold also already has under its control or under acquisition. Additionally, royalties that will potentially accrue to the benefit of Santa Fe Gold and its shareholders will likely become a highly important and substantial additional new revenue source, in return for acting as operators or a significant high grade, high output, unconventional and evolving processing operation currently under evaluation and development.

President and CEO Tom Laws Comments:

Santa Fe Gold has been very active behind the scenes during the first quarter of 2017 and anticipates announcing several highly significant additional mine acquisitions in the very near future. We are delighted with the progress achieved so far, most especially with the exceptional results thus far encountered at our newly optioned high grade silver mine This great new property will likely become the flagship mine for Santa Fe Gold Corporation. As outlined previously, given the dimensions, structures and uniqueness of this property, it is increasingly likely that production can begin later in 2017.

Early results are extremely promising and well beyond expectations regarding the consistency of grade, quality and quantity of material and extent of reserves. While determining and evaluating the full extent of the existence of the significant Porphyry Silver formation will take some time and substantive development work, it would indeed add enormous potential and major additional value to this mine.

Overview of Property

The property (see link below 'Geologic Setting') is located in the South Western US and comprises patented and un-patented claims amounting to some 200 acres. Santa Fe Gold has already completed phase one of its intended drilling program and plans additional drilling that is already ongoing to further determine the entire dimension, magnitude and extent of this unusually high grade deposit's numerous vein structures. The estimated size of the deposit could be in excess of 3.06 million tons of ore, and recently completed assays suggest that some ore vein values could be worth in the thousands of dollars per ton.

Santa Fe Gold is already negotiating with potential buyers ready to purchase ore delivered at the mine site.

Potential to Differentiate from other Mines

President and CEO Tom Laws previously commented: "This is an exceptional property with several untapped veins containing very high grade silver ore and numerous native silver specimens not found anywhere else in the world. The property is located in one of the most highly mineralized areas anywhere on Earth. The geology indicates that an occurrence of exceptionally high grade ore this size is the result of a halo effect caused by being nearby or beneath a large 'Porphyry Silver' deposit formation. This explains the anomalous high grades as already displayed in these rare occurrences and specimens. It is well known that Porphyry deposits exist throughout the district. Santa Fe Gold's consulting geologist has identified evidence of an undeveloped Porphyry deposit quite close to or beneath this exceptional property."

GEOLOGIC SETTING

The mining district lies in the Laramide Arizona-Sonora-New Mexico porphyry copper belt. It is the oldest porphyry copper deposit in the state; although the Pinos Altos pluton is ca. 74.4 Ma (McDowell, 1971) and a Georgetown monzonite dike has been dated as ca. 71 Ma (McLemore, 1998), both of which have associated Cu-Au-Ag skarn or Ag carbonate-hosted replacement deposits. The Twin Peaks monzonite porphyry in the Burro Mountains is 72.5 Ma (Hedlund, 1980) and a hornblende andesite in the Hidalgo Formation in the Little Hatchet Mountains is 71.4 Ma (Lawton et al., 1993). Polymetallic veins and alteration suggests that a porphyry may underlie the Lordsburg district (57.4 Ma, McLemore et al., 2000a). Porphyry copper deposits are not known to occur in these areas, but certainly the possibility exists that the deposits may occur undiscovered in the subsurface.

For more information courtesy of geoinfo.nmt.edu, please go to: https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/staff/mclemore/projects/mineralresources/hillsboro.html

In light of this and the discovery indicated and potential existence of a substantial porphyry deposit, Santa Fe Golds consulting geologist believes the project has considerable merit and potential in line with the overview detailed above.

Early Production Plans Underway

Mr. Laws further commented: "Plans to begin production as soon as possible are already gathering pace. We now believe substantial revenues can be generated from this mine over multiple years, possibly as much as a seven year mine life, with revenues derived through the dual processing both from the smelting of high grade ore and direct delivery of suitable ore to a refiner or purchaser.

Given the new calculations projecting the ore body's potential seven (7) year mine life and the dimensions and extent of the vein structures, the company is confident and optimistic this mine has the potential to be a significant producer and the flagship property for the company. Santa Fe Gold is confident this property can now be brought into production relatively quickly."

Highly Promising Initial Assay Results

The area in general and its surroundings, (refer to link above) has a history of exceptionally high grades. This was borne out by previous high grade discoveries reported by Santa Fe Gold in 2012.

Assays showed bonanza type high grades of 7.73 ounces of gold per ton and 269.75 ounces per ton of Silver. Such exceptionally high grades are rare and could be considered an anomaly, yet they prove such grades exist. Similar high grade showings have recently been uncovered, as borne out by recent assays. In the past, grades as high as 16 oz. per ton have historically been encountered in the Malone Mines Complex, which Santa Fe Gold now controls and some 80% of all the gold discovered in New Mexico has been found. Also worth noting, these newly acquired properties are located close to properties controlled by both BHP and Rio Tinto. These are two of the world's largest mining companies. The two companies fairly recently staked claim to very substantial territories extending some 20 square miles over a wide area.

Ongoing Acquisitions Update

Santa Fe Gold has a pipeline of ongoing additional acquisitions of other high grade properties. Further announcements can be expected over the coming weeks and months. The company continues to execute on its value accumulation strategy. Santa Fe Gold intends to build on these acquisitions to solidly recapitalize the company as a precursor to resuming mining and production operations from multiple mines, as early as possible in the near to intermediate future.

Production Plans

Mr. Laws went on to emphasize: "Santa Fe Gold's immediate goal is to complete the drilling of this new high grade mine deposit as quickly as possible and publish the drilling results and more detailed assays which can be expected over the coming weeks that will help determine and outline the ongoing production plans for this property."

Ore from this and other properties will be prepared for production in the most efficient way possible to ensure profitably and monetization of this important discovery and all mining operations to the fullest extent.

Other properties will follow, while adhering steadfastly and with the utmost diligence and disciplines to Santa Fe Gold's stated mission:

"Selecting only the very highest grade, highest quality and prospective deposits capable of sustaining ongoing mining operations well into the future." The Company's goal is to produce significant cash flow from precious metals holdings while creating a portfolio of high quality exploration and bankable development projects that will ensure future revenue growth.

Audit Completion and Release of Financials Imminent

In closing, Mr. Laws concluded: "While the financials have been virtually complete for some time, numerous final reviews and revisions have continued to delay the final release. An extraordinary effort is underway to obtain the final sign off on this audit and ensure its release forthwith."

Therefore, the filings can be expected at any time. Once the audited financials are all filed, the company will then be considered up to date and in compliance. This will enable the company to migrate from its current exchange to the higher OTCQB Exchange Marketplace.

About Santa Fe Gold

Santa Fe Gold is a U.S.-based mining and exploration enterprise and owns the following mining assets: The Knights Peak region of Grant County, New Mexico comprising the Malone Mines, Patanka, Hillcrest Barranca and Principal Mines altogether incorporating some twenty mine sites and all located at Knights Peak together with an extensive expanded area surrounding the Malone Mines in the southern region of Burro Mountains, New Mexico. It also owns multiple claims in the Playas area of Hidalgo County, New Mexico. The company has also acquired considerable additional resources expected to be announced in due course that currently amounts to some 53 Million tons. It also just announced the optioning of a new and exceptionally high grade property and Santa Fes Exploration and Development Team has been extremely active in acquiring additional properties over recent months as it continues to analyze a number of attractive, economically viable opportunities and execute on the company's acquisition program that is totally focused on positioning the company to resume mining and production operations expected later this year .

For more information and to register for updates: Please visit www.santafegoldcorp.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Please refer to the Forward Looking Statements link at the bottom left of Santa Fe Gold's website for all relevant disclosures.




New Delhi, March 15 : A day after the BJPs thumping victory in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, a little-known progressive Kannada writer became the victim of an ink attack in Davangere town by a group of suspected right-wing activists. In gross defiance of the law and freedom of expression, his face was smeared with black ink in broad daylight. An isolated incident or the new order?

Yogesh Master, who is said to have hurt the sentiments of Hindus by depicting Lord Ganesha in poor light in his novel "Dhundi", is only the latest addition to a long list of writers -- Salman Rushdie, Taslima Nasrin, Tarek Fateh, Perumal Murugan, Ramachandra Guha and Romila Thapar, among others -- who have been target of fundamentalist elements.

While the fear of book bans continues to prevail, protests, ink attacks and trolls have now emerged as weapons of choice against writers and intellectuals.

In the past, it was primarily politicians who were victims of ink attacks, but authors and rational thinkers too live in similar fear now. How did things go upside down?

One defining moment was the ink attack on Observer Research Foundation's Sudheendra Kulkarni for organising the launch of former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's book "Neither a Hawk, Nor a Dove" in 2015.

The Delhi launch of the book went undisturbed, attended by high-profile dignitaries, including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, but both Kulkarni and Kasuri were repeatedly warned to cancel the event in Mumbai by the Shiv Sena. And when they refused to bow down to pressure, Kulkarni became the victim of an ink attack by Sena members ahead of the launch in Mumbai on October 12, 2015.

This incident, carried out by a leading political party, to a large extent boosted the morale of the fundamentalist elements, who saw it as a weapon to counter those they disagree with.

If ink attacks on writers are disturbing, imagine the impact of death threats and actual killings of writers on those who write on similar themes.

Welcome to the curious case of Tamil author Perumal Murugan. In January 2015, he announced he was giving up writing after he came under attack from Hindutva supporters, who claimed that his novel "Madhurobhagan" was blasphemous. The novel explored the problems of caste divisions in the context of a childless marriage and alludes to real-life places and communities such that actual communities were considered to be slurred.

"Perumal Murugan the writer is dead. An ordinary teacher, he will live as P. Murugan. Leave him alone," he announced before deciding to quit writing.

Almost two years later, the Madras High Court dismissed the plea that called for the prosecution of the author and ban of his "offensive" book. Murugan said although he was considering reissuing his earlier books, he would do so only after careful reviews and revision. It was a sad twist in the tale of a courageous writer -- readers expected the return of a triumphant Murugan, but two years of oppression had taken its toll on him.

But should a writer actually be scared of death threats in a vibrant democracy like ours?

Why not, if you look at the killings of scholar M.M. Kalburgi and rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and Govind Pansare between August 2013 and August 2015. This had led to a massive campaign of returning the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards by headline authors in 2015 but seems to have brought little relief even two years later as death threats against writers continue to surface.

And then there is always the fear of protests for "hurting sentiments". Although this isn't something new, the trend has caught on since the rise of literature festivals. The likes of Taslima Nasrin, Ashis Nandy and Tarak Fateh have been at the centre of several controversies at literature festivals.

The primary argument of the protesters has little to do with what a writer actually speaks at the venue, but with the general perception of the writer and the kind of media coverage that such protests gain.

Last but not the least is the disgraceful trolling that several writers have to withstand on social media. From outright abuse to disgusting memes, liberal writers have seen them all. What is worse is the fact that many of them, like Amartya Sen, are not even active on the social media but there is no escape for them.

The online trolls are actually ahead of their times. If you thought it was only limited to social media, you may want to check the pages of authors like Ramachandra Guha, Amartya Sen and Romila Thapar on bookselling e-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart, or even Goodreads. Scores of negative reviews and disturbing comments are posted against them even before the actual release of their books.

These lethal weapons are silently causing havoc to the literary fraternity and are not limited to or targeted at only writers from one particular point of view. Any writer who seems to disagree with a fundamentalist outfit -- we have so many of them -- is at the receiving end.

(Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)
Kolkata, March 15 : National Award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghose, who just couldnt say "no" to Iranian director Majid Majidi for a small but significant role in the auteurs India-set project "Beyond the Clouds", says he had to "alienate and estrange" himself from the craft of filmmaking to focus on interpreting the character.

Having directed critically-acclaimed films such as "Paar", "Padma Nadir Majhi", "Patang" and "Shankhachil", the Kolkata-based Ghose considers acting offers only on special requests. Ghose has previously appeared in Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Grihajuddha" and Srijit Mukherjee's movies "Baishe Srabon" and "Chotushkone".

Ghose had to grapple with a "contradiction" when he stepped in front of the camera and into an actor's shoes for Majidi, celebrated for films like the Oscar-nominated "Children of Heaven" and "Baran".

He couldn't help analyse the elements of a shoot as a filmmaker.

"When a request comes from a good filmmaker to another filmmaker, you just can't say no. Once I agree to act in somebody's film, the most difficult part for me is the internal tension. I direct films and whenever I go to the set I say, 'Oh! My God! I look at the light.' I look at the composition and other things. So, initially that was my contradiction, but I tried to control myself. This happens a lot," Ghose told IANS.

"The analytical part comes naturally to me. But then I have to remind myself that 'no, no it's not my job. I am here as an interpreter of a character'. You have to alienate yourself, estrange yourself and concentrate on your own character, your job and whatever the director wants. Who am I to interfere," he posed.

For Majidi's project, Ghose shot in Mumbai for two weeks and has two days more to go in April. He appreciated the fact that Majidi looked at all the crucial aspects during the shoot.

"It's quite an enriching experience, he (Majidi) is a very serious filmmaker and a perfectionist. I appreciate that, because in cinema everything happens inside a frame and inside the frame there are many elements... not only acting, its nature, the set, the light and he was concerned about all of these. So I really appreciated that. It's not only the performance of the actor but also the particular light, etc. He was quite a perfectionist," Ghose said.

Incidentally, Ghose appeared for a "look test" for Majidi and he fitted the bill.

"It's a costume test primarily. My look was somehow tallying with the character. When I find a face, I know this face can be transformed into the character. It kind of happens, it's an instinct of the director. From the first look you can understand how good this person can be in the character and I think it happened like that," he elaborated.

"I was doing a recce for my next film in Europe. I didn't have much time to prepare but I did some preparation. I lost a little weight and before the shoot began I didn't sleep much. I was reading books till midnight and putting an alarm at 4 am because (in that way) you get a haggard look. That did work," Ghose explained.

"I did my homework very seriously for other films. I insist that actors do intensive homework and do it very seriously. That is very important," he added.

Did he have any trouble with the language barrier?

"He (Majidi) was speaking in Persian and a little bit in English but I didn't feel that. It was as if he was speaking in my own language... the language of cinema. It is very, very important," said Ghose, who also acquiesced to Majidi's request for more than one take for some scenes.

The film also marks the debut of Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan Khatter.

"Beyond The Clouds" is being described by the makers as a story centred around a brother-sister relationship.

(Sahana Ghosh can be contacted at sahana.g@ians.in)
BERLIN, Nov. 21, 2016 - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier attends a press conference with his visiting Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari after their meeting in Berlin, capital of ... Image Source: Xinhua/Shan Yuqi/IANS

Chandigarh, March 15 : German President-elect Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who will be assuming office on Sunday, has an Indian connection -- not political but an intellectual one!

He enjoys an intense literary relationship with Indian-origin poet, Rajvinder Singh, who has been living in Berlin since January 1981, and has repeatedly quoted from his oeuvre in his speeches the world over.

Steinmeier has now dedicated a chapter to Rajvinder Singh's essay "Seeing with Six Eyes" in his recently published memoires in German titled "Flugschreiber" (Aero-writer), a pun on his many air journeys that provide him time to write.

Steinmeier, 61, assumes office on March 19. He has twice served as the Foreign Minister for a total of eight years.

"Gone are the days when the moment one thought of Germany, Nazi names like Hitler, Goebbels or Himmler and their awful inhuman deeds would instantly appear in our minds. Today, Germany is a world leader in economy, technology, democracy, human rights, diplomacy, literature and philosophy," Rajvinder Singh told IANS in an interview while on a visit here.

This three-time German poet laureate, whose writings are known to contain delightfully philosophical and intellectually motivating ideas, believes literature crosses boundaries of culture and language.

"Of all the books published around the world every year, about a tenth are essays, and we ask ourselves whether these intellectual assertions against an increasingly hostile atmosphere are also read. Steinmeier's example is living proof that they are read and quoted, even by busy politicians who are open to the world," he said.

Though free from any constraints of leading the reader towards a specific moral path, Rajvinder Singh's occasional essays showcase his intellectualism, prudence and courage as he ventures into new vistas. Be it "Culture is: Self-Culture", "Trans-Cultural Identities", "Dialogue of Cultures" or his recent essay "Seeing with Six Eyes", the one Steinmeier quoted from.

These essays tend to offer solutions to the predicaments faced by a free mind in enjoying the rightful freedom of being, of faith, of thought and of speech. They urge readers to know the world as it truly is, and help them promote in their actions a sense of accountability and reconciliation.

Rajvinder Singh, who was born in Punjab's Kapurthala town and spent his initial years in Chandigarh and in Jammu, occupies a pretty prominent place in German literary circles.

His poems are inscribed in stone and are displayed at four public places, which include the city park and three senior schools in Trier, the oldest German city where Karl Marx was born and brought up.

He was twice invited by Steinmeier, as the Foreign Minister during 2005-09 and 2013-17, to join him on his official visit to India and he did accompany him.

Acknowledging the contribution of Rajvinder Singh to German literature and culture, Steinmeier had remarked in his opening speech at the Frankfurt Book Fair: "I have already mentioned Rajvinder Singh as an example of someone who enriches and refines our German culture through his writings."

Reciprocating the camaraderie, Rajvinder Singh believes: "Steinmeier wants to turn to the youth in direct communication as he believes that for the preservation of the democratic foundation, a different and more intensive approach would be helpful to the younger generation."

For this goal, he definitely has an intellectual partner in this poet, who had launched a "Nobel for India 2013" campaign and was declared the poet laureate of Trier in 2007, besides 1997 in Rheinsberg and 2004 in Remscheid.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
Seoul, March 15 : South Korean prosecutors summoned ex-President Park Geun-hye to undergo questioning early next week, a prosecution official said on Wednesday, after she was removed from office over a string of corruption allegations.

"The prosecution team has sent a summons to former President Park Geun-hye's legal representative, asking her to appear at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on March 21 to be questioned," an official said.

Park's group of attorneys told reporters that the former President "will faithfully go through the interrogation at the time and date demanded by the prosecution", reported Yonhap news agency.

The government announced that it will hold the presidential election on May 9 to find a replacement for the ousted leader.

Park, the country's first democratically elected leader to be ousted, has been named a criminal suspect for allegedly abusing her power and colluding with her long time friend Choi Soon-sil in extorting money from local conglomerates.

The former leader has so far effectively rejected undergoing a direct investigation, while a number of her former aides have been questioned over their alleged involvement in the scandal.

The Constitutional Court's decision to oust her last week stripped Park of the immunity that had protected her from criminal prosecution.

Park will be the country's fourth former President to undergo questioning over criminal allegations, following Roh Tae-woo, Chun Doo-hwan and the late Roh Moo-hyun.

Meanwhile, the Council of Ministers decided to declare May 9 as election day and a national holiday, Efe news reported.

During the cabinet meeting, acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn announced that he will not contest the elections, which leaves the ruling and conservative Liberty Korea Party, to which Park belonged, without a probable candidate at the moment.

According to the latest opinion polls, liberal candidate Moon Jae-in is the favourite to win the presidential election.
New Delhi, March 15 : The issue of the alleged suicide by a Dalit student of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), J. Muthukrishnan, was raised in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as the government assured the House of necessary action.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar condoled the death of Muthukrishnan, saying: "The death has aggrieved all. A post-mortem examination is being conducted at the AIIMS.

"After this, the cause of death will be known. The Delhi Police is investigating the matter and suitable action will be taken."

Soon after the House met for the day, the AIADMK members wanted to raise the issue, but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow it.

After the Question Hour, when Mahajan disallowed the notice of adjournment given by AIADMK member V. Elumalai, the AIADMK trooped near the Speaker's podium.

The AIADMK members were seeking permission to raise the matter.

"There are perceived discriminations of Dalit students and those from south India," Elumalai said also raking up the other suicide cases and discrimination against Dalit students, including Rohit Vemula.

Congress member from Kerala K. Suresh also expressed shock at the suicide of Muthukrishnan and demanded a fair probe.

Earlier, the family members of J. Muthukrishnan, an M.Phil student of JNU, who was found hanging on Monday from the ceiling fan in his friend's room, suspected foul play and demanded a probe.

Muthukrishnan, also known as Krish Rajini, had gone to his friend's house in Munirka Vihar to have food, where he locked himself inside a room on the pretext of sleeping and allegedly committed suicide.
Srinagar, March 15 : Three foreign militants and a six-year-old girl were killed in a gunfight between holed-up militants and security forces in north Kashmir's Kupwara district on Wednesday.

Security forces seized three AK-47 rifles from the possession of the slain militants.

The army said the three Pakistani militants, belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba, were holed up in a house in Kalaroos area.

The gunfight started early Wednesday after the militants fired at and injured a policeman during a cordon-and-search operation in the area.

Police sources said the minor girl was fatally hit by a stray bullet at her house, about 100 metres from the gunfight spot.
Los Angeles, March 15 : US President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen says rapper Snoop Dogg should apologise for his new video in which he parodies an assassination of Trump.

In the climactic scene of the "Lavender" video, the 45-year-old rapper takes out a fake gun and points it towards a clown resembling the President with a painted orange face.

Cohen said Snoop crossed the line in a big way by mocking the President with a gun, reports tmz.com.

He said: "It's totally disgraceful. Snoop owes the President an apology. There's absolutely nothing funny about an assassination attempt on a President, and I'm really shocked at him, because I thought he was better than that."

In the video, Cohen added that he would have felt the same way had a video been made showing Barack Obama when he was President in the same circumstances.

"I certainly would not have accepted it if it was President Obama. I certainly don't accept it as President Trump, and in all fairness, it's not funny, it's not artistic," he said.

Cohen feels Snoop should "learn that they have to respect the office of the presidency".

"Just because you want to hide behind the guise of artistic capabilities or artistic freedom of speech doesn't make it right. Snoop knows that, and he played very close to the line here."
A huge outdoor film set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film "Padmavati" reduced to ashes after a group of unidentified persons set it on fire at the picturesque Masaipathar ... Image Source: IANS

A huge outdoor film set of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film "Padmavati" reduced to ashes after a group of unidentified persons set it on fire at the picturesque Masaipathar ... Image Source: IANS

Kohlapur, March 15 : In a fresh setback for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, a huge outdoor set of his historic period drama "Padmavati" here was reduced to ashes after two dozen unidentified persons torched it early on Wednesday.

Since the fire brigade could not reach the disaster site quickly after the flames were noticed at 1 a.m., villagers helped douse the fire and helped to move the people and animals, mostly horses, from the site to safety.

Detailed costumes, especially for junior artistes, were reduced to ashes, rued Rimple of designer duo Rimple and Harpreet Narula who have worked for months on creating the look for characters in the Hindi movie.

The makers of the movie filed a complaint with police against "miscreants who vandalised our costume and jewellery and set it on fire", tweeted Shobha Sant, CEO, Bhansali Productions.

She thanked the police for "quick intervention" and said there was no loss of life and no one was seriously hurt.

"We are grateful that there has been no loss of life or harm to anybody on the set. While, thankfully the incident occurred after we had wrapped our shoot for the day and all the artistes, cast and crew were safely away; unfortunately, around 70-80 per cent of costumes and jewellery for the movie have been destroyed," a spokesperson, Bhansali Productions, said.

The incident occurred at the picturesque Masaipathar area, around 15 km on the outskirts of Panhala town in Kolhapur district, said an investigating officer.

"The set is spread across nearly 50,000 square feet and a group of unidentified persons set it on fire around 1 a.m," the official told IANS.

Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Deepak V. Kesarkar said Bhansali had declined night security for the film set.

He said the police had deployed one officer and five constables for day security. Now, this has been upgraded to one officer and 12 constables who will guard the unit round-the-clock.

The miscreants escaped.

"Padmavati" tells the story of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati.

Bhansali had moved the film's shoot to Maharashtra after activists of outfit Shri Rajput Karni Sena had assaulted him and vandalised the movie's Jaipur set in January over alleged distortions in the film's script.

But the group denied involvement in the Kolhapur incident.

"It is likely that groups that support us might have indulged in this activity," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, a leader of Shri Rajput Karni Sena, told IANS on phone.

Bhansali was to shoot a war scene on the set for the film, which features Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor in lead roles.

Actress Anushka Sharma condemned the incident. "It's not acceptable, of course. And no sensible person, not just in the film industry, can damage somebody's personal properties."

Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra told IANS: "No one has read the script, except the director (Sanjay Leela Bhansali) who has already given an explanation regarding intimate scenes and other issues that were questioned.

"The film is yet to be made. How can some people make a judgment even before watching the film regarding inaccuracy of history?

"As a film industry, we all should stand by him, and against such vandalism. Every individual has a right to interpret things in their way and to take creative liberty."

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma expressed shock.

"'Padmavati' attacked again? I think we as Indians are going back to the medieval ages and we need to be ashamed. I am sure attackers of 'Padmavati' when compared to Sanjay Bhansali won't even know 1 per cent of its history which they are pretending to protect."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde on Wednesday urged filmmakers to exercise restraint while tackling sensitive issues.

"Bhansali's films are based on historical topics which can attract varied opinions from the society. Both sides could sit and discuss the issues and sort out the controversies," Tawde told the media.

Though it is not clear when the shooting will resume, the film is slated for a mid-November release this year.
Kolkata, March 15 : Warning people against causing damage to public property, senior police officers of West Bengal on Wednesday said any instance of spreading misinformation or ransacking would be dealt with sternly and the offenders prosecuted under the new stringent "Prevention of Damage to Public Property Amendment Act, 2017".

The new law was passed by the Mamata Banerjee government.

"Sometimes when some unsavoury incidents occur, a few groups try to ransack places by taking advantage of the people's emotions. We will handle these cases very seriously. Any instance of spreading misinformation or rumour would also be strictly handled by the police," state police Director General Surajit Kar Purkayastha told reporters.

Purkayastha, along with other senior police officers, was addressed to the press after a high-level administrative meeting regarding the security infrastructure of the state hospitals.

"People involved in destroying public property would be dealt with very seriously. We are in the process of identifying the people involved in the incident at the medical college yesterday (Tuesday).

"We will ensure that those people are prosecuted under the new law," city Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar said referring to the incident of ransacking at the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital after a newborn was stolen from the maternity ward.

Thanking the media for spreading the news of child theft, Kumar claimed people should give adequate time to the police to investigate and resolve such issues before resorting to violence.

"If an incident happens, police will take time to investigate. Yesterday we were lucky that we could deal with the situation quite fast and the accused woman was caught with your help. But it does not mean that if someone has any grievances, that has to be taken out on somebody else," he added.

DG Purkayastha stated that under the Chief Minister's instruction, a three-member committee would be formed to improve the security infrastructure at the hospitals.

"Under the instruction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a three-member committee would be formed comprising the Health Secretary, city Police Commissioner and me, which would look to improving security at hospitals," he said.

He also said that several steps, like installing more security cameras on the hospital premises and increasing police surveillance at the state hospitals, would be taken up by the administration to beef up security at the hospitals to prevent incidents like child theft.
Ankara, March 15 : In remarks escalating tensions between the two countries, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the Dutch of being responsible for the biggest massacre in Europe since World War II.

With high-level diplomatic relations between Turkey and the Netherlands already frozen, Erdogan on Tuesday blamed the Dutch for failing to prevent the killing of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in Srebrenica when Bosnian Serb forces overran the town in 1995, CNN reported on Wednesday.

In a reference to Dutch United Nations peacekeepers who were on the ground and failed to prevent the mass killing, Erdogan said: "We know the Dutch and the people in Holland from the massacre of Srebrenica. We know them, how they massacred people in Srebrenica full well. We don't need anyone to give us a lesson on civilization."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte responded to the remarks, accusing Erdogan of "a disgusting falsification of history."

In an interview with Dutch broadcaster RTL, Rutte said: "[Erdogan] continues to push the limits. This is of unbelievably low quality and style. We are not going to reduce ourselves to this level. This is very unacceptable and extremely irritating."

The Turkish President's comments -- made during a speech in Ankara -- came amid an escalating row sparked by Turkish officials being blocked from addressing political rallies in the Netherlands, said the report.

Over the weekend, the Netherlands refused to allow Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to visit Rotterdam for a political rally.

Shortly after Cavusoglu was refused entry, the Dutch stopped Turkey's Family Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam. She was later escorted out of the country.

The growing tensions come as Dutch general election is underway. Far-right candidate Geert Wilders' anti-Islam, anti-EU Party for Freedom (PVV) is expected to make a strong showing, according to reports.

Erdogan also implored Dutch voters of immigrant backgrounds not to cast their ballots for Wilders, who he described as an "extreme racist" or Prime Minister Rutte in Wednesday's elections.
15.03.2017: Borregaard ASA ("Borregaard", OSE ticker: BRG)

Reference is made to the stock exchange notice of 27 February 2017 where Borregaard announced the intent to repurchase up to 300,000 of its outstanding common stock.

Borregaard has today purchased 21,178 own shares through broker at an average price of NOK 99,3896 per share.

After this transaction Borregaard holds a total of 460,394 own shares, representing 0.46% of total shares outstanding.

Contact

Lotte Kvinlaug, Investor Relations Officer, +47 922 86 909

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
New Delhi, March 15 : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday posted for April 12 hearing on a plea of the CBI seeking cancellation of bail to former IAF Chief S.P. Tyagi, his cousin and a lawyer in the AgustaWestland chopper deal case.

Justice I.S. Mehta will hear arguments on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s plea for bail cancellation on April 12.

The CBI had approached the High Court challenging the December 26, 2016 order of a trial court that granted bail to Tyagi.

The former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief was arrested on December 9, 2016.

The CBI has also sought cancellation of bail to Sanjeev Tyagi, cousin of the former IAF chief, and Gautam Khaitan, a Delhi-based lawyer. The two were granted bail on January 4 by the trial court.

Tyagi -- the first chief of any wing of the armed forces to be arrested in the country -- and two others were allegedly involved in irregularities in the procurement of 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters from Britain-based AgustaWestland.

He was the IAF chief from 2004 to 2007.

The CBI has alleged that Tyagi and the other accused received kickbacks from AgustaWestland and helped the manufacturer win the $530-million contract.

The 12 choppers were for the Communication Squadron of the Indian Air Force for ferrying the President, Prime Minister and other VVIPs.

The probe agency said that the company was favoured in lieu of illegal gratification accepted through different companies in the name of consultancy services.

An FIR was registered against the accused on March 12, 2013, on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
New Delhi, March 15 : The cost of printing a new Rs 500 currency note is in the range of Rs 2.87 to Rs 3.09, and Rs 3.54 to Rs 3.77 for a Rs 2,000 note, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

"The approximate cost of printing each note of new Rs 500 currency note is in the range of Rs 2.87 to Rs 3.09 and for a Rs 2,000 note is Rs 3.54 to Rs 3.77," Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said here in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The minister, however, said that it was too early to indicate the total cost of printing of new notes of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, as those were still being printed.

The currency in circulation as on February 24 was Rs 11.641 lakh crore, Meghwal said.

The old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes returned to the Reserve Bank of India and currency chests amounted to Rs 12.44 lakh crore, as of December 10, 2016.

"Verification of returned notes for counterfeit notes and accounting reconciliation is in process," he added.
New Delhi, March 15 : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday said the government is working to formulate an integrated, multi-modal logistics and transport policy to reduce logistics costs by nearly half, making Indian products more competitive.

The integrated policy will include construction of 50 economic corridors and upgrading of key feeder and inter-corridor routes to improve overall efficiency of freight movement, Gadkari said.

He was speaking at a curtain-raiser event of India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit, to be held from May 3 to 5 in New Delhi.

India also plans to develop 35 multi-modal logistics parks to serve as centres for freight aggregation and distribution, multi-modal transportation, storage and warehousing and value-added services.

"In addition, there are also plans to construct 10 Inter-Modal Stations which integrate various transportation modes like rail, road, mass rapid transit system, bus rapid transit, auto-rickshaw, taxi and private vehicles," said Gadkari.

Earlier, the Minister for Road, Transport, Highways and Shipping told the media here that the government expects investments of over Rs 50,000 crore through the summit.

"It will see several international technology companies participate during the summit which will help in reduction of the logistics cost," he said.

The summit will focus on road freight corridors for economic development, urban transportation, and multi modal logistic parks under public private partnerships.

It will provide an excellent platform for companies to understand various opportunities in different segments of transport sector in India.

Under the logistic policy, an overall network of about 56,000 km has been identified including existing national corridors (Golden Quadrilateral and north-south-east-west Corridor)), proposed economic corridors, inter-corridor routes and feeder routes.

"As many as 191 towns/cities have been identified on these routes where steps will be taken to reduce congestion. Inter-state border movement related documentation and procedure will also be simplified.

"These interventions will enable a reduction of 5-6 per cent in overall supply chain costs in the economy," said Gadkari.

Logistics parks will help reduce transportation cost for the top 15 nodes by about 10 per cent, besides reducing pollution, congestion and warehousing costs.

Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh have already identified land parcels for development of logistics parks. Pre-feasibility study will be initiated in these two cities on immediate basis.

This is the first time ever that the development of the transport sector is being done in such an integrated manner.

The plan will serve to make the economy competitive by reducing logistics costs, bring down pollution levels by reducing congestion on roads, give a boost to industry and create employment.
New Delhi, March 16 : Veteran designer Madhu Jain celebrated 30 years of her label in the fashion industry here at the Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2017 (AIFW A/W 2017) with the best of her interpretations of Ikat motives.

The evening started with her family member playing the guitar and singing songs like "You look wonderful tonight" and "Can't help falling in love".

"This year we completed 30 years of my label. We started in 1987. I don't do shows, I work with installations because I work with textiles. I think you can't see the work so closely at shows like you can at installations. The occasion was so special with the emphasis being on crafts and textiles which is the principle on which my entire 30 years is based," Madhu Jain said here.

"My collection is all about Ikat weaves and it is all double Ikat which is a fading art. These are select motives that I have picked out from my 30 years in the industry. I have borrowed them from friends, relatives for the show," she added.

Ranging from different pleated blouses to saris in Ikat weaves with a touch of gota patti work, the models walked the ramp to Indian music.

The colour palette ranged from hues of red, black, white, to off-white and green with the models wearing colourful 'juttis' or 'mojaris'.

The show also had designer Krishna Mehta's version of handloom.

Titled 'Parted Lips', her collection consisted of different kinds of long flowy skirts in a colourful, earthy palette.

The collection featured bouquets, cinched waistlines, geometric patches in bold but tasteful colour combinations.

The four-day long fashion extravaganza is being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and will end on March 18 with designers Tarun Tahiliani and Amit Aggarwal showcasing their collections at the finale.
Jerusalem, March 16 : Israel President Reuven Rivlin met with the US Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt to push for an agreement between Palestinians and Israelis, media reports said.

According to a statement issued by Rivlin's office on Wednesday, Rivlin and Greenblatt reviewed how Israelis and Palestinians could live in peace and security and discussed the ongoing efforts to end the conflict, Efe news reported.

Rivlin expressed his willingness to support the peace process and wished the US envoy "success on his complex mission".

Greenblatt also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to discuss how to combat the instigation of violence and prepare for the Palestinian leader's visit to the White House, whose date has not been finalised yet.

Abbas said that a "historic" peace agreement is possible under Trump's leadership and this deal will enhance security throughout the region.

The Palestinian president insisted on defending the two-state solution as a strategic choice.

Greenblatt pointed out that the meeting was positive and productive on the current situation, noting that they talked about how to move towards peace and strengthen the capacity of the Palestinian security forces.

The US diplomat also had a five-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
NEW YORK, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP (Scott+Scott), a national shareholder and consumer rights litigation firm, reminds investors that March 20, 2017 is the last day to file lead plaintiff papers in the securities lawsuit against OneMain Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:OMF) related to potential violations of federal securities laws. The class action is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons who purchased OneMain common stock between March 3, 2015 and November 7, 2016, inclusive (the Class Period). OneMain investors are encouraged to contact Scott+Scott for additional information.



OneMain is a consumer finance company that provides consumer finance and insurance products and services as well as personal loans secured by consumer household goods, and other personal property, unsecured loans, and loans secured by subordinate residential real estate mortgages. In November 2015, OneMain announced that it would be merging with Springleaf Holdings, Inc. (Springleaf), after obtaining approval from the Department of Justice. OneMain subsequently touted in press releases and in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) the projected net income to be achieved by the Company following, and in large part due to, the combination of OneMain Financial with Springleaf, and the purported synergies achieved by the combined company.

On November 7, 2016, the Company drastically lowered its guidance for its consumer insurance adjusted EPS and its receivables growth for 2016 and 2017. Specifically, the Company: (i) lowered its guidance for its consumer insurance adjusted EPS for 2016 from $4.20 to $4.70 per share to a range of $3.60 to $3.70 per share; (ii) lowered its guidance for its consumer insurance adjusted EPS for 2017 from $5.60 to $6.10 per share to a range of $3.75 to $4.00 per share; (iii) lowered its guidance for receivables growth in 2016 from 10-15% to 5%; and (iv) lowered its guidance for receivables growth in 2017 from 10-15% to 5-10%.

On this news, shares of OneMain common stock plummeted approximately 38%, from $27.57 on November 7, 2016, to $16.90 on November 8, 2016.

What You Can Do

If you purchased or acquired OneMain shares between March 3, 2015 and November 7, 2016 and you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Rhiana Swartz at (800) 404-7770 or at rswartz@scott-scott.com.

About Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP

Scott+Scott has significant experience prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and employee retirement plan actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide.
"Designed for guests who crave individuality, character and local charm, this upscale concept is expanding into some of the worlds most sought-after destinations," said Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director of International Operations - Asia.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans to bring its new upscale hotel concept, BW Premier Collection, to Asia for the first time.

The world famous hotel group has signed an agreement with Thai real estate company, Habitat Group, for BluPhere Pattaya - a new-build eight-storey project in Na Jomtien, a peaceful beach front setting on Thailands popular Eastern Seaboard.

Located just 100 meters from the beach, a few minutes from the attractions of downtown Pattaya, and just over an hours drive from Bangkok, BluPhere Pattaya is a brand new property providing 195 apartment-style units ideal for upscale family getaways. The property will retain its existing branding and will be managed by Best Western as part of the BW Premier Collection, its upscale soft brand.

The property will benefit from Best Westerns global support network, including employees training, sales and marketing, global distribution, quality control and access to Best Western Rewards, the companys popular loyalty program.

BW Premier Collection is a carefully curated portfolio of upscale and luxury boutique hotels, selected for their superior facilities and unique personalities. Like all Best Western hotels worldwide, BW Premier Collection provides their guests with exemplary service and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout their stay.

Thailands tourism industry is in an extremely healthy position. Simply looking at the numbers, Thailand welcomed a record 32.6 million international visitors and generated THB2.52 trillion (US $71.8 billion) in revenues in 2016, which exceeded the initial government targets set at the start of the year, said Olivier Berrivin, Best Westerns Managing Director of International Operations - Asia.

But looking beyond the figures, Thailand is creating a strong and sustainable base on which to build its tourism industry in future. The countrys stated ambition of focusing on quality tourists will raise visitor spending, extend average length-of-stay, and build a more prosperous tourism economy for all stakeholders, allowing the Kingdom to continue reaping the benefits of tourism in future.

In line with this strategy, BW Premier Collection is a great fit for Thailand. Designed for guests who crave individuality, character and local charm, this upscale concept is expanding into some of the worlds most sought-after destinations. We are delighted to bring BW Premier Collection to Asia with BluPhere Pattaya, and to continue our close relationship with the Habitat Group, Olivier added.

This signing marks the second collaboration between Best Western and Habitat Group, following the Best Western Premier BayPhere Pattaya - another upscale development on Thailands Eastern Seaboard, which is becoming one of Asias most desirable destinations.

According to the 2016 Mastercard Asia Pacific Destinations Index, Pattaya was the tenth most-visited Asian city last year, attracting 7.3 million international visitors, 25.2 million room nights and US$3.3 billion in visitor expenditure. This makes it Thailands third most popular destination, after Bangkok and Phuket.

Officially launched in 2014, BW Premier Collection is a selection of independent upscale hotels in key destinations around the world, including San Francisco, New York, New Orleans, Vancouver, Paris, Rome, Stockholm, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

# # #

Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers seven hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, Executive Residency by Best Western, Vib, BW Premier Collection and GLo. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including nearly sixty percent of the brands North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award in 2016, Business Travel News ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western in the top three upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands for three years in a row, and Best Western receiving five consecutive Dynatrace Best of the Web gold awards for best hotel website. Best Western has also won eight AAA/CAA Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brands commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAAs 56 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Nearly 30 million travelers are members of the brands award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. Best Westerns partnerships with AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.


Committed to growth, Chorus Communications gives every partner its personal touch and world-class care for them to succeed. Together, we share a passion for delivering service, excellence and cutting edge solutions to our customers.

UCaaS provider OnSIP and master agent Chorus Communications today announced a new partnership to offer leading-edge voice, video, and messaging services to organizations nationwide through their network of agents. Chorus Communications signed OnSIP, a previous Gartner Cool Vendor in UC that has now served over 70,000 customer accounts, for its innovative approach to cloud phone system services, particularly:



50+ PBX and collaboration features, including OnSIP Smart Queues, an award-winning and light-weight call center solution, and integrations with Slack, Zendesk, and Salesforce

Flexibility to choose from any SIP standard deskphone, softphone, or the OnSIP app a free voice, video, and messaging browser app built using WebRTC

On-demand account setup with an intuitive admin app and no hardware needed

Pricing customizability, including a signature Pay As You Go Plan with zero charge per phone, user, or extension

Chorus Communications is excited to introduce OnSIPs robust and cost-effective solution suite to our extensive network of top-producing partners and vendors, said Daniel Cronin, President of Chorus Communications. Their leading services will be a valuable addition to our rapidly growing portfolio of next-generation products. Chorus dedication to the partner channel combined with OnSIPs award-winning technologies, is a powerful combination to meet the growing needs of customers. We are eager to present OnSIP to the channel at our annual Whos Who In Technology Event on April 19th.

Founded in 1995, Chorus Communications is highly regarded as a leading master agency and has an extensive portfolio of cutting edge products and services to meet todays ever-evolving world of technology. Coming this spring, the company will be hosting its annual Whos Who in Technology event on April 19th at Citizens Bank Park. OnSIP will be sponsoring and participating as a technology vendor.

Committed to growth, Chorus Communications gives every partner its personal touch and world-class care for them to succeed, said Helene Kidary, Vice President Channel Sales for OnSIP. Together, we share a passion for delivering service, excellence and cutting edge solutions to our customers. With OnSIPs next-gen products, Chorus partners will be uniquely positioned to offer a cloud solution that goes beyond the status quo. Combined, we will set the standard for intelligent, on-demand business communications. And, the fact we are practically neighbors means less time spent on travel and more time spent face-to-face with partners. I am just thrilled by our alliance.

Headquartered in Manhattan, OnSIP has provided business VoIP services since 2004 and owns and operates its own technically-advanced, reliable platform. Recently named to CIOReviews 20 Most Promising Unified Communications Solution Providers, the company has an established partner program and is a long-time supporter of the nonprofit organization Women in the Channel.

For more information about reselling OnSIP through Chorus Communications, schedule a meetup with OnSIPs channel team at the Channel Partners Conference and Expo April 10-13, or visit http://www.onsip.com.

About OnSIP

Founded in 2004, OnSIP is a Gartner-recognized UCaaS provider that gives channel partners and customers unprecedented control and new business communications capabilities. OnSIP Hosted VoIP has served over 70,000 modern organizations that enjoy access to 50+ voice, video, collaboration, and call center features with a high degree of pricing and BYOD flexibility including a free WebRTC-based phone. In addition to a metered and unlimited pricing plan, OnSIP offers a unique Pay As You Go Plan with zero charge per user, extension, or phone. The company also offers simple APIs for deeper integrations and value-adds. For more information, visit http://www.onsip.com.

About Chorus Communications

Chorus Communications is an award-winning Technology Consulting Firm that has built an unmatched reputation with its sales-partners, suppliers, and customers. Founded in 1995, Chorus is highly regarded as a leading Master Agency and has an extensive portfolio of cutting edge products and services to meet todays ever-evolving world of technology. The experts at Chorus provide knowledgeable recommendations on your needs from complex cloud designs to global wide-area network deployments and everything in between.

Chorus is dedicated to helping sales partners and customers in making knowledgeable choices about services, technology, and cost-efficient communications.
This is the future for consumer-facing companies: the democratization of investment.

Today, XY- The Findables Company announced its switch from StartEngine to directly raising capital from investors through online equity crowdfunding. Using Regulation A + of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Start-ups (JOBS) Act, XY Findables seeks investments from accredited and non-accredited investors alike.

XY Findables originally began their equity campaign on StartEngine.com but found that after a 12-month contract, they were unable to reach their desired investor audience. XY Findables decided to bring their investment campaign in-house. In the six weeks since XY Findables began directly managing their online equity campaign, the company has seen a five-fold increase of investors.

Additionally, XY Findables is fully integrating the customer and investor experience with the upcoming launch of their online customer/investor portal. In just a few weeks, users and investors alike will be able to log on to their personalized my.xyfindit.com account to track their XY GPS and Bluetooth LE units, access the help center, view their investment history, and use their Insider Club benefits.

CEO Arie Trouw explains it was only natural for XY Findables to continue its growth with a direct Regulation A+ offering and web-portal upgrade.

We are one of the first companies to directly manage a Regulation A+ campaign. Bringing our equity crowdfunding in-house allows us to speak directly to our user-investors. No one can give us better feedback or support. This is the future for consumer-facing companies: the democratization of investment.

XY Findables is selling Class A Common stock at $1 per share at a minimum investment of 350 shares. Prospective investors can read further about the company at xyfindables.com/invest. Questions can also be directed to investor-relations(at)xyfindables.com.

SEC Disclaimer

An offering statement regarding this offering has been filed with the SEC. The SEC has qualified that offering statement, which only means that the company may make sales of the securities described by the offering statement. It does not mean that the SEC has approved, passed upon the merits or passed upon the accuracy or completeness of the information in the offering statement. You may obtain a copy of the offering circular that is part of that offering statement from https://goo.gl/oMt3JT.

You should read the offering circular before making any investment.

About XY Findables

XY Findables launched the first generation of its flagship product, XY Find It, on Kickstarter in 2014, raising more than $200,000 in less than two months. XY Find It is a Bluetooth LE-powered item finder that, when synced to the XY Find It mobile app, allows users to keep tabs on their valuable property. Currently, XY Finders are available in more than 20 of the world's leading retailers including Fry's Electronics, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, as well as on Amazon.com. To date, XY Findables has sold over 100,000 units and will be introducing several additions to the 2017 product line, including the XY GPS, as part of the company's complete Findables ecosystem. As the company continues to define the intersection between wearables and nearables, XY Findables, through equity crowdfunding, is giving users and fans a bigger voice in the future of Findables.

Connect with us!

facebook.com/xyfindit

twitter.com/xyfindit
A Lily Grows in Alaska: an enthralling and touching novel of a young womans journey through dealing with loss and uncovering family secrets that change everything. A Lily Grows in Alaska is the creation of published author, Christine M. Mills, a California native, and outdoor enthusiast, who resides with her husband and ten goldfish in the northern Sierra foothills.

Her love for Alaska was an inspiration for Christine. She states, I fell in love with Alaska and return with my husband every chance we get.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Christine M. Mills new book presents Lily Rose Barrett, a young woman who lost her parents in an auto accident. Lily finds herself alone and without family.

Lily had spent her whole twenty-two years of life in a four-bedroom, three-bath apartment in San Diego, California. Now she was about to graduate from the University of San Diegos nursing program.

In the mailbox, one Saturday afternoon, Lily finds a letter postmarked in Talkeetna, Alaska and addressed to her mother, Cynthia. As Lily reads the letter, she realizes there had been secrets in her family. The letter will start Lily on an adventure she never imagined.

View a synopsis of A Lily Grows in Alaska on YouTube.

Consumers can purchaseA Lily Grows in Alaska at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, Kobo or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about A Lily Grows in Alaska, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
YouTube star Carli Bybel announced as WAH Foundation Global Ambassador Carlis global influence will help change lives and give underprivileged girls an opportunity for a brighter future.

YouTube star Carli Bybel has been named Global Ambassador for WAH Foundation, a successful non-government organization dedicated to improving the lives and conditions of rural communities though water, health and education. With her YouTube channels and social media, Bybel is one of the most famous beauty and fashion stars online, reaching millions of fans and followers across the globe.

Bybel will use her voice to encourage girls to fulfill their dream of receiving an advanced education. To start, Bybel has established a scholarship with WAH Foundation that will provide 120 girls continued education including tuition, books, housing and meals for four years at the Bright Hope Institute in Cambodia.



To raise awareness and funds, Bybel today launched her new Pranava Beauty website featuring her own signature charity bracelets. Through donations or purchase of a bracelet, Bybel hopes to raise $100,000. Bybel will travel to Cambodia in April to present the donation and welcome her first scholarship students.

We are very grateful and excited to have Carli as our Global Ambassador, says Christopher Wilson, founder of WAH Foundation. Carlis global influence will help change lives and give underprivileged girls an opportunity for a brighter future.

About WAH Foundation (http://www.wahglobal.org)

Recognized by Forbes Heroes of Philanthropy, WAH Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives and conditions of rural communities through water, health and education. They are recognized as a successful non-government organization that empowers local communities to sustain themselves in Cambodia.

About Pranava Beauty (https://pranavabeauty.com)

Think vegan, cruelty-free and products with a purpose. Pranava Beauty is YouTube star Carli Bybels new platform that she will use to share items that she loves and has personally created. Her first signature collection to be featured are charity bracelets for the WAH Foundation.

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Buxtons analytics and retail matching analysis will provide us with insights to support important development decisions.

Buxton recently partnered with a group of community leaders led by the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP), Visit Spokane, the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation department, the City of Spokane Planning department, and the Spokane Public Library to support retail development in downtown Spokane, Washington. Spokane will use Buxtons community and visitor analytics to better understand the shopping and dining preferences of residents and visitors, and to identify potential new businesses that complement existing retail offerings. The insights will be used to develop a targeted and effective retail recruitment and retention strategy.

Our mission is to foster a vibrant downtown with unique shopping and dining options that appeal to residents and visitors alike, said Juliet Sinisterra, economic development manager of the Downtown Spokane Partnership. Buxtons analytics and retail matching analysis will provide us with insights to support important development decisions.

Buxton looks forward to working with community leaders in Spokane, said Jacob Davis, director of sales at Buxton. Shopping and dining plays an important role in modern downtowns, and we are excited to support Spokanes vision for a vibrant, economically stable city center.

By becoming a Buxton client, Spokane will have access to SCOUT, Buxtons proprietary web-based real estate platform, giving local leaders data and information at their fingertips to analyze different areas of the city.

Buxton has worked with more than 750 communities across the country to improve economic development strategies. Client cities include Tulsa, Oklahoma; Pasadena, California; Cedar Rapids, Iowa and many others.

About the Downtown Spokane Partnership (DSP)

The DSP is a private, non-profit membership organization that serves as Spokane's central city advocate and service provider, dedicated to enhancing the quality and vitality of Downtown Spokane as the basis for a healthy region. The DSP accomplishes its mission through advocating for public policies, business and project development, quality planning, physical improvement projects, public safety, beautification, and marketing programs that ensure downtown's continued success.

To learn more, visit http://www.downtownspokane.org.

About Buxton

Buxton is the industry leader in customer analytics. Our analytics reveal who your customers are, where more potential customers are located and the value of each customer. More than 3,500 clients in the retail, restaurant, healthcare, private equity and public sectors have relied on our insights to guide their growth strategies.

For more information, visit http://www.buxtonco.com.
DALLAS, Texas, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southcross Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE:SXE) (Southcross) today announced the availability of the 2016 tax packages for its unitholders, including Schedule K-1. The tax packages are currently available online and may be accessed at taxpackagesupport.com/sxe or via Southcross website at www.southcrossenergy.com under the Investors section. Southcross will begin mailing the tax packages to unitholders this week. For additional information, unitholders may also contact Southcross K-1 Support toll free at 855-817-9892 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.



About Southcross Energy Partners, L.P.

Southcross Energy Partners, L.P. is a master limited partnership that provides natural gas gathering, processing, treating, compression and transportation services and NGL fractionation and transportation services. It also sources, purchases, transports and sells natural gas and NGLs. Its assets are located in South Texas, Mississippi and Alabama and include two gas processing plants, one fractionation plant and approximately 3,100 miles of pipeline. The South Texas assets are located in or near the Eagle Ford shale region. Southcross is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Visit www.southcrossenergy.com for more information.
Atlanta Magazine, Atlanta Top Doctor Feature Finally women have their own "little blue pill."

Being ranked as Top Doctor by Atlanta Magazine in 2016, Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor is taking her rank to higher heights by introducing her patients to a new non-surgical, in office, treatment called ThermiVa. Dr. Bootstaylor has been providing this treatment to her patients since October 2016.

As seen on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians" and "Doctors," ThermiVa is a new/trending non-surgical, in office treatment that rejuvenates the vagina and vulva without surgery. The treatment uses monopolor radio-frequency energy emitted from a probe to gently heat vaginal and labial tissue to stimulate and rejuvenate collagen. The tightening of the vaginal wall equates to a more youthful vagina, which gives people the reason to call it a vaginal face lift. ThermiVa's 2-3 treatments last no longer than 30-45 minutes, with results lasting a year.

Since introducing this procedure to her patients, many are excited about the treatment and informing the community of this "vaginal face lift." According to Dr. Bootstaylor, "this addition to my practice has provided the complete transformation for my clients' mind, body and soul!" Being the new trend for many women between the ages of 30-80 years old, ThermiVa is becoming an ultra-boost to women empowerment and orgasms. Finally, women have their own "little blue pill." If you're interested in receiving ThermiVa with Atlanta's "Top Doctor, Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor, contact her office today at 404-240-2804 or visit her website to learn more at http://www.plasticsurgery-atlanta.com/.

About Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery

Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery, under the direction of Lisa Bootstaylor, MD, focuses on large volume liposuction and body contouring, scar sparing breast surgery, revisionary aesthetic surgery, and a number of aesthetic procedures. Dr. Lisa Bootstaylor is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who received her plastic surgery training at the University of Pittsburgh and her fellowship training at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Bootstaylor training and clinical research experience, along with her years of experience, sets her, MD apart from the growing number of plastic and cosmetic surgeons offering plastic surgery. Atlanta APC Plastic Surgery serves the Greater Atlanta area as well as the national and international community. Address: 550 Peachtree Street, Suite 1480, Atlanta, GA 30308: (404) 240-2804.
Gift-givers can choose the exact date and time of their viigii gift preview, and with immediate digital delivery, they will give that special person a fun experience no matter when the package arrives.

Viigii, a virtual gifting plugin, officially announces its launch. Viigii e-commerce service helps gift-givers connect with their recipients by sending an interactive virtual preview while the gift is in the mail. As a simple add-on to online purchases, viigii allows customers to celebrate on the day itself without worrying when the package will arrive.

With a simple tap on our devices, we instantly share our experiences across the globe, but when it comes to gift delivery, our choices are limited by traditional shipping options, explained viigii CEO Lori Konsker. Customers are frustrated by the gifting experience because it does not meet their digital expectations Thats where viigii comes in.

Gift-givers can choose the exact date and time of their viigii gift preview, and with immediate digital delivery, they will give that special person a fun experience no matter when the package arrives.

The recipient will receive an interactive animation with custom graphics; the gift recipient will virtually unwrap their gift to reveal the real gift on the way either by text or by email while it is still in the mail, Konsker concluded.

Viigii offers an experience that not only exceeds customer expectations but also captures the spirit of real-life gifting.

Viigii Features Include:



Dynamic, interactive experience - Customers get an exciting experience, through an interactive animation with custom graphics, the gift recipient will virtually unwrap their gift to reveal the real gift on the way.

Flexible delivery - Offers the choice of date and time, with viigii, customers enjoy worry-free gifting with the option to send their preview immediately or in advance of their packaged gifts arrival.

Immediate notifications - Ensures peace of mind with timely deliveries. Automated notifications let the gift-giver rest easy knowing that their preview was received, and with email and text notifications, viigii reaches that special person anytime, anywhere.

Personalized messaging - Provides a channel of communication for family and friends. Both the gift-giver and recipient have the chance to exchange notes, making gifting all the more special.

Keep customers on retailers website - The viigii experience offers a new level of convenience to build customer loyalty. With immediate digital delivery, each preview gives customers the immediacy they crave in todays fast-paced digital age.

Provide a memorable experience - Interactive animations and personalized messaging offer a fun and spontaneous experience for both the gift-giver and recipient. Each purchase becomes an occasion to remember.

Viigii currently integrates with Shopify, and is in beta testing with BigCommerce and other e-commerce solutions, for more information about viigii, please visit the company website, https://viigii.it.

About viigii:

Viigii is a virtual gifting plugin. As a simple add-on to online purchases, viigii allows customers to celebrate on the day itself without worrying when the package will arrive. The e-commerce service helps gift-givers connect with their recipients by sending an interactive virtual preview while the gift is in the mail. The recipient will receive an interactive animation with custom graphics; the gift recipient will virtually unwrap their gift to reveal the real gift on the way either by text or by email. The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. Detailed information about viigii can be found on at the company website, https://viigii.it.
From June 20th until June 22nd the pinnacle of the drone industry in Europe will gather at Commercial UAV Expo in Brussels. During this highly-anticipated conference and exhibition, an international jury of drone professionals will present Drone Hero awards to the most innovative and creative drone innovations. The contest and these awards represent a cooperation between the European drone cluster EUKA and Commercial UAV Expo.

I am proud to announce that Peter Van Blyenburgh, President of UVS International, will be presiding over the jury of the very first Drone Hero Contest Europe, said Lisa Murray, director of Commercial UAV Expo. Van Blyenburgh is an institution in the European drone industry and the organizer of the internationally renowned annual RPAS Policy, Regulatory & Innovation Forum (http://www.rpas-conference.com). We are pleased that he will be presiding over this prestigious contest.

Unleash your inner Drone Hero!

The contest will award five creative, innovative and/or promising drone companies in Europe, said Mark Vanlook, chairman of EUKA. There will also be a popular vote award to enable an award that is not given out by the professional jury.

Competing drone companies can greatly benefit from the exposure related to this contest, said Peter van Blyenburgh, chairman of the jury. They will be able to pitch their business cases in front of the Jury as well as international audience of drone professionals. They will receive great exposure online in the build-up to the competition and they can win a free pass to the Commercial UAV Expo Americas in Las Vegas. The public vote winners even get a free exposition booth at that event. Talk about exposure!

The Drone Hero Contest is open to submissions at http://www.dronecommunity.eu. Look at the different categories of the award at http://www.dronecommunity.eu/awards.html.

About Commercial UAV Expo Europe

Commercial UAV Expo Europe, presented by Commercial UAV News, is a conference and exhibition exclusively focused on the commercial drone market in Europe covering industries including Surveying & Mapping; Civil Infrastructure; Aggregates & Mining; Construction; Process, Power & Utilities; Precision Agriculture; Law Enforcement, Emergency Response and Search & Rescue (SAR). It will take place at the SQUARE in Brussels 20-22 June 2017.

>> Registration for Commercial UAV Expo Europe is open. Early registration is encouraged for the best pricing. Register here: https://www.xpressreg.net/register/uave0617/start.asp?sc=205338

For more information, visit http://www.expouav.com/europe.

END PRESS RELEASE

Contact and more information:

Lee Corkhill  Diversified Communications  207.842-5520 lcorkhill(at)divcom.com

Mark Vanlook  EUKA  0495 58 71 65  mark.vanlook(at)euka.org

Kevin Logist  EUKA  0472 42 05 79  kevin.logist(at)euka.org

Read all about the professional jury at http://www.dronecommunity.eu/jury.html.
BioConnect and Suprema will be demonstrating "Biometrics, Security, Identity" at booth #22075 at ISC West from April 5-7 With cybersecurity issues seemingly evermore prevalent and the development of more user friendly security solutions such as mobile, security professionals are consistently seeking out new ways to protect both physical and logical apps.

With cybersecurity issues seemingly evermore prevalent and the development of more user friendly security solutions such as mobile and contactless biometric, security professionals are consistently seeking out ways to protect both physical and logical applications. BioConnect and Suprema are pleased to address these issues with a focus on Biometrics, Security and Identity at ISC West 2017 at booth 22075 and invite security professionals to learn more.

New Suprema FaceStation 2, Facial Recognition

Suprema will debut the new FaceStation 2, a facial recognition device with multi-card support. The FaceStation 2 is the next generation of the FaceStation, and as a contactless facial recognition device with an adjustable wall bracket to accommodate different heights, it is very user friendly. It boasts an incredibly fast and accurate matching speed (1:3,000 matches in one second) and captures both static and dynamic templates, giving it the ability to constantly evolve and sustain a more exact understanding of the daily changing expressions of the face. The device also offers multi-factor authentication options with a RF card (HID Seos, iClass, Prox) and PIN. It also can operate in much harsher lighting conditions than other competing facial recognition devices with an operating illuminance of up to 25,000 lux.

New BioConnect ID CabinetShield, Dual-Factor Cabinet Lock

BioConnect colocation customers expressed the need to provide dual-factor authentication from the front door all the way to the cabinet to address both compliance and their customer security requirements. In the past, solutions to meet these requirements at the server cabinet were limited.

To address this problem, BioConnect created BioConnect ID CabinetShield a dual-factor fingerprint plus card lock to secure server cabinets. With biometric (fingerprint) and card support, the lock is manufactured to fit most of the common cabinets and can be easily integrated with over 25 various access control solutions making installation and enrolment much simpler and sustainable. The BioConnect team has completed multiple successful pilots of the solution in flagship data centers across North America.

New BioConnect ID Mobile, Biometrics for Mobile App Security

With companies going global in footprint and supporting a more mobile workforce than ever, BioConnects partners are fast-developing solutions where mobile credentials are replacing plastic cards. BioConnect ID is at the core of every biometric service offered by BioConnect and simplifies the deployment of biometrics. BioConnect will debut BioConnect ID in the form of an API/SDK and mobile app to enable enterprises to take advantage of biometrics (face, voice, fingerprint, eyeprint) within their mobile app. BioConnect will be demonstrating partner mobile apps that are secured by BioConnect ID.

New BioConnect ID Cybershield, End-to-End Physical Security that Meets IT Requirements

BioConnect and Suprema are very excited to debut BioConnect ID Cybershield, a complete end-to-end physical security solution that meets IT requirements. BioConnect ID Cybershield incorporates Suprema BioStation 2 fingerprint plus card access device integrated with leading access control solutions. It boasts software customizations that meet the requirements of network security from how the device communicates to the panel, to the network, how the data is stored and can even support an enterprise transitioning to newer network protocols such as 802.1x and IPv6. The solution will be demonstrated with Software House CCURE 9000 access control.

BioConnect ID Enterprise - BioConnects integration software and Suprema biometric terminals supporting evolving industry standards such as OSDP, iClass, SEOS.

BioConnect is consistently integrating the leading biometric solutions on the market to offer flexibility to grow in the future. BioConnect and Suprema will demonstrate how Suprema devices and BioConnect ID CabinetShield seamlessly integrate with Lenel OnGuard, Brivo OnAir, AMAG Symmetry, Genetec Security Center and Keyscan Aurora access control solutions with BioConnect ID Enterprise.

Suprema and BioConnect are also consistently updating their biometric offerings to support evolving industry standards such as a communication protocols (such as OSDP) and card types such as HID iClass and SEOS. These updates will be on display at Booth #22075.

BioConnect and Suprema are looking forward to meeting with security professionals at ISC West. Request a meeting on BioConnects website or stop by booth #22075 to see the top biometric solutions in the market.
Tom Woodbury

CM Systems, LLC, known for its industry-leading ComplianceMate temperature-tracking and food safety technology, is delighted to announce the hiring of Thomas Woodbury as Vice President of National Accounts. Mr. Woodbury is an experienced food safety advocate who is also a classically-trained chef, award-winning media personality and published author.

He brings to ComplianceMate a world-class, second-to-none understanding of how food prep, food safety, and food technology intersect in commercial kitchens, says Steve Getraer, President of CM Systems, LLC. His years of experience in commercial kitchens will be instrumental in serving our customers needs.

Mr. Woodburys experience and background combine a profound love of food with in-depth expertise in food science and technology. Understanding the way food performs at a chemical, biological, and molecular level has always been a passion, Mr. Woodbury explains. He has worked in multiple food safety roles over the course of more than a decade, including working with temperature monitoring and other food safety applications. As a celebrity chef and presenter who has appeared nationally via ShopNBC, ABC, Huffington Post Live, and more, he has demonstrated and presented a wide array of food prep and safety products and technologies that simultaneously improve consumer safety and produce delectable, mouth-watering dishes.

His experience and expertise will serve as key ingredients in ComplianceMates work in advancing its leading-edge food safety and temperature monitoring technology aimed at commercial kitchens and food service organizations.

Joining ComplianceMate was an easy decision, says Mr. Woodbury. We share the same two goals. First, we work to improve the compliance of the food safety programs of our clients and customers. Second, we increase efficiency in the way that food safety is executed, while ensuring every dish is served perfectly.

Together, ComplianceMate and Mr. Woodbury are cooking up several forward-looking initiatives that include making it easier than ever for restaurants and commercial kitchens to automate and digitize their safety and compliance operations, yielding better compliance at a lower net cost than is possible otherwise.

With Tom on our team, says Mr. Getraer, we can enhance our ability to offer solutions that yield better results, safer food, enhanced brand protection, and the peace of mind that no compliance mishap will ever bring down your business.

Mr. Woodbury is based out of Salt Lake City, Utah.

About CM Systems, LLC

CM Systems, LLC provides monitoring systems for food safety compliance and operational effectiveness in various industry segments. Their principal product offering, ComplianceMate, offers real time monitoring, both of equipment and Standard Operating Processes within a restaurant operation including temperature monitoring (using wireless sensors), HACCP control, real time reporting/list completion and remote management. Customers staff can efficiently work through the variety of procedures they conduct on a daily basis, gathering all the required data in a digital, time stamped format. This data is transmitted via the cloud whereby it can be reviewed in real time using a web enabled device. The system incorporates a variety of alerting options so staff can complete within the time required. With the advent of cloud technology, ComplianceMate leads in moving paper check list to the electronic format, and bringing food safety monitoring into the 21th century.
Using the malware hash signatures as Indicators of Compromise in network monitoring tools such as Splunk, LogRhythm, and Collective Intelligence Framework (CIF) would enable fast and reliable mitigation of malware outbreaks.

OPSWAT today announced the release of Metadefender Threat Intelligence Feeds, a blacklist of malware signatures for the most widespread threats. OPSWAT's Threat Intelligence Feeds offer users the ability to leverage data on the latest malware threats collected from the Metadefender Cloud community of users and customers.

OPSWAT's experience with protecting infrastructure for large enterprises has demonstrated that the most effective way to protect an organization is to have several different strategies in place for protection against both known and unknown threats. One of the best methods for addressing known threats is to implement blacklists. These Threat Intelligence Feeds from OPSWAT provides blacklist protection against malware in an effective and efficient manner.

Ali Rezafard, Director of Engineering at OPSWAT, explained: "We have been analyzing malware outbreaks for years, and we've found that there is a time lag between the release of a malicious file and the point when it becomes widespread and damaging. We can use this time lag to our advantage and prevent these outbreaks by blocking the transfer of the malicious file. SIEMs, Proxies, Content-Aware Firewalls, and IDS/IPS provide easy means of blacklisting these files and protecting the integrity of the network, and our new Threat Intelligence Feeds can easily be incorporated into these solutions."

The free version of the feed lists the top 1,000 new malware hash signatures each day, including MD5, SHA1, and SHA256 hashes. These are malicious hashes that were detected on the networks of Metadefender Cloud users over the previous 24 hours. The feeds will be updated daily with newly detected and reported malware in order to provide actionable threat intelligence to users.

Rezafard added, "Using the malware hash signatures as Indicators of Compromise in network monitoring tools such as Splunk, LogRhythm, and Collective Intelligence Framework (CIF) would enable fast and reliable mitigation of malware outbreaks."

OPSWAT's Metadefender Cloud also offers a commercial version of these feeds. The commercial version is easy to integrate into any security information and event management (SIEM) system. Visit OPSWAT's contact page to request a demo. Visit the Metadefender Threat Intelligence Feeds page to learn more.

About OPSWAT

OPSWAT is a San Francisco-based cyber security software company that provides solutions to secure and manage IT infrastructure. Founded in 2002, OPSWAT has delivered solutions and technologies that protect organizations from threats and secure digital data for over a decade. OPSWAT combines next-generation Content Disarm and Reconstruction technology, its cutting-edge Vulnerability Engine, and multi-scanning with over 30 anti-malware engines in its Metadefender suite of products, and its OESIS Framework endpoint security SDK has helped secure over 200 million endpoints. To learn more about OPSWAT, visit OPSWAT.com.
Valeo North America was presented the Global Level Award for Regional Contribution at the 2017 Toyota Global Supplier Convention on February 24 in Nagoya, Japan.

Christophe Perillat, Valeo Chief Operating Officer, attended representing the Valeo Group; Ryuji Saito, Group President Japan attended representing Valeo in the region; and Francoise Colpron, Group President North America, accepted the award on behalf of Valeo North America.

The Global Level Regional Contribution Awards honor Toyota suppliers who have greatly contributed to Toyota vehicle production in the areas of quality, cost and reliability of on-time delivery.

Representatives of Toyota suppliers from around the world attended the convention. Valeo North America was one of only nine suppliers honored with a Regional Contribution Award at the event.

About Valeo North America: In North America, Valeos regional headquarters are located in Troy, Mich., and the company has 21 production sites and eight research and development centers. The company employs 14,000 people across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and was responsible for 24 % of the Groups 2016 global annual original equipment sales.

For information in North America, please contact:

Daniel Saad, Region Communications Director

Phone: +1 (248) 619-8377

E-mail: dan(dot)saad(at)valeo(dot)com

Valeo is an automotive supplier, partner to all automakers worldwide. As a technology company, Valeo proposes innovative products and systems that contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and to the development of intuitive driving. In 2016, the Group generated sales of 16.5 billion and invested over 11% of its original equipment sales in research and development. Valeo has 155 plants, 20 research centers, 38 development centers and 15 distribution platforms, and employs 91,800 people in 32 countries worldwide. Valeo is listed on the Paris stock exchange and is a member of the CAC 40 index.

Contact

43 rue Bayen, 75017 Paris, France

+33 6 21 47 88 69 | +33 7 64 56 85 48

press-contact(dot)mailbox(at)valeo.com

http://www.valeo.com

@Valeo_Group
The Community for Accredited Online Schools, a leading resource provider for higher education information, has released its list of the best colleges with online masters degrees programs for 2017. The list analyzes accredited online college programs across the nation, honoring the schools with the best masters level degrees. Nova Southeastern University, Harvard University, University of Southern California, North Carolina State University at Raleigh and National University took the top five spots on the 50-school list.

For many students, pursuing a masters degree in a traditional, on-campus setting isnt an option, said Doug Jones, CEO and founder of AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org. The schools on our list are high-quality options for anyone who needs the schedule adaptability that online programs offer.

To earn a spot on the Best Masters Programs list, these schools must be accredited, public or private not-for-profit institutions. Each school is also considered based on variety of programs offered, employment services, student resources, loan default rates, graduation rates and financial aid availability. An in-depth analysis provides scores and ranks for each school.

For more details on where each school falls in the rankings and the data and methodology used to determine the list, visit:

http://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/online-degrees/masters/#best-college-ranking

The schools with the Best Online Masters Degree Programs for 2017 include the following:

Auburn University

Belhaven University

Brenau University

Canisius College

Case Western Reserve University

Clarkson University

Columbia University in the City of New York

Concordia University-Chicago

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Drexel University

East Carolina University

Emporia State University

Florida Institute of Technology

Graceland University-Lamoni

Harding University

Harvard University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Indiana State University

Indiana Wesleyan University

Iowa State University

Johns Hopkins University

Kansas State University

Liberty University

Mercy College

Missouri University of Science and Technology

National University

New England College

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Northern Arizona University

Nova Southeastern University

Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Saint Joseph's University

Saint Leo University

Southern New Hampshire University

Texas A & M University-College Station

The University of Alabama

Tiffin University

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

University of Detroit Mercy

University of Florida

University of Idaho

University of Illinois at Springfield

University of Memphis

University of Saint Mary

University of South Carolina-Columbia

University of Southern California

University of Southern Mississippi

University of St Francis

Webster University

Western Kentucky University

###

About Us: AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org was founded in 2011 to provide students and parents with quality data and information about pursuing an affordable, quality education that has been certified by an accrediting agency. Our community resource materials and tools span topics such as college accreditation, financial aid, opportunities available to veterans, people with disabilities, as well as online learning resources. We feature higher education institutions that have developed online learning programs that include highly trained faculty, new technology and resources, and online support services to help students achieve educational success.
Angelica will graduate on-time with her classmates from AMBI Massage Therapy School in Vienna VA Angelica Rios Survived a Terrorist Attack and Overcame All Odds to Join the Massage Profession

Angelica Rios grew up in Peru. At age 27, she was riding a public bus with two of her children (her 1-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter) when a bomb exploded at a local police station. The bus was severely damaged, and her son died in her arms.

Because of the terrorist attack, Angelica lost severe amounts of blood, and she lost her vision completely. After the attack, she had more than 360 stitches in her face and she needed additional reconstructive surgery. Due to the medical limitations in Peru, Angelica and her family traveled to the United States in 1993 to consult a top vision doctor in Miami, Florida. Unfortunately, doctors in Florida were unable to help Angelicas visual impairment.

Determined to find help, Angelica then traveled to Virginia and went to Johns Hopkins University for further evaluation. The doctors at Johns Hopkins removed one of her eyes, but still left her blind. In 1994, Angelica applied for political asylum, and was granted her US residency. Five years later, Angelica was granted her US citizenship. In 1996, Angelica welcomed a son. For the last 20 years, Angelica raised her family, was an active member in her church, took English classesand all the while longed for a career where she could display her independence.

In 2016, Angelica contacted the American Massage & Bodywork Institute (AMBI) in Vienna, Virginia. She met with the President of the school, Scott Deidun. Scott immediately contacted the Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI).

In August of 2016, Angelica began the massage program at AMBI. Despite her challenges, Anglica approached her classes with enthusiasm and completed her assignments with great care. On March 17, 2017, Angelica will graduate, on-time with her classmates. Angelica credits her instructors for her success, especially Dr. Katherine Dudero, the Director of Education with AMBIone of Angelicas instructors who tutored her throughout the program.

After graduation, Angelica will take her state licensing examination (administered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards) and will apply for her massage license through the Virginia Board of Nursing. She already has an employer interested in bringing her on board upon licensure. Angelica has been such a blessing for the American Massage and Bodywork Institute staff. Both the faculty AMBI and her fellow students are incredibly proud of her, and all the graduates from our massage therapy program.

About American Massage and Bodywork Institute (AMBI):

American Massage and Bodywork Institute (AMBI) is a top rated massage therapy school located in Vienna, Virginia. We provide an elite education in massage therapy and the healing power of touch. Located just outside Washington DC, we provide a 7 month program to become a licensed massage therapist for students in the Northern Virginia area.

To learn more about the American Massage and Bodywork Institute (AMBI), please visit https://www.ambimassageschool.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Israel Institute of Biblical Studies offers live online instruction, flexible hours, accreditation through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the convenience of learning the Bible at a deeply rewarding level from any location.

eTeacherGroup.com (http://eTeacherGroup.com), the leading international virtual schools operator, has selected FrontGate Media, the leading Faith and Family marketing agency, as the Agency for its Israel Institute of Biblical Studies brand launch in North America. Israel Institute of Biblical Studies offers live online instruction, flexible hours, accreditation through the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the convenience of learning the Bible at a deeply rewarding level from any location.

Israel Institute of Biblical Studies offers students the opportunity to learn the original Biblical languages in a small group online classroom setting. Courses in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic as well as courses in Jewish Studies are presented live from Jerusalem by highly skilled and certified teachers via video conferencing technology. Students receive a deep immersion in the Biblical texts, cultural context, and language of the time in an agreeable format that unlocks the depths of Biblical wisdom in a turn-key way.

FrontGate will be working to establish the brand and drive student enrollment in the North American market. The agency will be spearheading a full-service plan that includes public relations, social media, church programs, events, lead generation, grassroots outreach and general consulting.

The Israel Institute of Biblical Studies program quenches the thirst that so many people have for understanding the Bible through a program that isn't just another forum for exchanging opinions, but is instead based on the essence of meaning as found in the original languages, commented Boaz Binnun, eTeachers Co-Founder and Co-CEO. One hundred thousand students of all ages from around the world have discovered our program, and now we look to fill the void in America for an authentic, in-depth Bible study program that is language-based.

Scott A. Shuford, Founder/CEO of FrontGate Media, added, "eTeachers program uniquely equips people to discover and explain Biblical teachings and gain rich Biblical insights that apply to our everyday lives. Besides providing tools to unveil layers of hidden meaning in the text, exploring the Bible in its original languages encourages and empowers people to deepen their understanding of Scripture and devote time to prayer and meditation on a regular basis.

About FrontGate Media

Award-winning FrontGate Media (http://FrontGateMedia.com) is the leading marketing agency and media group specializing in the faith and family audience. Having celebrated their 15-year milestone in 2016, the firm serves as Your Gateway to the Christian Audience. FrontGates full service agency and media group has been trusted with over 5,000 campaigns, providing Faith-based market Strategy Development, Public Relations, Media Buying, and Social Media & Marketing. FrontGates own Web & Events Network also provides reach to more than 10 million people each month and over 17 million email subscribers. Founded in 2001, FrontGate has repeatedly been honored in the Internet Advertising Competition and the WebAwards. The company plays a key role in the success of for-profit and non-profit organizations seeking the faith-based and family-friendly audiences.

About eTeacher

Established in 2000, http://eTeacherGroup.com creates and operates leading virtual schools throughout the world. eTeacher specializes in large scale operation of online teacher-led classes. We work with leading professionals every step of the way, from recruiting teachers and developing content, to marketing, sales, and operations.

About Israel Institute of Biblical Studies

The Israel Institute of Biblical Studies aims to make the Bible accessible to people around the world. Through Biblical study and language courses, students connect with teachers in the Holy Land to learn the original languages of the Old and New Testaments. This allows them to interpret the holy texts themselves, while discovering the ancient land of the Bible where the stories took place. The Israel Institute of Bible Studies has partnered with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the leading academic institute in Israel and one of the leading Biblical research institutes in the world with a long and proud history of scholarly excellence and leadership in Biblical languages and studies. http://IsraelBiblicalStudies.com
Loveland, CO and Palo Alto, CA , March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Logos Imaging LLC (Logos), a leading provider of X-ray solutions for industrial and security customers worldwide, and PARC, a Xerox company, announced today that they have successfully partnered to advance the next generation of PARCs X-ray detector technology. The agreement gives Logos the rights to integrate the technology into the well-known Logos digital radiographic systems they currently manufacture and sell worldwide.

Logos, established in 2002, has transformed portable security radiography with the introduction of their Computed Radiography (CR) systems. With the addition of the PARC X-ray detector digital radiography (DR) technology, Logos is again positioned to disrupt security markets by offering another first-of-its-kind technology.

The detector technology was developed by PARC in collaboration with the Flexible Electronics and Display Center at Arizona State University, with funding from several government agencies including DTRA, ARL and the US Army. It was developed specifically for operation in rugged environments and prototype units have been undergoing testing by a number of U.S. government agencies. Logos will build on this investment to expand on its range of DigitalRadiography (DR) systems through the addition of this thin, lightweight, and highly rugged device. Through Logos distribution partnerships, bomb technicians throughout the world will now have access to this cost-effective DR solution capable of being deployed in any setting, no matter how remote.

Coupled with existing pulsed sources, a rugged tablet, and a custom backpack, the system will allow a single operator the ability to deploy quickly and capture multiple images to make an accurate threat determination in a matter of minutes.

PARC is excited to work with Logos to commercialize this new x-ray technology, said Dr. Julie A. Bert, PARC technical lead. Our prototype devices have met challenging performance requirements and were happy to work with Logos to find a path to commercialize this important technology. Logos experience and customer base makes them an ideal partner to move the system from research prototypes to products needed by customers in the DoD and elsewhere.

PARC pioneered the development of flat panel a-Si DR sensors and originally commercialized them through the spinout of dPiX, the world's leading source for high-resolution digital X-Ray Sensors.

With an installed base of more than 4,000 imaging systems worldwide, Logos is well established in markets requiring larger format imaging solutions. The addition of the PARC technology will allow our company to meet the needs of an entirely new customer group that requires rugged, small format, ultraportable solutions to meet complex, mission critical requirements, said Shawn Munn, President of Logos.

About Logos Imaging

Based in Loveland, CO, Logos Imaging LLC currently manufactures and sells its popular NEOS III, ORAMA II, MONOS, RIZIKOS, LOGOS+ and EVRY imaging systems. The companys mission is to be the leading worldwide supplier of innovative and cost-effective total X-ray solutions to security and NDT users. The companys website, www.logosimaging.com, contains additional information.

About PARC

PARC, a Xerox company, is in the Business of Breakthroughs. Practicing open innovation, we provide custom R&D services, technology, expertise, best practices, and intellectual property to Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, startups, and government agencies and partners. We create new business options, accelerate time to market, augment internal capabilities, and reduce risk for our clients. Since its inception, PARC has pioneered many technology platforms  from the Ethernet and laser printing to the GUI and ubiquitous computing  and has enabled the creation of many industries. Incorporated as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox in 2002, PARC today continues the research that enables breakthroughs for our clients' businesses. To learn more about PARC, visit www.parc.com or contact engage@parc.com.
Herring Technology

Herring Technology is pleased to announce that the company has partnered with Advanced Optical Systems, Inc. (AOS) to become an official dealer of the industry-leading ANDI OTG 3.0 Zero-Contact Fingerprint Technology.

ANDI OTG 3.0 is a fast, accurate, touchless identity solution for enrollment verification and access control. ANDI OTG 3.0 is designed for high-security applications like border control, airport ticket verification, visitor management, ticketless event access, medical access, facility access, and checkpoint authorization.

Herring Technology works diligently to offer clients in Middle Tennessee and throughout the country the best, most advanced commercial security and protection systems available. The new partnership with AOS enables Herring Technology to provide the rapidly growing Middle Tennessee region with fast, accurate, secure, and convenient fingerprint identification services.

For the first time, we have an access control device that can handle high traffic areas with great speed, with guaranteed identification, without the need for a card or fob, said Tom Herring of Herring Technology. Were thrilled to be able to offer this kind of technology to our clients.

Benefits of AOSs ANDI OTG 3.0 include:

Speed (3000 people per hour/50 per minute)

FBI-quality fingerprints

Performs well on any fingerprints, regardless of age or collagen levels

FBI PIV, CE, and FCC certified

Cleanliness

Ease of maintenance

Ease of Use

Onboard enrollment and matching

Optional equipment for advertising revenue generation

Christopher Centamore, Director of Business Development for Advanced Optical Systems also expressed excitement about the partnership. AOS has worked hard to identify the best security integrators around the world to install and maintain our flagship product. Herring Technology is the right partner to deliver the highest-speed, highest-reliability, biometric identity solution to the Middle Tennessee security market. Were proud to be their partner.

The ANDI OTG 3.0 by AOS joins products like the Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection Systems and products from Sony, Honeywell, ExaqVision, Open Options, and Dell.

About Herring Technology

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, Herring Technology is proud to be Middle Tennessees Physical Security Professionals. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment in access control, video surveillance, intrusion alarms, shooter detection systems, lighting, fencing, and physical barriers, Herring protects valuable assets. The security professionals at Herring Technology work closely with clients to determine assets and the probability of threats to develop custom, client-focused solutions.

About Advanced Optical Systems

Advanced Optical Systems, Inc. (AOS) is a Veteran-Owned company located in Huntsville, Alabama. Incorporated in 1988, AOS has delivered smart imaging systems that detect and recognize things for more than 25 years. Some of these technologies include target recognizing missile seekers, robotic helicopter cargo systems, and space docking sensors for missions like the last Hubble Servicing Mission.
The bottom-line is businesses can move their back-up off-site, quickly and cost-effectively to a secure, reliable cloud platform. In addition, they will have control of their back-ups and the ability to recover data at any time.

OneNeck IT Solutions announced today availability in Denver, Colorado of a new, fully-integrated cloud restore and back-up solution. Known as OneNeck Backup for Veeam Cloud Connect, the solution enables businesses to move their back-up off-site without the cost or complexity of managing off-site infrastructure.

The bottom-line is businesses can move their back-up off-site, quickly and cost-effectively to a secure, reliable cloud platform, says Clint Harder, CTO and senior vice president at OneNeck. In addition, they will have control of their back-ups and the ability to recover data at any time.

OneNeck Backup for Veeam CloudConnect is powered by ReliaCloud  OneNecks hosted private cloud. With it, businesses can expect:



Hosted off-site back-ups. Move back-ups off-site to OneNecks cloud repository through a secure connection; no additional Veeam licensing required.

Complete visibility and control. Access and recover data in hosted back-up repositories directly from the back-up console; track cloud repository consumption and receive reminders for hosted storage renewals.

A modern backup architecture. Leverage Veeams technology to back-up copy jobs with built-in WAN acceleration, for incremental and 3-2-1 approach back-ups.

End-to-end encryption. At the source, in flight, and at rest, encryption occurs without negatively impacting the data reduction ratios of built-in compression and WAN acceleration.

This service, already available in Madison, Wis., enhances the portfolio of IT solutions already accessible at the companys data center in Denver. Located near the Denver Tech Center, this newest OneNeck facility can also be leveraged for colocation and managed services.

OneNeck offers a full suite of hybrid IT solutions including cloud and hosting solutions, managed services, ERP application management, professional services, IT hardware and top-tier data centers. In addition, to the facility in Denver, OneNeck also has data centers providing local connectivity in Arizona, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin. Visit oneneck.com for more information.

OneNeck IT Solutions LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, employs nearly 550 people throughout the U.S. The company offers hybrid IT solutions including cloud and hosting solutions, managed services, ERP application management, professional services, IT hardware and local connectivity via top-tier data centers in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin. OneNeck's team of technology professionals manage secure, world-class, hybrid IT infrastructures and applications for businesses around the country. Visit oneneck.com.

TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom/TDS), headquartered in Madison, Wis., operates OneNeck IT Solutions LLC and BendBroadband, which is part of TDS Broadband Service LLC. Combined, the company employs more than 3,400 people. Visit tdstelecom.com.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 500 company, provides wireless; cable and wireline broadband, TV and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately six million customers nationwide through its businesses U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, OneNeck IT Solutions LLC, and TDS Broadband Service LLC. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. employs 10,300 people. Visit tdsinc.com.
A respected leader in the home water filtration industry, Pelican Water Systems is pleased to announce its large stock of reverse osmosis water filtration systems ahead of new and increasing demand.

The Flint, Michigan, municipal government recently decided to begin offering in-home water filters and filtration cartridges to residents at no cost. The program will extend for at least three years while the city works to replace outdated lead pipes that have led to increased water contamination over the past several years.

Michigan isnt alone in the need to issue water filters as a result of severely contaminated water supplies, either. In February the EPA warned nearly 30,000 residents in East Chicago that they too may be consuming lead-laced water. As a result, close to 50 homes have already been given free bottled water and water filters.

Additionally, testing of school drinking water supplies in Pittsburgh revealed that aging pipes in school buildings could be exposing children, a demographic specifically vulnerable to lead poisoning, to increased levels of lead in drinking water.

Given these and other ongoing problems with water supplies nationwide, Pelican Water Systems is seeing a significant increase in demand from customers seeking products that can address problems like lead, chromium 6, and fluoride found in school and residential water supplies.

Thats why Pelican Water Systems is proud to be increasing their supply of highly efficient, compact reverse osmosis water filtration systems direct to consumers. These systems not only purify potentially problematic water, they also save money and waste over time as they eliminate the need for continued purchasing of bottled water. This is especially important in the homes of those most at risk for health issues as the result of problematic water including homes with young children, the elderly, or those who have severe health concerns including cancer.

How do they work?



Reverse Osmosis removes dissolved solids, chemicals, and contaminants.

Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane with the use of pressure.

Impurities are filtered out, leaving clean-tasting, delicious water.

Sediment and contaminants previously filtered out are disposed down the drain.

Purified, clean water supply is released through a faucet for consumption.

Essential minerals are added back into the water.

During the purification process, reverse osmosis filters remove 93%99% of many worrisome contaminants including arsenic, fluoride, lead, chromium 6, barium, copper, and radium. In addition, a mineral filtration pack allows calcium and magnesium to be added to the home water supply.

The Pelican Water Reverse Osmosis home system is proud to be Green by Design. In addition to a reduction in manufacturing, packing materials, and shipping costs, Pelican Water Systems offers up to 50% reduction of home water waste when compared to other home RO systems currently on the market. Pelicans home reverse osmosis systems are compact, easily fitting under virtually any residential kitchen sink on the market. In addition to the small footprint, Pelican Water Systems Reverse Osmosis systems are proud to offer simple installation and, above all else, simplified maintenance over the lifetime of the product.

Made in the U.S. and available now, the Pelican Water Systems Reverse Osmosis water filtration system comes in three faucet color choices. Available in chrome, bronze, and brushed nickel, all home RO systems offered by Pelican Water are WQA-certified to meet all NSF/ANSI standards.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.pelicanwater.com/pelican-reverse-osmosis.php

About Pelican Water Systems

PelicanWater.com is the official, factory-direct retail website for Pelican Water Systems, providing professional knowledge and leading technologies in whole house water filtration, countertop water filtration systems, UV bacteria disinfection systems, and salt-free water softening and conditioning systems. Pelican Water products use cutting-edge technology to enable customers to go green by eliminating wasteful and harmful salt brine discharge that is polluting our valuable fresh water resources. Pelican Water is also proud to offer under-counter reverse osmosis systems that are small enough for practical use in RVs and marine vessels. Pelican Water continues to be the global market leader in salt-free water softening systems. For more information about Pelican Water Systems, visit PelicanWater.com.
Active kids are healthy kids, said Arkansas Childrens President & CEO Marcy Doderer, FACHE. Keeping GoNoodle in Arkansas classrooms is a natural given our unyielding commitment to ensuring our children are better today and healthier tomorrow.

An initiative led and funded by Arkansas Childrens Hospital (ACH) has kids across the state participating in more physical activity during the school day. Since February 2016, Arkansas elementary students have logged more than 80 million minutes of physical activity in their classrooms using GoNoodles online movement videos and games. ACH funds GoNoodle for use in the states 593 public elementary school in support of its efforts to help engage children in healthy activities early in life. Used by over 6,700 Arkansas teachers, GoNoodle get kids running, jumping, dancing, stretching and practicing moments of mindfulness right next to their desks. Research shows use of GoNoodle improves classroom behavior, student academic performance and childhood health.

Active kids are healthy kids, said Arkansas Childrens President & CEO Marcy Doderer, FACHE. Keeping GoNoodle in Arkansas classrooms is a natural given our unyielding commitment to ensuring our children are better today and healthier tomorrow.

ACH launched GoNoodle for Arkansas elementary schools in August 2013. GoNoodle is used in all 593 Arkansas elementary schools in the state and is used every county in the state. In 2016 Arkansas ranked as the #1 state for minutes of physical activity achieved by students according to the annual Kids Movement Index released by GoNoodle. The Kids Movement Index ranks top U.S. cities and states where elementary school children engaged in the most physical activity through GoNoodle during the school year. Given the use of GoNoodle across Arkansas and continued feedback from teachers and parents about GoNoodles impact on student performance and health, ACH recently renewed its commitment to provide GoNoodle for all Arkansas public elementary schools for another three years, with funding through the 2018-19 school year totaling $2 million.

Phillip Carlock, Principal at Stephens Elementary School, values GoNoodles partnership with Arkansas Children's Hospital and the benefits that access to GoNoodle brings to students in Little Rock. GoNoodle is a perfect mix of learning and motion. GoNoodle provides a way for teachers to infuse excitement into their lessons. I have witnessed 100% engagement when GoNoodle is used in the classroom. In this day and time, learning through instruction has been maximized at the expense of physical activity. GoNoodle has effectively found a solution to this challenge by merging learning with physical activity."

According to the CDC, only one-quarter of todays youth meet the current recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Together with Arkansas Childrens, GoNoodle is helping Arkansas students accumulate vital movement minutes with entertaining experiences that feature high-energy dance music, fitness routines, virtual field trips and physical challenges. Through increased movement in the classroom, these elementary students are not only improving their health but also boosting their cognitive processing, focus and academic performance.

"Regular physical activity is critically important to the healthy development of kids. And, we know healthy kids do better in school, said Scott McQuigg, CEO and co-founder of GoNoodle. Teachers are using the power of movement to improve student performance, and parents are using GoNoodle to turn screen time into active time. Thanks to the generous support of Arkansas Childrens Hospital, Arkansas kids are moving and learning more with GoNoodle.

Teachers need a computer with an Internet connection and a shared screen such as a projector or interactive whiteboard to access GoNoodles online library of hundreds of movement videos and games, including exclusive GoNoodle PLUS videos that integrate movement and core-subjects together to develop fluency in grade-specific math and ELA topics. These short movement videos incorporate kinesthetic and active learning principles by closely tying movement with core content. Both energizing and calming videos are available to help teachers channel kids energy for good while incorporating math, spelling and vocabulary. The support from Arkansas Childrens Hospital gives teachers, kids and parents access to GoNoodle for by visiting gonoodle.com or downloading the GoNoodle app in the Apple app store.

About Arkansas Childrens Hospital

Arkansas Childrens, Inc. is the only health system in the state solely dedicated to caring for children, which allows the organization to uniquely shape the landscape of pediatric care in Arkansas. The system includes a 359-bed hospital in Little Rock with the states only pediatric Level 1 trauma center, burn center, Level 4 neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care, and research institute as well as a nationally-recognized transport service. It is one of the 25 largest childrens hospitals in the United States and is nationally ranked by U.S. News World & Report in pulmonology and neonatal care. A sister campus is under development in Northwest Arkansas and will bring 233,613 square feet of inpatient beds, emergency care, clinic rooms and diagnostic services to children in that corner of the state. Arkansas Childrens also blankets the state with outreach programs that include telemedicine, mobile health, and school-based health solutions. A private not-for-profit, Arkansas Childrens boasts an internationally renowned reputation for medical breakthroughs and intensive treatments, unique surgical procedures and forward-thinking research and is committed to providing every child with access to the best care available, regardless of location or resources. Founded as an orphanage, Arkansas Childrens has championed children by making them better today and healthier tomorrow for more than 100 years. For more info, visit archildrens.org.

About GoNoodle

GoNoodle (launched in 2013), gets kids moving to be their smartest, strongest, bravest, silliest, bestest selves. Short, interactive movement videos and games make it awesomely simple and fun to incorporate movement into every part of the day with dancing, stretching, running and even mindfulness activities. At school, teachers use GoNoodle to keep students energized, engaged, and active inside the classroom. At home, GoNoodle turns screen time into active time, so families can have fun and get moving together. Currently, more than 12 million kids and over 600,000 teachers worldwide use GoNoodle each month. GoNoodle is used in 80% of U.S. public elementary schools in all 50 states and in schools around the world in 185 countries. Nearly 1.5 million families use GoNoodle at home either through the website or the recently released iOS app. Learn more at http://www.gonoodle.com

Media Contacts

For Arkansas Childrens:

Hilary DeMillo

Senior Media Relations Specialist

demillohh@archildrens.org

501-364-6445 (direct) 501-416-7981 (cell)

For GoNoodle:

Lexington Public Relations

Suki Mulberg Altamirano

suki@lexingtonpr.com

615-649-4000
JustLegal Logo We are honored and excited to be recognized at the legal industrys most important technology event.

JustLegal, a technology platform that allows attorneys to find new clients and improves the experience of choosing a lawyer, will be featured at the inaugural Startup Alley portion of the 2017 ABA TECHSHOW.

As a reflection of a wave of innovation in the legal tech industry, ABA TECHSHOW is reserving a portion of its exhibition hall to showcase 12 new companies supporting the legal industry. JustLegal was selected for the showcase based on votes cast in a readers poll on the Above the Law blog.

In addition to a presence in Startup Alley, JustLegal will be competing in a March Madness-style pitch competition on the first night of the show where attendees choose the most innovative concept. JustLegal will also be offering demonstrations and a trial subscription to attorneys attending TECHSHOW.

We are honored and excited to be recognized at the legal industrys most important technology event, said Willy Ogorzaly, CEO of JustLegal. Our company shares TECHSHOWs belief that technology is critical to the future of this industry and will improve the way professionals and clients experience it.

ABOUT JUSTLEGAL

JustLegal is a web platform that enables clients to find attorneys, and attorneys to easily manage and fill their non-billable hours. Founded in Colorado in 2013, the platform has evolved to enable and simplify the process of finding professionals, while staying focused on the compliance, security, and privacy that are critical to the industry. JustLegal is now based in Austin, Texas as part of the Capital Factory accelerator program. For more information, go to http://justlegal.com/ or twitter.com/gojustlegal

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The mission of the Port of Kalama is to induce capital investment in an environmentally responsible manner to create jobs & enhance public recreational opportunities. Kalama is perfectly placed to support businesses ready to grow to the next level.

The Port of Kalama has just become home to Rosenbaum Welding, a full service welding, repair, fabrication service provider to the trucking industry and large construction, mill and logging equipment. The company has moved its long-time mobile welding operation to permanent headquarters in Kalama where it will continue to provide in-shop and mobile welding services.

Rosenbaum, which also provides mobile roadside services, has specialized in equipment modifications and structural repairs for a vast array of large vehicles and equipment for more than 30 years. Some specialty services include king pin and plate replacement, frame repairs for dump trucks, side- and end-dumps, flatbeds, chip trailers and more.

Port of Kalama offers us an ideal location to both serve our customers in the trucking , heavy equipment and logging industry and offer incredibly easy access to our shop off of I-5where our customers travel, said Rosenbaum. Many of my clients encouraged me to relocate to this venue and so far business is booming.

Rosenbaum Welding joins a growing number of industries and businesses who have found the Port of Kalama an ideal location to grow their businesses. The Port boasts an Industrial Park and acres of shovel-ready land for manufacturing, technology, storage and many other industry sectors. Sixteen acres of public riverfront parks stand out as popular recreational destinations for both locals and tourists. Port officials cite several advantages for businesses like Christiansen to expand operations in Kalama including:



No state corporate or personal income taxes

Collaborative, business-friendly environment

Affordable/competitive rates

Accessibility to all modes of transportation

Quality buildings, land on river/rail/Interstate

Quality of life, slow-paced, beautiful, quiet, hometown feel

Proximity to international airport at PDX -- just 30 minutes away

We welcome Rosenbaum to our growing community of industrial businessestheir reputation as a high-quality welding service provider in the trucking and heavy equipment industry are a great fit for this business community, said Liz Newman, marketing manager, Port of Kalama. Kalama is perfectly placed to support businesses ready to grow to the next level.

About Port of Kalama  Where rail and water meet:

The Port of Kalama is located in Southwest Washington on the Columbia River and immediately off of Interstate Highway 5. The port exists to induce capital investment in an environmentally responsible manner to create jobs and to enhance public recreational opportunities. Port of Kalama's industrial area includes five miles of riverfront property adjacent to the 43' federally-maintained deep draft navigation channel of the Columbia River. The Port is served by the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroads. There are over 30 businesses located at the Port of Kalama, employing over 1,000 people. Port of Kalama offers all the superior facilities businesses need to thrive, and an unsurpassed quality of life. The port offers shovel ready sites, a new Industrial Park, state of the art Marine Terminals and transportation accessibility to rail and highway all just a 30 minute drive to the Portland International Airport. Port of Kalama also offers high-bandwidth communications, with dual access fiber-optic service to Seattle and Portland. Properties currently available at the port for businesses wishing to expand and thrive: Visit http://portofkalama.com/available-properties/.

Contact: Liz Newman, marketing manager, Port of Kalama, 360-673-2379 or Claudia Johnson, PR, 503-799-2220.
Nominations Sought for the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Retention Excellence Awards.

Colleges and universities with significant student success achievements are encouraged to apply for the Lee Noel and Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Awards, sponsored by Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Deadline for applications is March 17, 2017. Awards will be presented at the National Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing, and Retention, to be held July 26-28, in Denver.

The awards program was established to identify and recognize the most successful student success and retention programs in use from a variety of institutions serving a diverse range of students, and to share those programs nationally. Since the awards program began in 1989, Ruffalo Noel Levitz has honored more than 170 two-year and four-year colleges and universities with Retention Excellence Awards.

Nominees are judged by a panel of higher education leaders on identifiable and measurable institutional outcomes, originality and creativity, clarity of focus, use of resources, and adaptability to other institutions. As a result of this national exposure, these award-winning programs serve as models of retention excellence to stimulate the creativity and energy of two-year and four-year institutions across North America. For an application, http://www.RuffaloNL.com/REA.

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About Ruffalo Noel Levitz

Ruffalo Noel Levitz is a nationally recognized consulting firm focused on higher education enrollment managememt, student success, and fundraising. Since 1973, Ruffalo Noel Levitz has partnered with more than 3,000 colleges and universities throughout North America. For more information, visit http://www.RuffaloNL.com.
It would be impossible to be more excited about the results of our kick off auction in New Yorkespecially as we head into the spring season. Jeff Zacharia

Zachys two-day auction on March 9 & 10 held in conjunction with La Paulee de New York realized $7,884,529 and was 99 percent sold, smashing pre-sale expectations. Held during NYCs Burgundy Week, the auction was the most-attended Zachys auction ever with well over 150 friends, bidders, consignors, and Burgundian winemakers in the room at Le Bernardin Prive. All in all, an astonishing 833 lots of the 1925 on offer realized prices at or above the high estimate. Only 30 of the 1925 lots failed to find a buyer.

The big winner of the auction was Burgundy with the top 26 prices realized in the auction. A 1990 DRC Assortment was the top lot of the auction at $49,000 against a pre-auction estimate of $38,000-$55,000. Next was two magnums of the exceedingly rare 1988 Roumier Bonnes Mares VV, which realized $44,100 against presale estimates of $24,000-36,000. All told, DRC accounted for 16 of the top 25 wines in the auction, proving once again that DRC is the king of the hill at a Zachys auction.

For many collectors, the highlight of the auction was Treasures From the Legendary Collection of Robert Caine, which realized $1,674,820 against a pre-auction estimate of $950,750-$1,448,250, or 16% above the high estimate. 62 lots from the most famous white Burgundy producer, Coche-Dury, realized 28 percent above the high estimate. The two biggest winners in the Coche-Dury section were full 12-bottle cases of 1992 and 1996 Meursault-Perrieres, each of which realized $39,200 against pre-auction estimates of $18,000-$28,000.

After the auction, Dr. Caine commented, I couldnt be more thrilled with the results of the auction last week. Everything about the salefrom the gorgeous catalog and photography to the beautiful venue of Le Bernardin, combined to produce spectacular results. My past consignments have done very well but, in this sale, Zachys exceeded my expectations. Ive been collecting Burgundy for over 30 years, and Coche-Dury has always been a personal favorite. I am truly delighted that Zachys' clientele appreciates the rarity and excellence in winemaking represented by this collection, and bid accordingly!

Jeff Zacharia, President of Zachys, continued the sentiment and said, It would be impossible to be more excited about the results of our kick off auction in New Yorkespecially as we head into the spring season. We look forward to partnering with La Paulee de New York or San Francisco every year, and this year was no exception. Burgundy ruled the weekin our auction as well as in our glassesand taken in conjunction with our February Hong Kong sale, were delighted to report that were in the midst of a Burgundy upswing as we head into the heart of the spring season. A special thanks to Rob Caine for entrusting us with such a special collection.

Please join Zachys at Smith & Wollensky on April 29 for a Bordeaux-Only Auction in Celebration of Burdigala. Email auction [at[ zachys [dot] com to reserve your seat today.

The Top Ten

Lot 1349: twelve bottle (750ML) Assortment Case Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1990

Pre-Sale Estimates: $38,000  $55,000

Price realized: $49,000

Lot 1534: two magnums (1.5L) of Bonnes Mares Vieilles Vignes Georges Roumier 1988

Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000  $36,000

Price realized: $44,100

Lot 1199: three magnums (1.5L) of La Tache Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2005

Pre-Sale Estimates: $20,000  $30,000

Price realized: $41,650

Lot 1504: twelve bottles (750ML) of Chambertin Clos de Beze Armand Rousseau 1993

Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000  $36,000

Price realized: $41,650

Lot 1204: one magnum (1.5L) of Romanee Conti Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1999

Pre-Sale Estimates: $22,000  $32,000

Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1243: three bottles (750ML) of Romanee Conti Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1996

Pre-Sale Estimates: $26,000  $40,000

Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1332: twelve bottles (750ML) of Meursault Perrieres Coche-Dury 1992

Pre-Sale Estimates: $18,000  $28,000

Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1333: twelve bottles (750ML) of Meursault Perrieres Coche-Dury 1996

Pre-Sale Estimates: $18,000  $28,000

Price realized: $39,200

Lot 1812: right bottles (750ML) of La Tache Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1990

Pre-Sale Estimates: $22,000  $34,000

Price realized: $36,750

Lot 979: three bottles (750ML) of Romanee Conti Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2013

Pre-Sale Estimates: $24,000  $36,000

Price realized: $34,300
Our people and our clients are the cornerstones of our organization, and I am confident that Rob will successfully leverage our companys strengths while bringing considerable value to our award-winning culture.

MDI Group, a national IT staffing and recruiting firm, today announced the appointment of Rob Persiano to the role of Chief Sales Officer. In this position, Persiano will be leading the strategy and execution for MDI Groups sales, marketing and development divisions to position the organization for long term growth and success in the highly competitive IT staffing industry.

Persiano comes to MDI Group with over 20 years of leadership experience in IT staffing and recruiting. Most recently, he served as Senior Regional Vice President at Experis, a subsidiary of ManpowerGroup, where he was responsible for regional financial performance, development and training, and execution of strategic focus. Prior to his career in staffing, Persiano received a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida.

I am thrilled about the opportunity to join MDI Group, comments Persiano. The opportunity to be part of an organization that has been awarded the distinction of Best of Staffing for a third year in a row is truly an honor. My goal in joining this team of talented people is to accelerate revenue and profitability while delivering best in class service to our clients.

With proven expertise in sales leadership, Persiano will be focused on bringing greater clarity to the strategic direction at MDI, while continuing to foster strong relationships with the organizations employees, consultants and clients. With Robs addition to our team, MDI is well positioned to move forward and achieve greater levels of success and focus in the IT staffing and services industry, shares Ella Koscik, CEO and Owner of MDI Group. Our people and our clients are the cornerstones of our organization, and I am confident that Rob will successfully leverage our companys strengths while bringing considerable value to our award-winning culture.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, MDI Group has additional locations in Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX; Fort Worth, TX; Greenville, SC; and Phoenix, AZ.

About MDI Group

MDI Group is a pioneer among IT staffing and recruiting agencies, providing a full range of recruitment services to help in-house resources tackle whats next in terms of emerging technology projects and challenging business objectives since 1988. Services range from contract and contract-to-hire placements to project teams and end-to-end processes that maximize the engagement and management of contract labor. MDI Group has placed more than 10,000 technology consultants with mid-sized to Fortune 500 organizations across the country. For more information, visit http://www.mdigroup.com and follow @MDIGroup.
We couldnt be more fortunate to introduce these heroes to our nations students," George Velez, manager of Dremel 3D Education

The need to prepare students for tomorrow begins by preparing U.S. veterans and lifelong learners for today. Dremel, the manufacturer of digital fabrication tools for life and learning, is partnering with 3D Veterans, a training and veteran support organization, to provide veterans with sustainable and meaningful careers at Dremel in additive manufacturing. Through this 3D VetSquad initiative, U.S. veterans are currently helping school districts implement the Idea Builder 3D printer alongside educators and students in California, Texas, Florida and New York.

Through our partnership with Dremel, veterans will now have the unique opportunity to launch exciting new careers while continuing to be of service to their country by helping children master the job skills of the future, said Michael Moncada, co-founder of 3D Veterans.

The 3D VetSquad was developed with a grant and support from Google.org, VA Center of Innovation and America Makes for 3D Veterans to train unemployed and underemployed veterans for new careers in emerging technology. As this initiative expands, Dremel welcomes collaboration with organizations and districts passionate about helping the nations veterans and students.

As part of our Memorandum of Understanding, VA Center for Innovation is excited to collaborate with 3D Veterans, Dremel and America Makes to help train veterans on 21st century skills, such as 3D printing, and allows them to gain access to impactful careers and to continue serving Americas schools and students," said Andrea Ippolito, Innovation Network lead of the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Current and future U.S. veterans enrolled in the 3D VetSquad initiative will receive a Training Badge upon completion of a six-week boot camp program. Veterans earning their Training Badge will travel to schools nationwide to assist educators in setup, maintenance and everyday classroom use of the Dremel Idea Builder 3D printers.

Veterans have provided a tremendous service to our country, and we want to honor that by supporting their transition back to civilian life, said George Velez, manager of Dremel 3D Education. We couldnt be more fortunate to introduce these heroes to our nations students.

As 3D printing technology continues to impact real-world applications of STEM learning in districts nationwide, educators and students will have the opportunity to strengthen educational experiences through hands-on training with the 3D VetSquad. In addition to the comprehensive lesson plans, one-on-one customer support and certification program available to Dremel customers, veterans will offer in-person support for educators who are implementing 3D printing technology to the classroom.

The 3D Veterans program successfully advances and accelerates the adoption of 3D printing in the U.S., by meeting two core needs: providing job training and workforce skills to veterans and technical support to schools and educators. America Makes strongly supports this program," said Leanne Gluck, America Makes deputy director of workforce and educational outreach.

To learn more about how the 3D Vet Squad is making a difference in the classroom, follow Dremel Education on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For more information about the Dremel Idea Builder, visit https://3dprinter.dremel.com.

About Dremel

Founded in 1932, Dremel is the industry standard in leadership and excellence for versatile tools systems. The Dremel 3D Idea Builder expands the brands reach from the workshop to the classroom to provide educators and students with cutting-edge technology for STEM education. Built upon the brands dedication to empowering makers through creativity, precision and project enjoyment, the Dremel 3D Idea Builder nurtures student confidence by giving them a tool to design and build their own models to understand lessons. With available curriculum to draw connections between 3D printing and instruction, Dremel is providing educators with the support they need to transform classrooms. Learn more about classroom applications and curriculum-based learning at 3dprinter.dremel.com.

About 3D Veterans

Founded in 2015, 3D Veterans is a veteran and minority-owned small business whose primary purpose is to provide training and job placement assistance to transitioning service members and veterans seeking careers incorporating emerging technologies. 3D Veterans has partnered with Google.org., the U.S. Veteran Administrations Center of Innovation and America Makes to develop customized training boot camps centered on the needs of employers in emerging technology-focused industries. In June 2016, the White House announced a partnership between the VA and 3D Veterans to train veterans on 21st century skills, such as human-centered design, to help veterans obtain future job opportunities and reintegrate back into their community.

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Editors Note: Dremel is a registered brand name and is used as an adjective to describe the products made by the Dremel brand.
ATLANTA, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Celebrations are erupting in countries around the world as Friendship Force International, a global pioneer in promoting homestay travel experiences, celebrates its 40th anniversary with renewed dedication to its vision for a more peaceful world.



Since 1977, Friendship Force International has been building bridges of understanding across the barriers that separate people, and today, FFI members worldwide face political headwinds threatening to jeopardize its mission.

The leadership at Friendship Force International is urging its more than 15,000 members worldwide to stand unified and in the knowledge that FFIs mission of promoting understanding and peace is more important than ever as political forces seek to promote distrust and division among people and nations.

As I travel the world visiting Friendship Force members, I see and hear evidence of spreading anxiety in the eyes and voices of average people who are personally concerned about how political trends in America will affect their lives, said Jeremi Snook, President and CEO of Atlanta-based Friendship Force International. Many Friendship Force members overseas now are afraid to travel on homestay exchanges to the U.S., especially our clubs in Mexico. Daily political developments that are troubling to us all threaten Friendship Forces future as a global movement in which average people everywhere experience different views and discover common ground.

When Atlantan Wayne Smith and then-President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter boldly announced the creation of The Friendship Force in 1977, they could not have dreamed how their idea would go on to change the world for the better.

Today, thousands of people participate in more than 300 global and domestic travel experiences through Friendship Force International each year. Almost 400 Friendship Force clubs with some 15,000 members dot the planet in 66 countries. Participants of all ages and backgrounds have their choice of dozens of experience-rich, group and individual travel opportunities in which they can experience different views and discover common ground.

In a nod to that first exchange to England in 1977, the host city for the international celebration of Friendship Forces 40TH anniversary will be Manchester, U.K. in August. For information or to register to attend, please visit our 40th Anniversary Landing Page.

To learn more about how Friendship Force International can enrich your life, please visit https://www.friendshipforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017_Journeys-2.pdf.
Ravenna in Black Stainless Steel Were excited to celebrate 20 years of business at this years AD Show. The design community is so vital to our industry, and we always look forward to sharing new products with enthusiasts and discussing industry trends." Luke Siow, Zephyr President

Zephyr, the industry leader in ventilation design, innovation and technology, will exhibit at the 2017 Architectural Digest Design Show from March 16th  19th, 2017. This year, Zephyr celebrates 20 years of reinventing the ventilation category and challenging the definition of a traditional range hood. Zephyr will showcase its new, industry-first Black Stainless Steel range hoods made with titanium coating, along with hoods from its Arc, Cheng, and Essentials Collection at Booth #191 during the renowned design show.

As kitchen design evolves, homeowners and designers are looking for an alternative to standard stainless steel and white appliances that have dominated the industry now for decades. Zephyrs Anzio, Ravenna, and Savona are now available in the sleek black stainless finish that are made with an aerospace-grade level of protection that ensures each hood will stand up to the harshest cooking conditions. Zephyr will also display its Limited Edition Okeanito in black mirror stainless and Horizon in black glass. All of Zephyrs striking black hoods are minimal, timeless works of art and are sure to turn heads at the anticipated design show.

Additionally, Zephyr will introduce its new Messina Wall hood that was designed for professional-style ranges that require extra powerful ventilation. The Messina features a 1,000 CFM internal blower, which eliminates the need for two blowers and results in less noise and a decrease in cost for installation. Available in 36-, 42-, 48-, and 54-inch widths, Messina also includes Zephyrs BriteStrip LED lighting and ICON Touch Controls.

Zephyrs Luce Wall hood now features a red Rose LED accent light that complements its current Cloud White, Deep Blue, and Amber color options. The new color is a glamorous addition to the hood and gives homeowners an added design element. A stunning hood for the most discerning chef, Luce with ICON Touch Controls makes a bold statement in the kitchen with its minimal elegance, smart technology, and competitive price.

For designers and homeowners that prefer an out of sight, out of mind approach to kitchen ventilation, Zephyr will display its popular Lux Island, now available in white. An in-ceiling hood that doesnt obstruct views in the kitchen, Lux Island is equipped with Zephyrs groundbreaking Perimeter Aspiration System. The ventilation system is designed to remove smoke, steam and cooking odors by pulling air through thin channels located on the perimeter of a stainless steel panel.

Were excited to celebrate 20 years of business at this years AD Show, says Luke Siow, Zephyr President. The design community is so vital to our industry, and we always look forward to sharing new products with enthusiasts and discussing new trends in the design community as a whole.

About Zephyr

For the past 20 years, San Francisco-based Zephyr has transformed the kitchen through design, discovery, and care. The company has challenged the perception of what ventilation means in kitchen design and created a new awareness of the importance of a high performing ventilation system. With acclaimed talent such as artistic visionary, Fu-Tung Cheng, and industrial designer, Robert Brunner, Zephyr is able to create cutting-edge residential range hoods unlike any other company. In addition, Zephyr has pioneered ventilation hood technology with the industrys first DCBL Suppression System; an exclusive innovation that delivers the most silent, energy efficient and performance-driven range hoods available today. As a direct result of its unexpected design and ever-evolving innovation, Zephyr is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including, Chicago Athenaeum Good Design, ADEX (Awards for Design Excellence), Appliance Design Excellence In Design, Spark, Architectural Products Product Innovation, and Consumers Digest Best Buy Rating. To learn more, visit zephyronline.com.

About Architectural Digest Design Show

The 16th annual Architectural Digest Design Show, held from March 1619 at Pier 92 & 94 in New York City, showcases the best in the design and luxury market. The four-day fair features more than 400 premium brands and covers a range of categories, including: furniture, accessories, art, kitchen and bath products, flooring, rugs, carpets, electronics, ceramics, stone + tile, wall covering, lighting, outdoor products, building products, and more. From product launches, theater programming, and special events, the show is a must-attend for the industrys top professionals and discerning consumers. The Architectural Digest Design Show is produced by Vornado/The Mart (MMPI), hosted by Architectural Digest and co-sponsored by The New York Times. ADDesignShow.com
Tru Bilt's customers will be very well served by this marriage. North Star's reputation for great quality, delivery and service on the window side is perfectly aligned with our own on the door side.

North Star Windows and Doors ("North Star") and Tru Tech Corporation ("Tru Tech") proudly announce North Star's acquisition of Tru Bilt, Tru Tech's pre-hung entry door system division.

This acquisition further emphasizes North Star's commitment to world class manufacturing and industry leading quality, delivery and service. The sale of the pre-hung door systems division provides Tru Tech the opportunity to focus on their core business, the manufacture and distribution of fiberglass and steel door panels, decorative door-lites and related components throughout North America.

Tru Tech's CEO John Careri said, "Tru Bilt's customers will be very well served by this marriage. North Star's reputation for great quality, delivery and service on the window side is perfectly aligned with our own on the door side. This is a great deal for all parties involved. North Star gains the technological know-how, manufacturing footprint and experienced team necessary to produce outstanding entry door systems. Tru Tech's core business focus will allow us to accelerate the growth of our door components business. Tru Bilt's customers will continue to enjoy a very strong and dedicated supplier using high quality Tru Tech door components. Tru Bilt's employees are joining a great team with a common focus and attitude."

Ron Cauchi, North Star's CEO added "Tru Bilt is a wonderful fit for North Star. Together with John and his team, we have developed a truly great entry door program that is tailored to compliment and perfectly match our window product offering. Their commitment to quality and service is also a great match with North Star's approach and long standing reputation. They share our passion for delivering great quality products, on time, every time. As one company, our tag line holds truer than ever...

North Star. Quality Windows and Doors. Great Service. Exceptional Value."

Tru Bilt, as part of the North Star family, will continue to manufacture entry door systems at their Vaughan, Ontario location using high quality Tru Tech door panels and decorative glass. Tru Bilt's entire dedicated and highly experienced team will continue to support their customers with the same passion that they have for many years.

About North Star

Since 1985 North Star has been an industry leader in the manufacture of attractive and energy-efficient vinyl windows and patio doors. North Star is supported by a network of outstanding dealers with a reputation for providing quality workmanship, on time delivery and attentive customer service. For 32 years, North Star has been manufacturing quality windows and doors, delivering great service and exceptional value. For additional information about North Star, visit

http://www.northstarwindows.com.

About Tru Tech

Tru Tech Doors is a leading North American manufacturer of high quality entry door components. Since 1998 Tru Tech has designed, produced and distributed a wide range of steel and fibreglass door panels, decorative glass and other door related products for the residential and new construction building markets. For additional information about Tru Tech, visit http://www.trutechdoors.com.
We are proud to have earned numerous opportunities over the past 16 years to partner with the EPA and support its important national mission

ASRC Federal Mission Services (ASMS) has been awarded the Information Management Center Services IV contract supporting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ASMS will provide direct support to the EPA library network, the National Records Management program and the Consolidated Docket Center. ASMS will also provide web content management and information architecture support. This new single award, five-year contract, has an approximate total value of $250 million.

The partnership between ASRC Federals companies and the EPA dates back to 2000, said Mark Gray, ASRC Federal president and CEO. We are proud to have earned numerous opportunities over the past 16 years to partner with the EPA and support its important national mission.

ASMS employees supporting this contract are located at 20 EPA locations across 19 states and the District of Columbia.

About ASRC Federal

ASRC Federal comprises a family of companies that deliver engineering, information technology, infrastructure support, professional and technical services to U.S. civil and defense agencies. ASRC Federal companies have employees in over 40 locations across the U.S. focused on providing reliable, cost-efficient services that help government customers achieve mission success. Headquartered in Beltsville, Md., ASRC Federal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. For more information, please visit:http://www.asrcfederal.com
"The pace of advances in molecular and immune biomarker usage to guide cancer diagnosis, risk assessment and therapy has been tremendous over the last few years, posing a significant challenge to the practicing clinician. " - Dr. Balazs Halmos

Physicians Education Resource, LLC (PER), will host the 1st Annual International Congress on Oncology Pathology: Towards Harmonization of Pathology and Oncology Standards on June 24 at The Westin New York at Times Square. Co-chaired by Dr. Alain Borczuk, vice chairman for anatomic pathology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, and Dr. Balazs Halmos, director of thoracic oncology and clinical cancer genomics at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, the conference will provide the latest information on key topics in pathology that can be applied to clinical practice.

Dr. Halmos said, The pace of advances in molecular and immune biomarker usage to guide cancer diagnosis, risk assessment and therapy has been tremendous over the last few years, posing a significant challenge to the practicing clinician. Our conference will provide a concise review of key emerging issues at the intersection of diagnostic pathology and clinical oncology, enhanced by a Tumor Board format to highlight real life challenges.

The multidisciplinary collaboration between oncologists and pathologists is paramount to providing personalized care in order to optimize outcomes for patients with a variety of cancers. At this inaugural congress, leading experts will address critical topics in pathology screening for malignancies commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Dr. Borczuk added, This educational activity will focus on filling knowledge gaps for treating physicians regarding the role of oncologic pathology consultation, and for pathologists, the impact of these data on clinical care.

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.gotoper.com/conferences/icop/meetings/1st-annual-international-congress-on-oncology-pathology-towards-harmonization-of-pathology-and-oncology-standards/registration

About PER

Since 1995, PER has been the educational resource of choice for live and online activities focusing on oncology and hematology. PER provides high-quality, evidence-based activities that feature leading national and international faculty, with a focus on practice-changing advances and standards of care in treatment and disease management. Activities cover such topics as emerging strategies currently under investigation, supportive care, diagnosis and staging, prevention, screening and early detection, and practice management. With rapid advances occurring in the field of oncology, understanding how to use molecular data to diagnose and stage patients, selecting the most appropriate candidates for novel therapeutic agents, individualizing treatment based on tumor type, and referring patients to clinical trials will continue to ensure the highest level of patient care is provided. PER serves the oncology health care community, including physicians, fellows, advanced practice nurses, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and researchers. PER is part of the Cranbury, N.J.-based Michael J. Hennessy Associates Inc. family of businesses. Learn more at http://www.gotoper.com.
Queens Divorce and Family Law Attorney Bruce Feinstein, Esq. Divorce fillings start to spike  into early March, most likely due to the post-holiday timing. The New Year is a healthy dose of reality; the holidays are over, spouses want a new start, and they act on that emotional momentum.

Divorce may seem like a unique personal matter between two spouses, but it is not immune to seasonal trends. The period from January to early March is known in the industry as peak time periods for filing for divorce in the U.S., and are backed by several theories. As the zenith of divorce filing nears, divorce and family law attorney Bruce Feinstein Esq. speaks about these trends, as well as good questions to ask when learning about divorce in New York.

The upswing in divorce filings begins in the New Year at the start of January. This comes on the heels of engagement season in the U.S.: December. Mr. Feinstein explains, Divorce fillings start to spike in January and into early March, most likely due to the post-holiday timing. The New Year is a healthy dose of reality; the holidays are over, spouses want a new start, and they act on that emotional momentum.

While divorce filings are on the rise during this time, the number of clients coming in and asking questions about divorce is also on the rise. The common rational behind this upswing is similar to the divorce-filing rise; spouses see old habits returning and may have waited until after the emotionally turbulent holiday times before consulting with a divorce attorney.

Mr. Feinstein recommends coming to a meeting with an experienced divorce lawyer in New York with a series of questions about divorce, custody, and how to best plan for next steps. Lawyers not only specialize in divorce, they can also be experts in certain areas of this complex field. Divorce law can include family law, custody law, international custody, guardianship, and even certain financial situations. Ask your lawyer what her specialties are and how many custody cases she has handles to gauge her experience, says Mr. Feinstein.

Another series of questions to prepare is financial aspects of the divorce proceeding. This is another complicated area of divorce, but even an initial consult with a divorce attorney can shed light on the costs associated with divorce. Ask a divorce attorney how he will charge, including retainers, hourly rates, flat fees, and outside costs like private investigators and psychologists. Asking for the estimated total cost of your divorce is tough, since each case is truly unique and dependent on the level of conflict, says Mr. Feinstein. But this will help weed out attorneys who immediately lowball the cost or wont offer ways to cut down costs. Proper preparation for this major step in your life is paramount, no matter what time of year it is.

The Law Offices of Bruce Feinstein has nearly two decades of experience in divorce and family law, helping clients and families resolve their issues and move forward with their lives. If you are thinking of getting married or divorced and want more information visit feinsteindivorcelaw.com or call (718) 475-6039 to reach the New York office.

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South Palm GI

Gastro Health, LLC (Gastro Health) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire South Palm GI, P.A. (South Palm GI), one of the leading gastroenterology practices in Delray Beach, FL.

Established in 1999, South Palm GI is a private gastroenterology practice that is comprised of four physicians: Dr. Michael Blum, Dr. James Chong, Dr. Jonathan Kaplan and Dr. Morris Naus. Additionally, South Palm GI employs an advanced registered nurse practitioner, specializing in gastroenterology. The doctors at South Palm will continue providing the excellent care that their patients have come to expect. This partnership will make additional resources available to the practice, allowing them to offer even more patients the safe and affordable gastrointestinal care they need. All of Gastro Healths care centers are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology to ensure the best outcomes possible for each individual patient.

We are very excited to become a part of Gastro Health, which is one of the preeminent leaders in gastroenterology in the United States, said Dr. Michael Blum, President of South Palm GI. We look forward to expanding our patient care services and continuing to deliver quality gastrointestinal care for our patients.

We are thrilled to have South Palm GI join Gastro Health, which complements our new Wellington location and plans for expansion in Palm Beach County, said Gastro Health, CEO, Alejandro Fernandez. South Palm GI is a premier practice located in Delray Beach, FL with highly skilled providers and staff. We look forward to helping the community of Delray Beach with all of their digestive health needs.

About Gastro Health

Gastro Health, founded in 2006, is a gastroenterology physician practice management company headquartered in Miami, FL that includes some of the nations premier gastroenterologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, and allied health professionals. In addition to delivering gastrointestinal care, these providers offer a wide range of additional services including: anesthesia, infusion, imaging, pathology, specialty pharmacy and in-office RX dispensing. Gastro Health takes pride in providing outstanding medical care and an exceptional healthcare experience for patients. Additional information is available at http://www.gastrohealth.com or call 1-855-GASTRO1.
Gain greater ROI from your Salesforce investment with Work-Relay

Work-Relay (work-relay.com) today announced a technology partnership with Business Rules Management System (BRMS) leader, InRule Technology.

InRule is an enterprise-grade BRMS for Salesforce. By integrating InRule and Work-Relay, customers can author and deploy business rules in conjunction with their Work-Relay business processes on the Salesforce platform without the need for complex code modifications.

This partnership is a very natural fit because both Work-Relay and InRule seek to allow their clients to gain greater ROI from their Salesforce investment, said John Shap, CEO, Work-Relay. Since rules creation is such an integral part of business process management, our collaboration provides customers with an enhanced ability to bring mission-critical enterprise applications to market faster and with greater configurability.

An increasing number of organizations seek the ability to automate and streamline BPM and business rules, and require solutions that can be customized and executed without developer support. Because most enterprise-level systems have complex workflows that include rules, criteria and decision logic, BRMS and BPM technologies can be effectively combined to meet these demands.

Integrating Work-Relay and InRule provides our Salesforce customers with transparency into rules and processes, delivering agility to meet evolving operational demands, customer needs and regulatory requirements, said Rik Chomko, co-founder and CEO, InRule Technology. We are excited to partner with Work-Relay, an established Salesforce partner with a record of bringing value to customers through its proven BPM solutions.

Salesforce, Salesforce Platform and others are among the trademarks of salesforce.com, inc.

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About Work-Relay

Work-Relay combines Business Process Management (BPM) with project management to help PMOs better plan, execute, manage, scale, measure and improve complex processes and projects. Headquartered in Chicago, Work-Relay works with both startup and Fortune 100 companies across a broad range of industries, including media, healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, distribution, oil & gas, and finance.

About InRule Technology, Inc.

InRule Technology enables organizations to make faster, more effective decisions by reducing change cycles and automating business rules. IT and business personnel use InRules Business Rules Management System (BRMS) to easily put Policy into PracticeTM, in hours not days, to increase productivity, grow revenues and improve customer service. More than 350 members of the InRule User Community in 21 countries rely on InRules rule engine to reduce development and change cycles by up to 90 percent for their core systems and customer-facing applications. InRule Technology is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner and has been delivering significant and measurable business and IT results to customers since 2002. For more information visit http://www.inrule.com.
Dr. Carolyn Crowell Welcomes New Patients with Dental Fear in Avon, OH for Relaxing Dentistry

New patients with dental fear in Avon, OH, are now welcome to receive sedation dentistry from Drs. Carolyn Crowell, Charissa McCune and Maria Ramirez, without first receiving a referral. Drs. Crowell, McCune and Ramirez are experienced pediatric dentists who understand how dental appointments can make some young patients with dental anxiety nervous. With the help of sedation dentistry and a fun and comfortable environment, many children are able to receive the dental care they need while remaining calm and relaxed during treatment.

Drs. Crowell, McCune and Ramirez are educating parents on the importance of providing dental care to their children at a young age. Children who develop good oral habits are much more likely to continue those same oral habits as they become adults. While some parents are wary of taking their children to the dentist due to their childs dental fear, Drs. Crowell, McCune and Ramirez provide kind, gentle care and offer sedation dentistry to help make young patients feel more comfortable and at ease.

Sedation dentistry can be offered via nitrous oxide (otherwise known as laughing gas), intravenous (IV) sedation and general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide is one of the most common sedation options and is designed to be inhaled during the patients appointment. The safe and gentle gas causes the child to feel drowsy and relaxed so he or she does not experience fear during treatment. Intravenous sedation is administered through an IV and is recommended for those who are extremely apprehensive about receiving treatment. General anesthesia is administered on an outpatient basis and is generally reserved for children with special needs or severe dental anxiety. Children who receive this type of sedation are unconscious during treatment.

Drs. Crowell, McCune and Ramirez are compassionate pediatric dentists who seek to alleviate patient anxiety whenever possible. Patients with dental fear in Avon, OH, are invited to call 440-934-0149 to schedule a sedation dentistry appointment.

About the Practice

Dr. Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD & Associates is a dental practice offering pediatric dentistry and orthodontics to patients in Avon, Ohio. Dr. Carolyn B. Crowell is a pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well as a Fellow of numerous organizations including the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Charissa McCune is an experienced orthodontist who is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, among other prestigious dental organizations. Dr. Maria Ramirez is a pediatric dentist who specialized in Childrens Dentistry at MetroHealth Medical Center Pediatric Dental Clinic in Cleveland. Drs. Crowell, McCune and Ramirez offer the latest in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics including laser dentistry in order to provide each patient experienced, comfortable and trusted care. To learn more about the doctors or the services they offer, visit their website at http://www.drcrowell.com or call (440) 934-0149 to schedule an appointment.
Windstar Cruises will be sailing into (and out of) Manhattan on its first-ever itineraries in New England and Canada beginning summer/fall 2018. New York is a city of legendary over-achievers, and we have every intention of over delivering on our brands New England and Canada experiences, including our maiden call to Manhattan with Star Pride.

Start spreading the news, Windstar Cruises will be sailing into (and out of) Manhattan on its first-ever itineraries in New England and Canada beginning summer/fall 2018. Windstars 212-guest all-suite yacht Star Pride will embark on four new sailings (with five sail dates) that span nine to 16 days, offering leisurely opportunities to enjoy fall foliage and discover charming New England coastal towns, historic gems like Boston and Newport, and the seductively old world appeal of the Canadian Maritimes and Quebec. Star Pride will arrive in New York for the first time via Iceland.

This announcement comes on the heels of news that the small ship cruise line, headquartered in Seattle, will be sailing to Alaska and along Canadas west coast aboard Star Legend, a sister ship to Star Pride, in spring/summer 2018. The company has not sailed in North America in recent years, so the addition of both regions is a major development for the company, which operates primarily in Europe, the Caribbean/Central America, and French Polynesia.

"New York is a city of legendary over-achievers, and we have every intention of over delivering on our brands New England and Canada experiences, including our maiden call to Manhattan with Star Pride, said Windstar President John Delaney. New York is one of our major markets, a key gateway, and one of the world's great destination cities in its own right. We are thrilled to make Windstar so easily accessible to such a large national and international audience by being in New York.

2018 Voyage Collection  Canada & New England

North Atlantic Odyssey: Reykjavik to New York City  16 Days

The journey from Iceland to Manhattan is best experienced by small ship, with scenic cruising through fjords in southern Greenlands Prince Christian Sound  only 1,500 feet wide at some points and aweing visitors with steep granite mountains that stretch from sea to sky. A chance to see polar bears in Nanortalik is followed by time in the quaint towns of Newfoundland, along with the UNESCO sites of Red Bay and LAnse Aux Meadows and their whaling and Viking pasts. The itinerary will also allow tours to Gros Morne National Park (an UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Acadia National Park, accessed via charming Bar Harbor, Maine. A final day sailing through Cape Cod Canal, inaccessible to larger ships, brings guests into the heart of Manhattan for disembarkation.

The Maritimes & Manhattan: New York City to Montreal (or reverse)  12 Days

From the spectacular scenery of Gaspe and Saguenay Fjord to vintage towns like Newport and Bar Harbor, the cruise captures the best of New England and Southeast Canada. Guests can explore the Gilded Age mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, and a unique stop in Provincetown, Massachusetts  the site of the landing of the Mayflower. Other highlights include the autumn spectacle of Acadia National Park and an overnight in Quebec City, perfect for taking advantage of the vibrant citys nightlife.

Southeast Canadian Explorations: Montreal to Boston  9 Days

Cruising from one postcard-perfect scene to another in waters alive with whales and fishing boats paired with French-Canadian ports oozing Old World charm, this itinerary brings an excellent blend of bucolic and urbane. Guests will enjoy watching for rare beluga whales in spectacular Saguenay Fjord or falling under the spell of historic Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, best seen via horse-drawn carriage to truly understand how it inspired Anne of Green Gables. Time on Portland, Maines waterfront and sampling its hot restaurant scene is followed by historic Boston.

Postcard Ports of Cape Cod & Canada: Boston to Montreal  12 Days

This voyage from Boston to Montreal gives a taste of historic beach towns, quaint lobster fishing villages, and cosmopolitan cities that reflect their French heritage. Stopping in Provincetown means guests can explore the site of the pilgrims Mayflower landing and interesting art galleries in town. Other highlights include time in Rockland, Maine, known as the lobster capital of the world; ample opportunity for a visit to a local pub (thanks to Windstars late night departure) in vibrant Halifax, which boasts the highest pub to person ratio in Canada; a fascinating transit through the 79-foot-wide Canso Canal; and an overnight in Quebec City.

Exploring Canada & New England Aboard the All-Suite 212-guest Star Pride

All Windstar sailings in Canada & New England in 2018 will take place aboard the 212-guest Star Pride, boasting all-suite accommodations. In 2016, Star Pride underwent a major interior renovation, including the refurbishment of public spaces and revitalization of two stunning Owners Suites. The suites underwent million-dollar structural makeovers to offer sweeping views, along with new modern decor. In addition to the Owners Suites, guests may choose among four spacious Classic Suites; 36 popular Balcony Suites with French balconies; and 64 Ocean View Suites with large picture windows. The yachts WindSpa, Fitness Center, two whirlpools, pool, Lounge, Star Bar, multiple dining options, and casino pamper and entertain guests, while its small size means it can tuck into small ports and hidden harbors that other cruise ships cant reach.

For additional information on small ship cruising with Windstar, contact a travel professional or Windstar Cruises by phone at 877-958-7718, or visit http://www.windstarcruises.com.
Hyperwallet, a leading global payouts provider to millions of independent workers, today announced the winners of the Hyperwallet Hackathon, an event that challenged developers to build a faster, safer, and smarter payout solution capable of helping charitable organizations distribute funds during a disaster.

The top prize of $2500, sponsored by Visa, went to Team Get 50/Give 50 (Dorian Penaloza, Max Loukianov, Joel Kleppinger, Hasun Amarasekara). The teams solution featured a fund distribution mechanism that utilized Hyperwallets Visa Direct integration. The application was also multipurpose, including an SMS notification system that enabled donation acceptance and a geolocation qualification mechanism to help establish donation eligibility within the affected disaster area.

The second-place prize of $1500 was awarded to Team Reach (Danushka Abeysuriya, Lou Carpino, Ghanum Taylor), while Team Guard Me (Ananya Das, Sheel Bedi, Wenyuan Wu) took third place to win $1000. More than 75 developers registered to participate in the event.

Its been inspiring to see the new and exciting ways that Austins developer community has utilized Hyperwallets framework to support disaster relief efforts, said Bill Crowley, Hyperwallets Chief Product Officer, who helped select the winners of the event. This is the kind of outside-the-box thinking that we hope to see a lot more of in the payments space. Were very impressed with all of the solutions submitted by our participants.

Todays solutions go a long way in envisioning creative solutions that address disaster relief efforts, like verification, disaster fund collection and distribution methods, said Kelly Alpert, Vice President, Visa Direct. By working with Hyperwallet and the developer community, our hope is that future relief efforts will be aided by leaps in innovation, inspired by Hyperwallet and Visa Direct APIs.

The Hyperwallet Hackathon was sponsored by Visa, Samsung ARTIK Cloud, Experis, HomeAway, and Envestnet | Yodlee. The event was conducted in support of Upbring, a Texas-based nonprofit organization aiming to end the cycle of child abuse by empowering children, families, and communities. As part of its mission, Upbring disaster response steps in to help communities affected by tornadoes, floods, and other disasters.

For more information, please contact press(at)hyperwallet(dot)com.

About Hyperwallet

Hyperwallets payout platform provides growing organizations with a frictionless, transparent, and reliable way to manage payments and enhance the payees experience almost anywhere in the world. Trusted by enterprise, ecommerce, and on-demand platforms, Hyperwallet makes it easy to pay up to 7 billion people in a singular payment environment. Put your payees in control with enhanced financial management tools, integrated payment tracking technology, and user-friendly compliance and identity verification. Hyperwallet has offices in San Francisco, Austin, London, and Vancouver. You can learn more at http://hyperwallet.com.
The Annual General Meeting of Targovax ASA will be held at the Company's offices at Lysaker, on 5 April 2017 at 10:00 CET.

Please find the notice including agenda for the General Meeting and appendices attached to this disclosure. The notice will also be sent to all shareholders. The notice and appendices will also be made available on Targovax' website www.targovax.com under Corporate Governance and General Meetings.

The proposal from the Nomination Committee will be made available on www.targovax.com prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Company will publish a new press release when the proposal from the Nomination Committee is available.

Notice of attendance must be received no later than 4 April 2017 at 16:00 CET.

For further information, please contact:

Renate Birkeli, Investor Relations

Phone: +47 922 61 624

Email: renate.birkeli@targovax.com



This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.



Attachments:

http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f3e9cf5-ca9a-4d12-9447-ce3520f7bb9e
Students' academic performance can suffer tremendously when these needs are not met. This is a humanitarian concern as well as a priority for all community colleges.

The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), in collaboration with the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, today announced the release of Hungry and Homeless in College, a new research report that assesses food and housing insecurity among community college students. Authors Sara Goldrick-Rab, Jed Richardson and Anthony Hernandez conducted a survey of more than 33,000 students at 70 community colleges in 24 states--the broadest survey of its kind--that describes the extent to which students are adversely affected by unmet basic needs while pursuing higher education.

"Of the students we surveyed, one in three reported that they had gone hungry while enrolled in college, and half were housing insecure--and nearly 14 percent were homeless," said Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University and the founder of the Wisconsin HOPE Lab. "This shouldn't happen in the United States--but the more we learn about students' unmet needs, the better we can address them."

"Proper nutrition and safe and stable housing are not only basic human needs," said ACCT President and CEO J. Noah Brown. "Students' academic performance can suffer tremendously when these needs are not met. This is a humanitarian concern as well as a priority for all community colleges."

Among the findings:

There is surprisingly little geographic variation in hunger and homelessness among community college students: it is not isolated to urban or high-poverty colleges, and is prevalent in all regions of the country.

This is the first study to consider foster youth. Thirty percent (30%) of the former foster youth surveyed were homeless.

One-third of students experiencing food or housing insecurity were both working and receiving financial aid.

Sixty-three percent (63%) of parenting students were food insecure and almost 14% were homeless, but only about 5% received any child-care assistance.

Homeless community college students are more likely to work long hours at low-quality jobs, and get less sleep.

"It's especially concerning," Goldrick-Rab said, "that despite being in such vulnerable circumstances, almost one-third are receiving student loans, further compromising their situations."

Hungry and Homeless in College expands on a pilot survey of 4,000 students from 10 community colleges in seven states that was conducted in 2015. The Kresge Foundation supported the expanded survey.

"We believe all people should lead self-determined lives and participate in the economic mainstream," said William F. L. Moses, managing director of Kresge's Education Program. "We know that education is the greatest economic equalizer--and we believe that every student should have access to a high-quality higher education without compromising his or her living conditions and safety, and without skipping meals."

"To date, no federal funding has ever been allocated to study homelessness and hunger among college students," Goldrick-Rab said. "Hungry and Homeless in College represents a significant sample of community college students, but a comprehensive study to gain a thorough grasp of these issues among students nationwide is long overdue."

The full report, including profiles of three community college students and policy recommendations for community colleges, state and federal lawmakers, is available at the ACCT and Wisconsin HOPE Lab websites.
"AppRev proudly supports HFMA Region 5."

This years Dixie Institute will take place March 21-24, 2017, in Savannah, Georgia. Region 5 is comprised of the Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee chapters of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

The Past Presidents Dinner will be held Tuesday, March 21, 2017, the first night of the Dixie Institute. The dinner honors all former chapter presidents with an evening of recognition for their contribution to HFMA.

AppRev is proud to support HFMA Region 5s efforts to provide the highest quality in education and networking to the healthcare finance arena, said AppRev President and CEO, Seth Avery. This is AppRevs fifth year to sponsor the Past Presidents Dinner, and we are honored to continue to take part in this tradition.

AppRev is a privately held Healthcare Business Intelligence company based in Temple, Texas, providing services and technology to more than 80 hospitals throughout the United States and Bermuda. AppRev delivers results through services and technology that allow hospitals and clinics to improve revenue cycle performance. The companys solutions are provided via web delivered Service Supported Software and include Charge Accuracy, Charge Review, Denials Intelligence, Pricing Analytics, CDM and DSH services. All AppRev solutions employ ongoing measurement of revenue cycle improvements and can be tailored to meet customer-specific requirements.
Board & Brew owes its success to all of the loyal customers who have embraced us over the years. Thank you! We're proud to serve you and be a part of your community. -Tom Powers

This Saturday March 18th from 11am to 5pm, Board and Brew is having its Grand opening at 19720 Beach Blvd Suite 103 in the Newland Shopping Center in Huntington Beach.

All who attend will get an Owners Special 50% off on any sandwich on the menu.

In 1979, Tom Powers started Board and Brew and for over 30 years, Board & Brew has remained a timeless classic.

"Board & Brew owes its success to all of the loyal customers who have embraced us over the years. Thank you! We're proud to serve you and be a part of your community." -Tom Powers

Fine Sandwiches, Craft Beers and a Secret Sauce that keeps people coming back. That was the concept that made new Franchise owners Pete & Sam customers before they fell in love and started their Journey to ownership.

Now they have brought the Board and Brew concept to Huntington Beach in its furthest coastal location north from its origin in Del Mar California.

For decades, fans of their sandwiches have spread the word across Southern California because they love the simple, straightforward menu and consistent everyday value. They never cut corners and only use the freshest ingredients.

When you grab lunch or dinner at Board & Brew, you know you are getting their best  every time.

Come out, celebrate, and show some local support!
A letter signed by Andrew Jackson in 1795. 2017 marks the 250th anniversary of his birth. Were very excited to offer these historical documents in the Worthington collection, Keever said.

Worthington Galleries is proud to announce the acquisition of two rare documents signed by Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States.

The correspondences offer an extraordinary glimpse into Jacksons time as a young attorney in Nashville and later as a celebrated general just weeks after claiming victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

Jackson, or Old Hickory as he was fondly nicknamed, was a pioneer, attorney, merchant, judge, farmer, war hero, and politician from Nashville, Tenn. Born March 15, 1767, this year marks the 250th anniversary of his birth. Jackson served as president from 1829-37.

Jackson was a 28-year-old merchant and attorney practicing law in Nashville and surrounding area when he wrote the first letter, dated Oct. 2, 1795.

The letter appears to be addressed to a man by the name of Markum or Markham McGee. Its believed to be the earliest signed letter of Andrew Jacksons sold at auction in four decades.

Jackson offers frank advice in the letter to help settle a dispute between two men.

The following text appears as Jackson originally wrote it:

"Capt. David Smith waited upon me this day, and Communicated to me your Desire of Seeing Me in the Town of Nashville this Evening in order (as I understand him) to adjust a Disputed Matter now Existing between you and him, Jackson wrote.

Jackson warns the man to pay his debt to avoid going to court.

My advice therefore is to you to repay the money to Smith and Save the Expense [sic] of a Lawsuit which you will undoubtedly have to pay, Jackson wrote. Genl. Robertson can inform you that it will be the Consequence from the Statement herein which are facts and not as plainly stated as they will be proven in Court from the original bond as from [your] own agreement and Confessions."

Jackson also references James Robertson, who co-founded Nashville with John Donelson around 1779.

This early letter provides us with insight into Jacksons business relationships in Nashville, but also shows how savvy he was as a young attorney, said Michael Keever, owner and curator for Worthington Galleries. Jackson appeals to the addressee to do the right thing by encouraging him to follow through with an agreement but he also gets to the point by warning the man to avoid a lawsuit.

The second document by Jackson was written 20 years later, approximately six weeks after the dramatic end of the Battle of New Orleans. Dated March 3, 1815, the document authorizes payment to Rosina, a free girl of colour for one months service as a washwoman in the hospital for General John Coffees Brigade of Tennessee Volunteers.

Rosina will be paid $10 a month, The lowest price at which, under existing circumstances, washwomen could be procurd, according to the letter.

The document was countersigned by the director of the hospital, David Kerr and by John Walker. Rosina added her mark to signify receipt of her salary.

While Jackson was a military hero and champion of the common man, he was also a slave owner who as president oversaw the Indian Removal Act, which forced the relocation of Native American tribes in what became known as the Trail of Tears.

In contrast, he is also the only president to raise a Native American child  Lyncoya, who Jackson took in after the child was orphaned at the Battle of Tallushatche in 1813.

Jackson is a complex figure in American history, Keever said. He would be considered ruthless and reviled for some of his actions when judged by todays standard, but he is also admired as a populist outsider who expanded democracy and individual liberty.

Were very excited to offer these historical documents in the Worthington collection, Keever said.

Both Jackson documents are in very good condition for their age. For inquiries, contact Worthington Galleries at 615-527-7970 or visit worthintongalleries.com to browse the collection online.

About Worthington Galleries

Worthington Galleries owns what is considered to be the largest collection of fine art in Tennessee and among the largest most comprehensive collections in the country. The Worthington collection includes important examples of paintings from all major movements including prehistoric, Renaissance, modern and contemporary as well as the works from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Visit http://www.worthingtongalleries.com to browse Worthington's online inventory which is updated daily.
Original 1969-1971 Led Zeppelin Concert Posters

Avid collector, Andrew Hawley, announces his search for original 1969-1971 Led Zeppelin concert posters. Led Zeppelin introduced heavy guitar driven rock music to audiences in 1968. According to Hawley, The Led Zeppelin concert posters for their U.S. tours were printed by Murray Printing and Globe Posters. The posters were printed on thick cardboard and were hung in record store windows or nailed onto telephone poles. U.S posters were 14 inches x 22 inches in size. In contrast, English posters were much larger and printed on thin fly paper. They were wheat pasted on walls near bus and train stations. For examples of Led Zeppelin posters, go to http://www.vintageconcertposterbuyer.com/fillmore_era/led_zeppelin.html

If you have an original 1969-1971 Led Zeppelin concert posters, Hawley is willing to pay $5,000 cash for each concert poster. Any condition accepted. Please call 310-346-1965 or email andrew (at) vintageconcertposterbuyer.com.
Dr. Ben Amini

Treating tooth decay early is always preferred over treating it later. Treatment may be simple and inexpensive early on, but it can become more complex and costly as the tooth decay worsens and the tooth deteriorates further. Furthermore, complications may arise by then, resulting in the need for additional treatments such as root canal therapy or removing the tooth. Unfortunately, the earliest cavities are not always caught in standard dental X-rays. Some more developed cavities may also be less obvious in X-rays, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. A new technology, known as Diagnodent, is available from a San Francisco dentist, Dr. Ben Amini, at CitiDent. With this new instrument, patients gain fast, painless and accurate detection of cavities, so that they can receive treatment efficiently and avoid problems later.

Diagnodent is a pen-shaped instrument that is able to spot cavities of all sizes, even in hard-to-reach areas of teeth. Cavities in common areas, such as fissures, can be spotted early in four out of five cases, allowing for prompt, decisive treatment. Cavity detection with Diagnodent is fast and non-invasive, making cavity detection more comfortable for patients to tolerate. In addition to spotting cavities, Diagnodent can detect calculus and tartar below the gumline. The tips used on the instrument can be sterilized on site, which supports the safety of patients.

About Dr. Ben Amini, Dentist San Francisco

Dr. Amini graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry in 1996. Today, Dr. Amini is an active and reputable member of several local, statewide, national, and international dental organizations. An assistant clinical professor at UCSF, his dental alma mater, Dr. Amini continues to complete postgraduate training to offer his patients the very latest dental care. At CitiDent, Dr. Amini and his associate dentists and specialists personally collaborate to give patients a complete range of restorative, cosmetic, implant and Invisalign treatment along with specialty care in Orthodontics and periodontics.
A vision in 1947 by the Shimkat family to locate a Plymouth and Desota car dealership in downtown Fort Dodge today is continuing with the third generation selling Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Shimkat Motor Company is now located on 5th Avenue South which is called the Corridor of Commerce.

70 Years calls for a big celebration and that is exactly what Shimkat Motor Company will be hosting on May 6th. Highlighting the event will be the Raminator - the Guinness record holder for the fastest monster truck in the world.

This will be the second time that Shimkat Motor Company has brought in the Raminator. In 2015, over 3,000 people showed up to watch the Raminator crush cars and delight the audience. The public is invited to attend the event at no costs. Added this time will be a second truck that the public will actually be able to ride in the back. Costs for the ride in the back will be $1 for children and $3 for adults.

Giving back to the community has always been in the forefront of the Shimkat family and will continue with the May 6th event. A fundraiser to benefit the local Serving Our Servants (SOS) group will be held in conjunction with the festivities. All proceeds collected that day for rides in the truck will be given to the SOS group.

SOS provides services and support for the local Fort Dodge Police, Fort Dodge Fire Department, Webster County Sheriff Department, Iowa State Patrol and other First Responders. The organization was started in 2014 by the Rev. Al Henderson, of St. Paul Lutheran Church and is supported by a large group of community volunteers.

"Our community has been here for us for these 70 years and we cannot be more grateful," states Bruce Shimkat, second generation Shimkat Motor Company owner. "Organizations like SOS are what make Fort Dodge and the surrounding region special and a fitting benefactor of this fun event."

Shimkat Motor Company was recently one of only four dealers in Iowa to receive the Fiat Chrysler of America's Customer First Award for Excellence. Additionally, Bruce Shimkat was awarded the prestigious Catalyst Award this year for his leadership, commitment and community support.

Located at 3126 5th Avenue South, Fort Dodge, IA since 2004, Shimkat Motor Company is a full service car dealer for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles. Additional information about Shimkat Motor Company is available at http://www.shimkatmotor.net/, by calling 515-573-7164 and by following them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
PMG Research We often underestimate how much patients and families can learn from each other. When patients learn directly from others who have been in clinical trials, they are able to ask their physicians and researchers more informed questions.

PMG Research, Inc. announced today a collaboration with Smart Patients, an online community where patients and their families learn from each other. The Clinical Trial Community within Smart Patients will be launched to help patients and families learn from others who have participated in clinical trials, as well as to provide information for those who are curious about clinical research.

According to the 2015 CISCRP Perceptions & Insights Study of clinical research, 95% of participant respondents would recommend clinical research participation to friends and family, yet only 58% shared their experience with others. Smart Patients and PMG Research collaborated on the creation of the Clinical Trials Community in order to improve opportunities to discuss the participation experience and build awareness of clinical research as a care option.

We are thrilled to have worked with Roni and the Smart Patients team to launch this community, not only for PMG patients, but for clinical research participants or interested patients everywhere, explains Jennifer Byrne, CEO of PMG Research. It is an innovative opportunity to further the dialogue on clinical research as a valuable care option while giving those in the community the chance to exchange information in a safe and welcoming environment.

We often underestimate how much patients and families can learn from each other. When patients learn directly from others who have been in clinical trials, they are able to ask their physicians and researchers more informed questions, adds Roni Zeiger, CEO of Smart Patients. We are totally aligned with PMGs philosophy that clinical research should be considered as a care option.

The Clinical Trial Community will launch March 15, 2017 at smartpatients.com.

About PMG Research, Inc.

PMG Research, Inc. is an integrated network of clinical research facilities with fourteen hub sites located in Champaign, IL; Ames, IA; Cary, Charlotte, Hickory, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, Salisbury, Statesville, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem, NC; Charleston, SC; and Bristol and Knoxville, TN. PMG has conducted over 7,700 research studies for hundreds of pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs since 1979. We have extensive experience conducting all phases of trials across a comprehensive list of conditions. Our mission is to bring clinical research to as many lives as possible while delivering unparalleled service and exceptional value to our clinical trial partners and stakeholders. To learn more, visit pmg-research.com.

About Smart Patients

Smart Patients is an online community where patients and their families affected by a variety of illnesses learn from each other about treatments, challenges, and how it all fits into the context of their experience. While providing patients with safe and high quality peer support, we help the healthcare system learn from patients in order to serve them better. Partnering inquiries can be sent to info(at)smartpatients(dot)com.
Many in our industry report purchase order costs of $25-$100. We believe we can drive 65% of our orders through the Speed of Light model and reduce ordering costs to below $5.

Sonic Manufacturing Technologies achieved a major milestone in its Supply Chains at the Speed of Light initiative: Over 10 million parts procured instantaneously, touch-free and error-free since the program was launched one year ago.



10,000,000 Parts

1,000,000 Dollars

20,000 Purchase Order Lines

8,000 Unique Part Numbers

1-2 Days ARO

1 Year In Operation

David Ginsberg, Vice President of Supply Chain for Sonic stated, These 10 million parts consist of over 8,000 unique part numbers delivered on over 20,000 purchase order lines; frequently for next-day delivery. It is hard to imagine the time & labor saved from not having to hand-key 20,000 purchase orders, as well as the phenomenal improvement in performance and delivery. This program has a direct impact on factory turnaround and customer satisfaction.

Supply Chains at the Speed of Light is an API-centric supply chain model that links the Sonic direct materials planning systems (MRP) with live supplier price and availability. Sonic then has one computer to buy from the other computer without human stops, reviews or authorizations; moving the supply chain at the speed of data, the speed of light.

Ginsberg adds, Operations is execution. For too long the industry focus has been on the metrics, reporting and analytics of data rather than the real-time execution of data. This disproportional focus on reporting & analytics is at odds with real-time execution. Instead, Sonic chose to focus on the real-time execution of actionable data; and making our data even more actionable.

Ken Raab, CEO of Sonic said, Customer expectations for speed and performance continue to accelerate, and if you are pursuing Made in America then you are doing so with these high expectations. While some can accept slow from offshore suppliers, you cant from your next-door supplier. Now, with API procurement, 40% of our materials are ordered instantly and 50% of our parts arrive in the building within 2 business days. We are now regularly achieving full turnkey deliveries in 2-4 weeks while claiming TCO cost parity with the offshore EMS industry. This is true competitive advantage.

When asked about the average cost of ordering in the industry, Ginsberg said, Many in our industry report purchase order costs of $25-$100. The average cost of a purchase order at Sonic has fallen below $10, and with further supplier development over the coming year we believe we can drive 65% of our orders through the Speed of Light model and reduce ordering costs to below $5. Computers do not have the same limits of scale that headcount does, so scaling the process beyond 20 million parts in the coming year is quite reasonable.

Sonic Manufacturing Technologies operates the largest Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) facility in the Silicon Valley with 85,000 s/f of capacity and 9 lines. Customers include members of the Silicon Valley Top 10, medical, automotive, IoT and drone manufacturers; and numerous Kickstarter, Lab and Incubator accounts.

ABOUT SONIC MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

Established in 1996, Sonic Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS). Headquartered in Fremont, California, Sonic provides volume production, new product introduction (NPI), prototyping, and in-house board layouts. Consistent manufacturing excellence, cutting-edge equipment, and industry expertise have given Sonic a reputation as a reliable source for volume production, retail fulfillment, and international logistics. Sonic is privately owned and operated by the same management team for 20 years. For more information, go to http://sonicmfg.com/.
BOXTOP by Tabush Group - 2017 ABA TECHSHOW Exhibitor We continuously test new technologies and develop solutions to meet the needs of the way law firms need to function in todays world.

Tabush Group, a cloud computing, technology solutions, and IT services company, will showcase its BOXTOP all-in-one cloud IT solution for law firms at the ABA TECHSHOW legal conference in Chicago this week.

BOXTOP was created by Tabush Group to deliver all of a firms IT needs as a simple, secure, and scalable service, allowing managing partners and administrators to focus on growing their firms. BOXTOP includes virtual desktops accessible securely from anywhere, on any kind of device, with a fully managed cloud infrastructure network, storage, backups, security, and unlimited support.

Accessibility and security are vital aspects of a firms IT. Weve combined this with simplicity and service, using the most advanced cloud technology, to create a product that allows firms to focus on billable hours, and not have to worry about the infrastructure and tools needed to make it all happen, let alone the capital expense, said Morris Tabush, Founder and President of Tabush Group. As a result, weve seen a 30% reduction in support calls from BOXTOP clients versus traditional managed services clients.

To deliver optimal performance, capacity, and security, the team at Tabush Group recently implemented a series of upgrades to the BOXTOP platform:



New capacity options: 4 GB or 8 GB RAM

Additional level of security with 2-factor authentication

Increased performance and reliability with addition of new datacenter supercomputers

Faster internet speeds with backbone capacity upgrade of 50%

Graphics-intensive virtual desktop option with GPU-integration

Implementation of new spam and content security filtering

Over the years, innovation has been at the cornerstone of everything we do for our clients, explained Mr. Tabush. We continuously test new technologies and develop solutions to meet the needs of the way law firms need to function in todays world.

During the conference, Mr. Tabush will present a seminar titled Introducing the Law Firm of Tomorrow. Attendees will learn how virtual desktops and cloud infrastructure eliminates the need for complex IT systems, desktops, and servers, or having to worry about downtime and back-ups. His presentation will include a non-technical overview of the latest IT services available to law firms in the cloud, as well as several case studies of firms whove gone 100% cloud.

About Tabush Group

Tabush Group is a leading provider of virtual workspace, private cloud, and managed IT services that specializes in technology solutions for small to midsize businesses in the fields of law, real estate, construction, investment management, and professional services. Our mission is to help organizations succeed through our passion and experience. Building upon that experience, Tabush has developed an all-in-one cloud solution called BOXTOP, which delivers all of a companys IT needs as a simple, secure, and scalable service, allowing small business owners to focus on growing their companies. BOXTOP includes virtual desktops, cloud infrastructure, storage, backups, security, and unlimited support. Founded in 2000, Tabush is a privately held company headquartered in New York City, with data centers in New York and Washington State. Additional information about Tabush and its services can be found at http://www.tabush.com, and additional information about BOXTOP can be found at http://www.goboxtop.com.
CLEVELAND, March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that it is scheduled to present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Industrials & EU Autos Investor Conference in London, England on March 22, 2017 at 10:35 a.m. Greenwich Mean time (6:35 a.m. Eastern time).

Parker's scheduled presenter is Lee Banks, President and Chief Operating Officer. A live webcast of the presentation will be accessible on Parker's investor information website at www.phstock.com and will be archived on the site.

Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For 100 years the company has engineered the success of its customers in a wide range of diversified industrial and aerospace markets. Parker has increased its annual dividend per share paid to shareholders for 60 consecutive fiscal years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin.

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Taking Businesses to the Cloud This is an annual event for The SMB Help Desk and St. Baldricks since 2014. The whole company gets involved in one way or another. Over the last 2 years we have raised over $21,000...We hope to raise $15,000 this year.

The St. Baldricks Foundation, a volunteer-powered organization dedicated to raising money for children's cancer research, will host one of its signature head-shaving events at The SMB Help Desk, LLC located at 4147 N. Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, IL on March 26, 2017, where more than 20 will shave their heads to raise money for lifesaving research.

Every 2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer; one in five wont survive, and those who do often suffer long-term effects from treatments too harsh for their developing bodies. Kids are special, and at St. Baldricks we treat them that way. From its beginnings, St. Baldricks has believed that kids deserve the chance to be kids  fun-loving, carefree, refreshingly honest, and always a little goofy  and deserve the chance at a future. Thats why donations raised at events like this have made it possible for St. Baldricks to fund more than $200 million to support the development of childhood cancer treatments that are as unique as every kid.

The Small Business for St. Baldricks event will include free food and drinks for those who donate or raise money, Foosball, bags tournament, a 50/50 raffle, and an all around celebration of those who give up their hair as a show of support to those children who lose their hair as they fight the biggest battle of their lives.

This is an annual event for The SMB Help Desk and St. Baldricks since 2014. The whole company gets involved in one way or another. Over the last 2 years we have raised over $21,000, says Marvin Korves, President of The SMB Help Desk, LLC. We hope to raise $15,000 this year.

For more information on how to donate, or join us for the event, visit: https://www.stbaldricks.org/events/SMB17

About The SMB Help Desk, LLC.

The SMB Help Desk, LLC. is an award-winning IT consulting organization specializing in delivering innovative cloud-based technology solutions to small & medium-sized businesses. The SMB Help Desk, LLC. provides as-needed IT support, consulting services on IT infrastructure, Salesforce solutions, Microsoft solutions including Office 365 and Azure, and a complete managed IT services offering.

Headquartered in Chicago, IL, with an office in Austin, TX, The SMB Help Desk, LLC. has been named to the Nations Best & Brightest Companies to Work For in 2014, 2015 and 2016. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a Salesforce Silver consulting partner, The SMB Help Desk, LLC. provides an unparalleled experience to customers both locally and nationwide. For more information, visit http://thesmbhelpdesk.com/.

About St. Baldricks Foundation

As the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants, the St. Baldricks Foundation believes that kids are special and deserve to be treated that way. St. Baldricks funds are granted to some of the most brilliant childhood cancer research experts in the world and to innovative explorers who bring with them the promise of a future free from childhood cancers. Kids need treatments as unique as they are  and that starts with funding research just for them. Join us at StBaldricks.org to help support the best cancer treatments for kids.

St. Baldricks Media Contact:

Cristine Lovato 626.792.8247 ext.275

cristine(dot)lovato(at)stbaldricks(dot)org
Altice announces successful refinancing of a portion of the existing debt of its Optimum and Suddenlink credit pools, pricing $4.265 billion of Senior Secured Term Loans, redeeming $950 million of outstanding Notes

Average maturity of debt refinanced extended by c. 2 years

Total annual interest cost savings of $66 million[1]

March 15, 2017 - Altice N.V. (Euronext: ATC, ATCB) announces that CSC Holdings, LLC (''Optimum'') has successfully priced $3.0 billion of 8.25-year Senior Secured Term Loans with institutional investors. Closing of the new financing is subject to closing conditions and the proceeds will be used by Optimum to refinance the entire $2.5 billion principal amount of loans under Optimum's existing Term Loan Facility that matures in October 2024 and redeem $500 million of the 8.625% Senior Notes due September 2017 issued by Cablevision Systems Corporation ("Optimum Senior Notes").

In addition, Altice US Finance I Corporation ("Suddenlink"), the financing subsidiary of Cequel Communications, LLC has successfully priced $1.265 billion of 8.25-year Senior Secured Term Loans with institutional investors. Closing of the new financing is subject to closing conditions and the proceeds will be used by Suddenlink to refinance the entire $815 million principal amount of loans under Suddenlink's existing Term Loan Facility that matures in January 2025 and redeem $450 million of the 6.375% Senior Notes due September 2020 issued by Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and Cequel Capital Corporation ("Suddenlink Senior Notes").

Following the consummation of the refinancing, the average maturity of Optimum's capital structure has been extended from 6.1 to 6.5 years and the weighted average cost of Optimum's debt will decrease from 7.3% to 7.0%. The average maturity of Suddenlink's capital structure has been extended from 6.6 to 6.9 years and the weighted average cost of Suddenlink's debt will decrease from 5.6% to 5.3%. This refinancing activity again strengthens Altice's liquidity profile and reduces total annual interest costs by $66 million1. The average maturity of Altice Group is now 6.7 years and the weighted average cost of debt will decrease to 6.1% (from 6.2% previously).

The new Senior Secured Term Loans will have a margin of 225bps over Libor, and be issued at an OID of 99.50. This represents a significant reduction to the existing Term Loan margins of 300bps over Libor and compared to the coupons of 8.625% on the Optimum Senior Notes and 6.375% on the Suddenlink Senior Notes.

Dennis Okhuijsen, CFO of Altice Group, said: "Following over 21 billion euros of refinancing activity in 2016, this first refinancing transaction of 2017 totaling $4.3 billion dollars again demonstrates Altice's commitment to proactively manage its liabilities across every credit pool, improving its maturity schedule as well as reducing interest costs. Our Altice USA management team is operating extremely well and we are very pleased to have the continued support from the capital markets to further invest and grow this business."

For additional information, please refer to the Current Report section of the Altice USA website at http://alticeusa.com/investor-information/

Contacts

Chief Investor Relations Officer, Altice

Nick Brown: +41 79 720 15 03 / nick.brown@altice.net

Chief Communications Officer, Altice

Arthur Dreyfuss: +41 79 946 49 31 / arthur.dreyfuss@altice.net

Head of Communications, Altice USA

Lisa Anselmo: +1 516 279 9461 / lisa.anselmo@alticeusa.com

About Altice

Founded by telecom entrepreneur, Patrick Drahi, Altice is a multinational cable, fiber, telecommunications, contents and media company with presence in four regions - Western Europe (comprising France, Portugal and Switzerland), the United States, Israel, and the Overseas Territories (currently comprising the French Caribbean, the Indian Ocean regions and the Dominican Republic). Altice provides very high speed based services (high quality pay television, fast broadband Internet and fixed line telephony) and, in certain countries, mobile telephony services to residential and corporate customers. Altice is also active in the media space with a portfolio of channels (News, Sports, Lifestyle etc.) as well as providing Premium content on nonlinear platforms; it also produces its own original content (Series, Movies etc.).

Altice (ATC & ATCB) is listed on NYSE Amsterdam.

For more information, visit www.altice.net

About Altice USA

Altice USA, a subsidiary of Altice Group (Euronext: ATC, ATCB), is the fourth largest cable operator in the United States, delivering residential and business services to 4.8 million customers across 20 states. Providing high-quality products that keep customers connected, Altice USA (through its Optimum, Lightpath and Suddenlink brands) offers digital cable television, high-speed 3 Internet, voice, WiFi and advertising services. To meet our customers' content and information needs, the company through News 12 also offers hyper-local news and programming created specifically for the communities we serve. For more information, visit www.alticeusa.com









[1] Excluding related refinancing costs and one-off refinancing expenses.





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IRVINE, Calif., March 15, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Realty ONE Groupa dynamic, full-service real estate brand and thriving franchise system has been going nationalin a big way. The company announced Wednesday their plans to expand the franchise network into the New York metropolitan area, including Manhattan.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1b4ade6-39b3-487e-84f4-ba91a1ee855f

Kuba Jewgieniew, founder and CEO, said the company is taking into account the international market potential. "New York City is a gateway to America and a hub for foreign investment," said Jewgieniew. Realty ONE Groups presence in the Big Apple is a major factor in our expansion into Europe and other international markets.

Nonetheless, the aggressive, national expansions represent a potentially huge increase in territory for Realty ONE Group -- up from 17 states and 80 locations. The leading, 12-year-old, debt-free company is also looking to expand to Miami, another gateway city and other large markets throughout the United States this year.

Realty ONE Group offers a unique franchise model, combining a dynamic brand with technology that maximizes productivity and relevant marketing. Unlike traditional brokerages, the company offers an attractive commission structure with 24/7 support for their real estate professionals.

"The city is brimming with international opportunities and brilliant industry professionals. I look forward to expanding our presence so we can expand into international territories within the next year."

Franchise opportunities still exist. Individuals interested in pursuing a Realty ONE Group franchise are encouraged to visit www.ownaone.com for more information.

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Author of many books for adults, including the bestselling, award-winning Room, Emma Donoghue releases her debut novel for younger readers, The Lotterys Plus One, this month, about a boisterous, ethnically diverse family of 11, headed by two same-sex couples, one male and one female, whose unconventional life is disrupted by the arrival of their conservative grandfather. The youngest of eight children herself, Donoghue spoke with PW from her home in Ontario, about creating a larger-than-life family, her childrens sense of ownership of The Lotterys, and the beginners mistakes she made in writing her first middle-grade book.

Lets start with the obvious question: after writing so many books for adults, what inspired you to write for a young audience?

Ive been reading to and with my kids for 13 yearsthey are 13 and nine nowbut even before that Id always loved childrens books, and read them into adulthood. My parents would be surprised to see me reading Kafka one day and C.S. Lewis the next. But I never had an idea for a contribution I could make to this field until I came up with The Lotterys.

How did you come up with The Lotterys?

Well, you never know exactly when you get an idea, but I can trace this one to a dinner party my partner and I attended about six years ago, hosted by another same-sex couple. One of our friends said, Why arent there any books about families like ours in their stride, written in a blithe way? And I said, Okay, Ill write one. Once I started thinking about the idea, I thought I didnt want to just write about a single child with same-sex parents. I thought, How far can we stretch this family?

And you did stretch it! Did you know when you sat down to write this story that it would be about a family of 11, or did the various characters evolve as you wrote?

Actually, I wrote it as a family with eight children, since Im the youngest of eight. But the publishers found this inconceivable. They wanted to make it a family with five children. But I, being Irish, said, Five children is not a big family.

So eight was too many kids, but seven was okay?

Well, it was a process of negotiation. And then I started thinking about how to make this family larger than life. And I wanted the book to have the slightly idyllic tone that lots of good middle-grade novels have. Not like YA, which can go dark and gloomy and scary. Middle-grade books have a safety element that I wanted in my book. I wanted the book to be big and extreme and yet safe.

Was all the negotiating done before you began writing?

Well, let me just say that my son, who read the very first draft, will probably kill me one day. So much changed between the first and second draft.

So your son read your manuscript while it was in processwhat kind of feedback did he give you?

Yes, my son was about 11 when I was writing the first draft and he was one of the official readers. In fact I asked him and some of his friendsI think there were fiveto be a focus group of sorts. I gave them each a $50 gift card to a bookstore for reading and commenting on the draft.

I wrote a questionnaire for them to fill in so they wouldnt answer in vague terms such as I liked it. I asked about moments theyd felt suspense or been confused, characters theyd liked or didnt. The funniest reply was to the question Would you like to live at Camelottery [the Lotterys nickname for their home]? One boy took it literally and was alarmed, answering No, I want to stay with my own family. Now they are reading the second in the series.

My daughter wanted to read it, but she was only seven then and while she could read, it was a bit long for her, so my partner read it aloud to her. Now shes reading the book herself. Im slightly nervous, though, about how involved my kids are in these booksI think the power is going to their heads. They both have a great sense of ownership of these books. But then my kids have inspired pretty much everything Ive written in the past 15 years because all of my books are about parenting in one way or another.

You mentioned a second book. It sounds like you are not done with the Lotterys.

Yes, I planned The Lotterys as a series and the second one is already drafted and sold. Its a little tricky, because we dont know yet if the first one will sell, but I feel its always good to approach a project with confidence, and I felt from the start that this family has a lot to say. I knew that it would take more than one book for them all to have their moment in the spotlight. Especially the introvertsyou know, in books as in social situations you have to create moments for introverts to have their say.

What kind of input did your editor, Arthur Levine, have in this book?

From the start, Arthur really got this subject. And I think Scholastic is very consciously proud of the diversity of their middle-grade list, including books with LGBTQ themes. Look at titles like Raina Telgemeiers Dramaone of my daughters favesand Alex Ginos George. So I feel that the Lotterys have found their perfect home at Scholastic.

Arthur was tremendously insightful, and had a great sense of humor about everything. This being my first time writing for this age group, I made a lot of classic beginners mistakes, which he guided me through. For example, all the children are named after trees and I had all the pets also named after trees, which was just too much. So now the pets are named after rocks and minerals. And on a larger level, he helped guide me through the plot movement, and the introduction of the characters throughout the book. I originally had the entire family sitting at the breakfast table, but hetogether with the British and Canadian editorshelped me realize that it was overwhelming to introduce so many characters at once. Finally, he found Caroline Hadilaksono to do the illustrations, and I think shes the perfect illustrator. The ethnic diversity of the illustrations means that I dont have to explain all that in the text. They have great quirkiness and charm. And while this isnt a graphic novel, it does tell the story on two levelstext and illustrationslike graphic novels do.

Can you talk a little about your writing process in general and how, if at all, it was different for this book?

I am usually working on several projects at once and what allows me to do this is my rigorous planning. I do so much research and planning that when I drop back into a project after Ive been away from it, I know exactly where I am. And with The Lotterys, I planned the entire series at once, so I have extremely detailed files. I really enjoyed collecting the details of everyday life. For example, one of my daughters friends at school recently showed me a splendid deer antler shed found in a ravine and I immediately decided that in a later Lotterys book, Wood should have some antlers in his room.

Writing for children is much harder than for adults because I have to constantly weigh the potential readiness of the age range of the audience. And, of course, the range of reading levels, vocabulary, and so on. Whats easy for an 11-year-old can be difficult for a nine-year-old.

The other challenge was that I wanted to keep this book merry in its tone. Its much more work to include serious material, like dementia, and keep the tone sparkling. But then I never thought it would be easier to write a childrens book!

How challenging was it to write in the voice of a nine-year-old?

My main concern was to make Sumac, the point-of-view character, sound different from Jack in Room. So I picked third-person narration, instead of first person, as in Room. Third person gives you great freedom to be in the narrators mind, but you dont have to write every phrase, every intonation, in their voice. And then I chose to write in a girls voice, also to be different from Jack. And of course Sumac is much older than Jack, who is only five.

I was reading lots of books about girls with my daughter, and so many main female characters are spunky and feisty. So I decided that while the family is very boisterous, my point-of-view character would be a quieter, serious girl, but a watchful one.

Do you think youll continue to write books for a young audience after youre done with The Lotterys?

I dont knowThe Lotterys series is a long-term and intensely absorbing project, so right now all my kid-friendly ideas are funneling into that, but who knows? As the Lotterys themselves would say, Why not?

When you wrote this book, were you simultaneously working on a book for adults?

Yes, I was working on my most recently published book, The Wonder. And it was the perfect contrast. The Wonder is set in gloomy 19th-century Ireland and when that became too much for me, I could skip over to current-day Toronto.

Besides the Lotterys, what are you working on now?

A theater adaptation of Room is premiering in Dublin and London in May, and Im working on several film and television projects. Because of the success of the Room film, other opportunities in that arena have come my way and so Im seizing them. Its just wonderful to have these new opportunities coming my way in my late 40syou dont want to be repeating yourself!

The Lotterys Plus One by Emma Donaghue. Scholastic/Levine, $17.99 Mar. 28 ISBN 978-0-545-92581-5
In 2011, the prolific British writer Anthony Horowitz told an interviewer that Scorpia Rising, the ninth book in his bestselling series about teen spy Alex Rider, was without question, the last book. Now, nobody is as surprised as Horowitz that he must correct the record: the cover of the 10th book in the series, Never Say Die (Philomel, Oct.), is revealed here for the first time.

I was polishing some short stories that were going to be published as a collection and as I was polishing them, I started rewriting them, and I rediscovered the character, Horowitz said. Honestly, I didnt know I had another Alex book in me. It just popped out.

The series, which launched in 2000 with Stormbreaker, has sold more than five million copies in the U.S., and an estimated 19 million copies worldwide. Alex is still very popular with teachers and librarians, and kids were asking me, What happened next? so its a bit driven by demand, Horowitz said.

Though its been six years since readers last saw Alex, hes aged only a few months since what had been billed as his concluding appearance. The new story takes place as hes on his way to San Francisco, where the 15-year-old plans to live with his girlfriends parents and attend high school. Horowitz, who visited San Francisco earlier this year, posted a photo of himself outside Alexs home on Twitter.

Alas, a normal life is not in the cards for Alex. A cryptic e-mail leads him to believe his former guardian, Jack Starbright, believed dead at the conclusion of Scorpia Rising, may still be alive. Alex, who wasnt enjoying life as a high school student anyway, jets off to Egypt in search of answers.

Philomel plans to bring Horowitz to the U.S. in October for a tour in support of the new book. He is curious about who may show up in the audience. If Twitter is any guide, then I would say the books are not just for young readers anymore, Horowitz said. I have a lot of followers who tell me they read the books when they were children and are still re-reading them now, people who are the age where they are getting married and buying their first homes.

During Alexs hiatus, his creatoronce dubbed the busiest writer in Britain by the U.K. presshad no time to miss him. Horowitz was commissioned by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle to write two new Sherlock Holmes novels (The House of Silk and Moriarty) and by the Ian Fleming estate to write a new James Bond novel, Trigger Mortis, which incorporated unpublished material written by Fleming. This June, HarperCollins will publish a new stand-alone novel, Magpie Murders, which Horowitz is also adapting as a screenplay.

Horowitz spent much of the past two decades writing the screenplays for the World War II television drama, Foyles War, which can now be watched in its entirety on Netflix, leading to a new round of questions about whether he plans to continue that series. Probably not, he said. I gave 16 years of my life to Foyle, three times longer than the war itself, Horowitz said. I miss him, too, but Im not going to say No more Foyle, because I learned my lesson with Alex. You never know.

Never Say Die by Anthony Horowitz. Philomel, $17.99, October 2017, 978-1-5247-3930-0
Jen Besser at Putnam has acquired three new books by Rick Yancey, to be set in the world of his bestselling sci-fi trilogy The 5th Wave. The new books will resolve the fates of familiar characters and introduce new ones in an ultimate battle for the planet. The first printing of the first novel, as yet untitled, will be 500,000 copies. Publication is slated for spring 2018; Brian DeFiore of DeFiore and Company Literary Management negotiated the deal for world English rights.

Wendy Lamb at Random House/Wendy Lamb Books has bought at auction The Museum of Us, a debut YA novel by Tara Wilson Redd, and an untitled novel. Sixteen-year-old Sadie is lucky to survive an accident, but it changes her world forever when it reveals her secret life and the mysterious, thrilling boy at the center of it. Publication is planned for summer 2018; Lucy Carson at the Friedrich Agency brokered the deal for world rights.

Alex Arnold at HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Books has acquired Kristin Russell's YA debut A Sky for Us Alone, a contemporary novel about a teenage boy growing up in a small Appalachian mining town beset by poverty, addiction, and violenceand the girl who unexpectedly changes his life. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; Cindy Uh at Thompson Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.

Liesa Abrams at Simon Pulse has bought North American rights to a new middle grade trilogy, The Thirteen Witches, by Jodi Lynn Anderson, in which an 11-year-old girl, trying to solve the mystery of her mother's lost memory, discovers a layer underneath reality in which good and evil struggle in a battle between 13 witches and a benevolent goddess who lives on the moon. The trilogy is set to launch in spring 2019; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio negotiated the deal.

Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow has bought two books by former assistant District Attorney Jennifer Blecher, her middle grade debut, in a preempt. The first book, The Math of Me, is about a 12-year-old girl named Cove Bernstein who, having never left her small town on Martha's Vineyard, devises a way to get back to her best friend whose sudden move to New York City turns her world upside down. Publication is planned for 2019; Alexander Slater at Trident Media Group brokered the deal for North American rights.

Fiona Simpson at S&S/Aladdin has acquired North American rights to the first two titles in James Ponti's middle grade series, City Spies, in which five unwanted children from across the globe come together to form an undercover elite team of spies overseen by Britain's MI6. The series will launch in fall 2018; Rosemary Stimola at Stimola Literary Studio did the deal.

Emily Meehan at Disney-Hyperion has bought world rights for a middle grade novel by John Steptoe/Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Ronald L. Smith, with Hannah Allaman and Tomas Palacios editing for Marvel Press. Set in the mythical African country of Wakanda and present-day Chicago, the book will depict Black Panther in his youth. The book is scheduled for January 2018 in advance of the Marvel film; Adriann Ranta Zurhellen at Foundry Literary + Media negotiated the deal.

David Gale at Simon & Schuster has acquired Jonathan Ashley's Lily & Kosmo, pitched as A Tale Dark & Grimm meets Flora & Ulysses. The story follows a girl from Brooklyn who longs to join an all-boy group of space cadets known as the Spacetronauts. To prove her worth and land a place in the club, she must show that she can hold her own among the galaxy's unruliest rascals and face the vilest villain of all, the Mean-Man of Morgo. Publication is slated for fall 2018; Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group represented Ashley in the deal for North American English and audio rights.

Farrin Jacobs and Kheryn Callender at Little, Brown have acquired at auction debut author-illustrator Vashti Harrison's Little Ladies of Black History, an illustrated book that grew out of the author's Instagram project for Black History Month, featuring the bios of 40 African-American women who helped change the course of history. The book will be published in time for both Black History and Women's History months in 2018; Carrie Hannigan at Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency handled the three-book deal for world English rights.

Maria Modugno at Random House has bought U.S. rights to Poppy, Buttercup, Bluebell, and Dandy by Fiona Woodcock, in which four fairies, each resembling and named after a flower, bring color and magic to a drab world. Publication is set for spring 2018; Stephanie Purcell of S&S U.K. brokered the deal.

Tom Peterson at the Creative Company has acquired world rights to the picture book A Ship's Story, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti. The book follows a ship named Clementine to adventurous ports of call around the world, and the captain who loved her. Publication is planned for fall 2018; the artist was unagented.

Stephanie Pitts at Putnam has bought world rights to What Kind of Car Does a T. Rex Drive?, a picture book by Mark Lee (not pictured), to be illustrated by Brian Biggs, about finding the perfect vehicles for Jurassic customers. Publication is projected for summer 2019; Stephen Barr at Writers House represented the author, and Steven Malk at Writers House represented the illustrator.

Chris Hernandez at HarperCollins has acquired author-illustrator Cori Doerrfeld's picture book Good Dog, about a stray dog in search of a friend and the girl who shows him the way home. Publication is set for summer 2018; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency sold world rights.

Meredith Mundy at Sterling Childrens Books has bought world rights to When a Tree Grows, a debut picture book by Cathy Ballou Mealey (l.), in which a squirrel's nut obsession sets off a chain of events that take him far from the forest and his klutzy friend, Moose. Kasia Nowowiejska will illustrate; publication is slated for fall 2018. Liza Fleissig at Liza Royce Agency represented the author and Tom Thorogood of Good Illustration Ltd. represented the illustrator.

Tom Peterson at the Creative Company has acquired world rights to Spot, Stripe, Squiggle, a board book that teaches children simple patterns and shapes using sea animals, with text by Sarah Tuttle (l.) and art by Miriam Nerlove. Publication is scheduled for fall 2018; Anna Olswanger at Olswanger Literary represented both the author and the illustrator.

Cynthia Platt at HMH has acquired world rights to March Forward, Girl: From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine by Melba Patillo Beals, the prequel to Beals's bestselling adult memoir Warriors Don't Cry. Beals was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for her role at the age of 15 in integrating Little Rock's Central High School as part of the Little Rock Nine in 1957. In March Forward, Girl, she shares for the first time her early childhood stories and personal struggles to understand and combat the laws that told her she was less just because of the color of her skin. Publication is set for January 2018; Jill Marsal at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency negotiated the deal.



Alyssa Raymond and William Kiester at Page Street have bought Stacey Filak's The Queen Underneath, a YA fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty. When the King of Above and the Queen of Under are both murdered on the same day, their heirs apparent must contend with flaming brambles and the start of a mage war if they are to save their city. Publication is slated for spring 2018; Rena Rossner at the Deborah Harris Agency brokered the deal for world rights.

Anne Heltzel at Amulet has acquired Sarah Nicole Lemon's Valley Girls, about 17-year-old Rilla, who in a tailspin of tragedy is drawn into a tightknit group of Yosemite National Park rock climbers and challenged to climb beyond the limits she has set for herself. It's scheduled for spring 2018; Barbara Poelle at Irene Goodman Literary did the deal for world rights.

Martha Mihalick at Greenwillow Books has bought at auction The Collectors, from The Books of Elsewhere author Jacqueline West. When a sharp-eyed boy named Van sees something he's not supposed to see, he is thrust into the world of the Collectorsa shadowy underground network dedicated to collecting wishes, and to harnessing the magical powers that grant them. The book is planned for fall 2018; Danielle Chiotti at Upstart Crow Literary negotiated the three-book deal for North American rights.



Amy Cloud at Aladdin has acquired Alison Cherry's Pick of the Litter, a middle grade novel pitched as Best in Show meets The Parent Trap. The book follows a girl juggling her desire to become a dog show champion and her secret mission to find a girlfriend for her single father, only to learn neither dog nor dad readily bends to her will. Publication is set for fall 2018; Holly Root at Waxman Leavell Literary brokered the deal for world English rights.

Erin Black at Scholastic has bought world rights for a middle grade novel by House Arrest author K.A. Holt. Dear Me tells the story of a girl who, three years after her sister's death, stumbles upon a list of things she had wanted to doand decides to complete that list. The book is slated for summer 2018; Ammi-Joan Paquette of Erin Murphy Literary Agency negotiated the deal.

Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow Books has acquired world rights excluding Canada to bestselling author Linda Bailey's (l.) new middle grade novel, The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library, illustrated by Roller Girl author Victoria Jamieson. The novel follows a book-loving bug named Eddie who devises a clever-though-perilous plan to save the school library, inspired by characters in his favorite books. It's scheduled for summer 2017; Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists represented the author and Paul Rodeen at Rodeen Literary Management represented the illustrator.

Callie Metler-Smith at Clear Fork Publishing/Spork has bought world English rights to the chapter book series Being Bree, written by Christine Sromek Laforet (l.) and illustrated by Lisa Rush. In the first book, Bree and the Nametag Worries, a gifted six-year-old who is anxious about making friends on the first day of school sparks drama and confusion with her wild imagination. Publication is planned for fall 2017; Essie White of Storm Literary Agency represented both the author and the illustrator.

Maria Modugno at Random House has acquired world rights to Elmore and Pinky by Holly Hobbie, featuring a new porcupine character who has trouble making friends until he finds a skunk with a similar problem. It's scheduled for spring 2019; the author was unagented.



Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has bought debut author-illustrator Suzanne Morris's picture book A Trapezoid Is Not a Dinosaur, in which Trapezoid sets out to prove he's just as essential as Circle, Square, Triangle, and all the other shapes. Publication is set for summer 2019; Rachel Orr at Prospect Agency did the deal for world rights.



Carol Hinz at Millbrook Press has acquired world rights to Miranda Paul (l.) and Baptiste Paul's I Am Farmer, to be illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. The nonfiction picture book chronicles the story of Tantoh Nforba Dieudonne, Cameroonian grassroots environmentalist and founder of the Save Your Future Association. Publication is slated for spring 2019; Karen Grencik at Red Fox Literary represented the co-authors and Lori Nowicki at Painted Words represented the illustrator.



Sylvie Frank at S&S/Paula Wiseman Books has bought world rights to The Perfectly Perfect Wish by Lisa Mantchev (l.), to be illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle, about a girl who discovers how lucky she is when she is granted just one wish and must decide how to use it. Publication is set for fall 2019; Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary Agency represented the author and Anne Moore Armstrong at the Bright Agency represented the illustrator.

Arianne Lewin at Putnam has acquired at auction Butts Are Everywhere, by debut author and illustrator duo Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox. The picture book is a celebration of the tushy, from the tiny to the epic. It's tentatively scheduled for winter 2018; Elena Giovinazzo at Pippin Properties negotiated the deal for world rights on behalf of the author and the illustrator.

Rob Broder of Ripple Grove Press has bought Alice Nathan's (l.) debut picture book, Paul, about a young fox who receives a ukulele as a gift and sets off on his travels to find a new song. Jennifer Hogan will illustrate; publication is projected for 2019. Both the author and the illustrator represented themselves in the deal for world rights.


It has been quiet, on the deal-making front, at this years London Book Fair. With no single title emerging as the big book of the fair, and gossip still focused on recent reports about the $65 million advance the Obamas landed from Penguin Random House, a number of works have been the subject of chatter. That many of these titles are novels bolsters theories some insiders shared with PW, before the fair, that publishers feel readers want escapism right now. The thinking? People want relief from the divisive political events that have recently rocked the world, be it Donald J. Trumps surprise presidential victory in the U.S., or the Brexit vote in the U.K.

Among the novels people are talking about is The Lido by Libby Page. The book, which, as of this writing, has not yet sold in the U.S., was acquired in the U.K. in an overnight preempt, for six figures, by Clare Hey at Orion. (Agent Robert Caskie, at Caskie Mushens, represents the author.) Set in Brixton, the novel follows the unlikely friendship that forms between an adrift 26-year-old and an 86-year-old widow who come together to fight the closure of their community pool. (Lido is a popular British term for a swimming pool.) The author, who lives in London, writes for The Guardian. (In addition to the U.K. sale, as of press time, preempts had been closed in Denmark, Finland, Italy and Sweden.)

Another book on publishers radar is the debut novel Immigrant, Montana. A pitch letter which PW secured from agent David Higham, who represents the book, says it follows a man named Kailash who grows up in India in the 1960s before, as a young adult, emigrating to the U.S. The pitch letter said the novel navigates the shift in cultural experience as Kailash opens himself up to the new world. The book is being compared to Teju Coles Open City and Ben Lerners Leaving the Atocha Station.

Julia Phillips Disappearing Earth has been touted as another notable book at this years fair. It was acquired in a two-book, six-figure preempt in the U.K. by Scribners Rowan Cope, and bought in the U.S. by Knopfs Robin Desser. (Suzanne Gluck at William Morris Endeavor handled the U.S. sale, while WMEs Elizabeth Sheinkman handled the U.K. one.) About two sisters who disappear on the remote Russian peninsula of Kamchatka, the book, as Sheinkmans office explained, delves into the lives of 12 women back in the girls rural Russian town whose lives "hold the clues to the crime. The separate stories about these women collide, the agency said, in one of the most isolated, secretive, and naturally magnificent places in the world. The 29-year-old author is a Pushcart nominee and recent Yaddo resident who spent a year in Kamchatka on a Fulbright grant.

Selling in a preempt to Emily Bell at MCD/FSG, the new experimental imprint launched last year at Farrar, Straus and Giroux, is another buzzed-about novel: Lydia Kieslings The Golden State. Kiesling is an editor at The Millions whos represented by Claudia Ballard at William Morris Endeavor; her book follows a young mother living in the Bay Area who, frustrated by various aspects of her life, runs off with her young daughter to a rural part of northern California. There, Bell explained, she meets all kinds of characters, including members of the State of Jefferson secessionist movement.

Although fiction seems to be the hot ticket at this years fair, a few nonfiction titles have bubbled to the top of conversations. One of them is Calling Bullshit. Written by two academics at the University of Washingtonbiology professor Carl Bergstrom and assistant professor at the Information School, Jevin Westthe book grew out of a class the pair created titled Calling Bullshit in the Age of Big Data. After the website for the class drew an unusually high click-through rate, the professors decided to write a book on the topic. Agent Max Brockman at Brockman, Inc., who represents the author, said their book "will help people learn to navigate the bullshit-rich modern environment by identifying bullshit, seeing through it, and combating it with effective analysis and argumentation. At press time, U.S. rights had sold to Random Houses Will Murphy in a six-figure preempt.
Last Fall, Michiel Kolman was elected to succeed Bloomsburys Richard Charkin as president of the International Publishers Association (IPA)and he certainly takes over at a tumultuous time. A global copyright debate is heating up, for example, and freedom to publish is under threat in many nationsincluding in Turkey, where the Erdogan regime has cracked down on authors, scholars, and journalists following a failed coup in 2016. PW caught up with Kolman, Senior Vice President of Global Academic Relations at Elsevier (and a Columbia-educated astrophysicist) ahead of the 2017 London Book Fair to talk about his upcoming term as IPA president.

In accepting your two-year term last fall, you noted that publishers are facing "challenging and rapidly changing times," and you especially cited copyright issues. How do you and the IPA see the copyright debate at the moment?

I am glad you raised copyright first, as it is a primary pillar of the IPA. We foresee the conversation continuing about how to modernize copyright and to adapt it to various exceptions and limitations. In principle, exceptions are workable. But if they are overbroad, and if there are exceptions in too many areas, then the foundation of publishing is undermined and publishers will no longer be able to invest and innovate. An example where exceptions have been too far-reaching and damaging is in Canada, where the educational publishing industry has taken a heavy hit. At the moment, the IPA is very active and engaged at WIPO, where there are ongoing discussions on copyright exceptions and limitations for education, libraries and archives, and disabled persons.

Politically, the world seems awfully, well, unstable. Is this influencing IPA's work?

We do live in a world that seems more politically unstable than before, and for this reason the IPAs work around Freedom to Publish is more important than ever. This includes making interventions when individual publishers are under threat, for example, in Turkey, where at the moment we are fully behind the work of our German member, the Borsenverein. We have also ramped up our efforts to promote Freedom to Publish through the IPAs Prix Voltaire, a unique annual award that honours the bravery of publishers who stand up for Freedom to Publish, often at great personal. In times of instability, people look increasingly to reliable and trustworthy high-quality informationif they are not looking to publishers, then who?

Last year there was some controversy over China and Saudi Arabia's membership in IPAwhich your predecessor Richard Charkin addressed at last year's Frankfurt Book Fair. Any updates there?

We are a global organization, and we will always carefully consider an opportunity to speak on behalf of more publishers around the world. But as I said in my acceptance speech in Frankfurt last year, membership in the IPA also comes with responsibilities, too. And that means that IPA members must actively support the key pillars of our organization, including the freedom to publish, and copyright protection. We are very actively engaged with all new membersmost recently, applications from the national publishers associations of Iraq, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Morocco and Senegal were accepted via elections in 2016. And I will visit China next month, where Ill continue our engagement with the Publishers Association of China.

With your tenure as IPA president now well underway, what other key issues are on your radar?

Copyright is and will remain a focal point for the IPA, as will Freedom to Publish. We have a very active and motivated chair of the IPA Freedom to Publish committee in Kristenn Einarsson, from Norway, who has begun exploring some exciting new ways we can enhance our advocacy in this area. We will strongly advocate for publishers around the world whose work is under threatwhether in Turkey, China, or any other country. A recent example is the Mauritanian blogger Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir, whose execution for apostasy is sought by clerics over a blog post written in December 2013. And, as I said, in the era of fake news and increasing political turmoil, the publishers role in providing reliable information more important than ever.

Longer-term, were seeing significant social change across the globe, and the rate of that change is increasing. The level of interconnection, the impact of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, will all have dramatic impacts on our societies and our lives. Education is crucial to keep up with this evolution, and to prepare the next generations for whatever lies ahead. And it is publishers in general, and educational publishers in particular, that will provide the information and services needed to support people as they seek to adapt to these societal changes.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Indiana youth interested in careers in the dairy industry are encouraged to attend the 2017 Indiana 4-H Dairy Youth Conference on April 8.

The conference, staged as a mystery investigation to find Bessy the cows illness, will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2002 Pleasant St., Noblesville.

The conference will provide networking and educational opportunities for students in grades 3-12. The goal is to help participants enhance their knowledge of the dairy industry and learn more about raising and showing dairy cattle, said Kelly Heckaman, director of Purdue Extension-Kosciusko County.

The 4-H members will get to use their problem-solving and decision-making skills to figure out real-world scenarios, she said.

The conference will be split into two sessions. Participants in grades 3-7 will attend workshops and educational talks presented by dairy industry professionals. Sessions include:

* Crime Scene: Milking Parlor

* Biosecurity: Are We Keeping Bessy Safe?

* Disease Detectives

* Nutrition Know-How

The schedule for participants in grades 8-12 includes problem-solving workshops organized like a case study. In the morning, students will meet with an Indiana dairy producer and a cattle nutritionist. In the afternoon, participants will evaluate the scenario provided by the dairy farmer and practice providing nutritional recommendations.

Registration for the conference is $15 per person and is due by March 31 to Kelly Heckaman at Purdue Extension-Kosciusko County, 2020 W. Main St., Warsaw. The fee includes a T-shirt, admission, breaks, meals and handouts. Late and on-site registration is available but does not guarantee a T-shirt or meals.

Details about the conference, including the registration form, can be accessed online at https://extension.purdue.edu/pages/article.aspx?intItemID=24071.

Writer: Mikaela Wieland, mwieland@purdue.edu

Source: Kelly Heckaman, kheckaman@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: (765) 494-8415;

Shari Finnell, Manager/Media Relations and Public Information, sfinnell@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
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HVLE is the launch customer for the locomotives, which will be equipped for using 15kV and 25kV electric operation as well as with a diesel engine. These units will be deployed on freight services in Germany, operating at speeds of up to 160km/h.

The Eurodual modular locomotives are available in different configurations, gauges and overhead voltages, and are currently undergoing first tests at Stadlers plant in Valencia, Spain.

"The demand for six-axle locomotives will grow because of the increasing length and weight of trains," says Mr Ludolf Kerkeling, HVLE.

Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing will finance the locomotives which will be leased to HVLE for operations.

For the latest data on locomotive orders from around the globe, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
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China is building military installations to cement its claims to most of the South China Sea and to back those claims if need be. Because the Trump administration, like its predecessor, rightly opposes this development, the chance of a military confrontation or incident is growing.

Meanwhile, Sino-American relations in general have soured over trade, possibly impairing the ability of leaders on both sides to manage such a crisis. Still, actual war between the two powers seems far-fetched: The stakes are not high enough, and the disputes not severe enough, to prompt leaders of either country to start a conflict outright.

Yet there is danger in complacency about the risk of war between the U.S. and China, owing to the growing likelihood of crises along with advances in military technology on both sides that can cause crisis instability.

With improved long-range sensors and weapon accuracy, the conventional forces of each are increasingly able to target and strike those of the other. In a crisis, the inhibition toward war could give way to the impulse to gain advantage by striking first, even pre-emptively, before being struck. Thus, the test is not whether barriers against war are strong enough in peacetime but whether they would hold in time of crisis.

Of course, Chinese and American leaders could instantly intervene to stop a conflict before it got out of hand. But here, too, complacency would be a mistake. Because both sides have increasingly potent but vulnerable strike forces, there is an incentive to use 'em or lose 'em once hostilities began. A conflict could escalate swiftly and become even harder to stop.

A recent study issued by the RAND Corporation indicates that a significant fraction of U.S. surface-naval forces involved, including aircraft carriers, and an even greater fraction of Chinese forces could be destroyed early in a spiraling armed conflict.

The military balance in the western Pacific still favors the U.S., but this is shifting.

Although the military balance in the western Pacific still favors the U.S., this is shifting as China invests a major share of its growing military budget into anti-access/area-denial capabilities, like anti-ship missiles, designed to strike U.S. forces in the region.

Moreover, although the U.S. spends about three times what China does on military capabilities, China can concentrate on the western Pacific, whereas the U.S. faces threats elsewhere, such as Russia, Iran and the Islamic State militant group (ISIS).

Although China's military disadvantage is shrinking, it would suffer immense harmmore than the U.S.in the event of a war. Although the collapse of bilateral trade would damage both economies, virtually all of China's trade, being seaborne, would be disrupted by a war in the western Pacific.

While U.S. gross domestic product could fall by 5 to 10 percent in the first year of a war, China's could fall by 25 percent or more. Because the Chinese regime's legitimacy depends on strong economic performance, political unrest could follow hardship.

What should American policymakers do about this? Simply letting China gain de facto control over the South China Sea is unacceptable because of the vital importance of those waters, through which some 40 percent of world seaborne trade passes. Also, U.S. allies and others across the region would lose confidence in the U.S. if it fails to stand up to China.

Nor can the U.S. spend its way out of this predicament. An arms race in the western Pacific would favor China because of its ability to concentrate investment both in the region and in capabilities that can target U.S. strike forces.

But there are steps U.S. leaders could take to reduce the danger. The Pentagon could develop, produce and deploy less vulnerable forces, such as submarines and drone carriers. Of course, it will take years to transform U.S. forces in the western Pacific.

Meanwhile, given how perilous a Sino-U.S. crisis could be, U.S. leaders could also engage with their Chinese counterparts in search of a way to satisfy the interests of both powers, and others, in the South China Sea. This would be hard, take time and not necessarily succeed, given that China insists that most of this sea belongs to it.

What could be done now is to ensure that Washington and Beijing have a direct and active channel between the two defense ministers to defuse a crisis before the logic of striking first kicks in. This channel should remain open not only in a crisis but to prevent escalation if hostilities were to erupt.

Lastly, American and Chinese leaders should insist that their military commanders have options other than early and escalating strikes in the event of a war.

David Gompert is a fellow at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation and a former senior official of the U.S. intelligence community, the State Department and the National Security Council during a number of administrations of both parties.

This commentary originally appeared on Newsweek on March 14, 2017. Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
Russian polling NGO to appeal foreign agent status in Supreme Court

MOSCOW, March 15 (RAPSI) - The Levada-Center, which regularly conducts sociological and market surveys, will file an appeal with the Supreme Court against labeling of the organization as a foreign agent, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday citing director of the Center Lev Gudkov.

The NGO abandoned foreign financing from the time when it was declared a foreign agent, the agency quoted Gudkov as having said. According to the organizations director, the Levada-Center does its best to abide by all legal rules for removal from the foreign agents list.

On March 14, the Moscow City Court on Tuesday upheld a decision to add the Levada-Center to the foreign agents list. The court thus dismissed an appeal filed by the NGO against a lower courts ruling. In November 2016, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow found legal the Justice Ministrys inspection resulted in declaring the Levada-Center a foreign agent.

On September 6, Russias Ministry of Justice announced that the Levada-Center had been declared a foreign agent.

Current situation much complicates the work of our organization, director of the Center Lev Gudkov said earlier. He stated that the foreign agent status, which may be interpreted as synonymous to a spy could prevent sociological surveys by the Center.

In October, the Moscow Tverskoy District Court fined the NGO 300,000 rubles (about $5,000) over its failure to comply with the foreign agent law.

Thus, the autonomous polling and analytical center was found guilty of committing an administrative offence by continuing its activities, but failing to register its foreign agent status with the Russian Justice Ministry.

The law adopted in November 2012 requires that all NGOs engaged in political activity and receiving foreign funding register as foreign agents.

Under the amendments to the law, which were adopted this year, political activity is linked to such fields as state-building, securing Russias sovereignty and territorial integrity, enforcement of law, order and security, national defense, foreign policy, political system integrity, social and economic and national development of the country, regulation of rights and freedoms of man and citizen.

NGOs which are engaged in organization and holding of public events, including meetings, manifestations, demonstrations, discussions and performances would be deemed to be involved in political activity.

Moreover, those NGOs which are involved in work aimed at achieving certain results during elections or referendum, vote monitoring practices, establishment of election commissions or support of political parties would also be put on the list of those organizations which are engaged in political activity.

Levada-Center, named after famous Russian sociologist Yury Levada, is one of the largest Russian NGOs that conducts sociological and market surveys.
Kaj Leers is the election campaign analyst for Dutch daily de Volkskrant. Follow him on Twitter @kajleers. The views expressed here are the author's own. After the election of Donald Trump in the United States and the Brexit referendum in Great Britain, eyes now turn to a slew of elections taking place in Europe. The Dutch vote today. Over the weekend, a row with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put integration, immigration, and national security front and center in the campaign. Will it have an impact? This is the fourth installment in a series on the Dutch election.

Whether intended or not, a renewed sense of urgency is precisely what Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte needed to reignite hopes of a two-way battle with Geert Wilders in a bid to draw in strategic voters.

The campaign for the Dutch parliament has been a relatively staid affair. While outside observers have breathlessly hyped the vote as a barometer for the continued appeal of European populism, the Netherlands own well-known populist, Wilders, faces long odds. And while immigration has been important, the election has seemed to oscillate around more mundane issues.

The last weekend before the vote seemed suddenly to introduce some of that urgency. A little-noticed difference of opinion between the Dutch government and the Turkish president exploded into a fierce war of words, as the Dutch government barred two Turkish government ministers from campaigning in the Netherlands last weekend.

Erdogan gets tough

There are more than 400,000 people with dual Turkish nationality living in the Netherlands, and with polls showing a tight race, President Erdogan needs every vote he can get to secure a critical referendum on extending his presidential powers.

Even though the German, French, and Danish governments have voiced concerns about Ankaras influence in their respective Turkish constituencies and have also barred Turkish officials, Erdogan chose Holland in particular to pick a fight with, labeling the Dutch as Nazis for prohibiting freedom of speech.

Election campaign missed sense of urgency

Prime Minister Mark Rutte was adamant that the decision to refuse Turkish officials entry to the country had nothing to do with the ongoing Dutch election campaign.

Pollsters and pundits are curious to see whether a renewed urgency on the subject of integration and immigration concerning the Turko-Dutch populace will push more people to go out and vote for either Ruttes ruling free market-conservative VVD, or toward Geert Wilders more populist, right-wing Freedom Party, or PVV.

Civilized populism

Rutte's VVD has opted for a kind of "civilized populism" for months now, dating back to last summer, when the prime minister told Turkish Netherlanders to "get lost" (pleur op) if they chose to reject Dutch cultural norms and values.

This came shortly after demonstrations by groups of Turkish Netherlanders in the aftermath of the failed coup in Turkey of July 16, 2016.

One on one

As it happened, Rutte and Wilders squared off for a one-on-one debate on Monday evening. The kerfuffle with Erdogan took center stage. Wilders accused Rutte of being one of the politicians who allowed Muslims into the country.

Wilders recalled that he was thrown out of Mark Ruttes VVD in 2004 because as a member of the VVD in Parliament, he wanted to vote against Turkeys EU accession talks. The VVD wanted him to vote in favor, but Wilders refused.

Uncertainty about election outcome

With just hours until the vote, pollsters were uncertain of just how large an effect the diplomatic dispute with Turkey would have on the polls outcome, if at all. In the first two days of polling after Saturday, responses seemed unmoved, with Wilders seen losing to the VVD by one or two seats.

On a national radio program late on Monday evening, a well-known spin doctor for the VVD said that the recent events could well entice VVD-voters to go out and vote.

He admitted that Rutte needs such a push if the VVD is to come out on top, beating Wilders and other contenders, such as the Christian democrats of the CDA and social-liberals of D66.

As the Dutch cast their votes today, the trendlines show a consolidation for something of a political realignment. On the left, while the far-left Socialists are set to disappoint once more, the more moderate Groenlinks and the centrist D66 seem well-placed to capitalize on the fall of the Labor Party, PvdA, which is being punished for its role in government over the last term.

On the right, the VVD is set to lose a great deal of seats, but not its status as the biggest party in Parliament. The party may benefit from what is known as the premierbonus, in which late-deciding voters back the incumbent prime minister. The VVD, however, will likely hemorrhage voters -- but not to Wilders. Instead, the Christian democrats of the CDA are growing, as is D66, and these two parties are setting themselves up as likely coalition partners to the VVD. Wilders PVV has only continued its steady polling plummet, clearly visible here. Watch the final number of seats won by Wilders: Anything below 20 seats in the 150-seat tweede kamer will be seen as a clear rejection of Wilders brand of Dutch populism.

Polls have been wrong before. And the Turkish-Dutch row has added a tinge of excitement and unpredictability to the process. Stay tuned after the vote as well -- that is when the real excitement begins.
The CIA last month reportedly suspended the military aid it had been extending from a covert operations base in Turkey to vetted Free Syrian Army groups in northern Syria.

The reported freeze in support followed attacks led by jihadis against Free Syrian Army groups in January. It is widely believed that the CIAs decision is meant to prevent weapons and cash from falling into the hands of extremists. Free Syrian Army commanders also said that the resumption of external support depends largely on their forming a united and coherent front against the jihadis.

These two conditions sound reasonable, yet suspending external support would only exacerbate the problem. It leaves the needs of the Free Syrian Army unaddressed, which hinders their possible unification, and it leaves them as targets for al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria, who, because of these groups cooperation with the West, view them as an imminent threat rather than an ally in fighting the Assad regime.

The CIA, along with allies including the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, established an undercover operations room in Turkey in mid-2013. The operations base is known as the MuA?terek Operasyon Merkezi, or MOM. The CIA-coordinated military aid aimed to coordinate the efforts of opposition backers and to funnel support -- including salaries, light arms, training, ammunition, and limited quantities of anti-tank missiles -- to CIA-vetted FSA factions fighting to topple the Syrian regime.

The external support continued despite attacks, though its scale was decreased, until Jabhat Fatah al-Sham, the rebranded former al-Qaeda affiliated Nusra Front, launched multiple attacks against a number of vetted rebel groups over the past few weeks. Syria experts cited different reasons behind the jihadist offensives, from ideological struggles between hardliners and pragmatists to a pre-emptive strategy by Jabhat Fatah al-Sham to stop rebel-backed offensives.

The major financial difficulties Jabhat Fatah al-Sham is experiencing and the locations targeted also indicate that competition over resources is a significant motive. The freeze in support, therefore, was issued to prevent radicals from confiscating supplies.

Suspending the support, however, seems to guarantee that al-Qaeda will continue to eliminate moderate groups. It also allows al-Qaeda to control key swaths of territory in northern Syria. Radicals will also be used to justify the mass violations committed by the regime and its allies against civilians in Syria. Jihadis would also likely increase their own abuses.

The fight against extremism will be used by the regime as a pretext to prolong the conflict and will hinder the achievement of a fair and widely accepted political settlement in Syria. Additionally, the absence of strong moderate groups will harm the prospects for effective stabilization measures, and for securing a political settlement at the local level.

Empty strategy

Over the past six years, the absence of a coherent strategy on Syria from Western governments has contributed to the increasing strength of extremist groups, according to a new Chatham House paper. The paper also shows that the absence of a coherent strategic vision -- or the political will to see it through -- on the part of Western governments has contributed to the increasing influence of radicals in Syria.

The Wests response to the increased growth of the al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria does not offer achievable strategic goals. The freeze in military aid only deals with how to prevent radicals from capturing external support. It ignores the consequences of the suspension. It also neglects the high risks that come with its demands of its allied rebel groups.

Any merger attempt involving the Free Syrian Army and other pragmatic groups will be immediately perceived by radicals as a threat and trigger a pre-emptive attack. Jabhat Fatah al-Sham systematically attacks any groups it views as a threat. The attack on Jan. 24 against vetted rebels who attended political talks led by Turkey and Russia in Astana, Kazakhstan, is the latest example.

A rebel-led unified anti-radical front could be formed given the right conditions. The West has so far shown neither the support nor the will to do what it takes to create such an alliance. The support channeled through the MOM is limited and insufficient to protect Free Syrian Army groups from the regime or from radicals. The risk of losing external support is thus not quite existential. A greater risk is posed, though, by picking up a battle against jihadis that they are not poised to win.

The West could still turn things around by providing rebel groups with protection and greater support. The rebel backers should explore options to enforce the ongoing fragile cease-fire in Syria. This would reduce rebels dependence on radicals in the fight against the Assad regime. Providing rebels with air support against radicals -- similar to that provided for the Kurdish-led forces against ISIS in Syria -- would also increase their chances of successfully defending themselves against jihadists. It would also likely encourage others to join them.

The policy of suspending the Wests military support is too aggressive.The West has to begin looking at the long-term consequences of its freeze in support, which only benefits radicals. A more constructive strategy will be needed in order to address the concerns of the West, as well as to ensure the protection of moderate rebels, who are essential for finding and implementing a political solution to the conflict.
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Mischa Barton has hired a lawyer following reports that a sex tape involving the actress has begun circulating amongst pornography companies.

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"I am very proud to represent actress Mischa Barton , who is courageously standing up for her rights," Barton's attorney Lisa Bloom said in a statement Tuesday on Facebook.

"It has been reported that naked or sexually explicit images of Ms. Barton are being 'shopped around.' Ms. Barton does not consent to any disclosure of any such images She believes that she was recorded without her consent by someone she was seeing at the time," she continued.

"There's a name for this disgusting conduct: revenge pornography," adds Bloom.

"Revenge pornography is a form of sexual assault, and it is also a crime and a civil wrong in California. And we will not stand for it."

"I have a message for anyone who attempts to traffic in these photos or videos of Ms. Barton: we will find you, and we will come after you. We will fully prosecute you under every available criminal and civil law. You proceed at your peril."

While speaking with People magazine, Bloom explained the former "Dancing with the Stars" participant could potentially pursue the case in both civil and criminal court.

"What I see over and over again is women who are very scared, but when they stand up on their own two feet and they say, 'No, I'm not going to stand for this, I'm going to fight back,' it's very empowering. I think this is a very healthy step that Mischa step is taking," Bloom said.

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The sex tape was first outed by the Daily Mail.

In January, the former "The O.C." star announced that she was hospitalized after she was drugged with GHB during her 31st birthday celebration.
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Posted by Philip on at 02:43 PM CST

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Got the urge to add a G34 to the collection, but space in the safe getting a little tight? Why not upgrade your G17 with a KE Arms KE34 Echo slide and save a little room. CNCd from stainless bar stock, a complete slide plus RMR weighs in at 12.4 ounces, which is a hair less than the stock slide on our Gen 2 Glock 17. By hogging out a bunch of weight up front, recoil management is made easier and your factory recoil springs work just fine. At a recent range session, we were making consistent 100-yard head shots with match ammo, so this dog will hunt.

Make:

KE Arms

Model:

KE34 Echo Slide

MSRP:

$739

URL:

www.kearms.com

Camelbaks Urban Assault is an OCD sufferers wet dream. Pockets for days. Theres an admin pocket with sleeves for pens, a mesh-backed stash pocket up front, a slash pocket, water bottle pocket, and two full-size compartments with more internal organizers and padding to protect a 15-inch laptop and a tablet. Theres even a hidden security pocket for a wallet or passport. Plus, theres a small laser-cut PALS field across the front for more pouches. The back panel has a removable stiffening insert and therere external cinch straps. Our favorite feature, though, is the bright interior that makes it easy to see whats going on in the depths of the bags nylon innards. Its perfect for the hardscape crowd who cant bring themselves to run a messenger bag or a briefcase.

Make:

Camelbak

Model:

Urban Assault

Capacity:

1,950 cubic inches (32 liters)

Weight:

2.7 pounds

MSRP:

$189

URL:

www.camelbak.com

If youve got a vehicle, youve got a reason to run one of Dark Angel Medicals new Vehicular Individual Safety Rigs (or VISR). It stows a basic gunshot treatment kit in the empty space that once held your Metallica CDs. Pull the red handle and youre holding a trauma pack that includes hemostatic gauze, nitrile gloves, a mini compression bandage, a set of HALO chest seals, compressed gauze, an eye shield, a nasopharyngeal airway, Mylar blanket, a tourniquet, and mini-trauma shears. Theres enough gear to maintain an airway, stabilize a penetrating chest injury, and pack a wound while providing protection from infection for the responder. The VISR is ideal for any patrol vehicle and also a great way to keep life-saving equipment on-hand for those of us who spend time at the range.

Make:

Dark Angel Medical

Model:

Vehicular Individual Safety Rig (VISR)

Weight:

3 pounds

Colors:

Black, brown, grey

MSRP:

$157

URL:

www.darkangelmedical.com

Marking cleared rooms is a basic tenet of military and law enforcement door-kicking operations. Assaulters drop break-and-shake-style chemlights in rooms theyve cleared so teams moving behind them know its safe to bypass the space. Preparing the dozens of chemlights needed for a hit can take 20 to 40 minutes the night before. Units can save time by using BFGs MARCO preloaded chemlight dispenser. With the magazine-looking device in an accessory belt-mount, guys can crack and drop 2-inch chemlights effortlessly. And the cost is about the same as a bundle of slower deploying, heavier, 4-inch chemlights. Final pricing is not yet set, but BFG says the loaded dispensers will be about $40, and the accessory belt mount will be another $40.

Make:

Blue Force Gear

Model:

MARCO  Marking and Recognition Chemstick Organizer Dispenser

Capacity:

30 2-inch Cyalume ChemLights

MSRP:

$80 (estimated)

URL:

www.blueforcegear.com

Troys Special Operations Compatible Carbines (SOCC) product line is based on the companys new SOCC CQB-optimized AR rifle and includes a few, new matching accessories. Most interesting is the SOCC transparent BattleMag. The magazine is identical to the standard Troy BattleMag in nearly every way except for its translucent body. This makes it easy to get a round count at a glance, and you can even see enough to know what kind of rounds are loaded. Its got the same texturing as the original BattleMag for positive grip, but the SOCC mags dont come with the shock-absorbing extended floor plates. Instead, theyll ship with standard flush-fit floor plates. The BattleMags polymer is resistant to biological, chemical, and impact exposure.

Make:

Troy Industries

Model:

SOCC BattleMag

Compatability:

AR/M4/M16, HK 416, FN SCAR

MSRP:

$15 each

URL:

www.troyind.com

Its an AR-15 world and the guys at S2 have had enough of those cross-bolt safeties found on shotguns. They figured out a way to adapt an AR-style rotating fire control selector to work on Remington 870/1100 series (shown) and Benelli shotguns. S2 says it should be installed by a licensed gunsmith or armorer, but we swapped the push-button safety on our 870 with the rotating selector in about 10 minutes. The idea is sound; using the same muscle memory imprinted by thousands of firing sequences on an AR to get things going when switching over to a scattergun makes sense. Just be aware the new selector only works with pistol-gripped shotguns, and the ergos are better with some grip shapes and angles than they are with others.

Make:

Signature Solutions (S2-USA)

Model:

Remington Safety Selector Switch

Compatability:

Only works with pistol grip-equipped shotguns

MSRP:

$48

URL:

www.s2-usa.com

Budget AR shooters should check out ALG Defenses latest addition to its Ergonomic Modular Rail family: the austere V0-E. This handguard combines the simple lines of an unperforated 6061-T6 aluminum grip surface with a set of short Pic rail mounting points up front. The result is a no-frills setup that really doesnt give up much in the way of functionality when compared to its highly sculpted peers. There are built-in QD sling swivel sockets and accommodation for an iron-sight-friendly, co-witness top rail section. The handguard is held in place with a 2-inch 7075-T6 aluminum barrel nut thats installed without the need for a torque wrench. The V0s value comes from the reduced machine time used to make it. The V0 omits the venting and lightening slots were used to seeing on most handguards, resulting in a bit of added heft. Thats a worthy tradeoff for shooters who value the weight of their wallet over the weight of their rifle.

Make:

ALG Defense

Model:

Ergonomic Modular Rail V0-E

Available Lengths:

10, 13, 15 inches

MSRP:

$80 to $90

URL:

www.algdefense.com

VZ Grips is one of the first names to come to mind when people talk about upgrading their handguns factory pistol grips to something more stylish, functional, or comfortable  or all three combined. The company recently released a lineup of AR accessories, from rails and hand-stops to  you guessed it  pistol grips. The grips are made out of a solid piece of G-10 with an ergonomic 17-degree angle and are offered in five different textures and four colors. Comes with stainless steel hardware. Made in the USA.

Make:

VZ Grips

Model:

AR Grips

Lengths:

Standard (4 inches) and shorty (3.75 inches)

MSRP:

$95

URL:

www.vzgrips.com

Grey Ghost Precision continues to expand its reach into the firearm market with its own house-branded Glock barrels for the G17 and G19. The 416r steel, broach-cut barrels are double honed and nitride finished for easy care. They have SAAMI spec 9mm NATO chambers, have a constant diameter, and use a 1:10-inch twist rate thats close to Glocks own 1:9.84-inch twist rate. GGP says itll have threaded versions shortly, and to keep an eye out for its drop-in custom Glock slides that should be on the shelves by the time youre reading this.

Make:

Grey Ghost Precision

Model:

9mm Barrels for Glock 17

Twist Rate:

1:10-inch right-hand twist

MSRP:

$180

URL:

www.greyghostprecision.com

If you teach, youve no doubt wasted time doing mental gymnastics trying to align POAs with POIs as students waited not-so-patiently to get to the good stuff. The Simple Marksman Adjustment Reference Table (S.M.A.R.T.) card is a simple, durable tool that answers that one oft-heard question, OK. And thats how many clicks on this optic? Its a slide rule that almost eliminates the math involved in getting guys zeroed at distances from pistolwork to 400 meters. Dial up the distance and the window tells you what fraction of an inch you get per click for popular sight systems including M4/M16 irons, commercial BUIS, Deltapoints, RMRs, Aimpoints, EOTechs, ACOGs, and more. To further simplify things, the fractions are rounded up to finger-friendly numbers.

Make:

Zero Bravo

Model:

S.M.A.R.T. Card

Material:

Die Cut PVC (made in the USA)

MSRP:

$15

URL:

www.zerobravo.com

HoneyBadger ammo features a non-expanding, auger-tipped pistol projectile that Black Hills developed with Lehigh Defense. Black Hills says the bullets cut through barriers that plug most hollowpoints, while creating larger, deeper wound channels. Available previously in .380 and .38 Special, the all-new HoneyBadger 9mm and .45 ACP rounds were designed to provide optimum performance in ballistic gelatin while avoiding over-penetration, and the .44 Magnum is an ideal hunting round. Were told by Black Hills the rounds are not only capable of producing outsized wound channels, they are also practically barrier-blind. Well be evaluating the 9mm 125-grain loads in gel as soon as we get a chance.

Make:

Black Hills Ammunition

Model:

HoneyBadger Ammunition

Calibers:

.380 auto 60 grain, 9 mm 125 grain subsonic, .38 Special 100 grain +P, .45 Auto 135 grain, .44 Magnum 160 grain

MSRP:

Not available at press time

URL:

www.black-hills.com

This bottle opener will take your tactical tailgating game to the pro level. Pop-tops are no match for the AR.5 and its mil-spec 6061 aluminum body, even if youre consuming them at a rapid rate. These mini AR receivers are made in-house by Nelson Precision Manufacturing according to a shelved technical data package the government bought by accident while developing the M134 Minigun. Silver lining. Anyway, we cant think of a better way to safely combine your love of Americas rifle with your love of a cold one.

Make:

Nelson Precision Manufacturing

Model:

AR.5 Bottle Opener

Material:

Type III Hard Anodized 6061 Aluminum

MSRP:

$30

URL:

www.nelsonprecisionmfg.com

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co. has a storied history  thanks in part to its V-42, which is so timeless that the company is now reproducing this dagger. Why so enduring? The stiletto was issued to the 1st Special Service Force, aka The Devils Brigade, an elite American-Canadian commando unit formed during World War II. So, its fitting that the company has released the Case BESH Wedge, a dagger inspired by the V-42 and designed by Brent Besh Beshara, a custom knife-maker and a veteran of the Canadian special forces. It features two diagonally opposite chisel-ground bevels that meet at the tip to form a third edge, giving it more strength than a typical dagger point. Comes with G-10 scales and a Blade-Tech sheath. (The Case BESH Wedge shown here with the V-42, top.)

Make:

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co.

Model:

Case BESH Wedge

OAL:

12 inches

MSRP:

$390

URL:

www.wrcase.com
Nine mineral-rich states -- Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana -- are readying 75 blocks for auction.

As many as 222 mineral blocks are in the pipeline for auctions in 2017-18. While all these blocks could be potentially auctioned, the actual number of blocks to go under the hammer would depend on the status of their exploration and readiness of the respective state governments.

The blocks are being explored by Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Mineral Exploration Corporation of India (MECL). Nine mineral-rich states -- Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Telangana -- are readying 75 blocks for auction.

Of the 222 blocks, Karnataka tops the list with 57, followed by Odisha (46) and Jharkhand (39).

This apart, there are 100 lapsed mineral applications under Section 10 (A) (2) (c) of the amended Mines and Minerals Development & Regulation Act (MMDR), 2015.

These leases refer to the cases where mining leases could not be executed within the stipulated deadline of January 11, 2017, due to lack of clearances from the forest and environment ministry and also because of non-settlement of forest rights.

In addition, there are 83 more lapsed applications where the leaseholders have gone to courts and such blocks may also be made available for auctions.

The Union mines ministry has asked the state governments to expedite the process of taking over of the lease areas of the applicants. The ministry also enquired about the action plan of various governments for exploration of areas under mining leases, which would expire in March 2020.

The emphasis is on the importance of accelerating pace of exploration, especially in mines producing iron ore in Odisha, where iron ore production may reduce significantly resulting in a mineral crisis after expiry of such leases in 2020.

The state governments were also advised to encourage the leases of these mines and to take up detailed exploration.

It was suggested that meetings would be held with each individual state government to develop action plans for such mines at the earliest.

According to Indian Bureau of Mines, there are 240 such leases of which barely 50 are operational, where the leases are due to expire in March 2020. The resources in such leases have already been identified.

IBM has also evaluated and submitted a report to the Union mines ministry on resources that would be exploited till March 2020.

Image: Iron ore miners in Karnataka. Image: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters.
ASCI and Ayush ministry get down to monitoring print and television ads of ayurvedic, unani, homeopathic and yoga and naturopathy practitioners.

The Advertising Standards Council of India, the countrys apex ad regulator, has got a shot in the arm in its fight against misleading healthcare ads.

The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), a statutory body under the Union ministry of Ayush, has issued an advisory to all state boards and councils to take action against those making false and misleading healthcare claims.

The move comes as ASCI and the Ayush ministry get down to monitoring print and television ads of ayurvedic, unani, homeopathic and yoga and naturopathic practitioners as part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed this January.

The MoU will see ASCI act as an executive arm of the Ayush ministry, helping the latter weed out misleading ads. Once ASCI identifies a false ad, it will warn the advertiser to either remove the ad or modify it.

In case of non-compliance, ASCI will write to the Ayush ministry or the state licensing authority, which will then take appropriate action.

These steps are significant, say experts, since consumers in the past few years have gravitated towards herbal and ayurvedic products and medicines. And proponents of these products such as Ramdev, co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved, are getting increasingly aggressive.

Patanjali has been pulled up by ASCI earlier for misleading ads, which is currently being challenged in court. ASCI officials have declined to comment, saying the matter is sub-judice.

The CCIM advisory has asked state boards and councils to report ads that violate the Indian medicine regulations of 1982. This is expected to add one more layer to the monitoring already initiated by ASCI.

With state councils asked to report violations, it will help in curbing misleading claims made by practitioners of the Indian system of medicine, Shweta Purandare, secretary general, ASCI, said.

The ad regulator has repeatedly highlighted the menace posed by indigenous doctors who make arbitrary claims of health and medical benefits with no scientific evidence backing them.

Of the complaints that ASCI receives regularly, those in education, healthcare and food and beverages are among the top three.

While ASCI has an MoU with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for clamping down on errant food ads, it is also working closely, say sources, to stitch up an arrangement to monitor education ads.

ASCI, in its drive to increase awareness of the issue of quacks and false doctors, has asked consumers to complain against them. Those who are uncertain of the credentials of a doctor can reach out to ASCI who will then step in and direct the matter to the relevant authorities.
The Gujarat government believe it can usefully utilise its 1,600-km coast for cultivating more coconuts in the coming years.

Traditionally known as a cotton and groundnut grower, Gujarat is gradually making it as a coconut producer. In fact, its yield per hectare is better than the number one coconut producer in the country, Kerala.

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are also ahead in output but the Coconut Development Board and the Gujarat government believe the state can usefully utilise its 1,600-km coast (the highest for any state in the country) for cultivating more in the coming years.

Even after coconut productivity in Gujarat dipped from 16,000 nuts a hectare in 2011-12 to 9,300 a ha now, this is still better than Kerala, where it is about 7,500 nuts a ha.

Gujarat's productivity dipped on account of storms in 2013 and the state is yet to recover from the loss of coconut trees.

CDB thinks Gujarat could increase the area under coconut from the current 31,000 ha to 40,000 ha in two to three years. It plans to open an office in Gujarat to promote coconut farming and explore value addition.

With its longest (in the country) coastal area, there is huge potential for coconut farming and we want to capitalise. Additionally, its weather is very favourable for this, said A K Singh, chairman of CDB. His office has already sent a proposal to the state government for an office, to guide farmers.

Also, the board believes Gujarat has a logistical advantage to reach markets in north India (Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana). Most of the supply to these parts comes from South India.

Gujarat is full of entrepreneurship and the state can emerge as suppliers of coconuts to the north. We will also work on it, said Singh. Value addition is also an area which can be developed.

However, insufficient water resources are the biggest deterrent. There is also the long process of cultivation for coconuts.

Bhavnagar, Somnath, Junagadh, Porbandar and Kutch are the coconut growing districts. All these depend on rain water most of the time. Though the government is trying to supply Narmada water across the state, it will take some time, said P K Kapadiya, research scientist at the agriculture research station in Mahuva of the Junagadh Agrilcultural University (JAU).

JAU has developed two hybrid varietes and plans to educate coconut cultivators on multilayer farming -- plantation of other crops with coconut.

Fruits on the coconut plant come after five years of plantation; after this, the farmers earning starts. But, meanwhile, they can sow other crops (alongside) like turmeric, banana or vegetables. We will soon provide training for it, said A R Pathak, vice-chancellor of JAU.

Hasubhai Doshi, a coconut trader in Bhavnagar said, Other states governments are supporting farmers when coconut prices go below the minimum support price. In Gujarat, there are no safeguards for the farmers at a time of price fluctuation. If growers get assurance about income, the state can definitely be a leader in production.
I-T heat on thousands of firms for unusual cash deposits.

The income tax department is leaving no stone unturned to make the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), also known as the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS)-II, a success.

With a fortnight to go before the March 31 deadline, the tax department has issued thousands of notices to firms over the unusual surge in cash deposits in their bank accounts to the tune of Rs 1.2 lakh crore during the demonetisation drive.

These companies include prominent jewellers, telecom operators, insurance companies and fuel retailers who are said to have deposited large amounts of cash during the note ban period. The notices were served under Section 142 of the Income Tax Act.

Business Standard reviewed a copy of the tax notices sent to some prominent names from India Inc where companies were asked to divulge sources of the deposits/income along with documentary proof within 15 days.

These entities also have a choice to respond via email to the tax department with related documents attached. Theres also a reference guide and helpdesk phone number provided in the notice.

The notices were served manually as well as electronically. These firms can also furnish details physically at their respective tax jurisdiction, said a senior I-T official.

If we are satisfied with the information, there will be no follow-up. But in case the response is not satisfactory, we might seek more documents. We have used data analytics to undertake the entire exercise, explained the official.

The entire exercise is part of Operation Clean Money -- a programming software used to get answers on all the deposits made during the demonetisation period.

During the seven-week deposit window, more than Rs 2 lakh was deposited as cash in over 10 million accounts that have more than seven million unique permanent account numbers attached to them, according to official data.

Of this, the I-T department has identified 1.8 million who were asked to do online verification through e-filing. These people had come under scrutiny because their cash deposits did not match their tax profiles.

The said account holders have been targeted via the use of data analytics provided by banks for the period between November 9, when Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes ceased to be legal tender, and December 30, when the window for deposit of such notes in banks ended.

Of the 1.8 million who were asked to provide online verification, only 900,000 provided online responses.

Based on this, assessing officers have been asked to consider the remarks provided in the online verification and seek information to quantify any unexplained income.

Those who were unable to file response or the information provided was not sufficient are now getting tax notices, said the official quoted earlier.

Sources said that a substantial amount of old currency made its way to petrol pumps, utilities, telecom operators, hospitals and airlines, as they were accepting old notes until December 15.

Fearing short supply following demonetisation, the essential expenses have been increased and could be the reason for the surge in deposits.

Offering a final option to holders of black money, the government had on December 17 provided companies, firms and individuals time until March 31 to come clean on deposits of banned currency notes in banks after demonetisation.

For those holding unaccounted cash, the PMGKY proposed to tax 50 per cent of the declared amount and park another 25 per cent in an interest-free deposit for four years.

The informal tax collection target for the PMJKY was over Rs 75,000 crore, double that of the IDS-I, which closed last year. To collect that amount, the disclosure would have to be to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh crore.

The scheme is part of the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Act, 2016, approved by the Lok Sabha in December 2016.

IMAGE: A word-cloud analysis of the prime minister's address to the nation on March 8, 2016, banning Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes.
Tracing the early life of the humble ballpoint pen to its present.

IMAGE: Modern folks would not even think of the ballpoint pen as an innovation. It seems to be an inexpensive writing instrument, not worth too much thought. Yet it had to fight for a life. Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters.

Pen maker John Loud got a ballpoint pen patent in 1888.

Anton Shaeffer in 1901.

Michael Brown in 1911.

While Lorenz presented a prototype ball pen in 1924.

IMAGE: Laszlo Biro, Hungarian newspaper editor and inventor of the ballpoint pen, who fled to Argentina during World War II. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Victor Sueiro/Wikimedia Commons.

But none of them was successful in bringing the product to the market till Laszlo Biro came along in 1938. Apparently simple innovations seem to take a lot of time from conception to adolescence.



I have been likening innovation to human life: A concept in the brain is like the fertilisation of a foetus in the womb, after which the concept develops as a life.

This month, I will trace the early life of the humble ballpoint pen.

The ballpoint pen, which took over half a century from conception to adolescence, secured funding on March 3 80 years ago after a historic meeting in Budapest.

IMAGE: Definition of a ballpoint pen: A pen having as the writing point a small rotating metal ball that inks itself by contact with an inner magazine, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Julo/Wikimedia Commons.

Ballpoint pen? Innovation?



Modern folks would not even think of the ballpoint pen as an innovation. It seems to be an inexpensive writing instrument, not worth too much thought.

Yet it had to fight for a life.

Consider that just 50 years ago, Indian banks would not accept a cheque written with a ballpoint pen -- they had to be written with a fountain pen. Today, the ball pens life is threatened by digitisation just as the ball pen itself had threatened the life of its predecessor, the fountain pen.





IMAGE: One of the first Biro pens. It was called a Birome. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Roberto Fiadone/Wikimedia Commons.

On March 3, 1938, Andor Goy sat at a cafe with fellow Hungarian, Laszlo Biro in Budapest. Biros hands were smeared with ink left over from continuous experimentation with his new invention as he pitched for funding.

Goy was sceptical because of Biros lack of experience in the pen industry. The truth was that writing instrument innovation was led by non-pen people: Lewis Edson Waterman was a salesman, who suffered his inefficient fountain pen; so also George Safford Parker, a telegraphy instructor.



On April 25, 1938, Biro secured his patent, a business deal to produce and market his innovation and a bulk order of 30,000 ball pens from the British Royal Air Force.

Why the British Air Force? Because World War II fighter pilots needed a writing instrument that would not leak!

IMAGE: Definition of a ballpoint pen: A pen having as the writing point a small rotating metal ball that inks itself by contact with an inner magazine, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Takkk/Wikimedia Commons.

Perhaps, this is the reason why Biro wrote in an introduction to a book about his contribution to the invention of the ball pen: "The readers of this book should remember that what they hold in their hands is a hopelessly biased work. What I recount is the truth, but it is probable that the facts and persons presented are not in reality quite as I describe them."



Biro, a not-so-well-off Jewish writer, grew up in Hungary with multiple interests. The neurons in his brain must have been hyper-charged as he pursued several innovations relentlessly: A water fountain pen in which water would flow past a thick ink before touching the paper, a home clothes washer, an automatic gear box for his red, 12-cylinder Bugatti, to name just a few.



Nobel Prize winner and fellow Hungarian Albert Szent-Gyorgyi said to be an inventor, a person has to see what everyone else sees but think what nobody else thinks.

That was the characteristic of Biro. How did the concept of a ball pen fertilise in his brain?





IMAGE: An advertisment for the Birome in an Argentine magazine in 1945. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Revista Leoplan, Argentina, ano 1945/Wikimedia Commons.

As a journalist, Biro would often visit the printing press where the rotary printing machines evenly spread ink over the letters, but the ink would dry up the moment it touched the paper. His fountain pen smudged and spread. Why could his expensive Pelikan pen not do the same as the printing press?

Sitting on his balcony one day, he watched the children playing down below. Their marbles left a wet trail after emerging from the puddle. Why could that idea not work with a writing instrument? Of course, Biro thought, he would need an ink dye that would remain a fluid inside the cartridge but dry up as soon as it touched paper.

IMAGE: Ballpoint pen art on canvas by Jack Dillhunt: Summertime is Over. Photograph: Kind Courtesy: Jack Dillhunt /Wikimedia Commons.

A distinguished chemistry professor pompously pointed out the ludicrousness of the idea to him, saying: There are two kinds of dyes -- those that dry quickly and those that dry slowly. How can you make a dye that makes up its own mind?



It was out of such scepticism that a concept took hold in his brain, like a foetus in the womb; nurtured it into a prototype as a mother would deliver a baby, and then perfected it as the prototype grew into its childhood. He faced several obstacles. But was as committed as a mother would be to her baby.

Luckily, the creative environment in Budapest was also conducive. Cafes have played a strong role in the worlds intellectual ferment. The Cafe de Flore in Paris hosted Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Pablo Picasso. London Coffee House hosted Benjamin Franklin and his friends. Budapest had a strong cafe culture, where, like a sort of Starbucks of its day, creative people could chat and doodle for hours.



It is mysterious that so small a country as Hungary has produced 13 Nobel Prize winners since 1905. How come?

IMAGE: A Biro advert. Incidentally according to the Guinness Book of Records the world's largest functioning ballpoint pen was made by Indian Acharya Makunuri Srinivasa.

The 1961 Nobel winner, Georg von Bekesy, hazarded his guess: The years of my life in Switzerland were so calm and settled that I felt no need to fight to survive... In Hungary, life was different. It was a continual struggle for just about everything, though this struggle was not one where anybody perished... Here is a need for such struggles and throughout history, Hungary has had her fair share.

If this is true, given that everyday life in India is about struggle, our country will develop into a hotbed of innovative thinking.

The author is a writer and corporate advisor; rgopal@themindworks.me
'For the sake of the nation, and the preservation of its polity, it is high time the country's largest political party and the country's largest religious minority make peace between them,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

The Uttar Pradesh election verdict has been hailed for what it is, a truly landmark victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party.

But among the various adjectives used to describe the win -- from 'people rising above caste' and 'rejection of politics of appeasement' to 'nation is standing with Modi' -- none has come closest to getting it right as Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

A 'tectonic shift' in Indian politics, he has called it, and he is right.

The verdict in UP shows that the ground beneath all our feet has well and truly shifted, and marks a clean break with the past.

There is no going back.

Modi admitted as such, when on Sunday he called the UP results the 'foundation of a new India.'

This tectonic shift, or foundation for a new India, did not come about overnight, but has been long in the making in various 'laboratories' across the country, starting with Gujarat in 2002 where the formula to negate Mandal was perfected and finetuned.

The result is what we have in Uttar Pradesh today; but by no means has the last word been said or the formula been abandoned.

In his post-victory speech, the prime minister was categorical when he said that the new state government will be for every citizen alike.

This commitment fulfils two of the three parameters that civics textbooks use to describe democracy: Government by the people, for the people.

The third parameter -- government of the people -- stands lightly tattered, but that's nothing new in a BJP-led establishment, be it at the Centre or in states.

'Of the people' in UP, for instance, has a serious omission. It is not of 19.26% of its population who find no representation in the UP government.

To put it in stark terms, of the 3,84,83,967 Muslims in the state not one was found suitable by the BJP to be given an election ticket; the same was the case in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when it did not field a single Muslim from UP.

It fielded seven from other constituencies, all of who were defeated.

We don't think of people as Hindus or Muslims, for us everyone is the same, is the stock, oft-repeated BJP line that gets trotted out at regular intervals.

It sounds lofty and impressive, but what it hides is that one, electoral lists are not pulled out of a hat, but finely calibrated to reflect the constituency's caste and community mix, and one of the major determinants of a candidate is her/his caste and community, aside from all other winnability factors.

Leaving out Muslims will not deny them a share of public welfare which the government never tires of telling us does not depend on one's caste or religion.

But what this omission does is to deny the Muslims is a high place at the dinner table where everyone else has been invited and can be seen feasting.

Simply put, unless they are made MLAs, how can they become ministers?

So the point is not just about denying them election tickets, but also a role in the decision-making process.

And this is not a one-off with the BJP in UP. In state after state ruled by it, there is barely a Muslim representative, never mind the population figures.

In Maharashtra, where the BJP is the dominant alliance partner, it has one Muslim MLA, Syed Pasha Patel; the community accounts for 11.54% of the population (all population figures based on the 2011 Census).

In Madhya Pradesh, a state with 6.57% Muslims, the BJP fielded one candidate who was defeated  by Arif Aqueel of the Congress.

Rajasthan, with 9% Muslims, is a rarity under the BJP, in that it actually has a Muslim minister, Yunus Khan.

Gujarat, with 9.67% Muslims, holds no surprises in not having a single Muslim MLA from the BJP. And is unlike to see one in the elections due end of this year.

Same is the case in Uttarakhand, with 13.95% Muslims and which only last week elected a new BJP government.

Haryana, which has 6.83% Muslims, saw the BJP field two Muslim candidates both of who lost.

Jharkhand, with 14.53% Muslims, does not have a single BJP legislator from the community.

Assam has a whopping 34.22% Muslim population, and the ruling BJP has two MLAs from the community.

Chhattisgarh (2%), Manipur (2.92%), Arunachal Pradesh (1.94%) and Goa (8.33%) all have no Muslim legislators from the BJP.

It is not that Muslims are any enamoured of the BJP or that they are smashing its doors down to join the party or vote for it.

Despite the spin being given, that the latest UP verdict reflects a tentative rapprochement between India's largest political party and the second largest community in the country, nothing can be further from the truth.

This is not to say that all Muslims voted against the BJP. Certainly some of them did vote for the BJP, just at the BJP does give a few token Muslims election tickets. But both are out of proportion to the community's actual numbers.

The standoff between them is two-sided. There is a mutual trust deficit between them.

While that of one is based on distant history, that of the other is based on more recent history.

History, both far-off and near, has cast a lengthy shadow on the country's polity, but who is to say which history needs to have more currency?

The result of this standoff is that 13.6% of the population in states ruled by the BJP -- 876,50,481, to give the actual number -- has no representation in the ruling party.

A recent report in the wake of the five-state assembly election results said that two-thirds of Indians now live in BJP-ruled states.

To extrapolate the figures of Muslims left out of the BJP dispensation to an all-India basis then, some 7.23% of Indians, or one-fourteenth of its population, don't have any representation in the ruling party.

Sab ka Vikas is a great slogan, but vikas is not only about getting a gas connection or electricity connection or toilets built in time. It is also about political vikas, which is the natural wish of any community with a critical mass.

Which is why stories of Indian Americans climbing political mountains in their adopted land fill those of us back home with delight and pride.

While cheering one section of Indians who are making a mark politically, as US Congressmen and Governors, it doesn't seem right to deny another set of Indians the same opportunities back home.

Democracy is the ultimate outlet for airing grievances, and regional history shows that this tool has served India well even as its neighbourhood has embraced violence in the absence of genuine political representation and the safety valve it provides.

For the sake of the nation, and the preservation of its polity, it is high time the country's largest political party and the country's largest religious minority make peace between them.

MUST READ INTERVIEWS in the RELATED LINKS below...
'What I mean by the BJP's political mafia raj is they descend in such a way that they want to form the government anyhow and murder democracy, no matter what.'

'Knowing Amit Shah, knowing Parrikar, knowing their style of working, they will engineer a split in the Congress.'

Professor Prabhakar Timble is the president of the Goa Forward Party whose three MLAs went against his advice to support the Bharatiya Janata Party's coalition government in Goa.

In a no-holds-barred interview with Rediff.com's Prasanna D Zore, Professor Timble questions Goa Governor Mridula Sinha's decision to invite the BJP to form a government, exposes the Congress' role in ditching his party before the polls, and justifies why he resigned as president of a party whose primary reason for existence was defeating the BJP.

Why did you resign as president of the Goa Forward Party when all your party MLAs decided to support Manohar Parrikar's coalition government?

I resigned because I found the decision to go with the BJP abrupt and abrasive.

I also found it unprofessional because the mandate of the people is against the BJP.

Our campaign, from the day we formed the Goa Forward Party, was fought with the sole purpose of ousting the BJP from power.

So, our first choice should not be embracing the BJP or allowing it to come to power.

They (the BJP) have actually lost power in the state.

Finally, the BJP could cobble up the numbers -- and I didn't say it for the last two days and I am saying it now because I didn't want to thrash my colleagues with harsh words before their swearing in took place -- because this is the BJP's political mafia raj at work.

They descend upon you, they pressurise you so much, and the GFP, which fought the elections on the plank of Goenkarpon (Goan-ness), finally succumbed to it.

When your sole objective was to defeat the BJP, how can one justify the GFP's support to the same people who they wanted out of power in the state?

The fact is the Congress party ditched the GFP right from the beginning.

The day we formed the GFP, we staunchly said we wanted to dislodge the BJP from power and for that we wanted to have an alliance with the Congress.

Knowing that we were a new party, we knew we won't be able to reach out in all the constituencies.

What changed so much after the elections that all your party MLAs have gone with the BJP?

The Dhavalikar brothers -- Sudin and Dipak (of the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) -- have always been with the party in power. They have been doing it since the last 20 years.

What happened to your party MLAs? Were there promises of cabinet berths by the BJP?

To be very frank, I don't know.

We (the GFP and its MLAs) discussed the matter; the Congress had also engaged us in discussions, but the only thing that weighed against the Congress was they had ditched us before the elections.

They refused to ally with us although we begged with them for an alliance.

Then they put up a candidate against Vijai Sardesai in Fatorda violating all etiquette and understanding.

They put up a candidate against us in Saligaon and almost put up a candidate in Sivolim.

This proved they (the Congress) wanted us to fail because we were fighting against two BJP ministers and wanted to dislodge them.

First, you want us defeated and after the elections you come to seek our help.

Isn't it ironic that a party which wanted to defeat the BJP in 2017 before the elections is now allying with them in a coalition?

I found it totally unprofessional and so I resigned.

My argument was the BJP cannot be our first choice.

Finally, a government had to be formed and the Congress should have been our natural choice.

The GFP MLAs were also in two minds, but Vijai Sardesai took the lead and clinched the deal with the BJP.

I knew I should not lead and defend such decisions. I wanted to be out of this muck.

Goenkarpon is not just taking oath in Konkani. Goenkarpon is something more bigger than such symbolism.

What do you mean by the BJP's political mafia raj?

Whatever the BJP might say, the fact is they are gobbling up the MLAs.

According to me, once you got just 13 seats, you should have stayed out of power and allowed the other party to move first.

You (the BJP) should have staked a claim to form a government only after the Congress failure to do so.

Did the BJP lure your MLAs with the promise of cabinet berths?

To be honest, I don't take the inducement of cabinet berths as a big issue.

The Congress too would have done the same thing.

That is natural because as a party we will have to protect our interests and you cannot get our support if you don't protect our interests.

We can only take forward our agenda if our people get ministries.

What I mean by the BJP's political mafia raj is they descend in such a way that they want to form the government anyhow and murder democracy, no matter what.

The governor (Goa Governor Mridula Sinha) has no options once numbers are put forth before her.

Once the BJP musters the support of 21 MLAs in a 40-member assembly, the governor has to call them.

But just as the Election Commission of India follows a code of conduct before the elections, so that there is fairness and a level playing field for all political parties and contesting candidates, there should be some code of conduct for governors too.

The governor is not just a person sitting there with a mathematical calculator.

Once the governor knows that the single largest party has 17 MLAs, and once the governor knows that the ruling party has been defeated and the electorate has rejected the ruling party, and once the governor knows that the ruling party at the Centre also belongs to the BJP, the perception of the legislators -- Independents and others belonging to the regional parties -- is that somehow the BJP will always have an upper hand.

It is in these circumstances people begin to perceive the governor as an agent of the central government and then it becomes the Constitutional and ethical duty of the governor to call the single largest party first.

The governor should know that political loyalties and morals are flexible and since that is a bitter truth, the one who gets the call first (to form a government) gets an advantage.

Knowing that the BJP is in power at the Centre, to provide a level playing field, since the BJP is already rejected (in Goa), the governor should have called the single largest party, whoever it is, listened to them and earned their confidence and given them a fair chance to form the government.

But the governor did not do that at all. This is what I call the BJP's political mafia raj.

The BJP is playing the same game in Manipur and other states too.

Somehow they (the BJP legislators) will come first, they will come like eagles, swoop down upon you and gobble up the numbers (MLAs).

They will come in a charter flight and gobble you up.

People then feel that the governor is their person and so the governor should abide by a code of conduct.

In this particular case, the BJP had the numbers (getting three MLAs each from the MGP and GFP, and two Independents) but the governor should have still called the single largest party first; at least (the governor) should have had a discussion with them first to build confidence and provide some level playing field.

Would your party MLAs have supported the Congress in forming the next government, had the governor asked the Congress to explore the opportunity of forming the next Goa government?

I don't know, but had the governor asked the Congress first (to form a government) that would have given confidence to the newly elected legislators and Independent MLAs and probably why not we may (have joined the Congress).

Because that is also a factor weighing on in the minds of legislators. They know that the BJP is capable of bulldozing all the opponents with the help of the governor.

The governor should have created a confidence building exercise and given the first chance to the Congress. In case they had failed to muster the numbers, called in the BJP to do so.

If the ruling party had not been rejected, there would have been no issue at all.

The governor should be the guardian of democratic tradition.

The governor cannot sit there like an arithmetic teacher with a calculator in her hand.

How many years do you give this government? Will the Parrikar government last its full term?

Politically and strategically speaking, they should last up to 2019 when the next Lok Sabha elections will be due.

But the BJP will not keep quiet.

Knowing Amit Shah, knowing Parrikar, knowing their style of working, they will engineer a split in the Congress.

Finally, one must understand that the Congress MLAs are also hungry for power.

Parrikar told NDTV that he is not that kind of person, but admitted that Congress MLAs were sending messages to him.

If he were not that kind of a person, he should not have stepped into Goa in the first place to stake a claim to chief ministership with just 13 MLAs.

He could possibly do it because the BJP is in power at the Centre.

Can Parrikar answer if the BJP was not in power at the Centre, would he be in a position to gobble up Independents and MLAs from the MGP and GFP?

Parrikar that way is a professional liar, but people feel he is a Chanakya. You are leveraging your money and political muscle...

Are you saying there was inducement of power?

Cabinet berths are fine because the Congress too would have done the same thing.

Unless there are other factors involved (in the formation of a coalition government), I don't think decisions can be taken this fast. I don't have any proof of that though.

I was a part of the confabulations that went on when this decision was taken (by the GFP to support Parrikar) so I should have known it (if inducements were allegedly made).

Parrikar categorically stated in the NDTV interview that no money changed hands and the only condition put forth by the MGP and GFP was he should be the next chief minister...

That was Vijai Sardesai's opinion (that Parrikar should become Goa's CM), but that cannot be the opinion of the GFP.

Why just blame Vijai as the bad boy!
A chartered aircraft carrying Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu to Imphal on Wednesday suffered an engine problem mid-air, prompting the pilot to return to the airport in New Delhi.

Following the engine snag, the two BJP leaders shelved their plans to travel to Imphal for the swearing-in ceremony of N Biren Singh as Manipur chief minister, sources said.

Naidu along with Shah and BJP leader Ram Lal had left for Imphal at 9.39 am from the IndiraGandhiInternationalAirport. The special chartered aircraft was carrying three more passengers besides the BJP leaders.

After taking off, the Falcon 200 business jet of AR Airways developed some problem in its engine prompting the pilot to return to the airport at 10.17 am, airport sources said.

Governor Najma Heptulla had on Tuesday invited Singh, who was unanimously elected the leader of the 21-member BJP legislature party, to form the government.

The invitation to Singh came after four members of the Naga Peoples Front, a National Democratic Alliance ally, met the Governor and declared their support to BJP for government formation.
Despite the loss in UP and missing the bus in Goa and Manipur, Congress leaders aren't questioning Rahul Gandhi.

Amit Agnihotri reports.

There is no threat to Rahul Gandhi's leadership of the Congress, for now.

The recent poll debacle in Uttar Pradesh -- where Rahul took a big gamble by joining hands with Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav -- and the lost opportunity in Goa and Manipur, are not expected to pose any serious threats to the Congress vice-president as his mother and party chief Sonia Gandhi continues overarching control of the Grand Old Party.

Though there has been unease within the party over the fact that the SP-Congress alliance did not work in UP, not many are speaking out.

Of the 403 assembly seats in UP, the SP contested 298, but won only 47. The Congress contested 105, but won only seven.

Rahul, who broke his silence three days after the results in five states, played down the UP debacle.

'In Opposition, you have ups and downs. We had a little down in UP, we accept it,' Rahul told reporters.

He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party, which won 312 seats in UP, of having polarised voters in the politically crucial state. 'They did it, however; they won the election,' he said.

In Goa, where the Congress did not secure a simple majority but emerged as the single largest party, the BJP has been accused of horse-trading to form a government.

In Manipur, the BJP faces similar allegations.

'There were five state elections, two won by the BJP and three by the Congress. In two of the states where we won, democracy has been undermined by them using money power. The mandate of the people of Goa and Manipur has been stolen by the BJP,' Rahul said.

The Congress challenged Goa Governor Mridula Sinha's decision to invite Manohar Parrikar to be sworn in as chief minister on Tuesday, but the Supreme Court okayed Sinha's move and asked the Parrikar to prove his majority on Thursday.

The Congress won 17 of Goa's 40 assembly seats and even though the BJP won just 13, it stitched the support of smaller parties to cross the half-way mark needed to form the government.

In Manipur, the Congress won 28 of 60 seats and the BJP 21. The BJP named ex-Congress worker N Biren Singh its chief minister nominee and stitched support to rack up 32 lawmakers.

Though party veterans Digvijaya Singh and Anil Shastri defended Rahul saying he is not responsible for the assembly poll results, senior leader Satyavrat Chaturvedi said the party vice-president has to think what he wants to do in the larger interest of the organisation.

Chaturvedi, who noted the party was slow in Goa and Manipur, said the time for surgery in the Congress was over.

Last year, the Congress Working Committee, the highest decision making body in the party, passed a unanimous resolution urging Rahul to take over the reins of the organisation from Sonia, who is not keeping good health.

However, the CWC also extended Sonia's tenure as party president till the end of 2017.

Over the past year, Sonia has withdrawn herself, making Rahul the de facto party president as he took the key decisions and rallied the Opposition against demonetisation.

Indicating that Rahul's status remains unaltered, Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh, who delivered an impressive electoral victory to the party, met the Congress vice-president and invited him to attend his swearing-in ceremony on Thursday in Chandigarh.

Captain Singh, who also discussed names of probable cabinet members with Rahul, said the time was ripe for the vice-president to be promoted.
After steering the Congress to a stupendous victory in Punjab, Amarinder Singh will take oath as chief minister in Chandigarh on Thursday, a ceremony which will be attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party vice president Rahul Gandhi.

Amarinder, who turned 75 on March 11 when assembly results were declared, will be sworn-in as the states 26th chief minister along with nine cabinet ministers.

The ceremony will take place at Punjab Raj Bhavan at 10 am and the oath will be administered by Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore.

The state can have a maximum of 18 ministers. The Congress has 77 MLAs in the assembly.

Besides Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav will attend the swearing-in, a Congress release said in Chandigarh.

Former Union ministers P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Ashwani Kumar, Rajeev Shukla, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijay Singh will also be present.

All India Congress Committee general secretaries Ahmed Patel and Ambika Soni, besides secretary in-charge of Punjab affairs Asha Kumari are also expected to attend the event.

The ceremony will be a simple and low-key affair, with Amarinder deciding not to spend excessively on symbolism on account of the poor financial health of the state, it said.

The chief minister-designate has also appealed to all party MLAs and others not to indulge in excessive celebration and to keep the event austere so as not to further burden the debt-ridden state exchequer.

Singh said his governments priority would be to bring the states economy, which has been completely devastated under the SAD-BJP (Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party) regime, back on the rails through every possible measure and innovative, out-of-the-box initiatives.

We do not want to celebrate when the people of Punjab are suffering due to severe financial and other problems, Singh said, adding that there will be time enough to celebrate once his government has brought the state back on the path of growth and development.

Several newly elected MLAs including Navjot Singh Sidhu, Manpreet Singh Badal, Brahm Mohindra, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Rana Gurjit Singh, Pargat Singh, Razia Sultana, O P Soni are in the race for becoming ministers, party sources said.

Having tasted electoral victory in Punjab after a gap of 10 years, the Congress would like to give representation to various sections and also accommodate experienced leaders and youth in the cabinet.

It remains to be seen who among the contenders for ministerial positions will be inducted on Thursday.

Riding on strong anti-incumbency, Congress stormed to power in Punjab after a gap of 10 years by winning 77 seats in the 117-assembly seats of the Vidhan Sabha.

Ruling SAD-BJP won 18, the Aam Aadmi Party fighting its maiden assembly polls in Punjab won 20 while 2 seats went to newly floated outfit and AAP ally Lok Insaaf Party.

This is the second time that Amarinder Singh would be taking the oath as chief minister having served in that capacity in 2002-2007.

IMAGE: Punjab CM-designate Captain Amarinder Singh meets Governor V P Singh Badnore at Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh. Photograph: PTI Photo
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday decided to move court over alleged tampering of EVMs in the recent assembly polls, an issue which led Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal to cry conspiracy.

Kejriwal also said that before 2014 Lok Sabha polls even some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders like L K Advani were not in favour of the EVMs.

The move by Mayawati and the comments by Kejriwal evoked derision from the BJP and its ally SAD.

As the leaders of the BSP and the AAP raised their pitch in questioning the reliability of the EVMs, the BJP said that there are "some defects" in Mayawati and not in the electronic voting machines.

Kejriwal faced flak from the BJP ally Akali Dal whose leader and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal advised the AAP chief to go for 'vipassana', a style of meditation, instead of casting aspersions on the reliability of the voting machines.

The BSP was decimated in the recent assembly polls in UP where it finished a distant third winning 19 seats in the 403-member House while the Aam Aadmi Party making a debut in Punjab bagged 20 seats in the 117-member assembly. The ruling SAD-BJP combine was trounced in Punjab.

Mayawati said that the BSP has decided to observe a 'black day' every month against the "murder of democracy" by the BJP and charged that the saffron victory in UP smacked of "dishonesty" and "fraud".

"After we did not get a proper reply from the Election Commission on our complaint lodged with them soon after the results were announced on March 11, the party has decided to go to court in this matter so as to save (the country) from such a fraud in the future and save democracy," she said.

The BSP leader was speaking to mediapersons in Lucknow ahead of addressing partymen at a review meeting on the party's debacle. The BSP had 80 MLAs in the outgoing assembly.

"Our party has also decided to launch an agitation in Uttar Pradesh and other states to expose this fraud...the party will observe 'black day' at all the district headquarters in UP and state headquarters in other states on the 11th of every month, the date on which they murdered democracy, and the first demonstration will be on April 11," she said.

The BSP leader, who had alleged largescale tampering in the EVMs soon after results were announced on March 11, said that in order to hide its "dishonest victory", BJP has now taken refuge in saying had that been the case they would have done the same in Punjab, Goa and Manipur.

Kejirwal said that EVM tampering may have led to AAP's poor showing in Punjab, alleging it could be part of a conspiracy to keep the party out of power in the state.

The AAP chief, whose party won 20 seats in the 117-member assembly with a vote share of 24.9 per cent, claimed that around 20 to 25 per cent of its votes may have been "transferred" to the SAD-BJP coalition.

The poll result is "beyond understanding" and raises a "big question mark" on the reliability of electronic voting machines as political pundits across the spectrum had "predicted a landslide" for AAP, he told a press conference in Delhi.

Kejriwal claimed that tampering with EVMs could have been done "selectively" in significant states like Punjab, where plans were to "keep AAP out of power". At the same time, the AAP supremo said he takes the "whole responsibility" of party's performance in the state.

The BJP ridiculed Mayawati's allegations of EVM tampering and asked her to "gracefully accept the people's mandate".

"When you win, EVMs are right. When you lose, EVMs are wrong. This shows that there are some defects in you (Mayawati)," Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters.

Harsimrat advised Kejriwal to go for 'vipassana' instead of casting aspersions on the reliability of EVMs.

Harsimrat, the wife of SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, also said that the Delhi chief minister may have "lost" his mental balance following AAP's poor show in Punjab.

"He (Kejriwal) has lost his mental balance so he is saying things like this. He did not say anything when AAP had won 67 seats in Delhi," she told reporters in Delhi.

She said the people of Punjab have thrown out the AAP and it would be better if Kejriwal focuses his energy to manage the party's affairs in Delhi. "He should do vipassana."
Seema Verma, who was confirmed by the US Senate on a vote of 55-43, will play a key role in the Trump administration's bid to repeal and replace Obamacare and head the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, which provides health services to 130 million people.

IMAGE: Seema Verma signs the affidavit of appointment during her swearing-in ceremony, officiated by US Vice President Mike Pence, left, as her family -- from right, husband Sanjay, daughter Maya and son Shaan look on. Photograph: @VP/Twitter.com.

On March 14, a day after the United States Senate confirmed her as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Indian-American Seema Verma was sworn in to the top health care position in the Trump administration by US Vice President Mike Pence.

The Pence protege, who was described by the White House as "unquestionably qualified", was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 55-43.

Verma, a health policy consultant, is known as the architect of health care reforms in several states, including Indiana. She will head the $1 trillion CMS, which provides health services to 130 million people, and play a key role in Donald Trump's bid to "repeal and replace" the affordable healthcare of his predecessor Barack Obama.

Verma is the second Indian-American in the Trump Administration to be confirmed by the Senate; US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley was the first Indian-American Cabinet rank official to serve in any presidential administration.

The Senate vote on Verma's confirmation was mostly on party lines.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted that she was extremely qualified with a health policy background and a record of success: "She is committed to protecting Medicare and modernising Medicaid so the programmes deliver the best results for those who need it. She also understands the challenges that Obamacare has created for families."

Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence said, "Verma's knowledge and leadership abilities will serve the American people well at CMS, an agency that touches the lives of millions every day. She will play an important role as we work to repeal and replace Obamacare, and put in place health care reforms that work for the American people."

In a speech on the Senate floor, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch said Verma was especially qualified to lead CMS and modernise its programmes to increase the effectiveness of healthcare delivery.

"She brings the experience and, importantly, bipartisan solutions that can and should unite people across the political spectrum in addressing some of the greatest challenges in our healthcare system. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting Ms Verma's nomination to this important position," he said.

However, Democratic Senator Kamala Harris, the first Indian-American Senator voted against Verma: "I voted no on Seema Verma to head Medicare and Medicaid. I disagree with her ideas to cap and cut Medicaid and her views on maternity coverage."

Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, also voted along party lines.

"During the confirmation process, I was not satisfied by Ms Verma's answers to key questions regarding the future of these programmes," he said.

"CMS accounts for one-quarter of the federal government's spending, and these programmes face difficult and complex challenges that will only get worse if this administration succeeds in taking insurance away from millions of Americans by repealing the Affordable Care Act," he added.

Administering the oath of office to Verma, Pence said, "President Donald Trump has chosen one of the leading experts in America on state-based healthcare solutions to lead this important agency."

"The President has asked you to bring your expertise to DC, he added. "We're confident that you'll help restore healthcare decision making to the states, and in the process help make the best healthcare system in the world even better."

Verma, who was sworn in with her hand on a version of the Bhagavad Gita, said, "Today, our healthcare stands at a crossroads, and we have no choice but to reform it."

Scroll down for more images from the ceremony.

IMAGE: The ceremony was held in the US Vice President's ceremonial office at the Eisenhower Executive Building on March 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. Photograph: @VP/Twitter.com.

IMAGE: Verma, whose parents came to the US as immigrants, took her oath with her hand on Bhagavad-Gita As It Is, a version of the holy Hindu text, Bhagavad Gita . Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters .

IMAGE: Pence said that Verma helped design "the much-heralded healthy Indiana Plan 2.0." which today "is leading the nation with its emphasis on personal responsibility and effective care for people who need it most". Photograph: @VP/Twitter.com.

IMAGE: Verma thanked her "good friend Vice President Pence for believing in me." Photograph: @VP/Twitter.com.
The reshuffle is likely to take place after the ongoing Budget session ends on April 12, reports Archis Mohan.

With an eye on the next set of assembly polls, the Narendra Modi government is looking at a Cabinet rejig. The reshuffle is likely to take place after the ongoing Budget session of Parliament ends on April 12.

Elections are scheduled for Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat by December 2017, Karnataka in May 2018 and in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan by the end of 2018.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is confident of wresting power from the Congress in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka. It is also certain of retaining Gujarat.

The party is keen to do well in the Delhi civic polls, scheduled for April.

Didnt you notice the PM reaching out to the middle class in his speech on Sunday? said a source close to the top party leadership. The assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan are also important in the context of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Assembly elections to these states are scheduled barely five months before the national polls.

In 2014, the BJP had won 27 of Madhya Pradeshs 29 Lok Sabha seats, 10 of Chhattisgarhs 11 and all of Rajasthans 25 seats. In Madhya Pradesh, incumbent BJP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan remains popular. But the BJPs top leadership is of the view that at least one of the other two states, if not both, could do with new faces at the helm.

A vacancy in the Union Cabinet has arisen with Manohar Parrikar quitting the defence ministry. He was sworn in as the Goa chief minister on Tuesday. For now, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has additional responsibility of the defence portfolio.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh was minister of state for commerce and industry in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

He moved to Chhattisgarh as its chief minister in December 2003, and has had an unbroken tenure.

Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje was also a minister of state in the Vajpayee Cabinet. She handled several portfolios, including that of minister of state for external affairs, before moving to Rajasthan as the chief minister from 2003 to 2008. The BJP lost the 2008 assembly polls. It made a comeback in 2013.

Party sources said the Cabinet Committee on Security could see more than one change in the months to come. The CCS, headed by the PM, comprises the defence, home, external affairs and finance ministers.

Apart from filling the vacancy at the defence ministry, the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance also needs to decide upon its nominee for Rashtrapati Bhavan. The presidential elections are due by July.

This wont be the first time one of these chief ministers would be prodded to come to Delhi, said the party source, indicating how the situation after the Uttar Pradesh electoral triumph has altered as now Modi is not just the partys, but the countrys unassailable leader.

Image: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets BJP President Amit Shah at the party's parliamentary board meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo
Meet the US Attorney who took on Donald Trump.

Monali Sarkar profiles Preet Bharara.

IMAGE: Preet Bharara was among the longest serving US Attorneys for the Southern District of New York. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Unless you are on the wrong side of the table from him -- and no one wants to be there -- the first thing that strikes you about Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York until March 13, 2017, is his courage of conviction.

Whether he is prosecuting the mafia or terrorists.

Or whether he is investigating rich bankers and powerful politicians.

The second is his razor-sharp wit and humour.

Whether he is giving commencement speeches.

Or whether he is addressing panels and state legislatures.

The third is how approachable and down-to-earth he is.

Whether you bump into him on a New York subway -- as my colleagues and I (we were headed to the then India Abroad office on Wall Street and Bharara, we assumed, was heading to 1 St Andrews Plaza) once did.

Or whether he is the top honouree at Rediff.com's India Abroad Person of the Year Awards ceremony.

And the image that will epitomise -- at least for some time -- all of these facets of Bharara will be his hero's exit from the office of the US Attorney's office in Manhattan on March 13.

IMAGE: Preet Bharara walked out of the US Attorney's office to sustained applause, cheers and hugs from colleagues.

Several media outlets have alluded to the fact that Bharara's dismissal came as his office was probing Fox News and had been requested to investigate whether President Donald Trump violated the constitutional clause barring federal employees from receiving benefits from foreign governments. Photograph: Kind courtesy @CNBCnow/Twitter.com

Bharara's exit as US Attorney came at the end of a face-off with the Trump administration that was handled with as much grit, cunning and fearlessness as Bharara brought to his office since his tenure began seven-and-a-half years ago.

On March 10, it was revealed that the Trump administration had sought the resignations of 46 attorneys appointed by former US president Barack Obama, including Bharara.

Bharara's name was considered unexpected because within days of winning the election, he had been invited to Trump Tower for a meeting with the president-elect -- which was widely reported on -- and been asked to continue.

When the demand for immediate resignation came, Bharara refused, forcing the Trump administration to fire him instead.

He tweeted -- from a personal Twitter account (incidentally started just a week before he was asked to resign) -- 'I did not resign. Moments ago I was fired.'

Later, in a statement, he added, 'One hallmark of justice is absolute independence, and that was my touchstone every day that I served.'

It was a clever move.

As Danny Cevallos, a CNN legal analyst, explained, 'As impolite as it seems, demanding resignations from US attorneys is actually standard operating procedure in the DoJ when a new administration assumes power... But a US attorney being fired instead of resigning? That's a big difference. It's also very rare.'

'It's a clever chess move by Bharara: force the firing, make the administration look like the tyrants. It's not like it hurts Bharara; this is one legal luminary whose job prospects will not be harmed by being "fired" from his last job,' Cevallos added.

As CNN legal analyst Paul Callan observed, former US attorneys from this district have even ascended to the New York City mayor's office after their tenure.

A firing like Bharara's was especially 'unusual,' Cevallos added, because he 'is a superstar among US attorneys, and the man who 'struck fear into Wall Street and Albany.' Albany is the seat of the New York state government.

What Preet says: On his historic appointment . On his historic appointment I appreciate what it means to be the first Asian-American, or Indian-American US attorney in Manhattan, nominated by the first African-American President. And it means a lot to a lot of people. (When appointed, he was also the highest-ranking Indian-American law enforcement officer.) What it mostly teaches me is... everything is possible in America. When you have a name like Preet Bharara and you can still become the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where people who have held this position before have names like Whitney North Seymour and Robert Morgenthau Jr, whose photographs line the wall outside my office it tells you anything is possible. That's what I think the most important thing about it (is). However, in my day-to-day job, once you realise it's a nice thing to be the first, it doesn't matter much after that. As I often say... it doesn't matter who's the first Indian-American this or African-American that. What matters is what you do when you get the job. So long as you do your job in the right way, and you maintain the public trust, uphold the tradition of your office; that means something. I do think that it's terrific if people can draw, within a community, inspiration from seeing someone from that community (succeed) to be successful (themselves). But more importantly than that, people need to discharge their duty in that office without reference to cultural backgrounds or colour or anything else.

Under Bharara, the USDNY successfully prosecuted 85 back-to-back insider trading cases, including high-profile ones like hedge fund owner Raj Rajaratnam and Indian-origin banker Rajat Gupta, before losing one.

Bharara had then told India Abroad (a Rediff.com publication at the time): 'By any measure, 85 and 1 is an incredible record and a better record than even our overall record prosecutions of the office. So, that one acquittal we had so far in trial makes clear how impressive the first 85 convictions were. It's not easy to convict somebody in America; it shouldn't be and it isn't. It also shows people that we weren't just taking easy cases -- we were taking hard cases too.'

While Bharara was hailed as the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' and even listed among the Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World, he was also criticised for only going after a few big fish and not really pursuing the sharks.

'Not every case is easy to be brought,' Bharara had told us in response. 'But we've felt we've done both. We've gone after individuals. We went after individual bankers in the JP Morgan Chase London case; we went after bankers in the Credit Suisse case, and those related to the financial crisis.'

'In other circumstances we've gone after gigantic banks and have them pay billions of dollars and have them agree to a monitor and have them agree to make admissions of bad conduct and have them agree to deferred prosecution charges. So, you can't generalise on a particular case, on particular facts that you have.'

What Preet says: On being the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' . On being the 'Sheriff of Wall Street' What is important to me is maintaining the tradition of the office. As I said before, and I actually take this very seriously, when you come up the hallway -- I actually mention this in speeches because it makes an impact on me -- going back to 1900 are the pictures of US attorneys (of the Southern District of New York) who have served here. Some of them have gone on to very impressive careers and there's a legacy. That's the legacy I care about, and the legacy they have that's important is not whether someone dubbed them the Sheriff of Wall Street or said they were powerful or not. Their legacy -- the best among them -- was to be a leader in an office like this where power and unbelievable ability to affect people's lives was discharged with great wisdom, discretion and fairness. At the end of the day, the best among them were considered tough and aggressive, but also fair and decent and reasonable human beings. If I can leave this office, and if people say that about me then, that's the legacy I care about.

Though the prosecution of insider trading cases got the bulk of the attention, Bharara's office was just as tough on other crime.

It was his office that won the conviction of Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad in the most serious post-9/11 terror threat to New York City, as well as the conviction of one of the most notorious arms traffickers in modern history, Viktor Bout.

His office also won several mafia-related convictions.

'There are some people who have too narrow a view of the great work this office does,' Bharara had said. 'There are only a handful of people who are working on insider trading cases and at the same time, people in our office have been working incredibly hard and incredibly successfully on public corruption cases, narcotics trafficking cases, on terrorism cases, civil fraud cases, and all of that work should be in an ideal world equally acknowledged.'

What Preet says: On the most fulfilling & tragic cases . On the most fulfilling & tragic cases It's impossible to name a single highlight. It's basically been the equivalent of a highlight reel, whether you are talking about the terrorism cases, including the Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad, or the first and only person convicted out of Guantanamo Bay, and more recently, Osama bin Laden's son-in-law, or you are talking about the huge cases against big companies like Toyota or Bank of America or BNP, the largest bank in France, or the oldest bank in Switzerland or SAC Capital. Those have been unbelievably important cases, or you are talking about a line of corrupt politicians (in the New York state legislatures in Albany) who've been held accountable and sent to prison or you are talking about some of the civil cases or you are talking about the cyber cases. What I am proud of is that everyone in the office has worked really hard in every area -- not just one or two areas, but really in every area -- making the public a little safer and holding people accountable who deserve to be held accountable. There are a lot of sad things. A lot of the crimes we prosecuted, at base, they have to be prosecuted because what happens to start a case was a tragedy. We convicted (Ahmed) Ghailani and brought to trial more people who were responsible for the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, in which 24 people were killed. We prosecuted gang cases in Newburgh in the Bronx after innocent kids had been shot and killed in the crossfire. We had cases that didn't get much attention with the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and those are incredibly sad. But what is rewarding is that at the end of the day, we do as much as we can to bring some peace and justice to families and also a different kind of justice to the perpetrators.

Bharara's tenure will be especially remembered for its tough, unwavering stand on corruption.

His office investigated and successfully convicted one of New York's most powerful politicians -- 11-term speaker of the New York state assembly Sheldon Silver -- for taking millions of dollars in payoffs.

They also investigated New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to end an anti-corruption panel.

They were preparing to try a group of Cuomo's former aides and associates in a bribery and bid-rigging case. And they had been investigating New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's campaign fundraising for misconduct.

'Indeed, in law-enforcement circles the Southern District is nicknamed the "sovereign district," because of its reputation for resisting direction, even from its nominal superiors, in Washington,' The New Yorker said in its profile of Bharara in 2016.

'Some have said, half-jokingly, that the Southern District is the only US Attorney's office with its own foreign policy,' the respected magazine added.

What Preet says: On the risks of the job . On the risks of the job I'm not worried about it (his immediate family). I'm much more worried about the security of the assistant US attorneys who are on the ground prosecuting cases.Some of the people we prosecute are extremely violent and extremely dangerous  some of the most dangerous people on the planet -- and we send (them) to prison for the rest of their lives. From time to time, someone doesn't like that we're doing (so), and there can be a security risk. That's been true since the beginning of time. That will be true till the end of time. We take precautions, but it is not something that I particularly worry about.

It especially seemed that way for many when Bharara's office, in 2013, prosecuted then deputy consul general of India Dr Devyani Khobragade for visa fraud 'in connection with lies about what she would ultimately pay her domestic worker (also an Indian).'

The arrest led to an unprecedented diplomatic stand-off with the Indian government withdrawing privileges extended to American diplomats in India.

Though the case against Dr Khobragade originated in the US state department, and was investigated by them, Bharara, as the prosecuting authority, became the face of the case.

It led to brutal criticism in India, which Bharara later acknowledged that did bother him.

'I'll admit that I was upset as I think a normal human being might be. But as the accusations got more and more absurd, they became downright comical and I got some of my perspective back,' he said.

'Indian critics were angry because even though I hailed from India, I appeared to be going out of my way to act American and serve the interests of America, which was odd because I am American and the words US are in my title.'

What Preet says: On the anger over the Khobragade case . On the anger over the Khobragade case I understand there are a lot of people who have their own views... but the law is the law, and if you've broken the law, whether you are a mid-level or a previously unknown Indian diplomat or you are a hedge fund king-pin or you are a drug-dealer or you are a politician who's been elected to office by hundreds of thousands of people, if doesn't matter. No one is above the law and no one gets a short-cut around the law. That's actually why notwithstanding occasional small pockets of criticism from people who are not familiar with the office and don't even live in this country, the strength of the office is that we are relentless in every case. Sometimes there is a high-profile case in a particular community and it gets a lot of attention, but we are relentless in every case. We are relentless in some cases you haven't heard of -- in our murder cases, in our drug cases, we are relentless in our arms trafficking cases, we are relentless in our public corruption cases. In all our cases. So, when one asks a silly question as to why you don't drop a case and there is no legal basis for dropping a case, why should you do it? Why should somebody get special treatment because they happen to be of the same ethnic background as the prosecutor? To do that in fact, would be corrupt. Our office tried the son of the crime boss John Gotti, Jr, three times unsuccessfully because they didn't care if they'd be successful. (But) That's the way we do it and I don't think John Gotti, Jr was from India! It (the criticism) was not terrific. I don't mind criticism and if you do any kind of a public job, you have to get used to criticism. I don't mind it. But what gets to you is if people question your motivations in an idiotic way. And, there are a lot of people who do a lot of things, and you can criticise the decisions that the President makes or a public official makes, but when you suggest that their motivations are because they hate their own country -- the country they come from -- or they hate the colour of your skin, that's obnoxious and silly, and when your parents have to read that and your family has to read that, there are occasions when that can get to you. But I am a big boy and you get past that.

Bharara's tenure has not been without its share of criticism from within America either.

Critics questioned his appearances at high-profile events, including Vanity Fair Oscar parties, and accused him of basking in the spotlight.

'Every once in a while, I get invited to something where I am a fish out of water, and every once in a while I go,' Bharara had said in response. 'I went and spoke at a very distinguished event -- the Harvard Law School commencement exercise -- which, was a great honour and I also had a selfie with Mindy Kaling that day. I am happy about both things.'

'The reason that our office gets the attention is because of the cases that career line prosecutors bring every day and it's important for people to know about their work because that is what helps to achieve its desired effect and helps other people to see how they shouldn't act and also is a testament to the work the career people do every day. So, I don't see that as a bad thing,' he added.

It became especially tricky during the Sheldon Silver prosecution, when Judge Valerie Caproni criticized Bharara for a 'media blitz' involving the trial.

'The US Attorney, while castigating politicians in Albany for playing fast and loose with the ethical rules that govern their conduct, strayed so close to the edge of the rules governing his own conduct that defendant Sheldon Silver has a non-frivolous argument that he fell over the edge to the defendant's prejudice,' the judge wrote.

What Preet says: On criticism . On criticism Associated with the job, when I was a line prosecutor and even now, if you get your satisfaction and your self-worth just from what people say, in particular from what other people who don't know anything about the facts of what the law says, then you won't last very long. We get our self worth and satisfaction from the fact that everyday -- no matter what criticism comes our way, no matter what political forces or winds there are -- we do what we think is right. Do we make mistakes sometimes? Of course. But the guiding principle is that we do what we think is right all the time, whether you are talking about a small case, a large case, whether you are talking about a powerful person or a rich person or a politically connected person. None of that matters to us and that's why the office has the reputation that it has preceding me. It's because we really don't care what ideology people come from, or what country people are from, but that if you've broken the law, then you have to answer for it.

But the one thing no one could accuse Bharara of was not being tough on Democrats and Republicans alike. Ironically, the scrupulously apolitical approach this recently fired US attorney brought to his tenure had its links to another time when US attorneys were fired.

The year was 2007, then US president George W Bush's second term, and Bharara was a top aide to US Senator Chuck Schumer. Under the influential New York senator's supervision, Bharara had investigated the firing done by the then US attorney general.

'People need to have faith that not only is justice done but is seen to be done,' Bharara told India Abroad years later. 'I learned that lesson in a particularly poignant way when I worked on the firing of the US attorneys.'

'There was a worry -- some of which was borne out -- that even at the low levels people were making hiring decisions based on political affiliation or ideological affiliation. That can have no part in any of this. All of what we do is based on the law and the facts.'

What Preet says: On being the son of immigrants . On being the son of immigrants The people who left their home country and came here for a better life acted with more courage than most people ever have. Certainly, it's the case with my father, who left his home and everything he had to come here by way of England to have a better life for his family. That was a more courageous thing to do than anything I'd ever had to do. He had to undergo more hardship and risk to himself than anything I've ever done. Notwithstanding the difficulties of this job, I've had it easy. Most people who've grown up in this country, who have parents who chose to come here, have had it easy compared to what their parents did. Every act of migration embodies an act of courage that we can all take a lesson from. As I said in my swearing-in... my dad has said many times that he's proud of me. But given the life that he led, and the example that he set, and the sacrifices he made, he will never be more proud of me than I am of him. People here sometimes get nervous when they have to move across the country for a job change. My parents left a country where they knew the language, where they had huge families -- my dad is one of 13, my mom is one of seven, and their parents were alive at the time. They left everything they knew because they thought there was opportunity here. If somebody is a product of that, like I am, like my brother is, and you don't feel some obligation to do something for the country that allowed their parents to go from nothing to owning their home and to putting their kids through substantial educations, even through Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia (University), if people don't think they owe something back to their country, then they are sadly mistaken.

Bharara has exited the US attorney's office amid much speculation about this future and cries for him to run for New York City mayor or New York governor.

However, there is no word yet from the man, who -- from the moment he was sworn in -- has repeatedly said that being appointed US Attorney for USDNY was his 'greatest privilege' and his 'dream job.'

And irrespective of speculative questions about how much money he could make at a private law firm or whether he would be running for political office his answer never changed.

'Since I was a kid, and the way I think I was brought up, we were always taught that it's important to make a contribution,' he told us when asked what drove this commitment. 'I feel that very strongly... I teach that to my children.'

'When you have parents who came from another country -- and my father came with basically nothing -- then you realise how fortunate you are. There's plenty of time to make money later; if you have the privilege to serve in some way, in a way that can make an impact, I think everybody should spend some time doing that.'

'In fact, every time I go speak at a law school, or even at a business school, I try to make the point that everyone has the opportunity not just to do some public service on the side, but to spend a few years doing public service. If they can afford to do it for their entire lives, that would be terrific.'

'As people have often said through our history, to who much is given much is expected. I feel that way to my core.'

What Preet says: On his dream job & future plans . On his dream job & future plans I don't think I can put into words how gratifying this job is. It's the best job I will ever have. I say to people in the office all the time that every day is Thanksgiving. I really mean that. I've not had one bad day in this job, and there are a lot of reasons for that. One reason is, almost uniquely, people in this office understand that their responsibility is to do the right thing all the time and to make sure that justice is done. It's not about winning; it is not about getting notches in your belt; it's not about victories. It is not about any of those things other than to make sure you do the right thing for the right reasons all the time. That's a great feeling. A lot of people, in life, whether you're a lawyer or in some other profession, you have to do a lot of things you don't necessarily believe in. We don't bring a case unless we believe in it and when we cease to believe in it we abandon the case. There's great gratification in that -- knowing that you're making an impact. The other gratifying parts of the job are (that) I get to work with the best lawyers on the face of the earth, who are not just incredibly smart, incredibly talented, but also decent people who live by the golden rule and act with integrity in everything that they do. We spend a lot of time screening people who come to this office, and we sometimes reject people who have resumes that others would kill for. Because we're looking for a particular quality of person who is dedicated to public service, who wants to do it for the right reasons, and who is not using this as a stepping stone to some other larger thing. Someone who is not only smart, not only talented, not only works hard, but is a good human being, because the worst thing that can happen in a democratic society is (that) you have people (who are not good human beings) in an office like this, where everyone is granted an enormous amount of power. With that power comes the ability to ruin people's lives and ruin people's livelihoods. Unless you have people of great moral character who come into this office you very quickly have a bad system of justice. We work in a department that has in its title 'justice,' so we live by that creed every day. For most people, the opportunity to make a difference and make an impact on other people's lives and on their community never comes. When you are in this office, you get to have that opportunity every day... If you get distracted about the next thing, you are not going to do the current thing especially well. At some point, when I have to leave, I'll probably think about it then, but not now.

The interviews with Preet Bharara were conducted between 2012 and 2014 by Aziz Haniffa for India Abroad, then a Rediff.com publication.

Don't miss: Preet Bharara's journey in his own words
... Since 1950 ...



1951 - July 13 -

FLOOD

In the early morning darkness, the

Kansas River over-tops the flood-walls in both Kansas Citys

May 20

TORNADO

Ruskin Heights is dissected by an F-5 tornado

.

The tornado formed southwest of Ottawa- near Williamsburg, Kansas around 6 pm and by 7:30 pm- the killer vortex had crossed the state line into Missouri.



Most of the unincorporated town of Martin City and nearly half of the homes in the fairly-new Ruskin Heights subdivision were either heavily damaged or destroyed.





Forty-four deaths are officially attributed to the entire tornado's 71-mile path- 39 of those dying in Missouri.





This is the deadliest tornado in Metro KC weather history.









September

FLOOD - FLASH FLOOD

April 12

TORNADO

July

FLASH FLOOD

April 19

TORNADO

May 15

TORNADO

1966

June 8

TORNADO

January 24

TORNADO

June 29

TORNADO

1973

January 3 & 4

ICE STORM

September

FLASH FLOOD













1977 - May 4 - TORNADO - A mini- tornado outbreak affected every part of Metro Kansas City except the northwestern areas.



There were at least 4 separate tornadoes - 3 of them F-3 or stronger.



There are 3 deaths - 2 in Pleasant Hill where an in-session high and elementary school were hit - and one near Odessa, MO..



More than 2 dozen injuries were reported.



It was







1977 - September 12 & 13 - FLASH FLOOD - Kansas City's worst flash flooding in terms of lives lost and damage.



Twenty-five people died.



Up to 16-inches of rain over a 2-day period on the heavily-urbanized Brush Creek watershed culminated on the night of the 13th.



Devastating flooding occurred along Brush Creek from the Kansas suburbs just west of the state line eastward to the Big Blue river.



Several of the Blue's smaller tributaries like Independence's Rock Creek suffered major flooding as well.



Four people in their cars were washed away into Round Grove creek, which was more than 10-feet out of it's banks along Raytown Road as they exited the Truman Sports Complex after the Royals baseball game was cancelled.



Most of the other victims drowned along Brush Creek between State Line and The Paseo.



The scenes I witnessed that night haunt me to this day as much as the Jan. 28, 1978 Coates House fire where 20 died.







1980 - July-August - HEAT WAVE - Kansas City's deadliest weather disaster by far: A prolonged heat wave . Floodwater inundates a mobile home park in Northmoor mobile home park where emergency rescue of residents had to be conducted.- A mini- tornado outbreak affected every part of Metro Kansas City except the northwestern areas.There were at least 4 separate tornadoes - 3 of them F-3 or stronger.There are 3 deaths - 2 in Pleasant Hill where an in-session high and elementary school were hit - and one near Odessa, MO..More than 2 dozen injuries were reported.It was the first time I got on the tail of a twister - following it into Pleasant Hill - Kansas City's worst flash flooding in terms of lives lost and damage.Up to 16-inches of rain over a 2-day period on the heavily-urbanized Brush Creek watershed culminated on the night of the 13th.Devastating flooding occurred along Brush Creek from the Kansas suburbs just west of the state line eastward to the Big Blue river.Several of the Blue's smaller tributaries like Independence's Rock Creek suffered major flooding as well.Four people in their cars were washed away into Round Grove creek, which was more than 10-feet out of it's banks along Raytown Road as they exited the Truman Sports Complex after the Royals baseball game was cancelled.Most of the other victims drowned along Brush Creek between State Line and The Paseo.The scenes I witnessed that night haunt me to this day as much as the Jan. 28, 1978 Coates House fire where 20 died.- Kansas City's deadliest weather disaster by far:



More than 200 people are reported to have died from various heat-related causes from late June through August.



One July day was tinder-dry with Santa-Ana-like conditions.



Grass, brush and other fires citywide had the Fire Department down to a handful of companies in service when a grass fire spread to an apartment complex near 76th St. & Blue Ridge.



Four other fire departments - including Johnson County KS. - had to help what few KC-MO companies that made it there.



No one was injured - but several buildings were damaged.







1982 - August - FLASH FLOOD - Flash flooding strikes southern & southeastern KC-MO..



One fatality was reported.



The not-yet completed Longview Lake saved the Little Blue Valley from major flooding.







1984 - March - ICE STORM - A damaging ice storm affects a wide area of eastern Kansas and western Missouri - including the Kansas City Metro.







1984 - June 8 & 9 - FLASH FLOOD - Severe flash flooding affects Indian Creek from Olathe and Overland Park to it's mouth with the Blue River in KC-MO..



Hundreds of residents along Indian Creek from Olathe, Overland Park into KC, MO.. flee the record flood crests.



No one was reported hurt - but 2 young women were stranded on a traffic island by floodwaters at 103rd St. & Conser in OP-KS for more than 2 hours.



The author's 6-inch rain gauge in Olathe overflowed before it could be emptied and yet another 2.5 inches fell into it by 2 am on the 9th.



Based on this information plus flooding I was both witnessing and listening to in the Indian Creek headwaters and downstream, KCTV-CBS-5's meteorologist Mike Thompson was able to warn those downstream along Indian Creek of the danger via bulletins.







1986 - September - FLASH FLOOD - Flash flooding along Rock Creek in Mission, KS. & Brush Creek sends water again lapping at the curbs in the Plaza.



The Brush Creek flood control project - undertaken in the 1990's - has greatly reduced the flood threat for the Plaza.



However middle portions of the project not yet completed would have fatal effects on Brush Creek 12 years later.







1990 - May 15 - FLOOD - More than 8-inches of rain in 4 hours sends the Big Blue river into a massive flood and- at many points - flood crests exceeded records set during the 1961 flood.



By evening drive - there were only 2 routes open east or west across the Blue unless you lived south of Bannister Road: Independence Avenue ("Armco") viaduct and Interstate-70.



The Blue was channelized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during the 1990's and greatly reduced flooding as would be illustrated 8 years later during the 1998 flash floods.







1993 - July 9 - FLASH FLOOD - After a slow-moving thunderstorm complex threatens Lawrence, KS with tornadoes then floods it - the complex moves into northern Johnson County KS..



Flash flooding is by far the worst on Turkey Creek - it's entire floodplain is inundated from Overland Park & Merriam into KC-KS then into Southwest Boulevard and the West Bottoms in KC-MO..



Dozens of residents have to be swiftly evacuated by police & fire departments on both sides of the state line. Several people have to be rescued from rooftops of flooded buildings along Southwest Blvd..



One man is later found dead.



Kemper Arena and the American Royal complex is also flooded and damage figures reach the tens of millions of dollars.



WDAF-NBC4's Mike Thompson stays on the air all night- relaying high water reports I was receiving by radio.



Later that day - the now-swollen Kansas River caused two boats to be torn from their moorings.



One - the sand dredge The General Mitchell - struck 4 bridges and was severely damaged before 2 tugboats could push the Mitchell onto the Missouri River levee east of the Paseo bridge.



Along with post-8 am flooding and the General Mitchell- the author also videotaped the Missouri rising in Parkville, a make-shift levee and a "conga-line" of people heaving sandbags onto an overtopping Line Creek levee in Riverside, MO..







1993 - July 26-27 - FLOOD - Record Missouri River flood crest at Kansas City.



Squeezed into a narrow channel by levees- the Missouri River reaches an all-time highest flood crest of 48.87-feet near Downtown (old Municipal) Airport.





That surpassed the previous record 48-foot crest estimated during the legendary 1844 flood.





Downtown Parkville and most of Riverside are under water.









The water supplier for more than a million residents - the Kansas City Water Works - becomes severely threatened by the flood-swollen Missouri river.

Sandbagging and the additional pumping power of nearly a half-dozen Fire department pumper companies save the city's water supply from contamination.



In KC-KS -residents of the Argentine, Armourdale and the Rosedale neighborhoods - nearly destroyed in the 1951 flood - are evacuated.

The higher levees built after the '51 flood hold.

The flood crest in that flood is now No. 3 at 46.20-feet.



Parts of the Turner area of KC-KS are not so lucky and are flooded.

A mobile home park for about 100 people off K-32 is inundated and eventually abandoned.



At least no one dies in this flood.



1996 - May 26 - TORNADO - Southern Lee's Summit-MO. - what the NWS ultimately determined to be a "micro-burst" struck the Raintree Lake subdivision just after sunset.



There was tornadic circulation in that "micro-burst" - with winds "officially estimated at around 125 m.p.h.."



I saw 2 x 6 lumber driven into the ground at the correct angle & position on the northern edge of the damage path 20 minutes after the strike.



Several people suffered minor injuries and nearly 4-dozen homes received damage varying from slight to major.



Damage was in the $10-million range.







1998 - October 4 & 5 - FLASH FLOOD - It's the deadliest flash-flooding event in the KC Metro since "The Plaza Flood" of 1977.



September 1998 had already been a wet month and the ground across the entire K.C. Metro was saturated.



On Sunday, October 4 - a morning of off and on heavy showers and thunderstorms produced up to 5-inches of rain and flash- flooding in southeastern & eastern parts of the Metro.

Damaging flooding occurred in parts of Lee's Summit and a youth was swept away and drowned in a rain-swollen creek by early afternoon.



By mid-afternoon- the area was under not only under a NWS-issued flash flood watch but also a tornado watch.



Just before sunset- a huge thunderstorm complex formed west of Lawrence, KS. and- after deluging them- the complex moves eastward across northern Johnson County KS. into western and central Jackson County MO..



Over mid-town KC-MO - the storm dropped rain rates of 5-inches per hour during the 7-o'clock hour.

A huge- sudden flood-wave on Brush Creek swept over the top of the old Prospect bridge - sweeping seven people in and on top of their cars downstream.



Despite rescue attempts by by-standers and- eventually- firefighters- all 7 people drown.



(Minutes before this happened- an audio tape has this author pleading with a local TV weatherman over the phone to emphasize the flash flooding- rather than the tornado threat that we also were under.)



There were two other fatalities during the evening deluge - one each in Overland Park at a storm-water culvert that flowed toward I-435 east of Quivira and in Lenexa, KS on Little Mill Creek.



For the first time since the highway was opened around 1970 - both eastbound AND westbound lanes of I-435 just east of Quivira in OP-KS are flooded.



One man is barely saved from his pickup truck when it was washed off the eastbound lanes into the creek the gorged underground culvert was feeding.



Severe flooding again occurs on Turkey Creek - especially in Merriam- a portion of I-35 is closed by flooding for a couple of hours.



Southwest Boulevard is again flooded but water levels are not as high as in 1993.



Millions across America had tuned into the Chiefs vs. Seattle Seahawks NFL football game on TV and watched as Arrowhead Stadium's walkways turn into waterfalls.

The game was halted and nearly 75000 people were advised to seek cover for nearly an hour during the deluge.





2000 - May 11 - TORNADO - Surprise tornado north of The River.



"The threat of tornadoes in K.C. appears to be over."



That's what at least 2 TV "chief" weatherpersons say over the airwaves 15 to 30 minutes prior to a tornado touching down about 11:25 pm at 40th St. & North Oak in KC-MO..



The tornado destroys a car dealership- then rises to tree-top level for another several miles across heavily-populated KC-MO North towards the Worlds of Fun area.



Fortunately, there were no injuries.







2002 - January 27-30 - ICE STORM - MetroRegion-wide ice storm that persists over 3 days.



Damage to trees and the utility grids was tremendous - at one point more than a million people in the KC MetroRegion lost power.



There were at least 4 fatalities attributed to some aspect of this storm.







2003 - May 4 - TORNADO - First fatality tornado in Metro Kansas City since 1977 - and on the 26th anniversary of the '77 storm .



A tornado touches down in S.E. Leavenworth County about 4 pm in the afternoon and intensifies to F-4 as it moves across I-435 into western & northwestern KC-KS..



Both fatalities occurred in a heavily-devastated area around 91st St. & Leavenworth Road.



The tornado moved across the Missouri river into Riverside & Northmoor, MO.- producing varying degrees of damage.



The now-weakened circulation reorganized about a mile north - then moves from southwestern into eastern Gladstone- causing most of the heavy damage there.



The again F-4 tornado now roars into adjacent KC North subdivisions and on northeastward into Liberty- weakened- yet causing heavy damage on the town square and the nearby William Jewell College campus.



Two die with around a dozen people injured along the total path of the tornado. Damage was in the several tens of millions of dollars.



This outbreak began an almost week stretch of severe weather- culminating with a May 8th tornado in southwestern Lawrence-KS that damaged an apartment complex and nearby homes and caused several injuries..







2008 - May 1 - 2 - TORNADO - Another surprise tornado north of The River.



An intense- but compact storm system produces severe weather around Metro Kansas City starting the evening of May 1 (SEE CaptGSpaulding's video on YouTube).



Just after sunset on May 1- a tornado warning is issued by the NWS when a small tornado touches down in an open field southwest of Belton-MO.. A van-load of us were there to video that which we never actually saw.



Yet no tornado warning is in effect in the early-morning hours of May 2 when an F-4 tornado strikes Gladstone- then an F-3 twister strikes a subdivision in far northeast Kansas City-MO North.



Hurricane force winds also struck other areas- especially portions of Independence- Raytown and eastern KC-MO..



Less than a dozen people suffered minor injuries Metro-wide but daylight on the morning of May 2 reveal a man dead of what were reported as storm-related injuries near M-291 and Gudgell in Independence.



Damages Metro-wide were later estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.





Passage across the Missouri is not possible between Kansas City and St. Joseph.The water supplier for more than a million residents - the Kansas City Water Works - becomes severely threatened by the flood-swollen Missouri river.

-Flash flooding caused by a dying Gulf hurricane caused record floods on the Big and Little Blue rivers and their tributaries.The heavy damage done to one of General Motors' first Chevrolet assembly plant in the Leeds district of KC-MO. helps lead to the plant's closing by the mid 1970's.The flood brings about planning and in the 1980's construction of 2 new flood-control reservoirs - Lake Longview and Lake Blue Springs.This greatly reduces flooding on the Little Blue River - opening up the floodplain to development in southeastern Independence and northern Lee's Summit, MO..Yet land in neighboring Johnson County KS. is too expensive for flood-control projects for the Big Blue River - and continued flooding of the Blue Valley over then next 30 years would help lead to it's industrial-base demise.-It's the first tornado outbreak in the Kansas City MetroRegion for many years.Tornadoes cause damage southwest and west of Lawrence and in Leavenworth County and the city itself.Other supercells produced tornadoes in Cass County MO. and around Pleasant Hill where one fatality occurred.There were dozens of injuries all told in the affected areas with damage in the millions of dollars.- Smithville, MO. is ravaged by a flash flood on the Little Platte River.Tracy - on the Platte River a few miles downstream from the confluence of the Little Platte - also suffers major flooding as the Platte River reaches a record crest that stands early into the 21st Century.- A tornado forms over what was then farmland east of I-35 & 119th Street in Johnson County KS. and moves northeastward.Within 10 minutes - the F-3-rated tornado strikes a new housing subdivision and barely misses an elementary school at West 96th St. & Knox in Overland Park There are several minor injuries and the tornado-bearing storm moves over highly-populated areas of southern K.C. & Independence, MO..The official tornado warning wasn't issued by the National Weather Service or the local broadcast media until after the tornado had touched down - traveled it's roughly 4 to 5-mile-long path and lifted.- A weak "white" tornado touches down near 15th St. & Minnesota in KC-KS.It's only on the ground a few minutes but wreaks F-1 destruction to buildings & car dealerships along Minnesota.A few people suffered minor injuries.- A day of tornado-producing thunderstorm supercells across eastern and northeastern Kansas.One produced an F-3 tornado that struck Manhattan, KS. around 6 pm.Another cell spawns the first U.S. tornado to produce 100-million-dollars worth or more of damage - the devastating F-5 tornado that struck Topeka, KS ..The wedge-shaped, multi-vortex tornado roared over legendary Burnett's Mound just after 7 pm and diagonally sliced through the entire city.Sixteen people were killed and hundreds were injured that Wednesday evening.Around 8:30 pm- a tornado then moved across Leavenworth County and kills one in the tiny town of Jarbalo.- The Orrick, MO. tornado.A rare mid-winter thunderstorm formed on the Kansas side just after noon and became severe over southern KC-MO..Just after 1 pm- a tornado forms southwest of Buckner. MO. - gains F-3 strength after it crosses the Missouri River - and heads for the southwestern Ray County community of Orrick. It strikes the in-session high school on the western side of Orrick - where 2 are killed and more than a dozen are injured inside the shattered school building.- A tornado - rated as strong as F-3 - hits parts of southern Platte County and western Clay county MO..Damage is reported in Riverside and northwestern Gladstone with at least 6 persons injured along the tornado's path.- A massive ice & snowstorm -beginning around noon on the 3rd - hits Metro K.C..Nearly a foot of snow falls on the several inches of freezing rain and sleet.Tens of thousands of residents who lose power suffer sub-zero temperatures following the storm.The tree & power line damage I see far and away exceeds that witnessed in the 1984 and 2002 storms.- Failure of a private lake dam in the upper watershed of Line Creek in KC-MO leads to flash flooding downstream.
UN rights wing urges calm, protection of civilians amid hostilities in eastern Libya

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UN rights wing urges calm, protection of civilians amid hostilities in eastern Libya, 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8f5b74.html [accessed 7 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.

Raising alarm over reports of serious human rights and humanitarian law violations and abuses stemming from recent fighting in eastern Libya's oil crescent area, the United Nations human rights arm has called on all parties to ensure that civilians are protected and that the situation is de-escalated.

Credible reports suggest that unlawful killings, including summary executions, hostage-taking, arbitrary detentions, torture, as well as widespread raids of civilian homes have been occurring, particularly in the towns of Ajdabiya, Benghazi, Brega and Beishir, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) told the media today at a regular news briefing at the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

We urge all parties to the conflict to fully respect international human rights and humanitarian law and to take all possible precautions to ensure civilians are not harmed and to treat all detainees humanely, she added, urging all those with influence to work to de-escalate the situation.

Quoting reports, the spokesperson said that two Libyan National Army (LNA) fighters were summarily executed at a medical centre in the Ras Lanuf on 3 March.

In response, the LNA conducted widespread raids of homes of presumed Benghazi Defence Brigade (BDB) supporters or fighters and detained some 100 men and boys, including some as young as 13 and some in their 70s.

The 13-year-old was held in order to force the family to hand over his older brother, who was suspected of being a fighter aligned with the BDB. LNA fighters also allegedly beat and insulted men and women, and stole money and other property from the houses.

Those detained are being held incommunicado, and many families have said they have no information on the whereabouts of male relatives who have been detained, said Ms. Shamdasani, adding that there have also been reports that those detained have been subjected to torture and threats.
South Sudan: UN expert urges action to end rights abuses in a country where 'impunity is the norm'

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as UN News Service, South Sudan: UN expert urges action to end rights abuses in a country where 'impunity is the norm', 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8f61d4.html [accessed 7 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.

Amid a massive increase in gross human rights violations, as well as an escalation in fighting in South Sudan, the head of a United Nations rights probe said today that to prevent further escalation and abuses in a country where impunity is the norm, the international community must be bold enough to push for establishment of a court and bring prosecutions.

There can be no more delay, no more excuses, said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, as she presented her report to the UN Human Rights Council, the Geneva-based body that mandated the three-member panel's work almost exactly one year ago.

The alternative, she continued, is policy of appeasement  making us complicit in the bloodshed that is happening.

Among a host of experts that will this week update the Council on their work, Ms. Sooka, presenting the report alongside fellow Commissioners, Godfrey Musilla and Ken Scott, said the situation in South Sudan continued to deteriorate over the past nine months as unlawful arrests and detentions, torture, rape and killing have become the norm, including in places that had once been relatively peaceful.

Pattern of ethnic cleansing, 'population engineering' in some villages

Whole villages burnt to ashes, attacks on hospitals and churches, bodies dumped in rivers, allegations of young girls held as sexual slaves, women young and old gang raped and boys and men forcibly recruited, she said, adding that South Sudan is the world's third largest refugee crisis, with nearly two million internally displaced and more than one and a half million refugees having fled to neighbouring countries.

The report, she said, makes it clear that South Sudanese civilians have been deliberately and systematically targeted on the basis of their ethnicity by Government and government-aligned forces, for killing, abduction, unlawful detention, deprivation of liberty, rape and sexual violence, the burning of their villages, and looting.

On the ground, this translates into bound corpses left on roadsides, hunger where once there was plenty, and thousands of children ripped from their mothers  some forced to carry guns and kill  yet another lost generation, stated Ms. Sooka, stressing that citizens are treated like enemy combatants because of their perceived political allegiance to the other side, calculated by ethnicity. Opposition forces too have been responsible for human rights abuses although to a lesser extent, she added.

Relief agencies, including the UN, have little choice to accept the restrictions imposed by South Sudan as they cannot walk away and let millions of people starve

She went on to say that the scale of sexual violence in South Sudan is so horrifying that the consequences of doing nothing are unthinkable. Indeed, perpetrators will be emboldened if the international community ignores the issue.

The experts also reported on a pattern of ethnic cleansing and population engineering. When the Commission visited the northern town of Malakal, it saw how the redrawing of state boundary lines had helped depopulate the town of its Shilluk and Nuer inhabitants. Civil servants had been forcibly relocated out of the town on the basis of their ethnicity.

Reiterating the Commission's call for an international impartial and independent investigation to be established by the UN  to examine the most serious crimes, including conflict-related sexual violence, committed since December 2013, she said the findings should establish the extent of ongoing violations and support the work of the promised Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing and the Hybrid Court for South Sudan, which should be operational by the end of the year.

Small coterie of political leaders has 'plundered the country

There can be no more delay, no more excuses, stated Ms. Sooka, underscoring that the deterioration in the human rights situation in South Sudan is directly attributable to impunity. The challenge for accountability is that alleged perpetrators still occupy senior political and military positions.

A small coterie of South Sudan's political leaders show total disregard not just for international human rights norms but for the welfare of their own people. They have squandered the oil wealth and plundered the country's resources. Today the Government of South Sudan has effectively devolved most of its service delivery to the international community, she said, adding that international humanitarians, including the UN, have little choice to accept the restrictions imposed by the State as they cannot walk away and let millions of people starve.

The dilemma between being outspoken on human rights and securing access has never been more stark, she said adding that: In a country where impunity is the norm, the mere knowledge that credible information is being gathered can act as a deterrent. But only if we are bold enough to push for the immediate establishment of the Hybrid Court and prosecutions.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 but fell into violence in late 2013 when a political rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his then-deputy Riek Machar erupted into full-fledged conflict.
Nicaragua: Human rights defender stigmatized and publicly discredited by government authorities

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 14 March 2017 Reference AMR 43/5860/2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Nicaragua: Human rights defender stigmatized and publicly discredited by government authorities, 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8f71f4.html [accessed 7 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 part of a campaign carried out by Nicaraguan government officials to stigmatize and publicly discredit Vilma Nunez, the director and founder of the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights (Centro Nicaraguense de Derechos Humanos, CENIDH), on 8 March 2017, 9 government officials, among them six government ministers, wrote a letter to the United States ambassador to Nicaragua in response to Vilma Nunez's nomination for the International Women of Courage Award, presented by the United States government Department of State. The officials writing the letter claimed that her nomination was an "act of hostility" and added that Nunez's work has insulted and offended the people and government of Nicaragua. For Nunez this is a "direct attack from the government" which puts her at risk, given the current volatile situation in terms of human rights in the country.(1)

Vilma Nunez and other members of CENIDH have been granted precautionary measures by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights since 2008 due to the risk to their life and integrity which they face as a result of their work to defend human rights. To date, the Nicaraguan government has not guaranteed these measures.

The campaign of stigmatization and discreditation against Nunez is yet another example of the harassment and persecution faced by human rights defenders in Nicaragua, which Amnesty International has documented for several years.(2) Smear campaigns against human rights defenders increase the risks they face, permitting and even encouraging attacks against them. State authorities have the duty to create a favourable environment for the defence of human rights, according to the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and therefore must not make statements which stigmatize, discriminate against or discredit those carrying out their legitimate work to defend human rights.

Amnesty International urges the Nicaraguan authorities to redress the hostile messages against human rights defenders and publicly and unconditionally show support for the important and legitimate work of this human rights defender to promote human rights. Additionally, it calls on the government to promptly ensure that the necessary measures are in place to guarantee the safety of Vilma Nunez and the members of CENIDH, in consultation with them.

1 - Interview with Vilma Nunez, 9 March 2017

2 - Annual Report 2016/2017: "The situation of human rights in the world". Amnesty International, (Index: POL 10/4800/2017) pages 328-330

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International




For full article by Avi Issacharoff go to http://tinyurl.com/hrlb7yr







At the end of February, in Istanbul, the Palestinians Abroad Conference convened with the purported goal of promoting global support for the Palestinians. Its actual purpose was to bolster the status of Hamas in the international arena. Via conferences and through hierarchies linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, Gaza-based terror group, Hamas is building global infrastructure to challenge PLOs standing as Palestinians sole legitimate representativeAt the end of February, in Istanbul, the Palestinians Abroad Conference convened with the purported goal of promoting global support for the Palestinians. Its actual purpose was to bolster the status of Hamas in the international arena.





. Many of the same faces are present  including current and past members of the Muslim Brotherhood, at a more or less official level, and current and past members of Hamas. It became clear that many of the organizers and attendees had something else in common: they are known to have been members  for decades  of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated networks all over Europe





Their shared goal is to promote international legitimacy for Hamas  in Europe, Africa, the Middle East (of course) and even in Latin America  in a bid to challenge the PLOs international standing as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.





Hamas, in this way, is slowly but surely establishing a global infrastructure of supporters who are providing not only encouragement and legitimacy, but also quite a bit of financial assistance.

Britain turns out to be hosting more of this semi-official activity by Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood than any other country in Europe. Tracing the outlines of this infrastructure lends some surprising insights. For example,turns out to be hosting more of this semi-official activity by Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood than any other country in Europe.

One almost quintessential example of such activity under innocent-seeming cover is the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign. The group held many conferences and issued fatwas against the West, such as against France after it began military action in Mali.

The declaration, signed by 90 Muslim clerics from all over the world, including members of Hamas, stated that the Palestinian Authority was not the representative of the Palestinian people. The Campaign began focusing on Gaza in 2009, during and after Operation Cast Lead, an Israeli military campaign aimed at stopping rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. At a conference held in February 2009, the group decided to turn Gaza into a new front for jihad under the auspices of the Istanbul Declaration. The declaration, signed by 90 Muslim clerics from all over the world, including members of Hamas, stated that the Palestinian Authority was not the representative of the Palestinian people.





The statement attacked the Saudi-sponsored Arab Peace Initiative  a proposal that offers normalization of ties between Arab countries and Israel in exchange for Israel pulling out of territories claimed by Palestinians  calling it nothing less than a proven betrayal of the Islamic Nation and the Palestinian cause, and a blatant betrayal of the Palestinian people.

Another example: FIOE, the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe. Thirty-seven different groups in different countries on the continent operate under that organization, and over the years have created an image for themselves as the legitimate representatives  the Islamic mainstream. The group is known as IGD in Germany and UOIF in France. The same thing is going on in Scandinavia and almost everywhere.

These networks operate according to the long-established model of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. In each country there is a network of civil society organizations  in other words, dawa , a word in Arabic meaning proselytizing or preaching of Islam. These organizations are run by well-known figures who head madrasas, or Muslim schools; mosques; charitable organizations that raise money not only for Muslims in Europe but also for Hamas. Recently, Muslim human rights groups have been established that work to strengthen support for the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas.





British soil. Here are some examples. Many prominent figures in these groups, again, operate onsoil. Here are some examples.

 Muhammad Sawalha, of Palestinian origin, is very well known to the Israeli security establishment as one of the founders of Hamass military wing in the West Bank. He also lives in London.

 Zaher Birawi, a former Hamas operative in the Gaza Strip, was one of the spokesmen of the Mavi Marmara flotilla and has been involved in other flotillas.

 Essam Yusuf Mustafa is a former member of Hamass political wing, at least according to the US Treasury Department. Mustafa, one of the organizers of the latest conference in Istanbul, is on the board of trustees of another organization, Interpal, which was declared a terrorism-supporting organization by the United States as far back as 2003. Both Birawi and Mustafa live in Britain.

Mustafa was a leader of a group called the Charity Coalition (also known as the Union of Good), which raised money for Hamas in the early 2000s and gained the spiritual support of Yusuf al-Qardawi, the leading Sunni cleric and Muslim Brotherhood member..

There are others, in Britain:

- Ismail Patel, head of the Friends of Al-Aqsa group;

- Daud Abdullah, originally from Grenada, a former member of the Muslim Council of Britain, who helps operate a news site which takes a pro-Hamas and pro-Muslim Brotherhood stance;

- Azzam Tamimi, a Palestinian who is the CEO of the Alhiwar television station, which operates from London and is considered explicitly pro-Hamas

- Ibrahim Munir Mustafa, also Egyptian by birth, who chairs the international organization of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and lives in London.




Dozens of journalists arrested during protests in Belarus

Publisher Reporters Without Borders Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as Reporters Without Borders, Dozens of journalists arrested during protests in Belarus, 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8f83b4.html [accessed 7 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) condemns the arrests of at least 19 journalists and bloggers while covering a crackdown on demonstrations in cities throughout Belarus since 10 March, and the prison sentences imposed on four of them yesterday and today.

RSF regards the police arrests and the jail terms as major violations of media freedom.

Two bloggers, Syarhei Pyatrukhin and Dzmitry Harbunou (of Narodny Repartsyor), were sentenced to 15 days in prison in the western city of Brest today for allegedly taking part in an "unauthorized demonstration." Pyatrukhin was tried in absentia but Harbunou attended the hearing and was detained immediately afterwards.

Viktar Andreyeu of Orshatut.by, a local news website in the eastern city of Orsha, and Maksim Filipovich, a blogger in the southeastern city of Homyel, were sentenced to 13 days in prison

yesterday on the same charge.

Two other Orsha-based journalists, Halina Abakunchyk of RFE/RL and Katsyaryna Bakhvalava of Belsat TV, were fined 575 rubles (283 euros) and 690 rubles (340 euros) respectively yesterday after being held overnight in police custody.

"The Belarusian authorities must put an immediate stop to this targeted and coordinated harassment," said Johann Bihr, the head of RSF's Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk.

"Journalists have a right to cover events of general interest, regardless of their nature. We urge the European Union to issue a firm reminder that massive media freedom violations of this kind are incompatible with the continuation of a rapprochement between Minsk and Brussels."

Many journalists were arrested before they could begin to cover the protests. They included Syarhei Serabro, Tatsyana Matsveyeva, Ihar Matsveyeu, Adaryya Hurshtyn and Syarhei Hudzilin, who were arrested on their arrival at Orsha station on 12 March and were held for so long that they missed all or most of the demonstration in Orsha.

Syarhei Rusetski , Uladzimir Lunyou, Yauhen Meriks, Syarhei Kavalyou, Volha Chaychyts and Andrei Kozel were stopped by traffic police while on their way to cover a demonstration in Rahachou, near Homyel, on 12 March.

Unusually large demonstrations have been taking place in Belarus since late February in protest against a new tax on "social parasitism" applicable to anyone working for less than six months a year.

President Alexander Lukashenko suspended the tax on 9 March but ordered the interior ministry to take "extremely severe measures" against the protests' "instigators" and to restore "perfect order." The police began at once to disperse the protests with much more energy and at least 70 arrests have so far been made.

Belarus is ranked 157th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2016 World Press Freedom Index.
Xinjiang's Rapidly Evolving Security State

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Adrian Zenz & James Leibold Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Xinjiang's Rapidly Evolving Security State , 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8f9f04.html [accessed 7 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 recent military rallies in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), with machine-gun toting police and armored personnel carriers parading through the streets of the region's major cities, foreground the ongoing instability in China's far western region (Tianshan, February 28). Since the July 5, 2009 riots in the regional capital of Urumqi, thousands have died in violent clashes between the Muslim Uyghur minority and the Han-dominated Party-state. In response, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built a multi-tiered security state with, among other components, the recruitment of nearly 90,000 new police officers and a 356 percent increase in the public security budget (Foreign Affairs, December 23, 2016). According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Xinjiang is now the "frontline" in China's battle against "terrorism," and consequently a testing ground for new policing and surveillance methods (Xinhua, April 28, 2014).

Using data gleaned from public service postings, it is possible to map the development of this security state in Xinjiang. Beginning in 2006, XUAR public and civil service jobs have been publically advertised on the Chinese Internet in an effort to increase transparency. These recruitment adverts contain a range of useful information, such as the number and types of positions plus specific requirements for residency, ethnicity, and education, among other details. By aggregating recruitment adverts across hundreds of regional websites and then disaggregating and analyzing the resulting data, we have compiled a unique dataset that chronicles the ballooning security footprint in Xinjiang. [1]

Viewed in aggregate, the figures reveal a massive spike in police recruitment since 2012, with Xi Jinping personally praising local constabularies as the "fists and daggers" of China's counter-terrorism effort (Xinhua, April 28, 2014). In fact, the number of advertised police jobs exceeded 30,000 in 2016 more than the figures from 2008-2012 combined. In part, this is an exercise in catching up with wealthier, coastal regions, but over time, the target sharpened to focus on sources of unrest in remote, chiefly Uyghur, parts of Southern Xinjiang. Last year, the outgoing Xinjiang Party Secretary Zhang Chunxian declared success, claiming that "the situation in Xinjiang is becoming ever more stable and the number of violent incidents has declined substantially as local authorities strengthen their ability to prevent and fight terrorist activities" (Renminwang, March 9, 2015). Yet the situation remains tense, with his successor Chen Quanguo implementing an even more comprehensive and intrusive policing strategy (China Brief, February 6, 2016).

Data collected from job postings reveals four stages in the Party-state's incremental securitization strategy in Xinjiang:

Stage 1 (2009-2011): Responding to the 2009 Urumqi Riots

Despite claims that Wang Lequan ruled Xinjiang with an "iron-fist" during his fifteen-year tenure as Xinjiang Party Secretary (1994-2010), advertised police recruitment was relatively small prior to the 2009 violence. Yet the 7.5 Incident was a wake-up call, with top Party officials deeply embarrassed by the scale of the violence in Urumqi and their inability to quickly quell the unrest. The situation only stabilized after Beijing rushed 14,000 People's Armed Police (PAP, ) forces as well as the relatively recently formed Special Police Units (SPUs, ) from 31 provinces to Xinjiang (China Digital Times, July 10, 2009; Sina xinwen, August 17, 2009). In response, the XUAR government initiated its first-ever recruitment of SPU officers by advertising 2,655 positions in December 2009.

While SPUs existed in Xinjiang prior to 2009, their numbers were insufficient to deal with large-scale security threats. SPU officers are heavily equipped with sub-machine guns and bulletproof vests. Physical requirements for admission are also very demanding, with new recruits subject to intense mental and physical training (Guojia gongwuyuan ju, April 27, 2011; Zhongguo Gansu wang, January 18). At that time, the state was intent on investing large sums for the creation of a highly trained and heavily equipped strike force.

The second part of the state's response to the 7.5 Incident was an investment in new personnel across the public security agencies in the XUAR, which includes the regular police force (). Total security-related recruitment, across all agencies and job types, doubled, rising from 6,876 positions in 2006-2008 to 15,841 in 2009-2011. XUAR officials evidently sought to quickly boost the region's undermanned security personal after Zhang Chunxian succeeded Wang Lequan as Party Secretary in April 2010.

Stage 2 (2012-13): Expanded Policing and Surveillance in the Rural South

In January 2012, the new secretary of the XUAR Political and Legislative Affairs Committee Xiong Xuanguo announced the recruitment of 8,000 new police officers in order to beef-up security ahead of the 18th CPC National Congress in autumn of that year (Tianshangwang news, February 1, 2012). This intake advertised 11,559 security-related positions, a 57 percent increase in adverts over 2009 and the highest figure yet for Xinjiang. The principal focus was Southern Xinjiang, due to XUAR officials' conviction that the violence perpetrated in Urumqi come from Uyghur migrants from the south. [2]

For the first time in 2012, XUAR officials committed themselves to fully implementing the one village, one policeman () scheme, which had been rolled out in various Eastern provinces from the early 2000s (China Brief, September 4, 2015). Under this policy, a single police officer leads up to three assistant police staff ( or ) in each rural village or hamlet (Tianshangwang news, February 1, 2012). The latter are a highly informal police force. Assistant police are only supposed to assist regular police officers in their duties, and (in theory) do not possess any enforcement rights (). These positions come with lower salaries because pay levels are determined by the local authorities at the county or city district levels. The combination of lower pay, contract-based employment, and lower recruitment requirements renders the assistant police force a highly strategic component of a multi-tiered policing strategy, placing a large garrison of low-skilled security staff under smaller numbers of more highly equipped and trained police.

Most of these assistant police officers were recruited to man small, community-based police sub-stations () across the XUAR (Xinjiang Daily, December 29, 2012). [3] These comprise both fixed structures and bus-like units that can be transported with trucks, which facilitates a highly mobile form of policing. Correspondingly, 71 percent of the region's 2012 police sub-station recruitment targeted regions with a Uyghur population share of 40 percent or higher, far more than in 2009, when only 40 percent of all security-related recruitment targeted such Uyghur regions. [4] Moreover, 78 percent of advertised police sub-station recruitment positions in 2012 were designated for rural regions, compared to only 42 percent in 2009.

The establishment of a police sub-station network was by no means a Xinjiang innovation. Rather, by the end of 2006, police sub-stations were commonplace across most urban regions of China, while more developed provinces, like Zhejiang, extended their reach into rural communities as well (Xinhuanet, February 5, 2007). Their accelerated implementation in Xinjiang was, at least partially, a response to a string of violent attacks on state targets in Uyghur regions beginning in 2012, as well as a possible factor underlying retaliator attacks.

Stage 3 (2014-2015): Grid-Style Community Policing and Big Data Surveillance

Following a series of high-profile terror attacks, including a suicide car bombing in Beijing (October 2013), train station stabbing in Kunming (March 2014) and market bombing in Urumqi (April 2014), Party officials announced a nation-wide counter-terrorism campaign, with Zhang Chunxian declaring a "people's war on terror" in Xinjiang and Chinese president Xi Jinping calling for "walls made of copper and steel" and "nets spread from the earth to the sky" to capture these "terrorists" ((People's Daily, May 26, 2014; Xinhua, May 29, 2014).

In response, XUAR security-related recruitment again surpassed the 10,000 position mark. The 2014 intake continued the 2012 trend away from a well-equipped, expensive policing force toward a more cost-efficient yet surveillance-intense posture, with most of the new positions based on casual employment contracts.

The 2014 recruitment drive introduced several new employment categories, signaling the regime's efforts to extend the reach of what officials were now calling grid-style social management (). Grid management employs CCTV cameras, mobile Internet technologies and big data analytics to monitor all suspicious activities within a discrete geometric zone. This approach was first trialed in Beijing and Shanghai during the early 2000s and gradually rolled out in the frontier regions of Xinjiang and Tibet after the 2008-2009 unrest (China Tibet News, November 3, 2014; Yaxinwang, January 24, 2013).

In 2014, security recruitment included, for the first time, video surveillance () staff. Following the 7-5 Incident, XUAR authorities installed millions of new security cameras, initially in major urban areas like Urumqi but increasingly across rural and remote communities. To maximize their surveillance capabilities, dedicated police technicians were now employed. Other new recruitment categories included patrol and prevention () as well as grid patrol and prevention () staff. Most of these positions were poorly paid and hired on a short-term contract basis. Unlike the previous focus on the rural south, patrol and prevention staff were recruited equally across the XUAR.

The evolution toward new surveillance-oriented, technology-focused security jobs continued in 2015 with the introduction of internet surveillance and prevention () positions on top of the existing internet security () job category first introduced in 2009. At the same time, 2015 also witnessed a resurgence of more formal recruitment, with 2,502 new positions for police sub-station officers and 3,478 public security or SPU officers. The 2015 intake evidently aimed to shore up staff numbers across all levels of this evolving multi-tiered security apparatus. With a total of 9,314 security-related adverts, its size remained slightly below that of the 2012 and 2014 intakes.

Stage 4 (2016-): "Convenience Police Stations" and the Massive Expansion of Surveillance Manpower

However, the largest boost in policing capabilities took place in 2016. A total of 31,687 security-related positions were advertised, more than a three-fold increase over the previous year. This unprecedented recruitment drive sought to boost the Party-state's surveillance capabilities across all regions of Xinjiang, as only 35 percent of advertised positions were designated for regions with a Uyghur population of 40 percent or higher.

Notably, 89 percent of these new hires were associated with so-called convenience police stations (), which are currently being built across the XUAR in the tens of thousands. Chen Quanguo had first introduced these stations in the Tibetan Autonomous Region in 2011, where media reports praised them as Lhasa's "unquenchable lights" (Sohu news, April 3, 2015). [5] After being transferred to Xinjiang in August 2016, Chen ordered their construction across Xinjiang. In comparison to the more mobile police sub-stations, convenience police stations are (in most cases) sophisticated concrete and bulletproof installations (Xinhua, October 27, 2016). They house basic medical equipment, umbrellas, charging stations for mobile phones, and many other "convenient" community services, and are festooned with decorative elements or even ethnic colors and styles. Japan's koban () or "police box" system is one source of inspiration for Chinese security official (Renmin Anquan, March 3, 2009), although so-called community-based policing is now an international normal.

Local media have praised these convenience police stations as "bringing zero-distance service" () to the people of Xinjiang (Urumqi city government, October 28, 2016). Yet, their real purpose is surveillance, cleverly designed to make Orwellian levels of securitization more palatable, while bringing 24-hour "zero-distance" policing to an ever-increasing number of neighborhoods. During a recent inspection tour, Chen Quanguo called on these new police officers to response to any signs of trouble in under a minute's time (Tianshan, February 21). The combination of low-skilled foot-soldiers stationed in and around convenience police stations and high-tech equipment connected to extensive information processing systems has dramatically increased the Party-state's surveillance capabilities, providing what local media claims is "complete coverage without any chinks, blind spots, or blank spaces" (Boertala bao, November 3, 2016).

Conclusion: A State of Insecurity?

The unprecedented security-related recruitment in 2016 completes what we can tentatively call a three-tier policing strategy in Xinjiang. The top tier consists of regular police officers and the SPU police force that are recruited through the civil service and employed on stable, long-term contracts. The middle tier is composed of sub-station police officers who form localized hubs of policing, often in rural and remote regions with low levels of previous securitization. Finally, the third and lowest tier consists of various types of assistant police staff, mostly hired through informal, contract-based recruitment channels. The third-tier is designed as a cost-effective way to leverage the capabilities of the upper two tiers and provides the staffing capacity for grid-style and community-based policing. Between 2012 and 2016, 52 percent of all security-related recruitment in Xinjiang fell into this bottom tier, vastly increasing the panoptic gaze of the Party-state across China's largest territorial unit. This surge in recruitment is continuing in 2017. In January and February alone, the region advertised just under 10,000 new police jobs, nearly all of them third tier positions (Weikouwang, February 28, 2017; Offcn.com, March 6, 2017).

The implications for Xinjiang and China are complex. On the one hand, this more intrusive form of policing has dramatically increased the ability of the Party-state to patrol and control anti-state activities at a local level. The result has been fewer reported terror attacks in Xinjiang from mid-2013 onward, although reporting on such incidents are frequently suppressed. Yet, on the other hand, this heavy-handed approach also creates an atmosphere of insecurity by legitimizing increasingly intrusive surveillance measures that are chiefly focused on the Uyghur minority. In recent months, Southern Xinjiang has experienced at least three violent attacks, as some Uyghurs first buckle and then lash out against this now all-encompassing state pressure (RFA, September 19, 2016; Reuters, January 5; RFA, February 15). This exacerbates the Uyghurs' sense of cultural and physical insecurity as they feel increasingly under siege in their own homeland. By widening the gap of distrust and misinformation between the Uyghur minority and the Han-dominated Party-state, securitization directly undermines long-term social stability -ironically the very aim that it seeks to achieve.

Adrian Zenz is lecturer in social research methods at the European School of Culture and Theology, Korntal, Germany. His research focus is on China's ethnic policy and public recruitment in Tibet and Xinjiang. He is author of "Tibetanness under Threat" and co-editor of the "Mapping Amdo" series of the Amdo Tibetan Research Network.

James Leibold is an Associate Professor in Politics and Asian Studies at La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia, and an expert on ethnic policy and ethnic conflict in contemporary China. He is the author and co-editor of four books and over twenty peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, and a frequent contributor to the international media on these topics.

NOTES
The Evolution of the PLA's Red-Blue Exercises

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author David C. Logan Publication Date 14 March 2017 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, The Evolution of the PLA's Red-Blue Exercises, 14 March 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8fa304.html [accessed 7 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.

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In the summer of 2016, the PLA completed the most recent round of its "Stride" () exercises, a series of large-scale military training exercises that prominently feature simulated opposing force confrontations. Militaries and other national security actors have for decades utilized "red teams" to improve training and operations. Red teams provide a dynamic adversary and present the blue or "home" team with a more challenging and realistic training exercise. Sometimes red teams may even be tasked with mimicking a specific country or military unit. In the U.S. and other Western countries, the "Red" force typically represents the adversary, but in China, the designations are reversed, with "Red" units representing the PLA and "Blue" units representing the opposing force.

Red-Blue exercises are valuable opportunities to evaluate a military's capabilities, enhance the difficulty and realism of training exercises, and to prepare for future conflicts against a specific adversary. According to one account, "Using a fierce Blue Force in this manner in exercises, in one aspect imagines the functional requirements of enemy units and in another aspect also confirms that the actual combat level of our army continuously increases year by year. Whether the Blue Force is strong or weak, in one aspect simulates the real situation of potential opponents and in another aspect also establishes the current level of capabilities of the Red Force" (China Youth Daily, July 24, 2015).

Chinese observers of the PLA have long lamented personnel shortcomings in terms of education, "old-style thinking," and training (China Brief, May 9, 2013). The incorporation of more complex weapons systems and planning for joint operations have only further increased the need for high-quality personnel, but training has reportedly been overly scripted and unrealistic. The focus on Red-Blue exercises is part of a larger push to improve overall force training.

Though the PLA incorporated Red-Blue exercises later than its Western military counterparts, such training is not entirely new to the PLA. The first PLA confrontation exercises reportedly began in 1985. [1] Despite the potential of Red-Blue exercises, the PLA has failed to fully exploit them. Past exercises were overly scripted and designed more to bolster the reputation of the participating troops rather than improve their operational readiness. In recent years, however, the PLA has attempted to expand, systematize, and professionalize the use of Red-Blue exercises. These exercises provide indicators of the capabilities and threat perceptions of the PLA.

Red-Blue Exercises within the PLA

Two of the more prominent Red-Blue exercises within the PLA are held as part of the annual "Stride" exercises conducted at the Zhurihe () military facility in Inner Mongolia and the "Firepower" () exercises conducted at the Qingtongxia () facilities in Ningxia, though smaller service-specific exercises often incorporate Red-Blue elements (China Military Online, July 12, 2016; Xinhua, July 26, 2016). The Zhurihe facility even plays host to a dedicated Blue Force established in 2014 with personnel from the PLA's 195th Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

It is unclear to what extent the confrontation exercises are intended to prepare forces for actual anticipated conflicts against specific adversaries or are merely meant to enhance the difficulty and realism of the exercises. The Red-Blue exercises are portrayed as a good opportunity to study and learn from the combat tactics of foreign armies (China Military Online, June 5, 2015). Western observers have noted the use of American military doctrine or buildings bearing resemblance to Taiwan government buildings as indications that the PLA was rehearsing for specific conflicts like an invasion of Taiwan (China Brief, February 20, 2015; The Diplomat, August 11, 2015). Reports have indicated that Red Teams are not meant to represent any specific adversary but, rather, are to let PLA troops "confront a 'standardized' enemy on a 'standardized' battlefield and to test whether or not their preparation methods, tactics, and training methods are effective" (Guancha, July 24, 2016). However, some of the participating troops are described as "the main brigade of the main force preparing for the Taiwanese military" and other reports have highlighted the success of a First Group Army armored brigadetroops which are "responsible for countering Taiwanese independencewhich managed to penetrate into the central base of the opposition Blue Forces" (Guancha, July 24, 2016; Sina, July 21, 2016).

The confrontation exercises are a chance to experiment, and this past year's Stride exercises reportedly saw a number of battlefield innovations. One Red Force unit from the Southern Theater Command struggled with intense electromagnetic interference in an effort to simulate a more realistic battlefield, especially conditions of challenging electronic warfare (Guancha, July 24, 2016). The unit, however, managed to maintain communications by replacing some of the firmware in its communications equipment and installing new software code supposedly written by members of the unit. The unit was the only one able to successfully maintain all communications capabilities throughout the exercises. One unit equipped with outdated equipment was unable to lob smoke bombs toward the Blue Force, which was necessary to provide cover for an impending Red Force assault. Instead, they used traditional fireworks to create a rudimentary smokescreen and successfully cover their advance (Guancha, July 24, 2016).

Expanding and Improving the PLA's Red-Blue Exercises

In the past, China's Red-Blue exercises have suffered from numerous shortcomings. Past exercises have been criticized as overly formulaic, with participants and commanders overemphasizing the outcome of the exercise, with little attention paid to lessons learned or ways to improve. Commanders were apparently too focused on the overall outcome of the training (i.e. a "win" or a "loss") and often failed to incorporate the lessons of the exercise. (PLA Daily, March 13, 2016). In previous years, during the post-exercise review sessions, troops from the defeated Red Force were called "resentful" at the performance of the Blue Force and some commanders were reported as "chagrined and ashamed" at their defeat (China Youth Daily, July 24, 2015). Some reports have explained how, in an attempt to bolster the reputation of the participating units, the Red Force was often given important information about the Blue Force and that scenarios were designed so that the Red Force would always win (Rocket Force News, April 29, 2016). One PLA officer criticized a perceived overemphasis on the pursuit of glory and individual success, saying "This idea is not correct and training will become more and more distant from actual combat" (PLA Daily, March 13, 2016).

In recent years, the PLA has sought to both increases the frequency of Red-Blue exercises and the quality of those exercises. The confrontation exercises have even attracted high-level attention in recent years. China's 2013 Defense White Paper specifically identified "force-on-force training" as a goal for enhancing troop training and exercises. According to the White Paper, "The various services and arms are intensifying confrontational and verification-oriented exercises and drills. Based on different scenarios, they organize live force-on-force exercises, online confrontational exercises, and computer-simulation confrontational exercises." [2]

The 2014 Stride exercises were conducted under a new motto intended to convince participants to focus on lessons learned and not overly emphasize the outcome of the exercises. Units were urged to "Emphasize testing, not comparison; emphasize substantive effect, not form; and emphasize review, not winning or losing" () (China Youth Daily, July 25, 2014). One report noted that after three years of effort, there had been recent progress in casting off the "prejudicial thought that 'Red must always win, Blue must always lose'" (PLA Daily, March 13, 2016).

In addition to the dedicated Blue Force at Zhurihe, both the Theater Commands (and former Military Regions) as well as the individual services have reportedly emphasized the establishment of Blue Forces, the expansion of their numbers, and the improvement of their quality (China Youth Daily, July 24, 2015). Prior to the military reforms, both the Beijing and Nanjing Military Regions had established their own dedicated Blue Forces. The PLA Air Force unveiled its first dedicated Blue Force at 2015's Firepower exercises held in Shandan, Gansu (China Military Online, September 8, 2015; China Youth Daily, July 24, 2015). The newly formed PLA Rocket Force earlier last year announced the creation of its Blue Army Teaching and Research Section, led by Colonel Diao Guangming () (PLA Daily, April 17, 2016). Colonel Diao, who has reportedly participated in more than 20 confrontation exercises, has pushed for more difficult and complex training situations, saying "Those whose peacetime training is overly nice will suffer greatly when they take the battlefield" (PLA Daily, April 17, 2016).

For 2016's Stride exercise, the PLA Army's training department issued "Evaluation Standards for Simulated Blue Force Drills" in an effort to further systematize and improve Red-Blue exercises (PLA Daily, August 9). The document is meant to provide guidance to units acting as Blue Force in drills as well as standards to evaluate the performance of those units. The evaluation standards are divided into three sub-categories measuring whether the Blue Force's performance resembles the adversary, is realistic, and is challenging. Under the guidelines, the Blue Force would be evaluated in categories such as deployment, tactics, command and control, and safety measures.

The 2016 Stride exercises featured a number of other changes to improve the realism of the exercises. While participants in previous Stride exercises were recommended by superior command units, last year's participants were chosen at random from the Army units of each of the Theater Commands (Xinhua, July 15, 2016). In the past, Red Forces were only assigned offensive roles, but last year were responsible for both offense and defense (Xinhua, July 15, 2016). More of the exercise was conducted at night and there was a deliberate attempt to incorporate the use of "new type" forces such as "special forces, technological reconnaissance, aerospace reconnaissance, and electromagnetic interference (Xinhua, July 15, 2016). In evaluating participant's performance, the weight assigned to the commander's performance was increased from 20 percent to 35 percent (Xinhua, July 15, 2016).

The PLA's home teams have not fared well as the PLA's Red-Blue exercises have become less scripted and more realistic. Reports about the outcome of the 2014 Stride exercises noted that Red teams suffered six losses compared to only a single win against the opposition Blue Force (China Youth Daily, February 13, 2014). Those losses were incurred by Red Forces composed of forces from six of the seven former Military Regions and the "death rate" of the Red Forces was reported at 70 percent (People's Daily Online, July 24, 2015). Since the establishment of the dedicated Blue Force at Zhurihe, the unit has participated in all three annual Stride exercises conducted at the Zhurihe facility and has amassed a cumulative record of 31 victories compared to just two losses (Guancha, April 28, 2016).

In a particularly striking example from 2014, Blue Force troops posing as representatives from a local government with sacks of potatoes and cabbage in tow, managed to infiltrate the Red Force camp (Global Times, August 28, 2014). When the Red Force commander came out to greet the false representatives and receive their gifts, an artillery barrage distracted the Red Force guards. In the ensuing chaos, the incognito Blue Force troops managed to capture the Red Force commander.

There have been reports of some limited progress, however. The "big news" of 2016's Stride exercise was that the Red Team managed to score a simulated "kill" of the Blue Team commander, Senior Colonel Man Guangzhi () (Guancha, July 24, 2016). In the past, the frustratingly low success of the Red Forces in these confrontation exercises had given rise to a rallying cry of "Capture Man Guanzhi, crush 195," a reference to both the 195th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, the PLA unit assigned the role of the Blue Force, and Senior Colonel Man . Although the killing of the Blue Force commander was not enough to turn the tide of the exercise in the Red Force's favor, it was recognized as evidence of progress.

The Red Forces of the newly established PLA Rocket Force appear to have conducted several Red-Blue confrontation exercises independent of the other services. They have been marginally more successful but have still struggled. Since the beginning of the year, the official newspaper of the PLA Rocket Force has run a multi-part series on training improvements made to the PLA Rocket Force and Second Artillery since the 18th Party Congress. One recent article in the series noted that, during a recent string of Red-Blue exercises, the Red force had a record of five defeats and two victories (Rocket Force News, March 22).

Conclusion

The weaknesses of the PLA's training systems are well documented and have been seen as a drag on the PLA's operational capabilities (PLA Daily, October 12, 2014). [3] The recent reforms to the military's Red-Blue exercises will likely help improve the training and operational capabilities of the PLA, as well as the Chinese military's own understanding of the tactics of potential foreign adversaries. At the same time, the growth and professionalization of the PLA's Red-Blue exercises also provide a valuable source of information about the threat perception and future trajectory of the PLA. The equipment, tactics, and objectives of the participating troops will reveal the kinds of scenarios PLA anticipates are most likely in the future. For example, the incorporation of a greater diversity of forces shows a greater turn toward realism in training. The fact that earlier rounds of prominent Red-Blue exercises only assigned friendly Red Forces to an offensive role, along with occasional references to Taiwan suggest that perhaps confrontation exercises are conducted with an eye to a future contingency involving Taiwan. However, the practice of randomly selecting participants may help foster broad-based improvement in confrontation training throughout the PLA, but will complicate efforts of both the PLA to focus confrontation training and for observers to discern threat perceptions based on what units are selected. These exercises will also provide an opportunity to better gauge the actual operational capabilities of the PLA.

Gaps still remain in the realism of these exercises. Despite its recent emphasis on joint operations, it appears that the PLA has been somewhat slower to develop complex multi-service confrontation exercises. Most of the Red-Blue exercises carried out so far appear to have been conducted between units of the same service and recent reports on exercises have emphasized seemingly small indicators of progress. For example, as late as 2015, one report highlighted the fact that a PLA Air Force targeting officer had been embedded with a PLA Army combat group (PLA Daily, June 9, 2015). The lack of multi-service Red-Blue exercises likely imposes a limit on the realism of such exercises as units confront Blue Teams with only a limited range of capabilities. For example, confrontation exercises involving the PLA Rocket Force have used "electronic Blue Teams" confined to a base, presumably only capable of simulating certain kinds of electronic enemy harassment (PLA Daily, April 19, 2016). The lack of dedicated Blue Teams may also hinder the ability to simulate well-coordinated enemy operations. The Rocket Force has been recently described as assembling Blue Teams in a perhaps ad hoc fashion by "drawing from different units technical reconnaissance, electronic warfare, special operations and other elite forces" (PLA Daily, September 8, 2016).

China has even begun to bring its Red-Blue exercises to the international stage. In September of last year, units of both the PLA Navy and the Russian Navy participated in joint exercises in the South China Sea (Xinhua, September 11, 2016). The exercises, which marked the fifth round since the two countries began the exercises in 2012, for the first time included Red-Blue confrontation exercises (PLA Daily, September 14, 2016). This year, the Marine Corps carried out live-fire drills as well as island-seizing operations (Xinhua, September 11, 2016).

David C. Logan is a graduate student at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. His writing has been published in Foreign Affairs, Joint Force Quarterly, The National Interest, The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, and The Diplomat. He would like to thank Joel Chen for excellent comments on earlier drafts.

David Shambaugh, Modernizing China's Military: Progress, Problems, and Prospects, (Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2004), p. 95. The text of the 2013 white paper, The Diversified Employment of China's Armed Forces, is available at http://www.china.org.cn/government/whitepaper/node_7181425.htm. See, for example, Michael S. Chase, et al., "China's Incomplete Military Transformation: Assessing the Weaknesses of the People's Liberation Army (PLA)," RAND Corporation, February 2015, especially pp. 43124.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Belarus Policies and Their Existential Jetlag

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Grigory Ioffe Publication Date 14 March 2017 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 34 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Belarus Policies and Their Existential Jetlag, 14 March 2017, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 14 Issue: 34, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58c8faa4d.html [accessed 7 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.

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Belarusians continue to protest the presidential decree on social parasites (DSP). Already, President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has backed off, if only in part. Short of abandoning the infamous decree altogether, he postponed its implementation by one year. At the same time, three opposition leaders who tried hard to ride the wave of popular protestsAnatoly Lebedko, Yury Gubarevich and Vitaly Rymashevskywere arrested for 15 days for violating public order (Svoboda.org, March 11). In the meantime, protest rallies against the DSP occurred not only in all the regional capitals of Belarus, but also in larger rayon (district) towns, like Pinsk, Rogachev and Orsha, where no public protests had ever been recorded (BBCRussian service, March 12). Why did the protest activity not subside following Lukashenka's decision to back off? Many opposition-minded analysts believe this is because the DSP has become just a trigger for discontent over the painful implications of broader economic decline, especially plummeting earnings (Svaboda.org, March 13).

The most immediate reasons for the lingering decline have to do with Russia and include the devaluation of the Russian ruble, the reduced amount of duty-free oil sold to Belarus in retaliation for underpayment for natural gas, selective bans of Belarusian agricultural exports to Russia, etc. On March 7, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, at the meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council, Prime Minister Andrei Kobiakov of Belarus complained about the lack of progress in leveling prices on hydrocarbons within the entire Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), only to be rebuffed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of Russia. In his response, Medvedev appealed to Russia's EEU partners "not to indulge in monitoring Russian gas prices If some countries represented here were not members of the EEU or [] left that Union, they would be paying for natural gas what Europeans are, that is, about $200 per 1,000 cubic meters. That is all there is to it And nobody forces you to stay in the EEU" (Tut.by, March 7).

In his turn, President Lukashenka rebuked Medvedev, who "should understand that, were we to pay as much for gas as the Europeans do, he [Russians] would have to pay for something, too. And the price he would have to pay is going to be much higher than that for gas. I have always thought, and the overwhelming majority of Russians understand, that [] bookkeeping as well as the price of natural gas that does not belong to Medvedev should not be the foundations of our relationships" (Tut.by, March 9). Clearly, Lukashenka refers to the infamous nuisance theory, which, in his judgment, undermined the Soviet Union when Russia opted out, assuming that it would be better off by discarding the burden of supporting the other republics. Lukashenka also implies that geostrategic decisions are not always profitable.

The same, however, applies to the geostrategic thinking in Western capitals. To this day, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) credit line to Belarus has not opened, despite being in the works for three years. This is because Belarus does not fully embrace the so-called structural reforms that would include pervasive privatization and 100 percent out-of-the pocket coverage of utility costs by ordinary Belarusians. Moreover, the European Union has not even finalized the mutual visa simplification process with Belarus that was supposed to bear fruit as early as 2015. Instead, the negotiations are buried in technicalities, like the features of Belarusian passports, etc. Above all, no significant Western investment has materialized in Belarus.

In this regard, the opinion of the government-friendly political commentator Alexander Shpakovsky merits attention. "Quite a few analysts describing the situation in Belarus [] fail to grasp the local specifics. In reality, the population is not protesting the absence of market reforms. Quite the opposite, they are protesting reforms themselves. After all, rising utility bills and the increase in the retirement age have been imposed on the Belarusian authorities by international creditors, [namely] the IMF and the Eurasian Development Bank." As for Russia, it is definitely willing to punish Belarus for its excessive liberty of strengthening contacts with the West against the backdrop of Moscow's own lousy relations with the Euro-Atlantic community. Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote in his Grand Chessboard that without Ukraine Russia is no empire. What would Russia be without Belarus nobody has even attempted to fathom. But if so, is it worthwhile for Medvedev to make pronouncements like "whoever does not like it here can walk away" (Sputnik News, March 13)?

Conversely, however, why has the West so far failed to extend its helping hand to Belarus? Perhaps it is because of a perennial tug of war between realists and idealists. The latter apparently think they can only offer assistance to the Belarusian state as long as it precipitates the self-destruction of Belarus's political regime. However, in exchange for its own aid to Belarus, Russia will ultimately demand smaller, though still significant sacrifices. And with each passing day, Minsk is finding that there is hardly any alternative to Russian helpespecially since the US Department of State has recently described the human rights situation in Belarus in exactly the same terms it has used since Lukashenka's first electoral victory, in the mid-1990s (State.gov, March 2017).

As one Russian philosopher has pointed out, "most people I know dwell in an existential jetlag. For example, they live in today's Russia and yet demand some anachronistic things, be that independent courts or worshiping [Soviet leader Joseph] Stalin. And there is no mechanism, like in a mobile phone, that could automatically update the time [for them]. They live in 2017 Russia, but their inner calendar [seems to reflect] 1920s Britain or the 1930s in the USSR [Union of Soviet Socialist Republics], or [even] the 22nd century" (Kommersant, March 10).

An existential jetlag may also be an accurate description of the West's policy toward Belarus (and perhaps not only toward Belarus). Among other things, it helps explain why Russia keeps on winning the geopolitical game across the post-Soviet space. After all, Moscow lives in much the same historical time as many of its neighbors, and entertains no illusions about that.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
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A look back on all of our reporting of the Delphi murders since 2017
China's annual parliament, which closed on Wednesday, was marked by stricter-than-usual controls on what the country's 720 million internet users can see or post online, activists have told RFA.



Many of the more outspoken members of the popular chat network QQ had their accounts shut down at the start of March, with fresh accounts also deleted soon after they were set up, Guangzhou-based writer Xu Lin said.



"My QQ has been shut down twice in recent days," Xu said. "The first time, they shut down three QQ accounts of mine at the same time, all of which had been in continuous use."



"I applied for another ... but that was deleted a couple of days ago after I wrote a song and posted it on [QQ's] Shuoshuo space."



A social media account holder who gave only her surname Huang said she had been unable to send out a long post via her Twitter-like social media account.



"I tried to send it using the headline function but it just resulted in a white screen as soon as I pushed the button," Huang said. "The draft was gone, too."



"They used to save the draft at least before if it didn't let you send something," she said. "After that, there was a lot of deletion of posts on our circle of friends [on the smartphone messaging app WeChat]."



Some netizens complained that the internet was basically under lock down during the National People's Congress (NPC) annual session in Beijing, which ran from March 5-15.



"They delete my account. I set up a new account, and so it goes on. Resistance is futile," one user quipped on Sina Weibo.



Suzhou-based rights activist Pan Lu said reports had emerged that several million social media accounts had been shut down during the NPC session.



"As soon as the parliamentary sessions started, there was a social media crackdown on anything to do with human rights, democracy or constitutional politics," Pan said.



"Large numbers of accounts and groups on QQ and WeChat were shut down, in a mass cleansing of the system through deletion. I heard that several million accounts were closed."



Pan said the ruling Chinese Communist Party is unable to tolerate any form of power other than itself.



"They don't even allow civil society to debate [their policies and actions] ... This parliament had nothing at all to do with democracy or constitutional government, and even less to do with ordinary Chinese people," Pan said.



Chengdu-based rights activist Huang Xiaomin said internet access in the southwestern province of Sichuan had been similar to a total shutdown in recent days.



"Local officials are under huge pressure from Beijing and they really go to town on the controls on the internet," Huang Xiaomin said. "They are very, very nervous, and super-sensitive."



"They take offense at the tiniest things. It's as if they no longer have any confidence in their ability to run the country."



Parliamentarians respond



Even China's normally tame parliamentarians have complained about the government's stranglehold grip on its netizens via the system of blocks, filters and human censorship known collectively as the Great Firewall.



The vice-chairman of the NPC's advisory body Luo Fuhe called on March 1 for easier access to non-political overseas web content, but was met with a rapid response from the party's propaganda ministry.



His call was rapidly censored in a directive to media editors, although it merely echoed repeated complaints from academics and scientists in recent months.



"All websites, please find and delete reports and posts on Luo Fuhes 'Proposal to Improve and Increase Speed of Access to Foreign Websites' as soon as possible," the March 4 directive, leaked to the U.S.-based China Digital Times website, ordered.



More than 99 percent of NPC deputies on Wednesday approved Premier Li Keqiang's work report, in a political environment where approval votes for the work of government ministers are almost always about 90 percent.



NPC chairman Zhang Dejiang also reiterated the parliament's support for President Xi Jinping at the "core" of party leadership, an accolade which analysts say shows the president is continuing to concentrate power in his own hands.



But rights activist Chen Defu of the Guizhou Human Rights Forum said the NPC's votes are meaningless.



"NPC votes are basically meaningless, because the central government doesn't permit the existence of any political opposition," Chen said.



"This vote was just for show, to go through the motions; the high percentage doesn't in any way reflect public opinion," he said.



Typo punished



And as the parliament ended, two senior editors and a journalist at the Puyang Daily News in the central province of Henan were punished after a character was omitted from Premier Li's name in a headline.



Sub-editor Yang Dengfeng was fined 200 yuan (U.S. $29), while his team leader received a fine of 1,000 yuan (U.S. $145) and was forced to write a self-criticism after the "qiang" character, which means "strong", was omitted from Li's name.



Reports said editor in chief Zhang Guang and editorial board president Meng Jin had been suspended or dismissed.



An employee who answered the phone at the Puyang Daily News editorial department on Wednesday appeared to confirm the incident.



"He's not been at work for the past couple of days," the employee said, when asked for one of the sanctioned editors, Wu Yuzhong.



Asked if Wu had been suspended, the employee said: "They are being dealt with by the higher-ups, at the municipal level at least, that's for sure."



Pressed for further details, the employee said: "I don't know, no comment."



A veteran journalist who declined to be named said that the typo should be a minor incident, but in today's political climate, such things are being blown out of all proportion.



"In today's climate, you'd be lucky not to get bumped off for this sort of thing," the journalist said. "It shows that local officials are ... being very quick to report things like this to higher levels of government."



Reported by Yang Fan and Ding Wenqi for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Siu-san and Lee Lai for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
North Korea's authoritarian leaders were responsible for the famine that killed hundreds of thousands in the 1990s and have refused to adopt measures remedying the countrys chronic food shortages out of fear of losing their grip on power, experts on Thursday told a U.N. commission probing possible crimes against humanity.



Two American experts testifying before the panel in Washington said North Koreas government has violated obligations to protect their peoples right to food by implementing misguided policies, hindering aid to the country, and withholding food from those deemed disloyal to the regime.



Probing violations of the right to food and determining accountability for the Great Famine that devastated North Korea from 1994 to 1998 are key objectives of the commission, which will present a report of its finding and recommendations to the U.N.s Human Rights Council in March.



The two-day hearing, which ended Thursday, included testimony on the opening day from North Korean defectors who detailed brutal torture at the hands of authorities in the impoverished country.



The commission had gathered evidence of rights violations from witnesses in Seoul, Tokyo, and London since July 1, following a resolution by the U.N. Human Rights Council.



'Clearly culpable'



North Korea economy expert Marcus Noland told the panel Thursday that Pyongyang is clearly culpable in the denial of the right to food, both under current leader Kim Jong Un and his father and predecessor Kim Jong Il, who ruled during the devastating famine era.



The North Korean government did not and continues not to use the resources available at its disposal to address the lack of food among the populace, and when aid was offered, it hindered and continues to hinder the operation of relief programs, he said.



The North Korean governments economic and agricultural policies contributed to the food shortages that led to the famine, he said, and the leaders could have avoided the devastation it wreaked by devoting a small portion of its budgetsuch as by diverting some from military expendituresto addressing food needs.



This was a man-made, preventable tragedy. These people died needlessly, and the government is culpable.



Impoverished North Korea has been spending millions of dollars developing nuclear weapons and missiles and has come under heavy international sanctions for years.



Not down to 'incompetence'



Former U.S. Agency for International Development administrator Andrew Natsios said that even if natural causes had been behind the early factors contributing to the famine, once it knew about the problem, Kim Jong Ils government did not act fast enough to address it.



He was in charge, he was responsible, he knew what was going on, and he chose not to buy food and give it to the people."



The leadership would have known how the famine was devastating the populationincluding from government records showing a massive drop in childrens heights and weights due to malnutrition, Natsios said.



Its lack of action could not be put down to incompetence, he said.



They knew what was going on and they chose not to take action to protect the population because their first objective was survival.



Current food distribution policies discriminate against those deemed disloyal to the regime, particularly in the countrys remote northeastern provinces, the two experts said.



They recommended that any food aid to the country should be delivered to the countrys eastern ports, which are farther from the capital Pyongyang, in the form of wheat or corn, which are less desirable to elites than rice and more likely to reach those on the bottom rungs of North Korean society.



The North Korean government should understand that because food aid is not going to the intended people, they are losing support among their own people, Natsios said.



Commission of Inquiry



Pyongyang has responded neither to an invitation to talk to the three-member commission, which is chaired by Australian judge Michael Kirby, nor to a request for the panel to visit the country.



The other members of the panel are Serbian rights campaigner Sonja Biserko and Indonesian Marzuki Darusman, who is also Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in North Korea.



It is unclear what actions the U.N. could take against North Korea for rights abuses. Any referral to the International Criminal Court, for example, will require approval from the countrys key ally and permanent U.N. Security Council member China.



Prison camps



Another key focus of the inquiry are abuses in North Koreas prison camp system.



Researchers presented evidence from satellite analysis that there had been a reduction in prison camp population since the 1980s and 1990s that can be partially attributed to extraordinarily high death rates, with prisoners dying from severe malnutrition and disease, industrial accidents, and execution.



Researcher David Hawk estimated the inmate population as of 2010 to be around 80,000 to 120,000, compared to 150,000 to 250,000 in the 1980s and 1990.



The decrease also indicates cutback in the use of the collective responsibility system, through which the relatives of those deemed disloyal are imprisoned for guilt by association, he said.



Women inmates



Roberta Cohen, a scholar at the Brookings Institution in Washington, urged the commission to draw its attention to women in the prison system who become pregnant through sexual exploitation.



North Korean defectors have reported that at police interrogation and detention facilities along the border with China, some women are subjected to forced abortions or forced to kill their newborns, she said.



The women are sometimes given injections to kill the fetus or to induce labor, or guards are seen kicking the belly of a pregnant woman or jumping up and down on her," she said.



Kirby indicated earlier this week at the U.N. General Assembly that evidence gathered so far points to large-scale patterns of systematic and gross human rights violations.



The U.N. Human Rights Council has been investigating North Korea since 2004, but had run into opposition against the establishment of a commission from Pyongyangs allies China and Russia, as well as from South Korea and Japan, who feared that such a move would lead the rogue nation to act out in retaliation.



This year, the council was able to approve the resolution, presented by Japan and the European Union, without North Korean sympathizers such as China and Cuba serving as members. Wording which condemned the abduction of foreign nationals by North Korea helped to bring Japan on board.
Civilians from the Kokang region of Myanmar's northern Shan state enter the Chinese border town of Nansan in southwestern China's Yunnan province, March 9, 2017.

Ethnic armed groups fighting the Myanmar army in the countrys volatile northern states met with a Chinese special envoy on Wednesday to discuss stopping deadly clashes along the border that have forced tens of thousands of Myanmar residents to flee to China.

Delegates from the Northern Alliancecomprising the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA)along with the United Wa State Partythe political arm of the China-backed United Wa State Army (UWSA)held separate talks with Sun Guoxiang, Chinas special envoy for Asian affairs, in Kunming, capital of southwestern Chinas Yunnan province.

The MNDAA, also known as the Kokang army, is involved in ongoing hostilities with Myanmar security forces after launching an attack on a police station, military camps, and civilian buildings on March 6 in Laukkai township in northeastern Shan State.

Dozens have been reported killed in the skirmishes that have driven more than 30,000 people to flee to safety, mostly in China where the Chinese government is housing them in refugee camps.

Calls by the Chinese government for an immediate cease-fire and the restoration of order along the border area have been ignored.

Sun Guoxiang told the representatives from the ethnic armed groups that China would be willing to mediate negotiations between the militias and the Myanmar government, Brigadier General Nyo Tun Aung, the AAs vice commander-in-chief, told RFAs Myanmar Service.

We were told we need to have direct talks with the Myanmar [government] or, if we desire, China could mediate as a third party in discussions with the government to reduce the number of clashes and stop them from occurring along the border, he said.

He said we could hold the talks in Kunming, Nyo Tun Aung said.

Sun Guoxiang informed the delegates about what he had discussed with Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, military commander-in-chief senior general Min Aung Hlaing, and government peace negotiators during his visit to Naypyidaw on Feb. 28-March 3.

The Chinese envoy told them that he had wanted the fighting along the border to stop during the Chinese New Year holidays early last month, Nyo Tun Aung said.

[But] the government and the military do not see eye-to-eye on the border issue, and the military leaders said at a recent news conference that they had no plans to hold talks with the AA, TNLA or MNDAA, he said.

They havent changed their attitude towards us as we are seeing them launch more offensives against us, he said, adding that there had been more clashes with government troops during the last few days, not only in the Kokang area of northeastern Shan state but also along the Lashio-Muse Union Highway, a major thoroughfare in the area.

Unavoidable clashes

Myo Tun Aung also said that some of the recent clashes have been unavoidable and that the ethnic militias have had to fight back to defend themselves.

Well have to find an outlet from one place or another if they keep on blocking us, Myo Tun Aung said.

The MNDAA has said that it launched the March 6 attack in retaliation for the government armys offensives in Kokang-controlled territory.

The Myanmar News Agency has reported 57 armed clashes between the MNDAA and government soldiers up to March 14.

Min Aung Hlaing told Sun that the Myanmar military would not attack the ethnic armed groups if left unprovoked, and we also adhere to the same principle, Myo Tun Aung said.

The Northern Alliance conducted coordinated attacks on government and military targets in northern Shan state last November.

Myo Tun Aungs comments came as the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), an alliance of nine ethnic armed groups that did not sign a nationwide cease-fire agreement with the government in October 2015, cautioned that China has been interfering to some extent in ethnic politics in Myanmar, especially regarding the peace process, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported.

The organization believes that Chinas interference could worsen the hostilities involving the Northern Alliance in northern Myanmar.

The UNFC held three days of emergency meetings in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, to discuss how the organization is trying to resolve the countrys conflict through political rather than military means.

The renewed fighting has come as a blow for the administration of Aung San Suu Kyi, whose main goals are to end decades of civil wars that have plagued the country and to forge lasting peace. Her government is planning to hold another round of peace talks this month.

Reported by Thiha Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Zaw Lin (left) and Win Zaw Htun are taken from court after hearing their sentences, Koh Samui, Thailand, Dec. 24, 2015.

The Myanmar government is sending a special legal team to file a second appeal of the verdict against two migrant workers from the country who were sentenced to death in Thailand for the 2014 murder of a British couple at a Thai resort, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, both in their early 20s, were sentenced to death by a Thai court on Dec. 24, 2015, after being found guilty of the murder of British backpacker David Miller, 24, and the rape and murder of his companion Hannah Witheridge, 23, on the resort island of Koh Tao in September 2014.

A government legal team had filed an appeal with a lower court but it was rejected on Feb. 23 of this year, though the news was not made public. The mens lawyers and activists found out about it a week later.

The death sentences can be revoked under an amnesty or be changed into a minimum punishment because the highest court in Thailand cannot impose capital punishment without solid evidence, their lawyer Aung Myo Thant told RFAs Myanmar Service.

The state is giving us full support, he said. It is sending a legal advisory team to provide assistance for when the new appeal is submitted to Thailands highest court. Right now, we are translating the documents from the First Appeals Court from Thai into the Burmese language.

A Thai Foreign Office official said the Myanmar legal team must submit new facts in its appeal, Aung Myo said, adding that those working on the case are studying a 4,000-page report about the crime.

We need to request that the deadline for the new appeal be postponed because the 30-day deadline for filing it after the sentencing is not enough time, he said.

We are working with the Myanmar Lawyers Network to extend the deadline, Aung Myo said. Under Thai law, the appeal deadline can be extended a month at a time based on reasonable facts.

One of the questionable facts in the case is the principal murder weapon, which court documents list as a hoe, he said.

But the DNA of the two suspects was not found on that hoe, he said, adding that a Thai doctor told the court that DNA could be found if a person holds something for just five seconds.

We can take up this issue in our new appeal, Aung Myo said. We know this highest court where we are submitting our appeal is a very free and impartial court, and we expect to get the truth and a fair result.

Though Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun at first admitted to the crime, they later recanted, saying they had made their confession under duress.

Hundreds in Myanmar staged protests in late December 2015 calling for the pair to be freed, saying the men were scapegoats in a botched Thai police investigation of the crime.

At the same time, Myanmar human rights officials appealed to their counterparts in Thailand to ensure that two remained protected by the law while they appealed their verdict.

Reported by Wai Mar Tun for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Authorities in western Chinas Sichuan and Qinghai provinces have strengthened security forces in Tibetan areas and checked visitors to hotels amid official concerns that the anniversary of a national uprising against Beijings rule might trigger further protests, sources in the region say.



In Rebgong (in Chinese, Tongren) county in Qinghais Malho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, paramilitary police and other security forces began to be deployed in large numbers starting March 10, a Tibetan resident of the area told RFAs Tibetan Service.



And their numbers have increased significantly since then, RFAs source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Armed police and security officers in civilian clothes can now be seen near Rebgongs Rongwo monastery, at major road crossings, and in the front courtyards of government buildings, and emergency personnel stationed in the area have been equipped with fire extinguishers to prevent self-immolation protests by Tibetans, the source said.



Shops, restaurants, guest houses, and other places where people gather are being closely watched, with visitors from other areas being checked more closely than the locals, he said, adding, Police are also going to the hotels to check the IDs of guests, especially if they have come from other places.



Some visitors coming from India are not being allowed to move freely, and must seek permission from town authorities to go anywhere at all, he said.



Meanwhile, in Qinghais Yushu (Yulshul) county, Chinese police and military vehicles are now more visible and can frequently be seen moving in convoy in the streets of the county town, a local source told RFA.



People who have gathered in large groups are being directed to disperse and warned not to assemble again, the source said, also speaking on condition he not be named.



This show of force is intended to intimidate the general public and remind them of the serious consequences they will face if any illegal activities take place, he said.



Former prisoners warned



Veterans of earlier Tibetan protests living in Kirti monastery in Sichuans Ngaba (Aba) county are meanwhile being warned to remain on monastery grounds during the politically sensitive March 10 period, a source in Ngaba said.



Some of them also received calls from county police ordering them to report to their offices, the source said.



Many of them did report to police, but others refused, saying they had not committed any crimes that would require them to talk to the authorities, he said.



Those being watched include former political prisoners, jailed after widespread protests swept Tibetan regions in 2008; monks and others detained on suspicion of supporting self-immolation protests; and some detained for staging solo protests in Ngaba town, the source said.



All are being closely watched to see if they are speaking with outside contacts online or getting any information from outside Tibet, he said.



On March 10, 1959, Tibetans in Lhasa rose up in protest of Beijings tightening political and military control of the formerly independent Tibetan region, sparking a rebellion in which thousands were killed.



Tibets spiritual leader the Dalai Lama fled Tibet into exile in the midst of the uprising, and Beijing has repeatedly accused exiled Tibetans, including the Dalai Lama, of stoking dissent against its rule ever since.



Reported by Kunsang Tenzin and Lhuboom for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Karma Dorjee. Written in English by Richard Finney.




Chinese authorities in the troubled western region of Xinjiang have jailed a retired judge in a quasi-military Xinjiang Production and Construction Corp brigade, or bingtuan, on suspicion of "incitement to racial hatred."



Huang Yunmin, former judge in the bingtuan's Third Brigade in Kashgar prefecture was held on an administrative sentence last week, after he helped local workers protest at their treatment by the authorities.



He was handed an administrative sentence for "incitement to racial hatred and ethnic discrimination" by police in the bingtuan city of Tumxuk, local sources told RFA.



A local resident who knows Huang said he should have been released by Saturday.



"They detained him on March 7, and he should have been released on March 12, but then they issued an administrative sentence notification for incitement to ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination," the resident, who gave only his surname Zhang, said.



"This are random, trumped-up charges," Zhang said, adding that police had also accused of Huang of having pornographic images on his phone.



"They basically couldn't come up with anything on him," he said, adding that Huang is a former member of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. "It's only incitement to ethnic hatred if you actually say something in public."



"He wouldn't do something like that ... He definitely has opinions about [the government's policies towards ethnic minorities], but that's not a crime," Zhang said.



Helped vulnerable groups



A second source told RFA that Huang, 58, had served as a judge at the bingtuan's Third Brigade People's Court in Tumxuk since the 1990s, rising to become head of human resources before taking early retirement.



He had later made a name for himself as an able legal advocate, and had offered legal assistance to vulnerable groups of workers on the bingtuan's farming operations, and had previously been detained on a number of occasions.



In particular, Huang had helped a migrant worker from Henan province lodge an official complaint in Beijing, the source said.



Zhang said he also believes Huang's detention is linked to his legal advocacy work.



"I'm guessing that it's because he represented someone in a lawsuit," he said. "The judge at the time wasn't making decisions according to the law, and Huang said he would lodge a complaint to a higher level."



"That's not against the law," Zhang said. "But the local officials were afraid for their jobs, so they did everything they could to go after [Huang]."



"If you ask me, the law has been put in shackles; it's terrifying."



Widely respected



Shanghai-based rights activist Hu Jianguo said Huang is a widely respected judge and legal advocate.



"As a judge, the one thing we can be sure of is that Huang Yunmin had a keen sense of justice and understood the law," Hu told RFA. "He is a senior [lawyer], worthy of respect."



"He would put himself on the line to defend the interests of ordinary people," he said. "If Huang Yunmin is criminalised for having pornographic images, then they might as well shut down the whole of China's internet."



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
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European Council President Donald Tusk has described comments by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling the Dutch authorities "fascists," as being "completely detached from reality." Erdogan made the comments after Turkish ministers were prevented from attending a rally of diaspora Turks in Rotterdam ahead of a referendum in Turkey next month. (Reuters)
Iraqi government forces took control of a main bridgehead over the Tigris River in Mosul and advanced towards the mosque where Islamic State militants declared a caliphate in 2014. As refugees continued to pour out, soldiers said they were confident of fully liberating the city. (RFE/RL's Radio Farda)
Protesters marched in the capital of Belarus, Minsk, and elsewhere in the latest demonstration against a controversial tax on the unemployed. Rallies were held in several cities on March 15, protesting what President Alyaksandr Lukashenka said was a tax on "social parasites." (RFE/RL's Belarus Service)
On March 12, voters in Georgias breakaway Republic of Abkhazia went to the polls to vote in parliamentary elections that Georgia and most of the international community regarded as illegal. As was the case five years ago, the voting yielded clear winners in less than half the 35 constituencies.

The 12 new lawmakers elected include former de facto President Aleksandr Ankvab, who was ousted three years ago by opposition forces headed by Raul Khajimba, who was subsequently elected as Ankvabs successor; and four of the 26 outgoing lawmakers who sought reelection, including Almas Djapua of the opposition party Ainar.

A runoff vote will take place on March 26 in 22 constituencies, and a repeat vote will be held on May 14 in one Gudauta constituency where voter turnout was under the 25 percent minimum required for the voting to be valid. Of the regions estimated 134,000 voters, just under half cast ballots, according to Central Election Commission head Tamaz Gogia.

Several factors contributed to the inconclusive nature of the vote.

First, all 35 parliamentarians are elected in single-mandate constituencies. (The outgoing parliament passed in only the first and second readings a new election law that provides for a mixed majoritarian-proportional system.)

Second, the overwhelming majority of the 137 candidates -- even former Prime Ministers Sergei Shambaand Leonid Lakerbaia, who are chairmen of the United Abkhazia and Aytayra parties, respectively -- were nominated by so-called initiative groups rather than political parties.

Of the eight parties qualified to propose candidates, Ainar fielded eight; Amtsakhara (Keep the Home Fires Burning), founded by veterans of the 1992-93 war that ended in the regions de facto independence from Georgia -- seven; Khajimbas Forum of National Unity of Abkhazia -- six; and the opposition National Front for Justice and Development -- three. Of the 12 lawmakers elected thus far, only Djapua represents a political party.

Third, the programs and manifestos of parties and individual candidates alike were similar, insofar as all promised an economic upswing.

And fourth, the limited participation of candidates representing political parties was compensated for by the large number of independent candidates. There were seven registered candidates in two constituencies, six in three, and five in four, making it all but impossible for any one of them to garner over 50 percent of the vote.

Prominent losers are outgoing parliament speaker Valery Bganba, defeated by his sole rival; and Shamba, former Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Chirikba, Ainar Chairman Tengiz Djopua, and Amtsakhara Chairman Alkhas Kvitsinia, all of whom failed to reach the second round in their respective electoral districts.

Two prominent political figures who did make it to the second round are Aslan Bzhania of the Bloc of Opposition Forces, Khajimbas closest challenger in the preterm 2014 presidential ballot; and popular former Interior Minister Raul Lolua, who co-founded the public organization Abkhazia is Our Home after Khajimba dismissed him in May 2015.

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.
An Afghan official says authorities have arrested 24 people, including an army general, on charges of neglecting their duties over a recent attack on the country's largest military hospital.

General Helaludin Helal, the deputy defense minister, spoke on March 15, revealing the findings of a preliminary investigation into the March 8 attack on the Sardar Mohammad Khan hospital in Kabul.

The Islamic State (IS) militant group claimed responsibility for the attack, in which gunman dressed as health workers shot doctors, patients, and visitors at the 400-bed hospital.

Helal said the 24 people arrested were under investigation for dereliction of duty in failing to prevent the attack.

But he denied that "insiders" were involved in the assault.

Afghan and Western media reports have quoted survivors and security sources as saying interns working at the hospital helped carry out the attack.

The same sources have claimed that the death toll of the attack was around 100.

Helal raised the Defense Ministry's death toll in the attack from 30 to 50. The Health Ministry said last week that 49 people were killed.


MINSK -- Dozens of protesters were detained across Belarus on March 15 in the latest of a series of demonstrations against a tax on the unemployed in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic, activists and rights groups said.



More than 2,000 demonstrators marched in the capital, Minsk, to protest what President Alyaksandr Lukashenka describes as a tax on "social parasites," while protests in other cities drew hundreds of people.

Recent protests against the tax have triggered a wave of arrests of opposition leaders and journalists, a crackdown criticized by the United States and the European Union.

Dozens of anarchists in Minsk were detained by security forces and were being held by police, according to one of the activists and the Viasna human rights organization.

Several others were detained amid protests in the eastern city of Mahilou and the western city of Hrodna.

Authorities detained more than 100 people in earlier protests across Belarus, dozens of whom have been handed jail sentences.

The protests have continued despite Lukashenka's March 9 announcement that collection of the tax would be suspended until 2018.

WATCH: RFE/RL's Belarus Service covered the protests live

The March 15 protests coincided with a national holiday celebrating the countrys constitution. In Minsk, where the crowd chanted for Lukashenka to "leave," the demonstration went off largely without incident.



At least 15 people described by rights activists as "anarchists," however, were detained and being held by police.

Uniformed police officers had instructed some Minsk protesters earlier in the day to remove face masks they were wearing, saying the masks violated statutes on public demonstrations.

Speakers at the rally had warned protesters not to fall for "provocations" that could lead to arrests by police.

Authorities officially allowed the Minsk march to go forward, though protests over the past week that were also sanctioned were followed by the arrests of political opposition figures.



Hundreds of protesters also turned out for the demonstrations in the eastern city of Mahilou and the western city of Hrodna.



In Hrodna, a local official addressed the crowd, inviting representatives of the protesters inside to speak with the citys mayor.



The crowd shouted the woman down, however, demanding that the mayor come outside to speak with the protesters.

Rights activists say at least eight protesters were detained in Mahilou, and there were reports of detentions in Hrodna as well.

Opposition protests have previously been staged in Belarus, primarily following elections that Western governments deemed as neither free nor fair.

But those demonstrations have largely been confined to Minsk and other larger cities.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service
The editor in chief of Russia's Regnum news agency, Belarusian citizen Yuriy Baranchyk, has been detained in Moscow on Minsk's request.

The Belarusian Investigative Committee says Baranchyk was detained on March 14 and his possible extradition to Minsk is under discussion now.

Baranchyk, who lives in Moscow, is wanted in Minsk on suspicion of "inciting racial, ethnic, religious or other social hatred or discord by a group of individuals."

Three other Belarusian nationals suspected in the same crime have been charged, the Investigative Committee says.

Moscow law-enforcement officials have confirmed Baranchyk's detainment.

Regnum is a nongovernmental online news service that covers events in Russia and former Soviet republics.

Earlier on March 10, another Regnum chief editor, Grigory Mikhailov, was deported from Kyrgyzstan for failure to prolong the registration of his residence in the Central Asian nation.

Mikhailov told RFE/RL that his deportation was linked to his professional activities, adding that according to the Kyrgyz legislation, he should have been fined for delayed registration but not deported.

With reporting by TASS and RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised Serbia for its role in helping deal with Europe's migration crisis as she met with Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic in Berlin on March 14.

Merkel applauded Serbia for taking in asylum seekers, and added that Germany "doesn't want to leave Serbia alone."

"Unfortunately it's not as if there is no more illegal migration on the so-called Balkan route," Merkel said.

Vucic, whose country currently hosts about 7,500 refugees, thanked Merkel for Germany's support providing Serbia with equipment and police.

"We want to continue with what we are doing, we want to show our solidarity as well as our humanity," Vucic said.

A year ago, the Balkan migration route -- which runs through Serbia, Macedonia, and Croatia from Greece and Turkey -- was officially closed, although some migrants continue to try to get through.

Some 525 kilometers of fencing has now been installed to stop migrants moving through the area.

In 2015, at the height of the migration crisis, Germany took in a record 890,000 migrants, most arriving via the Balkan route.

Based on reporting by dpa, European Western Balkans, and Radio Televizija Pancevo


The coalition battling to take the Iraqi city of Mosul from the extremist group Islamic State (IS) is closing in. Earlier this year, coalition forces captured eastern Mosul (the city is bisected by the Euphrates River) and are now squeezing the city's western half.

According to Brett McGurk, the U.S. State Department's special presidential envoy for the global coalition to counter IS, the Islamic State group is trapped.

"Just last night, the Ninth Iraqi Army Division, up near Badush, just northwest of Mosul, cut off the last road out of Mosul," he said last week. "Any of the fighters who are left in Mosul, they're going to die there, because they're trapped. So we are very committed to not just defeating them in Mosul, but making sure these guys cannot escape."

Progress has been slow, but with good reason. As James Miller, managing editor of The Interpreter magazine notes: "The coalition is being very cautious. IS is throwing suicide bombers, vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs, in essence car bombs), snipers, and booby traps at the advancing soldiers. As a result, progress is slow -- which is smart, because IS's military defeat is all but certain and each coalition death is just fodder for their propaganda and a major hit to coalition morale. Second, there is also a balance between quickly freeing civilians and avoiding heavy fighting which might kill civilians. ... The reality is that IS is an invader, the civilians are human shields, but IS must be defeated and must not be allowed to spread."

In truth, the coalition forces need to be cautious for a third, perhaps even greater, reason. Protecting the lives of their soldiers is obviously of paramount importance, but the military battle against IS on the ground in Mosul will only eventually yield one winner. The issue is then what comes next -- and for this Miller is prescient when he talks about the need to avoid heavy civilian casualties.

Safeguarding civilian life is considered a necessary guiding moral principle for any army, let alone one that seeks to battle an enemy it rightly decries as a barbaric death cult. IS must be defeated, but it must be defeated by a force that refutes its detestable practices. Righteousness must be a strategy of war. This conflict is as much moral as it is military.

But this issue is complicated in the case of the Mosul offensive. The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) fly Shi'ite flags freely from their armored vehicles -- the image of Ali, a key figure in Shi'ism, is ubiquitous on the ground. To make matters worse, alongside the ISF fight the highly sectarian, Iran-linked Shi'ite militias, which have on previous occasions massacred Sunni populations in towns they have "liberated" from IS. High civilian casualties must be avoided at all cost to prevent Mosul's majority Sunni population from following in the footsteps of so many other Sunni Iraqis in the face of Shi'ite persecution and flocking to the black flag.

Once IS is driven out of Mosul, it will need soldiers more than ever. The best way to drive a steady supply of new recruits into the arms of IS would be to take the city with utter disregard for human -- specifically Sunni -- life. If that happens, the coalition forces will have simultaneously defeated IS in Mosul but put it on "life support" as it retreats into the desert.

Once it does retreat into the desert, however, all pretense that it is still a state will evaporate. As Miller observes: "Islamic State put a tremendous amount of emphasis on the 'dawla,' their physical territory. It was their main propaganda recruiting tool. Now the caliphate, the physical 'state,' is doomed to fall ... but they've proven that they can slow down the advancing coalition in major cities. After Mosul, the coalition will have to push west into Syria, and I would expect them to get similarly bogged down in major cities and towns in Syria: Al-Bukamal, Deir ez-Zour, and, of course, their capital city, Raqqa."

Nonetheless, IS is in serious trouble: surrounded, cut off from foreign recruits, and in a propaganda retreat. The halcyon days of 2014 and early 2015 -- when it seemed an unstoppable force and drew thousands to its ranks every month -- are long gone.

IS will lose its physical caliphate but -- critically -- the group will not disappear along with it. Rather, its fighters will melt into the desert and continue to fight from there. Like a butterfly regressing back into a caterpillar, the group will regress from fighting like a standing quasi-state army to fighting like the terror group it has always been. And it will not stop. Salafi-Jihadism is as strong as ever -- as the continuing success of the Taliban and numerous Al-Qaeda franchises shows.

Alongside military power must come soft power; alongside guns must come words. Coalition forces must push a powerful message -- a counternarrative to IS's narrative of Sunni victimhood and of Shi'ite and Western perfidy. For this, it is crucial that Middle Eastern forces take the lead in the battle against it; that it is Sunnis, Shi'a, and Kurds, not British, Turkish, and American forces that are the primary actors in its downfall.

Those who created IS were defeated before, in Iraq, but they came back -- in a more dangerous and sophisticated form -- because they were able to successfully create a narrative that spoke to many Iraqis and Syrians. It held that foreign and sectarian forces were responsible for all their misfortunes; that, once more, those seeking to exploit the region for their own gain had invaded the Middle East. This mistake must not be repeated.

As Miller concludes: "Sectarianism and the narrative that the United States is fighting a war against Islam, or at least against Sunni Islam, are the most important enemies to defeat. And they can't be killed with bombs."

The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.
Italy's foreign minister is urging the European Union to strengthen its commitment to integrating western Balkan countries to help counter rising nationalist tensions in the region.

Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Kosovo are at different stages of joining the bloc. Recently, domestic political clashes and tense relations between states in the region have increasingly posed obstacles to the process.

"Balkan countries have a strategic importance not only for Italy, but for all Europe," Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano said on March 14 as he visited Albania.

"The risk of instability in Balkan countries is rising and this may put in question the results achieved so far. Due to that situation, the EU should reaffirm its role as a main partner in the region and send a strong and concrete message of cooperation and commitment to all the western Balkan countries," he said.

Italy will host a summit of some EU and western Balkan nations in Trieste on July 12. Launched by German Chancellor Angela Merkel four years ago, the so-called Berlin process each year gives leaders in the western Balkans a chance to discuss joint projects or platforms with help from the EU.

While Alfano was touring the Balkans, Merkel hosted Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on March 14 to discuss migration and other issues.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini toured the region earlier this month, trying to reassure Balkan countries that the EU remains open to enlarging despite discord within the 28-nation bloc aggravated by Britain's vote last year to exit the union.

Alfano said both the western Balkan countries and the rest of Europe would benefit from greater cooperation.

"The EU is not at an easy moment. But it is the most achieved institutional and political experiment of the world history," he said.

"There is no other case where people at war, with millions of people dead, in a few decades achieve freedom, democracy, well-being, and turn into the second industrial power in the world."

With reporting by AP and TVKlan.al


Libya's opposition government in the east, which opposes the UN-backed leadership in Tripoli, has requested military aid from Russia and received promises of support, a key official said.

"Most of our officers trained in Russia, and many can speak Russian and know how to use Russian equipment," Aguila Saleh, speaker of the opposition government's parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti on March 14.

"We were promised assistance in the fight against terrorism," Saleh said, vowing that his government's army, led by anti-Islamist military strongman Khalifa Haftar, would take over oil fields and ports currently controlled by the Tripoli leadership.

Haftar traveled twice to Moscow last year, spoke with Russia's defense minister, and boarded a Russian aircraft carrier off Libya's coast.

Saleh said that about 70 soldiers from Haftar's forces were sent to Russia last month for medical treatment.

Saleh's statements came after Russia's Defense Ministry denied reports that it had sent troops to the Egyptian town of Sidi Barrani, near Libya's eastern border, as part of an alleged effort to support the opposition government.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa


In February 2014, when masked Russian troops without insignia seized control of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, Simferopol-based journalist Mykola Semena grabbed his camera to photograph the invasion that was being denied by the Kremlin.

Weeks later, after Moscow's disputed annexation of the territory, Semena made a fateful decision.

Aged 63 at the time, he opted to remain in the regional capital with his wife in order to document how life was changing in Crimea under the new Russia-installed authorities.

More than ever in his 50-year career, Semena said recently, he saw the urgency of working as an independent journalist in Crimea.

To carry out that work, he became a contributor to RFE/RL's Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) website, which was set up after Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and now operates out of RFE/RL's Kyiv bureau.

Meanwhile, Crimea-based media outlets were taken over by the Russian state or by pro-Russia managers.

We understood that some restrictions in journalists' work might appear, but we never thought that there would be any persecutions or repressions."

Journalists who didn't fall into line would either be forced out of work or forced out of Crimea.

Semena didn't fall into line.

Now he faces a possible five-year prison sentence on charges of calling for "the violation of the territorial integrity of Russia."

The separatism-related charges stem from an opinion piece Semena wrote for his Krym.Realii blog in which he criticized Russia's seizure of Crimea and expressed support for strengthening a blockade of the peninsula initiated by Ukrainian activists.

Semena's column was part of a wide-ranging discussion on the Krym.Realii website about options for Crimea and was written in response to an earlier column opposing the blockade.

'Betrayal Of My Profession'

Ahead of his March 20 criminal trial date at Simferopol's Zheleznodorozhny District Court, the now 66-year-old Semena told RFE/RL he was prepared to risk his personal freedom to protect free speech and freedom of the press.

He said the value of his work for the Crimean Desk of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service became clear after the Russian annexation, when other independent voices in media were suppressed.

"I was bringing up-to-date reports to the world from the scene of the events that were taking place," Semena said.

"They were observations of real life in Crimea," he explained. "They were timely. Very often, my reports gave information on the same day that events were taking place -- assessing those events and the political decisions behind developments as they were unfolding.

"To quit that job and leave Crimea would have been a betrayal of my profession," Semena said.

Semena was born in northeastern Ukraine, where he took his first journalism job at a local, state-run newspaper when he was still a teenager in school.

He moved in the 1980s to Simferopol, where he witnessed the collapse of communism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Remaining in the Crimean capital, he worked during the 1990s as a correspondent for Russia's Izvestia and Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspapers.

He also covered regional news for Ukraine's daily Den (Day) newspaper and the weekly Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror of the Week).

WATCH: RFE/RL Contributor Denies Russian 'Separatism' Charges

Semena also spoke at public forums about current affairs and social issues facing Crimea's ethnic Crimean Tatar minority.

But after the annexation, Semena abandoned all public appearances, saying that he felt he was being followed and placed under close scrutiny by the Russia-installed authorities.

"At first, in March 2014, there were still independent journalism facilities in Crimea," Semena explained. "I and several other Ukrainian journalists decided to stay. Press centers continued to operate and we used their services.

"We positioned ourselves as Ukrainian or independent journalists at that time, giving our identification and business cards to everybody without knowing what consequences might follow.

"We understood that some restrictions in journalists' work might appear, but we never thought that there would be any persecutions or repressions.

"Later, we found out that authorities gave the leaders of companies and organizations a list of media outlets and journalists that they were forbidden from giving information to."

"We were not allowed to attend press conferences," he said. "We were denied interviews and no information in any form was given to us."

All Internet Activities Monitored

Meanwhile, Semena said, journalists who were "in the pockets" of the Russia-installed authorities began to write articles in pro-Russia media outlets that targeted the work of independent journalists, giving "distorted information" aimed at discrediting them.

"When we learned that so-called cybertroops had been created in Crimea, we understood that all the Internet activities were being monitored," he said.

Semena said that as Russia-imposed authorities continued their efforts to stifle criticism about Crimea's annexation, the Crimean-Tatar television channel ATR was pushed out of the peninsula along with the bureaus of all Ukrainian media outlets and RFE/RL's Crimean Desk.

"All Ukrainian media outlets were banned," he said. "Then Crimea's Russia-backed leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said in televised remarks that those media outlets were 'enemy media.'"

The chairman of Crimea's Russia-controlled parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov, also announced at a press conference that all journalists under investigation by the Russia-installed authorities were "enemy journalists."



Most journalists who refused to follow the Kremlin line either left the peninsula voluntarily, were forced out by authorities, or simply stopped working.

Semena was among a handful of independent journalists who continued to report from Crimea about the impact the Russia-installed government was having on the lives of Crimean Tatars and others who disagreed with the annexation.

On the morning of April 19, 2016, Semena heard a knock on his door. Agents of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) had arrived.

"They had a search warrant and told me that a probe had been launched into my articles," Semena said. "They confiscated my equipment, as well of the equipment of six other journalists they suspected were cooperating either directly or indirectly with RFE/RL's Krym.Realii."

Semena was briefly detained for questioning and then released on condition that he not leave Crimea or travel outside Simferopol unless he obtained permission from the Russia-imposed authorities.

Those restrictions have led to what Semena's attorney calls "serious health problems."

Risk Of Permanent Disability

Semena suffers from a heart condition and back problems. Doctors urged him to go in July 2016 to Kyiv for treatment at the National Institute of Surgery of Ukraine.

Doctors have said that without treatment Semena could become permanently disabled.

But authorities in Crimea have never responded to the Ukrainian institute's appeal for him to be allowed to travel to Kyiv for surgery.

Natalya Poklonskaya, the Kremlin-appointed prosecutor-general in Crimea at the time Semena was charged, has said she opened the case against him over a 2015 article in which he allegedly called for the "violation of Russia's territorial integrity."

Poklonskaya, who is now one of Crimea's deputies in Russia's State Duma, also accused Krym.Realii of being "a harmful service" that provides "justification for acts of sabotage and extremism" and incites "ethnic hatred."

But at Semena's initial hearing on February 28, defense attorney Andriy Sabinin filed a motion asking the Simferopol court to return the case to investigators because of what he said were "mistakes by linguistic experts" working for the prosecution.

Sabinin told RFE/RL that the prosecution's Russian translators "included their own judicial opinions," rather than literal translations of Semena's writing, when they filed evidence with the court.

The case against Semena has been widely criticized and dismissed as politically motivated by the United States, the European Union, other Western governments, and international rights groups.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called the charges "absurd," saying Semena "simply expressed his opinion on the annexation of Crimea."

Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE's media-freedom representative, said it was "totally unacceptable to persecute" Semena for "expressing his views."

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on Russia to drop its charges, saying Semena was being prosecuted for "reports about the illegal occupation and annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation."

Semena told RFE/RL the charges against him should be dismissed on grounds that his articles were a "contribution to the international debate on Crimea's status, which is currently being discussed by the United Nations, PACE, the OSCE, and media outlets around the world."

He insisted that not only is he innocent, but there is "no evidence of a crime" because the right to express opinions "is an internationally recognized right for which nobody can be prosecuted."
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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has exceeded expectations and scored a resounding victory over far-right anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders in a parliamentary election watched worldwide.

"The Netherlands said 'Whoa! Stop!' to the wrong kind of populism," Rutte told supporters in The Hague after polls closed in the March 15 election."We want to stick to the course we have -- safe and stable and prosperous."

With more than 90 percent of votes counted, Rutte's center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) was projected to win 33 of the 150 seats in parliament, down from 41 in a 2012 election but well above opinion-poll predictions.

Wilders' Party for Freedom (PVV)) was in second on 20 seats, a gain of five, with the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and centrist Democrats 66 tied for third with 19 seats each.

European leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, expressed congratulations and relief at Rutte's victory, with Juncker calling it "a vote for Europe, a vote against extremists."

Millions of Dutch voters flocked to the polls in a near-record turnout that reached 81 percent, up from 75 percent in the last general election in 2012.

The VVD's result was better than opinion polls throughout the campaign suggested and will be seen as a mandate for Rutte to form his third cabinet since 2010.

Firebrand Wilders' party failed to make an anticipated breakthrough, falling short after polls during the campaign forecast close to 30 seats at times.

The CDA and the Democrats 66 party both increased the number of their seats in parliament compared to the previous election.

Rutte's coalition partner since 2012, the Labor Party (PvdA), fared badly, being reduced to nine seats, down from 38. The decline was even greater than that predicted by opinion polls.

The election is the first of three this year seen as tests of antiestablishment sentiment in the European Union and the 28-member bloc's chances of survival after Britain's vote to leave the EU and Donald Trump's election as U.S. president in 2016.

Wilders, reacting to the projected results on Twitter, said Rutte "has not seen the last of me."

"Thank you PVV Voters! We won seats!" Wilders said in a tweet. "The first victory is in! And Rutte has not seen the last of me yet!!"

Rutte said after casting his vote that the election was an opportunity to stop the "domino effect of the wrong sort of populism."

The first country to congratulate the Netherlands on a "terrific" election result was Germany, which also faces parliamentary elections in September.

The anti-immigration, eurosceptic Alternative for Germany party, allied with Wilders, is hoping to enter the Berlin federal parliament for the first time.

"Netherlands oh Netherlands you are a champion," Peter Altmaier, the head of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's office, tweeted in Dutch. "Congratulations on this terrific result."

The Netherlands and Germany have both been embroiled in a diplomatic conflict with Turkey, after they refused to allow Turkish officials to campaign in favor of a referendum next month to give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan enhanced powers.

After the vote in the Netherlands, the attention will turn to a presidential election in France, with opinion polls indicating that far-right politician Marine Le Pen is likely to make the runoff in May but lose to a centrist candidate.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, and AFP


A Russian woman who was convicted of treason over a text message and pardoned by President Vladimir Putin was pressured by her jailer to ask for clemency, her lawyer said.

Attorney Ivan Pavlov said on Facebook on March 15 that Oksana Sevastidi was instructed to appeal to Putin for a pardon by the warden of Lefortovo detention center in Moscow, Aleksei Romashin, in mid-February.

Sevastidi, 46, was sentenced to seven years in prison in March 2016 for texting a friend about a Russian train carrying military equipment toward Georgia's breakaway Abkhazia region during a five-day war between Russia and Georgia in 2008.

She was pardoned by Putin on March 7 and released on March 12.

According to Pavlov, Sevastidi's request for clemency was dictated by Romashin. The issue is controversial because Russian officials say that a request for a pardon requires an admission of guilt, and human rights activists say Sevastidi's conviction was politically motivated.

Pavlov has welcomed Sevastidi's release but said she would continue to seek her exoneration.

However, he said later on March 15 that the Supreme Court reviewed an appeal Sevastidi filed before the pardon and declined to exonerate her, leaving her conviction in place but cutting her seven-year sentence to three years.
WASHINGTON -- The United States has denounced a move by Russia to allow soldiers from the breakaway Georgian region of South Ossetia to serve in the Russian armed forces.

The sharp criticism from the U.S. State Department on March 15 came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to conclude an agreement facilitating the integration of South Ossetia's forces into the Russian military's command structure.

Russia recognized South Ossetia and another separatist Georgian region, Abkhazia, as independent countries after fighting a brief war against Georgia in 2008.

It has kept thousands of troops in the regions, deployments that NATO says violate the EU-brokered deal that ended the fighting.

The United States and all but a handful of countries consider the two territories part of Georgia.

"The United States condemns the Russian Federation's decision to integrate military forces from Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia," the State Department spokesperson told RFE/RL, adding that Washington's "position on South Ossetia and Abkhazia is clear -- these regions are integral parts of Georgia."
Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti says he is in constant contact with international security authorities to ensure stability in Kosovo as more ethnic Serb police officers in the north of country resigned.



Kurti said on November 6 after a rally by ethnic Serbs in the streets of North Mitrovica that the security situation in Kosovo was threatened by various criminalized individuals and groups, but said that during his time in office, we have made great progress in the fight against crime and corruption."



He added that the rule of law goes hand in hand with peace and security and cannot be threatened, adding that authorities do not distinguish criminals on the basis of ethnicity, but only on the basis of their criminal acts."



When asked about the decision on November 5 by the Serbian List party to leave Kosovo's institutions, Kurti repeated his call that Kosovo Serbs refrain from doing so.



"I once again I invite all Serb citizens of our country to not abandon institutions, not to resign, not to leave their jobs, because there would be less service for the people," he said.



Kurti has blamed Belgrade for seeking to destabilize Kosovo by supporting the ethnic Serbs in their boycott of state institutions.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement on November 5 that the withdrawal of Kosovo Serbs from the country's institutions "is not a solution to the current disputes" and it has the potential to further escalate tensions.



A statement from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo released to RFE/RL's Balkan Service late on November 6 said the United States agreed with the European Union that the recent developments around relations between Kosovo and Serbia "are of great concern and put important progress achieved in the EU-facilitated Dialogue at risk."



"The Kosovan Serbs' withdrawal from Kosovan institutions is not a solution to the current disputes and has the potential to further escalate the tensions on the ground," the statement added. "All involved must take steps to reduce tensions and ensure peace and stability on the ground."



The Serb officers who resigned on November 6 submitted written resignations to the police station in North Mitrovica. One of the policemen told RFE/RL that the officers only submitted their resignations in writing but had not yet turned in their uniforms and weapons. However, he said this will follow in the coming days.



Numerous media outlets reported that the police officers took off their uniforms as part of the wider Serb movement to withdraw from institutions in Kosovo touched off by a move to implement a mandate on the conversion of vehicle license plates.



A statement from the Kosovar police force said it was aware that Serb police officers had abandoned their posts and that some have handed over police equipment.



The rally by ethnic Serbs in North Mitrovica on November 6 came a day after Serbs there said they would quit their posts in state institutions to protest against the use of license plates issued by Pristina.

Following a meeting of Serb political representatives in the north of Kosovo on November 5, the minister of communities and returns, Goran Rakic, said he was resigning from his post in the Pristina government.



He told reporters that fellow representatives of the Serb minority in the north had also quit their jobs in municipal administrations, the courts, police, and the parliament and government in Pristina.



Rakic said they would not consider returning unless Pristina abolishes the order for them to switch their old car license plates, which date to the 1990s when Kosovo was a part of Serbia, to Kosovo state plates.



Addressing the rally on November 6, Rakic accused Kosovo government authorities of not respecting international law and agreements negotiated in Brussels.



Rakic has called on the protesters "not to fall for provocations and to continue the fight with peaceful and democratic means."



The license-plate measure took effect on November 1, and Kosovo authorities said enforcement would be gradual.

The U.S. Embassy statement reiterated Washington's position that the Kosovar authorities should extend the process of converting vehicle license plates and suspend any punitive actions until the license plates issue can be resolved through dialogue.

Many ethnic Serbs in Kosovo refuse to recognize the countrys independence from Serbia, which it declared in 2008.



The European Union has told Kosovo and Serbia that they must normalize ties if they want to advance toward membership in the 27-nation bloc.

With reporting by dpa, AP, and AFP
A state prosecutor has asked Tajikistan's Supreme Court to extend the prison term handed down to human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov.

Yorov's wife, Zarina Nabieva, told RFE/RL on March 15 that the prosecutor asked the judge on March 14 to add two years to Yorov's 23-year prison term.

Yorov was sentenced in October after the Dushanbe City Court found him guilty on charges of issuing public calls for the overthrow of the government and inciting social unrest.

Yorov pleaded not guilty and called the case against him politically motivated.

He then read out verses by the 11th-century Persian poet Omar Khayyam about fools, which led to fresh charges of contempt of court and insulting a government official.

Yorov was a lawyer for 13 members and leaders of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, which the government labeled a terrorist organization and outlawed in 2015.

Dozens of party members were jailed in 2015-16.

Yorov is among at least five human rights attorneys who rights groups say have been targeted by authorities in Tajikistan in connection with their work.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Watch and other organizations have called for their immediate and unconditional release.
ON MY MIND

On the 100th anniversary of Tsar Nicholas II's abdication today, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin ruled out the restoration of the monarchy in Russia.

But he didn't say anything about the restoration of the Russian Empire.

That Kremlin project, it appears, is continuing apace three years after the annexation of Crimea.

Moscow is moving to incorporate the armed forces of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region into the Russian command structure.

It is recognizing documents issued by separatist authorities in Donetsk and Luhansk and encouraging the use of the ruble there. And as I note on today's Daily Vertical, new legislation working its way through the State Duma would grant Russian citizenship to any Russian-speaker who lived in the Soviet Union -- as well as to the descendants of those who lived in the Russian Empire.

A century ago the Russian Empire collapsed following the abdication of Nicholas II.

Just over a quarter of a century ago, its reincarnation in the form of the Soviet Union collapsed as well.

And now Vladimir Putin seems intent on correcting what he has called "the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century."

Vladimir Putin's desire to revive the old empire has always been latent. Now it is increasingly manifest.

IN THE NEWS

Vladimir Putin has ordered his government to conclude an agreement to effectively incorporate the military of Georgia's breakaway South Ossetia region into the Russian armed forces' command structure.

Prosecutors say a 28-year-old man from Vladivostok in Russia's Far East has been convicted of hate speech for denigrating ethnic Russians during a volleyball game that turned heated.

Oksana Sevastidi, a Russian woman who was convicted of treason over a text message and pardoned by President Vladimir Putin, was pressured by her jailer to ask for clemency, her lawyer said.

Media are reporting that U.S. authorities will shortly issue criminal indictments against four people, three of them in Russia, in connection with massive hacking attacks on Yahoo that were the largest ever reported.

Milo Djukanovic, the former prime minister of Montenegro, has appealed to the European Union to curb Russia's "destructive" influence in the Balkans.

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the Russian state was behind an attack on a prominent rights defender and three journalists in 2007, and ordered Moscow to compensate them for "illegal freedom deprivation and torture."

The United States and the United Nations have voiced concern about what human rights groups say is the Belarusian government's biggest crackdown on protesters in years.

Ukraine's Security and Defense Council says Kyiv has suspended all cargo traffic with areas held by Russia-backed separatists.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a bill that would ban dual citizenship.

WHAT I'M READING

Russia's Play For Libya

In a piece for Republic.ru, Moscow-based foreign affairs analyst Vladimir Frolov, a former Russian Foreign Ministry official, weighs in on the Kremlin's recent moves in Libya.

"There are three goals in Libya," Frolov writes.

"The first is continuing the revival of Russia's status as a great power, which began in Syria. For this, Moscow needs to return to the Middle East and limit US influence in the region. The second is to counter colored revolutions. The Russian authorities believe that they must reverse Western-backed popular uprisings against sovereign dictators. And the third goal is the restoration of Moscow's network of client states in the Middle East and North Africa. This is necessary for the successful monetization of Russian military "anti-terrorism services" in the form of military bases, profitable weapons contracts, the development of oil and gas fields, and the construction of transportation infrastructure."

In a piece for OpenDemocracy, Anna Arutunyan, author of the book The Putin Mystique, looks at Aleksei Navalny and the fusion of nationalism, legalism, and the fight against corruption.

"Russias legal-rational establishment has yet to emerge. But the rise of Alexei Navalny demonstrates that when it does, it will inevitably be nationalist," Arutunyan writes.

The Geopolitics Of Pipelines

Martin Vladimirov of the Sofia-based Center for the Study of Democracy and Sijbren de Jong of The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies have a piece on The Atlantic Council's website on "Deciphering Russia's Pipeline Agenda In Europe."

The Parasites' Uprising

Vadim Mozheiko has a piece in Republic.ru, The Uprising Of The Angry Parasites. How Lukashenka Caused His Own Supporters to Protest.

Passports As Weapons

In Yezhednevny Zhurnal, political analyst Aleksandr Golts looks at proposed legislation from State Duma deputies Konstantin Zatulin and Natalya Poklonskaya that offers Russian citizenship to any Russian speaker who lived in the Soviet Union -- and Russian-speaking descendants of those who lived in the Russian Empire.

The Crimean Annexation

As the third anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea approaches, Paul Niland takes a look back in an explainer and timeline in The Kyiv Post.

The Near Revolution

In a piece in Forbes, Paul Coyer, a Research Professor at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C., looks at Belarus's "near revolution."
At least 9,940 people have been killed in the conflict between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine since it erupted mid-April 2014, the Office of UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said on March 15.

"The total death toll from mid-April 2014 to 12 March 2017 is at least 9,940, with at least 23,455 people injured," the OHCHR said in a statement, adding that this was "a conservative estimate based on available data."

It said the casualty figures include "Ukrainian armed forces, civilians, and members of armed groups" and that more than 2,000 were "civilians who have been killed in hostilities."

The number of civilians injured due to the conflict is estimated at between 7,000 and 9,000, the statement said.

It said that a "sharp escalation of hostilities" between January 29 and February 3 "had a devastating impact on all aspects of life for civilians" living near the front line in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Fighting during that period killed seven civilians -- the monthly average in 2016 -- and also caused extensive damage infrastructure and "deprived tens of thousands of people of life-saving services and basic necessities."

Fighting has continued despite a cease-fire deal agreed as part of the February 2015 accord known as Minsk II, which also laid out steps to end the conflict and restore Kyiv's control over the border between the separatist-held terrorities and Russia.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Ukrainian authorities have announced the suspension of all cargo traffic with areas held by Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country, prompting Russia to urge Kyiv to cancel the measure to avoid a "humanitarian catastrophe."

Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov announced the decision on March 15, shortly after President Petro Poroshenko proposed it at a session of the council.

The move comes after the government took steps this week to end a rail and road blockade established by Ukrainians opposed to any trade with the separatists, who control a portion of eastern Ukraine that includes coal mines and other industrial enterprises that have long been a crucial part of the country's economy. The activists maintaining the blockade called such commerce "trade in blood."

Poroshenko said that only humanitarian cargoes should be permitted to cross into separatist-held areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a swath of Ukraine known as the Donbas.

However, Russia's Foreign Ministry immediately urged an end to the blockade, saying that the situation risked turning into a "humanitarian catastrophe."

The ministry said in a statement on its website that Kyiv was responsible for a recent flare-up of tensions in eastern Ukraine.

Turchynov said the suspension will remain in effect until the Russia-backed separatists relinquish control over enterprises in the Donbas and comply with the much-violated 2015 Minsk agreement. The European-brokered deal set out steps to end the war between government forces and the separatists -- which the UN said in a March 15 report has killed at least 9,940 people since April 2014 -- and restore Kyiv's control over the border with Russia, but it appears unlikely to implemented in full anytime soon.

The European-brokered deal sets out steps to end the war between government forces and the separatists, which has killed more than 9,750 people in eastern Ukraine since April 2014, and restore Kyiv's control over the border with Russia -- but it appears unlikely to implemented in full any time soon.

Shortages And Outages

The makeshift blockade put Poroshenko's government in a difficult position, adding to strains on Ukraine's war-depleted economy and opening the authorities up to accusations of colluding with the Russia-backed separatists.

WATCH: Protesters In Kyiv Target Russian Bank And Oligarch Office

It hampered deliveries of coal from the Donbas to power plants elsewhere in Ukraine, contributing to electricity shortages and outages that prompted Poroshenko to declare an emergency in late February and urge all Ukrainians to try to conserve energy.

Meanwhile, the separatists responded to the activists' blockade by seeking, as of March 1, to seize control of Ukrainian enterprises in the territory they hold, further aggravating the crisis.

Coal producer DTEK, part of Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov's business empire, said on March 15 that the separatists have taken control of its biggest mines in separatist-held territory as well as a power plant and power distribution business. DTEK had said on March 9 that it still had control of its mining operations in the separatist-held areas but had been forced to idle them.

Citing an unidentified Russian steel-industry source, Russian news agency RBK reported on March 15 that the Russian government has urged big steelmakers to provide iron-ore to plants in separatist-held areas in eastern Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the separatists responded to the activists' blockade by announcing they would take control of enterprises in the territory they hold as of March 1, further aggravating the crisis.

Turchynov was quoted as saying that the Security and Defense Council requested from the Interior Ministry, National Police, and the Security Service to implement additional measures to beef up public safety and prevent sabotage and terrorist acts, as well as attempts to disrupt social order.

PHOTO GALLERY: Ukrainian Oligarch's Office, Bank Attacked Amid Protests Against Trade With Separatist-Controlled Areas

Turchynov also said that the commanding staff of the Ukrainian armed forces in Donbas was ordered to carry out "necessary measures to stand against possible provocations" by the separatists.

The government took steps to end the makeshift blockade on March 13-14. Security forces detained several dozen activists who were blocking a railway line, dismantled their camp, and cordoned off the area next to a key railway hub in the Donetsk region.

'Kindling' Russian Aggression

Those moves angered opposition lawmakers, government critics, and nationalist activists who held protests in several cities.

Opposition lawmakers demanded answers from Poroshenko, the Interior Ministry, and Ukraine's security service (SBU) on March 14 over the detentions.

Poroshenko lashed out at the "blockaders" during the Security and Defense Council meeting on March 15, saying that their actions did not support Ukraine's territorial integrity but "on the contrary, made it more difficult to secure it."

"They weakened Ukraine's influence on the other side of the contact line," he said, referring to the front line between government forces and separatist fighters in the Donbas.

"They did not remove fears imposed on our compatriots by Russian propaganda but increased them...They worsened the situation faced by our people held in [separatist] captivity," Poroshenko said. "They did not curb Russia's aggressiveness, but kindled it even more."

After a Moscow-friendly Ukrainian president was pushed from power by protests in Kyiv in February 2014, Russia seized the Crimea Peninsula from Kyiv's control and fomented separatism in the country's east and south, where many people speak Russian.

Russia denies involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine, despite what Kyiv and Western nations say is overwhelming evidence that it has sent substantial numbers of troops and weapons across the border to support separatist forces.

Russias interference in Ukraine has badly strained its ties with the West, prompting the European Union, the United States, and other nations to impose sanctions.

With reporting by UNIAN and Reuters


WASHINGTON -- U.S. authorities have indicted two Russian intelligence officers for the massive 2014 hack against Yahoo, one of whom was arrested earlier in Moscow as part a widening scandal involving Russias top security agency.



In a March 15 announcement, the FBI, the Justice Department, and other officials said two criminal hackers were also being indicted.



U.S. officials told reporters that the indictments targeted two intelligence officers who worked for Russias lead intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service, also known as the FSB. They were identified as Dmitry Dokuchayev and his superior, Igor Sushchin.



The Justice Department linked to the two, along with a Russian man and a Kazakh man, to the 2014 hack of Yahoo, the Internet company that announced last year that 500 million user accounts had been breached. It was one of the largest such computer intrusions publicly reported.



The other two alleged hackers were identified as Aleksei Belan and Karim Baratov. U.S. officials said Baratov was arrested a day earlier in Canada at Washingtons request.



The charges appear to be unconnected to alleged Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and the FBIs investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Nikolai Lakhonin, a spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Washington, said that the Russian government had no official comment. He also referred RFE/RL to articles published on March 15 by the state-owned news agency Sputnik, which, among other things, asserted that U.S. officials never sought help from Russian authorities in tracking down the Yahoo hackers.

Dokuchayev was an officer with the FSBs Center for Information Security, which oversees cybersecurity efforts by the agency. Dokuchayev was arrested in December, along with another officer with the Center for Information Security, and charged with high treason, according to Ivan Pavlov, a Russian lawyer who is representing a suspect in the treason case.

Russian media reports have said Dokuchayev is a former hacker who used the alias Forb.



The other arrested FSB officer -- whom Pavlov identified as Sergei Mikhailov -- does not appear in the newly announced U.S. indictments.



Both Mikhailov, whom Russian media reports said was detained during a high-level meeting in Moscow and taken from the room with a bag over his head, and Dokuchayev are alleged to have passed classified information to U.S. intelligence, Pavlov told RFE/RL last month.



In addition to confirming the arrest of Mikhailov and Dokuchayev, Pavlov confirmed to RFE/RL the arrest of Ruslan Stoyanov, a former employee of the Interior Ministry who had worked for Kaspersky Lab, a well-known private cyberresearch company.

The news that two FSB officers were arrested and charged with treason sent ripples through intelligence watchers and experts on cybersecurity.



The growing number of arrests, and a steady stream of leaks in Russian media over the past several weeks, have offered potential glimpses into Russia's formidable security apparatus and its ties to Russia's shadowy underground hacking networks.

The U.S. indictment offers further indications of those links.

In the announcement, U.S. authorities said that Belan, the hacker, had been indicted in 2012 and 2013, named a top wanted criminal by the FBI, and an arrest warrant was issued by Interpol in 2013. He was arrested in an unnamed European country, but then escaped to Russia.

Instead of detaining Belan under the Interpol arrest notice, U.S. officials said, Dokuchayev and Sushchin "used him to gain unauthorized access to Yahoos network." In late 2014, Belan allegedly stole Yahoo's propriety computer codes, the indictment said.

Sushchins name had not appeared in Russian media accounts of the earlier FSB arrests. Mikhailov, however, had been identified by Russian media as Dokuchayevs superior.



Asked about Sushchins possible connections to the earlier arrests in Moscow, Pavlov told RFE/RL on March 15: "I cant say."



Though Mikhailovs name does not appear in the U.S. indictments, he is "well-known" among Russia's cybersecurity experts, according to Andrei Soldatov, an investigative journalist who has written widely about Russian intelligence services and their cyber capabilities.



Mikhailov was a prominent witness in the trial of Pavel Vrublevsky, who ran an electronic-payment company called Chronopay and in 2013 was convicted of cyberattacks on Russian companies, including state-owned airline Aeroflot.



Vrublevsky, meanwhile, is a successful entrepreneur and colorful figure among Russia's digital elite.

In a book published in 2014, Brian Krebs, an American investigative blogger, researched some of the Russian crime networks involved in the vast amounts of e-mail spam that clutter the Internet. His book, Krebs wrote in a blog post on January 29, was based on a cache of leaked e-mails from Vrublevksy's company.



Vrublevsky told Krebs that he believed Mikhailov was the one who stole the e-mails and leaked them. Krebs said Vrublevsky was also convinced Mikhailov was leaking sensitive information to U.S. intelligence -- one possible corroboration of the high-treason charges that Russian officials have levied on Mikhailov.



Both the U.S. indictments announced on March 15, and the earlier arrests in Russia, came on the heels of an assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies in early January that concluded that Russia orchestrated a hacking-and-propaganda campaign aimed at helping Republican Donald Trump defeat his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, in the presidential election.



The FBI is reportedly looking into alleged communications between some of Trumps aides and Russian officials. At least five different congressional committees are also conducting different, Russian-related investigations.
The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was set to discuss "ways of increasing EBRD engagement with Uzbekistan" in a three-day visit to the Central Asian nation.

A delegation led by EBRD President Suma Chakrabarti was due to hold talks with high-level officials during the March 15-17 visit.

The bank's ties with Uzbekistan soured over human rights concerns and a lack of political and economic reforms during late President Islam Karimov's tenure.

The EBRD limited lending projects in Uzbekistan in 2004 and had stopped operations there by 2007.

"I look forward to our dialogue and discussing ways of increasing the EBRD's work in Uzbekistan, where the Bank currently retains a small portfolio of projects," Chakrabarti said in a statement.

It said issues including regional connectivity and integration, financing for small- and medium-sized enterprises, and financing for green energy and energy efficiency projects, were on the agenda.

President Shavkat Mirziyaev, who came to power after Karimov's death was announced in September, is being closely watched for signs of an effort to decrease the country's isolation.

An EBRD delegation visited Tashkent in February to outline a possible revival of cooperation.

With reporting by Reuters


Prosecutors say a 28-year-old man from Vladivostok in Russia's Far East has been convicted of hate speech for denigrating ethnic Russians during a volleyball game that turned heated.

A court in the far eastern city handed the man a two-year suspended sentence after he was found guilty of hate speech on a local playground last year, regional prosecutors said in a March 14 statement.

The man, an English language teacher whose name has not been released by authorities, "used phrases" during the July volleyball game that disparaged "Russians," investigators said in December, using the word that refers to ethnic Russians rather than citizens of Russia.

The Sova Center, a respected Moscow-based group that monitors the use and abuse of extremism legislation, said in December that it believes the man was wrongly charged with hate speech.

Investigators said officers from the regional branch of the Federal Security Service, Russia's main security agency, initiated the case over the man's outburst on the volleyball court.

They said the man "admitted his guilt," though this assertion could not be immediately corroborated.